Emmy, The Class Nudist: Part 3.

Based on a post by WatchingCloud. Listen to the Podcast at My First Time.

It's 7am Saturday morning. Carson is staring at his Windows XP screen saver. He's stayed up late, scouring AOL, MySpace, and even the new Facebook websites, looking for any accounts of Emmy's. He downloaded any and all photos he could find, then made a custom screensaver of Emmy's photos.

Carson believes he's the luckiest guy in Texas. He's living every teen boy's wildest fantasy; a pretty teen nudist who's sexually exploring, but still a virgin; for now.

What he can't figure out is; 'Why me?'

Finally, he quits staring at the screensaver of 35 pics of Emmy, and he turns of the CRT monitor, to get back to his studies. Around 10 am Wes stops by and Carson's dad directs Wes to Carson's bedroom.

“I want all the facts, Carson. Tell me what you did with the hottest secret nudist in the county!”

“Yeah, morning. Yeah, not much I can say, Spunky. We studied, then shared a pizza and sodas.”

“Hey, Carson! Its me. Don't give me the class book report. Give me the real status.!”

“Okay, Spunky, I gotta say, I'm sitting here all morning trying to wrap my head around the best thing ever to happen to me.”

“So she's into you? Wes cut in.

“Yeah, I think we're officially a thing, at least among the two of us.”

“Did she get naked again?”

“I think I'll decline to answer that.”

“She did! Oh my god! You friggin hit the jackpot, dude!”

Carson couldn't contain his glee and his grin spread from ear to ear. “Please, Wes. I nearly blew it by being seen with you in the woods, last Wednesday. I'm not going to discuss anything that might be just as bad.”

“Yeah, I'm sure she thinks I's so perverted that she won't ever want you to remain my friend.” Wes lamented.

“Dude, it's the most amazing thing. It's not that she hates you seeing her naked. It's that she wants you to treat her with honor and politeness.”

So when are you going to see her again?

“She's gone back down to Humble, where she grew up. Her friends are graduating, today. I think she and her parents will get home tomorrow. I'm going to try to do all my prep for finals while she's gone. If I know her as we;; as I hope, she's in the back seat of her parent's Escalade, with all her textbooks., making good use of the 8 hours of weekend driving.”

Just then Carson's computer speakers dinged. Then her heard 'You've got mail' and his monitor illuminated.

The screensaver locked up for just a second, frezzing Emmy's close up smile, then the Windows desktop appeared.

“Holy shit, dude! You've got it bad!” Wes chided.

Wes saw the AOL Instant Messenger window It listed username EmiliaJack as a contact. An indicator showed a new message waiting.

He clicked and her message read; “Finally driving into Humble Texas. How's your morning?”

“Holy fucking fuck!” Wes was giddy.

Carson responded fast; “Sitting in my room, trying to do my studying. But Wes just stopped by. We're both here.”

“Hi, Wes! Glad to not see you ;)” Emmy chided him.

“Oh God!” Wes said as he turned red.
“Ha ha! Great line, Emmy. Actually he's upset that I'm not telling him everything about last night's study group.”

“Did you tell him about a possible assignment for next weekend?” Emmy asked.
“Huh?” Wes perked up.
“Not yet. Like I say, he just walked in right before your message dinged me. Why don't you spell it out, now?”

“Uh, sure. Okay, Wes. I have a dear friend whose graduation I'm going to, today. Next Friday she's coming up to stay the long weekend, and be at my graduation celebration. I used to go on double dates with her, and it sure would be fun to do so, again... See where I'm going?”

“Holy. Shit!” Wes blurted. “Can I type, Carson?”

Carson quickly typed; “Wes is going to talk to you, Here he is”

Then Carson got up and Wes sat at his desk chair.

“Uh, Hey Emmy. Wes here. I'm actually stunned and very interested. Why me, of all people?”

“If Carson has been your friend since 1st grade, that speaks very highly of you. That's how much I respect his good judgment of character.” Emmy explained.

“But after what I did just this week, and I dragged Carson into it? How can you even stand to look at me?” Wes trembled as he typed.

“You accepted correction responsibly, Wes. You're not a bad guy. You're actually one of the better guys in the Lindale class of 2005.”

“That's an incredibly kind thing to say, and I want to deserve it, and live up to it.” What can I do for you?” Wes typed.

“Penny Martin is my best friend. We share the same values and lifestyle. Yes, that means what you hope it means. She just split with her boyfriend and is feeling a bit melancholy. I told her we need to do an old-fashion double date, together. I told her to trust me to have a great guy, eager to make sure she does.”

Wes jumped up from the chair and screamed' “Yes! Yes! Thank You Jesus!”

Carson sat back down and typed; “This is Carson. Wes is busy jumping on the bed and singing praises to God for his undeserved blessings.”

“LOL” Emmy replied.

“ROFLOL” Carson agreed.

Emmy elaborated; “I know we all have our own families getting together. But sometime before She leaves on Memorial Day, the 30th, We will do something, okay? Penny's staying at my house the whole weekend.”

“Sounds like a plan” Carson confirmed. Wes was finally completely winded and resumed his seat at the foot of Carson's bed.

“I gotta go, we're at the high school football field now, and the seats are filling up.”
“Okay, looking forward to your safe return, Emmy.”

“Keep studying, Carson. Distraction happen.” And with that the conversation ended.

“Crap,” Wes said. “I wish I had a phone with AIM on it.”

“I wish I could afford the data charges” Carson concurred.

Wes left and Carson spend most of the Saturday fully reviewing the entire list of subjects he was expecting to be tested on.

On Sunday morning, Wes called at about 9am. “Hey Carson. Wes here. I'm terrified that Champ is missing. Can you maybe come help me look for him?”

“Sure. I'll tell mom and Dad, and grab some breakfast. Expect me in about 35 minutes, okay?”

“Thanks” Wes said with a trembling voice.

Carson called Wes's cell as he drove in the driveway. Wes said he's going to wait at the pond for him to get there, then sweep the back 80 acres.

The two guys spread about 100 feet apart and walked along. Occasionally they yelled; “Champ!” But with no reply. Often the stopped to listen for wimpers or distant barking. Nothing.

They approached Wes's big tree stand, where he hunted deer and placed salt blocks and corn grain. Nothing. They climbed up onto the big 8 by 8 decking, and looked everywhere. Nothing. Got down and continued as far as the fence line, where a peanut field was recently planted. Then they moved laterally and reversed direction. Sweeping back near where the Jackson home was. As Carson approached, they saw scattered blood, Calling Wes over, he moved on. Soon fur could be seen in the blood. It was the color of the Gold Lab, Champ.

Then Wes collapsed to the ground; “No!” he screamed, Carson saw where he was looking. It was a bloody mess. Champs mutilated body was laying in the woods, just 120 feet from Emmy's backyard pool.

Carson went to Wes's side and put his arm around his shoulder. “I'm so sorry, Wes.”

Wes bawled with all the agony of a grieving young man who lost his closest, most loyal friend. Once he reached a point of no more energy to wail, he got off the leaf-covered forest soil and walked over to where Champs mangled head laid, discarded.
Carson approached again; “Wes, Take this time to tell Champ what you're feeling. Stay here, while I inspect the scene.”

Wes wimpered and nodded.

Carson walked in a circle around the bloody mess. Each full circle was followed by another at a 20 foot wider circumference. After 4 circles he returned to Wes. As he came near, Wes was telling Champ a story from several memorable adventures that the boy and his dog had lived, together.

Carson sat on the ground, about 20 feet away resting his back against a tree trunk. He listened to maybe three more stories. Then Wes turned to Carson, and waited to hear what Carson had to say.

“Wes, Champ killed a massive Razerback, but died in the battle. I don't know where that monster came from, but this is the last forest that beast will terrorize, thanks to Champ. That razorback's corpse is just on the other side of that scrub brush with a huge dog bite in his throat. I'm guessing the monster blood out slower than Champ, But he's just as dead, now.”

“Wow!” Wes surmised. If a hero is going to die, the most noble death is while slaying a dragon.”

“Well said,” Carson commended his best friend. “We need to get a hold of the Jacksons. Their place is going to stink bad if we don't have a burial real soon. “

Carson called Emmy and told her, first. He'd taken several pics of the gory site and told Emmy he'd email them when he got home.

“Let me talk to my folks. Can you say there for a bit, and We'll call you back?” Emmy arranged.

In a few minutes, Emmy's dad called; “Carson, It's Doug Jackson. We're so sorry to hear of the loss. Wes had a great dog. The Lab came by several times last fall, when we were at the construction site. Dog's like Champ are, well ; the best friend a guy like Wes can have.”
Carson had hit the speakerphone button and Wes heard most of that. Wes teared up again, hearing a stranger's tribute to his faithful dog.

“So the woods are a carcass-strewn mess, and nothing stinks like rotting pig.” Doug redirected the discussion. “Do you know anyone who can handle a skid-steer, backhoe, and ATV?”
“I'm fairly competent on all three;” Wes volunteered.
“Wes, is that you;” Doug said, upon hearing a different voice.
“Yes sir.”

“Oh, Wes; I hope my words weren't too stressful for you to hear?” Doug inquired.
“It was the kindest eulogy I could hope for, sir.”

“I'm sorry I haven't come by to pay your family a visit, Wes. I kept meaning to, since we're neighbors, according to Emmy. But listen, I've seen you a few times. You look like an able fella. I'm going to have my site supervisor haul some heavy equipment out to the place on a fifth wheel trailer. I'd love to hire someone to give both animals a proper burial as soon as possible. The decay will stink by tomorrow. We have a beg graduation event next weekend and I'm willing to pay overtime wages if you're available, today?
“Uh, I think I need to do it, sir. For Champ.”

Doug spelled out the terms completed the call.

Carson took Wes and they walked back through the woods, back to Carson's house. They relived the grieving stages when retelling Wes's parents and siblings. Carson was busy frying up eggs and bacon, then the boys ate a full meal.

Doug called back while they ate, informing them the equipment will be in the driveway at 12:30pm.

Carson and Wes were there to meet the diver and get briefed on proper operations, then too then keys.

Driving around the furthest perimeter, they approached the bloody scene with the backhoe and skid steer. Wes dug a separate grave for Champ, under a nearby beautiful tall pine tree. Carson scraped up the ground anywhere he saw signs of Champ's dissected body parts. Meanwhile Wes dug a bigger grave hole for the monster. There's no way Wes would desecrate Champs grave with such an evil creature.

Carson was still finishing smooth the grave over Champs buried body when Wes had the bigger second hole prepared. As Carson's skid-steer crawled toward the backhoe, he saw Wes using the bucket to take out his rage on the big black devil. As Wes saw Carson approach his trance was broken and he made one large sweep, scooping the razorback and tumbling the corpse into the big grave. Then he retreated the backhoe and retraced his rout around the property, to avoid harming the fresh new sod. Back at the drive, he parked on the gravel side shoulder, then pulled out a garden hose and sprayed the equipment clean.

Carson arrived in the skid-steer while the backhoe was getting washed. Within 10 minutes the job was done. They called Doug and reported on the completion. Doug told Wes he'd come buy to get the keys at his place, plus apologize for a terrible disrespect in not coming by sooner.

Carson and Emmy returned to their books in prep for the college-level exams in the days ahead.

When Mr. Doug Jackson finished unpacking from the trip, he and Donna arrived at the Hernandez home, They came with a sympathy card and a pie, which they'd picked up at a Tyler supermarket.
The Hernandez family was gracious even in their grief.

Doug turned to topic to the growing feral pig problem. He drew some diagrams of some traps he knew worked well in the coastal areas, down near Houston. Doug, Wes, and Mr Hernandez discussed a strategy for eradicating the hogs.
Finally, Doug turned to Wes. Handing him and envelop, he said; “Here's the fee we agreed upon. I walked through the area while the girls unloaded. You guys did a professional job without ripping up my lawn. I threw in an extra $100 each for you and Carson.”
Wes thanked him and said it was a great honor to get to bury Champ, himself.
“Now I want to talk about another possible venture. Can I contract with you, to implement this hog eradication plan?”

“I'm listening.” Wes looked Doug in the eye.
“Okay, I'll list the steps as I comprehend them. Jump in if I miss something.
One. We get an ATV, with a flatbed, and a power T-post driver.

Two. We haul Hog fencing, T-posts, and feed corn out to certain selected sites where we want to trap hogs. The Coral traps are the lowest maintenance and most proven design. I want to try that first.
Three. we install the circular, spring-gate corals, and set the bait.

Four. Each morning, you check all the corals, with your firearm. Any trapped ferals are shot and left til after school's done.

Five. After school, you come back and drag out the dead pigs and take a photo of the kill, then bury them before nightfall.
I will pay you and your construction team an hourly rate to erect the corals. You pick the team wisely.

I will pay a set price for each hog, and a bonus for expediency. The first five in a week gets you a set rate. The next five, in addition to the first five, gets you an even higher rate.
I'm asking you to work yourself out of a job. And if you're a productive worker, you'll never lack for a good-paying job.”

Wes nodded and said nothing.

“Did I miss anything?” Doug looked at Wes, then his father.
“Mr. Hernandez added; “Mr. Jackson. What you are proposing to do, is a great service to this part of the county. If your work is backed up with follow-through, you will be a popular man, and a leading candidate for County Commissioner.”
Doug chuckled. “Neighbor, My daughter speaks well of your son and his friend, Carson. I suspect that's because the boys come from good families and proper up-bringing. I think you and I are both contributing what God has blessed us with.”

That brought a smile to Mr. Hernandez and he stood and shook Doug's hand. “I will leave you and Wes to negotiate the rates and finish up. It is an honor to meet your, Mr. Jackson. And an even bigger honor to be your good neighbor.”

The next day, Monday, Wes left school and stopped by the wireless store to pick up the business phone that Doug had included on the deal. Then he arrived home in time to haul the posts, fence panels, and other equipment out to the two best sites he'd picked. He drove a center stake and with a string he walked a circle, using orange spraypaint to mark a layout. Then he measure the spots to set T-posts and lastly he fired up the power drive, to drive the 8 foot posts down 3 feet. The next morning, his dad helped him fasten the first corral. They decided to spread seed corn outside the spring-gate, and more in the middle of the coral.

They headed into town for dad's job and Wes's classes. It was Tuesday, after classes, when Wes saw his first 3 trapped hogs.
He executed them and came back with the backhoe. He spent the next 3 hours digging a long enough trench grave to handle 100 hog burials. Having another hour of daylight, He went to the other site and dug that trench grave even though that coral was not yet erected.

On Wednesday morning, the 2nd coral was made operational. Now the heavy work was done. He kept the skid-steer and ATV machines, but had the backhoe returned to the company.

By Thursday morning they realized the biggest hogs were jumping the 60 inch high fence. He was eradicating most of the ferals, but He's have to hunt the big trophy hogs the old fashion way.

He was now spending an hour each morning, and another hour each evening. He was making more weekly income as a contract trapper, than any of his classmates were earning in retail.

Wes was not trying to be like Emmy and Carson, at school. Wes took practical classes and had no problem attaining a 3 point 4 GPA.

Carson and Emmy had GPA numbers above 4 point 1. But they all were wise enough to know character is not an intellectual pursuit. The best friends are the ones with integrity, regardless of intelligence. Thursday was the last day of classes, for the seniors. That's when all the test scores came back. Emmy and Carson were ready for a much-deserved time of unwine ding.

Last Friday they talked about a Monday date night. But it made more sense to Make the Bueller Day event their best plan for the official first date. That left them better prepared for Finals and achieving their best legacy in academics.
Thursday night, Carson had dinner with the Jacksons. It was a very relaxed and fun time. After helping pick up the table, Emmy and Carson went to the drive-in movie. The movie didn't start til about 9pm, but all the senors were doing various tailgate party games.
Carson parked the car near the back, then he and Emmy walked down front where Frisbees and footballs were being tossed. A sand volleyball court was full of several classmates.

Carson and Emmy soon became the buzz of the gossip girls. The class of 2005 latest couple, were two brainiacs who had no past dating history. The couple held hands and visited several happy classmates.

Janet Holmann finally came up to Carson and said; “You know, Carson, most people don't wait til the end of high school, to get a high school sweetheart.”
“Oh,” Carson contemplated. “Then I guess Emmy and I aren't most people.” he added with a smile.
Just then Tom Bierman's back hatch opened up and his stereo cranked out; 'School's Out For Summer, ' by Alice Cooper. A flash mob of seniors gathered around and danced with abandon as they celebrated the biggest shared achievement of their lives.

The song ended and Pink Floyd's Brick in the Wall serenaded the dancing seniors.

Wes showed up just then, and Emmy went over to give him a big hug. “I'm deeply sorry for your loss, Wes. Dad tells me you're teaming up with him to protect the township?”

“Hi, Emmy. Your dad's being too modest. Truth is, he's paying me to exact revenge of the whole village of feral hogs.”

“Well, I want to thank you for cleaning up my back yard. You are coming to my place tomorrow? I have a friend who's hoping so?”
“Yes, I'll be there. And this time I'll come from the front, not the back.