Are You Scared Yet?
by J J Janicki
Chapter 22
We were thirteen and fourteen and there were no girls. So...
Us getting naked again could eventually lead to something else, but not until after we'd recuperated and I was thinking that wasn't likely until sometime that night. I was drained, Stephan was, and I was assuming that Chase and Todd were for at least a few hours, so as far as I was concerned, hiking naked through the wilderness amounted to little more than a kid's dare game. It was probably even more innocent than when me and Justin were playing our dare games, because at seven, we thought we were being very naughty, so...
"Let's leave our clothes here, " said Todd. "That'll make it more interesting. We'll hide them behind that tree over there.... I will if everybody else does."
Chase wasn't entirely convinced, though. "Yeah, Todd, that'll make it more interesting, all right. Just because we haven't seen anyone else on this trail doesn't mean we couldn't. You ever stop to think about that?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, I have, doofus, and what I think is: if we run into someone, we'll look a lot weirder if we're carrying our clothes than if we aren't. We can say we're nudists, and we're dreadfully sorry, we didn't mean to offend and all that good-"
"Naturists, not nudists, Todd, " interrupted Chase. "Nudist is soo passé."
So after a pause Todd explained, "Just because his mother's a psychiatrist, he thinks he knows a lot.... But anyway, let's do it."
So after hiding our clothes behind a tree, we resumed our hike, while trying to act nonchalant about the possibility of running into anyone else. It didn't seem likely - aside from possibly some other Scouts - and if we did run into anyone else, once everybody got over being embarrassed, we'd simply explain that we were naturists and meant no offense. None of us had so much as a hint of an erection and Todd and Chase were acting the way you'd expect Boy Scouts to act, pointing out berries and plants that were edible and others that weren't and identifying various animal tracks.
Only, then they started singing their Scout song. Not that it really was: once they were finished, they explained that they'd never smoke, they weren't likely to do drugs and they probably wouldn't try liquor or even beer until they were old enough. And since Chase was an only child, he also wasn't likely to pimp his sister. Todd on the other hand, said he might. Only then he assured us that he was just kidding, so...
So in other words, their singing Tom Lehrer's version of "Be Prepared" was to be taken as seriously as my "I'm not as think as you stoned I am!" tee shirt: its main purpose was to wind up easily offended Scoutmasters.
Be prepared! That's the Boy Scout's marching song,
Be prepared! As through life you march along.
Be prepared to hold your liquor pretty well,
Don't write naughty words on walls if you can't spell.
Be prepared! To hide that pack of cigarettes,
Don't make book if you cannot cover bets.
Keep those reefers hidden where you're sure
That they will not be found
And be careful not to smoke them
When the scoutmaster's around
For he only will insist that it be shared.
Be prepared!
Be prepared! That's the Boy Scouts' solemn creed,
Be prepared! And be clean in word and deed.
Don't solicit for your sister, that's not nice,
Unless you get a good percentage of her price.
Be prepared! And be careful not to do
Your good deeds when there's no one watching you.
If you're looking for adventure of a
new and different kind,
And you come across a Girl Scout who is
similarly inclined,
Don't be nervous, don't be flustered, don't be scared.
Be prepared!
It's fun winding up easily offended adults, but since those adults are often the ones making up the rules as they go along, it can lead to some repercussions. For example, Carlie said wearing my "I'm not as think as you stoned I am!" shirt at his school could easily lead to trying to pee into a bottle. I don't think I'd like that very much. Trying to pee into a bottle, I mean. It would probably take me almost forever to pass that test, especially if I was trying to do it in front of some pervy school resource officer. And I'm really not digressing all that much...
Well, maybe I am just a little, but at our age, many of us enjoy thumbing our noses at way-too-easily offended authority figures, so even though their doing it could lead to some repercussions, I was glad to see that Chase and Todd were in that category as well. Even if taking pains in assuring us that they wouldn't really smoke dope or drink until they were old enough took a good deal of the edge off...
That's okay, though, because I'm not considering becoming a druggie either. Although I really do like pissing some people off.
But back to Tom Lehrer. As it turned out, he had several fun sing-alongs. "Oedipus Rex", for example. After Stephan and I learned the words, that's what's we were singing when we rounded a bend and almost collided with Dan. It went like this:
There once lived a man
named Oedipus Rex.
You may have heard about
his odd complex... Dan??
We are soo busted!
Of course, "Dan?? We are soo busted!" wasn't part of the song, that was an ab lib on Todd's part.
But after a few moments Dan sighed and said, "Still at it, I see. I've created a monster."
Then Chase finally found his tongue. "No, Dan, we're not at it because we're still recup erating.... We're naturists. It's hot, so we decided... What do you mean, you've created a monster?"
"Well, haven't I?"
"You didn't create it, you just unleashed it, " said Chase.
"Same difference, " said Dan pensively.
"So...want to talk about it?"
"Uh oh, " said Todd, "Now Chase gets to be pretend he's a shrink. This is very very not good."
But Dan sighed again, and then, "Maybe we should."
It's difficult to put all this in order, though, because at best, he was of two minds and at worst, many many, ranging from he'd done the right thing to throwing himself off the side of a mountain. Although that last possibility didn't seem very likely in the near future.
But once we reached the river bank, he came directly to the point. "If word of what's been going on ever gets out, my life could be ruined. All of us could be in trouble, but I was the one who started it, and I'm the oldest. I had no idea it was going this far, but I was only trying to do the right thing."
So I was only an interested observer and wasn't going to be so presumptuous as to open my mouth, but I thought it was all the Scoutmaster's fault, because he was the one who was trying to make them feel guilty about jerking off in the first place. So Dan really did do the right thing. Just think how much better that made Edwin feel. He wasn't disgusting, he was normal! Problem was, though, once the subject was broached, the other Scouts started having normal feelings as well. Ten of them, all suddenly feeling abnormally normal, and one thing just led to another.
Only, before anyone could say anything supportive, Dan started talking about global warming and some other problems threatening our existence as a species and how the ones making the laws ought to be more concerned with those problems than they were with masturbation. And that's true enough, but I was more interested in seeing how Chase was going to work his way through all of this.
"I'm not exactly sure where I'm supposed to start... with this, " started Chase, "but... let's forget about how screwed up the world is... for now. We can solve that problem later.... But you started out saying how if word ever gets out, you're in trouble and we already know that.... We talked about it, us four, and we're not ever going to say anything to anybody else, all right?... And I'm sure no one else is either. We like you too much to ever think of doing anything like that. Because we know you were trying to do the right thing. Even if it feels awesome!
"But you said it yourself, we shouldn't feel guilty. Only, now we are, because you're feeling bad!"
"Yeah, " added Todd, "We talked you into it. We're the ones who started it, but we think everything you said about sex and jerking off is the truth-"
"But I'm older, " interrupted Dan, "I'm supposed to be setting an example!"
"So you are, " pointed out Chase. "My mom's already given me the birds and bees talk, so I know we're sexual beings, and we're not supposed to feel guilty about it."
And then I could almost see the light bulb going off in his head. "Say we're gay. Just for the sake of argument. So are we supposed to feel guilty because a bunch of 'they's say we should?"
"No, but I've said that already."
"So if we happen to be gay, we shouldn't stop having sex just because 'they' say it's immoral. Even if 'they' pass an unjust law. But we'd still have to be careful. You see what I'm getting at?"
... "I suppose, but Chase..."
Then Todd cut in with:"Maybe we all broke the law. Along with probably some more that we don't even know about yet, but if the wrong people ever find out about it, we're fucked already. Only, I bet there are a few million others our age doing the same thing. So are we going to worry ourselves sick and feel all guilty? I don't know why we should. No offence, but that's dumb!"
So after a few moments, Dan sighed again. Only, now it sounded as though he'd accepted the situation and wasn't going to waste any more time worrying about it... except for late at night and only every once in awhile... possibly...
But no matter, because he was where he was. So there. "Yeah, Todd, you have a way of getting to the point, and that's not always a bad thing."
"Well, I was going to eventually get to the point too, " said Chase. "I was almost there." Then he started giggling.
Or maybe it was more like snickering, but: "So here you are, talking to four naked boys. If a park ranger shows up, he might jump to the wrong conclusion, you know?"
"I'll tell him that I'm trying to convince you to get your clothes back on!"
Only Todd pointed out that our clothes were at least two miles back up the trail and also that we were naturists. "All of us are, Dan."
"So you're suggesting that it might look better if I'm naked too?... I've spent so much time out of my clothes recently, I'm almost starting to feel like a naturist as it is, so... all right."
So aside from the fact that he would be carrying his clothes once we started back, we were all naturists again and Dan never said anything about how he was starting to wonder about Todd and Chase. Or maybe he could have been wondering about all of us, because Stephan and I didn't bother raising any objections. If Dan had asked me about it, though, I would have said that the human body wasn't anything to be ashamed of and, not only that, I was interested in knowing what I might look like once I was his age.
I might have, but I hope it's been noticed that while Chase and Todd were trying to get Dan sorted out, I kept my mouth shut. But once he was naked again...
First, we discussed some absurdities. It started when Chase was wondering if it might be illegal if any of us happened to get an erection in the near future.
So he was still hoping but, "Erections aren't illegal, " pointed out Dan. "They serve an important function. We couldn't reproduce without them." It was remarkable. All at once, you would have thought we were discussing overpopulation or something. He seemed to be completely at ease, and that included his penis, it was just nestled in his black bush not looking very big at all. Maybe three inches and about as big around as Stephan's was when he was hard.
But oh well, I could be serious too, and trying to sound that way, I said, "Well, there's always artificial insemination."
"So? Someone still has to have an erection, else there's no semen, " replied Dan. That's why it's good to think before opening your mouth, but before I could kick myself too much he added, "But I was evading the question again, because we all know it's not illegal in the case of a husband and wife.... In private, it's expected and not at all illegal, but the real question is: if it happens to one of us while were sitting here, then could it be illegal?"
"Depends on what we do with it, " said Todd.
Dan didn't seem quite ready to take the bait, though."Well, suppose in the middle of discussion on the benefits of naturism, I start getting an erection. Chase is explaining to us that it's a healthy lifestyle, when much to our horror..."
Trying to keep a straight face, Chase interrupted, "Well, if was a serious discussion, then I'd probably try to ignore it."
Only then he started sniggering. "But ignoring it..." (snigger) "might not be poss -" (snigger) "possible, so I guess I'd say it looks... healthy!"
Dan was back to looking bemused. Almost. "So we can accept it, but the question is still is, would our hopefully imaginary park ranger be so accepting, and if he wasn't, then could I be charged?"
"Well, he'd say you were old enough to know better, so he'd charge you with... well, I'm not sure, but he'd charge you with something, " said Todd.
"Public indecency, no doubt, " said Dan.
"No, with thinking indecent thoughts about us!" fired back Todd.
"With no one else in sight, he might jump to that conclusion, and if one of you happens to have an erection as well, he'll also assume that I've just made some inappropriate remarks."
Chase cleared his throat."So it's like Todd said: you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't."
"I said fucked, Chase."
"Same thing."
"I wonder if it's against any state laws to say fuck?" mused Dan.
"It's against FCC regulations, so... probably, " I answered. It sounded fairly lame, though. Probably because, naked or not, I still felt like an outsider.
But that might have reminded Dan that, as a leader, he needed to draw me and Stephan into their discussion, so: "This is probably under the heading of antiquated laws, but is it still against the law in New York to have an obvious erection?... One that's only showing through your clothes. I'm sure there was such a law at one time. In New York. I wasn't surprised that there were laws like that in some Southern states, but in New York? Surely not!"
"We haven't heard of it, but if it was enforced, I think every junior high boy in the state would be in juvenile by now, " said Stephan.
"Oh, it's probably just a misdemeanor, " I added. But it still sounded lame. For some reason, I couldn't find my flow!
So I started blushing, but fortunately Dan gave me another chance. He wondered, "Have you ever been guilty of such a misdemeanor?"
"Well... once, it was close to being a felony. I was trying to think off. In Latin class. As in borrrrring, so I was daydreaming, and okay, I admit that every once in awhile I was playing pocket pool, encouraging it along a little, but it was starting to feel like I really was going to manage it - a hands-free orgasm - when the Sister asked me to go up to the board for an exercise. So, 'Oh no!'... But then the bell rang!... So I got out of there with my books clutched in front of me and... that's all there is to it."
"That's very anti-climatic, Natty. Saved by the bell. Right." Dan paused, then, "But you know, I'd feel a lot more comfortable some place else. If anyone were to walk up on us, we'd never hear them until they were right up on us, and here we'd be discussing erections and orgasms. That might not be good."
So we had to agree and with that thought in mind, we made our way back to our abandoned clothes. And, anti-climatic or not, they were still where we'd left them.
Only, we didn't hurriedly get dressed again, no, we sat on our clothes. So there we were, well out of sight from the trail, still talking about how anyone stumbling across us would probably get the wrong idea.
"Or maybe the right idea, " giggled Chase. He sounded a little shaky, but... "It's like Dan said, right? We're all bisexual."
"Oh, I suppose we've occasionally wondered about the opposite sex ourselves, " said Stephan rather significantly. Rather too significantly, and I started blushing again. So I thought we really really needed to work on not coming out, but Stephan explained later that under normal conditions he never would have said that, but then normally, a boy isn't ever going to admit to being bi either. Only both Dan and Chase had already admitted as much, so why not?
"Besides, " he added - later - "I kind of liked being enigmatic."
So of course I pointed out that his definition of enigmatic wasn't even close to being the same as mine, but...
That was also later, so returning once again to our therapy session under the tree, Dan cleared his throat and... "I'd never say this around any of the others, but I haven't been on a date with a girl in two years.... I felt badly about the girl I was with - about her feelings - but I couldn't make myself... I couldn't even hold her hand. I couldn't so much as do that even. I..." (deep breath)... "So after that, I tried not to think about sex at all. Only, that's not possible, is it?"
"No, it's not." said Todd. "But me and Chase... well, we've talked about girls a lot... and at least I've tried... Chase still gets all tongue tied around them and starts blushing-"
"And you do too, " cut in Chase quickly, "you said so yourself. You said you weren't sure what to do."
"But at least I tried."
"And so will I... eventually, but I don't want to make a fool of myself before then."
"So that's why we decided to practice making out some before he makes a fool of himself, " finished Todd.
"Oh? How exactly?" Dan wondered. I think he was still trying to sound bemused, only his voice was starting to sound a little funny. I'm getting good at detecting this.
And Chase's voice was sounding that way as well. "Well... since big mouth-"
"You said we were going to tell him anyway, " cut in Todd, "you said we needed to be... oh, what was that word... supportive! After he mentioned how in a way, we're all bisexual, you said it took a lot of courage for him to say that, so as soon we had a chance, we needed to be supportive."
Then apparently wanting just a little more support since all Chase was doing was blushing, Todd looked at us and added, "From what you guys said, I bet you know what I'm talking about, huh?"
"More or less, " replied Stephan enigmatically.
I shrugged again and was about to leave it at that, but then I thought, "Well, if that's how he wants to be about it, I'll say it, then."
Only, before I could figure out the how and what, Dan was back with, "More or less, I'm not sure what we're talking about now." And after he mentioned it, I wasn't sure either. Had Stephan just said that we more or less knew they were talking about making out, or was he saying we'd made out some too, or was he...
"Me and Chase... well, we've practised hugging and we've tried kissing... some, but-"
"But so far, we haven't been completely naked while we were doing that, " explained Chase.
Then he looked imploringly at me - because after all, I hadn't said anything since their fairly big admission, so: "Sounds cool to me, " I said nonchalantly, "but it's more fun doing it naked." So there. Although I did shoot what I hoped would be a warning glance Stephan's way. It's was supposed to say, "We've said enough for now, okay?"
Something like that, but Todd said, "I think it would be fun that way, too."
And that's when Chase started getting another erection. Then after Todd noticed it, there his went too. They went up in a hurry!
Chase giggled giddily, took a deep breath and: "So can we share your tent tonight?" And that was directed at me and Stephan, but he rushed on, "I mean, Todd and I, we'll have our sleeping bags zipped up together, but could we?"
I looked at Stephan. "You care?"
"I don't if you don't."
"Guess we don't then." I thought I was being way cool.
Except for one thing. We'd almost forgotten about Dan, who cleared his throat again and said, "You both know I'll never say anything about it. I'd be a hypocrite if I did.... Because to be honest, I think I'm gay." Boom!
Thunderstruck silence can sound almost like that.
But then he continued, "So I guess it's time I started looking for someone."
So not knowing exactly where to pick up from there, Todd started, "Well... we sort of thought you might be, but we don't really..."
"It doesn't make us feel any differently about you, " finished Chase.
Then, "We're gay too, " said Stephan supportively.
And I was also thinking just a bit prematurely, only Chase exclaimed, "Really? That is so cool!... You sure don't act it. How'd you find out?"
Long story, that, but I shrugged, "Just happened."
"I hope I'm not prying, but how ?" wondered Dan. Sooo...
We ended up telling them almost everything about ourselves. Personally, though, I was thinking in terms of only a little, with the details left to their imaginations. As in how we came to realize we were gay and how I accepted it almost right away even if Stephan had to first work through some issues. Only, I was hoping he wouldn't mention what those issues were. He could just say that he had some guilt at first. He could have left it at that and I think it would have been acceptable, and it also would have been supportive, because obviously, Dan was also feeling some guilt, but when he sailed off into his Tulpehocken Creek story...
I mean, it's a good story, but after he took it all the way to where he was in bed with his cousin, it had to raise some questions.
Or conclusions. If Stephan sucked Zach's dick, then the obvious conclusion was: he was also sucking mine and I was sucking his, and I'm not feeling the least bit of guilt, but I'm still not likely to be telling people I've only just met about it.
Although at least he didn't mention his English boarding school fantasy or the one where he was kidnapped, and to be honest, I thought the part at the end where I first said I loved him and he in turn said he loved me was nice.
But everything else had been said, and once it was over, Dan seemed to be amazed. And also very obviously aroused, but, "I would have thought you'd wait until later."
I finally had a ready answer, though. "Why?"
"Well, because... most boys your age... wait."
So Stephan explained how we might have still been cautiously feeling each other out if not for the circumstances, and that seemed to satisfy him.
Todd and Chase's mouths were hanging open, though. Literally. They hadn't lost their erections, but I started thinking the worst. So I guessed I might as well start getting it all out in the open. "So..." I ventured, "you... having some second thoughts now?"
Chase snapped out of his trance. "Oh no, " he breathed, "not at all..."
Then he looked over at Todd and finished, "Well, unless maybe you are, but... um... well, are you?... Having any second thoughts?"
Todd made a face. "I think I'm up to my twentieth about now..."
Then resolutely, "I'm not going to say that I haven't ever thought about it. What it's like, so we might, " (and Chase's face lit up), "but not right away. I sort of want to go at it slow, don't you?"
And that was directed at Chase, and in reply he stammered, "Oh... I... I... right now... tonight, I think us sleeping together... naked... that would be really awesome! So... no, if...they don't care and you don't care, I don't either. I'd love it!"
Only Todd wanted to add an amendment. Just one, but, "Well, I was thinking we could jerk off some more, because we've already been that far, so if it's all right with you, I sure wouldn't mind that any..."
So Chase said he didn't mind any either.
Then Dan cleared his throat again. I really felt sort of bad, because we kept forgetting about him, but, "We probably need to be getting back soon, but first..."
And then he started stumbling and faltering. "We... need to do something about our erections... first, and ah..."
Then he took a deep breath and rushed on. "I admitted it to myself even before our first jerk-off session. I was gay, and I knew it. I've already practised with a banana. Deep throating... it. So... under the circumstances, do you care if I... there's not a good way of putting this, but do you care if I blow... all of you? Right now?"
So the rest of us looked dumbfounded, and in some situations we might have tried being honorable about it. "Oh, no, Dan, we couldn't possibly take advantage, " but Todd and Chase were erect almost to the point of quivering. They'd only had one release that day, after all. But Stephan and I had had three already, so I would have thought we'd be finding it difficult. To get another erection so soon, I mean. Even Rasputin would have found it difficult to manage another so soon, but in our case... nuhh uh.
But think about it. Were we to recoil in horror? Were we to flee the scene, with our erections leading the way? Would that in any way, shape or fashion be supportive? Just think how awful he'd feel if we sent such a message to him, that apparently, he was totally depraved... why he might even be tempted to throw himself into the rapids upstream as soon as possible! So...
"Um... I guess... if you really want... to, " managed Chase, "but you... don't have to."
So that sounded fairly honorable and Stephan and I were trying to look sincere and willing to go along with the suggestion that he didn't really have to... if he really didn't want to, but...
"Well, okay, but only under one condition, " quavered Todd, "you have to let us... well, we could... take turns... on you. It would be... well, symbolic... but anyway, we'll all... put yours in our mouths and... suck on it, and... whoever ends up with a mouthful... well, it just happens."
Then he looked over at the rest of us, obviously looking for some additional support, only we were once again dumbfounded with our mouths hanging open, so he finished, "It'll be like a pact. This is to be only between us, all right?" He sounded very anxious. And God, did I ever wish I had my i-Kams on.
Only, now, it was Dan's turn to try being honorable. Depending on exactly how honor is to be defined, of course, but his protestations were to no avail. It finally came down to this: "I don't want you to, I... Chase?"
Because Chase made a face, and down he went. Not much more than his bulb, but he definitely gave it a couple of sucks, and then Todd said resolutely, "Okay, it's my turn now." I'd just like to see anyone besides Dan trying to put a stop to that!
He had a good reason, though. After taking a couple of deep fluttery breaths, he managed, "You know how it is after you finish jerking off? You don't feel like doing any more for awhile.... But since... you're determined... and since you're all going to take short turns... I think it would be better if you'd let me do all of you first."
So... okay, then. Chase was the first to offer himself as a sacrifice, and he looked... well, at first, he looked just a little doubtful: as though he wasn't exactly sure how he was supposed to act. Then after about a minute... it couldn't have been much longer... "I'm about to... I'm about to... I..."
And then he shot off, but Dan didn't spit any of it out.
So Chase looked dazed. And happy. Although he still seemed to be having some trouble believing what had just happened.
Todd was next, and he didn't even last as long as Chase. But he didn't look unhappy either.
Then it was my turn and that took awhile, but I think I managed a squirt.
Stephan lasted close to five minutes, but he wasn't sure if he'd managed anything more than a dry orgasm. There really is a limit.
So should I say that Dan's practice on those bananas seemed to be helpful? That he had some talent? I can't think of one reason why I shouldn't. It's a lot better than saying he wasn't any good. He seemed to have his technique down fairly well. But...
If I had been a betting man, I would have put my money on Dan exploding into Todd's mouth, I would have guessed that there was no way he could have lasted any longer than that, but even though he was leaking quite a bit, he somehow managed to hold out until it was my turn. It's a good thing I'd experienced both Carlie and Elliott, because otherwise I might have choked. Down I went, and I decided to massage his balls while I was at it, and... ka -blewy!
Then Dan was trying to ask if I was all right. Trying, because orgasms leave you out of breath and almost speechless, but soon as I could, I assured him that I was.
Then Todd asked if it tasted bad. He'd tasted it just a little, but it wasn't anything like a geyser, so...
Dan sighed "I think it's an acquired taste."
"Yeah, that sounds about right, " I agreed, and Todd and Chase let it go at that.
It didn't seem as though anyone was feeling any guilt though. As we were getting dressed, Chase looked over at Todd and said, "I'm still looking forward to tonight when it'll just be us together in our sleeping bag.... I'm looking forward to that a lot!"
"But now, we should be getting back to the others, " cut in Dan, "I told them to put some clothes on, but I'm not sure if they did or not."
"Oh my God!" said Todd and Chase in unison.
"Hopefully, it's not quite that much out of hand, " continued Dan very quickly."
Then he squared his shoulders and in a surprisingly businesslike manner, he continued, "Just one thing. What just happened is only between us. The rest are too young. To be honest, I hope there aren't even any more circle jerks."
Only then he realized how unlikely that was, because he added, "Or if nothing else, maybe we can convince them it would be better if they kept it between themselves."
Only, Todd pointed out that even if they didn't have hair yet, the twins and Dalton were the same age he was, so...
"Oh, shit!" exclaimed Dan.
"I've never heard him cuss until today, " said Chase.
Saying that it all seemed very improbable is, at best, a gross understatement. It was already beyond belief when Dan came out. And not only that, Chase was leaning in our direction and even though it seemed that Todd would go eventually over to the other side, he obviously was in no hurry. So I was starting to wonder if maybe the shock of those Federal agents in our apartment that afternoon had released a pheromone that was attracting boys. It can be a little inconvenient after you've found your one and only, but it's still interesting. Awfully.
Authors deserve your feedback. It's the only payment they get. If you go to the top of the page you will find the author's name. Click that and you can email the author easily.* Please take a few moments, if you liked the story, to say so.
[For those who use webmail, or whose regular email client opens when they want to use webmail instead: Please right click the author's name. A menu will open in which you can copy the email address (it goes directly to your clipboard without having the courtesy of mentioning that to you) to paste into your webmail system (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc). Each browser is subtly different, each Webmail system is different, or we'd give fuller instructions here. We trust you to know how to use your own system. Note: If the email address pastes or arrives with %40 in the middle, replace that weird set of characters with an @ sign.]
* Some browsers may require a right click instead
