Snakes and Snails and Puppydog Tails by Nexxie PART II "Hey, Chris, can I talk to you for a minute?"  Roy was nervously shifting from foot to foot, his head down, hands in his back pockets, a sure sign he was upset. Chris DeSoto wondered if he was in trouble.  After working a little overtime at the store he was beat and ready for some sack time.  But if his dad needed to talk, he knew from experience he might as well get it over with now.  It crossed his mind that this might be a belated conversation about his dropping the "Uncle" from Johnny's name. "Sure, Dad," Chris replied.  "Can I get some milk first?  I'm kind of thirsty." "Yeah, sure.  Maybe I'll join you."  Roy followed his son to the kitchen and opened the cupboard, reaching for the package of Oreo's that was still unopened as of yesterday.  It was half gone.  Somebody got to the package ahead of him. Chris filled two glasses and brought them over to the table, setting one in front of his father and placing the other at his "spot".  He took a long drink, delaying the conversation just a little more by reaching for a cookie.  "Okay, what did you want to talk about?" Chris was stalling.  He usually emulated Johnny's habit of talking with his mouth full.  Tonight Chris carefully chewed his cookies and drank the milk, emptying his mouth before saying a word. "I talked to Johnny about a final camping trip before you leave for college.  He was okay with the idea." "But...?" Chris asked, anticipating there would be a catch, and he pretty well knew what the catch would be. "Well, he did ask about J.R.," Roy conceded.  "I told him to ask J.R. if he wanted to come." Chris groaned.  He knew it.  "Look, Dad, we don't have to do this.  Why don't we just forget it, okay?" "So now what, you want me to un-invite them?"  Roy was starting to get agitated.  "I don't get it, what do you have against J.R.?" "Dad, you wouldn't understand.  We just don't get along, okay?"  Chris was disappointed, but he would be darned if he would share his special trip with that misfit. "Why don't you try me?"  Roy was looking seriously at Chris, and his son knew this was not really a request. "He just doesn't fit in, okay.  Everybody bends over backwards to accomodate the guy and he just seems to always be sulking or something.  Look at the picnic...instead of joining in and playing baseball, he just left.  He's practically anti-social." "How much do you know about J.R. and the way he grew up?"  "Not much," Chris admitted,  "like I said, the guy doesn't talk." "Chris, J.R. didn't play ball because he didn't know how," Roy explained.  "Little League was out for him...there was no money.  There was no money for anything when he was a kid, including driver's education, sports or...anything.  It was just him and his mother until he was sixteen, and then she died of cancer.  All his time after school was spent taking care of her.  Then he was on his own, renting a room.  It says a lot that he even finished high school.  He's been making his own way, living on his own for three years now.  He's been acting like an adult for a lot longer than that.  But it wasn't from choice.  Given a choice, he would have had both his parents, played in sports, learned to drive, went to camp, had birthday parties, gone to the prom...all the things you've done, and taken for granted." "So, what now, it's supposed to be my fault that he didn't have all the stuff I have?"  Chris was trying hard not to sound resentful.  Sure the guy had a hard life, and it was too bad, but he still didn't want him on the camping trip. "Of course it isn't your fault," Roy shook his head.  "But I just figured you might change your mind if you understood where he's coming from." "Look, Dad, I feel bad for J.R., I really do.  But I just don't like him, okay?  Bottom line, if he goes on the trip...I don't."  Chris felt a little bit mean, but he was being honest. "And if Johnny refuses to go without him?" "Well then you have to decide who you want to go with, don't you, Dad?"  Chris stood up and headed for the stairwell.  "I'm going to bed.  See you in the morning." "Yeah," Roy replied, troubled.  "Good night, Chris."  Finishing the last Oreo, Roy cleaned up his mess and plodded upstairs to bed.  ************ Johnny was whistling as he dropped J.R. off at 15's and headed for his own station.  I kind of hope J.R. isn't too anxious to get a car anytime soon now.  In my enthusiasm for him to drive, I forgot how much I enjoy our time between work and home each shift.  I don't have to depend on the radio for company during the 45-minute commute.  It gives us time to talk about stuff, almost like I did with Roy in the squad when we worked together.  I still miss those days, but having J.R. around makes up for it a little bit. They had their first "exchange lessons" yesterday, he remembered with a smile.  J.R. got in the driver's seat and Johnny explained the clutch, the brakes, accelerator, and gear shift, then he told J.R. to start it up and explained how to put the car in gear, using the clutch and shift simultaneously.  He made his son practice each position of the manual shift several times until he committed them to memory.  Then, mentally crossing his fingers,  Johnny told J.R. to put the car in first and step on the gas.  The Rover lurched forward and died.  Not surprised, he told him to try again, slowly releasing the clutch as he depressed the gas pedal.  This time, although it was a little jerky, the Rover moved forward and kept going. After an hour of learning to clutch first before doing anything else, and a thorough explanation of why it was necessary, J.R. seemed to get the hang of it. "I think we've covered enough for today, J.R.," Johnny said, ready for a break. "You forgot the most important thing, Dad."  The junior Gage grinned as his father mentally went over each step of the lesson he gave his son.  Seeing Johnny's puzzled expression, J.R. reached over and turned on the radio. Arriving at 51's Johnny was hyped for a good shift.  Things worked out with his son better than he could have hoped when he left the Fireman's picnic on Saturday. Lopez gave a sigh of relief when he saw Johnny's easy grin as he entered the kitchen that Monday morning.  He looked so depressed on Saturday, but things must be okay now. "Five minutes, Gentlemen," Johnny almost sang.  Yep, it promised to be a beautiful day. ************ Captain DeSoto rubbed his eyes and stared at the wall in front of his desk.  It was adorned in pictures, courtesy of Jennifer.  Most prominent was his wedding picture and the latest school pictures of the kids, but scattered amid the reminders and memos were various photographs from Station 51 and ...Squad 51.  Johnny had become so much a part of his life, that it was nearly impossible to find a picture from the last eleven years that his best friend had not either been the photographer or one of the subjects.  John Gage's grinning face and laughing eyes were staring at him from at least a half-dozen snapshots as well as a framed 8 x 10 picture of them together in front of the Squad. How was he gonna un-invite Johnny and J.R.?  The whole purpose of the camping trip was for Roy and Chris to spend time together.  If Chris didn't go, it would only serve to increase the gap between the two of them, rather than strengthen the bond.  Roy sighed.  He put his foot in his mouth when he told Johnny to invite J.R.  He messed it up and now he had to fix it...somehow. Now I'm going to have to hurt my friend...again.  It wasn't bad enough that I forgot all about telling him his son left the picnic early, allowing him to worry, allowing J.R. to think his father didn't care.  Now I have to tell Johnny that my son doesn't want to go camping if his son goes along.  If it were anything else...ball games, amusement parks, picnics, the beach...any of a dozen other things that Johnny did with my kids when they were small...it wouldn't hurt so bad.  But camping is the way Johnny shared himself most with Jennifer and Chris.  It is his special love, his escape from the harsh reality we deal with on this job.  And the rejection will hurt the most because it will be about his son. With a sigh, Roy reached for the phone to call his best friend. "STATION 99...STRUCTURE FIRE...3233 WILLOW...3-2-3-3 WILLOW...CROSS STREET DESMOND...TIME OUT 10:15" "Station 99, KMG-375," Captain DeSoto responded.  Saved by the bell. ************ The sunny deck seems like the place to be, Chris DeSoto decided as he opened the chaise lounge to stretch out for a nap before going to work the evening shift at the store.  Last night went on forever and the customers were grouchy, as a whole...not unusual for a rainy evening.  Whatever they wanted we didn't have, and what we had was the wrong color, or the wrong size.  I'll be so glad to get away to college and be on my own. Jennifer was sitting in her favorite spot, the corner by "Uncle Johnny's chair",  putting a coat of polish on her toenails.  Lately it seems like she's always painting something---eyelashes, lips, nails, even putting streaks in her hair.  Guess she thinks it makes her pretty or something.  Wonder who she's trying to look good for?  I don't remember her dating anybody lately. "Hey, Jen, I think you missed a spot." "Shut up, dork." With a smile Chris peeled off his T-shirt, put on his sunglasses and relaxed the chaise as flat as it would go.  He was in "cool" mode. "So, who's the paint job for?"  Chris smirked, knowing he wouldn't get an honest answer. "Nobody in particular.  Can't I do something just for me?"  "Geez, J.R. Gage!" Chris exclaimed in frustration. Jennifer jumped when Chris mentioned J.R.'s name .  "That guy is ruining everything.  I'm getting sick of hearing his name.  J.R. saved some fireman's life.  J.R. had an unhappy childhood.  J.R. looks just like his daddy.  J.R...J.R...J.R...I'm getting just like Uncle...er... like Johnny and Craig Brice---allergic to the name.  Do you know what Dad wants me to do now?" Her attention fully caught, Jennifer tried to be casual as she asked, "No, what?" "He wants me to ask J.R. to go along with us on our camping trip.  I mean, like the guy can't stay home by himself or something, always has to tag along.  When he goes somewhere he's just a wet blanket, never has any fun, never talks."  Chris paused to adjust his sunglasses and make sure he wasn't getting burned.  Tan was cool...sunburn was definitely uncool. "Maybe he's just shy," Jennifer offered. "Dad says he doesn't know how to do stuff because they couldn't afford it when he was growing up.  I guess  Johnny's trying to make up for it, but that's not my problem.  I don't know why they just can't accept that I don't like the guy.  I don't have to like somebody just because he's Unc...Johnny's kid."  Chris' expression took on a definite pout. Jennifer was thoughtful.  "You know," she said, "he doesn't talk much, he doesn't demand attention, he even tries to stay out of sight.  What does he do that annoys YOU?  Or is it that he gets attention without trying...attention that you think you should have?" "No way!  I don't need attention.  I just...he's so...never mind."  Chris didn't want to put his real feelings into words.  Besides, Jennifer was too close to right.  At the picnic he tried to chat up Captain Riley's pretty twin daughters and all they could do was ask if he had seen J.R. Gage around...like he was responsible for the guy or something. "What if you did invite him along?  What's the worst that could happen?  He would sleep off by himself, not talk, not eat much.  He doesn't know how to do anything, so he can't show you up.  He wouldn't interrupt your conversations or offer opinions.  For that matter, he probably won't go anyway...he doesn't like you either, you know."  Jennifer smiled, knowing she had Chris now.  She knew just which buttons to push. "What do you mean he doesn't like me?"  Chris was used to being liked.  His positions on the baseball team, student council, swim team, and in his Boy Scout Troop made him one of the most popular boys in school.  "What does he know?" Chris scoffed.  "He's just a geek." "Then why do Kalie and Karen Riley think he's so cute?" Jennifer mocked. "They said that?" Chris was frustrated.  He'd been trying to get one of them to go out with him for months.  It didn't matter which one; he couldn't tell them apart anyway.  Man, this guy had to go!  Maybe if Chris could prove what a geek and a loser the guy was, people would stop paying him so much attention.  Heck, he probably doesn't know one end of a tent from the other. Yeah, Chris thought suddenly, J.R. probably never went camping in his life.  He sure as heck wasn't in Boy Scouts and he grew up in the city, from what his dad said.  Maybe taking little old J.R. along might not be such a bad idea.  Yeah!  Why not?  I could probably show him a thing or two so he doesn't look like such a fool in front of Johnny.  I bet he would be real grateful. Whistling, Chris got up and went inside to make a phone call from his dad's den.  He didn't want Jennifer to hear. "L.A. County Fire Department, Captain DeSoto speaking." "Hi, Dad, it's Chris." "Hi, Chris.  Is something wrong?" Roy's voice became concerned.  It wasn't like his son to call him at work unless there was a problem. "No, I just decided to tell you I've changed my mind about asking J.R. to go with us.  You can go ahead and tell Unc...Johnny to ask him along."  Chris positively oozed condescension. Roy was relieved.  He put off calling Johnny, unsure how to phrase the un-invitation so that nobody's feelings got hurt.  Now he wouldn't have to. "That's good, son, what changed your mind?"  Roy hoped he wasn't pushing it, but he was curious. "I just figured the guy could use a break, that's all."  Chris didn't want to discuss his motives in much detail.  He hoped his dad would just leave it at that. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, Roy commended his son for being open-minded and said goodbye. Chris smiled smugly, making plans; this was going to be one fun camping trip, yes sir. ************** "Can't I do something just for me?"  Jennifer had asked her brother earlier.  It might as well be for herself for all the jerk had noticed.  He's irritating, rude, sulky, prudish, cute, too serious, cute, standoffish, cute, has no car, always busy...had she mentioned cute? Now they were all going on a father/son campout.  Jen had a feeling J.R. would be going after the talk she had with Chris...her brother was so easy to manipulate.    Not long ago Jennifer would have gone along as a matter of course. Now I get to stay home with Mom...some parts of growing up really stink!  And others...don't.  She thought about J.R.'s hand in hers at the picnic.  It was strong and calloused from handling the hoses.  His fingers were long and slender---sensitive hands---well-manicured and tanned.  And then, she recalled, he told her to let go. I've got to find a way to get that guy to pay attention to me!  Maybe a new outfit... "Mom," Jennifer called as she jumped up from the deck and ran into the house. ************** J.R. brought the Rover around to the back door and parked it.  He was fairly confident now at driving and wondered why it seemed like such a daunting thing for so many years.  Or for that matter, why people paid so much money to attend special classes to learn.  Between pretty much memorizing the manual and his dad's simple instructions, he would be ready to take the test when they came back from this trip.  He had been driving on a permit now for three weeks and they'd covered every type of road from in town traffic to the freeways.  His favorite, though, was driving the back roads and exploring the county.  It was fun. He wasn't looking forward to this camping trip, though.  Why had he let his dad talk him into it? Three days in the company of that showoff, Chris DeSoto, with his 'scout experience' and his know-it-all attitude might be more than I can stomach, J.R. thought.  He'd better not call my dad by his first name again, or make any more cracks about his age.  Maybe we can get away from the DeSoto's for a little while.  I wish this trip was just us two alone. Well, guess I better get packed, sittin' here isn't gonna do any good. *************** Johnny smiled as he walked out on the porch early in the morning to see J.R. behind the wheel of the Rover.  He took to driving as easily as riding.  Now to find out whether he was as experienced at hiking and camping as he claimed.  Hell, he wasn't lying about being a pretty good cook.  Johnny felt like he put on five pounds since they had that little discussion in the barn.  J.R. was modest at best, his lasagne was to write home about...if you weren't already home. Hoisting his pack into the back of the Rover, Johnny checked its contents one last time before they left:  First Aid kit, blankets, change of clothes, matches, mess kit, apples, and a canteen.  He looked at J.R. sideways before going back for a sleeping bag, tent, cooking pots, coffee pot, a small spade, wash cloths and towels.  He also laid out an extra canteen, mess kit and a second empty pack.  He would watch to see how J.R. prepared.  Roy and Chris would be bringing the food, since Chris planned on doing the cooking and Johnny would provide the transportation.  Johnny also went into the barn and came out with two fishing rods and a tackle box.  Maybe they would get in a little fishing...you never know. J.R. saw the items spread out on the porch.  "We gonna need all that?" he asked Johnny. "I thought I would lay out what there was and let you choose what to put in your pack," Johnny told him. "Oh," J.R. said thoughtfully, "I never used a pack.  Well, I guess there's always a first time."  He chose two blankets and the mess kit, the canteen, small spade and a towel.  "Got any rope?" he inquired. Johnny smiled and pulled a small coil out of the back of the Rover, handing it to J.R. J.R. looked indecisive for a minute and then ran into the house, returning with a rain poncho, a buck knife, and a flashlight, work gloves, small leather pouch, bandana and a slouch hat that he purchased in the sporting goods shop at the mall the last time they were there.  J.R. added an extra pair of socks, resealable plastic bag, and a couple apples.  He picked up the pack and frowned...it seemed like way too much stuff, but he shrugged and handed it to Johnny who stowed it in the back of the Rover. Johnny gathered up the rejected items and took them into the house.  He knew Roy and Chris would have all that and more.  They tended to pack the whole house when they went anywhere.  Chris insisted on being prepared...for a seige. Grabbing a few granola bars and a cooler full of ice and soda, his usual contribution, Johnny was ready to go. "Wait a second," J.R. called racing past him, "I almost forgot."  Opening the freezer he removed what looked like a bag of purple marbles.  Tossing them into the cooler with the sodas, he explained, "Grapes! you freeze them and pop them into your mouth on the trail one at a time.  They keep you from getting hot and thirsty and keep your blood sugar high so you don't tire out as fast." Johnny stood beside the back door open-mouthed.  It looked like they were all in for a surprise this trip. ********** When they arrived at the DeSoto's house, J.R.'s eyes widened at the mountain of camping gear and miscellaneous equipment stacked in the yard awaiting them.  There was a large tent, sleeping bags, fishing gear, two coolers, a cookstove, a folding table, two bulging backpacks, a box of food, pots and pans, a dishpan, extra blankets, pillows, a five-gallon water jug, lanterns, coats, a bucket, shovel and a rake.  He wondered if they were helping somebody move at first until it registered that all of this was going on the camping trip. As Johnny began stowing the stuff in the Rover, Chris couldn't help but look smug.  From the stunned look on J.R.'s face, he obviously didn't know the first thing about camping and had no idea how much stuff was necessary to have a safe fun trip.  Chris glanced derisively at the two meager packs in the back of the Rover. J.R. was wondering whether he would be riding on top. Jennifer perched on the deck looking decidedly left out.  Wearing a new sun dress and sandals, she was the picture of casual elegance, and the picture of dejection.  J.R. hadn't glanced her way even once that she could see. She was wrong.  By the time they pulled out into the street, J.R. had even come up with a name for the color of her dress...cotton candy, and the color of her hair...sunshine.  It was as much as his life was worth, he decided, to get caught staring at Jennifer DeSoto, so he made a practice of taking frequent peeks from under his eyelashes, sort of like checking the rearview mirror when you drive.  No long stares, just a series of quick looks. Out of courtesy, J.R. got into the back seat, leaving the shotgun chair for Roy.  Wordlessly Chris climbed into the seat behind Johnny.  Friendly conversation between Johnny and Roy with an occasional comment from Chris, filled the five hour drive to the campsite.  As Chris anticipated, J.R. never opened his mouth. *************** Johnny was disappointed, but not surprised that J.R. wasn't acting overly enthusiastic.  He knew this trip was all for Chris' benefit, and he knew that, for whatever reason, Chris didn't like his son.  Johnny wondered briefly whether, despite Roy's assurances, Chris was coerced into inviting J.R. along.  Well, regardless of the means, the final result was that J.R. was going camping with them and Johnny was glad. At the site, Chris jumped out, full of importance, and directed, "Ok, Dad and I will set up our stuff and you two can set up yours, okay?" Johnny agreed and looked at J.R.  "Pick a spot, son." After all the gear was unloaded, J.R. looked carefully around the campsite checking for any trails that indicated run-off paths, depressions that would hold water, exposed roots and rocky ground.  Finally finding what appeared to be a good spot, he looked up...yep, unimpeded view of the stars.  With a nod of satisfaction, he started to open his pack. "Are we staying here the whole time?" he asked his father, "or are we hiking somewhere else tomorrow night?"  J.R. knew that there was no way the DeSotos could lug all that stuff along the trail. "No," Johnny assured him, "we'll come back here both nights."  He watched with interest as J.R. nodded and proceded to lay out his two blankets on a plastic ground cloth, pulling the sides and ends of the cloth up and over the sides and ends of the blankets, and lay his rain poncho over the whole, tucking the ends of it underneath the ground cloth.  He had a perfect, waterproof bed.  Johnny was impressed. Smiling, Johnny emulated the method his son used for setting up his bed and returned to watching his son. Next J.R. pulled out the buck knife, leather pouch, bandana, flashlight, canteen, work gloves, plastic bag, slouch hat and rope and returned the pack to the Rover.  The buck knife and flashlight he threaded by their holsters onto his belt.  The work gloves and plastic bag were tucked into the leather pouch and it's long strap thrown over one shoulder and under the other to rest across his body bandolier-fashion.  He tied the bandana around his forehead as a sweat band, and plopped the slouch hat on his head.  Finally looking at the rope, he frowned.  After a moment, J.R. uncoiled the rope and reconfigured it into long swags.  Then, wrapping a small length around each end, he brought a single section of the swag over his shoulder to criss-cross the pouch strap, leaving the main bundle of rope to stretch across his back from shoulder to hip.  All that remained was to fill the canteen and throw the strap over one shoulder.  Satisfied, he removed the pouch, hat and rope, setting them on a nearby log, and glanced over to watch the DeSotos. Chris and Roy were already tiring as they finished putting up the tent and unrolled their sleeping bags inside, supplementing the bedding with blankets and pillows.  Chris dug a small run-off trench around the tent and set up the chairs by the firepit.  Roy assembled the table and set the cookstove on it as well as the dishpan and the assortment of pots, pans and cooking utensils. Picking up the axe, Johnny motioned to J.R. that they would gather firewood.  It was obvious that lunch would be a while in coming, and the fire could be laid and ready for tonight when they came back off the trail.  As they carried armloads of firewood back to camp, Johnny paused for a moment and halted J.R. as well. "Uh, J.R.," he began hesitantly. "What?" J.R. turned to face his dad. "Uh, Chris usually does the fire lay.  He's pretty proud of what he learned in scouting, ya know?" J.R. smiled with his father's crooked grin.  "Ok, point taken."  They proceded on and piled the wood away from the fire pit, J.R. taking care to make it look a little messy.  He gave a conspiratorial grin to his dad then turned to see if they could find something else to do. After a lunch that consisted of canned beans, hotdogs, chips and coffee, Johnny and J.R. volunteered to clean up while Chris and Roy readied their cumbersome packs for a short hike.  Johnny again imitated the way J.R. prepared for the hike, threading his knife through his belt, slinging his canteen over his shoulder.  He ruefully looked at the apples, debating whether a pack was really necessary.  There was no holster for his flashlight either. J.R. saw his indecision and with a grin, popped the apples into his leather pouch along with the bag of grapes and found a piece of loose twine in the Rover to loop around the Johnny's flashlight before threading it through a belt loop on his father's jeans. Johnny, unencumbered yet suitably prepared for the hike, vowed to get a holster for his flashlight and a leather pouch like J.R.'s the next time he went to the mall.  He wondered at this point who of the four of them was the most experienced outdoorsman. ************* The trail seemed well worn and the going easy as Chris, followed by Roy, led off.  Johnny followed Roy and J.R. brought up the rear.  The underbrush was thick enough to mandate walking single file as they made their way up a gentle incline. Roy was appreciating the fresh air, cool woods and the time spent with his son.  Chris revelled in his role as leader, cautioning the others as he perceived obstacles and hazards on the trail.  It reminded his father of his son's childhood...Chris always enjoyed being the leader.  He wondered what his son's chosen profession would be; a teacher maybe?    He was trying not to dwell on Chris' fast-approaching departure for college.  Joanne, Roy knew, was busy of late preparing their son's clothing and purchasing all the little extras that would make Chris' dormitory room seem like home.  He knew she cried a little some nights at the thought of her first chick leaving the nest, but it was what they saved for all these years...saved and planned and worked. The easy smile on his friend's face told Roy that Johnny was enjoying the afternoon, the feel of the trail, the peace of the woods, the companionship of family and good friends.  The path was a familiar one, a favorite hike of Chris and Jennifer's, one they had done together with Johnny several  times.  That was probably why Chris chose it.  Now Johnny was able to share it with J.R. too. Roy frowned.  J.R. was way behind the rest of them and he looked to be daydreaming.  Well, Johnny could keep an eye on his son, he was the best woodsman Roy knew, and he didn't appear to be worried.  ********* The climb was not a challenge, J.R. thought, but it was pleasant and there was plenty of time to notice the differences between California and Missouri.  The trees, for one thing, were different varieties...more conifers, less broadleafs.  The wildlife, squirrels and birds, too were different colors and types.  He absently pulled a grape out of the leather pouch and popped it into his mouth, savoring the cool sweet juice as the fruit melted on his tongue. Actually, J.R. wished the trail required more concentration.  The one subject he was trying to avoid kept intruding on his thoughts, unwelcome and unwise.  Each shaft of sunlight that filtered down through the trees to dance on the path before him reminded J.R. of long hair like cornsilk in the sunshine.  Jennifer, in her pretty pink dress with those violet blue eyes staring at him from the deck this morning was a sight that wouldn't stay out of his mind.  Or the thought of her as she sat beside him at the Fireman's Picnic in the parking lot, those eyes laughing when she tried to tease him out of his bad mood.  Jennifer with her dusting of freckles and her pretty smile as she held his hand---and the hurt on her face when he told her to let go. She's so pretty and so...special.  But she's only sixteen...and she's Roy DeSoto's daughter.  And I can't stop thinking about her.  What am I gonna do?  Sometimes I'm jealous of my own dad.  When we go to the DeSoto's for dinner, Jennifer runs to give him a hug, and he hugs her back and kisses her and calls her 'sweetheart'.  If I did that, her brother would slug me...and after I got up, her dad would finish me off. "J.R.", Johnny said loudly, as his son kept walking, oblivious to the others sitting at the side of the trail.  Caught up in his daydreams, he didn't hear Chris call a halt to rest. "Huh?" he looked around wondering why they stopped.  Chris and Roy were perspiring under their heavy packs and a little short of breath as they leaned against trees at the side of the trail.  A glance at his father revealed that, like J.R., Johnny was neither winded nor breaking a sweat. "We're taking a few minutes to rest here, son." "Oh, sorry, guess I wasn't paying attention."  J.R. looked a little guilty over the thoughts that occupied his mind to the exclusion of everything else. "You need to pay attention on the trail," Chris admonished him.  "It isn't the place to daydream." Johnny tried to keep from chuckling as J.R. attempted to look suitably repentent...unsuccessfully.  He knew this trail took no effort and daydreaming was not all that dangerous, especially for the last person in line. J.R. sighed.  Why did Jennifer have to have such a jerk for a brother?  END OF PART II *************** part III