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Ginger Blue

By: SW_MO_Hermit



Once again my editor "Wires" has worked wonders with one of my stories. I want to thank him for his efforts to make this story more readable. As usual, however, the errors that remain are solely mine.

*****

Alfred Thomas was startled awake from his sleep by heavy pounding on the door of his small apartment. When he roused from his drunken stupor, sprawled across his queen sized bed, his heart was pounding as badly as was his head. The sun was streaming in through the south facing windows in the small apartment he and his grandfather built for him over his grandfather's old, detached, two car garage. As his eyes opened he was further moved to wakefulness by a kick and the slam of a small fist in his chest when the small woman sleeping with him was also awakened. When Al moved his stomach rolled and he felt acid reflux in his throat. Al clenched his jaws to keep the bile and sour beer from spewing out of his stomach onto the floor of his admittedly not very clean apartment.

The two half asleep, half drunken, and completely scared people in the bed were tangled together in each other's arms and legs as well as in the damp sheets. Al glanced at the thermometer showing the outside temperature when he felt how sweaty he was. According to his thermometer it was already 95 degrees Fahrenheit outside his abode.

Al turned his attention to his bed partner next. The beautiful young woman's breasts and neck were covered with love bites, hickies and whisker burns. Her little pussy gaped open and a white substance seeped from it. The cheeks of her ass and her thighs had a crusty substance on them as did the small tuft of pubic hair at the top of her pussy. There were dark circles around her bloodshot eyes. Angel Moore looked at Al with worry on her face. She muttered, "Who the hell is that? OH, GOD, you don't think it's Daddy do you?" She grabbed the covers and started to pull them over her but they were too entangled with both bodies to adequately cover her nudity.

Al groaned as he looked at the woman in his bed. He listened once again to the pounding on his door. His mouth was cottony. He was sick, weak, and shaking. Part of his shakiness was the fear or shock from waking to the pounding on his door. Part of his problem was the copious amounts of cheap beer he, his friends, and his last night's entertainment, consumed during and after the party they attended. Damn, he felt like shit. He had only been sober one morning in the last five days since graduating from high school. It didn't matter that both the people in the bed were only 18 and too young to drink legally. Some form of alcohol was always available if you were willing to pay and knew the right people.

Al finally croaked out, "What?" He slowly, painfully moved to sit on the edge of his bed. He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned on his bracing arms, head hanging. He wasn't sure he wasn't going to have to make a run to his small bathroom and throw up. The world was spinning and his stomach was rolling from the alcohol still in his system. He had worse shakes than he could remember ever having before after a night of drinking and partying.

After Al responded to the noise coming from the door it swung open and his grandfather stormed into the apartment. He immediately moved though the small living room and into the bedroom. Don Thomas noted instantly the state of health of his grandson and the latest slut to spread her legs for him. He was somewhat surprised the woman was with Al in his bed. He expected him to be alone. Normally, Al didn't bring his women back to the farm. Don was further surprised when recognition hit him and he recognized the nude woman trying to cover herself and hide. Her head was hanging low; her face was crimson from her embarrassment. 

Don let his gaze linger on the young woman for a moment longer then turned his attention to Al. He said, "Damn it, boy, this crap has to stop and I mean right now. Your boss called a few minutes ago. He wanted to know where you were again. He said this was the third time this week you didn't call or come in to work. He fired you son. He said not to even come back for your last pay check. He'll mail it to you. I come to check on you and find you in bed with the preacher's daughter. What the hell's wrong with you, boy? You can't go through life like this. You get Angel home and get your ass back here. We need to have a long talk, son."

Al felt his temper surge. He glared at his grandfather and said, "Ok, Ok. Just give me a minute will ya? Jeeze."

Don glared at the couple once again and turned without further speech. When he left the bedroom he closed the door on them. He didn't exactly slam the door, but he did close it very vigorously. It was obvious to Al that Gramps was pissed. He felt the fear knot in his belly. Gramps was local Golden Gloves champion when he was young and he still knew how to box. If anything, he was stronger now than he was then. Gramps also ruled his domain with an iron fist. Oh, he wasn't mean or anything, but he WAS the boss. After Al's parents died and he moved to live with his grandparents, it didn't take Gramps long to correct Al's attitude. For a couple of years gramps kept Al on a short leash. If Al followed the rules and did his homework and chores it was all fine, life was good. If he disobeyed or failed to do his assignments for school or complete his chores correctly at home, punishment was sure and swift. Gramps believed strongly in "spare the rod and spoil the child" discipline. Al could still feel some of his spankings in his mind.

Like many young people who grew up in the country Al was strong from physical labor. He also had somewhat of an attitude that many rural boys seemed to carry. Pride was oozing out of his pores and disrespect—actual or perceived-was not tolerated. Unfortunately, Al had yet to earn much respect from the adults in the community and they treated him with much disrespect, even loathing, because of the way he bedded many of the young women and a few of the wives in the area. Al was a typical modern teen. He liked to play first and work only when he couldn't get out of it. He knew his grandfather loved him but he was equally positive he did not show him the respect Al thought he deserved. After all, Al was tough and mean. He won all the fights he ever got into with boys his own age.

Al stood and felt his stomach lurch once again. He swayed then staggered into his bathroom to clean up. Just before he turned on the shower he said to Angel, "Sounds like Gramp is pissed. You need to get dressed and I'll run you home soon's I finish my shower here. If you want to clean up first you'll have to hurry."

Angel threw the sheet off and began to move around the room looking for her clothes. She moved slowly, sick and in pain. She, too, felt her stomach lurch from the alcohol imbibed the night before. She was thirsty, so thirsty. Angel didn't see her clothes in the bedroom so bent and looked under the bed. They weren't there either. 

When Al saw her on hands and knees beside the bed looking under it he grinned and felt his worn out cock stir. Even as lousy as he felt the sight of her dangling boobs and sweet little cunt peeking out between her slightly spread thighs aroused him. He rapidly moved behind Angel, knelt between her legs, grabbed her hips and thrust his now hard cock back into her still draining pussy.

Angel grunted and squealed when Al drove his 7 ½ inch cock into her. She moaned and let her head and shoulders rest on the floor of Al's small apartment as she savored his mad thrusting. Much faster than expected Angel felt her pussy flutter and clench against the invading cock. She began to moan and thrust against Al as her climax neared. Al grinned at her response and began slamming harder into the small woman as she drove her ass back to meet his thrusts.

Angel screamed and clamped down on the cock thrusting in her sore pussy. Al felt the rapid clamping and release as Angel's orgasm rushed through her. With a roar he pulled her tightly against his groin and pumped yet another load of his potent seed into the small woman. Al grinned as he looked down on Angel. He wondered how a woman who looked so pure and virginal at church meetings could be such a cock hungry slut with him away from her parent's influence. 

With a moan, Angel allowed herself to collapse onto the floor then she rolled to her side. She looked up at Al and said, "Honey, that sure wasn't taking a shower like you told me you were going to do."

Al smiled and replied, "Yeah, but it sure was better. I got us both wet again, doesn't that count? The sweat's running off us both." He slapped her ass gently and said, "Now, you need to find your clothes and we need to go. You want a shower first or not? I think I'll wait until I get back home."

Angel looked down at her body and grimaced. "Oh, yeah. I better have a quick shower. If Daddy sees me like this there will be even more hell to pay than I am going to get for being out all night." 

Al picked up the clothes he wore the day before and began to dress. Angel quickly stood and scurried out into the living room and small kitchen area looking for her clothes. All she found was her short skirt. She walked back into the bedroom to confront Al. She said, "Al I can't find my blouse or underwear. I can't even find my shoes. Do you know where we left them?"

Al continued dressing for a moment then said, "No, can't say as I do." 

A frightened look flashed across Angel's face. She looked at Al and said, "What are we going to do? I can't go home in just a skirt. Daddy'll have a shit fit. We have to find my clothes Al."

As Angel moved into the shower Al walked to his dresser and pulled a T-Shirt from the drawer. He threw the shirt into the small bathroom, looked at Angel and said, "You can wear my shirt and your skirt. That should take care of it."

"Al. You know I can't go home half dressed. Daddy will kill me if he sees me without a bra. He's gonna be pissed enough about me being out all night without seeing me half naked, as he calls it. Besides, one of your T-shirts will fit me like a dress, not like one of my blouses or other tops. Damn, why'd you let me get so drunk anyway?"

Al looked at Angel and grinned. He said, "Because I wanted to fuck you and you're more fun when you're not worrying about what your prudish preacher father thinks or might say."

"Damn you, Al. This isn't funny. I don't know why I keep running around with you. You always get me into trouble."

"You run around with me for the same reason Sam and Pru do. You all want me to fuck you and we all have fun together. Now, you can't tell me you didn't enjoy what we did last night either so don't even try."

Angel lowered her head and almost whispered, "I know, but you could make things easier if you would."

"Not my problem. You all are my women. Your pussy belongs to me and how you handle things is your problem unless some asshole makes it mine. Now come on, let's go. I need to get back here to see what I can do about Gramps. He's MY problem."

When Al pulled his old truck into the driveway at the parsonage Angel's father The Right Reverend Thaddeus Moore came out the door and stood on the front porch. He stared at Al while Angel got out of the truck. As soon as she was standing outside the truck Reverend Moore moved from the porch to meet her. When he got to Angel the Reverend grabbed her arm and began pulling her toward the house. He was berating her for staying out all night. When he smelled her breath he began lecturing her on the evils of alcohol. Al also heard him making comments on her attire or lack thereof before he put his truck in gear and backed from the driveway.

When Al got back to his grandfather's home he found Gramps sitting under his "whittling Tree". Al's grandfather sat back in his chair and held his knife and current whittling project while he watched Al get out of his truck. Al walked slowly toward his grandfather. He wasn't looking forward to another lecture, especially in his condition. When Al got about five feet away from where Gramps sat his grandfather used the hand in which he held his knife to gesture toward the other yard chair beside and slightly facing the one he sat in. He said, "Sit down, son. We need to have a long talk here and it aint agonna be easy for either of us."

Gramps leaned back and stared at Al for what seemed like forever before he sighed and began talking. He said, "Al, you're a grown man in almost every way possible. You will be 19 in a few months and have graduated high school. I know you think you have the world by the short and curlies. We all felt like that when we got out of school, son. You do have a lot of knowledge that people in my generation didn't have when we got out of school. What you don't have is the answer to the world's problems or the ability to survive on your own without more education and more work.

"Son, you have the basics, that's all. Oh, sure, you might be able to go to town and get a job in a factory but in this economy you could be laid off in weeks even if you were hired. But you haven't even done that. All you've done since you came to live here with your Grandma and me is eat, go to school and screw every young girl you can talk into standing still or laying down for it. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if you figured out how to fuck while walking or driving. Son, pussy is great. I know that. I was young once. I'm still a man. I know how wonderful a willing woman is. But son, you can't go through life fucking everything you can stick your dick into. For one thing, if the woman's man or daddy doesn't kill you or beat you almost to death you can die some other way. You damn sure can't make a living by fucking, either. Son, chasing pussy will ruin your life sure as shit.

"I blame your father's devotion to screwing every female he could get his dick into for his and your momma's death." Al sat up straighter and started to yell at his Gramps when he said that. The old man raised his hand and said sharply, "Now, you just calm down there, son. I know the law said their traffic accident was just that—an accident. I can't prove it but the man who ran into their car with his tractor trailer rig was married to one of your daddy's fuck toys and was the father of another one. The way I saw the accident scene, he almost had to have hit them on purpose. I can't prove that and it don't matter now. That man's dead now, too, and the deputy that investigated the accident divorced his wife, who was another of your daddy's women, then moved away. It's all water under the bridge, son, but I have my suspicions. I suspect the deputy glossed over the facts and let the man that killed your daddy walk. He hated your daddy, too.

"I loved your daddy to death and your momma, too, but them's the facts. Your daddy was just like you. He stuck his dick into every pussy he could and your momma helped him after they got together. I still think he died of an overdose of pussy even though some other man did him in, whether it was an accident or not.

"Son, I been hearing the same angry whispers in town about how you're fucking people's daughters and wives that I heard about your daddy when he was running wild. You need to watch what you do, son, or you're going to end up hurt or dead just like him. You fuck some other man's daughter and some of the men will laugh and say you're all man, but eventually you'll fuck enough of the daughters and wives in town and the men will get tired of it. When they get angry enough they will do something about it and most likely you won't like the results. You're almost to that point as far as I can tell. Even the men without daughters the right age for you to fuck are starting to talk bad about you and what you're doing. They're not laughing about you nailing another girl like they used to. They're wondering what will happen when their young daughters get a little older if you are still around. Some of them with pretty wives are wondering if you are going to set your sights on them. They are beginning to think maybe something should be done about you before you move on to their women. Son, you need to change your ways before it's too late."

Gramps leaned back in his chair for a moment and looked at the dejected and slightly angry young man. He took a deep breath and continued, "Now, we need to talk about something else here, too. You lost your job today. I know it wasn't much, but you lost it. Stock boy at a little maw and paw grocery store eighteen hours a week is small potatoes but it was a stepping stone, son. Folks have three things to hold against you. You fuck their women, you aren't reliable enough to hold a job, and you fight a lot. Oh, I guess there is a fourth thing also—you drink a lot, too. On top of that you have no education or training for anything except unskilled labor or factory work. You need to get your head out of your ass and THINK about your future THEN you need to do something about it. You want to be unemployed all your life? You want to be on welfare? Or do you want to do some kind of work you enjoy and make a good living? Them's your choices, boy. Now what do you want and how will you get it?"

Al sat and glared at his grandfather. He wanted to be angry at him. Hell, he was angry at him, but he knew he was right. He knew a lot of boys near his age that got out of high school and tried to find work without further education. Many of them only worked part time or worked at horrible jobs that paid minimum wage or slightly more. He saw them in threadbare clothes driving rattletrap vehicles. If they had a woman she was skanky and rough. He wanted quality pussy. He wanted a nice truck and home. 

Al forced himself to lean back in his chair. He took a deep breath and looked at his grandfather. He had a hangdog expression on his face. He was still pale from his hangover but his three day beard, shaggy hair, and threadbare work clothes didn't help. Just as he started to answer the question his grandmother brought out a pitcher of her sweet homemade lemonade. She poured two ice filled glasses full of the drink, handed one to each man and set the pitcher on the table between them before she returned to the house. The two men drained their glasses without talking. Al refilled the glasses and put the nearly empty pitcher back on the table. 

Just as Al started to say something his grandfather took up the conversation once more. He said, "Son, I have a proposition for you. If you will go to the Junior College and get a two year Associates Degree in Farm Management I'll pay all the fees if you keep a grade average of 3.0 or better. Instead of hiring a man to help with things I can't do or don't want to do any more I'll hire you to do what needs doing. I'll pay you the same I would anyone else for the help you give us here on the place above what you've been doing. Oh, you'll still have some chores because you live here and nothing is free. I'll only pay you for the extra work you do over and above what you do now. During school, if you can't do the extra work when we need help I'll hire someone to fill in. When you get your two year degree I'll help you repair your daddy's house down at Ginger Blue and will make you a partner here on the place. You know the farm will be yours one day anyhow so that just makes sense. 

That old house at Ginger Blue will take a lot of work but I'll help if you want. It aint been lived in since your daddy died. The last time I was there I saw the kids have broken into it and trashed it something terrible. I think the structure is still sound though so we should be able to fix it up ok. 

"You gotta promise me you'll ease off on the pussy, too. I got a call from Reverend Moore after you took Angel home. He was angry, son. I think if he hadn't been a man of the cloth he would have got a gun and come hunting ya. Seems someone told him they saw you take Angel's blouse off and throw it out of the window of your truck onto the church lawn. That weren't too smart, son. I know a young man's got needs, strong needs, but you need to learn to be more discrete when you satisfy them. I know you're going to sow your wild oats. Most of us did, but you need to be discrete. Hell, most women want cock as much as a man wants pussy but they know how to be discrete. You'd be surprised at all the older women around that get a little on the side. Most of their men don't know nothing about it or at least they pretend not to know. You watch, son, and see if you don't see it happening. There's plenty of pussy out there but ya gotta know how to tap it discretely. You watch how the older men and women do the hunt and you do the same. It's safer and you'll probably get more pussy than you need with less hassle from fathers and husbands. It's always a good idea not to rub a man's nose in the fact you're nailing his females.


Ginger Blue



"While we're talking we might just as well talk about your drinking, son. I got no problem with a man having a beer or drink once in a while but you're under age to be drinking, boy. If the Reverend or some of the other do gooders turn you in while you're drunk you're looking at jail time if the law catches ya. They're even worse about driving under the Influence. Now I know you drove home last night drunk and I'm pretty sure you did the last five or six nights. That's another way to ruin your life son. You can get into an accident and kill yourself or hurt or kill someone else. The law sure aint agonna look the other way if you do something like that. Your life would be ruined for certain if you hurt someone driving drunk."

Al looked at his grandpa off and on throughout his lecture. Al felt his cock throbbing when he thought about Angel during the talk. After all the pussy he tapped the last few days he still was ready for more. There was just something about Angel. No matter who he fucked he always came back to Angel. Al said, "I didn't throw the shirt, gramps. Angel did. All I did was tell her to take it off. She's a little slut. She loves to be ordered around by a strong man. Hell, I could call her and tell her to meet me outside naked and I think she would. I think she's what they call a submissive. The nastier you talk to her, the more you make her expose herself in public the hotter she gets. She loves nasty talk and nasty sex."

"Well, boy, that sounds like fun, but doing that will get you in trouble real fast. Keep it to yourself or take her somewhere far away where no one knows you. We had a saying in the Army that could apply here. It was keep your indiscretions 100 miles from the flag pole. I don't care if you fuck her ass off but when it starts causing me and your grandma problems I gotta step in. If she's that wild you might ought to steer clear of her. She's trouble on two feet. Besides, there are laws against public nudity and sex. You do things like that in public and get caught you not only ruin your and Angel's reputation but you could end up in jail for indecent exposure.

"You also need to think about your health, son. I saw you rode Angel bareback last night. You need to think about all the disease out there. If she's as wild as you say how do you know she doesn't have some disease to pass on to you? A diseased pussy will kill you just as dead as a bullet from an angry man. It'll just kill you slower. You ever seen someone die of AIDS? It sure aint pretty. I don't want that for you. You also need to think about getting some of these women pregnant. Did you even think to ask Angel if she was protected?"

"Yeah, Gramps, I thought about getting her pregnant. Angel's on the pill and is safe. I use rubbers when I don't know the girl or trust her, but Angel's different. She's a cock hound deluxe but she don't spread it around like some of them do." Al laughed and continued, "She's a GOOD girl, ya know."

After his little lecture Gramps bent his head down and returned to his whittlin'. He watched Al out of the corner of his eye and didn't answer Al's last statement. The boy looked rough, real rough. After a while Al finished his lemonade. He refilled his grandfather's glass and took the pitcher and his glass back into the house for his grandmother. Gramps watched Al come out of the house and walk back to his little apartment over the garage.

Al entered his little apartment and loudly closed the door. He removed his boots beside the door then took two steps. As he walked he pulled his T-shirt off over his head and threw it toward the couch. He stepped on the cuff of a pant leg and pulled his leg from his jeans. He then stepped on the other cuff and removed the garment. It went onto the couch beside his shirt. Al walked slowly into the bedroom and collapsed on his bed. He was asleep almost before his body stopped bouncing on the mattress. 

Supper time came and Al didn't show up in the kitchen. His grandmother wanted to go get him but Don told her not to. He said, "Leave the boy alone, Honey. He's a man grown now, out of school and on his own. We had a talk today about his future. We're finished catering to him. Just leave him alone and pray he wakes up before it's too late. If he gets hungry he'll either come in for something, fix it himself if there's any food in his place, or go without."

The older couple were finished with their supper and in the living room watching TV when they heard Al's old truck start and drive down the lane toward the dirt country road. They looked at each other in sorrow but neither spoke. It looked as if Don's lecture fell on deaf ears.

When Al woke up he was starving. His stomach was growling worse than it had in several days but he was too ashamed to go into his grandparent's home for supper. All he had in his small apartment were some salty snacks and beer. He grabbed a beer and carried it toward his truck sipping on it as he went. He finished it and threw the empty can out of his truck window shortly after turning onto the country road. His first stop after he got to town was the local burger joint. He ordered his usual double burger, fries, and coke. While he waited on the food he loudly joked with his friends and flirted with the girls hanging out in the dining area. 

Al's meal was quickly delivered and he dove into it. He almost swallowed his food without chewing. Angel came into the building before he completed his supper. When she entered the room most of the people there whooped and hollered at her. Al overheard several comments about her attire or lack thereof when they left town the night before. He also overheard comments about their actions before leaving. Angel became angry with their supposed friends and stomped over to the booth in which Al sat. She plopped her cute ass down on the seat and slammed her hip into Al's wordlessly telling him to move his lard ass over so she could sit beside him.

Without speaking Al slid over slightly to make more room for Angel. She turned to look at him as she grabbed a fry from his basket and stuffed it in her mouth. "Daddy's really pissed this time, Al. He grounded me and told me if he ever caught me with you again he was going to disown me. Al, he threatened to get some of the men from church to run you out of town. I think someone told him about us. From the rumors I hear from the girls the men are almost pissed enough with you to listen to Daddy."

Al snorted and grinned down at Angel. She slapped him on the shoulder and said, "Al, it's NOT funny. I got nowhere to go and no job. I'm 18 years old and just out of high school. As dear old Daddy pointed out, I'm no longer his responsibility and if I don't toe the line and live by his rules there is no law that says he can't put me out of his house. We gotta cool it for a spell, Honey."

Al sighed and said, "Yeah, I suppose. I got a similar lecture from Gramps after I got home today. He told me I needed to watch out for angry fathers and husbands because he was hearing serious threats against me." Al looked at Angel and grinned then continued, "If you're grounded how did you get out of the house tonight?"

Angel grinned and said, "I went out the upstairs window and climbed down the ol' tree by the porch just like we used to do. I hope I can get home again before Daddy decides to check on me. Have you decided what you're gonna do about what your Gramps said?"

"Dunno. Get a job I guess. Gramps wants me to go to college. He said he'd help pay for school and pay me wages for some of the farm work he normally hires others to do if I would straighten up. He said if I get a two year degree he'll help fix up Dad's old house for me and make me a partner. I guess I'll toe the line for a while and see how things go. I really don't like waking up every morning sick as a dog, anyway. Besides most of what he said made sense. I've even noticed some of the things he said about people who try to make it with just a high school diploma. They mostly don't make much money or live very well. I want more than that if I can get it. Most of the guys are working now anyway so there's no one much to hang around with during the day. I'd just as well work."

Angel sat and nibbled on Al's supper while they talked about their situation. When Al finished his meal he looked around then said, "I guess I better get back home. If I'm gonna have to work on the place I'll need my sleep. Guess I'll catch ya later, Angel."

Al scooted toward the edge of the booth sort of pushing Angel out as he did so. She stood and stepped aside to allow him to stand. He didn't say anything else nor did she. She watched him walk slowly toward the exit. As he moved through the room he made a few comments to their friends. Angel followed him toward the door. Just after they left the building she grabbed him and gave him a kiss and lengthy hug. She stepped back and watched as he got in his truck, started it, and drove from the lot. She dejectedly turned and began her short trek home.

As Angel walked toward her home she began thinking about the future. She had no skills to speak of other than those taught a preacher's daughter or other high school student. Other than Al she didn't care for any of the boys in town. She either had to follow her father's rules and probably sooner rather than later marry one of the wimps from church or strike out on her own. Neither option interested her too much. The thought of being one of the docile herd of church women frightened her to death. Some of the men who attended the church and their sons that her father approved of were so wimpy they made wet spaghetti look stiff. She wanted a real man—a man like Al. Hell, she wanted Al. There really had never been another boy for her from the first time she met Al.

After Angel crawled back into her bedroom through the open window she sat in her desk chair. As she thought she twisted the swivel chair back and forth while she gently played with her pussy. After a small unsatisfying orgasm she let her dress drop and walked downstairs. Her father was in his office working on a sermon when she knocked on the door.

Reverend Moore looked up at his daughter standing in the doorway and clamped his teeth together. He felt his ire and disgust rise when he saw her. Angel felt acid release in her stomach when she saw her father's face. She almost turned and ran back into her bedroom without talking to him. She knew she had to do something though or things would only get worse. She said, "Daddy, I'm sorry for what I've done the last few days. I guess I just sort of lost it when I got out of school and all. I don't want to be a bad girl, Daddy. I want a good future and a good husband. I've been thinking all evening about things. Could we afford for me to go to the college and get some courses that would maybe help me get a better job? Maybe I could take some bookkeeping courses and so forth and even help with the church books."

Reverend Moore felt the bands loosen somewhat in his stomach when his Angel made her comments. Maybe she had listened to his lecture after all. Maybe the Good Lord heard his prayers. He smiled and said, "Of course, Angel. We'll get you some classes that will help you in the future."

Angel ran to her father and gave him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. "Oh, thank you, Daddy. I'll do really well. You'll see."

As Angel turned to leave the room the Reverend Moore thought to himself that if nothing else maybe she would meet a good man at the college and get married. At least she would be away from that loser Al Thomas and his friends. They were way too bad an influence on his Angel.

The next morning Al was up and at breakfast in his grandparents' house on time. While he was drinking his last cup of coffee Don asked, "Well boy. You give any thought to what we talked about yesterday?"

"Yeah, Gramps. Guess I'll give it a try. I got nothing else in sight."

"Don't do me any favors boy. You take my deal and you have to work, son. And I expect you to work hard here and get good grades from school too. This little place will generate enough profit to provide a good life for you and your family if you manage it correctly. It did just fine for me and your grandma ya know."

None of the work that summer was new to Al. He had done it all at one time or another. What was new was that he had to do more of the work and for longer periods of time. Oh, there were days when he didn't work much at all but there were others when he worked 12-16, even 18 to twenty hours. He remembered seeing his grandfather and father out working until midnight or later when he was younger but hadn't thought much about it then. In fact he thought they weren't too smart to spend all those wonderful summer days working. Now he found himself doing the same thing. He came home exhausted many nights but he was strangely happy. He was happier than he had been for years. He missed fooling around with his friends evenings but never seriously considered cutting out early and trying to find them. There was work to do so he did it. Al got a strange satisfaction, even real pleasure, from looking behind his machinery and seeing what he had done that day. The cut hay, tilled fields, or whatever work he accomplished was very visible normally. It felt good to look behind his machinery and see what he accomplished.

Besides, the friends he had in high school were either working long hours on their families farms like Al was or they worked in town and had to be in bed early so they could get up and go to work the next day. There was no time for most of the young adults to screw off like when they were in school. The only ones still hanging around the little café were the losers, those who had no job or were only employed part time or were on welfare. Most of Al's friends worked and he didn't want to hang with the losers any more than anyone else did. This, plus the pleasure he obtained from doing his work, caused Al to work longer and longer hours. He began doing work that he felt needed to be accomplished even if he and his grandfather hadn't discussed doing it. The old farm began looking better as Al cleaned fence rows of brush and made some long needed repairs between times working the crops. 

Finally, fall came and college started. Al found himself anticipating the school term. That was a first for him. He really didn't look forward to the class work, but the start of college meant he could cut down on his farm work and find some new pussy to screw. The decline of his farm work was partly because of the season, true, but he also got out of some work because of the schooling.

To his delight, Al found many of the people he went to high school with at college. He also found some new pussy. He still chased pussy relentlessly but after his grandfather's lecture he was a little more discrete doing so. One evening Al used a fake ID and was in a country bar near the college when another part of his grandfather's lecture came back to his mind. He saw three women from back home in a dark back corner of the bar. None of them were with their husbands and all of them were acting like the young skanks Al usually fucked. He stopped trying to get into the pants of his evening squeeze and watched the older women. They all danced with different men before they seemed to settle on one specific man. In short order the three women had three men sitting at their table with them and buying drinks for them between dances.

When his evening's entertainment found she couldn't keep his attention from the three older women she left in a huff. Al spent the rest of the evening drinking lightly, dancing occasionally and watching the three women all the time. Two times one of the women went into the parking lot with one of the men they were dancing with. When the second one went out Al followed. They got into the back seat of a Crew Cab truck and began making out. After a few minutes the woman laid back and the man maneuvered around over her. Al saw his back through the truck side window. He quietly walked up beside the truck and looked inside to verify what he knew was going on.

The man had the woman's skirt up around her waist and her top and bra opened. His pants were around his ankles and he was slamming dick to the woman. Her left heel was on the back seat back, her right one thrown over the back of the front seat. She was moaning and panting while they slammed their crotches together.

Al watched a moment longer then returned to the bar. He couldn't believe what he just saw. The woman getting fucked in the truck was a Deacon's wife in Reverend Moore's church! The other two were well respected wives of local businessmen and members of the church. Damn if Gramps hadn't been right about that part of his lecture. Now Al wondered if there hadn't been more truth to the rest of the lecture than he initially thought. 

That night was a turning point for Al. He applied himself more to his studies and began to be more careful about his trysts and his drinking. Oh, he still did both, but now he was more circumspect. Some people would call him a Baptist Teetotaler. Those were the religious people who ranted and raved about the dangers of alcohol then went into the liquor store through the back door to purchase theirs. They left through the back door and sneaked home with the booze and then drank it while hiding inside. The liquor store in town had a well defined path to the back door and the back door handle was shinier than the front door handle. That was because of the Baptist Teetotalers.

Al applied himself to his studies and actively looked for courses that might help him operate the farm. He especially liked his marketing and farm management classes. Part of the coursework in those two classes dealt with increasing cash flow and profits from traditional crops as well as developing new products for the farm. They even discussed vertical integration, adding value to farm production by processing the farm grown crops or animals before sale to a retail rather than a wholesale market, as well as raising nontraditional crops. Al was amazed that people would pay premium prices for certain items based on how they were produced and marketed. He even became excited about cashing in on the trend of city people to pay good money to work or vacation on working farms and ranches. 

To his great delight Al occasionally saw Angel on campus. She was even in a couple of his classes. She was still his most regular pussy but he also used a lot of the young women he met in his classes. Al occasionally also screwed a couple of other girls from his home town. As his education progressed Al also became really interested in Psychology. He even took a couple more psychology classes than he needed because he found it fascinating. In the psychology and marketing classes he learned how to convince people to do things. Of course, Al being Al, what he did with the knowledge was not as ethical as it might have been. He used his newfound knowledge to talk more women into his bed.

Almost before he knew it his two years at college were over. He actually thought about transferring to a nearby University and getting a 4 year Bachelors Degree in Agriculture, but after his graduation with an Associate's Degree, emphasis on production and marketing, he was ready to quit school for a while at least. He returned to the farm ready to take over as he promised his grandfather. 

Gramps let him have a couple of days off to relax before they discussed the duties and financials of the operation. On Monday, the week after graduation, Gramps looked at Al during breakfast and said, "Well, Son, ya did it. You kept your word and now I will keep mine. Your grandmother and I are proud of you, son. After you finish your breakfast why don't you bring your coffee out to the tree and we'll talk about things."




Ginger Blue



Done with his breakfast, he grabbed a cup of coffee and met his grandfather outside. They sat under the tree where it had all came to a head about two years earlier. They looked out over the lower pasture toward the tree line beside the Elk River. Gramps looked at Al and grinned. He said, "I'm proud of you, boy. You kept your pussy hunting away from town and most of the ire directed toward ya has died down. I got friends over in Neosho, though, and they tell me you don't have quite as good reputation over there. Of course, Reverend Moore is still angry as all get out at you. You just couldn't leave that girl of his alone could ya?"

Al looked at his grandfather with a sheepish expression. He hung his head and said, "No, Gramps, I have trouble leaving Angel alone. There's just something about her I keep going back for. I can't explain it but after a while I just need to get together with her for some reason."

Gramps looked at Al a moment and said, "Well, enough of this idle chit chat. Maybe one of these days you'll figure Angel and you out. Let's talk business now. What I want to do, son, is turn all the work over to you here on the place. Mostly, I just want to do the daily chores here around the house, keep the garden, and help with the busy times. I'll give you advice and all but unless you are going to make a hell of a mess I won't over rule ya. You been working with me now for the last two years and you've learned a lot. 

"I'll let you have two thirds of the profit from the place as pay for your work. Your grandma and I can get by passing well with a third of the profit and our Social Security checks. We'll call that rent for the place 'cause rent doesn't count against what I can earn and still get my Social Security. That's also why I won't be helpin' you any or managing the place. This fall after crops are harvested we'll begin working on your old house. I'll help with some of the work on the building and will pay half of the cost of materials like I promised. That sound fair to you son? As long as you live here I'll provide the apartment and food like before. After you move into your own house you'll get lunch here. How's that sound?"

"I guess I can live with that. At least I'll try to do that. I don't rightly know how much money we're talking about though. Will it be enough for me to live on?"

"Well, Al, I don't know how much money we're talking about either. Profits vary a lot year to year and depend on the crop you choose to plant. Some years we only make five or six thousand dollars. Other years we make thirty or forty thousand dollars. Of course we could make more some years but I've been slowing down. I don't plant as much and we don't have as many cattle as we used to. I've had to hire more of the work done too so that cuts down on the profit. We get a lot of our food from the farm though son so we won't go hungry in the lean years. Of course a lot of farmers hereabouts either work in town or their wives do. That helps in the bad years."

True to his word, after the summer work was finished Gramps and Al began renovating his old house in the unincorporated settlement of Ginger Blue. This was a small resort community that had seen better days. They only worked on the house when they had time that could be taken away from the farm work so the renovations went slowly. At one time the house was a showplace. It sat on a bluff overlooking the beautiful Elk River about a quarter mile from the Ginger Blue lodge. The resort still served meals and had a few threadbare rooms to rent. The bar was still open and did a fair amount of business on weekends and during the summer. The few cabins still good enough to rent were small and outdated. Most of them were in poor enough repair they weren't rented any longer.

Al and his grandfather started the house renovation by stripping all the damaged and outdated material from the interior of the building. They stripped out all the old wiring and plumbing, then repaired the structural damage. After doing that they replaced all the windows, repaired and painted the siding and replaced the shingles on the roof.

Just after Christmas, Al and his grandfather decided to install a wood stove inside the old house and continue the renovation throughout the winter. While they were trying to get the stove set up in the living room they dislodged some stones from the old fireplace while inserting the stove pipe into the chimney. When Al looked at the damaged fireplace he saw a metal box inside that had been hidden behind some of the stones. He reached in and pulled out the box. It was locked with an old fashioned padlock.

Al took the box over to a workbench and cut the lock off it. Inside were several papers, including an old deed to the property, a small amount of old money, and a large ornate document. When they read the document they saw it was a bearer bond issued by the resort of Ginger Blue, face amount $30,000.00. The bond was issued in 1929 and still had coupons attached from 1931 through 1979. The stated interest rate was 5% per annum.

"Hey, Gramps," Al yelled. "Look at this. Do you think it's worth anything?"

"Well, I can't say for sure son. I suspect we need to talk to someone down at the bank to see. It says here on it that the Bank of Pineville issued the bond for Ginger Blue. Maybe they can tell us something about it."

Since it was almost lunch time Al and his Grandfather got into Al's truck and drove to the bank before they went home for lunch. The Bank of Pineville no longer existed. Al and his grandfather actually went into the bank building that once housed the Bank of Pineville but was now U S Bank, a large national chain that had purchased the smaller local bank. Al walked up to the teller and Samantha, one of his fuck buddies, smiled back at him. She said, "Hey, Al, what's up?"

"Hey, Sam. I got this bond here and I wanted to know if it's worth anything now. It says here the Bank of Pineville issued it for Ginger Blue and I wondered what it could be worth. Since your bank bought out the Bank of Pineville several years ago we thought you all might be able to tell us more about it."

"Oh, I don't know anything about that. Let me get Mr. Tolliver, maybe he can help you. I'll be right back." She rushed from behind the counter and entered a small office. Al and Gramps watched her talking for a moment then she and the man inside the office came out.

Les Tolliver smiled and walked toward Al and Gramps. When he got near them he held his hand out to shake and said, "Hello, Don. How are you, Al? It's good to see you both. What's this Sam tells me about you having a bond the Bank of Pineville issued and serviced for Ginger Blue? I've never heard about any bonds for them. Heck, I've never heard of our little bank ever underwriting and servicing bonds of any type at all."

Al held the bond out and Mr. Tolliver took it from his hands. His face showed shock when he glanced at the bond. "Oh, my. On first glance this sure does look like a legitimate bond. Why don't you come into the office and let me see what I can come up with here?"

The three men walked into the office and took a seat. Mr. Tolliver began looking at something on his computer. After a few moments he pushed back from the computer and looked at Al. I can't find anything on the system about this bond. Could I keep it for a few days and see if I can find anything else out about it? For something this old we'll probably have to dig into the old paper records stored back in the archives. Hell, I don't even know if we can find anything."

"No, I don't feel real comfortable about that. Can you make a copy of the bond and do your research then get back to us?"

"Well that really isn't the best way to do this. If this bond was ever even issued we would have to be sure it was not a counterfeit or hadn't been recalled or paid off before we could tell you if it still has value. I really need to keep it so I can do all that."

"Why don't you copy it and do what you can that way, then after we know if there was a bond issued and not called or paid off we can see if this is a valid bond?"

Mr. Tolliver glanced at Don and frowned. When Don didn't say anything he turned to Al and said, "Well, if you insist Al, I suppose we can do that. It's highly irregular however. You know it could be several days before I have any kind of answer for you."

Mr. Tolliver made the copies front and back of the bond. He grudgingly handed the original bond to Al. Al and his grandfather shook his hand and left the office. They went to a clerk and asked to access Al's safe deposit box. After placing the bond inside they took off for a late lunch.

Later that night Don received a phone call from the irate owner of Ginger Blue. He introduced himself and immediately said, "What's this I hear about you saying I owe you a pile of money? I've never borrowed money from you for anything much less for this resort. I bought this place in 1968 and the only loan I have on it is from the bank in Joplin."

"Well, Mr. Parks, I never said you borrowed money from me. My grandson found a bond in his father's house issued in 1929 on behalf of the resort. It is a bearer bond, sir, and if it is valid the resort will owe the principle and accrued interest for all the unpaid coupons."

"That's preposterous. I don't owe anything of the sort. Even if that is a valid bond the money would be owed by the people who owned the place in 1929 not me."

"Well, now, I can't say about that. Why don't we just wait and see what the banker and lawyers come up with Mr. Parks."

During the next several weeks Al and his grandfather continued to work on his old house. Twice during that time period Al had a confrontation with Mr. Parks. The first contact was the afternoon after his irate phone call to Al's grandfather. Al was working alone when a man he recognized slightly came storming into his house unannounced. The man walked angrily up to Al and stood glaring at him. His jaw was clenched and his face red with anger. He was almost shaking from his anger. 

Al was still standing where he had been working, hammer in his hand, when the man began yelling. "Are you the little pussy chasing pissant that is trying to rip me off for some damn fake loan? I've heard all about you, you bastard, and if you keep up with this shit you'll be sorry you were ever born. I don't owe you a damn red cent and you know it. You'd best just forget about your thieving plans and leave me alone you little asshole." 

Al was so shocked he stood gaping at the angry man. He didn't know what to say or do. Finally, he found his voice and said, "All I did was find a document in my father's house and ask the banker if it was still valid. I have never told anyone you borrowed money from me or owed me money. We were curious about the paperwork, but if you keep fucking with me and the bond is valid I guarantee I will exert my rights and demand payment. I hadn't decided what to do about it until you began threatening me and my family. Now you can be sure I will rape you with the bond if it is valid. You've done stepped on your dick as far as I'm concerned, asshole."

Mr. Parks face got even redder. He rapidly moved the few steps to Al and pushed him back against the wall he had been working on. He said, "You Son of a Bitch. You just stepped in a pile of shit here. If you don't let this drop I'll be on you like stink on shit."

Al was struggling to rise from where he had fallen after the push. The man pulled his foot back to give him a kick when they both heard, "Stop right there, Mr. Parks. Now you back up and let Mr. Thomas up."

Without turning around Mr. Parks snarled, "Get your nose out of things that don't concern you asshole. In fact, get your ass out of here right now or I'll take after you when I finish with this little pissant."

By the time Parks finished his statement Al had seen who he was addressing. He smiled and finished getting to his feet. The man talking to Parks was one of Al's old friends from school. He was also a deputy sheriff. He had been stopping by occasionally to talk to Al and shoot the shit after his day ended. Al was sure glad he decided to stop by this afternoon!

As Parks was berating the deputy for interfering he was turning to confront him. He stopped moving and his eyes got big when he saw who he had just threatened. The deputy stood back about ten feet; hand on his pistol while Parks glared at him. He glanced at Al and said, "Al, do you want to press charges against Mr. Parks for assault or what do you want done about this?"

Parks began shaking in his anger and snarled, "Assault! That's bullshit and you know it. I wasn't assaulting this little shit. I was just explaining to him that I don't owe him any money and he had better not try to say I do."

Al looked at Parks again then turned his attention to the deputy and said, "No, I guess not. Just get his ass off my property. If he keeps on making his threats against me I might change my mind though."

Ten days after his confrontation with Mr. Parks, Al received a phone call from the banker in Pineville. The banker hemmed and hawed after his effusive greeting. Finally he said, "Al, we found records in the archives on the bond you have in your possession. There was $200,000.00 worth of bonds issued on that date for the Ginger Blue Resort. All have been paid off except for the one you have in your possession. Assuming the bond is found to be valid it appears as if Ginger Blue will owe you a large amount of money. You do understand the bond matured in March, 1979 and stopped accruing interest don't you? Even with that though, the unpaid coupons and the face value of the bond will amount to somewhere around $102,000.00. Could you bring the bond in so we can verify the validity of the document? I'll give you a receipt for your bond and the unpaid coupons. We'll have to do that when we redeem it anyway."

"Yeah, sure. I can do that first thing in the morning if that is ok with you?"

Six days after Al took the bond out of his safe deposit box and gave it to the banker he received a letter from the bank. The letter stated that they and a securities expert determined the bond was not a counterfeit and was still outstanding. Al had a valid claim against the Ginger Blue resort in the amount of $72,000.00 for the unpaid interest and $30,000 for the principle amount on the bond. What was even better, his bond was a senior debenture and stood in line ahead of the small remaining loan balance the bank in Joplin held against the resort. The banker wanted to know if Al wanted them to begin collection procedures since the resort no longer had an account with their bank.

Al was still angry with Parks. He didn't even consider forgiving the bond as he and his grandfather previously discussed. Instead, he immediately got into his truck and drove to the bank where he signed the documentation authorizing collection of the full amount due.

Three weeks later that authorization sparked the beginning of the final confrontation between Al and Mr. Parks. Al received a certified letter informing him he was being sued in court to prevent collection of the bond. The letter from the attorney gave him the option of coming to his office and signing a paper relinquishing his rights to collection or meeting Mr. Parks in a court of law. Of course, this inflamed Al's temper even worse than his confrontation several weeks before. He went to town and talked to the banker about the issue. To his delight he found the banks agreement with the resort so many years previously required them to stand for the legal fees in the collection action.

The lawsuit drug on and finally devolved on titular ownership of the bond even though it was a bearer bond. The slimy attorney Mr. Parks hired was grasping at straws and claimed Al had no right to the bond since he found it hidden in the old fireplace. Al was in turn disillusioned with the law, angry, and scared he would not get the money. The evening after the attorney played what he hoped was his trump card Al was sitting in his apartment drinking a beer when he had a thought. He got his small lock box out and riffled through it until he found the purchase contract his father signed with the administrator of the estate he purchased the house from many years previously.

Al read the contract and began grinning. He pumped his fist and yelled "Yes!" The contract was signed by the administrator of the estate of the person who bank records showed had originally purchased the bond. It was a well to do businessman from Joplin who vacationed and spent numerous weekends in Ginger Blue. His estate sold the house AND contents to Al's father in 1973, along with the ten acre plot of ground it stood on. The document was very explicit as they legally must be and gave the legal description to include the specific ten acre plot with beginning and ending points in the Range, Section, and Township of McDonald County, Missouri."

The next morning Al took the document to court and gave it to his and the bank's lawyer. As the attorney read the document his grin became larger and larger. As soon as court was called to session Al's and the banks attorney stood and asked to approach the bench. The opposing council followed upon the judge's invitation.

Al's attorney said, "Your Honor, it appears from prior testimony we have proven the bond in question is valid and still outstanding. It is a valid debt of the Ginger Blue resort. I believe my learned opponent's only remaining point is the somewhat questionable one of ownership of a bond that is clearly labeled as a Bearer Bond." 

The attorney turned slightly to the opposing attorney and continued, "Am I correct?"

Without thinking the opposing attorney smiled and stated, "That is correct, your Honor. We maintain that even though this is a bearer bond the person who has it in hand has admitted he only found it, therefore he has questionable right to demand payment on a bond he might not own legally."

Al's attorney turned back to the Judge and placed the sales contract on the desk before him. He said, "Well, your Honor, I have here a document that proves my client does own the bond. Since this is the last point in contention I request a judgment against Ginger Blue in this case for the full amount of the debt due plus attorney's fees and costs. This document I have presented is the sales contract for the property my client now owns just down the road from Ginger Blue. The contract was made between the administrator of the Estate of Gerald Sommers, the man whom records show originally purchased the bond and Mr. Thomas's father. This contract is for the purchase of the land and house in which the bond was found. It specifically states the house was purchased with contents. Since Mr. Thomas's father and mother are deceased and their estate was previously probated transferring all their belongings to Mr. Alfred Thomas, my client and their son, it is obvious that Mr. Thomas IS the legal owner of this bond any way you wish to look at it."

The opposing attorney wilted as he heard the statement about the sales contract. The Judge picked up the document and read through it rapidly. He leaned back in his chair for a moment then handed the document to the clerk. He said, "I submit this sales contract for the house and contents of said house to be marked as defense exhibit 7. This contract specifically states Mr. Thomas's father purchased the land, house, and contents from the estate of the original purchaser of the bond in question. It is the opinion of this court that Mr. Al Thomas does own the bond in question and that the principle and interest in question are due him from the current owner of Ginger Blue resort. Said current owner did purchase the resort and its debts legally from the original owner therefore he is liable for this debt."




Ginger Blue



A murmur broke out in the courtroom upon this pronouncement. Mr. Parks jumped from his seat at the plaintiffs table and stormed over to Al. Before anyone could stop him his fist slammed into Al's face and knocked him from his chair. He grabbed the attorney's chair and threw it out of his way as he tried to get to Al once again. The Bailiff and a deputy sheriff grabbed him as the Judge was banging his gavel upon the bench.

After the two men subdued Mr. Parks the Judge said, "Mr. Parks, I sentence you to thirty days for contempt of court. I further remand you for prosecution for assault and battery."

By the time all Mr. Parks legal problems were settled he was almost destitute. He was sentenced to six months in the county jail for his assault on Al in the court room in addition to the month for Contempt of court. While Parks was still in jail Al received a letter from the attorney who represented him offering to settle Al's claim against the resort and Parks. Include was a financial statement showing Parks circumstances. The resort was barely breaking even from operations. Parks wife worked in town to support the family. Parks offered to sign ownership of the resort over to Al in settlement of the debt. After the debt owed to the bank the resort was only worth about $67,000.

Al decided that was more than enough repayment for a document he had only found by accident. Besides, ownership of the resort free and clear along with the six acres it sat on was well worth more than that amount. Al now owned 16 contiguous acres along one of the most beautiful stretches of Elk River. Even better, there was a paved road through part of the resort property and alongside the ten acres his home was on. He was happy with that. All he had to do was find enough money to keep the resort solvent, in good repair, and operating. 

When the Parks family lost the resort they packed up their personal belongings and drove off not telling anyone where they went. They left owing the remaining employees and some vendors several thousand dollars.

The morning the Parks family left the senior remaining employee came to Al's house to find him. She reported the family's departure and wanted to know what they should do now that Al owned the resort. To Al's surprise the woman at his door was one of the women he used to fuck in high school. Prudence told him what had happened and Al almost panicked. He just sat down, almost collapsed into his chair and stared at Prudence with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Al looked at Prudence and said, "Shit, I am sick to death of that asshole and his whole family. How much am I hanging out for? FUCK, I wonder if they stole anything from the resort when they took off."

"I really can't say for sure if they took anything from the resort, Al, but if they did it wasn't much. Most of us watched them load their things. They told us you were kicking them out and to see you for our pay since you owned the place now. They probably cleaned out the bank accounts but I was late getting things done yesterday and didn't make the deposit so we do have a little cash in the till. From what I hear the bank account balances were always low and many times overdrawn. Sometimes our paychecks bounced. Most of us would have left if we could find another job. As for what you owe the help and vendors, I don't know. The books should tell us though if we can find them. A lot of our vendors have us on a cash on delivery account because of the rubber checks Parks wrote."

"Crap. I need to think about what to do here, Pru. I've got a few dollars stashed but not much. I hate to ask Gramps for help with the resort. He didn't want me to take it when Parks offered it to me, but I wanted it and the land so I ignored him." Even though it was early, Al walked into the house and opened the old refrigerator. He took out a beer and twisted off the top. After he took a deep swallow he looked at Prudence and waggled the beer at her then lifted his eyebrows. 

Prudence smiled and shook her head no. She said, "Sorry, tiger. It's still a little too early for me."

Al laughed and said, "Bullshit. I remember a lot of days not too many years ago when we were drunk and screwing our asses off by this time of day."

Prudence laughed and said, "Yeah, but one of us is a much smarter woman now. I believe I'll pass. Unless you tell me not to I still have a kitchen to run and people to feed. I can't do that if I'm over here drinking and screwing around with you."

Al walked back onto the roofed over patio and sat down again. He looked at Prudence for a moment then smiled. He reached into his pocket and pulled his cell phone from it. After looking through his contact list he dialed. After the phone was answered Al said, "Hello. This is Al Thom-"

Even over the small cell Prudence heard the man yelling. "You son of Satan. How dare you call here after all you've done? I've told you and told you to keep away from my daughter."

Al broke in and yelled right back, "Listen, preacher. I know you don't like me and I can't say I like you much, either, but this doesn't concern you. I know Angel doesn't have a job and I-"

"You leave Angel alone. She has a job working with me at the church. She is redeeming herself in the eyes of the Lord and doesn't need the likes of you leading her into sin again." The phone clanged when the preacher slammed his receiver down ending the conversation.

Al looked up at Prudence and gave her a sickly grin. "I guess I'm still on the Reverend's shit list. I'll try to get in touch with Angel somehow and see if she wants to run the resort for me. She took two years of business administration at the college in Neosho so I think she can handle it. I think she even took some business management and accounting classes from the college in Joplin after she finished in Neosho. Do you think you can work with her if she'll do it?"

"Oh, hell yeah. We're still pretty tight. You want me to talk to her and have her come see you? She can't afford a cell so the only way you can talk to her is if you sneak past her daddy or she comes to you."

"OK. Do that please Pru. I'll try to find some money to pay the bills up. I'll be over later today to look the place over. Is there anything I need to do or know about now?"

"Jesus, Al, there's tons of shit you need to know and do. Hell, you're the owner. You got inventory to replace, supplies to order, bills to pay, repairs to make. Shit, I could go on and on. The place is petty run down. Mr. Parks was cutting corners for a long time before you got ahold of him."

After Pru left, Al returned to his work on the old house. They were almost finished with the restoration and Al was already living in the building. Now it looked as if he was not going to finish the work for some time. He suspected he would have to spend a lot of money and time working on the resort instead of his house. Of course he still had his farm work to do, also. His grandfather talked long and hard trying to convince him not to take on the resort. Now he wondered if he had been correct. Well, it was too late now. He either had to spend some money and keep the operation going or close it down quickly.

That evening about 9:30 Al heard steps on his porch then a knock on his door. He moved to the door and opened it to see Angel standing there. She smiled and said, "Damn you, Al, you've been pissing Daddy off again. Pru called me and told me you wanted to see me. He was so pissed I had to climb out the window again."

Al laughed and stepped back inviting Angel in. After she chose a chair and took her seat Al said, "Damn, you really climbed out the window and down the tree again? Between the Reverend's sermon on the phone and you telling me that, it feels like old times."

Angel smiled and then said, "Pru told me what happened. I don't know how I fit into this though. Whatcha need?"

"Well, I know you still don't have a job and are only working at the church for your Dad. I thought maybe you would like to be the manager of the resort for me. I don't have time to do it and work the farm, too. I think I'm going to make Prudence the food service and catering manager if you think she can handle it. You can be the General Manager. What do you say?"

"Al, you know Daddy will have a fit if I do that. Hell, he'll probably kick me out of the house like he threatened to do back when we were running wild." She grinned and looked around then said, "You got a place for a girl to sleep if that happens? And what will the job pay? I can't be pissing daddy off if I can't make enough to live on. At least I still have free room and board over there."

"I really hadn't thought about the pay. How about I let you use one of the bedrooms either here or in the resort, give you three squares, and $200.00 a week until we see where we are. If the resort makes a little profit I might be able to raise that some later. Pru says I have a lot of repairs to make and I have to pay others also though so don't count on a raise any time soon."

Angel sat and thought for a few minutes while she finished her beer. Finally she grinned and said, "You know I'm so sick of Daddy and his damn overbearing attitude I think I would have done it for free room and board. Ya got a deal. When do you want me to start?"

"Tomorrow?"

Angel laughed and said, "OK, deal."

"Great. I need to go over and see what shape the place is in. Why don't you meet me here at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning and we'll go over together. We need to talk to Pru sometime tomorrow and get her input too."

It was almost 8:45 before Angel showed up the next morning. When he heard her on the porch Al opened the door and stepped out to meet her. He hugged her tightly, stepped back and said, "I had almost given up on you Angel. I was getting ready to go over without you."

"Sorry. I was waiting on Daddy to leave so I wouldn't have to argue with him this morning. I didn't have the courage to tell him I was going to work for you when we got up this morning. I really dread that conversation and want to put it off as long as I can."

"Won't he wonder what's going on when you don't show up at the church?"

"Not for a day or two. I didn't go in every day."

"Well, come on. At least Pru should be caught up enough to visit with us for a while before she has to begin working on lunch."

The three friends spent almost an hour touring the building and nearby grounds while Prudence pointed out problems and discussed the current operation. Finally she said she had to return to the kitchen to continue her preparation for the lunch trade. Al and Angel continued to walk around. They went back over some of the same ground as before. After they finished the tour Al and Angel went into the cluttered office to discuss the things they had seen and been told that morning. They both referred to the notes taken during the morning. They did a cursory prioritization of tasks and discussed duties of each of the three under the new management. They were still working when Prudence personally delivered their lunch.

After lunch Al went back to his house to get some of his tools. He returned to the resort and began making some of the higher priority repairs. While he was doing that Angel was going through the records and files trying to figure out what shape the resort was in financially and administratively. Neither of them ended the day on a happy note. 

After Angel left for the evening Al walked through the quiet building. They had a night watchman that doubled as the desk clerk should anyone stop wanting a room. His pay was just a room to sleep in and his meals. Other than that no one was in the building after about ten in the evening. They stopped seating in the restaurant at eight. At one time the bar stayed open until two a.m. but now it closed at 10 p.m. with the last call being 9:30 p.m.

When Al entered the kitchen everyone was gone except for Prudence. She was making early preparations for breakfast the next morning. He watched her work for a few moments then quietly walked up behind her. The gentle sway of her breasts and movement of her beautiful ass had him hard and needy. He wrapped his arms around her waist then slid his hands up to cup her breasts as he ground his cock into her ass.

At first Pru jumped. She turned her head enough to see it was Al accosting her. She relaxed slightly and leaned against him. God his hands and cock felt as good as they had years ago. She wanted him so badly. She twisted in his arms, wrapped her arms around him and gave him a deep kiss. After the kiss broke she pushed back and moved his hands from around her.

Prudence looked at Al and took a deep breath. She felt herself shaking and her pussy moistening. Damn this man could still do it to her. She could feel the moisture in her pussy already soaking her panties. Her nipples were hard little pebbles in her bra. When Al reached for her again she intercepted his hands and held them away. She said, "Al, are you sure this is what you want to do? You know we shouldn't be doing this at all. I'm engaged to be married and I'm your employee now. This could be considered sexual harassment you know."

"What? You're kidding! I can tell you liked it. Hell, you want it as bad as you ever did when we were younger. And besides, you'll have your job whether we screw or not. I just want to have a little fun here honey."

"No, Al. Our time is past. Oh, you're right, I want to do it probably as badly as you do. My pussy is dripping for you already but I know we shouldn't and so do you. Besides, do you really want to hurt Angel like this would? I don't think you want to hurt her any more than I want to hurt David."

"Huh? What does Angel have to do with this? Crap, she's even played with us before. Hell, she knows I'm a pussy hound. She's known it as long as she has known me. Besides, what I do or who I screw is nothing to her."

Prudence looked at Al, sighed, and shook her head. She said, "You really are a dumb fuck aren't you? Al, that girl loves you to death. EVERYTHING you do or say matters to her. She has loved you since we were in Junior High School. Why the hell do you think she did all those crazy things she did with you when you were younger? She was horrified by some of the things you made her do. She was ashamed to show her face after some of the games you made her play but she did them because she loved you and you wanted her to do them. You stupid shit, she only dated other boys after you quit going out with her. Since then she has turned down two proposals of marriage just hoping you would come to your senses, stand up to her father, and ask her to marry you.

"Damn you, Al, if you keep fucking everything with a pussy you are going to kill that girl. She loves you so much she is willing to alienate her family for you. Why the hell do you think she comes running every time you snap your fingers? Now, I can't make you stop fucking around with other sluts but I CAN stop you from doing it with me. Now do I still have a job and a friend or did I throw them both away tonight?"

Al stood in shock. He was so shocked he noticed his erection was gone. He was no longer even horny, just surprised and feeling really, really guilty. He looked at Prudence for a moment then said, "I don't know what to say, Pru. I never thought. I thought she was just kinky and we were having fun together. I need to think about this some more. And YES, of course you still have a job. Dammit, honey, we're friends. I would love to be fuck buddies, too, but if I can't I damn sure want a friend and a good cook and food service manager. I'm sorry I upset you here today. I just thought-"

"NO. That's your problem, Al. You DIDN'T think. Hell, I wonder sometimes if you EVER think. You just decide you want some pussy and move to get it. You don't think about what problems you might cause or who you might hurt if you get it. You don't even think you might be able to get some quality pussy from someone who really CARES about you and who would make it so much better than just a quick piece of ass. Think about it here, Al. Think about all the pieces of ass you've ever gotten. Where did you get the best one, who gave you the best fucks ever? I bet it was Angel and you want to know why? Because she loves you and puts her entire heart, soul, and body into fucking you."

Al just stood there a moment longer then turned and walked out of the building without saying anything else. He trudged down the path the quarter mile to his house deep in thought. Angel loved him? Damn it, he didn't ask her to love him. What the hell was wrong with her? Shit, she was spoiling it for all of them.

After Al got home he opened a beer and chugged it. He opened another and sat on his patio staring across the river. He enjoyed watching the moonlight glinting off the flowing stream and listening to the gentle chuckle of the river and the sounds of the night. He continued thinking about his conversation with Pru, or rather her lecture. He admitted he kept coming back to Angel when he wanted something special in the sex department. Hell, sometimes he just called her to go out because he missed being with her. 

He thought she dropped everything and rushed to him because she was easy and an outstanding fuck. Could it really be because she loved him? FUCK, was it so good because he loved her? Thinking back he never had any proof she ever did anything with any other boy besides him. Oh, sure, if he pushed her she would show her body to others, but as far as he knew after they started dating she never went with another boy until the night her father laid down the law and made them quit seeing each other. He remembered pining away for her after that happened. He fucked anyone he could get into bed after that. Sometimes he nailed two or three different women a week looking for a piece as good as he got from Angel. He thought it was just because he missed the pussy. Did he really miss Angel instead? Crap, even facing what he faced now with the resort he was happier than he had been in a couple years. Was it because Angel was back in his life?

Al drank all the beer still in his fridge. Finally after two a.m. he staggered into his bedroom and went to bed. He was still asleep the next morning at 9 a.m. when Angel came hunting him. She kicked and banged on the door until he got out of bed and staggered into the living room to open it for her. She was crying as she banged on his door. Al opened the door and Angel flew into his arms. She hugged him tightly and he hugged her back. She had a red spot on her cheek. Al stroked her back and calmed her until she stopped crying.

Angel stepped back from Al and wiped the tears from her cheeks with her fingers. She smiled up at him and asked in a broken voice, "Did you mean it when you said I could live with you if Daddy got pissed at me over this job? I really hope you did because he cornered me this morning and tried to make me stay home. Someone told him yesterday about me working here and it hit the fan last night when I got home. He told me if I came here this morning there was no need for me to come home tonight. When I told him I was coming to my work he slapped me and ordered me to stay home."

Al moved back to Angel and wrapped her in his arms. To his surprise he didn't even get hard. He gently pulled her into his embrace and calmed her. He kissed the top of her head and said, "Yeah, Angel, I meant every word of it. You can stay here with me as long as you want. You can stay for the rest of your life if you want to, Honey. Do we need to go get your things now or how do you want to handle this?"

Angel's heart raced when she heard Al answer the way he did. Could he possibly mean what she hoped he meant? Damn, she loved this man. She was afraid to believe he meant she would be his woman. She had been hurt so many times before by Al. She was sure he didn't do it on purpose but he still hurt her feelings a lot. Al was an unthinking asshole and she knew it. He mostly spoke or acted before thinking of the consequences so hurt his friends, especially his lady friends. At least from what she saw he didn't act that way about his farming or his business. He was just lacking in social graces and wanted what he wanted no matter who it hurt.




Ginger Blue



Angel pushed away from Al and looked up into his face. He was surprised at the adoration he saw in her eyes. How had he missed this before? Was this what he wanted? Did he want to be tied to just one pussy for the rest of his life? Could he do it? Shit! Angel said, "No Al after he slapped me Daddy stormed off to the church and I packed everything I own into the church van. It's outside. If you'll help me unload it I need to take the van back. Daddy was yelling his head off when I drove out of the lot in the van. I wouldn't put it past him to turn it in as stolen. Can you hurry so we can get it back quickly? Then will you come pick me up please?"

Al smiled and said, "No problem, Angel. Come on, let's get busy," as he guided Angel outside and toward the van. They unloaded the van, placing her possessions just inside the front door. They had the van back to the parsonage before ten a.m. Neither of them saw Angel's father when they returned the van. After returning to Al's home they spent the rest of the morning arranging Angel's room then went to the lodge for lunch. They spent the afternoon working on their separate tasks. They met at six in the evening at the dining room where they had supper together before returning home.

It was only two nights before Angel began sleeping in Al's bed. The sex was outstanding and surprisingly Al and Angel both slept better than they had in years. They spent the days moving around with silly expressions on their faces. They took every opportunity possible to just happen to pass through the area the other was working in. Of course when they were within a short distance of one another they managed to touch and kiss. To his surprise Al didn't feel the need to publicly fondle Angel as he did when they were younger. If he did fondle her he was very discrete, only doing it when they were in private or at least hidden from others.

After three weeks Al and Angel were settled in their new arrangement. It was now midsummer and the resort was as busy as it ever got. Angel, Pru and Al all put in ten or twelve hour days just to keep up. Many days Al put in sixteen or eighteen hours because he had to work at the resort and on the farm.

One evening Al was at the resort earlier than normal and he watched a group of young people run their canoes aground on the gravel bar across from the lodge. They took a quick swim then pitched their tents for the night. After their camp was set up they came across the river and hit the bar. They were typical young adults. They were loud and obnoxious as they screamed and laughed during their rough housing. Of course the men were worse than the women and did what normal young men do; they teased the women and bragged loudly. 

One of the young women caught Al's eye for some reason. She was extremely beautiful and she gave off the vibes Al picked up on. He was drawn to her like a magnet to metal. Within ten minutes he was in full hunt mode. He worked her like he had so many young and not so young women before. She laughed at all his jokes and gently touched his forearm from time to time. Her eyes glistened and his cock was steel hard. She would step toward him and gently brush her breasts against him.

Al pulled out all the stops. He used all his moves on the beautiful young woman. She responded as they all seemed to but there was something missing. To his surprise Al began withdrawing from her. He knew he could fuck her any time he wanted. He could smell her essence. The crotch of her little bikini bottoms was dark and wet from her secretions. It was time to move in for the kill but still Al held off. Normally by this point in the seduction they would be off somewhere screwing like bunnies, but this time he didn't take that final step. There was something missing. Al felt a disconnect. The woman was beautiful, desirable, and above all willing, but suddenly Al wasn't!

Al stood talking with the young woman and noticed he was almost three feet from her. Normally he would be well within her space by this time. Al glanced around the outside seating area they called the beer garden. He saw Angel standing in the shadows at the edge of the area beside the resort. There were tears running down her cheeks. She looked as if she had lost her best friend. Something went 'thunk' in Al's brain. His cock lost all the remainder of its stiffness. He didn't let on he saw Angel. Al continued to distance himself from the woman, watching Angel out of the corner of his eye as he did so. By now the woman looked upset. She wasn't coming on to Al as she did before. She could tell Al was no longer interested and became worried, wondering what she did to turn him off. She was hurt and insulted. Never before had a man so deeply in her trap pulled away as Al did.

The farther from the young woman Al got the happier Angel looked. Finally Al moved off and into the night club area of the resort. He was just outside her office when Angel came down the hallway from the rest rooms. That was the same hallway that ended at the doorway she had been standing beside while she watched him. 

Angel tried to avoid Al when they met but Al stepped in front of her and pulled her into his arms. She was stiff and pressed her arms against his chest in a half hearted attempt to get away. Al tightened his hold and kissed the top of her head. He looked down at her and his cock became hard almost instantly. He said, "Angel, I've been a damn selfish unseeing fool for years haven't I? I've been searching for something that has been right in front of me since Junior High School. I thought pussy was the Holy Grail and would make everything right with the world. All I needed was more pussy but when I got it there was something missing and I moved on to the next one. Oh, sure, I went back for more from some of the same women but it was just pussy. Angel, you are the only woman I keep coming back to. I can't get you out of my mind or heart. I understand now, honey. I almost fell back into my old ways again tonight. There was a beautiful woman in the beer garden and she let me know right off I could have her. I began flirting with her and putting the moves on her but you know what? After the first couple of minutes I was only half hard and it just wasn't fun. I kept thinking about you, Honey, and I came to find you.

"Angel, I've been looking for something my whole life and didn't realize it was right in front of me. I am only completely happy when we are a couple. Even when we are a couple, if you aren't nearby I feel lost and I hunt for something. I've been an ass and thought I could fill the empty space with strange pussy but that only partly filled the void in my life. I've been happier, slept better, and felt better since you moved into my house than I have since before we got out of high school. When I was talking to that skank in the beer garden a few minutes ago I finally came to my senses. I wasn't even completely hard during the conversation. She was doing it all, rubbing her tits on me, giving me peeks, touching me and all I could think of was that something was wrong, something was missing. I just walked off and left her standing there.

"When I saw you here in the hallway I relaxed and felt complete again, like what I was missing outside was with me now. I can't explain it, Angel, but I need you to be whole. That's all I can say."

Angel smiled and hugged Al when he finished talking. He said all the right words but did he mean them? Had he maybe just seen her watching and was doing damage control now? All her life she heard the saying "A leopard doesn't change its spots". Knowing Al, the saying sure could fit. She remembered several times while they were in college when she overheard the boys congratulating Al on being "the man". She watched him many times talking hard to get women into his bed. One time she heard some of his friends ask him how he got so many women to sleep with him and he explained. Al said it was easy. He used what he learned in psychology and marketing classes to push the right buttons and "sell" himself to the women. All you had to do, he said, was figure out what to say and women were putty in your hands. All you have to do, he said, is tell them what they want to hear. He laughed then and said, "If you do it right they are a puddle in your bed!" Now she wondered if that was what he was doing to her. The love for Al was there but the trust was somewhat lacking. If she admitted it to herself the trust had always been lacking but she always went back to him. She was drawn to him even though she knew she couldn't trust him to keep his dick in his pants.

The next day at work Angel and Prudence were sitting alone in the beer garden drinking coffee during their morning break. Angel had just finished telling Pru about seeing Al putting the moves on the young woman the night before and their conversation afterwards. She said, "I just don't know what to think here, Pru. You know I love him to death but I'm so sick of being hurt by the asshole. Did he mean what he said or did he see me watching and come in to do damage control?"

"I don't know, Angel. We both know how Al is. I would like to believe he is changing; that he has changed. Hell, I think he might be but I'm like you. The trust really isn't there. I do know that what you said you saw last night is the first time either of us has seen Al doing anything like that since he took over here and you said he did walk away. Maybe the boy is growing up. I don't know what to think here. Sorry."

The next week Al spent almost no time at the resort. It was time to harvest his wheat and put in the fall crop of Soy Beans so the women saw very little of him. He ate all his meals with his grandparents so he could maximize his time in the fields. A few nights he even slept in his old apartment to save the driving time to and from his home even though it was only about four miles. After two weeks of work things slowed down on the farm again and Al began spending more time at the resort once more.

Al's family always ground their own flour and cornmeal from grain raised on the farm. Not only did they think it tasted better but it saved them several dollars a year in food costs. They ate meat they grew and had a large garden for produce also. This year was no exception. Part of the time Al spent on the farm after harvest was spent grinding some of the wheat into flour and cracked wheat. Later in the year when he picked the dry corn he would grind corn meal. They always made homemade whole wheat bread from the flour. After eating baked goods made from home ground flour products made commercially tasted like unflavored air. Many years they also ground soy beans to add to ground beef and added whole ones to soups and pots of dry beans.

Al and his family had one complete deep freeze they used just to store home ground meal and flour. They did that so the weevils didn't get into it as they didn't fumigate the grain to kill insects and their eggs before grinding it like commercial mills did. They had another two freezers to store home grown meat and garden produce in.

For years much of the corn produced on the farm went into their beef herd. They normally fed and fattened most of their calves to be sold as fattened butcher calves. Their profit per animal was greater selling them as finished beef than it was taking them to the auction and selling them as feeders for some larger company to fatten. Normally they sold the animals to neighbors and hauled the individual animal to a local butcher for processing. This worked well for both parties because the average cost per pound of meat was less for the purchaser than if he or she purchased it in a store and Al and his family got more per pound when they sold fattened beef. They also fed and sold chickens and pork in this manner. Only about half of the meat produced on their farm went to market unfinished.

His first day back to work at the resort after harvesting the wheat, Al carried a large sack of flour into the kitchen and asked Pru to make up some homemade bread and rolls out of it. He handed her a recipe that his family just loved and he requested she use it for the bread. Soon the smell of fresh bread was wafting through the air. Pru decided since she was making the bread and rolls for Al she would make up some for the restaurant also and serve them instead of her normal offering of commercially baked rolls.

The customers went ape shit over the fresh homemade rolls and sandwiches made with fresh homemade bread. She even had three customers ask if she would sell a whole loaf of bread to them. She made the sale but then had to make more bread for Al and his grandparents.

That evening when Al came into the kitchen to pick up the bread Pru told him that she had sold some of the bread and served it exclusively during the lunch meal. He said, "You're kidding. They actually wanted to buy the bread? I knew it was good but I'm surprised at that. What did you charge them for it?"

"I wasn't sure what to charge so I said $2.50 a loaf. They didn't even blink. One of the women wanted to know the recipe but I wouldn't give it to her. I just said it was your old family recipe and I couldn't let her have it. Then she asked if we could tell her where to get the cracked wheat and flour we used for the bread. When I told her you ground it personally from your crop she asked if you would sell her some."

Al laughed and said, "You're kidding! Bread at Wal-Mart is only $1.38 per loaf if you buy their store brand. It's just over $2.00 if you get a name brand loaf.

By the time Pru finished the story Angel was sitting with her and Al. Angel looked serious for a moment then smiled and said, "Why don't we stock some of your flour, cracked wheat and cornmeal in the gift shop? We can even put in a cabinet and stock fresh bread, rolls and maybe even some cakes and donuts made from the freshly ground flour. If it doesn't sell we can just quit and if it does sell we can make some extra money here."

Al leaned back in his chair and thought for a couple of minutes. Finally he leaned forward again and rested his arms on the table. He said, "I don't have a problem with that if you have the time to mess with it. I'm not sure how much grain I can grind though. We only have a small home grinding mill and it takes quite a while to grind much grain. It's fine for household use and I think I could even do enough for here if we want to use fresh flour and meal for the restaurant. I'm not sure I can keep up if we sell flour and meal or if we sell many loaves of bread and other baked goods. Also if we sell the ground meal and flour I will need to fumigate the grain before I grind it to kill the insects and their eggs. I'm not sure if we would need a license to do that or not. If this thing takes off I'll have to check."

Thus began a sideline for the farming and resort business. Prudence made bread, cinnamon rolls and even cakes and donuts from the home ground flour. Soon the baked goods sales were rivaling the restaurant for top spot in profits. The restaurant ovens were stressed with the baking and Al could no longer keep up with demand for milled grain. Prudence had to get to the restaurant two hours earlier to get the donuts and fresh bread out timely.

Once again the three friends were discussing the business during a slow time of the day. Al told them they would have to curtail the baking and flour sales. Angel exclaimed, "NO, Honey, you can't do that. I've been tracking our profits on spreadsheets since we began operating the business. At first I just broke them down between the restaurant, bar, and lodge but two months ago when we started selling baked goods and milled grain I made another category for the baked goods and grain.

"Our profit on the grain and baked goods is almost equal to that made by the restaurant and is more than we clear on rooms. Sales of baked goods and grain are increasing weekly by about ten per cent. Sales and profits for the restaurant and lodge are stagnant. Of course, the bar sales are large and continue to grow. That is partly because of the season, partly because of our longer hours and partly because our reputation is growing. The bar will always be our best profit center, but the bakery I think will be second if we can continue to expand it."

Al was shocked. This went right back to what he learned in one of his classes in college several years ago. Look for alternate ways to market your farm products to increase profitability. He looked at the two women and smiled. He said, "Damn. Vertical Integration. I hate to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Do we have room to add an oven or two in the kitchen? If we do, what would it cost? Would we have to hire more help? I can check and see if I can find a larger mill or figure out some way to grind more grain. Let's work on this and see if we can find an inexpensive way to increase production."

Al sat looking out the window for a moment then turned to the women once again. He said, "I've been thinking about the whole vertical integration thing. I think we're missing another boat here also. We raise pork, chicken, and beef on the farm too. We sell the meat then go to the distribution company and buy meat to cook here. I bet we could serve better meat and increase profits here if I provide the meat from the farm instead of us purchasing it. Would you two look at our costs for meat served here and list it out by cut? While you're doing that I will check on costs at the farm and see if it would be better for us to continue purchasing meat or if I should provide it from the farm."

Angel looked over at Al and said, "Ok, we can do that. Neither Prudence nor I have been too pleased with the meat we're getting off the truck. We've been talking about going to Sam's Wholesale Club and purchasing our meat when we buy the other bulk items we get there for the resort. I know they have good quality meat, but I bet yours would be better. Also, thinking back to the flour and meal problem what about the old water powered mill on your place Al? Could we use it to grind the grain?"

"Heck, I had completely forgotten it. I don't think it's been operated since before I was born. I know we used to play in it years ago and it was in pretty poor shape then. I'd be surprised if it would work now but I can go see."

"Honey, if you could get the mill back in production that would solve a lot of problems for us. Also, operating grist mills are a real tourist attraction. If we advertised an operating antique grist mill we might be able to pull in more tourists or at least more local visitors and increase our sales to them. This really might be beneficial to the bar and restaurant as well as to the farm product sales, Honey." 

Al stood and started to leave the table but stopped. He smiled and said, "You want to go with me, Angel? Since it was your idea why don't you come with me and we will see what the mill looks like."

The two lovers walked downstream almost half a mile and came to the old mill. The millrace was rotten and the gate to it was closed so the flow from the river bypassed it. The old building was sagging and many boards were rotten. They gingerly moved into the building and looked at the hoppers for the grain, the grinding wheels and metal parts. The old water wheel was rotten and would have to be replaced. The metal parts were rusty and seized up. At least Al could not move them with muscle power. Surprisingly the interior floor, while weak feeling was still in decent repair as were the wooden hoppers and shelves. Most of the windows were broken and the main door was torn loose.

Al said, "I don't know about this, honey. It looks pretty far gone to me."

"Oh, Al. We can at least try can't we? I'll help. Come on, let's see if we can make it work. I don't think it's that far gone, is it? I think this would be a really great way to solve the milling problem even if it would be more expensive than buying a larger electric grinder."