The Town of New Bridge was barely on the map, but it was one of those little by-water places that tourists loved to discover. With a population hovering around three hundred and twenty-seven people, it was one of the things that had first attracted Pat. He supposed with the arrival of the Dennison family that number would swell to three hundred and thirty. The local tax assessor would be in heaven.

But that tiny number meant that when it came to celebrating the Fourth of July most folks in town put out the flag and then went over to Littleton. Their population was closer to five thousand so this was the place to see fireworks.

Littleton was an old town that had been founded in 1770 just before the Revolutionary War. With the back drop of the White Mountains, the town was surrounded by heights and sat snuggled along the banks of the Ammonoosuc River. The industrious townsfolk built a dam to power a sawmill and other industries moved to town.

Main Street was a tourist attraction filled with little shops and the ubiquitous store front restaurants and coffee emporiums. Industrious to a fault, everyone here knew those mountains were tourist gold and so the presence of quiet little Bradford Academy and a few hundred students bothered no one.

Mike had managed to get out of his family obligations which left his parents free to drive south to Boston once again, a better situation for all of them. Barry had allowed his son the freedom to develop a lasting relationship with Pat by figuring that the association would do the boy some good.

Barry had never finished high school and understood how that limited his progress in the world. But he wanted greater things to happen for his son, something most parents desire if they really love their kids. Mike was his only son which meant all the hopes he had for his family rested on the kid's shoulders, he was grateful Pat had taken such an interest, him being a city slicker and all that.

He might be fairly uneducated but Barry still wondered about Pat. Most men at that age were married, unless of course he was gay. Didn't seem likely that Mike would 'go gay' on him, the boy was just too tough for something like that. But Barry held a grudging respect for Pat since they both seemed to have the boy's best interests at heart. To his mind that made Pat a useful tool.

Tools were something Barry could understand. You had to use the right tool for the job or face screwing up. Having Pat looking after the boy's education was a good use of a tool. That whole computer business was something Barry had never grasped except he knew it was all part of the future. The future was Mike's world and he had to be ready for it. Barry harbored no illusions about being anything but a country boy.

Neil, on the other hand, was a city boy and to him this move to New Bridge was just another sign that his father was a jerk. The man just didn't care, his whole world revolved around work. That left Neil alone with his mother a good deal of the time, and at least she seemed to understand her son's needs.

When Neil had been suspended over that alleged assault charge she had risen up to defend him while his father had simply been furious. The whole thing had been absurd but the principal at his former school had tried to make sense of it. Maybe it was a good thing that Neil had taken the blame, at least Jonas got off a rape charge.

Jonas Keating, star athlete at Woodrow Wilson High, was just lucky his pants weren't down yet, that's what saved his ass. Neil had been lusting after the boy since the start of the school year. That afternoon it had all come to a head. Neil had been stalking the boy for months, and along the way he had done everything he could to gain Jonas' attentions.

Maybe the football coach had been a bit surprised when Neil stepped forward and volunteered to be the water boy for the team during practice. But Neil had tried to do his best and things seemed to go smoothly at first. Of course that meant Neil was in the locker room passing out towels after the practice. What better place for a gay boy than a locker room full of naked boys about to become men?

Jonas had smiled at the extra attention Neil paid to his needs. He understood the star quality an athlete exuded, the girls at school fawned over him for that very same reason. Having the same attention come from another guy didn't faze Jonas, he had Neil pegged as gay from the start.

So as the locker room emptied out that afternoon Jonas decided to see just what Neil was all about. Not that he felt himself gay in any sense of the imagination, but Jonas was a normal horny guy. Somewhere in the back of his mind getting his cock sucked by Neil seemed like a good thing, he'd heard gay boys did that pretty damn well.

But in the quiet corner of the locker room where Jonas pinned Neil against the lockers things didn't go the way he'd planned. The towel boy cowered in the corner as Jonas pressed his body closer.

"Come on, Neil ... how's about you do me just a little favor," Jonas had crooned.

Neil had no idea it was going to happen like this, and in such a public place. No, his dream was romantic. Jonas and moonlight in the back seat of the jock's red Firebird was the only thought he'd had. And now he dropped the armload of towels as Jonas pressed him back against the lockers and a hand grasped at his growing stiffness.

For his part Jonas was surprised at his reaction to the swelling in Neil's shorts, it seemed to turn him on. Okay, the boy was turned on and that seemed to encourage Jonas' thoughts. His hand swept down Neil's thin gray gym shorts and damn near tore the jock off the boy. Neil gasped as a strong hand grasped his balls and cock.

The wooden bench was right there and Neil was forced down on it, his acquiescence assured by that hand holding onto his most precious parts.

"My, my ... what a pretty little ass you have," Jonas said.

Jennifer Riggs hadn't given him a thing yesterday and Jonas was horned up to fuck something ... and there it was. Gay boys liked to be fucked, didn't they?

Neil was terrified and thrilled. But he harbored no illusions either, Jonas was going to take his virginity and it would hurt.

"No, Jonas ... don't," Neil begged.

A hand spread his ass cheeks and Neil heard Jonas laugh. "Damn ... it even looks like a pussy."

Neil heard Jonas' belt buckle and he screamed for help. Jonas had to stop undoing his pants to control the struggling boy and his hand squeezed Neil's balls. Of course that was the wrong move, now Neil really had something to scream about and he did.

From around the corner came the sound of the locker room door slamming open and Jonas backed off. His foot hit the pile of towels and he slipped, falling on his ass against the wall where he banged his head.

"Hello ... who's in here?" A voice called.

Neil struggled off the bench, his balls ached something fierce when he moved and he quickly sat back down, hands clutching his crotch, shorts around his ankles. And that's what Principal Thomas saw when he rounded the corner.

The man had been checking the halls in preparation for locking the outer doors when he heard the screams and came running. Now he saw his star athlete sitting senseless against the wall and Neil there with his shorts down holding his cock, what was he supposed to believe?

One on one in the office, Jonas said Neil had pushed him against the wall and then started to undress. Neil's story was different but the principal could hardly believe Jonas was about to rape anyone, not his star athlete. He suspended Neil immediately and Jonas was taken to the hospital for an examination of that bump on the back of his head.

Neil cried in his mother's arms and refused to go back to that school. Nora had known about Neil's sexual awareness for quite some time, never quite sure how to discuss it with her son ... until now. The boy was almost seventeen, a gifted student and never an ounce of trouble. This could hardly be his fault.

Explaining it to her husband was a different matter. Nora felt it was her obligation, not wishing for Neil to endure the disbelief or distain she was sure his father would feel. And she had been right, her husband had ranted ... until she shut him down.

Clayton Dennison could hardly argue with his wife since she held the purse strings. Her family's money had brought them this far, and since Neil was her son she would tolerate no punishment towards the boy. Clayton did the only thing he could think of, he offered to let them move.

Neil's joy at discovering another boy in town was gay was soon tempered by the understanding that Pat had been there first and that Mike was in love with the man. It took some thought but he finally understood. Mike had solved his feeling of isolation here in tiny New Bridge and Pat had been his choice. From what he saw, the man was just a wonderful person, and that made him fairly envious.

Neil had never considered a relationship with an older man, thoughts of peer experiences was scary enough. But Mike seemed happy and his friendship hadn't waned, if anything Mike seemed to go out of his way to include Neil in his life. That was sweet, it made Neil feel loved, especially since he knew every minute Mike spent with him was time he wouldn't be with Pat.

Neil's father was still a hundred and fifty miles away in Boston when the Fourth of July dawned in New Bridge and he didn't miss the man at all. Neil knew the source of love in his family came from his mother; his father was away even more now that they lived here. If anything, the incident with Jonas had only made the man more distant.

So Neil rose from his bed and stepped into the shower. He was careful with his grooming and a little miffed that the nearest hair salon was in Littleton. Not that the half hour drive bothered him much, if not for that license he would be a raging fool by now.

His mother had agreed to apply to the Bradford Academy, and Neil had checked them out online. The glossy photos of the campus and modern classrooms had shown him one very interesting thing ... the boys there were simply yummy. Being a day student at a mostly boarding school conjured up all kinds of images, and even now the thought gave Neil a raging erection.

He preferred to masturbate in bed but the shower was always an acceptable choice, especially when his head was filled with naked boys. Jonas had been such a damn fool to attempt something like that when a little patience and romance would have brought him so much more, but that was all in the past.

With the shower over it was time to choose clothing for the day. It wouldn't do to be too flamboyant in this hick town, no need to arouse interest in any of the male beings he would see today. Neil imagined the three of them might be the only gay creatures in the whole crowd. Now there was a depressing thought.

But both Mike and Pat dressed much alike, wearing dark colors and work shirts, the local flavor he supposed. Gawd, he didn't own a single plaid shirt and entirely too many pinks and purples. Neil had accepted that he came off as a bit girly, but it was just his nature.

He was pretty sure Mike didn't like the image but Neil didn't plan to change. Today he would wear white board shorts and a blue shirt. He considered a red bandana around his neck to complete the flag colors, but that would really make him look like a fag, better not.

His mother smiled when he came downstairs. "Off to the celebration?" She asked.

"Yeah, Mike said they were going into Littleton and I thought to get a look at the town before this fall," Neil replied.

"That would be nice, the school said they were sending me the application," Nora said.

"You think Principal Thomas will put something bad in my school records?"

Nora smiled. "I've already seen them. Our lawyer arranged it before we left Lansing."

"And ... ? Jeez, Mom, what the hell did he have to say?"

"Nothing much, the record of your suspension is there, but he was very careful not to throw around any allegations. It just says you got in a fight with another student and were judged to be the guilty party."

"That's stupid ... it wasn't like that at all. You heard what the doctor said about the bruises on my ba ... my testicles." Neil was pissed, that asshole principal.

"Neil, we're away from there now. Like I told you, the best way to treat this is as a sexual harassment incident, you were just defending yourself."

"If Thomas hadn't come by it would have been a full blown rape, Jonas wasn't kidding," Neil said.

"But honey, you told me you were attracted to him. He is a handsome boy after all. Sure you didn't encourage him just a little bit?" Nora asked.

"No ... I may have looked at him too much, but I didn't ever say he could rape me. I'm not crazy."

Nora smiled. "Do you think we should let Bradford know? I mean do you want me to discuss your sexual orientation with the headmaster?"

"Oh hell no, that would be a stupid way to start off in a new school," Neal said. "It won't protect me from harassment ... I'll just be more careful who I look at."

"With almost two hundred boys I imagine there ought to be a few gay boys there as well," Nora said. "But you're right, just be careful."

She gave Neil a hug and brushed the hair back off his face. "I know it’s hard sweetie and it must be very difficult for you at this age. You'll be off to college in two years, that's when you'll find yourself."

Neil kissed her cheek and snagged the car keys. "Back later ... sure you'll be all right?"

"Yes dear, your father might be home later ... we'll have a quiet evening. Enjoy yourself."

"Thanks, Mom." And then Neil was gone.

Nora stood and watched her son drive away. She hadn't told him the whole truth, how could she? Thomas had suggested in his report that Neil was a sexual predator. It was particularly absurd because Jonas was a head taller and twice as strong. No, she agreed with Neil's description, Jonas had tried to rape her son. And if the creep had succeeded she would have paid a fortune to have him killed.

But the headmaster at Bradford would read those words and Nora felt like she had to discuss it with the man. She had saved the photo from the school year book because it showed the truth. There was Jonas and two other boys from the football team, between them stood Neil. To think her son could be the predator, shit ... Thomas had to be blind. Jonas was leaning on Neil's head, for Christ's sake.

The road to Pat's house led through town and Neil smiled at all the pretty flags thrown up everywhere. He supposed if he had to live in a small town this one was pretty good, still, it was boring as hell. If he didn't have his internet connections Neil knew he would be a basket case. The net was his lifeline.

Pat was out in the yard when he arrived and Neil waved as he pulled into the driveway.

"Hey, Pat ... Happy Fourth," Neil said as he got out of the car.

"Same to you, sweetie ... you look nice today," Pat replied.

"Thank you ... where's the brat?"

Pat laughed. Neil seemed to understand just what a little monster Mike could be on occasion. "He's inside rummaging in my closet for a shirt that I vaguely remember packing. I don't even know if I still have it. Red, white and blue you know."

"Ah, patriotic to the core," Neil said.

"I just think he likes the idea of stealing my clothes," Pat said.

Mike came out of the house waving a shirt with all the right colors. "I found it ... Hey, Neil."

"We could have just wrapped you in a flag," Neil said.

"Lord no, not here. The VFW would be all over my ass for desecrating the flag and all that crap, not goin there," Mike said.

The shirt was white with red and blue stars all over it, and Mike slid off his t-shirt and tossed it to Neil. The sight of his small body was enough to give Neil a thrill, the kid was all smooth skin and muscle. Mike slid on the new shirt and smiled.

"What do you think?"

"You'll be a hit," Pat said. "I figured some lunch before we go ... we'll find nothing but overpriced junk food in Littleton today."

He fed them soup and sandwiches before they piled in the Subaru. Neil sat in back and leaned between the two front seats to stay in the conversation.

"So, what do they do to celebrate?" Neil asked.

"Food and games, lots of craft displays, it's a fair really," Mike said. "Last year they had some kiddie stuff set up and a Ferris wheel, but I like the bumper cars best of all. Fireworks after dark, the usual stuff."

"I was hoping to get a look at the Bradford school if we could swing that," Neil said.

"Sure, I'd like to see the campus as well. How's the application process going?" Pat asked.

"Haven't received the forms yet. Mom says they have my transcripts so at least that's progress. Two years, that's all I have left to endure," Neil said.

'So what do you want major in at college?" Mike asked. "You are going to college, right?"

"Sure, as long as the parents are paying why not? I was thinking of a major in gay studies."

"Gay studies? You're joking," Mike said.

Neil laughed. "Yeah, I am ... I just figure since I’m living here that college will be my first chance to hook up with anyone meaningful. I have no idea about a major."

"Give Bradford a chance," Pat said.

"Oh I will, believe me. I have pretty good gaydar, and it's not like people take long to figure me out. I just hope I can be out while I’m there. This hiding in the closet business is getting old real fast."

"I never even knew what that meant," Mike said. "Not like I had anyone to focus on until Pat came along."

"Well you're lucky and I'll definitely keep my eyes open at Bradford," Neil replied.

The campus of the Bradford Academy occupied a large section of property less than a half mile from the center of Littleton. The proximity meant the boarding students had the run of the town on weekends, and since their business was as good as anyone else's the local shops welcomed their well-mannered presence.

The chain link fencing along the street gave way to an elaborate brick and stone entranceway, complete with a huge iron work gate and the crest of the school. The first buildings they came to were residence halls, much like on a college campus. The sidewalks criss crossed a quad towards more modern buildings that housed the classrooms.

Here and there the campus was dotted with nice homes, but these were set aside as faculty housing. The campus seemed deserted with only a few cars in the parking lots, so Pat drove along the road which seemed to loop around the buildings.

The gym was obvious, with playing fields stretching off into the distance across the road. Small green signs labeled the buildings by their use: a swimming center, a theatre, everything an upscale school might need to attract students.

"Impressive," Pat said.

"Wonder where the center of gay life is located?" Neil said with a snicker.

"That would probably be in the dorms, you know what they say about boarding schools," Mike laughed.

"I only hope that's right. This place will be such a bore of it’s nothing but straight boys," Neil said.

"I don't think that will be a problem," Pat said. "Look over there."

Like many of the other buildings in town, the American flag was on display across the campus. But there across the road was a faculty home, and on the porch was the familiar red, white and blue flag, and beside it hung the rainbow flag.

"Oh sweet," Mike said.

"Jeez, they have a gay faculty member? Diversity here we come," Neil laughed. "Oh yeah, I want to go here now."

Pat was pleased as Neil seemed to perk up at the gay symbol. It was about time something good came of this transition in the boy's life. Having an openly gay faculty member would do so much for the boy's self-esteem.

As they drove past, a man came out of the house carrying a guitar case towards the car in the driveway. He waved when he saw them looking.

"Shall we stop and say hello?" Pat asked.

"Oh, I don't know ... won't we be intruding?" Neil replied.

"Never know until we ask," Pat said, and pulled over to the side of the road.

A second man came out of the house and looked their way as Pat got out, followed by Mike and Neil. Pat walked up the drive and smiled.

"Nice flag you have there, so glad to see it flying," Pat said.

The first man smiled and stuck out his hand. "Tom Boswell and this is my partner, Jack."

"Pat Stevens, and this is Mike and Neil ... Neil Dennison. He will be attending your school this fall I believe."

"Then you're most welcome," Tom said, stepping forward to shake first Neil's and then Mike's hands. "Just stopping in to look at the campus?"

"Yes sir, that flag got my attention," Neil said. "May I ask what you teach?"

"Music and theatre, are you interested?" Tom asked.

Neil laughed. "I'm gay ... but I don’t dance or sing. What's it like here? I mean, what kind of experience will I have?"

om frowned. "I gather your last school wasn't such a good experience, was it?" Neil shook his head in response. "Bradford is an academically tough experience. The rules are easy to follow and the classroom work is hard. But if you stay focused there won't be any problems here."

"I'm a good student if I don't have to put up with a lot of crap," Neil said.

"You won't, I assure you. This school was founded eighty years ago by a Quaker family who wanted a good school for their children, and the children of others like them. We don't teach religion, we teach by example. I'm not a Quaker and neither are most of the faculty, but some are, as is Dr. Thorne, the headmaster. Here a boy is judged by the way he lives his life, we teach diversity and acceptance for all."

"Oh that sounds so refreshing, why aren't you folks running the world?" Pat asked.

Tom smiled. "One child at a time, Mr. Stevens ... all it takes is one. So Neil, you may call me Tom. We don't hold to much formality here at Bradford, what's in a name anyway? Well, we do call the headmaster Doctor Thorne out of respect; he is our elder after all. You'll be in eleventh grade I gather?"

"Yes ... Tom."

"Good, then I'll make sure you're assigned to me as your mentor. Each student has both a mentor and a guide their first semester. Being gay here is not a dating license, academics come first. I won't tell you which of the other boys is gay, that you will find out for yourself. Let's just say you're not alone, you'll know by the end of the first week."

"Wow ... that would be awesome. Um, do you have a coming out day or something?" Neil asked.

"No, as a school we don't celebrate any one set of students, there are no 'gay days,' that happens every day. Some boys feel comfortable enough to wear a rainbow pin, that's acceptable, but no flamboyant shirts or anything like that. The rules forbid shirts with anything written on them except the maker's mark, if there is one. No rock band t-shirts, no fags-R-us shirts, your issues are yours to keep or share, your choice.

Tom smiled. "School starts on a Monday and by the end of the week the shock will have worn off. That's when we have Mountain Day, our fall school picnic. It gives you a first chance to socialize, climb the hills and just enjoy being a Bradford student. You will enjoy the school, Neil, there's not another place like this in the country, or so we like to believe."

Neil looked so awestruck that Tom gave the boy a hug. Pat could see that his little introduction had meant a great deal to Neil, the man must be a fine teacher. It only remained to be seen if Neil could be a fine student.

Jack walked over with his own smile. "You about ready, Tom?"

"Yes ... you guys coming down to the celebration?" Tom asked.

"Yes, that's why we're here," Pat said.

"Good, look us up on the stage about eight o'clock just before the fireworks, we're performing a few folk songs," Tom said. "And Neil, keep your eyes open, there will be a few Bradford boys out there in the crowd as well. Hope we see you later," Tom said.

They all shook hands and Pat led the boys back to the car.

"Wow, you struck gold, Neil," Mike said.

"This is gonna be awesome, I’m psyched," Neil said. "I had no idea ... the brochures were just so ... academic." He laughed and Pat looked up in the rear view to see the smile spread across his face.

"I'm happy for you. I'm sure your parents will be glad to know you'll fit in so well," Pat said.

"I'm not telling my father shit, he just gets to pay the bills," Neil said. "I will tell my mother not to worry but they don't need to know all the details."

"How can you keep them from knowing? You'll be spending two years of your life here, they have to be curious," Pat said.

"Two years, fifty grand ... that's all my father will see. My mother will see it as a good education, that's her main concern. I have my own life to lead, at least now it seems like this place will give me some control over my future. Gay faculty, that is so cool," Neil laughed.

Pat drove them across town, following the signs for event parking. The main street was shut off, detour signs moving all traffic away from the cluster of downtown buildings. They parked in a grassy lot and walked back, noting the hundreds of people gathering for the day's events.

Neil's eyes swept the crowd, wondering how he could figure out which of the boys would be Bradford students. His rambling moves took him away from Mike and Pat who walked slowly in the street.

"Jeez, Pat. That school costs twenty-five thousand a year? That's more than my daddy makes," Mike said.

"Yeah, it's a lot of money. I'm just sorry that Neil thinks they owe it to him, he ought to be grateful. Why ... you want to go to Bradford now?"

"Oh hell no, my family couldn't afford anything like that."

"If you were my son I'd mortgage my house to get you a good education," Pat said.

Mike smiled up at him and Pat saw the love in those eyes. "I wouldn’t want you to waste your money like that, you give me enough already."

"If I thought I could get away with it I would gladly pay your tuition, I just don't see how we could get that past your father," Pat said. "I think he would feel angry about it, and maybe a little suspicious."

"I'm doing fine at the public school and with you helping me study I'll have a good year, you'll see," Mike said. He looked up at the Ferris wheel which loomed over their heads. "Come on, let's go for a ride so I can hold your hand and scream like a little girl," Mike laughed.

Neil was off in the crowd and looking intently. If there was one thing that thrilled him now it was Tom's statement that there were other gay boys at Bradford. Finally, he wouldn't feel so alone. Not that he was planning to sleep around, that would certainly blow his education out of the water. No, he just wanted a partner ... like Mike had, like Tom had.

Seeing other gays attached to someone left an empty feeling in his heart and mind. He'd suffered enough and he'd endured the hate...Neil felt like he needed something good to happen. And then across the street he saw two boys in blue t-shirts with the Bradford crest above the breast pocket. Even from here he could see that mark of distinction, better yet, the boys wearing them looked awesome.

Neil found his way across the street wondering what he might say, and then he caught that look and his gaydar flashed on. No way, could it be that easy? The red head was staring at him, the one with brown hair turned to look his way and their eyes locked.

"Hey, guys," Neil managed to say, his heart was pounding in his chest and the words came out almost breathless.

"Hello to you too," The red head said.

"I'm coming to Bradford this fall," Neil said.

Red gave him a big smile. "Then lucky us. Where you from?"

"I live in New Bridge, you guys day students?"

"Yeah, boarding is for fags ... Thank God," The brown haired boy said, and then they all laughed.

The red headed one was name was Wayne, although he actually preferred to be called Red. The other boy was named Alan and they lived in Littleton. Both were going into tenth, making them a year younger than Neil. Red admitted he was bisexual, Alan said he was just plain gay, something he had discovered years ago. Then Neil had to share.

"I'm gay, no doubt about it," Neil said.

"Whoo-hoo, that makes seven," Alan said. "Now there's a lucky number."

"There are seven gay boys at Bradford?" Neil asked.

"Yup, and four of us," Red laughed. "Gets to be quite a party sometimes. Just wait until Mountain Day, you'll see. Hell, who knows what the new freshman class will bring us."

"Define party," Neil said.

Alan looked around. "Come on, this no place to talk about our business."

The boys led Neil away from the noise and activity of the crowd, two blocks away they came to a quiet little park consisting of eight trees and a couple of benches where they sat down to talk.

"Welcome to my office," Alan said.

"Office ... here?" Neil laughed.

"Yeah, this is where I got my first blow job, right out here in the open. Of course it was like eleven at night and I was twelve. I have no idea how old the guy was, it was real dark."

"Jeez, Alan, that story gives me the creeps every time you tell it," Red said.

"What about you, Blondie ... does that freak you out?" Alan asked.

"No, I ... I suppose it was what you wanted," Neil said.

"Do you have a boyfriend...have you ever had one?" Red asked.

"No, I'm ... I'm a virgin," Neil admitted.

Alan patted Neil's hand. "We'll work on it, okay? First times are supposed to be special." Alan then smiled. "You're already special, do you realized how hot looking you are?"

Neil blushed. Yes, he knew his looks attracted guys, but all of them had been on the internet.

"Yes, I'm attracted to blonds," Red said.

"Butt out Bi Boy, Neil needs a real gay man to show him the way," Alan said.

"Yeah, and where's he gonna find that man, girlfriend," Red replied.

"Guys ... I'm not sleeping around. But I need friends, cute friends, and you both qualify. As to whom I will sleep with, that comes later...much later," Neil said.

"Oh yeah, we'll get along just fine," Alan said.

"So you mentioned party, is there a lot of sex going on at school?" Neil asked.

"Yes ... and no, depends on who's playing," Red said.

"Look, just do the math," Alan said. "Seven for sure gay boys, four bi boys. Incoming class maybe adds two more, one to each category. And then there are the straight boys we know who fool around, that adds another dozen at the moment, plus a few undecided ones. That gives you over two dozen possible playmates, cappish?

"I don't want a straight boy," Neil said.

"Maybe, but they're like potato chips, you can't eat just one," Alan laughed. "Sometimes they're just fun, they're always so in awe of what you're doing."

"You a top or bottom?" Neil asked.

"Depends on the boy. Red is a dedicated bottom when he's in gay mode," Alan said.

Red blushed and Neil thought he looked a lot like a strawberry at the moment, it was kinda cute.

"And what do you like to do, Alan?" Neil asked.

Alan's eyes flashed. "I give the best blow job in New England."

Neil laughed at the ego behind that statement, but Red nodded. "He isn't kidding."

"Okay, this all sounds so loony," Neil said.

"Naw, we're not sex maniacs, the school work keeps you pretty busy," Alan said. "Two hundred some boys and only about a quarter of us are day students. We three are the only 'friendlies' in the day student lot, the rest are boarders. You'll find a lot of the boarders want to get off campus at the weekend, that's when you party."

"You bring boys home for sex?" Neil asked. "That's incredible."

"Unless you have a steady boyfriend, it is what it is," Alan said. "Works for us, doesn't it, Red?"

"Oh yeah, not like my mom would let me bring a girl home to sleep in my room. She just thinks I'm being nice to the poor lonely bastards."

"So they get home cooked meals and a romp in your bed, that sounds damn friendly to me," Neil said.

"Yes, he's a regular philanthropist," Alan laughed. "So Neil ... you want to go out with me sometime?"

"Sure, I might learn something if you're the best," Neil replied.

"Oh yeah, I will spoil you to death," Alan said. "You name the time and place."

"Sure, you mind if I introduce you to some of my friends?" Neil asked.

"You have gay friends in New Bridge?" Alan asked.

"Yeah, there are three of us in town," Neil said. "They're here with me today."

"Three gay boys in New Bridge, that must be a record of some kind," Red said.

"Only one of them is a boy, but he’s eighteen."

"Oh? He has an adult lover? Wow, lucky bastard," Alan said.

"Yeah, they're real sweet," Neil said. "Come on, let's go back to the fun."

Pat and Mike were just getting off the bumper cars when Neil found them. Somehow Pat wasn't at all surprised that the boy had two others in tow. Fortunately no one was standing close when Neil made the introductions.

"Pat ... Mike, this is Red bi and Alan gay, if you get the point. I believe Alan and I are dating now," Neil said.

Alan smile shyly. "Yeah, a bit awkward, I don't even have my license yet."

Pat smiled in return. "Driving is no obstacle to what boys seem to need ... they don't have a license for that."

They all laughed and Alan gave Pat a grateful smile, the awkward moment was gone.

"Aw, you already did the bumper cars," Neil said.

"Mike will be glad to give you a go, he already gave me whiplash," Pat said. "You have tickets?"

"No, where do you buy them?" Neil asked.

"Here, you boys take mine and go bash your brains out," Pat said, handing Mike the handful of tickets. The boys all walked over to stand in line and only Mike looked back with a smile. There was such security in that little gesture and it spoke volumes about their love.

So Neil had a boy ... at last, Pat thought. Alan was such a cute one, too. He just hoped the boy had some experience at relationships, Neil sure didn't. Neil was a definite beauty but his looks belied the insecurities under all that blond hair and fair skin.

It would take a strong boy to bring Neil into the real world and maybe Alan had what it would take ... that remained to be seen. The redhead was just so sweet looking and with all those freckles he was very attractive. Bisexual maybe, it might just take the right guy to make him gay. Boys that teetered on the brink sometimes fell in love quite easily Pat knew.

This was going to be quite a day of celebration, and they hadn't even reached the fireworks yet ... or had they. Neil and Alan might light off a few fireworks of their own this week and he knew what Mike would want later on this evening.

The day was fun and quickly passed leaving them in darkness. Sitting on the bleachers off to one side of the little stage, Pat and the four boys watched as Tom and Jack started up an old favorite song and the crowd sang along.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are gray ..."

Pat could have sworn that Neil and Alan sang the last word and said gay instead of gray, but they were covertly holding hands in the gathering darkness, no one seemed to notice. Just seeing the boys like this made him appreciate what he had with Mike.

"You'll never know dear, how much I love you,

Please don't take my sunshine away."

Pat turned to look at Mike and shared the moment. Yes, they had love, and so much more. New feelings that neither of them had experienced before. Mike leaned into him, a hand slowly placed on his thigh, a squeeze of affection. And then they sang the refrain.

"You'll never know dear, how much I love you,

Please don't take my sunshine away."

And after that there were only fireworks.


On to Chapter Three

Back to Chapter One

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"Seasons for the Boy" 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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