Chapter 7

Sunday April 29^th

10:00 a.m. E.S.T.

Mark opened his eyes and he blinked several times as he tried to remember just where he was. It seemed lately that each time he woke up he was still feeling lost, unsettled and he knew that it was the constant thinking about Justin and the situation he had put his own son in that was tearing away at him. Ken was right, he needed to know the truth but sometimes, well to be honest he was afraid of what that truth just might be.

His fear was real, he knew that and so did Ken but then again Ken never had to face the fact that there was someone out there who once called him ‘dad’, and that was something you didn’t just ignore or walk away from. Mark loved his son and he had tried to teach him the right values while all the time he had been living a lie and just how did that teach his son anything? Sure, he didn’t think he had a choice and even now, in the year 2002 you still had to be careful in who or when you came out. Hate was on the rise, just look at the recent gay bashings that had made the news.

People still hated gays, still called them sinners and many still thought that AIDS was God’s way of eliminating the evil that they called ‘gay’ but he knew different. AIDS was an illness and being gay was not a choice of lifestyle, it was who some people simply were, and how could the creator make people that way and then call them evil? Logic obviously didn’t factor into it and once more Mark was off on one of his mental exercises and he could feel the cold inside of his heart as he laid in his bed, fearful of what his lawyer would find out about Justin.

Ken “Nervous?”

Mark turned his face to see the worried face of his lover. For a second he was quite startled by the appearance of Ken, who normally had the softest facial features he had ever seen on a man, and yet at this second he could see the small worry lines and his heart went out to the man who had comforted him and given him the strength to deal with the hatred and abuse that seemed inherent in Florida’s justice system. He never had a chance in getting custody and visitation was something that made him feel like a criminal, having to be supervised when he was given that chance, and yet they took the money off his paycheque without any hesitation.

Ken “When’s the appointment?”

Mark “Two, he figures he’ll have that lawyer’s first report by noon and all, Ken… I am worried, what if she told him? What if he hates me now?”

Ken could see the fear in his lover’s eyes and he felt a deep wrench inside of him as he struggled with trying to be optimistic and yet knowing that the odds were stacked against his partner. Life wasn’t fair but then no ones said it was supposed to be but why was it so cruel in the process? Mark was a loving man and how many so-called ‘straight’ fathers simply walked away, not caring about their kids or anything? Mark wasn’t like that, and okay maybe he had a different lifestyle than most but it sure as hell didn’t make him some child molester like so many automatically assumed when they heard the father was gay. It just cut to the bone and he could feel the pain, as it swelled up inside of him but he also knew he had to quell that rising fear, and he didn’t even know Justin.

Ken “He won’t hate you, maybe he won’t understand at first, but come on Mark, he is your son too, have a little faith.”

Mark “Faith, yeah right, faith in what Ken? In God? In the court system? What am I supposed to have faith in?

Ken “Well I know the system isn’t exactly fair at times, but hell it does work most of the time, but maybe you should have faith in God, after all he is the one who seems to have the power, don’t you think?”

Mark “Yeah right, so everyone says, but Ken, they are also the same one’s who say being gay is a sin, so if they are wrong about that, maybe they are wrong about God being who they say too?”

Ken “Well, shit Mark, I don’t know, but he is your son, you raised him too, it wasn’t just Heather, so have at least some faith in your own son, you owe him that don’t you?”

Mark “He’s only 16 for Christ’s sake, how is he supposed to know what is rhetoric and what is real? Christ Ken, I used to always tell him that no matter what, the truth would always be the best course and all that time I was lying to him, hiding from him what I really felt, how is he going to believe me now?”

Ken “I don’t know Mark, I wish I did, but if he learned anything from you maybe it is that none of us are Superman, that we are human and we make mistakes, and that we may need to tell the truth but we also need compassion, I don’t know, but if he’s anything like his father he’ll understand.”

Mark stared over at the face next to his and he could see the truth in his words and feel the love that this man had for him. It was never like this with Heather or any other person, male or female, that he had ever been with and he could feel the way his heart was responding, the slow steady beat becoming slightly quicker with each word spoken.

He breathed in deeply as his mind tried to grabble with the immense problem and yet as he did he could smell the stale smell of sweat and yet in a way it was intoxicating to him as his eyes once more gazed over into Ken’s own emerald green eyes. Looking deep into those liquid pools of shimmering green, Mark could feel the desperation inside, feel the actual trepidation that Ken had about the whole situation that he was faced with and yet there was something else there, something solid that seemed to say “Bring it on, I am strong, I can handle it and more” and that strange sense of power was reaching for him each time he looked at Ken.

As his eyes stared at Ken he felt the love beginning to once more take hold deep inside of him and he reached out with his hand to take Ken’s own hand into his. He felt the warmth of the man as Ken moved in closer to Mark and Mark felt the glow begin to fan the flames of his love deep within his soul.

Mark “Ken, I don’t know how I ever managed without you, I know I have been a shit to be around lately, but I love you so much, and…”

Ken “It’s okay Mark, you don’t have to say anything.”

Mark “Yeah I do, I should say it more often but I get so wrapped up in thinking and…”

Ken “I understand, but you need to have faith, he is your son too Mark.”

Mark “I know, but you are my lover, all this… it isn’t fair to you either, I don’t deserve you…”

Ken “True, NOT! Mark I love you, part of loving someone, I don’t know, I guess you really do take the bad with the good, ‘cause well, I mean the good is so good, well the bad only reminds me how good life is with you, shit, I am not great with words, but, hell, you know what I mean.”

Mark “Yeah I do, still, I worry about, I mean all this shit I am putting you through, how the hell do you stand it?”

Ken “How? I don’t know, not sure I can explain it, but I guess loving someone, is just, well, I guess that when it gets bad I just feel your love, and that is enough.”

Mark couldn’t believe how much the words seemed to make his heart flutter and he knew that Ken spoke the truth. They did share something he had never experienced before and it was like he said, at times when all seemed lost all he had to do was think about Ken and it was like the sun suddenly shining through a dense covering of clouds, the sudden brightness almost blinding and that was how he felt Ken’s love. It was overwhelming at times, especially when he was down and he turned his body towards Ken, feeling the love rising inside of him as he closed his eyes and moved his lips closer to Ken’s mouth.

The light touch of Mark’s lips against his own made Ken’s body suddenly shake and shudder as if a giant earthquake had begun to roll under him. He felt the way his legs suddenly spasmed and shook uncontrollably as his heart rose its beat faster and deep within his stomach he could feel the roaring fires flickering once more into the raging inferno that was his passion and desire for the man next to him.

Ken couldn’t believe the power that seemed to suddenly rise up and meet his own hot desire for Mark. It was like he was suddenly thrust into the raging fires of an erupting volcano as his body stretched out and pushed inwards and yet all they had done was lightly touch lips together. The fires were already reaching upwards to him as his hands moved out and worked their way under and around Mark’s own trembling body.

The touch of their naked bodies was like a match to tinder dry kindling. Both of them suddenly felt the passion taking hold and neither could hear anything as their hearts suddenly burst forth in a rising thunder of noise filling the quiet sun filled bedroom with its strident call of love being unleashed. Mark felt the fires inside and the sweat began to pour from within, drenching his naked flesh in its sheen. The heat grew as he felt Ken’s arms surround his trembling body and as they closed their grip on him, he felt the fear suddenly sliding away and all he could feel was the urgent desire to become once more a part of the love that held them together through all the turmoil of life.

Mark’s body was like a coiled spring as it pushed inwards, meeting Ken’s own hard push and their two pulsing organs became wedged between them, each dripping its urgent desire for the other person and yet neither felt the hot stinging drops that eased their bodies press. Instead they both were filled by the love they had for each other as their hot molten flesh joined together in the passion of the moment. Ken’s lips opened as his head came forward and he felt the salty taste of his lover’s mouth as the long thick tongue came darting inwards, filling his mouth with its own urgent needs and desires.

The tongue snaked inwards, licking down then reaching up to taste the palette and with each flick; each snaking movement Ken could feel his desire growing for the man next to him. He felt the overpowering love circling him as he felt the hot raspy tongue reaching down his throat, licking and filling him with its own special taste, now mingling with his own saliva. He felt the hot breath filling his lungs as Mark breathed outwards, the urgent puffs only sending his own body into a tighter press against Mark’s own constricting flesh.

He could feel Ken’s heart as it thundered forth and he knew that deep inside was a responding beat that only quickened as his tongue continued to fill Ken’s mouth with its urgings. He tasted the salty saliva of his lover and felt the juices inside of his own body churning as he struggled to get even closer, to literally mould his body into Ken’s own burning flesh. It was like they were desperate to end their individuality and become one and he felt the strong hands pressing into the shaking skin of his back as they grew even closer, locked in a embrace of total passion.

The bed squeaked as the two full featured bodies struggled to do the impossible and yet within their souls they knew that soon they would indeed become one and the kiss broke off as they leaned their heads back for a moment. The eyes opened and Mark’s own blue eyes bore hard into the green fire that was Ken’s own eyes. He had no doubt of the love and passion and he smiled for the first time and as his lips spread aside, he felt the hot flash of his desire as it welled up inside of his belly. His own hard erect cock began to sway despite the hard press of Ken’s body on it and yet it moved, the power of its desire unfettered.

Mark’s hot pre cum smeared across Ken’s shaking belly, driving his own passion upwards, forcing him to hold on tighter as he crushed his mouth back onto Mark’s lips, his tongue weaving its way into the surprised mouth of Mark. Ken felt the tremors racing up and down his spine as he kissed Mark deeply and then pulled back, licking at the tip of Mark’s own tongue and then in one motion he began to lick and kiss at the face, tasting the rivers of sweat that flowed unheeded down his cheeks and chin.

He kissed him hard and with each press of his lips or tongue on Mark’s smooth skin he could feel his pulse racing all that faster and he could also feel Mark’s body growing hotter as the two started to twist and turn on the bed. The noise of the protesting bedsprings had no affect on either of them as they were both lost among the power of their passion. Their bodies obeyed the strong commands from their spirits and together the two twisted and turned as Ken continued to hold tightly onto Mark and vice versa.

Mark’s hands kept pushing and reaching down to let the fingertips press and prod at Ken’s hard organ, and each touch only made Ken shiver and shake more. His whole body was melting or so it felt as he struggled to try and focus on the man twisting in his arms. Nothing else mattered to him, as his mind was too dazed and overwhelmed to think straight. All he could consider was how much he loved Mark as his hands roamed at will across the firm flesh of Mark’s back and as Mark’s hands pushed and poked at Ken’s belly and coiled stomach muscles.

The heavy pounding of his chest made him ache and yet as he felt the strong flow of Mark’s breath against his breast he only urged his heart on to beat faster and faster. His hands now held tightly onto Mark’s hips and he could feel the hard press of Mark’s 8 inch pole against his belly, the feeling almost too much for him as his rectum began to ache, almost as if it was begging to feel that hard throbbing tool inside and he knew that it was exactly what all of him desired.

With a burst of strength, he tossed Mark from him backwards, sending him off his side and forcing Mark onto his back. There was a momentary look of surprise on Mark’s face at the force of Ken’s actions and then a strange glow seemed to suddenly beam forth from Mark’s face. Ken stopped for a second, his one hand still pinning down one of Mark’s shoulders, and he took in a deep breath as he recognized that glow, that beam and it drove his heart to beat even faster now as he felt his whole body convulse in one giant tremor after another.

His hunger rose as Mark’s smile grew wider and he knew that the craving in his belly was insatiable, and he too began to smile as his one free hand moved across the narrow gap towards the night table, and with stretched fingers he reached for and grabbed a thin plastic package. Mark’s blue eyes deepened in colour as he saw the hand stretched out, the golden flesh glistening under the sheen of a coat of sweat and Mark’s heart began to skip a beat now and then as it raced faster in expectation of what was to come.

Mark’s whole body shook as he saw the arm quickly pull back once the fingers had snared the elusive package, and then he heard over the beating of his heart the thin ripping sound as Ken’s teeth held the plastic envelope between them, and the hand tugged hurriedly at the cover. The remaining plastic was quickly spit out and Mark’s eyes opened wider, his smile grew even more enthralled as he saw the lubricated condom between the two fingers of his lover. His soul began to dance within him as he watched the thin plastic, coated in lubrication, glisten and beckon to his spirit.

His eyes were glued to the thin layer of latex as Ken lowered his arm, the hand holding the thin material and he bent his head down onto his chest, to watch as Ken placed the condom onto his own throbbing organ but he was stunned to feel the hand reaching for his own blood gorged penis and instead of watching Ken placing the condom on his hard penis, he watched in stunned surprise as Ken began to unroll the thin latex over Mark’s own pole. The gush of his pre cum added to the strange sensations and he opened his eyes even wider as the thin material was gently pushed down the long thick pole that stood fully erect between their two bodies.

Ken was leaning forward and his eyes were downcast as he focused on insuring that he was rolling the condom properly, his heart beating so loudly he didn’t even hear his own breath as the thin material pushed the heavy load of Mark’s pre cum down the glistening shaft of the huge erect penis. It was huge in his eyes and yet the ache in his rectum only grew more intense, more desirous of feeling that thick hard pole and there was no other thoughts intruding as his fingers pushed the last of the condom up against Mark’s groin.

His eyes stared at Mark’s latex coated penis, the thick vein underneath pulsing and growing as the blood rushed towards the suddenly encased organ. His heart was thundering and yet all seemed quiet to him as he slowly began to raise his eyes. He took in the quivering belly and the way the muscles seemed to be rolling on their own accord. His gaze continued upwards, his heart skipping several beats in eager anticipation of what he would see once they looked at Mark’s face. His own lungs seemed to be sucking in the air, in preparation for what he had in mind. His legs grew taut as he brought them up into a sitting position, his arms now stretched out on either side of Mark’s own quivering body. He could feel the air flowing around them, as if it too sensed the upcoming scene.

The excitement was reaching a fever pitch as he watched the tussled hair of his lover slowly moving upwards. The gorgeous mound of dark hair shaking and gently swaying as the head beneath began its upwards climb, and Mark could feel the deep emerald green eyes devouring every part of his body as they too began to rise upwards and the smile that crossed Mark’s face grew even wider and brighter as his heart reached outwards, wishing to envelop the wonderful man that was loving him so deeply, so fully. His arms reached up and gently rested on Ken’s trembling shoulders.

He felt the hard press of Ken’s knees against his thighs, and he could feel the heat rising as Ken’s hard fully erect 7 ¾ inch long penis gently swayed under his groin, the blood filled head swollen and purple with its power swayed back and forth over his own hard member. The brief touches made them both shudder and he couldn’t stand it much longer, his voice letting out a slow animal growl of pure desire now as Ken’s body continued to hover over him, waiting for that coming contact.

Tiny pools of sweat gathered in the crevices of Mark’s taut stomach and Ken watched in amazement as they slowly trickled down reaching for the hot fiery depths of Mark’s groin. He felt the tremendous heat reaching for his own body and he felt himself smiling as his eyes stared in utter fascination at the beauty of the body under him. He had never realized before just how much he loved to see the shaking flesh of his lover as it waited for him, in eager anticipation.

Ken blinked as tiny wisps of smoke seemed to pass across his vision but he knew it had to be an illusion and yet deep within his very soul he felt the heat of his love rising upwards, and more importantly to his spirit he could feel the burning embers of love that were seeking him out coming from Mark’s own body. The pure joy he was feeling was something he hadn’t experienced before as his eyes took in the hard pecs that glistened and shook with each passing tremor within. Ken stared at the two hard nipples, seeing the sweat slowly swirling around the firm dark red nipples and he caught his breath at the sheer beauty of the vision that danced before his misted eyes.

A thin light coloured lock of Ken’s hair came into his vision and he felt himself suddenly holding his breath as he waited for the burst of green that would be Ken’s eyes and then the glistening golden hue of his nose and cheeks. His heart was suddenly still as he waited, feeling the pleasure welling up deep inside of him, waiting for its chance to explode and unite them. Mark’s chest heaved as he felt tiny drops of sweat drip down off Ken’s face onto his chest and then his eyes opened as wide as they ever had, as the green glow began to fill his vision.

Like the dawn of a new day, Ken’s face now stared fully into Mark’s own eager glare. Together they just looked into each other’s soul and together they felt themselves begin to dance, as the music of their passion now played loudly within their heads. There was no distant noise of cars or even the sound of a gentle blowing wind, only the sound of their own drumming hearts wildly beating a tattoo of desire and passion.

Every muscle in his body ached and groaned as he felt Ken’s body moving up along his own flesh. He could feel the wiry hairs that covered Ken’s legs as they slid upwards, and he even felt the soft peach fuzz ones that rested along Ken’s buttocks as it slid up his body, past his hard penis. The desire inside was almost unbearable as Ken raised his body upwards and as they looked hard into each other’s face, Ken’s mouth moved slightly and deep in Mark’s soul he felt him tell him how much he loved him. He started to cry as the simple words filled his body with its power and he reached up, bringing Ken down towards him and at the same time, Ken’s one hand moved off the bed to reach back to hold tightly onto Mark’s throbbing organ.

The force of Mark’s pull almost made him topple forward but he held his ground and as his face came down he felt the wet hard kiss on his lips and he struggled, holding the thick long pole in his grasp, feeling it tremble as he sat back.

The 8 inch long pole was suddenly wedged between the warm moist cheeks of Ken’s rectum and it seemed to grow even longer and thicker within his grasp as it sensed its position and deep inside of Ken a strange new fire seemed to be kindled. The flames were white hot from the start and he moaned loudly as he pushed down with his body, his lips leaving Mark’s mouth for a second but Page 11 of 30now they were joined elsewhere and the pain that suddenly lanced upwards into his body was nothing compared to the exploding passion that came with it.

As Mark’s body felt the sudden force of Ken’s body coming down it lurched upwards, driven by an overpowering blast of pure love and passion that forced his hard pulsing penis to spread asunder the small puckering sphincter muscle. He heard the deep cry of pain as his body filled the tight hole and narrow valley inside and yet as the cries of pain echoed so too did the strident proclamation of their love fill the room. Mark began to sob as he felt his long penis sliding ever faster into the narrow cavity of Ken’s rectum and as it did, he felt the tears of joy as they rolled unheeded down his face, joined by the hard groaning sounds of Ken’s own love affirmation.

The hard throbbing pole sliced deep inside on the first thrust down by Ken’s aching body. It split apart the protesting sphincter muscle with ease as their souls now danced freely together, their bodies joined in a manner they weren’t used to and yet the power of their love continued to grow with each inch that filled the long narrow velvet insides of Ken’s body. He felt his heart stop and for a mere instant his head swooned and then he leaned down, the blood still draining from his body towards his rectum as he pressed hard against Mark’s wet lips

The press of Ken’s lips made him wince and the sudden force of Ken’s tongue spread Mark’s mouth open and he tasted the fiery hot tongue as it dug deep into him, just as his own penis was digging deep into Ken. He felt the muscles being tossed aside as his penis pushed in harder and his own body was arching upwards, his buttocks off the bed despite the enormous downward press of Ken’s body on his groin. Mark couldn’t hold it and he surrendered to the weight and gravity and his buttocks struck the bed hard and dug deep into the mattress, the springs protesting loudly and yet all he could hear was this thin voice begging him for more and he moaned loudly.

With the noise reverberating inside his head, Ken could feel the swelling of his emotions as he pushed down again and again onto the pulsing body beneath him. He felt the fires licking up at the inside of his skin, felt the tremendous heat burning him and making the bed soggy with his and Mark’s sweat and still he wanted more, needed more, ached for more as his mind became inundated with the love and passion that Mark had for him. The pain of entry was long since gone and replaced by the sweet pounding of love that curled into every part of his body, filling every crevice of his mortal flesh, twisting and turning all of his own fears and doubts into so much dust.

Nothing seemed sacred to the probing power of love that enveloped them both as their bodies continued to dance together in a wild up and down motion. Each of his thrusts downwards by his body was rewarded with an equally hard strident upward surge of Mark’s body. Each joint motion pushed and spread apart the silken tunnel of his very being as the huge throbbing organ probed deeper and harder with each breath that the two men took. Nothing else seemed to matter now, as all thoughts of lawyers, of children, of society simply vanished before the relentless onslaught of their love.

Ken could feel the pain ripping into his heart, the strain causing his mind to blank out as wave after wave of pure joy coursed into every part of him. His very lifeblood began to flow and ebb to the rythmatic pulse of their two bodies. Their voices lost among the sounds of flesh slapping into wet flesh still boomed into the room, and yet their souls heard none of it as all they could do was hold each other closer, wrapped among the tender hands of their love and yet they knew, they felt the growing power as it rose higher and higher within.

Mark’s head was tossing to and fro as his body arched upwards then was pounded back down into the mattress by Ken’s own thrusting body. He felt the strange sensation of softness as his huge thick blood gorged organ kept digging deeper and deeper in the man above him. He felt the power of the love flowing hard into his body from the pounding cock and his balls ached and grew swollen even more so with each grinding thrust their two mortal bodies made. The very breath of his lungs was no longer sufficient to feed him the air he needed to breath and he could hear himself panting and gasping just as he could hear the same raspy sound coming from Ken, his face only millimeters from his own.

The touch of lips were frequent, the feel of wet kisses on his chin and his cheeks were often and yet he knew that Ken was nearing exhaustion as their two bodies continued to pound into each other with increasing fervor and force. He cried out constantly now, the tears of joy no longer distinct among the swirling rivers of sweat that flowed unabated between their two heaving bodies. The pain rose higher in his groin as he felt the blood starting to boil within his veins and all the time he kept hearing that thin pleading voice, begging, urging him onwards, demanding more and more of his love and he knew that Ken too heard that same voice for it was their two souls, united now in the desire to be filled with the unconditional love that both had for each other.

Ken couldn’t hold on, his entire body was shaking constantly now as he flung himself down once more in the wild gyrations of passion that had taken control over every part of his physical being. He felt his own 7-¾ inch long cock shaking and jerking, the hot head sizzling with each brush against Mark’s own molten skin. The ache inside was too much and he felt his full balls suddenly sling upwards and as his body crashed down once more into Mark’s own body, as the bed groaned under the force of their union his full load of cream came flooding out from their leathery pouch.

As the stream of his love came flooding out to spray the fiery flesh in front, his mind swooned as he felt the growing thickness inside of him grow even thicker, grow even hotter and he knew that soon his love would soon be joined by Mark’s own brand of passion. As his body shook, his mind reeled, and his blood drained from his limbs, he felt the sudden trembling beneath his own quaking knees as Mark felt the first strike of hot milk against his torso. A loud harsh cry of amazement echoed and drowned out the hard beat of their two hearts, silencing briefly the singing of their united souls and then in an instant, the song rose higher from deep within them both as the spirits finally broke free of their mortal shackles.

His hips moved sideways, his body arching upwards in a strange angle and he felt the stinging needles of love as they pierced his entire upper body. His pecs moved violently as they became coated in the hot thick cream that came spurting outwards from between the two crushing bellies. Mark was unable to comprehend all of the wild loving emotions that came rushing into his very soul and yet he could feel the fires within breaking free, rising upwards even hotter and a brilliant flash of pure white clouded his vision as he felt the passion exploding all around his very being.

He and Ken had made love countless times before but nothing in their history had prepared him for the wild fires that now consumed both of them as they roared their love in ways that stunned them both, and yet they couldn’t stop, they couldn’t even think as their two bodies twisted and gyrated even harder and faster with each passing second. The force of Ken’s ejaculation only heightened Mark’s desire and he dug into his last ounce of reserve, flinging his hips upwards in a wild desire to send his raging pole further into the very depths of Ken’s inner body.

The roaring ache inside of him could no longer be contained as his body reached upwards, meeting the hard driving downward thrust of Ken’s own body and the blood rushed from every part of Mark’s body towards the demanding need of his throbbing pole. He yelled out loudly but was drowned out by the roaring crackle of fire that burst from within both bodies and their passion now rode free.

Released from their mortal chains, their passion soared and Ken could feel the fire burning deep inside rise up and melt his very flesh as their molten flesh merged into one single entity. Ken cried tears as he felt the power of the throbbing organ inside of him, splitting his very insides as it roared its love for the man it was buried in. Mark cried as he couldn’t hold on any longer, the stinging slap of his full balls sending a loud crack through the room as the hard leathery flesh bounced up under the gorged root of his cock.

The thin latex covering stretched and bulged outwards as the hot heavy load of man cream came pouring out non stop. The hot liquid burned and struggled to break free but then changed direction and seeped backwards, coating the hot throbbing pole, cooling the burning flesh but leaving the ardour intact. Ken’s body squeezed and tightened its hold on the thick pulsing organ, milking it of every drop of precious fluids and it flowed backwards, coating the hot flesh of the organ, seeping back to slick back and soak the light pubic hairs.

Ken’s body was spent as it sank down and slid down the lanky frame of Mark’s own shivering body. He couldn’t breath and the ache in his lungs made him pant and gasp for air. Every part of his aching body felt alive and dead at the same time. It was as if he had just run a marathon after competing in the decathlon and yet inside he wanted more, felt the need for more and he sighed, letting the warm embrace of Mark’s passion ease the ache in his joints, his muscles.

They both lay there, panting as the late mornings sun cooled their drenched bodies. The heat of their passion was gone, but both of them knew it was just a temporary respite and as Ken lay partially on top of Mark, he stared into the soft blue eyes that only minutes earlier had burned bright light a summers thunderstorm, he felt the love inside growing and he knew that for the rest of his life, there would be no one who could ever capture his heart and soul as Mark had done. The straight world may not understand them, but it didn’t matter as he felt the warm solid embrace of their love hold him tight, even though his own arms could barely summon the energy to flex the fingers.

The constant ringing of the telephone finally began to intrude on their solitude and they moved slowly, both of them unwilling to let reality once more intrude on their true love for each other. Mark smiled softly as he felt Ken reach across his still heaving chest to grab at the offending instrument of modern society.

10:00 a.m. P.S.T.

Neil Henry walked behind his lawn mower, the fresh scent of cut grass doing nothing to dispel the unease in the pit of his stomach. He had gone over his notes several times already, taking a break to mow the front yard as the only means of easing the gnawing ache that was filling his body with fear and disgust.

He just couldn’t let the case go and he knew that time was running out before something terrible would happen, he just didn’t have any hard proof yet but would he ever, or would it come when it would be too late to do anything about it? He walked aimlessly behind his mower as he watched the shiny SUV pull out from the house at the end of the street. The green Ford picked up speed and something about it made him look closer as he saw the young face of a teenager in the window, the pain in his face all too familiar to Neil and he stopped dead in his tracks as the truck roared past him.

Watching the green SUV leave he was struck by the way the boy had looked in the passenger side and once more his mind turned to the case of young Justin Patterson. He was worried about his visit to the local arcade and the pock marked man that he just knew was a hunter of kids. He too drove a green SUV, which seemed to be the vehicle of choice for people like that creep Paul.

His attempt at putting the case aside was a failure and he quickly completed his task, the urge to get back to the report and to gathering his information now burning deep inside of him as he had that feeling and he was experienced enough to know he couldn’t or shouldn’t ignore that gut feeling. It had rarely, if ever, failed him before and this time it was worse than he had ever felt so as he pushed his mower back to the garage his mind was once more engaged on digesting the latest information he had been able to find on Mr. Paul from the arcade.

10:30 a.m. P.S.T.

Tyler walked out of the small neatly kept building with the rest of his family and he looked around to see many of the same faces that he always saw here on a Sunday. It never really changed and he chafed a little in his starched shirt and tie, but it made his Mom happy and besides, he did want to get her help with Justin. He knew he was sticking his neck out a little, not even sure that Justin would appreciate his interference but then, he was the Captain of the team and it was part of his duty, his responsibility to insure that his fellow team-mates were focused on their task. How could Justin do his best if his parents were at war and wasn’t that really what divorce was? A state of war between two adults with the spoils of victory being the kids?

He stood around on the rich green lawn and smelt the fresh scent of cut grass as many in the area had just mowed their lawns. He kind of liked the smell but wish his parents would hurry up and finish their Sunday ritual of shmoozing with the others. Tyler knew his dad did it for the business contacts and he wondered why his Mom went along with it, as she was a stickler for trying to keep Sunday as a family day. It always started with a light breakfast then Church which was followed by a nice brunch somewhere, just the three of them and while he wished he could be outside playing, he did kind of like the idea of just being his folks for a few hours, but he never let on to them, after all that would violate the code of being a teenager, but lately, well he had to admit he was getting pretty sick of some of those codes or rules.

Take Zack for instance, here he was helping both him and Justin and yet the ‘code’ said he couldn’t or shouldn’t be associating with a ‘nerd’ because it just wasn’t cool. Thing was, who the hell made all that shit up anyways? Okay maybe Zack was a bit different, and if Tyler was right he was way different than most guys, but why should that matter? Why should he not be friends with the guy never mind talk to him?

On an impulse Tyler saw Pastor Dewalt over by the huge elm tree and he sauntered over, smiling as some of the adults smiled at him and one even asked him if he was getting in shape for next season, like as if he had any choice? He smiled and was polite, as his parents had taught him but he wondered if that man would smile at him if he had a rotten season or worse, couldn’t play because of his grades? Strange, but that was why he needed Zack, so he could be eligible for the season but what would the smiling man say if he knew that Zack was a fag? Would he still want the team’s star player learning from him or would he rather he risk his eligibility by not let some fag help him get the marks he needed?

Tyler stood silently as Pastor Dewalt finished talking with an elderly lady, smiling and beaming and as Tyler watched he felt that the man’s heart really wasn’t in the conversation but the expression never changed on his face. He didn’t know why he was here, but something had made him walk across the lawn to stand here and for a brief moment he thought he would just turn and leave but then the lady left and Pastor Ken Dewalt turned to face Tyler.

Pastor Dewalt “Tyler, well how are you lad? Anxious for the summer to finally arrive?”

Tyler “Uh, yeah sort of, guess.”

Pastor “So, what can I do for you?”

Tyler “Uh, well, I was wondering, uh, your sermon, you said something that has me wondering…”

Pastor “Oh? You mean you were the ‘one’ who actually stayed awake? haha”

Tyler “Haha, yeah, guess it was my turn.”

Pastor “So… what is troubling you about it?”

Tyler “Well, I am confused, I mean you said Jesus preached inclusion.”

Pastor “Yes, he wanted all of God’s children to be a part of his kingdom.”

Tyler “Yeah but, I mean then why does the church deny certain people from being a part of it?”

Pastor “It doesn’t Tyler, it has open arms for all true followers.”

Tyler “But that’s just it Pastor, where does it say one has to be a follower to be part of God’s kingdom?”

Pastor “Well, I am not sure I am following you Tyler, it would seem to me that anyone who came to church would have to have some belief, some reason for coming, wouldn’t they?”

Tyler “No, I mean, sorry, it just seems to me that there are so many added rules before one is accepted, which is kind of like, well making it exclusive, and how can that be following what Jesus said?”

Pastor “Such as?”

Tyler “Well, I don’t know, take gay’s for example, they aren’t allowed in church until they change, how is that including them in the kingdom of God?”

Pastor “That is not the same Tyler, Gay’s are welcome here, but until they make a choice of God over committing a sin then yes, they are denied entrance to his kingdom.”

Tyler “But that’s just it, I mean God created them too, and if we are all his children, how can he refuse to have them with him?”

Pastor “It isn’t God’s choice to deny them Tyler but it is their own actions that do that, God has given man free will, and part of that means that man can choose to be part of God’s kingdom or not, and when a person chooses to be gay, well they are choosing a path away from God, and Jesus’ words were that God would welcome all who chose him no matter their past, so if a gay person wishes to come back to God he will be welcomed. Does that help?”

Tyler “Not really, I mean you make it sound like gay people have a choice if they are or not, and from what I have read, it isn’t that way, so how can they be denied God if they were created that way?”

Pastor “Is there some reason you are asking about this Tyler? I mean, are you maybe trying to suggest, uh, that possibly you might uh…”

Tyler “NO! Sorry, no Pastor, but I know one or two at school, and well, it bugs me…”

Pastor “Bugs you? That they are that way or?”

Tyler “No not that, just that, well lately its been bugging me the way the kids treat them, the way it seems that you have all these rules about who you can talk to, who you can go to parties with or have at a party, and it just seems wrong, I mean take the gay kids in school, you say it’s a choice, but why would anyone choose to be made fun of? Or worse, be targeted for being pushed or stuff like that? It kind of says to me that they are who they are, not by choice but by nature, and well, it just seems that if Jesus wants everyone included, why then do we set them apart?”

Pastor “Sounds to me like you have been thinking about this quite a lot, can I ask why?”

Tyler “I don’t know if I can answer you, maybe its cause I feel, well, it doesn’t feel right to pick on them, and yet, well, there are certain things expected of me, being the quarterback and all, and well, it just doesn’t seem right.

Pastor “I see, how old are you Tyler?”

Tyler “16, why?”

Pastor “You sound so much older, you amaze me actually.”

Tyler “Huh? I don’t…”

Pastor “I don’t know the answers to your questions and it amazes me that someone so young as you even has those questions, but then maybe it shouldn’t, but the stock answer is that gays make a choice, now don’t get upset, I said that is the stock answer, but I think there are many in religion who are coming to think that isn’t the case, but it is hard to change a policy that has existed for centuries, and despite all of our modern words and thoughts, we are still old fashioned and for whatever reason we are not keen on change, especially when its something as radical as accepting a person’s differences as being part of God’s work. Look at how long it took for the churches in the South to even accept that our African American brethren were actually human.”

Tyler “I suppose, so, what you are saying is that I just need to be patient and that eventually things will right themselves?”

Pastor “Well I suppose that is so…”

Tyler “That is bunk, sorry Pastor, but the Civil Rights movement wasn’t people just sitting back waiting, I mean it was people getting out and protesting, simple people like that lady, the one who rode the bus, can’t recall, oh yeah Rosa Parks or something, isn’t that what got this whole civil rights thing moving, stuff like that?”

Pastor “Haha, yes it was, and there is also you answer Tyler.”

Tyler “Huh? I don’t follow.”

Pastor “You asked me how change comes, how it comes is by ordinary people taking a stand, people like your Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King is another, but there are many many more who’s names we don’t know, who every day stood up and were counted, and that is how change came, no different than how this country was formed to begin with.”

Tyler “You snowed me.”

Pastor “Yes, but you already knew the answer, you just wanted someone to confirm it for you.”

Tyler “Maybe, but, I don’t know, there is so much at stake if I do.”

Pastor “Yes, but someone once said that everyone knows what is the right thing to do, but that doing the right thing is what takes real courage.”

Tyler “But how do you know it is the right thing?”

Pastor “You know, you feel it inside of you deep in your heart, that is how you know and also because God said that the truth lies in our heart.”

Tyler “I see, I think, you don’t make this easy.”

Pastor “No, I suppose I don’t but then, life isn’t easy is it?”

Tyler “No, it isn’t.”

Pastor “I see your parents signalling, must be that time.”

Tyler “Huh? Oh, yeah guess so, thanks”

Pastor “Anytime, I have to admit, you have surprised me with your thoughts, I hope you will share more with me another time.”

Tyler “Uh, yeah, sure, I better go.”

Pastor “Certainly, uh Tyler?”

Tyler “Yes?”

Pastor “Don’t you want the unofficial answer?”

Tyler “No, I think I know it, and I think I know now what you meant earlier too.”

Pastor “I thought you would.”

Tyler trotted away but half way towards his parents he turned around to stare at Pastor Dewalt who was once more engaged in conversation with another elderly congregant. He stopped briefly to stare and saw the Pastor turn his head towards him and he saw him briefly nod his head and in that instant Tyler knew what he would have to do, and while the thought scared him he knew that he couldn’t escape doing it. After all, he did take his responsibilities seriously and hell, football wasn’t who he was, it was just what he did and there was much more to Tyler McHenry or at least he hoped there was. He turned away, his heart a bit easier but his mind was in turmoil as he smiled at his Mom and kissed her on the cheek and held her hand as they headed towards the car.

2:00 p.m. P.S.T.

Justin walked around the game consoles that were strewn around the arcade floor. He walked aimlessly as he wondered about his Dad and the way his mother was carrying on. She had told him in the morning that that lawyer fella she had been seeing wanted to marry her. He was angry and upset and had stormed out of the house in a rage. He had kicked the garbage can and his foot still throbbed a little as his anger simmered within.

He knew that it was one way for his mom to get back at his dad, and the notion of her being with another man pissed him off, not because the guy was all that bad, but that she was most likely doing it to make sure she could keep the screws on his dad. He hated her for that and as he looked around the large arcade, he wondered if maybe he should just let her be with her lawyer.

The more he thought about Keith Jaworski, the more he wished he had stayed in Florida, and maybe that is where he should go. The thought had always been there ever since they had moved up here to flaky California but he had never really given it much chance of happening. After all, how the hell would he get there, and if he did get there, where would he stay? It wasn’t like any of his so-called school friends would help him out and his dad had been turned off on him, so going back to Florida wasn’t really going to change things for him.

Mind you if he did get back there, maybe he could get his Dad to see that he was sorry, that maybe if he tried real hard his dad might forgive him for whatever it was he had done that got his dad so pissed at him. There was that and as he tried to play the arcade game his mind began to plan and plot on how he could get to Florida, how he could get the money together.

After an hour or so he was bored, besides he couldn’t afford to plug the machines, not if he wanted to go through with his plan to head off for Florida but it had helped him think and he wished that Paul guy had been around. He wasn’t all that bad considering he was old, but he at least listened and besides, he let Justin play the games for free and that part was more important now. Hell, maybe Paul would have some ideas on how he could earn a few extra bucks, which would really help.

Justin searched the crowded arcade but he still couldn’t spot Paul and he dug his hands into his jeans and began to walk out when he felt the crumbled paper inside his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Tyler’s handwriting and he knew it was that phone number of some fancy kid lawyer. Maybe he should give that a shot first but he wasn’t sure, the idea of facing his dad and explaining that it wasn’t his choice to leave him was attractive and besides, he belonged with his dad.

7:41 p.m. P.S.T.

He put the phone down and felt the pulse racing as he just stared at the phone. It was like a dream come true, well okay only partly true because there was no way that the rest would ever happen, but still, it was kind of nice to think about and he felt the excitement inside of him as he turned away reluctantly from the telephone and stared at his computer screen. His mind was off and before he even realized it his hand had reached out for the blue binder and once more he stared at the images on the paper.

One hand rested on the now creased paper, the other hand was down at his crotch, the fingers digging into his thin thigh as he gazed down onto the two people who had suddenly filled his mind with all kinds of strange thoughts. Okay, they hadn’t been the cause; the thoughts had been there for some time but their images made his thoughts more vivid, more real.

He had drawn the two images that very night after he had been there and he still couldn’t believe how much he had enjoyed himself. It hadn’t started that way but that was his fault as once more he had assumed way too much or had he? He still didn’t know what Justin would do, no matter what he had said and if he saw this latest picture, but then he wouldn’t, as it wasn’t likely that Justin would ever show his face at the Trailer home, not after that first night.

Zack looked down at the drawing, staring into Tyler’s eyes and then into Justin’s and he felt that same stirring, that same twinge that seemed to be growing even more insistent, more painful with each passing day and yet he knew inside that there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Maybe one day, when he was away from High School but he just didn’t know if he could hold out that long. The ache was too much and his fingers moved over to slowly pet the growing lump in his pants as his eyes continued to stare into the drawn faces of both Tyler and Justin.

While his hand continued to prod at his erect penis he turned to glance once more at the phone and he smiled, as he could still hear Tyler’s voice on the other end asking him to come by first thing in the morning so they could both jog to school, part of the deal but still, the idea of running side by side with Tyler made him feel all giddy and warm.

Tyler had let him take home the track pants and had told him to wear them for their jog to school, heck he even told him he could keep them but to bring other clothes for after. Zack still wasn’t sure about this training stuff but the thought of at least being close to Tyler made him abandon all caution. He just couldn’t resist and he knew he was hopelessly in love with Tyler but then there was Justin too, and now he was unsure of just what he really did feel. Maybe it was lust or some other sexual weirdness that he didn’t know about but he knew that he would have some interesting dreams tonight and he reached out to switch his alarm clock to the new wake up time.

Heather Patterson rested comfortably in the arm of her fiancée and she was feeling completely content with her life now, and even Justin seemed to have miraculously changed his attitude. He had come home from where ever kids his age went on a Sunday afternoon in a far more amicable mood than when he had left. He even had been sort of polite to Keith and that helped her mood too. Now, here he was making friends as he had just been invited to jog to school with the team captain, that McHenry boy and she knew that in no time at all he would stop moaning about that slime of an ex-husband and get on with his own life, after all kids adapted quickly.

She snuggled into Keith’s arm and kissed him lightly on the cheek as they continued to watch the movie and for her, life was once more returning to what it should be, and this time around she was taking no chances. She had done a background check on her latest, and so she was certain that there wouldn’t be any hidden surprises down the road and hell, she was still young enough, maybe they could have another kid, this one not tainted by being borne out of a union with a god damn queer. She still had her doubts if Justin was ‘normal’ but the doctors had assured her that being gay wasn’t hereditary so she had let that issue pass, for now.

Despite all that had gone on tonight, she still had this tiny uneasy feeling inside but she paid it no attention as she rested in the security of her lover’s arms. No, this time that little voice inside her could take a hike because it was her turn to have peace, her turn to have the life she thought that Mark would give her. No, Keith wasn’t the handsome specimen that Mark had been, and still was, but at least he wasn’t a fucking faggot and besides, he could better afford to keep her in a style she thought she deserved.

Justin had seen the way his Mom was acting and it made him seethe with rage but he kept it cool this time, refusing to let her bait him and even when Tyler called to see if he wanted to jog to school with him, he kept his cool but the whole idea of his Mom being with that lawyer creep pissed him off and only made his desire to do something even more urgent and intense.

He knew he was over reacting to Keith; the guy really hadn’t done anything to warrant his anger other than he liked her, which had to say something about the guy’s intelligence, least as far as he saw it. Why she ever divorced his dad he didn’t know, but he should be told after all he wasn’t some baby, he was 16 years old.

Like his dad had taught him, he tried to give Keith a chance, and he had tried to discuss how he felt too, hoping that maybe he could at least find out why his Mom had left his dad, but instead of being told the truth all Keith told him was that when he was older he’d understand, that his mother only had his best interests at heart. Yeah right, like she ever cared about anything but her own needs. Christ if she cared so much about him, she would know how much his dad meant to him and she would at least have the decency to have told him what went down, but she didn’t, she used the same line he had, wait till he was older and then he’d thank her. Not fucking likely and if he could figure out how to get enough money together, he’d be off in a shot to Florida and hopefully get the truth from his dad.

What really choked him was the way she fawned over the geek, and he was a geek as far as Justin was concerned but still, she should show some respect for his feelings. She was real big on him showing her respect for her position, her feelings, her needs but what about his? Okay sure he was just 16 but did that automatically mean he was devoid of feelings too? She walked around lording it over him, telling him that she was his mother and knew best but he could think, he knew stuff, yet she never seemed to care what he thought or how he felt, she just did it all her way.

The more he dwelled on how unfair it all was the more he thought about taking the plunge and just hitting the road and head to Florida. However he wasn’t an idiot like she thought and he knew that without some money, he would be caught pretty quick and then life would sure be a living hell, worse than it was now. No, he had to wait and get some cash together so that when he did decide to go he could at least be far enough away before she knew it that it wouldn’t matter.

Justin sat by his computer, the screen dark and blank as he held the small-framed photograph of his father in his one hand. Tears rolled down his face as he tried to figure out what it was that he had done or said that had made his dad stop talking to him, stop calling him or even writing to him. It wasn’t fair, at least he should be told what it was that he did and he looked over at the small crumbled paper that lay on the golden pine coloured student desk. He reached once more for that paper and opened it to the writing, his other hand clutching hard at the wooden picture frame.

Tyler’s printing was neat, which kind of surprised him a bit but he stared at the two phone numbers. Both of them were clear and beside both was the word 24hrs and at the bottom was the man’s name, Tim Withers. Maybe Tyler was right, maybe he should give the guy a shot first, and besides that it would take him a bit of time to get some cash together, so maybe this was one way to kill the time until then.

He reached across the desk, setting his fathers picture down and the tears continued to roll down his face, a sense of anger at being such a baby flashed past his mind as he gripped the phone and began to punch the numbers with his fingers. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and waited as he heard the soft ringing sound on his phone, wondering if it was just an answering machine that would pick up or if a real person would answer.

Suddenly he felt nervous as the phone rang a second time and he thought about hanging up when a voice suddenly boomed out into his ear. The voice wasn’t loud really just that it had startled him and what was even more scary was that it really was a person, not one of those damn answering machines. Panic tore at him as the voice asked who was there and he suddenly stammered, and told the man his name, asking in the same scared high pitched voice if this was Mr. Withers.

11:17 p.m. P.S.T.

Sarah had been trying for several hours to get through the paperwork on her study desk when the phone startled her with its harsh ringing noise. She quickly glanced at the ornate clock that was at the centre of her desk and she pushed back her reading glasses, wondering who in the hell would be calling her this late at night on Sunday?

She looked away from the phone itself and stared at the dark numbers glowing in the small ID box next to her phone. The number was not familiar but the name that showed up was and she hesitated in picking up the phone, uncertain why that particular person would call her this late at night. With a strange sense of foreboding she picked up her phone and answered the nervous voice that came to her ears.

Her caller was extremely scared and nervous and despite her impatience and growing curiosity she cajoled and calmed the person down, hoping that her intuition was correct and yet at the same time hoping it wasn’t because she had this gnawing sense of impending doom. Finally she was able to call the caller down and then just when she was about to broach the subject the caller began to unburden her own soul. The words now came fast and furious and with each sentence, each completed train of thought, Sarah began to feel the growing disquiet deep within her own body. She chewed on the end of her reading glasses as the person on the other end of the phone continued with her commentary, barely taking time to draw in a breathe as she unburdened herself totally.

2:18 a.m. E.S.T.  Monday April 30^th 

The dream was in full fury as he slept and he tossed and turned now, as once more the dream took its unusual and bizarre turn. The sweat began to bead on his forehead and he could feel the searing pain now, as it reached deep into his body and he moaned a little now, feeling the actual terror as it reached for him. It was almost as if his eyes were open as he could see, really see the thin wispy tendrils of the terror reaching for him, a long wispy hand with long thin nails as it snaked through a misty glow to seek him out, to find him and take hold of him.

He cried a little, a sort of murmur as his heart began to pound a bit faster and he knew that he was starting to hyperventilate as he watched that long thin anemic hand reach out for him. The panic grew inside of him and the fires in his soul were dampened, almost as if icy cold water was being doused on it and yet somewhere inside a voice pleaded, begged him to awake, to come to his rescue and still he slept, turning over now, his face buried into the pillow but only for a moment before the vision once more filled his mind with its terror and its fear.

The hand was bad enough but now he could see his face, and it was worse as the dream continued to torment his body. His legs were cramped and his arms ached as he saw the face, the tears running down the cheeks and he couldn’t stand it any longer and he bolted upright in his bed, the covers angrily tossed off as he jumped up into a sitting position. He rubbed his eyes and stared at the glowing alarm clock, knowing the hour and with a quick calculation of time zones he reached out for the small phone that rested next to his clock radio.

A hand suddenly gripped his wrist and the pain of the tight hold almost made him cry out as he turned in surprise to stare into Ken’s anxious face. He could see the questioning look but more than that he saw the concern etched across the still half asleep face. His trembling arm suddenly relaxed to the hard touch of Ken’s hand and he felt his whole body slump forwards a bit as he surrendered to the unspoken words of his lover. He sighed deeply, sorrow and pain clearly etched in the sound of his voice as Ken pushed the covers away and brought his own body into a sitting position next to Mark. His legs rested on the carpet as he held Mark’s hand in his lap and then he moved it off the shaking hand, bringing his entire around the man and silently pulled him into his side.

Ken “Same dream again?”

Mark “Yeah, but worse, I saw his face…”

Ken “And?”

Mark “He was crying Ken, I mean it was like I could just reach out and touch him, I could see the tears rolling down his cheeks, I can’t stand this, I have to talk to him Ken, I have to tell him the truth and tell him I love him, he needs to know that Ken.”

Ken “You will Mark, but you can’t put your foot in it now, if you call she will have the cops on your ass in no time, and how is that going to help your case?”

Mark “I don’t care, as long as he knows the truth, he has to be told the truth, Christ he must be so scared, so alone, I am his father Ken, I have to do something, he is crying, I can’t…”

Ken “He’s most likely asleep Mark, and what if she refuses? She’ll have your ass and you will have put all chance of ever seeing him or talking to him down the tubes, now is that what you want?”

Mark “No, no of course not, but Ken, he’s hurting, I know it, here inside, where you touched me, can’t you feel it?”

Ken “No, I can’t feel him, but I can you, I can feel the pain you have and I know how much this is hurting you…”

Mark “That doesn’t matter Ken, I don’t care if I have to go to jail, but he has to know from me, me not some third wheel, I have to tell him what happened, Christ he needs to hear it.”

Ken “I know he does, and I agree too that you have to be the one to tell him but come on, if you call there now she will throw a real fit and you will have played right into her hands, come on, let me make you some tea and you leave this to Scott Hackett, that’s what he gets the big bucks for.”

Mark “But it could take weeks or worse, months Ken, I can’t wait that long, shit Justin can’t wait that long.”

Ken “Yes he can, sure he’s 16 but he has a head on his shoulders Mark, you saw to that and if he’s half as smart as his old man, he’ll figure the truth out and he’ll also figure out a way to get in touch, you just need to keep the faith.”

Mark “I suppose, it is just, I mean these dreams started all this, but this one, its worse Ken, I can’t explain it but I saw him, he was at his desk, crying, I could see each tear as it slowly trickled down that adorable face of his, oh Christ I miss him so much Ken, so damn much!”

Ken felt the tears on his bare shoulder as Mark reached over and rested his head on the firm muscled shoulder. He felt the deep tremble as Mark sobbed for his lost son and he knew that his lover was in pain, and he silently cursed Heather, for putting Mark through all this but also for what she was doing to Justin. He didn’t know the boy, but if he was like his old man he would most likely be crying as the dream showed, wondering what he had done to deserve all this and all because some selfish bitch couldn’t accept that she couldn’t satisfy Mark’s needs the way another man could.

He held tightly to the sobbing figure, praying for the first time in almost two decades of life to a God that he had thought had abandoned him and all others of his kind. His heart suddenly had been awakened, and inside of his body he could feel his spirit reaching skyward to plead with the one who had given him life and who had brought him to Mark. Tears rolled down Ken’s own face as he gently stroked Mark’s hair and whispered to him, knowing that his words were all he had for now.

As Mark’s body continued to tremble, Ken could see his own image, a younger version as he stood at the steps of his own high school, rotten fruit dripping from his own 15 year old face and the words, they still made him cringe but as he held tightly onto Mark he knew it had all been worth it, because of this very moment in time. Once more the silent prayer went upwards from deep in his body and he felt the glow inside as his love for Mark and Mark’s love for him reached out and covered them both in its tender grasp.