Chapter 3

Know Thine Opponent

Tracker let loose a huge sigh of relief as he splashed into the water of the creek. Carlos giggled at knowing that this reaction would be in reverse in a couple years.

"Tracker, after things have… subsided can I talk to you?" asked Carlos.

Tracker nodded. "Is this about… mi vino," he asked nervously.

Carlos nodded back.

After Tracker was out of the creek and dried off, he and Carlos stood face-to-face.

"Tracker," began Carlos, "you know that warm special feeling you feel inside when you and Xochitl are bonding?"

Tracker nodded.

"You can get overwhelmed by these feelings, and that's why you're…"

"Vino?" suggested Tracker

"yes," continued Carlos, "Why keeps getting stiff like that."

"Is this is related to me spending time with Xochitl, " Tracker asked.

Carlos nodded.

"Does this mean I can't see her any more?" asked Tracker worriedly.

"No," stated Carolos he tried to suppress a small laugh. "I want you to know this so it isn't such a shock when it happens, and so you can learn to anticipate it. You will have to learn to control this eventually so… no time like the present." "Besides, seeing her and Maria makes the two of us so happy," he thought.

"What should I do when it… happens." asked Tracker.

Carlos, deliberately omitting it the obvious answer, suggested, "try ignoring that it's happening, or try and refocus your mind on something else.

Tracker nodded in understanding.

"Now, let's go home amigo."

Notes:

Carlos's omission: He doesn't want to encourage Tracker to think about sex, not that Tracker has a firm understanding of what that is. He may have another subconscious motive, but that will have to wait for later.