The Shimmering Ship

By: Radio Rancher
(Copyright 2015 by the author)
 

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

Chapter 17

Hi, this is Del, It seems that Darryl has been taken by the editing bug, and has been less than enthusiastic about writing the next chapter of our story, so I volunteered to try to bring everyone up to date.

As I sat there smiling, I thought back to the first day I saw Jamie. I had, in a way, bonded with him even before I existed. Delaren put all his knowledge in my brain when he created this body, and of course, that meant I already loved Jamie, more than anyone or anything, but when I materialized in the hall, just outside his bedroom door that day, there was something so intense, that I almost fainted before I could get in there and take him in my arms. I felt Delaren with me, and I could feel his love as well, but there was so much more. When Timmy first asked Delaren why he hadn't just materialized as a human, Delaren didn't stop to think of what he was doing. He just created a body, and filled it with what he figured the body would need, including, if you will, my soul. As I achieved consciousness, I realized, that I existed as a separate person from Delaren, although we shared thoughts and feelings, we were not one being.

I don't honestly know how long it took Delaren to realize it, but I don't think it was too long for him either. I don't think he put it together completely, until after I had made a body for Ralf. Once he saw how sad R.A.L.F. had become, and how Happy Ralf was, I think he began to realize, that he hadn't really achieved what he had wanted. Of course, he was happy for Jamie and me, but somehow, I think he felt that he was still being left out, just like R.A.L.F. Was. It was then, that I decided that I needed to get some help. I have several ideas floating in my mind, and one or more of them will pan out, I am sure. It is going to take some very hard work, but somehow, I am sure it will succeed. As strange as it seems, I think Darryl, and some of his author friends may be able to help us.

Sorry, I think I might be getting ahead of myself. I keep forgetting that, though time has no forward or backward motion in this plane of existence, it certainly does on that one. I guess I need to focus on who is going to read this. Sorry about that.

When Jamie opened the door to his bedroom that day, and I actually saw him, my heart started racing. I wasn't even sure what that meant at first, but, I caught his thoughts as well, and felt something passing between us, something that, I now know was deep passionate love. I could feel our minds touch, and then he reached out to me with his arms, and I did the same to him.

When I think about it now, I am sure there have never been two people as completely in love as we were, at that very moment. We sensed eachother's thoughts and feelings, and we were there for each other. There were no silly games, where we pretended to be shy and wary of each other. We knew that we were a perfect match. I think at first, Jamie was thinking he was in love with Delaren. I already knew that I loved Jamie, and I was not, in fact exactly, Delaren. I just waited, and held Jamie to me. We had our eyes closed as we held each other at first, then we slowly opened our eyes, and looked at one another. Right then, I am sure that Jamie picked up on the fact that I was a separate being, and that, in fact, he loved me, as Del.

I also know he still loves Delaren, but he loves him completely differently. It was strange, in a way, because, somehow, without saying it to each other, in any way, we both realized that we needed to hold back that little piece of knowledge from Delaren, at least till we could figure out a way to tell him, without hurting him. After all, without him, I wouldn't be alive, and Jamie wouldn't have had either of us to love him. Hmmmmm, strange isn't it?

When I whipped up the body for Ralf, I don't think I was thinking very carefully either, since I should have known what would happen. I didn't mean to leave R.A.L.F. Trapped in the computer, any more than I would have left Delaren trapped in his existence.

Jamie and I were linked, and of course, he knew what I was thinking, so we reconfigured our minds to close off that little tidbit, and keep it to ourselves. I realized something was strange, when I noticed that I was bonded directly to Jamie, but that I seemed to be bonded to Delaren differently, not the complete deep link, that I expected to find. Here I was, in essence, a substantial copy of his being, yet somehow separate and distinct. We didn't hide anything about how we felt about each other from Delaren, in fact we made sure to point out any feelings we had for each other. We simply didn't mention that there was a separation between Delaren and me. I think I might have been a little jealous of him, parading around the universe like he was, while Jamie and I were trapped in the ordinary life of young teens. I think I should also bring up a situation that I inadvertently brought about, one that has caused some very real problems, and one that I am going to have to repair quickly before there is more damage done, damage that might not be repairable if I don't do something soon.

Maybe I should tell you what happened.

Flashback......

"Wow Del that felt so good." Jamie sighed contentedly to me, as I held him lovingly, in my arms.

"I know, love. I never realized the depth of feelings you humans were capable of experiencing, in this form." I told him, softly, as I thought about what had just happened.

"Del, why does it get so hard so often, now?" Jamie asked me quietly, before continuing on to explain, "I mean... it.... it used to get that way, sometimes.... like when I played with it, and stuff, but not like this. Geeze, I mean sometimes, it actually hurts."

"It's because Delaren aged you to be thirteen, instead of six. Remember. Your body is going through a metamorphosis, and with those changes along come hormones, which cause that, along with the emission of fluids, when you reach your height of ecstasy." I told him. Delaren thought it would be better if we were closer to the same age. He and I thought we would be less conspicuous together as a couple, if we seemed to be the same age.

Jamie just snuggled back into my arms saying, "I'm so glad you did it, Del, this is awesome."

As I held him in my arms, feeling his love wash over me, I couldn't help but wonder, if indeed it was as awesome as Jaime believed it to be.

I knew I had given Jaime a great deal, but I still wondered, now and again if maybe I had taken something as well, something important.

We kissed each other deeply, and we faded from the rest of the universe, for an eternity, as we always did, when we kissed like that. God, I love him so much.

Of course one thing led to another, and we found ourselves becoming more and more passionate.

All thoughts of regret for my actions vanished for a while, as we made passionate love. Did I tell you that Jamie is my whole life?

After an interminable time of cuddling and loving we stirred, and took a leisurely shower together, once again taking time to explore the new feelings that our young bodies could provide, before reluctantly exiting the shower, and getting dressed for the day, then seeking the next most important thing to teenage boys, food.

There is a Chucky Cheese place about a block away from the house so Jamie and I decided to go get some pizza and have some fun. So much for the best laid plans.

When we got there the people at the restaurant wouldn't let us play in the play area. They said we were too big. Damn, that sucked. We bought our pizza and ate it as we sat in front of one of the video games. For some reason, though, we just couldn't concentrate on it properly. We decided to go home.

On our way home, we passed a playground that Jamie used to go to sometimes, before he met me. He had told me about it and how the other kids had always teased him. We decided to check it out now that he was not the little guy he used to be. We thought maybe he would be treated more fairly now that he was bigger, and was more athletic. No such luck. We walked up to some kids playing soccer, if you could call it that, they were not really very good at it and as we approached, one of them kicked the ball our way, so Jamie kicked it back to the guy. He took one look at us and freaked.

“Hey you guys don't belong here.” he said, looking like he was going to run, if we got any closer. I could feel the fear radiating from him. Jamie looked at me and mentally asked me what was going on.

“I am not sure, yet.” I told him.

Then we felt it, someone was crying or at least they really wanted to cry. Jamie and I both felt his anguish.

As we looked over across the makeshift soccer field, we saw this little guy all doubled up crying and trying not to look it.

It was a situation that Jamie knew all to well.

“We have to go help him.” Jamie said silently to me. I smiled at him.

“Of course we do.” I agreed.

We could “hear” the bullies making light of the poor kid's distress. I gave them each an impression of being very nauseated, and ready to throw up. It was so damn funny. They all ran like they were being chased by bears and headed for the restroom.

Our little guy was still sitting there holding his stomach and whimpering, trying not to cry, being as brave as he could. As we came closer, he started to scream. I didn't think he could have had that much power in his little lungs, but Gawd, could he ever scream. Jamie and I tried to calm him down, but it was no use. He was terrified of us. I guess he thought we were just like the bullies that had knocked him down. His mind was radiating fear and maybe some hatred. I had never felt so completely rejected and disliked by anyone before. He simply was not about to listen to us. Finally he screamed, “I hate you bastards, you damn big kids are always picking on us little guys.”

Just then a woman came running up to him and he leaped up to her and started sobbing, “They tried to beat me up.”

The woman turned toward us and she started yelling at us. “Just who do you think you are, you big bullies, that you think you can get away with hurting Kurt like that? Well, it stops right now. If you two don't get the fuck away from here right now, I am calling the police.”

“I think she is pissed.” I said to Jamie, silently.

“Why did they think we were going to hurt him?” Jamie sent.

“Damn, I think it is because we are so much bigger than he is.” I silently told him.

He looked up at me and started crying.

“Oh shit! Now what do I do?” I thought. Once again I began to ponder my options and what I could do to help the situation. I decided I needed to talk to Dorn and Ellen. I hoped that since they were adults, they may have some answers for us.

I put my arm around Jamie and we slowly walked home. I could feel his sobs as we walked. I didn't need to look in his mind, to feel his pain. When we walked into the house, Ellen saw Jamie's face and pulled him to her.

“What's wrong, honey?” she asked, as she looked at me.

I shook my head, and said, “I think we need to talk about some things that are going on, and if Jamie is willing, I think we need to make some changes.

I could feel the fear that suddenly erupted in Jamie's mind. I quickly reached in and softly soothed him.

“Don't worry, Jamie, I'm here, and I will always love you.” I said. Ellen looked first at Jamie and then at me.

“You really do love him, don't you.” she said. “I can see it in your eyes.”

“I love him more than anything or anyone, ever.” I said, meaning every word.

“Jamie,” I said, “I need to ask you something, and this is very important, maybe the most important thing we have ever talked about.”

He looked into my eyes, and nodded.

“Delaren and I have done something to you, that I/We had no right to do in the first place and especially without asking you or your folks. I admit I/we did it for what seemed a good reason, but, when I think about it now, there are so many more reasons that I/We shouldn't have done it, than there were for us to have done it, that I think we should think about undoing what I/We did.

Ellen looked at me and she smiled so wide that I thought her face would split. “Oh!” she said, “I didn't know you could undo it. If I had had any idea that you could put it back, I would have asked you to right away.”

“You mean you don't mind?” I asked in surprise.

Just then, Jamie jumped on me and hugged me, with such force, that I could hardly breathe.

“You can change me back?” he asked me, a huge smile on his face.

“Of course I can, I was just not sure if you would want me to. I didn't want to take something from you that you really wanted.”

“Del,” he said, smiling, “I love you, and I always will, but I want to be myself, and I am not really anything close to being grown up. I miss being able to run around, and play on the swings and stuff. The only thing that will bother me, is that you will still be 15, and won't want to hang out with a little kid like me.”

“Well, there is an answer to that, as well,” I told him, I just connected with Delaren, and he is willing to do something that together with what I do, will make us all happier, I think. He is going to teleport here soon, and when you see him, you will understand at least part of what is going to happen.”

I leaned over and kissed Jamie on his forehead.

Just then the doorbell rang and I went to open it. There in the doorway stood....................... Me.

“Holy Shit” I said.

“Hey dude, It was your idea.” He said. He was right, I suppose, but it is still rather chilling to see yourself standing in front of you.

Jamie came into the room, and looked back and forth between us. His mouth dropped open wide enough to drive a truck through.

“Which one is which?” he asked, looking first at me, and then at Delaren. We had him. At exactly the same time, we both said, “I'm Del.”

He looked at us both then he came over to me and hugged me. He slowly backed away and hugged Delaren.

“Ok.” he said, and came back to me. You're Del. He planted a huge wet kiss on my mouth.

“How did you know?” asked Delaren.

“You smell different.” Jamie giggled.

“What is going on here?”

“Just a minute,” I said, as I slowly grew younger in front of him.

“Oh my god! He yelled, and leaped on me and hugged me and kissed me. God it felt wonderful. I was only about four and a half feet tall and he was almost six feet, he just smothered me with kisses.

“Hurry up! Put me back young!” he begged.

So I pulled out all the stops, and reversed the aging I/we had done. I don't think there have ever been any happier people alive, than we were right then. Ellen and Dorn looked at us, and they both had the biggest smiles on their faces.

“We have one small problem,” Ellen said, looking back and forth, between Delaren and me. “Delaren, unless you change your appearance, people will think you are Del.” she said.

“Good,” said Delaren. “That's what I want them to think. My job and reputation, depend on them thinking I am Del. See, since Del is now seven years old, instead of 15, I don't think too many people would take him seriously. We need to have “Del” be at least 15 to be the least bit credible, but it isn't fair to Del and Jamie to keep them apart, by way of age, since they obviously love each other, and want to be together. So that takes care of them. Now I knew that I could do the job that I sent Del here to do. I had originally planned on doing it myself, in fact. I thought i would be using his body, as my own, foolish silly me, and I saw a way that I could fix things.

I was so lonesome out there in space, alone. I had thought when I brought Del into being, that he would be, in effect, me. Well that didn't work. He was here and a separate person. I was still out there alone, and missing the contact with others, especially Jamie. I started to get a little jealous. I began, slowly, I admit, to realize that I didn't know everything. That was a hard thing to take, believe me. I have always done things quickly, whenever it seemed the right thing to do, sometimes way too quickly, but we can all learn from our mistakes. I am very glad I made the mistakes i made, though, because I love Jamie and Del.” Now I will be Del, and so we have to think of a name for our young friend here. Any Ideas?”

I just looked at them, thinking, Hey, How about letting me decide what my name is. “I have It.” I said. “I'm going to keep the name Del. Delaren, You will be Del Sr. You will age to about 25, and I will be your son. Del Jr. My mom died in an accident while she was being rushed to the hospital to give birth. The doctors were able to save my life, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. How's that? We can fix the history to reflect that.”

“God, you're good. Little Del.” Del Sr. said, laughing.

We watched as he grew older and started to show signs of adulthood. He sported a small mustache.

He changed his clothes to look more mature.

“Daddy!” I squealed at him, as I jumped into his arms, for a big hug, from my handsome dad.

I love you, little Del,” he said ,as he kissed me on my cheek, and then hugged me so tight I though I would suffocate.

“Come here!” he said to Jamie, and Jamie ran to his arms, for a huge hug and kiss as well.

Jamie held him tight, and said, “I love you, Uncle Del.”

Del Sr. smiled and said, “I am so glad we finally did the right thing and put you back to the right ages. I remember something I learned from a very smart person a long time ago.

She said, “You only have one childhood, so make the most of it.”

“Oh, Shit!” Said Del Sr. “We forgot about Timmy, Jimmy and Johnny. I aged them, too. We have to put them back, too, if they will agree. I don't know what kind of home life they each have, but it might not be as easy to get them to want to go back.”

“All we can do is ask them how they like being older and if they could have the choice, would they like to go back?” said Jamie.

“We will ask them tomorrow.” said Del Sr.

Uncle Del, can I ask you a favor? It is something I have wanted for ever so long, and of course I need to ask you, too, Del, if you wouldn't mind? Can I be a teen again for a while, and make love to you, Uncle Del, with us being the same age, please?” I love you so much and I never thought it would be possible to show you how much you mean to me. I knew that you loved me, too, and you always seemed so sad when we had to say good-bye. If we could do it just this once, I would be so happy.” he said.

I looked in his eyes, and saw the longing there. After all, it was Delaren that he had fallen in love with first. I sort of felt left out for a minute, but then I remembered how Delaren felt, floating out there alone in space, dreaming of Jamie, and loving him so much, that it hurt.

I realized that there was no way I could object to them having one beautiful encounter, perhaps more, I figured we can share the wealth. After all, Jamie had enormous amounts of love to give, and Delaren had been alone for so long. I smiled and said, “It's ok with me. Go for it.”

Jamie aged to about 16 or 17 it looked like, and Del Sr. slowly lost a couple of years, and they were a perfect match. They hugged each other and walked hand in hand to Jamie's bedroom. I sat on the couch and looked at Dorn and Ellen.

“Did we do the right thing, giving him back his childhood?” I asked.

“Yes!” They chorused. “You certainly did.”

“Good,” I said, and I walked over to Dorn, reached up and hugged him, and climbed in his lap.

“I love you both,” I said, as I snuggled into his chest, while he rubbed my back, gently. It felt so good. I had two daddies now.

To be continued...

Author's note – Del:

There is more to tell, but since Radio Rancher has taken so long to post a new chapter, we decided that we would divide it up into two chapters and get this one out as soon as possible. Maybe he will be ready to write it himself for the next installment. I hope so, I never knew how difficult it is for the authors to write stuff. It's a darn good thing we are here to help them I guess.

Del.

Author's note – RR:

I need to tell you a few things.

First, I want to thank Del for writing this last chapter.

and I want to thank Dark Star and str8mayb for helping me to realize how important childhood is.

When I talked it over with Del and Delaren they agreed that something needed to be done, and we are happy to help that happen.

On another note, I now have a new editor, namely TSL, our erstwhile Chief Editor at the Fort.

Thank you very much, TSL.

I sent him a box of commas, in case he needs them.

Thanks goes too, to Elsie as well, and we all wish her well in whatever she does.

Darryl
RR

Editor's Notes:

I was very surprised and happy to see this chapter in my inbox. The Radio Rancher with help from his characters has brought us back to his wonderful world of Delaren and gang. This chapter gives us more insights into the characters of the story and also corrects what in hindsight was a mistake by Delaren. Sometimes getting what you wish for is not always a good thing. Childhood is a very important part of your life and everyone deserves one. To those of you experiencing your second or even third childhood, enjoy them. My thanks also to DarkStar and Str8mayb for their suggestions and input into this chapter.

TSL aka The Story Lover

Re-posted  9/11/2015