+++++ Mr.+++++ Mr. Baker pulled into the parking lot outside Baker House and turned off the engine. It was very dark inside the car because the moon was hidden by the large tree that stood next to them. What had started as a warm morning had turned progressively colder as a front moved in. The temperature had fallen steadily all afternoon and now the wind had the smell of rain. Mr. Baker stretched back in the seat and grinned in the darkness, "You're really cute Rafael,... you know that." Rafael blushed slightly and he felt a sudden warmth in his face. The heat reddened down to his neck but it went unseen in the darkness. The boy looked away awkwardly. Mr. Baker reached over in the dark and gently touched the boy's shoulder. "You are, Rafael. You're the cutest boy in the whole place. It's nothing to be ashamed of you know. Half the boys here would give anything to have your looks." Rafael looked down selfconsciously, staring at his feet in their well-worn sneakers. He felt funny all over and he knew his body was covered in goose pimples. A hot flush and a surge of adrenaline ran through him and he felt suddenly very aware of his young body and the closeness of the man next to him. |