Ben's Gift
By Ben
Chapter One
It was growing light as Berto awoke after a fitful night's sleep. Ben had brought him here and stayed with him until the nurses made him leave the night before. As he looked around the sanitary hospital room, he began reflecting upon the surgery he would be undergoing in a few short hours, and his life in general.
His earliest memories were of sun-filled days in his childhood home in the small town of Santa Rosalia. As a small child he lived with his Mama in the house of his Tia Rosa. His mother, Manuella was a cheerful, loving parent who was raising Berto alone and supporting him by working whatever jobs she could find.
Of his father, Berto knew nothing. He had not even been aware of the fact that there was no paternal parent missing in his life until he began school at the age of six .It was then that the other students would ask him about his father. But Berto had no one to call "Papa".
His cousin, Carlos, had a Papa until just before Berto was born. Tio Pepe was killed in an accident when a building he was renovating collapsed upon him. That was when Mama had moved into the house she shared with her older sister. Carlos was more like an older brother, his hermano, than he was a cousin. They slept in the same bed until Mama got a very good job working for Senor Roberto and the moved into the casa by the water.
It was not that Berto was without positive male role models. In addition to Carlos, there was Senor Roberto. While he seemed to keep a physical distance between himself and the boy, Senor Roberto was always kind and generous. He helped him with his studies, and always made sure he had whatever he needed. And he also had the Padre.
The village priest was a regular visitor to their home. He could remember from his earliest recollections how the young, handsome priest would come and play with him and lavish him with attention. Where as Senor Roberto seldom, if ever, hugged him, the Padre was very affectionate and was always happy to spend time entertaining Berto.
The Padre had a passion for growing roses and shared this with young Berto. He would often show up at the casa with a box full of rose bushes. The two of them planted and tended to them, and Berto was always excited when the juvenile plants finally started producing buds, which soon yielded bright, beautiful blooms.
The other passion that the Padre shared with him was football. He learned that in Estadas Unitos it was called "soccer". It was a word that sounded funny to Berto. He spent a lot of time playing and practicing football with the Padre, honing his skills. He became very adept and during games at his school was known to be one of the best players.
A fierce competitor, Berto was, nonetheless a good sport and it would never occur to him to be otherwise. After a victory he would congratulate all the members of his team and thank the opposing team's players for a well-played game. Walking off the field proud and sweaty, he would look up and there was Mama smiling broadly. Right beside her or behind her, also smiling and shouting to him encouragingly, was the Padre.
The sun was beaming brightly through the open window of his hospital room this warm spring day. He heard footsteps approaching on the shiny tiled floor and knew by their speed and tempo that is was Ben. A soft rap on the door and a softly spoken "Berto?" and it was confirmed.
Ben peeked his head into the room and, seeing that Berto was awake, broke into a big smile. Ben always smiled when he saw him-no matter what the circumstances. He was always happy to see Berto. It was almost like the puppy that Ben had surprised him with on his twentieth birthday. Lobo wiggled and wagged his tail furiously whenever Berto returned from even the shortest of absences. He was always happy to see him and just be with him. Ben was like that.
Ben looked around conspiratorially and said. " I brought somebody to see you."
Berto wrinkled his brow. "Really? Who?"
Ben slowly and dramatically brought his arm from behind the door. In his hand he held Berto's ratty old, threadbare teddy bear. Tears immediately filled Berto's eyes. Nothing could have pleased him more. Ben came to the foot of his bed and walked and danced the teddy bear up the length on the bed and then placed him snugly into Berto's arms.
Ben leaned down to kiss Berto's lips. He raised his hand to gently wipe away the tears that ran down the handsome face. "What's all this? I didn't mean to make you cry." He teased.
"Oh Ben, you always know just the right thing to do for me. Gracious, mi Corazon!" Berto reached up and drew the man he loved into a tight hug.
Ben's mouth was right by Berto's ear. "Did you sleep well, Babe?"
Berto loosened his grip, and Ben stood upright. "No, not really. It was the first night that I did not have you to sleep with." This was true. In the five years they had been together, not one night had been spent apart. Berto had quickly become accustomed to feeling Ben's warm, naked body pressing against his back. He loved to be held in those strong arms and wake to the feel of Ben's hard on against his ass crack in the morning.
"Oh, I know, Berto. I couldn't sleep, either. I missed you and..." His voice trailed off. He didn't have to finish. Berto understood that Ben was worried about him-about the operation.
-This story continues from "Berto's Roses". If you have not read it, I invite you to do so. Click the "Authors" link and scroll down to "Lyle Benton". There you will find a list of stories I have submitted to Nifty. Comments are always welcome. Write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com
Thanks for reading!
Ben