My Wentworth began to slide on the icy streets. What the hell, don't these assholes use any salt up here? I was losing traction as I down shifted to the basement of my gear box and the wheels dug in, pulling me straight once again. OK, I was out of here ... they could come get the box at the edge of town.

I called my dispatcher and explained the situation, he was sympathetic. I navigated the slick road back to the interstate ... where the fucking state used lots of damn salt ... and took the next exit up the pike. The terminal manager smiled, of course I could drop off here, that was dollars in his pocket. I just warned him they better not send anyone else in town, it was SNAFU in there.

I went up the road apiece after losing the box and glanced at my time clock, almost supper time and I would need to stop for the night anyway. I pulled onto the exit off the turnpike and rolled into the truck stop. There was a slot next to a Peterbuilt and I took it, setting the brakes.

"Jerry, you hungry back there?" I asked.

A hand appeared and then he rolled out into the passenger seat. "I could eat ... where we at?"

"Maryland, just north of Baltimore. I just dumped a load because of the ice, we have to be in DC tomorrow morning, and that's only sixty miles ... easy." I said, and then smiled. "And then we can go home for a decent Christmas."

Jerry grinned. "You kick ass, Brian."

I grinned back. "I love you too, pumpkin head."

Jerry growled and then smiled, rubbing a hand across his shaven head. "It'll grow back by next summer. I better get my hat if we're goin outside."

Yeah, it would be nice to see him with hair again. He was still the best ... the best kind of companion despite the rough times we'd had. And Lord, those had been some bad times ... times I would just as soon forget.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

It had all started with ... "I love you, Jerry ... let's get out of here." And we had hit the asphalt running. I was worried for a lot of reasons. I was out the money for the motel room, and they knew who I was ... but I did leave the key behind. Maybe they would figure I just drove off at the crack of dawn, I sure hoped so.

Nothing but Walt to tie me and Jerry into the motel or any other place in town. I hoped Walt wasn't going to say a word, but I had stolen his boyfriend. Come to think of it ... it was his idea anyway. No, he was on our side and would keep quiet.

Lord, I had kidnapped the sheriff's son ... that ought to make me certifiably crazy right there. But he was hurt....abused, I couldn't allow that to happen. I loved him, damn it ... I loved him. And after the first ten miles I knew he loved me too because it all came pouring out of him.

"I love you, Brian." OK, that part I knew. "My daddy is a mean mother-fucker. He beat me a lot with his belt when I was little, but now it's his fists. He even kicked me in the balls and laughed about it. My maw doesn't know, she just doesn't ... she wouldn't want to know ... everyone thinks he so great. I hate him ... I hate him ... I HATE HIM." OK, I got that part too.

I had to get off the road. I was over my limit for the twenty-four hour period and the boy was a runaway, scratch that, a kidnap victim. Yeah, that's what they would think ... them, the guys with badges who were fucking everywhere in my life.

I thought about it a moment, I needed a place to take the rig and hide us until dawn. We were headed south, away from Savannah and the sheriff. Distance meant nothing; radios and cell phones trumped that. By noon there would be an all points bulletin from Maine to Florida, his photo would be out there. Gotta hide.

The Brunswick truck stop was ahead, what better place? I pulled in the right lane and made the exit. Great, it was huge ... lots of rigs to help me blend into the background. I pulled next to a dozen others and left her idling. Jerry had been quiet for twenty minutes.

"We're safe here for the night and it's only ten-thirty. I plan to sleep until four and get back on the road," I said.

"You have to pick up a load?" Jerry asked.

"Already have it, it goes to Miami and then I'm taking you to my home in Lauderdale. I should be able to get us to Miami by noon tomorrow, probably about the time your parents get home ... you think?"

Jerry nodded. "My Dad has the day off for their anniversary; you know they'll come looking for me."

"Oh yeah, big time. We're going to have to change the way you look Jerry, sorry."

He smiled. "Shave my head, get me some earrings to wear ... I'll be a skinhead."

I groaned. "Not my favorite image ... but hell, you're the same person. I know this old lady that's gonna love meeting you ... uh, nephew."

"You have a brother?" Jerry asked.

"Two in fact, haven't spoken to them in ... ahh, seventeen years, no eighteen."

"That's crazy ... why not?"

"They don't like me, plain as that," I said. "I'll tell you about it sometime. Let me run inside and check the place out, you want a soda?"

"Yes, please ... but I gotta pee too," Jerry said.

"Uh, pee bottle under the seat. Do it now and I'll empty it on the way in. If you gotta crap then we'll have to take you inside ... risky."

Jerry reached under the seat and grabbed the plastic jug. He unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock, shoving it right in the spout. He looked over at me and smiled. "You gonna watch? I might not be able to pee if you do."

I turned away and stared out the window. I heard the liquid start to flow and looked back.

"Perv," Jerry laughed.

"Ya that's me ... what's your hang-up?"

He kept on laughing. "Oh God ... I like it when you watch."

"Perv," I said, and joined the laughter.

I took the bottle with me, dumping it in the outside sink and rinsing the bottle out. Then I went inside. Damn, they had a lot of stuff, mostly shit. I took my own piss in the men's room, grabbed a few sodas and started back to the front. That's when I saw the clippers ... battery powered too. I snagged them as well and paid the lady, she threw the stuff in a sack.

Jerry was still in the seat when I got back. "Want that haircut now?" I asked. "Maybe we better before it gets light."

No one was around, guys were probably sleeping next to me, their engines were idling too. I had Jerry sit on the step and take his shirt off, using the light from the cab to do the job. It went easy, like cutting grass. I used the largest head first and watched it fall ... how sad. I started at the back as he leaned forward, dropping the clumps of hair in the sack.

God, this had all been a part of his beauty ... the attraction I'd first felt. I felt like a butcher, but the clippers worked great. I'd done one full pass and all that beautiful hair was gone, it was now stubble. I put on the close-up attachment and went to work. I would shave him tomorrow after it got light outside.

The buzz lasted for another five minutes and I was done. Jerry Tubbs was gone, JJ Pumpkin head had arrived. The boy ran a hand over his head and smiled. "Whoa, what does it look like?"

"I could put you in uniform and you'd pass for a recruit," I said. "Might be a good disguise."

I dumped the hair in the trash and almost regretted it. Naw, it was only hair, I had the boy as a souvenir. I made sure he was brushed off and we got back inside. I put some music on and we sat in the dark drinking the sodas.

Jerry kept rubbing his head. "I almost wish I had some weed, goes with the image, you know?"

"This is a truck stop, cops hang out here and you need weed," I said. "Not now, Jerry. I don't do drugs ... not anything. My company tests and I never know when they'll do it."

"OK, I just thought it might help me sleep, that's all," Jerry said.

I smiled and rubbed his shoulder. "I'll help you sleep ... it won't take much."

He smiled back. "Yeah, you do have a way with things."

"I'll try to be everything you need, Jerry. I don't have much experience at this; I've never been a parent."

"Then don't become one, that's not what I want from you." He yawned and I knew he was tired but trying not to show it. Now was a good bedtime, four o'clock would come too soon.

"Let's go to bed, I probably have just enough energy to make you happy," I said.

"Wanna go naked?" He asked.

"Once around the parking lot?" I laughed.

"Oh, God ... no way, I mean to sleep."

"Sure ... why not."

We crawled in back and I slid the curtain closed. I shucked off my pants and boxers, my cock was in his mouth five seconds later. I looked down on his bristly head bobbing on my lap. Yeah, I was gonna miss the tickle of those long beautiful locks.

I wallowed in the feeling and knew he was trying so hard to please me. I was a hero tonight, I was his savior. I let him go on and on ... but I needed to give something back, if only to show my love.

"Jerry ... I want you," I said.

"Yes ... I want you to have me. But, Brian, if you fuck me I can't get out and empty myself ... can I?"

"No, you're right ... just turn around and let me taste you," I said.

"Oh yeah, that we can do," Jerry said.

I had his cock in my mouth and it tasted wonderful, then I remembered it had been in Walt's butt. Oh well, it still tasted wonderful. God, I was so excited to have him here.

Jerry worked my cock, my balls, my ass ... I didn't know he had the strength left, but I had to match him or feel myself a lesser man. We went at each other for at least ten minutes before Jerry pulled away and sighed.

"It's not working for either of us ... is it?"

I pulled him close, pressing his head to my chest, my arms clutching him tight. "I don't need sex to say I love you, Jerry. We both have too much on our minds ... I'd settle for a good dose of affection instead."

He snuggled in close. Wrapped in my arms, his fingers toyed with the fine hairs on my chest

"Can we make this work, Brian? I don't want to be trouble for you." His voice was quiet and small. Like a child, he needed assurance that we were doing the right thing.

"I want it to work, sweetie. The next few months will be hard; we don't know what your father will do."

"I ... I just want him to forget we ever met, I don't want him to be my father."

"He could make our lives very difficult," I said. "But you're worth it; I really came back just to see you. I missed you so much."

"Yeah ... Walt said you'd be back, I'm gonna miss him."

"I suppose you can call him, long as no one finds out where we are," I said.

"That would be nice, he'd like that. Maybe he can tell me what my daddy is doin about all this ... he'd make a great spy," Jerry said.

"You know they're gonna ask him where you are, I just hope they're not mean about it. Is your father an asshole with everyone?" I asked.

"Pretty much, I don't know why they elected him sheriff, maybe they felt sorry for him after the mill burnt down. But he's the one did it, he set that fire ... I just know he did," Jerry said.

"Really? I thought it was an electrical fire, just an accident," I said.

"No he did it, and I know how it got started. He set that old electric drill in the sawdust pile one night and plugged it in. It must have run for hours before it overheated and caught the dust on fire, that place went up in flames real fast, no one could stop it." Jerry looked up at me to see if I believed him.

"I could see that working ... but why?" I asked.

"The insurance money, he and the owner got paid off real good. He had lots of money to get his self elected sheriff, that's why he did it." Jerry yawned again. "See, he's a real bastard, thirty people lost their jobs, including John and Walt's parents."

The picture Jerry painted was entirely possible, and from all I had heard about the sheriff I was willing to believe it. A man that ruthless was gonna be a danger to us both now, the sooner we disappeared the better. It was my turn to yawn, and then I realized Jerry had already fallen asleep.

His breathing changed, slowing down as he relaxed. I turned my head to look at the alarm clock, almost midnight. I reached out a hand and set the alarm ... four hours of sleep, not much, but enough. I could feel the gentle vibration of the engine, idling just enough to keep the air moving and cool the cab down.

It had been a long time since I'd slept like this, my arms around another warm body. But this was a first, I was embracing someone I loved deeply, and he loved me in return. Maybe his feelings were more adolescent than mine, his needs different, but we both had the same goal.

Unknowingly I had come back to find him, and just him...and now I knew why. He needed me now; I just hoped it would last forever. I was not a religious man, never was after my daddy said I was cursed by the devil. He had even damned me in the name of God, and that was enough to make me turn away from my faith.

But if I could, I would pray that Jerry stayed with me, loved me and asked me to share his life. He had needs I could fulfill, desires that I could meet and I was lost the minute he stared into my eyes tonight. The way he had kissed my fingers, sucked on them ... I would never forget that image. He was the sexiest boy I had ever met, and the last one I would ever seek. With him I had it all.

The buzz of the alarm woke me in darkness. I could see just enough from the parking lot lights to shut the damn thing off. Jerry had slid off of me during the hours of sleep and was cuddled up close.

I felt a moment of guilt as I looked down on his face, was I doing the right thing for him? It would have been crazy to leave him with that man, father or not. He would beat the life and the character out of the boy. But I was in a position to give those things a chance to grow, to flourish. This was what he needed, I was what he needed ... we had each other.

I slid out of the sleeper box without awakening him. I still had a fuel enough to make Jacksonville; we would stop there for breakfast. I slid into my clothes and ran fingers through my hair before opening the door quietly.

It was two hours until dawn, but my driving ticket was once again valid, I had been off the road for nine hours. I walked in the store and looked around for the coffee pots. I almost freaked when a Georgia State Patrol officer came out of the men's room. I slid over to the coffee machine and focused on drawing a cup.

"Morning," the cop said, I hadn't even seen him walk over.

"Morning," I replied. "Roads good out there today?" It was what he would expect me to ask.

"No problems, no accidents ... makes my life easier," the cop replied.

And no runaways to report, I thought. It was still too soon for anything to happen; I just needed to move along.

"Have a great day," I said, turning to leave.

"Thanks ... have a safe drive out there," he replied, and went for his own coffee.

I paid the bill and walked back to the truck, time to go wheels up and fly outta here. I belted in, released the break and shoved the throttle back up. I pulled around the lot and saw the patrol car behind the store. He would be here a while, free eats I bet.

Jerry didn't wake up until seven, and I was almost to Daytona Beach by then. Now we could breakfast, I was starving.

"You didn't wake me," Jerry said, sliding his naked butt into the passenger seat

"You still don't look awake. Might be nice if you got some pants on too, I don't need the distraction."

Jerry laughed and reached back for his pants. He pulled them on and slid into his sneakers. "Seat belt," I said, and he snapped it in place.

"Where are we?"

"Comin up on Daytona, you a race fan?" I asked.

"Yeah, I love it ... you think any of the drivers are gay?" Jerry asked.

"How the hell would I know? I'm sure none of them would advertise if they were."

"Do you think of yourself as gay, Brian? I mean ... some guys just like to have sex with boys. Gay is different, isn't it?"

"Oh, you ask such complicated stuff so early in the morning. You really wanna know what I think?"

"Yeah, I kinda do," Jerry said, and then he laughed. "Maybe I should know what I've gotten myself into here."

"Lord, little late for that isn't it? OK, we'll talk about it. Yes, I'm gay. I have slept with men and boys, I prefer boys. I haven't slept with another man since I was twenty, only boys. You've done both as well, which do you prefer?"

Jerry went silent. Had I asked a bad question?

"I thought about guys a lot, even when I was younger," Jerry finally said. "Just something about guys makes me all crazy inside, probably means I'm gay too, doesn't it?"

"Could be, does it matter?" I asked.

"I never did anything with a girl, it just didn't seem right for me. Got some offers though, could have happened, but nope."

"Was Walt your first boyfriend?"

"Yeah, we were twelve when it started. He was wild right from the start, kinda freaked me out. Uh, Brian ... I sorta lied to you, will you be mad at me?"

"Do I hear an oops coming? No, I don't think I could get mad at you for anything," I said.

"I never slept with a guy before I met you, only Walt."

I smiled because I didn't want to laugh and give him the wrong idea. He had told a lie, so what? Had he been trying to impress me with his worldly ways? He was experienced enough to rock my world that first night.

"Were you afraid I might think you were just some silly kid? Don't you know how good we were that first night, we were incredible together," I said.

Jerry laughed. "Yeah, it was pretty awesome. But I did everything with Walt, we learned it together ... and I tried to be the best I could for you."

"And you succeeded, I was blown away. You're still the best, Jerry ... always will be. I won't be looking at any other boys from now on ... promise."

"You mean that? That's great ... I mean, thanks. You're all mine ... but what about Walt, would you ever go back to him?" Jerry asked.

"Should I? I might if you were there. Walt's a mighty cute boy. I'd be sorry to miss out on that ... but I will. You're all I need."

I could tell that made him happy, the smiles never left his face even as he stuffed it with breakfast goodies. The pancake place on Route One had room enough for the rig; it also had a private bathroom. I finished off Jerry's image by shaving his head. He thanked me with an attempted blow job, which I deferred.

I made him eat breakfast, we could sex up later. A short stack of fluffy cakes, tons of syrup and three eggs with bacon, two glasses of milk and toast ... I was gonna go broke feeding this kid. He was just a growing boy, and I smiled at all that engendered.

Back in the truck Jerry was antsy as hell, he wanted it ... and he wanted it now. I could spare a few minutes, beside we hadn't sealed the deal last night. I motioned him into the bed and he grinned. Cheeky kid.

I sucked, he sucked...it wasn't enough for either of us. I pushed him on his back and raised his legs ... yeah, that's what we both wanted. Condom or no condom ... he was a virgin except for Walt ... I chose to fuck him bareback.

Eating that hole reminded me we both probably ought to shower at some point. But the smell and taste of his sweaty boy butt was just about my favorite thing in this world. I slid into him with a groan, his and mine, and we grappled.

Last night we had been frantic, this morning we were flush with excitement, animals on the loose. I slammed his butt and he damn near sucked the tongue out of my mouth as we kissed. Glorious sex, riotous sex ... our kind of sex.

"Fuck me ... fuck me ... ahhh ... God," Jerry screamed, and I knew they heard that all the way down in Miami. But I did what he asked and soon flooded his ass with my seed, groaning and growling like a love sick bear.

Somewhere along the line Jerry had busted a nut himself, no wonder he yelled. But I flopped on his belly and enjoyed the squish of a liquid landing. My cock soon deflated, sliding out and messing the sheets between his legs. He groaned and brought his legs down with a sigh, "Fucking hell ... you know how to drive me crazy," Jerry laughed.

I looked up at the clock and smiled. "Now I have to drive you to Miami, and I'm covered in cum ... nasty boy."

"I need to use the bathroom," Jerry said.

"So go on, I bet only half the town heard you yelling 'fuck me'," I laughed.

"Oh shit, was I that loud?"

"Yeah, but screw them ... we'll never see them again," I said.

Jerry went in to use the bathroom and I cleaned up with a moist wipe, the ones I used on the windshield. The box said over a hundred different uses, they were right, but I'm sure they didn't have this in mind. The boy returned and I started up.

By lunchtime we were pulling into the Miami terminal and I backed the box into a vacant slot. I had my paperwork signed, called my dispatcher and said I would be out of the lineup for a few days. I had been on two weeks straight so he understood; I could have a few days off without looking like I was shirking my duties.

I drove up Route One, the long way home. But without a box behind us the tighter road was an easy drive. I wanted Jerry to see where I lived, how I lived ... and this was the best way to do it. Maybe later, after I'd had a nap and we'd eaten, I would take him on my bike down to the beach. I had been shocked when he said he'd never been to the ocean before.

I took my usual parking spot at the end of our dead end street, the reason I had chosen this house in the first place. And we walked back up the street to my front door.

"Our house, Jerry ... yours and mine."

I understood when he got tears in his eyes; it was good to have a home. I stood in the front hall and hugged him, kissing his face and neck just because I needed to show some real affection. He wiped the tears off his cheeks and smiled.

"Nice house, Brian ... all yours ... ours?"

"Yup, all paid off ... the truck too. Now all I have to do is spend a few dollars on you, some new clothes would be nice. We didn't think about that one did we?"

"I can wash these, they must have a Goodwill store hereabouts ... I don't need new stuff," Jerry said.

"Wrong, I want to buy you clothes, I want you to look nice and feel nice ... for the both of us. Come on; let me spoil you, OK?"

He smiled. "If you want ... "

"I have to shower, I smell like a cum rag ... your cum rag," I laughed.

We showered, he washed my hair ... I sucked him off. Hell, it had been five hours, a long time for a boy to hold off doing it again ... right? Jerry was in heat, we would spend the next three days having sex. I already knew that.

I dressed him in one of my T-shirts and a pair of my board shorts. The sizing was close enough; he was only a few inches shorter than me anyway. But I would have killed to have a twenty-eight waist like him, I felt positively fat at thirty-four. He looked nice, all clean and dressed up ... except for the hair, or lack of.

I took him out the back door and he looked puzzled as I pushed my way through the bushes into Roberta's back yard.

"You've got to meet Roby; she's like my grandmother and best friend down here. I never met anyone quite like her, you'll see. And Jerry, nothing about us, huh? She doesn't even know I'm gay ... or at least we never talk about it. You're just gonna be my nephew down for a visit; let's see how we can play it, OK?"

I heard the dog bark and Roby's voice telling her to shush. I walked around to the kitchen door and Jerry seemed surprised when I walked right in.

"Hey, sweetie ... just get back?" Roby asked. She was already at the stove stirring a pit of something.

"Yes, Roby ... about an hour ago. Roberta this is Jerry, my nephew. He's Barry's oldest, you remember me telling you about Barry's family?"

The dog was jumping up and down, franticly trying to gain my attention. I picked her up and passed her to Jerry. He kissed her on the nose and she licked him back ... instant best friends.

"Remember? You must be kidding, I don't even remember what day of the week it is, like it matters," she laughed. She wasn't kidding. Roby had no use for time; her mind was slowly blanking out. But she was lucid, had a sharp wit and Jerry would love her ... she smoked pot for medicinal reasons to keep her eyes in shape.

"Jerry, is it? So nice to meet you, young man.

"Nice to meet you ... uh, Roberta," Jerry replied. "Sorry, ma'am, I don't know your last name."

"It's OK, sweetie ... Roby will do just fine. You boys hungry? Something just told me to put a roast in the oven this afternoon, it's almost ready."

"You're the best, Roby, we haven't eaten since breakfast," I said.

"Then set the table, will ya. I have to smoke some of my medicine before we eat," She said. Jerry's eyes widened as she pulled out a box of weed and began to roll a joint.

I smiled. "Seems you and Roby have something in common." I said.

"You smoke?" Roby asked. "Of course you do, I get my stash from a boy just about your age ... he comes by on Thursdays. It isn't Thursday is it, Brian?"

"No, Roby, it's Tuesday," I replied.

"OK, I have plenty anyways. Would you like to share one with me, Jerry?"

"Uh ... yes, Roby, that would be nice. Thank you."

"Such a polite young man ... I like you," Roby said.

They shared a joint while I sucked on a bottle of beer, and then we had dinner. Jerry and I cleaned up the kitchen afterwards and Roby rolled another one. We left her in front of the evening news on television; she would be in bed by seven anyway. I locked the door as we left.

"She's just so cool," Jerry said. "Never met an old lady like that before."

"Yeah, she's unique ... totally unique," I replied.

"Can I call Walt? His parents won't get home until eight, now's a good time."

"Sure, just don't tell him where you are, OK? He doesn't need to know that right now."

Jerry dialed my phone and looked anxious. I bet things had hit the fan by now, Walt would know.

"Walt ... it's me," Jerry said, and I could hear the scream coming through the earpiece.

"Yeah, I'm fine ... I miss you already.

"No ... I can't tell you ... not yet ... OK?"

"He did? And what did you say ... ?"

"No ... mother fucker ... are you OK?"

"No ... not for a long time, I'm afraid ... sorry Walt."

"He is? That's bad timing ... tell him to stay away from ... oh, I figured you would."

Jerry became silent, listening to Walt talk. He nodded at me.

"Yeah ... I'll tell him ... sure will."

"Give him the cell number, Jerry ... it's OK," I said.

"Brian says I can give you the phone number here, but its long distance," Jerry said. He nodded. "Yeah, for emergencies ... that's cool. Write it down ... 561 ... 555 ... 8329 ... got it? It's a cell phone ... you can reach us anytime."

"Yes ... Love you too, Walt ... yeah, I'll call you soon ... yeah ... bye."

Jerry flopped on the couch, his face full of differing emotions.

"So ... what happened?" I asked.

"All hell broke loose when I wasn't home. My dad had a deputy bring Walt down to his office and then he spent an hour yelling. Walt said he didn't know shit and wanted to call his mother. She came and got him, told my dad to lay off." Jerry sighed. "It could have been worse, but he's got the state lookin all over for me."

"What did you mean by bad timing?" I asked.

"Yeah ... John is home ... that won't help things. I just hope my dad doesn't go all crazy now, Walt is worried about that."

I sat down and put my arm around his shoulder. "You can call him any time you want if you're worried. You gave him my number, he'll call if anything bad happens. Walt loves you, he'll look out for us," I said.

Jerry smiled. "He said to tell you that he loves you too. I feel bad cause he doesn't know where I am."

"Just knowing might put him in danger, sweetie, let's wait and see, OK? You don't look like any of the photos they might send around to other agencies, they can't find you that way."

Jerry looked at the clock on the mantle. "It's not even six, what are we gonna do now?"

"You like motorcycles?" I asked.

"Oh yeah ... you mean you have one?" Jerry asked.

He drooled as I rolled the Kawasaki out of the shed and handed him a helmet.

"Let's go look at the ocean," I said.

Boys and bikes, I loved them both. Jerry hugged my waist as I rode across town to A1A and turned north to Pompano. Through the trees and private estates we could see the ocean stretching out to the horizon. I followed the road all the way into Pompano and parked the bike.

It was a joy to watch Jerry take off his sneakers and run barefoot in the sand all the way to the waterline. Most of the day crowd was gone and the lifeguards were about to stand down as well. Jerry stood ankle deep in the Atlantic and couldn't stop smiling.

"God ... it's beautiful," he said. "The water is warm too."

"I'll bring you back tomorrow and we can swim," I said.

We walked hand in hand through the surf, ignoring what anyone might think of us like this ... it just didn't matter. And that is how I always want to remember him. Laughing, smiling and so happy to be here with me ... it was like watching him be reborn into a new life.

We talked about all kinds of things as the shadows fell and the lights came on in the town behind us. I took him through the amusement area beside the seawall and we shared a cotton candy like two little kids.

I envied his first taste of this new life. But just watching him have the experience made me understand what he had been missing. And because of that I wanted him to learn everything; it would be my pleasure to teach him.

Jerry finally caught me yawning behind my hand, and said we should go home. I rode carefully through the streets, my boy hanging on tight. His hands were pressed against my stomach and whenever we stopped for a light he slid them down, grasping my crotch and laughing ... the little tease. By the time we got back I had a raging erection, but then he'd planned that.

My body was tired but my mind wanted something ... something only Jerry boy could give me. We stripped off and I lay back on the bed with a tired smile. And he sensed my need, raising my legs and working me open with his tongue. I could only moan with great feeling as he slid into me.

It was like that first night together. In the dim wash of a streetlight on a backwoods country crossroads I had given myself to this boy. He had made me see the heavens through his loving attention. His every move had made me tingle like never before ... and now, as I looked up into his eyes ... I knew he was remembering how we had first met just as I was.

If Walt had taught him how to be patient, to love a man with all that grace and ability he now possessed, then their love had not been in vain. I was lucky to have him, and that meant I owed Walt one ... big time.

Jerry knew I was tired, he let my body drift in that dreamlike state throughout our lovemaking and I was grateful. Just to feel him inside me, possessing me with every languorous stroke was all I needed to respond. And somewhere in the midst of his thrusting I felt myself letting go with a deep groan of satisfaction. It was all he needed and Jerry joined me in the bliss of a soft and sensual orgasm.

I must have dozed off looking up into his eyes, covered in my own seed and filled with his. I awoke to the feeling of a warm washcloth cleaning my chest and between my legs, then I was out for the night.

My mind drifted awake, sensing the early light filtering in through the curtains. Jerry was snuggled up close, a leg thrown across my hip and deep in peaceful slumber. His arm lay across my chest, fingers tucked into my armpit. It was a possessive hug, one that said he didn't want to lose contact.

I had so many issues to work out, the biggest being what would he do while I worked? I could be gone for weeks on end, should he come with me? I just couldn't see him sitting in the cab for endless miles and having any kind of life. But maybe he would enjoy seeing the country; it would be a learning experience.

And school, how could he go to school? We could get him books, pre-planned lessons made to keep him up to date on the required subjects ... but who would grade them? I certainly couldn't enroll him here in a public school. That would be both stupid and dangerous. Too many issues for me to handle, I needed help in solving them.

I drifted back into a fitful sleep, my mind still tied in knots. I had always dreamed of having someone like Jerry. The dream was easy; reality was so much more difficult. But then I remembered his eyes and watching the hurt be replaced by love. No, we had done the right thing.

My phone rang at seven-thirty, waking us both. I leaned across Jerry's body and snatched up the receiver, pretty sure it would be Roby.

"Morning, Brian ... did I wake you?" Roby said.

I had to chuckle, she damn well knew she had. Sometimes I think she played that senile part a bit too much, there was nothing wrong with her mind.

"No, Roby ... just laying here thinking. What's up?"

"I talked to Bill this morning before he went to work; I thought your nephew could use some help keeping up with his school work, and you know Bill ... once a teacher always a teacher," Roby said.

I was speechless, how had she ... ? "I ... I was just thinking about that," I managed to say.

"I know, figured you would get to it sometime. It might help him wile away the time while you're traveling. No such thing as too much education," She said. "I need some things too, you going out today?"

"I will, I need to get Jerry some clothes and a bathing suit."

"I'll leave a shopping list in the mailbox ... then I'm going back to bed. It's too damn early to be up anyways." I heard her laughing as she hung up, yeah she had it together. I shopped for her, she let me use her car ... I didn't own one.

"Who was that?" Jerry asked.

"Roby ... sorry she woke you," I said.

"That's OK ... damn it's still early ... you gonna get up?"

"Nope, I have something else in mind," I chuckled.

There was a lot to be said for taking my time as I slid in and out of Jerry's ass. Morning sex hadn't been on my top ten list for years, but fifteen year old boys seemed to have a way of reviving my old habits. Slow penetration drove him up the wall, but it heated him up like nothing else.

He lay on his side, one leg pulled up to his chest to give me easy access. This way I could control the action, all he could do was push back against me. Except for the gentle way he treated me last night our sex had been hard and fast. But not this morning, I was determined to make it last forever.

Jerry's nipples were sensitive, as were his ears, so I molested both. His groans of delight told me I was on the right path. The smell of his sweaty skin really did a number on me, especially when I raised his arm and began licking his pits. The few straggly hairs in his underarm were adorable, the first signs of his impending manhood.

He tasted so good I kept on licking and found myself tonguing his shaved head. Jerry leaned his head back, giving me access to the whole dome of his head. God, this was so hot, my mouth was filled with the taste of his scalp, and from the sound of it he loved every minute.

But heating us both up had inevitable results and as I reached for his cock it spewed across the sheets before I could even touch him. His body trembled with the effort, his muscles clenching around my cock and I just had to let go, adding my groans to his.

"Damn, you do that well," Jerry said, and then he laughed. "What a fucking tease."

"I just want to eat you, sweetie ... you taste delicious."

"Anytime ... Jeez, I came without even touching myself ... that's a first."

"Fun, isn't it?"

"Yeah ... you're a great lover ... the best. I need a sit down and then a shower," Jerry said.

"I suppose, then we have to go shopping for Roby ... and I want to buy you some clothes."

Again Jerry insisted that he didn't want to spend my money, but we went to Wal-mart anyway. He was pretty impressed with Roby's old car, a classic Malibu which he said was all the rage once again. But Roby kept it garaged and I knew she hadn't been behind the wheel in ten years.

We managed to fill the trunk with goodies, clothes for him ... groceries for Roby. I knew she was planning to feed us again from the looks of the list. But she hadn't been shopping for herself in years; I didn't think she knew how expensive groceries were. Didn't matter, I always told her I spent a lot less than I actually did, refusing to take her money for what I bought.

Jerry carried the bags into Roby's kitchen and she fixed him some lunch, we had forgotten all about breakfast ... oh, yeah, we had sex. Roby fixed her eyes on Jerry and smiled.

"You look much happier than you did last night," She said. "How do you like Florida so far?"

"Brian took me to the beach ... the ocean is just so incredible," Jerry replied. "I wanna go swimming today."

"Goodness, I haven't been to the beach in years ... and it's right down the road." Roby laughed.

"You could come with us." Jerry said.

"Thank you dear, but my eyes can't handle all that sunlight. I stay indoors most of the time, healthier for me that way," Roby said. "But I would love to sink my toes in the sand and feel the water wash around my ankles." She sighed. "When you get old you'll understand." Jerry smiled ... and my cell phone rang.

"Hello?" And all I heard were screams. "Walt ... ?"

Jerry looked up; he could hear the screaming too.

"Walt ... calm down ... what's going on?" I asked.

The screams subsided; replaced with the sounds of the boy sobbing ... something was very wrong. "Walt ... talk to me," I said.

I heard his reply and made him repeat it ... it didn't sound real. I looked at Jerry and then handed him the phone, maybe he could make sense out of what his friend was saying.

"Walt ... it's me." Jerry said.

"Oh ... oh, Jerry ... damn," Walt sobbed. "He's ... he's fucking dead."

Jerry turned pale and I saw tears come to his eyes. "Who Walt ... who?"

"I ... I didn't do it, I swear ... your pa is dead."

Jerry started to tremble and I knelt down to touch him. He threw his arms around my neck and sobbed, as I took the phone back.

"Walt, this is Brian ... what did you just say?"

"I ... I said ... Jerry's pa is dead, he was shot." More crying and then a pleading voice. " I didn't do it, Brian ... I swear. But they're gonna find the body and ... Oh God, my fingerprints are on the gun."

Damn ... had he done it? "Where are you, Walt?"

"Home ... nobody knows yet ... just me and John ... but they'll find the body if they go lookin for him."

"And where is he now?"

"Uh ... out at Miller's Quarry ... Jerry knows." Walt was crying less, making more sense. "Brian, can you come here? We need your help ... please?"

"I don't know, Walt ... "

"Please ... you have to help, I think John is gonna kill himself."

"Did John shoot him?" I asked.

"I ... I can't say ... Please, you have to come help us."

Damn, what a fucking mess. But Jerry was looking at me now and I saw the pleading in his eyes as well. Fuck, now I was getting onto something I had no control over.

"OK, Walt ... we'll be there. Just keep John together, will you? Don't let him do anything stupid. It will take most of the day. I can't get there until six-thirty, maybe seven tonight at the earliest."

"Oh, Brian ... you can't know ... this is all so fucking wrong," Walt said, he was starting to panic again.

"Calm down, Walt ... stay cool. We'll meet you at the mill by seven ... OK?"

"Yeah ... thanks, Brian ... I gotta go tell John before he does something ... hurry ... please."

I snapped the phone shut and looked up into Roby's eyes. "Would you like to use the car?" She asked, holding out the keys.

Jerry and I hit the road. It would take almost seven hours to get there, four hundred miles ... and then what? The boy was in a state of shock, I wasn't much better. But I had to focus on the road and keep my mind from wandering.

Walt didn't know who shot the sheriff ... no, he said he couldn't say. Why not? John was involved, was he trying to protect his friend? That seemed pretty certain from the way Walt had acted before. There was something about John that made the boy protective ... again ... why?

I couldn't go seven hours without talking to Jerry, but what could I say? We were passing West Palm when I finally spoke.

Jerry ... what is Miller's Quarry?"

"Huh ... oh. That's where ... um, I suppose it doesn't matter ... that's where John grows his weed."

"In a quarry? What's there now, how isolated is it?" I asked.

"It's about three miles up in the woods, nobody lives around there. There was an old shack but it fell down, and you can't swim in the water because it's dangerous. Years ago some kids drown up there so everyone is afraid of the place. John figured it was secret enough to grow his stuff, I guess."

"Is there a road, could the police drive up there?"

I didn't want to ask if his father could drive in there, obviously he had ... and it had ended in tragedy.

"I suppose, the road is pretty bad, but a Jeep might make it. My pa drives a Jeep."

I waited for the emotional outburst ... but it never came. Jerry had been thinking ... I was beginning to see him working on it.

"What do you think really happened?" I asked.

Jerry sighed. "I can't figure it out."

"Walt said his fingerprints were on the gun, does he have access to firearms?"

"His daddy has a shotgun, everyone has guns. But most people don't know ... Walt has never fired a gun or a rifle ... never. He's scared of guns."

"But John isn't?"

Jerry looked over at me and I stole a glance. I was asking the right questions.

"John is an excellent shot; we hunt every fall with his daddy. You ... you think he did it?"

I wasn't sure what I thought. "I don't know. I suppose it depends on what your father did, depends on why he was up there in the first place. Only Walt and John know that."

Jerry leaned his head against the passenger window and was silent for a while ... a long while. The shock was over, now he had time to think.

I couldn't know what had transpired during his life with the man he called father. The man had abused him, but not that badly ... not yet. Walt had insisted that it would only get worse, and I could believe that. Some men couldn't take the challenge of having a teenage boy in the house.

Maybe his father had been a brutal man from the beginning and that would have eventually turned him against Jerry. The bit about setting fire to the mill for the insurance payoff said the guy was a cheat and a liar. Not the kind of man I would ever want to see as a sheriff. Obviously he had craved the power ... and look what it got him.

Walt said they would find the body, I wonder why? The boys had probably run off after the shots rang out ... and then there were the fingerprints. I was really confused now ... Walt had handled the gun?

By four we were in Daytona, three hours to go. I pulled over for gas and Jerry got us some sodas ... he came back looking rather pale.

"They have my picture in there," he said.

Oh shit, I had forgotten all about that. His face would be all over the place the closer we got to his home, fuck.

"Did anyone seem to notice you?" I asked.

"Sure, I don't have hair ... everyone looks at me now. But I don't look like the photo on the flyer, that was years old. It was taken at a church picnic, I was like twelve ... that's pretty stupid."

"In this case stupid is a good thing," I said. We tanked up and got back on the road.

"We have to hide the body," Jerry said.

"What?"

"We have to get rid of the body, and I know how," Jerry said. "It will be easy."

"Easy ... now wait a minute. A crime was committed; maybe even murder ... and you want us both to get involved?"

"We put the body in his Jeep and push it into the quarry ... they'll never find him."

"Unless they go looking," I said. "He's the sheriff; someone will go looking when he doesn't turn up."

"John and I tied a rock on a long rope once, a very long rope, and we never hit bottom. The quarry has been there for years, long before I was even born. Stories say the place is on sacred Cherokee land and that's why the quarry filled with water, I dunno, but John believes it."

"So we just push him in there and leave, the sheriff just disappears," I said.

"Yup, happens you know. Maybe the moon-shiners got him; maybe the spirits ... funny things happen up in the woods. People will believe that, they always do," Jerry said.

I felt a chill run up my spine; the boy was freaking me out. People did not just disappear, not in this day and time. But deep down inside I knew he was right, but it was just the wrong thing to do.

"What about your mother, Jerry. They just had their anniversary, they celebrated in Savannah. She'll miss him, just as I know she misses you now," I said.

Jerry smiled. "She really hates him you know. She knows about the mill, she knows why he did it. I was their only child, she stayed because of me."

"But you've gone missing ... do you want to see her?"

"Not now ... maybe someday soon. Once she figures he won't be coming back she'll go to her sister's place in Atlanta. Ma always wanted to live there, she likes the big city."

"You think she'll just up and leave?" I asked.

"Yes ... nothing to stop her. It's not a bad thing; he got what was comin for being the bastard he was."

That was cold; I never knew Jerry could be that callous. But then I'd never met the father, and now I wouldn't have to.

We went through Jacksonville, which left a little over seventy miles to go. Crossing into Georgia I became more concerned about Jerry's position as a runaway, what if he was recognized? At least I knew he wouldn't blame me.

By quarter of seven we were taking the exit ramp and heading back towards the crossroads. I wondered if Walt would be there ... and what about John? I hadn't thought much about the boy, although I still remembered how good he looked.

I had never been with a Native boy, John had been the first. Not that it had been much in the way of sex, but I had enjoyed the experience. There was something about his looks, the dark features seemed mysterious. But he had shrugged off the sex as nothing he was interested in, it had just happened so he could buy the bicycle rim.

Walt told a different story. John had fucked him, rape he called it. But you can't rape the willing, and Walt was more than willing, he thrived on being taken. So what was John's deal? Somehow I had to find out.

I drove past the houses and Jerry ducked down out of sight. One of these was his, but I didn't know which. His mother was probably home, wondering ... worrying. But we were here to find Walt and I saw the boys on their bikes before I reached the crossroads.

"I don't want that woman at the store to see us," I said.

"Go past and turn left at the stop sign, that's out of sight," Jerry said.

I passed Walt and John, slowing down only for the sign where I came to a stop. Walt and John flew past me, wheeling like mad up the road and around the curve away from the store. I waited and then slowly followed. The boys were standing beside the road, their bikes suddenly gone from sight.

Jerry popped back up as the other two tumbled into the back seat. I could hear them panting, the adrenaline was flowing.

"Go straight until you come to the green mailbox." Jerry said.

I did as ordered. Jerry turned around and stared at his two friends. "So which of you did it?" Jerry asked.

"I did," John said. "He had it coming."

I looked up in the rear view mirror and saw the marks on John's face. He looked like he had been beaten ... his lips were swollen, a black eye ... all the signs.

"He beat you," Jerry said.

"He was fucking John," Walt said.

"What?" Jerry and I said at the same time.

"His dick was in my ass, he was fucking me," John said. And then he smiled. "Sorry, I know you wanted it first."

"Green mailbox," I sang out.

"Count three driveways and turn left," Jerry said. "My father was fucking you ... I ... I don't believe it."

"I saw it, no lie," Walt said.

"He's been messin with me since last year, Jerry ... I just couldn't tell you, or anyone."

"I don't understand, he isn't ... wasn't like that," Jerry said.

"He knew about you and Walt, he told me that. Said if I told you he'd fucking kill me. Nice family we got, huh?" John laughed.

"Driveway," I said.

"Go slow, its kind bumpy. Drive back far as the trees and we can leave the car there, you won't make it all the way in," Jerry said. "So how often did he ... I mean where did you guys do it?"

"His Jeep, his office ... anywhere he wanted. It happened a lot after I got used to it. And then yesterday I think Walt figured it out, didn't you," John asked.

"Yeah, I saw you ride over to his office. And you had just come home, he didn't know you were here and yet you went over there," Walt said.

"You wanted him to fuck you?" Jerry asked.

John looked down just as I hit the first large bump; we all came up off the seats.

"Sorry," I said.

"Yeah, I kinda got used to it ... you know, it feels good," John said.

"But why him ... why not one of us?" Jerry asked.

"Cause ... he looked the other way when I was growing weed, he coulda busted me right off. He knew about the quarry, we used to do it there too," John said.

"OK, now I'm confused," I said. "You liked being fucked and still you shot him?"

"That was different ... he ... well ... he was gonna shoot Walt for catching us."

"Walt?" I asked. Another bump as we approached the trees.

"Can you turn around here?" Jerry asked. "It's gonna be dark when we come back, you might get stuck then. We can walk from here, its not far."

"I rode up here to find John this morning," Walt said. "I damn near killed myself in the trees so I got off my bike and walked it down towards the clearing. I saw the sheriff's car and figured John was busted, but then I heard them."

He looked over at John as I stopped the car. The boys got out and I went around to the trunk, fishing out a large flashlight. I followed the boys down the road, what passed for a road. I could see that only a four wheel drive could get back in this far.

"What did you hear?" Jerry asked.

"I heard ... I heard the sheriff talking ... sexy shit. Stuff not even you say, Jerry. Like he was telling John how he was gonna ream his ass out like a plumber. And when I cleared the bush I saw them. John was stretched out on the back and the sheriff was standing behind. I could see him plowing John's ass and slapping his butt."

"Yeah, he liked it rough," John said.

"But your face ... you didn't just let him do that, did you?" Jerry asked.

"No ... that happened after he saw Walt," John said. "He saw Walt sliding through the bushes and reached down for his pants. He told Walt to freeze and I just knew he was gonna run. I got up and saw the sheriff pointing his revolver at Walt. Things got crazy after that."

"I was gonna run," Walt said, "but then I saw that gun. He told me to walk over to where they were and I did. The sheriff pulled up his pants and told me to lie face down on the ground so I did. I thought he was gonna shoot me right then.

"He started yelling at John, sayin that now he had two problems to solve. He slapped John then punched him in the face. John fell down and the sheriff reached down and put the gun to John's head. I just knew he was gonna kill us both."

The road had petered out and we were pushing through brush now, but I could see the trees thinning out ... and then it hit me, these weren't regular bushes. They were pot plants ... hundreds of tall bushy pot plants. John smiled and looked with pride at his crop. But I saw the car tracks as well; the sheriff had run over a great number of plants on his way down the hill. We pushed through the pot plants and came to the clearing, and there I saw the Jeep. The boys stopped and Jerry looked at the vehicle.

"So ... so where is he?" Jerry asked.

"Inside the back ... you don't wanna be lookin at him, Jerry ... it was messy," John said.

"You guys stuffed him in the Jeep?" I asked.

"John did, I was too freaked out," Walt said.

"Walt saved me," John said. "I think the man was gonna pull that trigger when Walt clocked him with the rock."

"You threw a rock?" I asked.

"No, I bashed him with it," Walt said. "He was so busy punching John he didn't even see me get up with that rock in my hands. I just walked up behind him and wham, he fell down."

"He dropped the gun and it went off," John said. "At first I thought he had shot Walt but the boy just freaked out at the noise and fell down."

"I fainted, all right ... I know, I'm a stupid little boy," Walt said.

"No, you saved us both," John said. "It took balls to hit him like that."

Jerry was stunned, it all sounded pretty crazy to me as well. "So then you ... you picked up the gun and shot him?" Jerry asked.

"No, he went for it but I won," John said. "It went off when he was fighting me for it, his finger pulled the trigger not mine. Shot him right in the heart, lots of blood."

"But Walt said ... you said your fingerprints were on the gun," I said.

"Yeah, he picked it up and threw it in the quarry," John said, "Like they're ever gonna find it now."

"So you put the body in the back ... why didn't you just push the Jeep in the quarry too?" Jerry asked.

John walked up and put a hand on Jerry's shoulder. "He's your father, only you can banish his spirit. I don't want his ghost walking around here for the rest of my life, I would lose my crop."

It was the most amazing thing I had ever heard ... but then I knew John believed every bit of it. The traditions of Native Americans were not something I understood, but these boys did.

"I need to see him," Jerry said and John backed away.

Jerry went over to the back of the Jeep and opened the door. I could see the crumpled body laying there; I could even smell it now. Jerry looked down on his father's body and reached down to the man's face. The uniform was covered in blood, but the bullet wound looked small where it had torn through his shirt.

I saw Jerry close the man's eyes with his fingers and bow his head. We all stood silently for a few moments and then Jerry backed off, closing the door. He looked at us ... and then smiled.

"Let's bury the fucker," He said.

John steered as the rest of us pushed. The Jeep slowly rolled down the slope, picking up speed as it went and then we let go. The vehicle rolled to the edge of the drop and then sailed out and down. We heard the splash echo across the span of water and bounce back at us from the steep walls of the quarry on the other side.

The Jeep floated a while, slowly taking on water, and then with a burst of bubbles it slowly sank beneath the surface. The sheriff's emblem, a five pointed star, gradually disappeared in the dark waters ... and then it was gone.

I stood beside Jerry and he turned to hug me tight. Walt and John came up behind him and they joined in the hug. It remained to be seen what would come of this, but Jerry had buried his father; the ghost would not walk free.

Darkness quickly enveloped the forest surrounding the quarry, throwing shadows and allowing the crickets to begun their mating song. I could feel the chill in the air as we walked back up the path to the road. John walked beside me as Jerry and Walt held the flashlight to guide us.

"So you sure do have a lot of plants," I said. "Worth a lot of money I bet."

"Could be," John said.

"So ... that twenty bucks I gave you for a blow job, you really didn't need it," I said.

"No ... not really, but it gave you an excuse to do it," John said.

"I think it gave you the excuse to allow it," I said.

John laughed. "You got me there, but now you have Jerry. Working out OK?"

"I love him, nothing else could be better," I said. "And you?"

"I still like a good fuck, but I guess that's over."

"You have Walt ... he loves you very much," I said.

"You think? I did fuck him once, just tryin to see what it was like ... maybe ... "

"You guys have to be home any time soon?" I asked.

"Nope ... what's on your mind?"

Room thirty-two was available, different clerk this time. The boys needed a shower; I had Jerry and Walt take the first shift. John sat on the counter and let me examine his face. The swelling would go down, the bruises would fade. God, he was just so damn fine sitting there all naked and sexy looking.

Jerry and Walt retired to the bedroom as John and I stepped in under the water. The boy kept glancing down at my crotch.

"Good thing Jerry saw you first," John said with a wicked smile on his face.

"I love him, John. But maybe he'll be willing to share just this one time."

John took the soap and lathered himself, showing off ... getting the heat turned up between us. Yeah, maybe Jerry would ... I hope. Tomorrow would be another day, and life would get back to normal ... or what passed for it.

John and I finished up and dried off. I opened the door to discover Jerry and Walt sitting on the bed ... still naked ... waiting.

"It's gonna be a full moon tonight," Walt said. "A night just made for hot sweaty sex ... anyone interested?"

I looked at Jerry, it would be his decision to make. And he smiled.

End of Part 3...that's all folks, the story ends here. Please feel free to imagine whatever you wish beyond my words on the pages of this story. I myself must move on and leave these boys behind. The temptation to go on is there, it is with any story where the characters develop a life beyond the written word. Thanks to all of you who took it this far and encouraged my thoughts. May you be blessed with your own special night in the Georgia moonlight ... I have had mine.


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"It Must Have Been the Moonlight" Copyright © 6 September 2008 Chris James. All rights reserved.
    This work may not be duplicated in any form (physical, electronic, audio, or otherwise) without the author's written permission. All applicable copyright laws apply. All individuals depicted are fictional with any resemblance to real persons being purely coincidental.

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