Most of the responses were from aging boy scouts, men in their forties or older. One ancient in his sixties sent a photograph of himself in an ill-fitting uniform with a faded, assistant scoutmaster patch on the shoulder. But there were several from younger men eager to participate in the recreation of fond memories.

At the most, Duncan had hoped to find a young looking eighteen year old. He couldn't imagine how a younger lad would happen to see his notice, much less respond to it. So he assumed that the letter from Josh was a good attempt to feign a boyish reply. A couple of words were used too frequently, there were sudden shifts in subject matter, a few misspellings; but some vocabulary that seemed advanced for a kid of thirteen.

They arranged to meet in front of City Hall. Duncan asked his correspondent to wear his uniform for recognition. Josh replied that he only had the shirt. It was a good sign that Duncan had not been asked how he could be identified. Nevertheless, he would arrive early and make sure that no one was lingering in the area or following the boy scout when he arrived. If his suspicions were roused, Duncan could just leave without making contact.

Everything seemed perfectly normal when he spotted the boy walking toward the building. Duncan waited for the youngster to choose a place to wait. The dark haired youth looked to be about thirteen.

Duncan approached and asked, in a jocular fashion, "Are you waiting for your scoutmaster?"

Josh's face brightened, "Yes, are you him?" he asked through a laugh.

"Yup. Let's go get a coke," the man suggested.

The pair found a tiny convenience store a block away. "What would you like?" Duncan asked the kid as they stood staring through the glass door of a refrigerator crammed with cans of soda and bottles of juice.

"I've got money," Josh said, opening the door and selecting a Dr. Pepper.

An independent sort, Duncan thought with a mixture of admiration and apprehension. He chose a Diet Pepsi for himself.

They found a place to sit outside. "What is the Scout Oath?" he queried. The boy began to explain what it was for, then seeing the expression on Duncan's face asked, "Do you want me to recite it."

"Please."

Josh did so. There was a pause while both drank from their cans of soda.

"How about the Scout Law?"

"A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent," Josh chanted.

"Who should a scout be obedient to?" Duncan inquired, taking another sip of cola.

"Um ... his parents ... and his teachers," the lad managed, his face scrunched in thought.

"What about his scoutmaster?"

"Oh, sure," the boy confirmed, as though that should have been obvious.

"Well, do you think that you could be obedient to me? Do you think that you'd want to?"

Josh thought about this for a while. "I'm not always very obedient," Josh confessed. "I'd like to try though."

"That's good enough," the man agreed. "When do you suppose we can have scout meetings? Evenings? Weekends? I can't usually do afternoons."

"Saturday mornings, I guess," the boy offered.

"Sounds good." Duncan proceeded to give the lad directions to his house. It turned out that Josh lived on the same bus line, closer to downtown and about a ten minute ride away. More accurately, Duncan's single family house was one block off the main road on a smaller, windier street that ran parallel to the one traveled by the bus. They agreed to meet at about nine o'clock, two days hence.

*****

It was nearly ten thirty before the boy turned up. Duncan brought Josh down a half flight to a good sized rumpus room. It had the usual couch, arm chairs and TV, but the pine paneled walls with a shelf running around the entire room were lined or loaded with scouting paraphernalia. There were flags and banners, handbooks and merit badge pamphlets, a huge collection of old issues of Boy's Life, camping gear, first aid materials, boxes and trunks decorated with BSA stickers of all sorts.

"Wow! Where'd you get all this stuff?" the boy asked.

"Mostly at yard sales and garage sales," Duncan informed the lad, "but some of the best stuff came from auctions. Come over here." He directed Josh to an obviously hand made, plywood trunk with stenciling on top for the 1950 Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge.

"This had one boy's whole scouting career in it," the man explained, opening the top. "Notice that he put the side handles on upside down. So they pinch your fingers when you try to carry it and flop open when they're not being used."

Josh didn't see what was wrong and would have screwed them on the same way. "It even has his Cub Scout shirt," Duncan continued, holding it up. "Wolf, Bear, Lion, one gold and two silver arrows for each. Successful but not ostentatious."

Austin who, the youngster wanted to ask, but decided he didn't know the fellow well enough for jokes. The man might think he really was stupid. "What should I call you?" he asked instead.

"How about Scoutmaster?"

Josh wasn't so sure he liked that. "You know my name, he protested."

"I'll tell you my name," which he proceeded to do. "But it might be more fun and easier to stay in the Scoutmaster and Boy Scout roles if you don't use it. I'll call you Scout ."

"Sounds like a dog's name," Josh lightly admonished.

"Well, you're no dog," Duncan said, emphatically.

They were kneeling side by side and examining the contents of the box. "Here's the silk neckerchief from the Jamboree. Faded by the sun as you can see." Scoutmaster's hand was on Scout's shoulder, right where Josh had expected it to be. Duncan took it away to pull out some mimeographed and stapled pages. "These are summer camp newspapers," the man announced, quite unnecessarily.

They looked at each other then and smiled. "Maybe we should start the meeting," Scoutmaster proposed.

*****

The meeting began like most; come to attention, salute, Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, Scout Law. Inspection. Scoutmaster looked over Scout's outfit, regulation shirt, the First Class Scout patch coming loose on one side, well worn jeans, grubby sneakers.

"I was thinking of outfitting you with a pair of pants from the collection, but I think I'd rather buy you a brand new uniform. A summer uniform; short sleeve shirt, shorts, socks to just below the knee with the tassels. You'll look great."

He'll want to take measurements, Josh speculated. "I'll only need a waist measurement," Scoutmaster said. The boy wondered why Duncan hadn't stayed with the used pants idea, That would have been a lot faster. Scoutmaster returned with a tape and a small spiral notepad and took Scout's waist size. He wrote that down along with the boy's shoe size. He just asked for that and Josh knew.

"My folks would wonder about a new uniform," Scout warned.

"We'll keep it here." That'll get me out my clothes at least twice a meeting, the youngster perceived.

"I've got a rock climbing video for us to watch" Scoutmaster said. "Have a seat" With a gesture, the man indicated the couch. Duncan started the film and sat down next to Josh, resting his arm around the boy's shoulders. The kid was surprised. No porn. Scout snuggled closer.

After a while, Scoutmaster eased Scout forward and began massaging his back. "Is that good?" Scoutmaster asked.

"Yeah. Great," came the reply.

A short time later, "Let's get your shirt off. You do the cuffs."

Josh unbuttoned his shirt cuffs while Scoutmaster undid the front buttons. Duncan removed the boy's shirt. "Hmm, an undershirt," he commented. Scoutmaster pulled the T-shirt free at the bottom and pushed it up the boy's back, over his head, getting snagged up and mussing Scout's hair, before tugging it free and down the youngster's arms. Then he resumed the massage.

Getting up, Scoutmaster lay Scout full length on the coach, face up. Duncan lightly massaged Josh's arms and his body from waist to face. "Do you like that?" he wanted to know.

"I love it," Scout replied.

"This isn't the sort of thing you can talk about, you know."

"I know"

"Not even your best friend."

"Specially not him, he blabs everything," Josh emphatically agreed.

"Open your mouth," Scoutmaster instructed. Scout complied. Duncan pushed the boy's upper lip up a bit. One of Josh's front teeth had a big chip off one corner and he wanted to look at it. "How did that happen?" he asked.

"My Dad and I were rough housing on the floor and I banged into the edge of a coffee table. I'm going to get it fixed when I get older."

"I wouldn't if I were you," Scoutmaster suggested.

"Why not?"

"For one thing, it will always remind your father of what happened and he'll be more careful with you. And for a person who is really good looking, a minor flaw adds interest."

Scout digested this advise in silence.

"I'll never do anything to hurt you or to hurt your feelings," Scoutmaster promised, "not on purpose, anyway."

"I know that already," Scout insisted.

"How do you know?"

"I can feel it."

"Sometimes one's feelings can be misleading, you need to be careful."

"I've only been your boy for less than an hour and you're worrying about me already?"

"I can't help it."

"OK, but don't overdo it," Josh advised.

"All right," Duncan promised. "Well, we've done our lesson on the first Scout Law, a scout is trustworthy. We should put you back together and end the meeting."

"That's all?" Josh asked incredulously.

Scoutmaster slipped the tip of his index finger just underneath the edge of Scout's jeans. "Some things are more delicious if you wait for them for a bit. Like next Saturday."

Scout blushed, but did not complain as Scoutmaster smoothed out his white cotton T-shirt and then handed it to him.

*****

At the next meeting, Scout's new summer uniform was ready. He changed in the little toilet/laundry that separated the rumpus room from the two car garage built under the upper floor of the split level ranch. Mindful of the prior Saturday, the boy removed his T-shirt and left that hanging with his other clothes.

Scoutmaster thought the youngster looked wonderful and said so. Josh thought so too. Scout stood at attention for inspection. "The eleventh Scout Law: 'A boy scout is clean.' Today would be a good time to inspect for cleanliness. Let's see you fingernails."

Scout held out his hands, palms down. Scoutmaster took each one, looked closely at the nails in need of trimming and said, "Not too bad. Now I'll remove some things to check the rest of you." Starting at the V neck he began to unbutton the crisp, new shirt. When the boy's shirt was removed, Duncan stepped back to admire him, had Scout do an about face, right face, right face. Josh got the point that Scoutmaster wanted to look at him in successive stages of undress. He was, in fact, quite proud that the man thought so much of him. He stuck out his chest and sucked in his stomach, not in an exaggerated manner, just slightly.

Undoing the top button on the shorts, Scoutmaster commented, "It's always interested me that they put in this flap with the hidden pocket. I suppose it's there to keep kids from loosing their money rather than to prevent it being stolen." He slid his fingers over to unfasten the extra button used to secure the not so secret hiding place.

With his shorts off, Scout's erection was apparent. A minute later, in only socks and bright red neckerchief, it pointed at Scoutmaster like an accusing finger. Josh fought to keep from swooning when the man touched him for the first time. "How about getting your clothes off?" Scout suggested.

"We'll save that for our next meeting," came the answer.

"OK," Scout said, "but next week I want to lose my cherry."

"What?" Duncan asked, although he had heard all right.

"I want to get screwed. For sure. Next week."

"Let's consider that," Scoutmaster said, leading Scout over to the couch. They stretched out spoon fashion, the youngster in front. Duncan explained how there was some discomfort in initiating anal intercourse. "You think about it, and, next week, if you still want to, we'll give it a try."

"Oh, I'll want to," Scout said, almost breathless because he was about ready to come. "I've wanted to forever." In this case, forever, was about a year. There had been several years of yearning for a man to love him, but he had only recently understood that a boy could be fucked. Of course, he had heard kids say, "fuck you." It had been said to him by boys and he had said it to them. It was the reality of the possibility that had not sunk in. For a long while, Josh had thought it was just something one said, rather than something that could actually be done. But once that connection had been made, it made such perfect sense to him, that doing it became an important goal for the boy.

After Scoutmaster cleaned the youngster up with some facial tissue, he covered Scout with a light blanket and suggested a rest. Ten minutes later, kneeling at the side of the couch, Duncan checked to see if Josh was awake by lightly stroking his cheek. The lad's eyes opened and he smiled. Slowly, Scoutmaster moved the blanket down Scout's body all the while continuing his ministrations. Soon it became clear that the greedy boy wanted seconds.

*****

At their third meeting, Scout reiterated his request of the previous Saturday. Scoutmaster found an air mattress that they took turns blowing up, and a sleeping bag. Duncan lowered the shades on the two half windows that faced the street. He was going to wait in the toilet/laundry while Scout got ready for bed. They had an argument about what Scout should wear. Scoutmaster said that a boy would have his underwear on. Josh maintained that this boy scout, hoping for a nocturnal visit, would be "bare ass."

For the next few days, whenever Josh sat down he felt a warm tingling and a pressure as though Scoutmaster was still inside him. When he took his place for dinner that night, his father asked him what he was smiling about. "Just a funny thought," he said. As time went on, the after effects diminished and lasted a few hours, then a few minutes. To some extent Scout regretted this and that fact of life, you can only lose your virginity once. The good part is that you never forget it.

*****

It has been said that Lesbians become friends, then lovers, and later have sex; while two males have sex, become lovers, then friends. For Josh and Duncan there was a fairly rapid progression. One day Scout asked Scoutmaster if he would teach him rock climbing.

"Rock climbing?" the man asked, good-naturedly. "Where did that idea come from?"

"That was the video you put on at our first meeting," the youngster reminded him.

They were already doing things that took them outside the rumpus room, short hikes in the countryside, a visit to the aquarium. Scoutmaster said that rock climbing wasn't a skill that he possessed, but would see if he could find out where and how such training might be available. What Duncan found was a club that had a program for beginners. He arranged for Scout to enroll.

This had the further benefit of providing a reason for Duncan's existence to become known to Scout's parents. The man was in the group and would be providing transportation for their son, since he lived close by. The training climbs took place in various locations, some at the side of the interstate where the highway had been cut through ledge.

Scout learned rapidly and loved the sport. Scoutmaster waited at the bottom pretending unconcern. At the end of the day Duncan tended the boy's abrasions. Josh's fingers got tough with callous.

In the next two years, the youngster got bigger and stronger. Then he fell in mutual lust with a twenty year old, highly proficient member of the group. Josh was oblivious to any discomfort this might have caused Duncan. And it was not so very much, the man told himself. They had made no pledges of exclusivity or longevity. Besides, the boy thought, Duncan loves me and wants me to be happy. This was true enough. True enough for Duncan to allow the pair the occasional use of his bedroom.

Josh's friend wanted him to go to college in Colorado or some other western state where there was good climbing. Instead, the youngster decided to join the army to earn money for college. There were some tense moments until Josh was able to convince his climbing partner that Duncan had not influenced him. The young man had suspected, correctly, that Josh had misled him about not having sex with Duncan any more. It had become occasional, though.

*****

The army suited Josh and vice versa. After completing advanced infantry training, he went to jump school and proceeded to ranger training. Once a ranger, Josh continued with a variety of specialized training and finally was persuaded become an officer. This meant extending his enlistment and further postponing college. His intention was to begin college while in the service by taking evening and extension courses.

Right after receiving his gold bar as a second lieutenant, Josh took a two week leave. While visiting his parents, he went to say hello to Duncan. His former climbing partner had stopped corresponding some time ago. Josh didn't mind and had made new friends, although great care was needed because of army policies. Duncan understood, being in a similar situation himself.

They hadn't been talking for long when a boy opened the front door without knocking and came in. "This is Scout," Duncan announced. "Why don't you two get acquainted while I fix us a snack." Whereupon, he went into the kitchen area.

The kid's eyes got big. "You must be Joshua!" he exclaimed. "You're my hero. Duncan showed me all your pictures. I want to be just like you when I grow up."

"You want to join the army?" the young man asked.

"No!" Scout quickly said. "I want to be brave and strong like you. I'll do it some other way."

"Good enough," Josh commented. "Will you do me a favor?"

"Sure. What?"

"Take care of Scoutmaster for me."

"Oh, sure. He's a good old egg."

That's exactly right, Josh thought. He's a good old egg.

*****

After that day Duncan never mentioned Josh to anyone else again and he cautioned Scout. He didn't want anything to happen that might jeopardize Joshua's career. Neither did he see Josh in person..

One evening, years later, Duncan was on the couch watching the evening news with Troy. The country was in the midst of a crisis that required a military response. Suddenly there was Josh, General Josh, giving a briefing to reporters. His appearance had changed, but the name was right. Duncan was sure of his identification when he caught sight of the chipped front tooth. The old man was really happy to see that Josh hadn't gotten it fixed after all. Outwardly, he made no sign so that he wouldn't have to explain a sudden smile to Troy.

Troy had been Scout number six. Like the others he had grown out of the role, but unlike them he had declined to leave. Duncan asked him once why he wanted to hang around taking care of an old man. The young man said something about loyalty and kindness and being helpful. Then his eyes got moist and he told Duncan to shut up. So he did.

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