This is a story of love between two young men. If you are under age, or live in an area where reading stories that include sex between males sex is illegal, or if you're not into this type of story, please leave. The story begins in 1969. While the characters and their story are completely fictional, it is set at places that are real and is told against a backdrop of some real events. This was a time when all sex was safe. It isn't now, so please respect yourself and others enough to always play safe. I would like to thank my friends Tim and Tommy and the rest of the Nifty Six for their encouragement, support and confidence.
The author retains all rights. No reproductions or links to other sites are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at NJMcMick@yahoo.com.
Danny
As soon as we were settled back in the dorm Billy and I sat at our desks and each wrote a brief note to Mark. If we mailed them first thing in the morning, he might get them Wednesday. We both thought it was important for him to know that we were thinking of him.
"So Billy, do you want to start going over the info Eric gave us to get ready for Wednesday?"
"The only way I'm doing any reading tonight is if you've got some info tattooed on your ass, white boy. This is the first night we've been alone in this room in weeks and I intend to take advantage of it."
"You talk like we haven't had sex in weeks. We fucked each other's brains out for a week in Florida, had our little circle jerk here last week and had a pretty good time at home over the weekend, as I recall. You are just an insatiable pervert, which I consider one of your most outstanding assets, by the way."
"Like you're not perpetually horny. No way you're going to convince me that making love last night, as fantastic as it was, makes up for a week with only a circle jerk. I know you too well, white boy. You need my big black dick in one end of you or the other a couple of times a day or you're not happy. You're drawn to my black ass like a magnet. And you call me insatiable."
Billy's talk had me instantly hard. Sitting at my desk in tight jeans I couldn't adjust my hardon so it wasn't very comfortable, but I wasn't going to give in that easily.
"I may get a little horny now and then, but you're the one who's always jumping my bones. And grabbing my ass every chance you get. I'm just a teenager with a healthy sexual appetite. You're the total pervert."
"Yeah, you're just a sweet innocent boy I corrupted. You're sitting there with a halo over your head and a hardon in your jeans. Healthy sexual appetite, my ass. I may have made the first move, but you've been right there in step with me ever since. Get those clothes off and I'll prove it."
"You just made my point. I'm sitting here trying to have a rational conversation and you're talking about getting naked."
"You've got a point all right and I guess it's up to me to expose it."
With that, Billy got up, pulled me out of my chair and pushed me back onto the bed. He unfastened my jeans and pulled the jeans and briefs down to my ankles in one motion. I must have lifted my ass off the bed to allow him to do that. Instinct, I guess. He grabbed my hard dick and bent it down as far as it would go, then let go. It snapped up and slapped against my stomach. He quickly untied my sneakers and pulled them off, followed by my socks, jeans and underpants. Then he stood up and stripped off all of his clothes in about ten seconds. I used the time to pull my shirt off over my head.
"Looks like I'm not the only one with a point, black boy. I must warn you, though. If you point that thing at me, you'd better be prepared to use it."
"Oh, I'm gonna use it all right. I'm gonna shove it so far up your ass you're gonna feel it in your throat."
"Talk, talk, talk. When am I gonna see a little action?"
Billy looked down at me and gave me his trademark sneer, which slowly dissolved into a gentle smile.
"Enough of the tough talk, baby. I don't want to fuck tonight, I want to make love to the most beautiful, most loving boy in the world."
After all this time, he can still catch me by surprise with his sweetness and make me blush. He lay down beside me and we kissed, lightly and tenderly at first, then more and more passionately. All the while we were running our hands over each other's torsos, gently playing with each other's nipples. Finally, he pushed me over onto my back and swiveled around so that his knees were above my head and he was over me, covering my lower abdomen with light kisses. He held my cock in his hand and began to suck on my balls, one at a time. As soon as his big dick was over my face, I grabbed it and took the head in my mouth. He quickly pulled back.
"Go easy with that tongue action of yours. You're too good at that. I want this to last and I have a lot more than that in mind."
Billy
I really wanted to make love to my beautiful lover tonight. Last night we were both so horny from a week of deprivation that, while we had passionate sex, it was kind of rushed and almost seemed to be over before it began. Tonight I wanted so much more. Danny's teasing banter got me turned on, but once aroused, I was in the mood for something more romantic. I wanted to make passionate love to my baby, but first I wanted enough foreplay to drive us both wild.
I gently sucked on Danny's white stick for a few minutes while he sucked on mine. Then I went back to his balls, taking first one, then the other into my mouth; I would love to get them both in at once, but while I have a big mouth when it comes to talking, it's not quite big enough to accommodate both of his balls. He already had his knees bent to make room for me on the bed in our sixty-nine position. I put my hands on the bed between his legs and hooked my elbows under his legs. I pulled his knees up on either side of me, exposing the area behind his balls and pulling his butt up a little, so I could see that sweet little pucker of his. I licked behind his balls, and then moved in on my target. I ran my tongue around his hole then zeroed in on it, licking it and stabbing at it. I had moved slightly forward to reach him and I felt his hands pulling my cheeks apart and his tongue gently tickling my hole. I lowered my hips a bit and more or less sat lightly on Danny's face to make it easier for him to get at my hole and really tongue fuck me.
We went to work on each other, forcing our tongues deeper into one another, licking, kissing and sucking on each other's most private place. I began to feel the pressure building within me and didn't want to cum this way, so I pulled off of him and repositioned myself on my knees between his legs. I grabbed the KY and began to lube him up. He was so relaxed by my tongue that two fingers easily slid right into him. I felt around for his prostate and massaged it for a moment with my middle finger. Then I pulled out a bit and added a third finger.
"Stop playing around and fuck me with that big black dick, Billy. I need you inside me now. Please."
Wow! Is this the same innocent white boy who wouldn't even say what he called the 'F' word six months ago? Just thinking about the first time he said it at that party turned me on so much I knew I had to speed things up or I would cum before I even got in him. Plus, he obviously wanted it as much as I did.
So I lifted his legs over my shoulders and raised his ass a bit, aimed my thick rod at his hole and gently slid the head in. Although it was a snug fit as always, I met no resistance. I continued to push into my beautiful white boy until I was completely buried in him with my balls resting against his ass. I started slowly pumping in and out of him, pulling almost all the way out, then thrusting all the way in. After a few minutes, I lowered his legs and wrapped them around my waist. I grabbed him around his slim waist and kept pumping, while pulling him on and off me at the same time. All the while, our eyes were locked on each other's. It was like we were in a trance, merging into one being. I began thrusting harder and deeper, if that was possible. All of a sudden, Danny went into spasms and I felt his hole clamping down on my cock. He was cumming without even touching his dick. That has only happened once or twice before. His grip on my love stick pushed me over the edge and I began to shoot inside of him. I just kept cumming until I felt that he had drained me; that I had poured myself completely into him.
I leaned down and began kissing Danny, very gently, yet passionately. My softening dick slowly slid out of his hot hole and I lay down on him continuing the kiss. It began to get very sticky, lying on him with his cum between us, almost gluing us together. I finally lifted myself off of him, grabbed a towel and cleaned us both up. I lay down beside him and we just cuddled.
"Oh man, Billy, that was the best. You're the best, most wonderful thing that has ever happened in my life."
"You know, Danny, the longer I know you, the more I believe in reincarnation."
"I don't follow you. You're gonna have to explain that."
"Well, up until I met you, I acted like a mean, nasty son of a bitch toward almost everyone. There is no way I ever did anything to deserve someone like you. So I figure I must have had a previous life where I was a saint, or something close, and you are my reward for that life."
"You know that you may have acted mean and nasty, but inside you weren't. Inside, you've always been a beautiful person."
"Oh I've always been aware of the good inside me. But it takes more than that to be a good person. You have to let that good out in the way you treat people and I never did that until I met you."
"Then maybe someone up there put us together so that you could let that good person out. And so that I could stop hiding inside myself and begin to live. We're good for each other, very good. We bring out the best in each other and give each other exactly what we need. We're a perfect fit."
"I understand all of that, but no way will I ever feel I deserve you."
"You may not believe it Billy, but I feel the same way about you all the time. So let's stop thinking that way and just enjoy the magic we have."
We drifted off to sleep in each other's arms. I just can't believe how things just keep getting better with Danny. Damn, life is good.
April 8
Danny
Tonight was the big night, the party introducing The Restaurant. Billy and I have spent the last couple of days working and studying hard. Not only the booklet Eric gave us for the job, but schoolwork as well. With Mark here last week we both got quite a bit behind. So every minute we weren't in class, we've been in our room studying.
We each got a note from Mark in the mail today. He must have written as soon as he got back to school, just like we did. He said he was missing us both already and was hoping we'd get some info from Eric on some place he could go in Boston. Damn! It had only been a day apart when he wrote and you could feel the loneliness in his brief note. I hoped Eric had some good news for us.
We had to skip our weekly trip to the lab today and our dinner at Cooper Hall with Lucy since we had to be in the city at work at seven. We both figured tonight wouldn't be so hard, just carrying trays around, offering food to the guests. The real challenge will be Friday night when The Restaurant opens for real. We'll have to have those booklets memorized by then.
Billy and I got to the restaurant at five to seven. Eric was talking to a couple of older men at the bar. He motioned us over as soon as we walked in.
"Hey boys, good to see you on time. That's a nice start. These are my partners, Jim and Ed. Guys, meet Billy and Danny."
We all shook hands. Jim was about 50, with short black hair just starting to go gray and a receding hairline. He was short and somewhat stocky, but very well dressed. Ed was a bit older, was taller and had white hair that made him look terribly dignified. They were both friendly and just meeting them gave us an idea of what our customers might be like.
"Okay, boys. The dressing room is through the kitchen. You'll find your clothes in there. Joe, one of the full-time waiters, just went in to get changed. Steve and Jason should be here any minute. Introduce yourselves and try to get to know a little bit about each other. It makes working together easier."
We walked into the kitchen and found the dressing room in the back next to the storeroom. We walked in on a short Asian guy a few years older than us standing there in his briefs. He was very slim and had a hairless body.
"Hi, I'm Joe. You guys must be Billy and Danny, from the description Eric gave."
"You're right, but how could you be sure? I mean, Eric told me and Danny that two other guys were due any minute."
"Well, he only gave me a general description of the rest of the staff, but he did say that he went for variety in choosing us, that no two of us look at all alike, so it was easy to identify you."
"I don't mean to be rude, but you don't exactly look like a Joe." I couldn't help myself. I mean, he was very exotic looking and Joe is such an all-American name.
"It's Jose actually. I'm Filipino with a touch of Spanish thrown in."
"I didn't mean to be nosy. It's just that you have such a unique look."
"That's okay. It's important that we get to know one another. I'll probably be asking a lot of nosy questions about you two in the next couple of weeks. Oh by the way, your clothes are over there."
We began to change. A couple of minutes later, Joe was dressed and Billy and I were in our underwear when two other guys walked in. It was easy to see what Joe had been talking about. One was a couple of inches shorter than we were, compact but muscular and very dark and Italian-looking. The other was about our size but had red hair and was very fair-skinned. They immediately introduced themselves. The Italian was Steve and the redhead was Jason. They were a couple and had been together two years. They were also older than us, though Jason seemed closer to our age. Maybe it was just the freckles. We started getting to know each other while we changed into black pants, white shirts and black bow ties. We had also been supplied with black socks and identical shoes. We had just about finished dressing when a tall slim guy in his late 20's walked in, dressed as we were but with a black coat on completing the suit. He had black hair, fair skin and deep blue eyes.
"Hi everybody, I'm Wayne, the manager. In other words, your boss. I can easily identify you all from Eric's description. He certainly covered all the bases with you guys. I hope we can all be friends and work together as a team. A restaurant runs better that way and work is much more pleasant as well."
Billy
I was relieved to see that we were such a diverse group. I mean, I've come a long way since last summer and have learned to be somewhat comfortable in mostly white surroundings, but having such a mix of guys made it easier. Even the white guys were so different from each other.
"Just a few things I want to emphasize about tonight. First, tonight should be fairly easy for you. You're just going to be circulating with trays of hors d'oeuvres. One thing to keep in mind; these are not just hors d'oeuvres, but miniatures of the regular entrees on our menu. We want to give the guests a taste of what we'll actually be serving on a regular basis. I hope you all studied the menu part of the booklet. Make sure you know what is on the tray you are carrying and a little bit about the ingredients and the preparation in case you are asked. And don't think that because the work is easy tonight this isn't an important night. It may be the most important night we have. This is our best chance to impress our guests with our professionalism, expertise and courtesy, in addition to the quality of our food."
We all looked at each other. Even though he was speaking casually, I wondered if the others were as intimidated as I was. This was going to be a totally different social setting than I had ever experienced. Wayne looked at his watch.
"Okay guys. The guests should start arriving in about twenty minutes. It would be a good idea for you to use the time to find your way around the kitchen and get to know the rest of the staff."
We all wandered around the kitchen, introducing ourselves to everyone, checking out the food that was being prepared and getting to know each other a little. As the guests began to trickle into the dining room, Wayne began to slowly send us out with the food. Within forty-five minutes we were all constantly circulating. It seemed to be going very well. Almost all of the guests were over 35, and most were white, though there were more than a few black men and men of other ethnic backgrounds as well.
At one point, I noticed a guy reach out and pinch Joe's little butt. Joe nearly dropped his tray but made a good recovery and kept circulating without looking back. Within seconds, Wayne was on the scene, quietly talking to the guest, who meekly nodded his response.
I was worried that Danny might be overwhelmed by a crowd this size, but he did well, moving assuredly through the room, giving out food, and responding to the guests when spoken to, always with that beautiful smile on his face. I tried to smile as much as possible, hoping I wasn't sneering. Before I knew it the night was over. The guests were gone and the energy generated by the party quickly faded. The others looked as tired as I felt. An easy night. What is Friday going to be like? Wayne called us all together by the bar where Eric, Jim and Ed were talking.
"Great job, guys. Everyone seemed very impressed. I think we did what we had to tonight. You were all great. As you know, you will be making minimum wage plus tips. Tonight you each get fifty dollars in lieu of tips. We open Friday at six, so you should be here no later than 5:30. I have a few things to go over with you before we get started. Thank you for a great night."
Eric got up and turned to us.
"I'd like to reiterate what Wayne said. It may have looked like Ed and Jim and I were schmoozing with the guests, which we were, but we were also keeping an eye on all of you. You guys all did a fantastic job. We were very pleased with what we saw tonight. I'm convinced that this is going to be a winning team."
Wayne handed out the money and we all went back through the kitchen to change. Steve voiced what I was feeling, what we all were feeling.
"That may not have been a lot of work but there was an undercurrent of pressure that really wore me out. Jason and I have been doing this for quite a while but tonight I'm exhausted."
"Well, at least we got opening night pressure out of the way before opening night. Friday should be a little easier now. Especially because a lot of the customers will probably be people who were here tonight."
"You're right, Joe. I hadn't thought of it that way. Billy and I were kind of nervous, but I'm feeling a little more sure of myself now."
Wayne popped his head into the room just as we were almost finished changing.
"Just hang up the clothes and leave them guys. We'll take care of everything. Billy, Danny, stop by and see me for a minute before you leave. And thanks again everybody, you were all great."
Danny and I just looked at each other. Now what? Just when we were starting to relax about the job. We hung up our work clothes and went out to see what the problem was.
"What's up Wayne? Did we do something wrong?"
"No, Billy. You guys were good, better than good actually. It's nothing really, but I wanted to talk to you about your hair."
"What's wrong with our hair? Is it too long?"
"It's not exactly the length, Danny. Mine is probably longer than either of yours. But in your case, Danny, though you keep it neat, the ends are all uneven so it looks a little ragged. You need a good trim to make it look better. And Billy, in your case maybe a little shorter would be better. Yours is close to being an Afro, and while that may look good on you and may be popular on campus, it may come off as a bit radical to some of our customers. They're older and pretty conservative. I'm not saving you should wear it short, just a little shorter than it is now. It's just a suggestion, but the better you look to the customers, the better your tips might be."
"So you think we should each get a trim to make more money? What do you think, Billy?"
"I'll admit I was enjoying the freedom to grow longer hair, but we do need the money. It's been a few months since either of us had a haircut. But offhand, I can't think of a barbershop near campus."
"Tell you what, guys. Can you be in the Village a little early Friday, say around 4:30?"
"Sure. I only have a morning class and Danny's last class is right after lunch so that shouldn't be a problem."
"Great! I'll make an appointment for you for 4:30 at the place that cuts my hair. It's a few blocks from here. They're a little more expensive than a barbershop, but not bad. I think you'll like the results."
Wayne wrote down the name and address of the place and we started to leave after thanking him. Eric walked over from the bar and pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket.
"I almost forgot, boys. I made a few phone calls and got some info on the Boston area for your friend Mark. There's a gay group at Harvard and a couple of nice bars in Boston, though Mark probably isn't old enough to get into them. I've written it all down."
"That's fantastic, Eric! With all of the excitement tonight, Danny and I forgot to ask you. Mark will be thrilled. Thanks so much."
We took the subway up to Penn Station and caught the 12:35 train to New Brunswick.
"Slightly shorter hair. And I was worried we'd fucked up in some way, white boy."
"You? I'm the worrier here. I was sure they'd changed their minds and didn't want us. But they seem happy with us. And fifty bucks each! I only hope we can do that well every night in tips. If we do, we just may make it after all."
"I can't wait to send this info to Mark. Let's write him a quick note after our shower in the morning telling him about tonight and send him Eric's note. He should get it Saturday or Monday giving him plenty of time to get to next week's meeting at Harvard."
April 9
Lucy
I met the boys as we had arranged at the Commons for an early dinner before their trip to the poker game. As they neared me the glum look on Danny's face was apparent.
"How did it go last night, or shouldn't I ask, based on the look on Danny's face?"
"Aw, don't mind him, Luce. We just heard 'Let it Be' on the radio and Danny's mourning the Beatles' breakup."
"Hey, black boy, I seem to remember you not being very happy when Diana Ross left the Supremes a few months ago."
"Yeah, but that was the Supremes."
"Yeah, and this is the Beatles."
"Oh knock it off you two. You know you both love both groups. Now are you going to tell me about last night or just leave me in suspense? I came across town to hear about the job, not catch up on old music news."
While we were on line loading up our trays, the boys told me all about the party and the other guys at the restaurant. They had just told me about their haircut appointments as we sat at a table.
"Personally, Danny, I think the shaggy look on you is cute. But you surprise me Billy. I wouldn't think you'd give in and get a haircut just because someone told you to. I'd expect a bit of a fight from you."
"Well, I'll have to admit I'd rather let it grow. Every time I went an extra week without a haircut, Mama was all over me about it. So it's been nice to be able to grow it longer. But the job and making money is more important than hair. If this works out it could be the answer to our financial problems."
"Problems? You told me and Aunt Connie that you guys were okay, that Danny had lots of money in the bank."
"I have some money in the bank, not lots, but we're trying to get by without using it, kind of saving it as a last resort, only if we need it. And this job could mean that we don't have to use it. We made a hundred dollars last night. If we can do that every Friday and Saturday and half that on Sundays, by the end of the summer we'll have enough for a car and most of the school year."
"And if we work weekends next year, we'll not only have enough for school, but we should be able to pay Aunt Connie some rent without touching Danny's money. That's why this job is so important. It means we can pay our own way and take care of ourselves. What's a little hair next to that?"
"I can understand that. I know you guys both have a lot of pride, but Aunt Connie said she doesn't want any rent."
"Well if we've got it we're gonna pay her. She's let us have the place rent-free since January, though we haven't been there much. But next year, Billy and I will be living there full-time and commuting, so we've got to pay her something."
"You'll have to fight that one out with her. On a less controversial subject, I got a note in the mail from Mark today. He's settling in at school okay, but he sounds lonely. After spending last week down here with you guys, it's going to take him a while to adjust to being alone again."
"Yeah Luce, we each got a letter yesterday and one to both of us today. But we've got good news for him. Our boss got him some info on a gay group at Harvard and we sent it to him this morning."
"Mark could do a lot worse than getting himself a Harvard man. I can't wait to hear how it goes for him."
"Yeah, we told him he has to tell us all about any guy he meets. And we want all the details. After all, Billy and I may be a year younger than him, but we're his gay parents."
"Didn't I tell you guys that you'd make great parents?"
April 11
Danny
Last night was a pleasant surprise for me, maybe for Billy too. I was really nervous about our first night actually waiting on tables. I'm still shy around strangers and don't find it easy to just walk up and talk to them, which is exactly what you have to do as a waiter.
The afternoon started with the haircuts. We made it into the Village just in time for our appointment and had no trouble finding the place. It wasn't the kind of barbershop either of us was used to.
"Damn, Danny. This looks like the kind of place Mama goes to get her hair done for special occasions."
"Yeah, it's more like a beauty parlor. But what the hell, we're gay and it's the Village. And they did a great job on Wayne's hair, so maybe they'll make us pretty for our money-making debut."
We went in and each took a turn with the guy Wayne had made our appointment with. We were used to Mickey, the hairdresser at the poker game, being a bit effeminate, but this guy was really over the top. He did a great job on our hair and entertained us as well, though we were a little shocked by the price. We paid the bill and walked to the restaurant.
"Ten bucks! Plus a tip. I don't know about Livingston prices, white boy, but I'm used to paying a dollar in Newark."
"That's what I was paying at home too. Ten is a lot, but it is New York and it wasn't exactly a barbershop. And you do look fantastic Billy and I like my haircut too. So maybe it's a good investment."
"I hope so."
We were the first ones to get to The Restaurant and we went straight to the dressing room to get ready. The other guys arrived as we were changing. We were finished up and the others were changing when Wayne came in.
"Good to see you're all here early." He looked at us for a second. "Nice haircuts, guys. I have a copy of tonight's specials for each of you. Look them over to familiar yourself with them. You can refer to the copy, but it would look better if you didn't have to read it word for word. Don't worry, there will only be a few appetizers and a few entrees each night."
"How do tips work here? The last place Jason and I worked we pooled them."
Billy and I just looked at each other. I don't think either one of us had any idea what Steve was talking about.
"No pooling here. Your tips are your own. Except that a share goes to the bartender and the busboys, so you have to tell me what you made at the end of the night and I'll tell you what you owe them. And please be honest. If you lie you're not cheating me or the owners, you're cheating coworkers you depend on to provide good service. Any other questions?"
"Yeah, how many tables will we each have?"
"Right now, Joe, we have five of you on weekends. In the summer there will be four. So it will vary for a while. You'll each get either one or two tables for two and a table for four. A maximum of eight people at a time so you should be able to provide great service. We can put tables together for parties of six or eight, but no more than that on weekends. I'll try to give you the same tables each night. The table numbers are on your specials lists. And there's a chart of the whole restaurant next to the door from the kitchen to the dining room. I'm sure you'll have it memorized after a few nights. You have a little time before we open. Look over the specials, check out the seating chart and go out in the dining room and locate your tables. And relax guys, I'm sure you'll all do fine."
We compared assignments when we went out into the kitchen. Billy and I each had one table of two and one of four. The others had another table of two, but they all had experience. Ours were in the back of the dining room on either side. Joe's tables were between us. Steve and Jason had the section in the middle of the restaurant.
"I'm glad he gave us fewer people, at least to start. I'm not sure I can even handle four at once, much less eight."
"Don't worry, Dan. They won't be all at once. Just take your time and get it right. All you have to do is smile and they'll love you. I know it works on me."
"I know. I just need to take a few deep breaths before we start. And I think we'd better ask the others how to pronounce these specials. I've never heard of some of these."
"You think I have? This is definitely not soul food."
People began to trickle in slowly after we opened at six. It gave us a chance to gradually get used to things. By a little after eight we were full and it stayed that way until after eleven. The last customers left a little after midnight.
"Man, people sure do eat late in the city. I'd be starving if I waited until after ten to eat."
"Me too, Billy, but it's a good thing they like it. It gives us a lot of customers, but not all at once. And Wayne did a good job staggering the reservations. This isn't so hard after all."
We changed and went to see Wayne with our tips. Even after chipping in for the bartender and busboys, we each had close to $75.00. And that's with only two tables each. All we could talk about on the train back to school was how much we'd make when we could handle another table. We got back to the dorm a few minutes after two.
"Oh shit, Danny. I just realized that we have to get up by six to use the shower then we can go back to sleep for a few more hours, if we can. That really sucks."
"If we can't fall back asleep, I'm sure we'll think of something else to do. Maybe something that will tire us out. Besides, it's only for a month or so. Once we're home for the summer, we can shower whenever we want."
April 12
Billy
Getting up in the middle of our night to shower wasn't so bad yesterday because we could and did sleep until noon after that. But today was a bitch because we had to catch the 10:25 train into the city to make brunch. Last night went even better than Friday. It was a little busier, but we had a better idea what we were doing. And we made a little more than we did last night. A lot of the customers last night and Friday looked familiar from the party Wednesday, which made it easier too, almost like we were serving guys we knew.
Brunch today was a little more hectic. The menu was simpler but there was faster turnover, which meant more customers and a lot more running around. Plus the food was a lot less expensive than dinner, so that meant less tips. We worked hard all afternoon and only brought home around $40.00 each, which was still more than we were hoping for after the party last week. Once on the train back, we reviewed the weekend.
"The work is hard, but the money is so much more than we expected. And it will be more work and more money when we have a little more experience. I love the money, but this could wear us out."
"I know what you mean, Billy. Between us, we made over $350.00 this weekend. At that rate, by Labor Day we can buy a car, pay all of our school expenses for next year and still have some money in the bank. If we live that long."
"Yeah, we have to make sure we keep to a schedule that let's us get some rest. During the summer it won't be so bad. Wayne said he'd be giving us one night during the week to work plus the weekends, which will give us lots of free time. But during the school year, it's gonna be a bitch, white boy."
"I have an idea maybe we can try next weekend. Friday night, instead of going back to school we could take the train to Morristown and go to the apartment. Then we can sleep late and shower when we get up. Same thing Saturday night. We can't sleep as late on Sunday, but at least we don't have to get up in the middle to shower. Then after brunch we can take the train back to school."
"That sounds pretty good to me. We might get an extra hour of sleep each night. Right now I'm so tired I could fall asleep the minute we get back to the dorm. I almost wish we hadn't told Lucy to meet us so we could tell her about work."
"Me too, but the only time we've seen her the past week was Thursday for an hour and I do want to see her. We won't stay up late, though."
Lucy
I parked behind Records Hall near the dorm and walked to the train station to meet the boys. It was a beautiful Spring evening and I thought it would be nice to talk while we walked back. The train was right on time. The first several guys that got off were carrying bags and were obviously returning from a weekend home. Billy and Danny were the last ones off. Even from halfway down the platform I could see that they were tired.
"So guys, how did it go? You look bushed. But your hair looks great."
"It was good, Lucy. It was a long weekend and a lot of work, but it went well."
"And the money was really good, Luce."
"I can see how tired you are. I wish I hadn't left the car back at the dorm."
"That's okay, Lucy. It's not a long walk."
"We can talk on the way. And I promise I won't stay late. You guys need your rest."
The boys talked nonstop all the way up College Avenue. Once they started in on the restaurant, you'd never know how tired they were. They were so obviously excited about the job and the people they were working with. They caught me up on the whole weekend and ran Danny's idea of spending most weekends at home by me. It sounded like a smart idea. We got to the dorm and Billy was about to unlock their door when their neighbor Jeff appeared in his open doorway across the hall.
"Hey guys, Lucy. Would you mind coming into our room for a few minutes? Bob wants to talk to you."
"Bob? I don't think he's spoken to me or Danny all semester."
"Please guys. It's important. He really has to talk to you."
"Sure, why not? Any idea what it's about?"
"Yeah Billy, but I'd rather let him tell you."
It sounded so mysterious. We went into the room and Jeff quickly closed the door before anyone saw us. Bob was sitting at his desk and Jeff sat at his so the three of us sat on Jeff's bed. Bob was nervous and didn't seem to be able to look directly at Billy or Danny, so he looked at me while he talked to them. He cleared his throat a couple of times. Finally Billy spoke up.
"C'mon Bob, spill it. You had Jeff practically drag us in here so tell us what's so important."
"Okay Billy. You guys know that I don't approve of the way you are or the way you're living, but you don't know why. Some of the guys just hate fags. Some are bigots, some feel threatened by you. But that's not why I don't like what you're doing. I was raised in a God-fearing Christian family and I believe in the words of the Bible, that homosexuality is a terrible sin."
"Bob, you're sounding just like my mother."
"Well, maybe you ought to listen to her, Billy. Anyway, I know we're taught that we should hate the sin and love the sinner but I don't find it easy to separate the two. I try and maybe as I get older I'll be able to. I don't hate you guys, I just hate what you're doing."
"I don't mean to be rude Bob, but Billy and I are really tired. I hope you didn't ask us in here just to preach a sermon."
"No Danny, I didn't. You see, there are all kinds of sins and sinners, some worse than others. And this weekend I heard something that I just can't abide, if it's true. So I asked Jeff to bring you guys in because I have to ask you a question."
"Well fire away. Ask anything you want."
"Actually Billy, my question is really for Danny, though I'm sure you know the answer too."
Bob finally tore his eyes from me and looked straight at Danny.
"Danny, back in the beginning of the semester, you broke your arm and cut your head. Jeff said you told him that you fell down the stairs outside of Milledoler lecture hall."
"Yeah, so?" Danny seemed a little hesitant.
"So I have to ask you, did you really fall or were you pushed?"
Billy
Damn! Where did that come from? Why is Bob asking about that after all this time? I looked at Danny and could tell the same thoughts were running through his mind. He hesitated a moment before answering.
"What makes you ask that, Bob? I haven't brought up the subject to anyone in a couple of months."
"Just answer me, Danny. I have to know. It's important."
Danny looked at me for a few seconds and took a deep breath.
"Yeah, Bob, I was pushed. I'm don't know who did it or even if it was one or two guys, but I didn't fall. Someone pushed and tripped me."
"Damn, Danny, why did you tell me and everyone else you fell?"
"Because there was no point in saying I was pushed, Jeff. I had no idea who did it. And I felt stupid about the whole thing because I realized that maybe if I'd been paying more attention it might not have happened, or at least I might have noticed who did it."
"C'mon Danny, don't tell me you blame yourself for it."
"Not exactly, Lucy. Obviously I didn't push myself. But I've learned a lesson from it and I'm a lot more careful and alert now. But Bob, you didn't answer my question. How did you know?"
"Well, last night there was a party downstairs in the lounge. I don't spend too much time at those parties because they're usually just an excuse for drinking lots of beer and I don't drink, but I like to stop in for a while and see who's there. Anyway, as soon as I got there Gary and a couple of his friends grabbed me and started bending my ear about you guys. They'd already had a lot to drink and Gary knows I don't like you, so he started going on and on about the nerve you guys had bringing your friend here last week."
"Yeah, Mark and I had a little run-in with Gary and a couple of guys the last day Mark was here. It must have been the same two."
"They didn't mention that but one of them said something like, 'I guess they didn't learn their lesson'. I asked what he meant by that and they all started talking at once. It was hard to follow exactly, but apparently, the three of them were eating in the Commons the first weekend of the semester when you guys walked in. Gary was still angry over the way you went after him in the hall Billy, and told the others about you and what happened, saying someone ought to teach you both a lesson. One of the guys recognized Danny from their economics lecture and said something about how he was probably an easier target."
"Shit! You mean they went after Danny because of what I did to Gary?"
"They didn't say that exactly Billy, but they did brag about how they pushed him. I knew Danny had told Jeff he had fallen, so I didn't know what to believe. Maybe they pushed him; maybe they just saw him fall and took credit for it to score some points with Gary. They obviously look up to him and want to please him. I talked it over with Jeff today and he said the only way to find out was to ask you."
Everyone was quiet for a minute. Finally Jeff spoke up.
"Did you report it to Campus Police or anyone?"
"I didn't report it because there was nothing the police could do. I didn't have any idea who did it and there are close to a hundred guys in the class. But I did tell Dr. Morrow because she suspected and asked."
Everyone was quiet for a minute. Danny didn't look too good. Bob looked lost in thought. Finally he looked back at Danny.
"As sinful as I believe your personal life is I find the idea of students attacking and hurting another student without provocation far worse. Now that I know what happened, I feel I have to report it."
"You may have good intentions Bob, but I think you're being a little naïve. You don't even know who these guys are and you can't very well ask Gary for his friends' names without him wanting to know why. Even if you identify them, all three of them will deny they ever had that conversation with you last night. Three against one. And the two guys will give each other an alibi."
"You have a point Billy, but I still have to do what's right. It would help if I knew their names though."
"I have an idea boys. We know they're in Danny's economics lecture. So how about if I bring my camera and telephoto lens over Tuesday and Billy and Bob and I can wait a ways outside of Milledoler Hall when the class is getting out. Bob can point out the guys and I'll zoom in and get a close-up shot of them. I'll develop it and Danny can see if they're in the small group of people he narrowed it down to. And we can show their picture to Dr. Morrow to see if she can identify them."
"That's a great idea, Lucy. Even if she doesn't know their names I can take the picture to the Dean of Students when I report what happened. He should be able to get them identified, knowing what class they are in."
"From the one meeting Danny had with Dean Nash, I'm sure he will take your report seriously, but we still have no real evidence. Like I said, it's your word against theirs."
"Well we have a few days to think about it and try to come up with something. Maybe one of them will crack under questioning."
"Yeah, white boy, don't hold your breath."
"Well, we can hope. But right now, if you'll excuse me, I'm tired and want to go to bed. It's been a long day and a long weekend and talking about all of this hasn't been easy for me. I need some sleep."
"I think we should all get some sleep, Dan. We've done about all we can tonight. Bob, can you meet me and Lucy outside Milledoler about ten minutes before the end of fifth period Tuesday?"
"No problem, Billy. I have a sixth period class in Scott Hall so I'll be down there around then anyhow. I'll point the guys out to you and as soon as Lucy can get me a picture, I'll take it to Dean Nash."
"I think maybe I should go with you to the dean's office. He's going to want to talk to me once he's heard from you so I might as well go along."
"The three of us will go, Danny. If these two turn out to be the same ones who were with Gary when Mark was here, I can tell him about that. Maybe another witness against them in a second encounter will help."
"Enough talk, guys. Danny needs some rest. We can talk more after I have the picture."
We went across the hall to our room and Lucy said goodnight.
"We can talk more Tuesday, boys. Should I meet you at Milledoler, Billy?"
"Yeah, Luce. I'll get out of art class a little early and meet you and Bob there."
"Okay, goodnight guys. And don't worry Danny; I have a really good feeling about all of this. I think you're finally going to see some justice."
"I hope so, Lucy. G'night."
"I'll walk you to your car, Luce. Be right back, Danny."
When I got back to the room less than five minutes later, Danny was undressed and in bed. He looked so small and vulnerable curled up on his side. I just stared at him as I stripped off my clothes. The dean had better be able to do something about this. Because if he can't, once I know who hurt my beautiful boy, I won't be able to stop myself from doing something about it. I don't want to go back to that way of settling things, but I will if there's no other way to get these guys.
I slipped into bed, pressed myself against Danny's back and wrapped my arms around him. He seemed to be shaking. I turned him toward me a bit and saw the tears running down his cheeks.
"Are you all right, baby? What's with the tears?"
"I'm scared, Billy. Maybe I've been scared ever since it happened, but we just moved on and left it behind so I didn't have to think about it. And things have been so good lately that I could pretend bad stuff like that never really happened and couldn't happen again. But tonight brought it all back. I can feel the terror I felt as I was falling down the stairs, the pain in my wrist when I hit the landing, the explosion in my head when I hit the bottom. I don't want to remember. I don't want to have to think about it. I don't want to be scared."
"As long as I'm here, you don't have to be scared. I'll take care of you. I promise you we're going to get these guys. And then you'll really be able to put this all behind you and not think about it anymore. Because then it really will be over."
"Just hold me Billy, never let go of me, please."