"Good Morning, Barry," I said, passing him on the way to the milking shed. He merely nodded and kept walking towards the house. I knew he'd slept in the barn; there was straw all over the back of his shirt. I couldn't address that, it was really none of my business. Tally mumbled something as well when he passed Barry, but he had a toaster pastry in his mouth and the words were unclear.

"What's with him?" Tally asked after catching up with me.

"I think he slept in the barn. I'm not going to get into that," I replied.

We milked, I drove Tally to school and the day progressed. Rick and Barry were working on the roof of the cow shed with Jim below directing their attempts to plug some holes that had occurred during the big thunderstorm. I was adding more corn to the feed bins and mixing it in with a pitchfork, a slow and tedious job. And then I heard Rick start yelling.

"Fuck you, Barry ... I ain't your damn mother."

"Come on boys, stop that," I heard Jim yell, and then the fight started.

The roof of the shed shook as the brothers went at each other, I couldn't see what they were doing but I could hear the sounds. And then Barry came tumbling off the roof, falling to the ground and slowly getting back up. It was only about ten feet, but he could have been hurt. A few seconds later Rick was scrambling down the ladder looking mad as hell, but Jim made the intercept.

He held his hand against the boy's chest to keep him from going after Barry, Rick was helpless to move foreword.

"Now enough of that, the both of you," Jim said.

"He slugged me," Rick said, wiping the corner of his mouth.

"I told you to watch out with that hammer, you hit me with it on purpose ... asshole," Barry threw back.

"Enough," Jim yelled. "Rick you go finish up that sluice in the hog pen, Barry and I will finish up here. Go on, you have work to do."

Rick gave Barry a hateful look and walked away, mumbling and cussing.

"What the hell is wrong with you boys?" Jim asked.

Barry shrugged and started back up the ladder as I resumed forking the feed mix. Jim slowly climbed the ladder following his son. Damn, now the antagonism was out in the open, I just knew this wasn't over between them.

Even at lunch, Barry took the sandwich off his plate wrapped it in a napkin and walked back out the kitchen door. Rick sat there with a smirk and I just wished Jim would smack the boy; instead he seemed determined to let them work it out. Not gonna happen, I thought.

Tally came home and I cautioned him not to come between his brothers. Brad came back from over at Tom's place and declared the corn there would be ready in about a week. He had no idea that his brothers had been fighting, and that caused the next incident.

Tom had a small tractor just like Jim's and it seems the rear tire was damaged. Brad had managed to jack the machine up and unbolt the tire but it was too big for one man to handle. He made the mistake of asking Rick and Barry to go get it so he could take it in for a fix.

"I'm not goin anywhere with that asshole," Rick declared, "Send Evan over there with him."

I got up from the back steps and started to follow Barry towards the pickup. As we passed close by Rick I heard Barry call him a cocksucker, just soft enough so Jim couldn't hear. Predictably Rick went after him and I leapt out of the way. The boys started swinging at one another and Brad made a move to stop them, but Jim grabbed his arm.

"Let them finish this, it's been a long time comin," I heard him say.

The three of us stood watching the two brothers punch it out, throwing wild unfocused punches that did little damage. Granny and Sam came out on the back porch with Tally right behind them. The fight was now open for the whole family to watch.

Rick swung at Barry's face, hitting his shoulder instead as Barry moved out of the way, but his return blow caught Rick on the side of the face and the boy went down. Rather than resume punching, Barry fell on his brother and they rolled around on the grass. I was hoping Barry would end up on top. The fight dissolved into elbow slams and choke holds, the brothers were fairly even in strength so neither of them prevailed.

At eighteen I couldn't see Jim sending them to their rooms, besides ... they shared one. I guess he figured they needed to get this part over with, and then he would pick up the pieces. This time it was obvious that Rick had started things; I just wondered what Jim would do about it.

The boys were tiring and I suppose Jim had seen enough, so he turned the hose on them. Brad went over and pulled Barry off his brother like he was a sack of feed. Both Jim and Brad were big enough to pick the boys up and throw them if they wanted. Instead Barry was dragged about ten feet away and dumped as Jim moved between them.

The two sat and glared at one another, scrapes and red marks all over their faces, tomorrow there would be bruises. Jim looked at one and then the other, shaking his head in obvious disappointment.

"I don't know what started this, but it ends here. You both need to work or you can pack up and go live somewhere else. I need workers not fighters ... so I am breaking you two up."

He looked up at Sam and shrugged, she seemed to understand.

"Rick, you go pack your things ... I'm sending you over to Tom's place. He'll start cutting his corn next week and now you work for him. You may come back Sundays for supper if you act civil, otherwise don't bother. I'll make sure you get paid, but you'll have to call before you come over. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir." Rick got to his feet and trudged in the house, he almost looked happy to be leaving. Jim turned to Barry and helped him to his feet.

"Now as for you, enough is enough. Let him go on over to Tom's, maybe splitting you two up is the only answer. You can partner with Evan for a while."

Jim was done and Barry turned away, walking away from the house and the twin he now hated so much. Brad followed his father off towards the barn and the women went inside. Tally and I looked at one another.

"It's been a bad day, they've been fighting since this morning," I said.

"I wondered, but why is Rick the one to leave?" Tally asked.

"He's been pushing on Barry all day; I think your dad just had enough. If they can't work together they're useless here." I looked around to make sure there were no other ears. "Barry called him a cocksucker, what do you suppose that was all about?"

Tally shook his head. "I don't even want to know."

Rick drove off in a cloud of dust. Barry eventually returned to the house and went up to what was now his room alone. I was heading to the upstairs bathroom when I heard him start cussing.

"Shit, what a motherfucker," Barry said, loud enough to carry down the hall. Maybe it was time to see what my new working partner was upset about, I don't know why but I walked the length of the hall and looked in the bedroom.

Barry was standing there amidst a pile of clothing and a stack of upended bureau drawers. It seems Rick had tossed Barry's things to the floor as he packed up his own. What a juvenile act, about what I expected from Rick. Barry looked up at me and shook his head.

"What a jerk, you'd think he was ten instead of eighteen. This is all so stupid," Barry said.

And without a word I walked in and picked up a drawer, fitting it back into the bureau. Barry and I spent fifteen minutes restoring order, neither of us saying a word until the job was done.

"Thanks," Barry said, and then he smiled. "I hope we didn't shock you, but this has been coming on a long time."

"I think Jim did the right thing ... the only thing he could do," I said.

"Yeah, Dad is a fair man ... guess you know that by now."

"I'm not sure what I know, just seems you and Rick need to be apart for a while. As for working together, just show me what to do, OK?"

"Fair enough, working with you will be a pleasure," Barry said. Then he gave me a look of amusement. "Just don't go hugging me when we finish a chore, save that for Tally."

I should have felt alarm at that statement, but I knew he didn't have any certain knowledge of what Tally and I shared. It was just Barry being a wise ass, something I had better get used to.

Barry and I finished the roof of the cow shed and it really seemed like the whole roof would have to be replaced pretty soon. Since he and Rick had been pretty much in charge of the hog business I was then introduced to the pig pen. The smell alone made me wish I could stand in cow manure, it seemed the better option.

Fortunately all we had to do was give them feed, that meant buckets of prepared mash dumped in the trough, the pigs did the rest. The little piglets were in various stages of development. The smallest ones tended their mother's teats as she fed, oblivious of their needs as she fed her own. One end of the trough seemed to be reserved for the young pigs, which grunted and squealed just like the bigger fellows as they devoured the mash.

Barry watched for a while before he spoke. "Pigs are like people; they try and get over on one another. I read that if not fed they will even eat their young, that's pretty sick."

I was shocked, maybe Barry was actually more of an intellectual than I thought. But then that myth was quickly dispelled.

"I had a girlfriend once that reminded me of a pig, all mouth and an ass that was only good for fucking. You got a girl?"

I laughed. "Not recently, all I thought about was getting my diploma and walking out of that damn school forever."

Barry smiled. "Yeah, me too. Couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life on a farm."

The bitterness in that statement came through loud and clear. It wasn't just Rick; his whole life was making him miserable.

"If you weren't here what would you do?" I asked.

"Oh, I love it outdoors, a conservationist, maybe a park ranger ... something where I could live surrounded by nature. But Dad needs me here; I can't just up and leave."

"Maybe not right away, but he could always hire more rookies like me. You think he'd let you go?"

Barry laughed. "Look at what just happened, he'd probably hold the door for me on the way out."

"I don't see it like that," I said. "You've been doing this your whole life, you paid your dues, and maybe he would help you find something else ... something you wanted to do."

"Maybe, I don't know. Brad will take over the farm, I see that coming. Rick is stupid enough to stay on and Tally ... I see that boy outta here so fast it will make your head spin. I think that's why he's your little buddy; you'll help him escape in a few years."

Then he paused. "Tally is all about heroes, seems you're on his list now. Good luck with that." And then he turned and walked away, kicking the feed bucket against the fence.

I could still feel his anger for Rick, and now there was something else. He was jealous of me and my apparent friendship with Tally. I got it, the boy was supposed to look up to his older brothers; they were supposed to be the heroes in his life. But Tally had chosen me instead, and Barry didn't know why.

Brad was distant, indifferent to his brothers most times. His best friend was his father and that was something not lost on any of us. Rick should have been Barry's obvious choice as a pal, a confederate ... but that was not to be. My closeness to Tally left Barry boxed in, no wonder he wanted out.

I continued to watch Barry and worked with him the rest of the week, I had decided nothing would change; we just had to get along. Saturday came and we all knew Tom would be home late this evening, the happiness was contagious, even Barry seemed cheered up. Jim figured Tom would spend the evening with his family and then there would be a reunion tomorrow.

Granny was fussing about the meal for tomorrow and I thought she ought to get away for a few hours, so about three I approached Jim with my thoughts.

"Jim ... I need to get your mother out of the house before she explodes," I said.

He nodded. "I noticed she was a bit cranky, what you have in mind?"

"Tally and I thought about taking her fishing ... she hasn't talked to Jessie in a long time, maybe that will help."

He gave me a long slow smile. "You never cease to amaze me, that's just what she needs. I've been meaning to take her over there, there's just no time ... thank you, always lookin out for us aren't you?"

"No sir, it's not like ... " I began.

Jim rubbed his bear paw sized hands on my head as if I were just a child. "Go on ... and take that brat outta here too before I paddle him. You're spoiling him rotten, you know."

"Yes sir, see you back here for supper." And I was off, now all I had to do was talk Granny into it, but Tally had a plan."

"Driving lesson?" Granny said. "You sure don't need me for that."

"Yes I do ... we're going to try to distract him. You sit in back and talk; I'll sit up front and do the same. You know how Tally likes to look at people when he talks to them; we have to break him of the habit."

"You think this is what he needs?"

"Absolutely, and we can take the Jeep, it's a safer car," I said.

"All right, I suppose I could use some fresh air. We can't be long, I have supper to prepare." Granny said.

"An hour, two at the most," I promised.

But Sam was in on the plan; she was leaving after us to go in town for pizza, my treat. I didn't want this to be anything but a relaxing moment for Granny. Tally already had the fishing poles lashed to the roof rack of my Jeep and some refreshments hidden away in the back, the plan was working.

Tally was going to drive us all the way to Emerson and then turn around, taking back roads on the way home. The drive was uneventful, Tally following the script by not turning around every time Granny asked him something. The windows were down and I could look back and see her enjoying the warm breeze blowing through her hair.

We circled through Emerson and wandered back along the river. The sight of the water through the trees was relaxing and Granny stuck her head out the window and smiled.

"Been a long time since I came this way. Thanks for bringing me," She said. "And Tally, you're doing so well behind the wheel."

"Thanks," He threw back, his eyes never leaving the road, our turnoff was ahead.

Tally slowed as we approached the cut towards the pond and Granny said nothing. The crops were gone, the field lay bare as we bounced our way through the ruts and pulled up in the shade of the tall trees. The view across the pond was lovely; the willow's pale green leaves seemed to sparkle in the breeze. The gravestone stood bright in the afternoon sunlight.

Tally and I both turned to look back at Granny. "You should have told me," She said. "I would have brought him a flower."

I opened the glove box and took out a red rosebud, handing it back to her. "You did," I said.

Tally and I left her alone with Jessie for a while, the rose laying across the stone where she placed it. She finally sat in the shade of the willow as Tally and I watched her from across the pond.

"She gives him the news of the family, it's like a real conversation she has," Tally said.

"That's because he's still very real to her, the mind is an amazing thing," I replied.

"You still want to fish?"

"No ... do you?"

"No ... I just want to sit here with the three people I love most in this world," Tally said.

The sincerity of that statement made me look over at him. Tally was a million miles away, remembering life as it was when Jessie was alive. I put my arm on his shoulder and pulled him in close, and then his eyes met mine.

"I'm so glad I have you to love," Tally said softly.

I looked over towards Granny and saw she was engaged with Jessie, and so I kissed Tally. He needed that from me, just as Jessie needed to see her, it felt fair.

After a while we joined Granny and sat under the willow as she told us stories about their lives at the beginning of the marriage. When Jim was just a baby they had a bad storm that blew the roof off most of the barn. Jessie hardly had any money in those days and he didn't want to approach the bank for a loan. Instead he went to several neighboring farms to see if he could borrow a few tarps to cover the hay inside the barn and keep it from getting wet.

Granny had been raised a city girl and had no idea about the sense of community these farmers felt, and so it came as a shock when that first Sunday rolled around. She said she was standing in the kitchen when the first truck rolled into the yard, followed by six more.

Without asking a crew of men started unloading ladders and scavenging the fields for any usable roofing material. Jessie came up from the milk shed to see what was going on and was greeted by his friends from the Co-op and surrounding farms. They had all given up their Sunday to fix the barn roof. Jessie joined the crew and was himself surprised when Mr. Jenkins from the hardware store pulled in with a truckload of corrugated roofing material.

Granny took one look at the scene and started cooking. If there was one thing she knew it was that these men would be hungry when they were done. But a few hours later the wives showed up with pans of friend chicken and baskets of home baked biscuits. Granny said she had to stop cooking and cry, these people had been so dear and generous.

"It took Jessie three years to save enough to pay back Mr. Jenkins for his roofing supplies. It just goes to show that when people work together anything is possible. Jessie helped several others when they were down. He told me the only time he ever felt alone was when he rode before a plow; otherwise all the farmers were a community who helped one another."

Granny smiled. "I think he was trying to say that a farmer chooses his crop and plows his own way, but when it comes to the major problems a young man faces he can find a sense of community to help out."

"Mr. Winslow sounds like he was a fine man. I still find myself amazed at all he accomplished over the years," I said.

"Yes, he worked hard, and he raised his sons to work that way as well. Jim and Tom have done a fine job keepin things going." Then Granny sighed. "After what we saw them boys doin to one another, I just don't know what will happen with this generation."

"Hey, that's me you're talkin about," Tally said. "I'm not fighting with anyone."

Granny smiled and I laughed at his indignant response. Tally was of an age where he tried to get along with anyone.

"Well I expect you'll turnout just fine if Evan has anything to do with it, Tally," Granny said. "I've known for a long time you aren't cut out for a life on the farm, the world has bigger plans for you. Now we best be getting back, I have some dinner to fix."

Tally smiled. "No you don't, we sent Mom in town to get us pizza for dinner."

Granny smiled, reaching out and running her hand over Tally's head before brushing a few stray hairs from his face. It was such a loving gesture that I felt the warmth of it in my own heart. Tally was well and truly loved.

"Such sweet boys ... the both of you. Taking care of your Granny, thank you. But we ought to go back anyways before there isn't any pizza left. Wonderful idea those Italians had, I sure do like my pizza."

Tally drove us back to the house and Granny was in good spirits, mission accomplished. The mood around the table was almost festive, Tom would be back tomorrow and that was the main topic of conversation.

I had never met the man, only seen his photo. He was big like his brother, maybe even a few inches taller. Jerry would grow up to look like his father, a thought I am sure had occurred to him over the years. For there was no better way a boy could relate to his dad then to be just like him.

Tally and I cleaned up the dinner mess and went out to check on the chicken coop. Something had tried to dig under the fence this past week, probably a fox or a stray dog. The fencing had been built well and that included burying a bit of the wire to prevent such an occurrence.

I had marveled that the farm didn't have a dog to prevent these things but Tally said it was hard to get a dog trained around so many cows. The last one they tried had chased the cows around and some of them went off their milk, the dog had to go.

The sun was barely headed for the horizon as we walked around the equipment shed and heard the sounds of Paulo's pickup truck coming up the road from the trailer.

"Hola," Miguel said as they stopped beside us.

"Where you goin?" Tally asked.

"Oh we go for dinner at Las Miranda, you ever been there, little man?" Paulo asked.

"Nope, you gonna take me some time?" Tally asked.

"Sure thing, I know a pretty little waitress there would love to feed you," Paulo laughed. "But maybe I been keeping her too busy?"

Miguel chuckled. "He wishes, it will not happen."

I smiled and winked at Paulo. "I don't know Miguel, Paulo usually gets what he wants from the ladies ... just like his father I suppose."

Paulo roared with laughter and Miguel actually blushed, he was far from the ladies man that his son claimed to be.

"Bring us some tacos for breakfast if you can," Tally said.

"Sure thing, little man ... adios," Paulo yelled and they drove off towards the highway.

We ended up sitting on the front porch until the mosquitoes drove us in the house. Granny was already in her room and Barry was nowhere in sight. Tally's parents and Brad were all watching some television program so Tally and I said our good nights and climbed the stairs.

"Don't know why I'm so tired," Tally said.

"First week of school always wore me down," I said.

Tally was stripped down for bed and giggled when he saw me watching him. I pointed towards the wall, our usual signal that the brother's room was occupied. The house got so quiet at night that we were both afraid that our slightest sound would carry over there, it made loving him next to impossible here in the bedroom.

I undressed down to my boxers and went across the hall to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, Tally followed a few moments later, naked as usual. He brushed and looked in his mouth.

"When do I get my wisdom teeth?" He asked.

"A few years maybe, mine came in when I was in eleventh grade. If you've got room it's usually not a problem," I said. "Let me look."

So here I was with my fingers on Tally's chin looking in his mouth when Barry showed up at the door.

"You lose something down there?" Barry asked.

"Tally asked about his wisdom teeth, when did you get yours?" I asked.

"Um, sixteen I think, no, it was last year," Barry replied.

"There you go," I said. "You'll have to wait two years, Tally."

"Doesn't mean you'll get any smarter," Barry said, smacking Tally's bare butt.

Tally couldn't let that pass and jabbed Barry in the ribs, which started the slap fight. I backed off against the toilet and watched the two of them playing. Barry was ticklish just like Tally and they both exploited that weakness. Laughter filled the room and I marveled at the exchange. Tally finally surrendered and Barry backed off.

"He always wins," Tally said.

"He's bigger than you, what do you expect?" I said.

"I'm catching up," Tally said grabbing his cock and balls.

Barry laughed. "You got a ways to go there, squirt."

He turned back towards the sink but not before I noticed a tent in Barry's shorts. The exchange had turned him on; it was time to leave Barry alone. Tally slid out of the bathroom and I started to follow.

"Evan?"

I stopped and looked back. "Yeah?"

"If you want you could move into the room with me. That's if Tally drives you crazy, I wouldn't mind."

"Oh ... That's mighty kind of you, but all I ever do is sleep. It doesn't bother me, at least Tally doesn't snore."

Barry looked up at me in the mirror ands I caught a sly smile. "Just think about it," He said.

"I will ... thanks," I said, and turned away.

Oh fuck, now I had Barry coming on to me. There was no doubt about what I saw in those eyes. I went in the bedroom and closed the door, shutting out the light and plunging the room into darkness. I dropped my boxers and slid into bed with Tally.

I snuggled up against Tally's back, feeling his warmth against my chest and heard the soft sigh of contentment issue from his throat. He turned his head and we kissed while I ran my fingers up and down his chest. Tally responded, rolling towards me and pressing our bodies together. I could feel his raging erection press against my belly, I was just as hard.

Our faces stayed pressed together as Tally slowly rubbed against me. It was exciting, something we shared a lot and yet it was never quite enough to satisfy. No, to reach for the stars we would have to get more frantic, too frantic for this room, this bed and the ears that I now knew were listening.

For Barry did know something, I was sure of that now. Maybe Tally and I had been less than cautious one night, a sound, the squeaking of bed springs perhaps. But Barry was aware that Tally and I engaged in some kind of sexual play, and he wanted in on the deal.

I didn't envision him wanting me to mount his bottom like Rick had. Lord knows when that had stopped, were they still little boys? Maybe it had gone on after that, had Barry developed a desire for a full sized cock that could fill him with warm seed? There was no way to tell ... well, yes there was but I wasn't about to find out.

Tally's desire pulled me back from my thoughts and I did the only thing possible, I slid down his body until I could take that hardness in my mouth. Tally grabbed the pillow and covered his face, the groan muffled, our secrets kept safe.

I was gentle, careful not to allow the bed to squeak and give Barry any further knowledge or anxiety about what we did over here. Tally remained still, allowing me to do the work and further his pleasure. One hand slid across my head, fingers entwined in my hair while the other held that pillow in place.

I fondled his balls and rubbed beneath them as Tally spread his legs. My mouth and tongue worked his length and the soft groans continued. I was careful to avoid the slurping noises, I just let my saliva drool down his cock and pool on his ball sac. It lubed my fingers enough that I could rub his anus with impunity.

Tally spread his legs, encouraging me to insert a finger, anything to stimulate him further and bring on the stars in his mind. I slid a digit into him and rubbed his prostate, causing his cock to pulse in my mouth. It took me five minutes before I heard that long slow groan begin and his seed squirted forth down my throat.

The taste of his cum filled my sinuses, the sweet cloying essence of Tally that I knew so well, the gift he would never tire of giving me. And I stripped every drop from his softening shaft and licked the remaining drops. Tally hands grasped at my head, pulling me up his body until our lips met once again.

Our tongues dueled, sharing the taste of his orgasm ... and then it was my turn. The total darkness of the room made it all so surreal, I could only focus on the feelings as Tally's lips kissed across my stomach and his tongue sought my cock. I held the pillow over my face and groaned as he began that slow delicious slide down my length.

For Tally it was a point of pride that he could handle my length, practice and desire allowing his throat to relax enough to accept the intrusion. He didn't stop until his lips were in my pubes and my cock was lodged in the back of his throat. I held the pillow firmly, knowing what would happen next, knowing it would drive me up the wall. Tally swallowed.

His throat seemed to milk the head of my cock and I groaned. He repeated the action several times until he ran out of air and had to back off. That was just fine, I needed to back away from the sensation or I would have exploded furiously. Tally was so proud of the way he could thrill me, I was in awe of that power.

His fingers played with me, entered me and rubbed me to a glorious orgasm within the next few minutes. My little cum junkie didn't miss a drop, it would have been unthinkable. For Tally it was like drinking from his father's jug, heady stuff, something he could never get enough of. I was only too glad to be the source of that addiction.

And so our kisses resumed, now sharing the two tastes blended into one, it was a moment of supreme satisfaction. And this time as I cuddled against his back I could whisper in his ear.

"I love you, Tally. You give my world meaning."

And the soft, sweet reply. "I love you too, Evan. You make me see the stars."

His breathing changed as Tally fell asleep, the soft gentle breaths, the slow movement of his chest transferred through my arms as I held him. I dared not move for a while or he would awaken, I had to allow him to fall into that trough of deep sleep before I could scurry back to my own bed.

I wondered about Barry, alone in the dark next to us. He couldn't be gay, that wasn't in the cards I saw in his hand. Rick had created something inside of the guy, something that was not at all well in that eighteen year old mind. I could assume he was jealous of my relationship with Tally, but what did he really want from me?

I had tried to be friendly this past week after Rick left, assuming Barry might need someone to talk to about his feelings. I had seen and heard the hatred, but I got nothing else until that moment in the bathroom. His arousal had to be from the play with Tally, did he want something else from his little brother?

That thought was pretty sickening, would Barry feel a need to assault Tally as Rick had done to him? If he thought Tally was gay he might have entertained the notion, what did that make Barry? I was pretty sure that he missed the attention, even if Rick's devotion was only to his asshole and the feelings it engendered.

If it had continued after puberty then Barry knew the pleasure of getting his prostate stimulated to the point of orgasm. I wondered if Rick knew his brother was getting off on being fucked. The whole point had been one of domination and self gratification; would Rick have had as much fun if he knew Barry craved the attention? I think not and that was extremely sad.

For gay or not, Barry deserved someone to give him feelings of love. The description of the women he dated said he wasn't looking in the right places. It was like Barry hated himself and that only validated what Rick had been doing to him all these years. I wasn't stupid, there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.

Sunday dawned and I crawled out of bed and shuffled my way to the bathroom for a little relief. Tally was sitting up when I came back.

"I bet you meet Tom at church," He said. "I can't wait to hear how much fun Jerry had goin down there to get him."

I patted his cheek. "We have a few cows between us and church so you better get a move on."

Tally bounced his way out of bed and ran off to the toilet. I figured today would be all smiles and good feelings, Tom's return seemed to be on everyone's mind. But one look at Barry told me different, he wasn't looking forward to seeing Rick again.

We milked and showered, dressing in our best Sunday church clothes. Five of us squeezed in the Caddy and Jim took Sam in the pickup. I was driving but could hear Brad and Barry whispering in the back. Over the miles the quiet discussion seemed to get heated so I figured the subject had to be Rick.

Brad might have been trying to tell his brother not to start anything today but I felt he was telling the wrong man, Rick was the instigator. And when we got to church I saw a small gathering off to one side and standing in the middle was a tall handsome guy. One look was enough to tell me this was Tom, it was confirmed by the boy who seemed to be glued to his side, Jerry wasn't going to let his dad out of sight.

Jim pulled in right behind us and Tom strode through the crowd to embrace his brother. The moment was emotional and everyone left them alone until I escorted Granny over to see her son.

"Hello Ma," Tom said, and they embraced.

"Good to see you home, Tom." She said, kissing him on the cheek. Tom hugged Sam and spoke to the ladies for a few minutes.

Jerry gave me a big grin and I felt so happy for the boy. Tally stood beside Jerry, arm draped over his shoulder and waited his turn. Barry stood behind me, a somewhat defensive posture and then I looked up to see Rick standing several feet behind Tom. Brad shook his uncle's hand and then Tom reached out a hand for Barry, pulling him close.

"Lord how you've grown, Barry," Tom said. "Farming must agree with you. So where's that little squirt Tally?" Tom turned towards Tally and seemed to look right over his head. "Anyone seen Tally?" He laughed.

"Lord, you must have sand in your eyes, Uncle Tom," Tally laughed, and then he squealed when Tom grabbed him in a bear hug.

"I see you well enough, but you've grown a foot, Tally boy," Tom said, planting a big kiss on Tally's forehead. Tally squirmed helplessly; he was no match for the big man.

"Dad ... Dad, this is Evan," Jerry said, introducing me.

Tom looked down at me and I saw a simple smile cross his lips. "Nice to meet you, Evan. Jerry's been telling me all about you. Thank you for taking care of my son."

"My pleasure, Sir," I said, shaking his hand.

Tom took Jerry under one arm and Tally under the other, leading the family towards the doors of the church. I saw smiling faces turn his way and knew that everyone was happy to see Tom return. His presence confirmed one thought I'd had for most of the week.

Tom was the natural leader of the family; Jim had only been waiting for his return. Both men were capable of running the farm, but Jim was the business man, Tom the figurehead. I didn't think he would have been a good soldier without the ability to lead. His return would bring a whole new understanding of the family Winslow; I was looking forward to the new developments.

Sending Rick to his uncle's place was a brilliant move on Jim's part. I didn't think Rick could even begin to play any of his games around Tom. The man commanded respect with his very presence ... No, Rick was well under control right where he was.

Tom sat with his daughter on one side and Jerry on the other, his wife Cheryl took the last seat in the row. Rick sat beside Jerry and the rest of the family lined up until it came to Tally, me and then Barry on the end ... .as far away from Rick as he could manage.

The Reverend Layne stood with a smile and walked over to Tom, shaking his hand and saying a few words. The he took his place at the front and close his eyes.

"We are all God's children," He began. "I rejoice with you when a warrior returns from battle, and I rejoice with the family who now once again feels complete. Our prayers have followed Tom Winslow these past ten months, our devotion to his family will never cease.

"For even as we welcome home a member of our flock he has never been gone from our hearts and minds. The strength of our nation comes from men like him, men who can go off to battle and know that their family will stay secure in the arms of their church. We are all responsible for the care of those in our immediate family and those in the community of this church.

"This is a momentous day in the life of our community, and for that reason I will end my little sermon with this blessing. Thank thee Lord for bringing Tom home to us safe and sound. May heavens grace be with all those who give of themselves to protect and defend our nation. In Jesus name we pray, Amen."

"Amen," Came the response.

With that the Reverend went over to shake Tom's hand again and ended up in a bear hug. I figured the Reverend had cut short his sermon because everyone wanted time to talk with Tom and I was right. It took us over an hour to get away from the well wishers.

Jerry followed his dad around while Cheryl and Sam stood talking to Granny. I saw Brad keeping an eye on Barry while Jim stood of to one side talking to Rick.

"You suppose he's comin to the house for supper?" Tally asked.

"I'm sure your dad is talking to him about that right now. But I think the one we need to watch out for is Barry," I said.

"Why ... has he said anything?"

I didn't want to say anything to Tally about Barry's invitation; it wasn't going to happen so I dismissed the whole thing. At the same time I figured he needed watching because if anyone in that house was a threat to my relationship with Tally then Barry was now on top of my list.

The parlor at the farm was filled when the Winslow clan finally assembled. The seats all taken by adults left the kids sprawled on the rug. Rick sat in a chair beside Tom and Barry occupied a dining room chair behind Brad. The tension between them had cooled and they did their best to ignore one another.

I could hear Granny and Sam clattering around in the kitchen, pulling the food from the oven. I would have been happier in there with them except Granny had said I should sit with the others and talk to Tom about his experiences.

"I don't think many of us in the Guard were ready for what we faced over there," Tom was saying. "Hot doesn't begin to describe that damn desert. It took a while before we were set up to train some of Saddam's old troops and build them into something decent.

"We had kids Tally's age reporting in saying they had been special troops under the old army setup, and we found out it was true. Saddam's boys had recruited kids to put in the front lines so they wouldn't be the first line of defense when an attack came. We sent most of them packin back to their mommas, the rest we figured snuck off into Kuwait because they were afraid to go home."

"That sounds awful," Jim said. "So you think they'll have a decent army pretty soon?"

"Possibly, depends on this sectarian violence I'm sure you hear about. Their clan system makes it hard to put someone in charge; they aren't used to taking orders from another clan or religious group. Besides, a lot of the leaders were eliminated; there just isn't anyone to take command. Imagine a whole flock of chickens with no rooster, that's sorta what it's like."

"Sounds like we might be stuck there a while," Brad said.

"I think so. Don't think it matters who's in the White House, it doesn't change the situation on the ground over there," Tom said.

Sam came in to announce supper and we all rose to sit at the table. Now I understood why the darn thing was so big, there were a dozen people to be seated. Barry waited for Rick to seat himself and then took a chair at the other end of the table. Before they had always sat side by side, this whole feud was not over by a long shot.

"Thank you Lord for reuniting this family to share in thy bounty. Welcome home, Tom, we missed you. Amen," Jim said.

Tom smiled. "I'm glad to be here, Army food leaves a lot to be desired."

Tally poked me with an elbow. "See I told you they had bad food."

Tom laughed. "Yeah, that Iraqi rat stew got pretty old after a while."

"Eww," the boys both said and we all laughed.

"Don't you be telling tall tales to the children, Tom," Granny said.

"No Ma, just jokin. The food was fine, there sure was a lot of it, but it wasn't anything like your home cookin."

"Evan made biscuit dumplings when we went camping, you never had the likes," Jerry said.

"Yes, Evan ... I hear Jerry fought with a bear you conjured up," Tom said.

Everyone laughed and all eyes turned towards me. "Yeah he kicked that bear's behind," I said.

"Proud of ya, son ... how big was that bear?" Tom asked.

"Oh ... about Evan's size," Jerry grinned and again there was laughter. "Tally will tell you the story after supper."

"Lookin forward to it," Tom said.

The conversation turned to weather and crops, both here and in Iraq. For during his tour Tom had looked at the farms along his way, noting the differences between the two cultures. Granny seemed pleased to have her family back together and I think she even managed a second piece of chicken.

The evening progressed through pie and coffee, laced with conversations the brothers had needed to have since the season began. Tom mentioned that he and Rick could handle the corn if Paulo would bring the harvester over early in the week. Jim said that he'd send me over with the trailer in the morning and Brad would go fetch the mended tractor tire.

Everyone assembled on the porch for Granny's photo moment and Brad set the camera on the hood of the pickup. The picture would serve to remind the family of several things. Tom stood side by side with Jim, the brothers re-united. And then Rick stood to the far left and Barry to the far right, a reminder of brothers in dissent. I stood behind Tally who was rubbing shoulders with Jerry, and just before the timer went off I placed a hand on Tally's shoulder.

I suppose I wanted something that would speak to my relationship with him, something that would last forever in the family album. Tom's presence seemed to make the photo complete, the balance of the family had been restored. It was an image of overall strength, one that would give any casual observer the notion that the Winslow clan was the best kind of family, one to be admired.

Everyone settled in and Tally got his chance to regale Tom with the bear story and everyone laughed real hard when he got to the part about Jerry punching me. But the party broke up early; there were chores and school for the kids come morning. If nothing else Tom would ease back into the lineup come tomorrow, he would be most welcome.

Tally and I helped with the dishes, Granny and Sam doing the rest of the cleanup. Tally and I prepared for bed and then I checked over his homework worksheet for tomorrow's math class. He had been right, the work seemed pretty easy, but then this was one of his best subjects.

There had been no sign of Barry but I knew he was in his room. Brad was across the hall and the master bedroom was at the end. Tally crawled into bed and I snapped off the lights before sliding in beside him.

"So now you have your uncle back, bet that feels good," I said.

"Yeah, mainly because Jerry is happy, but Uncle Tom is a powerhouse about work, you'll find out," Tally giggled.

"Oh, you think that big old bear can work me to death?"

"Naw, he just does twice his share ... it's awesome," Tally said.

"Speaking of awesome," I said, running my hand across his bare butt.

"Yeah ... it's been days, Evan ... when do you think we can ... ?

"Not now, baby ... you know the rules. But I have something else you might like."

And I slid my head under the covers and licked his belly. Tally started to squeal but that was soon muffled by the pillow. My lips were sealed around his cock when somewhere in the back of my mind I heard the bedroom door open. I had just pulled off Tally's cock when the room lights were snapped back on, I could see the illumination through the thin material of the sheet. But that didn't last long; the sheet was stripped away leaving us exposed.

"Jesus Fucking Christ," Barry yelled. "Jesus ... you fucking pervert."

And the blows started raining down on my back and shoulders. I covered my head and heard Tally yell at Barry.

"Get off ... Get off," Tally screamed. And then I heard a smack as Barry punched his brother. That did it; I was off the bed in a flash and all over Barry.

The fury of him invading our privacy, the anger that he had hit Tally, it all overwhelmed me at once and I pounded on him until I felt stronger hands pull me away. Barry was curled up against the wall sobbing, his face covered in blood from my assault. Tally was crying and holding a hand over his right eye.

"Evan?" Jim said, and he looked at the scene surrounding us. "Evan? What's going on here?"

I froze, realizing what it all must look like. Barry, Tally and I were all naked and it hit me. Barry had come wishing to sleep with me; instead he had found me with Tally. I looked up into Jim's face and saw the puzzlement in his eyes. I couldn't say anything, what could I say?

Jim pulled me to my feet as Brad moved into the room with a wet towel for Barry's busted nose. I was pulled towards the door, helpless to resist, helpless to reach out to Tally. And out in the hall stood Granny in her nightgown, her face a mask of pain and sorrow. She was helpless too, the chain of events had begun and I burst into tears as I heard Tally yell.

"No ... Oh no ... Don't leave me," He screamed, and Granny walked into the bedroom as Jim dragged me down the hall to his bedroom and shut the door.

On to Chapter Fifteen

Back to Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Index

Chris James Home Page