All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language, please exit now.
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"BRIARWOOD"
Copyright Ritchris, 2005
aka "Whence Cometh My Help"
Copyright Ritchris, 2003
Revised Version
A dramatic saga
by
Ritch Christopher
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BOOK EIGHT
"UNTO THE HILLS"
Chapter-Eighty-five
"You're still the best thing that ever has happened to me...
O.K., the best thing that could ever happen to me...
How could I realize what rich was really?
Ideally, somewhere I should have been told,
'Kid, you've struck gold!'
Things change, as time goes by, you never know when.
The best that happened can happen again.
To think I'd meet someone who could surprise me
And size me up without cutting me down.
With all the best and the worst that have happened to us,
Why not?
We might just may be the best thing that has happened to us,
Why not?
When all is said and done, you happen to be
The best thing ever that's happened to me."
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
(excerpted from the song,
"The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened To Me")
from his musical, "BOUNCE"
copyright 2003.
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Saturday morning, Billy came bouncing into the kitchen grinning like a Cheshire cat. Jay only needed to take one look at Billy to intuit about Billy's overnight adventure. The toaster shot two Pop Tarts three inches into the air and Billy grabbed one and took a bite before Jay could stop him.
"Careful, you'll burn your tongue!" Jay said.
"No, I won't," Billy replied, chipperly, then spit it out the hot piece of dough immediately, "Oh, oh, oh! Water! Ice! SOLARCAINE! SOMETHING, QUICK!". Billy stuck out his burnt tongue and waved his hand at it, then put his head and mouth under the kitchen sink faucet to dowse the inside of his mouth with cold water.
"I told you so!" Jay smirked.
"Good heavens! I won't be able to taste anything for a week!"
"I sorta doubt that, but speaking of tasting things, how was your sleepover?" Jay asked with a prying interest.
"Oh, oh, it was all right, I guess." he said, his manner was just a bit too offhand.
"Where's what's his name, Sammy? Did he leave early?"
"No, he's still asleep in my room."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he didn't get much sleep last night."
"Don't tell me he felt the pea under your mattress?"
"Nobody peed on OR under my mattress."
"Skip it!" Jay laughed. "Oh, by the way, was the watermelon ripe enough?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure."
"I still can't imagine why you didn't want me to chill it? I mean room temperature water melon right before bedtime can make you sick to your stomach."
"No, Uncle Jay, it was perfect!" Billy blew on the Pop Tart and took a second bite.
"I...I can't imagine why you didn't want me to make you and your friend some snacks or hors d'oervres...just hot watermelon, huh?"
"Yeah, it was great!"
"Should I go up to your room and pick up the rind and seeds?"
"That's OK, Uncle Jay, I'll do it as soon as Sammy wakes up?"
"How about a proper breakfast? If you like, you can go back upstairs and hop into bed with Sammy and you can buzz me in the kitchen and I'll serve you both breakfast in bed."
"You...you're so nice!"
"It's not a matter of being nice. I just enjoy having a new nephew."
"I...I hate to admit it, but my parents or anyone in my family never treated me the way I'm treated here."
"It's called 'love', my little one. Get used to it! In your Daddy Cliff's house, everyone is loved and in return, everyone loves everybody."
"I know that I love you and Uncle Troy and as far as my two new daddies, I really love them more than I did my real parents."
"Now do you want to tell me about your sleepover?"
"Hmm, not really!"
"I'm not being prurient, nor do I want you to describe vivid details, I. I just need to know that whatever happened between you and Sammy. well, that you were cautious."
"You mean, 'were we safe'?"
"Precisely."
"Yeah, we were! I promised Daddy Cliff and Daddy Roger that I would always be safe."
"I'm proud of you, Billy! Come here and let me give you a hug."
Billy walked over to Jay, who put his arms around the young boy and squeezed him to his chest tightly. "Humph!" Jay uttered loudly. "Billy, do you feel more grown up? I mean, after last night?"
Billy became embarrassed and blushed, "Yeah, I guess I do."
"Good, now run upstairs and let me know as soon as you're ready for breakfast."
"I will!" Billy broke Jay's embrace and started out the door, then he turned and ran back to Jay and quickly kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, Uncle Jay," his voice tender with real emotion.
"You're welcome."
Billy ran out of the kitchen and hopped up the stairs three at a time and went into his room, shutting the door behind him quietly. He took off the sweat suit he was wearing, leaving only his boxers on, and climbed into bed along side of Sammy, who suddenly turned over to face Billy while he looked at him through tired, sleepy eyes.
Billy smiled at Sammy and said, "Good morning".
"Mornin'" Sammy replied. "Jeez, how long have you been awake?"
"About half an hour. I didn't want to disturb you 'cause I didn't want you to wake up all cranky."
"I'm not cranky. I'm just tired."
"Did you have fun last night?"
"It depends on what you meant by 'fun'?" His face tried to hide a grin.
"You know."
"You mean, did I enjoy having sex with you? Well, the answer is a definite, 'yes'!"
"Me, too."
"Wanna do some more stuff?"
"On two conditions. First, you let me go pee, and second, it can't involve a watermelon!"
"You didn't like that?"
"Yeah, but it got me all sticky."
"I thought I licked all the sticky stuff off."
"That was the best part, only when you got through, I was stickier with you know what!"
"That was my favorite part," Billy replied, grinning. "Hey, if you want, while you're peeing, if you want to take a shower, you can wash all the dried watermelon juice off and we'll start fresh and clean."
"Hmm, why don't you shower with me in case I miss getting it all off!"
"Okay, you pee and I'll adjust the temperature of the shower."
The two boys jumped out of bed and ran for the bathroom. Sammy was still naked and Billy removed his boxers. They got into the glass cubicle together and stood apart to let the water soak their bodies. Billy pumped liquid soap from the wall dispenser, filling both of his hands and asked Sammy to turn his back toward him. With long strokes from his neck to his ankles, Billy painted Sammy's backside with a green perfumed lather.
"Now you do my back!" Billy said to Sammy.
Sammy repeated Billy's action and soon Billy's back was covered with soap.
"Here's comes the fun part!" Billy exclaimed. "Get your hands full of soap again and I'll do the same and then turn around."
Four hands were filled with the green cream and they turned to face one another.
"Wow, you've already got a boner!" Billy said, looking down below Sammy's waist.
"So do you!"
"Wanna get rid of them?"
"What do you think?"
"Yeah only first I wanna do something."
"What?"
Billy eased his face toward Sammy's and kissed him on the lips. Sammy looked surprised. "We didn't kiss any last night. Why now?"
"It's just that my new house is filled with love," Billy said, emulating Jay's remark. "So you'd better get used to it."
"Are we in love now?"
"I guess so. We had sex together. That means something."
"All right, if you love me, then tell me."
"Just like that? You want me to say it out loud to your face?"
"Uh huh."
"OK, I...I love you, Sammy." Billy blushed and Sammy smiled. "Now it's your turn to say it to me."
"I...I love you, Billy."
"Do you really mean it or did you say it because I did?"
"I guess I meant it."
"Then I guess I meant it too!"
"Shouldn't we kiss again or something?"
"I suppose only this time YOU kiss me."
Sammy leaned forward to return Billy's kiss only he went further and put his soapy hands around Billy and drew their bodies together. Their erections jockeyed for position as Billy put his hands and arms around Sammy's back. It was Sammy who took the initiative to pry his tongue into Billy's mouth. It was the first French kiss for both of them. The action seemed brave and daring. Their relationship was budding and opening into a new dimension. Their lips locked as the kiss became more passionate and soon their hands were exploring the other's body from front to back as if they had never touched one another before. Whatever happened last night between them seemed forgotten by this new experience. The body exploration had more meaning and a greater sensuality with each grope.
Both their right hands reached the other's penis at almost the same instant. They reached below to feel the weight of the testicles encased in their scrotums, then the hands moved back to the protruding shafts and they slowly began to masturbate the other, never unlocking their lips during the entirely new experience. It took less than one minute until they both reached an orgasm. The hot sperm mixed with the green soap in their hands and they began spreading the liquid compound all over the other's body.
They stood mouth to mouth while the rushing spray of the shower washed down between their torsos until nothing but clear water was running off their bodies. They were squeaky clean from head to toe. Only then did they end the prolonged kiss.
Billy sighed, and Sammy managed to say a quiet, "Wow!"
They pulled their faces back about six inches from the other's and looked deeply into their partner's eyes.
It was Sammy who spoke first, "I...I guess we ARE in love."
"Yeah, I think so, too."
"Does this mean we're gonna be boyfriends at school?"
"Yeah school, here at my house, at church, when we go to movies...EVERYWHERE!"
"You...you won't be embarrassed?"
"Nope! You?"
"I don't know if my folks will understand." Sammy said.
"Then you can spend all your free time here at my house."
"Your two dads won't mind?"
"Nope. They'll approve if we want to kiss or hold hands in front of them. They won't mind us having sex even, so long as it's safe sex."
"Then I guess I'll be spending a lot of time over here!"
"That's what I want you to do."
"So are we boyfriends or lovers like grownups?"
"Both! We can be boyfriends at Briarwood High and lovers when we're here."
"You think we'll get kidded at school?"
"I don't think so, not as long as Lee Malone is our friend. He won't let anyone tease us."
"You...you don't have a crush on him or anything? I mean, he's a senior and good-looking and all."
"Nope, it's YOU and only you!"
"Uh, could we get out of the shower, my hands are getting all 'crinkly'."
"Sure, mine are too."
Billy turned off the shower and reached for two large towels with one hand and the wall phone by the commode with the other. He held the receiver to his ear until Jay answered in the kitchen.
"Holiday Inn!" Jay said.
"Uncle Jay, I think we're ready now."
"Your wish is my command, sire! I'll be right up."
"What was all that about?" Sammy asked.
"You'll see. Now hurry and let's get dried and jump into bed."
"Are we gonna have sex again? So soon?"
"Nope! You'll see."
Their bodies were soon dried and they ran like two first-graders at recess and jumped into the bed. Jay knocked on the door lightly.
"Come in." Billy called.
Jay entered carrying an oversized bed tray filled with every imaginable breakfast food.
"Good Golly!" Sammy exclaimed, while at the same time pulling up the covers to make sure his 'privates' weren't on display.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Jay said. "And you must be 'Friend Sammy'."
"BOY friend Sammy!" Billy corrected Jay.
"Oh, I see, you've gone off and eloped without my even meeting the groom first?" Jay kidded.
"Sammy, this is my Uncle Jay, the best cook in all of Briarwood."
"I think my culinary skills reach farther than mere Briarwood, maybe in the whole state or the entire USA."
"I think you're right, Uncle Jay. I'm afraid I underrated your skills."
The tray was wide enough for Jay to set over both their laps and he stood back to get a better look at Sammy. Billy noticed Jay and asked, "Well, what do you think?"
"I must say, he's good looking enough for you. I'd almost say he's downright handsome."
Sammy realized that Jay's remarks were reflected toward him and he blushed, "Aw, come on!"
"Uncle Jay's right! You ARE handsome!" Billy echoed.
"Listen, you two! If this relationship's gonna last, you'd better be honest and faithful to each other because if I hear differently, both of you are going to have your Uncle Jay to reckon with!"
"Can I call you 'Uncle Jay' too?"
"As long as I'm not in my maid's uniform!"
"What?" Sammy said, looking surprised.
"Uncle Jay is a great kidder, but Uncle Troy, whom you haven't met, says that Uncle Jay is beautiful dressed in drag."
"Hush, young man, and don't give away all my secrets!" Jay, quickly added. "Now if either of you wants `seconds', just buzz me in the kitchen."
"Thanks, Uncle Jay," Billy said.
"Yeah, thanks... Uncle Jay." Sammy added.
Jay did a faux curtsy and left.
"Gee, Billy, is everyone at your house so openly gay?"
"Yep!"
"Boy, are you lucky!"
"I know and you will be too! Let's eat!"
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Roger was seated as his desk at Cole. Across from him sat Tom, still a bit shaky from the tour Troy had given him. Tom had been totally in control of his emotions during the first part of his walk through the HIV and AIDS buildings, but when he got a glance at the adolescent wing, it was too much for him to take. The kids in the wing looked like the children Tom had seen in old newscasts and documentaries about the orphans left after the Vietnam War or maybe, the young skinny-boned tots who survived Hitler's concentration camps after W.W.II.
Rearing back in his desk chair, Roger looked at Tom and said, "So, Tom, Troy tells me you might want to work at Cole?"
"That was the idea when I left home to come here and talk with you."
"And now you're not so sure?"
"Mr. Cole, how can a person come here day after day and look at those kids?"
"Frightening, isn't it?"
"Horrifying!" Tom replied.
"And to think Cole is caring for only a couple of hundred and there are millions more out there who won't get any care, any medicine or treatment."
"I thought that the AIDS epidemic had slackened. You never hear much about it in the news."
"That's the way it was during the 80's. Bill Clinton surfaced the importance of the disease, but his hands were tied by a Republican congress, plus a few Democrats who were afraid their constituents wouldn't reelect them if they showed compassion toward gays."
"But you ARE curing AIDS here at Cole, aren't you?"
"Yes, we've been able to save an indiscriminate few, but even as large as Cole is, we can't begin to combat the disease as widespread as it is now. I saw on '60 Minutes' that one in seven policemen are infected with the HIV virus in India. Just think what the percentage is in the general population. Countries such as Russia and some parts of China won't recognize the influx due to their ban on openly gay lifestyle but we already know that it's reached epidemic proportions in both China AND Russia. Millions are infected now with no knowledge of what HIV or AIDS is all about."
"It sounds almost as bad as the bubonic plague in the fourteenth century."
"It's worse, Tom. Just as you said, you thought it was under control, that's the same idea most American gays have today. They've stopped having safe sex. The danger is gone...vanished...kaput! But we're seeing more cases pop up now than ever before!"
"For any particular reason?"
"I wish I could blame it on conservatism, right-wing, evangelical conservatism. In their ignorant view, they still think that gay life is a choice and if that's the way we choose to be, then the punishment fits the crime, so to speak. Some black Congregationalists get angry when gays refer to themselves as being discriminated against as the blacks were before JFK and LBJ. But Congress voted for an equal rights amendment for people of color and there are no written equal laws for gays. Gays ARE discriminated against, whether it be for jobs, housing, Medicaid, marriage; we pay higher taxes than any married couple the same age and financial brackets."
"So what do we do? I've seen the latest polls on TV concerning gay marriage and it's almost evenly split now, fifty-fifty."
"Strange as it may seem, the gay population isn't creating the greatest risks in HIV and AIDS management. You saw for yourself in the juvenile wing. These kids were not products of gay marriages, but young straight adults. We're not allowed to teach sex education in schools. For a while, some high schools offered their students free condoms, but that was nixed by parents who thought the schools were encouraging their kids to have sex, yet these same kids ARE having sex every chance they get and most of it is unsafe sex."
"How have times changed since you went to high school, Mr. Cole?"
"You mean back in the dark ages?" Roger chuckled. "Most kids I went to school with remained virgins until they were married. Occasionally, the school whore would get pregnant and her parents would send her off to an aunt and uncle a thousand miles away. Sex wasn't that big a peer issue. Have you seen any of the preteens wearing the colored plastic bracelets to signify how far they'll go with a boy or what their preference is?"
"I'm afraid so. Some of them are nine, ten, and eleven years old."
"Maybe the W.H.O. should change their prediction to one-hundred million cases in the next ten years. I own a hospital and should be fearless when it comes to my profession. But, very frankly, Tom, I'm horrified when I look to the future."
The topic of conversation drew to semi-halt and each of them let their thoughts overwhelm them. Then Roger's face became more expressive and said, "I hope what you've seen and heard today doesn't discourage you. I usually save all my negativism for Cliff, who can elevate my spirits with a single word or glance."
"No, Mr. Cole, I think I still want to work here in some capacity."
"Then if you're interested, I may have just the job for you and I think you'll like it. It should be very rewarding. I'll call Chief of Staff and see what we can arrange for you."
"Fine! Tell me about it if you have the time."
"Tom, I'm not really sure what the community, the state, or the media says about the funding here at Cole. We get no government grants whatsoever. Occasionally a family of a patient will donate a gift on behalf of a loved one or maybe someone will expire and bequeath all or part of an estate, but on the whole, we are self-sufficient, thanks to my grandfather who made me his sole heir. Even I don't know the sum of his estate. Only Walter Clayton, my lawyer, knows that figure. I don't want to know, I just know that we are financially sound. There is, however, a private slush fund, which is set aside and has never been touched. I think maybe it's time, that is, if I can convince you, and if you're willing to undertake a big task."
"You've got my mouth watering. Your voice sounds exciting."
"You've heard of the 'Make A Wish Foundation'?"
"Yes, it's a charity which tries to grant a big wish for a terminally ill person, mostly children."
"That's correct. This fund I'm talking about is very similar. I need some young man to act as Santa Claus. Someone who will visit our terminally ill young people and see if we can make a few of their dreams come true. I'm sure many wishes won't require any money at all. But if it does, that's what this money has been appropriated for."
"Can you give me an example?"
"Well, not all wishes can come true, or so the song says. I'm sure that many young men would like to see or talk with their parents or loved ones before they pass on. AIDS, as I said, is very much akin to leprosy where families of AIDS or HIV victims are concerned. Not only here at Cole, but across the country or even the world, thousands of moms, dads, sisters, brothers or friends turn their backs on the afflicted ones. They cast them out of the fold, throw them aside, and try to pretend the patients no longer exist. The disease embarrasses the family members. They don't want anyone to know that Johnny or Susie is gay or has been infected with a 'dirty' disease. Anyone who has ever treated an AIDS patient knows that over half of the remission process is keeping a positive attitude...overcoming stress and depression. So, how does Johnny feel when he finds out he has a possibly terminal ailment and at the same time, everyone around him walks away or tells him to get out and never come back? They don't ever want to see him again. The depression alone can stigmatize a patient to draw his death closer...often times, by suicide."
"You...want me to...to get in touch with families and try to make reconnect them?"
"Not primarily. I'm afraid that would be virtually impossible in most cases. Some mothers and fathers will never accept homosexuality even if it means divorcing themselves from their own offspring. But say, for example, you get to know Johnny, who's a Cole patient, and you learn that one thing which would bring happiness to him would be to get a card or letter from his favorite movie or sport's star. My God, if I were ill and the hope of getting an autographed photo of Barbra Streisand or Barbara Cook was possible, my spirits would be lifted ABOVE cloud nine. Can you imagine going into the adolescent unit with an autographed football or baseball? Or if you find out that all her life, little Susie wanted a pink dress and she'd never revealed that to anyone. Can you see what a pink dress might do for her ego? Some wishes might not be so simple. I remember a young man who died recently. His last two weeks were spent while wishing his mom would call him one last time, just to say, `Hello, son'. He never got his wish. When the charge nurse called his mother to say he was gone, the mother wouldn't even claim his body for burial. Incidentally, she and her husband were both radical right-wing Christians who couldn't find it in their hearts to say a final two words to their one and only son. Do you think they asked the Lord to forgive them? I suppose their Bible doesn't include the chapter where Jesus met the prostitute at the well."
"Damn!"
"So you see, you can't grant every wish."
"Maybe not, Mr. Cole, but I could buy a truck load of pink dresses even if I paid for them from my inheritance."
"No, Tom, I don't want you using your own money. That's what the fund is for."
Tom's eyes welled up with tears.
"Mr. Cole, how soon do you want me to start?"
"Whenever you're ready."
"How about fifteen minutes from now?"
"Thank you, Tom, and bless you. I'll get Troy to set you up with an office and any supplies you might need. I suppose you'll need a secretary and someone to help you organize your volunteers. You'll find a list of former patients who are all willing to assist you. Some of them are almost completely cured and they want to help others to feel as they do, if possible."
"I...I didn't know that this job would materialize, but I think I know of a young Briarwood High graduate who had his brush with HIV and will want to help as well."
Roger smiled, "Good thinking, Tom. How IS Mike?"
"I love him more every day. He's the best thing ever in my life!"
"Don't sell yourself short, you're the best thing that ever could happen to him, also."
"Thanks, Mr. Cole."
"How are your new houseguests?"
"Bright-eyed and in awe of everything they see, like two kids from the country who came to see the big city for the first time."
"It's great the way you and Mike took them in as 'family'."
"They've become part of our family."
"Yours and Mike's family will grow the same as Cliff's and mine. Soon you'll have your own branch of Briarwood Boys!"
"Plus two Briarwood Labrador Retrievers!"
Roger chuckled. "Well, son, come by tomorrow morning and begin setting up your office. Troy will be happy to see you...so will I!"
Tom left Roger's office and both of them felt warm and happy inside. And safe...something a lot of gays might never feel.
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One week passed after Ryan's funeral, which also meant Hal had lived at Kyle's for seven of his trial fourteen days, Nothing more than mere friendship had developed between the two, except where Petey and Danny were concerned. Hal was now 'Uncle' Hal, as the two young boys had brought the stranger with the southern accent into their fold. Hal was more demonstrative when playing both indoor and outdoor games with the tots. The little ones had opened up a new world for Hal, video games. Hal was familiar with arcade games but had never held a joystick in his life. He was like a big kid, sitting in awe of the reality of c.g.i. weapons and heroes. In return, Hal had taken the boys on hikes, picnics in the surrounding woods, played touch football, baseball, and he had become a master at hide and seek. It was almost like love at first sight.
The boys had been under stress with their Daddy Ryan's illness and out of respect had chosen quiet games around the house, but now they could be rowdy, scream, whoop, and holler outside and Kyle was very grateful to Hal for bringing his two sons out of semi-depression. Occasionally, Kyle would stand at a window and watch Hal and the kids enjoying life. Hal proved to be a good companion for them and sometimes Kyle would imagine that it was Ryan playing roughneck; back from the grave, all well and continuing his fatherhood as if he'd never become ill. Hal often noticed Kyle looking at him and often mistook Kyle's glances as desire for him, not knowing that, all the while, Kyle was actually looking at Ryan. Hal was afraid to encourage Kyle's looks, so he would raise his hand with a friendly wave and go back to playing basketball or whatever game was at hand.
Very early one Friday morning, a tremendous rainstorm hovered over Briarwood with gigantic bolts of lightning, followed by crashing thunder and howling winds. Kyle, Hal, and the boys were sleeping in their respective bedrooms when Hal heard Petey scream and began to cry, Kyle didn't hear Petey but Hal rushed into the boys bedroom ASAP.
"What's wrong?" Hal asked. He was nude and hadn't bothered to dress and run to whatever emergency Petey had encountered.
"He's only frightened by the thunder," Danny explained.
Hal ran next to sit on the side of Petey's bed and pulled him into his chest to hold him. "There, there, big guy! It's only thunder. Uncle Hal won't let anything harm you." Petey felt safe in Hal's arms but continued to cry anyway. Hal stroked the back of Petey's head. "Is anything else wrong?"
Through his tears, Petey managed to utter, "Uh huh."
"What is it, big guy?"
"The rain...it's raining so hard. Do you think Daddy Ryan is getting wet?"
Hal suddenly understood the boy's concern. "No, no, your Daddy Ryan is all dry. Remember the...the metal box he was lying in? Well, that box went into a steel box and it was sealed air tight, and rain, snow, nor any kind of bad weather can get to him."
"Are you sure?"
"Scout's honor. I wouldn't lie to you, Petey. I won't and I never will."
"Will you sleep with me?"
"Uh, sure, just let me go to my room and get some pajama bottoms."
"Why? Daddy Kyle and Daddy Ryan don't bother to wear pajamas when THEY sleep with Danny and me."
"Yeah, but I'm not your daddy. I'm only your uncle and I think I'd better put something on."
Neither Hal nor the kids had seen Kyle standing in the doorway, observing Hal comforting Petey.
"It's all right, Hal," they heard Kyle say. "I know that the boys are perfectly safe. I trust you."
"Oh, Kyle, it's just..."
"Maybe you'd feel better with some clothes on. But since we've all become accustomed to seeing each other without clothes, it shouldn't matter if we should sleep the same way."
"Well, okay, if you're sure?"
"I'm totally sure. If the boys feel that close to you, we shouldn't make an issue out of clothing."
"I'll stay until Petey goes to sleep."
"Fine, but spend the whole night if you feel comfortable."
"Thanks, Kyle."
"No, thank you for making Danny and Petey feel safe and also for the explanation you gave Petey about Ryan's grave."
Kyle left the room and Hal eased under the covers with Petey's back to him in a spoon position. Danny had already gone back to sleep in spite of the noisy storm outside. Holding Petey in his arms made Hal think about how he used to hold Noah during a storm in Hawthorne. Petey felt safe and warm and was back to sleep in a very few minutes. Petey smacked his lips and gave a big sigh and slowly Hal sneaked out of the bed and tiptoed across the room, closing the door quietly as he left. He started back down the hall to his bedroom when he met Kyle coming up the stairway with a cup of cocoa in his hand.
"All quiet on the eastern front?" Kyle asked.
"For the time being anyway," Hal replied.
"Would you like some cocoa or a drink?"
"No, thanks."
"Would you like to come down to my bedroom and chat awhile?"
"If that's what you'd like," Hal said, "only let me put on some clothes before I come visitin'."
"What's with you and your clothes? The four of us have been parading naked around each other for a week, so why are you modest at four in the morning?"
"I shouldn't be, I guess. I mean, you're not a female of course, that shouldn't matter either. It never did back home."
"Then, if you trust me and trust yourself, come on down the way you are."
"All right, but it sure feels funny."
Hal followed Kyle down to the end of the hall to Kyle's bedroom. Hal was surprised to see a small fire burning in the grate of the fireplace.
"Oh, that's nice," Hal said, pointing toward the fire.
"Ryan and I always liked a small fire when it was raining. It helped to calm the storm. I've always found an open fire very relaxing. Of course before Ryan got sick, it was also very romantic."
"Oh, I know," Hal said. "I've made out on a hearth before. One time, I kept this girl too close to the fire. Well, I kept her on one side too long and she burned her butt. I had to put that sunburn medicine on her. I don't think I dated her much after that."
Ryan smiled. "You know, Hal, I love to hear you talk. Your accent occasionally sounds British, the way you soften your 'r's' at the end of words; then, the way you southerners describe every detail in every event that's ever happened to you."
"Heck, down south, we don't leave anything unspoken for guess work. We don't leave out a thing when we're tellin' somethin'."
Hal was completely relaxed being nude in front of Kyle. He only got concerned when Kyle's robe parted slightly and he noticed that Kyle was naked as well.
"Hal, speaking of 'down south'...maybe it's too soon for my asking, but how do you like Briarwood after living here almost two weeks?"
"I like it here, I REALLY do. You folks seem like southerners; you're all so friendly and you sorta go out of your way to make me happy."
"I'm glad to hear you say that because I know your losing Noah was just as painful as my losing Ryan."
"Actually, I think your loss is greater 'cause I only saw that little bugger when he came home from school. Ryan was with you all the time."
"But still, you lost the one you loved most, just as I did."
"At least I didn't have to see Noah suffer the way you had to watch Ryan. Noah was here alive and well one day and gone the next."
"That's the way I want to go 'sometimes there's God, quickly'."
"Pardon?"
"That's a line Blanche Dubois says in Tennessee Williams', 'A Streetcar Named Desire'."
"Oh, I saw that on TV with Marlon Brando. His sister-in-law was crazy as a bessie bug."
"Bessie bug? Is that from a movie?"
"Naw, it's something we say down south when someone goes loony. I guess if I hadn't had Jeff and you this week, I'd be crazy myself."
They paused for a warm smile passing between the two of them.
"I...I've watched you all week playing with Danny and Petey. They're starting to love you, you know."
"I...I've learned to care for them a lot, too. They remind me of Noah; two different sides of Noah."
"Have...have you been thinking about my offer to go on the trip with us?"
"Yeah."
"And...?"
"I still think you could find someone a lot better than me to go with you."
"Yes, but that 'someone' wouldn't be 'you' in the boys' eyes."
"It's just that...well, I...I don't feel educated enough. I've never been to any fancy places. If we should go to a restaurant, I wouldn't know which fork to use or which finger I should hold up in the air while I'm drinking tea."
"Good heavens, Hal, you make me sound like I'm royalty or something. You should have seen the home I came from. I wasn't rich until Roger, Cliff's companion, handed Kyle and me a fortune. I used to do some things that would make your hair stand on end just to pay for my dinner. I wasn't from a poor home in the south, but I was poor all the same. The four of us Briarwood Boys...Jay, Troy, Ryan and myself all had it rough. Before Roger, Cliff and Walter took us under their wings, separately, we all lived from hand to mouth, never sure where our next meal was coming from. No, none of us four was born wealthy. Ryan and I lived with Walter until this house, next door to him became available. Roger gave Troy and Jay enough money to buy a big estate anywhere in the world, but Jay will not leave Cliff and Roger. He loves living with them. Jay would feel empty if he couldn't act as their manservant."
"Gee, I didn't know. I just thought..."
"Hell, I didn't know a salad fork from a soup spoon when I first arrived here. I've just had a longer time to learn more than you've have."
"Then you don't think I'd embarrass you?"
"Not at all! To be perfectly frank, I couldn't care less whether you ever knew which fork to use. I just love the way the kids have taken to you and the way you treat them. You're wonderful with them!"
"All right, in that case...yes, I'll go with you!"
"That's terrific. The boys will jump for joy when they find out."
"I would hate to see them miss out on the trip you've planned."
"Now they won't have to miss it."
"Kyle, please don't read this the wrong way, but I...I really like you a lot. Steve was my best friend all my life. You know how the secret service men say they'd take a bullet for the President? Well, I'd've taken a bullet for Steve and he'd done the same for me."
"I'm sorry things didn't work out between you two."
"There was nothing to work out. We were as close as two friends could get. I had no idea he had gay ideas in his head. I don't think I felt about him that way, but then again, maybe if he'd let me know when we were fifteen or sixteen...well, who knows what might've happened."
"You mean, you MIGHT have loved him another way under different circumstances?"
"Kyle, you and Jeff opened my eyes to a lot of things. I mean, down home, 'queer' was queer. No one was gay, they were queer and we stayed away from them. I never beat any of 'em up like some guys did at Hawthorne High. I never hit anyone 'less he hit me first. But, seeing Jeff and you and the rest of the Briarwood Boys, I feel different. I mean you guys are REAL people, not freaks of nature. You guys seem to know what love is all about. I can feel it whenever any two of you are around one another. You just sorta radiate love when you meet. I've come to feel it myself and I don't even know all of you that well."
"I already know the answer, but you're handsome, a built hunk of muscle, any gay guy's dream. Has anyone tried to put the make on you or try to convert you to our way of thinking?"
"Shoot, no!"
"That's what most straight guys expect us to do."
"Yeah, but none of you have," he realized.
"And never will, Hal."
"Since I moved in here a week ago, I've done a lot of thinking at night when I go to bed."
"About what?"
"Thinking about how comfortable I feel when I'm around you. Thinking about Steve and Wade up in New Hampshire and wonderin' what they do when they go to bed at night. I often wondered how queers made out in bed and now when I think that's what my best friend is doin' every night, it doesn't frighten me as much. I guess love is love between two people, no matter what sex you are."
"You see, you're improving your education already."
"Mind you, I'm still not willing to try it myself, but if...if I meet some guy in Europe or elsewhere, I might be willing to give him a second look before I run away or want to hit him."
"You weren't too shy when we hugged in your bedroom, the day Jeff caught us."
"I know and I've done a bit of thinkin' about that, too."
"And did you reach a conclusion?"
"Sorta. I...I think if maybe we hadn't hugged on the day of Ryan's funeral, I mean, if we'd met for the first time and you were 'single'; I...I might have gone further only because it was you I hugged. When I held you in my arms, it didn't matter if you were male or female. You were just something warm and sad that I wanted to hold."
"You mean like a lost puppy?"
"Exactly!"
"Hal, Jeff has gone back home to Mackintosh; the boys are asleep; are you brave enough to try another hug?"
"Maybe, if we had clothes on."
:Damn it! What's with you and clothes?"
"At least IF I got excited, I could hide it in my pants."
"Getting excited goes with being a man. If you get excited, so what? Everyone gets excited; ALL men get excited for different reasons, most of all at night when they go to bed."
"I suppose."
"So are you man enough to embrace and not be embarrassed if you get excited?"
"I don't know. I can feel myself getting hard just talkin' about it."
"Well, you know I'm not going to rape you. You know you're strong enough to flatten me with one blow if I go too far."
"I'm not worried about you as much as I'm worried about myself."
"Oh?"
"Gosh darn it! I DO feel something for you, Kyle, and it scares the shit out of me!"
"I'm flattered and I'm pleased, Hal.'
"So if you're serious and willing to take a chance, I am too."
"Stand up."
Both of them arose from their chairs and Kyle unloosened his robe and let it fall to the floor. Slowly they approached each other until their arms went around the other's back. Unashamed by their nudity, they embraced in front of the fireplace. Half of each body glowed from the embers, the other half in total darkness. Each could feel the heart pounding against the other's chest. They each pulled back their head to see the other's eyes and gradually their faces neared...and they kissed.
"Oh, God, I've wanted to do this!" Hal whispered. "It's all I've thought about every night in bed."
"Me, too, Hal. I've needed someone to hold all week and I wanted it to be you. Did the kiss make you feel angry or awkward?"
"No, not at all."
Kyle kissed him again. Neither of them was aware of the storm outside any more.
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(To be continued in "Briarwood"---BOOK EIGHT--chapter-eighty-six)