Bart and Chris
by: E Walk
(© 2008 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 23
Are They or Aren’t They?

Mrs. Sweet finally spoke, “Let’s go to the farm.  I  have an idea that I would like to run by Ted and Trish.  Ned and Nate, when exactly will you be leaving?”

Nate answered, “Our classes are scheduled to start meeting June 1^st.  We will only have classes from Monday noon through Thursday noon so we could come back and work over the weekend if you could find someone who wouldn’t mind having the weekends off.  That way we could earn some extra spending money.”

Mrs. Sweet, definitely had something on her mind, “We need to get Farmers Chris and Randy to the farm so they can take care of the animals.”

When we got to the farm Mrs. Sweet, Ted and Trish went into the house to talk.  It was as if everyone else disappeared so Zack and I went for a walk and wound up in a wooded area that was away from the buildings.  It gave us a chance to enjoy the relaxing experience of being naked in nature and being able to pleasure each other without fear of being interrupted. 

Well almost.  We heard a gong or something being sounded, so we made our way back to the farm buildings.  We were met by a distraught Chris, “Where have you been?  We have been looking everywhere for you.  Grandma Sweet wants to talk to you.”

I looked at Zack and whispered, “Why does she want to talk to us?  I don’t think either of us is interested in taking the job as a hired hand on a farm.”

Zack nodded, “We already have more than we can handle.”

We walked into the house and were met by Ted, “Mrs. Sweet would like to speak to you in the living room.”

When we entered the room, Mrs. Sweet motioned for us to sit down, “Guys, I’d like to ask your opinion about some things before we talk to the others.  What do you think about us offering Steve and Andy the opportunity to share the hired help job with Nate and Ned?”

I started to laugh, “Mrs. Sweet, why are you asking us for our opinion about something like that.  We’re city slickers through and through.”

“Mark, I have the feeling that you and Zack know more about Steve and Andy than most people.  Have you had a chance to talk to Nate and Ned at all?”

I had no idea where she was going with her questions, “Mrs. Sweet, we talked to Nate and Ned for a short time last Sunday when we were here.”

“And what did you find out?”

I was confused, “Mrs. Sweet, I’m not sure what you want to know.  Ned and Nate showed Zack and me the bunkhouse where they sleep and spend their time when not at school or working.  We understand that they eat their meals here in the main house.  They told us that they were not biological brothers but foster/step children.”

Mrs. Sweet switched gears, “Let’s talk about Andy and Steve for a minute.  It seems that the two of them have identified with you and Zack.  I assume that they have talked to you about some questions that they might have?  In light of your discussion about the four young men, would there be any problem if the four of the would need to share the bunkhouse facilities for some reason?”

I thought for short period as to how to carefully phrase an answer, “Mrs. Sweet, the guys have similar interests, so I see no problem if they need to be in residence in the bunkhouse at the same time.”

“Mark, why are you talking around the issue.  So are you saying that all four young men think that they might be gay?”

Zack answered, “Mrs. Sweet, it is not Mark’s nor my prerogative to make any statement about the guys sexuality.  Why don’t you speak to them directly if you have a question about their sexuality?”

Mrs. Sweet got a determined look on her face, “Okay, I will.  Go get them for us, and I want you to be in the room while we talk with the guys.”

Zack and I went to see if we could find the guys.  We saw Chris and Randy and I asked, “Chris, have you seen Ned and Nate or Steve and Andy?”

Chris smiled, “Hi, Dads, the last time we saw them, they were walking toward that building over there.”

The building over there was the bunkhouse which was really like a little bungalow.  Zack knocked on the door.  Steve opened the door,  “Guys, it’s only Mark and Zack. You don’t need to hide.”

Zack looked at me with a scowl.  Steve added “Ned and Nate are just changing their clothes so they can start the chores.  Do you need us?”

We walked in and I announced, “Mrs. Sweet would like to speak with all four of you in the living room.”

Ned appeared in his briefs, “Why couldn’t you have come a couple minutes earlier so we wouldn’t have had to change clothes again?” 

Nate shed his old dirty jeans and went to get his dress jeans and was pulling them on as he came back.  There was nothing bashful about the two guys.  The six of us went to the house.

As soon as we were seated, Mrs. Sweet started, “Guys, I  have a proposition for you.  But first I have a question.  If for some reason all four of you had to be in the bunkhouse overnight, would you have a problem with that?”

Steve had a funny look on his face, “Mrs. Sweet, why would we have a problem with that?”

Mrs. Sweet was determined, “So it wouldn’t bother you if there were some homosexual activities taking place in the bunkhouse?”

Andy turned to Zack and me, and tears were starting to run down his face, “Mark and Zack, how could you tell them how Steve and I feel about each other.”

Ted jumped in, “Listen to me guys, Mark and Zack very skillfully avoided answering any questions about your sexual preferences.”

Steve was obviously upset too, “Will it make any difference if we tell you we think we’re gay and have special feelings for each other?”

Mrs. Sweet shook her head no, “No, but if you had denied it, it would have made a big difference.”

She turned to Ned and Nate, “It’s your turn for show and tell.”

Nate laughed, “Mrs. Sweet, we have worked here for three years and you never asked us if we were gay or not.  Why now?”

“Because there may be times when you four will be sleeping in the bunkhouse at the same time and I wanted to make sure that no one would be offended.”

Ned nodded, “We admit that we’re gay and love each other, and no it wouldn’t bother us if Steve and Andy did things as long as it is only in the bunkhouse.  Nate and I have tried very hard to not be obvious to anyone.”

Mrs. Sweet nodded, “Guys, thanks for coming clean.  Now here’s my proposition.  When Ned and Nate go to school, Steve and Andy can take their places and work four days a week and Ned and Nate could cover the other three days.  I know that Steve and Andy can’t give us an answer until after they talk to their parents.  Do you suppose you can have an answer for us by tomorrow?”

Steve was laughing, “Ma’am, if we leave now, we can have an affirmative answer yet today.”

Zack started to laugh, “I wouldn’t let Chris and Randy hear you saying that, or your tires might get slashed.  You haven’t had your lesson on learning how to boss the cows around, yet.”

Mrs. Sweet wasn’t done, “Mark, go tell Tory and Bart to keep their eyes on the other five children while you three gentlemen go get some hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner and you can barbecue them. Pick up whatever else you want,  Trish and I will get the mixes ready for some homemade ice cream.  The young people might get a charge out of making it.”

When we got back from the store, and had everything ready to cook, we went to see how everyone was doing.  Tory and Bart were sitting on the fence watching the other five children taking care of the animals other than the cows.  We walked into barn where the cows were being milked and it was a sight to behold.  Chris was showing Andy what to do and Randy had Steve in tow.

Nate came up to Zack and me, “Your son and Randy are natural farmers and leaders.  If I didn’t know better, I would have said they have been doing this for some time.  Chris told me that he hadn’t ever been to a real farm until last Sunday.”

I hugged Nate, “You’ll probably have someone here helping every chance he gets now.”

Nate looked at me, “What would he think if he found out that Ned and I were lovers?”

Both Zack and I started to laugh and Zack answered, “He’d probably say, ‘So, what else is new?’  You forget to whom you are speaking.  How long until you all will be finished here, so we know when we should start the hamburgers and hotdogs?”

“We should be finished in about 40 minutes.”

As Zack and I were walking back to the patio area, Zack stopped, me, "Do you suppose that someday we could have a place like this.  It’s so quiet and peaceful.  We wouldn’t have to be afraid that someone would try to abduct the children.”

I hugged Zack and I didn’t care who saw us, “Zack, let’s just get you graduated and get us through the summer.  Between your new job and taking care of the children all day, we are going to be exhausted.  It might be nice to have a cabin some place where we can get away once in a while.”

We started the grill and were cooking when Ned came up to us, “Chris, Randy, Andy and Steve need their changes of clothes.  They’re in the bunkhouse taking a shower.  Here are Steve’s keys.  He said their clothes were in the trunk.”

I went to get the clothes for Ned.  I knew which backpack was Chris’s so that was no problem.  There were only two backpacks in Steve’s trunk so that was not a problem either.  I went to Tory’s car and fortunately there was a lever to open the trunk and it was obvious which backpack was Randy’s because the boys’ names were embroidered on the backpacks.

After dinner the young people went to take care of the dishes under the supervision of Tory while the guys started to take turns cranking to the two ice cream machines.  Ty’s children and our two boys were just fascinated by what was happening.  Zack and I took turns cranking the makers and I decided it was much easier to just buy ice cream.”

Chris and Bart took turns cranking and I finally made Chris stop because it was getting more difficult.  We watched as Ted opened the top of the container to check.  It seemed that the chocolate was done, but the vanilla needed to be cranked some more.

When the ice cream was ready, Mrs. Sweet brought two angel food cakes and cut them and handed the pieces to Ted who put a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a scoop of chocolate on each plate.  I watched as Chris served all the ladies first and then started with rest of us.  I watched as he took the last plate for himself.  He came over and sat at the table between Zack and me and whispered, “Dads, being a farmer is hard work.  I’m pretty tired.  Can we go home after we eat the dessert?”

Nate and Ned heard his question, and Nate answered, “Chris, thanks for all your hard work today.  We’ll take care of the clean up, since we don’t have school in the morning.” 

Chris hugged them and shouted, “All aboard that are going back to Kansas City.  Nate and Ned said they would take care of the cleanup since they don’t have to go to school in the morning.”

Chris went and hugged Ted and Trish and thanked them for allowing us to come and visit.  The Sharps escorted us to the cars and invited us back anytime.  When we got to Kansas City, we dropped Mrs. Sweet off first so no one would be awakened.  When we got to Tory’s house, Zack and I carried Randy and Robby into the house and took them to their bedroom while Bart got their backpacks and brought them in.

When we got to Tip and Ty’s house. It took all of us to carry the children and the backpacks in.  After the children were in their beds, Andy and Steve hugged us.  Andy apologized, “Mark and Zack, I apologize for accusing you unjustly today.  Please forgive me.”

I hugged him, “Andy, you don’t need to apologize.  Mrs. Sweet needed for you and Steve to tell her that you were gay.  She has no problem with men loving each other, or why would she be cavorting with Zack and me.  Please be discreet in whatever you do and make sure that you really love each other before you give yourselves to each other completely.”

After Andy and Steve left, Bart approached us, “Dads, why weren’t Tory and I asked to be at the meeting today?  Are the guys in trouble?”

I took a deep breath, “Bart, the guys are not in trouble.  You and Tory weren’t invited because what was being talked about is not any of your business.  I’m not even sure why your other Dad and I were there.”

Bart wasn’t done, “Dads, I know that Steve and Andy think they are gay.  Are Nate and Ned gay, also?”

I shook my head, “Bart, if Nate and Ned are gay it is none of our business.  Why would you even ask a question like that?”

Bart was undaunted, “It just seems that there is a chemistry between them that is something more than being brothers.  I almost think they aren’t really brothers because I haven’t been able to pick up on any similarities at all.  They seem to be able to communicate without talking like you two.”

I hugged Bart, “Son, you think too much.”

Our discussion was interrupted by the phone.  Bart went to answer.

“Dads, it’s Steve and Andy, they want to know if they can come over.  They want to know if Uncle Ty is available to talk.”

Zack answered, “They may come over but you need to check and see if Ty is available.  We can’t answer for him.”

Tip and Ty had come into kitchen where we were talking and we hadn’t seen them.  Ty answered, “Tell the punks that I’m available if it doesn’t take too long.”

Bart hung up, “They’ll be here in ten minutes.”

Ty asked, “Why do Steve and Andy want to talk to me?”

Bart shrugged his shoulders, “No one ever tells me anything.”

Before anyone could reply to Bart’s comment, the doorbell rang.  Bart answered and let us know that he was upset, “Mr. Steve Lindsey and Mr. Andy North are here to see you, masters.  I’m going to the apartment to pout.”

Andy and Steve came into the kitchen.  Andy hugged Ty, “Mr. Jefferson, I don’t know how you did it, but Dad seemed so much better when I got home tonight.  Why is he just now getting a settlement for something that happened over two years ago?”

Ty hugged Andy, “Your father’s agent was an ass, if you will pardon my expression, and gave your father some bad advice and sent him to a two bit lawyer who was trying to make a killing.  The important thing is that all of your father’s medical expenses are going to be repaid and your father is going to be reimbursed for the mental stress that he has suffered.”

“Tip and I are going to leave because I’m sure that the two of you didn’t come here to talk to us old men.  That way you can yell at Mark and Zack all you want.”

After Tip and Ty left, Steve started, “Both of our parents have no problem with us accepting the job.  I even told my parents that I thought I was gay and that I had special feelings for Andy.  Do you know what they said?  They laughed and said, ‘So what else is new?’”

Andy was laughing, “Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey hugged me and welcomed me to the family.  My parents reacted a little differently.  They were elated about the jobs, but when I told them about Steve’s and my relationship.  My Mother, bless her heart, looked at me and said, ‘I guess that’s the price we have to pay for having a good looking son.’”

My Dad reacted a little differently,  “He raised his finger and pointed it at me, ‘Andrew, just make sure that you truly love Steve before you give yourself to him fully.  Now come give your Dad a hug, you queer.’”

I hugged him and he whispered, ‘Son, we love you for who you are.  All we ask is that you be the best you can be.’  I hugged him again and we both started to cry.  I have never seen my Dad cry before.”

Zack and I hugged the two guys.  I looked at the two visitors, “Guys, parents are smarter than we give them credit for being.  I suggest that you get your butts home because tomorrow is a school day.”

After Andy and Steve left, I hugged Zack, “I feel as if I am in the wheel going around in the gerbil cage.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Well that was a very nice chapter. I am glad the boys were able to come out to their parents and that it went well in both cases. As was already said, kids would be very surprised to realize how much parents pick up from them and never tell the kids. Most parents are pretty sure what their children are like.  Parents might not be certain as to their children's sexual preferences but they come pretty close to being sure. Most kids are surprisingly naïve about what their parents know or at least suspect.  A lot of people, kids and adults, are afraid to tell others how they feel.

I know someone who was absolutely certain that all of his friends would hate him if they ever found out he was gay.  He had confided his terrible secret to some of us who knew him on line. We didn't hate him.  Several of us tried to tell him that he didn't have anything to worry about.  He spent a lot of time telling us how these friends of his made jokes and made comments having gay content, but he was still sure that they had no idea he was gay and he was petrified to tell anyone. Those of us whom he told were almost certain that his friends already knew and were only waiting for him to tell them.  When he finally got up enough courage to tell one of them, the person he told informed him that they all knew and were just waiting for him to tell them. The one he told also told him that they all still loved him and would always be his friends.

We all take great delight in letting him know that we told him so. Of course, we would never rub it in. no, not us, never.    He still has a little problem with his self esteem. But we are all working on trying to break him of that.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/20/09