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"I need to talk to you in private." Ben said, grabbing Max by the arm and whisking him across the gym into the changing room like he was a small child headed for punishment. "What in hell's name do you think you're doing?" Ben demanded as the door closed behind them. "He's the enemy. He's the one that caused all the trouble that ended with you here instead of Harvard."

Max had expected a negative reaction from his two best friends by inviting Allen to join them in working out. He pulled his arm out of Ben's grasp and rubbed the bruised skin. "I am aware of who he is, Ben."

"So, why is he here?"

"He needs friends."

"You're fucked up. He's the guy that your Joseph was fucking. Remember?"

"He's changed. He's not the same messed up kid that he was."

"Grrrr." Ben slapped the wall. "I just want to shake some sense into your head."

"Ben..."

"Don't Ben me. I don't want to see you getting hurt by this character."

"I swear he won't hurt me. He is my friend."

"And what are we? Chopped Liver?"

Max looked startled, and then started laughing. It confused Ben. Max struggled to quiet down. "I'm sorry. I never thought I'd ever really hear anyone say that."

Ben shook his head, not quite getting the non sequitur.

"If chopped liver is one's best friend, then you are the best chopped liver I've ever had. I love you, Ben."

Ben got a goofy look on his face. "Well, eat me then," he chuckled.

"I don't think Jim would be willing to share you."

"I think I liked a morose Max better than this one that calls me chopped liver."

"Ben, seriously, please be nice to Allen. He has been through hell since that day. I've forgiven him for what he did. I think he'll be a good friend. But you and Jim will always be my best friends."

Ben put an arm around Max's shoulders. "Alright, little buddy. I'll pass the word to Jim."

"Drop over after dinner tonight and I'll fill you guys in on what Allen has been through. I'm sure he'll tell you some of it himself eventually, but you need to know why I have befriended him."

In the meantime, Jim had started walking on the tread mill. Allen asked him if it was alright to do the same. Jim looked at him like he was less than dog dung, shrugged and turned back to his walking. Allen's shoulders slumped. He turned and shuffled out the door. Jim didn't even notice.

When Max and Ben walked back into the gym, Max looked around for Allen and then walked over to Jim and asked if he knew where he went. Jim simply shrugged. Max trotted out the door, looking for Allen.

Ben walked up and hit the stop button on Jim's treadmill. Jim turned and looked at him. "Look, I don't like it anymore than you do, Jim, but Max wants us to be friendly to the creep. So until we know for sure the man is bad, let's do it for Max. Huh?"

"Sure." He shrugged. "I don't have anything against him personally."

The gym door was at the back of the room facing the parking lot and alley. Max trotted out to the alley and looked both directions. As he started to turn back into the gym, he saw Allen slumped against the building, walked over to him and rubbed his hand on his back. He could feel the ridges of scar tissue from his father's beatings. He mentally shuddered and said, "They were just protecting me, Allen. Come on back inside. I explained some things to Ben. They'll be okay with you now. And I think they'll like you once they get to know you. Look at me, I like you, and I had plenty of reason not to."

"They obviously know what I did."

"Yeah, I told them. But that was before I even knew you lived in the area, and before you and I became friends."

"I sometimes feel that day will haunt me the rest of my life," Allen said, thinking about the day he'd gotten Joseph high on weed and had seduced him knowing that Max was bound to catch them. He wondered what he'd been thinking... what he'd hoped to accomplish.

"It'll fade eventually, Allen. It may take time, but you're on your way. Come on, Ben promised to give you a chance. Let's show him and Jim that you're a good guy, okay?"

"Thanks, Max, but it's you that's the good guy."

When they walked back in, Ben walked up to them with Jim tagging along behind and said, "Let's start over. Hi, I'm Ben." He held out his hand.

Allen took it with a tentative smile. "I'm Allen. It's nice to meet a friend of Max's."

"And I'm Jim."

Allen shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"So you look like you work out regularly," Ben ventured.

"I used to in high school. Now, I have a set of weights I borrowed from my uncle that I've been using."

"Well, I hope you'll join us and make it a regular foursome," Jim said.

"I'd like that if you really mean it." Allen looked him in the eyes.

Jim smiled and said, "I really mean it, Allen. I'm sorry I judged you without knowing you."

"Look, I'm going to be up front with you guys. I was really messed up mentally. I regret what I did to Max and Joseph. If I could undo it, I'd jump on the chance in a heartbeat. But I can't do more than apologize and try to make up for what I did." He took a deep breath looked them both in the eyes and said, "I see a psychiatrist twice a week. I want you to know that from the start."

"You've gained my respect by telling us that," Ben said.

"Mine, too, and I apologize for snubbing you earlier." Jim added.

Max was grinning. "So, let's work out."

Ben smiled and tousled his hair. "I think we just might."

Max smiled at the double entendre.

Since this was their last work out together until Max returned from his visit home for Christmas, he suggested that they end up at his apartment for breakfast after their run.

"It will be just Cheerios and fruit. But we can visit over my delicious coffee."

"Sounds good to us," Ben said looking at Jim to see if he concurred. Jim grinned and nodded.

They all turned to Allen. "I I I'd like that, if you're sure I'm not intruding."

"You're one of Max's gang now, so start acting like it, Allen." Jim wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him over to give him a noogy. Allen wrapped his arms around Jim's chest and lifted him a couple of inches off the ground.

"Damn, you don't look that strong," Jim exclaimed.

Allen dropped him, acting like he'd hurt himself. Seeing the concern on Ben's face, he grinned and straightened up.

"Well, if we're going to end up at Max's, we have to start from there. Who's riding with me?" Ben asked.

"I will," Allen spoke up.

"Great! That means I get Maxy." Jim scooped the smaller man up and deposited him on the back of his big Harley. Max went along with the treatment, waiting for the big man to straddle the bike. Once he was settled, Max reached around him and pinched both his nipples. Jim hissed and laid back on him.

"We little guys have devious ways of getting back at you big dudes. Remember that," Max murmured in his ear.

Jim could easily have removed Max's hands from their grip, but he was enjoying it and was also intent on getting back at Max. "Pinch them a little harder and I'll fuck you right here on the back of this bike."

Max let go. Jim chuckled and reached back to pat Max's rump. He started the big machine and sent it roaring into the alley. Max quickly grasped hold around his waist. "I love ya, Max," Jim yelled over his shoulder. Max hugged him tighter.

Ben was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs to Max's apartment, his arms akimbo, his legs spread. Jim pulled his bike right up to where Ben straddled the front wheel. Ben didn't flinch. He reached over the handle bars and grasped Jim's head, pulling him forward and kissed him on the lips. As Ben finally pulled away, he heard a feminine throat clear.

"My, that was beautiful," Claire said, leaning on the gate post. Ben blushed and turned his back to her to hide his excited state.

Jim stayed where he was, but winked at Claire with a big smirky grin. "Good Morning, Mom."

"I assume you boys are going for a run and will be ending up back here for breakfast."

"I offered them Cheerios and fruit." Max told her.

"Well, I'll have it all ready for you when you get back." She made a point of catching Allen's glance and smiled at him. He smiled back. He was beginning to like this feisty little lady.

They ran through the neighborhood for an hour. Then they cooled down and did stretches in front of the garage. Claire opened the kitchen window and called out, "As soon as you get cleaned up come on in, I've got breakfast ready."

Jim yelled back to her, "We love you, Mom."

Claire smiled at all the nodding smiles and closed the window. Grabbing their gym bags they headed up to Max's to shower and change. Amidst a lot of horsing around, they all managed to get showered and dressed. Allen had managed to keep his back covered. He'd not even let Max see the damage his dad had done.

As they started out the door, Allen stopped them. "I just want to say thanks."

"Max was right. We like you, Dude." Jim grinned at him and clapped him on the back, making him wince and dodge away. "I'm sorry, Allen, I didn't mean to hit you that hard."

"It's nothing, just a tender spot."

Jim rubbed his hand soothingly over Allen's back and felt the ridges of scar tissue. Frowning he turned him and quickly pulled up the back of his shirt before he had time to object. Allen tried to pull away and cover himself. Jim wouldn't let him. "Good god! Who did this to you?"

Allen had pulled in on himself and slumped dejectedly. Max grabbed Jim's arm and pulled it away. "Let him be, Jim."

Jim pulled Allen into a hug. "Oh, man, I am so sorry. Are you okay?"

Allen nodded against his chest.

"Tell me who did this to you and I'll kill the son of a bitch."

"He's already dead."

Jim held Allen away from him and searched his face for more information. Allen looked up and seeing the concern, said, "My dad; he went to prison for what he did to me. Another inmate killed him."

Jim pulled Allen back into a hug. He didn't say anything.

Ben stuck his head back through the door and asked, "What's going on?"

Max spoke up. "We're just having a bonding moment."

"Well, Claire just yelled that things are getting cold."

With a caring arm around Allen's shoulder, Jim turned him toward the door. Ben gave him a questioning look.

"We'll talk later." Jim said to him. Ben nodded and headed down the stairs followed by the other three. During the sumptuous meal of pancakes, eggs and sausage, Jim asked Allen what he was doing during Christmas break.

"I'll go down to my uncle's in Orange County."

"Where in O.C.?" Ben asked.

"He lives in a big house on Lido Island."

"By himself?"

"No, he has a partner. And my mom is living there now, too."

"Nice place to spend Christmas."

"Hey, have you guys ever seen the parade of boats they do at Christmas down there?" Allen asked.

"No," they all answered.

"My uncle says that it has become a tradition that started nearly a hundred years ago. They decorate their boats with thousands of lights and sail up and down Newport harbor and past Lido and Balboa Islands. They compete to see who does the best decoration."

"I've seen it on TV, but I've never been down to see it live," Claire said.

"Hey, Uncle Fred said I could have friends down. His place is big enough to put you all up for the night. And you could meet my mom, Claire."

"Does this happen before Christmas Eve?" Max asked.

"Yeah, Fred said it is every night, Wednesday through Saturday, before Christmas."

"Great! I leave Sunday morning. So how does Saturday sound?"

"Let me check with my uncle. I'm sure he'll say 'yes', but still I need to ask."

It was finally settled, they would all drive down early in the day in Claire's Cadillac. They'd drop Allen off so he could spend some private time with his mother while Claire and the three men would go shopping at Fashion Island, the ritziest mall in Southern California. They would all meet up for a barbeque on the water's edge just outside the back door of Allen's Uncle Fred's house.

Allen's Uncle Fred and his lover Dexter volunteered to supply all the food if the boys would bring the drinks. Claire decided to surprise everyone with a big double chocolate layer cake which she had Max put very carefully into the trunk of her big land yacht with the warning that if his driving ruined her cake, he'd be wearing it. Max didn't, for a moment, doubt her. Ben and Jim piled into the big back seat with Claire between them while Allen rode shotgun.

When Claire met Matty, Allen's mother, she held her hand and looked into her eyes. Quietly, so no one but Matty could hear, she said, "It's time to put your guilt aside. Your son is healing nicely. Those three young men have taken him under their wing. He'll do well with them."

Matty turned to be introduced to the three. When she came to Max she studied him a moment. "You're from back in UniCity, aren't you?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I am."

"I remember you. Your friend was the one... involved with my son. Are you doing okay now?"

"I'm doing okay, Ma'am. I'll be seeing Joseph next week when I go home for Christmas."

"Tell him I remember him in my prayers."

Max nodded and glanced at Allen, who gave him a tight little smile. Max wondered how much she knew.

"And, Max, thank you for befriending my son, he needs your friendship."

Max looked embarrassed. He said, "Allen's a good guy. He deserves friends."

It was a gala evening, sitting on the edge of the little private dock, toasting each boat with clapping, cheering and lots of shrill whistling from Ben and Jim. By one a.m. they were all tucked in with Max having to sleep on the sofa. Allen had offered him his bed, but Max refused, saying he was small, so the sofa would be more comfortable for him. Allen had it on the tip of his tongue to offer sharing his bed, but felt he'd be pushing things too far in their new found friendship.

Everyone was up early. Max's flight was at 10:25 a.m., so after coffee and sweet rolls, the three young men and Claire thanked their hosts and were on their way. Matty had promised Claire she'd be up to visit after the holidays.

Ben was driving Claire's big Cadillac Seville with Jim sitting beside him. He detoured off the 405 and dropped Max at the American Airlines terminal. They all wished him good luck and happy holidays at the curb since security prevented them waiting with him in the terminal. For that Max was thankful; he hated prolonged goodbyes.

At ten, he boarded. Settling into in his first class seat, he wished he was already home and that the upcoming confrontation with Joseph was behind him. He sighed, lay back and waited for the flight to begin. With his eyes closed, he listened to the other passengers boarding and wondered if things were going to turn out well between him and his soulmate. He was asleep when the plane taxied to the end of the runway for takeoff. The engines' roar awoke him as it began its run for ascendency, then he slipped back to sleep when the plane leveled off and the engines quieted to little more than a loud hum.

A steward woke him for lunch, which he ate without tasting it. He stared out the window for the rest of the flight and reminisced about his happy years with Joseph, and chuckled when he recalled having complained to Dave that he couldn't have a boyfriend who was still in grade school. Although it had been seven years ago, it seemed like it was just yesterday. Now he was just a few years from being a medical doctor, and Joseph a lawyer. Again he wondered what lay ahead.