Another Chance - Book Three

by Zarek Dragon

 

After the shower, Jim and Zac went downstairs to make breakfast. When they walked into the kitchen, they couldn't believe their eyes.

They walked into the kitchen and Jim starts laughing as egg drips from Jake's hair. Both boys were covered with batter as were the walls, counters and table. There might have been some batter left in the bowl.

"What happened in here?" Zac asked.

Patrick looked like he might cry as he explained, "No one was making breakfast so we thought we would surprise you and Dad, getting the pancakes ready for one of you to cook."

Zac chuckled, "You definitely surprised us. Why don't the two of you go shower and we'll go to IHOP for breakfast. Dad and I will clean this mess up."

Jim added, "Before you go, take some paper towels and wipe some of that egg off Jake so he's not dripping through the house."

Patrick was surprised, "You're not mad at us?"

"You were trying to be helpful," Zac answered, "How can we be mad about that. I just wish I could have taken a picture of the two of you when we walked in. And one of you owes us for a dozen eggs."

Jim showed Zac his cell, "Since Jake joined us, I always keep my cell handy, just in case."

As the boys went upstairs to shower, Jim overheard Patrick telling Jake, "If that would have been my mom, we wouldn't have been able to sit down for a week. We are lucky."

Jim and Zac had most of the mess cleaned up by the time the boys came back downstairs. Patrick started helping to clean so Jake did what he could. "There's an unbroken egg left," Jake said as he picked it up, only to drop it. "Oops."

Jim laughed, "At least you tried, Buddy, at least you tried."

Patrick looked at Zac, a tear in his eye, "Papa, I told Jake that if my mom would have caught us we would have been in big trouble. Then you and Dad said that you would correct us out of love. I know you said that you weren't mad because we were trying to help, but I got to thinking."

"That maybe we don't love you as much as we say?" Zac answered. "This is your first time doing something like this, and we can understand you were trying to help, so no, we aren't mad and you're not in trouble. Also, Dad or I are usually down here to fix breakfast before you tried, so it's as much our fault as yours. Just don't try something like this again until you're more capable, please. Do you understand?"

"Yes Papa, and thank you," Patrick felt better after Zac calmed his fears.

"Besides, as long as you've been here, do you think we could fake loving you for that long? Do you think we would have eaten green beans for you, especially Dad after hearing Grandma explain why he doesn't like them?"

Patrick felt a little embarrassed for asking, "I knew I was just being silly, especially after what Mom said in my dream, but I had to know why we didn't get punished." Patrick gave Zac a hug.

Zac suggested, "You should ask Dad about the water fight we had in Grandma's kitchen. When his Aunt Brenda caught us, we thought we would be in big trouble but your grandma just took a picture of us cleaning up the mess we made and laughed about it. She said that we saved her from having to clean the kitchen."

Patrick kidded, "Maybe we should have done that after trying to make breakfast."

They saw Jim heading towards the sink but when Zac heard the faucet come on, he thought maybe Jim was washing the rag he was using to clean up yolk. That is until he heard the sprayer being used and felt water hitting him and Patrick. "Hey!" Zac yelled. "We're planning to go out and eat. And Patrick already had his shower."

Jim grinned, "Well, let's save the rest of this mess until after we get back. Maybe even after we get back from seeing Harvey Cox."

Zac tried to act mad, "If our sons get into a water fight in the kitchen, you better not punish them. I will and I'll punish you as well, but you better not." Patrick smiled.

Jim stuck his lower lip out, "You're no fun." Zac kissed Jim's lower lip. Then he took the sprayer out of Jim's hand, but instead of putting it back, he sprayed Jim right in the crotch. Jim couldn't believe that Zac did that, "You are so going to get it, mister." Patrick and Jake laughed.

"OK, everyone out to the truck so we can leave," Zac chuckled.

Jim gave Zac an I can't believe you look and averred, "After I change my jeans, thank you very much."

"It's OK, Dad, we all have accidents, once in a while," Patrick snickered.

Jim teased, "I'll accidentally tickle you for that remark." Patrick just grinned.

Jim went to change his jeans while everyone except Patrick went outside. Jim didn't know that Patrick followed him upstairs. Jim started pulling his jeans off and was startled hearing the boy speak, "Dad…"

Jim turned around really quick, almost tripping from his jeans, "Geesh, Patrick, I wasn't expecting you. You knew I was changing my jeans, so what brings you up here?"

Patrick started to laugh when Jim almost tripped, but then seeing the look on Jim's face, he said, "I just wanted to thank you for making the last few days bearable. I know it wasn't easy on you but I'm glad I have you in my life. I'm sorry about the mess this morning."

Jim was ready to cry, "I don't care how rough it was on me, if I helped you in any way, it was worth all the heartache and pain, I could withstand it. And with that pain, it did bring back some good memories as well. Now unless you want to see me without jeans on, I suggest you head out to the truck."

Patrick almost ran for the door, "I definitely do not want to see that." Jim chuckled. He changed his jeans and went downstairs.

At IHOP, the boys ordered the never-ending pancake stack. Jim and Zac were surprised when Jake ate one pancake more than Patrick. Zac teased, "I think we made a mistake, Jim. Counting us, we have four growing boys and only two incomes." Jim started to laugh.

"Are you saying we're fat?" Patrick asked, looking serious.

Zac explained, "Heaven's no, you're probably the perfect weight for your height, but you are still growing. It wouldn't surprise me if you end up taller than Dad or me by the time you stop growing. But you will need fuel for that growth so you will eat a lot. And, Dad and I aren't done growing either."

Jim added, "And look at how much taller you are than Jake. In six years, he'll be about where you are now and he's already eating more than you. Fortunately, we're all active enough that I doubt any of us will be fat any time soon."

"Just so long as you're not calling my brother fat," Patrick responded.

The waitress came by, "Does anyone need any more pancakes?"

"We're good," Patrick stated.

The waitress looked at Jake, "How about you, have you filled your hollow legs yet? How do you stay so skinny eating that much? I envy you."

Patrick answered, "He's very active, ask Dad."

"Where's he at?" the lady answered.

Jim laughed, "I'm here. I'm Dad, this is Papa and these two are our sons."

The waitress thought they were just pretending, "Well it's nice seeing brothers playing together like this. Who's paying the bill?" Zac pulled out his wallet and handed her his debit card.

As she walked away, Patrick looked at Jim and stated, "I don't think she believed you. I think she thinks all of us are really brothers." Jim just nodded his head in agreement.

Zac signed the receipt giving her a tip and they left. "We have hours left until we go see Harvey, should we go tackle the rest of that mess?"

Jim wished they could hire a cleaning service, but didn't want the added expense, so he agreed, "Probably, the longer we wait, the harder it'll be to clean. When we get home, be warned, I am stripping to my boxers because I plan to spray everything. When you enter the kitchen, you might get wet."

Zac laughed, "Might? Ha, with you manning the sprayer, there's no might to it. We will get wet."

Jim gave Zac a quick peck on the lips, "You know me too well."

"Should we change into our swim trunks?" Patrick asked.

"That's up to you," Zac answered, "It's not like you have anything that we haven't seen, so swimming trunks or undies, whichever you feel comfy with."

"Can I go naked?" Jake inquired, "There are no girls there, and you've all seen me naked."

"I'll leave that answer up to Patrick," Zac responded, "I don't have a problem with it as long as Patrick doesn't."

Zac being concerned with his feelings made Patrick feel good, "He's right, I mean he and I play in the tub together, so I have no problem with seeing him naked."

"You can clean naked too, Patrick. I wouldn't mind," Jake offered.

Patrick chuckled, "I'll pass, but thank you for the offer. I don't mind stripping to my underwear, though."

"I have a feeling that Jake's going to be a nudist," Zac stated, laughing.

Jim confessed, "I'd strip naked too, but I have a feeling Patrick wouldn't feel comfortable with it."

"Thanks Dad," was all that Patrick said in response.

Using the sprayer and "having a water fight" made cleaning the mess more enjoyable and they actually cleaned it quicker. They weren't worried about anything being damaged by the water since if anything could be, it was already covered with batter. They finished cleaning with just enough time to get dressed and head to Harvey's office. The receptionist led them back and told Jake that she would grab two chocolate milks and two Cokes. Jake gave her a smile.

Sitting in the office, Harvey grabbed his copy of the will. "Reading this is a mere formality. I've already informed you that Patrick is the only one mentioned in the will. Everything will go to him. The only funds currently involved are a college fund set up for Patrick and just barely enough to cover property tax on the house for seven years at its current rate. While Patrick is in foster care, it is advisable that I remain the trustee, but once you officially adopt the boy, either I can remain the trustee or one of you can take over."

Jim and Zac looked at each other for a few seconds and you would've thought they were having a telepathic conversation. Neither one said anything, but seemed to understand what the other was thinking. Finally, Zac looked at Harvey, "We think it might be better if you remain as the trustee."

"If that is what you wish, you can always change your mind for whatever reason, but for the time being, I shall remain the trustee," Harvey agreed. Then he looked at Patrick, "Have you thought about what you would like to do with the house? If not, you can always let me know at another time."

Patrick asked, "Can I get what I want to keep, and sell the rest along with the house?"

"Yes you can, just let me know when you have everything out of the house that you want." Harvey answered. "If there is nothing else, this concludes the reading of the will."

Zac stood up and shook Harvey's hand, "We'll stop by on Sunday to get some stuff."

"No rush," Harvey stated, "Whenever Patrick feels up to it. He is the one that matters." Everyone agreed and Patrick felt special.

Zac drove out to the ranch because he wanted to get their campsite ready for the weekend. He asked Jackson where the tents were. "They were destroyed by the tornado and I decided not to buy a new one. I think Gerry Ryder outdid himself in cleaning up the area by the lake and wait until you see what he did."

The boys drove around to the lake. They couldn't believe their eyes. Where the weddings had taken place by the lake, a permanent gazebo had been built, but what really caught their eyes was where they always set up the tents. There was a log cabin, it wasn't very big, but enough for six sleeping bags to lie comfortably with a space between. It had a fireplace for cooking and keeping the cabin warm during winter. Outside the log cabin, just a few feet away was a grill made of stone indigenous to the area. You could use charcoal or wood in which to cook. Then they saw the dock going out into the lake. Two canoes were on shore, hoping to get some use. Jim commented, "Gerry built all of this quick. None of it was here four days ago."

"As simplistic as everything is, he could have done it in a day," Zac explained, "but he probably built it to last and took two days, tops."

"It'll make camping more pleasurable, I think," Jim stated, "and diving into the lake off the dock, or using the canoes, I need to suggest this to my PE class earlier than we did it last year."

Zac agreed, "Yes, I think they would love it."

Patrick looked at Zac and Jim, "Can we start camping now?"

Jim explained, "No, we don't have our supplies, and we'll be bringing Colby, Kuno and the pups with us tomorrow."

On the way home, they stopped to get eggs. Teasingly, Zac asked who was paying for it. "I don't have any money, do you Jake?" Patrick responded.

Smiling, Jake answered, "Uh huh, but Daddy says that it's fake."

"Geesh, how long are you going to use that?" Jim questioned. "Your money is not really fake. I just didn't want you to spend it on your submarine."

Patrick was surprised, "How does Jake have money?"

"Riding with me," Jim replied, "people I've taken on trails have given him tips. Also, I've shared my tips with him. Now that you've joined our family, I'll split what I was giving to him with you, but his tips are his tips."

"Thanks Dad, but if it takes away from Jake," Patrick replied.

Jim admired Patrick more and more, "Trust me, Jake gets enough tips that he won't miss the few dollars I give him."

"Dollars?" Patrick wasn't expecting that much, he was thinking change, but then being only eleven, he hasn't really learned about finances.

Once at the checkout, Zac put up the eggs to be rung up. "Papa, Can I pay you for the eggs once I start getting tips?" Patrick asked.

Zac smiled, "I was only teasing you. Dad and I will cover the eggs this time." Patrick gave Zac the best hug he ever has. "Wow, I think that was worth two dozen eggs at least."

In the morning, Jim and Zac woke up but stayed in bed for a few minutes. They heard Patrick and Jake in the hall and Jim started getting up. "Give them a few minutes to see if they get into mischief," Zac suggested with a grin.

"If they do, I'm punishing you instead of them," Jim declared, smiling.

Jim slipped on his boxers and went downstairs. As he walked into the dining room, there sat Patrick and Jake with their hands folded on their laps, looking all innocent like little angels. Jim wondered if they were up to something, or what. "If these boys are going to beat us up, we should give them chores to do before breakfast," Zac joked.

Jim went along with it, "Like milk the cow, check the chicken coop for eggs, that sorta stuff?"

Zac grinned, "Exactly."

Patrick laughed, "We don't have a cow or a chicken coop."

Jim looked at Patrick like he was crazy, "Zac, you might want to make a note to buy a chicken coop and a bull."

Patrick gave Jim a funny look, "A bull? You can't milk a bull."

Jim smiled, "I was wondering if you would catch that."

Zac walked into the kitchen, next thing that was heard was Zac yelling, "Jim, those angels were trying to be helpful again. You need to see this."

Jim was worried about going into the kitchen, wondering what he would see, but he went in. On the counter was a package of breakfast sausage links and the carton of eggs. There was a skillet on the stove waiting to be used, but the rest of the kitchen was still immaculate. Jim walked back into the dining room. Patrick and Jake were still sitting there with big smiles on their faces. Jim gave each one a hug and kiss.

Patrick asked, "Does that mean you're not going to buy a chicken coop and cow?"

"I wanna milk a cow," Jake stated.

Jim laughed, "I'll see if I can arrange that. Jackson may have some dairy cows, or know where you can go milk one."

After breakfast, they loaded the pups into the truck along with Colby and Kunoichi. Zac and Jim put their camping gear in the back. Once they were at the ranch, Jake looked at Jackson, "I want to milk a cow, do you have any?"

Jim just shook his head thinking, "When that boy wants something, he's definitely not afraid to ask.

Jackson responded, "I have lots of cows, but they're not dairy cows. I suppose, you could try milking one, but if you want to actually get milk, there is George's Dairy Farm. It's about three or four miles north of your house. Does your daddy or papa know where Road 20 and L17 Rd meet?"

Jake shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, do you Daddy?"

Jim nodded his head, "I think we go by there when we drive up to Montana."

Jackson offered, "Want me to call and see if you can stop on Monday?"

Jim grimaced, "Sorry, we already have plans for this Monday with Grandpa Joshua. And then, it being the last day before school starts, I think we'll be busy so I want to put a few hours in here before going to the dojo like I told Dusty I would do. The Monday after is Labor Day, maybe we can go before coming here."

Jake was giving a pouty face, "Maybe Grandpa Joshua will take us."

Jim's heart was breaking as he looked at Jake. If he didn't need to take care of the horses, he would have taken the boy right then. Jackson squatted so he could look Jake in the eye, "What if I arrange it so they bring some cows here on Labor Day?"

Jake's eyes lit up, "You mean it?"

Jackson said, "I can't promise anything, but I will call him to try."

Jake hugged Jackson, then looked at Patrick, "We're gonna be able to milk a cow."

"Maybe," Jim stated. "Jackson is going to try to make it happen, but he said he couldn't promise."

"He'll do it," Jake sounded sure of himself.

Jim told the boys, "Well, you two hang around the office with Papa. I need to feed the horses and muck stalls."

"Can I help you?" Patrick asked.

Jim's heart soared with Patrick asking. He wanted to say yes, but thought of how dirty the boy would get, "Not today, Bud. This is a messy job and you didn't bring any spare clothes and we won't be going home until tomorrow. If you want to help tomorrow, you can."

Patrick gave Jim a hug to show he understood, "OK, I can wait until tomorrow. When you are done, do I get to practice riding?"

Patrick seemed enthusiastic about horses and Jim was really happy about that. If they have their own ranch, he was hoping Patrick and Jake would want to ride. "When I get done with the horses, it'll be time for Matt to show up. We'll be taking him and Gina on the trails."

Patrick asked, "We? Does that mean I'll get to go?"

"Yes Bud," Jim answered, "Matt is one of the biggest tippers and since he knows you joined our family, he would probably be disappointed if you didn't."

Patrick had a grin on his face that stretched from ear to ear. All he could say was, "Cool." Jim chuckled.

As Patrick turned to head towards the office, he spotted Joe and Buster. "Hey Uncle Joe, who's with you, your boyfriend?"

Joe gave Patrick a hug, "Yes, Buster is my boyfriend. Buster, this is Jim's and Zac's newest son, Patrick."

"Hey Patrick," Buster greeted the boy.

"So you're Uncle Joe's boyfriend? What makes you think you're worthy of him?" Patrick teased.

"I don't, nobody is worthy of someone as great as your Uncle Joe," Buster replied, "I'm just lucky." Joe blushed.

"I like him, Uncle Joe," Patrick averred.

Joe smiled at Patrick and then looked at Jim, "Buster was planning to spend the weekend with me. Zac said that he wouldn't mind him joining us, but suggested I let you know."

"Was there any doubt?" Jim asked. "You should know; we consider Buster as a part of you. You two are a couple, so anytime we invite you, he is always welcome to join us."

"I know," Joe responded, "I was just letting you know. Also, Zac and Jake are taking all of our stuff to the camp site, then said that he was going after food for tonight and tomorrow."

"He took Jake?" Jim questioned, "Well Patrick, since Jake isn't here, you can hang with us, but don't get dirty, or I'm throwing you in the lake with your clothes on."

"I might just so you do," Patrick kidded.

"Then you'll have to strip naked," Jim warned, "You don't want to walk around in wet jeans."

Patrick laughed, "I can change into my swimming trunks."

"Not if I hide them," Jim teased.

Patrick gave Jim a hug, "I know that you wouldn't do that to me."

Jim hugged Patrick back, "No, I wouldn't, but it is fun teasing you like I would. Just try not to get dirty and if you want me to throw you into the lake, I will after you change into your trunks."

"That will be fun," Patrick agreed.

Patrick chatted with Buster, getting to know him while they watched Jim and Joe work. Patrick was amazed at how quick Jim and Joe took care of the horses. He didn't realize that a few hours went by while they worked. Jake came running into the barn, "Papa says that Matt should be here in an hour. We need to get the horseys ready."

Jim laughed at how anxious Jake was. "Not quite yet, it won't take an hour to get them ready. We have a few minutes that Patrick can get in a little riding practice before Matt shows." Patrick's face lit up and he went to get Gold.

When Patrick got back to the arena, he had the reins in his hands and Gold following him. Jim decided to tease the boy, "Nice of you to get my horse, but where's the saddle and your horse?"

Patrick explained, "The saddle was too heavy for me to pick up and I didn't think you would want me to drag it."

"That was smart of you," Jim complimented his son, "I might have gotten upset if you dragged it. But you didn't answer as to where your horse is."

Patrick was surprised, "I don't have a horse, I thought I was training on Gold."

Jim just smiled, "I'm just giving you a hard time. I do eventually want you to train on a different horse. Even Jake, who's had no training can ride Gold. Watch this, Gold, go show Jake that you love him." Gold walked over to Jake and placed his head on the boy's shoulder like a hug.

Jake gave Gold a quick kiss, and wrapped his arms around the horse as best as he could. "I love you too, Horsey Gold." Jim told Jake to pick someone in the corral for Gold to hug and then tell him. Jake gave Gold another kiss and said, "Horsey Gold, give Patrick a hug."

Patrick was surprised when Gold came over to him and placed his head over Patrick's shoulder. "See, with Gold you are learning the basics of riding, but you're not totally learning to ride any horse. I would love for you to get so skilled that you can ride any horse that I put you on. Most horses, you can guide where you want them to go with a light touch of the reins to their neck. Some are trained so you can guide them using your legs. Some are taught to use voice commands, and then there's Gold. Anyone he'll let on his back can ride him."

Patrick couldn't argue, he found it very easy to ride Gold. Patrick went into the barn and came back out with Toranado. He looked at Gold, "Sorry, as much as I enjoy riding you, Dad's right. You are too easy to ride if I want to really learn how to ride. Hopefully Dad will let me ride you sometimes, when we are just riding. I hope you understand." Gold nodded his head up and down and then he gave Patrick another hug. "You are the best horse in the whole world."

Jim couldn't resist, "You still don't have a saddle."

Patrick shook his head, "It's still too heavy for me to carry. I didn't grow muscles while getting another horse."

Buster offered, "Would you like for me to grab it for you?"

Patrick gave Buster a smile and said, "Yes please." Then he looked at Jim and stuck out his tongue.

Jim walked over to him and dared him, "Do that again."

Patrick did and Jim kissed his tongue. Patrick faked being upset, "Ooooo, gross, now I have Dad germs invading me."

Jim wrapped his arms around Patrick and just started kissing him. Patrick kept trying to turn his head, laughing. "I want Daddy germs, too," Jake squealed.

Jim stopped kissing Patrick and asked, "Should we give him Dad and brother germs?"

Patrick nodded his head and Jim grabbed Jake, then he and Patrick took turns kissing the boy until Buster returned.

With no warning, Patrick had a sad expression on his face. "What's wrong, Bud?" Jim asked.

Patrick was silent for a second but then he spoke, "I feel a little guilty."

"About?" Jim started getting concerned.

"I think you play with me more than Daddy used to, and I enjoy it." Patrick declared.

Jim thought for a minute, and placed his arm around Patrick. "You have nothing to feel guilty about. I don't know how your daddy was with you, but I am closer to your age and haven't outgrown wanting to play. As for you enjoying it, I would hope that you would, and I'm sure that your daddy would too. Yes, you are still mourning his death, heck, I'm still mourning my dad's, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun when given the opportunity."

Patrick wrapped his arms around Jim's waist, "Thanks, Dad. I guess I just needed to hear that." Patrick placed a kiss on Jim's cheek.

"OOOO, now I have Patrick germs," Jim teased.

Patrick smiled, "And you like it, admit it."

"Yeah, Bud," Jim grinned, "I do. Now, let's get this horse ready so you can do a little riding while I get the rest of the horses ready."

Matt showed up at ten, but Gina wasn't with him. Jim asked about her and Matt said that she wasn't feeling good. "I tried talking her into coming up, but she's going through morning sickness."

Patrick asked, "Who's she mourning, and will I go through it?"

Jim chuckled, "Not mourning as over losing a loved one, morning as the part of the day before noon. And I don't think you'll ever have to worry about it. It's a part of having a baby that women go through."

"Phewww," Patrick wiped his brow, "You had me scared for a second."

Matt walked over to Patrick, "Are you riding with me, today?"

"Dad said that you would probably be disappointed if I didn't," Patrick admitted.

Matt looked at Jim, "Your dad is right. Here, take this, but don't tell your dad where you got it."

Jim started laughing, "I can see you handing it to him, and I hear you."

"What? That was a figment of your imagination," Matt tried convincing Jim.

Jim told Patrick, "You can either put that deep into one of your pockets, but leave it there until we get home, or I can hold it for you until you get home."

Patrick looked at what Matt handed him and then, without unfolding it, he handed it to Jim. "We're not going home until tomorrow, I think if you hold it, I won't lose it. Can we stop somewhere on the way home so I can buy a bank?"

"Nope, not with your fake money." Jim replied, waiting for Patrick to comment.

Patrick looked at Matt, "You gave me fake money, it looked real."

Before Matt could respond, Jake said, "That means Daddy won't let you spend it on a bank, he has to buy it for you, now."

"OH!" Patrick acknowledged, "I understand, thanks Dad."

Jim put the money in an envelope in his saddlebag. He wrote Patrick's name on the envelope. "Just don't expect me to keep buying stuff because I said it was fake this one time. There's this little munchkin who does," Jim warned.

Patrick asked, "Would that little munchkin be very cute and wanting to buy a submarine?"

"You know him then," Jim confirmed.

"I kinda had a clue from when we were getting the eggs," Patrick admitted. "You have to admit; he is a cute brother."

"Well, I think both of my sons are pretty darn cute, but I may be biased," Jim commented, then he looked at Matt, "What do you think?"

Matt acted like he was looking them over, "The little one is definitely darn cute, and the older one might be if he smiles more." Patrick started smiling and Matt added, "Yep, he's pretty darn cute, too."

"Thanks, Uncle Matt," Patrick said, noticing his voice had a strange pitch to it.

Matt looked at him and simply said, "Uh oh…"

"What?" Patrick asked.

Jim smiled, "Nothing serious but Papa, I or both of us may need to have a private chat with you. You're a bit young, but you may be going through…" Jim got closer so Jake couldn't hear him, "puberty."

"What's that? Is it contagious?" Patrick asked.

Jim explained, "Everyone goes through it, it means that you are growing up. Like I said, you're a little young, but it's not uncommon for a young man to start as early as ten. We'll discuss it more when it's just the two of us, you may have some personal questions once Papa and I, or just I, explain it to you. I think you'll be less embarrassed to ask them in private."

Patrick inquired, "So why is my voice making weird noises?" Jake was giggling every time Patrick's voice cracked.

"It's called cracking, and it's caused by your larynx growing. It's actually part of the third stage. The bad part is, the oils your body will secrete. I recommend washing your face several times a day or you may get acne," Matt suggested.

"Papa and I will talk to you tonight, just the three of us," Jim stated. "Only thing you need to know now is that you are turning into a young man."

Patrick boasted, "I'm a man."

After their ride, Matt handed Jake his tip and then Jim his. He looked at Patrick and said that he gave him his before the ride, but got distracted with Patrick's voice cracking and forgot to give them theirs. Patrick acknowledged that he understood and would settle for a hug. Matt obliged.

Zac was saddling Silver while Matt groomed his horse. Zac looked at Jim, "Are we ready to ride to the lake? Buster and Joe are already there."

Jim looked at Patrick, "You tell him that we are."

"We're ready to go, Papa," Patrick said, his voice continuing to crack. Zac looked surprised.

"Is our son turning into a man already?" Zac looked like he was about to cry.

Patrick cracked out, "Yep."

"I told him that you and I would talk with him privately about it," Jim stated.

Zac nodded his head, "Absolutely, but something you should know, Dad and I are probably still going through it ourselves. It doesn't stop until your eighteen to mid-twenties."

"So my voice will keep cracking for that long? Neither of yours do." Patrick asked.

Zac explained, "Voice cracking can be as short as three months or as long as a year. Everyone experiences it differently, just know, it shouldn't embarrass you and if anyone says anything, you can tell them, it's evidence that you're becoming a man."

Jim added, "And those muscles you didn't grow to carry the saddle, well, they should start forming in a couple of years."

"I have some questions already, but I would rather wait to ask them." Patrick stated.

Jim looked knowingly at Patrick and said, "I figured as much."

When they got to the lake, Joe and Buster were out in one of the canoes. Zac, Jim and the boys placed the horses in a small coral that Gerry had built. "This beats tying them to a hitching post," Zac averred.

Patrick grabbed Jim's hand, "Can we go into the cabin while I change into my swimming trunks? I'd like to ask some of my questions."

Jim was a little surprised, "You don't mind me seeing you naked?"

Almost in a whisper, Patrick spoke, "A little, but you're my dad and part of my questions refer to down there."

Jim looked him in the eye, "I'll try to answer anything I can, but I may not have all of the answers. Jim walked over to Zac, in a hushed tone he informed him, "Patrick wants to ask me some questions while he changes, please keep Jake out of the cabin for now." Zac nodded his head.

Patrick started undressing as soon as he was in the cabin, he had his back towards Jim. "Ummm, this is a little embarrassing, but is it normal for hair to grow down there? I mean, I barely have any, but I've never noticed it until yesterday."

Jim smiled, "Yes, it's called pubic hair and it usually starts growing a day or two before your larynx causes your voice to crack. In a year or so, it should start turning coarse, so don't worry when that happens."

Patrick had other concerns, "I noticed that I've started growing down there, too. And when you kiss me, especially when we were playing, it really grows, but then goes down."

Jim didn't realize that he had that effect on the boy. "If you're worried that it may mean you're gay, don't. It just means that you're enjoying the attention I'm giving you. You'll probably start waking up with it hard, but that is perfectly normal. Anything else, or are you ready to be thrown in the lake?"

Patrick had his trunks on, he felt better knowing nothing unusual was happening. He turned around to face Jim, "I do have other questions, but they can wait."

Jim picked the boy up and carried him out to the dock. Patrick acted like he was going against his will, but laughing at the same time. At the end of the dock, Jim put his son down and asked him, "Are you ready or would you rather climb on my shoulders and dive in?"

"I think it would be more fun for you to toss me in," Patrick said with a smile. So Jim placed an arm behind Patrick's back and swooped his legs with the other. Patrick put his arms around Jim's neck.

Jim kidded, "It's kinda hard for me to throw you if you're hanging on to me." Patrick gave Jim a kiss on the check and then let go. Jim tossed the boy as far as he could and Patrick screamed the whole time.

"Papa, can you throw me in the lake?" Jake asked after watching Jim throw his brother.

Zac carried a naked Jake to where Jim threw Patrick and he tossed him close to where his older son was. Then he turned to Jim, "Anything I should know?"

Jim replied, "Patrick was just worried about having pubic hair starting to grow and he's growing down below. He kept his back to me the whole time, but he also told me that when I was kissing him playfully, he started getting hard. I will need to be careful so I don't send him the wrong signals."

Zac had to ask, "You know that he's probably just experiencing excitement of someone other than his birth father giving him attention, right?"

"I told him something like that, I left out about me not being his birth father, but basically the same otherwise. I still need to be careful. I don't want him deciding he's gay just because of me," Jim stated.

Zac stated, "You are a good dad for him. I hope that I'm as good a papa."

Jim felt a little guilty with that remark, "Now that the funeral is over, hopefully he starts turning to you as much as he does me. He may not realize it, but he needs you as well."

Zac put his arms around Jim, "I love you more each day, James Patrick Bolt." And then he swooped Jim off his feet and tossed him into the lake, still fully clothed. Patrick and Jake laughed.

Jim was holding his breath, staying underwater as long as he could. Zac became worried when Jim didn't come up right away and dove into the water to "rescue" him. As soon as Zac was in the air, Jim came up. Patrick and Jake were having fun swimming so Jim and Zac left them playing while they swam to shore to get out of their wet clothes.

Zac had a chest with dry ice to keep the food cold overnight. He had hamburger thawed, so he started making patties to cook on the grill. Once they were cooked, he heated up a can of Bush's Grillin' Beans and opened a bag of chips. Jim called the boys in for supper.

After they ate, Patrick looked at Zac, "Can we go out in one of the canoes?"

Zac was a little concerned, "You and Jake?"

Patrick shook his head, "You and me. I talked with Dad earlier and I would like to talk with you as well before the three of us talk."

Jim overheard Patrick and he smiled at Zac. "I would love to take you out in a canoe."

Zac did most of the paddling, but Patrick did help. The boy was sitting facing his papa and asked, "What would you say if I said I think I have a crush on Dad?"

Zac wasn't really surprised with what Jim had told him, "I think that with how he's been there for you, it's perfectly normal. Starting puberty, your hormones are changing and most boys experience a crush on an older boy. Does it mean you're gay? No, not really."

"So, you're not mad?" Patrick inquired.

Zac shook his head, "No, especially since you've come to me asking about it. Dad's been paying a lot of attention to you, so it's almost natural for you to form a crush. Even more so since he's not your birth father. Over the next few years, you'll experience lots of changes, your voice cracking and going deeper, body hair growing thicker, maybe. Dad already told you about the pubic hair, and I'll save the rest for when the three of us talk."

Patrick looked relieved, "Thanks, Papa. I was worried because I have these feelings towards Dad. He said that it was normal for me to 'enjoy' his kisses but I was too embarrassed to tell him I had a crush on him."

Zac smiled, "I'm glad that you realize it's just a crush and hopefully won't become crushed when it doesn't develop into anything more."

"It could never be anything more, he's my dad," Patrick freaked a little at Zac even suggesting it.

"I'm just glad you realize that. Just so you know, you can talk to him or me about anything. If you think it might embarrass you or us, don't let that stop you. Dad wouldn't have gotten upset over you telling him you had a crush, but I'm glad you came to me."

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

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