The Boy Who Understood
by Biff Spork
Chapter 4
A Ferocious Welcome
On Saturday morning, David got out of bed as soon as he woke and dressed in the cool air of dawn. In the kitchen, he packed a lunch and left a note that said where he was going and when he would be back. Outside, the sun was peeping over the horizon.
Once on the road, he set the pedal-assist motor to its highest setting and pedaled as fast as he could. He was so full of excitement and happiness that he couldn't help singing as he raced along the highway. The song that rose to his lips was an old one from a Broadway musical — "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning."
When he had sung and pedaled himself breathless, he laughed and slowed. An hour's pumping brought him to where the logging road joined the highway and an hour later, he arrived at the forested upper edge of the park. After stowing his bicycle, he wanted to run to the glade, but his eagerness to see the mysterious boy embarrassed him. He forced himself to walk then compromised by trotting through the woods to the bank of the stream. From there, he hiked to where he could cross to the other side and headed toward the clearing where he hoped to meet the forest boy, Zhiv.
A high-pitched scream slashed through the forest morning bird calls, and David froze. He looked for the source. He heard the vicious sound again and peered around to locate it. Fifty feet ahead, a mountain lion crouched low and clawed the earth, ready to charge. He focused his golden eyes on David and snarled again. David stepped backward. He heard a growl behind him and looked over his shoulder. An enormous black bear reared and bared his teeth. Retreat seemed impossible.
Pete hauled the barbecue out of the garage to the brick-paved patio behind their house. The morning was warm and sunny, and it felt like it could get hot later. He planned to inaugurate the summer barbecue season that evening. Burgers or steaks would make a tasty, simple supper. When he opened the hood, the bright sunlight revealed traces of last year's grease on the grill. Pete set to work on them with a wire brush and some detergent, and soon had it gleaming.
Doreen finished raking a nearby flowerbed. She had decided to sow nasturtium seeds. The homely little plants appealed to her, and their fresh, peppery leaves put a zing in salads. She came over and sat near Pete on the low brick wall surrounding the patio. "That looks great," she said. "Makes me hungry just looking at it."
Pete shared his idea for their supper that night.
Doreen didn't speak for a minute. When she did reply, Pete could tell the mood had changed.
"Pete, I'm tired of you and David jousting over this food thing. You know we won't have a nice family cookout tonight. We'll end up with you guys staring in opposite directions. He'll be slurping a noodle soup, and you'll be chewing up a bleeding chunk of beef."
"It's his fault," said Pete. "Talk to him."
"Pete, he's been vegan for years now. He's not going to change."
"Well, neither am I. I know what I like, and I don't see why he can't like it, too."
"You haven't even tried. Have you ever tasted tofu? Or a veggie-burger? Even once?"
"Well, no." Pete felt he was getting backed into a corner.
"Pete, he's a kid. You're an adult. I want you to act like an adult. He needs his father."
Pete directed a dreamy gaze up into the cloudless blue sky. "It was such a nice morning…"
"Pete?"
"Okay! What do you want me to do?"
"I'm going into town to shop for groceries this afternoon. I'll buy some of those fake meat burgers, those ones made out of plants, and some vegan mayo and all the fixin's for burgers, and I want you to grill those burgers, on that grill, for all of us to eat. And I want you to do it without making any sarcastic remarks."
"No meat? And no sarcastic remarks? My two favorite things! You're killin' me, woman!"
"Please?"
"Okay," conceded Pete. "Go ahead, buy them. I guess it won't kill me to grill a few plants and be nice for a change."
River was having a late breakfast with his father and his brother, Aaron. His father was still grousing about Aaron's speeding ticket. He complained about the five hundred dollar fine. On top of that, the fees for car insurance would increase for all their vehicles.
"Who was it gave you that ticket, anyway?" he asked. He knew the local sheriff and thought perhaps he could make the ticket disappear if he talked to him.
"It wasn't the sheriff," said Aaron. "It was one of the deputies. McAdam is the name on the ticket."
"Pete McAdam?"
Aaron nodded.
"He's a member of the Elks. Maybe I can talk to him at our next meeting." He turned to River. "He's got a kid about your age. You know him?"
"He goes to my school," said River. "Stuck-up, snotty kid. He's always wearing T-shirts that say things like 'Plant-Based' or 'Give peas a chance' because he's a vegan."
"A vegan? What the fuck is that?" said his father.
"Means he don't eat meat, none at all. No meat of any kind," said River.
"Holy shit!" exclaimed his father. He took the idea of anyone not eating meat as a personal affront. "Are they hippies or something? Hari fairy fucking Krishnas?"
"I dunno," said River.
"What's he look like," asked Aaron.
"Skinny kid, a little shorter than me. He's got long black hair, looks like a total nerd," said River. "Guys say he's queer."
Aaron recalled the boy he'd forced off the road on his flight down Jana Mountain. "I nearly hit a kid like that when I was comin' down the mountain. He was hoggin' the road on his bike, and I just about crashed from tryin' not to hit him. I bet he phoned his daddy and bitched about it, and that's why McAdam decided to pull me over and give me that ticket."
"So, Deputy McAdam got a push from his kid…." River's father considered this, then nodded. "I'll talk to the sheriff and get him to give a little push from above. Maybe Deputy McAdam will realize he made a mistake, and that ticket will disappear." He laughed.
"River, when you see that kid in school, find out if he squealed to his daddy about Aaron. The deputy won't be lookin' so good if it turns out he's takin' orders from his kid."
For a dozen heartbeats, David stood petrified between the bear and the mountain lion. His heart thumped so hard he felt it in his throat. Then he edged sideways. The puma snarled. David froze. The bear growled. David looked ahead to the puma. Its eyes were locked on his, and it took a step toward him. David felt pee squirting into his underwear. He whimpered as it trickled down his leg, and he turned to run.
"Oh! No! No!" cried a voice from the trees behind the puma. The naked forest boy ran up to David. "Oh, I'm so sorry! They won't hurt you. They're just doing their job. They'll stop growling if you take your clothes off. Please."
"Take my clothes off?"
"Yeah, like the first time you came," said the boy. "They don't like clothes, and this is their place so we have to do what they want."
David pulled his T-shirt over his head. He hesitated. "Everything?"
"Yes." The boy knelt. "Let me help you with your sandals." He undid the Velcro bindings removed them. David lowered his shorts and underwear, and stepped out of them. The boy picked them up and noticed the large wet stain on the crotch. "Oh, they made you pee yourself! I really am sorry!" He stood up and looked into David's eyes. "I wanted so much for you to like me," he said. Two tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Please don't cry. I'm fine, and I like you," David said. "Am I okay now?"
"Oh yes! Now that you're naked, they wouldn't dream of hurting you. They don't trust anyone wearing clothes. I hope you're not angry?"
"No, I'm not angry. I mean, I was afraid, but if you say it's okay, I'm okay."
"Oh, good! I'm Zhiv. And the puma is Erg. The bear is Berky. Those are not their real names, just as close as I can come with a human mouth."
David held out his hand. "I'm David. I'm happy to meet you, Zhiv."
Zhiv said, "Here, we usually hug our friends. I hope you don't mind." He pulled David into a hug.
David stiffened as the boy's arms wrapped around him. He felt himself blushing and buried his face in Zhiv's tangled hair. The boy's woodsy, earthy scent filled his nostrils, and he relaxed. "No," he said. "I don't mind. It's nice." His face felt hot. They pulled apart.
"I'm not used to hugging other people when I'm naked," said David.
"Me, too." Zhiv smiled, and David saw that he was blushing, too. He pulled David close against him. "Usually I just hug animals. I never hugged another boy before, but it feels good. You feel good."
"Yeah," said David. "Uh. You too."
Zhiv hugged him so tightly he couldn't breathe, but he didn't mind.
Zhiv stood back then and said, "C'mon, let's go to my place. We're too close to the road here, and it makes us nervous. But first, you know, it would be mannerly for you to hug Erg and Berky."
David hesitated.
"Don't be afraid," said Zhiv. "Be respectful. They're persons, like you and me. They're actually very nice animals. They're here to make sure nobody bothers me." He knelt, pulled David down beside him, and said, "Erg."
The great cat came forward.
David reached out toward the puma, and an instant later, Erg was in his arms. He licked David's neck, and vibrated with a deep, rumbling purr.
When David stood to hug the bear, he felt his heart thudding in his chest. The bear towered over him but enveloped him in a gentle embrace. It felt good, and David stopped feeling afraid. The bear snuffled in his hair, then released him.
David bent to pick up his pack.
"Can I carry that?" said Zhiv. "Your feet are so soft and tender, you shouldn't be carrying any extra weight. Mine are tough because I go barefoot all the time."
"No, it's alright."
"I mean it. We have quite a long walk and I'm worried about your feet. I want to carry your pack, please. Grab your clothes, and we can go back to the stream and wash them. Okay?"
"Okay, yeah, thanks."
The boys returned to the stream to rinse the pee from David's shorts and underwear. "We'll dry them on the rocks when we get to my place," said Zhiv. "It's hotter up there." David squatted in mid-stream and splashed himself clean.
Zhiv led the way through the pathless woods. Erg bounded ahead and disappeared into the undergrowth. Berky dropped back to guard the rear. Birds flitted through the trees on both sides. A bushy-tailed coyote loped alongside Zhiv, so light-footed he seemed to float. David caught glimpses of squirrels, a raccoon, a fox, mice, and a couple of garter snakes. The animals came up to the boys, and Zhiv greeted each one with a word and a caress. He encouraged David to do the same. Initially he was wary, afraid these wild animals might suddenly bite or scratch him, but when he knelt to pet the coyote, there was something so warm and good-humored about the animal, he relaxed. It wasn't a quiet walk through the forest. It was more like a procession, with Zhiv at its center.
Zhiv snacked as they walked. Sometimes he picked a few dry berries, other times some mushrooms or green shoots. He always shared this foraged food with David. "This is my cafeteria," he joked.
Their route led upward. They climbed until they came out of the trees onto the ridge where David had eaten lunch on his previous visit. They paused there to catch their breath.
David surveyed the forest below, then looked up to the high mountain meadows above the tree line. He saw four horses racing across a distant field, a pinto, a gray, a black, and a reddish brown horse. "Wild horses," he said. "I didn't know we had wild horses here."
"They just came," said Zhiv. "Yesterday. They're not wild, not yet, but they're learning. They came for the mara, but they also came to run in the high meadows. They haven't been able to run free for years. They're drunk on it." He looked at David. "Can you feel their happiness?"
David watched as the horses disappeared over a green rise. "No," he said. I don't feel anything."
"Don't worry," said Zhiv. "It'll come."
"What's the mara?" asked David.
"We're in the mara," said Zhiv. "Let's move on. We're not far from where I sleep. I'll tell you what I can when we get there."
"I have a lot of questions," said David.
"And there's a lot I need to tell you," said Zhiv.
Derek's mother stood in the doorway. "Derek's not here, and I don't know where he is. Go around the back. The kid's in the tub, and if anybody knows where Derek went, he will."
River went around the side of the house to the back patio where the hot tub was. Jeremy was facing away from him, pressed up close against the wall of the tub. River could see that he was naked. He stood on the opposite side of the tub. "Hey, Jeremy, whatcha doing?"
Jeremy gave a little jump and turned around. He blushed when he saw River. "Nothin' much." He shrugged. "Derek ain't here."
"I know," said River. "Your mom said you might know where he went."
"He said he was gonna go to the Kelmans, to see that girl he's got the hots for," said Jeremy.
"Hey, Jeremy," said his mother from the patio doorway. "I need some cigarettes and groceries from the store. Put some clothes on, and let's go."
"I don't wanna go. Can't I stay here?"
"You know you can't stay here by yourself," said his mother. "Get out and get some clothes on. Now!"
"What about if River stays with me? He's as big as Derek, and you let me stay with Derek all the time."
"Yeah, but maybe River doesn't want to stay." She looked at River with her eyebrows raised.
"You want to stay, don't you, River?" pleaded Jeremy. "C'mon, we'll have fun."
River tried to appear impartial.
Jeremy's mother said to River. "I'll only be gone about two hours, or three at the most. Can you stick around till I get back?"
"Yeah, okay," said River, suppressing the excitement he felt at being alone with a naked Jeremy.
"You don't mind?" she said.
"No, it's fine. I got nothin' else to do."
"Yay!" shouted Jeremy.
"Okay," said his mother. "But River, you got to watch him close if he's in the tub or the pool. I don't want to come back to find a drowned kid. He's a handful, but I love him."
"Love you, too, Mom," said Jeremy. Then he looked at River, winked, and said, "She's a handful, but I love her."
His mother laughed hoarsely, "You're a brat," she said.
"I'll watch him," said River.
A few minutes later, they heard her car pull out of the driveway.
Jeremy said, "C'mon River. Get in the tub with me. We'll have some fun."
"I didn't bring my swim suit," said River.
"You don't need a suit," said Jeremy. "There's nobody here except you and me, and I'm not wearing a suit. Derek and me tub naked all the time." Jeremy paddled over to the side of the tub where River stood. "C'mon, take your clothes off."
River sat on a deck chair and removed his T-shirt, shoes and socks. "Do you have to watch me like that?"
"Yeah. I never seen you with your clothes off."
River stood and dropped his shorts and underwear.
"Wow! Your dick's really big!"
River felt himself stiffening. "I wish you wouldn't stare at me like that."
"You got one of them with the skin still on the end. That's neat."
River stepped over the tub edge and lowered himself into the warm water. "Oh, that's nice!" he said.
"I'll put the jets on high," said Jeremy, and fiddled with the controls.
River felt the massage of the warm jets of water and closed his eyes. He opened them wide when he felt Jeremy slide under his arm and press against his side. The boy laid a hand on River's belly. River caught himself going into a dream, so he sat up and pushed the younger boy back. It was okay for him to steal feels from Jeremy. That was just fooling around, but when they were lying together like this, it was getting too gay.
"Jeremy, you know we shouldn't do that kind of stuff."
"Don't worry. Relax," said Jeremy, in a dry tone. "It's just you and me here, and we can do whatever we want. Nobody can see us, and nobody cares what we do." He pressed himself against River's thigh. Then he crawled over so he was sitting in River's lap, facing him. "You know how to kiss? I really want to learn how to kiss, and Derek won't show me. Is it fun?"
"I don't know," said River. "I've never kissed anybody." River felt like he was play-dough in the boy's hands.
"You don't mind kissing me, do you," asked Jeremy. "Because you don't have to kiss me."
"No, that's okay," said River, lost in contemplation of the boy's milky white teeth and red lips.
"Good," said Jeremy. "First, I'll kiss you, then you can kiss me. Then we can see if it feels okay and talk about it, figure it out as we go along. It can't be too hard. People do it all the time. Are you ready?"
River nodded.
Jeremy leaned in and pressed his closed lips against River's for twenty seconds. Then he sat back with a puzzled expression on his face. "It's okay, but not very exciting."
"I think when people do it, they do it with their mouths open," said River.
"Okay. Let's try that. It's your turn." He leaned forward until their open mouths met. River pushed his tongue forward until it touched Jeremy's tongue.
Jeremy jumped back, grinning. "Wow! That was something else! Now it's my turn."
This time their tongues met and then explored everything they could reach. Jeremy's tongue felt beautiful in River's mouth. How it darted, and dived, and changed shape enthralled him. It was like a tiny version of the mercurial boy, dancing in his mouth. Jeremy wrapped his legs around River's back, and his arms encircled River's neck.
River lost track of how long they embraced. While they kissed, Jeremy writhed against River's body. He pumped faster and faster until they were both bucking in spasms.
They lay in each other's arms then, until their hearts slowed. River felt Jeremy kissing his neck and hugging him.
Jeremy jumped up suddenly, turned the jets down to low, and snuggled back into River's embrace.
"You're gay, aren't you?" Jeremy said into River's ear.
"Well," said River, enjoying the cuddle but feeling uneasy at Jeremy's dry tone. "If I am, then so are you, aren't you?"
"Naw," said Jeremy. "I'm just a wittle boy," he lisped. Then he continued in his normal voice, "I'm still too young to be gay, or straight, or whatever. I'm just playing around. But you're not. You're really gay. You're really into it. Don't worry. I don't think I'll tell anyone. Not now, anyway, but from now on, you've got to do whatever I say."
"Aw, c'mon Jeremy. I'm not gonna do whatever you say."
"Yes, you are," said Jeremy. "I'd hate to have to tell my mom about how you made me do what we just did." In a tearful, higher voice, he said, "Mom, he held me down and said he was gonna drown me if I didn't let him play with my wiener!"
River was speechless.
In normal tones, Jeremy continued, "Everybody would get really mad if I told them you touched my private places, and you tried to poke your wiener up my bum, no matter how much I begged you to stop."
"That's crazy, Jeremy."
"I'm not fooling, River. I'm even starting to feel a little bad about what we just did, like maybe I need to talk about it to a grownup. I was hoping you would play with me, but if you don't want to play…" His threat hung in the air.
"Okay, what do you want?"
Jeremy considered. "Get out of the tub and get down on your hands and knees. That's all I want right now."
River sat. He wanted to jump out of the tub and run, but he couldn't.
"River. Do it. We'll just play a little game and have some fun before mom comes back. Get on your hands and knees, and I'll start to feel better."
River got onto his hands and knees on the patio deck. A moment later he felt Jeremy sitting down astride his back.
"I always wanted a horse," said Jeremy. "Now, horsie, carry me upstairs." He slapped River's bum.
"C'mon Jeremy, this is stupid."
"Do what I tell you or you'll be talking to the cops. Now, make a horse noise."
River neighed.
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