I really feel the need to apologize to my readers as it has been entirely too long since I have written and posted a new chapter. This time I really do have an excuse. I was out of town for an entire week and I don't own a laptop so I couldn't really do anything in my hotel room at night but watch TV and be bored. Well there was that one night when that guy I met online came by...
Berto's Roses
By Ben
Part XXVIII
I slept rather fitfully that night. Too many things going through my head. I would be with Jake soon, and I was really looking forward to it. On the other hand, Berto was leaving and I was dreading that. I was hoping that Jake would help me to get over my feelings for Berto. At the same time, I wasn't certain I wanted my feelings for Berto to change.
As a result, I woke up tired and sore and in a genuinely pissed-off mood. I growled as I threw of the covers and made my way to the bathroom. The shower did a lot to improve my grouchiness and I was aware of just how irritable I was, so I avoided everybody for awhile. I skipped my early morning coffee, went out to the beach and took a solitary walk.
The temperature was slightly cool and the breeze was refreshing, the surf was low and calm. The small gulls circled and squeaked. I pulled off my shoes and socks and carried them. I had rolled up the legs of my jeans and waded in the water.
What the hell was the matter with me? I was going to have almost a month in the company of a great guy, whom, just a couple of weeks ago, I had given serious thought to going to Italy with. Jake was gorgeous and sexy and we made wonderful love together. I truly had missed him and was anxious to get him alone. I silently kicked my own ass and resolved to pull myself out of my dark mood.
I turned and walked back to the house. I passed the spot where I thought I had lost Berto the night of our nude swim. A pang of pain stabbed through my chest at the memory. This was followed by a vision of Berto giving me the sand dollar. I walked to the opening in the garden wall, automatically looking for him in the roses.
Ah, there he was. He had turned on the sprinklers and was lovingly pruning and clearing. I knelt next to him and he silently smiled and handed me a pair of shears so I might help him. We worked, side-by- side, neither of us speaking. We simply enjoyed this time and each other's company. Gone was my somber mood. Forgotten was the feeling of anxiety and dread. I was living in the moment and savory it.
We finished the pruning and were walking back toward the casa with freshly cut roses and the trimmings. I looked up and noticed Manuella watching us. I wondered how long she had been there. She was smiling, but I could tell her heart was breaking. She would miss her nino; I felt her pain and wanted to reassure her, but knew that it would only make Berto feel guilty.
We went inside and had breakfast. The food was excellent and abundant as usual, but it seemed that nobody had much of an appetite. Conversation was sparse and we finished up rather quickly. Manuella said, "Berto, Senior Roberto asked that you go up and see him before Senior Ben takes you to San Augustin." Berto went upstairs and I turned to help Manuella clear away the breakfast dishes.
She stood with her back to me, facing the table. Her shoulders were shaking and her head has down. I knew she was crying. I walked over to her, turned her, put my arms around her stout body, and pulled her into a strong hug.
"Shhh...shhhhh. It's going to be okay. He'll be fine. Ricky and Carla have assured me that they will watch out for him. Besides that, you have raised him to be able to take care of himself. " I kissed her on her head and placed my fingers under her chin to gently raise her face to look in her eyes.
"Oh, Senior Ben, I know he will be fine. It's just that he has never been away from me and I will miss him so much." The dam broke again and tears rolled down her cheeks in little rivers.
I reached for a dish towel and tried, in vain, to staunch the torrent. I let he get it out and just held her.
"I'll tell you what. If Berto can't get home for awhile, I'll take you to see him in San Augustin, okay?"
She looked up at me with hope in her expression. The tears slowed to a trickle. "Really? Oh thank you, Senior Ben, thank you!" I was suddenly beset by a rib-crushing hug, but she was actually smiling. I dried her eyes and gave her a final hug as we heard Berto thumping down the stairs.
His face was full of wonder as he looked at something he was carrying in his hand. I looked more closely and saw a wad of U.S. currency and a credit card. Apparently, Bob had been very generous with his going away present. I rebuked myself for not having thought of that, but it would have seemed and empty gesture now.
Manuella saw the cash and started to protest. I put my hand, gently, over her mouth. "It gave Bob a lot of satisfaction to give it to him. Let him enjoy it, Manuella."
"But he will spend it foolishly." She mumbled, after I took my hand away.
"I certainly hope so. That's how it was intended to be spent. Better put that in your pocket so it doesn't get lost, Berto. Ready to go?"
"Si, Senor Ben." He stuffed the bills and the card into his pocket, then walked over to his mother. They walked hand-in-hand to the truck. Berto kissed her and they had a short conversation in Spanish. Then followed a hug which lasted forever. Manuella held up beautifully, no tears and even a smile. You had to admire the woman's strength.
We got into the truck. I gave a thumbs up and a wink to Manuella. She nodded her head quickly in understanding. I backed out of the driveway quickly and we were on the way. I heard a sniff or two from the other side of the truck. I reached over and took Berto's hand in mine. He gripped it firmly and finally released it then looked at me with very wet, dark eyes. This wasn't easy for him either.
We rode in silence for a long time. Each lost in our own train of thought. As we got closer to Ricky's, he began asking me a myriad of questions. I answered as best I could, but didn't really know what he should expect at the university. He was excited and nervous at the same time.
I showed him the estate from a distance. He was as awed as I was the first time I saw it. He used several Spanish expletives, which I didn't understand. I drove up to the house and parked in front rather than the garage.
We were met at the door by Jose. He looked sexier than ever. He yelled my name, grabbed me and lifted me off the ground into a huge hug.
"Put me down, Jose. You're breaking my back."
Jose laughed at this, but put me down anyway. He grabbed my face and proceeded to give me a long, very sensuous kiss. He nearly took my breath away. I blushed crimson-red as Berto was a witness to all of this.
"Um...Berto, this is Jose. He is Ricky's...um..."
"Lover, " Berto said, matter-of-factly. "Buenos dias, Senor Jose."
"Senor? No, do not call me `Senor'. That is for old men, like him." Jose laughed and poked his finger in my ribs. "You must call me Jose. I insist. Please, come inside. Enrique and Carla are waiting for us. We will have lunch."
As was his habit, Jose held my hand. He also held Berto's hand as we went into the library. Ricky rose from his chair as we entered and gave me big hug and a quick kiss. He also hugged Berto.
"Buenos dias, Berto. Welcome to my father's home. My sister, Carla will be with us momentarily. She likes to make an entrance." He said with a wink and a smile. I still found it amazing how handsome he was.
"As I recall, she's very good at it." I commented. This brought a round of laughter from all the men in the room.
"And what is so funny?" I turned at Carla's voice. She was stunning. Her long hair was brushed back and cascaded down her back. She wore a simple yellow sundress and her tanned shoulders and décolletage were set off to perfection. She had placed tiny yellow and white flowers in her shiny black hair as well. She wore sandals on her feet and her toenails were as neatly trimmed and polished in clear enamel as her fingernails. She looked very much the coed.
"Hello, Carla. You are looking especially beautiful today." I spoke the truth.
"Well thank you, Ben." I received a chaste kiss on the cheek and a hug.
"Carla, may I introduce Berto? Berto this is Carla. Isn't be lovely?"
"Si, Senor Ben. Muy linda. Buenos dias Senorita Chavez."
Carla wrinkled her nose and smiled. "I think, since we will be fellow students and great friends, you should just call me Carla, no? Come Berto, let us eat. I have much to tell you and show you." She took Berto's arm and they walked into the smaller dining room. Jose took my hand and Ricky walked by my other side. As we were entering the dining room, Ricky grabbed a handful of my ass and whispered into my ear. "How are you doing, my friend. He will be fine, I promise you. Carla will see to that."
I jumped at his touch, but I appreciated his concern and whispered a quiet thank you. Carla had seated Berto next to her and I sat on his other side. Ricky and Jose took the other two chairs and the food was served immediately. I noticed Berto had a nervous look and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
"Just watch what Carla does, and you will be fine." Berto nodded his understanding and gave me a grateful look. Fortunately, Don Chavez was not present for the meal, so things were a lot more informal. Carla took up most of Berto's attention and, before long, the two of them were chattering away in an English-Spanish mix that I didn't understand very well.
I talked and joked with Ricky and Jose. Ricky was kidding Jose about his flying lessons in the lear jet and the helicopter. He told me that if I was to fly with him to make sure I brought a "barf bag" along. I told him that I wasn't all that anxious to get into another plane with Jose, after the last time. Berto, of course, had no idea what I was talking about, so we related the story to him, including the part about Don Chavez pulling one over on all of us.
"Believe me, Berto, he flies like you drive." Berto wrinkled his forehead and his expression told everybody that he had no earthly idea what I was talking about.
It was getting late and I needed to get to San Diego. We all went outside and I saw that Berto's things were gone from the truck. Ricky led the way to the garage and opened the cavernous trunk of the limousine. Inside were Berto's belonging and a complete computer set up, still in the boxes.
"This is your surprise from us, Berto. It is very helpful to have your own computer at university. Carla has one just like it and she will help you set it up. You will even be able to email home whenever you want to.
Berto's jaw dropped and he inhaled sharply. His eyes were wide open in disbelief. This is something he would never have expected. I had to admit that even I was impressed and Ricky's continuous generosity.
"This is for me?" Berto barely croaked out.
Ricky nodded, smiling his best killer smile. "Si, it is our gift for your first day at university with our confidence that you will use it and learn well."
"Oh, muchos gracias, Senor Chavez!" Berto gave him a big hug, then Jose, then Carla. Finally, he turned to me. "Senor Ben, do you see what they have given to me? Is it not magnifico?"
"I hugged him and said. "It sure is. And I expect you to send me some email. I will even try to get you mama to send you email, too. I need to be going, now, Berto. Carla will make sure you get settled in at school. Good luck and study hard, okay."
Berto stood up straight and looked into my eyes. "Please tell Mama that I love her and that I will be alright."
"I promise, Berto."
"And, Senor Ben?"
"Yes, Berto?"
"I love you, too."
He held he in a strong hug and the pain that filled my heart was agonizing. I kissed him on his forehead and could only manage to get a whisper through my tightened throat.
"I love you, too, Berto."
"Come, Berto. Let me show you the house before we leave for university." Carla took his arm as she gave me a kiss and led him away toward the house. Ricky and Jose stayed with me as I watched them walk away, chatting like old friends.
I had a sudden thought. "I need to give Berto my business card so he will know my email address." I started walking to the door through Carla and Berto had disappeared. Ricky held me back.
"I will give it to him, Ben. You should just go now. It will be easier for you both this way."
I knew he was right. I nodded and thanked him. He and Jose hugged me and kissed my tear- streaked face. They led me to the truck and I got in and started it. With a final wave I drove down the long driveway and made my way to San Diego. I'm not sure just exactly when I stopped crying, but by the time I made the border, I had.
I found the military terminal without much incident thanks to a very friendly gate guard. I checked on Jake's flight and found to my unexpected pleasure, that it was due in the next 20 minutes. I got a coke from the machine and read an outdated issue of people magazine that somebody had left laying around.
I had been reading for awhile when I noticed a pair of white Navy uniform shoes that had stopped right in front of me. I continued looking up and saw an impeccable set of "summer whites" with Lt. Commander's shoulder boards. Under the combination cap was the handsome face of Jake. He was even hotter than I remembered. Or maybe it was the uniform. This man was made to wear it.
I jumped up and drew him into a hug, nearly knocking him over in the process. I almost lost control and kissed him right there, in front of God and everybody. I managed to stop myself and finally released him. He was a sight for sore eyes.
"I need to make a head call." He said. "Come with me."
We found the men's room and I walked in first. After a quick look around, Jake stood directly in from of the closed door and pulled me into a hot sensuous kiss. He held me close and all my tension and sadness just melted away. Jake was here and everything was going to be okay.
I hope it was worth the wait. I'll try to get the next chapter out in a more timely manner. Thanks for reading. Please go to /nifty/support.html and do what you can. There are a lot of great stories in the archive and every one of us benefits from having a free site. Feel free to write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com. If you haven't read any of my other stories, check them out under the "Authors" link. Look for "Lyle Benton".