64
Curtis swung the wheel and the massive machine moved with him as the huge Earthmover took the soil from the river bed to dump on the bank where erosion was accruing. Walter had come looking and found him there, enjoying some hard labor with the other village men, Hoodlum and affectionate as they yelled encouragement to the young man who was learning fast.
"I see. I think I might give up some work and you start to panic about the silk sheeting bill? Got a side job now?" Walter called out and Curtis laughed as he shut the machine down, then jumped down to run over to him.
"Did you see? That was so much fun. Felt so…so… powerful. The winter storms ate a large area here, it's going to encroach on the children's back playing area for the sports fields if we don't act now. The dirt and rock will hopefully help slow the progression until we can get osme more large concrete barriers in."
"You know … you look dead sexy in that hard hat" Walter said as he slapped at his husband's rear, the Hoodlums watching all crowing with glee as catcalling started. Walter poked out his tongue "Jealous scum. He's mine. All mine."
Laughter as Curtis flicked the hat at one of the other men "sorry guys. Gotta make the real crusts now … he probably wants a pedicure or something."
Walter tried to look scandalized but was laughing too much as he helped Curtis up the slivered mud to the roadside where Ton was standing watching them.
"Hello Curtis. Walter"
"Hello brother dearest" Walter replied with the same droll expression "Come to take over the world?"
"No. Not today. My good undies are in the wash" Ton sniffed and Curtis snorted with mirth as Ton continued "No. Came to make sure you don't mess my river up too much. You didn't dig the swimming hole away did you?"
"No, that's higher up here … we were sure not to touch that. See? The rope swing?" Curtis pointed and Ton looked, then nodded.
"Good. Good. Best not mess with a man's extra-circular activates"
"Extra…
"Curricular" Curtis whispered "He's been talking to Babs or Monkey and is stuck in their madness for a while. It will pass."
Walter choked back laughter as Curtis calmly explained to Ton about the erosion and then they decided to head home for a snack. "Coming Tonny?"
"For a snack? A you mad? Does a bear dance naked?" Ton scoffed as he clambered into the go-cart he had driven there, Hawk now visible for the first time, asleep in the jump seat with his little mouth open as he snored.
"Awwww, look. Sometimes he is still a little baby isn't he" Curtis gushed "Ton, you are a lovely Tadda/brother."
"Thank you" Ton shone "When I have my own babies they will knew their uncle Hawk taught me how to love them."
"As you teach us all" Curtis kissed Ton's cheek and turned to Walter "And now … food."
Ha started to stir as Ton cranked the motor to life and they took off with a whoop and a Tonny yell "FOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD"