The end of January rolled around and Robby packed up for his move to the dorm at school. For him, jumping into a strange school in the middle of a year would be a big disadvantage, but Paul knew he could handle the pressure.

There had been a meeting with the headmaster and several faculty advisers the week before. Robby had acquitted himself very well, suitably impressing them all with his desire to learn. The only sticking point had been how far behind he was in his academic skills compared to the others in his class.

They considered holding Robby back a year, and there was no better proof to Paul that the Baltimore school system was lacking. Paul had suggested they could find a tutor to work with the boy several afternoons each week, which would bring him up to speed. In a tribute to the way Robby presented himself the faculty agreed, he would have a place in the junior class.

With that issue out of the way, Robby took a tour of the campus while Paul had a heart to heart with the headmaster. From the moment they met, Paul had liked this man and his commitment to giving the children under his care the highest level of education in both academic and life skills.

His name was John Foxwell, a graduate of Harvard University with two PhD's, but he would be the last one to even mention that fact. His modesty was as sound as his education policy.

"I want to thank you, Dr. Foxwell," Paul said, "I think Robby will really enjoy the challenge here."

"Good, that's what we hoped. Now please, call me John, the doctor I reserve for formal occasions when I have to impress someone," he chuckled. "But tell me more about the boy, I read the information you supplied on the application about his upbringing and why you brought him to us, but I want us to tailor our response to his needs very carefully."

"Robby has the intelligence and the will power to be a great student," Paul said. "But he's just like so many kids from that city; he never learned his academic skills properly. I'd say he's starving for knowledge right now, he might turn out to be a sponge and absorb everything you throw at him."

"I think we can handle him academically, but what about his personal needs? We have a diverse population here at Moorefield. I have kids from all over the country and across the world for that matter. It won't be hard for him to assimilate into the family here, but I gather there's been a lot of personal stress for him, do you see that as an issue?" John asked.

"Yes I do and I think you ought to tackle it head on. One of his best friends is dying in a hospital bed up at Hopkins; he's not expected to survive another month. At first I was afraid to let Robby spend too much time dwelling on his friends' death but he's been up there three or four times a week to sit with the poor boy.

"Brian is dying of AIDS, something he contracted in California, probably as a result of sexual contact. Somehow Robby seems to have gained strength from being with the guy when I fully expected it to shatter him. He's been reading up on what they know about the disease and I wouldn't be surprised if that information starts showing up in his academic work. I don't want you to stifle that interest, John. The boy has found a cause to inspire himself, and it needs to run its course."

"Oh I agree," John replied, "I wouldn't think of disturbing a pattern of learning that might prove beneficial for any student of ours. If anything we'll take his interest and allow him to share the knowledge with all the students. Peer education is vital to the learning skills a person needs to develop."

"I just didn't want you to think I'd brought you a problem child without merit and the ability to learn. I suppose before you ask I should tell you why I've become involved with Robby," Paul said.

"No, I wasn't going to ask," John said. "I was impressed by what you said in the application and that was enough. We know enough about life here to understand that kids come to us under so many different circumstances. The school is here to prepare kids for future academic and social challenges, it's that simple.

"The strength of one becomes the strength of us all in this school, we'll occupy just a tiny part of a person's life as they grow and develop but we get to fill that corner of their mind with worthwhile knowledge. Robby will soon discover this place is filled with kids who will quickly learn to like him for who he is, he'll become involved in the activities and sports, and he'll probably enjoy dorm life."

"Well he's a fine boy and I certainly feel like this is the best place for him, thanks John. If there's anything I can do for the school please don't hesitate to call," Paul said.

"We're having a fundraiser next month, the kids will be serving spaghetti and meatballs along with some one act plays, can I put you down for a couple of tickets?"

"Please, I'd love to come," Paul said.

As they drove home, Paul told Robby about the gist of his conversation with the headmaster.

"The man has all the right ideas about education," Paul said. "I like him, and the campus seems nice enough. What about you, will it work for you?"

"The place is pretty nice and the dorm rooms seem OK. I guess I'll like the school," Robby said.

"You don't sound very positive. I know you feel strange about all this but you have to be somewhere and I have a good feeling about the place. Give it a chance, Robby; it's going to be a positive step for you."

"I know," Robby replied, "it's just being away from my friends and you I don't like, what if they don't accept me?"

"They will. I know that somewhere inside you feel being a gay kid means you'll get rejected, but I don't think that will happen here. Being gay isn't who you are, it's what you are, and life isn't always about sexuality.

"These boys and girls at Moorefield will see you first as a handsome guy with a good head on his shoulders. They'll want you to participate in their social activities, sports, drama club and all that kind of stuff; you'll probably like all those things. A person has to make friends in any new group of people. Get to know them and be selective before you even let anyone know you're gay. Being friends with someone isn't about being sexual; they're not the same thing."

"What if they hate me because I'm gay?" Robby asked.

"I'd be surprised, but you may find one or two kids who can't deal with it. I don't think the school will allow them to abuse you in any way. Being gay in an adolescent situation might be scary to other boys; they might fear you and overreact in a negative way, but that's their problem.

"If you don't challenge it, that hatred will only grow, so you have to acknowledge it and work on changing their feelings in a positive way. I can't emphasize enough, you're at the school to learn and it's not about your sexuality. If you think it's going to develop into a problem then you should approach Dr. Foxwell, I think he'll be very understanding."

"Did you tell him I was gay?" Robby asked.

"Why, do you think he ought to know? I don't think he'd change his mind about you, he sees you as a bright young man who wants to learn, he doesn't care if you're gay," Paul said.

"You've overcome a great number of obstacles in the last five years, Robby, don't create any more. Enjoy the time you have left in school, make new friends, and get involved with them. All too soon you'll have to go out and make a living in the world, this is the time to prepare for that challenge, and it will help you decide what you want to be."

"I already know what I want to be," Robby said, "I want to be a doctor."

"Really? That's great, and very ambitious," Paul said. "What made you choose medicine as a career?"

"You already know," Robby replied, "its Brian. I've been watching the doctors at the hospital and how they treat him. Many of them are so angry because they can't do anything to stop him from dying, it's frustrating them. But when they're in the room with him I see how much they feel for him, it helps Brian so much that they care."

"And you're a compassionate person too, Robby. I've watched the way this has affected you. Being a doctor is all about curing the patients you can and easing the suffering of those you can't. If that's what you want then go for it, I'll help you do whatever is necessary," Paul said.

"I know you will, that's why I love you," Robby said.

Paul delivered the boy to his dorm room on Saturday morning; the place was a madhouse of boxes and trunks, parents and siblings. He watched a small boy carrying a speaker cabinet as big as he was down the hall to his room, wires trailing behind him. This place must be party central, Paul thought.

Robby's roommate was a slender towheaded kid with an English accent, Robby shook hands with the boy and then they immediately started talking about how best to arrange the room. Paul watched them for a while and decided it was time for him to go.

Robby would need the weekend to get acquainted with the other boys and he had to perform that task alone. Paul saw several other adults who looked just as much out of place as he did, they smiled grimly at one another as loud music suddenly drifted down the hall.

"Robby," Paul called out above the din, "I have to go."

"Oh yeah, I'll walk you out," Robby said, "I'll be right back, Peter."

They skirted major piles of baggage and stuff in the hall, finally making it to the door.

"Is he English?" Paul asked.

"Peter? Oh yeah, his dad works at the British Consulate in Washington, he told me he was a day student last term but decided to be a boarder because the place was so much fun. That sounds cool."

"Well, glad you like each other," Paul said.

"If they let me out of here, will you take me to see Brian next Saturday?" Robby asked.

"Certainly, just give me a call and I'll come get you."

They stood in the parking lot and the moment of separation came, somehow it didn't seem as horrible as either of them expected.

"I'll miss you," Robby said as he threw his arms around Paul's neck.

"I'll miss you too, kiddo, be good," Paul replied, "I love you."

"I know you do, that's why all this is possible, isn't it? If we didn't love one another I'd be just another hustler standing on the corner," Robby said. "I owe all this to you and I'm never gonna make you regret it."

"I've never regretted a single minute I've ever had with you, Robby."

Paul spent the evening with Bob, telling him all about the school and Robby's roommate. The conversation eventually turned to Brian and his condition which seemed stable for the moment.

"You know I promised Robby I would try and see Joey," Paul said. "He wants me to warn him about AIDS, he doesn't think the boy knows what kind of danger he's in."

"If you want we could take a drive down to the Park, maybe we'll find him there," Bob suggested. "Can you deal with it?"

"Yeah, but I don't suppose he'll be too happy if I just descend out of nowhere and tell him to stop hustling because it's gonna kill him," Paul said. "What choice do I have? Robby could have come with me last week or the week before but he was so involved with Brian and school, it's as if he's been avoiding the city."

"Can you blame him? Maybe he felt he couldn't come down on Joey when he was living with you, how would he explain that?" Bob said. "Hell, I'm no shining knight either; I don't think Joey would listen to me."

"That's the point isn't it? What leg do we have to stand on, a couple of old perverts like us? Well let's go see if he's in the Park and who he's hanging out with, then at least we'll have some answers," Paul suggested.

The weather hadn't been very cold for a January along the Eastern seaboard, although a light dusting of snow had caused the usual panic and closed the public schools the week before. A great way to begin a new academic schedule. Tonight the sky was clear and the stars were out over the city as they drove into town.

From what Bob told him, Paul knew the boys might sit out on the wall if it wasn't freezing or they would move down the avenue to the fast food burger joint, buying a cup of coffee or a coke to keep from being thrown out. The temperature was hovering around forty tonight but without a breeze, still there was no activity in the Park as they drove by.

"Maybe some of them will be at the burger joint," Bob suggested.

"OK, I'd like to at least see him if I can," Paul said, "I have to tell Robby I tried anyway."

They pulled into a parking space behind the restaurant and looked in through the large glass windows overlooking the lot. There were about a dozen people in there and several boys sat in a booth close to the windows. As Paul watched one of them rose and walked to the counter, the face was familiar but not the body. Joey had certainly grown much taller.

His long dark hair had been cut shorter and his jeans looked faded but clean, the boy still took pride in the way he dressed. As he watched, a younger boy walked up to the counter and put his arm around Joey's waist. The young blonde was leaning on Joey while he waited for the clerk to serve them. Who was this kid?

"Who do you think that kid is hanging all over Joey?" Bob asked.

"Don't know, maybe he's got a little boyfriend," Paul suggested, "Robby never mentioned anything."

The two boys left the counter and resumed their seats, Paul could see the younger one a lot clearer now. He was almost too cute, so pretty. Joey and the kid were talking and then the little one slid a hand off the table and placed it squarely on Joey's thigh.

"Shit, answers that question," Paul said.

"He looks about fourteen," Bob said, "I think Joey's developed a taste for the little ones, how sad."

"He had some younger friends when he lived with that creep. Benny, the Fagan of Boston Street...I've seen enough, let's go," Paul said.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out, maybe Joey is only playing around with the kid?" Bob said.

"Yeah, but how does he make his money? Even the boy is at risk if Joey has anything and he's too dumb to know. Fuck, what a mess. I'm bringing Robby in to see Brian this weekend, let's hope he has some answers."

Paul didn't have to wait until the weekend, Robby called him on Tuesday night.

"I'm bummed out," Robby said, "John doesn't want any of the boarders off campus for the first three weeks of school. I told him it was about Brian but he asked me to stay unless it was an emergency so I agreed."

"John? You call the headmaster John?" Paul said. "What's up with that?"

"Oh it's a school thing, we use first names, it breaks down walls, makes communication easier I guess. At least that's the way it was explained to me, weird huh? This place has all kinds of quirky little things like that goin on."

"So it sounds like you're fitting right in, that's great," Paul said.

"Oh yeah, it's so cool here. Peter and I copped a buzz out in the woods this afternoon, he parties, isn't that great?"

"Yeah great, maybe you ought to ease up on that shit, don't get thrown out the first semester, OK?" Paul suggested.

"Yeah, I know. I told Peter I was gay and you know what he said? So what, his sister is a lesbian, ain't that some shit?" Robby laughed. "He's straight but he doesn't care if I'm not and he's going to keep my secret, its like roommates can't tell stuff like that to anybody, it's an unwritten rule."

"Not to change the subject but I wanted to ask you something," Paul said. "Bob and I went in town Saturday night to find Joey like I promised you I would. He was in the restaurant with some young blonde kid, what's that all about?"

"Oh, I never did tell you about that shit. That's Bugs; I don't know his real name. He lives with Benny. Joey's been his friend for a long time."

"Is the boy out on the street dating?" Paul asked.

"Probably, I think he's gay but I don't know for sure. Benny found him, no parents that I know about."

"I suppose he still hangs out with the boys from that creep's house."

"Come on, Paul, at least the guy takes care of them," Robby said. "That's why I'm glad I found you, I'd be there if it wasn't for you."

"Oh I know...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lay that attitude on you, it isn't your fault. I just promised I'd try and reach Joey and I'm frustrated, the little kid just complicates things. Don't worry, I'll find a way to get Joey the message."

"I know you will," Robby said and Paul heard a huge yawn. "Sorry, I'm worn out. They get us up at six-thirty in the morning and keep us going until five. I got a ton of homework already but Peter is a wiz at math, he's helping me out for now. John is going to tutor me in English himself, isn't that cool?"

"I'm so glad you made friends already, I'm sure it helps you fit in there," Paul said.

"Hey, you know, I think you were right, there are a couple of guys here that might be gay, just rumors right now. This dorm thing is still mysterious to me, but I'll find out. It takes four students to start a club here; maybe I can find three others and start a gay students group. That would be so cool. For now at least I get to look at some real nice bodies in the shower room, are you jealous?"

"Should I be, that's what you want isn't it?" Paul laughed

"Maybe," Robby yawned again, "I gotta go, some other guys want to use the phone. I love you, Paul. Thanks for sending me here, it's the best."

"Love you too, stay in touch, OK?" Paul said.

"You're still my boyfriend, just wanted you to know that, bye," Robby said and he hung up the phone.

What a nice thing to say, Paul thought. He really needed to hear that too. But what could he do about Joey? He thought about it on Wednesday as he ran around the track at the high school near his condo and again on Thursday as he worked out at the athletic club.

He was almost tempted to try and pick Joey up for a date just to have the talk that might save his life. On Friday he was swamped at the office, the damn Navy had accepted their bid and now the rewrites had begun on all the documentation. It would make the company if they did it right, they were all ecstatic about the future. By mid-afternoon he had decided to go out that night and see Michael, maybe the kid had a better angle on the problem and they could work on it together.

The Bayside Boys was packed by ten o'clock when Paul arrived; a crowd was standing around outside waiting to get in. Shit, Paul thought, what a mess. As he was considering what to do he was approached by a young guy. The kid might be somewhere around nineteen but he had hustler written all over him.

"Hi," the boy said, "trying to get in?"

"Yeah, but it might take all weekend it seems," Paul replied.

"We could sit in your car until the crowd thins out," the boy suggested.

"And why should we do that?" Paul asked.

"I have a joint here in my pocket for one thing, wanna share it?"

Paul looked the kid over, long sandy hair falling to the shoulders of his fatigue jacket and a leather baseball cap, he was sorta nice looking.

"It is getting cold out, isn't it?" Paul said.

They sat in the car behind the bar watching the people come and go, the sweet scent of the kid's weed filled the interior as the boy smoked, Paul wouldn't touch the stuff. The kid was nineteen, or so he said, and his name was David.

"Can I do anything for you?" David asked.

"You mean right here in the parking lot?" Paul said.

"I suck a mean cock, only twenty bucks," David blurted out. "I'm hungry man, I haven't eaten since yesterday."

"Do you make the guys wear a condom when you do that?" Paul asked.

"Sometimes, if they want to. Is that the way you want it?"

"I don't want it at all," Paul replied, "but I'll give you some money for food. Aren't you afraid of catching something if they don't use a condom?"

"No man, I know what you're saying. You mean that AIDS thing. Naw, I look the guys over carefully, I don't do anything if the guys don't look healthy," David said.

"What if you can't tell?" Paul asked.

"What are you, some kind of social worker? Look man, it ain't gonna happen to me, alright. I gotta make a living and I can't keep a job worth shit. Maybe I party too much, I dunno. But suckin cock and gettin fucked every now and then pays pretty good, at least I eat. Did you say you were gonna give me some money for food?"

Paul gave the guy a twenty and watched as he wandered off across the parking lot and crossed the street. How sad, they were everywhere and so very stupid. 'It ain't gonna happen to me,' David had said, maybe it already had? How very sad.

He went back to the front of the bar and pressured himself up to the door through the line, a few clowns grumbled but the look on Paul's face made them back off. He was angry now; David had set the tone for his evening. He had to get to Joey and Michael was his last hope. Paul stuck his head in the door and smiled at the big man sitting on a stool inside the door; a wave of sound engulfed them as he shouted.

"Tom, remember me? I'm here for Michael, is he on?" Paul yelled.

"Yeah, he's on the bar, I remember you, come on in," Tom yelled back.

The bouncer didn't even want his cover fee, they stood side by side at the back of the crowd and Tom pointed at Michael on the far end of the bar. Paul put a hand on the big guy's shoulder and gave a squeeze; Tom smiled back at him in return. The bouncer's job here wasn't easy, but Tom was a pussycat compared to some other bouncers Paul had seen in action. This guy kept a baseball bat wrapped in friction tape leaning on the wall behind the blackout curtains beside the door, his weapon of choice just in case.

Paul worked through the crowd and pulled a fiver from his pocket as he approached Michael. The boy had a moment of recognition and smiled as he bumped his hips in time with the music, his hips swung one way and his cock the other. Paul reached for the boy's sock and stuffed the bill in amongst the many others; Michael leaned down and gave him a big kiss which brought a chorus of jeers from the crowd.

"I'm here for the night," Paul yelled above the din.

"I'll find ya," Michael yelled back, and the boy spun on the balls of his feet and moon walked backwards down the bar.

Paul saw a few familiar faces as he crossed the bar looking for a table. There was the congressional staffer he'd met at a party several months ago, nice guy, a tough job. The bar held all kinds of men, many with jobs in government they would talk about and a few who would just as soon remain unseen. The Washington gay scene was firmly entrenched now; the cops hadn't raided this place in several years. That was probably due to the fact that gay influence was spreading in local and federal government.

There wasn't any place to sit so Paul leaned on the wall and watched Michael perform. He really was the only thing worth watching anyway. The boy took pride in his act and made the best tips because of it. His body glistened with sweat as he went through his routine which would have won high marks for a gymnast in competition.

Paul wondered why the boy didn't stimulate him sexually, not that Michael wasn't sexy as hell. They were friends and he understood that's what they needed to be ... and nothing more. The kid gave his all as a dancer; the crowd knew it and responded with cheers as the dance track ended. Michael hopped back behind the bar while another boy took his place.

About ten minutes later Michael made his way through the crowd towards the back, he was stripped to the waist and he carried a towel which he used to wipe the beads of perspiration from his body. He spied Paul through the sea of heads and waved, and then he stopped to talk at a few tables before getting there.

"You ought to be in politics," Paul yelled, "you really know how to work a crowd."

"Oh honey, you don't know the half of it," Michael laughed, "most of the political types in here would rather fuck me than talk, but they ain't gonna get it."

"You want a drink?" Paul asked.

"Naw, it's too early, maybe a bottle of water if you would, please," Michael said, "I gotta cut down on the booze, it makes me fat."

"I doubt if there's an ounce of fat on that cute little body of yours," Paul replied.

"How sweet, but you're crazy if you don't think drinkin and eatin will fatten my ass up real quick. Girls like me have to be careful, this body is my business," Michael said.

Paul fetched the kid a bottle of water and a gin-tonic for himself. Michael had moved in on a table which held two other men but he'd managed to save a seat for Paul.

"Paul this is Roy and Henry, they come here regular like," Michael said.

The two men smiled at him as Paul said hello and then they went back to the intense conversation it seems they'd been having.

"Hey, Paul," Michael said, "I wanna ask you a favor, OK?"

"Sure, I got one for you too," Paul replied, "you first."

"Can you take me to Baltimore tomorrow, it's my Granny's birthday and I haven't seen her in two years," Michael said. "Please, I just gotta see her."

"You know I will, it will help me out too," Paul said. "I want you to help me out with Joey."

"Wonderful," Michael said, "you're a dear man."

He leaped over in Paul's lap and gave him a huge hug and a kiss. Paul looked over at Roy and Henry who were both sitting there with big smiles on their faces. He guessed their conversation wasn't that important.

So that's how he found himself standing at Michael's apartment door at noon the following day, he knocked gently. Three minutes later he knocked again. He heard the chain slide across the safety latch and the door opened a crack to reveal a really cute young boy standing there in only his underwear, they looked like tiny women's panties and they probably were, sure didn't hide much. Paul could see a pillow and blankets in disarray on the couch behind the kid.

"Yes?" the sleepy kid managed to croak out.

"Hi," Paul said, "is Michael awake yet, I was supposed to pick him up a noon."

"Oh God, what time is it?" the kid asked.

"Uh, noon," Paul said.

The boy let him in and he sat in the only chair in the sparsely furnished apartment, Michael moved too much to acquire real furniture. The kid didn't seem embarrassed about his nakedness so Paul tried not to notice, the kid was probably all of fourteen. The boy mumbled something and wandered down the hall towards Michael's bedroom. Paul heard murmuring back there, followed by a yelp and then the boy returned with a lit cigarette between his lips.

"He's awake now," the kid said with a wicked grin. "Hi, I'm Randy."

I bet you are, was all Paul could think of to say, but he didn't. "Paul," he replied. "I was supposed to take Michael to Baltimore today, are you guys friends too?"

"Yeah," was all Randy said in reply.

Great, this is going nowhere fast, Paul thought, who is this kid?

"Oh, Paul," Randy said, "now I know you, Mikey told me all about you. He says you're cool."

"I'm glad he thinks so," Paul replied. Now the kid had a fix on him and started talking, it proved to be his worse asset.

"Mikey got me away from his old boyfriend Tommy, what a jerk that guy turned out to be. See, I was hanging out at the 7-Eleven over in Fairfax, ya know. I done some business with a couple of guys when they come in for coffee late at night, ya know, made a few bucks too. I met Tommy one night and he brought me home a few times and then Mikey walked in while we was fuckin and shit hit the fan. I like Mikey, he's been real nice, don't wanna fuck with my head all the time like Tommy does."

Paul was just sitting there listening to the boy ramble on; he heard the bathroom door open and then close, followed by the sound of the shower running. Good, at least Michael was up.

"Mikey says I shouldn't go runnin around looking for trouble," Randy started in again. "There are some real creeps out there he tells me, says I might get myself hurt. But you're a nice guy, ain't I got a good body?"

The boy stood up and balancing the cigarette between his fingers on one hand, held the other over his head and did a little pirouette. He did have a nice body, too thin but then he was like most kids in his position. Paul was sure he never got proper nourishment. The kid put the cigarette out in the overflowing ashtray and then pulled down his underwear, revealing his sweet little ass and spreading his cheeks to reveal the little pucker between them.

"Do ya like what you see, Paul?" Randy asked.

"You have a very nice physique for a young man, but you can pull up your underwear, I'm not looking for a date," Paul replied. Shit, what's with these kids?

Randy hesitated and then pulled up his panties, leaving a huge sausage shaped cock laying up against his belly as he sat back down, the show and tell had turned him on it seemed. He now had a frown on his face, Paul guessed this little act must have produced a lot of business for the boy in the past and he was confused.

"Do you get a lot of dates?" Paul asked.

"Yeah, guess so. It all depends on what I'm wearing."

"Really, what does that mean?" Paul asked.

"Like if the dress is tight enough or the wig fits real good, guys like it when I look like a sexy little hooker," Randy replied.

"Oh, so you do drag? At your age? Where did you learn that?" Paul asked.

"My uncle used to dress me up when I was a little kid," Randy said. "My mom used to think it was so funny, we'd all laugh and laugh, it was great fun. I got real good at it and my uncle used to buy me cute little dresses and take pictures of me. I got some, wanna see?"

"Uh, OK, sure," Paul said.

Randy went over to the corner of the room and pulled out a red backpack. From it he removed a worn scrapbook. The uncle was obviously a real pervert; he was even in some of the photos. Randy looked about six or seven in the first shots, a cute little tyke in a polka dot dress and brown wig that flowed down to his shoulders, much the same length his real hair was now. So he doesn't need a wig now, Paul thought, great...I suppose he figures that's progress.

"See, here I am in a real sleek, silky number," Randy said. "This was my favorite outfit when I was about ten. Red said it made me look like Myrna Loy."

"I take it Red is your uncle?" Paul asked, "and Myrna Loy, damn, that was fifty years ago, do you know who she is?"

"Oh yeah, Red used to show me all kinds of old movies. I used to dress up and pretend I was this and that movie star, it sure was fun."

"So you did drag for your uncle, he took the pictures and I guess you guys did a few other things besides," Paul said. It wasn't really a question, the kid had learned about his sexuality at a real early age.

"Oh I knew I was a boy, but I didn't want to be. I can't wait until I'm eighteen, then I'm gonna become a real girl," Randy said.

"You mean have the operation? That's a mighty big step," Paul said.

Randy laughed. "Everyone freaks out when I tell them that. I got a fat cock now, but not for much longer. I want a cunt so bad, I dream about it. I've had guys blow me for an hour man, it just doesn't get me there, ya know. But wow, all they got to do is plunge it home and I start squirtin everywhere, gettin fucked is such a turn on."

Fortunately that was the minute Michael made his appearance, Paul had never been so happy to see him.

"What you talkin that shit for," Michael said. "Damn, you been layin that operation thing on Paul? What did I tell you, girlfriend, it ain't gonna happen."

"Oh yes it is, I'll cut it off myself if I have to," Randy said rather defiantly.

Michael gently slapped the kid across the face. "That's for pinching my ass when you woke me up. I told you don't bruise the goodies, I make my livin with this ass, honey, I don't want it damaged."

"We should go, Michael," Paul said.

"OK, now Randy you stay here, don't you be goin out and runnin around town, you don't know the place too good," Michael said. He kissed the boy on the lips and went for his jacket in the closet.

"Good-bye, Randy, nice meeting you," Paul said.

Randy stood up and gave Paul a hug, a kiss and groped his cock by stroking the front of his jeans.

"Sure would be nice goin out with you, hunky man," Randy said.

"Don't hold your breath," Paul said.

He waited for Michael at the elevator doors, the boy rushed to join him as the doors opened.

"What the fuck is that?" Paul asked. "You just looking for trouble or did it find you?"

"Shit," Michael said with a smile, "it seems to follow me around."

On the ride out of Washington, Michael told Randy's story as they sped up the Parkway towards Baltimore. Tommy had picked the kid up in Fairfax; he'd been lying in the grass beside the 7-Eleven out cold. The dress he was wearing was torn, his face had been bashed in and his genitalia were severely bruised. Tommy took him to the hospital.

The kid had a mild concussion and a black eye. Seems he'd tried to pick up the wrong kind of guy. Randy told Tommy that the guy had enjoyed the blow job but when he groped Randy's crotch and discovered a cock down there he'd lost it. The creep had tried to pull the boy's balls off and had smashed his fist into the kid's face numerous times before leaving him unconscious beside the store.

"He keeps on about this sex change operation, it drives me nuts," Michael said.

"I imagine so, but if he does go in for that the doctor's will put him through hell before they'll allow such a thing to happen. I read they do a complete psychological profile and it takes years to complete, that ought to slow him down," Paul suggested.

"Oh but he's such a cutie as a boy," Michael said, "what a waste. He said his uncle started molesting him when he was six or seven, he got fucked for the first time when he was eight and loved it, he's been on a roll ever since."

"Where are his folks, Michael? Is he just out on the street all by himself?"

"Yeah, pretty much. His momma threw him out last year when she found out he was turning tricks with older men, he was only thirteen, ain't it sad."

"So you took him in, you're as bad as me," Paul said.

"Look, I only fucked him twice, and I wore two rubbers each time. Who knows what's been up that cute little hole of his?"

"You can't keep him, Michael, he's going to get you in trouble. I know all about that," Paul said.

"I know, I'm gonna take him down to Miss Rosie's place, soon as he let's me. Hey, it ain't been easy gettin rid of him, he keeps comin back."

"Who's Miss Rosie?" Paul asked.

"She's a sweet old black lady, runs a house and takes in kids off the street. The city is always givin her shit for it but hell, they ain't doin nothin to help these kids. I almost ended up there myself," Michael said.

"You never have to do that Michael, you can always call me," Paul said.

"You're a sweetie, hey, why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow, I got this big frozen turkey on sale at the Safeway," Michael said.

"Is it still frozen?" Paul asked, "if it is, you aren't gonna cook it tomorrow."

"Oh yeah, why not?"

The rest of the ride consisted of cooking class, delivered by Chef Paul. Michael loved to cook but didn't know diddly squat about cooking fowl, and especially frozen ones. They drove into Baltimore off the interstate, coming down the back way off Boston Street. The sky was pretty gray and ugly, it might even rain tonight the weatherman on the radio said, but what did they really know?

Paul took them down the avenue towards the Park and pulled over by the steps, the bushes had grown up and they couldn't even see up to the top of the hill anymore. Michael ran across the street and down the block to Joey's house, they didn't think he'd be outside in the middle of a day like this. He was back a few minutes later.

"He's not home, nobody's home. Maybe he's down the street near the stores or something, wait a second, I'll find out if he's in the Park," Michael said. Two fingers went to his lips and the silence was shattered. Weeep-too wheeep-weep, Michael sounded.

"Damn, that was loud," Paul said.

"Oops, sorry," Michael said, but he was smiling.

A moment of silence and then an answering call, Thweep-weep-too weep.

"Who's that?" Michael said, "I don't know that one."

A young blonde boy came bounding down the hill, crashing through the bushes and coming to a halt at the top of the stairs.

"Oh great, it's Bugs, Joey's little friend," Paul said. The kid was hanging all over Joey the last time he'd seen the boy, now the kid looked frightened.

"Hey man, seen Joey?" Michael yelled.

"Uh, no, who are you?" the kid asked. He started down the stairs and the three of them stood beside the car. "Nice wheels, mister," Bugs said. "What'cha want with Joey? I ain't seen him."

"I'm an old friend of his, my names Paul Saunders. Michael and I were just lookin for him, that's all."

"Did you whistle? I ain't ever heard that one before," Bugs said.

"No, I did," Michael said, "Brian Bookbinder and I started this club."

"You know Brian? I hear he's in the hospital, is he OK?"

"Not doin real good at all," Paul said, "that's one of the reasons I wanted to talk to Joey."

"Paul, you the guy he used to ride with when he was a kid?" Bugs asked. "Yeah, I think you are, I seen your picture. Joey keeps it his wallet next to Bruce Lee's picture."

So he had finally made it in life, Paul thought, what irony. Just me and old dead Bruce next to each other in a hustler's wallet.

"Serious, I ain't seen Joey," Bugs continued. "Uh, he went out last night with some guy in a black van, and he ain't back yet."

"That's what I was afraid of," Paul said, "he's dating."

"Hey, we all do, man," Bugs said, "so what? He needs the cash. I'd do anything for twenty bucks, are ya interested?"

"Christ, that's twice in the same day, what's with you kids?" Paul said. "OK, I'm gonna have to leave, if you see Joey tell him I'm around and I'll look for him later on today."

"Sure," Bugs said, "how'd you know my name?"

"Why, doesn't everybody know your name? I heard you're the best date on the block," Paul said.

"Go on, you're full of shit," Bugs laughed.

"Robby Barnes told me your name," Paul said.

"So how would he know I'm the best date on the block, I never did anything for him," Bugs said.

"Thank God, kiddo, thank God," Paul replied.

He drove Michael down the avenue and they went over a few blocks to just one of the many row houses that lined the quiet neighborhood street.

"I think my father will be here today," Michael said. "We don't always get along. Will you wait out here for me?"

"Sure Michael, whatever you want."

The boy went over to the door and didn't even knock; he pushed it open and stepped inside. He was in there about five minutes when the door opened again and an elderly man stepped out, maybe the grandfather Paul guessed. The guy sat on the steps and lit up a cigarette, he looked to be about sixty or so, wonder how old Granny is?

Paul watched the street; it was alive in so many ways. Kids on small bicycles, others on skateboards ruled the street. Several women stood in shirtsleeves and they shivered, slapping their arms and rubbing away the cold with the palms of their hands as they watched over their kids.

Some guys were attempting to fix the gutter along the roofline of one house. As Paul watched they dropped the same piece three times before hammering it in place. It was horribly crooked and they left it that way. The neighborhood pulsed with a life of its own, but it was sadly in need of revitalization. The homes looked like they were tired, as tired as Grandpa sitting on the stoop.

Michael came out of the house and jumped in the car. "Let's go," he said.

"Where?" Paul asked.

"Anywhere, just outta here," Michael said, and so they drove.

The boy had tears in his eyes, but he wouldn't cry. Paul figured it had to be something important.

"Everything OK?" he asked.

"No, Granny is real sick. It's all just too weird, Paul. I had this dream about her two days ago, it's why I wanted to come up here to see her. She just told me she dreamed about me too, isn't that weird?"

"Yes, it is, but some people are connected in strange ways, is she getting old?" Paul asked.

"Yeah, she's about eighty," Michael said.

"Was that your Grandfather who came out to the steps?"

"No, he's been dead a long time...that was my Dad."

Paul had to let it go, the poor guy looked worn out, it wasn't something he was sure Michael wanted to talk about.

"Wanna see my Mom?" Michael asked.

"Sure, why not," Paul said.

"You'll like her, she and my dad have been split for a long time so don't say nothin about him, I like my mom ... she's one tough lady."

But she was one cool lady too, Paul decided. They sat in her tiny living room and she made them tea in her even tinier kitchen. That was OK, she was tiny too and Michael had her looks. The home was loaded with dolls; the walls were covered with shelves full of the handcrafted little people, as was every other horizontal surface in the place.

Her name was Mary and she fussed over Michael to the point the poor boy was embarrassed to death. And then she pulled out the photo album full of her kids. Michael had two older brothers and a sister, he was the baby. Handsome boys and a pretty girl, Mary was very proud of all of them.

"I have four grandchildren," she said proudly, "each one so very special. Only Mikey won't be havin any, will you dear?"

"Uh ... no, Mom," Michael said.

"Such a sweet baby, our little Mikey was. But it was God's wish that he be different and we understand it's all in the Lord's plan. It's OK honey, I'm finished embarrassing you now," she said with a chuckle.

They politely finished the tea made much too sweet for Paul's taste; the woman had dumped half a can of condensed milk in the pot as he watched in horror. Fried foods and anything with that much cholesterol were things he always avoided. But it was time to go; maybe Joey was around by now, so they said their good-byes.

"You're the spitting image of your mother," Paul said, "she's really great."

"It wasn't always that way," Michael admitted. "She used to yell at me for bein queer, that's why I ran away. But she found God right after I left, it helps her understand me she says, I don't care, she doesn't yell at me any more."

They were just turning the corner when Michael rolled down the window and yelled, "Hey, Joey, over here."

Paul hadn't even seen the boy sitting there on the steps; Michael's eyes seemed to miss nothing. Joey looked both ways at the traffic and ran across to them; something was different about his face. As he got closer, Paul saw the scratches and bruises; it looked like he'd been fighting.

"Hey, Joey," Michael said, "look who I brought to town."

"Hi, Paul," Joey said softly, as he got in the back seat, "long time, man."

"Hello Joey, what happened?" Paul asked, turning around to look the boy over.

"I got in a fight with a real asshole..," and that's as far as he got.

From across the street some guy yelled out Michael's name.

"It's Frank, my brother...Frank," he yelled back, "What?"

"Granny's had a heart attack, the ambulance just got there," the man replied.

"Oh God, no..., " Michael screamed, "take me there, please."

Paul did a U-turn in the middle of the street and floored it, the four barrel carburetor kicked in and the tires squealed, they were there in a flash. The ambulance was in the middle of the street, the rear doors open and the stretcher already gone inside the house.

Michael jumped out and ran screaming across the sidewalk to the door, plunging through the open frame and out of sight. Paul sat stunned for a moment and then shut off the engine and got out. He could hear Michael crying inside and the sounds as the medic yelled "Clear", and the following thump as the defibrillator sent a jolt into the old lady's body. He couldn't see in, he didn't want to so he backed off into the street and stood with the crowd that was slowly gathering.

Silent witnesses stood in the street and across the sidewalk, these were her neighbors and friends. The radio in the ambulance squawked and Paul heard the medic inside the house calling in. "Twenty-three, we have one to transport, emergency Hopkins." The response, "Twenty-three copy, will notify."

The old lady was alive, Paul was sure. And then Michael came out into the street, his face red and swollen. He walked over and threw himself against Paul's chest and sobbed.

"She's alive," Michael managed to say.

The medics wheeled the woman out to the vehicle and put her inside, she looked so very pale as they tucked an extra blanket around her.

"I gotta go with her," Michael said, suddenly he was in a panic, "I gotta go."

"Go then," Paul said, "I'll wait for you."

"No, you go on home, I'll stay with Granny at the hospital tonight or maybe at Mom's, I'll be OK."

"Call me if you need something," Paul said.

"Thank you, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here, thank you." Michael kissed him right there in the middle of the street, the neighbors all watching the little drama that had visited them today.

The ambulance left with Granny, Michael and his brother both rode with her in the back. Paul turned slowly back to his car and saw Joey looking at him through the back window. Shit, he'd forgotten about the boy. Boy?

It wasn't the face of a boy he saw any more under all those cuts and bruises, this was an adult and he was under a lot of stress, the signs were all there. Here we go, Paul thought, I'm that somebody once again.

Paul drove them down to the Point, bought a six-pack along with a couple of sandwiches and then drove on down to the field beside the pier. Joey popped the top on a beer and downed half of it in one swallow, but his hands shook and he spilled some of the liquid on his jacket.

"Are you in pain?" Paul asked.

"My face hurts like hell, have you got any weed, I need to party real bad."

"Sorry, I don't do that shit anymore. Do you want to go to the hospital?"

"No way, they ask too many questions," Joey said.

He hadn't seen the boy ... guy ... whatever, in years, at least not face to face. Paul noticed the torn shirt, the mud on the jacket and the hole in Joey's jeans, was that blood on the fly over his zipper?

"Joey what happened, what can I do?" Paul asked.

"Find me the fucker in the black van I went out with last night cause he's gonna be the second guy I ever killed."

"I'm sorry, he hurt you. Are you sure you don't need a doctor?"

"Maybe later if the pain doesn't go away, I'll take another beer," Joey said.

"Is that blood on your pants? Shit man, what happened?" Paul insisted.

"I went out on a date with this guy, nice wheels, I thought he was cool," Joey said as he shifted in the seat.

"Yeah, Michael and I got that much from your little friend Bugs, what else happened?"

"So you met Bugs, he's thinks he loves me. Remember that shit, Paul. I went through that too, dumb little kid."

"You still go out with strange men, see what happens?" Paul said.

"Hey, I don't need a fuckin lecture, alright. I'm not that same dumb little kid you remember, no...Oww, it hurts. No, I'm a big dumb little kid," Joey tried to laugh. "Shit, you'd think I would learn something. Alright it was stupid but I needed the money. Bugs is an expensive habit, though he doesn't know it yet. Aw shit, I'm all dirty and I'm messin up your car."

"Don't worry about it, it'll clean up," Paul said.

"The asshole in the van, name of Ben somethin, I didn't catch the whole name. He picked me up last night about ten o'clock, asked me if I wanted to party, ya know. So we drove out towards the county, like he was lookin for a place to pull over and smoke a joint. Anyways, he handed me a small joint and I took a toke, it tasted real funny like it had somethin in it.

"We pulled into this deserted gas station, place all fallen down and shit and he pulls around back and shuts down. We crawled in the back and my head is startin to spin a little. A decent high but it kept comin at me in waves. Old Ben starts rubbin his crotch, asking if I want to do something for him and offers me fifty bucks. It sounds good to me but the weed really starts hittin me strange, my body won't do what I want, you know, and that's when he grabbed me.

"Shit, he sat on me and tied my hands behind my back, I couldn't do nothin. He sticks his big old dick in my face and tells me to suck so I started to blow him but he says he don't like the way I do it so he smacks me in the face. Now my head is really gone and that's when he took off my shoes and pants.

"I tried to kick him but he slammed my face into the floor and grabbed me by the balls, said he would rip them off if I didn't do what he wanted. He tied my legs down spread wide open then put some nasty cold shit on my ass before he pushed into me and I passed out. I don't know what was in that shit but when I woke up my ass was on fire."

"Was he wearing a rubber?" Paul asked.

"Yeah, I watched him put it on. You know I've been fucked a few times but nothin like this. Whatever he put on my ass stunk like hell and got real hot, felt like I was on fire, it still does."

"Yeah, well with a condom on him he wouldn't feel it, maybe it was menthol, some thing like that, I think he meant it to hurt you," Paul said.

"He fucked me twice man, then he opened the door, threw my shoes and pants out in the dirt, untied my feet and pushed me out too. I though I was home free but then he got out and told me I better not say anything about this to anyone. He said I was a lousy cock sucker and then he rubbed my face in the gravel, cut it up pretty good too, huh?"

"Yeah, you got some nasty scratches," Paul said.

"So he drove away, leavin me all tied up and half naked. My balls just about froze before I got those ropes off my hands so I could put my pants on. He didn't give me any money or nothin, it was a total bust. I had to fuckin hitch a ride all the way back in town. Oww, it still hurts."

"The only good thing that came of this is that the asshole used a condom, Joey."

"If I have to do it I don't like doin it without one," Joey said.

"Yeah, well Brian did it without one and he's gonna be a dead man real soon," Paul said. "This AIDS stuff is no joke, Joey, you have got to stop this dating and get a job. There are too many freaks out there; most of them don't even know they're sick and it's going to spread around because of them. I hope you find a way out of here, this place is gonna kill you."

"I heard Robby had moved in with you," Joey said. "He ain't even legal Paul, aren't you worried?"

"It isn't like that, he stayed with me for three weeks, now he's off at a boarding school and he seems to be having a great time too."

What are we doing, Paul asked himself, he jabs me and I jab back. Are we really trying to hurt each other, is he jealous?

"Oh," Joey said, "I thought..."

"No, let's not make any comparisons between you and Robby, he's a different person altogether. I really wanted to see you, warn you about what happened to Brian. But I also wanted to say I'm sorry that I had to just walk away from you. It was meant to help both of us; we were into something that never should have started."

"How can you say that?" Joey asked. "We had a good thing goin; I just fucked it up by tellin the doctor about us. I figured she was the one that chased you away."

"But look what's been happening to you," Paul said. "If it wasn't alright for me to have sex with you when you were thirteen, why is it alright for you to be doing things with Bugs?"

"Cause he's just like me, or like I was. We're good friends; I don't have anyone else left."

"But that means his life is messed up," Paul said. "You aren't making it any easier for him to stop doing all these things that are bad for him. You can't keep being a kid, Joey. Hanging out with Bugs and living his life just isn't real, he makes bad decisions and will get hurt... and then so will you."

"I don't see it like that; he's free to choose what he wants to do. Benny doesn't care where he is but I do, I watch out for him," Joey said.

"But what does it cost him for your services? Does he feel like he has to have sex with you every time you do something for him? Think man, that's what was beginning to happen with us. You felt like you had to offer yourself to me and we both lost out," Paul said.

"If he didn't have sex with me he'd be out there with some other guy," Joey said.

"Oh crap, that's the same excuse I would have used, it doesn't work, Joey. You have to grow up, let the kid make his own mistakes if he has to but you can't be a part of it. I know it's hard for you to get into a relationship with someone your own age; it takes a lot to be sexually equal when it's so easy with the boy. I don't know if you're gay or straight, I don't even know if you care, but you need to think about what I just said, it's important to your future."

"Do you still love me at all?" Joey asked.

"I've always carried a little bit of you around with me, but I don't know you anymore, how can I love you under those circumstances," Paul asked.

"I can't change, Paul. I just know that I keep on goin and somehow I make it. I remember there was a point when I told myself I had to listen to you and change; I had to become what you wanted me to be. But you weren't there and I didn't change at all did I? Well, I gotta go find Bugs before he thinks I'm dead, I have to be there for him, he's got no one else."

Paul couldn't stop him and Joey popped the door and took off running up the street. There was a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach as he watched the boy run, he was only a boy and always would be. Joey's rejection had been a terrible slap in the face; the irony wasn't lost on him either. He had been abandoned by the man he had trusted never to do that, all the men in his life had walked away.

Somehow Paul felt he couldn't quit, he would have to try again and again if that's what it took. It was really a matter of life and death, wasn't it? But not just for Joey, for all of them. Bugs just proved that the Park was like a giant machine, cranking out boys year after year, giving them access to men who told other men who kept on feeding the machine with their money.

The game was old, so very old; existing from the moment time had begun here in the city. It didn't matter if they were young or old; they were all doomed to play if they watched the game's progress and became enamored of the tokens it offered. But nobody wins this game, it eats the players. Paul thought for a moment and realized...I can't do this alone.

He started the car and drove up Broadway, crossing the avenue and traveling up the hill towards Hopkins. Paul felt he had to check on Michael, just to know if the boy was all right. He's one of the survivors, just like Robby, he thought. Different lives but they both walked away from the temptations.

Michael was sitting in the lounge outside of intensive care, he looked worn but he smiled as Paul approached down the hall.

"She's better now," he said, "The doctor says she might make it a while longer."

"Oh, Thank God," Paul said.

"And thank you," Michael said. "I wouldn't have been here without you. It's so weird, it's like Granny was just waiting for me to come see her and then she decided to die. She held my hand and told me she knew I would come, it's like we both had the same vision. I'm freakin out."

"You had to be very close, Michael. I'm glad you had this time together."

"Yeah, but I'm gonna stay, is that alright? You should go home, I'll be alright," Michael said.

"What about Randy boy, will he be ok in your apartment?"

"Shit, he's probably all in my closet lookin for some drag; I hid his dresses where he'll never find them. Don't worry about him, he ain't goin nowhere unless it's in my clothes, all he has is them underwear."

"That was good thinking, he's trapped," Paul said.

"If you want him he's yours," Michael laughed, "Interested?"

"Oh hell no, I don't need any more jail bait in my life, well maybe Robby, but that's it."

"Good for you, thanks dear, I love ya. I'll give you a call and let you know how things are, OK?" Michael said.

"Please do, I love you back," Paul said.

He sauntered back down the hall to the elevator. One boy hates him now and two boys love him, pretty good odds. But sadly he had to tell Robby that Joey wasn't ready to listen to reason, he just couldn't change, he really didn't want to.

As Paul was driving home, Joey was walking the avenue searching for his little friend. He was sure Paul was wrong, Bugs was a great kid and he needed the boy's companionship, there wasn't anything wrong with what they were doing.

They had been friends for years, long before Bugs began having sex with him. They had talked about it beforehand since the boy knew what Joey and the other guys were doing up at the Park. But Bugs had finally pulled Joey into the bushes one afternoon and announced that he was growing hair, you know, down there.

There was an event that spring which would soon overtake all the boys in the Park, a new police commissioner was appointed. With a new boss looking over their shoulders, many of the officers and detectives on the force began a more thorough approach to their jobs.

It was while in pursuit of a better rating on their periodic evaluations that two of these detectives stumbled across the activities in a small neighborhood park, way out in the recesses of Dundalk. The two men, just by chance, had taken their lunch break and were catching a nap in the parking lot of this unkempt little corner of green when they spied a car pulling into the lot at the far end. An older man and a young boy got out of the car and walked into the woods nearby, heading up towards the railroad tracks that ran along one side, the man was carrying a camera.

"Hey Mel, what do you suppose they're going to photograph in this shithole?" Detective Blevins asked.

"Not much to see around here, you're right," Detective Mel Carson replied. "Maybe I'll go take a look up in the woods, gotta pee anyway."

Carson walked up the hill into the trees which formed a thick screen along the tracks. He looked around and hearing voices, realized they must be down in a small depression that ran beside the tracks. Moving cautiously, he worked from tree to tree until he could see over the hill, where to his amazement the boy stood buck naked while the man snapped away with his camera.

The kid was maybe fourteen years old and as Carson watched the boy began to masturbate himself for the camera. Son of a bitch, Carson thought, the fuckin pervert is right out here in the open. The elderly man put down his camera and kneeling before the boy began to perform oral sex on the kid, Carson had seen enough.

"Stay where you are, this is the police," Carson yelled.

"Shit," the kid said and ran for his clothes.

Carson slid down the shallow hill and intercepted the boy, the man just stood where he was; he knew the game was up. The detective cuffed the two of them together and led both back up the path towards the parking lot; the kid was carrying his clothes. Blevins was shocked by what he saw marching out of the woods and got out of the car as his partner approached. Carson put the camera down on the hood of the unmarked police car.

"You won't believe what I saw in there, Steve," Carson said.

"Let me guess, naked boy with an older man, doesn't take too much detective work to figure this one out."

"Wait 'til you see the pictures, Steve, just wait."

They allowed the boy to sit in the back of the car and get dressed, and then they cuffed each of them separately and read them their rights. The man gave his name as Hal Roberts, with an address in Towson, the detectives didn't ask for anything else at the moment.

Bugs knew that there would be hell to pay, but the cops would go hard on the man, not him. Oh well, what a fuck up this old fart had created with his camera. Shit, now he might get a record. The bullshit associated with the bust might slow things down for him but they couldn't stop him, or so he thought.

The result of this was that the police department began to focus in on the Patterson Park area; here was a project that the new commissioner could use to good advantage in the press. Prostitution had always been a hot ticket item in the city. The notorious downtown area known as The Block had been condemned into oblivion by several city administrations. That was gone now, all that remained were several bars and peep show parlors. But the activities in the Park had gone all but unnoticed except for a few minor incidents over the years, that was now about to change.

The first indication something was afoot in the neighborhood was when a delivery truck appeared and parked down beside the Brick House Bar across from the steps into the Park. A couple of the boys noticed it on a Friday night and didn't think much about it as they left on dates. But when it was still there on Saturday it caused some comments and several boys went over trying to peek in the tinted windows and tested the locked doors before they gave up.

It remained a mystery until the following weekend when six of the boys found themselves being picked up for dates by strange men and then arrested after they drove around the corner, almost the entire hustler's group was wiped out in one police action. The videotapes that had been made from the parked truck revealed faces and license plate numbers. Eleven Johns were arrested over the course of the following week; the commissioner was a happy man.

Although this was the first major action against male prostitution in the city, the ladies continued to dominate the trade and topped off the arrest statistics. The boys all found themselves standing in front of a judge and two of them had prior records which caused them to be sent off to juvenile detention as repeat offenders.

But the other boys didn't have records. Bugs was still in juvenile detention because he gave the police no name or address for his parents. Social Services were called in and took charge of the boy. The city had finally found a way to get Bugs' attention.

Throughout this ordeal, Joey had managed to luck out. The weekend of the secret police videotaping he had been away visiting a friend in Catonsville and the night of the big bust he already had a date with a regular customer who he'd met in a bar off Boston Street. Joey didn't know what had happened to Bugs, but he worried the boy had been caught. If so there was nothing he could do about it.

Now that he was older than the rest of the boys, Joey had found a new venue for his activities; he began visiting some of the lesser known gay establishments in town. He let it be known that he wasn't gay but just stopping in for a drink and some conversation. Most of the men shrugged off this defensiveness, it didn't matter, everyone knew he was just a street hustler.

Paul was glad it took him over an hour to reach the Moorewood campus today; he had much to think about and not all of it pleasant. He dreaded having to tell Robby that Brian was back in the hospital and this time it just might be his final visit.

The ups and downs of a person with AIDS had horrified him; Brian's body was slowly loosing the fight against a disease that seemed to be ravaging the entire gay community across the country. The latest pronouncements by the government had disgusted him, their apparent ignorance and the refusal to accept this as a national crisis were certainly going to come back and haunt them later on. He had read just this morning that certain members of Congress had said it was nothing more than a gay disease. So what? They were fucking taxpayers too. God Damn conservative idiots.

And then there was Bob, he was on the point of terminal depression, having cared for Brian these past four months. The guy should win a humanitarian award for the selfless way he had helped keep the kid alive against such terrible odds. Now they both knew it would soon be over and Bob would probably have a breakdown as a result. Paul was beside himself with worry over his dear friend.

He turned down the side road that led to the entrance to the campus. And then there was Robby, he thought. Seventeen, beautiful and madly in love, Paul knew he was blessed. Just what had he done in life to deserve such a kid?

He was so very proud of the boy's achievements this past semester. Robby had slid right into the challenges the school had offered and excelled. There was no telling how a city kid with his background would perform when this had all started.

Paul felt so relieved when John had called him three weeks ago to say that Robby was in the top half of his class, it was amazing. He was now convinced that he had made the right choices for the boy, and then there was the good news he had to confide to Robby.

The lawyer had called two days ago; the hearing for Robby's majority was set next Tuesday. Tom had assured him it was just going to be a formality but he was sure the judge would ask Robby some probing questions. It was a blessing that the kid had no criminal record of any kind that might dissuade the court from finding him eligible to control his own life.

Tom had assured him that he had spoken to Robby's father once again and laid out the facts, there would be no contesting the boy's plea before the court. Even the school had filed a friend of the court brief. This would go a long way in providing the boy a sense of self worth.

Paul turned at the entrance to the campus and rolled down the tree-lined lane towards the campus buildings. They did an awesome job of educating the kids here, and maybe he should do more to help out. The chaos that greeted his arrival seemed familiar, parents running about retrieving their offspring's possessions and loading down their cars with all manner of possessions.

As he pulled into the only remaining parking spot he watched two boys lean out a second story window of the dorm and empty a fish tank full of water on the grass below. Most of the windows had painted bed sheets hanging from them, all expressing the joy at the end of the term. The place was pure bedlam and yet somehow it fit, hard work begat hard play and the students here seemed to have that part of their curriculum memorized already.

Robby had told him to dress casual for the day's activities; it seemed the school threw a party on the final day. It was a chance for the graduates to say good bye and for the other classes to enjoy their new status as they moved up a notch. Paul walked up the steps towards the lobby and opened the door into a party in full swing.

There was a student rock band playing at the far end of the room and kids were dancing while a mirror ball twirled its chaotic pattern across the walls and ceiling. He glanced at the steps that led to the dorm and was about to head that way when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Welcome to the zoo," John yelled above the noise, "it pays to allow them a chance to blow off steam before they leave; at least most of the parents seem grateful."

"Smart move," Paul replied, "about what I'd expect from you."

"Come on over to the office a minute, will you?" John asked.

"Sure, lead on."

They went through a side door, which closed on the noise behind them, allowing a moment of peace as they went down the hallway to John's office.

"Anything the matter?" Paul asked as he took a seat on the couch.

"No, not really. Your boy is a wonderful student and a wiz on the playing field; he's well liked by almost all of the students, would you like some lemonade?"

"No thanks. But not all of them ... is that where this is going?" Paul asked.

"I knew you probably foresaw this coming," John said, "and I guess I knew there were some issues in Robby's life that might bring about some difficulties."

"So what happened?"

"Oh, a couple of the seniors got after him and Robby has a black eye, no other damage I assure you. I took him to the hospital myself last night," John said. "I'm sorry Paul, it shouldn't have happened. But since it did, I followed my conscience and called the police and reported the assault. It made quite a scene on the dorm, I assure you."

"Oh Lord, how does Robby feel?"

"He refused to file any charges, says it was all a terrible mistake. The boys apologized to him and he asked me to drop the issue. Should I believe him?" John asked.

"Yes, I think so," Paul said. "You have to understand, this kid grew up on the rough streets of a tough city. I don't think any two boys could take him in a fight if he didn't want them to, there's something else afoot here. I guess I'm the one to find out what it is, do you agree?"

"Sure, it's probably the best move. I did what I had to do because I was thinking about the student body as a whole; those two idiots couldn't be allowed to go unpunished for something we abhor around here. From what I can tell though, Robby has never allowed his sexuality to become a problem here, although he doesn't hide it either. You know he started the gay student's club last month, he's the president."

"Yes, he's very proud of that fact too. I'm sorry John, maybe I should have told you up front about Robby ... and myself for that matter."

"No apology necessary, Paul. The reason I find him blameless in this incident is that I'm the sponsor of their G & L student club, he wanted us to know about his life, and the story he told us all that first meeting took a lot of courage to divulge."

"He told you everything?" Paul asked.

"Pretty much, I imagine. He's very lucky you were there to catch him when he fell from grace at home and was put out on the street. Because of these five kids I've had to learn a lot more about gay and lesbian students and their issues. I don't take it lightly either, if anything I owe Robby a debt for opening the eyes of the whole student population."

"You don't know how grateful I am to hear that, it's become one of the major issues in my life as well," Paul said. "But I came here to tell Robby some bad news as well, his friend Brian is dying; he's finally losing the battle against the AIDS virus. The whole story is so very sad, he and Robby were pretty close for years and now ... there's just no hope."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." John said. "We did an assembly about sexually transmitted diseases several months ago, Robby never mentioned his friend."

"They ran the streets together, sort of a club they all formed. I've tried to reach out to several others up there, warn them about what has happened to Brian, it could really affect them all," Paul said.

"It's all we can do," John said. "Remember they're all working on the principle that their lives are blessed, they're invincible. You have to recall your own youth; we all thought the same thing, didn't we? No, adulthood is the loss of innocence and the recognition of our own mortality, isn't it a pity.

"But your Robby is another matter, Paul; he's quite the young adult now. You should be very proud that at least one member of that club has decided to move on and better himself, it just might save his life."

"I couldn't agree with you more," Paul said.

"Well, why don't you go find him," John suggested. "We'll see you both in the fall; have a good summer vacation, made any plans?"

"I've been working so hard for the past four years I haven't had time for a vacation, but now I think I deserve it ... and so does Robby. I was thinking about taking him to Greece, after all it's the cradle of philosophy and the gay ethos, he might like to learn something else about himself."

"Sounds wonderful, I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Be sure and take lots of pictures, we do a kind of show and tell about how the kids spend their summers when they return to school. Really gets the ball rolling around here in the fall."

"I will, you enjoy the peace and quiet yourself, John."

"Oh you know I will," John laughed, "you know I will."

Robby was alone in his room, throwing a few final things in a box to take home. Paul stood at the door and watched for a moment, the boy's back had become broader and stronger in these last few months, he'd grown at least three inches as well, almost as tall as I am, he thought.

"Hey there, kiddo. I hear you took a punch," Paul said.

Robby turned and a wide smile formed on his face as he leaped across the room and into Paul's waiting arms.

"So tell me, what was it all about anyway?" Paul asked. He held the boy off at arms length and examined the purple bruise surrounding his left eye.

"It wasn't anything really," Robby said, "just a disagreement between friends."

"Looks pretty nasty to me," Paul replied, "was it about the gay thing?"

"Sorta," Robby said, "do we have to talk about it now?"

"Not if you don't want to, you don't have to tell me everything that goes on in your life."

"Ouch, there goes that guilt trip again," Robby said. "I'll tell you what happened if you'll just wait until we get home, OK?"

"It's a deal, wanna load the car?" Paul asked.

"Yeah, I have these four boxes and the suitcases. We can leave the lacrosse equipment here and the stereo; I won't need that at home."

They packed the trunk and filled the back seat of the car before wandering back downstairs to the party which hadn't seem to abate since Paul first arrived. Robby introduced him to several kids as they waited with plates in hand for a new batch of hot dogs and hamburgers, which were sizzling on the grill.

All the kids seemed to genuinely like Robby, Paul noticed. The handshakes and hugs were warm and lingering. He wondered how the students felt about the little incident of the night before, but no one mentioned it.

They sat at a picnic table under the wide limbs of a massive oak tree to eat their lunch and were joined by two other boys and a girl.

"Paul, this is Betsy, we call her Bets and that's Tad and Jeremy," Robby introduced his friends.

"Nice to meet you all," Paul said, shaking the proffered hands.

"This is the G & L club I told you about," Robby said with a smile, "except for Steven; he had to catch a flight back to St. Louis this morning."

"I've heard nothing but good things about the club, you guys should be proud of what you've accomplished here," Paul said.

"It's been so weird," Bets said, "coming out to the school. My folks don't even know yet."

"But you're gonna tell them, right?" Robby asked.

"Guess I better, I think my mom knows anyway."

"It's a brave step for any of you," Paul said. "I'm sure you all know there's so much misinformation about the gay world out there."

"And the lesbian scene too," Bets added.

"Sorry," Paul said, "I stand corrected, the gay and lesbian world."

"Robby told us about you," Jeremy said. "We think he's very lucky to have a man like you in his life."

Paul blushed. "Oh Lord, is nothing sacred? Don't believe everything this rascal tells you."

"It was all good, don't worry," Tad said.

"How did you all discover each other here?" Paul asked.

"History class," Jeremy said. "Robby outed himself in class during a discussion about the concentration camps in Germany. It was so cool."

"Oh? I haven't heard this story," Paul said.

"We were talking about the persecution of the Jews by the Third Reich," Robby said. "Dan, who's our history teacher, was talking about how they were rounded up in the Polish ghettos and made to wear the Star of David on their clothes. I just raised my hand and asked Dan if he knew what the homosexuals were made to wear, and man, you could have heard a pin drop in that room."

"It sure freaked me out," Bets threw in.

"What did Dan tell you?" Paul asked.

"Oh, he said they wore an inverted pink triangle, which is the same symbol the gay movement uses today, he's a pretty knowledgeable guy," Robby said.

"Yeah, but it got even better when Dan asked Robby why he wanted to know," Bets said, "and then Robby said he was gay and it was important for him to understand how homosexuals had been persecuted by the Nazis as well."

"After that, first Jeremy and then Bets and Tad approached me after class and told me they were gay too, it was like the most wonderful thing to know I wasn't the only one in school," Robby said.

"What about the other boy, Steven?" Paul asked.

"Oh, he was Tad's little secret, wasn't he?" Robby said.

It was Tad's turn to blush and Paul knew what was left unsaid, the boys were lovers.

"Well all of you deserve credit for raising the school's consciousness on gay issues," Paul said. "John told me he's learned a lot since you formed the club. If there's anything I can do to help you out, please let me know."

When the other kids finally wandered away leaving them alone at the table once again, Paul knew he had to tell the boy about Brian.

"I'm glad you've made some strong friendships here," he said, "they seem like a nice bunch of kids."

"So, don't you want to know if I'm sleeping with any of them?" Robby asked with a grin.

"No, I guess I know you pretty well by now, you'd tell me if you were."

"Guess you're right, I'm not," Robby said. "I think it's cool that Tad and Steven found each other last year. Steven is a senior now and Tad will be a sophomore. Jeremy is the only other boy who's available but we decided it was better to just be friends. I think my profile here is a little too much for him to handle. But we did have sex one time, well sorta, wanna hear about it?"

"Do you think it's necessary for me to know about?" Paul asked.

"Sure, I don't want to keep anything secret from you. Jeremy and I jerked off together, that's all there was to it. I suppose if you and I weren't into something together I might go after a sexual relationship with him, I think he's cute."

"Do you miss having a relationship with a boy your own age? It would be perfectly normal for you to have desires towards him and Jeremy may have the same feelings for you, did you consider that?" Paul asked.

"Yeah, I know, but I don't love him, Paul. It was only a one time physical thing for us both. We even talked about it afterwards; he was pretty open about it. I mean, whacking your meat because you're horny isn't the same thing as love. Jeremy is sorta like a brother to me now; we both think its better that way."

"You know, this is one of the reasons I love you so much, we can talk about anything," Paul said.

"Yeah, ain't it grand?" Robby laughed.

"I hate bringing you down, Robby, but I have to tell you sometime. Brian isn't gonna make it much longer. They put him back in intensive care yesterday, he's just too weak, and he couldn't eat anything."

"Oh man, when can I see him?"

"I though we might get over there this evening. I'm sorry Robby, he's losing the battle with this disease, and it might be the last time you get to see him."

"Damn, I was hoping he might hang on 'til they found a drug or something to stop this shit," Robby said. "I guess that isn't gonna happen now. We might as well go; I don't want to hang out here all day."

Robby held his hand as they drove the back roads to Paul's condo. He didn't want to tell the boy that Bob had already made the arrangements for cremating Brian's remains, the doctors were that certain this was the end. Robby had only managed to see the boy twice since he'd started school, this time would bring him quite a shock. Brian had wasted away until he was only skin and bones.

After they had unloaded the boxes and carried everything into the boy's room, Robby sought him out in the kitchen and hugged him so very close.

"It's gonna be hard, Paul. Brian and I go back for the longest time. Both Joey and I looked up to him like a big brother and he never let us down. I feel for Bob, he must really be hurting about this, is there anything we can do for him?"

God, I love this boy, Paul thought. Here in the midst of his anguish he's thinking about Bob. I'm so very lucky and so thankful this kid chose to walk away from the terror that might bring them all down. What could he tell the boy?

"I think we just need to be there for him. Bob will need a shoulder to cry on when the time comes, we can cry with him," Paul said.

"I haven't cried in a long time," Robby said, "I guess I didn't need to after you brought me home."

They spent the next two hours in bed together, Paul didn't even try to resist as the boy took him there. It was a slow languorous lovemaking, the kind of sharing meant to put off the inevitable conclusion and force them to face what the upcoming trip into the city would bring.

The body Paul found wrapped around him had changed; youthful caresses had given way to thoughtful manly demands. It assuaged the tiny guilt he felt in breaking the promise he had made to himself about having sex with the boy. He knew Robby's life had changed and with it had come self-assurance, the boy would be more demanding now, of his body and his love.

Had there ever been a chance that he could resist or had he only been fooling himself all along? But the time was now and those thoughts would have to wait for another day's examination when the warmth of a lustful body wasn't urging him to greater heights and pleasures.

They showered together and Paul thought back to their first encounter. He felt now like he had been seduced by the exposure to the lifestyle these kids led, the forbidden fruit of a hustler and one so very young at that.

It all seemed so distant, those lessons learned in the past, but wasn't this just as fraught with risk? Robby was holding him close as the water sprayed down warmly on them both, a loving embrace, and Paul felt tears of joy roll down his cheeks.

No, how could he deny this love, how could any man turn his back on this? He was thankful the boy couldn't see him crying. He would never be able to explain how he felt, and there would be time in their life together to make Robby understand.

The nurse's station on the third floor of the hospital was quiet this evening, as if they knew they were going to lose another of their charges and the mourning had already begun. Bob was sitting in a chair at Brian's bedside, holding the boy's emaciated hand and staring at the life signs on the monitor mounted above the bed.

Brian was asleep it seemed but he could just as easily have been gone already except for the slow pattern of blips that showed his heart rate scrolling across the screen. Paul and Robby entered the room dressed in the scrubs provided by the hospital; masks across their faces covered their mouths but not the sadness in their eyes.

"He's sleeping," Bob said. "He had a bad episode about an hour ago, his lungs are collapsing. Hi, Robby, how are you?"

The boy walked around the bed and put his arms around Bob's neck, hugging him so he would know they were there for him as well. He wanted to touch Brian but he was shocked at how much his friend had changed, he was almost half his former self. Robby wanted to scream in anguish, giving voice to his frustration at being unable to stop this madness.

"We came to watch with you, Bob," Robby said. "Brian will need to see all of us when the time comes."

"The doctor says he might not regain consciousness. I'm sorry, we might not get to say good bye," Bob said. "But please, sit here while Paul and I go and talk to the nurse. I know he would want to know you're here, Robby, he talks about you all the time."

They watched through the tiny glass window in the door as Robby sat beside the bed and tentatively took Brian's hand.

"Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring him here," Bob said, "a death watch is not something I thought I would ever have to endure."

"He had to come, I don't think he'd ever forgive himself if he didn't make one final effort to be here when Brian needed him most," Paul said.

"I envy you, you know that now don't you," Bob said. "I'm not bitter about the way things turned out. Robby has always been his own person and neither of us could influence his choices. Damn, they're all like that, it's amazing they even survive in this city; you know what they go through. But he's a gem, Paul, a fucking jewel amidst all the trash that's strewn about the streets in this town."

"I want you to know we'll both be there for you, after this is over and we have to move along," Paul said.

"I know, and I'm grateful for everything, Brian is too. I just know he's not going to make it through the night. I feel his life evaporating, burning up from the fever."

They allowed Robby some time alone with Brian before they returned to the room, nothing had changed.

"He mumbled a few times in his sleep," Robby said, "I thought he might wake up."

"I'm like you, I hope he does," Bob said.

But he didn't and within a few hours the doctor stopped by on his rounds and told them that Brian had slipped into a coma. They listened to the labored breathing, waiting silently, wishing for something that could not be.

At eleven-thirty four that night, Brian took a ragged breath and then stopped living. Two nurses and the doctor responded to the alarm from the monitor but there was no coming back for Brian, he was gone. They were left alone with the body, the staff quickly retreating to allow them a moment of private grief.

"I never had the chance to say good bye," Robby said as the tears began to flow.

"I'm sure he knew we were here," Bob said, a kind thing to say. "He fought a lot longer than I ever thought he would. But he had to go and I'm glad we were here at the end."

"What will happen to his body?" Robby asked.

"He asked that I have him cremated and said I could do what I wanted after that," Bob said. "I think we should take him to the ocean, Robby. It was a place he felt so much at home, both here and out west."

"Yeah, that sounds nice," Robby said.

They parted in the parking lot, Bob to go home to his silent house and wait for the remains to be delivered by the mortuary. They planned to drive out to Atlantic City one last time to scatter the ashes. Bob said he would probably never be able to go there again after that.

Robby sat very still as they started the long drive home, Paul was hoping that the burial would bring about some closure, but he didn't count on the boy's anger.

"This can't be allowed to continue," Robby said, breaking the silence at last. "I'm serious, the fucking government is dickin us around now and the bastards think we'll just lie down and take it."

"They're scared, Robby; they don't know what to do. If they recognize this for what it really is, a plague that could kill millions, then they'll have to take serious action. It's all about the money they'll have to spend on gay people. The conservative religious nuts can't stand the idea and they have a lot of influence."

"So we should take to the streets, burn a few churches if that's what it takes," the boy said.

"Whoa, then we'll be dying in prison where they don't give anyone the proper medical treatment," Paul said. "No, we make changes by challenging their base; we educate people about AIDS and lobby for more money."

"You once said you thought about getting into politics, what happened to that?"

"You happened, my love. Don't get me wrong, I still feel the urge to get political but I didn't want it to hurt us. The enemy would like nothing better than to find out about me having an affair with a young man; it would only justify their hatred. We need to find a less vulnerable means of furthering the cause."

"It all sounds so damn slow, this disease isn't going to wait for us to politely knock on a few doors and ask for help," Robby said. "It's got to be loud and angry; it's got to hurt the bastards who control the money where they live."

Robby was beginning to turn his anger into a focused concept, and he was right. It was an issue that needed to go home every night with every Congressman that controlled the purse strings for medical research. They needed somebody who could advise them...but who?

Robby wanted to sleep in his own room when they got home and Paul demurred, the kid needed time to think. But an hour later he was awakened by Robby who stood beside the bed in tears holding a picture Paul had taken. A smiling Robby and a quiet Brian, right after the virus had made itself known.

He could only hold the boy and allow the grief to manifest itself for as long as it took. Robby fell asleep in his arms after a while, the weariness of the whole experience finally overtaking him. Paul lay there beside him and watched the face he loved so dearly relax into a deep sleep.

He knew Robby wanted to fight back now; maybe they should cancel the vacation he'd planned? No, maybe they needed to see what others in the gay community were doing to fight back. But where should they look? He could only think of one place and that was where it had all started, San Francisco.

Tomorrow he would try to find out, make some calls and then they would go there. It was the place to find answers. That town had been hit the hardest and the suffering seemed to make its own answers, forged in the fires that would consume them all if nothing was done about this plague. He couldn't let Robby face a future where being gay was a death sentence, no...he could not allow that to happen.

Two days later they drove east towards the beach, the sky was overcast and mild thunderstorms were forecast, it seemed appropriate for what they were planning. Bob had called ahead and a boat would be waiting for them at the pier. The captain assured them he had done this many times for grieving relatives.

Brian's ashes were contained in a large metal can that rested on the floor of the car between Robby's legs. He had taken charge of them from the first moment Bob had handed them over. Paul was driving and occasionally glanced in the rear view mirror at his friend. Bob looked so very tired now, the ordeal was almost over and then he could begin to live again.

The small boat took them out to sea as it began to rain, a late spring rain that wasn't quite warm and yet held a promise to nourish the land they were slowly leaving behind. Paul sat in the stern and watched Robby and Bob having a quiet talk under the overhang of the flying bridge.

He was grateful that they had each other in this time of grief. Two souls who had each had a unique relationship with Brian and were here to see him off. They rode the swells for over an hour before the captain cut the engine and allowed them to drift back towards the land, which appeared as a smudge on the horizon. The man climbed down the ladder from the bridge.

"I'll go below until you finish," he told Paul, "just let me know."

They stood on the stern, the wind blowing against their backs and the rain passing them in little squalls as the storm rolled out towards the deep. Robby held the can as Bob unscrewed the lid, revealing a gray powder. All that remained of the boy they had loved.

"I thought about what I might say," Bob began, as he choked back a sob. "But I came to realize that no words would ever say how much I really loved him. Even when he ran away to find himself I kept on loving him. It was enough that over these past few months he told me time and again what a fool he had been to be out there searching for something he already had, he really loved me too. I've been angry and sad, cried and laughed with him these past few months; it's all that I want to remember about Brian for the rest of my life. I love you boy, rest quietly now."

He took a handful of the ashes and cast them into the wind, watching them fly astern towards the ocean. Robby turned to Paul, offering him the can with its sacred contents. Paul took a handful and cast them adrift.

"Good bye, Brian," Paul said. "May your death bring strength to those of us who remain behind, and give us the courage to stake our claim on the future. Wherever we go and whatever we do, you will always be there to give us courage."

Paul stepped back and Robby stood alone now on the stern of the boat. Bob looked over at him and smiled weakly, a shared grief. They both wondered what the boy would do now.

Robby held the can aloft and tipped it slightly, allowing the ashes to be taken by the wind and like a trail of smoke they bled out of the can and were whipped away.

"Bye, Brian," Robby yelled. "I love you like a brother."

And then the can was empty and Robby dropped it into the sea. He looked up at the stormy clouds ... and then he whistled.

Too-weep, Too-weep ... over and over, until he ran out of breath. It was Brian's call, something they would never hear again.


On to Chapter Nine

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"Whistler's Club" Copyright © 2010 by Chris James. All rights reserved.
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