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"There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn!"

(Samuel Johnson)

"It was not easy for us," Billy began, "especially when we were away from home, say, at a ball game, being two guys in love with each other and not someone of the female persuasion. However, we grew to accept it and made certain we shared our "friendship" in public in a manner others might find more acceptable."

Danny attended as many of my ball games as he could, home and away! The boys on our team always referred to us as "half-brothers" if the other team asked, in order to explain Danny's and my closeness at games and his presence. At home, who really gave a shit! I could pitch and we were winning games! After Danny graduated from high school, thanks to me according to his Aunt Agnes, Roy Woods offered him full time employment at the 'Riverside." It became our safe-haven; a place where we could be together even while he worked. During the winter, or during times when baseball season was over, I'd sit in one of the booths sipping a coke waiting for Danny get off work. The kitchen generally closed around nine or so, so if it wasn't too late when he got off work, we'd bundle up in his pickup and he'd take me home and either spend the night or drive on out to the farm.

The tavern was welcoming, comfortable, and a happy place to be most times. Oh, there were those time when things might get a little noisy, typical of a small town tavern. The lingering smell of pipe tobacco, cigarette or cigar smoke, mingling with the odors of cooking food in the kitchen, and the light, almost hinting smell of hops from beer or more piercing immediate smell of liquor such as brandy wafted throughout the establishment. Friday night fish fries and Saturday burger night usually packed the place and kept Roy and Danny busy. Once in a while, if it was really a rush, I'd help out in the kitchen doing whatever needed to be done.

Most afternoons, the old timers would gather at the tavern, play cards, sip on their bottles of beer, and discuss world politics, local problems, the economy, and who was fucking whom; in other words, gossip! However, Danny and I soon learned, if a person listened carefully, there was unlimited opportunity to ingest the collected knowledge or lack of it from these sages and store it for future reference.

Roy was a great one for keeping up on not only current affairs, but the financial markets as well. He read the "Wall Street Journal" and a Chicago paper religiously, sometimes making notes on a small pad as he did or ask Danny casually some financial or investment question. I think just to spark his interest or see if he was paying attention. Danny paid attention alright; it proved invaluable later on! Roy spent a great deal of time with Danny, teaching him about business practices and what it took to be successful. Danny had a sharp mind when it came to business and enjoyed his lessons with Roy much more than he had school.

Roy said one time "Give your customers a good product, with good service, at a fair price and treat him or her as if he or she were the most important person in your life at that very moment and they'll keep coming back! People want to feel they're always welcome, but also want to know you won't put up with someone who comes in to ruin other's enjoyment."

Another thing Roy hammered into each of us, was to invest in your business first and if you invest outside of it, always carry enough cash to cover your bets!

If it was a cold, snowy night and Danny didn't want to drive me home after work, we'd spend the night in the small spare bedroom in Roy's apartment in the back of the tavern. He knew we were lovers and it didn't take us long to realize he was what people sometimes murmured about - a homosexual like Danny and me.

We asked him one time why he didn't have a boyfriend or if he'd ever had one.

Roy smiled, "Oh yes; many years ago when I was in New Orleans at a cooking school."

His mention of a cooking school in New Orleans certainly perked our interest right away, but not as much as his admission to having a boyfriend, so we pressed him on both subjects, hoping to learn a little more about his past and encourage him to teach Danny more about being a chef rather than just a "fry cook!"

Roy sighed a deep, deep sigh, one of either resignation or regret, I'm not certain, before he continued.

"I was twenty and he was fifteen; I was a student in the school and he was a 'kitchen boy' who cleaned up after the students; I was white and he was black and; we both should've known better, but first infatuation, then lust, then love prevailed! We were so much in love, but we had to be so very careful so we wouldn't expose ourselves since it was not only against the law, but downright dangerous. We were versatile; I loved bottoming as much as I loved topping and he was the same, although I must admit, he filled me more than I filled him!"

"Our secret was kept for two years and about a week before I was to graduate from the school, we realized, unless he was able to escape from the poverty and segregated environment he lived in to join me, we'd soon be separated, at least until I earned enough to send for him. We were careless and instead of waiting until we could get to our 'safe place' I dropped my pants in a remote alley and he mounted me from behind and began giving me the vigorous fucking we both desired and needed! A shout from four or five white boys outed us! My young lover pulled out quickly, leaned over, whispered 'I love you forever; run!' pulled up his pants and charged at the fucking little thugs! It gave me a chance to escape."

"What happened!" gasped Danny.

"My lover didn't make it!" Roy replied with a slight sob. "Those sons-a-bitches beat him and then lynched him!"

"The next day I quietly packed my bags and left for home on the first train north. I never did finish the course and decided I'd never take another boyfriend. He was all I ever needed and wanted! Back home some dear friends helped me buy the tavern when it came up for sale and I've been here ever since. If I don't say so myself, I've been relatively successful at it as well."

Danny and I never asked about it again. During my senior year, after Fall Baseball season was over, I'd walk down to Roy's to meet Danny. One beautiful autumn day, when the leaves were turning and the ducks were just beginning to migrate, when I walked in the door of the tavern, Samuel, Ross, Danny, and Roy all sat at the bar, each with a beer in their hands. The place was as dead as a popcorn fart otherwise! I thought at first they just decided to have a beer together and talk about the upcoming duck season, but when I walked closer I could see tears in Danny's eyes and sad faces on Samuel and Ross as well. Roy looked as if he'd lost his best friend!

"Who died?" I questioned excitedly, but hesitantly, afraid of the answer.

"No one, my Love," Danny answered and extended his arms to me. I walked over slowly and once his arms were around me, his face brought close to mine, his lips touching my neck, he whispered, "Sammy, Ross, and I received our draft notices!"

My knees weakened and had it not been for Danny's strength, I would've collapsed to the floor! After the initial shock came the crying, the pleading of "say it ain't so," disbelief, and finally anger at those who caused the fucking Korean War and was sending my boyfriend and friend to fight! Young men sent to fight an old man's war was all I could think of.

After I calmed down, Danny said, "Here's the plan we've worked out with Roy's help; Samuel might get deferred since he's married; Ross, maybe, since he's in college; me, no way since I'm just a working stiff!"

I clutched his crotch, trying to joke, "Well, part of you is most times!"

He gave me a kiss and took his time explaining if he and Ross actually ended up serving, neither of them would plead being a homosexual, although that would get them out. Danny remembered too well Roy's story and didn't want to risk reprisals, and shirk their duty. The G.I. Bill would help Ross after he got out to continue school and Danny to do the same if he so desired. I was to continue on in college, using the money we'd set aside from the pickle jar and our livestock projects. I'd be listed as Danny's "brother" for next of kin purposes and insurance and Ross would be my cousin. Well, so far it sounded like a plan, but Roy stepped in with the next part. Clearly, they'd been thinking of this for some time before I arrived.

"I'd like you to take over Danny's job here at the 'Riverside' while you finish high school and go on to college. It'll give you money to go to school on and I can help you invest any money Danny sends home so you guys will have a nest egg when he gets out. We'll also open a joint account for you and Ross so you can do the same there. Sammy will help where he can, but we have to help him out too. He'll have more to do at his folks with Ross and Danny gone!"

It all made sense to me, but it didn't alleviate my fears for Danny and for Ross. I wasn't pleased with Danny leaving, but it was the best we could do under the circumstances. I preferred not to think or even talk about what life might be like if Danny didn't come home!

Sammy didn't get deferred; instead he failed the physical because of a heart murmur. Danny and Ross passed theirs! The night before they left for basic, Roy tossed a big party at the 'Riverside' for them. Before it was over, Danny took Gary aside and warned him if he so much as laid a hand on me or fuck me, he'd be pissing through a rubber hose the rest of his life! Gary left town about six months later and we heard later he got caught fucking some eight year old Mexican boy near the border in California and someone didn't take kindly to it. They never did solve the murder!

Danny and Ross both received leave after they finished basic training and came home. I met the train in La Crosse and it was all I could do to stop myself racing to the platform with open arms to hug and kiss my lover. We did that in the parking lot! While Danny was home I think he fucked me in every position the human body can contort itself into. I ended up with a sore butt when his leave was over, but I didn't care. I was with Danny and we enjoyed each other in the time we had.

He worked the bar while home on leave and many of our customers stopped by just to wish him well and buy him a beer. There were a couple of evenings, at closing time, Roy would laugh, point at my tipsy boyfriend and say, "Billy, better get lover boy to bed before he collapses out here!"

Between the two of us, we'd maneuver him back to the spare bedroom. Danny was much more amorous with a few beers in him, if it were possible to be so. I soon learned early on to get shed of my clothes first before beginning to strip him of his. He'd hang on my shoulders while I peeled his shirt off, but when I started to pull his pants off, he'd bone up and the minute his cock poked itself free of any clothing, he would kiss me, rub his tool across my lips, or fumble at my fly seeking something to suck on! Usually, deeply seated in my rectum, his seed blown, coating my insides, he'd fall asleep!

On his return to base, instead of being shipped overseas, he was assigned to some sort of cooks school in Kentucky; I think it was Fort Campbell. Ross, on the other hand, was sent to California to a medic or corpsman school and trained to be a medical person. He was eventually assigned to a M.A.S.H. unit in Korea. It was that experience he later claimed helped him decide he really wanted to be a doctor.

I visited Danny a couple of times, traveling by train, while he was in Kentucky. Each time he had a weekend pass and we rented motel rooms. If he was as tired as I was when the weekend was over, it's a wonder he got anything done on base. He sent some money home with me, but taking Roy's advice, since he didn't trust the government not to monitor Danny's financial activities while in the service, Danny opened a bank account in one of the local banks using my name, social security number, the tavern address, and a signature which looked remarkably like mine, to deposit funds into. He could stop in and have them send a cashier's check to Roy, who he claimed was his step father, who would give it to me to deposit in our account.

When Danny was transferred to a post in Minnesota near Little Falls, he did the same there and had any money moved from Kentucky to the new account. Since it was close enough for me to drive over, maybe ten hours or so, we didn't keep much in that account. He'd draw it down when I came over for a visit. I think there were times Danny felt guilty about his service time since so many other guys were sent overseas and didn't come home or came home wounded, but he never said. I do know, after we bought the tavern, the first drink was on the house for any service person who came in the door!

* * *

Billy looked at his watch and exclaimed, "Oh my Lord, Dan, it's almost ten o'clock and I've been talking so long we've taken away these newly weds evening."

"No problem or apologies needed," Lee explained, "we've enjoyed ourselves. However, we both want to know what happened after you came home. How and when did you buy the tavern and build the 'Scupper'?"

"How about we take a rain check on that?" Danny responded with a smile. "I'm certain you boys have other things better to do than to listen to us."

Making love in our camper that night was different; not because of any changes in positions or techniques or affection, since Lee is always most affectionate, considering, and stimulating, but because we were married! I lay nestled in the crook of Lee's arm, my head resting on his shoulder, his arm around me, securing his new spouse close to his side as if fearing the loss of contact would mean the loss of part of himself, our hearts slowing down from the physical energy we expended reaching our shuddering climaxes, and I came to realize what an emotional high accompanies the deep meaning and significance of the ceremony uniting Lee and me as spouses; legally, emotionally, and now physically!

The next morning was not unlike others we'd shared previously, only now it seemed to have more meaning with a stronger emotional, loving bond between us. We both welcomed it as we commented on our new lives together. While doing our breakfast dishes, Lee's cell phone rang.

"Lee," asked Luke, "When are you guys going back?"

Lee shrugged, mouthed the question to me; I shrugged back and he responded, "I suppose Friday morning, why?"

"I get my cast off on Thursday and was wondering if I could go with you and stay a few days?"

I nodded when Lee relayed the request to me and he agreed.

"Be ready Friday morning around nine and I'll pick you up then you can help us hook up the camper and leave."

We both thought a visit by Luke would be nice not only for him to see where his brother was going to live, but it'd also give him, and me, a better chance to become acquainted since I was now his brother-in-law. No sooner had Lee finished his call when my cellphone rang.

"How about lunch on Thursday?" Dan Fielding asked.

"Sounds fine with us," I quickly responded.

"Be here around eleven thirty," Dan advised and rang off.

Thursday seemed to arrive before we were ready for it. We scurried around in the morning finishing up all we had to do in order to move the next morning since we both knew we wouldn't have time after we left Dan and Bill's in the evening if we planned on picking up Luke the next morning at nine.

Dan and Bill were as welcoming as ever and after a nice relaxing lunch, we retired to the front porch.

"Now" began Lee as I laid the tape recorder on the table and had a note pad ready to go, "tell us how you two were so fortunate to have purchased the 'Riverside' and generate all of the exciting programs and businesses you've been involved in."

Bill chuckled, "Exciting, huh? It was a hell of a lot of work, luck, and help from friends. Actually," he continued, "the tavern was not the first place we purchased."

Ray Wood was more than just an employer, advisor, and friend, but also a secret source of financing for projects. Where they were short, he stepped in; when they had questions, he offered wise counsel; and when they needed outside support, he knew where to find it.

While Danny was in the service, the little restaurant up the street came up for sale. Roy thought it might be a good investment, for the right people, to make. He first posed the idea to Billy, who quickly wrote a note to Dan, who in turn, fired one back telling Bill to buy the place and find someone to run it. Bill trotted up the street to visit with his mom, convinced her she was the best cook in the county and could make money in the restaurant, and before the day was over put together enough cash from their savings account to make a down payment and accept Roy as a silent partner with the addition of his cash to the purchase. Bill proceeded to put his name, Dan's, him mom's, and Roy's names on the deed and before the week was over, "My Momma's Place" became a new business in their little town.

"I think we paid a little over five thousand dollars for the business," Bill said scratching his head. "We took three thousand five hundred from our savings and Roy kicked in the rest."

"We just took Roy's advice," snickered Danny. "Why use all of your own money when you can use someone else's at little or no cost."

The restaurant flourished under the care of his mother and his own watchful eye. Although in college, he managed to find time to work, take care of the books at the restaurant, manage the livestock operation for Danny and him, and spend some time sorting out ideas for the future. Bill managed their funding and projects well until Danny came home from the service.

Danny went back to work at the "Riverside" and Bill, after graduating from college, got a job at the little bank in town. Roy was on the Board of Directors so he had a definite influence on Bill getting the job. It put Bill in the heart of the local business community and privy to financial information and opportunity.

Danny convinced Samuel to get a real estate license and a property appraiser's license. "Every piece of property is going to be sold eventually," he said, "so someone in the family may as well get the commission. Besides, before the property can be financed by the bank, it has to be appraised, so we may as well be in on that too." As a result, Randal Real Estate and Property Appraisers were formed with Bill and Dan as partners with Samuel.

Ross was enrolled at U.W. Madison in the medical college and even with the G.I.Bill struggling financially. Bill and Dan stepped in and helped him out, without any strings attached.

"We all benefit," Bill declared, "when someone in the family receives an education whether a four year degree or tech school, so we should help out. Now, if they want to come back and work in the area or for us, so much the better."

When Roy decided to retire, he sold the tavern to Dan and Bill on land contract and when he passed away a few years later, they found they were the sole heirs to his estate.

"The real turn around for us financially," he continued, "was when Danny's bright idea of being the 'middle man' came to fruition."

Puzzled by what he meant, I asked Danny for clarification.

"While working at the 'Riverside', I noticed every time we wanted beer or liquor or any other supplies, we had to go through a distributor. The brewery or distillery and the distributor all made money while the retailer had to pay for it before he or she made money. Why not eliminate the middle man and become our own distributor?"

That's exactly what they did! In a few years the majority of the taverns bought their product through them. Through the development of partnerships, which eventually evolved into "Big River Enterprises, LLC" the boys ended up with a number of operations. Gas stations had their fuel delivered by a subsidiary of 'Big River', farmer's bought their seed and feed from subsidiaries of 'Big River,' livestock was trucked by another, sand and gravel another, and so on.

"If you wanted to buy it, sell it, or move it, we provided the service," concluded Dan.

"How many partners are involved in 'Big River'?" I asked.

Bill pondered it for a moment and replied, "I think a little over a hundred and not all are family."

"You see," Danny concluded, "we've been more than fortunate with our businesses and the recipients of plenty of assistance from others. Their finances and hard work have made the businesses we eventually bought successful. As a result, it's been possible for family members and others to make a decent living, send children to school, and make our community a nice place to live. Since our family and friends are not just located on this side of the river but the other as well, the entire area benefits. 'Big River' owns several farms, restaurants, and other ancillary businesses as well. Our scholarship and loan program helps those young people go to school and gives them an opportunity to either work off the note or not."

"After we're gone," Billy added, "our family, friends, and the community will continue to benefit."

It was growing late so Lee and I made our exit, thanking them for all they offered, and promising to do a follow-up before committing anything to paper.

"Not until late August," cautioned Dan, "we have an Alaskan Cruise and trip coming up and we'll be gone until then!"

I did have one last question I hoped they'd answer. "How did you make so much money in the service that Billy had to bring it home in cash?"

Billy shrugged; "Didn't we tell you?"

"No."

"Danny not only learned the tavern business from Roy, but how to play poker, especially how to count cards. It's amazing how much you can win when you know what the players hold!"

Thank you for reading "There's Something About A Fielding Boy"-Chapter Eighteen-"There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn!"-(Samuel Johnson)

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental.