Sunrise on the Edge of the High Desert by John of Colorado clrdjhn@yahoo.com
Chapter 3
If you are here illegally, then it is time for you to leave. This story contains man/man sex. If this bothers you, then it is time for you to leave also. This story is fiction but some of it is based on real situations. The names and places have been changed.
"Big Guy, you have a good head on your shoulders and you know your staying would not work in the long run. I really appreciate what you and Jack Rabbit are trying to do for me. I have an idea running around in the back of my mind. Sam hasn't even heard this before. Please hear me out and when I am finished we can discuss the pros and cons. I know you won't like it but here goes. Money is not problem. As you know, I have sold the ranch and have re-invested the money. When I was young, I invested heavily in a cooper mine. I now have controlling interest. Some people would say that I am filthy rich and maybe I am but money has nothing to do with my proposal."
We all sat up and gave Grandpa our complete attention. "I have always wanted to see Oregon. Jack Rabbit, you have always told me what a beautiful spot yours and Adam's ranch is. I want to see it for myself. No, No wait, Jack Rabbit you will get your turn. I want to see Crater Lake, and the Pacific Ocean. I want to take the chair lift to the top of Mount Bachelor. I have never been to Oregon. All I have seen have been pictures in magazines and travel brochures. I want to feel the Ocean breeze hitting my face. I want to hear the waves breaking on the rocks. I want to taste the salty air on my lips. I want to wiggle my toes in the cool, moist sand." Grandpa said with tears in his eyes. I want to live my last days really LIVING--no doctors telling me no you can't do this and no you can't do that."
Again, Jack started to say something but Grandpa put his finger to his mouth. He then continued, "I know that my time is very limited and I don't know how long I have. Here is my proposal. We will fly back to Oregon. I will buy a motor home and hire a driver and someone who can also take care of me and my physical needs. At the end of three weeks, I will voluntarily cheek my self into a nursing home near you in Oregon and live out my remaining days. Ok, Jack Rabbit you can have your say now."
"Grandpa, You know your doctor would never agree to your plan and I won't either. We will have to come up with a different agenda and one that is workable. What if you took a turn for the worse. Where would we be then?" Jack interjected.
"Jack, What I am going to say may end our friendship. I certainly hope not. I love you man and I would never do anything to hurt you in any way. I am on your Grandpa's side. So what if he get real sick and even dies! He would be doing something that he would be enjoying. He would be close to his only relative. The doctors are not going to come up with a miracle and all of a sudden Grandpa would be cured. I am a firm believer that all of us should live as if each day was the last day of our life. Each of us has been given a time to be born and a time to die. We don't have any control when the time to die will come. When our time comes, we had better be ready. I think Grandpa should be able to choose how he wants to spend his last days!" My eyes had filled with tears and then I noticed there was not a dry eye in the whole place.
"Adam, I could never get mad at you for speaking the truth. I made a quick decision without thinking and tried to take the easy way out. I have to agree with what you said. Grandpa, I think we need to go home and pack your clothes!"
Sam, who had been very quite during this whole process spoke up now. "Grandpa, I think that you made a marvelous decision. I am so glad that Jack and Adam are supporting you. There is something I haven't told you. Today, is my last day of work with home health. I gave them my notice and it becomes effective tomorrow. Your body may be giving out, but your mind and soul are still very young and active. I have taken care of your every needs day and night. I have come to love you not as a father, but a man and soul mate. A man with a heart made of gold. I Love You! I would like to go to Oregon with you. I want to be with you always. Will you take me with you?"
Grandpa was crying now. "Of course ,Sam, you can go with me. I wouldn't have it any other way! Sam you are the best. I love you very much. You will be with me to the very end. Sam, you have a beautiful body as well. I may not be able to do anything physically but you give me satisfaction in my dreams and when our bodies touch."
Jack spoke up, "Grandpa, you are embarrassing Adam. He is such a naive and innocent young kid. I bet he doesn't even know what you are talking about.." Jack started laughing and soon the others joined.
"I'll show you who is naive. I will teach you, old man, a few tricks. When I get finished with you, you will wonder where you have been hiding your whole sheltered life." laughed Adam.
"I wish that you were teaching me a few tricks. You are one sexy dude." Said Grandpa.
"I think I will leave it to Sam. I am sure that he can teach all of us something." exclaimed Adam as he gave Jack a big kiss.
Sam was caught of guard and had turned beet red. "You just wait, I will get even and when you least expect it."
"Sam, I hope that you are not offended. We may tease the daylights out of you and pinch that good looking butt of yours. However, Jack and I would never do anything to physically harm you or intentionally put you down or belittle you. We will defend you to the very end. We are not mean destructive people. We believe in love and not war."
"If they ever do, I will take my cane and beat their butts black and blue." Grandpa added.
"Guys, I have known you long enough to realize what makes you tick. I must say that you are my kind of guys. I can take what you dish out and I can dish it out, also. I think a lot of fun is ahead for all four of us!" proclaimed Sam. "Right now, I think we had better head home. We have a lot to do and a short time to do it."
We all piled into Grandpa's van, which had been converted to a handicapped one with a power wheelchair lift. Sam got into the drivers seat and we headed home.
Soon Jack became very quite. I could tell something was wrong. I put my arm around him and said, "Jack, out with it. You can't keep whatever that is bothering you all bottled up inside of you."
"Adam, I can't hide anything from you can I? Do you realize that this will probably be the last time that Grandpa and I will be coming home. We have a lot of happy memories inside that house. How can we just close it up and forget about them?"
"Jack, you can't. You have to take them with you and when you leave, you will only leave an empty house. No one can ever take those memories from you. Your grandmother still lives, inside your heart. She will always be there with you. I want to you to concentrate on all the good times and the also the bad ones. You and your grandfather, have to share them with Sam and I. We are here by your sides and we want to know both of you. You can only do that by sharing with us." Adam said tenderly. "You can't begin to complete this task now. You have to take the memories with you and continually share with us."
When the time comes, we can bring Grandpa back and bury him by his wife. If something should ever happen to you Jack, I will bring you back if that is your desire."
"Adam, this is not a problem. I had Jack's Grandmother cremated and I have her ashes. I will just take her with us and you can scatter us together. I will find the place I like for that." Grandpa said. Jack and I looked at each other and smiled. We knew just the place.
Jack was holding his grandfather's hand. "You know, Grandpa, I think he is right! We have a lot to let go of and a lot to keep. Will you help me?"
"Only if you will help me, Jack. We have two of the best people in the world to help us both. I think we are both very fortunate to have Adam and Sam. Love is the best healer. They both have a lot to give. I hope we can return their love." whispered Grandpa through his tears.
"You know Grandpa, I feel better already."
"Jack you are telling the wrong person. You need to be telling Sam and Adam how you feel."
"Jack, remember what Louie use to say. `All I want to hear is Thanks and I love you' That is all I want to hear from you two." said Adam.
"Thanks! I love you!" said Jack and Grandpa in unison.
"Adam, I am amazed how you handle difficult situations so quickly. You defuse a time bomb before it has a chance to blow." Sam commented. "You are always so positive. How do you do It?"
"Wait until you meet my family and you will see where and how I got my training." answered Adam. We arrived at the house, or mansion, with a large circular drive- way, lined with trees, shrubs and flowers. "I can see why all of this would be hard to leave, but again it, it is just a building. We can build a new building and add new memories to the old ones. Grandpa and Jack, you are going to have a wonderful treasure chest. I am so glad that Sam and I are going to part of this experience."
"Hey, you got that right!" beamed Sam.