Alternate Worlds

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Alternate Worlds

Prologue

Carson Fletcher sat on his commuter train headed home. He was trying to figure out whether things were worse commuting to work in the morning, or returning home at night. He hated his job as much as he hated his home life.

He worked for a real estate development company. He had a high paying job, but he despised the man he worked with. Sean Bennett wasn't his boss. He and Sean had the same boss, but Sean had seniority over Carson. He assigned Carson all the dirty work, and then took all the credit. Often their company had to buy out small retailers to obtain a property, or they had to evict tenants from residential buildings. The poor evictees had to find affordable locations. That was often nearly impossible for low income families, and for small businesses.

It wrenched at Carson's guts whenever he had to displace any of these unfortunate people. On the other hand, Sean relished it. It was all a game to him. Besides, Carson had to do the dirty work, not him. Since Sean always took credit for Carson's successful evictions, he believed that each eviction brought him closer to a vice presidency in the firm.

Once the property was purchased by his company, and all the tenants were out, the building or buildings were razed, and in its place they constructed high rise office buildings or high rise apartment buildings. Either type of property was very upscale. Rents in these edifices were sky high (pun intended), and way beyond the reach of the displaced persons. Carson's soul cried for these unfortunate people.

His home life was just as disturbing to him. Four years ago, he and his husband, Mark Smith, were talked into fostering two young brothers, aged four and six. Mark's brother was their social worker, and he thought that Carson and Mark would make great foster parents. They did. Two years later they adopted the boys. That's when they moved to the suburbs. Upon their adoption, John and James Hanson were given the surname Fletcher-Smith.

Things were great at first, but having two young boys around was draining Carson. Keeping up with their needs and demands did not seem to bother Mark at all, but Carson's patience was wearing thin. He hated the daily commute from his suburban home, and even though he loved the boys, he began to curse the day that he and Mark became adoptive parents. His job was taking a toll on him, and all he wanted when he got home was peace and quiet. It hardly ever happened. The house was usually in chaos.

Mark was a teacher in a local middle school, and he was very used to screaming kids. He got home much earlier than Carson. He took over the job of preparing dinner for the family. Carson was grateful for that, but often he got home so late that dinner was spoiled.

Another thing he was grateful for was that Mark kept him happy in bed, but even that was marred by their sons' raucous behavior. There were times when he and Mark believed the boys were fast asleep, but they were wide awake. The boys thought that they were being playful, and they had a habit of barging in on their fathers when they were making love. Fortunately, their sons were too young to know what was going on.

While riding home on the train, Carson continued musing on his life. He began to doze off. As he did, he made a wish. He wished that he had never met Mark, and that he had concentrated solely on his career. His life would be so much easier. He wouldn't live in the burbs and need to commute, and he would have peace and quiet at home. Best of all, he could cruise the bars, and have multiple lovers. He loved Mark and his sons, but he would rather not be tied down and saddled with so much responsibility.

He continued to doze and almost missed his station. He entered his house, and was pleased to smell some delicious culinary odors coming from the kitchen. The boys ran to him, and smothered him with kisses. That soothed his troubled soul, but moments later they were making so much noise, he wanted to scream at them, but he reined himself in.

Right after dinner, Carson told Mark, that he didn't feel well, and he was going to bed. In truth, he just wanted to escape the chaos that was his life.

"Can I make you some hot tea?" Mark asked in concern.

"No, I'm good," Carson replied.

Mark gave Carson a very passionate kiss, and Carson ran to their bedroom, undressed to his bare skin, and collapsed in his bed. He didn't expect it to happen, but he fell asleep immediately.

-1-

He was awakened by an alarm clock. He reached over and shut it off. Then he realized that he had no alarm clock. Mark and the boys were always up before him, and made sure he got up in time to make his train. He slept until the last minute, because he always had breakfast in the city, before facing Sean again.

He got out of bed, and put his feet on heavy, plush carpeting. Now he panicked. His and Mark's bedroom had no carpeting. They had talked about it a few times, but decided to spend their hard earned money on better things for them and the boys. He forced himself to be fully awake, and he looked around. He was in a strange bedroom. Trembling in fear, he ran to the bedroom window. The grass and trees, which were his regular view, were gone. Instead, he viewed Manhattan from very high up. The sight was panoramic and breathtaking.

He called out for Mark, John, and James, but got no answer. They must have left already, he thought, but why didn't they wake him up? Now he was frightened and he began to shake. Something was not right. In fact, everything was all wrong. He convinced himself that he was having a nightmare, but everything seemed so real.

He decided to get ready for work, and check out his office. He prayed everything would be the same there, even obnoxious Sean. If all was normal in his work place, he would leave, get on a train, and hurry home.

He went into the strange bathroom. On the counter he found his favorite brand of shaving cream, and his favorite razor, which he had owned since his college days. He could only wonder what it was doing here in a stranger's apartment. He shaved, and then stepped into the shower. He usually preferred a very hot shower, but he ran the cold water, hoping that the frigid water would wake him up from this nightmare. It didn't.

He dried himself and looked in the closet for something to wear. He got another shock. The suits were his size for sure, but they were made of expensive wool and mohair blends. They were all hand sewn. He didn't know who the suits belonged to, but he laid one out on his bed. He also chose a pair of black leather shoes, and a very conservative tie. In fact, all the ties in the closet were very conservative. He looked in the dresser drawers, and chose a pair of boxers, a soft cotton shirt, black knee high socks, and an expensive silk handkerchief. He dressed and looked in the mirror. He liked what he saw, and he felt like, a million bucks. He was convinced that he was wearing the clothes of a very rich guy.

He noticed a wallet on the dresser. It was all leather, not the cheap imitation he usually bought. The wallet was engraved in gold letters with his name. He put it in his pocket. He also spotted a note on the dresser. He snatched it up and read:

Thanks for last night, Carson. You're the world's best fuck buddy. Hugs, Richie

Carson was more than shocked. He wondered if the person who lived here wasn't named Carson also. He was developing a major headache.

When he was all dressed, he heard someone come into the apartment. He ran out to investigate, hoping it was Mark or one of the boys. It was a middle-aged woman.

"Who are you?" he blurted out.

The woman looked at him like he was mad. "Why Mr. Fletcher, are you OK?" she asked. "I'm Bess, your housekeeper. You're usually gone when I get here, but surely you know me. Can I get you something to eat or drink?"

"No thanks," he croaked. "I better get going."

He started to run toward the front door, but Bess yelled at him, "Wait."

"What's wrong?"

"You left your house keys on the front hall table."

"Thanks," he said.

He snatched the keys, put them in his pocket, and ran from the apartment. Once out in the hallway, he spotted the elevator and pushed the button. There was no up or down button. He found that strange also, but he was getting used to his confusion. Once he entered the elevator, he went to push the lobby button. He was shocked to see that there were thirty-nine floors. The fortieth was marked PH. It was the PH button that was lit up, and he realized that he was in the penthouse. How did he get here? Who lived here?

In the lobby, he ran toward the front door. He hoped he could grab a cab to get to the office without any difficulty. As he started for the front door, he spotted a desk. A uniformed security guard was seated at the desk, and he said, "Good morning, Mr. Fletcher."

His nightmare was driving him crazy.

There was a doorman at the front door who also greeted him by name. As he left the building, he saw a BMW out front and a man was leaning against the auto. The moment he spotted Carson, he opened the back door for Carson to enter, and he too said, "Good morning, Mr. Fletcher."

Carson wanted to ask him who he was, but he kept his mouth shut. By now, he felt it necessary to hide the fact that he wasn't dreaming, and that he was certifiably insane.

As soon as Carson was seated, the chauffeur asked, "Would you like to go directly to the office this morning, sir, or do you want to stop for something to eat?"

Carson was full of fear and confusion, but what he lacked was an appetite. "Take me to the office, please," he said.

As soon as they were on the way, he was afraid to ask the driver what his name was, but he did ask, "You were outside the building before I got down this morning. Did you happen to see my husband or my boys leave the building?"

There was a long uncomfortable silence, and then the driver asked, "Are you sure you're alright, Mr. Fletcher? Maybe I should take you to your doctor."

"Why would you want to do that?" Carson asked indignantly.

"Because you have no husband or kids. You've been a bachelor and a player for as long as I've known you. I've taken you to gay bars more often than I've taken you to your office."

The driver stopped the car. "We're here," he said.

Carson looked outside. At least the building where he worked hadn't changed."

He took the elevator to the seventh floor as he did every morning. When he got to the front door, he got yet another shock. There was a sign on the front door which read:

The offices of Bennett and Fletcher

can be accessed on the ninth floor.

This entrance is for personnel only.

Carson stared at the sign for several minutes. Bennett and Fletcher would indicate that he and Sean were partners. He was appalled. There was no way he could partner with that slime.

He didn't bother with the elevator. He bounded up the stairs to the ninth floor. The front door was ornately lettered.

Bennett and Fletcher, Inc.

Real Estate Developers

He entered the office, and a pretty young receptionist said, "Good morning, Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Bennett told me to ask you to come to his office the minute you got in. There's something he needs to talk to you about."

"More dirty work," he surmised. He was spot on the money.

"Good morning, Carson," Sean said. "You look awful."

"I feel awful," Carson replied. "What did you want to see me about?"

"You've finally got all the office tenants in the Cartman Building signed up to move out, but that lady with the coffee shop is still a holdout."

He was referring to Lotte Halperin. She was an attractive woman in her mid-fifties. She had been widowed three years earlier when her husband was killed in a terrible car accident. Her little shop was adjacent to the Cartman Building. Unless she moved out, the new office building could not be constructed, or the plans would have to be drastically changed for the worst.

Carson knew full well where this was headed, but he asked anyway. "So, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Convince her to sell."

"Why don't you do it for a change?"

"What's your problem today? You never had trouble evicting anyone in the past. You're so much better at it than I am. Halperin insists that her family has owned the shop for several generations, and she's not going anywhere. I know you'll be able to convince her otherwise."

Carson couldn't deal with this now. Sure, they appeared to be full partners, but Sean was still ordering him around, and Carson's resentment was growing. He was also upset when Sean told him that he never had a problem evicting anyone before. Didn't Sean know how that wrenched at his guts?

"Look, Sean," Carson said, "I really don't feel well. I'm going home to rest up and I'll go see Mrs. Halperin first thing in the morning."

"Okay, but work your magic quickly. Don't dawdle. We're all set to go. Let's get this project off the ground. It's worth millions to us."

"I just have to check a couple of things in my office," Carson said, "and then I'll be on my way."

Sean had a corner office. On a hunch, Carson went to the other corner and spotted his office. His secretary had a desk right in front. Fortunately, her name plate was on it, Suzanne Marino.

"Suzanne," he said. "I'm not feeling well, and I'm going home. I just want to do one thing. Please see to it that I'm not disturbed."

"Of course, Carson," she said.

Thank God she called him Carson. For some reason he was relieved.

He went into his office and closed the door. He flipped through the contact list on his phone, hoping he would recognize his driver's name. When he got to the D's he lucked out. One line read, "Driver." There was no name. He speed-dialed that number, and more luck. The man who answered said, "This is Ben Epps. How can I help you?"

"I'd like to go home, Ben."

"Sure, Mr. Fletcher, but it's awful early, sir."

"I know, but I don't feel well."

"I'll be out in front in five minutes."

"No, I'll be in the coffee shop next door to the Cartman building. Pick me up there."

"Sure, boss."

-2-

Carson let himself into the stranger's apartment with the key Bess reminded him to take. She was just finishing up making his bed.

"Please, Bess," he said." I don't feel well, and I'd like to be alone. I'll pay you for the day, but would you mind leaving me now?"

"Sure, Mr. Fletcher. Are you sure I can't make you a bowl of chicken soup or something?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Okay then, feel better. I'll see you in the morning."

Apparently, Bess came in every day.

As soon as he was alone, Carson fell to his knees. "Please, God," he cried. "I want my life back. I want my family back. I love them, I miss them, and I don't like this separation. It's killing me."

"This is the life you wished for," he heard a voice say.

Out of curiosity, he called Child Protective Services, and asked after the welfare of the two brothers he and Mark had adopted. After a long wait, he was informed that they were in the foster care of an elderly couple. The old folks were retiring and moving to Florida. The boys would have to be placed in another foster home. So far nobody wanted the responsibility of taking on two young boys. The social worker asked if Carson was interested in fostering them. He didn't answer. He just hung up and could not stop crying.

Suddenly, he had an idea. He would dress sexily this evening, and he would go to the gay bar where he first met Mark. Maybe he would run into him there, and that would help him return to his old life, his real life. It seemed like a good idea at first, but as the day progressed and it got later, he was filled with doubt and fear. Despite that, he went to the bar. He used a taxi, rather than call Ben.

He was ordering a scotch and soda when he spotted Mark. He was just arriving on the premises with a drop dead, gorgeous, hunk of a guy. After Carson got his drink, he approached the pair. He wanted to say hello to Mark, hoping that his life would miraculously be returned to him, but someone got to the couple first.

"When did you two love birds get back from your honeymoon?" the intruder asked. "We sure missed you around here."

Mark was married to this guy. A knife pierced Carson's heart and he ran out of the bar.

Once again, he returned to his strange, but luxurious, apartment. He got ready for bed, and fell to his knees. Crying bitter tears, he begged to have his life back. He missed Mark and the boys so much. Still crying, he climbed into bed and fell asleep in a second.

-3-

He was awakened when he felt himself being jostled. Nobody was touching him, but he became aware that the jostling was caused by the motion of a moving train. He opened his eyes. He was on the commuter train, and his station was next up. When he exited the train, he ran to his car and drove home as quickly as he could.

He threw open his front door, and the boys literally attacked him. He picked up one boy in each of his arms, and started kissing them, and telling them how much he loved them. Unfortunately, he was crying like a faucet.

"What's wrong, baby?" Mark asked.

"Nothing's wrong. Everything is wonderful. When I get you alone tonight, you'll see how all right everything is."

The boys had no idea what he was talking about, but they started to giggle, just the same.

They shared a bedroom, and had twin beds. Mark usually tucked the boys in at night, but tonight Carson insisted on doing it. He hugged them so hard, they could hardly breathe. Then he covered them with kisses, and told them repeatedly how much he loved them. As young as they were, they wondered what was going on with him.

Habitually, after the kitchen was cleaned up, Mark and Carson watched the evening news, and then sometimes a movie. This night, Carson grabbed Mark.

"I love you so much," he said. "Please, let's shower and make love all night. I don't care if I'm late to work tomorrow."

"You'll get no argument from me," Mark said, and he gave Carson a sloppy smack on his cheek.

They hadn't planned on any foreplay in the shower, but for almost an hour they sucked and fucked each other alternately, but they held back on cumming. It was difficult, but they did it, or rather, they didn't do it.

After drying each other, they collapsed into bed. "I'm doing all the work tonight. No arguing," Carson said.

Mark didn't complain. He realized that Carson was very serious. Carson started out by giving Mark a trip around the world that he would never forget. In minutes, Mark was whimpering and purring. Carson took so many nips at Mark's neck that he developed several hickeys, and he had to wear a turtle neck sweater to school the next day.

When Carson began to work down Mark's backside, his first attack was on Mark's crack. He rimmed for what seemed forever, but was only a couple of minutes.

They never used condoms anymore, and Mark begged, "Please Carson, go in dry. No lube tonight. I want to feel all of you inside of me."

Carson went in very, very slowly in the missionary position. He wanted to see Mark's face, so he would know how much pleasure he was giving him. At first, Mark was in great pain, but he didn't care.

When Carson was all the way in, he rested. He could tell when Mark's pain turned to pleasure, and he began stroking. He was succeeding in his quest to give Mark great joy, because Mark came a nanosecond before he did.

For all intents and purposes, they had simultaneous orgasms.

When they both calmed down, Mark whispered in Carson's ear, "What came over you tonight baby?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted you to know how much I love you. Thank goodness the boys didn't interrupt us this evening."

"Your demonstration of love was more than appreciated," Mark said. He kissed his husband goodnight, and fell fast asleep. His family at work, and his family at home, had more than worn him out.

Unfortunately, Carson was afraid to fall asleep. He feared that he would wake up in the apartment in Manhattan. He finally did fall asleep, and much to his ultimate delight, he woke up wrapped tightly around Mark.

"Thank you, God," he whispered.

Epilogue

Carson usually walked to work from the train station. Today was no exception, but he took a little detour. He stopped by Lotte's store, and was surprised to see his boss there. He gave Lotte a bunch of papers that he took out of his attaché case. They thanked each other, and Carson turned to Mr. Stearns.

"Mr. Stearns, sir," Carson said. "Good morning. What are you doing here?"

"I'm getting my morning coffee and a bagel, of course. I don't know how I'd fortify myself for a stressful day if Lotte wasn't here."

He and Lotte smiled at each other affectionately. What the hell was that all about, Carson wondered.

"Wait up. We'll walk back to the office together, Stearns said."

On the way, his boss asked Carson what the papers were that he gave Lotte.

"It was the contract I had the legal department draw up for her, laying out the terms of her vacating the property."

Good," his boss said. "I'm anxious to get going. When the new building is completed, I'm moving us in. We'll have the top three floors."

"Well, we're all set," Carson smiled. "Lotte was the last holdout."

"That's great. Sean was so sure you'd win Lotte over that he wants to celebrate. He's planned an office party for Friday evening after working hours. I'm bringing a plus one. Why don't you invite Mark? Tell him that your boss requested it, and I won't take no for an answer."

"I'll need to get a baby sitter, but it shouldn't be hard on a Friday night," Carson said.

"As far as I'm concerned, you can bring the boys also. The party will wrap up around eight PM. That's not too late for them, and I'd love to see them. They're as cute as two little puppies, and as bright as shining stars."

"Maybe, I will," Carson said. "I'd hate to get home, find them asleep, and miss my evening hug."

Stearns gave him a great big smile.

At about 10 AM, Carson was headed to the employees' lounge for a cup of coffee. In this life, his real life, when he stopped at his secretary's desk, he knew her well. He shared her with Sean.

"I'm going to get a cup of coffee, Liz," he said. "I'll be right back and then you can take your break."

Just then Sean strolled by. "Are you headed to the lounge?" Carson asked, just to be polite.

"No, Mr. Stearns wants to see me. This is my promotion baby, but don't worry, I'll move you up with me."

"Don't be so good to me," Carson said. "I'm tired of doing your dirty work."

Sean glared at him, and left.

"Good for you," Liz said, and just then her phone rang.

Carson had started to move on, but Liz told him to hold up. "Mr. Stearns wants to see you also. Right now."

When he entered his boss's office, Mr. Stearns was seated behind his desk. Two chairs faced him, and Sean was seated in one. He was shocked to see Carson there. Stearns indicated that Carson should take the other seat.

He addressed Carson first. "Carson," he said, I'm starting a new division for property acquisitions and I want you to head it up."

"I'm speechless, Boss" Carson said.

"Don't be so speechless," Stearns said kindly. "You can thank me, and call me Marty. That's my given name you know."

Sean sat at the edge of his seat, waiting expectantly. "What about me, Marty?" he asked with great expectation.

"I didn't give you permission to call me, Marty," Stearns said, very unkindly. "Do you think that I'm a blind idiot? I'm fully aware that you make Carson do all the eviction work. Carson refers to it as doing your dirty work, but I refer to it as his humanitarian work. When I started this firm, it was never my intention to harm a living soul. My objective was to improve this city and the people in it. Carson has been doing just that."

"What do you mean?" Sean sputtered.

"Have you ever read any of the contracts Carson prepares for the evicted tenants?"

Sean looked sheepish. "Not really," he squirmed.

Carson didn't want to, but he was enjoying the way this meeting was going.

"Let's take the Carlton Building, for instance," Marty continued. "Carson's contract offers rental office space in the new building to every evicted tenant,. For the first eighteen months, they'll only pay rent at half the going rate. We also arrange for them to have business interruption insurance, if they don't already have it. This gives them a chance to get their businesses operating on all cylinders after the hiatus. When it's a residential building, we pay the evictees' rent in their new location for the same period, eighteen months. We do that whether they relocate in our new building or go elsewhere."

Sean stupidly murmured, "That's crazy. Where's the profit in that?"

"I'll tell you where," Marty said impatiently. "Carson and our CFO worked up a business plan for each acquisition which Carson has successfully completed. The rent the new commercial tenants pay will help us break even during those opening months. We won't be losing a dime. We may cut into profits a little with the residential customers, but we can afford it. Besides, we'll make up the loss through the other tenants' rent receipts. Tell me, Sean, have you ever considered working up a business plan with our CFO?"

Sean was silent at last. He no longer tasted a partnership.

Marty continued. "The best deal Carson made was with Lotte Halperin. We're going to add a little coffee shop in the lobby. Lotte will own and run it rent free."

Sean couldn't resist. "How come rent free?" he asked. His tone was bitter.

"Because she'll be doing the tenants of the new building a great service, but more than that, she's marrying the owner of the building. Me!" Marty turned toward Carson. "Wait until you see Lotte dressed to the nines at the party Friday evening. She'll stun you, Carson." He never said anything to Sean. Sean had never met the woman.

Two jaws dropped open. Sean was more than shocked, and Carson was pleased as punch. He was crazy about Lotte. He jumped up, grabbed Marty's hand to shake, and said, "Congratulations Marty. I'm so happy for you."

He hated to do it, but Sean had to ask, "What about me, boss?"

"Carson saved me from being labelled a Scrooge among my business associates and my peers," Marty answered. "I'm so grateful for that, I'm going to be magnanimous. I'll offer you two choices. You can pack up your desk, and get out of my office, or you can accept my offer to be the janitor of the new building."

Sean was out of there faster than you can say, Sean Bennett.

Marty turned to Carson. "Let's just chat for a minute," he said, "and then we'll both go back to work. Stay in your own office for now, but when we move to the new Carlton Building, you'll have an executive corner office. I think I'll rename the new building the Stearns Building. Also, your new position requires a big raise. As of now, I'm doubling your salary. With Sean gone, I'm ahead. Feel free to raise Lizzie's salary also. She'll be taking on more work and more responsibility. Lastly, the party is still on for Friday. Of course, we'll celebrate the acquisition of the Carlton Building, thanks to you, but we'll also be celebrating your promotion. That's why I wanted your family to be there."

Carson buried his head in his hands, and was blubbering. Marty jumped up and embraced him. Very kindly, so that Carson would know he was kidding, he said. "Get back to work, fella. I'm not paying you to sit around and cry. But, you can leave early today. I'm sure you have lots of news for your family."

At the celebration party, Marty shook James and John's hands to make them feel all grown up. He gave Mark a chaste and manly hug. Lotte was way more beautiful than Marty had promised. She was very exuberant in greeting Carson. She wrapped her arms around him, and slobbered a wet kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you for being you," she said. "I'll always be grateful to you, and I'll always be your friend."

After that night, Marty, Lotte, Carson, and Mark often went out to dinner together. Neither Marty nor Lotte ever had children, and they treated Carson's sons like the sons they never had.

It was Carson who became a vice-president in the firm. Nobody ever saw Sean again. He didn't dare ask for references.

Carson was fully aware that you should be careful what you wish for, but if he hadn't been granted that foolish wish, he would never have learned to appreciate his blessings. He cherished every precious moment he spent with his husband and children. He no longer saw them as nuisances. Instead, they completed his life.

Still, he could never convince himself that his other life was only a dream. It was too real. In the end, he decided that it didn't matter. The "incident" opened his eyes to where his true happiness could be found. That's all that really mattered.