Love Refound
by: E Walk
(© 2008 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 29

Things Turn Sour

After church, the guys agreed to meet at Summerhill at 2:00, so they could see this mysterious lake that only Cole knew about.  Jeff left with Trent and Trevor.  Cole departed saying, “I’m going to go see if there is anything my Grandparents need or want me to do.”

Autumn was sitting at the table, working on school work when Trent arrived with Jeff and Trev.  Jeff announced, “I’m going to go change my clothes since I’m guessing we will be riding horses to the mystery lake.”

I looked at Trent and Trevor and they were already appropriately dressed.  Jeff was just coming down the steps when Cole arrived.  Cole asked, “Miss Autumn and Mr. Doug, are you going with us?”

Autumn shook her head no, “I need to get some things ready for tomorrow, since I left early on Friday.”

I looked at the guys, “I’ll take a rain check.  I have some things I want to check into.  Trent and Trev is your mother home?”

 

Trevor answered, “When we left she was talking with the two Dads about business things.”

The guys departed for the stable and I watched as they started riding to the southwest corner of the spread.  I turned to Autumn, “I’m going to go talk to the Nixons and Uncle Howie about some things.  Do you want me to take Benji with me?”

“No, I need to have some bonding time with him or he’ll start to think that the world revolves around you guys.  He’s resting quietly.  You might stop and get some larger diapers for him, though.  He definitely is growing.”

Uncle Howie and Mr. Nixon were climbing into Uncle Howie’s truck when I arrived.  I stopped them, “Gentlemen, if you have a few minutes, I’d like to talk to the three of you about an idea that Cole has suggested.”

We went to where Lenora was sitting on the porch and after I explained what Cole had suggested about the fence.  They each commented.

Uncle Howie started, “Doug, that’s a major project and I don’t think you have the time or probably the skills to do a project that large.”

Talk about a put down.

Leonora commented, “I’ve always thought it would be nice have a fence like that around Fairacres”

 

Mr. Nixon’s comment was straight and to the point, “Doug, I think that you might find that the cost of doing something like that would be prohibitive.”

I stood, “Thank you for your input.  Now I can at least talk to Cole somewhat intelligently.”

I went to a store to get the next larger size of Pampers and when I arrived at the house, my parents were there.  Mother was holding Benji, “We had to stop to see our grandson.  We can’t stay because we have to catch a flight at six o’clock and you know how long it takes to check in these days.”

She handed Benji to Dad and Benji suddenly became active, Autumn laughed, “I think Benji likes you Dad Christiansen.  He usually only acts like that around Cole.”

The parents only stayed a few more minutes, but they announced that they would be back the second week in July to spend a week.

After they departed, Autumn looked at me, “Doug, do you think that you should go check on the guys.  I would have thought that they would have been back by now.  I hope something hasn’t happened to them.”

“Autumn, I’m sure they’re fine, but I’ll go check on them.”

Autumn smiled, “I’ll start dinner while you’re gone.”

I climbed on The King and started to where I thought the guys might be.  We approached a small rise and as we arrived at the crest, I could see four naked teens in the water.

Jeff was the first to see me, “Come on in, Uncle Doug.  The water is great.”

Trevor challenged me, “I guess you’re afraid to let us see all of you.”

I thought to myself, ‘I can play their silly game.’  I climbed off The King and tied him to a tree then started shedding my clothes.  I tentatively approached the water expecting it to be cold.  Jeff was right; it was perfect.

I started swimming and I noticed that Cole had moved so that he was standing chest deep in water and not moving.  I swam toward him and I could see why he was not swimming.  He was totally erect.  I decided to not say anything.  I swam back to the shore area.  “I need to get back and report to Autumn that you’re fine.  She was worried that something might have happened.”

I didn’t even bother to put my briefs on.  I put on the jeans and shirt I had been wearing.  I felt so free.  When I walked into the house, I announced, “The guys are fine.  They were skinny dipping.  It is a beautiful spot and would make a great place to have picnics.  The water was perfect.  I’ll be back as soon as I get some dry clothes on.”

Autumn called after me, “I guess that means you went skinny dipping, too?”

“Yep.”

When I got back downstairs, the guys were just returning. Autumn saw them, “Doug, go see how many of them are going to be here for dinner, please?”

“Hey guys, Miss Autumn would like to know how many of you are going to be here for dinner.”

The guys came into the kitchen and Cole shook his head no, “I need to go help at The Shack since I took off on Friday and yesterday.  That will give my Grandparents a break.”

Trent and Trevor also declined.   Trevor spoke, “Jeff, we’ll swing by after we do our chores and eat.  Then we can go to a movie if it’s okay with Uncle Doug and Miss Autumn.”

Autumn giggled, “Guys, would you not refer to me as Miss Autumn?  You’re making me feel old.”

Trevor quipped, “Anyone who is married has to be old.”

“Cole, we need to talk about your suggestion for the fence.  Trent’s and Trevor’s father and Uncle Howie think it would be very hard work and is going to be very costly.”

Trent answered, “Mr. Christiansen, Cole and Jeff told us what they suggested.  Don’t turn the tap off yet.  Let us do some checking to see what it would entail and what the cost would be, before you can the idea.”

I looked at the guys, “Why is everybody always bossing me around?”

Cole looked at me, “Because you're so bossable, boss.”

That broke the four guys up and even Autumn started to laugh.

I put my hands on my hips, “I’m taking Benji and leaving.  He’s the only person around here that doesn’t try to boss me around.”

Jeff spoke up, “Don’t be too sure about that, Uncle Doug.  Cole has been training him.”

Cole turned to leave, “On that note, I need to leave.  I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

I watched as he stopped and gave Benji a kiss, “Be good, little man.”

Trent started to follow, “Come on Trev, we need to go too, before we get grounded again.”

Jeff announced, “I’ll go take care of the horses, since I’ve been sloughing off all weekend.”

Autumn waited until everyone was gone, “We surely do have some very dedicated friends here.”

It seemed so nice to have a quiet evening at home.  Autumn and I were able to finish the last of the Thank You notes for the wedding and baby gifts.  It took an extremely long time because we had to do two, sometimes three, to some individuals.  Benji certainly had a nice start on his college fund.

It was almost ten when Jeff arrived, “That was a dumb movie.  Is there anything special you want Cole and me to do tomorrow?”

“Jeff, you guys seem to have everything under control.  You’re primary job is to take care of Benji.”

Jeff laughed, “Uncle Doug, Cole isn’t about to let anything bad happen to Benji.  I‘ll see you in the morning.”

The next morning, I went and checked on Benji.  Jeff was sitting in his briefs feeding him.  “Jeff, aren’t you afraid that Autumn will see you like that?”

“Uncle Doug, why would she care?  After all, they hide what little I have, compared to you.  I’m guessing she has seen you naked so lighten up.  Here, feed Benji and I’ll go get dressed if it will make you happy.”

“Jeff, I wasn’t trying to upset you.”

I hadn’t realized that Autumn was standing behind me, “Jeff, ignore the prude.  He forgets that I had a younger brother.  You’re fine.  I’ll go start breakfast while Doug goes and checks on the horses.  I don’t see Cole’s truck.”

I went to the stable and there was no sign of the truck.  When I walked into the stable, Cole was standing there with tears in his eyes.   He looked at me, “Mr. Christiansen, I think I need to quit.  Yesterday was to hard on me.  I know you saw how your naked presence affected my sexual apparatus.  I don’t know that I can be around you all the time, especially if you are going to be nude in my presence.”

I was confused, “Cole, I’m twelve years older than you.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t love you.”

“Cole, I need to get ready for work.  I promise that I won’t let you see me naked again and you can’t quit.  That would leave Jeff here without any way to take care of Benji should something happen.   We’ll discuss this more later.  But please don’t quit.”

I made another strategic mistake, I hugged Cole, “Cole you are very special to us.”

Cole fell against me, “Doug, save a little corner of your heart for me.”

We heard Jeff calling, “Guys, where are you?  Uncle Doug, Aunt Autumn is getting ready to leave.  She says you need to get ready to go to work.  Cole, come eat breakfast and then we can watch Benji as we clean the stalls.”

Cole had pulled away from me, “Guess, the boss has spoken.”

As we were eating, the phone rang.  Jeff answered, “This is the Christiansen residence. … Hi, Trent, what’s up? … We’ll be ready.  I’ll get Benji’s car seat out of his dad’s car. … See you about ten.”

Jeff came back to the table, “That was Trent.  He's going to pick us up about ten to go shopping to price the materials for making the fence.”

“But I haven’t agreed to build a fence, yet.”

“Uncle Doug, we’re not going to buy anything.  We just going to check on what it might cost.  Besides, you and Aunt Autumn need to agree to what we are going to do.  Now go get ready for work while Cole takes care of Benji.  I’ll play Cinderfella.”

As I was leaving for work, I watched Cole talking to Benji.  The entire trip to the college was spent trying to decipher what had happened in the stable. I thought to myself, ‘I’m not gay and I truly doubt that Cole is gay.  Why does he think he loves me?  Is it because of Benji?’

When I walked into the office, Clark was waiting for me, “It’s so good of you to show, boss.  We was wondering where you were.  Madame President Harder has called a meeting of the faculty at ten o’clock and has specifically requested your presence.”

“Okay, I’m probably going to be fired.  I need the name of a good eye doctor in the area.”

Clark laughed, “I know the perfect person.  She will cure your tunnel vision problem.”

“The appointment isn’t for me.  What do you mean by tunnel vision problem?”

Clark looked aghast, “You mean that you didn’t realize that your eyes  immediately focus on the crotch of any guy that comes within your sight.  Who’s the appointment for, and when do you want it?”

“It’s for Cole.  I’d like him to have his eyes checked as soon possible.  He has a problem reading, and I think it might have to do with his eyes.”

“I’ll take care of the problem immediately, boss.  Andre and Coach Harder would have my butt if we didn’t get the starting quarterback’s problems fixed.”

I was working at my desk when Clark came in, “Boss, Cole has an appointment tomorrow morning at nine with Doctor Linda McGee.  She’s an ophthalmologist.  She’s very good; my family has used her for years.  We need to go to El President’s meeting.”

When we got to the area where the meeting was being held, I was directed to the stage where the podium was set up.  I was the only person there and I felt very uncomfortable.  President Harder came in and went to the podium, “Ladies and gentlemen, my husband and I are going to take an extended vacation during the entire month of July.  During that time, Dr. Douglas Christiansen will be acting in my stead.  If you have any problems, I’m sure that he will able to solve them, since the President and his wife were at his wedding.”

Dr. Harder turned to me, “Dr. Christiansen, would you like to say anything?”

I went to the microphone, “I would like to thank President Harder for not giving me any advance notice of what was happening; otherwise I would have soiled my trousers.  Ladies and gentlemen, if you have a problem, I’ll turn it over to my assistant Clark.  Honestly, I’m going to need the help of all of you to be able to make this institution run smoothly while the President and her husband are lounging around the nude beaches of France.”

President Harder took the microphone.  “Actually we’re going to be lounging on the beaches of South America and visiting the sights of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru and then we’re going to visit the Galapagos Island.”

I had some smart comments enter my head, but I declined to espouse them.  “Madame President, don’t cavort with turtles too much.”

As I was driving home, I was still concerned about what happened in the stable.  I decided to not say anything and let Cole bring up the subject.  When I arrived at Summerhill, there were no other vehicles there.

Jeff met me, “Uncle Doug, Aunt Autumn called and she had a late meeting.  We took care of the horses and Cole had to go help at The Shack.  The guys are going to be here about eight o’clock to discuss the fence project.  Cole seemed preoccupied all day.  Is something bothering him?”

“Jeff, I don’t know.  I’m sure he’ll tell us if he’s upset.”

Autumn arrived. “Something smells good.  Sorry, I’m so late.”

Jeff admonished us, “If I’m going to have to cook, then we need to buy some more food.  Most of the things on the shelves and in the freezer are out of date.  I’m going to go through the items tomorrow and pitch anything that has a date of more than three months after the best used by date.”

After dinner, the other three guys arrived and boy were they prepared.  They had two samples of what we thought we should do.  They not only had the samples, but a cost estimates worked up for the fence.  Cole finished the guys' presentation.  “We checked and we can go right to the manufacturer which is not far away and save the costs of the middle man and the transportation costs. We can do the work ourselves, assuming that everyone is adequately recompensed.”

“Guys, I appreciate the time that you have spent on this endeavor, but Autumn and I need to discuss this matter.  In the meantime, Cole, you have an appointment with Doctor Linda McGee tomorrow morning at 9:00 for an eye exam.”

Trevor fell on the floor, “Cole, you need to run now.  Once Witch McGee gets her hands on you, you’re doomed for life.  She’ll probably have you in trifocals so thick that your nose will fall off.”

Trent asked, “Mr. C., how did you get an appointment this fast with Dr. McGee?  She’s usually so busy that it takes over month to get an appointment to see her.”

“I had Clark make the appointment.  Don’t ask me how it happened; I don’t know.”

Jeff started to laugh, “The bossable, boss has been taking lessons on how to boss people around.  I think I need to go to bed since I’m going to be in charge of Benji again tomorrow.”

That was the sign for the other three guys to leave.

Autumn and I were looking at the plans the and figures that the guys had given us.  Autumn looked at me, “Doug, these figures seem very reasonable, but I’m concerned that the guys are taking on more of a task than they’re ready for.  They shouldn’t spend all their free time building a fence.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: I remember the table saw we had in shop class in high school.  It had a fence on it.  If someone is in charge of building fences, did he get the fence post?  I wonder if any of the guys took fencing lessons in school. Did they get the posts at the post office, or did they go to St. Louis and get them from the Post Dispatch? Was the girl that worked in the store where they bought the fence, named Barb Wire?

These and many other questions may be answered in the next chapter of this exciting story, but probably won't.

What is the ratio between the circumference of an igloo and its diameter? Well that is easy, it is Eskimo Pi.

Is Benjie going to be a dog to take care of?

When I get in a silly mood, I sometimes get a little goofy.

Why is it that Goofy, a dog in Disney cartoons, stands on his hind legs and can talk, while Pluto, a dog in Disney cartoons, who happens to be Mickey Mouse's dog can't?  A similar comparison could be made between Huckleberry Hound, who also stands on his hind legs, and can talk, while from the same studio, Quick Draw Mcgraw, who happens to be a horse, has a pet dog who acts like a dog.

Goofy and Huck can speak quite clearly, while Scooby do, has trouble making himself understood, and pronounces most all words as though they began with the letter R. Did I go off on a tangent?

Oh yes, this was a very good chapter, and introduced a couple of interesting points. I think that Cole loves Doug, and it looks as if Doug might be somewhat interested in guys. I wonder what is going to happen now.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 07/03/09