Kevin was only fifteen when he wrote that, so he could, perhaps, be forgiven for that bit of doggerel being kind of cutesy. As teenagers have a habit of doing, Kevin had written his share of poetry. Usually it was dark, angsty, gloomy poetry, but at the time of writing that little prayer, he hadn't felt up to the effort. His boyfriend had just left him – for a girl, of all things. For the year before that, he and his boyfriend had been 'the two Kevins'. Kevin was Kevin Lambert. His boyfriend was Kevin Johannsen, and they'd been inseparable.

Kevin thought he and his boyfriend were in love. As the boyfriend had explained to him at the time, he did love him – just not in 'that way'. It had been great, though, right?

Right. It had been great – and Kevin had wanted it to continue being great.

Not being particularly religious, despite his elderly parents' efforts (he had been a 'change of life' baby), but still feeling a spiritual yearning to connect with the universe in some way, Kevin had decided not to chance that the Christians were right in saying that there was only one god, and had decided to address them all. People all over the world had believed in multiple gods for untold centuries after all, and many still did. They even still taught about the Greek and Roman mythologies in both high school and college.

Now twenty-five, Kevin was still saying that prayer. That wasn't to say he hadn't had other relationships since then, but none of them had lasted long. He still held out hope that the right one would come along, though, and went out to the clubs and bars at least two or three times a month, trolling for the next one. More often than not he'd 'get lucky', but they weren't keepers: just quickies.

The condom was his friend, but he still got himself tested for STD's every few months.

His father had died of a heart attack at sixty-four when Kevin was eighteen, and his mother had followed just two years ago.

Fortunately, Kevin's brother and sister had generously let him have the house, since they were well established in their own lives, being over twenty years older than him. They had split up everything else equally. Liquid assets only netted them twenty grand apiece. Stocks and bonds is where they made out like bandits. It turned out that the elder Mister Lambert had a penchant for knowing what companies were likely to be successful, and more often than not he had got in on the ground floor.

They knew Kevin was gay, since he had come out to the whole family at Thanksgiving when he was sixteen. He had chosen Thanksgiving deliberately, since he thought it would have been worse if he had chosen to wait to do it until Christmas, the only other time the whole family got together. But the resulting fuss was rather like putting a hawk amongst the hens, and he was soundly berated by both of his siblings for saying such things in front of his 'little nieces and nephews'.

Most of the "children" in question were close to his own age! Kevin had been understandably incensed, therefore, by the unreasonable reaction.

The 'little nieces and nephews' weren't too thrilled with their parents, either.

Now it was late May, and the day was bright and sunny. The temperatures weren't too bad yet, but the forecasters had predicted upper eighties for the day – about average for that time of year. Kevin was sitting on the porch contemplating the idea of uncovering the pool and starting the process of getting it ready to use for the summer, when a large moving truck pulled up next door, followed by a van.

The neighbors had moved out four months ago, so these would have to be the new owners.

There were only five houses in a loose cluster here – two on Kevin's side of the road, closest to the hills, the other being the one these new people were moving into, and three on the other side of the road. His house and the neighbor's were only about eighty or so feet apart, the ones across the street being both further away from each other and even further from the two across the road.

The town proper started just a quarter mile down the road.

The guy who had been driving the van looked like a construction worker. He was tall and had broad shoulders and a chiseled face: handsome, in a rough sort of way. He headed for the moving truck as soon as he got out of their van.

The woman who got out of the other side of the van was a beautiful, if short, plumpish, but by no means fat woman, with rosy cheeks and a cheerful smile. Her attention was fixed on their new house and its surroundings.

You know the type, I'm sure: everybody's mother, whether she has children of her own, or not.

Out of the side door climbed three young people: two boys and a girl. None of them would win a beauty pageant, but they'd be shoo-ins for runner-up, and without any of the tricks such contestants usually resorted to.

The eldest, a girl, looked to be about eighteen or nineteen. She was about the same height as her mother, who Kevin guessed was about five foot four or five.

The oldest boy appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen, although Kevin's mind had automatically said 'sexteen' before he corrected himself. To Kevin's eyes, the young man was a walking wet dream. The youth was shorter than his father, but obviously taller than his mother: about five foot six or seven, at a guess. His large, dark eyes, snub nose, full lips and long, dark hair....

Kevin couldn't believe he was reacting that way to a teenager. That hadn't happened since he was a teen, himself!

The youngest boy looked like he was in the grips of puberty, and appeared to be about thirteen years old. He also appeared to be about the same height as his mother and sister, and he was complaining loudly as he rounded the front of the vehicle towards the house.

"'Ere, now, da! Yer said there'd be birds aplenty, and I ain't seen a one, yet!"

British! And to Kevin's untrained ears, they sounded like they were probably Cockney.

In the relative privacy of his front porch, Kevin grinned at the youngster's complaint about the lack of girls, just as the boy looked around and spotted him.

Only slightly less loudly, the lad smirked broadly and added, "I've spotted a bloke for Angie, though."

Expecting the girl to look where her brother indicated, Kevin was surprised when it was the older boy who turned and met his eyes hopefully, although the girl followed suit, obviously curious. Kevin's blank surprise became a smile, and then he winked at the youth. The young man blushed, but smiled back at him.

Kevin wondered what name 'Angie' might be short for.

His 'hidden watcher' status blown, Kevin decided to meet the new neighbors. He sauntered down the side of the road and over to where most of them were standing.

The siblings watched the man approach, the elder two with more interest than the obviously heterosexual youngest son. Their attention on him clued in first their mother, and then their father, who had been helping and directing the men unloading the truck.

"I might just have to give you a lolly, Liam," Kevin heard 'Angie' say with appreciation as Kevin got close, not being aware that the dry California air allowed sound to travel further than he might expect it to in the UK. The youth was quite taken by the looks of the older man, and even if he wasn't gay – it was too much to hope for, really – he felt he could have quite a rich fantasy life with that man as the featured player. His ass clenched momentarily as visions of sex with this man ran through his mind.

"Nah. You can lick 'im if yer like, though," the youngest boy saucily replied, not bothering to lower his voice.

Angie blushed hard and cuffed his brother's head. "Button it, you," he warned.

Kevin's face turned a little pink, too. He couldn't believe the kid was that crass. If it wasn't for the mischievous grin on the boy's face, he could have taken an instant dislike to him.

"Boys!" their mother scolded. "Best foot forward!"

Too late for Liam, as far as Kevin was concerned.

Kevin grinned at the family. "Sorry to intrude at such a busy time, but since your son, there, spotted me watching, I figured it would be rude not to introduce myself. I'm your new neighbor, Kevin Lambert," he said, offering his hand to the man of the family.

The big man shook it, then looked at Kevin with a slightly strange look on his face. "Cor blimey. Nah' another one. You blokes are all over the bleedin' place, ain't yer?" he said. "Poofters everywhere," he added in a mutter before walking off to again supervise the workers. He hadn't shown any real negativity with his words: more like quiet exasperation.

Kevin was a little shocked, but didn't bother to deny it.

His surprise was noted, however, because the older youth looked at him, amused, and said, "My father has better gaydar than I do."

Kevin was surprised that the young man would be so open about his orientation. He must really trust his father's judgment. His brother's teasing could, after all, have been explained away.

"I'm so sorry, Mister Lambert," the man's wife dithered at her new neighbor. "'E's usually never so rude."

"It's alright, ma'am," Kevin politely said to her. "He just took me by surprise, really." He had never put on affectations, so he was very surrprised to be recognized as gay so quickly.

"My name is Angel, by the way," the older youth said with a friendly smile, introducing himself, "despite what my brother says."

"Very happy to meet you, Angel," Kevin replied, matching Angel's smile as he shook the young man's hand. He thought 'Angel' was a very appropriate name. He looked like one, to him.

Angel felt a little light-headed with the handsome man's touch, and he must have had the fastest erection he'd ever had, before. Oh, yes. If he wasn't flat on his back under Kevin within a fortnight, he'd scream. His da was rarely wrong. And if his da was wrong this time . . . He wondered what the penalty for patricide was in America.

His sexual experience didn't go that far, but starting now, Angel swore to himself that he was going to start getting used to more than the little things he'd used on himself, just in case he did wind up in bed with this man. He wondered how big Kevin was.

"Oh, that man," the woman complained. "'E's went and made me ferget me manners! I'm Maggie Talbot. Yer've already met Angel, this 'ere's me daughter, Megan, an' that cheeky scamp is Liam."

Liam grinned unabashedly at Kevin, proving his mother's allegation.

"Dad's name is Jake," Angel said, filling in the name of the missing family member.

"Pleased ter meet ya, Mister Lambert," Megan said with a coy smile. Such a handsome man, and to all appearances, single, she thought, hoping her father was wrong.

"Likewise," Liam added, still grinning at the stranger that was going to be their neighbor. "Are yer goin' ter be me bruver's—"

He didn't get any further, because he was suddenly ducking a swing from Angel and running for his life, Angel in hot pursuit.

Maggie's face was as red as a beet as she said, "I'm ever so, Mister Lambert. I don't—"

"Please: call me 'Kevin'," the man interrupted.

"Well, then – Kevin – I do 'ope yer don't 'ave a problem with our Angel. 'E jus' tole us just afore we come over, an' Liam won't stop givin' 'im the mickey: even callin' 'im 'Angie', of all fings."

"Your husband was right, ma'am," Kevin said quietly, trying to break the news gently.

"Oh," she said quietly, looking in the direction her sons had gone. "Oh, dear." An' with the way our Angel were lookin' at 'im.... Not to mention that 'lolly' comment, she thought.

Megan was faintly disappointed, but quickly shook it off. It might not be a city, but in a town this size, there had to be plenty of single blokes she could choose from.

Maggie quickly returned her attention to Kevin, giving him an apologetic smile for her momentary breach of propriety. She really shouldn't have shown her concern so openly.

"Oh, an' you sayin' 'da's gaydar is better'n mine' were subtleness itself, were it?" Liam shouted from somewhere out of sight.

Those words rather froze any attempt at further conversation on the part of the three – at least for the moment.

Kevin looked at Mister Talbot to see how he'd taken that comment, and saw him pretending not to have heard anything. The man's face was beet red, but whether it was from embarrassment or well-hidden anger, it was hard to say. Kevin didn't know the man, but he felt kind of sorry for Liam, if his father was like most men.

Liam limped from around the corner of the house, followed closely by Angel.

"Angel!" screeched his mother. "What did yer do t' yer bruver?"

"Nothing!" Angel protested. His face was still flushed with embarrassment, and he was obviously avoiding looking at Kevin. Stupid little brother, Angel thought. What's he up to, anyway? Is he trying to stuff it up for me?

"Ruddy pipe right out in the middle o' the lawn, where anybody can trip on it," Liam explained. Okay, so he had cut that corner a little close, but whoever heard of putting a pipe over a foot away from a house?

Maggie fixed her youngest with a gimlet eye. "Yer da might get away wi' that language, young man, but yer not yer da, and I'll ring yer ear a good'un if I hear it agin!" She kept trying to civilize the boy: not that it ever did much good. Liam was too much like his father.

Liam looked cowed, but as irrepressible as he'd acted, it was a fair bet he'd bounce back in no time.

"I think that used to be a faucet," Kevin told them about the pipe. "It is in an awkward place."

"Stupid place, if yer ask me," Liam muttered.

Kevin tried to repress a grin at the boy's irrepressible resiliency, but had to hide it behind his hand, instead.

"Ain't nobody askin' yer," his mother said sternly. Really! Yer'd fink I never taught the boy any manners!

Angel couldn't stand not knowing, anymore. He had to see if Liam had ruined things for him, and finally lifted his eyes to Kevin's. What he saw filled him with relief.

When Angel finally looked at him, Kevin smiled. Indicating the young man's little brother with a little jerk of his head, he rolled his eyes, expressing his incredulous amusement at the boy's behavior.

Angel quickly covered a smirk with his hand. He was liking this man more and more. Kevin seemed to be a great guy, as well as being hot.

"Angel!" Angel's father yelled. "Gimme an 'and, 'ere!"

The young man shrugged apologetically, and trotted off to do his father's bidding, calling out, "A pleasure to meet you, Mister Lambert," as he went.

"Well, I shouldn't intrude on you anymore," Kevin said to Mrs Talbot. He was keeping them from necessary work, and since Angel was busy now, too....

Maggie was torn: etiquette said she should offer refreshments, but there wasn't a thing in the house. "I'd invite yer in fer tea," the woman said helplessly, "but...."

"I understand," Kevin replied with a smile, and then added, "In fact, I doubt you'll be squared away enough to fix supper tonight, so why don't you and your husband bring your family over, and I'll grill some steaks?"

"Oh, we can't impose," Maggie replied, feeling rather awkward. It would be nice to not have to have yet another American restaurant meal, but they had only just met their new neighbor.

"I'm quite a good cook, I assure you," Kevin pressed.

Maggie looked stricken. "I di'nt mean to imply . . . !" Really! How could he have misunderstood that badly?

"Good! It's been a pleasure meeting you and your family, and I'll expect all of you at about six, then," Kevin said with a wide smile, and walked away before she could refuse.

Mrs Talbot looked at the young man's retreating back, mouth half open, wondering what had just happened. But since it looked like they had a dinner engagement that evening, she'd best get busy and do what she could before then.

Thinking about it, Kevin had to admit to himself that his impulsive invitation had a lot to do with Angel – a good excuse to see the young man again.

After making sure he had his wallet with him, he backed his car out of the garage and drove into town. He had some shopping to do.

Six two-inch-thick porterhouse steaks, salad vegetables (including jicama, pears and arugula), four different kinds of steak sauce, baking potatoes, two loaves of freshly baked french bread, two pounds of butter and a couple of tubs of sour cream, a can of whipped cream, a box of vanilla wafers and everything else he'd need to make a mixed fruit bowl rounded out the food for the meal. At this time of the year, though, the 'fresh' fruit was imported from other countries, which meant they'd been picked green and ripened in transit, so he got a large bag of mixed frozen fruit instead.

Having everything he needed to marinate the steaks at home, Kevin turned his attention to beverages. He bought half a case each of Coke, Dr Pepper, and Mountain Dew, and hoped one of them would be acceptable. For the adults, he dropped by the liquor store and got the best imported lager they had.

Being a thrifty sort, the first thing Kevin did when he got home was to cut the meat off the bones of the porterhouse steaks, leaving him with a filet mignon and a New York strip steak from each. Two inch thick New York strip steaks would be more than enough meat, and the filet mignons would serve him for several meals. He double wrapped the filet mignons and put them in the freezer, along with the bones, which would make a good soup stock.

Then he dumped the frozen fruit into a large mixing bowl, sprinkled it liberally with lime juice, cinnamon, and honey, along with a little ground clove, ginger, and lastly some rum: although not as much as if it had been adults only, keeping Liam in mind. Then he took some plastic wrap and covered it, and went about putting together the steak marinade he'd come up with. It was based on other marinade recipes he'd seen, but his had a couple of twists to it.

Kevin mentally thanked the Food Network for teaching him the little tips and tricks he had learned over the past couple of years, and that he had been practicing them. They were paying off.

He left the steaks to marinate in a couple of large freezer bags on the counter, and made sure to leave the beer out, too. He had heard that Brits liked it at room temperature. Then he made a sandwich for lunch, and went ahead and started getting the pool ready for the summer. With three young people nearby, one of whom he wanted to get to know better, it would be a drawing point.

It would take a day – maybe two – for the water to get warm enough, but the heaters wouldn't be needed for more than another month, and then the sun would make the water very comfortable all on its own. That job took most of the afternoon, but Kevin took the occasional break to go in and turn the steaks over and stir the fruit bowl, and he still had to clean the grill and take a shower. He'd got rather grimy and sweaty from all that work, and it wasn't quite over with, yet.

A pumice stone made quick work of the grill, and after wiping the grit off with a brush and an oiled rag, he sighed with relief. He then went inside, turned the oven on to pre-heat, and then headed for the shower. It would have to be a quick one, though, as he still had more work to do with the food.

With only half an hour to go, Kevin finished getting dressed, feeling very refreshed from his shower and shave, and then went to the kitchen where he washed, oiled, and then tossed the potatoes into the oven to bake. Then he made the salad, gave the fruit another stir, and put it in the 'fridge.

The doorbell rang.

"Come in!" he said with a wide smile to the family standing there when he opened the door.

Mister Talbot was scowling slightly, but the rest of them, except Liam, were wearing slightly uncertain smiles. There was nothing uncertain about Liam's wide smile.

They, also, seemed to have changed clothes. In deference to the heat, the females both wore loose summer frocks, Megan's being a few inches shorter than her mother's. Mister Talbot wore slacks and a blue button-down shirt, while both boys were wearing tight, short cotton denim shorts and tennis shoes. Liam was wearing a blue cotton tank top, and Angel was wearing a black, form-fitting, short-sleeved fishnet shirt that didn't hide a thing.

Kevin had to swallow the saliva that suddenly flooded his mouth at the sight of the young man.

"Would you like a beer, Mister Talbot? Mrs Talbot?" he offered, tearing his eyes away from the gorgeous youth. "I also have coffee, and soda for the kids."

Kevin winced at his gaffe, even as he made it. Liam qualified as a kid, but not the other two. But other than sending an apologetic look at Angel and the girl, he let it slide.

Angel gave their host a slight, amused smirk. He was pretty sure that it was the outfit he'd picked out especially to show himself off to Kevin that had him acting like that. That made him both happy, and nervous. He was glad Mister Lambert was interested in him, but this was a man, not a boy his own age.

"Probably as weak as dishwater, but a beer'd be welcome," Mister Talbot groused. Anyfing to make this evenin' more bearable, he thought.

"Thank you," Maggie said, elbowing her husband in the ribs, and accepting the offer as well. Did the man have no couth? Yes, she was quite aware of the probable cause of her husband being so churlish, but Mister Lambert had given him no reason for it.

"I'm afraid I'm running a little behind, but if you'll follow me," Kevin said, "I can get your refreshments, and we can go out back to the barbecue area. I bought the best beer the store had, so I hope it's acceptable," he said over his shoulder as he led the way to the kitchen. "I didn't have time to go to the micro-brewery, which has some fairly tasty brews."

"There's a brewery, 'ere?" Jake inquired, sounding faintly surprised, but interested.

"A small one, just down the road in Fairfield," their host confirmed.

Reaching the kitchen counter, Kevin handed both adults a bottle of lager, and then a couple of glasses from the cupboard.

"Enjoy!" he told them.

Turning to the young people, Kevin asked, "And for you three?"

"Soft drinks," their mother said firmly, more to her children than to him.

Megan looked disappointed, and Angel looked like he wished he dared to object.

"Okay, then I have Coke, Mountain Dew, and Dr Pepper," Kevin stated, looking expectantly at the young people.

"Wot's Mountain Dew?" Liam asked.

Kevin hesitated, wondering how to explain it. "Well, it's based on orange juice, but it doesn't taste much like it. I think it's pretty good, though."

"And Dr Pepper?" the boy asked.

"It's supposed to have a lot of different fruit extracts, but nobody knows which ones. Some people think it's got prune juice in it."

Liam made a face. "I'd like ter try the Mountain Dew, please," he said.

"I'd like a Coke, if ya don't mind," Megan put in.

Kevin looked at Angel, who was still deciding. "Angel?" he prompted, his voice softer than he'd meant it to be. Damn. Gotta watch that. Don't want to scare him off by coming on too strong, he thought.

The young man's face tinted at Kevin's tone, but he said, "Dr Pepper, please." What do I do? Angel thought to himself in a panic. I've never had a boyfriend before! I don't want to eff this up! In the end, he decided there was only one thing he could do: he decided that, for the most part, he should let the man make the moves, and take his cue from those. He'd do what he could to show willing whenever an opportunity came up, but other than that....

"Ah, adventurous! I like that," Kevin said with a grin, and turned to retrieve the sodas for them.

Angel was happy he'd taken a chance. Besides, he kind of liked prunes – once in a while.

"Angie's got a boy-friend," Liam sing-songed quietly, a devilish grin on his face.

Megan back-handed the boy's arm just before Angel did.

"Ow!" the boy complained, rubbing the arm both his siblings had hit.

Kevin chuckled at him, causing Liam to glower at the man as though he'd just been betrayed.

"Shouldn't tease if you don't like the consequences," Kevin told him with a grin as he filled glasses with ice.

The boy studied him, and then suddenly grinned. "I like you," he decided. Sure, the man hadn't taken up for him, but he was honest, and friendly, and gave good advice. Not that Liam was going to take it. Teasing his brother was too much fun. He'd just have to move faster, next time.

"Well, thank you," the man said, pouring the sodas. "I think I like you, too." Kevin couldn't begin to think of what thought processes the boy might have used to come to that conclusion, given the situation, so he didn't even try.

Jake had been watching their host with his children, a slightly troubled look on his face, while Maggie had been looking around at the kitchen.

"You live here alone?" Jake asked, deciding he needed to know more about this young man.

Looking at him, Kevin replied, "Yes. My parents died a few years ago, and left it to me."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Maggie sympathised. "Was it sudden?"

"Not really," was the reply as he handed the poured sodas to the three younger Talbots. He had been expecting the question, or one like it. "It was a surprise, but you kind of expect trouble with the elderly."

They both looked faintly puzzled at that. Kevin couldn't blame them. He was twenty-five, so one would expect his parents to only be middle-aged.

"I was a 'change of life' baby," he explained. "They were in their mid-forties when they had me. Dad had a heart attack, and I think Mom just died of a broken heart."

Maggie nodded, looking thoughtfully at her husband as she did so. She wasn't quite sure if Jake's death – God forbid – would affect her that badly, but she was sure it wouldn't be pleasant.

"No siblings of yer own, then?" Jake persisted.

"Two," the younger man said offhandedly. "Both over twenty years older than me."

"So why did you move to America?" Kevin then asked, figuring it was time someone else was asking questions.

"New sights, new opportunities," the Talbot family head replied briefly.

"Gettin' away from the leaches, too," Maggie added with a moue of distaste on her face.

Jake gave her a frustrated glare.

"I'm sorry?" Kevin inquired. Leaches?

"Won the national lottery a couple years ago, di'nt we?" Jake almost growled.

That explained the 'leaches' comment, anyway. Distant relatives and old 'friends' seem to pop out of the woodwork when you have a bit of good fortune, as well as hucksters and confidence men.

"And wot der you do fer a livin', then?" Jake inquired. Was this young man going to trouble them for money, now that he knew they had it?

"I write computer programs," their host replied. "It pays well."

"Comfortable, then?" Jake inquired.

Kevin gave him a grim smile. "I'd be 'comfortable' without working," he revealed, knowing the older man was spear fishing for information. His questioning wasn't anywhere near delicate enough to be likened to any other kind. "I do it because I can't sit around all day doing nothing, and I enjoy it."

In fact the work he got was rather sporadic, him being relatively new to the field, but those he did get did pay well, and he was slowly building a reputation for himself.

Kevin wasn't 'rich', per se, but 'comfortable' definitely covered it. John and Matty, his brother and sister, had gone through their shares rather quickly, due in part to demands from their disparate families, and partly due to splurging with an unaccustomed wealth. He'd given them one loan each, and then refused to give more until they paid back the first, which hadn't happened.

You know the saying about people who owe you money being harder to find than hen's teeth? It applied.

Jake relaxed a little, after that disclosure. He had been afraid that their neighbor would get in good with his kids, and then ask him for a 'loan'.

Kevin had been busy while they were talking. He'd gathered together everything that needed to be taken outside.

Angel had immediately moved to help him, which prompted Maggie and Megan to do the same, and his mother conscripted Liam to help, too. With so many people helping, Kevin wound up only carrying the meat.

Making eye contact with Angel, but addressing the whole group, Kevin told them, "Thank you," for their help, for which he was rewarded when Angel smiled at him.

Kevin loved his smile. But he didn't forget the rest of Angel's family.

"If you'll follow me outside, I need to get the grill going," he told them. "I'm afraid I spent too much time on the pool, today."

"Yer 'ave a swimmin' pool?" Liam asked excitedly. He didn't know anybody back home who had their own, private pool.

Kevin exchanged a smile with Angel over his brother's enthusiasm as they headed out back.

"Ay! I'm over 'ere!" the youngster exclaimed in annoyance. Damn! I were only jokin' about the 'ole 'boyfriend' fing, an' now.... Liam almost snorted his frustration, but wasn't quite sure why he was upset. Well, except he expected a person's attention when he was talking to them.

"Yes, I have a pool," the man told him with a grin. "I'd hate to think I spent all that time on someone else's pool, free of charge."

The boy wrinkled his nose and stuck his tongue out at him, but Kevin could see the boy almost quivering with the effort to not go rushing ahead of the group to see it. It was only a few more seconds, anyway.

"Wot size is it?" Liam questioned.

Typical kid question, Kevin thought, amused. "I think it's about thirty feet long and ten feet wide, but I'm not sure. It was built when my brother and sister were kids. It's narrower than you'd expect for it's length, though."

"How deep?" Angel asked, for his own reasons.

"Ten feet at the deep end, and about three and a half feet at the shallow end."

After depositing the food on the patio table, Kevin went over to the grill where he'd put everything out earlier, ready for use. He lit the briquettes in the two chimney starters, and noticed that Liam was already exploring the pool and the yard.

Angel stood close to their host, using the excuse of watching what he was doing in order to be close.

"Do you do barbecue in Britain?" Kevin asked him.

"It's very popular," Angel replied, and then gave a little laugh. "Well, it's very popular in the summer – not very practical when it rains." Be obvious, Angel, he thought to himself scornfully. Nobody barbecues in the ruddy rain!

"There are so many things that are just a little bit – and sometimes a great deal different between our two countries," Kevin commented, changing the subject. "Your parents are very accepting of your orientation, for instance."

Angel shrugged. "I was just lucky," he said. "It can be fairly bad, for some."

"Me too," Kevin told him. "After the initial shock, anyway. You should have heard them before they stopped reacting and started thinking," he added, grinning.

It really hadn't been funny, though. For awhile, he thought everybody but his dad was going to reject him.

Raising his eyes from the grill to see how Angel reacted to that sally, their eyes met, and it was all Kevin could do not to lean forward and kiss the beautiful youth. But it was far too soon for that, and the young man's family were all present, too. That last was better than a chastity belt.

The man shook his head to clear it, then busied himself with the barbecue tools.

"I feel it too, you know," Angel said softly, feeling very daring and more than a little scared to be baring his emotions like he was about to do.

"What?"

"The attraction."

Kevin nodded, admitting it, then took a chance and asked, "How would your parents take it?"

Angel smiled. "Mum already told me to behave myself. I think Dad's cut the apron strings, so to speak."

Kevin thought about it. "You're your own man, make your own decisions?" he guessed.

Angel nodded, and moved a few inches closer.

"Any closer, and we'll have to start picking out curtains," Kevin joked.

"Don't know you well enough for a commitment, but I'm willing for a taste of it," Angel softly replied. This man made him horny, and reckless with it, since he knew it wasn't likely he was going to be rebuffed, now.

Kevin wondered at the forwardness of the youth, but he wasn't going to knock it. "How about an open invitation, then, whenever you can get away? Just for a cuddle and some talk at first, and see what happens from there."

"I'm psychic," Angel replied, almost cooing.

Kevin wondered what he had to say. "Oh?"

Angel nodded. "I can already see my legs in the air," he disclosed with a devilish smile.

Kevin had to laugh. He'd walked right into that one. But the image the young man had conjured in his mind had him hard in no time. Not being able to act on it, he did some light teasing, instead.

"You're bad!" he said, grinning.

"Not yet, but who knows?" Angel returned, grinning at him. He was relieved that Kevin hadn't made fun of the idea, although he wasn't sure if the man liked it, either. At the same time, he was happy to have made him laugh.

"How old are you?" Kevin inquired.

Was that it? Was Kevin worried about his age? "Sixteen and a half. And you?"

"Twenty-five. Think you can deal with that?"

"I'm willing to make an exception," Angel replied in a nonchalant way that obviously wasn't meant to be taken seriously. "You?"

Everyone else was paying attention to the two by the barbecue. Nobody was paying any attention to Liam. Just what the boy wanted, right then.

Kevin sobered as he contemplated Angel's question. "I'm willing to take a chance. But you have to know that the age of consent is eighteen, in California."

"I thought California was supposed to be progressive?" Angel exclaimed, sounding a little shocked. He'd looked forward to being of age ever since he'd realized he was gay. He'd been legal for six months, a lot of which had been spent in gettng ready for this move, and now a change of address was taking that away from him? Just when he'd found a bloke he wanted to be with?

Kevin shrugged. "Over half the nation has the age at sixteen. Unfortunately, our state is one of the holdouts. Fundamentalists have a strong presence in our state government right now." That was his opinion, anyway. Whether it was true or not was another matter, and a matter not easily discovered.

The look of disgust on Angel's face said it all. Busy-body religious fanatics thinking they knew how to run everybody's lives, when most of the time they couldn't even run their own!

"Hey!" Kevin said defensively, backing away in mock fear, "not my fault!"

That brought Angel's sense of humor back, and he laughed, Kevin right along with him.

Angel determined he wasn't going to worry about the laws of an up-tight colonial state. His parents had taught him how to be responsible, and he was quite capable of making his own decisions, thank you.