Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Drive For Excellence

   By Douglas Fox

   ============================================================== This
story is a sequel to "Finding Answers" It is written from the perspective
of Kyle Martin.  All characters, situations and actions are completely
fictitious.

   The previous stories in the series are:

   "Algonquin Memories" is available at
/files/Authors/Douglas_Fox/AlgonquinMemories.txt

   "The Tailback and the Cheerleader" is available in
/files/Authors/Douglas_Fox/Tailback.txt

   "Second Chance at Love" is available in
/files/Authors/Douglas_Fox/SecondChance.txt

   "Love by the Side of the Lakes" is available in
/files/Authors/Douglas_Fox/LoveLakes.txt

   "Finding Balance" is available in
/files/Authors/Douglas_Fox/FindingBalance.txt

   "Finding Answers" is available in
/files/Authors/Douglas_Fox/FindingAnswers.txt

   "Eric's Journal" is available in
/files/Authors/Douglas_Fox/EricJour.txt

   Any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental.  These teenagers
practice unsafe sex repeatedly.  No one should do this in real life.  Real
unsafe sex leads to pregnancy, AIDS and death.  Be safe!

   Chapter 1

   ========

   "Blue 23...  Blue 23..." the quarterback grunted.

   I tensed for the signal, knees flexed and arms at the ready.

   "Hut!  Hut!" Ed growled.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ed pull the
ball up and step back from the line of scrimmage.

   I took a quick step forward and to the left, faking a crossing route to
the cornerback who was covering me.  He started to move to my left.  I
planted my left foot and accelerated to my right towards the sideline.  I
passed the cornerback after three steps.  I continued accelerating, flying
down the field as fast as I could run.  I glanced back around twenty yards
downfield, saw Ed cocking his arm to throw the pass to me, and noticed the
cornerback was about two steps behind me.

   Ed launched a perfect spiral to me, just over my right shoulder, as far
from the cornerback as possible.  I raised my arms, caught the ball and
pulled it into my chest.  I slowed down in a couple steps, turned and faced
the cornerback, Nick Zeimer, and grinned.

   "Damn Kyle!  You got me again.  I was sure you were going over the
middle." Nick exclaimed.

   I chuckled.  "This is why we are practicing this spring Nick."

   "I know, I know.  You're just too fast for me."

   I explained, "It's not all speed Nick.  Watch my body, not my feet."

   "I know Kyle.  It's easier to say than to do." Nick answered.  Nick and
I jogged back to the line of scrimmage to meet our teammates.

   I patted Ed on the back and said, "Nice pass buddy."

   "Of course it was Kyle.  I've been doing this awhile." Ed said.

   "Ah, Mr.  Modesty." I countered.

   My friend Jeremy North, middle linebacker and defensive play caller,
yelled from across the line of scrimmage, "Come on ladies, let's go!  Quit
jawing and let's run another play."

   My friends and teammates continued our 6 on 7 passing scrimmage.  We had
started two weeks earlier when winter ended.  Our high school team, the
Wolverines, had finally managed to improve beyond the 5-5 and 4-6 seasons
we had been having for the past decade two years ago.

   The first winning year, when I was a freshman starting on the varsity
team, we went undefeated and managed to beat our nemesis, Central High
School and go to the playoffs.  We made it to the quarterfinals before we
lost.  Last season, my best friend, Ed Fritz, replaced our all-state
quarterback who graduated.  Ed did great for a sophomore starting his first
year as quarterback.  He was rated as the best quarterback in our league in
his first year.  We managed a record of 8-2 and beat Central in our first
playoff game.  We lost last November to the eventual division champions in
our second playoff game.

   Jeremy, Ed and I organized "unofficial" scrimmages this year the same
way Zack Hayes, last year's quarterback, had a year ago.  We expanded the
practices by recruited most of the varsity and JV defensive backs,
linebackers, running backs, and receivers.  Coach Caffrey, our varsity
football coach, helped the three of us organize the scrimmages.  The
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) carefully
regulated a team's practices and Coach Caffrey couldn't be involved in
these unofficial ones.

   I sent in Tim Showalter and my brother Andrew, presumably our number
three and four receivers next season.  Karl Weaver, the other starting wide
receiver, and I stood on the sidelines and watched the next few plays.  Tim
did OK, but not great.  He had some speed, but dropped too many balls.

   My eighth grade brother Andy played better.  He probably was the second
fastest person practicing today after me.  I expected Andy would make
varsity next year when he was in ninth grade.  He caught fifteen touchdowns
in his first year playing football on the JV team.  My brother seemed to
have a knack for football the same way I did.

   I glanced over at the next field where Jake Kring was running drills for
the JV and eighth grade players.  Their practice was going well too.  Jake
was expected to back up Ed next season.  He earned the spot with his
outstanding play last season leading the JV to a 7-3 record.

   Between our informal scrimmages, the film study sessions in the winter,
and the twice a week weight training we started after Christmas, our team
should be strong, well drilled and football "smart" in a year or two.  Two
years ago we were excited to make the playoffs.  That wasn't enough
anymore. Our goal was to win the AAA state championship.

   Our entire high school was sick of hearing about how good Central was.
Sick of the 23 straight years they made the playoffs.  We were extremely
sick of losing to Central year after year for the last two decades.  My
friends and teammates wouldn't settle for anything less than excellence. 
That was our common vision.

   Ed's yell brought me out of my reverie.  "Kyle.  You and Karl go back
in. I want Jake to run our offense for awhile.  Jake, Karl and I jogged
into the huddle.  Jake called a play.  I lined up in my usual spot.  Jeremy
had substituted freshman Brett Fulmer for junior Nick Zeimer.

   "Hey Brett." I said as I lined up.

   "Hi Kyle." Brett answered.

   Jake screamed, "Blue 23...  Blue 23....  Hut!"

   I wanted to test Brett's speed.  Jake had called a post route for me.  I
took off as fast as I could go.  Brett followed a moment behind me.  I
streaked downfield.  I glanced back towards Jake.  Brett was almost even
with me.  Jake launched the ball when we were about thirty yard downfield.
The ball was a little under thrown.  I turned back and jumped to try to
make the catch.

   Brett mistimed the jump and was coming down when I snagged the ball out
of the air.  Brett collapsed on the ground.  I landed awkwardly.  My left
foot came down on Brett's ankle.  I tried to keep my balance, but my ankle
rolled off of Brett's ankle.

   "AAaeeeiiii" I screamed as the pain shot though my left ankle.  I
collapsed in a heap on the ground on top of Brett.  I rolled off of Brett.

   "Jesus Kyle.  Are you OK?" Brett exclaimed.

   "Owww!  I twisted my ankle." I moaned.  I reached a hand up to Brett,
who was now standing over me.  "Help me up Brett."

   Brett pulled me to my feet as Greg Harrison, our starting tight end,
arrived to check me out.  "Are you OK Kyle?  Can you put weight on it?"

   "Let me try Greg." I answered.  I tentatively put a little weight on it.
"SHIT!  Owww!  That hurts!" I screamed.  I stood on my good right leg,
holding my injured ankle off the ground.

   "Let's get you to the sideline Kyle." Greg suggested.  Greg took one
side and Brett took the other.  They helped me hobble off the field.  I
stood on the sideline, tentatively testing my left ankle.

   "What are you guys gawking at?  Get back to practicing." I shouted. 
"Andy, take my spot.  I want to see you guys work.  Let's go!" Ed came over
to stand with me as we watched Jake run our offense.

   I carefully put some weight on my left foot and walked a couple steps.
It hurt like hell, but I was tough.  I could walk it off.

   Ed said, "Jake is doing a good job running things." as Jake launched a
deep pass to my brother.  Andy pulled the ball in over top of Brett Fulmer.

   "Good job Jake.  Good job Andy." I yelled.  Our teammates lined up to
run another play.

   "How's your ankle Kyle?" Ed asked.

   "It hurts, but I'll be OK.  I'll walk this off." I answered.  I took a
couple tentative steps.  "Let's get Pete in Ed."

   "Ellis, get in there." Ed yelled to Pete Ellis, our sophomore back-up
tight end.  Pete trotted in.  Greg Harrison jogged over to Ed and me.

   Greg eyed me and exclaimed, "What are you doing Kyle?  Sit down.  You
aren't helping your ankle by walking on it!  SIT!"

   I sat on the ground.  "I'm all right Greg.  Stop worrying." I answered.

   "Let me see it.  I ride along with my dad on the ambulance.  I plan to
get my EMT next year." Greg answered.  He pulled up the leg of my sweat
pants.  He ran both hands up and down my ankle and leg.  He switched and
felt my right ankle.

   "Hey.  There isn't anything wrong with that one Greg." I protested.

   "Relax.  I want to compare them." Greg answered.  He felt my left ankle
again.  "Shit!  You're really swelling up Kyle.  This isn't good."

   "I'll be fine." I insisted.  "Don't worry about me Greg."

   "Does this hurt?" Greg asked as he pressed my ankle.

   "Shit!  Yes it hurts!  Stop." I groaned.  Greg pressed and felt a few
more times.

   Finally he said, "This isn't good Kyle.  You need to have this x-rayed."

   "Noooo!  I don't need that Greg." I whined.

   Greg continued, "This is bad Kyle.  You swelled up way too fast.  A
sprain shouldn't hurt this much.  You're going to the ER!  Call your mom or
dad and have them meet us at Lancaster General.  I'm taking you."

   "I don't have a cell phone Greg." I answered lamely.  My ankle was
throbbing now.  Greg seemed to know what he was talking about.

   "Here." Greg said as he handed me his phone.

   I reached my Mom and told her what had happened.  She agreed to meet
Greg and me at the ER as soon as she could get there.  Jeremy and Ed got to
practice the first aid carry we had learned in Boy Scouts.  They locked
their hands on each others wrists, hoisted me up and carried me to Greg's
car.  They helped me climb in.  Greg headed west from our high school to
the hospital on the north side of Lancaster.

   Greg helped me hop into the ER and find a seat.  Mom arrived about five
minutes later.  Greg and Mom conferred for a minute.  Greg wished me well
and headed for home.  Mom and I waited an hour until a nurse took me
upstairs for an x-ray.  We went back downstairs and waited another hour and
half to see a doctor.

   A nurse came for me with a wheel chair.  I hopped aboard and was wheeled
to an exam room.  The doctor was holding my x-rays up to the light to check
me out.  Mom and I waited expectantly for a couple minutes.  The doctor was
smiling when he turned to face me.  "Mr.  Martin, how are you doing?" the
doctor asked.

   "I've been better sir." I answered.

   "I'm Doctor Laukhauf.  Hop up on the exam table please." the doctor
explained.

   Mom and the doctor helped me up on the table.  Doctor Laukhauf poked and
squeezed my ankle and foot.  "Hmmm..." The doctor felt my right ankle. 
"OK. This doesn't look too bad."

   "What's the verdict doctor?" I asked.

   "You have a high ankle sprain.  It will be sore for a few weeks, but you
won't have any permanent damage." Doctor explained.

   "OK" I answered.

   "You didn't tear any ligaments or tendons.  You don't have any broken
bones.  You have strained the ligaments in your ankle.  I want you to stay
off this ankle as much as possible.  Use ice on it until the swelling goes
down.  That should take a day or two.  I'm going to wrap it with an ace
bandage to give you more support."

   I asked hopefully, "Will I miss any school?"

   "No.  I will get you crutches to help you get around.  I want you to
stay off that ankle when you are at home.  Keep it elevated." Doctor
Laukhauf explained.

   "OK.  How soon can I get back to practicing for football?" I asked.

   The doctor asked quizzically, "Football?  It's the spring."

   "My team is doing passing drills this spring.  We really want to make
the playoffs next fall." I explained.

   "Oh.  OK.  Use the crutches for two weeks.  No running for at least
three weeks.  Got it?" Doctor Laukhauf asked.

   "OK" I answered.  Doctor Laukhauf wrapped my ankle carefully, explaining
how to do it as he worked.  I was going to need to do this myself after
today.  The doctor adjusted a pair of crutches for my 6'-4" height. 
Hesitantly I tried them.  Awkwardly.

   Mom settled up at the billing office and then drove me home to our house
in Paradise.  Paradise, Pennsylvania.

   She popped some leftovers in the microwave for our late dinner.  Dad,
Andy and my 11 year old little sister Lizzie crowded around to get the news
about my ankle.  Mom and I explained my condition.  I wolfed down my dinner
and hobbled upstairs to study and ice my ankle.

   Mom interrupted me for a phone call later that evening.  She handed me
the phone.  I asked, "Hello?"

   "Kyle, how are you?" my girlfriend, Julie Simpson asked.

   "I'm OK.  I have a high ankle sprain.  It's going to slow me down for a
few weeks."

   "Your Dad explained a little bit when I came over to study this evening
the way we planned.  It's only your ankle that's hurt?"

   "Um, my other uh, equipment, is fine lover.  We should be able to have
fun in bed as planned next week during Easter vacation.  You might need to
be on top though."

   "Goody!  I love it when you make love to me that way Kyle.  I can't
wait." Julie exclaimed.

   I sighed.  "I wish you didn't have track practice after school tomorrow.
I'd like to show you how much I love you."

   "I'm sorry I'm so busy Kyle.  I appreciate how patient you are about my
busy schedule.  We will have to wait until Monday afternoon like we
planned."

   "I know.  I'd like to slowly take your clothes off, play with your
beautiful breasts, and lick your..."

   My little sister Lizzie topped the steps and stuck her head in my
bedroom door.

   "Um...  um...  ice cream cone." I said desperately.

   Julie said, "Huh, what?"

   "Hi Lizzie, what's up?" I asked, hoping Julie understood.

   Julie said, "I see." as Lizzie answered me, "Mom is serving ice cream.
Do you want some Kyle?"

   "Yeah sure Lizzie." I answered.  She disappeared down the steps again.
"That was close." I said into the phone.

   "Uh huh.  What would you like to lick Kyle?" Julie teased.

   "I'd like to apply my tongue to your clitoris lover.  I want to
stimulate you until you can't stop squealing."

   "It sounds like fun Kyle.  I can't wait.  See you in school tomorrow
lover.  Bye."

   "Bye Julie." I answered before I hung up the phone.

   Lizzie returned with my ice cream a few minutes later.  I turned on my
computer and got on line to pass some time before I went back to studying.
The computer chimed immediately when I got on line.

   I brought up my IM program to see who it was.
CANOEGUY312: You around little bro?

   I typed in my reply.
FASTWR87: Yes.  What's up Will?
It was my 20 year old half-brother Will Henry.  Will was a sophomore at

University of Pennsylvania studying Physics.

   CANOEGUY312: I just got back from a dinner with Abby.  I'm so happy.  I
have to tell someone my news.  Can you keep a secret?
FASTWR87: Sure Will.  What is it?
CANOEGUY312: I asked Abby to marry me this evening.  She said yes!
FASTWR87: WOW!  That's big news shorty.  Congrats!
Will had called me "little brother" most of my life and I had hated that
nickname until I passed him in height a year and a half ago.  Now I teased

my 6'-2" brother about being short.  Will took the ribbing in good spirits.

   CANOEGUY312: I took Abby to a fancy restaurant tonight and proposed over
dessert.
FASTWR87: Cool!  It's about time the two of you made this official.  You
have been dating the girl for four years.  When's the wedding?
CANOEGUY312: In two years, after we get our bachelor's degrees
FASTWR87: How long do I have to keep this secret?
CANOEGUY312: Until next week.  Abby and I are going to invite both
families to get together for dinner.  Probably next Wednesday.
FASTWR87: Could I invite Julie to the dinner?  I want to make her feel
like a part of our family.
CANOEGUY312: Sure.  That sounds cool.  You really like her, don't you
little bro?
FASTWR87: I'm in love with her.  I hope some day I'm the one down on my
knee asking Julie to marry me.
CANOEGUY312: You are serious about her aren't you little bro?
FASTWR87: Completely.  When do you and Abby get home for spring break?
CANOEGUY312: I finish my mid-terms tomorrow before lunch.  Abby's last
one is at four.  We are going to have dinner at the dorms and drive home
after that.  I expect to hit Paradise around 9 o'clock.
FASTWR87: Cool!  It'll be great to see the two of you again.  See you
tomorrow.
CANOEGUY312: See you later little bro.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-

   On Friday at school Julie and I hung out together every second possible
during the three classes we shared, during lunch and between classes in the
hallway.  The two of us had been nearly inseparable since we started going
steady last Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful.

   I explained about the dinner that Will and Abby had planned and invited
her.  We kissed passionately at the end of school when Julie had to go to
her track meet and I had to go home.  I hated the fact that she was going
to be away with her family for the whole weekend.  Monday afternoon would
be the next time we would see each other.

   I went home and studied in my room the best I could.  Andy's girlfriend
of the month, Brittany Smith, arrived a few minutes after we got home.  I
was forced to listen through the thin wall that separated my bedroom from
Andy's while he screwed Brittany again today.  It was the third time this
week.

   Andy had become quite the lothario since he lost his virginity to a high
school cheerleader last fall.  Brittany was Andy's sixth girlfriend since
then.  His girlfriends didn't stick around long, but they seemed to have
fun while they were with Andy.

   I jerked myself off when the sounds from next door became too
distracting to continue studying.  I remembered the exquisite feelings when
I made love to Julie on Tuesday afternoon after school.  I shot a huge load
of cum over my chest as I remembered how it felt to slide my bare cock in
and out of my lover.

   Andy and Brittany finally got quiet around a quarter to five.  They
cleaned up in time to be presentable before my Mom and eleven year old
sister Lizzie got home at five.  Mom and Dad knew Andy and I had sex with
our girlfriends after school and they tolerated it as long as we used
protection and didn't let Lizzie know what we were doing.

   Ed Fritz joined Andy and me after dinner.  Ed, who lives three doors
down the street from me, had been lifting weights with me for the last two
years.  Andy started lifting a year ago after he decided to go out for
football too.  When we finished lifting, I called Jeremy North.  Jeremy's
house was directly behind Ed's house.  Jeremy usually lifted at his house
and then came over when the four of us did our daily three mile run.

   I wished my three friends well on their run.  I sat in the living room
until they would return.  A couple minutes before they were expected, I
hobbled out to the chair on the porch.  They arrived back seconds after
Will and Abby pulled in our driveway.  The three of them were pretty sweaty
when they got back to my house.

   The four of us walked over to greet Will and Abby.  Will took a quick
look at Andy and exclaimed, "Shit!  Not you too.  How tall are you Andy?"

   Andy grinned and answered, "I was 6'-2" the last time I was measured."

   "No.  You are taller than that.  Stand beside Kyle Andy." Will asked. 
Andy and I stood side by side.  Abby and Will eyed us carefully.  "What do
you think honey?" Will asked his girlfriend.

   "Andy definitely passed you Will.  He isn't taller than Kyle, but he
isn't shorter either." Abby answered.

   Will concluded, "I think your right.  You're 6'-4" now kid."

   I laughed, nudged Andy in the ribs and exaggerated looking down at Will.
"Andy, we'll just have to look after our LITTLE brother won't we?"

   Andy laughed too.  "You need help little old man?" Andy teased.  "We
wouldn't want you to hurt your back or anything."

   "Old?  I'm only twenty!" Will protested.

   I confirmed, "Yep.  Way past your prime.  It's all down hill from here
LITTLE brother."

   Our group dissolved into laughter.  We exchanged hugs and greetings. 
When it was my turn with Abby, I pulled her aside and whispered in her ear.
"Will told me your secret.  Welcome to the family sis." I gave her a kiss
on the cheek.

   Abby kissed my cheek and whispered back, "I'm happy to call you my
brother now Kyle.  Thanks."

   Andy, Ed, Jeremy and I helped Will carry his luggage into the house.  Ed
and Jeremy headed for home.  Andy and I went upstairs to shower from our
workout.  It felt right having the whole family together again.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----

   Dad got Andy and me up early on Saturday morning.  Dad was the organizer
for the scout troop's spaghetti dinner that night.  Andy and I helped most
of the adults on the troop committee set up and prepare for the crowd we
expected.  The first shift of scouts arrived at 3:30.  Dad briefed them on
how to serve the food.

   Dad put me in charge of supervising the scouts since I was Senior Patrol
Leader (SPL) for my troop.  The parents did the cooking in the church
kitchen while we prepared the Fellowship Hall for the diners.

   The first customers came in around 4:30.  A steady stream of couples,
singles and families kept everyone busy serving spaghetti, salad, garlic
bread and deserts baked by the scout moms.  The next shift of scouts came
in at 5:30.  Ed Fritz and I briefed them and made assignments to replace
the first shift of scouts at 6 pm.

   The crowd peaked a little after six.  By the time the customers thinned
to a trickle, we were exhausted.  We served 208 dinners in about three
hours.  Mr.  Houck, the troop treasurer announced we should make around
$800-900 for an evenings work.  The money would keep our troop solvent for
a few more months.

   The third shift of scouts arrived at 8pm to do the dishes and clean up
after the dinner.  Dad, Andy and I didn't get home again until 10 pm.  It
had been a long day.  I showered and went straight to bed.

  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

   I slept late on Monday.  I finally got up, showered, grabbed breakfast
and met Ed Fritz, Jeremy North and Hal Long at 11am at the church that
sponsored our troop.  We spent an hour setting up a compass course for the
night's scout meeting.  Well, Ed, Jeremy and Hal set the course up.  I
hobbled along checking to make sure they did it right.

   I choose Ed to be my assistant when I was elected SPL in January. 
Jeremy and Hal were promoted to the Senior Patrol to help Ed and me run the
troop activities.  The four of us tried to spend a little time every week
before scout meetings to make sure we were prepared to run the meeting for
our troop of 35 scouts.  I was a little intimidated being in charge the
first few weeks.  After that I got used to my responsibilities.  Being SPL
was easy after two months on the job.

   Hal, Jeremy, Ed and I had been close friends since first grade in
elementary school.  We did almost everything together; classes, lunch at
school, Boy Scouts, goofing off, and football.  Well, all of us were on the
varsity football team except Hal.  He loved soccer and was good at it too.
Ed, Jeremy and I teased him constantly about playing a wussie sport like
soccer.  The four of us even lived close together.  Ed lived three doors
down the street from me.  Jeremy lived behind Ed.  Hal lived half a block
east of Jeremy.  It's good to have friends like these three guys.

   Mrs.  Long gave the four of us a ride home when we were done.  Andy and
his girlfriend Brittany were having lunch when I got home.  Brittany was
average sized for an eighth grader, about 5'-2".  She kept her black hair
short.  They were finishing their lunch as I made my way into the kitchen
on my crutches.  I was getting pretty good at getting around on the damn
crutches.

   "Hi Brittany, Hi Andy." I said cheerily as I greeted them.

   "Hi Kyle.  How's your ankle?" Brittany asked.

   I explained, "It's not too bad Brittany.  Thanks for asking.  The
swelling is down mostly and it doesn't hurt unless I put a lot of weight on
it.  I'm surviving."

   "That's good Kyle.  I'm glad it's not too bad." Brittany answered.

   I asked, "What do you two have planned for this afternoon?"

   Brittany blushed and looked down.  Andy answered, "We're planning to
hang in my room and ...  uh, you know." Andy pulled Brittany to him and
gave her a kiss on the lips.

   "I hope Julie and I don't disturb the two of you today.  Julie will be
over in a few minutes and we plan to hang out in my room and do uh...  you
know too." I said.  Andy and Brittany excused themselves and headed
upstairs for Andy's room.  I made myself a sandwich and grabbed some potato
chips while I waited for my lover.

   Julie arrived about fifteen minutes later.  I greeted her as soon as she
came in the door with a kiss.  The two of us made quite a sight.  My
crutches were leaning against the wall.  We kissed while I stood on one
foot and hunched over so my mouth could reach my lover who is eleven inches
shorter than me.

   I may not have looked graceful while I kissed, but my lips and tongue
delivered my message.  I was supremely happy to be together with Julie.  We
headed upstairs to my room after a minute of our tongues dueling.

   I hopped and stepped up the stairs with my crutches without help.  Julie
commented, "You are getting better at that Kyle.  On Friday, I thought you
were going to fall down every time I helped you up the steps at school."

   "I've had a lot of practice using these damn crutches since Friday
lover."

   I turned at the top of the steps and extended my hand to Julie.  We
exchanged another kiss as she reached the top of the steps.  With two
swings, I maneuvered myself in the door of my room.  Julie passed me and
had a seat on my bed while I closed the door and left my crutches against
the wall by the door.  It was easier to hop around my bedroom than use them
there.

   I hopped to my bed, stood flamingo style on one leg and removed my
shirt. Julie reached out and unfastened my pants.  She pulled them and my
boxers down to my knees.  I turned and sat my naked butt on my bed.  "Could
you finish undressing me Julie?  It is easier this way."

   "Sure." Julie pulled my pants and boxers off and dropped them on the rug
beside my bed.  Julie stood in front of me and slowly, seductively,
unbuttoned her blouse, one button at a time.  Julie revealed one shoulder
to my encouragement.  She slowly lowered her blouse revealing her other
shoulder and then her bra.

   Julie unsnapped her bra and slid it off displaying her gorgeous
grapefruit sized breasts.  I'd swear they had grown since I first saw them
four month ago when we started dating.  They stood without any sag.  Each
was crowned with a quarter sized light brown areola and a nipple that stood
out a half inch if she was excited.  Julie was very excited this afternoon.
So was I.  My cock had swelled to its full seven inches.

   I pulled Julie down on top of me.  We kissed, locking our lips together
as our tongues met, explored each other's mouth and expressed the urgency
and need for contact that we felt.  Julie rubbed and mashed her tits
against my bare chest as we made out.  Julie rubbed her jeans covered mound
against my bare cock.

   "Oww!  Ohhh...  too many clothes honey." I moaned.

   "Sorry lover." Julie said as she stood up.  She leaned down and kissed
the end of my cock.  "Does it feel better now?"

   "No.  He wants to feel his naked best friend beside him." I explained.
Julie pulled her jeans, panties and stockings off and climbed on top of me.
We locked our lips together and kissed.  Julie squirmed and rubbed her
naked body against mine while our tongues probed and touched.

   I rolled Julie and me onto our sides after a few minutes.  I wanted to
get my hands on her tits.  I caressed and squeezed them while I kissed a
trail from Julie's mouth down her neck and across her chest.  I finished by
teasing her right nipple with my tongue before I sucked it into my mouth.

   Julie moaned and then asked, "Let's 69 Kyle."

   Julie flipped around before I had time to answer.  She was licking my
erection when I managed say "OK honey." Julie proceeded to lick and suck my
hard-on while I nuzzled and teased her womanhood.

   In the past three and half months that Julie and I made love, she had
become quite good at giving head.  I did my best to stimulate Julie with my
tongue and fingers while she brought me to climax.  I was still holding on,
barely, when I wormed two fingers into her pussy and stroked her inner wall
to stimulate her g-spot.

   Julie gasped, "Ooooohhhh....  Shiiiiit!" as her sex gushed juices all
over my face.  Julie panted and squirmed as she climaxed.  Julie went
straight back to sucking me off when she recovered from her orgasm.

   Julie engulfed the top half of my erection with her mouth while she
fondled my balls.  My orgasm was approaching when Julie ratcheted up her
stimulation.  She gently slid a finger into my asshole and probed for my
prostate.  She touched it once and the feelings in my gut welled up.  My
cock swelled and then spurted my semen into Julie's mouth.

   My lover swallowed expertly, taking nearly all of my semen down her
throat.  Julie scrambled around so we were head to head again.  I licked
the small dribble of cum from her lips and then kissed her passionately.

   My brother Andy and his girlfriend Brittany were getting loud as they
pleasured each other on the other side of the wall from my bed.  The
headboard of Andy's bed was banging on the wall as the two kids made love.
Julie and I giggled at the two of them.

   Julie and I were ready to go again after a few minutes of making out. 
Julie asked, "Can I be on top Kyle.  Will your ankle be all right?"

   I laughed.  "My ankles fine as long as I keep my weight off it.  We can
do almost any position you want except with me standing."

   Julie pushed me on my back.  She climbed on top of me, grasped my 7
incher and sat on it.  I loved the feelings of my bare cock sliding into
Julie's silky hot tunnel.  I was glad Julie decided to start on the pill
after Christmas.  We had made love without condoms half a dozen times in
the past month since Julie was protected from pregnancy.

   I put my hands on Julie's hips to steady her as she rode my cock.  Julie
would rise up pulling almost off my cock and then slowly impale herself
again.  I was fascinated to watch her inner lips pull away from her hole
when she pulled up and then completely disappear when she dropped down
again.  Julie's lubrication dribbled down my cock with each stroke.

   Julie rode me for about five minutes when I decided to turn up the heat.
I reached up, cupped each tit and squeezed them.  I used my thumbs to
twiddle her nipples while she rode me.  Julie was panting as another climax
approached.  I dropped one hand down and circled my fingertip around
Julie's clitoris while she rode me.  It swelled and I teased it more.

   Julie grunted, "Ahhh....  Yeah that's....  it Kyle...." I kept teasing
her clit.  "Oh, oh God...  Aaaaaeeeiiiii...." Julie screamed as she
shuddered.  Her pussy clenched and pulsed around my cock.  Julie shook and
then collapsed on my chest as her climax wracked her body.  I held her
against me as she recovered.

   I kissed her cheeks and nibbled on her ear lobes.  I thrust my hips up,
driving my cock deeper into Julie.  "Would you like more?  I'm still
ready." I explained.

   "Mmm, yes.  That would be nice Kyle." Julie answered.

   I wrapped my arms around her and rolled us over.  I rose up on my knees
and thrust hard and deep into my lover's pussy.  I pumped in and out for a
couple minutes as Julie gasped and shook.  Julie wrapped her legs around my
butt as we approached another climax.  I thrust my cock into my lover
forcefully, grinding against Julie's clit.

   "Argh...  that's..." Julie groaned.  I thrust in hard again.  The
feelings were swelling in my bottom.  "IT!" Julie squealed as I hit bottom.
I withdrew and started to push in again.  My cock throbbed and splattered
my semen all over the insides of my lover as I drove it into Julie one last
time.  My cock squashed against Julie's cervix as the last few squirts of
my sperm pooled against the entrance to her womb.  Julie squealed again as
she climaxed.  Her pussy squeezed and milked the last drops of cum from my
spent cock.

   I collapsed on my lover, spent.  Julie unlocked her legs from around me
and rolled us over on our sides.  My limp cock rolled out with a plop.  The
two of us lay there sweaty and panting on sheets wet from my cum and
Julie's juices for a couple minutes.

   I stared at my lover.  Strands of her blonde hair was scattered across
my pillow and her face.  Julie had her eyes shut and a big grin on her
face. I leaned in and gave her a kiss on her lips.

   "Did you enjoy that honey?" I asked.

   "Mmmmm, yes Kyle.  I love you."

   "I love you too Julie." I answered.

   The two of us lay together, exchanging hugs and quick kisses for a
couple minutes.  Finally we untangled ourselves.  We lay on our sides
facing each other.  Julie cooed, "That was fun Kyle."

   "Um hmmm.  I enjoyed it Julie." I responded.  Julie and I got up and
dressed.

   As she was buttoning her blouse, Julie asked, "How is my brother doing
in scouts?"

   "W.  J.?  He's doing well." I answered.

   "I'm glad.  He loves Boy Scouts.  He had a great time on the campout a
couple weekends ago."

   "Good.  Is he going to summer camp this summer?  It will help him get a
good start in scouts."

   "Yep.  Mom and Daddy are sending him." Julie answered.

   "Why does he go by W.  J.?  Why not Bill or Billy or Will?"

   "We have too many Bills in our family.  Both of my granddads are
Williams.  Dad goes by Bill.  My brother is really William Junior, but we
have called him W.  J.  since he was a baby."

   I said, "I see.  I'm glad he joined Boy Scouts this spring.  He's a neat
kid."

   "I guess he's a good little brother, most of the time.  He gets on my
nerves sometimes, but he's OK."

   I laughed.  "I know all about little brothers and sisters." I hopped to
the doorway and grabbed my crutches.  I settled onto them and turned to
face my lover.  "Do you want to watch a movie Julie?"

   "Sure.  That sounds like fun." Julie answered.  Julie headed downstairs.
I followed as best I could.  The two of us settled on the sofa and spent
the rest of the afternoon cuddled together, watching a movie.

   I asked Julie, "Are you still busy tomorrow afternoon?" when the movie
was done.

   "I have to baby sit my cousins.  I'll be over after lunch on Wednesday
lover.  Are we still on for dinner together with Will, Abby and your
family?"

   "Yep.  Will has promised to make it really special, a dinner to
remember."

   "Cool!  I'm looking forward to it." Julie said.  I gave my lover a final
kiss before she went home.

   Chapter 2

   =======

   My teammates and I had agreed to meet at the high school on Tuesday and
Wednesday mornings to practice during our Easter vacation.  Will hauled Ed,
Jeremy and me to practice.  I brought along my folding camp chair so I
could rest my ankle while I supervised our practice.

   I set up my chair along the sideline of the practice field.  I could
have left it at home.  I spent most of the two hours hopping along the
sideline shouting encouragement, telling Ed or Jake what play to call next,
and giving the receivers and defensive back directions to improve their
play.  By the time practice was done, the group was teasing me, calling me
"coach."

   I should have used my chair more in the morning.  My ankle was swelling
and sore when Will brought us home.  I spent the afternoon with it elevated
and iced down to help with the swelling.

   In spite of my best intentions on Wednesday morning, I did the same
thing again during practice.  My ankle was aching when Andy and I got home
from practice.  Andy and I were finishing lunch when Julie arrived for the
afternoon.

   Julie smiled, kissed me and asked, "How are you doing honey?"

   "I'm fine." I answered as I hopped to the sink with my lunch dishes.  I
hopped over to her and gave her a kiss.

   Julie looked shocked.  She asked, "What's wrong Kyle?  I thought your
ankle was doing better?"

   "It was.  I over did it at football practice yesterday and this
morning."

   "You were practicing football?" she asked, incredulous.

   Andy broke in.  "Coach here wasn't playing.  He spent both mornings
limping up and down the sidelines yelling at us."

   I straightened up.  "I wasn't yelling.  I was trying to teach you guys.
You weren't running the plays correctly."

   "Yeah Coach.  Right!" Andy countered.

   Julie was perplexed.  "Why are you calling Kyle Coach?"

   Andy replied, "Those who can, do.  Those who can't, coach." Andy stuck
his tongue out at me.

   "You wait turkey.  I'll kick your ass in a couple weeks when my ankle is
better!" I declared, glaring at Andy.

   Andy smiled and headed for the back door.  "I'm out of here.  I'm going
over to Brittany's house."

   "I'll fix you Andy.  You just wait." I yelled as Andy went out the door.

   "You aren't really mad at Andy are you?" Julie asked.

   I chuckled.  "No.  I was just teasing Andy.  You know how brothers are."

   "I know.  W.  J.  can drive me crazy sometimes." Julie gave me a kiss on
the cheek.  "What do you want to do this afternoon lover?  Head for your
bedroom?"

   I gave Julie a kiss on the lips.  "Sorry honey.  Not today.  Will and
Abby agreed to look after Lizzie.  She's upstairs in her room."

   "OOoohhh...." Julie groaned.  "Do you want to watch a movie?  I picked
one up at the video store on the way over."

   Julie and I started for the family room when Will and Abby walked in the
back door with two bags of groceries.

   I queried, "What's for dinner Will?"

   "You'll see later.  Now get out of here.  Abby and I have a lot of work
to do." Will answered.

   Julie helped me limp to the family room.  She brought my ice pack.  I
had a seat on the couch and propped my ankle up on the coffee table.  Julie
wrapped a towel around my ankle to hold the ice pack in place.  She popped
the movie into the DVD player.  She settled down beside me.  I wrapped my
arm around her.  She laid her head against my chest while we watched the
movie.

   Julie and I headed back to the kitchen when the movie was over.  I
asked, "How's dinner coming?  I smell the bacon."

   "What are you making?" I queried.

   "Twice baked potatoes." Abby replied as she stirred the frying pan of
bacon.

   Julie asked, "Why do you call them twice baked?"

   "I baked the potatoes for an hour already.  They are over there cooling.
When they are cool, I will scoop the insides out, leaving a shell.  I'll
mash the insides of the potatoes and add crumbled bacon and shredded
cheese."

   "Mmmm....  this sounds good." I added.

   Will said, "If you two are going to hang around the kitchen, I'll put
you to work.  Shooo..."

   I laughed and said, "That's cool Will.  How can we help?"

   Julie added, "Sure.  I'd enjoy helping.  What do you need?"

   "Seriously?" Will asked.

   "Sure.  Julie and I will help." I answered.

   Abby said, "OK.  You two can make the dessert.  We are having peach
parfait."

   Abby assigned me the job of sitting at the table and chopping the pound
cake into 3/4" cubes and dicing the peach slices.  Julie made vanilla
pudding.  Will collected 10 parfait glasses from Mom's good set of dishes.

   I looked over at Will.  He was pounding out chicken breasts into thin
patties.  I asked, "What is that for?"

   "Chicken Cordon Bleu." Will answered.

   Julie purred, "You're really going all out tonight, aren't you?"

   Will grinned.  Abby answered the question.  "We want tonight to be a
night to remember."

   I put a layer of cake cubes in the bottom of each glass.  "What's next?"

   Abby handed me a small bottle.  The label said it was peach schnapps. 
She directed, "Put one tablespoon in each glass.  No more!"

   "What will Mom say when she taste the schnapps?"

   "It's one tablespoon.  She won't notice.  We'll keep this part our
secret, OK?" Will said.

   "Sure" "Top Secret Will, I promise." Julie and I answered.

   I added a layer of peaches.  Julie added a layer of pudding.  We
repeated the process with more cake, schnapps, peaches and pudding.  We
topped it off with whipped cream and a sprig of mint.  Julie carried the
parfaits to the refrigerator.  I sat and watched Abby and Will work.

   Will added a slice of ham to each chicken cutlet, added cheese and
rolled the cutlets.  Will breaded the chicken rolls and set them on a
cookie sheet.  Abby combined the crumbled bacon, smashed potatoes and
cheese.  She filled the potato skins with the mixture.

   Will checked his watch.  "It's an hour to dinner.  We have some free
time.  The chicken goes in the oven in thirty minutes.  The potatoes go in
the oven in forty-five minutes."

   The four of us hung out at the kitchen table and talked.  Mom got home
from work just before Will put the chicken in the oven.  Will sent Mom off
to relax.  Tonight was her night off from housework.  She appreciated that.

   Lizzie popped in the kitchen to check things out a few minutes later. 
Will greeted her, "Hey squirt.  How's it going?" and gave her a hug.

   Lizzie answered, "It's good.  Can I help with anything?"

   "Sure.  Why don't you and Julie set the dining room table?  We are
serving ten tonight."

   Julie and Lizzie set the table while Abby prepared the salad for dinner.
I rested my ankle and watched.  Dad got home just before the potatoes went
in the oven to bake again.  Andy got home from Brittany's house just after
Dad arrived.  Will warned everyone that it was ten minutes until dinner. 
Abby's parents arrived a couple minutes later.

   Abby seated every one just as the food came out of the oven.  I managed
to grab a seat beside Julie.  Abby served a fruit cocktail appetizer while
Will finished the preparations in the kitchen.

   Will and Abby brought the main dishes out when we finished the
appetizer. They sat down and joined us in our meal.  The conversation
flowed freely between my parents, Abby's parents, and us kids.  Our
families had been friends almost since Will and Abby started dating four
and a half years ago.  The Chicken Cordon Bleu was fantastic.  Abby's twice
baked potatoes were good too.

   The peach parfaits were greeted with oohs and ahs when they appeared. 
The parfaits disappeared in a blink.  Will and Abby gave Julie and me
credit for the dessert.

   When everyone was done, Dad sat back and said, "That was great Will and
Abby.  Thank you for dinner."

   "You're welcome Mr.  Martin." Abby answered.

   "I'm glad you enjoyed it." Will added.

   Dad continued, "I can't help but wonder.  What are you buttering us up
for?"

   Mom frowned, "Behave your self Dan.  Our son and his girlfriend can make
us dinner and not want anything."

   Will laughed.  "Dan isn't entirely wrong.  I did want to talk to you
about something tonight.  You know how I have to register for dorm space
for next fall in a couple weeks?  I was thinking I'd like to get a place
off campus instead."

   Dad asked, "How much would this cost?"

   "If I get a roommate, it won't cost much more than room and board in the
dorms." Will explained.

   Mom asked, "Have you found a roommate Will?"

   "Um, actually I have." Will said with a grin.  "My fiancé would like to
share the apartment with me."

   Abby pulled her hands out from under the table and displayed the
engagement ring she had kept hidden since she got home for spring break. 
All of us sat staring at Abby's ring for about thirty seconds.  Then bedlam
broke loose.  Everyone fired questions at Will and Abby faster than they
could answer them.

   When things finally calmed down, Will told the story.  "I asked Abby to
marry me last Thursday night."

   Abby broke in.  "Will was so cute.  He was down on one knee in the
restaurant when he asked me to marry him.  The people at the tables near us
clapped for us when I said yes."

   Jim Hendricks, Abby's dad, asked, "Do you plan to get married right
away?"

   Will grinned and answered, "No.  We are planning a long engagement.  We
would like to get married in two years after we finish our undergrad
studies."

   Our two families continued discussing the news for a few minutes. 
Finally Will asked, "Mom, Dad.  What do you think?  Will you help Abby and
me get an apartment next fall?"

   Mom stared at Dad.  I glanced over at Mr.  and Mrs.  Hendricks.  They
were doing the same thing.  Mom broke the quiet.  "I think we should help
them Dan, don't you."

   Dad answered, "Yes.  Jim, Elaine?  What do you think?"

   Mrs.  Hendricks sighed and nodded her head yes.  "My baby is getting
engaged.  I think we should help them Jim.  Don't you?"

   "OK" Jim replied.  The parents headed to the living room with Abby and
Will to discuss the details.  Julie and I volunteered to clear the table
and load the dish washer.

   We were in the middle of loading the dishwasher when I asked, "Isn't
this great news Julie?"

   "It is.  I'm so happy for Abby and Will.  They make a great couple."

   "You know they started dating in tenth grade just like us.  Do you see
us still together in four years like them?"

   Julie answered, "I don't know.  That's a long time."

   "I know it is.  I guess what I'm asking is if you think our relationship
is serious."

   "I know I'm serious about you.  I'm in love with you.  I don't know if
we can make it last like your brother and Abby.  We're not even sixteen
yet."

   "Do you want to try?  That's all I want to know." I asked.

   Julie didn't answer, at least not with words.  She hugged me, stared
into my eyes and then pulled my head down so we could kiss.  It was one of
the most passionate kisses the two of us ever shared.

   Finally the two of us broke apart.  Julie purred into my ear, "I'll do
my best to make this last Kyle.  I love you completely."

   "We will figure this out Julie.  We'll stay together."

   Julie and I headed for the family room to cuddle and watch TV.  Andy was
already there, sprawled out on the floor.  Both of us had seen the movie
already, but it was a good one.  We settled in on the couch to watch it. 
Julie and I made out a little when the movie was over.  Nothing to serious,
after all, Andy was on the floor beside us.  Julie glanced at her watch
when we stopped to catch our breath.

   Julie said, "I've got to call for my ride home soon Kyle."

   "Can we get together tomorrow sweetie?"

   "No.  I'm sorry.  My mom and I are going shopping in King of Prussia. 
We'll be gone most of the day.  How about Friday after lunch?"

   "I'm working on my Eagle project Friday.  I have about fifteen scouts
coming to help me with it."

   Julie asked, "Are we still on for our double date with Trent and
Ashley?"

   "Of course.  I'm in charge of the project.  I'll be done in plenty of
time to shower and get ready for our date.  Don't worry about it."

   "What is an Eagle Project Kyle?  You've talked about it before, but I'm
not sure what it is."

   "You know Eagle is the highest rank in Boy Scouts, right?"

   "I know."

   "A prospective Eagle scout needs to be active in Boy Scouts, earn
twenty-one merit badges, live up to the Scout Oath and Law, and serve as a
leader in his troop.  When that is done, he does a community service
project where he shows the leadership skills he has learned in scouts to
plan, organize and carry out the project.  The project is a big deal.  It
usually takes 80, a 100 or 120 hours of work to accomplish."

   Julie asked, "I knew it was a big deal, but I didn't know it was that
big.  What is your community service?"

   "I'm preparing a map of my church cemetery; cataloging all the
tombstones in it and creating a database so people can access the
information for the church or for genealogical studies.  My crew and I
start collecting information on Friday.  We plan to work from 9 am to 3
pm."

   "That sounds like a lot of work.  Should W.  J.  come and help?"

   "Sure.  Your brother is welcome.  I can use all the help I can get. 
Remind him to bring a lunch."

   "I'll do that Kyle." Julie answered.  The two of us kissed.  We pulled
apart when the door bell rang.  "That's probably Daddy.  You rest your
ankle.  I can see myself out."

   "I'm done down here.  I'm going to my room when you leave.  I'll walk
you to the door."

   I limped out to the foyer with Julie.  Mr.  Simpson greeted me.  I gave
my lover a good night kiss before she left.  I headed upstairs to browse
the internet awhile and then listen to some tunes.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy and I broke our vacation habit by getting up early on Friday to get
ready for my project.  Andy loaded my equipment and supplies in Will's car.
Will gave us a ride to the church.  Andy and I were the first to arrive. 
Andy helped me set up in the grave yard.

   Ed, Jeremy and Hal arrived a couple minutes later.  I had assigned them
tasks.  Each would lead a crew of three or four scouts to do their
assignments.  Hal's crew would measure locations of the tombstones.  Ed and
Jeremy's teams would transcribe the information on each tombstone onto
forms I made up and take pictures of each tombstone.

   I kept Julie's eleven year old brother W.  J.  as my personal go-fer. 
W. J.  ran any errands I needed.  He kept the water cooler filled all day.
He delivered supplies to my teams of workers.  W.  J.  was a pretty neat
kid.  I was glad he joined Boy Scouts.

   My work crews took a break at noon for lunch.  We went back to work
after lunch.  We had over half of the cemetery mapped and catalogued by the
time the scout's rides arrived.  I planned to have another work day in the
beginning of May to complete the outside work.

   Justin Baer agreed to prepare the plan of the cemetery for me.  Mr. 
Clark, our scoutmaster, worked with databases and HTML coding at work.  He
agreed to set up the database and web pages for us.  If everything went
according to my plans, I would have everything done for my Eagle rank
before I went to work on camp staff at our scout camp for the summer.

   Will arrived a little after 3 pm to pick up Andy and me.  We headed for
home.  Andy let me shower first since I had a date tonight.  I kept
thinking about the last time Trent, Ashley, Julie and I went on a double
date.  It was about a month ago.  After dinner we parked on the dirt lane
south of Strasburg.  Julie and I had sex in the middle seat in Trent's
mini-van while Trent and Ashley did it in the back seat.  I ended up
beating off while I remembered that crazy night.  I shaved my sparse blond
whiskers, such as they were.  I didn't want to scratch Julie when we
kissed.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

   Trent arrived at my house a few minutes early.  I headed out to his
mini-van.  I gave Ashley a kiss on the cheek when I got in the car.  Trent
headed straight over to Julie's house to pick her up.  We planned to have
dinner at a small restaurant in Millersville and then check out the movies
that were playing tonight.

   Dinner was excellent.  After double dating five times in the past five
months, the four of us had gotten to be close friends.  Trent drove us over
to the movie theater.  We checked out the movies.  The two movies we
thought sounded good were sold out.

   I asked, "What do you want to do gang?"

   Ashley sniffed, "A G rated Disney flick, two dumb horror movies, and a
lame comedy.  Bleah!  We need to find something better than this."

   "I'm with you Ash.  These other movies suck." Trent added.

   "Could we find somewhere to go for some fun?  I wouldn't mind getting
intimate with Kyle." Julie suggested with a big grin.

   "Cool!" I said.  I gave my lover a kiss.  The four of us discussed it
for a little and agreed that would be the most fun we could have in the
evening.  I suggested we head south to the field where Stacie and I and
later Sally and I had hooked up in the fall.  The weather was mild for
early April.  Even though it was approaching dusk, the temperatures were
still in the seventies.  I directed Trent to the secluded field a mile and
a half behind a development.

   We were getting blankets out of the back of the mini-van when another
car pulled into the field.  Julie and my friends looked surprised.  I
looked the car over and waved.  It was Stacie Thompson's car.  Stacie
grinned and waved back.  She pulled her car up beside ours.  My teammate
and friend Drew McCormick waved to us to from the passenger's seat.  Drew
was in tenth grade like me.

   Stacie and Drew hopped out of their car.  Stacie gushed, "Tiger!  Julie!
It's great to see you.  Who are your friends?"

   Drew added, "Hi Kyle.  How are you doing Julie?"

   I answered, "We're good.  I didn't expect to run into you here tonight.
I'd like to introduce my friends.  Drew, Stacie, this is Trent Wilson and
his girlfriend Ashley High.  Trent, Ashley, this is Drew McCormick and
Stacie Thompson."

   My friends greeted each other.  I explained, "Drew, you have met Trent
before.  He covered you a few times the last time we played his team,
Central.  You remember.  When you lined up at wide receiver."

   Trent extended his hand to shake with Drew.  "McCormick, number 27.  I
do remember you.  It's nice to meet you like this.  This is a lot better
than trying to tackle you during a game." My friends shook hands.

   Drew added, "I remember you Trent.  You tackled me on my second fake
reverse and stopped me from scoring a touchdown."

   The six of us talked for a couple minutes and agreed that the two acre
field was plenty big for all of us to have some privacy to get intimate. 
Julie and I took our blanket down by the stream.  Trent and Ashley headed
further downstream from us.  Drew and Stacie stayed near the upper end of
the field.

   We had a lot of extra time since we skipped the movie.  We took our time
making love.  Julie took my cock in her mouth and performed fellatio on me.
Julie promised a lot more fun when I came.

   I pleasured Julie with my fingers and tongue next.  I brought her to a
loud orgasm when I worked on her G-spot.  Julie and I cuddled for a couple
minutes, kissing and necking.  Julie pulled her knees up to her chin when
she was ready to share herself with me.  I rested her ankles on my
shoulders.

   I pumped in and out of my lover rhythmically while we joined together. I
had been reading on-line about the Tantric philosophy.  I tried it for the
first time that night.  Three shorts strokes followed by one long slow deep
one.  I brought Julie to two orgasms while we made love the first time that
evening.  I finally allowed myself to cum after about twelve minutes
together.

   Julie and I kissed and cuddled while my batteries recharged.  The two of
us listened to the sounds of Drew, Stacie, Trent and Ashley screwing in the
distance.  We exchanged kisses, nibbles and "I love you." for awhile.  My
sloppy limp cock started to harden when Julie went lower and played with
and sucked my nipples.  It went completely erect when her kisses took her
down my chest and stomach to it.

   Julie cooed, "Can I be on top this time Kyle?"

   I answered, "Sure thing sweetie." as I rolled on my back for her.  Julie
climbed on top of me and slid my hard erection into her pussy smoothly.  I
marveled at the warm sloppy embrace of her pussy around my cock.  Julie
started off slowly impaling herself on my rod.  Her pussy juices, mixed
with my first load of cum leaked out, matting my curly pubic hair into a
tangle with our sticky juices.

   Julie worked herself up to a faster rhythm.  I played with her tits as
she rode me.  I thrust my cock into her in time with her strokes when Julie
started to breath irregularly.  I knew she was approaching another orgasm.
I slipped a hand down from her breasts and started to tease her clit. 
Julie lasted another thirty seconds before she exploded with a scream that
could be heard on the other side of the field.

   I steadied her while her orgasm coursed through her body, stroking my
cock up into her as she shimmied.  Julie asked, "Did you cum too?" when she
calmed down.

   "Not yet.  Let's keep going." I answered.  Julie rode me for another
five minutes before a second orgasm took her.

   "Ooohhh...  Did you...  ahhh...  cummmm??" Julie grunted as she came.

   "I'm close lover.  Keep going." I answered.  I used my hands to steady
her as she drove my cock into herself.  I met her down thrusts by driving
my cock into her.  I lasted maybe sixty more seconds before the feelings
took me away to Nirvana.  I launched spurt after spurt of semen into my
lover's body when we completed our joining.  Julie collapsed onto my chest.
I wrapped my arms around her and held her while the two of us recovered our
senses.

   We held each other for a couple minutes before we were interrupted.  I
looked over towards the sounds of footsteps approaching.  It was Drew and
Stacie.  Drew had pants on, but no shirt.  Stacie's T-shirt barely covered
her panties.  She was carrying her skirt in her hand.

   Drew asked, "Hey Coach."

   "What?" I answered as Julie giggled at my new nickname.

   "Trent and I were talking.  You guys want to grab some ice cream
together before all of us head for home tonight?" He pulled his shirt on as
he waited for a reply.

   I held Julie's head and stared into her eyes.  "What do you think?  Do
you want to?" Julie nodded yes.

   "Sure Drew.  That sounds good.  Give us a couple minutes to clean up and
get dressed." I explained.

   I used a wash cloth I had brought along to clean Julie and myself up. 
We dressed and joined our friends at the cars.  Trent and Ashley were
leaning against his car holding each other.  Stacie and Drew were sitting
on the hood of her car waiting for us.

   Drew gave Stacie a quick kiss and asked, "Can I drive for awhile?"

   Stacie returned the kiss.  "OK honey."

   I exclaimed, "What?  When did you get your driver's license?"

   Drew grinned at us.  "I passed the test this morning." He held up his
brand new photo ID.

   Julie and I congratulated Drew.  I whined, "I bet I'm the last guy in
our grade to get my license.  I turn sixteen on July 8th.  I'll be in scout
camp all summer.  I won't even be able to get my permit until the end of
August."

   Julie kissed me on the cheek.  "Don't worry Kyle.  Daddy has promised me
he will give me enough time this summer so I can get my license before
school starts.  I can give you a ride anywhere you need this fall."

   "Thank you Julie.  I appreciate that.  I feel funny about bumming rides
from everybody.  It sucks being one of the youngest kids in your class,
especially this year when everyone I know is getting their licenses and I
can't."

   "Come on little boy.  Let's go get you some ice cream." Julie said as
she led me by the hand back to Trent's car.  We agreed to meet at the ice
cream shop in Millersville.  Drew headed back north, very carefully, like
some one who had a driver's license for about six hours.  Trent followed
behind Drew.  We eventually made it to the ice cream shop.  The six of us
talked a bit while we enjoyed our evening treats.  Julie reminded everyone
about her sweet sixteen birthday party next month.  She wanted to make sure
they all could attend.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Julie and I shared quiet time at her house on Monday in the afternoon
after I helped Mom do her annual spring cleaning.  She always used the day
after Easter for this.

   Julie and I made love in my bedroom after school on Tuesday as we
usually did.  Tuesday evening was our monthly Venturer Crew meeting. 
Tonight we were going to plan out our route for the eight day trip in
August.

   Penny Edwards, president of the Venturer Crew and my ex-girlfriend, had
organized our group into three crews.  I was leader of one crew, Hal led
the second crew and Penny led the third crew with the youngest crew
members.

   My crew was going to include Ed and his girlfriend Lindsey Fuller; Jake
Kring and his girlfriend Morgan Wentz; and of course Julie.  Hal convinced
his girlfriend Tammy to come.  Jeremy and Kathy were returning for their
second trip to Algonquin.  Ninth graders Paul Abbott and Mark Good rounded
out Hal's crew.  Originally Penny was taking her boyfriend Luke Simmons,
Stefany Horst was going with her boyfriend Brandon McCafferty, along with
my brother and his best friend Eric Connell and Heather Miller.  Heather
was Will's friend Jon Miller's younger sister.

   It started to change when Penny broke up with Luke two weeks ago.  Luke
decided he couldn't spend two weeks with Penny this summer and dropped out
of the trip.

   Some of us gathered a few minutes early for the meeting.  Penny
announced a new crisis.

   "Stefany told me after school today that she is dropping out of
Venturers and not going to Canada with us this summer.  I have no idea
why." Penny explained.

   Brandon spoke up.  "I know what is going on.  Stef and I had a big fight
yesterday afternoon.  We broke up.  After we agreed to break up, she asked
me to drop out of Venturers and the trip to Algonquin.  I told I wouldn't."

   Ed asked, "Why would she expect you to drop out of the trip?  It doesn't
make sense."

   Brandon continued, "I know.  We argued about this for awhile.  I ended
up getting even madder at her.  She insisted she wouldn't go on the trip if
I went."

   I said, "That's stupid.  If it bothers her so much to have you in the
same crew, you could switch to my crew.  I wouldn't mind."

   "I know.  I suggested that to her.  She wouldn't listen.  She demanded
that I drop out of the trip.  I paid my money.  I'm having fun in
Venturers. I've been looking forward to the trip to Canada for six months.
I'll be damned if I'm going to let her spoil things for me." Brandon said.

   Ed said, "That's Stefany for you.  When she gets something in her head,
it sticks.  You have my sympathy Brandon."

   "Thanks Ed.  I guess you understand." Brandon answered.  Ed had been
Stefany's first boyfriend last year.  Stef took every opportunity to put Ed
down too when she could.

   Penny suggested, "Let me talk to Stef.  Maybe I can get her to change
her mind."

   Ed said, "Good luck!  When Stef makes her mind up, she doesn't usually
doesn't change it."

   "I'll try.  Brandon, are you willing to switch to Kyle's crew if I
convince Stef?"

   Brandon answered, "Sure.  If Kyle will have me."

   I added, "I'd be happy to have you in my crew Brandon."

   Penny asked, "How many kids do you have now Kyle?"

   "If Brandon is with me, seven kids and two adults to be named later. 
Have we had any luck finding the last two adults to go with my crew?" I
asked.

   Joe Baer, our advisor, broke in, "I have Kyle.  I talked to all the
parents with kids in your crew.  I have a solution for our chaperone
problem.  All your parents agreed to allow Will and Abby to be the
chaperones for your crew."

   Ed grinned.  "Cool!  Will and Abby are going.  I like that."

   I asked, "How can we do this?  Will isn't twenty-one yet.  How can you
count him as an adult?"

   Joe explained, "You remember how our crew went everywhere with Will and
Justin's crew last trip?  We would do the same thing this summer.  Your
crew will travel with Hal's crew or Penny's crew.  Your parents are OK with
Will and Abby as chaperones.  We meet the two-deep adult leadership
requirement for Boy Scouts if your crew is always with another crew that
has two adults in it.  Is that OK Kyle?"

   "Yes.  That works.  Actually it'll be cool to be the crew leader and get
to run things and have Will along.  It could be very cool."

   Joe laughed.  "You do realize that the chaperones can overrule your
decisions as crew leader if you get carried away right?"

   "I know.  I'll behave myself." I answered.

   Joe glanced at his watch.  "It's two minutes after seven.  Let's get the
meeting started Penny."

   Penny called the meeting to order.  We did our regular opening.  Next we
reviewed some of our options for planning our route.  After some
discussion, we agreed that all three crews would follow the same route.

   We discussed various options during the evening.  I won a majority of
the crew members over to my suggestion.  I suggested that we follow the
same route that Justin and Will's crew followed on their first trip six
years ago.  Will had told me about how pretty and how isolated Lake
Lavielle was.  It sounded very appealing.

   We would start on Opeongo Lake, head for Proulx Lake for a day, Big Crow
Lake for a day, have two days on Lake Lavielle, stop on Dickson Lake for
one day and then head back to Opeongo Lake where we would be picked up by a
water taxi.

   Penny ended the meeting with an appeal for anyone to try to sign up one
more person for the trip.  Penny's crew was down to four kids.  Five or six
kids would be better.  Heather Miller said she might know of someone who
would be interested in the trip.  She promised to get back to Penny
tomorrow night if she had any luck getting another person for the crew.

  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   I had Ed carry a folding chair from the gym to our practice field on
Wednesday after school for our practice.  I spent part of the afternoon
observing from the side of the field watching the action.  I hobbled up and
down the field when things didn't go right, using my crutch as a pointer. I
managed to keep things under control.

   Thursday afternoon, before practice started, my teammates took revenge.
In addition to teasing me by calling me "coach", they got me a whistle of
my own.  I used it frequently during Thursday's practice.  My friends were
trying to tease me, but I thought it was fun.  They may have regretted
giving me a whistle by the time practice was done.

   My ankle was improving.  I could go short distances without the
crutches. I could see how with another week of rest, I would be ready for
action again.

   My scout troop had a campout on the weekend of 13-15th.  I delegated
most everything that needed done to Ed, Hal, Jeremy, Mark and Paul.  I
enjoyed sitting with Mr.  Clark and Mr.  Good and resting my ankle.  I felt
I would be able to ditch the crutches after the weekend.  If I managed to
behave myself next week during football practice and gym class, I should be
able to start working out and running in a week.

   I left my crutches at home on Monday.  My ankle felt pretty good though
I did favor my left leg a little when I walked.  It felt even better on
Tuesday.  I didn't limp at all.

   As was out custom, Julie and I got together at my house after school on
Tuesday.  We shared our bodies with each other that afternoon.  Julie and I
used our once or twice a week love making sessions to continue to build and
strengthen our feelings for each other.

   Wednesday and Thursday's practices went well.  I could spend more time
instructing now that I could walk around during the whole practice.  I
spent my time both days working with Jake Kring, Marcus Shaeffer, Jason
Harting, Pete Ellis and my brother Andy.  Jason was in tenth grade like me,
but was buried at the bottom of the depth chart for wide receiver.  Jake,
Marcus and Pete were in ninth grade this year.  Jake was the JV quarterback
last season, Marcus was the other wide receiver on JV who played opposite
Andy and Pete was the starting tailback on the JV team last season.

   I expected all of these kids to be varsity next year, though most likely
second or even third string.  The tips and tricks I was teaching them might
not help next season, but would give our team more depth if someone got
injured.  It would also help for the season after that when these guys
could step up to starters.

   I still got teased about using my whistle too much and was called
"coach" constantly.  I took the teasing in stride.

   We were nearly finished with practice when Coach Caffrey came out to the
field with Coach Graham, Coach Wyndham, Justin Baer and a few more people I
didn't recognize.

   Coach Caffrey smiled and asked, "Hi Kyle.  How's your ankle?"

   "It's feeling good.  I got rid of the crutches last weekend.  I should
be able to start running again next weekend." I answered.

   "Could you call everyone over?  I have some introductions to make.  We
just finished a planning meeting with the other coaches." Coach Caffrey
replied.

   I blew my whistle and called everyone in to huddle up around Coach
Caffrey.

   Coach announced, "I'm delighted to see all of you out here practicing
today.  Your work now is going to pay big dividends in the fall during the
next season.  Most of you know we have been making some modifications to
our football program so we can improve our team and advance further into
the playoffs and compete with the state's elite teams."

   "All of you know about the weight lifting program we started after
Christmas.  That will help.  The school board has agreed to hire more
coaching assistants to help Coach Graham, Coach Wyndham and me with our
preparations.  I want to introduce all of you to the new assistants we
hired."

   "Coach Frank Fisher will be assisting Coach Wyndham.  He will work with
the defensive line.  Coach Kurt Rodgers will help Coach Graham with the
offensive line.  Coach Justin Baer will assist with quarterbacks, running
backs and receivers.  The additional help will allow us to give you boys
better instruction during practices and games.  We are also recruiting
football boosters to scout our opposition's games.  I'm really looking
forward to the next season.  I think we are laying the groundwork to
dominate our league in the regular season and drive further into the
playoffs.  Keep up the good work guys.  All of this is going to pay off in
the fall."

   Coach Caffrey's impromptu speech brought our practice to a close.  Greg,
Andy, Ed, Jeremy and I met for our ride home.  Justin caught up with us to
talk.

   Justin smiled and asked, "Surprised?"

   I answered, "You bet.  How the hell are you going to find time for
this?"

   "I'm only taking one college course in the fall.  Sherry and I want to
buy our own house.  We can use the money.  So here I am." Justin answered.

   I said, "Cool!  I'm glad you're going to be helping us.  Are you going
on the white rafting trip later this month?"

   "You bet!"

   "See you then.  Bye Justin."

   Greg took my friends and me home.

   Chapter 3

   ======

   Thursday, April 19th.  A day I will never forget.

   It started out great.  School went well.  Julie and I managed to make
out a little in the hallway between classes.  Football practice went
smoothly.  My sprained ankle was pretty much healed.  The doctor had said I
could start running and training after three weeks.  That was tomorrow.

   The day was a great day, until dinner time.  My family and I were eating
dinner when the phone rang.  Dad answered it.  Normally he asks whoever
calls during dinner to call back.  Dinner is family time, no interruptions.
This time he laid the phone down and came to get me.

   All Dad said was "It's Julie."

   I went to the kitchen and picked up the phone.  "Hello, Julie?"

   "Kyle!  I have to see...  sniffle...  see you.  Immediately!"

   "I can't sweetie.  I'm in the middle of dinner."

   "Ppp...  pllleeeaasseee.....  I have to...  sniffle...  see you right
now!"

   "I can't.  You know how my parents are about family dinners.  They'll
have a shit fit."

   "Sob....  How...  how soon...  will you be...  sniffle...  done?"

   "Give me fifteen minutes, OK?" I asked.

   "Fifteen minutes.  I'll see you then."

   "I love you Julie."

   All I heard on the phone were sobs before she hung up.  I went back to
the dining room.

   Mom asked, "What wrong Kyle?"

   "I don't know.  Julie couldn't say.  She was too busy crying.  She's
going to come over as soon as we are done with dinner.  Hopefully I can get
her to tell me what is wrong."

   Our family's mood was subdued after the phone call.  All of us were
wondering what was wrong.  The doorbell rang just as I was finishing
dessert.

   "Can I be excused?" I asked.

   "Yes" Dad answered.

   I rushed to the door to meet my lover.  "What's wrong honey?" I tried to
say.  Julie flung herself at me.

   "Hold me...  Please hold me!" Julie gasped between her sobs.  She clung
to me, sobbing and shaking.  Mr.  Simpson, er, Bill was standing on the
porch too.

   "May I come in Kyle?" he asked.  I nodded.  "I'll go talk to your mom
and dad, OK?" I nodded again.

   I maneuvered my lover to the couch in the living room.  She clung to my
body, sobbing.

   "Julie, what's wrong?  You can tell me." I asked repeatedly.

   Julie kept repeating her mantra, "Hold me!" as she sobbed on my
shoulder. She clung to me.  I wrapped my arms around her and rocked her as
she cried.  I caught snippets of the conversation between Bill and my
parents.

   "I'm so sorry to dump my problem on you like this Dan and Sharon.  I'm
so sorry." Bill explained.

   "It's OK.  What has happened?" Dad asked.

   They must have moved into the kitchen because I couldn't hear them as
well.  I did catch something about a promotion.

   "Julie, what is wrong?" I asked quietly.  She didn't answer.  She clung
to me and cried.  I rocked us back and forth and tried to comfort her. 
"Please Julie.  Tell me what is wrong."

   My parents and Bill came back into the dining room.  I heard them pull
chairs out and sit down.  Coffee cups clinked on the saucers when they set
them down.

   Bill said, "I never expected Julie to take the news this badly."

   Dad answered, "It's not your fault.  We would have to deal with Kyle
when he finds out in any case."

   Bill replied, "I know she really likes Kyle.  He is her first serious
boyfriend.  I never expected Julie to react like this."

   Mom added, "They have been going steady for six months."

   Bill continued, "I think that Kyle and Julie have been um, intimate. 
That might explain Julie's reaction.  What do you think?"

   "Uh yeah...  I expect that you are right.  I believe Kyle and Julie
probably have had sex." Dad answered.

   Bill asked, "Do you think they are careful?"

   "I know Kyle knows about birth control.  I'm sure they are safe." Mom
said.

   Dad gently pointed the conversation away, "Bill, tell me about your
promotion."

   "It's a great offer I couldn't refuse.  I'll be plant manager.  It's a
big boost in salary too.  I've worked for Case New Holland for fifteen
years.  This is the opportunity I've wanted."

   "That's great Bill." Dad replied.

   Julie was sobbing a little less.  I brushed Julie's hair away from her
face.  "Honey, please tell me what is wrong."

   Bill continued explaining, "The hard part is moving.  I've lived in
Paradise my entire life."

   I straightened up a little.  I held Julie face in my hands.  "Shhhh...
tell me Julie.  You're...  moving?"

   Julie sniffled and wiped the tears from her cheeks.  "Dad's moving us...
us to...  Ne...  Ne..." The tears started to flow again.

   "Shhh...  Shhh....  Julie please tell me.  New Holland?" I whispered in
her ear.

   Julie choked back a sob and finally said, "No.  Ne...  Nebraska."

   I collapsed backwards against the couch.  I hugged Julie to me
automatically.  Nebraska!  Suddenly my life plans were collapsing.  Get
recruited by a big college football program.  Go to that college with
Julie. Get an education together.  If things went well, maybe I could get
into the NFL.  Marry Julie after college was done.  When football was over
start my career.  Start a family.  With Julie.  The most important part of
my life plan was to be with Julie.  Now she is moving a thousand miles
away.

   A tear rolled down my cheek.  I wanted to cry too, but I needed to be
strong.  I was the guy.  It's my job.  I wiped it away and held Julie's
head up.  I stared into her eyes.  "I don't know how, but we will get
through this.  We belong together.  Some how, some way, we will end up
together.  Forever!"

   "Do you believe that Kyle?"

   "I do.  I love you totally.  We will find a way through all of this." I
said.  I kissed Julie on the lips.  She was hesitant at first, but warmed
to my kiss.  We kissed for a minute.

   Julie asked, "Do you really think we can stay together Kyle?"

   "Some how.  We'll figure this out.  There isn't any way I'm going to let
you go.  I love you too much.  I want us to go to college together.  I want
to make a life with you.  I want a family."

   Julie shivered as I held her.  Her face brightened a little.  "I want to
do that Kyle.  Making a life together sounds perfect."

   I gave my lover another kiss.  "We'll do this together, you and me."

   Julie declared, "I am the luckiest girl in the world.  I believe you
mean it."

   We cuddled for a couple minutes.  I asked, "Have you studied for the
History test tomorrow?"

   "No.  Do you want to study together this evening?"

   "Sure" I answered.  Julie let her father know about our plans to study.
He headed back to his house, promising to pick Julie up at 8:30.  We spent
the rest of the evening studying together.  Julie hugged me and clung for a
few seconds when it was time for her to go home.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   I barely slept that night.  I tossed and turned.  I tried to think of
ideas that would allow us to stay together or force Julie's parents to keep
us together.  At first I came up with some really dumb ideas.  Run away
where we couldn't be found.  Get married secretly so we couldn't be
separated.  The dumbest idea I had was to get Julie pregnant.  They
couldn't break us apart if we had a child.

   About two in the morning I realized that none of these ideas would work.
Julie and I needed to demonstrate our maturity if we would have a chance of
convincing her parents to allow us to stay together.  Julie and I needed to
act like we were old enough to make a lifetime commitment to each other.  I
must have finally dozed off sometime in the early morning.  My alarm clock
woke my much too soon.

   I explained what was going on with Julie to Ed and Jeremy on the way to
school.  Julie and I normally spent every second together between classes
that we could manage.  Today, Julie and I literally clung together between
classes.  Usually our physical contact was free and unforced.  Today
physical contact was essential.  We needed to touch just to assure each
other that we would work things out.  At lunch Julie gave me pleasant news.
W.  J.  was going to a soccer tournament in Allentown tomorrow.  Julie had
the house to herself tomorrow.  I explained to Ed that I would help him
part of the day with his Eagle project, but was going to Julie's after
lunch.  He was OK with it.  He expected to have enough help for his work
day without me.

   I rode my bike over to the township park after I made myself an omelet
for breakfast.  It felt great to be mobile again.  Ed had a good turn out
of scouts to help with his Eagle project on Saturday morning.  Hal, Jeremy
and I were there along with about a dozen other scouts.  Ed was building a
fitness trail around the perimeter of the Paradise Township Park.  Today
was the third work day for his project and hopefully the last day needed to
finish the work.

   I rode my bike home in time to grab some lunch and to take a shower
before I went to Julie's house.  I wanted to smell sweet for my lover this
afternoon.  I told Mom I would be over at Julie's all afternoon.  She told
me to have fun.  I rode the 2 miles from my house to Julie's in record
time.

   Julie yanked my in the front door as soon as I knocked.  She was wearing
a bath robe.  She kissed me on the cheek and purred, "I'm glad you could
get free this afternoon.  I've got an `itch' that needs scratched."

   I returned the kiss.  "What do you have in mind?" I asked, even though I
knew the answer.

   Julie patted the bulge in my jeans.  "This should scratch my itch
nicely. Let's get to my room." She grabbed my hands and led me back the
hallway to her bedroom.  She dropped her robe in the hallway just before
she went in her door.  She wasn't wearing anything under the robe.  "Come
on Kyle.  Get undressed.  I want you." She declared as she dragged me to
her bed.

   I stripped my clothes and left them on the floor in a pile.  I climbed
into Julie's queen-sized bed to join my lover.  We made out for a few
minutes, our kisses escalating in passion.  We sucked each other's tongues
and lips, nibbled each other's ear lobes.  I smothered her cheeks, neck and
chest with kisses.

   Julie ran her hands through my hair as I kissed and felt Julie's
beautiful breasts.  I didn't get to spend much time on Julie's breasts
before she was moaned, "Please...  Please eat me Kyle."

   "My pleasure honey." I declared as I kissed a trail down her chest,
across her stomach until I reached her tuft of pubic hair above her pussy.
I took my time as I licked her labia, tongue fucked her hole and teased
around her clit.  I worked my tongue around her clit in circles when it
finally poked out.  I slid two fingers into my lover's tunnel and felt for
Julie's G-spot.

   I pressed and rubbed the small bundle of glands inside Julie while I
played with her nub.  Julie's juices poured out, coating my tongue and
soaking my hand.  I tried to slowly work Julie to climax.  I wanted this to
last.  Her breathing started to get ragged.  I slowed so she wouldn't
climax right away.

   "Jesus, don't stop Kyle.  Keep going!" Julie groaned.  I increased the
pressure on her spot a little.  Julie humped her hips up, trying to bring
her clit against my tongue.  I tried to keep constant pressure on her
erogenous spots while prolonging her pleasure.

   "Kyle!  Please.....  Make me cum!" Julie demanded.  After a couple
minutes I worked my fingers harder and sucked Julie's clit into my mouth.
It only took about ten seconds of that for Julie to shudder and reach
orgasm.  I smiled as my lover groaned and shook.  Julie's pussy squeezed my
fingers.  Julie's juices poured out, covering my hands and face and forming
a wet spot on her bed.

   Julie laid her head back on her pillow as she recovered from her climax.
"Mmm, that was wonderful Kyle.  I'm the luckiest girl in the world."

   "I'm glad you enjoyed it.  What do you want to do next Julie?"

   "I want your prick in me.  You've got me so horny now.  Please fuck me!"
Julie declared.

   "Do you want on top honey?" I asked.

   "No." Julie replied quickly.  She raised her knees to her chest and
said, "I want you to go deep Kyle.  That's exactly what I need."

   I positioned myself between her wide spread legs and lifted her ankles
onto my shoulders.  I positioned my cock at Julie's entrance.  "Are you
ready honey?"

   "Yes....  I'm ready." Julie said.

   I slid my 7 incher slowly into Julie.  I expected her to grin and sigh
the way she usually did.  Julie sucked in a breath and held it.  Her eyes
went wide as my cock hit bottom.  Julie didn't look happy; she looked
surprised or nervous instead.

   "What's wrong honey?" I asked soothingly.

   "Umm, uh, I was thinking about....  Nebraska."

   "Shhh...  Nebraska doesn't exist today." I pulled my cock part way out.
"There is no Nebraska.  There is just you and me." I pushed in the whole
way until the end of my cock nudged against the portal to Julie's womb.

   I worked my cock in and out of Julie's hot tunnel with slow deep
strokes. Julie groaned and panted as we joined ourselves together. 
Gradually I increased the pace of my strokes, driving my cock against
Julie's cervix repeatedly.

   I started to rub Julie's clit while I pumped in and out of her.  Julie
groaned and panted while we coupled.  After a few minutes Julie groaned and
climaxed.  Her silky passage spasmed around my cock.  I continued driving
my cock into Julie.

   I worked my cock in and out of Julie through two orgasms before I felt
the tingle in my groin.  I stroked my cock into Julie two more times before
the pressure became too much.  I drove my cock in until it bumped into the
entrance to Julie's womb.  I blasted a huge load of my seed against the
entrance.  I hadn't managed to find time to relieve my cock for a couple
days, so I had extra sperm to deposit today.  I stroked in and out a couple
more times as the last of my sperm squirted into Julie's now sloppy pussy.
I collapsed onto her chest and tried to roll us over.

   Julie dropped her legs down and locked them around my ass.  "Stay like
this Kyle.  This feels good.  She wrapped her arms around my neck and began
kissing me.  I returned the kisses.  We stayed locked together for nearly
five minutes, exchanging kissed and caresses.

   The feel of Julie's nipples pressing into my chest and her squirming
while we kissed started to get me going again.  My cock swelled to erection
again while still embedded in my lover's pussy.  Julie grinned.  She
exclaimed, "Let's go again Kyle.  I want you again."

   We made love as she requested.  We did it in missionary position this
time, with Julie's ankles locked around my ass.  We copulated for probably
five or six minutes before Julie managed a fourth orgasm for the afternoon.
Driving my cock into Julie's silky tunnel felt great, but much sloppier
than the first time this afternoon.  Her pussy slurped as I pulled out and
squished when I drove back in.  I lasted a couple more minutes before I
sprayed more cum into Julie's already full pussy.  I collapsed on Julie
again and rolled us onto our sides.  I pulled my now limp cock out of
Julie, releasing most of my two loads of sperm.  It drained out, all over
my crotch and Julie's crotch.

   After a little recovery, I moaned, "I love you Julie.  You're the
greatest!"

   "I love you Kyle.  Thank you." Julie's mood seemed better than when we
started.  She was bubbly and happy again.  The two of us cleaned up a
little.  Julie's family wouldn't be home until after nine from the soccer
tournament so we would have complete privacy until then.  We headed down
the hall to the family room sans clothing.  We cuddled together on the
couch while we enjoyed a movie on cable.

   The two of us started making out near the end of the movie.  By the time
it was over, we were horny again.  We made love a third time that afternoon
on the floor of the family room.  The need wasn't as urgent as the first
two times, but the need was still there.  We climaxed together the last
time.  We cuddled a few minutes after we came.

   I asked, "Do you feel better Julie?"

   "I think so.  I can't imagine not being able to make love to you, to
spend time with you.  I love you so much Kyle.  We have to stay together."

   "Some how we will.  I'll do anything I can so we can stay together.  I
love you too." I sealed my commitment with a kiss.  Reluctantly we headed
back to Julie's bedroom to collect our clothes and get dressed.  It was a
quarter to five and I needed to head for home so I would be back for
dinner.

   Chapter 4

   ======

   School was routine.  Pay attention in class, do your homework, enjoy the
company of your friends.  Julie and I made love twice on Tuesday afternoon,
the only afternoon when both of us were free after school.

   Wednesday afternoon was great for me.  It was the first time I could
practice with my teammates in three weeks.  Practice went well.  I used my
whistle less often, but everyone still called me coach.  I guess my new
nickname was going to stick.  Thursday's practice went well too.  Andy made
a couple spectacular catches.  I was pleased with his progress.  If Coach
Caffrey agreed, Andy would make a nice addition to the varsity team in the
fall.

   My friends and I were looking forward to the weekend.  We were going
back to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon for white water rafting.  Julie and I
studied together Thursday evening after I helped her pack for the trip.  We
managed a couple kisses without W.  J.  or Julie's parents catching us.  It
was a good evening.

   Our Venturer Crew met at the church Friday evening at 5 pm.  It was a
five and a half hour drive to Wellsboro and the canyon.  Joe Baer borrowed
a 15 passenger van.  Justin borrowed his parent's mini-van to hold the rest
of our group.  We had seventeen Venturers and four adults going on the
trip. All the Venturers going to Algonquin were attending.  As usual on
Venturer trips, Joe and Justin's parents got to spend the weekend with
Joe's kids Betsie and Jeffrey and Justin's son Billy.

   We arrived at the campground in Wellsboro around 10:30 pm.  We set up
tents and went straight to bed.  Julie and I; Ed and Lindsey; Hal and Tammy
and Jeremy and Kathy all set up our tents near each other.  The rest of the
crew paired or tripled up in same sex tents.  Even Penny stayed with a
couple of the ninth grade girls.  She hadn't found another boyfriend since
she broke up with Luke two weeks ago.  Andy shared a tent with his best
friend Eric Connell.  Eric turned fourteen last month, so this was his
first trip with the Venturers.  Andy turned fourteen in January so he was
able to join in time for our February ski trip, so he acted like an old
hand at Venturing.  Jon Miller's little sister Heather came too.  It was
funny watching my brother try to flirt with Heather.  She didn't give him
any encouragement at all.  I guess she was still mad at him from last
summer when they went steady for a month.

   Julie headed to our tent for bed while Penny and I made rounds of our
campsite to check on everyone.  I joined my lover after a few minutes.  She
was in her sleeping bag already.  "Uh, honey.  One of the advantages of
Venturer trips is that you and I can sleep together." I explained.

   "We are.  We're in the same tent."

   "No, I mean share the same bed.  Unzip your sleeping bag and open it
up." I prepared my bag to use for our cover.  I slid our two Themo-rest
mats together, laid my sleeping bag over them and indicated that Julie
should lay down on it.  "It's really cool to sleep in the nude when you're
camping.  Try it with me."

   "You're sure this is OK?" Julie asked as she pulled her pajamas off.

   "In Crew 312?  This is normal.  Lay on your side honey." I explained.  I
spooned up against Julie's back when she lay down on her right side.

   "Are we going to be warm enough Kyle?"

   I pulled her sleeping bag over us and answered, "This is our blanket and
I'll make sure you stay warm." I wrapped my arm around Julie and snuggled
up tight against her body.  I gave her a minute to get used to this. 
"Isn't this nice Julie?"

   Julie wiggled her bottom against me, discovering that my cock really
enjoyed the feel of her body.  I was erect.  It slipped between her ass
cheeks when she squirmed against me.  Julie continued moving, making my
cock slide up and down between her cheeks.  Julie pulled my hand across her
chest and put it on her breast.

   "Mmmm, this is nice Kyle.  Much better than sleeping alone." Julie
purred.

   "Are you too tired to make love tonight?" I asked hopefully.  I massaged
Julie's tit while she considered her answer.  Julie rubbed my cock up and
down her crack again.

   "I'm tired, but not too tired for that.  Do you want to be on the top
Kyle?"

   "No.  We can make love in this position.  This position is great for
slow passionate lovemaking.  You'll enjoy this way."

   "What do I do now?" Julie asked.

   "Put your left leg up." I explained as I scooted down.  My cock popped
free and went between Julie's legs.  "Take my cock and put it in position."
She held it in place at her hot opening.  I pushed in slowly, penetrating
Julie with all seven inches of my cock.

   "Mmmm, you're right Kyle this is nice and relaxing."

   I played with Julie's nipples while I slowly pumped in and out.  We
expressed our love for each other for nearly ten minutes.  I encouraged
Julie to play with her clitoris while we made love.  My cock spurted my
semen into her pussy right after she climaxed.  Julie and I fell asleep
contented and still connected.

   It wasn't light out yet when I woke up.  I had a nasty hard-on and
desperately needed to piss.  I carefully tried to disentangle myself from
my sleeping girlfriend.  I slipped my erection from between Julie's legs.
She stirred.  "Is it time to get up Kyle?" Julie whispered.

   "Shhh!  Go back to sleep honey.  I need to pee.  I'll be back in a
couple minutes." I answered as I pulled a pair of shorts on.  I headed
outside and went into the trees at the edge of the campsite.  I drained my
bladder and headed back to my tent.

   I slipped back inside the tent.  I pulled my boxers off and lay down
beside Julie.  She leaned back against my body.  Julie asked, "What time is
it Kyle?"

   I flicked on the light on my watch.  "It's 6:15 honey."

   "Do we have enough time for some fun this morning?"

   "No, Joe will be around in about fifteen minutes to wake everyone up."

   Julie rolled over so she was facing me.  "Hold me Kyle.  I need that." I
wrapped my arms around Julie's back as she held me close to her.  We
started kissing.  Our tongues met.  We kissed, nibbled each other's lips
and slipped our tongues into each others mouths.  The kissing quickly
brought my cock to full staff.  Julie slipped her hand down and stroked it
while we kissed.  Joe came by much too soon to interrupt our morning tryst.

   Julie and I dressed in our swim suits and sweats.  Julie and I climbed
out of our tent holding hands.  The other crew members were gradually
appearing.  Penny had spent the night sharing a tent with Heather Miller
and her friend Samantha Hoover.  Heather convinced Sammie to try out
Venturers this weekend.  She was trying to convince her to go on the
Algonquin trip to help fill out Penny's crew.

   Penny had assigned Mark Good, Paul Abbott and Jake Kring to prepare
breakfast.  They didn't have to work hard.  They put out the cereal,
doughnuts, juice and milk.  Our crew was on the road heading for the
rafting place by 7:15.  Joe took care of our payment and paperwork while
the rest of us donned the skin tight wet suits.

   The eight girls looked fantastic in the wet suits.  The black neoprene
stretched tight around their breasts, hips and back sides.  I had seen
Penny, Tammy, and Kathy like this last year.  I was accustomed to seeing
all of Julie's assets.  Lindsey, Jake's girlfriend Morgan, Heather, and
Heather's friend Sammie were revelations.  Ninth graders Lindsey and Morgan
were going to give the girls on our cheerleading squad a run for their
money soon based on there looks.

   The real surprise was Heather.  Last summer Heather had barely started
developing.  Now she had prominent breasts, good sized handfuls.  I could
see why Andy was still trying to convince her to date him again.  Given a
little more time to grow, she was going to be knock out.

   I looked over at my brother.  He had a stupid grin on his face.  He
openly stared at Heather.  Andy's wet suit did not conceal anything.  His
balls formed a bulge.  The outline of his cock stood out too.  He was
getting a hard-on just looking at the girls.

   "Hey, Andy.  It's not polite to stare." I said as I nudged him in the
ribs.

   "Oh!  Um, umm....  Yeah." Andy stammered.  I grabbed his shoulder and
dragged him towards the bus.

   I shouted, "Let's load up gang!" as I pushed Andy to the front of our
group.  The other Venturers followed us aboard the bus.  Boys from a scout
troop from Harrisburg were on the bus ahead of us.  We filled in the empty
seats near the front.  A second scout troop was filing onto the second bus.

   Three guides climbed on our bus.  They explained how the rafting would
go and talked about the safety procedures while the busses headed north
towards the Pine Creek.  It took about fifteen minutes to reach the
landing.

   The guides told us that six persons would go in each raft.  Penny and I
made sure our crew found places in rafts.  Julie stayed by my side.  When
everyone was had a spot, Penny, Julie and I looked around.  The only spots
left were in a raft with Brandon, Andy and Heather.  We joined them. 
Brandon and I took the front spots in the raft.  Julie and Penny were
behind us.  Andy and Heather took the back two spots.  The guides pushed
the eight rafts out into the river.  They hopped in their kayaks and took
off down river to catch the rafts.

   Fast moving water filled Pine Creek almost to the top of the banks.  We
drifted downstream for fifteen minutes while we practice paddling and
steering our raft.  The first rapids came before we were entirely
comfortable with our raft.  We paddled like crazy and bounced off some
rocks, but we made it through without casualties.

   The creek water was fast and cold.  Rapids came at us one after another,
with hardly anytime to catch our breath in between them.

   Andy tried to flirt with Heather the whole way down river.  He bombarded
Heather with innuendoes and crude sexual jokes.  I watched as Heather
rolled her eyes at Andy, time after time.  Julie, Penny, Brandon and I did
our best to elevate the tone of discussion in our raft.

   We rafted downstream for three hours when the guides told us to beach
our rafts for lunch.  Penny and I opened the water proof barrel we had with
our lunches and passed them to our crew.  Julie and I found a rock to sit
on while we ate.  Heather sat near us.  Andy joined us, sitting on a rock
beside Heather.  He continued trying to make time with Heather.  She tried
her best to ignore Andy.

   Finally I had enough.  "Andy, come with me." My brother followed me
upstream a little until we were about a hundred yards from our group.  I
asked, "What are you doing?"

   "Huh?  What do you mean?" Andy asked, looking puzzled.

   "What are you trying to do with Heather?"

   "Um, just hanging out." Andy answered.

   I raised an eyebrow.  "You sure?  It looks like you still want to date
Heather."

   "Well, I do like her.  Do you think she would go on a date with me if I
asked her?" Andy asked hopefully.

   "No.  You've been acting like an idiot around her all weekend.  Stop the
teasing, the sex jokes, and the stares.  You are really turning Heather
off."

   "So, what do I do?"

   "You could start by apologizing to Heather.  Then treat her like you
treat Julie or Abby.  You don't act so stupid around them.  Don't try to
make her like you again.  Just treat her normal."

   "Do you think it'll work?  Will it make Heather like me again?" Andy
asked.

   "I don't know.  You will have a better chance than what you are doing
now.  I guarantee Heather won't consider going out with you if you keep
doing what you are doing.  What do you have to lose by trying something
else?"

   "I guess you're right.  I'll try to do better.  Thanks Kyle."

   "No problem little brother." I answered.  I chuckled to myself.  Did I
really call Andy little brother?  "C'mon.  Let's finish lunch."

   Andy and I rejoined the girls.  The guides called everyone back to their
rafts about ten minutes later.  We pushed our rafts back into the creek and
continued our trip down the creek.  The rapids provided a fun ride in the
afternoon.  We bounced off rocks, slipped by them, spun around, and got
soaked.  We had a blast.  I was disappointed when the guides told us to
pull off at the boat landing at the end of the trip.

   We loaded up on the busses, rode back to the outfitters and changed into
regular clothes.  Joe and Justin delivered us back to our campground just
before dinner time.  Penny assigned three Venturers to make dinner.  Dinner
was delicious.  Our group hung out in the evening, talking and playing
cards.

   Andy seemed to have listened to what I told him at lunch.  He was well
behaved the rest of the day.  Heather noticed too.  She wasn't trying to
avoid Andy anymore.  The two of them spent the night talking.

   Around 9:30, Julie grabbed me and said, "I'm ready for bed honey, let's
go."

   I replied, "OK Julie." Turning towards Penny, "Do you need a hand
securing camp for the night?"

   "No.  I can handle it.  You two go have some fun." Penny answered.

   Brandon added, "I don't have a girlfriend to be with anymore.  I'll stay
up and help you get things squared away Penny."

   "Thanks Penny.  Thanks Brandon." I said.  Julie added her thanks.  Our
cluster of friends split up, each couple heading for their tents and an
evening of lovemaking.

   Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I headed for the men's room to get ready for bed
while Julie, Lindsey, Tammy and Kathy went to the women's room.  I made my
way back to my tent and prepared for the night.  I stripped my clothes from
the day away and waited for my girlfriend.

   Julie joined me in a couple minutes.  She stripped down to her birthday
suit too.  We lay together kissing and hugging for a few minutes.  Julie
played with my nipples while I did the same to her.  Our passion and lust
grew as we played with each other.  I moved a hand down and gently stroked
Julie's labia.

   "Mmmm....  yeah!" Julie groaned as I stroked her.  "I need your cock in
me Kyle.  Now!  Do it deep, please."

   Julie drew her knees up while I got in position.  I rubbed my cock
across her pussy to collect moisture on it.  I penetrated Julie's hole and
slowly sank my hard shaft into her.  My cock bottomed out, bumping into the
entrance to her womb.  Julie's eyes went wide with shock.

   "What's wrong?  Did I hurt you?" I asked.

   "No.  I keep thinking of Nebraska when we do this.  I love you.  I can't
move!  I have to stay with you.  I'll do anything to keep us together."

   "Shhhh...  Don't think about that tonight.  I love you too.  I'll do
anything I can to keep us together too." I declared.  I leaned down and
kissed my soul mate.  I withdrew my erection most of the way out and slowly
plunged back in.  We made love urgently.  It took me almost five minutes to
bring Julie to climax.  I continued stroking while she writhed in pleasure.
I finally climaxed after ten minutes of coupling.

   Julie slid her legs down off my shoulders while I climaxed.  I started
to pull out when Julie wrapped her legs around my ass and pulled me against
her.  Julie pulled my head down and begged, "Don't pull out Kyle.  Stay in
me."

   "What ever you want lover." I answered.  I kissed Julie.  I tried to get
off her after a minute of kissing.

   "No Kyle.  Stay in me." Julie begged.

   "I don't want to crush you.  I'm too heavy to keep doing this."

   "I need you close.  Let your cock in me.  Please?!?" Julie declared. 
She locked her mouth against mine.  We continued kissing.  My cock swelled
again as our tongues dueled together.  "Fuck me again Kyle.  I need it."
Julie begged.

   We made love again.  We started out slow, but that didn't last.  I
increased the pace of my thrusts as Julie became lustier.  I stroked in and
out furiously after Julie orgasmed.  Finally I climaxed and filled my lover
with a full load of my semen.  Julie locked her legs around me again when
we climaxed.  I rolled us over on our sides, still locked together.

   Julie stroked my hard nipples while I recovered my wits.  "MMmmm... 
that was wonderful Kyle.  Let's do it again.  Please."

   "Wow." I groaned between pants.  "You sure are horny tonight honey."
Julie continued playing with my nipples.  I pulled my cock out when Julie
relaxed her legs.  Julie immediately started to play with my cock.

   "Please Kyle.  One more time?" Julie begged.  After a couple minutes of
playing with my sloppy cock, it rose to hardness.

   I groaned, "I'm really tired Julie."

   Julie rolled me on me on my back and mounted my cock before I could
react.  "I'll do all the work honey.  Just enjoy this."

   Julie rode my seven inches of cock for almost fifteen minutes.  She
rocked on it, bounced up and down and ground herself against it.  I started
thrusting into Julie after ten minutes of coupling when I recovered my
strength from our last session.  She came almost immediately.  I played
with her tits while she fucked herself with my cock.  When Julie started to
pant and shake as she brought herself to another climax, I rubbed her clit
while we coupled.  Julie came hard when I did that.  My cock reacted
immediately to the way Julie's pussy grasped it and spasmed.  I squirted
more of my seed into my lover.

   I smiled as I remembered a movie clip I found on the internet a few days
before.  It showed the inside of a girl's pussy during sex.  You could see
the boy's cock slide in and out for a minute before it exploded.  You could
see the semen squirt out and form a puddle in the bottom of the girl's
pussy.  When she orgasmed, the camera showed how her cervix spasmed and
dipped into the pool of semen, sucking it into her womb.

   Julie's pussy and cervix were doing the same thing at this instant.  It
was sucking my sperm into Julie's thankfully infertile womb.  I finished
filling her as she collapsed on my chest.  We held each other for a few
minutes before we separated.  I finally managed to fulfill my lover's needs
for the night.  We feel asleep cuddled together.

   It was still dark when I woke up.  I smiled as I remembered my last
dream from just before I awoke.  Julie and I had been making love.  The
feel of penetrating my cock into Julie's hot, wet pussy felt completely
real.  I was sorry I woke up.

   I had left about 12 inches of the door open to let the smell of sweat,
my cum and Julie's lubrication out before I went to sleep last night.  I
glanced out the top of the door to our tent and saw twinges of pink and
orange announcing the approach of dawn.  The feel of my cock sliding into
Julie felt so good.  I could still feel it from my dream.

   Hold it!  It was real!  I looked down between my legs and found my lover
sucking my partially erect cock into her mouth again.  "Good morning!" I
said cheerily.

   "Mmppfbb mmKKllee" Julie mumbled with my cock still deep in her mouth. I
brushed the hair out of her eyes as she stared at me.  My cock swelled
until it was hard.  Julie licked it a couple times when she pulled her
mouth off of it.

   Julie crawled on top of me and greeted me with a kiss.  "Good morning
Kyle." She gave me a kiss and then a second.  Our tongues met.  Julie slid
hers into my mouth and rubbed my tongue with hers.  I returned the favor.
We made out for a couple minutes, my hard erection trapped between my
lover's legs, almost touching her pussy.

   When we broke our lip lock, Julie whispered, "It's twenty after five. 
The camp is quiet.  Do you want to have a good screw before anyone wakes
up?"

   "Are you sure honey?" I asked.

   "I had to pee.  No one was awake when I was outside.  No one will bother
us."

   "This is a hell of a way to wake up in the morning isn't it?"

   "I love this." Julie declared before she kissed me.  "Make love to me
Kyle.  I need it deep again." Julie rolled off me onto her back.  She drew
her knees up to her chest and waited for me.  I positioned myself between
Julie's legs and slide my cock into my lover's tight box.

   "God!  You're still sloppy from my cum last night."

   "I know.  I'm afraid I dribbled quite a mess onto your sleeping bag last
night."

   I leaned down and kissed Julie's forehead.  "Don't worry about it honey.
I'll wash it when I get home." I pulled my cock most of the way out and
drove it in again.  In and out.  I started slow and increased the pace as
we made love.  Julie humped back towards me as I pumped in and out.  I
rubbed against Julie's pubic area trying to stimulate her clitoris.

   Julie and I continued making love together for ten minutes.  I muffled
Julie cries of ecstasy with an open mouth kiss when she came.  I continued
pumping in and out as Julie demanded.  I was almost ready to cum myself
when Julie moaned and climaxed again.  The feelings around my cock as Julie
climaxed drove me over the edge.

   I pushed in until my balls slapped against Julie's ass.  I squirted my
semen against the entrance to her womb.  Blast after blast until I had none
left.  I was amazed after last night I had anything left to give my lover.

   "Ahhhh...  That was wonderful Kyle.  Thank you." Julie moaned.  She
pulled my head down to hers and kissed me.  Her ankles dropped off my
shoulders and dropped to the ground.  I stretched out as we kissed, letting
my cock slip out of Julie.

   I felt my cum drool out of Julie's hole and drip onto my cock.  "Wow.  I
can't believe how much semen I've pumped into you this weekend."

   "I know Kyle.  I feel so sloppy.  I'm a little slut aren't I?"

   "No, you aren't.  Lusty?  Yes.  A slut?  No.  You have never done this
with anyone else.  You are the best girlfriend a guy could hope to have." I
explained.  I laughed and added, "I've pumped so much sperm into you that I
guarantee you would be pregnant if you weren't on the pill."

   Julie didn't laugh at my teasing.  She pursed her lips.

   I continued, "We don't have to worry about any of that since you are on
the pill.  All we will have from this weekend is wonderful memories."

   "I'll never forget this weekend Kyle."

   I asked, "Did you enjoy sleeping with me?"

   Julie grinned and said, "All four times."

   "No, I meant the actual sleeping part."

   `Oh, that was wonderful too.  I felt so safe sleeping against your warm
body last night.  I loved it except for one thing.  You squirm too much in
your sleep."

   "I'm sorry." I answered.

   "Don't apologize.  That is what woke me up a half hour ago.  It was
worth it Kyle."

   "I'd like to spend every night like this with you Julie."

   "I would too Kyle.  Unfortunately we will have to wait until the
Algonquin trip to do this again." Julie explained.

   I popped my head up and stared into Julie's eyes.  "You're able to go?"
I asked.

   "Didn't I tell you last week?  Daddy agreed to let me fly home from
Nebraska a couple days before the trip.  I can go!"

   "That's great!  You didn't tell me.  I'm going to love spending two
weeks sharing my bed with you." I declared.  Julie and I kissed for a
couple minutes.

   My cock was starting to get hard again when we heard Justin get up.  A
couple minutes later Sherry climbed out of their tent and started waking up
the Venturers.  Reluctantly Julie and I got up, cleaned ourselves off and
dressed to greet the day.

   Our group gathered around the picnic tables and ate our breakfast of
cereal, orange juice and danish.  We packed camp and loaded our things into
the vans for the trip home.  Julie and I grabbed the back seat of Justin's
van.  We were asleep within a few minutes of hitting the road.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Ed turned sixteen the following Friday.  His mom took him to the Penn
DOT Drivers Center to get his learner's permit after school.  He had
invited our gang of friends to a Saturday afternoon session of mini-golf at
the course outside Strasburg to celebrate his birthday.  Ed's parents
served ice cream and cake after we finished the game.

   Ed couldn't stop talking about taking his first driving lesson in the
morning before the party.  He couldn't wait until he could get his driver's
license.  Julie teased me about being so young since she was going to turn
sixteen in thirteen days.  I had to wait nine more weeks before my
sixteenth birthday.  What really sucked was that I would be working in
scout camp all summer and wouldn't even get to touch the car until the end
of August.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   I had been trying to formulate a plan to get Julie's parents and my
parents to allow the two of us to stay together when the Simpsons moved. 
Julie and I did our best to demonstrate our maturity and commitment to each
other in the past few weeks.  I decided to try to convince my parents to
accept my plan at dinner on Wednesday night.

   After we finished dessert Lizzie asked to be excused.  Andy was
finishing his last bite of cake when I asked.  "Mom, Dad, could we have a
talk?"

   "Sure son." "Yes Kyle." My parents answered.

   "You two know that Julie and I have been going steady for six months. 
We love each other."

   Mom said, "I know you care deeply for each other.  I don't know if I'd
call it love Kyle."

   "I know you think Julie and I am pretty young to be serious, but I know
how we feel.  We want to stay together through high school and college.  We
are ready to commit ourselves to each other."

   Dad asked, "What are you saying Kyle?  Are you asking to get married?"

   "No.  We are too young for anything like that.  I just want the two of
you to understand the Julie and I don't want to be separated.  We belong
together.  We think we are mature enough to make this decision."

   Mom said, "I don't understand what you want Kyle.  You say you and Julie
are in love and are committed to each other.  You say you don't want to get
married, but you want to stay together with Julie.  Her family is moving to
Nebraska in two and a half months.  What do you expect to happen then?"

   "I'm not explaining myself very well.  What I'm asking is if you and Dad
would be willing to be Julie's guardians while we are in high school. 
Could Julie live with us during the school year so she can stay with her
friends, continue with the cheerleading squad and stay on the track team?"
I said.  I took a deep breath while I waited for a response from my
parents.

   They sat there absorbing my request for a few seconds.  Dad responded
first.  "Kyle, Mr.  and Mrs.  Simpson will never allow this.  It won't
work."

   Mom confirmed, "They will never agree to this Kyle."

   "Julie and I will work on getting permission from Bill and Mrs. 
Simpson. Let us worry about that.  Will you allow Julie to live here during
the school year?" I said, pressing my case.

   Mom said, "It's not right to think that your girlfriend can live with
you.  What will people say?  You can't expect that your Dad and I would
allow you and Julie could share a room in the same house as your eleven
year old sister, do you?"

   "No Mom, I didn't.  I thought that we could move the bunk beds into
Lizzie's room and Julie could stay with Lizzie.  I'm sure Lizzie would
enjoy having a big sister around."

   Dad said, "That room is too small.  We couldn't put two girls in there."

   I suggested, "I have a couple other ideas.  Lizzie and Julie could stay
in my room and I'll take the small bedroom.  Another idea is for me to turn
the rec room in the basement into another bedroom and Julie could stay in
my room.  Wouldn't that work?"

   Mom allowed, "It might.  I don't know Kyle..."

   Dad broke in.  "Kyle.  This is crazy.  Julie's parents are not going to
allow their fifteen year old daughter to live at her boyfriend's house for
two years.  It isn't going to happen."

   "Julie will be sixteen next week." I countered.

   Dad waved his hand and said, "What ever.  Bill will not allow his
daughter to live here for two years separated from her family."

   Mom added, "Dad's right Kyle.  You have no idea how hard it watching
your child leave home.  I was upset for weeks when Will left two years ago.
My little boy left me.  It was hard.  No parent is in a hurry to see their
child leave home.  The Simpsons will not want to be separated from Julie so
soon."

   "This just won't work Kyle." Dad stated with finality.

   "I understand this is a long shot Dad.  I love Julie and don't want to
lose her.  I have to try to convince everyone of this.  Let Julie and me
convince her parents.  Will you accept Julie into our house if the Simpsons
allow this?"

   Mom stared at Dad.  He stared back.  Finally Mom nodded yes.  Dad said,
"IF you can convince Bill and Hannah to allow this, we will provide a place
for Julie to live during the school year." I broke out into a big grin.

   "Thank you!  Thank you!  You're the greatest parents around.  Thank
you!" I gushed.

   Dad warned, "Don't get your hopes up Kyle.  We were the easy ones to
convince.  Bill and Hannah are not going to go along with this plan.

   I headed upstairs, grabbed the phone from the hall and headed to my
bedroom.  I called Julie immediately to tell her of my plan.  Julie was
amazed at the plan, but also intrigued.  We agreed to talk about it further
tomorrow.

   Chapter 5

   ======

   Julie met me at the front door to the school on Thursday morning.  She
greeted me with a hug and a kiss and gushed, "Oh my God!  I can't believe
your parents are willing to let us live together.  It'll be so great!"

   I returned Julie's kiss, mostly to get her to slow down so I could talk
too.  "Julie, you do understand that my parents are willing to let you live
in my house, not to share my bedroom with me?"

   "Yes, I understand that Kyle.  I'm just so happy that we won't get
separated."

   "You're getting ahead of yourself Julie.  My parents don't really expect
that your parents will ever agree to this plan.  I think that is part of
why they said that would take you in.  They don't think it will really
happen."

   "I understand.  Your plan is a good start for us.  I have been working
on something that should help convince my parents to allow me to stay here.
I think my plan will complement yours perfectly."

   I asked, "What is your plan?"

   "I'm still working on it.  You'll find out soon.  I think it will clinch
things for us."

   "When do you want to talk to your parents Julie?  Should we talk to them
at your birthday dinner next week?  I bet they would be in a good mood that
night."

   "No.  I won't be ready yet Kyle.  I'll probably be ready the next week."

   "Aren't you waiting awfully long?  When does your dad move to Nebraska
to start his new job?"

   Julie explained, "Daddy will start in ten days.  He is going to fly out
on Sunday nights, spend the week out there and fly home on Friday nights
until the whole family is ready to move in July."

   "OK.  We can talk to your parents on a weekend.  How soon do you think
you'll be ready?" I asked.

   "I think Saturday, May 19th will work best.  Everything should be set by
then."

   "Dinner with your parents on the 19th.  I'll be there." I said.  Julie
and I kissed.  We needed to hurry to get to our lockers and then our
homerooms before the late bell rang.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   Mom helped me buy a birthday gift for Julie.  Julie and I had gone to
the mall together a few weeks ago.  She loved this one sweater.  Mom talked
to Mrs.  Simpson and got Julie's size.  She drove me to the store and
helped me buy it.  When we got home, Mom helped me wrap my present.  Mom
was a lifesaver.  I never was any good at picking out presents.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   Our high school drama guild was putting on a play called "Mother Goose's
Fairy Tales" for the next three Saturday afternoons.  On a lark, my friend
Penny Edwards decided to audition for the play last month.  She thought she
might get a small part.  She did so well when she tried out, that they made
her Mother Goose, the narrator for the play.

   Julie and I decided to take her brother W.  J.  and my sister Lizzie to
the opening matinee.  It was funny to watch my sister and how she acted
around W.  J.  On the ride to the school, Lizzie slid over a little too
close to W.  J.  for his comfort.  I don't know if she did it in imitation
of Julie and me.  She tried to draw him into conversation, with little
success.  W.  J.  sat there, obviously petrified to be beside a girl.

   Lizzie was twelve years old and was boy crazy.  She knew exactly how to
drive the twelve year olds that had been in my patrol last year wild.  None
of those boys knew what to do about it, but at least they knew girls were
something interesting.

   W.  J.  was eleven.  He was still at the stage where girls were a
mystery, and of absolutely no interest to him.  When we found our seats in
the auditorium, Lizzie sat down first.  W.  J.  refused to sit beside
Lizzie.  Julie and I ended up seating between the two of them.  W.  J. 
finally relaxed when he had some space between him and this frightening
girl.

   The play was awesome.  Penny was dressed in a goose costume.  She had a
pair of granny glasses perched on the end of her nose.  She introduced each
fairy tale.  She was on and off stage constantly through the whole play. 
Penny was great.  The curtain closed to thunderous applause when the play
ended with Penny's final monologue.  I had no idea that my ex-girlfriend
had that kind of talent.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   The following Tuesday Lizzie was sick.  Mom took off work and stayed
home with her.  Since Julie and I had planned to make love that afternoon,
we decided to meet at her house instead of mine like we normally did.  I
rode my bike to Julie's house when I got home from school.

   Julie wasn't as cheerful as usual when she greeted me at the door.  We
headed down the hall to her bedroom.  We started undressing between kisses.
Julie was down to her panties while I still had my pants on when we started
to make out.  We locked lips together.  My tongue drilled into her mouth,
searching for her tongue.  Julie wasn't reacting passionately like she
normally did.

   I pulled away from her, stared into her eyes and asked, "Is something
wrong honey?"

   Julie hesitated for a second and then said, "I'm... I'm having my
period."

   "That's OK.  We always have fun even when we don't have intercourse."

   "It's not that Kyle.  I wasn't supposed to....  I mean, I wasn't
expecting to have my period this month." Julie said.  A tear rolled down
her cheek.

   "Don't cry sweetie.  It's OK.  We'll make love next week.  This is
fine."

   "NO!  It's not fine.  Everything is ruined." Julie said.  She started to
cry softly.  I held her for a couple minutes until she calmed down a
little.

   "Why is it so terrible that you are having your period?  I don't see how
that ruins anything.  We can make love later.  I promise."

   "You don't understand!  I wanted to be ready for when we talk to my
parents on May 19th.  I wanted to be able to tell my parents that you and I
were going to have a baby.  That would have clinched things to allow me to
stay here with you."

   "But you are on the pill.  Why would you think you would get pregnant?"

   "I stopped taking them as soon as I found out my parents were planning
to move.  I want to have your baby Kyle." Julie explained.

   It finally sunk into me what she was telling me.  "What???  Why would
you do something like that?" I screamed.

   Julie looked shocked at my reaction.  She tried to answer, "If we have a
baby..."

   "GOD DAMN IT!  HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID?!?" I shouted as my anger
boiled over.  I grabbed my shirt and shoes.

   "...my parents couldn't separate us..." Julie added.

   I stomped down the hall to the living room.  I paused to put my shirt
on. Julie called, "Kyle, please come back."

   I stomped out and slammed the door behind me as Julie called my name
again.  I slipped my shoes on and hopped on my bike.  I rode home as fast
as I could go.

   How could Julie be so stupid?  The last thing we needed now was to have
a baby.  Who was this girl I thought I loved?  I was seething.  She had no
right to do this to me!

   I have a bad temper.  When I get angry, I really blow up.  I usually
calm down fairly quickly too.  During the ten minute ride home, I went from
livid at Julie to remorseful for the bad way I had treated my girlfriend.

   I went straight to my bedroom and called Julie when I got home.  She
answered, "Hello?"

   I said "Julie?"

   She replied, "What do you want?" coldly.

   "I'm sorry Julie.  I shouldn't have yelled at you.  Can we get together
to talk some more?"

   "Not if you're going to yell at me again Kyle." Julie answered.

   "No, I won't.  I have a temper.  I'm sorry.  You shocked me when you
told me you stopped taking your birth control pills.  I promise I won't
yell.  We need to talk about this whole thing."

   "OK.  Are you going to come back to my house Kyle?"

   "It's a quarter to five.  It's too late to get together before dinner.
Could we meet at the park at 6:30 pm?  I think we need some privacy to
finish talking about this."

   "OK, where do you want to meet in the park?

   "You know the new walking trail?  I'll meet you at the bench at the
beginning of the trail."

   "I'll see you at the park at 6:30 tonight."

   I thought about what I wanted to say all through dinner.  I rode my bike
to the park as soon as we finished eating.  I arrived ahead of Julie.  She
arrived a couple minutes later.  Even though the walking trail Ed built for
his project was only a few weeks old, a lot of people were out using it. 
Julie and I headed down by the creek so we would have some privacy.

   We sat down on the grass.  I started, "I'm sorry I called you stupid
earlier today Julie."

   "I love you so much.  I just want us to be together.  I thought you
would be happy if we had a baby together.  You and I have talked about how
you want to have a big family some day.  I thought this was the best way
for us."

   "I love you too Julie.  I have seen what it is like for kids to have a
baby at our age.  Do you know where Justin and Sherry Baer live?"

   "Not exactly." Julie answered.

   "They live in a tiny apartment over the garage at Justin's parent's
house.  It's about the size of my bedroom and Andy's bedroom put together."

   "I didn't know that."

   "Justin could have had a football scholarship to college.  He gave that
up when Sherry got pregnant.  He should be done with college now, but he is
only half done and has to take all his classes in the evenings.  What you
want is too hard for us."

   "If you love me, why won't you do this?" Julie begged.

   "I won't do this because I love you.  I want you to have the best in
life.  Having a baby now is a terrible idea.  It's the twenty-first
century. We need a good education.  If we have a baby together, you'll miss
cheerleading, track, Venturers.  What about college?  We are only sixteen.
This is all too soon."

   Julie asked, "What do we do then?  I want to be able to stay with you."

   "The only thing I can think of is to convince our parents that we are
mature enough to decide something like this.  I think we talk to your
parents tomorrow night after your birthday dinner.  That is our best
chance."

   "Will it work?"

   "I don't know, I think this is our best chance."

   "I hope this works Kyle." Julie declared.  The two of us talked for
awhile and discussed how we were going to convince Julie's parents.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Dad drove me over to Julie's house for the big birthday dinner.  I gave
Julie my gift when I arrived, but Mrs.  Simpson said dinner would be ready
in a couple minutes, so presents would wait until after dinner.

   Julie chose to have steak for her birthday dinner.  I ate nervously,
conscious of how important it was for Julie and me that I say what we
wanted exactly right.  Our future together depended on it.

   The meal was excellent.  We sang Happy Birthday to Julie.  Mrs.  Simpson
served cake and ice cream to everyone.  W.  J.  excused himself when he was
finished with his dessert.

   The time had come.  I looked to Julie and she nodded, indicating it was
time to ask.  I explained, "Mr.  and Mrs.  Simpson, I have been dating your
daughter for six months.  I have fallen in love with her."

   Julie confirmed, "I love Kyle too."

   I continued, "The two of us can't stand the idea of breaking up.  My
parents have agreed that Julie could share my sister Lizzie's room during
the school year.  Julie could stay with her friends, her cheerleading,
track, and the classes and teachers she knows.  When school is over, she
can come live with you in Nebraska."

   Julie and I discussed and pleaded for the next half hour, explaining why
she shouldn't move with the rest of the family.  All the begging and
pleading was in vain.  Mr.  Simpson delivered the final word on the
subject.

   "Kyle, you are a nice boy.  I think you are a great boyfriend for my
daughter.  If the two of you were a few years older, I would be inclined to
accept your offer and let Julie stay here in Lancaster County, but Julie is
barely sixteen.  I know in two years I am going to have to let her go when
she is ready for college, but I am not ready to rush the time when I let
Julie go.  She is my little girl for another two years and I am not ready
to let another man have her now.  I'm sorry but that is final."

   I answered, "I love your daughter.  I will wait until you are ready to
let her go, no matter what."

   Julie and I talked longer, but could not change their minds.  We did
extract a promise that Julie could fly back to Pennsylvania next summer to
visit me.  We swore that we would find a college that both of us liked and
would resume our relationship there.

   Mr.  Simpson had a final question for me.  "You aren't planning anything
stupid, are you Kyle?  Like running away with my daughter, eloping or
getting her pregnant so you can continue seeing her?"

   "No sir!  I would never do anything like that." I said, emphasizing the
work `I' a little too much.  Julie hung her head and blushed.  "I love your
daughter too much to do anything like that.  I want the best for her and we
are too young for any of those things."

   Mr.  Simpson answered, "I wish I could let the two of you be together,
but I can't.  You are a really fine young man.  When you are grown up, I
would be happy to walk my daughter down the aisle and give her to you in
marriage.  Unfortunately my promotion came too soon for that.  I'm sorry
about that."

   Mrs.  Simpson suggested that Julie open her birthday presents.  I tried
to put on a happy face, but I don't think I was too successful.  Julie and
I had four and half weeks before school was out and I went to work at scout
camp for the summer.  Thirty-one days!

   -------------------------------------------------------

   Julie's sweet sixteen party on Saturday was a big success.  The Simpsons
held a barbeque for Julie's friends from cheerleading, football, track and
Venturing.  There was music, dancing, volleyball, and lots of food.  Mrs.
Simpson out did herself in the food department.

   Julie and I agreed to try to spend our last weeks together as normally
as possible.  We studied together.  We made love on Tuesday afternoons when
we were both free.  I hated it, but I always used a condom.  We met between
classes during school to kiss and hold hands.  We did the best we could to
be a couple until Julie's family had to follow after Mr.  Simpson to
Nebraska.

   One of the last projects we did in Architectural Drafting was to make an
isometric drawing of our house we had been planning during the year.  When
I added the textures for the siding and stonework and added trees and
shrubs to the rendering, it really looked real.  Mr.  Winters liked it so
much that he chose it, along with Drew McCormick's rendering, to put on
display in the main lobby display case for the summer.  It was quite an
honor.

   I thoroughly enjoyed the Architectural Drafting class.  I expected I
would get another A+ to go with the three previous ones from the earlier
marking periods.  I definitely was going to consider being an architect
when I grew up.  It was fun and I was good at it.

   I finished my Eagle project the weekend after Julie's party.  Mr.  Clark
was going to prepare the web page for the church during the summer while I
was working at scout camp.  Justin Baer would prepare the plan of the
cemetery for me too.

   Julie decided not to bother with her learner's permit since she wouldn't
be able to get her license in Pennsylvania.  Jeremy got his license.  Hal
followed a week later.  I saw Ed driving around the neighborhood constantly
with his mom or dad.  He was determined to squeeze as many of the fifty
hours of practice driving in before our summer camp jobs started.  I always
knew I was the youngest among my group of friends, but this spring really
emphasized that.  Everyone was getting their freedom except me.  I wouldn't
even be able to apply for my permit for another three months.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   The Boy Scout Council held a high adventure shakedown the first weekend
in June every spring to help troops and crews prepare for trips to Philmont
Scout Ranch and Northern Tier Canoe Base in Minnesota.  Our Venturer Crew
always participated in the shakedowns in the years we went to Algonquin.

   We spent Saturday morning reviewing navigation, how to pack, how to put
up a bear bag, cooking and sanitation.  When the morning sessions were
done, we headed up to the maintenance building with two crews of Boy Scouts
who were going to the Northern Tier Canoe Base.  We grabbed canoes and
headed down to the creek on one side of camp.  We loaded our stuff and set
out on a 2 mile canoe trip around camp.  Lunch was trail food that we ate
along the bank of the creek part way through the trip.

   We pulled our canoes out when we reached the lake at the far side of
camp.  We carried the canoes back up the hill to the maintenance building.
Hal, Jeremy and Paul carried the canoes for Hal's crew.  No problems.  Ed,
Jake and I carried our canoes.  No problem.  Brandon carried one of Penny's
canoes.  No problem.  Andy carried another.  He struggled a little but
managed.  His friend Eric, who is barely fourteen and eight inches shorter
than Andy, had problems.  Ed and I went back and helped Eric carry his
canoe back.  We suggested that he should consider joining Andy when we
lifted weights in the evenings.  He needed more upper body strength for the
trip.  He agreed.

   When we completed our one hour service project, we set up our camp in
the field near the parade ground.  Each crew camped separately, but close
to each other.  Camp is a very public place, so we had to sleep with boys
only in some tents, girls only in the others.  I shared my tent with Ed,
Julie with Abby, Will with Jake and Lindsey with Morgan.

   After dinner the entire group went to the dining hall for more low
impact camping training sessions and a slide show from past trips to the
Philmont Scout Ranch and Northern Tier Canoe Base.

   Penny, Hal and I attended the crew leader's meeting with Joe, Justin and
Will when the slide show was done.  Our duties were finally over around
9:30 pm.  We headed back to camp.  I stripped and climbed into my sleeping
bag beside Ed.  The two of us talked for a couple minutes, but fell asleep
soon after that.

   I woke up with a start when someone shook my shoulder.  "Huh?" I
groaned. It was dark out.

   "Kyle, I'm lonely.  Can we go somewhere together?" Julie asked.

   "Geez, what time is it?" I asked.

   "It's around midnight.  Everyone is asleep.  I need your thing in me. 
Please make love to me."

   "I don't know.  I can't get caught doing this." I said, stalling while I
tried to think of a place where we wouldn't get caught.

   "Please?" Julie begged.

   I remembered the Cheyenne campsite at the far end of camp.  I was sure
no one would be there this weekend.  The only group in camp was the hundred
of us high adventure campers and we were staying in the field.

   I pulled my shorts on, grabbed a couple condoms from my bag and dragged
my thermo-rest mat out from under my sleeping bag.  We quietly snuck out of
our campsite and headed up the hill towards the Cheyenne site.  We made our
way by moonlight since we didn't want anyone to see our flashlights.

   We made ourselves comfortable in the small grass area in the center of
the campsite.  Julie and I decided to do some 69 first.  We spent a
wonderful few minutes bringing each other to climax this way.

   I hadn't noticed, but Julie and I hadn't pleasured each other this way
in over a month.  I guess Julie was more focused recently on getting me to
sperm her pussy repeatedly so she could get pregnant.  It felt nice to have
sex strictly for our pleasure.

   We made out a few minutes while my rod recovered.  When I was ready, I
rolled the condom over my cock and prepared to mount my lover.  Julie
wanted to do it doggie style.  We hadn't tried that position in awhile.  I
gently slipped my seven incher into Julie's tight pussy and started to pump
in and out.  I placed my hands on her hips steady her while I stroked her
pussy.  Julie soon was pushing her ass back at me in time to my thrusts.

   Julie played with her clitoris when our screwing increased her arousal.
I continued pumping through her first cum.  The sensation on my latex
covered cock weren't as good as going bare, but I was getting that feeling
in my groin anyway.  I stroked hard and deep, slamming into Julie, setting
her off again.  I came after a couple more strokes from the powerful
contractions inside my lover.  I squirted my cum half a dozen times until I
filled the end of the condom.

   Julie pulled away from me, rolled over and lay down on my mat with a big
grin on her face.  I stayed on my knees, watching my lover slowly
recovering.  "That was wonderful Kyle.  Thank you for giving me that
tonight." Julie purred.

   I lay down beside her a kissed her.  "I love you Julie.  I'm glad you
woke me tonight.  This was wonderful."

   We cuddled for a few minutes before we walked back to our campsite.  I
gave Julie a last kiss before she crawled in her tent.  I rejoined Ed and
went to sleep, satisfied that we had managed to keep our rendezvous a
secret.

   I found out otherwise after breakfast in the morning.  Will pulled me
aside while my crew finished the breakfast dishes.

   Will asked, "What the hell were you and Julie thinking last night?"

   "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to play dumb.

   "I saw you and Julie sneak back to camp at a quarter to one this
morning. I assume you were out screwing.  What were you thinking?"

   "Julie wanted to be with me and well... you know how it is.  I was horny
too.  So..."

   "Jesus Christ.  You start on camp staff in two weeks.  Do you know what
would have happened if you got caught by someone else?  A - You'd get
thrown out of camp immediately.  Mom or Dad would have had to come get you
in the middle of the night.  B - This would be reported to the council
office.  C - You would be fired from camp staff.  D - This would be
reported to our troop.  Do you think they would consider this the actions
of an Eagle Scout?  No.  Did you think about any of this?" Will demanded.

   "No." I said meekly.  I hadn't thought about any of the consequences of
what we did.

   "Kyle, you are almost sixteen.  You need to stop acting like a little
kid and think about what you are doing.  Do you want to get Joe and Barb in
trouble?  If anyone finds out about guys and girls sleeping together on our
trips, there will be hell to pay."

   "I'm sorry Will.  I'll be more careful from now on." I answered.

   Will and I went back to rejoin my crew.  Ed and Jake had just finished
the dishes.  We packed up the tents and loaded them in the cars.  Will
squeezed Andy, Julie and I in the back of his small car while Abby sat up
front with him.  Will followed Joe's and Justin's van back to Paradise.

   Chapter 6

   ======

   Finals started on Wednesday, so Julie and I spent Sunday afternoon at
her house studying for finals.  I helped her with Geometry and History
while she helped me with Biology.  We also studied Deutsch together.

   Tuesday afternoon Julie and I made love once before getting back to the
books.  We both wanted to do well on the finals, so we kept our hands to
ourselves while we studied.

   My finals in History and Biology went well.  I thought I had a good
chance to get A's on both of them.  Football practice went well after
school.  It was the next to the last one we would have until official
football practice started in the middle of August.  The guys continued to
tease me about my whistle and called me "Coach".  I was actually starting
enjoy my nickname.  We were just finishing up when Coach Graham came out
and asked Greg, Ed, Jeremy, George Reynolds, a junior who played right
outside linebacker, and I to come in with him to meet with Coach Caffrey.

   We followed him back of the conference room in the back of the locker
room.  Coach Caffrey was there with the rest of the coaches, including the
three new position coaches that joined the staff last month.  Coach Caffrey
asked us to have seats.

   Coach asked, "How have the passing drills gone?"

   Ed spoke up.  "I think they went real well.  The receivers are running
nice crisp routes.  Jake Kring looks sharp.  He's going to be a good
addition to our team next season.  Even Logan Mitchell and Garrett Houseman
are learning to play quarterback competently.  I think we will do well on
offense next season."

   Logan was a quarterback who was finishing eighth grade.  Garrett was a
seventh grader who wanted to play quarterback.  They had a lot to learn,
but they were making a good start.

   Coach Caffrey asked, "George, what do you think of the defense?"

   George said, "I think we will do OK.  Jeremy, Nathan and I are solid at
linebacker.  The defensive backs are doing OK.  They still can't cover
Kyle, but they do well against the rest of our receivers.  Wouldn't you
agree Jeremy?"

   Jeremy answered, "Yes.  What I'm concerned about is the center of our
defense.  We lost Andy Groff and Rick Winters.  They are going to be hard
to replace.  I don't want our line to get soft."

   Coach Wyndham spoke up.  "I think we will do alright on the line.  Do
you boys know Joey Keller?"

   "No" we answered.

   "He is in ninth grade this year.  He moved here last fall in the middle
of the football season.  He played on JV at his old school.  We talked him
into going out for football this year.  He is one big boy.  He is almost as
tall as Kyle and he's stout.  He can bench press a small car.  He is going
to solidify our defense quite well.  I expect he will keep the blockers off
you Jeremy."

   Jeremy asked, "He plays right defensive end?"

   Coach Wyndham hesitated, "Um...  uh..." He looked over at Coach Caffrey.
"Should I tell him Walter?" Coach Caffrey nodded yes.

   "We have penciled you in at middle linebacker Jeremy.  Joey is expected
to be our right defensive tackle."

   "Really?" Jeremy asked, looking more than a little shocked at the news.

   "I want you to be our play caller on defense, the way Rick Winters was
last year.  You make sure everyone knows the defense and gets in the right
position.  Do you think you can handle it?"

   "Sure coach, I'll do my best." Jeremy answered.

   Coach Graham spoke up.  "Kyle, you know Stan Humphries was our emergency
quarterback for the past two years, right?"

   "Yes." I answered hesitantly.  I knew what came next.

   "We want you to fill that role now.  You know our playbook cold.  You
have practiced passing and thrown a few passes in games.  We think you
would be best equipped to take over if anything happens to Ed and Jake and
they can't play.  Do you think you can handle this?"

   "I guess.  This is a surprise.  I hope our team never needs me to do
this.  I doubt I could do this as well as Ed or Jake." I answered.

   Coach Caffrey laughed.  "Don't worry Kyle.  Stan was our emergency
quarterback for three years and he never took a snap at quarterback.  We
will give you a little practice time during training camp to help you get
comfortable.  We'll probably never need you, but we need to be prepared."

   "I'll do my best coach." I said.  I turned to Ed and told him, "I think
I'll take some of the snaps at scout camp when we practice after lunch."

   Ed answered, "That's cool."

   My friends and I discussed plans for our team for a few more minutes
before we headed for home.  Jeremy proudly drove Ed, Andy and me home.

   Julie and I studied Wednesday night together for our Thursday's Geometry
and Deutsch finals.  Julie gave me a kiss of thanks for all my help when
our Geometry final was over after second period Thursday.  I knew I aced
the test.  Julie thought she did too.  The Deutsch final was easy.

   The senior class graduated that evening.  Stan invited most of the
football team to his graduation picnic on Friday night.  Julie and I went
together.  The Humphries had some good food.  Julie and I spent time with
Stan talking about his plans.  We wished him well when we headed for home.

   Andy Groff's parents threw a huge graduation bash on Saturday afternoon.
They had burgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, veggie trays, fruit and dip, and
a ton of desserts.  Andy had music going for anyone who wanted to dance. 
The Groff's opened up their pool for everyone to enjoy too.  This
graduation bash was every bit as big as the Hayes party last year.

   I got a chance to talk with Zack Hayes at Andy Groff's party.  Zack
spotted me across the lawn and made a beeline to see me.  He exclaimed,
"Kyle!  I'm glad to see you." He clapped me on the back and shook my hand.
"Who's the beauty you're with?"

   "This is Julie Simpson, Zack.  You see Zack, you didn't get all of the
prettiest cheerleaders when you were in high school." I gave Julie a quick
kiss on the cheek.  "Julie, this is Zack Hayes, ex-all-state high school
quarterback and benchwarmer for Penn State Nittany Lions."

   Julie shook Zack's hand and said, "It's nice to meet you Zack.  I
enjoyed watching your games last year."

   "Thank you Julie." Zack replied.

   I asked, "How are things going in State College?"

   Zack said, "Great.  Did you see me play in the Blue-White game a couple
weeks ago?" Julie and I indicated that we had missed it.  Zack continued,
"It was great.  I got to run the White team offense for a half.  It felt
good to be in a real game situation.  Well, actually it was real as a full
team scrimmage can be."

   I asked, "Are you going to get to play next season?"

   "Not much.  I'm number three on the depth chart at quarterback.  At
least I will get to dress for the games.  Brian Kennerly is going to start
at quarterback.  He's going to be a junior next year.  He has a lot more
experience than me.  Coach Hall thinks he is ready to lead us.  I hope I
can beat out Tony DeMarco for the second spot.  He's a year ahead of me,
but I have a stronger arm than him.  If I can show the coaches that I've
learned our offense, I think I could move up to the two spot on the depth
chart during training camp.  I want to have Coach Paterno and Coach Hall
thinking about me when they think about their future quarterback."

   "Cool!  I hope that works out for you Zack." I replied.

   Zack asked, "What about you and the Wolverines?  What's up?"

   "We've been running off-season passing drills all spring.  We
incorporated the defensive back and linebackers into the drills.  The
school board approved hiring three more assistant coaches to help Coach
Caffrey.  We even started an off-season weight program.  Most of the team
has been participating.  I think our chances are excellent next year."

   Zack said, "That's good Kyle.  It's just what I want to hear.  How about
you?  Have you gotten a copy of the NCAA recruiting rules yet?"

   "Not yet."

   "You need to do that Kyle.  If you keep playing like the last two years,
you need to be prepared when the coaches start calling.  Get the
regulations and study them with your dad."

   "Do you really think I'll get offered scholarships?" I asked.

   "Yes.  You need to get prepared."

   "Is Penn State going to offer me one?" I asked.

   Zack looked uncomfortable with the question.  "Get the rules.  Read
them. I'm not allowed to talk to you about playing for Penn State.  That's
a violation of the rules for me to discuss that with you.  Get ready Kyle.
You're going to hot next May when the coaches are allowed to recruit you."

   "Wow!  You really believe that, don't you Zack?" I said, pleased and
more than a little amazed.

   Zack said, "I do Kyle." Zack shook my hand and said, "I've got to
mingle. Keep working hard Kyle.  It's nice to meet you Julie.  See you
later." With that Zack headed across the lawn to collar Andy Groff for a
talk.

   Julie seemed a little amazed at our conversation.  "Zack really thinks
you're going to get a football scholarship.  Do you have any idea who you
want to play for?"

   "No.  I have no idea." I answered.

   "Make sure you get a list together in time for me to apply to those
schools too.  I want us to be able to spend our years in college together."
Julie requested.

   "I'll do that Julie." I promised.

   Julie and I mingled with the guests for awhile and then went swimming in
the Groff's pool.  We managed to sneak a few feels of each other while we
swam together.  Both of us were horny by the time the party ended.

   Jeremy gave Julie and me a ride home after the party.  I found a note
from Mom in the kitchen when Julie and I got home.  It said that my family
had gone to the movies.  I was to heat up leftovers in the refrigerator if
I was hungry.

   Julie and I decided to take advantage of the empty house.  She called
home and got permission to have supper at my house.  She kind of forget to
tell her mom that my family was away and she was planning to have my hard
cock for dinner and top it off with a big load of semen for dessert.

   We headed upstairs, got naked and used our tongues and fingers to
pleasure each other.  Our lovemaking session was long and unhurried.  It
included several orgasms for each of us.  We knew exactly how to pleasure
our partner after six months of sharing our bodies with each other.

   We lay cuddled together after our final climaxes kissing and cooing to
each other.  I declared, "Julie, I love you completely.  I don't want this
summer to be the end for us.  Let's make sure we pick the same college. 
That way we can continue to be boyfriend and girlfriend."

   "What do we do for the next two years Kyle?"

   "We have another week together, we have two weeks of sharing a tent in
Algonquin this summer and we have the week together next summer that your
dad promised us.  I can manage to wait for you until we can be together
permanently.  I love you too much to want to be with any other girl.  I can
wait for you until college and then we can be together forever."

   "Kyle, are you saying that we should get married some day?"

   "I hope so.  This isn't a proposal.  We're too young for that, but that
is what I hope for when we're older.  Do you see yourself marrying me
someday?"

   "I think so.  I can wait for you until we can be a couple again." Julie
answered.  We sealed our commitment with a long, deep kiss.  Reluctantly we
cleaned up and dressed.  Julie's dad came to pick her up after that.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   We had school a full day on Monday and a half day on Tuesday.  I don't
know why they bother to have classes after finals are over.  We turned in
our textbooks, cleaned our lockers out and talked with our friends and
watched movies.

   After dismissal on Tuesday, Julie and I hung out at my house.  We
watched a couple movies together.  We hadn't planned on making love that
afternoon, but after listening for an hour to Andy screw his latest
girlfriend Terri Smith upstairs in his bedroom, we couldn't contain
ourselves.

   I went upstairs to my room and picked up a condom and went back to my
lover in the family room.  Julie was naked on the couch when I returned.  I
stripped and joined her on the couch.  I pulled her on top of me.  We
kissed and played for a few minutes.  Julie was rubbing her mound on my
cock by the time I was kissing and sucking on her tits.

   We paused for a few seconds so I could cover my cock with that little
piece of latex.  Julie climbed on top of me and rode me until she moaned
and shuddered.  Her pussy clenched around my hard cock while her juices
gushed out drenching my crotch.  We rolled over so I was on top and
continued our lovemaking.  I pumped my erection in and out of Julie until I
spurted my cum into the end of the condom.

   Julie pulled herself off my cock and lay down beside me.  I pulled the
used condom off my cock and dropped it on the floor by our clothes.  We
kissed and cuddled while we watched TV.  The two of us finally got dressed
when it was a quarter to five and almost time for my Mom and sister to come
home.  I walked Julie to the door and gave her a long kiss before she went
home.

   I went back to the family room to finish watching the movie Julie and I
had started to watch.  Lizzie came in and joined me when she got home from
the babysitter.  "Hey Kyle what's up?" Lizzie asked as she plopped down on
the couch beside me.

   "I'm just watching `Risky Business' on HBO." I answered.

   Julie settled down to watch with me.  I didn't think anything about it
until a very horny Tom Cruise called an escort service for a date.  Lizzie
probably shouldn't be seeing this movie.  I said, "I don't think Mom and
Dad would want you watching this movie Liz.  This is a little too `adult'
for you."

   "It's no big deal.  Tom Cruise calls a hooker.  I understand these
things.  I'm not a little kid anymore." Lizzie answered.  "Anyway, Rachel
and I have watched it before.  It's not like they show anything graphic."

   I shook my head and let her continue to watch the movie.  I kept the
remote in my hand in case I needed to censor anything.  We watched the
movie for about fifteen minutes.

   Julie glanced at the floor and picked something up.  She looked at it.
She asked, "Kyle, is this a balloon?" as she held up my used condom.  "Why
is it all sticky?"

   "Um, yeah.  It's a kind of balloon.  I'll take that." I said, grabbing
the condom from my little sister.  I wrapped it in a Kleenex and stuffed it
in my pocket.

   "Why is it all sticky Kyle?" Lizzie asked.

   "I don't know." I answered.  I pretended to pay attention to the movie.
I saw Lizzie smirk a little when she didn't think I was looking anymore. 
Apparently my little sister wasn't quite as innocent as I thought.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   I enjoyed the rest of the week.  I took advantage of the fact that I
didn't have any responsibilities.  I slept in every morning almost until
lunch time.  Julie and I got together in the afternoons.  One afternoon we
took a long bike ride together through the back roads.  Another afternoon
we watched a couple movies and made love.

   My house was quiet in the afternoons.  Will and Abby usually spent time
at her house.  Andy had arranged for his friend Eric to take my place with
the lawn mowing business.  Andy spent the afternoons earning money by
mowing while he could.  Eric was going to take over the business for the
next six weeks while Andy was working at scout camp as a counselor in
training (CIT).

   Mom dragged Andy and me out of bed too early on Saturday morning.  She
took us to the mall to shop for last minute things we would need at scout
camp and on the Algonquin trip.  Andy would be home for a week before the
Algonquin trip, but I wouldn't get home until the night before we left.  I
needed to be ready for the trip now.

   I spent half the afternoon packing for the summer.  My brothers did the
same thing.  Julie and I agreed that she would come over after dinner to
say a proper `good bye'.  As expected, Mom and Dad announced we were going
out for ice cream after dinner.  Lizzie cheered, but Will and I said we
weren't done packing.  Andy needed to do some fast talking, but he managed
to be excused from the ice cream outing too.  Dad grinned to Lizzie and
said, "It looks like it's just the three of us kiddo." Mom cleared the
dishes from the table.  Will, Andy and I promised to load them in the dish
washer and to run it.

   Mom, Dad and Lizzie headed out the door for the evening.  The three of
us made a mad dash for the phone so we could call our girlfriends and let
them know the coast was clear.  The three of us agreed that Andy and I
would entertain in our bedrooms and leave the downstairs family room for
Will and Abby.

   Abby arrived first since she had a car and could drive herself.  Abby
gave Andy and me a hug before she and Will disappeared to the family room.
Andy's current girlfriend Terry arrived next.  She parked her bike on the
front lawn.  Soon Andy and Terry were headed upstairs.

   Finally Julie arrived.  I greeted her at the door with a big kiss.  "Hi
ya lover." I said when our lips parted.

   "Hi Kyle.  I'm so glad your parents are gone tonight.  I want one last
time alone with you." Julie said.  Just then Abby left out a high pitched
wail from the family room.

   I laughed.  "We're not exactly alone tonight.  Will and Andy are
entertaining too.  Let's go up to my bedroom.  We'll have a little privacy
there."

   Julie led the way to my room eagerly.  I followed her.  I locked the
door behind us so no one would disturb our time together.  I was nervous,
if you can believe that.  I really wanted Julie to enjoy this time
together. I wouldn't be seeing her for another seven weeks.

   Julie and I disrobed to the sounds of Terry panting and moaning in the
next room.  I assumed Andy had his head buried in her muff since he wasn't
making any sounds himself.

   Julie and I lay down on my bed naked.  I rolled her on top of me as we
kissed.  We sucked on each other's lips, nibbled on ear lobes, and dueled
with our tongues.  I smothered Julie's cheeks and neck with kisses while
she rubbed her pussy against my now erect cock.  I could feel the moisture
seep from her slot and wet my erection.

   I felt her tits and played with her nipples while we kissed and humped
against each other.  Finally I had enough.  I rolled Julie on her back and
kissed my way down her chest to her pussy.

   I licked up and down her outer lips, collecting her lubrication with my
tongue.  When Julie started to heat up, I pulled her outer lips apart and
stimulated her inner lips.  I circled her hole with my tongue.  After a
minute of this, I ratcheted up the intensity by thrusting my tongue in her
hole.  I tongue fucked Julie for a couple minutes.  I had to hold her still
after awhile because she was shimmying too much for me to keep my tongue
applied to her opening.  I continued thrusting my tongue in and sucking up
her copious juices while Julie groaned and panted my name.

   I pulled my tongue out and replaced it with a finger.  My licked my way
to the top of her pussy and started to lick around the hood protecting her
clitoris.  I circled the area with my tongue and worked my finger slowly in
and out of her silky tunnel while I coaxed her clit to appear.  Finally it
peaked out.  I licked around the base a few times and then sucked it into
my mouth.

   That was all Julie needed.  Her hips bucked up against my face as she
screamed from the orgasm wracking her body.  Her cream gushed out all over
the finger I had embedded in her and onto my hand.  Julie grabbed my head
and mashed it into her.  I continued licking while Julie rode out her
climax.

   I wanted Julie to remember tonight, so I gently licked up and down her
inner lips when she came down from her orgasm.  I slipped a second finger
into her pussy.  I crooked my fingers and searched for her spot.  I pressed
and rubbed the bundle of glands when I felt them through her pussy wall.  I
licked her lips and around her hood, carefully avoiding her sensitive clit.

   It only took me a few minutes to bring Julie to a second thunderous
climax.  I pulled my fingers out and licked furiously, trying to lap up all
of her juices as they gushed from her hole.  After thrashing for a minute
or so, Julie finally went limp, spent from her two orgasms.

   I slid up beside her body and gently kissed her while she recovered her
senses.  Finally she said, "Wow Kyle.  That was amazing!" as I played with
one of her erect nipples.

   "I want you to remember tonight.  We have made love at least once a week
since last December.  I don't want you to forget me while I'm gone."

   "Kyle, I will never remember any of the forty-one times we have made
love.  I certainly won't forget this time." Julie declared.

   "You know how many times we have made love?"

   "It's in my diary.  Believe me, I will never forget you Kyle for the
rest of my life.  Are you ready to make love to me for our forty-second
time?  I want you to take me deep Kyle."

   I grabbed a condom off my bed stand and rolled it over my hard shaft. 
Julie pulled her knees up to her chest when I positioned my pillows under
the small of her back.  I got in position and sank my seven inches into
Julie until I bumped into her cervix.  I stroked in and out slowly at
first, gradually picking up the pace.  Julie pushed back in time with my
thrusts.  We made love for ten minutes.  Julie came another time as we made
love.  Finally I felt the tingling in my bottom.  I ground my pubic area on
Julie's clit as our groins crashed together.  Julie came again.  Her hot
grasping pussy demanded my sperm and I gave it gladly.  My cock spurted my
white cream into the tip of the condom until it was filled.  We collapsed
together in a heap of sweaty teenaged bodies.

   Julie slipped her legs down along side my body.  We rolled over on our
sides, still connected.  We hugged each other and exchanged kisses while we
recovered from our exertions.

   I stared into Julie's eyes and declared, "I don't want our relationship
to end.  I love you too much."

   "I don't want this to end either.  Can we have a relationship when we
live a thousand miles apart?"

   "I don't know.  I'm willing to try.  I haven't ever felt this way about
a girl before.  I'm willing to commit myself exclusively to you.  We will
have two weeks together in August.  I was going to be gone most of this
summer anyway.  At least to start with, this won't be too hard."

   "Daddy promised I can come visit for a week or two next summer.  What I
don't know is if we can manage to stay true to each other during school? 
Nine months is a long time." Julie replied.

   I said, "I want to try.  Are you willing Julie?"

   "I'll try too Kyle.  I don't want to lose you Kyle." Julie said.  She
leaned to me and we kissed.  We cuddled and kissed for a few minutes.  My
cock shrank and slipped out of Julie's pussy.

   "Let me get rid of the condom honey." as I sat up.  I reached for it,
but my cock was bare!  I snapped to attention immediately and stared at my
cock.  The condom wasn't lying on the bed the way I hoped it would be.  I
was panicking.  "Julie, roll over I can't find the condom!"

   Julie rolled away from the middle of the bed where we had just had sex.
It wasn't there.  "Did you find it Kyle?  Where is it?" Julie demanded.

   "Shit!  I don't know.  I can't find it."

   "Is it still in me?  Is it?" Julie demanded.  She spread her legs out so
I could look.  Nothing was visible on the outside.  "Well?"

   "I don't see anything Julie." I answered.  "Let me check inside." Julie
spread her legs wide.  I lay down on the bed, chest down and stared at
Julie's slot.  I pried her labia apart with my left thumb and forefinger. I
pushed two fingers into Julie vagina, trying to be as gentle as possible. I
was two joints deep when I finally felt it.  "I feel it Julie.  Hang on." I
pulled the sticky piece of latex out of my lover's tunnel.

   "Kyle, did it spill?" Julie asked, appearing surprisingly calm.

   I stared at the cum all over my fingers and dripping from the condom. 
Fuck!  "Umm...  I'm afraid it spilled honey." I could feel my heart beating
wildly in my chest.  My face must have betrayed my panic.

   "Shhh....  It's OK Kyle.  I have been taking my birth control pills for
the past month.  It'll be fine."

   "I...  I just don't want....  a kid." I said.  "At least not yet.  It's
too hard at our age."

   "Don't worry.  I'll have mom take me to the clinic tomorrow.  I'll get
the morning after pill."

   "Thank God!" I said.  I breathed a sigh of relief after she said that.

   "Do you ever want to have children Kyle?" Julie asked.

   "I do.  I'd like a big family like I've grown up in.  But I'm not ready
for that now.  I've seen how hard Justin and Sherry have worked to raise
their son.  I have plans for my life.  I want to play football in college.
I can't have a child yet."

   "I think I'd like a lot of kids too.  I'm glad I didn't manage to get
pregnant last month.  I need to listen to you more.  You were right.  We'll
make a long distance relationship work.  When it is time for college, we
can go to the same university and be together again."

   "We'll do that, I promise." I said.  I kissed Julie.  She wrapped her
arms around my neck, pulling me close to her.  Her tongue snaked out to
meet mine.  We soon had each other horny again.

   Julie asked, "Do you remember how we made love on the rafting trip? 
Slowly on our sides?  I would like to do that again."

   I picked up another condom from my night stand.  Julie said, "You don't
need that now.  I already have your semen in me.  I want to remember this
time with your bare cock in me.  That is the way it is meant to be."

   I didn't argue with my lover.  We made love to each other slowly, as
Julie requested.  We did it with the sounds of Terry and Andy next door
grunting and squealing as they made love and said good bye to each other.
Soon Andy's bed was knocking against our common wall.  It was a miracle the
way he screwed that he had any plaster left on the wall in his room.

   Julie and I pumped together until she reached another climax.  Her
spasming pussy drove me over the edge too.  I spurted out more semen into
her pussy.  We cuddled for a few minutes before I realized that we needed
to get cleaned up before Lizzie and my parents got home.

   Andy and Terry were coming out of the bathroom when Julie and I went in.
Terry had a happy grin on her face.  I think she enjoyed her good bye with
my brother.  Julie and I went downstairs for a snack before Julie headed
for home.  Will and Abby were in the kitchen talking with Andy and Terry
when we arrived.  Will dished up two bowls of ice cream for us.  We joined
the other four at the table.

   Abby asked, "Are you ready to give up Kyle for seven weeks Julie?"

   Julie answered, "No.  How do you manage it Abby?  I'm going to miss Kyle
so much while he is gone."

   Abby answered, "I know.  This is the fifth summer that Will worked at
camp.  I still miss him while he's gone.  I concentrate on my summer job
and try to remember nights like tonight while I wait for him.  The
homecoming is special.  I always enjoy that."

   "I guess I have that to look forward to." Julie said.

   The six of us were finishing our snack when Mom, Dad and Lizzie returned
from their trip.  Lizzie greeted our girlfriends and headed upstairs to her
room.  Each of us brothers lingered at the door as we wished our
girlfriends good bye.

   Chapter 7

   ========

   We loaded our gear after a breakfast on Sunday morning.  Will and I
loaded up our weights first while Andy carried our bags out to Will's car.
Ed brought his things over while we were trying to load everything.  The
car was full last year when it was only Will, Ed and I.  This year we had
to squeeze Andy and his stuff in too.  We filled the trunk with the heavy
stuff.  Ed and Andy climbed in the back seats.  Will and I gave them two
duffle bags to hold on their laps.  The last duffle bag went in the front
between Will and me.

   We grabbed a lunch at the drive through window at the McDonalds near
East Town Mall.  We had to use the drive through because there was no way
Ed and Andy were getting out of the car until we got to camp.  It would
take too long to repack things otherwise.

   We got a surprise when we checked in at the camp office.  Mr.  Anderson,
the camp director for the past six years, wasn't running camp this year. 
His replacement was a man in his mid-forties by the name of John Holloway.

   The four of us carried our gear down to the staff site.  Will moved into
his usual tent.  Jim Hardy was already there waiting for Will to arrive. 
Ed and I took the same tent as last summer.

   Andy asked hopefully, "Do you have room for three in your tent?"

   "NO!  Go find someone to tent with Andy.  There are lots of empty
tents." I explained.

   "I don't know anybody!  Can't you make room for me?" Andy begged.

   Ed answered, "Andy, don't act like a little kid.  Pick a tent.  You'll
get a tent mate soon enough.  Get to know him.  You will make friends with
the rest of the staff in a few days."

   I watched as Andy wandered to the next tent.  It was already taken. 
Andy met another scout who appeared about his age at the tent after that.
The talked for a minute, shook hands and moved into the tent.  I was happy
that Andy found a friend quickly.

   Ed and I spent the next half hour greeting our friends from last year
and meeting some of the new staff members.  Rob Young came through the
staff site calling for everyone to meet in the dining hall in five minutes.

   Will and Jim grabbed Ed, myself, Andy and Andy's new tent mate.  Andy
introduced his tent mate, Travis Hastings.  Travis was also a counselor in
training (CIT).  He was a fourteen year old scout from Ephrata.

   This season's camp staff assembled for welcoming comments and
orientation in the dining hall.  Trent Wilson spotted my crowd of friends
and joined us at our table.  Mr.  Holloway, the new camp director
introduced himself first.  He's from Marietta, along the Susquehanna River.
He spent ten years as scoutmaster of one of the troops in his town.  He was
school teacher.

   Mr.  Holloway introduced the key staff members.  As I expected, Rob
Young was the program director again.  That made him my boss' boss.  Joe
Gieger was back again as the Aquatics Director (AD).  I would be working
for Joe this summer.  Jim Hardy was assistant AD for the pool.  Will as
assistant AD for the boatyard again.

   Jerry McMichael was in charge of the CIT program again this year.  Andy
would be working for him.  The Pioneer Scout program area had a new
director this year.  Kevin Wallace, who worked that program area for the
last three summers, was in charge of it this year.  Ed was working with the
first year scouts this year in the Pioneer Scout program.  Trent and I were
both on Aquatics staff.

   Mr.  Holloway reviewed expectations and duties of the camp staff.  He
reviewed the drug, alcohol and illegal drug policies for the camp.  He also
discussed staff members having girls in camp.  Succinctly put, it was that
we didn't get any of those things this summer.  Any of that was an
immediate trip home.  It was OK.  We all knew that before we signed up to
work here this summer.

   Mr.  Holloway reviewed our weeks schedule with us.  The first week of
camp was always staff only.  We needed to finish up set up that had been
started this weekend by the Order of the Arrow.  OA is an honor group of
scouts and leaders who get together a few times a year to do maintenance
work in the camp.  They set up over half the tents, platforms and dining
flies in campsites yesterday.

   Mr.  Holloway broke the staff into 25-30 person work groups on Monday
and Tuesday and sent us out to finish setting up campsites.  The work was
hard.  Joe, Will, Jim and Rob served as lifeguards for staff swims both
afternoons when the work was done.  Mr.  Holloway and Rob Young presented
training sessions in teaching techniques, leadership, and the Boy Scout
merit badge program in the evenings.

   The staff split up on Wednesday morning by program area.  Joe Gieger met
with the ten aquatics staff members at the pool.  Joe had everyone sit at
the benches by the pool office.  He said, "The first order of business is
replacing Justin Finnegan at the boat yard.  He has asked to work at the
pool this summer.  Any volunteers?"

   No one spoke for about thirty seconds.  Finally I spoke up.  "I know I'm
new but I'm willing to work with Will if you want me to."

   Joe looked at Will.  "What do you think Will?  Can you work with Kyle?"

   Will laughed and answered, "Sure.  I can work with my LITTLE brother."

   I added, "Shorty and I make a good team.  We can work together." The
rest of the group snickered at our teasing.

   Joe, Jim and Will spent the rest of the day putting us through drills on
the skills we would need to teach for Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges.

   Wednesday evening after Mr.  Holloway finished the evening training a
group of us headed to the staff lounge to set up the two old computers that
the camp had for our use.  Andy and I hooked up one while two other guys
hooked up the other.  It took us a couple minutes, but then we were on
line. I checked my e-mail first thing.  I had a message from Julie.  Her
message said: ====================== To: kmartin87@redroses.net From:
simpsonj@gmail.com Time: June 18 15:21:24

   Hi Kyle

   Relax.  Mom got me to the doctor this morning.  We shouldn't have any
surprises in our future.  I expect things will be confirmed in 2 ˝ weeks. I
will let you know when it is definite.

   Love

   Julie

   ====================== I know I was being paranoid, but that's how it
was.  Our accident was only a few days after Julie had her period.  She had
been taking her birth control for almost a month.  It probably was safe,
but I still worried about Julie getting pregnant.

   I felt relieved that Julie had gotten the morning after pill.  It was
unlikely that Julie would get pregnant from our accident on Saturday, but
it was nice to know we had some more insurance against this happening. 
Julie's period would be in 2 ˝ weeks.  She would let me know when she
definitely wasn't expecting a child.

   On Thursday the whole staff went down the boat yard to get everything
set up.  Joe and Will spent part of the afternoon reviewing rowing and
canoeing skills with the whole aquatics staff.  Friday Will and I reviewed
canoeing and rowing skills with the two CIT's who would be working with us
next week.

   Even though I was tired, I made time each evening to visit the staff
lounge and check my e-mail.  Nothing from Julie yet.

   Saturday morning Rob had the staff prepare for the Sunday night campfire
and the Friday evening campfire.  When that was done we reviewed our jobs
during check-in and check-out each week.  Surprisingly to me, I wasn't
going to check troops in and out of their campsites each week like last
year.  I would spend my Sunday afternoons helping run the swim tests. 
Saturday mornings would be reserved for cleaning the pool.

   We spent Saturday afternoon reviewing the Cub Overnight Camping Program.
We would have Cub Scouts and their parents come in every Saturday around 1
pm and spend the next day in camp.  We had activities geared down to their
age level.  Will and I would have two CIT's to help us.  We would give the
kids row boat rides in the afternoon.

   Mr.  Holloway and Rob gave us Saturday night off.  We played volleyball
for awhile, goofed off, played board games and did a night swim.  I found
out one of the disadvantages of being on aquatics staff.  I spent part of
the staff swim time acting as a lifeguard instead of joining my friends
having fun.

   The staff had more free time on Sunday morning.  Ed, Trent, Andy and I
headed out to the parade field to toss the football around.  Andy and I
took turns running pass routes while Trent tried to cover us.  I made sure
Andy got the majority of the tosses.  I wanted my brother to get used to
catching Ed's throws.  Andy had worked almost exclusively with Jake Kring
since he started football last year.  Andy needed to get his timing down
with Ed to give him the best chance at stepping up to varsity this fall.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   At 11:30, the four of us went back to the staff area, showered and
changed into our scout uniforms so we would be ready for the scout troops
arriving after lunch.  Andy and I reported to pool after lunch.  We hung
out until the first troop arrived for their swim tests an hour and a half
later.

   The whole aquatics staff did swim tests for scout and leaders from a
little after 2 pm until after 5 pm.  It was totally boring but essential to
making sure the scouts were safe at the pool and lake during the week.  Joe
switched our jobs every fifteen minutes and gave us breaks every half hour.
I had to hustle to get back to my tent and get into uniform for camp wide
retreat and the picnic dinner we had planned.

   The staff set up in the parking lot after dinner to sign up scouts for
their merit badge periods.  Tanner Steffy, the CIT helping Will this week,
and I took names for Rowing and Canoeing for the first four periods of the
day.  I ended up with between fifteen and twenty scouts for each of the
periods.  Will told me not to accept anymore than twenty in one period.  At
7:30 Tanner and I gathered up our lists and headed back to the staff area.
I was in the third skit of the night.  It was "J.  C.  Penny".  It was
an old skit but we performed it well.  The audience howled when J.  C. 
Penny appeared wearing only a towel around his waist.  The six of us in the
skit left to loud cheers.  The rest of the campfire was enjoyed by the

scouts and leaders.  Ed and I headed to bed when the campfire was over.

   I was up at 6 am so I could get over to the pool for the polar bear
swim. Half of the aquatics staff was on duty for the morning polar bear
swim every day.  This week I was assigned to cover Monday, Wednesday and
Friday mornings.  After the guarding the swim, I showered and switched to
my uniform for flag raising and breakfast.  I switched back to my swim suit
for the morning periods and headed down to the lake with Will, Tanner and
John Wenger, the CIT who was helping me this week.

   I was a little nervous before the first class started.  When I got
going, I felt fine.  By the middle of second period, I felt completely
natural teaching the group.  Each class spent part of the period learning
safety rules, parts of the canoe and the various strokes they would need to
know to navigate successfully.  The last twenty minutes was spent on the
water practicing the strokes.  Each of the classes seemed to do well.

   After lunch Ed, Andy, Trent and I met on the parade field to run some
passing routes.  Andy and I took turns running the routes while Trent tried
to cover us.  Andy had enough speed to break away from Trent too, but I had
Ed keep the routes short so Andy could learn to get separation from a good
defensive back like Trent.  It would help Andy in time to have something
other than pure speed to use as a receiver.

   The 2 pm class went as well as the morning classes.  At 3 pm we switched
to open boating.  Scouts could come down to the lake and take a canoe or a
row boat out on their own or with a buddy.  Will, Tanner, John and I didn't
have much to do other than observe and make sure no one got in trouble.  I
was going to enjoy working at the boat yard.

   I managed to get a seat beside Ed in the dining hall for dinner on
Monday night.  I asked, "How do you like working on staff so far?  Do you
like working at the Pioneer Scout area?"

   "Way cool!  Jerry had me run the team building games a couple periods
today.  I'm going to like Pioneers.  How did the boat yard go?" Andy
answered.

   "It's fun."

   Ed asked, "No regrets this morning when you got up for polar bear swim?
How early did you leave the tent?"

   "That would be 6 am.  I'll manage.  It seems like aquatics staff is on
duty morning, noon and night.  When dinner is over, I have to go over to
the pool and help Joe with BSA Lifeguards.  I get to play the victim." I
explained.

   "Hah!  We don't have anything scheduled for tonight.  The first year
kids will be back at their campsites with their troop leaders." Andy
crowed.

   I smiled.  "It's OK.  I knew what I was signing up for last winter.  I
love the water.  Aquatics staff suits me fine."

   I spent and hour and a half in the pool Monday night.  The would-be
lifeguards practice reaching rescues and throwing rescues on me.  I managed
to pull one of the candidates in the pool when he reached for me with a
pole without keeping his balance properly.  The other five guys got the
message.  They reached for me after that with their weight positioned way
back from the edge of the pool.

   The first week flew by.  Guard for polar bear swims every other day. 
Teach four canoeing classes each day.  Supervise two periods of open
boating.  Help count laps Tuesday night for the quarter mile swim.  Guard
for the night swim on Wednesday.  I finally had a night off on Thursday
night.

   Part of my routine in the evenings after I was off duty was to check
e-mails and reply to Julie.  Will, Ed, Andy, Trent and I lifted weights and
ran three and half miles to the front gate of camp and back.

   Sixty-two of the sixty-five scouts who started canoeing passed the merit
badge.  The other three skipped a couple classes and couldn't catch up in
time to finish.  I gave them partials.

   Friday night we had a barbeque for parents and families and a big
closing campfire.  The staff had to serve the barbeque.  It was a long
evening.  We fed over five hundred people the first Friday.

   On Saturday morning the whole Aquatic staff reported to the pool to
clean it and to prepare for our afternoon activities with the Cub Scouts.
The rest of the staff checked the Boy Scout troops out while we worked.

   The Cub Scouts arrived following lunch.  Will, John, Tanner and I worked
all afternoon taking cubs out for rowboat rides.  We repeated the barbeque
dinner for the cubs and their parents.  The evening finished off with a
campfire.  The cubs did field day games Sunday morning after breakfast. 
They were headed for home by 11 am.

   The staff had an hour of free time before lunch and the arrival of the
next batch of Boy Scouts.  My friends and I hung out at Trent's tent and
talked.  Free time like this was precious.

   -----------------------------------------------------

   The second week of camp started off much the same as the first week.  It
was the Fourth of July week, so we didn't have as many scouts in camp,
around 185.  I ended up with 46 scouts in my four periods of Canoeing Merit
Badge.

   With the experience of the first week under my belt, I think I did a
much better job teaching the merit badge.  I was neat learning about the
kids taking my badge.  I had a real mix of scouts.  Some were twelve years
old, might measure no more than 5' tall and weighed half my weight.  Some
of the scouts were nearly my age and almost my height.  Most were in
between.  This week I managed to help all 46 of the scouts to finish the
merit badge this week.

   Julie and I kept up correspondence almost daily.  I had to remind Julie
that I had no privacy when I read her e-mails.  A couple of them were a
little too sexy to be read in the staff lounge with other guys looking over
your shoulder.  I went back to my tent and jerked off to relieve my
frustrations after I read those e-mails.

   Wednesday Ed and I went in to talk with Mr.  Holloway.  We wanted
permission to stay in our troop's campsite the way we did last summer when
our troop came to camp next week.  Mr.  Holloway was very accommodating. 
It was all set.

   That evening I received the expected news from Julie.  Her period
started today.  I didn't have to worry anymore about Julie getting pregnant
from our accident a few weeks ago.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   The second week scouts went home on Saturday morning and were replaced
with the next batch of cub scouts.  We ran our cub program for them.  We
were hanging out at my tent before lunch on Sunday.  Ed, Trent, Andy,
Andy's tent mate Travis were talking.  About football of course.

   Ed asked Trent, "Have you had any college coaches try to recruit you
Trent?"

   Trent smiled.  "Yes.  It kind of shocks me.  I talked with five coaches
in May.  They are calling camp, leaving me messages to call them back to
discuss attending their university."

   I asked, "Yeah.  Who's calling?"

   "Some of the smaller, local colleges; Millersville, West Chester,
Shippensberg, and East Stroudsburg.  The real surprise is the scholarship
offer from the University of Delaware.  They're Division I-AA." Trent
answered.

   "Are you going to take the offer?" I asked.

   "I don't know.  I want to visit some of these schools and check them
out." Trent answered.

   Ed asked, "Have you considered any of the major colleges?"

   "No.  I'm realistic.  I'm too short and too slow to play major college
ball.  If I tried to be a walk-on, the best I could hope for was to play on
the scout team.  I'd rather play for a smaller school and actually play in
the game."

   I countered, "You are selling yourself short Trent.  You are one of the
smartest football players I know.  I think you could do it."

   "No.  I can't even cover all the receivers in our league.  The
competition in our league is nothing compared to major college ball.  I do
as well as I do by studying a lot and making sure I'm in the right position
to make a play."

   "I guess that makes sense Trent." Ed said.

   Trent continued, "I think I might get a full scholarship offer from
Delaware.  It sounds pretty interesting.  They have a good program."

   I said, "You know one of our players is starting at Delaware in the
fall. Do you remember Andy Groff?"

   Trent paused for a moment and then he said, "Groff?  Yeah I remember
him. Number 93, a defensive end, always hurrying our quarterback." Trent
sighed, "Yeah.  He had a big part in beating us in the playoffs last fall."

   "If you go to Delaware, you'll like Andy.  He is a good guy." Ed
explained.

   Trent asked, "What about you two?  Do you know what you want to do for
college?"

   I said, "I have two more years of high school.  I have no idea.  I hope
some major college is interested in me.  I'll see."

   Ed answered, "I know what I want.  I have a list of colleges I want to
check out already."

   I said, "Oh yeah?  Who's on your list?"

   "Michigan, Virginia, Miami, USC and LSU." Ed answered.

   "Jeez!  You're shooting for the top, aren't you?" Trent asked.

   "Aim high.  If you miss you've still done something good." Ed answered.

   I asked, "I understand most of the colleges on your list.  I have to
ask, why LSU?"

   Ed explained, "You have met my Aunt Ellie and Uncle Dave, right?"

   "OK.  What do they have to do with your choice of colleges?" I answered.

   "Uncle Dave, uh, David Breaux is Louisiana born and bred.  They live in
Baton Rouge.  My cousin Freddy has been telling me all about the Fighting
Tigers since we were little kids."

   "OK.  I didn't know that Ed.  I hope you make it to one of those
schools."

   Our gab sessions broke up because it was time for lunch.  I was
surprised when Will finished lunch with a song - for me!  It was my
birthday.  I figured Will would embarrass me at dinner when all the campers
were there too.  This year he limited the celebrations to staff members.  I
accepted the mix of congratulations, teasing, well wishes with good humor.

   After lunch I headed to the pool with the rest of the Aquatics staff. 
We had been hanging out at the pool, fooling around for about forty-five
minutes when I saw her.  Julie!  Most of the Aquatics staff saw her.  She
walked to the pool to the sound of a few wolf whistles and cat calls.

   "Guys!  Behave yourselves.  This is my girlfriend Julie." I declared. 
We hugged over the fence.  "God, I've missed you honey."

   Julie gave me a kiss on the lips, but a discrete kiss.  "I've missed you
too Kyle."

   I turned at yelled, "Hey!  Joe, can I have a couple minutes with Julie?"

   "Two minutes.  The first troop should be arriving for swim tests any
second.  They left their dining hall orientation already and are headed
here now." Joe answered.  Joe had been talking to the dining hall on the
walkie talkies when Julie appeared.  We had them around camp to pass
information back and forth.

   I slipped out the side gate and met Julie at the rows of benches on the
hillside beside the pool.  We sat down and hugged each other.  We kissed,
not so discretely this time.  Our tongues met and danced together.  Julie's
hard nipples were pressing into my bare chest.  My cock engorged itself
with blood and rose to full, totally embarrassing size.

   "Ooohh God.  I've only got a minute Julie."

   "I know.  Happy Birthday Kyle." Julie said as she offered me a small
gift wrapped package.  I tore the package open, opened the small box and
found a ring.  It was gold with an amethyst stone.

   "This is wonderful Julie.  Thank you.  I love this." I said as I put the
ring on my finger.  We kissed again.

   Joe interrupted, "Martin.  Get back to work.  The first troop is here."

   I gave her a last kiss and said, "I love you Julie.  I've got to go."

   Julie answered, "I love you too."

   "Are you coming to the barbeque Friday night?"

   "Probably not.  Mom and Dad say we have too much to do." Julie answered.

   I headed back through the shower and prepared to take my post for swim
tests.  I ducked into the bathroom for a short stop.  I dropped my shorts
and whacked off remembering her smell, her taste and the feel of her
nipples pressing into my chest.  I lasted about a thirty seconds before I
exploded and shot cum all over the wall and floor of the bathroom stall.  I
hadn't had a chance to do that in four days, so it felt great to get
relief. I tucked everything back in, cleaned up the stall and headed back
to my post.

   Julie was still sitting on the benches outside the pool when I took my
position to guard for the swim tests.  I waved and she waved back.  The
testing had started, so I had to pay attention to my job.  I glanced over
to Julie occasionally between scouts swimming by.  She must have sat and
watched me for at least fifteen minutes.  Next time I glanced up, she was
gone.

   It was about 3 o'clock when my troop got to the pool.  I was at the end
of the pool starting kids on their tests when the first scout from my troop
showed up in line.  I greeted each scout as I recited my questions: "Can
you swim?" "Can you jump in water over your head?" Every three seconds I'd
start another scout when they answered "yes" to my questions.

   My troop was the third troop to take swim tests.  When Julie's brother
W. J.  stepped up to the edge of the pool I said, "Hi W.  J.  I'm glad to
see you buddy.  High five!" W.  J.  and I slapped our hands together. 
"Anything you need, anything at all, talk to me OK?"

   "I know Kyle.  Julie told me that already." W.  J.  answered.

   "If you can't find me, talk to Ed or Jeremy.  They will help you too." I
explained.  "Can you swim W.  J.?" He said yes.  "Can you jump in water
over your head?"

   "Yes Kyle." W.  J.  answered.

   "Swim.  Take it easy W.  J.  This isn't a race." I called as he jumped
in the pool.  Mark Good was behind W.  J.  Three second later I sent Mark
off.  Jeremy was standing behind Mark.

   "Hi buddy!" I exclaimed as I slapped him on the back.

   "I see you're lounging around at the pool goofing off." Jeremy answered
with a smile.

   "Yeah, right!  I start work tomorrow at 6:30 and don't finish work until
9 at night.  Are you going to take good care of my troop this week?"

   "Relax, everything is copasetic."

   "Ed and I will be up later this afternoon before dinner.  You saved us a
tent right?"

   "Stop worrying, of course we saved you tent."

   "Swim Jeremy.  I'll see you in a couple hours." I answered.  Jeremy
jumped in and swam quickly away from me.

   A few more scouts from my troop passed me.  I noticed that the next
troop was Trent's troop from Manheim.  Trent's cousin and my friend,
Christian Hunsecker, was at the head of the line.

   Christian grinned as he stepped up to the edge of the pool.  "Kyle!  I'm
glad to see you."

   "It's good to see you buddy." I said.  "Are you still SPL?"

   "No.  I finished my term in March.  I'm the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
now." Christian explained.

   "Congratulations Christian.  I was elected SPL for my troop in January."
I answered.  Justin Finnegan interrupted us.

   Justin said, "Joe said you need to take a ten minute break.  I'll
relieve you."

   I said, "Thanks Justin." I stepped away from the pool.  "Christian, see
me when you finish your swim test.  We can talk some more."

   I hung out at the other end of the pool where scouts finished their
test. Christian and I talked for about five minutes while his troop
completed the swim test.  We agreed to meet after lunch on Monday to catch
some passes.  Christian was going to join our crowd for our three and half
mile run in the evening too.

   I didn't finish swim tests until 5:15.  This was the biggest week of
camper so far this summer.  The head count was almost 400 scouts and
leaders.  I headed over to my tent in the staff area to change into my
uniform.  I found a note on my bunk.  It said Ed had packed and headed up
the hill to our troop's campsite already and he would meet me there.  I
packed my things and hiked up the hill to our campsite.  I dropped my pack
off at my tent and helped Ed, Jeremy and Hal round our troop up.  We
marched back down the hill to the parade field for retreat and dinner.

   Ed and I explained to the younger scouts in our troop about merit badge
sign-ups after dinner and then hurried to take our places for sign-ups.  My
brother Andy was assigned to the boatyard this week.  He did the sign-ups
for Will's Rowing Merit Badge while I took names for Canoeing Merit Badge.

   Davie Mitchell, Cody Stevens, Tyler Lapp, Christopher Zimmerman and Ryan
Kauffman, five of the six kids in my patrol last year, signed up to take
Canoeing Merit Badge with me on second period.  It was going to be an
interesting period.  These kids were good kids, but they were a handful.

   Andy and I headed back to the staff area to get ready for the campfire.
I did my part in the J.  C.  Penny skit again.  I was assigned to do a
cheer after another skit.  I did the Lumberjack Cheer.

   Ed and I went back up the hill to our campsite when the campfire was
over.  My troop sang Happy Birthday for me and had birthday cake for our
bedtime snack.  Ed and I sat in on the Patrol Leader's Council meeting. 
Jeremy ran the meeting since he was acting in my place for the week as SPL
of the troop.

   The next morning Ed and I marched to breakfast with our troop, ate with
them and then checked in with Rob Young to get information about the day.
We headed to our merit badge areas after that.

   My classes went well, even second period.  The guys from my old patrol
were enthusiastic and full of questions.  They listened mostly.  They were
more familiar with me than most kids I taught.  Most scouts show me a
little more respect, like you do when you are an overnight guest at your
aunt's house.  My guys treated me like a big brother, but they were
definitely at home with me.  They were socks off, feet on the coffee table,
watching TV together kind of comfortable with me.  No pretense of being on
their best behavior.  They joked around and teased me in a way the other
scouts wouldn't.  I was just Kyle, their friend from home, to Davie, Cody,
Ryan, Tyler, and Chris.  The other twelve kids in that class didn't know
what to make of these five on the first day.

   I headed to the dining hall to meet my troop after third period.  Ed,
Jeremy, Christian, Andy, Trent and I met at the parade field after lunch
for an hour of passing.

   Jeremy eyed all of us and said, "Shit!  We got too many receivers. 
Trent and I can't cover three of you.  What are we going to do?"

   I answered, "I'm not going to run routes this week.  I'll quarterback
with Ed.  Why don't I throw to Christian while you cover him Jeremy?  Ed
can throw to Andy and Trent can cover him."

   "Ah, a new wrinkle for your team this fall Kyle?" Trent asked, grinning.

   "No, not really.  My coach wants me to be our emergency quarterback this
fall in case something happens to Ed and Jake Kring, our back-up.  The last
guy to do this graduated this spring.  He was the emergency QB for three
seasons and never took a single snap in a game.  You'll never see me do
this in a game." I answered.

   We spent the hour running routes and catching passes.  Ed helped me a
little with my footwork and throwing technique.  I felt pretty comfortable
by then end of the session.  I wouldn't embarrass myself if I ever had to
do this in a real game.

   Eight kids from our troop showed up sixth period, including the five
from my second period class.  They had a blast paddling around and
splashing each other.  Will had to yell at them once when they got a little
too rowdy.  Andy, the other CIT and I helped Will secure the boat yard for
the evening.  I headed back to the troop site to get ready for dinner.

   I hung out with my troop for half an hour until it was time to go to
retreat.  After dinner it was back to the pool to help Joe with the BSA
Lifeguard class.  I finished off the night with weight lifting with Ed,
Jeremy, Will and Andy followed by our run.

   I enjoyed having my troop in camp.  I got to see me friends more often
than the other weeks.  The more time I spent teaching, the more I enjoyed
it.  It was neat to get to know kids from all over Lancaster and Lebanon
counties.

   Wednesday evening I got an e-mail from Julie that ruined my evening. 
The e-mail said: =========================== To: kmartin87@redroses.net
From: simpsonj@gmail.com
Time: July 11 09:52:17

   Kyle

   This will be my last e-mail for a couple weeks.  Mom is packing the
computer in a few minutes.  I love you and miss you more than you can know.
I can't wait for our trip to Canada next month.

   Our house is almost completely packed.  The movers will take the last
boxes and furniture tomorrow.  Mom, Daddy and I will stay at a motel the
next two days until W.  J.  is done at summer camp.  We leave for Nebraska
from camp on Saturday morning.

   I hope I get to see you Saturday before we leave.  I'll send you an
e-mail with our new address as soon as we get the internet hooked up at our
new home.

   Love you

   Julie ============================ I replied with an e-mail even though
I knew she would see it for a week or two.  I was in a scout camp with
nearly 500 hundreds scouts, leaders and staffers, but I felt completely
alone and little lost.  Ed, Will and Andy did their best to cheer me up
when we got together to train that night.

   Andy was turning out to be pretty good at teaching too.  I had him do a
couple of lessons for the third period class.  I choose it for him because
no one from our troop was in that class.  It would be too much to expect
him to keep order with friends his age or even older than he is.

   Most of my troop showed up Friday afternoon sixth period for open
boating.  We sent them out in our canoes and kayaks.  It only took a couple
minutes for the splash battles to start.  Will was in a good mood, so he
let them play.  Our lake is only 4 ˝ feet deep, so there wasn't much danger
in the fooling around.  Half a dozen canoes ended up swamped before the
period ended.  Will and I made all the kids help us clean up and put away
the boats, paddles and life jackets before they could go back to the troop
site.  The scouts had a blast.  They headed back to the campsite to get
cleaned up and dressed in uniform for the parent's night barbeque.

   Will, Andy, and I headed back to the staff area with Albert Gockley. 
Albert was the CIT working with Will this week.  We helped the dining hall
staff set up the serving line in the parade field.

   Will took advantage of being senior staff now.  After years of serving
the chicken at the serving table, he assigned me to do that this week.  Our
serving line started with me handing barbequed chicken to each scout or
parent, Travis, Andy's tent mate, dishing out potato salad, Andy handing
out ears of corn on the cob and Justin Finnegan serving the pineapple
upside down cake for desert.  Will stood behind us supervising and getting
us more food as we ran out.

   Serving food on Friday night was one of the most boring things we did on
camp staff each week.  The only good thing about it was the opportunity to
talk with the kids who took my merit badge and to say good bye to them
before they left for home.

   I wasn't paying much attention when I started to serve parents and
scouts from my troop.  I had my back to the table while I got another tray
of chicken.

   "Hi Kyle." a voice said.  A voice I knew well.  I turned and set the
tray of chicken down.

   Grinning, I answered, "Hi Julie.  I didn't think your family was going
to come tonight."

   Julie explained, "We finished packing everything this morning.  The
movers are hauling it to Nebraska now.  Daddy decided since we were done,
we could come see camp and visit W.  J.  tonight."

   "Cool.  I'm so glad you came." I said.

   Will joined us.  He suggested, "Julie, why don't you get your dinner. 
Kyle.  I'll relieve you for a few minutes.  Why don't you talk with Julie
while she has dinner?"

   "Thanks Will." Julie said.  I added, "Yeah Thanks."

   I followed the Simpson family to a picnic table near the edge of the
field and sat with them.  We talked casually as they ate dinner.  W.  J. 
talked constantly about all the things he did this week.  He had a great
time.  Julie and I held hands when she finished her food.  I excused myself
after five minutes and went back to the serving line.  Will said things
were under control and that I could spend time with Julie until 8 o'clock,
when the staff had to prepare for the campfire.  Will would cover for me
until then.

   I returned to the Simpson's table.  They were finishing dessert when I
got back.  W.  J.  took the paper plates and plastic ware to the trash can.
Bill and Mrs.  Simpson followed W.  J.  back to our troop site for a tour.
Julie hung out at the parade field with me.

   I explained, "Will said I can have until 8 o'clock tonight before I have
to get ready for the campfire.  What do you want to do?"

   Julie glanced at her watch.  "Oh, an hour and twenty minutes.  Goody! 
Is there any place we can go for some privacy?"

   "You're being bad.  There are close to 500 scouts, leaders and staff
along with another 300 parents and family.  There isn't any place in camp
with privacy tonight.  We need to behave ourselves." I explained.

   "I hoped for more, but I take any time we can get together, intimate or
not.  Why don't we go for a walk?  Where do you work?"

   "I'll show you the boat yard Julie." I offered.  We slipped our arms
around each other's waists and walked down the road to the boat yard.  We
passed a lot of scouts and parents on the way to boat yard.  I told Julie
about how my summer was going.  We passed the last campsite and walked the
quarter mile to the boatyard.  We didn't pass anyone on this part of the
road.

   We had a seat at one of the picnic tables at the boat yard.  I started
explaining how we ran the boat yard when Julie grabbed my head and kissed
me.  I wrapped my arms around Julie and hugged her to my body.  Our mouths
opened as the kiss continued and our tongues met.  It was like a jolt of
electricity running up my spine.  One kiss soon led to another, then
another.

   Before I realized, Julie was feeling my hard erection through my scout
shorts while I felt her up through her shirt.  Julie purred in my ear,
"God, I've missed you Kyle.  I need this hard prick in me right now!" She
rubbed extra hard to add emphasis to her message.

   "Jeez, I wish I could Julie.  If we get caught, they will fire me.  We
just can't."

   "Kyle, I need you inside me.  I have never gone this long without you.
It's been a month."

   "If you don't count the first fifteen and half years of your life." I
answered smartly.

   "You know what I mean Kyle." Julie slipped her hand up and unfastened my
belt.  "We have never gone more than seven days between lovemaking sessions
since our first time last December."

   "Julie, stop that!" I insisted.  She slipped her hand into my pants and
stroked my cock.  "You have to stop that." Julie silenced me with another
kiss.  She continued stroking my erection while our tongues tangled
together.

   "I'm so horny Kyle.  I need your prick stuffed up in me." Julie
insisted. She stroked my cock as she asked.

   "It's not safe here.  We shouldn't.  Someone will see us."

   Julie rubbed my cock as she asked, "What about in that building?" as she
pointed at the shed where we stored paddles, oars and life jackets.  I
could feel Julie's hand getting slippery from my precum.  She pressed her
mouth against mine again and kissed me.  I felt up Julie's tits while she
stroked my cock.

   "Shit!  I'm probably going to regret this." I said as I pulled Julie up
from the picnic table and led her to the shed.  I unlocked the door
quickly. We stepped inside.

   Will and I kept the shed fairly neat.  The PFDs were hung along one
wall. The oars and paddles were stacked in separate bins in the back.  We
had a small table for doing our paperwork beside the door and two stools
for us to sit on.  A small window in the back provided the only light in
the shed.  I shut the door behind us.

   "Thank you Kyle." Julie said as she pulled her panties out from under
her skirt.

   "We have to be quick and very quiet.  I'll get fired if we get caught."
I explained as I dropped my scout shorts and boxers to my ankles.

   "How do you want to do this Kyle?" Julie asked.

   "Standing up.  Lean your hands on the table honey." I answered.

   Julie bent over the table sticking her ass towards me.  I flipped her
skirt up over her waist.  I positioned myself behind Julie.  I was
preparing to insert my cock when I remembered protection.  "Julie, you have
been taking the pill again, right?"

   "I'm safe Kyle.  I took my birth control pill every day for over two
months.  Go ahead." Julie answered.  She put one leg up on the stool to
give me better access to her pussy.

   I rubbed the head of my cock up and down along her labia to lubricate
it. I positioned the head against her hot hole and pushed in until my pubic
area was mashed against Julie's ass cheeks.  It had been four weeks since I
felt the exquisite feeling of her pussy walls sliding along the naked skin
of my cock as we fucked.

   I pulled part way out and shoved back in.  "Ooohh... that's it Kyle. 
That is what I was missing.  Keep going." Julie cooed.

   I pumped my cock in and withdrew it while I had my hands on Julie's
sides.  I stroked in and out while Julie panted and sighed.  I reached
around and played with her tits as we mated.  The table rattled with every
stroke.

   "Ooohhh....  God, that's it Kyle....  Ooohh.....  keep going...." Julie
moaned as we fucked.  My thighs slapped against Julie's butt with each
stroke.

   I leaned in against her back and whispered in her ear.  "Sshhh... we
need to be quiet sweetie." Julie was pushing back against me as I pushed
in. I whispered, "Play with your clit Julie."

   I could feel her finger rub along the backside of my cock while she
played with herself.  I continued driving into her while she approached
orgasm.

   Julie groaned, "Ooohh....  JESUS!  Ohhh....  Kyyylllleeeee....  that's
soooo goooood...."

   I paused and whispered to her, "You have to be quiet honey.  Please???"

   "Don't stop Kyle.  I'll be quiet." Julie promised.  She put a finger
between her teeth.

   "Here goes lover." I started hard fast thrusts into her sopping wet
tunnel.  Within thirty seconds Julie was groaning quietly and shaking.

   "arghhhh.....  shit....  Sooo good.....  ooh... ohh...." Julie sighed,
her voice still muffled by the finger in her mouth.  Her pussy clasped my
cock and spasmed around it.  I continued drilling her through her orgasm.

   I kept her steady as I continued stroking my cock in and out.  I was
getting closer but I needed a couple more minutes before I would cum.  I
continued pumping her, while her pussy fluttered and massaged my cock.

   Both of us froze when we heard voices outside.  I was fully embedded
inside Julie.  We listened, afraid to move a muscle.

   "Mom, Dad, let me show you were the boat yard is.  The guy who taught me
canoeing was really cool.  I wish you could meet him." a boy's voice said,
getting louder as the people walked by the boat house.  I recognized him as
John Evans, one of my third period students.

   The Evans family spent three or four minutes looking over the boat yard
while John told them everything he had learned this week.  Julie and I
stood absolutely still, afraid to move a muscle.  Finally they started back
up the road to the main part of camp.

   We heard John say, "You'll be a Boy Scout next year Chip.  You're going
to like scout camp.  Maybe you can take a merit badge from Kyle next year.
He's a good teacher."

   "I guess John." A younger voice said.

   When it was quiet again I let my breath out and said, "That was too
close Julie."

   Julie answered, "You seem to have a fan club."

   "John's a nice kid.  He was a quick learner.  I liked him."

   "We better get finished soon." I resumed thrusting, slamming into Julie
hard each time.  The table rattled and shook as she steadied herself with
it.  Finally the feeling grew out of my balls until I couldn't last longer.
I jammed my cock as deep into Julie as I could and blasted almost a week's
saved sperm into her pussy.  I collapsed on Julie's back.

   Julie gave me a few seconds to recover and then stood up and pulled away
from me.  "We need to get cleaned up and get back to camp before my parents
and your boss misses us." she said.

   "Do you want me to lick you clean honey?  You don't want a mess in your
panties."

   "No, I brought a pad along.  Where are my panties?"

   I handed them to her.  She placed her pad and then pulled the panties
back on.  I hoisted up my boxers and shorts and tried to tuck everything
back in.  I glanced at my watch.  It was a quarter to eight.  Julie
straightened my neckerchief and I checked her skirt and blouse to make sure
everything looked proper.

   We left the boatyard shed and headed back to camp holding hands.  No one
noticed us when we got back to the parade field.  I needed to get to the
staff area to prepare for the campfire.

   I explained, "I've got to get back to work now honey.  I don't know if I
will see you again tonight.  The aquatic staff has campfire duty tonight.
We have to put the fire out when the program is over and clean up.  I'll be
busy until after ten tonight."

   "Thank you for being with me this evening.  I needed it if I am going to
last until the Algonquin trip.  I love you Kyle."

   "I love you too Julie.  When do you come back for the trip to
Algonquin?"

   "My parents worked things out with your parents.  I fly from Lincoln to
Baltimore on August 1st.  Your mom is going to pick me up at the airport. I
stay with your family until we leave for the trip.  When we get home from
Canada, I will fly back to Nebraska on the 17th."

   "I'm going to miss you so much.  E-mail as soon as you get connected to
the internet." I asked.

   "I promise, I will Kyle." Julie said.  She gave me a desperate good bye
kiss.  "I'm going to miss you so much.  Bye Kyle."

   I watched as she walked up the hill from the center of camp towards our
troop site.  This was going to be hard.  I had no idea how I would manage
to stay sane with my girlfriend a thousand miles away.

   I headed over to the staff area and rejoined my friends as we prepared
for our part in the closing campfire.  I was right.  I didn't see Julie or
her parents again that night.  Her brother W.  J.  was already asleep when
I arrived back at our troop site.

   I went to my tent, stripped and climbed in my bunk.  Ed was still awake.
"You were gone a long time after dinner Kyle.  What were you doing?"

   "I was saying good bye to Julie."

   Ed asked, "Good bye or, uh...?"

   "Can you keep a secret Ed?"

   "Sure."

   "Julie and I made love in the shed at the boatyard."

   "You're shitting me.  You didn't."

   "I'm serious.  It was a hell of a way to say good bye." I responded.

   "You are certifiably crazy, you know that?" Ed said.

   "Yeah, probably I am.  Good night Ed."

   "Good night Kyle."

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   Ed and I packed our gear early on Saturday morning and carried it back
down to the staff site.  After breakfast Ed headed to check out a campsite
while I went to the pool to help with the Saturday morning maintenance.

   Week 3 of camp was definitely my favorite week.  It was great to have my
troop in camp and see my friends around camp.  The other weeks were good
for me too, but it was more fun to have my friends taking my merit badge.
We never had an open boating session quite like the one that Friday sixth
period when half my troop showed up.

   My brother Andy worked at the mountain biking area in Week 4.  This was
his last week working as a CIT.  Andy had kept up a steady stream of
e-mails with his girlfriend Terry.  The e-mails stopped last week.  Andy
started to worry a little by the middle of the week.

   My merit badge classes went smoothly this week.  Will was pleased with
my work.  He spent less and less time each week supervising my work.

   After lunch each day Trent, Ed, Andy and I met for an hour of passing. I
still occasionally filled in as a second quarterback while we practiced. 
The four of us enjoyed our time together.  I think it also helped us
improve as football players.

   Wednesday evening Andy, Ed and I were in the staff lounge checking our
e-mails.  I checked first.  Nothing from Julie yet.  I didn't really expect
anything.  The Simpsons were arriving at their new home today.  Ed received
his daily e-mail from his girlfriend Lindsey.  Ed seemed to be getting
pretty serious about Lindsey.  Andy checked his mail last.

   "Shit!  Eric was right." Andy exclaimed.

   I asked, "What's wrong?"

   "Terry is dumping me.  Eric warned me about this." Andy answered.  Eric
is Andy's best friend.  They had spent a lot of time together last week
when our troop was in camp.

   "I'm sorry.  Are you OK?" I asked.

   "Yeah.  I'm OK.  Eric warned me last week that there were rumors back
home that Terry has been screwing Gabe Weller for a couple weeks.  I guess
the rumors were true."

   Ed added, "It's too bad Andy.  Getting dumped sucks."

   Andy explained, "It does.  I'll manage.  I never expected Terry and I
would be together forever.  We had fun screwing.  I wasn't expecting
anymore from her."

   I said, "Terry was what, your eighth girlfriend in less than a year? 
You really need to try and find someone for a long term relationship.  It's
better that way.

   Andy snorted.  "Yeah, right.  I know you have fucked a lot of girls too.
I'm enjoying myself and so are my girlfriends.  We enjoy screwing."

   "You're right, I've slept with some girls for fun.  I've also had two
steady girlfriends.  I know the difference between screwing and making love
to a girl.  You need to try making love to a girl.  It's one hundred times
better." I explained.

   Andy laughed and said, "I find that hard to believe."

   Ed added, "Listen to Kyle, Andy.  I've been to bed with a lot of girls
too.  When Lindsey and I started dating, I waited three months until she
was ready to sleep with me before we did it.  I'm glad we waited.  Sharing
our bodies with each other was much better than just about any of the other
girls."

   Andy asked, "What about Stefany?  Did you feel that way about her?"

   "Stef." Ed answered wistfully.  "Stef is a special case.  I don't know
how to answer that one.  Even though I got her pregnant, we didn't really
have much sex.  We were too inexperienced then.  I don't count my times
with her as demonstrating our point or contravening it."

   Andy looked back at me.  "Are you telling me now that Julie has moved,
you aren't going to jump back in bed with any of the cheerleaders who want
you?  Just like you did last fall?"

   "That's exactly what I am saying.  Julie and I are still going steady,
even though she is a thousand miles away.  What we have is special.  She is
the only girlfriend I want or need." I answered.  I hoped I could manage to
keep my promise the way I was telling Andy I would.  "Is there any girl you
like because of her personality, her looks, or the way she acts?"

   Andy paused for a moment.  "I guess there is a few.  I wish Heather
Miller and I hadn't broken up.  I really liked her."

   "When you get home Saturday, do something about it.  Give her a call." I
suggested.

   "You know Kyle, I think I will.  I don't know why everyone says you're
so dumb." Andy said as he stuck his tongue out at me.  He dashed for the
door.

   "You'll get yours!" I threatened as Andy disappeared out of the staff
lodge.  Ed and a couple other guys in the lounge laughed at Andy and me.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   The rest of Week 4 went smoothly.  Mom came Saturday around noon to pick
Andy up.  I got a few minutes to talk with her before they left.

   The fifth week was a busy one.  We had 370 scouts and leaders.  My
classes were full.  I was stuck with a very young CIT, Shane Wadsworth. 
Shane was a nice kid, but he was short for his age and too immature to work
on staff.  He turned fourteen, as required, a few days before camp started.
He had just finished seventh grade and he acted like a seventh grader. 
Will and I did our best to make sure he didn't get in trouble while he was
with us.  We didn't recommend him for rehire for next summer.

   I got a short e-mail from Julie near the end of the week.  Her computer
was still boxed up somewhere.  She went down to the local library to write
to me.  She said that the ISP should have her hooked up sometime next week.

   Joe Gieger called Will and me into his office Saturday morning while the
rest of the aquatics staff was cleaning the pool.  Joe explained, "I need
to change assignments around a little next week so we are ready for the two
of you to leave for your trip to Canada.  Kyle, you are going to work at
the pool next week.  I want you to work with Jim on Lifesaving Merit Badge.
I like the way you work with the guys going for BSA Lifeguard when you help
me in the evenings.  Does that sound OK Kyle?"

   "Yeah, that's cool.  I'll enjoy working at the pool.  Trent and I are
good friends.  It'll be fun working together with him for a week." I
answered.

   Will asked, "Who is taking Kyle's place?"

   Joe smiled.  "That's the important part of the plan.  I'm sending Justin
back to the boat yard to work with you Will.  I want you to have him teach
Canoeing next week.  Make sure he knows exactly how that part of the
program is run.  He already knows Rowing.  He is going to be in charge of
the boatyard while you are gone Will."

   "Justin is a good choice.  He will do a good job for you." Will
answered.

   Joe continued, "Your job next week is to make sure Justin is ready. 
Make sure he knows everything about running the place while you are gone."

   "Will do Joe."

   Joe asked, "Kyle, please go out and help the rest of the staff with the
pool.  Send Justin in to see us, OK?"

   "Sure Joe.  Will do." I answered.  I headed out of the pool office and
sent Justin in.  I had been wondering what Joe was going to do when his
entire lake staff left for two weeks.  Now I knew.

   When Joe, Will and Justin came back out of the office, I knew it was
safe to tell Trent what was going on.  We both agreed it was going to be
fun working together next week.

  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Week 6 was a big week too.  We had 350 scouts and leaders in camp.  Jim
briefed me thoroughly on the Lifesaving Merit Badge program over the
weekend.  I was ready when classes started on Monday morning.

   Working at the pool was completely different.  Four of us worked with
each Lifesaving class.  One of us was a lead instructor for one period and
a helper with the other three.  I was used to being the guy in charge all
the time.  It was a switch to be a helper most of the day.

   I tried to learn from Jim when he taught the first period and from Trent
when he led the second period class.  I think I did a good job when my turn
came to lead the third period.  I had fun working with Trent all the time.

   Tuesday evening I finally got another e-mail from Julie.  She explained
that the cable company had shown up the previous Friday and hooked up the
TV and internet, but they had sent out a bad router.  They didn't fix
things until that day.  She explained that this would be her last e-mail.
She was packing tomorrow night and would be at my house on Wednesday
evening.

   I got more excited as the week went on.  I was going to see my lover on
Friday after dinner.  I was going to spend a week and a half in Algonquin.
I could barely wait.

   Friday dragged on interminably.  Ed, Will and I went back to the staff
area after lunch, packed all our things and loaded them in Will's car. 
Trent came along to help us.  We wanted to be ready to leave the minute Mr.
Holloway dismissed us after dinner.  All three of us had big evenings
planned with our girlfriends when we got home.

   Trent and I found out who else was going to the boatyard next week. 
Trent was.  Joe sent Trent down to the boatyard for the afternoon to learn
the Rowing Merit Badge program from Will.

   I headed back to the staff area when sixth period was over and changed
into my uniform.  Will, Ed and I still had to help serve the family
barbeque before we could leave.  We spent 45 minutes serving food before
the line of scouts and parents finally died away.

   Ed and I found Trent when we were finished.  I extended my hand to him
to shake.  I said, "It's been fun this summer Trent.  I wish we could take
you to Canada with us."

   "Some one has to do your job while you are off playing in Canada.  Have
fun Kyle." Trent answered.  He extended his hand to Ed, who shook it.  "You
look after our buddy here Ed.  I don't want to hear a bear ate him or
something like that."

   "I'll keep Kyle out of trouble Trent.  Don't worry.  I guess we won't
see each other until October.  We're planning a big reception for you and
your friends, on the fifth.  I hope you can make it.  It is Homecoming for
our school." Ed answered with a grin.

   I think my team can make it that night.  I hope you don't mind when we
kick your ass though." Trent countered.

   I interrupted, "Enough you two.  We will find out who has the best
football team when we meet.  Until then, take care of yourself Trent.  I'm
going to miss you."

   "You guys have fun in Canada.  This place won't be the same without you.
Bye." Trent answered.

   "Take care of yourself Trent.  See you later." Ed added.

   Ed and I found Will with Mr.  Holloway.  We took our leave after we
promised we would come back again next summer.  We piled into Will's Honda
and headed for Paradise.

   Chapter 8

   ========

   Will pulled the car into our driveway.  The three of us hadn't even made
it out of the car before Julie came running out the front door of my house
to greet me.  Julie launched herself at me as I climbed out of the car.

   "God I missed you" Julie declared as she hugged me and smothered me with
kisses.  I returned the hug.

   "I've missed you too sweetie." I said as I tried to return the kisses.

   Will and Ed climbed out of the car and started unloading while Julie and
I greeted each other.  Will tapped us on our shoulders and said, "Come on
you two.  That will have to wait a little.  We need to get our stuff in the
house and get the laundry started."

   Julie and I parted a couple inches.  "Yeah, I know Will." I kissed her
again.

   Ed asked, "Do you want a hand moving the weights back to the basement
Will?"

   "Nah, screw'em They can stay in my car trunk until we get home from
Algonquin.  Nobody's going to use before then." Will answered.

   Julie and I gathered up our stuff while Ed strapped his pack on his
back. Ed said, "See you in the morning." He headed down the sidewalk
towards his house.  Julie, Will and I carried our stuff into the house and
upstairs to our rooms.  Julie and I dropped my stuff in the middle of my
bedroom floor and headed downstairs to see my parents.  Will was on his
cell phone calling Abby.

   My parents were in the kitchen.  Dad was gathering up the pots and pans
from the stove.  Mom and Lizzie were loading the dish washer.

   I said, "Hi Mom.  Hi Dad.  Good to see you Liz."

   "Welcome home son." Dad answered.

   "Hey Kyle.  I'm glad you're home." Liz added.

   Mom said, "Welcome home Kyle.  Please get your dirty laundry in the
basement by the washer.  Remind Will too.  I need to get it started right
away.  Your dad, Lizzie and I are going out for ice cream this evening."

   Liz asked, "Why don't you and Julie come along Kyle.  It'll be fun."

   "No.  I have to finish packing my stuff.  Thanks for asking." I
answered. "Where is Andy at?"

   Mom answered, "Your brother went on a double date with Eric tonight. 
Mr. Connell will bring them home from the movies around 10:30."

   Abby arrived right after Julie and I delivered my laundry to the
basement.  She headed upstairs to Andy and Will's room.  Julie and I
started up to my room.  We unpacked my pack and sorted out the things that
I needed for the trip and the things that were staying home.  We were just
killing time until Mom, Dad and Liz went out for the evening.

   Dad called up the steps about ten minutes later.  "We're going out now
Kyle and Julie.  We'll be back around 9:00 pm.  Behave yourselves while
we're gone.  Kyle, get yourself packed.  We leave at a quarter of six
tomorrow morning."

   I called out, "Thanks Dad.  I'll get everything done tonight.  Don't
worry." I turned back towards my bed where Julie was sitting.  "Privacy!" I
declared happily.

   Will and Abby flew by my door before I could get it closed.  Will said,
"We'll be downstairs in the family room.  The second floor is all yours."

   "Thanks Will." I answered as I shut and locked my bedroom door.  I
turned back towards my bed.  Julie was already stripping for me.

   "Get out of that scout uniform right now Kyle.  It's been three weeks
since you made love to me." Julie asked.

   Parts and pieces of my uniform decorated the floor as I hurried to get
naked and join my lover on my bed.  I lay down beside Julie and wrapped my
arms around her.  We began to kiss.  Our tongues met and slid together,
probing and feeling each others mouths.  We kissed for a minute or so.

   Julie slipped a hand between us and started to stroke my now erect cock.
I pulled my mouth away from Julie's for a second and moaned, "Don't hurry
things.  We have almost two hours tonight.  Let's go slow."

   "OK Kyle." Julie brought her hand back up and played with my nipple.  We
went back to kissing and nibbling each other.  After doing that for a few
minutes, I worked my tongue down her chest to her breasts.  I kissed,
licked and sucked on one while I massaged its mate.  Julie ran her hands
through my long blond hair and kept my head pressed down against her while
I worked.

   Breathlessly, Julie demanded, "I'm ready for more Kyle.  Let's do 69. 
Please????"

   I pulled away momentarily and turned around so I was facing the opposite
way from Julie.  She sucked the head of my cock into her mouth, licking all
around it.  I pushed my face into Julie's pussy and licked her outer lips.

   Moisture had begun seeping out.  I licked her outer lips and spread her
moisture and my saliva all around, getting everything nice and wet.  Next I
worked my tongue between her labia and licked her inner lips, top to bottom
and back again.

   Meanwhile Julie continued licking around my cock head, down my shaft and
finally doing my balls.  She sucked one ball into her mouth, played with it
and then did the same with the other one.

   I steeled my nerves so I could concentrate on pleasuring my lover.  I
worked my tongue inside Julie's hole, thrusting my tongue in and out
repeatedly.

   Julie licked her way back to the top of my cock.  I shuddered when she
took my cock into her mouth.  She took the entire head in her mouth and
kept sucking more in.  She had half of my cock in her mouth and kept
descending.  My cock head reached her throat.  Amazingly, Julie didn't
stop. I felt her swallow and my cock slid right down her throat.  Where in
the hell had Julie learned to do that?

   "Oh shit!  Julie???" I groaned.  My lover continued to take my cock into
her mouth and throat and pull it out again.  I wasn't going to last long.
It couldn't have been more than sixty seconds before Julie's actions almost
literally sucked the cum from my balls.

   "Jesus!  I'm... oohhh... cumming!" I moaned.  My cum boiled out of me
and spurted down Julie's throat.  She pulled back a little and took the
remaining half dozen spurts in her mouth.  I collapsed back on my bed. 
Julie hovered over me, licking the last of my cum off her lips.

   Julie purred, "I hope you liked that."

   "Shit, yeah.  Where'd you learn to do that?"

   "I'll tell you later Kyle.  I'm ready for more."

   I dived back down between my lover's legs and licked around her hood.  I
wormed two fingers into her hole and pressed up against her G-spot.  It
took me a minute or two to get Julie properly worked up.  When I finally
sucked on her clit, she screamed from ecstasy.  Lubrication poured onto my
hand while her pussy spasmed from her orgasm.

   I switched around so I faced Julie while she descended back down from
her endorphin induced high.  I kissed her cheek and nibbled her ear lobe as
she quieted down.  I whispered, "I love you Julie.  Are you ready for my
cock?"

   "I've been ready for weeks Kyle." Julie raised her knees to her chest.
"Let's do it this way Kyle.  I love it when you go in deep."

   I crawled behind my lover and put her ankles on my shoulders.  I
positioned my cock at her hole.  Then I remembered.  "You are still on the
pill, right?"

   "Yes, Kyle." Julie answered.  I pushed, splitting her open.  My cock
sank smoothly into Julie's womanhood until it mashed against the entrance
to her womb.  "Yeah, that's it Kyle."

   I pulled away until only an inch remained in her.  I sank in again
slowly until I bottomed out.  I continued stroking in and out using long
slow strokes.  Julie's pussy tugged at the skin of my cock as I withdrew.
It resisted slightly and then yielded as I pressed back in.  In and out. 
Gradually I quickened my pace.

   "Yeah!  Yeah....  Keep going Kyle....  Ooohhhh.....  harder Kkkyle..."
Julie demanded.

   I worked my cock in and out faster, trying to please my lover.  Julie's
silky passage pulled the skin of my rod taut as I pushed in deep.  We
started out making gentle love to each other, but need and desire brought
out our lust.  I pounded in and out now, rocking my bed against the wall.
Julie groaned and demanded I keep going.  Finally it was too much for me. I
drove in deep, growled "Fuck!" and pumped my semen deep into my lover.

   I groaned and collapsed on top of Julie as the last of my cum pulsed
into Julie's body.  Julie rolled us over on our sides.  "Thank you Kyle. 
That was exactly what I have been missing for the last month.  I love you."

   "Uh-huh...." I grunted.  I took a couple deep breaths, which helped to
focus my brain again.  "I love you too Julie." My cock went limp and
plopped out of Julie.  I kissed her cheek.  Julie teased my nipple while I
kissed.  Our lips met and we kissed and made out.

   We paused.  I decided to ask about her new-found cock sucking abilities.
"Julie where did you learn to deep throat?  You weren't practicing with
some one were you?"

   "No Kyle.  You know I wouldn't do that.  Abby helped me."

   "How did Abby help you?" I asked.

   "She and I got together to talk a couple times after you and Will left
for camp.  We were talking about ways to endure our separation from our
boyfriends when she told me about her little `friend.'"

   "Friend?  What do you mean?"

   "Abby has a realistic dildo she uses to satisfy herself when Will is
gone.  She bought one for me a couple weeks after you left.  It's almost
exactly the same size as you.  It's not as much fun as being with you, but
it keeps me from going crazy when you can't be with me."

   "You've been using it to practice deep throating?"

   "Yes.  I guess it worked too.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it
tonight, but I certainly wanted to try.  I'm glad you liked it."

   "It was great.  Thank you for being so thoughtful." I replied.

   We went back to making out.  After a couple minutes I felt a hand caress
my cock.  Julie thrust her tongue into my mouth, tangling with my tongue
while she brought my manhood back to hardness.

   "I want to be on top." Julie said as she pushed me on my back and threw
her leg over my torso.  She kept kissing me as she straddled me.  Julie
reached between us and held my cock in position.  We continued kissing as
she backed onto my cock.  Julie put her hands on my chest and sat up,
forcing all of my seven inches of hardness into her pussy.

   Julie had a huge grin on her face, like the cat that ate the canary. 
She rocked back and forth on top of my erection, enjoying the way it
wiggled inside her.  After a minute she rose up and slowly impaled herself
on it.  Julie worked it in and out of her pussy as she panted and moaned. I
tried to thrust up as she dropped on my cock.  Julie rode me for four or
five minutes.  She was freely drooling her juices down my cock as she
became more excited.

   I started to play with her clitoris to help her reach orgasm again. 
Julie lasted another minute before she shuddered, let out a low moan and
came.  Her pussy pulsed around my cock, begging for my seed.  Julie's
climax sent me over the top too.  I splattered my semen against her cervix
as Julie writhed and panted her way through her third orgasm of the
evening. She slumped and rested herself on top of me.

   I rolled the two of us on our sides and cuddled against Julie.  We
remained that way, embracing each other and exchanging small kisses and
nibbles.  I glanced over at my clock.  Unfortunately it was almost 8:45.  I
gave my lover a final kiss.  "We need to get ready.  My parents should be
home soon."

   "OK Kyle."

   "Where are you sleeping tonight?" I asked.

   "Your mom is going to set up the folding bed in Liz's room.  I'll sleep
with her tonight."

   "Oh.  Why does Mom need to set the bed up?  Where did you sleep the past
two nights?"

   "Oh, I slept in your bed the last two nights.  You have a very
comfortable bed." Julie answered.

   "It's too bad you can't continue to stay here with me.  Ah, well.  We
will have the whole Algonquin trip to sleep together.  It'll be wonderful."

   "Yes, it will Kyle.  I'm really looking forward to that part of the
trip."

   Julie headed across the hall to the bathroom to wash up.  I used the
bathroom to clean up after her.  We were presentable when Mom, Dad and Liz
came home.  Mom had made brownies last night.  She invited Will, Abby,
Julie and I for a snack.

   The four of us sat around the kitchen table with Mom and Dad.  Liz was
hanging out, watching us over Mom's shoulder listening in on our
conversation.  Mom served each of us a nice big brownie.  Julie and Abby
had glasses of milk.  Will and I opted for iced tea.

   We told Mom and Dad all about our plans and expectations for the trip to
Canada.  Well, all about the trip except our sleeping partners in the
wilderness.  We had finished our snacks when Mom said, "Liz, we are going
to put Julie in your bed this evening.  Dad will set up the roll-away bed
for you tonight."

   Liz looked shocked.  She whined, "Why do I need to give up my bed?"

   Mom said, "Julie is a guest.  We aren't going to expect her to sleep on
the roll-away."

   "Why can't she sleep in Kyle's bed like she did the past two nights?"
Liz asked.

   Mom asked, "Where is Kyle supposed to sleep?"

   "In his room too." Liz replied.

   Mom looked shocked.  "Why would you suggest such a thing Liz?  Kyle
shouldn't share a bed with Julie."

   Liz asked, "Why not?  You seem to think I'm still a little kid.  I know
Will, Kyle and Andy have sex with their girlfriends.  Will and Kyle
probably had sex tonight while we were gone.  I understand about boyfriends
and girlfriends.  What's the big deal if Kyle and Julie sleep in the same
bed tonight?"

   Dad asked, "You're only twelve.  What do you know about boyfriends and
girlfriends?"

   "I will be thirteen in a few months and I'm not dumb.  Sex is what a boy
and a girl do when they love each other." Liz said.

   I interjected, "If Liz knows about Julie and I, what is the point of
pretending we don't have sex?  Why can't Julie spend the night with me?"

   Dad stated, "It wouldn't look right.  No."

   I asked, "Who is going to tell anyone?  You know we have sex Dad.  Mom
knows.  Until now, the only one in the family who didn't know was Liz.  She
knows now.  Who outside the family is going to even know about us sharing a
bed?  I'm not going to tell anyone."

   Julie added, "I certainly don't intend to tell."

   Mom and Dad stared at each other for about thirty seconds, communicating
silently.  Mom said, "All right.  You two do NEED to get some sleep
tonight. You have to get up early tomorrow morning."

   "Thanks Mom." I said.  "Thanks Mrs.  Martin." Julie added.

   Julie and I decided to go upstairs to OUR bedroom.  We cuddled together
on my bed while we watched some TV.  Julie and I brushed our teeth and
headed to bed around ten o'clock.  We slept naked, spooned together.  I was
half awake later in the night when I heard Andy return from his date.  A
couple minutes after he got quiet I heard either Mom or Dad open my door
and peek in.  Whoever it was saw Julie and me pressed tightly against each
other, my arm draped over her, my hand resting on her breast, and the sheet
covering us to our waists.  I had a big smile on my face.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   Bzzzzt....  Bzzzzt....  Bzzzzt.....

   It's too damn early for polar bear swim, I thought.  I reached over to
turn the alarm off and drag my tired ass off to the pool to lifeguard.  My
arm didn't reach the alarm I kept on the end of my footlocker in my tent.
Something was in the way.  A person.  I blinked my eyes and realized that I
was in my own bedroom.  As the cobwebs cleared from my head, I remembered
last night.  Julie and I were sleeping in my bed.  With my parent's
permission!

   "Honey, wake up.  I can't reach the alarm." I said as I shook Julie's
shoulder.

   "Huh?" Julie grunted as she awoke.

   "Turn the alarm off Julie.  It's time to get up.  We're going to Canada
today."

   Julie reached over and finally stopped the annoying buzzing.  "Mmmm....
Canada....  That's right."

   "Good morning lover, did you sleep well?" I asked.

   "Yes.  I was so comfortable beside you.  I'm glad your parents let us do
this." Julie replied.

   "We need to get cleaned up and dressed quickly.  We leave in half an
hour." I explained.

   Julie and I threw on robes and headed for the bathroom.  Julie was
heading in the bathroom door when Andy popped out of his room.

   "I'm afraid there's a line.  It forms behind me." I said.

   Andy just stared at me.  "Did I see Julie come out of your room Kyle? 
What if Mom or Dad find out?  You're going to get in big trouble Kyle."

   "It's OK.  Mom and Dad gave us permission to share my room.  They know."

   Our Mom and Dad?  They gave you permission?" Andy asked, clearly not
believing me.

   "I have Liz to thank.  She made it clear last night that she knows that
Julie and I have sex.  She knows about you and Will too.  Apparently there
isn't any point in hiding that from her anymore.  We're dealing with some
new rules regarding girlfriends now."

   "Great.  It's OK to sleep with your girlfriend now and I have a
girlfriend who is a virgin.  Just great!" Andy said disgustedly.

   "Who is the lucky number nine?" I asked.

   Andy smiled at that remark.  "She isn't girlfriend number nine.  She's
girlfriend number one.  I took your advice and called Heather Miller. 
We're going steady again."

   "Congratulations Andy.  Take things nice and slow with Heather." I
patted Andy on the back.  "You went on a double date with Eric.  Who was
his date?"

   "His girlfriend." Andy replied with a big smile.

   "Eric?  Eric Connell?  Eric Connell has a girlfriend?  Who is she?"

   "Eric is going with Samantha Hoover.  Last night was our third double
date in two weeks."

   "Cool!  I'm happy for both of you." I answered.

   The bathroom door opened.  Julie stepped out.  "Good morning Kyle." she
said as she hugged me.  Julie moved to kiss me.  I pursed my lips, waiting.


   "Not yet lover." She said as she kissed my cheek.  "Not until you brush
your teeth."

   "Mmm, OK." I said.  I grabbed a quick shower and brushed my teeth so I
was acceptable to my lover.  I carried my duffle bag downstairs and set it
by the front door beside Julie's.

   I got my good morning kiss at the kitchen table.  Dad had set out a
bottle of orange juice and a box of Danish.  Julie and Will were eating
breakfast already.  I grabbed juice and a pastry.  Andy came downstairs
about five minutes after me.  He drank a cup of juice and wrapped a pastry
in a paper towel.  Dad called for us to load up in the mini-van.  It was
time to head to the church to meet our crew.

   Chapter 9

   ========

   The whole extended Baer family was at the church when we pulled in.  Joe
and Barb; Justin and Sherry; and Joe's and Justin's dad with Joe's kids
Betsy and Jeffrey and Justin's son Billy.  Some of the kids had arrived
too. The Edwards family pulled in right behind us.  Will grabbed his duffle
bag and headed over to meet the Baers.  I grabbed my stuff and told Julie
and Andy to follow me.

   Penny and I met.  She wanted us to collect kids by crew as they arrived.
I sent Andy over to find out how Joe wanted us to pack the gear.  Morgan
Wentz from my crew was here.  She hung out with Julie.  As kids arrived, I
sent them to Penny, who sorted them out by crew.

   Jeremy made a beeline for me when he arrived.  "Kyle!  You're home. 
It's good to see you." He slapped me on the back.

   "I'm happy to see you too Jeremy."

   "You're looking at the newest Eagle Scout in our Troop.  I passed my
Board of Review on Wednesday night." Jeremy bragged.

   "Congratulations!  "I said as I shook his hand.

   Jeremy asked, "When are you going to finish?"

   "I just need to do my write-up about my Eagle Project.  I'll work on it
when we get home from Canada." I replied.  I sent Jeremy over to collect
the kids from Hal's crew.  Everyone in the three crews came within five
minutes.

   Penny, Hal and I sorted out everyone, loaded the gear and loaded the
kids in the two vans we were using for the trip.  Joe, Barb, Will and Abby
rode in the fifteen passenger van.  Justin and Sherry drove the twelve
passenger van.  Julie and I found seats in the back of the Justin's van.

   We pulled out of the church parking lot to waves, and a few tears, from
our families.  We headed west for Lancaster and Harrisburg.  Brandon, Penny
and Paul Abbott sat in the seat in front of Mark Good, Julie and I.  I
didn't notice anything unusual for at first.  Penny and Brandon spent the
first hour talking about the trip and their crew.  We had just crossed the
bridge over the Susquehanna Rover at Clarks Ferry when I noticed it. 
Brandon had put his arm around Penny and she was snuggled up against him.
Penny gave Brandon a kiss and said, "I'm going to take a nap honey."

   "That's a good idea." Brandon replied.  He gave her a kiss on the
forehead and lay back to nap too.

   I whispered to Julie, "Did you know that Penny and Brandon were going
out?"

   "No, I had no idea about it." Julie answered.  The two of us followed
their example.

   We stopped at a fast food place for lunch on the way north.  Julie and I
sat near Penny and Brandon at lunch.  I asked, "Penny, how long have you
and Brandon been dating?"

   Penny answered, "About three weeks.  We decided to try a date since we
were going to spend this trip together.  We're comfortable together."

   Brandon added, "I don't know why you ever let her go Kyle.  Penny's a
great girlfriend."

   "Yes she is.  I can't get over all the changes that happened while I was
away at scout camp: you and Penny; Andy dating Heather Miller again; then
there is my brother's friend Eric.  I didn't think he even knew girls
existed.  If it wasn't digital, he wasn't interested.  Now look at him." I
said.  I pointed across the room to Eric and Samantha.  They had finished
lunch and were holding hands, staring at each other.

   Penny laughed.  "I think Eric has figured out that girls exist.  He and
Sammy look good together."

   I replied, "Yes, they do.  There have been so many changes.  I was only
gone for seven weeks."

   Will overheard me.  "You think this is bad Kyle, wait until you get to
college.  It's ten times worse.  Life in Paradise continues, whether you
are there to see it or not."

   "Yeah, I guess.  It just blows my mind." I said resignedly.

   It was late afternoon when we arrived at the state park outside Niagara
Falls.  We had six regular campsites at the park, two tents per site.  We
were out among the public so we had to sleep in all guy or all girl tents.
No one got to have any bedtime fun.

   Joe, Justin and Will had the whole group up at 6:30 the next morning. 
We wanted to get to the outfitters before lunch.  We packed up and had
breakfast at a little restaurant before we crossed the border into Canada.
Nearly everyone went back to sleep for half the morning.

   I watched the lakes, the trees and the small towns of eastern Ontario go
by for the last hour of the trip.  We pulled into the outfitter's parking
lot at 11:30 am.  The place hadn't changed.  Cabins along the road on the
right.  The rustic store on the left.  Racks of canoes along the edge of
the parking lot.

   Joe checked us in with the outfitter.  We went down the road for lunch
while they prepared our food and equipment.  We returned an hour later and
browsed through the retail store while they finished getting our food
ready. They called us in a crew at a time to get our food and equipment. 
My crew, crew number 3 on Joe's roster, hung out in the store, browsing at
all the goodies while we waited for our turn.

   I couldn't help smiling at the look on Julie's, Lindsey's, Jake's and
Morgan's faces when they saw the mountain of food and equipment we were
going to carry for the next eight days.  The outfitter reviewed our menu
with us.  We didn't make any changes from what they had for us.  I had my
crew load up everything in our Duluth packs and carry them back to our
cabins along the lake.  We spent the next hour sorting and packing our gear
into our six packs.

   Joe called our entire group together when we were done packing.  He had
us take canoes out and practice working with our canoe partners to
demonstrate our canoeing skills.  Since Will and I were the group's
"experts" when it came to canoeing, we observed each canoe and offered
advice to improve their strokes.  We spent an hour practicing before Will
and I were satisfied with everyone's canoeing skills.  The whole crew went
for a before dinner swim.  We had dinner at the same restaurant where we
had lunch.

   Some of our crew went swimming after dinner, the rest of us built a
small campfire and spent the evening hanging out and talking.  Will, Ed,
Jake and I shared a cabin that night.  The accommodations at the outfitters
were too public for any fun stuff with our girlfriends.  I went to sleep
early, dreaming of the nights to come.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   I woke to the sound of Will gathering his shower things.  Slivers of
light peaked into our cabin at the edges of the curtains covering the
windows in our cabin.  I whispered, "What time is it Will?"
"6:15 Kyle." Will answered.
"Thanks." We had fifteen minutes until everyone had to get up.  I
decided to take advantage of the hot shower one more time before we went

into the wilderness.

   Will and I returned to our cabin about five minutes after wake-up call.
Jake and Ed were just getting out of bed.  I told them to hustle.  They
headed off to the shower house.  I rolled my sleeping bag up and packed it.
I carried my stuff out and loaded it in the van.  Julie, Lindsey, Morgan
and Abby were returning from the shower house.  I gave my lover a good
morning kiss.

   Hal, Penny and I got after our crew members to get packed.  Everyone had
their packs in the vans by 7 am.  We had a cold breakfast and hit the road.

   Our two vans traveled east from the outfitters for an hour before we
turned off Route 64 and took the dirt road back to the entry point on
Opeongo Lake.  A shiver ran down my spine when we started down the last
hill and I caught sight of the lake.  The small bay at the southern end of
Opengo Lake was visible along with the store and the ranger's station at
its edge.  Small hills covered with evergreens went on as far as I could
see.  God, I loved this place!

   Joe and Justin pulled the vans into the lower parking lot beside the
dock.  Penny, Hal and I got our crews to stack our gear along the back edge
of the dock while Joe, Will and Justin went to the ranger's station to pick
up permits for the trip.  Barb headed for the store to arrange for us to
get our canoes.  Barb called the group over to the store after a couple
minutes.

   We headed to the back of the building and picked up our 12 canoes.  We
carried them down to the dock and put them in the lake.  We loaded things
up while we waited for Joe, Justin and Will.  As canoes were ready they
pushed out and floated 20 or 30 yards off the dock until everyone was in
the water.  When Joe and Barb in our last canoe pulled away from the dock,
Penny announced "Jeremy, lead us north."

   Penny, Hal and I had agreed to have the crews take turns providing the
navigator each day.  Hal's crew went first since Jeremy and Kathy both had
gone on the last trip and would know the way today.

   The sky was mostly clear.  We could hear the wind blowing the tops of
the trees.  The lake surface was calm.  I expected that would change when
we passed Windy Point in three miles.  It took us an hour to reach a cove
just south of Windy Point.  Penny had everyone pull in for a break before
we went out into the wind to cross the wide bay to the North Arm of Opeongo
Lake.

   Jeremy and Kathy led our group out of our shelter around the end of the
point and into the bay.  We found out how bad the wind was when we rounded
the point.  It was coming from the northwest, probably blowing at 20-25
mile an hour.  Jeremy angled his canoe directly into the wind even though
the entrance to the North Arm was due north of us.  The wind was much too
strong to canoe broad side to the wind.  It took all our strength to move
our canoes into the wind and to prevent the wind from spinning us around
backwards.

   We muscled our way across the bay slowly.  Eric Connell and Samantha
Hoover had problems keeping up with the rest of the group.  Justin and
Sherry; Will and Abby; and Julie and I positioned our canoes in a V
formation around Eric's canoe to help block the wind and make it easier for
Eric and Sammy to paddle.

   We spent over an hour crossing the 1 1/2 miles before we reached the
group of islands at the entrance to the North Arm.  Penny had the group
pull in at the first island we came to for lunch.

   Ed pulled our sandwiches out of his pack and passed them around to our
crew.  We spent a half hour eating and resting before our next battle with
the wind.  Jeremy and Kathy led us north again after lunch.  Will, Justin
and I continued to "block" for Eric in a V formation to help him keep up.

   We followed along the west edge of the lake since it was the only
direction we could paddle.  We ended up taking a break at a campsite a half
mile south of the portage to Happy Isle Lake.  This wasn't where we wanted
to go, but it was the only direction the wind would let us go.  After the
break we hugged the north coast of the North Arm as we paddled towards
tomorrow's portage and campsites for tonight.

   It took an hour to make our way along the coast to a group of five
campsites near the portage to Proulx Lake.  Our three crews took adjoining
campsites.  Ed, Will, Abby and I helped train Julie, Jake, Lindsey and
Morgan how to set up a campsite.  I had Ed and Lindsey collect firewood
while Julie and I found a spot for our bear bags.

   Jake and Morgan were cooks for the first night.  They prepared for
dinner.  Everyone helped Jake and Morgan get the cooking fire started.  We
grilled steaks over the fire and fried a big pan of potatoes.  Dessert was
a small chocolate cake.  Everything was delicious.  This was the last
dinner that wouldn't be freeze dried for quite awhile.

   When we were finished eating, Will asked, "What do you first-timers
think of Algonquin so far?"

   Julie answered first, "It's huge.  I didn't realize how big it would
be."

   Lindsey asked, "Do all the lakes have so many people on them?  I thought
we were going to be pretty isolated here."

   Abby explained, "We will be in a day or two.  Opeongo Lake is the
largest and easiest lake for novices to get to.  The further into the
interior we go, the fewer people we will see."

   Jake asked, "Is it always so hard to paddle on the lake like it was
today?  I didn't think I'd have to work that hard."

   Ed's girlfriend Lindsey added, "Yeah.  I thought I was going to die
today.  The wind was horrible."

   Will said, "Yes, it was today.  The wind was bad on Opeongo Lake for
three of my four trips.  The reach on this lake is large compared to most
lakes in the park.  A little wind works up some big waves.  The lakes we
will spend most of our time on are much smaller.  The wind and waves won't
be as big a problem."

   I asked, "Isn't Lake Lavielle big too?  Will waves be a problem on it?"

   "I don't know.  The only time I was on that lake, it was calm.  Based on
my experiences, the wind usually blows from the northwest.  We will be
paddling with the wind most of the time when we are on that lake." Will
explained.

   Ed said, "That's a relief."

   Jake added, "If we have to paddle in wind like that every day, I think
my arm will be strong enough to throw a football the length of the field
when I get home."

   I said, "Don't worry about the wind too much.  Last time the portages
were more difficult than the paddling.  We have a 1275 meter portage
tomorrow morning." I went on to explain about the portage.  We reviewed
everyone's jobs when we did a portage.  We had six sixty pound Duluth packs
and four canoes to move every time we did a portage.  We had about ten
minutes of canoeing in the morning before we got to the portage tomorrow.

   I finished with talking about the portage when Jake commented, "I think
this is going to be an awesome trip.  I still find it hard to believe I am
going to be allowed to sleep with Morgan on this trip."

   Morgan added, "I know some of you did that on the rafting trip last
April, but it still amazes me.  Jake and I have a nearly impossible time
finding privacy back home."

   "Between my dad being a teacher and Morgan's mom not working, we almost
never get to be alone." Jake said.

   Will replied, "You get eight nights together on this trip, assuming you
two have protection.  You do have protection right?"

   Jake answered, "Yes.  I brought a few condoms."

   Will stared at Jake.  "A few?  Exactly how many do you have?"

   "Um, six.  I think." Jake answered.

   "Six?" I asked, laughing.  "What are you going to do on the third day?
Six wouldn't last Julie and I more than two days."

   Jake looked shocked.  "You really think six isn't enough?  Morgan and I
have only had sex three times since our first time in the spring."

   I answered, "Yeah.  I think you are going to have more opportunities
than you think.  Will, do you have any extra condoms?  Something to help
Jake and Morgan out?"

   "Yes.  See me when you run out Jake.  I can fix you up with a couple
dozen more." Will said.

   I glanced at my watch.  It was nearly seven o'clock.  "I hate to break
up the gab session group, but we need to get the dishes cleaned and get our
bear bag up.  The mosquitoes will be coming out in an hour or so.  Jake and
Morgan, get the dishes cleaned.  The rest of us will get the bear bags
ready."

   Everyone went to work.  It took us forty-five minutes to get cleaned up
and to get our three bear bags hung.  The sun had set over the tops of the
trees in the distance while we worked.

   It was near dusk when our group gathered to do "Roses and Thorns" before
we went to bed.  We met in a circle and each member of the crew described
their favorite thing that happened during the day, their rose, and the
thing that needed improved or they didn't like, their thorn.  This session
was something we learned from groups coming back from the Philmont Scout
Ranch.  It is supposed to help our crew get to know each other better and
give everyone an opportunity to share their feelings.  It should help us
get along better during the trip.

   The girls headed out in the woods to take a before bed pee.  Jake and Ed
put their things in their tents.  I took Will aside and asked, "Did I do OK
as crew leader today?"

   Will smiled at me.  "Yeah, you did a good job little brother, Uh, excuse
me.  Younger brother, you did a nice job."

   "Thanks Will.  I wonder sometimes."

   "Today has been a little weird for me.  I'm used to running things like
I did on the past two trips.  I guess I'll get used to my role of watching.
You'll do well as the crew leader."

   "Thanks.  Good night Will." I said.  I headed to my tent and climbed in.
I stripped and waited for my lover to return.  Julie joined me after a
couple minutes.

   Julie began disrobing.  I asked, "Are you in the mood to make love
tonight sweetie?"

   "You've got to be kidding Kyle." Julie said, grinning.  She put her
clothes in a trash bag at the foot of our sleeping bags.  She lay down on
her side beside me.  We wrapped our arms around each other and kissed.

   I played with Julie's tits while we made out.  After a few minutes, we
moved on to some 69.  Julie's newly discovered talent for deep throating my
cock brought me to climax before I could get her off.  I finished Julie
after I recovered.

   We pressed our bodies together and kissed.  We were quiet enough to hear
what was going on in the other tents.  From the sounds Abby was making,
Will probably was eating her pussy.  Ed was grunting as he drove his cock
into Lindsey, making her squeal.  Morgan was directing Jake, helping him
get his cock into her tight pussy.  I chuckled.  "You remember when we
snuck over to pull a prank on Will's crew last time?"

   "Kyle, this is my first trip.  This was with Penny, wasn't it?"

   "Um, oh yeah.  It was with Jeremy, Hal, and Kathy too.  Sorry honey."

   "It's OK Kyle." Julie said.  Julie started to rub her body against mine.
Her nipples pressed into my chest.  My cock started to rise again.

   "Anyway, my point was that we sound just like Will's crew of older kids
last trip.  When we got there, every tent had sounds of kids making love to
each other, just like tonight." I explained.

   "Do you think the other crews are doing this?"

   "I'm sure Jeremy and Kathy are.  Hal and Tammy too.  Do you think
Brandon and Penny have dated enough to try this?"

   "I don't know Kyle." Julie answered.  She rubbed her pussy against my
seven inch erection.  "Goody.  You're ready.  I want you on top this time
Kyle."

   Julie rolled over on her back and raised her knees to her chest.  I
positioned myself between her legs and pushed my cock into Julie's silky
tunnel.  We made love for about ten minutes.  I managed to bring Julie to
another orgasm as we mated.

   We cuddled together after I finally splattered my load inside my lover.
We lay on our sides and kissed while we recovered our senses.  Julie got me
worked up enough for one more coupling.  Julie climbed on top of me and
rode me through another of her orgasms before I fired the last of my sperm
into her pussy.  We fell asleep tangled together.

   -----------------------------------------------------

   Will woke me up around 7 am.  I got the rest of the crew up.  Ed and
Lindsey had cooking and clean-up duty that day.  They made scrambled eggs
and bacon.  It was the last of the fresh food we would have for the rest of
the trip.  By 9 am all the camping gear was packed up and stowed in our
packs.  We launched our canoes and hung out in the water off Hal's
campsite. Hal's crew had the campsite nearest to today's portage.  Penny's
crew joined us a few minutes later.  Hal's crew was almost ready.  They
were loading their canoes when we got there.  Low clouds hung in the air a
couple thousand feet above us.  The weather didn't look promising today. 
We were going to have a storm, hopefully after we got to camp.

   Jake studied the map while we waited.  He was the navigator for the
group today.  When Hal's crew was ready, Jake led us half a mile along the
northern edge of the lake to a small bay.  I spotted the yellow sign
marking the portage as soon as we turned into the bay.  We pulled our
canoes up on the sand when we reached the portage.  I helped Julie get our
two packs out of the canoe and set them on the beach.  She struggled a
little but with my help she managed to put one pack on.  Abby led Julie,
Lindsey and Morgan up the hill at the beginning of the portage.  Ed and
Will had no difficulty picking up their canoes.  Jake managed awkwardly,
but he managed.  Hal's crew had everything under control.  Andy and Brandon
picked their canoes up and followed Will, Ed, Hal, Jeremy and Mark on the
trail.  Eric was struggling to even pick up his canoe.  I helped him lift
it and put it on his shoulders.  I asked, "Are you OK Eric?"

   He squeaked, "yeAH.  I can DO thIS kkYLE." I tried not to laugh at the
way his voice cracked.  Fourteen was a tough time for a guy.  I hoisted my
canoe and headed up the hill after our group.  I heard Eric bang his canoe
on the ground a couple times behind me.

   "Take it easy with the canoe Eric.  We have to use it the whole trip." I
called back.

   "OK Kyle" Eric answered.

   I cruised up the hill with my burden.  This felt much easier than two
years ago.  Portages were going to be easy with all the training I did.  I
passed Mark and Andy pretty quickly.  I caught up to Hal and Brandon when
they stopped at the small lake at the top of the hill.  I felt good so I
kept going.  The girls passed me going back to Opeongo Lake for their
second packs.  A couple minutes later I passed the pile of packs the girls
had left for us guys to take to the end of the portage.  I felt good so I
continued walking.  I caught up to Will, Joe, Justin, Ed, Jeremy and Jake a
couple minutes later.  I walked at the back of the group until we got to
Proulx Lake.  The seven of us deposited our canoes in the lake and rested
for a couple minutes.

   We walked a couple minutes back the trail when we passed Hal and Brandon
carrying their canoes to the lake.  Mark and Andy passed us with their
canoes about five minutes into the walk.  It took us ten minutes to reach
the pile of Duluth packs the girls left for us.  We found our packs,
hoisted them to our shoulders and started walking back to Proulx Lake.  The
remaining guys in our group passed us as we walked to Proulx Lake, except
Eric.  No one had seen Eric since we left Opeongo.

   Eric is fourteen, extremely smart, but not a physical guy.  He is a
little small for his age and didn't do sports or other physical activities.
I was worried about him.  I decided the best thing I could do was get my
pack to Proulx Lake and go back to help him as fast as possible.  It took
me twelve minutes to reach the end of the portage.  I dropped my pack in my
canoe.

   I grabbed Ed, Jeremy and Will to come back with me to help Eric and
anyone else who had difficulties on the trail.  We passed Hal and Brandon a
minute after we started back.  A few minutes later Andy and Mark passed us.
They were doing OK.  Barb, Sherry, Abby, Paul, Julie and Lindsey passed us.
They said they were fine.  A couple minutes later Penny, Kathy, Tammy,
Morgan, Heather and Samantha went by.  They looked tired, but Penny sad
they were doing OK.

   We finally found Eric on the trail, just passing the last pack at the
middle of the portage.  He was walking slowly.  Every couple of steps his
canoe would bang the ground or glance off a tree on the trail.  I felt bad
for him.

   "Hey Eric.  Help's here." I said as cheerily as I could.  Will and
Jeremy walked by us to get the last pack.  Ed and I walked over to Eric. 
Ed steadied the front end of the canoe while I took Eric's place at the
yoke.  Eric ducked out from under the canoe.

   "I... I shouldn't have come." Eric gasped, nearly in tears.

   "Nonsense.  Everyone looks after each other on these trips." I
responded.

   Eric sniffled.  "Maybe you should take me back.  I shouldn't have come."

   Will put his arm around Eric's shoulder.  "You want to spend a week and
a half sitting on the dock while the rest of us have fun?  It isn't going
to happen."

   Ed added, "We'll take care of you Eric.  We will help you get through
the trip."

   "This is the only portage we have for the next two days.  By the time we
get to the next one, we will have eaten a quarter of the food.  The loads
will be lighter.  We will find someone to carry your canoe and get you a
load you can handle.  Everyone will help you Eric.  I know how it is.  I
was fourteen last trip.  Actually I was even younger than you back then. 
My birthday is in July not April."

   "Did... did you have this much trouble Kyle?" Eric asked.

   "It was hard for me too.  I didn't have quite as much trouble with the
canoe.  I was taller then than you.  Why don't you try the pack?  See if
you can handle it." I suggested.

   "OK" Eric answered uncertainly.  Ed helped him strap it on.  Ed cinched
up the hip belt so the weight rode better on his back.

   "How does that feel Eric?" Ed asked.

   "OK.  I think I can do this." Eric responded.  The five of us walked
slowly down the hill towards Proulx Lake.

   I helped Eric stow his pack in his canoe when we arrived at the lake. 
Penny gave Eric a few minutes to rest before we started across the lake.

   Proulx Lake is shaped like an upside down T.  We paddled across the
bottom of the T to a peninsula where the base of the T headed north towards
the Crow River.  We found the two campsites on the end of the peninsula
were empty.  My crew and Penny's crew took them.  Hal's crew paddled across
the base of the T and took a campsite across the lake from us.

   I had my crew get the dining fly and tents up quickly.  Ed and Lindsey
got our lunch out while I showed Jake and Morgan how to put up bear bag
ropes.  Julie collected a supply of fire wood for our dinner fire.

   Ed had everything out by the time we returned to camp.  We had an early
lunch because the storm was blowing in from the west.  It looked like we
had at most a half hour before it hit us.  We carved slices off the big
hunk of salami we got from the outfitter and ate it with pita bread.  The
eight of us ran around and put everything under cover when we finished
eating.  The first fat drops of rain came down just as we finished. 
Everyone made a mad dash for their tents to keep dry while the storm blew
through.

   Julie and I set up our Therm-o-rest mats and spread our sleeping bags
out so we could be comfortable.  Both of us brought along books to read
while the storm passed.  The storm took nearly two hours to pass us.  The
wind howled in the trees and the rain poured down.  We had chosen well when
we set up camp.  The inside of our tent stayed dry in spite of the storm.

   I peeked out once in a while to make sure everything was OK in our
campsite.  The wind was blowing the rain at a forty-five degree angle.  It
had whipped good sized waves on the lake.  We were fortunate to have been
in camp when this storm hit.  It would have been nasty if we were out on
the lake in it.  Eventually I got tired of reading and took a nap.  Same
with Julie.

   I woke up an hour later to the sound of a girl squealing.  I realized it
was Abby's voice.  I guess Will and Abby decided to take advantage of the
enforced privacy to have a little afternoon fun.  I glanced at my watch. 
It was close to three o'clock.  We had plenty of time until supper.  The
rain was down to a drizzle, perhaps.  Or was it just rain dripping off the
trees?

   I cuddled up to Julie while she slept and wrapped my arms around her.  I
nuzzled her neck.  Julie sighed and whispered, "Don't stop now Kyle.  Keep
doing that."

   I kissed and licked the back of Julie's neck, nibbled on her ear lobe
and kissed her cheek.  I felt Julie's left tit with my hand, stroking the
nipple with my finger.  I started to say, "Do you want..." but Julie turned
around and locked her lips on mine before I could finish my sentence.  Our
tongues met and danced together between our mouths.

   Things escalated quickly.  Julie and I stripped out of our clothes. 
Julie slipped between my legs and started to suck my cock.  She licked
around the head, down the shaft and finally all over my balls.  She sucked
one ball into her mouth, swirled it around and then switched to the other
ball.  Julie licked down below my balls across my perineum.  This was quite
new for me, well, actually quite new for Julie to do to me.  It was
wonderful.  How far was she going to go?

   I found out when she flicked her tongue between my cheeks and hit my
asshole.  "Ahhhh.....  Jeee... sus!" I moaned.  Julie pried my cheeks apart
and swirled her tongue around my hole.  I squirmed as Julie licked and
swirled her tongue around my back opening.  Julie licked back up to my
balls.  I felt her place a finger against my hole, an unlubed finger. 
"Whoa!  Whoa.  You need lube honey.  Stop."

   "Sorry Kyle." Julie said.  She stopped licking my balls and pulled her
finger away from my butt.

   I reached over my head and grabbed my knapsack.  I fished out a small
bottle of KY Jelly I brought along.  It never hurts to be prepared.  I
passed the bottle to Julie.  A few seconds later I felt a finger press
against my hole again, a finger covered with cool lube.  I tried to relax
as Julie pressed her finger against my opening.

   A few seconds later her finger popped inside me.  She pushed her finger
in and started to feel around.  I asked, "Do you know what you're looking
for?"

   "Your prostate." Julie answered.  "I'm not sure exactly where it is."

   "It's on the front side of my..." I explained.  Julie felt around. 
"AAaaeeeiiii...."I yelled when she found the spot.

   "It's the bump isn't it?" Julie asked as she rubbed it again.  I groaned
in response as she continued rubbing it.  Julie sucked the head of my cock
into her mouth as she sent electric jolts through me by playing with my
prostate.  I doubt I lasted more than thirty seconds before I blasted a
huge load of cum down Julie's throat.  I saw stars when I came and nearly
fainted from the intensity of my orgasm.  I collapsed, completely spent,
groaning and panting while I tried to recover.

   I felt Julie lay down beside me and wrap her arms around me.  "I guess I
followed the directions I found on the net correctly?"

   "Uhhh....  Unh... unh-huh." I moaned.  I tried to get my eyes to focus
on my lover.  Julie leaned down and kissed me.  Our mouths joined together
and we kissed.  Our passion rose as our tongues probed and felt each other.
Julie rubbed her naked body against mine.  Even though I had just
experienced a massive orgasm, my cock swelled back to its full seven
inches.

   As soon as Julie felt it get hard between our bodies, she reached
between us and positioned it at her hole.  She pushed back, engulfing it
with her pussy.  Julie rode me for probably ten or fifteen minutes.  When I
recovered from my previous climax, I thrust up as Julie impaled herself on
my erection.  I played with her breasts that were nearly hanging in my
face. I switched to her clitoris when she approached her own orgasm.

   Julie squealed when the rubbing became too much to bear.  Julie's juices
poured out while her pussy clenched and squeezed my cock.  It was too much
for me too.  I spurted squirt after squirt of my semen into Julie until it
too dribbled out and formed a puddle on my groin.  Julie collapsed on my
chest, complete spent.  I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her while
we regained our strength and coherence.

   We lay together that way for five minutes.  Finally the two of us pulled
apart.  We were quite a sight.  We were drenched in sweat.  Julie had cum
and pussy juice dribbling down her leg.  I had a big puddle of it matting
down my pubic hair.  We used AP paper (all purpose paper, know in civilized
circles as toilet paper) to clean the worst of the mess up.

   I suggested we go for a swim.  Julie wanted to skinny dip, but I
reminded her of how many people were staying on this lake.  We put our swim
suits on and swam in the lake to clean ourselves.

   The storm had passed and the sun was out.  The sky was a beautiful shade
of blue.  We were going to have a great ending to the day.  We found seats
on a log and let the warmth of the sun dry us.

   When I was mostly dry I said, "I've got to go over and talk to Penny for
a couple minutes."

   "Penny?  Why?" Julie asked, tensing.

   "I want her to know how much trouble Eric had on the portage this
morning.  She needs to arrange things differently if Eric is going to make
it on the trip.  He was talking about wanting to go home this morning."

   "Oh, Ok." Julie answered.  She relaxed.

   I glanced at my watch.  It was after 4 pm.  "Tell Ed and Lindsey it is
time to get supper started.  I'll be back in fifteen or twenty minutes."

   I walked through the woods to Penny's campsite.  She was out tightening
the dining fly that had sagged during the rainstorm.  I called, "Hi Penny.
Got a few minutes to talk?"

   "Yeah.  Give me a second Kyle.  I want to get dinner started." Penny
walked over to one of the tents.  "Andy.  Heather.  It's time to start
dinner."

   "OK" "Yeah Penny.  We'll be right out." Andy and Heather answered.

   Penny and I hung out until Andy and Heather came out of the tent.  Andy
came first.  He was wearing a pair of shorts and sneakers.  His hair was
sticking out every direction.  He had a big wet spot in the front of his
shorts.  He looked at me and grinned sheepishly.

   Andy held is hand in the door of the tent for Heather.  Andy helped
Heather out of the tent.  Heather blushed as soon as she saw me.  She tried
to straighten her hair and smooth out her T-shirt.  Unsuccessfully.

   Andy asked, "What's up boss?"

   Penny directed, "Andy, get the fire started.  Heather, see Brandon for
the food.  Pick whichever supper you want.  It doesn't matter.  We'll get
all of them before the trip is over."

   Penny and I walked down to the lake to get a little privacy.  Penny
asked, "What's up Kyle?"

   "I wanted to talk to you about Eric.  I don't know if you knew how much
of a problem he had on the portage this morning." I explained.

   "I know he took a long time to finish."

   "When we found him this morning, he wanted to go home.  Eric isn't
strong enough to handle a canoe.  He can't keep it balanced.  We are going
to have to change something or Eric is going to hold us back the whole
trip. We spent two hours on the portage today.  If that happens the day
after tomorrow when we go to Lake Lavielle, we're in big trouble.  We have
seven portages that day."

   "You're right Kyle.  Do you have any ideas?" Penny asked.

   "I thought we could talk to Barb, Sherry or Abby.  I bet one of them
could handle carrying the canoe."

   "You know, I could probably do it.  I'm as tall as any of them.  Let's
try it." Penny and I walked over to one of their canoes.  Penny asked, "How
do you pick this thing up?"

   I demonstrated the procedure.  Penny tried it, but had some trouble
lifting the canoe over her head and flipping it over.  Penny walked about
ten feet when she had it on her shoulders.  She said, "This isn't bad.  I
can do this, if someone can help me get it up."

   "That's no problem.  I'll help you." I answered.

   "Will this be enough for Eric?  Can he carry a pack instead?"

   "I think so.  He seemed to do OK with the pack this morning."

   "I guess we'll try it and see if it works when we leave Big Crow Lake."

   I asked, "How is Eric doing now?"

   Penny grinned.  "Eric's doing fine now.  Eric, Sammy, Andy and Heather
played cards for awhile during the storm.  During a pause in the rain, Andy
and Heather switched to her tent.  You know how your brother can get.  They
got pretty hot and heavy when they had privacy.  The surprise was Eric and
Sammy.  Brandon and I could hear Andy and Heather on one side of us.  After
awhile we heard the sounds of kids making out on the other side of our
tent. Eric and Sammy have been at it for over an hour."

   "Eric?  Eric Connell?  Eric is making out with a real girl?" I asked
incredulously.

   "Yep.  I think Eric's mood has improved a lot today.  I doubt he wants
to go home anymore."

   "Wonders never cease.  I'm glad he's doing better.  How has your summer
been?  We haven't had a chance to talk since school let out." I asked.

   "It's been great.  You remember I was going to work at Paradise
Veterinary Clinic?"

   "I remember you telling me that."

   "I love working there.  I started help helping at the front desk,
answering phones and filing paperwork.  I've cleaned up, taken care of the
animals, just about anything that Doctor Chu needs."

   "That's cool." I said.

   "Last week I got to assist Doctor Chu when she did surgery.  It was way
cool.  I've decided I'm going to be a veterinarian when I grow up." Penny
said.

   "Wow.  Are you sure?"

   "I'm positive.  It's the perfect job for me.  Have you thought more
about what you're going to do when you grow up?"

   "I've narrowed it down to coaching football and teaching.  Or maybe I'll
be an architect.  One of those two."

   "Those are good choices." Penny replied.

   I said, "I had a blast working at scout camp this summer.  My experience
there is part of the reason I am thinking about becoming a teacher.  I
found out I'm good at teaching."

   "It's good work Kyle.  I bet you would make an excellent teacher."

   "Thanks Penny.  I'll see you later.  I have to get back to my crew and
see how dinner is doing." I walked back to my campsite.  Ed was standing by
the big pot on the fire.  He and Lindsey were ready to dump tonight's
dinner in the pot of water as soon as it boiled.

   Twenty minutes later Ed and Lindsey were ready to serve dinner to the
crew.  We had beef stew for dinner.  We chowed down on the stew.  Jake was
scrapping the last bits of stew out of the pot when Morgan shyly asked,
"This is kind of embarrassing, but can I ask the rest of you a question?"

   Our group agreed to listen to Morgan's embarrassing question.  Jake
looked nervously at Morgan.  She motioned for him to sit beside her.  She
put her arm around Jake.  "I love this guy.  Please don't be mad at me
Jake. I have to ask the rest of you.  Are the two of us missing something?
What in God's name were you doing in your tents this afternoon?  I like
when Jake and I have sex, but I've never made noises like you Abby, or you
Julie, or you Lindsey.  What are we missing?"

   Will answered before I could.  "How much experience do the two of you
have?"

   Morgan turned bright red.  Jake blushed a little too.  Jake said, "It's
OK Morg.  We're all friends." Jake looked Will in the eye.  "We have done
it three times before the trip.  Our first time was right before school
left out.  We have made love as many times in the past two days as we have
in the previous three months."

   Will asked, "Have you been with other people?" Both Morgan and Jake said
no.  Will asked, "Have you tried fellatio, cunnilingus or anilingus?"

   "Um... I've heard some of those terms, but I'm not sure what they are."
Jake answered.

   Ed jumped in.  "You guys know what fellatio is.  It's a blow job.  Have
you tried that?"

   Morgan answered, "Umm....  I'm not sure if I want to do that."

   Julie said, "Kyle loves it.  I enjoy making Kyle feel good that way."

   Lindsey added, "Julie's right.  Eddie taught me how to give them.  He
really likes it.  The one I like better is cunnilingus.  I love it when
Eddie eats my pussy."

   Julie continued, "I love when Kyle does that.  If I got too loud this
afternoon, that is probably what Kyle was doing.  I just can't help
myself."

   Jake asked, "I've heard you guys talk about.  You really do that for
your girlfriends?"

   I replied, "You bet." Ed added, "Of course."

   Morgan asked, "What is anal lingius?"

   Will said, "It's called anilingus.  It is when you lick around your
lover's asshole.  It feels really good."

   Morgan looked shocked.  "You've got to be kidding.  That's gross!"

   Abby countered, "You would think so until you try it.  Will loves it
when I do that to him."

   Julie said, "I tried it on Kyle for the first time this afternoon.  It
wasn't nasty.  I'm glad I tried it."

   Will said, "We can talk all night about different techniques for making
love.  The most important thing is to learn to share with your partner. 
Experiment together.  Tell each other what you like.  That's how the rest
of us learned to make our partner happy.  That is what this is all about,
sharing yourself with your partner."

   I said, "Don't expect to be able to keep up with the rest of us sexually
yet.  It takes practice.  My first time was a disaster.  I was drunk.  I
passed out in the middle of it."

   Ed added, "I think most of you know about my first time.  I came too
quick.  I also got my girlfriend pregnant.  I can't imagine anyone having a
worse first time than mine."

   Will added, "I wasn't any different.  I came so quick I couldn't even
get my cock in my girlfriend before I shot off.  Thank God she was
forgiving.  The second time that night was much better."

   Julie said, "I was lucky.  Kyle was experienced when we did it the first
time.  I don't think anyone could have had a better first time than me."

   Abby grinned, "It's not possible.  My fiancé here made my first time
unbelievable."

   "I will never forget Eddie's New Year's Eve party.  Eddie took my cherry
that night.  I'm going to remember that night for the rest of my life."
Lindsey said.

   Will said, "We can spend all night talking about techniques.  What makes
my relationship with Abby work is our feelings.  We talk when we make love.
Tell Morgan what you like Jake.  Morgan you do the same.  Making love is
all about showing you lover how you feel.  If you do that, you two will
learn what making love is really about."

   Jake said, "Thanks everyone.  You've given us a lot to think about."

   Morgan added, "Thanks for being so open with us."

   Ed and Lindsey cleaned up the dinner dishes while the rest of the crew
packed our bear bags.  When we were done with the crew business, Ed,
Lindsey, Will and Abby went out fishing in the evening.  The rest of us
hung out around our campfire and talked.  It was a nice evening.

   Julie and I made love that evening when we went to our tent.  Julie
wanted me to take her deep.  I tried my best to bring her off as we made
love.  Julie climaxed while I pumped my erection in and out of her pussy. I
held off my climax for a couple more minutes before I squirted my semen
into my lover.  We cleaned ourselves and cuddled together to sleep.  We
fell asleep to the sound of the rest of our crew making love to each other.
We heard Jake and Morgan talk and experiment as they learned how to bring
each other pleasure.  We overheard Jake giving Morgan an orgasm when he
licked her pussy.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   The sun lit the top of my tent when I woke up.  I heard someone moving
outside.  I pulled Julie a little tighter to my body and enjoyed the
feeling of warmth and comfort as we cuddled.  I enjoyed this feeling for a
couple minutes.  The sounds outside approached my tent.  I asked, "What's
up?"

   "Kyle, it's Will.  Time to get up." Will said.

   "I figured that.  Are you getting everyone up?"

   "You got it bro." Will replied.

   I shook Julie to wake her.  "Julie... Julie, time to get up."

   "Naaa... not yet." Julie groaned.  I gave her a kiss on the cheek.

   "We have to cook today.  You got to get up honey." I pulled back the
sleeping bag covering my lover.  Julie sat up and returned my kiss.  We got
dressed.

   Ed was out of his tent when Julie and I got out.  Jake and Morgan
appeared soon after us.  I sent Ed and Jake for the bear bags.  Morgan
helped Julie and I get our cooking fire started.  Julie and I prepared a
breakfast of pancakes for our crew.  We had the dishes cleaned and
everything packed by quarter of nine.  We loaded our canoes and prepared
for the days trip.

   I looked east along the edge of the lake towards Penny's campsite.  They
were pushing out into the lake.  We launched our canoes and paddled over to
join Penny's crew.  Our two crews joined Hal's crew on the opposite shore.
Penny had Andy and Heather led our group north up the lake toward the Crow
River.

   In twenty minutes we were threading our way through the narrow channel
of the river through the swamps.  The channel of the river was about
fifteen to twenty feet wide.  We spent over an hour following the twists
and turns before we reached Little Crow Lake.  We paddled across the lake
to the wide channel that led to Big Crow Lake.  When we made the last turn
in the wide channel and the vista of Big Crow Lake opened in front of us.

   We entered a small bay that widened into the two mile long, 1 mile wide
lake.  I could just barely see the small orange sign marking the campsite
where my crew stayed two years ago on my left.  Today we planned to cross
the lake and stay at a group of campsites near the spot where the Crow
River flowed on to Lake Lavielle.

   Andy passed the point at the end of the channel to enter into the bay.
As soon as he passed the point he stopped, motioned for us to be silent and
to paddle over to him.  He passed word back through our group of canoes
that a moose was a couple hundred yards ahead of us along the edge of the
lake.

   We paddled quietly around the point and drifted closer to the moose.  He
was a massive bull with a rack that had to be at least six feet across.  He
was bigger than any moose we had seen two years ago.  He was calmly
stripping leaves off the lower branches of the trees long the edge of the
lake.  We floated closer until we were about a hundred feet away.  Everyone
had their cameras out and took a zillion pictures of him.  Finally the wind
blew us too close for the moose's comfort.  The moose calmly walked into
the trees and disappeared.

   We excitedly shared our observations for a few minutes and then paddled
on.  We crossed the short side of the lake.  We took three campsites near
the spot where the Crow River flowed east.  That was the route we would
take in the morning.  Each crew set up camp and had lunch.  Penny, Hal and
I had agreed we would have swimming and canoeing competitions between the
three crews this afternoon.  The losing crews were buy ice cream for the
winning crew on the trip home.

   We did a swimming sprint race, a long distance swim race, one person
canoe race, two person canoe race and a tug of war.  My crew cleaned up in
the contests.  We won four of the five contests.  That ice cream was going
to taste sweet when we got it.  The games were finished by 2 pm.

   I convinced my crew to paddle over to the opposite side of the lake and
climb the fire tower.  We had a magnificent view of this part of Algonquin.
Trees and lakes went on for miles.  My crew paddled back to camp around
supper time.  Julie and I prepared supper for our crew.

   Penny came by while we were working.  She suggested that we get all
three crews together tonight for a campfire.  I thought it sounded like a
cool idea.  We agreed to meet in her campsite at 8 o'clock.

   Each crew did a skit at the campfire.  We sang a few songs.  Justin told
the story of the headless Indian.  Justin is an excellent storyteller. 
Everyone had a good time.  I hung out a few minutes at Penny's campsite.  I
was there long enough to find out about the night's happenings.

   Andy and Heather wanted to share a tent.  They were making Eric move to
Samantha's tent.  I couldn't believe it.  I stayed in the background and
let Joe handle things.  He quizzed Andy and Eric both.  Andy proudly
displayed his bag of condoms to prove that he would be careful if he and
Heather had sex.  Eric didn't have any, so Joe gave him his extra bag of
condoms.  Since the trip six years ago Joe always came prepared for
surprises like this.  Heather's older brother Jon had gotten his girlfriend
pregnant on that trip.

   Eric accepted the Ziploc full of condoms like he had just received an
inch thick stack pile of one hundred dollar bills.  He was shocked and more
than a little awed at what he held.  He stumbled off to his tent and Sammy.

   I pulled Andy aside before he went to bed.  I asked, "I thought you were
going to take things slow with Heather?"

   "I thought I was going to do that too.  Heather had other ideas.  She
has been initiating things with me the whole trip.  She and I just fit
together perfectly.  I told her I love her last night."

   "You aren't using that as a line to get in her pants, are you?"

   "NO!  I've slept with a lot of girls since last fall, but I never said
that to any of them.  When I told Heather I loved her, I meant it.  I've
never felt this way before.  Heather is all I have thought about since the
trip started."

   "You really think you are in love?"

   Andy declared, "I know I am.  I never felt this way with any of my other
girlfriends.  I have to be with her, I just have to.  With the other girls,
all I wanted was to have some fun with them.  It's like with Terry.  It
didn't bother me that much when she dumped me.  I figured I wouldn't have
any problem finding another girl to date and have fun with.  I don't want
that to happen with Heather.  It's different with her."

   "So your first idea is to jump in bed with her?" I asked.

   "No.  I decided to slow things down yesterday between Heather and me.  I
don't want to screw things up between us the way I did last year.  It
hasn't worked out that way.  Heather is the one asked to play with my dick
yesterday afternoon.  She asked me to finger her pussy too.  All of that
was her idea, not mine."

   "Is moving into her tent part of your go-slow plan?"

   "Heather isn't the same girl as last summer.  She said she has had
sexual experiences with some of the other guys she dated since we broke up.
She's jacked off a couple guys.  She let one finger her pussy.  She even
dry humped her last boyfriend.  I was shocked this afternoon when we were
getting ready to take a `walk' in the woods to get some privacy.  She told
me to make sure I brought my condoms along.  Heather wanted me to pop her
cherry today."

   I asked, "You were only too happy to oblige her."

   "I won't say I didn't want to do it.  Heather let me eat her pussy this
afternoon then we made love.  I finally understand what you and Will were
telling me earlier this summer.  Making love with Heather was much better
than my times fucking any of my previous girlfriends.  How do I keep her
happy?  I want this relationship with Heather to last."

   I asked, "Did you make sure she enjoyed herself this afternoon?"

   "Absolutely.  I have had some practice at popping girls' cherries.  I
was very gentle.  I made sure she climaxed before we were done.  Heather
wants to do it again as soon as I get to our tent.  She has been whispering
that in my ear since the campfire started.  Wish me luck bro, my lover is
waiting for me."

   I shook my head.  "Good luck Andy." He climbed in his tent.  I hoped my
brother was serious about working on building a long lasting relationship
with Heather.  I walked back to my campsite.  I did a quick check to make
sure everything was put away and then went to my tent.

   I filled Julie in on all the action in Penny's crew today.  We took our
time making love that evening.  We brought each other to mutual orgasm
69ing.  We joined together lying on our sides, just the way I like it, nice
and slow.  We fell asleep cuddled together and connected.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   Will got all of us up at six am.  We had a cold breakfast and packed
camp up as fast as possible.  We had seven portages and almost ten miles of
canoeing ahead of us for the day.  The sun was still behind the tops of the
trees when our three crews shoved off and headed downstream on the Crow
River for Lake Lavielle.  The sky was a beautiful blue with only a trace of
clouds.

   The first portage was about a mile into the journey.  I helped Penny
lift Eric's canoe onto her shoulders.  Eric took one of the Duluth packs.
He did fine with a pack.  Penny managed to carry the canoe successfully.

   It took us six hours to navigate our way down the river.  I was happy to
see the hills on each side of us separate just before we paddled out of the
swamp into Crow Bay, the beginning of Lake Lavielle.  Joe, Justin and Will
all said we should keep going as we passed the first campsite.  They said
they knew of some great campsites at the end of the bay fronting on the
lake proper.  Forty-five minutes later we spotted the orange sign marking
the first of the sites.  Penny, Hal and I conferred.  Penny took the
campsite right in front of us.  Hal took the one on the peninsula across
from Penny's campsite.  My crew paddled past Penny's site and took the
campsite on the other side of the peninsula with a great view of the lake.

   We had a fantastic view of the Lavielle.  The map showed the lake was
two miles across and almost six mile long.  It was as deserted as Will, Joe
and Justin had promised.  We hadn't seen anyone since we left Big Crow Lake
in the morning.  Lake Lavielle was going to be a great place to have a
lay-over.

   Jake and Morgan started supper as soon as we could get the food out of
the packs.  The rest of us set up camp.  Dinner was ready later than usual,
but it was tasty.  We cleaned up, hung our bear bags and settled in around
the campfire for the evening.  We broke out the cards to pass the time.

   Will talked to our group about the plans for tomorrow.  Will and Abby
were going to prepare breakfast for us and let us sleep in.  We were free
for the day.  My crew discussed it and decided to explore the southern end
of the lake and try our luck at fishing.

   Julie and I stripped down and made out.  Julie gave me another one of
her deep throat special blow jobs.  I ate her out and used my fingers on
her G-spot until I made her squeal with ecstasy.  We finished the evening
with Julie riding my hard erection until we both came.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   I woke up to the sound of someone rattling the side of my tent.  "Julie.
Kyle.  Wake up.  Breakfast is almost ready." Abby said.

   "Ummm... OK.  We're getting up." I mumbled.  Abby went on to the tent
beside us to wake up Jake and Morgan.  I opened my eyes.  Sunlight was
streaming in the open door of the tent.  I glanced at my watch.  It was
9:15 in the morning.  Lay over days are great!

   I sat up and looked over the still form of my lover.  I was the luckiest
guy in the world.  I gave Julie a kiss on the forehead and said, "Good
morning sweetie"

   Julie opened her eyes and looked up at me.  "Good morning Kyle." Julie
sat up and gave me hug.  We got dressed and joined our friends outside for
breakfast.

   Will and Abby had made pancakes, bacon, stewed apples and biscuits for
breakfast.  Breakfast disappeared quickly.  The whole crew helped Will and
Abby clean up even though Will said we didn't need to.  We were ready to
depart for our day of fishing and exploring by ten o'clock.

   Hal's crew had the same plan for the day as us.  Joe and Barb Baer
decided to go fishing with Hal's crew since Justin and Sherry had other
plans and Penny's crew planned to spend the whole day hanging out around
camp.  We paddled together for an hour before we split up.  Hal's crew
headed back this big bay half way down the lake.  My crew continued south
towards the southern end of the lake.

   We spent the remainder of the morning and half the afternoon fishing.  I
caught two, Ed caught one, Jake caught three fish.  Will surprised me.  He
doesn't fish much back home, but he sure knew how to fish here.  He caught
ten fish.  He kept the biggest four and released the rest.

   Abby explained Will's fishing prowess.  It came from necessity four
years ago.  I vaguely remember Will talking about how a bear got into their
food on that trip.  Will's crew went five days on minimum rations,
supplementing the trail food with fresh fish.  I guess hunger helps
concentrate your mind.  When you have to do something, I guess you learn
quickly.

   We paddled back north to our campsite mid-afternoon.  The weather had
been perfect again today.  We had a bright blue sky with a scattering of
small clouds.  The temperature was probably in the low eighties.  No
humidity at all.  All of us dreamed of fresh fish for dinner tonight.

   Ed, Jake and I built a good cooking fire while Will cleaned our catch. A
small island about three hundred yard in front of our campsite provided an
ideal place to clean the fish without making our campsite smell from the
fish guts and scraps.  Will and Abby breaded the fish with the fish mix
that the outfitter gave us.  Abby broke out her spice kit to add some herbs
and seasoning to our dinner.  We fried up the fillets from all ten fish. 
We made up the macaroni and cheese that we were scheduled to have too.

   Nothing in the world beats the taste of fresh fish for dinner.  We ate
sitting on the rock at the front of our campsite looking out on Lake
Lavielle.  The fish scraps we left on the nearby island provided a show to
go with dinner.  The loons were picking at the remains of our fish.  Then
we watched a mother otter and her five pups swim for the island.  The loons
took off as soon the otters approached.  Suddenly mother otter and the pups
did a perfect 180 degree turn in formation and swam away from the island. A
few seconds later we found out why.  Two eagles swooped in and settled down
to a meal of our fish scraps.  No other animals challenged the eagles'
supremacy.

   We cleaned up when dinner was done and then hung our bear bags.  Our
three crews were meeting at Penny's campsite in the evening for a campfire.
We brought marshmallows along that we had saved since the trip started.  We
spent half the evening roasting marshmallows, talking with our friends, and
swapping stories.  When it got dark Hal's crew canoed back across the
channel to his campsite.  My crew walked back to our campsite.

   Julie and I choose to make love doggie style that evening.  Sharing our
bodies with each other felt perfect.  We cuddled together and fell asleep
after we shared mutual climaxes.  It was the end of a nearly perfect day.
Perfect weather, good friends, and great food in the most beautiful setting
in the world.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   I woke up before sun up.  I really needed to piss.  I carefully
disentangled myself with Julie, making sure not to wake her up.  I pulled a
pair of boxers on and slipped out of the tent.  The first glimpse of pink
was visible on the horizon across the lake from our campsite.  I looked at
it and then at the millions of stars visible in this perfect wilderness.

   I made my way into the woods and found a rock that needed to be watered.
I headed back to my tent, stripped and lay on my back beside Julie.  Julie
sighed and rolled over ending up half on top of me.  She put her arm across
my chest.  "Mmmm... good morning Kyle.  What time is it?" Julie asked.

   "It's a quarter after five.  You should see the stars outside.  It's
beautiful."

   "Let's go see them Kyle." Julie said.  I agreed.  I put my boxers back
on while Julie put on panties and a T-shirt.  We went out and sat on the
rock by the lake in the front of our campsite.  "You were right Kyle.  This
is beautiful." Julie cooed.  She gave me a kiss.  We sat together, arms
around each other's waists.  The early morning air was cold so Julie
scooted over and sat on my lap.  I pressed against Julie's body and wrapped
my arms around her to warm the two of us.

   My lover sitting on my lap was all I needed to get excited.  My arousal
announced itself to Julie.  She squirmed on it and then turned to kiss me.
I nuzzled her neck and slipped my hands under her T-shirt.  I played with
Julie's tits while she rubbed her bottom on my diamond hard cock.  Julie
cooed, "I know we shouldn't, but let's do it out here under the stars. 
Everyone is asleep."

   "I can't think of anyplace better than this to make love to you.  Let's
do it." Julie hopped off my lap and pulled off her panties.  Julie leaned
against the rock, presenting her backside to me.  She lifted one leg up on
the side of the rock to give me better access to her pussy.  I dropped my
boxers on the ground and lined up to take my lover.

   I rubbed my cock up and down a couple time along Julie's slot to get
slick with her juices.  I pushed the head into Julie's silky passage and
slid in until my pubes were pressed against Julie's bottom.  I drilled in
and out of Julie.  I wrapped my arms around my lover so I could play with
her nipples as we joined together.  We tried to be quiet, but you know how
it is.  It felt too good not verbalize our feelings.  We probably screwed
for ten minutes for so.  Julie played with her clittie when she was close
to orgasm.  When Julie came, her pussy clenched and grasped at my cock.  I
penetrated Julie a few more times before I fired my load of sperm into
Julie's belly.

   We pulled ourselves apart and tried to clean up as best we could.  The
eastern sky was turning pink as we pulled our underwear back on and quietly
went back to our tent.  We lay down in our bedding again, cuddled together
to wait for our morning wake up call.  I might have dozed off before it
came, but I'm not sure.

   Will called Julie and me a little while after we went back to our tent.
I put my swim shorts and a T-shirt on and climbed out of the tent.  Will
motioned me to come with him.  We walked down to the edge of the lake. 
Will asked, "Did you realize that you weren't as quiet as you thought?"

   "Ummm... Sorry Will.  You know how it is.  We tried to be quiet, but it
felt too good.  Have you and Abby ever made love under the stars?  It's
awesome."

   "Yes, we did that two years ago when we camped at Hogan Lake.  I do
remember how special it was.  You are remembering that we only have two
more nights before we go back to the real world.  You're going to have to
act properly when we leave here."

   "I'm very aware of the fifty hours and forty-five minutes we have left
before the water taxi picks us up on Opeongo Lake.  I intended to enjoy
every one of those hours if I can."

   "All I want you to remember Kyle is to be discrete when we get to
Opeongo Lake.  We are going to meet other people again when we get there."

   "I can be discrete Will.  You know that." I said.

   "Like the time I haven't mentioned before at the boathouse?"

   "You knew?" I asked, shocked.

   "The shed reeked of pussy and sperm.  How could I miss it?" Will asked.

   "I'm sorry Will."

   "Don't apologize, just think with your big head not your little head
before you make love to your girl, OK?"

   "I promise Will."

   Will and I got the rest of the group up.  Will and I brought our bear
bags back to camp while Ed and Lindsey built a fire for breakfast.  We had
freeze dried mushroom omelets and hash browns that day.  After breakfast we
cleaned up, packed and prepared for the days canoeing.

   Penny's crew and Hal's crew met in front of my campsite around a quarter
to nine.  Mark and Paul took the lead today.  We paddled down the length of
Lake Lavielle until we reached the portage to Dickson Lake.  I use the term
portage loosely.  It was 90 meter long, hardly worth calling a portage
compared to the eight we had done already on the trip.  Julie and I hefted
the canoe with the gear in it and carried across the short trail to Dickson
Lake.  It took us twenty minutes to get all twelve canoes through the
portage.

   Paul and Mark led us south about two miles until we were close to the
portage trail that would take us to Opeongo Lake tomorrow.  Hal's crew took
the campsite on the island on the left.  Penny's crew took the first
campsite we came to on the right.  My crew took the campsite beside it.  We
were about a quarter of a mile from the portage trail.

   We set up camp and had lunch.  My crew talked about and decided to
explore the southern end of Dickson Lake and try our hand at catching more
fish for dinner.  A repeat of last night's meal would be welcome.  We
paddled over to Hal's island.  They decided to go along too.  I had told
Hal and Jeremy how good our fish dinner was last night.

   The two crews headed south past some small islands.  We were heading for
Cisco Bay.  Will thought it might be a good place to try our luck at
fishing.  We were rounding the point that would take us to Cisco Bay when
the wind picked up.  A storm had snuck up on us from our backs.

   I shouted, "Get to shore now!" I pointed toward a campsite about a
hundred yards to our left.  Will was shouting the same thing the back of
our group of eight canoes.  Everyone paddled furiously to get ashore before
the storm hit.  We got ashore just as the sky flashed and the rain poured
down.  We huddled under some pines and watched nature's awesome display of
power.  Lightening flashed across the sky as thunder boomed and echoed
across the lake.

   We waited for forty-five minutes for the storm to blow through. 
Everyone was drenched.  We dumped the rainwater out of our canoes and
headed back to camp to get dry and warm.  We kept a fast pace canoeing
back. We needed to expend some energy to raise our body temperatures.

   We pulled our canoes up on the sand in front of our campsite and ran to
our tents.  Julie and I shed our wet clothes and hopped in our tent naked.
We toweled off and cuddled together.  We wrapped up together in my sleeping
bag.  We slept for an hour or so.  Will woke Julie and me up when it was
time to start dinner.

   Ed and Lindsey cooked our dinner while Jake, Morgan, Julie and I helped
out.  When we were done with diner, we burned all the trash we could.  We
had to consolidate our packs so that we only had four of them.  Tomorrow's
portage was three and a half miles long.  We needed to make the whole trip
one time.  We couldn't double back to pick up a second pack like we had
done earlier in the trip.  We spent an hour burning trash and sorting
through the ashes of the fire to pick out any foil or metal.  We would take
that with us.

   Joe Baer called for a meeting in Penny's campsite for all three crews.
Joe reviewed everyone's assignments for the big portage.  Joe wanted each
crew to stay together as they did the portage.  We were to take a break
after forty-five minutes.  The only hard work we had for the day was the
first portage.  The next lake, Bonfield Lake was only a quarter mile
across. We had 260 meter portage than a 3/4 mile paddle on Wright Lake and
a 285 meter portage to the East Arm of Opeongo Lake.

   Joe also reminded everyone that we were returning to civilization soon.
We had to be careful about how we behaved tomorrow.  Nudity and open sexual
displays wouldn't be tolerated after tonight.  Joe also reminded everyone
that we couldn't talk about the sleeping arrangements or having sex openly
on our trip.  These details were to stay private among the twenty-four of
us.  Joe told us to get a good nights sleep to get ready for the long
portage.

   Some of the guys were hanging together talking when the crew meeting
broke up.  Justin called Jake and Andy to join us.  Justin asked, "You guys
realize football practice starts the day after tomorrow?"

   I hadn't noticed before, but the group Justin was addressing was all of
the football players on the trip except for Hal Long.  Hal plays soccer. 
Justin talked about what we would miss on the first three days of practice.
Justin wanted Jake, Ed, Andy and me to review plays on the trip home to
help us get prepared for Thursday when we started practicing with the team.
When Justin was done talking, Jake asked, "Do you know what we're going to
do since Allen Reeser moved?"

   I asked, "What?  Allen moved?" We were in deep trouble.  Allen was
supposed to be our kicker for the next three years.  He had been
outstanding in JV the last two years.  We were counting on him.

   Ed exclaimed, "Shit!  What are we going to do?  We can't go for two
points after touchdowns every time we score.  That won't work."

   "Guys, relax.  Coach Caffrey has things worked out.  He talked to the
soccer coach, we are going to `borrow' one of their players to do our
kicking.  Coach Caffrey says we'll be fine." Justin explained.

   I asked, "Do you know who it is?"

   Justin answered, "No.  I don't."

   Ed added, "Great.  A soccer weenie.  Just what our team needs."

   Hal said, "Hey!  I resent that."

   Ed said, "Sorry Hal.  Present company excepted."

   Justin said, "Dudes!  Relax.  You know Coach Caffrey has the problem
covered already."

   Jeremy added, "Yeah.  I know Coach Caffrey has a good kicker for us for
when the season starts."

   Our group broke up.  Ed, Jake and I helped Hal's crew launch their
canoes to return to their campsite on the island.  We headed to bed with
our girlfriends.

   Julie was waiting for me when I returned.  I stripped and joined her in
our bed.  Julie and I made love twice before we fell asleep.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   I got my crew up at 6:30.  We put a pot of water on the backpacking
stove so we could have hot oatmeal and hot chocolate for breakfast before
we did our portage.  Julie and I cleaned up our dishes while the rest of
the crew tore down and packed our campsite.  Penny's crew appeared in their
canoes in front of our campsite as we were finishing.  I looked across the
lake at Hal's island.  Hal's crew was paddling over to meet our crew.

   We loaded and launched our canoes just as Hal's crew joined our group.
Ed and Lindsey were the navigators today.  They led the way over to the
portage trail.  The guys helped the girls get their packs on their backs.
Will, Ed, Jake and I grabbed our canoes and followed the girls on the
portage trail as we made our way west towards Opeongo and home.

   We had no trouble with the long portage.  Morgan, Lindsey and Julie had
handled every physical challenge on the trip up to this, so it wasn't
surprising.  We finished the portage in an hour and forty-five minutes. 
Hal's crew got to Bonfield Lake a couple minutes after my crew.  We hung
out for about fifteen minutes.  It wasn't really surprising that Penny's
crew would be last.  My crew was all fifteen and sixteen year-olds.  It was
the same with Hal's crew.  Penny's crew had two sixteen year-olds and four
fourteen year-olds.

   Brandon arrived and dropped his canoe in the lake.  I asked, "Should we
go back and help?"

   Brandon grinned and answered, "Don't you dare.  Eric, Heather and Sammy
are doing fine.  They are about two minutes behind me.  They need to finish
this portage without help."

   Barb, Heather, Eric and Sammy appeared in less than the predicted two
minutes.  Andy, Penny and Joe were right behind them with the canoes.  They
dropped their canoes in the lake.  The packs went straight into the canoes.
We loaded everyone in their canoes and paddled across Bonfield Lake.

   Five minutes of canoeing took us to the next portage.  We blew through
this portage in twelve minutes to put us on the eastern end of Wright Lake.
The wind was blowing across this lake into our faces.  We loaded the canoes
and pushed off for our final paddle and portage.  It took us a half an hour
to beat our way into the wind to reach the portage to Opeongo Lake.

   I was happy to see that Eric had improved his canoeing skills to the
point where we didn't need to help him the way we did at the beginning of
the trip.  I could see that Eric acted more confident and grown-up than
before.  I was pleased at his transformation on this trip.

   Everyone picked up their loads when we reached the end of Wright Lake.
Ten minutes later we crested the hill and saw the East Arm of Opeongo Lake
in front of us.  The wind was blowing hard enough that we had to struggle
to keep our canoes from blowing over as we carried them down to the beach.
The waves were 2-3 feet high and crashed onto our beach.  It was fortunate
that we didn't need to canoe anymore today.  It wouldn't have been
possible.

   All three crews piled their packs and canoes together until we chose our
campsites.  We chose the three campsites south of the portage trail. 
Penny's crew took the first, Hal's crew took the second and my crew took
the campsite furthest south.

   We set up camp and ate lunch.  The entire group swam in the waves and
surf beside our campsites most of the afternoon.  It was a glorious way to
spend our last afternoon in the wilderness.

   Julie and I prepared dinner.  The entire Venturer Crew met in my
campsite after dinner to talk about the trip and make suggestions for the
next trip in two years.  I thought a little about where I would be in two
years.  Would I be able to go on this trip again?  I had no idea if I would
be able to get enough time off from football, assuming I got myself a
football scholarship for college.

   We threw a few more logs on our campfire.  Everyone hung out and
listened while Justin told another one of his ghost stories.  The
mosquitoes started to bother us when dusk came.  Everyone headed for their
tents.

   Julie and I went to our tent and stripped out of our cruddy clothes.  I
understand the need to minimize weight on a trip like this, but by the
fourth or fifth time you wore the same clothes, the simply stunk.  We set
our smelly clothes outside the tent for the night.  Julie and I started out
making out.  Things gradually escalated to a 69 session and then
lovemaking. Julie wanted me to take her deep the first time.  The second
time she was on top and rode me through two more orgasms.

   I was lying on my back when we finished.  Julie was lying on top of me.
I stared into her eyes and asked, "Did you enjoy the trip honey?"

   "I love this place.  I'm glad I came.  The lakes and woods are so
beautiful.  I enjoyed watching and listening to the wildlife.  I will
remember this trip for the rest of my life."

   "That's nice.  Is that all you enjoyed?" I asked, thrusting my hips up,
driving my semi-erect cock into her pussy a little further.

   "Oh, the company has been nice.  Abby is great.  I feel like she is my
big sister.  Lindsey and Morgan are cool too.  I liked hanging out with
them.  Your big brother is really cool Kyle.  Ed and Jake were fun too."
Julie answered, grinning.

   "That's all that was memorable?" I asked, fishing for a compliment.

   "Yeah.  That's about it." Julie answered.  She waited a few seconds. 
"Well, there was my boyfriend.  He wanted to jump my bones every time I
turned around.  It was a little tedious, but not too bad." She started to
laugh at me.

   "You're so bad.  You know that don't you?" I declared.  I laughed too.

   "The thing that I will remember most will be the times we spent like
this Kyle.  I want things to be like this forever." Julie said.

   "I want that too Julie.  We'll work at it.  We have two more nights
together when we get home, we'll have time together next summer and then we
get back together for college.  We can make our relationship work."

   "It sounds so good Kyle.  I hope it all works that way." Julie said.

   "It will lover.  We will make sure it does." I said.  I gave Julie a
good night kiss.  We fell asleep with our arms wrapped around each other.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Will woke us up around 7:30 am.  We made breakfast, cleaned up and
packed our gear.  Joe had scheduled the two water taxis to pick us up at 9
am.  Everyone gathered on the beach by the portage at 8:45 and waited for
our ride to civilization, showers and real food.

   We saw the boats coming when they were half way down the East Arm.  We
loaded six canoes on each taxi when they arrived, threw our packs in the
back and climbed aboard.  The water taxis delivered us back to Opeongo
Store twenty minutes later.  We spent half the morning showering, loading
our gear in the vans and gorging ourselves on junk food at the store.

   Football season started for Ed, Jake, Andy and me when we pulled out of
the parking lot.  Justin, er, Coach Baer now, had Will drive his van. 
Coach Baer brought four playbooks along on the trip.  The four of us spent
the next hour reviewing them while Will drove us back to the outfitters.

   Joe checked us in and got our cabin assignments.  We piled our gear in
our cabins and drove over to the restaurant for lunch.  I ordered a bacon
cheeseburger and a big salad for lunch.  I never tasted anything as good as
that cheeseburger.

   Our crew spent the afternoon cleaning and returning all of our gear.  We
had a little extra time to shop for souvenirs.  We went back to the same
restaurant for dinner.  I had a huge steak and more salad.  We had ice
cream at the take out stand at the restaurant before we went back to camp.
Some of the crew went swimming.  Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I played poker.  The
girls got together to talk.  I got a hug and a good night kiss at bedtime.

   Monday morning we hit the restaurant one more time before we went headed
for Pennsylvania.  I ate a massive thee egg omelet stuffed full of ham,
cheese, onions and peppers.  Justin handed Will the van keys after
breakfast so Will could drive.  Justin reminded us that football practice
was starting today and that he was Coach Baer for the next five months. 
Coach Baer had Ed, Jake, Andy and me sit near the front of the van where
the five of us could discuss the play book, sight adjustments to passing
routes keyed to the defense, and blocking assignments for the running
plays.

   Our group was returning home around the east end of Lake Ontario.  We
stayed at a state park just after we left Canada.  The next morning we hit
the road again.  We had breakfast and lunch at fast food places on the road
home.  Joe and Will drove our two vans south down Route 81 from the border
through New York state and into Pennsylvania.

   Coach Baer, Ed, Jake, Andy and I spent the drive studying our playbooks
again.  We finally got to take a break when we turned off of I-81 at
Harrisburg.  Twenty minutes later we were on I-283 heading southeast for
Lancaster.  I knew we were close to home when I spotted the first Turkey
Hill Minit Market.  Thirty minutes later we pulled into the church parking
lot.

   Most of the parents met us there.  Joe's and Justin's mom was there with
Justin's son Billy and Joe's daughter Betty and son Jeffrey.  The kids
squealed and ran to be with their parents when we got out of the van. 
Andy, Julie and I felt a little out of place.  All the kids had parents
meeting them except us.  Justin had agreed to drive us home since our
parents were at work.

   I went over to Jeremy and Hal to say good bye before they left.  I said,
"I'll see you at practice bright and early tomorrow Jeremy."

   "Yeah.  I'll see you Kyle." Jeremy answered.

   Hal added, "I may see you too."

   "Soccer weenie has practice too." Jeremy said with a silly grin.

   I shrugged it off.  "Later guys." I headed back to Justin's van.  Billy
joined us in Justin's van.  Justin drove us home.  Abby, Will, Andy, Julie
and I gathered our gear, thanked Justin and Sherry and carried our things
into the house.  It was good to be home.

   --------------------------------------------- Will took Abby home while
Julie, Andy and I moved our stuff inside.  Mom and Liz got home about
fifteen minutes after us.  Mom had us take our bags straight to the
basement and dump out the dirty clothes beside the washer so we didn't
smell up the rest of the house.  I hadn't realized how bad we smelled until
I was clean and my clothes from the trip weren't.  We must have reeked when
the water taxi brought us back to civilization.

   Andy, Julie and I hung out at the kitchen table and told all our stories
to Mom while she made dinner.  Liz hung on every word we said.  When supper
was ready Liz said, "I can't wait to get to Algonquin.  I'm glad I'm old
enough to go on the next trip."

   I know it shouldn't have surprised me, but it did.  My baby sister was
going to be a teenager in three weeks and would be old enough to join our
Venturer Crew next fall.  It just couldn't be possible!

   Mom went all out for our dinner.  She had a chicken roasting in the oven
half the afternoon.  We ate filling, mashed potatoes, corn and peach pie
for dessert.  Mom is the greatest.

   Julie and I spent the evening downloading and looking at our pictures
from the trip.  I burned a couple CDs with our pictures for Julie to take
home and share with her parents.  We watched TV for awhile.  At ten o'clock
I suggested that we go to bed.  I had to get up early tomorrow so I would
need some sleep tonight.  I planned to make love with Julie that evening.
It had been three days since our last time and I was getting used to
regular sex.

   I stripped naked and lay down on our bed while Julie used the bathroom
to get ready for bed.  She returned to my room.  She was wearing her robe.
She dropped it and revealed she was naked underneath it.  Julie crawled
into our bed and we started kissing.  When we paused to breathe, it noticed
Julie wasn't smiling like usual.

   I asked, "What's wrong honey?"

   "I don't know how to say this properly Kyle, so I'll just say it.  I
think we should date other people during the school year."

   I stared at the girl I loved in disbelief.

   Chapter 10

   =========

   I couldn't believe what my lover that just said.  "You... you want
to...." I stammered.  I couldn't get the words out.

   Julie said, "I think we should date other people while..."

   I grabbed my robe off the chair beside my bed and put it on.  "God damn
it Julie.  If you fucking want to break up with me just say so!" I hissed.
I grabbed my sleeping bag as I stalked out of my bedroom.

   I ignored her calls.  "Kyle....  Please listen Kyle....  Please?"

   I slammed the bedroom door behind me.  I went downstairs to the basement
and tried to go to sleep on the couch.  I laid on the couch trying to
understand what was happening to Julie and me.  About ten minutes later I
heard someone open the door at the top of the steps.

   Julie asked, "Kyle, I love you.  Please listen to me.  Can we talk?" At
first I didn't answer.  "Kyle, please talk with me."

   I snapped, "What is there to say?"

   "I didn't explain myself well.  Please listen to me for five minutes. 
Don't yell and don't walk off.  We need to talk about this.  Will you do
that?"

   "Talk." I replied curtly.

   Julie turned the light on and came downstairs.  I made room on the couch
for her.  She sat down beside me.  "God this is hard.  I want us to stay
committed to each other.  I want to come back to spend time with you next
summer.  I want us to go to college together."

   "OK.  Exactly how does dating other people fit into our plans?" I asked
sharply.

   "We are sixteen.  We are going to try to maintain a long distance
relationship for two years.  How is it going to work?  Do we skip going out
to movies?  No school dances?  What about the prom.  Are we going to skip
that?"

   Julie hit home.  "I don't know Julie.  I really don't know." I answered.

   "Please come back to our bed Kyle.  I don't want to fight with you."

   "I need time to think Julie.  I'm going to stay down here tonight. 
We'll talk tomorrow after I get back from football practice tomorrow."

   "OK.  Just think about how we can stay a couple but try to live a normal
lives for a kids our age." Julie asked.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   I woke in darkness in the basement.  I put my robe on and trudged
upstairs carrying my sleeping bag.  I laid it in the hallway and waited my
turn for the bathroom.  Andy beat me to it this morning.  When Andy was
finished in the bathroom, he eyed my sleeping bag as he crossed the hall to
his room.  Andy whispered, "What's that for?"

   "Julie and I had a fight last night."

   "I'm sorry man."

   "We'll work it out." I answered, wishing I had a clue how we would work
it out.

   I showered, snuck into my room and dressed.  Julie was asleep in my bed.
I stared at her a minute.  God he is gorgeous!  Even first thing in the
morning she's a knock out.  I headed downstairs and had a couple bowls of
cereal and some orange juice.  Andy and I grabbed our gym bags and went
outside to wait for our ride.  We met Ed in front of his house.  Jeremy had
permission to use his family's spare car for the duration of two-a-day
practices.  He was our ride to practice for the next week and a half.

   Ed and I did a double take when Jeremy pulled up to the curb.  Hal Long
was sitting in the front seat, grinning at us.  The three of us climbed in
the back.  As Jeremy pulled away from the curb I exclaimed, "What the hell
are you doing here?  I didn't think soccer practices started as early as
this."

   Hal laughed.  "They don't.  You guys were wondering who the `soccer
weenie' who is going to be your kicker this season.  I'm at your service."
Andy and Jeremy laughed along with Hal.

   Ed looked at Hal in disbelief.  "You?  You're our kicker this year?"

   I asked, "Why all the secrecy?  Why didn't you just tell us this two
weeks ago?"

   Hal said, "I just wanted to see the looks on your faces when you found
out."

   Ed said, "I take from the laughs Jeremy that you and Andy were in on
this?"

   Jeremy answered, "I'm Hal's holder."

   Andy added, "I shag the balls when they practice kickoffs and field
goals."

   "I guess the good thing is we don't have to worry about having a flaky
kicker like some teams." I said.  Jeremy drove us to school.  Justin, er
Coach Baer, met us at the door when we got to the boys locker room.  He
told us to dress in shorts and a T-shirt for now and to meet him in the
back of the locker room.

   Justin conducted the age-old ritual every football player knows. 
Weigh-in.  I tipped the scales at 176 pounds and 6'-4 ˝".  Andy beat me by
˝" at 6'-5".  I'll never hear the end of it now that he's taller than me.
He weighed 149 pounds.  Ed was up to 6'-1" and 183 pounds.  Jake was 5'-10"
and 162 pounds.  Hal was 5'-11" and 166 pounds.  Jeremy was the surprise.
He measured 6'-2" and 205 pounds.  I knew Jeremy was built like a
linebacker, but 205 pounds!  He's going to rock some people when he hits
them this season.

   We did the vertical leap in the gym next.  I matched last year's 39
inches.  Andy came in at 38".  Coach Baer took us outside for the running.
I was delighted when Coach Baer announced that I had a time of 4.38 seconds
for 40 yards.  Andy improved over last year to 4.43 seconds.  Ed came in at
4.50 seconds.  Hal managed a 4.42 seconds, just slightly faster than Andy.
For what it's worth, our soon-to-be kicker was third fastest person on the
team, after Drew McCormick and me.  Jeremy did a very respectable 4.52
seconds.  Jake made the 40 in 4.55 seconds.

   We finished off with the 400 meter run.  Coach Baer recorded our times
in the chart.  He scanned them over and grinned at us.  "Guys - Kyle, Andy,
Ed and Jeremy have the fastest times on the team.  Drew McCormick's and Tim
Showalter's times come next.  Hal and Jake beat the times of the other
hundred or so people in the Wolverines Football Program.  Good job guys."

   Coach Baer had the six of us join the rest of our teammates.  We spent
the rest of the morning doing calisthenics, blocking drills, tackling
drills and fumble drills.  I felt comfortable training with my friends and
teammates.

   Just before lunch Coach Caffrey called Greg Harrison (starting tight
end), George Reynolds (starting strong side linebacker), Ed, Jeremy and me
over to talk.  He planned to have a talk with the entire team after lunch
to discuss our goals for this year.  He wanted the five of us to lead the
team in a cheer.

   Everyone headed into the cafeteria for our lunch.  I found a seat with
Ed, Hal, Jeremy, Greg, Jake and Andy.  Our conversation started out about
our trip, but eventually turned to girlfriends.

   Ed asked leeringly, "Did you enjoy sharing your bed with Julie last
night?"

   Jeremy stared at me.  "You slept with Julie last night?  Were your
parents away?"

   "No.  My parents..." I replied.

   Ed interrupted, "Didn't you know?  Kyle's parents allow him and Julie to
sleep together since his little sister found out he and his brothers have
sex with their girlfriends.  So, how was it last night?"

   I frowned.  "I had a fight with Julie last night.  I slept on the couch
in the basement."

   "No shit!  That's a bummer man." Ed replied.

   Jeremy asked, "What happened?"

   "I don't want to talk about it." I grumped.

   Ed put his hand on my shoulder.  "Kyle, talk to us.  What happened
between you and Julie?"

   I thought for a few seconds.  I was reluctant to discuss it, but finally
decided it couldn't hurt to talk about it.  "You know how Julie and I
planned to stay together and pick the same college so we can be together
again?"

   "Yes?" Ed asked.

   "Julie suggested that we see other people." I explained.

   Jeremy asked, "She's breaking up with you?"

   "No, she says she isn't.  She thinks we should be able to date other
people during the school year.  You know, go to a movie, go to a dance and
attend the prom.  You know, those sorts of things." I said.

   Ed said, "Julie may have a good idea.  I can't see you sitting around
home every Saturday night."

   "I can't imagine what I would feel like if Kathy moved away.  If the two
of you dating until you get to college help keep you sane, maybe you should
do it." Jeremy added.

   "You guys may be right.  I don't know.  I love Julie and I can't imagine
going on a date with anyone else.  It just doesn't feel right." I
explained.

   Ed asked, "What are you going to do?"

   "I guess Julie and I will talk tonight.  I hope we can figure out how to
make this work for both of us."

   Thankfully the conversation turned to another topic than my love life.
We were finishing lunch when Nathan Yuninger and Jerry Morton carried an
eight foot banner into the cafeteria.  It said "Drive for Excellence" Coach
Caffrey stood up and signaled for quiet.  Coach gave a five minute pep
talk. He challenged us to set our goals high.  We shouldn't settle for a
winning record.  We shouldn't settle for making the playoffs.  We should
strive to be the best football team in the state.  He said we had all the
personnel and experience to accomplish this if we worked hard, studied our
jobs and worked as a team.

   On cue, Ed, Jeremy, George Greg and I stood up.  I shouted, "Are we
satisfied with making the playoffs?"

   Ed, George, Jeremy and Greg replied, "No way!"

   Ed shouted, "Are we satisfied with winning our league?"

   George, Jeremy, Greg and I answered, "No way!" along with some of the
hundred plus football players in the room.

   Greg shouted, "Where are we going this year?"

   My friends and I led the chant, "State Championship!" The rest of the
team joined in with us.  We repeated the chant three times, with increasing
volume each time.

   We sat down and Coach Caffrey concluded lunch with this challenge. 
"Today we begin our quest for a state championship.  Work hard, study our
responsibilities and help your teammates.  Together we can achieve our
goal. Hit the field.  We start our drive for excellence right now."

   Our team took the practice field to the sound of cheers.  We spent the
afternoon walking through our base plays, making sure everyone knew their
responsibilities on each play.  We finished off with a half hour of special
teams practice.  Hal looked good kicking off.  The ball went deep down
field, almost to the end zone.  Andy worked as the return man on a couple
of the kickoffs.  Hal made three straight 30 yard field goals.  He only
managed one of three when he moved to 40 yards from the goal.

   We ended the day with our traditional run, with one small twist.  Coach
Caffrey upped the distance to three miles.  More than a few of our
teammates groused about the change.  My crewmates from Algonquin led the
team throughout the run.  Hal, Ed, Andy and I piled in Jeremy's car for the
trip home.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy headed straight for the shower when we got home.  I didn't mind.  I
went to the kitchen to talk to Mom.  I asked, "Where's Julie?"

   "She spent the day with her grandmother.  She will be back after dinner
this evening."

   "Thanks Mom." I said.  I headed upstairs to wait for my turn in the
shower.

   After dinner I hung out in the family room watching TV until Julie came
home from her grandmothers.  It was nearly eight o'clock.  I greeted Julie
with a kiss.  She returned it, but not quite as enthusiastically as I'd
hoped.  We went straight to my room for our talk.

   We sat down on my bed facing each other.  I said, "I'm sorry about last
night Julie.  I shouldn't have gotten so mad.  Tell me about your plan." I
listened this time as Julie explained about what she had in mind.  When she
was finished explaining, it sounded like it made sense.  I said, "I've had
time to think.  You're probably right about us needing to be able to do
these kinds of things.  My friends agree with you."

   Julie asked, "You talked about our love life with your friends?"

   "Just to Ed, Jeremy, Hal and Andy.  They say you're right and that I
should agree to what you want."

   "So we will date other people during the school year?"

   "I love you Julie.  If it makes you happy, I don't mind if you date
other people."

   "If we are going to stay boyfriend and girlfriend, you can't shut me out
like last night.  We have to e-mail and IM regularly.  Can you do that
Kyle?"

   "Yes.  I can.  I want you to know Julie, I love you completely.  I'm not
going to be dating other people.  There isn't anyone else I want to be
with."

   "You don't have to be a monk.  Go out and have fun.  Just remember that
I'm your girlfriend."

   "I'll never forget that Julie." I replied.  We kissed.  The passion was
back.  We kissed for what seemed like forever.  Someone walked by and
cleared their throat while we were kissing.  I got up and shut my bedroom
door and locked it.  We didn't want to put on a show for my family.

   We stripped and made out some more.  Julie pleasured me with her
recently learned deep throat technique.  It seemed I blew a year's worth of
cum down her throat.  I used my tongue and fingers to slowly to excite
Julie almost to climax.  The scent of Julie's pussy made my cock painfully
hard.  I strung out Julie's arousal for maybe five minutes, bringing her
close to orgasm and then letting her calm down a little.

   Julie begged, "Jesus Kyle!  Get me off.  Please....."

   I circled Julie's clit with my tongue, never quite touching it.  My two
fingers worked against her G-spot.  Julie gasped, "Please????  Make me....
OH GOD....  Make me cum...."

   I pressed my finger against her spot and finally sucked her clit into my
mouth.  Julie groaned and stuffed the corner of her pillow in her mouth to
silence her impending scream.  Julie mashed her hips up against my mouth
while her pussy clenched and spasmed around my fingers.  I lapped up the
juices pouring out of her hole.  Julie writhed and panted while she rode
her climax to its finale.

   I sat back and watched my girlfriend slowly descend from her ecstasy. 
Julie stared up and me and asked, "What am I going to do without you Kyle?"

   "Same thing as me Julie.  Remember tonight."

   "Put your big boy in me Kyle.  I need a good fucking.  I want to feel
you fill me." Julie declared.  She pulled her knees up to her chest to
position herself for our favorite deep penetration position.

   I sank my erection slowly into my lover.  I wanted to savor every touch
and sensation.  It was going to be a very long time until either of us felt
this again.  We made love earnestly.  I stroked my cock in and out of my
girlfriend slowly for awhile and then built up speed.  I tried my best to
bring pleasure to Julie while we made love.  I ground my pubic area against
Julie's clit until she orgasmed again.  I continued thrusting while she
climaxed.  I managed to hold off my own climax until Julie came twice more.
The sensation finally become more than I could take.  I thrust my cock in
until it pressed against Julie's womb.  I pumped gob after gob of sticky
white semen into my lover.

   I thought about what we were doing as I spurted my essence into Julie.
Would we do this for real someday?  I mean, would we marry and conceive our
children?  I certainly hoped we would.  I collapsed on top of Julie,
completely spent.  Julie rolled us on our sides.  She kissed me as I
recovered my senses.

   Julie cooed, "I love you Kyle.  I love you."

   I returned her kiss.  "I want to remember tonight for the rest of my
life Julie.  I love you too." We cuddled together and fell asleep.

   I didn't wake again until my alarm rang.  I knew it was 5 am, Julie's
wake up time.  Julie carefully disentangled herself from me.  Julie kissed
me and quietly asked, "Are you awake Kyle?"

   "Mmm-hmmm." I answered.

   Julie said, "I love you Kyle.  I'm going to miss you so much.  Write
me."

   "I'll write everyday Julie.  I love you too.  I hope you have a nice
flight." I answered.  Julie got out of our bed and went to the bathroom.  I
dozed off.  I woke up again when Julie came back to get dressed.  She came
over to the bed and kissed me one last time.

   Julie declared, "I love you Kyle.  I always will.  Until next summer."
She kissed me passionately.  I returned the kiss.  Our tongues tangled
together.

   Mom knocked on my door and said, "Julie, it's time to go.  I don't want
you to miss your flight."

   Julie pulled away.  "I'm going to miss you so much Kyle.  I love you. 
Write me."

   "I love you Julie.  I'll write everyday.  Have a safe trip." I declared.

   "I set your alarm for 6:30 like you asked me.  Good bye Kyle."

   I said, "I love you Julie." as she walked out my door.  I listened as
Mom drove my lover away.  I felt very alone.  I glanced at my clock.  It
was 5:25.  I had over an hour until I needed to get up.  I rolled over and
dozed off.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Jeremy picked up Ed, Andy and me in front of Ed's house.  Hal only
practiced with the team on days when we were going to do special teams
practice.  Normally that would be Tuesdays and Thursdays.  He had soccer
practice later this morning.  Coach Baer told everyone as they came in the
locker room to put on pads today.  We were going to start hitting.

   The coaches split us up into four squads.  I ended up with Ed's squad.
It was probably 60% of the expected starters on our team.  The rest of the
expected starters were on the squad with Jake Kring.  Andy ended up with Ed
and me.

   We scrimmaged against a good portion of our starting defense.  We
practiced our base plays.  We looked sharp on our passing plays.  Adam
Diem, our starting center had put on a lot of muscle over the winter.  He
was up to 205 pounds.  He was a handful for Luke Stauffer and Joey Keller.
Jamaal Green was playing right tackle for us.  He hadn't played football
for a couple years.  Jamaal went about 280 pounds.  Ed didn't have to worry
about his blind side this year.  Nobody in our league was going to move
Jamaal.

   Joey Keller, a soon-to-be sophomore, played right defensive tackle
opposite Luke Stauffer, our third year varsity left defensive tackle.  Joey
had moved to our school in the middle of the football season last fall.  He
had played football for years at his old school outside Baltimore before he
moved.  Joey was a big guy too.  Both Joey and Jamaal were recruited by
Coach Caffrey to help beef up our lines.  It should pay dividends when the
playoffs come.

   Coach Baer was observing us when we started working on our off-tackle
play.  We ran it twice and both times the defense stacked up our blockers,
trapping Drew McCormick in the backfield.  Drew was now our number 1
tailback since Stan Humphreys had graduated.

   Coach Baer blew his whistle and called us over to huddle with him.  He
explained, "Drew.  You're going too fast.  Slow down a little.  The play
will work better."

   Drew said, "Um, I don't get it.  How will the play work better if I go
slower?  Won't the defense just catch me faster?"

   Coach Baer answered, "No.  You aren't letting your blocks develop.  Let
me show you.  Give me your helmet Drew and watch." Coach Baer talked to Ian
Meyers, our fullback, Dustin Robbins, right guard, and Jerry Morton, right
tackle, for a few seconds.  They nodded as they walked to the line of
scrimmage.

   We lined up with him in our backfield.  Ed snapped the ball, pivoted and
stuffed the ball into Justin's belly.  Justin hesitated for a half second
while Dustin blocked Luke Stauffer towards the center of the line.  Jerry
pushed Travis Hall towards the sideline.  Ian led Justin through the hole
as it opened up.  Ian hit Jeremy, who was coming up to fill the hole.  The
instant Ian hit Jeremy, Justin burst forward, sprinting as fast as he could
go.  Justin sprinted through the linebacker's zone and stiff armed our free
safety Seth Vogel when he came up to try to tackle him.  Justin slowed to a
stop and turned back to look at the wreckage in our defense.  He was
grinning.

   Justin, uh, Coach Baer I mean, whistled and called for everyone to
huddle up.  He looked at Drew.  "You see what I did?  Let the blockers open
the hole for you.  When it's there, burst through at top speed.  If you hit
the hole too soon, all you do is run into the back of your blockers.  Got
it Drew?" Drew nodded.

   We ran the play four more times with Drew playing tailback.  It went
much better than it had before Coach's demonstration.  Coach Caffrey called
for everyone to take five and hydrate.

   We gathered around the water table.  Pete Ellis, our back-up tight end
exclaimed, "Can you believe what Coach Baer just did?  I've only seen
running backs play like that on TV.  He looked like Tiki Barber or Brian
Westbrook.  Why is he coaching in high school?  He should be playing major
college ball or trying out for the NFL."

   I explained, "Justin, er, I mean Coach Baer, is a close friend of my
brother.  Will says that Justin was an outstanding at tailback when he was
in high school."

   Pete asked, "What's he doing here?"

   "He got his girlfriend pregnant when they were sixteen.  They got
married.  He is doing college through night courses.  He doesn't have time
for football anymore." I answered.

   "Man, he must have been good." Pete said.

   "I guess.  We are lucky to have him coaching us."

   "You said it Kyle.  We are fortunate." Pete answered.

   Coach Caffrey blew his whistle and called everyone back to work.  We
continued scrimmaging the rest of the morning.  After lunch we headed for
classroom time with our position coaches.  We headed outside again for our
afternoon practice.  Coach Baer pulled Marcus Shaeffer, Dan Fenstermacher
and me out.  We headed over to edge of the practice field.  Marcus is one
of our back-up running backs.  Dan is a back-up center.

   Coach Baer explained, "Kyle, I want you and Marcus to work on hand-offs
and pitches."

   Marcus asked, "Why is Kyle doing this?"

   Coach Baer explained, "Kyle is our emergency quarterback this year.  He
needs to learn the running game."

   The three of us spent the entire practice working on hand-offs and
pitches that were needed to run our team's running plays.  I felt
comfortable by the time the afternoon was done.  Justin told me that I was
going to run the offense for one practice some time next week.

   We capped off our afternoon practice with a three mile run.  Some of the
seniors groused a little about the extra mile, but Ed, Jeremy and I
reminded everyone about our need to be fresh when the game went into the
fourth quarter.

   Ed, Andy and I were riding home with Jeremy when I asked, "You want to
get together tonight Ed?"

   "Sorry, no.  Lindsey and I are going out to a movie." Ed answered.

   "Jeremy, how about you?" I asked.

   "Nope.  Not a chance Kyle.  My parents are going away tonight and Kathy
is coming over." Jeremy answered.

   Andy added, "Don't ask me Kyle.  Heather, Eric, Sammy and I are going to
the movies tonight."

   I kept my thoughts to myself.  It was going to harder than I expected to
not have a girlfriend to hang out with.  I decided to work on the write up
for my Eagle project.  Justin Baer had finished the map showing all the
graves in the cemetery.  Mr.  Clark, my scoutmaster, had completed the web
site that displayed all the data about the graves in the cemetery.  When
the write up was done, I would be ready for my Scoutmaster's Conference and
Board of Review for the Eagle Rank.

   Saturday morning marked a turning point in my life that I had been
looking forward to for years.  Mom took me to the driver's license center
in Rohrerstown to get my learner's permit.  We spent almost two hours there
while they checked my eye sight, filled out my paperwork and checked the
medical that I brought along.  I was floating on a cloud when we left the
license center.

   I begged, "Can I drive home?  Please?"

   Mom looked shocked.  "No!  You can't drive home on Rohrerstown Road and
the 30 Bypass.  You are NOT going to drive for the first time on those
roads.  Your dad is going to take you out on a back road for your first
driving lesson after lunch."

   After lunch Dad took me over to the church parking lot.  He reviewed
everything with me.  I drove around the parking lot for about ten minutes
before Dad decided I was OK to take the road.  I drove around the back
roads between Route 30 and Route 340 for an hour.  I felt comfortable
behind the wheel.  I guess Dad did too.  He didn't say too much.  I watched
proudly as he signed off on the first of fifty hours of practice I needed
before I could get my license.

   I called Greg Harrison when I got home from my driving lesson.  He
agreed to give me a ride to meet our teammates at McDonalds before a movie.
I showered and dressed for the evening.  Greg picked me up around 5:30.

   When I got in the car, Greg asked, "Do you have a ride home?  I wasn't
going to the movie tonight."

   "I'm sure I can catch a ride with somebody.  Do you have plans?"

   "Yes.  Sally Edmonds and I plan to head out for a little fun after
dinner tonight."

   "Mmm.  Sally!  You are going to have some fun Greg." I remembered the
evenings I spent with Sally last fall.  She was definitely one of the
better lays among the cheerleaders I had back then before Julie and I
started going together.

   "Kyle!  Hey Kyle!"

   "Huh?"

   "You blanked out.  What were you thinking about?" Greg asked.

   "I was remembering some of the evenings Sally and I spent together."

   "Are you planning to hook up with one of the girls?"

   "No.  Julie and I are still going steady.  We are going to try to make a
long distance relationship work."

   "Good luck Kyle.  I don't know how you're going to do that." Greg
responded.

   Stacie Thompson and Drew McCormick were sitting with Sally when we came
in.  Greg slid in beside her and put his arm around her.  Sally, Stacie and
Drew greeted me.  I looked around and picked an empty table nearby.

   Karl Weaver, Rose Zeimer and Holly Cox came in and sat down with me. 
Rose snuggled up beside Karl.  That was a surprise.  Last spring she was
seriously in love with Dylan Peachey.  He starts college in a week or so. I
guess they weren't together anymore.

   Holly flirted with me all through dinner.  Holly is my age.  She's good
looking girl, maybe 5'-5", long blonde hair.  Holly was much more, uh,
developed than last year.  Her breasts stretched her T-shirt out
tantalizingly.  We talked and joked around.  It was obvious that Holly was
interested in me.

   After dinner our group started to break up.  Greg headed out with Sally,
Karl took off with Rose, and Stacie headed out with Drew.  I knew those
couples were heading somewhere for privacy and a nice roll in the hay.

   Holly asked hopefully, "You want to go somewhere together Kyle?  I can
think of some things we could do for fun." as she rubbed my stomach.

   "I'm just going to the movie, that's all" I answered.

   "I'll tag along, if that's OK Kyle." Holly responded.

   "You can if you want Holly.  You should know that I am still going
steady with Julie though."

   "Didn't she move to, like, Iowa?"

   "Nebraska.  If you want to, we can go together, just as friends." I
said.

   "OK.  Just as friends." Holly agreed.

   We walked over to the theater, bought our tickets and found seats near
the middle of the theater.  I hadn't noticed when we took them, but our
seats were two rows back from my brother Andy, his best friend Eric and
their girlfriends Heather and Sammy.

   I noticed that Andy and Heather spent a lot of the movie making out. 
That wasn't surprising, given my brother's reputation.  Eric and Sammy got
just as caught up with each other as Andy and Heather.  I definitely needed
to change my opinion of Eric.  He was quickly losing his nerdy image.

   A few times during the movie Holly tried to get something started.  I
had to pull her hand off my knee.  She blew in my ear.  She leaned against
me and laid her head on my shoulder.  I finally had to politely insist that
she stop.  Holly said, "You can't blame a girl for trying to excite a hunky
guy can you Kyle?"

   "I think you're exaggerating." I countered.

   "You've slept with a few of my friends.  They said you're sweet, fun to
be with and pretty good in bed.  I hoped I might get some first hand
experience."

   "You're being too kind.  I'd be interested if I wasn't already spoken
for Holly.  Maybe some day if I'm not with someone else, we could get
together." I said.  I was being polite.  I did not intend to pursue her,
not with Julie as my girlfriend.  I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek when
we left.  I grabbed a ride home with Mr.  Connell when he came to pick up
Andy, Eric, Heather and Sammy.

   Sunday afternoon when I fired up my computer my IM program beeped
immediately.  It was Julie.  We chatted for an hour.  I told her about
football practice.  She filled me in on cheerleading practice.  Julie had
managed to get a try-out with her high school's squad.  I teased Julie that
she better be careful.  Her boyfriend was hot property now that she wasn't
around to chase the girls away.  Julie said I had better warn Holly to let
me alone.  We ended our chat with mutual declarations of our love for each
other.

   I talked Dad into taking me out for another driving session later in the
afternoon on Sunday.  I felt confident this time.  It was going to take
forever to get fifty hours of practice so I could take the test for my
license.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   The next week of two-a-day practices moved smoothly.  The four
additional assistant coaches really helped.  Everyone got more instruction
during practice.  Coach Fisher had our offensive line looking really good
by the end of the week.  Of course Coach Baer was a big help for our
running and passing game.

   Coach Baer worked with me during special teams practice on Tuesday
afternoon on my quarterbacking skills.  Wednesday morning I took Jake's
spot as quarterback for the White Squad.  Coach Baer was pleased with my
performance.  I didn't mess up too much.

   Wednesday after lunch the Coaches announced who made what team.  I was
pleased, but not surprised that Andy made varsity.  I really expected he
would be able to do it.  Coach Caffrey had Andy try returning punts and
kick-offs.  He did a pretty good job at it.

   I ran Jake's squad again on Friday morning.  I made a couple deep passes
to my brother.  Marcus Shaeffer, our back-up tailback, ran well for me.  I
did get sacked once by Travis Hall.  Well, sort of sacked.  He touched me,
so it counted as a sack.  It definitely was cool to wear the red vest that
meant the defenders couldn't tackle you.  Justin warned me at lunch that
day that I better be ready to play QB if needed.  I had just finished all
the practice that I was going to get as a quarterback.

   Friday after lunch the varsity players met to elect the team captains. I
planned to vote for Greg Harrison.  He easily was the best senior on
offense.  Most of my teammates agreed with me.  Greg got twice as many
votes as the next highest vote getter, Jerry Morton, our right tackle.

   Greg stood to talk to us after the results were announced.  He said, "I
can't accept this honor guys.  I don't deserve it.  Ed and Kyle are really
the leaders on offense.  They should have this honor."

   Ed answered, "No Greg.  You deserve this."

   I added, "Ed and I are juniors.  We can't be team captains."

   Greg looked at me and asked, "Is this your third year on varsity Kyle?"

   "Well yeah."

   "Same for me Kyle.  This is my third year.  Who organized the spring
drills?  Who ran the film study sessions last winter?  You and Ed.  The two
of you have been leading the team since Zack Hayes graduated." Greg
explained.  "You two should be our captains."

   "We shouldn't be captains yet.  It isn't our turn.  You deserve this
Greg.  Everyone agrees." I said.

   Greg answered, "I'll go talk to Coach Caffrey.  If he says it's OK, you
and Ed are my co-captains."

   Greg left the classroom where we were meeting.  He returned two minutes
later with a big grin on his face.  He asked, "Coach Caffrey said there is
no rule against juniors being team captains or any rule against having more
than one captain on offense.  Could I have a show of hands for everyone in
favor of Ed Fritz and Kyle Martin serving as co-captains with me this
season?" The vote was unanimous, with two abstentions, Ed's and mine.

   I was tired when I got home in the evenings.  I begged for every
opportunity possible to drive.  I managed to squeeze in another three hours
of practice in the evenings.  Julie and I chatted on-line every evening. 
At least we had a little connection.

   Being able to chat with Julie had a down side.  By the end of the week
our chats were pretty steamy.  I was getting really horny and whacking off
just wasn't good enough.  Friday evening Julie and I had cyber-sex.  We
graphically described what we would do to each other while I jerked off and
she diddled herself and stuffed her pussy with her "second best friend". 
Friday night helped our frustration a little.

   I spent part of Saturday finishing the write-up for my Eagle project. 
Dad took me out for an hour and half of driving practice in the afternoon.
Greg agreed to give Andy, Heather and I a ride to the pizza place on
Saturday evening before the movies.  I took the opportunity to relieve my
overloaded testicles while I showered for my night out.  I knew I was going
to get to feast my eyes on loads of pretty cheerleaders when we met.  Some
of the sophomores who joined the cheerleading squad were really pretty.

   Greg scoped out the available cheerleaders and found a seat at the table
with Rose Zeimer, Holly Cox and a girl I didn't know.  Andy and Heather
joined Jake and Morgan.  I found a seat at a table with Jeremy, Kathy, Ed
and Lindsey.  A few of the unattached girls came by our table to talk with
me.  I didn't encourage them, so they moved on looking for other guys that
night.

   When I finished eating my pizza I noticed Greg and Holly were getting
very friendly.  I asked Jeremy about getting a ride home with him. 
Fortunately he was stuck driving the family mini-van tonight, so he had
room for Ed, Lindsey, Andy, Heather and me.  He agreed to give all of us a
ride home.

   Our group was breaking up to go to the movies when Greg grabbed me.  He
said, "Can you get a ride home Kyle?  Holly and I are going to find
somewhere private."

   "No problem Greg.  I expected that I probably would need to find a ride
home this evening.  Jeremy is going to give me a ride.  You and Holly have
fun tonight." I answered.

   I tagged along with Ed, Jeremy and their girlfriends.  I enjoyed the
movie.  The five of us met Andy and Heather outside when their movie ended
a few minutes after our movie was over.  My brother looked like Heather had
gotten him pretty excited.  He was trying to cover his crotch with his
sweatshirt.  He certainly had a boner from whatever he and his girlfriend
had been doing.

   I quizzed Andy when we got home.  "Where are Eric and Sammy tonight?  I
thought you told me yesterday they were going to come tonight."

   "Eric ended up staying home.  His parents decided to go dancing
tonight."

   "Oh.  So he had to baby sit his little brothers?"

   Andy replied, "No.  His brothers are staying with his grandparents
overnight.  Eric has the house to himself.  I expect Eric and Sammy had
some fun night."

   "I'm happy for him.  I never expected him to grow up this much so
quickly."

   "Eric has changed a lot this summer.  I'm glad.  I was worried how he
would fit in when we got to high school."
--------------------------------------------------------------

   I got a surprise phone call on Sunday afternoon.  Mom called me from my
room when she answered the phone.

   I said, "Hello?" when I picked up the phone.

   "Hi Kyle.  It's Zack." Zack Hayes was my friend and mentor when I
started playing football two years ago.

   "Zack!  It's good to hear from you.  How are things going?"

   "Good.  We are almost ready for our first game.  We play Miami of Ohio
in six days.  I've worked my way up the depth chart.  Coach Paterno moved
me to number two quarterback behind Phil DiStefano."

   "Who is he?" I asked.

   "Phil is a junior.  He just took over as starter this spring when Tony
graduated.  I beat out Frank Cavanaugh, a junior and Bill Andrews, a
sophomore like me."

   "Congratulations Zack.  Will Penn State do well this year?"

   "We'll have a winning year.  I doubt we'll be playing for the national
championship, but we're going to win a lot.  How do things look for our
high school?"

   I filled Zack in on all the happenings this spring and summer.  I
predicted we would make the play-offs and said I thought we had a chance at
going to the state championship.  When we finished talking about the
Wolverines, Zack asked, "Kyle, have you read the NCAA recruiting
regulations yet?"

   "I mean to, but I haven't had time."

   "Kyle.  Listen closely to me.  Download the regs now.  Read them
carefully.  You are going to need to know what is in there soon.  You are
going to be very popular when colleges are allowed to recruit you."

   I asked, "Do you really think so Zack?"

   "Absolutely Kyle."

   "Is Penn State interested in me?"

   "Kyle, I can't answer that question.  Read the recruiting rules right
away."

   "I will Zack, as soon as I hang up the phone."

   "One more thing Kyle, check out the section on unofficial visits.  Do it
right away.  If you want to give me a call, I'll be in my room all
afternoon.  I'm hanging out with Aaron Morano and couple other guys.  Call
me today if there is anything you want to talk about.  See you later Kyle."

   "Bye Zack." I said.  I hung up the phone and fired up my computer
immediately.  I browsed to the NCAA website and searched for information on
recruiting.  The whole subject was much more complicated than I expected. I
read the information carefully and made a print-out for Mom and Dad.

   The unofficial visit information was interesting.  If Dad paid for it, I
could visit possible colleges this year.  I decided Zack was trying to tell
me I should visit Penn State without actually saying the words.  If Zack
had told me directly to come visit Penn State, it would count as a
"contact" by NCAA rules and would be illegal since the college couldn't
contact me until May 1st of my junior year.

   I went downstairs and corralled Dad.  I reviewed the information with
him.  He liked the idea of doing an unofficial visit to Penn State some
weekend this fall.  I called Zack back and got the contact information for
the proper person in the athletic department.  When Zack finished giving me
the information, he said, "It's about time you got the hint Kyle.  I've
been trying to get you to set up an unofficial visit for the last six
months.  I'm looking forward to showing you around Happy Valley."

   "Thanks for the information Zack.  I'm looking forward to the visit."

   Will and Abby headed back to Penn later that afternoon.  I was going to
miss Will a lot.  He and I spent more time together this summer than we
ever had before.  I had a cool big brother.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Two-a-day practices continued into the next week.  Our offensive and
defensive lines looked strong.  The offensive lineman kept the defense off
Ed on the passing plays and opened nice holes on the running plays.  Joey
Keller, our new defensive tackle simply didn't move when someone tried to
block him.  I wondered how he would have stood up to Pottstown last
November in the playoffs.  Hopefully we would get to see him in the
playoffs this season.

   Andy got equal practice at punt returning and kick returning with Tim
Showalter during special teams practice on Tuesday.  It looked like Andy
might be used for that this season.

   On Wednesday morning Jeremy added my sister Liz to the crowd he drove to
school.  Liz had junior high orientation and Andy had high school
orientation.  We had about thirty seventh and ninth graders missing from
our morning practice.  They returned after lunch.  Coach Caffrey announced
the starters during afternoon practice.  There weren't really any surprises
other than my brother being named number three receiver and punt returner
instead of Tim Showalter.  Tim stayed as our number four receiver just like
last year.

   Dad called the Penn State Athletic Department on Wednesday.  They agreed
to our visiting campus.  It was set for September 22nd-23rd.  Penn State
wasn't playing that weekend.  Dad and I would come up Saturday morning
after my game on Friday night.  The man at the athletic department said he
would arrange for us to meet one of the coaches and would have a football
player to act as our guide for the weekend.

   I received an e-mail from Rob Lang that evening.  Rob wanted to know if
my family was going to Cape Henlopen for Labor Day Weekend.  I e-mailed
back that we were.  Rob let me know that his family and friends had
reservations for sites B-10 to B-16.  I was looking forward to seeing my
Sheperdstown, West Virginia friends again.

   School started on Thursday morning.  It really stank having to ride the
bus again.  I couldn't even grab a ride with Jeremy or Hal.  They couldn't
get cars to drive to school either.

   My class schedule was Deutsch, followed by Art on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday or Gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays, third period
Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, fourth period chemistry, fifth period Modern
European History, a late lunch, sixth period English and last period
Computer aided design and drafting.

   I knew some of the teachers.  Frau Madel taught all four years of
Deutsch so I knew I would have her again.  Coach Wyndham had my gym class.
Coach Fisher taught Chemistry.  Mr.  Winters taught the CADD course.  The
other teachers seemed nice.

   After school on Thursday and Friday we started preparing for our first
game.  It was with the Sadsbury Chiefs.  We beat them easily last year but
I expected they would be better this year.  Their quarterback was starting
only his second game last year.  He threw three interceptions.  If he
improved, we could have a tougher time in the game.  I still expected us to
win.

   Chapter 11

   =========

   Mom was frantic on Friday afternoon when Andy and I got home from
practice.  The two of us grabbed showers while Mom rushed around finishing
the last preparations for our annual Labor Day weekend trip to the shore.
By 6 o'clock Dad had all of us loaded in the mini-van and on the road
south. Traffic was bumper to bumper the whole way to Cape Henlopen,
probably worse than last year.  I teased Dad that this would be a perfect
place for me to get a few hours of practice at driving without actually
moving the car.  I was happy when he said no.  Driving in this traffic
didn't look like fun.

   We finally got to the park around 11:00 that night.  Andy and I set up
one tent for ourselves.  Mom, Dad and Liz set up another tent in front of
ours.  Will and Abby had their tent set up in the campsite beside ours.

   No one in my family was in a hurry to get up on Saturday morning.  Will,
Andy and I made breakfast for the family.  Most of my family drove to the
beach after breakfast.  Andy and I went for a bike ride through the
campground to find our friends from West Virginia.

   The Langs, the Randolphs and their friends were cleaning up from
breakfast when we found their campsites.  Everyone reintroduced themselves
from a year ago.  Rob Lang 17, his girlfriend Melissa (Missy) 16, his
younger brother Dale 15, Dale's girlfriend Anna Young 15 represented the
Lang family.  Their cousin Harry couldn't come this year.  Wesley Patton
16, his girlfriend Molly Short 15, Wes' sister Trish 14 stayed at the
Patton campsite.  Tim Randolph 16, his girlfriend Kelly Young 16, Tim's
twin sister Alicia 16, Tim and Alicia's cousin Tyler Randolph 14, and
Tyler's girlfriend Jenna Douglass 13 stayed in the Randolph's campsite. 
Kimberly Patterson 15 brought her current boyfriend Ethan Stone 16. 
Kimberly broke up with Rob's and Dale's cousin Harry last fall.  She had
been dating Ethan for four months.

   Our gang of friends grabbed our bikes to head to the ocean to swim in
the morning.  We spent two hours playing in the waves, swimming, dunking
each other and having fun together.  Trish Patton plastered herself to
Andy's side.  Andy didn't mind at all.  Alicia Randolph flirted with me
non-stop.  She rubbed against me any chance she got.  A couple times when I
got dunked I grabbed for the nearest thing.  One of the times it was
Alicia's breast.  Alicia didn't mind a bit.

   All the girls we were with were pretty.  I hadn't had a chance to jerk
off for a few days.  I stayed in the water most of the morning to hide the
nearly permanent erection I had.  Alicia made a point of grabbing it a
couple times and commenting how much she liked what I had.

   Our group had lunch at the snack bar.  After lunch the girls decided to
work on their tans.  The guys headed down the beach away from the swimming
area to play volleyball.  We spent most of the afternoon playing
volleyball.

   Rob, Dale, Ethan, Tyler, Andy and I spent almost an hour talking about
football.  Ethan had just earned the starting varsity quarterback spot on
his team.  Dale had moved up to varsity this year and would be the number
three wide receiver.  Andy crowed when he told the guys that he was number
three receiver our team and he was only in ninth grade.  Tyler was going to
be the quarterback for his ninth grade team.

   Rob pressed me for how I was doing.  He asked, "I remember you were
all-conference in your first season.  Did you do it again?"

   "No.  I didn't" I answered, not wanting to boast.

   Andy added, "Don't believe Kyle.  He did better than that.  Kyle was
all-state last year."

   Rob responded, "Damn!  All-state.  I'm glad your state is Pennsylvania.
I don't think I would want to try to cover you on the field."

   We discussed football until it was time to go back to our campsites.  We
rode back.  Before we parted we agreed to meet at Rob's campsite at 7:30
pm. Mom made a nice dinner for our family.  Will and Abby cleaned up for
Mom so Andy and I took off for our friend's campsites.

   Our friends were preparing for our evening together when Andy and I got
there.  Rob and Ethan brought a cooler along.  The sixteen of us headed for
the beach on the pedestrian trail from the camping area.  We took a couple
minutes to climb to the top of the World War II era observation tower. 
It's a concrete tower about thirty feet high.  We had a great view of the
Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the Delaware Bay.  The tower was part of
the defenses to guard the bay from German U-boats.

   We headed onto the beach.  We crossed the dunes when the trail turned
and headed north to the swimming area.  We planned to have campfire and
didn't want a lot of company.

   Wes and I built the fire while the rest of the group collected firewood.
We sat around our fire in a circle.  The girls sat with their boyfriends.
Trish practically draped herself on Andy.  I wondered if Andy would let his
hormones do his thinking tonight or if he would remember Heather back home.
My bet was on Andy's hormones.

   Alicia sat beside me, practically on my lap.  I knew I could get laid
tonight if I wanted to.  I planned to be sociable but I planned to keep my
promise to Julie and stay true to her.  Rob and Ethan opened up their
cooler.  Not surprisingly it was full of beer.  They passed cans out to
everyone.  They were 24 ounce cans.  I was going to have to be careful. 
Andy looked over at me and arched his eyebrow when he received his can.  I
shrugged my shoulders and nodded, indicating that I didn't mind if he had a
little.

   We talked while we downed our first cans of beer.  Rob and Ethan had
done a good job.  The beer was really cold.  It hit the spot on a hot
evening.  We talked.  Our conversation soon turned to sex.  We teased and
boasted for awhile when Wes had a suggestion.

   Wes said, "How about something different gang?"

   Rob moaned, "Not Truth and Dare.  I'm sick of it." Much the group was
shaking their heads in agreement when Rob said it.

   Wes answered, "No.  I was going to suggest these purity tests.  They
could be interesting." We agreed to take the tests.  Wes handed out pencils
and copies of the test.  Everyone took a few minutes to answer the 100
question test.  I added up the answers that I hadn't checked.  I had a
score of 34.  I wondered how that was going to compare to the rest of the
group.  I found out quickly.

   Wes announced it was time to tell your scores.  Wes pointed at Andy and
said, "You go first Andy."

   Andy said, "I have a 31." I did a double take.  My brother had a lower
score than me.

   Wes stared at Andy.  "You're shitting me.  You know you count the number
of questions that you DIDN'T check, right?  Your score probably is a 69."

   Andy shook his head.  "I know.  I checked off 69 boxes.  My score is
31."

   Wes continued around the circle, asking each person their score.  Trish
went next.  She had a 52.  Tim had a 43.  His girlfriend Kelly had a 47.  I
quietly reported my score of 34.

   Tim looked shocked.  "What the hell are you guys doing in Lancaster
County?  I thought the area where the Amish live would be pretty
conservative."

   I explained, "We aren't Amish, but you are right.  Lancaster County is
pretty conservative.  I guess Andy and I are exceptions to the rule."

   Alicia scored a 48.  Tyler and Jenna both had scores of 55.  Presumably
everything they checked off was with each other.  Ethan said he had a 41.
Kimberly was surprised at her boyfriend.  She scored a 51.  Rob said he had
a 39.  Missy was only 3 points behind him with a 42.  Dale had a 49.  His
girlfriend Anna had a 53.  Wes' girlfriend Molly scored a 42.  Wes was
surprised.  His score was a 44.

   Rob and Ethan passed out a second round of beers.  I took another.  I
shook my head no when Andy took one.  He passed it on.

   Wes announced, "Now for the fun part, everyone.  Pass your test to
someone else so it can be checked.

   Andy reacted instantly.  "Hell no!  No one is seeing this thing."

   Trish asked, "What's wrong Andy?"

   "No fucking way I'm letting anyone see this stupid thing!" Andy
declared.

   Wes teased, "You really expect us to believe your score is 31 and no one
can see your test.  You're full of shit Andy."

   Andy stood up and said, "I'm leaving.  This sucks.  Everyone is picking
on me."

   Trish said, "Please, don't go Andy.  I want you to stay."

   I asked, "Would it help if I was the one who looked at your test Andy? I
promise I won't say anything to anyone about how you got your score.  I'll
just count up the score."

   Andy stared me in the eye.  "You won't tell ANYONE what is on this test
Kyle?"

   "I won't talk to anyone else about what is on your test other than to
confirm your score.  I promise." I said as I raised my right arm in the
scout sign.

   Andy handed his test to me.  The rest of us passed the tests around the
group.  I quickly scanned down Andy's test, counting the things he hadn't
done.  His score of 31 was correct.  What was surprising was where he lost
more purity points than me.  Andy had checked off that he had smoked pot.
He also checked off having sex with another guy and giving a blow job.  The
other surprise was that he checked off an adult having sex with a child. 
Andy was a child.  What the hell did this one mean?  I decided to keep my
cool for now.  I confirmed Andy's score.  I was going to have a long talk
with Andy later.

   The rest of us discussed the interesting things we found on the tests we
checked.  A surprising number of the tests indicated couples trying
fellatio and cunnilingus.  Missy thanked me for that.  She said I made it
socially acceptable among the guys in the group to go down on their
girlfriends.  A few other people in the group admitted to trying pot. 
Tyler and Jenna were the only ones who hadn't had sex yet.

   Tim had ended up with my test.  He asked, "You really had group sex? 
Was it two girls and you?"

   "Um, no.  It was two guys with the girl." I answered.

   Tim continued, "You have spent a whole night with your girlfriend?  How
in the hell did you manage that?"

   "You have to understand my parents.  They know about my girlfriend and
me having sex.  They're cool with it.  I got to share my bed with her when
she flew back to visit me a few weeks ago." I explained.

   Dale teased Tyler.  "This conversation isn't too shocking for our
virgins is it?"

   Tyler responded, "Being a virgin only means we're younger than the rest
of you and that we hadn't met the right person yet." Tyler kissed Jenna on
the lips.  "I've found her now."

   Jenna added, "We decided we wanted to do it a month ago.  We simply
haven't found an opportunity yet where our parents won't know."

   Tyler said, "You can tease me all you want about being a virgin Dale.  I
don't care.  I'm not going to be one much longer." Tyler kissed his
girlfriend again.  He whispered to Jenna, a bit too loud, "I'm ready.  Do
you want to go find some privacy?" Jenna nodded yes.  They exchanged kisses
again and stood up.  They started down the beach holding hands.

   As they were leaving Wes asked, "You remember to bring rubbers cousin?"
Tyler didn't say anything.  He gave the thumbs up sign as he and Jenna
walked away.

   More cans of beer were passed around the circle.  When one came to Andy
I shook my head no.  He passed the can on.  I decided to take one more can.
I was feeling OK and I've had three beers before without ill effect.  I
drank the brew down quickly.

   The conversation died down as the couples concentrated on their
partners. I noticed Andy was responding to Trish's attention.  I guess
Andy's resolve to build a long term relationship with Heather Miller was
going to take a beating this weekend.  Andy and Trish were the second
couple to leave the fire and look for some privacy behind in dunes.

   Rob and Missy headed out next.  Wes and Molly took a walk in the surf
going north.  Ethan and Kimberly made out for awhile before disappearing.
Tim and Kelly disappeared back the trail towards the campsite.  Dale and
Anna were making out, totally oblivious to Alicia and me.

   Alicia was pressed against my side, rubbing my arm and back.  She asked,
"You said your girlfriend flew in to see you Kyle.  Where is she at?"

   "She moved to Nebraska this summer."

   "That must suck.  Are the two of you breaking up?"

   "No.  We are going to stay a couple."

   Alicia said, "That's too bad.  I like to see this thing." Alicia
squeezed my cock through my shorts.  "This feels so nice.  I guess she'd be
upset if you and I hooked up tonight."

   "I promised that I would be faithful.  Julie's special to me."

   Alicia rubbed my chest.  She asked, "Your girlfriend is half way across
the country and she won't see anyone out there.  I don't see how she'll do
it."

   "It's OK if Julie sees other people." I explained.

   Alicia kissed my neck and then nibbled on my ear.  She gently breathed
in my ear.  I shivered.  "Your girlfriend can see other guys, but you can't
see other girls.  That doesn't make sense Kyle."

   Alicia rubbed the bulge in my shorts.  I shuddered.  Jesus, she was
making an offer that was hard to resist.  "Julie said I can see other girls
too."

   Alicia grabbed my head with both hands and turned it to face her.  She
pressed her lips against my lips.  She wormed her tongue against my lips. I
relaxed them.  Alicia's tongue pushed in and met my tongue.  I tingled. 
Our tongues danced together for a few moments.

   When we stopped I stared into Alicia's eyes.  She said, "Your girlfriend
said you can see other girls.  I'm right here and I want you Kyle."

   Alicia pushed me to the ground on my back.  She squirmed so she was
straddling my left leg, her bikini clad body on top of me.  We kissed
again. Alicia was good at kissing.  I could feel her hard nipples press
against my bare chest through her thin green bikini top.  Our tongues
explored each others mouths.

   I didn't think it was possible, but my cock got harder and expanded a
little more, stretching against my shorts.  Alicia rubbed her pubic area on
it.  I could feel my resolve evaporating.  Damn, Alicia is hot.  Why
shouldn't enjoy her?

   Alicia and I kissed some more.  My enthusiasm was rising.  I pushed my
tongue into Alicia's mouth, signaling my intentions.  Alicia responded. 
Our desire grew exponentially as we kissed and rubbed against each other.

   I reached for the string holding Alicia's top together.  Alicia held
herself up on her hands while I pulled it off.  I pushed her onto my lap
and sat up.  I fondled the biggest breasts I had ever had the privilege to
feel.

   I kissed Alicia's neck, chest and then her mammaries.  I licked one
nipple while I caressed the other breast.  Alicia moaned as I stimulated
her.  She rubbed her hands up and down my sides and back as I played with
her breasts.  God, this girl really wanted me.  Who was I to deny her?

   I rolled the two of us on our sides.  I got between Alicia's legs.  I
asked, "Can I eat your pussy Alicia?"

   "Yes.  God yes, I want that Kyle." Alicia pulled her bikini bottoms off.
e I got to see her pussy for the first time.  Alicia was bare a new born.
Her pussy was swollen, puffy and totally bald.

   I exclaimed, "You shave?"

   "My boyfriend Mike likes it this way." Alicia explained.

   My lust started to wane.  "Your boyfriend?" I asked.

   "Mike doesn't need to know about tonight.  What happens at the shore
stays at the shore.  Keep going Kyle.  I want you." Alicia cooed.

   I leaned down and licked along Alicia's pretty slit.  I tasted her tangy
juices.  She tasted great.  I continued licking her outer lips for a
little. I worked my tongue into her opening, pressing it as deep as
possible.  I tongue fucked Alicia for a couple minutes while she moaned and
squirmed.

   I licked back up to the top of her slit and licked around the hood
protecting her clittie.  Alicia groaned, "You earned that 34 on the purity
test didn't you, you bad boy."

   I wormed a finger into her pussy while I stimulated her clitoris. 
Alicia was totally wet.  I worked the lone finger in and out while I sought
her clit.  I felt her clit peek out of her hood.  I licked it once and went
back to circling it with my tongue.  I wasn't ready to give her an orgasm
just yet.

   I worked a second finger into Alicia's pussy and pressed up searching
for her G-spot.  Alicia squirmed when I hit it.  I pressed against it with
my fingers repeatedly while I licked around her clit, only occasionally
touching it.  Alicia was groaning and panting now and pressing her hips up
to get more contact with my tongue.  When Alicia started to shudder, I
pressed my two fingers up against her spot and rubbed.  I sucked her clit
into my mouth and teased it with my tongue.

   It only took Alicia a couple seconds to scream and spasm as her climax
sent her over the edge.  I released her clitoris after a final couple of
licks.  Alicia's pussy squeezed and clenched around my invading fingers
while she climaxed.  Alicia shivered and shook while her body was wracked
with ecstasy.

   I pulled my fingers out, sat back on my haunches and enjoyed the view as
Alicia's tits jiggled while she tried to come down from her high.  It took
about a minute for Alicia to regain her senses.

   "Christ, you're something else Kyle.  Nobody has ever done that quite
that well before." Alicia purred.  She sat up and grasped my erection
through my shorts.  "Get undressed Kyle.  I want to feel what you can do
with this thing."

   I pulled my shorts off immediately.  I asked, "How do you want to do
this Alicia?  What's your favorite position?"

   Alicia looked my cock over and rubbed it with her hand.  "Missionary is
good Kyle."

   "Missionary it is." I answered.

   "This is big Kyle.  I think it's bigger than any I've had before.  Put
it in gently Kyle."

   I rubbed my seven inch cock up and down her slot bumping her clit each
time I did it.  "God Kyle.  Stop teasing.  Put it in." Alicia demanded.  I
bumped her clit one more time and then positioned my cock against her hole.
I pushed.  The head spread her inner lips apart and penetrated into her hot
silky tunnel.  I pushed smoothly into Alicia's body, enjoying the feel of
her pussy yielding to my hard rod.  It felt wonderful as her pussy walls
slid along my shaft, tugging on the skin of my cock as I pushed in.  My
weight carried me into her until I hit bottom.  I looked down between us.
My pubic hair was mashed against her bare mons.

   "Jesus.  You're big Kyle." Alicia groaned.

   "Are you all right?" I asked.

   "Yes.  Fuck me Kyle."

   I worked my seven incher slowly in and out of Alicia, gradually working
up my speed as she got used to me.  I used deep strokes and tried to grind
against Alicia's clit on each stroke.  Gradually I increased my pace.  In
and out.  Short strokes, long strokes, faster and slower; I used all my
skill to bring Alicia off.  Her tits jiggled every time I drove my cock
deep into her.  Alicia was groaning and panting as she pulled me against
her chest.

   I could tell she was close so I started to stroke my cock in hard and
fast.  Alicia tensed up, gasped, let out a long groan and came.  She came
hard, harder than I had seen before.  Her pussy clenched and throbbed
around my cock.  Alicia shook from the force of her climax.  I continued
driving my cock into her while she thrashed her legs and squirmed. 
Alicia's honey poured out around my cock.

   Alicia's pussy was trying to coax me to fill her with my semen, but I
wasn't quite ready for that.  I continued drilling her for a few more
minutes.  Alicia was approaching another emotional pinnacle.  I was almost
there too.  I pumped in and out urgently so I could push her over the edge
before I followed her.  I pushed in two more times when I felt the first
ripples from her silky tunnel.  Alicia hugged me to her, mashing her tits
against my bare chest.  I grunted as I drove my shaft deep into Alicia. 
She squealed and came.  My cock swelled and splattered my seed against
Alicia's womb.

   Alicia and I writhed and spasmed through our mutual orgasms.  I
collapsed on top of Alicia and rolled the two of us on our sides.  We lay
stunned at the intensity of our climaxes.  After about thirty seconds I
managed to get my eyes to focus again.  I gave Alicia a kiss.

   "I hope you liked that Alicia." I said.

   "Wow!" Alicia answered breathlessly.  She returned my kiss.  "Wow Kyle.
That was amazing." She kissed me again.  My now limp cock plopped out of
Alicia's pussy.

   Alicia ran her fingers over my abdominal muscles.  She continued
touching my chest, working on my pecs.  Then she teased my left nipple. 
Alicia said, "You are really a hunk Kyle.  I can't believe how you look
this year.  You must have earned that score you got on the purity test. 
You rocked me in a way I've never felt before."

   "You were special Alicia.  I enjoyed this." I replied.  We started
kissing again.  Our tongues switched back and forth between our mouths.  We
nibbled each other's lips and tongue.  After a couple minutes of making out
Alicia reached own and played with my cock.  It swelled to full size
rapidly.

   "Do me doggie style Kyle.  I want this big thing stuffed in me again."
Alicia asked.

   Alicia got up on her hands and knees.  I positioned myself behind her
and drove my hard cock into her again.  Alicia and I screwed for six or
eight minutes.  I slammed my cock into her.  She pushed back onto my cock
as I drilled her.  Alicia came while we screwed when she played with her
clit.  Her throbbing pussy coaxed a second load of sperm from my balls.  I
slumped on Alicia's back when I had drained everything I had in her pussy.

   Alicia crawled out from under me.  I collapsed on the blanket and rolled
over on my back.  Alicia climbed over me so she straddled my hips. 
"Christ, you are fun to be with Kyle." She said.

   "Mmmm....  You're fun too Alicia." I murmured.  She lay on top of me and
kissed me.  I tried to respond, but I was worn out.  Alicia's hard nipples
were pressing into my chest.  Desire started to return.  Alicia felt my
cock twitch under her.  She ground her pussy on it.  My cock expanded a
little more.

   "Let's do it again Kyle." Alicia asked.

   "I....  I don't know if I can." I answered.

   "Let me help." Alicia turned around and sucked my semi-hard cock into
her mouth.  She sucked and licked it until she got it hard again.  Alicia
turned back around so she was facing my head again.  She leaned down and
kissed me one more time.  She held my cock, positioned it at her opening
and slowly impaled herself on it.

   Alicia rode me for a good ten minutes.  My energy started to return.  I
played with Alicia's clitoris while she worked my erection in and out of
her pussy.  Alicia groaned and came after a couple minutes of my extra
stimulation.  The throb of her pussy was enough to coax a few final spurts
of cum from my drained body.  Alicia collapsed on top of me.  My overworked
cock shriveled and plopped out of Alicia.  This unplugged her well filled
pussy.  My three loads of sperm and copious amounts of her pussy juice
drained out and drenched my cock and pubic hair with the gooey mess.

   Alicia whispered in my ear, "That was intense Kyle.  Thank you bad boy."

   "I had fun too Alicia.  You're the greatest." I murmured in her ear.  I
gave her a kiss on the cheek and hugged her to my chest.

   "You two finally finished?" a nearby voice asked.

   Alicia and I looked over towards the fire.  It was Rob.  He and Missy
were cuddled together staring at us.  "That was a real show.  I'd pay
admission for a show like that." Dale added.

   I noticed Dale and Anna were cuddled together by the fire a few feet
from Rob and Missy.  I stared at Alicia.  She was blushing.  She tried to
cover her breasts.  I giggled.  "You know they've been watching us.  What
is the point of being modest now?" I asked.

   Alicia recovered the parts to her bikini and dressed quickly.  I grabbed
my board shorts and pulled them on.  I asked, "How long have you guys been
watching?"

   Rob answered, "Missy and I were gone an hour.  You two were going at it
when we got back.  That was half an hour ago.  You two sure are hot
together."

   I thought, `An hour and half?' "Shit!  What time is it?" I exclaimed,
starting to panic a little.

   Dale answered, "It's a quarter to twelve."

   "Shit!  I'm going to be in trouble.  My curfew is 10:30.  My Dad is
going to pop his top." I gave Alicia a kiss.  "Sorry, I've got to run.  You
were wonderful tonight." I kissed her good bye.  I started to leave when I
remembered Andy.  I asked, "Where's my brother?"

   Rob answered, "He walked Trish back to the campsite a long time ago."

   "I'll see you guys tomorrow, if my parents let me live." I hurried back
to my campsite.  Everyone was asleep.  I quietly climbed into my tent,
stripped and lay down to sleep.  I was so tired I fell asleep almost
immediately.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   I woke up in the morning.  I tried to open my eyes, but they were all
crusty.  I rubbed them to get them open.  Ohh....  Even though the doors to
the tent were closed, it was too bright inside.  I blinked, trying to get
used to the light.  I sat up.  Ohhhh.....  I had a headache, a killer
headache!  Everything about me ached.

   What in the hell happened to me?  Then I remembered Alicia.  Then I
remembered the beers, three 24 ounce cans.  That was twice as much as what
I set for my limit.  I had been a little drunk last night.  I was hung
over.

   I looked down at myself.  I was naked.  My cock was covered with dried
semen and pussy juice.  So was my pubic hair.  It was matted and stuck
together with the mix of the juices.

   Alicia and I had....  No, we hadn't made love.  We had.....  fucked. 
Actually it was more like we had rutted.  We had been a pair of animals,
mating furiously.  Mating!  Oh shit!  I hadn't used condoms last night. 
Did I ask if Alicia was on the pill?  I don't remember asking.  I was well
and truly fucked.

   I glanced at my watch.  It was 10:30 in the morning.  I put on shorts
and a T-shirt.  I grabbed a pair of sunglasses and put them on.  I took my
shower stuff and headed down the road to the shower house.  A long hot
shower did help me feel better.  Getting the dried cum out of my pubes was
a pain in the neck.  I dried off, brushed my teeth and headed back to my
campsite.  Even with my sunglasses, the sun was too bright.

   I got some aspirin from my backpack and took them.  I was sitting at the
picnic table in our campsite, pondering my stupidity when Andy rode back on
his bike.

   "Hi Kyle." Andy said cheerily.

   "Mmmph..." I grunted in acknowledgement.  "Good morning." I added,
trying to be a little civilized.

   "You had quite a night didn't you?"

   "It was a little too much last night.  Too much beer.  Too much sex."

   "I'm glad I listened to you and only had one beer.  You look horrible
Kyle."

   "I look better than I feel.  Where is the rest of the family?"

   "They went to the beach already.  You're deep shit Kyle.  Mom and Dad
know what time you came back last night." Andy said.

   "Oooohhh....  I'm so screwed.  They're going to kill me aren't they?"

   "I don't know Kyle.  They weren't happy this morning.  Did you have fun
with Alicia?"

   "Fun?  I guess.  Alicia is a knock out.  She's a great lay, but..." I
took a deep breath and let it out.  "I didn't use condoms."

   "You?  Mr.  Safe Sex?  You are always preaching to me to be safe.  Then
you go out, get drunk and fuck a girl bareback.  I don't believe you Kyle."

   "Guilty.  I'm totally guilty." I said morosely.

   "Do you want breakfast?" Andy asked.

   "No.  Oooohh, no.  I can't handle food right now."

   "I'm heading to the beach to catch up with the family.  What are you
going to do?"

   "I'm going to go find Alicia.  She and I need to talk." I explained.

   "She's at her campsite.  I saw her about ten minutes ago.  See you later
Kyle." Andy said as he hopped on his bike and rode away.

   I drank some more water to try to flush my system out.  I hoped it would
help.  I walked down the road to Alicia's campsite.  I found her sitting at
a table in front of her camper.

   Alicia spotted me and smiled.  "Good morning Kyle.  How are you doing?"

   "Not so good.  I have a hangover." I said as I sat down beside her. 
Alicia wrapped her arm around me.

   "Poor baby." She cooed.

   "I want to apologize Alicia.  I...." I said.

   Alicia interrupted, "No.  Don't apologize Kyle.  I enjoyed last night.
You're a really sweet guy."

   "I have to.  I got a little drunk last night.  I feel like I took
advantage of you."

   "You didn't Kyle.  Truth be told, I seduced you.  I wanted to have sex
with you.  I went to the beach last night planning to get you to screw me."

   "You did?" I asked, slightly shocked at the thought of a girl seducing
me.

   "You need to understand me Kyle.  Back home I'm Miss Perfect.  I get
straight A's in school.  I'm ranked number one in my class at high school.
I plan to be valedictorian, assuming I can stay ahead of my brother Tim. 
Our parents expect both of us to study hard.  I'm the leading scorer on my
field hockey team.  I'm the best player on our basketball team.  My parents
and friends put so much pressure on me.  This weekend is one of the few
times I can cut loose and have fun.  I was just blowing off steam last
night."

   "You don't expect this to be more than what we did last night, do you? I
still have a girlfriend."

   "No Kyle.  All I wanted was to have some fun last night.  I have a
boyfriend back home.  Mike is a really nice guy.  I think I love him.  Last
night was just fun, nothing more." Alicia explained.

   "I know what you mean about pressure.  My older brother Will was class
valedictorian at our high school.  Everyone expected me to be as smart as
him.  I had a lot of trouble two years ago trying to live up to my
brother's legacy.  I guess I understand what you're saying."

   "I'm glad you understand Kyle." Alicia said.

   I asked, "I am worried about one more thing.  Are you protected?  I
completely forgot about condoms last night."

   "Of course I am protected Kyle.  Do you think I'm stupid?"

   "No, I don't.  It's just that... I'm usually so careful.  I mean, we're
too young to be parents."

   "You're right Kyle.  That's why I have been taking birth control pills
for the last two years.  A little fun like this weekend isn't going to get
in the way of me being successful."

   I asked, "You are all right with what we did last night?"

   "I fine.  No second thoughts, no regrets, nothing wrong except I'm a
little sore." Alicia said with a giggle.  "You're cock's only a little
longer than my boyfriend's, but you are a lot thicker than him.  You really
filled me up last night."

   "I'm glad you are OK with last night.  Last night was one of the most
intense sexual experiences I've ever had."

   Alicia asked, "Did you get in trouble with your parents for getting back
late?"

   "I don't know.  My parents let me sleep in this morning.  I haven't
talked to them yet.  My brother Andy says they are pissed off at me.  I
guess I'll find out how much trouble I am in later today."

   Alicia and I continued talking for another forty-five minutes, until the
Pattons, the Randolphs, the Langs and the Pattersons returned from the
beach.  I talked with my friends.  I agreed to meet them at the beach for
some volleyball in the afternoon.  I headed back to my campsite.

   Mom and Dad were there when I got back.  This was it, time to find out
how bad things were.  Mom and Dad were sitting at the picnic table.  I
walked over and hd a seat beside them.

   Dad said, "I'm glad you could join us Kyle."

   "I'm sorry Dad.  I'm sorry Mom." I answered as I sat down with them.

   Dad said, "Would you like to explain why you came back an hour and
forty-five minutes late last night?"

   I answered, "I was hanging out with my friends down at the beach last
night.  I lost track of time.  I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

   Dad said, "That's not an acceptable reason.  You aren't a grown up yet.
Your mother and I expect you to be back before your curfew, every night,
home or away.  You're our son and we expect to respect our rules."

   I replied, "I know you do Dad.  It won't happen again."

   Mom asked, "Was she worth it?"

   I stared at her for a few seconds then I laughed.  "She was Mom."

   Dad continued, "What ever the reason you were late last night, it will
not happen again.  You will be in the campsite promptly by 9 pm.  Not one
second later.  Is that understood?"

   "Yes Dad."

   "If you are one second late, even one second, you are grounded for the
next month.  That includes no driving lessons.  Is that perfectly clear?"

   "Yes Dad." I answered.

   Mom made me a couple sandwiches for lunch.  I rode my bike to the beach
to meet my friends.  We spent the afternoon playing volleyball and
swimming. After dinner Andy and I headed back to our friends.

   We headed down to an isolated section of the beach.  Wes and I got a
small fire going.  We sat around it talking and enjoying each other's
company.  As the evening wore on, couples started to friendlier.  Alicia
and I cuddled together, enjoying the closeness.

   I had told Alicia about me curfew for tonight, so she knew that we
weren't going to repeat our performance of last night.  Both of us took a
lot of teasing about our very public performance the previous evening.

   Couple by couple most of our friends disappeared behind the dunes to get
some privacy.  Andy and Trish disappeared again.  I excused myself at
twenty of nine.  I had no intention of being late tonight.  I was back to
the campsite five minutes before my curfew.

   I hung out with Mom, Dad, Will and Abby around the small fire in our
fire pit.  I listened mostly as they talked about Will's and Abby's college
courses this semester.  Mom and Abby traded ideas for the wedding, even
though it was almost two years away.  I guess that is how women are.

   I went to bed around 10:30, just after Andy came back to the campsite.
Andy and I had stripped and laid down in our sleeping bags when I asked,
"Did you and Trish have fun tonight?"

   "Yes.  Trish knows what she's doing when she's fucking.  She's a lot of
fun."

   "What are you going to tell Heather?"

   "Heather?" Andy said and then he sighed.  "I don't know.  I can't
explain this to her."

   "I wanted to talk to you about something else Andy.  I'm worried about
some of the answers you marked on the purity test.  Was everything true?"

   Andy hung his head.  "It was."

   "You checked off that you used pot.  What's up?  Do I need to worry
about that?"

   "No.  I only tried it once.  It was at a party last winter when I was
dating Katrina Wilson.  Katrina is into that shit.  That is why I broke up
with her."

   "You said you had sex with another guy." I said.

   Andy hung his head and wouldn't look at me.  After a half a minute he
looked up again and wiped his eyes.  "I did.  Last spring I was sleeping
over at the Connells one Saturday night.  I brought a couple of Penthouse
magazines.  Eric and I got pretty horny after reading some of letters. 
There was this really hot one describing a girl giving a guy a blowjob.  We
went on-line and found some picture of guys getting blowjobs.  We were
really horny and..."

   "And?" I asked.

   Andy wiped his eyes again.  "We were horny and ... well, we agreed to
give each other blowjobs.  Does it make Eric and me gay?"

   "No Andy.  You definitely are not gay.  It makes you horny and curious.
I wondered about one other thing.  You checked off that you participated in
sex with an adult and a child.  Did you have sex with a young girl?"

   "No.  I'm the child I was talking about." Andy explained.

   "What?  You had sex with a grown-up?"

   "I did.  It happened last month.  It was right after I came home from
camp.  It was really hot the first Saturday I was home.  All I wore was a
pair of shorts and sneakers.  I went over to mow the Jackson's lawn.  Mr.
Jackson took the kids to a ball game.  Mrs.  Jackson was home alone.  When
I was done she invited me in for some iced tea.  We got to talking and
well, what can I say?  Mrs.  Jackson must have been really horny.  She
massaged my shoulders at first.  Then she teased and rubbed against me.  I
was shocked when she kissed me.  Things moved pretty fast after that.  We
ended up in her bedroom naked.  We screwed a couple times that afternoon.
The whole thing kind of freaked me out.  Eric mowed the Jackson's lawn from
then on.  I don't plan to go near that place again."

   I said, "I know this weekend isn't a great time for me to lecture you on
being more responsible, but I'm going to anyway.  You're out of control
Andy.  You get caught doing pot, you get kicked off the football team.  You
could get arrested.  You and Mrs.  Jackson get caught, she could be
arrested.  If anyone finds out about you and Eric exchanging blowjobs, you
can kiss your reputation good bye at school.  This is really serious shit
you're dealing with."

   "I know Kyle.  I try to behave myself, but sometimes I can't.  I just
don't think."

   "I'll help any way I can Andy.  You can talk to me about anything."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I appreciate that.  I really will try to do better."

   "I'm glad Andy.  Good Night."

   "Good night Kyle."

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom had everyone up by eight o'clock in the morning on Labor Day.  Andy,
Will and I did the cooking again for Mom.  After breakfast Andy and I
headed over to the West Virginia clan to visit a little in the morning. 
All of us went out for a bike ride.  We ended up at a secluded section of
beach at the southern end of the park.  The sixteen of us talked and joked
around for awhile.  At 11:30 we rode back to the campsite.

   Alicia and I shared a hug and a kiss before we parted.  I wished her the
best of luck for the coming school year.  Andy and I rode back just in time
for our family's lunch.

   After lunch the family packed up, folded up the tents and loaded the
mini-van.  Will and Abby waved good-bye to us when we left.  Their trip
back to Philadelphia was a lot shorter than ours, so they planned on
fitting in another swim in the ocean before they left for college.

   Traffic was miserable on the way home.  It was almost 6:30 when we
finally pulled into our driveway.  Mom called out for pizza.  She was in no
mood to cook dinner.  The rest of us weren't interested in waiting for her
to cook anyway.

   After dinner I relaxed in front of the TV in my room and studied the
defense's play book.  The game with Central was 5 ˝ weeks away.  I was
going to cover Christian Hunsecker again.  I wanted to understand the
defense better so I fit what I did in better with the rest of the guys
playing defense.  Central certainly had some wrinkles for us to figure out
when we played again.  I needed to be ready for them.

   I went to bed early.  I had a busy summer.  I had so many fun things
happen and I had bittersweet experiences too.  My two weeks camping with
Julie had been fantastic.  Seeing her leave for Nebraska two weeks ago was
hard.  I had my learner's permit and had managed to get 11 of the 50 hours
of practice I needed to get my license.  One of the best things about the
summer was the fact that my Eagle project was done.  Mr.  Clark was going
to have a Scoutmaster's Conference with me next Monday and then I would do
a Board of Review in a few weeks.  My Eagle rank was a lock now.  I was
proud of all that I had accomplished.

   Chapter 12

   =========

   I found out my first challenge of the school year on Tuesday third
period in Pre-calculus/Trigonometry.  My teacher was Mr.  Witman.  He was a
young guy, probably 23 or 24.  This was his first year teaching.  He was
very soft spoken and dry.  He nearly put me to sleep discussing logarithms.
I realized that I was going to have to study a lot on my own if I wanted to
learn the material for this class.  I just couldn't follow Mr.  Witman's
convoluted explanations.  During class I glanced over at Penny.  She had
the same glazed look on her face as me.

   Brandon sat with my friends and teammates at lunch.  This was the first
year since eighth grade when we had the same lunch period.  I struck up a
conversation with him.

   "How are you and Penny doing?"

   "I'm fine.  I suppose Penny's fine.  We aren't Brandon and Penny
anymore. We broke up."

   "Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that.  What happened?" I asked.

   "Nothing happened.  We just don't have enough in common.  We were good
together when we had Algonquin to share.  After that we just didn't have
enough to do together."

   I asked, "Are you going to be all right?"

   "I'm fine.  Penny and I parted as friends.  I still consider her a good
friend.  We just weren't in love.  We agreed to move on."

   "I'm really sorry Brandon.  The two of you seemed to make a nice
couple."

   "The biggest problem in our relationship is that Penny is in love with
someone else.  I couldn't compete."

   "Is Penny going to get together with him?" I asked.

   Brandon replied, "Apparently he doesn't know she is in love with him."

   "That sucks.  I hope he wakes up and figures out what a great girl she
is.  Any guy would be lucky to have her."

   "Yes.  I hope so to Kyle." Brandon replied.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Caffrey ran a hard practice after school.  We had three days to
prepare for the Chiefs.  We usually beat them, but they could be trouble
this year.  Their quarterback was more experienced this year.  After a
shaky start last year, he looked really sharp by the end of the season.  We
couldn't afford to overlook them this week.

   After dinner Tuesday night Dad asked, "Did you get your mail today?"

   "I have mail?" I asked, mildly shocked.  I rarely got mail.  Dad handed
me four 9"x12" envelopes.  They were decorated with logos for the
University of Southern California, University of Pittsburgh, University of
Pennsylvania and Notre Dame University.  I looked through each of the
packets of information.  They were recruiting brochures from the
universities.  All of them focused on their football program and what they
had to offer a prospective athlete.

   I realized by the time I was done with the last packet that Zack Hayes
had been right.  I was going to be a hot prospect.  I headed back
downstairs to talk with Dad.

   I asked, "Do you know what these are Dad?"

   He glanced up from the paper.  "What are they?"

   "All these colleges are trying to get me to play for them when I go to
college.  They tell me about the college, the academics and their football
programs.  They are recruiting me."

   "Let me see Kyle." Dad said.  I handed the packets for information to
him.  He looked through them while I waited to see his reaction.

   After he looked back up at me I said, "Zack Hayes told me I was going to
have a lot of colleges interested in me.  It looks like he was right.  You
don't need to worry about saving money for college for me anymore."

   "I'm going to hold onto the money Kyle.  I don't see anything in here
that says they are ready to offer you a full scholarship.  Even so, they
seem interested in you."

   "Look at the postmarks Dad.  They mailed these the first day possible
according to the NCAA rules.  I bet I get a lot more of these."

   "Maybe.  What are you going to do with all this information?"

   "I guess I'll review them and start a list of colleges that I'm
interested in."

   Dad asked, "Do any of these look interesting?"

   "USC does.  Maybe Notre Dame." I offered.

   "Are you interested in Penn?  I'm sure Will would like it if you
attended his school."

   "I know he would Dad.  I'm more interested in one of the major football
schools.  That's what I'm hoping for."

   "OK Kyle.  That sounds good." Dad went back to reading the paper.

   I went upstairs to tackle my pre-calc homework.  I tried the problems
but I couldn't do them.  Mr.  Witman's explanation didn't make sense.  I
understood that a 1000 was 10 to the third power.  The base 10 logarithm of
was 3.  OK.  But what was the point of all this?  Why do we need other
bases?  I went back and read the first chapter in the text book again.  I
tried a couple problems.  I got the right answer.  I kept working until I
finished the whole assignment.  It was 9:15 by the time I got it done.

   I still had to read a chapter for history, study my Deutsche vocabulary
list, do my chemistry homework and read two chapters of a play for English.
I finished my homework at 10:30.  I fired up my computer and checked my
e-mail.  I had three messages from Julie.  I turned the computer off.  It
was bed time so I headed to bed.  Julie's messages would have to wait until
tomorrow night.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   Mr.  Witman nearly put me to sleep again in pre-calc.  Penny nudged me
when she saw me nod off.  The two of us walked together to our next class.
I had Modern European History and Penny had Spanish.  The classrooms were
near each other.

   When we left Mr.  Witman's room I said, "I heard about you and Brandon
breaking up.  I'm sorry that happened.  Are you OK?"

   "Thanks for saying that Kyle.  I'm fine.  It wasn't a messy.  We broke
up by mutual agreement.  Neither of us was really in love with the other.
We're just friends.  We never felt that spark, that connection.  Does that
make sense?"

   "I understand.  You and I had that when we went out.  I really feel it
with Julie.  I'm hopelessly in love with her." I answered.

   "I know you are Kyle.  It shows.  I hope I can find that again with
someone."

   "You will Penny.  You're a great girl.  Any guy would be lucky to have
you as a girlfriend."

   "Here's my classroom Kyle.  I'll see you next period at Chemistry."

   "See you then Penny." I answered.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   We had a hard practice Wednesday afternoon.  A few of the younger
players tried goofing around during practice, but Greg and I set them
straight.  The Chiefs may not have had a winning record recently, but we
couldn't overlook them.  I reminded everyone about last year when we didn't
prepare enough for Cornwall and lost that game.  We didn't need that with
the Chiefs.

   I spent half of Wednesday evening working on learning the day's pre-calc
and struggling through the homework.  This looked like it was going to be a
long struggle to keep up with the class.  I was burnt out by the time I
finished the last of my homework.

   The rest of my week went the same way.  Friday morning I proudly pulled
on my number 87 jersey with the `C' indicating that I was a team captain.
My friends and I had worked on preparing for tonight for over eight months.
It was time for football.

   After school the coaches walked us through the game plan.  Everyone
seemed to have their responsibilities down pat.  The mood of the team was
light when Coach Caffrey dismissed us to go home for some supper before we
returned for our game.

   My friends and I met back at the high school locker room to prepare for
our game.  We reviewed the game plan one last time then suited up while the
JV team played.  Ed, Andy and I were sitting beside each other.

   I asked, "You ready Ed?"

   "You bet.  I'm psyched.  I was just thinking about how different things
are from a year ago.  You remember how nervous I was that night?" Ed said.

   "You were.  I told you everything would work out." I answered.  I turned
to my brother.  "You ready for this Andy?"

   "I guess.  How much do you think I'll play tonight?" Andy asked.

   Ed said, "Probably you'll be in 15 or 20 plays as a receiver.  You might
return six to eight punts too."

   I added, "We want to keep you busy Andy.  The better our defense plays,
the more punts you have to return."

   We finished our preparations for the game.  When the time came, we lined
up outside our stands, waiting for introductions.  Hopefully this would be
the last year we used these old stands.  The football boosters had been
raising money for the last year to build us a new state of the art stadium.

   I took in the sights and sounds as I waited during introductions.  Over
two thousand people filled our stands to capacity.  Most were wearing our
red and white team colors too.

   We stood and waited for our turn.  The captains usually got introduced
last.  The speaker blared, "Third year starter and all-conference tight
end, Number 82, Greg Harrison." Greg ran out onto the field to loud cheers.
My turn was next.  "Third year starter and all-state wide receiver, Number
87, Kyle Martin." I ran out onto the field high fiving my teammates as I
went.  I turned and waited for my best friend.  "Second year starter and
all-conference quarterback, Number 5, Edward Fritz."

   I high fived Ed when he reached the end of the line and gave him a hug.
"It's time for football!" I declared.

   "Best time in the world." Ed answered.  The rest of the team ran out
behind us to our bench.  We waited while the Chiefs were announced to
polite, scattered applause.

   Greg, George, Ed, Tim and I headed out to mid-field for final
instructions and the coin toss.  Greg called it.  He had the honor of
calling the first toss, since he had started the most games among the five
captains.  Greg had started 27 games, I had only started for 25.  Greg
called heads.  It was.  We elected to receive.

   The Chiefs kicked off to Tim.  He ran the ball back to our 24 yard line.
Ed and I led our offense onto the field.  Coach Caffrey opened things up
easy for us.  Our first play was a simple off-tackle run.

   Things were going to be hard for the Chiefs based on that play.  Our
beefed up offensive line pushed the Chiefs off the line of scrimmage. 
Jerry Morton and Dustin Roberts opened a big hole in the Chiefs' defensive
line.  Ian Myers blocked the middle linebacker out of the way.  Drew
McCormick blasted through the hole and wasn't tackled until he had made a
fourteen yard gain.  We executed exactly the way Coach Baer taught us.

   We tested the Chiefs on the second play too.  I went on a deep pass
route.  I out ran the cornerback.  Ed launched a bomb to me, I leapt and I
caught it over top of the free safety who was helping cover me.  I broke
his arm tackle and raced into the end zone for our first touchdown.  Hal
came in and kicked the extra point.  Score: 7-0 Wolverines.  Time elapsed:
67 seconds.

   Hal kicked off to the Chiefs.  Their kick returner got the ball out to
the 22 yard line.  They tried a run on the first play.  Our big defensive
line caved in their o-line and met the running back in the back field. 
They lost two yards on the first play.  On the second play they dropped
back to pass and nearly took a sack when Travis Hall broke free.  On third
and twelve Jeremy swatted the pass away from their tight end.

   I slapped Andy on the back as he went onto the field for his first play.
"Go get'em.  You'll do a good job Andy."

   "Thanks Kyle." He said, grinning at me.

   Andy fielded his first punt at our 42 yard line.  He made the first two
tacklers miss.  They tackled Andy at mid-field.  Coach Caffrey had us run
the ball a few times to establish that we could do it.  Drew worked us
downfield to the Chief's twenty-four yard line.  On the next play we ran
play action pass and went for the end zone.  Ed put the ball in the corner
and I out-jumped two Chiefs' defenders for our next touchdown.  Hal put the
point after attempt (PAT) through the uprights.  Score: 14-0 Wolverines.

   The beginning of the game did indicate what was to come.  Greg caught
the third touchdown for us in the game.  I scored two more before half
time. Drew ran pretty much at will through their defense.  He ran for 102
yards and a touchdown by halftime.  The Chiefs managed a field goal on our
first team defense.  Coach Caffrey benched the first team at half time.

   Jake ran our offense well in the second half.  We played conservative
since we didn't want to make any mistakes that would allow the Chiefs to
get back in the game.  Marcus Shaeffer, our back-up tailback, ran the ball
a lot.  Andy caught three passes for 59 yards.  He was outstanding
returning punts.  He averaged over ten yards a return.

   The Chiefs' quarterback had improved a little over last year.  He didn't
throw any interceptions.  In the second half against our second team
defense he managed two touchdowns.  The final score was 42-17 Wolverines.
Coach Caffrey awarded game balls to Ed, Travis Hall and me.  It was a good
night.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   I slept in on Saturday.  It felt nice not to have so much pressure to do
things.  I got out of bed around 11:00, took a shower and went downstairs
for brunch.  Mom offered to let me go driving with her this afternoon.  I
was starting to feel comfortable driving around the back roads.  I was
going to need to tackle Route 30 soon.  Living in Paradise, I have to drive
in heavy traffic some time.

   When Mom and I got home I went to my room.  I hadn't checked for e-mail
for over a week.  Things had been too busy.  I logged on and found I had
eleven e-mails from Julie.  The first one talked about how things went her
first day of school.  In the second one Julie talked about going to the
movies with some of the other cheerleaders on Friday night.

   The third one is the one that got me.  She sent it Saturday night.  It
was one of her sexy e-mails.  She told me exactly what she was dreaming of
me doing to her while she brought herself to climax with "Kyle Jr.", her
dildo.  I guess I should quote the final paragraph.

   "I know we talked about seeing other people before I left Kyle.  I just
can't do it.  No boy comes close to making me happy the way you do.  My
parents think I should date other boys but I'm not going to do it.  I love
you and only you.  Tell me you still feel the same way.

   Love Julie."

   I had felt guilty all week about screwing Alicia last weekend.  Now this
made me feel ten times worse.  I made a promise to Julie that I would be
faithful.  My promise lasted all of two weeks.  What kind of guy was I?  I
shut down the e-mail program and lay down on my bed.  I grabbed my MP3
player and listened to some tunes while I thought about how I should handle
my infidelity.

   I did love Julie.  I was a scout and I believed in the Scout Law.  I was
supposed to be trustworthy.  Why hadn't I just kept my dick in my pants? 
How do I ever explain what I did to Julie?  I didn't come up with any
answers.  I was a complete loser.  I decided to write Julie tomorrow.

   Greg gave me a ride to the movies in the evening.  After dinner at our
usual pizza place, I went to the movies with Jeremy, Kathy, Hal, Tammy, Ed,
Lindsey, and Holly.  Holly sat with me and behaved herself tonight.  She's
a pretty good conversationalist.  I had fun spending the evening with her.

   I spent part of Sunday afternoon studying for pre-calc.  We had our
first test on Wednesday.  I didn't want to screw it up.

   I read through all the recruiting packets that arrived during the week.
I ended up with twenty-seven of them.  A lot of top football schools sent
me information.  Some of the schools included UCLA, Ohio State, Michigan,
Tennessee, Miami, Michigan State, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana State, Texas,
Syracuse, Boston College and Nebraska.  I studied Nebraska carefully, for
obvious reasons.

   Monday evening at scouts I turned running the meeting over to Ed.  Mr.
Clark and I went to one of the church classrooms for my Eagle rank
scoutmaster's conference.  We spent half an hour talking.  Mr.  Clark asked
about my college and career plans.  We talked about what I had learned
leading the troop.  We discussed my Eagle project extensively.  The last
thing we talked about was the Scout Oath and Law.

   His final question surprised me.  He asked, "People aren't perfect. 
Everyone makes mistakes.  What part of the Scout Oath or Law do you feel
you need to improve on?"

   I thought for a few seconds.  "Trustworthy.  I made a promise to a
friend a few weeks ago.  I promised I wouldn't do something.  I meant it
too.  Two weeks later I did it anyway.  I feel awful about it.  I'm not
sure what to do." I kept my dilemma very general.  Sex was not something
that was EVER discussed at Boy Scouts.

   "Have you talked it over with the person you made the promise too?"

   "No.  She..." I said before I realized what I said.

   Mr.  Clark stared straight into my eyes.  "She?" he asked.  "Is this
your girlfriend who moved to Nebraska?"

   "Yes." I answered hesitantly.

   "It isn't any of my business exactly what promise you broke.  I don't
want to know the details.  What are you going to do about this breach of
trust?"

   "I... I guess I need to discuss what happened with her and ask her to
forgive me.  I really expect better of myself.  Sometimes I get carried
away and forget how I am supposed to behave.  I really try, but sometimes I
can't help it."

   "I know Kyle.  We are human beings.  Imperfect.  All we ever ask you to
do in Scouts is to do your best.  Talk with your girlfriend and clear
things up.  Do your best to keep that promise to her.  Can you do that?"

   "Yes.  Thanks for listening to me Mr.  Clark." I said.  WE talked for a
couple more minutes about what I thought we should do to improve the way
the scout trop ran.

   Mr.  Clark shook my hand and said, "Good.  Congratulations Kyle.  I'm
sending you on to the Board of Review." Mr.  Clark said.  He took my Scout
book and signed off the next to last requirement for Eagle.  We shook
hands. Both of us headed back to the scout meeting to see how things were
going.  Ed had everything under control.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   School was just as tough this week as last week.  I spent at least two
hours every night on pre-calc and then had the rest of my homework to do
to. I felt comfortable when I took the pre-calc test on Wednesday.  I
understood all the questions.  My time doing homework seemed to pay off.

   The first Venturer Crew meeting was on Tuesday night.  We added four
ninth grade guys and three ninth grade girls to our crew.  We did an
election for a new crew leader for the next year.  Jeremy won.  We started
planning for our next trip.  We were going rock climbing and rappelling on
October 20th and 21st.

   After school we prepared for the Coventry Warriors this week.  This was
a non-league game.  They are a high school located in northern Chester
County, east of us.  We knew almost nothing about them.  They didn't look
that impressive on the tapes we had of them.

   Mr.  Witman handed back our Pre-Calculus tests on Friday.  I scored an
86.  I was pleased with the result.  Penny and I walked together to the
wing where our fourth period classes were.  Penny complained, "I can't
believe how bad I did on that test.  I got a 62.  What did you get Kyle?"

   "My score was 86." I answered.

   "How did you manage that?  I can't understand what Mr.  Witman is
talking about."

   "I know Penny.  I don't understand him either."

   "How in the hell did you get an 86 on the test then?"

   "I spend a lot of timing studying for the course on my own.  I listen to
his lectures, but usually don't get the point.  I go home and read the text
book and work on problems until it makes sense." I explained.

   "I don't know if that will work for me.  I'm too far behind already.  I
don't know what I'm going to do."

   "Are you doing anything tomorrow afternoon?  Why don't you come over and
I'll help you with it.  I know you can get this."

   Penny asked, "Really?  You don't mind helping me?"

   "No.  I'd like that.  This will probably help me understand the material
better too.  When you teach someone a skill, it really helps you understand
it better.  Why don't you come over a 1:00 pm tomorrow?"

   "I'll do that Kyle.  Thank you." Penny said.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   Our game with the Coventry Warriors was a home game.  Our team met to
review the game plan one last time and to suit up after dinner on Friday.
We took the field to the sight of a standing room crowd cheering us.  Since
I had the second most starts among the team captains; Greg, George, Ed and
Tim said I got to call the coin toss tonight.  I chose heads.  The flip was
tails.  Coventry took the kickoff.

   Our defense was up to the task of stopping the Warriors.  They couldn't
make a first down on their first three plays, so they punted.  Andy
received the punt on our 36 yard line.  The contain man on the left side of
the field over-ran Andy.  Jason Harting, a sophomore wide receiver, blocked
him further into the backfield while Andy shot through the gap in the
coverage.  Our blockers did a good job of getting in the way of the
coverage team.  Andy faked the punter with a juke.  He flew past him, cut
back across the field and ran downfield.  The last cover guy lunged for
Andy and missed him.  Andy ran into the end zone.  Andy held the ball over
his head while the crowd cheered his touchdown.  Hal kicked the extra point
to make the score 7-0 Wolverines.

   The Warriors managed to do better on their second drive.  They made two
first downs before our defense shut them down.  They punted to Andy.  He
took the ball on our fourteen yard line.  The cover guy on the left was
more careful this time.  Andy had to follow his blockers up the middle.  He
took the ball out to our twenty-three yard line.

   Ed led us out onto the field.  Coach Caffrey wanted to lull the Warriors
to sleep.  We ran four straight running plays, both inside and outside
runs. On the fifth play we did a play action play.  Ed faked the handoff to
Drew while I sprinted downfield.  I easily out ran the cornerback.  Ed
lofted the ball to me; I caught it and sprinted into the end zone.  Hal put
the PAT through the uprights to bring the score to 14-0 Wolverines.

   The Warriors managed one first down the next drive before they punted
the ball back to us.  Greg scored a touchdown on our next drive.  I scored
two more touchdowns before half time.  Drew ran the ball in for a touchdown
on one drive when the Warriors missed a tackle.

   With the score 35-0 at halftime, Coach Caffrey benched the first string.
Jake, Andy, Tim, Pete and Marcus took over from Ed, myself, Karl, Greg and
Drew.  Jake threw a touchdown to Andy in the second half.  Marcus carried
most of the load, running for over a hundred yards.  Pete also scored a
touchdown.

   The Warriors did manage to score in the fourth quarter on our second
team defense when we played prevent defense.  The final score for the game
was 49-14.

   Ed and I mingled with our friends on the field after the game ended.  A
guy with a press pass clipped to his pocket tapped me on the shoulder.  He
asked, "Can I talk to you and Ed Fritz?"

   I grabbed Ed and turned him to face the reporter.  "Sure, what's up?" I
asked.

   The reporter answered, "I'm Todd Barnett with the New Era.  I'd like to
do a feature story on you Ed and Kyle.  Are you interested?"

   "Yeah, sure" "Absolutely" the two of us answered.

   I asked, "Do you want to do this now?"

   Mr.  Barnett said, "No, I'd like to meet with the two of you some
evening next week.  Would Monday night suit you?"

   Ed answered, "No.  We have Boy Scouts that night."

   "How about Tuesday night?" I asked.

   Ed added, "Yeah.  Tuesday works for me.  Is that good?"

   Mr.  Barnett said, "Tuesday sounds good.  Can I meet you at one of your
houses?"

   The three of us arranged the details.  He would meet Ed and me at 7 pm
at my house on Tuesday.

   -----------------------------------------------------

   I drove Mom to Park City Mall Saturday morning.  I had my first taste of
bypass driving.  I had to drive on the Route 30 bypass for 4 miles to get
to the mall.  I carefully followed the 50 mile an hour speed limit in the
right lane.  I think every single car and truck blew past me at way past
the speed limit.

   I spent some time browsing through stores while I waited for her to do
her shopping.  I don't think Mom was too comfortable with me driving on the
bypass either.  She had me go home through the center of Lancaster City. 
The traffic was slower and the drivers were not nearly as insane.

   I had a sandwich for lunch and waited for Penny to arrive so we could
study Pre-calculus.  Penny arrived a few minutes after I finished eating.
We headed upstairs to my bedroom and spread out our books.  I reviewed
everything from the beginning of the school year.  Penny and I worked
through example problems.  We worked until I felt Penny had the material
down cold.

   Penny glanced at my clock when we were finishing.  She said, "Holy Cow!
It's after four o'clock.  I have to run.  I've got a date tonight."

   I exclaimed, "Wow, time went quick.  I've got to get ready too.  Jeremy
is picking me up in half an hour.  We're meeting the team at the pizza
place near the movie theater.  Who is your date with?"

   "Ken Ziegler"

   "Have you gone out often?" I asked.

   "No, this is our first date.  He's taking me to the movies too." Penny
answered.

   "Ken's a decent guy.  You should have fun." I said.

   "I hope so.  Thank you for all your help today Kyle.  I understand this
material much better than before."

   I said, "I enjoyed this.  We can work together in the evenings if you
want.  Helping you helps me understand what is going on."

   Penny headed for home.  I tried to get the bathroom so I could get
ready. Andy beat me to it.  He and Eric were taking there girlfriends to
the movies tonight too.  I had ten minutes to get ready when Andy finally
left me in the bathroom.  I barely finished before Jeremy arrived.  He was
parked at the curb when I came outside.  Jeremy drove us to the mall on the
other side of Lancaster.  We walked together to the pizza shop.

   I found a seat with Ed, Lindsey, Jeremy and Kathy.  A couple minutes
later Erika Gillespie came in.  She asked if she could sit with us.  Erika
is a sophomore who is friends with Lindsey.  She is about 5'-5" tall; a
brunette who keeps her hair short.  She is well built.  If I was looking,
I'd certainly give her a try; but I wasn't looking.

   Andy, Heather, Eric and Sammy walked in a few minutes later.  They found
seats among our teammates.  Andy fit into the crowd perfectly.  That wasn't
surprising.  He had been working with a lot of these guys for over a year.
Eric fit in too.  He joked around with the other guys.  He exchanged kisses
with Sammy.  My friends simply treated him like any other guy in the
restaurant.

   The six of us at our table talked, joked around and had fun as we ate
our supper.  Erika was really nice company.  I asked her is she wanted to
sit with me during the movie after I explained that I already had a
girlfriend.  Erika agreed.

   After dinner everyone headed over to the movie.  I enjoyed seeing it
with Erika.  She was fun to be with.  If only I wasn't committed to Julie.
During the movie I remembered I was going to send a reply to Julie's
e-mails.  Where had my time gone?

   Dad let me drive the family to and from church on Sunday.  Dad, Andy and
I settled in after lunch to watch the Eagles.  Watching the Eagles beat the
Redskins was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Dad was in a mellow
mood and I managed to convince him to let me go driving after dinner.  I
managed to get my driving hours up to 16 hours, nearly one third of the way
to my driver's license.

   I worked on my non-math homework when I got home from driving.  It was
after 10 o'clock when I finally finished my reading assignment for History.
I fired up my computer and sent off a quick e-mail to Julie.
====================== To: simpsonj@gmail.com
From: kmartin87@redroses.net
Time: September 16 20:11:05

   Hi Julie

   I'm sorry it has been so long since I wrote you.  Things have been crazy
back here in Paradise.  You can probably see that from the time stamp on
this e-mail.  I wrote you after I finished my homework.  I haven't had time
to read all your e-mails.  I will soon.

   We beat the Sadsbury Chiefs 42-17 and the Coventry Warriors 49-14.  Your
dad would have enjoyed the games.  Tell your parents and W.  J.  that I say
Hi.

   Love you,

   Kyle

   ======================

   Chapter 13

   ==========

   Monday after school we started practicing for Cornwall.  We had a score
to settle with them.  They beat us last year, beat us to a pulp.  We lost
that game 38-24.  It wasn't really as close as the score indicated either.
Cornwall was also 2-0.  They won their first game with Eastern 24-13.  They
won their second game with LS 17-9.  They played tough physical football.
That was OK this year.  We were ready for smash mouth football now with our
big offensive and defensive lines.

   Coach Baer had Andy and me practice the reverse option play together. 
We planned to try it out on Cornwall.  They hadn't seen it before.

   We practiced a lot of three and five step drops.  We needed plays that
got the ball out of Ed's hands quickly so he didn't get beat up like last
year.  We also added some roll-out plays in the game plan to move Ed away
from the pass pushers.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   On Tuesday Ed arrived at my house a few minutes before seven o'clock for
our interview with the reporter from the New Era.  Mr.  Barnett talked with
Ed and me for almost an hour.  We told him about how we started in
football. We talked about our first two games.  We discussed our upcoming
game with Cornwall.  We took Coach Caffrey's advice and said lots of nice
things about Cornwall.  We didn't need to have them mad at us when we
played them on Friday night.  Mr.  Barnett said he was sending a
photographer over to our practice on Wednesday to get our pictures in
uniform.

   Penny came over to study pre-calc when Mr.  Barnett left.  We worked on
it until 9:30.  I was up until 11 pm finishing my homework.  When had my
life gotten so busy?

   Coach Caffrey worked us hard every day at practice.  We knew this was
our first real test of the season.  We needed to beat Cornwall if we
expected to excel the way we wanted.

   The article about Ed and me appeared in Thursday night's New Era.  It
had a nice picture of us.  Mr.  Barnett called us the best quarterback-wide
receiver combination in the past decade.  The sports writers at the paper
predicted that our team would dominate the league, possibly even go
undefeated.

   I got a call from Trent Wilson while Penny and I were studying our
pre-calc.

   I grabbed the phone from the hall and brought it into my bedroom.

   Trent asked, "Who did you pay off to get that article in the paper?"

   "No, the reporter just recognized real talent." I teased.

   "What is this nonsense about you guys saying your team will go
undefeated this year?" Trent asked.

   "Ed and I didn't say that.  The reporter predicted that.  I don't expect
us to go undefeated.  I expect to make the playoffs, but we're going to
lose at least a game, maybe two."

   "Yes you will.  Like the game against us in two weeks."

   "No.  We're definitely going to win that game." I insisted.

   "I couldn't resist yanking your chain.  Congratulations on the start
your team got this year."

   I said, "I read that your team is doing well too."

   "We had some trouble with the Braves in our first game, but we beat them
in the end.  We creamed the Tigers last Friday night.  I'm looking forward
to playing you in two weeks."

   "I am too.  Hopefully we are still undefeated when our teams meet.  We
play Cornwall tomorrow." I said.

   "Good luck.  You guys are going to have a hard game.  We play Eastern."
Trent chuckled.  "I think we can beat them."

   "Yeah, you probably can."

   "I interested in a double date with Ashley and me?  You got anyone to
invite?" Trent asked.

   "I got a girlfriend in Nebraska.  You mind a long drive to pick her up?"

   "You're still dating Julie?" Trent asked.

   "Yes.  She's special Trent.  I love her."

   Trent said, "More power to you Kyle.  I don't know how you manage to go
with a girl in Nebraska.  Good luck."

   "Thanks for calling Trent.  See you in two weeks." I said.

   "Good luck tomorrow Kyle.  Bye." Trent said.  I hung the phone up. 
Penny and I went back to studying.

   Friday during classes Ed and I got teased constantly about the article.
We also got a lot of encouragement to go out and beat Cornwall.  Our
school's spirit was on display.  Our team met when school was over to
review the game plan for the evening's game.  Coach Caffrey reminded us
that we had to play hard all four quarters and play smart.  We couldn't
afford any dumb penalties if we wanted to beat these guys.

   The temperature was in the mid-seventies that day.  The skies were
clear. It was perfect weather for a football game.  Our team took the field
after the JV game to sustained cheers.  The stands were packed to the
limit. The crowd cheered for us.  They wanted to erase the stain on our
record caused by Cornwall last year as much as we players wanted.

   It was George Reynolds' turn to call the coin flip.  He called heads. 
The flip was a tails.  Cornwall chose to receive the ball.  Hal kicked it
deep into the end zone, so there wasn't a return.

   Our defense played with most of our guys up close to the line of
scrimmage.  We knew from the tapes and from the fact that their quarterback
had only started seven or eight games that they weren't going to throw deep
on us.  They pounded the runner into the middle of our line, grinding out
yardage.  They made two first downs before Nathan Yuninger managed to blast
into the backfield and drop the running back for a loss on first down. 
Cornwall managed three yards on second down.  They were forced to pass on
third and nine.  Nick Zeimer batted the ball out of the receiver's hands.
Cornwall punted back to us.

   Andy managed an eight yard punt return, a good effort.  We got the ball
on our forty-three yard line.  Coach Caffrey wanted to test Cornwall deep,
so the first play was with three wide receivers; I was to run a deep post
pattern.  The cornerback kept up with my sprint step for step.  I turned
back when I heard the whistle blow.  Ed had been blitzed and dumped the
ball off to Drew in the backfield.  Drew managed to get five yards on the
play.  On the next play our offensive line managed to open a small crack
for Drew.  He gained two yards.

   We went with three wide receivers again, but stayed with quick pass
patterns.  Andy ran deep to draw off the free safety.  I ran 10 yard hitch
pattern.  The cornerback missed the hitch.  Ed fired the ball to me when I
got separation from the cornerback.  He tackled me immediately, but I had
gained nine yards and made the first down.

   I saw Ed getting up off the ground.  When I got back to the huddle I
asked, "Are you OK Ed?"

   "I'm fine.  Their right tackle was the one that I had a problem with
last year.  Jamaal's got my back now.  I can manage to keep out of the way
of the rest of the line.  I can see them.  Good job Jamaal." Ed answered.

   Our first drive continued that way.  We had to fight for every yard.  We
managed to move down to Cornwall's fifteen yard line when Dustin Roberts'
holding penalty stalled our drive.  We managed to get back to the sixteen
yard line, but couldn't make a first down.  Hal came in and kicked a 33
yard field goal.  Score: 3-0 Wolverines.

   Cornwall answered back with a long drive of their own.  They didn't do
anything tricky.  They just stuffed the ball up our gut.  Coach Wyndham and
Coach Fisher substituted defensive lineman liberally, to keep our guys from
getting tired.  We waited for Cornwall to make a mistake or penalty.  They
didn't.  They managed to score a touchdown on the drive.  Score: 7-3
Cornwall.

   We sustained a drive of our own in answer to Cornwall's score.  We used
Drew, Ian Meyers, our fullback, and Marcus Shaeffer, Drew's backup, to
pound on Cornwall's defensive line.  We mixed in short passes and screens
to keep them off balance.  We moved the ball down to their five yard line.
We tried to blast into the end zone on two straight running plays.  When it
didn't work, on third down Ed lobbed the ball to the corner of the end
zone. I leaped and grabbed the ball but had it knocked out of my hands
before I could land and establish possession of the ball.  We settled for
another field goal by Hal Long.  Score: 7-6 Cornwall.

   The two offenses alternated smashing their way up the field.  Our drive
would stall when we got a penalty.  Their drive would stall when they
couldn't complete a pass on a long third down.

   We had the ball at the two minute warning.  We switched to our hurry-up
offense.  We used our three receiver formations to spread Cornwall's
defense out.  Drew and Ian pounded the ball up field three or four yards a
carry.  We mixed in quick passes to keep the linebackers off balance.  We
ran our flanker reverse play at them.  We fooled most of the team, except
for the cornerback on Karl's side.  He managed to slip off Karl's block and
tackled me after only a twelve yard gain.  On the next play Coach Caffrey
called for Andy to line up in the slot between Greg and me.  He was to run
a post route and drew the strong safety away from the center while I ran a
slant across the middle.

   At the snap Andy sprinted downfield.  I ran across the middle separating
from the cornerback who was covering me.  I glanced for the free safety. 
He wasn't there.  I looked back towards Ed.  The free safety was blitzing.
Ed spotted me and fired a perfect pass to me that I caught in stride.  I
accelerated and turned down field and sprinted for the end zone.  No one
caught me.  I held the ball aloft in the end zone to sustained cheers of
our fans.  Hal kicked the PAT through the uprights to bring the score to
13-7 Wolverines.

   There was 91 seconds left in the half.  Cornwall answered with a drive
of there own.  They moved the ball down the field to our twenty-five yard
line.  Their drive stalled there.  Joey Keller stuffed the runner on first
down.  Jeremy plugged a hole in our line on second down.  Jeremy
run-blitzed on third down and caught the quarterback in the backfield
before he could hand off.  Cornwall settled for a long field goal try. 
Their kicker was good.  He barely managed to clear the bar on a forty-two
yard field goal.  Score: 13-10 Wolverines.

   Cornwall kicked off to us.  Tim managed 28 yards on the kickoff return
before he was tackled.  Time had run out in the half.  We headed back to
the locker room.

   We reviewed the plays that had worked during half time.  The coaches
talked about the adjustments we needed to make on offense and defense to
win the game.  Coach Caffrey gave a pep talk to get us fired up for the
second half.  We took the field confident that we could extend our slim
lead over Cornwall.

   Tim Showalter did a good job on the kick off return to start the second
half.  He got the ball out to our 33 yard line.  Coach Caffrey sent us onto
the field in our three receiver formation.  We decided to continue to in
our hurry-up offense.

   We started off with an off-tackle run.  Jerry and Dustin opened a crack
in the line that Drew squirted through for a six yard gain.  The next play
as a pitch out wide right.  Drew found the corner and picked up another six
yards before he was pushed out of bounds.  Coach Caffrey called for our
Flanker Option play.  Karl lined up in the slot between Greg and me.  Andy
lined up on the opposite side of the field from me.

   Ed yelled "Blue 37....  Blue 37....  Hut!  Hut!" I sprinted for the
backfield.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Greg slide over to block the
cornerback who was trying to follow me.  Drew took the handoff from Ed and
ran by me.  He handed the ball off to me and I tucked it away.  Drew
sprinted for the far sideline while I sprinted for the near one.  Ed
blocked the outside linebacker for me.  I watched as the cornerback
covering Andy turned and ran to tackle me before I gained too many yards.
As soon as he started for me, I threw the ball over his head to Andy.  Andy
pulled the ball into his chest and ran for the end zone.  The free safety
tried to catch him, but wasn't fast enough.  Andy ran into the end zone for
a touchdown.  Hal punched the PAT through to make the score 20-10
Wolverines.

   Cornwall took the ensuing kickoff and started their first drive of the
second half.  They used mostly runs and some short passes to move down the
field.  Our adjustments helped.  We put eight guys close to the line to
help with the run.  We got them in third and long twice and they managed to
squeeze out a first down each time.  A twelve yard pass put them on our 24
yard line.  Coach Wyndham started blitzing.  Jeremy nailed their
quarterback for a seven yard sack on the next play.  Luke Stauffer stuffed
their draw play after that.  They had third down and sixteen.  They tried a
pass play.  Jeremy blitzed.  He met Austin Herr at the quarterback as he
threw the ball away.  Cornwall took a try at a 47 yard field goal.  They
missed.  The score remained 20-10 Wolverines.

   Cornwall's defense was starting to tire.  Drew picked up five to eight
yards a play on every play.  After five running plays we went for the end
zone.  Ed faked a hand off to Drew who attracted most of the defender's
attention.  I ran by the cornerback.  The free safety took the bait and
stepped forward to try to stop Drew.  Ed lofted the ball to me and I ran
for the end zone, untouched.  Hal kicked the PAT.  Score: 27-10 Wolverines

   Cornwall tried passing more on their next drive.  We didn't respect
their ability to throw deep, so we stacked up our defense close to the line
of scrimmage.  They managed two first downs before they punted the ball
back to us.  Andy almost broke the return, but was knocked out of bounds by
the punter.  We got the ball at Cornwall's 43 yard line.

   Our offensive line dominated their line.  Drew and Marcus were able to
get six to ten yards a run.  We mixed in enough passes to keep Cornwall
honest on defense.  We moved steadily down the field, taking time off the
clock.  At first and goal from the five yard line we tried to pass for a
touchdown.  I attracted three defenders to me in the corner of the end
zone. This left Greg with only one defender.  Ed fired the ball to him for
our next score.  Hal knocked the PAT in to bring the score to 34-10
Wolverines.

   Cornwall answered with a drive of their own.  They moved the ball down
the field but stalled at our eighteen yard line.  They kicked in a field
goal to bring the score to 34-13 Wolverines.

   Our offense took the ball back and marched down the field quickly.  The
Cornwall defensive linemen were gasping for air between plays.  Drew and
Marcus took turns pounding the ball straight at them.  They gave up
increasingly large chucks of ground.  Our team put the game away when Ed
hit Greg for one more touchdown from twenty-five yards out.  Hal brought
the score to 41-13 Wolverines with the point after.

   Cornwall went three plays and punted to start the fourth quarter.  Drew
and Marcus ground out yardage and took minutes off the clock with our next
drive.  Cornwall did stop us from scoring, but we used up 5 ˝ minutes of
the fourth quarter.  We punted the ball to them.  It went out of bounds at
their four yard line.

   Cornwall desperately needed to score.  They were 28 points behind.  They
weren't built for quick strikes on offense and they had six ˝ minutes left
to score four touchdowns.  They managed to move downfield and kick a field
goal.

   We took the ball back.  Drew and Marcus alternated carries.  They drove
us down the field, destroying Cornwall's hopes and the minutes on the clock
at the same time.  The clock ran out before we could score again.  The
final score was 41-16 Wolverine's favor.

   Our team, the cheerleaders and the crowd celebrated our sweet revenge
over Cornwall.  Our family met Andy and me to celebrate our achievements
this night.  I had scored three touchdowns and thrown for a fourth.  Andy
had run one punt in for a touchdown and caught a second.  This was a very
big night for our family.  Hopefully we had a lot more like it coming in
the future.

   Coach Caffrey was calling for quiet when Andy and I finally got into the
locker room.  He awarded game balls to Jeremy, Ed, Andy, Luke Stauffer and
me.

   Ed, Andy, Jeremy, Hal and I were changing together after the game.  I
asked, "Do you guys know what I'm doing this weekend?" No one, except Andy,
did.  I continued, "I'm going on an unofficial visit to Penn State with my
dad.  We're meeting one of the coaches and a couple players.  They are
going to give us a tour of the campus and tell us about Penn State
football."

   "How did you manage that?" Ed asked.

   "It's easy.  Zack Hayes suggested I check the NCAA recruiting rules.  We
are allowed to make unofficial visits to colleges when we're juniors if we
pay our own way on the visit.  Dad called Penn State and set it up with
them." I explained.

   Jeremy said, "That sounds pretty cool."

   I suggested, "You guys need to do what I'm doing.  Download the
recruiting rules and learn them.  Are you guys getting letters from
colleges telling you about their football teams?"

   Ed said, "Yeah.  I wasn't sure why I was getting them, but I got about a
dozen of them this month."

   Jeremy added, "Yeah, I got a bunch too."

   I grinned.  "They're watching us guys.  We have an opportunity if we
play well."

   The three of us discussed college possibilities for a few minutes before
we headed for home.  I went to bed that night feeling pretty good about
myself.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   Dad woke me up at 6:30 on Saturday morning.  We had a long drive ahead
of us.  We were scheduled to meet one of the coaches and a football
player/guide at 11 am at Lasch Football Center.  I filled my overnight bag
with clothes and toiletries.  I added my MP3 player and a book I was
reading on Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.  Dad and I grabbed
a bagel and some orange juice before we left.  Dad and I hopped in his Jeep
and headed west for Lancaster and Harrisburg.

   As Dad pulled onto I-283, I asked, "If traffic isn't bad, could I drive
for awhile?"

   "Hmmm....  I hadn't thought about that.  We'll see how traffic is after
we pass Harrisburg.  You aren't ready for the Eisenhower interchange and
I-81."

   "OK Dad.  Thanks for considering it."

   I listened to music and read for the next 45 minutes.  We went through
two spaghetti like interchanges around Harrisburg.  The road signs said
"West 322".  The traffic was light.  Dad pulled over to the side of the
road and asked, "You want to drive the rest of the way Kyle?"

   "Sure thing.  Thanks Dad." I said.  The two of us switched seats.  I
checked my mirrors and pulled onto the highway.

   Dad instructed, "Keep the speed at 55 and stay in the right lane.  OK
Kyle?"

   "You got it Dad."

   Driving on Route 322 wasn't too hard.  There were only a few cars on the
road.  It's a four lane divided highway.  I drove for an hour and a half
when the four lane highway ended as we went downhill off the mountain.  I
followed 322 at the Y in the road.  Dad said, "This is Porter's Mill.  We
have a few more miles until we get there.  Are you doing OK Kyle?"

   "I'm fine.  Can I drive the rest of the way?"

   "Go for it Kyle.  You've been doing fine.  I'll keep an eye on the map
and let you know when to turn."

   At Boalsburg I followed the Rt.  322 signs onto the Mount Nittany
Expressway.  We were on the expressway for a few minutes when Dad said,
"The next exit is ours.  We want Park Avenue West."

   "OK" I answered.  I followed the ramp off the expressway and merged into
Park Avenue.

   Dad said, "Look for University Drive.  We turn left on it after we pass
the stadium."

   I drove west for a minute, passed the stadium and stopped at the light.
The street sign said this was University Drive.  Dorms were across the
street from us.  Dad said, "That is East Halls in front of us.  That is
where I stayed when I attended Penn State.  I was on the third floor of
Sproul Hall."

   "Can we see your old dorm Dad?"

   "No.  It is on the other side of East Halls." The light turned green.  I
made the left and headed south.  Dad said, "Pass Curtin Road." I followed
Dad's directions.  "Now you'll turn right on Hastings Road.  Then you pull
into the parking lot on the right.  The building in front of us should be
Lasch Football Building." I pulled into a parking space in front of the
building.  The sign in front confirmed that we were in the right place.

   I looked at Dad and asked, "You ready for this?"

   Dad shook his head.  "It doesn't matter if I am ready or not.  Let's do
it Kyle."

   We got out of the car and walked into the lobby of the Lasch Building.
Dad and I walked up to the receptionist.  He said, "I'm Dan Martin and this
is my son Kyle.  We have an appointment for a visit at 11:00 this morning.
I'm not sure which coach we are supposed to meet."

   The receptionist said, "Please have a seat.  I will check to see who you
are meeting."

   Dad and I sat down and waited.  She called someone.  The receptionist
said, "Coach Paterno will be with you in a few minutes."

   Dad and I stared at each other.  We tried to play it cool, but.... 
WE'RE MEETING JOE PATERNO!

   Dad and I waited nervously for about ten minutes.  The receptionist
said, "Coach Paterno will see you now.  Please follow me." We followed her
down the hall.  She opened a door and motioned for us to go in.

   It was a large, well furnished office.  Joe Paterno sat at a desk at the
opposite end of the room.  He smiled, stood up and walked around the desk
to meet us.  He extended his hand to Dad.  Coach Paterno said, "You must be
Dan Martin.  It's nice to meet you."

   "It's an honor sir.  I've been a fan of yours since I was a freshman
here twenty-one years ago." Dad said as he shook the coach's hand.

   Coach Paterno said, "Please call me Joe, Dan." Coach Paterno turned to
me.  "You must be Kyle Martin.  I've heard good things about you."

   "Thank you sir.  It's good to talk with you again." I said.

   "Have we met before?"

   "Yes.  We shook hands two years ago at the press conference you did when
Zack Hayes agreed to attend this university.  My voice cracked when I
greeted you.  You told me that we might meet again in a few years.  Here I
am."

   Coach Paterno chuckled.  "I do remember meeting a couple kids after the
press conference.  You were one of them?"

   "I was."

   "Let me get started.  Dan, Kyle, thank you for expressing this interest
in the Penn State Football.  Our university is proud of the things our
program has accomplished.  We have had five undefeated seasons, two
national championships and winning seasons 37 of the last 42 years.  We
play in the Big 10, one of the top conferences in college football.  The
Big 10 consistently places five or six teams in bowl games every year.  We
are one of the top colleges for placing athletes in the NFL.

   "Penn State is noted for our graduation rate among athletes.  87% of our
players earn their baccalaureate degrees, one of the highest rates in the
country.  What do you think so far?" Coach Paterno said.

   I answered, "I knew a lot of that Coach Paterno."

   "Kyle, can I ask you what you expect to get if you attend The
Pennsylvania State University?"

   "I know some things about your team.  I love football and I would like
to see if I can compete at your level.  If things work out I'd like to play
in the NFL too."

   "Whoa son.  We have a hundred or so players on this team.  Possibly
three to six a year make it to an NFL training camp.  A couple might
actually make a team.  If you are coming here expecting to move on to the
NFL, you probably are going to be disappointed.  The point of going to
college is to get an education."

   I said, "I understand.  Playing football is a means to what I want to do
in life.  I think I'd like to become a teacher and football coach when I am
done playing.  I have grown to love football in the two years I have played
the game.  I worked at a scout camp the last two summers and learned that I
am good at teaching.  If I can make it to the NFL, that is good, but it's
isn't essential to my future.  Does that make sense Coach?"

   Coach Paterno answered, "That's a good goal Kyle.  I don't want boys
coming in planning on going to the NFL.  An athletic scholarship is an
opportunity to get a first class education.  That is something you can
build a future around."

   "Yes Coach.  I understand."

   Coach Paterno continued, "Let me tell you what we have in mind for you
and your father today.  When the three of us finish talking this morning I
want to introduce you to one of our assistant coaches and two players who
will be your guides today.  They'll take you to lunch.  We'll show you
around the Lasch Building.  We want to show you and your father what it
means to be a student athlete at Penn State.  After that the guides will
show you around campus.  Dan, my wife and I want to invite you to have
dinner with us this evening.  Kyle, the guides will take you to dinner and
show you State College in the evening.  Does that sound good?"

   Dad and I both agreed.  Coach Paterno continued, "This is embarrassing,
but I have to remind you that you and your father need to pay your way for
meals this weekend.  The NCAA doesn't allow us to pay for anything on an
unofficial visit like this one."

   I asked, "Will we talk about a scholarship today?"

   Coach Paterno answered, "No.  You're only a junior.  It is too soon to
discuss scholarships today.  Normally we don't discuss them until the end
of your junior year.  I can tell you Kyle that we have you in our tracking
system.  We watch high school athletes carefully.  You are rated as one of
the best wide receivers in Pennsylvania.  Believe me, we know who you are.
I know you have 18 receptions and 7 touchdowns in your first two games this
season."

   I said, "It's 27 receptions and 10 touchdowns after last night's game."

   "That is very good Kyle.  Those are impressive numbers.  I can't offer a
scholarship now, but if you continue like the past two years, you will have
an excellent chance at a scholarship.  Have you visited any other colleges
Kyle?"

   "No, not yet." I answered.

   "Now is the time for you to explore your options.  Check our team out.
Visit some other schools.  I think you will find that we compare favorably
with other college programs."

   "Thank you Coach Paterno.  I appreciate this talk." I said.

   "I'll have your guides meet you now." Coach Paterno said.  He pressed
the intercom button on his phone.  "Mary, could you have Coach Burton bring
Zack Hayes and Aaron Morano in please?" Coach Paterno looked back at me. 
"I think you know one of your guides already."

   I grinned.  "Actually I know both of my guides.  Aaron covered me in the
play-offs two years ago.  Thank you for asking them to show me around."

   Coach Paterno laughed, "I didn't have a choice.  Zack Hayes is your
biggest booster around here.  He makes a point of telling me every time you
have a good game.  He has the chance to brag about you a lot."

   Coach Burton walked into Coach Paterno's office followed by Zack and
Aaron.  Coach Burton looked to be about the same age as my dad, maybe 38 or
40 years old.  He was six foot tall, had a fair complexion and bright red
hair and a bushy red mustache.  Coach Paterno proceeded with introductions.
Everyone sat down.

   Coach Paterno concluded, "I'd like to thank you Dan and Kyle for taking
time to come and visit our university.  Bob will fill you in on the details
for dinner tonight Dan.  Please call me if either of you have any questions
this year.  I would be happy to talk with you.  I will call you next May
when I am allowed to discuss scholarships.  I hope you enjoy your visit and
I hope you decide to attend Penn State when the time comes."

   Dad and I shook Coach Paterno's hand and followed Coach Burton, Zack and
Aaron outside.

   Coach Burton said, "Would you like to get some lunch now?"

   We agreed.  The five of us walked through campus to one of the
restaurants on College Avenue, across the street from campus.  Dad and I
caught up with Zack's and Aaron's lives over lunch.  We learned about Coach
Burton's background too.  He had been a student at Penn State the same time
as Dad.  He was John Shaeffer's back-up at quarterback on the 1986 national
championship team.

   He worked as a grad assistant to Coach Paterno for a couple years after
that.  He went on to work as a school teacher and football coach at the
high school level for half a dozen years.  He took a job at a small college
in New York State as offensive coordinator.  He ended up working as head
coach at that Division 3 college until Coach Paterno called and asked him
to be the quarterbacks coach at Penn State last year.  Zack really loved
Coach Burton's philosophy and coaching.

   We headed back to the Lasch Building after lunch and got the grand tour.
The facilities were amazing.  I was stunned when I saw the two story,
10,000 square foot weight room.  I'd never seen facilities like these. 
This would sure beat lifting with Ed and my brother in our basement.  They
showed Dad and me the medical center with taping and treatment rooms.  They
had three hydro-pools for the athletes.  They have a 180 seat auditorium
for film sessions and team meetings.  The building has lots of meeting
rooms for smaller groups too.  They showed Dad and me the locker rooms.  It
has its own sauna!

   Zack bragged about the student lounge area that was just for team
members.  Academic help, including tutoring, was available to the team
members.  Coach Burton re-emphasized the importance that Penn State places
on academics for its football team.  The university and Coach Paterno want
every single team member to get a good education and a degree before they
leave the university.

   Coach Burton, Zack and Aaron showed us the outdoor practice fields and
Holuba Hall.  Holuba had an 80 by 120 yard astro-turf field under roof so
the team could practice during bad weather.

   When we were done touring the Holuba Hall, Coach Burton asked, "Do you
want to catch some passes at Beaver Stadium?  I can get us in."

   "Cool.  I'd like that." I answered.  Aaron grabbed a couple of footballs
from the locker.  We crossed University Drive and entered the stadium
through the locker room.  Coach Burton led us out to the twenty yard line
closer to Mount Nittany.

   I stood and stared at this colossus.  Stands of seats were stacked three
high in the west end of the stadium.  I looked on either side of the
stadium.  The press box and luxury boxes rose above the seats on the sides
of the stadium.  I stared, awed at the sights and history of this place.

   Coach Burton let me stare for a minute.  Finally he said, "It's an
impressive place isn't it Kyle?"

   "It is." I murmured.

   Coach Burton continued, "It seats 107,232 people.  John Cappelletti
played here.  Franco Harris, Jack Ham, Matt Millen, Todd Blackledge, Curt
Warner, Kenny Jackson, Kerry Collins, Bobby Engram, LaVar Arrington, and
Michael Robinson too.  You could contribute to the legacy of this place
Kyle."

   I looked around some more.  Could I really fit in here?  Those are great
football players.  Who the hell was I?

   Zack interrupted my reverie.  "Kyle, let's toss the ball around."

   "Oh, OK." I replied.

   Aaron challenged, "Show me what you got Kyle."

   Zack called for a 10 yard out.  Aaron tried to push me off my route at
the line of scrimmage.  I dodged him and headed downfield, shadowed by
Aaron.  Zack fired the ball in when I broke for the sideline.  I caught the
ball and turned, grinning at Aaron.

   "Nice move Kyle." Aaron said.

   Zack threw me about a dozen passes; hitches, slants, outs, and a couple
deep balls.  I caught some balls, Aaron knocked a couple down.  I was
pleased with my performance.  Dad and Coach Burton stood on the sidelines
and watched us.

   I suggested, "Let's go deep.  Put the ball up high."

   Zack said, "You got it buddy."

   I ran downfield about twenty yards.  Aaron kept with me step for step. I
kept position, preventing Aaron from getting too close to the sideline. 
Zack lofted the ball to me.  Aaron and I jumped for it.  I got a couple
inches above Aaron and snagged the ball.  Aaron tried to knock the ball
away, but I held on.

   When we landed on the ground again, Aaron slapped me on the back. 
"Damn! You've gotten better.  I'm impressed Kyle."

   I smiled.  "Thanks for the compliment Aaron.  This was fun." We walked
back to Zack, Coach Burton and my dad.

   Coach Burton said, "That was excellent work Kyle.  I think you would fit
into our offense.  I hope you consider attending Penn State.  You would be
able to do great things in our program."

   "Thank you sir." I answered.

   Coach Burton looked at Dad and said, "I guess we should get you back.  I
suppose you want to check in to your hotel before your dinner with the
Paternos.  Zack and Aaron have agreed to show Kyle around the campus. 
Coach Paterno will meet you back here at five o'clock Dan.  Enjoy your
dinner.  Here is my card Dan.  Please call me if you or Kyle has any
questions.  I'd like to hear from you."

   We walked back to the Lasch Building parking lot.  Coach Burton said
good bye and headed back inside the building.

   Zack looked at my dad and said, "Mr.  Martin, Aaron and I are going to
take Kyle over to the creamery for ice cream, show him our dorm room and
then take him downtown for supper.  Our friends are having a small party
this evening.  Would it be all right if Kyle came?  We'd like to have him
join us."

   Dad said, "You can manage to behave yourself Kyle?  You know how upset
your mother would be if she heard about you getting drunk at a party."

   I replied, "I know Dad.  That won't happen." This was an interesting way
of stating it.  He said I shouldn't let Mom know I got drunk instead of
saying I shouldn't drink.

   Dad said, "OK, you can go.  Zack, take good care of my son."

   "Absolutely Mr.  Martin.  I'll make sure nothing bad happens to Kyle."
Zack said to assure my father.  "I have one more thought.  Would it be all
right if Kyle stayed at my dorm this evening?"

   Dad asked, "You have a spare bed in your room Zack?"

   Aaron replied, "Kyle can use my bed tonight Mr.  Martin.  My
girlfriend's roommate goes home on weekends." Aaron gave my dad a sheepish
grin.  "You know how it is Mr.  Martin.  I'll be spending my night with my
girlfriend."

   "I understand Aaron.  I'll allow this Kyle.  You have an 11 o'clock
curfew.  Call me when you get in.  Do you understand Kyle?" Dad asked.

   "No problem Dad.  Thanks a million." I replied.

   Dad said, "How about if I meet you and Zack at the State College Diner
tomorrow morning for brunch, say 10:00 o'clock.  I haven't had a grilled
sticky in years."

   "You got it Dad." I gave Dad a hug.  Dad gave me a twenty dollar bill to
pay for dinner for Zack and me.  I grabbed my day pack from the car and
joined Aaron and Zack.  Dad headed to our, uh, his hotel.  The three of us
walked down Curtin to the creamery.

   Zack and Aaron said the ice cream at the creamery was the best in the
world.  I doubted that until I tasted Peachy Paterno.  They were right.  We
headed down the hill to Zack's and Aaron's dorm.

   Their dorm room probably measured 12 foot by 14 foot.  Zack and Aaron
each had a closet along the hallway wall with the door between them.  Each
side of the room had a desk and then a bed between the desk and the outside
wall.  The outside wall had a curtain covering the wall to wall window.

   Aaron stripped down and grabbed his robe out of his closet.  He took his
shower stuff.  "I've got a hot date tonight.  Gotta get ready." Aaron said.

   Zack and I hung out for awhile.  Zack suggested, "You probably ought to
take a shower before we go to dinner Kyle.  There will be some pretty nice
girls at the party tonight.  You probably got a little sweaty catching
passes this afternoon."

   I asked, "No one will mind?"

   "It'll be cool Kyle." Zack replied.

   Aaron returned and dressed for his date with his girlfriend Tania. 
Aaron said, "I've got to split.  If I don't see you later Kyle, it's been
fun.  You've come a long way since we played two years ago.  I want to see
your ass on our team in two years.  You got that?"

   "I'll see what I can do.  Have fun tonight Aaron." I said.  I headed
across the hall and took a quick shower.  Zack showered when I got back.

   Zack and I headed across campus.  Zack showed me around the HUB, the
student activities center.  We walked by Old Main, the administration
offices for the university.  We headed across College Avenue.  Zack
recommended a restaurant for our dinner.  Zack and I discussed our
respective team's prospects for the season.  Zack continued trying to
convince me that Penn State was the place I should go to college.

   After dinner we walked down College Avenue talking and watching people
go by.  I asked, "Why do they call this place Happy Valley Zack?  I've
heard sportscasters say that during games I've watched."

   "Even the locals call it that.  I don't know why.  Maybe it's because
Penn State is rated one of the best party schools in the country."

   "I didn't know that."

   "Don't misunderstand Kyle.  Penn State is a good school.  We get an
excellent education here.  We work hard during the week.  When the weekend
comes we kick back and have some fun."

   "This party we're going to, it isn't going to be too crazy is it?  I've
heard stories about college parties."

   "No, it won't get crazy.  This will be mostly football players, our
girls, and a few friends.  We can't do anything too wild.  Football players
are under a microscope.  The last thing the team or the university needs is
for some of us to get in trouble.  We like to kick back, have a couple
beers, talk and relax.  We'll flirt and dance with the girls.  Maybe we'll
get lucky too.  It won't be too wild." Zack explained.

   "I don't want my Dad to get mad at me."

   "I'll take care of you Kyle.  It's time to go to the party.  Let's go."

   "Are we going to drive?" I asked.

   "No.  It's only a couple blocks on the other side of Atherton.  We can
walk."

   Atherton Street had a sign that said Route 322.  It looked like the main
street through State College.  It also marked the edge of the campus.  It
took us about five minutes to walk to the house where the party was.  It
was an older two story wood frame house.  It had seen better days.  This
section of town was mostly older houses, nearly all rented out to college
students.  Zack and I went inside.  Half a dozen guys and a few girls were
in the living room.

   "I'll introduce you around Kyle." Zack said.  He turned to look at his
teammates.  "I'd like to introduce you to my friend and prospective recruit
Kyle Martin.  Kyle plays wide receiver." Zack indicated the guy sitting in
the chair on the end.  "Kyle, this is Phil DiStefano.  Phil is our starting
quarterback."

   Phil and I shook hands.  Phil said, "Welcome to Penn State Kyle.  I hope
your enjoying your visit."

   I answered, "It's been fun.  I enjoyed watching you on TV last Saturday.
You sure smoked Illinois."

   "We had a good game last week." Phil replied.

   Zack proceeded to introduce me to Julian Moore, senior starting
fullback; Tony Phillips, junior second string tight end; Shawn O'Conner,
sophomore second string tailback; Vic Torelli, junior starting cornerback;
and Greg Walker, junior wide receiver.

   Vic asked me, "How'd you get loose from your parents Kyle?"

   "My mom is home with my younger brother and sister.  My Dad is having
dinner with the Paternos tonight." I answered.

   Greg exclaimed, "Dinner with Paternos!  Damn, we got us a hot prospect
here.  You fast kid?"

   "I ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds last time I was clocked."

   Shawn laughed.  "Isn't that faster than you Greg?"

   Greg gave Shawn a dirty look and asked me, "What have you done lately
kid?"

   "Recently?  I have 27 receptions for 482 yards and 10 touchdowns." I
answered.

   "Hmmph.  I guess that was OK for a season, nothing special though." Greg
said nonchalantly.

   I corrected, "No, not for a whole season.  Those are my numbers for the
first three games of this season."

   Julian, Vic, Shawn, Phil and Zack laughed.  Tony teased, "Busted Greg. I
think Kyle is looking to take your job next year." Greg scowled at him.

   I insisted, "No.  I'm a junior in high school.  If Penn State wants me
and I decide to come here, I won't be playing here for another two years at
the earliest.  I'm not after anyone's job."

   Phil asked, "If you have 10 touchdowns in this season, how many have you
scored since you made varsity?"

   "I have 47 touchdowns so far." I explained.

   Phil laughed.  "Kid, if you have 47 touchdowns, Penn State, along with
every other college in the country is going to want you.  I hope Hayes gave
you a good tour of our facilities today.  We could use somebody like you
kid."

   "Thanks for saying that Phil." I answered.

   The conversation moved on to Penn State's game next week with Iowa.  The
guys were confident they could beat them.  More football players and girls
arrived.  Zack introduced me to them, but I can't remember all the names.
Aaron Morano arrived with his girlfriend Tania.  Tania was great looking,
about 5'-6" tall, blonde hair.  She was wearing a "Property of Penn State
Football" T-shirt that was too tight.  It displayed her considerable
assets. Aaron was one lucky guy.

   Five girls came in together.  They made a beeline for Phil, Zack and me.
The girl in front went straight to Phil, sat on his lap and said, "Hi
honey, how are you?" She gave Phil a kiss.

   Phil replied, "Hi Cathy.  I love you." Phil kissed Cathy.  Cathy's a
gorgeous stacked blonde.  Three girls crowded around Zack.  And me, since I
was standing beside Zack.  They touched and brushed against Zack.  They
flirted with him.  Zack apparently hadn't lost his touch with girls that he
had in high school.

   Zack introduced the girls to me.  "Girls, this is Kyle Martin.  Kyle is
visiting Penn State.  He is considering playing football for us." Zack
indicated the first girl on his right.  "Kyle, this is Brianna Peterson."
Brianna was about 5'-7" slim brunette.  Zack nodded to the tall, slim girl
with dark, almost black hair and olive skin standing in the middle of the
group.  "Kyle, this is Johara Safay." Zack indicated the girl on the right.
"Kyle, this is Miranda Brooks." Miranda has brown hair with highlights. 
Miranda is built like Stacie Thompson and Alicia Randolph.  Her voluptuous
breasts were trying to burst out of her tight sweater.

   The five of us went to the kitchen for beers.  We hung out together
talking.  The three girls vied for Zack's attention.  I tried to contribute
to the conversation when I could.  Zack and Brianna got friendlier. 
Miranda eventually gave up on snagging Zack tonight and drifted away.

   Johara kept flirting and teasing with Zack and me.  Boy, if Zack didn't
want Johara, I certainly would.  Then I thought about my Julie.  I decided
to go get another beer.  Johara asked me to get one for her.

   When I got back Brianna and Zack were engaged in some intense making
out. I gave Johara her beer.  I asked, "Johara is an unusual name.  How did
you get it?"

   "My parents emigrated from Lebanon during the civil war twenty-five
years ago.  My name is Lebanese.  It means `jewel'."

   "It's a lovely name and very appropriate for a girl as pretty as you." I
answered.

   Johara and I continued talking.  Johara flirted and teased with me.  I
was a little surprised.  A college coed was interested in me.  By the time
Johara and I finished our third beers; we were kissing and rubbing
together. Johara was totally hot!  We found a seat.  Johara sat on my lap
while we kissed; our mouths open while our tongues danced together.  Johara
wiggled on my obvious erection, driving me wild.

   Johara and I made out for probably a half hour, lost to what was
happening around the room.  Zack tapped me on the shoulder and asked,
"Brianna and I are going back to my place.  You two want to come too?  We
can get more privacy back there."

   Johara and I readily agreed.  The four of us strided back to Zack's
dorm. I realized as we got close to South Halls was that Zack's room was
awfully small for two couples.  I asked, "Zack, are you figuring we're
going to share one room tonight?"

   "No.  I can borrow one of my friend's rooms." Zack answered.

   We bounded up the stairs two at a time.  The elevators were too slow for
us.  Johara and I ended up in Zack's room.  Zack promised to let me know
which room he and Brianna would be in so I could find him if I needed
anything.

   I locked the door when Zack left.  I made my required call to Dad with
ten minutes to spare.  Johara rubbed my hard cock through my pants while I
tried to talk to Dad.  When I hung up the phone I said, "You're really bad.
I don't want my Dad mad at me."

   "You'll have to punish me Kyle.' Johara replied.  I slid over on Zack's
bed close the Johara.  We unbuttoned each others shirts and stripped them
off.  Johara ran her hands across the muscles of my chest.

   "Kyle, you're really built.  You're a high school senior right?" Johara
asked.

   "No.  Actually I'm a junior.  Is that a problem?" I asked.

   "You are sixteen right?"

   "Yes." I said.

   "Good.  I wouldn't want to sleep with jail bait."

   I asked, "Jail bait?"

   Johara answered, "I'm nineteen, legally an adult.  You're sixteen,
legally a kid but over the age of consent.  I don't want any trouble if we
sleep together tonight.  Do you want to sleep together Kyle?"

   "Hell yeah!  You are very attractive.  I love to spend the night with
you."

   I helped Johara take her bra off.  The two of us locked our lips
together and kissed.  Johara's perfume smelled intoxicating.  Her skin was
so smooth.  I could do this all night.

   After a few minutes I kissed my way across her neck and chest.  I
planted kisses on her right breast.  a Her breasts weren't large.  They
were nice and firm, the size of grapefruits.  Johara moaned as I kissed and
caressed her breasts.  Johara ran her hands through my long hair while I
pleasured her.

   I rubbed my free hand over Johara's jeans covered pussy.  I suggested,
"Let's finish undressing Johara."

   "Good idea." She purred.  We stripped off the remainder of our clothes.
Johara trimmed her pubic hair.  She had a small patch over her clitoris,
but was otherwise bare.

   Johara stared at my seven inch erection and smiled.  "I don't remember
high school boys being this big Kyle."

   "Thanks.  You're gorgeous too Johara.  Do you want to try some 69?"

   Johara looked mildly surprised.  "69?  Sure, that sounds good."

   I settled down in Zack's bed on my back.  Johara climbed on top of me,
facing the opposite direction.  Johara's labia glistened from her moisture.
I licked her outer lips when she started to lick my cock.  Johara knew what
she was doing.  She used her tongue and mouth as well as any girl I had
ever been with.

   I licked her outer labia for a few minutes and then spread them apart to
get my tongue inside.  I slipped a finger into her hole while I tongued her
inner lips.  Johara continued licking and sucking on my erection.

   I circled her clitoris with my tongue when her pussy started to
lubricate freely.  I slipped a second finger into Johara while I teased her
clit.  She continued sucking on my cock.  It felt good, but I knew I could
hold out for a few more minutes before I came.

   I crooked two fingers and searched out Johara's spot.  She moaned when I
hit it.  I pressed and rubbed inside her tunnel while I licked and teased
around her clitoris.  Johra's lubrication soaked my hand and dripped on me
while I licked the hood protecting her clit.  Johara stopped sucking me and
panted while I brought her closer to orgasm.

   I continued pressing her G-spot.  I sucked her clitoris into my mouth
when it finally poked out of its hiding place.  Johara lasted maybe ten or
fifteen seconds before she screamed.  Her pussy clenched around my fingers
repeatedly.  She pressed her pubic area down onto my face, trying to
maximize the contact between my tongue and her clitoris.

   I continued licking while Johara rode her orgasm to conclusion.  I
pulled my fingers out of her hole when she collapsed on top of me.  Zack's
bed was too small for us to roll onto our sides.  I let Johara recover
while she lay on me.  I used a finger to spread her juices around her labia
while she recovered.

   When Johara calmed down, she said, "Jesus Christ Kyle.  Zack was right
about you.  I've never seen a high school kid who knew how to do that.  Did
Zack teach you that?  Your technique is very similar to Zack's"

   I smiled.  "No, Zack didn't teach me that.  We did have the same teacher
though.  My older brother taught both of us how to pleasure a woman
orally."

   "You learned your lessons Kyle.  That was as good as any guy I've ever
been with.  Can I finish with your cock now?"

   "Sure Johara."

   We disentangled ourselves.  I ended up sitting on the edge of Zack's
bunk with my legs spread apart.  Johara kneeled on the floor between my
legs and sucked my cock until I climaxed.  I blasted a big load of cum into
Johara's willing mouth.  She sucked my cock clean when I was finished.

   Johara and I lay together on Zack's bed cuddling and kissing while we
got ready to join our bodies together.  The feel of our tongues tangling
together, her nipples pressing into my bare chest and her pussy rubbing
against my rapidly swelling erection had me ready quickly.

   I asked, "Is missionary good for you?"

   "Mmmm, yes Kyle.  That's good." Johara moaned.  She spread her legs for
me.  I lifted her knees onto my shoulders to provide a better angle for
penetration.  I positioned my purple knob against her opening and pressed
in.  I sank into her depths in one long steady stroke.  Johara's silky
tunnel was snug but not too tight.

   I withdrew and thrust my shaft back into Johara.  She cooed and ran her
hands up and down my sides while I pumped in and out.  I screwed her to the
best of my ability.  Johara was a responsive lover.  She reacted to each
thrust and wiggle I gave her as we coupled.  I managed to bring her to
orgasm.  I continued pumping into her while her hot pussy clenched and
pulled at my cock.

   "Ooohhh....  Kyle, please keep going....  Oooohhh... you're amazing."
Johara purred.  I continued stroking my seven inches in her silky passage.

   I was close to climax.  I pushed in two more times.  My cock swelled.  I
buried it as deep as possible into Johara.  Johara grunted urgently, "Pull
out when you..." My cock squirted the first gob of semen into her pussy. 
"... come."

   My eyes shot open.  Pull out when you cum!  Oh SHIT!  I pulled my cock
out as fast as possible.  I splattered a second gob of cum inside the
entrance to her pussy.  The rest of my half dozen spurts landed on Johara's
labia, pubic hair and belly.

   I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.  I stared down at Johara in
shock.  Finally I managed to say, "What the hell?  Why didn't you give me
more warning?  I was cumming when...."

   Johara answered, "Shhh... It's OK Kyle." She sat up and gave me a hug.

   "We're... well, at least I'm too young to have kids now." My eyes were
starting to tear up.

   "I'll go to Health Center after lunch tomorrow and get the morning after
pill.  Don't worry Kyle.  I won't get pregnant."

   I took a deep breath.  My heart rate slowed closer to normal.  I finally
remembered to ask, "When is your next period due?"

   "It should be eighteen or nineteen days from now." Johara answered. 
Mentally I figured she'll ovulate fourteen days before her period.  My
sperm will need to last four or five days before they could possibly find
an egg.  Not impossible, but not real likely.  I relaxed a little more.

   "I wish you would have warned me sooner Johara." I said.  We lay down
together and hugged.  I gave her a kiss.

   "Zack was right about you Kyle.  You are dynamite in bed." Johara purred
in my ear.

   "Zack?" I asked.

   "He told me I could have some fun with you when he told me he wanted to
be with Brianna tonight." Johara said.

   "Oh." I said noncommittally.

   "It doesn't bother you that you were my second choice tonight, does it?"
Johara asked.

   I laughed.  "No.  That doesn't bother me.  I'm kind of used to getting
Zack's seconds.  That is how it was when we were together in high school."

   We cuddled and kissed for a few minutes.  I asked, "Do you want to spend
the night Johara?"

   She gave me a kiss.  "You are one of a kind for a high school guy.  You
eat pussy, you last more than thirty seconds, you kiss and cuddle after sex
and you don't want to bolt from the bed the second you are done.  You must
have to beat the girls off with a stick back home."

   "I do sometimes.  My girlfriend helps, or uh, she helped."

   "Helped?" Johara asked.

   "She moved to Nebraska this summer." I explained.

   "I'm sorry Kyle." Johara purred.

   We spooned together.  I pulled the covers over us.  We fell asleep
cuddled together in Zack's bed.  I woke to the sound of someone unlocking
the door.  I cracked an eye open.  It was dark.  I could make out Zack
coming in.  He stripped down and climbed in Aaron's bed.  I caught him
staring at Johara and me and chuckling.  I fell asleep again.

   I woke up early in the morning.  I could see the eastern sky turning
pink.  It probably was around six in the morning.  Johara had my cock in
her hand.  She was rubbing and squeezing it.  She whispered, "Do you want
to fuck again Kyle?"

   I opened my eyes.  I caressed her breast.  Johara's nipples were hard. I
kissed the back of her neck and nibbled on her ear lobe.  Johara continued
rubbing my now erect cock.  The two of us continued stimulating each other.

   I asked, "Are you sure you want to do this Johara?  We aren't alone."

   "Zack's sleeping.  Any way I've done this with him before.  I don't have
anything he hasn't seen."

   Both of us were still on our sides.  Johara positioned my cock and I
thrust, driving my hard erection into her body.  We shared our bodies
slowly.  The bed rattled as I thrust my cock in and withdrew it.  We
coupled for awhile.  Johara was playing with her clit while we fucked.  I
felt her climax approach.  I was close too.  I pumped in and out carefully.
I knew I had to pull out before I shot more sperm into her pussy.

   I stroked a few more times when Johara groaned and started to shake. 
Johara hissed as she climaxed.  Her pussy throbbed around my cock.  I held
it in her, afraid to move while she climaxed.  My hammer was cocked and I
had a hair trigger now.

   When Johara relaxed I thrust in a few more times.  My gut started to
tingle.  I pushed in one more time.  My cock throbbed.  I pulled out barely
in time.  My semen squirted all over Johara's hip and back.  I collapsed
back on the bed.

   Johara purred, "You sure know what to do with this thing."

   I grabbed a couple Kleenexes from Zack's desk and cleaned my mess off of
Johara.  We spooned together.  I pulled the covers over us.  We went back
to sleep.

   "Kyle.  Johara.  Time to get up." I opened my eyes.  It was Zack
standing in front of us.

   "Hi." I said, grinning at my friend.

   "We have forty-five minutes until we have to meet your dad at the diner
Kyle.  I'm going to take a shower." Zack explained.

   Johara rolled over to face me when Zack left the room.  "Good morning
Kyle."

   "Good morning." I answered.  I gave her a kiss.

   "Last night was a lot of fun Kyle.  I enjoyed it." Johara returned my
kiss.

   "I enjoyed it too Johara.  I'm going to remember last night for a long
time."

   We got up and dressed.  Johara said, "I've got to get back to my dorm so
I can clean up.  If you come up here to visit again, make sure you tell
Zack to let me know.  I'd like repeat this if we can."

   "That would be nice Johara.  I'd like that too." I gave her a good bye
kiss before she left.

   I gathered my things together and got ready for a quick shower.  Zack
came back just as I headed across the hall to the bathroom.  I showered and
brushed my teeth so I looked and smelled respectable for my dad.

   Zack was putting his shoes on when I came back to his room.  Zack asked,
"Did you have fun last night?"

   "I did Zack.  Thanks for smoothing the way for me with Johara." I sat
down on his bed and put my socks on.  "You won't believe what happened last
night.  Johara and I were screwing.  When I started cumming, she told me I
had to pull out.  Can you believe she isn't on the pill and didn't make me
use a condom?"

   "I probably should have warned you.  Johara likes things dangerous.  She
got me the first time we were together.  I won't do her now unless I'm
wearing a condom."

   "You mean she's like Sally Callahan back home?"

   Zack grinned and asked, "You've been with Sally?" I nodded yes.  "It's
not the same.  Sally likes to pretend you can get her pregnant even though
she actually is safe.  Johara carries it a lot further.  Her kink is
actually risking bareback, unprotected, knock me up sex."

   "She scared the shit out of me.  Will she really get the morning after
pill?"

   "Relax buddy.  She's been doing this for a couple years.  She hasn't
gotten pregnant yet."

   "I'm glad to hear that Zack." I said.

   "Let's get going.  It's a ten minute walk to the diner.  We don't want
to be late." Zack said.  I gathered up my clothes and stuffed them in my
day pack.  We headed across campus for the State College Diner.

   We passed in front of Old Main.  Zack asked, "Did you manage to pull out
this morning when you two were screwing?"

   "Huh?  How did you know?" I stammered.

   "The two of you weren't quiet.  The noise woke me up."

   I turned red as I blushed.  I said, "I did manage to pull out this
morning.  No need to add to the cum I already put in Johara."

   We headed down the hill in front of Sackett Building, crossed College
Avenue and turned right.  The diner was half a block to the south.  Dad
already had a booth.  He waved us over.  I slid in beside Dad.  Zack sat
across from us.

   Dad said, "Breakfast is my treat boys.  What do you want?"

   Zack answered, "Scrambled eggs, sausage and a grilled sticky." The
waitress took the order.

   Dad said, "Two eggs over easy, bacon and a grilled sticky.  What do you
want Kyle?"

   "What's a grilled sticky?" I asked.  Dad and Zack laughed at me.

   Dad explained, "It's a cinnamon bun baked in caramel.  The State College
Diner specializes in grilling them.  It's a State College staple.  You have
to have one Kyle."

   I said, "I'll have the same thing as you Dad."

   We talked while we had breakfast.  Dad told us all about his dinner with
Joe and Sue Paterno.  He obviously loved every second of his evening.  Zack
and I gave Dad only the barest details of our evening.  He really didn't
need to know all that had happened.  I think he probably suspected about
the party and the girls.  He didn't ask any questions at all.

   The waitress was processing Dad's credit card when Zack said, "I'm glad
you came up here to visit Kyle.  I would love to see you attend Penn State.
The university has a great football program.  You can get a good education
here too.  I'd love to work with you on the football field again like we
did two years ago."

   "I would enjoy that Zack.  I have a lot to think about.  This is a big
decision for me.  I definitely will put Penn State on my final list of
colleges to choose from.  I need to do more visits to compare what I saw
this weekend." I said.

   Dad said, "Thanks for looking after my son last night Zack.  I'm glad
Kyle survived a college Saturday evening." Dad winked at Zack.  Zack just
smiled in response.

   We shook hands and said our good byes when we left the restaurant.  Zack
walked back onto campus and headed for his dorm.  I followed Dad.  He had
parked behind the Hammond Building in one of the faculty parking lots.  He
explained that it was OK on a Sunday morning.  No one would worry about us
parking there today.

   Dad tossed me the car keys and told me I was driving until we got to the
Susquehanna.  I put in an hour and half of driving before Dad had me pull
into the truck stop at Amity Hall.  Dad drove the rest of the way home.

   I sat back while Dad drove and listened to my MP3 player.  This had been
an amazing weekend.  I met one of the biggest coaches in college football
history.  Penn State wanted me to play for them.  The facilities they had
for the football team were unbelievable.

   I thought about my night with Johara.  She had been a lot of fun even if
she scared me a little.  I felt a little excited knowing that she wasn't
protected from pregnancy and she was carrying my sperm inside her.  I
thought about Julie too.  I did love her.  I felt bad breaking the promise
I made that I wouldn't go out with other girls.  I know she said it was OK
but I had made a promise.  What kind of morals did I have?  I had broken my
promise twice in the five weeks since Julie went back to Nebraska.  How do
I explain any of this to her?

   Dad and I got home around 1:30 in the afternoon.  Dad and I settled down
with Andy to watch the Eagles game.  When the game was over I had to do my
homework.  I had hours of work to do.  I hadn't had any time earlier in the
weekend.  I managed to send Julie an e-mail just before I went to bed.  She
had sent me a total of 19 e-mails that I hadn't had time to look at.

   ======================
To: simpsonj@gmail.com
From: kmartin87@redroses.net
Time: September 23 20:32:50

   Hi Julie

   I'm sorry it has been so long since I wrote you.  Things have been crazy
back here.

   You won't believe what I did this weekend.  Dad and I went to Penn State
to see Joe Paterno to talk about me attending their university.  Zack Hayes
was my guide for the weekend.  Penn State has amazing facilities for the
football team.  Maybe I can convince Dad sometime that we should visit the
University of Nebraska.  I know they have a top quality football program
too.  I haven't had time to read all your e-mails.  I will soon as
possible.

   Love you,

   Kyle

   ======================

   Chapter 14

   =========

   Ed and Jeremy met me at the bus stop early on Monday morning.  They
bombarded me with questions about my visit to Penn State and what Joe
Paterno was like.  I filled them in on all the details of my visit.  Andy
finally got to hear about the team party and Johara.  I left those details
out when I talked about th visit with my family at dinner last night.

   Ed filled me in on his weekend.  He flashed me his brand new driver's
license.  He passed his test on Saturday afternoon.  I congratulated him,
but I was frustrated.  I was going to be the absolute last person in
eleventh grade to be able to drive.

   At practice on Monday Coach Caffrey called Ed, Jeremy, Greg, Drew and me
aside at the end of practice.  Coach had me explain about my visit to Penn
State this past weekend.  He discussed about NCAA recruiting and how we
register our eligibility as student athletes to play in a NCAA school. 
Coach Caffrey told us he had about thirty requests for game tapes from
colleges.  They all were interested in us.  The whole thing was a big ego
boost for the five of us.

   This week's game was with the Trojans.  They played us tough last year.
They lost their quarterback to graduation last spring.  They had a first
year varsity sophomore playing quarterback.  If we could stop the run we
felt we had an excellent chance to win.  Ed's experience at quarterback was
going to give us a huge edge over the Trojans this year.  The Trojans had a
1-2 record so far this season.

   At Boy Scouts on Monday night I briefed Mark Good and Paul Abbott on the
camping trip our troop was taking over the next weekend.  The troop was
leaving Friday night without Ed, Jeremy, Hal and me.  I delegated Paul and
Mark to run things until the four of us arrived on Saturday morning.  We
were spending the weekend at our scout camp and going to the Pennsylvania
Renaissance Faire on Saturday.

   Penny and I continued studying together a couple evenings during the
week.  I felt comfortable about my classes.  Having a study partner was a
big help.  For the first time since I started high school I had straight
A's in my courses.  I hoped I could keep it up.

   The first inkling I had that it wasn't going to be a normal Friday night
came at the bus stop Friday morning.  Ed didn't show up for the bus.  I
didn't find him before home room.  I headed to first period Deutsche klasse
wondering what was up.  I found out second period.  Ed and I had gym
together.  When Ed didn't show up I asked Coach Wyndham, our teacher, what
was up.  He told me Ed was on the absentee list today.

   I bumped into Coach Caffrey near the end of class.  Coach told me that
he talked to Ed between first and second periods.  Ed had the flu.  He was
home barfing his brains out.  He definitely would not play tonight.  Coach
Caffrey assured me that Jake could handle things for the night.  I hoped he
was right.  Ed's experience was expected to be our margin of victory over
the Trojans and their sophomore quarterback.

   At practice in the afternoon Jake threw a lot of passes to Karl and me.
We had spent less time working with him than with Ed.  Jake's passes were
on time and on target.  I felt comfortable when practice was over.  We
would be fine.

   I was dressing for the game after dinner beside Jake.  I asked him, "You
ready for this Jake?"

   "I guess." Jake said hesitantly.

   "We have your back Jake.  On pass plays don't forget Drew is there as an
outlet if you get in trouble.  You can throw me a pass if I'm double
covered as long as you throw it high and long.  I can out-jump the defender
for the ball."

   Jake answered, "I know all that Kyle.  I just wonder how I will do with
playing against bigger faster players.  I know I can handle JV, but varsity
is new."

   Ed said, "I've watched you practice for two years Jake.  You will be
fine tonight."

   We were still talking when Coach Baer yelled out, "Quarterbacks to Room
#2." Jake headed to the back of the room.  About thirty seconds later Coach
Baer yelled, "Kyle, get your butt back here.  You're QB2."

   Shit!  I hadn't planned on that for tonight.  I called back, "On the way
Justin."

   He yelled back, "That's Coach Baer Kyle."

   "Yes sir." I replied as I hurried back to the meeting room.

   Coach Baer reviewed the game plan in detail with Jake and me.  Coach
Baer warned me to pay attention tonight.  If we had a blow-out, I might go
in at quarterback in the fourth quarter.

   We had beautiful weather for the game.  The temperature was in the low
seventies.  Our team took the field to the cheers of our fans.  Jake
received some lusty cheers as he was introduced for the first time.

   The Trojans won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff.  Our
defense was fired up.  The Trojans ran three plays and were forced to punt
to us.  Andy caught the punt and ran it back twenty-two yards to the
Trojans 48 yard line.

   Coach Caffrey kept things easy for Jake's first few plays.  We made
three straight runs up the gut of the Trojan defense.  They couldn't stop
our offensive line and Drew.  On the fourth play I ran deep, drawing two
defensive backs with me.  It freed up Greg Harrison.  He caught a pass on a
slant route for a fifteen yard gain.  The fifth play of our drive was our
killer play.  Jake faked a hand-off to Drew while I ran deep.  The free
safety started toward the line of scrimmage to tackle Drew.  I flew by the
cornerback.  Jake hit me in stride twenty five yards downfield.  I raced
into the end zone with our first touchdown.

   `Automatic' Hal booted the PAT to bring the score to 7-0 Wolverines. 
Hal Long had been a great addition to our team.  Hal was a perfect 19 for
19 on PAT's and 2 for 2 on field goals.

   The Trojans did better on their next possession.  They mixed runs with
screen passes with some success.  Their drive stalled out on our twenty two
yard line.  They managed to connect with a 39 yard field goal.  Score: 7-3
Wolverines.

   Coach Caffrey mixed the runs and passes on the next drive to keep the
Trojan defense off balance.  I missed on one deep pass when the free safety
nailed me just as I was catching the ball.  Drew carried the ball into the
end zone for our second touchdown later on that drive.  With Hal's PAT the
score went to 14-3 Wolverines.

   The Trojans ran three plays and punted the ball.  Andy nearly broke the
return for a touchdown.  They managed to shove him out of bounds at the
Trojan's 38 yard line.  Coach Caffrey decided to go for the jugular.  Jake
faked a hand-off to Drew while I sprinted downfield.  I out jumped two
defenders to catch a touchdown.  Hal booted the PAT through the uprights.
Score: 21-3 Wolverines.
The Trojans managed to drive down the field in ten plays.  Their drive
stalled when Jeremy and then Travis Hall sacked their quarterback on

consecutive plays.  They tried a forty-five yard field goal but missed.

   We ran the ball more on our fourth drive.  Drew and Marcus traded turns
running the ball.  We used all but the last 1:21 of the clock to position
Hal for a 22 yard field goal.  Hal booted it though the goalposts to bring
the score to 24-3 Wolverines.

   The Trojans switched to a no huddle offense.  They managed to move the
ball downfield.  Brett Fulmer missed a tackle on their best wide receiver.
The receiver carried the ball into the end zone for the Trojan's first
touchdown.  They made the PAT.  Score: 24-10 Wolverines.  Jake took the
snap and kneeled down to run the clock out on the first half after the kick
off.

   The Trojans kicked off to us to start the second half.  We mixed up the
passes and runs again.  Jake drove us down the field smartly.  The drive
ended when I caught a pass in the corner of the end zone over top of three
defenders.  Hal made the PAT.  Score: 31-10 Wolverines.

   The Trojans responded by continuing the no huddle offense to score
another touchdown.  This brought the score to 31-17 our favor.

   Coach Caffrey called more runs on the next drive since we had a 14 point
lead as the third quarter wound down.  Our drive stalled before we could
score.  We punted the ball back to the Trojans.  Coach Wyndham blitzed all
three plays.  Jeremy sacked the quarterback on the first play.  Joey Keller
tipped the pass on the second play.  On the third play Seth Vogel
intercepted the ball and ran it back almost to midfield.

   The Trojans stacked eight guys in the box to try to stop our running
plays.  We only gained four yards on the first two plays.  We put our three
receiver set on the field.  I saw Jake was being rushed, so I broke off my
deep route and came back to towards Jake.  He fired the ball to me.  I
caught it twelve yards downfield.  I broke the first tackle by the free
safety, but it allowed time for the cornerback and strong safety to tackle
me.  I made a fifteen yard gain and a first down.

   I jogged back to the huddle.  I couldn't see Jake.  The offensive line
and running backs were milling around.  I asked Drew, "What happened?"

   "The defensive end clobbered Jake when he released the ball." Drew
explained.

   I looked around and spotted Jake lying flat on his back.  He wasn't
moving.  Next I saw the trainer and doctor running on the field to check
out my friend.  Jake rolled his head just as the medical team arrived.  I
watched as they started to check Jake out.

   "MARTIN!" I heard someone yell from the sideline.  "MARTIN!  GET OVER
HERE!" I realized it was Coach Caffrey.  I jogged over to the sideline.

   "Yes Coach?" I asked.  I finally realized why I was here.  I was going
to be the quarterback!  My mouth went dry.

   "Kyle.  Look at me." Coach Caffrey commanded.  I stared in to his eyes.
"I'm going to make this as simple as I can for you.  We'll run the ball
most of the time."

   "OK" I answered.

   Coach Baer said, "Give me your left arm Kyle." I held it out while
Justin strapped one of the cheat sheets that quarterbacks have with all the
plays on it.

   Coach Caffrey continued, "We have to throw a deep pass or two to keep
the defense loose.  They won't expect your first play to be a deep pass. 
We'll go with three receivers." Coach Caffrey told me the play.  Coach
shouted, "Andrew Martin - you're the flanker now.  Showalter - you're the
slot receiver now.  Go get them guys."

   The three of us trotted out to the field.  The trainer and the doctor
helped Jake walk off the field.  Jake looked unsteady.  It looked like I
was going to play more than one play at quarterback.

   I brought the guys together in the huddle and called the play.  We lined
up at the line of scrimmage.  I looked the defense over.  They had nine
guys crowding the line of scrimmage.  We had the right play called.  I
screamed "Blue 23....  Blue 23....  HUT!"

   Adam snapped the ball and thrust it into my hands.  Things moved fast
after the snap.  I dropped back five steps and looked for Andy.  He was
running downfield covered by the cornerback.  Our offensive line was
pushing the Trojans rushers around me.  I took a step forward and fired the
ball to Andy.  I put too much on it.  The ball sailed over Andy's head and
bounced fifteen yards downfield of everyone.

   Marcus Shaeffer brought the next play in.  I remembered this one.  Zack
had me run it two years ago when I scored my second touchdown of my career.
I called the play in the huddle and lined the offense up.  Adam snapped the
ball to me.  I dropped back five steps and watched Greg and Tim cross in
the middle of the field.  I glanced left when I heard someone yell "FREE!"
That is our signal that a defender got past his blocker.  I glanced left.
The Trojan defensive end was heading my way.  I sprinted to the right away
from him.  The other defensive end peeled off his block and headed for me
as I ran past Jerry Morton.  I sprinted away from him too and ran
downfield. The strong safety tackled me after I made thirteen yards and a
first down.

   Coach Caffrey sent Drew in with the next play.  I was to roll out to the
left.  Tim, Karl and Andy would draw the defensive backs deep.  Greg was to
run a slant to the same side as my rollout.  The play worked exactly the
way it was designed.  I fired the ball into Greg's hands.  He turned up
field and picked up another eight yards after the catch.

   Coach Caffrey started running sweeps and off tackle plays from our three
receiver set.  Andy, Tim and Karl kept the defensive backs away from the
point of attack.  Our offensive line did a good job opening holes for Drew
and Marcus.

   I felt more comfortable as the drive continued.  We ran the ball down
the field until we got into the red zone.  We stalled at the sixteen yard
line.  On third down we ran the roll out again.  I fired the ball to Greg
at the two yard line and he dragged a linebacker into the end zone with
him. Hal came in and made the PAT.  Score: 38-17 Wolverines.

   We had burned seven and half minutes off the clock.  The Trojans had six
minutes left to try to score three touchdowns.  Our defense was fired up.
They shut the Trojans down.  After three plays they punted the ball back to
us.  Andy caught the punt at the twenty-two yard line and ran it back
twelve yards.

   I ran the offense again.  Jake wasn't even on the sideline anymore.  We
kept the ball on the ground most of the drive.  I threw a couple more
passes to Andy and Karl.  Drew and Marcus alternated running the ball.  We
used all the time on the clock without giving the ball back to the Trojans.
The final score was 38-17 Wolverines.

   We celebrated our victory with our fans for about ten minutes and then
headed into the locker room.  Coach Caffrey awarded game balls to Drew,
Jeremy and me.  Coach Caffrey warned us not to celebrate too much.  In
seven days we faced Central.  This game probably was for control of our
league and our play-off destiny.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Hal's dad gave Jeremy, Hal, Andy and me a ride on Saturday morning to
meet our troop at the Renaissance Faire.  The drive through Manheim was
interesting.  Nearly every building, billboard and pole had signs exhorting
Central to beat the Wolverines next Friday.  We were in trouble if school
spirit was enough to beat us.  Fortunately skill and hard work mattered
more.  I felt we would be able to beat Central again.

   We met the troop outside the front gate at the Faire.  My friends and I
were a little embarrassed to show up there in our scout uniform but it
turned out OK.  The performers at the Faire made a fuss about us.  They
wanted to know what knight commanded our army.  We had fun watching the
various performances.  The mud men were the best.  After lunch Queen
Elizabeth spotted Hal, Jeremy and me.  She talked with us and then knighted
us.  We ate lots of snack food that we bought from the vendors.  The joust
was a great way to end the day.  The troop loaded up in the cars and vans
and headed back to the scout camp.

   I had the scouts play flashlight tag after dinner.  We did a campfire
with skits and a story by Mr.  Clark before the scouts went to bed.  Sunday
morning we made breakfast, packed up and headed for home.

   After lunch I gave Ed a call.  "Hey Ed, how are you doing?" I asked when
he answered the phone.

   "A little better Kyle." Ed answered quietly.

   "Do you want to get together this afternoon?"

   "No, I need to rest this afternoon." Ed explained.

   "OK.  Are you going to school tomorrow?" I asked.

   "I expect that I will.  This flu has been a bitch.  I had a fever of 102
degrees on Friday.  I was barfing my guts out.  You stay home this
afternoon.  We can talk on the phone for a little.  You don't want this
bug."

   "I gained a lot of respect for you on Friday night." I said.

   "I saw the stats in the paper yesterday.  Four of seven passing for 57
yards and a touchdown.  Those are good stats Kyle.  How long did you play?"

   "I was in for a little more than a quarter."

   "What happened to Jake?" Ed asked.

   "Jerry slipped.  The lineman nailed Jake and knocked him out." I said.

   "How's Jake?"

   I answered, "He's fine.  You can keep the quarterback job.  It sucked. I
don't know how you do it every week.  You have to keep track of every
single thing.  I felt rushed the whole time."

   Ed laughed.  "You get used to it after a year or two Kyle."

   "Get healthy Ed.  We are going to need you if we are going to beat
Central Friday night." I said.

   Ed and I talked for a few more minutes about the camping trip before we
hung up.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Ed was back in school as expected on Monday.  I spent practice working
exclusively with the defense.  Coach Wyndham had me practice by covering
Andy.  He was the fastest wide receiver we had besides me.  I worked part
time as the free safety and part time as a cornerback.  Coach Wyndham
wanted us to be more flexible on defense.  He didn't want Central to know
exactly where I would be on any given play.

   Mr.  Montgomery, the sports editor for the evening paper, the New Era,
showed up at practice on Tuesday with a photographer.  He was there to see
me.  The sportswriters chose me as the athlete of the week for Lancaster
County.  They interviewed me for fifteen minutes after practice and took a
few pictures.

   Tuesday evening was my Eagle Board of Review.  Mr.  Clark introduced me
to the board.  Mr.  Stevens, Mr.  Abbott, Mrs.  Sauder and Mr.  Mitchell
were the board members from my troop.  Mr.  Diffenbach represented the
council on the board.

   I was nervous when I started out, but I got comfortable after about
fifteen minutes.  The questions were easy.  We talked about the things I
did in scouts.  We talked about leadership.  They asked questions about my
project.  We talked for almost twenty minutes about the Scout Oath and
Scout Law.  The whole thing took about forty-five minutes.  The board
dismissed me while they deliberated.  They invited me back in after five
minutes and congratulated me.  I made Eagle!  This was the culmination of
five and a half years of work in scouting.  I was on top of the world.

   Wednesday evening Dad went to the mall for some shopping.  I managed to
convince him to let me drive.  I wracked up my thirty-first hour of
practice.  I was well over halfway to my license.  At the rate I was going,
I figured I would get my license in November.  This was turning into a
phenomenal week for me.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   I got a phone message from Trent Wednesday evening while Dad and I were
out.  I called Trent back.  Trent said, "Hey Kyle, how's it going?"

   "Great Trent.  You ready for Friday night?" I said.

   "We're ready." Trent answered.

   "I saw all the signs in Manheim last weekend.  You guys really want to
beat us don't you?"

   "You better believe it Kyle.  Friday night is going to be different.  We
plan to kick your butts."

   "Good luck trying.  We have a few things ready for you." I said.

   "I have a question for you Kyle.  I was on-line and saw your stats.  How
often did you guys run your option play last week?  The stats say you had
seven pass attempts."

   "That wasn't the option play.  Ed Fritz was sick last Friday.  Our
back-up, Jake Kring, took his place.  Jake got knocked out near the end of
the third quarter.  I had to take his place for a quarter." I explained.

   "Let's see: wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback.  What's next Kyle?"
Trent asked.

   "Julie helped me with my cheerleading skills.  If we get a big lead, I
thought I might try that next.  That or maybe nose tackle.  I don't know."
I teased.

   "I can see it Kyle.  You in a short skirt shaking your pom-poms.  I'd
pay to see that." Trent said.

   I asked, "Have you made any college visits?"

   Trent replied, "I visited Rutgers last weekend.  I liked Delaware
better. I'm leaning towards them."

   "That's cool.  You aren't going to believe where I was two weekends ago.
I visited Penn State.  They rolled out the red carpet for me.  My dad and I
met Joe Paterno.  You wouldn't believe their facilities." I said.

   I spent five minutes relating all the details of my visit to Penn State.
Trent and I agreed to talk before the game on Friday night.  We wished each
other luck for the game.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   After practice Coach Caffrey told the team that Channel 8 asked that we
bring the team together to appear on their Football Friday program after
the game at 11:30 pm.  The Football Boosters had arranged for us to have
use of the pavilion at the township park.  They were going to provide
refreshments for the football team and the cheer leaders.  We could invite
other friends too if we wanted.

   The New Era printed the article naming me athlete of the week on
Thursday evening.  The editor mostly had my story of how I started football
correct.  I was pleased that he included how grateful I was to Zack Hayes
and Ed Fritz for how much they had contributed to my achievements in the
past two and a half years.  My parents enjoyed the article.  The sports
writers at the paper were unanimous in predicting that we would beat
Central.  I hoped they were right.

   Lots of kids congratulated me on Friday about the honor the paper gave
me.  Everyone I talked to wished the team luck for the game that night.  I
had trouble concentrating on school, I was too keyed about the game.

   Jeremy gave Ed, Hal, Andy and me a ride to school after dinner.  My
friends and teammates went about our normal pre-game rituals to prepare for
our contest.  We reviewed our plans to make sure everyone knew their jobs
in the evening.

   Ed, Andy, Jeremy and I talked with Trent and Christian during warm-ups.
Trent and Christian congratulated me for the honors I received from the
newspaper.  We wished other well during the game and promised to meet when
it was over.

   Coach Caffrey called the team together for a short talk before we took
the field.  "Gentlemen.  Tonight we face Central.  For two and a half
decades they have represented the best in our league.  Some of your parents
attended our high school and were here when Central started to dominate our
league.  They have an 88.7% winning record.  They have gone to the playoffs
23 of the last 24 years.  Year in and year out they are the standard that
the rest of the league measures themselves against.  League Champions,
division champions, and state champions; that is Central's legacy.

   "Tonight we get to test ourselves against the best.  We set a goal of
being state champions this year.  We can take a big step towards that goal
this evening.  You need to run faster, jump higher and hit harder.  Don't
just block your man, knock him down.  Tonight I have one word for you:
Excel!" Coach Caffrey concluded.

   Greg shouted, "Everyone in the circle, hands in." We gathered in a large
circle with our hands into the center.  "On three, Excel!  1... 2.... 
3...."

   "EXCEL!" the entire team yelled.  We broke the circle and headed outside
for introductions.  The largest crowd in Wolverines history greeted us to
thunderous cheers.

   Tim led Greg, George, Ed and me out to the center of the field for the
coin toss.  Trent was one of the captains on their team.  Trent called
heads.  He won the coin toss and decided to receive the kick off.

   Hal booted it deep, to the two yard line.  Central's kick returner took
it out anyway.  Our guys tackled him at the seventeen yard line.  I was
playing cornerback on the first series.  I lined up opposite Christian when
Central broke the huddle.  I sprinted downfield with Christian at the snap.
Christian was a decoy.  They ran the ball straight up the middle of our
defense.  Joey Keller and Luke Stauffer stood their blockers up and pushed
them backwards.  Jeremy filled the gap between Joey and Luke, running smack
into the runner.  Central gained one yard.  Central tried an off tackle run
on our left side.  Luke and Travis Hall, our left defensive end, stopped
the play for a two yard gain.  On third down I switched to free safety. 
Nick Zeimer came back on to cover Christian on short passes.  Seth Vogel
and I covered man to man for any deep passes.  Central saw Nick covering
Christian and switched the play at the line to a deep pass.  Christian
sprinted past Nick in the short zone.  I drifted over to cover Christian
deep.  Central's quarterback looked at Nick and me and had to dump the ball
to the tailback in the backfield to avoid pressure from Joey Keller. 
George and Jeremy gang tackled the tailback before he could get a first
down.  Central punted the ball back to us.

   Andy caught the punt on the 37 yard line.  Our wedge of blockers split
Central's coverage.  Another tackler missed Andy.  Andy sprinted through
the gap in the coverage, angled away from the punter and ran for the end
zone.  One of the Central players caught Andy, lunged for him and pulled
him down at the three yard line.  Our offense took the field in a power run
formation.  I stood on the sidelines while Andy and Karl filled the two
wide receiver spots.  Coach Caffrey kept things simple.  Ed handed the ball
to Drew, who followed Jerry's, Dustin's and Ian's blocks.  He drove three
yards and fell over carrying the ball into the end zone.  Hal booted the
PAT.  Score: 7-0 Wolverines

   Hal kicked the ball into the end zone on the kick-off.  Central took the
ball on the twenty yard line.  I lined up with Christian on the outside. 
Central tried a quick out to Christian.  He caught the pass.  I tackled him
immediately.  He went down after a three yard gain.  Central tried a run up
the middle again.  Jeremy, Joey and Luke stuffed them for a one yard loss.
George blitzed on third down.  Unfortunately Central had anticipated this.
They had a tight end screen to the opposite side of the field from
Christian and me.  The tight end picked up twelve yards before Nathan
Yuninger, our right linebacker, tackled him.

   Our defense and their offense were closely balanced.  We'd make a good
play and force a loss on them.  They'd exploit a hole in our defense to
make a first down.  They managed to string together enough yards to push us
down the field towards our end zone.  I kept Christian from catching any
passes more than five yards deep on the drive.  We finally managed to stop
them at our seventeen yard line.  Central kicked a field goal to bring the
score to 7-3 Wolverines favor.

   Tim did a good job returning the kickoff.  We started our drive from our
31 yard line.  I went in for four of the nine plays.  Drew gained good
yardage running.  Greg caught a third and long pass.  Andy caught a 24 yard
pass when I attracted double coverage leaving him alone with their free
safety.  His catch put us on Central's 19 yard line.  We tried two deep
passes in the end zone.  Trent knocked the ball out of my hands the first
pass.  Ed's pass was about an inch beyond my grasp on the second pass. 
Central flooded the end zone with defensive backs on third down.  Greg
caught a pass short of the end zone and tried to run it in.  Central
tackled him three yards short of the goal line.  Hal booted a field goal
through the uprights.  Score: 10-3 Wolverines.

   On their third possession Central tried to out-muscle us again. 
Apparently Central decided to take their cue from Pottsville about how to
beat us.  Unfortunately for them, they were trying to beat last year's
Wolverine team.  This year we were prepared with our own big guys to push
back.  We stopped them on two running plays.  They tried a fifteen yard
pass to Christian.  I knocked it down before he could grab it.  Central
punted the ball to Andy.

   Andy made the first tackler miss and picked up ten yards.  We got the
ball at our 45 yard line.  Central's defense stiffened.  We made a couple
first downs and had to punt the ball back to them.

   Central started from their 19 yard line.  They started making short
passes, five or six yards at a time.  They moved the ball down the field.
We were in our 5 short zone, 2 deep man defense when they tried a deep
pass. Nick and I kept Christian covered.  Dylan Masterson was alone on the
other side of the field.  He bought a pump fake by the quarterback and let
the other receiver get behind him.  The quarterback delivered the ball to
the receiver in stride.  He ran into the end zone before anyone could catch
him.  Central made the PAT.  Score: 10-10 tie.

   We got the ball back on our 28 yard line.  We mixed runs and passes to
keep Central off balance.  We moved the ball past the fifty yard line. 
Coach Caffrey called for a play action pass.  Andy attracted double
coverage, leaving Trent alone with me.  I juked him and sprinted downfield.
Ed rifled the ball to me around the thirty yard line.  I caught the ball
and ran for the end zone, angling away from the free safety as he tried to
catch me.  He dove as I crossed the goal line, knocking me down, but only
after I scored the touchdown.  Hal booted the PAT.  Score: 17-10 Wolverines

   Hal kicked the ball to Central with 2:12 left in the half.  They
switched to their hurry up offense.  We managed to keep them to short gains
on each play.  Even so they moved the ball downfield on us.  We threw a
couple blitzes at them, but they countered with a screen and a draw. 
Central made it to our 14 yard line when the clock clicked down to 7
seconds left.  Central booted a field goal as time ran out in the half. 
Score: 17-13 Wolverines
The coaches encouraged us at half time.  Our plans were working all
right so far.  We needed to pick it up a notch on offense.  Coach Graham
and Coach Baer reviewed a few plays we would throw at Central in the third

quarter.

   We received the kick off to start the second half.  Tim downed the ball
in the end zone, so we started at our 20 yard line.  We mixed up the runs
and passes to keep Central off balance.  I came in as the third receiver on
a few of the plays.  I was in the slot on the seventh play of the drive. 
We ran a play action pass.  Andy and I both went deep.  The free safety
slipped when he tried to switch from run support to covering me after the
snap.  Andy and I both ended up open deep.  Ed spotted us.  He chose me and
lobbed a pass to me.  I ran under it and sprinted down the field for the
end zone, chased by Trent.  He trailed me by about three yards when crossed
the goal line.  Hal booted the PAT though the uprights.  Score: 24-13
Wolverines

   Hal kicked the ball back to Central.  They returned the kick off to the
27 yard line.  Central moved the ball with a couple short passes and a
draw. On the fourth play of the drive Central tried to go deep.  I was
playing free safety on that play.  Nick released Christian to me.  I
shadowed him downfield.  The quarterback gave up on him and tried to force
the ball into the tight end who was running a slant.  Jeremy jumped in
front of him and snagged the ball.  Jeremy picked up a couple yards before
he was tackled.

   Coach Caffrey wanted to pull away from Central.  He called for us to run
our flanker option reverse.  Drew blocked Trent away from me after he
handed the ball to me.  Ed made his block on the outside linebacker.  I
turned the corner and looked downfield.  The cornerback covering Andy had
started to run for me.  I tossed the ball over his head to my brother. 
Andy turned on the speed and raced into the end zone untouched.  Hal put
the ball through goal posts for the PAT.  Score: 31-13 Wolverines

   Central gave up running the ball since they needed three touchdowns to
win.  They threw the ball in short - four to seven yards a play.  Coach
Wyndham started blitzing to increase the pressure and force them to make a
mistake.  It didn't work.  Central caught us unprepared.  Their tailback
caught the ball on a screen when we blitzed.  He broke a tackle and ran in
for a touchdown.  With the successful PAT, the score was 31-20 Wolverines
favor.

   On our next possession we ran the ball to use up time of the clock.  We
managed nine plays before the drive broke down.  I was on the sideline.  Ed
tossed the ball to Andy on a 15 yard out.  When Andy made the cut towards
the sideline Trent cut in front of him and intercepted the ball.  Andy
tackled Trent after a five yard return.

   I wasn't happy with my brother.  He had telegraphed his move before he
made the cut.  It wasn't surprising a player as smart as Trent knew what
was coming.  Andy and I were going to have a long talk when we got home. 
He had a lot to learn before he was ready to play full time with the
varsity team.

   Our defense hustled out on the field to get ready.  Central had the ball
on our 45 yard line.  They tried a screen pass on the first play, but
Jeremy blew it up.  He was waiting for the tight end in the back field.  He
tackled him immediately for a three yard loss.  I was playing free safety
at the moment.  I lined up on the side of the field that Christian was on.
When they snapped the ball I watched as the play developed.  Christian
sprinted downfield through Nick Zeimer's short zone.  I back pedaled a
couple steps and got ready to meet Christian.  Christian glanced back at
his quarterback as he left Nick's zone.  Nick released Christian to me.  I
closed quickly until I was beside Christian.  The quarterback tossed a high
pass to Christian.  Both of us leapt for the ball.  We both caught it.  I
wrestled and twisted, dragging the ball into my body.  Christian twisted
with me, struggling to keep his hands on the ball.  Our feet landed on the
ground as we wrestled for possession of the ball.

   I heard the sound of Nick running towards us.  The next thing I felt was
Nick colliding with us.  He hit us at waist level as Christian and I
started to fall backwards to the ground.  My foot caught on the ground as
Christian fell on top of me, bending me backwards.  I heard a pop. 
Suddenly I felt searing pain.  It felt like someone stabbed me in the knee
and was twisting the knife.  I collapsed to the ground, Christian on top of
me with my legs twisted under us.  Christian got up.  I rolled over
unfolding my legs from under me.  I rolled over on my back.  I clutched my
left knee.

   Things seemed to move in slow motion.  Nathan Yuninger came flying in
and tackled Christian.  Nick stood over me asking, "Are you alright Kyle?"

   Christian got up shouting, "God damn it!  I'm down.  Get the doctor,
Kyle is hurt!" He stood beside me waving for help.

   I lay on the ground clutching me knee while tears streamed down my face.
Doc, Coach Caffrey and Coach Baer came out to see how I was.  Doc said,
"Let me see you knee Kyle.  Lie still please." He gently felt all around my
knee joint.  The pain was starting to ease a little.  It was a dull pain
now, not stabbing like before.

   My teammates and opponents gathered nearby encouraging me.  "Hang in
Kyle." "You'll be alright Kyle." "You're the man Kyle." I noticed that the
crowd was silent.

   Doc said to Coach Caffery and Coach Baer, "Get the cart.  I want to
immobilize this joint.  I don't want to take a chance on further damage
when we move Kyle." Doc looked down at me and asked, "Tell me exactly what
you felt when it happened Kyle."

   I related the sound of the pop and the searing pain when my knee first
buckled.  Doc nodded as he listened to me.  He put an air splint on my leg
to immobilize my knee while he listened.  Justin, er, Coach Baer returned
with the cart.  He and Doc picked me up and placed me in the back of the
cart.

   Ed came by and said, "I hope everything is OK Kyle."

   "You worry about Central.  Go win this damn game Ed."

   "We will" he replied.

   Jeremy said, "Get better quick Kyle.  We need you out here."

   Andy asked, "Are you going to be all right Kyle?" He looked pale as a
ghost.

   I answered, "I'll be fine.  The team is depending on you Andy.  Get your
head back in the game.  I want to hear that you guys beat Central."

   "OK" Andy replied quietly.

   "Good luck Kyle." Trent said.  "I'll call you tomorrow."

   Christian said, "I'm sorry Kyle."

   "It's not your fault Christian." I said as Coach Baer and Doc drove me
off the field.  "Now you know what you have to do to catch a pass on me."
Christian smiled and waved as I was driven away.  The crowd cheered for me
and shouted encouragement as I left.  I waved to them before I left the
field.

   Justin drove the cart up to the door of the locker room.  Doc and Justin
carried me inside and laid me on the training table in our locker room. 
Mom, Dad and Liz had joined us in the training room.  Doc and Justin helped
me remove my pads.

   Doc explained what he suspected to my mom and dad.  "I think there may
be damage to the ligaments in Kyle's knee.  I want you to take him to the
ER for x-rays.  I want to eliminate the possibility of bone damage."

   Mom and Dad conferred for a minute.  They decided Mom would take me to
the ER while Dad and Liz stayed for the rest of the game.  Dad, Liz and
Andy would catch a ride home with the Fritzes or the Norths.  Dad went to
bring the mini-van around to the locker room door.  Justin and Dad carried
me out and helped me into the front seat of the mini-van.

   Mom drove me to the hospital on the north side of Lancaster.  When we
arrived, Mom got a nurse with a wheel chair to take me inside.  She filled
out admission forms while I waited.  I watched the TV while I waited for my
turn with the doctors.

   I waited for forty-five minutes until they called for me.  Doctor
Laukhauf, the doctor who treated my ankle in the spring, was on duty that
night.  He greeted me warmly.  He felt my knee for a few seconds and sent
Mom and me off to x-rays.

   I watched the eleven o'clock news while I waited for my turn for x-rays.
They didn't report any football scores before I was called.  The technician
efficiently x-rayed my knee.  The nurse took Mom and me back downstairs to
the waiting room in the ER.

   The TV in the ER was set to Channel 8.  I got there just as the Football
Friday show started at 11:30.  The anchor for the show started off with,
"The big game of the evening was the showdown between perennial powerhouse
Central and the upstart Wolverines.  It was a wild one.  The Wolverines
pulled it out in the last seconds with junior Ed Fritz's touchdown pass to
senior tight end Greg Harrison to pull off a 38-34 win.  The Wolverines are
undefeated.  The loss drops Central to 4-1.  Junior wide receiver Kyle
Martin had another sterling performance tonight.  He caught two touchdowns
and threw a third to his brother Andrew on an option play.  His night was
cut short by an injury.  Martin also played defensive back in the game,
helping hold Central's high powered offense in check.  The Wolverines led
31-20 when Martin was injured and carted off the field.  When he left
Central's standout junior wide receiver Christian Hunsecker took over the
game.  He had two touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter to put Central
in the lead.  Ed Fritz rallied his team and marched down the field to score
the winning touchdown with seconds left on the clock.  No word is available
at this time on the injury to Kyle Martin."

   I thought, `Yeah, no word on the injury.  Not even to me and it's my
knee.'

   The anchor continued, "Reporter John Everett is live at the Wolverine's
victory celebration at Paradise Township Park.  John?"

   John Everett appeared on the screen in front of my celebrating friends
in the pavilion at the park.  Greg, Ed, Jeremy, George and Andy were in
front of the group.  John Everett said, "This is a euphoric group here at
Paradise Township Park tonight.  Let's talk with some of the key players in
this win." Ed, Greg and Andy stepped to the front.  "This is Ed Fritz,
quarterback of the Wolverines.  Ed, tell me about the winning drive."

   Ed grinned and said, "I was confident we could win even though we only
had 1:21 left in the game when we got the ball.  We had been able to move
the ball on Central all night.  Andy made a couple great catches to move us
down the field.  On the last play Central triple covered Andy in the corner
of the end zone, so I checked down and found Greg in the middle of the
field."

   Greg continued, "Ed threw a great pass to me.  I was lucky I was able to
move the tacklers that last yard into the end zone."

   John Everett said, "Any thing you would like to add Andrew?"

   "I'd like to thank Ed for all his help the last two years helping me
learn to play football.  I'd like to thank my brother Kyle too.  I couldn't
have done this without him.  I hope you're well Kyle."

   John Everett said, "That's the news from Paradise tonight.  Back to you
Mike." The anchor went on to the next game.  I didn't pay much attention
after that.

   A nurse called for me.  She wheeled me back to an exam room.  Doctor
Laukhauf had my x-rays up on the wall and was staring at them.  Mom and the
nurse helped my up on the exam table.

   Doctor Laukhauf turned to me and said, "The x-rays look good.  You don't
have any bone damage.  I want to examine your knee again." He felt around
my knee for a minute.  "I believe you have significant damage to multiple
ligaments in your knee.  I'm not sure whether you have strains or tears.  I
want you to return on Monday morning for an MRI due to the amount of
instability in your knee.  When the MRI is done you will see an orthopedic
surgeon.  He is best able to decide the course of treatment required for
your injury.  I have two prescriptions for you.  The first is an
anti-inflammatory.  It will help relieve the swelling in your knee.  The
second is for pain.  Take the pain pills as directed on the bottle if you
need them.  I want you to rest your knee this weekend.  Keep it elevated
and ice it to relieve the swelling.  Use the pain medication only if you
need it.  Any questions?"

   Mom had a couple.  She and the doctor talked for a few minutes.  When
they were done talking Doctor Laukhauf said, "I'll get you a pair of
crutches and you can be on your way Kyle."

   "I still have the pair from last spring.  Do I need new ones?" I asked.

   "Have you grown since then?"

   "No." I answered.

   "OK.  You can use them." Doctor Laukhauf said.

   Mom checked with the receptionist and got the appointments scheduled for
the MRI and the orthopedist on Monday.  The MRI was at 10 am and the
orthopedist was at 1 pm.  The nurse wheeled me out to the front entrance
while Mom got the car.  We didn't get home until after 1 am.  Mom brought
my crutches down to the car.  I hobbled inside and climbed the stairs
carefully.  I took my medication.  The pain pills were strong stuff.  I was
asleep before my head hit the pillow.

   Chapter 15

   =========

   I woke up at 11 in the morning.  My knee didn't hurt too much.  It had
swelled up over night and was so stiff I couldn't bend it.  I showered and
went downstairs for breakfast.  Mom greeted me with a smile when I got to
the kitchen.

   "How are you feeling Kyle?" Mom asked.

   "My knee is really swelled up.  I can't bend it.  It doesn't hurt as
much as last night."

   "Sit down and rest your leg.  What do you want for breakfast?"

   I did a double take.  Mom usually makes us look after ourselves for
breakfast and lunch.  "Um, pancakes and sausage?" I asked hopefully.

   "OK.  Here is your medicine and a glass of water.  Relax while I make
you breakfast." Mom said as she handed me my pills.  I took them.  Mom
started cooking while I browsed through the newspaper.

   "Where's Andy at?" I asked.

   "Andy and Eric are out mowing lawns." Mom explained.  Mom served me
breakfast.  When I was done eating she helped me get set up in the family
room.  I had ice for my knee, water to drink and a stack of DVD's to watch.
I spent the afternoon with my left leg resting on the couch with ice packs
on my knee.

   I had a lot of visitors in the afternoon.  Ed, Hal, Jeremy, Greg came
right after lunch.  Coach Caffrey stopped by later.  We talked for awhile.
George and his girlfriend Paige Evans stopped in.  Justin, Sherry and Billy
Baer stopped by too.  Drew and Stacie stopped by on the way to the mall. 
Trent and Christian both called to find out how I was.  Christian continued
apologizing for what had happened.  I assured him again that it wasn't his
fault.

   My knee started to hurt pretty bad later in the afternoon.  I took my
pain medication.  I was kind of out of it after that.  Andy, Heather, Eric
and Sammy stopped in the family room to say hi before they went to the
movies that night.  Penny stopped by too, but I was lousy company.  Penny
wished me well and said she would come back tomorrow afternoon to talk
again.

   I went to bed right after supper.  I was wiped out.

   Mom got me up in time to have breakfast with the rest of the family on
Sunday morning.  I went back to my room when the rest of the family headed
to church.  I decided to catch up on my e-mails.  I had been so busy the
last month that I hadn't had time to read any of Julie's e-mails.

   I was surprised when I realized I had 36 e-mails from Julie that went
back to the end of August.  How had almost six weeks passed without me
reading her e-mails?  I started reading with the oldest e-mails.

   The first dozen from the end of August and early September were routine.
Julie told me about her day, how things were going with cheerleading, about
her classes, and the new friends she was making.  She always signed the
e-mails `Love Julie'.  The tone of the messages changed around the second
weekend of September.  Julie started asking why I wasn't writing to her. 
Julie expressed her concerns about not hearing from me in each subsequent
message.

   The e-mail she sent me on September 17th changed things.  This is what
it said:
====================== To: kmartin87@redroses.net
From: simpsonj@gmail.com
Time: September 17 18:46:21

   Kyle

   I can't believe you haven't read any of my messages in over three weeks.
How can you cut me off this way if you love me?  We can't stay a couple
completely cut off from each other.  Please write immediately.

   Your girlfriend?

   Julie

   ======================

   Your girlfriend?  I knew I had gotten too preoccupied with school and
football, but were things so bad that Julie didn't want me for a boyfriend
anymore?  I continued reading her daily e-mails from that week.  Julie's
impatience and anger became clearer as I read on.  She didn't say she loved
me or missed me anymore.  Even with a half dozen messages telegraphing what
was coming, the last e-mail still stunned me.
====================== To: kmartin87@redroses.net
From: simpsonj@gmail.com
Time: September 24 19:03:50

   Kyle

   I don't know when or if you will read this, but this is how I feel. 
It's obvious that the two of us trying to stay a couple half a country
apart isn't working.  I need to talk to or at least write to my boyfriend
regularly.

   Since you haven't responded to any of my e-mails in weeks, I no longer
consider myself to be your girlfriend.  I will be dating others.  You
should do the same.  I will have special memories of nine months we dated.
It is best that we find our separate ways in the future.

   Good luck

   Julie

   ======================

   I stared at the computer screen as I reread the message half a dozen
times.  We were finished.  I hobbled over to my bed and lay down.  I
grabbed my MP3 player and turned on some tunes.  I calmed down some after a
half hour.  Julie was right.  I had been thoughtless to the girl I claimed
to love.  How could I blame her for this?  The two of us had talked about
how important it was to communicate.  I had focused so exclusively on
football and school that I had no time left for my girlfriend.

   I was still listening to music when my family came home from church. 
Mom stopped by my room before she went downstairs to get lunch.  Mom asked,
"How are you doing Kyle?"

   "All right I guess." I said quietly.  Mom knew me too well.

   "What's wrong Kyle?  Is the pain too much?"

   "No.  It doesn't hurt that much Mom."

   "What is wrong then?  Are you worried about missing football?" Mom
asked.

   "Not really.  I know the doctors can take care of me.  I'll be back in a
few weeks." I answered.

   Mom sat down on the bed beside me.  "What is bothering you Kyle?"

   I knew Mom wouldn't let me alone until I explained about Julie and me.
"I got an e-mail from Julie.  She is breaking up with me."

   "Oh honey, I'm so sorry." Mom hugged me.  I hugged her back and tried to
draw comfort from her closeness.  I explained what had happened between
Julie and me.  We discussed the difficulties of long distance
relationships.

   "I know this hurts honey, but it isn't surprising.  Being in a
relationship with another person is hard in the best of times.  Having a
relationship when your partner is somewhere else is difficult, even for
grown ups.  I know you and Julie loved each other, but the time has come to
move on.  You need to go on dates like other sixteen year olds, not hang
out alone with your friends when they date.  You will find someone else
eventually."

   "I guess Mom." I answered, hoping she knew what she was talking about.

   I followed Mom downstairs for lunch.  I stuffed my daypack with my
school books and some DVD's.  I set myself up in the family room for the
afternoon after soup and a sandwich.

   Penny came over to visit mid-afternoon.  We talked for awhile about my
knee.  Penny promised to bring me my homework assignments after school
tomorrow so I wouldn't fall behind.  Penny is a great friend.

   I sent Julie this e-mail after dinner.  I certainly owed her that.
====================== To: simpsonj@gmail.com
From: kmartin87@redroses.net
Time: October 7 13:21:19

   Julie

   I understand why you are mad at me Julie.  I wish I could go back in
time six weeks and change things.  I get too wrapped up in football when
the season starts.  I did the same thing last season when Penny was my
girlfriend.

   I'm sorry I ignored you so long.  You're right that it will be better if
we see other people in the future.  If you come back next summer to visit
Lancaster County, please take time to see me.  Sharing the past nine months
of my life with you has been great.  I wish things had worked out
differently and we could have been together here.

   We may not be girlfriend and boyfriend anymore, but I still love you.

   Kyle

   ======================

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom took off work on Monday to take me to the hospital for the MRI and
to the doctors.  Even though we had a 10 o'clock appointment, the MRI
didn't get done until 10:45.  The MRI didn't hurt at all, but you better
not mind being in tight places.  I was OK.  There was more room than there
was in the cave our scout troop explored when we went spelunking a couple
years ago.

   Mom and I went to the mall for lunch to kill some time before we saw the
orthopedic surgeon.  It felt weird being at the mall in the middle of a
school day.  The crowd was mostly young mothers with small kids and older
retired people.

   After lunch Mom drove a couple miles from the mall to the orthopedic
center.  Mom signed me in and filled out insurance paperwork while I hung
out waiting for my turn.  I browsed the newspaper while I waited.

   A nurse announced, "Kyle Martin."

   I headed for the door into the office.  Mom followed.  The nurse said,
"You wait here Mrs.  Martin while the doctor conducts the examination. 
I'll call you in when he is ready to discuss the extent of the injury and
the treatment."

   Mom asked, "Is that all right Kyle?"

   "No problem Mom.  I'll be fine." I answered.  I followed the nurse to an
exam room.

   She said, "Remove your clothes down to your underwear and put on this
robe." She handed me one of those short hospital robes.  "The doctor will
be with you in a few minutes."

   I undressed carefully, put on the robe and climbed on the exam table. 
The doctor took a few minutes to arrive.

   The doctor came in.  "Good afternoon.  You must be Kyle Martin.  I'm
Doctor High." He extended his hand and we shook.

   "Good afternoon sir."

   "Relax Kyle.  I'm going to examine your knee." He started gently feeling
my knee.  "How did this happen?"

   Doctor High continued examining while I explained.  "I hurt it playing
football.  My leg got caught under the pile during a tackle.  Two guys
landed on me and my leg got bent back at a weird angle.  I felt it pop."

   "Was this a recreational game or an organized game?"

   "I play on the Wolverines varsity team."

   "I see.  How long have you played football?"

   "This is my third season on varsity." I explained.

   Doctor High kept asking me questions about myself, things I did.  I told
him all about scouts and my trips to Algonquin.  Doctor High had been a
scout as a boy.  He thought the trip to Algonquin sounded like fun.  He
continued feeling and testing my knee while we talked.

   Doctor High said, "OK Kyle.  I'm done with the exam.  Get dressed.  I'm
going to have your mother come in.  I'll discuss your condition and
treatment options with the two of you."

   I got dressed and waited for Mom and Doctor High to return.  I was
sitting on the exam table again when Mom and Doctor High came back to the
examining room.  Mom had a seat in the chair beside the exam table.

   Doctor High said, "I've completed my examination of Kyle's injury.  I
wish I had better news than this.  Kyle has suffered significant damage to
three of the four ligaments in his knee." Doctor High held up a skinless
model of a knee to show us what was wrong.  "The lateral collateral
ligament and medial collateral ligament are partially torn." Doctor High
pointed to the two ligaments on the inside and outside of the knee model.
"These ligaments help give your knee side to side stability.  The most
significant damage is to this ligament." Doctor High pointed to one of two
crossed ligaments inside the knee joint.  "This is the anterior cruciate
ligament.  Kyle, this ligament has torn."

   "Is that the pop I heard?" I asked.

   "Yes, it was." Doctor High answered.

   Mom asked, "What does this mean?"

   "Kyle's knee is extremely unstable." Doctor High explained.

   "How long will it take for my knee to heal?  When can I play football
again?" I asked.

   Doctor High answered, "I don't think you understand the severity of your
injury Kyle.  You may never play football again."

   Never?  I felt like someone had dropped a ton of stones on me.  Never
play football again!  I stammered, "There has to be something you can do. I
have to play football."

   Doctor High answered, "There are treatment options.  The lateral
collateral ligament and medial collateral ligament will heal with rest,
elevation and ice in a few weeks.  The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL
will not heal itself.  You have two choices for treatment.  The
non-surgical option involves rest and rehabilitation exercises.  This
choice has several distinct advantages.  This option is less painful.  You
knee will heal more quickly and with less pain without surgery.  This
option has a significant disadvantage.  You knee will never be as stable as
it was before the injury.  You can do every day things, but can't do
activities that would stress the knee joint.  You wouldn't be able to play
contact sports, ski, or play basketball."

   I exclaimed, "I don't like that option very much.  What is the other
choice?"

   Doctor High continued, "The other option is surgical replacement of the
ligament.  I would use a piece of tendon to replace your ACL.  Usually the
reconstructed ligament will provide nearly complete function to your knee."

   "That sounds better.  Let's do that." I said.

   "You need to know the down side to the surgical option.  The ACL
replacement procedure is extremely painful.  The time to heal is
substantially longer than the non-surgical option.  This option requires
months of difficult rehabilitation.  There is no guarantee in the end that
you will have full use of your knee when you are done with rehabilitation."
Doctor High explained.

   Mom asked, "What do you normally recommend?"

   "I don't have one answer to this question.  For older, less active
persons, I generally recommend the non-surgical option.  Surgery is
indicated for younger, more active persons.  Kyle certainly fits in that
group.  I understand you play football.  How serious are you about football
Kyle?"

   "Totally!  I love football.  Let me explain it this way.  I hope to get
an athletic scholarship for college.  I had a recruiting visit to Penn
State two weeks ago." I answered.

   "I recommend that Kyle have the ACL replacement surgery." Doctor High
said.

   Mom asked, "Is that what you want Kyle?"

   "I guess, if that will let me play football again." I replied.

   Mom confirmed, "That's what we want Doctor."

   Doctor High explained, "I want to make sure you understand that I can
not guarantee that you will be fit to play football again.  The
rehabilitation program is usually six to eight months long.  Hard work will
increase the chances of full recovery, but it will not guarantee it."

   I asked, "When can I have the surgery?"

   Doctor High answered, "Usually I like to do the surgery three or four
weeks after the injury.  You knee needs time to heal from the injury.  You
will need to do exercises to increase your range of motion before the
surgery.  If you can't bend your knee fully before the surgery, you
probably won't be able to do it afterwards.  Before you go I will have my
receptionist schedule you for your first rehabilitation session.  Do you
have any questions?"

   I asked, "Can I drive?"

   Doctor High smiled and looked at Mom.  "Sixteen year olds.  That's
always the first question." Doctor High looked back at me.  "Is your car an
automatic or a manual transmission?"

   "Automatic." I replied.

   "You can drive as soon as you are able to bend your knee enough to get
in and out of the car Kyle.  Do you have any other questions?"

   Mom and I didn't have any.  Doctor High continued explaining my
treatment.  "I have a knee brace I want you to wear to protect your knee
during the day.  Wear it as you go about your normal activities.  You can
take it off at home in the evening if you are sitting or sleeping.  Do not
wear it in the shower.  Be very careful when you shower without the brace.
Do not twist or turn suddenly.  Your knee isn't strong enough for that
right now.  I'll show you how to wear the brace."

   Doctor High proceeded to demonstrate how to put on and take off the
brace.  He had me do it after he showed me.  I tried my leg out after I had
the brace on.  I could put a little weight on it.  Doctor High explained,
"You need to gradually put more weight on your left leg as you it heals. 
You shouldn't need the crutches for more than a week.  The more you use
your injured leg, the better condition it will be in when you have the
surgery and the better your chances are for a complete recovery.  Do you
understand?"

   "I do." I answered.

   Mom and I headed out to see the receptionist.  She scheduled me for a
rehabilitation session tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.  The surgery was
tentatively scheduled for Monday, October 29th.  I would visit Doctor High
again on the 22nd.  I would do rehab once a week until after the surgery.

   Mom and I stopped off at the school on the way home.  We got there about
fifteen minutes before dismissal.  Mom went to the office to explain my
expected absences with the principal.  I headed for the locker room to talk
with Coach Caffrey.  I arrived at the gym as his last period gym classes
was dressing.  I met him in his office.

   Coach Caffrey asked, "How are you doing Kyle?"

   "I'm surviving.  The doctor found that I tore my ACL.  I'm going to have
surgery to replace it in three weeks.  I'm done playing football this
season."

   "I'm sorry to hear that Kyle.  We're going to miss you."

   "Think about what I can do to help the team while I'm injured.  I still
want to help any way I can."

   "I'll think about that Kyle." Coach Caffrey answered.  The dismissal
bell rang as he said it.  The gym class streamed out the door.  I hung
around until the line of kids disappeared.  I was still there when Ed and
Jeremy came in the locker room.

   Ed face brightened as soon as he saw me.  "Great.  You're back.  When
can you play again?"

   Jeremy added, "How bad is it?"

   I explained about my ACL and the other injuries to me knee.  I explained
about the surgery and six to eight month recovery time.

   Ed said, "Shit!  What are we going to do without you?"

   I replied, "You still have plenty of good receivers.  You have Greg,
Andy, Karl, Tim and Jason.  Drew is good at catching the ball out of the
backfield.  You'll be fine without me."

   "It won't be the same Kyle.  You're the best receiver we have." Ed said.

   I said, "The other guys will step up.  They are good receivers too."

   Ed replied, "That's only part of it Kyle.  You're my best friend.  I
like having you around."

   "I'm still a captain on the team.  I'll be around.  I just won't be on
the field anymore this year." I explained.

   Jeremy asked, "How are you doing Kyle?  This knee injury has to be a
shock."

   "I'm managing.  I don't have a lot of choice really." I answered.

   Coach Graham came through the locker rooming shouting, "C'mon ladies. 
Let's get moving.  Hit the field."

   Ed asked, "Are you going to scouts tonight?"

   My knee ached a little.  "No, I don't think so.  I need to go home and
ice my knee."

   Ed replied, "I'll make sure things go properly at the scout meeting. 
Are you coming to school tomorrow?"

   "Yeah, I'll be here most of the day.  I have to go for rehabilitation
after first period.  I'll be back before lunch." I answered.

   My friends departed for the practice field to numerous calls of "Good to
see you Kyle" and "See you tomorrow Kyle."

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom picked up Liz from the babysitters on the way home.  I didn't even
have time to hobble inside before Penny came over.  She helped me upstairs
to my bedroom.  I sat on my bed with my left leg up.

   "I brought your homework assignments from school today." Penny said
brightly.  She went over the assignments for Pre-Calculus, Chemistry and
English.

   I asked, "Do you want to study together tonight?"

   "I thought you had scouts." Penny asked.

   "My knee hurts too much to go tonight.  I'm going to stay home and ice
my knee."

   "OK.  I'll come over after dinner.  Talking about your knee, what did
the doctor say about it?"

   I explained about my torn ACL, about the other damage, and the surgery
the doctor had planned for three weeks from now.  We agreed to meet again
at 7 pm.  I iced my knee before dinner.

   Mom helped me gather my school books and supplies in the family room.  I
could put my leg up on the couch while Penny and I studied.  Penny arrived
right on time.  We started with the Pre-calc homework.  I was a little
surprised when we finished it in forty-five minutes.

   Penny went over the Chemistry material next.  I had no trouble following
the day's work.  English was simple.  I needed to read a couple chapters in
Aldus Huxley's "Brave New World" for class tomorrow.

   When we finished Penny said, "Wow, I don't think we ever got done this
early.  Do you want to hang out for awhile Kyle?"

   "Sure Penny." I answered.  She turned on the TV.  She sat down on the
couch beside me.  She leaned against my shoulder.  We watched for a few
minutes.

   Penny asked, "How are you and Julie doing?"

   I stared at Penny.  "Didn't I tell you?"

   "Tell me what?"

   I said, "Julie and I broke up."

   "No.  When did this happen?"

   "I got Julie's e-mail this weekend." I tried to keep my voice from
catching when I said.

   Penny hugged me.  "I'm so sorry Kyle.  You have had a really horrible
weekend!"

   I wrapped my arms around Penny and closed my eyes.  Things I was sure
about last week were all in doubt.  Would I play football again?  How would
I find a girl as good as Julie?  I sighed.  "It's been..." I gulped. 
"...hard.  The doctor says... [sigh] ... I might not play football again."

   Penny rubbed my back.  "Things will work out.  You have lots of friends.
We'll help you though this Kyle." Her closeness gave me a comfort I hadn't
felt in days.  We held each other for a couple minutes.

   Finally I managed to compose myself again.  "Thanks for being here
Penny." I gave her a kiss on her cheek.

   "I'm just trying to be a good friend Kyle." She gave me a final hug.  "I
probably should get home.  I'll see you at school tomorrow."

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   I stopped by the Art room before classes started on Tuesday to let Miss
Levering know I would be missing class today for physical therapy.  Penny
was going to let Mr.  Witman know about me missing class.

   Mom picked me up at the office after I was finished with Deutsch after
first period.  We headed west for Lancaster the Orthopedic Center.  Mom and
I met my therapist, Matthew Horn.  He was in his early thirties.  He
preferred that I call him Matt, not Mr.  Horn.

   Matt taught me four exercises he wanted me to do every day.  He showed
me the knee extension, the quad set, the heel slide and the leg lift.  I
laid down on a mat for the knee extension and put my left foot on a three
inch high pad.  This extended my knee just a little more than was
comfortable.  The quad set involved tightening my quad muscle and holding
it for ten seconds.  I repeated this ten times.

   The heel slide was the one that really hurt.  I had my left foot flat on
the floor.  I had to slide my foot, bending my injured knee as far as
possible.  I stopped when my knee felt tight.  Matt said, "Keep going Kyle.
It should hurt.  Push yourself until it is uncomfortable.  This exercise
will help your recovery." I slid my heel a little closer to my torso until
it hurt.

   Matt said, "That's good Kyle.  Do that nine more times." I worked my
knee none more times, trying to increase the flex in my knee.

   We finished with the leg lifts.  They weren't too hard.  Matt helped me
up off the mat after I put my brace back on.  Matt talked about how I
should do these exercises every day until I had surgery.  My aim was to
keep the muscle tone in my quads and to increase the flexibility in my knee
so I could bend to 90 degrees.

   I was scheduled for two more physical therapy sessions before my
surgery, at 10 am on the 15th and the 22nd.  Mom drove me back to the high
school.  I checked in at the office, got a hall pass and headed for my
Modern European History class.  I was about ten minutes late for the start
of class.  The rest of the school day went smoothly.

   After school was over I headed for the locker room and Coach Caffrey
office.  He was a little surprised to see me.  I asked, "What do you want
me to help with today?"

   "I hadn't really come up with anything Kyle.  I'm sorry." Coach Caffrey
answered.

   "I was thinking, would it help if I took the videos from our future
opponents and broke down the plays and prepared reports on them?  What do
you think Coach?"

   "Hmmm... that could be helpful.  Have you done that before Kyle?" Coach
asked.

   "Sure.  That's what we do on Thursdays over the winter.  I wouldn't have
any problem with it." I replied.

   "OK Kyle.  I'll get you the video we have for Eastern.  We play them in
two weeks.  I'm done with video from Norlanco already."

   "I figured that.  You have the game plan done for them already.  I
presume you started practicing for them yesterday."

   Coach Caffrey said, "We did.  We have four days to get ready for Friday
night.  I'll get Coach Baer to set you up in the conference room with the
videos."

   "Thanks Coach." I hobbled to the conference room.  Justin brought the
videos in and set me up.  I cataloged every play for score, yard marker,
down and distance.  All the information went into a laptop Coach Caffrey
used for this information.  I spent the entire practice working on this.  I
managed to finish the videos on Eastern by the time my teammates came in
from practice.  Andy and I caught a ride home with Greg.

   Penny came over after dinner to work on homework together.  We spent
half the night on it.  I was caught up with my Pre-calc homework when we
were done.  We finished Chemistry and English before Penny went home.

   My leg got better every day.  I went to my classes during the school
day. I broke down plays on our opponent's videos during football practice.
Penny came over in the evenings to help with homework.  I did my rehab
exercises on my knee while Ed and Andy trained in the basement in the
evening.

   By Friday I didn't need the crutches during school.  My knee could take
my weight, but I still limped a little.  I wore my jersey even though I
wasn't going to play.  Greg, Ed and George insisted that I had too.

   My teammates and I gathered after dinner to prepare for our game with
Norlanco.  I brought a camp chair along so I had somewhere to sit while I
watched form the sideline.  I knew I couldn't stand for almost three hours
during the game.

   I was hanging out with Ed and Andy while they dressed for the game.  I
asked Andy, "Do you remember the interception Trent caught in front of you
last week?"

   "Yes" Andy answered.

   "I meant to talk to you sooner than now.  Do you know why Trent made
that interception?"

   "No"

   "You gave away the pass route to Trent." I explained.  "You moved like
this before you expected the pass." I demonstrated what Andy had done. 
"Right?"

   "OK Kyle.  What should I have done?" Andy asked.

   I demonstrated what I wanted him to do.  "You see the difference Andy?
Doing it my way keeps the DB thinking you're going outside.  He's surprised
when you turn at the last second and catch the ball inside of him."

   "I think I get it Kyle."

   "Because of the way you moved Trent knew the route was inside.  He
jumped the pass before it got to you.  If you keep the DB in doubt you make
that play a completion instead of an interception."

   "OK"

   "You need to keep studying Andy.  The team is counting on you to take my
place for the rest of the season.  You need to get better."

   Andy answered, "I'll do my best Kyle."

   "I'll help you as much as I can Andy.  I know you'll do a good job." I
replied.

   Coach Caffrey came through the locker room commanding, "Everyone line up
outside.  It's time to get started." The team filed out the door towards
the field.  I picked up my chair and followed the crowd.

   Justin said, "Hey Kyle.  Leave your chair behind.  Coach Caffrey thought
you might like to join Coach Fisher, Coach Rodgers and me in the press box.
You get a great view of the game from up there."

   I left my chair behind.  "Thanks Justin." I said as I followed the
coaches to the steps to the press box.  Our press box was split into three
rooms.  Two small rooms on each end were for the assistant coaches.  The
large center room was for our announcer and any press who came to watch the
game.  Tonight there were two reporters from local papers joining the two
reporters for the school paper, the announcer and his assistant and the
team camera crew.

   Justin was right about the view from the press box.  I could see every
bit of the field.  Justin, Coach Rodgers and Coach Fisher put on headphones
so they could talk with Coach Caffrey, Coach Graham and Coach Wyndham on
the sidelines.

   Coach Caffrey's plan for the evening was to use our spread offense and
three wide receivers extensively.  Norlanco had two rookie tenth graders
playing cornerback.  We didn't expect them to be able to cover our wide
receivers.  We weren't wrong.

   Ed and the offense exploded.  Greg caught three touchdowns in the first
half.  Andy and Drew had two each.  The score was 49-0 at half time.  Coach
Caffrey pulled the first string at half time.

   Jake Kring and the second team played ball control in the second half.
Marcus ran the ball most of the second half.  He scored touchdowns twice
when we ran out of room on the field to kill the clock.  Tim Showalter
added another touchdown on a third and long play when the cornerback fell
down.  This was only Tim's second touchdown in three years on varsity.  He
had caught his first two years ago when he and I had started varsity.  The
final score was 70-10.  It was the most complete blow-out in our high
school's nearly fifty year history.

   The mood was light as the coaches and I gathered our things to head back
to the locker room.  Justin stopped when the other coaches were leaving. 
"I wanted to let you know something Kyle.  Sherry and I are going to have
another baby."

   "I'm happy for you Justin.  I assume this one is planned.  How far along
is Sherry?"

   "She is nine weeks along." Justin answered.

   A quick metal calculation told me that Justin and Sherry had been doing
the same thing as Julie and me in the evenings in Algonquin, except without
birth control.  I asked, "What does Billy think of the news?"

   "He doesn't know what to think.  Yesterday he asked if his new brother
or sister will be here next week."

   "Good luck Justin.  Tell Sherry how happy I am for her." I said.

   "Kyle, thanks for helping up here tonight.  You made some good
observations.  You want to do this in the future?"

   "I guess Justin.  It beats sitting around on the sideline watching the
game." I said.

   "Good.  I'll talk to Coach Caffrey and see if we can get you headphones
so we can plug you into the network with the rest of the coaches."

   "That's cool.  Thanks Justin."

   "No problem.  Just remember it's Coach Baer when we get downstairs."
Justin warned.

   "Got it Coach."

   Most of the team had gathered in the locker room by the time I limped
in. The rest of the team returned to the locker room within a couple
minutes.  Coach Caffrey called for quiet so he could address the team.

   "Gentlemen, this is an excellent win tonight.  I don't have game balls
for any individuals.  Every single one of you deserves recognition for your
efforts tonight.  You are going to read a lot of nonsense about our team
after this game.  Don't pay attention to the sportswriter's predictions. 
We must focus ourselves on our next opponent.  We play Eastern in seven
days.  Nothing else matters.  One opponent at a time, we continue our drive
for excellence."

   Ed, George, Greg, Tim and I called for the team to circle together,
hands in.  We cheered for our victory.  Our team changed and scattered for
the evening.  Andy and I caught a ride home with our family.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   Saturday, October 13th.  The day dreaded by juniors and seniors
nationwide.  SAT day.  I lined up my school photo ID, admission ticket,
calculator, two number two pencils, eraser and some snacks for the breaks.
Mr.  North drove Ed, Jeremy, Hal, Penny and me to the high school for the
test.

   We joined the hundreds of other juniors and seniors who were taking the
exam.  The five of us were assigned to five different rooms.  I found my
seat by 7:45 am, as recommended.  Everyone wrote their essay in the first
25 minutes.  I was glad I had practiced writing by keeping a journal over
the last few years.  It really helped.

   The next three and a half hours were a mix of 20-25 minute verbal and
math tests with breaks each hour.  I had snacks between testing sessions
the way the testing company recommended.

   I was mentally beat by the time the testing was over after noon.  Mom
picked me and my gang of friends up when the testing was over.  I felt
fairly comfortable with my performance.  I've always been pretty good at
taking tests.

   After lunch I decided to find out if I had regained enough flexibility
in my knee to get in the driver's seat.  I had to work at it, but I managed
to get in the car successfully.  I headed straight back inside to talk with
Mom and Dad.  They agreed to let me drive Andy, Heather, Eric and Sammy to
the movies tonight.  One of them would drive back to the theater and let me
drive home when the movie was over.  I was psyched.  I hadn't been driving
in over a week.  I relaxed in the afternoon watching a DVD until it was
time to clean up for the movies.

   It felt great driving again.  It took me twenty-five minutes to get to
the pizza shop at the mall.  Dad said he would be back for us at 10:15.  We
were to meet him in front of the theater.

   Andy, Heather, Eric and Sammy headed for seats with their friends.  I
looked around.  Ed, Lindsey, Hal, Tammy, Jeremy and Kathy had a table.  I
could have grabbed a chair and joined them, but I decided not to.  I took a
seat with Drew, Stacie, Sally and Holly.  Nathan Yuninger joined us a
couple minutes later.  Nathan slid in beside Sally.  They started flirting
immediately.  Within a few minutes they were exchanging kisses and touches.

   I flirted with Holly.  She flirted and teased me in return.  After we
had our pizza things got a little hotter.  We exchanged a few kisses. 
Holly asked, "What do you have in mind tonight Kyle?  I thought you had a
girlfriend."

   "I used to.  Julie and I broke up last weekend." I explained.

   "I'm sorry to hear that Kyle.  You and Julie were good together." Holly
kissed me again.  This wasn't a friendly kiss; it was full on the lips,
with her mouth open, her tongue searching for mine.  I responded.  We slid
closer together on the seat and put our arms around each other and
continued kissing.  I felt her breast with the arm I had around her.  Holly
rubbed my very erect cock through my pants.

   When we paused for breath, Holly asked, "Did you drive tonight Kyle?"

   "Yes, but I don't have a car.  I only have my learner's permit.  My dad
took the car home after he dropped Andy and me off.  How about you?"

   "Shit!  I came with Cindy.  She and Austin left already." Holly
explained.

   I sighed.  "I guess we're stuck watching the movie.  We can make out at
least."

   "Hmmph!  I guess that'll do.  I had hoped for more if we got together."

   "You really had hoped to, uh..." I said, trying to be delicate.

   "Screw?  Hell yeah.  We girls talk.  I've heard about how you perform in
bed.  I'd like a night with you."

   "Are you looking for more than one night together?  I don't think I'm
ready for a girlfriend so soon after Julie and I split up."

   "No.  I'm just looking for a little fun.  I don't want a steady
boyfriend right now." Holly answered.

   "I guess we'll have to stick to making out tonight.  I don't see any
prospects for privacy around here."

   "That will be fun Kyle.  Word is you're a pretty good kisser too."

   Holly and I went back to kissing and rubbing together.  We kept the
making out from getting too intense yet.  We saved the best for the
darkness in the theater.  We headed over for the theater at 6:30.  We were
lucky enough to find seats alone in the back row the theater.  A few
minutes later my brother, Heather, Sammy and Eric joined us in the back
row. They sat a few seats down from us.

   The movie we chose wasn't real good.  The theater was half empty.  Other
than Andy and his friends, the nearest people were two rows in front of us.
Holly and I took advantage of the semi-privacy to get pretty daring.

   We made out for fifteen or twenty minutes.  I had my hand up under
Holly's sweater feeling her tits through her bra.  She stopped me for a
second.  Somehow Holly managed to take her bra off without removing her
sweater.  I happily went back to feeling her now bare breasts.  Holly was
getting really turned on.

   She unbuttoned my pants and slipped her hand down my boxers.  She rubbed
her hand up and down my erection and cooed, "This is nice Kyle.  I wish..."
She sighed and left the thought unspoken, but I understood.

   We continued, me feeling her up and Holly rubbing my cock.  Passions
were rising too quickly.  Holly moved over so she was sitting on my lap. 
My hard cock stuck up between Holly's legs at the crotch in her panties. 
Holly kept stroking my hard-on.  Holly rubbed my cock on her silky panties.

   By now I had both hands up Holly's sweater playing with her nipples and
breasts.  Holly's nipples were hard and pointy.  I felt the wetness on
Holly's panties from her arousal.  She squirmed as she rubbed my cock
against her panties.  Holly cooed, "Play with my clittie Kyle, please?"

   I brought my left hand down and slipped it up Holly's skirt.  I rubbed
along her slot through her panties.  This lasted about thirty seconds. 
Holly stood up.  "This isn't working Kyle." She reached under her skirt and
pulled her panties off.  She sat down on my lap again, my cock rubbing
against her bare pussy.

   I worked my finger into Holly's hole and rubbed my thumb up and down
over her clit.  Holly squirmed and cooed while I played with her pussy.  My
hand got wetter while Holly became aroused by my attention.  I worked my
finger in and out.  I found her clit and rubbed it gently.  Holly gasped
and panted through her orgasm.

   I pulled my hand away.  Holly grasped my cock and rubbed it against her
wet pussy.  "Put a condom on.  I want to feel this thing in me Kyle."

   "Um....  I don't have one Holly." I explained.

   "Shit!  Why aren't you prepared?" Holly protested.

   "I'm sorry.  I wasn't expecting to need one." I answered.

   Holly continued rubbing my cock along her slot.  It picked up her
lubrication.  I was getting really excited.  I thrust my hips up as Holly
pressed the head of my cock against her.  "Oooooh!" she breathed when my
cock rubbed her clit.  I did it again.

   "Could I put it in a little Holly?  I promise I'll be careful.  I won't
come." I pressed my cock up against her again.  "Please?  It'll feel really
good."

   "I don't know Kyle." Holly said hesitantly.  I pushed my cock up against
her pussy again.  Holly leaned forward, giving me a better angle to enter
her.  I positioned my cock against her hole and pressed up a little.

   "I promise I won't come in you Holly.  It'll feel really good." I
pleaded.  I pushed up a little.  The head of my cock burrowed into Holly a
fraction of an inch.  Holly hesitated.  I pushed in an inch.  "You'll like
this Holly.  I promise."

   I pushed up again.  Holly stiffened.  "I can't do this Kyle.  It isn't
safe." She stood up and got off my lap.  "I'm right in the middle of my
cycle.  It's just not safe Kyle."

   "Hmmph..." I grumped.  My erection was demanding relief.

   Holly apologized, "I'm sorry Kyle.  I just can't if you don't have
protection.  I'll get knocked up for sure."

   I sighed.  "I understand Holly.  It's just that... I need relief."

   "I can help with that Kyle." Holly answered.  She bent down and took my
erection in her mouth.  Holly was a talented cock sucker.  I bathed her
tonsils with my sperm after a few minutes of exquisite pleasure from her
tongue and mouth.

   We kissed when Holly had cleaned all my cum from my cock.  I could taste
myself when we kissed.  What the hell?  If Holly could stand the taste, I
guess I could too.  We spent the remaining fifteen minutes of the movie
kissing.

   When the movie ended Holly asked, "Can we get together again next
Saturday.  I'd like to finish what we started tonight."

   "I'd enjoy that Holly.  I'll be properly prepared next week."

   "I'll borrow my parent's car.  We can find someplace with some real
privacy Kyle."

   I declared, "It's a date Holly." We walked out holding hands.  Holly had
to make a stop at the ladies room to put her bra and panties back on.  She
couldn't meet her dad partially dressed.  I hung out near the ladies room
until she was ready.  We waited outside the theater holding hands until her
ride came.

   Dad arrived a couple minutes after Holly headed for home.  Dad tossed me
the car keys.  I climbed in the driver's seat and worked on bending my left
knee enough to get my leg in the car too.  Dad, Andy, Heather, Eric and
Sammy climbed in.  I dropped off Heather Eric and Sammy before I drove
home.

   I headed upstairs to get ready for bed.  Andy popped in my room right
after I sat down on my bed.  Andy asked, "Did you screw Holly in the
theater tonight?  I looked like you were doing that."

   "Almost, but no, we didn't.  I didn't have a condom." I admitted.

   "Jesus Kyle.  You are getting careless."

   "I know.  I'm out of practice playing the field.  I'm too used to having
a steady girlfriend." I explained.

   "I'm glad you convinced me to work at keeping a relationship going. 
Heather and I are great together.  I think I love her."

   "It is special, isn't it?" I asked.

   "Yes, it is.  Good night Kyle." Andy said as he headed back to his room.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   I got an unexpected call Sunday afternoon from Zack Hayes.

   I said, "I saw you on TV yesterday Zack." when I answered the phone.

   "It wasn't a big deal, just playing mop up in the fourth quarter against
Minnesota."

   "I know you were just killing the clock in a blow out, but it was ESPN.
That's national TV.  You threw a touchdown too."

   "It isn't a big deal.  I'm not replacing Phil or anything.  I'll be on
the bench again next week." Zack paused for a few seconds.  "It did feel
nice to play in a real football game again.  It's been too long."

   "Any way, congratulations." I said.

   "I didn't call about my game, I called about your game.  I just got back
from the library.  You guys really thrashed Norlanco.  70-10!  That's got
to be a school record."

   "It is." I said proudly.

   "Did the paper have a typo?  It said `A.  Martin - 5 receptions for 87
yards and 2 touchdowns'."

   "Yeah.  5 receptions, 87 yards, 2 touchdowns - that's right."

   "No, not the stats, the name.  Shouldn't it say K.  Martin?"

   It hit me.  Zack hadn't heard.  "No, that was Andrew.  I guess the news
didn't make it to Happy Valley.  I blew out my ACL near the end of the
Central game a week ago.  I'm out for the rest of the season."

   "Oh Shit!  ACL?  That's bad." Zack said.

   I overheard a voice in the background say, "Who blew out their ACL?" I
recognized that it was Aaron Morano.

   Zack said, "It's Kyle." to Aaron.  Zack said, "Oh man.  I'm sorry to
hear that." to me.

   I related the particulars of my injury and the planned treatment to
Zack. Zack relayed the information to Aaron as I told him.

   Zack said, "Man, I'm sorry to hear all of this Kyle.  I hope everything
works out for you."

   In the background I could hear Aaron say, "Let me talk to Kyle." Aaron
got on the line.  "Kyle, a couple teammates of mine went through this when
I was in high school.  Tim had the ACL replacement surgery when we were in
eleventh grade.  He came back as strong as ever the next season."

   I said, "That's good."

   "I wanted to warn you Kyle.  Things didn't work out so well for the
other guy.  Jason never managed to get the strength back in his knee.  He
was done with football after the injury."

   "What was different between the two guys?"

   Aaron explained, "I think it was the effort in rehab.  Tim worked his
butt off to come back.  Jason didn't work as hard.  You make sure you do
every single thing the therapist tells you and some more.  If you slack
off, you can kiss football good bye."

   "Thanks for the info Aaron.  I don't want this to be the end for my
football career." I declared.  I said my good byes to Aaron and Zack.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Mom picked me up Monday morning after Deutsche klasse for therapy.  She
let me drive to the orthopedic center.  My therapist, Matt Horn, had me go
through my exercises to him.  He worked on my knee's flexibility.  I don't
think he was happy with the results so far.

   Matt asked, "Have you been doing your heel slides every day Kyle?"

   "Every day Matt, just the way you told me last week."

   "You injured your knee ten days ago, correct?"

   "Yes, that's right."

   "Show me how far you can move your knee with a heel slide." Matt asked.

   I lay down on my back and demonstrated how much I could bend my knee. 
Matt frowned as he watched me.  "That's about a sixty degree bend Kyle. 
That isn't good enough.  Try harder." I slid my heel a little closer to my
butt.  My left knee felt really tight, almost like I was ready to tear
something.  I stopped.

   "Is that it Kyle?" Matt demanded.

   "It hurt's too much.  It feels like something is too tight.  I can't." I
answered.

   "Come on Kyle.  Push yourself." Matt insisted.  I gritted my teeth and
bent my knee further.  It hurt like hell to do it, but I did it anyway.

   "Does that satisfy you?" I snapped.  Mentally I added `you bastard.'

   "Yes, that is good for now Kyle." Matt said calmly.  "Do you know why
I'm such a prick sometimes?"

   "I never said that." I insisted.

   "But you thought it, didn't you?" Matt asked.  Matt waited a few seconds
for a response and then said, "You don't have to answer that Kyle.  I push
you hard because it's my job to do that.  I want you to have full
flexibility in your knee before your operation.  That is your best chance
for full recovery from this injury."

   "Does it have to hurt so much?" I asked.

   "Yes it does Kyle.  You play football, right?"

   "Yes" I answered.

   "Does your coach make you work hard in the summer to get ready for the
season?"

   "Coach Caffrey works us real hard.  He wants us to be in good condition
for our games.  He even makes us run three miles a day after practice."

   Matt asked, "Is that hard?"

   "Of course." I said.

   "Rehab is the same Kyle.  It is going to hurt like hell.  When you are
done you will be ready for life.  Do you want to play football again?"

   "Absolutely.  Football is my life." I said.

   "The more work you do, the more pain you put up with during
rehabilitation, the better your chances for playing football again.  Can
you work hard for me and for your chance to play again Kyle?" Matt asked.

   "I'll do my best Matt." I answered.  What had I just promised?  I hope
Matt knows what he is talking about.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   I finished reviewing the game tapes of our remaining opponents on
Tuesday afternoon.  I went out to the practice field and helped Coach Baer
with the wide receivers.  I gave them tricks to help get open.

   On Wednesday I was heading for the locker room after school.  My route
passed Andy's locker.  Andy, Heather, Eric and Sammy were standing by his
locker.  The other students were giving Andy and Heather a wide berth as
they passed the couple.  A very cross Heather was standing in Andy's face
wagging her finger.

   Heather demanded, "The truth!  I want the truth Andy." pointing her
finger in his face as she said it.  Andy stared down at his irate
girlfriend, white as a sheet.  His face displayed his utter shock at what
was happening.  Eric and Sammy were standing nearby with stunned looks on
their faces.

   Heather stared at Andy's face with narrowed eyes.  "Well?  Did you sleep
with this Trish person?"

   Andy stammered, "Um... uhh...."

   Heather tightened her mouth in anger.  "You bastard!  It's true isn't
it?" Andy hung his head and looked away from Heather.  "How could you do
this Andy?  You said you loved me.  That was all bullshit wasn't it?"

   Andy said, "No... I...."

   Heather cut him off.  "You son of a bitch!  You'll say anything to get
in bed with a girl.  I HATE YOU!  I don't ever want to see you again."

   Heather stormed away, tears pouring down her cheeks.  Sammy followed
behind her, trying to keep up.  Eric stared at Andy first and then at
Sammy. He hurried to follow his girlfriend.

   Andy stood there stunned.  He bit his lip and tried to keep the tears
from starting.  He stood there for about thirty seconds before he let out a
sigh.  "I guess I really screwed this up didn't I Kyle?"

   "That you did Andy, that you did." I answered.  I put my arm around my
brother's shoulder.  "We've got to go to football Andy.  You need to focus
on that for now.  You can try to talk to Heather later."

   "I guess." Andy said.  We walked to the locker room in silence.  Neither
of us had any words to stop the pain.

   Andy's head wasn't in football.  Coach Caffrey, Coach Graham and Coach
Baer all yelled at him at various times during practice.  He ran the wrong
routes.  He missed easy passes.  He was dreadful.  I finally explained what
had happened to Justin.  Justin eased up a little on Andy.  I promised to
try to help Andy get his head together for Friday's game.

   Andy went straight to his room after supper, locked the door and
wouldn't talk to anyone all night.  Penny came over to study with me in the
evening.  I explained what had happened.  Penny said she would talk with
Heather and see if there was anything we could do to help the two of them.

   I finally got to talk with Andy at the bus stop before school on
Thursday.  I related Penny's offer to intercede on his behalf.  Andy
thanked me for getting Penny to help.  Finally I asked the question that
had perplexed me all night.  "How did Heather know Trish's name?"

   "I don't know.  I certainly never said anything to her about Labor Day
weekend."

   "Did you tell anyone else Andy?"

   "NO!  I didn't tell anyone." Andy paused for a few seconds.  "Well, only
a couple guys a month ago."

   "Andrew!  What did I tell you about being discrete?  One of those guys
blabbed to somebody, who told somebody else, who told Heather.  Bragging
about your sexual conquests is just plain dumb."

   "You're right.  I should have kept my mouth shut."

   "It's more than that Andy.  If you loved Heather, you shouldn't have
screwed Trish.  Heather wouldn't have broken up with you if you'd been
faithful."

   Andy countered with, "I seem to remember you fucking Alicia on the beach
that weekend."

   "Yes I did and I don't have a girlfriend any more either.  I know what
I'm talking about because I've made the same mistake already."

   "I just want things to go back to the way they were.  I love Heather."

   I said, "Let Penny try and talk to her.  Maybe she can help."

   "I'll talk to her Andy." Andy and I turned to see Penny standing behind
us.

   Andy said, "Tell her how much I love her.  I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry.  I
just want....  I need to be with her."

   Penny replied, "I'll try Andy.  I don't know if it will work but I'll
try."

   "Thank you.  Thank you so much Penny." Andy answered.

   The three of us changed the subject because more kids arrived at our bus
stop.  Hal, Jeremy, Ed, Andy and I talked football on the way to school. 
We planned to kick Eastern's butts on Friday night.  Andy seemed a little
better when he focused on something other than losing Heather.

   We had just walked into the school and turned down the main hall when we
saw them.  Heather walking down the hall holding hands with another guy. 
Andy glared at the couple.  "Lucas Merriman.  He's one of the guys I told."
I grabbed Andy's arm and forcefully walked him past the couple.

   "Keep your mouth shut.  Keep walking." I insisted.  We kept walking
until we got to Andy's locker.  "That is another reason you keep your mouth
shut about sexual conquests."

   Andy declared, "That son of a bitch!  He stabbed me in the back.  I
ought to..."

   "Shut your mouth and be quiet." I said interrupting his rant.  "Anything
you say or do now is going to hurt you in Heather's eyes.  Take the high
road."

   "But I love her and want her back."

   "I understand Andy.  I've been there.  I still love Penny.  I'd take her
back in a second if I could.  Some things are just over.  You need to move
on.  Find yourself another girlfriend and treat her better.  Be faithful to
her this time.  Got it?"

   "Got it." Andy replied glumly.

   "Don't go after Lucas.  You'll get in trouble for sure if you fight him.
Just let this whole thing drop."

   "Yeah, but I'd like to..."

   "... play football the rest of the season." I replied.  "Just drop it."

   "OK" Andy said.  He seemed to understand.  I headed off to my locker and
home room.

   Holly Cox gave me bad news in Modern European History.  She had to baby
sit on Saturday night for her mother's best friend.  She couldn't get out
of it.  Our date for Saturday night was off.

   I didn't hear of any fights during the day, so I assumed Andy managed to
keep his cool.  Andy still looked pretty lost when football practice
started after school.  I talked with Justin after Andy's second dropped
pass.  Justin said to take all the time I needed with my brother.

   I asked, "Do you know how important you are to this team?"

   "I'm not that important Kyle.  I'm just one of 51 guys."

   "Let me explain some things to you Andy.  We play a spread offense.  We
count on speed to make our offense work.  I'm out for the season so you're
our speed guy now.  Our offense works because you draw the defense deep and
open up the running lanes for Drew.  If you don't do your job the defense
will put more people close to the line and shut Drew down.  With Drew
running well and you drawing double coverage deep Karl, Tim and Greg get
single coverage and get passes too.  Everything we do on offense depends on
you playing your best."

   "I can't be that important." Andy insisted.

   "After Ed, you and Drew are the two most important starters.  You have
been playing like shit yesterday and today.  We need you to do better.  The
whole team is counting on you.  You have to focus on football."

   "I know I should Kyle.  I just keep thinking about Heather.  I've got to
find some way to get her back.  I love her." Andy said.

   "I know you do Andy.  Whatever is going to happen between you and
Heather won't change by you worrying about it.  Let it go.  During football
you have to put that aside.  We need you to focus on running the right
routes and catching passes.  Can you do that?"

   "I'll try Kyle." Andy said.

   "You have fifty other guys counting on you Andy.  You have to." I
insisted.  I sent Andy back to rejoin practice.  He did do a better job
through the rest of practice.  I would have to keep him focused for another
day.  The game against Eastern was tomorrow.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   Penny came over after dinner to study Pre-calculus.  We went up to my
bedroom.  Penny asked, "Is Andy here tonight?  I need to talk to him." He
was in his bedroom studying too.

   I yelled, "Hey, Andy.  Penny wants to talk to you." Penny and I could
hear him run for my room.

   "What'd she say?  Did you tell her I still love her?" Andy spit out in a
rush.

   Penny said, "I talked with her a lunch today.  She said..."

   Andy interrupted and asked, "Will she forgive me?  Do I have a chance?"

   "Jesus Andy.  Let me finish.  I see why Heather said you were too
impulsive." Andy's face sagged immediately.  He let Penny continue. 
"Heather has absolutely zero interest in anything to do with you Andy.  I
told her you were sorry.  I told her you said you still loved her.  None of
it matters.  The two of you are through.  She said you are too immature,
too self absorbed and too impulsive."

   Andy said, "I don't understand.  Why would Heather say that?"

   "You cheated on her.  How do you expect her to feel about you?" Penny
asked.

   "I... I..." Andy stuttered.

   Penny finished Andy's thought.  "You didn't think.  You guys will jump
in bed with any girl who smiles at you."

   Andy asked, "So I have no chance of getting her back?"

   Penny said, "No chance at all Andy.  The two of you are finished."

   Andy asked, "Penny, could you give Heather a message for me?" Penny
nodded yes.  "Tell her I'm sorry I hurt her.  I do love her.  Sleeping with
Trish the stupidest thing I've done in my life.  I wish I could change
things.  Tell Heather I won't bother her if that is what she wants."

   Penny said, "That's for the best Andy." Andy walked back to his bedroom
like he was carrying a half ton on his back.  I felt bad for Andy.

   I asked Penny a question before we started to study.  "I hope you
weren't including me when you were talking about guys screwing any girl who
smiles at them."

   Penny replied, "Are you saying I shouldn't?"

   "I know you thought I did last September when we broke up, but I didn't
cheat on you.  Alicia is a very attractive girl and she tempted me.  She
really wanted to sleep with me but I refused her."

   "Do you expect that to change things Kyle?" Penny asked.

   "No.  I messed plenty of other things between us last fall, but I never
cheated on you.  All I want now is to be your friend."

   "You mean it, don't you Kyle?"

   "Of course.  I don't have any reason to lie about it now." I answered.

   Penny and I started studying.  We spent a couple hours going through our
Pre-calc, Chemistry and English homework.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Practice was relaxed on Friday afternoon.  We ran through the game plan
to prepare for the night's game against Eastern.  My friends started to
call me "Coach" the way they did last spring.  I guess there are worse
nicknames.  Justin got a kick out of it and started to call me "Coach" too.
Greg gave Ed, Jeremy, Andy and I a ride home after practice.  We grabbed a
quick supper at home.  Dad drove the four of us plus Hal back to school to
catch the bus to the eastern end of the county for our away game.

   I joined Justin, Coach Fisher and Coach Rodgers in the press box. 
Justin was good to his word.  He got me a set of headphones so I could
listen to and talk with Coach Caffrey and Coach Graham on the sideline.

   Our team won the coin toss, one of the few times that happened this
year. Ed brought the offense out in a three receiver set.  We ran a couple
times and then tested Eastern's pass defense.  Andy broke free of the
cornerback who was covering him.  Unfortunately Jamaal missed his block. 
Ed got rid of the ball by completing a pass to Drew out in the flat to
avoid being sacked.  Drew made the first tackler miss and picked up enough
yards to make a first down.

   Eastern's defense had improved significantly since we played them last
year.  They realized early in the game that Andy was just as dangerous as
me on the deep pass.  The free safety always stayed deep on Andy's side of
the field.  The deep threat that Andy represented provided enough room for
Drew, Greg and Karl to go to work.  It took twelve plays for us to move the
ball down the field for our first touchdown.

   Jeremy played superbly.  He had our defense in the right formation every
play.  Our defensive line pushed Eastern's o-line back into the backfield.
Jeremy, George and Nathan plugged any holes.  Eastern did three straight
runs before they punted the ball back to us.  Andy had a good punt return.
He almost broke free of containment.  He gave us the ball on our 42 yard
line.

   Eastern's defense made us work for yards again.  The deep routes were
covered so we moved the ball down the field with shorter passes and running
plays.  We worked the ball downfield steadily.  It took ten plays for us to
punch the ball into the end zone again.  Hal's successfully PAT brought the
score to 14-0 Wolverines.

   Eastern's defense was considerably better than last year but their
offense wasn't.  They punted the ball back to us after they gained five
yards on three plays.  Our offense took the ball back and moved it down the
field with more short passes and runs.  The drive broke down when Karl
dropped a pass on 1st and 10.  We tried a draw on second down but Eastern
was ready for it.  We tried a medium pass to Andy on third down.  Ed put
the ball high.  Andy jumped for it but couldn't hang on to it when the free
safety hit him.  We punted the ball back to Eastern.

   They got the ball at their 9 yard line.  They finally managed to make a
first down on this drive, but only one.  They punted the ball back to Andy
after six plays.  Andy's return put us on our 48 yard line.

   Ed and the offense continued punishing Eastern with our running game
mixed with a few short passes.  I noticed something on this drive.  I said,
"Hey Justin, did you see that their free safety is lining up closer to the
line of scrimmage?"

   "Is he?  Let's watch on the next play." Justin answered.  We watched the
play unfold.  It was an off tackle run by Drew.  He picked up four yards.
"You know Kyle.  You are right." Justin spoke into his headset.  "Hey Walt.
Let's make the next play a play action pass.  Kyle noticed that the free
safety is playing run support again."

   I listened as Coach Caffrey called for the play action.  Things unfolded
just the way we wanted.  Drew's fake pulled the linebackers up.  The free
safety headed for the fake.  Andy streaked down the field, leaving the
cornerback in his dust.  Ed threw the ball to Andy thirty yards down field.
Andy carried the ball into the end zone untouched.  Hal completed the PAT.
Score: 21-0 Wolverines.
My headphones crackled as Coach Caffrey said, "Good call Kyle.  Keep

giving us your observations." Justin smiled and patted me on the back.

   Eastern tried to get their passing game going.  Coach Wyndham adjusted
quickly.  Eastern completed two passes before our blitzing stopped them
cold again.  Eastern punted the ball back to us.

   We smashed the ball down the field on this drive.  It took us twelve
plays, but we scored our fourth touchdown of the half.  `Automatic' Hal
drilled the PAT to bring the score to 28-0 Wolverines.  Eastern's defense
was visibly tired by the time we scored.  Our offense had kept the ball for
17 of the first 21 minutes in the game.

   Eastern took the kickoff and tried to drive their way downfield.  They
managed a six play, fourteen yard drive before they had to punt the ball
back to Andy.  Andy had to fair catch the punt.  We were satisfied to run
the clock down on the half with six consecutive running plays.

   Eastern received the second half kickoff.  They tried some screens to
slow our pass rush, but with limited success.  They had a third and eight
on their sixth play.  They finally tested our pass defense.  Joey Keller
tipped the ball as the QB threw it downfield.  Nick Zeimer alertly dived
for the ball, intercepting it.

   Ed and the offense pushed Eastern down the field on the next series with
more running and short passes.  Greg Harrison was having a stand out night.
He caught six passes in the first half and continued adding to his
reception total.  Our drive broke down when Josh Babcock, our left guard
and Jamaal Green, our left tackle were confused by a line stunt by
Eastern's defensive line.  Ed was forced to take a sack when the defensive
end blasted into the backfield before he could throw the ball away.  We
punted and pinned Eastern on their 12 yard line.

   Eastern went three plays and out again.  We started back with more
running plays to kill the clock.  Eastern cheated the defense closer to the
line after we made 22 yards on the ground.  Coach Caffrey countered with a
deep play action pass to Andy.  He was pushed out of bounds at the 7 yard
line.  Drew was held to two yards on first down and one yard on second
down. Andy attracted triple coverage in the corner of the end zone.  Greg
came open as he crossed the back of the end zone.  Ed fired the ball to
Greg for a touchdown.  Hal booted the PAT through the goal posts.  Score:
35-0 Wolverines.

   Eastern managed a first down before our defense shut them down again. 
Coach Caffrey sent Jake Kring and our second team out on offense.  Tim
Showalter and Jason Harting filled the wide out positions.  Andy switched
to the slot receiver when needed.  Marcus Shaeffer and Cameron Ellis, our
second and third string tailbacks, split time running the ball on Eastern's
exhausted defense.  Jake didn't manage to score, but he took the game clock
well into the fourth quarter.

   Coach Caffrey put our second string defense in when Eastern took
possession of the ball.  Coach Wyndham played prevent defense.  Eastern
finally managed to get on the score board with a touchdown with about four
minutes left in the game.

   We stuffed the ball up the middle of Eastern's defense on what we hoped
would be the final drive of the game.  Marcus averaged 6 yards a play the
first four plays.  Eastern tightened up, moving people closer to the line
of scrimmage.  Coach Caffery sent Andy on as the slot receiver and called a
play action pass.  Eastern's free safety bit on the fake and Andy came free
behind the strong safety.  Jake fired the ball to Andy.  He caught it and
ran for the end zone.  About ten yards out from the end zone Andy held the
ball aloft as he ran.  The free safety hustled and caught Andy, tackling
him.  The ball came loose.  Andy managed to cover it before the safety
could get it.

   Eastern's defense stiffened when they had a short field to defend. 
Marcus couldn't get into the end zone on three successive tries.  Hal came
out and booted a field goal to bring the score to 38-7 Wolverines.

   We kicked the ball back to Eastern.  They worked the ball down the field
against our prevent defense.  We slowed them enough that they couldn't
score again before the clock ran out on the game.  The final score was 38-7
our favor.  Coach Caffrey awarded game balls to Drew, Marcus and the entire
offensive line for the work they did dominating our opponents.

   Andy and I got a ride home with Mom and Dad.  Andy was a little down
from lack of action in the game.  He asked, "Why didn't we throw the ball
my way more?"

   "I don't know for sure but I'd guess the coaches weren't comfortable
after the way you practiced at the end of the week.  You did your job
keeping Eastern spread out.  Drew and Marcus could run the ball.  It was
the safest way for us to play."

   Andy said, "I thought I played a good game.  I had six catches for 87
yards and a touchdown."

   I added, "You could have had more.  You were hot dogging on your final
catch.  That should have been a touchdown too."

   "The fumble wasn't a big deal.  We were ahead by 28 points then.  A
field goal was just as good as the touchdown."

   I countered, "No, it wasn't.  We use games like tonight's against
overmatched opponents to prepare for the playoffs.  When we are in the
playoffs we won't have an opponent down 28 points.  If you pull a stunt
like tonight then we could end up losing a game 23-20 instead of winning
the game 24-23.  We need you playing your best if the team is going to have
its best shot at the state championship.  Can you do better?"

   "I'll try Kyle."

   -------------------------------------------------------

   I got to sleep late on Saturday morning.  Andy and my friends were going
on the Venturer Crew rock climbing trip that weekend.  There wasn't any
point in me going on the trip with my bad knee, so I spent the day goofing
off at home.  Greg gave me a ride to the McDonalds to meet my teammates
before the movie.

   I had hopes of getting laid even though Holly wasn't going to be there
that night.  It had been a few weeks since I was with Johara and I was
getting pretty horny.  My hopes were dashed when I walked in.  Greg and
Sally had agreed to get together that evening.  Stacie and Drew were
totally committed to each other.  Rose and Karl were already making out
when I came.  Holly was babysitting.  Cindy had gone on a college tour with
her parents.  There was a distinct shortage of girls looking for a little
no commitment fun in the sack.

   I settled in with Erika Gillespie, Lindsey's close friend.  We talked
through dinner.  Erika was good company.  I asked her to sit with me at the
movie.  Erika was one of the `save myself for marriage' girls.  I would
have fun with her this evening but it would be a miracle if I even got a
good night kiss.  I wasn't mistaken.  We had fun at the movie.  Erika gave
me a good night hand shake when Dad and I dropped her off at her home when
the evening was done.

   Andy came home from the Venturer trip on Sunday afternoon in a pissy
mood.  Heather had been sniping at him all weekend.  Andy admitted that
even so the rock climbing was fun.

   I went to class on Monday for the first period.  Mom picked me up after
Deutsche klasse.  I drove to the orthopedic center for rehab.  Matt spent
an hour with me.  He was pleased with the improvement in flexibility for my
knee.  Matt set up my rehab schedule for after my surgery before we left. I
would come on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 am starting a week
after my surgery.  Matt wished me good luck with my surgery and told me to
come prepared to work in two weeks when I saw him the next time.

   Mom and I hung out at the mall for forty-five minutes until it was time
for my appointment with Doctor High.  We headed back over to the orthopedic
center.  The nurse called for Mom and me to go back to meet with the
doctor. They gave me a minute to put on one of the exam gowns and then
joined me in the exam room.

   Doctor High examined my knee for a few minutes.  He smiled when he was
finished.  "Your lateral collateral and medial collateral ligaments are
heeling nicely Kyle.  Mr.  Horn has reported that you have worked hard to
improve your flexibility.  That's excellent Kyle."

   Doctor High proceeded to describe how he was going to remove a slice of
my patella tendon with bone chips on each end.  After that he would drill a
hole at an angle through my femur and tibia.  The tendon will be threaded
through the hole to replace my ACL.  Doctor High would attach the bone
chips to my bones with titanium screws.

   Mom asked some questions after Doctor High finished explaining about my
surgery.  I was to arrive at the hospital at 7 am next Monday.  The surgery
was scheduled for 11 am.  If everything went the way expected, I would come
home Tuesday afternoon.  I would have a follow-up check up with Doctor High
the following Monday.  If everything went well I would return to school the
next day.

   Mom took me to the Olive Garden for lunch before I went back to school.
I was back just before sixth period.  I let the school office know about my
operation and expected recovery timetable.

   Andy went all out at football practice on Monday.  Justin noticed and
commented on what Andy was doing.  My brother wanted to make sure he
figured in future plans for the team.  He made a couple spectacular
catches. Just as important, he threw good blocks on the running plays.

   We were preparing for LS and their veer offense.  The last two years we
beat them by scoring early and forcing them away from their running attack.
We hoped to accomplish that again this year.

   Coach Wyndham drilled the defense on the importance of playing their
responsibilities.  The veer worked by forcing our players out of position
and exploiting the resulting hole.  Jeremy, Nathan and George couldn't
simply rush towards the ball carrier.  The quarterback had three options on
every run.  He could hand off to the fullback who would run up the middle.
He could pitch out to the tail back or he could keep the ball.  The past
two years we managed to adjust to the veer eventually.  Coach Wyndham
preached the importance of staying in your assigned position during the
play.  Jeremy, who learned that lesson the hard way last year, worked hard
to get his defensive teammates in the correct spot on the field.

   Penny and I studied together three evenings during the week.  She
promised to stop by all my classes next week while I was out and bring my
assignments home so I could keep up with my classmates while my knee
healed. Penny's a great friend to have.

   The sky was overcast on Friday when I went out to wait for the bus.  The
weatherman had forecast rain overnight and into Saturday.  A Nor'easter was
blowing up the coast.  We were supposed to get two or three inches of rain
overnight and into Saturday morning.  The rain shouldn't start until after
our game with LS was over.

   I noticed during lunch that the wind was really whipping across campus.
Leaves and pieces of trash were flying past the windows.  The prospects for
our passing game didn't look good with the bad weather.

   Ed managed to complete some passes to Greg, Andy, Karl and Tim during
practice in spite of the strong gusty wind.  We practiced our repertoire of
running plays too.  Coach Caffrey dismissed us with strict instructions to
be back to school by 5:45 to catch the bus to LS.

   Greg gave Andy and me a ride to our house.  Mom fed us an early supper.
Dad drove us back to the school.  My teammates gathered up their gear and
headed for the busses.  It was drizzling when we boarded the busses.  The
rain was coming down steadily by the time we arrived at LS.

   My friends dressed and studied the game plan while the JV squad played
its game.  It was still raining and blowing when we came out for warm ups.
It was going to be a sloppy night.  Coach Caffrey conferred with the head
referee and the LS coach.  The three of them agreed to play the game in the
rain since tomorrow's weather forecast was even worse than what we had now.
The game would go on.

   Justin, Coach Fisher, Coach Rodgers and I were comfortable and dry in
the press box.  Our team won the coin toss and elected to receive the
football to start the game.  LS choose to have the wind blowing at us. 
They boomed the kickoff through the end zone.

   Ed found immediately that we weren't going to be following the game
plan. The wind was too strong and the gusts made his passes too erratic for
Andy, Karl or Greg to catch them.  We had to punt after three plays.  Our
punt into the wind came down near the midfield.  Jeremy kept everyone under
control on defense.  We stopped them after three plays.  They punted the
ball back to us.  Andy managed to make a couple guys miss tackles.  He took
the ball out to our 38 yard line.  The coaches agreed it was time to try
out our beefed up offensive line and running game.

   The game went like a wrestling match.  The two teams felt each other out
during the first quarter.  Drew McCormick and Marcus Shaeffer alternated
carries.  We pounded the ball against LS's defense.  Drew managed to score
a touchdown just as the first quarter ended.

   Jeremy kept everyone in the defense in their position to stop LS's
option plays.  We couldn't completely stop them, but we did slow them down.
LS got close enough to make a field goal at the beginning of second
quarter. Ed tried a couple passes with the wind at his back.  Andy caught
one for a ten yard gain.  The second pass was blown out of play by a gust
of wind.  We continued running the ball.

   Every tackle was accompanied by a spray of rainwater and mud.  Our white
on white travel uniforms turned light brown.  LS's blue and white uniforms
turned a darker shade of brown from the muddy slop on the field.

   Drew punched a second touchdown into the end zone near the end of the
half.  Unfortunately LS responded with one of their own.  We went back to
the locker room with a slim 14-10 lead.

   The coaches fired us up for the second half.  We discussed a couple
adjustments to improve our defense.  Coach Caffrey reminded us that victory
would go to the team that wanted it the most.  Tonight's game wasn't going
to be won by flashy plays.  It was going to be won by hitting the guy
across the line harder than he hit you.

   The defense took the talk to heart.  They pounded the LS running backs
to start the third quarter.  They ran three plays and punted the ball back
to us.  Our three mile runs at the end of practice and the months of weight
training paid off.  Our offensive line started to knock their opponents
down as they blocked.  Drew, Ian and Marcus gained an extra yard or two per
play.

   Coach Caffrey called for a reverse by my brother when we reached LS's 40
yard line.  LS apparently didn't know we could still run that play with me
in the press box.  Andy took the ball from Drew as he crossed the backfield
and headed for the sideline.  Ed sealed the linebacker away from Andy. 
Andy streaked down the sideline untouched for a touchdown.  The LS
defenders stared at Andy in disbelief.  The score was 21-10 Wolverines.

   Our defense held LS to six plays on their next possession.  The rain
increased in intensity as we took possession of the ball.  We continued
pounding the ball up the middle of the LS defense.  They were getting
tired. We moved the ball down the field but stopped ourselves with a stupid
off sides penalty at LS's 14 yard line.  Hal tried to make a field goal but
the wind pushed the ball wide to the right.

   LS made a run at us, moving the ball down to our 23 yard line before we
stopped them.  The fourth quarter had just started and the wind was blowing
at them.  They decided not to try a field goal.  They punted the ball to us
but put it in the end zone.  Our team responded with a long drive.  Drew,
Ian and Marcus moved us down to LS's 12 yard line.  Our drive stalled when
LS stopped Drew and Ian on consecutive plays.

   Coach Caffrey decided to try a short pass to Greg on a play action play.
Ed fired a low, tight spiral to Greg when he came open behind the
linebackers.  Greg stretched for the ball when the wind caught and it
tipped off his hands.  Andy grabbed the tip and dove for the end zone. 
Andy went down in a shower of mud with three defenders on his back.  I held
my breath as I waited for the signal.  Finally the referee raised his hands
to signal touchdown.  Our team cheered and celebrated Andy's score.  Hal
kicked the PAT through the uprights to bring the score to 28-10 Wolverines.

   LS managed to sustain one more drive.  They pushed our defense down the
field slowly.  They finally scored a touchdown with only 33 seconds left on
the clock.  Ed handed off three times to Drew to run out the clock and
secure our victory.

   The coaches and I headed for the locker room to rejoin our team.  My
teammates were happy, tired and drenched with sweat, mud and rain.  Coach
Caffrey called for silence so he could speak.  "This was a character win
tonight gentleman.  I'm proud of every single one of you.  Now you see why
we worked out in the weight room last winter and why we ran three miles a
day at practice.  You physically whipped our opponents tonight.  I have
five game balls to present tonight.  Jeremy North and Joey Keller, please
come forward." They joined the coach up front.  "Jeremy had 13 tackles
tonight.  Joey had 11 tackles.  That was great work guys." Coach Caffrey
handed balls to Jeremy and Joey.  "Would Drew, Jerry and Dustin come
forward.  Drew carried 27 times for 142 yards tonight.  That was fabulous.
Jerry and Dustin opened big holes for Drew, Ian and Marcus.  They made
Drew's best game of the year possible." Coach Caffrey handed game balls to
Drew, Jerry and Dustin.  "We are 8-0 now gentleman.  Next week we face the
Braves.  Celebrate this weekend and come in Monday ready to work."

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   I enjoyed a quiet Saturday at home.  I slept until 11 am before I went
downstairs for breakfast.  I spent the afternoon watching movies on cable.
Dad let me drive Andy and his date Shannon Phillips to the pizza place
where our team was gathering tonight.

   Shannon was a freshman like Andy.  She was a tall, 5'-10", thin, and had
long dark brown.  She looked good with my brother.  They found seats with
Marcus Shaeffer and his date.

   I hoped to hook up with Holly tonight.  I was disappointed.  She was
sitting with Travis Hall.  I found a seat with Ed, Lindsey, Jeremy, Kathy
and Erika.

   I had a fun night with Erika.  It looked like my enforced celibacy was
going to last much longer than I had hoped.  I knew I wouldn't have any
opportunities for quite a few weeks while my knee heeled.

   Dad, Andy and I watched football after church.  I convinced Dad to let
me drive on Sunday evening when we went out to the Outback Steakhouse. 
This trip brought my hours of practice up to 42 hours.  I only needed eight
more hours until I could take my driver's test and hopefully get my
license. I probably wouldn't be driving again until December.  Doctor High
said it would be at least a month after my operation before I could get
behind the wheel.

   I went to bed a little out of sorts.  I had to start fasting right after
dinner so I didn't get my usual bedtime snack.  I didn't fall asleep for
quite awhile.  I was a little worried about spending time in a hospital.  I
had never spent more than a couple hours there before.  Would the operation
on my knee work?  Would I ever play football again?  It was after midnight
before I fell asleep.

   Chapter 16

   ==========

   My alarm woke me at six am.  It was too early to go to the hospital.  I
rolled over and wished that the last three weeks were a dream.  Mom's knock
at the door brought me back to reality.  Doctor High was going to cut my
knee open today.

   I limped to the bathroom and showered.  I went back to my room and
dressed.  I checked my bag to make sure I had packed everything I wanted
for my two day stay in the hospital.  Mom yelled from downstairs, "Hurry up
Kyle.  We need to be at the hospital by seven."

   "I'm on the way Mom." I answered.  I picked up my bag and limped
downstairs and headed for the car.  I desperately wanted something to eat.
It wasn't permitted before an operation.

   I didn't have anything to say as Mom drove me to Lancaster.  Mom asked,
"Are you scared about this operation Kyle?"

   "I wouldn't say I'm scared, just a little nervous.  I wonder how
everything will turn out.  I've never stayed in a hospital before.  What
happens if the operation doesn't fix my knee?"

   "I don't have that answer Kyle.  Doctor High is an excellent surgeon who
has done this operation a dozen times.  He is confident that it will be
successful." Mom answered soothingly.

   Mom filled out insurance forms while I waited at Admitting when we
arrived at the hospital.  Mom said she would join me shortly when the nurse
took me upstairs to my room.  The nurse had me undress and get into one of
the short hospital gowns that didn't cover nearly enough of me.  I hopped
in bed quickly so my backside didn't stick out.  I had my book and MP3
player for entertainment while I waited.

   The nurse came back in ten minutes to get my temperature, blood pressure
and a blood sample.  I read and listened to music until Mom joined me.  We
talked for a little while we waited.

   A different nurse came in with a basin and a razor.  She said, "I have
to shave your leg Kyle.  It's the left one, correct?" She giggled.

   I nodded and said, "Yes, it's the left one.  Why do you need to shave
it?" I knew I didn't have much more than fuzz on it.

   She explained, "It would hurt when your dressings come off after the
operation if I didn't shave you." It took the nurse a minute to shave my
leg from mid-thigh to mid-calf.  She dried my leg and disappeared.

   Mom and I waited another 45 minutes before anyone appeared.  Doctor High
and another doctor came in.  Doctor High said, "Hello Kyle.  How are you
doing?"

   "I'm fine.  What's next?" I answered.

   "I need to do a final check before you go upstairs for your procedure.
This is Doctor Fletcher, your anesthesiologist." Doctor High explained.  He
introduced me and my mother to Doctor Fletcher.  Doctor Fletcher asked me
and Mom a series of questions about allergies and drug reactions.  We
explained that I had never had any problem in the past.  Doctor High
examined my knee while Doctor Fletcher talked.

   Doctor High smiled when he was finished.  "Everything looks fine Kyle.
I'll see you upstairs in half an hour.  I'll get this knee back in shape so
you can be on the football field next season."

   "Thanks Doctor." I answered as they left.

   A third nurse came in a couple minutes later.  She asked for my left
arm. She inserted a needle into my arm with a plastic thing attached to it.
She taped it down to my arm.  She said, "I'm going to give you an injection
that will relax you.  You may feel a little groggy after this.  It's
normal." She injected the drug into the plastic thing in my arm.  I laid
back and listened to music while I waited.

   Two nurses and an orderly came a few minutes later with a gurney.  They
helped me switch from my bed to the gurney.  Mom gave me a kiss on the
forehead and said, "I love you Kyle.  I'll be here when you get done with
the operation."

   "I love you too Mom." I replied as they wheeled me out the door.  They
took me down the hall to the elevator and then up to the operating room. 
They left me in the hall for a minute while they checked the operating
room. The nurse and orderly returned for me shortly.  They wheeled me into
the brightly lit operating room.  They transferred me off the gurney. 
Doctor High, Doctor Fletcher and two of the nurses who helped me earlier in
the morning were there.

   Doctor High asked, "Are you ready Kyle?"

   Am I ready to have you cut me open?  What the hell kind of question is
that?  I waited a second and answered quietly, "I guess I'm ready."

   Doctor Fletcher looked down at me.  He said, "I'm going to put you under
now Kyle.  Count backwards from 100 for me." He injected something into the
tube that ran into my arm.

   I counted, "100... 99... 98... 97..." Everything faded away.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   My mind was in a haze when I woke up.  I could hear muffled sounds that
seemed to be in the background.  I tried to open my eyes.  It was too
bright.  I closed them again.  I tried to concentrate on the sounds but
couldn't follow them.  I tried to open my eyes again after a couple
minutes. I heard someone say, "He's waking up Mrs.  Martin.

   I heard my mother say, "Welcome back honey.  Everything went well.  You
lie back and relax.  Let the anesthesia wear off." She gave me a kiss on
the forehead and held my hand.  I lay there enjoying the comfort of Mom
holding my hand while my head cleared.  Within a few minutes I could stand
to open my eyes.  Things were blurry at first but they gradually cleared.

   I felt hungry and thirsty.  I asked, "Can I get some lunch?  I'm
starved."

   Mom said, "It's three in the afternoon Kyle.  Lunch was a long time ago.
Let me check with the nurse to see if I can get you something to eat." Mom
disappeared for a minute.  When she returned she said, "I'm sorry Kyle. 
You can't have solid food yet.  You can have some water." She held a large
cup with a straw up to me.  I sipped as much I could take.  It helped slake
my thirst a little.

   A nurse and an orderly came in with a gurney.  The nurse said, "It's
time for you to go back to your room Kyle." They slid me over onto the
gurney and wheeled me to the elevator and took me downstairs to my room. 
They moved me back to my bed.  Another nurse came in when the first nurse
and orderly left.

   She said, "I'm Nurse Simmers.  I will be on duty on this floor this
evening.  If you need anything, push this buzzer.  Do you have any
questions Kyle?"

   "When is dinner?" I asked.

   Nurse Simmers laughed.  Mom did too.  Mom said, "You see what I put up
with?  I have three teenagers at home."

   Nurse Simmers said, "I have two of my own at home.  Let me check your
chart Kyle." She looked it over.  "You're scheduled for supper this
evening."

   "Bring a lot please." I said hopefully.

   "I'll see what I can do." Nurse Simmers said as she left my room.

   I asked, "Mom, can I have my MP3 player?  I'd like to listen to some
music."

   "Sure honey." Mom answered.  She gave me my MP3 player.  I settled down
to listen to my tunes.  I fell asleep after a couple songs.  Mom woke me up
at dinner time.  I wolfed down everything they brought me.  I could have
used another two or three trays of food to satisfy my hunger.  I finished
my water.  Mom got more.  Later I asked if I could have some Coke.  Nurse
Simmers said it was OK.  Mom brought me a nice cold soda from the vending
machine down the hall.

   It was about 7:00 o'clock when I realized that I hadn't gone to the
bathroom all day.  I really needed to go.  Mom wasn't in the room at the
time.  I buzzed for the nurse.  When she arrived I said, "I need to go to
the bathroom."

   "I'll get you a bedpan Kyle." Nurse Simmers answered.

   "A bedpan?  Can't I go the normal way?"

   "You can tomorrow.  You stay in bed tonight." She answered.  She
returned with the bedpan.  I never thought any place to go to the bathroom
would be worse than the latrine boxes in Algonquin.  I was wrong.  I hoped
I would never see another bedpan after I finished with that one.

   Mom returned a little later.  We talked for a little.  Mom left just
before eight o'clock.  She turned the TV to ESPN so I could watch the
Eagles play the Redskins.  I caught sight of Zack Hayes' brother Sam on the
sideline a couple times conferring with Donovan, Jeff and Coach Reid.

   The game was still in the first half when my knee started to hurt. 
Within a couple minutes it was throbbing worse than the evening I hurt it
three weeks ago.  I buzzed for Nurse Simmers.  I was afraid something was
wrong.

   I explained about the pain.  Nurse Simmers replied, "I thought you would
be calling soon.  I expected that the pain medication you were given
earlier should be wearing off about now." She returned with pills for me. I
swallowed them with a couple sips of water.  It didn't take too long for
them to take effect.  I was back to enjoying the football game.  I fell
asleep before the game was over.

   A new nurse woke me up.  "You need to take these pills Kyle."

   "Huh?  What are they?" I muttered.

   "A sleeping pill, an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory, and more pain
medication."

   "You woke me for a sleeping pill?" I muttered quietly.  I took the pills
as ordered.  The nurse turned the TV off on her way out.  I slept soundly
through the night.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   The nurse woke me up at 7 am for more medication.  I took my pills and
tried to go back to sleep.  It didn't work.  A nurse came in a few minutes
later.  She said, "I'm Mrs.  Roland.  I'm here to help you to go to the
bathroom."

   "Not the bedpan again." I exclaimed.

   Nurse Roland chuckled.  "No, it's much worse this time.  You have to get
out of bed and walk to the bathroom."

   "That doesn't sound too bad." I answered.  Nurse Roland helped me scoot
over to the edge of the bed and swing my legs down to the floor.  She
handed me a pair of crutches.

   Nurse Roland said, "Put your weight on your right leg Kyle and stand
up." I did it.  "Steady yourself with the crutches Kyle."

   I proceeded very slowly and unsteadily across the twenty or so feet to
the bathroom.  Nurse Roland helped me down on the toilet and excused
herself while I did my business.  We reversed the process to get back to my
bed.

   Nurse Roland returned about fifteen minutes later with more medication.
I took my pills.  Breakfast came a few minutes later.  I ate everything on
my tray including the yogurt, something I normally detest.  It didn't begin
to fill my hunger.

   I lay back with my book and MP3 player to pass the time.  I had fifteen
or twenty minutes of undisturbed time to read and relax.  My therapist,
Matt Horn was my next interruption.

   Matt smiled as he walked in my room pushing a wheel chair.  "Hi Kyle. 
How are you doing?"

   "I'm OK I guess." I answered.

   "Are you ready to start rehab?" Matt asked.

   "I thought I didn't start until next week?" I asked.

   "That's when your appointments at the Orthopedic Center start.  You
start rehab immediately after surgery." Matt explained.  Matt held my
crutches out to me.  I slid out of bed and stood up.  "Good Kyle.  Follow
me." Matt said as he wheeled the empty chair towards the door.

   "Don't I get to ride in the wheel chair?" I asked.

   Matt kept going.  "Only if you need it Kyle.  Follow me."

   I hobbled down the hall as best I could, trying to keep up with Matt. 
"Put a little weight on your left leg if you can Kyle.  That will help."
Matt called back to me.  I noticed he looked back at me frequently checking
to see how I was doing.  I made it half way down the hall to the elevator
before my knee started to hurt a little.  I slowed down.  Matt came back
for me immediately.  He said, "That was good work Kyle.  I wanted to see
how far you could go." I sat down in the wheel chair.

   Matt took me downstairs to the therapy room.  He showed me how to use
the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine.  He started me on the machine.
The machine slowly moved my knee from straight to bent and back again. 
Matt explained that I needed to increase the flexion (bending) by 5 degrees
every time I used it until I was comfortable with 95 degrees of flexion.  I
would use it twice a day for two hours.  Matt had arranged for a company to
deliver one of the machines to my house.  Matt explained that using the
machine would prevent internal adhesions from forming that would limit my
ability to use my knee.  Matt left after about a half hour.  A nurse
wheeled me back to my room after a couple hours workout with the CPM
machine.

   The day nurse brought me an ice pack for my knee.  I listened to music
and read my book until lunch time.  I had a little time to relax before the
nurse took me back to the therapy room for my second session with the CPM
machine.  I managed to get my knee bent to 30 degrees without too much
pain. I was pretty tired when I returned to my room.  The nurse brought
another ice pack for my knee.

   I only had fifteen minutes rest when Doctor High and the day nurse came
to my room.  Doctor High removed the dressing on my knee and I got to see
it for the first time.  I had a 3 inch row of stitches down the center of
my knee where Doctor High had removed the piece of patella tendon that he
used for the graft.  My knee was black and blue, puffed up and swelled.

   Doctor High examined my knee for a couple minutes and checked over my
chart.  He smiled.  "Everything looks excellent Kyle.  I am going to
release you to return home.  Keep doing the rehabilitation that Mr.  Horn
has taught you.  This is the key to a good outcome for your surgery.  Do
you have any questions Kyle?"

   I indicated I didn't.

   Doctor High said, "I'll see you next Monday.  I have left a set of
written directions for you and your parents that review everything I have
told you today.  Your parents may call my office if they have any
questions. Good luck."

   Doctor High shook my hand and left.  The nurse said she would call my
mom and let her know I could go home any time.  After the call was done she
helped me get dressed in regular clothes so I would be ready when Mom got
there.

   Mom arrived a little after 4 pm.  I had everything ready.  I wanted to
get home.  I had more than enough of hospitals.  Mom stopped at the
babysitters to pick up Liz.  She climbed in the back seat of the mini-van
and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

   "I'm glad you're coming home Kyle.  I missed you."

   "Thanks Liz."

   Liz gushed, "Mom says I don't have to go to the babysitter's anymore
this week.  I can come straight home from school."

   "That's nice." I said.

   "I'm too old to be going to a babysitter's." Liz said.

   "And too young to stay home alone.  After Kyle goes back to school you
will go back the sitters until football season is over." Mom added.

   "Andy didn't have to go to the sitters when he was in seventh grade."
Liz insisted.

   Mom confirmed, "That's right.  But that was after football was over.  He
had to stay at school with Kyle during the winter when Kyle was studying
game tapes that year."

   "OK Mom." Liz said grumpily.

   Liz helped by carrying my bag inside when we got home.  I took my time
getting into the house.  Mom made up an ice pack for my knee.  I headed to
the family room to watch TV until dinner time.  Andy stopped by to talk
when he got home from football practice.  He filled me in on our game plan
for the Braves on Friday night.  Dad stopped by too and gave me a hug to
welcome me home.

   Mom made my favorite, spaghetti, for dinner.  I ate two huge helpings
along with salad and garlic bread.  When dinner was done Mom surveyed the
empty dishes on the table and asked, "I hope supper wasn't too
disappointing Kyle."

   "It was great Mom.  I've felt starved since Sunday evening.  This is
just what I needed.  Thanks." I answered.

   I headed to the family room to rest my leg for the evening.  I did my
knee extensions, quad sets, straight leg raises and heel slides while I
watched TV.  I had to do these exercises for ten minutes every hour I was
awake.

   Ed came over to see how I was doing.  We started talking about my
surgery when Jeremy and Hal came to visit.  Ed, Hal and Jeremy turned out
to be the first of a whole string of visitors that night.  Drew and Stacie
stopped by.  Nick Zeimer stopped by to say he was sorry for the hundredth
time.  I assured him that he didn't have to apologize.  It wasn't his
fault. Greg Harrison came over and stayed for half an hour.  Our entire
offensive line - Jerry, Dustin, Adam, Josh and Jamaal - visited for a
little while.  George Reynolds and Jake Kring came as the o-line was
leaving.

   Penny Edwards came by with a heavy day pack as Greg, George and Jake
were leaving.  She greeted my friends and gave me a hug and a kiss on the
cheek when she arrived.  She said, "How do you feel Kyle?"

   "I'm pretty good Penny." I answered.

   Greg said, "The three of us should get going Kyle.  You two might want a
little privacy." He gave me a wink.

   "No.  It's not like that.  Penny has my homework assignments." I
explained.

   Greg answered, "We should go anyway Kyle.  Get well.  We need you
helping us out."

   Jake added, "We miss you Kyle.  Practice isn't the same without you."

   My teammates headed out.  Penny joined me on the couch.  We talked about
my operation for a couple minutes then Penny went over my homework
assignments.  We decided to get to work on our Pre-calculus.

   We had been working a half hour when we heard my Mom say, "He's in the
family room." That was followed by the sound of two small feet racing from
the front door to the family room.

   Billy Baer dashed through the door.  "Hi Kyle.  How are you doing?" He
looked at Penny and me.  "Hi Penny.  I didn't know you would be here."

   I smiled at Billy.  "Hi Billy.  I'm feeling pretty good.  Where's mom
and dad?"

   Justin said, "We're right here." As he and his wife Sherry came into the
family room.

   Justin, Sherry, Penny and I talked for fifteen minutes.  Justin and
Sherry were getting ready to go when Billy asked Penny and me, "What'cha
been doing?"

   "We're doing our homework." I answered.

   "Mommy made me do mine before dinner.  Mrs.  Wexler gave us a hand out
on the alphabet."

   Penny said, "You'll find out that homework gets harder when you get
older."

   Billy said, "Oh, OK." as he put on his coat.

   I asked, "Justin, I can breakdown plays on our possible playoff
opponents if you bring me some videos.  The earliest I can go back to
school is next Tuesday.  I'm going to want something useful to do other
than homework."

   Justin answered, "I'll talk to Coach Caffrey.  I think we can use your
help.  The rest of us have to focus on the Braves and the Tigers.  I'll
bring tapes over tomorrow night if Coach Caffrey says it is OK."

   "Thanks Justin."

   "You take care of yourself.  Work hard on your rehab." Justin said.

   Sherry added, "Get well soon Kyle." Sherry, Justin and Billy headed for
home.

   Penny asked, "Is Sherry putting on weight or is she pregnant?"

   I smiled.  "You haven't heard, have you?  Justin and Sherry are going to
have another child."

   "How far along is Sherry?" Penny asked.

   "About eleven weeks."

   "Ahh, another Algonquin baby." Penny said.  Both of us laughed.  Penny
and I went back to Pre-calc.  Mom interrupted our work.  "Kyle, it's time
for your medication."

   "Already?" I asked.

   "It is 9:30 Kyle." Mom answered.

   "Good grief." Penny exclaimed.  "I've got to get going.  I don't want my
dad freaking out on me."

   "I'll get my pills on the way to my bedroom." I called to Mom.  Penny
gave me a hug.  "Thanks for bringing my work home for me Penny." I said.  I
gave Penny a kiss on the cheek.  At least that is what I intended.  Penny
turned to face me as I kissed her.  Our lips met.  The kiss lasted a little
too long for a kiss between friends.

   Penny backed away a little flustered.  "Um, I got to go Kyle.  I'll see
you tomorrow night."

   The unexpected kiss brought way too many old memories back.  The feel of
Penny's lips, the smell of her perfume, the intimacy we had once shared
stirred my lust.  My cock swelled to an immediate erection.  That was all I
needed when I needed to see Mom for my medicine.  I arranged myself so my
erection wasn't too noticeable and hobbled out to the kitchen.

   I took my medicine with a glass of orange juice.  I headed upstairs to
my bedroom.  I went to bed earlier than usual.  The past two days had been
hard.  I needed some peaceful sleep, unlike the last two nights.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom woke me up and made me take my pills before she left for work around
8 in the morning.  Liz and Andy had left for school an hour earlier.  Dad
had left for work.  I hobbled off to the bathroom for my first shower in
two days.

   I was allowed to remove the dressing over my wound today.  I pulled the
brace off and carefully unwrapped the gauze holding the dressing on my leg.
I knew my left knee would look ugly, but I was still shocked.  It was
swelled to at least twice the size of my right knee.  I had a neat row of
stitches extending three inches across the front of my knee.  I had more
stitches closing the other three holes in my leg.  The whole knee was still
black and blue.

   I was extremely careful while I showered.  It isn't easy to take a
shower on one leg.  I finally found something good about the bad ankle
sprain I had in the spring.  I was experienced at one legged showers.  I
dried off and put an ace bandage on around my knee.  I dressed and went
downstairs for breakfast.

   My day went faster than I expected.  I did my exercises for ten minutes
after breakfast.  I did homework for 50 minutes.  I used the continuous
passive motion (CPM) machine for two hours.  I did more homework.  I did my
exercises followed by lunch, more homework, exercises, homework and another
2 hour session with the CPM machine.  It was after three o'clock before I
had free time.  I got an ice pack for my knee and settled into the couch to
read my book on the Battle of Spotsylvania.

   I free time was interrupted as soon as I got settled.  After she slammed
the front door Liz yelled, "I'm home Kyle.  Where are you?"

   "I'm in the family room." I answered.

   Liz poked her head in the family room door.  "This is so cool to come
straight home from school.  I hope football is over soon."

   "Thanks Liz.  The football team will really appreciate you rooting for
them to lose in the playoffs."

   "I didn't mean it like that Kyle.  I hope you guys win in the playoffs,
but I'm happy to be away from all the little kids at Mrs.  Morton's house."

   "I understand Liz."

   "Can I go over to Dave's house?" Liz asked.  She was referring to her
friend Davey Mitchell.

   "Is Mrs.  Mitchell home?" I asked.

   "No."

   "Davey can come over here if you want Liz."

   "Thanks Kyle." Liz said.  She disappeared again.  I heard her calling
Davey and asking him to come over.

   Davey arrived within a few minutes.  Davey came in the family room with
Liz to say hi before they went upstairs.  I wanted to talk to him alone.  I
said, "Liz, why don't you go to the kitchen and get milk and cookies for
you and Davey?"

   "Really?  Thanks Kyle.  I'll do that." Liz replied.  Davey started to
leave with Liz.

   I said, "Davey, have a seat." I pointed at the chair beside the couch.
Davey sat down.

   "Liz will be home after school everyday this week.  I'm responsible for
her.  I want to come to an understanding with you about what is permitted
when you are here."

   "OK Kyle."

   "You understand about what guys and girls do together, right?" I asked.

   Davey frowned a little.  "I'm not sure what you mean Kyle."

   "You do.  When guys and girls kiss, make out, or maybe more.  You think
about this don't you?"

   Davey blushed a little.  "Um....  yes."

   "You are thirteen right?" I asked.

   "Not yet.  I don't turn thirteen until next month." Davey answered.

   "That just reinforces the point I want to make.  You and Liz are too
young to be doing those things.  I will be really upset if I find out you
have been doing anything like that when I'm in charge.  Is that clear
Davey?"

   "Yes Kyle." Davey said.

   "Good.  Why don't you go get your snack with Liz." I suggested.  Davey
headed for the kitchen.  I could hear them talking over their cookies and
milk.  I went back to reading.

   I heard Andy come home from football practice.  He popped his head in
the family room.  "Hi Kyle.  How's your knee?" Andy asked.

   "It's OK.  How was practice?"

   "Practice is going pretty well.  The coaches have a few new plays for
the Braves.  I think the game will be fun." Andy answered.

   Justin walked in the room.  "Hey Kyle.  I gave Andy a ride home.  Coach
Caffrey wanted me to bring you these videos." Justin set a stack on the
coffee table that had to have 25-30 videos in it.  "I know this is a lot
Kyle.  I don't think you can go through all of these.  Start at the top and
work your way down as far as you can.  The videos on the top are the teams
we are most likely to see in the playoffs."

   "I'll do what I can Justin." I answered.

   "Are you allowed to come to the game on Friday night?"

   "No.  I have to stay home and keep my knee elevated and iced for a week.
I can't come to the game." I explained.

   "Oh, that's too bad.  I'll miss you up in the booth with me." Justin
answered.

   "What should I do with the breakdowns?"

   "E-mail them to me.  I'll pass them on to the other coaches." Justin
answered.

   "I'll do that Justin."

   "See you later Kyle.  I've got to get home for supper." Justin said.  He
headed back out of the room.

   I was curious which teams I was going to look over.  The top of the
stack included South Western, Pottsville, Gettysburg, and Daniel Boone. 
Those teams weren't surprising.  The next stack included Unionville, Upper
Moreland, Easton Catholic and West Scranton.  We wouldn't see any of those
teams until the State Eastern Finals.  The bottom of the stack had
Pine-Richland, Thomas Jefferson, Strong Vincent and Hollidaysburg.  The
coaches were serious about us playing for the state championship.  The last
four teams were from western Pennsylvania.  The only way we would see them
was if we played for the state championship.

   I did another set of exercises before dinner.  I hobbled to the bathroom
just before it was time for dinner.

   Penny came over after dinner with today's homework assignments.  We
spent a couple hours working on the Pre-calc, Chemistry and English.  Penny
loaded my work from today in her day pack so she could turn it in for me
tomorrow.  We shared the couch and watched some TV together when we were
done with our homework.

   When the 8:30 show was over I said, "I don't know how to thank you for
everything you have done since I got hurt Penny.  You're the best."

   "You'd do the same thing for me Kyle.  You are a good friend too." Penny
said.  I kissed Penny, on the lips again.  It wasn't an accident this time.
I meant it.  She may not be my girlfriend anymore, but she is still one of
my closest friends.

   Thursday and Friday went about the same as Wednesday.  I filled my day
with my exercises, time on the CPM machine, homework and studying videos of
our potential opponents.  By Friday afternoon I had my knee up to a 65
degree bend on the CPM machine.  At the rate I was progressing I should get
to my goal of a 95 degree bend on Monday.  I could see the swelling going
down day by day.  My knee was yellowish-purple as the bruising faded.

   I hoped PCN would feature our game with the Braves.  No such luck. 
Jeremy picked up Andy after an early dinner on Friday night.  They had to
catch the team busses to the Braves' Stadium for the night's game.  Mom,
Dad and Liz left about fifteen minutes after Andy.

   I was a little surprised by a knock at the door a half hour after my
family had left.  I yelled, "Hang on.  I'll be there in a minute." as I
hobbled for the front door as quickly as I could go.

   I opened the door and found Penny standing there smiling at me.  I
blurted, "I thought you would be at the game tonight."

   "I have a friend who couldn't go.  I thought he could use the company."

   "You're the greatest Penny." I said.  We headed back to the family room.
Penny brought along a couple of recent release DVD's from the video store.

   We settled in together on the couch.  A few minutes after the movie
started I put my arm around Penny's shoulder.  She snuggled up against me
and laid her head on my shoulder.  It felt so totally natural.  We had done
this a hundred times before.  My cock twitched and started to get hard.

   I managed to behave myself for about fifteen minutes.  Propriety went
out the window when the hero in the movie seduced his love interest and
made love to her on the beach.  Penny's left hand moved onto my right
thigh. She rubbed and massaged my leg.  I glanced down at Penny's breasts.
Her nipples were poking her blouse out.

   I breathed in and smelled Penny's strawberry shampoo.  Penny's hand
inched further up my thigh towards my now very prominent erection.  She
turned her head and stared down at my lap.  I nuzzled her exposed neck.  I
let my right hand slide down onto Penny's right breast.  I caressed it
gently.

   Penny turned her head and stared into my eyes.  "Do you... think..." She
didn't get a chance to finish the sentence.  I kissed her on the lips.  I
opened my mouth and slipped my tongue to Penny.  My tongue met hers.  I
could feel Penny shiver when our tongues met.  My spine tingled.  Our old
feelings hadn't faded.

   Penny and I rearranged ourselves.  I laid back and Penny straddled my
right leg.  We continued kissing, our passion quickly rising.  We kissed
and rubbed our bodies together.  Things progressed much faster than either
of us intended.

   My shirt and Penny's blouse went to the floor closely followed by
Penny's bra.  I felt up her breasts while she rubbed my erection through my
pants.  Penny and I made out for a few minutes.  I kissed my way down her
chest to her right breast.  I kissed and teased her nipple with my tongue.

   Before Penny or I could think rationally we were unbuttoning and pulling
off each others pants.  I helped Penny remove my brace so she could finish
removing my pants and boxers.  Penny started licking my cock head.  I
gasped, "No, let's 69."

   Penny positioned herself over top of me.  We proceeded to pleasure each
other like two experienced lovers.  Penny's skills at giving head were as
good as I remembered from last year.  I used my tongue and fingers to bring
her to a noisy orgasm.  Penny brought me to climax when she calmed down
from her orgasm.  She sucked every drop of my cum down her throat and then
collapsed on top of me.

   Penny switched around so she was facing me again.  "God, I'd forgotten
how good you are at eating a girl out Kyle."

   "I've missed your blow jobs Penny.  You're the greatest." I replied. 
Penny played with my cock, trying to get me hard again.  We went back to
kissing and rubbing our pubic areas together.  I was hard within a couple
minutes.  I rubbed my cock along Penny's dripping slot.

   Penny stood up and held my cock.  "You're bigger than you used to be
Kyle."

   "I don't know about that Penny." I answered.  Penny threw her right leg
over me and positioned her opening over the end of my cock.  She started to
envelope my hard cock with her pussy as she sank down on it.

   "Pill?" I gasped.  "You are on the pill right?" I spat out as Penny sank
all the way down on my cock.

   "Of course." Penny replied.  "Ooohhh....  I'd forgotten how good you
are." She rode my seven inch erection until she orgasmed.  Penny kept going
while I played with her clitoris.  I erupted when she climaxed a third
time. I pumped my gooey sperm into Penny until I was drained.  Penny
collapsed on top of me.  I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her while
we recovered.

   "Damn, I'd forgotten how good you are Kyle." Penny sighed.

   I kissed Penny on the cheek.  "You're wonderful too." We cuddled
together for a few minutes.  Being intimate with Penny was special.  Johara
and I slept together for fun, nothing more.  Alicia and I had fucked,
purely for our lust.  I felt Penny and I still had that spark, that sense
of connection we had last year when we went steady.

   We held each other for a couple minutes.  I noticed Penny glance over at
the clock.  "Shit!  It's late.  I've got to go Kyle." Penny hopped up and
dressed quickly.

   I asked, "Give me a call tomorrow Penny."

   "Um... uh, OK" she answered hesitantly.  She headed out the door
quickly. I was a little worried about Penny.  Neither of us planned to have
sex tonight.  I decided to call her tomorrow to talk about what had just
happened.

   I gathered up my clothes and got dressed.  I grabbed an ice pack from
the freezer.  My left knee had taken a bit of a beating while Penny bounced
up and down on my cock.  I put my knee up on the couch and iced it.

   The rest of the family came home around 9:30 pm.  Andy came straight to
the family room to tell me about the game.  Andy had the biggest grin on
his face since he had lost his virginity last fall.

   Andy crowed, "It was an unbelievable game Kyle.  I wish you could have
been there.  I had two touchdowns tonight."

   "Well, who won?" I demanded.

   "Oh yeah.  We won.  The final score was 41-38.  I scored the winning
touchdown with a minute left in the game.  Ed threw me a pass when I got
behind the free safety.  It was..."

   I interrupted, "Andy stop.  Start at the beginning and tell me about the
game."

   Andy finally calmed down enough and related the story of the game.  "The
Braves were tough.  I watched what they were doing like you taught me. 
They had 8 men in the box most of the first half.  Drew had trouble getting
yards running.  They had enough pressure on Ed to hurry his throws.  We
managed to do a couple drives.  On the second one we caught them in the
wrong formation.  Greg caught a pass on a crossing pattern and beat the
safety for a touchdown."

   I asked, "Didn't you guys try to go deep?"

   Andy continued, "We finally managed to do it near the end of the first
half.  Drew and I both went deep.  They double covered Drew.  I made them
pay for it.  I beat the cornerback.  Ed threw a pass to me along the
sideline.  I scored on that play.  We went into the locker room at half
time down 21-17."

   I asked, "Did that open things up for you?"

   "Yes it helped.  Coach Caffrey decided to run our no huddle offense in
the second half.  That helped too.  Greg scored another touchdown when they
double covered me.  Ed seemed to get more confident passing to me.  I
caught a deep pass to set up a running touchdown by Drew.  Our defense had
a lot of trouble handling the Braves' offense.  By the fourth quarter we
were down 38-34.  We got the ball back with about six minutes left.  The
coaches did a great job calling plays to keep the Braves off balance.  It
took us four minutes to get down to the red zone.  Ed had to throw the ball
away on the first down.  I ended up in the corner of the end zone on the
next play.  I was covered by two DB's but Ed threw the ball to me anyway. I
out jumped the DB's for a touchdown."

   I said, "Congratulations Andy.  It sounds like you were the hero."

   "Jeremy was the one who sealed the victory for us.  The Braves got the
ball back with 2 minutes.  They started a good drive.  Jeremy recognized a
slant route and jumped in front of the tight end for an interception.  Ed
was able to kneel down and run the clock out after that.  Coach Caffrey
awarded Jeremy and me game balls."

   "Congratulations Andy.  I'm proud of you."

   "I should thank you Kyle, your help made this possible." Andy replied.
The two of us talked for a couple more minutes about the game before Andy
went upstairs.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   I put in my two hours on the CPM machine after breakfast.  I was up to
the 80 degree setting.  My knee felt pretty good.  The swelling was almost
entirely gone.  The bruises had faded to a pale yellow around my wounds. 
My left leg was almost strong enough to that I could carry my weight using
used one crutch for support.

   I called Penny when I was finished exercising my knee.  When she
answered the phone I said, "Hi Penny.  How are you doing today?"

   "OK Kyle." She hesitated for a few seconds.  "I guess."

   "You left without your rental DVD's last night.  Can you stop by later
to pick them up?"

   "OK, I'll stop by after lunch."

   "Cool, I'll see you then." I answered.

   I worked on my homework for an hour and then made myself some lunch.  I
was finishing lunch when Penny knocked at the door.  I let her in.  I said,
"The DVD's are in the family room.  Follow me."

   I walked there on one crutch.  Penny followed me.  I handed the DVD's to
Penny.  Penny said, "Good grief Kyle.  You're getting better.  I didn't
know you could walk that well."

   "I'm improving.  Today is the first day that I've been able to walk on
one crutch.  It makes things a lot easier."

   "Thanks for reminding me about getting these videos Kyle." Penny said.

   "Do you have a few minutes Penny?  I would like to talk to you about
last night."

   "Um, OK" Penny replied.

   "You left in a hurry last night Penny.  Are you all right with what
happened?"

   Penny hesitated a few seconds an answered, "I don't know Kyle....  I
don't do one night stands."

   I stared into Penny's eyes.  "It doesn't have to be a one night stand
Penny.  I've been thinking since last night about what happened between us.
I'd like us to try being a couple again.  I think we can make it work this
time."

   "I don't know Kyle.  It didn't work the first time.  Why would things be
different?"

   "We are older now, more mature.  I think we could make our relationship
work this time.  What we shared last night reminded me about how good we
are when we are together."

   Penny answered, "We've always been good together in bed.  That wasn't
enough last time."

   "One of the reasons we broke up is that I spent too much time on
football last season, right?"

   "Yes" Penny asked.

   "I think I've learned to balance things better Penny.  You and I spent
two or three evenings a week together this fall studying.  That is as much
time together as we had when we went steady the first time."

   "Time together was only one of our problems." Penny said.

   "I know.  You complained about always hanging out with my football
teammates.  I don't have to be with them every Saturday night.  I can do
other things if you want."

   "That part isn't really a problem anymore Kyle.  I used to be a little
bit intimidated by hanging out with the varsity quarterback, the
cheerleaders, you know, all the `in' people in high school.  I always felt
out of place with them when I was a freshman."

   "Do you feel more comfortable with them now?"

   Penny giggled.  "Yes.  Hanging out with the varsity quarterback now
means hanging out with Ed.  That's not intimidating.  I don't have a
problem spending time with Ed and Lindsey; Jeremy and Kathy or Hal and
Tammy."

   I said, "Can you agree to talk to me about any problems we have?  I
hated the way you cut me off when you thought I had cheated on you when we
broke up.  I need you to be willing to listen to me no matter what."

   "I guess I can do that Kyle."

   "I will promise you this Penny.  I will never cheat on you.  I'm in love
with you.  Last night reminded me how much the two of us connect.  I've
slept with more than a few girls.  Sex with you isn't just for fun.  When
I'm with you I feel that like the two of us are parts of something bigger
than either of us.  I don't feel that with most of the other girls.  What
I've done with them was just for fun.  Are you willing to give us a chance
as a couple again?"

   Penny hesitated.  She stared into my eyes.  I asked, "Do you love me
Penny?"

   "I do Kyle.  Do you really think things will go better this time?"

   "I think so.  I believe we should try.  We owe it to each other." I
said.

   Penny stared at me and sighed.  "Let's see if we can make this work this
time Kyle."

   I hugged my girlfriend and gave her a kiss.  My girlfriend!  My outlook
on life improved immediately.  Penny returned my kiss with passion.  Penny
said, "I hope we get this right Kyle."

   "We will Penny.  I promise."

   Penny and I sat down on the couch.  Penny said, "We do have one problem
Kyle."

   "What is it?"

   Penny answered, "I have a date tonight with Ken Ziegler."

   I laughed.  "I guess that is a complication.  I don't mind if you want
to go out with him tonight, as long as you don't plan to sleep with him."

   "Ken and I are, er... were in the `getting to know you' stage.  He
wasn't going to be sleeping with me any time soon.  I'm going to give him a
call.  It isn't fair to go on a date with him if there isn't any chance of
things going further in a relationship."

   "That's probably best Penny."

   "Do you want to go to the movies together tonight Kyle?" Penny asked.

   I explained, "Yes, I'd like that, but I can't.  I'm supposed to keep my
leg elevated for the first week after my operation."

   Penny suggested, "Why don't we hang out here and watch some more DVD's?"

   "That sounds cool.  Let's do that."

   "I've got to go Kyle.  I'll see you around seven tonight." Penny said.
We kissed before she left.

   Penny and I spent a peaceful night watching movies together.  It felt
right calling her my girlfriend again.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   Mom drove me to the Orthopedic Center for rehab Monday morning.  I met
with Matt Horn.  He had me use the CPM machine so he could see my
flexibility.  I told him he could set the machine to 95 degrees.  Matt only
had me use the machine for five minutes.  He said I didn't need it anymore.
He had me do my other exercises.  Matt was very pleased with my progress so
far.

   Mom and I had lunch at the Olive Garden again to kill some time until my
1:30 pm appointment to see Doctor High.  I enjoyed spending time with Mom
the way I had the past month.
The first thing Doctor High did was remove my stitches.  He examined the
wounds from my surgery.  He tested my flexibility too.  He was pleased with
the exam.  Doctor High said I was ready to return to school.  He said I
would be allowed to drive in three weeks.  I needed to wear my brace for
the next five weeks when I would be on my feet for more than a few minutes.
Matt Horn would let me know when I was allowed to start more strenuous
physical activities.  I thanked Doctor High for his help.  He scheduled me

for one more for a check up in a month.

   Mom and I got home just before school dismissal.  I headed to the family
room to watch TV until Penny came over with my day's homework assignments.
She arrived about fifteen minutes after me.  We went to my bedroom and
worked on our Pre-Calc together for forty-five minutes.  We did our
Chemistry before dinner.

   I went to scouts after dinner.  It felt great to finally get out of the
house.  I delegated running everything to Ed, Jeremy and Hal.  Mr.  Clark
and I sat and watched them run the scout meeting.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   I greeted Penny with a kiss and a hug when we met at the bus stop on
Tuesday morning.  Andy knew about Penny and me since Friday night.  Ed and
Jeremy weren't surprised either.  I told them when they came over to train
with Andy on Saturday.

   Penny and I sat down together on the bus.  I put my arm around her and
gave her a kiss when Mrs.  Shirk, our bus driver, wasn't looking.

   Hal and Kathy stared at the two of us.  Hal exclaimed, "What the hell?
Coach?  Penny?  What is going on?"

   Kathy added, "You two are together again?"

   Penny and I grinned at our friends.  We told them the G-rated version of
Friday night and our decision to try going steady again.  Our friends
wished us good luck.

   I turned in a half a weeks worth of homework for each class.  My
teachers were pleased (and a little shocked) at what I had done.  I had no
trouble following the lectures during my classes.  I made sure Mr.  Witman
and Coach Wyndham knew I would be missing their classes on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays until I was finished with rehab.

   Coach Wyndham arranged for my guidance counselor to change my gym class
to pass/fail.  I would get credit for my rehabilitation instead of sitting
on the sidelines while my classmates wrestled, played basketball,
volleyball, bowled and played softball.  I wouldn't be doing any of those
sports in the foreseeable future.

   Penny, Ed, Jeremy, Kathy, Hal, Tammy, Brandon and I left Pre-Calc
together.  Jeremy gave Kathy a kiss as he left the group for Art class. 
The rest of us walked together to our next class.  I gave Penny a hug and
kiss and said, "I love you." when we arrived at the Spanish room.

   Penny answered, "I love you too.  See you at lunch." Penny, Kathy, Hal
and Tammy headed into their classroom.  Ed, Brandon and I walked down the
hall a few doors to our history class.

   As soon as Penny was out of ear-shot Brandon asked, "Are you two are
back together?"

   I answered, "Yes."

   Brandon said, "It's about time.  I told you she loved you back in
September when I broke up with Penny."

   I vaguely remembered Brandon's conversation.  "You never told me she was
in love with me."

   "Well Duh!  Who else would it have been?" Brandon asked.  "Any way,
congratulations.  The two of you belong together."

   "Thanks Brandon." I answered.  The three of us headed into the classroom
for our Modern European History class.

   Coach Caffrey and I met during football practice.  I reviewed the
information I had compiled on our potential playoff opponents while I was
recovering from surgery.  Coach Caffrey was pleased with my work.  We
talked a little about ways to handle some of the opponents if we played
them.

   We were preparing for the Drumore Tigers for our last regular season
game of the year.  The Tigers hadn't won a game so far this season.  Coach
Caffrey warned us that we had to take the Tigers seriously.  If we didn't
play hard, we could lose the game.  My teammates worked hard all week to
make sure they were ready play for our high school's first undefeated
season ever.

   Penny and I studied together every evening after dinner.  We never
managed to get enough privacy to do anything of a sexual nature beyond a
little French kissing.  We made plans to go to the movies together on
Saturday night.

   Penny announced Wednesday night that she had been chosen for the part of
Aunt Martha in the Performing Arts Society's production of "Arsenic and Old
Lace"

   I helped Justin Baer during practice each day to prepare Andy, Karl,
Greg, Tim, Pete and Jason for Friday's night's game and for the playoffs.
All the receivers seemed prepared for the game.

   The weather on Friday was warm for the 9th of November.  The temperature
during the day was in the sixties.  By game time it had cooled, but was
still in the high fifties.  There wasn't any wind.  It was perfect weather
for our team to run our spread offense.

   The Drumore Tigers didn't even provide a speed bump on our drive for the
state championship.  Drew ran for a touchdown, Greg caught two touchdowns
and Andy caught another before Coach Caffrey pulled the first string twenty
minutes into the game.  The score was 31-0 at that point.  Jake, Marcus,
Ian, Pete, Tim, and Jason along with Andy when we wanted three receivers,
continued our dominance of the Tigers.  Andy added two more touchdowns to
the score and Jason caught another.  The Tigers did manage to score once
before the end of the game.  The final score was 59-7 Wolverines.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Penny agreed to stop by the pizza place with my teammates before the
movie on Saturday evening.  Penny was allowed to use the family mini-van.
She gave Andy and his date, Shannon Phillips, a ride with us.

   Andy and Shannon found seats with Andy's friends.  Penny and I joined Ed
and Lindsey; Hal and Tammy; and Jeremy and Kathy.  It was just like old
times when our gang hung out together in eighth and ninth grade before we
were couples.  Penny and I had a blast over dinner.  We headed for the
movies with our friends.  Our four couples sat together at the movie. 
Penny and I found a little time during the slow parts of the movie to make
out.

   Penny gave Andy and Shannon a ride home when the movie was over.  It was
obvious from Shannon's smeared make up, Andy's and Shannon's flushed looks,
and Andy's prominent bulge in his pants that the two of them hadn't paid
much attention to their movie.  The two of them continued groping each
other and making out on the way home.

   I rode to Penny's house after we dropped Shannon off at her house and
Andy off at mine.  Penny invited me in for cup of hot chocolate before we
said good night.  Mr.  and Mrs.  Edwards were home.  I was worried how Mr.
Edwards would feel.  He and I hadn't seen each other much since Penny and I
spent the night together the previous summer.  Mr.  and Mrs.  Edwards
seemed really nice to me.

   Penny gave me a good night kiss on her front porch before I went home.
This night had been great.  It was much better being part of a couple than
trying to hook up with someone every Saturday night.

   Sunday's newspaper had the district playoff match-ups.  We were the
number two seed of the sixteen playoff teams.  We would play the 6-4
Governor Pinchot High School team that was the number fifteen seed.  At
9-1, Central was the number seven seed in the playoffs.  They would play
number nine seed 8-2 Gettysburg.

   Chapter 17

   ==========

   Matt Horn started me on new exercises on Monday morning.  He had me
using an exercise bike set on the easiest setting for half an hour.  My
goal over the next four weeks was to increase the flexibility of my knee
and to start to increase the strength in my knee.  Matt wanted me to put in
an hour a day on an exercise bike.  Mom had one in the basement so it
wasn't going to be a problem for me to that.  I asked when I would be able
to start lifting weights again.  Matt told me that would wait a few more
weeks.

   Penny and I hung out before and between classes.  We ate lunch together.
We shared three classes.  It was great to be able to spend time at school
with my girlfriend.  We studied together on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
evenings.

   The coaches introduced us to the game plan for our game on Friday night
with Governor Pinchot High School.  The Foresters had an excellent
quarterback.  Last year their defense was suspect but they had improved
dramatically this season.  Coach Wyndham and Coach Fisher drilled our
defense on playing their positions.  We expected to blitz often so every DB
would have to cover their man on their own.

   Coach Caffrey kept practice easy.  He wanted everyone well rested for
the playoffs.  The guys reviewed and walked through the plays in the game
plan but we didn't do any hitting.

   After practice on Wednesday Coach Caffrey called the whole team
together. He called for quiet.  "I imagine many of you know what I have in
my hand." He held up a piece of paper.  "The honors list has been released
for this season.  As suits an undefeated team, we have placed a few players
on this list.  Please come to the front of the group if I call your name.
I'll read the all-conference honors first.  Second String Free Safety -
Nick Zeimer.  Second String Outside Linebacker - Nathan Yuninger.  First
String Outside Linebacker - George Reynolds.  First String Defensive Tackle
- Joey Keller.  Second String Offensive Center - Adam Diem.  First String
Offensive Tackle - Jerry Morton.  First String Wide Receiver and First
String Punt Returner - Andrew Martin.  Second String Kicker - Hal Long. 
Let's give this gentleman three cheers." Our team cheered for our
teammates.

   Coach Caffrey continued, "Our team has increased its profile state-wide
and that is reflected on the All-State honors list.  We have placed three
members of our team on that prestigious list.  Would All-State First String
Linebacker Jeremy North please come forward." Jeremy came forward beside
Coach Caffrey to the sound of applause.  "Would All-State First Team Tight
End Greg Harrison come forward." Greg stood beside Jeremy.  "Would
All-State First Team Quarterback Ed Fritz please come forward."

   Everyone cheered and applauded my best friend.  Coach Caffrey asked,
"Let's have three cheers for Ed, Greg and Jeremy." The team cheered wildly
for my friends.

   Coach Caffrey called for quiet.  "There is one more team member I want
to recognize even though he isn't on the honors list.  `Coach' Martin,
please come forward." I blushed and came to the front.  Coach Caffrey put
one hand on my left shoulder.  "'Coach' is still our leading receiver even
though he only played half the games in our season.  He hasn't played in
the required minimum of seven games, so he isn't eligible for the honors
list.  I want to commend `Coach' for all the work he has done for the team
since his injury to help us be successful.  He helps Coach Baer instruct
the receivers.  Two days after his knee surgery `Coach' was studying the 30
game tapes I sent him to help the other coaches prepare for our potential
playoff opponents.  `Coach' deserves three cheers for every thing he does
on field and off to help our team." My friends and teammates cheered and
applauded me while I blushed again.

   Coach Caffrey dismissed the team.  He asked me to talk to him in his
office.  I followed him to his office and asked, "What's up Coach?"

   Coach Caffrey answered, "I want you to know Kyle that I meant every word
I said a couple minutes ago.  You are invaluable to this team."

   "Thanks for the compliment Coach."

   Coach Caffrey asked, "Are you all right with not making the honors list
Kyle?"

   "I'm a little disappointed.  I knew I wouldn't be on the list, but it
would be nice to get recognition for my play."

   "If you play next year like you did this year, you WILL be all-state
again."

   I replied, "Thanks for the encouragement Coach.  I appreciate it.  Can I
ask you one more question?"

   "Shoot." Coach Caffrey replied.

   "How did Trent Wilson and Christian Hunsecker do?  Are they on the
honors list?"

   "Wilson is All-Conference First String Cornerback.  Not surprisingly,
Hunsecker is All-State Second String Wide Receiver.  You should know that.
You have covered him."

   "Thanks Coach." I said as I walked out the door.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   The football boosters plastered the town with signs encouraging our team
to beat the Foresters.  The town was decorated in our red and white team
colors.  They put lawn signs in front of each player's house.  Our house
sported two.  Andy's said:

   +------------------+

   | All-Conference |

   | WR-PR |

   | 85 |

   | Andrew |

   | Martin |

   +------------------+

   Mine said:

   +------------------+

   | WR-Coach |

   | 87 |

   | Kyle |

   | Martin |

   +------------------+

   Everyone at school on Friday encouraged me and my teammates to beat
Pinchot that evening.  The school day dragged on too long.  I was anxious
for the game to start.  The team gathered for our final walk-through and
team dinner.  After dinner we boarded our busses for the ride to
Elizabethtown.

   The game was played at the college stadium.  I waited while my teammates
dressed for our game.  We headed outside to warm up.  I looked across the
field at the Pinchot players.  They didn't look particularly big.  I was
confident that our spread offense would work on them.  We headed back
inside for our final preparations.

   Coach Caffrey called for everyone's attention.  "Gentlemen.  Three and a
half months ago we set a goal for our team.  We want to play for the state
championship.  We completed the regular season undefeated.  That's
excellent.  It also means nothing tonight.  We are even with the other
fifteen teams in the district playoffs.  If we win tonight we get to play
again.  If we lose, we go home.  We need to play smart, disciplined, hard
hitting football if we are going to win.  Go out tonight and show the
Foresters what Wolverines football is all about.  Everyone circle up and
put your hands in."

   Greg yelled, "Where are we going?"

   Our team chanted "State Championship!"

   Greg yelled, "On three, Excellence.  1....  2....  3...."

   "EXCELLENCE!" we screamed.  We headed out for the introductions.  I
followed Justin, Coach Fisher and Coach Rodgers upstairs to the press box.
We settled in for the evening.

   Our team lost the coin toss.  Pinchot received the ball.  Pinchot's QB
played well against us last year.  He had improved since our last meeting.
He moved his team downfield crisply keeping our defense off balance.  He
used five runs and four passes to score the touchdown.  We were down 7-0
when they made the PAT.

   Ed and our offense took the field in our three receiver set.  We kept
the Foresters spread out.  We set them up with four straight running plays.
They bit on the bait on the fifth play, a play action pass.  Andy streaked
downfield behind the defensive backs and caught Ed's pass and carried it
into the end zone.  Hal made the PAT.  Score: 7-7

   We traded touchdowns in the first half.  On Pinchot's third possession
we managed to hold them to a field goal.  We ended up settling for a field
goal on our next possession too when Josh Babcock was called for holding on
third and goal.  The penalty called back the touchdown Greg had caught.

   The score was 24-24 with a 1:18 left in the half when we finally managed
to stop Pinchot from scoring on a drive.  We had a trick special teams play
planned for them.  We lined up with Tim Showalter deep on the left.  Andy
lined up deep on the right.  The Foresters punted the ball away from Andy
as we expected.  Tim caught the punt and started laterally across the
field. Andy ran past Tim and took the ball.  Two of the cover guys followed
Tim too far to the right.  Andy turned up field with the ball and shot
through the gap in the coverage.  Andy stiffed armed the punter and ran in
for a touchdown.  Hal kicked the PAT through to give us our first lead
31-24.

   We kicked the ball back to Pinchot.  Coach Wyndham disguised the
coverage enough to confuse their quarterback.  He still managed to push our
defense down the field, but not quickly enough to score before the half ran
out.

   The coaches and I talked during halftime.  We decided we had played
enough fast break football for the night.  It was time to play keep away.
We would use our big offensive line to pound the ball at them until their
defense was worn out.  This had the added benefit of keeping the ball out
of their quarterback's hands.

   Tim got us good field position on the second half kickoff.  We
threatened deep with Andy and Karl on most plays, but actually ran up the
gut of their defense.  We stuffed the ball in the end zone after 11 running
plays and 2 passes.  Hal kicked the PAT to bring the score to 38-24
Wolverines.

   Coach Wyndham started blitzing now that we had a 14 point lead.  The
defense kept Pinchot off balance enough that they had to settle for a field
goal.  We took the field and did another long pounding drive that used up 7
˝ minutes.  Andy finished the drive by catching a touchdown in the corner
of the end zone.  Hal brought the score to 45-27 when he booted the PAT
through the up rights.

   In spite of two sacks on their next drive, Pinchot managed to get the
ball in the end zone.  It was the last time they got to touch the ball.  Ed
alternated handing off to Drew and Marcus on an 8 minute, clock killing
drive.  Hal kicked a 21 yard field goal with three seconds left in the game
to bring the final score to 48-34 Wolverines favor.

   We celebrated our win a little, but only a little.  Everyone on the team
planned to play and win four more football games before our season was
over. Tonight was a good start for our playoff drive.

   I was hanging out in the locker room while my friends changed.  I was
sitting near Greg.  Greg asked, "Do you know what I'm doing this weekend?"

   "No, what?"

   "My parents and I are going to Boston College for an official visit
tomorrow.  We fly out of Harrisburg first thing in the morning.  The
college will pick us up at the airport and drive us straight to the game
with Syracuse tomorrow afternoon.  After that I have dinner with the coach.
They have offered me a full scholarship to play for them."

   I said, "That's great Greg.  Are you going to accept it?"

   "I don't know.  I did a visit to Maryland two weeks ago.  They are nice
too.  Purdue and North Carolina State have offered full scholarships.  I
have a visit to NC State in a few weeks and a visit to Purdue after
Christmas.  I'm going to keep my options open until then."

   "I'm happy for you.  I hope I get a chance to choose among a bunch of
scholarship offers next year."

   "You will Kyle.  You'll get your knee back in shape.  You will have more
schools recruiting you than you know what to do with.  Count on it." Greg
said.

   "Have fun this weekend.  Tell me about the visit next week so I know if
I should put them on my list of colleges." I answered.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   My scout troop was going on a backpacking trip that weekend.  Obviously
I wasn't going along.  I slept in on Saturday morning since I had nothing
pressing that I needed to do that day.  I thought about Ed, Hal, Jeremy and
Andy sweating as they slogged up the first mountain on their hike while I
enjoyed the warmth of my bed.

   I went downstairs and prepared my lunch.  I got a shock when I read the
newspaper.  Central had been routed last night.  They lost 45-3 to
Gettysburg.  I had studied the tapes of Gettysburg High School.  They had a
decent team, but certainly not good enough to do this to Central.

   I called Trent Wilson after I was finished with lunch.  When Trent
answered the phone I said, "Hi Trent.  It's Kyle."

   "Hi Kyle.  Congratulations on your victory."

   "Thanks.  I called to extend my sympathy about your loss.  What
happened?"

   Trent paused.  "I'm so pissed off.  Jay, our idiot quarterback, and his
buddies on the offensive line really screwed our team.  They got arrested
last Saturday at a party for underage drinking.  The six of them were
suspended from school for a week and kicked off the football team for the
rest of the year."

   "Is that what happened?  I'm sorry to hear it." I said.

   "We played the game last night with a sophomore starting his first game
at quarterback.  We had four sophomores and a freshman for our offensive
line.  Caleb is a good kid.  He'll be a good quarterback some day. 
Yesterday wasn't the day."

   "I'm really sorry Trent.  I expected we'd be playing you again this
year. This is a hell of a way to end your high school career."

   "IT SUCKS!" Trent answered vehemently.

   "Have you decided what you're going to do for college?" I asked,
desperately wanting to change the subject to something less sensitive for
Trent.

   "I'm going to accept the scholarship from the University of Delaware."

   "Congratulations.  I think you made a good choice Trent.  You'll enjoy
playing with Andy Groff.  He's a good friend of mine."

   "I met Andy on my official visit.  He was my guide." Trent explained. 
"Andy helped convince me to go to Delaware."

   Trent asked about my knee and how my recovery was going.  I filled him
in on my ups and downs.

   I asked, "Hey Trent.  Are you and Ashley interested in a double date
sometime?"

   Trent asked, "Have you given up on having a girlfriend in Iowa?"

   "It was Nebraska.  Yes I have Trent.  It just didn't work out."

   "Who are you dating now?" Trent asked.

   "Penny Edwards.  I don't think you have met her.  She was my first
girlfriend.  We have decided to give our relationship a second try."

   "I hope it works out for the two of you.  When do you want to do this
double date?"

   I explained, "After my team is done with football.  Maybe over Christmas
break."

   Trent asked skeptically, "After football?  You aren't playing now."

   "I'm still a part of the team.  I teach the other receivers techniques
to improve their game.  I help the coaches in the press box.  I do whatever
I can to help our team win."

   Trent said, "I'm happy for you Kyle.  Who do you play next week?"

   I smiled.  "Pottsville.  We get our chance for revenge for them knocking
us out of the playoffs last year.  I can't wait."

   "I'll be rooting for you guys from now on.  Good luck next Friday night.
Keep in touch.  We'll set up the double date with Penny when you're ready."

   "Thanks Trent.  Talk to you later."

   "Bye Kyle."

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--

   Penny and I went out for dinner together on Saturday night.  We settled
on Friendlys.  It was within my fairly limited budget.  Penny and I talked
about her role in the play.  Aunt Mabel, Penny's part, and Aunt Abby were
key roles in the play.  She and Kaitlin Summers, who played Aunt Abby,
poisoned their boarders one by one during the course of the play.  Harry
Zimmerman, who played their nephew Mortimer, tried to cover up the murders.


   Play practice was going to start right after Thanksgiving.  Penny was
going to get very busy about the time I was done with football.  The two of
us agreed to try to make as much time as possible for each other.  I agreed
to help Penny memorize her lines for the play.  It would give me some time
with her.

   I told Penny about some of the colleges I wanted to attend if they
offered me a scholarship.  Penny had her heart set on the University of
Pennsylvania.  They have an excellent veterinary program.  Penny had
decided to become a veterinarian.  I was about 95% sure I wanted to be a
teacher and football coach.  Occasionally I still thought about becoming an
architect.

   We headed out to Penny's mini-van after I paid for our dinner.  It was
around 7 o'clock.  I asked, "What so you want to do tonight?"

   "How about bowling Kyle?" Penny asked.

   "Not for a few more weeks.  My therapist says I should avoid that sort
of activity for another month.  How about stopping by Blockbuster for a
video?"

   "No, we've done that a lot lately." Penny said.

   "Maybe we could find some privacy and ..."

   Penny smiled.  "That could be fun Kyle.  Are your parents home?"

   "Yes.  How about yours?"

   Penny answered, "Mine are home too."

   "We could find somewhere to park.  You know, make out and uh... you
know."

   Penny giggled.  "You don't need to be so polite.  You'd like to screw.
You can say it Kyle.  I'd like to do that too."

   "OK.  I'd like to screw, get laid, to fuck; what ever term you want to
use.  I haven't had many opportunities since Julie went to Nebraska."

   "I know the feeling Kyle.  I haven't slept with anyone since Brandon and
I broke up Labor Day weekend until last weekend.  Do you know where we
could go?"

   I smiled.  "I know of a place we can park with lots of privacy.  It's a
dirt lane south of Strasburg.  I'll tell you how to get there."

   Penny and I headed south for the spot Trent and I used last year with
our girlfriends.  Penny and I had three hours until our curfew.  We used
nearly every minute of our time to pleasure each other.

   I ate her pussy until she had multiple orgasms.  She fellated me until I
shot a load of cum down her throat.  We joined our bodies together three
times.  By the time we orgasmed the final time we were completely spent. 
Satisfied, satiated, but exhausted.  Penny and I cuddled together for a few
minutes before we dressed and headed for home.

   On the way home I said to Penny, "I'm the luckiest guy in the world to
be with you.  I love you."

   "I'm happy that we are back together Kyle.  I haven't had anyone do that
to me that well since we broke up last year."

   "I'm glad you enjoyed it Penny.  I hope you don't mind being on top all
the time.  It will be awhile before me knee is strong enough to kneel."

   "I'll manage Kyle.  Some how I'll manage." Penny answered.  She drove us
home.  We made sure we looked presentable before we went back to our
houses.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   The coaches introduced everyone to the game plan for Pottsville on
Monday afternoon.  The plan wasn't really much different than what we
planned for last year's playoff game.  The coaches did add a few more
running plays we thought would work if we faced bad weather again.  We
didn't expect that kind of storm this year.

   Pottsville's players were big, but didn't look particularly fast.  We
were going to spread them out and make them worry about the deep pass to
Andy or Drew.  Then Drew and Marcus will have room to run the ball on them.
All we needed to make the plan work was decent weather.

   Coach Caffrey kept the workouts easy during the week.  The guys walked
through the plays and learned to recognize Pottsville's tendencies.  The
only real work at practice was our traditional three mile run that always
concluded practice.  No one on the team was bothered by the runs after
three and half months of them.

   Wednesday afternoon Coach Caffrey wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving
holiday and told us to be back to the school by 5 pm on Friday for the team
dinner and bus ride to Elizabethtown.

   Will and Abby came home on Wednesday night while Penny and I were
reading lines for Penny's play.  I gave Abby a hug and kiss when they
arrived.

   Will asked, "How's your knee little brother?"

   "It's getting better shorty." I answered to my older, two inch shorter
brother.  I filled Abby and Will in my progress at rehabilitating my knee.

   Abby said, "I'm surprised to see you here tonight Penny."

   Penny answered, "Kyle and I have been studying together a few times a
week since school started."

   I gave my girlfriend a kiss.  "We're doing more than studying together.
Penny agreed to be my girlfriend again.  We've been a couple the last two
weeks."

   Abby said, "Congratulations.  I'm happy for you."

   Will added, "That's good.  My brother has excellent taste in women." We
talked about the happenings at school and around town for a few minutes. 
Penny and I filled Will and Abby on what the Venturer Crew was doing.

   Will asked, "Are you planning to work at scout camp next summer."

   I answered, "Of course."

   Will asked, "Still planning on working in aquatics?"

   "If Joe still wants me." I replied.

   Will smiled.  "You'll be working in aquatics Kyle.  Do you have Trent
Wilson's phone number?  I need to talk to him too." I gave Will Trent's
number.  Will asked, "Where's Andy at?"

   "He went to Shannon Phillips' house tonight to, uh... study.  At least
he claims they are studying.  Andy is working on convincing Shannon to go
steady with him." I explained.

   Will answered, "I know.  Andy told me about Shannon in his last e-mail."
Will gave Penny a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  "I'm glad you're back with
my brother Penny.  It's good to have you as a part of the family.  I'll see
you later, I have to take Abby home and make a few phone calls."

   Penny and I went back to reading lines.  I had a bed time snack with
Penny before she headed for home.  I was upstairs in my bedroom when Will
found me again.

   Will asked, "Do you have a few minutes?"

   "Sure."

   "I wanted to talk to you about scout camp.  I had a couple things to
settle before I could tell you my news.  Joe Gieger won't be back at camp
this summer."

   "Jeez.  Who is going to be the Aquatics Director?" I asked.

   Will smiled.  "I am.  I've been talking with Mr.  Holloway for a few
weeks.  We want to get the senior staff positions filled early.  It will
give us a chance to improve training for the rest of the camp staff if we
settle these kinds of things early."

   "Congratulations Will."

   Will asked, "Do you want to work at the boat yard again or at the pool?"

   "I had fun at the boat yard last summer.  I'd like to work there again
if I can.  Who is going to be in charge there?  Is Justin going to do it?"
I asked.  I was referring to Justin Finnegan, who worked at the boat yard
for two summers with Will.

   "No.  Jim Hardy isn't coming back.  Justin will be my assistant director
for the pool.  You will be working with Trent if that is OK with you. 
Trent is going to be the assistant director for the boat yard."

   "Cool!  It sounds like I'm going to have fun next summer.  Trent and I
will make a good team." I said.

   "I'm counting on the two of you." Will said.  Will headed next door to
the bedroom he shared with Andy when he was home.

   Dad, Will, Andy and I sacked out in the family room watching football on
TV all Thanksgiving afternoon.  Mr.  and Mrs.  Hendricks and Abby came over
later in the afternoon.  Mr.  Hendricks joined us so he could watch the
game.  Will headed for the kitchen so he could spend time with his fiancé.

   Mom, Mrs.  Hendricks, Abby and Liz outdid themselves with our dinner. 
Everything was delicious.  I wished Penny could have joined us.  She went
to her grandparent's house for the day.

   We had just finished the pumpkin pie when Dad asked, "When are you
allowed to drive Kyle?"

   "About a week and a half from now." I answered.

   Dad asked, "That's what I thought Kyle.  How many more hours on the road
do you need?"

   "Eight hours." I answered.

   Dad said, "That's what I thought.  You and I are going car shopping
tomorrow."

   "Cool!  Thanks Dad!" I exclaimed.

   "Don't get too excited Kyle.  This is a third car for the family, not
your personal car.  You will share it with Andy when he is old enough to
drive.  That's only a little more than a year away." Dad said.

   "I like the idea of us getting another car, but can I ask why now?"

   Mom answered, "My boss is getting tired of how often I have to take off
from work to take you to rehab.  Your father and I want to help you get the
last hours of driving practice in as soon as possible so you can drive
yourself to rehab."

   Andy interjected, "If this new car is for me too, can I go along when
you shop for it?"

   Dad answered, "It's a used car Andrew and yes you may go along."

   "Cool.  Thanks Dad." Andrew answered.

   Dad added, "I want both of you boys to understand what I am looking for.
I want an old, cheap car with high mileage."

   "Any car sounds good Dad." I said.

   This surprise development certainly added to my enjoyment of the holiday
meal.  I was going to have access to a car at least three days a week to
drive to school.  That's really cool.

   Mom dropped me off at the Orthopedic Center while she and Liz went to
the mall.  I did my rehab with Matt while they were gone.  I had to wait
awhile after rehab was done until Mom returned to take me home.  We got
home in time for lunch.

   I had hoped to spend the afternoon with Penny but she, her sister Niki
and her mom went shopping on Black Friday.  I don't know why they like
shopping so much.  I wouldn't go within ten miles of a mall on that day.

   Will gave Andy, Ed and me a ride to the school for our team dinner
Friday.  The football boosters put on a nice spread of food for us.  It was
fun having dinner with our teammates.  We treated the meal as our team's
"Thanksgiving" dinner.  Everyone loaded their gear in the busses after
dinner.  We headed west for Elizabethtown College.  This was our sixth game
there in three years.  It was beginning to feel like our home field.

   I followed my friends out to watch warm ups.  The stands were filling
with our fans dressed in red and white and with fans dressed in crimson for
the Pottsville Crimson Tide.

   I could make out a few stars in the sky through the flood of lights in
the stadium.  It was warm for the day after Thanksgiving.  The temperature
had almost hit 60 during the day.  The weather forecast said it would drop
down into the high 40's overnight.  There wasn't any breeze.  This weather
was a complete contrast to last year's blizzard when we lost to Pottsville.
I hoped the weather was an omen of good fortune for us.

   The coaches herded the team back into the locker room for the final talk
before our game.  As had become tradition over the past three years, Coach
Caffrey invited past team members to meet with us before the game.  Zack
Hayes was asked to give the pre-game pep talk.

   Zack said, "I'm honored to address you today.  I thought it wasn't that
long ago that I played here, but I only see nine of you who were my
teammates when we first went to the playoffs two years ago.  When I come
back next year there will be one player left who played with me.  It
reminds how quickly a high school football career passes by.  You are in
the hunt for the state championship this year.  You never know if you will
be back again.  Play hard and do your best to take advantage of the
opportunity you have.  I've played football long enough to know we have a
great coach in Coach Caffrey.  I know he has an excellent game plan ready
for you.  Go out there and execute.  Take full advantage of the opportunity
in front of you."

   Greg and Ed lead our team in our excellence cheer.  We mingled with the
past players for a few minutes until it was time for the introductions.  I
talked with Rick Winters, Stan Humphreys and Andy Groff.  Zack's brother
Sam made it along with Andy's older brother Bill.  I saw Sam, Bill and
Justin swapping stories from their playoff run a few years ago.  We headed
outside after five minutes.

   Pottsville won the coin toss.  Hal kicked the ball into the end zone and
the Crimson Tide started on the 20 yard line.  Pottsville's first drive
didn't provide us with any surprises.  They still had a big offensive line
and liked to run the ball at you.  Their top two runners split time at
tailback.  Joey, Travis, Luke and Austin, our defensive line, held their
own against Pottsville's offensive line.  They kept Jeremy, George and
Nathan free to plug up holes and stop the running plays.

   We stopped them after a nine play drive that gained 26 yards.  They
punted the ball back to my brother.  Andy made the first two tacklers miss
and gained twenty-one yards to put us on our 46 yard line.

   Coach Caffrey wanted to remind the Tide about our deep game immediately.
We did a play action pass.  Pottsville covered Andy with a cornerback and
the free safety.  The rest of the defense crowded the line to stop Drew's
fake "run".  Andy out ran the cornerback and jumped over the free safety to
grab the pass.  Andy dragged the safety five yards downfield before help
came to tackle him.  Andy had gained 46 yards to put us on Pottsville's 9
yard line.

   We made a very loud statement to Pottsville.  We pounded the ball right
up the middle on them on three successive plays to score a touchdown.  Hal
kicked the PAT to make the score 7-0 Wolverines.

   Pottsville responded on the next drive.  They took the ball at their 22
yard line and ran it at us; sometimes inside, sometimes outside.  It took
them 13 plays, but they pushed our defense back into our red zone (inside
our 20 yard line).  With the short field, our safeties could play up.  We
managed to stop them on third and short.  They kicked a field goal to bring
the score to 7-3 Wolverines.

   Tim took the kickoff out to our 27 yard line.  Coach Caffrey called for
an off-tackle run.  The Tide's players lined up.  Drew blasted into their
line for a six yard gain.

   Justin nudged me in the ribs and asked, "Dude, did you see that?"

   "Yeah.  They are playing with a nickel back and only two linebackers." I
answered.  We called down to the field and reported our finding to Coach
Graham.

   On the next play Andy was sent deep downfield as a decoy.  Drew picked
up eight yards and a first down.  We continued calling for running plays.
It took us 10 runs and two passes to get down to first and goal on
Pottsville's 6 yard line.  We faked a run up the middle.  Greg started
blocking and then slipped behind the linebacker.  Ed found him in the
middle of the end zone for a touchdown.  Hal put us up 14-3 when he made
the PAT.

   Pottsville took the ball back and continued running at us.  Our d-line
kept our linebackers free to plug the running lanes.  They managed to move
the ball down to our 18 yard line before we finally stopped them They
booted a field goal to narrow our lead to 14-6.

   We traded long possessions through the rest of the first half.  Drew and
Marcus carried most of the load.  They were averaging 6 yards a carry.  We
mixed in short passes to Greg and Karl to keep the Tide off balance.  We
scored touchdowns while they scored field goals.  The score was 21-9 when
the first half ended.

   Justin, Coach Fisher, Coach Rodgers and I headed down to the locker room
to talk about our second half strategy with the team.  Andy was sitting in
a corner of the locker room, looking forlorn.

   I asked, "What's wrong Andy?"

   "I suck.  I'm letting the team down.  One reception and no touchdowns. I
know I can do more to help than this.  Ed isn't throwing anything my way."

   I replied, "No, it's not like that Andy.  You were a big help in the
game."

   "Don't bullshit me Kyle.  I'm useless." Andy declared.

   "Andy, look at me." My brother stared up at me.  "What's more important
to you?  Your stats or our team winning?"

   Andy furrowed his brow.  "Well, winning."

   "Good answer.  You've noticed that you are double covered on every play
right?"

   Andy said, "I know.  I can usually beat double coverage."

   "Did you notice that the free safety always drops back deeper than your
route?"

   "No" Andy answered.

   "Pottsville is so afraid of you catching a deep pass that they have
three guys covering you.  You don't get the ball because they are selling
out on the run.  Drew already has 97 yards.  Marcus has another 74.  In the
second half Pottsville will have to put another linebacker on the field
instead of a nickel back.  You'll get your chance in the second half." I
explained.

   "Do you really think so Kyle?"

   "I guarantee it.  Watch for the switch in their personnel.  You are
going to get your deep balls when the nickel back leaves the game."

   Andy looked a little more comfortable.  "I hope your right."

   "I will be.  You just be patient Andy.  Be ready when we go to you
again."

   Coach Caffrey gave a brief pep talk before we took the field again.  He
predicted that we would win handily if we continued playing the way we did.

   The second half unfolded pretty much the way I had predicted.  We took
the kickoff and marched up field with six straight running plays.  The
Crimson Tide pulled the nickel back and put in a third linebacker.  Coach
Caffrey went for the jugular on the next play.  Andy hauled in the deep
pass, broke the free safety's tackle and streaked into the end zone.  Hal
made the score 28-9 Wolverines.  I looked down at my brother talking
animatedly with his teammates and high fiving everyone within reach.

   Pottsville decided that they needed to start scoring in a hurry.  They
tried their passing game, but to little success.  They punted the ball back
to us after six unproductive plays.  Our offense kept Pottsville off
balance after that.  We mixed the runs and passes up.  Andy scored a second
touchdown.  Greg and Drew also scored touchdowns.  The final score was
49-23 Wolverines favor.

   Our fans flooded the field to celebrate our victory.  The original 64
teams in the state playoffs were down to eight teams.  Our goal was
starting to look possible.  Justin and I headed down to the field.  I hung
with Justin as he sought out Bill Groff and Sam Hayes.  The three of them
exchanged hugs.

   Bill was studying to be a pharmacist like his father.  Sam teased Justin
about becoming a coach, since he couldn't cut it as a player.  Justin
teased Sam about all the splinters he was collecting as the third string
quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.

   I spotted Zack Hayes huddled with Ed and Jake half way across the field.
I started across to meet my friends.  I didn't make it.  I was part way
their when I got a slap on the back.  I turned to see who it was.

   Andy was standing beside me grinning.  "You were right Kyle.  Thanks for
believing in me." Andy gave me a hug.

   "Hey, that's my territory." I turned and spotted Penny.  I hugged her
and gave her a kiss.  Shannon Phillips followed Penny.  She kissed Andy. 
Andy hugged her and picked her up off the ground.  Will, Abby, Mom, Dad and
Liz arrived at our group.

   Andy turned to me, grinning.  "You were right Kyle.  Things worked out
exactly like you said they would.  Thanks for helping me keep the faith."

   "No problem Andy.  I'm glad you had a good game."

   Andy and I talked with our girlfriends and family for a few minutes.  I
asked Penny, "Do you want to hit the pizza place and the movies tomorrow
night?"

   "Sure, that sounds good honey." Penny answered.

   "Can you drive?"

   Penny answered, "No, I can't get a car tomorrow night."

   "I'll see if we can get a ride with Ed or Jeremy.  Does that sound
good?" I asked.

   "Yes.  That'll be fun." Penny replied.  I gave her a kiss and started
for the locker room with Andy.

   I met up with Zack Hayes as I was entering the locker room.  We finally
had a chance to visit.  We talked about my knee injury for a couple
minutes. I eventually got around to the question that I had been worrying
about since my injury.

   "Zack, I know you can't talk specifics about me playing for Penn State.
Hypothetically, suppose there is this junior wide receiver who blew out his
ACL.  How would that affect his chances of getting a scholarship?"

   "Hypothetically?  I guess I can answer that question.  We don't have
many scholarships to hand out each year.  I'm sure the coaches would be
concerned about how the receiver was recovering.  If there was a way to
demonstrate his recovery, it would certainly help." Zack explained.

   "Do you have any ideas how I... uh, that receiver could do that?"

   "Penn State runs football camps in June.  There is one called Senior
Camp.  It runs for one weekend near the end of June.  The coaches and some
past players work with you at one position.  It would be a good place for
the hypothetical receiver to demonstrate that he has recovered from his
knee injury.  Is that enough time for this hypothetical receiver?" Zack
asked with a wink and a grin.

   "I think it could work." I answered.

   Zack smiled broadly and added, "You might want to come for Senior Camp
yourself Kyle.  I learned a lot from it when I went three years ago."

   "Thanks for the suggestion Zack.  I'll probably do that."

   Our team was gathered when I got inside.  Coach Caffrey awarded game
balls to Nathan, Jeremy and George for their superb work keeping
Pottsville's runners from dominating the game.  He also awarded a game ball
to Drew for his outstanding game.  Drew ended up with 188 yards on 24
carries.

   I arranged things with Ed.  He would give Penny and me a ride to the
movies tomorrow night.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   Dad dragged Andy and me out of bed at 8 am on Saturday.  He wanted to
get an early start to the search for another car.  Andy and I showered and
had a quick breakfast.  Dad had us on the road by 9 am.

   We spent most of the day covering what seemed like a hundred used car
lots in Lancaster, Berks, Lebanon and Dauphin counties.  We saw Fords,
Chevys, Toyotas, Nissans, Dodges and VW's.

   It was mid-afternoon when we finally found it.  It was a cherry red VW
Golf.  The car was 12 years old and had 94,000 miles.  The price was within
Dad's price range.  We went for a test drive.  Dad was pleased with how it
ran.  Dad agreed to buy it.  He and Mom would return Monday night to sign
the papers and pick up the car.  Andy and I were exhausted by the process
of finding a car but pleased with result.  The car was kind of old, but
still looked good.  We wouldn't get teased about our wheels when we showed
up at school in it.

   Andy and I barely had time to shower and get changed for our dates.  Mr.
Phillips arrived with Shannon before Ed was ready to leave.  Mr.  Phillips
gave Andy and Shannon a ride to the movies.  I headed down the street to
pick up Penny and meet Ed.

   Penny and I hung with Ed, Lindsey, Jeremy, Kathy, Hal and Tammy.  It was
almost like old times.  Lindsey had made a good substitute for Ed's
ex-girlfriend Stefany Horst in the last eleven months.  She fit in with our
gang of friends.  We had dinner together and then headed to the movies. 
This Saturday wasn't as much fun as making love to Penny the previous
Saturday, but it was fun.  The new car promised that Penny and I could have
a lot more Saturday evenings like last weekend.

   I finally got to look at the newspaper when I got home from my date.  I
checked the sports section immediately.  South Western had beaten
Gettysburg to take the other playoff slot left in our district.  The paper
said we would play them next Saturday morning at Hershey Stadium.

   Andy arrived home about ten minutes after me.  He had a huge grin on his
face.  I teased, "Why so sad Andy?"

   Oblivious to my comment, Andy answered, "Shannon agreed to go steady
with me tonight.  Isn't it great?"

   "I thought the two of you were going steady already."

   "No, we dated a lot, but we weren't exclusive."

   "I'm happy for you Andy.  Are you going to be more careful about seeing
other girls while you go steady with Shannon?"

   "I've learned my lesson Kyle.  One girl at a time."

   "I hope this works our Andy." I said.  I finished the piece of pie I had
for my bed time snack and went upstairs to bed.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom took me to rehab Monday morning.  It wasn't nearly as much fun to go
to rehab when we didn't have school.  Officially the day was an in-service
day for the teachers, but it really was a day off for all the guys who went
hunting.  If the school district had tried to have school that day, half of
the guys in middle school and high school would have been missing for the
first day of deer hunting season.

   Matt Horn was pleased with my progress so far.  He had me ride the
exercise bike for an hour and then I did my flexibility exercises.  Matt
and I talked for a little bit while I worked about the Wolverines and our
playoff run.

   Mom dropped me off in front of our house and then headed back to work.
It was around lunch time.  I headed inside.  Andy was finishing his lunch.

   Andy grabbed his coat and said, "Now that you're here, I can go.  Liz
and Dave are in the family room watching TV.  Shannon has the house to
herself, so I'm going over there for some fun."

   I cocked my head, stared him in the eye and asked, "You have protection
right?"

   Andy patted his pants pocket.  "I'm prepared." He sighed.  "Not that
I'll need them."

   I arched my eyebrow.  "Oh?"

   "Shannon is a virgin.  She isn't sure about having sex yet." Andy
shrugged his shoulders.  "Hey, it's better if she gives me a hand job than
doing it myself." Andy paused.  I started to speak.  Andy interrupted me
and continued.  "Before you say it Kyle, I know.  Take it slow it with
Shannon.  Be patient.  She will come around eventually.  I'm doing that."

   "That's good Andy.  I'm glad." I confirmed.

   "Damn, it's hard.  I haven't fucked in a month and a half.  It's the
longest I've gone since my first time last year."

   I asked, "Do you still believe me when I tell you it's better when you
do it with a girl you love?"

   "I said I haven't fucked since Heather and I broke up.  I didn't say I
didn't have a couple opportunities since then.  I'm waiting until Shannon
and I have a solid relationship before we have sex."

   "That's good.  Have fun Andy." I said.  Andy hopped on his bike and
headed to Shannon's house.

   I called Penny and told her the coast was clear at my house.  She said
she would be over in half an hour.  I made myself some lunch while I waited
for my lover.  I checked on Davey and Liz.  They were engrossed in an old
TV show on TV Land.

   I met Penny at the door when she arrived.  We kissed.  I turned and
headed for the stairs.  Penny stopped and looked at me.  "Kyle.  You aren't
using crutches anymore."

   I turned back to her smiling.  "My knee feels pretty good.  Matt, my
therapist, wanted me to try walking without the crutch.  I think I'm doing
pretty well."

   "You are Kyle.  I'm happy for you." Penny said.  We headed upstairs,
Penny in the lead, me limping up the stairs after her.

   Penny and I spent half an hour making out and slowly undressing for each
other.  We used our lips, tongues and fingers to slowly build our partner's
excitement.  We moved on to a long intense 69 session.  Penny squealed when
I brought her to orgasm.  When she recovered she swallowed my cock as she
deep throated me.  I squirted a load of cum down her throat.

   Penny and I held each other for a few minutes, kissing and fondling each
other.  I rolled on my back when I was hard.  Penny climbed on top of me
and sank down on my hard erection.  My bed shook as Penny rose off my rod
and drove herself back down onto it.

   I pulled Penny's head down to me so I could kiss her while she screwed
herself on my cock.  I had enough leverage to push back against her as her
pussy swallowed my cock each time.

   I played with Penny's breasts when she sat back up.  By now Penny was
flushed and breathing hard.  I switched to her clitoris.  Penny continued
driving herself onto my seven inches of cock.  I teased but didn't
stimulate her clit yet.  I wanted this to last until I came too.  I rubbed
her love button when my groin started to tingle.

   Penny groaned, "Ooohhh....  GOD!" and squirmed.  I drove my hips up,
slamming my cock into her depths.  Penny slid over the edge into ecstasy.
Her pussy squeezed my cock.  It was all I needed to orgasm too.  I sprayed
my seed all over my lover's insides while her pussy clenched around my
cock. Penny and I collapsed together in a sweaty heap on my bed.

   I thought I heard giggling over Penny's panting.  Penny stared into my
eyes.  She started to speak when we heard a thump against my bedroom door.
Penny exclaimed "Shit!"

   We heard my sister whisper, "Sssshhhh!  They'll hear us."

   I quietly said to Penny, "We have company listening in on us." Penny
nodded.  "Davey... Liz... Are you out there?"

   Silence.  "Liz?" I asked.

   My sister answered hesitantly.  "Yes Kyle."

   "Davey?" I asked.

   Davey spit out, "Liz, I've got go home."

   "DON'T MOVE!" I commanded.  Two "OK's" came from the other side of my
door.  I asked, "Can you talk with Liz for me?  You'll probably be able to
explain things better from a woman's perspective than I can.  I'll talk to
Davey."

   Penny answered, "OK." As she climbed off of me.  She mopped up the cum
dribbling out of her pussy with a couple Kleenexes and dressed.

   "We will be out in a minute to talk to the two of you.  Stay put." I
commanded.  I pulled my boxers and jeans on.  I looked over at Penny.  She
was dressed.  "Ready?" She nodded yes.

   I opened the door.  Two very embarrassed kids awaited us.  Both were
looking down, avoiding eye contact with us.  I said, "Liz, why don't you go
downstairs with Penny to talk.  Davey, come with me." I motioned for him to
come in my bedroom.  Liz followed Penny downstairs.  Davey followed me to
my bed.  He sat down beside me.  I saw a very noticeable lump in the crotch
of his pants.  He tried to keep it covered with his hands.

   "Davey, you understand why Penny and I are mad at you and Liz?"

   Davey looked at me.  "Liz and I shouldn't have spied on you while you
were... uh..."

   "Having sex." I said, finishing his sentence.  Davey blushed.  "I
understand that you're curious about sex.  That's normal at your age.  It
wasn't polite to try and listen in on us Davey."

   "I was just wondering... what is it... like?"

   "It's really special when you do it with a woman you love.  You'll see
eventually when you get older." I said reassuringly.

   "Why do you say `when I'm older'?  Three of my friends have... uh,
fucked already."

   "Really?" I asked.  "Who?"

   "Josh... uh, Matt... and Cody." Davey answered quietly.  Davey was
referring to his twelve year old friends Cody Stevens, Josh Strickler and
Matt Sauder.  Josh and Cody had been in my patrol with Davey last year. 
Matt was the same age as the other boys but had been in Ed's patrol.

   "Do you believe them Davey?"

   "Shouldn't I?  Cody said he did it with his brother's girlfriend last
summer." Davey answered.  I nodded my head no.  "He'd lie about that?"

   "Guys bullshit, uh, brag with each other about sex.  It's how guys are.
Do you really believe that Rob Stevens' twenty year old fiancé Cindy would
sleep with a twelve year old kid?"

   "Uh, when you put it that way, I guess not."

   "Look Davey..."

   Dave interrupted, "I go by Dave."

   "Sorry Dave.  You are starting to grow up.  You're going to be a
teenager soon."

   "Next week."

   "OK, you'll be a teenager next week.  You think about girls now.  You
get erections." I pointed at the bulge in his pants.  Dave blushed and
grinned at me.  "You're curious about sex.  It's normal.  In a few weeks
when football is over Liz will be coming straight home from school.  I
assume the two of you expect to hang out together?"

   "I think so." Dave said.

   "You and Liz need to give Penny and me privacy when we want to make
love. After school is one of the few times we can get together."

   "You said you are in love with Penny.  Does that mean you want to marry
her?" Dave asked.

   "That's a good question Davey.  Um, Dave.  If we were older, I think we
might be married.  We are only sixteen and that's too young for that.  You
and Liz are way too young for any of the things that Penny and I do."

   "I guess." Dave answered.

   "I know you don't have a big brother the way I do.  You can talk to me
about any of this Dave: how to talk to a girl, jerking off, kissing, making
out, condoms, and anything else about sex.  I'll try to help you, as best I
can."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I'm sorry we spied on you today." Dave said.  "Can I go
now?" I nodded yes.  Dave took off like he was fired from a cannon.

   Penny and I traded information about our talks with Liz and Dave.  Penny
had told Liz she was welcome to talk to her about sex and boys anytime.  I
felt better knowing my sister had a more experienced girl to talk to about
sex.

   I watched Dave Mitchell at scouts on Monday night.  I was curious if our
talk would affect the way he was around me.  Dave seemed to be OK.

   I spent about fifteen minutes sitting in `my new car' when I got home
from scouts.  I knew it wasn't really `my car' but with three cars and
soon-to-be three drivers, it wasn't going to be hard to share the car with
Andy for the next year and a half.  I couldn't wait until I was allowed to
drive again.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   The coaches went over the game plan for South Western on Tuesday after
school.  The plan wasn't really different from what we had done when we
played Central, the Braves and Governor Pinchot.  I thought about it a
little when we started practice.

   I grabbed Justin while the guys took a water break.  "I have an idea for
something a little different to defend against South Western.  Do you think
I should talk to Coach Caffrey or Coach Wyndham?"

   "What's you idea?" Justin asked.  I explained what I had in mind based
on studying their stats and videos.  "I think we need to talk to Coach
Caffrey."

   The team continued practicing with Coach Graham, Coach Rodgers and Coach
Fisher while the rest of us went inside to the conference room.

   Coach Caffrey said, "OK Kyle, what's your idea?"

   "I've been studying South Western for a few weeks.  You know how they
run the ball?  They average 5 yards a carry and 41 carries a game.  They
are going to score a lot of points if we can't stop the run.  I think we
need to concentrate on stopping the run.  Let them pass if they want."

   Coach Wyndham said, "No, that's where you're wrong Kyle.  They have one
of the top rated quarterbacks in the state.  He's thrown 20 touchdown
passes this season.  His QB rating is 98.  We can't ignore him."

   "I'm not explaining myself very well.  We don't ignore him.  Nick Zeimer
isn't the fastest guy on our team but he's a great tackler.  We put him
deep on the field.  Nick's job is to tackle anyone who manages to catch the
ball.  The QB throws 11 times a game with only 5 completions.  They average
2 touchdowns on 5 completions.  If we let them have the completions but
make sure they are tackled immediately then the completions don't really
matter."

   Coach Caffrey said, "Hmmm... that's interesting."

   Justin added, "With ten guys up close to the line, they are going to
have a lot of trouble moving the ball on the ground."

   Coach Wyndham looked skeptical.  "It seems risky.  I don't think so."

   I said, "Their QB only completes 44% of his passes.  He throws an
interception for every six pass completions.  Why shouldn't we encourage
him to pass?"

   Coach Caffrey said, "That's a good question Kyle.  I'm going to think
about this overnight.  We have enough time this week to make this change.
Thanks for the suggestion Kyle."

   We headed back out and watched the rest of the day's practice.

   On Wednesday Coach Caffrey announced our change in plans to defend
against South Western.  Coach Caffrey pretty much adopted my suggestion, at
least for the beginning of the game.  If we got a two touchdown lead, we
would go back our normal defense.

   Penny and I spent time each evening studying together.  I worked with
her one evening reading lines for the play in January.

   My teammates looked sharp at our practices on Thursday and Friday. 
Coach Caffrey warned everyone to get a good night of sleep for tomorrow's
game.

   Penny and I went to the movies on Friday night.  I kept it a short
night. I wanted to be sharp for the morning too.  We parked near home after
the movie and made out a little before we went home.

  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Dad checked on Andy and me to make sure we were getting up at 6 am.  I
let Andy shower first while I ate breakfast.  Andy ate while I showered. 
Dad drove us over to the school.  My teammates gathered up their equipment
and boarded the busses for Hershey Stadium.

   The weather was cold.  Frost covered the ground.  The sky was clear and
shades of orange and pink painted the eastern horizon.  This was going to
be a good day for our spread offense.

   The stands were filling with spectators when we came out to warm up. 
Hershey Stadium was a huge old concrete oval stadium.  It had seating for
20,000 persons.  One section of the stadium was filling with fans dressed
in South Western's black garb.  Our fans sat on the opposite side of the
field dressed in our red and white.  The stadium was half filled with fans
by the time for the coin toss that began the game.

   We won the coin toss.  Tim put us in good field position on the kickoff.
Ed led our team down the field in a nine play drive; five runs and four
passes.  Andy put us in position to score with a thirty-two yard catch.  He
was shoved out of bounds at the five yard line.  Drew ran wide left and
scored on the next play.  Hal made the PAT to bring the score to 7-0
Wolverines.

   Hal booted the ball into the end zone on the kickoff so the Mustangs
started on their 20 yard line.  They ran at us three straight plays for
gains of 4, 3 and -1 yards.  Our ten men up defense worked.  South Western
punted the ball back to my brother.

   Andy took the ball on our 46 yard line and ran left to get behind the
wall of blockers we set up on the left side of the field.  He followed his
blockers for about ten yards.  A hole opened up in the coverage.  Andy shot
through and sprinted down field.  He made the first tackler miss, stiff
armed the punter and carried the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. 
Hal booted the ball through the uprights for the point after.  Score: 14-0
Wolverines.

   The Mustangs took the kickoff out to their 22 yard line.  They ran at us
twice.  On third down and three yards, they ran a play action pass.  Nick
paid attention and didn't go for the fake.  Seth Vogel and Dylan Masterson
fell back with the receivers they covered.  Nick ran for the receiver Seth
was covering when the quarterback launched a 25 yard pass to him.  The pass
was too high and went incomplete.  South Western punted the ball back to
us.

   Andy had to fair catch the ball because the Mustangs had good coverage.
We started our second possession on our 38 yard line.  Ed used twelve
plays, six runs and six passes to move our team down the field for our next
touchdown.  Greg caught the touchdown in the middle of the end zone when
the Mustangs over committed to my brother's side of the field.  Hal made
the PAT.  Score: 21-0 Wolverines.

   The first quarter was barely over and they were down three scores. 
South Western didn't panic.  We went back to our base defense, though Nick
had strict orders to concentrate on pass defense only.  They continued
running the ball at us.  They made six runs before they tried a pass again.
This time they completed it.  Nick tackled the receiver immediately after a
22 yard gain.  The Mustangs kept working the ball down the field and
finally scored after 14 plays.  Their kicker missed the point after. 
Score: 21-6 Wolverines.

   Now that we had a comfortable lead, Coach Wyndham became more aggressive
with our defense.  You don't want to be playing our team when we turn our
linebackers loose.  Nathan, George and Jeremy stuffed the runners for a
loss, they knocked down the quarterback, they hurried him and they knocked
passes down at the line.

   The Mustang's quarterback wasn't the most accurate passer around.  He
became worse when he had to dodge a blitzer or hurry his throw.  His team
didn't give up.  They managed to string enough plays to together for two
more drives.  The first ended with a successful field goal.  The kicker
missed a second field goal.  We went into the locker room at the half with
a 31-9 lead.

   The Mustangs gamely tried running on us in the second half.  They had
limited success.  They managed to score a touchdown in the third quarter.
The quarterback finally managed to find a wide receiver in the end zone in
the final two minutes for their last touchdown.  The final score was 45-23
Wolverines favor.

   Andy had added a second touchdown to the first one he made on the punt
return early in the game.  Greg caught two.  Drew caught one and ran for
two more.  Jeremy had a dozen tackles, three sacks and four hurries. 
George added two more sacks to the tally.  Seth Vogel and Nick Zeimer both
snagged interceptions in the game.  It had been an outstanding effort by
everyone on our team.

   Our side of the stadium rocked as our fans, friends and families
celebrated our victory.  The press box literally was shaking as Justin, the
other coaches and I descended the stairs to get down to the field.  Penny
intercepted me as soon as I reached the field.  She gave me a hug and a
kiss.  Sherry and Billy met Justin while Penny and I kissed.  Justin
hoisted Billy up on his shoulders.  Justin and Billy danced around and
cheered with the fans filling the field.  Bemused, Sherry watched her men.

   I leaned over to Sherry.  "You and Billy are lucky.  Justin is a great
dad."

   "He is.  I'm so glad Justin had the opportunity to work with the
football team this fall.  I've always felt bad about him having to give up
football when Billy was born.  He is having so much fun working with you
boys." Sherry answered.

   "Justin is a good coach.  I'm glad he is here helping us." I replied.

   Penny asked, "How are you doing Sherry?"

   "I'm OK.  I'm glad I'm getting over the morning sickness."

   Penny and I talked with Sherry for a few minutes while Justin and Billy
ran around the field celebrating with the team.  My family caught up with
Penny and me.  Coach Caffrey finally rounded up the team and got us back in
the locker room for the game wrap-up.

   "Gentlemen.  We won in the quarterfinals for the first time in our
school's history.  That was a hell of a game.  I'm so proud of all of you.
The first game ball goes to the player who set the tone for the day. 
Andrew Martin, please come forward.  Andrew's punt return for a touchdown
on the fourth play of the game let the Mustang's know how their day would
go.  The next game ball goes to Nick Zeimer.  Nick made it possible for the
other ten defenders to contain South Western's excellent running game.  The
third game ball goes to our leading tackler, leading sacker and the player
who is the hub our defense revolves around: Jeremy North.  The final game
ball goes to running back Drew McCormick.  Drew's running and pass catching
buried the Mustangs.

   "Last summer we set a goal of winning the state championship.  Today we
are 2 games away from our goal.  Next weekend we play either Upper Moreland
or Garnet Valley.  I promise you that the next game will be tough.  Both
teams are excellent teams.  If you continue with the same effort you have
given today, we will reach our goal.  Have a good weekend gentlemen, we get
back to work on Monday." Coach Caffrey dismissed us when his speech was
done.

   Andy and I headed back outside to meet our parents and girlfriends. 
Penny and Shannon had come to the game with my family.  Dad tossed me the
keys when we got to the mini-van.  "You're driving Kyle."

   "Cool!" I carefully climbed in the car.  I managed to get my knee in
without hurting it.  I drove us south through Elizabethtown and southeast
to Lancaster.  Dad treated everyone to a dinner at one of the steakhouses
on the way home.

   I gave Penny a kiss when we got home.  She was going to a family
Thanksgiving gathering for her father's side of the family.  I gave her a
kiss and hug before she left.

   Dad said, "Hit the bathroom Kyle.  You and I are going driving this
afternoon.  I want you to get as many hours in today as possible."

   Dad tossed me the keys to the Golf.  Dad and I headed to the Green
Dragon auction in Ephrata first.  Then we headed west past the scout camp.
We ended up in Lebanon County.  We came home through Manheim and Lancaster.
I drove on back roads, main roads and the bypass.  By the time we got home
I had 4 ˝ hours of practice in.

   Dad's plan was for the two of us to go out on Sunday and get the last 3
˝ hours to complete my required practice before I could take the driving
test.  Mom and I would play hooky on Wednesday after my rehab and go to the
driver's center for my test.  I was proud but tired when I completed my
practice time on Sunday evening.

   Chapter 18

   =========

   I met Ed at the bus stop on Monday morning.  Ed slapped me on the back
and said, "What do you think Kyle?"

   "About what?" I asked.

   "Our opponent next Saturday, Upper Moreland."

   "Oh, is that who we're playing." I paused to remember them from the
videos.  Oh yeah, that team.  "I'm not surprised.  They are a strong team.
They run a spread offense like us.  They are going to be tough."

   "We'll beat them Kyle.  Count on it." Ed said confidently.

   Penny joined us.  I gave her a hug and a kiss.  Talk turned to the
Venturer Crew meeting next week.

   Matt Horn had me increase my time on the exercise bike during rehab.  I
asked if it would be all right if I started lifting weights again.  Penny
was teasing me about getting a little flabby.  What could you expect?  I
hadn't been able to exercise for two months.

   Matt said I could do some upper body work as long as I sat down while I
did it.  It was too soon for me to put stress on my knee.  Matt promised
that I would be able to start exercising my legs in a week or two if I made
enough progress.

   Monday after school our team learned our game plan for Upper Moreland.
They didn't have any obvious weaknesses.  The coaches didn't come up with
any special defenses for them, we would have to play them in our base
defense.

   Coach Caffrey tried having Drew and Andy throw a few passes.  Maybe they
could replace me on the reverse option pass.  Neither Andy nor Drew managed
a completion during practice.  We tried one other trick play, a fake field
goal.  When the ball was snapped to Jeremy, our holder; Jeremy would toss
it to our kicker Hal who then ran wide to the right.  Hal's fast.  We hoped
he could make five or ten yards before he was tackled.  This play would
only be used if we found ourselves with a fourth down and short situation.

   At Tuesday's practice Coach Caffrey abandoned the idea of running the
reverse option play.  Andy and Drew spent most of practice on the reverse
and fake reverse plays.  Hal and Jeremy continued practicing the fake field
goal.  We would need to find some edge to beat Upper Moreland.

   Tuesday evening Dad made me spend an hour answering questions from the
driver's ed book so I would be ready for the driver's test the next day.  I
was too keyed up to get much sleep that night.  I had dreamed of the day I
got my license for sixteen years.  By tomorrow evening I expected to have
my driver's license.  Freedom to come and go.  No more bumming rides with
my friends.  Freedom to find privacy with Penny in my VW Golf when ever the
two of us wanted it.  The possibilities seemed endless.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom picked me up after my first period Deutschunterricht [German class].
Mom met me in the VW Golf.  I drove to the Orthopedic Center for rehab. 
Matt had me exercise the same way as the past few weeks.  He promised me we
would start something new next week.

   [Authors note: I would like to thank one of my German readers, who wrote
to correct my German `bits and pieces'.  A German high school student would
go to Deutschunterricht [German lessons] not Deutsche klasse [German
class]. Thank you for the correction.]

   Mom had me drive to Penn DOT's Driver's Center in Rohrerstown.  I parked
in the parking lot at the shopping center.  Mom and I registered at the
front desk and took a seat to wait for my turn.  I went up and finished the
multiple choice test of my knowledge of the rules of the road.  The
questions seemed easy.  I found a seat beside Mom again.

   I waited another 45 minutes before they called me for the road test. 
Mom wished me luck when I went forward.  I met an older man in his early
fifties at the front desk.  He introduced himself as Mr.  Horton. 
Everything was business with him.  I led him outside to my car.  He took a
quick look around the car and then had a seat in the passenger's seat.

   Mr.  Horton had me pull out of my parking space and drive to the exit of
the parking lot.

   Mr.  Horton flatly said, "Turn right at the stop sign." I looked both
ways and turned right onto the street.  I went about fifty yards when he
said, "Turn right at this street." I turned as he indicated.  I came to a T
intersection.  Mr.  Horton said, "Turn left here."

   I looked both ways, waited for a couple cars to pass, checked both ways
again and then pulled out onto the street.  The street sign said the street
was Good Drive.  I drove north for half a minute.  Mr.  Horton said, "Turn
left onto Regency Drive."

   I flipped on the turn signal, waited for an oncoming car to pass and
then pulled onto Regency Drive.  Mr.  Horton said, "Take it back to the
Driver's Center." I drove back to the entrance to the shopping center and
turned in.  Mr.  Horton had me drive around to the back of the center and
demonstrate that I could parallel park a car.  Mr.  Horton had me park the
car in the front of the center.

   Mr.  Horton looked at me and smiled slightly.  "Young man, you passed."
He signed and handed me a test evaluation sheet endorsing me to receive my
license.  I nearly skipped back inside the Driver's Center.  I couldn't
believe that the test was that simple.

   I took the evaluation sheet to the front desk and sat down with Mom.  It
took another 45 minutes for them to prepare my camera card, to take my
photo and for them to give me my license.

   Mom and I grabbed lunch at the Chinese buffet in the mall before I drove
us back to school.  Mom stopped by the office to square things away with
the vice principal.  I headed for my sixth period English class.

   I was supposed to keep quiet about getting my license during school but
I couldn't help myself.  I told Andy, Ed, Jeremy and Hal before practice.
They all congratulated me.  Greg caught wind of our conversation.

   He teased, "It's about time Kyle.  I was getting tired of driving you
everywhere."

   "I know I've been a pest sometimes.  Thanks for everything Greg.  You're
a good friend." I answered.

   The team practiced the key plays in the game plan for 45 minutes.  The
coaches had the team do some tip drills and then played a game of `Keep
Away'.  It wasn't anything that would help us on the football field, but
the team had fun.  The game kept everyone loose.

   Thursday and Fridays practice brought more of the same.  The team seemed
confident, prepared and ready for the game.  Saturday afternoon we would
play for dominance in the eastern half of the state.

   Friday morning marked a milestone for me.  I didn't have to ride the
bus. I was allowed to drive the Golf to school.  Penny rode up front with
me, Andy and Liz rode in the back.  That was very cool!

   Friday evening Penny and I met our friends at the pizza place near the
movie theater.  It felt great having a car be able to take my date places.
We headed over to the movies afterward.  We watched about half of it when
we decided it was not worth our time.  We left and headed for that dirt
lane south of Strasburg for some privacy.  Penny and I took advantage of
our situation to make love.  The Golf was a little cramped but we managed.

   Andy and I slept late on Saturday morning.  We had breakfast around 10
and then hung out watching TV until 11:30.  Mom fed us.  I drove Andy and
me to the school to catch the busses to Hershey.

   The weather was warm for the 8th of December.  The temperature was 45
degrees at noon just before Andy and I left for the game.  The sky was
clear and a gentle wind blew in from the northwest.  It was going to be a
good day for Ed, Greg, Andy and the other receivers.

   The team gathered their equipment up and boarded the busses for our
weekly trek north and west.  My friends joked around on the bus ride and
while they dressed for the game.  Everyone seemed loose and confident.  The
stands were filling with fans when we came out for warm-ups.  We went back
to the locker room for our final preparations.  Coach Caffrey gave a
stirring speech about achieving our goals.  Everyone was fired up when they
were introduced to the crowd.

   Justin, Coach Fisher, Coach Rodgers and I took our places in the press
box and plugged into our communications network.  The announcer reported
that over 10,000 spectators were watching the game.

   Our team won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff.  Upper
Moreland's kicker didn't have a strong leg.  His kickoff came down near the
15 yard line.  Tim Showalter carried the ball out to our 32 yard line.

   Coach Caffrey decided to test UM deep immediately.  Andy ran a deep
route on the first play.  Andy sprinted down field when the ball was
snapped.  Unfortunately the cornerback covering him was able to keep up
with Andy.  Ed's protection held for about four seconds before a defensive
end slipped past Jerry Morton.  Ed rolled to his left and threw the ball to
Karl for a six yard gain.  This wasn't an auspicious beginning for us.

   We mixed our runs with short to medium passes and pushed down the field
towards the Golden Bears' end zone.  Andy caught a 20 yard pass when he
faked going deep and then turned back to the QB at the last second.  UM's
players weren't real big, but the played hard.  They nearly always had
multiple tacklers on each play.  We moved the ball down to UM's 18 yard
line before they stopped us.  We settled for Hal kicking a field goal to
give us a 3-0 lead.

   Hal put the kickoff into the end zone.  The kick returner caught the
ball and kneeled in the end zone for a touch back.  The Golden Bears
started on their 20 yard line.  Watching them play offense was like
watching ourselves in a mirror.  Their quarterback threw crisp spirals to
their receivers.  They had speed at split end.  They mixed up running and
passing the same way we did.  UM ran five plays, three runs and two passes
before they showed us their deep threat.  Their split end sprinted
downfield past Seth Vogel, our cornerback, caught the ball and ran for the
end zone.  Fortunately Nick Zeimer was lined up deep enough to catch him at
the 17 yard line before he scored.  UM used five plays to push their way
into the end zone.  They kicked the PAT to take a 7-3 lead.

   Our next possession went better.  It took us six runs and four passes to
move down the field and score a touchdown in reply to the Bears.  Hal
kicked the PAT to give us the lead 10-7.

   UM took the kickoff and ran it out to their 27 yard line.  Coach Wyndham
tried blitzing to hurry their QB.  It didn't work.  They answered with a
draw and two screen passes.  They ran again when we stopped blitzing.  As
the drive continued our defense adjusted to what they were doing a little.
They needed sixteen plays, but reached our end zone.  The lead went back to
the Golden Bears 14-10.

   We started our next drive running at the Bears.  We alternated running
Drew and Marcus at UM.  We pushed past midfield.  Coach Caffrey tried our
first special play.  He called for Andy to run the reverse.  The play
caught most of the Bear's defense off guard.  Andy ran down along the side
line picking up 38 yards, putting our offense on UM's 17 yard line.  We
tried a pass into the end zone on the next play.  Andy attracted three
defenders in the right corner of the end zone.  Ed rolled left under
pressure and threw the ball towards Karl.  The Bear's cornerback cut in
front of Karl and intercepted the ball.  The cornerback tucked the ball
away and sprinted down the field.  The free safety pushed Ed out of the way
when he tried to make a tackle.  The cornerback continued down the field
untouched to score a touchdown.  They made the PAT to bring the score to
21-10 Bears.

   Tim ran the ensuing kickoff back to our 33 yard line.  Ed and our
offense worked the ball down the field with a mix of runs and passes.  The
deep play was never open, so we took the opportunities available.  We used
12 plays to get into their red zone.  Our drive stalled out at UM's 12 yard
line when they stuffed Drew for a loss of a yard on third down and two.  We
lined up for a field goal.  Coach Caffrey signaled for our fake.  Jeremy
took the snap, stood up and tossed the ball to Hal as he ran to his right
towards the sideline.  Hal beat the defender who was supposed to contain
outside runs.  He turned up field and was tackled by the second, third and
fourth defenders on that side.  Hal gained 8 yards on the play.

   Ed lined our team up in our goal line offense.  We pounded the ball at
the Bears to try to get the last four yards between us and the end zone. 
On third down and goal at the two yard line we faked a handoff to Drew.  Ed
rolled right and found Andy alone in the end zone.  Ed fired the ball to
him for a touchdown.  Hal kicked the PAT to narrow the score to 21-17 Bears
favor.

   Upper Moreland took our kickoff out to the 21 yard line.  They ran and
passed their way slowly down the field.  Our defense slowed but couldn't
stop them.  It was third down and 5 yards to go on the eighth play of the
drive.  UM ran the ball at us.  Austin, George and Jeremy all had the
runner stood up after a three yard run.  They stopped when the whistle
blew. UM's big right tackle hit the pile, knocking everyone over a second
after the whistle blew.  Jeremy jumped off the pile and confronted the
tackle.  They yelled and gestured for a few seconds.  Jeremy lunged at the
tackle and was hauled away by George and Austin.

   Jeremy continued struggling as George and Austin pushed him away from
the confrontation.  I could see Jeremy calm down when George talked to him
a little more.  UM lined up to punt the ball to us.  Jeremy took his
position on the right end of our line.  Coach Caffrey called for us to try
to block the punt.  Jeremy blasted past the blocker and dove for the ball
as it came off the punter's foot.  I'm not sure how, but the punter managed
to get the ball out a split second before Jeremy got to it.  In the rush to
get the ball away the punter shanked the kick.  It flew about 20 yards
where Ian Meyers fell on it.  Ian normally is one of Andy's blockers on
punts.

   We ended up with the ball on our 38 yard line.  There was a 1:20 left in
the first half.  We completed two short passes.  The Golden Bears blitzed
on the next play.  We surprised them with a screen pass to Drew.  He gained
26 yards.  Ed handed the ball to Drew two more times for little gain.  Ed
was sacked on third down.  Hal came in and tried a 45 yard field goal.  Hal
had proved to be a good kicker over the course of the season, but 45 yards
was too far.  The ball was true, but it landed just short of the goal post.
Upper Moreland was satisfied to take their 21-17 lead into the half time.
Their quarterback kneeled down to let the clock run out on the first half.

   Justin looked over at me when the clock ran down on the first half. 
"Can you believe this game Kyle?"

   "These guys are good.  It's too bad someone is going to have to lose
this game." I answered.

   Justin smiled and replied, "We'll get them in the second half.  I'm sure
of it."

   The four of us headed downstairs to our locker room.  The other coaches
were already reviewing adjustments for the second half.  I headed over to
join Ed, Jeremy and Hal.

   Jeremy was ranting, "God damn son of a bitch.  I'm going to kick his ass
in the second half."

   Ed grabbed Jeremy by the shoulders and looked into his eyes.  "Knock it
off Jeremy.  We need to you focused on the football not revenge.  Do you
understand?"

   Jeremy declared, "I won't stand for anyone saying things about my mom. I
won't!"

   Hal added, "Listen to Ed.  Your best revenge will be to cheer our
victory at the end of the game.  If you go after that asshole you will get
hit with penalty.  That won't help us win the game."

   I said, "Listen to these guys Jeremy.  Take your anger out on their
running backs."

   Our team headed back to the field confident that we had figured out how
to contain Upper Moreland.  Time would tell if we were right.

   Hal boomed the kick off down to the 4 yard line to start the second
half. Our special teams players stopped the UM's kick returner at the 18
yard line.

   We switched to five defensive backs to start the second half.  Brett
Fulmer, a sophomore recently promoted to our nickel back position, was
assigned to cover UM's fastest receiver.  Brett had been extremely green
when the season started, but he had improved dramatically as the season
progressed.  Brett was as fast as Drew.

   The Bears used a mix of runs and passes on us in the drive.  Jeremy
played like a man possessed.  He hammered the ball carrier on the first
play.  The next play Jeremy blitzed.  He gleefully blew past the loud
mouthed tackle and sacked the quarterback.  The rest of the defense took
inspiration from Jeremy's play.  Their quarterback hurried his throw on the
next play to avoid George's blitz.  Brett's deep help allowed Seth Vogel
step in front of the under thrown pass.  He ran the interception back to
our 47 yard line.

   Ed executed a good drive down the field.  Drew stuffed the ball into the
end zone after seven plays.  Hal drilled the PAT through the uprights. 
Score: 24-21 Wolverines.
Upper Moreland took the kickoff and worked the ball down the field 4 or
5 yards a play.  They didn't run anything fancy, just basic football.  Our
defense tightened up when they approached the 20 yard line.  Jeremy, Nathan
and George bottled up their running game.  UM finally settled for trying 36
yard field goal.  Their kicker just sneaked the ball inside the upright

barely over the cross bar.  Score: 24-24 Tie.

   We took the kick off and struggled down the field against UM's defense.
This drive ended when the ball was stripped out of Drew's hands on UM's 22
yard line.

   Our team and Upper Moreland struggled through the rest of the third
quarter and into the fourth quarter.  Each outstanding play by our team was
answered by an incredible play by them.  The ball moved up and down the
field, but neither team could muscle or finesse the ball into the end zone.

   We broke the impasse in the fourth quarter when we unveiled our last
trick play.  Upper Moreland had seen Andy run the reverse successfully in
the first half.  We ran the play's doppelganger.  The fake reverse looked
like the real thing except Drew never gave Andy the ball.  Most of the
Bears chased after Andy while Drew ran down the far side line.  Drew was
tackled six yards short of the end zone.  It took us another three plays,
but Ed found Andy free in the back of the end zone.  Hal's successful PAT
brought the score to 31-24 Wolverine's favor.

   We kicked the ball back to the Bears.  In spite of Jeremy, Nathan and
George's harassment, they managed to push the ball down the field on our
defense.  They sprang their surprise on us on what looked like a 10 yard
hitch pass play.  Brett, Seth and Nick all converged on the receiver when
he got the ball.  The receiver lateraled the ball to the tight end as he
ran past.  No one caught the tight end.  We had never seen the `hook and
ladder' play before.  Upper Moreland kicked the PAT.  Score 31-31 Tie.

   Upper Moreland kicked the ball back to us.  After a couple running plays
we tried something different.  We sent Drew and Andy deep.  We counted on
one of them getting open.  We didn't count on Ed getting sacked instead. 
We punted the ball back to UM with 2:31 remaining in the game.

   Upper Moreland tried to score but couldn't break our fired up defenders.
They did manage to get down to our thirty yard line as time ran out.  They
tried a ridiculously long 47 yard field goal.  I confidently watched them
line up for the kick.  High school kickers do not make field goals this
long.  My heart stopped when the kick sailed straight down the center of
the field.  It bounced off the cross bar and fell out.

   We were going to overtime.  High school rules are different from NFL
football.  Both teams would have a chance on offense.  The offense starts
25 yards from goal line.  You continued on offense until you scored, lost
the ball on downs or turned the ball over with a fumble or interception. 
The other team went on offense.  If the score was still tied after each
team had a possession, the game went to a second overtime.  If a third
overtime period was needed, the ball was started on the 10 yard line.

   Upper Moreland won the coin toss and had first possession in overtime.
Three straight running plays moved UM 11 yards closer to the end zone.  On
the fourth play they tried a pass to the corner of the end zone.  Coach
Wyndham had anticipated them and blitzed.  Jeremy burst through their
defensive line, hammered the quarterback and stripped the ball loose. 
Austin Herr grabbed it off the ground and started running for the end zone.
He got about 10 yards when the referees whistled the play dead.  The
defense wasn't allowed to score in overtime.  It didn't matter.  Our
offense had possession of the ball now and all we needed was a field goal
to win the game.

   Coach Caffrey played it cautious.  We run the ball three straight times
and moved it to the 13 yard line.  We expected that `Automatic' Hal would
make the 30 yard field goal.  He had never missed at this range in decent
weather conditions.  Jeremy took the snap and lined the ball up for Hal. 
Upper Moreland's defense surged forward.  Hal kicked the ball.  One of UM's
linebackers managed to leap and touch the ball as it flew by.  The
deflected ball tumbled in flight and curved right and missed the goalposts.

   We had first possession in the second overtime.  On the first play Ed
tried to get the ball to Andy in the corner of the end zone.  He was
surrounded by defenders.  Ed dropped the ball off to Drew in the flat. 
Drew gained 8 yards on the play.  We ran the ball at them twice more,
gaining another seven yards.  Ed tried another pass to the end zone, but no
one was open.  We ran wide to the right.  Drew was forced out of bounds at
the four yard line.  Coach Caffrey had one trick left up his sleeve; a very
old one that I hadn't seen us use since Zack Hayes played for us.

   Coach Caffrey called time out and spoke with Ed and Drew.  He had Ed
tell the team that we were running a sweep to the right.  I watched as the
play developed.  Andy blocked his man towards the sideline.  Both guards
pulled to lead Drew into the end zone.  Greg blocked his man towards the
center of the end zone to open a hole for Drew.  Ed held the ball out for
Drew as he went by.  Upper Moreland's defense converged on the point of
attack on the right side of the field.  Drew was tackled a yard short of
the end zone.

   Only one UM defender noticed that Ed didn't give the ball to Drew.  Ed
kept the ball hidden at his side as he ran alone for the left end of the
goal line.  Ed scored the touchdown with a yard to spare before the
defender arrived.  Hal kicked the PAT to finally put us in the lead. 
Score: 38-31 Wolverines.

   The Golden Bears lined up for their final try at tying the game again.
They ran at us for a three yard gain followed by another run for a two yard
gain.  Coach Wyndham blitzed George on third down, correctly anticipating a
pass.  UM's quarterback stepped forward a step and fired the ball towards
the tight end a moment before George flattened him.  Jeremy and Rick, our
strong safety, bracketed him.  He grabbed the football by his fingertips
and pulled it into his body as Jeremy and Rick smashed into him.  They fell
to the ground at the six yard line.

   The quarterback dusted himself off and gathered his teammates in the
huddle.  They came straight up the middle at us on the next play for a two
yard gain.  The next play was a repeat.  It only gained one yard.  On third
down they tried passing.  All our linebackers and defensive backs stayed in
coverage.  Their quarterback tried to get the ball in the left corner of
the end zone.  Nick knocked the ball away from the receiver.

   This was Upper Moreland's last gasp.  They had three yards to go to the
end zone and had to score a touchdown.  UM's quarterback rolled to the
right away from our blitz.  He rifled the ball into a receiver along the
side line in the end zone.  Brett Fulmer tackled the receiver knocking the
ball loose.  It fell on the ground and rolled across the sideline.

   The Upper Moreland players visibly sagged as they stared at the ball
lying on the ground.  Thunderous cheers erupted from our side of the
stadium.  Our players seemed stunned at the sudden end to our contest for a
few moments before they too erupted in celebration.

   Justin exclaimed, "Jesus Christ!  I've never seen a game like that.  It
was unbelievable!"

   "I know Justin.  I can't believe we won.  I didn't think the game would
ever be over."

   Justin and I headed down to the field to celebrate with our friends.  It
was pandemonium on the field.  It was filled with my celebrating teammates,
our friends from school, and our families.  I looked through the crowd
until I found Andy and Shannon talking with Ed and Lindsey.  The Fritzes,
my parents, my sister and Penny were there too.

   I gave my girlfriend and hug and a kiss.  We talked excitedly about the
miraculous game we had witnessed.  Usually the crowd on the field thins out
after five or ten minutes.  No one seemed to want to leave the field.

   Eventually the coaches gathered the players in the locker room for Coach
Caffrey's final remarks.  He called for quiet.  "Business first gentlemen.
Please hydrate before you leave today.  Have some Gatorade.  You need the
electrolytes after this long game.  I want everyone feeling their best.

   "The second topic gentlemen: Honors.  I wish I could award games balls
all fifty-two of you.  Everyone earned it this afternoon.  I do have two
players that excelled today.  Jeremy North, a blocked punt, sacks, hurries,
knocked down passes, an interception, and tackles for a loss; Jeremy was
the key to our defense today.  We would have lost the game without Jeremy's
contributions today.

   "The second player who keyed our victory was Ed Fritz.  Ed ran our
offense nearly flawlessly." Coach Caffrey smiled and nudged Ed in the ribs.
"We'll talk about that interception on Monday at practice." Ed blushed a
little.  Coach Caffrey continued, "Just kidding Ed.  Ed's exemplary
leadership, accurate passing and careful ball handling kept us in the game.
Ed's naked bootleg was beautiful.  We could not have won today without Ed.
Thank you everyone for your efforts.  As a result of tonight's win, we get
to play one more game."

   Greg called out, "Where are we going?"

   "STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!" everyone shouted at the top of their lungs.

   George yelled, "What are we going to do?"

   "win... Win... WIN!" we answered.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   The Fritzes, the Edwardses, the Longs, the Martins, the Phillipes and
the Norths all stopped at Olive Garden on the way home to celebrate our
team's victory.  Dad told the assembled families that this game had
reminded him of the most exciting football game he had ever seen.  He was
still in high school when he watched a playoff game between the San Diego
Chargers and the Miami Dolphins.  The game featured the Dolphins coming
back from being down 24-0, blocked field goals and triple overtime before
the Chargers finally won.  The game did sound a lot like the one we had
just witnessed.  It was after 9 o'clock when we arrived back in Paradise.
My friends and I didn't have time that night for our girlfriends.

   Sunday morning's newspaper revealed who our opponent would be.  The
Strong Vincent Colonels had beaten Thomas Jefferson High School yesterday
afternoon while we played.  Erie's Colonels would face us next Saturday,
December 15th, at 2 pm in Hershey Stadium for the Class AAA championship of
the state.

   I looked up Colonel Strong Vincent on-line Sunday afternoon.  I knew he
had commanded the brigade of Union troops that defended Little Round Top at
the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.  His brigade
including Colonel Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine Regiment had repulsed the
Confederates on the evening of July 2nd.  I didn't know that Colonel
Vincent had been from Erie.  He was mortally wounded during the fight.  He
was buried in Erie a few days after the battle.  The high school had been
named after one of Erie's famous sons.

   Monday after school we began preparing for Strong Vincent.  This team is
one of the powerhouses in Western Pennsylvania.  They had an excellent
running game.  There quarterback was pretty decent too, but not in the same
class as Ed Fritz.  We planned to use our spread offense on them.  The
videos indicated that we should be successful.

   Coach Caffrey had us concentrate on learning how Strong Vincent played
football.  The coaches had the guys walk through the plays.  We wanted
everyone's bruises and strains to heal before Saturday.

   Penny and I studied together in the evenings when I wasn't doing my
rehab.  For rehab I rode the exercise bike in the evenings while Ed, Andy
and Jeremy lifted weights.

   Excitement built throughout the week at school and around the school
district.  Every business had a sign in the window urging us to beat the
Colonels.  The football team was the talk of the school.  The school
district organized busses to take any students to the game who didn't have
a ride.  This game had become the biggest happening in our area in my
memory, way bigger than when the President of the United States visited
three years ago.

   The school cancelled seventh period on Friday for a pep rally for the
middle school and the high school.  I tried to stay inconspicuous on stage,
but the other team captains insisted that I come up front with them.  The
pep band played and the cheerleaders performed.  Principal Weaver spoke to
congratulate our team for our outstanding season to date.  Coach Caffrey
spoke for the team.  Ed, George, Greg, Tim and I were happy for that.  None
of us wanted to speak to this massive crowd that included nearly every
student in our school.  My friends and I appreciated all the support the
student body showed us at the pep rally.

   On Friday night most of the team met at our favorite pizza place by the
movie theater with their girlfriends.  We went to the movies and then home.
Everyone seemed to follow Coach Caffrey's admonition to get plenty of sleep
before the game.

   Andy and I certainly followed Coach's directions.  I managed to get ten
hours of sleep.  I had to roust Andy out of bed at eleven o'clock.  He
couldn't be late for the game.  We had lunch at 11:30.  I drove the two of
us to the school.  I was shocked to see twenty-five busses lined up to take
the team and fans to Hershey.

   The weather was good for our spread offense.  The temperatures were
still in the mid 40's like last week.  We had clear sky and almost no wind.
Strong Vincent better be ready to cover the whole field.  We intended to
exploit every inch of it to stretch their defense.

   I scanned the crowd when we came out for warm-ups.  Our side of the
stadium was rapidly filling with our red and white dressed fans.  Things
looked pretty sparse on the Strong Vincent side of the field.  They might
have had a thousand fans.  It took real dedication to travel the whole way
across the state from Erie to watch the game.  We were fortunate that the
state championship was always played at Hershey Stadium.

   Coach Caffrey gave a rousing speech to us about reaching for our dreams.
We were 48 minutes away from our season's goal.  Justin, Coach Rodgers,
Coach Fisher and I were heading out just before introductions when George,
Ed, Greg and Tim came over with deadly serious looks on their faces.

   Greg demanded, "Where in the hell do you think you're going?"

   I looked around quickly.  "What?  What's wrong?"

   Greg continued, "The four of us are sick of you sitting on your ass and
goofing off.  It's about time you did something for our team."

   Ed couldn't contain himself anymore.  He broke out in a huge grin.  "We
want you to call the coin toss tonight Kyle." Tim, Greg and George broke
out in smiles too.

   I answered, "Wow!  Thanks guys.  I appreciate the honor."

   "No one has worked harder than you to help this team get ready for
today. You deserve it `Coach'." Greg said.

   George added, "We wanted to show our appreciation `Coach'." Tim
confirmed the sentiments.

   Justin had overheard our conversation.  He said, "Take all the time you
need `Coach'.  I think you know the way up to the press box by now."

   I confirmed, "I'll be upstairs as soon as I can Justin.  See you later."

   I waited in the tunnel while our starters were introduced to loud
cheers. I walked with Coach Caffrey, Coach Graham and Coach Wyndham when
the rest of the team ran onto the field.

   I was surprised to receive cheers from the crowd when I limped out to
the center of the field with our other captains.  I waved to the crowd to
acknowledge their cheers.  The referees went over their expectations of the
players.  Then it was my turn.  I called for heads.  The referee flipped
the coin.  I was delighted when it landed on heads.

   We were part way back to the sideline when Ed clapped me on the back and
said, "Good job Kyle.  We can take it from here."

   I laughed and answered, "No problem Ed.  I'm glad to help.  You go out
there and kick their butts today.  I'm counting on you."

   "I'll do that." Ed said.  He headed over to Coach Caffrey to get final
instructions for our first series of downs.  I headed back inside to go up
to the press box.  It took me a couple minutes to get there.

   I settled into my seat and looked out.  Our team was at the wrong end of
the field and was lining up for a kick.  Hal booted the ball through the
uprights.  I exclaimed, "What the hell did I miss Justin?"

   "Andy's touchdown catch on the third play of the game, that's what you
missed." He answered.

   "Cool!" I answered.

   The Colonels came at us with their strong running game.  Our linebackers
and defensive line were up to the challenge.  The Colonels managed 32 yards
on nine plays before they were forced to punt.  Andy almost slipped past
the coverage.  Their punter tackled Andy at our 46 yard line.

   Ed and our offense went to work.  Strong Vincent put a nickel back in to
help cover Andy, so we concentrated on running the ball and doing short
passes.  We needed eight plays to score our next touchdown.

   The afternoon didn't improve for the Colonels.  They couldn't cover all
our offensive options.  The Colonels gamely continued to try running but
they couldn't make consistent progress against Jeremy, George and the rest
of our defense.  The score was 24-7 by half time.

   The Colonels came out passing after halftime.  That only made their
quarterback a bigger target for our blitzers.  We had scored two more
touchdowns to their one as the clock wound down in the fourth quarter. 
They added a final touchdown in the last two minutes of the game when we
switched to a prevent defense.

   I watched from the press box as the clock wound down and our team
realized that they really were going to be state champions.  Greg and Ed
doused Coach Caffrey with a cooler of water while the defense was on the
field.  George and Jeremy got Coach Wyndham too when Ed and the offense
went out for three kneel downs to wind the clock down to zero.  The final
score of the game was 38-21.

   Thunderous cheers and applause exploded from the crowd when the clock
showed 0:00.  Our team stormed the field to join Ed and the offense.  The
crowd streamed out of the stands and joined our team to celebrate our
achievement.

   Justin, the other coaches and I came down to the field to join the
throng celebrating our victory.  It seemed like our fans, thousands of
them, were on the field.  It took me a few minutes to fight my way through
the crowd to join Andy, Ed and Greg.  We high fived and crowed to each
other about our success.  Penny, Shannon, Lindsey, Kathy, Tammy and Chelsea
Walters joined our crowd.  Andy, Ed and I gave our girlfriends a kiss and a
hug.  Hal and Jeremy fought their way through the crowd to join us.  They
greeted their girlfriends.

   Greg nudged me and whispered, "Who's the other girl?" Greg knew Penny,
Lindsey, Shannon, Kathy and Tammy from numerous lunches and Saturday nights
together.

   I said, "Haven't you met Chelsea?" Greg indicated he hadn't so I
introduced them.  They talked for a few minutes while the rest of us
celebrated our accomplishments.  Mom, Dad and Liz never found their way
through the crowd to us.

   The coaches, referees and PIAA officials cleared space in the center of
the field after ten minutes.  The two teams lined up for the handshake.  We
filed past each other exchanging greetings and congratulations to each
member of the opposing team.  I was near the end of the line.

   I was shaking hands with number 37, their best running back.  He paused
and looked me over.  He said, "Number 87.  I remember seeing you on the
tapes.  Where were you tonight?"

   "I was in the press box.  I blew out my ACL a couple months ago." I
answered.

   "I'm Damien Thompson.  I play tailback for the Colonels."

   I extended my hand to him.  "I'm Kyle Martin." We shook hands again,
with more feeling.  "You must have looked at a lot of tape to have seen me
playing.  I've missed the last ten games."

   "We prepare carefully for our games." Damien looked up at the
scoreboard. "Well, we try to prepare for our opponents.  I remember when I
watched the first few tapes, I thought there was no way we could have
defended you."

   "Thanks for the complement." I answered.

   "Oh well, that other Martin killed us."

   I said, "That's my younger brother Andy."

   "You guys played a hell of a game.  You deserved to win." Damien said.

   "Thanks for the compliment.  Maybe we'll play each other again next
year." I answered.  Damien was a good running back.  It was nice of him to
take time to talk with somebody who didn't even play.  I really meant it
when I said I hoped we would play again next year.

   It was time for presentation of our trophy.  Coach Caffrey called the
team together, captains in the front.  Greg insisted that included me.  The
PIAA officials had set up a table for the trophy.

   The actual presentation took a couple minutes.  Coach Caffrey accepted
for our team.  He passed it on to Greg, who held it aloft for everyone to
see.  That brought a loud cheer from our team and fans.

   It was hard to see the crowd.  The four local TV stations all had bright
lights focused on us and cameras recording the ceremony.  The newspaper
photographer's flashes popped in our faces.  The whole scene was surreal.
This was the end of our four month quest.

   Andy and I got to talk with our parents when the trophy presentation was
done.  They said they would wait for us and give us a ride home when we
were finished.  The team went into the locker room to shower and change.

   Coach Caffrey called out over the noise, "I need the five captains,
North, Zeimer, Long, McCormick and Andrew Martin.  You have ten minutes
until the press conference." Ed and I looked at each other.  Ed mouthed the
words, "Press conference?" I just shrugged my shoulders.

   Ten minutes later the ten of us followed Coach Caffrey down the hall
from the locker room to a small auditorium.  The TV cameras and newspaper
men were waiting for us.  We had seats at a long table in the front of the
room.

   Most of the questions were addressed to Coach Caffrey.  He handled them
easily.  Jeremy answered a couple questions about his performance on the
field.  Ed talked a little about how it felt to quarterback our team.

   One of the newspaper reporters asked Andy, "Andrew, how do you respond
to the Strong Vincent head coach's comment calling you the MVP for the
game?"

   Andy looked amazed.  "Really?"

   The reporter continued, "You did have three touchdowns today and put
your team in good field position the entire game.  How does a freshman
manage to do this?"

   Andy furrowed his brow for a second.  "Luck I guess.  I also had a lot
of help learning to play wide receiver.  Ed Fritz and Jake Kring, our back
quarterback, have worked with me for two years to help me learn to play
receiver.  Our coaches are great.  They have helped me a lot.  I guess the
biggest help has been my brother Kyle.  He has taught me so much about how
to play football, especially after he hurt his knee."

   Greg added, "Andy is right.  `Coach' Martin has spent the past two
months helping all the receivers improve.  `Coach' and Ed push all of us to
improve.  They run our off-season study sessions, push us to work out in
our weight program and they ran an informal spring practice for the team.
We wouldn't be here without their efforts."

   Mr.  Montgomery, the New Era sport editor, asked, "When you say `Coach',
do you mean Kyle Martin?"

   Greg grinned, "Yeah.  We started calling Kyle `Coach' during spring
practice.  Some of us presented him with his own whistle and everything to
help him run the practices."

   Mr.  Montgomery chuckled.  He looked over at me and asked, "Well,
`Coach' Martin, it seems you have a lot of fans among your teammates.  Do
you expect to be coaching or playing next season?"

   I answered, "I enjoy coaching, but I plan to play again next season.  I
had ACL replacement surgery six weeks ago.  My knee seems to be healing
well.  I'll be ready to go next summer when two-a-day practices start."

   That was the only question I had to answer.  The reporters had a couple
dozen more questions before the PIAA official in charge announced that the
press conference was over.

   Andy and I found our parents and sister in the back of the auditorium.
They had watched the press conference.  Dad teased, "C'mon `Coach', c'mon
MVP.  The rest of us are ready for dinner.  We're going out with the
Fritzes, the Norths and the Longs."

   Andy asked, "Is Shannon still here?"

   Dad answered, "No.  The Phillips left half an hour ago." Dad turned to
me and added, "The Edwards left too Kyle."

   Our four families found a restaurant in Hershey and had a leisurely
dinner.  We didn't get home until 9 o'clock.  Dad took me back to the
school to pick up my car.  There was a message on the answering machine for
me when I got home.  I was to call Zack Hayes tomorrow after lunch.

   I took a shower and lay down on my bed to listen to some music before I
went to sleep.  This day had been one of the most amazing days of my life.
Four months ago our team had set a goal of being state champions.  Through
hard work, study and tremendous teamwork we had met our goal.

   I was still the number three receiver on our team behind Greg and Andy,
even though they played fifteen games and I played five.  I had worked hard
studying videos, teaching the other receivers and doing anything that the
coaches needed to help our team win.

   In spite of all that I still felt that I hadn't really been a part of
this championship.  Andy had scored 13 touchdowns in the playoffs.  I sat
in the press box.  Ed had a spectacular season running our offense.  All I
did was watch.  Jeremy led the team in tackles, sacks and quarterback
hurries.  I watched video.  Did I really deserve any of the recognition my
friends and the newsmen were trying to give me?

   Chapter 19

   =========

   I called Zack Hayes Sunday afternoon.  I said, "Hello, could I speak to
Zack." when someone answered the phone.

   "Hey Kyle, it's Aaron.  Congratulations man.  I hear you guys won the
state championship yesterday.  That's outstanding."

   "Thanks Aaron."

   Zack answered, "Hi Kyle.  I wanted to talk to you.  I want you to know
how proud I am of all of you back home.  This is fabulous.  Tell me all
about the game."

   I related the happenings in the last two weeks.  Zack complimented us on
beating Upper Moreland.  I described how we beat Strong Vincent.  Zack
eventually turned the conversation back to me.

   Zack asked, "Are you planning to attend the Senior Camp I told you
about? I found out it's going to be June 21st and 22nd."

   "I'm going to talk to my parents.  I think it would be a good idea if I
attended.  I think I can get the weekend off from scout camp."

   "Are you working there again?" Zack asked.

   "Yep, that's what I understand unofficially.  Will is going to be the
Aquatics Director.  He told me a couple weeks ago he wants me to work at
the boat yard."

   "I'm glad you can do that.  I kind of miss scouts."

   "I'm going to stay as active as I can as long as I can.  I love scouts."
I replied.

   "Can you give me Ed's phone number?  I want to call and congratulate him
too." I gave Zack the phone number.  Zack concluded, "Congratulate your
brother for me.  He had a hell of a game."

   "I'll tell Andy.  Will I see you over Christmas?" I asked.

   "Hell no.  I'll be in Orlando.  We are playing Auburn in the Capital One
Bowl." Zack said.

   "Sorry, I forgot.  Good luck with Auburn.  I'll be watching you guys on
TV."

   Zack and I concluded our phone call.  I appreciated all the support Zack
gave me.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   I found this e-mail Sunday afternoon:
====================== To: kmartin87@redroses.net
From: simpsonj@gmail.com
Time: December 16 13:47:32

   Kyle

   I heard the news from Holly Cox this afternoon.  Congratulations on
winning the state championship yesterday.  I wish I could have been there
to see it.  Tell our friends how happy I am for them.

   I heard about your knee injury.  I hope it is getting better.  Good luck
with rehabilitation.

   Your friend,

   Julie

   ======================

   It was nice of Julie to write me about our championship.  The e-mail
also made me think a little bit about what could have been if the Simpsons
hadn't moved to Nebraska.  I wrote back thanking her for writing.

   -----------------------a----------------------------------------

   Liz was upset when she found out on the way to school that she had to go
to the babysitter's house one more day.  The football team had a final team
meeting after school before we concluded the season.

   Monday morning at rehab Matt taught me about closed chain exercises for
my knee.  All exercises that I would do the next few weeks had to be with
my foot firmly planted on the ground or piece of equipment.  It was too
soon for me to do anything that required me to twist me leg.  Matt also
started me out with easy weight training to start building muscles up
again.

   The school buzzed with excitement from our victory on Saturday.  Every
football player was asked twenty times about his part in our triumph.  The
principal held another school assembly to recognize our team's success.

   After school we cleaned out our lockers and turned our equipment in to
the coaches.  The team gathered in the conference room for our final
meeting.  Most of the team was boisterous.  I noticed that both George and
Greg were quiet.  I suppose they were thinking about the end of their high
school football career.  Then it hit me.  I only had one more year left
myself.  Hopefully I had one more year, if my knee was OK.

   Coach Caffrey called for quiet.  He started is speech.  "I have mixed
emotions about this day.  I want every one of you to know that this team
has been the finest high school football team I have ever been with, as a
player or as a coach.  I am so proud of each of you and all the things you
have accomplished together.  Hard work, study, focus on the task and
teamwork have helped this team succeed beyond the expectations of anyone
outside this room.  Treasure the memories you have of this season.  They
will last a lifetime.

   "I want to recognize our departing seniors: Greg Harrison, George
Reynolds, Karl Weaver, Tim Showalter, Josh Babcock, Dustin Robbins, Jerry
Morton, Nathan Yuninger, Luke Stauffer, and Nick Zeimer.  We will miss you
men.  For the rest of you, preparations for next season start after
Christmas.  Our team isn't going to surprise any opponents in the state
after this year.  The weight room will be available for our use on Tuesdays
and Thursdays after school.  Kyle, are you and Ed running a weekly film
study session too?"

   I answered, "We plan to.  I think we'll start on Wednesdays after the
holiday vacation.  Everyone is welcome.  We are going to review videos of
our games to look for improvements for our team and to learn our opponent's
weaknesses."

   Coach Caffrey concluded his talk with information about the Football
Boosters' plans to build a stadium for the football team.  Coach urged us
to get our parents to go to the next school board meeting to help convince
the board to approve the stadium.

   Ed, Jeremy and I talked with Coach Caffrey after the meeting was over.
He promised to pass the word to the JV team and Middle School team about
the video study sessions.  The three of us wanted to get as many of them
involved in film study as possible.  Ed, Jeremy and I knew our opponents
well.  We needed to pass that information on to the younger kids in our
school.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Liz was ecstatic on Tuesday afternoon when she rode the bus home with
Andy and me.  She was permanently finished with going to the babysitters.
Andy headed over to Shannon's house as son as he got home.  Liz was on the
phone to invite Dave Mitchell to come over for the afternoon.  Penny had
started play practice after school that week.  The two of us would be lucky
to get an afternoon a week together before dinner.  This week she had
Thursday afternoon free.  I went to my room to study.  I checked on my
sister and Dave after half an hour.  They had their books spread out on the
kitchen table and were working on homework together.  Maybe I was too
worried about Dave's intentions with my sister.

   Wednesday afternoon I received two letters.  The first one was from the
Educational Testing Service.  I eagerly opened the letter.  I wanted to
know my SAT score.  I scored a 700 on the math section, 640 on the verbal
and 670 on the essay.  My total score of 2010 put me in 94 percentile in
our country.  I was pleased and more than a little shocked.  Will was the
"brain" in our family.  Will's score four years ago was only 40 points
higher than mine.  I never considered myself to be dumb, but I never
thought of myself as being the same league as Will when it came to brains.

   The second letter was an invitation for Penny and me go to Nick Zeimer's
New Year's Eve party.  I was a little surprised by the invite.  Nick and I
were friendly at practice, but weren't really that close.  Nick hung out
with his senior friends at school.

   I checked with Ed, Jeremy and Hal on Thursday.  They all received
invitations to Nick's party.  All of us planned to go if our girlfriends
were willing.

   Penny and I spent a wonderful afternoon together after school on
Thursday.  We made love twice and didn't have any nosey eavesdroppers this
time like a few weeks earlier.  Penny agreed to go to Nick's party.

   Mom made a really tasty dinner that evening.  I decided to ask for
permission to go to Nick's party right after Dad finished his pie.  He was
in a jovial mood; or so it seemed.

   I asked, "Dad, Mom.  Penny and I received an invitation to Nick Zeimer's
New Year's Eve Party.  Can I get an extension on my curfew that night?"

   Dad asked, "How late do you expect to be?"

   Tentatively I suggested, "1 am?"

   Dad frowned.  "1 am?  I don't know Kyle.  Why do you need to be out an
hour after midnight?"

   "Well, Zeimers live at the other end of the school district.  It'll take
fifteen or twenty minutes to drive home.  Penny and I..."

   "DRIVE?" Dad exclaimed.  "You are NOT driving on New Year's Eve Kyle. 
No way!"

   Andy tried to stifle a giggle.  I glared at him.  I protested, "Why?  I
promise to be careful Dad."

   Dad replied, "You've had your license for two weeks.  You don't belong
on the road that night."

   "I'll be very careful."

   "New Year's Eve is the most dangerous evening of the year to be on the
road.  You aren't ready for this." Dad said.

   "I can handle it.  Have I ever done anything to make you not trust me?"
I pleaded.

   Dad said, "Let see... you got so drunk at a party two years ago that you
passed out and had to be picked up by Will.  You snuck behind our back so
you could spend the night with your girlfriend last summer.  You broke
curfew and spent an evening with a strange girl on Labor Day weekend. 
Shall I go on?"

   Andy smirked.  I replied, "No.  That will do."

   Mom intervened.  "Dan, why don't we talk with the Zeimers and get more
information about this party?  If it is properly chaperoned, one of us
could drive Kyle and Penny to this party."

   Dad frowned.  "I guess we can discuss it later."

   I looked at Mom and mouthed a thank you.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   I made a point of talking with Nick Zeimer at lunch on Friday.  He gave
me his phone number and said to make sure my parents asked for "Mr. 
Zeimer".  He said his mom was sick and wouldn't be able to come to the
phone.  I thanked Nick for the invitation and told him that I hoped Penny
and I could go to the party.

   Will and Abby were home when I got home from school.  Will's last final
for the semester was before lunch.  Abby had finished the previous
afternoon.  It was nice to see them home again.

   Penny and I went to the mall Friday night to do some Christmas shopping.
Penny was a big help picking out presents for my parents, brothers, sister
and future sister in law.  Before that night I was stumped about what I was
going to give Penny.  She paused for a long time in front of a jewelry
store to look at a pair of earrings.  I noted the store, figuring that I
would come back tomorrow morning to get them.

   Mom and Dad talked to Mr.  Zeimer on Friday night.  They were satisfied
that the party would be properly chaperoned.  I begged and pleaded to be
allowed to drive but Dad stood firm on that.  He would give Penny and me a
ride to the party and pick us up at 12:30.  Mentally I took back all the
nasty things I thought about my parents the previous night.  They were all
right.

   I completed my Christmas shopping Saturday morning when I went back to
get the earrings for Penny.  Ed, Lindsey, Hal, Tammy, Jeremy, Kathy, Penny
and I went bowling on Saturday night.  Well, the rest of them went bowling,
I kept score.  We had fun together.

   Dad, Will, Andy and I spent Sunday afternoon and evening indulging our
love of football.  Between the 1 pm game, the 4:15 game and the 8:15 game,
we had our fill of football before the evening was over.  The best part was
watching the end of the Eagles-Green Bay game.  The Eagles pounded the
Packers.  The Eagles were so far ahead at the beginning of the fourth
quarter that Coach Reid put in Sam Hayes.  Sam led his team downfield for a
touchdown before the game ended.  It was cool to watch my friend's brother
(and my brother's friend) finally see real action in the NFL.

   When the game was over I asked Will, "Do you see or talk with Sam
anymore?"

   Will answered, "Sure.  Abby and I went out with Sam and his fiancé Emily
a couple weeks ago.  We keep in touch."

   "That's cool."

   Will asked, "How about you and Zack?  Do the two of you talk?"

   "Sure.  I talked with Zack right after our team won the state
championship." I explained.

   "What is Zack up to?" Will asked.

   "He and the Nittany Lions are in Orlando for the Capital One Bowl. 
They're spending Christmas vacation at the beach in Florida."

   Andy grinned and added, "It sounds like a fun way to spend Christmas
vacation."

   I said, "Maybe that'll be us in a few years."

   We went back to watching football.  The Steelers-Bengals game was
starting.  It was an exciting game.  Ben Roethlisberger managed to edge out
Carson Palmer to beat the Bengals.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   I found out the downside of having a driver's license on December 24th.
Mom sent me on errands to pick up things from the grocery store, the drug
store, the video store and the post office.  I spent half the day driving
on errands.

   I went to the Christmas Eve service at the Edwards' church.  The Edwards
family invited me to stay for their traditional Christmas Eve present
exchange.  Penny's sister Niki had invited her boyfriend Adrian Murray to
come home with her for the holidays.  Mr.  & Mrs.  Edwards made Adrian and
me feel comfortable with their family.  Penny bought me a tie and a
wonderful pair of leather driving gloves.  She was delighted when she
opened the box with the earrings I purchased for her.  I received an
enthusiastic kiss as my first thank you.  Penny promised me more thank
you's when we had some privacy.

   Penny confided something to me.  "Would you believe my parents are
allowing Niki to share her bedroom with her boyfriend?"

   I said, "Really?  Your parents seem to be loosening up a lot."

   "I know.  You and I may get another chance to spend the night together
sometime.  Wouldn't that be nice?"

   "I'd love it." I answered.

   The Edwards family was driving to Allentown to Christmas at Penny's aunt
and uncle's house.  It was their turn to host Christmas dinner.  I gave my
lover an ardent kiss before I went home that night.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   My Christmas was nice.  I received too many clothes to suit me.  I also
received quite a few cards with cash in them.  That was very welcome. 
Having a girlfriend is quite expensive.  I wanted to take good care of
Penny.

   Will was kind of down.  Abby and her parents had flown back to Illinois
to spend Christmas with Mrs.  Hendricks' parents.  She wouldn't be back
until December 28th.  My grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins arrived
just before noon for Christmas dinner.  Everyone stayed until evening.  It
was a fun, but tiring day.

   Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I met for an afternoon of poker on the 26th.  It
seemed like every female in the area was heading for the malls.  Penny, her
mom, Niki and poor Adrian headed out first thing in the morning.  Kathy and
Tammy drove to Reading.  Lindsey, her little sister and her mom headed for
King of Prussia.  My Mom and Liz headed out too.  My friends and I invited
Will to join us since Abby wasn't home from Illinois yet.  We had a fun
afternoon.

   Penny and I planned a quiet afternoon together for the 27th.  Will,
Andy, Liz and I were just finishing lunch when Penny arrived.  I gave her a
kiss.  She sat down at the table while we finished eating.  When I was done
I pulled Penny over to sit on my lap.  We exchanged kisses.  Andy's
girlfriend Shannon arrived a couple minutes later.  Shannon followed
Penny's example and sat on Andy's lap.  Andy wrapped his arms around
Shannon and snuck a feel of her breasts.  Shannon giggled.

   Will motioned to Liz and said, "Hey squirt, maybe you and I can go
downstairs and watch a movie, what do you say?"

   "Sure Will, that would be cool." Liz answered.  "You do know that I have
heard Kyle and Penny having sex before.  It isn't that big a deal."

   "Yes, that may be.  I think Penny and Kyle would appreciate some privacy
this afternoon.  Let's go." Will said.  Liz followed Will downstairs to the
basement.

   Penny got off my lap and I stood up.  We started for the stairs. 
Shannon stood too.  She quietly asked, "Penny, could we talk for a minute?"

   Penny sat back down.  "Sure." The two girls whispered together for a
second.  Penny motioned to Andy and me.  "Why don't you boys go upstairs
and get ready.  Shannon and I will be along shortly."

   Andy and I went upstairs as directed.  When we got to the top of the
steps I asked, "I thought you and Shannon weren't ready for sex?"

   "Shannon decided a few days ago that she wanted to try it.  I think
she's a little scared.  I hope Penny can reassure her."

   "I'm sure she will.  You really like Shannon don't you?"

   "I think I'm in love with her." Andy answered.

   "You're finally over Heather?"

   "Yes..." Andy answered.  He let out a sigh.  "And no.  I wish we hadn't
broken up.  I wish I hadn't screwed Trish." Andy shrugged his shoulders. 
"That's all done.  I have to move on."

   I added, "Maybe.  A year ago I would have said I would never be able to
go with Penny again.  That seemed to be over.  Maybe you and Heather will
get together again some day."

   "I'm not holding my breath until it happens." Andy replied.

   "You never know Andy.  Maybe you and Heather will get a second chance."

   "I doubt it." Andy answered.  "I was on my second chance already with
Heather."

   Our girlfriends came up the steps.  Penny had a big grin.  Shannon had a
shy smile on her face.  She visibly relaxed when Andy gave her a kiss.  I
said, "You two have fun this afternoon." Penny and I went in my room and
locked the door.

   We hadn't made love in a week.  Both of us were ready.  I headed for my
bed immediately.  I hopped on it and kneeled.  I asked, "What do you think
honey?"

   Penny looked perplexed.  "What?"

   "My knee.  It's healed enough that I can put weight on it."

   "ooOOOoohh...." Penny cooed as she realized the possibilities this
development brought the two of us.

   We quickly disrobed and cuddled together on the bed, kissing and
hugging. During a pause I asked, "Is Shannon OK?"

   "She's fine.  She was a little scared about going all the way with your
brother."

   "Andy will be gentle.  He has experience with taking a girl's cherry." I
explained.

   "Actually that isn't what Shannon is worried about.  She knows Andy will
be gentle with her today.  She is just worried that he'll dump her after
they do it."

   "That is a fair concern.  Andy had more than his share of girlfriends
last year.  He is doing better this year.  He isn't going to dump Shannon.
He told me he loved her just before the two of you came upstairs."

   "That's good.  That's pretty much what I told Shannon already."

   Penny and I went back to making out.  We rubbed our chests together as
we kissed.  Between the feeling of her tongue tangling with mine and her
hard nipples rubbing against my bare chest, I was hard as I had ever been.
Our session of lovemaking was going to be fiery.

   I kissed my way down Penny's neck and chest, heading for her jiggling
breasts.  I caressed and kissed her mounds.  I circled her nipplewith my
tongue.  Penny squirmed and panted while I stimulated her.  I sucked her
nipple into my mouth and teased it with my tongue.  I held each breast in a
hand and stared across the valley between them into my lover's eyes.

   "These are bigger than when we dated before, aren't they?" I asked.

   "Bigger?  Yes, they are.  We were only fourteen when we dated before. 
Everything's bigger.  Why do you ask?"

   "I was just thinking about things; about how much I love being with you
again."

   "I love you too Kyle, but keep going.  You have me all horny now."

   "Oh sorry." I answered.  I planted a sloppy wet kiss on her left breast
and sucked on it.  My hand slid down Penny's tummy until I reached her
curly pubic hair.  I stroked my fingers through it for a moment and then
gently rubbed my finger along her puffy slot.  I used my finger to lightly
rub her labia as my mouth kissed a trail across her belly to her womanhood.

   I spread her lips open and ran my tongue up and down her slit.  My lover
was getting wet.  I giggled and continued licking while Penny moaned and
ran her fingers through my long blond hair.

   "Yeah Kyle, that's it." Penny moaned.  I pushed my tongue into her
opening and then licked back towards the top.  I licked around her clit,
trying to coax it to appear.

   "Ohhh... ooohhh... yeah" Penny moaned.  I continued making love to her
with my tongue.  I continued until Penny's clitoris started to peek out.  I
concentrated on it with my tongue.  I slowly worked two fingers inside my
lover.  I crooked my fingers upward and rubbed her G-spot while I teased
and stimulated her clitoris.

   Penny's chest was heaving as she panted.  She tried to press my head and
tongue against her clit, but I resisted.  I licked around it but wasn't
ready to bring my lover to climax just yet.  I continued stimulating her
with my tongue and pressing her spot.

   "Ppppplleeeeaassseeeee?  Finish me.....  Kkkkyle...." Penny begged.  I
sucked her now engorged clitoris into my mouth and pressed her G-spot with
my fingers.  Penny lasted about thirty seconds before she exploded in
orgasm.

   "Oh!  Oh God!  Ooohhh....  God...." Penny wailed as she thrashed around
on my bed.  Her vagina squeezed my fingers and spasmed as she rode her
orgasm to denouement.  I gently licked up the juices flowing from her as
she finally calmed down.

   I said, "I hope you enjoyed that honey." I scooted back up beside my
temporarily satisfied lover.

   "Mmmmm....  That was good Kyle." Penny purred in my ear.  We held each
other in our arms and exchanged gentle kisses.

   The quiet let us hear the sounds in my brother's bedroom next door.  We
could hear the groans and pants of two teens in heat.  Then we heard my
brother's bed knock rhythmically against the wall between our rooms.  Both
of us giggled.

   "I don't think Shannon is a virgin anymore." I said.

   "No.  I don't think so.  I hope your brother..." Penny said.

   Shannon squealed, "Don't stop Andy... Ooohh....  Christ!  Don't stop."

   Penny laughed.  "I hope your brother make sure Shannon has fun."

   "Andy takes good care of his girlfriends in bed.  I hope he makes this
relationship work the rest of the time.  That's when he has had problems
before."

   "True.  Too true." Penny replied.

   I thought about last year just before Penny and I broke up.  Was I doing
enough to satisfy her?  I asked, "How am I doing Penny?  Are you happy with
us together?"

   Penny stared into my eyes.  "I am Kyle.  Why do you ask?"

   "I want things to work between us, not like the last time.  Have I given
you enough time and attention?"

   "Yes.  We are fine so far Kyle.  I'm actually worried about me not being
able to give you enough time in the next month.  I'm about to get very busy
with the play.  Will I be able to keep you happy then?"

   I answered, "I've learned to be more patient Penny.  I won't have a
problem while you practice for the play." I hugged her and gave her a kiss.
"What are we going to do when high school is over?  You plan to go to Penn.
I don't.  Can we stay boyfriend and girlfriend?"

   "I don't know Kyle.  That is a year and a half away.  Let's enjoy what
we have now and worry about that later."

   Hesitantly I answered, "I guess." Penny stared into my eyes.  I waited
for her to say something.  Finally I asked, "What?"

   "You're looking for your `Abby', aren't you?  Not everyone is like your
brother and his fiancé."

   "Do you think that's what I'm doing, trying to be like Will?"

   "You might be Kyle.  I think we need to concentrate on making our
relationship last longer.  We only kept it together nine months the last
time.  We'll worry about college and beyond if we make it that long.  I
think we should enjoy the here and now."

   I kissed Penny.  "You're probably right.  I do love you Penny."

   Penny returned my kiss.  "I love you to sweetie." Penny reached between
us and clasped my boner.  "Let's enjoy this thing here, right now Kyle."

   "We can do that."

   Penny rolled on her back pulling me on top of her.  She spread her legs
wide so I was nestled between them.  She said, "It's your turn to be on top
lover, if you're ready."

   "I think so." I said as kneeled, lifted her legs onto my shoulders and
lined my cock up with her hole.  "Ready?"

   "Go ahead Kyle." Penny murmured.  I let my weight slowly bury my
erection into Penny's hot silky tunnel.  I love the feeling of first
penetration, my skin pulled taut as it slid against the folds of her pussy.
My cock bottomed out.  I was buried to the hilt.

   "Mmmmm... I love this Kyle.  You make me feel so full..." Penny held my
shoulders and pulled me down so we could kiss.  We pressed our lips
together.  Our tongues tangled together.  Penny nibbled on my lower lip. 
When we broke apart she exclaimed, "I love it when you go deep.  Let's
start slow."

   I pulled my cock most of the way out of Penny and nudged it back into
her pussy, slowly plunging in until my cock had hit bottom.  I continued
slowly humping my lover, letting Penny feel every inch of my erection. 
Penny had her hands on my hips, helping me keep the desired rhythm.

   I mashed my pubic area against Penny's clit each time I hit bottom. 
Penny tugged harder at my sides and hissed, "Faster!  Keep going..." I
withdrew and thrust faster, attempting to scratch Penny's `itch' as she
tugged on my sides.

   Penny's face and chest were turning crimson.  She was moaning now,
urging me to continue our mating.  I drove in hard, slamming our bodies
together with distinct slaps.  I felt a twinge in my left knee as I screwed
my lover.  I ignored the pain.  I wanted to bring Penny to another orgasm.
I slammed into her and ground our pubic areas together each time I hit
bottom.

   Penny squirmed as she neared her second climax.  She exclaimed, "Oh
yeah! That's it Kkk..  kyle....  Fuck me hard....  Yeah... Oh God.... 
Ooohh Ggggoddd!" I smashed into Penny again and again, as hard as I could.
"Oh!  Oh!  OhOHOHOHOHOH....  JESUS!" Penny wailed then she gasped and came.
Her pussy throbbed around my hard cock, begging me to fill her with me
seed.

   Penny dug her fingernails into my side while she shook from the
intensity of her climax.  The throb and pulse of her pussy clasping my cock
brought me close to the edge too.  I pulled out a little and slammed into
her again.  My groin started that familiar tingle.  I was close too.  I
pulled out a little and slammed into Penny's spasming tunnel.  I rammed the
head of my cock against Penny's cervix just as my cum boiled up from my
balls and rocketed against the entrance to my lover's womb.

   I must have blasted ten or twelve pulses of my seed into Penny before I
collapsed on top of my lover.  Penny wrapped her arms around me and gave me
small kisses while I recovered from my climax.  She rolled the two of us on
our sides and continued kissing me.

   "God Kyle, I haven't been screwed like that in... forever." She kissed
me and hugged me against her body.  "I love you Kyle."

   "I love you too Penny." I pulled my body away a little.  My drooping
penis flopped out of my lover.  Our combined juices drooled out onto our
crotches.  We cuddled together, enjoying the contact of our naked bodies.

   Grunts and moans were plainly audible through the wall from my brother's
bedroom.  Penny giggled and said, "I think they still at it."

   Andy's bed started knocking the wall again.  "Or they are at it again."

   "Poor Shannon is going to be sore tomorrow."

   "Probably.  My brother is definitely enthusiastic."

   Penny hugged me and said, "You're pretty enthusiastic yourself." She
reached down and grasped my limp cock.  "Do you want a second round?"

   I kissed hard to answer her question.  Penny played with my cock while
our tongues dueled together.  I was hard within a minute.  Penny rolled on
her back and spread her legs wide to let me have access.  I got on my knees
to penetrate her.  Almost instantly a pain shot through my left knee.  I
quickly lay down on my right side.

   I said, "I think you better be on top this time lover.  My knee has had
enough for today."

   I rolled on my back and Penny climbed on top of me.  She quickly
positioned herself and engulfed my cock with her pussy.  She rode me for
probably ten or twelve minutes before she creamed all over my crotch as she
quivered and shook as her climax overtook her.  Her pussy throbbed and
twitched around my hardness.  I bucked my hips up, driving my shaft into my
lover repeatedly.  Penny slumped down onto my chest.

   I rolled the two of us onto our sides and continued to hump Penny.  My
lover continued shivering as mini cums kept Penny on the edge of ecstasy. I
drove my hard cock into her until I spewed my semen into hot pussy.  We
cuddled together while we recovered our wits.

   Penny and I cleaned up and dressed after our afternoon of fun.  The two
of us went downstairs for some ice cream before Penny went home.  Andy and
Shannon were in the kitchen too.

   Shannon spotted us and started to blush the second she saw us.  Penny
winked and said, "Did you and Andy have fun this afternoon?"

   Shannon turned bright red and looked down at the floor.  Andy gave her a
kiss and said, "It's OK Shan, they probably heard us.  You can talk around
Penny and Kyle.  They're cool."

   She looked back up at us.  "It was good." she said quietly.

   Andy, Penny and I kept the conversation going while I dished out ice
cream.  Shannon had an embarrassed smile while she listened to us talk.  It
took a few minutes, but she finally loosened up.

   Finally she admitted, "I can't believe what Andy did for me.  My friends
Tina and Maria didn't have good first times.  I was afraid I wouldn't enjoy
it.  Tina's boyfriend was a complete jerk.  He jammed his thing in before
she was ready and only lasted about thirty seconds.  Worst, he dumped her
the next day.  Maria's experience was only a little better.  It was her
boyfriend Joel's first time too and he didn't know what he was doing.  It
hurt and Joel was too quick too.  Fortunately for Maria, she and Joel
stayed together.  They have learned what they are doing.  Maria enjoys sex
now.  She helped convince me to let Andy do it to me."

   Andy gave Shannon a kiss.  He said, "Uh, I did it with you Shannon, not
to you.  This is something we can share.  I hope what we shared was good
for you."

   "It was Andy.  I couldn't believe that it could feel so good to lose
your virginity.  I didn't know what an orgasm really was until this
afternoon."

   Andy said, "I'm glad you had fun Shannon."

   "Are you going to still be my boyfriend tomorrow Andy?" Shannon asked.

   "Tomorrow, next week, next month.  I really like you Shannon.  I'm your
boyfriend as long as you want me." Andy declared.  He gave Shannon another
kiss.

   Penny said, "I'm glad you enjoyed your first time Shannon."

   "Thanks for talking with me before Andy and I did it.  It helped me."
Shannon ate a spoonful of ice cream.  "Can I ask you a question Penny? 
What do you and Kyle use for birth control?"

   Penny answered, "I use the birth control pill."

   I asked, "What did you and Andy use?"

   Shannon said, "Andy used rubbers.  Is that OK?  Should we use something
else?"

   I explained, "Condoms have a 15% failure rate.  There are better methods
to use than condoms."

   Shannon looked alarmed, "Oh God!  You mean there is a chance I could get
pregnant?"

   Penny answered, "The condom didn't break, did it?"

   "No."

   "Andy was careful when he pulled out, right?  He didn't spill any semen
on you did he?" Penny asked.

   Andy's face got serious.  "I was careful!  I didn't spill anything on
Shannon."

   "Relax Shannon.  You are safe this time." Penny said soothingly.

   I added, "The longer you use condoms, the greater the risk you take of
something going wrong.  We have friends that have a child because the
condom broke."

   Penny explained, "That is part of the reason I use the pill.  They
chances of getter pregnant while using it are around 4-5%.  All I have to
do is take a pill every morning."

   I suggested, "You could go to your doctor and get on the pill if you
want better protection."

   "I couldn't do that Kyle.  My parents will find out.  If my father found
out what Andy and I did today... I don't want to even think about what
would happen if Daddy found out."

   Penny said, "You can go to the clinic in Lancaster to get them.  Your
parents don't have to know about it.  That is what I did when I went on the
pill."

   I suggested, "Why don't the rest of you ride along with me when I go to
Lancaster tomorrow?  I have to go to therapy at 10:00 o'clock tomorrow.  I
could drop the rest of you off at the mall.  We could have lunch and then
go to the clinic so you can get a prescription for the pill.  What do you
think?"

   Everyone agreed.  They would meet at my house at 9:15 tomorrow morning.
The girls headed home when they finished their snack.

   My knee stiffened up and swelled up over night.  I iced it while I ate
breakfast in the morning.  My limp was quite pronounced that morning. 
Penny fussed over me but I told her I would be fine.  I dropped Penny, Andy
and Shannon off at the mall and headed over to the Orthopedic Center.

   Matt was not pleased with my limp.  "What the hell did you do Kyle?"
Matt asked.

   "Um... I uh... well, my girlfriend and I..." I stuttered.

   Matt sighed.  "I didn't know I needed to discuss sex positions with you
Kyle.  Follow me." Matt led me to one of the small private rooms.  He
pulled a notebook off the shelf and opened it up.  Matt asked, "What
position did you and your girlfriend use?"

   "She was on her back and put her ankles on my shoulders.  I was kneeling
when we made love."

   "Do you remember when I talked about open chain and closed chain
exercises?"

   "Yes."

   "Were your feet firmly planted while you engaged in this form of
exercise?"

   "Um, no.  They weren't." I admitted, blushing.

   "You aren't ready for open chain workouts for another month Kyle.  Let's
review what sex positions you and your girlfriend can use." Matt said.  He
flipped through the notebook and showed me the acceptable positions.  Penny
on top, making love on our sides, doing it when I'm standing up and doing
it seated were OK.  Anything where I was on top was out for the next month.

   "Thanks for talking with me about this Matt.  I appreciate it.  My
girlfriend and I were getting tired of her being on top all the time.  This
gives me some more ideas for us to try out." I said.

   "That's no problem Kyle.  I wish I would have asked if you were sexually
active when you started therapy.  I think I will start doing that with my
teenaged clients in the future."

   Matt had me go through my workout for the morning to strengthen my leg
muscles and to maintain my flexibility.  I headed back to the mall and meet
Penny, Andy and Shannon for lunch.  We had fun together.  I drove over to
the clinic when we finished.

   The clinic had the same depressing effect on me as the last two times I
had visited there.  Penny didn't seem to mind the place as much as me.  The
waiting room had another teenaged couple that appeared fairly relaxed, two
very scared teen girls and a couple pregnant women.

   The one very pregnant, very friendly woman was sitting beside me.  She
asked pleasantly, "Are you and your girlfriend in trouble young man?"

   "No.  I'm just the driver today.  My brother's girlfriend wants to get
birth control.  My girlfriend isn't expecting." I answered.

   She responded, "That's fortunate honey.  You don't want to have a baby
at your age."

   A nurse called for the lady, so the conversation ended abruptly.  I held
Penny's hand while we waited for Shannon to finish with the doctor.

   Shannon was happy when she returned.  We headed out to my Golf and
headed for home.  Things were quiet for a couple minutes.  Andy finally
asked, "Are you all set Shannon?"

   "Yes.  I can't believe how easy this was.  They prescribed me something
new.  I have it in already.  It's a small ring that fits inside me.  All I
need to do is put a new one in every month."

   Andy looked surprised.  "You have it already?  Is it safe to stop using
condoms now?"

   Shannon grinned.  "We can do it if we find some privacy, but you need to
use rubbers for seven more days."

   "That's OK.  I don't mind using them that much." Andy said.  I glanced
in the rear view mirror and saw them making out.  I glanced at the clock.
It was 3:30.  Andy and Shannon might have some time alone this afternoon
before my parents came home from work.  Penny and I wouldn't have that
opportunity.  Penny and her parents were going to dinner with Niki and her
boyfriend Adrian.  She needed to get a shower and get dressed for dinner.

   Penny and I double dated with Trent Wilson and his girlfriend Ashley
High on Saturday evening.  Trent drove.  We took the girls to a restaurant
in Lancaster.  We headed to the bowling alley for a few frames after
dinner. All of us had fun.  Penny warmed up to Trent and Ashley.  Trent and
Ashley treated Penny like their long lost best friend.  All of us had fun
and agreed to repeat the double date again.

   Penny and I spent Monday afternoon, the 31st, reading lines in Penny's
play so she could have them memorized for opening night.  It was less than
2 weeks away.  Penny nearly had everything memorized.  I was looking
forward to see my girlfriend play an old maid.  Penny headed home around 4
pm so she could get ready for Nick Zeimer's party that night.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--

   I had dinner and then showered and shaved for my night out.  I picked
out some nice clothes for the evening.  I went over to Penny's house at
7:30 to pick her up.  We walked back to my house to meet my Dad.

   Mr.  Phillips stopped by to pick Andy up.  Andy and Shannon were going
to a party at one of his friend's house this evening.  When Penny and I
went inside we found Rob Stevens and his fiancé Cindy Jacobs talking in the
living room with Will and Abby.

   The doorbell rang as Penny and I were waiting for Dad to get his coat
and car keys.  I opened it.  It was Alex Weaver with a nice looking girl
who looked to be about twenty, like Alex.

   I said, "Alex!  Hi, it's great to see you.  Come on in."

   "Kyle?  Man, you've grown since the Algonquin trip." Alex and I shook
hands.

   I said, "You remember Penny, right?"

   Alex exclaimed, "Wow!  Penny, lookat you!  You've really grown up." Alex
gave Penny a hug.  Alex looked over at the girl beside him.  "Where are my
manners?  Let me introduce you to my girlfriend Terri Winters." Alex
introduced us to Terri.

   I asked, "Winters?  Are you related to Rick Winters that went to high
school here?"

   Terri smiled and answered, "Rick is my cousin."

   "I played football with Rick for two years.  I guess Mr.  Winters, the
teacher is your uncle.  I have him for mechanical drafting this year."

   Terri smiled and said, "He is my uncle."

   Dad appeared from the kitchen.  Dad grinned and exclaimed, "Let's go! 
Grab that girlfriend of yours Kyle and let's move it!"

   Alex smiled and asked, "Girlfriend?"

   "Penny and I are going steady." I explained as Penny and I followed Dad
towards the front door.

   Alex called out, "You're a lucky guy Kyle.  Penny's quite a catch."

   As we walked out to the mini-van Penny said, "I'm a lucky girl too Kyle.
I'm glad we're together." We hopped in the middle seats for the fifteen
minute trip to the Zeimer's house.

   Dad got more serious when we were on the road.  He asked, "I know you
are ticked off at me for not allowing you to drive tonight.  Do you
understand why?"

   "Not really Dad."

   "You have only been driving for a few weeks.  Tonight is one of the most
dangerous nights in the year to be on the road."

   "I'm very careful when I drive Dad." I insisted.

   "It's not you that I worry about Kyle.  Every nut case around will be
drinking tonight and then hopping in their cars to drive home.  I'm worried
about you not recognizing that kind of situation Kyle or how you deal with
a drunk driver.  I want you and Penny to be safe tonight."

   "I guess I understand what you are saying Dad.  I still think I could
handle it."

   "Maybe next year Kyle." Dad said.  "I want to talk about one other thing
with the two of you.  I am a little leery of this party."

   "Why Dad?  Penny and I have been to high school parties before." I said.

   "I know.  You were with the Fritzes, the Groffs, the Hayes, families
that your mother and I know.  We don't know the Zeimers."

   "We'll be fine Dad."

   "I guess so.  I want both of you to know that I do trust the two of you.
If you get yourself into any situation that you are not comfortable with,
you can call me and I'll come get you immediately, no questions asked." Dad
explained.

   "We won't need that Dad.  We'll be fine.  I've known Nick through
football for three years."

   "I hope so Kyle.  Just remember what I told you.  No lectures, no
questions.  I'll come pick you up anytime you need it."

   "I'll remember Dad."

   Penny added, "Thanks Mr.  Martin."

   Dad was quiet the rest of the drive to the Zeimers.  Dad pulled up at
the curb in front of the Zeimers' house.  Dad said, "Take my cell phone
Kyle.  Remember, if you aren't comfortable with anything, call me.  I'll
come immediately."

   "Thanks Dad." I said.

   We stepped out of the mini-van.  The street was lined with cars that
brought party goers.  I was a little surprised when I saw John Carlton and
Tony Tressler walk up to the door.  They were a couple of seniors who were
noted slackers and partiers.  What were they doing here?

   Penny and I followed John and Tony in the door.  Nick greeted the four
of us.  He directed us to the laundry room where everyone was piling their
coats.  John and Tony disappeared down the hallway.  Penny and I headed
back to the front of the house to talk with Nick.

   I greeted Nick, "Hey, thanks for inviting us."

   Penny added, "I really appreciate it Nick."

   Nick explained, "Happy you two could come.  We have drinks in the
kitchen, refreshments scattered throughout the house, room for dancing in
the living room and some free bedrooms upstairs if the two of you want to
have a little privacy.  I hope you have fun this evening."

   "Can I ask you a question Nick?  How have you pulled this off?  My dad
called your dad to confirm that the party would be chaperoned."

   "I know.  Your dad talked to Mr.  Zeimer.  The number I gave you was for
my brother Gary.  He's 22 so he's a mister." Nick explained.

   I asked, "I see.  Where are your parents?"

   "They are in Vermont for a week of skiing."

   Penny asked, "Don't you like skiing?"

   "It's not my thing.  I'd rather be here with my friends for the
holiday." Nick answered.

   We thanked him again for the invitation and headed for the kitchen to
get drinks.  Nick, presumably with his brother's help, had assembled an
extensive bar.  The refrigerator was filled with three different brands of
beer, the counter was filled with gin, whiskey, vodka, wine and hard
lemonade.  I poured a glass of wine for Penny.  I grabbed a can of Coors
from the frig.  We bumped into an old friend as we were leaving the
kitchen, Stefany Horst, Ed's old girlfriend.

   Penny grinned and said, "Stef!  It's so good to see you!  I wish we saw
more of each other."

   Stef replied, "It's good to see you Penny.  How are you doing Kyle?"

   "I'm good Stef.  It's good to see you.  Are you here with someone?" I
asked.

   "I'm meeting my boyfriend John here tonight." Stef answered.  The three
of us talked for a couple minutes, catching up on old times.  Stef excused
herself and disappeared from the kitchen when she saw Ed and Lindsey head
for the kitchen.

   Ed and Lindsey grabbed drinks and headed for the living room with Penny
and me.  We found seats with Jeremy and Kathy.  The six of us spent some
time talking together.  Ed and I went to the kitchen to get more drinks for
everyone.

   We ran into Greg Harrison and Chelsea Walters in the kitchen.  Greg and
Chelsea were on their third date in the last two weeks.  They weren't going
steady, but Greg really liked her.  He hoped they would have a future
together.  Ed and I took the drinks back to the living room for our
friends.

   Penny and I eventually found our way to the dance floor.  The first
couple of songs were fast ones.  We enjoyed ourselves.  The next song was a
slow one.  Penny and I held each tight to our bodies.  The song wasn't even
done before I was horny.  Penny rubbed herself against the bulge in my
pants.  A second slow song was all it took for Penny and me to decide to
find the privacy that Nick invited us to use.

   We made our way upstairs and found all the bedrooms occupied.  Drew
McCormick and Stacie Thompson were making out in the hallway, also waiting
for their turn.  We waited about five minutes when Karl Weaver and his
girlfriend Paige Anderson came out of a bedroom.  Penny and I let Drew and
Stacie go ahead of us.

   Penny and I made out while we waited our turn for privacy.  Penny was
driving me wild, rubbing my erection through my pants.  I felt up her
breasts while we waited.  Finally Tim Showalter and Kaitlyn Smith opened
the door to the bedroom they had used and went back downstairs.

   I locked the door behind us and headed for the bed to join Penny.  We
didn't waste any more time on preliminaries.  We stripped and went straight
to rubbing our naked bodies together.  That lasted a couple minutes.  I
switched around so Penny and I could pleasure each other with a little 69.

   I licked, sucked, nibbled and stimulated Penny's womanhood for about ten
minutes before she came.  Penny finished me off when she calmed down with
an electrifying blow job.  We cuddled together and made out while I
recovered for some lovemaking.

   Penny and I decided to try out one of the new positions that Matt Horn
had told me about last week.  Penny bent over the dresser with one leg up
on a chair to provide me with better access.  I planted my feet firmly on
the floor behind my lover and gently slid my erection into her from behind.
I wrapped my arms around Penny while I thrust up into her.  Penny and I
worked into a comfortable rhythm within a minute.

   Matt was right.  This position didn't stress my knee.  I felt like I was
a participant rather than a spectator the way it had become after two
months of Penny always being on top when we made love.  From the way Penny
was cooing and moaning I could tell she was enjoying it too.

   Penny and I shared our bodies for ten minutes before the two of us
approached our climaxes.  Penny demanded that I stroke into her hard and
fast while she played with her clitoris.

   Penny stifled a wail when she orgasmed.  I thrust into her for at most
thirty seconds more before her clenching pussy took me over the edge.  Cum
boiled out of my balls and splattered all over my lover's insides.

   I pulled out and helped Penny clean up our combined juices that were
dribbling out of her.  We went back to the bed and cuddled together, making
out some more.  Penny sucked my cock for a minute to get me hard for a
second round of loving.  We decided she would be on top this time.

   Penny climbed on top of me and worked herself up to a nice rhythm,
riding my seven inch erection.  We made love for a few minutes.  Some one
pounded on the door.  Penny and I stopped; staring at each other's shocked
faces.

   "Damn it!  Hurry up in there." someone demanded.  It sort of sounded
like Seth Vogel.

   "What the fuck?" I shouted.  "We're busy in here.  Let us the fuck
alone!"

   "You guys have been in there for half an hour.  Hurry up.  Kara and I
are dying out here." It was Seth.  "We want to have some fun too."

   I whispered to Penny for a second.  She nodded.  I called out, "Give us
five Seth."

   "Just hurry up.  Kara and I want to screw before midnight." Seth
explained.

   Penny went back to riding me.  I moved my left hand down and rubbed
around Penny's clitoris, trying to help her get off before we were
interrupted again.  Penny's movements started to get erratic.  I thrust my
hips up in time with Penny and played with her clit until she came.  Penny
collapsed on my chest when her orgasm was over.

   She looked into my eyes and asked, "Do you want to finish sweetie?"

   "No.  Let's just clean up and let Seth and Kara have the room.  I'll be
fine."

   "You won't take long.  I hate to let you hanging." Penny declared.  I
rolled the two of us on our sides.

   "No.  You don't need to do that." I answered.  I pulled my hard erection
out of my lover.  We cleaned up and dressed quickly.  I could barely stuff
my still hard erection into my pants.  Hopefully it would deflate before I
went downstairs.

   Seth gave me a grin and a quick thank you when Penny and I came out of
the room.  He and Kara hustled inside and slammed the door behind us. 
Penny and I headed downstairs to look for our friends.

   We stopped off in the kitchen for more drinks.  I had another beer. 
Penny had a glass of wine.  We decided to check out the family room to see
if our friends were there.  I smelled something funny as we entered the
door to the room.

   John Carlton, Tony Tressler and half a dozen of the friends were in a
circle around the coffee table in the center of the room.  The air in the
room was slightly blue from sweet smelling smoke.  John took a big drag on
a home rolled cigarette.  He held the smoke in a short time and then
exhaled.

   Shit!  They're smoking pot!  Penny and I stared at each other
dumbfounded.  John passed the joint to the next person.  That's when I
realized Stefany was sitting beside John.  Penny and I watched as our
formerly close friend took a deep drag on the joint.

   Penny exclaimed, "Stef!  What the hell?" Stefany coughed and let the
smoke out of her lungs.  She looked surprised to see us.  Penny and I left
immediately.

   I had listened to all the drug lectures in school when I was younger. 
We talked about the dangers of drugs at scouts.  I had even taken the
D.A.R.E.  pledge.  I definitely didn't want any part of drugs.  How the
hell did I end up at a party where the kids are doing drugs?

   Penny and I bumped into Ed and Lindsey in the hallway as we put distance
between us the kids getting stoned.  Stef hurried after us.  "Penny wait!"
Stef pleaded.

   Penny and I turned to face her.  Ed was beside us.  Penny's face
displayed her shock and feeling of betrayal.  Penny said, "How could you do
that?"

   "It helps." Stef answered quietly.  "January 15th is in two weeks.  This
helps me."

   Penny looked surprised.  "What's January 15th?"

   Ed broke in.  "I know.  I looked over at my friend.  I could see he was
close to tears.  "Our son..." His voice broke.  "He would have been a year
old."

   We all looked back at Stef.  "It really helps me get through this." Stef
said.  She turned and walked back to the family room and the stoners.  Ed
and Lindsey headed for the living room.

   I turned to Penny and asked, "What do you want to do?"

   "Let's go home.  This party isn't what I expected." Penny answered.

   "I agree.  I'll call my Dad." I said.  I dialed home.  Mom answered. 
She put Dad on.  I said, "You know how you said to call if we weren't
comfortable at the party?  Could you please come and get us?"

   Dad answered, "I'm on the way Kyle.  I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

   Penny and I found Nick and thanked him for inviting us to his party.  We
explained leaving early by saying I wasn't feeling well.  Nick accepted our
explanation.  We waited outside until my Dad arrived.  We climbed in the
mini-van.

   Dad looked at me, sniffed and asked, "Have you been drinking Kyle?"

   "Dad, you remember what you said earlier tonight?  If we weren't
comfortable with what was going on at the party you would come and get us,
no questions asked.  That was a question.  Can we just go home?"

   "OK Kyle.  I guess I have to trust your judgment." Dad said quietly.  He
drove Penny and I home.  I walked Penny to her house and gave her a good
night kiss.  I ducked into the family room at home just in time to watch
the ball come down on Times Square with my brother Will and his friends.  I
went straight to bed.  I'd had better days in my life.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   I slept late on New Year's Day morning.  Dad looked me over carefully
when I came down for breakfast.  I think he was expecting me to be hung
over.  He relaxed a little when he realized that I was fine.

   I settled in after lunch in front of the TV.  The Capital One Bowl
started at 1 pm.  Number 12 ranked Penn State was playing Number 9 ranked
Auburn.  I was looking forward to watching the game now that I knew more
than just two players on the team.  I wondered if Phil was ready to
quarterback the team in front of a New Year's Day audience of millions
instead of the 107,000 spectators he was used to.

   Auburn ran a balanced offense like the Wolverines did.  They ran about
50% runs and 50% passes.  They had an excellent defense.  Phil and the Penn
State offense jumped on top of Auburn with the first score.  It was a deep
pass to Greg Walker.  I screamed, "Way to go Phil.  Good job Greg!"

   Andy gave me a funny look.  "Do you know these guys Kyle?  It sure
sounds like you do."

   "I met them at a party when I visited Penn State in September."

   "That's pretty cool Kyle." Andy answered.

   Penn State had a 10-0 lead before the first quarter was over.  Things
seemed to be going well for them.

   Auburn recovered in the second quarter.  They narrowed the score to
13-10 Lion's favor at half time.  Every time the camera panned over the
Penn State sideline I saw Zack Hayes standing with Coach Burton and Coach
Paterno as they called plays.  My friend looked very involved in signaling
in plays.

   Things started to look bad for Penn State in the third quarter.  Auburn
scored a touchdown to start the second half.  Phil DiStefano threw an
interception on the next series that Auburn turned into another touchdown.
Penn State was on the short end of a 24-13 score.  They finally got their
act in gear.  The starting tailback had been hurt in the first half.  Shawn
O'Conner took his spot.  Shawn and the fullback, Julian Moore, got the
running game going.

   Penn State's offensive line was dominating Auburn by then.  Shawn and
Julian picked up 49 yards on the first seven plays.  Penn State tried a
play action pass on first down.  Auburn bit on the play.  Greg Walker
streaked down the sideline and pulled in a pass to score a touchdown to put
the Lions back in the game.

   The TV crew panned back across the backfield after the touchdown.  One
of the guards was helping Phil DiStefano up of the ground.  Phil was
cradling his right arm.  The replay showed that Auburn right defensive end
nailed Phil right after he threw the pass.  The camera caught Zack Hayes
warming up on the sideline.

   Penn State's defense shut Auburn down on the next series.  Zack trotted
out on the field with the rest of the offense.  I was proud of my friend.
He was quarterbacking a nationally ranked team in a bowl game.  It was
another big step towards his dreams.  Would Zack be ready for the
opportunity?

   Zack didn't take long to show he was ready.  Zack and the offense
exploded for 21 points in the last sixteen minutes of the game.  Zack's
passes had velocity and were dead on target, just like in high school.  The
final score was 41-27 Penn State.  The TV commentators gushed over how
inventive Penn State's offense was.  They praised Coach Galen Hall, the
offensive coordinator.  His name was mentioned in connection with a couple
of vacant college coaching positions.  The commentators also speculated
about a possible quarterback controversy at Penn State next season.

   I was proud of my friend and his team.  This game was a hell of a way
for Zack to introduce himself to the country.  I hoped I would have a
similar opportunity some day.

   Chapter 20

   ==========

   I talked with Zack Hayes a few days after the game.  Zack was delighted
with his success at the bowl game.  He also confirmed that the commentators
were correct about Coach Hall.  He accepted an offer to coach at the
University of Kentucky.  Zack didn't know who was going to replace him.

   Greg Harrison crowed about his upcoming weekend at lunch a couple days
after New Year's.  He was doing his final official visit.  This weekend he
was going to visit Purdue.

   Greg Harrison greeted me with a smile at lunch on Monday when he
returned from his trip to Indiana.  Greg asked, "Can you keep a secret
Kyle?"

   "Sure."

   "I've made up my mind.  I enjoyed my trip to Purdue.  They have a good
program but I like Boston College better.  I called Coach Davis last night
when I got home.  He is flying down here for a press conference on
Wednesday." Greg said.

   "That's great.  I'm happy for you Greg."

   "The press conference is in the auditorium here after school is over.  I
hope you'll stop by to watch."

   "I wouldn't miss it Greg."

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   Ed, Jeremy and I started our after school film study session on Tuesday
of that week since we wanted to see Greg commit to B.C.  the next day.  We
had almost half the varsity team with us along with fifteen kids from the
JV team.  It was a productive session.

   I was disappointed with one thing.  Logan Mitchell missed it.  Logan was
in eighth grade and had started as quarterback of the JV team.  Logan was
expected to lead the JV one more year and then join varsity to back up Jake
Kring when Ed and I graduated.  He should have a couple seasons as the
varsity starter if he learned what he needed to be successful.  I cared
because I expected Logan to be the starter for my brother's senior season.
If Andy wanted an opportunity to get recruited by a top college, he would
need a good QB to throw passes to him.  We needed to work on Logan some
more.

   Wednesday after school Ed, Jeremy and I slipped into the back of the
auditorium to watch our close friend commit himself to play for the Boston
College Eagles.  I was a little disappointed for Greg.  Half a dozen
reporters covered the announcement.  No one from the local TV stations
came. I guess all-state tight ends don't have as big an impact as all-state
quarterbacks like Zack Hayes a couple years ago.

   When the press conference was over Greg introduced Ed, Jeremy and me to
Coach William Davis, head coach of Boston College.  Coach Davis was well
briefed.  He knew exactly who we were as soon as Greg mentioned our names.
He couldn't try to recruit us, but he did leave his card with us in case
any of us wanted to give him a call.  He did say that he might give us a
call in a few months when we were eligible for recruiting.

   Greg excused the coach and himself.  Coach Davis was going to dinner
with Greg and his family to celebrate.  I hoped everything turned out well
for Greg.

   Thursday evening's newspaper announced that Coach Robert Burton was
being promoted to be the offensive coordinator for Penn State.  I thought
it sounded like a good idea.  Zack Hayes loved Coach Burton and his
offensive game plans.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   Friday was opening night for Penny's play.  After school I gave Penny a
good luck kiss before I headed home.  Penny was staying at school to do
final preparations for opening night that night.  My car was in the garage
that Friday so Greg Harrison and his date had agreed to give me a ride to
opening night and give Penny and me a ride home when the play was over.

   I finished up my homework when I got home so I would have the rest of my
weekend free.  I ate supper, showered and dressed up.  I was the escort for
one of the leading actresses for the evening, so I needed to look good. 
Greg and his date, Chelsea Walters, picked me up after dinner.  Chelsea was
a junior like me.  She was in a few of my classes.  She was an
acquaintance, but not a close friend.  This was Greg and Chelsea's fourth
date in the past month.  They insisted they weren't going steady, but
something was definitely going on between them.

   Greg drove us the six miles to the school.  We hung out in the hallway
outside the auditorium for awhile, talking with Ed and Lindsey; Jeremy and
Kathy; and Hal and Tammy.  We went inside about fifteen minutes before it
was time to raise the curtain.

   Our high school was noted for our top notch drama department.  Mr. 
Hurley, head of the drama department, was known throughout Lancaster County
for the quality of the plays he produced with the students.  The curtain
went up right on time.  I had seen "Arsenic and Old Lace" on Turner Classic
Movies years ago and had enjoyed it.  I knew virtually all the lines from
drilling Penny as she learned them.  The Wolverines Performing Arts Society
brought the play to life.

   I couldn't believe how convincing my gorgeous girlfriend was as an old
lady.  The near capacity audience howled and laughed throughout the
performance.  The play flew by.  The audience gave the performers a
standing ovation when the play was over.

   I said good bye to my other friends as they departed for home when the
performance was over.  Greg and Chelsea kissed and made out a little while
we waited for Penny to get cleaned up and changed.  Penny finally arrived
in the hallway to meet us.

   I gushed, "You were fantastic Penny." I gave her a kiss.

   Greg teased, "You better watch out if 'Aunty Martha' decides to serve
you drinks in the future Kyle."

   Chelsea added, "You were fabulous Penny.  I loved the play."

   "Thank you everyone.  Thank you.  I can't believe how much fun this was.
Do you guys want to go out for sodas or something?" Penny asked.

   "Sure that sounds good.  How about the Dairy Queen in Gap?" Greg asked.

   Everyone agreed.  Greg drove us to Gap.  We enjoyed swirls and sodas. 
We talked and joked for an hour before we headed for home.  Penny and I
took advantage of the time in the back seat to make out a little on the way
home.  Greg dropped Penny and me off in front of my house.  I said, "Thanks
for the ride Greg.  I'll see you on Monday at school." We shook hands.

   "See you Monday Kyle." Greg answered before he pulled away to take
Chelsea home.

   Penny and I kissed good night and headed for our houses.  I told Mom and
Dad about how great Penny was in the play and headed for bed.  I fell
asleep after watching the 11 O'clock news.

   I woke up to the sound of someone knocking hard on my door.  It was
dark. I checked my clock.  It was 12:30 in the morning.  I grunted, "Huh,
what?"

   My dad answered, "It's a phone call for you Kyle."

   "Huh....  Uh, OK." I said as I slipped into my robe.  I staggered to the
hall and took the phone from Dad.

   "Hello?" I stammered.

   "Kyle, this is Coach Caffrey.  I'm sorry to tell you this, but Greg
Harrison was in a serious accident this evening."

   "What?  Greg just gave me a ride home earlier this evening."

   "It happened about an hour and half ago.  Greg was the intersection of
Route 30 and Ronks Road.  He was pulling out at the green light when a SUV
ran the red light and smashed into his car."

   I tried to compose myself.  "How is he?  Where did they take him?  Can I
help?" I stammered as thoughts flew through my head.

   "I don't know how he is yet.  I'm at Lancaster General with his parents
right now.  The doctors haven't told us yet.  He is in surgery.  Can you
help pass the word on?  Please call Ed Fritz, Jeremy North, your brother,
Karl Weaver and Tim Showalter." Coach answered.

   "OK.  I can do that." I said.  I was operating on auto-pilot now. 
"Anything else?"

   Coach said, "No, not right now.  All we can do is pray for Greg and his
family."

   "I'll pass the word for you Coach.  Thanks for calling."

   "Good bye Kyle."

   "Bye Coach." I said.

   Dad asked, "What is it Kyle?"

   "It's Greg.  He...  [sniffle]...  he...  " I started to cry.  Dad hugged
me.

   "Ssshhh...  It's alright Kyle.  You can tell me." Dad said soothingly. I
managed to pull myself together after about thirty seconds.

   "Greg...  Greg's been in...  a bad accident.  He's in...  [sniffle]
surgery now."

   "Oh no, I'm sorry to hear this Kyle." Dad answered.

   "I've got to...  to call around.  Coach wants me to pass the word." I
explained.

   "Kyle, it's quarter to one in the morning.  This will have to wait for
the morning."

   "NO!  I have to do this now!  Greg's my teammate and we have to stick
together.  I'm calling now." I declared as I picked up the phone.

   I passed the word to Tim Showalter and Karl Weaver.  When I finally got
Ed on the phone, he asked, "Should we go to the hospital?  Isn't that what
we should do?"

   My eyes lit up.  "That's it.  That's what we should do.  We should be
with Greg's parents and with Coach Caffrey at the hospital."

   Dad declared emphatically, "NO!  It's much too late.  You should get
some sleep."

   "I'm not going to be able to sleep Dad.  Greg's my friend and teammate.
I need to go.  Please?" I begged.  I badgered Dad for almost five minutes
before he relented and agreed to drive me to Lancaster to keep vigil with
Coach Caffrey and Greg's parents.  I called Ed back.  He had just gotten
off the phone with Jeremy.  Both were going to meet Dad and me in ten
minutes.

   The three of us were lost in thought as Dad drove us to the hospital. 
How could something like this happen to our friend?  Would Greg be all
right?  Why did something like this happen to such a nice guy?

   The lady at the front desk pointed us to the correct waiting room to
meet with Coach and Greg's parents.  Tim Showalter, Dustin Robbins, Nathan
Yuninger and George Reynolds were already there when we arrived.  The four
of us went straight to Coach Caffrey to find out what was happening.

   Coach explained, "I don't really have much more information guys.  Greg
went into the operating room about an hour ago.  Apparently Greg was
heading for home after he dropped his date of at her house."

   "That sounds right.  Greg gave my girlfriend and me a ride home after
the play tonight.  He dropped us off around 10:30." I said.

   "This idiot ran the red light just as Greg was starting through the
intersection.  He smashed into the driver's side of Greg's car.  Greg was
unconscious when the ambulance brought him in to the hospital.  The doctors
expect that Greg will be in surgery for another hour or two."

   I answered, "Thanks for the information Coach."

   More of our team came in as we waited for news.  We talked quietly as we
waited.  A lot of tears were shed that night.  There wasn't any macho
posing.  Our wounds were too fresh to pretend we didn't hurt.  After a
couple hours the surgeon finally came out to talk with Mr.  and Mrs. 
Harrison.  They called Coach Caffrey over to listen too.  They talked for a
couple minutes.

   Coach came back and explained what was going on.  "Greg is being moved
to intensive care.  Greg has a fractured skull, shattered cheek and jaw
bones, 4 crushed ribs, a broken arm and two broken legs.  The doctors are
going to induce a coma while he heals.  They will bring him out of it in a
few days when the swelling comes down on his brain.  We will have a better
idea of Greg's prognosis when they bring him out of the coma."

   Mr.  Harrison continued, "My wife and I want to thank all of you for
coming out tonight.  My wife and I value the friendship you are displaying
for Greg this evening.  None of us can do anything for Greg this evening,
so why don't you get some sleep at home.  Coach Caffrey will keep you
informed of Greg's condition.  Thank you again."

   Coach Caffrey finished, "I'll keep the team captains posted.  They will
pass information on to the rest of you.  Go home, say a prayer for Greg and
get some sleep."

   Dad, Ed, Jeremy and I headed out.  Shit!  It finally dawned on me that
with Greg hurt, Ed and I were really the offensive captains now.  We're
responsible for things.  My eyes started to tear up.  Hold it together. 
I've got to be strong now.  I stifled a sob.  Dad stopped, turned to me and
gave me a hug.  "We'll make it through this Kyle."

   Dad drove the three of us home.  I went to my room.  Mercifully, I fell
into an exhausted sleep.  I got up around noon and numbly went through the
motions of living that afternoon.

   It was a few minutes after four when Coach Caffrey called.

   "Hello Kyle?" he said.

   "Is this good news?" I asked hopefully.

   "Are you sitting down?" Coach asked.  I sat down on the chair by the
phone.

   "Yes"

   "I have sad news to tell you Kyle.  Greg died a few minutes ago.  An
embolism, uh, a blood clot, broke loose and went to his brain.  He died
quickly.  There wasn't anything anyone could do for him."

   I slumped back and sobbed.  I finally I managed to ask, "Do you want Ed
and me to start calling the rest of the team?"

   "No.  This is a job for the coaches to do.  We'll pass the word to
everyone.  Remember the Harrisons in your prayers."

   "I will Coach." I hung up the phone.  Mom and Andy had come to find out
the news.  I sobbed, "Greg....  Greg died..." That was all I could get out.
I broke down and cried.  Andy started to cry too.  Mom pulled the two of us
to her breast and let us cry.

   I don't remember a lot about that weekend.  Andy and I were like
zombies. I know we cried a lot and Dad and Mom did their best to comfort
us. Penny came over to be with me on Sunday.  Coach Caffrey called to let
us know that Greg's funeral would be on Wednesday.

   The school arranged to have grief counselors available to talk with us.
Mom and Dad insisted I go to see one.  The counselor talked with me about
the stages of grief.  He told me it was alright to cry.  He said I should
talk about Greg and what he meant to me.  He said it would take time for me
to heal.  The pain from Greg's death would eventually heal, but it would
leave a mark on me for the rest of my life.  The memories of Greg would
also remain with me for the rest of my life.  I should cherish my memories
of my friend.

   I guess it was good I talked with the counselor, but I still couldn't
see how I would ever feel good again.  My mind kept coming back to shaking
Greg's hand and saying 'I'll see you Monday' when we parted on Friday
night. Monday is today and I would never see Greg again.  Life was unfair!

   I went though Monday and Tuesday in a kind of haze.  I managed to
concentrate for awhile in each class, but eventually my mind wandered back
to Greg's accident.  I ended up with headaches each evening.

   School was closed for Greg's funeral on Wednesday.  Mom and Dad took off
work to take Andy and me to the viewing and funeral.  I dressed in my best
suit.  God, how could this happen to a nice guy like Greg?

   We aimed to arrive a half hour before the viewing was scheduled to
start. The church parking lot was filled already and cars were parking
along the streets nearby.  We joined the line to go inside.  The line
extended out the front door of the church around the side and half way
around the back when we took our places.  Teammates, cheerleaders, friends
from school, teachers, relatives, other adults and kids continued to join
the line as we slowly worked our way towards the church.

   It took an hour and half for us to get inside.  I had figured out what I
wanted to say to Greg's parents when we got to them.  I wanted to tell them
how good a friend Greg was to me, how much we helped me develop as a
football player, how well he did as team captain this season and how happy
Greg was Friday night when we drove home from the play.  I couldn't get the
words out when Mom, Dad, Andy and I finally got to see Mr.  and Mrs. 
Harrison.  I froze completely.  I fought to hold back tears.  All that came
out was, "I'm...  I'm so sorry." before I started to cry.

   Mrs.  Harrison hugged me.  I tried to express me feelings with the hug,
since words failed me.  I managed to say, "Greg was...  was a good friend."
as I shook his dad's hand.

   Mr.  Harrison said, "Greg considered you to be one of his closest
friends Kyle.  Thank you for coming today."

   I shook Greg's younger brother Gary's hand and managed to say, "If there
is anything I can do to help you Gary, let me know.  Anything for Greg's
little brother." Gary had just turned eleven a couple weeks ago.

   "Thanks Kyle.  I'll remember that." Gary answered.

   The line slowly inched forward toward the casket.  I was thankful that
the casket was closed.  I knew I couldn't face looking at Greg lying dead
in it.  When we passed the casket the line dispersed.  Mom, Dad, Andy and I
found our way to the group of pews reserved to the football team and their
families.  We slipped into the same pew as the Fritzes.  Ed's eyes were
red, probably the same way mine were.  Mom slipped her arm around Andy and
held him to her side.  He laid his head on her shoulder.  Dad did the same
thing for me.  I tried to draw strength from Dad to make it through this
day.

   We sat a long time before the line for viewing the casket finally
dwindled.  I tried to pay attention during the service, but my mind kept
coming back to this: How could God allow this to happen to a nice guy like
Greg that had his whole life in front of him?  Did God even exist if things
like this were allowed to happen?  I had no answers and my beliefs brought
me no comfort on that day.

   Everyone filed out of the church as they followed the pall bearers and
the casket outside to the cemetery.  The graveside service was brief.  We
headed for home after that.  Mom sat in the back seat with Andy and me. 
She held us as we quietly sobbed, thinking about our final good bye to our
friend.

   Greg's funeral made the news.  The reporter estimated that two thousand
people came for the viewing.  He also reported that the police were
charging the bastard who hit Greg with manslaughter.  It turns out that he
was drunk at the time of the accident.  The guy claimed that he only had a
few drinks at his friend's house.  He had a blood alcohol level of 0.17,
more than twice the level to be legally drunk.  The police estimated that
he was doing about 75 mile per hour when he ran the red light and hit Greg.
I hoped they'd fry the bastard.

   Things started to return to normal on Thursday.  I managed to get
through the whole day without crying.  Penny spent every minute she could
with me.  We helped each other keep our emotions under control.

   Thursday night Dad told me, "Are you ready for rehab tomorrow?"

   "I'm too tired.  I can't do it Dad."

   "Kyle, you are going to rehab tomorrow.  You still have a limp.  You
need to strengthen that knee.  I didn't mind you missing rehab on Monday or
Wednesday or skipping your exercises at home the other days.  Greg's death
is a tragedy.  Greg is dead and you're still alive.  You need to move on
and keep living.  Would Greg have liked it that you stopped working out?"

   "No.  He would have kicked my butt and told me to get to work."

   Dad declared, "You WILL go downstairs now and exercise your leg the way
the Matt expects.  You WILL do rehab tomorrow.  That is final!"

   "I'm too tired Dad.  I don't want to." I pleaded.

   "GO!  Do it now." Dad commanded.

   Reluctantly, I obeyed.  I actually felt pretty good by the time I was
finished with my exercises.  Dad was right.

   Rehab on Friday was brutal.  I had skipped too many sessions.  My
flexibility was way down.  Matt, my therapist, twisted and stretched my leg
way beyond what it could do.  It hurt like a bitch.  Matt had to be a
sadist.  I did my exercises to strengthen my knee.  I hurt when I was
finished, but it was a good hurt; the kind of hurt when you completed a
good work out.

   Penny and I went shopping at the mall on Saturday.  It felt good to do
normal things again.  I was OK until I went by Sports Authority store.  I
lost it when I saw a Boston College sweatshirt in the window.  I remembered
the scholarship Greg wouldn't get to use.

   Things were going just like the grief counselor had said.  I was doing
better now than I was a couple days ago.  The counselor said that the pain
would sneak up on me sometimes and hit me when I didn't expect.  He said to
remember the good memories of Greg.  I thought about how happy Greg was
when he lofted the state championship trophy in front of us last month.

   I calmed down as I remembered Greg that day.  That was the Greg I would
hold on to.  It would be hard, but I would make it through this.  For
Greg's memory.

   [This chapter is dedicated to three friends who died too young.  You
live on in our memories!]

   Chapter 21

   ==========

   January 21st represented the end of my one year term of office as my
troop's Senior Patrol Leader.  I wasn't allowed to run for the office
again. Mr.  Clark appointed me to be the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster for
our troop.

   I originally expected either Paul Abbott or Mark Good would succeed me.
Ed felt he was too busy preparing for quarterback next season.  Jeremy
wouldn't run since he was running the Venturer Crew this year.  A couple
weeks earlier Hal unexpectedly decided he wanted to run for SPL.  Hal beat
Paul with Mark coming in a distant third.  Hal tried to get Jeremy to
accept the position of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, but Jeremy said no.
Hal settled for having Paul be his assistant.  It was for the best.  Paul
and Mark needed to get prepared to run the troop when my friends and I
weren't in scouts anymore.

   Football team members celebrated after the January School Board meeting.
They approved construction of the new Stadium.  The bid request would go
out immediately.  The contractor would be selected in February. 
Construction would begin by the end of March, weather permitting.

   Ed and I got a hall pass from Coach Caffrey for our lunch period on
Tuesday.  It gave us permission to go the middle school cafeteria.  We
wanted time to sit down and talk with Logan Mitchell, who quarterbacked the
JV team last season.  We needed him to make it to our film study sessions.
We checked with the teacher on duty in the cafeteria so she knew why we
were in the wrong cafeteria.

   Ed and I got a few confused looks from the younger kids.  Dave Mitchell
(no relation to Logan) and Cody Stevens gave us a big hello when we passed
their table.  Ed and I spotted Logan sitting with some other JV and middle
school football players.

   We made our way over to Logan's table.  I said, "Hey Logan, could we sit
with you?  We'd like to talk with you."

   Logan looked shocked.  "Huh?  What do you want?" I had a couple of the
kids slide down a seat on either side of Logan.  Ed and I sat down on
either side of Logan.  Logan didn't look to comfortable.

   "Relax Logan.  We want to talk.  That's all." I explained, "You know the
film study sessions Ed and I run each Wednesday after school?"

   "Yeah." He answered hesitantly.

   Ed said, "Kyle and I wanted to talk to you and explain how important
these sessions can be.  They can help you a lot."

   I asked, "Did you see Penn State play in the bowl game a few weeks ago?"

   "Yeah." Logan answered.

   "You know Zack Hayes threw three touchdowns at the end of the game and
that Zack went to high school here?"

   "Sure.  Everyone knows that."

   I continued, "You know Ed was first team all-state at quarterback this
year?"

   "No, I didn't." Logan replied.

   Ed said, "I was.  Do you know how I learned to play quarterback well
enough to do that?"

   "Uh... film study sessions?" Logan answered hesitantly.

   "Exactly.  Zack Hayes helped me learn how to break down film; how to
read defenses.  He helped me learn to do what I do now." Ed said.

   I asked, "Ed, how many colleges have sent you recruiting information?"

   Ed smiled, "Twenty-three."

   I continued, "Ed is probably going to get a full athletic scholarship
for college.  Do you know how many tens of thousands of dollars that is
going to save Ed's parents?"

   "No." Logan answered.

   "College can cost any where from $40,000 to 100,000.  An athletic
scholarship would be worth a lot of money." I said.

   Ed continued, "Logan, Kyle and I want to help you learn how to be a top
quarterback in our league.  Zack Hayes taught Jake Kring and me.  I want to
help you learn what I was taught."

   I added, "Ed and I have busted our balls over the last two or three
years to turn our team into one of the best in the state.  We want Jake and
you to keep this tradition of excellence going after we leave.  That is why
we want you to come to the film study sessions."

   Ed looked directly into Logan's eyes.  "What do you think?  Do you want
to be the best quarterback around some day?"

   "Do you think it's possible?" Logan asked hopefully.

   Ed answered, "Sure.  I wasn't anything special three years ago when I
was in eighth grade.  Zack helped me.  I worked hard, practiced and
studied. I'll help you do it too, if you are willing to put in the effort.
What do you say?"

   "I'd like to Ed.  I'll talk to my parents." Logan answered.

   "Good.  We'll see you tomorrow Logan." I said.

   Logan started asking questions about quarterbacking the rest of the way
through lunch.  Ed and I seemed to have made an impression on Logan.  Ed
and I exchanged high fives after lunch when we headed back to the high
school side of the school complex.

   Wednesday afternoon's film study session was well attended.  We had 23
guys ready to learn more about football and one very unhappy girl.  Mom
said that Liz couldn't stay home alone when Andy and I were doing the film
study.  She sat in the back and tried to do her homework over all the noise
we made.  Logan asked lots of questions.  He was paying attention.

   I had a few bad moments as we watched the Greg Harrison score his
touchdown in our game last fall over the Coventry Warriors.  I looked
around the room and saw a lot of the other guys trying to hide tears too.
Ed, Jeremy and I were going to have to discuss this.  We couldn't have a
bunch of football players crying every film session.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Penny and I settled into a nice routine now that her play was finished.
We studied together after school most days.  We frequently took advantage
of no parents being home in the afternoon.  It was great to be able to make
love to your girlfriend regularly.  It wasn't unusual for Dave and Liz to
work on homework downstairs while Penny and I made love in my room and Andy
and Shannon did the same in his bedroom.

   My scout troop went to the district Klondike Derby the last weekend in
January.  We camped out at Muddy Creek Park for the weekend.  Saturday the
senior scouts in our troop helped run stations.  The patrols from the
fifteen southern Lancaster County troops pulled "dog" sleds around the park
and competed at the stations in first aid, knots, lashing, map and compass,
and teamwork skills.  Ed and I ended up running the lashing station for the
day.

   Andy's Fox Patrol placed third among the 32 patrols that competed in our
district's derby.  We headed back to our campsite after the awards ceremony
Saturday afternoon.  The patrols started dinner.

   Our scoutmaster, Mr.  Clark called me and the other assistant
scoutmasters over to talk before dinner.  Mr.  Clark said, "I wanted to
talk with you to discuss ideas for who will be the next troop guides.  Any
thoughts gentlemen?"

   Mr.  Good suggested, "What do you think of Troy Smith?"

   I said, "I think Troy is doing a good job as patrol leader for the
Flaming Arrows."

   Mr.  Huber agreed with my assessment.  Mr.  Clark asked, "What do you
think of Andrew Martin?"

   Andy?  I hadn't thought he would be considered.  Mr.  Good said, "I
think Andy would be good."

   Mr.  Huber added, "Andy's experience on camp staff last summer seemed to
improve his leadership skills.  I could see the difference when he got home
from working at camp."

   "Andy has worked out well as patrol leader for the Foxes." Mr.  Clark
said.  "Kyle, do you think your brother would be up to the task?"

   "Um....  I guess." I hesitated for a few seconds.  "Should we be looking
at older scouts?"

   Mr.  Clark answered, "Normally the troop guides are 14-15 years old and
in ninth grade.  That fits Andrew doesn't it?"

   I admitted, "Yes, he fits.  Would any of the other ninth graders be a
better selection?  What about Eric Connell or Devin Schreffler?"

   Mr.  Good said, "They haven't been a patrol leader or assistant patrol
leader.  I think Eric's too quiet.  Can you imagine Eric working with the
patrol you had two years ago Kyle."

   "No, I can't.  I guess you're right about Eric." I admitted.

   Mr.  Huber asked, "How many new scout patrols do you think we'll have
Charlie?"

   Mr.  Clark, who's first name is Charles, answered, "It looks like two
patrols.  The pack has 13 second year Webelos."

   Mr.  Good said, "That's two patrols.  So Charlie, is it Troy and Andy?"

   Mr.  Clark said, "I think so.  Kyle, you seem to have reservations about
your brother.  Why?"

   "I'm not sure if Andy is ready for such an important job." I answered.

   "I've heard that said before.  Your brother Will said the same thing two
years ago about you before you were appointed as Troop Guide.  I think
Andrew is ready.  Kyle, would you get Troy and Andrew?  I want to discuss
this with them." Mr.  Clark said.

   I got my brother and Troy.  They spent fifteen minutes talking with Mr.
Clark.  Andy had a big grin on his face when he went back to his patrol for
dinner.  He accepted the job for the next year.

   The temperature dropped down to twenty degrees Saturday night.  Hal had
the senior scouts visit every tent to check to make sure all the scouts had
changed into clean clothes before bedtime and that everyone had sleeping
bags and blankets to keep them warm overnight.  It was a cold night, but
everyone survived it.  Hot chocolate tasted great first thing in the
morning.  Our Klondike Derby/Winter campout was a great success.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom called me downstairs on Sunday afternoon after I got home from the
camping trip and had showered.  She was part of the committee organizing
our troop's banquet in two weeks.  Mom went over the guest list to confirm
the guests I wanted to invite when I received my Eagle award.

   My list included my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  I insisted
that we had to invite Justin and Sherry Baer, Matt Horn, Trent Wilson and
Christian Hunsecker.  I would have invited Zack Hayes too, but Ed Fritz had
Zack on his guest list.  Confirmations came in throughout the next week. 
The only people that couldn't make it from my guest list were my Aunt Patty
and Uncle Scott and their kids.

   The 1st of February brought changes to my rehab.  Matt Horn finally felt
my knee had improved to the point where I could do open chain exercises.  I
could do my entire weight lifting routine like I did before my knee injury.
Matt teased me that I was also approved for all sex positions now.  I was
allowed to bowl and golf.  The only restrictions were no running and
jumping.

   Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I decided to take our girlfriends bowling on Friday
night, the night before our banquet.  Penny, Lindsey, Kathy and Tammy
approved of our plan.

   Things improved slightly at the next film study session.  The younger
guys who didn't know Greg Harrison paid close attention as we reviewed our
game with the Trojans.  This was the game Ed missed when he had the flu. 
Ed complimented Jake on his performance as quarterback during the first
three quarters of the game.

   We got to the part where Jake got knocked out.  The video showed me
jogging over to the sideline for directions from Coach Caffrey and then
calling the play in the huddle.  We lined up and Adam Diem snapped the ball
to me.  I dropped back five steps.  Andy had a step on the defensive back
but I overthrew the ball.

   Ed commented, "Nice Kyle."

   On the next play the Trojans blitzed six people.  I hadn't noticed that
during the game last fall.  I watched as Andy came open.  Joey Keller
slipped and the defensive end came loose.  I streaked out of the backfield
chased by two defensive linemen.  I pulled away from them quickly and
wasn't tackled until the strong safety hit me fourteen yards downfield.

   Ed laughed out loud.  Jake joined him.  I scowled at them and growled,
"What?"

   Still laughing, Ed spit out, "You looked like a scared chicken on that
play.  Way to go Kyle."

   I protested, "I made the first down!" I tried to keep from laughing
along with the rest of my friends.  "Hey, I did get better as the game went
on."

   We continued on with the remainder of the game.  When we were done
dissecting the plays on both teams Ed admitted, "You really didn't do too
bad, considering you're a wide receiver."

   "4 for 7 passing for 72 yards and a touchdown is pretty good.  I went
on-line after the game to check my QB rating.  It was 132.1.  How often did
you beat that rating?" I protested.

   Ed laughed and brushed that comment aside.  He said, "I'm glad I got to
see this video Kyle.  I heard you tell me about it, but your description
didn't do it justice.  I think I'll stick to quarterbacking and you stick
to catching the ball."

   "Deal!" I said enthusiastically.  I knew the teasing was all in good
fun. It helped keep the mood of the group lighter than the previous couple
of film study sessions.  I hoped we could find some way to keep the spirit
up in the future.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   The group date on Friday night to the bowling alley with our girlfriends
was an excellent idea.  The eight of us ended up bowling six games that
evening.  We competed as couples.  Hal and Tammy beat our asses.  Ed and
Lindsey came in a distant second.  Jeremy and Kathy were a close behind for
third.  Penny and I took the rear.  Even though we lost badly, Penny and I
had fun.

   I felt great while I was bowling.  My knee was OK until the last game.
It started to stiffen up a little.  I still was happy to start to do normal
things again instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching the way I had
been doing for 3 1/2 months.

   Will and Abby came home from Philadelphia on Friday night.  They spent
the day Saturday shopping for better furniture for their apartment.  They
were going to meet the family at the banquet.

   On Saturday Mom and Dad were busy nearly all day helping with
preparations for the troop banquet.  I got to sleep in and relax until late
afternoon.  I showered and shaved for the evening.  I was making progress
at growing hair on my chin, cheeks and above my lips.  I needed to shave
nearly everyday now, unlike a year or two ago.  The blond hairs were still
too light for most people to see, but the little bit of stubble bothered
Penny when we kissed.

   I dressed in my newest scout uniform.  I carefully rolled my troop
neckerchief, put it on and added my merit badge sash.  Mom and Dad were
already at the church helping set up the room.  I loaded up Andy and Liz in
my Golf, drove three doors down the street and picked up Penny.  I drove us
over to the church.

   The Fellowship Hall was really decked out for the banquet.  Red and
green streamers were strung across the ceiling.  Gorgeous flower
arrangements were in the center of every table.  Penny and I wandered
around the room looking over the displays.  They had pictures from camping
trips in the past few months.  The banquet committee had a large cake
decorated for the Eagle banquet.  It had an Eagle emblem on one side and
"Congratulations Ed Fritz, Hal Long, Kyle Martin and Jeremy North" on the
other side.  Granddad had to take a bunch of pictures of Andy, Liz, Will
and me with the cake.

   My relatives made a big fuss over me and Penny.  Penny and I had a few
minutes to talk with Justin and Sherry Baer.  Sherry's belly was getting
large.  She still had another three months before the baby was due.  Justin
talked about the new house they had just purchased a couple days ago.  It
was only 1/2 a mile from his parent's home.  Justin said they were planning
to move in the beginning of March.  Penny and I promised to help them when
the time came.

   Zack Hayes and I found a few minutes to talk before dinner started. 
Zack regaled Ed, Hal, Jeremy and me with his triumph at the Capital One
Bowl.  Zack told us about the time at the beach that the team had.  He also
hinted at all the girls that hung out with the team.  Zack tried to be
circumspect about his liaisons with the girls, but it sounded like he had a
different one in bed every night.

   Hal went to the front and held up the Scout Sign to call for quiet.  He
announced it was time for everyone to find our seats.  The Rev said the
blessing.  The church ladies served a fruit cup appetizer, ham, turkey,
stuffing, green beans, corn, and garden salad.  As always, the church
ladies outdid themselves with the meal.

   Hal and Mr.  Clark started the program after dinner.  Mr.  Huber handed
out merit badges that the kids earned in the fall and winter.  Mr.  Clark
asked me to help him hand out the rank advancements to the dozen scouts who
advanced in the last few months.  I was proud that the group included my
brother Andy and his friend Eric Connell.  Both of them earned their Life
rank.  They only had one more rank to go, Eagle.  I was confident that the
two of them would make it.

   The lights in the room were dimmed when Andy, Eric and I had seats.  Mr.
Clark lit the candles at the front table for the Eagle presentation.  The
screen dropped down from the ceiling and the ceremony started.

   Mr.  Clark intoned, "I am the voice of the Eagle.

   "I speak for The Eagles whose summit you have struggled so hard to
reach.

   "We remember well when you first came to the base of our mountain, and
how you looked up with ambition and determination."

   The slide projector showed slides of Ed, Hal, Jeremy and me through our
six years on Boy Scouts.  The slides were cued to the script so the
pictures fit what Mr.  Clark was talking about.  The Call of the Eagle
Ceremony talked about the four of us earning our Tenderfoot our first
summer in Boy Scouts.  They showed a picture of the four of us at the pool
at summer camp with Will life guarding in the background.  We could never
have been that small.  The younger scouts giggled at our pictures.

   They showed pictures of the four of us on our first backpacking trip on
the Horseshoe Trail when we were eleven.  The backpacks were impossibly big
for us.  It had been a hard five mile hike.

   Mr.  Clark talked about our climb to the summit of scouting, the Eagle
rank.  He described the metaphorical peaceful meadow we reached when we
attained the First Class Rank at our second summer camp.  They showed
slides of me and my friends goofing around at the lake at the scout camp on
my twelfth birthday.

   Mr.  Clark talked about us continuing to climb towards the Eagle summit.
Slides of my friends and me hiking with younger scouts on a hike a couple
years ago appeared on the screen.  Mr.  Clark continued, describing how the
trail to Eagle got steep.  He showed the four of us on a rock climbing trip
last year.

   Mr.  Clark said, "And now, that you are standing at the summit of the
trail, in the glory of sunshine and wind and cloud at the threshold of your
goal, WE, your Fellow Eagles applaud you and welcome you, for you have done
your climbing in a true Scout-like manner." The slides showed us with
younger scouts watching the eagles soar above the Pinnacle overlooking the
Susquehanna River.

   Mr.  Clark said, "Would the Eagle Scout Honor Guard please escort the
Eagle candidates and their families to the front." Will escorted my
parents, Andy, Liz and me to the front while Joe Baer, Justin Baer and Doug
Chapel escorted the Fritzes, the Longs and the Norths.

   Mr.  Clark invited Joe Baer to the front to speak.  Joe said, "I have
the honor to give the Eagle Scout charge on this occasion of your elevation
to the highest rank in scouting.  The Boy Scouts of all nations constitute
one of the most meaningful and significant movements on world's history,
and you have been found worthy of the highest rank in its membership.  All
who know you rejoice in your achievement.  Your position, as you well know,
is one of honor and responsibility.  You are a marked man.

   "As an Eagle Scout, you assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to
God, to country, to your fellow scouts, and others.  This is a great
undertaking.  You will live up to these obligations and bring honor to
yourself and your brother scouts.  You can not fail and bring down the
standard of all others.  Your responsibility goes beyond your fellow
scouts, to God and your country.  America has many good things to give you
and those who follow you, but these good things depend, for the most part,
on the character and leadership abilities of her citizens.  You come to
help her in all she needs most.  You are here to make her future greater.

   "I charge you to undertake your citizenship with solemn dedication.  Be
a leader, lead only toward the best.  Lift up every task you do and every
office you hold to the highest level of service.  By your doing so, all may
live better." Joe stepped aside and Mr.  Clark stepped to the front.

   Mr.  Clark handed an Eagle Medal to Ed's mother.  Mrs.  Fritz grinned as
she pinned the badge to Ed's uniform.  The room erupted in applause.  Ed
beamed.

   Hal's turn came next.  Mrs.  Long pinned the ribbon to her son's uniform
while Hal teased about be careful not to stick him with the pin.  The
assembled crowd applauded loudly when she finished.

   It was my turn.  Mom was shaking a little as she took the medal from Mr.
Clark.  I understood.  I was too.  I whispered, "You've done this before.
This should be easy."

   Mom answered, "It doesn't get easier with practice Kyle." She grinned as
she undid my shirt pocket button so she could pin the badge on me.  It took
Mom a couple seconds to fiddle with the clasp and finish pinning the badge
on my chest.  I straightened up and proudly displayed the Eagle badge on my
shirt pocket to loud applause from my friends, fellow scouts and their
parents.

   This moment was the proudest of my life.  I had worked for almost six
years to achieve this rank.  Two out of every one hundred scouts made it to
the Eagle rank.  I hoped I could live up to the charge Joe had given us a
couple minutes earlier.

   Focus shifted to Jeremy immediately.  Jeremy's mom received the Eagle
badge, wiped a couple tears from her eyes and pinned the badge on Jeremy's
shirt.  The applause for Jeremy was just as loud and long as it had been
for Ed, Hal and me.

   Mr.  Clark thanked Joe Baer for his assistance.  Mr.  Clark then handed
out commendations that had been received from our state representative,
state senator, congressman, and U.  S.  Senators.  He concluded by reading
the letters we received from the President.

   Mr.  Clark called for all Eagle scouts in the room to congratulate us.
He closed the Court of Honor with the Scoutmaster's Benediction.  Ed, Hal,
Jeremy and I were swamped by well wishers.

   Penny gave me a hug and a kiss when we finally managed to meet.  She
stayed at my side as I accepted congratulations from the crowd.  I finally
got time to talk with Trent Wilson and Christian Hunsecker.  I knew Trent
had received his Eagle about a year ago.  Christian's uniform still
displayed the Life Badge.

   I asked, "Are you going to finish Eagle sometime Christian?"

   "Oh yes.  I finished my project last month.  I'm going to finish the
write up next weekend.  I plan to get my Eagle rank before summer."
Christian explained.

   Trent, Christian and I talked football for a few minutes.  Christian
asked how my knee was doing.  He had noticed that I was limping.  I
explained about overdoing it the previous evening bowling with my friends.
Trent, Penny and I talked about getting together for another double date. I
thanked Trent and Christian for coming before they left.

   Ed, Hal, Jeremy and I had to put up with a long photo session for the
troop leaders so they could get our photos in the newspapers.

   When the photo shoot was over Jeremy said, "This has been some night."

   Ed said, "It was.  I think it's been as special as the night we won the
state championship."

   Jeremy replied, "You're right Ed.  Tonight's been awesome."

   I added, "We've been friends forever.  I'm glad we could get our Eagle
award together."

   Hal said, "You got right Kyle.  The four of us together made it all
possible."

   The four of us shook hands and went to meet our families.  Mom handed me
cards people had given her for me.  The biggest surprise of the night was
inside all the congratulations cards I received.  I didn't find out until I
got home that most of them had cash gifts in them.  I had no idea that
people did that.  The infusion of cash was welcome.  I now had enough money
to keep my girlfriend happy for a couple more months.

   Before we left the church Penny pulled me aside for a quick word.  "Can
you come over tomorrow afternoon for a little Kyle?"

   "Sure honey, what's up?"

   "My parents are going away for long weekend next weekend to a bed &
breakfast in Cape May.  I have the house to myself."

   "Oh, we can have some fun next Saturday evening."

   "No Kyle.  I want more than a few hours of fun.  I'm working on my mom
and dad to get them to allow you to stay overnight with me."

   "Really?  Do you think this is a good idea Penny?  You remember what
happened two summers ago when we tried this, right?"

   "I think I have mom convinced.  I want you to help mom and me convince
dad."

   "We can give it a try.  What can it hurt to ask?" I said.  "What time
should I come over?"

   "Come around 1:30, OK?"

   "I you got it lover" I said.  I gave Penny a kiss before she headed home
with her parents.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   I headed down the street for the Edwards' house after church and lunch
on Sunday.  Penny must have been watching for me.  She met me at the front
door.  "Good.  I'm glad you're here Kyle.  I think mom and I have dad ready
to talk about you staying overnight with me.  Let's go."

   I didn't feel totally comfortable.  I remembered how mad Mr.  Edwards
had been at me two summers ago.  He didn't speak to me for six months.  I
followed Penny to the living room.  Mrs.  Edwards followed us in and had a
seat beside Mr.  Edwards.

   Penny started, "Daddy, I would like to have a sleep over next weekend
while you and Mom are in Cape May."

   Mr.  Edwards looked wary.  Non-committally he asked, "How many girls do
you have in mind?  I don't want you having a party here while we are gone."
He glanced over to his wife for confirmation.  Mrs.  Edwards didn't
indicate yes or no.

   "It isn't a group Daddy.  I only want to invite one person to keep me
company while I'm home alone." Penny answered.

   Mr.  Edwards stared at me.  "One person?" he said, laying the accent on
`person'.

   Penny redirected her father's attention back to her.  "I'd feel more
comfortable if Kyle helped me look after the house Daddy."

   "Kyle?!?!" Mr.  Edwards exclaimed.  "No!" Mr.  Edwards paused for a few
seconds and then glanced over at his wife.  He did not find support.

   "Jim, you know Penny and Kyle are trustworthy and careful.  I think it
would be nice if Penny had company while we are away.  It can get awfully
lonely in this big old house.  I can make the guest room available for
Kyle."

   "Marilyn, are you sure about this?  I don't know if this is a good
idea." Mr.  Edwards replied.

   "I'd feel better if Penny isn't home alone.  Kyle can help look after
things.  I'll make up the guest room.  It will be fine." Mrs.  Edwards said
soothingly.

   Mr.  Edwards' face went blank for a few seconds then he stared directly
into my eyes.  I returned his gaze.  After a few seconds Mr.  Edwards said,
"Are you going to take good care of my special girl?"

   "Absolutely Mr.  Edwards.  Penny deserves the best.  I'll do my best to
take care of her." I promised.

   "I have....  certain reservations about this Kyle.  I remember the two
of you sneaking around behind my back two summers ago.  You took advantage
of her back then.  You broke her heart when the two of you broke up." Mr.
Edwards said.

   "I hope Penny and I have grown up a lot since then.  We did a poor job
of communicating with each other back then.  We are working at doing better
talking with each other now.  I think we can handle some bumps in our
relationship now that we couldn't handle two summers ago.  I love your
daughter and promise to do my best to look after her." I said as sincerely
as I knew how.

   Mr.  Edwards sighed.  "I suppose you can help Penny look after the house
next weekend.  I expect the two of you to be on your best behavior."

   Penny squealed and gave her father a bear hug.  "Thank you Daddy!  Thank
you!  Thank you!"

   I added, "I think my parents will probably call you to confirm these
arrangements.  Thanks you for trusting us Mr.  and Mrs.  Edwards.  We
appreciate your confidence in us."

   Penny and I headed out to the kitchen.  We talked for a few minutes
before I went home.  The whole thing staggered my imagination.  I was going
to spend the weekend with my lover with her parent's knowledge and
permission.

   I talked about my plans for next weekend with my parents when I got
home. They spoke with Mrs.  Edwards and then gave me permission to spend
the weekend with Penny.  It was going to be great.  It was President's Day
Weekend, so we would have three whole days together.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Wednesday afternoon brought our next film study session.  We were
studying our regular season game with Central.  I rubbed my left knee
involuntarily as I watched Nick Zeimer and Christian Hunsecker fall on me
on my final catch of the season.  No wonder my ACL blew out.  My foot had
caught in the turf while I twisted and the two guys landed directly on my
knee.

   Ed noticed my reaction.  He asked, "You OK Kyle?"

   "I will be eventually." I straightened up.  "THAT is not going to be my
last play in football."

   Our group went back to reviewing the Central film after that.  I found
out just how close to losing our team had come after I got injured. 
Christian dominated Nick Zeimer and Seth Vogel after I was gone.  We were
lucky that Central left enough time on the clock for Ed to score one more
time at the end of the game.  We brought the younger kids up to speed on
how we had managed to beat Central.

   Penny was busy Wednesday evening.  I took advantage of this to prepare
for Valentines Day the next day.  I headed for the florists and Groff's
Drug Store.  I bought half a dozen long stemmed red roses, a deluxe
Valentines Day card and a box of chocolate covered cherries.  The candy was
Penny's favorite.  The two of us agreed to keep the gifts low key.  Our
real celebration of our love for each other would be our long weekend
together.

   Penny and I exchanged cards at the bus stop on Thursday morning at the
bus stop.  We exchanged our other gifts after school.  Penny was delighted
with the chocolates and the roses.  Penny bought a gold chain with the
number 87 on it.

   I drove Penny, along with Andy and Liz, to school on Friday since I
needed the car to get to rehab.  I didn't pay much attention during classes
during the day.  I was too excited about spending the entire weekend with
my lover.  Penny met me at my car in the parking lot when our last class
was over.

   "Hey lover, how was seventh period?" Penny asked when she found me
leaning against the hood of the Golf.

   "It was good.  Mr.  Winters handed back my latest drawing.  He gave me
an A- on it." I answered as we hugged.  We kissed for a few seconds.  Penny
put her hands on my shoulders and leaned back against my encircling arms.

   Penny stared into my eyes.  "I'm happy for you honey." We kissed again.
Our tongues met and a tingle went down my spine.  I squeezed Penny against
my body.  Penny wiggled her breasts against my chest while our tongues
tangled together.  My cock responded to the feel of my lover.  It was half
way hard in seconds.

   "Yeeecchh!  Is that all you two ever do?" Penny and I broke our lip lock
and both turned to look at our interrupter.

   Penny grinned and said, "Hey Liz."

   "You've got lousy timing Liz." I added.  Penny and I pulled apart a
little.

   Penny said, "You'll understand someday Liz, when you have a serious
boyfriend."

   "Yeah, right.  Like some guy will ask me out." Liz answered.

   "Hasn't anyone asked you out yet?" Penny asked.  "You know seventh grade
boys can be a little shy sometimes."

   Liz answered, "I get asked to go steady about once a week, but it's just
Dave." Liz meant Dave Mitchell, her long time friend and play-mate.

   "What's wrong with Dave?" I asked.

   Liz explained, "Dave's almost like another brother.  He isn't going to
be my boyfriend."

   I asked, "Why not Dave?" I was more than a little surprised.  I knew
that Dave really wanted to be with my sister.  I always thought the
feelings were mutual.

   "It would be like doing things with you or Andy.  NO THANK YOU!" Liz
declared.

   Penny said, "Be patient.  The boys in your class will figure out how
special you are Liz.  It just takes them some time to figure things out."

   Andy arrived.  He grinned and asked, "What's up?"

   I answered, "We're waiting on you." The four of us loaded up in the
Golf.

   When we pulled out of the parking lot Andy asked, "Can you drop me off
at Shannon's?  Her mom is away this afternoon.  We've got a couple hours to
scr..." I noticed in the mirror that Andy glanced at Liz.  "Uh....  Well,
be together.  We don't get enough chances, you know?"

   Penny and I laughed.  I said, "I remember how it was in ninth grade
Andy. To the Phillips' home."

   I dropped Andy off and headed for home.  Penny and I had agreed that we
would skip our usual time together after school and meet after dinner.  I
loaded up my overnight bag with the things I needed for the weekend.  I
watched some TV until dinner time.  I bolted immediately after dinner.

   I arrived at the Edward's house before Mr.  and Mrs.  Edwards left for
their long weekend.  I helped Mr.  Edwards carry the suitcases out to the
car.  Mr.  and Mrs.  Edwards gave Penny a hug and a good bye kiss when all
the suitcases were loaded.

   Mr.  Edwards stared at the two of us as we stood side by side beside the
car trunk.  "You know I don't want any parties this weekend?"

   "Of course not Daddy." Penny answered.

   "At most Ed, Lindsey, Jeremy, Kathy, Hal and Tammy may drop by for a few
minutes before we go to dinner on Saturday night." I gave Penny a quick
kiss on the cheek.  "We're taking our girlfriends out to dinner and a movie
on Saturday night."

   Mr.  Edwards answered, "That will be all right I guess."

   Mrs.  Edwards added, "I have the guest room all made up Kyle." Mr. 
Edwards climbed in the car.  I caught Mrs.  Edward's wink before she
climbed in to join her husband.  She understood our plans for the weekend
and approved.  She's certainly a cool mom.  Penny and I both waved to them
as they pulled away.

   I wrapped my arms around Penny and nibbled her ear lobe.  "What do you
want to do first?" I asked.

   Penny wiggled loose.  "Let's pace ourselves Kyle.  We have three whole
days together.  Why don't we get our homework out of the way?"

   I sighed.  "I guess you're right." I gave Penny a kiss.  We started back
to the house.  I asked, "Do you think we should spend one night in the
guest room, just for appearances?"

   "It might be a good idea.  Daddy probably would be more comfortable
coming home and seeing dirty sheets on that bed."

   Penny and I headed inside.  I took my bags upstairs to Penny's room.  We
spent a couple hours working on our homework.  Pre Calc and Chemistry were
both done by 9 pm.  Penny and I had a bedtime snack.  We were finishing our
ice cream when Penny asked, "Do you want to take a bubble bath before bed
tonight?"

   "Mmm... That sounds like fun." I said as I remembered doing that with
Penny two years ago.

   We headed upstairs, undressed in Penny's room and headed to the
bathroom, naked.  We cleaned each other thoroughly and soaked in the bubbly
water for almost half an hour.  Our touching and caressing finally made us
excited.  I was sitting in the tub with my hard erection trapped between
myself and my lover.  Penny simply rose up and carefully sat back down on
my cock.

   Penny and I made love slowly.  Penny rose and fell on my cock while I
caressed her smooth skin, especially her breasts.  Penny rode my seven
incher for almost ten minutes.  The water was starting to cool.  I reached
between Penny's legs and played with her clitoris as she stimulated herself
with my cock.  She rode me for another minute or two before I brought her
to climax by rubbing her clit.  The sensations of her pulsing pussy made on
my cock was enough to bring me off too.  I thrust hard up into her body
about three times before I shot gobs of gooey cum against the entrance to
her womb.

   I collapsed against the back of the tub and Penny rested against me.  My
cock deflated and plopped out into the luke warm water.  I shivered for a
second when my cock left Penny's warmth and hit the cool water.  I kissed
my lover's neck and helped her to her feet.  We dried each other off and
pulled on robes.  The two of us went downstairs to lock up and make sure
the house was secure for the night.

   Penny and I went back upstairs to her bedroom.  We pulled the sheets
aside, dropped the robes and climbed in bed.  We exchanged pleasure in the
sixty-nine position until Penny came twice and I came in her mouth.  We
snuggled together and kissed while I recovered.

   Penny asked, "How do you want to do this Kyle?" as she stroked my
semi-erect cock.  It hardened quickly.

   "How about if we do it with your ankles on my shoulders?"

   "Can we?  I thought you hurt your knee again when we did that last time.
Is it safe?"

   "Matt Horn says I'm OK for that position now.  My knee is getting
better."

   "Cool." Penny cooed.  She rolled on her back and spread her legs wide to
make room for me.  I pulled her ankles on my shoulders and lined my cock up
with her hole.  I drove my cock smoothly into my lover's pussy until I
bumped into her cervix.

   "Aaahhh....  I love it when you..." I pulled part way out and thrust
again.  "Unnh" Penny grunted when I hit bottom again.  "Yeah!  I love it
deep Kyle."

   The bed rattled and bumped against the wall as I withdrew and drove my
cock into Penny.  Penny grunted each time I hit bottom and squealed as I
pulled out again.  We shared our bodies for ten or twelve minutes until I
stimulated Penny enough for her third orgasm of the night.  I continued
working my cock in and out while Penny writhed and groaned through her
climax.  Penny never completely came down from that high while I continued
stroking her.  Her pussy spasmed around my cock as I screwed her.  It took
me a couple more minutes to approach my own climax.  I increased the speed
of my thrusts.  Penny squealed, "JEEE-SUUUSSS!  Don't......
oooooOOOHHHH.... stop..."

   I could feel my balls tighten and force my sperm from them.  I drove my
cock as deep as possible into my lover, bumping her cervix again.  Penny
grunted and climaxed for a fourth time in the evening.  Her pussy squeezed
and clenched around my hard invader.

   I groaned, "Ohhhhh...... GOD!" and spewed my cum into my lover's pussy.
Penny's hot vagina milked my cock for every single drop of cum I had. 
Squirt after squirt after squirt until I felt my cum and Penny's juices run
down my balls.

   I collapsed on top of Penny, completely spent.  Penny rolled us on our
sides.  We stared into each others eyes.  After about thirty seconds Penny
cooed, "No one has ever done that for me like you have Kyle.  You're the
greatest."

   "You're really special sweetie.  I love you." I answered.

   We cuddled together, holding each other.  I pulled the covers over us.
Penny flipped on the TV.  We held each other as we relaxed.  Penny flipped
the TV off when the news came on.  We cuddled together and fell asleep.

   I woke up early, before dawn, and needed to pee.  I tried to quietly
disentangle myself from Penny so I could take care of nature's call.  I
thought I was successful until I climbed back into bed.

   Penny rolled over towards me.  "Good morning honey."

   "Good morning." I answered.  I gave her a kiss.  "Did I wake you?"

   "I was half awake already." Penny answered.  "What time is it?"

   "It's a little before 6 o'clock.  We should get some more sleep."

   Penny rolled over so she was facing away from me.  I spooned with her
and wrapped my arms around her waist.  I rubbed my hand against her chest.
Penny wiggled her backside against my crotch.  That got my cock's attention
instantly.  I rubbed my growing erection between her butt cheeks.  It only
took Penny and me a minute of rubbing our bodies together to send our
libidos into overdrive.

   Penny scooted up the bed a little, reached between her legs and grabbed
my hard rod.  She positioned it against her opening and slid back down the
bed impaling herself on my cock.  We made love slowly in our sides, me
thrusting my cock into her.  I held her body tight against mine while we
made love.  Penny held her hands over mine.  I lasted about ten minutes.  I
started to play with Penny's clit when my orgasm was approached.

   My orgasm overwhelmed me before I could bring Penny to climax.  I
crawled under the covers when I had drained my gooey semen into Penny.  I
licked around her clitoris and used two fingers in her pussy to bring her
to climax.  Penny licked my sloppy cock while I worked on bringing her to
orgasm.  It took me a couple minutes to bring my lover to climax.

   The two of us cuddled together and fell asleep quickly.  Sunlight was
flooding across the bed when I finally woke up.  I glanced at the clock. 
It was after 10:30 in the morning.  I took a quick shower, dressed and went
downstairs.  I started up the coffee maker and retrieved the morning paper
from the porch.  I was drinking my second cup (lots of sugar with a little
milk) when I heard the shower go on upstairs.

   I gave Penny a kiss when she came downstairs to join me in the kitchen.
I made bacon and eggs for brunch for the two of us.  I cleaned up the
dishes when we were done.  Penny and I locked up and went over to my house
to let my parents know we were going to the mall.  Penny's dad's birthday
was in a week and a half.  I helped her find a nice gift at Sears in the
tools department.

   Penny and I were home in plenty of time to shower and clean up for our
night out with Ed, Lindsey, Jeremy, Kathy, Hal and Tammy.  My friends
arrived couple by couple.  We had set things up that Ed and I would drive.
Hal and Tammy hopped in my car while Jeremy, Kathy and Lindsey followed Ed
next door.  I pulled out on to the street and waited for Ed.  I followed
him to Millersville and the mall by the movie theater.

   We had dinner at the pizza place that the football team used as the
in-season hang out.  We ran into Stacie Thompson and Drew McCormick there.
We invited them to eat with us.  The ten of us headed for the theater after
that.  I spent the movie with my arm around Penny's shoulder while she laid
her head on my shoulder.  It was a comfortable way to watch the movie. 
Penny and I enjoyed the movie tremendously.

   Penny and I headed to bed when we got home.  We shared our bodies just
once that night, a subdued performance by our standards.  Penny and I slept
soundly through the night, spooned together.  Penny's alarm woke us up at
7:30 in the morning.  We planned to go to my church.

   Penny made pancakes for our breakfast while I showered and shaved.  We
ate our breakfast.  I did the dishes while Penny showered.  We dressed in
our Sunday best and headed for my church.  Penny wanted to see what our
services were like.  We hopped in my Golf and headed for the church.

   Mom was delighted when we slid in the pew with my family.  She leaned
over and whispered to us, "I was afraid you two were going to be heathens
today, lost in the pleasures of the flesh."

   Penny blushed.  I whispered back, "I'm here to give thanks for the
beauty of God's creations, such as my girlfriend." I gave Penny a quick
kiss on the cheek.  She blushed even more.  Mom giggled.

   I did my best to help Penny keep up with the order of the service.  I'm
Presbyterian and Penny's Methodist.  Her services and mine were similar but
not the same.  The Rev gave an excellent sermon.  The choir sang
beautifully.  Penny and I walked out holding hands when the service was
over.  The Rev greeted Penny warmly when I introduced her to him.

   Mom intercepted Penny and me before we could leave church.  Mom asked,
"Do you two want to come to dinner with the family tonight?"

   I looked at my girlfriend and asked, "What do you think?"

   Penny nodded yes and said, "That would be very nice Mrs.  Martin.  Kyle
and I will accept your offer."

   "Thanks for inviting us Mom." I added.

   Penny and I went back to her house, changed into everyday clothes and
had lunch.  I read ahead in the assigned reading for English after lunch.
Penny studied the script for the next Drama Guild play.  She needed to get
ready for auditions next week.  Later in the afternoon we watched a movie.

   Mom had roast chicken and stuffing for dinner.  It was great.  Penny and
I thanked Mom for dinner and headed back to her house.  We settled in
watching TV for the evening.

   Penny and I made love again before we went to bed in the guest room.  We
had to keep appearances up for Penny's dad.  Penny and I took full
advantage of our day off from school on Monday morning.  We slept until ten
o'clock.  Penny and I were playful when we got up.  We ended up feeling
each up and then sharing a shower.  The shower led to another session of
wet slippery sex under the shower.

   We finally left the shower after two orgasms each and when the hot water
ran out.  We dried each other off, dressed and headed downstairs.  Penny
and I double checked the house to make sure everything was cleaned up and
suitable for parental inspection.  Penny's mom and dad were expected to
return after lunch.

   Penny made grilled cheese sandwiches for us while I warmed up soup for
our lunch.  Penny and I were finishing lunch when Penny asked, "You're
going on the Venturer ski trip next weekend right?"

   "What?  Why would you think that?  I can't ski yet.  Matt Horn would
have a fit if I even thought about skiing."

   "Oooohh... who is going to keep me company?" Penny asked.  She batted
her eyes at me flirtatiously.

   "You know I love skiing, but why would I go?  I'd end up sitting in the
lodge all day getting bored."

   "You know they have snow tubing, don't you?"

   "They do?" I asked.

   "Sure.  Why don't you come?  I'll go tubing with you.  We'll have a
blast."

   "Will my knee be OK?"

   "Sure.  All you have to do is sit in the tube and slide down the hill.
How could that hurt your knee?"

   I admitted, "I guess you're right.  I'll do it if you tube with me."

   Penny smiled and said, "Sold!  Let's call Joe Baer and get him to add
you to the list of people going on the trip."

   One phone call had fixed all necessary arrangements.  Penny and I
cleaned up the lunch dishes and hung out until her parents came home. 
Penny gave her mom and dad a big hug and a kiss.

   Mr.  Edwards asked, "Did everything go OK honey?"

   "Of course Daddy." Penny answered.

   I grinned and added, "The fire company did a great job cleaning up
things upstairs.  The tree in the back yard is only slightly singed from
the explosion.  I'm sure it'll grow back in the spring."

   Mr.  Edwards laughed.  "Thank you for keeping Penny company this weekend
Kyle.  I'll send the bill for any of the `damages' to your parents.  I'm
sure they will be happy to take the money out of your allowance."

   I shook hands with Mr.  Edwards.  "Seriously, thanks for trusting me to
spend the weekend with your daughter."

   I gathered my things up while Mr.  and Mrs.  Edwards unloaded their
bags. Penny helped me load my things in my car.  I had left it parked in
front of the Edwards' house after church.

   I gave Penny a hug and a kiss before I moved my car down the street to
my house.  I said, "I wish we could live like this all the time.  I really
envy Will and Abby.  I guess this is what their life is like now."

   "This weekend was great.  You know Penn does have a football team.  Your
grades and SAT's are good enough to get in there."

   "I know.  It's tempting but I want to learn as much about football as I
can while I'm in college.  I think I'll learn more and do better in
football at a Division I college.  We'll just have to enjoy our time
together while we are in high school."

   Penny answered, "We have almost a year and half.  We'll enjoy what we
have and deal with college when the time comes.  I love you Kyle."

   "I love you too." I said.  I gave Penny a passionate kiss.  I drove home
and unloaded my things.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   The Venturer Crew ski weekend did turn out to be fun.  Penny and I spent
the whole day riding large tubes down the hill.  We spent time with our
friends at lunch and dinner on Saturday.

   One surprise was how Heather Miller and my brother reacted to each
other. Heather had sniped at Andy any time they were near each other since
the break up last fall.  This trip they actually talked civilly to each
other.  I could see how relieved Eric Connell and Sammy Hoover were by this
development.  Eric and Sammy had been caught in the middle of the bickering
for months.  Eric was Andy's closest friend and Sammy was Heather's best
friend.

   Penny and I did take advantage of the heated shower house very late on
Saturday night after most of the crew fell asleep.  Penny and I were
slightly surprised when we bumped into Eric and Sammy heading for privacy
at the shower house when we were done.  It was fun to see how the two of
them blushed when they bumped into us.  We wished them well before we went
back to our cabin.

   Monday night was a big night for our scout troop.  The night the second
year Webelos joined Boy Scouts.  Mr.  Clark divided the thirteen new scouts
into two patrols.  I was pleased when Mr.  Clark assigned Greg Harrison's
younger brother Gary to Andy's patrol.  Andy did a good job his first night
as a troop guide.  By the end of the evening his patrol was set and they
picked their name.  They were going to be the Hawk Patrol.

   Chapter 22

   ==========

   We had fun at the film study session in the afternoon on the last
Wednesday in February.  This week's game was the seventh game of the
season, our blow out with Eastern.  Jeremy, Ed and I taught the younger
players about how we used our play selection to keep Eastern's defense off
balance.  We had used the deep pass in the beginning to spread out the
defenders so Drew could run.  When they put eight in the box (eight
defenders close to the line of scrimmage) we used play action to freeze the
line and linebackers and give Andy one-on-one coverage deep.  We nailed
them three times with deep passes, twice for Andy's touchdowns.

   I made an announcement when we finished the session.  "All of you know
Coach Baer right?" Most of the group nodded.  "He is moving on Saturday. 
He and his wife Sherry have promised soda and all the pizza we can eat for
everyone who helps them move.  I hope all of you can help out.  We are
meeting at the Baers at 10 am.  If you need directions, take one of these
sheets.  If you need a ride, talk to Ed, Jeremy, Hal, Drew, Travis or
myself.  We'll pick you up in the morning and drop you off at your house
when we are done in the afternoon.  Could I see a show of hands if you can
help Coach Baer."

   Eight guys raised their hands, not counting Ed, Andy and Jeremy.  I knew
they were going to help.  Patrick Jones, Logan Mitchell and Corey Brown all
asked me to give them a ride.  Patrick and Corey are freshmen.  Patrick
hoped to make varsity next fall as a free safety.  Corey expected to play
as linebacker.  I agreed to get Logan at 9:35, Corey at 9:40 and Patrick at
9:45.
Friday morning Matt Horn announced it was time for some new exercises.
Matt said I had done well building up my hamstrings and quadriceps.  He
tested my knees on the orthotron.  I had 75% strength in my left knee.  It
was time to work on agility and balance.  Matt had me practice hopping off
an 18" high box and landing on two feet.  Matt expected me to do this for a
few weeks and then I could start jogging.  I was anxious to get back to my
normal life.  My knee was a little sore by the end of rehab, but it felt

like I was making progress.

   I got up early on Saturday.  I grabbed some breakfast and then went
upstairs to wake Andy up.  "Come on you lazy bum.  Get your butt out of
bed." I said as I shook Andy.

   "Nooooo..." Andy moaned.

   "You have to be over at Ed's house in twenty minutes.  You owe Justin
Baer big time of all the help he has given you in football this year.  Get
your ass out of bed." I yanked the covers off of Andy.

   "Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I'm getting up." Andy said as he sat up.  "Why can't
I get a ride with you?"

   "You could, but I'm leaving right now.  I have to pick up Patrick, Logan
and Corey.  I'll see you at the Baers at ten o'clock.

   My passengers and I met my friends at the Baers.  I was pleased at the
turn out.  We had a dozen Venturers and fourteen guys from the football
team.  Jon and Amy Miller came to help.  Joe and Barb Baer were there too.
Jon's sister Heather babysat Justin and Sherry's son Billy, Joe and Barb's
kids Betty and Jeff and Jon and Amy's son Brian.  Brian, Betty and Billy
were five.  Jeff was three.  Billy made a point of making sure everyone
knew "I'm going to be six in thirteen days." He insisted he isn't a baby
anymore.  Billy and Brian were best friends.  They got along well with
Billy's cousin Betty.  Jeff followed along with what ever his big sister
and cousin did.

   Amy, Barb, Penny, Kathy and Tammy all helped Sherry get things packed
while Sherry sat, watched and directed the packing.  Sherry's due date was
nine weeks away.  She needed all the help she could get.

   Justin rented a U-Haul truck for the day.  The big work gang had
everything packed and loaded before lunch.  Justin led the way to his new
home.  It was about a mile and half from his parent's house.  It was a
modest, i.e.  small, three bedroom house.  It was probably about
twenty-five years old.

   Barb, Amy and Sherry had two coolers filled with sodas for us when we
arrived at the new house.  The pizzas came a few minutes later.  We chowed
down on our inducement to help with the move.  It was delicious.

   I noticed Eric, Sammy, Andy and Heather hanging out together.  They
seemed to actually to have fun.  I would be nice if Andy and Heather would
learn to coexist with each other.  I always thought Andy and Heather made a
good couple.

   After lunch Jon and Joe took the U-Haul and a gang of Venturers over to
the Jones' house (Sherry's parents).  They were donating some old furniture
to help Justin and Sherry finish furnishing their house.  The rest of us
carried all the furniture and boxes inside to the appropriate rooms and
helped the Baers unpack.  Everything was in place by 3 pm.  Justin and his
family were moved in and ready to begin life in their new house.  Billy was
delighted to finally have his own bedroom including a real bed.  He had
spent nights on a sofa bed since he out grew sleeping in a crib.

   I loaded my riders in my car and hit the road.  I felt good about all
the help the team and the Venturers had given the Baers.  We really did a
good turn for them.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Penny's audition went extremely well for the Drama Guild's spring
production of Peter Pan.  Penny won the starring role of Peter.  I thought
it was hilarious that my sexy, curvaceous girlfriend would be playing the
perpetual boy.  This was going to be interesting.

   The exercising I did every day was finally starting to show.  I only
lost a couple of the pounds I gained since I hurt my knee but flab around
my waist had disappeared.  My abs stood out the way I expected.  I needed
to get the strength in my left leg up to match my right.  I was anxious to
start jogging again.  Matt Horn had promised that I should be able to start
before the end of March.

   Penny and I headed to Manheim on the second Saturday of March to meet
Ashley and Trent.  Trent took us to a restaurant in Elizabethtown for
dinner.  We caught a movie afterwards.

   In Boy Scouts Mr.  Clark assigned me to help Andy and Troy teach their
patrols the skills they would need to learn in the next year.  Andy and I
both spent a little extra time with Gary Harrison.  It was the least we
could do for him.  Nothing would ever make up for losing his brother but we
did our best to help him with the pain.

   Our Easter vacation from school came much earlier than usual.  We were
off from school from March 17th to March 24th.  Will and Abby decided to
stay in Philadelphia for most of their spring break.  Penny and I enjoyed
our free time together for the week.  We got together every afternoon.  We
watched movies a couple afternoons.  We went shopping together at the mall
another afternoon.  We also enjoyed some recreation in my bedroom too.  The
week off was great.

   Letters arrived for Andy and me from the Boy Scout Council office.  They
contained our summer camp staff contracts.  Both of us were going to be
aquatics instructors for the summer.  Ed was hired to work in the Pioneer
(first year) Scout program area.

   Will and Abby came home on Good Friday.  Abby and the Hendricks family
joined my family for Easter dinner.  Abby surprised nearly everyone after
dinner.  She told us that she had accepted the position of Camp Health
Officer for our camp this summer.  Will explained that last year's Health
Officer had decided not to come back.  Mr.  Holloway had mentioned that to
Will, who suggested that he knew a pre-med student who might be willing to
do the job.  It took Will a week to convince Abby to do it, but she agreed.

   I was impressed with my brother's thinking.  It's a brilliant idea to
bring your girlfriend along to scout camp for the summer.  If only I could
find some job at camp for Penny.  That would be really sweet.

   Our troop went camping at Camp Rodney down on the Chesapeake Bay the
next to the last weekend of March.  I had never been to this camp before.
We stayed at a cabin at the bottom end of the camp.  The cabin sat on top
of a bluff overlooking the bay.  It overlooked the sail base of the camp.
They had sailing, motor boating and water skiing at this camp.  I wish I
had something like this at the boat yard at my camp.  It was a beautiful
spot.

   Ed and I helped Andy and Troy teach their scouts knife and axe safety,
how to cut or chop down trees, how to use an axe or hatchet to limb a tree
and how to split wood for campfires or wood stoves.  These new kids were
extremely enthusiastic and excited about their first campouts.  I enjoyed
helping them earn their Totin' Chip Award.  The kids were exhausted by
dinner time.

   We finished up our winter film study sessions on March 26th.  We
reviewed our first playoff game with Gov.  Pinchot.  We weren't going to
play them in the regular season but could see them in the playoffs next
year.  They were one of the better teams in our part of the state.

   Coach Caffrey joined our group at the end of the film session.  He
wanted to report on some decisions regarding the next season.  The first
thing was that the PIAA had approved us wearing a black patch with the
number 82 on it to commemorate Greg Harrison's contribution to our team
over the past three years.

   Coach also let us know that construction on the new stadium was
scheduled to start next Monday.  Last week the school board decided to name
the new stadium `Harrison Field' in Greg's memory.  It was a fitting
memorial to a great teammate.

   Ed, Jeremy and I talked with the guys at the film session about our
spring passing drills.  We were going to start the drills next week on
Tuesday after school.  The passing drills would be held on Tuesdays and
Thursdays until the end of the school year.

   Ed, Jake, Jeremy, Seth Vogel, Drew McCormick and I met after school on
Thursday.  The six of us were going to run the spring training.  Ed and
Jake would take turns running the varsity squad while the other worked with
quarterbacks on the JV squad.  Drew would spend time with the running
backs. Jeremy and Seth would take turns with the varsity and JV linebackers
and defensive backs.  I would work with the receivers and defensive backs
in both squads.  I would coordinate things during practice since I wasn't
allowed to participate yet.

   Matt Horn laid out a new exercise program for me the following Monday.
He said my leg was ready for straight ahead jogging.  Matt took me outside
for my first run.  I was to jog 50 yards and then walk for 200 yards.  Each
day I was to add 50 yards to my jog.  I was to cool down after each jog
with a walk.  The jog wasn't much, but at least I felt like I was making
some progress.

   I convinced Mom and Dad to let me drive to school everyday so Andy and I
would have a ride home after our spring practices.  I loaded my folding
camp chair in the trunk before school.  I wanted to be able to sit down if
my knee started to hurt too much during practice.  I wasn't used to
standing and walking around for almost two hours without a break.

   I counted heads as guys came in the locker room after school for our
first practice.  Thirty-three middle school and high school guys showed up.
We divided up the group into two squads.

   Ed, Drew and Seth Vogel organized the first squad, mostly varsity
starters or back-ups.  Jake, Jeremy and I organized the second squad.  This
group was mostly JV players and guys that were on the middle school team.
Jake worked with Logan Mitchell and Garrett Houseman at quarterback. 
Jeremy worked with the defensive backs and linebackers to show them how we
wanted the practices to run.  I worked with the receivers and running
backs.

   Part way through practice Ed, Drew and Seth traded teams with Jake,
Jeremy and me.  I never did get to sit down during the hour and forty-five
minute practice.  The whistle my friends gave me last spring came in handy
to keep practice moving along.

   Jason Harting looked good in my wide receiver spot.  He should have, he
was our number three wide receiver for ten games last season after I got
hurt.  Pete Ellis was expected to start at tight end in the fall.  He
needed more work, especially on the crossing routes that Greg Harrison was
so good at running.  Pete's younger brother Cameron did a good job backing
up Drew and Marcus at running back.

   I had a surprise at practice.  Brett Fulmer covered Jason for the first
half of practice.  Jeremy switched Dylan and Brett for the second half. 
Dylan couldn't cover Andy.  That wasn't surprising.  He couldn't keep up
with Andy last either.  Brett could almost match Andy step for step on the
speed routes.  His coverage technique wasn't very good, but he was fast. 
Brett's speed reminded of something I heard Zack Hayes and Coach Caffrey
talking about when I started football three years ago.  We can teach a kid
how to play football but we couldn't teach him to be fast.  Brett was fast.
We would work on everything else he needed to know this spring and summer.

   I used my break time in the middle of practice to do my day's jogging. I
jogged the length of the field.  My knee was OK when I was done.  The first
practice reminded me how much I wanted to get my rehab done so I could
finally play football again.  It was what I was meant to do.

   I enjoyed watching Jake work with the first squad in the second half of
practice.  The guys looked a little rusty.  That was expected.  We hadn't
played football for almost four months.  I was satisfied at the end of the
afternoon.  We had made a good start to preparing to defend our state
championship.

   The Drama Guild was in full swing preparing for opening night on Friday,
April 25th.  Penny had play practice three days a week after school.  We
still managed to spend at least three evenings together after dinner to
study each week.  I helped Penny memorize her lines when I had free time.

   Each week Matt Horn allowed me to jog a little further.  The second week
Matt said I could jog for a quarter mile, the third week I could go half a
mile and the last week I was allowed to jog a mile.  I was able to lift
weights with Ed and Andy each evening and then start on the evening run
with them.  I walked back home when I reached the maximum distance for the
week.

   I bugged Matt each week about how soon I could participate in spring
practice.  Matt continued to tell me I wasn't ready yet.  It was
frustrating.  Matt said I had a good chance of being ready some time in
May. At least it looked like I would be able to get in some practice.

   The Venturer Crew decided to go to French Creek State Park on the third
weekend in April.  The park has an excellent system of mountain bike
trails. Justin Baer was going to set up an orienteering course in the
afternoon.  I talked to Matt Horn about the trip before I signed up for the
trip.  Matt said I could go as long as I stuck to straight bike riding.  I
wasn't allowed to do any tricks or jumps.

   It was interesting to see who signed up for the trip at our crew meeting
a couple weeks before the trip.  It wasn't unusual for our crew to have a
lot of couples.  Heck, it was normal to have half or more of the attendees
on trips to be couples.  Penny and I were going, Ed and Lindsey, Jeremy and
Kathy, Jake and Morgan, Eric and Sammy, Brandon McCafferty and his
girlfriend of the past four months Cassie Nolt, along with Mark Good and
his girlfriend of the past month Karen Reeser.  The only kids going on the
trip without their boyfriend or girlfriend were Andy, Paul and Heather.

   Andy managed to talk Shannon into staying in a cabin on the ski trip in
February.  She wasn't impressed with the "dusty smelly" cabin or going
outside to go to the bathrooms.  When Shannon heard we were sleeping in
tents she absolutely refused to go on the April trip.  Paul didn't have a
steady girlfriend.  Heck, I don't think he had been on more than a few
dates since he started high school two years ago.  Heather's current
boyfriend Nate Foster wanted to go on the trip, but couldn't.  His cousin
was getting married down in Virginia that weekend and Nate had to go to the
wedding.

   Justin Baer went along on the trip to help Joe and Barb.  Not
surprisingly Sherry elected to stay home.  The baby was due in twelve days.
She allowed Justin to go as long as he had his cell phone with him at all
times.  French Creek State Park was only about a half hour away from home.
Justin's dad stayed "on-call" for the weekend just in case.

   Our campsite was at the top of the hill in the group camping area.  We
had lots of privacy in our campsite.  Every couple set up their own tent.
Andy and Paul shared a tent.  Justin and Heather each had a tent of their
own.  The sounds coming from our tents after bedtime were more intense than
usual, with seven couples taking advantage of the privacy to share
themselves with their partner.

   Everyone grabbed their mountain bikes after breakfast and headed out for
our first trail ride.  I hung back near the back of the group.  I didn't
want to do something stupid to hurt my knee on the weekend.  We rode about
five miles through the woods and hills of northern Chester County and
southern Berks County.  We headed back to camp in the middle of the morning
for a snack and to get everyone hydrated.  My knee started to hurt a little
as we rode up the steep hill leading to our campsite.

   I volunteered to stay back in camp when the group went out for a second
ride and make lunch for the group.  I grabbed my MP3 player and went for a
walk before I started lunch.  Justin went out during the second ride to set
up the orienteering course for our group after lunch.  He was back in time
to help me get lunch ready.  The bikers returned to camp around 12:30.

   Our group had lunch and then went out on Justin's orienteering course.
Orienteering is a cross between a foot race and a map and compass test. 
Unlike a normal race, there was no set course you had to follow.  The map
had eight control points marked on it.  You had to get to all eight of them
but you could take any route you wanted.

   Jeremy suggested that we do the orienteering course as couples.  Mark
and Karen invited Paul to go with them.  Heather suggested that she could
go with Andy.  Andy agreed immediately.

   Justin started the teams off every five minutes.  Justin decided the
order by pulling names out of the hat.  Jake and Morgan left first.  Ed and
Lindsey followed five minutes later.  Jeremy and Kathy, Eric and Sammy;
Mark, Karen and Paul all followed at five minute intervals after Jake and
Morgan.  Penny and I finally took off when it was our turn.  Brandon and
Cassie would follow us.  Andy and Heather would go last.  Andy and Heather
passed time until it was their turn sitting at the picnic table talking,
mostly about the Algonquin trip last summer.

   Justin laid out a 3 mile long course with eight control stations.  Penny
and I jogged out of the campsite for the first control point.  I warned
Penny that we probably wouldn't have a great time.  Matt Horn approved me
doing orienteering, but I couldn't jog more than a mile and I was only
allowed to jog on paved or smooth dirt roads.  We would be at a
disadvantage to all the athletes on the other teams.  I just hoped we
wouldn't place last.

   We had no trouble finding the first marker.  We passed Jake and Morgan
when we got close to the second control.  When we found the second control
and used the punch to mark our scorecard I grinned and said, "It looks like
we won't come in last in this race.  We had a twenty-five minute head start
on them."

   "I know.  I can't believe they had trouble finding this.  This control
was easy."

   "It probably doesn't help that Jake wasn't in Boy Scouts.  He probably
doesn't have as much practice with a map and compass as me."

   "You are pretty handy with them Kyle.  I'm glad I'm with you."

   Penny and I headed off for the next control.  Jake and Morgan weren't
anywhere to be seen when we came out on the road again.  We found the third
control easily.  We passed Mark, Karen and Paul after we found the fourth
control.  The fifth control was on the far side of the lake.  We saw Ed and
Lindsey in the distance leaving the lake.  They probably had just left the
control point.  Penny and I jogged around the lake.  The control point was
exactly where we expected it.

   Control point six was the hardest to find.  Penny and I searched the
hollow where it was supposed to be for ten minutes before we finally found
the marker.  The last two control markers were easy to find.  We had a
third of a mile to go to get to camp, all of it on good roads and trails. I
had done my mile of jogging already but my knee felt good.

   I asked, "Honey, are you up for running back?  My knee feels good."

   "If you're sure you'll be OK, I can jog it."

   "Let's do it!" I declared.  Penny and I started off at a fast jog.  When
we turned the corner of the road onto the trail that led to our campsite we
spotted Ed and Lindsey a hundred yards up the trail.  They were walking. 
They turned back to look at us as we jogged closer.

   Ed said, "What the hell?"

   "What are you waiting for slowpoke?" I yelled as I jogged past.  I
looked back and grinned at my friend.

   "Hell no!  I'm not getting back to camp after a guy on one leg." Ed
taunted.  I could hear Ed running hard while he tried to catch me.  I
increased my pace.

   "Kyle!  Take it easy.  Remember your knee." Penny called to me as Ed and
I pulled away.

   "Those two are too competitive." Lindsey said.

   "I hope Kyle doesn't hurt himself." my girlfriend added.

   Ed ran harder, trying to get ahead of me.  I matched his pace.  We ran
up the hill.  I tried to pass Ed but couldn't manage it.  Ed couldn't get
ahead of me either.  We got to the picnic table in the middle of our
campsite with Ed a half a step in the lead.

   "Hah!  I beat you." Ed crowed.

   "If you don't count your twenty minute head start." I countered.

   Ed asked, "What's my time for the course?"

   Joe answered, "You guys aren't done yet.  The time doesn't stop until
the whole team is back."

   Ed yelled, "Hey, Lindsey, hurry up!" Ed turned to me and said, "I didn't
know you were able to run that fast yet Kyle.  That was pretty good work."

   "I didn't know I could run like that either.  I haven't run that hard
since I got hurt."

   Penny and Lindsey walked into the campsite while we waited impatiently.
When they reached his picnic table Joe announced, "Ed and Lindsey - your
time is 114 minutes and 31 seconds.  Penny and Kyle - your time is 94
minutes and 42 seconds."

   I said, "Cool!  Did Penny and I beat Jeremy and Kathy?"

   Joe chuckled.  "You beat them Kyle.  They aren't back yet."

   "Really?  Does that mean we are winning?"

   "No.  Eric and Sammy beat you two by almost seven minutes." Joe
explained.  I hadn't noticed Eric and Sammy sitting over by their tent.

   Ed, Lindsey, Penny and I sat and talked with Joe and Barb for a few
minutes until I realized Justin was missing.  "Joe, where is your brother?"
I asked.

   "Ah, that's right.  You don't know.  Justin got the `call' from Sherry.
She is starting labor.  He is driving to Lancaster as we speak."

   We sat and talked about the news while we waited for the rest of the
crew to return.  Andy and Heather arrived next, twelve minutes behind Penny
and me.  The rest of the group straggled in after them.  Jeremy and Kathy
were not in a good mood when they finally returned.  They had spent over an
hour looking for control marker number 3.

   The group went out for another ride on the trails after everyone got
hydrated.  I decided to stay at camp.  I had abused my left knee enough for
the weekend.  The group was gone for an hour.  Jeremy had Brandon and
Cassie start supper.  Some of the group hung out by the campfire.  Some of
us hung out at the picnic table with Joe and Barb.  Justin showed up about
half an hour after the group came back from their ride.

   Joe looked at his brother and exclaimed, "What the hell are you doing
here?"

   "It was a false alarm.  Dad called me while I was driving through Leola.
He's taking Sherry home." Justin explained.

   Joe said, "I feel for you bro.  I hated the waiting game.  `Honey, do
you still love me?' `Honey, could you get me some pickles and peanut
butter?' `I'm ugly.  I'm the size of a whale.' I'm glad I don't have to go
through that again."

   Barb protested, "I wasn't THAT bad."

   Joe looked at Barb.  "You weren't.  I was exaggerating." Joe looked back
at Justin and me.  He smiled and winked.

   Wow.  I thought I wanted kids when I grew up.  I asked, "Justin, this
sounds pretty hard.  Are you are sorry you and Sherry are having another
baby?"

   Justin smiled.  "No Kyle.  I'm very happy that Sherry and I are going to
have another child.  The last couple months of pregnancy and the first few
months after the baby is born are hard.  It is worth all the pain in the
end, but it is hard."

   I asked, "You don't have any regrets then?"

   "No.  No regrets.  I don't even have any regrets that Sherry and I had
Billy.  It was difficult having a son when we were only seventeen.  Even
so, I wouldn't change anything."

   "You gave up football, college, and all the normal things that teenagers
do.  You wouldn't change that if you could?" Andy asked.

   "No, I wouldn't change a thing.  Billy was a mistake and an accident. 
Sherry and I were careless.  Even for all of that, I wouldn't change
anything.  If I did then Sherry and I wouldn't have Billy.  He's my son and
I love him.  I would do anything for him.  Absolutely anything."

   Heather added, "I think my brother and sister-in-law would say the same
thing.  My nephew Brian was an accident too.  They really love him."

   Justin answered, "I agree with part of what you said Heather.  Jon and
Amy would do anything for Brian, but he wasn't an accident.  Sherry and I
had an accident when my condom broke.  That is why we have Billy.  Your
brother and sister-in-law were being stupid.  They had sex repeatedly
without any protection.  I hope all of you are being careful." Justin
waited for a response.  No one said anything.  "That's enough of the
sermonizing."

   Brandon and Cassie called everyone for supper.  Penny and I were
assigned to clean up after dinner.  Our group relaxed in the evening around
the campfire.  Some of the group played poker.  Most of us talked.

   We made mountain pies later in the evening.  They are small pies made
from two slices of buttered bread with jelly or jam in the middle.  They
are baked in small metal clam shell shaped pie makers with long handles. 
The butter and the jam made them delicious when they are properly toasted
in the pie maker.

   Couple by couple, my friends headed to their tents.  Penny and I were
the next to the last couple to leave the fire.  I was a little surprised.
Andy and Heather spent all evening together talking and flirting.  It was
almost like the last sixth months hadn't happened.

   Penny and I went to our tent, stripped down and made out for a few
minutes.  We ended up satisfying each orally before we shared our bodies
with each other.  It was an excellent lovemaking session.

   Penny and I were cuddled together, cooling down from our lovemaking when
we heard Joe yell, "Jesus!  Andy!  Heather!  Go to bed.  It is a quarter to
twelve."

   "Sorry Joe." We're going." Heather and Andy answered.  Penny and I fell
asleep a few minutes later.

   I woke up a little early the next morning.  I pulled on shorts and a
T-shirt so I could go the latrine before the rest of the crew got up.  When
I came back Joe, Justin and Paul were out of their tents.

   Joe said, "It's time to wake everyone up.  Paul, Kyle - help get the
crew up."

   "Sure Joe." "No Problem." Paul and I replied.

   Joe, Justin, Paul and I went around shaking tents to wake the occupants.
I shook and talked at each tent until the occupants told me they were
awake, or at least until they grunted an acknowledgement.

   I reached Paul and Andy's tent, shook it and said, "Andy, get out of
bed...." I waited.  "Andy...."

   Paul laughed.  "He's not in there Kyle."

   "What?"

   "He didn't come to the tent last night."

   "Where in the hell is he?" I asked.

   Paul just shrugged his shoulders.  I found out where my brother had
spent the night a minute later.  Justin shook Heather's tent and got two
replies, hers and Andy's.

   About thirty seconds later Heather insisted, "Andy, just get out!"

   "What's wrong Heather?" my brother asked meekly.

   "Just leave now.  I can't believe I...."

   "I thought you wanted to..." Andy said.

   "JUST... GET....  OUT!"

   Andy came flying out of the tent as he pulled up his boxers.  The rest
of his clothes flew out of the tent after him.  Andy gathered up his
clothes.  He tried to pull his pants up.

   Heather's outburst continued, "God!  You are the most frustrating,
infuriating guy... Arrrgghhhh!"

   Andy stumbled away as he pulled his shirt on.  I asked, "What the hell
happened?"

   "I... well, we... Ah, hell.  I don't know."

   "Andrew, how did you end up in Heather's tent last night?  Start at the
beginning."

   "Heather and I did the orienteering course together yesterday.  We had a
lot of fun together.  We hung out together last night and talked.  It was
great.  It felt just like when we were going steady.  When the fire started
to die down last night Heather got cold.  We snuggled together.  I put my
arm around her to help her stay warm.  Things started to move kind of quick
after that.  We started kissing and then she wanted me to feel her up. 
Next thing she wanted me to come back to her tent for the night.  We uh...
you know..."

   "Were intimate?" I offered.

   "That's a polite way to put it.  I didn't force Heather to do anything
last night.  What is Heather's problem this morning?"

   "I think she is having second thoughts about last night."

   By this time Barb was up.  She took Heather aside to talk and then she
talked with Andy.  It was obvious, after the fact regrets aside, that
everything had been consensual.  Sammy and Eric read the riot act to both
Andy and Heather.  They told Heather that they would go out with Andy and
his girlfriend if they wanted.  That had nothing to do with the friendship
they felt with Heather.  They told Andy the same thing.  Eric and Sammy
were tired of being in the middle of what ever weird relationship Heather
and Andy had.

   Andy and Heather's fight put a damper on the end of the trip.  Otherwise
the trip had been a great success.  The ride home was quiet.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Heather confessed her infidelity to her boyfriend the next week.  Nate
dumped her.  Andy hoped to keep the whole thing from u.  It only worked for
a short time.  f ended up going to bed with another guy a couple weeks
later.  Andy and Shannon mutually agreed it was time to break up.  My
brother's love life was in tatters.  He tried to make up with Heather but
she wanted no part of him.

   Penn State concluded spring practice with the Blue and White game while
we were camping over the weekend.  The game pitted Phil DiStefano's Blue
Squad against Zack Hayes' White Squad in a controlled scrimmage.  Coach
Bradley, the defensive coordinator, coached the Blue Squad.  Coach Burton,
the offensive coordinator, coached the White Squad.  The Lancaster Sunday
News contained a complete write-up of the game.  The game turned into a
shoot out between Phil and Zack.  Phil managed to score last before the
scrimmage was shut down.  The final score was 38-35 with the Blue beating
the White.  The football writers speculated more about the brewing
quarterback controversy at Penn State.

   The Wolverines Drama Guild presented `Peter Pan' the weekend after the
Venturer Crew's mountain biking weekend.  Penny had her below the shoulder
length hair cut short a couple days before the play opened.  It was shorter
than mine.  She donated her hair to a group that uses the hair to make wigs
for cancer survivors.

   I attended opening night with Ed, Lindsey, Jeremy, Kathy, Hal and Tammy.
I couldn't get over the way my well stacked, curvaceous girlfriend was
transformed into the perpetually teenaged boy Peter Pan.  Penny played the
role perfectly.  She took her bows to thunderous applause at the end of the
play.

   The Drama Guild performed the play four times.  Friday night and
Saturday night the first weekend and Friday night and Saturday afternoon
the second weekend.

   April 30th marked the six month anniversary of my operation.  Matt Horn
tested my knee's strength and flexibility.  He had me run some pass routes
that included making cuts.  My knee held up to it without problem.  I was
approved to start practicing football again!  Matt told me I should wear my
brace for the first couple weeks of practice until my knee got used to the
stresses involved.  After a couple weeks it was up to me whether I wore it
or not.  I should do whatever felt most comfortable.  Matt cut my rehab
sessions down to every Wednesday for the month of May.

   I kept my news secret from my friends.  The next afternoon I dressed
like the rest of the group for practice.  I strapped my brace on and headed
for the field.  Ed and Jeremy ran into me at the back door to the locker
room.

   Ed looked at my brace and then back at me.  "Why in the hell are you
wearing your that thing?  You don't need it to stand on the sideline and
yell at us."

   "You're right, I don't for that.  I do NEED it if I play football, at
least for the next couple weeks."

   "Play football?!?!" Ed exclaimed.

   Jeremy's face broke out in a big grin.  "Hey guys!  Kyle's going to play
football today!" My friends and teammates broke out in cheers.  Ed and
Jeremy slapped me on the back.

   Ed declared, "This is DAMN good news!  It's about time."

   I answered, "You know I'll probably suck.  I haven't done this for seven
months."

   "It's good to have you back Kyle.  We'll work on everything you need to
get back in top playing condition.  We have all spring and summer to get
you ready." Ed said.

   We walked out to the field and waited for the rest of our teammates to
join us.  We divided the group up by squad.  I had Jason Harting wait on
the sideline while Andy switched out to split end and I took my normal
flanker spot.  We lined up the offense and defense.

   Ed called for me to run a streak.  Ed simulated the snap and dropped
back.  I ran as hard as I could down the field covered by Brett Fulmer. 
After dropping back seven steps Ed fired the ball.  It flew over my
outstretched hands past Brett and me.  Brett kept with me step for step.

   I trotted back to the huddle.  Ed said, "You were a couple steps late
Kyle."

   "I know.  My knee tests at about 90% of its normal strength.  You'll
have to account for that for awhile Ed."

   Ed held up three fingers and called, "Three receivers." Ed put Jason
Harting at the split end, Andy and flanker and me in the slot.  Ed called
for me to run a post route from the slot.  Pete Ellis was going to help
clear the coverage with a curl underneath my route.

   Andy sprinted downfield pulling Brett Fulmer and the free safety with
him.  Jason pulled Dylan Masterson to the opposite side of the field.  Seth
Vogel covered me as I started off the line.  Jeremy started after me too
until he saw Pete come across in front of him.  I sprinted as fast as I
could diagonally across the field towards the corner of the end zone. 
After Ed had time for drop back five steps I turned to look for the ball. I
saw Seth half a step behind me.  I saw Ed cock his arm and fire the ball to
me.  He laid it out right in front of me.  I ran through it, catching the
ball in my hands.  I turned up field and was caught by Brett Fulmer.  I
stopped and smiled when Brett tagged me.

   Seth caught up.  "Damn.  I can't cover you and you're not even playing
at 100%."

   "Man, it felt good to catch a football." I said.

   Seth sighed.  "I'm glad we don't have to play our own offense in a real
game.  We have had trouble covering just Andy.  I don't know how we will
cover both of you now."

   "You'll adjust and learn or you guys will be toast." I gloated.

   I trotted back to Ed and exchanged high fives with him.  "That's the way
it's done Ed."

   "You know it."

   We did about 20 plays with three receivers.  I sat out for awhile to let
Jason and Andy get comfortable together.  I went in at flanker and gave
Andy a break.  Ed and Jake switched.  Jake went in at quarterback while Ed
and I headed over to supervise the JV players.  Andy took a break and
Jonathan Landis, our number four receiver, went in for awhile.

   The JV players were doing a good job.  I reviewed some tips with the
DB's and receivers while Ed talked with Logan and Garrett.  The players
understood their responsibilities.  I was optimistic that the JV guys would
do well in the fall.

   Andy and I went back in with Jonathan in a three receiver set while Jake
quarterbacked.  I concentrated on 10-15 yard precision routes instead of my
usual speed routes.  My weight was up to 190 pounds.  I was big enough to
catch balls over the middle.  I didn't give up too many pounds to the
defenders as long as I stayed clear of a certain crazy 230 pound
linebacker. Jeremy was one of my best friends but if I showed up in the
middle of his defense carrying a football, he was going to take my head
off.

   The hour and forty-five minute practice flew by.  It felt great to get
on the field again and act like a real football player.  Coaching is fun
but I wanted to play football as long as possible first.

   My knee felt a little sore in the evening after practice.  I skipped the
jog since I had already given my leg a good workout in the afternoon.  The
first of May was definitely a landmark day for me.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   I went to the final performance of Peter Pan on Saturday afternoon.  I
stayed around after the performance was done.  The cast and crew along with
selected friends were invited to a wrap party afterward.  Being the
boyfriend of the lead actress had perks, including an invitation to the
wrap party.  Penny introduced me to everyone as her personal dialog coach.
Mr.  Hurley, the director of the Drama Guild, had a cookout for the group.
We had music.  Penny and I danced until well after dark.

   Monday morning Ed greeted me in the hallway before class.  "You aren't
going to believe who I talked with last night."

   "Who?"

   "Coach Les Miles, the head coach of the LSU Tigers."

   "No shit!  That's cool Ed."

   "He wants me and my parents to come visit the campus this fall.  He
would like me to consider playing for the Tigers."

   Ed continued to fill me in on every detail of his talk with Coach Miles.
I was happy for Ed.  I wondered when or if I would get similar calls.  The
NCAA allowed coaches to make one phone call in May to soon to be high
school seniors.

   Ed wasn't the only being recruited.  Jeremy broke his big news at lunch
on Monday.  Coach Charlie Weis of Notre Dame University called to talk with
him about making an official visit in the fall.

   Matt Horn quizzed me about how football practice had gone last week.  He
was pleased that I hadn't had any swelling or significant pain after I was
finished with practice.  He told me to keep practicing and not to push
things too hard.  I asked how soon Matt thought my leg would be back to
100%.  Matt explained that getting my knee to 90% strength was the easy
part.  He expected it would take me another two months get back to where I
was last fall.

   My second and third practices went well.  I didn't have the burst of
speed I like before my injury.  I concentrated on running precise pass
routes and getting separation from the defenders since I couldn't beat them
on pure speed.  Coach Caffrey stopped by to observe the Thursday practice.
He seemed pleased to see me back on the field.

   Ed, Jeremy and Drew all continued receiving calls from head coaches and
assistant head coaches recruiting them to attend their schools.  The
biggest name coach to call Drew was Coach Davis from Boston College.  He
was very interested in Drew's work.

   Both Ed and Jeremy received calls from Penn State.  The linebacker coach
talked with Jeremy.  He felt that Jeremy would be an excellent fit at Penn
State.  There is a reason they have nicknamed Penn State `Linebacker U.'

   Coach Paterno personally called Ed.  Ed was polite but he wasn't
interested.  He explained, "I followed Zack Hayes as quarterback in high
school.  Following Zack is tough.  I have absolutely no interest in trying
to do the same thing in college."

   I waited with slowly increasing impatience for coaches to call me.  The
phone didn't ring.  Zack Hayes did call on Thursday night.  We talked about
how school was going, how the team was practicing, and about the happenings
around home.  Zack quizzed me about my knee.  I explained that I was back
on the field practicing.  Zack checked to make sure I was signed up for the
Senior Camp next month.  I assured him I was.  The two of us talked about
all the recruiting calls Ed, Jeremy and Drew were getting.  Zack said that
I should be patient.  Teams knew about my knee problem.  I thanked Zack for
calling.

   I finally received a call from a Division I college coach Friday night.
It was from Coach Al Golden of Temple University.  We talked for awhile. 
He told me about his plans to resurrect the Temple program.  He said he
knew Temple wouldn't be my first choice but advised me to keep my mind open
to the possibility.  He would love to have a player like me on his team.  I
thanked him for the call but I didn't make any promises.  I did see one
good thing about going to Temple.  It was near the University of
Pennsylvania.  Penny and I could maintain our relationship in college if I
went there.  Hopefully I could do better than a team that won only 4 of the
last 46 games.

   Penny went shopping on Saturday for her junior prom dress.  The prom was
one week away.  Our school kept the junior prom fairly simple.  The dance
was semi-formal.  I would be wearing a suit.  Penny wanted to go out and
buy a new dress.  In the evening Penny and I went out with our gang of
friends to play mini-golf in Strasburg.  We stopped off at the ice cream
shop in the center of town afterwards.

   Sunday evening I received this e-mail:
====================== To: kmartin87@redroses.net
From: papabaer312@redroses.net
Time: May 11 11:31:05

   Justin and Sherry Baer proudly announce the arrival of their son

   Wesley Taylor Baer

   9 pounds, 15 ounces - 24 ˝ inches long

   Mom and son are doing well.  Dad is proud to announce that the
Wolverines are set at one linebacker spot in fifteen years.  Billy says he
is happy he has a brother and not a `dumb old sister.'

   Born on May 11th at 5:13 am ======================

   The e-mail included a picture of Wesley.  I replied with my
congratulations.  I was in a good mood.  I was happy for my friends.  I had
just hit send when Mom called.  I had a phone call.

   I picked up the upstairs phone and said "Hello?"

   "Is this Kyle Martin?"

   "Yes."

   "Kyle, this is Coach Pete Carroll of the University of Southern
California."

   Holy cow!  I had one of the top coaches in college football on the phone
with me!  I was dumbfounded.

   "Kyle?  Are you there?  Kyle?"

   "Oh... Sorry sir.  I am surprised to hear from you."

   "You shouldn't be Kyle.  My staff has been tracking you for the past
year.  Your record is very impressive.  41 receptions for 788 yards and 15
touchdowns is an excellent record, especially in only five games last
season."

   "Thank you." I stuttered.

   "Your high school runs the spread offense very well.  What you are doing
in high school is similar to what we do out here at USC.  You would have a
lot of fun and a lot of success playing for the Trojans.  Do you have any
interest in hearing more about our team?"

   "Um, yeah... sure..." I spit out.

   Coach Carroll proceeded to tell me all about his team, USC, and the
things he could do for me and my football career.  He also emphasized that
USC was a top university in the country.  I would be able to get a first
class education there and have a lot of fun playing football at one of the
best college programs in the country.

   Coach Carroll was well informed about me.  We talked for about five
minutes about the injury to my knee, the ACL rebuild and my rehabilitation.
I could barely contain my excitement as we talked.  I assured Coach Carroll
that I was expected to be 100% by then end of June.

   Coach finished the call by asking if I would be interested in making an
official visit to USC this summer.  I assured him I would love to do that.
I handed the phone over to Dad so he and Coach Carroll could make the
arrangements.  Dad set up the visit for August 15-17th.

   I was a little disappointed that I hadn't heard anything form Penn
State. They had seemed quite interested in me last fall.

   Abby and Will came home from school on Wednesday evening.  They borrowed
Joe Baer's van on Thursday so they could go back to Philadelphia to pickup
the rest of their things.  There is one disadvantage to having an apartment
with your girlfriend at college.  You accumulate a lot of stuff over the
course of a school year.  Will and Abbey managed to cram nearly everything
in our attic or in the Hendrick's basement.

   We had an unexpected visitor at practice on Thursday afternoon.  A kid
who looked to be about Andy's age came over to watch us practice.  The kid
was about 5'-9" tall, dark hair.  He might weigh around 135 pounds.  He
wasn't dressed like most kids at our school.  The jeans were normal enough
but his shirt was a western cut checkered shirt.  What really stood out
were the cowboy boots.  No one at our school wore them.  I asked Andy if he
knew the kid while Jason and Jonathan were on the field.

   "Yeah.  That's Mike.  He moved here recently." Andy explained.

   I went over to introduce myself.  I said, "Hi.  I'm Kyle Martin.  What's
up?"

   He drawled, "Just watchin' y'all play." He had a distinct southern
accent.  He extended his hand to me and continued, "I'm Mike Johansen.  I
just moved here from Lubbock, Texas."

   "Welcome to Pennsylvania Mike.  Do you play football?"

   "Do I play?  You bet.  I was a varsity cornerback last fall for my team.
I was the only ninth grader to make varsity for the Westerners." Mike
explained proudly.

   "That's cool.  Are you going to go out for football here?"

   "As soon some one tells me where to sign up." Mike answered.

   "See Coach Caffrey.  He's one of the gym teachers here."

   "Thanks.  I'll talk to him." Mike sighed.  "I guess this will have to
do. It ain't Texas football, but at least the football's shaped the same."

   I bristled a little.  "You do realize you are watching the defending
state champions on the field, don't you?"

   "Yes, that's what I understand." Mike said quietly.  He shook his head a
little.  "Maybe I can help y'all."

   "Two-a-days start in August.  Talk to Coach Caffrey if you want to try
out for the team."

   Mike Johansen headed back to the school building.  He didn't seem very
impressed by us but he definitely had a high opinion of himself.  Maybe he
could help the team if he's as good as he thinks.  I returned my attention
to our practice.

   Andy filled me in on Mike Johansen after practice was over.  Mike's dad
used to work for John Deere, the farm equipment manufacturer.  He changed
jobs and worked for Case New Holland now.  That is why the Johansens moved
to Lancaster County.  Andy said in the two weeks he had gone to our school
Mike had acquired a reputation for a big mouth and an ego the size of his
beloved Texas.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   I dropped Penny off at her house after school on Friday afternoon.  Both
of us had a lot to do before the Junior Prom that night.  Mom had
coordinated things with Mrs.  Edwards.  I had strict instructions exactly
which corsage I was to buy at the florist so it would match Penny's dress.

   I brought the corsage home and then went upstairs to shower and get
dressed.  I dressed in my best suit.  Mom checked me over and Dad helped me
tie my tie in a proper Windsor knot.  I waited impatiently for the clock to
reach a quarter to six.  I hopped in the Golf and drove down the street
three houses to get Penny.  Mom and Dad followed on foot, camera in hand.

   I knocked at the Edwards' front door.  Penny greeted me wearing a breath
taking low cut pink dress.  Her parents were standing behind her.  The
dress emphasized Penny's cleavage to the point that she could be mistaken
for Dolly Parton.  I stood and stared at my girlfriend.  Finally I came
back to my senses.  "Here, this is for you." I said as I handed her the
corsage.

   "This is perfect Kyle.  It matches my dress perfectly."

   "You can thank our moms.  They made sure I bought the right thing." I
explained.

   "You look handsome Kyle."

   "Thanks." I answered.

   Mom interrupted.  "Come on you two.  We want to get pictures."

   Penny and I dutifully posed in front of her house while our parents took
enough photos to fill a whole scrapbook.  It took us ten minutes to get
away from our parents.  I drove us to the restaurant where we were having
our prom.

   The Junior Class had rented the banquet room of the restaurant.  We had
a DJ for music.  I escorted Penny into the banquet room.  We found our
seats with Ed, Lindsey, Jeremy, Kathy, Hal and Tammy.

   The conversation flowed freely among the eight of us.  The wait staff
served dinner, which was delicious.  The DJ set up and started playing the
music.  Penny and I danced most of the night, only occasionally sitting out
a dance.

   The PTA organized a post-prom activity to keep everyone busy and out of
trouble.  They had rented the bowling alley in Strasburg for the night. 
Penny and I got our gym bags from my car trunk and changed out of our good
clothes.  We carefully stored our good clothes in the back of my car and
headed south for the bowling alley.

   My friends, Penny and I spent the night bowling, snacking on the food
the PTA provided, and talking.  My knee was a little sore and my arm was
ready to fall off from all the bowling.  It had been a great evening.  I
drove Penny home around 7 am.

   I made myself some breakfast after I dropped Penny off.  I headed to the
family room to watch cartoons with Liz.  I headed back to the kitchen for
more orange juice during a commercial break.

   I overheard Dad and Mom talking as I approached the kitchen.  Dad asked,
"Where is our nearly grown son now?  Did he go upstairs to sleep?"

   Mom chuckled.  "Our nearly grown-up son is watching cartoons with his
little sister."

   Dad laughed.  "Hmmm....  Yeah." Dad laughed again.  "Our nearly grown up
son."

   I called out, "I heard that.  I happen to like cartoons."

   Mom gave me a hug when I came into the kitchen.  "You understand we were
just kidding right?"

   Dad added, "Last night you were behaving like an adult and now you are
like a kid again.  Hang on to that kid as long as you can Kyle."

   "I plan to Dad." I poured myself some OJ and headed back to the
cartoons.

   After lunch I helped Dad with chores that Mom needed around the house. I
finished up on the history term paper that was due next week.  My brother
got ready for a date in the afternoon.  He asked Crystal Wagner to the
movies.  Dad drove him to the Wagners and then to the theater.

   Penny and I got together after dinner to watch a DVD at my house.  Penny
and I cuddled together and watched the movie.  That is the last thing I
remember about the evening.

   I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my door.  "Time to get
up." Mom called from the hallway.  I opened my eyes and stretched.  I
bumped into something beside me.

   "Penny, Kyle - Time to get up." Mom called.  I looked over.  Penny
rolled over and looked at me.  Mom asked, "Are you two awake?"

   "We're awake Mom.  Thanks for getting us up." I gave Penny a kiss.  I
asked, "How did we end up here?"

   Penny asked, "You don't remember?" I shook my head no.  "We fell asleep
watching the movie last night.  I was so tired that your mom called mine
and arranged for me to sleep here."

   "I wish I hadn't been so sleepy.  I would have liked to enjoy sharing my
bed with you."

   "We can do that later Kyle.  What time is it?"

   I looked over at the clock.  "It's 8 o'clock.  I have to get ready for
church."

   "I've got to go." Penny got out of bed.  She was wearing only panties
and a bra.  She dressed while I gathered things for my shower.  We kissed
before Penny left.

   "I'm going to remember this weekend for the rest of my life Kyle.  I'm
glad we did this together."

   "You're right.  I'm glad we were together for our prom.  I love you."

   "I love you to Kyle.  See you tomorrow." Penny left to go back home to
her parents.  I headed for the shower.  I stripped down and stepped into
the shower.  I let the hot water pour over my body.

   Dad was right yesterday morning.  I was growing up fast.  The seniors
would graduate in two and a half weeks.  I had three more weeks until my
junior year was over.  Time was flying by.

   Chapter 23

   ==========

   Zack Hayes stopped by to visit our practice after school on Tuesday.  He
greeted Ed, Jake, Andy and I warmly.  Most of the other team members didn't
know Zack except by reputation at our school or had only seen him on TV on
New Years Day.  They treated him as a minor celebrity.

   I noticed that Zack watched me intently when I was playing.  I had Ed
send me on a couple deep routes so I could show Zack how my recovery was
going.  I hoped word would get back to State College that I was pretty much
healed.  I managed to catch both deep passes against Brett, but it was
close.  I sent Jason Harting in to play after my second deep catch.

   I stood on the sideline observing with Zack while the team continued to
practice.  I asked, "What do you think?"

   "You and Ed have really expanded this practice.  I'm impressed by what
you're doing here.  How does your knee feel?"

   "It's good.  My therapist says I'm up to 95% strength in it.  He figures
it will be full strength in about another month."

   "That's cool."

   I asked, "Are you going to be around home for the summer?"

   "Nope.  I'm only here for a couple weeks.  I'm signed up for a couple
summer classes.  Some of the receivers, Phil and I are going to work
together this summer."

   "Do you think you have a chance to beat out Phil for the starting job?"

   "You've been reading too many newspapers.  I have no chance at all. 
This coming year is Phil's year.  I will help him all I can.  My turn will
come next year."

   "So there isn't anything to the stories in the newspapers?"

   "They have to write something.  I'd never try to politic my way to the
starting job.  It's too important to keep our team together to do that."
Zack explained.  We watched practice for a couple minutes.  Zack asked,
"Are you going to the Seven on Seven Passing Camp like we talked about?"

   "Yes, Dad has me signed up for it."

   "Look me up when you get to campus.  We can get together."

   "Thanks Zack.  That would be cool." I answered.  Ed called for three
receivers, so I went back onto the field.  Practice went smoothly.  Zack
spent the entire practice observing us.  Zack and I talked a little when it
was over.  Some of the younger team members asked Zack for his autograph.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Wednesday after school Andy invited Crystal Wagner over to "study."
Crystal was average height for a freshman, about 5'-4".  My brother
certainly has an eye for women.  Crystal was well endowed, looking more
like a Playboy bunny than a ninth grader.  She dressed in a too tight
T-shirt and tight jeans.  Crystal's shoulder length brunette hair was
fluffed, teased and curled like she had just left the beauty parlor.  She
was all together quite attractive except... I thought she used too much
make up.  It's personal taste, but I liked Penny's "natural look" better.

   Andy and Crystal actually did study at first.  They spread their books
out on the kitchen table beside Dave Mitchell and Liz.  Penny and I had
gone upstairs to my bedroom.

   Penny and I stripped and lay down on my bed.  We started kissing and
making out.  About five minutes later when we heard Andy and Crystal plop
down on Andy's bed in the adjoining bedroom.  I was teasing Penny's nipple
with my tongue while I used a finger to spread her juices around her pussy.
Our excitement at our coming intimacy grew as we touched and played.  I
insinuated one finger into her opening.  Penny shivered.

   "I need your tongue Kyle.  Please?" she pleaded.

   I repositioned myself between her legs, bent down and...

   Someone knocked at my door.  Shit!  Who the hell is it?

   "Kyle?" I sat up.  Shit!  It was Andy.

   "GO AWAY!" I growled.

   "I'm sorry.  Kyle, I need your help." Andy answered.

   "We're busy.  GO AWAY!"

   Andy continued, "Crystal wants to have sex.  I don't have protection."

   "GOD damn it Andy.  Why didn't you..." I snarled.

   Penny interrupted my rant.  "Shhh... It's OK Kyle.  You better help your
brother."

   "Do you have any condoms?" Andy called softly through my locked door.

   Penny sat up and pulled me up from between her legs.  "Go take care of
Andy.  You don't want a niece or a nephew, do you?"

   "No." I answered.  I got out of bed.

   "Can you help me Kyle?" Andy asked.

   "Yeah, yeah, yeah!  Hang on to your shorts.  I'm looking to see if I
have any." I went through my sock drawer where I kept my condoms back when
I still needed them.  That had been when Julie and I had started dating.  I
found the old box in the back in the bottom of the drawer.  It had two
condoms in it.  I retrieved them and went to the door.

   I cracked the door open and handed them to Andy.  Andy was standing
there in boxer shorts.  His cock bulged them out obscenely.

   "You owe me brother." I said as I handed them to Andy.

   "Thank you Kyle.  I'll pay you back." Andy answered.  He hurried back to
his room.  I locked the door again and rejoined my lover in bed.

   "Now, where was I when I was so rudely interrupted?"

   "I think you were going to lick my clitty." Penny suggested.  She spread
her legs wide for me.  I went back to pleasuring my lover.

   I used my tongue to bring Penny to her first orgasm.  My tongue and two
fingers applied to her G-spot brought a second.  Penny demanded that I take
her deep.  I put her ankles on my shoulders and thrust my cock deep into my
lover.  We spent the next ten minutes making love to each other.  I brought
Penny to climax.  Penny's fire coaxed me to climax a minute later.  I
thrust hard and buried my cock deep in my lover.  My cum splattered all
over her pussy.  I collapsed and rolled us on our sides.

   Penny and I clung to each other and exchanged gentle kisses.  The sounds
of Andy and Crystal screwing in the next bedroom were obvious.  We giggled
when we heard Crystal squeal.

   "I think Crystal just got the Martin treatment." Penny said laughing.

   "What do you mean by the Martin treatment?"

   "You know I've slept with other boyfriends after we broke up the first
time.  I have had a chance to compare.  You do things to me that the other
boyfriends couldn't do.  I've overheard Andy and Heather in Algonquin and
listened to Andy next door when he was with Shannon.  Your brother has it
too.  That's what I mean by the Martin treatment."

   "I don't know if I'm anything special.  I'm just trying to show you how
much I love you." I explained.

   "I know you do Kyle.  I love you to."

   Penny and I continued kissing.  Penny slipped a hand down and started to
play with my cock.  I was ready to go again in a minute.  Penny decided she
wanted to be on top our second time.  She had just sank down on my cock
when Andy's bed started to knock against our common wall.  Penny grinned as
she rode my seven inch erection.

   We brought each other to mutual orgasms about a minute after Crystal
squealed again and things got quiet in Andy's room.  I glanced over at the
clock.

   "It's time to get cleaned up honey.  Mom will be home in fifteen
minutes." I said.  Penny and I wiped each other off and dressed.

   Andy and Crystal were downstairs in the kitchen when Penny and I came
down.  Crystal was sitting on Andy's lap.  The two were eating Mom's sugar
cookies.  Crystal was considerably more affectionate than when she arrived.
Andy was eating it up.  Penny and Crystal headed for home when Mom arrived
from work.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Penny and I double dated with Trent and Ashley on Saturday.  I drove
Penny and myself to Manheim.  Trent drove the four of us the rest of the
way to Hershey.  We went to Hershey Park together for the afternoon and
evening.  Trent and Ashley were kind of subdued.  Their high school
graduation was nine days away.  They only had three more weeks together as
a couple.  Trent was going to the University of Delaware.  Ashley was going
to the University of Pittsburgh.  Their two and a half year relationship
was ending when Trent went to scout camp for the summer.

   I kept thinking about what was happening to Trent and Ashley as Penny
and I rode back to Manheim.  What were we going to do next year?  We would
be in exactly the same situation.

   As soon as Penny and I left Trent's house Penny said, "You're thinking
about next year when we graduate aren't you?"

   "How did you know?"

   "I've known you most of your life Kyle.  You promised me that we
wouldn't worry about what we do after high school yet.  We have another
year together first.  Right?"

   "You're right." I admitted.

   "We will see how things work out.  Remember, when we split up for
thirteen months and ended up a couple again.  Who says that won't happen
when we are in college?"

   "I guess." I answered.  I hoped she was right.  Penny and I made plans
to study for finals on Memorial Day after lunch.  Our finals started in a
week.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Crystal became a fixture at our house after school.  She and Andy would
study for awhile then head upstairs for a "study break." Crystal was
getting serious about Andy quickly.  She clung to him when they were
together.  She constantly complimented Andy about everything he did.  What
was she going to do when Andy went to camp for ten weeks?

   My final rehab session with Matt Horn was on May 28th.  Matt tested the
strength in my knee.  I was up to 96%.  Matt reviewed exercises he wanted
me to do to get my knee to full strength.  I made him promise to come see
me play football in the fall.  I thanked him for his patience and help over
the last seven months.

   The next day at practice I managed to beat Brett twice on streak plays.
I also out jumped him for two more catches.  I felt ready for anything on
the football field.

   Penny and I spent the first weekend in June studying for our finals. 
Both of us had excellent grades coming into the end of the year.  We wanted
to do our best.  Both of us had a chance for straight A's again this
quarter.  We did take Saturday evening off to go to a concert in the park
in Lancaster with Ed and Lindsey.

   Karl Weaver, Tim Showalter, George Reynolds and Nathan Yuninger came to
watch our Tuesday practice near the end of the afternoon.  This was their
last day of classes and they wanted to say good bye to the team.  Ed,
Jeremy and I talked with them when practice was over.  They made us promise
to go back and win another state championship next season.  We wished them
good luck in college.

   The high school seemed weird the next day.  There weren't any older kids
in the school.  It just didn't seem right.

   Our final spring practice was on Thursday.  Logan Mitchell and Garrett
Houseman both looked sharp at practice.  They promised to work with their
receivers over summer to keep the JV passing game strong.  Jake was going
to work a couple days a week with Jason Harting, Pete Ellis and Jonathan
Landis.  Our team should be in good shape when two-a-day football practice
started in August.

   The seniors graduated on Thursday night.  Penny and I were invited to
two graduation parties.  Karl Weaver invited us to a picnic at the township
park Friday night.  George Reynolds' parents were having a barbeque on
Saturday afternoon.

   All our finals were done by Friday afternoon.  I felt comfortable about
how I did on them.  Penny was worried about Chemistry and Pre-Calculus.  I
reassured her that it would be fine.

   Karl Weaver's picnic was fun.  His parents had lots of good food.  We
spent the evening talking with Karl and our friends from the football team.
Penny and I wished Karl good luck when he went to Millersville University
in the fall.

   George Reynolds' graduation barbeque was a blast.  George's dad was a
barbeque aficionado.  He did racks of ribs, beef brisket and pork butt. 
The afternoon was a carnivore's delight.  Most of the juniors and seniors
on the football team were there.  We ate and talked for half the afternoon.

   Penny and I sat down at a table with Stacie Thompson and Drew McCormick.
I asked, "What are you doing after high school Stac?"

   "I'm going for pre-law at Dickinson College." Stacie answered.

   Drew added, "I'm certainly happy about that.  Carlisle is less than an
hour away."

   Penny asked, "Are the two of you staying together?"

   "Do you really think I would let this guy go?" Stacie asked.  She gave
Drew a kiss.  "I know a good thing when I have it."

   "We're planning to put a lot of miles on our cars driving between here
and Carlisle in the next year." Drew added.

   What about next year?  I don't think Dickinson has a football team, does
it?" I asked.

   Stacie explained, "They do have football.  They're Division III."

   Drew continued, "I don't plan to go there.  I think I have a good chance
at getting an athletic scholarship.  I have visits lined up at Boston
College, Maryland and Rutgers this fall.

   Stacie added, "When Drew knows where he is going I'm going to apply to
transfer there."

   Drew continued, "Do you have any visits lined up Kyle?"

   I said, "I have a visit set up to USC later in the summer."

   Drew asked, "Is that all?  I expected you would have more colleges after
you than that."

   I shook my head.  "I think they are worried about my knee.  I hope to
get more offers when our season starts."

   Drew added, "I guess there are worse places to play than USC."

   Penny added, "I can't think of a worse place for Kyle to go to college.
I want to go to University of Pennsylvania.  L.A.  is 3000 miles away."

   I said reassuringly, "We'll work this out in the fall Penny."

   George's dad called that more ribs were up.  Penny and I excused
ourselves and went for more food.  We decided to head for home when the
party started to break up around 5 pm.  Penny and I found George before we
left.

   I said, "Thanks for inviting us to your party George."

   "Hey, no problem.  I'm glad you and Penny could make it." George
answered.

   I added, "Good luck at Villanova."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I appreciate everything you have done to help the past
couple of seasons.  I want to apologize again for that time at Zack's party
where Jack Steffy and I got you drunk.  I've always felt bad about doing
that to you."

   I waved my hand like I didn't care.  "That was a long time ago.  You've
proved the kind of person you are since then.  I couldn't have asked for a
better teammate George.  I am going to miss you."

   George and I shook hands before Penny and I left.  Whoever was going to
fill George's linebacker slot had some big shoes to fill.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   We had a full day of school on Monday and a half day on Tuesday.  It was
pretty pointless.  The teachers were done teaching, finals were over and
the students were definitely done learning.  Nearly every class became a
study hall.

   Liz was ecstatic when she came out to my car when classes were done on
Tuesday.  She had a date!  Logan Mitchell asked her to go to the movies
with him on Saturday night.  Liz said Logan told her that he wanted to ask
her out since he saw her studying in the back of the room during our film
study sessions in the winter.  He finally got the nerve to ask her today
since he wouldn't see her again until September.

   Penny and I took advantage of the half day of freedom from school to
have an extended lovemaking session.  Crystal came over after lunch to
spend her afternoon in Andy's bed.  Liz was probably wise to have decided
to go over to Dave Mitchell's house for the afternoon.  Things were noisy
and a little too stimulating for an unattached teenager between Penny and
me; Andy and Crystal; and Will and Abby all making love in various place in
the house.

   Penny and I spent Wednesday afternoon and evening together just hanging
out.  Penny started her summer job with Dr.  Chu at the Paradise Veterinary
Clinic on Thursday.  I used my free time on Thursday and Friday during the
day to prepare for summer camp.  I needed to buy a whole new set of scout
shorts and shirts.  I had outgrown the ones I used for the past two years.
I took all the shirts to Grandma Martin for her to sew on the patches.

   Penny and I went out Friday night with our gang of friends to play
mini-golf outside of Strasburg.  The eight of us went to the ice cream
store in the middle of Strasburg when we were done.  Ed and Lindsey sat at
the table with Penny and me.

   Penny asked, "Lindsey, how did you stand having Ed away for ten weeks
last summer?"

   Lindsey looked confused.  "Kyle's worked there before.  You don't
remember?"

   "Kyle was a CIT two summers ago.  I only had to wait for half the
season. I was half crazy that summer by the time he finally came home."

   "I depend on Ed's daily e-mails to make it." Lindsey answered.  She gave
Ed a peck on the cheek.

   Penny looked at me and asked, "Am I going to get daily e-mails like two
years ago?"

   "You bet honey." I answered quickly.  I gave her a kiss.  "I promise." I
was going to have to make sure I followed through on this promise.  I
didn't need to make the mistake I made with Julie with Penny too.

   Lindsey suggested, "We could do some girl's nights out if you want
Penny."

   "That would be nice." Penny answered.

   Penny and Lindsey made plans for a couple nights out while we were gone.
Our friends wished Ed and I a good summer while we were at scout camp. 
Each couple drove home on their own.

   On the way home I asked Penny, "Are you able to come over tomorrow
night? You remember how my parents usually disappear for a couple hours
after dinner the night before camp staff reports."

   "I was planning on it Kyle." Penny answered.  We were quiet for half a
minute.  "Kyle, do you think I could spend the whole night with you?"

   "Hmmm... That would be cool.  Do you think your parents would allow it?
I know my parents would probably say OK."

   "Let's try.  They said yes last February.  It can't hurt to ask." Penny
said.  We talked for a couple minutes about the best way to ask for
permission.  We decided to try my parents first and then to talk with
Penny's mom.  We talked to my parents as soon as we got home from the ice
cream parlor.

   Mom and Dad quizzed us about what we wanted to do.  They said they
didn't mind if we did this on special occasions.  They didn't want us to
figure we could do this every weekend.

   Penny and I went to her house and tackled her mother next.  Mrs. 
Edwards insisted we had to talk to her husband before she would consider
the request.  Penny eloquently made our case.  It took a lot of convincing,
but Mr.  Edwards finally acquiesced.

   I spent most of Saturday gathering my things and packing.  I stopped by
grandma's to see if she was done sewing patches on my new uniform shirts.
She was.  I was finished packing before dinner.

   Will and Abby left for camp on Saturday morning.  Abby needed to get the
Health Lodge set up.  Will had to get training from the Camp Ranger to run
the pool filtration system.  They needed to get some things set up for
staff check-in tomorrow.  I would drive Ed, Andy and myself to camp on
Sunday.

   Penny came over to eat dinner with our family.  Liz was super excited
during dinner.  Mom and Dad were giving her and Logan Mitchell a ride to
the movies.  Tonight was her first real date.  Mom and Dad promised to find
a different movie so Logan and Liz could have some privacy.

   Andy and I were pleased with the plans for the evening.  Penny and I
would have all the privacy we could expect for three or four hours until my
parents got home with Liz.  Andy planned to have Crystal come over as soon
as Mom and Dad left with Liz.  Crystal and Andy would have until 10
o'clock, when her dad would come to pick her up.

   Penny and I took advantage of the time available to demonstrate our love
for each other slowly.  We cuddled and kissed for over a half hour without
even getting naked.  Penny teased me with a sensuous strip tease
performance.  I licked her pussy and clitoris until she squealed.  She
returned the favor by giving me a blow job that made me dizzy before she
was finished.

   We cuddled together in the afterglow of our first cums of the night.  We
finally were ready to join our bodies together.  We used doggie style our
first time.  Penny was into it.  She pushed her butt back against my cock
as fast as I could thrust forward into her.  Even though I had cum once in
the night, Penny's next orgasm was more than I could take when it came.

   Penny shook when it hit her.  Her pussy squeezed and clenched around my
cock.  I thrust a few more times during her climax before it was too much.
I drove my cock deep into her and blasted my sperm against the entrance to
her womb.  I collapsed on her back, wrapping my arms around her as I came.
My cock throbbed as it pumped my sperm into my lover.

   Finally I was drained.  I pulled out and flopped down on the bed.  Penny
rolled over and lay against me while we recovered.  God!  I was going to
miss her.

   We held each other, enjoying the warmth and comfort of each others touch
on our naked bodies.  We exchanged quick kisses as we recovered. 
Eventually the kisses escalated to deep kisses where our tongues danced
with each other.  My cock rose to hardness again.

   Penny rolled on her back and pulled me on top of her.  She reached
between her legs and positioned my cock against her hole.  I asked, "What
did you have in mind honey?"

   "Do me deep.  You know how I like it Kyle." Penny answered.  I pushed my
seven inch hard-on into her hot passage and pulled her ankles onto my
shoulders.  I pumped in and out of her, slowly increasing my pace.  Penny's
coos turned to squeals and finally grunts as I worked my cock in and out
with increasing fervor.  Penny grabbed my ass cheeks and pulled on them to
encourage me.  I pounded into her for maybe thirty more seconds before she
climaxed.

   "AAAAaaaaaeeeeiiiiiiiiii" Penny wailed.  Her pussy clasped and squeezed
my rod.  I kept thrusting as Penny rode her climax.  I drove my cock in a
few more times.  The stimulation was too intense.  I pushed it in deep
until my knob bounced against the entrance to her womb.  I collapsed on top
of my girlfriend as I blasted jet after jet of sticky semen into her.

   Penny let her legs slip off my shoulders while she wrapped her arms
around me.  I panted and lay on her semi-comatose.  Penny rolled us on our
sides.  She gave my quick kisses on the neck, cheeks and lips while I
recovered my wits.

   "That was spectacular.  I love you Kyle."

   "Mmmm... you were great.  I love you too."

   We cuddled and talked quietly as we held each other.  Penny and I needed
to fit as much closeness in tonight as possible.  It was going to have to
last us for ten weeks.

   The sounds of two teens doing the natural thing next door finally
quieted.  I guessed Andy and Crystal finally had satisfied their needs.  We
heard Andy and Crystal go downstairs a few minutes later.

   Penny looked away from me for a second.  "Kyle, I think we better get
cleaned up before your parents get home."

   "Mmmm... OK" I said.  My mind was still frazzled from our two couplings.
"Do you want to go first?"

   "Let's shower together Kyle."

   I got out of bed.  "You can wear my robe sweetie." I handed it to her
and grabbed my boxers.  We walked to the bathroom holding hands.

   The shower together started as a sensuous experience.  I washed Penny
gently.  She rubbed the soap and her hands all over my body.  When both of
us were cleaned and rinsed we kissed.  The kissing escalated to making out.
It didn't take long before our arousal led to us sharing our bodies with
each other in the shower.

   The two of us were clean, relaxed and happy when we finally emerged from
the bathroom.  Penny and I went down to the kitchen for ice cream and then
went to the family room.  Andy and Crystal were there.  Andy was sitting in
the couch cuddled with Crystal watching a movie.  I took the easy chair and
Penny sat on my lap.  She leaned back against me while I wrapped my arms
around her waist.  It was a nice way to end the evening.

   Crystal's dad came for her just as the movie was ending.  Andy and
Crystal made quite a scene with their kissing during the prolonged good
bye. Andy went upstairs to his room while Penny and I continued watching TV
together until the 11 o'clock news came on.

   Penny and I headed for bed.  We found Mom and Dad were in the kitchen. I
asked, "How did Liz's date go?"

   Dad answered, "She didn't say much.  I gather that it was pretty
awkward."

   Mom added, "First dates can be difficult."

   "I know mine was a disaster." I said.

   Penny said, "Believe it or not, my first date was good.  Chad Hurst was
a complete gentleman.  We had fun.  We talked about his favorite subject,
himself."

   "That sounds like Chad." I answered.

   "Would you like me to talk with Liz tonight?" Penny offered.

   "That's sweet.  You're welcome to if you would like." Mom answered.

   Penny and I said our good nights and headed upstairs.  Penny knocked on
Liz's door.  "Liz, it's Penny can I come in?"

   "OK." my sister answered.  Penny opened the door and started in.  I
tried to follow.

   Penny shooed me away.  "This is a girl talk Kyle.  I'll be over in a few
minutes."

   I headed back to my room.  I stripped and got in bed and waited for my
lover.  Penny came back in a few minutes.  She undressed and joined me,
naked in my bed.  Penny explained that Liz's date had been uncomfortable.
Logan didn't talk a lot.  They did enjoy the movie together.  Fortunately
Penny told her to be patient with boys.

   Penny and I cuddled together in the dark and kissed.  We made out for a
couple minutes.  Penny asked, "Do you want to make love again honey?"

   "I don't know if I can.  Let's just get to sleep." I suggested.  We
spooned together.  I had my arm across Penny's side, holding her close to
me.  Penny fell asleep within minutes.  I was still awake when I heard Mom
and Dad going to bed.  They stopped at my door and opened it to check on
us. I pretended to be asleep.

   I heard Mom say, "Aren't they cute together?  They grow up too quickly."

   Dad replied, "They do."

   I fell asleep a few minutes later.  I slept soundly until early morning.
I woke up with a hard-on that was feeling way too good.  Penny had it
trapped between her legs.  She was rubbing her legs together.  I gently
squeezed her breast that was under my hand.

   I whispered in her ear, "Do you want to go for one more ride?"

   Penny didn't answer in words.  She released my cock, rolled me on my
back and mounted me.  I enjoyed the show as Penny boobs bounced as she
pleasured herself on my rod.  The early morning light was just starting to
light up my bedroom.

   Penny pulled off and impaled herself on my cock for a few minutes before
we heard someone come out of my parent's bedroom and use the bathroom. 
From the sounds of the footsteps it probably was my Dad.  I shushed Penny
while he was in the hallway.

   Penny managed to stay quiet as she rocked back and forth on my cock
until my Dad went back to his room.  She giggled when his bedroom door
closed.  Penny increased her pace, pulling off and driving herself back
down on my seven inches.  I bucked my hips up to meet her down thrusts.

   My bed was rattling and Penny was panting hard as she approached the
tender agony.  I reached down and played with her clitoris for a minute. 
That was exactly what Penny needed.  She exploded.  I desperately tried to
keep Penny quiet while she shuddered and moaned from her climax.  She
slumped down on my chest.  I wrapped my arms around her and held her until
she recovered.

   Penny stared into my eyes and asked, "Did you cum yet?"

   "No.  Do you want to continue?" I asked, desperately wanting her to say
yes so I could relieve the ache in my balls.

   Penny kissed me and answered, "Keep going Kyle."

   I rolled us over so Penny was on her back.  I stroked my cock into my
lover's pussy until I blasted my nut into Penny.  I slumped down and rolled
us on our sides.  Penny held me tight to her body while I recovered from my
climax.  She pulled the sheet over us.  We fell asleep in each others arms.

   We woke to the sound of knocking at my bedroom door.  "Kyle.  Penny. 
It's time to get up." It was my Mom.  "Are you awake?"

   "Yeah.  We're awake Mom." I answered.  I gave Penny a good morning kiss.
I said, "Good morning."

   "Good morning honey" Penny answered.  She glanced at the clock.  "Shit!
I've got to hurry.  Daddy expects me to be home in five minutes."

   I gathered her things while she got dressed.  I kissed Penny when she
was dressed and ready to leave.

   "I'm going to miss you so much.  I love you."

   "I love you too Kyle.  I'll e-mail you every day." Penny promised.

   "I'll do the same." I replied.  I hoped it was a promise I could keep
this time.  Penny and I hugged and kissed one last time.  She headed for
the door.

   Penny turned back before she opened it and looked at me.  "I want to
remember you exactly like this." I was standing naked in the middle of my
bedroom.  My cock was erect again.

   "I love you." I answered as she left my room.  Ten weeks without Penny
was going to be a long time.

   Chapter 24

   ==========

   I headed for the shower after Penny left.  I took a leisurely shower
since I wouldn't have time to go to church that day.  Ed, Andy and I were
leaving at 11 am for scout camp.  Andy was standing outside the bathroom
door when I finished.  I dressed in my scout uniform and went downstairs
for breakfast.

   Mom, Dad and Liz were getting ready to leave for church.  Mom greeted me
with a kiss and a hug.  She said, "Have fun this summer Kyle.  Be careful."

   "I will be Mom.  Remember I'll be home Friday afternoon before I go up
to Penn State for football camp."

   "I know." Mom said with a smile.  "Is your brother up?"

   "Andy is in the shower."

   Mom went upstairs to say good bye to him.  Dad and Liz went outside to
warm the car up while they waited for Mom.  She came downstairs and headed
out.  I made myself bacon and eggs.  Andy joined me about fifteen minutes
later.

   Andy said, "It sounds like you and Penny had fun last night."

   "We did."

   "And this morning too."

   "Oh, you heard that?" I asked.

   "Yes, the noise woke me up."

   "Sorry." I answered.

   "It's cool Kyle." Andy said.  He poured himself some cereal.  "Crystal
gave me some good news last night.  She is going on birth control.  When I
get home in August I won't need to use rubbers anymore."

   "That's good.  What kind is she using?"

   "I don't know.  She didn't say."

   Andy and I finished our breakfast and cleaned up after ourselves.  We
loaded our gear in the back of my Golf.  Our set of weights went in first
followed by our packs.  There would be room in the back of the car for Andy
and Ed's gear this year.

   I organized my bags for my trip to Penn State's football camp while I
waited for Ed to arrive.  I wasn't going to have much time next Friday
afternoon when I came home from camp before driving to State College for
the weekend.

   I had just finished a final e-mail to Penny when Ed knocked at the door.
Andy and I headed out to the car to load everything up.  We loaded all of
Ed's things in the back seat with Andy.  Ed and I climbed in and headed for
Lancaster and scout camp.  We stopped at Mickey D's for lunch on the way.

   After lunch I asked Ed, "Did you and Lindsey get a chance to say a
proper good bye last night?"

   "We did.  We told our parents we were going bowling.  We actually went
parking.  We had a good evening.  How about you and Penny?"

   "She spent the night last night.  I have a lot of good memories for late
at night during camp." I answered.

   Ed asked, "How about you and your girlfriend Andy?"

   "Officially Crystal and I aren't going steady."

   "Really?" I asked.  "I thought the two of you were a couple."

   "Not yet.  I would have asked her a week ago if it wasn't for camp.  I
don't think it would be fair to ask her to go steady with me when I was
going to be away for ten weeks.  I know she would have said yes if I asked,
but I didn't think I should ask her yet." Andy explained.

   Ed said, "I guess that make sense."

   Andy added, "Crystal and I did have a good time last night.  I just wish
her parents were as cool as the Edwards.  It would have been nice if she
could have stayed over last night like Penny."

   Ed looked at me and said, "You are a lucky son of a bitch."

   "I know that.  Penny and I don't push our luck.  We only do this on
special occasions." I explained.  The conversation shifted to camp and who
was coming back for the summer.

   We arrived at camp about fifteen minutes early.  We checked in at the
office and then parked my car down by the staff site so we could move our
belongings into our tents.  Ed and I moved into the same tent we had used
for the last two years.  Andy ran into Travis Hastings, his tent mate last
year.  They agreed to stay together again.

   Trent Wilson arrived a few minutes after Ed, Andy and me.  Trent moved
into the empty tent beside mine.  Trent, Ed, Andy, Travis and I headed to
the health lodge for the medical check.

   Andy led the way into the lodge.  Andy greeted Abby with a hug and kiss.
She checked his medical over and dismissed him.  I stepped up next.  I
greeted her with a hug and a kiss too.  "Are you settling in?"

   "I think so." Abby answered.  She looked over my medical.

   Trent whispered to me, "Jesus, are we supposed to kiss the nurse?"

   I laughed.  "No.  Haven't you met my future sister-in-law?" Trent
indicated he hadn't.  I introduced Abby to Trent and Travis.

   We headed over to the pool for our swim tests.  Will greeted us when we
got there.  "It's about time you guys got here.  Kyle, Trent and Andy, I
want you three to take your swim tests first.  When you are done Andy, I
want you to make out buddy tags for the staff as they finish the test. 
Kyle and Trent, you will help me run the tests."

   Trent and I ran Ed and Travis through the test.  They left when they
were done.  They teased me about them having free time while I had to work.
I reminded them that the Aquatics staff was the hardest workers in camp.

   Justin Finnegan, Will's Assistant Aquatics Director for the pool arrived
about fifteen minutes later.  Will took Justin to the filter room to review
operations and maintenance of the equipment while Trent and I did swim
tests for the rest of the camp staff.

   I greeted all my friends on staff as we did the tests.  Most of the guys
I knew were back again.  We finished the swim tests around 3:30.  Will told
us we had about fifteen minutes until we had to meet in the dining hall for
staff orientation.

   Mr.  Holloway, the camp director, introduced the senior staff.  Rob
Young was back as the Program Director.  Jerry McMichael was back running
the Pioneer scout program for first year scouts.  He was Ed's boss. 
Aquatics was the only program area that had significant change in
personnel.

   The camp added 19 new CIT's.  Ten of last years CIT's came back as paid
staff this year, including Andy.  Mr.  Holloway had everyone introduce
themselves.  He went over his expectations for our work and behavior while
we were at camp.

   After dinner Mr.  Holloway and Rob Young reviewed the Boy Scout
Advancement system and how to teach merit badges.  We finally had free time
around 9 pm.  Will, Ed, Andy, Trent and I retired to my tent for a weight
lifting session and our three and a half mile run.  I lagged behind a
little on this run.  I had only worked my way up to three miles at home
recently.

   Most of the staff spent the day on Monday setting up tents, dining
flies, cots and picnic tables in the campsites.  The Order of the Arrow
workers had set up half of the camp the previous weekend.  They helped a
lot, but weren't able to do everything we needed to have camp ready for the
first group of campers the following week.

   Monday evening Mr.  Holloway and Rob Young did a training session on how
to teach scouts.  Ed, Andy and I checked the staff lounge after we were
done in the evening.  The computers hadn't been set up yet so we couldn't
check for e-mail from our girlfriends.

   Tuesday after breakfast we went back to work setting up the last four
campsites in the camp.  We finished three of them before lunch and headed
up the hill to the farthest out site to finish.

   I was helping Trent, Dave Royer, Andy and Travis Hastings move a picnic
table into the site.  Dave and I were walking backwards carrying the front
of the table while Andy and Travis carried the back across the campsite.  I
was backing up so I couldn't see where I was going.  My left foot slipped
into a gopher hole while we walked.  I went down instantly.  Dave couldn't
manage the weight of half the table alone and dropped it.  The table went
down, the left table leg barely missing me.  Dave, Andy and Travis all
ended up on their asses.

   Andy laughed and said, "Well, that was graceful."

   I laughed with the other guys.  I scrambled out from under the table and
tried to stand.  Shit!  My ankle throbbed and I went down again.

   Andy asked, "Are you OK Kyle?" Dave and Travis echoed his question.

   "I'm not sure." I sat up and felt my ankle, the source of the pain. 
Nothing felt out of place.  I carefully stood, keeping most of my weight on
my right leg.  So far, so good.  I put a little weight on my left leg.  It
hurt, but no too bad.  "I think I sprained it." I admitted.

   Dave said, "You sit down for a few minutes Kyle." Dave turned to the
work party finishing tents nearby.  "Ryan, get over here.  Help us with
this table."

   I hobbled over to the nearest tent platform and sat down.  I massaged my
ankle while the four guys put the table under the dining fly in the center
of the campsite.  The work crew finished setting up the campsite a few
minutes later.  Dave and Andy came over to check me out.

   Dave asked, "How's your ankle?"

   I answered, "I think it's OK.  It is swelling a little but I'll be OK."

   Dave asked, "Can you walk on it?"

   "I'll try." I stood and gently put weight on the ankle.  It didn't feel
too bad.  I took a step.  It hurt, but I could take it.  "I'll be OK." I
answered.

   Dave said, "Good." He yelled to the whole group, "Let's go.  Head back
to the maintenance building.  The Ranger has a few more things for us to
set up this afternoon before the staff swim.  Let's move it!"

   I started for the road.  I wasn't moving too fast.  Dave asked, "Can you
walk the whole way Kyle?  I could give you a ride."

   "I'll be OK." I said.  I limped after the work crew.  Dave headed to the
far side of the campsite for his truck.  Dave was the Ranger's assistant.
He was one of only three camp staff members who were allowed to drive the
camp trucks.

   I didn't get more than a hundred yards before I started to regret my
bravado.  My ankle started to throb.  Fortunately Dave stopped in his truck
before he passed me.

   Dave asked, "Are you sure you don't want a ride?"

   "I'll take you up on that offer." I climbed in the truck.  My ankle was
really hurting now.  "Maybe you better drop me off at the Health Lodge."

   "You got it Kyle." Dave answered.  He drove me down the hill to the
Health Lodge.  I thanked him and limped in to see Abby.

   Abby came out to meet me in the waiting room as soon as she heard the
front door slam.  "Good grief!  Did you hurt your knee?" she asked.

   "No.  My knee is fine.  I stepped in a gopher hole while I was helping
move a picnic table.  I think I sprained my ankle."

   "Come in and have a seat on the exam table." I followed Abby into her
office and hopped up on the table.  Abby pulled my shoes and socks off. 
She examined my left ankle and compared it with my right ankle.  She had me
stand and try to walk.  I managed with only a little pain.

   After a minute's exam Abby said, "It's not broken.  You have some
swelling.  I believe you have a Grade II sprain.  You have some stretching
or slight tearing of these ligaments." She indicated the ligaments on the
outside of my ankle.  "I'm going to wrap your ankle in an ace bandage.  I'd
like you to..."

   I interrupted, "I know.  Ice it.  Elevate it and rest it.  Is that
right?"

   "Yes.  That's exactly right." Abby answered.

   "Been there, done that."

   "I'll want you to take a couple ibuprofens Kyle." Abby took the tablets
from the cabinet.  I took them with a little water.  Abby helped me get my
socks and shoes on.  She gave me an ice pack.  I headed back to my tent to
lie down and ice my ankle.

   Trent, Andy and Ed checked on me after the staff swim was done.  My
ankle didn't hurt too much.  It was close to dinner time.  Ed and I cleaned
up and changed into our uniforms.  After dinner Mr.  Holloway, Rob, Abby
and Will reviewed the camp emergency procedures for all sorts of possible
situations.  Abby reviewed basic first aid treatment for scouts if we had
an accident in our program areas.

   The training was over earlier than the previous evenings.  Ed, Andy and
I headed for the staff lounge.  We set up the computers in the lounge and
retrieved our e-mails from the past few days.  All of us had several
e-mails from our girlfriends.  We sent off our replies to Lindsey, Penny
and Crystal.

   I lifted with Ed, Trent, Andy and Will.  I skipped the run.  My ankle
was swelling again.  I iced it down and rested on my bunk.  I went to sleep
right after Ed came back from the run.

   My ankle swelled up over night.  I wrapped it up with my ace bandage and
limped through the day.  Abby gave me more ibuprofen.  It hurt, but it was
bearable.

   Wednesday was set up day for the merit badge program areas.  Trent and I
spent the day checking and cleaning PFDs, inspecting canoes and rowboats,
and checking the oars and paddles.  I reviewed my planned lessons for
Canoeing Merit Badge with Trent in the afternoon.  Trent went over his
plans for Rowing Merit Badge.  Trent wanted me to be familiar with teaching
his badge in case he needed to have me cover for him some time.

   Will had the whole aquatic staff down at the boat yard on Thursday. 
Trent and I reviewed skills and merit badge requirements with everyone. 
When that was done, Will, Trent and I tested the staff members on their
skills on the water.  All the guys did a good job.

   My ankle was still a little sore but the swelling was gone in my ankle
by Thursday.  I decided to go on the run with the rest of my crew.  I kept
up the first mile but fell behind after that.  I turned back while Will,
Ed, Andy and Trent ran on.  I ended up walking the last half mile to the
staff area.  I stopped off at the staff lounge to check my e-mail.  I sent
off the day's message to Penny.

   On Friday Will sent Kevin Forbes and Dustin Carter to learn the
waterfront program.  Kevin and Dustin were going to be our CIT's next week.
Kevin was going to help Trent next week.  Dustin was mine.  I had him
demonstrate his canoeing skills in the morning.  He seemed ready to handle
things.

   I stopped at the camp office before lunch.  When I accepted the job I
got permission to take off two weekends during the camp season.  I needed
to leave around noon to get to the football camp at Penn State by the 6 pm
check-in time.  Mr.  Holloway told me to have fun this weekend.  I promised
that I should be back between 10 and 11 pm on Sunday night.  I loaded a few
things in my Golf and headed for home.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   I grabbed lunch at the drive through at a Burger King in Lancaster on my
way home.  I showered and changed to regular clothes when I got home.  I
wanted to go over to the Edward's house to see Penny, but I knew she was
working.  Mom and Dad were at work too.  I didn't know where Liz was. 
There wasn't any sign of her at home.  I looked over the map and detailed
directions Dad left me.  He was worried about me driving to State College
on my own.  It was my first long distance trip alone.  I loaded my sports
duffle with my gear for the weekend.  I left a note for Mom and Dad and
headed west for Penn State.

   Dad's directions were easy to follow for the first 45 minutes of my
drive.  Things got interesting when I got to Harrisburg.  I followed I-283
north when I got to the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange.  Two miles
further north was the dreaded Eisenhower Interchange.  Dad's directions
were perfect.  He put me in the correct lane to follow I-83 north to I-81.
Without Dad's help I'm sure I would have ended up in York or Hershey
instead of continuing around Harrisburg.  I had no trouble finding Rt.  322
when I merged onto I-81.  The rest of the drive up 322 was easy.

   I stopped off in Lewistown for an early dinner.  It took me half an hour
to get to State College.  I turned off onto Park Avenue.  The road looked
familiar thanks to my fall visit.  I passed the stadium and turned left
onto University Drive.  I drove a block south past Curtin Avenue and turned
into the designated parking lot beside the Shields building.  The
directions I received told me to check in at the Intramural Building across
the street from the parking lot between 5 pm and 6 pm.  It was 5:15, so I
was right on time.

   I went inside.  The registration table had four lines, organized by last
names: A-F, G-K, M-R, S-Z.  Four guys were in front of me in the M-R line.
The line hadn't moved before two more kids joined me.  The guy closer to me
asked, "Is this your first time at a Penn State football camp?"

   I answered, "Yes, it's my first time.  How about you?"

   "No.  I came to Offense & Defense Camp last summer." He extended his
hand to me.  "I'm Bill Robinson."

   I shook his hand.  "I'm Kyle Martin."

   The guy behind Bill extended his hand to me.  "I'm Corey Owens." I shook
Corey's hand.  The three of us compared personal information.  Bill's a
quarterback who is going to be a senior in the fall.  Corey was a tight
end. He's going to be a junior.  I told them about myself.  The
conversation turned to why we came to this camp.

   Bill replied, "My team lost in the quarterfinals of the playoff to a hot
shot team from Lancaster County.  We're hoping to pick up some tips to help
us beat them next season."

   Corey added, "I can't believe that we lost in triple overtime when their
QB ran a naked bootleg."

   The light bulb came on over my head.  I asked, "Where are you from?"

   Bill answered, "Upper Moreland."

   I said, "The way you guys pursued to the ball told us that we could get
you to bite on that play.  And you did - you bit hook, line and sinker."

   Bill and Corey stared at me.  Corey finally asked, "You play for the
Wolverines?"

   "You bet; at least for the first five games of the season.  I tore my
ACL in the fifth game.  I was watching the game against you guys from the
press box with the other coaches."

   Bill shook his head.  "I have to hand it to you guys.  You played a hell
of a game."

   "You guys did too.  We were incredibly lucky to have won.  You guys had
a great team too."

   "Thanks.  We'll just have to play again next year.  May the best team
win."

   I answered, "I agree.  May the best team win."

   The four guys in front of me had finished registering.  I gave them my
name.  They gave me a name tag, a packet of information and my room
assignment.  The card said "316 McKean Hall".  The registrar sent me to a
group of guys gathered at the other end of the gym.  Bill and Corey joined
me in a couple minutes.  We talked until the crowd grew to around twenty
kids.

   A guy who was obviously a football player came out to greet us.  He was
nearly my height and probably had at least 50 pounds on me.  He was wearing
a gray and blue T-shirt marked Penn State Football.  He introduced himself
as Peter Klein.  He was one of our camp counselors.  He asked us to get our
bags and meet him in front of the IM building in a few minutes.

   Pete led us down Curtin Road toward the center of campus when we met
again.  He took us to the right when we got to the nearest dorm rooms.  We
passed the first one, which was marked as Pennypacker Hall.  We followed
Pete into the adjoining dorm.  It had a sign on the side indicating that it
was McKean Hall.  Pete took us to the elevators.

   He announced, "Guys with room assignments on the third floor, take the
elevator and report to room 305.  A counselor for your floor will get you
your room keys and get you settled in.  Good luck.  If you are staying on
the fourth floor, come with me."

   I asked Bill and Corey, "What rooms are you in?"

   Bill said, "We're both in 407."

   The elevator doors opened.  Pete stepped in.  Some guys followed him.  I
said, "I'll see you guys in awhile I guess."

   Corey answered, "You bet.  It's good to meet you Kyle." Bill concurred.

   Seven other guys waited with me for the next elevator.  We headed up to
the third floor.  I looked around as I got out of the elevator.  Room 305
was beside the elevator.  Our group had just turned towards the counselor's
door when he came out.  He was Aaron Morano!

   Aaron smiled when he saw me and said, "Hey Kyle!  It's about time you
got here."

   "It's good to see you.  Are you the counselor?" I asked.

   "You bet." Aaron waved to us.  "Come in my room.  I'll hand out your
room keys." We followed Aaron into room 305.  He handed me a key.  "You're
in 316, right?"

   I took the key.  "Yep.  316." I confirmed.  Aaron took names and handed
out keys to the other seven guys.

   Aaron announced, "It is 6:15 now.  Move your things into your room. 
Some of you will find that your roommate is already here.  Get comfortable.
We will meet at the elevators at 7:15 tonight." The group dispersed.

   I hung out until the others left.  "Aaron, is Zack around this weekend?"

   Aaron laughed.  "Wait a couple minutes.  You'll see him.  He's the other
counselor for this floor.  He went over to the IM Building to pick up the
next group campers."

   "Cool.  I'm going to move my things in.  I'll catch up with you guys in
a little while."

   I went across the hall.  Room 316 was just to the right of the
elevators. I put the key in the lock.  Someone inside called out, "It's
open.  Come on in."

   I pulled my duffle bag inside.  My roommate, presumably, stood from his
bed and extended his hand to me.  "I'm Chip Brinton.  You must be my
roommate."

   I set my bag down and shook his hand.  "I'm Kyle Martin.  It's nice to
meet you."

   Chip was about 6'-1" tall.  He was thin.  He might weight 160 pounds. 
His brown hair was long enough to cover his ears.

   Chip asked, "Where are you from Kyle?"

   "Lancaster County, how about you?"

   "We're almost neighbors.  I'm from Unionville in Chester County."

   "Unionville?  I watched some game film of you guys.  What position do
you play?"

   "Quarterback." Chip answered.  Chip gave me a funny look.  "Why would
you watch film of us?"

   "I blew out my ACL in the middle of the last season.  My coach had me
break down video for possible playoff opponents."

   "Wow.  That's planning pretty far ahead.  What team do you play for?"

   I answered, "I'm a captain on the Wolverines.  We're from Paradise."

   "I know you guys.  I watched you beat Upper Moreland in the playoffs. 
Your game was on cable.  You guys made a lot of fans in Unionville that day
when you beat the Golden Bears.  They knocked us out of the playoffs the
previous week."

   I explained, "We were very lucky that day.  Any game that goes into
triple overtime is too close for comfort.  Do you know that Upper
Moreland's quarterback is here?"

   "Is he?"

   I said, "He seems like a nice guy.  We talked while we waited to
register."

   "I've met him too.  He is a nice guy.  But nice guy or not, Upper
Moreland is the team that stands on our way.  We DON'T like that team."
Chip explained.

   "I understand.  For my team it's Central.  They have dominated our
league for two decades.  We have only been competitive with them for the
past couple years.  In spite of them being our biggest rivals, I'm friends
with a couple guys on their team."

   Yes, that's exactly what I mean about Upper Moreland."

   I started to unpack my things, putting them in the closet behind the
desk.  This room was laid out the same way that Zack's and Aaron's room
last fall.  You walk in the door and find the closet along the inside wall,
a space for a chair, a desk and then a bed that extends to the far wall of
the room.  The far wall had a large window that faces other dorms.  The two
sides of the room were mirror images of each other.

   Chip and I talked while I unpacked.  It turned out that Chip had turned
16 last month and was going to be a junior in the fall.  He had taken his
team to the playoffs as a sophomore last season.  I told him about myself.
Chip seemed like a nice guy.  I was lucky to have him for a roommate.

   We had a knock at the door about 7:10 pm.  Chip opened it.  Zack Hayes
stuck his head inside.  "Hey Kyle.  Glad you made it.  Everything OK?"

   "Things are good Zack.  I'm surprised to see you working as a
counselor."

   "Coach Paterno needed some guys to do it and I could use the money."
Zack answered.

   "That's cool."

   Zack said, "Everyone needs to meet Aaron and me at the elevators in five
minutes.  Bring the notebook that you were given at registration.  You are
going to have a class room session this evening."

   "You got it Zack." I said.

   "OK" Chip answered quietly.  Zack closed the door and headed down the
hall to the next room.  Chip looked at me.  "Can you believe that?  That
was Zack Hayes!  He's the quarterback who won the bowl game against Auburn!
I can't believe it!"

   "Yeah, that was Zack.  Why?"

   "You know him?" Chip asked.

   "Sure." I answered nonchalantly.  I went on to explain how Zack went to
my high school and was my friend and mentor.  Chip was impressed, probably
a little too impressed.  It turned out that Chip's dad and uncle were both
Penn State grads.  His family was huge Penn State fans.

   Chip and I grabbed our notebooks and headed for the elevators.  I got
another surprise.  Chip and I were waiting for the group when Christian
Hunsecker came around the corner with another guy wearing a Central
Football T-shirt.  Christian and I greeted each other.  Christian
introduced me to Caleb Sommers.  Caleb was the young kid who was stuck
quarterbacking Central in their last playoff game last season when the
starter was suspended from school.  He hoped to do better in the coming
season.

   Aaron and Zack took roll before we left.  I had to stifle a laugh when
Aaron called out "Winfield Ellsworth Brinton IV" and Chip answered "Yo."

   On the ride down in the elevator I teased Chip, "Winfield Ellsworth
Brinton IV?  It makes you sound like a snooty rich kid."

   "Now you know why I go by Chip."

   "So your family isn't fabulously rich?" I asked.

   "No.  Mom's a school teacher and Dad works in a bank in West Chester. 
We're just an average family." Chip paused for a couple seconds.  "My great
grandfather used to be rich.  He lost all his money in the stock market
crash in 1929."

   "That's too bad.  The name seems to be a bit pretentious." I said.

   "It is.  It's tradition in our family for the oldest son.  Dad says it
still gives us a few perks.  My family came to Pennsylvania with William
Penn when he founded the colony in the 1680's.  We were Quakers back then.
All our family name gets us anymore is an occasional seat on a charity
board and an invite to the local fox hunt."

   I said, "That's a little more exciting than my family history.  You go
back a few generations and all you find is Mennonite farmers.  You
mentioned fox hunting, do you really do that?"

   "I don't.  My dad goes occasionally.  My granddad is a regular.  He
loves to ride with the hunt." Chip explained as the elevator doors opened
to a crowd of football campers.  I spotted Greg Walker standing in the
middle of the crowd trying to get order.

   I pushed through the crowd.  Chip followed.  I tapped Greg on the
shoulder.  He turned and looked at me.  I asked, "Hi Greg.  Do you remember
me?  I'm Kyle Martin."

   Greg stared at me for a few seconds.  "Yeah... yeah... you're the kid
Zack brought to the party last fall."

   I nodded yes.  "It's good to see you again.  You played a hell of a game
against Auburn.  I was cheering the whole time it took you to carry the
winning touchdown to the end zone."

   "Thanks, umm..."

   "Kyle... Kyle Martin."

   Greg said, "Right.  Kyle Martin.  I'll remember that name." Greg
whistled to get everyone's attention.  "Everybody.  We need to head over to
the Lasch Building for this evening's introduction."

   About eighty of us followed Pete and Greg across Curtin Road, between
Sheilds and Wagner buildings, through the tennis courts to the Lasch
Building.  Christian, Caleb, Chip and I hung together.

   Our counselors took us to the auditorium.  Everyone founds seats.  The
Penn State coaching staff came in together and had seats at the front table
in the auditorium.  Coach Paterno welcomed us to the 7 on 7 Passing Camp.
He introduced the coaching staff.  He reviewed our schedule for the
weekend. His introduction went about fifteen minutes.  Coach Paterno had
the defensive players move to another classroom where Coach Bradley would
begin their instruction.

   When all the defensive players left Coach Burton began our talk.  He
reviewed some of the basics of running pass routes.  He handed out tests to
the sound of loud groans from nearly everyone in the room.  Coach Burton
promised that all they were going to be used for was to identify our
current knowledge level so the instruction could be tailored to our
specific needs.

   Coach Burton continued talking about how an offense can use various
combination of passing routes together to influence what a defense did.  He
talked about how to read defensive coverages.  The talk went on for about
an hour.  It was basic stuff to me, but it was very clearly presented. 
Coach Burton talked about how all the bits and pieces of information I knew
influenced each other.  It was worthwhile.

   Christian, Caleb, Chip and I were heading out from the evening talk when
Zack grabbed me.  "Do you guys want to go downtown for a pizza before we go
back to the dorms?" Zack asked.

   I hesitated.  "Uh... what do you guys think?" looking around at my
friends.  They agreed.  Zack took us downtown to one of the pizza places on
College Avenue.  Zack kept us entertained with stories from the bowl game.

   Chip hung on every word Zack spoke.  He had a serious case of hero
worship.  Christian seemed to enjoy the talk about Penn State's bowl game.
I found out that night that he had been in the stands watching Zack and me
when we first beat Central three years ago.  Both of us had been in ninth
grade at the time.  He respected Zack without crossing over to adulation.
He knew Zack first as a rival's quarterback.  Caleb didn't say much of
anything.  He just absorbed everything we talked about.  We got back to the
dorm around 9:30 pm.

   Chip and I hung out in our room until curfew.  All kids had to be back
in the dorm by 10:30.  Zack and Aaron went around the floor for a bed check
after that.  Lights out was 11:00 pm.

   I turned the lights out and climbed in my bed.  Chip asked, "What time
do we need to get up?"

   "7 o'clock?  Breakfast is at 8 and we have to be on the field at 9. 
Does that sound good?"

   "Getting up at 7 sucks.  It's too damn early."

   I laughed.  "Getting up at 7 am is sleeping late for me.  I usually get
up at 6 am.  I have to lifeguard polar bear swims at 6:30 in the morning."

   "Polar bear swims?  Where do you work?" Chip asked.

   "The Boy Scout camp in Lancaster County."

   "You're a Boy Scout?  So am I." Chip said excitedly.

   We compared notes about our respective troops.  Surprisingly his troop
was even larger than mine.  My troop has around 40 kids in it, larger than
the normal 15-25 kids.  Chip's troop had 65 scouts.  They were just as
active, camping every month.  They did high adventure trips just like us.
Chip had gone to the Philmont Scout Ranch last summer.  He told me about
that back packing trip.  I told him about our trip to Algonquin.  Chip's
troop camped at the Horseshoe Scout Reservation.  It was after 11:30 before
we finally got quiet and went to sleep.

   The alarm on my watch went off at 7 am as planned.  I announced, "Chip,
time to get up." I got a groan in response.  I got out of bed and grabbed
my robe.  "Let's go, time to get up." Chip rolled over and moaned.  I
grabbed my shower stuff.  "Come on, out of bed." I grabbed the sheet and
yanked it off Chip.

   I got an eye full.  Chip had a hand down his boxers and was stroking
himself.  He turned bright red from embarrassment and pulled his hand out
quickly.  "Jesus, I'm sorry Chip." I exclaimed as I beat a hasty retreat
from the room.

   I went down the hall and took a shower.  Chip wasn't in the room when I
got back.  I got dressed.  I carefully wrapped the ace bandage around my
left ankle to give it extra support that day.  I hoped my ankle would hold
up for the day.

   When Chip came back to our room I said, "I'm sooo sorry man.  I didn't
know."

   "I'm not mad Kyle.  I was just..." Chip said.  His face turned pink.  "I
just get so horny.  I haven't... you know..."

   "I know Chip.  I haven't been with my girlfriend for a week.  I need to
take care of myself too."

   "A week?  I was going to say I haven't done it since I broke up with my
girlfriend two months ago."

   "Oh.  You definitely don't have anything to be embarrassed about.  I
haven't gone without for two months since ninth grade." I replied.

   The two of us finished dressing quietly.  We headed downstairs and over
to the Johnston Dining Hall with our meal tickets.  We showed our tickets
at the door, went through the food line, and found an empty table.  I saw
Bill Robinson and Corey Owens come out of the food line and look for a
table.  I stood up and waved to them.  They came over.

   "You can join us if you want guys." I offered.  Bill and Corey sat down
at our table.  I introduced Chip to Bill and Corey.  I tried to keep a
conversation going, but things were kind of awkward between Bill and Chip.

   Zack and Aaron came by our table.  Zack asked, "Can we join you guys."

   "Sure." I answered.  Thanks to Zack and Aaron the conversation turned to
how Penn State's season was going to go.  Christian and Caleb joined us a
couple minutes later.  The group got along well when we focused on a topic
we could agree on - Penn State football.

   The eight of headed back to our rooms to get ready for the morning
session.  We were due on the outside practice fields near Haluba Hall by 9
am.  Chip and I joined the stream of kids heading for the practice field.

   The coaches had us run drills and tests for the first hour.  They gave
us a fifteen minute break.  The coaches split the campers into four
offensive and four defensive groups.  Chip, Bill and Christian all ended up
in Group 4 with me.

   The second session in the morning was more like I expected.  Chip and
Bill took turns throwing passes to the receivers and running backs in our
group while defensive Group 4 players tried to cover us.  Coach Adams, the
Penn State receivers coach supervised our practice.

   The session ran until lunch.  Both Bill and Chip threw excellent passes.
They had good spin and velocity.  They arrived on time and on target.  It
was going to be a pleasure working with these guys.

   My group of friends joined Zack, Aaron and me for lunch.  We went back
out after lunch and went back to passing drills.  Coach Burton joined our
group after lunch.  So far my left ankle was holding up and wasn't
hindering my play.  We also hadn't run any routes that required me to make
a cut.

   I went on a couple streak routes while Coach Burton was watching.  I
beat the defender on the first play by a couple yards.  Chip threw the ball
a little short but I adjusted and caught the ball.  On the second play Chip
hit me dead on stride.  The play would have been a sure touchdown in a real
game.  I caught Coach Burton smiling at the play.

   Both Chip and I rotated out after that play.  Chip was grinning when we
met on the sideline.  "You wouldn't consider moving to Unionville would
you? We could use someone with your speed on our team."

   I chuckled.  "No, I'll stay with the Wolverines Chip." I answered.  I
thought for a few seconds.  "I didn't think I'd be saying this to anyone,
but you are as good a quarterback as Zack Hayes was in high school or as Ed
Fritz."

   Chip asked, "Who's Ed Fritz?"

   "Ed is starting quarterback on my team and my best friend."

   Chip was grinning.  "Do you really think I'm as good as Zack Hayes?"

   "You are as good as he was when he was in high school." I explained. 
Chip got quiet.  We watched as Bill ran the offense for the next ten
minutes.  Coach Burton called everyone together.  The next topic he wanted
to talk about was how to beat press coverage.

   I lined up on the line of scrimmage opposite the defensive back.  At the
simulated snap I faked left and dodged to the right.  At least that is what
I tried to do.  When I made the cut to the right my left ankle gave way. 
The DB knocked me on my ass.  Coach Burton wasn't smiling anymore.  Chip
fired the ball to Christian, who had gotten open.

   Coach Burton shouted, "Run it again."

   At the snap I tried the same thing except I faked right and went left.
My left ankle held up this time.  I streaked downfield and caught Chip's
pass in stride.  Coach Burton's smile came back.

   We repeated the drill a few more times.  I found I could cut properly
with my right foot but not my left.  I had trouble getting off the line the
last couple times because the defensive back had figured me out.  He was
anticipating my fake and jamming me hard.

   Coach Burton sent in the next group of players.  Christian, Chip and I
gathered on the side line.  Coach Burton asked, "Martin, you know you need
to learn that fake in both directions, right?"

   "I know.  Usually I can make that cut.  I sprained my ankle a few days
ago.  It's still a little sore." I explained.

   "Has your knee is recovered from your injury last fall?" Coach Burton
asked.

   "My knee is fine.  My ankle is a little sore, but that's all."

   Coach Burton sent me back in.  I tried to make most of my cuts using my
right leg.  I did OK but not quite as good as I wanted.  I really wanted
the Penn State coaches to see that I was back in shape and could perform
like last September.

   Practice was over at 5 pm.  Chip and I headed back to the dorm with
Christian and Caleb.  We grabbed showers before dinner.  We met Christian
and Caleb.  I knocked at Zack's and Aaron's door.  They decided to come
along with us.

   After dinner we had an evening program.  The offensive players met in
the Lasch auditorium.  The coaches went over types of defenses and how to
recognize different types of pass coverages.

   My friends decided to go swimming when the evening program was done.  I
wasn't enthusiastic.  I was going to spend my whole summer at the lake and
pool life guarding.  Why would I want to go to a pool when I didn't have to
work?  I went anyway.  I was glad I did.  It was fun to goof around in the
water with friends and not have to worry about guarding the swim.

   Chip and I hung out with Zack and Aaron until bedtime.  Chip was finally
starting to get over the awe he felt around Zack.  Zack was becoming just
another guy instead of the big hero Chip had watched on TV during the bowl
game.  Chip and I headed to bed at 10:30 while Zack and Aaron made their
bed check for the rest of the campers.

   On Saturday all our practice had been against man to man coverage. 
Sunday morning the coaches had us practice against various zone coverages.
They taught us how to find the seams in the zone.  They showed us how to
recognize whether the defense was in zone or man to man.  I did well; I
didn't need to make cuts as often or as hard as I did against man to man
coverage.  Chip and I had lunch with all the friends I made that weekend.
Even though we had been together only two days, I was going to miss this
group.

   The defense mixed up coverages in the afternoon.  We had to recognize
the defense and adjust on the fly as we worked at catching passes.  It was
challenging, but I knew it would useful in the future.

   The coaches called each player over for a conference in the afternoon to
discuss his strengths and weaknesses.  I met with Coach Burton.

   Coach Burton asked, "What do you think your biggest weakness is?"

   "My speed." I answered.  Coach Burton stared at me and arched his eye
brow.  I continued, "What I mean is I rely too much on my speed some
times."

   "That makes sense.  Based just on what I saw this weekend, you need to
improve your moves to get separation from the DB.  Sometimes you were
excellent, other times you couldn't break free."

   "All of that was due to my sprained ankle.  I felt good cutting off my
right leg.  I couldn't do much cutting with my left."

   "That is the same leg that you had the ACL replacement in, correct?"

   "Yes."

   "I think you need more work on facing zone coverages.  You seemed
hesitant at times Kyle."

   "We don't see zone coverage in our league very often." I explained.

   "It is something that the best receivers in the state should know to
recognize and exploit."

   "Do you think I belong in the category of the best receivers in the
state?"

   Coach Burton paused for a couple seconds.  "That's the question.  I
watched you last fall as a high school junior catch passes against a
college cornerback.  You beat him pretty consistently.  He's a very good
cornerback too.  Can you still do that this coming season?  I can't answer
that.  You have to."

   "My knee is completely healed.  If I hadn't hurt my ankle a few days
ago, I would be playing just like you saw last September."

   "I hope that's true Kyle."

   "Can I ask you a question Coach?  If you can't answer this one, I'll
understand.  Just tell me that it's against the rules and I won't be mad."

   Coach Burton nodded and said "Go ahead."

   "I was surprised I didn't hear from you or Coach Paterno last month.  I
thought you were interested in me coming to play for Penn State."

   Coach Burton explained, "We didn't call because we weren't in a position
to offer you anything.  You suffered a very severe injury last fall.  You
blew out your ACL and suffered significant damage to your medial collateral
and lateral collateral ligaments.  A lot of players do not ever recover
fully from injuries like yours."

   "I worked my butt off at rehab.  My knee is back."

   "Just the fact that you're out on the field this weekend tells me that
you worked hard at rehab.  You need to understand college football Kyle. 
We have 21 athletic scholarships available this year.  That isn't enough to
give to everyone that we want to recruit.  Penn State athletics has an
annual budget of $61 million.  The football program brings in a large
portion of that money.  Our success on the field brings us money for
athletics, increases interest in the university among prospective
undergraduates, and brings in more contributions from alumni.  It is
essential that every recruit on scholarship contribute to the success of
our program.  We don't take chances with scholarships and hope someone will
be ready to play."

   I sighed.  "That mean's you don't plan to offer me a scholarship,
right?"

   "I wish we could Kyle.  I really hoped I would see you play like you did
last fall.  My reports on your recovery indicated that you were back to
100%.  I haven't seen that this weekend." Coach Burton explained.

   "Don't you believe Zack?" I asked.

   "You're right, Zack is my inside source on your knee.  Scholarships are
too precious to trust to judgment of someone else, even a student I respect
as much as Zack Hayes.  The best I can offer this summer is to make you a
preferred walk-on."

   "What does that mean?"

   "You would come to training camp with the team.  We would help you get
accepted to the university.  You would stand a good chance of making the
team."

   "But I wouldn't have a scholarship." I asked.

   "Not the first year.  If you made the team and played well, the coaches
would re-evaluate your status.  If your performance warranted it, we could
arrange for you to have a scholarship after that."

   "You don't think I'm good enough to play for Penn State." I said.

   "That's not exactly true Kyle.  If I had to bet, I put down $10... no,
$100 that you'll be playing at the same level as you did last September. 
I'd bet a $100 of my own money on me needing to call you next October and
offer you a scholarship.  What I can't bet is a million dollars of the
school's money on me being right about your knee.  We play in one of the
toughest conferences in college football.  The margin between us and Ohio
State and Michigan is so slim that the speed wide receiver we thought we
had that can't play up to expectations could cause us to lose 27-24 instead
of winning 31-27.  Every player that we award a scholarship to must carry
his weight.  Do you understand?"

   "I guess." I said hesitantly.

   "Let me tell you what I have learned about you so far Kyle.  Last
September you were one of the best receivers in the state.  I know you
suffered a major injury that usually takes 8-12 months to heal, if it ever
heals properly.  The fact that you are running pass routes today is a minor
miracle itself.  It is a testament to your work ethic and endurance that
you are here today.  Walt Caffrey told me that when you got hurt you helped
teach the younger receivers on your team to take your place.  He said it
was like he hired another coach for the rest of the season.  You have
learned more about football in three years in high school than some of the
young men on the Nittany Lions.  You have speed, size, work ethic and
football smarts.  I hope you prove me wrong in the fall.  I want to be able
to call you with a scholarship offer in the fall when you demonstrate that
you are back."

   "I guess we'll see in the fall" I replied non-committally.  Not worth a
scholarship now!  I wasn't happy.  I thought Penn State was my best shot.
My plans needed to change and change soon.  I rejoined the other players.

   I was pissed off.  How could they say I wasn't good enough?  I was a
little too enthusiastic beating the jam when the cornerback tried to keep
me on the line of scrimmage.  I knocked him on his ass.  I was determined
to show them I was one the best receivers around.

   By the time they put in new players I had calmed down a little.  Chip
joined me on the sideline.  He asked, "What are you so mad about?  Are you
upset with Coach Burton?"

   "I am mad!  Well... I'm not so much mad at him as I am at how I'm
playing."

   "What??  You've got to be kidding.  How can you be mad about how you're
performing.  You're one of the best receivers here."

   "I expect to be the best.  I haven't been able to cut properly from my
left foot.  I can do better than this.  I expect to do better.  Coach
Burton pointed that out to me.  That's what is wrong with me.  Don't you
expect to play well?"

   "Of course I do.  I just don't beat myself up when I don't.  Chill a
little." Chip suggested.  Coach Burton called Chip over for his private
talk.  I stood on the sidelines watching the other players.  Chip was
right. One thing was definite.  I was going show Coach Burton that this was
a bad decision.  Wait until real football started in the fall.

   I went back in with Bill Robinson as quarterback.  I told Bill to throw
the ball my way whether I was covered or not.  I was a maniac jumping for
the ball over the defender.  I caught most of the balls too.  I don't know
if it helped but I was determined that nothing was going to stop me today.

   The coaches called a halt to the practice at 4:30 pm.  They brought the
entire group inside to the auditorium for the closing to the camp.  Coach
Burton and Coach Bradley thanked everyone for their efforts over the
weekend.  Coach Paterno challenged everyone to put the skills learned this
weekend to use when the fall season started.  He concluded by thanking
everyone for attending this camp.

   We were dismissed to return to McKean Hall to check out with our
counselors.  Chip, Christian, Caleb and I walked back to the dorm together.
We were crossing the parking area beside Shields Building when a man about
my Dad's age waved to us.

   Chip smiled and said, "It's my dad.  I'll introduce you." We followed
him over to Mr.  Brinton.  He added, "This is my roommate this weekend Dad,
Kyle Martin."

   Mr.  Brinton extended his hand and I shook it.  "Ells Brinton.  It's
nice to meet you Kyle."

   "It's nice to meet you sir." I answered.  Chip introduced Christian and
Caleb to his dad.  The five of us walked together to the dorm for check
out. I lingered at the elevator when we got to our floor while Chip and his
dad went to our room.

   I asked Christian, "Are you going to have dinner before you head for
home?"

   "No.  We're going to hit the road.  We'll get something on the way home.
How about you?"

   "I'll get dinner here before I leave.  Are you going to scout camp this
summer?"

   Christian answered, "Hell yes.  This is my last year to go as a scout."

   "I'll see you there." I turned to Caleb.  "It's nice to have met you
Caleb.  I'll see you the end of October when we play."

   Caleb answered, "It was good to meet you too Kyle.  Good luck on your
season."

   "You too." We shook hands.  Christian and Caleb headed down the hall to
their room.  I headed to my room to get my bags.

   Zack was already there to do the check out for Chip.  Chip and I
promised to keep in touch by e-mail.  We teased each other that we would
meet in the semi-finals next December.  Zack checked my side of the room
and marked me down as checked out too.

   Zack asked, "What are you doing for dinner?"

   "I'm going to grab something before I leave town."

   "If you wait a few minutes you can join Aaron and me." Zack said.

   I waited in Zack's and Aaron's room while they finished checking out the
rest of the campers.  We headed downtown and grabbed a dinner at a sub
shop.

   When we finished eating Zack Asked, "What did you think of the camp?"

   "I liked most of it.  I didn't learn a lot of new techniques but it
helped me understand how all the things I knew fit together.  I think it
helped me that way." I explained.

   Zack said, "I'm glad you came.  It's been fun getting together.  We
really need to get out together on the football field again."

   Aaron protested, "Hey!  You promised to behave this weekend.  We can't
talk about that yet."

   "My bad.  Forget I said that Kyle." Zack said.

   "It's OK.  I won't report your recruiting violation." I answered with a
grin.

   Zack laughed, "You wait until the gag comes off buddy.  You'll see just
how persuasive I can be."

   We headed back to campus.  Aaron, Zack and I completed our good byes in
the parking lot before I headed for home.  I hopped in my Golf and drove
east.  I did OK with the directions until I got to Harrisburg.  I got mixed
up when Rt.  322, Rt.  22, I-81, and I'm not sure which other roads all
merged together.

   I didn't know I was going the wrong direction until I flew by an exit
marked "TO PA.  RT.  72".  I hadn't gotten to Rt.  283 yet.  I expected to
see that sign when I was close to Lancaster AFTER I got on Rt.  283.  I
kept driving on.  I didn't have a choice.  I pulled off at the next exit.
The sign said it was Frackville.

   I pulled into the Turkey Hill Market and studied the maps.  I was
somewhere north of Reading in Schuylkill County.  I went inside and grabbed
some iced tea.  I used the phone to call home.  When Dad answered the phone
I asked, "What is the best way to get home from Frackville?"

   All I got in response was laughing.  "Dad!" I said, exasperated.

   Dad finally calmed down enough to answer.  "Frackville?" He laughed
again.  I heard him sigh.  "OK Kyle.  Where exactly are you?"

   "I'm in the middle of Frackville at the Turkey Hill."

   "I know where you mean.  Follow Rt.  61 south through Pottsville and
Hamburg until you get to Reading.  Follow Rt.  222 around Reading.  It will
take you to Lancaster.  You know the way when 222 merges into Rt.  30."

   "Thanks Dad.  I'll see you later tonight." I hung up the phone and hit
the road.  It took me another hour and half to get home but I made it
without any more wrong turns.  I dropped off my bag with my dirty laundry.
I gave Mom a kiss and a hug.  Dad got a hug.  He had to tease me again for
getting lost on the way home.  It was a quarter to ten in the evening.  I
didn't have much time before I had to leave for scout camp.

   I stopped off at Edwards' house before I went back to camp.  Mr. 
Edwards answered the door.  He stared at me, obviously surprised.  "Kyle,
what are you doing here?  Do you know what time of night it is?"

   "I'm sorry it's so late Mr.  Edwards.  I took a wrong turn on the way
home from State College tonight.  I had promised Penny that I would stop by
before I went back to scout camp tonight.  Could I see her?"

   Mr.  Edwards frowned.  "She is ready for bed Kyle.  I don't think..."

   I heard Penny's voice from upstairs.  "Is that Kyle Daddy?"

   Mr.  Edwards called out, "It's too late for visitors..."

   I could hear Penny running down the steps.  Mr.  Edwards frowned and
sighed.  "Come in Kyle.  Make this quick.  Penny has to get to work
tomorrow morning."

   "I do too.  I have to be up at 6 am to lifeguard at the polar bear swim.
I'll be quick."

   I stepped into the entry hall.  Mr.  Edwards went back to the living
room and his TV show.  Penny got to the bottom of the steps and launched
herself at me.  We hugged and exchanged a quick but passionate kiss.  We
had to be discrete.  Mr.  Edwards was only fifteen feet away.

   Penny declared, "God, I've missed you."

   "I've missed you too." I replied.  I described how my weekend went at
Penn State.  Penny told me about her week of work.  Finally it was
essential that I leave.  I had to be back to camp before the Ranger locked
the front gate at 11 pm.  Penny and I hugged and exchanged a last kiss.  It
started discrete but then our tongues met.  We pressed our bodies together
while our tongues tangled with each other.  We finally broke apart when Mr.
Edwards loudly cleared his throat.

   "I love you Penny" I declared.

   "I love you too."

   "One week down, eight to go."

   "I'll write you tomorrow night." Penny promised.

   "Me too." I answered.  I gave her a last hug before I left.

   The drive to camp was uneventful.  I arrived at 10:45 pm.  I parked in
the staff parking lot and stopped at the office to check in.  The office
was locked and the sign on the door said to check in at the Health Lodge.
Will was hanging out with Abby at the health lodge.  I told them about my
weekend at Penn State.  Will told me that check-in went well this
afternoon. We had 321 campers this week.  The opening campfire went well
too.  Will told me that Andy had the sign-up list for Canoeing Merit Badge.

   I headed back to my tent.  Ed was just getting ready for bed.  Ed asked,
"How did the weekend go?"

   "Pretty good.  I learned some new things.  I enjoyed meeting some of the
other players." I explained.

   "Was anyone there that I know?" Ed asked.

   "Christian was there.  His quarterback, Caleb Sommers, was there too. 
Bill Robinson was there."

   "Who is he?"

   "You know him.  He's the quarterback for Upper Moreland." I answered.

   "Oh."

   "Bill is a nice guy.  We ate together for a couple meals.  He's a good
quarterback too."

   "I noticed that last December." Ed said.

   "If you want to make all-state again Ed, you are going to have to keep
improving your game.  Bill's learning more.  My roommate for the weekend is
dynamite too.  He's Chip Brinton.  He plays for Unionville.  They are the
ones Upper Moreland beat last year to play us.  He was a sophomore then. 
He's going to be really, really, REALLY good."

   Ed asked, "Are you saying that you don't think we can defend our state
championship?"

   "No!  No, not at all.  I think we're going to have a great offense. 
Andy's got the equivalent of 1˝ years of experience.  I'll be back. 
Between Andy, Drew and me we are going to blow away most defenses.  Andy
can beat double coverage, I can beat double coverage; what are the other
teams going to do?  Put in six or seven defensive backs?  Drew would love
that.  Think about how many yards he'll gain on the ground if they
concentrate on Andy and me.  Jason, Pete and Ian will help out too.  Who's
going to stop us?"

   "I don't know if anyone can Kyle.  Why are you worrying about how I
play?"

   "All I am saying is we can't play the same as last year.  Our
competition is improving.  We either get better or they beat us.  Does that
make sense?"

   "Yeah.  It does." Ed said.

   "I have got to get cleaned up.  It's my turn to guard the polar bear
swim tomorrow morning."

   "Be quiet when you get up, OK?"

   "You got it buddy." I answered.  I headed over to the staff shower
house, showered and cleaned up for the night.  Ed was asleep when I got
back to our tent.  I lay down.  It had been an interesting weekend.  The
football camp was cool.  I made a lot of good friends.  My anger at not
being considered to be worthy of a scholarship had diminished a little.  I
was going to have to have a hell of a senior season if I wanted to get a
top scholarship.

   Chapter 25

   ==========

   The first week of camp went well.  Working with Trent everyday was a
blast.  My CIT, Dustin Carter, turned out to be an excellent teacher.  I
gave him a top write up at the end of the week.

   Ed, Trent, Andy and I ran passing drills everyday after lunch.  My ankle
was fully recovered by Tuesday.  Andy and I took turns catching passes
while Trent tried to cover us.  This year we didn't need to hide anything
from him.  He wasn't going to play us anymore.

   Ed, Andy, Trent, Will and I lifted weights each evening after our duties
were done.  By the end of the week I was able to keep up with my friends on
our evening runs out to the camp entrance.  Ed, Andy and I stopped off at
the staff lounge after our run each night to read e-mails from our
girlfriends and send off our replies.

   Saturday afternoon brought our weekend group of Cub Scouts.  Trent,
Dustin, Kevin and I spent the afternoon rowing the cubs around the lake. 
After dinner the Pioneer Scout staff ran a capture the flag game for the
cubs.  We did our opening campfire for them before they went bed.  Trent,
Andy, Ed and I tossed the football after the cubs went home before lunch on
Sunday.

   The Aquatics staff hung out at the pool and relaxed while the next
week's troops checked in at their campsite, did the medical recheck with
Abby at the Health Lodge and got their orientation at the dining hall.  The
first troop completed that process around 2:30 pm.  We spent the rest of
the afternoon doing swim tests for the scouts.  We tested 277 scouts and
leaders in just over 2 ˝ hours.

   Micah Knowles was my CIT the second week.  He barely met the age
requirement to be a CIT.  He had finished eighth grade a few weeks earlier.
He was small for his age.  He worked hard for me but wasn't very good at
teaching.

   The second week was considerably easier than the first week.  My classes
were smaller.  Trent and I reviewed our lesson plans with each other. 
Trent wanted to teach canoeing at least one week.  He wanted me to know the
program for rowing.

   Tuesday was the first of July.  I didn't imagine that would be
significant in the morning when I got up.  It was.  I didn't find out why
until after sixth period was over.  I got a message from the camp office to
stop by when the free boating was over.  I had an urgent message to call
home.

   I reached Mom when I called home.  The message wasn't really urgent.  I
had two phone calls from college coaches.  Both hoped I would call back
after dinner.  One of the coaches was Al Golden, the head coach of Temple
University.  The second message was to call Coach K.  C.  Keeler from the
University of Delaware.

   I teased Trent during dinner about his coach calling me.  I tried
returning both calls from the camp office phone between dinner and 7 pm. 
Will wanted me to help him with the BSA Lifeguard candidates then.  I
didn't reach either coach.  I left them messages.

   I received a surprise e-mail after my evening run.  I received an e-mail
from Zack Hayes in addition to my daily e-mail from Penny.  Zack's e-mail
said:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-
From: hayeszr05@psu.edu
To: fastwr87@redroses.net

   Date July 1 18:38:02

   Hey Kyle

   The gag rule is off.  I wanted to share this with you.

   Top Ten Reasons to come to Penn State:

   10.  They don't have Peachy Paterno ice cream anywhere

   but the Penn State Creamery.

   9.  They make your favorite, Mint Chocolate Chip, at

   the Creamery too.

   8.  Grilled Stickies - You had them, you understand.

   7.  Center County has a nice mix of the rural and

   cosmopolitan.  Country boys like us fit in here.

   6.  Lasch Football Center provides excellent training

   facilities, academic tutoring and physical therapy.

   You won't find better facilities anywhere.

   5.  The Penn State Nittany Lions are committed to making

   sure you get a great education along with invaluable

   football experience.  We have an 85% graduation rate.

   4.  State College is a lot closer to the University of

   Pennsylvania than Los Angeles.  You can visit a

   certain veterinary student frequently when the

   football season is done.

   3.  In spite of his age, Coach Paterno is one of the best

   coaches in the country.  I believe he has another

   national championship or two in him.

   2.  You and I have something special together on the football

   field.  One year together wasn't enough.  Let's add a

   couple more years as teammates.

   1.  Coach Burton has the best offensive mind in football

   that I have ever seen.  With his offensive game plans

   he can make you a superstar.

   Your buddy,

   Zack Hayes

  
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-

   Wednesday brought another message to call the coach of the University of
Connecticut.  Mom said that Coach Golden had called again.  The coach of
the University of Pittsburgh left me a message to call on Friday.  With my
limited opportunity to use a phone in camp I hadn't been able to actually
speak to any of the coaches yet.  I didn't even have time to try to call
any of them on Friday night.  Between finishing merit badge cards, serving
the barbeque and getting ready for the closing campfire I had zero free
time that night.

   Saturday morning after breakfast the aquatic staff reported to the pool
for the weekly cleaning.  Will assigned Andy and me to vacuuming the
bottom. We were just starting when Andy asked, "Did you hear about Derek
Hurley?  Mr.  Holloway canned him this morning."

   "Where did you hear that?" I asked.

   "Some of the guys were talking about it.  Supposedly he snuck out of
camp last night after the campfire to screw his girlfriend.  That Ranger
caught him when he was coming back to camp."

   "Don't believe rumors Andy."

   "He wasn't at breakfast.  Where was Derek?"

   "I don't know.  Just let this be.  If it is true, Mr.  Holloway will let
us know what is going on.  Let's get back to work."

   I doubted Andy was right.  Derek was my age.  He started out as a CIT
the same summer as me.  He worked in the Nature area.  He was considered to
be a good instructor.  There wasn't any way he would do something that
dumb.

   Will dismissed the Aquatics staff around 11 am.  The pool and shower
house were cleaned to Will's satisfaction.  Trent, Andy and I headed back
to our tents to hang out until lunch time.  Ed joined us when he finished
checking the troop out of his campsite.

   The dining hall was nearly empty as usual for Saturday lunch.  The Boy
Scouts had left and the Cub Scouts hadn't arrived yet.  It was just the
staff at the front tables.  When we were done eating Mr.  Holloway called
for quiet.

   He announced, "I have some difficult news to give all of you.  Derek
Hurley is no longer working on camp staff.  He packed his things and left
early this morning.  The reason for his dismissal is personal between Derek
and me.  Please do not speculate or spread rumors about this unfortunate
episode."

   Andy nudged me in the side and said, "Told you." I nodded.

   Mr.  Holloway continued, "I want each of you to remember the Scout Oath.
You have pledged to be morally straight.  Each staff member is expected to
set a good example for the campers.  I want every one to remember the
following: Possession or use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are grounds for
immediate dismissal.  Leaving camp without authorization is grounds for
dismissal.  Entertaining a girl in camp is grounds for dismissal.  Does
everyone understand?"
Jon Stafford, one of the staff's jokers asked, "Exactly what do you mean

by `entertaining'?" Jon smirked as he asked.

   Mr.  Holloway gave Jon the `eye'.  The one that warned the unwary that
they were treading on dangerous ground.  "Let me explain it like this: If
you and your girl are comfortable doing it in front of her parents, it is
OK here.  Remember a scout is clean in thought, word and deed.  Let the
Scout Oath and Law guide you." Mr.  Holloway dismissed us.

   Andy had been right.  Derek must have done something stupid to get
himself thrown out of camp.  I thought back to the chance Julie and I took
last summer.  There but for the grace of God go I.

   Ed, Andy and I talked with Mr.  Holloway later that day and got
permission to stay with our troop the next week while they were in camp.  I
was happy to see my friends and troop mates when they arrived on Sunday
afternoon.

   Andy happened to be stationed at the end of the pool where scouts
started their swim tests.  I was pleased as I watched my brother work.  He
was totally solicitous of the younger kids.  He greeted each of kids in his
patrol as they came through the line and promised to see them in a few
hours when he was done with work for the afternoon.  My brother was turning
out to be a very good Troop Guide.

   Christian's troop came through for swim tests about a half hour after my
troop.  Christian and I had a chance talk for a few minutes after he
finished his swim test.  Christian said he was going to join us for our
nightly runs and our after lunch passing drills.

   I moved my stuff up the hill from the staff area to our troop's campsite
just before dinner.  Ed, Andy and I ate with our troop while we stayed with
them.  I chose to eat at Andy's patrol's table.  I wanted to keep an eye on
Gary Harrison.  Sometimes I shuddered when I looked at Gary.  He was the
spitting image of his brother.  This was his first year in camp.  Gary
seemed to be having fun.

   Andy and I headed out after dinner for Merit Badge sign-ups.  Will had
Andy working with Swimming Merit Badge this week.  I had 79 kids sign up
for my four Canoeing classes.  The staff gathered for prepare for the
campfire while my troop headed back to the campsite.  The campfire came off
without a hitch.  The campers laughed like crazy when the Aquatics staff
did the "Mortgage on the Cow" skit.

   Ed, Andy and I helped clean up after the fire, stopped by to see Rob for
any schedule changes for tomorrow and then headed up the hill to our troop
site.  We arrived in time for our troop's cracker barrel (snack).  Ed and I
stayed up for the Patrol Leader Council meeting that Hal and Mr.  Clark
ran. It was after 11 when that meeting was over.

   The patrol leaders and the adults headed for bed.  Hal, Jeremy, Ed and I
stayed up for a little while to talk.  Hal started off with, "You aren't
going to believe the phone call I had last week."

   Jeremy added, "It's totally shocking."

   I asked, "OK.  It's shocking.  Who called you?"

   "Greg Schiano, the head coach of Rutgers University." Hal answered.

   Ed exclaimed, "What?  You got to be kidding!"

   "No, I'm not.  He offered me a full athletic scholarship to Rutgers."

   I said, "Hey man.  That's great."

   Hal continued, "It gets better.  They want me to kick for them.  They
are willing to use the same arrangement I have with the Wolverines.  I can
play soccer too.  They can't promise me that I will make their soccer team,
but they will give me a try-out and let me play both sports if I make the
soccer team."

   Ed said, "Of course you're going to take the offer."

   "Maybe.  I scheduled an official visit for me and my parents in
September.  I'll probably accept it, but who knows?  Maybe someone else
will want me as a kicker too." Hal said.

   Ed asked, "Do you still think football is a wussie sport?  You remember
- play for ten seconds then take the forty seconds off?"

   "Yeah, I still do and I play the wussiest position of all.  You guys
take the ball down the field to the end zone.  I come in and kick a PAT or
field goal and then jog to the other end of the field and kick off.  After
that I get to sit for ten or fifteen minutes."

   I said, "I guess your parents are happy about this."

   "You bet.  They're delighted.  They don't have to pay for college." Hal
answered.

   Our talk turned to my weekend at Penn State.  I told them about getting
to be friends with Bill Robinson and Chip Brinton.  We finally went to bed
around 11:30 pm.

   I ended up quarterbacking for the week during our after lunch passing
drills since Christian and Jeremy were added to our normal mix.  I needed
to be ready in case Ed and Jake went down during the season.

   Tuesday was the 8th of July, my seventeenth birthday.  I thought Will
was done teasing me on my birthday when he didn't make a big fuss last
summer.  Wrong!  Abby, Andy and Will all got up to lead the song in the
dining hall after lunch.  I knew I was in trouble.  Sure enough they called
me to the front and made me stand on a chair in front of the whole camp
while they sang "Happy Birthday" to me.  The only good thing about this was
that Abby gave me a hug and kiss when the song was done.

   My friends teased me when we got together after lunch.  The kids in my
fourth period class teased me too.  I did my best to accept it all with
good humor.

   I reported to the pool as usual after dinner to help with the quarter
mile swim.  Lifesaving Merit Badge students, BSA Lifeguard students and
anyone who wanted to swim the Mile Swim on Thursday had to swim.  It
usually took us an hour to get everyone through the swim.  We opened the
pool for a night swim afterward.  Will surprised me by giving me the rest
of the night off.

   I was leaving the pool when I saw her.  Penny!  My parents and sister
Liz were about fifty feet behind her.  A ran to her.  We hugged and I gave
her as passionate a kiss as I thought I could get away with.  We pulled
apart a little, still holding each other.

   I stared into Penny's eyes.  "God I've missed you." I said.

   "I've missed you to." She answered.  She gave me another hug.  "Happy
Birthday."

   My parents came up to us.  Reluctantly we separated.  Mom said,
"Surprise.  Your Dad and I thought it was about time we were around for one
of your birthdays."

   "Thanks for coming." I answered.

   "We brought ice cream and cake for the troop's snack tonight.  I hope
you're free this evening." Mom said.

   "Will gave me the night off."

   "I hoped he would be able to swing it.  He thought it was possible." Dad
said.  He looked around.  "Is there somewhere we can sit down for a few
minutes?"

   "Sure.  Why don't we go over to the pavilion by the pool?" I suggested.

   The four of us walked over to the pavilion and sat at one of the picnic
tables.  Dad said, "Your mother and I wanted you have this birthday gift
right away." He handed me a 10" by 12" gift wrapped box.  I opened it.

   I exclaimed, "My own cell phone!"

   Mom said, "Your Dad and I thought it was time.  I know how hard it is
with all the coaches calling you this month."

   Dad continued, "We will pay for the calling plan for the next year.  We
have you set up with a 900 minutes a month plan.  If you go over that
amount, you pay."

   "Holy cow!  900 minutes a month, I don't think that will be a problem."
I got up and hugged Mom.  "Thanks Mom." I gave Dad a hug too.  "Thanks
Dad." I sat back down beside Penny.

   Liz said, "I bought this for you." She handed me an envelope with a card
in.  It was a Snoopy birthday card.  It had a certificate in it for a ring
tone download.

   "Thanks Liz." I said.

   Liz asked, "Do you have somewhere to download it here?"

   "Sure.  We have computers in the staff lounge." I answered.

   Mom asked, "Will you have somewhere to charge your phone?  We charged it
before we came but you'll need access to electricity in a day or two."

   I answered, "We're not in the boondocks Mom.  I can charge it in the
staff lounge or at the shack at the boatyard."

   Mom said, "That's good.  What shall I tell the coaches who call home
looking for you?  When is a good time to call you here?"

   I considered for a moment.  "I guess between 1 and 2 pm or between 3 pm
and 5 pm would be best."

   Dad asked, "Have you returned all the messages from the coaches that
called this past week?"

   "I returned the calls but wasn't able to speak to any of the coaches
yet."

   Mom said, "I'll call them tomorrow morning and let them know how to get
in touch with you."

   "Thanks Mom." I said.

   Dad said, "Your Mom and I need to get the ice cream and cake up to the
troop site.  Liz, you can help us.  Kyle, why don't you show Penny around
camp?"

   Mom added, "We're going to serve ice cream and cake around 9:30 Kyle. 
Make sure you're back to the campsite by then."

   "OK Mom, will do." I said.

   Mom, Dad and Liz headed off for the parking lot and my troop's campsite.
I showed Penny around the pool, the staff area, the dining hall and finally
the boat yard.  We walked together, my arm over her shoulder, her arm
around my waist.

   When we got to the deserted boat yard, Penny asked, "We have 45 minutes
before we need to meet your parents.  Is there anywhere we could get some
privacy?"

   "I wish honey.  I really do." I hugged Penny against my body.  We kissed
deeply.  Penny squeezed me tight to her chest.  The feel of her nipples
pressing against my chest stoked my deprived and overactive libido.  We
kissed again.  My cock started to harden.  I broke the kiss.

   Penny kissed my cheek and then kissed my neck a few times.  THINK OF
DEREK!  Penny's kisses felt great.  My cock was fully erect.  DON'T GET
FIRED.  Penny started nibbling on my ear.  I stammered, "I....  I just....
can't...." I pulled away from Penny.

   "I can't do this Penny."

   "Please..." She reached down and rubbed the bulge in my pants.  "Just a
little bit Kyle.  What can it hurt?" Penny continued to run my erection.

   "A guy got fired last week for this.  We can't do..." I shuddered as she
grasped my cock through my shorts.  "Please stop." I pulled her hand away.

   "Ohhh....  I miss you so much Kyle." Penny exclaimed.

   "I know.  I miss you too.  We have to wait until camp is over." I said.
"Let's just sit at the picnic table and watch the sun set over the lake."

   "I really hoped we could do something tonight Kyle.  It's been so long."

   "I wish I could Penny.  I like my job.  I don't want to get fired.  Mr.
Holloway, the camp director, is serious about that.  We can cuddle and
watch the sun set.  Let's behave."

   Penny slid against me.  I put my arm around her.  She laid her head on
my shoulder.  We spent the next half hour just sitting together talking
about our summer.  Penny and I headed up to my troop campsite at dusk.  We
stopped by my tent to pick up a flashlight on the way.  Mr.  Clark and Mr.
Good were there with Ed and my Dad.  The rest of the troop was at the pool
for the night swim.

   The six of us hung out until the troop came back from the pool.  The
kids were in their tents changing when Mom and Liz came up the hill with
the ice cream.  Mom had picked it up from the dining hall freezer where she
had left it earlier in the evening.  Mom and Mr.  Clark set up the cake and
ice cream while Hal and Paul rounded up the troop.  Andy, Abby, Will and
Trent arrived just as my friends prepared to serenade me with Happy
Birthday.

   I blew out the seventeen candles on the cake after the troop's slightly
off-key rendition of the song.  Mom served the cake while Mr.  Clark dished
up the ice cream.  Mom had brought my favorite, red velvet cake from the
bakery in Bird-In-Hand.  It was fantastic.  Ten minutes later the only
evidence of our snack was a trash can full of dirty paper plates, bowls and
spoons.

   All the soon-to-be eighth graders hung around Liz, fawning over her.  I
hadn't seen her in a month.  She's definitely a teenager now.  She was
noticeably taller than in the spring.  She's my sister, but even I noticed
how much her breasts had grown.  Most of the guys her age noticed too, I
caught them staring at her chest.

   After my friends had given me their well wishes, Dad called our family
together.  Dad announced, "I wanted to talk to all of you about a family
vacation.  I talked with the staff at USC.  I can bring the rest of the
family to L.A.  next month if I pay for the extra airlines tickets and
hotel rooms.  I'm including you Will and Abby.  I'd like the whole family
to have some fun together this summer."

   Will asked, "When is this trip?"

   Dad answered, "We leave on Friday evening, August 15th."

   "That leaves Abby and me out.  We can't leave here until camp is packed
up.  The Camp Health Officer can't leave until the staff leaves. 
Tentatively that is on August 20th.  I can't get away either.  We hold
staff swims every day after we finish the day's work packing up camp.  I'm
the only one in camp that is certified to run the pool this year."

   I asked, "How long do you want to make this vacation?"

   Dad said, "I thought Mom, Liz and Andy could do some touring while you
and I visit USC.  Go to the beach, visit Catalina, and go to Disneyland. 
You and I could join the rest of the family for more fun on Monday and
Tuesday."

   "Monday and Tuesday?  I can't do that Dad.  I have football practice
then." I said.

   "You missed the first couple days of practice last year.  What
difference would it make if you miss them again this year?" Dad asked.

   I responded, "I wasn't a team captain last year.  I'm supposed to set an
example for the rest of the team.  How would it look to the younger guys if
I blew off the first couple days of practice?"

   Andy added, "Kyle's right Dad.  I need to get to practice too."

   Dad seemed a little put out.  "I don't see what harm it would do if..."

   "Dad, you always preach that we need to fulfill our responsibilities. 
I'm one of the captains.  I need to be at football practice.  It's part of
my job." I said.

   Dad sighed.  "I thought it would be nice to have a family vacation for
everyone before all of you are grown."

   Mom answered, "It might be a bit late."

   Will said, "We'll be together for Labor Day Weekend at Cape Henlopen."

   Dad said, "I know, but..."

   I interrupted, "Just because Andy and I have to get home from L.A. 
doesn't mean the rest of you can't stay a few more days and have some fun."

   Dad protested, "No!  We can't do that.  How would you boys get home?  By
yourselves?  No!"

   "Dad, it wouldn't be a problem.  You get Andy and me to the airport, all
we would need to do is find the right gate and get on the airplane.  When
we get to Philadelphia, we get our luggage and I drive us home.  No big
deal." I said.

   Andy added, "We could do that Dad."

   Dad responded, "No.  You are too young to be flying across the country."

   "Dad, you didn't have a problem with Julie flying from Nebraska last
summer.  I'm a year older than she was.  It will be fine."

   Mom added, "You know Kyle is right Dan.  It would be all right."

   Liz eagerly added, "We should do this Dad.  The beach, Disneyland; we
could have a lot of fun out there."

   Dad hesitated for a few seconds and bowed to the inevitable.  "OK.  You
and Andy can fly home on Sunday evening." Andy, Liz and I cheered.  "You do
realize that you'll have to come to the airport to pick up your mother,
sister and me on Wednesday night when we fly home."

   "That's no problem Dad.  I can do that." I answered.

   Andy asked, "I have one question Dad.  Can I tour USC with you and Kyle?
I'd rather do that than go to Disneyland."

   Dad said, "I'll find out Andy."

   "Thanks Dad." Andy answered.

   The family talked about the trip for a couple more minutes before they
headed for home.  Will, Abby and Trent went back down the hill to the staff
area while Ed, Andy and I went to the Patrol Leader's Council meeting.

   Dustin Carter approached me at lunch the next day.  He asked, "You know
how you, Trent, Ed and Andy toss the football around everyday after lunch?
I noticed you added some more guys this week.  Would you mind if I joined
you?"

   "We're not just tossing the ball around Dustin.  We're all on our
varsity high school football teams except for Trent.  He's on the
University of Delaware's team.  We're practicing passing routes and
coverages.  We're pretty serious about this, I doubt you'd enjoy it."

   Dustin replied, "It would be good for me.  I am... well, at least I
expect to be varsity this year.  Practicing pass coverages would be good
for me."

   "What position do you play?" I asked.

   "I play free safety."

   I asked, "What team do you play with?"

   "The Drumore Tigers."

   "Drumore?  I'll guess we'll see each other in the fall.  I'm on the
Wolverines.  I know we play some time this September."

   Dustin asked, "Is it September?  I don't know our schedule."

   "The game is in September.  Come over to the parade field after lunch.
We can talk to the other guys and see if they mind if you play with us."

   "Cool!  Thanks Kyle." Dustin exclaimed.

   The rest of the group decided to let Dustin join us when we practiced.
He worked with Jeremy to provide over and under coverage for who ever I was
throwing too.  It wasn't a big deal for either Andy or Christian.  Both
were used to being double covered in games.

   Dustin worked with Jeremy to cover Andy while I quarterbacked.  Trent
and Jeremy gave Dustin some pointers to help him.  But he did a decent job
for the first time facing a receiver with Andy's speed.  It was more
challenging for me to get the ball to Andy too.  I was used to throwing the
ball deep and letting Andy outrun Jeremy for the completion.  Now I had to
put the ball dead on target to avoid Dustin or Jeremy intercepting the
pass. It was good practice for me in case we had another emergency like
last year.

   Practice was interrupted by the coach from the University of Connecticut
calling me on my cell phone.  I thanked him for calling me but indicated
that I wasn't really interested in his college.  We played a few more
minutes before my phone rang.  I turned it off.  The voice mail could take
the message.  I would call back during fifth and sixth period while Trent
and I supervised the free boating.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   Thursday afternoon I managed to return all the coaches' calls.  I was
polite to them, but Division I-AA wasn't what I was aiming for in college.
I was about to give Coach Baglino of the University of Pennsylvania the
brush off too when he asked me a question that made me think.

   Coach Baglino asked, "Exactly how many Division I-A schools are offering
you a scholarship?"

   I admitted, "One....  well, actually none.  Coach Golden would offer me
one if I was interested but I like winning and..."

   "So do I.  My teams have won 72% of their games and we're 18-12 over the
last three seasons.  We have a string of Ivy League championships extending
back fifteen years.  Kyle, the big boys are afraid of your knee.  You may
not have an option of going to a Division I-A school.  You should take a
good look at us.  We are a perfect fit for you."

   "Why do you say that?" I asked.

   "We have an explosive offense.  We average 342 yards a game passing.  A
receiver like you would fit in here.  Your grades and SAT's are excellent.
You could get accepted here without any help from football.  You're smart
and I like that.  Your brother is already a student here and is planning to
get his Masters with us.  Your future sister-in-law plans to go to medical
school here.  I even understand your girlfriend wants to attend Penn."

   I was shocked at just how much Coach Baglino knew about me.  Hesitantly
I admitted, "She does.  She wants to be a veterinarian."

   "Perfect.  We have the best veterinary school in the country.  Does she
have the academic skills to get into this school?"

   "Penny's SAT score beat mine by twenty points.  She had straight A's too
except for a B in chemistry the first quarter.  That was before the two of
us started studying together all the time."

   "If she's as good as you say, she'll be coming to Penn next year.  You
should too.  Your coach tells me that you're exactly the kind of smart,
hard working football player I like on my team.  Family here, a girlfriend
here, our strong academics; Penn's a perfect fit for you.  In four years
would get an Ivy League education.  With that, you can do anything in the
world."

   "I don't know.  After I'm done playing football I plan to become a
football coach.  I think playing in a Division I-A program would be a big
help."

   "I won't say that it wouldn't help, but big program experience doesn't
prevent you from being a coach.  I graduated from Central Connecticut State
32 years ago.  I've been coaching ever since." Coach Bagnoli explained.

   "That's interesting Coach.  I still think I want to try to get a
scholarship with one of the major schools."

   "I can respect that Kyle.  Can you promise me something?"

   "What is it?" I asked.

   "Promise me that you'll consider Penn if you end up looking at Division
I-AA schools." Coach Baglino asked.

   I smiled.  "I can promise that Coach.  I'll keep Penn on the list if I
go to a I-AA school.  My girlfriend wouldn't give me a choice anyway."

   "I appreciate that.  I hope things work out for you next year Kyle."

   "Can I ask you one more question Coach?  How did you find out so much
about me?  You know: my girlfriend, my brother and his fiancé and all of
that?"

   "I had a nice long talk with your mother this morning.  She is a very
nice lady." Coach Baglino.

   "She is.  Thanks for your time Coach.  I have to get back to work.  I'll
keep your school on my B list of schools.  Good Bye." I said.

   "Good luck son." Coach Baglino before he hung up the phone.  I thought a
little more about attending Penn.  It might be a good place to go to
school. I certainly wouldn't mind keeping Penny as my girlfriend.

   The week of camp with my friends went too fast.  Friday was here before
I knew it.  Half my troop showed up sixth period for the open boating. 
They remembered the water battles, swamping each other, and general goofing
around they had on Friday afternoon the previous two Fridays at summer
camp.

   Will didn't mind a little fooling around when he ran the boatyard,
especially with kids he knew well.  Trent didn't appreciate it quite as
much.  It took Trent, Jamie, Tristan and I half the period to establish
control again.  I headed back to our campsite with the kids when the last
period was done.  I changed into my uniform and headed for the parade field
to help serve the barbeque.  I was busy getting merit badge cards ready for
Will's signature and with preparations for the campfire after dinner.

   Ed, Andy and I enjoyed hanging out with our friends in the troop that
evening after the campfire.  We said our good byes before we went to bed
well after midnight.  Ed, Andy and I got up early and moved our things back
to the staff area before breakfast.  My troop was gone by the time the
Aquatics staff had finished cleaning the pool after breakfast.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   The calls from football coaches died down a little the next week.  I
received calls from Villanova, William and Mary, and Miami of Ohio.  I
thanked each coach for calling but indicated that I wasn't interested in
their school.

   Trent and I made a great team at the boatyard.  We had fun together and
we made sure our scouts made it through their merit badges.  I was going to
miss Trent when he left in two weeks for college and football practice at
Delaware.

   Will called Trent and me in to talk on Wednesday night during the night
swim.  We had a lot of BSA Lifeguard candidates that week and weren't
needed to guard the swim.  Will got straight to the point.  He asked, "Who
is the best CIT at the boat yard this summer?"

   I looked at Trent.  He looked at me and nodded to indicate I should
answer first.  I said, "That's easy.  Dustin Carter was the best.  It isn't
even close."

   Will looked at Trent.  Trent said, "Kyle's right.  Tristan is pretty
good but Dustin is better."

   I asked, "What's up Will?"

   "Mr.  Holloway wants me to pick one of the CIT's.  We're going to offer
him a paying job for the rest of the summer.  We are going to be short
handed when Trent leaves in August." Will explained.

   I asked, "Who's going to come down to run the boat yard when Trent
leaves?  Is Justin?" I meant Justin Finnegan who worked the boat yard for
three years with Will.

   Will chuckled.  "No.  I need Justin here to run the pool.  I can't spare
him.  Dustin will come down to help you.  You're going to run the boatyard
when Trent leaves."

   "I'm only seventeen.  Is that OK?"

   Trent laughed.  "I'm seventeen too, at least for a few more weeks."

   "I'm going to run the boat yard?" I asked, incredulous.

   Will answered, "Yes, you're going to be in charge.  Can you handle it?"

   "Yes.  I won't disappoint you Will." I replied.

   "I know you won't Kyle.  You're ready for this." Will said.

   Mr.  Holloway and Will broke the news to Dustin after lunch on Thursday.
He was ecstatic when he saw Trent and me before dinner.  He thanked us for
our recommendation.  His family previously planned to the beach next week.
Dustin would go and then would return to camp the following weekend.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Penny and Crystal e-mailed Andy and me daily.  We always replied before
we went to bed.  Lindsey sent Ed e-mails daily too for the first half of
the summer.  She missed a couple days during Week 4 of camp.  Ed didn't
think too much about it.

   Things went downhill during Week 5.  He only received two e-mails all
week.  Ed took this better than I expected and much better than I would
have taken it.  The bomb finally dropped on Ed Sunday night as Week 6
started.

   Ed started reading his e-mail then spat out, "DAMN!"

   I asked, "What's wrong?"

   "Lindsey's e-mail begins `Dear John'."

   I exclaimed, "Shit!"

   Andy asked, "Why is she calling Ed John?"

   "She's dumping him."

   Andy answered, "Ouch!  Sorry man." as Ed continued reading.

   I asked, "Does she say why?"

   "She's going steady with Kevin Armstrong." Ed answered.

   "Are you all right Ed?" I asked.

   Ed sighed and leaned back in the chair.  "Yeah, I guess.  This solves
the problem of what Linds and I are going to do when I go to college.  I'm
not totally surprised.  We just didn't have the same passion lately.  I
guess a year and half is a long time for couple high school kids to go
steady."

   "I've never managed more than 9 months." I said.

   "I've only had..." Andy added before Ed and I interrupted with our
laughter.

   Ed said, "You don't get to talk about how long you've had a girlfriend.
What's your longest?  Fifteen minutes?l"

   "What is it?  Like eleven girlfriends in two years?" I asked.

   "Ten.  Crystal and I aren't going steady.  Anyway, Shannon and I dated
for five months." Andy countered.

   "Andy, Crystal has e-mailed you every day for the past seven weeks.  She
is your girlfriend whether you asked her or not." I explained.

   Ed went on to relate the remainder of the e-mail from Lindsey to Andy
and me.  Lindsey wrote a very gentle `Dear John' e-mail, if there is such a
thing.  She apologized for handling things this way.  She and Kevin started
going to movies on Saturday nights a few weeks earlier.  It was just as
friends.  Things went further one Saturday night.  They ended up making out
through most of the movie.  Lindsey and Kevin couldn't help themselves. 
Lindsey was sorry and hoped that Ed wouldn't hate her for this.  She said
she valued their time together.

   Ed finished his commentary with this bit of news.  "I actually was
considering breaking up with her when I got home.  Things had gotten a
little old with her.  I guess this was just meant to be."

   I asked, "What are you going to do?"

   "Play the field.  I think the varsity quarterback probably can get some
dates.  Don't you think?"

   Andy and I agreed.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Week 6 was Trent's last week at camp.  Will assigned one CIT to the boat
yard and sent Dustin back to work with us for the week.  Trent had me teach
canoeing the first period with Dustin observing.  The next period Dustin
taught and I observed and added anything Dustin missed.  Third period I
observed Trent teaching Rowing.  Fourth period I taught Rowing while Trent
checked on Dustin and me.

   Dustin didn't disappoint Trent and me.  He proved to be an excellent
teacher.  I wouldn't have any problem at all when Trent left.  Dustin and I
could handle whatever came our way at the lake for the final two weeks of
camp.

   Friday was bittersweet for me.  I wanted Trent to do well at college so
I was happy he was getting started with football camp, but I was going to
miss him.  I thought about Trent after I went to bed.  In ten months I was
going to be like him, done with high school and preparing for college.

   Trent stayed around Saturday morning to help us clean the pool and
prepare for the next week.  Will called Trent into his office for a short
talk before he left.

   Trent came out of Will's office and came over to me.  He smiled and
said, "I guess this is it Kyle."

   "Yeah.  I know.  Good luck at college.  I'm going to miss you."

   "I'll miss you too.  If Coach Keeler asks, I tried to convince you to go
to Delaware, right?"

   "Right Trent.  I'll tell him you practically broke my arm twisting it.
Now get out of here you Blue Hen.  Knock'em dead down there."

   "Will do." Trent extended his hand to me.  I brushed it aside and hugged
him.  I whispered, "I'm really going to miss you."

   "Me too." Trent answered.  We separated.  Trent headed for the parking
lot and college.  I really was going to miss my friend.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   The last two weeks of camp went quickly.  Dustin taught Canoeing while I
taught Rowing.  Will checked on us daily for the first few days.  He
stopped visiting as once he was satisfied that Dustin and I could handle
everything at the boat yard.

   Dustin got a crash course in pass coverage after lunch everyday.  He had
to cover Andy or me by himself while we practiced.  We beat him most of the
time but I could see him improve every day.  Dustin joined Andy, Ed, Will
and me in the evenings when we lifted weights and ran.

   Mom called me during open boating on Wednesday afternoon of the last
week to make sure that Andy and I knew the details for Friday.  Mom
promised to have our luggage ready for us when we got home.  Our weekend
would start then and promised to be a whirlwind of activity.

   Will filled me in on Thursday night about how he planned to handle the
boatyard Friday after lunch.  Will decided to cover the last Rowing class
himself and then help Dustin run the open boating for the afternoon.  I
made sure all my records for the week were complete so Will could finish
for me.  Andy and I packed most of our things on Thursday night before we
went to bed.

   When Dustin and I finished our third period classes Friday morning we
shook hands as we parted.  I said, "It's been a pleasure working with you
Dustin.  I expect to see you on the field next month when our teams play."

   "I expect make varsity with all the help you guys gave me this summer.
I'll see you then." Dustin answered.

   "Aren't you going to the closing staff dinner next week?"

   "What's that?"

   "The camp staff goes out to a nice restaurant the last night before we
go home.  Usually it's on Thursday night when we finish tearing down camp."

   "I didn't know about it.  Do you think I can get to it after football
practice?"

   "Sure.  I plan to." I answered.

   "OK, I'll see you there Kyle.  Good luck in California." Dustin said.

   "Thanks." I said.  Dustin and I shook hands a final time.  I headed for
the camp office to check out.  I met Andy there.  Mr.  Holloway wished us
luck on our trip.  He made us promise to come back to work at camp next
summer.  Andy and I headed to our tents for the last of our gear.

   Ed was at my tent.  Ed said, "Good luck at USC.  I hope you get a
scholarship offer."

   "Thanks Ed.  I feel good about this visit.  I'll see you at school on
Monday." I answered.  We shook hands.

   Andy and I loaded our gear in my Golf and headed for home.  We picked up
lunch at Burger King on the way through Lancaster.  We met chaos when we
got home.

   Mom greeted us at the front door.  "Get your dirty clothes to the
laundry room immediately.  Get changed.  We leave in fifteen minutes."

   Andy and I hurried to get changed and to get our laundry unpacked.  Dad
and Liz were carrying luggage to the mini-van.  I grabbed my MP3 player and
a couple books as I left my room.  Mom and Dad ushered Liz, Andy and me
into the mini-van.  We headed for the airport and California.

   We arrived at the airport in Philadelphia in plenty of time for our 5:35
flight to Salt Lake City and then Los Angeles.  The afternoon was filled
with hurry up and wait.  Hurry to get to check-in and then wait in line. 
Hurry up to security and wait in line.  Hurry to the gate and then wait for
an hour until it was time to board the plane.

   Our family had flown before but it had been quite a few years since the
last time.  I was ten years old when we took our last vacation together to
Disney World.  It was before Will started to work at scout camp.  Our
family settled for Labor Day weekends at the beach together after that.

   I paid attention to everything Dad did on the flight out: where you go
and what to do.  I had to get Andy and me home on Sunday on my own.  I
didn't remember security being so tough, but the last time I flew was
before 9/11.  Dad visibly relaxed when everyone was aboard our plane and we
took off.

   We had to change planes in Salt Lake City on the way.  The captain
announced that we arrived in Los Angeles at 8:23 pm, two minutes ahead of
schedule.  Mom and Dad led us downstairs to the baggage claim.

   We met a middle aged man holding a sign marked "Kyle Martin & Family".
He introduced himself as Dennis Slutak, the Director of Football
Operations. Mr.  Slutak was average in height and had dark hair.  He seemed
to be a few years younger than Mom and Dad, probably in his early thirties.
He helped us retrieve our luggage and get our rental car.  Dad followed Mr.
Slutak to our hotel.

   The university put us up in the Radisson Hotel Midtown, across the
street from the USC University Park campus.  Mom and Dad had the center of
three rooms.  Andy and I shared a room on one side of them and Liz had her
own room on the other side of them.  Our rooms overlooked the campus.

   It was after 10 o'clock when we reached our rooms.  Our bodies didn't
know the local time.  It felt like 2 am to us.  Mr.  Slutak explained that
Coach Carroll and Coach Sarkisian would meet us for breakfast at 9 am.  We
went straight to bed.

   Mom woke us the next morning with a phone call.  Andy and I showered and
dressed for our day.  Andy and I met Liz in Mom and Dad's room.  We headed
downstairs to the Expo Café to meet the coaches.

   I recognized Coach Carroll the second I saw him standing by the front
door of the Café.  I walked up to him and extended my hand to him.  I said,
"Hi, I'm Kyle Martin." We shook hands.  I introduced him to my family.  He
introduced Coach Steve Sarkisian, the assistant head coach for the team. 
Coach Sarkisian surprised me.  He looked very young, at most the same age
as Joe Baer.  How had someone so young ended up assistant head coach at a
school with a program like USC?

   The hostess seated us at a large table.  Coach Carroll, Mom, Dad and I
made small talk during breakfast.  The conversation confirmed what I
already knew about Coach Carroll.  He had stints as head coach of the Jets,
the defensive coordinator of the 49ers and head coach of the Patriots
before he came to the Trojans.  I already knew about his national
championships.

   Coach Sarkisian played quarterback at Brigham Young University.  He
played in the Canadian Football League for three seasons before turning to
coaching.  He worked at a junior college for a season before Coach Carroll
hired him to coach quarterbacks for the Trojans.

   Coach Carroll glanced at his watch.  I looked at mine too.  It was a
couple minutes after 9:30 am.  Coach Carroll said, "I want to explain what
we have planned for you today Kyle."

   "OK"

   "My team has a scrimmage today at 10 o'clock.  I thought you could watch
it to get a feel for the Trojan style of football.  After that I'll
introduce you to your guides for the campus tour in the afternoon.  I have
reservations at Ocean Avenue Seafood in Santa Monica for dinner.  I hope
you like seafood."

   Everyone in my family did.  We readily agreed that this sounded good. 
Coach Carroll continued, "We work hard on drills during the week to prepare
for our season.  Today is a break from the two-a-days.  Our guys can have
some fun this morning at the scrimmage, relax in the afternoon and enjoy
some camaraderie this evening.  I believe fun is an important part of
football.  How does this sound Kyle?"

   "Sure, it sounds good to me." I answered.

   Coach Carroll asked, "What about you Andrew?  Do you still want to tag
along?"

   Andy grinned.  "Absolutely.  I know it's too soon for me to worry about
college, but it won't hurt to look around early, will it?"

   "Good.  That's settled.  You'll tour with your brother today.  Mrs. 
Martin, what are you and your daughter planning?" Coach Carroll asked.

   Mom answered, "We thought we'd tour Hollywood and maybe get in a little
shopping."

   Coach Carroll said, "That sounds like a good plan." He turned towards
Dad and me.  "Gentlemen, we need to get over to the practice field.  I
wouldn't want the team to start without me."

   Dad, Andy and I followed Coach Carroll and Coach Sarkisian to their car.
Mom and Liz were using our rental car today.  The drive to the practice
field only took a couple minutes.  Coach Sarkisian excused himself.  He
needed to prep for the scrimmage.  Coach Carroll explained that Coach
Sarkisian and Coach Holt, the defensive coordinator ran the scrimmage. 
Coach Carroll joined us in the bleachers overlooking the practice field.

   The two squads came out about five minutes later.  The scrimmage began
after a few minutes of organizing.  Coach Carroll kept a running commentary
of the plays that were being run.  Everything looked really familiar.  Our
pro style offense in high school was similar to, but a slightly scaled down
version of the offense USC was running.

   Coach Carroll quizzed Andy and me about what plays were being run and
what defenses were being used.  Coach seemed pleased with our answers. 
Finally I asked, "Coach, why do you expect us to know your plays?"

   "I talked with your high school coach Kyle.  He tells me you're quite a
student of the game.  I was curious exactly how much you have learned so
far."

   I asked, "How am I doing?"

   "Excellent for a high school student.  Coach Caffrey tells me you plan
to be a football coach when you are done playing."

   I answered, "Yes sir.  I'd like to do that some day."

   "You've made a good start to that goal Kyle." Coach Carroll replied.  We
watched the remainder of the scrimmage.  Coach Carroll continued asking us
questions as we watched.  The scrimmage finished around 11:30 am.

   Coach Carroll excused himself when it was over.  He gathered his whole
team together and led an impromptu review of the scrimmage.  He
complimented everyone for the efforts this morning and told them to relax
and enjoy their afternoon off.

   Coach led two players back to the bleachers when he was done.  He
introduced us to them.  The first was their starting flanker, Alex
Gutierrez, a junior.  The second guy was Brady Rasmussen, second string
sophomore quarterback and heir-apparent to Jared Dillard, USC's Heisman
candidate.  They excused themselves so they could shower and change to
street clothes.  Coach Carroll kept us entertained with stories until Brady
and Alex joined us.

   We went across campus to a public cafeteria for lunch.  Brady and Alex
discussed their prospects against their conference opponents.  Coach
Carroll asked me to do the same for our opponents this season.

   When I finished my analysis of our opponents Coach Carroll asked, "Are
you personally ready to lead your team this fall?  You suffered a terrible
knee injury last fall.  Are you ready?"

   "That's the question everyone has.  I'm 100% Coach.  I'm ready to pick
up where I left off last fall." I declared.

   "Would you be willing to demonstrate that Kyle?  Would you run some pass
routes for us and allow our trainer to examine your knee?" Coach Carroll
asked.

   "Sure.  I have nothing to hide.  You don't have a problem with that do
you Dad?"

   "No, that would be fine.  It only seems fair that you know about Kyle's
knee if you are considering offering Kyle a scholarship." Dad said.  I was
surprised that Dad would be that direct.  I also noticed Coach Carroll
didn't even blink when Dad mentioned USC offering me a scholarship.

   Coach Carroll smiled and said, "Good, that's settled.  Let's head over
to the practice field.  I'll call ahead a get a DB to meet us there."

   Andy asked, "Could I run routes too?"

   Coach Carroll smiled at me brother.  "Sure, why not."

   Our group headed over to the practice field again.  Coach Carroll called
ahead to arrange for defensive backs to meet us for our informal try-out.
It looked like most of the coaching staff returned to watch me perform. 
Coach Carroll introduced me to them.  I was surprised at how young the
coaches were.  Coach Sarkisian was among the oldest and thought he looked
kind of young when I first saw him.

   Coach Carroll introduced Andy and me to Chris Mann and Erick Byrne. 
Erick's a red shirt freshman.  Chris was a junior.  Both played cornerback
for the team.  Coach talked with Brady, Chris and Erick for a couple
minutes.

   Coach had us start off with speed routes.  We ran them a few times. 
Chris covered me and Erick covered Andy.  Chris was almost as fast as me. I
caught one pass on him, he knocked another down.  Andy had more luck at
getting separation.  He had a step on Erick.  Andy pulled two passes in
too.

   I caught Coach Carroll nodding to the d-backs.  I knew something was up.
Erick and Chris moved a little closer to us.  I knew it was going to be a
jam this time.  When Brady simulated the snap I faked to the left and went
right.  Chris practically fell over before he recovered and chased after
me. I caught the ball fifteen yards downfield.  I looked back and saw that
Andy hadn't gotten off the line of scrimmage.

   I grabbed Andy and gave him a tip to help him get off the line on the
next play.  Andy got clear of his defender on the next play.  Brady fired
the ball to him.  We continued running routes.  Brady threw the ball to
whoever got open first.  I caught a few more than Andy.  Chris and Erick
managed to knock a few balls down.

   My left knee felt good.  I was confident that I could do anything I
wanted on the football field.  That was a feeling I hadn't had against good
competition since last fall.  On the next play I asked Brady, "I'm going to
run apost route.  Can you put the ball on my right shoulder about seven
feet off the ground?"

   Um, OK.  How far down the field are you going to go?" Brady asked.

   "Twenty-five yards." I answered.  Brady nodded.  Chris tried to jam me
at the line on the snap of the ball.  I dodged him and ran full speed down
the field.  I looked back towards Brady.  Chris was half a step behind me.
Brady launched the ball.  I jumped as I reached twenty-five yards and
snagged the ball beyond Chris' outstretched arms.  I spun away from Chris
when I landed and broke free of his tackle.  I started running downfield
when Coach Carroll blew a whistle to stop the play.

   He called everyone over to talk with us.  "Chris and Erick, thank you
for helping out.  Nice work Brady." Coach Carroll turned to me.  "That was
most impressive Kyle.  How does your knee feel?"

   "It's fine Coach." I answered.

   "I'd like to time you on the 40 meter run.  Would you do that?"

   "Sure." I replied.

   Andy piped up, "Can I run it too?"

   Coach Carroll smiled and answered, "Sure, why not?"

   Andy and I went down to the goal line while the phalanx of Trojan
coaches lined up a few yards beyond at the 40 yard line.  On the signal I
sprinted as hard as I could for the group of coaches.  Coach Carroll stared
at his stop watch and shook his head as I completed the 40 meters.  Dad had
a big grin.

   I trotted over to Coach Carroll and asked, "How'd I do?"

   "4.38 seconds.  I guess your knee is fully recovered."

   "It is.  It feels great today." I said.

   Andy ran next.  He managed to finish the 40 meters in 4.43 seconds. 
Coach Carroll asked Dad, "What do you feed these boys?  I'd like to get it
for my whole team." The group laughed at Coach's joke.  Then he asked
"Would it be all right if our trainer examined Kyle's knee?" Dad and I
agreed.  Everyone trooped into the Trojan's locker room.  Coach Carroll
introduced me to Rick DiVirgilio, the head trainer for the team.  Mr. 
DiVirgilio spent about five minutes examining my knee.

   "The surgeon who did this repair did excellent work.  Kyle's knee has no
looseness.  It has excellent lateral stability.  He's ready for football."
Mr.  DiVirgilio pronounced.

   Coach Carroll grinned at the announcement.  Coach Carroll suggested that
he and Coach Sarkisian take Dad for a tour of campus while Brady and Alex
take Andy and me around for a student's view of campus.  We agreed to meet
back at the Radisson at 4 pm.

   We went to Alex's dorm room first.  It was small, similar in layout to
the rooms I had seen at Penn State.  I guess there isn't much you can do
with dorm rooms.  It had the basic bed, desk and chair, and closet.

   We continued on our tour.  They showed me some of the Sciences
buildings, the Engineering buildings, the campus bookstore, the Commons,
and the Student Union.  We made a stop at "Tommy Trojan", a life sized
statue of a Trojan warrior.  We made a quick stop at the library.

   When we were done there, Brady asked me, "What do you think so far?"

   "It's nice.  The dorms look OK.  The buildings we've seen so far look
fine.  The one thing I'm worried about is this." I pointed towards all the
tall buildings and highways around the campus.  "Campus is in the middle of
one of the largest cities in the country.  I'm from a small town.  Hell, I
can look out the kitchen window at a cornfield on the neighboring Amish
farm.  How am I going to fit in here?"

   Brady laughed.  "I know man.  I'm from Montana.  I understand."

   "I love camping, hiking, canoeing, and skiing.  How am I going to do
that here?" I asked.

   Brady looked at Alex.  "GO.  Definitely a candidate for GO."

   Alex grinned.  "You're the one who lived there last year.  I grew up in
Santa Monica.  The only trees I saw growing up were palm trees."

   Perplexed, I asked, "Go?  Where do you want me to go?"

   Brady responded, "NO, not go somewhere.  The GO House.  You know, the
great outdoors."

   I said, "OK, and?"

   Brady sighed.  "I'll start from the beginning Kyle.  USC has special
interest housing.  GO is the Great Outdoors special interest community. 
We...  well, they have two floors of Pardee Hall.  The housing is only for
freshman.  I lived there last year.  They organize camping trips, hikes,
mountain biking, and fishing trips for members of the house.  It gives you
a chance to meet people with similar interests to yours.  Upper classmen
are invited too.  Our first trip is in a few weeks.  We're doing a
backpacking trip in the Sierras."

   "That sounds promising.  Do they ski too?"

   "No.  You could join the USC Ski Team for that." Brady suggested.

   "Ski Team?  I'm not that good.  I ski for fun." I answered.

   "The USC Ski Team is actually a club.  They organize trips to Mammoth
Mountain during the winter so members can get on the slopes.  The team
members can race, but it isn't mandatory."

   "That sounds pretty cool.  I guess if I can get outdoors sometimes I
could learn to cope with living in the middle of the city." I said.

   Brady said, "I have.  You can too Kyle.  Do you want to stop at Pardee?
We can get a schedule of activities planned for the fall.  You can get an
idea of the kind of things we do."

   "Sure, that's cool." I answered.

   Pardee Hall is located on the east side of the library.  The four of us
went over Pardee Hall.  A list of activities for the GO group was posted on
the bulletin board.  The activities planned for this fall looked like a lot
of fun.  If I decided to come to USC, I definitely needed to get into that
group.

   Alex glanced at his watch when we left Pardee Hall.  "It's 3:30.  You
guys will want to get back to your room to clean up and change.  I
understand Coach Carroll is taking us to the Ocean Avenue Seafood
Restaurant.  It's a very fancy restaurant."

   I said, "OK.  Which way is my hotel?"

   Brady laughed and pointed.  "It's right down there." I looked where he
was pointing.  I could see the hotel half a block down the street from us.
"Alex and I are going back to our dorms to change.  We'll meet you there at
4 pm."

   "All right.  See you guys then." I said

   Andy added, "Thanks for taking us around campus guys."

   Andy and I walked down the block to our hotel.  We checked with Mom and
Dad before we went to our room.  We cleaned up and changed into nice, but
casual clothes.  Andy and I met Coach Carroll, Coach Sarkisian, Brady and
Alex at Mom and Dad's room.

   Coach Carroll loaded everyone up in a large van for the drive to Santa
Monica.  The restaurant was supposed to have an ocean view.  I guess it
did, sort of.  I could see the ocean in the distance as we went into the
restaurant.

   Alex was right.  This was a very fancy restaurant even though the sign
out front said casual dress.  The hostess seated us in a private dining
room at a large table.  Coach Carroll took a seat at the center of the
table.  He had me sit across from him.  Coach Sarkisian, Brady and Alex sat
to Coach Carroll's left and my right.  My family sat to my left.

   Coach Carroll started things off with appetizers for everyone while we
studied the menu.  He ordered Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Legs, Calamari, and
Popcorn Shrimp.  Coach Carroll suggested, "If you like oysters, you have to
have them here.  Ocean Avenue is noted for the best oysters in town.  What
do you think Kyle?"

   "Um...  I don't know.  Would the Lobster be too much?" I asked.

   Coach Carroll smiled.  "Have the two pounder Kyle.  You look hungry."

   Dad said, "Those oysters sound good.  What would you recommend Pete?"

   "Try the Oyster Sampler Dan.  Try a little of each."

   Mom ended up with the Alaskan Crab Legs, Liz ordered the Crab Cakes. 
Andy made his choice the second he saw the Lobster & Filet Mignon.  Brady
had the Lobster too.  Alex chose the Broiled Stuffed Shrimp.

   We filled dinner with casual conversation.  My lobster was excellent. 
Dad really loved oyster sampler.  Everyone decided to live dangerously.  We
had desert.  Coach Carroll recommended the Raspberry Crčme Brule.  He was
right.  It was fantastic.

   The conversation turned serious after we finished desert.  Mom, Dad and
the coaches finished their wine.  Finally Coach Carroll asked me, "What do
you think of Southern Cal?"

   "I liked the campus.  I'm glad I came to visit."

   "That's good to hear Kyle.  I've been impressed by you today.  Your
size, strength, talent, speed and football knowledge are outstanding.  I
think you would be an excellent fit in our program.  You are rated a three
star recruit by rivals.com, based on the uncertainty about your knee
injury. I watched you perform today.  You're five stars in my books.  I am
honored to be able to offer you a full athletic scholarship to the
University of Southern California.  This includes tuition, room and board
and books and supplies for four years.  Are you interested in becoming a
Trojan?"

   Wow!  So this is what reaching your dream feels like.  I took a deep
breath and exhaled.  "I'm interested Coach.  Obviously I want to talk about
this with my parents."

   "I understand completely Kyle.  This is a big decision.  Are you looking
at other schools too?"

   "Yes.  This is my first official visit.  I'd like to visit four or five
schools before I make my decision.  I hope I can decide by Thanksgiving. 
Is that a problem?"

   "I'd love to have you commit to us today, but I understand.  You visit
the other schools.  I think you'll choose us after you have a chance to
compare schools.  We have won 84% of our games in the past few years.  We
consistently rank among the top five college football programs year after
year.  We are in the hunt for the national championship every year.  You
won't find that elsewhere." Coach Carroll explained.

   "That is part of what attracted me to your team.  I still have some
questions."

   "What do you want to know?" Coach Carroll asked.

   "How many wide receivers do you have on the team?"

   "One other high school senior has verbally committed to us.  With you
and him, we'll have eleven receivers when you start college."

   "That's a lot.  What are my chances of playing my first year?"

   "That's entirely up to you.  Unlike some teams, I have no problem
playing freshmen.  I put the best players on the field, regardless of class
standing."

   I said, "That's fair."

   Coach Carroll said, "Dan, Sharon, do you have any questions?"

   Mom and Dad spent the next twenty minutes quizzing Coach Carroll about
USC, the dorms, the academic schedule, the health facilities, and the
neighborhood.  Coach Carroll patiently answered all their questions.

   After awhile Brady leaned over and nudged me in the side.  He whispered,
"Some of the guys on the team are having a bonfire at the beach.  Are you
and your brother interested?"

   "Sure.  I'll ask Andy." I nudged Andy in the ribs.  "Brady invited us to
a beach bonfire.  Are you interested?"

   "Sure Kyle.  Let's do it." Andy replied.

   Brady tapped Coach Carroll on the shoulder and asked, "Some of the team
is having a bonfire at the beach.  I thought it would be nice if Kyle and
Andy met some of the other guys."

   Coach Carroll asked, "You'll look after them Brady?" Brady nodded yes.
"No alcohol, right?"

   "We know the guidelines Coach.  No booze." Brady confirmed.

   Coach Carroll said, "Dan, Sharon, what do you think?"

   Dad asked, "Do you boys need a ride there?"

   I looked at Brady and Alex.  Alex answered, "No, my roommate Ben can
pick us up."

   I asked, "Can we go Dad?"

   "All right.  Remember your curfew is 11 o'clock."

   "You got it Dad." Yep.  We'll be on time." Andy and I chimed out, nearly
in unison.

   I said, "Thanks for everything Coach.  Dinner was great."

   Andy and I followed Brady and Alex outside.  Alex called his roommate on
his cell phone.  Ben showed up a few minutes later in an older Toyota
Camry. Alex, Andy and I stuffed ourselves in the back.  Brady rode shotgun.
Alex introduced us as Ben drove to the beach.  His full name was Ben Moore.
He was starting left linebacker for the Trojans.  Ben delivered us to the
beach in about fifteen minutes.

   Brady introduced Andy and me to the dozen team members hanging out at
the beach, including Jared Dillard, the starting quarterback for the
Trojans.  Sports Illustrated was touting Jared for the Heisman this season.
The guys were disappointed that USC was only ranked number three in the
pre-season polls behind Florida and LSU.  Notre Dame, and Ohio State
rounded out the top of the rankings this season.

   Jared quizzed me when he heard I had a friend at Penn State.  Jared
asked, "They have quite a quarterback controversy going on.  Who's going to
be the quarterback; DiStefano or that new kid Hayes?"

   I laughed.  "You've been reading too many magazines Jared.  Phil is the
quarterback for the Lions.  There isn't any question who is quarterbacking
them."

   "You seem pretty sure about that.  Who is your friend on the team?"
Jared asked.

   I laughed again.  "That kid Hayes.  Zack and I played football together
in high school.  Zack is the one who says Phil will be the quarterback for
the season.  I believe him.  By the way, that kid Hayes is going to be a
junior academically this year."

   "Really?  I didn't know he was that old." Jared replied.  "I guess I'll
see who starts at quarterback when we play them at the end of October."

   I said, "I didn't know you played them this season."

   "You should come see the game Kyle.  We're gonna beat their asses."

   "Right, sure.  I'm going to get tickets to USC vs.  Penn State.  Those
tickets probably sold out two years ago.  As for you guys beating Penn
State, I don't know.  I know it will be an interesting game."

   Talk turned to some of the other opponents that USC would face in the
season.  These guys were confident.  They fully expected to be playing the
BCS bowl for the national championship in January.

   Andy and I enjoyed our evening.  The guys were friendly.  They kept
trying to convince me that I should commit to USC.  They wanted me to be a
part of their team.  The evening was a huge ego boost.

   Around 10:30 Alex and Ben gave Andy and me back to the Radisson.  We
checked in with Mom and Dad and then headed to bed.  We were going to have
a long day tomorrow.

   Dad woke us up at 7:30 on Sunday morning.  We showered and packed our
things.  Coach Carroll and Coach Sarkisian come over for breakfast with my
family.  Coach Carroll encouraged Andy and me to try the Eggs Benedict.  It
was a spectacular choice.  Coach Carroll thanked me for visiting this
weekend before breakfast was over.  He told me I could call anytime I had
questions.

   Dad checked Andy and me out of our hotel room and drove us to the
airport.  He parked in the short term parking garage and went through
check-in with us.  He stayed with us in the security line too.

   When we were half dozen people from the security check Dad said, "I want
you to remember all of this boys.  After security, go straight to Gate B24.
Check in at the desk.  When you get to Philadelphia, pick up your bags
downstairs at baggage claim.  Go outside and catch the shuttle bus to Long
Term Parking Lot B.  Do you have the ticket?"

   I held up the parking ticket.  Dad continued, "Good.  Head straight home
from the airport.  Here is Sixty dollars for meals while we are gone." I
took the cash.  "Do you boys have any questions?" Andy and I shook our
heads no.  "Andrew - you have to listen to Kyle.  He is in charge.  You got
it?"

   Andy answered, "I got it Dad.  We'll be fine."

   "One more thing Kyle.  It's OK if you have a guest sleep over Monday and
Tuesday evenings.  Your mother cleared it with the Penny's parents."

   "Wow, you're serious?" I said.  Dad nodded his head yes.  "You and Mom
are the greatest." I gave him a hug.  Andy did too.

   As we stepped up to the security checkpoint Dad said, "Remember what
time our flight comes in on Wednesday evening Kyle.  I'm counting on you to
pick us up."

   "No problem Dad.  You fly in on Delta Flight 328 at 8:22 pm.  Is that
right?"

   "You got it Kyle.  Have a safe flight boys." Dad said.  We were already
empting our pockets onto the conveyor belt.

   I said, "Love you Dad." Andy added, "Love you."

   I watched Dad as we went through security.  We waved good bye to him
when we finished with security.  Andy and I found concourse B and headed
for Gate B24.  We checked in at the desk.  The lady told me the plane would
start boarding an about an hour, at 12:40.  Andy headed to one of the
restaurants to grab some lunch.  We were fortunate that this would be our
only meal at an airport.  Lunch took a quarter of the sixty dollars Dad
gave us for meals.

   Andy and I had seats at our gate while we waited to board.  Andy said,
"I can't believe you are allowed to have Penny stay over night with while
Mom and Dad gone.  At least Crystal and I can enjoy Monday night together."

   "No you can't.  We have scouts on Monday night."

   "Screw scouts.  I need a good fucking."

   "Shhh....  Jesus, we're in public here.  Watch your language."

   "Sorry Kyle."

   I said, "We haven't been to a scout meeting in ten weeks.  You aren't
blowing off the meeting to be with your girlfriend."

   "Shit!  It's not fair.  You get to sleep with Penny tomorrow night.  Do
you know how long it's been since I got laid?"

   "I'd guess it's the same amount of time as me.  Nine weeks, 13 hours, 27
minutes..."

   "Yeah.  Way too long." Andy thought for a minute.  "Kyle, could I invite
Crystal over for dinner tomorrow night?"

   I said, "That would be fine Andy."

   "Can I borrow your phone so I can call Crystal?"

   "OK." I handed my phone to Andy.  He spent a couple minutes talking with
Crystal.  The conversation started to turn pretty mushy by the time the
finished talking.  It was arranged.  I would pick up Crystal after we were
done with practice tomorrow.  I called Penny to confirm our arrangements
for tomorrow night too.  Penny would join Crystal, Andy and me for dinner.

   The lady at the gate called for people to start boarding.  Andy and I
waited our turn.  The stewardess came back to check on us since we were
listed as "unaccompanied minors" on our tickets.  She took one look at us
and decided we could look after ourselves.  The flight was supposed to be 6
hours long.  We had a tailwind and arrived in Philadelphia fifteen minutes
early.  It felt like 7 pm to us.  It was disconcerting when the pilot
announced the local time was 10:56 pm.  Andy and I reset our watches to the
correct time.

   We hopped on the shuttle bus when we finally found our luggage.  I
didn't have any problems on the drive home.  It was almost 1:30 in the
morning when we finally got to bed.  The weekend had proved to be
extraordinary.  Tomorrow my last season of high school football would
start.

   Chapter 26

   ==========

   Bzzzz....  Bzzzzz....  Bzzzzz....  Damn!  It's too damn early to get up!
I opened one eye and stared at the clock beside my bed.  6:30!  Five hours
of sleep just isn't enough when you have go to two-a-days for football.  I
dragged my tired body out of bed, across the room and down the hall to
Andy's room.  I could hear his alarm buzzing too.

   I called, "Andy?" Silence.  I called his name again.  Nothing.  I went
in Andy's room.  He was dead to the world.  I shook Andy and called his
name until I got a response.

   "uuunnnNNNNNHHHhhhh...." Andy moaned.

   "Time to get up sleepy head.  You need to defend your state championship
title."

   "Oooohhhh....  I'm getting up Kyle." Andy moaned.

   "Five minutes.  I want to see you in the shower then.  I want to be on
time today.  I've get to set the example for the rest of the team."

   Andy sighed.  "You got it Kyle."

   I headed over to the bathroom.  The warm water washed away most of my
fatigue from the trip.  Andy hopped in the shower right after I climbed
out. I brushed my teeth, combed my hair and dressed for the day.  I was
starting my first bowl of cereal when Andy came downstairs.  He finally
looked awake.  We finished our usual two bowls of cereal and headed for
school in my Golf.

   We arrived at the high school about ten minutes early.  This was my
fourth year playing football, so the scene had become familiar.  Moms and
dads were dropping off their sons.  The older guys drove here, usually with
a friend or two.  The crowd gathered in the gym, waiting for the coaches to
get things organized.

   I found Ed, Jeremy and Hal together when I reached the gym.  I went
straight over to see them.

   Ed asked, "How was USC?"

   I answered, "Fantastic.  Andy and I had a great weekend out there."

   Jeremy asked, "Are you going to be a Trojan?"

   "Could be.  They offered me a full scholarship."

   Jeremy grinned.  "That's fan-damn-tastic!" He slapped me on the back. 
"You're going to take it of course."

   "I don't know.  I want to see some other schools first.  USC is
certainly going to be on my final list of schools."

   The three of us compared notes.  Jeremy had an official visit to Notre
Dame next weekend and one to Penn State later in September.  Hal was
visiting Rutgers in September and Maryland in October.  Ed was set up to
visit Florida in September, LSU in late October and Michigan in November.

   We mingled with our friends, catching up on everyone's summers.  At 7:30
Coach Caffrey appeared followed by Drew McCormick.  He headed straight for
Ed, Hal, Jeremy and me.

   Coach Caffrey grinned.  "Good morning gentlemen.  You know the drill by
now when we start two-a-days.  Jeremy, take this list of players, find them
and take them out to Coach Fisher for the 40 meter run." Coach handed
Jeremy a list.  "Ed, here is your list.  Take them to Coach Graham for
weigh-ins.  Kyle, collect these players and report to Coach Wyndham for
vertical leap.  Drew, take these guys out to Coach Baer for the mile run.
Take charge of your groups.  Get things moving."

   The four of us split up, calling out the names of the people in our
group.  It took me about five minutes to find the thirty-five kids on my
list.  Andy was with me.  I was surprised to find Dave Mitchell, Cody
Stevens and Matt Sauder in my group too.  They hadn't played football
before.  Michael Johansen, the annoying kid who moved here from Texas last
spring was in my group.

   I led my group to the opposite end of gym to Coach Wyndham's station. 
The guys started demonstrating their leaping ability.  I moved over to talk
with Dave, Matt and Cody.  I asked, "What are you guys doing here?  I
didn't think you played football."

   Dave answered, "We played pee-wee together a couple years ago.  We quit
because the coach sucked.  We got sick of losing."

   Cody added, "Yeah.  Football wasn't fun anymore." Matt nodded his head
to confirm this.

   I asked, "Why did you decide to go out for football now?"

   David grinned, "You guys don't lose all the time."

   Matt added, "Yeah.  We first thought about it back at summer camp.  We
were watching you and Ed and Andy and your friends playing together after
lunch.  You were having fun.  It got us thinking about it."

   Cody continued, "Here we are.  We're going to give it a try."

   I asked, "What positions do you guys play?" David said he was going to
try defensive back or wide receiver.  Cody played running back in pee-wee
football.  Matt thought he wanted to try for quarterback.

   I tried not to frown when Matt told me that.  He asked, "What's wrong?"

   "Ummm... You might want to consider another position Matt.  Garrett
Houseman has been working his butt off for the last six months learning
that position.  He's pretty good for an eighth grader."

   Matt said, "I didn't expect to beat him for the quarterback job.  I want
to be his back up and learn from him."

   "Oh, OK.  I wish you guys had decided on this sooner.  You could have
joined us in the winter for our study sessions and passing drills in the
spring."

   Dave asked, "Did you do all that when you started Kyle?"

   "No.  I didn't go out for football until I was starting ninth grade." I
answered.

   "We'll manage.  We are willing to work hard." Dave answered.

   It was Matt's turn to jump, so we watched him.  He made 27 inches.  He
was proud.  Most of the guys did between 18 and 24 inches.  Mike Johansen
went next.  He made 33 inches, which was pretty impressive.

   Mike crowed, "That's how we do it in Texas!"

   Andy looked at me and rolled his eyes.  I could see he was ready to say
something.  I indicated he should be quiet.  We stood near the back of the
line and let everyone else go ahead of us.  Mike continued making comments
about his record as he watched the kids fail to match his vertical leap. 
No one else made it over 30 inches.

   Andy smiled when it was his turn.  He used the chalk to place his
standing mark.  It was the highest standing mark on the wall.  Andy
crouched a couple of times to get ready and then exploded off the ground.
His leaping mark was easily over a foot higher than the next best mark. 
Coach Wyndham needed the step ladder to get the tape measure high enough to
read the result.

   It was 38 inches, better than my personal best last year.  I glanced at
our Texan.  He just stared in shock.

   I took my mark when Coach was ready.  My standing mark was just short of
Andy's.  I warmed up with a few crouches and then exploded upward.  No way
was my little brother going to beat me!  My leaping mark cleared Andy's.  I
looked up at the wall when I landed.  I had beaten Andy by quite few
inches. Coach Wyndham proudly announced 43 inches when he completed the
measurement.

   Andy asked, "How'd you do that Kyle?"

   "I guess all my lower body strength exercises the last ten months
helped." I answered.

   Coach Wyndham directed, "Take your group out to see Coach Baer next for
the run."

   I led my group out to Justin's station.  He greeted me with a high five.
"Good to see you again Kyle."

   "Good to see you too Ju... uh, Coach Baer." I said, barely remembering
that I had to call Justin Coach Baer for the next four months.

   "Will tells me you went to visit USC this past weekend.  How was it
dude?"

   "Excellent.  I'll tell you about it at lunch."

   "Cool!" Justin answered.  He switched personalities to `Coach Baer'. 
"Send me half the group for the one mile run."

   "You got it Coach."

   I sent the younger half of my group to run the mile first.  The rest of
us hung out while we waited the six to 9 minutes it took them to finish the
mile.  No one broke six minutes on the run.  I recorded the times of the
guys as Justin read the times when they finished.

   The second half of the group lined up and took off when Coach Baer
announced the start.  I set a fast pace for myself.  I wanted to push
myself to be better.  Andy, Brett Fulmer and Mike Johansen stayed with me
through the first half.  Brett slowed a little as we passed Justin the
second time.  We continued pounding out the yards.

   On the third lap Andy, Mike and I started to lap the back of our group.
I glanced at Andy.  He looked at me and nodded.  The two of us kicked into
high gear and ran as hard as we could for the finish line.  Mike struggled
to stay with us for a few seconds and then slowed.  Andy and I continued
pumping our arms and legs in spite of the burn in our muscles.

   I finally pulled ahead of Andy as we started into the last turn.  I
increased my lead with every step.  Coach Baer announced 4:52 as I crossed
the finish line.  Andy managed a time of 5:07.  Mike had 5:35.  Brett
recovered and almost caught Mike at the end with a 5:42.  Coach Baer
continued announcing and recording times as players came across the finish
line.

   Mike Johansen was ticked off.  "I can't believe I lost to them two!" He
motioned towards Andy and me.  "God damn it.  I wanted to win!"

   Coach Baer looked at him and said, "Chill dude.  Chill."

   "I wanted to show y'all how good I am." Mike protested.

   Coach Baer smiled benevolently.  "Just chill out.  Your time was
excellent.  You're over the 95 percentile for your age.  Relax."

   "I wanted to beat the Martins." Mike protested.  I tried not to laugh.
Andy watched the exchange with mild amusement.

   Coach Baer said, "You weren't going to beat Kyle.  He's the best
sprinter and endurance runner on the team.  He's two year older than you
too."

   "But the other Martin is my age."

   "Andy is 5 or 6 inches taller than you and has trained year round for
the past two years.  Just chill out.  I am duly impressed that you came
within seconds of their times.  That is excellent work." Coach Bear
explained.

   Mike finally relaxed a little.  When Mike wasn't looking Justin, uh
Coach Baer shrugged his shoulders to me, indicating he didn't think it was
any big deal.  I whispered back, "It's good he wants to be the best.  That
will help our team."

   Coach Baer just nodded.  He sent my group over to Coach Fisher for the
40 meter run.  Coach had us line up single file at the goal line.  We ran
the 40 meters one person at a time.  I went first.  Coach Fisher announced
4.37 seconds after I crossed the line.  Andy did it in 4.42 seconds.  Mike
had the same time.  Brett managed a 4.44 time.  Our team was going to have
lots of speed on offense and defense this year.

   Coach Fisher sent us back inside for weigh-in with Coach Graham when we
finished the run.  I was always curious about my team mates size and
weight. That's hard to judge just looking at them everyday.

   Andy weighed in at 165 pounds this year.  He hadn't gown any from his
6'-5" height of last year.  Mike Johansen was 5'-11" and 152 pounds.  Brett
Fulmer grew to 6'-0" this year.  If only he could put a little weight on.
He's a junior and only weighs 146 pounds.  The surprise, to me, was Matt
Sauder.  I knew he was growing, but Jesus.  He's thirteen and 5'-11"
already.

   Coach Graham teased me when I weighed in at 190 pounds.  "You added 14
more pounds since last year.  You thinking of going out for linebacker?" Or
maybe lineman?"

   "No.  I'm happy where I am Coach."

   The coaches gathered all team members when all the groups finished the
four check-in stations.  We spent the rest of the morning stretching and
doing calisthenics.  We headed to the cafeteria for lunch.

   Coach Caffrey concluded lunch with a talk to the whole team.  Coach
Caffrey reminded us that every other AAA football team in Pennsylvania
would be looking for us this year.  Excellence would continue to be our
motto.  Coach Caffrey also informed us that the new stadium beside our
practice fields was not completed yet.  The construction company was
committed to doing anything it took to finish on time, ten days from now.
The varsity team would practice in the new stadium after Labor Day, so it
wouldn't seem quite so unknown for our first game.

   We spent an hour in class room study with our position coach.  We did
tackling and fumble drills for our afternoon practice.  Coach Caffrey ended
practice with our traditional two mile run.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy and I grabbed quick showers at the gym locker room before we headed
for home.  I stopped off at Crystal's house to pick her up.  Andy and
Crystal spent the next five minutes of the drive home making out in the
back seat of my car.  I dropped them off at the house and drove the half
mile down the road to the grocery store.  I planned have spaghetti, salad
and garlic bread for dinner.

   Penny met me in the driveway as I gathered up my purchases.  She was
wearing a dress today, not her usual slacks and blouse.  She looked great!
I set the bags on the lawn and hugged her.  "God, I've missed you so much
honey." Penny declared.

   Penny squeezed me with her hug.  We kissed hard.  My tongue met Penny's.
They danced together for a long moment.  We stared into each others eyes
when we broke the kiss.

   "God, I've missed you too." I sighed.  "We don't have a lot time before
I have to go to scouts.  We need to start dinner."

   "OK.  I'll help you carry the groceries inside."

   Penny and I proceeded inside.  We began preparation of dinner with the
ease of a couple who had done this many times before.  Of course, cooking
together was something we had done together many times in Venturers.  Penny
would handle browning the hamburger and warming the sauce.  I started the
pot of water to cook the pasta.

   We could distinctly hear the deep pitched sounds of my brother moaning
in ecstasy.  Penny turned to me giggled and asked, "Are Andy and Crystal
upstairs?"

   "What do you think?  They haven't seen each other for nine weeks."

   Penny turned back to tend the hamburger.  God, she looked good.  I
stepped behind her and wrapped my arms around her chest.  I pulled her pony
tail out of the way and nuzzled her neck, then kissed it.  Penny squirmed.

   "You look gorgeous today.  What's the occasion?" I asked.  I breathed in
deeply.  The aroma of her perfume aroused me.  My cock started to swell.  I
pressed my body against hers.

   "Dr.  Chu likes me to look pretty when I cover the reception desk.  I do
it once a week." Penny pushed back against me while I caressed the
underside of her breasts.

   "I can't wait until I get back from scouts.  I need you so much." I
whispered into her ear huskily.  Penny pushed back against my hard
erection. She wiggled her backside against it when she realized what it
was.

   "MMMmmmm... there it is.  I've been dreaming about tonight for two
months." Penny murmured.  She rubbed up and down against the bulge in my
pants.  I kissed my way up her neck and then nibbled on her ear lobe.  She
sighed.  "Do you have to go to scouts tonight?  I don't know if I can wait
another four hours."

   I circled my fingers around her nipples.  "I wish...." Penny ground
against my erection again.  "I have to....  It's been... ten weeks...." I
groaned.

   "I need your cock in me Kyle." Penny purred.  She turned around to face
me.  We wrapped our arms around each other and kissed.  Electricity coursed
through my body when our tongues met.  I felt Penny's nipples poke into my
chest.  She was as turned on as I was.

   We heard Andy moan, "Ohhh... Crystal." He groaned as he apparently came
upstairs in his bedroom.  Things became quiet upstairs but continued to
heat up in the kitchen.  That included the frying pan, where wisps of smoke
started to rise.

   "Shit!  The hamburger." I exclaimed.  Penny and I separated.  She
stirred the meat.

   "Not too much damage Kyle.  I'll watch this.  Why don't you get the
salad ready?"

   "OK." I chopped the carrots, mushrooms and cucumbers and Penny minded
the frying pan while we traded sexually charged comments to each other for
a few minutes.  We could hear that it was Crystal's turn upstairs.  Her
higher pitched moans and squeals told her story.

   I dumped the pasta into the kettle when the water boiled.  Penny added
the sauce to the browned hamburger.  I wrapped the garlic bread in foil and
put it in the oven.  Crystal let out her familiar high pitched squeal when
she orgasmed.  Things became quiet upstairs.

   I went back over behind Penny and held her as she stirred the sauce. 
"They're preparing for round three, where Crystal gets stuffed with a big
sausage."

   "Yes, it sounds like that.  Lucky girl.  I like sausages and I haven't
been stuffed in a long time." She emphasized her point by rubbing against
my erection again.

   "You're going to get it."

   "Promises, promises.  You can't do anything about it now." Penny said as
she rubbed against me again.

   "You want to bet?" I asked.  I ran my hands up her thighs until I
reached her panties.  I rubbed her cloth covered mons.  Penny was leaking
considerable amounts of her pungent juices.

   "We shouldn't Kyle." Penny said.  I pulled her panties down until they
dropped to her ankles.

   I ran my finger along her outer pussy lips, spreading her moisture
around.  I whispered in Penny's ear, "I'm going to..."

   "Can we?" She asked hesitantly.

   "Turn down the heat on the sauce." I pulled my shorts and boxers down
and guided my rock hard cock up under my lover's dress.

   "One second Kyle.  Let's do this at the table.  I don't want to burn
anything important."

   Each of us pulled one foot from the underwear at our ankles and moved to
the table.  Penny leaned over the table, presenting her backside to me.  I
pulled Penny's dress up over her waist, lined up my cock and slid it into
my lover.  Her moist heat engulfed my rod.  Penny shuddered as I drove it
home.  "Ooohhhh...." I whimpered.  "I needed this."

   "Do it Kyle.  Do it hard." Penny begged.  I obliged her.  I pulled out
and thrust in repeatedly.  I had my hands on her sides to steady myself. 
Penny pushed back against me in time with my thrusts.  We filled the
kitchen with the sounds of my groin slapping into her ass along with our
moans of passion.  It only took a few minutes for we two sexually deprived
lovers to approach climax.

   Penny reached down to play with her clit as I neared my peak.  Penny
needed only seconds of rubbing before she stiffened, groaned and was swept
away by her orgasm.  Penny shimmied.  I held her steady and continued
thrusting into her spasming pussy.  I came seconds later just as she came
down from her climax.

   I buried my cock in as deep as possible and unloaded weeks of
frustration and many days worth of cum into my lover in powerful spurts.  I
laid my body down against Penny's back and wrapped my arms around her.

   "God, I've missed you so much."

   "I know Kyle."

   We stayed in that position for half a minute.  Reluctantly I stood up
and pulled my cock out of my lover.  I said, "We better get cleaned up.  I
don't hear Crystal and Andy upstairs anymore.  They could come down soon."

   Penny cleaned herself with tissues and put her panties back on.  I
pulled my boxers and shorts up and made sure my semi-hard cock wasn't too
obvious.  We checked each other quickly to make sure we looked OK.  Penny
said, "They'll never know.  We look good."

   Andy and Crystal strolled into the kitchen from the living room seconds
later.  Penny and I glanced at each other and shared our thoughts.  That
was too close!

   Crystal asked brightly, "Do you need any help with dinner?"

   My SPL instincts kicked in.  "Crystal, why don't you gather all the
vegetables and put them with the lettuce in the bowl on the counter.  Andy,
set the table.  Penny, please get the garlic bread out of the oven.  I'll
finish the spaghetti."

   Two minutes later we were seated at the table, ready to eat.  Our dinner
was simple.  Everyone agreed it was delicious.  Andy and I told our
girlfriends about the trip to L.A.  They filled us in on their summers. 
The conversation was as pleasant as the company.  Twenty minutes later the
four of us cleared the table and put the leftovers in the refrigerator.

   I walked Penny to the door when it was time for her to go home.  I said,
"We'll be back from scouts between a quarter to nine and nine o'clock. 
I'll call you when we get home."

   "I'll have my overnight things packed when you call.  I'll see you
then." Penny answered.  I gave her a kiss before she went home.

   Andy and I headed to our bedrooms to change for scouts.  Crystal went
along to help Andy.  I was half dressed when I heard the two of them
giggling.  I banged on the wall and yelled, "Andy, get dressed.  We only
have twenty minutes to get Crystal home and get to scouts.  Stop fooling
around."

   "Sorry Kyle." Crystal answered.

   "I'll be ready in a minute." Andy added.  The three of us left a few
minutes later.

   I dropped off Crystal and headed for the church and our scout meeting. I
asked, "Did you have a good reunion with Crystal?"

   Andy frowned and answered disgustedly, "No.  Crystal is having her
period now." He paused for a few seconds.  "God!  I need to fuck!"

   "Be patient.  You'll get your chance soon." I said, trying to reassure
him.

   "Could Crystal spend the night tomorrow like Penny?"

   "Would Crystal's parents allow it?"

   Andy chuckled grimly.  "Yeah, right.  `Fornication is a terrible sin.'
No chance at all."

   "That's your answer.  Penny is allowed to stay only because her parents
allow us to stay together."

   "Damn!  Mom and Dad will be home on Wednesday night.  When are we going
to be able to get together after that?" Andy asked.

   "Their flight doesn't come in until almost 8:30.  I doubt we'll be home
before midnight."

   "Do I have to go to the airport with you?"

   "I think I can find it on my own." I answered.

   "So I'll have the house to myself Wednesday night?" Andy asked

   "All yours loverboy." I confirmed.

   "All right!" Andy exclaimed.  He paused for a second.  "How'd you know
Crystal calls me loverboy?"

   "I overheard her."

   "Don't tell me friends about, OK?"

   "You got it..." I grinned evilly.  "Loverboy."

   The scout meeting was cool.  I got to see friends that I hadn't seen
since my troop was in camp.  Andy reconnected with the kids in his patrol.
I talked with Mr.  Clark and Mr.  Good.  They were very interested in my
visit to USC.  I told them all about Coach Carroll and the Trojans.  The
hour and half went by quickly.

   I called Penny on the drive home when I was a couple blocks away.  She
met us at the front door carrying her overnight bag.  We went inside.  I
locked the doors and told Andy, "We're going to bed now.  Turn the lights
out when you come upstairs."

   "You got it Kyle." Andy replied.  "I'm going to watch TV for awhile down
here."

   "Good night Andy." I said.

   Penny added, "Good night."

   My lover and I headed for my bedroom.  Our coupling before dinner took
the edge off our urgent need for sex.  Penny did a playful strip tease for
me.  We pleasured each other in the 69 position.  Penny had two orgasms
that way.  I made love to Penny in her favorite position, the one with her
ankles on my shoulders where I could penetrate her fully.  She came again
before I filled her with my semen.  We finished the night with Penny on top
riding my rod.  We took our time in this position, enjoying the connection
together.  I finally used my finger to stimulate Penny to a last orgasm
before I emptied my tired balls into her.  We collapsed together, satisfied
and worn out.

   It was after eleven o'clock when I got up to check the house.  Andy had
turned the lights out the way I asked.  I went back to bed and spooned with
my lover.  Sleep took me quickly.

   I woke up the next morning still spooned against Penny.  The morning sun
lit the room.  I glanced at the clock and chuckled.  I was "sleeping in."
Half the summer at camp I had to get up at 6 am.  It was 6:20 am.  I had
ten more minutes until I had to get up for football practice.  I held
Penny, listening to her breathe.  I was totally contented holding my lover
against my naked body.  My morning wood was nestled in the crack of Penny
backside.  I definitely wasn't at camp anymore.

   My alarm clock roused me from my daydreaming.  I moved Penny's hair
aside and kissed her neck.  "Honey.  Time to get up." Penny stirred. 
"Honey?"

   "Mmmm... good morning Kyle." Penny said contentedly.  I kissed the back
of her neck again.

   "Did you sleep well?"

   "Yes.  I wish we could do this every night."

   "I know.  We have tonight." I said.

   "You and Andy take your showers first.  I'm not in a hurry.  I don't
have to leave for work until 8 o'clock."

   "Thanks honey." I said.  I hopped out of bed and headed straight to the
bathroom, sans clothing.  I beat on Andy's door and yelled for him to get
up too.  The three of us completed our morning routines and met in the
kitchen for cereal, toast and jam.

   As we cleaned up the dishes I asked Penny, "Do you want to go to the
fireman's carnival tonight?"

   "Sure, that sounds like fun."

   "I'll ask Jeremy, Hal and Ed if they want to invite the girls.  We can
get our group together."

   Penny looked surprised.  "You do know Lindsey and Ed broke up right?"

   "Sure.  I was sitting beside him when he read the Dear John e-mail. 
It's no big deal to go stag with our group.  Nobody had a problem with me
last fall after Julie moved and before you and I got back together."

   "OK.  This should be fun.  What time do you think you'll be done with
practice?"

   "We'll be home around 4:30."

   "Good.  I'll see you then." Penny said.  She headed back to her house to
check in with her mom before she went to work.  Andy and I hopped in my
Golf and headed for school.

   The coaches started us off with calisthenics and stretching exercises.
We moved on to drills to practice our fundamentals: blocking, tackling, and
fumble recovery.  Lunch followed the morning workout and then we moved into
the classroom to review the playbook.

   Hal, Jeremy and Ed liked the idea of taking our girlfriends to the
carnival tonight.  They called during lunch and made arrangements.  Ed
tracked down Holly Cox, who was at school with the cheerleading squad
preparing for the season.  Holly agreed to be Ed's date for the evening.

   Afternoon practice was more drills to sharpen our fundamental skills.  I
looked forward to Thursday when the coaches would break us up into squads
and let us start running through our plays.

   Crystal joined Andy, Penny and me for dinner again Tuesday night.  We
headed for the fireman's carnival after dinner.  Andy and Crystal met up
with Eric and Sammy soon after we got there.  They disappeared for the
evening.  Penny and I found Hal, Tammy, Jeremy, Kathy, Ed and Holly.

   We hung out with our friends, ate too much junk food, rode the rides and
wasted money on the ring toss, basketball throw and other games of chance.
We had fun and the money went to a good cause.

   Penny and I headed home around 9:30 pm.  We heard Andy and Crystal in
the family room went we got there.  We went straight to my bedroom.  We
spent the next hour making slow gentle love to each other.  This was how it
was meant to be.  Sharing our bodies and souls with each other without need
to hurry or any care at who knows.  Penny offered to ride along to the
airport on Wednesday night to keep me company.  I readily agreed.

   I was a little melancholy on Wednesday morning when Penny packed her
things.  Who knows when I would be able to spend the night with Penny
again? Probably not until the fall Venturer trip.

   Practice was routine.  I was pleased.  My teammates seemed to
concentrate and work hard at the drills.  We would go far again this season
if everyone kept their concentration on football.  Andy and I ended up
ordering pizza for dinner.  Crystal's parents and Penny's parents both
agreed that missing dinner at home three days in a row wasn't acceptable.

   Andy was like a little kid on Christmas Eve.  Crystal was done with her
period and they planned to spend the whole evening together in our big
empty house.  Andy was desperate to make up for the almost ten weeks he
hadn't slept with a girl.  Our girlfriends showed up at our house as soon
as they finished dinner, right after six o'clock.

   Penny and I told Andy and Crystal to have fun.  I warned Andy that we
didn't expect to be back until nearly midnight.  Andy promised to look
after the house until we got home.

   Penny and I took the family mini-van to the airport.  We hadn't been on
the road more than a couple minutes before Penny asked, "We've been so
preoccupied the last two evenings I never got a chance to ask.  How was
your trip to California?"

   I chuckled.  "We have been kind of busy, haven't we?" Penny nodded. 
"The trip went real well.  I was extremely impressed with USC.  They
offered me a scholarship at the end of the weekend."

   "Does that mean you're going to go there?"

   "I don't know Penny.  I haven't made up my mind.  I might."

   Penny let that thought sink in for a few seconds.  She sighed.  "You
would really go three thousand miles away for college?"

   "I haven't decided yet.  I want to visit some more colleges before I
decide." I explained.

   We rode on in silence for a couple minutes.  Penny finally said, "I've
have the early admission application for the University of Pennsylvania. 
I'm planning to apply there this fall."

   "Penn's a good choice." I said.

   "If I can get in."

   "You'll get in Penny.  Coach Bagnoli said your grades and SAT's will get
you in."

   "Who is Coach Bagnoli and why does he know about my grades and SAT's?"

   "He's the head coach at Penn.  I talked with him last month.  Mom talked
with him before me and I think she was pretty talkative that day.  Coach
Bagnoli knew about Will and Abby attending Penn, he knew you wanted to go
there too.  The coach really wants me to attend his university.  He told me
my grades and SAT's are good enough to get accepted at Penn without a
football scholarship.  You're grades are as good as mine and you scored
twenty points higher than me on the SAT's.  You'll get accepted to Penn."

   Penny stared at me.  "Do you think this coach would offer you a
scholarship to play football at Penn?"

   "I'm sure he would.  Before you say anything, I need to tell you about
what I've learned about coaching.  I want to learn enough to be the best.
One of the big university programs will help me learn more than I would at
a smaller college.  Succeeding in coaching also depends on who you know.  I
can make better and more contacts at one of the big schools.  Now that I
know I can get into one of the big football programs, I want to give myself
the best chance as a coach."

   Penny asked, "You wouldn't consider going to Penn with me so we can stay
together?"

   "I love you Penny.  I'd love to find a way for us to stay together after
high school.  Would you be willing to go to USC with me?  If you did, I'd
accept Coach Carroll's scholarship offer in a second so we could be
together."

   "My best chance of getting in veterinary school is to go to Penn.  They
have 1300 applicants each year for 110 spots.  51% of the spots go to
Pennsylvanians.  Getting into veterinary school is hard.  I want to give
myself the best chance possible." Penny explained.

   "I understand completely Penny.  One of the things I love about you is
that you know what you want and you are going to go get it.  Too many of
our classmates are clueless about what they are going to do after high
school.  They're like, `I guess I'll go to college, maybe.' `What do you
want to major in?' "Uh... I don't know.' I hate that.  If you're going to
go to college, you need to know why in the hell you're spending the time
and money to go."

   Penny asked, "I agree Kyle.  So what do we do now?"

   "I think you had the right idea last fall.  You said we should enjoy our
time together and worry about what we do during college when that time
comes.  I love you totally.  That is good enough for me right now." I
replied.

   "Then what?"

   "I don't know.  Maybe we'll be mature enough to make a long distance
relationship work.  I've learned a lot since Julie and I tried to make it
work a year ago.  We could get together again after college.  Who knows?"

   "I guess."

   "I love you Penny.  I don't want be with anyone else.  We can enjoy our
senior year and then decide how to handle our separation during college
next summer."

   "OK.  I'll try Kyle." Penny answered.  I could see Penny was thinking,
so I didn't say anything more.  I stopped at the traffic light in
Cochranville a couple minutes later.  I leaned over and gave her a kiss.

   "We'll make this work somehow Penny.  I promise."

   "That's all I can ask Kyle."

   Our conversation moved on to mundane topics.  Penny filled me in on her
summer working at the Paradise Veterinary Clinic.  I told her about working
at scout camp.  We talked about what we expected from our classes in
school.

   Eventually our conversation turned to our vacation plans.  I asked, "Are
you going to Raystown Lake with your family on Labor Day Weekend like you
do most years?"

   "No.  My dad is so pissed about it.  Niki is going on a trip with her
boyfriend Adrian.  Dad decided that we're staying home on Labor Day."

   I asked, "Would you like to go to the beach with my family?  I'm sure
Mom and Dad would be happy to take you with us."

   "That could be fun." Penny answered.  It neatly fixed one of my worries.
I received an e-mail from Rob Lang, my Labor Day weekend friend from West
Virginia.  He wrote to ask if my family was coming to Cape Henlopen.  Rob
said Alicia Randolph was asking about me.  All I needed was to spend a
weekend at the beach with Alicia tempting me to break my commitment to be
faithful to Penny.  If Penny went along, I knew I could resist temptation.

   Penny and I arrived at the airport around 8:15 pm.  We parked the
mini-van in the parking garage and made our way to Delta's baggage claim.
Mom, Dad and Liz appeared down the escalator twenty minutes later.  We
found the proper carousel for Delta 328.  Eventually we tracked down all
the luggage and hauled it out to the mini-van.

   I turned the keys over to Dad, smiled and said, "You're officially in
charge now.  Penny and I will be in the back seat, enjoying being kids
again."

   "Problems?" Dad asked.

   "No.  It'll be nice not to have to worry about what's for dinner, to
remember to lock up at bedtime, all those little things you and Mom do for
us.  I know I don't say it enough.  Thanks for everything you do Mom and
Dad."

   Penny and I climbed in the back and cuddled together.  The last thing I
remember was Dad merging onto I-95 as we left the airport.  Dad woke us up
when we got home.  I walked Penny to her house and then went straight to
bed.  It was almost midnight.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   Liz decided to go out for field hockey.  She rode along with Andy and me
in the morning.  Liz was going to get a ride home with another one of the
girls when her practice was done before lunch.

   Coach Caffrey sent the seventh and eighth grader's team and the JV team
off to practice on their own.  He split the varsity team into two squads. I
ended up on White Squad 1, the starters.  It felt great to finally play
live football, eleven on eleven, after ten and a half months away from it.

   Coach Rodgers worked a lot with our offensive line.  We added two
sophomores to our line, Brian Taylor at left guard and Adam Bell at right
tackle, to replace graduating seniors from last year.  Dan Fenstermacher
went from back up center to right guard.  If our team was going to have any
weaknesses on offense, it was going to be the line.

   Our only other inexperienced starter on offense was Pete Ellis, who had
the unenviable job of replacing Greg Harrison at tight end.  Pete would do
OK even though we knew we wouldn't get as much production from him as we
had from Greg.  Andy, Drew and I would more than make up for the catches
Greg made last year.  Ed and I would do our best to try to replace Greg's
leadership on the field and in the locker room.

   Jeremy had his hands full on defense.  Jim Griffin and Kenny Weaver
filled the outside linebacker spots.  He constantly instructed the two of
them where to go and what to do.  Travis Hall and Austin Herr made sure
Jamie Adams, our new left defensive tackle, knew what to do.  Our secondary
was pretty much set.  Dylan, Brett and Seth looked after Ryan Crawford, our
strong safety.  Ryan was sophomore, a little undersized and very smart.  We
expected him to do OK.

   Coach Rodgers and Coach Baer gave me pointers on blocking.  I worked
hard to improve.  I knew I would be more valuable receiver if I helped
block downfield for Drew, Ian and Marcus on running plays.

   Andy was in a much better mood on Thursday.  He was positively mellow
compared to the horny, frustrated kid I put up with earlier in the week. 
He said he and Crystal had an awesome night together when I went to the
airport.

   Coach Caffrey had the two squads scrimmage together in a simulated game
in the afternoon.  My White squad played the Red squad.  I was matched up
against Michael Johansen on some plays.  He talked incessantly between
plays.  Ed and I didn't try any deep routes on Mike.  We concentrated on
timing plays.  Mike managed to knock a couple balls down on me.  I also
caught some passes on him too.

   Ed rode with Andy and me to the final camp staff dinner at a restaurant
in Lancaster on Thursday night.  I enjoyed seeing my staff friends one last
time before school started.  It seemed like a life time since I left camp,
even though it was only six days ago.  Los Angeles, USC and Coach Carroll,
time with my girlfriend Penny and football practice; it had been a full six
days.

   Dustin Carter made a point of sitting with Ed, Andy and me.  He was in a
great mood.  "I want to thank you guys for all your help this summer with
football.  My coaches were really pleased with the way I'm playing, thanks
to your help.  I know I'll make varsity.  They've switched me from free
safety to cornerback.  I've been practicing with the first string.  I might
make it as a starter."

   I replied.  "Congratulations Dustin.  That's good news.  I guess Andy
and I will see you on the field for our third game.  Good luck."

   Dustin answered, "I'm going to need a lot of luck if I'm going to cover
one of you two."

   We found out that the staff had finished packing up came after lunch
that day.  Everyone was leaving for home from the restaurant.  We said our
good byes after a lingering dessert.  Everyone promised they'd see each
other next summer.  I followed Will and Abby home.

   We practiced our plays and scrimmaged again at practice on Friday
morning.  Ed, Jake and I had lunch with Jason Harting and Jonathan Landis,
our number 3 & 4 receivers, at lunch.  They were griping about the morning
scrimmage.

   Jason said, "Damn, I hate that new kid from Texas.  He's such a pain in
the ass."

   Jake added, "Johansen.  I have to agree with Jason.  What a motor
mouth."

   Jonathan said, "He's always bragging about how he made starter last year
as a freshman when he played in Texas.  It's Lubbock this, Lubbock that. 
I'm sick of it."

   Jake added, "He is a good corner.  I've got to be careful with the ball
on his side of the field.  He picked me off twice this morning."

   Jason added, "I only caught one pass all morning."

   I answered, "You can handle this guy.  Just remember what we worked on
last spring.  You guys will do OK."

   After our classroom session in the afternoon the White squad offense
played the White squad defense.  I was matched up against Brett and Seth
most of the afternoon.  I beat them consistently on deep passing plays. 
Our starting defensive line gave Ed and the offensive line some trouble. 
Coach Rodgers needed to do a lot more work with the offensive line.

   Penny and I hung out at her house Friday evening.  We watched a couple
DVD's.  I told her that my parents liked the idea of her coming along with
us to Cape Henlopen on Labor Day Weekend.  Her parents agreed to allow it.

   Saturday morning I slept in.  It was the first time in months I was able
to sleep as late as I wanted.  Mom finally dragged me out of bed around
11:30 in the morning.  After lunch Mom forced Andy and me to go shopping
with her and Liz.  It was time to get new clothes for school.  Thankfully
Mom let us get our pants, shirts, socks and underwear first.  She told us
we were free to browse around the mall on our own while she and Liz did
their shopping.  They expected they would need a couple hours to finish
shopping.  Andy and I arrived at our meeting place on time.  Liz and Mom
were a half hour late.  That's why I hate shopping with women.

   We got home after 4:30.  Andy and I made a beeline for the bathroom.  We
were taking our girlfriends to the movies for the evening.  We picked up
Penny and Crystal on the way to Millersville and the pizza place the
football team used as our hangout on Saturday nights.

   Andy and Crystal sat with some of the younger players and their girls.
Penny and I joined Jeremy, Kathy Hal and Tammy at a table.  Ed made it too.
He hooked up with Holly Cox again.  After an enjoyable dinner, we headed to
the movie theater.  We went to the latest Adam Sandler movie.  Andy and his
friends headed to a different movie.  Crystal called home.  Her dad agreed
to give the two of them a ride home.

   The movie was good, but very short.  We left the theater before 9
o'clock.  Penny and I decided to find a bit of privacy for some fun. 
Jeremy nudged me as we were leaving.  He asked, "What are you two planning
for the rest of the evening?"

   "We're going to find some privacy.  Why?" I asked.

   "Kath and I had the same thing in mind.  Do you know of any places
around here?"

   "Sure.  I know a place about ten miles south of here.  You can follow us
there." I offered.

   Jeremy looked stunned.  "Uh... We're not... uh, you know into... uh,
groups Kyle."

   I laughed.  "I'm not suggesting that.  This spot is a couple acre
meadow. There is plenty of room for privacy for more than one couple."

   "Oh.  That's a relief." Jeremy said, finally smiling again.

   Jeremy and Kathy followed behind Penny and me.  We ended up at the field
south of Lancaster where I had enjoyed the favors of a number of the
cheerleaders a couple years ago.  The place hadn't changed.  Jeremy and
Kathy headed off to the south end of the field.  Penny and I carried the
blanket I always keep in the Golf down to the stream at the opposite side
of the field.

   Penny and I spent the next hour pleasuring each other.  We brought each
other off with our tongues and mouths.  Penny wanted a good screwing doggie
style.  We ended the evening with Penny riding on top of me to our final
climaxes of the evening.

   We met Kath and Jeremy back at the cars.  Kathy asked, "Where did you
find out about this place?  It's great."

   "Let's just say I found out a couple years ago.  Some of the girls I
went with back then taught me a lot.  This place is one of the things I
found out back then."

   Penny chuckled.  "We get to enjoy some of the benefits of Kyle's
debauched past."

   "Hey!  I wasn't that bad.  I would have preferred to continue going
steady with you back then.  You wouldn't even talk to me." I protested.

   "I'm just teasing Kyle.  I know now that it was a mistake to break up
with you in tenth grade.  We're past that now." Penny answered.

   We kissed each other before heading for home.  Jeremy followed me back
to Lancaster.  He turned off a couple blocks from my house to take Kathy
home.  Penny told me she was going to visit her grandparents tomorrow.  I
gave her a good night kiss before I headed home.

   I spent Sunday afternoon relaxing and reading a book about Lincoln and
his generals.  I enjoyed every second of relaxation I could get.  School
started in a week.  Our first game was in two weeks.  I hoped to make some
college visits during the weekends.  My life was going to be very busy very
soon.

   I train year round to keep myself in top physical condition.  Even I was
starting to wear down during the second week of two a day practices.  Our
football team was starting to come together.  I spent days practicing
football and evenings relaxing with Penny.

   One unexpected development disturbed my football life.  Tuesday before
lunch Coach Caffrey called Jeremy, Brett, Seth, Dylan, Ryan Crawford and
Mike Johansen to his office.  Dylan and Ryan looked upset when they came to
the cafeteria.  Mike strutted into the cafeteria, as if he owned the place.

   I quizzed Jeremy.  "What's up buddy?"

   "We're shaking up the secondary.  Dylan's moving to strong safety, Ryan
going to second team, Mike is taking Brett's spot at cornerback and Brett
is taking Dylan's spot."

   "Wow!" was the reaction from our friends around the table.

   Jake warned, "Ed, be careful where you put the ball when you throw to
Kyle.  Johansen has a good break on the ball.  You under throw it a little
and he'll pick it off."

   Ed smiled and answered, "I can handle the kid.  Don't worry about it."

   "I'm not worried about some kid from Texas.  I've played against the
best cornerback in the state and held my own.  I'll do fine.  Keep feeding
me the ball Ed." I said confidently.

   "You got it." Ed answered.

   Ed and I found out what Jake was talking about on the second play of the
afternoon scrimmage.  Ed wasn't off much on the throw.  I slowed up to
adjust to the location of the ball.  Johansen cut in front of me and picked
off the ball before I could catch it.

   Johansen crowed, "It's about time your coaches realized who the best
cornerback on the team is.  This is how it's done in Texas.  I'm gonna show
y'all how to play football now!"

   Ed adjusted to make sure balls to me went higher than normal.  Johansen
didn't pick anymore off that afternoon.  That didn't stop his incessant
chatter about how good he was, how they played football in Lubbock or how
lucky our team was to have someone with his talent.  I found out why Jason
and Jonathan disliked him so much last week.  I also found out that the kid
could flat out play football.  No one on our team had ever challenged me
the way he did.

   I kept my cool around him Wednesday and Thursday morning.  He bragged
about starting six games as a freshman last year on Lubbock's team that
usually had only juniors and seniors starting.  Andy answered, "Big deal. I
started ten games last season."

   I added, "Yeah.  I started eleven games my freshman year." That shut
Johansen up for about two seconds.  He went right back to bragging again. I
had enough by lunch time.  Ed and I prepared to put him in his place during
the afternoon scrimmage.

   We lined up for the first play of the afternoon.  I said, "Tex, get
yourself ready.  The ball's coming our way." Johansen grinned at me.

   Ed used a pump fake on the deep route.  It gave me half a step on
Johansen.  Ed launched the pass over my right shoulder, away from Johansen.
I caught it, spun away from Johansen, and ran into the end zone.  I looked
back at him and said, "That's how the state champions of Pennsylvania do it
Tex.  What do you think about that?" He didn't answer.

   On the next play I ran a crossing route.  Drew came out of the backfield
running across the short zone in the opposite direction.  Drew collided
with Johansen a split second before Ed drilled the ball into my chest in
stride.  I sprinted for the end zone, trailed by Dylan, who had covered
Drew until Johansen lost me.  Touchdown!

   "What did you think of that one Tex?" I challenged as we lined up again.
"Get ready.  The ball is coming our way again." Johansen moved closer to
the line of scrimmage and looked around nervously.  Ed spotted that.  He
nodded to me.  He wanted me to go deep on our buddy Tex.

   Tex tried to jam me at the line but he missed.  I took off downfield at
top speed.  He recovered and managed to keep with me, half a step behind.
Ed launched a deep spiral to me that I caught in stride twenty-five yards
downfield.  I ran into the end zone.

   I turned a looked at him, holding the ball out in his face.  "Well?"

   "I was supposed to have help deep." He whined.

   "You start treating your teammates with respect; maybe you'll get more
help."

   "But I..."

   "You've spent the last two weeks telling us how great you are.  You're
coming in and trying to play on the state championship team.  You've got to
shut up and learn if you're going to fit in here."

   Mike bristled at my words and tried to answer defiantly.  He couldn't
completely hide his hesitation.  "I can do this!"

   "Three touchdowns on the last three plays would argue otherwise.  You
have some potential but you can't do this without the support of your
teammates.  You brag about starting as a freshman on your old team in
Texas. So what?  I helped turn our team from an average team into one of
the best as a freshman.  My brother started as a freshman and helped us win
the state championship."

   Mike said, "You and your brother are supposed to be really good.  You're
just trying to embarrass me."

   "We have other receivers in our league as good as me.  Our biggest
rival's best receiver will do the same thing to you when the game counts if
you don't improve your play.  Like I said before; shut up, listen and
learn. The coaches and I want to help you.  If you give them a chance, your
teammates will help you.  Do you got it?"

   "Yes." Mike answered.

   "Good.  We don't want to hear more about your old team.  Concentrate on
your new team.  You'll do OK then."

   "Are you serious about us playing against another receiver like you?"

   "Absolutely.  Christian plays for Central, our biggest rivals.  He can
take over the game by himself if we're not careful.  Don't expect to cover
him.  Coach usually pulls the normal cornerback and has me cover him."

   "You play cornerback?"

   "Only occasionally." I answered.

   We cut our conversation short because Coach Caffrey was yelling,
"Martin! Fritz!  Get over here!"

   I trotted towards Coach Caffrey on the sideline.  Andy and Ed headed for
him too.  Coach waved off my brother.  "No Andrew, I want `Coach' Martin."

   Ed and I trotted to him and said in unison, "What's up Coach?"

   "I don't recall putting those last three plays on the list to practice
now.  What's up?"

   Ed and I grinned.  Ed offered, "We're working on a little attitude
adjustment Coach."

   I added, "Tex is learning the benefits of helping his teammates."

   "Tex?" Coach Caffrey shook his head.  "Let's stick to the plays I want
to practice from here on out, OK?"

   "Sure Coach." "Yes Sir." we answered.

   "`Coach'?" Coach Caffrey asked.

   "Yeah?"

   "What do you think of ... uh, Tex?"

   "I think he's got potential.  He needs to listen more and stop comparing
us to his team back in Texas.  If he does that, he'll be a good addition to
our team." I offered.

   "Let me no how that goes.  We can use someone with his speed in the
backfield." Coach Caffrey said.

   "Will do." I answered.

   Practice went smoothly after that.  Mike seemed to try to keep his
comments to himself.  He did OK with Seth backing him up when he tried to
cover me.  I still scored a couple deep receptions but he played better.

   Friday after lunch the team voted for team captains.  The results
weren't surprising.  Ed and I were elected offensive co-captains.  Jeremy
was elected to be the defensive captain.  Hal was elected as the special
teams captain.  Hal hadn't been a lock, but he was the only senior on
special teams.

   My parents had tickets to go to the American Movie Theater Saturday
night.  Cody Stevens asked Liz for a date.  Penny and I agreed to give them
a ride to the dinner and the movies with us.  Andy and Crystal originally
planned to go to the movies too, but they decided to take advantage of our
big empty house.

   Liz was decked out in a nice dress.  She looked like a regular young
lady.  Cody's usually tousled hair was slicked back.  He wore dress khakis
and a button down shirt.  It was quite a change from his usual haphazard
appearance.

   Liz and Cody hung with us at the pizza place where we met our friends
and teammates.  Cody talked about how much fun he was having playing
football.  His coach moved him up to number two tailback yesterday.

   When we got to the movie theater I warned Cody, "Treat me little sister
right tonight."

   Cody grinned and said, "You bet Kyle.  I like Liz."

   They headed for their movie.  My friends, Penny and I headed to ours. 
We enjoyed our movie.  Liz and Cody met us in the lobby when our movie left
out.  I gave Liz and Cody a minute of privacy when we dropped him off at
his house.  I did steal a glance and see him give my sister a fairly chaste
kiss before he went inside.  Liz enjoyed her date.  Mom and Dad were acting
lovey-dovey when Liz and I got home.  They tried to hustle us off to bed.

   I don't usually like to think about it, but I expected Dad was going to
get lucky tonight.  I hurried Liz upstairs to give Mom and Dad some
privacy. Liz confided that she enjoyed her date with Cody.  She hoped he
would ask her out again.

   Andy showed up in my bedroom as I was changing for bed.  I was down to
my boxers when he came in.  I asked, "How was your night?"

   "Fantastic!  Crystal was insatiable tonight.  We did it three times. 
She would have done it again if we hadn't run out of time.  I love fucking
without rubbers.  It's the greatest!"

   "You and Crystal are safe, right?" I asked.

   "Of course.  Crystal started taking the pill while we were at camp."

   "That's good." I answered.

   "I'm going to remember this night for a long time!" Andy declared. 
"Good night Kyle." Andy headed back to his room.  I shucked my boxers and
hopped in bed.  My brother had no idea how true his words would be.

   Chapter 27

   ==========

   My alarm woke me at 6:30 on Monday morning.  The first day of school.  I
thought about that as I showered.  I had 180 days left of high school. 
Next year I would be in college somewhere.  I looked at myself in the
mirror before I shaved.  I was finally starting to look like a man instead
of a kid.  The blond stubble of my beard was turning slightly darker so
other people could see it.  I needed to shave daily now or Penny
complained.

   Penny arrived at my house about twenty after seven.  Mom and Dad agreed
that I could drive the Golf to school everyday as long as I gave Andy and
Liz a ride.  I reserved the front seat in the car for Penny.  No more
school bus!  That was going to be great.

   Mrs.  Wenger, my home room teacher handed out our schedules first thing
in the morning.  My schedule was: Graphic Arts, Deutsch Unterricht [German
class], Civil War Studies, Physics, Lunch, Calculus, Gym or Art on
alternating days and finally College Prep Grammar.  The Civil War class was
a one semester history class.  The second half of the year I would have
World War II Studies that period.  College Prep Grammar was one semester
too.  That would switch to Creative Writing in the winter.

   I tracked Penny down right after home room.  We compared schedules.  We
didn't have any classes in common until fourth period.  We were together
the rest of the day.  That was going to be cool.

   Most of my teachers seemed nice.  The one exception was Mrs. 
Newswanger, my Grammar teacher.  She was older and warned us that she was
quite strict.  She was going to make us work our tails off during the
semester.

   Coach Caffrey had us continue practicing our standard offense and
defense since our first game was still almost two weeks away.  Mike
Johansen kept his comments to himself during practice.  He actually asked
me for a tip on how to cover a route I had just run on him near the end of
practice.  Maybe there was hope for him.

   Penny and I studied for awhile after dinner each evening.  Andy, Ed and
I went back to our normal evening workout routine around 8 o'clock each
night.  Jeremy joined us for our evening run after we finished our weight
program.

   Wednesday at practice Coach Caffrey announced that we were moving our
practice into our new stadium.  The workmen had finished everything on the
field.  We passed through our future dressing room on the way to the field.
The workmen were still working there when we passed through.

   The whole team gawked when we entered our new home.  It was an
impressive sight.  The seating had been increased 50%.  The press box level
was expanded to add boxes all along the eastern and western (long) sides of
stadium.  It had bleacher seating behind each end zone.

   Andy started working on his Eagle project Tuesday evening.  That week he
met with the township supervisors, troop committee and district advancement
chairman.  Andy planned to build a play area at the township park.  Every
one approved his idea.  My brother was pleased to be able to start his
project but was frustrated that he and Crystal had no time together during
the week.  Andy was difficult to be around by Friday morning.

   Coach Caffrey finally went over the game plan for our first game Friday
afternoon after school.  We played LS in one week.  Coach Caffrey planned
as if LS would play the veer offense like last year.  This was only a
guess. LS changed coaches since last season.  The new head coach was from
Illinois.  No one knew much about him or the style of football he coached.
Our coaches warned us that we needed to be prepared for almost anything
next Friday night.  We were confident that we could beat them like we
always did.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Liz was waiting at my car when Andy and I finished showering after
Friday's practice.  We hurried home to join Mom's chaotic preparations for
our weekend at Cape Henlopen.  Penny and my family were on the road
forty-five minutes later.

   We arrived at the camping area around 10:30 that evening.  Mom and Dad
set up a tent on one site.  I tried to convince Mom to let me share a tent
with Penny.  She said no, that the other campsites were too close for that
sort of the thing.  Liz and Penny shared a second tent on Mom and Dad's
campsite.  Andy and I put our tent beside Will's and Abby's tent on the
adjoining campsite.

   Will, Andy and I made breakfast for the family Saturday morning.  When
it was done Andy, Penny and I hopped on our bikes to find our West Virginia
friends.  Liz insisted on going along.  Mom's gentle persuasion convinced
me to let her come.

   We found the Langs, Randolphs, Pattons and their friends camped at the
opposite end of the campground.  I spotted Rob first.  Penny, Andy, Liz and
I pulled to a stop beside him and his girlfriend Missy Smith.  Rob was
wearing a Gettysburg College Football T-shirt.

   Rob grinned and waved as we stopped.  "Kyle, Andy!  It's great to see
you.  Who are the girls?"

   Andy and I introduced Liz and Penny to Rob and Missy.  I was dying to
know.  "What's with the T-shirt Rob?"

   "It's my college.  I started classes there two days ago." Rob explained.

   "Cool!  Do you play football?" I asked.

   "Of course.  I'm the number two right cornerback for the team.  The
coaches are pleased with me.  I moved up two slots since training camp
started last month.  What are you and Andy doing in football?"

   "You know about our team winning the state championship last season. 
Andy and I are starting at wide receiver for our team this season."

   Rob asked, "How's your knee?"

   "It's good.  Rehab was a pain in the butt.  I'm done with it now.  My
knee is 100%.  I'm ready to play."

   "That's good news.  I remember how bad you hurt your knee last season.
Killing your ACL is not good." Rob said.  He stopped for a moment.  "Hey, I
just realized.  I met a guy from your high school.  He's playing for
Gettysburg too."

   "Who?" I asked.  I didn't remember any of the teammates that said they
were planning to go to Rob's college.

   "I think his name is Jerry Porter.  He's a..."

   "Offensive Tackle.  Yeah.  I know Jerry.  He's a good lineman." I
answered.

   Rob asked, "Are you looking at colleges?  I know you're a senior now. 
Any coaches give you a call?"

   "Yes.  I've talked with a bunch of coaches.  I did an official visit to
USC."

   Rob shook his head.  "You don't mean South Carolina do you?"

   "No, Southern California." I replied.

   "DaaAAmn!  You mean the place Troy Aikman, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinhart
went?  The place where Jared Dillard plays?" Rob asked.

   "Yeah."

   "Did you meet anyone there?"

   "Of course I met Coach Carroll.  He's really nice.  I met Jared Dillard
on Saturday night.  He's really down-to-earth.  I met a number of members
of the team.  It was a nice weekend." I explained.

   Rob shook his head.  "I guess there isn't any chance we'll be playing
each other when you're in college."

   "I don't think Southern Cal will be playing Gettysburg anytime soon." I
answered.  Rob's friends converged on us when they realized that we were
here.  It took us five minutes to finish introducing everyone in the group
to each other.

   Rob's brother Dale had a new girlfriend, Brenda Griffin.  Brenda was a
red headed sophomore.  Rob's cousin Harry made it this year with his
girlfriend Giselle Wallace.  The Patton clan was well represented.  Wes was
there with his long time girlfriend Molly Short.  Wes' sister Trish was
there with her boyfriend Sean Reilly.

   The Randolphs were present in force.  Tim and his girlfriend Kelly Lee,
Tim's twin sister Alicia and their cousin Tyler were there.  Tyler's
girlfriend Jenna Douglass made it.  I finally met Alicia's boyfriend Mike
Foster.  She had told me about Mike last year after our evening of fun.

   Missy introduced her cousins Lauren and Joshua Watson.  Andy noticed
Lauren immediately.  She was fifteen, had curly blond hair and perky
breasts that filled her bikini top completely.  Liz simply stared at
Joshua. He looked to be around thirteen like her.  Josh was a couple inches
taller than Liz, at 5'-7".  He wore his hair cut short, almost military
style.  Josh had definitely hit puberty.  He had that stretched out look of
a boy in his growth spurt.  His body was growing like crazy, but there
wasn't enough food in the world to put any meat on his bones.

   Liz continued staring at Josh for a few minutes before she lost her
shyness.  The rest of the group was sharing stories of our past year while
Josh and Liz stood in the back.  Next time I noticed the two of them; Liz
was teasing and flirting with Josh.  He loved it.

   My siblings, Penny and I rode back to our campsite when we met everyone.
We promised to be back in fifteen minutes.  We checked in with Mom and Dad.
I asked, "Could we get lunch at the beach instead of meeting back here?"

   Dad asked, "Do you have enough money Kyle?"

   "Sure."

   Andy added, "I'm good."

   Penny said, "I have more than enough Mr.  Martin."

   Liz asked, "Could I have some money Daddy?"

   Dad grinned benevolently and said, "Here's a ten honey."

   "Thanks Daddy."

   As we climbed back on our bikes Mom said, "Be back by 4:30 kids.  Kyle,
look after your sister."

   "You got it Mom." I called out as we rode away.  We met our friends and
rode out to the beach.  We found an open spot near the south end of the
swimming area and set out our towels and other things.  We spent the rest
of the morning swimming, playing Frisbee, playing hackie sack and hanging
out together.

   We picked up lunch at the snack bar.  Cheese steak, chili fries and a
large slushy filled me.  Even Penny skipped her usual sensible diet for
chili dogs.  Andy, Lauren, Trish and Sean hung out together.  Liz and Josh
were inseparable, oblivious to anything beyond each other.

   Dale suggested, "Guys, do want to get in a little volleyball?"

   Penny asked, "What about us?"

   "Yeah, we should invite the girls to play.  Coed volleyball can be fun."
I added.

   The girls and the more imaginative guys (imagining almost a dozen pairs
of breasts bouncing up and down) agreed.  The rest of the guys went along
with it.  We divided into teams; nine on nine with two substitutes per
team. To Liz's delight she and Josh ended up on my team.  Penny was with me
to.  Sean and Lauren joined me too.  Andy ended up with Trish on Rob's
team.

   Rob's team squeaked out a 23-21 win in the first game.  My team managed
to beat them 22-20 the second game.  We took a break for a swim.

   We were just forming up for the next volleyball game when Trish
announced, "I'm not feeling well.  I'm going to go back to my campsite and
rest for awhile.  I'll see you guys later." We wished her well.

   We started the third game.  My team took a fast 7-3 lead.  I set Dale
who smashed a nasty spike right at Andy.  Andy ended up doing a split as he
tried to dig the ball out.  Andy stood back up to the guffaws from our
group.

   I asked, "Are you OK?" when Andy spat out, "God damn it!"

   "Yeah, I'm OK Kyle." Andy answered.  He rubbed his back.  Alicia served
the ball back to Rob's team.

   After every point Andy yanked and pulled at his shorts.  After the third
time I asked, "What the hell are you doing?"

   "I think I tore the lining in my shorts.  It's giving me a wedgie." Andy
said.

   "Stop doing that Andy.  It looks disgusting." I directed.

   "I'm going back to camp to change.  I have got to get this damn suit
off!" Andy walked gingerly towards the bike racks near the snack shop and
rode off.  I loaned Rob's team Tyler Randolph to even the sides.  We went
back to playing again.  Rob's team rallied from their 8-3 deficit, but we
still beat them 21-18.  We broke for more swimming before we went back to
volleyball again.

   We were on our sixth game when I saw Andy ride back over the hill and
park his bike.  Trish was right behind him.  I watched as Andy gave Trish a
kiss before he walked over and had a seat at a table outside the snack bar.
Trish came straight back to the volley ball game.

   When Trish came back her brother Wes Patton asked, "What's up sis? 
Feeling better?"

   "I took a couple Tylenol and took a nap.  I feel much better now." Trish
replaced Tyler on Rob's team.  Trish looked flushed and much too alert to
have just woken from a nap.  I had my suspicions about Trish and Andy.  I
checked out Trish's boyfriend Sean.  He had his back to the little scene I
just witnessed.  I didn't think he had any idea.

   Andy waited about ten minutes before he rejoined our group.  I knew what
had been going on the second I saw his shorts.  He was wearing the same
pair of `ripped' shorts he had on when he left.  I just shook my head at my
brother's brazenness.

   Our teams were tied three games a piece.  I pulled Andy aside just
before the start of the seventh and deciding game.  I demanded, "What the
hell were you doing awhile ago?"

   "Huh, what do you mean?"

   "Uh... The shorts you were going to change?" I asked, pointing at his
pants.

   "Uhh..." Andy stammered.

   "I saw you and Trish."

   "SHIT!  Did anyone else see?" Andy asked.  He looked around at the guys,
looking for Sean.

   "Relax.  He didn't see anything.  "What the hell were you thinking? 
You're supposed to be in a committed relationship with Crystal.  Instead
you're here screwing Trish right under her boyfriend's nose."

   "You know.  Trish is really hot and... Well, Crystal and I haven't....
Hell, it's been a week since I got laid.  I just needed...." Andy stuttered
as he tried to explain.  I waved off the remainder of his excuse.

   "If Sean decides to beat your ass, you're on your own LITTLE brother." I
shook my head to dismiss him.  My brother needed to grow up.  A lot!  The
final game was closely contested.  My team ended up losing 24-22 when my
spike sailed just over the back line of the court.  I was disappointed to
lose, but it had been a fun way to spend the afternoon.

   As we walked back to our bikes, Rob asked, "Do you and your friends want
to get together after dinner for a campfire like other years?  Should be
fun."

   "Yes, why not." I answered.

   "Bring your girlfriend, brother and sister to our campsite around 7:30.
How's that sound?" Rob suggested.

   "My sister?" I asked.  "Um... I don't know about Liz..."

   Liz protested immediately.  "Why not me?  Stop treating me like a little
kid!"

   I shushed Liz and explained, "We'll talk about this later privately."
Liz looked defiant, but kept her mouth shut anyway.  The whole group rode
back to the family camp area.  Penny, Andy, Liz and I waved good bye as we
peddled on past our friends' campsites.

   Liz sprinted ahead of the rest of us when we were out of the sight of
the Shepherdstown group's campsites and stopped in the roadway.  She
demanded, "Why do you treat me like a little kid?  I'm going to be fourteen
in two weeks."

   I explained, "This campfire tonight, it isn't what you think.  They'll
probably have beer there.  We'll be talking about things you don't need to
know about..."

   "Like sex." Liz said accusingly.

   "Like that.  You're too young to be hearing about..."

   "You think I don't know about you helping Andy have sex with that
cheerleader when he was younger than me.  I like Josh and plan to spend
time with him this evening."

   Penny added, "What harm could there be?  Josh is cute for thirteen year
old."

   I protested, "You don't understand what boys are like!  All they think
about is sex."

   Liz laughed hard.  "I live with you and Andy.  Don't you think I know
that?  All I want is to spend some time with Josh; just talking and maybe a
little... kissing."

   Penny said, "What harm could there be?  It's not like there's going to
be an orgy or a live sex show."

   "No.  Definitely not." I said.  I couldn't forget the vision of Alicia
and me fucking by the fire last year in front of part of the group. 
Nothing like that was going to happen this year!

   "We'll make sure everything is safe for Liz." Penny offered.

   Reluctantly I answered, "No drinking Liz.  If they offer you a beer, you
don't accept it.  Can you live with that?"

   "Deal!" Liz declared, grinning from ear to ear.

   The four of us rode back to our campsite.  Mom grilled steaks on the
barbeque.  They were delicious.  Supper was leisurely.  I enjoyed the
relaxing time together with my whole family.  Will and Abby simply weren't
around enough anymore.

   At 7:20 we walked down the road to meet our friends.  Harry and Dale
carried a big cooler of "refreshments" down to the beach.  The rest of our
group followed them.  We headed south along the beach until we came to an
isolated stretch out of sight of other campers.

   Harry, Tyler and I built up a nice campfire while the rest of the group
gathered more wood to keep the fire burning for the evening.  We sat around
the fire in a big circle and talked.  Most of us were too old for the silly
games we used to play like spin the bottle or truth or dare.  We just
talked about school, college and sex.  Andy ended up sitting with Lauren,
who was flirting quite openly with Andy.  Trish didn't really notice.  She
was all over her boyfriend Sean.

   The beer came out.  It was in those big 24 ounce cans like last year.  I
was determined to behave myself this time.  No hangover for me.  I took one
as they came around.  Penny did too.  Andy grabbed a can.  Liz passed.  I
was glad she was willing to listen.

   Alicia talked about her favorite techniques for giving a guy a blow job.
Mike blushed as Alicia described what she liked to do to him.  Rob teased
me about my threesome.  I refused to give any details.  Penny looked at me
questioningly.  I mouthed the word "Later." The girls talked about pussy
licking.  Penny praised my technique.  I kept an eye on Liz and Josh.  Both
of them listened intently, wide eyed, as they absorbed the information
about pleasuring your partner.

   More beers were passed around the group.  Penny and I hadn't finished
our first can, so we passed them on.  I shook my head no when Andy took
one. He ignored me and gulped the brew down.

   All the talk about sex had the expected effect.  The guys and girls
cuddled together.  Serious kissing started among a few couples.  There was
even some discrete groping going on.  I checked out Liz and Josh.  They had
their arms around each other and were whispering, totally absorbed in each
other.

   Penny sat on my lap facing me.  We held each other and started kissing
passionately.  Penny rubbed herself on my erection when she felt it rise. I
concentrated on my girlfriend, but still tried to pay a little attention to
watching out for Andy and Liz.

   Andy and Lauren were making out furiously.  Finally their foreplay was
too much.  Andy grabbed two more beers and led Lauren away from the circle
to find privacy.  Harry and Giselle headed away from the group in the
opposite direction a minute later.  Dale and Brenda went right after them.

   Couple by couple my friends headed away from the fire to enjoy each
other with some privacy.  Penny and I continued kissing and caressing.  I
slipped my hand up under her T-shirt and slipped her bikini top up off her
breasts.  After a few minutes of feeling her, Penny slipped a hand between
us and into my shorts.

   "Let's find somewhere to go Kyle.  I'm ready for this." Penny whispered.
She emphasized her point by squeezing my erection.

   "I should stay and look after Liz.  She's in way over her head here."

   Both of us glanced over at Liz and Josh.  Josh had his hand up Liz's
T-shirt and was caressing her left tit.  Liz moaned, `Oh yeah!  That's it
Josh."

   I whispered to Penny, "See.  I don't think we better leave them alone."

   Josh slipped his other hand down and tried to slide it into Liz's
shorts. Liz deftly snared his hand before it could reach its target and
deflected it.  She pushed him away.  His hand came out from under her
shirt.

   As she started to stand Liz declared, "You promised me Josh.  Only above
the waist.  We're through if you can't behave!"

   Josh protested, "Stop.  I'm sorry.  I'll behave.  Don't go, I want to
kiss some more."

   Liz asked, "You promise?  Nothing below the waist tonight.  I'm not
ready for that."

   "Yes!  Please stay.  I promise won't go any further than you want." Josh
declared.

   Liz sat down with him again.  They went back to deep kissing only. 
Penny whispered to me.  "Your sister can handle herself.  It's OK if we go
find somewhere to be alone."

   "Let's hang out a few more minutes, just to be sure." I countered.

   Penny and I went back to making out.  We checked on Liz and Josh
occasionally.  Josh was keeping his promise.  They kissed for a couple
minutes before his hand went under her shirt again.  She enjoyed the
experience as he felt her up.

   Penny's hand went down my pants and grasped my erection.  "It's time to
go Kyle." She announced.  We walked down the beach together and ducked
behind one of the dunes.  We laid our towels on the sand and stripped.  We
lay down together on our sides and kissed, rekindling our lust back.

   I flipped around so we were in the 69 position.  Penny and I proceeded
to give each other orgasms.  After a few minutes of kissing, Penny sucked
my erection back to full size.  We made love doggie style until we each
climaxed again.

   Penny and I kissed and cuddled after our first coupling.  Penny asked,
"You said you'd tell me later about your threesome.  When did this happen?"

   "You sure you really want to know?"

   "I think."

   "It was almost two years ago after we broke up.  There was this girl I
had gone out with a couple times and..." I said as I started the story of
my night sharing Jessie with Ed.  Penny begged for details but all I would
say was that it was me with a girl and another guy.  I told Penny the girl
didn't go to our high school.  Technically this is true since Jessie had
graduated a year ago.

   Penny asked, "What was it like?  Did the girl enjoy it?"

   "She seemed to."

   "Exactly how did this work with two guys?  Did one of you kiss her and
play with her tits while the other guy fucked her?"

   "Ummm... actually we fucked her at the same time.  That was her
fantasy."

   "Two cocks in her pussy?" Penny asked, clearly a little confused.

   "No.  I was in her ass and E... uh, the other guy was in her pussy."

   Penny hesitated to let this image sink in.  "How is there enough room
for... everyone?"

   "The other guy was on the bottom, the girl was in the middle and I was
on top.  It was like a sandwich."

   Penny sighed.  "Wasn't it pretty weird having sex with another guy?

   "I DIDN'T HAVE SEX WITH A GUY!" I insisted.  "I had sex with a girl
while another guy was there."

   "Where did you find a guy comfortable being that close to you when both
of you were naked?"

   "Uhh..." I said.  "I can't say."

   Penny stared into my eyes.  I blinked.  Penny asked, "It was Ed wasn't
it?"

   I nodded yes.  "You can't tell anyone, ever!  Ed and I don't want this
secret to ever get out to the world.  Do you promise?"

   "Of course.  I won't say a word to anyone." Penny declared.  We went
back to kissing again.  We kissed a couple minutes before Penny asked, "Did
the girl like it when you put your cock in her ass?"

   "She did.  She liked it a lot."

   "Could we try that tonight Kyle?  I've always wondered what it is like."

   "Not tonight.  We need some supplies and a lot more time than we have
now to try anal sex the first time.  Maybe we'll try it some other time if
you really want to try it."

   "What do we need?"

   "Lube - lots of lube.  We also need enough time alone to take it
extremely slow.  I wouldn't want to hurt you.  If you're ready now, why
don't you ride my cock?  You know, the conventional way.  I know you enjoy
it on top." I said.

   Penny and I proceeded to make love in the female superior position.  She
rode my seven incher for nearly twenty minutes and two orgasms before I
blew with another load of sperm in her warm pussy.

   We took a dip in the ocean before we dressed and went back to rejoin our
group at the campfire.  Most of the couples had returned from their
lovemaking.  The couples were sitting around the campfire cuddled together.
Liz was sitting on Josh's lap, his arms wrapped around her chest.  Penny
and I found a spot in the circle and sat down together.

   I noticed Andy and Lauren hadn't returned yet.  I glanced at my watch.
It was 10:20.  We had 40 minutes before we had to be back at camp.  The
group hung out and talked for another fifteen minutes.  I started to worry
about Andy.  Mom and Dad would have a fit if he came home late.  I knew. 
Boy, did I know!

   Liz, Penny and I were getting up to leave at 10:40 when Lauren and Andy
finally appeared.  Andy had his arm over Lauren's shoulder holding her.  As
they approached I realized that what was really going on.  Lauren was
holding Andy up and steadying him as he tried to stagger beside her.

   Lauren explained, "I think your brother had a little too much to drink
tonight."

   I said, "I hope he wasn't too much of a bother." I took Andy from
Lauren.

   Andy looked at me, grinned and slobbered, "Kyle!  HI!  I got laid
tonight!  TWICE!"

   "That's nice Andy." I turned towards Lauren.  "Sorry about all this
Lauren."

   Lauren answered, "He was fun until he had the third beer.  He knows what
he is doing in bed.  I'm glad I went with him."

   "I'll tell him that in the morning when he knows what I'm saying." I
explained.  I had Andy's arm over my shoulder to support him.  Penny helped
me from the other side of Andy.  Liz followed us as we headed back to camp.
She didn't say anything.  She just watched.

   We stopped out of sight of our campsite.  I stood Andy up.  "Listen to
me Andy.  If you want to live past this evening, you need to follow my
directions.  Mom and Dad will kill you if they find you drunk."

   Andy protested, "I'm not drunk!" He wobbled and had to be steadied by
Penny.  "OK, I'm a little drunk." Andy listened as I explained my plan to
him.  He nodded his head and giggled ridiculously.

   Penny, Liz and I went back to camp and sat down at the picnic table with
Mom, Dad, Will and Abby.  Mom asked, "Where's Andy?"

   "Haven't you seen him yet?" I asked.

   Penny added.  "He left the beach fifteen minutes ahead of us.  Isn't he
back yet?"

   Mom and Dad shook their heads no.  We talked for awhile.  Penny and I
announced that we were going to bed.  Dad glanced at his watch.  "It's
11:05.  When you see Andy, tell him to come see me.  He's late."

   I answered, "Will do Dad.  Good night."

   Penny added, "Good night Mr.  and Mrs.  Martin." She motioned for Liz to
follow her.  Liz gave Mom and Dad a good night kiss.  They headed to the
back of the campsite to their tent.  I went across to Will's campsite to my
tent.

   As planned, Andy had snuck in quietly and pretended to be asleep.  I
whispered, "It's working.  Keep pretending to sleep."

   I went back to Mom and Dad.  I announced, "Andy's asleep in our tent.  I
told you he came back early."

   Dad said, "Oh yes?  Let's see." He followed me back to the tent.  Andy
was quietly snoring.  That was a convincing effect.  Dad seemed relieved
when he saw Andy.  "I'm glad he's following our rules." Dad left.

   I whispered to Andy, "That snoring was a nice.  Dad bought it.  You're
in the clear." I didn't get a response.  I nudged him and said, "Andy?"
Nothing.  My brother really was asleep.  I covered him with his sheet and
went to bed too.

   I thought a little about Andy.  How had he gotten so out of control? 
He's going steady with Crystal and yet he screwed Trish behind her
boyfriend's back.  Then he screwed Lauren tonight.  He got drunk tonight
when I warned him to watch out.  He used to listen to me.  What other
trouble was he going to get into?  I needed to have a long talk with my
brother in the morning when we woke up.

   Andy was still asleep when I woke up around 8 o'clock the next morning.
Will and I told all the ladies we would make breakfast.  We made French
toast and sausage.  Mom complimented us on our cooking.  Penny, Liz and I
planned to hang out with Mom, Dad, Will and Abby at the beach for the
morning.  Our friends invited us to join them after lunch that afternoon.
Everyone wanted time in the morning to rest up after last night.

   We were loading our things in the mini-van when Will came back from his
tent.  He said, "It sounds like Andy's awake.  I heard him in his tent."

   Mom said, "I'll stay behind and get him some breakfast."

   "No.  I'll stay.  Andy and I can ride our bikes down to the beach when
he's ready.  Go along with everyone else Mom." I suggested.

   "Are you sure Kyle?" Mom asked.

   "Of course.  How will you get to the beach if you stay with Andy?  Ride
my bike?" I teased.

   "Thank you for looking after your brother." Mom said.

   "We'll catch up to the family in half an hour or forty-five minutes." I
suggested.  I gave Penny a kiss before she rode to the beach with my
family.

   I headed back to my tent.  Andy was lying on his bedroll, the sheet
pulled barely above his waist.  He opened his eyes when I climbed in the
tent.

   I asked, "How are you feeling?"

   "Like shit.  My head feels like it's going to explode."

   I rooted through my pack for aspirin.  I gave Andy two and told him to
take them and have a big drink from his canteen.

   Andy said, "Thanks Kyle.  I should have listened to you last night.  I'm
never going to do that again!"

   "Remember you said that Andy.  Go take a long hot shower.  Drink some
more water; it'll help your hangover."

   "Thanks Kyle." Andy said.  He pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt
for the walk to the shower house.  He was gone for fifteen minutes.  I
spent the time thinking about what I wanted to say to him.

   I let Andy have breakfast before I talked about his behavior.  Andy
finished his cereal and a large glass of orange juice then I started the
discussion.

   "How are you feeling?" I asked.

   "Better.  The shower and aspirin helped."

   "That's good.  I wanted to talk to you about yesterday.  Did you think
about Crystal at all?"

   Andy bowed his head before he looked back at me.  "No."

   "She is supposed to be your girlfriend.  How can you go fucking around
on her with Trish and Lauren?  What were you thinking?"

   "I don't know.  I just... well, I needed..." Andy stopped and just
stared at me.  "I fucked up.  What do you want me to say?"

   "That's a start.  If Sean finds out about you and Trish, he'll kick your
ass."

   "He won't find out." Andy said.

   "I figured it out.  You just can't take chances like that.  You did use
protection, right?"

   Andy replied, "I didn't need to."

   "Trish is on the pill?" I asked.

   "Yeah, I think.  She didn't say I needed to have a rubber."

   I shook my head.  "That's not the same thing.  You're telling me you
don't know if Trish could get knocked up from yesterday."

   "I guess so."

   "Did you use a condom with Lauren?" I asked accusingly.

   "No."

   "So you could have gotten two girls pregnant this weekend.  What the
hell are you doing?"

   "I don't know Kyle." Andy answered lamely.

   "You'd better fucking figure it out and damn quick.  Your life looks
like a train heading for a wreck.  What screws ups do you have planned for
today?"

   "None." Andy answered.  He looked into my eyes.  "Do you have any
rubbers?  What if Lauren wants to be with me tonight?"

   "I don't need them.  My girlfriend is on the pill and I DON'T cheat on
her.  Didn't you bring any?" I asked.

   "No.  My girlfriend is on the pill too.  I didn't figure I'd need them
anymore."

   "But you do since you cheat on your girlfriend.  I suggest you keep your
dick in your pants today."

   "Would it hurt if I did it again with Lauren since I already creamed in
her?" Andy asked.

   "How bad do you want to be a father?  Maybe a little more sperm in her
will increase your chances." I said.

   "I guess I'll try to behave today." Andy said.

   "That's a good plan." I answered.  Andy and I rode our bikes down to the
beach and found our family.  We spent the rest of the morning swimming and
sunning ourselves.  We had lunch back at our campsite.

   Penny, Liz, Andy and I headed over to meet our friends.  We spent the
afternoon playing volleyball, tossing a Frisbee, playing hackie sack and
swimming like yesterday.  Liz and Josh spent every minute together
possible. Lauren hung with Andy and flirted with him constantly.  Andy
managed to be nice, but keep his dick in his pants for the afternoon.

   Our group got together for another campfire after dinner.  We built a
fire in the same spot as last night and gathered around it by couples. 
Lauren sat with Andy again.  Liz cuddled with Josh immediately.  We talked
about school, classes, football, and of course - sex.

   Beers were passed around the circle.  Penny and I took one each.  Liz
didn't.  I was pleased when Andy passed too.  Lowered inhibitions thanks to
the alcohol mixed with our on going discussion of sex got the couples
exploring each other.

   Couples started off kissing and warmed up after that.  Couples started
disappearing.  Liz and Josh were making out like there was no tomorrow. 
Andy and Lauren were heating up.  Penny and I concentrated on each other,
using our tongues to explore each others mouths.

   Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lauren pull Andy up and lead him away
from the group.  So much for Andy keeping his dick in his pants tonight. 
Penny pushed me on my back and laid on top of me.  She rubbed herself on my
erection as we kissed.

   I whispered, "We better stop if you don't want a mess."

   Penny stood and pulled me up.  "By all means let's go.  I wouldn't want
you firing off too soon."

   I glanced back at Liz and Josh.  They were happily kissing while Josh
had both hands under her shirt feeling her titties.  They seemed safe
enough.

   Penny and I disappeared to the south again.  We went behind the same
dune we used for privacy last night.  We almost bumped into Rob and Missy.
They were naked, Rob on top with Missy's legs split wide open and pinned
against his shoulders.  He was boffing her vigorously.  Penny and I beat a
hasty retreat without attracting notice.

   We found privacy further down the beach behind another dune.  We put our
towels down.  Penny pushed me to the ground and pulled my shorts down.  She
licked my cock and then sucked it into her mouth.  I only lasted a couple
minutes before Penny sucked a big load of cum out of my balls.

   Penny lay down and I got between her legs for some pussy licking.  I
brought my lover to climax three times with my tongue and fingers.  I was
hard as steel after that.  Penny begged for my cock.  I pushed her ankles
up over my shoulders and drove my hard cock into Penny's tunnel.

   I pumped in and out of her for quite awhile.  I started with long slow
strokes, but Penny kept urging me to go faster and harder.  Penny's second
orgasm during our coupling sent me over the edge.  I pumped my semen into
my lover's pussy until it overflowed.

   We needed some time to recover, which we spent cuddling and kissing. 
Both of us knew how busy we would be when we went home after this weekend.
Penny wanted me to do her again doggie style since we wouldn't have many
opportunities during the school week.

   Penny and I were tired but satisfied when we returned to the campfire
circle.  I looked around for Liz and Andy.  Neither was at the campfire. 
My temper rose quickly, too quickly.

   "When I get my hands on that little bastard, I'm going to..." I growled.

   Penny put her arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards her. 
"Sshhhh... Liz is OK.  Don't worry."

   "That KID is out there somewhere.  He just wants to stick his dick in my
sister.  I need to..." I protested vehemently.

   "No!  You don't.  Liz and I had a long talk before we went to sleep last
night.  She is on the pill.  She'll be fine.

   "I don't want that Josh kid to break her heart."

   "She isn't going to let a summer fling do that."

   I asked, "Summer fling?"

   "Liz knows that is all Josh can be.  They live too far apart for her to
expect anything serious to develop.  She is learning about boys without
needing to worry about a serious commitment.  I know about summer flings. I
had one too."

   "When was this?" I asked.

   "Three years ago.  I met this really cute kid, Keith, up at Raystown.  I
had just been introduced to the pleasures of making out a few weeks earlier
by a boy I was with in Canada." I bristled when I heard about her kissing a
boy in Canada three years ago.  I thought she was mine back then.  "You
remember that last night on Opeongo?  I learned that kissing could be fun."
I relaxed again when I realized the boy was me.  "I wanted to kiss a lot
more but you never called me to arrange our date.  I was pretty frustrated
by Labor Day weekend.  I met Keith that weekend.  He was a really cute boy
our age from Pittsburgh.  We spent the weekend learning the finer points of
kissing and making out.  I knew it was only for a weekend.  I had fun and
learned a lot.  That is all Liz is doing with Josh."

   "What if the little bastard gets Liz all worked up and then sweet talks
his way into her pants?"

   "He's thirteen.  He isn't going to sweet talk your sister into anything.
Nothing bad is going to happen to Liz.  We talked about first times too
last night.  I told her how special my first time was with a guy I loved.
Still love actually.  She is going to wait until she finds love the way I
did.  Liz is fine."

   I calmed down mostly.  Liz and Josh came back a few minutes later.  Liz
was clearly relaxed and happy.  She and Josh cuddled together at the fire.
It was almost time to go back to camp when Andy and Lauren finally
reappeared.

   Liz, Penny, Andy and I said our good byes at 10:40 and walked back to
our campsite.  We checked in with Mom and Dad and headed for bed.  When we
were in bed Andy said, "Lauren is on the pill.  I was safe sleeping with
her.  I couldn't get her pregnant."

   "I'm sure Crystal will be glad to hear that." I answered.

   "Crystal..." Andy sighed.

   "You need to get your act together.  You're out of control and heading
for a disaster." I said.

   "I don't think so Kyle.  I'll be all right."

   "I'm just trying to warn you about what I see.  It's your life."

   Andy and I went to sleep.  I found out from Penny in the morning where
my sister and Josh had gone.  Penny explained, "You sister was bursting to
tell me about last night.  It seems she and Josh wanted a little privacy
last night for a little bit more exploring.  Josh got to see his first set
of naked breasts.  Liz found out just how good it feels to have a boy play
with them.  Josh also had his first hand job complements of Liz.  The two
of them apparently really enjoyed this weekend."

   I sighed.  "Worrying about my little sister is driving me crazy.  What
am I going to be like when I'm a dad?"

   "I have confidence in you Kyle.  You'll probably handle things the same
way as your father; with patience."

   "I guess." I answered.

   We managed to fit in a couple volleyball games and a swim with the
Langs, the Pattons, the Randolphs and the rest of our West Virginia
friends. The trip home marked the end of the summer; my last one as a kid.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   The rest of the week went by quickly.  We practiced every day in our new
stadium.  Coach Caffrey prepared us to face the veer offense on Friday
night when we played LS.  Hopefully we were preparing for the right
opponent.

   Penny and I studied together every night.  It worked last year.  Both of
us wanted to show our academic potential this year and pull straight A's.

   Friday at school I congratulated our first year starters when I when I
saw them in the halls or at lunch.  Coach Caffrey walked us through our
game plan after school and dismissed us early for dinner.  Andy rode back
to school with me after dinner.  We dressed in our new locker room in the
stadium.  The facilities were excellent.  The team warmed up in the stadium
and then returned to the locker room for our final preparations.  This year
we didn't need to wait for the JV game to end.  They were using our old
field now.

   The school board decided to start our season by dedicating the stadium
before our first game.  Dr.  Hoffman, our school superintendent, Geoffrey
Walter, school board president, and Dr.  Shaeffer, our principal, came to
the center of the field and stood on the platform.  They called Mr.  and
Mrs.  Harrison, and Gary Harrison along with Coach Caffrey, Ed, Jeremy, Hal
and me to the platform.

   I rubbed the black number 82 patch on my left sleeve.  We had received
special permission from the PIAA to wear the patch in Greg's memory for the
season.  The dignitaries spoke for a couple minutes and then cut the ribbon
across the stage.  Dr.  Hoffman announced that the Harrison Memorial
Stadium was officially open.  One of the maintenance men pulled the cover
off the sign below the press box so everyone could see the sign naming the
stadium after our teammate and friend Greg Harrison.

   The near capacity crowd rose in tribute to our friend and teammate. 
Coach Caffrey announced that we were dedicating our season to Greg's
memory. All of us got to shake hands with the Harrisons.  I told Mrs. 
Harrison, "I know Greg's in heaven looking down on us now.  We'll make him
proud of us."

   She answered, "I know he is Kyle.  You boys do your best.  You were
always a good friend to Greg."

   I glanced around.  Ed, Jeremy and Hal all were struggling to hold back
the tears.  I understood.  It took all my control not to cry.  I shook
Greg's brother Gary's hand.  "I guess this is a heck of a way to remember
your brother."

   Gary sighed, "I'd rather have Greg back."

   "I know.  I would too.  We both need to carry on and keep his memory
alive in us." I said.

   "My mom and dad keep telling me the same thing."

   "I'm going to always wear this patch when I play football.  I won't ever
forget Greg."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I appreciate all the help you've given me this year.  Go
kick LS's butts tonight." Gary asked.

   "You bet!"

   Coach, Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I headed back to the sidelines.  The
maintenance people dismantled the platform so we could play some football.
Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I took our place at the center of the field with LS's
team captains.  They called tails.  The ref flipped the coin and it came up
tails.

   Hal kicked off to LS.  Our kick cover team tackled the returner at their
27 yard line.  LS didn't surprise us with their play calling in the
beginning.  The first six plays were all runs, usually to the outside. 
Kenny Weaver, a junior starting at right outside linebacker and Jim
Griffin, a sophomore starting at left outside linebacker, were starting
their first game.  The first two plays were wide runs to our right.  Kenny
was a little too excited.  He over pursued on both plays and was blocked
out of the play when the runner cut back towards the center of the field.
LS did the same thing to Jim on the next play.  Jeremy and Dylan, our
strong safety, had to chase the runner down from behind.

   The seventh play blew me away.  It looked like run up the middle. 
Jeremy, Jim and Kenny closed in on the tailback when I realized we were
being suckered with play action.  Seth and Brett had moved closer to the
line of scrimmage to support the run too.  A wide receiver blew by them and
hauled a pass in.  Mike `Tex' Johansen sprinted across the field and
tackled the receiver before he could score a touchdown.  LS had the ball at
our 8 yard line.  LS used three more runs to punch the ball into the end
zone.  With the successful PAT the score was 7-0 LS.

   Previous years they couldn't pass to save their lives.  Things certainly
had changed.  My friends weren't worried.  We could make up the points
easily.

   Brett Fulmer doubled as our kick returner.  He carried the kick off back
to our 29 yard line.  Ed led us onto the field confidently.  We ran to the
off tackle left twice.  Drew made good yards behind Jamaal Green, our left
tackle, Ian Meyers, our fullback and Brian Taylor our sophomore left guard.
It was third down and two yards to go and also time to remind LS about our
ability to go deep with the ball.  I sprinted downfield at the snap.  I
blew by the cornerback before he could react.  The free safety bit on a
stutter step I gave him.  Twenty-five yards downfield I turned to catch
Ed's pass.  It wasn't there.  I saw Ed flee out of bounds on the opposite
side of the field from me chased by a couple defensive lineman.  We punted
the ball back to LS.

   LS ran at us again, seven times in a row.  Kenny and Jim were fooled by
LS's misdirection too often.  LS always had at least one blocker on Jeremy
to keep him from the ball carrier.  Coach Graham finally was forced to
cheat our secondary up closer to the line.  LS burnt us again with another
play action pass.  This one ended with a touchdown when Brett slipped and
couldn't tackle the receiver.  Score: 14-0 LS

   We started our second possession off with a quick pass to Andy in the
flat.  He turned it into a twelve yard gain.  Drew went to work running the
ball.  I caught a pass on a crossing route to give us a first down.  Andy
caught a twelve yard pass on the next play, only to see it called back by a
holding call on Dan Fenstermacher, our right guard.  We surprised LS by
handing the ball to Ian Myers, our fullback.  He picked up five of the
yards we lost on the penalty.  We tried passing on the next down, but LS
sacked Ed before he could get the pass off.  Ed tried to get the ball to me
on third and seventeen but the pressure was too much.  He threw it away. 
We punted back to LS.

   Our defense finally managed to stop LS after seven plays on their third
drive.  LS punted the ball away from Andy so he couldn't get a good punt
return.  Coach Caffrey used a roll out by Ed to get extra time.  He fired
the ball downfield to me for a 32 yard gain.  Drew had a six yard run up
the middle.  He did it again, but the play was called back on a false start
penalty.  Adam Diem, our center and offensive line signaler chewed out Adam
Bell, the right guard for his blunder.  We moved the ball by fits and
starts.  We moved the ball with a couple good plays followed by a
boneheaded one.  We managed to get to their fifteen yard line before Ed was
sacked on third and ten.  Hal booted a thirty-five yard field goal.  Our
celebration was cut short when we saw the damned yellow flag on the field.
The ref called holding on our offensive line!

   Hal's a good kicker, but a forty-five yard field goal is usually too far
in high school football.  That's an iffy kick for an NFL kicker.  High
school kickers seldom make it.  Hal got lucky, he barely squeaked the ball
inside the left upright.  Score: 14-3 LS.

   LS stuck to their game plan - a lot of running with misdirection to keep
our linebackers guessing.  Keep the ball away from Jeremy in the middle so
he couldn't make many plays.  Burn us on play action passes when we
tightened up our defense to stop the run.  Their new coach had a brilliant
game plan.  They stuffed the ball in the end zone one more time in the
first half to bring the score to 21-3 their favor.

   My friends and I were pretty ticked off when we hit the locker room. 
Coach Caffrey was at his absolute best.  He calmly explained the
adjustments he had planned for us.  We would go with more roll outs to get
Ed away from the defensive pressure, limit the pass plays to shallower
routes.  We would try to connect on timing routes where we would make the
tackler miss and gain more yards after the catch.  Our offense would have
to be up-tempo to keep LS off balance.

   Coach Fisher met with the offensive line to help them recognize
situations so they could avoid all the penalties.  Coach Wyndham met with
Jeremy, Jim and Kenny to discuss linebacking responsibilities.  Jeremy
needed to get off his block while Kenny and Jim had to stay in position so
they could stop the cutback runs.

   Coach Caffery's analysis was dead on.  We took the field and went to
work.  Drew ran behind blocks by Jamaal, Brian and Adam Diem on the left
side for good gains.  Ed hit Andy and me in stride on the pass plays.  We
managed to only have one false start on the drive.  I scored a touchdown on
a ten yard pass when the free safety missed the tackle and I ran twenty-two
more yards for the end zone.  Hal made the PAT.  Score: 21-10.

   We managed to stop LS after a long drive without them scoring any
points. They punted the ball away from Andy again so he couldn't return it.
We started at our own 18 yard line.  We kept LS's defense off balance with
our up tempo offense.  We scored again to narrow our deficit to 21-17.

   LS scored on their next possession and we answered with a touchdown in
response.  Our defense contested LS's next drive.  Things blew up when Seth
and Brett fell for the play action pass again.  LS scored to bring the
score to 35-24 LS.

   The game had 3:40 left.  We ran our hurry up offense well, scoring with
1:42 left on the clock.  This brought the score to 35-31 LS's favor.  Coach
Caffrey called for the "hands team" for an on-side kick try.
Ed, Andy, Pete, Jason, Jonathan, Brett, Tex, Seth, Drew and I joined Hal
on the field.  Hal bounced the ball seven yards down field.  Andy and I
were closest to the ball and pursued it but couldn't reach it before it
bounced right into the chest of one of LS's defenders.  He caught it and

dropped to the ground.  LS ran the clock out to win the game 35-31.

   Coach Caffrey gathered our group of very unhappy players in the locker
room after the game was over.  He said, "I'm proud of you men.  I know it's
disappointing to lose tonight but take pride in what you accomplished in
the second half.  Our problems are minor.  We'll work on them in the next
week and get them fixed.  I warned all of you that every week we'll play
teams looking to beat the state champions.  Unfortunately for us, our team
today isn't the state championship team.  That team is history.  Most of
you were part of that team, but this team is not the same as last year's
team.  The fifty-three of you need to build a legacy of your own this year.
Relax this weekend and come back Monday ready to work.  We'll fix the
things that didn't work and we'll come back ready for next week's game
against the Tulpehoken Raiders."

   I had 9 receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns.  It was good work
for one evening.  I didn't feel much pride in it.  I wanted us to win more
than I wanted gaudy stats for myself.  Andy scored the other touchdown on 7
receptions for 73 yards.  That wasn't bad for the number two receiver on
our team.  We needed to do much better in the future.

   Chapter 28

   ==========

   I borrowed our tapes of the Tulpehoken Raiders and watched them again on
Saturday afternoon.  The Raiders had three losing seasons previous to
starting out 0-1 this year.  Their passing game looked very simplistic.  I
couldn't be sure after Friday night, but they didn't look like they should
challenge us.

   Zack Hayes called me on Sunday afternoon.  As soon as I answered Zack
asked, "What the hell happened?  How could you guys lose to LS?"

   "A lot of little things - too many penalties, inexperienced linebackers
and LS has a new coach." I went on to explain the details of Friday night's
loss.

   Zack said, "I'm happy to see you played well Kyle."

   "It wasn't well enough.  We lost." I countered.

   "What?  You scored three touchdowns and had like 9 or 10 receptions for
130 some yards.  That is going to open some eyes around the country."

   I answered, "9 for 137 yards."

   "You haven't made a commitment to USC have you?"

   "No, but it's the best offer I have.  I can see myself accepting Coach
Carroll's offer."

   Zack asked, "What do you need to come up here to State College?"

   "A scholarship offer would be a start.  I'm not going to be a walk-on. I
know that."

   "Keep playing the way you did Friday night.  Scholarship offers will
take care of themselves."

   "I guess." I said unsurely.

   "Would you really go across the country to play at USC?"

   "I think so.  I really like their quarterback.  He's a really nice guy.
We hit it off.  He's a good QB too."

   "Everyone says that about Jared Dillard.  He's a senior.  You wouldn't
be playing with him."

   "I know that.  I was talking about his back up, Brady Rasmussen.  Brady
is a sophomore like you."

   "Would you like to play with me again?" Zack asked, not sounding like
his usual confident self.

   "Of course I'd like to play with you again." I answered.

   "Good.  You should come to Penn State Kyle.  You and I know each other
already.  You go anywhere else; you'll need time to get to know the QB.  If
you come to Penn State, you'll be a step or two ahead of the other
freshman. I know you already.  I know I can count on you when I put the
ball up.  That trust take time to develop."

   "I know it does." I finally got around to Zack's game.  "I watched you
on ESPN2 yesterday while I was getting ready for my date."

   "Did you?  It wasn't anything.  Phil piled on the points in the first
three quarters.  Cincinnati didn't have a chance."

   I asked, "You guys are 3-0 right?"

   "Yes.  We have a tough game next week.  We have our first Big Ten game
and it's against Ohio State at their stadium."

   "Good luck with that." I said.  We finished the phone call with that.

  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Caffrey didn't get mad at our team for losing the first game the
way I expected.  He and the other coaches were completely businesslike
during practice after school every day.  Coach Fisher drilled the offensive
lineman to help eliminate their mistakes.  Coach Wyndham helped Jeremy work
with Jim and Kenny to improve their play at linebacker.

   Our first Venturer Crew meeting of the year was that week.  We elected
Mark Good to be president for the year.  All my friends my age were too
busy running something else, or had already been crew president.  It was
time for the younger people in the crew to run things.  We also began
planning for our fall trip; a bike trip along the C&O Canal in Maryland the
second weekend in October.

   Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the first team offense practiced against
the second team defense and the first team defense practiced against the
second team offense.  Thursday Coach Caffrey had the first teams scrimmage
against each other.  Ed threw all our misdirection plays at Jeremy's
defense.  The defense held their own against us; no more people out of
position on each play.  Our defensive line stunted and blitzed the offense.
Our offensive line kept their cool and handled it all.  We looked a
thousand times better than the previous week.

   Thursday evening Coach Carroll from USC called me to see how things were
going.  He knew about my stats against LS.  He asked me for my analysis of
what went wrong in the game against LS.  He told me about USC's first two
games, both big wins against weak Pac-10 teams.  Coach Carroll concluded
the call by telling me to keep up the good work.

   Our fans nearly filled our stadium on Friday night.  Tulpehoken would
have done better to have stayed home.  The video accurately reflected their
capabilities.  Our team won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball.

   The cornerback who covered me just stared at the crowd as we waited for
the snap on the first play.  Our crowd intimidated him.  He proved to be
too slow and too inexperienced to cover me.  Ed pretty much had his choice
of open receivers to throw to on every play.

   The defense was respectable against our first few running plays.  We
chose to continue passing.  Ed threw three touchdowns to me in the first
half.  Drew ran for another.

   Our defense had to work harder.  The Raiders had a decent running game.
Jim and Kenny did better at playing their assignments but still missed more
tackles than we would have liked.  The Raiders scored on us twice in the
first half.

   The coaches worked with our linebackers during halftime.  They did
better in the second half.  We shut down their running game to start the
second half.  They punted the ball back to us.  Andy broke through their
coverage and scored a touchdown.  Our defense stopped them in four plays. I
caught a deep pass and ran the ball in for my fourth touchdown of the
evening on the next play.  Drew caught another touchdown before Coach
Caffrey mercifully pulled our offensive starters.

   Coach Caffrey substituted our second string defensive line and put Corey
Brown in at middle linebacker in Jeremy's place.  We kept Jim, Kenny and
our secondary in to give them more experience.  Seth Vogel took over
calling defenses from Jeremy.

   We teed off on their quarterback now that we had a 42-14 lead.  The
lineman harassed their quarterback.  Our secondary did a great job.  Mike
`Tex' Johansen was excellent.  He picked off two interceptions in the
second half.  The receiver he covered never touched the ball all game.

   Jake Kring threw Andy another touchdown when he came in as our third
receiver late in the third quarter.  We only have four wide receivers on
the roster along with two tight ends.  Marcus Shaeffer bulled the ball
ahead to run the clock out in the fourth quarter.  Hal kicked field goals
both times when we ran out of field.  The final score was 48-17.

   The win was a relief but wasn't particularly satisfying.  The Raiders
weren't good enough to take great pride in the final score.  Our offensive
line played better but still had three off-sides penalties in the game. 
Our outside linebackers played better too.  The game looked good on paper.
We still had a lot of work to do before we played Central or any of the
elite teams we hoped to see in the playoffs.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   Penn State pulled off a surprise 34-21 victory over Ohio State on
Saturday evening.  Zack Hayes didn't play.  Phil DiStefano carried the load
the entire game.  Penn State started the season ranked at number 12 in the
country.  Their first three victories moved them up to 9th.  Penn State had
moved up to 4th on Monday when the polls were released.

   Drew McCormick made an official visit to West Virginia the weekend after
we pounded the Raiders.  He returned to school on Monday all psyched up. 
The coaches wowed him.  They offered him a scholarship.  Drew's dad
wouldn't let him accept yet.  He wanted Drew to see more colleges before he
made a decision.

   Coach Caffrey warned me that he was getting a lot of inquiries from
major colleges about me.  I mentally prepared myself for more phone calls
if I could keep up the way I started in the first two games.

   Penny and I spent most of our evenings together studying.  Sometimes we
were at my house, sometimes we were at her house.  The time after school
before dinner was for football.  Friday nights were football nights. 
Saturday nights was time for the two of us to be together.  I never
insisted we meet with the football team the way I had in tenth grade. 
Penny usually wanted to meet up with them anyway.  All our closest friends
were there now.

   Our parents moved our curfew back to midnight.  Most Saturday evenings
we found somewhere with privacy after the movie to share our bodies with
each other.  Andy and Crystal spent as much time together as they could
too. Liz managed about a date every other weekend; sometimes with Cody
Stevens, sometimes with other eighth graders.

   Week 3's game was in southern Lancaster County at the Drumore Tiger's
field.  I was looking forward to seeing Dustin Carter again.  We had kept
in touch since camp ended.  I knew he was starting at cornerback.  His
coach was impressed with how much he improved since he played JV last year.

   Our team practiced hard during the week even though we had blown out the
Tigers last season 59-7.  We scrimmaged again on Thursday afternoon.  `Tex'
Johansen actually managed to knock down a couple passes intended for me. 
The offensive line went the whole scrimmage without a penalty.  My team was
confident when we headed south for our game on Friday night.

   Ed, Andy and I met Dustin during warm ups before the game started and
talked for a few minutes.  We wished him luck when we went back to the
locker room.  Dustin needed luck that night.

   Drumore won the coin toss.  They actually managed to score first, a
field goal.  We answered their drive with our first touchdown, a long pass
that Dustin couldn't stop me from catching.  I scored another, Andy scored
two and Drew ran for one and caught a second touchdown before the half was
over.  We led 42-10 at half time.  Coach Caffrey pulled the first string in
the second half.  We were content to run the time off the clock in the
second half.  Andy scored another touchdown on a punt return in the second
half.  The final score for the game was 49-17.

   I felt bad for Dustin.  He was going to have a long season.  He played
well against Jason Harting.  His coverage skills were good as long as he
could keep up with the receiver.  Ed and I told him to keep working at
football after the game was over.  We promised to keep in touch until next
summer when we all planned to work at scout camp again.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   I wondered how many games it would take for college coaches to realize
that my knee was healed.  I found out the answer was three games.  I had
two phone messages when I got home from scouts on Monday night.  The first
was from Coach Burton, the offensive coordinator at Penn State.  The second
was from Randy Shannon, head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.  It was too
late to call that night so I figured I'd call back on Tuesday after dinner.
I was relieved to finally know that other schools wanted me too.

   Tuesday evening I called Coach Shannon first.  We talked for a few
minutes.  I thanked him for calling but indicated that I wasn't interested
in playing for the Hurricanes.  I was nervous as I placed the second call.
I definitely was interested in playing for the Nittany Lions.

   I dialed the number Coach Burton left.  A lady answered the phone.  I
asked, "This is Kyle Martin calling.  Could I speak with Coach Burton
please?"

   "I'll get Bob for you." The lady replied.  I supposed she was Coach
Burton's wife.

   "Hello Kyle!  Good evening.  How are you doing?" Coach Burton said when
he got on the phone.

   "I'm fine sir."

   "Good.  I'm glad you called.  I've been looking forward to talking with
you since our discussion in June.  Are you interested in playing for Penn
State?" Coach Burton asked.

   "You aren't talking preferred walk-on again, are you?"

   Coach Burton laughed.  "No.  I'd like to invite you and your parents to
come up to State College for an official visit.  The coaching staff is
satisfied that you are fully recovered from your knee injury.  Coach
Paterno and I would like to tell you more about our program, our emphasis
on academics, and plans for the future.  It's a future that I think you
should be a part of."

   "Are you offering me a scholarship?"

   "That is the direction we are headed.  I want you and your parents to
understand the Penn State program.  I want this to be a good fit for you
and a good fit for us.  Would you be able to visit on October 25th & 26th?"
Coach Burton asked.

   "I think so.  My dad and I are keeping our weekends free this fall while
I make my decision about what college I want to attend.  I'll check with my
dad and have him confirm it with you."

   "That would be fine Kyle.  We have a few other recruits visiting that
weekend.  We plan to take you to our game on Saturday afternoon.  After
dinner you will meet with the coaching staff and the some of the team.  You
and your dad can find out what Penn State has to offer a prospective
student/athlete.  How does that sound?"

   "It sounds good Coach.  I'm looking forward to it." I replied.  "Coach,
could I ask you a personal question?"

   "That depends, what is it?"

   "Was that your wife who answered the phone when I called?"

   Coach Burton laughed.  "I'm still at the office.  That was Becky.  She's
one of the grad students who help out around the office in the evenings. 
It's only 7:00 o'clock.  I'll be at the office for a couple more hours this
evening before I go home."

   "I didn't realize you spent that much time at work.  How do you do it?"

   "I love football Kyle.  I also have a very understanding wife at home."

   I said, "Thanks for asking me to visit.  I'm looking forward to it."

   "I'm looking forward to hearing from your dad.  Thanks for calling
Kyle."

   I forgot to ask Coach Burton one thing.  Who was Penn State playing?  I
checked on line.  Of course, it was USC.  Jared Dillard had told me about
this game.  I was going to watch two of the teams recruiting me play each
other.  That was going to be interesting.  Dad confirmed the visit to Penn
State.  It was set for October 25th & 26th.

   I received one more call from a coach that week.  I was in my room
studying with Penny when Mom called upstairs and said there was a Coach
Miles on the phone.  I picked up and said, "Hello?"

   "Kyle?  This is Les Miles, head coach at the Louisiana State University.
Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

   "Sure."

   "I'm recruiting one of your teammates, Ed Fritz.  Your high school coach
sent me tapes of your first three games.  I watched them.  Ed is an
outstanding quarterback."

   "Yes he is.  I have to tell you though, I'm prejudiced.  Ed's my best
friend."

   "Is he?  That's nice.  It helps explain some of the chemistry between
the two of you.  I was very impressed by your play when I watched the
tapes. That's why I'm calling.  The recruiting services have you
underrated. You're one of the best receivers I've seen this fall."

   "Thank you sir."

   "Ed and his family are coming down in a couple weeks to visit our
campus. I'd like to invite you and your family to come along with them. 
Would you be interested in coming?"

   "Possibly.  Could I talk with my Dad and get back to you?" I asked.

   "Certainly.  That would be fine.  Thanks for taking the time to talk
with me Kyle."

   "It's no problem.  I was just studying with my girlfriend."

   Coach Miles chuckled.  "I remember seventeen.  I never could get much
studying done when I was with my girlfriend."

   "We're well behaved, mostly.  We've been studying together for a year.
It helps us.  Both of us are getting straight A's since we started."

   "That's impressive.  Thanks again for talking with me Kyle.  I hope to
hear back from you.  Good evening." Coach Miles said.  He hung up the
phone.

   Louisiana State University?  I certainly hadn't thought about going
there before.  Penny and I checked them out on the web.  I was impressed
with the information I found.  The Tigers liked to use multiple offensive
sets.  They have a good running game.  They ran about 55% of the time. 
That's pretty well balanced.  Their offense is very explosive.  They could
be a good fit for me.

   I told Dad about the call.  He called Coach Miles back and arranged for
the two of us to fly down to Baton Rouge on October 11-12th.  Ed was
delighted to hear I was going with him to LSU when he came over to train
that evening.

   -----------------------------------------------------

   Friday's game was against Eastern High School.  Last year their defense
had managed to slow us down during the game.  They lost too many defensive
starters since last year.  Add that to the fact that we played the game at
our stadium and Eastern had no chance that night.  Drew ran for 127 yards
in the first half.  I scored two touchdowns to go with Drew's two.  Andy
scored another.  Coach Caffrey benched the starters, except the offensive
line, at half time.  Jake Kring went to work in the second half.  Marcus
Shaeffer, Cameron Ellis and Ian Myers carried ball in the second half and
piled up over two hundred yards rushing.  The final score was 52-10.

   After the game I wondered how a team could keep playing football when
their efforts were so obviously futile.  This was Eastern's sixth year with
a football program.  They had only won seven games total in that time.  The
only explanation I could find for such a record of failure was poor
leadership.

   The Wolverines were lucky to have Coach Caffrey.  Eastern adjoins our
school district.  If I lived a few miles to the northeast, I would have
attended their high school.  I wouldn't have been fielding athletic
scholarship offers if I lived there.  I probably wouldn't even have played
football if I'd had to put up with a record like theirs.

   College football featured two premium games that Saturday afternoon.  #3
USC was playing #7 Notre Dame on ABC at the same time #5 Penn State played
#4 Wisconsin on NBC.  I flipped back and forth between the two channels,
trying to catch as much of both games as I could.  USC bested Notre Dame
31-27 with a come-from-behind fourth quarter drive led by Jared Dillard.

   Phil DiStefano turned what was supposed to be a close game against
Wisconsin into a rout.  Coach Paterno pulled Phil when the score reached
31-3 in the third quarter.  Zack Hayes took over the offense.  Penn State
tried pounding the ball at Wisconsin, but couldn't move their big offensive
line.  Zack ended up using short passes to keep clock eating drives going.
Zack and the offense scored another 10 points to bring the final score to
41-10.

   #1 Florida lost unexpectedly to #24 Auburn that day.  When the polls
came out on Monday Michigan moved up to the top spot, followed by USC and
then Penn State.  LSU climbed to #5 in the polls.

   Jeremy North did his official visit to Penn State that weekend.  Jeremy
was leaning towards Notre Dame, but revised his thinking after meeting
Coach Paterno and the Nittany Lion linebackers.  He switched from "leaning
towards Notre Dame" to "undecided".

   We prepared for the Sadsbury Chiefs the next week.  We had beaten them
handily the past three years.  They were breaking in a sophomore at
quarterback.  I expected our secondary would be able to take advantage of
his inexperience.

   The game was an away game.  We won the coin toss.  I caught a touchdown
on the eighth play in spite of a false start penalty and a holding penalty
on the drive.  The Chiefs had carefully studied how LS beat us.  They ran
wide, trying to take advantage of Kenny's and Jim's inexperience.  They
managed to drive down the field far enough to score a field goal.

   We made too many mistakes in the first half, usually penalties.  We
still managed to score a second touchdown in the half.  Eastern managed to
score a touchdown too.  We went into the locker room ahead 14-10.  The
coaches reviewed what they wanted with the offensive line and linebackers
during half time.

   Jeremy, Austin Herr and Travis Hall fired up the rest of the defense. 
Austin and Travis were defensive ends and seniors like Jeremy, Ed and me.
We took the field expecting to improve our poor first half performance.

   We shut down the Chiefs in the second half.  Jamaal Green and Adam
managed to calm down Dan, Adam and Brian on the offensive line.  Our
offense finally ran like designed.  I scored two more touchdowns to go with
Andy's two.  We ended up winning 42-10.

   Hal was excited when the game was over.  He and his parents were heading
to the University of Maryland to visit.  This would be the first of his two
college visits.

   Sunday morning I checked the newspaper.  Penn State, USC and LSU all won
their games the previous day.  Penn State played Indiana.  They absolutely
destroyed them.  Phil DiStefano only played one half.  Zack Hayes filled
his spot in the second half.  One of the sports columnists speculated on
how the USC vs.  Penn State showdown in three weeks would go.  He also
projected that the Michigan/Penn State game on November 8th would determine
the Big 10 leader and possibly the #1 ranking in the nation if Penn State
could beat USC.

   I received another phone call from a coach after church on Sunday
afternoon.  Coach Lloyd Carr of the Michigan Wolverines called to invite me
to visit the University of Michigan.  I called Dad over to the phone.  We
quickly agreed to visit on November 8th and 9th.  Dad and I high fived
after I hung up the phone.  We would have seats at one of the biggest
college games of the year!

   I really was interested in Michigan.  It was on my short list of schools
I hoped would recruit me.  I had paid attention to Chad Henne's four years
at Michigan.  They had an good program.  They also had developed some
excellent wide receivers play there and then move onto the NFL.  I could
see myself going to college there.  Getting to see Michigan vs.  Penn State
was simply icing on the cake.

   I told Ed my news when he came over Sunday evening to train.  It turned
out he was already scheduled to visit the same weekend.  We were going to
do two official visits together.  That was totally cool!

   Our game six was against the Braves.  The Braves usually played us
tough. I considered them to be the third best team in our league after
Central and us.  We would lose if we screwed around and made dumb penalties
like we had done a couple Friday nights this season.

   Mom made me pack my luggage for my trip to Louisiana on Thursday night.
Dad and I wouldn't have time to do it after the game on Friday night.  We
were going straight to bed when the game was over.  We needed to get up and
head to the airport in the middle of the night in order to catch our 6:10
am flight.  Dad agreed to drive the Fritzes too.

   The whole community was bonkers for our team.  We were expected to keep
blowing out teams the way we had the past for weeks.  They just didn't know
how much work we really needed to be a complete team.  We kept working to
fix our weaknesses.

   The game against the Braves was at our Harrison Field.  The stadium was
nearly filled when we came out for introductions.  The Braves won the coin
toss and elected to receive the ball first.

   The Braves followed the same game plan every team used against us since
LS beat us the first week; lots of outside running with a few play action
passes when our secondary edged closer to the line of scrimmage to help
stop the run.

   The Braves kept us off balance during the whole first drive.  They
needed ten plays to do it, but they managed to move the ball down the field
and score a touchdown on us.  We answered with a sustained drive of our
own. On the sixth play, Ed was to throw a 15 yard timing pass to me.  I
turned to catch the ball and the cornerback collided with me, knocking both
of us over.  The free safety bounded over us and intercepted the ball.  He
sprinted downfield along the sideline.  Ed had a bad angle and couldn't
catch him.  Normally Drew would have run him down but Drew was out in the
flat on the other side of the field.  The free safety carried the ball into
the end zone for another touchdown.

   I looked around for a yellow penalty flag, but there wasn't one.  I
pleaded with the referee for pass interference.  He said that the
cornerback and I had gotten tangled up with each other and it was
incidental contact.  No penalty.  I kept my mouth shut, but it was a bad
call!

   Our team finally settled down.  Ed drove us down the field with a mix of
runs and quick passes.  Ed hit me in the corner of the end zone for a
touchdown on the ninth play of the drive.  Jeremy lectured Jim Griffin and
Kenny Weaver about the importance of staying in their positions.  They
finally started to listen.

   Jeremy's crew turned back the Braves after seven plays.  Andy got a good
punt return.  We managed to sustain our drive until we reached the Brave's
red zone (inside their twenty yard line).  They held us on three
consecutive plays.  We settled for Hal kicking a field goal.  We went into
the locker room at half time down 17-10 to the Braves.

   We accepted the kickoff to start the second half.  We used three runs
and a couple quick passes to draw the defense in closer to the line of
scrimmage.  We called a deep route for both Andy and me on the sixth play.
It would have worked too, except Brian missed his block.  The Braves had a
stunt going.  The defensive tackle stunted outside.  Jamaal (right tackle)
picked him up the way he was supposed to.  The defensive end swing inside.
Brian (right guard) should have picked him up.  Instead Brian helped Adam
(center) block the middle linebacker.  The end blew through our line and
caught Ed before he could take two steps away from the line.  He went for
the ball instead of tackling Ed, knocking the ball loose.

   The Braves blitzed their strong safety too.  Drew tried to pick up the
safety but couldn't make the block in time.  The strong safety scooped the
ball off the ground and headed for our end zone.  Jamaal valiantly lumbered
after the safety, but had no chance to catch him before he scored a
touchdown.  The Braves' successful PAT brought the score to 24-10 their
favor.

   We managed to drive down the field and kick a field goal on the next
drive.  Jeremy kept Jim and Kenny focused on their assignments.  We finally
stopped the Braves.  They punted back to Andy.

   They shut our next drive down after six plays.  We traded punts through
the remainder of the third quarter.  The Braves felt pretty comfortable
with their 11 point lead as they punted the ball to us.

   Coach Caffrey called the offense over before we took the field at the
beginning of the fourth quarter.  He reminded us to calm down.  Now was the
time we demonstrate our team's character.  We took the field
enthusiastically.

   We ran our up-tempo offense.  It put the Braves off balance.  They
played a prevent pass defense to try to slow our offense down.  We pushed
down the field in 12-15 yard gulps.  Their defense tightened up as we
approached their goal line.

   Pete and I ran pass routes that crossed each other.  Pete ran for the
corner of the end zone from his position at the end of the offensive line.
I ran from my wide out spot across the back of the end zone towards the
goal post.  Andy drew the attention of two d-backs on the opposite side of
the end zone.  The coaches expected that the defensive backs would have
trouble keeping track of either Pete or me as we crossed our pass routes.

   The play didn't work was well as we planned.  The backs didn't follow us
the way we expected.  They fell back to particular spots in the end zone
and waited for us.  Neither of us was open the way we expected.  The Braves
pass rush put heat on Ed, so he rolled out to his right.  I paralleled Ed's
move along the back of the end zone.  The back didn't follow me.  I
realized the Braves were using zone coverage.  I stopped half way to the
corner, turned and waved for the ball.  I should be on the seam of the
coverage.  Ed fired the ball into my chest.  The crowd roared their
approval at our touchdown.  Hal booted the point after to bring the score
to 24-20 Brave's favor.

   8˝ minutes remained in the game.  The Braves took the kick off and
started down the field.  Our defense busted their tails trying to slow the
Brave's drive, but they were getting tired.  They had been on the field too
long.  The Braves took four minutes to drive down the field and stuff the
ball into our end zone.  Score: 31-20 Braves

   We took the field down 11 points with four minutes to play.  We used our
up-tempo offense again to drive down the field.  Six passes and one run
moved us from our 23 yard line down to the Brave's 11 yard line.  Ed
launched a ball to the corner of the end zone for me.  I attracted three
defenders.  I leapt as high as possible and managed to grab the ball.  I
took a couple elbows to the ribs as I landed but I kept my hands on the
ball.  The crowd screamed in relief.  Hal kicked the PAT successfully. 
Score: 31-27 Braves.
Coach Caffrey had the `hands team' line up for the obvious on-sides kick
off.  We had practiced this every week since we tried it in our first game.
We added Jeremy, Dylan and Jim Griffin to the kick off team.  Their job was
to get downfield ahead of the ball to block the Braves out of the way. 
Andy, Drew and I were designated to grab the ball as soon as it had

traveled ten yards and was "live" for us.

   The kick went exactly as we practiced it.  Jeremy and his blockers
knocked the Brave's defenders out of our way.  Drew reached the ball first.
He couldn't handle it so he tipped it to me.  I dropped on it, covering it
with my body just as two Braves collided with me.  I kept possession of the
ball.

   We had 1:32 left to score a touchdown for the win.  The Braves surprised
us by blitzing instead of playing prevent defense.  Ed coolly dumped the
ball off to Pete who had run a short pass route.  Pete carried the ball ten
yards downfield and ran out of bounds.

   Coach Caffrey correctly anticipated the Brave's blitz on the next play.
Ed looped the ball out to Drew on a screen pass.  Drew picked up 27 yards
before he was tackled.  Ed called a time out.  The Braves were off balance,
finally!  We used me as a decoy on the next play.  I sprinted downfield,
drawing three defenders with me.  Andy broke free of his single coverage
and caught Ed's pass.  Andy ran out of bounds after a 22 yard gain.

   We had first down on the Brave's 22 yard line.  We had 34 seconds left
in the game and two time outs.  Coach Caffrey lulled the Braves with a draw
straight up the middle of their defense.  Drew moved the ball to the
sixteen yard line.  Ed called our second time out.

   We lined up in a power running formation with everyone except Andy and
me lined up close to the ball.  At the snap Ed faked a hand off to Drew,
and dropped back, hiding the ball from the Braves.  I ran for the corner of
the end zone.  The Braves bought Ed's fake, crowding into the center of the
line to stop Drew.  Ed coolly tossed me a high pass over the head of the
only guy defending me.  I landed and held the ball aloft for our fans to
see.  The ovation thundered around the packed stadium.  Hal came in and
kicked the PAT to put us ahead for the first time in the game, 34-31.

   Thirteen seconds remained in the game.  Our special teams coverage
stopped their returner at their 32 yard line.  Their quarterback tried two
Hail Mary passes that landed incomplete to seal our improbable victory. 
The crowd poured onto the field to celebrate the win.  Ed and I were
swamped by the crowds trying to reach us with their congratulations.  What
an awesome night.

   Dad grabbed Ed and I as we celebrated our miraculous victory over the
Braves.  "Let's go heroes.  Get in the locker room and get changed.  We
leave for Baton Rouge at 2:30 tomorrow morning.  You guys need your sleep."

   "You got it Dad." I said.

   "Sure thing Mr.  Martin." Ed added.

   We asked Coach Caffrey to keep the closing remarks short so we could get
home early that night.  Coach accommodated us.  He awarded Ed and me game
balls for our performance that evening and then dismissed us so we could go
home and get a little sleep.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   I tried to ignore my alarm when it rang at 2:00 am.  Dad dragged me out
of bed and shooed me off to the bathroom to get ready.  I was dressed and
down at the mini-van two minutes before our departure.  Ed and Mr.  Fritz
were walking down the sidewalk to our house when I opened the back door to
the mini-van to load our luggage.

   I called dibs on the back seat and promptly went back to sleep.  Ed
sacked out on the middle seat while Dad and Mr.  Fritz talked up front. 
Dad woke Ed and me when we arrived at the airport.  Dad and Mr.  Fritz
checked us in for Delta Flight #935.  We headed for our gate.  The
attendant called for us to board around 5:35.  I made myself comfortable
and was asleep before the plane ever left the boarding gate.

   Dad woke me up just before we landed in Atlanta.  Ed and I grabbed some
breakfast at the McDonalds before we boarded our next flight to Louisiana.
I had a window seat, which was cool.  I listened to my MP3 player on this
leg of the flight.  I finally had enough rest.

   I spotted the Mississippi as the pilot descended for landing.  The land
around the river was so green.  The pilot banked to the left.  A huge oxbow
lake came into view.  The houses on the properties fronting the lake were
long and narrow, fanning out from what had been river.  They were shaped
like slices of pie.  We crossed back over the Mississippi low enough to
make out individual trees and buildings.

   I looked out across the wing at a field full of huge tanks.  I
remembered back to eighth grade geography.  Oil refining and distribution
was a big part of the Louisiana economy.  We touched down seconds later. 
Mr.  Fritz, Dad, Ed and I gathered our carry-ons and headed for baggage
claim.

   A gentleman about Dad's age met us there with a sign marked
"Fritz/Martin".  He introduced himself as Andy Benoit, the Director of
Recruiting Services for LSU Athletics.  He helped us get our luggage loaded
in his van.  We passed another tank farm on the way to the LSU campus. 
Traffic was bumper to bumper on the road.  We passed homes along the way
with lots of trees lining the road.  They looked nice.

   Mr.  Benoit explained, "Today is going to be hectic.  Game days usually
are.  We have 92,000 fans coming in for tonight's game.  It is the first
time Nick Saban, our former coach, has been back to Baton Rouge since he
left to coach in the NFL.  Our game with Alabama last season was an away
game.  It should be an interesting night."

   Mr.  Fritz asked, "Will the coaches have time to talk with us today?"

   "We're meeting Coach Miles, Coach Crowton and Coach McCarthy for lunch.
You can get checked into your rooms at the Cook Hotel after lunch.  I've
lined up student guides to give you a tour of campus after that.  You'll
get a chance to meet some of the team before they start pre-game warm-ups.
We have choice 50 yard line seats for you for the game.  You should enjoy
it."

   Ed said, "It sounds cool."

   I asked, "I know who Coach Miles is.  Who are the other coaches?"

   Mr.  Benoit answered, "Coach Crowton is the offensive coordinator for
the team.  Coach McCarthy is the wide receivers coach."

   The occupants of the car were quiet.  I looked out the window at the
cityscape.  It was much greener than I expected.  It didn't feel like a
city.  I asked, "How big is Baton Rouge?"

   "We have 750,000 residents normally.  The population today will be
considerably higher since our stadium seats 92,000.  All this traffic is
from fans arriving for tonight's game.  Our fans spend hours before the
game tailgating.  You can find wonderful food just wandering the parking
lot before the game.  We Cajuns love our food." Mr.  Benoit explained.  He
pulled off the expressway and turned south on a street along a large lake.

   Mr.  Benoit gave us a running commentary as we followed Dalrymple Drive
along the lake, called University Lake, as we entered campus.  He turned
left onto West Lakeshore Drive and pulled into the parking lot beside the
hotel.  The sign out front said "Lod Cook Alumini Center".  Mr.  Benoit
helped us carry our luggage in and get checked in.  Dad and Mr.  Fritz
decided to share one room and let Ed and me have the other.

   Mr.  Benoit announced, "We need to keep moving.  We are meeting the
coaches at the Faculty Club for lunch in fifteen minutes." We deposited our
luggage in our rooms and followed Mr.  Benoit across campus.  We walked a
couple minutes west until we hit a campus street.  The sign said it was
Raphael Semmes Drive.  I remembered him from my Civil War reading.  He was
a captain and later an admiral in the Confederate Navy.

   We walked along Semmes Drive.  The street was lined with huge oak trees.
We walked two blocks and turned in at the path to a two story tan brick
building with a red roof.  I remembered from my architecture class that
some buildings in the south and southwest used terra cotta tiles on the
roof instead of the asphalt or slate shingles we used in the northeast.

   The Faculty Club was a very ritzy restaurant.  It was crowded with LSU
fans wearing purple and gold.  Mr.  Benoit spoke with the maitre de and
then led us to a small private dining room.  I recognized Coach Miles from
his picture on the LSU Football website.

   Ed was standing in front of me.  Coach Miles grinned and extended his
hand to Ed.  Ed shook it.  "I'm Les Miles."

   Ed answered, "I'm Ed Fritz."

   "I'm glad you came to visit this weekend.  Your uncle and cousin spoke
very highly of you." Coach Miles looked at me.  He extended his hand to me.
We shook.  "You must be Kyle Martin.  Welcome."

   "I am." I answered.  "Thank you for inviting me."

   Coach Miles introduced Coach Crowton and Coach McCarthy to us.  He also
introduced us to two students, April Monroe and Chad Blackburne.  April and
Chad were going to be our student guides for the day.

   April was tall, maybe 5'-10" or 5'-11".  She had blonde shoulder length
hair.  She was thin but well built.  The best word to describe her was
lithe.  She had the look of an athlete.

   Chad was obviously an athlete too.  He was short and stocky.  He
obviously spent a lot of time in the weight room.  He looked powerful. 
Since football team was preparing for a game, he couldn't be a linebacker
and be here.  I guessed he was a wrestler.

   We had seats at the table.  The waitress handed out menus.  Coach Miles
and Coach Crowton encouraged us to try out some of the Cajun specialties. I
chose the Sausage, Shrimp and Chicken Jambalaya.  Ed and my Dad choose the
Red Beans and Rice with Ham and Cornbread.  Mr.  Fritz decided to have the
Crawfish Etouffee.

   Coach Miles launched into his presentation as soon as the waitress left.
"Welcome to Louisiana State University gentlemen.  I am pleased that you
are interested in attending our university.  We have one of the best
football programs in the nation.  We are consistently ranked in the top 10,
year after year."

   Coach Miles went on to describe his football philosophy.  His team is
dedicated to a high performance offense and an aggressive, hard hitting
defense.  He stressed a balanced offense with the runs about 55% of the
plays, passes the other 45% of the plays.  The defense dominated their
opponents.  They usually hold the opposition to less than 100 yards rushing
a game and kept the opposing quarterback to around 50% pass completion
rate. The Tigers usually score more than twice as many points as their
opponents.

   When Coach Miles finished explaining this he asked, "What do you men
think of this?"

   Ed answered first.  "It sounds exciting."

   I added, "This is similar to what we do on our team in high school.  Of
course I'm sure it's more complicated than our high school's offense.  I
like it."

   Coach Miles asked, "Do you feel you you're ready to play with the big
boys?"

   Ed and I both nodded yes.  Coach Miles continued, "I think you're right.
I've watched the tapes of this season's games Ed.  You make excellent
decisions.  You are aware of what is happening on the field.  You have a
strong arm.  You're accurate.  The only downside is that you are a little
on the small side for a quarterback.  How tall are you Ed?"

   "6'-1", 182 pounds." Ed said.

   Coach Miles nodded.  "That's a couple inches shorter than we prefer.  In
spite of that I believe you have all the skills to be a successful Division
I quarterback." Coach Miles looked straight at me.  "Kyle, I don't know how
the recruiters missed rating you last year.  You are the prototype that
Division I schools and the NFL are looking for.  How tall are you - 6'-4"?"

   "I'm 6'-4˝" Coach."

   "I know you're fast.  That stands out on the game video.  Have you been
timed recently on the 40?"

   "I was 4.38 seconds before the first game this season." I answered.

   Coach Miles shook his head.  "4.38?  That's excellent.  You're going to
make a mark wherever you chose to go to school next fall.  One thing I have
learned from your high school coach is that you gentlemen study football
constantly.  He says it's like having a couple coaches on the field during
the game.  Kyle, do your team mates actually call you `Coach'?"

   "They do.  I think it's mostly teasing." I said.

   Ed shook his head no.  "Kyle is being modest.  Kyle helped coach the
receivers and defensive backs last fall when he injured his knee.  Coach
Caffrey said he was a big help.  Our friends call him `Coach' for a reason
- he earned it."

   We talked about football philosophy for a couple more minutes before our
lunch arrived.  My jambalaya was delicious.  Dad said his cornbread was
heavenly.  They sure know how to eat well here.

   Coach Miles offered us Mississippi Mud Cake or Pecan Pie for dessert.  I
choose the pie.  It was delicious.  It sort of reminded me of Shoo Fly Pie
with nuts in it.

   When we finished our dessert Coach Miles said, "We've talked about
nothing but football so far.  It's important, but I want you to know that
we consider academic success important for our student-athletes.  The
university recently renovated the old gymnasium and turned it into an
academic center.  We have computer workstations, private rooms for studying
and one-on-one tutoring, and rooms for group study sessions.  We want every
student-athlete to achieve a high quality education and complete their
degree."

   Mr.  Fritz responded, "That's good to hear."

   Dad added, "I see football as a tool for Ed and Kyle to get a good
education."

   "Absolutely - that's exactly right." Coach Miles glanced at his watch.
He said, "You will have to excuse me and the other coaches.  We have to get
ready for the game.  I'll see both of you before the pre-game warm-ups."

   All of us thanked him for lunch.  It was amazing that he was able to
find an hour of free time to talk with us on game day.  I appreciated him
taking so much time.  Mr.  Benoit thanked us for coming and explained that
he would catch up to us at the stadium before the game.  He and the coaches
headed out.

   April and Chad, our guides, took over from there.  They took us all over
campus.  We visited a couple classrooms, the library, and the Union
building.  The campus was beautiful.  I loved all the oaks and magnolias
scattered around campus.  I knew we were in a big city, but it didn't feel
that way.  It felt comfortable.

   We went to see Mike V, the tiger, before they moved him to the stadium.
Chad and April explained he was the mascot and that he would be at the game
to roar when the team scored.  Mike was getting older and was semi-retired.
He might not roar after every score like he used to, but he was still
important to the students and fans.

   Chad asked, "Do you know where the `Fighting Tigers' nickname for our
team came from?"

   I answered, "Sure.  It's from Wheat's battalion of Louisiana Zoaves at
the start of the Civil War."

   "Um, yes." Chad answered.  He certainly hadn't expected me to volunteer
the correct answer that quickly.  "How'd you know that?"

   "I'm a Civil War buff." I explained.

   "OK.  Do you know who was the first superintendent of our school?" Chad
asked.

   "I have no idea."

   "The school was founded in 1860 as a military academy.  William T. 
Sherman was the first superintendent."

   "General Sherman?  He founded a school in Louisiana the year the war
started?"

   "The very same Sherman." Chad answered.

   Chad and April took us to Broussard Hall.  We had a chance to see Chad's
room.  It looked to be about 14' by 16', a little bigger than the room I
stayed in at Penn State.  There were two beds at the front corners of the
room, heads against the outside wall.  Two desks filled the space between
the beds.  A window allowed the students to look out on the campus from
their desks.  The back wall had a closet and a sink.  The room looked
decent.

   I found out during the tour that my guesses about Chad and April were
only partly correct.  Chad wasn't a wrestler.  He was a catcher on the
baseball team.  LSU didn't have wrestling.  He was a junior.  April was
attending LSU on a tennis scholarship.  She was a senior.

   We continued the campus tour with a stop at the Cox Communications
Academic Center.  It was just as impressive as Coach Miles indicated.  It
would be a pleasure to study there.

   Our last stop on the tour was the Hall of Champions.  The hall showed
all the All-Americans that attended LSU.  The hall had various trophies won
by the athletes, the 2003 National Championship trophy and the 2003 & 2004
SEC trophies.  It also had a wall listing the LSU players who played in the
NFL, team by team.  It was impressive.  I noticed quite a few wide
receivers were on the list.

   April and Chad took us back to the Cook Hotel.  It was 4:00.  We were
bucking the tide of people heading the other direction to the stadium. 
Everyone was dressed in purple and gold.  Chad explained we would have time
to freshen up.  Mr.  Benoit would be back to take us over to the stadium at
4:30 pm.  We thanked April and Chad for their time.
Mr.  Benoit showed up on time.  We walked back across campus, following
the crowd this time.  We watched the parade as the football team walked
down the Victory Hill to the stadium.  He took us to the Boss Locker Room
at the north end of the stadium.  Coach Miles called for everyone to be
quiet and briefly introduced Ed and me as prospective recruits for the
team. Some of the guys waved or called out hello.  We waved back.  Mr. 
Benoit had us stay out of the way in the locker room until the team went
outside for warm-ups.  Ed and I watched the warm-ups.  It didn't seem much

different than what we did back home.

   The warm-ups were nearly done when one of the quarterbacks came over to
introduce himself and talk with us.  He shook Ed's hand and said, "Hey. 
I'm Andre Dugas.  Welcome to LSU.  I understand one of you is a
quarterback.

   Ed smiled and said, "That's me.  Ed Fritz."

   I added, "I'm Kyle Martin.  I play wide receiver."

   We talked for a few minutes.  Andre's a red-shirt freshman, number 3 on
the depth chart at quarterback.  He told us about the Fighting Tigers.  He
seemed like a nice guy.

   Mr.  Benoit took us upstairs to the university box.  The university had
a big spread of food laid out for the university big wigs and guests.  Mr.
Fritz, Dad, Ed and I filled our plates with food and found a quiet corner
to eat.

   It didn't last.  Mr.  Benoit brought his boss, Skip Bertman, to meet us.
He was the athletic director for the college.  He welcomed us to the
university.  Half a dozen members of the Board of Supervisors greeted us
too.  They all encouraged us to choose LSU next year.  The last person to
greet us was Sean O'Keefe, the Chancellor of the university.  It was quite
an experience to meet all these VIP's.

   Mr.  Benoit took us down to the first level of the stadium and helped us
find our seats in Section 103.  We were half a dozen rows behind the LSU
bench.  Ed was shocked when we got to the seats.  His Uncle Dave and cousin
Geoffrey were seated beside us.  David Breaux was married to Ed's mom's
older sister Andrea.  Geoff was in his early twenties.

   Ed exclaimed, "Geoff.  Uncle Dave.  What are you doing here?" Mr.  Fritz
just grinned at Ed.

   Mr.  Breaux (Uncle Dave) replied, "We heard you were in town and thought
we should visit." He laughed.

   Mr.  Benoit explained, "This is your uncle's `finder's fee'.  Dave and
Geoff are the ones who brought you to our attention.  I thought it would be
appropriate for them to join us tonight."

   Dad sat on my left.  Ed sat to my right.  Ed's dad, uncle and cousin sat
to his right.  We settled in just as Mike the Tiger's mobile cage was
pulled around the stadium to the cheers of the fans.  The cheerleaders rode
on top of Mike's cage.  They parked the cage by the door to Alabama's
locker room.  The Tide would have to pass Mike to get to the locker room.

   A group of students dressed in purple and gold sat down in front of us.
They had painted their faces purple and gold.  They looked like die hard
fans.  They eyed Ed and me.  Ed had worn his Phillies hat and T-shirt. 
That probably wasn't the best choice for the game.  I overheard them saying
something about "damned Yankees."

   We talked as we waited for the game to start.  Geoff had been on the
football team when he was in college.  He had been on the scout team most
of his time at the university.  He had played on special teams when he was
a senior, Coach Miles' first season as head coach.

   About ten minutes later the marching band and Golden Girls entered the
stadium.  Everyone in the stadium stood and yelled at the top of their
lungs to greet the band.  The noise level died down as the band played the
national anthem and the LSU anthem.  Noise filled the stadium again as they
played the fight song.  When the band was done they lined up at the Tiger's
locker room chute near the goalpost.

   The Alabama Crimson Tide entered the stadium to scattered polite
applause.  There were a few boos but also some applause when Nick Sabin,
former coach of the Tigers and current coach of the Tide walked in behind
his players.  He had brought the Tigers back to winning ways while he was
the coach at LSU.

   They stadium exploded when the LSU Tigers ran onto the field.  I had
been warned about the noise level in "Death Valley" but I didn't understand
until I stood there listening to 92,400 people literally rocking the
stadium with their cheers.

   Alabama won the coin toss and had first possession.  Nick Sabin led
teams are noted for their improvement as they learn his football system. 
Alabama was starting to buy into what Coach Sabin was teaching.  The first
half was an offensive explosion.  The Tigers went back to the locker room
holding a slim 24-21 lead.

   The marching band came out to entertain the crowd during half time. 
This game was actually the first time I ever watched a marching band during
half time.  I was in the locker room every half time, even last year when I
injured my leg.  It was a nice show.

   The Tiger took the ball down the field smartly to start the second half.
The Crimson Tide adjusted as the drive continued.  Ed and I critiqued the
plays as they unfolded.

   On the next play the quarterback was focused on the split end and under
some heat from the defense.  He ended throwing the ball away out of bounds
to avoid a sack.

   Ed observed, "He could have thrown it to the flanker.  It was there.  He
should have gone through all his reads."

   "Yes.  You're right Ed."

   The fan directly in front of Ed muttered, "Damn Yankee." again.  He and
the fan in front of me turned to look at us.  The first fan said, "You
Yankees think you're so smart.  I suppose you think you could do better. 
How'd y'all get tickets to this game so you could criticize the best team
in the country?  It's been sold out for months."

   I answered, "Coach Miles and the athletic department invited us to
visit. They want us to come play for the Tigers next year."

   Ed added, "We aren't criticizing your team.  We're trying to learn from
them.  LSU has a great football team."

   This mollified the fans in front of us.  They actually started
discussing plays with us, all the while touting their team as we watched
the game continue.  They were friendly once they got to know us.

   LSU kept poring on the points in the second half.  Their defense finally
started stopping the Tide.  The final score was 41-31 the Tiger's favor. 
Mr.  Benoit led us back to the Cook Hotel through throngs of satisfied LSU
fans.  He wished us a good night and told us we were scheduled for an 8:30
breakfast with Coach Miles.  Ed and I went straight to bed.  It had been an
exciting day, but a long one.

   Mr.  Benoit met us at 8:15 on Sunday morning with a university van.  He
drove us over to the Faculty Club for breakfast.  The campus was quiet and
nearly deserted that morning.  Coach Miles, Coach Crowton and Coach
McCarthy joined us.  Four of the football players joined us for breakfast;
Thomas Bourg, Joshua Allain, Carson Landry and Andre Dugas.  Thomas was a
junior who played cornerback, as did Carson.  Carson's a freshman.  Joshua
was a sophomore who played wide receiver.  We'd met Andre last night.  He's
a quarterback.

   We talked about the game over sausage, eggs, home fries and grits. 
Every one loaded up in the two vans to go over to the practice field after
breakfast.  Coach Miles asked, "I'd like you men to run the 40.  I'd like
to see your speed."

   Ed and I agreed.  I went first.  Coach Miles was smiling when I got back
to the group after I ran.  "4.37 seconds.  That was excellent Kyle." Ed
went after me.  He made it in 4.47 seconds.  Coach Miles said, "Good job
Ed. That's fast enough to get away from just about anyone chasing you in
the backfield.  We're going to do a little passing next."

   Ed and I agreed.  Andre would throw to me while Thomas covered me.  Ed
would throw to Josh while Carson covered him.  It took Andre a few tries
until he got used to me.  Thomas was a good cover guy.  Once Andre and I
got in sync we beat Thomas consistently.  I found I was faster than him. 
We could take him deep most any time we wanted.  The coaches were smiling
as they watched.

   We passed for half an hour.  Coach Miles called everyone together. 
"Thank you men.  That was excellent work.  I'm going to meet with Ed and
his father for half an hour.  Thomas, would you and your friends give Kyle
and Mr.  Martin a tour of the football facilities while I talk with the
Fritzes?"

   "Sure Coach." Thomas replied.

   Dad and I went with Thomas, Josh, Carson and Andre.  They showed us the
locker room.  It was excellent.  Each locker had room for equipment and
room for the player to sit.  The room had seven TV's.  We went to the
weight room next.  It was a state of the art facility.  I could see myself
training there.  It would be much better than working out of my basement
like I did now.  We stopped by the Captain's Lounge.  The team could hang
out there and relax.  The room had a 72" big screen TV, a DVD player, a
game box, a pool table and a foosball table.

   The next stop was the Broussard training facility.  It was huge.  It had
its own x-ray center, vision center, hydrotherapy pools and pharmacy.  The
Tigers knew how to take care of their athletes.

   We went on to the Lawton Squad Room.  It was a small auditorium where
the entire team could meet to review game plans, watch video or any other
thing needed by a large group of players.  It was first class.

   Tom and the other players took Dad and me back to the Football
Administration Building beside the practice fields.  Dad and I hung out
with the players for a few minutes.  They were really nice guys, fun to be
around.  I could see myself fitting in well at this school.

   Coach Miles, Ed and Mr.  Fritz came out of the coach's office.  Ed was
all smiles.  He gave me a thumbs up as he and his dad went off on the tour
of the facilities.  Coach Miles welcomed us to his office.

   Dad and I had seats in front of Coach Miles' desk.  Coach asked, "What
did you think of LSU Kyle?"

   "I'm impressed.  I've liked what I've seen of Baton Rouge.  It feels
comfortable to me.  I loved the campus.  It's beautiful.  The game was fun
last night.  `Death Valley' was amazing.  I thought our fans really rocked
our stadium when we play.  You guys really know how shake a stadium.  I'm
guessing you guys don't lose at home."

   "Once in awhile, but not often."

   I continued, "I love the facilities you have for the team.  They are
first rate; as good as any I've seen this year."

   Coach Miles asked, "Mr.  Martin, what do you think of the university?"

   Dad went on to echo my evaluation of LSU.  Dad concluded, "This is an
excellent school.  I certainly wouldn't have any objections if you decided
you wanted Kyle on your team and he chose to come here."

   Coach Miles smiled, "That's excellent.  I'm very impressed with what
I've seen today.  You're everything we expected when we asked you to come
down and visit us.  I'm very pleased to offer you a full scholarship to
attend the Louisiana State University.  What do you say Kyle?"

   "Thank you for the offer.  I'm impressed by everything I have seen this
weekend.  Your school will definitely be on my list of final choices.  I
have two more official visits scheduled."

   "Yes, I know.  You're visiting Penn State in two weeks and Michigan next
month.  Is that correct?" Coach Miles said.

   "Yes.  I'm planning on making my choice after I finish the visits,
probably by the end of November."

   "I can understand that.  I hope you keep LSU in mind when you make your
decision.  We'd like to have you on our team."

   I answered, "I will keep you in mind.  I have one last question that
might help the decision.  I saw on the LSU campus map that you have a
veterinary school here.  My girlfriend is planning to become a
veterinarian. That might help with my choice."

   Coach Miles frowned a little.  "I don't know that it will.  I assume
your girlfriend doesn't live in Louisiana."

   "No, she doesn't."

   "I think the veterinary school is for Louisiana and Arkansas residents
only.  I can check on that for you.  Would this prevent you from attending
this university?"

   I answered, "No.  None of the other schools have a veterinary school
that she could attend.  It would have given your school a leg up on the
others." I shook my head.  "I'd love to find a way for my girlfriend and me
to go to school together."

   Coach Miles answered, "I will check into it and let you know what I find
out about the residency requirements." He paused to make a note for himself
in his date book.  "I will keep in touch with you Kyle while you visit the
other schools and make your decision.  Do you or your father have any
questions?"

   We didn't.  Coach Miles led us out of the office where we met the
Fritzes and the players who led us on the tour.  We loaded up in the
university van and went off campus for lunch.  Ed whispered to me to ask if
I was offered a scholarship too.  I nodded.  I whispered back that we would
talk on the way home.

   The Coach took us to T J Ribs near campus.  It's a sports bar/restaurant
loaded with Fighting Tigers memorabilia.  Ed and I both had racks of baby
back ribs.  They were delicious.  Coach Miles entertained us by talking
about the strategies and adjustments from the game last night.  It was
fascinating to follow his reasoning.

   Coach Miles thanked us for coming down to Baton Rouge when lunch was
over.  Mr.  Benoit took us back to the hotel to pick up our luggage.  He
drove us back to the airport and dropped us off.

   Ed and I had to do our homework on the plane flight home.  It was the
only free time we would have during the weekend.  We found a little time to
talk about the possibility of going to college together.  We agreed it
sounded pretty cool.  Maybe we would end up at LSU together.

   Our flight got into the Philadelphia airport around 9:30 at night.  It
was after midnight when we got home.  I went straight to bed and fell
asleep.  It had been an outstanding weekend.

   -----------------------------------------------

   Ed, Andy, Jeremy and I showed up for scouts on Monday night a little
early.  We hung out together.  The topic of our football team came up
quickly.  Ed asked, "That was a close call against the Braves on Friday
night.  What do you think of our chances against Cornwall and Central?"

   I responded, "I don't know.  Cornwall's got a strong running game this
year.  They're well coached enough that they'll know to run outside.  We're
going to have to score a lot of points against them to make up for our
defense."

   Jeremy remonstrated, "Excuse me!  You don't know what the hell you're
talking about Kyle.  Our defensive line is the best.  The secondary is
outstanding.  Jim and Kenny..."

   "That's the problem.  Jim and Kenny." I said interrupting Jeremy. 
"They're too undisciplined.  They let themselves get drawn out of position
too easily."

   Jeremy said, "That's not true anymore Kyle.  Jim and Kenny have been
getting a little better every game.  In the second half against the Braves
they made every tackle they were responsible for.  We virtually shut their
offense down.  Jim and Kenny won't be a problem anymore.  I'm more worried
about the offensive line.  They've got to stop screwing up."

   Ed spoke up.  "Stop worrying about them.  Except for the blown blocking
on the stunt in the third quarter, our line is coming together.  I have
confidence in them.  They'll be OK.  They didn't have one false start
penalty in the whole game against the Braves."

   Jeremy added, "Our secondary is playing outstanding.  Did you realize
that `Tex' hasn't let a receiver catch any passes in the last three games?
He had three interceptions too."

   "Is he ready to play Christian?" I asked.

   "Maybe he is.  He's fast enough to keep up with you.  He can run with
Christian." Jeremy said.

   "I don't know guys.  We beat three poor teams, lost to a half way decent
team and nearly lost to an above average team.  It doesn't fill me with
confidence.  We need to fight for everything we get.  This season isn't
going to be as easy as last year."

   Ed answered, "We'll make it.  This team is finally coming together the
way we did last year.  I expect us to go deep into the playoffs."

   Hal yelled that it was time to start the scout meeting.  We headed
inside to help Hal run things.  I hoped my friends were right about our
team.

   ---------------------------------------------

   I came home from studying at Penny's around 8 o'clock on Wednesday
night. Ed met me a couple minutes later.  We started training without Andy.
He had gone over to be with Crystal after dinner.  I let Ed have the first
turn on the weights.  Andy arrived about five minutes later.

   He looked like hell.  He was pale as a ghost.  "Kk...Kyle can I talk to
you... privately?" he asked.

   "What's up?" I asked.

   "Ppp... pleaseee....  I need to talk to just you..." Andy pleaded.

   "OK." I answered.  "I'll be back in a few minutes Ed."

   "Sure thing Kyle." Ed answered.

   I followed Andy upstairs to his bedroom.  I sat down on his bed.  I
asked, "What's so urgent Andy?"

   Andy stammered, "It's... It's... Crystal.  She's....  she's....  I mean
she says I got her....  pregnant."

   Chapter 29

   ==========

   Andy just stood there and stared at me after he managed to get the words
out.  Tears started to run down both cheeks.  "Www....  What am I...
[sniffle] going to....  do?"

   I stood up and pulled Andy over to the bed and sat him down.  I put my
hands on his shoulders and said, "Look at me Andy." He sniffled and stared
into my eyes.  "We'll work everything out.  Tell me what you know."

   "Crystal missed her period... How can this... [sniffle] be happening...
to me?"

   "How long ago should she have had her period?" I asked.

   "A couple days ago."

   "It's probably nothing Andy.  Periods are irregular.  Being a couple
days late is too soon to know if you're pregnant." I explained.

   "No Kyle.  This is the second time she missed it.  Her period is over a
month late."

   "Oh.  Has she taken a home pregnancy test?"

   "Yes.  She took one Monday night.  It was positive.  Crystal didn't
believe it.  She took another one last night, hoping to get a different
answer.  That one said she was pregnant too."

   "Mmmm..." I groaned.  Andy and Crystal were in deep trouble.

   Andy asked, "Is there a chance the tests could be wrong?"

   "It's possible, but not likely.  The test is unreliable if you take it
too soon.  Unfortunately, thirty days is not too soon.  You need to get
this confirmed."

   "How... do I [sniffle] do that?"

   "I'll take you and Crystal to the family planning clinic in Lancaster.
Let's do it after school tomorrow.  Can you call Crystal and get her OK
now? I'm going downstairs to tell Ed to go running without us."

   "OK Kyle." Andy said.

   I shut his bedroom door behind me when I went downstairs.  I wasn't
going to worry Mom or Dad until we were sure what was going on.  As soon as
I got to the bottom of the steps in the basement, Ed asked, "What's up with
Andy?"

   "I can't say right now.  Andy and I are going to skip training this
evening.  Go ahead on the run with Jeremy without us."

   "Does this problem involve Crystal too?"

   "I can't say Ed.  I'll let Andy tell you when the time comes."

   "Tell him I will help any way I can.  I've been there too." Ed said.

   "You have a guess don't you?  Don't say anything to anyone.  We'll tell
you when we can." I asked.

   Ed said, "Tell Andy his friends will be there for him." I nodded.  "I
mean it Kyle."

   "I know you do Ed.  You can let yourself out when you're done, right?  I
need to get back to Andy before he falls apart."

   I went back upstairs to Andy's room.  I asked, "Did Crystal say it's OK
to set up an appointment at the clinic?"

   "She said to go ahead." Andy answered.

   I called the family planning clinic.  They could see Crystal at 4 pm
tomorrow.  I handed Andy the upstairs phone so he could call Crystal and
let her know what is going on.

   I called Penny on my cell phone.  She agreed to come along after school.
We would tell our parents that Penny and I were celebrating our one year
anniversary of getting together again by going out to dinner.

   I called Coach Caffrey.  We needed permission to skip practice.  When
Coach answered, I explained, "Coach - Can Andy and I miss practice
tomorrow? We have a family emergency that we need to take care of."

   "What's up Kyle?" Coach asked.

   "I can't really tell you right now Coach.  You'll have to trust me on
this one."

   Coach Caffrey said, "Are you or Andy in trouble?  Is there anything I
can do to help you?"

   "Not right now Coach.  We'll explain later when we know more.  Can we
skip practice?"

   "Go ahead Kyle.  If you need help, make sure you talk to your parents.
They will help no matter what."

   "We will talk with our parents soon Coach." I promised.  "I'll talk to
you on Friday.  Thanks for understanding."

   Andy looked shocked when I said we'd talk to our parents.  He stammered,
"You can't tell Mom and Dad.  Not now Kyle!"

   "I will keep quiet tonight Andy.  You're going to have to tell Mom and
Dad if the clinic confirms that Crystal is pregnant."

   "How can this be happening Kyle?  How could Crystal end up... pregnant?"
Andy started to cry.  I hugged him, trying to console him.  Andy probably
cried for ten minutes before I managed to calm him down.

   Andy stared into my eyes.  "I'm too young for all this.  How can this be
happening to me?"

   "Andy.  You are maturing.  You make sperm.  You have sex - frequently.
You most certainly are old enough to get a girl pregnant."

   "I know that... I mean I don't think I can do this.  How can I be a
father?  I'm only fifteen."

   I squeezed Andy's shoulder.  "You may need to do some growing up really
quick.  You can do it.  Justin and Sherry Baer did it.  Jon and Amy Miller
did it.  Mom did it.  You know Mom, Dad, Will, Abby, Liz and I will help
you any way we can."

   "I don't know how I can do this." Andy said.

   "You're stronger than you think.  You'll get through it." I promised. 
Andy was calmer now.  I excused myself.  I had one more arrangement to
make. I needed to explain why Andy and I wouldn't be home for supper
tomorrow night.  Mom and Dad were in the family room reading.

   I went in the room and sat down.  I said, "Did you know that tomorrow is
my one year anniversary with Penny?"

   Mom said, "Is it?  Congratulations dear." Dad agreed.

   "I want to take Penny out to dinner tomorrow evening to celebrate."

   Dad said, "On school night?  You can wait until Saturday evening."

   "We won't be out all evening.  We will be home by 7:00 or 7:30.  We will
be able to get our homework done.  It won't interfere with school."

   Mom said, "I suppose it's all right - as long as you're home by 7:30."
Dad nodded, giving his assent too.

   "Penny and I invited Andy and Crystal to come too.  Is that OK?"

   I knew instantly that alarm bells were sounding in Mom's and Dad's heads
from the looks on their faces.  I added, "It's important.  You need to
trust me on this."

   Dad asked, "You'll talk to us if you have any problems, right?"

   "Absolutely."

   "You and Andy are allowed to go.  You have to be home by 7:30." Dad
said.

   Mom added, "You can talk to us about anything Kyle.  We'll understand."

   "I know.  I know I can.  Thanks for understanding Mom.  Thanks Dad." I
beat a hasty retreat.  I hated telling them little white lies.  If I stayed
any longer, I knew I'd have confess what was going on or start telling some
big fat lies to my parents.

   I checked on Andy before I went to my room.  He was lying on his bed
listening to his MP3 player.  I let him alone.  I went back to my room and
got my MP3 player.  Music always helped calm me down.

   I have learned enough biology to know what was going to happen tomorrow.
A girl doesn't miss two periods, have a positive result on the home
pregnancy test and then not turn up pregnant.  The visit to the clinic was
going to confirm that Crystal was pregnant.  How did it happen?  Crystal
was on birth control.  How had Crystal and Andy ended up among the unlucky
5% who got pregnant when they were using the pill?

   Penny and I were going to have a long talk about birth control.  We
needed to make sure we were doing everything we could to avoid becoming
parents.  We weren't ready for that kind of responsibility yet.  I probably
listened to music for a couple hours before I finally went to sleep. 
Tomorrow was going to be a black day.  I knew it.

   Superficially Andy looked OK on Thursday morning; just a little
distracted.  I told him that he and Crystal should meet me after school in
the parking lot.  I was distracted too during much of the day.  I kept
thinking about Andy and Crystal.

   I told Ed about missing practice today.  I knew he suspected what was
going on.  I told him to keep it confidential.  He promised to help any way
he could.

   Penny and I held hands as we walked out to my car after our seventh
period Grammar class.  We waited at my Golf until Andy and Crystal walked
out together.  Andy had his arm over Crystal's shoulder.  The drive to
Lancaster was quiet.

   I had Crystal sign in when we arrived at the clinic.  We found seats
together.  Penny and I held hands while we waited.  About ten minutes later
the nurse called, "Miss Wagner?" Crystal followed the nurse.

   Andy tried to follow.  I held him down and whispered, "All you can do is
wait Andy.  They won't let you back there yet."

   "Why am I here if I can't be a part of this?"

   "You're here to provide moral support for Crystal.  They will let you
meet with the doctor when they tell Crystal if she is pregnant.  All you
can do now is wait."

   "Great!" Andy answered.

   The clinic always depressed me.  It held too many bitter memories of
that awful day when Ed and Stef found out they were going to have a baby.
Penny squeezed my hand occasionally to remind me she was there for me.  She
knew how much I hated this place.  Andy waited quietly, looking shocked and
a little depressed to be there.

   Crystal returned after about fifteen minutes.  We all sat and waited
quietly.  The nurse returned about half an hour later and announced, "Miss
Wagner, please come with me."

   Crystal got up and asked, "Can my boyfriend come too?"

   "Yes." The nurse answered.

   Andy stood.  I said, "Be strong.  You can do this."

   Penny added, "We're here to help you." Andy nodded and slowly followed
Crystal and the nurse.  They were gone for fifteen minutes.

   Penny and I knew the second we saw Andy and Crystal what the verdict had
been.  Pregnancy confirmed!  Andy was pale and had a hollow, shocked look
in his eyes.  They were a little red from where he had been crying.

   Crystal didn't look happy but she seemed to be taking the news much
better than Andy.  Crystal confirmed that she was pregnant.  Penny and I
led the unhappy couple out to my car.  I drove us back to the McDonalds on
Route 30 East.  We ordered our dinner and found seats in the back of the
restaurant, away from other people.

   Crystal explained, "The doctor said that I'm due on May 22nd."

   Penny asked, "What else did the doctor tell you?"

   "I need to have a pre-natal exam as soon as possible.  He told us our
choices about the baby." Crystal explained.

   I asked, "Are you going to have the baby?"

   Crystal stared at me.  "I have to.  Abortion is a sin.  I don't have a
choice."

   "You have choices.  You need to talk to your parents?"

   "Parents?" Crystal said hurriedly.  "I can't tell my parents.  My dad'll
kill me."

   Andy added, "I'm not ready to tell our parents.  Not yet!"

   "Damn it Andy!  Grow up!  You can't hide this.  It won't go away." I
insisted.  Penny kicked me under the table.  I understood my lover's subtle
signal; I shut up.

   Penny continued, "This is a really big decision.  You can use all the
help you can get.  Your parents will understand better than you think."

   I got Penny's drift.  Keep a light touch with the advice.  "Andy, how
will you get Crystal to her pre-natal checkup next week?"

   "Uhhh... can you drive us?" Andy asked.

   "I've got football, studying, scouts.  You can't always count on me. 
You're going to need more help than I can give you." I said.

   Penny continued, "How will the two of you pay for everything?  Having a
baby costs a fortune."

   "I don't know." Crystal said.  "Andy?"

   Andy answered, "I have no idea."

   "This is why I told you that you need to talk with the parents.  They
can help with all this." I said.

   Crystal said, "Daddy will kill me when he finds out."

   "Yeah, Mom and Dad will freak." Andy added.

   I said, "You aren't going to be able to keep this secret very long.  Mom
and Dad are suspicious already.  I think they are going to ask questions
when we get home Andy."

   "Really?" Andy asked.

   Penny said, "This is too big for kids your age.  Your parents won't be
happy when they find out.  They do love you and will help you when they get
over the shock.  Trust them.  It's the smart thing to do."

   Andy asked, "Would you and Penny help us if we tell our parents
tonight?"

   I looked over at Penny.  She nodded yes.  "We can do that.  You'll tell
them tonight?"

   Andy straightened up.  He said quietly, "Yes." Crystal nodded too.  We
needed a couple more minutes to finish our dinner.  We loaded up in my Golf
and headed for Paradise.  We agreed to tell my parents first.  I thought
they would be more understanding.

   Dad was in the living room when we got home.  Mom was in the kitchen.  I
told Dad we needed to talk with him and Mom.  I got Mom.  Everyone sat down
in the living room.  Dad said, "You've got us.  What's up Kyle?"

   I looked at my brother and said, "Andy?"

   Everyone looked at Andy.  He hesitated for a few seconds, cleared his
throat and said, "You know how Crystal and I have been dating for four
months, right?"

   Mom responded, "Yes."

   "Well, Crystal and I have been... uh, having sex."

   "Dad said, "That's not exactly a state secret.  And?"

   "Well... Kyle and Penny took us to the family planning clinic
tonight..." I watched Mom and Dad stiffen.  "And... uh, Crystal is
pregnant. I'm the father."

   Mom and Dad slumped down.  The color drained form Mom's face.  Dad
squeezed her hand to reassure her.  Finally Dad asked, "You always told me
you were careful Andrew.  How did this happen?  Why weren't you using birth
control?"

   "I did at first.  I always used rubbers when we started having sex.  I
stopped after I got back from camp because Crystal started taking birth
control pills.  I don't know how this happened.  It shouldn't have."

   Mom asked, "Crystal, have you been taking the pills every day?"

   Crystal looked at the floor and mumbled, "Usually." Andy looked at
Crystal in shock.

   Mom queried, "Usually?"

   "I forgot sometimes.  It's hard to remember." Crystal said.

   Mom said, "OK dear.  I understand how this happened."

   Dad asked Crystal, "Do your parents know yet?" She shook her head no.

   Andy said, "We're going over there next to tell them."

   Dad said, "You had better get over there and break the news to them.  Go
on." He waved for us to leave.  Crystal, Andy and Penny headed for the
door. Dad said, "Kyle, just a second."

   "I'll catch up Penny." I said.  "What's up Dad?"

   "You could have warned us last night." Dad said.

   "We weren't sure.  I didn't want to worry you if it was a false alarm."
I explained.

   Dad shook his head and sighed.  "Thank you for helping your brother. 
I'm glad he came to us right away."

   "It was like pulling teeth to get him to do this tonight.  He and
Crystal wanted to wait to tell you."

   "Thank you for convincing Andy to talk to us now.  It's better this way.
Please ask the Wagners to call after you break the news to them.  We need
to get the two families together as soon as possible to figure out what
we're going to do.  Maybe we could get together on Saturday night."

   "I'll do that." I answered.  I headed outside and hopped in the Golf. 
We arrived at the Wagner's house five minutes later.

   Crystal led the way inside.  She called out, "Mom!  Dad!  I want you to
meet some people." She led us to the living room.  Mr.  Wagner was already
there.  He had a couple beers on the table beside his chair.  There were a
couple empties on the floor.  Mrs.  Wagner joined us.  Crystal and Andy sat
together on the couch.  Penny sat beside them.  I sat in a chair beside
Penny.  Mr.  Wagner turned the volume down on the TV.

   Mr.  Wagner asked, "What's up honey?" He took a swig of beer.

   "I wanted to introduce you to Andy's brother Kyle and Kyle's girlfriend,
Penny Edwards.  They took Andy and me out to dinner tonight."

   We exchanged pleasantries.  When that was done Mr.  Wagner picked up the
remote and pointed it at the TV.  "Is there anything else honey?"

   Crystal looked at the floor and mumbled, "Andy?"

   Andy straightened up.  "Yes, there is Mr.  Wagner.  You know how I have
been dating your daughter for the past four months.  Well... Crystal and I
have....  uh, been intimate."

   Mrs.  Wagner blushed.  Mr.  Wagner glared at Andy.  "INTIMATE?"

   "Yes.  We found out tonight that Crystal is going to have a baby. 
I'm...." Andy faltered as Mr.  Wagner glared at him.  Crystal squeezed his
hand.  "I'm the father!"

   Mr.  Wagner glowered at Andy.  He clicked the TV off and drank the rest
of his can of beer.  "God damn it!  You bastard; you took my baby's
virtue." Andy shrank down a little.

   "I'm... sorry." Andy explained.

   "You FUCKING BASTARD!  Is that the best you can do?  You're sorry."

   "It was an accident.  We didn't..." Andy pleaded.

   "Accident?  You slipped and stuck you God damn prick in my daughter. 
ACCIDENT!  Right!  You're one of these boys that jumps in bed with every
girl he dates aren't you?"

   "Uh... I uh..." Andy stammered.

   "HOW MANY?  How many sluts have you fucked?"

   "Uh... I..." Andy stammered.  I could see him mentally counting. 
"Thirteen" Crystal looked at Andy in shock.

   "THIRTEEN?  You worthless piece of shit.  You fucked thirteen girls?"

   "Uh... only twelve were girls... One lady was a grown..."

   "You whoring piece of trash!  How many girls have you knocked up?"

   "NONE!" Andy answered.  "Well, one now."

   "What the FUCK were you thinking?" Mr.  Wagner demanded.

   "This shouldn't have happened.  Crystal is on the pill and..."

   "NO SHE ISN'T!  CONTRACEPTION IS A SIN!  My little girl wouldn't do
that."

   Crystal interrupted.  "I am taking the pill Daddy."

   Mr.  Wagner slumped back, popped the top on another can of beer and
drank the whole can down.  We sat there waiting for the next explosion.  It
didn't take long.

   Mr.  Wagner glared at his daughter.  "You worthless little slut.  You
spread your legs wide open for the first boy who comes along."

   "I'm sorry Daddy."

   "You let this son of a bitch fuck you.  You compound that sin by defying
God's will with birth control.  You're a little tramp, God damn you. 
You're all going to hell!"

   Mrs.  Wagner patted her husband's arm.  "Calm down Allen, this isn't
helping."

   "Shut up Ellen." Mr.  Wagner growled.  "My worthless tramp of a daughter
sleeps with this bastard and gets herself knocked up.  This is a fucking
disaster.  How can I calm down?" Mr.  Wagner stood up and stared at Andy
again.  "You fucking prick.  I oughta..." He balled up his fists.

   I jumped in front of Andy and Crystal.  Penny and Mrs.  Wagner joined me
to block the way.  I straightened up so I looked imposing.  At least I
hoped I looked imposing.  I towered at least six inches above his head.  I
probably outweighed him by twenty pounds too.  I said, "Stop Mr.  Wagner.
This isn't going to help.  You can beat up my brother but it isn't going to
change anything.  Crystal will still be pregnant.  Let's sit down and talk
about this calmly.  Crystal and Andy need our help, not our abuse."

   Mrs.  Wagner and I backed Mr.  Wagner up until he sat back down in his
chair.  He sat quietly for a half a minute while Mrs.  Wagner and I stood
over him.  Finally he said, "You're right.  We need to deal with this
problem.  It just that when I think about this... this boy fucking my only
daughter I...."

   "ALLEN!" Mrs.  Wagner warned.

   "Sorry.  What do we do now?" Mr.  Wagner asked.

   "My parents suggested that both families get together Saturday evening.
Would that work?" I asked.

   Everyone agreed.  Mrs.  Wagner called Mom and arranged for the two
families to meet on Saturday night at 7 pm at our house.  While Mrs. 
Wagner was on the phone I whispered to Andy, "Don't say anything.  I'll
thank them for their time and we'll get out of here while you're still in
one piece." Andy nodded.  Andy, Penny and I left quickly when the phone
call was over, thankfully missing any more fireworks from Mr.  Wagner.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy was completely out of it on Friday.  He went through the motions
that day, his mind occupied with the fact that he could be a father in
seven months.  I did the best I could to help him keep his head together.

   I went straight to Justin Baer at practice Friday afternoon.  I asked,
"Justin, could you..."

   "You mean Coach Baer, right?"

   "No.  It's Justin for this.  Can you talk to Andy?  He found out he got
Crystal pregnant yesterday.  This is still top secret.  Only the parents,
Penny and I know.  He needs to talk to someone who knows what he is going
through.  Can you help?"

   "Of course Kyle.  I'll keep things quiet until you tell me otherwise."
Justin said.  He headed over to Andy.  "Yo, dude!  Let's take a walk.  You
and I have something to talk about." I watched as Justin put his arm over
Andy's shoulder and walked him away from the practice field.

   I found Coach Caffrey next.  "Coach, can we talk?"

   "Sure Kyle.  What's up?  Is this about yesterday's emergency?"

   "It is Coach.  You shouldn't play Andy tonight.  He's a little out of it
right now.  He got bad news last night."

   "Did he?  Have you talked to your parents about help?" Coach asked.

   "Yes.  We talked to my parents and his girlfriend's parents last night."

   "Good.  Adults can help."

   "I know.  I have an adult talking with him right now that knows exactly
what it takes to get through this problem." I pointed over at Justin and
Andy talking in the distance.

   "Ahhh... I understand." Coach said.

   "This is still secret.  Don't say anything to anyone." I said.

   "Understood.  I'll put Jason in for Andy at wide receiver.  Brett can
handle punts."

   "Good.  The last thing you want when you're on the football field is to
be daydreaming.  Andy could get hurt.  We're going to need him next week
when we play Cornwall."

   "Yes, we will." Coach answered.  I headed onto the practice field.  The
coaches inserted Jason Harting in Andy's spot immediately.  Justin spent
the entire practice talking with Andy.

   On the way home from practice I asked Andy, "Did the talk with Justin
help?  I hope you don't mind I had him talk with you."

   "No.  It was good.  Justin gave me a lot to think about." Andy sighed.
"I guess I can get through this.  Justin did."

   "That's right.  Everyone in the family will help you."

   "I know.  Thanks for everything you have done Kyle."

   "That's what big brothers are for."

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy rode to school with me after dinner to catch the bus to the
Trojan's field.  It was an away game.  Last year the Trojans had a good
defense, a decent running game and an inexperienced quarterback.  The game
video showed that the quarterback had improved substantially.  The Trojan's
best running backs had graduated last spring, so they concentrated on their
passing game for their three victories this season.  Their record was 3-2.

   Andy suited up for the game but knew he would sit on the bench for the
whole game.  Justin had discussed that with him during their long talk. 
Andy accepted his temporary demotion gracefully.

   We won the coin toss and took possession of the ball first.  We used our
spread offense on the Trojans.  They weren't able to cover everyone.  We
used nine plays to move the ball down the field.  Drew carried the ball in
on a screen pass to score our first touchdown.

   The Trojans tried to test our outside linebackers like every other team
this season.  They were surprised.  Jim and Kenny played their
responsibilities.  Jeremy, Jim and Kenny played off their blocks and
stopped the running plays before the runner could gain more than a yard or
two.  Our secondary kept their passing game off balance.  The Trojans had
to punt the ball back to us after seven plays.

   I broke free on the second drive to score a long touchdown.  The
linebackers kept the Trojans bottled up again when they had the ball a
second time.  The Trojans punted the ball back to us after the second drive
broke down with a holding penalty followed by Jeremy's sack of their
quarterback.

   The Trojan defense managed to stiffen with a few adjustments.  They
stayed in a nickel defense.  We exploited them by pounding into the middle
of the line with Drew and Marcus.  We pushed down the field but had settle
for a field goal when Dan was called for holding on third down and 2 at
their 9 yard line.

   The Trojans concentrated on passing since they were down 17-0.  They
managed to complete five passes on their first seven plays to move into our
territory.  They tested Tex's side of the field; to their regret.  Tex had
Seth helping with coverage deep.  I watched as he played the receiver
loose, baiting the quarterback to throw to that side.  The quarterback bit.
Tex leapt in front of the receiver, snagging his fifth interception for the
season.  The quarterback managed to push Tex out of bounds at the twelve
yard line to prevent the touchdown.

   We scored on the next play when we ran our best goal line play on them.
Pete and I ran our crossing pass routes.  Pete headed for the corner of the
end zone, I headed for the goal post.  This game the play worked as
designed.  The cornerback covering me got tangled up with Pete.  The
linebacker didn't react fast enough to cover me.  Ed drilled the ball into
my chest for the score.  Hal's successful PAT put us up 24-0.

   The Trojans had one more chance to score before halftime.  We found out
their quarterback did have some talent.  He managed to pass his way down
the field in the last two minutes to score, with a big assist from a screen
pass when we had called an all out blitz.  We went into the locker room
ahead 24-7.

   Coach Caffrey decided to let the first team play one more series before
he pulled them.  The Trojans gamely tried to duplicate their success at the
end of the first half.  They concentrated their passes at the right side of
our secondary, where Brett Fulmer was playing.

   On the fourth play we sent Patrick Jones in as a nickel back.  He helped
Brett double cover that side with Patrick short and Brett deep.  The Trojan
quarterback threw to that side.  The pass sailed on him.  Brett fell back
and intercepted it.  Brett ran the interception back 22 yards to give us
possession on our 48 yard line.

   We ran our offense perfectly - three runs and three passes to cover the
52 yards to the end zone.  The last play of the drive was a beautiful play
action pass.  The Trojans bit on Drew's fake.  I pulled in Ed's pass and
ran it into the end zone.  Hal scored the PAT to bring the score to 31-7
Wolverines.

   The coaches substituted the second string into the game, including the
linebackers.  We blitzed constantly.  The Trojans managed a field goal on
that possession.  Our offense mixed short passes and runs to keep the
Trojans guessing, all the while taking time off the clock.  The final score
of the game was 37-17 Wolverines.

   Jeremy was heading for Tennessee for his final official visit over the
weekend.  Hal was heading to Rutgers for his last visit.  I told both of my
friends to have fun.

   Andy headed straight to bed when he got home from the game.  He had to
get up early for his final work day for his Eagle project.  Dad grabbed me
before I went upstairs.

   He asked, "Are you and Penny going out tomorrow evening?"

   "Penny and I are planning to go bowling in the afternoon.  We have that
family meeting with the Wagners after dinner."

   "No Kyle.  You and Penny go to the movies tomorrow night.  I think it
would be better for Andy and Crystal if it were them and parents only. 
This meeting is going to be hard enough without a bunch of spectators
watching."

   "But... I thought since I helped all along that I should..."

   "No.  This meeting is for parents only.  We're sending Liz to spend the
night at Annie's.  You and Penny need to be out of the house tomorrow
evening."

   "OK Dad." I said.  I called Penny when I got to my room to let her know
about the change in plans.  We decided to skip the bowling and go to the
movies on Saturday night.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy got home on Saturday afternoon around 4 pm.  He had finished all
the work on the work-out trail at the township park.  All he needed was to
write up his project and finish Family Life Merit Badge.  It's ironic but
appropriate that it was his final merit badge.

   I wished Andy luck for the evening.  He promised to fill me in on how
the meeting went.  I took a shower and picked up Penny for dinner and a
movie.

   Ed hooked up with Chrissie Morris that evening at the Chinese restaurant
the team was meeting at that night.  Chrissie was an extremely well built
tenth grader with curly blond hair and the most beautiful blue eyes.  She
was the latest in two month long line of one and two night stands by my
best friend.  I guess you do what you have to when you've decided not to
get in any more serious relationships while you're in high school.

   Penny and I found a comedy at the movie theater.  It had an early
seating, at 6:55.  It was a fun, but a short movie.  We found ourselves
outside the theater on a Saturday night and it was only 8:30.  I couldn't
go home yet.  I was sure the meeting with Crystal's parents wasn't done. 
Penny and I decided to go to the isolated field south of Millersville for
some fun before we went home.  The evening was mild, the temperature was
still in the seventies.

   There were two cars at the field when we arrived.  I recognized Ed's
father's car immediately.  Evidently Ed and Chrissie had skipped the movie
entirely to enjoy nature and each other.  I led Penny down the hill to my
favorite spot by the stream.  We crested a rise and stopped quickly. 
Chrissie was lying on her back, legs spread wide while Ed pumped his cock
in and out of her.  Penny and I quietly headed closer to the woods before
we were seen.

   We were almost to the woods when we heard a girl squeal.  It was a
squeal I knew well a couple years ago.  I had caused her to emit it often
in the field.  It sure sounded like Stacie Thompson.  Had she come home
from college to see Drew this weekend?

   Penny and I headed up the hill until we found some privacy from the
other two couples.  I spread our blanket out.  We stripped and lay
together, kissing and getting aroused for the main event.  Penny and I made
out to get ourselves excited then gave each other oral pleasure in the 69
position.  Penny sucked a load of cum from my balls and I used my tongue to
bring her to a couple orgasms.  We made love after that in our favorite
deep penetration position.

   I slowly picked up speed humping her until Penny orgasmed again and
demanded that I fuck her hard.  I pounded her until both of us climaxed
together.  Penny's contractions coaxed my cock to blast a huge load of
sperm deep into her vagina.  We collapsed onto each other when we were
spent.

   I idly played with her right nipple and asked, "It's kind of late to ask
this but, you are regular with your birth control pills, right?  We don't
want to end up like Andy and Crystal."

   Penny smiled.  "Relax lover.  I never miss taking one of my pills. 
You'll be childless for awhile longer."

   "That good.  I want lots of children someday, but not now.  I want to
wait until after college."

   "Good plan Kyle.  I want children too, eventually."

   Penny sprawled on top of me and rubbed against me while we kissed.  My
cock got hard quickly sliding up and down along Penny's wet slot.  Penny
cooed in my ear, "Do we have enough time to try anal tonight honey?  I love
it when you play with my asshole with your fingers."

   I glanced at my watch.  It wasn't even 9:30 pm yet.  We had over 2 ˝
hours until curfew.  "We can try it if you like."

   "Let's do it Kyle.  Do you have all the supplies?" Penny asked.

   "Sure.  They're up in the car.  I'll be back in a minute."

   I started up the hill towards my Golf.  "Uhhh... Kyle.  You know you're
naked?"

   "Oh!" I grabbed my boxers and pulled them on.  I made quite a sight;
walking up the hill in boxers tented by my hard erection.  I grabbed my
flashlight from the car and went to the back to get the stuff sack where I
had placed condoms, wet/dry wipes and ID Glide lube.  I had just slammed
the trunk lid shut when I heard a couple coming up the hill to the cars.  I
stayed behind my car to hide my erection.

   I saw it was Stacie Thompson and Drew McCormick when they got closer.  I
called out "Hey!  How are you doing?" when were close.

   Stacie and Drew looked up at me.  They grinned.  Stacie called out as
they approached.  "Hi Kyle.  How are you doing?" Drew added his own "Hi."

   "I'm good.  How's school going?"

   "So far so good.  I came home this weekend.  I missed my boyfriend last
weekend.  He had to run away to visit Boston." Stacie said.  She gave him a
kiss on the cheek.

   "That's cool.  Were you visiting BC?" I said.

   "Yes.  I enjoyed the visit.  I'm still leaning towards West Virginia."

   Stacie looked at me hiding behind the car.  All she could see was my
bare torso and shoulders.  "Are you naked Kyle?"

   "Uh, not quite.  I'm wearing boxers." I answered.

   "You don't need to hide Kyle." Stacie said.

   "Um....  I have a hard-on.  I didn't want to embarrass you."

   Stacie laughed.  "You can come out Kyle.  I've seen and enjoyed that
nice hard cock of yours.  Don't be shy."

   "OK" I said.  I stepped away from the car.  This situation had my cock
standing proudly erect, nearly pulling the waist band of my boxers away
from my waist.  "I hope this isn't too embarrassing for you Drew; me having
slept with your girlfriend before."

   "No.  I know Stacie's past.  I don't care.  It just means she chose me
over all the guys she had been with before.  We don't keep any secrets from
each other."

   "That's cool." I said.  I started down the hill towards Penny.

   Stacie called out, "Tell that cute little brother of yours I said hi."

   I called back, "He'll appreciate that Stacie.  He can use some good
memories this weekend."

   "What's wrong?"

   "He found out he got his girlfriend pregnant this week." I knew I should
have kept my mouth shut the second I said it.  "That's a secret.  You can't
tell anyone.  I shouldn't have said that."

   Drew said, "Is that why he didn't play Friday night?  Your brother's
secret is safe with us.  I hope everything works out for him."

   "I, uh, got to go.  Penny is waiting for me." I said.  "It was good to
see you again Stacie.  See you Monday Drew."

   Stacie called out, "Tell Penny I said hi." as I headed down the hill to
my lover.

   Penny asked, "What took so long?"

   "That couple we heard earlier - it was Stacie and Drew.  I ran into them
at the car."

   "You ran into them looking like that?"

   "Yeah.  You know Stacie.  Nothing fazes her.  Um, she said hi too."

   "Oh, that's nice." Penny said.  "How do we want to do this Kyle?"

   "Lay on your side lover." I lay down beside her, facing the opposite
direction.  "You can play with my balls or cock if you want.  I need to get
you ready."

   I put her upper leg over my shoulder so I had better access to things. I
squirted a dollop of ID Glide on Penny's little pink rosebud.  I spread it
around with one finger and then started to massage her hole.  Penny licked
the underside of my shaft and then licked my balls while I prepared her.  I
gently pressed on her hole until the first segment of my finger just
slipped inside her.  I squirted more lube at her entrance and worked my
finger in and out to spread it around.

   "How does this feel honey?"

   She spit my left ball out and answered, "So far so good Kyle." She
sucked my right ball into her mouth and swirled her tongue around it.

   "I'm going in deeper now honey." I said.  I pushed my finger the whole
way in and twisted it around.  "Tell me if anything hurts." I withdrew my
finger and thrust it in again.  I did this a half dozen times.  I pulled it
out and squirted more lube on her opening.  I put two fingers against her
opening and gently pushed until they slid inside.  I twisted my fingers
around, massaging and working the lubrication into Penny's asshole.

   "Are you still OK honey?"

   She licked my balls again and replied, "Yes.  Keep going Kyle.  This is
nice so far."

   "I'm going to start stretching you now."

   "Mmmph" Penny replied, one of my balls still in her mouth.  I decided
that meant yes.  I separated my fingers a little and stretched the tight
ring of muscle as I pumped them in and out of her.  I dribbled a little
more lube between my two fingers and worked it around.

   Penny stopped licking the underside of my cock and asked, "How much lube
do you need?"

   "This is your first time with anal intercourse.  No amount of lube is
too much.  Trust me."

   I worked my two fingers until Penny's hole felt loose.  I pulled my
fingers out and poured a little more lube onto her opening.  I said, "I'm
going to use three fingers now.  Tell me if it hurts or you want me to
stop."

   Penny stopped licking my balls.  "Go ahead." She tensed up.

   "No.  Don't tense honey.  Relax." I pushed one finger in her.  I could
feel her relax again.  I slipped a second finger in.  "Here goes." I wormed
a third finger into her tight hole.  Penny stopped licking me and
concentrated on the feelings I was giving her.

   I pushed the three fingers in and twisted them around.  Slowly her hole
opened a little more.  I finger fucked her a half a minute.  "How does this
feel Penny?"

   "OK"

   "I think you're ready.  Let me get a condom on." I lay down in the
middle of the blanket, rolled a condom over my cock and liberally poured
lube over it.

   "What do you want me to do Kyle?"

   "We'll do this exactly like we do when you're on top and we make love.
Well, the same except which hole you put me in."

   Penny straddled my hips and slowly sank down.  I positioned my cock
against her rosebud.  "OK honey.  We're ready.  Lower yourself onto my cock
very, very slowly." I brought my hands up to her hips to help control her
speed.  I felt pressure on the end of my cock as she started to insert me
into her bowels.

   Suddenly her tight ring of muscle relaxed.  My whole cockhead slipped
into her hole suddenly.  "Ooohhh" Penny breathed out.

   "Steady.  Hold right there Penny." Penny didn't move a muscle.  "Are you
OK?"

   "I can't believe how much you are stretching me.  It is amazing.  It's a
lot more than the first time we made love.  What should I do next?"

   "If you feel OK, you can slide a little more of my cock into you." Penny
let herself drop an inch, engulfing more of my cock with her hot, tight
bowels.  This was much tighter than any pussy I had ever been in.  Penny's
asshole was tighter than how I remembered Jessie's from two years ago.

   "What now Kyle?" Penny asked.

   "Let your weight slowly lower you down until all of my cock is inside
you." I instructed.  She followed my directions.  Penny took about thirty
seconds to fully impale herself on my hard cock.  She rested her butt on my
crotch when I was all the way inside her.

   "What do you think?" I asked.

   "I feel stretched and completely stuffed.  What now?"

   "Just like normal when you're on top.  You can bounce up and down on me
or you can rock back and forth.  Whatever feels good to you." Penny rocked
back and forth while she got used to having her backside filled.  After a
minute she started to rise up and impale herself on my cock.  The
stimulation was intense, too intense for me to last long.  I started to
play with Penny's clitoris to get her off before I came.

   I knew from the way she was moaning that she was nearing orgasm.  I
increased my stimulation of her clit.  Finally Penny gasped, "G-Spot,
pleaseeee....  I need it..."

   I worked two fingers into my lover and probed until I hit her spot.  I
rubbed it a couple times when Penny groaned, "Ooohh... God!" and convulsed.
Her pussy clamped down on my fingers and her asshole tightened around my
cock.  Penny moaned in ecstasy as her orgasm wracked her body.

   The rhythmic contractions of her asshole around the base of my cock
pushed me over the edge too.  I blasted my semen into the tip of the
condom. Penny shook and moaned for half a minute until her climax subsided.
She collapsed onto my chest.  I held her while she recovered her wits.

   Penny stared into my eyes and exclaimed, "Wow!  We're going to have to
do this again lover.  That was wonderful."

   "I'm glad you liked it honey." Penny stood up.  My semi-erect cock
pulled out with a slurp and plopped on my crotch.  Some of the lube ran
down Penny's leg.

   "This is messy, isn't it?"

   "It is.  I have wipes in my bag for clean up."

   "That's one of the things I love about you - you're always prepared."
Penny explained.

   She handed me a couple wipes.  I used one to take off and wrap up my
messy condom.  I used the other to wipe the excess lube and Penny's juices
off my crotch.  Penny wiped her bottom.  We dressed and gathered our
belongings up by flashlight and headed back to my car.  Ed and Chrissie had
left by the time we were ready to leave.

   On the way home Penny asked, "Do you think what we did tonight when you
had your cock in me and two fingers in my pussy was anything like what it
felt like for the girl you and Ed had sex with together?"

   "Why do you want to know?"

   "I'm just curious.  Tonight was the wildest night we have ever had
together.  I love you Kyle."

   "I love you too.  I hope you aren't getting any ideas of inviting
someone else to sleep with us.  I don't know that I want to share you with
another guy."

   "I'm not planning on it Kyle.  It just sounds intriguing." Penny said.

   Our conversation turned to Andy, Crystal and how the meeting with the
parents went.  I promised to call Penny when I got home and found out.  Mom
and Dad were watching TV in the family room when I got home.  I decided I
could get more information by talking to Andy.  He was in his room.

   I knocked at Andy's door.  He yelled, "Come in."

   I went in his room and sat down at his desk.  Andy was sitting up on his
bed, his MP3 player at his side.  He had been listening to music.  Andy
looked a little more settled then he had been the past couple days.  I
asked, "How are you doing?"

   Andy took a deep breath and let it out.  "I'll survive I guess."

   "What's going to happen?"

   "Mom and Dad are going to help me raise my kid."

   "What about Crystal?" I asked.

   "It's weird.  She actually expected that I would marry her.  Can you
believe that?"

   "Really?  I take it you aren't interested in getting married."

   "Hell no!  I'm only fifteen.  It'd be a disaster if Crystal and I got
married.  Way worse than when Mom married Will's dad.  Crystal's all pissed
off at me now since I refused to marry her."

   "What happened next?" I asked.

   "The Wagners, Mom and Dad started talking about putting our baby up for
adoption.  They were totally ignoring me.  I got mad and told them I would
raise my own child.  I'm not going to allow some stranger to take away my
child.  Mom, Dad and I went to the kitchen and talked for awhile.  I had to
plead with them to let me keep my baby but eventually they agreed to let me
do it."

   "Is Crystal going to help raise the baby too?  You know, like you have
it one week and she has it the next?"

   "No.  That's what's really weird.  After Crystal found out I wouldn't
marry her, she seemed to lose any interest in what happened to our child.
Let someone adopt it, let me keep it, it didn't seem to matter to her
anymore."

   "Oh?" I murmured, waiting for Andy to continue the story.

   "Mom, Dad and I talked about that a little bit after the Wagners left.
They think Crystal might have gotten pregnant so she could get away from
her father.  You saw what he was like on Thursday night.  He was almost as
bad tonight.  I know Crystal is afraid of her dad.  Do you think she would
do something like that?"

   "I don't know Andy.  He certainly was abusive on Thursday night."

   "He doesn't hit her or anything." Andy said.

   "I meant he was verbally abusive.  You know, the way her put her down."
I said.

   "I guess so." Andy said.  He leaned in and mock-whispered, "You won't
believe what Dad told me when Mom wasn't listening.  He said, `You stuck
your dick in her cunt.  No one forced you to do that.  Your sperm made her
pregnant.  She's carrying your baby.  As far as I'm concerned you're a man
now.  It's time to act like a man.  You have to take the consequences of
your irresponsibility.' I've never heard Dad talk like that before."

   "You earned it you know." I answered.

   "I guess.  Mom and Dad are taking the money they set aside to pay for
college for me and are going to use it to pay for my baby.  I have to find
a scholarship if I want to go to college.  After football is over I have to
find a part-time job.  I can't work at scout camp next summer either.  I
need to find a summer job that pays better.  I don't get to keep the money
I earned.  I have to give it to Mom and Dad to help pay for things."

   "It goes with being responsible Andy."

   "Yes.  I don't know how I'm going to get through all this."

   "You can count on your friends.  Penny and I will help any way we can.
Justin will help you.  Ed suspects what is going on.  He already said he'll
help.  You'll manage with help from all your friends."

   "Yeah.  Thanks for everything you've done for me Kyle.  I appreciate
it."

   "No problem." I said.  "Oh, by the way, I ran into Stacie Thompson
tonight.  She says `Hi'".

   "Stacie?  Cool!" Andy smiled.  I headed for the door.

   "Kyle?" I looked back at Andy.  He shook his head in disbelief.  "I'm
going to be a father in seven months."

   "Good night dad." I said.  I headed back to my bedroom.  I changed for
bed and tried to go to sleep.  I didn't fall asleep right away.  I kept
remembering all the chances I had taken since Penny and I made love the
first time almost three years ago.  I could have gotten Penny pregnant at
Zack's party.  Julie tried to have my baby before she moved.  I got drunk
and had unprotected sex with Alicia at the beach a year ago.  I got a
little drunk and screwed Johara when I visited Penn State.  I wasn't any
smarter about than Andy, just luckier.

   Chapter 30

   ==========

   Liz joined Venturers at the October meeting on Tuesday night.  The
meeting was devoted to a slide show of the crew's last trip to Algonquin.
The crew was going again next summer.  Liz planned to go on the trip.  I
would have loved to go back to Algonquin for a third time.  I would be in
football camp somewhere then.  Who knows when I would be able to go there
again?

   Coach McCarthy, the wide receivers coach at LSU, called on Wednesday
night while I was studying with Penny.  Coach Miles had delegated him to
find out about the residency requirements for LSU's veterinary school.  He
told me exactly what was required to attend the school.  I decided to see
if Penny was interested.

   I hung up the phone and asked, "Have you sent in that early admission
application to Penn yet?"

   Penny grinned.  "No.  Why do you ask?"

   "I think I found a way we could go to college together.  Would you like
to hear about it?"

   "Of course." Penny said.

   "I found out that LSU has a veterinary school two weekends ago when I
visited.  Would you consider going there with me?  They offered me a
scholarship.  I'd accept it this second if you would come with me."

   "Louisiana?  Would the veterinary school even take someone from
Pennsylvania?"

   "No, but they would take you if you established residence in Louisiana
for one year."

   "Live down there for a year?  I don't know Kyle." Penny said.

   "I really like Baton Rouge.  It's a nice - it feels more like a town
than a big city.  The campus is beautiful.  It's the best way I have found
for us to stay together."

   Penny sighed.  "What do I need to do to establish residence?"

   "Coach McCarthy says we would need to live there for one year, off
campus.  We'd register our cars down there and have a Louisiana drivers
licenses.  You'd need to have a job off campus and earn some money.  Your
dad couldn't claim you as a dependent on his taxes."

   Penny frowned.  "I'd have to stay down there for a whole year?"

   "You could spend six weeks here with your parents.  That would be about
the same amount of time I'd be back up here.  I expect I'll be at football
camp all of August.  What do you think?"

   "I don't know Kyle.  This is a huge step."

   "I know it is.  I hate the idea of us being apart when we are in
college. If you say you'll go to LSU with me, I'll call Coach Miles right
now and accept his scholarship offer."

   "I don't know Kyle.  I can't make this kind of decision this quick."
Penny said.

   "Will you at least think about it?"

   "I'll do that.  I need to think, talk to my parents and do some research
on LSU's vet school."

   "Thanks Penny.  I'm glad you will consider this.  I love you." I gave
her a kiss, a very passionate kiss.  We had been studying but the books got
pushed off the bed to make room for us.  Next thing you know, Penny's lying
naked on my bed, I'm locking the door and joining her.  We made love as
quietly as we knew how.  Even so, every few seconds one of us had to shush
the other while we did it.  Penny cleaned up and headed for home when we
finished.

   Andy popped into my room as soon as Penny left.  He exclaimed, "You know
there ain't no justice in the world.  I'm the guy in trouble for screwing
around with too many girls.  You and Penny are going at it like a couple of
rabbits while everyone is home.  You're unbelievable."

   "Hey some guys have got it." I teased.  Andy headed back to his room.  I
was happy, beyond the obvious sexual satisfaction.  This was the first time
in a week that Andy had teased me.  He was starting to pull out of his
black mood.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   Our team practiced hard to get ready for Cornwall.  We took them
seriously as a threat.  They were one of the three teams in our league that
had beaten us since I started on varsity.  We wouldn't have any room for
errors against them.

   I bumped into Justin Baer after practice on Thursday.  He had parked
beside my car.  I noticed he had a scout uniform hanging in the back seat.
I asked, "What's up Justin?  I thought you quit scouts years ago."

   "Time flies Kyle.  Billy joined Cub Scouts last month.  He's a Tiger
Cub. I took him to the pack meeting and next thing you know, I'm the new
Cubmaster for Pack 312."

   "Are you?  Cool!"

   "Jon and I are meeting early tonight to set things up for the pack
meeting."

   "Jon?"

   "Yeah.  Jon Miller's son Brian joined Tiger Cubs too.  I drafted Jon to
be my assistant as soon as I took the job as Cubmaster.  It'll be just like
old times.  Jon as my ASPL when I ran the troop."

   "Wow.  Congratulations.  Welcome back to scouting." I said.  Justin
hopped in his car and headed for the church.  Andy and I hopped in my car
and headed home.

   We played Cornwall at Harrison Field on Friday night.  I hoped home
field advantage would help us handle these guys.  The video on Cornwall
didn't help us a lot.  They had beat LS last week with their punishing
defense.  The destroyed the other six teams they played, all weak teams in
our league.  They were playing the Braves next week and finishing their
season with a game at Central.  The finale of their schedule was going to
be punishing.

   Cornwall had the ball first.  They managed one first down before Jeremy
and crew shut them down.  They punted the ball to Andy.  Our blocking wedge
opened a crease in Cornwall's coverage.  Andy squirted through and dashed
down the field.  The punter tried to tackle Andy as he went by but missed.
Andy ran into the end zone and spiked the ball to hearty cheers from our
fans.  Andy was grinning ear to ear.

   Cornwall operates a power running game.  They don't pass often.  They
tried pounding our defensive line.  It didn't work.  Austin, Joey, Jamie
and Travis wouldn't move an inch.  Jeremy, Jim and Kenny plugged the gaps
in the line.  Cornwall was forced to punt after three plays.

   Our balanced attack was more than Cornwall could contain.  I pulled in a
deep pass and ran into the end zone on the eighth play of the next drive.
Andy added a touchdown catch before half time.

   Andy scored again to finish our first drive of the second half.  Coach
Caffrey pulled the starters.  Jake Kring, Marcus Shaeffer, Jason Harting
and Jonathan Landis took care of business after that.  Jonathan scored his
first varsity touchdown.  Marcus scored a final touchdown before the game
was over.  Cornwall managed to score a touchdown in garbage time at the end
of the game when the outcome was no longer in doubt.  The final score was
42-7 our favor.

   I knew Ed had deliberately thrown passes to Andy in preference to me
during the game.  Both of us had been open on his two touchdowns.  I didn't
mind.  Andy could use a good night.  He hadn't had many of them recently.

   Coach Caffrey brought everyone together locker room after the game.  He
announced, "The game ball tonight goes to Andrew Martin.  Excellent work
Andy!" Andy grinned as he came forward accept the ball.  "I was proud of
all of you tonight.  This is the best game you played this season.  I need
you to maintain your focus and drive for next week's game.  Nothing but our
best will allow us to beat Central next Friday." Coach Caffrey nodded to
me.

   I hopped up and shouted.  "Beat Central on three!" Our team stood.  I
chanted, "one, Two, THREE - BEAT CENTRAL!" as my friends and team mates
chanted with me.

   Ed and I changed together.  Ed asked, "You're going to Penn State
tomorrow, right?"

   "Yep.  You're off to Florida, right?"

   "You got it.  I have another one of those damn early morning flights. 
Dad and I fly out of Baltimore at 6:20 tomorrow morning." Ed said.

   "Get out of here.  You need some sleep." I teased.

   I grabbed the night's hero, my brother, and headed for home.  Now that I
drove, Mom and Dad didn't hang out after the game was over.  I usually
drove Andy and myself home after the game.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   The original plan for the weekend was for Dad and me to arrive in State
College around 11 am, in time to see warm-ups before the 1:00 pm game.  We
would have dinner with Coach Paterno and Coach Burton after the game.  ABC
forced us to change our plans.  They moved kick-off time to 3:30 pm to get
a wider TV audience for the game.  This game pitted #2 USC against #3 Penn
State.  It was the biggest college match-up of the weekend.

   Our appointment at the Lasch Center was for 11:00 am.  Dad dragged me
out of bed early.  He said we needed to try to beat the football traffic.
It didn't work.  We were stuck in a traffic jam at the Lewisville narrows
for an hour and a half.  Dad teased that they had started working on the
construction on that section of Route 322 when he was attending Penn State
as a freshman.

   Nearly all the cars on 322 pulled off at Park Avenue to park at Beaver
Stadium.  Penn State had sent me a temporary parking sticker and told us to
park in the parking lot beside the Shields building during the weekend. 
Dad needed the sticker just to be allowed to get to Shields.  Dad parked
the car.  We walked down to the Lasch Center and checked in with the
receptionist.  She took us to a conference room to wait until one of the
coaches was free.

   Another potential recruit was already sitting at the conference table
with his parents.  He was African-American.  He was built like a hunk of
granite.  He obviously worked out as much as I did.  I looked him over for
a few seconds.  He looked familiar.  I had seen him somewhere before.  I
walked over and offered my hand to him.

   "Hi.  I'm Kyle Martin." I said.  He stood up and shook my hand.

   "I remember Kyle.  We met at the championship game last fall.  I'm
Damian...."

   "Yeah!  Damian Thompson.  I remember.  How have you been?"

   "I'm good.  How is your knee?" Damian asked.

   "100%.  I wouldn't be visiting Penn State if it wasn't." I answered. 
Damian introduced me to his parents, Howard and Renee Thompson.  I
introduced them to my Dad.  Damian and I compared notes.

   "How's your team doing Kyle?" Damian asked.

   We're 7-1.  How about the Colonels?"

   Damian grinned.  "We're undefeated."

   "Cool!  Maybe we will play again this year in the championship game." I
said.  As I said it, Christian Hunsecker walked into the conference room
followed by his parents.  I looked at him.

   Christian laughed.  "I don't think so Kyle.  Your team isn't even going
to win the Lancaster-Lebanon League."

   "We'll see about that next Friday night Christian." I countered.

   I introduced Christian to Damian, his parents and Dad.  Christian
introduced his father Randall and his mother Evelyn to everyone.  Christian
and I explained how we knew each other and about the rivalry between the
Wolverines and Central.  We kids talked about Penn State's season while we
waited for a coach to arrive.

   Another recruit and his mom came before the coach showed up.  He
introduced himself as Shawn Byrd from Bethlehem.  Shawn was an
African-American too, but a slightly darker shade of brown than Damian.  He
was a cornerback for the Liberty Hurricanes.

   A couple minutes after 11 Coach Paterno, Coach Burton and Coach Bradley
walked into the conference room.  Coach Paterno introduced everyone to each
other.  He explained that Coach Burton and Coach Bradley needed to leave to
get ready for the game.  He launched into his `Welcome to Penn State' talk.
It was similar to the talk he gave Dad and me last fall.  He talked about
Penn State's winning football tradition, the emphasis on academics and
helping players earn their degree.

   Coach Paterno concluded about twenty minutes later.  Coach asked for
questions when he was done.  Damian asked, "How can you take time to talk
with us this morning?  You have a game in a few hours."

   Coach Paterno grinned.  "I'm just the old guy who stands around and
watches the other coaches work." Coach Paterno paused to judge our
reaction. "Seriously, my job is to oversee the whole team.  Coach Burton
runs the offense and Coach Bradley runs the defense.  They take care of the
details.  That's their job.  On game day I coordinate between offense and
defense and generally try to keep out of the way.  Does that explain how I
can have time for you?"

   Damian answered, "Yes, thanks Coach Paterno."

   Coach Paterno continued the Q&A session.  The parents and other guys
asked questions that Coach Paterno patiently answered.  Dad and I sat back
and listened.  They were the same questions we had asked last year.

   Coach Paterno cleared his throat and said, "We have time for one more
question.  Any one?"

   Shawn beat Christian and Darius to the punch.  "How are you planning to
beat USC today?"

   Coach Paterno grinned.  "That's an excellent question." He turned and
looked at me.  "You aren't a spy are you?"

   "No sir.  I can keep my mouth shut." I answered.

   Coach Paterno looked back the other guys.  "Kyle was out in LA last
August to visit the enemy.  Do you have any tips for me about USC?"

   "Sorry Coach.  I have friends on both teams.  You're on your own today."

   "Good answer Kyle.  Seriously guys, I am confident our team will win for
a three reasons.  The first reason is Morano and Torelli play corner for
us. They are two of the best in college ball.  The second reason is our
linebackers.  They are excellent.  The final reason we will win is we have
Phil DiStefano.  I don't care what the guys talking Heisman for Jared
Dillard say; DiStefano is the best quarterback in the country.  We'll win
this game." Coach Paterno said with determination.  He glanced down at his
watch.  "It's time for lunch.  We're going to eat with the team."

   Coach Paterno led us to a large conference room/cafeteria room.  The
front end of the room was set up with a large buffet table full of food. 
Half the seats at the tables were filled already.  Two lines straggled away
from the end of the buffet tables as players waited their turn for lunch.
Coach Paterno had us join the end of the line.

   The player at the end of the line looked like he wasn't much older than
me and shaved even less often than me (if that's possible).  He stepped
aside and said, "Go ahead Coach."

   Coach Paterno laughed.  "No Tyler.  I've learned over the years not to
get between you boys and the food.  Go ahead, get lunch." Tyler stepped
back into line.  Coach Paterno turned to us and explained, "Tyler Madden is
a freshman who plays free safety for us.  He's going to be a hell of a
player in a year or two." Coach Paterno introduced us to Tyler.  When we
got to the table Coach Paterno joshed, "Tyler, make sure you eat a lot. 
Those Ohio State running backs are huge.  You're going to need some bulk
when you hit them next year."

   "Yes sir." Tyler answered.  I looked him over.  He looked to be about
6'-1" or 6'-2".  He probably weighed as much as me.  He was too light? 
What would the coaches think about me?  I had gained 74 pounds since I
started football three years ago.  Was I going to need to bulk up too?

   Coach Paterno took us to a table with some of the other coaches. 
Christian, his parents, Dad and I had a seat with Paul Adams, the Penn
State receivers coach.  He knew Christian and me from football camp back in
June.

   Coach Adams was about my Dad's age, around 40.  He talked with Mr.  and
Mrs.  Hunsecker and Dad.  It turned out they were all students at Penn
State at the same time.  Coach Adams played wide receiver for the Lions
from 1985 to 1989.  Mr.  Hunsecker was class of 1988.  Mrs.  Hunsecker was
class of 1989.  Dad had attended Penn State as a freshman in 1985-6.  They
reminisced about the 1986 national championship game.

   Coach Adams hurt his knee when he was a senior.  Coach Paterno kept him
around as a graduate assistant for the next couple years.  He went into
teaching when he was finished with his masters degree.  He taught high
school and coached football on the side for five years until he was hired
by Lehigh University to coach receivers by Coach Burton, who was the
offensive coordinator at the time.  Coach Burton talked Coach Paterno into
hiring Coach Adams when he came to Penn State.

   When lunch was done Coach Paterno excused himself.  Coach Adams took
over and explained the plans for the rest of the weekend.  He had two
players who would give Christian, Damian, Shawn and me a tour of campus. 
Mr.  Andrews, an academic advisor for the athletic department was going to
take the parents on a tour of campus and talk about the programs that the
university had to assist student/athletes in completing their degrees.

   Coach Adams introduced us to Jeremiah Nowak and Dominic Cucchiella, our
guides.  Jeremiah had a cast on his right arm, extending from his elbow to
his fingertips.  Dominic, better known as `Cuch' by his friends and
teammates, was wearing a brace on his left knee.  He limped a little, kind
of like I did last winter after my operation.

   Jeremiah waved his good hand and said, "Let's go guys.  The Creamery is
our first stop."

   Christian and I simultaneous said, "Cool!"

   Shawn looked confused.  "Creamery?  Why?"

   "Ice Cream." Jeremiah explained.

   Cuch added, "Best ice cream in the world.  The people who run the
Creamery are the guys who taught Ben & Jerry when they were starting to
make ice cream 30 years ago."

   The four of us followed Jeremiah and Cuch outside and cut between
buildings to get to Curtin Road.  We bucked the tide of football fans
heading north to Beaver Stadium, talking as we walked.  We found out that
Jeremiah was a junior and #3 quarterback on the team.  He broke a bone in
his hand fooling around with a couple team mates after practice a couple
weeks ago.  Coach Paterno was not amused when it happened.

   Cuch was a sophomore who played the hero position.  He had to explain
that Penn State called the strong safety the hero instead.  He was #2 at
his position.  He injured his knee last Saturday.  He had a partial tear of
his medial collateral ligament and had strained his lateral collateral
ligament.  The doctors decided he didn't need surgery to fix his knee.  I
told him about my experience last fall.  Cuch didn't expect to miss more
than a couple games.  He hoped to be ready when Penn State played Michigan.

   We had a long wait in the line at the Creamery.  Jeremiah convinced me
to try the Black Cow ice cream.  It was vanilla with a root beer sherbet
swirl in it.  It tasted just like a root beer float.  I enjoyed it.

   Our guides took us down Curtin Road through campus to Rec Hall.  We
checked out the Nittany Lion statue outside the building.  We went back
through campus past the Pattee and Paterno Library.  Cuch explained that
Joe and Sue Paterno had raised over 13 million dollars to expand the
library a few years ago.

   Jeremiah and Cuch took us down the mall to Old Main and then across
campus past the HUB (Hetzel Union Building) and then on to the Pollack
Dorms.  Both Jeremiah and Cuch stayed in Hartranft Hall in Pollack.  They
explained that many of the younger members of the football team had rooms
in Pollack.  It was convenient to the practice facilities.

   Cuch took us up to his room to show off his room.  He obviously had
cleaned up for us before we came.  His room looked the same as Zack's had
been last year.  We headed for Beaver Stadium after that.

   Jeremiah and Cuch took us into the locker room to hang out for a few
minutes until warm-ups started.  Cuch warned, "You guys need to stay out of
the way.  They're getting their game faces on."

   "Yep, I understand.  It's time for them to focus on beating Southern
Cal." Shawn said.  Damian, Christian and I agreed.  We watched as the team
finished dressing and taping up for the game.

   Greg Walker went by us.  He spotted me.  "Hey, you're Zack Hayes' friend
aren't you?  Martin....  uh"

   "Kyle Martin." I answered.

   "You're visiting again.  Are you going to accept a scholarship?" Greg
asked.

   "I might, if I'm offered one."

   "What?  All these visits and they haven't offered you anything?"

   "I hurt my knee last fall.  They waited to find out if I could play this
fall." I explained.

   "Well, how are you doing?" Greg asked.

   "I have 22 touchdowns so far this season."

   "Shit!  22.  Say yes when they offer you the scholarship kid.  They're
going to offer it soon, guaranteed." Greg said.  "Our team can use somebody
like you next year when I'm gone."

   "I'll see what the coaches have to say this weekend and then make up my
mind Greg.  Good luck against USC today."

   "Thanks Martin." Greg said.  He headed off for his locker.

   A couple minutes later Phil DiStefano, Zack Hayes and a couple other
guys came back into the locker room followed by Coach Burton and another
coach.  Jeremiah explained, "The quarterback briefing is done.  The team is
going out for warm-ups in a couple minutes."

   Zack spotted me immediately and came over.  He clapped me on the back
and said, "Glad you're here Kyle.  It's going to be a hell of a game
today."

   "Good to see you too Zack.  I'm looking forward to it."

   "Who are these other guys?" Zack asked.

   I introduced Christian, Damian and Shawn to Zack.  Zack invited the four
of us to meet him for a party.  He left me his phone number.  I was to give
him a call when we got settled at the hotel after the game.  He said he
could pick us up and take us to the party.  Damian and Shawn were
enthusiastic.  Christian was reluctant.

   The team headed for the field.  Jeremiah, Cuch and the rest of us
followed them out to the field.  We stood on the Penn State sideline
watching them prepare.  Jeremiah stood beside me.  He asked, "How do you
know Zack Hayes?"

   "We were teammates in high school.  He's also my older brother's friend.
He is the one who got me started in football.  A lot of what I know I
learned from Zack."

   "I know what you mean.  Zack and I should be big rivals.  One of us is
going to be the starter next season when Phil leaves." Jeremiah paused.  "I
know he has the edge to get the job.  We've both been with the team for
three years.  The coaches thought enough of him to red shirt him our
freshman year so he has one more year of eligibility than me.  He'll
probably get the starter's job next season.  I'm going to push him anyway
and make him earn the top spot.  In spite of all that, Zack helps me all
the time.  He treats me as a friend instead of a rival.  He's a special
kind of guy."

   "Zack is.  He will do whatever it takes so the whole team is
successful." I said.

   We stood on the sidelines watching for about fifteen minutes.  A parade
of Penn State players stopped by: Aaron Morano, Vic Torelli, Pete Klein,
Shawn O'Conner, and Tony Phillips.  Cuch and Jeremiah seemed a little
surprised how many guys knew me.  I explained about my previous visit.

   USC came out for warm-ups a couple minutes after Penn State took the
field.  It was a little weird looking over at them on the west end of the
field getting ready.  I consider myself friends with a number of the Penn
State players and they sort of seemed like "my" team.  But then I saw Brady
Rasmussen passing to Alex Gutierrez and Jared Dillard throwing to a
receiver I didn't recognize.  I looked over at Coach Carroll observing
everything.  I felt like I had an interest in them too.  How was I going to
pick between them?

   My daydreaming was interrupted by a voice I knew.  "Hey, Kyle!  You made
it to the game.  I thought you said you couldn't get tickets." I looked up
to see Alex Gutierrez run towards me after he caught one of Brady's passes.

   "Hi Alex.  It's good to see you.  I couldn't buy tickets to get in the
stadium today.  I needed personal intervention from Joe Paterno to get in
here." I retorted.

   "Ahhh, official visit." Alex answered.

   "Yep, that's right."

   "Why would you want to come to some cold gray place like this?  It was
82 degrees when we left LA yesterday morning." Alex said.

   Everyone in the group I was with laughed.  "Cold?  This is warm for
Happy Valley in the end of October." All of us were wearing T-shirts
without coats or sweatshirts.  The temperature was in the high fifties. 
Clouds were starting to roll in.  The weatherman predicted rain later on
Sunday, probably after lunch.

   "I don't know about you Kyle.  I want to go to college somewhere that's
warm and sunny.  I'm going to the beach tomorrow after we get home to LA."

   "Enjoy it Alex." I answered.  I proceeded to introduce Alex to Jeremiah,
Cuch, Christian, Damian and Shawn.  We talked for a minute before Coach
Sarksian waved to Alex to get back to warming up.  I wished him luck before
he left.

   Cuch said, "I gather that you visited USC already this year."

   "Yes I did."

   "I hope you choose to stay in your own state Kyle.  I wouldn't want you
to be one of those sunshine boys over there." Cuch said, pointing towards
the Trojans.

   "I don't know what I'm going to do Cuch.  I'll decide after my last
visit in a couple weeks." I explained.

   We stood and watched the players from the opposing teams warm up for the
game.  Aaron Morano and Vic Torelli stopped by to say hi when they were
finished.  Brady Rasmussen stopped by to talk for a couple minutes too. 
Coach Carroll gave me a wave as he jogged off the field for final
preparations for the game.  Jeremiah and Cuch took us up in the stands to
join our parents.  They stayed with us.  They weren't going to be any help
to the team with their injuries.

   We sat back and enjoyed the game.  It was back and forth.  Both teams
had fast, hard hitting offense that could score from anywhere on the field.
Both defenses were capable of stopping the other too.  If a defender took
half a step the wrong direction or hesitated momentarily, the offense would
make a big play.  If the quarterback wasn't perfect with a throw, the pass
was knocked down.

   Neither team could sustain a ten or twelve play drive the length of the
field.  They'd go four or five plays for 10-12 yards and then hit a 40-50
yard pass.  Turnovers determined the score in the first half.  Jared threw
an interception and let Penn State score first on the shortened field.  Ben
Moore, linebacker for the Trojans, put a devastating hit on Shawn O'Conner,
the Penn State tailback, forcing a fumble that USC recovered.  They
converted that into a touchdown.

   Penn State answered with a drive long enough to net them a field goal.
Pete Klein and the other Penn State linebackers manhandled USC's tailback
in the first half.  He coughed the ball up three times.  Unfortunately for
Penn State, they only recovered one of the three fumbles.  Penn State
cashed in on that turnover for another touchdown.

   USC managed to have two big plays on the same drive and scored another
touchdown, Jared Dillard to Alex Gutierrez.  Penn State responded with by
sustaining a big drive just as the half was ending.  They managed to get
from their 28 yard line down to USC's 22 before things went wrong.  Phil
threw a pass to Greg Walker, but USC's Chris Mann out-jumped Greg to take
the ball away.  Greg tackled Chris immediately.  USC couldn't score in the
45 seconds left in the half.  The two teams went into the locker room with
the score USC 21, Penn State 17.

   Joe Paterno must have given an inspirational speech at halftime.  The
team came out all fired up when they received the kickoff to start the
second half.  They smashed the ball straight up the gut of USC's defensive
line on three straight plays.

   Dad proudly observed, "This is the Penn State I remember when I went
here."

   Phil caught USC sleeping on the fourth play, a play action pass.  He
completed a 28 yard strike to Greg Walker.  The team continued down the
field that way, smashing into their line most of the time and then hitting
a play action pass for good yardage.  Penn State took the lead after a
bruising thirteen play drive for a touchdown.

   I thought things looked extremely promising now for Penn State.  If they
could hold USC on the next drive and then repeat their long drive again,
they could have a ten point lead.  It would set them up for the win.

   It didn't quite work out that way.  Penn State did stop USC's next
drive. USC did the same to Penn State.  The two teams sparred again,
looking for an opening, but nothing came up.  They went into the fourth
quarter with Penn Sate leading 24-21.

   Penn State started their next drive with an excellent punt return that
started them on their 39 yard line.  They managed to keep their drive going
this time.  Phil completed a short pass to Tony Phillips, their tight end,
on a crossing route.  Tony made the linebacker miss the tackle.  He ran for
another 21 yards to take the Lions down to USC's 26 yard line.

   Shawn O'Conner carried the ball twice into the middle of USC's line and
netted only two yards.  Penn State tried a play action pass again.  USC
anticipated this and blitzed.  They overloaded the left side of Penn
State's offensive line.  The free safety broke free and nailed Phil in the
blind side, driving him into the turf violently.

   Phil rolled onto his back after the hit but didn't get up.  Shawn
O'Conner waved for the trainers when he went over to help Phil up.  I
looked down in front of us.  Zack Hayes had a ball and was warming up
quickly while the trainers went out to care for Phil.

   Phil sat up before the trainers could reach him.  They kept him seated
on the ground while they checked him out.  They helped him off the field.
The crowd cheered as he waved to them.

   Zack trotted onto the field and huddled his team mates.  As I expected
Zack handed the ball off to Shawn.  He dove into the center of the line. 
It looked like a cutback run to take advantage of the way the Trojan
players pursued to the ball aggressively.  As I watched I caught sight of
an arm coming up in the backfield.  I looked at the arm.  Zack still had
the ball!

   He lobbed a pass over the defenders to the end zone.  I followed the
flight of the ball as it sailed for the corner of the end zone.  Greg
jumped for it and pulled it down before Chris Mann, the cornerback, could
reach him.  Touchdown!

   I was shocked at the audaciousness of the play.  The conservative play
when you lose your starting quarterback is to have the `cold' quarterback
come off the bench hand off the ball a couple times to get into the flow of
the game.  I had expected that Penn State would run up the middle a couple
times and kick a field goal if they didn't make enough yards for a first
down.

   The coaches chose to run the exact same play action pass with Zack at
the controls of the offense that had gotten Phil knocked out the previous
play.  The coaches had a hell of a lot of confidence in Zack to trust him
to pass in those circumstances.  The successful PAT increased Penn State's
lead to 10 points.  There was nine and a half minutes left in the game.

   USC took the field.  The fact that they were down ten points changed the
whole complexion of the game.  Penn State's defensive line ignored the run
and went after Jared.  He was a Heisman candidate for a reason.  He coolly
passed the ball to his outlet receiver when he was pressured.  The Trojans
also picked up some yards on a draw play when the defensive tackles blitzed
a little too carelessly.  He moved his team down the field.

   Alex Gutierrez lined up in the slot.  Aaron Morano was covering him. 
Aaron dropped back towards the center of the field when the ball was
snapped.  Alex ran across the field going behind Aaron as he crossed the
field.  Aaron didn't follow him.  It confirmed my suspicion that the Lions
were using zone coverage.  Alex slowed and turned to face Jared when he was
between Aaron and the nickel back to his left.  The Lions free safety came
up to cover Alex.

   Jared cocked his arm and threw to Alex.  Aaron reacted instantly
covering the five yards between him and Alex while the ball was in the air.
Aaron undercut Alex and stole the ball as he ran by.  Aaron ran diagonally
across the field towards the Lions' bench before he turned up field and
sprinted for the end zone.  The only Trojan who might have caught him was
Jared, but he wasn't fast enough.

   In five seconds time the game was decided.  Penn State scored the PAT to
put them ahead 38-21.  The Lions kicked the ball back to the Trojans.  The
defense harassed Jared constantly, preventing him from getting back in
rhythm.  USC had two more possessions before time ran out.  They didn't
score on either one.

   Phil came out for Penn State's final drive to the cheers of over 107,000
fans.  He handed the ball off to Shawn and the other tailbacks until time
ran out on the clock.  The Lions players and fans celebrated their good
fortune.

   I glanced over at the other side of the field.  My friends on the
Trojans stared at the ground and shuffled around, trying to absorb what had
just happened.  The Lions just seized control of their destiny.  We all
knew that the polls on Monday would show Penn State going to #2 in the
nation while USC would drop.  The game in two weeks in Ann Arbor between #1
Michigan and #2 Penn State would determine the top team in the country and
cement their bid to the Bowl Championship's top game on January 5th.

   Jeremiah, Cuch, the other prospects and I were ecstatic at the result of
the game.  It had been a hell of an evening.  Cuch led us and our parents
down to the field to mingle with the players and coaches.

   Coach Adams caught up with us a few minutes later while I was teasing
Zack about his brief appearance in the game.  Zack responded, "I may not
have played much but I made my time count.  You can't do any better than I
did."

   "What happened to Phil?"

   "He just had the breath knocked out of him.  He's fine.  That's why I
only played the one down." Zack said.

   Coach Adams gathered all the parents and recruits together to explain
the rest of the evening.  We were going over to the Penn Stater Hotel and
check in.  The coaches would meet us over there for dinner.  We had free
time when the dinner was over.  Zack left me his cell phone number.  He
invited us to a small party the team was throwing after the game.

   It took us half an hour to get through the post game traffic and cover
the half mile to Innovation Park and our hotel.  Dad and I changed into
better clothes and went back downstairs to meet the other recruits, parents
and coaches.

   We spent dinner talking about the game we had just witnessed.  Coach
Paterno was late getting to dinner.  He had to do a long press conference
before his duties were finished.  Coach Paterno was in an expansive mood.
His team hadn't been undefeated this late in the season since the 1994.

   Coach Paterno filled us in on the plan for Sunday morning.  He, Coach
Burton, Coach Bradley and Coach Adams were going to join us for breakfast
at the hotel and then take us over to the practice field for a work out. 
The morning would end with a meeting with the coaches before we headed for
home.

   The coaches left.  The Hunseckers, the Thompsons, the Byrds, Dad and I
were standing by the elevators waiting to go up to our rooms.  I said,
"Zack Hayes invited us to go with him and meet some more of the team
tonight.  Are you guys interested?"

   Damian and Shawn eagerly answered yes.  Christian was hesitant.  Mr. 
Hunsecker asked, "This wouldn't be a college beer party, would it?"

   I was ready to answer when Dad said, "I've known Zack and the Hayes
family since my oldest son was in Boy Scouts with their oldest son eleven
years ago.  I have faith in Zack.  He is completely trustworthy." Mr.  &
Mrs.  Hunsecker still seemed reluctant.  "It will be good for the boys to
meet some of their potential teammates.  It could help them make up their
mind if they want to come to Penn State next year."

   That helped convince the Hunseckers.  Damian, Shawn, and Christian
agreed to meet me in the hotel lobby in ten minutes to go to the party.  I
called Zack and told him the plans.  He said he'd be there in fifteen
minutes.  We went up to our room to clean up before we left.

   The four of us squeezed into Zack's little Honda for the short trip to
the party.  Zack drove us back on Park Avenue and turned south on Bigler.
He pulled into a parking area at the Nittany Apartments.  We followed Zack
as he headed towards one of the apartment buildings.  He pointed to his
right.  "That's where my apartment is."

   I asked, "You have an apartment now?"

   "Aaron and I hooked up with Evan Foster and Jacob Washington last spring
when it was time to sign up for dorm space.  We have a four bedroom
apartment.  Each of us has our own bedroom."

   "That's cool.  I guess it beats a dorm room."

   "It does.  The apartments are only available for juniors and seniors."
Zack said.

   Damian asked, "I thought you were a sophomore."

   "The NCAA says I'm a sophomore.  The university says I'm a junior
academically.  Coach Paterno red shirted me my first year to let me have
more time to learn our offense." Zack explained.

   Shawn asked, "Who's hosting this party Zack?"

   "Phil Distefano and Greg Walker." Zack answered as we stepped up to door
of the apartment.  He knocked at the door.  A guy in a Lions sweatshirt
opened the door.  "Phil and Greg scored primo digs.  They have a
townhouse."

   We walked inside.  Zack was right, the place was much better than any
dorm room I had seen this fall.  The living room was to the right.  It
looked to be about 20'x12'.  A small kitchen was off the side of the room.
Steps to the upstairs were on the left.  Straight ahead I could see the
doors to the two downstairs bedrooms.  They must have been 15 or 20 guys
and girls mingling in the townhouse.

   Aaron Morano and his girlfriend Tania were standing beside the table
gathering some eats.  A big bowl of potato chips, another of pretzels and a
tray of nachos were there for partiers to enjoy.  I introduced Christian,
Damian and Shawn to Aaron and Tania.  Zack headed for the kitchen.  He
asked, "Christian, you want a beer?"

   "No thank you Zack." Christian answered.

   "Damian?  Shawn?" Zack asked.  Damian and Shawn both quickly agreed that
a beer sounded good.  Zack finally asked, "How about you Kyle?  Want a
beer?"

   "I'll pass Zack." I wasn't interested in having Dad smell beer on my
breath when I got back to the room we were sharing tonight.  I spotted
Johara Safay at the other end of the room.  She spotted Zack and made a
beeline towards him, intercepting him as he went into the kitchen.  She
still looked as exotic as last fall.

   I went over towards Greg Walker to talk.  He saw me coming.  He greeted
me with a grin.  "I'm glad you could get away from the `rents.  What did
you think of the game?"

   "Awesome.  You had a great game." I answered.  Greg and I talked for a
couple minutes, comparing notes about things only a couple wide receivers
would notice about a game.  Greg was a top notch receiver.  It would be
great to play with him if I came to Penn State; unfortunately that wasn't
going to happen.  Greg was a senior.  The only way I would ever play with
him was for both of us to make it into the NFL.  Maybe someday.

   I drifted towards the kitchen.  Zack came out carrying three beers. 
Johara was on one arm.  A beautiful brunette was hanging on his other
shoulder.  She was stretching her tight T-shirt almost to the breaking
point with her voluptuous breasts.  Zack was a lucky guy.  He gave Damian
and Shawn their beers.  Zack and the girls headed to me.

   Zack said, "Do you girls remember..."

   Johara grabbed me and gave me a tight hug.  She pressed her breasts
against my chest.  "Kyle.  I remember Kyle!" My cock started to inflate. 
Johara gave me a kiss on the cheek.  "Believe me, I remember Kyle." My cock
hardened.  I certainly remembered my night with Johara last fall; and my
morning with her too.

   Zack laughed.  "I guess you remember Kyle.  Kyle, this beauty is Miranda
Brooks." Zack gave her a kiss on the cheek.  "Miranda, this is Kyle Martin,
a friend from back home and a prospective recruit for our team."

   That's it!  One of the girls at the party last fall.  I did remember
Miranda.  "It's good to see you again Miranda." I said.

   "Hello Kyle." Miranda replied.

   Zack said, "Do you want to see the rest of this place Kyle?"

   "Sure." I followed Miranda and Zack upstairs.  Johara followed me, her
hand resting on my back as we climbed the stairs.  The townhouse had a
vanity and sink at the top of the steps.  The bathroom was straight ahead.
Two bedrooms were to the left.

   Zack asked, "What's up Kyle?  I've never seen you refuse a beer before."

   "I'm sharing a room with my Dad tonight.  I don't want to smell like
I've been drinking.  Mom and Dad are NOT understanding about it."

   "That's too bad.  The good news is that you won't have to worry about
that next fall."

   "I know.  It seems amazing to me that I'll be finishing high school in a
few months." I said.

   "The time does go by fast Kyle.  Enjoy high school while you can." Zack
said.  "Check out the bedrooms.  They're great."

   Miranda and Zack headed for the room to the left.  I started to follow
but Johara pulled me into the one on the right.  The room was 9'x12'.  She
pushed me inside and kicked the door shut.

   "Isn't this a nice room?" Johara purred.  She wrapped her arms around me
and gave me a kiss on the lips.  "It's a nice, PRIVATE room!" Her tits were
pressing into my chest.  My cock was fully erect, pushing against my
khakis. Johara rubbed against it.  She kissed me again, her tongue pressing
against my lips, seeking entrance to my mouth.

   Jesus Christ!  How do I get myself in these jams?  I had a gorgeous 20
year old coed molded to my body.  She wanted me!  I relaxed my lips and
Johara pushed her tongue into my mouth.  A jolt of electricity shot through
my body when our tongues met.  I felt Johara grasp my hard-on and rub it.
NO!  I love Penny!  Stop!

   I broke our lip lock and breathed in.  Johara rubbed my hard-on again. I
breathed out and said, "I... can't."

   "What?  You're a really fun guy.  I'd like to..." Johara.

   "No.  I can't.  I have a girlfriend back home."

   "She won't know."

   I managed to pull away.  "I'm sorry.  I'd like to be with you, but I
can't.  I love my girlfriend and can't cheat on her."

   Johara pulled away and pouted.  "This isn't the girlfriend in, uh.... 
Iowa, is it?"

   "It was Nebraska and no, she broke up with me last fall.  This
girlfriend lives three doors down from my house." I explained.

   "Your girlfriend is a lucky girl." Johara said.  She stepped half a step
away.  "You're really sure you don't want some fun tonight?  I'd love to
feel that tongue of yours again.  Um, and that cock too."

   "The offer is flattering Johara but I'll pass."

   "If you come here to college and are unattached, have Zack call me.  We
can pick up where we left off last fall.  It'd be fun."

   "OK.  I'll take you up on that offer if I'm available next time." I
stepped to Johara and gave her a kiss, on the cheek.  We opened the door
and went back into the hall.  Zack and Miranda were leaning against the
door frame embracing and kissing passionately.  They pulled apart as soon
as we came out of the other bedroom.

   I said, "We'll give you two some privacy." Zack looked over Miranda's
shoulder and mouthed, "What happened?"

   I silently said, "Penny." Zack nodded his head.  Zack and Mirada
continued making out while Johara and I went downstairs.  I told her, "I'm
getting a Coke.  Do you want anything?"

   "No thanks Kyle.  I'm good." Johara answered.

   I went to the kitchen.  I greeted him, "Hey Phil.  Nice work today."

   "Thanks." Phil cocked his head and stared at me for a second.  "Yeah,
yeah.  Martin right?  Kyle Martin?"

   "That's me.  Do you have any Coke?"

   "Sure.  It's in the refrigerator Kyle." Phil said.  I grabbed a can from
the frig.  "Do you remember Cathy Anderson?" He added.

   "Hi Cathy." I said, offering my hand to her.  We shook.

   Phil said, "I understand from the coaches they're going to give you and
the other recruits a workout tomorrow morning.  Zack and I were asked to
help out."

   "That's what Coach Paterno said." I replied.  We talked for a few
minutes about the game.  I excused myself and headed back to the living
room.

   Johara was seated at the couch with Christian.  She was flirting and
joking with him.  I smiled.  My friend was going to get laid tonight if he
was interested.  I noticed Damian was deep in conversation with Shawn
O'Conner and a couple other players I didn't know.  I headed over to talk
with Aaron and Tania.  Aaron was talking with Todd Phelps.  Shawn Byrd was
there too, quietly listening, but hardly saying a word.  I had noticed he
was pretty reserved while we were together today.

   I joined the conversation about the game.  I tried to work Shawn into
the conversation.  He got more involved.  Aaron and Todd talked about pass
coverage.  Shawn eagerly listened to the tips and tricks they told to him.

   Johara continued flirting with Christian in hopes of taking him upstairs
for some fun.  I noticed about twenty minutes later that she had finally
given up and moved on to find a partner for the evening.  Christian got up
and headed for the kitchen.  I headed that way too.  I wanted another Coke.

   I asked Christian, "What did you think of Johara?  Isn't she a beauty?"

   "She is good looking.  She's friendly too.  I'm not sure what she wanted
from me."

   "What she wanted?  She wanted to take you upstairs and sleep with you."
I explained.

   "No.  That couldn't be right.  I'm sure you misunderstood."

   "No, I didn't Christian.  She wanted to have sex with me when we first
got here.  I told her no.  I have a girlfriend back home and I'm not going
to cheat on her.  She wanted to get in your pants."

   "I couldn't.  I just couldn't.  Bev would kill me if I did that."

   "Is Bev your girlfriend?"

   "Yes.  We've been dating for almost a year."

   "Penny and I have been together for about a year too.  She helped me out
after I hurt my knee.  Things just clicked and we ended up together." I
explained.

   "Bev and I met at our church youth group."

   "That nice." I said.  Christian and I went back to join the crowd.  We
ended up hanging with Greg Walker and Tony Phillips.  They told us a bunch
of JoePa stories.

   Zack and Miranda came back downstairs looking very relaxed, freshly laid
kind of relaxed.  He motioned for me.  He said, "Are you guys ready to go
back to the hotel?  Miranda is going back to my apartment.  She is planning
to spend the night.  I don't want to leave you guys high and dry here."

   I glanced at me watch.  It was a few minutes after eleven.  "I'll round
the others up.  We promised our parents we'd be back before midnight.  It
won't hurt if we're early." I collected Shawn, Damian and Christian.  Zack
took us back to our hotel and split for the rest of his night of fun with
Miranda.

   Dad was in bed watching Saturday Night Live when I got back to our room.
I cleaned up and went to bed.  Dad and talked about the party a couple
minutes and then we went to sleep.

   Dad was up taking a shower when I woke up in the morning.  I glanced
over at the clock.  It was 7:30 am.  I had an hour before Dad and I went to
breakfast with the coaches downstairs at the hotel restaurant.  It was nice
to have a relaxing Sunday morning.

   I showered and dressed while Dad packed our suitcases.  We met Christian
and his parents downstairs in the lobby while we waited for the coaches. 
Dad seemed to have gotten to know the Hunseckers yesterday.  They got along
well.

   The Thompsons and the Byrds arrived a couple minutes ahead of Coach
Paterno and his assistants.  Everyone went into the restaurant when the
coaches arrived.  We ordered breakfast and then talked about college life,
academics at Penn State and of course - football while we waited for our
meal.  The conversation continued as we ate our breakfast.  When it was
done Coach Paterno said there was time for us to check out of the hotel
before meeting the coaches at the practice field for a workout.

   I was getting used to the routine by my third official visit.  The
coaches had each of us run the 40 first.  I beat out the others with 4.36
seconds.  Christian had a 4.40, Shawn a 4.43 and Damian a 4.48 seconds. 
Even Damian's time wasn't slow by anyone's evaluation.  We were a fast
group.

   The coaches had invited Phil and Zack to throw to Damian, Christian and
me.  Aaron and Todd showed up to cover us.  Jeremiah came to throw to Greg
Walker while Shawn Byrd tried to cover him.  Jeremiah had broken a bone in
his left hand.  He could throw passes but wasn't in condition to play in a
game.

   I more than held my own against Aaron.  Zack threw to me some of the
time, Phil the rest of the time.  Zack's passes were more on target for me,
but I could see that Phil would be a delight to a receiver when he got used
to you.  Zack still knew how to get the ball to me in the perfect place on
nearly every pass.

   Christian did a good job catching passes against Todd Phelps.  Damian
wasn't quite as accomplished at catching passes as Christian and me.  That
was probably part of why he was a running back instead of a receiver; that
and the fact that 5'-11" and 210 pounds he could bowl people over when he
carried the ball.  I didn't get a lot of time to see how Shawn fared
covering Greg Walker.  That was a tough assignment.  Most college
cornerbacks had trouble covering him, much less a high school player.

   Coach Paterno called all of us together when he was satisfied with what
he had seen.  He started by thanking his players for coming out on a Sunday
morning to help us.  Coach Paterno continued, "I want to thank each of you
for taking a weekend to come and visit Penn State.  We're going back to the
Lasch Center.  I want to discuss how you can fit into Penn State Football's
plans for the future."

   We followed Coach Paterno and the other coaches back to the Lasch
Center. Zack, Aaron and Jeremiah decided to come along and keep us company
while we waited for our turn to talk with Coach Paterno.

   Coach Paterno called us in alphabetically.  Shawn and Mrs.  Byrd went in
first to meet Coach Paterno.  The rest of us headed to the team lounge to
wait our turn.  Zack and I played at the foosball table while Damian and
Christian took their dads at pool.

   The Byrds came out about twenty minutes later.  Shawn was all smiles. 
He had been invited to become a member of the Nittany Lions next season. 
Christian Hunsecker and his parents went next.  I knew Christian really
wanted to attend Penn State.  I hoped he would get his wish.

   Zack and I took on Aaron and my Dad in foosball while we waited.  Zack
and I kicked their asses too.  Dad hadn't played foosball since college. 
Dad said he wanted to rest his back when the game was over.  I had a seat
with Damian.

   I asked Damian, "What do you think will happen when you meet with the
coaches?  Do you think they'll offer you a scholarship?"

   "Probably not.  I've heard it from other schools already.  They like how
I run the ball.  They like my speed.  They are concerned about my height.
I'm a couple inches too short for what they want.  They would like to see
me do better at catching the ball.  My team doesn't pass a lot."

   I said, "I remember.  I studied your game tapes last season."

   "I know you guys did.  That's why you beat us for the championship."

   "What do you expect?" I asked.

   Damian replied, "They'll suggest I might want to consider a Division
I-AA or Division III school if I want a scholarship."

   "Are you going to do that?"

   "No.  I think I can play in Division I-A.  That's what I want to do.  If
they'll give me a shot at a walk-on, that's what I'll do.  Dad owns a small
chain of restaurants.  Mom and dad don't need the scholarship money to get
me to college.  I want to take my shot at Division I-A."

   "I hope it works out for you.  I understand how you feel.  I had a lot
of Division I-AA schools call me last spring and summer asking me to join
them.  None of the big schools were willing to take a chance on my bad knee
except for USC.  I want to play in Division I-A too."

   "I understand that you're having a good season.  Are the Division I-A
schools coming around?"

   I explained, "I have 22 touchdowns so far this season.  I've gotten a
lot of phone calls from the big schools this fall.  I have scholarship
offers from USC and LSU already.  I kind of expect Penn State will offer me
one this morning.  How are your stats?"

   "I have 13 touchdowns rushing and one passing.  I have over 1300 yards
rushing so far this season."

   I said, "I hope things work out for you.  You're stats sound pretty good
to me."

   "Coach Paterno is a better judge of that.  I'm sure they will offer you
a scholarship.  Will you take it?"

   "I don't know.  I like everything I've seen this weekend here.  I like
USC too.  If my best friend decides to accept his offer at LSU, I'm likely
to go there with him.  He plays quarterback.  We would make an awesome
combination.  I really like the coaches and school too." I explained.

   "It sounds like you're going to have a hard decision." Damian said.

   "I don't know what I'm going to do."

   "I had fun hanging with you this weekend.  I'd like it if we ended up
here together."

   "It would be cool.  It would get Zack off my back too."

   "How do you know Zack anyway?  I've been wondering that all weekend."
Damian asked.

   I explained how Zack and I knew each other from high school.  Christian
and his parents came out just as I was finishing my explanation.  Christian
flashed me a big grin and gave me a thumbs up sign.  We agreed to e-mail
each other when we got home to let each other know how our meetings with
the coach went.  I wished him luck and told him I would see him Friday
night.

   Coach Paterno asked Dad and me to come to his office.  We had seats in
front of Coach Paterno's desk.  Coach Adams and Coach Burton sat beside
Coach Paterno.  Coach Paterno didn't waste any time.

   "I'm pleased that you came to visit this weekend Kyle.  I hope you
enjoyed the game yesterday."

   "It was awesome Coach." I said.

   "What do you think of Penn State?"

   "I liked it."

   "That's good.  I was impressed with your ability last fall when you came
to visit and I hoped that our team would be in a position to recruit you
this year.  You have a lot to offer as a football player.  I was
disappointed when you hurt your knee last year.  Your performance at
football camp last spring was discouraging.  I had heard you had fully
recovered from your injury.  I had anticipated offering you a scholarship
in July.  Your performance on the field this fall has been nothing short of
spectacular.  All doubts the coaching staff had about your recovery are
gone.  I am pleased to offer you a full scholarship to attend the
Pennsylvania State University next season.  What do you think Kyle?"

   "Um, thank you.  I don't know what to say."

   Coach Paterno grinned and said, "Just say yes."

   "I'd like to, but I have another visit planned.  I won't be making a
decision until after that."

   Coach Paterno understood.  Coach Paterno, Dad and I talked for another
fifteen minutes about the offer, oral commitments and National Signing Day.
I understood the whole process much better when we were done talking.  I
promised to keep in touch with Coach Paterno and Coach Burton until I made
my final choice about which college I wanted to attend.

   I wished Damian luck before I left.  We promised again to meet each
other at the state championship game.  Zack and Aaron came out to the
parking lot with Dad and me.

   When we were outside Zack gushed, "Well?  What happened?  Are you coming
here?"

   "Maybe.  Coach Paterno offered me a scholarship.  I'm considering it."

   "Considering it?  Jesus Christ!  Accept it.  We'll be great together."
Zack insisted.

   "I don't know." I answered.

   Aaron interrupted.  "Chill out Zack." He turned to me.  "What my friend
here is so inelegantly trying to say is that he would like it if you would
accept Coach Paterno's offer and become a Nittany Lion."

   Zack added, "Sorry for getting carried away.  Aaron said it right.  I'd
like you to join us here.  We can do great things together."

   I replied, "I'll keep that in mind Zack.  I'm not going to make up my
mind until after my visit to Michigan."

   "Michigan?  You can't go there!" Zack exclaimed.  He backed down
immediately.  "Sorry.  Please go somewhere other than a conference
opponent. I couldn't stand playing against you."

   "I can't promise that Zack."

   Zack sighed.  "Do what you have to Kyle, but Penn State is a great fit
for you.  You can do great things with Coach Paterno and Coach Burton."

   "I have seen that Zack.  I'll keep all of that in mind when I make my
decision next month." I said.

   Dad and I shook hands with Aaron and Zack before we left for home.  I
slipped on the headphones to my MP3 player and watched the central
Pennsylvania countryside slip by as we drove down the highway to home.

   I had a lot to think about.  Picking a college is a big decision. 
Should I become a California boy?  What about a faux Cajun?  Should I join
my friends in Happy Valley?  I had no idea how I was going to make up my
mind.

   Chapter 31

   ==========

   Ed caught up with me before First Period in Graphic Arts.  Ed greeted me
with a huge smile.  "I've decided.  I want to go to Florida to be a Gator."

   "The Gators?  Don't they run that gimmick offense?" I asked.

   "No.  It's not a gimmick.  They are pass first, run second.  They do a
lot of work with a single back and three or four receivers.  They run a
more sophisticated version of the spread offense that we run."

   "I didn't realize that."

   "You should check these guys out.  They could be perfect for you too. 
You should call Coach Meyers.  I told them about you when I was down there
this past weekend.  They need lots of fast receivers."

   "I don't know Ed.  If you are decided on Florida, are you going to go
with me out to Michigan in two weeks?"

   "Yes.  My dad says I have to go and look at them.  I owe them that much
for their interest in me."

   "It'll be fun to do another visit together.  I enjoyed going down to
Baton Rouge with you." I said.

   "It was fun.  That's why I hope you'll take a look at Florida.  It would
be cool for both of us to go to the same school." Ed said.

   "I'll think about it." I said.  Mr.  Henderson called for everyone to
sit down so he could start class.

   --------------------------------------------------

   We started practicing for Central that afternoon.  The coaches had me
practice on defense.  I would cover Christian on Friday night.  Tex would
swap sides of the field and take Brett's normal spot.  We would use Brett
as our nickel back for the game.  Tex wasn't particularly happy to see me
taking his spot.

   Ed and I were interviewed by Mr.  Montgomery, the sport editor for the
evening newspaper after practice.  He was doing an article for later in the
week to go with the paper's coverage of the Central/Wolverines game on
Friday night.  Our game with them had become the premier Section AAA game
of the season locally.

   Matt Sauder caught up with Ed and me just before scouts started that
night.  "Guys!  Hey guys!  You aren't going to believe what happened at
practice today."

   I asked, "What happened Matt?"

   "Coach Andrews moved me up to QB 2."

   Ed slapped Matt on the back.  "Congratulations!  That is good news."

   Matt asked, "Logan told me about the film study you do in the winter and
passing practice in the spring.  Do you think I could participate in them
this year?"

   I said, "Sure.  Everyone's welcome." The three of us talked about how
the JV season had gone.  Ed and I hadn't really paid any attention to them
this year.  The JV team was undefeated.  Matt had played clean up a couple
times behind Logan at the end of the game.  Dave Mitchell managed to get on
the field a few times as a wide receiver.  He caught a few passes including
a touchdown at the end of last week's game.  Cody was stuck as the number 3
tailback and hadn't gotten much game time.

   I found an e-mail from Christian Hunsecker when I got home from scouts.
He told me that he accepted Penn State's scholarship offer as soon as Coach
Paterno had made it.  Penn State had always been his first choice for
college.  I wrote back to congratulate him.  I thought about the
possibility of the two of us on the same team with Zack Hayes passing to
us. That would give defensive coordinators some nightmares.

   I finally got to look at a newspaper after scouts on Monday night. 
Michigan pounded on Michigan State on Saturday.  They stayed at #1 in the
polls.  Penn State's victory moved them up to #2.  USC dropped down four
spots to #6.  LSU climbed to #3 followed by undefeated Kentucky, a surprise
contender for the national championship.  Florida took the #5 spot.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Penny told me on Wednesday night that she wasn't interested in going to
LSU.  The University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School is the #3 school in
the country according to US News & World Report.  She talked to Dr.  Chu.
Dr.  Chu felt Penny's best chance of getting into veterinary school was to
attend Penn.  She planned to mail her early decision application in the
next day.  I knew it was probably going to happen but I was disappointed
that Penny and I couldn't find a way to be together during college.

   The evening paper on Thursday had the high school football wrap up and
the feature article that Mr.  Montgomery wrote about Ed and me.  It turned
out it was an article comparing and contrasting Ed and me to Caleb Sommers
and Christian Hunsecker.  The story recounted Central's 20 year dominance
over us and how we had turned the tables on them in the last three years.

   Mr.  Montgomery touted how much Caleb had improved since his debut in
the playoffs last fall.  Central now had a big play pass offense that
exploited Christian's speed and talent.  We could see that when we studied
the video of their previous games.

   Mr.  Montgomery said Ed and I had an uncanny knack for knowing each
other's thoughts on the football field.  He thought we adjusted pass routes
on the fly based on the defense we saw.  Of course we didn't really read
each other's minds.  Ed and I studied hard and had practiced together for
four years.  We simply were familiar with each other.

   The article rated our offense as having an edge on Central's defense. 
They rated our defense even with Central's offense.  Andy and Hal gave our
special teams an edge of Central's.  They considered the coaching to be
even.  Home field advantage gave Central enough advantage to offset our
offense.  They rated the game as too close to call a winner.

   He concluded the article by reporting that Christian had given a verbal
commitment to attend Penn State.  He listed the schools that Ed and I had
visited and reported that we hadn't made our choice yet.  Mr.  Montgomery
was an excellent reporter.  I had seen other reporters that couldn't keep
the facts straight.  It was a good article.

   Andy and I bumped into Penny and Kathy waiting outside Penny's house
Friday after dinner when we were leaving for the school to catch the bus to
Manheim.  The girls were riding together to watch the game.

   The younger guys on our team seemed a little nervous on the bus ride to
the game.  We veterans were confident.  A 3-1 record in the last four games
will give you confidence.  Ed, Jeremy, Drew and I told stories of the games
to keep our rookies spirits up.  The Borough of Manheim was decked in
Burgundy and Silver, Central's team colors.  This town was crazy about
their football team.

   The stadium was over half full when we went out for warm-ups.  Ed,
Jeremy, Andy and I talked with Christian and Caleb Sommers when we finished
warm-ups.

   It was filled to bursting with Central fans when the game was ready to
start.  They reserved room for 500 of our fans.  Our fans appeared to be
outnumbered about 10-1.  We wanted to get out to a quick lead to keep the
crowd quiet.

   We won the coin toss and received the kick-off.  We hoped this was a
fortunate omen.  Brett took the ball and started behind his wedge of
blockers.  He accelerated, passing the end of the wedge behind Jon Landis'
block.  Jon turned to engage Central's gunner, the fastest tackler who runs
down the outside of the field to make the first try at tackling the ball
carrier.  A second Central tackler blasted into Jon from the side, hitting
his back as Jon tried to engage the gunner and knocking Jon to the ground.
The gunner flew by and launched himself at Brett, hitting him chest high.
He hit helmet first against the ball in Brett's chest.  The two of them
flew to the ground.

   The ball bounced away from the pile.  Kenny Weaver, our nearest player,
rolled over and tried to pull the ball into his body.  He grabbed the ball
but Central's the second tackler landed square on top of the ball and
wrestled it out of Kenny's grasp.

   My friends and I looked around, confidently expecting to see a yellow
flag marking the obvious blocking in the back penalty.  There wasn't any.
Jon and Coach Caffrey protested.  The referees conferred for a minute and
then announced, "No penalty, the block was legal.  Central's ball on the
Wolverine 23 yard line."

   Our defense hustled out to the field.  I lined up opposite Christian
when they broke the huddle.  I said, "You know it was an illegal block."

   Christian smiled and said, "The referee saw it different Kyle."
Christian and sprinted down the field at the snap.  I didn't buy
Christian's fake.  I edged him towards the sideline.  He was out of room by
the time we reached the corner of the end zone.  Caleb dumped the ball off
to Central's tailback for a six yard gain.  I glanced over at Tex.  He had
Central's other receiver covered so close that they could have shared the
same jock strap.  Good for him!

   Central edged closer each play.  Tex and I kept the wide receivers out
of the action.  Caleb kept dumping the ball to the outlet receiver who
carried the ball for a few yards.  On the fourth play Coach Wyndham called
for Jeremy to blitz the gap caused by the confusion caused when Travis Hall
and Jamie Adams stunted by swapping positions at the snap.  Jeremy flew
through the resulting gap and wrapped up Caleb's feet.  Caleb managed to
launch the ball towards his fullback, waiting to his left outside their
tackle.  The fullback grabbed the ball and ran for the end zone up the
middle of the field, exploiting the hole where Jeremy would normally be. 
Touchdown!  Central kicked the PAT to bring the score to 7-0 their favor.

   Brett's next kickoff return went better.  He carried the ball out to our
31 yard line.  Central chose to keep three or four guys deep to prevent
Andy and me from catching any deep passes.  Drew exploited the weakness up
front for some good runs.  Our offense needed nine plays to move down the
field to score.  Coach Caffrey played me in five of the plays.  It's
fortunate that I work out as much as I did.  I was running my ass off with
our offense's deep routes and covering Christian's deep routes on defense.
Our drive stalled out when we got a holding call at Central's 9 yard line.
Hal came in and put us on the score board with a field goal.  Score: 7-3
Central.

   Central's next drive went similar to the first.  They sent Christian and
#88, the other receiver, deep nearly every play.  Tex and I kept them
blanketed.  Christian managed to catch a 10 yard pass on me when he cut his
route short.  Most of the plays were runs or dump off passes near the line
of scrimmage.  Coach Wyndham tried to pressure them but Caleb usually threw
the ball after a three or five step drop.  It just wasn't enough time to
pressure or sack him.  Central needed twelve plays to drive down the field
for another touchdown.  Score: 14-3 Central.

   Brett had a good return on the ensuing kickoff.  We started on our 38
yard line.  The coaches had me sit out the first two plays to rest.  Drew
ran wide right for six yards.  He went up the middle for five more on the
next play.  Coach Caffrey decided to flood Central's defense deep on the
next play.  Jason, Andy, Drew and I all went deep, surprising Central. 
Drew outran the strong safety covering him.  I was single covered too.  Ed
had his choice of targets.  He rifled the ball down the field.  I caught it
near Central's 30 yard line.  I picked up another 8 yards after the catch
to give us first down on their 22 yard line.

   We tried for the end zone on the next play.  Central anticipated us and
put in six defensive backs.  Three covered me.  They covered Drew too. 
Andy ended up in single coverage.  Ed lobbed the ball to him in the end
zone just before Central's pass rush reached him.  Andy caught it. 
Unfortunately the referees threw a flag for holding on our offensive line.
The play didn't count.  We tried three more times but couldn't score a
touchdown.  In the end we settled for another field goal.  Score: 14-6
Central.

   Central stayed with their game plan, trying to go deep with Christian
and #88.  Christian said #88's name was Bob McKenzie.  Tex and I shadowed
Christian and Bob as they sprinted deep route after deep route.  Our
defense made Caleb dump off to his outlet receivers close to the line of
scrimmage.  Central moved the ball slowly but steadily down the field.

   Most of our opponents weren't consistent enough on offense to maintain a
drive to 10-12 plays very often.  Central was doing it to us for the third
drive in a row.  Something had to give; us or them.

   On the ninth play of the drive Caleb finally tried a deep pass to #88.
Tex looked like he had slipped at the line of scrimmage when the ball was
snapped.  He recovered in time to jump for the ball with #88.  Tex dragged
the ball away for an interception to end Central's threat to score again.

   We had 2 ˝ minutes left before the end of the half.  Coach Caffrey gave
me a couple plays to rest and then sent me in.  We used three receivers so
I was in on every play after that.  Ed ran our hurry up offense to his
usual perfection.  It took us 8 plays and most of the time left to move the
ball down the field in position to score.  I scored the touchdown again
when Pete and I ran our crossing play at the goal line.  Hal kicked the PAT
to bring the score to 14-13 Central's favor.

   Hal kicked the ball back to Central with 22 seconds left.  Caleb took
three shots down field but Tex and I kept our receivers covered.

   Our team went into the locker room for half time frustrated to be
behind. The coaches counseled patience.  Except for one error on the
opening kickoff, we had outscored Central.  Coach Graham warned me to rest
up.  He planned to use me in our three receiver set as much as possible
when we got the ball in the second half.

   Central took Hal's kick-off to start the second half.  They held firm to
their game plan.  Tex and I covered Christian and Bob (#88) as they tested
us deep on play after play.  Caleb continued dumping the ball to the outlet
receivers.  They mixed some runs in to keep our linebackers honest.  It
took them 10 plays to score another touchdown.  How can a team play this
consistently?  It was uncanny.  They booted their PAT.  Score: 21-13
Central.

   The coaches left me have a couple plays to rest before they sent me in.
Our team stayed with our hurry-up offense.  Andy and I kept the corners
deep while Ed threw to Pete, Jason and Drew.  We moved the ball downfield
until we reached the red zone (within twenty yards of the end zone).  Coach
Caffrey called for Ed to lob a pass to me in the corner of the end zone on
the next play.  Central flooded my side of the field with defenders so Ed
threw across the field to Andy for a touchdown.  Hal kicked the PAT;. 
Score: 21-20 Central.
Central continued chipping away at our defense on their next possession;
short passes and running plays while Tex and I covered deep routes on every
play.  I was getting worn out chasing Christian 30-40 yards downfield on
every play.  I couldn't quite keep with him by the fifth play of the drive.
Caleb spotted the separation between Christian and me and launched a pass

our way; barely avoiding Jeremy, who was blitzing that play.

   I spun around when Christian made a move for the ball.  Thank God Caleb
under threw the ball!  I cut in front of Christian and jumped for the ball
before he could reach it.  Christian tackled me as I pulled the ball into
my chest.  We had the ball on our 37 yard line.

   Coach Caffrey wouldn't let me go on the field when our offense took the
field.  He kept me beside him.  Coach Caffrey asked, "How are you feeling
Kyle?"

   "OK, I guess.  I'm a little winded.  Give me a couple plays to rest and
I can go back in Coach."

   How fast is Hunsecker?  Do you have any idea?"

   "He ran the 40 in 4.40 seconds last week when we were at Penn State."

   "Really?" Coach Caffrey said.  He scratched his chin.  "Hmmm....  Do you
think Michael could cover Hunsecker?" He meant Mike `Tex' Johanson of
course.

   "Maybe.  He's almost as fast as me.  What do you have in mind Coach?" I
asked.

   "I think Coach Waters' plan is to wear you out tonight chasing after
Hunsecker.  You haven't had the normal impact on offense that we need.  I'm
going to take a chance on Michael.  He is going to cover Hunsecker from now
on.  You play strictly offense for the rest of the game."

   "Isn't too risky?" I asked.

   "No.  These guys have taken us out of our game.  We should be stretching
them on defense until they break.  They are setting the pace of the game.
We need to change that.  I should have seen this sooner.  You rest this
series.  We're going to need you fresh for the next one."

   I answered, "OK Coach." Coach Caffrey headed over to discuss the change
with Coach Graham and Coach Wyndham.  Coach Wyndham gathered the defense to
explain the changes.  Coach Graham sent Marcus Shaeffer in to replace Drew
McCormick.  Coach Caffrey wanted as many fresh bodies in game as possible.

   I spent a few minutes with Tex explaining as much as I could about what
I had learned in the last two years about Christian and his game.  He
listened closely to what I told him and asked good questions.  I hoped this
experiment would work.

   Our offensive managed to keep the balls for seven plays without Drew and
me.  They punted the ball back Central.  I saw Christian look over at our
sideline when he lined up beside Tex.  I also noticed him nod to Caleb.  We
were going to find out quickly if Tex was ready.  Tex ran stride for stride
with Christian on the first play.  He easily knocked Caleb's pass down
before Christian could get his hands on it.  On the next play they tested
Brett.  Brett knocked the pass away as Bob jumped for it.  Coach Wyndham
blitzed Kenny and Jim, our outside linebackers, on the third and ten play.
Central had anticipated that and tried running a draw play.  Jeremy stayed
in position and tackled the runner before he could make three yards. 
Central punted the ball to Andy, who picked up fifteen yards before he was
tackled.

   We started our drive from our 46 yard line.  Our fast break offense
worked to perfection with Drew and me having enough rest to perform up to
our usual standards.  It only took five plays to move down the field and
score.  Ed finished the drive with a lob to the corner of the end zone
where I out jumped a couple defenders.  Hal booted the extra point through
the uprights.  Score: 27-21 Wolverines.  Finally we had the lead!

   Central went back to their original plan and used short passes and
running plays to move down the field in a long, time consuming drive.  Tex
and Brett kept Christian and Bob from catching anything deep.  Jeremy's
crew finally managed to stop them at our 17 yard line.  Central settled for
a field goal to narrow our lead to 27-24.

   Brett took the kick off and got us good field position.  We moved the
ball rapidly down the field until we reached Central's red zone.  Ed tried
another lob to the corner of the end zone for me but I couldn't catch it.
Ed threw to Andy on the next play.  The defender knocked the ball out of
Andy's hands before he could land on the ground.  Pete and I ran our
crossing play in the end zone on third down.  Central had too many
defenders on our side of the field, Ed had to throw the ball away.  We
settled for Hal kicking a field goal.  Score: 30-24 Wolverines.

   The game clock showed six and a half minutes left in the game.  Hal
kicked the ball down field to Central's returner.  Our coverage team did an
excellent job, stopping him on their 19 yard line.  They would have to
drive 81 yards to win the game.

   Central coolly used their short passes and outside running plays to move
the ball down the field four to six yards a play.  You had admire Central's
character.  There wasn't any panic.  They simply made the plays they needed
to keep the ball moving.  Tex and Brett kept Christian and Bob away from
the ball.

   Coach Wyndham tried run blitzes and stunts to stop the drive, to no
avail.  The clock continued running as they drove relentlessly towards the
goal line.  Ed and I watched helplessly on the sideline.  Our defense
tightened up as the field shrank behind them.  It wasn't enough.  Central's
tailback carried the ball into the end zone with 22 seconds left in the
game.  Our blockers tried to cave in Central's kick protection on the extra
point attempt.  It didn't work.  Central took a 31-30 lead.

   Our team tried three Hail Mary passes in the final seconds.  They didn't
work.  The clock wound down to 0:00 with us on the short end of the score.
The Central fans went wild when their victory was sealed.  My team mates
and I milled around trying to understand how this could happen.  I did
admire Central for their calm, efficient execution under pressure in the
second half of the game.  It takes an excellent team to accomplish what
they had done.

   Ed, Jeremy, Andy and I sought out Christian after the game.  He was
celebrating with Caleb and a couple other team members.  Ed extended his
hand to Christian when we found him.  Ed said, "That was a hell of a game
Christian.  Congratulations." They shook hands.

   Christian answered, "I wasn't sure we were going to make that last
score. We were lucky tonight."

   I clapped Christian on the back.  "Don't be modest.  You guys earned the
win." I turned to Caleb.  "You were great Caleb.  I can't believe how much
you improved since last June."

   "Thanks Kyle.  Christian and the coaches have been helping me all summer
to get ready for this season." Caleb replied.

   I turned back to Christian.  "You guys had a good game plan."

   "I was surprised how long it took you guys to figure out what we were
doing." Christian said.  "We also were surprised how well that new kid did
when you guys finally pulled you from defense."

   "Tex?  Yeah, he is good." I answered.

   "We counted on me getting a couple touchdowns after you left.  We were
darn lucky to pull out a win tonight."

   "You guys earned this win." I answered.

   "Hard to believe this is our last game against each other."

   "If we don't see each other in the playoffs" I said.

   "Yes, we could." Christian paused.  "After that, you should come to Penn
State with me.  Imagine what we could do together on the same field."

   "You sound like Zack Hayes now.  He writes me e-mails once or twice a
week telling me why I should come to Penn State.  I'm not making a decision
until after I visit Michigan next week."

   "Michigan?  No, I don't want to play against you for four more years."

   "I'm not saying I'm going to go there, I'm just visiting." I said.

   "I hope you don't go to Michigan.  I'd like to get to play with you
instead of against you." Christian said.

   "We'll see.  Good luck in the playoffs."

   "You too.  Maybe we'll play again before our season is over." Christian
said.  We shook hands and then went looking for our girlfriends.  Ed,
Jeremy and I found Penny and Kathy hanging out with Hal and Tammy.

   Penny tried to console me over our loss.  It hurt, but not as much as I
expected.  We were 7-2 now.  We would definitely make the playoffs.  It
would be up to us to determine what would happen when the playoffs started.
We still controlled our fate.

   ------------------------------------------------

   Monday after school our team started preparations for our final game
against Norlanco.  Norlanco had a 3-6 record.  They had managed to beat
Eastern, the Trojans and Sadsbury, the three weakest teams in our league.
We expected to win the game easily.

   Coach Caffrey and Coach Wyndham had our defense practice in a 3-4
defensive alignment.  They pulled Jamie Adams, our least experienced
defensive lineman and added Corey Brown at outside linebacker.  Kenny
Weaver moved inside beside Jeremy in the new defensive alignment.  We
wanted to have an answer the next time a team tried to beat us with a short
passing game the way Central had.  If and when we got a good lead over
Norlanco, the coaches planned to test out the new defensive alignment on
the field.

   Tuesday at lunch I was sitting with some of the football team.  Andy was
beside me.  He was with Patrick Jones, Ryan Crawford and Jim Griffin. 
Patrick and Ryan Crawford were sophomore backup safeties.  Jim was a
sophomore and one of our starting outside linebackers.

   I listened in when I heard Jim say, "Did you hear guys talking about
Crystal Wagner?  Some guys are saying pregnant." I glanced over at Andy. 
The color drained from his face and he gulped momentarily.  Jim continued,
"Didn't you go with her for awhile?"

   Andy straightened up and forced a smile.  "Jesus, where'd you hear that
story?  Why do you listen to crap like that?  It's just gossip and
innuendo."

   Jim teased, "You and Crystal; were you slipping it to her?" Jim made the
nearly universal sign with his middle finger inserted in the circle formed
by his thumb and pointer finger of his other hand to indicate that he
believed Andy was sleeping with Crystal.

   "Jesus Christ!  Show some class guys.  Crystal and I used to go
together. We had a fight last month and we broke up.  She's a nice girl and
I still like her.  Do me a favor and don't spread this gossip around.  She
doesn't deserve this."

   "Sorry.  I didn't know this was a sore spot." Jim said.

   Their conversation turned on to safer ground (for Andy).  I followed
Andy to the hall when lunch was over.  I asked, "You aren't trying to dodge
responsibility, are you?"

   "No.  Crystal isn't ready to tell the world, so I'm going to respect her
privacy.  I'm willing to acknowledge responsibility for our baby when she
is ready to tell."

   I said, "OK, I guess that makes sense.  Are you and Crystal getting
along any better?"

   "Hmph.  No, she still won't speak to me."

   "Keep doing what you are doing.  Treat her right.  Be responsible. 
Crystal will come around."

   "I guess I'll do it.  Will it work?"

   "It's your best chance.  Are you trying to date anyone?"

   "I have a date with Kaitlyn Dixon for Saturday night." Andy said.

   "Good luck." I said.  Andy headed upstairs for his next class.  I headed
down the hall for my AP Calculus class.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   The weather turned cold on Wednesday evening.  Penny and I had less time
together since she was starting practice of the Christmas musical.  I
couldn't help since my only musical talent was listening.  I promised Penny
that I would be there the weekend before Christmas to exercise my talent
from the audience.

   Our final game for the regular season was at Norlanco's home field north
of Ephrata.  They won the coin toss and took possession of the ball to
start the game.  Coach Wyndham put our new 3-4 defense on the field for
more practice before the playoffs.  It worked as designed.  Norlanco had
three plays and punted the ball back to us.  Andy almost broke loose on the
punt return.  We took the ball on Norlanco's 38 yard line.

   We ran our standard spread offense.  It was too much for them.  I scored
the first touchdown on the sixth play of the drive.  Drew carried the ball
into the end zone on our next possession.  Andy and I added two more
touchdowns before the half was over.  Coach Caffrey sent Jake Kring and the
second string offense for the last possession before half time.

   Coach Caffrey kept our first string defense on the field in the second
half.  He wanted to give it more experience in the 3-4 alignment.  Andy had
a lot of work returning punts.  He broke one for a touchdown in the second
half.  Norlanco only managed two first downs in the whole game.  Marcus
added two touchdowns in the second half.  Jason, Pete and Jonathan all
scored before the game was over.  The final score was an embarrassing 70-0.

   This game served as a good warm-up for the playoffs.  We were as ready
as it was possible to be for the playoffs.  Ed and I headed home as quickly
as possible.  We were going to need every minute of sleep we could get. 
Mr. Fritz was driving us to the airport at 3:30 in the morning for our trip
to Michigan.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   Dad dragged my tired butt out of bed and it was only 3:00 in the
morning. My shower barely roused me.  I met Dad at the door after I grabbed
a couple Pop Tarts to eat on the way to Harrisburg.  Ed and his dad met us
in their driveway.  We loaded our luggage in their car and head west. 
Thank God Michigan arranged for tickets from Harrisburg instead of
Philadelphia.  I got to sleep an extra half hour longer than for the trip
to Louisiana.

   Ed grunted when we got in the car, placed his pillow against the window
and promptly went to sleep.  I ate my Pop Tarts and took a nap too.  The
flight to Detroit went smoothly.  We arrived a few minutes after 8 o'clock.
We headed for baggage claim where we met a man in his late twenties holding
a sign that said "Ross, Fritz & Martin".

   He greeted us.  "Hi, I'm Gene Skidmore, recruiting assistant with the
Wolverines.  Welcome to Michigan."

   Dad and Mr.  Fritz introduced Ed and me to Mr.  Skidmore.  As we
gathered up our luggage I asked, "I see the sign says Ross too.  Are you
expecting another recruit?"

   Mr.  Skidmore replied, "Yes Terrell Ross and his parents will be joining
us shortly.  We'll take your luggage out to the van while we wait for them.
There flight arrives in half an hour."

   We carried our things out to the university van and went back inside to
the Northwest baggage carousels.  Mr.  Skidmore said we were looking for
Flight #1676.  The Rosses arrived about twenty minutes later.

   Terrell was a tall, lanky, very light skinned African-American.  He was
a couple inches shorter than me.  I had about twenty to twenty-five pounds
on him.  He said he played cornerback for the Rock Bridge Bruins in
Columbia, Missouri.  We helped the Rosses carry their luggage out to the
van for the drive to Ann Arbor.

   Mr.  Skidmore pulled onto the interstate and headed west for Ann Arbor
the University of Michigan campus.  We headed away from the businesses near
the air port.  We passed more open areas and a series of lakes.  We drove
by strip malls and housing developments after about fifteen minutes.  Mr.
Skidmore pulled off the I-94 at the South State Street exit.

   We passed businesses and more strip malls as we headed north on State
Street.  Mr.  Skidmore told us that the golf course we were passing was
part of the university campus.  We would be staying at the Inn at the
Michigan League for the weekend.  Ed pointed out the practice fields and
the stadium on the left as we drove onto the campus.  I saw Schembechler
Hall on the way.  I remembered that Bo Schembechler was the head coach of
the Wolverines for years.

   Mr.  Skidmore introduced us to his boss, Chris Singletary, when we got
to the Michigan League.  The Michigan League building was in the center of
campus.  It had a couple restaurants and a coffee shop, ATM's and stores
downstairs.  It had nice meeting rooms and banquets facilities.  The Inn
was in the fourth floor.  Mr.  Skidmore took us upstairs and helped us get
checked into our rooms.  Ed and I shared a room.  Dad and Mr.  Fritz shared
a room.  Mr.  and Mrs.  Ross had a room as did Terrell.  Mr.  Skidmore told
us we would meet at the elevators in fifteen minutes.

   There was a fourth family when we got to the elevators fifteen minutes
later.  Mr.  Singletary introduced us to the Johnsons, an African-American
mother and son.  The son, William, was the biggest high school guy I had
ever met.  He made Jamaal Green look petite.  Jamaal was our left tackle.
William was maybe an inch shorter than me.  He had to be over 300 pounds.
William wasn't big and flabby, he was all muscle.  Whoever ended up
recruiting him was going to have a hell of a defensive tackle.

   Mr.  Singletary told us that one more recruit would be meeting us later
today.  They were stuck in traffic on the east side of Detroit and would be
late.  Mr.  Singletary took us downstairs to a private dining room to meet
the coaches.

   Mr.  Singletary introduced us to the coaches as we came in the dining
room.  Coach Lloyd Carr, head coach; Assistant Head Coach Erik Campbell,
who also worked with wide receivers; Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord;
Quarterbacks Coach Scot Loeffler; Defensive Coordinator Ron English; and
Defensive Line Coach Steve Stripling met us.  Ed and his dad sat with Coach
Loeffler.  Dad and I went with Coach Campbell.  The Rosses went with Coach
English.  William Johnson and his mom sat with Coach Stripling.

   Mr.  Skidmore brought another recruit and his parents into the dining
room before we had gotten our drinks.  Coach Carr got everyone's attention
to introduce Garrett Bradford and his parents.  Garrett played tight end.
He was probably around 6'-2" and 210 pounds.  His build reminded me of Greg
Harrison.  The Bradfords had a long drive from Orchard Park, New York to
get to the campus.

   The waiters took orders.  I decided to try the London Broil Steak.  Dad
chose the Roast Loin of Pork.  They brought drinks.  Coach Carr talked
about the Michigan football program while we waited for our lunch.  This
was my fifth college visit.  The details of each head coach's standard
speech differed slightly, but the message was always the same.  Come play
with us.  We have the best team in the country.  We will get an outstanding
education while we play football here.

   Coach Carr seemed plain spoken and direct.  He talked about the success
his team had in the past.  He said Michigan was one of the best teams in
the best conference in the country.  The Big Ten consistently sent teams to
bowl games year after year.  He predicted that today's game would be close,
but the Wolverines would beat Penn State and go to the BCS Championship
Game in January.

   The waiters served everyone a salad.  Our entrees came a few minutes
later.  Coach Campbell told Dad and me about himself as we ate lunch.  He
was quite a sight.  He's an African-American of average height with a
pencil thin mustache and a shaved head.

   Coach Campbell played at Michigan in the late eighties as a defensive
back and wide receiver.  He went straight to coaching after he graduated
from college, first at the Naval Academy then Ball State and Syracuse
before he returned to Michigan fifteen years ago.  He coached a string of
extremely successful wide receivers who went on to the NFL: Amani Toomer,
Charles Woodson, Braylon Edwards, Marquise Walker, David Terrell, Ronald
Bellamy, Jason Avant, and Mario Manningham.  I was impressed with his
record of success.

   Since the game with Penn State didn't start until 8 o'clock that night,
the staff planned to have us show our skills after lunch.  Mr.  Skidmore
and Mr.  Singletary drove all of us down to the Osterbaan Fieldhouse, the
Wolverines' indoor practice facility.  The weather was decent, but there
were too many fans gathering at the stadium across the street to be
outside.

   I matched my personal best of 4.36 seconds in the 40 meter run.  I was
surprised when Terrell matched my time.  Ed managed 4.50 seconds. 
Garrett's time was 4.55 seconds.  William opened more than a few eyes with
his time on the 40.  He made it in 4.76 seconds!  I'd never seen a lineman
run it in under 5 seconds.

   The coaches brought in a few players from their team to run some plays
with us.  Coach Campbell, DeBord and Loeffler took Ed, Garrett and me to
one end of the field and introduced us to the players we would work with.

   I was going to work with Peter Cochran, a sophomore and heir apparent to
Clay Parker, the current Wolverines #1 quarterback.  Colin Davenport, a
sophomore cornerback from Holland, Michigan, would cover me during the
practice.  Ed was going throw passes to Darius Ward, a junior and #3 wide
receiver for the Wolverines.  Kirk Myers, a junior cornerback, would cover
Darius.  Garrett was going to catch passes from Joel McCoy, a senior and #2
quarterback for the team while Jamar Owens, a red shirt freshman strong
safety tried to cover him.

   Ed headed to the adjacent field with Kirk and Darius.  Peter, Colin and
I headed to the opposite end of the field, leaving the near end for
Garrett, Joel and Jamar.  When we got to the other end of the field Colin
hung back while Peter and I conferred.  Pete asked, "Whatcha got kid?  Any
preferred routes?"

   "I'll catch most anything you throw.  Let's start with some short stuff
and work up form there." I suggested.

   "Fine.  You'll do OK against Davenport.  I don't know what the coaches
were thinking bringing him out here.  He can't cover for shit."

   Pete called the route.  Colin tried pressing me at the line of scrimmage
the first few plays.  I pushed him away every time and caught Peter's
passes.  He had a nice touch on the ball, not too hard, not to soft.  He
made the catch easy.  We worked on some medium routes.  Colin played back a
little, satisfied that I could handle in-your-face coverage.  I caught more
balls than Colin defended.

   Peter kept up a running commentary on everything after each play.  Colin
couldn't cover for shit.  He said Ed's passes looked ragged.  He said Joel
McCoy had no business being the #2 quarterback.  He only had the job
because he was Coach Carr's pet.  It was constant negativity about anyone
and everything.

   After a dozen more pass plays I suggested, "Let's go deep on Colin.  I
can beat him."

   "No offense kid.  Colin's a lousy cornerback, but he does have speed. 
It won't work." Peter said.

   "Trust me.  I have speed too.  Just fire it deep, I'll come and get it."
I said.

   "Yeah, whatever.  Just remember I warned you." Peter replied.

   "Heave it as far as you can, I'll get the ball." I answered.

   I sprinted down the field, Colin keeping close behind me.  I faked a
move toward the center of the field and broke to the outside.  Peter was
supposed to hit me there.  He under threw the ball badly.  Colin cut in
front of me and snagged the ball before I could get it.

   I fumed as I walked back to see Peter.  Peter grinned and said, "I tried
to tell you kid."

   "Damn it.  My name is Kyle!  I'd have had the ball if you had gotten the
ball deeper.  Is that all you have for an arm?"

   Peter bristled.  "I can put the ball so far downfield, you'll need a
cycle to reach it."

   "Just do it then.  I'll worry about catching the thing!" I exclaimed.

   I sprinted as hard as I could down the field, moves be damned.  Colin
kept with me for the first 20 yards and then started to fall back a little.
Peter flung the ball.  I caught it in stride 35 yards down field.  I ran a
few steps, slowed and stopped.

   Colin caught up to me and clapped me on the back.  "That was outstanding
Kyle.  I haven't had anyone beat me deep in years."

   Peter was all smiles when I got back to the line of scrimmage.  "Hot
Damn!  That was good Kyle.  I hope you decide to come here.  We could use a
receiver like you." It was the first positive thing I'd heard him say that
afternoon.  Coach Campbell called the three of us over to talk for a few
minutes.

   He thanked and then dismissed Peter and Colin after debriefing them. 
Coach Campbell and I watched Ed finish demonstrating his abilities.  I
suggested, "Would you like me to go in for a few passes?  Ed and I have our
timing worked out."

   "Thanks for offering Kyle, but no.  I can see everything I need to see
this way.  I've watched the two of you on your game tapes.  Your team is
lucky to have both of you.  You're a good team."

   "Thanks Coach.  Ed and I have been tossing the football together since
we were big enough to hold it." I said.

   Coach Carr called all the recruits together.  "Thank you for working out
with my players this afternoon.  It was useful for my coaches to see you
play against some players we know.  The other coaches and I need to get
over to Schembechler Hall for final game preparations.  Mr.  Singletary
will take you and your family on a tour of campus.  After dinner you and
your parents will join the team during warm-ups.  We have excellent seats
reserved for you behind our bench.  I hope you enjoy the game.  The
coaching staff and I will meet you tomorrow morning for brunch and private
meetings.  I'll see all of you then.  Good afternoon."

   We met up with our parents, Mr.  Singletary and Mr.  Skidmore.  We did
our campus tour.  It wasn't that special after touring three other
campuses. You can only look at so many classrooms, libraries, dorm rooms
and union buildings.  After that they all start to look alike.

   We had dinner back at the Michigan League again.  Dinner was good.  It
was fancier than lunch.  Ed and I got to talk with Garrett, William and
Terrell and get to know them better.

   Garrett Bradford played for the Orchard Park Quakers.  Orchard Park was
located outside of Buffalo.  Terrell played for the Rock Bridge Bruins in
Columbia, Missouri.  William played for the Redford Huskies in Detriot.

   I asked, "How's everyone's teams playing?"

   Terrell answered first.  "We're undefeated.  We're planning to repeat as
state champions."

   Ed said, "Really?  We were state champions for AAA last year."

   I added, "We aren't undefeated this year.  We're 8-2.  We still plan to
tear up the competition when the playoffs start next week.  We had a few
kinks to work out at the beginning of the season, but we're ready to kick
some butt."

   Terrell said, "We have two more games before the playoffs in our state."

   Garrett said, "We're done too.  Our team ended up 10-1.  We haven't won
state before, but we think we have as good a chance as anyone.  How about
you Bill?"

   William chuckled.  "It's funny hearing you guys talk about finishing
your seasons.  I start training with my team on Monday.  Our first game
isn't until the beginning of December."

   I asked, "December?"

   "Yep, that's right.  I didn't realize that other states started so
early." William responded.

   Garrett asked, "What was you're team's record last year?"

   "We were 21-3." William answered.

   Ed stared in disbelief.  "We won the state and only played fifteen games
last year."

   William shrugged.  "I don't know why it is.  It's just the way football
is played in Michigan."

   Conversation moved on to other topics.  I found that Terrell was a real
talker.  He told some great stories.  He was a good dinner companion. 
Garrett was a little more reserved, but his comments were spot on.  William
held back from the conversation through half of dinner.  He finally
loosened up by dessert.  He was a fun guy to be with once he got to know
you.

   Mr.  Singletary and Mr.  Skidmore shuttled us and our parents down to
the stadium in two school vans.  It was fortunate.  It would have taken
forever to walk there through these crowds.  Michigan fans were everywhere.
Mr.  Skidmore told us that Michigan Stadium, with a seating capacity of
107,, was the largest stadium in the country.  I remembered that Beaver
Stadium at Penn State was only a few hundred seats smaller.  I didn't
bother to point that out.  Penn State wasn't a topic for polite discussion
that night.

   Mr.  Skidmore took the parents straight to their seats so they could
relax.  Mr.  Singletary took us recruits into the team locker room so we
could see it and to introduce us to the players.  The introductions were
met with interest from some and disinterest by more.  I understood.  It was
time for them to get their game faces on.  We were just a distraction.

   We followed the team onto the field for warm-ups.  Penn State was
already on opposite side of the field.  I looked across for my friends. 
Phil DiStefano and Zack Hayes were warming up with passes to Greg Walker
and Tony Phillips.  Aaron Morano was stretching with the other defensive
backs along the end zone.  The Penn State coaching staff was watching
everything, conferring occasionally with a player as needed.

   The routine looked familiar as the players prepared for the battle for
first place in Division I-A.  I watched as they prepared.  Their warm-up
routine was similar to what our high school version of the Wolverines did.
Joel McCoy was throwing passes to Darius Ward and another receiver I didn't
recognize.  Peter Cochran was working with a couple younger receivers.

   The starting quarterback, Clay Parker was throwing to Demetrius Berg, a
senior who was the star receiver on the team.  Nearly all college fans knew
the Parker to Berg connection.  The pair of them accounted for more
touchdowns in college in the last two years than any other quarterback/wide
receiver combination.

   Zack Hayes spotted me on the sideline while he was practicing.  He waved
when he recognized me.  The Lions wrapped up their warm-up before the
Wolverines were finished.  Zack Hayes and Aaron Morano led the string of
Lions players who stopped by to say hello.  Greg Walker stopped by.  Phil
DiStefano even said hi as he walked by.

   Zack talked with Ed and me for a few minutes before he returned to the
locker room.  Zack made one last half hearted attempt to convince Ed to
consider Penn State for college, probably knowing already that it was
doomed to failure.  I wished Aaron luck in the game and told Zack not to
pick up too many splinters from the bench.

   Peter Cochran stopped by when the Wolverines were done.  He asked,
"What's up?  You talking with the enemy?"

   "This isn't a war.  They aren't the enemy, they're just another football
team.  Any way, I am friends with Zack Hayes.  He and I played together
when I started varsity football.  I owe him a lot for all the help he gave
me."

   "Hayes?  I've read all the hype about him last winter.  He isn't so
special.  He couldn't even win the starting spot on that team." Peter said.

   "It wasn't his time.  He is waiting for his turn after Phil graduates.
He'll be a great quarterback next year." I said.

   "Humph, we'll see." Peter said.  "I suppose all you Pennsylvania kids
are heading to play at Penn State.  I don't know why you bothered to come
out here to visit."

   "I don't think all Pennsylvanians go to Penn State.  I seem to recall
that one of your team's best quarterbacks grew up about 20 miles from my
house.  Does the name Chad Henne ring a bell?"

   Ed added, "I for one have no intention of going to Penn State.  They've
asked me to visit but I told them no."

   "Well, I guess you're right." Peter said reluctantly.  He headed for the
locker room.  Mr.  Singletary took us into the stands to join our parents
for the game.

   When we got settled Ed said, "That guy sure is a dick."

   "His personality is a bit much to take.  He throws a good ball.  I guess
he's OK if you don't have to spend too much time around him." I answered.

   Mr.  Fritz went for some refreshments for our two families.  Our group
settled in and waited for the game to start.  I thought more about Peter
Cochran and Zack Hayes.  Both had red shirted their freshman year and had
two more years of eligibility left after this season.  Who would I rather
spend those two years with, Zack or Peter?  That was an easy decision -
Zack.  Michigan was going to really need to impress me to overcome Peter's
personality.

   The announcer introduced the Nittany Lions first at the start of the
game.  The Michigan Wolverines followed them onto the field.  The cheers
grew louder as each offensive starter was introduced, building to a
crescendo as Demetrius Berg and finally Clay Parker were introduced.  107,
people can make a tremendous amount of noise and they did.  The Maize and
Blue fans were expecting domination that night.

   The Lions won the coin toss and had first possession.  Michigan's
defense dominated, turning them back after seven plays.  The Lions' defense
was up to the task of defending against the Wolverine's balanced attack. 
We watched the two highest ranked teams in the country battle for
superiority.

   Each team probed the other looking for a weakness to exploit.  Neither
found much to give them an advantage.  The top ranked Penn State offense
had trouble.  So did the number three ranked offense of the Wolverines. 
Michigan managed to score two field goals in the first half to Penn State's
one.  Penn State held a slight edge because Greg Walker caught a pass when
he was well covered.  He broke a tackle by one defender and then dragged
the free safety into the end zone to score the half's only touchdown.  The
score was 10-6 when the two teams went to the locker room.

   Michigan's adjustments at half time helped.  They managed to drive the
ball down the field inside Penn State's red zone (inside the twenty yard
line).  The sound level in the stadium rose to an incredible level as the
crowd cheered on their team.  Clay Parker made his first mistake of the
evening on the next play.  He apparently misread the coverage and threw the
ball directly to Vic Torelli, who was covering Darius Ward.  Vic ran the
ball back 77 yards before Michigan's tight end, with an assist from Clay
Parker, tackled him.

   Coach Burton and Phil DiStefano mixed the plays up to keep Michigan's
defense guessing.  It took five plays, but Phil managed to push the ball
into the end zone.  The Lions took an 11 point advantage with the score at
17-6.

   The Lions defense held when they kicked the ball back to the Wolverines.
Dad's comment on the next possession was "This is vintage Paterno." The
Lions used eight successive runs to gain 39 yards and set up the Wolverines
for the kill.  On the ninth play Phil DiStefano launched a bomb to Greg
Walker on a play action pass.  Greg caught the ball in stride and streaked
down the field into the end zone.  Penn State now held a commanding 24-6
lead.  The crowd in Michigan Stadium was silent after that.

   Clay Parker committed his final mistake for the night on the next drive.
He threw a ball to Demetrius Berg while he was covered by Aaron Morano.  I
knew better than that.  I guess Clay was used to Demetrius out jumping or
out wrestling the d-back for the ball.  Aaron and Demetrius did wrestle for
it, but Aaron ended up with the ball when the play was over.

   Coach Paterno iced the victory with more in-your-face running up the
middle of the now dispirited Wolverines' defense.  Michigan rallied for one
more score in the fourth quarter but it came after Penn State added another
touchdown.  The final score for the game was 31-13.

   Penn State loudly declared that they were the best team in the Big Ten
and probably the whole country that night.  They were assured a number one
ranking the rest of the season as long as they managed to beat a rebuilding
Michigan State team in their last game.  They were Rose Bowl bound for the
BCS National Championship game; the opponent to be determined at a later
time.

   LSU was ranked #3 in the polls the previous week.  Presumably they would
move up to #2 on Monday.  LSU was not assured of the other BCS Championship
berth.  They had a tough game against ??  next week and then would play in
the SEC Championship Game after that.  They could easily lose either of
those games.

   Long shot Kentucky was #4, Florida was #5, and USC #6 in last weeks
polls.  Kentucky had not been regarded highly at the start of the season.
They were a very young team that came together as the season went on. 
Their coach, Galen Hall, had worked miracles.  It was going to be
interesting to watch the rest of the Division I-A season unfold.

   I was happy for my friends on the Penn State team.  At the same time I
felt bad for my hosts this weekend.  This was a tough game to lose.  They
were going to drop out of the top five, maybe even the top ten after this
loss.  You don't get to recover from a loss this late in the season.  They
would never get their poll rankings up to contend for the top spot in the
country again this year.

   A very subdued Mr.  Singletary and Mr.  Skidmore drove the Fritzes, the
Rosses, the Johnsons, the Bradfords, Dad and me back to our rooms at the
Michigan League.  He left directions for the brunch we would have with
Coach Carr and the rest of the Michigan coaching staff.

   Dad kept his enthusiasm for the result of the game hidden until we got
back to the room.  Dad celebrated once we had privacy.  Once a Lions fan,
always a Lions fan.

   Ed and I got to sleep in a little on Sunday morning.  Our brunch with
the coaches wasn't until 10:30 am.  Dad and Mr.  Fritz got us up in time to
shower and pack before meeting Mr.  Skidmore and Mr.  Singletary
downstairs.

   Brunch was at a restaurant called the Quarter Bistro.  It was noted
locally for excellent brunches on Sunday mornings.  The buffet table was
amazing.  They had omelets, country biscuits and sausage gravy, carved
meats, pancakes, bacon, sausage, home fries and an assortment of luncheon
entrees.

   I settled for a mushroom, ham and cheese omelet, home fries and the
pancake tower.  The pancakes came with vanilla cream and raspberry sauce.
Dad went for the country biscuits and gravy and prime rib.  The whole
breakfast was delicious.

   Coach Carr and the rest of the coaching staff were in remarkably good
spirits for a group who's post season hopes went up in smoke the previous
evening.  Coach Carr said, "We've stolen a few from Penn State over the
years.  They got one on us last night.  They are a good team and deserve
the shot at the championship.  We'll get them next year - you can count on
it."

   The coaches, recruits and their families headed over to Schembechler
Hall when we finished brunch.  Coach DeBord and Coach English took us on a
tour of the facilities.  We saw the weight room, the training area and the
dressing area for practices in the adjoining fields.  They also showed us
their brand new indoor practice facilities that were finished a few weeks
before the season started.  Michigan certainly had facilities to equal Penn
State and LSU.

   The coaches brought us back to the team lounge to wait while each of us
went in to talk with Coach Carr about our possibilities with Michigan next
year.  The Bradfords went in to see Coach Carr first since they had a long
drive home that day.  Coach DeBord introduced the rest of us to Clay
Parker, who was hanging out there.

   After the introductions I offered, "I'm sorry about how things turned
out yesterday."

   Clay responded, "Don't be.  I deserved this.  I never throw two
interceptions in one game.  It was like I had a brain freeze the first
time. I just misread the coverage.  I never expected that cornerback to be
where he was.  That was all me."

   Ed sympathized, "I've been there too.  It was one of those things."

   Clay continued, "It's the second interception that really pisses me off.
I put the ball out there for Demetrius to catch in coverage all the time.
He ALWAYS comes up with the ball."

   I said, "I know how you feel.  I played against Aaron Morano my first
year on varsity.  It was a playoff game.  He shut me out."

   "We underestimated him.  We deserved what happened." Clay said.  He
followed it with a sigh.

   Ed said, "Good luck on the rest of the season."

   I added, "Good luck." Ed and I headed back across the room and rejoined
Terrell and William.  Terrell kept us entertained with a joke after joke.
He was a fun guy to hang out with.

   The Bradfords came out.  Garrett was all smiles.  He told us he was
offered a scholarship.  His decision was down to either Syracuse or
Michigan.  We wished him luck and told him it was nice meeting him before
his family headed for their long drive home.

   Terrell went in next to see Coach Carr.  Ed and I talked with William
while we waited for our turn.  Ed asked, "Do you expect Coach Carr to offer
you a scholarship?"

   "Yes, definitely.  Coach Carr has asked me to become a Wolverine
already. I was ready to accept two weeks ago, but coach told me to wait. 
He wanted me to visit campus and make sure I was comfortable here before I
accepted his offer."

   I said, "That's cool.  Did you look at many other colleges?"

   "Not really.  My dad was a Michigan fan all his life.  He would have
been so proud of me for coming here."

   Ed asked, "Your dad isn't around anymore?"

   "He died in a car accident a couple years ago." William answered.

   "Sorry." Ed said.  I added, "I'm sorry to hear that."

   "I've learned to live with it.  Anyway, today is a happy day.  I get to
accept Michigan's offer.  I'll be the first in my family to go to college."

   Ed, William and I talked about our high school football teams until
Terrell Ross finished his meeting with Coach Carr.  They called for Ed
next. Terrell hung out with William and me.  His family was getting a ride
tot the airport with Ed and me.

   I asked Terrell, "How did it go?"

   "Coach Carr offered me a chance to play for Michigan."

   "Are you going to take it?" William asked.

   "Maybe.  I've narrowed my choices down to here or Nebraska." Terrell
answered.

   "Nebraska?  Really?  I thought about playing there at one time.  My
girlfriend moved there before school started last year."

   "You're not considering them now?" Terrell asked.

   "No.g I found out long distance relationships suck.  Julie and I broke
up last fall." I explained.  "That was the end of my interest in Nebraska."

   "I'm sorry to hear that." Terrell said solicitously.  We continued our
conversation about girlfriends.  I told him about Penny.  He told me about
his girlfriend Danielle.  That had been dating since tenth grade.  Danielle
planned to apply to what ever college Terrell chose.  I explained how Penny
and I couldn't agree on a college.

   Ed was smiling when he left Coach Carr's office.  The coach called for
Dad and me.  We went in his office and had seats in front of Coach Carr's
desk.  Coach Carr didn't waste any time.

   Coach Carr asked, "Kyle, "What did you think of the game last night?"

   "I enjoyed it." I blurted out.  Oops!  "Um... I mean it was an
interesting game.  I was sorry your team lost." I took a deep breath. 
"Your team and Penn State are very closely matched in abilities.  The whole
game turned on a couple plays."

   Coach Carr didn't seem to mind my gaffe too much.  "You're right. 
Parker should have seen that the cornerback would make that first
interception." Coach Carr and I continued for a couple more minutes
dissecting those plays.  When we finished Coach Carr was grinning.  "I
understand what your coaches were telling me about you.  They said you have
an amazing head for football."

   "Coaches?" I asked.

   Coach Carr answered, "I spoke with Coach Caffrey and Coach Baer."

   "Justin?" I asked.

   Coach Carr gave me a funny look.  "You call your position coach by his
first name?"

   "Uh, Coach Baer is a close friend of my older brother.  I knew him long
before he was my football coach." I explained.

   "Coach Baer and I have a little history too.  I tried to recruit him to
play here when he was in high school.  He told me about how you coached the
other receivers last year when you hurt your knee.  He says you are
completely dedicated to football."

   "Thank you coach." I said.

   "You are the fastest receiver I've recruited this year.  You were
selected to be a team captain two years in a row.  You can catch in
traffic. You can beat the press.  Your vertical leap is off the charts. 
You study football seriously.  You have all the tools to succeed in college
and beyond.  I'd like you to come here and help take the Wolverines to the
national championship."

   "Are you offering me a scholarship?" I asked.

   "Yes Kyle, I'm offering you a full scholarship - Tuition, room and
board, books, the full ride.  What do you think?"

   "Thank you for the offer." I went on to explain my plan to weigh my
alternatives over the next four or five weeks and then let him know which
college I would attend.  Dad and I spent about ten minutes asking questions
about Michigan's curriculum and football program.

   When it was time to leave I said, "Thank you for your hospitality this
weekend Coach."

   "It was my pleasure Kyle.  I'll keep in touch with you while you make
your decision.  Have a safe trip home." Coach Carr said.  He shook hands
with Dad and me before we left.

   I wished William luck before we left for the airport with the Fritzes
and Rosses.  Mr.  Skidmore drove us back and waited until we were safely
checked in for our flight home to Harrisburg.

   Ed's dad and I swapped seats so Ed and I could talk on the way home. 
When we were safely on the way I asked Ed, "What did you think of
Michigan?"

   "It was all right."

   "Are you going to consider Michigan?" I asked.

   "Not really.  I've pretty much made up my mind.  I'm going to go to
Florida.  Dad said I had made a commitment to visit a couple months ago and
that I needed to keep my commitment.  I came, I listened to what they had
to say and looked the school over.  Michigan has a good program, I'll give
them that."

   "But it isn't what you want?"

   "It's a good program.  Florida blew me away when I was down there.  They
feel right for me.  I'm going to talk it over with my parents one more
time, but I expect to commit to Florida some time this week."

   "That's cool." I said.

   Ed asked, "What are you going to do?"

   "I'll sit down with my parents, talk it over, and then we'll make a
decision."

   I noticed Dad got a funny look on his face when I said that.  It looked
like he wanted to say something but then he changed his mind.  I asked,
"What's up Dad?"

   "Nothing Kyle.  We'll talk about it when we get home."

   I put on my headphones, turned up my MP3 player, leaned my seat back at
relaxed for the first time in the weekend.  I thought back to all my
college visits.  How in the heck was I going to chose one of these schools?
They were all really good schools.  This was going to be a hard decision.

   Chapter 32

   ==========

   I found out about the play off rankings on Monday morning before first
period.  Ed, Hal, Jeremy, Drew and I had Graphics Arts together.  Central
Dauphin High School took the top spot in central Pennsylvania's group of
sixteen teams.  Central had the #2 spot in the playoffs.  Both teams were
undefeated.  We were ranked #7, behind four teams with a single loss on
their record.  Our first opponent was going to be Gettysburg High School.
We would play them Friday night at Elizabethtown College.

   Two other teams in our league made the playoffs too.  The Braves were
ranked #11.  They would face South Western, the team we beat last year to
get to the semi-finals.  I didn't like the Braves chances.  LS managed to
sneak into the playoffs with a 6-4 record.  They had the dubious honor of
playing Central Dauphin.  I hoped they would enjoy their brief visit to the
playoffs.  They had NO chance against CD.

   Coach Caffrey told us about the Gettysburg team.  They were 8-2 like us.
Their offense featured a lot of passing.  That was good news for us.  Our
defense was well suited to them.  Brett and Tex could handle anybody.  The
coaches went over our game plan with us after school at practice.  The team
seemed focused and ready for the challenges of a playoff game.

   Andy and I have the same lunch period on Tuesdays.  We sat together at
our usual table with other football players.  I noticed he wasn't eating. I
asked, "What's up with you?"

   "I got some bad news."

   "What?" I asked.

   "Not here." Andy said quietly.  "It's private.  I'll tell you when lunch
is over." I waited, wondering what was bothering Andy enough to keep him
from eating.  Normally he's a bigger chow hound than me, and that's saying
something.

   Andy hung back when it was time to go to class.  I stayed with him. 
When our friends were gone I asked, "What's up with you?"

   "I talked with Crystal."

   I said, "That's a good thing, isn't it, if she will talk with you?"

   "It wasn't that kind of talk.  She's still mad at me.  She told me about
her prenatal check up yesterday.  They did the first ultrasound."

   "Is the baby OK?"

   Andy sighed.  "It isn't a baby."

   "What?  What else would it be?" I asked.

   "Twins.  Crystal is carrying twins!"

   "OH!" I took a deep breath.  "WOW!"

   Andy asked, "Do you think Mom and Dad will change their minds about
letting me keep them?"

   "I'm sure they'll accept all their grandchildren happily Andy."

   "I hope your right Kyle." Andy said.

   We found out that evening.  Andy spent most of dinner time trying to
work up the courage to tell Mom and Dad.  Before he could say anything, Mom
explained that she had talked with Mrs.  Wagner today.  She knew all about
the twins.  She called Dad at work as soon as she found out.  They were
perfectly willing to look after two grandkids.  Andy was completely
relieved when dinner was over.

   Penny and I made plans for Saturday night.  My college visits had
interfered with our love life on Saturday evenings too often in the past
couple of months.  Penny's parents were going out to a dance Saturday
night. We planned to meet our friends near the movie theater for dinner and
then head back to Penny's house for a very overdue evening of love making.

   Our team prepared hard for Friday night's game.  Everyone focused on
their jobs.  The team's mood was serious but not tight.  It reminded me of
the mood last year when we won the state championship.  We had the
necessary confidence to go far in the playoffs.  Things felt right when
Friday arrived.

   We met the coaches at school after dinner for the bus ride to the other
side of the county.  The weather was excellent for the 14th of November. 
The temperature was in the 60's during the day and wasn't expected to drop
down past 50 over night.  The weather was perfect for a passing team like
us.

   I spoke with Ed while we were dressing for the game.  "I know you favor
me when you're passing.  I'm sure it helped me get the scholarship offers.
Thanks."

   "Hey, what are friends for?" Ed replied.

   "I appreciate it.  Tonight, if they single cover Andy, make sure he gets
the ball.  He could use some recognition."

   "I'll do that.  How are Andy and Crystal doing?  How are, uh... things?"
Ed said.  He patted his stomach to indicate he knew about Crystal's
pregnancy.

   "Things?  Things are OK.  Things are more than expected." I said as I
held up two fingers.  Ed's eyes bulged out.

   "Two?"

   I nodded yes.  "You can see why Andy can use a good night.  If he's
open, hit him with the pass."

   "You got it." Ed shook his head.  "Two.  When your brother screws up, he
does it right."

   We had the ball first in the game.  We lulled Gettysburg with a few runs
and short passes before we struck.  They were aware of me and had two
d-backs lined up close to me and kept the free safety towards my side of
the field.  The coaches sent Andy and me deep on the next play.  The free
safety went for me along with the other two d-backs.  Andy broke free from
single coverage, caught a beautiful spiral from Ed and sprinted into the
end zone for our first touchdown.

   Gettysburg had studied tapes of our game with Central.  They tried
running the same short passing game and outside running game on us.  The
coaches coolly switched to our new 3-4 defense and shut down Gettysburg's
offense.  They punted the ball to us.

   Gettysburg lined the secondary up deep so Ed handed the ball to Drew
repeatedly.  We moved the ball briskly down the field on the ground.  Drew
bashed his way into the end zone for our second touchdown.

   Gettysburg went back to their normal offense.  Brett and Tex blanketed
their receivers.  Coach Wyndham started blitzing.  Their quarterback
couldn't get his passes off while avoiding Jeremy, Kenny and their friends.
They punted back to us.

   Gettysburg backed off me and sent the free safety to help cover Andy. 
Ed considered that to be an open invitation to send me deep.  I hauled in a
touchdown pass on the fifth play of the drive.  I added another touchdown
before the first half was over.

   It was unusual for a playoff game but Coach Caffrey pulled the starters
in the second half.  Jake Kring, Marcus Shaeffer and company kept the
pressure on Gettysburg.  They did finally manage to score a couple
touchdowns late in the game but our guys answered them score for score. 
The final result was 42-14 in our favor.

   The game was a good start towards repeating as state champions.  The
team was psyched up on the ride home from Elizabethtown.  I eagerly watched
Football Friday on the 11 o'clock news to find out how the other teams had
done that night.  Central Dauphin beat LS soundly as expected.  Central won
their game too.  #6 South Western beat the Braves from our league.  I
surprised to see that #5 Northern Lebanon fell to #12 New Oxford.  New
Oxford would be our opponent next Friday.

   Coach Caffrey loaned us copies of the videos of New Oxford High School.
Ed and I spent Saturday afternoon studying them.  They had a strong
defense, a good running game and could throw the ball deep.

   They didn't have as much speed at running back as us but they could
really pound the ball at their opponents.  They kept their opponent's
defense loose by throwing deep fairly often.  Their yards per catch rivaled
ours.  Their quarterback threw for 32 touchdowns so far and allowed 21
interceptions.  Ed was much superior with 44 touchdowns and only 17
interceptions.  Ed's abilities and our superior special teams should give
us an edge.

   Penn State played their last regular game that Saturday against Michigan
State.  The game was a blow out.  Phil DiStefano was pulled before the
first half was over and Zack took the helm of the team.  Zack was allowed
to throw some passes at the end of the first half.  Zack spent the second
half handing the ball to his running backs since Coach Paterno didn't like
to run up the score.  The final score was 37-10 Penn State.

   Liz asked me to give her and her new steady boyfriend Cody Stevens a
ride to dinner and the movies.  Liz and Cody had dated off and on during
the fall, but hadn't been exclusive.  Cody finally worked up the nerve to
ask Liz to go steady last night.  Liz was floating on cloud nine.  I warned
her about my plans for the evening and told her I'd give them a ride to the
theater but they needed their own ride home.  Penny and I planned to take
full advantage of her big empty house after dinner.

   Cody showed up a couple minutes early for the date that afternoon.  He
was dressed in nice casual clothes.  His usually tousled blond hair was
brushed and combed into submission.  I smiled as I looked him over.  He had
a spot of shaving cream in his left sideburn.

   I said, "Did you know you missed a spot when you shaved?"

   Cody got a panicked look in his eyes.  "Missed a spot?  I... I... It was
my first time."

   "Relax." I commanded.  I wiped the shaving cream off with my finger. 
"It was just some shaving cream." I said as I showed him the foam on my
finger.  Cody relaxed a little.  I had him sit down.

   "I understand Liz is your girlfriend now.  Congratulations."

   "yEs." Cody squeaked.  I felt bad for him.  Every guy has to go through
his voice changing, but it sucks.

   "You know I love my sister.  I hope you take good care of her.  I
wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her."

   "You'd kick my ass right?" Cody asked.

   "Um... Those aren't exactly the words I'd use, but I am protective of my
sister."

   "I'll treat her right Kyle, I promise." Cody had a seat at the couch
while we waited for Liz to make her entrance.  She looked real nice when
she finally appeared.  She wore a dress for Cody, most unusual for her.  I
told the two of them to meet Penny and me in the car.

   I said, "Relax.  It'll be a few minutes while I pick up Penny.  Get
comfortable." I walked down the street to pick up my lover.  Liz and Cody
took me a little too literally about getting comfortable.  The two of them
were locked in a very passionate French kiss when Penny and I got back to
the car.  They separated suddenly when we opened the car doors.

   "It's all right.  Boyfriends and girlfriends do that." I said
soothingly. Cody and Liz both relaxed.

   I stole a few glances in the mirror on the twenty minute drive to the
mall near Millersville.  Liz and Cody went back to kissing.  It escalated
when Cody started feeling up the swells on my sister's chest.  I coughed.
Cody pulled his hand away quickly.  I said, "Pace yourselves kids, you have
all night." Liz and Cody giggled and said OK.

   I dropped Cody and Liz off at the McDonalds to meet their friends. 
Penny and I went over to the Pizza place to meet our friends.  We found
seats at a table with Jeremy, Kathy, Hal, Tammy, Ed and Ed's girlfriend de
jour, Cindy Williams.  Cindy's a junior who was on the cheerleading squad.
She had the `cheerleader look.' Ed was a lucky guy.  If you have to play
the field, play with the best.

   Penny and I enjoyed our dinner with our friends.  Jeremy, Kathy, Hal and
Tammy headed for the movies when dinner was done.  Ed and Cindy split, to
find some privacy so they could share some carnal knowledge.  Penny and I
headed back to Paradise and her big empty house.

   Penny and I enjoyed a bubble bath together before we got down to serious
fun.  We pleasured each other in the 69 position.  Penny demanded a hard
deep screwing after a couple of oral orgasms.  I obliged her.  We relaxed
and cuddled for awhile.

   Penny asked if we could do anal that evening.  I agreed.  I generously
lubed her up.  I lay on my back on her bed and let her mount me, facing me.
She rose and impaled herself on my hard rod for about five minutes before
stopped.  She let herself sink down until she had engulfed my entire seven
inches.

   Penny asked, "Des this feel anything like the time you and Ed had sex
together with that girl?"

   I laughed.  "Ahh, the three way fantasy again?" Penny nodded yes.  "I
don't mind it, as long as it stays a fantasy.  I love you too much to
really share you with another guy."

   Penny sighed.  "I know.  Will you do me with `Little Kyle' while you
screw my ass?"

   `Little Kyle' was Penny's realistic dildo that Abby helped her buy last
summer while I was at scout camp.  My cock is seven inches long and an inch
and three quarters across.  It isn't small.  I am proud of my endowment. 
`Little Kyle' was considerably bigger than `Real Kyle.' I loved Penny and
this fantasy did get her off so I agreed.

   Penny scampered across the bedroom and retrieved `Little Kyle' from her
dresser.  She climbed back in bed and handed me her dildo.  I held my real
cock aloft and she settled onto it.  When she was fully impaled on me, she
leaned back to give me access to her pussy.  I positioned the dildo at her
opening.  After quite a bit squirming and repositioning, we managed to work
`Little Kyle' part way into her pussy.

   I shivered when I felt `Little Kyle' stretch and slide deeper into my
lover through the thin membrane that separated my cock from the dildo.  I
remembered the same feeling when Ed and I fucked Jessie that evening two
years ago.  Penny wasn't going to let this fantasy go away.  Could I stand
sharing Penny with another guy some time?

   Penny worked herself up and down on my cock while I tried to stimulate
her with `Little Kyle.' Penny moaned as she squirmed and humped herself on
my hard rod.  Penny climaxed after about five minutes of double penetration
fucking.  I blasted a load of cum into her ass when the clenching from her
orgasm drove me past the point of no return.

   Penny pulled off me.  I pulled `Little Kyle' out of her as she collapsed
on her bed beside me.  Penny panted as she recovered from her climax.  I
asked, "Did you enjoy that?" Penny smiled weakly and nodded yes.

   After a minute, Penny rolled to me.  She kissed me and said, "Thank you
for doing this Kyle."

   "No problem honey.  I get a kick out of your wild side."

   "Let's get cleaned up Kyle."

   "OK.  How much time do we have until your parents get home?" I asked.

   Penny glanced at the clock on her night stand.  It was 10:30.  "We have
plenty of time.  Daddy said they would be back around 11:30.

   "Cool!" I said.  Penny and I headed to the bathroom to take a shower
sans clothing.  We showered together.  I loved the sensuousness of cleaning
my lover.  We got carried away when we washed our private parts.  We ended
up screwing in the shower.

   We froze mid thrust when we heard a car door slam outside.  I asked, "Is
it... uh, your parents?"

   "No.  They shouldn't be home yet.  It's probably Ed coming home from his
date with, uh...."

   "Cindy."

   "Yeah, Cindy." Penny said.  The Edwards' and the Fritz's driveways were
side by side.  I thrust into Penny half a dozen more times before I came.
We washed the sweat and juices off and turned the shower off.  We dried
each other off.  Penny helped dry my hair with her hair dryer before
starting on her own hair.

   I headed back to her room to get dressed.  I was half way down the hall
from the bathroom to Penny's room when her father appeared at the top of
the steps.  I froze like a deer caught in the headlights.  "Uh....  Uh....
Uh...." I stammered.

   Mr.  Edwards stared at me and tilted his head.  Oh shit!  I'm going to
die!  I braced myself for the coming storm.  He contemplated me, the naked
guy standing in his upstairs hallway for a few more seconds.

   My mouth dropped open in shock as he laughed, quietly at first and then
more deeply.  He continued laughing for about ten seconds while I shifted
uncomfortably in front of him.  I glanced behind me when I heard the
bathroom door open.  Penny leaned out, exposing herself to the waist. 
"What's so funny Kyle?" Penny gasped when she saw her father.  "Daddy?" She
ducked back into the bathroom so only her head stuck out.

   Mr.  Edwards finally stopped laughing.  "Relax you two.  This isn't
shocking.  What do you think Mother and I expected would happen when we
left an empty house?  I know what's on the minds of seventeen year olds."
Mr.  Edwards pointed to Penny's room.  "Go get clothes on Kyle.  I don't
want my wife to find you standing here stark naked."

   "Yes sir." I said hastily.  I hurried back to Penny's room and dressed.
Penny joined me a minute later.  She made the dash from the bathroom
covered with a bath towel.  We talked about how much things had changed
since ninth grade.  Then we got grounded when our parents caught us
sleeping together.  Now her dad just laughed it off.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   Ed told me on Monday before home room that he met with his parents
Sunday afternoon and had their consent to commit to attending Florida next
year.  He was skipping scouts to call Coach Meyers that night.

   The coaches reviewed the scouting report on the New Oxford Colonials,
our next opponent at practice on Monday.  The Colonials had an excellent
tailback and a good running quarterback.  We planned to play our
cornerbacks closer to the line of scrimmage since the Colonials attempted
only 40 passes all season, completing 20 of them.  Ed had more completions
in a couple of our games than New Oxford had in the whole season.  I had no
idea how New Oxford managed to beat North Lebanon last week.

   Ed got a phone call during lunch on Tuesday.  He stepped out into the
hall to take the call.  He had a huge grin on his face when he came back
in. Ed said, "That was Coach Meyers calling.  He can't come up here this
week when we do the press conference to announce that I'm committing to
play at Florida.  The PR department set things up with Channel 8.  I'm
going to do a remote press conference with Coach Meyers after practice
today.  He'll go to the local NBC station in Gainesville and I'll go to the
conference here."

   Jeremy asked, "What time is it on?"

   "I guess the 5:30 or 6:00 o'clock news.  I have to be at the studio by 5
pm." Ed answered.

   "Cool Ed, I'm happy for you." Hal said.  He paused for effect.  "Rutgers
didn't feel the need to do a press conference when I accepted their offer a
few weeks ago."

   Jeremy laughed, "What did you expect?  You're only a kicker, not someone
important."

   "Thank you... Thank you, very much for your support... friend." Hal
responded.

   "Hey, what are friends for?" Jeremy answered.

   Ed asked, "When are you two going to make up your minds?" Ed was looking
at Jeremy and me.

   I said, "I haven't found time to sit down with my parents and talk about
it.  I'll do it soon."

   Jeremy responded, "I'm having fun being recruited.  It's between Notre
Dame and Penn State for me.  Did I tell you who called me Sunday?  Dan
Conner, from the Kansas City Chiefs.  We had a good talk about being a
linebacker at Penn State."

   I asked, "Do you think you'll go to Penn State?"

   Jeremy answered, "I was leaning to the Irish before, but man, Penn State
is Linebacker U.  I've got to consider them."

   "Did you meet Pete Klein?  He seems like a good guy." I asked.

   "Pete gave me a tour of campus when I visited in the summer.  We've
talked a couple times since then.  He has offered to help me get up to
speed at inside linebacker if I go to Penn State."

   "Cool!" I said.

   Ed asked, "Who's Pete Klein?"

   "You met him last Saturday night.  You know, number 53.  He stopped to
talk to me when warm-ups were over before the game." I said.

   "Him?  He's good.  I couldn't believe some of the tackles he made in the
game." Ed said.  Ed and I went on to talk about the Michigan/Penn State
game for the rest of our lunch period.  Our friends listened raptly as we
described the game.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom and Dad gave Andy and me permission to watch TV while we ate dinner
that night.  Ed's press conference wasn't on at 5:30.  It did make the 6:00
broadcast.  The story only lasted about sixty seconds.  Coach Meyers
announced that Ed agreed to come to Florida next year and called Ed one of
the best quarterbacks in the East.  Ed answered a couple Florida reporters'
questions before the sports announcer moved on to the next story.

   Andy asked, "Do you think you'll have a press conference when you choose
your college?"

   "I suppose so."

   "Are you any closer to deciding what college you are going to attend?"

   I answered, "No.  I haven't had time to talk with Mom and Dad.  We'll
get to it soon."

   I finally got around to asking Mom and Dad about choosing my college at
dinner on Thursday night.  I asked, "Dad, Mom - when can we sit down and
start talking about which college I should go to?"

   Dad asked, "Have you narrowed your options down?"

   "What do you mean Dad?"

   "I'd suggest you list the positives and the negatives of each college.
That will help you sort things out and make the choice easier."

   "OK.  I'll do that Dad."

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Game day, the 21st of November dawned clear, cold and still.  Clear
weather was always our team's friend.  It made Ed's job of delivering the
ball to Andy and me easier.  I received encouragement from my classmates
during the school day, but not as much as I was used to.  I guess our
school is getting used to our success in the playoffs.  People were
treating it like any other football game.

   Our fans may have been blasé but the team wasn't.  We understood how
hard it was to advance into the playoffs and challenge for the state
championship.  I was pleased to see the quiet confidence my friends
displayed as we rode the bus to Elizabethtown College.

   Our game with the New Oxford Colonials started off well for us.  New
Oxford took possession of the ball first.  They tried to run the ball on
us. They tested the outside first.  Our defensive line kept their offensive
line at bay.  Kenny and Jim funneled the ball carrier towards the middle
for Jeremy to make the tackle.  They gained eight yards on those first
three plays.

   They punted the ball back to Andy.  Our wedge did a good job blocking.
They opened a small opening in the return coverage.  Andy shot through the
hole, cut back, and sprinted down the field.  He stiff armed the punter and
carried the ball into the end zone for our first score.  Hal completed the
point after.  Score: 7-0 Wolverines.

   We allowed the Colonials to make a first down on their second possession
before our defense stopped them again.  They managed to do better on punt
coverage on the second try.  We took possession of the ball at our 42 yard
line.

   We found out how the Colonials had beaten Northern Lebanon last week. 
It was with excellent defense.  They had an strong pass rush that prevented
us from throwing the ball deep.  Andy and I concentrated on shallower
routes that Ed could hit with three or five step drops.  Drew could run the
ball pretty well.  He averaged about 4.2 yards a carry.  We scored a field
goal and a second touchdown on two long, clock eating drives in the first
half.  New Oxford managed only a field goal in the first half.  We went
into the locker room ahead 17-3.

   The coaches made a few adjustments at half time.  It paid off when we
took the kickoff straight down the field on a twelve play drive.  Ed
completed the drive by throwing a touchdown to me on a roll out as I
paralleled him in the end zone.

   Coach Wyndham started blitzing now that we had a commanding lead.  The
Colonials' quarterback tried passing to catch up.  Tex and Brett made sure
he couldn't keep up with Ed's passing.  The Colonials scored two more field
goals before the game was over.

   We added an insurance touchdown near the end of the game when Ed found
our tight end Pete Ellis free in the end zone.  The strong safety who
should have covered Pete joined the other two d-backs covering me.  Hal
booted the PAT to finish the scoring.  We won the game 31-9.

   Our celebration was muted.  We hoped we had three more games before our
season was finished.  Coach Caffrey awarded game balls to Andy, Ed and
Jeremy.  They deserved it.

   I slept late on Saturday and then spent the afternoon reviewing all the
information I had about USC, LSU, Penn State and Michigan.  I had said I
was going to try to make my decision by Thanksgiving.  That was only five
days away.  I still hadn't found time to sit down with Mom and Dad to
discuss what I was going to do next year.  Maybe after church on Sunday.

   The newspaper said the Central Dauphin had demolished their opponents.
We would play them next Friday evening at Hershey Stadium.  Central and
South Western also won.  They would play Saturday morning at Elizabethtown
College.  I went on-line to check out some of the other regions of the
state.  Damian Thompson's team, Strong Vincent, was still alive in the
playoffs.  Chip Brinton's team, Unionville, and Bill Robinson's team, Upper
Moreland, were still playing football.

   Penny and I joined our friends for dinner and a movie on Saturday night.
Penny and I found a quiet back lane to make love in the cramped back seat
of my Golf before our midnight curfew that evening.  Penny was going to be
busy with practice for the Christmas musical for the next three weeks.  Our
time together was going to be severely curtailed until after the musical.

   Mom and Dad were relaxing in the kitchen after lunch on Sunday
afternoon. I came in and asked, "Do you two have time to talk about which
college I should attend next year?  I told the coaches I planned to let
them know by Thanksgiving which school I would attend."

   Mom set the Sunday paper down and answered, "We have time to talk about
colleges." Mom looked over at Dad.  "Right dear?"

   "Absolutely Kyle." Dad said.

   "I told the coaches I visited that we would make a decision by
Thanksgiving.  Shouldn't we start narrowing the choices down?"

   Dad shook his head.  "Kyle, WE aren't going to make a decision.  You're
going to be eighteen soon.  This choice is yours."

   "You and Mom aren't going to help me?  This is a huge decision.  How can
I decide myself?" I responded.

   Mom said, "We'll talk with you about this to help you but Dad and I
can't make the decision for you."

   "But I have to decide which college by myself?  This affects the rest of
my life!" I said.

   "You're growing up.  Your mother and I won't decide how you should live
your life.  It's time for you to make your own decisions.  This is an
excellent place for you to start.  This is going to be YOUR college, not
ours." Dad said.

   "What if I choose the wrong one?" I asked.

   Mom said, "Honey, you'll do fine."

   "Kyle, you have to deal with the consequences of your decisions.  It is
a part of being an adult.  Get as much information as you can, think it
through, and then choose." Dad explained.

   I asked, "Do you and Mom have a preference for which college I go to?"

   Dad said, "You have done an excellent job so far, researching these
colleges, visiting them, and gathering information about them.  Your Mom
and I will be happy with any of these four colleges.  Choose whichever one
suits you best."

   "I'm not sure which one that is." I answered.

   Mom asked, "Which campus do you like best?"

   "I probably felt most comfortable at LSU.  Baton Rouge feels so
comfortable to me.  State College is a close second.  Ann Arbor is OK.  I'm
not sure about going to school in the middle of a big city like LA." I
explained.

   Dad asked, "How about the coaches?  Any one stand out?"

   "I felt comfortable with all of them.  Coach Carroll and Coach Miles
haven't been with their schools that many years, but both have been
spectacularly successful.  Coach Carr has been at Michigan longer and is
consistently successful.  Coach Paterno... well, what can you say about
him? He's a legend.  How do I choose among the four of them?"

   Dad said, "Maybe you don't.  They are all very good."

   Mom asked, "How did you get along with the boys at these schools?  Would
they be good friends for you?"

   "Um, they're men Mom, not boys.  I think Brady Rasmussen could become a
good friend.  Brady's a country boy like me.  He enjoys camping.  He's a
hell of a quarterback.  We would score a lot of points together."

   Dad asked, "What about LSU?"

   "I didn't get to spend a lot of time with the LSU players.  Andre Dugas
and Thomas Broussard were the only two that I spent much time with.  They
seemed like nice guys." I paused a few seconds, waiting to see what Mom and
Dad had to say next.  They waited for me to continue.  "I have a lot of
friends at Penn State, more than anywhere else.  Of course Zack Hayes and
Aaron Morano are great friends.  There is Cuch, Jeremiah, Tony, Shawn and
so many others that I know at Penn State.  Christian Hunsecker has decided
to go there.  I'd enjoy being his teammate."

   Dad asked, "How about Michigan?"

   I sighed.  "I didn't spend much time with the Michigan players.  I liked
Colin Davenport and Darius Ward.  Peter Cochran was a bit much.  I don't
know if I could put up with him for two years."

   Mom asked, "What's the problem?"

   "Peter is so negative.  He hardly had a good word to say about anyone
the entire time I worked out with him."

   Dad asked, "Are you crossing Michigan off your list?"

   "No Dad.  They still have some good points.  I don't know which school I
should go to." I said.

   Dad asked, "Are there any drawbacks with these schools?"

   "The biggest drawback I see is distance.  USC, LSU and Michigan are so
far away.  Am I going to be able to get home very often?"

   Dad said, "Your mother and I have discussed that possibility.  Since you
have a scholarship and we don't have to pay for your education, we are
willing to pay for four flights home from college during the year;
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and another weekend of your choice."

   "Thanks Dad.  Thanks Mom.  That will help my decision a lot." I said. 
Mom, Dad and I continued talking about the four colleges and their football
teams.  Talking helped clarify my thinking a little.  I still wasn't sure
how I was going to choose between such good football teams and colleges.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Caffrey didn't expect that we would need any tricks to beat
Central Dauphin.  He ran light practices each day, running us through our
basic offensive plays.  He was more interested in us getting rested.  This
was our thirteenth game and rest was more important than drills.  Everyone
knew their responsibilities.  We expected to win on Friday night.

   Penny and I studied together on Tuesday evening to get ready for our AP
Calculus exam.  Mr.  Futer insisted on the exam the day before
Thanksgiving. I think he gave the test just because he hates vacations from
school and wanted to take his feelings out on us.  Penny and I felt better
after we finished the test fifth period.  It seemed easy.  We were
confident we had done well on the test.

   Penny and her family always went away for Thanksgiving to their
relatives.  Will and Abby came home from college for the holiday.  The
Hendricks family joined us for Thanksgiving.

   Mom, Abby and Mrs.  Hendricks talked non-stop about the plans for Will
and Abby's wedding after they graduated from college.  The date had been
set.  The wedding was going to be on Saturday, May 30th at our church. 
They were still looking for a place for the reception.

   I spent Friday relaxing and reading a new book on Patton.  My
girlfriend, my Mom, my sister, my future sister-in-law, and just about
every other female in the area hit the malls for Black Friday.  More power
to them.  I wanted to be relaxed for the game that evening.

   Eric Connell came over to spend the afternoon with Andy.  They were
spending more time together than they had in the past year now that Andy
wasn't totally preoccupied with girls.  Getting Crystal pregnant had
changed Andy's outlook completely.  I think he had a total of three dates
since he found out he was going to be a father in the spring.  I also
didn't think he had gotten laid since then.  It was probably best.  He
didn't need more girl trouble.  He had enough of that to last the rest of
his life.

   Our game against the Central Dauphin Rams was at our other "home"
stadium, Hershey Stadium.  The weather was cold, just below freezing.  They
were predicting snow for later in the night.  The sky was cloudy with no
wind when we went out for warm-ups.  The weather was made for our passing
offense.

   Coach Caffrey invited past players to meet with the team before the game
started.  Nearly a dozen past players showed up to talk with us before the
game.  This was the fourth year we had gone this deep into the playoffs. 
It was an excellent tradition that I hoped would continue after I was gone.
Sam and Zack Hayes made it back.  Bill and Andy Groff came too.  Stan
Humphries was down from East Stroudsburg.  Rick Winters made it.  Karl
Weaver, Dustin Robbins, Jerry Porter and Nick Zeimer from last year's team
made it.

   We had about fifteen minutes to talk with our ex-teammates.  Zack made a
point of talking with Jeremy and me.  He worked on us, trying to convince
us that we should attend Penn State.  Jerry Porter talked with me for a
couple minutes.  He told me a couple stories about my friend from the beach
the last two summers, Rob Lang.  Jerry and Rob both were second string on
Gettysburg College's football team.  He teased me about my three-way.  Rob
had a big mouth!

   Andy Groff was a revelation.  He was a junior at Delaware this season.
He made starting defensive end for their team.  He had put on a lot of
muscle in the weight room.  He must be a handful for an offensive lineman.
Karl, Nick and I talked a bit.

   One thing was wrong with our little reunion.  Zack spotted me fiddling
with the black diamond #82 patch each of us wore this year in memory of
Greg Harrison.  Zack asked, "Miss him don't you?"

   "He should be here tonight.  I wish he'd walk in the locker room door,
give us that goofy grin he had and tell us about Boston College this
season."

   "I know man.  Greg's still with us, right here." Zack said, touching his
hand over his heart.  "Greg was a good guy and damn fine tight end.  We're
all better people for knowing Greg."

   Zack was right.  I would keep Greg's memory alive in my memory.  Coach
Caffrey's call for the team to assemble interrupted my reverie.

   Coach Caffrey asked Stan Humphries to speak to the team that day. 
"Thanks for asking me to address the team Coach." Stan told Coach Caffrey.
Stan turned to face us.  "I'm so proud of what you younger guys have done
with this team in the past two years.  Andy, Rick, Zack and I... uh, and
Kyle of course... worked hard four seasons ago to get this team winning. 
Hard work, dedication, study, and drills were all a part of this.  I know
you seniors on the team have trained your replacements well.  If you do
that, we can make the Wolverines just like Central.  A perennial playoff
team and a potential championship team every season.  I not only want to
watch you guys win tonight.  I want to come back and see that the juniors
and sophomores take up leadership when it is your turn.  That is my
challenge to all of you.  Go out and be the best."

   The chaplain led us in a prayer and then Jeremy led the team in a cheer.
We took the field ready to kick some Ram butt!

   The Rams got the ball first.  They ran the ball at us, true to our
expectations.  Austin, Jamie, Joey and Travis, our defensive linemen, held
their positions against the Rams' blockers.  Our outside linebackers, Jim
Griffin and Kenny Weaver funneled runners into the middle for Jeremy or
Dylan Masterson to tackle.  Tex and Brett were told they didn't have any
run support responsibilities.  They were to stick with the wide receivers
on every play.  Seth Vogel, our free safety was assigned to read and react
to the quarterback.  He would help cover a receiver or provide run support
based on what the quarterback did.

   The Rams were clearly a strong team.  Our defense played its
responsibilities perfectly but they still managed to gain about 3.5 yards a
carry.  It was enough to keep their drive going.  They ran seven straight
runs at us, gaining 25 yards before they tested our secondary.

   They threw deep on second down with six to go.  They decided to pick on
our `inexperienced guy', sophomore Tex Johansen.  Tex was up to the test.
The Rams receiver had to knock the ball out of Tex's hands to prevent him
from intercepting it.  On third and six the Rams lost a yard when Coach
Wyndham called a run blitz that sent Jeremy straight into the hole the
runner wanted to use.

   Our offense took the field after Andy ran the punt back 18 yards.  We
hit them with a pass on the first play.  They double covered Andy and me. I
outran the cornerback.  The free safety stayed so deep that I caught the
ball between him and the trailing cornerback.  The free safety tackled me
immediately.  I had gained 13 yards.

   We continued working on them with our spread offense, mixing runs and
passing together to keep the Rams off balance.  It took us eight plays to
drive down the field.  Ed found me in the corner of the end zone for our
first touchdown.

   The Rams responded with a grind-it-out drive for a field goal on their
next possession.  Our two teams went back and forth in the first half.  Two
strong offenses chipping and nicking at stout defenses, scratching for
every possible yard.

   The Rams scored another field goal to our two as the first half wound
down.  We were ahead 13-6.  Jeremy and Kenny met the running back in the
Rams' backfield for a two yard loss to end their drive just before the two
minute warning.  They punted the ball to Andy.  He took the ball and
followed behind our blocking wedge.  The wedge managed to open a small
crease in the Rams' coverage.  Andy accelerated through the gap and stiff
armed the first tackler.  He juked and faked the punter right out of his
socks and raced downfield into the end zone.  Hal scored the PAT.  Score:
20-6 Wolverines.  Our defense held the Rams offense in check to run the
clock out on the first half.

   Our coaches made a couple minor adjustments to our offense during half
time.  We came out and drove straight down the field to start the second
half.  We scored when I caught a pass at their 22 yard line, broke the free
safeties' tackle and carried the ball into the end zone.  Hal made the PAT
to bring the score to 27-6 our favor.

   Our coaches adjusted our defense back to our standard defense, correctly
anticipating that the Rams would start passing more.  Coach Wyndham also
started blitzing a line backer or defensive back on many of the plays. 
Central Dauphin didn't score on their next possession.

   We started running the ball hard to use up the time on the game clock.
Drew and Marcus took turns carrying the ball, keeping each runner rested.
We didn't score, but we ran the clock down so there were only eleven
minutes left in the game.

   Central Dauphin was ranked number one in our part of the state for a
good reason.  They rallied on their next possession to score a touchdown
and bring the score to 27-13, our favor.  Their run defense stiffened. 
They stopped us on our next possession.

   The Rams moved the ball efficiently on us again, pushing down the field
with a mix of runs and short passes.  We blitzed on them, but they were
ready.  They moved down the field into scoring position.  On first and ten
at our 24 yard line, we guessed right on their next play.  Jeremy run
blitzed through the hole where the Rams running back was to go.  He shot
through the hole and nearly took the hand off from the Rams quarterback. 
The running back barely had the ball before Jeremy drilled him.  He drove
the ball carrier backwards, planting him on his ass.  The ball rolled
loose. Jeremy and the Rams quarterback scrambled for the ball.  Jeremy
couldn't secure the ball but knocked it backwards into Travis Hall's hands.
Travis pulled the ball into his chest and rolled on top of it to protect
it.

   It was our ball with 3:12 left to play.  It was gut check time for us.
Our team stepped up to the challenge.  We drove the ball straight down the
field, never letting the Rams touch the ball again.  We finished the game
with a field goal when we ran out of field.  Hal kicked the ball back to
Central Dauphin with 22 seconds left to play.  Three failed Hail Mary
passes later, the game was ours.  We won by a score of 30-13.

   The game was closer than the score indicated.  If Jeremy hadn't made
that awesome tackle and caused a fumble... If Andy hadn't scored on the
punt return... If Ed had made even one mistake... Jeremy did plaster the
running back.  Andy did score that touchdown.  Ed... Ed was nearly perfect.
I couldn't have scored two touchdowns without him.  If every member of our
team hadn't given his utmost... we would have been going home for the
winter.  That's a grim thought.

   Ed and I agreed that we were going to go watch Central's game against
South Western on Saturday morning.  Their game would be at Hershey Stadium
too.  Jeremy overheard us talking about our plans after the game.  We
happily invited him to come along.  Tex was dressing beside Jeremy.  "Hey
y'all goin' to see them Central guys play tomorrow?  I'd sure'd like to see
that Hunsecker guy ag'in.  You know, in case I gotta cover him next game."

   I laughed.  "Sure why not?  You can go if you don't mind sharing the
backseat of my VW with Jeremy."

   Tex eyed Jeremy for a second and replied, "Shooot... Ain't gonna be
`nough room in back for flea with him there." Tex gestured toward Jeremy.
Jeremy outweighed Tex by about 80 pounds.

   Jeremy answered, "You'll fit string bean."

   We agreed that Ed and Jeremy would meet me at my house at 8 am and I'd
pick up Tex on the way to Hershey.  It was nice that Tex was fitting in
with the rest of the team now.  I'd had my doubts about him in the summer,
but he had proved to be a good cornerback and a good friend when he
understood how we did things on our team.  We might not have gotten as far
in the playoffs without him.

   The snow overnight turned out to be a light dusting.  It wouldn't affect
the game.  The four of us picked up breakfast on the way to the game on
Saturday morning.  We arrived just before kickoff.  We found seats near the
Central fans.  Boy, did that feel weird!

   It turned out to be a good game to watch.  South Western hadn't lost
anything since last year.  They had an excellent team.  Central, well...
they're undefeated, had a strong defense and an explosive offense.  Ed and
I concentrated on what the two defenses were doing while Jeremy and Tex
studied the offenses.

   South Western managed to run the ball successfully on Central.  They
also made some deep passes on play action.  Central ran some but made most
of their yards passing.  South Western wasn't up to covering Christian
Hunsecker.  Christian scored two touchdowns as the game went along.  The
game wasn't decided until the last two minutes when Christian added a third
touchdown to put his team 10 points up on South Western.  Central's defense
managed to keep South Western out of the end zone until the clock ran out.
The final score was Central 38, South Western 28.

   The state championship picture was clearer.  By the end of the day when
all the games were done there would be eight teams left in competition for
the title.  We would play Central next weekend to represent central
Pennsylvania in the semi-finals.

   The four of us went down on the field to find and congratulate
Christian. We bumped into Caleb Sommers, Central's quarterback.  Caleb
spotted me and waved us over to join him.  He said, "You and your friends
come to scout the opposition?"

   I answered, "You know it.  We're taking advantage of the different
playing times."

   "I understand.  You guys looked good last night.  Congratulations on
your win." Caleb laughed.  "We had half a dozen guys at your game."

   "That's fair.  Congratulations on winning tonight." I answered.  I
introduced Ed, Jeremy and Tex to Caleb.  We talked for a couple minutes.

   We moved on to look for Christian.  We found him nearby with his arm
around a very pretty girl.  She was about 5'-10", thin with long black hair
tied in a pony tail.  He gave her a kiss on the cheek as we approached.

   I greeted my friend.  "Congrats Christian.  You played a hell of a
game."

   "Kyle!?!  Hi!" Christian said, clearly shocked to see us.  "Ed?  Jeremy?
Uh... uh..."

   Tex answered, "Michael."

   "You play cornerback for the Wolverines." Christian continued. 
Christian proceeded to introduced us to his girlfriend Beverly Umble.  We
talked for a few minutes about the game.  Christian eventually brought the
subject back to me and my choice of college.  "When are you going to stop
playing Hamlet and choose?  k Imagine what you and I could do together at
Penn State."

   I answered, "I'm working on it.  I don't think I'll go to Michigan.  I
didn't hit it off with the quarterback I'd be working with.  As for the
other three... I don't know."

   Christian added, "You won't find a better friend or a better quarterback
than Zack Hayes.  Think about that when you make your decision Kyle."

   "OK, I will." I promised.  Christian had to go.  His coach was calling
for everyone to return to the locker room so the team could head for home.
My friends and I headed back to Paradise.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Saturday night our gang of friends decided to go bowling.  It was Jeremy
and Kathy; Hal and Tammy; Penny and me; plus Ed invited Courtney Malone to
come as his date.  We had fun.  The get together broke up kind of early. 
All of us wanted to find someplace private for intimate fun with our
partners.

   I doubt Ed knew how closely he was following in Zack Hayes' footsteps as
the starting quarterback.  Ed had about half dozen girls he regularly
"dated." None of the girls wanted a long term relationship.  They just
wanted to good time with someone who knew what he was doing in bed.  Penny
told me Ed had a reputation among the girls at our high school of being a
gentle and considerate lover who was equally talented with his lips,
tongue, fingers and cock.  Ed never had any trouble getting dates on
Saturday night.

   I didn't envy my friend's various girlfriends.  I much preferred being
with Penny, sharing my thoughts and dreams along with my body with her.  I
might feel like Ed if I had been dumped just before senior year.  It would
be hard getting a serious girlfriend, knowing you would probably split up
at the end of school.

   Penny had play practice on Monday afternoon, even though we had the day
off from school.  The Christmas musical was two weeks away.  I wasn't going
to have much time with Penny until the musical was over.

   Ed, Jeremy and I decided to get together Monday afternoon and break down
videos of Central and our prospective opponents the next week, assuming we
made it past Central next Saturday.  Bill Robinson's Upper Moreland was
playing Chip Brinton's Unionville team at Villanova University on Saturday
morning.  We played Central at Hershey Stadium after lunch on Saturday. 
The winner of our game would play the winner of Bill and Chip's game the
following week.

   Bill's team and Chip's team looked excellent.  We would have our hands
full with either of them if we got that far.  Hopefully it wouldn't take
triple overtime to beat them to advance to the state championship game like
last year.

   Coach Caffrey had me practice with the defensive backs each afternoon.
We wanted to be ready for whatever variation they decided to throw at us in
this game.  Ed and I didn't need to practice together for us to be ready
for our passing game.  The plan was for us to see how well Tex could cover
Christian.  If Tex had trouble or if Central tried to flood our secondary
with receivers, then I would come in as a defensive back.

   The weather still seemed like early fall instead of us being three weeks
away from winter.  The temperature went up into the sixties each afternoon
before dropping back down to freezing overnight.  My friends and I enjoyed
wearing sweaters outside instead of heavy coats, hats and gloves.  The
weather was perfect for our offense.

   My friends, teammates, and their girlfriends made Friday night our
official team's night out instead of Saturday night like normal.  We met at
the pizza shop and then took in a movie.  Penny and I went to our back road
hide-away to make love before we went home.  We got a little carried away.
We went at it a second time.  Penny called it her good luck fuck to help me
get psyched up for the game.  I drove like a bat out of hell to get home
before our midnight curfew.

   Andy and I both slept in on Saturday morning.  Our game didn't start
until 2 pm.  We were due at the school at 11:30.  We got up at 10:30,
showered, dressed and had brunch before I drove us over to the school.

   The guys were loose and confident as we rode to Hershey.  I had the same
feeling of confidence as last year.  We were going to win today, win next
week and then beat the winner of the western half of the state to take the
state championship.

   Jeremy, Ed and I talked with Caleb and Christian during warm-ups. 
Before we headed back to the locker room, I told Christian, "It's hard to
believe but one of us is finished with high school football today.  I hope
you have a good game."

   "I know.  The time has flown by.  I hope you have a good game too.  Do
you want to have a bet on the game?"

   "What do you have in mind?"

   "If my team wins, you come play at Penn State with me." Christian.  His
grin spread his mouth wide.

   "And what do I get if my team wins?"

   The grin spread wider.  "I'll let you come play at Penn State."
Christian said.

   "Oh, that's quite a deal." I said.

   ""You can't blame a guy for trying." Christian said.  We shook hands. 
Christian turned away then turned back immediately.  "I almost forgot Kyle.
Trent said you should stick around after the game.  He wants to see you."

   "Trent's here?" I asked.

   "Um, he will be soon.  He has a ten o'clock class today.  He expects to
be here in time for kickoff." Christian said.

   "Tell Trent I'll hang out as long as I needed to." I answered.  We
headed back to the locker room for our final preparations.

   The 24,000 seat stadium was probably ž full when we came for
introductions.  You would be hard pressed to find more dedicated fans than
Central's fans and our fans.  I received the honor of calling the coin toss
since I was the most senior member of the team as a four year starter.  I
called "tails." It was.  I elected that we would receive the kickoff from
Central.  Christian, one of Central's captains, chose to defend the
northern goal.

   Brett Fulmer did a good job with the kick return.  We started our first
drive on our 31 yard line.  Coach Caffrey planned to run our first drive
with three side receivers.  Jason Harting took the slot between Andy and
the left side of our line.  We managed to drive the ball down the field
even though Central's defense didn't make it easy.  It took us four runs
and five passes to move down to Central's nine yard line.  We missed on the
next two passes.  On third and goal I attracted a crowd of Central
defenders.  Ed threw the ball to Andy in the opposite corner of the end
zone.  Hal kicked the extra point to put us ahead 7-0.

   We lined up in our new 3-4 defense.  Central started off like they
planned to try the same thing on us as our last game - lots of short passes
and runs.  Our 3-4 defense, designed specifically for the plays Central was
running, worked.  We let them have three first downs before we stopped
them. Andy almost broke loose on the punt return.  He gave us possession of
the ball on our 40 yard line.

   Central adjusted to our offensive game plan.  We only managed a field
goal that time.  Central's next drive was more of the same, with a couple
deep passes to Christian thrown in.  Tex kept Christian from catching
either pass.  They did manage to get close enough to our goal line to kick
a long field goal.  Score: 10-3 Wolverines

   Drew ran the ball well while Andy and I caught the occasional pass to
keep Central spread.  Coach Caffrey finally went deep on Central after
three straight runs.  Ed launched the ball deep to me.  I had gotten by the
cornerback.  I caught the ball over my right shoulder, spun away from the
free safety, and sprinted for the end zone.  Hal added an extra point to my
six.  Score: 17-3 Wolverines

   We in turn stopped them after a couple first downs.  They punted the
ball back to Andy.  The punt seemed to hang in the air.  Andy maneuvered
himself under it.  Central's gunner on our right side came flying past an
ineffectual block and drilled Andy a split second after he caught the ball.
Andy flew back and slammed into the ground, his head bouncing to the turf
with a thud.  I watched to see if he was OK.

   Andy didn't move.  Brett Fulmer and Jonathan Landis went over to check
Andy.  They waved for the medical staff just as Andy stirred and tried to
sit up.  The doctor had him lay down again while he checked him out.  After
a minute Doc helped Andy to his feet.  Doc steadied Andy as he walked to
the bench.  The crowd cheered him as he left the field.

   Coach Caffrey moved Jason Harting to Andy's spot and put Jonathan Landis
in as the number three receiver.  We weren't as effective without Andy's
deep threat to go with mine.  Central rolled the nickel back over to help
the cornerback cover me.  The free safety stayed to my side of the field
too, leaving Jason and Jonathan in single coverage.  We managed a couple
first downs before we punted the ball back to Central.

   Central was unable to get anywhere either.  We got the ball back with a
minute and a half left in the first half.  We managed to run the ball
enough to force Central to pull the nickel back and replace him with a
linebacker.  Coach Caffrey sent me on a streak pattern downfield the next
play.  I outran the cornerback, caught the ball and tried to spin away from
the safety again.  He didn't fall for it this time.  He tackled me at their
22 yard line.  We took two shots at the end zone, but couldn't score.  We
tried a draw play.  Drew gained three yards.  Coach Caffrey sent Hal in to
complete the field goal.  Score: 20-3 Wolverines

   Our defense kept Central under control for the final 32 seconds of the
half.  Both teams headed for the locker rooms to rest and regroup.  Coach
Caffrey decided to switch up our offense.  Doc reported that Andy probably
had a mild concussion and would not be allowed to play again that day. 
Coach Caffrey moved Drew to Andy's wide receiver slot.  Marcus Shaeffer
would take over as our tailback.  Pete Ellis' younger brother Cameron would
spell Marcus when he was tired.

   Hal boomed the second half kickoff into the end zone.  Central accepted
the touchback to start their drive at their 20 yard line.  Central started
off with a simple off tackle run that gained them 5 yards.

   Central side of the ball was mass confusion as they prepared for the
next play.  Four players ran towards the side line as six ran on.  Just
before he reached the huddle, one of the six ran off the field with another
player from the huddle.  Central's eleven players huddled for maybe one
second and ran to the line of scrimmage to line up.  Jeremy and the coaches
frantically counted, trying to make sense of who was on the field.

   Coach Wyndham realized first.  They had an empty backfield and five
receivers!  "Dime package!  Dime!  Dime!  Dime!  Get on the field!" he
shouted.

   The dime package included me as a defensive back.  I looked on field.  I
was to take Jim Griffin's spot.  Jim didn't move off, so I couldn't step on
the field.  Jeremy was frantically directing coverage.  "Tex, get
Christian. Brett, you have number 83.  Dylan, get ..." Central snapped the
ball.

   Jim gamely tried to cover one of the wide receivers, the one I should
have had.  Tex was still trying to get across the field to find Christian
who had lined up at the far end of the field from his normal spot. 
Christian took off down the far sideline, sprinting as fast as he could go,
trailed by Tex, too many yards behind him.  Seth Vogel, our free safety
tried to shift over to help cover Christian, but it was too late.  Caleb
fired the ball to Christian 30 yards downfield.  Seth had a bad angle and
couldn't catch Christian before he streaked by.  Tex valiantly continued
chasing Christian down the field, actually closing the distance on him.  It
took most of the length of the field for Tex to get in position.  He
desperately lunged at Christian near our 10 yard line.  He came up with air
as Christian carried the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.  Central's
kicker made the extra point.  Score: 20-13 Wolverines

   Our team took the kickoff and went to work.  Drew lined up in Andy's
wide receiver spot.  Our offense worked better, to a point.  We managed to
move the ball down the field but the drive stalled out at Central's 24 yard
line.  Hal kicked a field goal.  Score 23-13 Wolverines

   Central came at us with five receivers on their next possession.  We
were better prepared this time.  I covered Christian.  Tex covered their
number two receiver, number 83.  Jeremy made assignments to Brett, Dylan
and Patrick Jones to cover the rest.  Patrick normally was Seth's back up.
Seth was our emergency back up in this defense.  He played center field
deep in the back field in case any receiver broke lose from their man.

   Tex and I kept our guys covered.  The other three receivers caught
enough passes to move the ball down the field.  Jeremy directed our
coverage and did his best to help cover the center of the field too.  Our
linemen didn't get pressure on Caleb.  He sat back in the pocket and waited
for someone to come open.  We couldn't stop all five receivers on any one
play.  They scored a touchdown on the eighth play of the drive.  They made
the PAT.  Score: 23-20 Wolverines

   Coach Caffrey huddled the offense while the special teams took Central
kickoff.  He said, "We have 12 ˝ minutes left in the game.  Do Not Panic!
We have moved the ball on this team most of the afternoon.  I want you to
go out and grind them down.  I don't want that circus of theirs to see the
field for at least eight minutes.  Blockers - I want you to hit your man
hard enough to knock him on his ass.  Marcus and Cameron get huge holes to
run through.  Is that clear?" Our offensive lineman answered with a hearty
"Yes sir!"

   Coach Caffrey continued, "Ed, we are going to mix our runs with some
short passes.  Let Central figure out how to tackle Drew and Kyle in the
open.  You two - I want you to make the first tackler miss, the second one
too.  When they finally get you, knock somebody over when you go down. 
Make sure you stay in bounds.  The clock is our friend.  Keep it running.
Is that clear?" Drew and I shouted, "Yes Sir!"

   Coach continued, "This is the tipping point gentlemen.  The team that
wants the win most will leave this field victorious.  It's right there for
you - GO TAKE IT!  Hands in." Everyone put their hands together in the
center of the circle.

   I shouted, "Excellence on three.  one... Two... THREE....  EXCELLENCE!"

   We took the field, confident but with a strong sense of urgency.  This
drive had to work!  Jamaal, Brian, Adam Diem, Brian and Adam Bell did their
job.  They opened holes big enough to drive my car through.  Marcus and
Cameron took turns pounding the linebackers and safeties as they came up to
tackle them.  Central shifted their secondary closer to the line by the
fifth running play in a row.  Coach Caffrey reacted on the next play by
sending me deep as a decoy.  The ball went to Drew on the opposite side of
the field.  Drew knocked down two tacklers before the third took him down
by the sideline.  Drew made sure to stay inbounds.  The clock continued to
run.

   The passing play forced Central to back off the line of scrimmage again.
We hammered them with two more runs and then it was my turn.  Coach called
for me to run a crossing route about 10 yards deep.  Ed fired the ball to
me as I passed behind the middle linebacker.  The weak side linebacker
aimed for me, expecting to knock me down.  I lowered my shoulder and plowed
into him,

   What the hell?  I was taller than him.  I probably outweighed him by a
few pounds too.  We made a loud crack as we collided.  He gave before I
did. I knocked him to the ground, stumbled and tried to keep moving.  The
strong safety hit me from behind, finally knocking me down.  I stayed in
bounds and the clock continued running.

   Our team continued this process, punishing Central's defenders at every
opportunity.  We used 10 plays and 7 ˝ minutes to drive ourselves down into
their red zone (inside their 20 yard line).  We took one shot at the end
zone.  Central triple covered me and put two defenders on Drew.  Ed had to
throw the ball out of the end zone.

   Coach Caffrey went back to Marcus.  He ran up the middle on the next
play.  He gained three yards.  We did it again on third down and four. 
Marcus was stopped after a three yard gain.  I glanced at the clock.  I
read 4:03.  Coach Caffrey sent the field goal team out.  Hal kicked the
ball through the uprights.  Score: 26-20 Wolverines.

   Hal boomed the ball down into the end zone on the ensuing kickoff. 
Central's kick returner caught the ball and kneeled down in the end zone.
They had 80 yards to go to score.

   Coach Wyndham sent out our dime defensive package, assuming correctly
that Central would continue using five wide receivers.  Coach Wyndham made
one important change on our side.  Jeremy was to blitz the quarterback on
every play.  Seth Vogel took over calling the pass coverage.  The extra
pressure forced Caleb to pass the ball to one of the shallow receivers
instead of Christian or the other fast receiver, number 83.

   Caleb worked the ball down the field, play by play.  He only had time to
complete 6-10 yard routes, but he completed the next three of them.  Coach
Wyndham was pleased with the effect our pressure was having.  He called for
me to do a delay blitz on Caleb.

   I lined up beside Christian as normal to start the play.  Tex lined up
ten yard deep and a little closer to the center of the field than me.  At
the snap I dropped back two steps so it looked like I was going to run down
the field with Christian.  I released him to Tex, turned and sprinted off
the edge of their offensive line.  All five offensive linemen were engaged
with our defensive linemen and Jeremy.  No one was left block me.  I zeroed
in on Caleb.  He glanced my way and took a step away from me.

   Holy cow!  I had a chance to get a sack.  I lowered my shoulder and
aimed for Caleb's chest.  He frantically launched the ball just as I hit
him.  My momentum drove the two of us into the ground.  Caleb gasped as my
weight drove the breath from his lungs.

   I rolled off him to see what happened with the ball.  Caleb and I both
sat up to see Tex with the ball in his hand dodge Christian's attempt to
tackle him.  Tex sprinted for Central's end zone.  I stood up and made sure
I stayed in Caleb's way so he couldn't stop Tex.  No one with enough speed
to catch Tex was anywhere near him.  Tex carried the ball into the end zone
to clinch our victory.  I sprinted down the field after Tex to celebrate
his interception.  Jeremy was a few steps behind me.  We mobbed Tex.  I
held him aloft while our teammates patted him on the back, shoulders and
butt.  I exclaimed, "You're the best damn cornerback I've ever played with!
Good job Mike!"

   When I put him down, Tex asked, "Mike?  I think that's the first time
you called me that Kyle.  I kind of liked being Tex."

   "Tex it is." I responded.

   Hal booted the PAT through the uprights.  Score: 33-20 Wolverines

   Central lined up with five wide receivers when they received the
kickoff. They went through the motions of trying to score, but their hearts
weren't in it.  They completed a couple passes, but couldn't put themselves
in scoring position before time ran out on the game and their season.

   Our fans and some of the younger players celebrated wildly.  The Central
players shuffled around, too stunned to react.  Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I
gathered.  I said, "We've got two more games to go.  Get these kids to
focus on it." My friends agreed.  We proceeded to rain on our own parade.
We appealed to the kids to show some class.  Good sportsmanship demanded
it. We asked them to focus on our goal - the state championship.

   Penny, Kathy and Tammy found us.  I got a big hug and kiss from my
lover. Jeremy and Hal did too, from their girlfriends.  Mom, Dad, Liz and
Andy found us.  They talked excitedly about the result of the game.

   Christian found us as we talked.  "Hey guys, congratulations." He
sighed. "You guys played a heck of a game.  You deserved to win."

   Ed said, "Thanks."

   "It's too bad somebody's team had to lose." I added.

   Christian's girlfriend Bev found our cluster and joined us.  "I'm so
sorry sweetie." she said.  She gave him a kiss.

   Christian returned the kiss.  "It's OK honey bear." Christian hugged
Bev. "I can't believe I'm done with high school football."

   Ed said, "I understand man.  We have one, maybe two weeks left until
we're done too."

   I added, "It's been fun playing against you.  You and your team always
give us a challenge.  You've made our team better."

   Christian answered, "Thanks, you guys did the same for us."

   Trent joined our gathering.  We talked for a few minutes until the
coaches called both teams to the center of the field to shake hands.

   Trent's season at the University of Delaware had gone well.  He was
stuck behind two seniors who had the cornerback positions nailed down.  He
was preparing himself for next year.  He expected to beat any competition
for the job then.  We promised each other to keep in touch and see each
other at scout camp next summer.

   We headed for the locker room after that.  Coach Caffrey awarded game
balls to Hal, Jeremy, Tex, Ed and me.  I hoped our luck held again next
weekend.

   I fired an e-mail off to Chip Brinton to let him know the Wolverines
were ready and waiting for his team next weekend.  I said I hoped
Unionville would make it too.

   The doctor had Mom and Dad take Andy in Saturday evening for an MRI to
make sure that he was OK.  They spent most of the evening at the hospital
with Andy.  The MRI confirmed the doctor's diagnosis.  Andy had a minor
concussion.  He was to rest up over the weekend.  He would be fine to play
in next week's game.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   The Sunday paper confirmed that we would play the Unionville Indians
next Saturday at 2 pm.  Chip replied to my e-mail with this: "Games on! 
See you Sat.  Chip"

   I spent some time on Sunday afternoon considering my college choices. 
What did I value most?  The coaches needed to be good.  All four head coach
met that criterion.  I liked Coach Burton and Coach Adams at Penn State. 
Same with Coach Crowton and Coach McCarthy at LSU.  I wasn't quite as
impressed by the assistants at USC.  They seemed so young compared to the
other colleges.

   I was going to spend four years with my college team.  Friends were
going to be important.  Penn State certainly had the edge there.  I knew
about ten guys on the Lions.  I really got along well with Brady Rasmussen
at USC.  I could see working with him.  The guys I met at LSU, Thomas
Bourg, Joshua Allain, Carson Landry and Andre Dugas, were nice.  LSU's
campus was great too.  I felt comfortable there.

   Penn State, LSU and Michigan all had pretty new training and medical
facilities for their team members.  Any of these schools would provide the
tools to help me be successful at the next level of football.

   I thought some more about how much I valued friends.  I couldn't see
myself spending a couple years with Peter Cochran.  I decided that Michigan
wasn't the school for me.  I would call Coach Carr after school on Monday
and thank him for the offer and let him know that I decided against
attending his school.  Coach Carr was polite when I told him.  He wished me
good luck at whichever school I attended.

   I saw Crystal Wagner in the hall on Monday at school.  I noticed that
her tummy was starting to bulge a little more than normal.  I knew she was
pregnant so I could tell when I saw her.  It wasn't going to be many more
weeks before the rest of the world would know Crystal's and Andy's secret
too - maybe by Christmas, certainly after New Years.

   The coaches reviewed the game plan for Unionville Monday afternoon. 
Chip's team didn't have any obvious flaws.  Chip completed 65% of his
passes, averaged 9.5 yards a pass and threw for 32 touchdowns and 12
interceptions this season.  His numbers were excellent.  The Indians could
run the ball too.  They averaged 4.5 yards a carry.  Every game we played
in the playoffs got harder.  Saturday was going to be quite a challenge.

   Penny was unusually quiet on Wednesday morning when I drove her to
school.  I asked, "What's wrong honey?"

   "I got some news that I don't think you are going to like."

   "What is it?  I'm sure I'll be fine."

   "I got a letter from the University of Pennsylvania yesterday."

   I said, "And?"

   Penny took a deep breath.  "I've been accepted."

   I grinned.  "That's so wonderful.  I'm happy for you."

   "You aren't upset?"

   "Of course not.  I knew we weren't going to college together.  We need
different things.  I know that.  I love you, this is great news."

   Penny kissed me on the cheek and gave me as much of a hug as possible
without sending us careening across the road.  "You're something special
Kyle.  No wonder I love you.  I was afraid this would upset you."

   "No, I'm fine.  This is good news." I insisted.  In my head I knew it
was.  It was exactly what I expected.  Penny's SAT scores and grades were
excellent.  Of course Penn would jump at the chance to have her attend
their university.  But... in my heart I always held out a little hope.  If
the University of Pennsylvania wouldn't take Penny, maybe I could convince
her to come to LSU with me.  We could be together through college.  We
could spend the rest of our lives together.  It wasn't going to be like
that.  In six months we would go our separate ways.

   Jeremy made an announcement to Ed, Hal, Drew, Brandon and me in the shop
building just before our first period Graphic Arts class Tuesday.  "I'm
going to Notre Dame.  I called Coach Weis last night and told him."
Everyone congratulated Jeremy.

   I asked, "Why Notre Dame and not Penn State?"

   "I'm a linebacker and Penn State is supposed to be Linebacker U.  Notre
Dame has had good linebackers over the years too.  I don't need to go there
to be good at my position.  Both are good football schools.  I'm just more
comfortable with the Irish.  It's the religion thing.  Father Callahan has
been telling me how I would do better in a good Catholic school like Notre
Dame.  My dad has been a Fighting Irish fan all his life.  Everything just
fit for me."

   I was happy for my friend.  I wished I could see a clear cut path to
deciding which school I should chose.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   I commented earlier about how the students at our school were getting
blasé about the football team being in the playoffs.  That was true a few
weeks earlier.  They were finally getting into the spirit now that we were
in the semi-finals.  The high school held a pep rally seventh period on
Friday instead of our regular classes.

   The pep band performed.  The cheer leaders did their routines.  Coach
Caffrey gave a short talk and then introduced the starters.  Jeremy
received loud cheers when his turn came.  Andy did too.  He loved all the
applause he received.

   Things got louder as we worked our way through the offense.  Ed got a
standing ovation when Coach Caffrey announced him and reminded the student
body that Ed now held nearly all passing records at the school.

   I was surprised and pleased when I received the same standing ovation
from my peers when Coach Caffrey reminded everyone that I held records for
the most games played in a varsity career, most passing yardage, most
passes caught, highest yards per catch, most touchdowns and most points
scored as a member of the Wolverines.  It was nice to know they appreciated
me.

   Coach Caffrey wouldn't let the starters standing in front of the
gymnasium sit down when the introductions were finished.  He started in
with the honors list.  Dylan Masterson made second team all-league in his
first year playing strong safety.  Austin Herr made second string
all-league at defensive end.  Seth Vogel made first team all-league at free
safety.  Jamaal Green made first team all-league at left offensive tackle.

   Drew McCormick made first string all-league at tailback.  Coach went on
to explain, "Drew is much more valuable to our team than this honor would
indicate.  We ask Drew to carry the ball less than many teams - maybe 15
times a game.  Drew is an integral part of our passing game.  Unfortunately
for Drew, the all-state honor typically goes to a running back who carries
the ball 25-30 times a game and doesn't catch passes.  That isn't our style
of offense.  I wouldn't trade Drew for any running back in the state.  He
is the best around for our offense." Drew thanked Coach Caffrey for the
compliment.

   Coach Caffrey announced, "Andrew Martin, first team all-league at wide
receiver." Andy's face slumped when he heard.  He had made all-state last
year.  Coach whispered to him, "We're not done with you yet.  Don't be
disappointed."

   Coach went on to the all-state announcements.  Joey Keller made second
team all-state at defensive tackle.  Brett Fulmer made second string
all-state at cornerback.  Adam Diem made second string all-state at center.
Hal made second string all-state as our kicker.

   Coach Caffrey said, "This next announcement makes gives me pause.  The
Wolverines wouldn't be in the semi-finals without this individual.  He
holds every record worth having at quarterback at our school.  Ed Fritz,
they named you second string all-state at quarterback.  Personally I
disagree with the committee that made that decision.  Ed, tomorrow you get
to show the selection committee and the rest of the state that they were
wrong.  First Team all-state honors went to Unionville's quarterback
Winfield Ellsworth Brinton.  We're going to show them they were wrong.  The
best quarterback in the state is a Wolverine!" Ed and the coach were
greeted with loud cheers.

   Coach announced, "Now we get to the big time.  First team all-state -
Michael `Tex' Johansen at cornerback." Loud cheers went up from the crowd.
"First team all-state special teams player - our own Andrew Martin." Andy
stood and accepted the cheers from our friends and schoolmates.  "Leading
our defense for the second year - team captain Jeremy North - First team
all-state at middle linebacker." The cheers got louder.

   Coach Caffrey glanced at me and announced, "That concludes the all-state
honors." I shot him a look of confusion.  He whispered back.  "I'm not done
yet." Holy Cow!  If I wasn't all-state with the numbers I had this year, I
must be...

   "For the first time in the history of the Wolverines.  We have an
all-American.  Please stand up - First team all-American Kyle Martin, the
best wide receiver around!" The gymnasium swelled with cheers and applause
as the student body rose and celebrated with me.  I was dumbstruck.  Coach
Caffrey asked, "Do you have anything to say Kyle?"

   Ed, Jeremy, Andy, Tex and the rest of the honorees patted me on the back
and urged me to speak.  I finally managed a weak "Thank you.  Thanks so
much.  I can't believe this." Coach Caffrey called for quiet after a couple
of minutes.  The cheerleaders did one more cheer urging us to beat the
Indians tomorrow and the pep band concluded the afternoon with our alma
mater.

   Coach Caffrey kept our practice easy that day.  We walked through the
plays to make sure everyone knew their responsibilities.  Coach Caffrey
even gave us a break and let us leave early without doing our traditional 2
mile run to end practice.

   I gave Ed a ride home from practice.  He was still put out about not
making all-state first string.  He groused, "I can't believe somebody beat
me.  My stats are off the chart."

   "Do you remember last June when I came back from football camp at Penn
State?"

   "Uh, I guess." Ed said tentatively.

   "I told you that we'd be facing some really good quarterbacks this year.
Chip Brinton is one of the ones I was talking about."

   "We're in for a hell of a fight tomorrow." Ed said.

   "You know it." I answered.  It was going to be tough but I thought we
had enough offensive firepower to take on anyone.  Our secondary, our
defensive line and Jeremy should slow down anyone enough for us to outscore
them.  I hoped.

   Penny had play practice Friday night.  Their opening night was one week
away.  I decided to hang out at home and relax instead of going out to the
movies that night.  I went on line to check out Chip's stats and see how
they compared to Ed's stats.

   Ed had completed 205 passes in 330 attempts for 3608 yards, 54
touchdowns and only 19 interceptions.  Chip completed 218 passes in 336
attempts for 3851 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.  Ed's
quarterback rating was 115.0.  Chip's was 120.8.

   Both Ed and Chip were in the top 20 of the national list of high school
quarterbacks.  Ed came out rated better than Chip if you sorted the list on
touchdowns or yards per play.  Chip came out on top if you sorted on
completions, total yards and quarterback rating.

   I realized as I studied the stats some more that Ed actually was
victimized by our success.  I knew from Unionville's statistics that Chip
played nearly all of the time in their games.  His backup threw a total of
nine passes in the season.  Jake Kring, Ed's backup had thrown 57
completions in 88 passes for 5 touchdowns and no interceptions in the half
dozen games when he took over for Ed in the second half.

   Ed was listed as playing in 14 games but they really were the equivalent
of 11 games when you considered the time the second string had played when
we were blowing out our opponents.  If you considered the his actual
playing time, Ed averaged 328 yards a game to Chip's 275 yards a game.

   I was surprised when I checked further down the list of quarterbacks
when I sorted on quarterback rating.  I found Jake Kring's name on the list
showing the top 50 quarterbacks in the nation.  You needed to play in at
least six games to qualify for the list.  Jake had qualified.  Our backup
was rated among the top quarterbacks in the nation!  That would be good for
Andy next year when Ed and I were gone.

   Chip and Ed were closely matched in statistics.  I could understand how
the selection committee could pick Chip over Ed for first string all-state.
I was sorry Ed didn't get selected, but it certainly wasn't a slight.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   Our unnatural mild winter continued.  The temperature dropped to the
mid-twenties overnight Friday night.  It was to climb into the mid-forties
by game time.  The weather was expected to be clear and calm.  Ed and Chip
should be productive passing with these conditions.

   The mood on the bus taking us to Hershey Stadium was confident, just
like the previous Saturday.  We knew we could beat Unionville.  We were
well prepared.

   Chip and I got to talk briefly after warm-ups.  I introduced Ed and
Chip. We promised to talk again when the game was done.  We wished each
other good luck for the day.

   The stadium was three quarters full of fans, about equally split between
our fans dressed in red and white and Unionville's fans dressed in Black
and White.  Each team received enthusiastic applause from their fans when
they were introduced.

   Ed, Hal, Jeremy and I went out the center of the field to meet
Unionville's captains.  I was surprised.  I asked, "Isn't Chip one of your
captains?"

   Number 97, the biggest of the three captains for Unionville looked at me
for a few seconds.  "Chip?  Nah, he's a junior.  He isn't eligible for
that." He stared at me for a few more seconds.  "How do you know Brinton?"

   "Chip and I roomed together last summer at football camp."

   "Our QB is good but he hasn't earned a captain's spot yet." He extended
his hand to me.  We shook.  He said, "I'm Trevor Conwell, left defensive
tackle."

   "Kyle Martin, wide receiver." I answered.  "I guess we better get down
to business."

   It was Ed's turn to be our spokesman.  Trevor called the coin toss.  He
called heads.  It was.  Trevor said they would receive the kickoff.  Ed
said we would defend the northern goal first.

   Hal boomed the kick off into the end zone.  Unionville downed it for a
touchback.  They started on their 20 yard line.  Unionville's offense had a
lot of similarities to ours.  They balanced the number of runs and passes.
Chip was an excellent QB.  He spread the ball around more than Ed.  He
didn't really have a `favorite' receiver.  Their top three receivers all
had 45-55 catches each.

   Unionville's tailback was more of a power runner than Drew was.  Their
offensive line was immense.  They ran from a pro set with a fullback for
many of their plays.  Their fullback was a hell of a blocker.

   Unionville's first drive went much like what we saw them do on the game
videos we had studied.  Their offensive line pushed against our defensive
line, tying them up.  The center and fullback both went after Jeremy on the
running plays, making it harder for Jeremy to get involved in the tackle.

   Chip surprised even me with his passing.  On one of the plays Chip
threaded the ball between Brett and Seth through what looked like perfect
coverage to me.  They needed six runs and five passes to push our defense
down the field.  We couldn't stop them from scoring a touchdown.  It was
going to be a long afternoon.

   We had planned all week to start off with a deep pass on our first play.
They wouldn't be expecting that.  For my part, the play worked as designed.
I sprinted past the cornerback and kept running.  Unionville knew who I
was. They had the free safety lined up 15 yards off the line of scrimmage
on my side of the field.  I was 25 yards deep and ready to make my cut when
I heard the whistle blow.

   I turned back to see Trevor Conwell helping pull Ed up off the ground.
He had been sacked on the play.  Ed was mad.  Speaking to Adam Bell, our
right tackle, Ed exclaimed, "God DAMN it Adam, do your job!  Pete, you stay
in and help Adam block that turkey."

   We had to pass since it was second down and 19 yards to go.  Coach
Caffrey called for quick passes so Ed wouldn't be vulnerable as long.  Ed
hit Andy on the next play for 8 yards on a crossing route.  He hit me for
13 yards on a roll out.  I had managed to make the cornerback miss the
tackle but the free safety wrapped me up and dropped me to the ground
before I could gain any additional yardage.

   We managed to keep our drive moving with Drew's running mixed with quick
passes where Ed used a three or five step drop.  We moved down to their 12
yard line before things broke down.  We planned for Ed to drop back five
steps and lob the ball into the corner of the end zone to me.  Unionville
blitzed the linebacker on my side of the field.  Pete peeled off helping
block Trevor Conwell to stop the linebacker.  He wasn't fast enough. 
Trevor broke free too.  The two shared the sack when they drove Ed to the
ground.

   We used the next two plays gaining back the yards we lost on the sack.
Coach Caffrey sent Hal out when we came up short on third down.  Hal kicked
the field goal.  Score: 7-3 Unionville.

   Coach Wyndham adjusted our defense a little to cover some of the things
better on the second drive.  Unionville had the ball for ten plays, but
only managed to get to mid-field.  They punted the ball to Andy.  Andy had
a good return, carrying the ball to our 35 yard line.

   Unionville kept the pressure on Ed.  We didn't score but at least we
moved the ball across mid-field and pinned them to the end zone with the
punt that followed.  They started their next possession from their 3 yard
line.

   No one expected a low scoring game with the top two quarterbacks in the
state and with an all-American wide receiver in the game.  That's how the
first half worked out.  We managed one more field goal.  Unionville did
too. The score was 10-6 Unionville at half time.

   The coaches worked on a few adjustments that they felt would help us for
the second half.  Coach Caffrey took me aside and asked, "You said you knew
Brinton from last summer?"

   "Yes, we roomed together at football camp." I answered.

   "Did the two of you talk about football?  Specifically, does he know
about our reverse option play?"

   "We talked about football all weekend but I don't think I talked about
our reverse play."

   "Good.  Get ready, we're going to run it when we get close to mid-field
on the next drive.  We need to shake things up.  This play could be the
boost we need to get back in this game." Coach Caffrey said.

   We hadn't used any variation of the reverse play all year.  The teams in
our league had seen it enough that they were ready for it.  We practiced it
a few times this season but hadn't planned to run the play until the
playoffs.  We didn't need it against Gettysburg, New Oxford or Central
Dauphin.  Central had seen it too many times for it to work against them.
Unionville would get the unveiling of the play this season.

   Brett had a good kickoff return on the kickoff to the start the second
half.  He gave us the ball on our 32 yard line.  Drew had two good runs and
I caught a 12 yard pass to move us out the Unionville's 46 yard line.  It
was time to hit them.

   We lined up in our standard formation to start the play.  I sprinted for
the backfield at the snap.  Ed turned and pitched the ball back to Drew. 
Drew handed the ball off to me as we passed.  I saw Trevor Conwell fighting
to get off Adam Bell's block.  Adam managed to keep Trevor occupied as I
ran by.  Ed popped the weak side linebacker with gusto.  That was a little
payback for a sack in the first half.

   I could hear one of the Indians shouting "Reverse!" I watched the
cornerback covering Andy drop off him and run for me.  I pulled up just
before the line of scrimmage and lobbed the ball over the cornerback's head
to Andy who was about 25 yards downfield.  Andy had to adjust a little to
my slightly off target pass.  He caught it and sprinted for the end zone.
The free safety had positioned himself on my side of the field at the
beginning of the play, and had too far to go to catch Andy.  Touchdown! 
Hal kicked the PAT to finally give us the lead.  Score: 13-10 Wolverines

   Unionville wasn't bothered by that play at all.  They came at us with
their normal 50/50 mix of passes and runs on the next series.  They had
made a few tweaks to the offense too.  They used 9 plays to move the ball
down the field and score on us.  We were back down by four points again. 
Score: 17-13 Unionville.
We tried running our power running game at them on the next drive.  We
reverted to our standard offense when we couldn't make a first down on the
first two plays.  We managed to move the ball down the field without Ed
getting sacked with quick passes mixed with Drew's outside runs to the left
away from Trevor Conwell.  Our drive stalled when we pushed into
Unionville's red zone.  There just wasn't enough room to spread their
defense out.  We ended up settling for Hal's field goal.  Score 17-16

Unionville.

   Coach Wyndham sent our 3-4 defense out in Unionville's next drive.  He
hoped to mess up Unionville's blocking scheme that way.  It worked for a
few plays but they adjusted quickly.  They pushed down the field using
Chip's pinpoint passes.  We finally managed to stop them just short of the
end zone.  They kicked a field goal to pad their lead.  Score: 20-16
Unionville.

   Brett nearly broke the kickoff return for a touchdown.  He turned the
ball over to the offense on our 44 yard line.  Drew ran the ball up the
middle a couple times for eleven yards.  It was time to see if Unionville
had figured out how to defend the reverse.  Ed's pitch to Drew worked. 
Drew handed the ball off to me.  Adam Bell managed to keep Trevor Conwell
out of reach of me as I ran by.  The weak side linebacker tried to fight
off Ed's block.  Ed knocked him on his ass.  I read the cornerback covering
Andy.  He was staying with Andy.  I kept sprinting.  The free safety hadn't
lined up as far away from the play this time.  I stiffed armed him when he
tried to tackle me.  I ran the ball into the end zone to score.  Hal booted
the PAT through the uprights.  Score: 23-20 Wolverines.

   Unionville went back to work.  Our defense contained their running plays
pretty well.  Chip concentrated on short passes.  After about five passes,
I noticed Tex lined up a little further from his receiver.  I watched as
the play unfolded.  Tex stayed off his man while intently watching Chip. 
Chip scanned the field for open receivers and spotted Tex's man.  Chip
fired the ball to him.  Tex broke on the ball almost before it left Chip's
hand.  He cut in front of the receiver and intercepted the ball.  He headed
down the field before the receiver could tackle him.  Unfortunately for us,
Unionville's tailback was out in the flat providing an outlet in case Chip
had too much pressure to handle.  The tailback tackled Tex before he could
get by.

   Tex had left the ball on our 48 yard line.  Coach Caffrey decided to try
the third variation on our reverse play.  This time Drew would keep the
ball while I decoyed most of the defense away from his side of the field.
At the snap Drew started my way, caught the pitch from Ed and ran towards
me.  Drew held the ball out for me to take as we met.  I wrapped my hands
around it and pretended to nestle it into my stomach.  Drew continued
running the opposite direction.  I sprinted for the far sideline, cradling
the "ball" as I went.  Ed blocked his man out of my way.  The cornerback
covering Andy stopped and headed for me.  I continued the charade,
stopping, planting my feet and raising my arm like I was going to pass the
ball.

   The whistle blew.  That was too quick.  I turned back to see how the
rest of the play went.  Trevor Conwell was helping Drew up off the ground.
We lost four yards on the play.  How in the hell did a defensive end run
down Drew from behind?  It just wasn't possible.  We tried a draw play
next. It only netted a couple yards.  Andy caught a ten yard pass on the
next play.  Unfortunately it was third down and twelve yards to go.  We
punted the ball back to Unionville.

   Unionville came after us with a series of short passes.  They
concentrated on the middle and weak side of the field.  They never let Tex
within ten yards of the ball after his interception.  They mixed a couple
screens and runs to keep our pass rush from dominating.  We tried line
stunts, blitzes, anything we could think of.  Unionville moved the ball
down the field on us.  They needed thirteen plays to do, but they did it.
The lead swung back to them 27-23.

   The fourth quarter was half over.  We had less than six minutes to take
back the lead.  We had to go with short passes with a few runs mixed in. 
We managed to keep our drive going in spite of Unionville's blitzes and
line stunts.  We had gotten down to their 19 yard line when the pressure
finally caught Ed.  They sacked him for a twelve yard loss.  We settled for
a long, 49 yard field goal try.  Hal is a great kicker, but he's still only
a high school player.  A lot of NFL kickers have trouble at this distance.
Hal tried.  He had enough leg but the ball drifted off to the right,
missing the uprights by a couple yards.

   Coach Wyndham called me over during the kickoff.  He asked, "Are you up
for a little d-back today?"

   "What ever you need coach."

   "I want you to do the same thing on the weak side that Michael has done
on the strong side.  You will have Seth backing you up.  Go ahead and take
a chance for an interception."

   "You got it coach." I answered.

   I noticed Chip do a double take when I lined up opposite their split
end. He shrugged and called the signals.  Tex and I didn't see the ball
during the drive.  Chip dumped the ball off to his tight end and the
tailback.  They pushed us down the field.  Coach Wyndham cranked up our
blitzes.  It was my turn on the sixth play.  Coach Wyndham called for me to
do a delayed blitz.  Jim Weaver, our weak side linebacker blitzed at the
snap of the ball.  The tailback cut off his route and blocked Jim.  I
waited until Jim was engaged and the sprinted for the backfield.  Chip was
staring the opposite way from me.  I had a clean shot at him.

   The tailback screamed, "COVER!" as I flew by him.  Chip had just enough
time to turn and see me.  I lowered my shoulder and crunched into his
chest. Chip flew over backwards, landing on his back.  I fell on top of
him. I heard the air in Chip's lungs exit with a wheeze.

   I rolled off my friend.  He lay there for a second.  I asked, "You OK
Chip?"

   He took a deep breath, sat up and shook his head.  "Damn!  When did you
start playing defense?  I've never seen that on the video."

   "I've been doing that in some of the big games for the past three years.
You should feel honored.  You're the first quarterback I've sacked."

   Mmmm... yeah I'm really honored."

   I helped him off the ground.  The ball had come loose when I hit him. 
Chip's left guard covered the football before my teammates could get to it.
My sack and Chip's fumble put them in the hole.  Chip tried two more
passes, both incomplete.  Unionville punted the ball back to us.

   Unionville had done its homework.  They had kicked every punt away from
Andy to keep him from returning the ball.  Coach Caffrey decided to take
advantage of that fact.  Brett and Andy both took position in the
backfield. As expected, Unionville kicked the punt to Brett.

   Brett took the punt and ran diagonally across the field in front of
Andy. Andy trailed Brett as he headed up the field.  Unionville's gunner
zeroed in on Brett.  Brett tossed the ball backward to Andy just before the
gunner hit him.  Andy passed Brett and his would-be tackler on the outside,
close to the side line.  Andy turned on the jets and streaked down the side
line, no Indian anywhere near him.  Andy ran into the end zone to the
cheers of our 8000-9000 fans.  Hal booted the extra point through the
uprights.  Score: 30-27 Wolverines.

   I glanced up at the game clock.  2:51 remained.  Had we scored too soon?
We had to stop Unionville!

   Hal boomed the kickoff into the end zone, forcing Unionville to accept a
touchback.  We had 80 yards of field to defend.  Coach Wyndham called for
us to switch to our prevent defense.  Tex, Brett and I lined up about
fifteen yards off the line of scrimmage.  Seth was even deeper than us. 
Chip calmly directed his people into position.  The first play was a pass
to the slot receiver who Brett covered.  He caught the ball in front of
Brett, spun away as Brett came up to tackle him, and kept going.  I ran for
him.  I made sure to wrap him up when I popped him.  He went down, but only
after gaining 21 yards.

   Chip ran the next play immediately without a huddle.  We stayed in the
prevent defense.  Chip hit the tight end on a crossing route.  He led his
guy perfectly.  Dylan tried to tip the ball but couldn't.  The tight end
got loose before Dylan could tackle him.  Seth and I hit him at the same
time, dropping him after he gained 20 yards.  I looked over at Jeremy for
the defensive call.  Thank God we were giving up on the prevent defense. 
We blitzed on the next play.  They were running a screen to the side where
Kenny blitzed from.  Chip looped the ball over the heads of the pass
rushers to his tailback.  The tailback ran down the field.  Jeremy couldn't
tackle him, he had a bad angle.  Tex hit him next, bouncing off the 200
pound runner.  Seth finally stopped him when he took his legs out from
under him after he gained 32 yards.

   Unionville was down to our 7 yard line.  Tex, Brett and I each covered a
third of the end zone, ready for Chip's pinpoint passes.  They chose to run
instead.  It took them three plays, but they drove the ball up our gut and
scored.  We tried for a block on the point after try, but they made it
anyway.  Score: 34-30 Unionville

   The clock read 0:53.  Ed calmly announced in the huddle, "This is our
time guys.  We can beat them.  Do your job and we're playing for the state
championship next week." He called the next two plays, broke the huddle and
lined us up.

   Jason Harting and I swapped spots, Jason took my position on the strong
side of the field, I went to the slot between Andy and our offensive line.
Ed rolled out our way to avoid Trevor Conwell.  I caught the pass in stride
12 yards downfield from the line.  The cornerback missed his tackle.  I
sprinted downfield until the free safety and nickel back hit me.  I gained
31 yards on the first play.  We lined up immediately.  Ed fired the ball to
the outside where Andy pulled it in.  He made about three more yards before
he was shoved out of bounds.  17 yard gain.  0:32 left.

   Ed called two more plays in the huddle.  He hit Drew on a curl this
time. Drew broke a tackle and picked up 15 yards.  On the next play my
route angled toward the side line while Andy ran a post route, crossing my
path.  The defenders go tangled up as Andy and I passed each other.  I
caught the ball in stride, the defender half a dozen yards behind me.  I
sprinted down the side line until the free safety came over and pushed me
out of bounds on Unionville's 17 yard line.  0:18 left.

   We crossed them up on the next play.  Drew appeared to help block for
Ed, getting beaten by his man quickly.  Ed tossed the ball forward to Drew
when the pass rusher cleared Drew.  Drew ran the ball up the field, gaining
a dozen yards.  We called a timeout as the clock went down to 0:12.

   The next play went to Andy in the corner of the end zone.  The defender
tipped the ball away just as Andy went for it.  0:08 left.  We ran our
bread and butter play for the goal line - the one where Pete and I crossed
in the end zone.  One of the defenders dropped off as Pete and I passed
each other.  Ed lobbed the ball to me.  I leapt for it, catching it at the
apex of my leap.  Unfortunately, so did the cornerback.  We wrestled for a
second.  He managed to knock the ball loose before we landed on the ground.
0:02 left.  Only one play to go.

   Jason and I switched back to our normal positions; Jason in the slot, me
on the end.  I ran a crossing route in the back of the end zone.  I cleared
from the free safety covering me.  Ed fired the ball to me, leading a
little too much.  I stretched out and just snagged the ball by my
fingertips.  I saw someone in black coming for me as I tried to pull the
ball in.  BOOM!  I flopped to the ground, seeing stars in my eyes.  I
looked up at the cold blue sky.  I didn't have the ball!  Unionville's #54,
their weak side linebacker held his hand out to me.

   "You OK man?" he asked.

   I accepted his help getting off the ground.  "Yeah, I'm OK." My head
cleared enough to see the Unionville defenders celebrating in the end zone.

   "Sorry I popped you so hard."

   "Don't apologize.  You did what you needed." I answered.  I walked back
towards our sideline.  I didn't need to be in the way of Unionville's
celebration.  So this is how my four years of high school football ends, a
couple inches short of our goal.

   Chapter 33

   ==========

   I found Ed, Hal and Jeremy half way between our bench and where the line
of scrimmage had been.  I joined them.  We commiserated with each other
about our fate.  Penny, Kathy and Tammy came down from the stands to join
us.  Jeremy, Hal and I got sympathy kisses and hugs from our girlfriends.
Penny gave Ed a kiss too.

   We talked about the missed opportunities in the game for a few minutes.
Chip came by to see me.  He asked, "Are you OK Kyle?  Robbie really nailed
you on the last play."

   "I'll be a little sore tomorrow, but I'll be OK.  Your linebacker made a
clean hit on me." I shook Chip's hand.  "Congratulations on the win today.
You guys earned it."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I thought you had us there at the end.  You guys had so
many surprises.  We watched videos of every single game you played this
season.  Where did those reverse plays come from?  You never ran them
before."

   "They are left over from the last couple years.  The teams in our league
had seen them so much that we saved them for the playoffs this season." I
explained.

   "They sure worked." Chip paused for a second.  "I heard about you making
all-American.  Congratulations."

   "You made all-state, you've done well too."

   Chip smiled and answered, "Thanks for the compliment.  Thanks for the
advice last summer too.  I went on an unofficial visit to Penn State three
weeks ago.  It was a blast.  My parents and I met with Coach Paterno.  Zack
Hayes and Tony Phillips gave me a tour of the campus.  Mom and Dad had
dinner with Coach Paterno.  Zack and Tony took me out for the evening.  I
had a good time." Chip winked at me.  "A VERY good time."

   I had the distinct impression we're talking a party with booze and get
the kid laid kind of a good time.  I answered, "That's cool."

   "Zack tells me they offered you a scholarship two months ago.  What the
hell are you waiting for?  If they'd offered me one, I would have accepted
on the spot."

   "I'm still considering between USC, LSU and Penn State." I explained.

   "Man!  What are you thinking?  We're talking Joe Paterno, the Nittany
Lions, they are going to give you a full scholarship to go to the best team
in the country.  What are you waiting for?  Hell, you know half the team
already.  You aren't going to find more friends anywhere else."

   "Southern Cal and Louisiana State have excellent programs too." I said
defensively.

   "You aren't a surfer dude or a good old boy from the Mississippi Delta.
You're from Pennsylvania.  You belong here in your own state."

   "I'll keep that in mind when I make my decision." I said.  My coaches
were rounding our players up to go back to the locker room.  "Good luck
next week.  If Strong Vincent beats Pine-Richland today, say hi to Damian
Thompson for me."

   "Damian...?"

   "Thompson.  You'll know who he is if you play him.  He's their starting
tailback.  You'll see a lot of him." I explained.

   "OK.  I tell him if I see him." Chip answered.

   "See you later." I said.

   "You too." Chip answered.  I started for the locker room with my
friends. Chip called to me when I was half way off the field.  "Go to Penn
State.  You belong there." I waved to him as I walked off the field.

   Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I walked in the locker room as Coach Caffrey was
asking for quiet.  He asked, "Coach Baer, are all the players off the
field?"

   Justin answered, "These are the last ones." He pointed at us.

   Coach Caffrey said, "Good.  Could I have everyone's attention for a few
minutes?" He paused for the room to get quiet.  "This has been a difficult
afternoon.  We didn't meet our goal of winning the state championship
again. This has been a very successful year in spite of that.  Being one of
the top four AAA football teams in the state is no small accomplishment. 
We had some problems to start the year.  Each of you worked hard, studied
and helped fix the problems.  You gentlemen turned your season around.  You
went on to the playoffs and beat the #1 and #2 seeded teams in our
district.

   "This is the bittersweet time of year for me.  We say good bye to our
seniors: Pete Ellis, Ian Meyers, Jamaal Green, Adam Diem, Austin Herr,
Travis Hall, Seth Vogel, Dylan Masterson, Hal Long, Jeremy North, Kyle
Martin and Ed Fritz.  We will particularly miss the guys who have been our
heart and soul the last couple years, captains Jeremy North, Kyle Martin
and Ed Fritz.
"Their time spent studying, their dedication to the team, their running
spring drills and their leadership have taken us from mediocrity to
excellence.  You younger players have some giant shoes to fill next year. I

am counting on you."

   Jonathon Landis, our sophomore #4 receiver spoke up.  "Coach are we
going to do film study this winter the way we did last year?"

   Coach Caffrey answered, "That's not up to me.  They were run by Ed, Kyle
and Jeremy." Coach turned to us.  "What do you say?"

   I looked at Ed.  He shook his head yes.  We both looked at Jeremy.  He
grinned.  I said, "It's on Coach.  We'll meet like we always do, first
Wednesday after New Years after school in the conference room."

   Coach Caffrey continued, "You heard it men.  Film study in three and a
half weeks.  This is open to all players.  We'll get to work preparing for
our next season.  Thank you everyone who contributed to this season."

   Coach Caffrey said it was bittersweet.  That was the perfect word.  I
had spent four years playing football for the Wolverines and it was done.
It just didn't seem real.  How could time have flown by so quickly?  I'd
never wear our red and white uniform on the field again.

   Ed, Jeremy, Hal, Andy and I dressed.  Our families had agreed to take us
out to dinner when the game was over.  Penny, Kathy and Tammy joined us. 
It was a nice ending for an otherwise disappointing day.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   On Sunday afternoon I was studying for a Physics mid-term on Monday when
the phone rang.  Dad got it.  He yelled to me that the phone call was for
me.  It was Zack Hayes.

   "Hey Zack.  How are you doing?"

   "I'm good.  I saw in the newspaper where you guys lost to Unionville. 
How in the hell did you let something like that happen?" Zack asked.

   I told him about how accurate Chip Brinton was.  I explained how we
couldn't block Trevor Conwell either.  Ed just didn't have enough time to
put our deep passing game into action during the game.

   "Conwell?  I know that name.  He just committed to attending Penn State
a couple weeks ago.  I guess if he had to take the game from you guys, it's
a good thing that he will be attending Penn State."

   "Trevor is attending PSU?  I didn't know that.  I did hear about you
giving Chip Brinton the tour a few weeks ago.  I heard you've become the
procurer for visiting recruits."

   "Procurer?  What do you mean?" Zack asked, clearly confused.

   "I heard you got Chip laid on Saturday night when he visited." I
explained.

   "Did he say that?" Zack asked.

   "Not exactly in those words.  He indicated that in a 'Wink.  Wink. 
Nudge.  Nudge.  You know what I mean?' sort of way."

   "Ahh, Python.  I didn't hook him up with any girls.  I invited him to a
party at my apartment so he could meet some of the team.  I introduced him
to my friends and some of the girls at the party.  I can't say for sure
what happened after that.  He's a handsome guy.  He's personable.  He may
have hooked up with one of the girls on his own.  I didn't open the door
and check what he and the girl were doing for a half hour in Aaron's room.
It wasn't my business."

   "I see.  I know how those things can happen." I answered.  Johara had
given me a fun night last year.

   "So, when are you going to get off the dime and choose a college?  This
is getting ridiculous Kyle." Zack insisted.

   "Soon Zack.  Real soon."

   "Good.  It better be Penn State too.  Me and some of my boys will come
down and hurt you if it isn't." Zack said, laughing.

   "Everyone around me keeps telling me I should attend Penn State."

   "Listen to them Kyle.  They sound like they're smart." Zack said.

   I sighed.  "I'll let you go.  I'm sure you have a lot of studying you
need to do."

   "On a Sunday afternoon?  Right!  I'll see you over Christmas.  Bye."
Zack hung up the phone.

   I didn't think about it until he hung up.  He'll see me at Christmas? 
He has a national championship game to play.  How can he get home for
Christmas?  I guess I'd find out soon enough.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   I had trouble getting to sleep on Sunday night.  I kept thinking about
football - the end of my high school career.  I understood what Aaron
Morano had said to me four years ago when Berwick beat our team on our
first playoff run.  He said he enjoyed covering me in that game - that I
had provided a challenge for him.  No corner or safety had been able to
cover me during the season.  I beat double coverage consistently too.  I
was ready for a bigger challenge than high school could provide.

   I thought about what I was going to do next.  I didn't feel any closer
to deciding between USC, LSU and Penn State.  I thought about the coaches,
the facilities and the guys I could be playing with.  How was I going to
choose?

   I decided I needed to stop comparing each college directly to the other.
What did I really want in college?  I decided what characteristics were
important to me and then I rated each college.  The criteria I chose were:
quality of the football program, the coaching staff, the campus, who was on
the team, and distance from home.  I hoped it would help me with my
decision.

   I sat down and set up a spreadsheet to rate each of the colleges.  I
scored each category on a 1 to 10 scale, 10 being the best.  This was the
result:

   Quality of Football Program: USC-10, PSU-9, LSU-10

   Coaching Staff: USC-9, PSU-10, LSU-10

   Campus & Surroundings: USC-7, PSU-9, LSU-10

   Friends & Teammates: USC-8, PSU-10, LSU-7

   Distance from home: USC-6, PSU-10, LSU-8

   I gave USC and LSU the edge in quality of the football program since
they both were in the top 10, year after year.  Penn State made the top 10
frequently, but they had down years too.  I scored USC down a little on
coaching.  Their coaches seemed so young compared to the other teams. 
Would they be up to the job over the long run?

   Penn State's score for friends and teammates was obvious.  I felt
totally comfortable with them.  Brady Rasmussen helped keep USC's score up
on friends.  Penn State scored at the top on distance from home.  It was
the perfect balance of being away from home but being close enough that I
could get home if I needed to.  Los Angeles is so far away.  I probably
would have trouble using all the flights home that Mom and Dad had offered
to me with six hour flights each way.  The flight home and then the return
to LA would eat up over half of a weekend.  Baton Rouge wasn't quite as
bad.

   I felt the chart was helpful.  I wanted to take a little more time to
consider my ratings.  Coach Carroll, Coach Miles and Coach Paterno were
getting a little less patient with me.  They all hoped I would choose soon.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   I found out that Cody Stevens had been coming over to our house each
afternoon after school to `work on home work' since the JV football and
field hockey seasons ended a few weeks earlier.  My sister really liked
Cody.  She had made a good choice for her first serious boyfriend.  Cody
was a good kid.  He wouldn't do anything to hurt Liz.

   Monday's paper cleared one thing up.  Penn State wasn't departing
Pennsylvania until December 26th for the Rose Bowl.  It was the Rose Bowl's
turn to host the BCS championship game this year.  Coach Paterno had
decided that the team could have Christmas at home and still have ten days
in California to get ready for the big game.

   Andy had finished up his Eagle project back in October.  He used his
free time in November to write up his project.  His Board of Review for
Eagle was Tuesday night.  I hoped the board wouldn't blackball Andy because
of him becoming a father in the spring.

   His Board took much longer than mine.  It was almost 10 o'clock when he
finally got home.  I went straight to his room when I heard him come home.
He was changing out of his uniform.  He was smiling.

   I asked, "How'd things go?"

   "I passed." Andy answered.

   "You're gone 2 ˝ hours and all you have to say is `you passed'?  What
took so long?"

   "The board reviewed my merit badges first, then had me talk about my
Eagle project and how I demonstrated leadership.  We started talking about
the Scout Oath and Law.  I decided I should come clean to the board.  I
told them about getting Crystal pregnant.  I explained what happened, how
I'm going to keep my kids and raise them with Mom's and Dad's help.  We
talked about what morally straight meant to me.  I admitted that I hadn't
lived up to the standards that were expected.  The best I could do now was
accept responsibility for my mistake and do my best to take care of my
kids. They seemed impressed that I had agreed with the guidance counselor
at school to meet with 8th grade health classes next year to talk about my
experience as a teenage father."

   "When did you decide to do that?" I asked.

   "I have been talking with my guidance counselor at school for the last
month.  She thought this might help younger students from making the same
mistake I made." Andy explained.

   "Wow, I'm impressed.  That's good Andy."

   "They sent me outside for 45 minutes while they conferred.  They called
me back in, congratulated me and told me I passed when I came back in."

   "Congratulations Andy.  I'm happy for you."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I couldn't have done this without your help." Andy said.

   It was good that things were working out for Andy.  I would have hated
it if the committee had decided that Andy's one mistake disqualified him
from getting Eagle and negated almost five years of work in scouts.

   Andy and I went to the mall after school on Wednesday so we could do
some of our Christmas shopping.  We hadn't had time while the football
season was going on.  I picked up gifts for Mom, Dad, Liz, Will, Abby and
Andy.  I found what I wanted to get for Penny, but I was short on money.

   I found a gold necklace with intertwined hearts.  It was perfect for my
lover.  Unfortunately it was two hundred dollars.  I was $55 short.  I
found out just how great my parents were that evening.  I asked Dad if he
could loan me the money until after Christmas.  I told him what it was for.
He agreed immediately.

   I talked with Mom and Dad that evening about my college choice too.  I
explained the ratings I had done for each college.  Dad asked, "Does this
rating mean you've decided on Penn State?"

   "Yes... well, no.  Not yet at least.  I'm not sure if...." I stuttered.

   "Kyle, stop.  You are unsure about your decision.  Do you need more
information?"

   "No, I don't think so."

   "OK, you have enough information for your decision.  Your analysis says
that Penn State is the best school for you.  Do you agree?"

   "That's what my ratings say.  What if I'm wrong?  This is a huge
decision."

   "Yes, this is an important decision for you Kyle.  Have you considered
the possibility that you can't make a wrong decision when you choose from
these three colleges?  You simply are choosing among three paths that lead
to the same place.  I think you will be successful at any of these
schools."

   I hadn't thought about the possibility that I couldn't choose wrong when
I picked a college.  I could choose any of these schools and I would be
fine.  Did my rating mean that Penn State was right for me?  I decided to
sleep on it and see if I felt the same the next day.

   I went back to the mall Thursday after school and bought the necklace. I
hoped Penny would like it.  It represented two weeks of work for me at
scout camp.  I loved her and I thought it was worth it.

   I thought about colleges on the way home from the mall.  I felt the same
about my college ratings as I had earlier in the week.  Penn State was a
good fit for me.  I had lots of friends there.  Who knows, maybe Penny and
I could stay a couple too.  It was only a couple hours home from campus. 
We could see each other on weekends; at least we could after football
season was over.  I decided to see if Mom and Dad agreed with my choice at
dinner.

   After Mom served dessert, I announced, "I've made my mind up on college.
I want to go to Penn State."

   Andy grinned and said, "That's a good school Kyle.  You'll like it
there."

   Dad asked, "Are you sure?"

   "Yes." Panic hit me instantly.  Was I sure?  "Maybe..."

   "Kyle, remember you can't choose wrong.  You just need to choose.  Why
did you rate Penn State highest?"

   Dad led me through my ratings again.  By the time I was done explaining
how Penn State came on top I was comfortable with my choice again.  Mom,
Dad and I agreed I would call Coach Paterno after school on Friday.

   The phone call to Coach Paterno on Friday afternoon was anti-climactic.
The secretary put me straight through to Coach Paterno as soon as I
identified myself.

   "Hello, Coach Paterno.  This is Kyle Martin."

   "Yes, Kyle what can I do for you?" Coach Paterno said.

   "I was calling to let you know that I'd like to accept the scholarship,
if it is still available."

   Coach Paterno laughed, "I think we still have a spot for you Kyle.  I'm
very pleased that you decided to come to Penn State." Coach Paterno went
ahead and told me about how a scholarship worked and about National Letter
of Intent Day.  I had between February 4th and April 1st to sign a letter
of intent.  It would commit me to attend Penn State for one year.  Until I
signed the letter Penn State couldn't force me to attend their school.  If
I wanted to change my mind, I could.  Obviously the university wanted me to
sign the letter on the 4th of February.  I had no problem with that.  I
fully intended to honor my word when I said I would go to Penn State.

   Coach Paterno was delighted.  He welcomed me to the team.  He said we
would do a press conference next week.  Penn State's PR department would
set it up with Coach Caffrey and my school.  Coach Paterno wanted to get
the announcement done before Christmas, otherwise it would have to wait
until mid-January.  Coach asked me to keep my schedule clear after school
next week so I would be available for the press conference.  Coach Paterno
promised to send my family admissions information and a team schedule.

   Coach Paterno concluded the call with "Any questions Kyle?"

   "No sir.  I'm looking forward to playing for your team." I said.

   "Thank you for calling Kyle.  I'll see you next week." Coach Paterno
said before he hung up the phone.

   Now came the hard part.  I had to call Coach Carroll and Coach Miles and
tell them that I wasn't going to their schools.  I made sure to thank each
of them for all the time and effort they made to help me choose a college.
Coach Carroll reminded me that I had until February 4th before the decision
was final.  He said he could still find a spot for me if anything didn't
feel right about Penn State or if things changed.

   I went to Friday night's opening of our high school's Christmas musical
with Jeremy, Kathy, Hal, Tammy, Ed and Holly Cox.  I made my announcement
before the musical started.  "I decided to go to Penn State next year.  I
called Coach Paterno after school today."

   Jeremy responded first, "Well... no duh.  I've known you were going to
go to Penn State from the second they offered you a scholarship."

   Hal added, "I was shocked you took so long to make up your mind."

   "I wish someone would have told me.  It would have saved me a lot of
worrying."

   Ed, "I knew since the first time Zack Hayes said, `Come play football
with me.' He had you hooked then."

   I said, "It wasn't that clear cut to me.  I would have gone to LSU if
you had gone there too.  I would have."

   "Florida fit me better." Ed replied.

   We got quiet as the music rose, announcing the start of the play.  I was
impressed with Penny's talent for music.  She has a beautiful voice, much
better than I had realized.  I didn't get to talk to Penny Friday night. 
Things were too crazy after the musical.

   Will and Abby were home from college when I returned from the musical. I
got a kiss and a hug from Abby.  Will teased me, asking me when I was going
to start to shave.  I teased him about how he was getting to be an old man
now that he was almost 22.

   Will and I did have a serious conversation about how Andy was handling
becoming a father.  I filled Will in.  I thought Andy was going a good job
with everything.  Will said he planned a long talk with Andy while he was
home.  Will wanted Andy to know how much he respected Andy's plan to raise
his babies.  Will still regretted the losing his first child when Tina
Meyers had an abortion.

   Penny's musical was performed as a matinee on Saturday afternoon and
finished with a performance on Saturday evening.  Penny invited me to watch
from back stage.  It was cool to watch all the activity behind the scenes.

   Penny took me to the cast party after the show was over.  It was a
chaperoned party, but someone managed to sneak vodka into the punch at the
party.  Penny and I had a bit of a buzz when it was time to head for home.
We called ahead and got permission to stay out until 1 am.  Penny and I
planned to use the extra time to go to the back dirt road we used for
privacy when we wanted to make love and we couldn't find privacy at either
house.

   On the way south of Strasburg I announced, "I have big news for you.  I
called Coach Paterno yesterday and told him I would play for Penn State."

   "Goody!!  I'm so happy to hear that." Penny gave me a big kiss on the
cheek.  "I hated the idea of you going to school on the west coast or down
in Louisiana.  We have a chance to keep our relationship going now."

   "Yes, I would like that too." I said.  Could we pull it off a long
distance relationship?  Julie and I certainly hadn't been able to do that.

   When we arrived at the back lane I leaned my seat back and let Penny
climb on my lap.  We made out for awhile before Penny pulled my pants and
boxers down and mounted me.  Making love in my car in the middle of
December was awkward and a little cold.  It was better than going without.
I managed to bring Penny to orgasm before I shot my pent up load of sperm
into her.  We cuddled for about five minutes before the sweat on our bodies
made us too cold.  We dressed and drove for home.

   I was surprised to find a note on my bed that said I was to call no
matter what time I got home.  It was a quarter to one in the morning.  The
number was a cell phone number, but I didn't recognize whose number it was.
I called it.

   I got a slightly sleepy hello.  "This is Kyle Martin.  I got a message
to call."

   "OUTSTANDING!  Absolutely outstanding!" I realized it was Zack Hayes. 
"Coach Burton e-mailed me to let me know you will be coming up to State
College to play with us.  I'm delighted."

   "I'm looking forward to it too Zack."

   "I'm having some friends over tomorrow afternoon to watch my big brother
play for the Eagles.  Are you interested in coming over?"

   "Sure.  Andy, Will, Dad and I were going to watch the game together, but
they won't miss me.  You said we're going to watch Sam play?  I know the
Eagles are 12-2 and have everything wrapped up for the playoffs - division
lead and home field advantage through the playoffs.  Why isn't Andy Reid
playing the #2 quarterback, Feely?"

   "It hasn't made the papers yet.  A.  J.  pulled a hamstring in practice
this morning.  He isn't going to play tomorrow.  Don is playing into the
second quarter and Sam is going to finish the game.  A.  J.  will be the #3
QB this week."

   "Cool.  I'll be over.  What time should I come?" I asked.

   "Around 3:00 or 3:30 will be good.  Do you need a ride?"

   "No... No thank you.  I have my own wheels now." I chuckled to myself as
I remembered all the times Zack had given me rides to places over the
years.

   Zack asked, "You're out kind of late tonight - hot date?"

   "Penny and I went to the cast party after the Drama Guild closed the
Christmas musical tonight." I explained.

   "Yeah right.  You weren't at a school chaperoned party until a quarter
to one."

   "Penny and I took advantage of our late curfew tonight.  We went parking
after the party."

   "I see.  You're freshly laid....  way to go stud.  It's late and you're
probably all tired out from your date.  I'll let you get to sleep."

   "Thanks.  I'll see you tomorrow.  Good night Zack."

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   I arrived at the Hayes house around 3:30 pm.  There were a couple cars
parked along the curb already, presumably some of Zack's guests.  Zack
greeted me at the door.  Stan Humphries was home on Christmas break from
East Stroudsburg.

   Mike Wagner was there too.  I hadn't seen Mike, a junior in college who
had played opposite me as a wide receiver, since he graduated three years
ago.  Mike and I caught up while the early game, Denver vs.  Kansas City,
finished.  Mike wasn't playing football anymore.  He had followed our
football team from Kutztown State.  I told him and Stan about how it felt
to go to the state championships.  Don Bailey and Andy Groff came a few
minutes later.  The last guest, George Reynolds, joined us just before
kick-off.

   It was fun to hang out with my old teammates.  It felt a little weird
for me too.  I was used to being one of the `old guys'.  I felt like I was
back in ninth grade again, hanging with Mike, Andy, Stan, and friends.

   The game was fun to watch.  McNabb and the Eagles scored on the Redskins
on their first drive.  They were stopped on the second drive.  Sam Hayes
took over for McNabb after that.  Sam's primary duty was handing the ball
off to Ryan Moats and Tony Hunt on running plays.  Andy Reid let him throw
a few passes, but not many.

   Zack ordered out for pizza mid-game.  He had plenty of snack food too.
Zack didn't mind when I grabbed a beer from the fridge like the rest of the
guys.  It had been awhile since I had a beer, it tasted delicious.

   Mike Wagner and I got a chance to talk during half time.  I said, "I
don't know if I ever said it properly before you graduated.  Thanks for all
your help teaching me how to play wide receiver three years ago.  I owe
what I have today to you."

   Mike laughed.  "You're an all-American.  I think you're responsible for
most of what you accomplished Kyle.  It was a privilege being there when
you started out.  I bet one day I`ll be proud to tell my friends I played
football with the great Kyle Martin."

   "That's silly Mike.  I'm not that special." I insisted.

   "We'll see Kyle.  We'll see."

   "Anyway, thanks for all your help back then."

   The Eagles continued to dominate in the second half.  The Eagles beat
the 4-10 Redskins by 24-10.  Sam ran the offense well but didn't get to
throw many passes.  Zack was proud of his brother when the game was over.

   Zack had me stay a few minutes extra when the rest of the guys left. 
Zack said, "I wanted to talk with you a little about fitting in with the
team before your press conference next week.  Do you remember what you used
to say when you started football in ninth grade?"

   "What?"

   "You said, `I'm just trying to learn.  I'll do what ever I can to help
the team.' Do you remember?"

   "Yeah, I do."

   "That needs to be your mantra for the next year or two.  `I'll do
whatever I can to help the team.' Penn State is a big time program.  All
the athletes on the team were top players in high school.  There is more
ego in this level than there was in high school.  I want you to fit in, not
piss people off with an attitude.  You're an all-American.  So what?  We
have lots of all-Americans on the team already."

   "You're saying be humble." I answered.

   "Exactly.  You have a lot to be humble about too.  You aren't going to
believe the amount of things you are going to have to learn just to be
allowed out on the field next year."

   "I know.  I'll do whatever it takes just to help out the team." I
answered.  I gave him a wink.

   "Exactly right.  Now, let's talk about dealing with the press." Zack
said.  We spent the next fifteen minutes talking about what Zack had
learned about the care and feeding of reporters.  It was an interesting
talk.

   As I got ready to leave I said, "You heard what I told Mike earlier
tonight.  I owe you everything I have in football.  Thanks Zack."

   "You've been good for my career too.  I'm looking forward to more time
together.  Good night buddy."

   "Good night and good luck at the Rose Bowl." I said as I left.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Caffrey called me to his office after school was over on Monday.
He had things set up with the Athletic Department at Penn State.  The news
conference would be on Tuesday, December 23rd at 3:30 pm.  Penn State would
see to it that all the media got the word about the news conference.  Coach
Caffrey would line up the auditorium and have everything ready for the
media.

   I was excited on Tuesday.  I had trouble paying attention in class.  Ed
and Jeremy tried to keep me relaxed and loose.  They had faced the press
already.  I hoped Zack's advice was good.  I wanted to make a good
impression on Penn State fans.

   When seventh period was over, I asked Penny, "Wish me luck honey.  I'm
off to face the press."

   Penny hugged me and gave me a kiss.  "I'll do more than wish you luck.
We're all coming to the press conference." She gestured towards Ed, Jeremy,
Kathy, Hal, Tammy, Drew, and Brandon.

   Ed added, "We wouldn't miss this buddy.  Do you go straight to the
auditorium?"

   "I go meet Coach Caffrey and Coach Paterno at the gym first.  I guess
you guys can go to the auditorium now."

   I got a series of "good lucks" and slaps on the back as my friends
trooped out of Mrs.  Andrews' Grammar class.  I headed for the gym to meet
my past and future coaches.  Coach Paterno greeted me warmly.  He went over
the format of the press conference briefly and said if I wasn't comfortable
with any of the questions I could turn them over to him.  He would handle
them.

   I received a chorus of "good lucks" from my friends as we passed the
group near the back of the auditorium.  I noticed Andy and his best friend
Eric Connell had joined the group.  Four TV cameras were set up in the
front of auditorium, one each from channels 8, 21, 27 and 43.  There were
about 15-20 reporters seated in front of the cameras in the front two or
three rows of seats.

   "Go get'em Kyle!" It was Zack Hayes' voice.  I stopped and shook his
hand.

   "Thanks for coming Zack." I said.

   "I wouldn't miss it Kyle." Zack answered.

   "You wanted him.  Now you got him." Coach Paterno said quietly to Zack.
Louder, he added for my benefit, "You probably don't know how hard your
friend pushed to make sure we found you, recruited you and convinced you to
come to our team.  He's quite a friend."

   "I know that sir." I answered.  We made our way onto the stage.  It had
a single cloth covered table sitting in the center with three chairs behind
it.  Coach Caffrey took the right chair, I took the middle one and Coach
Paterno took the left chair.  The lights from the TV cameras were brighter
than I expected.  It was hard to see the reporters right in front of us.

   Coach Caffrey started.  "I'm pleased to welcome Joe Paterno of the Penn
State Nittany Lions to the home of the Wolverines.  Coach Paterno..."

   "Thank you Walter.  It's a pleasure to visit Lancaster County again.  It
is a special pleasure to visit on an occasion like this one.  This young
man beside me is an outstanding receiver and a fine person.  He has an
announcement to make.  Kyle?"

   "Thank you Coach Caffrey, Coach Paterno.  I spent the past four months
studying and visiting colleges.  I learned a lot from the experience. 
After a lot of thought, I have decided to attend the Pennsylvania State
University next year." I kept my announcement short and simple the way
Coach Paterno suggested.

   Coach Paterno controlled the conference, recognizing each reporter in
turn.  He fielded most of the questions.  He knew my high school stats
precisely and recited them for the press.

   One of the reporters asked, "Kyle, do you expect to be a starter next
season?"

   Coach Paterno started to answer but I tapped him on the elbow.  "I got
this one Coach."

   I answered, "I doubt I'll start.  That would be a miracle.  My friend,
Zack Hayes, has warned my about how much more complicated Penn States'
offense is compared to what I have run in high school.  I have a lot to
learn this fall.  I will try to pick up the offense as fast as I can and
just help the team any way possible.  That is all I expect to do this
fall."

   Coach Paterno whispered to me, "Good answer Kyle." He turned back to the
crowd of reporters.  "Next question."

   Mr.  Montgomery, the sports editor for the local evening paper, asked,
"Coach Martin, why did you chose Penn State over Michigan, USC or Louisiana
State?"

   Mr.  Montgomery had interviewed me a few times before and knew the
nickname my teammates had given me.  Coach Caffrey was grinning at the
reference.  Coach Paterno seemed a little surprised.

   I answered, "Coaching was part of what I was looking for.  Coach
Paterno's record speaks for itself.  Penn State has excellent facilities
for the football team.  The offense..." I paused and shook my head.  "The
offense is so explosive.  I think my best assets, my speed and pass
catching ability fit well with their offense.  I think the biggest reason I
chose Penn State is the guys I've met on the team.  I've made friends with
quite a few of them.  I'm looking forward to playing with Zack Hayes and
Jeremiah Nowak next season.  They're excellent quarterbacks."

   Coach Paterno called on another reporter.  "I have another question for
Kyle.  Why did my colleague call you `Coach' Martin?" I explained how my
teammates had given me the nickname.

   The questions shifted to Penn State and the Rose Bowl that was less than
two weeks away.  Coach Paterno answered them with assurance.  The reporters
kept trying to get Coach Paterno say that he expected to beat Kentucky.

   Finally one of the questions was addressed to me.  "Kyle, who do you
think will win the Rose Bowl?" Coach Paterno started to answer for me, but
I whispered that I could take it.

   "I was at Penn State's games with USC and Michigan this season.  I have
seen what the offense is capable of doing.  Phil DiStefano is one of the
best quarterbacks in the country.  Greg Walker is the best wide receiver
I've seen in college.  I haven't seen Kentucky play and I can't tell you
who will win, but I can tell you it is going to be a heck of a game."

   Coach Paterno sparred with the reporters for a few more minutes before
the press conference ended.  Coach Caffrey led Coach Paterno and me out of
the auditorium.  We paused in the back where my friends had watched the
conference.

   I introduced Penny and my other friends to Coach Paterno.  Coach greeted
each of them warmly until he got to Jeremy.  "Ah, North.  It isn't too late
to come to Penn State.  I still have room for you on the team."

   "Thanks for the offer Coach Paterno.  I promised my dad and Coach Weis
that I would go to Notre Dame."

   "That's an excellent school.  Good luck.  I'll see you next season when
we play your new team."

   I hadn't realized Notre Dame was on Penn State's schedule.  It would be
different playing against Jeremy instead of playing with him on the same
team.  I finished the introductions to my friends.

   When we were outside in the hall Coach Paterno commented, "You handled
the press very well Kyle.  Most kids your age aren't that comfortable with
the press."

   "This wasn't my first press conference.  I did this last year too when
my team won the state championship.  I also had some advice from Zack
Hayes. He helped me get ready for this afternoon."

   "You have a dedicated friend in Zack.  That's a valuable thing."

   I answered, "I know.  I wouldn't be here today without him."

   I told Coach Paterno I would be rooting for Penn State in two weeks when
they played for the national championship.

   I had the Tivo setup to record my press conference when it was on that
evening.  It was on the six o'clock news.  I waited impatiently with my
family for the twenty minutes until it was time for the sports segment.

   The announcer started off like this: "Christmas came early for Nittany
Lions fans this year.  When you check under the tree, you will find a
speedy new receiver for your favorite team.  Wolverines all-American wide
receiver Kyle Martin announced that he will attend the Pennsylvania State
University next fall." The announcer continued with a clip from the press
conference.  He recited my statistics as a high school receiver.  He
finished the piece talking about Penn State's travel plans for the Rose
Bowl.

   I got an e-mail congratulating me from Christian Hunsecker later that
evening.  Christian was delighted we would be teammates next season.  I had
spent over a year worrying and planning what I would do for college.  It
felt good having put that behind me.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy and I went to the mall to finish our last minute shopping on
Christmas Eve after enjoying a long morning in bed.  I spent the rest of
the afternoon wrapping gifts for Christmas.

   Penny came over after dinner so we could exchange our presents.  She was
leaving early in the morning to go to her grandparents' house.  We headed
to the living room.  We had put our presents to each other under my tree
over the weekend.  Penny insisted, "You open these first." She handed me
two boxes.

   I took the larger box and ripped the paper off.  It was a dress shirt
box.  I opened it.  It held a Philadelphia Eagles game jersey.  I pulled it
out.  It was a Donovan McNabb number 9 jersey.  "Thanks honey.  I always
wanted one of these." I held it up against my body.  It was much too big.
"It doesn't fit.  Maybe we can take it back to the mall and exchange for
something smaller."

   "No you goof.  You don't get it.  It looks too big because you aren't
wearing pads."

   "Why would I wear pads with this jersey?"

   "Not you.  Donovan wears pads with it.  It's his jersey."

   The light finally dawned.  "This is Donovan's?" Wow, too cool!  "He
really wore this?  How did you get it?"

   "Yes, he wore this a few weeks ago in the game against the Giants.  I
enlisted Will and Sam Hayes to help me get this.  Open the second package.
It will help explain things."

   I tore the wrapping off and opened the box.  It was a framed autographed
photo of Donovan McNabb.  It was signed.  The message said, "Merry
Christmas Kyle.  Good luck in college.  Donovan McNabb"

   There was a note with the picture.  It said:

   -------------------------------------------------------

   December 15th

   Dear Kyle,

   Sam asked me to help your girlfriend with your Christmas present.  I
hope you enjoy it.  Sorry about the sleeve.  Mike Strahan tore it during
our game yesterday just as I threw the final touchdown.

   Sam tells me you're choosing your college now.  You can't go wrong with
Southern Cal, LSU or Penn State.  Good luck where ever you end up.

   Yours truly,

   Donovan

   p.s.  Why isn't Syracuse on that list of yours?  We could use a receiver
like you at my alma mater.

   -------------------------------------------------------

   I said, "I don't see where the sleeve is torn?"

   "Mom repaired it for you." Penny answered.  I looked carefully at the
left sleeve.  Penny's mom had done a good job with the mending.  You could
hardly see it.

   "I can't believe this is the jersey Donovan wore in that game.  I
remember the play.  The Eagles had two minutes left and were down 28-24. 
Donovan broke loose when it looked like Strahan was going to sack him. 
Strahan grabbed for him but ended up with only the jersey sleeve.  Strahan
nearly pulled the sleeve off the jersey while Donovan got away.  Donovan
threw a pass to Reggie Brown for a touchdown on the play to win the game.
It was amazing.

   "Thank you so much.  This is a wonderful present.  It's your turn
honey." I handed the small box to Penny.  "Merry Christmas."

   "This looks like jewelry.  Thank you Kyle." she said as she tore the
wrapping off eagerly.  She held up the entwined heart pendant on the gold
chain.  "This is wonderful Kyle.  Thank you so much." Penny gave me a hug
and a long kiss.  "This is the best present."

   "I just wanted you to know how much I love you.  When we're together I
feel complete." I said.  We kissed a long time, until we had to stop to
breathe.  I stared into her eyes.  "Thank you for the jersey.  It's the
best present I've ever gotten."

   "I'm glad you like your present.  I didn't have much money so I had to
be creative.  I don't know how you could afford this beautiful necklace.  I
love it."

   I answered, "Say thanks to my Dad too.  He loaned me the rest of the
money for it when I was a little short."

   "I will.  I love this.  You're the best boyfriend a girl could have.  I
love you."

   "I love you too.  I'll treasure this present always."

   Penny and I rejoined the rest of my family in the family room.  We
watched the umpteenth playing of "It's A Good Life" on TV.  I gave my lover
a good night kiss when the movie was over.  We wouldn't be together again
until the 26th.

   Christmas was hectic as always.  My aunts, uncles, cousins and
grandparents showed up.  We had the biggest house, so we always hosted the
family on Christmas day.  I ate too much.  Fortunately my relatives were
generous with cash presents.  I was able to repay Dad's loan and still have
some money leftover for dates with Penny in the new year.

   I wore my McNabb jersey all day, to the envy of my cousins.  They were
shocked that Will and I knew a real NFL player.  I thrilled them too when I
told them some of my stories from my recruiting visits.

   Penny and I spent the afternoon of the 26th working on our AP Physics
term papers.  Penny and I behaved for maybe the first hour.  Our hormones
got the best of us.  We ended up making love in my bedroom while Liz and
her boyfriend Cody were down the hall in her room.

   I knew Cody and Liz made out when they were alone together.  I had seen
them doing that.  Cody left trying to hide is boner nearly every evening
before my Mom came home from work the week before Christmas.  Cody left
that evening with a smile and a big damp spot on his pants.  He apparently
had found relief in Liz's room that afternoon.

   After Penny went home I talked with Liz, "You and Cody aren't getting
too carried away, are you?"

   "Hah!  That's funny coming from a guy who spent the afternoon screwing
his girlfriend.  My sex life is none of your business Kyle."

   Sex life.  My sister.  There were two phrases I didn't want to hear in
the same sentence.  "I'm sorry Liz.  I'm not trying to pry into your
personal business.  I just want to make sure that Cody behaves properly."

   "I'm sorry I snapped at you Kyle.  This is quite personal."

   "I won't ask again.  I just don't want you to get hurt.  If you want to
talk, I'm willing to listen.  If you prefer to talk with a girl, I know
Penny would be willing too."

   "Thanks for the offer Kyle, but I don't think that will be necessary."
Liz answered.  I hoped she was right.  I doubted she really understood how
intense sexual feelings were.

   --------------- ---------------------------------------

   Trent and I arranged for a double date with Penny and Ashley a couple
days later.  Trent and Ashley weren't going together anymore, but they were
still friends.  We thought it would be nice to get together for dinner and
a movie.

   I drove Penny and myself to Manheim to meet Trent and Ash.  They had
driven to Paradise enough in the past two years.  It was my turn to do the
traveling.  We had dinner at Trent's favorite restaurant.  Penny and I
enjoyed their company.  It was almost like old times last year, but not
quite.  Things were awkward between Trent and Ashley, quite unlike the easy
friendship of last year.  When the girls went to the ladies room after
dinner I asked Trent, "What's up between you and Ashley?  Are things OK?"

   "We're OK I guess.  I mean, we're not a couple any more.  Things are
just different.  You know how they say you can't go home again?  Boy, are
they right.  You'll see next year."

   I answer non-committally, "I guess."

   "Would you believe my parents wanted every detail of what we are doing
tonight?  They still treat me like a little kid.  They even set a curfew
for me.  I've been living on my own for four months.  I don't need a
curfew."

   "Will still tells my parents what he is doing when he goes out.  He says
he does it as a courtesy."

   "He does?  I thought he would be old enough not to get the third
degree."

   Penny and Ashley returned from the ladies room.  We let the conversation
return to our girls and our plans for the evening.  We headed to the
theater in Elizabethtown for our movie.  Trent didn't suggest parking
somewhere when the movie was done.  I took him and Ashley home.  Penny and
I went straight home when the movie was over.  We didn't need to a quickie
in a car in December.  We had all afternoon together every day of vacation
since my parents weren't home.

   Monday at dinner Mom announced to the assembled family, "I talked with
Mrs.  Wagner this afternoon.  Crystal had her next prenatal check up.  They
did an amniocentesis this time.  Everything is fine."

   Andy said, "I'm glad to hear that."

   Mom continued, "I got some interesting news from Mrs.  Wagner.  Andy, do
you want to know if your babies are boys or girls?  The amniocentesis can
determine that."

   Andy paused for a few seconds to consider it.  "Yes, I'd like to know.
What are Crystal and I having?"

   "Twin boys." Mom answered.

   Andy pondered the news for a few seconds.  "I'm going to have two sons.
Wow!"

   Liz added, "Great!  Just what this house needs, more boys." Dad, Will,
Andy and me let Liz know we all thought this was great news.

   Mom said, "There is one other thing.  Mrs.  Wagner let me know that
Crystal needs a partner for her child birth classes.  Can you do that
Andrew?" Andy flinched at first.  Mom stared at him.  "Andrew?"

   Finally Andy accepted his fate.  He hung his head and said, "I can do
that Mom."

   "Good.  I don't want to raise an irresponsible son." Mom said.

   Andy had to stand up and accept responsibility in more ways than one. 
Mom and Dad insisted he find himself a job over Christmas vacation.  After
checking half a dozen places, he accepted a job as a dishwasher at King's
Family Dining.  King's was a family style restaurant on Route 30 a couple
miles from our house that catered to tourists.  Andy would start work on
January 2nd.  He would work Friday and Saturday evenings during the school
year.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Liz begged for and received permission to host her first boy-girl party
for New Year's Eve.  Mom and Dad agreed to stay home to chaperone the
party. Andy accepted an invitation to a party hosted by Sammy Hoover and
Eric Connell at Sammy's house.  Andy even agreed to help with set up for
the party and clean up when it was done.  Will and Abby went to a party at
the Stevens house for an evening with Rob, Cindy and their friends.

   My friends and I decided to throw our own New Year's Eve party after
last year's fiasco.  All our parents were going to be around this year, so
we couldn't have quite as much fun as two years ago at Ed's house.  No
booze and no bedrooms for sex this time.  Jeremy volunteered to host it.

   The party turned out to be fun.  It was just Jeremy, Kathy, Hal, Tammy,
Penny, me, Ed and his date Holly Cox.  Ed and Holly arrived a little late.
Ed pulled me aside when they arrived.  He was in a boisterous mood.

   "It's a good night when you get her to scream `Oh God!'" Ed exclaimed. I
could smell a faint whiff of beer on his breath.

   "Did you start the party early?" I asked.

   "We had to.  We knew Jeremy's parents wouldn't appreciate Holly
screaming while we fucked.  We found some privacy and fucked like little
rabbits before we came here.  Holly is something in bed."

   "I wouldn't know that."

   "I thought the two of you had done the deed."

   "No.  Let's just say I was thrown out sliding to home plate." I
remembered my night last year at the movie theater with Holly when we
almost had sex sitting in the back row.  We stopped because she wasn't on
the pill and I didn't have a condom.

   "Too bad.  You two would have fun together in bed."

   "I'll pass.  Penny is more than enough for me." I said.  We rejoined our
friends in Jeremy's basement.

   The evening was tame for high school seniors.  We didn't care.  We had
fun.  We talked with our friends.  We snacked.  We danced and listened to
music.  It was a nice way to spend an evening.  Everyone headed for home
after the ball dropped on Times Square.

   My house was like a beehive, kids and parents flying all over the place
when I got home.  Parents were coming to pick up Liz's friends when I
arrived home.  Dad was leaving to pick up Andy.  The whole house was still
filled with noise and commotion.

   I went to my room and got ready for bed as soon as I saw how crazy
things were.  Andy popped his head in my room.  "I had a great night.  How
was your party?"

   "It was good.  I hung out with my friends.  We listened to music and
danced." Teasingly I asked, "Did you guys have a drunken orgy or
something?"

   "What?  No, we were at the Hoovers.  Everything was proper and above
board.  My party was great because Heather came early to help set up."

   "Heather Miller?  That Heather?" I asked.

   "Yep.  We spent most of the night talking.  We danced a little."

   I asked, "Are you going to ask Heather to go with you again?"

   "I don't know Kyle.  I might.  Maybe I can make things work for us this
time.  I know I can't go doing a bunch of crazy things now." Andy answered.

   "Good luck with that Andy."

   "Thanks Kyle.  Good Night." Andy said as he slipped out of my room
again. Heather and Andy going steady again; who knows?  Andy had calmed
down a lot since October.  He had no choice.  He had to grow up a lot
before his sons were born in May.

   I thought about Trent and Ashley after I went to bed that night.  I
thought about all my friends too.  In five months our gang would split up.
Jeremy and Kathy were going to Notre Dame, Hal and Tammy to Rutgers, Ed to
Florida, Penny to Penn and me to Penn State.  I was determined to enjoy my
friends as long as possible.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   Will, Andy, Dad and I spent New Years Day watching football games.  I
enjoyed watching how the teams I had visited did.  LSU played Michigan. 
LSU managed to pull out a win at the end of the game.  USC played Nebraska
in the Outback Bowl.  Jared Dillard absolutely crushed Nebraska.  I called
Ed to congratulate him when Florida won the Sugar Bowl.  It was a fun day.

   The school district scheduled us to have school on Friday, January 2nd.
I don't know why.  There wasn't anyway any student who was going to pay
attention in class that day.  We went anyway.

   Penny, Andy and I came in the back way from the student parking lot.  We
spotted Crystal as soon as we turned onto the main hallway to go to our
lockers.

   Penny exclaimed, "Oh... my... God!"

   A couple weeks ago Crystal was barely showing her pregnancy.  That
wasn't the case now.  There was no question - she was definitely pregnant.
Crystal wasn't wearing maternity clothes yet, but the bulge caused by the
twins was unmistakable.  Kids were staring and whispering to each other.

   I heard my brother take a deep breath.  He walked over and put his arm
over her shoulder.  Andy asked, "How's it going?"

   Crystal stared up at my brother.  "Ummm... OK I guess." She said meekly.

   "Heads up.  We'll get through this Crys.  Let's go." Andy kept his arm
across her shoulder and directed her down the hall to her locker.  Andy
added, "Did your mom tell you I agreed to be your partner at child birth
classes?" Crystal nodded yes as they walked down the hall.

   Penny said, "Wow.  I didn't know your brother was that brave."

   "That took balls.  I wasn't sure that he could handle this." I answered.

   The gossip spread in every class.  Some asked, "Did you hear about
Crystal Wagner?" More asked, "Who knocked her up?" The ones who saw the
scene in the hallway before first period knew.  "Andy Martin knocked up
Crystal Wagner." I did my best to explain that what had happened to Crystal
and Andy was quite unplanned and accidental.

   The next time I saw Andy and Crystal was at lunch.  Andy came in with
Crystal, his arm across her shoulder, showing her his support.  When they
got their lunch, Andy went with Crystal to sit with her.  She waved him
off. Andy joined the `football table', where many of our team usually ate
lunch.  Andy slid in at an empty spot.  He was sitting across the table
from Pat Jones.

   Pat teased, "I hear you got your girlfriend preggers Andy."

   "Yes." Andy acknowledged.

   Ryan Crawford added, "Yeah he bred the stupid bitch." Andy glared at
Ryan but didn't say anything.

   Pat continued "Haven't you heard of rubbers?"

   Andy stared at Pat.  "Yes, I've heard of condoms.  Crystal and I didn't
need them.  She was on the pill.  This was an accident."

   Ryan continued needling, "I guess you fucking needed them after all. 
How's it feel to have a kid on the way?"

   Andy's one word answer was "Scary."

   Ryan, Pat and a few of the other kids continued teasing Andy.  I could
see Andy was irritated.  He kept his cool anyway.  Finally I had enough. 
"Jesus Christ.  You guys sound like a bunch of middle schoolers.  Haven't
any of you ever gotten carried away with your girlfriend and forgot
protection?"

   I stared at Pat.  He squirmed a little.  "Yeah.  There was that time a
couple weeks ago.  Denise and I... well... you know how it is."

   I said, "Humph... For all you know you might be a father too."

   "NO.  No way.  I'm sure Denise isn't..." Pat insisted.  I could see the
doubt in his eyes.

   I turned to Ryan.  "You never messed up and did it bare?"

   Corey Brown, who was sitting with us, laughed.  "Ryan?  Doing it
bareback?  He hasn't done it.  Period!"

   "I have too!" Ryan insisted.

   "Your hand doesn't count." Corey retorted.  Ryan turned bright red from
embarrassment.

   "Guys!  Knock it off!  You need to grow up.  Andy is your friend and
teammate.  Treat him like it." I insisted.

   Ed had been quiet until I spoke up.  He said, "Look, I've been where
Andy is at.  It's a scary place.  I needed all the help I could get."

   Pat asked, "You?  You have a kid?"

   Ed shook his head no.  "My girlfriend had a miscarriage.  The only way I
made it through all that was with the help of my friends." Ed pointed to
Hal, Jeremy and me.  "What kind of friends are you?"

   Corey, Pat and Ryan apologized to Andy.  I hoped that they meant it. 
Andy and Crystal were going to need all the friends they could get.

   Andy started his new job that evening.  He was beat when he got home
around 10 o'clock.  He said the work was pretty disgusting and hard too. 
He said his new boss seemed like a nice guy.  He was glad he was able to
get the job.

   I skipped scouts on Monday, January 5th.  I didn't want to miss one
minute of Penn State's game with Kentucky.  Kentucky had done an amazing
job to get through the SEC conference undefeated.  Galen Hall, ex-Penn
Stater and their first year head coach, had installed an explosive offense
that scored points in bunches.  In spite of that, the papers had Penn State
rated as the 10 point favorites.

   Dad, Andy, Will and I settled in after dinner to watch the game.  The
bookmakers proved to be wrong about the match up.  It wasn't as close as
they thought.  Penn State's defense was stifling.  Aaron Morano picked off
a pass.  Phil DiStefano and the offense cashed it in for a touchdown. 
Kentucky didn't score a first down until near the end of the first half. 
Penn State led 24-0 at the half.

   Things didn't get better in the second half.  Coach Tom Bradley, our
defensive coordinator, turned up the heat on Kentucky's quarterback.  Cuch
(Dominic Cuchiella, the hero or strong safety) picked a pass off and ran it
back for a touchdown.  Later in the third period Aaron intercepted another
pass.  Coach Paterno freely substituted second string players, including
Zack Hayes and Shawn O'Conner in the fourth quarter.  Zack concentrated on
handing the ball off to Shawn and the other tailbacks.

   The final score was 37-14.  I watched my future teammates and coaches
celebrate their victory.  I spotted glimpses of Zack, Phil, Greg, Shawn,
Aaron, and Cuch celebrating on the sidelines and on the field.

   Kentucky had been an improbable contender for the championship, but that
is how the BCS rankings had placed them.  Kentucky really hadn't provided
as much of a challenge as Michigan and USC had provided for Penn State.  My
choice of college was looking positively brilliant that evening.

   The sportscasters did the mandatory tribute to Coach Joe Paterno.  He
had been a coach at Penn State since 1950.  Grandpop Martin had been ten
years old when Coach Paterno came to Penn State.  It was an amazing run. 
They talked about Joe and Sue Paterno's contributions to Penn State off the
field too.  They contributed and raised $14 million to expand the Pattee
Library.  Cuch and Jeremiah had showed me the library on my last visit.  It
was impressive.  They talked about Coach Paterno's emphasis on academics.

   The announcers gushed about Coach Tom Bradley, Penn State's defensive
coordinator.  Bradley's defense smothered Kentucky.  They said it was one
of the finest defensive performances they could remember.  They predicted
that Coach Bradley would be on the short list of head coaching jobs at some
of the universities that needed new coaches.

   It was a good night to be a Penn State fan.  Dad was delighted with the
result of the game.  I went to bed very pleased that I had chosen to go to
Penn State.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   Andy and Crystal continued to be the butt of jokes and teasing at
school. Crystal's girlfriends put up with the stares and comments for a day
or two and then found somewhere else to sit at lunch.  Andy steadfastly sat
with Crystal to keep her company.  This went on most of the week.

   By Friday I felt sorry for them.  I convinced Penny to join me with
them. Hal, Tammy, Jeremy and Kathy naturally joined us.  My friends and I
kept things from being to morose during lunches.

   Andy's 16th birthday was on Friday.  He "celebrated" by going to King's
Restaurant to wash dishes after school.  Andy convinced Dad to take him to
Rohrerstown to the Drivers License Center on Saturday morning.  He went out
for his first drive after lunch.  Dad reminded Andy that his share of the
VW Golf disappeared last fall when he asked Mom and Dad to help raise his
babies.  I hadn't heard that in the fall.  The Golf was exclusively mine.
Cool!

   Andy didn't have a birthday party.  We had a birthday dinner for him on
Sunday evening.  Mom went all out for him - Surf and Turf - shrimp with his
steak dinner.  It was topped off with his favorite, cherry pie ala mode. 
Will and Abby headed back to school after Andy's birthday dinner was over.

   Ed, Jeremy and I promoted our football video study session on Monday and
Tuesday at school.  We were pleased when twenty-four JV and Varsity players
came out for the session on Wednesday after school.  Ed and I concentrated
on making sure Jake and Logan understood what we did at these sessions. 
They were going to have to run the film study sessions next year.  Jeremy
went over everything he did in calling defenses with Kenny Weaver and Brett
Fulmer.  One f them would be calling defenses next season.

   Penny and I got together most afternoons after school and studied, well
mostly studied.  Some afternoons we took advantage of mostly empty house to
make love.  I say mostly empty because Andy was usually in his room
studying or playing computer games.

   Most afternoons Liz was downstairs in the family room with her boyfriend
Cody Stevens.  Sometimes they ended up in Liz's room with the door closed.
Both Liz and Cody insisted that they weren't doing anything beyond making
out.  I suspected Cody was probably passing second base heading for third
base with my sister.  Liz and Cody looked too disheveled and overheated
when Cody went home before dinner some nights.  I tried to talk with her,
but Liz insisted she was fine and that I should keep my nose out of her
business.

   Teens can be incredibly cruel.  Crystal and Andy continued to get grief
from their schoolmates about Crystal's pregnancy.  Nasty comments, catty
remarks, social ostracism and isolation were all tools used by Andy and
Crystal's schoolmates.  Andy stoically continued walking Crystal to class,
lunching with her and helping wherever he could.

   My friends and I tried to help too.  We sat with them at lunch.  After a
week or so, Eric Connell and Sammy Hoover joined us.  A few days later
Heather Miller joined Sammy and our group.  Some of Heather's friends
gravitated to our odd group.  We certainly didn't represent a typical high
school clique - jocks, brains, a cheerleader, the leading actress in the
Drama Guild, and a bunch of average teens.

   Angela Butler, a shy sophomore, joined us one day.  None of us knew her
well, but we accepted her to our lunch group.  After about a week with us,
she started to open up a little.  One lunch time she said quietly, "I'm
pregnant."

   I wasn't sure I heard what I thought I heard.  "Excuse me, what did you
say Angela?"

   She answered a little louder.  "I am pregnant too."

   She related her story.  Shane Sensenig, a junior who made starter on our
varsity basketball team, asked her to go to a party with him just after
Thanksgiving.  Shane had encouraged her to have a beer with him at the
party.  They danced together for awhile.  She had another beer.  They made
out for awhile before she had another.  They made out some more.  Shane
invited her upstairs to the bedroom so they could have more privacy.

   Angela said things started to get out of hand when she let Shane take
her blouse and bra off.  She loved it when he played with and sucked her
nipples.  She was so relaxed and things felt so good that she let Shane put
his hand down her panties.  She was a goner when he brought her to orgasm
fingering her.  Shane said, "You're a great girl Angie.  I think I love
you."

   Shane took her virginity that evening.  He at least had the decency to
make sure Angela enjoyed her first time.  Angela quite willingly went to
his house a few nights later for another roll in the hay with her new
boyfriend.  She found Shane in the hallway at school the next day kissing
another girl.  Shane called her a dumb slut when she confronted him.  He
had used her and dumped her when it suited him.

   I knew Shane a little.  I'd never particularly liked him before but I
didn't have a reason to dislike him before this.  Angela said she missed
her period about a week after Shane dumped her.  She didn't worry at first.
By New Year's Day she knew she had a problem.  She waited another week and
then admitted to her parents what had happened.  They took her to the
doctor who confirmed she was with child.  She was due August 29th.  Shane
refused to acknowledge that the baby could be his.

   Jeremy was incensed by this story.  He asked, "You want me to go knock a
little sense into this bastard?"

   Angela answered, "No, my parent's lawyer said I shouldn't have contact
with him.  We are going to sue him for paternity and child support when the
baby is born.  Let him alone."

   Everyone at the table agreed to help Angela as much as we could.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   The announcers at the BCS Championship game were correct about Penn
State's Coach Bradley.  He was hot.  Three universities interviewed him for
their open head coaching job.  He accepted the job at Vanderbilt before
January was over.  Coach Charles Czerwinski, currently the linebackers
coach, was promoted to take Bradley's place.

   My scout troop's annual banquet was January 24th.  It was the night Andy
would receive his Eagle award.  Andy, Eric Connell and Troy Smith all were
getting Eagle that night.  Andy was looking forward to this night almost as
much as the day he got his learner's permit a couple weeks earlier.

   I wondered if any of the parents would comment about Andy receiving
Eagle and having a pregnant ex-girlfriend.  I could see how you might think
him undeserving if you didn't know Andy's whole situation.  My brother had
showed me more about his character in the past month than I had seen from
him in his lifetime.

   He and Crystal had done something very dumb - dumb, but very human. 
Andy could have taken the easy way out any number of times.  He could have
been like Shane Sensenig and denied responsibility.  He could have let the
Wagners arrange to have the babies adopted when they were born.  When
Crystal broke up with him he could have ignored her.  When his classmates
found out Crystal was pregnant he could have let her alone and avoided the
social stigma involved.

   At every turn since he found out he was going to be a father Andy had
chosen to be responsible and do the right thing.  There is a saying that
you can tell a person's character by what they do when no one is looking.
That was only partly true.  Andy's actions over the last four months spoke
volumes about his character.  He was trustworthy, loyal, helpful,
courageous and brave.  He did this in spite of teasing, taunting and put
downs from his classmates.  In the face of all of this, Andy never
complained once.  Andy's character was being tested.  I felt he was acing
the test.

   Mr.  Clark planned an Eagle ceremony based on the Scout Oath.  Hal, Ed
and I had speaking parts along with Mr.  Clark and Mr.  Good.  Jeremy
wasn't involved in the ceremony.  It only had three youth parts.  Anyway
Jeremy wasn't considered a youth anymore.  He turned eighteen last month
and was an assistant scoutmaster in the troop now.

   I was so proud of my brother when I escorted my parents forward near the
end of the ceremony before Andy received the award.  Don't tell anyone.  I
had to fight back a tear when Mom pinned the badge on Andy.  It was a good
night for my brother.  He hadn't had many of those lately.  I would help my
brother to the best of my ability along his chosen path.

   Chapter 34

   ==========

   The day after the troop banquet I got an e-mail from Zack Hayes.  It
said that Mrs.  Paterno had been rushed to the hospital last night.  Zack
didn't have much information.  He suggested I should send Coach and Mrs. 
Paterno a get well card.  Zack said I could send the card to him since he
didn't know the room number of her hospital room.  I got the card later in
the afternoon and mailed it to Zack Hayes.  A small article on the back
page of Monday evening's paper indicated that Mrs.  Paterno was in the
Centre County Community Hospital and her condition as serious.

   Penn State sent me a large packet of papers on Wednesday.  It included
the letter of intent that they wanted me to sign on February 4th and the
normal application that all prospective Penn State students needed to fill
out to apply to the college.  I needed to apply just like any other student
even though I was going to attend on an athletic scholarship.

   I got an e-mail from Zack Hayes that evening.  It said: "Things are
crazy here.  Coach Paterno hasn't been in the Lasch Building all week. 
It's eerie.  Coach Burton let us know that Mrs.  Paterno had a small
stroke. They're worried about blood clots now.  Remember her in your
prayers tonight." I did.

   The sports section in the Thursday evening paper had a short article
about Mrs.  Paterno's illness.  The article didn't provide any new
information to me.  It was beside a column by one of the sports writers. 
He correctly noted that Coach Paterno had been absent from the team all
week.

   Coach Paterno's current contract with Penn State ran out with the end of
the bowl game against Kentucky.  Everyone expected it would be renewed
quickly.  It hadn't happened yet.  The reporter wondered if a sixth
undefeated team and another national championship had quenched the fire
that had burned in Coach Paterno since he started coaching in 1950.

   He speculated how a man in his mid-eighties could handle running a major
college football team and caring for a sick wife.  He wondered if this
would be the end of the line.

   I hoped the columnist was wrong.  Coach Paterno is a legend and I'd love
the chance to play for him.  I sent an e-mail off after dinner to Zack
Hayes, hoping for more information.  Zack replied that there wasn't any
news about the coach or Mrs.  Paterno.

   I got home from school on Friday and found unwanted news in the
afternoon paper.  It said that the Penn State Athletic Department had
announced that Coach Paterno would have a press conference at 4 pm.  I
tried the TV at 4 pm to see if any station was carrying the press
conference live.  None were.  I found out what was happening at 5 o'clock.
It was the lead story on Channel 8.

   "An era ends today..." I knew immediately.  This wasn't good news.

   "...as the legendary coach Joe Paterno announced his retirement." They
moved on to a clip from the press conference.

   Coach Paterno stood behind the podium, looking more tired and older than
I had ever seen him.  He announced, "I'm here today with deep regret to
announce that I will be retiring effectively immediately as head coach of
the Nittany Lions.  I've always told my kids that you need to set your
priorities in life.  Education is number 1, family is number 2 and football
is number 3.  I'm too old and stubborn to learn much.  My wife needs me
now, so I have to adjust my life to help and support her through her
illness.

   "I've loved every minute of my time here at the university.  I will miss
working with the kids.  They have always helped keep me young.  I still
believe I could continue to be an effective coach, but family must take
priority.  I think we have an excellent class of recruits and believe that
we have the makings for another great team next season.  I wish I was going
to be involved from day to day."

   Coach Paterno introduced Graham Spanier, the president of the
university. He said, "Coach Paterno is still going to be involved with Penn
State Football.  He is being named the `Coach Emeritus' for the team.  He
will be involved off the field with the student-athletes as his time
permits in the coming seasons.

   "Coach Paterno has built a great football program here at Penn State. 
We wish to keep that tradition alive and well.  We are prepared to announce
Coach Paterno's successor now.  I will let Coach Paterno introduce him."

   Coach Paterno returned to the podium.  "It is my pleasure to announce
that Robert Burton has accepted the position of Head Coach for the Nittany
Lions.  I remember Bob's first time on the field as a Lion like it was
yesterday.  He was a tall skinny kid with an unruly mop of red hair.  He
wasn't our best quarterback, but he worked hard.  He kind of reminded me of
another skinny kid from the Bronx with black hair and thick glasses.  He
had an amazing curiosity for football.  He was always asking me, `Why do we
run this play?'; `How does that work?' Bob has taken that thirst for
knowledge to the highest level.  I am confident he has the ability to keep
this program on top." Coach Paterno held out his hand, inviting Coach
Burton up to the podium.  "Bob?  They're all yours now."

   Coach Burton stepped up to the microphone, cleared his throat, smiled
and said, "Thank you Coach Paterno.  I'm humbled to be standing here today.
I have huge shoes to fill when I try to replace Coach Paterno.  I'll do my
best to maintain the traditions that have made this such a great team over
the last five decades.  I'm looking forward to the challenge of keeping our
team on top.  I know I'll be calling you for ideas, suggestions and
criticisms as we move forward in the next season.  I'm ready for questions
from the press."

   Wow!  I was stunned by the way all of this had happened so quickly.  It
wasn't even a month since Coach Paterno and the Lions had won the national
championship.  How was this going to affect me?  I watched and listened.

   The reporters fired questions at Coach Burton, Coach Paterno and
President Spanier furiously.  Most of the questions were what you would
expect.  I paid attention when one of the reporters asked Coach Paterno
about Mrs.  Paterno's condition.

   Coach Paterno explained, "Mrs.  Paterno has had a mild stroke that has
affected her left side.  The doctors tell us that she will make a full
recovery but she will need extensive rehabilitation and therapy.  I have to
concentrate on helping my wife through this difficult time."

   Another reporter asked, "What does your new title mean?  What are you
going to do for the team?"

   Coach Paterno grinned for the first time.  "Coach Emeritus is Latin for
`get the old guy out of the way.' Seriously, Bob and I talked after lunch
today about how I can help the program.  He has asked me to oversee the
academic support staff for the football team."

   Coach Burton added, "I agree with Coach Paterno's philosophy about the
importance of education in our football program.  I expect the players to
succeed academically and on the football field.  I want every player to
take full advantage of their athletic scholarship and receive their
degree."

   Another reporter asked, "Coach Burton, do you think any of the recruits
that have oral commitments to come to Penn State will change their minds?"

   "I believe the recruits will honor their promise to attend Penn State. I
will be talking with each of them in the next day or two to clarify their
plans.  Penn State is still the national champion.  It is a great
opportunity for them to attend this university.  That hasn't changed."

   The reporters asked a couple more questions about Coach Burton's
background to conclude the story.  Channel 8 News moved on to the next
story.

   Coach Burton didn't waste any time calling the recruits.  I got my call
right after dinner.

   "Hello?" I said when I picked up the phone.

   "Hello Kyle.  It's Coach Burton.  I guess you have heard the news by
now."

   "Yes.  Congratulations on getting the head coaching job."

   "Thank you.  It's not under the circumstances I would have liked.  How
do you feel about the change?"

   "I'm stunned.  I was looking forward to working with Coach Paterno in
the fall."

   Coach Burton explained, "He'll still be working with the players in the
fall, just in a different capacity.  I intend for him to be active
supervising student-athletes academic progress."

   "I'm glad to hear that."

   "Can I be direct with you Kyle?"

   "Yes." I answered.

   "Do you intend to fulfill your commitment to Penn State?  Will you sign
the letter of intent next Wednesday?"

   "Yes sir.  Coach Paterno was only a part of the reason I choose Penn
State.  Zack Hayes has told me so much about you and the offense you run. I
choose this team because I want to be a part of it."

   "Excellent.  I'm glad to hear that Kyle.  Do you have any questions
about this?"

   "Um... just one.  Have you talked to Christian Hunsecker yet?" Is he
still coming to Penn State?"

   "I don't know.  He is next on my call sheet.  How do you know Christian?
I thought your team and his team were big rivals."

   "Our teams are.  We know each other through Boy Scouts.  We were friends
before we played football against each other."

   "It will be nice to have friends on the team when you get here this
summer."

   "Thanks for calling coach.  If you have any problems with Christian, let
me know.  I'll work on him too."

   "Thanks for the offer Kyle.  Have a good night." Coach Burton said.  He
hung up the phone with that.

   I got a call from Coach Pete Carroll at USC later in the evening. 
Ostensibly the call was to express his sympathy for my situation.  He did
indicate that he could make room for me at USC if I changed my mind in the
next few days.  I was a little ticked off about the call at first.  I
thought back to something Coach Burton had told me last summer.  Every
program is under incredible pressure to win.  Jobs depended on winning. 
Winning depended on getting the best recruits possible.  Coach Carroll was
just trying to do the best job he could.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Mr.  Montgomery, the sports editor for the evening paper asked Coach
Caffrey to set up an interview and photo shoot for all the Wolverine
players going to Division I-A colleges in the fall.  He wanted to have
photos of us when we signed our letters of intent next Wednesday.  All five
of us agreed to do it.

   The interview and photo shoot on the 4th of February was fun.  All of us
had been interviewed by Mr.  Montgomery multiple times.  We felt
comfortable with him.  Coach Caffrey had us seated alphabetically at a long
table on the auditorium stage; Ed, Hal, me, Drew and finally Jeremy.  The
photographer fired away furiously as we signed our letters: Ed for the
University of Florida, Hal for Rutgers, me for Penn State, Drew for the
University of West Virginia and Jeremy for the University of Notre Dame.

   I signed my letter of intent as the cameras flashed in my face.  This
was it.  Signed, sealed and delivered.  Done deal.  I was committed.  I
would be a Nittany Lion, most likely for the next four years - assuming I
didn't screw up.

   My friends were smiling and joking around when we finished our show.  I
joined in.  I was happy but... jeez this is such a big step.  Am I doing
the right thing?  This is the biggest decision I ever made in my life.  I
hoped I made the right choice.  My uneasiness didn't last.  Zack Hayes
would be there to help me with the transition.  The two of us made a great
combination together.  I'd be fine.

   The evening news had two brief mentions of me.  The first was the story
about the recruits that committed to Penn State.  They said the top four
recruits for this year were me, Christian Hunsecker, Trevor Conwell and
Shawn Byrd.  A total of nineteen recruits had committed to Penn State
today. The reporter said three more were expected to sign shortly.

   The second story was about the five of us getting scholarships to
Division I-A colleges.  The announcer commented that it was unprecedented
in Lancaster County for so many guys from one school to manage this.

   I received a congratulatory e-mail from Zack Hayes and Aaron Morano
welcoming me to the team.

   --------------------------------------------------------
18:31:02 February 4th
To: fastwr87@redroses.net
From: hayeszr05@psu.edu
Subject: A Lion at last!
Aaron and I want to officially welcome you to the team Kyle.  We're
delighted you finally made it.  Remember what we told you about staying
humble.  This place is crawling with super-size egos.  Remember: `I'm here
to learn.  I want to help out any way I can.' Repeat it until you are

saying it in your sleep.

   Be prepared to work harder than you ever have in your life.  The coaches
are perfectionists.  You have a new offensive scheme to learn, new
terminology, new plays, reads, everything.  You're going to learn more
football than you knew existed.

   Good Luck.  See you later.

   Zack & Aaron

   -----------------------------------------------------

   My sister and Cody got together at my house nearly every day after
school.  Most afternoons in December and early January were spent in the
kitchen doing homework or in the family room watching TV.  That changed as
January wore on.  They spent more afternoons in her bedroom with the door
locked than downstairs.  I knew they were fooling around together.  I was a
little worried about Liz.  She had no idea what she was getting into with
boys and sex.  I wanted to help her.

   I recruited Penny to talk with her one afternoon after Cody went home.
Penny returned a couple minutes later.  Penny explained, "I offered to talk
with her about boys in case she had any questions.  This is a direct quote:
`Tell my nosey brother to mind his own business.' I guess Liz will be on
her own figuring things out with Cody."

   I answered, "I hope she will be all right.  I worry about her."

   "That's because you're a good big brother.  Liz will be fine."

   I let things go as they were.  Cody better treat my sister well.  I'd
have his head if he didn't.

   After school on Friday I dropped Liz, Andy and Penny off at my house and
drove to the outlet mall near Lancaster.  I needed to pick up a couple new
shirts and a tie for my date with Penny the next evening.  We planned a
nice dinner out for Valentine's Day.  We were going out to Chris'.  It was
an excellent restaurant on the north end of Lancaster.  Dad said they had
fantastic food.  The prices were high, but Dad willingly gave me some extra
cash so I could show Penny a good time.

   I picked up my new shirts at the first store.  I decided to check out
the sports store too.  I ended up buying a customized Penn State jersey. 
They were able to put my number 87 on it.  I wondered if I would be able to
keep my number when I got to State College in the summer.

   It was almost five o'clock before I got home.  I took my purchases
upstairs to my room.  I don't know what I interrupted, but it certainly was
something Cody and Liz didn't want me to know about.  Cody rocketed out of
our house about 90 seconds after I got upstairs.  The poor kid's boner was
hard as a rock.  He hadn't made any effort to hide the thing - it tented
his pants obscenely.  He didn't make eye contact when I said hi.  He
mumbled that he had to get home immediately.  He dashed out of the house,
tucking his shirt in as he left.

   Liz was in a pissy mood when she came out of her room a couple minutes
later.  I wished I could help her but I minded my own business the way she
asked.  She calmed down after dinner.

   Penny and I had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant on Saturday night.
It was our third anniversary since the first time we made love.  That made
the night extra special.  Dad insisted that we had to have the bread
pudding for desert.  I thought that sounded pretty plain but I was wrong.
Chris' bread pudding with caramel sauce was the best part of the dinner.

   We went back home and spent the rest of the evening in Penny's bedroom.
Penny's dad took her mom out to a dinner dance that evening, leaving their
big house empty.  Penny and I took full advantage of the privacy.

   Penny got me worked up on the drive home.  She had her hand down my
unzipped pants half the way home.  I was lucky I didn't drive off the road.
She got me excited with her hand and then finished me off by sucking my
cock when I was near climax.  She had me hard again by the time we reached
her house.  We stripped off our fancy clothes on the way up the steps to
her room.  We really made the bed shake our first time.

   We cuddled and kissed once we had our thirst for each other quenched. 
The second time was perfect.  We made love slowly and sensually.  We
achieved synchronicity that time, our bodies moving together like we were
one.  We ended a perfect evening together with a long bubble bath.  We
declared our love for each other before we parted.  It was hard to go home
when it was time.  That night was almost as special as our first night
together three years earlier.

   Penny and I got together again after lunch on Monday the 18th.  It was
President's Day and we didn't have school.  We grabbed a quick sandwich and
headed to my bedroom.  We made out a few minutes and then stripped to our
birthday suits.  Some 69 came next.  I lapped and sucked her outer lips
while she bathed my cock with her tongue.  Penny started sucking my long
rod into her mouth while I worked a couple fingers into her warm, wet
tunnel.

   We slowly worked each other to a higher state of arousal.  I teased and
sucked her clit when she started to deep throat my cock.  My fingers rubbed
and pressed the bump inside her pussy when I felt the first tingles in my
groin that foreshadowed my climax.

   I sucked her clit into my mouth and pressed her G-spot when I felt cum
rise out of my balls.  Penny shuddered from my stimulation and swallowed
hard, taking my hard cock down her throat.  I pumped spurt after spurt down
Penny's throat as she climaxed.

   We pulled apart and collapsed when our orgasms subsided.  I switched
around and cuddled with my lover.  We held each other and kissed for
awhile. Penny played with my cock again until I was hard.

   We made love that afternoon in our favorite position.  I hoisted Penny's
ankles up on my shoulders while she lay on her back.  I drove my cock into
my lover repeatedly.  We both loved the deep penetration this position
allowed us.  Penny had repeated small orgasms as we screwed.  I loved to
grind my pelvis on her clitty while we fucked this way.  I finally fired a
load of semen into Penny when I set off another thrashing, screaming orgasm
in my lover.

   I pulled my wilted cock out of my lover and collapsed beside her, sweaty
and temporarily satiated.  When we recovered a little I spooned with Penny
and held her against my body.  Both of us loved to spend time together that
way.

   We had just spooned when we heard a scream from down the hall where my
sister's room was.  We heard Liz yell, "OOOWWWWW!" After a pause she said
loudly, "STOP!  Cody stop!"

   Penny and I disengaged.  I asked, "Should we go check on them?  That
didn't sound good."

   Penny shook her head and said, "No.  You know Liz is only going yell at
you and tell you to mind your own business.  Let them be."

   "I don't know Penny.  Something's up." I hopped out of bed and put on my
boxers.

   "Kyle.  Let them alone.  Liz will never forgive you if you disturb
them."

   I hesitated for maybe ten seconds.  Maybe Penny was right.  Then I heard
Liz scream, "YOU...  YOU BASTARD!  MY FIRST TIME...  IT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO
BE LIKE THIS!"

   "That's it!  I'm gonna kill that little bastard!" I declared.  Penny
hopped out of bed too.

   "Don't do that Kyle.  Just talk with him.  I'll talk to Liz and find out
what is going on." Liz pulled my bathrobe off my bedroom door.  "May I use
this?" I nodded yes as I went into the hallway.

   I was in time to see Cody slip out of my sister's bedroom.  He was half
dressed, wearing pants and a shirt that was still hanging open.  He had his
sneakers and socks in his left hand.

   He said, "I...  I....  uh, got to go." He slammed the door to Liz's
room. Cody's eyes bugged out when he saw me standing in the hallway at the
top of the stairs.  He froze.  Cody pleaded, "Kyle...  she...  she wanted
to...  I swear!"

   I grabbed Cody by his right arm, just below the shoulder.  I squeezed
his arm and lifted him to his tip toes.  "Ouch!  Ow....  oww...  Please...
I have to go...  Got to go..."

   "No.  We need to talk first buster." I dragged Cody down the hall to my
room.

   Penny, dressed in my robe, passed us.  She knocked at Liz's door.  "Liz?
Are you all right?  This is Penny.  May I come in Liz?" I heard my sister
say yes after a few seconds.  Penny disappeared into Liz's room.

   I dragged Cody into my bedroom and slammed the door.  I pushed him on my
bed and stood in front of him.  "What the hell did you do to my sister?" I
demanded.

   "Liz and I... we... she wanted to..." Cody stammered.

   "Stop Cody.  Compose yourself then tell me what happened."

   "You won't hit me?"

   "No.  I won't hit you.  Tell me what is going on."

   "Liz and I... well... we wanted to... uh..." Cody face was bright red
from embarrassment by now.  I motioned for him to come on and tell me. 
"Liz wanted to have... " Cody flinched a little.  I motioned again.  "Sex.
She wanted to have sex with me on Friday afternoon."

   "OK.  Continue." I said, trying to sound soothing.

   "We thought you were your mother when you came home.  We thought we had
gotten caught.  Liz and I decided Friday evening that we would try again
today.  We both want to know what sex is like.  We think we're ready."

   "What was all the screaming about Cody?" I asked.

   "It hurt more than we expected.  I didn't mean to hurt your sister.  I'm
sorry.  I'm so sorry Kyle."

   I said, "That explains the first time Liz screamed.  What about the
second time.  Why did she call you a bastard?"

   "I don't know.  I just don't understand Kyle.  I was putting on my pants
to go and she screamed at me.  Why did she do that?" Cody asked, clearly
perplexed.

   I smiled.  "You really don't understand why Liz is mad, do you?"

   "No" Cody answered weakly.

   I shook my head and laughed a little.  It only increased Cody's
discomfort.  "I'm sorry I shouldn't have laughed at you.  You two thought
you were ready for sex.  Boy, do you have a lot to learn.  I want you to
tell me in detail what just happened.  Maybe Penny and I can help
straighten the two of you out."

   Cody started explaining, "I heard you and Penny having sex when I came
upstairs.  I was really horny and ready when I heard the two of you. 
Anyway I asked Liz if she still wanted to do this.  She said she did.  We
got naked and I tried to stick my uh... penis in her and..."

   `Hold on..." I motioned for Cody to stop.  "I need more detail Cody. 
Did you do anything to get my sister ready to make love?"

   "What do you mean?"

   I asked, "Did the two of you kiss or did you play with her tits?  Maybe
finger her pussy?"

   "We kissed for a minute or so.  When I went to play with her titties she
said she was ready to fuck." Cody blushed again when he said fuck.  "Umm...
I mean have sex."

   "You're not some innocent kid anymore Cody.  You can say fuck." I
paused. "Did you get Liz wet before you went at it?"

   "Um... I'm not sure.  Why?"

   "It gets both of you slippery.  The whole goal is to slide your cock in
and out of her pussy.  The wetter you get Liz, the better the sex will be
for both of you.  What position did you use?"

   "Position?  What do you mean?" Cody asked.

   "Were you on top or was Liz?" I asked.

   "Um... Liz laid on her back and I got on top of her.  Is there another
way to have... uh... to fuck?"

   "Mmmm... That's not the best way for the first time.  It would have been
better if you had let Liz be on top.  She can control how fast you
penetrate her.  Did she scream when you put your cock in her?"

   "Yes."

   "How long did you last?  Did my sister cum while you were doing it?"

   "She didn't cum.  I didn't last very long." Cody explained.

   "A couple minutes?" I asked.  Cody shook his head no.  "A minute?" He
shook his head no.  I asked, "Less?"

   Cody lowered his head and answered, "Yes."

   "Look at me Cody.  I have enough information now to understand what
happened." Cody raised his head and looked at me.  "You were in a hurry to
stick you cock in my sister today.  You didn't get her properly worked up
so it wouldn't hurt.  You used a position where she had to lay there
helpless.  You stuck it in too fast.  You probably pumped in and out a few
times and blew your load in her.  You got what you wanted and ran away. 
You left her unsatisfied, hurting and still horny.  Liz is over in her room
wondering why she ever wanted to do this with such a selfish boy.  Is that
accurate?"

   "I guess.  You make it sound so bad Kyle." Cody said.

   "I'm just trying to make you see it from Liz's perspective.  You were
really selfish today."

   "What do I do now?" Cody asked.

   "Do you still care about my sister?" I asked.  Cody shook his head yes.
"Good.  What are you going to do to fix things between the two of you?"

   "I... I don't know." Cody said.  I could see he was trying to hold back
tears.

   Penny knocked at my door and said, "Can you come out for a minute Kyle.
We need to talk."

   I met Penny in the hallway.  The two of us compared notes.  Liz's story
matched Cody's.  I agreed we would talk with our charges for a little more
and then try to get them together to make up.  I returned to my room.  Cody
was still sitting on my bed.  He wiped tears from his eyes when I came in
the room.

   "She hates me now, doesn't she?" Cody asked.

   "No.  She's mad at you but she doesn't hate you." I said.

   I proceeded to talk to Cody about foreplay, oral sex, sexual positions,
how to last longer and ways to satisfy your partner.  Cody was particularly
amazed at my description of oral sex.

   Cody asked, "Penny really puts your penis in her mouth?"

   "She does.  It's great too."

   "You... You lick her... her pussy?  Isn't it like uh, gross?"

   I explained, "If you get a little closer you can probably see the pussy
juice on my face from earlier this afternoon.  I love to give my girlfriend
orgasms that way.  I like to do that until she begs me to fuck her."

   "Doesn't it taste bad?" Cody asked.

   "It took me a couple times to get used to the flavor.  I realized that
it helped me get laid regularly.  I got used to the taste." Cody seemed
skeptical.  "Come on.  Think about it.  If you help your girlfriend get off
it makes sense that she'll be interested in helping you too."

   "I don't know Kyle.  It sounds so weird." Cody said.

   "Take care of your girlfriend.  Make sure she has fun with you. 
Everything else will work out.  Can you try it Cody?"

   "I guess." Cody paused for a few seconds and continued, "You aren't mad
at me for having sex with your sister?"

   "I knew it was coming.  I won't be mad at you if you treat her right and
take care of her." I stared into his eyes.  "I will be mad at you if you
don't make up for this with my sister.  Got it?"

   "Yes.  I got it." Cody answered.

   "Go make up with Liz." I said.  Cody got up and headed out of my room.
As he got to the door I said, "Cody, one more thing.  You can't go blabbing
about today to your friends.  Girls hate guys who brag about sleeping with
them.  Gentlemen never talk about it with someone else."

   "OK Kyle.  I'll keep my mouth shut." Cody left my room.  I heard him
knock at Liz's door and asked to talk to her.  Penny returned a minute
after Cody left.

   We discussed about our talks with Liz and Cody.  Penny observed, "I'm
glad you had a clue three years ago.  I feel so bad for your sister.  Her
first time really sucked."

   I smirked and said, "You can chalk it up to my misspent wild youth."

   Penny chuckled, "Yeah you were a real wild man three years ago.  I loved
you then and I love you now."

   "I love you too." I answered.  Penny dropped my robe on the floor and
joined me in my bed.  We made love again, slowly but with considerable
passion.  We cuddled together when we were spent.

   Penny asked, "Do you really think we'll be able to keep our relationship
going while we're at college?"

   "I don't know Penny.  I want to try.  I love you too much to give up on
us."

   Penny hugged me.  "Good.  I want you in my life." I returned the hug and
kissed her.  In the back of my head I hoped the two of us could figure out
how to remain a couple half a state apart.  I really wanted it to work.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   The Wednesday afternoon video study sessions of our last season was
going well.  Jake had mastered the study sessions in the past three years
he participated.  Ed and I talked with him every week when we were done to
prep him to take over running them next winter when we were gone.  Jeremy's
most outstanding defensive students were Brett Fulmer and Tex Johansen. 
Logan was doing OK in the study sessions.  He would be ready to back up
Jake next season.  I hoped he continued working hard.  We were going to
need him in two seasons to run the team.

   The surprise stand-out student among the offensive players was Matt
Sauder.  Matt constantly was asking why we did this or how that worked.  He
was like a big sponge, soaking up all the knowledge we could give him. 
Garrett Houseman was going to have his hands full next season to be QB1 for
the JV team.

   Cody's abject apology to Liz the day they lost their virginities worked.
They continued going steady.  They continued their fooling around, but
apparently without having intercourse.  Cody would leave frustrated each
afternoon before dinner.  Liz was pissy too.

   That changed about a week later.  The two of them spent the whole two
hours between school and dinner locked in Liz's bedroom.  It sounded like
Cody finally had worked up the nerve to bring Liz to orgasm.  Not that I
was trying to spy on my sister, but anyone within a 100 feet of our house
had to know that Liz came from the noise.  A few minutes later Penny and I
heard Liz's bed shaking rhythmically and banging against the wall.  I was
impressed Cody managed to keep going for almost ten minutes.

   Cody had a big grin on his face when he was ready to leave that
afternoon.  I teased, "Make sure you wash your face before you get home. 
You don't want your mom smelling pussy juice on you."

   "I don't know what you mean Kyle." Cody protested.

   "You and Liz... upstairs... you know..." I said.

   Cody winked at me and answered, "A smart man told me that a gentleman
never tells." Cody washed his face before he left our house.

   Andy focused on doing well at school, helping Crystal once a week at the
child birth classes and doing the video study with the rest of the team on
Wednesdays.  Andy hung out in his room the rest of the time.  He had been
really into video games when he was younger.  He went back to that.  He
hadn't had a date since New Year's Eve.

   I asked him one day after school.  "Have you given up on girls?"

   "Given up?  No.  They have given up on me.  I've asked a few girls to go
out with me but no one has said yes.  I'm told the girls at our school
consider me to be a social pariah."

   "Man, I'm sorry Andy.  I didn't know.  Are things any better with you
and Crystal?"

   "She hasn't yelled at me in awhile.  I guess that's progress."

   "Keep your chin up.  I'll help you anyway you I can." I offered.

   Andy also was dragging Dad out as much as possible to get hours in
towards the fifty hours driving that he needed before he could take his
driver's test.  Andy wanted to get his license before the babies arrived.
He had realized that he wasn't going to have much time to himself once they
were here.

   Penny and I went on the Venturer Crew ski weekend the last weekend in
February.  It was the first scouting trip I had had time for since the
previous spring.  I was a little leery on the ski slopes at first.  I
wasn't sure how much my surgically rebuilt knee would take.

   I hung with Jeremy, Hal, Jake, their girlfriends, Penny, Ed and Brandon.
I was a little rusty on the first couple runs.  My friends teased me about
it.  I was back to my old self by the third run.  It felt great to ski
after two years.

   Andy spent the day skiing with Eric, Sammy and Heather.  Andy seemed to
get along well with Heather when I saw them at lunch and dinner.  We rode
in the same van back to the scout camp when we were done skiing in the
evening.  Andy and Heather cuddled together like they used to when they
were a couple.  Andy worked up courage to ask Heather for a date next
Saturday on the ride back.

   Heather gave Andy a kiss on the cheek and explained, "You and I are too
combustible Together.  Every time we go date something bad happens.  I
think it would be better if you and I stayed good friends."

   Andy stiffened a little.  "OK, if that's what you want.  I just like
being with you.  Friends it is." I noticed Andy surreptitiously wipe a tear
from his eye when he thought no one was looking.  I wished there was
something I could do to help my brother.  There wasn't.  Andy was going to
just have to tough out his situation.

   I had missed the fall campout with the Venturers when I visited Penn
State.  I missed most of the meetings in the fall too.  The crew had
changed a lot in the last few months.  Liz's eighth grade friends were
turning fourteen and joining the crew.  The younger kids outnumbered my
friends and me 3:1.

   Mr.  Powell, my physics teacher, tried to recruit me for our track team
in the spring.  Again.  He had tried to convince me when I was in tenth
grade and again when I was in eleventh grade.  I begged off both years,
explaining that I wanted to concentrate on football.

   Mr.  Powell asked me to stay late after class one day.  He asked, "I
would like you to consider going out for the track team this season Kyle.
We have a strong team, but need a good sprinter.  Everyone knows you are
the fastest sprinter in the school.  Our team needs you.  You don't have
football to prepare for any longer."

   "I don't think so Mr.  Powell.  I will be working with our football team
two days a week in passing drills this spring.  I help run the drills.  I'm
afraid I can't."

   Mr.  Powell responded, "Think about how training for track and field
would help your conditioning.  It would help keep you in shape for Penn
State in the summer."

   "I train daily already."

   "Kyle, would you consider it if I let you skip practice on the days you
have football drills?  You could attend practice three days a week and
participate in the meets.  I'll let you fit track around the rest of your
schedule."

   "I'll think about it Mr.  Powell." I answered.

   Casting and practice for the Drama Guild's spring play started March
16th.  That was a week away.  I wouldn't be spending my afternoons with
Penny anymore.  I decided to give Mr.  Powell a chance.  I would go out for
track.  Mr.  Powell was pleased when I told him the next day.

   I hadn't realized it.  The track season was starting that day.  I called
Mom at work and let her know that I wouldn't be home after school the way
I'd planned.

   Coach Powell started practice off with some warm-ups.  It was easy
compared to what I normally did myself.  Coach Powell had me try my hand at
the 100, 200 and 400 meter dash.  I easily beat Tony Jordano and Zach
Moeller in the 100.  Tony is senior like me.  Zach was a junior.  I ran a
short distance past the end of the course to cool down when I finished the
run.  I walked back to hear my time.

   Coach Powell was still staring at his stopwatch.  He was talking with
Coach Hoober, one of the assistant coaches for our team.  "I don't believe
it!  He just smashed the school record by three tenths!"

   "What?  Let me see." Coach Powell showed my time to Coach Hoober.  Coach
Hoober shook his head.  "10.51 seconds!  Chris... that's a few hundredths
off the state record for AAA."

   The coaches realized I was standing there too.  Coach Powell said, "That
was impressive Kyle.  That was an excellent time."

   I answered, "Thank you."

   "The amazing thing is you had a lousy start on that run.  You should do
much better with some practice."

   "Cool.  Thanks Coach." I answered.

   Coach Powell had me run the 200 meter dash next.  My time was 22.11
seconds.  It was a good time, close to our school record but not close to
the state record.  My time in the 400 meters was 49.38 seconds.  Once again
a good time but not a record.

   The coaches discussed my times and decided I would be most useful to the
team running the 100 meter dash.  Coach Hoober worked with me a little
before practice was done to improve my start.  He wanted me to be more
explosive at the beginning of the race.  I was happy I had agreed to run
track by the time practice was over.

   Our first meet was on the 20th of March.  We went against Drumore.  I
beat the other guys in my heat easily.  I also set the 100 meter school
record that day, now that I ran an officially sanctioned race.  I had a
time of 10.48 seconds.  The AAA state record was 10.44 seconds.

   I caught an illness around the 30th of March when the third marking
period ended.  My symptoms included daydreaming in class, lackadaisical
effort on homework, and a general who cares attitude about anything related
to school.  Mom diagnosed me immediately.  I had `senioritis'.  Why not? 
My high school transcripts had gone off to Penn State.  I was accepted to
start at the University Park campus (State College) in September. 
Absolutely nothing I would do in the last two months of school would have
any effect on my future.

   Mom tried to sell me on the idea of improving my class standing.  I
explained how things were.  Evie Andrews had the valedictorian spot locked
up.  She had straight A's going back to junior high.  Barring a total
meltdown in the final marking period, she was ranked #1 in our class.  She
was followed by Lynn Esbenshade.  Lynn had the major misfortune to get a B
in Chemistry one quarter last year, horribly marring her otherwise spotless
record of straight A's to match Evie's.

   I placed a distant #3.  My two B's and a C in tenth grade guaranteed
that I would not catch either of them.  Penny wasn't far behind me at #5.
Her struggles with Physics in this year (all B's) allowed me to have a
better grade point average than her.

   I promised Mom to try hard to get through the last quarter of my time in
high school.  It would be hard.  My mind had finished high school already
but my body was sentenced to attend for another 42 days, 3 hours and 32
minutes (but who's counting?).

   Penn State sent me the housing request form that I needed to fill out
and return by April 15th.  Zack had warned me that I needed to get this
back to the university as soon as possible.  Zack said quite a few freshmen
quit school in the first month or two away from home.  The university
always assigned more kids to the dorms than they had space for.  Within a
month or two the backlog would be cleared up.  In the meantime the kids who
were slow in returning their housing request forms lived in the study rooms
in the dorms.  Eight to twelve kids would share the room in bunk beds.

   I tackled the form the evening it arrived.  I had filled most of it out
when I got an interesting section.  I was allowed to request someone as
your roommate.  If both of you requested each other, you had a good chance
of getting the roommate you requested.

   That sounded like a good idea.  I wished I could request Zack and Aaron
as my roommates.  I knew that wasn't possible.  Their apartment was for
upperclassmen only.  I almost left that section blank when it hit me.  I
knew exactly who I could ask to room with me - Christian!

   I called him immediately.  He agreed that it sounded like a cool idea. I
explained about getting the housing request in early.  Christian promised
to fill his out and mail it in that night too.  I added `Christian
Hunsecker' under roommate request, sealed the envelope and drove it down to
the post office.

   I hoped the idea would work.  Christian and I had a lot in common.  We
were friends already.  We both loved the outdoors.  We were Eagle Scouts.
We loved football.  We'd make a great pair.

   On Friday night, April 3rd Will and Abby came home for spring break. 
They had ten days off from college over the Easter holiday.  Mom, Abby and
Mrs.  Hendricks spent most of the break time going over details for the
wedding at the end of May.  Will maintained a slightly bemused take on all
the preparations.  Will didn't care where, when or how the wedding happened
as long as Abby married him.

   Will asked Andy and me to be groomsmen.  Rob Stevens was lined up to be
the best man.  Abby asked Liz to be one of the bridesmaids.  Penny would be
my date.  Cody Stevens would be Liz's date.  Andy was going stag.  The
wedding would be at our church.  The reception would be at the Host Resort.

   Abby had done extremely well on the MCAT's.  She had an excellent chance
of getting in Penn's medical school in the fall.  Will had accepted an
offer from one of his professors to work as a grad tutor and to help with a
research project in the fall when he started on his Master's degree.  He'd
actually be earning some money of his own.

   Zack Hayes e-mailed every few days to let me know about how Penn State's
spring practice was going.  They started in the end of March and would
practice for a month.  Practice would conclude with the Blue and White Game
on April 25th.

   Zack warned me that two of the freshman recruits had graduated from high
school in the winter and had started classes already.  They were allowed to
attend spring practice.  Zack wished that had been an option for me.  I had
been short a half a year of English and half a year of math to graduate
back in January.

   The Blue and White Game was open to the public.  I talked to Christian
over Easter vacation.  We agreed to attend together.  I decided to get in
touch with Trevor Conwell, the defensive lineman who played for Unionville.
I knew he was attending Penn State too and Unionville wasn't that far from
my house.  I thought he might be interested in seeing our future team play
and to meet Christian too.

   I called Chip Brinton for help tracking down Trevor.  I recognized
Chip's voice the second he said "Hello?"

   "Hey Chip.  It's Kyle Martin.  How are you doing?"

   "Kyle?  Hi.  I'm fine.  What's up?"

   "I was wondering if you could get Trevor Conwell's phone number for me?
Christian Hunsecker and I are going up to the Blue and White Game in a
couple weeks.  I thought Trevor might like to go too.  It would give him a
chance to meet and get to know a couple of his future teammates."

   "That's a great idea Kyle.  Do you have room for someone else?  I'd love
to go too."

   "Sure.  I have room for four in my car." I said.

   "I'll call Trevor and set this up.  I'm sure he'll want to do it if he
is free.  I'll call you back after I talk to him."

   "Cool.  I'll wait to hear from you Chip.

   "Bye Kyle." Chip answered.

   Chip was correct.  Trevor jumped at the chance to go up to State College
with us.  Chip and Trevor would drive to my house.  We'd pile in my VW Golf
and I'd drive up to Manheim to get Christian.  Then I'd drive all of us up
to State College.  Christian, Chip and Trevor agreed to pay for the gas
since I'd be driving.  Chip and Trevor would meet me at my house at 8 am on
the 25th.

   Our spring passing drills went well.  Ed and I worked with the offense
and Jeremy worked with the defense.  Just like film study, we made sure we
trained our replacements so this tradition could continue next year when we
were gone.

   Gary Harrison talked to me soon after we started the drills in the end
of March.  It was at our scout meeting.  He wanted to know if he would be
allowed to participate in the passing drills even though he was only in
sixth grade.  I told him he could.  He worked things out with the school to
get a bus from his elementary school to the high school after his school's
dismissal.

   Gary wanted to play tight end like his older brother Greg.  He knew he
would be on the middle school team the next year.  I had Matt Sauder work
extra with him to help him learn his position.  Matt knew him from scouts
too.

   Matt was a revelation to me on the field.  I knew he was athletic and
smart from my time with him at scouts.  He really paid attention during the
winter film study.  I suspected he would win the starting spot on JV in the
fall.

   I had one or two track meets a week.  I won every race I ran, usually by
a wide margin.  I enjoyed hanging out with my teammates.  It was all a lark
for me, nothing to take too seriously.  A kid from Eastern stayed close to
me for half of one race.  He ended up with a time of 10.71 seconds against
my 10.45 seconds.  I felt a little bad for him.  He was a good sprinter. 
Last year a time of 10.71 would have made him state AAA champion in the 100
meter dash.

   Crystal's belly continued to swell.  At 5'-4" Crystal wasn't a
particularly big girl.  She was huge now that she was seven and a half
months pregnant with twins.  Andy dutifully carried her books to class and
helped her stand up and sit down when ever he could.  The rest of us in our
lunch group tried to help her and Angela Butler with their pregnancies. 
Angela was showing now, unlike when she joined our group in February.  She
was finally over her morning sickness.  Her baby's father continued to deny
any involvement with her condition.

   Our lunch group attracted a third unlucky girl.  Her name was Natalie
Van Dyke.  Natalie was a junior.  She wasn't quiet and retiring like
Angela. Natalie spoke her mind.  Her first words to us when she first
stopped by to join our table at lunch were: "You guys got room for another
knocked up chick at your table?"

   She was standing closest to Jeremy when she asked.  Jeremy replied,
"Um... sure."

   You could just see her belly starting to bulge out.  Natalie had a seat
and launched into her story without pausing.  "I couldn't take the snubs
from those bitches over there." She pointed toward a table where many of
the school cheerleaders were sitting.  "My boyfriend and I had a really
good time on New Year's Eve.  We got a little drunk at a party.  We decided
to park and make out a little before we went home.  We got carried away and
ended up fucking.  I knew better, but I thought it would be safe that
night." She rubbed her tummy.  "Boy was I wrong."

   I asked, "Where's your boyfriend now?"

   "Jocks are all talk.  They think they're big men.  Hah!  When I need him
the jerk is all `I can't handle this honey.' `What should we do?' Humph!  I
dumped his ass." Natalie waved towards a table where some of my friends
from the football team were sitting.

   My friends and I were too stunned by Natalie's outburst and
characterization of jocks to say anything.  She looked around the table and
realized.  "Sorry, present company excepted.  Obviously you guys aren't
typical jocks.  What you are doing for Crystal and Angela is admirable.  I
wish Pete had been more of a man."

   Natalie went on to finish her story.  My friends and I promised to help
as best we could.  When lunch was over I asked her, "You said your
boyfriend's name was Pete.  Do you mean Pete Ellis?"

   "He's the jerk."

   "Pete isn't such a bad guy.  What Andy is doing is tough.  That's why
we're trying to support him.  Maybe you should give Pete a chance."

   "I'll believe that when I see him sit down in public beside me and let
the world know I'm carrying his baby."

   I took that as a challenge.  I knew Pete well enough to know he always
went with the crowd.  I enlisted a crowd of my friends to help Pete see
another way.  Ed, Hal, Jeremy, Andy and I all talked to Pete in the next
couple days.  Friday at lunch Pete Ellis came to our table, asked Natalie
to sit with him, and he joined our group.

   I wasn't sure how things were going to work out for Natalie and Pete. 
Pete had already signed his papers to join the Army.  He even knew he was
reporting for basic training on July 21st.  Natalie had another year of
school to go.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Zack Hayes kept me posted on the progress the offense was making in
spring training.  He said it felt good to be QB #1 finally.  Jeremiah Nowak
had studied hard in the winter to prepare to challenge Zack for the top
quarterback spot.  Even with his work, Jeremiah couldn't get out of the #2
spot.  His best hope in the spring would be a good showing at the Blue and
White Game.

   I was looking forward to the trip up to Beaver Stadium.  I let Zack know
we were coming.  He said we wouldn't be able to see him before the game but
we should stick around when the game was over.  We could have supper
together and hang out in the evening.

   I wore my Penn State jersey that I had gotten a couple months earlier,
the one with my number 87 on it.  Chip and Trevor arrived a few minutes
before eight o'clock.  Chip drove.  I had him park his dad's Jeep in front
of my house.  Dad slipped me a few bucks for lunch and dinner that day. 
Chip slid into the back seat of my Golf.  Trevor took the front seat.  We
headed out for Manheim to pick up Christian.

   After we hit the road Trevor asked, "Who is #87?  I'm not sure I know."

   "I am.  At least I hope I am when they assign numbers."

   "That would be nice.  I know I won't be getting my high school number
when I get to college.  I was #93."

   "Ahh... That would be Antwan Booker's number." I answered.

   "Yes.  I wonder how they decide on numbers?" Trevor asked rhetorically.

   Antwan Booker was Penn State's 320 pound all-American defensive tackle.
He would be a senior in the fall.  There was no way he would give up his
number to a rookie.

   We spent the rest of the drive to Christian's house talking about Penn
State and what we expected to see that day.  Christian squeezed in the back
seat with Chip.  Christian gave me directions from his house to
Elizabethtown, where I picked up I-283 again.  There was a lot of traffic
on Rt.  322 west of the Susquehanna River for a Saturday morning.

   It took us a few minutes to realize that nearly every car had a Penn
State bumper sticker, Lion paw print, or occupants wearing their blue and
white.  They were all going to the game like us.

   Traffic was pretty bad when all of us got to State College.  We spent
forty-five minutes in a traffic jam as we worked our way from the bypass to
the stadium parking area.  We headed into the stadium and found seats.  We
picked up lunch from the vendors while we waited for the game to start.

   The Blue and White Game wasn't a real football game.  It was a live
scrimmage.  The guys would be playing at full speed and would be hitting
each other.  If Coach Burton felt the team needed practice in some game
situation that hadn't come up during the scrimmage, he would stop the game
and have them practice the situation.  Say he felt a team hadn't had enough
work on the goal line; he would move the teams to the correct spot on the
field and continue playing from there.

   Zack Hayes' Blue team would take on Jeremiah Nowak's White team.  Coach
John Schroeder, the new offensive coordinator lured away from Boston
College, would coach Zack's team.  Coach Larry Czerwinski, the defensive
coordinator would coach the White team.

   The announcer said the attendance at the game was 57,000.  It was a
record for Beaver Stadium.  The two halves of the Penn State team took the
field.  The Blue team got the ball first.  Zack was expected to play the
first half of the game.  Same with Jeremiah.  The other quarterbacks on the
team would handle the third and fourth quarters.

   The game was fun to watch.  Zack's team scored two touchdowns and a
field goal while he was at the helm.  I thought he clearly outplayed
Jeremiah.  Jeremiah's team scored one touchdown and a field goal.  The
defenses played better in the second half.  The offenses put in younger,
less experienced players.

   Trevor, Christian, Chip and I watched the plays they ran, trying to get
a better grasp on what was happening.  We, well at least three of us, were
going to have to run these plays in three months.

   I noticed that the Blue quarterback in the fourth quarter, Jason
Nicholson, was listed in the program as having zero years of experience. 
He must have been one of the recruits that Zack had told me about that had
graduated from high school last winter.  Christian and I figured we would
be seeing a lot of Jason in the next four years.

   The final score was Blue 27, White 24.  The four of us hung out in the
stadium when the game was over.  We were supposed to meet Zack and Aaron at
the player's entrance to the locker room.  We waited awhile until we
thought enough time had passed for them to change and then we headed
outside to wait.

   We ran into a few players that knew us.  Coach Burton came out while we
were waiting.  He did a double take and then smiled.  "Hunsecker, Martin,
Conwell.  It's good to see you.  What brings you here?"

   "We're waiting for Zack Hayes.  We're having dinner together tonight." I
explained.

   "I hope you enjoyed the game." Coach said.  We shook hands with him. 
That's when he spotted Chip standing with us.  Coach Burton's face changed
immediately.  "Brinton?  Um... I really can't talk with you... yet.  If you
boys will excuse me, I need to talk with Mr.  Hayes before I leave."

   Coach Burton headed back inside.  Zack and Aaron came out a few minutes
later.  Zack wasn't happy like I expected him to be when he came out.  I
asked, "What's up?"

   "I'll explain later.  Do you guys feel like pizza?" Zack asked.

   We agreed.  Aaron and Zack took us down town to Hi-Way Pizza, on College
Avenue.  Before we ordered Zack said, "You guys know you have to pay for
your own meals, right?"

   We all agreed that we knew that.  Zack emphasized, "Especially you Chip.
You and I can't have any conversations about you attending Penn State. 
Coach Burton tells me I have to treat this like an unofficial visit for
you."

   "Sorry Zack.  I didn't realize this would cause you a problem." Chip
said.

   "It's OK.  We'll be careful tonight.  I don't think any of us want the
team to have an NCAA violation."

   We went ahead with supper, talking about Penn State without violating
any regulation regarding Chip's future.  The pizza and the company were
good.  When we finished eating and had paid our bills Zack asked, "When do
you guys need to leave?"

   I asked, "I guess after dinner.  I don't know exactly.  We're playing
things by ear."

   "I'm having some friends over later this evening.  Why don't you guys
stick around for awhile?" Zack asked.

   My friends and I talked it over.  We agreed to stay.  Each of us called
home to warn our parents that we would be home later than expected.  Zack
and Aaron had us help them get ice for the party.  Most of the preparations
had been done last night.  We walked back to Zack & Aaron's apartment.

   Zack put all of us to work getting ready for his party.  I filled a
cooler with the ice and beer.  Chip and Christian helped get the snacks
out. Trevor helped Zack's roommate Jacob Washington rearrange the
furniture. It was an appropriate pairing.  Jacob was a junior who was a key
player at defensive end.

   Zack introduced us to Jacob and Evan.  Jacob played on Antwan Booker's
end of the defensive line.  Jacob was 6'-6" and probably 275 pounds.  Evan
Foster had just stepped up to starting tight end for the team.  Evan was a
junior too.

   The guests started to arrive about 7:30 pm.  I knew some of the team
members.  Zack or Aaron introduced us to the rest.  The party had girls too
- of course - it was a Zack Hayes party.  Christian, Chip, Trevor and I
were hanging out near the kitchen watching.  Zack came by and told us,
"Don't be wall flowers.  Grab something to drink and mingle.  Get to know
these guys."

   The four of us started toward the kitchen.  Trevor offered, "I'll get
drinks.  What do you guys want?"

   I said, "I'm driving.  I'll have a coke."

   Christian added, "A Coke sounds good to me."

   Chip said, "Get me a beer Trev."

   "Got it.  Two beers and two Cokes." Trevor returned with our drinks.  I
wondered if it was a good idea for Chip to have a drink.  He was going to
have to drive home from my place tonight.  I decided since he's seventeen
he could look after himself.

   Trevor drifted off to talk with Jake and Pete Klein, one of the inside
linebackers.  Zack Hayes had a cluster of girls around him like usual.  I
went over to talk to Shawn O'Conner when I saw him come in.  We talked for
a couple minutes until he decided to get a drink.

   I was walking by the front door when someone came in.  It was Johara
Safay, the girl who went to bed with me on my first visit.  Johara spotted
me immediately and embraced me with a hug.  "Kyle!  How are you doing?  I
didn't expect to see you here."

   "Hi." I answered.  I gave her a kiss on the cheek.  I tried to wiggle
loose from her hug.  She held herself tight to me.

   "Zachary tells me you are coming here in the fall." She cooed in my ear.
God, her perfume smelled enticing.  It certainly got my little head's
attention.  I could feel it get harder as Johara embraced me.

   "Yes.  I accepted a scholarship just before Christmas" Johara rubbed
against me until she felt my now erect boner.  Her smile widened.

   She whispered in my ear.  "We could go upstairs.  I'm sure Zack wouldn't
mind if we use his bedroom." She slipped a hand down and grasped my
erection.  "What do you think cutie?"

   I managed to pull away a little.  "That's tempting but I can't.  I have
a girlfriend back home - a very serious girlfriend."

   "Is she coming to Penn State with you?"

   "No, she is going to the University of Pennsylvania."

   "Are the two of you staying together for college?"

   "Yes, that's the plan." I explained.

   "That's too bad.  I would have enjoyed another time with you." Johara
scanned the room for other possibilities.  She spotted Christian.  "That
guy you were here with last time is back.  Does he still have a
girlfriend?"

   "Christian?  Yes, he does.  She is coming here too in the fall.  They're
very committed to each other."

   Johara scanned the room again and noticed Chip and Trevor.  "The other
new guys - are they with you too?"

   I told her about Chip and Trevor.  Johara asked, "Do they have
girlfriends?"

   "I don't know.  I guess you'll just have to ask them yourself."

   "I'll do that." Johara said.  She gave me a kiss on the cheek.  "The
offer is still good later tonight if you change your mind."

   "I'll keep in mind beautiful." I returned the kiss on the cheek.  I
willed my cock to deflate when Johara stepped away from me, leaving the
bulge in my pants exposed.  I found a seat at a couch and waited for my
cock to return to normal.  A guy that looked younger than many of the team
sat down beside me.

   I extended my hand to him.  "I'm Kyle Martin.  I'll be joining the team
this summer."

   He shook my hand.  "I'm Jason Nicholson.  I started here with spring
semester." Jason spoke with a soft, almost lyrical tidelands drawl.  The
program said Jason was from Norfolk, Virginia.

   "Jason.  I hoped I'd get to meet you.  I play wide receiver.  I expect
we'll see a lot of each other in the next few years."

   "Kyle Martin?  Zack Hayes told me about you.  It's good to meet you."
Jason said.

   I caught Christian's attention and signaled for him to join us. 
Christian and I spent the next fifteen minutes getting to know Jason.  He
seemed like a nice guy.  I thought we'd get along well.

   Trevor spent the evening talking with his future defensive teammates.  I
noticed Johara caught Chip's attention.  I saw them get more beer and then
disappear upstairs.  I thought Chip had a girlfriend.  I guess I was wrong
about that.  Hopefully Chip and Johara would have fun.

   Christian and I mingled a little more.  I glanced at my watch.  It was a
few minutes after nine.  We needed to get on the road soon.  We had a long
drive back home.  Christian and I collected Trevor but we couldn't find
Chip.

   I knew where to look but hated the idea of interrupting whatever Chip
and Johara were doing.  That just wasn't cool.  I sought out Zack.  "Hey,
we need to get going.  I wanted to thank you for having us over this
evening."

   "No problem.  It's was good to see you again." Zack answered.

   "I have one slight problem.  I need to find Chip.  Can you help us out?
I think he may be upstairs in one of the bedrooms." I asked.

   "No way.  I definitely am not searching the bedrooms for him." Zack
said.

   "I've got to get going.  I still have a junior license.  I shouldn't
drive after midnight." I protested.

   "Why don't you guys crash here at my place?  We'll make room for you. 
You can drive home in the morning." Zack suggested.

   Christian interrupted, "I can't do that.  I'm doing a solo for the choir
tomorrow morning at church.  I have to be home."

   Fortunately Chip and Johara fixed our dilemma by coming downstairs just
in time.  I said, "Let's go Chip.  We need to hit the road." Johara gave
him a kiss.

   "Sure Kyle.  What ever." Chip answered agreeably.

   Chip and Trevor both had more beers than they needed.  They weren't
totally wasted, but they definitely were beyond tipsy.  Christian and I
helped Chip and Trevor get back to my car.  It was a quarter to ten.  We
were going to be late, much later than we told our parents a few hours ago.
I pulled onto the Rt.  322 bypass and head east for home.

   "Chip, we won't get back to my house until 12:15 or 12:30 tonight."

   "Shit!  My parents are going to have a fit." Chip was sobering up a
little.

   I suggested, "Do you guys want to spend the night at my house and go
home in the morning?"

   "Your parents wouldn't mind?" Chip asked.

   "I'm sure they will be fine with it." I answered.

   All of us called home and let our parents know what was going on.  Dad
had no problem with Chip and Trevor spending the night.  The drive home was
uneventful.  I didn't make any wrong turns like the last time.  I dropped
Christian off and headed back to Paradise.

   Mom put Chip in the spare bed in Andy's room.  Trevor got my bed.  I
ended up on the floor in my room sleeping on my Therm-O-Rest and sleeping
bag.  Mom fed Chip and Trevor breakfast after they took showers in the
morning.  Chip had sobered up with the nights sleep.  I wasn't worried
about him driving home anymore.

   Dad pulled me aside after my friends left.  Dad asked, "Were your
friends drinking last night?"

   "They were Dad."

   "Is that why you asked if you could have them stay here last night?"

   "It was pretty late when we got here but it mostly was that I didn't
think Chip should be driving.  I didn't want anything to happen to them."

   Dad stared into my eyes.  "Were you drinking last night?"

   "No Dad.  I was the driver.  I wouldn't do that."

   "Good." Dad paused for a few seconds.  "I don't say this often enough.
Every parent worries about their child when they are on their own,
especially when the head off to college.  Did I teach you the right way? 
Can you handle being on your own?  You have a good head on your shoulders.
I'm not as worried about you going away in the fall.  You're going to do
all right."

   "Thanks Dad.  I'll try to my best."

   Chapter 35

   ==========

   Andy was in an extremely good mood on the way to church.  I asked,
"What's up with you?"

   Andy held a rectangular piece of plastic in front of my face.  It was
white with a blue stripe on the left and a yellow stripe on the right.  It
had a really ugly picture of Andy on the front.  "You got your license!" I
declared.

   "Yep.  Dad took me for my test yesterday morning.  I passed!"

   "Congratulations." I was happy for Andy, mostly because I wouldn't need
to haul him around so much.

   Tuesday after passing drills Jeremy got Ed, Hal and me together.  Jeremy
said, "Are we going to do something special together for our girlfriends
for the prom?"

   I asked, "What did you have in mind?"

   "I checked into limousine rentals.  We can get a super stretch job for
all four couples for $125 a piece.  You guys interested?"

   I said, "Why not.  We've done everything together all the way through
high school.  Why not finish it the same way - doing things with our best
friends."

   Hal said, "I priced limos too.  Jeremy's price is much better than if
each us rent one for our dates.  I think it sounds like a good idea.  Ed,
do you have a date for the prom?"

   Ed answered, "Off course.  I'm the varsity quarterback.  Over the last
month I had six girls hinting that they wanted me to take them to the
prom."

   Jeremy asked, "Who's the lucky girl?"

   Ed said, "Paige McGowan"

   "McGowan?  Wow, you went for the best." Jeremy observed.  Paige was the
head cheerleader and homecoming queen last fall.

   I wondered, "Are we going to the school's post prom party or do you want
to do something else?  I was thinking we could get rooms at the motel for
the night.  I'd like to spend the evening with Penny."

   "You got the right idea Kyle.  Kath and I never get the chance to spend
the night together outside of Venturing trips.  I'd love to fall asleep
with her in my arms in a real bed." Jeremy added.

   I asked, "Would Paige be interested in this?"

   "I don't know.  I can ask her." Ed answered.

   "I don't know guys.  Tammy's parents know we sleep together but they
never acknowledge it.  I doubt they would allow us to do this." Hal said.

   Jeremy suggested, "Why don't we get our girlfriend's mothers to talk
with the Brookes.  Maybe they can get through to them."

   Hal responded, "It's worth a try.  It's pretty ridiculous the way they
are.  Both of us are eighteen.  We're adults.  It really isn't any of their
business if we spend a night together."

   I said, "But Tammy's parents don't agree."

   "Not at all." Hal answered.

   The four of us agreed to discuss the proposal with our girlfriends.  It
took the four of us a couple days to get all the details set, but we were
going to our senior prom in style.  Mom, Mrs.  Edwards and Mrs.  Trimble
managed to convince the Brookes that they should allow Hal and Tammy to
spend a night together after the prom.

   I helped Penny learn her lines for the Drama Guild's spring play.  It
was fun to work with her again.  I'd missed that during the winter
production.  The play would be presented on the second weekend of May.

   Crystal Wagner's doctor ordered her to bed for the duration of her
pregnancy on May 1st, after her latest check-up.  The doctor was concerned
about Crystal's small size and how big my nephews were getting.

   Andy went around and talked with all of Crystal's teachers.  He picked
up homework assignments and delivered them to Crystal each day.  The next
day he delivered Crystal's work back to the teachers.

   The twins' arrival was going to set off a host of changes at our house.
I was giving up my room to Andy and the twins.  I would go back to the room
Andy and I used to share.  I would share that room with Will as needed.  In
a year or two when the twins were old enough to sleep in beds, I would move
to the basement.  Mom and Dad were going to convert it to a bedroom for me
and Will.

   Mom had made arrangements with the school for me to drive Andy to the
hospital when Crystal went into labor.  Mom didn't trust Andy to drive when
the day came.  The last thing we needed was for my brother to get in an
accident on the way to the hospital.  Mom bought Andy a cell phone so she
could get him whenever she needed him.

   I received invitations to two state all-star football games.  The first
was the Big 33 game.  It pitted the top Pennsylvania seniors against the
top seniors from Ohio.  I would need to attend a week of practice with our
team from June 7th to June 13th.  The game would be played at Hershey
Stadium this year.

   The second game was the Pennsylvania East vs.  West Game.  That would
require me to attend practice at Shippensburg University from June 21st to
June 27th.  This game pitted seniors from the eastern half of the state
against seniors from the western half of the state.

   Ed and Jeremy received invitations too.  I thought about it a little and
decided that I didn't want to play.  I only had six weeks to earn money at
scout camp and I knew I was going to need every dime I could get to finance
Penny and me at the prom and for senior week at the beach.  Ed and Jeremy
decided to play in the East vs.  West game.  None of us wanted to play in
the Big 33 game since we would miss our planned week at the beach after
graduation.

   Opening night for Penny's play was Friday, May 8th.  I was in the
audience as always.  I skipped the matinee on Saturday for my track meet.
Saturday night I watched the play from backstage.  She was brilliant as
always.  I escorted Penny to the cast party afterwards.

   I stopped in that Saturday at the formal store to get fitted for a tux.
I teased the owner, "Do you give volume discounts for tux rentals?"

   "No sir, I'm sorry we don't"

   "Too bad.  Please keep my measurements.  I need the tux for next Friday
night and also three weeks later for my brother's wedding."

   "I can do that sir.  Which wedding party are you with?"

   "Will Henry."

   "I will make note of that sir."

   My friends and I filled the afternoons the week before the prom with
preparations.  We paid for the limo, reserved our rooms, and bought gifts
for our girlfriends.  Fortunately the Bank of Dad was open for business. 
I'd never have been able to afford all of this without his help.

   My friends and I went straight home from school on Friday to get ready
for the prom.  Our limo stopped first at my house to pick up Ed, Penny and
me.  Penny had chosen a gorgeous strapless black gown for the evening.  She
looked amazing.  She told Ed and me that we looked very handsome in our
tuxes.  The limo went around the block and picked up Hal, Jeremy and Kathy.
Then we picked up Tammy and finally Paige.

   The limo returned to my house so my parents, Ed's parents and Penny's
parents could take photos of the entire prom party.  They would e-mail
copies to all the families.  They let us go after they took a million
pictures of us.

   The ride to the Eden Resort in Lancaster was a blast.  This limo was
really decked out.  They had a flat screen TV in the back.  It had a full
bar.  We didn't use it.  All of us wanted to be fully alert for the fun
later in the evening.

   We weren't the only kids to go all out on transportation for the prom.
Jamaal Green showed up in a stretch Hummer limo with his date.  Austin Herr
and Travis Hall brought their dates in Corvettes.  One belonged to Austin's
dad and the other to Travis' uncle.

   It was amazing to look across the room filled with my classmates, all
decked out in gowns and tuxes.  It was a little sobering to think that
these people I had spent the last six or thirteen years with wouldn't be
together after graduation in three weeks.

   We ate a delicious dinner together and danced.  I danced most dances
with Penny.  Our group of friends all danced with each other's dates for a
few numbers.  That was nice.  Kathy and I must have been a sight on the
dance floor.  I'm 6'-4" and Kathy is 5'-2".  She was used to dancing with
someone tall.  Jeremy was 6'-2".

   I reserved that last few dances for Penny.  She had me properly enthused
for the rest of our night together by the time the last song was played. 
Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I were in a hurry when we checked into our rooms at the
front desk using the credit cards our dads had loaned us for the evening.
We went to our rooms and changed into regular clothes and reconvened in
Ed's room.

   Hal and Jeremy got enough ice to fill the sink from the machine down the
hall.  Ed and Jeremy had brought enough beer for two each for everyone.  We
added the beer to the sink full of ice to cool it down.  My friends and I
spent the next hour talking - talking about our futures and reminiscing
about all the things we had done together in the past.

   Penny and I limited ourselves to one beer each.  I had a track meet
Saturday afternoon.  I didn't need to be hung over for it.  Ed and Hal
happily had our seconds along with their own second beers.  It was after
10:30 when our party broke up and each couple headed to their own rooms.

   Penny and I got undressed and hopped in bed.  We had been exciting each
other all night.  We were ready to get satisfaction.  We kissed a cuddled
for a minute or two, but we needed more.  I switched positions and we gave
each other mutual oral gratification.  I brought my lover to orgasm then
she deep throated my hard cock.  I didn't last long with that kind of
treatment.  I blasted a few days worth of sperm down her throat.

   We held each other for a few minutes while I recovered.  I was excited
enough that it took little more than the sight of Penny's naked body and a
few caresses of my cock to get me rock hard and ready for action.

   Penny demanded a hard fucking when I was ready.  I obliged eagerly.  I
rolled her on her back, hoisted her ankles up on my shoulders and drove my
cock into her hungry womanhood.  Our need to couple was acute.  I pumped my
erection in and out hard and fast while Penny urged me on.  I lasted a few
minutes before the familiar tingle in my groin warned me I was ready.  I
drove my cock deep into Penny one last time and squirted my thick sticky
ropes of semen into her belly.

   Penny slid her legs off my shoulders and rolled us on our sides when I
collapsed on top of her.  Penny nuzzled my neck and kissed the cleft of my
neck.  I returned the kisses when I was more coherent.  I asked, "Did you
cum then?"

   "Almost, but not quite."

   "I can't have that happening." I scooted down between her legs, kneeled
and started tonguing her sloppy pussy lips.  Penny's lubrication was mixed
with my cum.  It was dripping out of her hole.  I used my tongue to spread
it around her puffy red lips.  I worked my way up to her clit.  Penny
started squirming so I teased her clit more.  Penny ran her hands through
my hair and then pressed my head against her pussy.  Penny climaxed as soon
as I sucked her clit into my mouth.  Penny thrashed and moaned when she
came.

   I lay down beside her and stroked her hair and face as she calmed down.
We kissed and cuddled as we cooled down from our union.  I cooed, "I love
you Penny."

   "I love you too Kyle." Penny got a thoughtful look on her face.

   I asked, "What are you thinking about?"

   Penny answered, "I was thinking about the future.  You and I have
focused on whether we would remain a couple when college came.  We are
going to.  What happens after that?  Do you see us together after college?"

   I knew this was a dangerous question.  "I would have asked you to marry
me if we were twenty-two like Will instead of seventeen.  I love you dearly
and would like to spend the rest of my life with you." I meant every word I
said but....  My face betrayed my uncertainty.

   "What?  What's wrong?"

   I sighed.  "I'm not sure if we can last through four years apart.  I
failed the last time I tried a long distance relationship.  I told Julie I
loved her and wanted to spend my life with her before she left.  You know
how that worked out."

   "I can wait.  I want this to work."

   I said, "I thought that the last time too.  Do you realize how little
time together we are going to have?  Think about how often Zack Hayes has
made it back to Paradise in the last three years.  We see him for a day or
two at Thanksgiving.  Hopefully my team will be away at a bowl game over
Christmas and New Year's.  I don't even know if I get a spring break.  I
know the team has a month's spring practice.  Zack makes it back to visit
after spring semester for a little.  What kind of boyfriend can I be if I'm
never around?"

   "We've been apart every summer Kyle.  I can take it."

   "That was six weeks three summers ago and nine weeks last summer.  This
is so much longer.  That isn't the only thing I'm worried about."

   "What else?" Penny asked.

   "I couldn't keep my promise to Julie to stay faithful.  I promised her I
would stay true and ended up being unfaithful twice before we broke up. 
I'm worried that some pretty girl is going to drag me into bed with her."

   Penny said, "I trust you.  That isn't going to happen."

   "I wish you were right.  I've had girls go after me every time I visited
Penn State."

   "You're exaggerating Kyle.  I'm sure you misread the situation."

   "I fucked a girl the first time I visited.  That was one of the times I
was unfaithful to Julie.  The next time a girl shut the bedroom door,
French kissed me, and pushed me down on the bed.  She wanted me.  I refused
her offer.  Last month she was after me again."

   "You're not some girl magnet Kyle.  Are you sure you didn't misread her
intentions?"

   "She grasped my cock through my pants.  She told me she wanted to go
upstairs and fuck.  I don't think I misunderstood her intentions."

   "What did you do about that?" Penny asked.  She looked suspicious now.

   "I told her I had a serious girlfriend and that I wasn't interested. 
She ended up with one of the other guys that went up with me."

   "Christian?"

   "No.  Chip.  You met him at the end of our last football game."

   "Chip, the quarterback?  I thought he had a girlfriend."

   "I guess he doesn't anymore." I explained.  "Do you see why I'm worried?
I love you and want the best for you.  How can a boyfriend who's never
around and has trouble being faithful be the best thing for you?"

   "Because I love him and have to be with him, that's how.  Please don't
give up on us.  You know I had a lot of other boyfriends.  I know who I
need, and it's you.  Will you try to give things a chance this fall?"

   "I love you too much not to try." I said.

   "Good, that's settled." Penny said.  We kissed to seal our commitment.
That led to more, as could be expected of two naked teens in bed together.
This time when we made love it was slow and gentle.  Both of us were on our
sides, spooned together while we joined our bodies.  I had considerable
staying power after my first two cums.  I set a slow tempo pushing in deep
and then pulling nearly out again.  Penny slipped a hand down between her
legs when I got her close to orgasm.  She stroked the underside of the
shaft of my cock while she used her thumb on her clitoris.  It took us a
couple minutes to bring her to a peak.  Penny groaned and shook when she
climaxed.  I held her close to me and continued thrusting in and
withdrawing.  I lasted a half dozen more strokes while her hot tunnel
squeezed and begged to be filled.  I thrust in hard one more time and
squirted a weak load of cum in her.

   We held each other spooned together.  My cock shrank and slipped out,
releasing our combined juices.  Neither of us cared.  We fell asleep
spooned together, my cock still lying between my lover's legs.

   I had a wonderful dream that night.  This gorgeous naked lady was with
me.  She started giving me a blow job.  Ooohhhh!  God, did it feel real.  I
basked in the pleasure the lady was giving me.  Suddenly she disappeared. I
groaned in disappointment.  I cracked one eye open when I felt a warm wet
mouth envelope the head of my cock again.

   Daylight was filtering around the curtains, dimly lighting the room.  I
raised my head up, opened both eyes and looked down my body.  Penny let my
cock fall out of her mouth.

   "Good morning honey." She said brightly.

   "What?" I gasped as she sucked my growing erection into her mouth.

   Penny sucked the head of my now fully erect cock into her mouth.  I
shuddered as she swirled her tongue around the head.  Penny released my
cock and said, "I wanted one more time this morning."

   "Ummm.....  I'm kinda tired and..."I explained.  Penny put her right leg
over me and straddled my waist.  "We didn't get to sleep until after
midnight.  I'm..." Penny sank down, impaling herself on my cock.

   "Ohhhh....  I'm tired." I gasped.  Penny worked herself on and off my
cock.  "Honey, I have a track meet this afternoon.  I need my... ohhh....
sleep."

   "Shhh....  Just lay back and enjoy this.  I'll do all the work." Penny
steadied herself by placing her hands on my chest.  She teased my nipples
with her thumbs as she rose and drove herself down on my hard cock.  It was
a hell of a wake up call.  I let myself get caught up in the moment.  Penny
made love to me for about fifteen minutes before both of us were satisfied.
We drifted back to sleep when we were done.

   We woke up again to the sound of the ringing phone announcing the front
desk's 7:30 wake up call.  The two of us showered and dressed.  We met our
friends for an 8:30 breakfast at the restaurant in the motel.

   After we were seated Tammy asked, "Did you guys have a good night?" She
addressed the question to Penny and me.

   "It was a wonderful night." Penny answered.

   "Hal and I had a great night too.  Didn't we honey?" Tammy asked.  She
gave Hal a kiss on the cheek.

   I said, "I had a good night, at least until I was practically raped this
morning."

   Hal smiled, "You were raped?"

   Penny kissed me on the cheek.  "Poor baby.  He suffers so." My friends
didn't express the slightest sympathy at my forced wake up earlier in the
morning.  We ordered breakfast.

   Paige McGowan, Ed's prom date, said this as we finished breakfast. 
"I've had so much fun with all of you last night and today.  Thanks for
making me feel like I was a part of your group.  I can see how close all of
you are to each other.  It's great." Paige playfully slapped Ed on the
shoulder.  "Why didn't you ask me out a long time ago?  I'd have loved to
get to know all of you better."

   Ed answered, "Maybe I can try to rectify my error in the next few weeks.
Paige, would you like to go with me to the movies next Saturday?"

   "Ed, that would be wonderful."

   "I have four weeks left until I leave.  I'd enjoy it if we spent them
together."

   Paige gave Ed a kiss full on the lips.  "I'd love that."

   All of us congratulated the new couple.  We paid our bills and headed
back to our rooms to finish packing and checking out.  Ed's dad and
Jeremy's dad came to pick us up at 9:30.

   I had to hurry when I got home.  The initial heat of the 100 meter dash
was scheduled for 11:30 at Elizabethtown College.  Coach Powell had told me
that things often ran behind schedule at district meets, but I didn't want
to take a chance of missing my initial race.  Andy agreed to return my
tuxedo for me.

   I easily won my heat and moved on to the semi-finals after lunch.  I
felt better than I expected, given my short night of sleep and all my
exertions after the prom.  I destroyed my competition in my semi-final.  I
had a good start and ran the race of my career.  My time was 10.44 seconds.
I had matched the state record!

   My teammates and friends congratulated me and celebrated with me.  This
was an official meet, so my time counted.  I was going into the record
books.  I celebrated too much.

   When the gun sounded the start of the 100 meter final, I was daydreaming
of my evening with Penny.  I had a horrible start to the race.  The guy
beside me had an excellent start.  I kicked hard, trying to recover from my
error.  I did catch him just before we crossed the finish line.  I had won
the race, but I wasn't satisfied.  My time was 10.57 seconds, my worst time
ever.

   My teammates congratulated me anyway.  My win had guaranteed me a spot
at the state finals the next weekend at Shippensburg University.  The only
other person on our team to make states was Travis Hall.  Travis placed
second at shot put.

   I went home feeling slightly disappointed with myself.  The state record
was great but I wasn't pleased that I had performed less than my best in
the finals.  I promised myself that I would do better at states.

   I got to catch up on life with Will on Saturday evening.  He and Abby
finished their last finals on Friday afternoon.  They brought their first
load of things home in the morning.  They would return to Philadelphia for
graduation on Monday.  Tuesday they would empty their apartment into a
U-haul and bring everything home.

   Penny and I spent the evening at her house.  We watched a couple movies
together.  That was fortunate.  My wallet was empty and I owed Dad a ton of
money to finance our prom night.  I headed to bed early that night to catch
up on the sleep I lost the previous evening.

   I woke to the sound of the phone outside my bedroom ringing.  It was
still dark.  I couldn't make out in my head everything I heard, but knew
Dad said something about Crystal and labor.  I was totally awake by the
time my brain had fully processed the words.  Crystal was going to have the
babies a week early!

   I grabbed my robe and joined Dad in the hall just as he hung up the
phone.  Dad said, "Crystal is in labor.  Your mother and I are going to
take Andy to the hospital."

   Mom came out of her room as I asked, "What can I do to help Dad?  Should
I wake up Liz?"

   "No let her sleep.  Why don't the two of you take your time, shower,
have some breakfast and meet us at the hospital."

   "OK Dad." I said.  I wasn't going back to sleep, even though it was a
few minutes after five in the morning.  I went downstairs to watch a DVD
until Liz got up.

   Mom, Dad and Andy came downstairs a few minutes later.  My brother was
barely awake and seemed almost numb.  I said, "Good luck Andy."

   "Thanks" Andy answered.  He paused.  He stared at me.  "I'm going to be
a father."

   "I know.  Today."

   Mom led Andy out the door with Dad behind them.  Dad stopped and looked
back at me before he went out the door.  "You know we're at Women and
Babies Hospital on Good Drive, off Harrisburg Pike after Park City Mall."

   "I have the directions you gave me two weeks ago Dad.  I can find it."

   "Make sure Liz has breakfast before you come."

   "I got it Dad.  Don't worry." I said.  Dad left to drive Andy to witness
the birth of his two sons.

   Will came downstairs a couple minutes later.  He headed for the door.  I
asked, "Are you heading to the hospital?"

   "Yes, after I pick up Abby.  We wouldn't want to miss the birth of our
nephews." Will answered.

   Liz came downstairs a couple minutes after Will left.  She asked, "What
the hell is going on around here?  Where is everyone?"

   "Crystal went into labor.  They're on the way to the hospital."

   "Why didn't anyone get me?  I want to go!"

   "Relax.  That's why I'm still here.  Dad said you should get a shower
and some breakfast first.  We'll go after that."

   She relaxed when I explained things to her.  I had breakfast while she
showered.  She ate while I cleaned up and got dressed for the day.

   A nurse directed Liz and me to the maternity waiting room when we
arrived at the hospital.  We joined Mom, Dad, Will, Abby and Mr.  Wagner.
Andy was in Crystal's room with Mrs.  Wagner.  The wait seemed to take
forever.  Mom explained that it wasn't unusual with first pregnancies for
things take a long time.  It was late afternoon when things finally started
to happen.

   Mom and Mrs.  Wagner got along well.  Dad and Mr.  Wagner were wary of
each other.  I'm sure Mr.  Wagner blamed Andy for having sex with and
impregnating his only daughter.  Dad figured at minimum that Crystal had
caused this by being careless with her birth control pills.  He still
considered it possible that the pregnancy was an attempt by Crystal to get
out of her bad home life.  The two of them said very little to each other.
Fortunately they didn't cause a scene.

   The doctor moved Crystal into the delivery room around 4 pm.  Andy came
out a half hour later dressed in surgical scrubs.  "Crystal's fine. 
Everything went the way it was supposed to.  Both boys are good."

   Mom demanded, "Well, what are their names?"

   Andy and Crystal had picked out names a few weeks earlier.  They had
refused to tell anyone what they were.

   "Connor Joseph Martin was born at 4:12 pm.  He weighs 6 pounds 12
ounces. He is 21 inches." Andy answered.  I assumed that Joseph was in
honor of Crystal's dad, Joseph Wagner.

   "Noah Daniel Martin was born at 4:19 pm.  He's 20 ˝ inches long and
weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces." Of course Daniel was to honor our father.

   One by one each of us got the chance congratulate Andy.  When it was my
turn I gave my brother a hug.  Andy said, "Kyle, can you believe I'm a
father?"

   "Congratulations Dad." I said.  I hugged him again.

   "Thanks... Uncle." Andy answered.

   Everyone had to wait awhile for the twins to be cleaned up and moved to
the nursery.  We all headed to the hospital cafeteria for dinner.  Connor
and Noah were in their bassinets when we got to the nursery.  Two of the
nurses held them up to the window so we could see them.

   Andy explained that the boys were identical twins.  Each had thin blond
hair covering their heads.  I'd never seen lighter colored hair then my
nephews had.  They were wrapped in blue blankets.  We didn't see much more
than their heads the first night.  Their eyes were still closed.  Their
faces were kind of chubby.  Most of all they looked so tiny.  It didn't
seem possible anyone could be so small.

   After the boys went back to their bassinets I announced, "I'm going to
head for home.  Liz, are you coming too?"

   "I think so." Liz answered.

   Mom and Dad announced they were going to stay a half hour and then head
for home.

   Andy reacted immediately.  "Do I have to leave?  Visiting hours go for
another 90 minutes.  I want to spend more time with Crystal and the
babies."

   Mom started to answer when Will said, "Take my car Andy.  Abby and I
will catch a ride home with Kyle." He tossed Andy his keys.  Andy looked
hopefully at Mom and Dad.

   Mom considered it for a moment and answered, "OK.  Come straight home
from the hospital when visiting hours are over.  Is that clear Andrew?"

   "Absolutely Mom.  I'll be real careful on the drive home."

   I dropped Abby off at her house on the way home.  Mom and Dad got home
about twenty minutes behind us.  I thought I was done for the day.  Hah!

   The twins' early arrival threw off some of our plans.  We hadn't done
anything about getting my room ready for Andy and the twins or getting my
stuff back to my old room with Will.  Will, Mom and I spent an hour and a
half that evening moving my dresser to Andy's room and moving Andy's to
mine.  I piled the clothes from my closet on Andy's bed.  Will and Mom
filled my closet with Andy's clothes.  Dad spent the evening hauling the
cribs upstairs from the basement and reassembling them in my room.

   When we finished around ten o'clock, the room at the top of the stairs
was no longer mine.  It belonged to Andy and the twins.  I shared the next
bedroom with Will.  I was exhausted from too little sleep over the weekend.
I got ready for bed.  Will was sitting at the desk reading.  I turned down
the sheets on my bottom bunk.

   Will thundered, "Whoa.  What do you think you're doing?"

   "Umm...  going to bed?" I answered.

   "Not on the bottom.  You're on top turkey."

   "What?  I've always slept in the bottom bunk in this room."

   "No chance.  I've had the bottom bunk for the last four years." I
grumbled a little but accepted Will's dictate.  Will added when I got in
the top bunk, "Now you know how it felt for me four years ago when I gave
up my bedroom to you."

   "Yeah, I guess." I knew Will was right, but I still didn't like it.

   Will added, "You'll only be here for four weeks.  You won't be home
again after summer camp starts."

   "I know.  It all feels so weird being in this room again."

   "Get used to it little brother.  You're going to have to deal with some
massive changes in your life in the next couple months." Will explained.

   "I know.  Good night Will."

   "Good night twerp." Will teased.

   "Monkey butt." I countered

   "Moose face."

   "Old fart." I responded.  Will let me have the last word before we went
to sleep.  I was still awake when I heard Andy get home and go to sleep in
my bed.  At least it still felt like it was my bed.  Will was right, I was
going to have to deal with a lot of changes between finishing high school,
moving back to scout camp and then heading to college.  I hoped I was ready
for all of this.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Mom left me in charge on Monday while she and Dad were down at the
University of Pennsylvania for Will and Abby's graduation.  Mom, Dad and
the Hendrickes planned to take Will and Abby out to dinner when the
ceremony was done.  They weren't going to be home until late in the
evening.

   Andy brought two cases of Hershey bars to school with him on Monday. 
Dad had picked up "It's A Boy" wrappers to put around the candy bars.  Andy
handed them out two at a time since he had twins.  Andy regained some
amount of the celebrity he had last year when he was a hero on the football
field.  He regaled any audience with his description of Connor and Noah's
births.

   Andy sat at our usual table at lunch.  Angela and Natalie quizzed him
about everything they could think to ask about Crystal's experience.  Both
girls seemed intimidated by Crystal's eleven hours of labor.  I couldn't
blame them for worrying about that.  I wouldn't have wanted to go through
an experience like that either.

   I warmed the supper Mom left for Liz, Andy and me.  Penny joined us
after dinner when we went back to the hospital to visit Crystal and the
twins.  A nurse wheeled Crystal out to the Family Pavilion where Crystal
could have all the visitors she wanted, instead of the maximum of two that
she was allowed in her room.  We talked with Crystal for a few minutes
while we waited for the nurses to bring Connor and Noah.  Crystal was
feeling pretty good.  The doctors were sending her home on Tuesday.  The
doctor said she needed to rest when she got home so she wasn't allowed to
return to school until the next week.

   One of the nurses explained the proper way to hold the boys before we
could have them.  Andy accepted Noah.  I took Connor when Crystal said she
didn't want to hold either of them.

   I held my nephew - my flesh and blood.  Connor was so tiny.  I was
amazed at this little boy in my arms.  Life certainly was mysterious.

   Penny stroked Connor's arm and cooed to him while I held him.  Liz
wanted her turn after a few minutes.  Liz loved holding Connor and Noah. 
The boys were passed around to everyone that evening.  Quite a few of our
friends came to visit too.

   Ed gave Eric Connell and Sammy Hoover a ride to the hospital.  Pete
Ellis and Natalie Van Dyke dropped by.  Jeremy, Kathy, Hal and Tammy showed
up to visit.  Justin and Sherry Baer came too.  Jon Miller gave his sister
Heather a ride to the hospital so she could see Crystal, Andy and the
twins. I finally loaded my charges up in my car when visiting hours were
over at 8:30 pm.

   I was asleep when Mom and Dad finally returned from Will's graduation.
Mom had called into work on the way to Philadelphia and let her boss know
that the twins had been born.  She had arranged to take two weeks of
vacation when that happened.

   Mom picked up Andy after school on Tuesday and drove him to the hospital
to pick up his sons.  Connor and Noah were sitting on the kitchen table in
their baby seats when I got home from passing drills that evening.  I held
each of my nephews for a few minutes before I went upstairs to get cleaned
up for supper.  Liz hovered over the boys, trying to help any way she
could.

   Will and Abby arrived from college after dinner.  Penny and I spent the
evening in my room studying for our finals.  They were starting next week.
Of course Penny had to play with the twins before she went home.  I had the
dubious distinction of holding Noah when he decided it was time to poop.

   I grinned and told Andy, "Here's your son.  He just pooped.  You can
have him back.  Uncles don't do diapers." I handed Noah to Andy.

   Mom teased, "What do you think uncles do?"

   "We play with the boys, we spoil them.  We don't do messes." I answered.

   Mom responded, "Your day will come Kyle."

   "I know.  Some day I'll be a father and I will do diapers then.  That
day isn't here yet."

   Tuesday night I found one of the downsides of having babies in the
house. Either Connor or Noah seemed to cry half of the night.  Mom and Andy
took turns feeding them, changing them and rocking them back to sleep. 
That cot of mine at scout camp was starting to look pretty damn good.

   I found out some information I had missed on Monday night.  Andy had
convinced Heather Miller to be his date for Will and Abby's wedding.  It
took a little pleading but Mom and Dad agreed to add Heather to the guest
list.

   Our household slowly got adjusted to our new additions.  Will and Abby
helped Mom with wedding preparations while Mom watched the twins.  Mom and
Dad were pleased to have our entire family under one roof, even if it was
only going to last a few weeks.

   Noah and Connor did crimp my love life.  The bunk beds proved to be too
small for two full grown teenagers to make love in.  We managed to get
together on Thursday evening when Penny's parents went out for a couple
hours.  I was looking forward to when Dad finished fixing the basement up
as another bedroom with a full size bed.  That wasn't going to be done
until later in the summer.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   I offered to drive when Travis Hall and I went out to Shippensburg for
the State Finals in track.  We drove out early on Friday morning, skipping
a day of school as an excused absence.

   I ran my first heat in the 100 meter dash at mid-morning.  I managed a
decent 10.47 seconds, besting everyone in my heat.  I watched the other
heats of the 100 meter dash to scout my competition.  One guy stood out -
David Hansen.  He ran the 100 in 10.51 seconds.  David was from Liberty
High School in Bethlehem.

   I wasn't lined up against David in the semi-finals.  I had a good run,
10.45 seconds, almost matching my shared state record.  David won his semi
too.  He ran it in 10.47 seconds.

   When the finals came I worked on my concentration like Coach Powell had
taught me.  Now that I was here at States, my competitiveness took over.  I
wanted to beat the field, maybe even improve my time so I didn't have to
share the state record.

   Sheer luck had placed David in Lane 1 for the finals and me in Lane 2.
It was perfect.  I could keep an eye on David when we ran.

   I got in position as the starter announced, "Take your marks." I set my
body when he announced "Get set." I visualized myself running down the
track while I waited for the gun.

   Bang!  I exploded from my crouch, driving myself down the track as fast
as I could go.  I could see David almost even with me out of the corner of
my eye.  I pushed myself harder.  Halfway down the track David was still
visible to my left.  I pushed myself while my muscles screamed their pain
from the effort.  I willed myself to go faster.  I still saw David nearly
even with me as we approached the finishing tape.  I stretched my legs out
and pounded out the final couple meters.  I leaned in and barely managed to
cross the finish line inches ahead of David, dragging the finishing tape
away from him.

   I slowed to a stop and raised my arms in victory.  David stopped beside
me and offered his hand to me.  We shook.  "That was a great race man."

   "Thanks.  I couldn't have done it if you hadn't pushed me." I answered.
We waited together for our times to be posted.  The scoreboard listed my
time as 10.40 seconds.  David's was 10.43 seconds.

   David exclaimed, "Damn!  I would have set the state record, if you
hadn't been running." He recovered his temper immediately.  "Sorry.  I
never would have run that hard if I wasn't chasing you."

   "No, I understand.  I wouldn't have beaten the old record if you hadn't
been pushing me."

   David asked, "Are you going anywhere on scholarship?"

   "Yes.  I'm going to Penn State on a scholarship."

   "Penn State?  I didn't think they had a good track team." David said.

   "No, I'm going on a football scholarship."

   "Football?  One of my best friends is going there on a football
scholarship."

   I asked, "Are you friends with Shawn Byrd?"

   "Yes, how do you know Shawn?"

   I explained, "Shawn and I visited Penn State together last fall."

   "Are you the fast wide receiver he told me about?"

   I answered, "Probably.  Are you going somewhere on a track scholarship?"

   "Yes.  I'm attending the University of Pennsylvania."

   "That's a good school.  My brother and his fiancé just graduated from
there a few days ago.  My girlfriend is going there too.  Good luck David."
I said.

   "Thanks.  Take good care of Shawn for me when you guys get to Penn
State." David said.  We wished each other good luck when we parted.

   I watched Travis in the semis and then in the finals.  Travis didn't
place in shot put.  We both agreed to stick around for the last day of the
meet and the awards ceremony on Saturday evening.  Travis snored a little
but it was nothing compared to the noise that Noah and Connor made.  I
enjoyed a quiet, full night's sleep for the first time in over a week in
our dorm room.

   It was a real trip to stand up on the podium to receive a gold medal for
my run during the awards ceremony.  I wished David luck when we left the
stage.  Travis and I headed back to Paradise when the awards were done.

   It had been a fun weekend.  I managed to let a permanent mark on the
state record book in my short two and a half month career in track.  Well,
maybe not permanent.  I'm sure Leroy Burrell thought his mark was permanent
when he set it 24 years earlier.  Someday, someone would beat my time.  But
that day I was the fastest runner in the state.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   I got home to a house in controlled chaos.  Mom was directing all
preparations for Will and Abby's wedding the following weekend.  Everyone
did their assigned part to prepare.

   Penny, my friends and I had to study most evenings.  This was finals
week for us seniors.  We took a couple finals a day and finished the last
one on Thursday afternoon.  We spent any free time at school passing our
yearbooks to get them signed by our friends.

   On Thursday evening all the men traveled to the formal wear shop to get
our tuxes.  We made quite a sight when we were dressed, all in black tuxes
with red cummerbunds - Dad, Will, Andy, Rob Stevens and me.  Rob was Will's
best man.

   Mr.  Hendrick's mother and Mrs.  Hendrick's father came in from Indiana.
Will's father Charlie flew in with his wife, Will's younger brothers and
Will's sister.  They stayed with Charlie's step-father Pa Esh.  Will's
sister Molly, from Charlie's second marriage, was eighteen like me.  She
flew in Thursday night with her father and his family.  She had to leave
again on Sunday so she was home in time for her last finals and her high
school graduation on Thursday.  Charlie, Jolene and the twins planned to
spend a week in Lancaster County after the wedding.  Charlie's other sons,
Cody and Ethan, hadn't been able to see much three years earlier when they
flew in for their grandmother's funeral.

   Reverend Hollinger planned the wedding rehearsal for Friday afternoon at
4 pm.  My part was going to be easy.  I stood up front between Rob Stevens
and Andy.  I didn't need too say anything, I didn't need to do anything
beyond stand without fidgeting.  I could handle it.

   Mom and Dad held the rehearsal dinner at Chris' Restaurant in Lancaster.
Mom allowed Liz, Andy and me to invite our wedding dates to the dinner. 
Andy, Heather, Cody Stevens, Liz, Penny and I ended up sharing one of the
tables in the restaurant.  The food was spectacular, just like it was when
Penny and I went there on Valentine's Day.  Chris himself came around to
all the tables to make sure everything was satisfactory.

   Rob Stevens said he had a night of debauchery planned for the bachelor
party.  I doubted that, but no one under twenty-one was invited to go.  Dad
and Mr.  Hendricks passed too.  Will and Rob met up with Sam Hayes, Zack
Hayes, Justin Bear, Joe Baer, Jon Miller and two of Will's friends from
college, Patrick Haynes and Andrew Walsh.  The group took off for the
night. Abby, Cindy Jacobs, Nikki Edwards, Katie Landis and Sam's fiancé
Trisha Wright went out for a night together too.

   Andy, Liz and I went home with Mom and Dad.  Andy, Liz and I took turns
holding Connor and Noah while we watched a movie during the evening.  I
don't know what time Will came home from his bachelor party, but I know it
was late when he woke me as he stumbled into our room.

   The wedding wasn't until 1 pm on Saturday so I figured I would sleep in
on Saturday morning.  Mom planned a nice brunch for the family before we
went to the church.  Noah and Connor had other ideas.  I finally gave up on
sleeping around 6 am.  I grabbed my laptop and headed for the basement to
surf the net.

   Mom and Dad had gotten me a new laptop as a graduation present and to
help me when I got to college.  It was great.  It had built in Wifi.  Andy
and Eric Connell had wired our house for Wifi over the winter when Dad
bought himself a laptop.  I could surf the net anywhere in the house.  I
loved it.

   I grabbed a shower and a shave ahead of the rush, before Mom's brunch
was ready.  Will was just getting out of bed when I came back to our room.
He looked pretty haggard.  I asked, "What time did you get in last night?"

   "Uh... around 2 in the morning."

   "Are you still hung over?"

   "No.  I didn't drink that much." Will insisted.

   Will headed for the shower while I went downstairs.  Andy and Liz were
downstairs cooing and playing with Connor and Noah.  Dad and Will joined us
a few minutes later.  We ate Mom's delicious brunch and then went back
upstairs to dress for the wedding.

   Jon Miller dropped his sister Heather off on the way to the church. 
Penny arrived a couple minutes later.  Kathy Trimble and Tammy Brooks came
over with Penny.  They had agreed to baby sit Noah and Connor for the
afternoon and evening.  Andy carefully went over every detail with the
girls, the nap schedule, feeding schedule, where everything is kept, all
the details the girls would need.

   I chuckled to myself watching my sixteen year old brother tell two
eighteen year old girls the proper way to take care of the twins.  I was
struck by how Andy sounded - exactly like Dad.  That was appropriate; he
was Noah and Connor's dad.  I saw Heather notice too.

   Dad drove Mom, Liz and Will to the church.  I drove Penny, Andy and
Heather.  Liz met up with Cody at the church.  He had come with his brother
Rob.  We hung out in the lobby for awhile, saying hello to our friends and
relatives.

   Reverend Holloway called Will and the groomsmen over to review our part
in the ceremony one last time.  We waited in the hallway outside the
sanctuary until it was time to come in.  Will tried to act calm but didn't
pull it off.  He inspected the window blinds.  He even opened an electrical
panel to inspect it.  I laughed at that.

   Rob said, "This day has been in decreed by fate seven years ago.  Relax,
everything is as it should be."

   Will answered, "I'm lucky she'll have me."

   "You are.  She's lucky to have you too."

   Reverend Holloway called for us to take our places.  We followed Will
into the front of the sanctuary to the spot just to the right of the pulpit
- Will, Rob beside him, me, Andy and my brother's college friend Andrew
Walsh.  The music started and the bridesmaids came down the aisle - Cindy,
Nikki, Katie, and Liz.  They were dressed in light blue gowns.  Each girl
looked stunning, even my little sister Liz.

   The organist struck up the wedding march.  Mr.  Hendricks walked in the
back with Abby on his arm.  Abby looked best of all in her long white
wedding gown.  I noticed both Mom and Mrs.  Hendricks wipe tears from their
eyes as they marched by.  Mr.  Hendricks escorted Abby to the front, gave
her a hug and whispered, "I love you sweetie.  Good luck."

   Abby whispered back, "Thank you Daddy.  I love you too." She turned to
face the Reverend.

   Reverend Holloway began the service.  Mercifully it was short.  I had
never stood through an entire church service.  The Rev read a couple
passages from the Bible about marriage.  He spoke about Abby and Will and
what they faced together in life.  Then he moved on to the finale.

   Reverend Holloway said, "Will you please, as an expression that your
hearts are joined together in love, now please join your hands." Will and
Abby held each others hands.

   "William Charles Henry, do you take Abigail Lynn Hendricks to be your
wedded wife, to live together in marriage?  Do you promise to love her,
comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer,
in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her,
so long as you both shall live?"

   Will answered confidently, "I do"

   The Rev continued, "Abigail Lynn Hendricks, do you take William Charles
Henry to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage?  Do you
promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse,
for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be
faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live?"

   Abby answered, "I do"

   The Rev motioned to Rob and Cindy and said, "The rings?" Rob handed his
to Will.  Cindy handed hers to Abby.

   Will went first.  He said, "This ring I give to you as a token of my
love and devotion to you.  I pledge to you all that I am and all that I
will ever be as your husband.  With this ring, I gladly marry you and join
my life to yours." He placed the ring on Abby's finger.

   Abby answered, "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and
faithfulness.  As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to
you.  I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken
today, our wedding day." Abby placed the ring on Will's finger.

   Reverend Holloway announced, "By the power vested in me by God and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I declare you man and wife." Abby raised her
veil.  "You may kiss your bride."

   Will and Abby kissed, their usual passion heightened by the moment. 
They finally parted to the sound of applause from our assembled friends and
relatives.  The organist started the recessional.  Will and Abby walked
down the aisle arm in arm.  Rob took Cindy's arm and followed them.  I
offered my arm to Penny's big sister Nikki and escorted her after the best
man and maid of honor.  Andy escorted Katie Landis and Andrew Walsh took my
sister down the aisle and out of the sanctuary.

   The photographer intercepted us in the entry hall.  We took the back way
to the front of the sanctuary while the guests left.  He spent twenty
minutes taking pictures of the bride and groom, the bride's family, the
groom's family, the wedding party and every possible permutation thereof.

   Will and Abby prepared to leave the church while the rest of the bridal
party handed out cups of rose petals to the guests outside.  Will and Abby
walked from the church to the limousine in a shower of red, pink and white
rose petals.  Penny joined me near the limo.  Rob Stevens held the door
open for Will and Abby.  They climbed in.

   Will looked around and said, "Rob, Cindy, get in here.  There's lots of
room." As Rob and Cindy climbed in Will added, "Nikki, Adrian, join us."
They started to climb in.  Will said, "Room for two more.  Come on Kyle. 
Bring Penny."

   "What about my car?  Um... I'm not..." I protested.  Adrian was pulling
Penny into the limo already.

   Will said, "Toss your keys to Andy.  He'll bring it."

   I shrugged my shoulders and tossed the keys to Andy.  "Bring my car
would you?"

   Andy grinned.  "Sure Kyle.  Cool!  Thanks." Andy turned to Heather as I
climbed into the car.  "We got wheels!"

   I stepped in the car, closed the door and sat down beside Penny.  The
driver pulled away and headed for the Host Resort on the east side of
Lancaster.  Rob poured champagne for everyone except Penny and me.  He
found some apple juice for us.

   After a couple sips Will asked, "We're hitched now.  Who's next?"

   Rob answered, "I guess that would be us." He gave Cindy a peck on the
cheek.

   Abby asked, "Have the two of you set a date yet?"

   Cindy answered, "No.  It'll be sometime next year we think."

   Adrian turned to Nikki and asked, "Should we?" Nikki nodded.

   Adrian said, "You might not be next.  I asked Nikki to marry me last
Saturday night.  She accepted.  Things have been so busy this week that we
haven't found the right time to tell anyone."

   Penny looked shocked.  "You and Adrian are engaged?"

   Nikki answered, "Yes.  You can't breathe a word of this to anyone else.
Do you promise?" Penny nodded yes.

   Everyone congratulated them.  The trip to the Host Resort was only four
miles, so we only had time for one toast to Will and Abby before we arrived
at the hotel.  We spilled out of the limo and headed inside to get
comfortable for the reception.  Ties, cummerbunds, assorted slips and other
non-essential accoutrements were discarded so we could be comfortable while
we celebrated the wedding.

   Penny and I were seated at the teenager's table with Andy, Heather, Liz,
Cody and Will's other family - his sister Molly and twin brothers Ethan and
Cody.  Molly was eighteen like Penny and me.  She was tall, for a girl,
almost six feet tall.  She was from Charlie Henry's second marriage.  She
didn't live with Will's father.

   Ethan and Cody Henry were ten years old and tall for their age.  At
4'-11" they were only five inches shorter than Cody Stevens, who was four
years older.  They had the lightest blond hair, almost white.  They told us
their mom said it was from all the time they spent at the beach.  They
happily told us about how they had moved last year and lived a few blocks
from the beach.  They got to go boogie boarding nearly every day.

   We talked as they served dinner.  It was an excellent prime rib.  The
Host did a good job with the catering.  I learned more about Molly.  I knew
she was a senior in high school like Penny and me.  She was graduating the
following Thursday.  She was going to attend USC and study biology in the
fall.  I told her about my visit there last summer.  I suggested she look
up Brady Rasmussen when she got to campus.  He was a really nice guy.

   The band played quietly through dinner.  They played a mix of current
and classic songs.  They provided a nice background to our dinner.

   The waiters started delivering flutes of champagne to all the guests. 
Abby helped deliver drinks to our table.  She carried three flutes while
the waiter brought six more.  Abby said, "We have sparkling apple juice for
you guys." Abby placed her three flutes in front of Molly, Penny and me. 
She winked at us.  "Sparkling apple juice.  Don't have too much."

   Rob Stevens gave a touching toast to the bride and groom.  Everyone
raised their glasses in tribute to Will and Abby.  I got a surprise when I
sipped my juice.  Abby had slipped me champagne.  I looked at Penny and
Molly.  I knew from their reaction that Abby had given them champagne too.
I had a really special sister-in-law.

   Will and Abby cut the cake.  It was delicious.  Then it was time to
dance.  Will and Abby had the first dance, followed by Rob Stevens and
Cindy Jacobs as best man and maid of honor.  My first dance was with
Penny's sister Nikki when they called for the rest of the bridal party.

   I danced most of the evening with Penny.  I saved a couple dances for
Molly.  She's my brother's sister, but no relation to me.  It seemed
strange.  Molly understood better than anyone in the room what I felt.  We
hit it off and ended up friends by the time the evening was over.

   Mom and Dad spent part of the evening with Will's father Charlie and his
current wife Jolene.  They seemed to enjoy each other's company.  I got a
dance with Abby.  Will took Penny out on the floor for a spin.  Penny,
Heather, Liz and Molly took Ethan and Cody Henry out for a couple dances
too.

   The evening finally started to wind down around 11 pm when Will and Abby
departed for their honeymoon night.  They had a room at the Host for the
night.  By that time Ethan and Cody Henry were sleeping with their heads
down on our table.

   I offered to take Heather Miller home when I took Andy but she decided
to ride home with her brother Jon.  Liz and Cody Stevens squeezed into the
back of my car with Andy instead.  I dropped Cody off and returned to our
house.  It had been quite an evening.  Our family now numbered nine.

   Chapter 36

   ==========

   Most of the wedding party ended up at our house for breakfast on Sunday.
Mom out did herself with the food.  Abby and Will came too, before they
headed to the airport for their honeymoon.  Mom and Dad's wedding gift to
them was five days in the Virgin Islands.  They planned to spend time
soaking up the sun on the beach, snorkeling and scuba.  Of course all of
that would come after they spent some quality time together in bed.

   Before they left for the airport Will teased Mom, "Who knows, maybe
we'll see about making a third grandchild for you 'Granny'."

   Abby grinned and added, "Yes Mrs.  Martin.  We want to have a large
family."

   Mom smiled at their joke.  She responded, "Let me make a few things
clear.  You don't need to rush to have kids just for me.  Two is more than
enough grandchildren for now.  Second, no one - and I mean no one - calls
me Granny.  I will answer to Mom-Mom, Gram or Grammy.  I will NEVER be
GRANNY!  Lastly, Abby you are family now.  Please call me Sharon."

   Abby answered, "That's a deal Sharon.  I'll keep taking the pill for
awhile."

   Mom hugged Abby and then Will as they headed out the door.  Every one
went outside to wave good bye to Will and Abby when they left.  Andy and I
had snuck out during breakfast to "decorate" Will's car with streamers, a
'Just Married' sign and two strings of cans tied to the back bumper.  Will
and Abby laughed at the sign and removed the streamers.  They didn't see
the cans.  We waved as the cans rattled when they pulled away.  Will drove
to the end of the block before he stopped and removed the cans.  He gave us
a wave before he hopped back in the car.  I assumed the sign stayed on the
car until they got to the airport.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   The twins woke me at 6 am on Monday morning.  It was too early to get up
and too close to time to get up for school to go back to sleep.  I just lay
on my bed thinking.  I had 3 hours and 32 minutes left in my high school
career.

   I would be free!  Free of the pain in the neck teachers.  Free from the
school principals.  No more study halls.  I would be eighteen in a few
weeks.  No more curfew.  No more junior license.  The world was filled with
opportunities for me.

   I grabbed a shower and shave a few minutes earlier than usual so I
wouldn't have to wait for Andy or Liz to finish in the bathroom.  I had a
leisurely breakfast while I waited for Liz and Andy.  Penny met us at my
car and we headed off to school.

   I teased Andy and Liz on the way to school.  "You realize that the two
of you are back to taking the bus from here on.  No more rides in my Golf
to and from school." I smiled evilly when the groaned in response.

   I had three classes left.  First period was Graphic Arts.  Mr. 
Henderson went over our final projects and gave us half a period to talk.
Frau Madel did a proper deutsche Unterricht for second period.  She talked
with each of us individually before the period was over.

   Frau Madel told me, "Viel Glück Herr Martin an der Penn State.  Ich
hoffe, daß sie viel Erfolg im Football haben werden." [Good Luck Mr. 
Martin.  I hope you excel playing football at Penn State.] I wished Frau
Madel good luck when I left (auf deutsch of course).

   Third period was my favorite class of the year - History of World War
II. We ended up debating the British-American strategy to end the war in
Europe in 1944-5.  Should we have followed Patton's plan for a southern
thrust into Germany, Montgomery's idea of a northern thrust through the
Ruhr and on to Berlin or Eisenhower's broad front strategy?  We debated the
question most of the period.  Mr.  Adams was my favorite teacher from my
four years in high school.  I was going to miss him.

   I watched the clock tick off the minutes to 11:32 while we debated.  The
buzzer finally rang when the hands reached the appointed time for the end
of third period.  Mr.  Adams announced, "Good luck to all you seniors. 
I'll see the rest of you tomorrow." That elicited the expected groan from
the sophomores and juniors.

   Mr.  Adams asked as I was walking out, "Kyle, are you still planning to
become a teacher?"

   Mr.  Adams and I had a few talks this year about my career plans.  "Yes,
I'm going to get a degree in education at Penn State.  I plan to teach and
coach football after I finish college."

   "Good luck son.  I think you'll make a fine teacher."

   I headed downstairs to empty my locker.  I carried my things out to my
car and deposited them in my trunk.  Penny met me.  She put her things in
the back seat.  The parking lot was full of seniors.  All of us were ready
to leave but didn't want to let go of our time together.  One of the guys
suggested we all go hang out at the park.  Sixty or seventy kids all left
together, horns blaring to announce our joy at departing and drove down to
the Paradise Township Park.

   We spent the afternoon together enjoying our friend's company one more
time.  In the past thirteen years we had become quite close.  We wouldn't
ever be together like this again after graduation tomorrow night.  The
crowd of friends finally started to thin late in the afternoon.

   I managed to sleep late Tuesday morning.  Noah and Connor were fairly
quiet.  I did hear Andy and Liz leave for school.  It felt glorious to be
free.  Well, mostly free.  I had to go back to school after lunch for
graduation practice.

   The principal went over in excruciating detail everything that would
happen that evening.  It took him an hour to go over all of it.  My friends
and classmates got restless by the end of the rehearsal.  Norman Henderson,
one of the stoners in our class, decided he needed a cigarette just as we
were finishing.  He popped it in his mouth, lit up and took a long drag
before any of the faculty realized what was going on.  The principal
dismissed us quickly so he could have a serious talk with Norman.  Norman
didn't give a damn, so he kept on smoking.

   It was a stupid thing to do.  I wondered what became of him when my
friends and I left.  Would they let him graduate?  Who knew?

   Ed, Jeremy and I headed for the locker room.  We had one last passing
drill to run before we were finished.  Coach Caffrey joined us part way
through the drill.  He stayed with us and watched as our guys went through
their paces.  They looked good to me.

   When the kids went back inside to change at the end of practice, Coach
Caffrey said, "I'm so proud of all of you.  Jeremy, you set the tone on
defense.  You made everything work.  I'm going to miss you." He shook
Jeremy's hand.

   "Thanks Coach.  I appreciated everything you did for me in the last
three years." Jeremy answered.

   Coach continued, "Kyle - you were the catalyst on offense.  Your speed
and later your knowledge of football made our team an offensive powerhouse
for the past four years.  I don't know how we'll replace you."

   I replied, "Thanks Coach.  Andy will do fine next season filling my
spot. We've already seen that.  Thanks for all your time and effort
teaching me football.  I owe my scholarship to you."

   Coach turned to Ed.  "Ed - your leadership and drive made our offense
the potent force it was.  You played better over your three years than any
quarterback I've ever coached.  That includes the Hayes brothers.  You ran
the spread offense just like they book says.  Hell, they could take clips
of film of you and put it in the damn book.  Thank you son."

   "I loved every minute of learning from you coach.  I'm going down to
Florida and make you proud."

   "I know you will.  All of you will make me proud this fall.  I'm glad
Notre Dame, Penn State and University of Florida play so many games on TV.
I will be watching you, I guarantee it."

   We all shook hands and departed.  We were no longer Wolverines.  I
gathered up Andy and headed for home.

   My classmates and I wondered why we needed to dress up in a dress shirt
and tie for graduation.  Everything was covered under our graduation robes.
Some of us said we should show up in shorts and T-shirts.  No one would be
the wiser.  Mom insisted I dress up.  I did.

   The graduation ceremony took longer than I expected.  Evelyn Andrews
talked on and on when she gave her speech.  I was glad she made
valedictorian and not me.  I wouldn't have wanted to speak to this group.
Finally it was time for the handing out the degrees.  The guys, all dressed
in red caps and gowns lined up on the left side of the auditorium.  The
girls, dressed in white, lined up on the right.  The superintendent of our
school district read off our 219 names one by one.

   I day dreamed as he called graduates forward.  I started paying
attention when I heard names from my home room called.  "Julie Ann Martin"
Julie sat two seats in front of me in home room.

   "Justin Hershey Martin" Yes, he was one of those Hersheys.  His great
grandfather was Milton Hershey's cousin.  It shouldn't be surprising -
after all, Milton Hershey had a chocolate store in Lancaster before he
built the town of Hershey.  Justin walked across the stage to receive his
diploma.

   "Kyle David Martin" I strode across the stage confidently and accepted
my diploma from Dr.  Hollinger.  We shook hands and I walked to the
opposite end of the stage and down.  I headed to my seat as I heard
"Matthew Dean Martin" called.

   I was finished with the public education system.  I wouldn't ever need
to set foot in this school again, unless I wanted to.  I had some excellent
teachers when I was here.  I had some bad ones too.  For better or worse, I
was moving on to bigger things.  I hoped I was ready for them.

   I sought out Penny when everything was over.  I asked, "What do you want
to do tomorrow?"

   "I'd like to spend a quiet afternoon with you in your bedroom." My cock
stirred at the idea.  "What I'm going to do is go to work.  Doctor Chu
needs me to start tomorrow.  The receptionist has the day off."

   "How about tomorrow night?  Can we get together then?"

   "Of course." Penny replied.

   The Fritzes, the Brookes, the Longs, the Norths, and the Trimbles joined
my family and Penny's family.  We talked about our plans for the graduation
party on Saturday afternoon.  Our seven families, along with the Hendricks,
were throwing a monster sized bash at the township park to celebrate our
high school graduation along with Will, Abby, Nikki and Adrian's graduation
from college.  Nikki and Adrian broke the news of their engagement the day
after Will and Abby's wedding.  Penny's parents were delighted to welcome
Adrian into their family.

   Our parents reviewed the assignments for every family for the party.  My
family was responsible for the coordinating with the barbeque caterer and
bringing salads.  We were going to roast three whole pigs along with 150
pounds of chicken.

   The rest of my week was glorious.  I managed to get extra sleep in the
morning after Andy took Noah and Conner downstairs at breakfast time.  I
got up late in the morning, had some lunch and then worked on preparations
for scout camp and for college.

   When I got back next Friday night from the week at the beach with my
friends, I would have one day to get ready for six weeks at scout camp. 
After six weeks at camp, I would come home on Thursday evening, July 30th
to get ready for college.  I was due to report to Penn State before lunch
on Saturday August 1st.  Team practice would start on the 3rd.  It would be
a huge help to get most of the packing and preparations done before I went
to scout camp.

   Penny and I enjoyed evenings together.  We didn't do anything big, just
spent the evenings together - watched TV together, went out for ice cream,
that sort of comfortable evening activity.

   Ed, Jeremy and I agreed we wouldn't attend the final passing drill on
Thursday afternoon.  We wanted Jake Kring, Kenny Weaver and Brett Fulmer to
be responsible for running the drills.  I couldn't resist stopping by the
school to see how things went.  I planned to slip into the parking lot and
watch from a distance.  Ed and Jeremy had the same idea.  We watched
practice together.  Jake kept practice moving.  Kenny and Brett handled the
defense confidently.  Andy and Tex helped the team leaders set the proper
tone.  Ed, Jeremy and I left before practice was finished and we were
discovered.  All of us were confident we had left "our" team in good hands.

   My group of friends and I got incredibly lucky for senior week at the
beach.  Brandon McCafferty's uncle owned a beach house in Ocean City, New
Jersey.  He was willing to let us use it without charge for a week.  We
agreed that Hal, Brandon and I would drive the group down to the shore.

   Thursday after dinner I asked Dad, "Can I get my allowance now?"

   Dad answered, "Can you give me about fifteen minutes Kyle?  I have a
couple things to get ready.  See me in my study."

   "Sure." I said.  Get ready?  Usually Dad just pulled a twenty out of his
wallet and handed it to me.

   Fifteen minutes later I knocked at the door to Dad's office.  "Come in
Kyle." Dad answered.  I stood expectantly in front of his desk.  I waited
about fifteen seconds before Dad said, "Have a seat Kyle."

   I sat down beside his desk.  This certainly wasn't what I expected.

   "You have graduated from high school and will turn eighteen in a few
weeks.  Effectively you are an adult now.  It isn't appropriate for you to
continue receiving an allowance." My face fell.  Dad stared into my eyes.
He smiled.  "Relax.  I'm not going to cut you off cold.  I know how little
they pay you for working at scout camp.  We're going to work out new
arrangements for you."

   "What did you have in mind Dad?"

   "I'll make sure you have a reasonable amount of spending money.  In the
future it will be in the form of a loan.  I don't expect you to repay it
right away.  I will keep a running tab of your loan while you are in
college.  You can repay me when you get a job after you graduate from
college.  How does this sound?"

   "OK, I guess." I answered.

   Dad reached into his drawer and handed me a plastic card.  It was a Visa
card with my name on it.  "I have a credit card for you to use for
emergencies in the future.  It is in both our names.  The bills will come
here."

   "And you'll put it on my tab?" I asked.

   "Exactly.  It's time for you to take more responsibility for yourself.
That's what it means to become a man.  Do you have any questions?"

   "I think I understand what you expect.  I do have a question.  Can I get
a hundred dollars for senior week?  I don't have much cash left."

   Dad pulled out his wallet and offered me a twenty dollar bill.  "This
should keep you going for a couple days.  I suspect you'll have plenty of
money after the graduation party on Saturday." Dad said.  I saw Dad make a
note on a tablet as I left.  I was officially in debt.

   Will and Abby returned from their honeymoon late Friday evening.  Both
were deeply tanned, rested and relaxed.  For the next week Will and Abby
were going to spend their nights at Abby's house since a married couple
couldn't share one bunk in a bunk bed with me in the bunk above them.  They
promised to come over for breakfast on Saturday morning and tell everyone
about their vacation.

   Will and Abby entertained us with stories from their trip to the Virgin
Islands over breakfast on Saturday.  We teased them that they probably
didn't see anything more than the inside of their hotel room.  They assured
us that they actually got out of their room for fifteen or twenty minutes a
day.  Will and Abby enjoyed holding and playing with Connor and Noah while
we talked.

   Mom put all of us to work after breakfast.  We chopped veggies, tore
lettuce, browned hamburger and mixed ingredients as Mom directed.  When we
were done an hour later we had a seafood broccoli salad, a taco salad,
carrot and raisin salad and enough veggies to make an excellent salad bar
for the party.

   Mom decided it would be all right for Noah and Connor to come to the
party.  She and Liz dressed them in cute sailor suits.  They carried the
boys out to her Caravan while the rest of us brought assorted bowls and
containers of salads for the afternoon.  We loaded up and headed over to
the park in four cars.

   The Fritzes, the Longs and the Hendricks were already there when we
arrived.  The barbeque caterer was set up beside the pavilion.  Dad said he
had been there with his huge smoker trailer since 3 am.  We set our salads
on a couple tables on the west end of the pavilion.

   The other families arrived soon after us.  We ended up with macaroni &
cheese, baked beans, stuffed mushrooms, potato salad, macaroni salad,
chow-chow, vegetable tray with dip, fruit tray with dip, and assorted pies,
cakes and cookies.  The smell of the roast pigs filled the air with a
pungent sweetness.  Our guests were going to have a feast.

   I had proudly worn my Penn State jersey to the party.  Ed and Jeremy had
the same idea.  Ed wore his Florida jersey.  Jeremy had on his Notre Dame
jersey.  We all hung out with our girlfriends greeting our friends and
relatives as they arrived.  Paige made it to be with Ed.  Ed was enjoying
being a part of a couple again.

   Noah and Connor were the hit of the party.  Everyone had to come over
and fuss over them.  Andy proudly showed off his sons.

   Each family's relatives congregated together.  Penny and I moved from
table to table visiting with my relatives, her relatives and our friends.

   The whole Baer clan showed up for the party.  Justin and Sherry brought
their sons Billy and Wesley.  Joe and Barb brought Betty and Jeffrey.  Mr.
and Mrs.  Baer hung out with my parents.  Jon and Amy Miller came too with
Brian.  The seven year olds, Billy, Brian, and Betty, zoomed wildly around
at the park, checking out everything.  They were closely followed by five
year old Jeffrey, who desperately wanted to be included with anything they
did.

   Thirteen month old Wesley had just learned to walk.  He toddled from
parent to parent to grandparent to anyone else.  He exercised his three
word vocabulary saying "Da-Da", "Mama" and "cookie" constantly.  Wesley
attracted almost as many oohs and aaahs as Noah and Connor.

   Will and Abby hung out with friends from their earlier trips to
Algonquin.  Rob Stevens and his fiancé Cindy, the two Baer couples, the
Millers, Jason Sauder, Katie Landis and her boyfriend, and Zack Hayes all
traded remembrances of their time together in Canada.  Alex Weaver joined
their group a little later.

   The caterer did a fabulous job with the barbequed pigs.  The sandwiches
were excellent.  The rest of the food our families made was good too.  No
one went away from the party hungry.

   Our parents called all the graduates over after an hour so we could cut
the cake.  Actually it was cakes.  We had a red velvet cake, a yellow cake,
Boston cream pie and a marble cake.  Penny and I enjoyed our favorite, the
Boston cream pie.

   My friends and I challenged Will's friends to volleyball when the
dessert was done.  We taunted them for being "old farts", just like we had
done four years ago on our first trip to Algonquin.  They teased us for
being wet behind the ears, smart aleck kids.  We "kids" dominated the first
game, winning 21-13.  The "old farts" pulled out a close second game,
22-20. We won the final game going away, 21-10.

   My friends shook hands with the "old farts" when the game was done. 
Most of Will's team headed off for more food.  Alex Weaver and Zack Hayes
hung out with us.  Alex looked around and said, "Gee, almost all of my old
Algonquin crew is here today.  Everyone except Steffany.  Is she here
somewhere?"

   Ed answered, "No.  Stef and I dated for awhile after that trip.  We had
a bad break up.  She doesn't hang with our group anymore."

   I looked at Alex and asked, "I didn't know you and Zack knew each
other."

   Alex said, "Sure, Zack and I go way back."

   Zack added, "We were in Boy Scouts together.  We joined Venturers
together.  We've been friends for years."

   Alex said, "You remember our first trip to Algonquin six years ago?"

   Zack answered, "Remember it?  That trip changed my life.  I found out I
could how hard I could work on that trip.  That 3 ˝ mile portage from
Dickson to Opeongo showed me just how tough I could be."

   Penny said, "Dickson to Opeongo?  We did that portage two years ago."

   Zack continued, "That trip to Algonquin made a man out of me - in so
many ways."

   Alex chuckled.  "I guess.  Especially that last night.  Will's
demonstration of how to go down on your girlfriend was memorable."

   I interrupted, "My brother demonstrated that?"

   Alex answered, "Yes.  Rob Stevens and I bugged him the whole trip to
teach us how to do that for our girlfriends.  He finally taught us how to
do it at the outfitters the last night."

   Zack smiled a bit.  "That was the night Beth and I lost our cherries."
He sighed.  "It really made a man out of me." Zack lightly punched Alex on
the shoulder.  "No thanks to you.  Beth is ready to surrender her virginity
to me and this turkey wouldn't share a rubber."

   Alex protested, "Hey.  Terri and I had only been doing it for a few
days. That bag of condoms represented a lot of future sex to me."

   "Will had to practically order Alex to give me one of them."

   Penny asked, "Let me get this straight.  Alex was in your tent when you
had sex the first time?"

   Alex laughed.  Zack said, "Um... It was the cabins at the outfitters. 
The whole group was in the same cabin.  Will and Abby had just finished
doing it.  I think Rob and Cindy were still going.  Alex and Terri were in
the bunk below Beth and me screwing away when Beth said she was ready to
fuck."

   Ed said, "That whole thing sounds pretty wild - group sex in one of
those small cabins."

   Zack answered, "It wasn't group sex exactly.  We didn't swap the girls
around or anything."

   Alex added, "There was a lot of closeness that trip.  Terri and I lost
our virginities in a tent we shared with Will and Abby.  They were asleep
inches away from us the first time we made love."

   Zack asked, "Do you still go with Terri?  I remember the two of you were
an item all through high school, even after she moved away."

   Alex answered, "No.  Long distance relationships suck.  We managed to
stay a couple for the year we were separated.  We both attend the
University of Maryland.  We stayed together for awhile in college.  The two
of us had changed too much the year we were apart in high school.  We ended
up agreeing it was best if we broke up."

   Zack said, "I'm sorry to hear that.  You and Terri were good together.
Have you been with anyone else since then?"

   "I've had a couple girlfriends, but nobody serious.  How about you
Zack?"

   Zack chuckled.  "I'm in a committed relationship - Coach Burton, the
film projector and me.  We're inseparable." Everyone laughed at his joke.
Zack got a serious look and stared at Tammy and Kathy.  "I understand the
two of you are going to college with your boyfriends.  I hope you
understand just how much time they will have to put into football.  You
aren't going to see much of them."

   Kathy said hopefully, "Not during the season - I know."

   Zack answered, "We're talking Division I-A for all of you guys.  You
don't have an off season.  You have a time of the year where you play
games. The rest of the year you prepare to play games." Zack turned and
looked at Penny.  "You're the smart one.  Break things off clean and go
somewhere else for college.  Kyle isn't going to have any time for you this
fall."

   I saw Penny's face display her dismay.  I spoke up.  "We aren't breaking
up Zack.  She is going to continue to be my girlfriend."

   "Mmmm." Zack looked at me skeptically.  "Sorry, my bad."

   "We love each other.  We'll make it work." I said emphatically.  I
wished I was as sure as I tried to sound.  I gave Penny a kiss.  I
whispered in her ear.  "We'll make it work - some how." She returned my
kiss and hugged me.

   Zack turned to Ed and asked, "Before I put my foot in my mouth again,
are you and ... uh..."

   Ed said, "Paige - Paige McGowan."

   "... trying to stay a couple during college?"

   Ed said simply, "No."

   Paige always had a flair for the dramatic.  She held up her hand. 
"Everyone.  I have an announcement to make." We all paused.  Paige grinned.
"I want to announce that Ed and I are breaking up tonight.  Right after a
good bye romp in bed - right Pookie?"

   Ed sighed.  "Right." He gave her a kiss.  "I wish you would come with us
to the shore tomorrow."

   "I know.  I wish I could too.  My girlfriends and I spent too much money
on a beach house in Rehobath for next week.  I can't ditch them."

   Zack said, "I see you're going to arrive at Gainesville free as a bird.
Coach Meyers will appreciate that." Zack scanned the faces in our group. 
"All of you guys are playing Division I-A ball.  You're going to have to
work your tails off to be successful." Zack stared into my eyes. 
"Especially you Kyle.  I'm counting on you again like I did back in high
school.  You better come through for me."

   I gulped.  I knew Zack meant exactly what he said.  I better not let him
down.

   Zack and Alex said their good byes and headed off for the food pavilion.
The other couples scattered, meeting and greeting more friends and family.

   Heather Miller agreed to help Andy take the twins home when it was their
nap time.  She was going to bring our family van back to the picnic after
Andy got the boys settled.  The party was starting to wind down when she
finally got back a couple hours later - around 5 pm.

   My friends and I helped our parents get the party cleaned up when the
guests finally left.  We packed all the leftovers in the cars and headed
home.  Dad presented me with the box all my friends and relatives had put
their graduation cards and gifts in.  It was nearly overflowing.  Penny
rode home with me.

   When we got to my house I asked Penny, "Do you want to do anything
together tonight?"

   "No silly.  I need to pack for tomorrow.  I'll see you at 9 o'clock."

   We kissed before we parted.  I pushed my tongue in her mouth.  She met
it with hers.  The kiss quickly escalated beyond what I planned.  I dropped
a hand down and gently squeezed her left breasts and flicked my thumb
across it.

   Penny suddenly broke away.  "We need to keep that for tomorrow Kyle."
She got out of the car.  "I have to pack tonight." She blew me a kiss. 
"Keep that thought, that very dirty thought in your mind.  We can act on it
tomorrow night."

   I called, "I love you." as she walked away.

   "I love you too sweetie."

   I popped my heads in Andy's room when I went upstairs.  He was getting
ready to give the boys a bath.  I asked, "You and Heather?  Did you?  The
two of you were alone here for a long time this afternoon."

   "Did we what?"

   "You know....  end up in bed?"

   "No!" Andy sighed.  "She is willing to be friends again but that's all.
I've learned to accept that.  We spent the whole time in the kitchen
talking after Noah and Connor went to sleep."

   "The two of you make a nice couple." I said.

   "It isn't going to happen Kyle." Andy insisted.  "She says we are too
combustible."

   I felt bad for Andy.  Andy wanted to be with Heather more than any of
his other girlfriends.  I wished there would be a way I could help him but
there wasn't.  Hopefully someday he could find someone as good as Heather
for him.

   I finally had time to look through the graduation cards a presents.  My
haul from the afternoon was astounding.  My friends and relatives had given
me close to $650 in gifts!  That was going to help immensely next week when
we went down to the shore.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   My friends and I were very lucky.  Brandon's uncle owned McCafferty
Construction, one of the biggest firms in Lancaster County.  His uncle
loaned us his vacation house in Ocean City New Jersey for a week at no
charge.  I doubt we could have spent Senior Week at the shore otherwise. 
Renting space down there was too expensive for me or my friends.

   We met in front of my house Sunday morning at 9 o'clock to head for the
shore.  Penny rode with me.  Ed rode with Brandon.  Hal drove Tammy, Jeremy
and Kathy.  Hal and I followed Brandon's black Accura to Gap and then south
on Route 41.  The traffic wasn't bad.  Few people were heading for the
beach on a Sunday morning.  Traffic picked up a little after we crossed the
Delaware River in Chester.  We passed a lot more people heading home as we
drove further southeast into Jersey.

   All of us stopped for lunch at a small restaurant on the way.  We
finally reached Ocean City around noon.  Hal and I followed Brandon through
town, street after street until we found 23rd Street.  I followed Brandon
around the corner when we got to Haven Avenue and pulled in the concrete
driveway behind him.  Hal pulled up to the curb in front of the house.

   The house was a huge two and a half story wood sided house painted light
gray.  The garage doors on the left were framed with columns.  The entryway
door was in the center with a bank of three windows on the right.  There
was a small balcony above the garage on the second floor.  Brandon told us
the house had four bedrooms and three baths.  It was located only a few
blocks form the ocean.  It must have cost his uncle a small fortune. 
Brandon confirmed that.  His uncle paid $3.2 million for the place two
years ago.

   Everyone followed Brandon up the steps to the front door carrying our
suitcases.  Brandon unlocked the door and swung it open.  We stepped inside
and marveled at the ground floor.  The living room opened to the right.  It
had big overstuffed beige chairs and two matching couches.  A dining room
table separated the living room space from the kitchen.  The kitchen
featured a wrap around island.  The family room was to the right from the
kitchen.  It had a full entertainment center and a fireplace.

   We set our stuff down on the polished hardwood floor and stared at our
home for the next week.  We certainly weren't going to be roughing it on
this trip!  Brandon announced, "I guess Ed and I should take the back
bedroom upstairs.  It's for my cousins.  It has two single beds.  We can
draw names out of a hat for the other three.  Is that OK?"

   We all agreed.  We went upstairs and quickly checked each bedroom out.
Brandon drew names from a hat.  Penny and I got lucky.  Our names came up
first.  We chose the master bedroom.  It had a bowed back wall lined with
windows.  The windows looked towards the sea a few blocks to our east.  It
was painted plum with a white ceiling.  Penny and I even had own bathroom
with a large two person shower.

   Hal and Tammy ended up with the front bedroom with the balcony.  Jeremy
and Kathy took the other front bedroom.  Their room was done in green.  It
was smaller than mine or Hal's but it still beat any tent we ever slept in
on our camping trips.  Ed and Brandon's room was painted in blue.  It had a
skylight to light the room better.

   We carried our things upstairs and then scattered to take care of our
appointed tasks.  Our group was used for working together on trips.  Each
couple took an assignment.  Penny and I were responsible for buying food.
Hal and Tammy were going down to the boardwalk to get our beach passes and
information about the town.  Jeremy and Kathy were going to find the local
beverage distributor for sodas.  Ed was responsible for getting ice to fill
our coolers.  Brandon was going to get the air conditioning, water heater,
electricity, and gas turned on in the house.

   Penny and I returned an hour later with a large supply of groceries.  We
were unloading our purchases when Ed returned.  Jeremy came out to help him
carry in the ice.  Three 10 pound bags went in first.  Penny and I were
putting the food away when they started carrying in the beer.

   Jeremy and Ed each carried in two cases.  I looked at them and asked,
"Do you guys think you brought enough?"

   Ed replied, "Don't worry.  There is more in the car."

   Penny and I smiled at each other.  Ed and Jeremy did like their beer. 
They carried four more cases into the house.

   I exclaimed, "Jesus Christ!  Do you think you brought enough?"

   Ed looked at me a little funny.  "What's wrong?  I have two more cases
to bring in.  Don't you think it will be enough?"

   I asked incredulously, "You brought ten cases of beer?"

   "I didn't want to run out."

   I replied, "Ten cases are enough for a case a person.  If you add up
every beer I ever drank, I doubt it comes to a whole case."

   Jeremy said, "We don't want to run out Kyle.  After all it's Senior Week
and we don't know anyone old enough to buy us more beer if we run out."

   I asked, "Who picked this up for you?"

   Kathy explained, "That would be my wild and crazy older sister." Kathy's
older sister Jenny was noted for her abilities at partying.  She once had
been Will's girlfriend when she was in eighth grade.  Later she was a close
friend and frequent bed partner of Zack Hayes.  I could see her going to
the beer distributor back home and buying ten cases of beer.  This week was
going to be wild and crazy.

   Penny and I took the first turn at cooking.  We made the group spaghetti
for dinner.  We hung out in the family room, talking and drinking beer that
evening.  It was a very mellow way to start our vacation.  Penny and I
retired to our master bedroom around ten o'clock.  We took full advantage
of our privacy to make passionate love that evening.

   We settled into a comfortable routine quickly.  We slept until 10 or 11
each morning.  Each couple made their own breakfast.  The group would head
to the beach to swim, tan, read and play volleyball.

   Ed and Brandon prowled the beach in search of female companionship.  Ed
ended up inviting a really cute girl named Shelby home for dinner on Monday
evening.  The eleven of us headed for the boardwalk after dinner.  We rode
the amusement rides and ate too much junk food in the evening.  Our gang
headed back to the house around ten o'clock.  Shelby came along with Ed. 
All of us ended up having a few beers and then heading to our rooms for
some bedtime fun.  Brandon offered to sleep on the couch so Ed and Shelby
could have some privacy.  Shelby demurred.

   I enjoyed being able to sleep late in the morning without the Noah's and
Connor's late night and early morning crying.  My only early morning
disturbance was when Penny got horny and couldn't wait to get laid until we
got up and showered together.

   Ed was sitting on the couch downstairs when Penny and I came down after
our long shower and lovemaking session.  I asked, "Did Shelby stay the
night?"

   "No.  Shelby and I made out a little last night.  She's got a great set
of knockers on her.  We had some fun but she didn't want to go all the way
until she got to know me better."

   Penny said, "You can be a bit of a pig sometimes."

   Ed answered, "What?  Shelby and I know what we're doing.  This is just a
beach fling.  She didn't do anything last night that she didn't want to do.
I didn't force her to do anything either.  All we want is some old
fashioned dirty fun together."

   Penny just shook her head at Ed's explanation.  We made our breakfast.

   Tuesday brought more of the same.  Swimming at the beach, boogie
boarding, relaxing in the sun, volleyball and goofing around with our
friends occupied our day.  Brandon managed to hook up with a well built
young lady named Rose.  Shelby decided to spend the night with Ed that
evening.  Brandon disappeared with Rose around ten o'clock.

   Shelby came downstairs the next morning while Penny and I were eating
breakfast.  I asked, "Where's Ed?"

   "He's still in the shower."

   "Would you like something to eat?"

   "Sure.  Do you have any cereal?" Shelby asked.

   "Sure." I answered as I gave her the box.  Penny passed the milk to her.

   "Ed's a nice guy.  I had fun last night." Shelby said.  She paused for a
few seconds.  "The only thing I wonder about is this wild story he told me
last night about playing quarterback for the University of Florida.  That
can't be true, can it?"

   "Absolutely." I answered.  Penny nodded in agreement.  "Ed was recruited
to play for them last fall."

   "That is hard to believe." Shelby said.

   "If you have trouble believing that, this is going to knock your socks
off.  Most of us are going to play Division I-A football.  Jeremy is going
to be a middle linebacker at Notre Dame, Hal is kicking for Rutgers and I
am going to play wide receiver for Penn State."

   "Wow, that's hard to believe." Shelby shook her head.  "I'm going to go
to Rutgers too.  Who did you say was going there?"

   "Hal.  He's in the front bedroom across from us." I answered, motioning
to Penny and myself.

   Brandon finally dragged himself in at noon.  He looked pretty worn out
but very happy.  He headed upstairs to catch some Zzzz's.  The rest of us
headed back to the beach for another day of relaxing.  Shelby took off for
an hour to go back to see her girlfriends and let them know she was OK.

   I was more than a little shocked when I discovered our group had managed
to go through over half of the beer already in the first three nights.  I
had four that night.  They tasted good after a day in the sun at the beach
and boardwalk.  Our group of friends along with Rose and Shelby passed the
evening talking and drinking.  All of us had a nice buzz by the time we
headed to bed.

   Hal and Tammy headed to their bedroom first.  Jeremy and Kathy weren't
far behind.  Ed and Brandon conferred before Brandon took Rose upstairs to
his bedroom.  Penny and I left Ed and Shelby making out in the family room
when we went to bed.

   The house was filled with the sounds of college bound teens doing the
nasty.  Penny and I added to the noise in the house when we gave each other
oral orgasms.  We rattled the bed too when I rode her to another loud
orgasm.  Penny and I had to laugh when we heard Shelby vocalize her ecstasy
when Ed brought her off downstairs.  The house finally quieted down after
midnight.

   I found Shelby draped over Ed on the couch in the family room in the
morning when I finally got up.  I threw a sheet over the two lovers for
modesty's sake.  Penny and I quietly made ourselves some bacon and eggs
while Ed and Shelby slept in the next room.  Brandon and Rose joined us a
few minutes later.  I made more eggs for them.

   Penny and I got to witness the end of one beach romance that morning. 
Rose gave Brandon a big hug and kiss when she finished breakfast.  "I wish
I didn't have to go home Brand." She stared into his eyes.  "I'd love to
spend more time with you sweetie."

   "I'd like that too Rose.  Are you sure you have to go home?" Brandon
asked.

   "I have to be at work tomorrow." Rose said.  Brandon leaned down and
kissed Rose on the lips.

   "Maybe you could play hooky a little longer."

   "I'd love to take a ride on your cock one more time." She kissed Brandon
again.  "I... I can't.  I have a five hour drive home.  I'll... I'll always
remember the past two nights."

   Brandon answered, "I'll remember you too Rose." He gave her a kiss.  She
pulled away before it could go too far.

   "I've got to go." Rose said.

   "I'll walk you back to your townhouse." Brandon offered.

   "No.  I can't go through another good bye." Rose declared.  She headed
for the door.  She paused before she left.  "Good bye Brandon."

   "Bye Rose." he answered.

   Brandon turned back to us.  "Damn, I'm going to miss her.  I didn't
think I could fall for a girl that fast."

   Penny gave him a hug.  "You'll survive." Penny gave Brandon a kiss on
the cheek.  He blushed a little and smiled.

   Hal, Tammy, Jeremy and Kathy joined us a few minutes later.  We had
finished breakfast and headed for the beach before Ed and Shelby woke up.
Ed and Shelby finally joined us at the beach around 2 o'clock in the
afternoon.  Ed and Shelby held each other, stared at each other and
constantly touched each other all afternoon.  I was surprised Ed would fall
for a girl in a summer romance so quickly.  The signs were unmistakable.

   Shelby came back to our house for dinner.  Jeremy grilled some steaks
for us.  We spent a couple hours amusing ourselves on the boardwalk after
dinner.  All of us headed back to the house together to enjoy some liquid
refreshment.

   This was going to be the last night of the trip for Ed and me.  We had
to head back home to pack for scout camp.  We were due to report for duty
at noon on Sunday.  Ed and I were a little melancholy at the end of our
last summer vacation for at least four, maybe more years.  Penny was
disappointed that I was leaving in the morning.  Brandon was missing Rose.
All of us hit the beer pretty good that evening.  The ten to twelve of us
had managed to make a big dent in the ten cases of beer over the course of
the week.  I personally had six that evening.  Penny had four beers.  We
weren't feeling any pain at all when we helped each other stagger upstairs
to our bedroom.

   Penny and I stripped naked and jumped in bed together.  Penny and I
brought each other to mutual orgasm with our tongues and fingers.  We heard
Ed and Shelby in the next room rocking the bed when we recovered from our
first orgasms.

   Penny played with my cock until she got me hard again.  Penny demanded
that I fuck her deep penetration.  I pounded and pumped her for ten
minutes, doing my best to get her off before I came another time.  I
collapsed on her when I came.  Penny rolled me on my side when I was spent.

   I used two fingers and my tongue to bring Penny to another climax.  She
rolled on her back when the rush passed.  "Damn!  I wish I had brought
`Little Kyle' along.  I'm so horny I'm going crazy."

   I crawled over my lover and kissed her.  "I can try again if you want
honey." I kissed her.  Our tongues dueled for a minute or so.  Penny
reached down and manipulated me until I was erect again.  Penny splayed her
legs wide to give me access to her pussy.  I positioned my cock against her
hole.

   Penny pushed against my stomach to stop me when I started to push inside
her tunnel.  I was confused.  Penny stared into my eyes.  "Do you love me
Kyle?"

   "Of course."

   "Do you trust me honey?" Penny asked.

   "Of course I trust you."

   "I... I wondered if....  Um... could we try a threesome Kyle?" Penny
begged.  She implored me with her eyes.

   "Umm... uh....  Who?" I asked.  Could I really share my girlfriend with
a real guy?

   "Uh... I was thinking of Brandon." Penny suggested.

   "Brandon?" I said.  Now I had a face to put with this image of someone
else sticking his cock in my lover.  "Ummm... I..."

   "Please?" Penny begged.  "I'm so horny.  I really want to know what it
feels like to be royally fucked.  Please Kyle?"

   "Brandon" I said quietly.  We had been friends for our entire lives.  We
got to be friends when we were in pre-school.  I trusted him with my life.
But....  Penny was more important than my life.

   "You know you can trust him completely." Penny stared into my soul. 
"This is just a passing thing.  I don't want to try this again.  Just this
once."

   I remembered how Brandon had broken up with Penny two years ago when he
realized that she still loved me.  He'd never do anything to hurt either of
us.  Quietly I asked, "Are you sure?"

   Penny's face brightened.  "I would like to try it once.  Just to find
out what it is like."

   My good sense screamed that this was a bad idea.  My good sense was
drowning in all the alcohol I had consumed that evening.  Penny rubbed my
hard erection against her slot.  Damn!  She was so wet and warm.  I sighed.
"OK.  Do you want to get Brandon?" I asked.

   "Would you ask him for me?" Penny begged.  I pulled a pair of boxers
over my hard shaft.  I padded across the room and down the hall to
Brandon's room.  I could hear Ed and Shelby in there making love.  I headed
downstairs.  Brandon was on the couch in the TV room.  He had his cock in
his hand.  I cleared my throat.  He hurriedly pushed his cock back inside
his boxers.

   I said, "I guess it's kind of hard to get to sleep around here when you
don't have a girl."

   "Yeah.  It's really hard." He grinned at his pun and patted the bulge in
his boxers.

   "I've got something I want to ask you.  I... well... Penny has a
fantasy. She wants to uh....  Have sex with two...."

   Brandon asked, "Two?"

   I hesitated.  What the hell was I doing?  I sighed.  "She would like to
have a threesome with two guys."

   Brandon stared at me, looking slightly shocked.  He raised his eyebrows.

   "She would like you and I to both fuck her." I said.  Brandon turned his
head a little and stared at me.  "You know... at the same time.  A
threesome."

   Brandon stared at me for a few more seconds.  "Are you sure you want to
do this Kyle?"

   NO!  I'M NOT FUCKING SURE!  Why would I want to share my girlfriend with
anyone else?  I sighed.  My lover wanted to try this.  Why not?  I said,
"Both of us trust you.  Penny really would like to fulfill this fantasy she
has about being screwed by two guys at the same time.  Could you help me
with this?"

   Brandon stood up.  "I will if you're sure Kyle." I nodded my head. 
"I've never done this before."

   I motioned for him to follow me.  "I did this once three years ago. 
I'll help you through this." We walked to the bottom of the steps.  I
explained, "I love her Brandon.  I can't fulfill this dream by myself. 
Please help me." He followed my up the steps.

   WHAT THE FUCKING HELL AM I DOING?  My logic screamed.  My little head
was thinking for me that evening.  My erection had slipped above the top of
my boxers.  I glanced back at Brandon.  The tip of his hard cock was
sticking out the front hole in his boxers.  I knocked at the bedroom door.
"We're both here Penny.  Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked.

   "Yes.  Please come in." she answered.  I opened the door.  Penny was
naked in the middle of our king-sized bed.  Her legs were spread wide,
giving both of us a great visual of her pussy.  Penny said, "Thanks for
agreeing to do this for us Brand.  You're the best."

   "Um....  sure.  I always enjoyed going to bed with you... you know...
when we went together two years ago." Brandon said.  He clearly wasn't
totally comfortable with the situation.

   Penny held her left hand out to him.  He approached our bed.  He
hesitated when he got to the edge of the bed.  He started to take off his
boxers and then stopped.  I pulled mine off to encourage him.  Brandon
dropped them to the floor, exposing his hard cock.  I stared at it for a
few seconds.  I hadn't seen him hard in years, not since our last circle
jerk with Ed, Hal and Jeremy back in eighth grade.  He had grown a lot
since then.

   His cock was probably as long as my seven incher.  It tapered at the
head more than mine.  It curved up and a little to the right.  It looked
like it would do the job Penny needed.  She pulled him into bed on her left
and gave him a kiss.  It started out tame but then Penny sucked Brandon's
tongue into her mouth.  They sucked tongues and lips while I climbed in bed
with them on Penny's right side.

   I cuddled up to her and nuzzled and kissed her neck while she and
Brandon kissed.  I could see him relax as Penny turned him on with her
tongue.  I kissed my way down her chest to her right breast.  I licked and
then sucked on her nipple.  Penny shuddered when I did that.

   Penny pulled away from Brandon's mouth and kissed me.  Our tongues
wrestled.  I saw out of the corner of my eye that Brandon had taken her
left tit into his mouth and was suckling on it.  Penny moaned into my mouth
while Brandon turned her on some more.

   Brandon and I exchanged places, one of us kissing Penny while the other
played with her tits.  Penny got more and more sexed up as we stimulated
her.  Finally she pushed me roughly to the head of the bed and got between
my legs.  Penny demanded, "Fuck me Brandon!" She dived down and sucked my
cock into her mouth.  I shuddered as she blew me.

   Brandon positioned himself behind my kneeling lover, his hands on her
bare ass.  I watched fascinated and horrified as he careful pushed his cock
into my lover.  He began pumping in and out of her tight pussy.  Penny's
body transmitted each of Brandon's thrusts down onto my cock.  He thrust in
and pushed my cock deep into Penny's throat.  She pulled off my cock a
little when Brandon backed out of her pussy.  Penny's tits rocked back and
forth as we screwed.

   Brandon screwed Penny vigorously while she sucked my aching cock. 
Brandon grunted, "Unhh... You're ... still... unnhh... on the pill?

   Penny had my cock buried deep down her throat.  I said, "Yeah...
ooohhh... She's still on ....  Ohhhh....  Shit!  The pill."

   Brandon took that as his cue to fuck her furiously.  Brandon groaned and
slammed his cock into Penny.  He stiffened and grunted as he blasted his
semen into my lover.  Penny held herself steady for a short time while she
felt Brandon fill her up with his sperm.  Brandon laid his body down on her
back when he was spent.  Penny went back to sucking my cock.  I lasted
about thirty seconds after Brandon came.  My poor over-stimulated cock
blasted a large wad of white goo down her throat when I came.

   I flopped back against the head of the bed.  Penny sagged and let my
cock fall out of her mouth.  Brandon pulled out of Penny and sat back and
looked at the two of us.

   "Damn!  This is hot.  I've never done anything like this." Brandon
exclaimed.  Penny rolled on her back and laid her head on my lap.

   "Wow!" is all Penny could manage.  Her eyes were slightly glassy.  I
stroked her hair while she recovered from her experience.  It took her a
couple minutes to recover her senses again.  When she was ready Penny
asked, "Kyle, I didn't cum.  Could you eat me?"

   "Sure honey." I answered.  Penny flopped around so her pussy was towards
me.  I bent down and started to lick the outside of my lover's labia.  It
was covered with her juices mixed with Brandon's white cum.  I expected to
gag when I tasted his sperm but I didn't.  It wasn't really any different
from mine.  I had licked my own off her pussy often enough to be used to
the taste.

   Penny motioned Brandon to climb over her face so she could bring his
limp cock back to erection.  I continued licking and teasing her pussy and
clitoris.  I could see Brandon big hairy ass inches from my head as I
licked my lover.

   I worked two fingers of my right hand into Penny's pussy so I could
stimulate her G-spot and bring her off.  It took me a minute or so before
she shuddered and moaned as she climaxed.

   I pulled my fingers out of her when she came.  I stared at the two
digits covered with Brandon's white sticky spunk.  WHAT THE HELL AM I
DOING? My rational brain screamed.

   Penny grunted, "Get me ready guys.  I want both your cocks now." Brandon
shrugged his shoulders to say `now what?' I took my bottle of lube off the
dresser and poured a little of the slippery liquid on my fingers.  Penny
rolled over and presented her butt to me.  I carefully lubed her asshole to
get her ready to take one of us.  Penny directed things when I had her
ready.  "Kyle, I want you in my pussy."

   "OK honey." I answered.  Brandon looked a little confused.  I asked,
"Have you ever done back door?"

   "No." He answered.

   "It isn't a big deal.  I have Penny lubed up.  Put your cock in her
slowly." I explained.

   "How does this work Kyle?" Penny asked.

   "I'll go on the bottom honey." I said.  I lay on my back and spread my
legs apart.  "Get on top of me honey."

   Penny started to get in position when Brandon teased me, "I hope you
meant Penny sweetums." Penny and I didn't laugh.  "Just a little joke to
relieve the tension." Brandon explained.  "A very little joke."

   Penny straddled my waist, positioned my cock at her opening and then
impaled herself on it.  I found out what it was like to experience sloppy
seconds when the cum was someone else's.  I could feel Brandon's semen seep
out of Penny and run down my shaft.  Penny asked, "OK Kyle.  Now what?"

   "Lie down on my chest sweetie." I directed.  I wrapped my arms around
her and pulled her down onto my chest.  I gloried in the feel of her
nipples pressing into my skin.  I said, "OK Brandon.  It's your turn."

   "Umm... OK." He answered.

   Brandon positioned himself behind Penny.  "You two are sure about this?"
he asked.

   "Do it Brandon.  I want it." Penny answered.

   I felt his legs rub against mine as he got in position.  I concentrated
on the hot pussy wrapped around my cock.  This is not gay!  I insisted to
myself.  This is not gay!  Then I felt it... The spongy head of Brandon's
hard cock rubbed along the shaft of my cock.  Brandon tried to press his
cock into the hole I was already in.  My eyes widened.  THIS IS NOT GAY!

   Penny instructed, "You're too low Brandon.  Move up a little."

   "OK" Brandon's cock pulled off the underside of mine.  I exhaled in
relief.

   "Ahhh..." Penny groaned.  I presumed Brandon had just penetrated my
lover.

   "Mmmm...." Penny moaned.  I felt Brandon slowly force his cock inside my
lover's bowels.  Just like the time with Ed and Jenny, I could feel his
cock penetrate into her through the thin membrane separating his cock from
mine.

   When his penetration stopped Brandon moaned, "God, this is tight."

   I asked, "Are you all right honey?"

   I felt Brandon's cock pull out part way.  Penny moaned "Yes." I felt
Brandon drive his cock back into Penny.  "JESUS!  This is so wild." Penny
locked her mouth over mine and kissed me.  Our tongues met and danced
together while Brandon stroked his rod in and out of my lover.

   I was supporting Penny's weight and part of Brandon's weight on my cock.
I did my best to thrust up into Penny while Brandon worked her over.  I
didn't get much penetration on each stroke but I did provide plenty of
stimulation to Penny.  She ground her clit on my pubis while Brandon fucked
her and shook our pile of bodies against each other.

   Penny reached her first orgasm after a couple minutes.  It wasn't a big
one but I could feel her pussy clench my cock while Brandon continued
drilling her from the back.  We thrust our cocks into our flesh sandwich
while Penny came.

   Penny calmed down after about thirty seconds.  She whispered to me,
"This is ....  Unnhh..." Brandon drove his cock in deep again. 
"Unbelievable.  Thanks for ...." His cock skewered her again.  "Unnhh.. 
understanding." I kissed her while Brandon boinked her bottom.

   We managed to bring Penny to two more orgasms before the stimulation
brought Brandon off.  He drove his hard cock into Penny one last time,
groaned and blasted his sperm into Penny's bottom.  Brandon collapsed on
top of our heap of sweaty bodies.  The weight of Penny and Brandon's nearly
three hundred pounds made it hard for me to breathe.  I grunted,
"Can't..... breathe...."

   "Sorry" Brandon replied.  I felt his prick pull out of Penny.  He
climbed off the pile of bodies.

   Penny sat up on my cock and said, "Oh God, that was amazing!" I grinned
to her.  "Did you get to cum honey?"

   "No.  not yet." I answered.

   "We can't have that." Penny declared.  She rose and impaled herself on
my cock vigorously.  I reached up and played with her nipples while she
fucked herself on my cock.  I twiddled with her clit when my groin started
to tingle to warn me of my impending explosion.  The clit teasing brought
Penny to orgasm just before me.  She groaned and shimmied on my cock until
I spurted my cum into her wet, sloppy pussy.  Penny collapsed on me as our
mutual orgasms drained our remaining energy from our bodies.  I hugged her
tight to my body while we recovered.

   I saw Brandon come out of the bathroom while we lay there.  He said,
"I'll go now." He started for the door.

   Penny rolled off me and said, "No.  Don't go.  Share our bed tonight." I
nodded my head in agreement.  Brandon climbed in bed on the other side of
Penny.

   We lay together in the bed, not speaking a word.  Each of us
contemplated the union we had just experienced.  Penny spoke first.  "I
better clean up before I make a complete mess of this bed." She headed for
the bathroom.

   Brandon and I looked at each other for a few seconds after Penny left.
Brandon said, "That was the most intense sexual experience of my life. 
Thanks for letting me share Penny this evening."

   "I did it for her.  She has been fantasizing about a three-way since she
found out that I did it three years ago.  Thanks for being willing to be
the third guy.  I doubt I would have done this with anyone else except
you."

   "Literally it was my pleasure." Brandon answered.

   "I don't think I ever thanked you for helping Penny and me get back
together two years ago.  Thank you."

   "It was nothing.  The spark wasn't there for Penny and me.  She still
wanted you.  All I did was get out of the way and give her a nudge in your
direction" Brandon explained.

   Penny rejoined us and climbed in bed between Brandon and me.  We both
cuddled up against her.  We fell asleep quickly.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   I woke up in the morning with my right hand on Penny's bottom.  I rubbed
my hand across my lover's cheeks.  Except... it was a lot bigger than I was
used to - and it was hairy!  My eyes shot open and I pulled my hand away
quickly when I realized; I had just fondled Brandon's butt!  I rolled away
and sat up at the edge of the bed.  My head throbbed to remind me that the
six beers I had last night were too many.

   I got out of bed unsteadily and staggered to my suitcase.  I grabbed the
aspirin and headed for the bathroom.  I took two pills and climbed in the
shower.  I looked down across my body while I waited for the water to get
hot.  I was a total mess.  I had dried cum matted in my pubic hair.  I
still smelled like a brewery.  I stepped into the stream of hot water and
let the aspirin and water work their magic.  Fifteen minutes in the shower
helped me remove most of the pain from last night's excesses.  I pulled on
board shorts and a T-shirt and went downstairs.

   I grabbed some orange juice from the fridge and turned the TV on. 
Brandon came down about fifteen minutes later.  He poured himself some
juice and sat down on the couch beside me.

   "I hope this doesn't mess up our friendship Kyle."

   "I don't think so Brandon." I answered.

   "When I was waking up this morning I thought the whole thing had been an
erotic dream.  I realized it wasn't when I opened my eyes this morning and
found my hand holding Penny's breast."

   I chose not to tell Brandon what I was holding when I woke up.  "I guess
we were a little drunker than we realized."

   "We were." Brandon answered.  The two of us sat together for a few
minutes, neither one of us saying anything.  Brandon got up and went out to
the deck in back and stared toward the ocean.  Our protests that this
wouldn't affect our friendship felt slightly hollow.

   Penny came downstairs fifteen minutes later.  We hugged and kissed as
soon as we met.  Penny held me tight to her body and said, "You're the only
one I love.  You know that don't you?"

   "I do.  I love you too."

   "I hope you don't feel too bad about last night.  They say be careful
what you wish for - you may get it.  That is how I feel this morning.  I
know I bugged you for months to try this.  Now that we did I wish he
hadn't. I'm sorry that..."

   I kissed Penny.  "Don't apologize.  I was an active participant too. 
Hell, I went downstairs to ask Brandon to join us.  This isn't your fault."

   "It was our last night together before you go to camp.  We should have
made love.  What we did last night was just fucking.  I wish..."

   "Shhhh!" I insisted.  I silenced my lover with a kiss.  "This isn't our
last time together this summer.  I'll be home from camp on July 30th.  We
have two more nights together." Penny returned my kiss.  I asked, "How do
you feel?  Is your head OK?"

   "I have a headache" Penny admitted.

   "I'll get you some aspirin.  Why don't you get breakfast?"

   "OK" Penny answered.  She headed for the kitchen.  I went upstairs for
my bottle of aspirin.  The others were getting up when I got upstairs.

   Everyone in our group was quiet that morning.  We had toast and cereal.
When we were done eating we finally brought up the subject on everyone's
mind - our departure for college and the break up of our tight little group
in a few weeks.

   Training camps started for all four of us on Monday, August 3rd.  Ed was
flying down to Gainesville on Friday, July 31st.  Jeremy was driving to
South Bend, Indiana and had to leave that same morning.  Hal and I had it
easier.  Each of us had a three hour drive to our colleges.  We were
leaving on August 1st.  We agreed that the whole group would get together
one last time on the evening of the 30th for a round of mini-golf.

   Ed and I packed our things in my car after breakfast so we could head
for home and scout camp.  Penny and I said our good byes.  I promised to
write her every day from camp.  I gave my girlfriend a final hug and an "I
love you." before I left for home.

   We had just left Ocean City when Ed said, "I couldn't help noticing that
Brandon didn't sleep downstairs last night."

   "Yes.  Penny found out last fall about us having a three-way with Jenny.
She has been fantasizing about trying it for months.  I was drunk enough
last night to agree to let her try it.  Brandon spent the night with us."

   "That wouldn't have been my choice for a last evening with my girlfriend
if I was you."

   "It wouldn't have been my choice if I had been sober." I answered.

   Neither of us said anything more about the events last night after that.
I thought about it the whole way home.  I was leaving my girlfriend behind
for two days in Ocean City with the guy she fucked the previous night.  Was
I crazy?  Then I thought about Brandon.  I couldn't ask for a better
friend. He would never, EVER, take advantage of Penny.

   Ed and I stopped at a Wawa Market for sandwiches on the way home.  We
were back in Paradise around 3 pm.

   I threw myself into preparations for my six weeks at scout camp when I
got home.  Mom had a list of clothes I needed to get for college before I
left for camp.  I did my shopping before dinner.

   Will and Abby stopped by the house for dinner.  When it was over Will
pulled me aside.  He asked, "Is there any chance you can come to camp
early? I got some bad news earlier today that changes my plans at the pool.
Justin Finnegan's parents were in a bad accident.  His father was killed
and his mother is in critical condition in a coma.  He can't come to camp."

   "No.  This is horrible.  What do you need?" I asked.

   "Obviously Justin won't be coming to camp, at least not for awhile.  I'm
short an assistant director.  I need more help setting up for camp.  Can
you come after lunch tomorrow?"

   "Sure.  I can do that." I said.  "Have you talked to Trent?  I'm sure he
can help too."

   "He's coming early too." Will explained.

   I felt horrible for Justin.  I knew he had a fifteen year old brother
and a twelve year old sister to look after now in addition to taking care
of his mother.

   I talked to Ed after dinner.  He was supposed to ride up to camp with me
on Sunday morning.  He agreed to come to camp early too and help us set up
the pool for the staff's arrival on Sunday.  I spent the rest of the
evening packing my things and loading them in my car.

   I slept in on Saturday morning.  Noah and Connor were getting better at
sleeping during the night.  Ed met me at 11:30 and we headed north for
scout camp.  We grabbed lunch on the way.

   Camp was nearly deserted when we arrived.  Ed and I checked in with the
camp director, Mr.  Holloway, and then moved our stuff into our usual tent
in the staff area.  Will and Abby had arrived a little ahead of us.  His
car was parked in front of Abby's cabin.  No - actually it was going to be
Will and Abby's cabin this year.

   They were married now.  It was acceptable for them to live together in
scout camp.  My brother was a lucky guy.  He got to work the summer at
scout camp and get laid every night too.

   Mr.  Holloway asked me to see him when Ed and I got moved in.  He had me
sit down when I arrived in his office.

   Mr.  Holloway said, "I guess you heard about Justin's parents?"

   "Yes, Will filled me in last night."

   "I'm going to be short an assistant aquatics director this summer. 
Would you be interested in the job?"

   "Sure, I could do that.  Would I work at the boat docks or at the pool?"

   "That's up to Will.  You can work that out with him and with Trent."

   "Cool." I said.

   "This promotion comes with a pay increase.  An assistant director makes
30% more than an instructor."

   "I can handle that Mr.  Holloway.  Thanks for asking me."

   I went to the pool to see what help Will needed.  He directed me to the
health lodge so Abby could check my medical.  I met Ed there.  When Abby
was done both of us headed back to the pool for our swim test.  Some things
are mandatory no matter what your job was in camp.  I needed to prove I
could swim even though I was going to be an assistant aquatics director for
the summer.  Trent arrived just after I finished my swim test.

   Will put Ed to work cleaning the shower house and around the pool. 
Trent and I got our first lesson on pool maintenance - how many chemicals
to use in the pool, how to clean the filter, how to test the water -
everything that went into keeping the pool safe to use for the summer.

   Will took us into his office when we were done with our first lesson in
pool maintenance.  He explained our responsibilities.  Trent would run the
pool this summer and I would be in charge at the boat docks.

   When Will was done explaining our duties I asked, "Who will I be working
with this summer?"

   "I thought you could work with Dustin Carter the first three weeks."

   "How about the rest of my time here?"

   Will answered, "Eric Connell."

   "Eric?  He didn't say anything to me about working at camp last Saturday
when I talked with him.  I thought he was going to be mowing lawns again
this summer."

   "Eric didn't agree to work here until Thursday."

   I asked, "How in the hell did you convince him to come here for the
summer?  He and Samantha are joined at the hip."

   Will smiled.  "I didn't.  Eric and Sammy are a package deal.  She is
going to work at the handicraft pavilion this summer."

   Trent said, "Damn!  What a lucky son of a bitch."

   "I know.  I wish I could bring Penny to spend the summer here with me.
Do Eric and Sammy know they can't sleep together at camp?"

   "I explained to them about the tenting arrangements.  They have agreed
that they will set a good example for the campers and the younger staff
members." Will explained.  He grinned at us.  "Now, I don't plan to go
searching for the two of them on Sunday mornings after the Cub Scouts
leave."

   I laughed.  "So you're going to condone two staff members having sexual
relations?"

   "You're a good one to talk.  Have you forgotten about a couple years ago
when you and Julie did it on your birthday in the boat house?" Will asked.

   "You knew about that?" I asked.

   Will replied, "How could I miss it?  The smell of pussy in the boathouse
on Saturday morning was overpowering."

   Trent asked, "What are you going to do when Kyle and I leave for
football camp?"

   "I don't know.  John... uh, Mr.  Holloway and I will cross that bridge
when we get there.  I have six weeks covered with you two.  We'll find a
way to cover the rest before you leave in August." Will explained.

   Rob Young, the program director and Jerry McMichael, the Pioneer Scout
director came while we were talking.  Trent and I gave them their swim
tests.  We ended up doing ten swim tests on Saturday afternoon for the
various department heads.  The cook made a nice dinner for the fifteen of
us in camp that evening.  We went for a long swim in the evening to relax.

   We finished preparations to welcome the rest of the staff on Sunday
morning.  Ed, Trent and I tossed a football for awhile before lunch.  Mrs.
Snader, the camp cook, made sandwiches for us.

   Our friends and coworkers started to arrive at 12:30.  Will, Trent and I
gave swim tests to everyone as they arrived.  The first day of staff week
was like a big reunion.  It was great seeing all our friends for the first
time since last summer.

   Staff week unfolded just like previous years.  We had training in the
evenings.  Monday and Tuesday were devoted to finishing set up in the
campsites that the Order of the Arrow hadn't set up the previous weekend.
Wednesday and Thursday Dustin, Eric and I set up the boat yard.  Friday was
skills day.  In the morning the aquatics staff demonstrated our swimming
and lifesaving skills for Will and Trent.  In the afternoon they came to
the boat yard and demonstrated to me that they remembered their boating
skills.  Will wanted every aquatics staff member to be capable of teaching
every merit badge if needed.

   During free time Trent, Ed, Dustin and I would practice our passing
game. Ed and I didn't use speed routes against Trent and Dustin.  We all
knew I could beat them anytime I wanted that way.  I concentrated on
becoming a better possession receiver.  I wanted to be able to catch the
ball in tight places with one or two guys covering me.

   The four of us ran each evening with Will.  Some days Eric Connell would
join us.  He wanted to be in better shape for his trip to Algonquin later
in the summer.  Eric was the crew leader for one of the two crews.  He was
going to have to help his group of mostly 14 year olds through the portages
and hard work up there.  Eric had grown to six feet in height since the
last trip.  He had a quiet confidence to him that complemented his obvious
brain power.  He would do a good job in Canada.

   I always made sure I checked my e-mails each evening.  Penny always sent
me something.  I replied before I went to bed.  Eric had wired the staff
lounge for Wifi.  It was really convenient.  I could use my laptop to
compose more "personal" (and erotic) e-mails to my lover that way without
other guys looking over my shoulder.

   The Boy Scouts arrived on Sunday, June 21st.  I felt like I was in the
perfect place for me - teaching kids.  Dustin and I traded off teaching
Canoeing and Rowing Merit Badges each week.

   Ed took the first week of campers off so he could go out to Shippensburg
to play in the East vs.  West game.  The game pitted 33 graduating seniors
from the eastern half of Pennsylvania against 33 seniors from the western
half of the state.  Ed and his teammates spent the week practicing for the
game on Saturday, June 27th.

   Ed was in a great mood when he returned to camp on the 28th.  The East
won the game 31-24.  Ed threw three touchdowns in the first half.  The West
came back in the second half to tie the game.  Bill Robinson, the other
East QB, pulled out the win by leading a fourth quarter drive to regain the
lead.

   Ed was in a talkative mood when it was time for bed.  He said, "We
almost blew the game yesterday.  The West's best tailback was
unbelievable."

   "Who is he?" I asked.

   "That's the thing.  I showed have known him.  Number 31 - he played for
Strong Vincent.  I just don't remember anyone like him when we beat them
for the championship.  His name is....  Darren... uh... Thomas... or
Thompson.  Something like that.

   "Thompson?  Damian Thompson?"

   "Yeah - that's the name.  He's a hell of a running back.  He isn't real
tall, but man is he a load.  You know a guy is good when Jeremy tackles him
squarely and can't stop him.  They ran the ball right up our gut after
halftime.  It took at least two of our guys to stop him on every play.  We
were lucky Bill Robinson was on our team.  Bill moved our team right down
the field and scored the winning touchdown before time ran out."

   "That shouldn't surprise you.  We both know how good he is.  Do you know
where Bill is going to school?"

   "Pittsburgh." Ed answered.

   "Cool.  Bill will do well there."

   Ed said, "I wish you'd have played in the game too.  It was a blast."

   "I need the money more.  I couldn't give up one of my weeks to work."

   "I guess that makes sense.  I'm going to miss playing with you.  One
more time would have been fun."

   "I know.  I'll miss playing with you too." I replied.

   "I guess we better get some sleep.  Polar bear swim comes too early for
you."

   "Yeah - good night Ed." I said.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Mr.  Holloway called a special meeting of all the staff for 9:30 in the
evening Monday.  We gathered in the dining hall.  Everyone was wondering
what was going on.

   Mr.  Holloway announced, "I have some sad news for you.  Most of you
know Justin Finnegan who has worked here the past five years.  I received a
call from his aunt earlier today.  His mother passed away this afternoon.
She had been severely injured in the car crash that killed Justin's father
a few days before camp opened."

   You could have heard a pin drop in the room.  This isn't supposed to
happen to guys when they are twenty years old.  It just was wrong.

   Mr.  Holloway continued, "I am sending flowers to Mrs.  Finnegan's
funeral in the name of the entire camp staff.  I would appreciate it if
everyone would sign the condolence card tonight so we can send it along
with the flowers."

   Every member of the staff from Mr.  Holloway down to the most junior CIT
signed the card.

   My troop and Trent's troop came in Week 3.  None of my friends came to
camp.  They all wanted to earn as much money at their summer jobs as
possible before college.  Christian did the same thing.  Ed and I moved
into a tent in our troop site for the week like we did every year.

   Matt Sauder, Cody Stevens and Dave Mitchell joined Ed, Trent, Dustin and
me after lunch each day to work on their passing skills.  Matt threw to
Cody or Dave while Ed threw to me.  Cody and Dave matched up better with
Dustin's skill level than I did.  Dustin made them work hard to catch any
passes.

   My birthday was Thursday night that week.  Mom, Dad, Andy, Liz and the
twins came to visit camp and to deliver my birthday cake and my mail. 
Penny bummed a ride to camp to.  Andy and Liz each carried a twin in a
backpack baby carrier while they toured camp, showing off their charges.

   Cody joined Liz as soon as he found out she was visiting camp.  They
were inseparable the rest of the evening.  I saw more than a few of the
kids Cody's age were envious of him for getting a visit from his girlfriend
while they were in camp.

   My big brother, God love him, told me I wasn't needed for any staff
duties that evening.  He even suggested that Penny and I could find some
quiet and privacy in his cabin for a couple hours.  He and Abby wouldn't be
back to the cabin until 9 pm that night.  Penny and I took full advantage
of the open and generous invitation to use their cabin for lovemaking.

   Penny and I rutted frantically our first time that night.  We had a
month of lust to quench.  Our second coupling was slower and more sensual.
We cuddled and talked after our mutual orgasms.  We decided to take a
shower about a quarter to nine.  Being the horny eighteen year olds we both
were, we ended up fucking in the shower just before Will and Abby arrived
at their cabin.  We dressed and headed up to the troop site for the
birthday cake and ice cream that Mom and Dad brought.  It turned into as
good a birthday as any I had ever had.

   Mom and Dad brought my mail that night.  It included a letter from Penn
State Housing, Food Services and Residential Life.  It told me I was
assigned to Room 407 Beaver Hall and that Christian Robert Hunsecker was my
roommate.  Unnecessarily they gave me Christian's address and phone number.
Penn State wanted me to contact my prospective roommate so we could get to
know each other before the semester started.  I had that covered already.
Christian and I were going to be a step ahead of the other freshman since
we were good friends already.

   Eric Connell started working at the boatyard with me that week.  I was a
little leery about how he would work out.  I've known some smart kids who
couldn't explain anything in a way a normal person could understand.  You
know - book smart but no common sense.  I was wrong about Eric.  His
lessons in canoeing were spot on.  I was confident he would be able to
handle his end of things after I left for college in a couple weeks.  Will
still hadn't said who would be in charge at the boatyard when I left.

   I found out in the middle of the fourth week.  Mr.  Holloway announced
that he had hired three more staff members.  They were going to arrive on
Thursday evening.  Justin Finnegan had straightened out most of his
parent's affairs.  The other two hires were Justin's 15 year old brother
Patrick and 12 year old sister Erin.  Patrick had been in my canoeing class
last summer.  He was going to help in Aquatics too.  Erin was going help
Abby in the Health Lodge.

   Abby welcomed Erin when the Finnegans arrived.  Will put Patrick to work
at the pool immediately.  He needed to earn BSA Lifeguard before he would
be much help to us.  Justin filled the rest of the Aquatics staff in on his
future plans on Saturday morning while we cleaned the pool.

   His parent's death benefits and life insurance paid off the mortgage on
their house and still left enough for Justin, Patrick and Erin to live on
until Justin finished college in two years.  Justin transferred his credits
to Millersville State University.  He was majoring in Communications and
they had a good program at Millersville.  He was going to raise his brother
and sister while he finished college.  He didn't want them split up and put
in foster homes.

   Week 5 of campers was my last week at camp.  Will decided that Justin
would run the boatyard when I left for college.  He visited a couple times
early in the week to make sure he remembered how things should run.  Justin
hadn't worked the boatyard in three years.  Justin had everything down by
Thursday.

   Ed and I packed our things at lunch that day.  We wanted to leave as
soon as the last class of the day was over.  I stopped by the pool after
sixth period to check out with Will and leave my keys with Justin.  I found
both of them in the pool office.  I handed my keys to Justin.  He said,
"Good luck in college Kyle."

   "Thanks Justin.  I hope everything works out for you, Pat and Erin." I
said.  We shook hands.

   I turned to Will.  "I have my class records up to date for Rowing Merit
Badge.  Justin knows where everything is.  I briefed Eric too before we
shut down the boat yard today.  He knows what each of the scouts taking
rowing has left to finish their badge."

   "Good work Kyle." Will said.  I turned the boat yard keys over to
Justin. "Get out of here.  Knock `em dead at Penn State."

   "I'll try Will." I started out the door but turned back again.  "Look
after Penny for me.  I'll feel better knowing she has friends on campus."

   "Count on it little brother." Will answered.

   I headed outside.  Trent was in the lookout chair guarding the staff
swim that was just starting.  I walked over to him.  "I'm heading out now.
Good luck this coming season Trent."

   "Thanks Kyle.  Good luck to you too.  Look after Christian for me."

   "I will.  See you later." I said.

   "Yes, later.  Maybe we can get together of Christmas break."

   "I hope not Trent.  I expect to my team to be in a bowl game.  I
probably won't be home for Christmas."

   "Duh!  I knew that Kyle.  Good luck." Trent reached down to shake hands.
"Until we meet again." We shook.

   "Until we meet again." I answered.  Trent was working tomorrow since he
didn't need to do freshman orientation like I did before he started
football training on Monday.

   I headed back to my tent to meet Ed.  We loaded up his things in the
back of my car.  I had packed my things in the trunk at lunch time.  We
walked over to the camp office to sign out.

   Mr.  Holloway met us as we signed out of camp.  I said, "I turned my
records and keys over to Justin a few minutes ago.  I checked out with
Will."

   "I gave my keys to Jerry.  He's all set." Ed added.

   Mr.  Holloway said, "Excellent men.  Are the two of you planning on
working here next summer?"

   I said, "I will if I can."

   Ed added, "Me too." Mr.  Holloway shook hands with each of us and then
we were on our way home.

   I dropped my laundry off in the basement immediately when I got home.  I
changed clothes and headed straight over to see Penny.  I got there about
fifteen minutes before we were supposed to meet Jeremy, Kathy, Hal, Tammy,
Ed, and Paige.

   Our group drove over to Strasburg for a late evening of mini-golf and
then ice cream together.  We had fun together our last night but the
impending break up of our group cast a melancholy air to the evening.

   Paige was spending the night at Ed's house.  Ed's parents had left on
Wednesday morning to drive his things to Gainesville, Florida.  Paige was
going to drive Ed to the airport in Harrisburg on Friday morning so he
could meet his parents in Florida.

   Jeremy was leaving with his parents early on Friday morning for the long
drive to South Bend, Indiana.  Hal and I had it easy.  We didn't need to
leave for college until Saturday morning.

   We parted at the end of the evening with hugs and kisses (for the girls
only).  Football players are supposed to tough guys, but we all shed a few
tears too when we said our good byes.  We promised each other we would keep
in touch during college.

   Penny had to work on Friday.  It was just as well.  I had too much to do
to get ready for college to spend time with Penny during the day.  My
wonderful lover made arrangements with our parents for me to spend our last
night together at her house.  We agreed to go out to dinner and then to a
movie.

   Noah and Connor had learned to sleep through the night better in the
seven weeks I had been away from home.  They only woke me once during the
night.  Noah and Connor were so much bigger than they were in June.  Andy
said they were almost 5 pounds heavier and 2 ˝ inches taller than when they
were born.  I did my best to get to know my nephews in the time I had at
home.  I wasn't going to see them for a long time.  I hoped they would
remember their Uncle Kyle at Thanksgiving.

   I spent Friday packing everything I thought I would need for college. 
My TV went.  My sound system stayed home.  I took the speakers for my
computer.  My MP3 player would be enough for now.  My old desktop computer
stayed at home.  All my camping gear stayed at home.  I didn't expect to
have any time for that at college for that this fall.  I packed my favorite
books so I had some reading material.  Of course my new laptop went to
college.

   Coach Burton indicated that I would be required to travel in coat and
tie when the team had away games.  I packed my good suit and a sport coat,
slacks and a couple ties.  I packed casual clothes, khakis, and a bunch of
jeans.  I boxed up lots of T-shirts.  I threw a couple swim suits in.  I
hoped to take advantage of the natatorium to get some cardio workouts in
during the season.  By late afternoon I had everything loaded up in my VW
Golf.

   I gave Christian a call before dinner to find out his plans for
tomorrow. His parent's were driving him up first thing in the morning.  I
gathered all my check-in information and put it in the front seat of my car
so I would be ready in the morning.

   I had earned $200 a week at scout camp with my promotion.  I had put
nearly all of the $900 Uncle Sam left in my paycheck in the bank.  With the
$650 I received from my friends and relatives at the graduation party, I
had more money then I ever had in my life.  I paid all the money I borrowed
from dad back.  I knew what I had wouldn't last all year at college, but it
was a good start.  I decided to splurge and take Penny to dinner at Chris'
Restaurant for our final date before college.

   The dinner was fabulous.  Penny and I talked about our experiences this
summer - me at camp and Penny with her work for Dr.  Chu at the veterinary
clinic.  This past summer made her more convinced than ever that she wanted
to become a veterinarian.

   I found out what Penny's sister Niki and her fiancé Adrian were doing.
That was still up in the air seven weeks earlier at our graduation party.
Niki was accepted into the University of Virginia's Law School.  Adrian
found a job at an insurance company in Charlottesville, Virginia.  They
moved into an apartment near campus three weeks ago.

   We headed to Millersville for a movie.  We went to see Meredith Fowler's
latest movie.  It was great.  She's a tremendous actress.

   We stopped at my house when it was over so I could get an overnight bag.
I left my car at my house and walked with my lover to her house three doors
down.  Penny and I popped into the family room when we got there.  Her
parents were watching TV together, cuddled on the couch.

   Penny said, "Hi Daddy.  Hi Mom, we're home.  We're going to go to bed
now."

   "Hi honey.  Don't I get a good night kiss?" Mr.  Edwards asked.  Penny
gave her dad a kiss and then one for her mom.

   I added, "Thanks for letting me stay here this evening Mr.  Edwards.  I
appreciate it."

   "I tried to chase you and the other boys away.  It didn't work.  I guess
if my little girl has to have a boyfriend, she could have done worse than
you." Mr.  Edwards answered.

   "Daddy, I'm not a little girl anymore." Penny protested.

   He sighed.  "I know honey.  That's why I've learned to live with the
fact that you and Kyle are sleeping together.  I hope the two of you have a
nice evening.  Do try and get a little sleep.  Kyle has a long drive in the
morning."

   "We will." I promised.

   Mr.  Edwards had disliked and distrusted me when Penny and I dated as
freshmen.  He had made his peace with me in the past two years since Penny
and I had gotten together again.  I had managed to earn his unspoken
respect by taking the best care of his daughter that I could manage.  He
still teased me about stealing his daughter's virtue but his actions spoke
louder than his words.  He trusted me with his most prized possession - his
daughter.

   We headed upstairs to Penny's bedroom.  We undressed and climbed into
bed together.  We made out for a few minutes and then pleasured each other
orally.  We used our intimate knowledge of each other's body to bring our
partner to a glorious climax.  Penny wanted me to make love in the deep
penetration position.  She wanted to feel every inch of my manhood.  Penny
lifted her feet up to allow me to take position.  I positioned my cock at
her entrance and sank slowly into her, penetrating her to the core.

   "Oh God!  I love you Kyle." A tear rolled down her cheek.  "I can't lose
you."

   I balanced on one hand and wiped the tear away.  "This isn't the end
honey.  We will be together again after tonight.  I love you too much for
this to be the end." I leaned down and kissed Penny.  I pulled out slowly
and then pressed my erection back in.

   I wanted this to last so I worked my cock in and out as slowly and
tenderly as I could.  The sensations of my bare cock sliding against the
walls of her warm womanhood heightened our passion.  Soon I was thrusting
and bucking into her hard and fast as she pushed back against me.  Penny
climaxed first.  Her pussy coaxed and begged my penis until it bathed her
insides with my sperm.  We collapsed together in a sweaty heap.

   We held each other while we recovered.  My slimy cock eventually plopped
out of Penny's sloppy hole.  We cuddled together and fell asleep.

   Penny had set her alarm for 6:30 am.  I needed to be on the road by 8 am
to get to my dorm on time for lunch and orientation for freshmen football
players.  Penny turned the alarm off when it rang and nudged me in the
ribs. "Go take your shower honey."

   "OK" I murmured, half asleep.  I threw on my spare bathrobe and headed
down the hall to the bathroom.  A good hot shower finished the job of
waking me up for the morning.  I brushed my teeth and headed back to
Penny's room.  She was awake.  She put on a nightgown while I was gone.  I
dropped my robe and started dressing.

   Penny watched as I did it.  After a minute Penny asked, "Do you think we
made the right choices for college?"

   "Certainly." I answered as I pulled on my pants.

   "I'm not sure if we can do this.  We've done everything together for two
years.  How can I manage without you?"

   "You're one of the smartest people I know.  You'll do well with your
school work."

   "I need your body too.  I get so horny when we can't make love.  Little
Kyle only does so much for me." She was referring to her big dildo she used
when I wasn't available.

   "I'm going to miss you too.  I need my time with you." I sat down beside
her on the edge of the bed and hugged her against my bare chest.  Penny
wrapped her arms around me.  We clung to each other, silently considering
our separation.

   I thought about how long we were going to be apart.  Thanksgiving was
almost sixteen weeks away.  Could I do better this time than I had with
Julie?  I had to.  I knew, absolutely knew Penny was the girl for me - the
one I wanted to spend my life with.

   I felt Penny begin to sob as we held each other.  "Shhhh... It'll be
OK." I said quietly.  What if I... I... got tempted?  I could hold out
against Johara for a month, maybe two.  I knew I had the strength to do
that.  What would happen in... say October?  I was going to be so horny
after a couple months without sex.

   I had barely managed to keep myself from fucking her last fall.  It was
just as hard in April to stop myself from jumping in bed when she offered.
What was I going to do?  My eyes welled up.  I'm NOT going to cry!  I did
anyway.

   We sobbed as we held each other for another thirty or forty seconds. 
This was wrong.  I had to control myself.  I took a deep breath and said,
"We can do this honey.  Look at me."

   We released our embrace.  Penny turned and stared into my eyes.  "We
love each other.  You made the right choice to go to Penn.  You're going to
make a great veterinarian."

   "But... but... we won't see each other for....  for four months!" Penny
exclaimed.  She started to sob.

   "Shhhh...." I said.  I wiped the tears from her eyes.  "I'll write
everyday, just like I did this summer."

   "You will?  How can you have time while you're playing football?"

   "I promise.  I'll never go to bed without answering your e-mail.  I
guarantee it." I said.  I wasn't going to make the mistake I made with
Julie again.

   Penny stopped crying.  "Do you really think we'll make it for four
years?"

   "We don't have to worry about four years.  I'll be with you for
Thanksgiving.  It's fifteen weeks and a couple days away.  That's only
twice as long a time as we were apart last summer.  We'll do this one step
at a time."

   Penny breathed in deeply.  "Do you really believe that we can do this?"

   "Absolutely.  We love each other too much to let a little distance
separate us." I said decisively.  I wished I was as sure as I tried to
sound for Penny.

   I glanced at Penny's clock.  It was 7:15 am.  "I need to go honey.  I
have to leave by 8 o'clock and I need to say good bye to my parents too." I
hugged her and gave her a parting kiss.  I pulled away and wiped another
tear from her check.  "I love you so much."

   I stood up.  I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes again.  I bit
my lip and tried to control my emotions.  I turned away to hide my eyes. 
"Good Bye Penny.  I have to go." I picked up my shirt and slipped it on. 
"I love you." I declared.  I picked my overnight bag and headed for the
door.

   Penny called to me.  "I love you Kyle."

   "I will be thinking of you constantly." I said.  I closed the bedroom
door behind me.  I sniffled and struggled to keep my tears in check.  I
managed to get my emotions back under control by the time I walked to my
house.

   I headed for the kitchen when I got home.  Andy was feeding Noah at the
kitchen table.  Liz was feeding Connor on the high stool in the corner of
the room.  Mom asked, "Did you have breakfast yet honey?"

   "No.  I took a shower at Penny's house but I didn't eat."

   "What would you like honey?"

   "Bacon and eggs?" I asked hopefully.  Mom rarely made breakfast for us.
I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.

   "Bacon and eggs it is Kyle.  I trust you don't need any of the clothes
in your overnight bag?"

   "No.  These clothes are staying here.  I don't need them at college." I
explained.

   "Put the bag on your bed.  I'll wash them when I do laundry later
today." Mom said.  She threw bacon in the frying pan.  Five minutes later I
was chowing down on breakfast.  Dad came downstairs while I was eating.

   "All set bud?" he asked.

   "I think so Dad." I answered between mouthfuls of egg.

   "Are you sure you don't want me to follow along and help you move in
Kyle?" Dad asked.

   "No, you don't need to do that.  I'm eighteen, I can handle moving my
things into my dorm." I answered.

   "OK.  As you wish." Dad said.

   Dad waited until I finished my breakfast.  Dad said, "Kyle, you are
going off on your own for the first time.  Please keep in mind the purpose
of college - you are going to get an education.  Everything else -
football, girls, parties - all the things kids do at college take second
place to getting an education."

   "I know Dad."

   Mom added, "You are going to be free to set your own rules Kyle.  You
need to be careful with your new freedom.  You need to watch out for
alcohol Kyle.  It can make you do crazy things."

   "I know Mom.  I remember from ninth grade when I got drunk.  I'll be
careful.  I promise." I stood up.  "I have to go check my room and make
sure I haven't forgotten anything."

   I headed upstairs for a final look around.  I didn't see anything that I
would need in the next four months.  I went back downstairs.

   I said my good bye to Andy and Liz.  I gave Noah and Connor good bye
kisses.  "Remember you Uncle Kyle boys." The whole family followed me
outside to say good bye.

   Mom handed me a tin of cookies as I climbed into my Golf.  "Good luck
Kyle." Mom said.  She was blinking her eyes rapidly, trying to fight back
tears.  She got me started again.  I bit my lip to control my emotions
again.

   "Good luck son." Dad called out.

   I started the car.  "I'll see you at Thanksgiving." I called out as I
put the car in reverse.  My family waved good bye as I pulled into the
street and drove off.  It took me most of the block to get my emotions back
in hand.  I headed west for Lancaster and my destiny at Penn State.

   -------------------------------------------------------

   The drive to Harrisburg was routine.  There wasn't much traffic on the
road at 8:00 o'clock on a Saturday morning.  I followed 283 west to 83,
then north to 81 and finally to 322.  I looked at the Susquehanna River on
my left.  I smiled as I passed the miniature Statue of Liberty in the river
near Dauphin.

   I drove across the Susquehanna River.  I felt I was leaving my old life
in Lancaster County behind for an unknown but promising future.  The sun
sparkled on the Juniata one hundred feet below Route 322 as I drove up the
hill after Amity Hall.  I thought about what I had learned in the last four
years.  I was still a little kid adjusting to a suddenly big body when Zack
Hayes and Coach Caffrey asked me to try out for football that spring
afternoon at the end of eighth grade.

   Girls were a complete mystery when I left the middle school.  I'm not an
expert now, but at least I have a clue.  I am in love the greatest girl in
the world.  Our future is uncertain but we are going to give it our best
try to make our relationship last through four years of separation during
college.

   I left the middle school known as Will's little brother.  I managed in
four years to forge my own identity.  No one called me Will's little
brother anymore.  I had the respect of my teammates and classmates.

   I was a follower when I finished eighth grade.  Scouts and football had
taught me about leadership.  I had the confidence now to take charge of a
situation - to make sure my group succeeded.  I had succeeded athletically,
academically and socially.

   I was heading for Penn State to join the national champion football
team. I had managed to go from an unknown kid to a highly recruited wide
receiver who earned a college education on a full scholarship.

   I may not know the exact route my journey in life would take, but I knew
the destination.  When I was finished with college and finished with
football I would teach kids and coach football.  I'd marry the girl I loved
and raise a family.  I hope I can manage to negotiate all the hazards
between where I was now and that destination.

   I had been a big star on our small high school stage.  I was going onto
one of the largest stages in the county when I arrived at Penn State.  It
was a rush to play in front of 18,000 fans during the playoffs last winter.
The next time I stepped on the field I would be appearing in front of
107,000 fans.  Did I have the talent, the willingness to work and the
football smarts to succeed?  Would I still have the drive to excel?  I was
going to find out soon.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   The End

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   I would like to thank everyone who helped me with my grammar, my
spelling and my facts.  All errors are mine alone.  I hope every one has
enjoyed the story.  I enjoyed writing it.

   I love to hear from my readers.  Please send me your comments,
criticisms and suggestions.  You can send your comments to
douglas_fox482@yahoo.com

   I plan one more book in the Life in Paradise series.  It will follow
Kyle at Penn State as he struggles to grow into adulthood.  Look for me to
start posting this story some time later this year.

   July 29, 2007 Douglas Fox

   ===================================================

   (C) 2007, Douglas Fox

   This story may not be reposted without express permission of the author.

   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

   This story was written as an adult fantasy.  The author does not condone
the described behavior in real life.
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