Page 28 of The Boy from Half Moon

“To the Moonies?” he asked.

“To the furniture store,” I corrected. “I need new stuff for my loft.”

“It’s a date,” Tyler confirmed. “Can you buy me dinner? I’m broke till payday next week.”

“Meet you downstairs at five,” I replied.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Luke

Like my work shifts at the bakery, I was alone until closing at the furniture store. I didn’t mind cleaning up. Being away from the compound and having alone time suited me. The carpenters and Josiah, the other apprentice, left at five. I glanced at the wall clock. Half-past five with an hour and a half to go before closing at seven.

Friday nights were slow at Half Moon Ranch Furniture. I figured the outsiders had other things to do on Friday nights besides shopping for tables and bookshelves. Those same outsiders, or the locals, knew that anytime the word Ranch was attached to a business name in Bend or Madras, the business more than likely belonged to the folks out at Half Moon Ranch.

I’d once joked with Josiah that we should just name every store we owned, The Moonies, to make it clearer. He’d agreed, but we both admitted the nickname stung when used against us, which it was, far too often.

“The locals just don’t understand us,” he’d stated, tucking the identical, short-sleeved, white, button-down shirt I wore, into his also identical, too-large jeans.

I lifted my arms and looked down at my clothing. “How could they understand us?” I’d asked. “Look at us, Josiah. We dress weird.”

In my opinion, we did dress oddly. Every male, from the young boys to the elders, dressed the same. The women folk also dressed like each other, except they could wear different colors, but only the same matching dress design.

Having overheard conversations with the crew earlier, I knew Franklin wouldn’t be stopping by that night. He was conducting a meeting with the elders, so I was clear to unbutton my shirt. I kept it tucked in just in case a customer stopped by, though. Someone showing up on a Friday before closing would be rare, so I undid the top two buttons, feeling sorta wild with my decision.

Rules were not to be broken at Half Moon, and if they were, punishment was swift and severe. I felt a small rush of victory with my undone-button rule-breaking, feeling almost prideful, another sin in Franklin’s long list of them.

Truthfully, I was amazed I still hadn’t been kicked off the ranch or locked in solitary after my behavior in Franklin’s office a week ago. My actions were plain awful, sinning at the height of sin, and it was my fault he did what he did to me. I knew it was bold of me—and completely wrong—but once he began, I’d focused on Tate while Franklin soiled himself, and me, doing vile things.

After I shuddered uncontrollably in my release from his actions, sperm leaving my penis, Franklin stood. His face was red and anguished. Probably embarrassed by his conduct.

“Put your clothes on, boy,” he’d muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Even though what he’d done to me felt surprisingly good, I was disgusted by his behavior, as well as my own. Someone else’s mouth on my penis had to be a sin. Such things were not discussed within our community, and I certainly hadn’t known such an act was done by men. I got through it because of my ability to focus my thoughts on Tate, imagining it was him who was on his knees in front of me. Somehow, Tate putting his mouth on me or mine on his made me feel excited.

There would be consequences for sure, because Franklin had the power to do whatever he wanted, up to and including throwing me off the ranch. My actions that day were beyond acceptable, but still, nothing was said, nothing was done. I had humiliated and mocked our leader, God’s disciple. I figured I’d better pack for hell.

“You will regret this behavior, Luke,” he’d stated.

“I apologize, sir,” I’d said, scrambling to get dressed while he continued staring at my naked body.

You’d think he’d be embarrassed about his actions, turning away rather than ogling me, but he didn’t seem to care.

“You have my permission to work full time at the furniture store, but know this, I’ll be stopping by frequently,” he’d warned. “For more favors. And next time, boy, you’ll be the one on his knees.”

I had no reason not to take his threat seriously. My forehead perspired as I relived my horrible offense with Franklin. If I’d been afraid of him in the past, I’d just assured myself that he’d be intent on making my life even more difficult.

I nearly jumped out of my skin and yelped when the chime at the front door rang out. Quickly re-buttoning my shirt, I hustled up front to greet the customers.

“Hello, Luke,” Tate greeted me when I came around the corner.

“Hello,” I replied, instantly anxious over him being there, and fighting the butterflies in my stomach. I also battled with the fact that I was at once nervous, as well as beyond happy he stood there.

“I’m Tyler,” the person with him announced, moving forward and reaching for my hand.

For whatever reason, I wiped my hand on my jeans before extending it to him. Tyler was handsome. He appeared to be a couple of years older than me and he dressed fancy like Tate did. He was an attractive man for sure, but my first feeling was disappointment at seeing him with Tate.

Tate’s friend looked familiar to me, like he’d been in the bakery or here before. This definitely wasn’t the first time I’d seen him. I couldn’t understand the jealousy that I was experiencing at seeing Tate with another man. The feeling was new to me, and I didn’t like it all that much.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” I responded.

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