Jose Spreads His Wings
By Ben
Chapter XIV
They were awakened by a soft tapping at the door. "Enrique, Jose... may I come in?" Carla's voice came to them through the heavy wooden door. Enrique pulled the covers over his and Jose's naked bodies. "Si, Carlita. I am awake."
Carla opened the door and entered. Her gaze caught the clothing piled on the floor and her nostrils flared at the unmistakable smell of male sex, but she gave no outward appearance that she noticed either.
"Mama sent me to tell you that it was time for you to get ready to return to university. She has had your things sent to the plane along with enough food to keep you both full for a week. I hope you can fit it all in your little car when you get back." She smiled the brilliant smile that was identical to her the one her brother wore.
"Si. I will wake Jose and we will shower and come up to see Mama before we leave. Gracias, Carla"
She blew him a kiss as she was shutting the door, then winked at him as she blew one to the sleeping Jose as well. Gently he shook Jose and called his name until he opened one sleepy eye. Jose smiled and reached for him. They shared a sweet kiss and a strong embrace before Enrique told him that they had to get up and get ready to return to school.
They showered quickly washing each other and occasionally stopping to kiss. They dried each other, dressed and headed up the stairs to see La Dona. Senora Chavez was sitting on her bed, as beautiful as ever. If it weren't for her thinness and her pale skin, it would have been easy to forget she was so gravely ill. Although their father was a handsome man, it was from their mother that Enrique and Carla got their exceptional good looks.
"Aqui, mi ninos. Come and sit with me." She invited as she patted the bed on either side of her. She turned to Jose first. "You have had your heart broken, I know, but all will be well with you. Even if your family continues to be narrow and cruel, you must know that you are always welcome in our home and in our hearts."
Jose was deeply touched by her kind and sincere words. His eyes brimmed with tears and spilled over as he nodded to her, unable to speak. She reached for his hand, held it firmly to her lips and kissed it.
"Enrique, your Papa tells me that you are to have an assistant. Never forget that Jose will be more than that to you. He will be your partner in every sense, so you must always show him the respect he deserves."
"Si, Mama. I understand." Enrique assured her while he looked at Jose's handsome face.
"You must go now so you will not arrive at university too late tonight. Give your Mama a hug and promise to call me when you get to your apartment." She reached her arms out to her first-born.
Jose saw just the slightest twinge of her brow as Enrique embraced his mother. He had no way of knowing how excruciating the pain was for her, but he was much gentler when it came time for his hug. They bid the great lady good-bye and headed downstairs to the car. Don Chavez was there to see him off and Carla was to drive them to the plane.
She pulled up to the hangar and they all got out of the car. The plane had been loaded and the engine was warming up while the pilot conducted his ground checks. Carla gave Jose a big hug. "Take care mi hermano. I love you." She said into his ear, then kissed him. He stepped over to shake the hand of Don Chavez.
"Muchos gracias, Senor. I thank you for everything you have done and are doing for me. I will try my hardest not to make you regret it." He said.
"My trust is well placed. Enrique is a good judge of character. Go, study hard. I will expect great things from you, Jose. I know I will not be disappointed." He pulled Jose into a hug. Enrique made his farewells to his sister and his father, exchanging his promise to call when they were safely at his apartment for theirs to keep him informed of his mother's health.
The small plane sped down the hard packed runway with the pilot in control but Jose's hand and feet on the duplicate controls. He looked forward to his flying lessons with only the slightest apprehension. He dreamed of when he would fly Enrique and his papa on their business trips.
When they grew hungry, Enrique unpacked some food from the huge basket and they ate, first Jose and Enrique, then the pilot ate while Jose took the controls. Of course, he never left the seat, just in case something might happen that he needed to take the controls. He admired and encouraged Jose as an apt pupil and assured him he would be an excellent flyer.
After their in-flight dinner the two young men managed to get some sleep. In what seemed like a short time, the pilot woke them and told them that they would be landing in the next few minutes. Enrique invited the pilot to stay at his apartment overnight before heading back to San Augustin, but he was told that his father had added a very comfortable room to the hangar he leased near the university.
The plane landed without incident. Jose and Enrique helped the pilot unload the small plane and push it into the hangar, after Enrique removed his car. They bid the pilot good-night and were soon back at the apartment. The travel and events of the long weekend had them feeling bone-weary. They made sure everything was ready for their classes in the morning, Called San Augustin, then collapsed into bed.
As usual, Enrique snuggled up against Jose's back as he held the long, trim body in his arms. Jose felt warm and safe and loved. Despite the pain his father had caused him, he now saw his future clearly. He would study hard and give himself fully to his flying lessons. He reached down and pulled Enrique's hand to his lips and kissed him. "I love you, Enrique." He said.
Enrique held him closer and pressed his hard body up against that of his lover. He kissed Jose's neck and shoulder. "I love you, too, Jose. Buenos Noches, mi Corazon."
So that's the beginning of the story for Jose and Enrique. Reader feedback was less than overwhelming, especially as compared to "Berto's Roses". I hope you all enjoyed it anyway. I plan to return to the characters in "Berto's Roses" in the future, although I don't know in what capacity. Be watching for anything! Please write to me at ben_sc@hotmail and, if you have not done so, please read my other stories on Nifty. Just click the "Authors" link then scroll down until you see a listing for "Lyle Benton".