Note: A very grateful thanks to Rock for making this story readable. Also, a nod of acknowledgment to Piet for pushing me to write a better story, and one to my faithful friend Tracy for her constant encouragement, too.

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John

The hardware store in the Castro is one of my favorite places to shop. It's not a Home Depot type place in anyway. It's a gay version of the ol' time Mom and Pop kind of hardware store. The front window always has some home project theme gone wildly gay. Part of the inside is your standard hardware store while the rest of it is aimed at the home decorator. What I like about it is that there is lots of friendly knowledgeable help.

One Sunday afternoon, I talked Farr into going with me to get a package of 'O' rings for a leaky kitchen faucet. We had to park the pickup a block and a half off Castro, and as we strolled hand in hand down Castro Street, a little kid yelled out to Farr as we approached him, "Hey, Man. You're just like me. You're a little folk, aren't ya?"

We stopped in our tracks and did a double take. My first reaction was to step around the filthy little kid and keep walking, but with Farr holding my hand, I had to stop when he did, so I looked at the kid more closely. I could have sworn I was looking at a ten year old who was a bit small for his age. He was about two inches shorter than Farr. His clothes were filthy, and he had smudges of grime on his face and hands. Still, under all the filth and grime, he appeared to be one cute kid. Farr looked him up and down, then asked, "How old are you?"

"I'm fifteen, Mister."

Farr grinned at his impudent manner. "Yeah, and I'm six feet tall."

I wondered at how he could be so jaunty - perky - looking like he did. I could hardly tell the original color of his clothes, and I certainly didn't want to get close enough to smell him.

"No, really I have my birth certificate." He started digging into a side pocket of the big grimy back pack lying beside him.

I wondered what happened that put him on the streets just as Farr said, "I believe you. Now, tell me why you're on the streets."

The kid's ebullience suddenly disappeared, and he hung his head, shaking it.

"Come on, it can't be that bad." Farr cajoled.

With a sad expression, the kid looked at Farr a bit hopefully, but when he looked up at me, his glare was filled with hostility and distrust. I guess he could see the distaste in my expression. I got the message... he'd trust someone like himself, but not a big brute like me. Anyway, he was something that Farr could deal with if he wanted to - I had a leaky faucet to deal with. "Look, Farr," I said, "I'll go to the hardware store and meet you back at the truck in half an hour."

Farr smiled and said, "Thanks, John. You're the best."

I strode on down the street feeling like a heel while I tried to justify feeling indifferent. 'Shit! He's just a little boy for Christ's sake. Have some heart, John.' Before entering the store I looked back and saw Farr with his arm around the kid leading him into the hamburger joint. It made me feel a bit better seeing that the kid was at least getting something to eat.

Farr

I knew the reason that the kid was on the streets from the way he hung his head. I'd really like to horse whip all parents that can just toss out their children like garbage. This was just one more example of why people should be tested for parenting capabilities and licensed before having a child.

I put my hand on the kid's grimy shoulder and asked, "When was the last time you had a decent meal?" He just shook his head and looked away. "I don't know. It's been a while. I squeezed his bony shoulder, then slid my arm around him and led him into the hamburger joint. "Order what you want," I told him. The least I could do was feed the little waif.

He pulled away from me. "What do I have to do to pay you back?"

The edge of anger in his voice set me back on my heels. It took me a moment to figure out what he was asking. God, I couldn't begin to imagine having to let some nasty bastard fuck me just so I could get something to eat. This kind of thing was totally foreign and horrifying to me, and I think it must have shown in my expression.

"Nothing," I stammered. "I just don't like that you haven't eaten recently. So, go ahead and order what you want."

He studied me a moment, then perked up, grinned and said, "Thanks, Man."

"My name is Frank."

"Thanks, Frank."

Geez, his smile, even with yucky dingy teeth, lit up the day. I wondered what it would look like after he cleaned them. He broke into my thoughts when he asked, "So, why did the big dude call you Farr?"

Before I could answer, the man behind the counter wearing a grease smeared apron asked me if I knew what we wanted. I nudged the boy.

"Yes, Sir," the kid said, "I'd like a double giant burger." He glanced at me to see if I was okay with it. I nodded and he added, "An order of onion rings... and a large Coke."

The counter man looked disgusted and sneered at the kid like he was about to make some snide comment. I cleared my throat to draw his attention back to me, and sternly said, "And just give me a medium Coke."

He rang it up and said, "That'll be $8.57."

I paid him, then led the kid to a booth. The counterman yelled, "Hey, here're your drinks." The kid slid out of the booth and went to get them. He set them down on the table, said he needed to use the restroom and grabbed his back pack. While I sat there waiting, I contemplated what being homeless must be like for one so young and small. I shuddered, and thanked God that I had good loving parents - and had never had to experience such a life.

The kid came out of the restroom just as the counterman yelled that his order was up. He scurried to get it, and with a big grin set it down on the table, then scooted onto the booth seat while sticking an onion ring into his mouth. He'd washed his hands, arms, face and neck, and even combed his overly long greasy blonde hair. Damn, a really cute kid had been hiding under all that grime.

Luke

I glanced at the pimply-faced man holding a spatula in his hand as I headed into the restroom. I could understand the sneering look of distaste... but I still resented it. I ignored him and went in. The place wasn't that clean, but I took off my shirt and hung it on the door handle. After washing my hands and arms, I took a wad of wet paper towels and washed my face and neck. I took a swipe at my underarms, but figured my clothes were so ripe it didn't matter. I thought about trying to wash my hair but that would take too long, so I just ran a piece of comb I'd found through it- didn't look much better.

I carefully wiped down the sink and floor around it where I'd splattered, and put all the used paper towels in the bin. If the man checked, he wouldn't be able to bitch about me leaving it worse than it already was.

Before I put my shirt back on, I sat on the stool and took a dump and a leak. While I had the chance, I washed my wiener and balls, and between my legs. It sure felt good to be a little cleaner down there. After flushing, I wiped the toilet seat just to make sure I left no bugs. I put my shirt back on, sighed, then opened the door. My hamburger was waiting for me.

Farr

I sipped my Coke while silently watching him devour half the hamburger and all the ketchup drenched onion rings. I wondered how long he'd been on the streets and what he'd look like all scrubbed up, with a haircut and some new clothes - and some meat on his bones.

I didn't comment when he pulled a few napkins out of the holder and spread them out, then laid the half eaten burger in the center of them and folded the napkins around it. He glanced up at me. I'm sure I looked perplexed. He glanced down at his carefully wrapped food and blushed as he said, "For later." My heart did a little blip leaving a lump in my throat as I imagined him back on the street, hunkered down in an alley next to a smelly trash bin unwrapping the cold half burger and eating just half of it before carefully rewrapping the rest - for later.

I smiled at him, blinked away the tears that threaten to fill my eyes and said, "Okay, now tell me about yourself. What do I call you?"

He studied me a moment, looking a bit doubtful, then I guess he decided that he would trust me. "My name is Luke White," he said shyly.

"Where are you from, Luke?"

"Glendale."

"That's down in L.A., isn't it?"

"Yeah, between Pasadena and Burbank."

"How long have you been on the streets?"

"Since right after Christmas." He glanced over my head and said, "That big man that was with you is watching us."

John

I found my rubber washers, paid for them and ambled down to the hamburger joint half hoping that Farr had just bought the kid a burger and left him to eat it, but peering through the widow, I could see the back of Farr's head, so I just stood there and watched the kid devouring the burger and onion rings. When the kid only ate half the burger, then wrapped the rest of it in napkins, I got a knot in my stomach. I knew at that moment. I was going to have to help get this kid off the streets and into a decent home.

The kid glanced up and saw me, then Farr turned and looked at me before turning back to the kid. Then the kid grinned at something Farr said and motioned for me to join them. I knew for certain then that the kid was going home with us - at least until the proper authorities could take him.

Farr

I twisted around and smiled at John outside the plate glass window looking in at us. I turned back and asked, "You wouldn't mind if my big friend joined us would you, Luke?"

He glanced at John, then back at me. "Is he your boyfriend?"

"And if he is?" I asked.

"That would be way cool. Someday I'd like to find myself someone like him."

"So, you are gay? Is that why you're on the streets, Luke?"

Rather than answer, Luke stood and grinned as he motioned for John to come on in. I slid over to give my big man room to sit next to me.

"John, this handsome young man is Luke. Luke this big dude is John."

John held out his hand, smiling at Luke. I watched Luke warily hesitate before his stuck out his hand, and his eyes get big as it disappeared into John's big hand.

"You clean up well," John said with a big grin.

"I'd do almost anything to bathe and have clean clothes again," Luke wistfully said, dropping his head to his chest.

I glanced at John to see what his reaction was. He studied me a moment, then nodded. He'd apparently already made the decision. "Luke....Luke look at me," I said.

He raised his head and the sadness tore at my heart. I wondered what his life had been like before being tossed out on the streets.

"We live near here and we have a washer and dryer for your clothes, and we have a tub and shower for you. All you have to do is accept our offer to help you."

A bunch of emotions crossed Luke's face before he frowned and said, "Are you planning on calling the authorities? I won't live in a foster home. I swear I'll run away."

That was exactly what I had been planning on doing after getting him cleaned up and in some decent clothes. I glanced at John. I could see the battle of thoughts in his eyes before he grimly smiled at me, and turned to Luke. "We promise we won't call the authorities. Just let us help you. That's all we're asking."

The streetwise kid was back. "Why would you want to help me? What do you get out of it? I mean what do I have to do for you?"

"I think I understand what you're asking, Luke, and the answer is Farr and I do not do anything sexual with anyone else. We're monogamous. Do you know what that word means?"

Luke nodded. "It means you only fuck each other."

"Succinctly put," John muttered with a grin.

I couldn't believe the impudent little shit actually blushed, but John took it right in stride.

"That's right, Luke. I don't mess around with anyone but Farr, and Farr only messes with me."

"And to top it all off, you're jail bait, young man," I added.

Luke looked at me like he didn't know what I was talking about and said, "That doesn't stop a lot of men from wanting to screw me or for me to blow them."

I shuddered at the image of this cute little guy having to go through that. John blanched and grimaced.

John

When Luke expressed his desire for a bath and clean clothes and Farr glanced at me, I knew we were of the same mind. There was no way we could leave this kid on the streets.

Except for giving him a bath and clean clothes... and feeding him, I had no idea what to do with him, especially after we promised not to involve the authorities. All I knew about this little waif was that his name was Luke White and he claimed to be fifteen.

We convinced him to go home with us. I'd become fascinated by this little kid. One moment he was bubbling over with enthusiasm, and the next he was dejected and sad. One moment he was like a little child taking delight in everything, then in the blink of an eye, he was serious and doing his best to deal with the world like an adult.

Luke was quite impressed with our big Victorian house. The moment we pulled in the driveway, his eyes got big. "You really live in this big house?" When he stepped into the living room, he stopped and stared at everything. "I thought it was only make-believe people on TV that lived like this." But he was most impressed with the tub in the master bathroom that I had built for myself - to fit me. "Wow, I could swim in that thing. Could I... could I have a bath in this big tub?" Who were we to refuse him? He'd already stolen our hearts... well, at least mine. I wasn't sure how Farr was feeling about him. He was being totally business like.

Farr insisted that Luke empty his big back pack so it could be washed along with his clothes. It was filthier and stunk worse than his clothes. I pulled and one out of the bottom of my closet; it was old, but it was clean. "How about a trade? Just put your stuff in here," I said, offering it to him. He grinned and started transferring all his worldly belongings.

While he was doing that, I poured some bubble bath that Farr delighted in using in the big tub and filled it with warm water.

Farr told him to drop his clothes outside the bathroom door, then showed him how to use the handheld sprayer for rinsing off after soaking and scrubbing. I started to pull the door closed as we left him to undress, but he stopped me, saying, "Leave the door opened... please."

We both turned around and looked at him.

He penitently repeated, "Please, I need the door open."

"Of course we'll leave it open, Luke," I said.

He looked like he wanted to say something else. Farr smiled at him. "Just say it, Luke."

He shyly looked at Farr, and then up at me. "You guys could stay and keep me company.... if you want." 'Hmmm,' I thought, 'maybe he's beginning to trust me.'

With no hesitation, Farr said, "Sure, but first, give me your clothes so I can get them in the washer." He was still in 'all business' mode. I wondered what was with my little man. Why was he being so closed and tight with his emotions?

Luke seemed not the least bit shy about stripping in front of us. He handed Farr his filthy clothes and put a foot in the hot water, testing it. I was aghast at how skinny he was. I glanced at Farr. His lips had tightened and his eyes were watery as he took the nasty clothes and turned away. Yeah, Luke was getting to him, too.

Luke grinned at me, and as he sat on the edge of the tub and put a toe in the water to test the temp, a weird thought bubbled up in my head, 'If Farr and I could have a child, would he be as cute as this kid?' Luke slid off the edge and disappeared under the mass of bubbles. A second later, he sat up with bubbles and water streaming down his face and hair. Only his shoulders and head stuck above the bubbles. He looked so tiny in my huge tub as he grinned at me. I couldn't resist asking, "Would you like me to wash your hair for you, Luke? I love washing Farr's hair."

He grinned and nodded, so I knelt and picked up the shampoo bottle as he scooted towards me. He almost purred as I massaged the soap into his hair. "I remember my mom doing this when I was a little kid," he said.

The wistful tone in his voice pulled at my heart. I couldn't reply for the lump in my throat.

"She died when I was seven."

"So it was just you and your dad then?" I prompted, as I gently massaged his scalp.

"My grandmother stayed with us for a while, but Dad started drinking - they fought all the time, so she finally left. I think my dad didn't know what to do with an eight year old that looked like he was four. He started drinking a lot more. Then last year, he caught me doing... something and told me to get out."

I figured I knew what that something was, but he wasn't ready to admit it, so I let it pass and rinsed his hair with the hand sprayer, then applied more shampoo. I didn't realize that Farr had come back until he laid a hand on my shoulder. I glanced at his sympathy-filled face and received a loving smile that sent thrills through me. His smile always does that to me.

When I finished rinsing Luke's hair the second time, he wiped the water out of his eyes and looked up at me, and then noticed Farr standing behind me. "I guess it's kind of childish of me to let a grown man wash my hair, isn't it?"

Farr grinned at him, and kissed me on the side of my face before saying, "Not if the man has a hair fetish, and you enjoyed it."

Luke lit up. "I definitely liked it. John gives a good head job."

I turned a bright red when both of the little imps laughed. It was at that moment that I realized that I wanted this kid. I wanted to help him mature into a well adjusted adult like my Farr, and have a good life. I wanted to take care of this little guy...nurture him into adulthood. Give him the best life I could. I didn't know how I was going to accomplish this, but I was determined that if it was in my power to do this, then I would. I wanted him to be my kid.

Grinning, Farr scolded Luke for his double entendre, and we left him to finish his bath alone. As we walked into the kitchen, Farr said, "He's a cute kid, isn't he?"

"Yes, and I want to keep him."

"You make him sound like a puppy."

"Yeah, I guess I do, but I don't mean it that way. It's... it's like I want to protect him and help him find his way into adulthood. I want to help him be like you, Babe." I squatted and pulled him against my chest. "You're so self-assured... so self-reliant ... so ferociously independent. I admire you, Farr, and everything about you, and I want to see this kid grow up to be just like you."

Farr pushed away and I stood as he looked at me. He didn't say anything - just looked at me. I watched his eyes fill with tears, and I wondered if I'd said something wrong. I was just about to start backtracking when he said, "I didn't know you felt that way about me."

"How could you not? Farr, you're the most amazing man I've ever met. And I feel so fortunate that you chose me to be your mate."

At that point, I sat down and Farr straddled my legs, and I supported him with my hands interlaced behind his back. In the privacy of our home, he didn't hesitate to be in my lap. "I guess it's the difference in our size," he said. "I always thought you felt like you had to help me because I'm small."

I laughed. "Well, at first I did feel like that, and... I guess I kind of still do. I don't know...it's kind of like I feel guilty for being so big and you're so small, but surely you've noticed I don't try to do everything for you like I did in the beginning."

Farr punched my chest. "Dummy, I love how you take care of me, even if I don't need it. You love me, you know."

"I know very well that I love you, Babe."

"And you know that I love you." He leaned into me and we got lost in a kiss.

A clearing of a throat brought us back to the moment. Luke was standing in the doorway with a bath sheet wrapped around him like a serape. He was so small and the towel so big that all that was visible was his head.

"Do you think my clothes are dry yet?"

Farr slid off my lap. "Sorry, I forgot about your clothes. They're still in the washer. I meant to get you some of my clothes to wear."

Luke grinned, and looking from Farr to me, said to Farr, "He is kind of distracting... in a big way, isn't he?"

Farr grinned back at him, and then looked at me. "Yeah... in a big way."

I thought back to the look of distrust when Luke first saw me, and how things had changed in just a couple of hours. I was too happy to blush - I just smiled at my two little guys. As I waited for them to return, it dawned on me that Farr hadn't responded when I told him I wanted to keep the kid other than to say I sounded like I was talking about a puppy. We were usually on the same wavelength, and we had been up to that point. I wondered if we still were.