devyns-struggle-24

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Subject: Devyn’s Struggle V2 24 This is a fictional story involving sexual acts between two or more men. If this offends you, why are you here? If you are under the legal age to read sexually explicit material then do not read any further. This story in no way represents any person living or dead. Any resemblance to any real person is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the author and no copying or posting to any other website is permitted without the author’s written consent. Please help keep Nifty going by donating to this awesome fty/donate.html Devyn’s Struggle V2 Chapter 24 “Are you alright,” Joe asked Devyn once they were in the truck. “Sure,” Devyn answered. “You know I don’t want to hurt you,” Joe said. “But if me dating Ethan is going to be a problem…” “No,” Devyn cut in. “I mean, I, I know you don’t feel for me how I want you to feel.” “It isn’t something that you can force,” Joe said. “But never doubt that I do love you.” “Ethan is a good guy,” Devyn said. “I’m glad you found someone you are interested in having a relationship with. “Thanks,” Joe said. “You are a remarkable young man.” Devyn looked out the window. He was trying to sort out all the emotions running thru his mind. He did want Joe to be happy. He liked Ethan. He loved Joe in so many ways and could not sort out the different layers of their relationship. “So how did you like the campus?” Joe asked. “It was nice,” Devyn said. “Do you think you would like to go there after you have graduated?” Joe asked. “I picked up an application,” Devyn said. Joe heard the uncertainty in the teen’s voice. He took his eyes off the road and could see a worried look in Devyn’s eyes. “Did something happen today?” he asked concerned. “No,” Devyn said but did not elaborate. “You know you can tell me anything,” Joe said. “I know,” Devyn said but he did not volunteer any additional information. “this only works if you actually tell me,” Joe said patiently. “Let me know what is bugging you. I might be able to help and if I can’t, well, it helps to share your problems.” “It is just,” Devyn paused then started again. “College costs a whole lot.” “Is that all,” Joe said relief flooding his voice. “Is that all! Do you know how much it costs to just go there. It doesn’t even matter if I live there. It is still nothing I could afford and I won’t be getting any help from my parents.” “Devyn,” Joe said softly. “I do know how much it costs. I looked it up online. It is fine. There is financial aid and college loans and we will figure it all out. I have been pretty good with money, so I am sure we will be able to send you there or any other college you want to attend.” “You should not have to give up your savings to send me to college,” Devyn said. “My, my, my parents should be doing that.” Joe could hear the tears under the words. He could feel Devyn’s hurt. He wanted to make the hurt go away, but he knew there were some scars that would always hurt a little. “You know Devyn, I love you,” Joe said. Maybe they could not understand you being gay. Maybe they don’t understand that love comes before fear and prejudice. I know it hurts and I sympathize completely. Maybe one day…” “no,” Devyn said shaking his head. “they will never understand. They will never comprehend how they hurt me. They will never know how much what they did hurt.” “You never did tell me about telling them,” Joe said. “I mean I know they were not accepting and it did not go well in the police station.” Hannah had told Joe about her encounter with Devyn’s parents and the fact that they had waked out on him when he needed them. “I told you about me and Brent and our first time, um, alone together,” Devyn said. “You did,” joe said. “Is that when you decided to come out to your folks?” “Not exactly,” Devyn said. “We had that one awesome night together. We went up to my room and were going to sleep for a few hours. We both wanted to do more with each other. I think we both wanted the other to be the first.” Devyn awoke to Brent’s warm body curled up next to him. He felt the soft smooth skin and felt his friend’s warm breath on his own bare skin. He soon noticed that there were birds chirping and sunlight was streaming through the Window. The two of them had slept longer than they had expected. Devyn lay there enjoying the feeling of Brent next to him. He liked listening to his friend’s soft breathing and the light snoring sounds. Devyn lay there listening and feeling the warm body next to him. There was something about both being completely naked in bed together. For Devyn, it was a great feeling. Devyn shifted a bit and felt Brent begin to stir. He felt his friend move closer to him. He felt Brent’s arm move around him and felt Brent’s man hood pressing against him. Reaching back, Devyn began fondling Brent’s flaccid member. He played with the soft flesh and slowly felt it begin to harden. “Mmmmm,” came from Brent’s lips as he began to wake up. “Good morning to you too,” Brent said his blue eyes finding Devyn’s brown ones. “Hi, do you like your wake-up call,” Devyn asking grinning as he was massaging Brent’s growing penis. “Oh yeah, I sure do,” Brent said feeling his body responding to Devyn’s touch. Brent was fully hard now. His erection was feeling so good in Devyn’s talented hand. “Good,” Devyn said rubbing Brent’s smooth balls. “Shoot we fell asleep for longer than just a couple of hours,” Brent said. “Yeah,” Devyn said, “but we still have lots of time together. We still have time to, um, do whatever you want.” “Great,” Brent said, “because I do want too.” Brent’s hand found Devyn’s member and slowly began stroking it. His hand was moving up and down the hard piece of flesh. They pushed the covers off and moved closer in the bed. Their lips found each other and they did not even notice the morning breath of the other. “Devyn, I really want to, to, um, you know.” “You want to be inside me?” “Yeah, is that okay?” “It’s great that you want to with me. I, I am just a little nervous.” “Me too, but I’ll stop whenever you say stop.” “Okay, but I want to be in you sometime too.” “Well, if we have time and the motivation, maybe today. BUT RIGHT NOW,” Brent’s words trailed off as they both knew exactly what Brent wanted and Devyn was more than willing to give him what he wanted. As Devyn was moving onto his hands and knees he said, “The lube is in my sock drawer.” Brent studied the image of his naked friend getting into position. He grabbed the Vaseline from Devyn’s sock drawer. “Be sure to use plenty of that stuff,” Devyn said watching Brent begin to stroke the slippery stuff up and down his shaft. Brent moved between Devyn’s legs. His erection was slick with the Vaseline. His hands were gripping Devyn’s cheeks and pulling them apart. “You ready?” Brent was a bit nervous as he asked the question. “Yes,” Devyn said. Devyn felt the slick ness of Brent’s penis pressing between his cheeks. He felt it sliding up and down his crack and then felt it against his sphincter. Brent began applying more and more pressure pushing his greased-up erection into his best friend. “Ohohohoh,” Devyn groaned in pain as Brent stretched him and slid the head into his hole. “Does it hurt?” “Like hell,” Devyn said gritting his teeth. “Should I pull out?” Brent asked. “Nah, just give it a minute,” Devyn said trying to ride the wave of discomfort. He should have done what Matt said and had Brent loosen him up with his fingers first. Devyn also could remember Matt telling him to play safe and use a condom. He knew Brent had brought them, but they were downstairs. He wondered if he should have Brent stop and go get one. The pain was starting to subside so Devyn decided that this one time would be alright. He trusted Brent and knew the guy had not been with anyone else. Brent waited to give his friend time to become use to having something inside him. Then Brent pushed forward and forced more of his erect penis into Devyn. Devyn winced with new pain as Brent pushed more inside. He waited and felt his friend push again. He gritted his teeth and kept quiet. He hoped the pain would pass. “How do guys stand this?” Devyn thought. “Is it always so bad?” Devyn tried not to think of the pain in his butt. He tried to think about Brent and giving Brent pleasure. “Oh Devyn,” Brent sighed at the pleasure. “oh man.” Brent pushed harder and forced the remainder of his shaft inside. “Ararararg,” Devyn cried out loud as Brent pushed deeper. “You okay?” Brent asked. “Yeah,” Devyn said trying to breathe thru the pain. “yeah, just hold still.” Devyn took several deep breaths. He tried relaxing and willing his anus to accept the member that had been forced inside. Brent ran his hands over Devyn’s tense back. His fingers were feeling the warm skin and the taught muscles underneath. Brent pulled back bursa escort and felt some of the tension leave Devyn. Then he pushed back inside. His pubes were pressing against Devyn’s cheeks. In and out Brent began to move. He thought the grunts coming from Devyn were sounds of pleasure. He felt like his whole body was inside his cock. Everything he was at that moment was down there in his man hood which was sliding in and out of his best friend’s butt. “Oh, gawd Devyn,” Brent said in pleasure. “Oh gawd. It feels great. It feels sooo good.” Brent gripped Devyn’s sides and began thrusting harder. His whole body working to push himself in and out of Devyn. Devyn grunted with each inward thrust of Brent’s pelvis. The firm man flesh being forced inside Devyn over and over. The pain was not as bad as at the beginning, but it still hurt every time Brent pushed deep inside. Brent’s thrust began to come a little faster. His penis began to push harder and harder into Devyn. “Oh, oh, Devyn.” Brent moaned as he was thrusting in and out. Just as Brent felt his testicles pulling up, Devyn’s bedroom door flew open. The door moving did not get the boys attention, but the loud shocked voice froze them both. “What the hell!” Frank’s voice was loud and shocked and some other emotion that neither Brent nor Devyn could put into words. “Dad!” Devyn said shocked. “Get out, get the hell out of my house,” Frank yelled looking at Brent. “We were…” Brent started. “I said to get out,” frank yelled at Brent. “I want you out of here and I want you out now.” Brent pulled his messy cock from Devyn. It had already started softening when Brent had seen Frank in the doorway. Frank looked enraged. His face was red and the blood vessels across his forehead and along his neck were popping out. Brent thought the man might have a stroke or a heart attack. “Get OUT!” Frank yelled again when Brent was not moving fast enough. Frank bellowed again and this time Brent moved. He scrambled for his clothes and could not find them. His brain slowly realized they were still downstairs where he and Devyn had begun their fooling around. “My, um clothes are…” Brent started to say but his words were cut off by the look on Frank’s face. “I don’t give a fuck about your clothes,” Frank said. “I just want your disgusting filthy faggot ass out of my house. I want you out of here and I don’t want to see you here again.” “Dad stop it. We were…” Devyn said but the look that frank gave his son froze whatever Devyn had been going to say in his throat. Devyn had never seen such a furious, disappointed and disgusted look on anyone’s face before. He did not know anyone could convey so much in one look, but there was little chance of mistaking the anger and revulsion that Frank obviously was feeling. Brent moved toward the door grabbing one of Devyn’s tee shirts to cover himself. As Brent moved towards the door, he also got closer to Frank. Frank Grabbed him slamming him against the wall. Frank’s grip digging into the flesh a Brent’s arm. “I don’t ever want you in my house again,” Frank yelled into Brent’s face. “I don’t ever want to see you trying to screw up my son like this again. I want your queer ass to stay away from me and my family.” “Dad it isn’t Brent’s fault. He didn’t do anything wrong.” Devyn could tell that Franks’ grip was causing Brent pain and he hoped that Frank would not go crazy like he had with Matt and Bryan. “He didn’t do anything wrong,” Frank said. “He didn’t do anything wrong. What the fuck do you mean. He was fucking raping you. He was making…” “Dad no it…” Devyn began but Frank shouted over him. “I should call the police and have his ass thrown into jail,” Frank said. “He could get what he deserves in there.” Frank and Devyn’s voices both kept getting louder and louder as each tried to yell over the other one. Brent slipped out the door. Brent could still feel the pain from Franks grip. His lightly tan skin was marked by the red imprint of franks fingers in his flesh. He felt very self-conscious as he moved naked past Judy and down the stairs to find his clothes. “You will stay away from that unnatural freak,” Frank ordered. “Dad, Brent is my best friend,” Devyn said. “He’s not your friend,” Frank shouted. “He’s a fucking pervert. I can’t believe you were being forced like that by him.” “Dad,” Devyn began. “He wasn’t forcing me. I love him.” Devyn’s words were in a normal voice his words having more impact than if he had shouted them. “You what?” Frank said knowing he could not have heard his son correctly. “Dad, I’m gay,” Devyn said the words before he knew it. “We love each other.” “No! No,” Frank said. “you are just confused.” “No Dad,” Devyn said. “I’m not confused. I am gay and Brent and I we are in love with each other.” Devyn could not believe how things had went so badly. He could not believe that he was telling his father this while still completely naked and his boyfriend still in the house. How had things gotten to this point? “You make me sick then. You make me sick,” Frank shouted. “Frank,” Judy said stepping into the room. Judy could not bring herself to look at her naked son. She could not think about what had been going on here while they had been gone. “Dad,” Devyn said, “it isn’t like I chose this. It is just how God made me.” “God, god! God has nothing to do with this,” Frank said. Devyn looked at his father. He felt a though he might vomit any moment. But he met Frank’s gaze. “Well, it is how I am. I can’t change.” Devyn’s voice was defiant. He could not believe how strong it sounded to his own ears as he felt so sick inside. Devyn moved to the dresser and pulled open a drawer. He pulled out a pair of jeans. He pulled them on so that he was not standing there completely naked in front of his parents. This whole thing was so embarrassing and he could feel his face reddening as he felt ashamed at having been caught like this. “This cannot be,” Frank said looking at his half-dressed son. “Dad,” Devyn began trying to keep his voice level. “I tried to fight it. I tried to but I can’t.” “Then you can’t live here!” Frank’s voice was loud and commanding. “What?” Devyn said shocked. “Dad you don’t mean that.” “Frank what are you saying?” Judy asked. “I won’t have some perverted queer living in my house,” Frank said. “I just won’t have it.” “Dad don’t do this,” Devyn said his voice trembling as he stood there facing his Dad. Their eyes never meeting. “Devyn get out,” Frank said. “Take some clothes and get the hell out of here. When you are willing to change and be a man, then come home.” Frank turned his back on his son and left the room. His body rigid with the emotions he was feeling. Every muscle taught inside him. Judy’s eyes looked as if the tears were going to start falling any moment now. She did not say a word as she turned and followed her husband out of the room. Devyn dropped down on the bed. He could not believe this was happening. He tried to hold back the tears. His body shaking as he tried not to cry. “It was worse than I could have imagined,” Devyn said looking over at Joe. The man had listened in silence as Devyn had talked. “I know that sort of pain,” Joe said. “Do you?” Devyn asked. Reaching over joe squeezed the teenager’s shoulder. “I do,” he said. “My dad did the same thing to me. Throwing me out when he found out I was gay.” Devyn reached up and placed his hand on top of Joe’s and squeezed. “Maybe you do understand,” he said. “It doesn’t matter. I will get thru it.” “It does matter,” Joe said. “But I also know you will get thru it. because you are one of the strongest people I know and have ever known.” “Yeah, right,” Devyn said sarcastically. “It is true,” Joe said. “How can you say that,” Devyn said. “Look at what I did. Look at what I let Tom do to me.” “Yes,” Joe said, “that is exactly why you are the strongest guy I have ever known. Not too many people could go thru that and still be the man you are. You are one hell of a good guy.” “You really mean that,” Devyn said surprised. “You should know I do,” Joe said. “I have told you often enough that I love you.” “I always thought you loved me despite what I went thru,” Devyn said. “Not despite what you went thru,” Joe said, “but because of what you went thru and how you managed to overcome it.” “I had you and Hannah,” Devyn said. “I could not have done it without you.” “I think you would have broken free from Tom,” Joe said. “You do not give yourself enough credit.” “I should have been smart enough to have not gotten mixed up with Tom,” Devyn thought looking out the window. They reached the farm and Joe and Devyn slid from the cab of the truck. Joe started towards the house but before he could take more than a few steps Devyn cut him off and threw his arms around him. Joe returned the hug and squeezed bursa escort bayan Devyn tight to him. “What is this all about,” he asked. “I just want you to know I love you. I don’t think you know just how much I love you.” “I love you too,” Joe said and squeezed Devyn a little tighter. “We talked so much about me, that I didn’t hear how your date went with Ethan.” “It wasn’t a date,” Joe said. “Oh, it wasn’t,” Devyn said. “You went out and ate right?” “Yes,” Joe said walking towards the house. “you walked around and talked and got to know each other better,” Devyn said. “right?” “Yes,” Joe answered. “You went back to his place,” Devyn said. “You know we did,” Joe said moving up the steps of the porch. “You two kissed,” Devyn said. “How did you…” Joe said looking surprised at Devyn. He knew the boy had not had a chance to be told that by Ethan. “I didn’t until now,” Devyn said snickering. “It was a date goof ball.” “You little,” Joe said in mock anger. “I’m going to kick your ass.” “gotta catch me first,” Devyn said and took off running laughing as Joe chased him. Devyn darted around the side of the house and then around the back. Joe chased after him laughing as he threatened to plant his boot in Devyn’s back side. Devyn charged up the porch steps and into the house. Joe right behind him and then. “Surprise!” Hannah and Travis cried. “hey!” Joe said surprised. “It is about time you two got home,” Hannah said. Travis started signing rapidly. “Yes partner, I surprised,” Joe signed back. Then Hannah hugged her brother and then Devyn. “It is good to see you two.” “You too,” Devyn said. “I did not see your car out there,” Joe said a little confused. “I parked it back behind the barn so you wouldn’t see it,” Hannah explained. “We wanted you to be surprised.” “We waiting for ever,” Travis signed. “Yes, he has been very impatient for you two to get home,” Hannah said. “surprises for you,” Travis signed. “for both of us?” Devyn asked. “YES!” Travis shouted in his slurred speech. “Awesome,” Devyn said. “yes, we brought cake,” Hannah said. “We love cake,” Joe signed. “And more,” Travis signed. “Like?” Joe asked. Travis pointed at the living room and then clapped his hands. Devyn looked at the living room and there standing in the doorway was Todd. He was so surprised he didn’t move for a long minute. He just stood and looked at his friend. It almost felt like someone had come back from the grave. “TODD!” Devyn finally cried and ran to pull his friend into a tight bear hug. “I missed you. I really missed you.” Devyn could still remember the first time he had met Todd. It had been after a particularly rough night of work. Devyn opened his eyes and saw the bottom of the top bunk bed. He realized he was in his room In Tom’s apartment. He did not remember crawling into bed. Devyn lay there looking at the bottom of the upper bunk. His mind was a little foggy as it was most mornings. He knew that staying with Tom was not the right answer. He was afraid to be out by himself. He did not know where he would go or what he would do. He wondered if maybe he should try one of the shelters he had seen when he had been out exploring the city. Tom had never minded what Devyn did during the day if the boy was ready for work when there was a customer. So, Devyn had taken some of his free time to go out and explore the city. On one of his trips, he had passed several shelters and one place for teenagers. Devyn wondered if it was time to leave Tom and try making it on his own. Devyn got slowly to his feet. His head felt like it weighed twenty pounds. He made a soft groan as his head swam for a moment. “Oh hey, you’re finally awake,” A voice said from above Devyn. Devyn looked up quickly and felt his head swim again. It took his eyes a minute to focus on the face that had popped out from the top bunk. “You were asleep a long time. I didn’t know if you were ever going to wake up.” “Who, who are you?” Devyn asked. “Oh, I’m Todd. I live here now.” “You what?” Devyn said confused. Devyn was still having trouble concentrating. His mind did not seem to want to focus any better than his eyes were. “I live here,” he said. “We are going to share this room. Tom found me last night…well not last night, but he brought me home last night.” “He did?” Devyn said still trying to process it. “Yeah,” he said. “he is just great. He gave me some really good stuff to eat. He bought me a few new clothes and then said that I could live here. He’s a great guy. So nice and kind…” Devyn tuned out the voice while he tried to wrap his head around this new person and everything, he had just told Devyn. “I was living in this foster home,” he said, “but the people there were not nice. They hit me and sometimes they would lock me out of the house. That is how tom found me. They had locked me out and I wasn’t sure where to go. I was just sitting on the curb when tom came along and started talking to me. He was so nice and warm and all.” Devyn was having an easier time focusing now. his eyes could clearly see the boy with the sandy colored hair and the green eyes. His face was friendly and his curly hair made him look cute. Devyn judged him to be 14 or fifteen. “so, tom brought you here to live,” Devyn said. “Right,” he said. “We’re going to be brothers. That is if you stay. Tom said you might leave. He said you were not being a good boy.” “I um don’t know,” Devyn said. “You should really be a good boy,” he said. “You should be nice to tom. He’s great.” Devyn pushed himself from the bottom bunk and stood up next to the beds. His body aching as he straightened up. “Wow did you fall down or something?” he said pointing at Devyn’s bruised torso. “You got lots of oweis.” Devyn looked down at the black, blue and purple bruises that covered his body. He could not believe the man had not broken a couple of bones. “Um, yeah or something,” Devyn said. Devyn looked at the top bunk at the form laying hidden under the sheets. The boy’s shoulders were sticking out of the sheets as he lay a bit sideways on the bunk bed. His shoulders looked broad and well-muscled. “What did you say your name was again?” Devyn asked trying to clear his mind of the fog. “Todd,” he answered. “Right Todd,” Devyn said. Devyn wondered just what had happened last night. His mind did not seem to want to focus. He felt as though he was swimming in mud. “You should be more careful,” Todd said studying Devyn’s almost naked body. “Those look like they hurt really bad.” Devyn moved to the mirror on the dresser and looked at his reflection. He did look like he had fallen down a flight of stairs. He had no idea that Russell had hit him so much. The pills and alcohol must have blocked out some of what had happened with Russell. They sure were keeping Devyn from feeling his bruised and beaten body as much as he probably would otherwise. Devyn saw Todd’s reflection in the mirror. The other boy was sitting up in bed now. The sheet that had been covering him had fallen to his waist. His broad shoulders and large chest were clearly visible to Devyn. The boy’s face did not seem to go with that body. His chest was smooth with large nipples, but it seemed to well be developed for such a young guy. “Um, Todd, how old are you?” Devyn asked. “Oh, I’m 19,” Todd answered. Devyn could not believe it. The guys face was so young looking. Plus, he seemed to talk and act younger than 19. Of course, Devyn had to admit that his mind was not exactly working correctly this morning. The fog just would not lift off him. Todd jumped out of the bunk landing on his two well-muscled legs. He was about two inches taller than Devyn and probably a good 40 pounds heavier. The guy was very well muscled and had a genuinely nice body. Devyn could understand why tom had picked him up. He also figured tom liked the very young-looking baby face on this nineteen-year-old. “I think we will be good friends Devyn,” Todd said. “Um, Todd, maybe you won’t want to stay here. Maybe you will want to go back to your foster family.” “No, no, no,” Todd said. “they don’t love me. Tom’ loves me. He told me so, plus he hugged me and rubs my back and, and…” Todd grew silent and Devyn saw some confusion in his eyes. “And what Todd?” Devyn asked turning to look directly at the older boy. “well, he sometimes touches me, in my private places,” Todd said. “Oh, yeah, He likes to do that,” Devyn said. “I, I don’t mind really, but it makes me feel funny.” “I know Todd. I know,” Devyn said. As they both dressed, they continued to talk. Todd did most of the talking. Devyn just tried to pay attention and take in everything Todd was saying. Devyn was realizing that Todd might be nineteen, but he was not quite nineteen mentally. “Ah, I see you two are getting to know each other,” Tom said when the two escort bursa boys made their way into the kitchen. “Yeah, Devyn is really cool tom. He is so nice. He has lots of oweis though. He fell down or something.” “Yeah, Devyn needs to learn to be more careful and be a good boy like you Todd.” Tom looked directly at Devyn as he talked. He knew his meaning would be understood by Devyn and not by Todd. “Todd is a good boy. I’ll help Devyn be a good boy so he doesn’t get more owies,” Todd said patting Devyn’s back gently. “I hope Devyn pays attention and learns to be more like you Todd,” Tom said. “Um, you might have told me that you were going to be bringing someone home,” Devyn said his voice flat as he tried to keep his emotions from showing. “Oh, do I have to tell you what I am going to do in my own home?” Tom’s voice showed his annoyance with the younger teen. “Remember you’re a guest Devyn.” “Am I?” Devyn said. “Yes,” Tom said, “and you can leave whenever you want. Especially now that I have a good boy like Todd here.” “Oh, don’t leave Devyn please,” Todd said. “Please! I would miss you.” “I’d miss you too,” Devyn said. Devyn suddenly found himself being pulled into a powerful hug. Todd’s strong arms wrapping around him and squeezing the air out of his lungs. “Hey, hey, take it easy their man,” Devyn said. Pain shot through Devyn. Todd’s embrace putting pressure on all of Devyn’s bruises. “Oh, oh I’m sorry Devyn,” Todd said. “I am sorry. I forgot your owies. I can kiss them and make them better if you want.” “That’s okay,” Devyn said a smile quirking his lips. “Just take it easy on me until they go away.” “I will, I will,” Todd Promised. Devyn could not keep the smile from his lips or his eyes. Todd seemed to be filling a void Devyn did not even know he had. “Yes Todd, take it easy on Devyn,” Tom said looking directly at Devyn as he spoke. “He needs to get better so he can go back to work. He has several clients that want to meet with him.” The smile left Devyn’s eyes and mouth as he realized that Tom was not going to give him much of a break from working. The three of them had toast and eggs for breakfast which Devyn ended up fixing. He had been doing the cooking for him and tom, so one more person was not that hard to cook for. In fact, Devyn liked cooking for someone who complimented his cooking. He could not get over how much enthusiasm Todd had for even the most routine of tasks. After breakfast, Todd went to watch a few shows on TV and that left Devyn and tom alone in the kitchen. “Okay, so what is up with Todd,” Devyn asked tom very softly so Todd could not hear. “What do you mean?” Tom asked looking at the teenager. “You know exactly what I mean,” Devyn said meeting Tom’s gaze. “He says he is nineteen, but he doesn’t act nineteen. He acts younger than he is.” “His mental development is kind of stuck,” Tom answered. “He is very bright, but his interpersonal skills are more of a 10 or 11-year-old. He is beautiful though isn’t he. He will make a good addition to our team. I am sure he will be a good boy for my customers.” “tom you can’t do those things with him…you can’t have him doing what I do,” Devyn said. Devyn felt sick at the idea of Todd doing what Devyn had been doing. “He won’t understand.” “I’m sure he will understand just fine,” tom said. “I’ll bring him along a little slower…that is if you are going to be staying.” “Tom, I just don’t…” Devyn said. “You just don’t what?” Tom asked cutting Devyn off. “You just don’t like earning your way in the world. You don’t like having a roof over your head or having food in your belly? Maybe you don’t like the clothes I have put on your back?” “yes,” Devyn said. “But…” “No buts Devyn!” Tom said. “If you want those things you have to work for them. You got it pretty damn easy. There are kids in this world that do a hell of a lot more manual labor than you do. You just have to take care of one or two clients a week and you are done. The rest of the time is yours.” “But Russell, he beat me,” Devyn said. “I have bruises on top of bruises. They fucking hurt.!” “That guy was a little rough but that aren’t all like him,” Tom said. “You liked that one guy with the bodybuilder body.” “He was at least nice,” Devyn said. “He did not beat the shit out of me.” “He already wants you back,” tom said. “I was going to send Todd over but maybe since he already knows you…” “If I take care of him and keep working,” Devyn began, “does that mean you will leave Todd alone. You won’t make him work?” “Well,” Tom said, “if you keep my clients satisfied, then I guess Todd won’t really be needed for those services. Are you going to take responsibility for the retard?” “I don’t think you should call him that,” Devyn said perturbed. “I’ll take that as a yes then,” Tom said his lips turning up into one of those scary smiles Devyn had seen before. “Whatever,” Devyn said getting up. “Oh, and I have a couple of meetings this morning,” tom said watching Devyn moving stiffly. “I think I have found a modeling gig for you.” “Yeah, whatever,” Devyn said moving to join Todd. Devyn left the kitchen and joined Todd on the sofa. He sat and watched the cartoon channel with Todd and heard Tom leave. Devyn spent the day with Todd. They watched a lot of cartoons and then went for a walk around the neighborhood. Todd was fascinated by everything and never seemed to stop talking. Devyn let Todd ramble on. He just tried to jump in occasionally with a few words or to explain something Todd asked questions about. Devyn wondered if Tom would really keep from making Todd work the way Devyn did. He wanted to protect Todd from the services that Tom had Devyn performing for the clients. “I missed you too,” Todd said pulling Devyn’s mind back from the past. “I thought you were gone forever. That is what Tom told me. He said you got into trouble for doing bad things and were not ever coming back home. I cried and cried. Then Tom hit me for being a baby.” “I’m sorry about that Todd,” Devyn said. “But you are okay,” Todd said. “You aint hurt.” “No, I am better than ever,” Devyn said releasing Todd. “And we don’t have to worry about Tom any longer.” “way to go sis,” Joe said smiling at his sister. “Oh, Todd is Devyn’s surprise, but there is one for you too,” Hannah said. “there is?” Joe said. In the excitement of Devyn and Todd’s reunion, Joe had not noticed Travis scamper from the room. He did however see him return carrying an almost white puppy. The puppy was struggling and wiggling and finally slipped from Travis to land with a soft plop onto the kitchen floor. “You didn’t,” Joe said. “OH yes we did,” Hannah said. “It was Travis’ idea. He said it was time for you to get a second dog. He picked this one out of a bunch of about 50 that the APL had outside the store. He said this one had to go to Uncle Joe. “thank you buddy,” Joe signed. He leaned down to pull Travis into a tight hug and kissed his nephew’s cheek. “You like him?” Travis asked. “I love him,” Joe said scratching the dog’s ears. “Is it really okay?” Hannah asked. “Yes, Sis it is,” Joe said. “We already introduced him to Barkley,” Hannah said. “The puppy was overjoyed at his new big brother. Barkley on the other hand was no to excited.” “he won’t be able to keep up with this guy,” Joe said. “I think he is always going to have a limp.” “It isn’t too soon?” she asked softly. “No, it isn’t,” Joe said after having scooped the puppy up and continuing to scratch the puppy. “I probably would have gotten a pup at some point. You know how I am.” “Yes I do,” Hannah said. “You are a marshmallow.” “Yeah, like you aren’t,” Joe said and nodded at Devyn and Todd.” “Hey, it is good for both of them,” Hannah said. “Todd was worried about Devyn and couldn’t seem to get over what Tom had told him. I think this will solve that problem. The social worker agreed. That is how I got Todd to come with me. We will all stay tonight and tomorrow and then head back on Sunday.” “does Todd have a good home now?” Joe asked. “Yes he does,” Hannah said. “His new foster parents are great. He has an older and a younger brother there. I think he is in the best place he can be right now.” “That is good. Maybe Devyn won’t have to worry too much about him then.” “Oh and they do not mind if Devyn wants to come for a visit,” Hannah said. “That is good,” Joe said. “I think he would like to do that.” The weekend was too short and before Devyn and Joe were ready Hannah, Travis and Todd were driving away down the road. “Your sister is amazing,” Devyn said. “Yes she is,” Joe agreed. “One of a kind.” “I am so glad that what Tom told me was a lie. Todd seems really happy.” “Yes he does,” Joe said. “He asked me to come and visit him,” Devyn said. “You should do that sometime,” Joe said. The two went back into the quiet house with a little white pup running around their feet. Copyright 2020 by Keith yates att) all rights reserved. No copying, reposting, or distributing is permitted without the author’s written consent.