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 is illegal, or if you're not into this type of story, please leave. The story began 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 all of those who have written to me with comments, suggestions and encouragement, especially my fellow writers in the Nifty Six. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at NJMcMick@yahoo.com.
April 1971
Mark
I think things are looking up for Peter and me again. We had such a great time in Ft. Lauderdale but he really fucked things up that last night. What made it worse was that he didn't seem to realize why I was so upset about what he did. Things were a little tense between us on the ride home. Once we got back to school we had a long talk about what had happened, where our relationship was and where we were going.
At first he seemed to think that my bad reaction to his behavior in the men's room was just insecurity on my part and my paying too much attention to what others thought. I had to admit that insecurity did have something to do with it. After all, who isn't somewhat insecure in the early stages of a new relationship? And I do care what my friends think, not because I'm unsure of myself or needy, but because I respect their opinions. I pointed out that what I objected to wasn't so much that he was living his life as he always said he would (well, I do object to that but I guess I can live with it for a while) but that he was being insensitive to my feelings.
Peter finally admitted that he cared a great deal for me, that he had never felt like this toward anyone else and that it unnerved him a bit. He said he was not only terribly attracted to me physically, but that he liked me more and more as he got to know me. That was so good to hear, but when he added that he respected me, I called him on it.
"You may think you respect me but if you did you wouldn't have been on your knees blowing a stranger in the next room while we were out on a date."
I think he finally got it. We were able to move on and discuss the difference between being in an open relationship and being an insensitive pig. It was clear to me that it wasn't going to be the kind of relationship that I really want, the kind Billy and Danny have, at least not yet. But we came up with an understanding, one that we could both live with. Basically, it came down to this. We're dating, but not exclusively. We're both free to see others, not that I want to, but we're on an equal basis in the relationship. We don't have to tell each other what we do when we're apart, in fact, I'd prefer not to know about some of the things he does. But when we're together, we're together. I'm hoping that as things progress, we'll become more exclusive. Like in high school dating. First, casual dates, then going steady.
And it's been going well ever since. Peter was always very attentive to me when we were together but he's been even more so. We spend one evening during the week and most Saturday nights together, plus the weekly gay meetings at Harvard. Regardless of how he feels about it, everyone there pretty much treats us like a couple and I love that.
Thursday night he took me out to dinner for my birthday. It was so romantic. We went to a great restaurant near the Boston Common. It wasn't fancy, but was very nice, sort of like The Restaurant, though the other customers all seemed straight and the food wasn't quite as good. Peter held my hand on the table most of the time we weren't eating. He never took his eyes off me. He was all mine, even if just for the evening. Nights like that give me hope.
We both had early classes Friday morning so after dinner we had to head home. I got my bus back to the campus in Newton and he got one back to his apartment in Cambridge. Before parting we made a date for Saturday night.
"Now that you're twenty-one I want to take you on a tour of the bars of Boston, baby. I'll show you all the hot spots and we'll end up at a dance club. Make plans to stay at the apartment afterward. I owe you a birthday fuck."
"We can skip the tour if you want, Peter. We wouldn't want to wear ourselves out before the fun begins."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure we're not too tired. I've been dreaming about that bod of yours all week."
Saturday night was another great date, though it was a little disconcerting at times. We stopped in a few bars before getting to a large dance club. At each stop, Peter knew lots of people. Guys kept coming up to him, acting very friendly and affectionate. Peter responded to them in kind, though he never abandoned me. He either held my hand or kept an arm around me all night, and introduced me to several guys as his boyfriend. He even seemed aware of what was going on in my head.
"You know, Markie, I've been around and slept with quite a few guys and I'm gonna sleep with more, but I don't fuck every guy I meet. Most of these guys are just casual friends or acquaintances. Yeah, I've tricked with a few of them, but you're the guy I'm with tonight and the one I'm taking home. You're the guy I was with Thursday and you're the one I'm gonna be with next week at the meeting. Tricks are just tricks. You're special, the most special guy in my life."
Lucy
Brad decided he wanted to celebrate my birthday with me again this year, though he didn't try to surprise me this time. The actual day was Tuesday so he planned to come down from school the next weekend. On my birthday itself Billy and Danny picked me up after our classes were over and brought me home for dinner. Aunt Connie outdid herself on the meal and it was just a great little family celebration. The boys gave me a beautiful pair of earrings and a bottle of expensive French champagne.
"We got it from The Restaurant so we know it's good but it didn't cost us too much, Lucy."
"Yeah, we know Brad's taking you out Saturday night and Danny and I thought maybe you two would like to continue the celebration when you get back here afterwards."
Brad drove down from Ithaca Friday afternoon and we went out on a regular simple date, a movie and then burgers at the diner afterwards. He promised Saturday would be special and told me to dress up for it. Even with that warning, I was surprised though pleased when Brad showed up in a beautiful suit. In all the time we'd been dating he'd always been dressed casually, sometimes sloppy, sometimes nice, but always casual. He made quite a striking figure in a suit.
"Hey, I'm the birthday girl; I'm supposed to be the beautiful one."
"You are, Lucy. You're absolutely gorgeous. Every guy is gonna wish he was me tonight."
We had dinner at the Grand Café, a very chic French restaurant in town that I'd heard of but had never been to. It was so elegant and romantic. We had a long leisurely dinner and must have been there for hours. It seemed like the other customers were staring at us all night. Most of them were at least twice our age and the way we looked we might as well have had 'Young Love' stamped on our foreheads. I felt like I could have just stared into Brad's beautiful blue eyes all night. The restaurant was nearly empty by the time we got up to leave.
"I've got some champagne chilling at home if you'd like to continue the party there, Brad."
"Like you need champagne to tempt me, baby. But that sounds perfect. I don't want this night to ever end, Lucy."
At home we had the downstairs to ourselves. I could see Aunt Connie's light was on so she was still up, probably reading in bed, but she was giving us some privacy. Brad and I went into the sunroom.
"I'll go get the champagne and glasses, Brad."
"Hold on a bit, Lucy. Let's just relax for a few minutes."
We sat together on the couch for a while. Brad had his arm around me and I rested my head on his shoulder. We didn't talk much but every now and then exchanged a light kiss. What a perfect evening. I had never felt so relaxed with another person. We didn't need to talk, didn't need to do anything. Just being together was so right. After a while, Brad got up from the couch. I was in such a euphoric daze that I didn't realize what he was doing, even when he knelt on one knee in front of me and took my hand in his.
"Lucy, there are no words to say how much I love you. You are more than my whole world; you are my universe. I never in my life dreamed that there would be a person who could mean so much to me, who I would love so much. You are everything, my first thought when I wake up and my last thought before I go to sleep. I want to spend not just my whole life with you but all of eternity, and even that wouldn't be enough. Lucy, will you marry me?"
Brad reached in his pocket and pulled out a small black box. He opened it to reveal a huge, glistening diamond ring.
"Oh my God! Yes, Brad! Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to marry you more than anything."
Brad slipped the ring onto my finger, then stood up and pulled me up to him, took me in his arms and kissed me. I felt like a little girl in a fairy tale, like I was Cinderella and Brad was my Prince. The tears started running down my face as we kissed. When we parted, I noticed his eyes were a bit moist as well.
"Now we can open the champagne, baby. Now we've really got something to celebrate."
Billy
When Danny and I pulled in the driveway a little before one all of the lights were still on in Aunt Connie's house. Danny seemed to pout a little.
"Looks like they're having a party and didn't invite us."
"That's 'cause we've been at work, Danny. Let's go see what happening. Maybe there's some champagne left for one last birthday toast."
We let ourselves in the back door and found Brad, Lucy and Aunt Connie sitting in the sunroom, talking and sipping champagne.
"What's up, guys? Danny and I thought you'd all be in bed by now."
None of them said anything but Lucy got up smiling and waved her left hand at us.
"Oh my gosh, our little girl's getting married, Billy!"
We each hugged and kissed her, then Brad got up and we both hugged and kissed him, too. The two of them had these huge grins on their faces and they looked so happy.
"Congratulations, guys! This is fantastic! Have you set a date?"
"We haven't even talked about that yet, Billy, but it won't be for a while. Lucy's got another year of school left and I'm looking at a two year date with Uncle Sam after I graduate next month."
"No army talk tonight, Brad. Nothing but happy news."
"Sure, baby. After all, this is the happiest day of my life."
We all sat and talked and talked. Everybody was so excited. Aunt Connie was beside herself with joy. A little after two Danny and I had to excuse ourselves.
"Sorry to cut out on you, but Danny and I have to be back at work in the city at noon, so we've got to get some sleep. Congratulations, again."
"Yeah, we love you both and are so happy for you."
Danny and I went up to the apartment and got ready for bed. We just lay there for a while, cuddling.
"What a great surprise! Not that we didn't know it was coming sooner or later, but it's so nice that it's official now."
"Yeah, I'm really happy for both of them. They love each other so much." All of a sudden, Danny let out a big sigh. "Billy, do you think that we'll ever be able to get married?"
"I don't know, Danny. Gay people haven't got any kind of legal rights. And even in places like New York, when they talk about gay rights nobody even mentions marriage. I think if it's ever gonna happen, it's gonna be a long time coming."
"I don't care if we have to wait fifty years, Billy, I still want to marry you."
"Same here, babe. And wanting to get married is the important part. Loving each other that much. That's what counts."
Danny snuggled up against me and fell asleep with my arm around him. I just lay there for a while, listening to him breathe, once again reminded of how much I loved this beautiful boy.
May 1971
Danny
I can't believe another school year is over already and that Billy and I are halfway through college. This year wasn't anywhere near as eventful and traumatic as freshman year but I really enjoyed it. Everything just seemed to click this year. Commuting isn't very much fun and we really don't feel like we're a part of college life much anymore but we both did well in our classes. Billy made dean's list both semesters and I made it in the Spring.
Things are going so well at The Restaurant and Billy and I are making a fortune. We paid off all of my medical bills a couple of months ago and have been socking away money in the bank ever since. We could probably quit our jobs right now and have enough to get through the rest of school but we're not about to. Although it's a lot of work, we really love The Restaurant. The rest of the staff have become like family and even some of the customers are like old friends. It's as much a social outlet for us as work. Plus, the money is great. Last year we came so close to not making it financially that we never want to be in that position again. We both crave the security that a big bank balance gives us.
Our continued separation from our families wasn't what we expected and we both still struggle with it but we're moving on with our lives. Seeing Billy's grandmother over Spring break was fantastic and we both look forward to her letters and both write her back.
And the wonderful little family that we've put together gives us so much nourishment. It's like Aunt Connie is our godmother. She watches out for us all, loves us so much and we know we can count on her for anything. She stands back and lets us make our own way, even it if means making mistakes. But she's our safety net. Just knowing she's there to catch us if we fall makes it easier to live each day. Although Brad is only three years older than Billy and me I think of him as the father of our little family. He's the man; the one we all depend on, the grownup. And Mark and Lucy are our brother and sister. I know Billy would like to think he's the dad but he'll have to settle for being my husband, my lover, my friend, my brother. Anyway, that's the way I look at our group. I love these people so much and thank God for them every day.
Everyone is doing so well, too. Lucy and Brad are engaged. Even though it's a long way off we're looking forward to the wedding and then all of the little godchildren they're going to give us. Brad just graduated from Cornell and once he's done with his two years in the Army Corps of Engineers he'll be off and running with his career with the firm he's been working summers for. Lucy is working part time with her photographer friend and does some freelance work now and then. I'll admit, Mark has us a little worried. The jury's still out on Peter but Mark assures us that he really is a good guy and is behaving himself. Even Aunt Connie is happier than usual these days. She's thrilled with Lucy's engagement to Brad but I think it's more than that. She says they're just friends but she's been seeing quite a bit of Dr. Stern lately.
And then there's Billy and me. I'm not religious but every day I look at him and say a prayer. After all this time I'm still amazed that he's real. I keep thinking I'm gonna wake up and find out that it's all been a dream. But he's the real thing. He's my man, the one I love who loves me back, the one who makes my whole life possible. I just can't imagine what life would be...
"Yo! White boy! You gonna lie in that bed daydreaming all afternoon? Frankie and Joanne will be here in an hour and the apartment's a mess. Get that cute little ass moving! Or do I have to prod you a bit?"
"If you're trying to get me out of bed, you're going about it the wrong way, threatening to prod me, Billy."
We quickly straightened up (not a big job in a studio apartment) and set the table for dinner. We'd hung out with Frankie and Joanne a few times in the city during the semester but this was the first time we were having them over to the apartment. We aren't much for entertaining and we don't have much time during the school year, anyway. It's just as well, we still haven't figured out how to cook more than a few simple dishes.
Fortunately, Frankie and Joanne liked our tuna casserole or were too polite to say otherwise. Even more fortunate, Joanne turned out to be 22 and brought some wine. After dinner we lit a few candles, put on some music and sat on the floor, talking.
"I don't know how you guys stand it, being together all of the time. You live together, go to school together, work together, commute together. With our schedules, Joanne and I can only get together a few times a week and I'd love to see her more, but all the time would drive me crazy."
Billy and I just looked at each other for a minute, then we both shrugged at the same time.
"I don't think either of us even thinks about it. We've just always been together. It works. Besides, we're not together all the time."
"Yeah, Billy and I have different classes and different schedules at school so we both spend a lot of time on our own on campus."
"But even this apartment, Danny. It's a cute little place but it's only one room. You can't get away from each other, you can't have any privacy."
"Why would we want to get away from each other, Frankie? We love being together. And there's plenty of room here. Sometimes when we're reading or studying we can go hours without even talking, one of us on the bed, one at the table or on the loveseat. We can each have our own space."
"Well, what about when you have a fight? One of you can't even storm out and slam the door on the other. You don't have another room to storm out to. You know there's nothing better than a dramatic exit."
"I see your point, Joanne, but Danny and I don't fight so that's not a problem."
"Oh, c'mon, you can't tell me in nearly two years you've never had a fight. You wouldn't be human if you didn't have it out now and then. Frankie and I fight all the time. Then we have a lot of fun making up."
"I didn't mean Danny and I never disagree, but we don't fight when we do. We tease each other, we bitch, Danny whines a little, I complain a lot, then we get over it."
"Yeah, when we first met there was so much we didn't know about each other's life and background. That's when it would have been easy to have fights. But we made an effort to have a lot of patience, we treated each other with respect and we gave each other the benefit of the doubt. We still do."
"And besides, how can I get mad at Danny when every time I look in those green eyes I fall in love all over again?"
"How come you never say anything that sweet about me, Frankie?"
Billy
Later, I was reading in bed, propped up by pillows. Danny was lying nestled under my arm with his head resting on my chest, daydreaming again. Now and then I absentmindedly smoothed his hair. After a while I put down the book and ran the back of my index finger lightly along his cheek.
"I really enjoyed tonight, baby. Frankie and Joanne are fun people. Being surrounded by straight guys at school and gay guys at work, it's a nice change to hang out with a couple of lesbians."
"Yeah, I think so, too. Except just being around Frankie makes me feel like a real sissy."
"No way you're a sissy, Danny. You're sweet and sensitive but you're also strong and tough. You're all man as far as I'm concerned and you're my man. But I know what you mean. Was Frankie that butch in high school?"
"Now that I think about it I guess she did act kind of butch. Of course, she had long hair and wore skirts and dresses like all of the other girls so it wasn't that obvious. And I never really paid much attention to the girls, anyway."
"Hmm, I wonder why."
"Cut it out, Billy. You know what I mean. I was friends with some girls, but what they looked like or how they acted didn't matter because I wasn't interested in dating them. And I don't think I even knew there was such a thing as a lesbian when I was in high school."
"You never heard the guys talking about dykes?"
"Yeah, I heard the term but I don't think I knew what it meant. I was pretty naïve back then."
"You sure were when I met you. I don't think I was that naïve when I was ten."
"Gee, maybe my mother was right. Maybe you did take advantage of my innocence and seduce me. Maybe you've still got me brainwashed."
"In your dreams, white boy. You know you're the one who seduced me. One look and you stole my heart."
Danny just smiled and closed his eyes for a few seconds. Then the smile faded and he spoke without opening his eyes.
"Billy, do you think Frankie and Joanne were right?"
"Right about what?"
Danny opened his eyes and looked up at me.
"Do you think we spend too much time together? That maybe it would be good for us to be on our own more?"
"Don't let them put any ideas in your head, Danny. I know we're together a lot. We like being together. There's nothing wrong with that if it works for us. Unless you think you need more time for yourself. Do you?"
"No, that isn't what I meant. I was just thinking that maybe we're limiting each other, getting in each other's way."
"I don't see that at all. It might be different if we were together all of the time and didn't go out, didn't see other people. That could be suffocating and restrictive. But we're out with people all the time. We're apart most of the time we're on campus and we're so busy when we're at work and surrounded by people, it's not like we're just hanging out with each other. There are lots of people and lots of things going on in our lives. It's not just the two of us alone in a bubble."
"Yeah, that's the way I feel, Billy. I just never really thought about it in quite the way Frankie put it before. Our life just naturally developed this way without any real conscious planning. And you're right, it works for us."
"In a couple of years, when we graduate and start teaching, we're not going to be together anywhere near as much. Until then, let's enjoy it."
Mark
Summer vacation presented Peter and me with a problem. We'd talked about it a bit when we were still in Boston but hadn't come up with any answers by the end of the semester. The problem was, where could we have sex? Peter was home spending the summer with his family who don't know he's gay. I was home with my family who pretend they don't know I'm gay. In another kind of relationship this would be a problem but not a crisis, but knowing Peter's attitude toward sex this could be a disaster. The less he was getting it from me, the more likely he'd be looking for it elsewhere. His family was going away on vacation for two weeks in July so we'd already decided that I'd stay with him then, although my parents would probably freak out. And then my family goes to the Shore for a week in August so he can come stay with me. But that's not enough.
He came out to Jersey for Brad's graduation party in May. Billy and Danny had invited him to sleep on the couch in their apartment if he could fit but Aunt Connie insisted he stay in her guest room. That was very nice of her and good for Peter, but didn't exactly give us a place we could be alone. The guys did insist we make use of their apartment though so we cut out of the party a little early and had an hour to ourselves before they got home.
About a week later we met in the Village for dinner at a cozy little restaurant on Hudson Street. I wasn't starting my summer job at The Restaurant for a couple of days so I didn't feel like I was patronizing the competition.
"Your family didn't seem very friendly at Brad's party last week, Mark."
"Well, you know how my parents are. I think they're afraid I'm sleeping with every guy I even mention so they don't like any of my friends."
"Yeah, I didn't expect them to be nice to me but I thought you said your little brother was cool about you being gay.'
"Jamie is cool with it, Peter. Why? Did he say something to you?"
"Not really. He just kept staring, almost glaring, at me all through the party."
"I guess he was just sizing you up. He really liked Joe last summer so he was probably comparing you two."
After dinner we wandered around the Village for a while, holding hands. It was a beautiful Spring evening and the whole evening had been relaxed and romantic.
"You know, Mark, I'd love to be able to make love to you tonight, but it's okay that we aren't. I know you're worried about it but sex is not the only reason I'm with you. I've had a great evening just talking to you, just being with you. Because I have a liberal outlook on relationships that doesn't mean I'm some kind of sex fiend, not all the time, anyway. I'm not out looking for other guys every night I'm not with you."
"I know, Peter, it's just that we have a long summer ahead of us. I don't want us to have to be 'just friends' for a few months."
"Well, I've given it some thought and we do have a few options. None very private and some sleazier than others."
"What have you come up with?"
"Obviously the best would be a hotel room, but this is Manhattan and we'd both be broke by the end of July. At the other end of the spectrum we have the real sleaze, either the piers at the end of Christopher Street or the trucks on Washington. Lots of guys have sex at both places."
"I know we can't afford a hotel on a regular basis but those places just sound too gross for me. Isn't there something in between?"
"Well, Mark, there are a few bars like the International Stud that have back rooms. They're very dark and guys who have met in the bar or who just bump into each other in the dark have sex there."
The thought of Peter having sex in a bar brought back memories of that last night at the Copa.
"I hate to sound picky but is there anything else?"
"There's always the baths. They're sort of a cross between an orgy room and a cheap gay hotel."
"I heard guys at The Restaurant talk about them. What do you think?"
"The Club Baths in the East Village isn't bad. Why don't we try it out Saturday? I could meet you after work and we could spend the night. The rooms are more like jail cells than hotel rooms but they're really cheap. And students only pay half price."
"I guess we could try it though I'll have to make up a story for my parents."
Friday night I started work and I rode in with Billy and Danny and then went home with them. Saturday I told my parents I was spending the night at Joe's. It was easier than making up a new story. They didn't like it any more than last summer but at least I wasn't spending the whole weekend in the city. Peter showed up toward the end of the evening and had a drink at the bar while I finished up and changed. He joined me for a drink at Julius' and then we walked across town to First Avenue.
We checked our valuables at the front desk and got a room key and a couple of towels. Peter led the way upstairs to the room. We passed all kinds of guys, most only wearing towels around their waist, some just carrying their towel. The room was tiny, only about twice the size of the single bed.
"You want to change into our towels and go for a tour of the place, Mark?"
"Maybe later. Right now I'd just like to change into nothing and go on a tour of you."
"Mmm. A man after my heart. Or should I say, my hardon?"
"Both, Peter."
We quickly tore off each other's clothes and stood there pressed together kissing and grinding our hips against each other. Peter lightly guided me back toward the bed and I sat down on it. He knelt between my feet and dove down on my cock, swallowing most of it in one gulp. He started bobbing up and down on it applying lots of suction. After a few minutes I made him stop.
"I'm gonna cum if you don't stop that, Peter, and I don't want to cum so soon."
"I don't want you too either, Mark. I want that big dick up my butt tonight."
He turned me and pushed me back until I was lying on the bed, then got up and straddled me, his knees on either side of my waist. He sat back, trapping my hardon along the length of his crack, and rocked back and forth on it. Again, I had to stop him after a very short time.
"It's been weeks since we made love, Peter. I'm more than ready. I'm about to explode."
"Then try to hold on for a little longer. I want you to explode in me."
He leaned over and pulled a tube of KY from my small bag on the table next to the bed. He reached behind himself and applied some to his ass, then put a liberal amount on his hand and stroked my dick, sliding his hand up and down, getting it good and slick. Then he held it up and aimed it at his hole as he lowered himself toward it, stopping when my head was pressed against his pucker. He wiggled his butt against my dick, keeping it trapped in place and leaned forward and kissed me. Then he pulled himself back and slowly lowered his ass onto me. I felt my cock sliding up into his tight hot hole. He continued pushing down and in one slow motion I was all the way in and he was sitting on my pubes.
He raised himself up and slid back down. Then he did it again, a little faster. And again. Soon he was riding my cock hard, pulling up and plunging back down onto it. I tried to hold off as long as I could but it wasn't easy. He put a little more lube on his hand and began stroking his cock. I put one hand on either side of his hips and helped thrust him down onto my pole, harder and harder. I felt my cum well up inside my balls and fired a shot deep inside him. As I shot he slowed down on his ride but picked up speed on stroking his cock. As I neared the end of my orgasm he gasped and sent a spurt of cum onto my face, then shot the rest of his load all over my chest and belly. He pushed down against my hips and squeezed my slightly deflated cock with his ass muscles, then leaned over and kissed me deeply.
He reached over and grabbed one of the towels and cleaned up the mess he had made on me.
"That was definitely worth waiting for, Mark, but I think we're going to need more towels before the night is over."
Lucy
One month of Spring is not exactly a summer vacation but it's all Brad and I had. It seemed like he had just graduated and come home but soon he was getting ready to go away again. He went for his draft physical and passed with flying colors. I could have told them that. Nothing wrong with that body.
The night after the physical we went out to dinner and talked about everything else. When we got back to the house, though, we couldn't avoid the subject any longer. I poured us each a glass of wine and we settled down on the couch in the sunroom.
"I hate that you're going in the army, Brad. I don't think I can go two years without you."
"You think I don't hate it? I can't stand the idea of being away from you. And besides that, I'm totally against the war and that's exactly where I'll probably end up."
"That damn lottery. Mark's number was so high that he's out of it. And Billy and Danny both got pretty high numbers in this year's lottery so they don't have to worry either. Why did you have to get the low one?"
"You mean you'd rather have one of them drafted instead of me?"
"No, I'd rather have none of you drafted. But I meant that at least they could get out of it. They're gay."
"Knowing those guys I don't think any of them would use being gay to get out of going. They're all just as much against the war as I am but they'd do their duty if they got called. And they'd probably end up in combat. At least I'll be with the engineers."
"You're right, Brad. I just don't want you to go."
"You know, Lucy, we could get married before I go away if you want. I'll probably get leave after basic training before I go to wherever I'm assigned. We could have a quiet little wedding, just family and a few friends."
"There's nothing in the world I want more than marrying you, Brad, but I think we should wait. Not that I want a big wedding, but once we get married, I want us to be together. Once we get married, we'll be a family and I want to start having kids right away. And that has to wait until you come back for good, so the wedding should wait as well."
"If you say so, hon. As long as we get married, I don't care when it happens. I just want to be with you. So I guess I'll just have to hurry back."
"You'd better. Two years sounds like forever."