Chapter 18
Testing their Boundaries
Mom asked how our night went, or if there were any problems. I lied. "Not that I could think of any. How was yours?" I waited for Shawn and Arthur to say something. Instead, they sat there quiet and calculating, then I realized why I saw Stringham in the kitchen making coffee. I have always liked the smell of coffee in the morning, but never really cared for the taste of it. Not that it made any difference considering it was taboo for members of the LDS faith to drink it as well as some teas and Alcohol.
The same went for cigarettes and street drugs. This confused me regarding Crawford. Knowing he was all in for drugs as well as smoking, to think that they considered him for the position of a Bishop in the first place. Really tells me that someone on the inside made that happen like they are now as they are campaigning for him to be Mayor of American Fork and Highland. I was never into it, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't tried smoking or drinking alcohol. Which made me sick the moment I took one swallow, and that one was forced by Kelly when he lived with the Rothwells.
The cigarette was of my own doing. One puff was all I needed. Spitting it out and choking to death as made me want to vomit. Never again did I try it. On the other hand, coffee was a whole different matter because I worked in the food business. I needed to taste it often to know when it needed to be dumped or when it tasted good.
It even got me through several early morning classes when you have a teacher that talks monotone putting you to sleep, requiring several cups during a four-hour class. I no longer drink the stuff, but the smell was something l liked and gave me good memories of those days long passed. Mom wrinkled her nose as the smell made it to the table and the pot.
Mom didn't like the smell or the idea of it. She was told it was bad because of the LDS faith, but she didn't infringe on people that weren't like Hank, and Mr. Stringham, and our resident nurse Sara and Dr. Sar's. Even Mr. and Mrs. Vincent weren't strong members and were known to have a cup now and again. Dad too was known to drink it, and Mom would argue about it. Losing the conversation when Dad's friends would come over asking for it he would join them.
Stringham had the boys set up the small classroom that we would be using. Normally the class would begin at eight-thirty or so, but ours didn't start until ten-fifteen or ten-thirty, or once our teacher arrived, as well as the rest of my friends and brothers.
Adam's Dad had been given the job as well as Bishop Sakes adding a third on Monday or Tuesday Mrs. Hothner. Shawn smiled, watching Dad take a seat, and opened their bible and began reading it.
He sat at the desk, his fingers gripping a notepad and pencil tightly. The light from the window streamed in, casting long shadows across the room. The scratch of the pencil against the paper filled the air as he diligently took notes, his brow furrowing in concentration.
A faint scent of ink and paper wafted up from the notepad, mingling with the musty aroma of old books that surrounded him. He reached for the highlighter, its bright color catching his eye, and began marking certain passages in the text. Each stroke of the highlighter produced a satisfying sound, a soft swish that broke the silence.
As he delved deeper into the text, his mind raced, trying to unravel the contradictions he had discovered. Thoughts clashed and collided, filling the room with noticeable tension. The heated discussion with Shawn echoed in his ears, their voices growing louder and more intense with each passing moment.
Sweat formed on his forehead, his palms growing clammy as the argument escalated. The air in the room felt heavy, suffocating, as if the weight of their disagreement pressed down upon him. Stringham's voice cut through the tension, his words a sharp command to leave the room and seek answers later.
With a sigh, he gathered his belongings, the weight of the notepad and pencil in his hands grounding him. He stepped out into the cool breeze of the hallway, the sounds of bustling students and echoing footsteps providing a temporary reprieve. The promise of a more productive discussion after school hung in the air, giving him hope amidst the lingering unease. Dad said. "I was only trying together information."
Stringham says. "By antagonizing them by doing so and causing a fight?" Dad grinned and apologized even though he wasn't sorry. He, however, left the room allowing the class to begin. The moment he left the room he yelled. "What the hell?" I watched Shawn and Arthur hit the floor as their bands instantly locked. Dad came back in the room telling Stringham that he had just been shocked to death.
Stringham smiled. "She told you that if you or they went out of bounds what would happen until you give your charges to someone else?"
Dad growled. "Yes, but…" Stringham placed his bracelet next to Dad's and a green light showed along its sides, telling him that he was now in charge. Stringham waited until Adam's Dad was ready then passed it on to him. Once the boys regained their positions taking their seats, the class began. Or tried to as Shawn and Arthur became disruptive, learning the hard way. That just because Dr. Sar's wasn't present didn't mean they could get away with causing trouble.
Adam's Dad said. "I could really use this in class with a few unruly students."
He got the reaction he wanted as Shawn and Arthur soon became quite obedient. Stating an old dog can be taught new tricks, regardless of if they didn't like it. Arthur grew angry and, because of that, he messed his pants on purpose, as the smell wafted through the room and the sounds of it. He smiled. "Nice and squishy" Causing Shawn to laugh ending them both in pain. As Sara came into the room, hauling Arthur out by touching him with the bracelet around his neck, breaking the connection of Shawn. While Adam's Dad forced Shawn to shut his mouth or he could join him.
Shawn's eyes narrowed on him; his gaze intense as he absorbed Stringham's words. The sound of their conversation filled the air, mixing with the faint hum of the kitchen appliances. Stringham opened the creaking kitchen cabinet, revealing the familiar bottle they had used the night before. He placed it on the teacher's desk, its glass surface cool to the touch. With a marker in hand, he carefully inscribed Shawn's name on it, the pungent scent of the marker permeating the room. Meanwhile, the other bottle was taken down to Dr. Sar's office.
As Arthur's absence lingered, the classroom grew restless. Mr. Thomas, his voice stern, asked Shawn if he was willing to give it a try or if he would participate with the rest of the class. Shawn's silence hung in the air, a tense anticipation filling the room. The sound of Mr. Thomas' disappointment was palpable as he swiftly delivered Shawn's punishment, his words echoing in the silence until Shawn finally provided the correct answer.
Nearly three hours into class, Arthur returned, his fatigue evident in his haggard appearance. The room fell into a subdued hush as the weight of their behavior settled upon them. During the lunch break, Dr. Sar's return, her arrival accompanied by the soft murmur of conversation between her, Mom, and Mr. Thomas. Arthur looked worn out, his exhaustion emanating from him in waves. I could empathize with that feeling, having experienced it myself a few times.
Mom suggested withholding lunch and sending Arthur to his room, a suggestion that Dad supported. However, Dr. Sar's disagreed, her voice firm as she reminded them of past failures. She prepared a concoction that emitted a foul odor, its stench filling the room, overpowering the scent of the herbs that Mom favored. After taking Shawn down to the bathroom, Dr. Sar's explained to Mom that this remedy would relieve their discomfort, blocking them up until they were fortunate enough to pass gas. Mom, a believer in herbal remedies, had learned to strike a balance between them and Western medicine.
Mom and Dad didn't like people telling them how to raise their children. Yet they had run out of options when it came to Shawn and Arthur. The class was set up for five hours and two hours of exercises and the remaining hours of homework and questions. Except for today being it was the first day of class and Mr. Thomas and Bishop Sakes needed to go over the lesson plan.
On this particular Saturday, the usual absence of school was shattered by a decision to have a half-day session, commencing at nine in the morning and concluding at noon. The air was filled with the anticipation of chores and playtime with friends, although we were begrudgingly informed that Arthur and Shawn were also expected to participate. Our protests fell on deaf ears, as it seemed our objections mattered little. The scent of frustration hung heavily in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of fresh ink from the new schedule.
Curiously, the younger boys, including Shawn's brothers, Billy, and the Vincent boys, were strictly forbidden from joining their activities. Shawn and Arthur's extracurricular endeavors were confined to the controlled environment of Dr. Sar's room. The room itself had a clinical atmosphere, the sterile scent of disinfectant mixing with the soft hum of the air conditioning.
Dr. Sar informed us that she had taken it upon herself to find capable girls who were willing to handle boys with behavioral issues. Two of them were her own daughters, Dora and Alana, both currently attending college. The promise of her two younger daughters joining us next week hung in the air, adding to our growing excitement. The anticipation was palpable, causing our hearts to race and our senses to heighten.
However, Shawn and Arthur seemed unfazed by the prospect of these girls. They remained uninterested in supermodel looks or the allure of Baywatch physiques. Instead, their attention remained solely on Dora and Alana, their mother's familiar features shining through their youthful appearances. The sight of the girls removing their jackets revealed tightly fitted shirts, accentuating their bosoms in a way that felt almost unfair. Their jeans hugged their curves, and the sound of their heels clicking against the floor added a rhythm to the room. The sight of them left an undeniable impact, causing a surge of excitement and a feeling of anticipation, manifesting as a noticeable bulge in my pants and the shared awareness among the other boys.
Mr. Stringham too was salivating as he introduced them to us. The girls smiled, seeing our tight bulges, but their mother informed them they could get acquainted later if they wished. She introduced them to Shawn and Arthur, getting very little expression, as they looked down seeing their exposed penises, noticing they weren't hard and Dr. Sar's tisked asking Mom why they hadn't been giving them the special tea. Mom asked. "What special tea?"
Dr. Sar's quickly apologizes and says. "Give me a moment to get my daughters settled and I'll show you how to make it." Telling Arthur and Shawn how rude it was not to show the girls how excited they were to see them, unlike the rest of the boys.
Shawn said. "And why would we get excited about seeing slutty girls dressed in skanky clothes? I am not into girls, I am in―" he screamed in pain as we watched him and Arthur fall to their knees.
Dr. Sar's said. "What did I say about that boy? I told you to be respectful and show them courtesy. I told you not to even think of being with a boy, but with girls. Now get off the floor and sit at the table and write an apology that is believable to my daughters and tell them how beautiful they are and what you would like to do to them. If I find you have written that you would like to cut their hearts out or slit their throats and sacrifice them to that mythical devil and that man Crawford who is no prophet and is not coming to rescue you. Or he would have by now. You will be spending the rest of the day having mind-blowing sex because you won't have a choice, and you know it after last night." Placed a notebook and pen in front of them.
Arthur pushed it to the side and said. "I didn't say anything. So why should I be punished?"
Dr. Sar's asked. "Are you telling me you want to have sex, Arthur?" Arthur shook his head no. She smiled and patted his cheeks. "Then you know who you can blame don't you?" Arthur looked at me and then at Shawn. Dr. Sar's says. "No Arthur, he's not to blame. He was more than willing to have sex with them and would have if I let him. No, the person you should blame is Shawn. He brought this on you, and he encouraged you and made you do it. The blame rests on you and him, and always will until you tell Shawn to go to hell and you stop letting him make your choices. Now write like you have been told," pushing the notebook towards him.
Shawn growled. "Arthur, our prophet and our God will save us. You must obey me and not that black … whore―"
Shawn screamed in pain, cutting him off. Dr. Sar's sat down with the tea that would get him and Arthur in the mood to have sex. Telling them to drink it but again refused to tell her it was poison. Again, she rolled her eyes and poured another glass and handed it to Dad. Dad looked at her and Shawn and she rolled her eyes and handed the glass to me. Telling me it was the same stuff as last night. I took a whiff, and it smelled the same and tasted it, and then swallowed it down, asking for another.
She rolled her eyes and said. "All you need is one cup, son."
I smiled and said. "Yes, but I have a busy day and night tonight." Questioning if my penis might fall off after all the sex I had planned on for the day and night today. Yes, indeed, I was going to have a very busy day, and I was really looking forward to it.
Dad's hearty laughter filled the room, its deep rumble reverberating and bouncing off the walls. The sound echoed in my ears, bringing a sense of joy and warmth. In front of me, she carefully poured another drink, the liquid cascading gracefully into the glass. As it flowed, a gentle aroma of fresh oranges wafted through the air, tickling my nostrils. I eagerly swallowed it down, feeling the warm liquid glide down my throat, it's comforting heat spreading through my body. A tingling sensation tinged with excitement danced across my skin and downwards to awards effective my eager crotch area, seeing a slight bulge taking an effect, awakening renewed energy within me.
With a content smile on my face, I eagerly anticipated the effects of the drink, my senses coming alive. As I glanced around the room, my eyes were drawn to the mesmerizing figures of the girls present, their beauty captivating my gaze. The air was thick with desire, the scent of anticipation mixing with a hint of intoxication. Dad's voice broke the silence, his words filled with curiosity. "Ok, I'll give it a try."
She shook her head and said. "Sorry, I only made enough for Arthur and Shawn. You turned down the one I offered and instead, your son Eric took it."
Mom says. "Give me a moment, dear. I'll make us both some so we can see how it works together, now that I have the recipe."
I had a choice of several options, one let it wear off and go to the weight room and the pool to exercise or go down to Dr. Sar's room, choosing one girl I would like to be with, and it couldn't be the two from last night, and have mind-blowing sex as my exercise. Or three, go into town and buy roses and gifts for my guests tonight, and have sex when I come back.
Not an easy choice when you're really, really horny. So, I chose the option of my own exercise, lifting weights and swimming a few laps, and going into town, and if I still feel horny, then I could have mind-blowing sex. But I really wanted to save my energy for my four mermaids. I can always have mind-blowing sex anytime I want it.
Dad smiled and said. "Way to pick and choose, mixing a combination of the three."
Mom says. "Then I will wait for you dear to give this to you." Pouring the sex drink into a thermos and telling Dr. Sar's that she was in charge of our two bad boys, while she puts together a shopping list. For me and my guests to ask me for a romantic or simple dinner? I said. "Romantic, considering they wanted candlelight by the pool."
Stringham says. "I was thinking that we would all go out to a very nice restaurant instead of preparing one here." The way he said it said there was more of a reason why behind it. But I accepted the offer, knowing Stringham always has a good reason behind it.
Mom nodded, and I quickly went into the weight room with the rest of the boys and the girls and went out to the pool. But first they were told to pull out a piece of paper that he had written in little, tiny squares, on who their date would be tonight being Friday night as Stringham quickly mixed them. With the equal number of girls and boys here, considering Jared and I had a date or dates for the night. The date included dinner, dancing, and a movie, and a well as mind-blowing sex back at one of the other cabins.
Even though it wasn't implied, it was just stated it was going to happen, and our parents were more than fine about it. Shawn and Arthur also had dates, which they were spending the rest of the day and the night with. Once the boys had extracted from the girl's bucket, on whom their date was for the night. We were told in a discreet way to ask that particular girl out once they had done so we were told to head for the weight room or the pool for exercises.
Sara found me as I was working out, and quickly took my stats and removed my I.V. as well as drawing my blood again. Telling me if they came back normal Jared and I could say goodbye to our IVs as well as her, now that we were on the mend and no longer on death's door. I hated to say goodbye because I had become quite fond of her. But she had been hired to do one job, and it was to make sure Jared and I wouldn't die.
The other nurses that were hired to take care of us would be arriving tomorrow or Monday at the latest depending on the blood tests, even my cough has subsided, as well as the high fever has been in the normal range for almost three days, adding one extra gift for me to buy because she had a place in my heart, and I am sure Jared would agree.
So, I told Mr. Vincent to make sure she didn't leave until we get back. He gave me a high five and a knuckle bump sealing the deal. Stringham told me to use the business credit card and buy her something really, really nice. But before I could go I needed to call my grandmother and my mother. I cringed, knowing that I hadn't even thought about it.
It made me feel like a total heel, but I smiled, asking him if he knew a florist who delivers, giving me a high five and pulled out a card, and handed it to me. I made a call to the florist first and ordered a dozen long-stem roses and a very nice card. Giving them the addresses, then remembered I wasn't sure where my mother would be. Told them to send my grandmother's flowers first and give me twenty minutes to locate my mother. I didn't want to speak to Paul Cranny and prayed she wasn't there as I dialed the number.
I breathed a sigh of relief when Jeanie answered the phone. I quickly stated my name, telling her to act like it wasn't me if my mother was there. She told me that she wasn't and was going home for the weekend. Asking how I was feeling and said. "I was almost as good as new, and thanks for asking." I immediately called the florist back and gave her the address. Stating just in case she wasn't there to send the flowers to Bishop Earl's place, and he would see she got them and gave the florist and the driver a nice tip for the trouble like Dad would have done.
I told Dad I would call my mother when we got back as well as my grandmother. He asked why and I said. "So, I know they got the flowers." Making him feel like a total heel, because he hadn't sent Mom flowers in a very long time, yet he covered it up by telling Mom that he would take me into town borrowing Mr. Vincent's car as he soon joined us, as did Mr. Thomas and Mr. Olson. As they quickly slipped out of the house, or should say sneaked out of the house telling them to be ready to go by seven p.m., to a nice fancy restaurant that Stringham suggested.
It was merely a reminder considering Stringham had already decided that we were all going out to this nice fancy restaurant, but it gave us boys and our fathers a reason to go to town and rent a nice tux for the night.
Mr. Vincent told Stringham to ask Dr. Sar's out on a date, having him join us as well and Hank said he wanted to get something special when his wife joined us tonight … Mom and the ladies all shrugged their shoulders asking Stringham where they were all going, as he dove into the car after leaving a said note under Dr. Sar's door.
While Bishop Sakes slid a note under Nurse Sara's door as if they were all teenagers. Speaking of the teenagers that were boys, they quickly jumped into the second car. Letting Jake drive considering he was the only one that had a license and followed us.