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It was only years after I finished college that I came to understand the secrecy surrounding my father's job. As a kid, all I knew was he had some kind of government job and was gone most of the time, leaving me with my nanny and the cook. I don't remember my mother and she's never mentioned, so I never gave a thought to not having one unless the guys at school mentioned theirs. My nanny was a guy in his 40's. He was okay and he took good care of me but lacked emotion, especially love. He got a sudden transfer when I was almost 14 and I got called into the old man's study. He was home for a change.

"Aleric, Walters will not be returning, so we need to find a new companion for you."

"Yes, sir."

He points to a chair in front of his desk. "Sit."

After I have, he pushes a few photographs across the desk to me. "Most unusual, but these men are available for reassignment to light duty, one in particular. Their personal information is one the back of their photograph, or at least as much as you need to know. I have no idea why you're being given a choice but see if any one of them …" he raises an eyebrow, "meets with your approval."

I flip through the pics. Three of the four are older men, but the last photo intrigues me. I flip it over to see the guy's name is Alex Wolf. He's 6 foot 4, 24 years old, and not married. He'd be a great looking stud if he didn't look so mean. He has a great suntan, black hair with a little curl to it, and dark eyes.

It's Alex's picture I hand the old man. "This one, father."

"I rather thought you might choose him because of his age, but I'm not certain he's completely suitable. He's recovering from major injury and is due for disability retirement. However, he insists that he can continue to be of use." He sighs. "While I might prefer an older more experienced man, I suppose we could give him a try."

"Thank you, sir."

"I'll be out the rest of the day, but Wolf will likely be by this afternoon. Let cook answer the door and check his identity, then you can get acquainted."

"Yes, sir."

"Remember one thing. No matter what you want, Wolf is in charge."

"Yes, sir."

I'm surfing the web when cook knocks on my door. "Mr. Wolf is here, Ric. He's in the den."

"Thanks, Annie." I like Annie. She takes time to talk to me and she calls me Ric instead of my stupid name.

I always like to look over the scene before I make an appearance so I ease into the dining nook off the kitchen and crack the door to the den just enough to see Wolf. What a sight! He's like tall and, while his face is expressionless, so beautiful my heart skips a beat. I've known for a couple of years now that I like guys way more than girls, but this guy is unbelievable.

I ease out into the hall and open the main door. He turns and stares at me, asking "Who are you?" when I start toward him.

"Ric. Are you Wolf?"

He scowls enough that I back away when I see a vicious looking scar in front of his left ear. It really screws up his great looks, but I still like what I see.

May I use your phone?" He asks.

I nod and point to one on the side table by the chair my old man always uses. He grabs it up and punches the buttons. "Let me speak to the chief," he growls when it's answered.

A moment later he's saying, "Sir, the only one home is a kid."

His scowl deepens. "With all due respect, sir, I won't be comfortable playing nursemaid to a kid this young."

After a pause, he says, "He's 13, sir." He listens then says, "Yes, sir." and hangs up. He mumbles, "Why me?" under his breath.

I've been looking at him all this time and wondering why he's never taken his left hand out of his pocket.

"I need to talk with your father, kid; what time will he be home?"

I shrug. "I don't know. He's out most of the time." I stifle an urge to blast him for calling me kid cause I'm hoping to get to know him real well, and maybe more.

I go over and plop down on the sofa. "I hope you get to stay, cause the old man says Walt's not coming back."

He looks at me. "The chief said you were the one picked me, not your father. Why?"

I've learned a lot by watching my old man the few times he's taken me with him to the receptions other kids have been dragged to as well, so I decide from the way Wolf's acting only a direct approach will work. I pat the sofa cushion. "Sit down and I'll tell you."

He does but not next to me like I'd hoped. "My father showed me several photographs, but you were the only one wasn't an old fart."

His head jerks up and he stares at me for a moment before snorting to stifle a laugh. "I was told you usually say what you think," he says.

"Yeah. Most guys work for the government can sling a lot of shit and that's all it is, cause they wouldn't tell the truth if it was bitin' 'em in the ass."

Wolf's laughing now. "If you think the truth is so rare, why don't you tell me the truth about why you picked me."

"I did. You looked young enough to know how I feel about things. Besides …" I pause wondering if I should really tell the truth, then decide to go for broke, "you're the hottest stud I've ever seen."

He stops laughing and stares at me. "Say what?"

Maybe I've gone too far. I look at the carpet and mumble "You're beautiful. I wish I looked great as you."

"I asked for the truth and I sure got it," he finally says. "I'm not all that great looking, especially now, but it's nice to know somebody thinks so." He looks at me without saying anything else for so long I'm a little uncomfortable.

To break the silence I ask "You want a cup of coffee or somethin'?"

He nods and says "Coffee straight up."

I get us each a mug and come back. I hand him his and sit down. I don't know what kind of soap or after-shave he uses, but it smells great, kind of mossy fresh with a little fern thrown in, like a woods after a rain.

"Okay, fair is fair, kid. You laid your cards on the table, so I'm going to do the same. You got sense enough to know what I tell you goes no further, right?"

"Yeah."

"I've never been around kids before, so I'm not comfortable with the idea of being your nursemaid. But what it boils down to is I take this job or get kicked out of the agency."

"I don't need a damn nursemaid and for sure I wouldn't have anybody around if my old man didn't make me. What I need is a buddy, since I don't have any friends."

"What about friends from school?"

"Ha, ha. What friends? My old man won't let me go anywhere or hang with them, and I can't bring 'em here. It's a crock."

I'm to see his thin lips curl up like he's trying to smile. He nods. "Yeah."

He takes a drink of coffee, then sets the mug down and looks at me. "I guess you know I'm on medical leave."

I nod.

"This is why." He pulls his left hand out of his pocket and holds it up, only there isn't a left hand. Just inside the sleeve I can see the end of his arm. I almost flip out cause an amp turns me on like nothing else and I'm dying to see it up close and touch it. I can feel I'm responding even faster than I do looking at pictures.

He leans back and stares at me again. "Look, this won't keep me from doing my job and doing it right, despite what the boss thinks. I use my arm for a lot of things and I've got a hook I'm learning to use so don't freak out on me when I come in wearing it."

"I won't. I've never seen a hook before, so I want to see yours."

"Not much chance you can avoid it if I stay around. I'm having something special done to it." I wonder if he can read my mind cause he says, "Don't even think of touching it because anybody tries is going to get a nasty surprise if they don't know what they're doing."

Now I'm intrigued. "Like what?"

"That would be telling. Now, you got anything else I should know?"

How can I say it with the beautiful one-armed stud of my dreams sitting across from me, but I think 'Why not? Go for it and hope.' "I like guys."

I don't know what I expected, but he only looks at me. "How old are you?"

"Almost fourteen."

He nods. "Figures. Look, kid, most guys your age usually like guys better than girls for a while."

"You aren't gonna go stompin' out?"

"I got any choice? I'll talk to your father when he comes in, but unless he has some objections, I'll stick around and see how things go."

I'm so happy I slip over next to him and hug him. "I'm glad. Maybe we can have some fun."

I feel him stiffen up and back off, damn it. "Sorry."

"My job here is protect you and keep this place as secure as I can. I am not, nor will I ever be, the object of your affections no matter how you might feel. Understood?"

"I guess." Guess I let my dreams take over. He sits looking at me with no expression for so long I break the silence. "Wanna see your room?"

"Yes."

I take him upstairs and point out my room then his, which is next door. There's a bath between opening into both our rooms.

"I see we have to share a bath. I hope you aren't messy, " he says.

"Not half so much as Walt was. He was a slob."

Wolf looks startled then smiles. "How the mighty have fallen. Thanks for telling me, kid."

"Do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Stop calling me kid. I'm Ric."

"I'll try to remember if that's what you want. I'm going down to get my bag so I can freshen up before dinner."

"Need some help?"

"Nope."

Later, Wolf knocks on my door. "Dinner, Ric."

I wash up and go down to find Wolf and my old man having a drink and talking. Dad looks up at me.

"Ah, Aleric, Wolf was telling me you have become acquainted."

"Yes, sir." I hope the old man catches that I'm disappointed in this guy.

My old man turns to Wolf. "I trust you and Aleric will reach an understanding."

Wolf smiles. "He's only seen the good side of me so far, sir. I expect I'm more demanding than Mr. Walters."

My father smiles. "Very good, Walters kept Aleric out of trouble, that's no mean feat in itself."

"I think Aleric and I have begun working toward a mutual agreement, sir."

"Excellent. I must tell you that I had doubts about your suitability, but after being given further information, I feel Aleric made a good choice."

"Thank you, sir. I'll do my best."

Cook has done a super good roast, one of my favorite foods, and it's really tender, but I see Wolf struggle with his one hand to cut it with his fork. Though he deserves to struggle as far as I'm concerned, I reach across for his plate. He looks up and frowns, then hands me his knife and fork. After I've cut the meat into pieces, I slid it all back to him. He nods and resumes eating. As usual, my father's paid no attention.

After dinner, father and Wolf go back into the study, so I go up to my room and see that a friend from my favorite devotee site is on-line. Most of the time we check to see if the other is on-line then go to private chat. Rob is 14 and has a great little digital camera he takes with him everywhere. His pictures are always of amps, but he sends me lots of pics of one guy he says is from his high school. The guy looks like a surfer, built, blond, and his left leg is gone just below the knee. With some kind of peg thing, he rides a board almost as good as ever, so Rob says. I gotta admit I get a high from looking at the pics and wishing I could see the guy for real. Rob's always moanin' cause the guy's straight and Rob would love to get him in bed.

"What's up?" Rob asks.

"Got a new nanny today."

"Your old man finally get a woman?"

"Naa. You ain't gonna believe it, but he's only 24, beautiful, and only got one hand."

"No shit?"

"For real. I even told him I liked guys and he didn't leave."

"Wow! He must be somethin'. Send me his pic."

"When I can get one. He ain't very friendly, but he's not like Walt." I hear someone in the hall. "Somebody's coming. Gotta go."

I start playing a game when there's a knock on my door. "It's open."

Wolf comes in. "I'm glad you're on spring break, it'll give us a chance to work things out before you go back to school." He pulls up a chair and sits down beside me. "You spend a lot of time on your computer, Ric. Are you friends with anyone on-line?"

"No. What I do here is nobody's business but mine."

"Ric, you've been honest with me so far, don't spoil it by lying to me now. I know you want privacy and friends, but I need to know who you talk to because of your father's work."

"Aw, please, Wolf. I only got one friend and he's in California. It ain't like he even knows who my old man is. He don't ever ask nothing about him anyway." I look into Wolf's eyes. "Don't screw us up, Wolf. Please?"

"I'm sure it's been hard on you, Ric, now please let me check your mail."

I know it won't do me any good to argue so I slip my chair over so he's in front of my computer. I can't believe how fast he opens my chat room and checks out the history file I forgot to erase. "Who's this RobFitz?" he asks.

"That's my friend."

"Do you know his real name?"

"Robert Fitzpatrick."

"Where does he live?"

"He said Huntington Beach. He surfs a lot."

"Humm." Wolf opens my cache. I never knew how to do that. He points to the address of the dev site Rob and I like most. "Is this what I think it is, Ric?"

"Yeah. Rob and I both like to look at amputees. He's lucky cause a guy from his high school has only got one leg. He's really hot and Rob gets to see him all the time."

"Go back to your game. I'm sorry if I interrupted anything."

Soon as Wolf's gone, I go to bed, lying there with my eyes closed so I can see Wolf. I want to mess around with his arm and have him hold me next to his awesome bod. When I wake up the next morning I remember dreaming we slept together and he had his arms around me and was whispering he loved me. That's when I realize I'm all sticky down there. I can't figure why and it scares me, so I get up and take a shower.

I've just finished my shower and close my bathroom door so Wolf can have it. I've just got on a pair of shorts when Wolf knocks and comes in my room from the bathroom. "You're up early, sunshine. Have trouble sleeping?"

"Something like that. Can I ask you something and you won't tell my old man?"

"If it doesn't concern him. Look, Ric, you chose me and, like it or not, we're stuck with each other. It's going to take some time for me to be comfortable around you so if I'm not what you hoped I would be, I'm sorry. I'm just doing my job. You should know that by now. I want to be your friend but there are some things I have to report to your father or my boss. Use your common sense and I'll listen to anything you want to tell me."

"It's kind of personal."

Wolf sits down on my bed beside me. "What's bothering you?"

"When you were a kid, did you ever wake up all sticky in the morning?"

He starts to laugh, but his expression immediately changes and he gives me a serious look. "That why you were in the shower so early?"

"Yeah. What happened, Wolf?"

"You're 13 aren't you?"

"Almost 14."

He smiles. "It happens to every boy about your age. Most younger, but some like you are older when it happens the first time. Did you have a good dream last night?"

I have to smile. "Super good."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"No way!"

"I won't pry, then. You just had your first wet dream, Ric."

"I didn't piss the bed?"

He shakes his head. "No, it's entirely different. Do you and your friend Rob ever talk about girls?"

I shake my head. "I told ya I like guys."

"That's right. You especially like amputees, too, don't you?" He's grinning, so I grin back. Maybe this ain't so bad as I thought.

"Yeah."

"When you're looking at the pictures is there one you really like to look at?"

"Yeah. Want to see 'im?"

Wolf shakes his head. "No. But when you're looking at him do you like to play with yourself?"

"You mean like jerkin' off?"

"Exactly."

"Rob told me how, 'cept ..." I'm not sure I should go on.

"Rob's old enough to ejaculate from self-stimulation. That's what you call jerking off. Last night was the first time for you and it was with a dream. Don't let it upset you because it's perfectly normal for guys. I won't feel right about giving you the birds and bees talk, so I'll get some information for you to read so you'll be fully informed. Any time you have questions ask me. If I don't know, I'll find out for you. I'm proud you felt confident enough in me to ask me such a personal question."

It dawns on me Wolf has only a pair of bikini briefs on. For the first time I get to see what an awesome bod he's got. He doesn't have any hair but he's got muscles everywhere. He's not like a pic Rob showed me of a body builder whose muscles were so large he looked like a freak, Wolf's just slender with muscles and a nice tan. "You're beautiful, Wolf." I start to drag my fingers down his chest, but he gently pushes my hand away.

"You spend a lot of time at the beach?" I ask.

"No. Why?"

"You've got such a great tan."

"I'm brown because I'm half Cherokee Indian. That's why I don't have much hair on my body." He looks at me closely. "You've got more hair on your chest than I have, but being light it doesn't show much."

"I'm glad, cause you look so great." I gently touch the scar in front of his left ear. "I wish you didn't have this. It don't bother me none, though."

"Good." He holds up his arm. "This bother you?"

"It's what I dreamed about last night." I say softly, reaching for it.

Wolf jumps up and backs away so fast it scares me for a moment. "You dreamed of me and it was wet?"

"Yeah."

"Don't try to touch me like that again, Ric. I've got enough ego to be glad you think I'm that hot, but it isn't right. I'm an adult and you're a kid." He shakes his head. "I don't think I can stay here. I need to talk with your father."

If I have to settle for just looking at this stud and dreaming, I will. "Don't go, Wolf. I won't touch you any more."

He puts his hand on my shoulder. "I know Walters didn't give you any affection and you're probably confused about your sexuality, but I can't touch you, even if I wanted to. It's going to be hard for me to be around you all the time."

"When you get to know me, you think maybe you could put your arm around me and give me a hug?"

He nods. "We'll see."

I feel my eyes getting wet. "I love you, Wolf."

He gives me a little smile. "Get ready for breakfast."

After we eat, Wolf and my old man disappear into his study again. It's only a few minutes before I hear Wolf coming up the stairs. He taps on my door and opens it.

"Ric, I had another talk with your father. Despite my misgivings about staying on because of your sudden crush on me, he's convinced me to stay and told me to be your friend instead of your nursemaid."

"Hey! That's great!" I jump up and run to hug him.

"No." Wolf holds me at arm's length. "I'll try to be a good friend to you, Ric, but there are times when I'll be telling you what you can and can't do like now. You'll have to accept that I'm right and not question my decisions. Okay?"

"Yeah. I'm gonna make you love me, man, just like I love you."

"We'll see. I've got some calls to make and your father has given me permission to use his study. Think you can amuse yourself for about an hour?"

"Sure."

I search for some of the people I know, but none are on-line. Then I remember Rob's 3 hours behind us. Heck, I wouldn't be out of bed at 6 in the morning on a school break either. I pull up my pics and look to see if any are as hot as Wolf. None come close, so I gotta find a way to get his pic. I've got a little digital camera that works great. Maybe he'll take me somewhere like to the beach for a day when it's warmer and I can get a shot of him in just his swimsuit. I gotta find a way to see all of him, though.

I hear a tap at my door. "It's open."

Wolf comes in with a smile. "Got some good news for you. Long as you don't tell your friend Rob any more than you already have, it's fine for you guys to chat as long as it's in private."

Great! Now I won't have to sneak chats with him. "Thanks, Wolf."

"I've got to go to the office, Ric. If I take you along, will you stay in the car and read or something until I'm finished? May take an hour or so."

"Sure."

"Here's your mail. You can take this along to read." He holds out the new issue of my computer magazine.

Walt drove a dark blue Ford, so I expected Wolf to have the same, but when he opens the garage door next to the one my old man uses you could knock me down with a feather. I'm looking at a super cool Mercedes SL sports car just like the one I saw on e-Bay and printed a picture of. It's white with a black leather interior and black hard top. I look at Wolf and go "Wow! Sure ain't like that clunker Walt drove."

Wolf grins. "Glad you approve. Quit drooling and help me drop the top."

Soon as he has the hard top off, he gets in and backs out of the drive. I love it when he shifts cause he puts his arm on the bar of the steering wheel and uses his hand to shift. In a part of town I've never been in before, he turns off the street into a drive and stops to use a card to open the gate into a ground level parking garage. He parks and gets out.

He points to a guard booth by the elevator door. "I'll go ask Earl if you can sit in the booth and read while I'm inside. Don't get out unless I call you."

"Okay."

A few seconds later I'm sitting in a chair in the guard booth. I'm glad I have the magazine, cause the guard don't talk and there's nothing else to do. I've about finished reading when Wolf taps on the window to the booth and the guard unlocks the door and lets me out. He only nods when Wolf thanks him.

"Sorry, I didn't think it would be quite so long. But I don't have to come back."

"What's in the box?" He's carrying a box about three feet long but not very big.

"Nothing, now. You don't see anything different?"

I look at him and shake my head.

Wolf smiles. "Thought you were more observant." He holds up his arm and there's a hook on the end.

"Hey, you got it."

"Finally. Glad to have it. Now I can cut my own meat at dinner."

"Goin' to let me see it?"

He holds it in front of my face. "Hook. See?"

I pretend to pout. "You know what I mean."

We get in his car. "I'll show it to you tonight, but you've got to promise never to mess with it."

"It's just some plastic and a hook and stuff, how can I hurt it?"

Wolf looks at me serious. "You can't hurt it, but it can hurt you bad and I don't want that. Promise?"

"I guess."

"No guess. What do you want to do now?"

"Go to a book store?"

Wolf grins. "Yeah. I like to read too. There's one I've been meaning to get. Just keep your mouth shut about the store, okay?"

"Sure."

Wolf finds a parking place and we put the rag top up then walk down the street. I try to hold his hook, but he makes me walk on his right side. The store looks like any other from the outside then I see the name: Lambda Rising. Hot damn! I've always wanted to go in a gay bookstore but I didn't dare ask Walt.

A guy behind the counter says something to Wolf, but Wolf cuts him down quick, and asks about a book. The guy points to a display.

"Look around if you want," Wolf tells me. "I think you'll like what's on that rack." He points to a small rack near the middle of the store.

I find two hardbacks and three paperback books I want, then go over to look at the magazines. I see one looks good but like most of them, it's in a sealed plastic wrap. I try to see if I can open it, but a tattooed arm grabs it and slaps it back on the rack.

"Leave 'em alone," the big guy that was behind the counter growls, "you're too young."

He might have said more, but Wolf grabs his arm and twists it behind his back. "Keep your hands off the kid," he snaps. "He's my responsibility. Where's Jack?"

The big guy squirms a little, but Wolf puts more pressure on. "He don't come in 'til noon."

"You'd better learn to treat customers right or you'll be looking for another job." Wolf lifts the guy's arm until he yells, "Ouch!" then lets him go.

"I oughta kick your ass," the guy growls.

Wolf suddenly looks so grim he scares me. "Try it!"

The guy looks at Wolf and goes back to the cash register. Wolf puts his hand on my shoulder. "Got what you wanted?"

"Everything but that magazine, but I wanted to see inside first."

Wolf shakes his head. "You're under age. I'd get it for you, but you'd be disappointed. Get this one instead." He hands me a copy of Devotee Quarterly. On the cover is printed: Special Amputee Issue.

"Thanks, Wolf!"

He shakes his head. "The shrink at the hospital told me about you damn devs. Just my luck to have to babysit one. Let's get out of here before you get me in trouble."

Wolf actually starts to pay for my books, but I stop him. I have plenty of money. The old man gives me a fat allowance, but I don't get to go anywhere to spend it.

"Where to, buddy?" He asks when we're back in the car.

"You're asking me?" This sure ain't like with Walt, we'd have been headed home by now.

"Yeah. Why spend a nice day cooped up at home? Spending a day together should give me some idea of what you're like."

"Burger King?" I ask hopefully.

Wolf grins. "Why not?"

I can't believe it. Every time I asked Walt, he said I shouldn't eat junk food and we ate at home. I mean Annie cooks great, but a change once in a while is nice.

Wolf parks by a window so we can watch his car and we go in to eat. I giggle when he tries to pick up a fry in his hook and squishes it flat. "Shit," he says under his breath and puts his burger down so he can pick up the fries with his fingers. I like the way the plastic ends at his shirtsleeve cuff and the hook shines. I can see how he opens it with a cable that goes up his sleeve.

After we've eaten, I police up the trash and we go out. "What next?" Wolf asks me.

"I dunno."

"Let's cruise a little and maybe you'll think of something."

We're passing a mall near where I live when I see the sign for the multiplex. Last of the Mohicans is showing. I know it's old, but I never got to see it. I point to it. "Look."

"Which one?"

"Last of the Mohicans."

"You haven't seen it?"

"No."

"We can rent the video if you want and watch it at home."

"I wanna see it on a big screen. Please, Wolf."

He turns into the mall and parks close to the theatre entrance. I help him with the top, and we lock all our stuff in the boot. Sitting in the movie with him beside me, eating popcorn and sipping on a drink is like having a date. There's a cup holder on the arm of the seat, so I put my drink in it and reach for his hook.

"You like it that much?" He whispers.

"I wanna hold your hand, but you need it for your popcorn."

Several times he points to the screen and whispers to me that his home is near where the movie was made and it look just like that. If it does, it's gotta be a beautiful place. I hope Wolf takes me to see it sometime.

We go home after the flick and I lay on my bed and look at the great pics in the magazine. I find Rob's on line and tell him all about my day. He tells me they don't say anything in the gay bookstore he goes to and he'll look for the magazine. He says he wishes we could spend a day together with Wolf cause he sounds so great.

When I'm ready to go to bed, I tap on Wolf's door and go in. He's got his briefs and a T-shirt on with the straps of the hook across his shoulders. He lets me touch it and shows me how it works. Again he tells me never to mess with it cause I could get hurt. I don't see how less I got my finger pinched in the prongs of the hook, but he's been so good to me today I promise.

"I love you, Wolf. This is the best day I ever had."

"I'm glad you had a good time. I enjoyed seeing the movie again and you're right, it looked lots better in the theater. Now get your scrawny butt in bed."

I start toward his, but he grabs my arm and spins me around. "Your own bed, guy," he says and swats me on the butt.

Wolf's turning out a lot nicer than I thought and every day for the rest of my break he finds something great for us to do. In six days I've been to more places I wanted to see and done more things I've wanted to do than ever in my life. I just wish old Walt had left long ago.

Monday Wolf drags my butt out of bed before my alarm even goes off and sticks me in the shower. "No fair," I complain.

"School," he says grinning. "Get going."

When we get to my school, some of the kids look Wolf and his car over and start asking questions the minute he drives off. I mean they're used to seeing me get out of Walt's old Ford. After I tell him about my spring break, the one guy who's sort of in the same fix I am says, "Damn, Ric, you get all the luck. Wish I could trade my nanny for your guy. She's a pure bitch."

I punch him on the arm. "Hey, after Walt I deserve a good guy."

"My old man would croak if he saw that hook though. He says cripples can't do their job good enough."

"Man, don't let Wolf hear you say that. He'll reach up your ass and turn you inside out. A guy in a book store grabbed a book out of my hands and Wolf damn near broke his arm."

"No shit! He looks tough."

Wolfs sets a routine for me so I know what to expect. I like not having to worry about getting up in the morning because he always drags me out of bed and into the shower. I wouldn't think he was being mean if he'd let me sleep then shower with him. It isn't because I don't try, but once Wolf's set a limit he won't let me go further so I give up to keep from pissing him off.

Has to be because of Wolf, but time goes by so fast I wonder if I've lost a few weeks of my life. We run some afternoons and blade on others, so I'm getting in shape. A few days after school's out Wolf tells me my old man wants me in his study and follows me down. Makes me wonder what's wrong, but I'll find out soon enough.

I look at him and can't believe he's actually smiling. It's his real smile, too, not the one I always see him paste on for parties. He really fakes me out when he opens a small bottle of sparkling wine and pours a glass for me, Wolf, and himself.

"Congratulations, son. You've made me very proud."

Wolf grins. "I'm proud of you, also."

"How, sir?" I can't think of anything I've done.

"This," the old man says, holding out a form.

It's my grades for the year and I've made all A's and the Principal's list. "Wow!"

"Wow, indeed!" My old man says, and he and Wolf touch their glasses to mine and we drink. After he sets his glass down, the old man actually puts his arm around my shoulders. "I couldn't be more pleased over the things Wolf has to say about you." He winks at me. "Perhaps we should have gotten rid of Walters earlier."

"I wish." I hug my dad. "Thank you, sir. Wolf is great."

"I think so, too. I'm glad he's decided to stay with us."

I back off, scared to death, and look at Wolf. "You were gonna leave?"

"Remember I told you I wouldn't have come here if I'd had any choice because I didn't like kids? My boss called yesterday and offered me another position, it was a desk job. He said I could take it, stay here, or take retirement." Wolf puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. "I told him there was no way I could leave you, Ric."

"I'm glad. I want you here forever."

"So do I, son," my old man says. "What would you like to do this summer?"

"Could we go to the beach for a week or two?"

"I have to be away for much of the summer, but whatever you and Wolf work out is fine as long as I'm informed of your plans. I have no worries with him around."

"Thank you, sir." My dad pats me on the back and Wolf and I leave.

In my room Wolf sits down and looks at me. "Let's make a summer of it, buddy. What would you think of two weeks at a beach in North Carolina and then two more weeks or so at my cabin in the mountains. I'll show you where Last of the Mohicans was filmed."

"Sounds great."

Wolf stands up. "Then I'd better get busy. Most of the good places at the beach are already rented."

About time for me to go to bed, Wolf comes back. "What do you say to a month at the beach, kid?"

"A month? Super!"

Wolf grins. "You're in luck, you won't have to eat my cooking because a cook and cleaning woman comes with the place. It belongs to a friend of your father's. Tomorrow we pack because the place is ours starting Sunday, so get to bed."

I hug him and get don't get pushed away.

Wolf says we need some books for rainy days, so he takes me back to Lambda Rising. This time there's a younger guy behind the counter.

"Hi, Alex," he says to Wolf then cocks an eye at me.

"It's okay, Jack. He's my responsibility."

"If you say so. You're looking great, man."

"Thanks. How's Billy?"

"Got promoted, so we moved to a larger apartment. Sure miss seeing you around."

Wolf winks at him and nods toward me. "They put me to babysitting."

I punch him on the arm as hard as I can.

"Ow!" Wolf bends nearly double and pretends to be hurt. He's rubbing his arm with the hook. "This juvenile delinquent keeps beating up on a poor one-armed guy. See, what a cripple has to put up with just so's he can eat regular?"

The guy behind the counter is rolling in laughter. "Kid's gonna be a juvenile delinquent for sure with you tending him," he gasps out.

"Go find a book, kid," Wolf tells me and slaps me on the butt.