---

"Wow!" He yells when he sees the CD player. He jumps up and hugs me. "I was sure hoping after I saw the one you gave Mike. This is my best present ever!" He immediately puts the batteries in it, then drops the headset over his ears and starts a CD. He's still totally engrossed when Mike comes by with an invitation from his mother to have dinner with them again.

As dusk falls, the four of us take a leisurely ride through town to look at the lights and decorations at Elaine's suggestion. I'm driving quite slowly along one street lined with extravagant light displays when I see a young woman run out of her house, holding an infant and screaming, "Someone help me!"

I slam on the brakes and jump out. When I reach them, the child's face is blue. "She swallowed something," the mother cries.

I snatch the child out of her arms, and do a Heimlich. On the second press, a button flies from the child's mouth and she gasps for breath, beginning to scream. I check her pulse and breathing as best I can, then hand her back to her mother. "I think she'll be fine now. Give her a bottle, the formula will soothe her throat. If you see any signs of distress call 911 immediately."

"Oh, thank you, thank you. Are you a doctor?"

"Just a nurse."

She plants a kiss on my cheek. "I'll never forget you! God bless you, sir."

"Take her inside where it's warm. I have to go now." I certainly do. I'm embarrassed at her effusive thanks.

"Wow, Tim, that was awesome," Eddie says when I get back in the car. "How'd you know what to do?"

"In case you've forgotten, I'm a nurse, Eddie. We're trained to do these things."

"Could you do it to Mike?"

"Yes, but it might not be so fast; he's a big guy." I know Eddie's teasing, so I add, "I'm not sure I could get my arms around him, so I'd probably just punch him a good one in the gut."

Mike looks startled for a moment then begins to laugh. "Got me, Tim."

"Be darn sure I don't ever have to work on you, then. I can be the meanest nurse you've ever seen."

"Hey, you told me you'd cut me some slack, remember?"

I reach back and playfully slap him on top of his head. "Maybe I've had second thoughts."

At their house, Elaine says, "I'm proud of the way you didn't hesitate to stop and help that poor woman. I think it was meant to be that we'd be riding by when she needed help. She'll always remember this Christmas. You're a fine man, Tim."

I can feel my face turning red. "Just did what I'm trained for, but thank you."

"Coffee first, then I'll fix some sandwiches."

A couple of days later I'm about to finish up my shift when I see a young man speaking to the clerk at the desk. She points to me and he runs up, grabbing me in a hug. I've never laid eyes on him before. He finally turns me loose and wipes his eyes.

"God bless you, doctor. That was my little girl you saved Christmas Day."

"How is she?"

"Happy as she can be, thanks to you. What do we owe you? It'll never be enough to pay you what you're worth."

"Not a thing. I'm happy to have been there when she needed someone, but I'm a nurse, not a doctor. How did you find me?"

"My neighbor happened to remember your license plate, thank God. I got your name from motor vehicles. Are you sure I can't give you something?"

"Absolutely."

He pulls a business card from his pocket and hands it to me. "I've just started a law practice. If you ever need a lawyer come to me. I'll be very hurt if you go to anyone else."

"Thank you. I will."

Who's your boss?"

"Dr. Steve Adams. He's head of emergency services."

"Is he in?"

"He's very busy at the moment. Do you need to see him?"

"If he's busy, I won't interrupt him, but I'm sending him a letter informing him of how my wife and I feel about what you did."

"Please don't. Your thanks are quite enough."

"Indeed I am. He should know how wonderful you are. I won't keep you any longer, but keep my card and if you should ever need anything let me know." He suddenly hugs me again. "God bless you, Timothy Bryan."

Even though my day has been tiring, I feel wonderful. It's not often a nurse receives such gratitude.

While I'm changing into my greens the next morning, the pager system announces: Tim Bryan, report to Dr. von Rhyn's office immediately. I finish changing and walk to his office. I knock and hear him bark, "Enter." When I do, he and Steve stand, giving me such censorious looks I immediately conclude they're pissed at me for something.

"Bryan," Henk snaps, "Steve has brought me letter about your conduct outside hospital. What have you to say?"

"I ... I can't think of anything I might have done to displease you, sir."

When they both start aggressively toward me, I take a step back, but they both grab me in a hug and start laughing.

"You're a real credit to us, Tim," Steve says.

"Absolutely," Henk adds.

"What's this all about?"

"A letter I received from a lawyer this morning. Apparently you saved the life of his little girl on Christmas Day. Now sit down and tell," Steve demands.

"It was nothing. The boys and I were riding around enjoying the decorations when I saw this woman come out with an infant in her arms calling for help. The child had a button lodged in her throat, so I did a Heimlich. That's all there is to it."

Henk's long finger taps me on the temple. "Ah, but as always you think and act instantly, not panic. That is why you are such fine nurse."

"We've signed you out for a few minutes; come with us, we're just going next door," Steve says. "By the way, how did you like your Christmas present from Eddie?"

"I was going to thank you when we were alone. I'm surprised at my title. I hope I don't have too much paperwork. I like what I'm doing."

"Is right," Henk tells me. He winks at Steve. "You see."

I am surprised when they walk me to toward the set of buildings known as Doctor's Village and enter one separated from the hospital by a driveway. The place is undergoing some renovation.

"This is our new base of operations," Steve says. "The board awarded us the contract for emergency services at their meeting last night."

We pass office suites Henk points out are his and Steve's, then he takes me through a small office into a larger one. Steve says, "This is your office, Tim. The small one is for your secretary. Tell me tomorrow what colors you want on the walls and carpet."

"I don't really need an office, much less a secretary, do I?"

"Of course," Steve says.

"You must have clerk," Henk insists. "You will not much time in office get.

You be with Steve in emergency most time and with me until I find nurse so good as you. Clerk do all paperwork."

"I'm speechless."

"Good. Now back to work, slave," Steve says with a grin, slapping me on the butt. "You'll get your pink slip from the hospital at the end of the day, then your ass belongs to Henk and me."

"Ja. Welcome to our practice, Tim." He grins. "Be sure you earn pay."

"We're having an open house here New Years Day from four to six. You will be with us of course." Steve winks at me. "A suit and tie, if you have one."

"I hate ties, Steve."

"You've moved up in the world, partner. Got to look professional at social events to impress the doctors."

"As long as you guys like my work that's all I care about."

Henk shakes his finger at me. "Professional man must look so." Then he grins. "Not many chances you get to dress so. Your boss say you dress. He also say bring boys."

"Yes, Doctor." I have a feeling life is going to be interesting with these two as my bosses, more pleasant as well.

The open house draws far more people and interest than I had thought. Eddie and Mike are as impressed with my office as I. With it's pale blue walls, dark blue carpet, and striped window drapes in both shades, it's restful and impressive, particularly the furnishings. I almost resent the fact that I won't be spending that much time in it.

The chief of nurses at the hospital looks around then says, "I'm envious, Tim. I told the board they were making a mistake of contracting out emergency services, but I'm delighted you'll still be with us. With all I have to do I forget to compliment people when they do well. I'm terribly sorry that I haven't told you before that you're outstanding in your work and professionalism. No wonder Dr. von Rhyn demanded that you work with him and Doctor Adams."

"Thank you, Mrs. Daniels. I deeply appreciate your kindness."

As the last of the visitors are leaving, Henk comes over to me. "Your Eddie is still here?"

"Somewhere around. I'd better go find him."

"Bring to my office. Steve and I wish to talk to him and you for a minute."

I find the boys in our staff lounge. They've raided the small fridge for Cokes, and have nearly finished off a plate of finger food from the reception.

"Okay, guys, Henk wants to talk to you a minute."

When we're seated, Steve takes over. "I talked with Anders earlier on today, and he feels you are too old for hormonal treatment, Eddie." He raises his hand when Eddie opens his mouth to protest. "However, he does think the hormonal trigger that controls growth has not functioned fully. Tim, he wants to give Eddie one shot of an experimental hormone that might, just might, start the growth process once more."

"What are the side effects?" I ask.

"According to Anders, if it works Eddie might experience some mild pain until his body adjusts if he begins to grow swiftly. He believes prescription strength Tylenol will take care of it."

"I don't want it to impair Eddie in school. He's a straight A student."

"I'll give you a few samples. You can try them for one day and monitor his progress before he goes back to school. That should help you and Eddie make a decision."

I look at Eddie. "It's up to you. Think about it and talk to me tonight. There are only two more days left before school starts again."

"I will. Thanks, Doctor Steve, Doctor Henk."

"You are good boy, Eddie. I think you make right decision," Henk says. Then he grins. "You only patient I know to have live-in nurse and two doctors if you have need. Think careful."

"I will. Oh, can Tim give me the shot if I do this?"

"No reason why not."

Just before I'm ready to go to bed, Eddie comes over and sits on my lap. "I'm scared, Tim."

"I know. You don't have to do this."

"But I want to be taller."

I smile. "You know your dad will kill me if you suddenly shoot up and he has to buy you all new clothes."

Eddie snickers for a moment. "Let's try the Tylenol tomorrow. I know you're going to work, but Mike and I will be together all day."

"Okay. I know that won't hurt you. Tell Mike to write down anything he sees different about you, and you try to remember, too."

"'Kay."

The next day we three new partners descend on the hospital emergency room. I notice immediately a few of the old nurses are gone, new faces taking their place. Henk leaves me to fill them in while he and Steve reorganize the facility. I have one nurse object to the changes, so I tell her to see Mrs. Daniels for reassignment, then inform the others I expect complete professionalism and they are to develop an anticipation of the doctor's needs as soon as a patient is brought in. After a week or two to adjust I hope we'll have a cordial relationship.

"Productive morning. Everything go well in your area, Tim?" Steve asks when we're back in the office.

"Had to dump one, but the rest are going to be okay."

"Thank God we weren't interrupted. Let's grab some lunch while we can. You and I have the shift, Henk is taking the next one."

"Who's covering eleven to seven?"

"Martin. You haven't met him and probably won't for a while. He'll be at the hospital the entire time. That's why he didn't want an office."

There are no emergencies, so Steve and I sit in the lounge talking and drinking coffee. He looks at his watch and says, "Time for Henk to take over. We sure didn't earn anything today."

"Maybe not, but the quiet was nice for a change."

Mike tells me Eddie had no problems all day and was as sharp as ever, then Eddie tells me he wants to go through with it. I have a few doubts, but Steve and Henk have both assured me there's practically no risk involved. New Year's Eve afternoon I give Eddie the tiny amount of hormone Anders sent over, then send him to Mike's for the night after telling Mike and his mother both to call me immediately if he shows any reaction to it.

The rest of the evening is a nightmare, beginning about six. It's nearly four in the morning when Steve, Henk, and I are finished with the last patient. As we're changing, Steve slaps me on the butt. "Bed for you, guy. You look like you've been put through the wringer."

"I feel it, too. How you guys hold up I'll never know."

Steve grins. "You didn't go through forty-eight on and twenty-four off like Henk and I did during our residency. Now get out of here."

"Yes, sir, boss man."

I awake about one to find Mike and Eddie playing a computer game. "About time you got up," Eddie says. "Mike and I are hungry."

"Why didn't you fix something?"

"We waited for you so we could go out to eat."

"Thanks, guys. How do you feel, Eddie?"

"Fine. I don't guess that stuff's gonna work."

"It's not a miracle that's going to change you overnight, it's going to take a long time. You'll grow at almost a normal rate according to Henk."

"Heck. I wanted to be big when I go back to school tomorrow."

Mike lifts him up and hugs him. "Let me have my baby a little longer."

A few days later I get an e-mail from Ed. I know Eddie e-mails him frequently, but Ed and I don't often correspond. I'm surprised at his note: 'Hey, Fag, good to hear you found enough backbone to take a chance for a change. Hope it works out. Eddie tells us he's very happy and you're taking good care of him. You must be, because his grades are what I knew they should be. Good to hear he has friends as well, but damn! The football team?'

I'm not upset at the greeting Ed used. He's doesn't like gays, but he's called me fag for so long it's become a habit. He doesn't mean any harm now that he's used to the idea I'm gay. He's also teased me for years for being so cautious about things; he's the family daredevil.

Things begin to settle down, my staff of nurses works well together, and Henk has found a male nurse who's just passed his RN exams. After a few times assisting Henk, Henk is satisfied. "Not so good as you, Tim, but okay. He will learn," he tells me one afternoon. "Has he complaint made?"

"Not a word. He did tell me he felt fortunate to work for us."

Henk smiles. "You take Jake in hand, train for me?"

"A pleasure." It will be, because Jake is eager to please. I'll assign him to me the next time Henk and I work a case together.

Now that things are underway smoothly, Steve invites me to his home for dinner several times. We begin to relate to each other so well on a personal basis that I regret we've gone no further than a few hugs. But when I leave he kisses me and suggests we see more of each other. I'm more than willing, and not long after we become quite close.

It's nearly Easter when Eddie comes in from school complaining his legs hurt a little. I look at him then say, "Where's the high water?"

He looks puzzled until I point to the bottom of his pants. They're above his ankle joints.

"I'm growing!" He yells and throws himself on me.

"Looks that way. Guess we'll have to take you shopping."

"Mike makes me shave every day, too."

I shake my head sadly.

"What's wrong?" Eddie asks.

I hug him. "Mike's lost his baby; you're turning into a man. I'll get you a Tylenol for the pain."

After I've given it to him, he sits in my lap. "I love you, Tim."

"I love you too, Eddie. This is a good year for us both."

";Yeah."

The rest of the spring goes smoothly. Everything at the office is running nicely, especially after my staff learned the preferences of Henk and Steve in the surgery. Jake was an apt student and Henk is delighted th the way they work together now, telling me I'm as good a teacher as I am a nurse.

The week before school is out I have to take Eddie clothes shopping. He's now as tall as I and, after examining him, Henk and Steve say he's about reached the limit of growth. Eddie is proud he's now as tall as I, happy with his newly gained height and the muscular build working with Mike has given him. Mike has lost his baby, but takes pride in the fact that Eddie can defend himself well.

I have seen Mike around the office a few times talking with Henk and Steve but paid little attention until Steve comes into my office with a cup of coffee and sits down on the day the kids are to finish their exams. "Remember the day the guys spent with us in the emergency room observing as part of their school work?"

"Yeah. So?"

"Mike told me he was fascinated, so Henk and I have been teaching him advanced first aid on the side. We've got him lined up for a summer job with the paramedics."

"His arm's not a hindrance?"

"Not enough to make any real difference. There's a one-armed ambulance attendant working where Henk did his training, and Mike is much bigger and stronger. He's been out with the crew a couple of times and they tell me he does well, especially with heavy patients."

"I'm glad for Mike. That should pay a little better than anything else he can find."

Steve smiles. "We made sure of that. Henk and I like both kids and think they need a week to relax before Mike starts work, so why don't you and I take them up to Crystal Lake for a week? You need a break from all the work you've put in, and I know damned well I do. Memorial Day weekend was a bitch. My parents have a cottage we can use."

"Sounds good to me, but how will Henk and Martin cope with us out?"

"Henk's getting a resident from his old school; he's friends with the dean. He feels confident that with the way you gotten the staff whipped into shape it'll be no problem. He hasn't found anything to gripe about for several weeks now and Ann Daniels concedes the change has been good. She's had no complaints from her people."

"When do we leave?"

"Monday morning to avoid weekend traffic. For that reason we'll work Saturday and Sunday. Henk's resident will be with us learning the ropes. We'll leave the lake the next Monday."

"I'll get Tammy, to talk to Henk and revise the work schedule while we're gone."

Steve grins. "Is there any detail you don't miss?"

"I hope not."

"As if you ever do. See how useful a good secretary like Tammy can be?" He gets up and hugs me. "I have a proposition to put to you while we're at the lake."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I hope you'll like it enough to act on it immediately." He swats me playfully on the butt. "Back to work with you."

"As nice as the company is, I guess I'll have to. I don't want to get fired at this point."

When I get home the boys are there. Mike has gotten a beer from the fridge; he holds it up when I enter. "Hope you don't mind, Tim, but I sure need this after that calc exam."

"It's okay, but don't make a habit of it."

"I won't. This is the only one."

"Good. What do you have planned for next week?"

"Nothing much. It's two weeks before I start with the rescue squad."

"So I've heard. So what do you guys think of a week at Crystal Lake?"

"No kidding?" Mike shouts.

"No kidding. Steve and I are taking part of our vacation and you guys are going with us, if you want."

"Yeah!" Eddie yells and hugs me. "Is Steve taking Stupid?"

Stupid is Steve's golden lab and very aptly named. He has to be the dumbest dog I've ever seen, but Eddie adores him. When we go there for dinner, which is often, I have to drag Eddie away.

"You can ask him. You guys will have to pack for yourselves because I'm working Saturday and Sunday. We're leaving Monday morning."

"I've gotta tell mom," Mike says.

"If she has any questions tell her to give me a call."

Friday night, Steve, Eddie, Mike's mother, and I are in the audience for Mike's graduation. He looks almost handsome as he crosses the stage to receive his diploma and, while he doesn't receive honors, the principal tells us he's made the most improvement of any other student in the graduating class.

The moment we're outside Eddie grabs him in a hug. In turn he gets hugged not only by Mike, but by several graduating members of the football team, each telling him they're going to miss him. They invite Eddie to a party, but he wisely refuses. I know it's because Mike isn't going either, but I'm glad Eddie won't be with them when they're drinking, as I know they will. I just hope Steve and I don't see any of them in the emergency room when we go on duty.

Monday morning the boys and I pick up Steve. He asked me to drive my Jeep because it has 4-wheel drive and room enough in the back for Stupid. It's only an hour and a half trip, which seems shorter because of the antics of the boys.

Steve directs me off the paved road and down a rough ungraded set of wagon tracks along side some farmer's cornfield. I can see why he didn't want to put his Mercedes on such path. After we pass through a woods, the vista clears and I can see Steve's two-storey shingled cottage on the edge of the lake.

The boys and Stupid are out almost before I stop; Stupid making a beeline for the lake, the boys right behind him. "Well, there goes our help," I remark as Steve and I get out.

"This is fab," Eddie says when he sees me. "Look how clear the water is." He points to the shallows. "You can even see the minnows. I can't wait to get in."

"It is beautiful up here, but you guys will have plenty of time after we unload the Jeep. I doubt you can go skinny-dipping and we need to get the fresh stuff in the fridge."

"Okay, Tim," Mike says.

The boys move faster than I've ever seen them. When all the food is in the kitchen, they take their bags to the upstairs bedroom to change. It is quite warm.

"The boys going swimming?" Steve asks as he puts the food away.

"Try and stop them. I'm surprised they did as much as they did."

"Let's grab a beer and sit on the porch while the house airs out. It's cooler out there."

With the slight breeze, sitting on the screened-in porch is delightful. The boys are in the shallows playing a game with Stupid, picking him up and tossing him into deeper water. Crazy dog seems to love it, because he swims back for more each time.

"Won't they hurt him?" I ask Steve.

Steve shakes his head. "Naa. Labs love the water. Besides, why you think he's named Stupid, he has no sense at all up here." He chuckles. "He did learn to leave porcupines alone after he got a nose full of quills." He points at the boys. "They look grown up now, but they're still kids. Remember how wonderful it was to be that age and not have any cares?"

"I'd have to be a few years younger to say that."

"Why?"

"Ed and I used to be as inseparable as those guys until he found out I was gay. Then we drifted apart. I've always regretted it."

"I suppose you would. I'm an only, so I didn't have that experience. I was lucky enough to have a few close friends didn't give a damn when they found out."

"I envy you, but having Eddie with me this year is something I wouldn't have missed for the world."

"Mike may say Eddie's his good luck charm, but I think he's yours. You've lightened up a lot since he's been here. Remember I told you I had a proposition for you?"

"Yeah."

"This is good a time as any to spring it on you." He looks me straight in the eyes. "I love you, Tim Bryan. I want you to move in with me."

"I love you too, Steve. I'd like to, but I've got a home and Eddie."

"Rent your house if you want, you can get enough to meet the mortgage payments. My place is big enough for Eddie to have his own room, and I'll encourage him to have Mike over as often as he does now. You know I like both boys a lot." He grins. "They'll keep Stupid exhausted, too."

"You're one for surprises. I don't know what to say."

"Nothing now. Think about it, love."

I reach over and grab his hand, squeezing it. "I will, and hard."

He squeezes my hand back. "Bad pun, guy, but that's all I ask for now. You do know I get impatient rather quickly."

I have to laugh. "I know. That's why Daryl said you and Henk are the terrors of the hospital."

"Only at work, love." He stands up. "Let's go take a look at the boat. I hope the boys water ski. If not I can teach them."

"Eddie does a little, I think, but is your boat powerful enough to get a guy big as Mike out of the water?"

"If a two-hundred horse motor won't do it, nothing will. Dad was going to buy a small one to use for fishing, but I talked him into one I could use for skiing. I love it, though I'll get aching muscles now. Been too long between times."

He unlocks the door to the boathouse and shows me the sleek fiberglass run-about. The outboard motor is damn near as big as the boat. "Nice," I say.

"It gets a lot of use. It's actually quicker to take this to the store on the other side of the lake than it is to drive. Slip off your loafers and we'll get this out and tie it up to the dock. You get the lines."

Steve opens the overhead door to the water and we push the boat out, wading in waist deep water to the dock, pulling the boat behind us. The boys come running up to look it over.

"Gee! Can we ski, Steve?" Eddie asks.

"That's what it's here for. Tomorrow, though. I need to check the engine out first."

"You ski, Mike? I ask.

He shakes his head. "Always wanted to try. It looks like fun."

"It is!" Eddie says. "I can teach you. I know Steve can."

"No way that little boat's gonna get a guy big as me out of the water."

"You'll be surprised, Mike. It'll snatch you out of your trunks," Steve says.

Mike grins. "That I gotta see."

The next morning Steve checks out the boat. Eddie watches with envy when he opens it up, the craft skimming the water as it flies along. Making a big circle, Steve brings it along side the dock easily and stops.

"You like to start from the dock or from in the water?" He asks Eddie.

"Water."

"Okay." He hands Eddie the grip and tosses the line out behind the boat. "Watch what Eddie does, Mike. Tim, get in, you're the watcher."

I see Stupid at the edge of the lake, ready to chase us. Eddie gets in the water and in position as Steve idles the boat ahead until the line is taut, then pushes the throttle forward. I'm surprised when Eddie comes up smoothly without falling. He signals for Steve to go and the boat surges ahead. After a few minutes, Steve circles, Eddie swinging far out, then relinquishing the line and riding the skis neatly to shore.

"Beautiful!" Steve says when he brings the boat alongside the dock. "Let's see if you can teach Mike."

I hold the boat against the dock while Steve and Eddie get in the water with Mike and show him how to prepare to get up. Steve's last admonition to him is to hold the bar as close to his chest as possible, keeping his hand centered.

"Why?" Eddie asks.

"Because he's using only one arm. He might get pulled to the side if he holds it straight out. Help him stay in position until the line is taut."

Mike gets half way up before his lets his arm straighten. The skis turn as Steve predicted and Mike falls, turning loose of the bar. He swims easily to shallow water. We circle and pick up the skis, then go back to the dock.

"Not bad, Mike. See why you have to hold the bar closer than Eddie did?"

"Yeah," Mike says with a chagrinned look.

"And don't lean forward; lean back against the pull and always keep the ski tips up. Help him, Eddie."

It takes another half dozen tries, but finally Mike gets the hang of it and stays up for a decent ride. When I signal that we're circling and point to the beach, Mike lets go too quickly and has to swim in. I coil the line and Steve brings us in after retrieving the skis.

"Time for lunch, guys."

"How was it, Mike?" I ask.

"Something else! That's fun. Wish I was good as Eddie."

"You did very well for the first time, Mike. A few more tries and you'll be fine."

While we're eating lunch a powerful roar attracts our attention. A boat much larger than Steve's flies past at top speed, the driver paying more attention to the beer he's drinking than to where he's going.

"Asshole," Steve snorts.

"You know him?" I ask.

"Yeah. Lives up the lake. Lots of money and no damn sense; thinks he owns the whole damn lake and that thing's a hydroplane. Stays half drunk. Wonder he hasn't killed somebody."

Wednesday Steve says we need to make a run to the general store for a few things. Eddie says he wants to ski over.

"It's two miles, buddy," Steve tells him.

"Great!"

I sit beside Steve, while Mike watches Eddie. Stupid hangs over the transom barking at Eddie until Steve tells Mike to pop him on the head and say 'No'.

"Stupid dog," Steve mutters.

There's no place for Eddie to land, so Steve signals him to drop off in the water. We pick him and the skis up. The moment Mike pulls Eddie in the boat, Stupid is licking Eddie's face. Eddie pushes him away.

"Tired?" Steve asks when he cuts the motor and glides to the dock.

Eddie flexes his arms a couple of times. "Yeah, but it was sure fun."

We make our purchases, the last being ice cream cones for all of us. We sit on the dock to finish them before starting home.

"Tim, you think you can handle the boat?" Steve asks.

"Sure. Why?"

He grins. "Cause I'm skiing home." He swats Eddie playfully. "Can't let this guy beat me."

He gives Stupid the tiny bit of ice cream left in his cone and strips off his shorts and thongs.

"Water start, or dock," I ask.

Steve points to the end of the weathered dock. "Water. You think I want a bunch of splinters in my ass?"

Once Steve is up, I give it full throttle. About half way across the lake I feel the boat begun to surge. When I hear Mike and Eddie yell "Wow!" I look back to see Steve doing acrobatic tricks I've seen only in a few movies. I give Steve a thumbs-up and turn back to driving. At the house I circle to let Steve glide perfectly up to the shore, then I bring the boat to the dock.

"Awesome, man," Eddie tells Steve. 'Where'd you learn to do that?"

"I was a member of a ski club when I was your age. Just wanted to see if I still had it."

"I couldn't ever do that stuff," Mike says. "I can't believe I even got up on those things. Mom won't believe it either."

Despite Steve's insistence we use sun-screen liberally, with all the time we've spent in the water we're nicely tanned. Friday afternoon the boys want more skiing.

"Can't you guys give us old men a break?" I ask Eddie and Mike.

"Speak for yourself," Steve says to me. "Let's go, guys."

It's late afternoon, Steve pulling Eddie for a last round, when I hear a roaring engine. That large boat is coming toward us at top speed. I stand and try to wave him off, but he lifts his can of beer in a friendly gesture. Steve almost throws me over the side he turns the boat so suddenly. I look back to see Eddie swinging as far out as the line allows. I motion for him to swing back in, but the big boat flies between us and Eddie.

Mike screams; I watch in horror as the snagged line pulls Eddie into the back of the bigger boat. Steve cuts to an immediate idle as I jump over the side and swim toward the spot I last saw Eddie. His head bobs up out of the water and I grab him. He screams, wrapping his arms around my neck. Steve's alongside us; Mike pulls Eddie in the boat while l pull myself in.

Mike's holding a moaning Eddie tightly. "Oh, shit!" Mike yells. I look down to see Eddie's right foot is a mangled bloody mess, spewing blood. Instinctively I grab a short piece of line and place a tourniquet above his ankle. Steve opens the boat up.

At the house, he makes a quick examination of Eddie while Mike and I slip into our shorts, T-shirts, and loafers. Eddie is only semi-conscious now. Steve wraps him in a blanket and I take him to my car, laying him on the back seat. Mike holds his head in his lap.

"I'll drive; you sit in back and watch Eddie," Steve snaps, handing me his medical bag and a stack of towels to wrap Eddie's foot when needed.

When he turns onto the paved road, he slows enough to yell at a young man on the farmhouse lawn. "Emergency. Close my house." The guy gives him a 'thumbs-up' to show he understood and Steve floors it.

We're a few miles further on when I hear a siren, and Steve pulls to a stop. He doesn't wait for the state cop to saunter up, but yells, "Doctor. Badly injured boy in here. Clear us to the hospital!"

We follow the cop all the way in as fast as my car can run. Steve narrowly avoids another car as he slides to a stop at the emergency entrance. I run into the small operating room with Eddie in my arms and place him on the table. The staff snaps to, and Henk comes running in with Steve. I back away while they unwrap the bloody towels.

"Get ready to help," Henk barks at me.

I take Mike with me to the staff room. "Get some coffee or a drink and stay here," I tell him, and dash back to the operating room.

"No chance to save it," I hear Henk tell Steve.

"Ready?" Henk barks at me again.

I move into position, strangely as detached and collected as I always am during an operation. Henk starts, and I'm vaguely aware of Jake coming in. I slap instruments into Henk's hand, but it's only when I hand Henk the saw that I become conscious of the fact he's amputating and it's Eddie's foot. My head starts to spin. Steve looks up and slaps me hard, but all goes black.

When I come to, I'm propped up against the far wall of the operating room, a scrub nurse waving an ammonia ampule under my nose. I feebly wave her off and try to stand.

"Out," Henk snaps.

I somehow stumble into the staff room. Mike jumps up and leads me to a seat on the worn sofa then sits down beside me. "What happened?"

"I passed out."

"Why's it taking so long?

I feel tears streaming down my cheeks when I look at him. "Henk's taking Eddie's foot."

The pain of Mike's bear hug brings me sharply into focus. I try to pull away, but I feel Mike begin to shake then sob. I rub his back trying to comfort him. "Don't cry, Mike. Eddie's going to be okay. Henk's first rate."

He pulls back and looks at me, tears streaming. "I love him, Tim. I ... I don't want him to be like me."

I pull him back against me. "I know, Mike, I know. But you've got to be strong for Eddie now. He's going to need all your strength and love to get through this. You're going to help him a lot since you've been through it yourself."

"It's hell, Tim."

"I know."

"I wish I could kill that asshole did this. I'd burn his boat, so he couldn't do it to nobody else."

"Forget it, Mike; concentrate on helping Eddie. I'm going to have to depend on you a lot for the next few weeks."

He pulls away and looks me in the eyes. "I ain't going to work; I ain't leavin' Eddie."

"Are you sure?"

"Damn right, Tim."

I hug him. "Thank God Eddie's got a friend like you."

Henk and Steve come in. Steve gives me a hug then a wan smile. "Sorry about the slap, Tim."

"I'm embarrassed, Doctors. I've never done such a thing before."

Henk hugs me. "You see why doctor not allowed to treat family, yes? Do not feel shame. It is natural reaction."

"Where's Eddie?" Mike demands.

"He's in recovery, Mike," Steve tells him. "You did a great job."

"I wanna see 'em!"

Henk walks over and puts his hand on Mike's shoulder. "Soon as he in regular room. You will help him?"

"I'll do anything for him. Why'd you cut off his foot?"

Henk sits down beside him. "Was so bad I could not save. Steve know. I fix stump so Eddie walk easy with new leg. You see. He has already."

"Hunh?"

Steve looks at me. "That's why we were so long. Henk was able to give Eddie a temporary pylon. It'll be a big help psychologically."

"Thank God for small favors," I whisper.

"Let's get the paperwork out of the way so you can be with Eddie," Steve says.

"Ja, I forget permission," Henk adds.

Steve brings me the clipboard and a cup of coffee, then hands me his pen. I do it swiftly, but hesitate before signing my name to the permission form for surgery. "You know it was necessary, Tim. Sign it," Steve says quietly.

I do and hand him the board. "I've got to let Ed know. He'll slit my throat when he gets here."

"Ja, and you have two good doctors to sew back up," Henk jokes to lighten the moment.

"Let it wait until Eddie's out of recovery. He needs you and Mike worse, and your brother is going to want to know how he's doing. I'll be with you when you call, if you want." Steve tells me.

"Also me," Henk offers.

"No, I want to do it now. His number's in my office."

Steve pulls me up. "Let's do it, then. We'll use Henk's speaker phone."

Mike puts his arm around me as we walk across to our offices. I get the number, then we sit around Henk's desk. When I fumble with the phone, Henk takes the Rolodex card from me and punches in the number quickly.

It rings so long I'm beginning to wonder, but Ed finally yells, "What?" He's always been a grouch if he's awakened.

I manage to tell him most of what's happened before he starts. "I should have known better than leave Eddie with a God damned queer!" He screams.

"Shut the fuck up," Steve yells.

"Who're you telling to shut up?" Ed yells back.

"You! I'm Eddie's doctor, now calm down and listen." Steve tells Ed of the accident in detail.

Finally, Ed asks more calmly, "There was no other way?"

"I know Eddie and love him also," Henk says in a deadly calm voice. "Is fine boy to make you proud. I do not like to amputate young boy, but is no other way."

"Who are you?"

"That was Eddie's surgeon," Steve says. "He's the finest in the state. Eddie got the best care possible."

We hear someone mumble something at the other end, but Ed tells her to shut up. I surmise it's Martine, Eddie's mother.

"When will you be back?" I ask.

"God damn it, I can't leave now."

"So, business more important than son? Best you stay Netherlands, then," Henk says. "Steve, Tim, Mike, I give Eddie best loving care."

"Who're you to tell me what to do? Who's Mike?" Ed snaps.

Henk's face turns red. "I am Doctor Henk von Rhyn, Fellow American Academy of Surgeons and employer of Tim. Mike is partner of Eddie."

"What the hell you mean partner?"

I wave for Henk not to answer, but he's furious. "Is love of Eddie. He care more than you."

"Jesus!" Ed screams. "Did Tim make Eddie a fag? Oh, shit! I knew this would happen. Screw it, I'm coming home."

"You will not!" Henk barks. "Eddie not need emotional upset like you make."

"Ed, please, don't start anything now. Wait until Eddie's better. He's getting the best care possible. I wouldn't have had this happen for the world. You know I love him." I say.

"Yeah. Sure you do, fag!"

"What I am has nothing to do with this. I'd never hurt Eddie."

"I wish it had been my other arm instead of Eddie's foot," Mike says desperately.

"Stay away from Eddie, you fag!" Ed yells.

"Fuck you! I love 'em, man. Ain't you ner nobody else gonna keep me away from him," Mike says before I can shut him up.

"Oh, for heaven's sake stop yelling and go back to sleep, Ed," I hear Martine say clearly.

"Shut up, bitch," Ed yells.

"Enough! You come home if like, but you no see Eddie until I say," Henk screams and breaks the connection.

"Whew!" Steve says.

Henk opens his desk and takes out a bottle of brandy, unscrews the cap and hands it to me. "Drink!"

I take a healthy slug and cough as it burns its way down. "Thanks, Henk. Thank you guys for being here."

Mike grabs the bottle and takes a drink also. Steve takes it from him and he and Henk take a slug, too.

Steve wipes his mouth. "Damn! Is he always like that?"

"I'm afraid so, especially if he's awakened in the middle of the night."

Henk glances at his watch. "Yes, is four hundred hours in Netherlands." He stands. "Let's back to Eddie get. Should be recovered by now."

We find Eddie in a private room. He's alert but sleepy. "Stay, Mike."

"I will, baby." Mike kisses him and Eddie drops back off. "I'm staying," he says defiantly to us.

"I am, too. I'll get a couple of cots for us," I tell him.

"I can't sleep with him, hold him?"

"No," Henk says. "You too big, hurt Eddie." He pats Mike on the shoulder. "This hospital not love nest."

Mike grins. "If you say so."

"I do. Now obey Tim or I throw you out."

"Yes, sir."

I wake and wash up the next morning, then wake Mike and send him down to get some breakfast while I sit with Eddie. I'm thinking about our future when Eddie says," My leg hurts, Tim."

I give him a kiss on the forehead. "Tell me if it gets bad and I'll give you something for pain."

"Am I hurt bad? I don't remember anything but hitting that boat."

"Be a strong boy for Mike and me. Your foot got torn up by the prop on that boat." I squeeze his hand. "Henk took it off."

He looks down and sees the pylon foot pushing the sheet up. "Quit kidding, Tim. I can see my foot." He tries to move it and cries out, "It hurts!"

"Don't move it, yet. Henk gave you a prosthetic foot."

"No! I want to see."

Mike comes in just as I flip the sheet back. He grabs Eddie's hand. Eddie looks at his temporary leg without saying anything, but tears start to trickle down his cheeks.

Mike kisses him. "I love you, Eddie."

Eddie throws his arms around Mike's neck. "Don't leave me, Mike."

"I'll never leave you, love."

"But my leg's gone."

Mike kisses him again, then strokes his hair. "My arm's gone but that didn't stop you from loving me, did it?"

"No."

"Your leg's not gonna bother me neither. You're mine, an' ain't nothing changing that. I promised Tim I'd go home with you and stay long as you need me."

"I love you, Mike. I always need you."

Henk and Steve come in. "You look good, Eddie. Have you any pain?"

"When I tried to move my leg."

"Yes. Tomorrow we get you out of bed so you try to walk."

"I can't."

Henk grabs his hand. "It will hurt, yes, but soon pain go away, and you walk with Mike. You like?" Eddie nods. "I think so. Now I look at you."

After his exam of Eddie, Henk motions me into the hall. "l seldom have time to do such good job. I come tomorrow and Eddie take few steps. Will do him good to circulate blood better. If all go well, he go home by end of week. You have Mike to help?"

"Yes, thank God. Mike's giving up his job to stay with Eddie. I'll pay him since he needs the money. You and Steve may have to help me get him to take pay, but he needs it."

"We'll see that he takes it," Steve says. "You can take a few days with him, but I'll certainly miss you."

"Soon as I teach Mike what Eddie needs, I'll be back in the office. I'll need the money to pay Mike. Find out what he'd make with the paras and let me know. I don't want him to be short."

"Will do." Steve backs off. "You look like shit. Go home and get a bath and change. I'm driving up to get our stuff from the cottage this afternoon. I know you want to stay with Eddie, so I won't ask you along. Try to get some sleep, too."

"Thanks, Steve. I love you."

Seeing Mike and Eddie absorbed in each other, I tell Mike I'm going home for a while, and ask Eddie if he wants anything.

"My lap-top."

"Okay. But I don't think it'll connect because the phone line goes through an electronic switchboard."

"That's okay. Mike and I can play games."

A few hours sleep, a shower and shave, and lunch in the hospital cafeteria do wonders for me. I go up to Eddie's room. "Here's your lap-top, Eddie. How you doing?"

"We got a problem," Mike tells me.

"What?"

"Eddie's gotta go and he won't use a bedpan."

"Why, Eddie?"

His face turns beet red. "It's like embarrassing. I'll stink things up and Mike..."

"I understand. But why didn't you call the nurse?"

Eddie looks at me as if I'm crazy. "She's a woman."

"Look, we nurses do that all the time, we're used to it. How about if I help you?"

"No. I wanta go in there." He points to the bath.

I shrug. "No reason why you can't, but I expect you'll hurt like hell."

"I don't care." His stubborn expression is almost a duplicate of Ed's.

"Okay." I flip the sheet back and pick him up, telling Mike to lower the pylon slowly.

I can tell from his face it hurts, but Eddie never whimpers. I set him down on the commode and close the door behind me.

Mike looks at me with an anguished expression. "How'm I going to do that with one arm?"

"You won't have to. Henk will have Eddie take his first steps tomorrow. By the time he goes home he'll be able to walk. You'll just need to steady him."

"Oh. I forgot nurses have to do so much for people."

I slap him playfully on top of his head. "I've wiped more butts than you'll ever see. Did Eddie need to urinate while I was gone?"

Mike grins. "Yeah. He gave me hard time about that too, but I told him it wasn't like I hadn't held it before. He laughed and went."

"You're good for him. Have you called your mother and told her you're here?"

"No. I mean she isn't expecting me until tomorrow."

"I gave her the number at Steve's. You'd better call her and let her know where you are."

"'Kay." The phone rings before Mike picks it up. He hands the receiver to Eddie.

"Yeah?" ... "I'm okay, dad, I already got a new leg and Mike and Tim are taking ..." ... "Don't call Mike and Tim fags," he yells. He listens a moment then says flatly, "I don't care. I'm not going home, I'm staying with Tim. I like school and my friends."

He hands to receiver to me. "What, Ed?" ... "Don't expect a lot of sympathy from me. I told you what she was when you married her." ... "Do what you please, you always do. And for your information, I'll be damned happy to have Eddie."

I hand the phone back. Eddie listens for a minute, then says, "I love you, dad, but I want to stay here. You can come see me any time you want. Bye." He hands the receiver to Mike and starts to sob his little heart out. I try to comfort him but he reaches out to Mike. Mike hugs him.

"What?" Mike asks me. I've touched him on the left shoulder, striking his stump - it twitches from a nerve reaction.

"Stay with him, Mike. I'll tell you later, but he's having a rough time."

I walk out to keep them from seeing my anger. Ed told me he's leaving Martine and since I turned Eddie into a fag I can keep him; he wants nothing to do with either of us. I know Eddie feels deserted because what little love he's gotten over the years has come from Ed.

I grab a cup of coffee from the nurses' station and sit in an unoccupied room next to Eddie's to collect my thoughts. The only good thing is that Eddie is away from the dissension and inattention he's had at home, and he'll have Mike. But I hate that Ed doesn't want to see him.

I look up when I hear footsteps. "Steve," I call.

He looks at my face and asks, "What's happened?" I tell him. "Let me think about what you should do, and I'll talk with you tomorrow." He hugs me. "I know you've got a lot on you, but so has Eddie and he's our first concern. I'm on my way to check on him. Come on with me."

The door to Eddie's room is closed. Steve pushes it open and we see Mike in the bed, holding Eddie. He looks up and nods down to Eddie, who's sleeping, so Steve jerks his head toward the door. Mike slowly and carefully slips out of the bed without waking him.

"Tim told me. How's Eddie taking it?" Steve asks softly.

"Kind of hard at first, but he's glad he's getting to stay with Tim. So'm I."

"You're a prince, Mike. If ever Eddie needed you it's now. You're a smart guy, so just go with the flow where he's concerned."

"I just want him happy again, like he was at the lake."

"That's what we want, too. I'll let him sleep now and come back after dinner."

"Thanks for your help, Steve." I tell him.

"Always, love."

The next morning with Henk's and Steve's help, Eddie takes his first steps. He winces each time he puts his weight on his stump but never makes a sound. Instead he frowns when Henk makes him get back in bed.

"You do very good, Eddie. I am proud. Give him Tylenol, Tim; I know he has some pain."

"I walked," he says to me proudly.

"Sure did. You're the greatest."

"I didn't think I could, but I did."

Henk smiles. "You do so good I send you home Friday, if nothing happen and you walk alone."

"I will, Henk. You'll see. Mike's coming with me."

"Then I know you have good help. Tomorrow you walk more."

I walk out in the hall with Henk. "Very good he has no more pain than he show. He heals fast. I take off pylon sometime next week to check. You know how to wrap stump. Also get forearm crutches."

"He'll be unhappy with them."

"Perhaps, but if temporary prosthesis do what I want, he can be fitted for new leg a week after."

"So soon?"

"Ja. This keep stump in good shape, diminish swelling. The sooner he has leg so stump can shape to socket the better. I call prosthetics man I like."

"I don't know what we'd have done without you and Steve, Henk."

He pats my shoulder. "You important to us, partner. We want to help all we can."

I look up at the sound of fast footsteps. It's Mike's mother.

"Oh, Tim, I can't believe it. Is it true?"

"I'm afraid so, Elaine. I'm sorry I forgot to have Mike call you earlier."

"I wasn't worried until I heard. Mike hasn't been in the way, has he?"

"Anything but. He's been wonderful for Eddie. Go in and see them."

It doesn't take her long to have them both laughing over some incident at her office concerning that crazy statuette Eddie gave her for Christmas. Their laughter is balm to my heart.

With Eddie happy having Mike stay with him, I go home and get a good night's sleep. I don't see Eddie when I check his room the next morning. I look at Mike.

He grins. "Walked to the bathroom all by himself."

"I hope you were by him in case he fell?"

"Damn straight." He smiles admiringly. "He's a hell of a guy. I was a lot worse about my arm."

"I doubt you had the kind of emotional support you've given Eddie. Steve's right, you're a prince, Mike."

"Naa. I just love my Eddie."

I hug him. "We all love you, too, Mike. Thanks. I've got to run over to the office, Steve wants to see me. I'll be back before long."

"No problem."

Steve is waiting when I get there. "Come on in, Henk's covering me for an hour. Grab some coffee if you want."

I do and sit down. "What's up?"

"I thought about things last night and here's what I propose you do. Find a lawyer and sue your brother for permanent custody of Eddie. I've already had a talk with Daryl about suing that drunk bastard on Eddie's behalf. He's gotten by with too much too long and every property owner on the lake wants him gone, but this is the first time we've had something tangible to use in court. He owes Eddie big time and I'm going to make damn sure Eddie benefits."

When Steve says 'sue' twice, Elaine's little story flashes through my mind and I chuckle.

"What's so damn funny?"

I tell him about the statuette and he chuckles, too. "Thanks, Steve. Even if I hadn't fallen in love with you before, I would now. You always seem to know the answers."

"If you'd grown up with a corporate lawyer for a father, you'd be analytical, too." He grins. "Hell, I couldn't get by with excuses when I was a kid, I had to state my case like I was in court. I hated it at the time, but it certainly has paid off since. Dad hugged me when I finally told him I understood now what he was trying to teach me. So, you have a lawyer?"

I nod. "The young guy from the situation last Christmas."

"Give him a call soonest and let's get this done. I need you working."

I go to my office and find his card, then call Atherton for an appointment. He insists on coming to my office to talk. A half-hour later he shows up. I pour coffee for us and tell him the entire story. He knows Daryl slightly and wants to work with him on the suit. The custody matter he assures me is a snap. He does ask to speak with Eddie, so we walk over to the hospital.

The only dissent is when he asks Mike to leave. Eddie tells him in no uncertain terms it's not going to happen. After a few tears on Eddie's part, Eddie tells Atherton he wants to keep living with me. Outside the room, Atherton takes Ed's phone number, fax number, and tells me it'll be done within a week if Ed cooperates. He looks positively insulted when I ask if he wants a retainer, but says he'll take five dollars to keep things legit.

A week later he calls to ask if Eddie can appear in domestic court so the judge can see him. He wants Eddie on crutches. Since Eddie's already home and using them, it's no problem. To my surprise, he seems to enjoy Mike's admiration.

When I ask him, he grins and says, "Mike says it's payback for my touching his stump."

"It doesn't hurt you?"

"Not much. He's careful."

"Do you feel any pain from the part they took off?"

"You mean phantom limb? Henk told me about it. I can still feel my foot, but it doesn't hurt, feels like it's still on the ski."

I breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad. Many times after traumatic injury leading to amputation the amputee feels a lot of pain."

"I'm lucky, aren't I? Mike makes it feel good."

"That reminds me, does his stump twitch when you rub it?"

He grins. "Yeah, it's funny to see, but he says he's used to it. He said that's why he doesn't use a prosthesis, it bothers him. I'm glad, cause I like him without it."

I hug him. "I didn't know you were a devotee."

"Whatever. He's a real stud."

The domestic court judge is a gray-haired woman. She doesn't suppress her loud gasp when we enter and she sees Mike and Eddie are both amputees. She turns her back on us quickly, and when she turns back to open the hearing her makeup is slightly smeared as if she's wiped a few tears.

A few questions to Atherton, Eddie, and me, and within fifteen minutes I'm given full custody of Eddie and the right to enter Ed's house in the presence of a cop to remove everything belonging to Eddie. The minute she announces her decision, Eddie hugs me. I see her smile.

That afternoon, Henk takes Eddie and Mike to have Eddie's stump cast for his new leg. He's one happy kid when he and Mike get home, though his smile falters when I remind them school starts on Monday.

Mike, showing excellent judgement, has elected to enroll in the newly added one-year college prep course at the high school. Elaine is delighted as Mike's grades have not been that good in the past and this will not set him too far behind, because most of his classes will carry college credit. The conference has not changed the rules, so Mike is still eligible to play football.

Mike reminds me Monday morning that they'll be late getting in from school because he has football practice. Eddie tells me he'll stay and watch when I offer to pick him up.

I have the early shift with Steve, so I'm home when they come in much earlier than I expected. Eddie's smiling broadly.

"Okay, what's happened?"

"I hadn't told any of the guys about Eddie's leg, so when they saw him on crutches, they fell apart. Coach was damn near as bad. He canceled practice and everybody sat around while Eddie told them what happened." Mike grins. "If you need a lynch mob for that sorry fucker, I can get you one real fast."

"Yeah, the guys were great and I'm still their mascot. Mike was late to a few classes because he kept others away from me so I wouldn't get tripped or anything on the stairs. Tomorrow there'll be one of the team with me every minute. Most of 'em are seniors like me, so we'll have the same classes."

"That's really fine of them. Be sure to thank them."

"I will."

Steve informs me the next day that Daryl and Tom Atherton are working together on the suit, and going great guns. On Thursday the judge calls me and asks if it's convenient for us to get Eddie's things this weekend, saying that one of the cops has volunteered to go with us with the court order in hand, and he has this weekend off duty. I agree with her that it's best to have it done as quickly as possible, so I tell Eddie and Mike that evening and send the principal a note requesting they be released at noon. It's a four-hour drive and we'll have to spend the night.

I'm delighted to find the cop is the one calls me Doc. I pick him up at home, surprised to see he's in uniform, but carrying his cap and a small overnight bag.

"Official court business," he says with a grin when I comment on it. "I'll need to check in with the station there so they can have an officer with us because it's their jurisdiction."

"This is awfully kind of you."

"Not at all. Hell, I figure you'll need another hand if the kid's got much stuff."

I shake my head. "From cop to moving man. You're a versatile guy."

Eddie is subdued when I pick him and Mike up at home and we start out. They sit in the backseat, Mike's arm around him. Their affection for each other doesn't seem to bother Tom, the cop.

After a couple of hours I'm tired, having worked a couple of cases with Steve this morning. Tom senses it and tells me he'll drive; I'm more than happy to let him take the wheel. When we reach the police station with Eddie's directions, Tom puts on his cap and gets out, telling us to stay put, but we get out to stretch. Eddie has some trouble standing after sitting for so long, having only just gotten his new leg two days ago, so Mike puts his arm around him. I look up in time to see a couple of cops coming out of the station.

They look at Mike and Eddie and walk over. "He bothering you, kid," one of them says to Eddie.

"Naa, we're friends. My leg hurts so he's holding me up."

"Oh." He looks at Mike. "You play ball?"

Mike nods. "For Easton High."

"Damn! You're that one armed guy I've heard so much about. Nobody beat your team last year."

Eddie grins. "Not a chance. Mike's awesome."

"I believe it." The cop holds out his hand. " Put 'er there. It's good to meet you."

Tom comes back and we get in. "They'll have a man meet us at the house at eight-thirty tomorrow morning. Where to?"

"I made reservations at the Comfort Inn, two double rooms. Hope you don't mind sharing with me. The boys will be in the other room."

"Long as you don't snore or make a grab for my bod," he says with a grin.

"You're safe on all counts, Officer Smithson. Let's check in then find someplace to eat and make it an early night."

"I'm with you there."

Tom's so apparently unconcerned about stripping in front of me when he goes to shower I think he's a bit of a tease. He may be buff and attractive, but my heart belongs to Steve. After breakfast, Eddie directs us to his house. I can tell it's hurting him already. The city cop who's waiting for us is as big as Mike, but very soft-spoken. Eddie finds the spare key and opens the door, then takes us up to his room.

He dismantles his desk top computer system and the stereo; Tom and I take it down to my car. The cop tells me he'll stay outside and watch it while we finish packing. With a couple of suitcases and several boxes, we have everything and the back of my Jeep is filled to capacity. Mike and Tom go down to get Eddie's bike from the garage while I stay with Eddie for a last look. He finally picks up the one remaining item on his desk, a picture of Ed and Martine. Tears are streaming when he looks at me and nods that he's ready to go.

He puts the key back in place, but almost falls. Mike runs over and grabs him before I can, picking him up and carrying him to the car. Tom and I thank the cop, and we sign the form he puts in front of us.

When I start to turn towards Tom's apartment, he tells me he's going with us to help us unload and stops my protests. "Hey, it's gotten me out of town and I needed that. Besides, you're good company. It's bad to say because of what we were doing, but I've enjoyed the trip."

I leave Mike and Eddie to put away his things and after Tom and I have a beer, I drive him home. I try to get him to take a couple of hundred for his help, but he refuses flatly. "Since you won't, I'll give you a call to have dinner with us when the boys are in a better mood. That is if you don't mind eating with gays."

He laughs. "I figured that out long ago, Doc. Don't bother me, especially after being with you last night. Take care of Eddie."

"Damn right I will. You take care, too, and don't be a stranger."

The rest of the weekend is subdued. Saturday night I sleep better than I thought I would. I'm glad because I work Sunday. I'm not worried about Eddie because Elaine told Mike to bring him home with him.

While we're having a cup of coffee together, Steve asks me if I've given any more thought to moving in with him. "Damn, I'm not up to another move right now. My Jeep was full of Eddie's stuff. If Tom hadn't been with us, we'd probably still be there."

"Glad he helped. From the few times I've seen him, he appears to be a nice guy."

"He is. After Eddie settles down I want to get us all together, Henk and you, too, for dinner."

"I'd like that. But seriously, ask Eddie if he's willing to move in with us. It'll be better psychologically for him to get this over once and for all." He looks me straight in the eye. "If you don't, I will. I love you, Tim Bryan."

"I love you, too, Doctor Steve Adams." I pull him up and kiss him fervently.

We hear a siren. "Shit," Steve says, "back to work."

At the end of our shift, Steve invites himself over for drinks and dinner that evening, telling me he'll bring it. I remind him that the boys will likely be there. "Good. With Mike there I won't have to eat leftovers," he says with a grin.

I clean the place up a little, grab a shower, and get a few minutes rest before Eddie comes in. "Where's Mike?"

"His mom wants him home tonight."

"Okay, run get a bath, Steve's coming over for dinner."

Eddie sniffs. "We getting pizza? I don't smell anything cooking."

"Steve's bringing it."

"Great." I notice he's limping heavily when he goes to bathe. He comes back a little later on his crutches.

"What's wrong with the leg?"

"Got to hurting."

"Tell Steve when he gets here."

I set up the drinks in the kitchen. Steve comes in carrying a big slow cooker, sets it on the cabinet and plugs it in. He pulls a couple of packages of instant mashed potatoes from his pocket. "Not as good as real, but they're not bad. I forgot to put any potatoes on."

I hand him a drink, fix one for myself, and take a can of soda in to Eddie. "Hate to ask you to work, Doctor, but Eddie's stump is bothering him."

Steve sets his drink down and kneels in front of Eddie, rolling his jeans leg up. He examines his stump carefully. "Don't see anything." He probes the end gently with his finger. Eddie lets out a little yelp when Steve presses one spot. Steve gets up. "Have Mike bring him to the office after school. I want Henk to examine him."

"Anything serious?" I ask.

"Not that I can tell. May be a result of sitting so long on the trip, but I want to be sure."

Eddie grins. "Good to have one doctor makes house calls."

Steve slaps him gently on the back of the head. "You rate special, guy. What would you think of living with the doctor?"

Eddie looks at him. "You moving in?"

"Other way round, buddy. My place is a lot bigger, so I want you and Tim to move in with me. You can have the big bedroom that opens onto the patio out back, and Mike can stay with you just like he does here."

"Wow! I mean you've got that awesome swimming pool and Stupid. It would be cool, but why?"

Steve shakes his head. "You and Mike haven't paid much attention to anything but each other, have you? Tim and I are lovers."

Eddie's eyes get huge. "Damn!" He gets up, hops across, and hugs me. "That's great, Tim. Steve's fantastic."

"Steve? Or his house and pool, and Stupid?" I see Steve grinning.

"Steve, dummy. Hey, Steve's got a maid, I won't even have to clean up my room."

"Down, boy! Millie has a lot of house to clean, and she does most of the cooking. Tim and I expect you to take care of cleaning up your own messes," Steve tells him.

"Aaaaw, heck." He grins and hugs Steve. "I was teasing."

"You sure you don't mind moving?"

"No way! Man, I'm glad Mike and me didn't unpack all my stuff yet."

"It's not going to be that fast." I tell him.

"The hell it's not, Tim. I've waited too damn long as it is. I'll give you two weeks to get packed and ready, then I'm having the movers in here."

"Where the hell am I supposed to put all this stuff?"

"We'll find room for your favorite things, especially the antique pieces. Leave the rest and rent it furnished. I know a couple of nurses will jump at this place. Well?"

"Since Eddie's sold on it, I guess I don't have any recourse."

Steve grins, then kisses me. "You never did. I usually get what I want, and you're the grand prize, especially with Eddie along. Hey, kid, like the idea of another dad?"

His smile falters when he sees Eddie's expression. He rushes over and hugs him. "I'm sorry, buddy, that was insensitive of me. I'm just so happy you want to live with us."

"'s okay, Steve. I guess you and Tim are my dads now."

"We want to be. I love you, guy."

Eddie hugs him. "Love ya, too, Steve."

Dinner is excellent, the big pot roast done perfectly. Eddie eats everything except the fresh green beans I cooked. After dinner he goes to do his homework, while Steve and I discuss the move.

The next afternoon Henk examines Eddie's stump. He looks puzzled and tells me he wants an X-ray. I look over his shoulder as he reads it. He points to a small white spot. "Hematoma. Probably a small vein opened during the trip."

"What's that?" Eddie asks, a little frightened.

Henk pats him on the back. "Nothing serious. I can drain, or you stay with crutches for short while and it go away."

"Will it hurt to drain it?"

"Yes. Stump is still sensitive. Even Tim would hurt you."

"I'll use crutches," Eddie says quickly.

Henk smiles. "Good. Take care."

"Gee, now I can't do much," Eddie says on the way home.

"You wanna bet?"

"Like what?"

"Steve's sending over a load of boxes. You want to move to Steve's, so you'll plant tail on floor and pack boxes while I hand you stuff."

"Okay."

With Eddie's eager help and Mike's, we've made a lot of progress by Friday. I insist Eddie go with Mike and the team to the out of town game. After they're gone I fix a drink and relax. Steve calls and we chat for a while. I'm in bed when I hear the boys come in.

It takes the rest of the week with Eddie, Mike, and me working whenever the boys are not in school and I'm off duty to get things ready for the mover. Steve's found four nurses who are waiting to move in as soon as I'm out and the cleaning service has been through the house thoroughly. Saturday afternoon, we're in my Jeep headed for Steve's.

I have the movers put Eddie's things in his room first and leave him and Mike to settle him in. Naturally, Eddie has let Stupid in to help. Some Help! My clothes go in the second large closet in the master suite and Steve's already made room for the few pieces of furniture I brought, so by nightfall it's as if we've been there forever.

When I close the last suitcase, Steve kisses me. "I've waited a damn long time for this, Tim, and now you and Eddie are here. It's a dream come true."

I kiss him back. "Steve, you're the best. It's not every guy would take a kid in to get a lover in his bed."

"I got more than that. I got my man and a couple of great kids who are lovers, too." He grins. "How the hell are we going to set a proper example for them?"

"Why, Doctor, I thought you knew everything. We'll let 'em see what real love is like."

He kisses me again. "Told you I could only love a nurse that thinks ahead, and you do. Now let's get showered and go out for dinner."

I yell for the boys to get showers and I find out what fun it is to shower with a lover. It takes all our self-control not to delay getting to dinner for quite a while.

Elaine has to accompany her boss on an out of town trip, so Mike moves in with us for a few days. Eddie's delighted, and Steve smiles. "Don't sweat it, Tim. They have keys to the house, so they can come and go like they want. With Mike along, Eddie's not going to have any problems." Eddie's still on crutches.

Henk calls a stockholder's meeting after work. Steve happily reports that all the beginning expenses have been paid and our partnership has begun to show a profit. "By year's end we may even be able to declare a dividend. Small, but a dividend none the less. It's going better than I expected."

Henk's all smiles as he passes around small glasses of champagne. 'To success' is his toast.

Now that Steve works the same hours as I, we often drive to work together. "Now that you're making money, what are you going to spend it on?" He asks me.

"I've been meaning to ask you. Tom was so much help with Eddie and the team have been so supportive and kind to him, could I throw a cookout for them? It's still hot enough they'll love a chance to get in your pool and enjoy each other outside school."

Steve smiles. "Not a chance."

"Why?"

"My man's not sweating for a bunch of kids; I want him enjoying it with me. I'll call a caterer I know. He'll love doing a simple job like hamburgers."

"I can't spring for that yet."

"We, love, not I. We agreed everything's fifty/fifty."

"For us, yes, but that doesn't include Eddie. He's my responsibility and Ed's sending him some money monthly."

"Look, guy, he's like a son to me, too. Don't deny me the pleasure I get from giving him things."

I reach over and squeeze his hand. "Any wonder I love you? Thanks from the bottom of my heart."

"Naa. We've both lived alone so long we gotta get used to sharing real love and responsibility."

Tom happily has Friday night free and accepts when I call him. Mike has already assured me there's no game on Friday night and says he'll tell the rest of the team members. When he asks, I tell him they cannot bring dates, which gets me a broad smile. "I know damn well there's one player who'll have a date."

"He'd better not make it obvious either."

"No way."

"So how many do you think we can count on?"

"I know a few got steadys and they'll have dates." He stops to think. "Maybe eighteen, twenty at most. You gonna get us a keg?"

"Absolutely not. You know how I feel about drinking and driving. What would the guys' parents say if they came home plastered?"

He grins. "Half of 'em don't care."

"So what do you guys do if and when?"

"Don's folks are out of town, so we usually crash in their playroom. They've got plenty of cushions and air mattresses, so it's no big deal." He looks at me pleadingly. "Be a sport, Tim. Nobody's gonna rat on ya."

"On two conditions. One, the top limit is two beers per guy while eating, none before or after. No sneaking bottles in either or they leave. Second, if they drink, they don't drive. Steve's said he'll get a van and driver to take the guys home, and the party's over by eleven. Think the guys will go for that?"

"They will if I tell 'em that's how it is. If they can't live with it, they can't come." He hugs me. "Thanks, Tim."

"If they want to swim, they're to bring their own towels. It doesn't get dark until seven and the pool's lighted, so five-thirty is early enough." I happen to think about Tom and grin. "Tell 'em there's an undercover cop present to be damn sure they stick to the rules."

Mike laughs. "Gonna make Tom work?"

"Naa, but I'm betting the guys don't know him."

Mike gives me a 'thumbs-up.'

Steve has gone me one better. The afternoon of the party, two young rent-a-cops big enough to hold their own show up. Steve tells them to enjoy the party, intruding on the fun only if anyone breaks the rules I've laid down or things show signs of getting out of hand. Both have driven large vans to pick up the guys at the school parking lot and take them back later. That way there'll be some control over driving and Steve's lawn won't be damaged by cars.

I simply shake my head at the amount of food the caterer and his helper put on three long folding tables after they've set up two large gas grills. The caterer laughs when I mention it. "Got three teenagers of my own to feed, so I know how they eat. If it wasn't for leftovers from jobs, I couldn't afford to feed them."

Tom arrives just before the kids to have a leisurely drink with Steve, Henk, and me before we go out to eat with the kids. Eddie and Mike are already in the pool; Stupid lies in his pen watching them with a mournful look. By six, the pool and surround are filled with guys enjoying themselves. Tom looks out the patio door and says, "To hell with this, where can I change?"

I show him to Eddie's room and a few minutes later he dives in to join the fun. There's lots of horseplay until the caterer yells that the food's ready. There's a cheer when Mike sets up the keg. "Remember what I told you guys," he yells.

We old folks fall in line last. To my surprise the kids are not near so rowdy as I expected, most telling me, since they recognize me, how great everything is. When there's a lull, I stand up and say, "This is to thank you guys for being so great to Eddie, so enjoy." There's a cheer and the party resumes.