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-seven
"Something must have happened to my heart just now.
Suddenly, my life's complete.
And you became the most important part just now;
I know and you know,
We two know.
This is it, my great romance.
I want to hang on to this one big chance.
You're mine; my loneliness dies.
I feel fine with stars in my eyes.
Oh, it builds me up to such a height
To know this is so very real and right.
And I thought love passed me by.
But I must admit this is it!"
"THIS IS IT!"
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Music by Arthur Schwartz
Written for Ethel Merman
For the Broadway musical,
"Stars In Your Eyes"
Copyright 1939
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Cliff didn't feel the need to defend his stand on gay marriage. The Constitutional Amendment proposed by the present White House administration had soundly been defeated in the U.S. Senate, but the topic was still hot with word that the House of Representatives would soon begin its own deliberation on the subject. Cliff had been asked to represent the gay side of a debate to be held on C-SPAN and he almost refused when he found out he would be challenged by not one but two members of the House. The odds were against him two to one, but after Roger spent almost an entire night twisting Cliff's arm and after the three phone calls he had received from Jeff in Mackintosh begging him to do it, Cliff finally gave in.
The debate would be taped, not a live broadcast, in Washington, D.C.. Cliff would've felt better if the odds were two against two, by having Jeff or Johnny be at his side of the table. After all, Jeff and Johnny had successfully debated Briarwood's Reverend Brindley years ago when Jeff was still in high school. Roger, although close by to Cliff, opted to sit in the visitor's gallery to observe.
Cliff's debating opponents were to be Representatives Olson and Kimberly from Texas and Kentucky, respectively. Both were right-wing conservatives and both were known for their long orations, easily being able to talk for hours during a filibuster. Cliff confidently knew he could not change either of their viewpoints, nor they, his. It could easily turn into a shouting match on their part, but not Cliff's as he seldom ever raised his voice.
Ken, Cliff's secretary at St. Genesius, asked Cliff if he should jot down a few note cards and Cliff politely refused. Everything Cliff had to say about gay marriage or ANY gay topic was embedded into his mind and Cliff was a whiz at both long and short-term memory recall. He didn't need notes as he could speak extemporaneously about gay life at will.
Carson Williams from Newsweek was to be the moderator for the discussion. Fortunately for Cliff's sake, Carson leaned toward the left of Conservatism and could perhaps help Cliff should he need it. The newscast was to be taped on Wednesday and played back the following Sunday morning an hour before NBC's 'Meet The Press', CBS's 'Face The Nation', and ABC's 'This Week With George Stephanopoulos', which also happened to be during the second mass at St. Genesius. Cliff had urged his members who wanted to watch to either tape the program on their VCR or DVD recorders or try to attend one of the other two masses, either at 7:00 or 11:00 AM. After all, Cliff didn't want to become his own rival for his congregation's attention.
Tuesday evening, the night before Cliff's flight to Washington, Roger and Cliff had a long discussion about the subject of gay marriage with multiple interruptions from Jay who said, 'he wished to hell, HE was going so that he could clean Olson and Kimberly 'cocks'...er 'CLOCKS', making a 'Jay' joke.
Cliff, having been gay all of his adult life, had no difficulty in defending his lifestyle. His main concern was WHY he should have to defend it? The 'straight' crowd wasn't required to defend their beliefs for theirs was accepted as the 'norm'. This whole affair of going on national TV to squabble over differences which affected absolutely no one's life irritated Cliff, but being the kind leader of the faith among his parishioners, he felt it his duty to plant his sword and banner on the battlefield and take a stand.
The flight to Washington was uneventful, which was fine with Cliff. It allowed him time to collect his thoughts, assembling them in a mental folder of facts. He arrived at the television studio feeling relaxed and ready. Carson Williams introduced Cliff to Representatives Olsen and Kimberly only five minutes before air time. They had been secluded from one another as soon as they arrived at the studio to avoid a chance meeting before taping time. In this way, anything they had to say to one another would be fresh and never said before.
One of the C-SPAN techs wired microphones to the three guests and seated them at a round table with Carson separating the opposing sides...Cliff on one side and Olsen and Kimberly on the other.
The lights and camera started, followed by a trumpet fanfare and then the videocam focused on Carson who proceeded to introduce his guests and announce the topic of discussion...'Pros and cons of gay marriage'.
Though Cliff was outnumbered two to one, Rep. Olsen was given the opportunity to speak to Cliff first.
"Reverend? I hope you won't mind if I refer to you as Reverend. I only use the word 'father' when referring to my late dad or my heavenly Father."
"I don't mind. If it'll make you more comfortable, you can call me 'mister' or even by my given name, 'Cliff'."
"That's very kind of you, but since you are a 'degreed' theologian, you do deserve the respect of a title. So it shall be 'Reverend'."
"Thank you," Cliff replied cordially.
"Reverend?" Olsen began again, "I have heard statements or rumors to the effect that you are not only an ordained minister of the gospel, but a practicing homosexual as well. Would you care to comment?"
'Damn! A personal attack from the get-go!' Cliff thought to himself, but verbally, he answered, "Yes, I'm an ordained catholic Anglican minister or priest and, yes, I am homosexual for which I was not officially ordained, even though I am gay by God's will."
The last part of Cliff's remark surprised the two congressmen, one coughed while the other reached for a sip of water.
"Did I hear you correctly, Reverend, that you're homosexual by God's will?"
"I said, 'gay' but yes, I'm homosexual by God's will if that's what you prefer to call it. Do you think that you're straight or heterosexual because of God's will?"
"Of course. That's the way all men have been created since Adam."
"ALL MEN, Congressman?"
"From my viewpoint, yes."
Cliff spoke up before Olsen could begin once more, "Mr. Williams, I realize that there were no ground rules set in this open panel discussion, so I would like to interject a question or two to the honorable Representative at this point."
"Go ahead, Father Cliff," Cameron said.
"Thank you. Now, Congressman Olsen, you implied from your personal viewpoint that all men since Adam were created to be heterosexual, thus making all men the same. Am I correct?"
"Yes, but..."
"Then, if ALL men were supposed to be the same since Adam, which of Eve's children were black, brown, yellow, or red? Was Cain black? What about his wife? Was she black? And if all the world's inhabitants descended from Eve AND Adam, then there must have been a great deal of incestuous relations once Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden. I suppose you count incest as being as sinful as homosexuality or if not, what is your viewpoint on incest?"
"It's wrong! The Bible tells us so."
"I see, then from what unknown tribe did Cain's wife descend? Was there a second Garden with another Adam and Eve?"
"I...I'm afraid theology is not a subject I pursued in college. I'm afraid you'd know more about that than I."
"Thank you, Congressman. I'd also like you to tell me why, in addition to having different colors of skin, there are so many languages spoken around the world."
"Why, the Tower of Babel, of course," Olsen replied, confidently.
"For the benefit of a few atheists or non-biblical scholars in the audience, would you briefly relate the story of the Tower of Babel?"
"Well, it seems that the people of that time were trying to outsmart God and they wanted to build a tower to heaven...against God's wishes...and as soon as the Almighty discovered their plot, He came down from heaven and punished them by making each of their languages different, so if one who spoke French asked someone who spoke Spanish for a hammer, the Spanish speaking person had no idea what he was asking for and thus, by lack of verbal communication, they were forced to end their building project...and THAT'S why, today, we all speak different languages in foreign countries."
"Thank you for your explanation, Congressman, but let me ask you a more modern question."
"All right."
"I suppose you and Congressman Kimberly are familiar with the Hubbell telescope?"
"Certainly, I voted for the bill to fund it."
"So did I," chimed in Rep. Kimberly.
"Then I suppose you saw recently that it was now taking pictures beyond our immediate universe to galaxies billions and billions of miles from earth."
"Yes, and I think it's marvelous!"
"Then I ask, how tall had the Tower been built before God stopped them? A billion miles tall? As high as the Sears Tower, the World Trade Center. or the Empire State Building?"
"No, of course not. They weren't capable of building structures that high."
"So you think God felt threatened by a six story tall tower?"
"It was rather that they were building it against His will."
"And...POOF! People began to speak French, Spanish, Swahili, Russian, Italian, and Arabic all at once? Is that what you believe?"
"Yes! Yes, I DO!"
"And all these people who were black, yellow, and other colors were descended from Eve?"
"Yes, yes, they were."
"Were all these people alike or different?"
"They were different...as they are today."
"So you're freely admitting that God made different people, different ways?"
"Of course."
"Then why do you NOT believe that God could make homosexuals as well as heterosexuals?"
"Because people are NOT born homosexual. They choose to be that way!"
"If you had a son, do you think he'd choose to go through life being made fun of by his peers, or being denied a good job or the chance to live in a nice home in a nice neighborhood? You think he'd choose to live in constant fear that around the next corner he might meet up with a band of gay-bashers who could permanently injure him or even cost him his life? You think he'd CHOOSE that?"
"Reverend, let me assure you that my son would NEVER choose that! I wouldn't permit it!"
"What would happen if he were to reveal to you that he WAS gay?"
"I'd get him professional help!"
"You mean as in the 1950's and the 1960's when homosexuality was thought of as a mental illness."
"It still is, as far as I'm concerned."
"You're aware that in those days, in THIS country, that a gay person could be arrested, particularly in the South, and committed to an asylum?"
"That was a bit uncivilized. We know MORE today and we have clinics and therapists to treat them instead of confining them to an institution."
"You'd be willing to send your son to a therapist and treat him for some kind of psychosis just to make him adopt your heterosexual point of view?"
"Yes, for as long as it took."
"Congressman, I was all but forced by you to admit I'm gay, to state it on national television. I would like you to look at me closely and declare that I'm mentally ill. Will you do that?"
"Reverend, we're not here to point fingers and make accusations."
"But you already have!"
"You see, I look at you as some kind of demon, Reverend. Although you say you teach the gospels of Christ, you are teaching them how to be immoral and get forgiveness for their sinful habits."
"Let's talk about gay marriage, if you don't mind. Since I've only been focusing on you, let me direct a few ideas or questions to Congressman Kimberly."
"Very well, sir, I'm ready," Kimberly replied, smiling in a haughty way.
"Congressman, I've read where you approve of domestic unions but not gay marriages. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"I would like to ask you what constitutes a marriage? Is it a large or small ceremony in church? Is it when two people appear before a justice of the peace or a notary public and the engaged couple are only asked one question each and then the notary public says something to the effect, 'by the power vested to me by the state, you are pronounced man and wife'. Is it the legal ceremony or are they married in the eyes of the law as soon as they both sign the marriage license at the courthouse? I repeat, 'what ceremony constitutes a marriage if it can be performed just as legally by a notary or a ship's captain at sea?"
"I...I suppose it's legal as soon as they registered their marriage with the state or the county."
"Just a piece of paper...no ceremony?"
"I suppose."
"Then this ONE document makes it legal for them to have 'legal' children and if they should desire to get a divorce, this same piece of paper allows the couple to split their earthly wealth, sometimes followed with alimony and child support. But in another way of looking at it, if one of them were to die, this very same document allows the remaining partner to inherit everything unless otherwise stated in a prenuptial agreement."
"That's the way the law is read in most states."
"Then why shouldn't a domestic partner, a partner who has lived his live with HIS partner for many years, be allowed to inherit his partner's properties? Is it THAT document that keeps the survivor from receiving what I believe is rightly owed to him?"
"Reverend, you seemed to forget that we, both Congressman Olsen and myself, are agreeable to domestic partnerships. What we're discussing here is the holy vow of matrimony. I'm sure the Anglican Church honors that."
"That's correct, we do. But in the church where I preside as rector, we honor civil unions the same way."
"But not marriages?"
"Congressman, just what IS a marriage? A legal document as I described or a showy ceremony?"
"By referring to a marriage as a showy ceremony, are you indicating that you're opposed to marriage?"
"On the contrary, but I DO think that marriages through the centuries are nothing more than expensive epics. My longtime companion has always expressed a belief that the two most needless expenses in a person's life are a full-scale church wedding and a funeral. A marriage is nothing more than a waste of money which could instead perhaps make a down payment on a house or automobile for a newly-wedded couple. The least expensive wedding can cost the bride's family ten-thousand dollars, but usually goes much higher. For example, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's wedding cost a flat million dollars. The heads of state around the world spend millions more than that. Are they any more joined in matrimony than the couple years ago who spent two dollars for a marriage at a courthouse? My partner used to say that all marriages should be tossed into the middle of an ocean and replaced by civil unions. You realize, of course, that over fifty percent of all marriages in this country end in divorce in a year's time. If the heterosexual world can't regard marriage as a holy institution, why should we promote a potential disaster? Why can't gay couples who've proved their love and devotion to one another for five, ten, twenty-five, or even forty years be given the chance to see if their vows can outlast the ones for whom marriage is legal?
"I somehow doubt your statistics on divorce, Reverend," Kimberly said.
"Then, if you'll pardon my saying so, you apparently haven't done your homework!"
"I realize that since you are gay, you'd have difficulty in seeing what gay marriages could do to the morality of the country, not to mention what other doors it might open!"
"Sir, if your next door neighbor's son or daughter enters into a gay relationship, what harm will it cause you personally?"
"Well, it could lead to polygamy or in an extreme example, bestiality."
"Let's take your extreme example. If a person lives fifteen years happily with a pet and even wishes to marry his pet, how is that going to harm you personally? Fifteen years of life-long love and devotion certainly beats a divorce inside of one year."
"It's just not a part of God's plan...and you should know that better than I."
"Congressman, I don't mean this as an insult, but I can only assume that you are a few years older than I...and I seem to recall in history back in the 50's and early 60's, the watch cry was 'miscegenation' screamed across the country from Governor Faubus of Arkansas all the way to Governor Wallace of Alabama. Both leaders were convinced that God made men in different colors and that was his plan for them to stay that way. A white man couldn't dream of marrying a black woman, no matter how much they were in love, because it was against God's law. It was even worse for a black man to love a white woman. That was grounds for a lynching. Both governors believed firmly that if schools were desegregated, it would be just a matter of time before there would no longer be two races. God forbid, if the door was ever opened for the two races to intermarry, we'd soon all be tan...no more blacks and no more whites. Then along came Senator Hubert Humphrey who proposed to President Kennedy and later to President Johnson, after much encouragement from Dr. Martin Luther King, that all schools be integrated on a national level. Bigots came out of the woodwork en masse to protest. But fortunately, by the grace of God, their cries were unheeded and we did integrate the country. Now, fifty years have passed and guess what? We still have two races of equal rights. We didn't all turn tan during the next five generations.
"In the old days which were often ruled by ignorance, blacks were put to death and gays were carted off to asylums, this done by men hiding behind their interpretation of God's law. Unfortunately, during the civil rights movement, the gays didn't have a black knight to champion their cause. We still don't! When Senator Ted Kennedy speaks up for gays in the Senate, he is labeled a liberal, which by today's standards is a terrible thing. I would like to say that, in my opinion, Jesus Christ, whom you quote and after whom you pattern your lives, was probably the original liberal. He helped all men and all creatures, no matter what their faith, color, or sexual orientation. When the harlot was about to be stoned, who was the one person who came to her defense to save her? Can you honestly say that Jesus wouldn't stand up for the oppressed people today as He did 2000 years ago? When I say, 'oppressed', I'm talking about the gay population, as they seem to be the centermost oppressed people today. I'm not a betting man, but I'd wager my front row seat in heaven that Jesus would be the champion of gay rights. Yes, the same Jesus you worship, not one that men have made up!"
"But, Reverend, the Bible plainly states in Leviticus..."
"I knew you would bring up Leviticus. Do you follow all the rules in that book of the Bible and just that ONE?"
"Pardon?"
"Do you eat shell fish? Have you ever had sex with your wife while she was having her period? According to Leviticus, your wife should be stoned. There are many things, minor things, mentioned in Leviticus which could cause you to lose your lives. The verse stating that men shouldn't lie with men is only one SMALL offense. I would recommend that you follow ALL the rules set forth in Leviticus and see how much danger YOU'RE in."
Cameron interjected, "Gentlemen, it seems that our time is up for this discussion. We seemed to have ended at a stalemate, but I'm sure our viewers have been given a lot to think about by the topics that were brought up. I hope you'll forgive me, Father Cliff, but before we end this program, I'd like to ask a question on a related subject you mentioned but didn't elaborate on."
"Please ask," Cliff said.
"You said that your longtime partner is opposed to funerals as well as marriage ceremonies. Am I correct?"
"I'm speaking of Roger Cole for whom the Cole Institute was named and founded."
"The Institute which does AIDS research?"
"The one and the same," Cliff said, proudly. "Roger is a person of great wealth and used his money wisely. He hopes everyone would follow his example and invest his or her money wisely as well. It is his firm belief that spending money on elaborate funerals is a 'rip off' by the funeral directors. Funerals are a spectacle where everyone tried his best to show his love for the deceased with a monetary measure. Roger also feels that, too often, funeral directors take advantage of the departed one's family by making them feel guilty unless they purchase the finest metallic coffins, steel vaults, ornate grave markers, and the largest array of floral displays their credit cards will allow. Often, the families are told, 'You'll feel better knowing that poor old John's body is safe and dry in the ground but, more important, you'll have the security of knowing you've bought the best possible funeral and honored him the in best way you knew how'. The spirit or life force of John is gone. He's not in that casket which is only seen for a day or two before it's piled over with dirt. 'What a waste!', Roger says...as he did about a five-thousand dollar wedding gown and thousand dollar bridesmaid dresses to be worn once and packed away in mothballs forever...even more wasteful if the marriage lasted shorter than a year as is too often the case. Roger is a billionaire and his money is being used mostly for medical research; he hates to see a less-than-rich person spend his life savings on a funeral or on a wedding."
"Thank you for that answer," Cameron said. Then he looked back into the camera and concluded, "I want to thank the three of you and perhaps we can continue this discussion at a later date. I would like you to stay tuned for 'Washington Journal' which follows immediately."
The telecast was over. However much harm or good Cliff had accomplished could only be weighed in the future. Olsen and Kimberly were extremely angry that Cliff had monopolized most of the discussion and the two of them turned to exit from the studio without so much as shaking hands with the gay priest.
Cameron thanked Cliff, once the two of them were alone.
"You know, I can't take sides during a debate or discussion, but you certainly made many winning points."
"Thanks, Cameron, I appreciate that," Cliff said, taking Cameron's hand and looking deeply into Cameron's eyes. Then on a final note, Cliff added, "You don't have to respond...I don't want you to...but I have a feeling I was speaking for you."
Cameron dropped his eyes, slightly embarrassed. "Am I that much of a dead giveaway?"
"Not at all," Cliff said, kindly. "You see, in my parish, I have a large group of young men from all walks of life. They call themselves the Briarwood Boys and what I've seen in their eyes, I saw in yours."
"You...uh...won't reveal what you know about me?"
"No, Cameron, how could I? I'm a priest, don't you remember?"
"Thanks, Father Cliff."
"If you're ever near Briarwood, you'll always be welcome to celebrate communion at St. Genesius."
"I'd like that..."
"So would I," Cliff said as he left the studio. He was looking forward to getting a much-needed drink on the plane. There were many more things he wished he had said on the program, but he was confident that before gay marriages were approved, he would have many more debates in the future.
Although the noise wasn't measured on a Richter scale, a din of cheers could be heard from Mackintosh, New Hampshire, to New York City, in the apartment of Rob and Timmy, to Briarwood as Cliff had made his point. Unbeknownst to Cliff, shouts of praise could be heard from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco, the two gay capitals of the world.
Roger was standing in the Congressional rotunda for Cliff, Jeff, and Johnny. He met them with open arms. Embracing Cliff, he said, "I feel like as Hubert Humphrey would put it, 'I'm proud as punch!'."
The members of St. Genesius who had taped Cliff's CSPAN broadcast hurried home to watch it after the Sunday 9:30 and 11:00 masses. By noon, Cliff's phone was ringing off the hook with words of praise and congratulations from as many callers as were lucky enough to get a call through to him. Cliff didn't consider himself an idol or a hero, for he had just spoken his mind and his honest beliefs on national TV, just as he had when he had expressed them many times from his pulpit.
In honor of his TV appearance, Jay had gone to a trophy shop in downtown Briarwood and had a gold-plated statuette molded in the shape of an Emmy except this Emmy was called 'Emmett', a male figure with the genital area completely exposed. Jay planned to present it to Cliff at a Sunday lunch to which he had invited Roger, Billy, Troy, Mike, Tom, Lee, Jake, as well as Kyle, Hal, Danny and Pete. The luncheon would actually serve a dual purpose: it was primarily for Cliff, but it would also be a bon voyage to Kyle, Hal, Danny and Pete, who were leaving for Europe in three days.
Jay had been suspicious of Kyle's new relationship with Hal ever since he had babysat for the children. He had kept his thoughts secret even from Troy, which in itself was a small miracle, for Jay was seldom capable of keeping a secret. Jay always wanted to reveal any new 'dishy' item to prove that he had known about it before anyone else. And so, in his controlling spirit, at the long dinner table, everyone was seated next to his significant other except for Kyle and Hal. Jay had arranged for Danny and Pete to sit between Kyle and Hal for in his semi-demonical mind, Jay wanted everyone else to visualize the four as being a family or potential family. To Jay, Kyle and Hal made a wonderful couple and fantastic parents for the two boys.
When the group of Briarwood boys were seated at the table, Kyle reached to tuck a napkin under Danny's chin while, at the same time, Hal tucked Pete's napkin in in the same manner. Jay was hoping that the others at the table would observe the new duo and their fatherly procedure and that all would sit back and say, 'mmh huh', to themselves. Jay's connivance seemed to pay off as everyone became aware of the family portrait Jay had posed at the table, that is, except for Jake and Lee who didn't know Kyle's situation that well. For as much as all the Briarwood clan had loved Ryan, they loved Kyle equally, and if he'd found happiness in such a short time after Ryan's death, then all were happy for him and the kids...and for Hal.
As Jay began to bring the lunch dishes from the kitchen to the table, he remarked, "Well, Cliff, since you're now the national spokesperson for gay marriage, how many bookings did you take over the phone?"
Cliff laughed, "Probably more that I could perform in my lifetime. You know my main purpose wasn't so much to be an advocate for gay marriage. I realize I've performed ceremonies for practically all of you boys seated at this table. Personally, I could live with civil unions or domestic partnerships as long as they would provide the same legal benefits that heterosexual marriages do."
Roger spoke up, "Did I really say all those things about the expense of marriages and funerals? God knows. I wasn't sure if I had verbalized it or you had read my mind, Cliff."
"To be honest, I'm not sure either. I DO know I was quoting your thoughts. I know I'm bound to receive tons of hate mail from wedding boutiques, dress designers, florists, caterers, and a multitude of wedding planners, but I've often wondered why this is such an important day for a bride. Is it because her family, her friends, or even her fiance have never shown her the attention she desires? Does her dad or guardian have to hand out a ton of money just to build up her self esteem or make her feel pretty for an hour or two?"
Roger joked, "Baby, you could give us both a reputation of being a wedding "Scrooge"...with all that 'humbug' hoopla."
"Maybe so, but like you, Rog, I've never been one to keep my opinions to myself. I guess we've lived around Jay too long."
"That's right, blame it on me!" Jay retorted.
"All right, how do you feel about large fancy expensive weddings?" Cliff asked Jay.
"I hate them! Mostly because I couldn't wear a long white gown at my wedding."
"Jay, you're supposed to be a virgin to wear white," Troy joked.
"Well, maybe off-white, then...?" Jay responded humorously.
"How about off-off-off-white...closer to battleship gray?" Troy commented.
"KYLE! HAL! Please put your hands over Danny and Petey's ears," Jay commanded.
Going along with the joke, Hal and Kyle obliged Jay's wish long enough for Jay to say, "Asshole!" to Troy...'but the asshole I love most in the world!"
Everyone laughed out loud.
Tom looked across the table and said, "Kyle, when are you leaving?"
"Wednesday morning, Tom."
"Is there anything you need that Mike or I could help you with?"
"Not really, but maybe..."
"What?"
"I have arranged for a limousine to take the four of us to the airport. It WOULD be nice if you or you and Mike drove us, that is, if you're not busy..."
"We'd love to, right, Mike?"
"Absolutely!"
"Just tell us the time, Kyle, and we'll be there."
Roger interjected, "Tom, if you like, you can use one of the limousines in the garage."
"That's great, Mr. Cole! Thanks," Mike spoke with excitement.
"Could I say something?" Roger said.
"Everyone here is one of Cliff's and my Briarwood Boys. So why do I keep hearing, 'Father Cliff' and MISTER Cole? I feel as if I'm some outsider. You can call me 'Roger' or 'Uncle Roger', but please don't hurt my feelings by calling me 'MISTER'."
All the 'Boys' looked at one another and in unison, replied, loudly, "YES, UNCLE ROGER!" and they all laughed.
"THERE!" Roger said, smiling, "That wasn't so difficult, was it?"
"Tom, Roger tells me you're going to go to work for him at the Institute." Cliff said,
"Father, I haven't told 'UNCLE' Roger yet, but I'm afraid if I go to work there, he's gonna get a package deal..."
"OH?" Roger inquired.
"'Uncle' Roger, after I left you and Troy at the Institute, I came home to tell Mike about it and...well, he wants to be my assistant...with no additional salary... if it meets with your approval..."
"Tom, Mike is like the 'star patient' of the Institute. His recovery from HIV made national news and I can think of no one who could assist you better."
Mike quickly chimed in, "'Uncle' Roger, and I even thought up a name for the project!"
"You did?"
"Yeah, I told Tom that it should be called, 'Make My Day'!"
"Wasn't that Dirty Harry's line?"
"Yeah, but think how it fits. 'Make My Day' can be a double...what's that word?"
"Entendre..." Tom said, quietly.
"Yeah, that's it! Double 'ontoward'--is that the word?--well, something with two meanings. If we grant a wish, it'll not only make the patient's day, it'll make ours as well by helping someone."
"I think I rather like that, Mike. You've come up with a wonderful name!" Roger replied. "Troy, did they speak to you about finding a larger office for the two of them?"
"Not yet, Roger," Troy replied. "This is all news to me, but I'm sure we can arrange it."
"No, Troy," Tom said, "the one you gave me is big enough for Mike and me both. We like working closely together."
"All right, but if you need anything...you just name it!" Troy replied.
It was Cliff's turn to speak, "Tom! Mike! I am so proud of both of you. I thank God for healing Mike and even more, I thank Him for bringing the two of you together. I've seen for years how He's blessed Jay and Troy, Rob and Timmy in New York, and of course, Kyle and Ryan who shared so many years of happiness together... Roger and I are not too far off from our silver anniversary."
"Will you shut the heck up!" Roger snarled. "We only met five years ago. Maybe it just seems like twenty-five years to you, but I feel as if we're still on our honeymoon."
Cliff continued, somewhat ignoring Roger's remarks, "We have so much for which to be thankful. I'm sure that Hal, Jake, and Lee, and our new son, Billy, will be provided with the same kind of joy." Cliff directed the last part of his remark especially to Hal while looking back and forth at him and Kyle, surreptitiously.
Jake and Lee sat quietly through lunch, awestruck by the elegant interior of Cliff's home. Even though it was a noontime meal, Jay had put formal place settings in front of each guest consisting of three knives, three forks, five spoons, three plates piled on top of one another, two crystal goblets, and several smaller saucer-like dishes. The two young Texans didn't know which of what to pick up next. After some kind of a brown soup was served with snail-like objects floating around in it, Jay served everyone a salad which resembled a 'tomato surprise'...nothing more than a beefsteak tomato quartered and stuff with something with a strong fishy odor which Lee discovered later was a combination of lobster and squid.
For the entree, Jay had roasted tiny individual pheasants with no more than three or four bites of meat on the carcasses. The treat was on the insides of the small birds...a dressing Jay had made of wild rice and walnuts marinated in white creme de menthe. Side dishes included vegetables of honey-ginger glazed carrots and lyonnaise potatoes. He had also selected a Swiss Chardonnay to drink with the meal.
Jake and Lee eyed the meal of grandeur set before them and both were wishing they were eating tacos from home. Mike looked at his two housemates to see the distraught and puzzled expressions on their faces and leaned next to Jake to whisper, "Just play with your food and pretend to eat it. Tom and I can stop at Wendy's on the way back home." Lee smiled and related Mike's message to his brother and they both seemed to relax.
Billy was also quiet on the outside, but he was excited that he was being served 'grown-up' wine for lunch. Billy had also found it difficult to keep his eyes off Jake. It had been Lee who saved Billy from a gay-bashing at school which had transformed Lee into Billy's champion, but Billy had never gotten to know Jake that well. He certainly wanted to pursue a friendship with Jake as Billy's young 'gaydar' was indicating a high reading from Jake's presence.
After Jay served his mango mousse desert, he cleared most of the dishes from the table and opened a telegram from Walter and David who were vacationing in the Bahamas. The two had seen the telecast and sent their heartiest wishes and congratulations to Cliff for his usual 'Carpe Diem' ability.
Next Jay went into the den to turn the stereo speakers to their highest level and played the first band of "John Williams' Olympic Fanfare" CD, loud enough to be heard in Athens...Athens, Greece, not Athens, Georgia, in preparation for presenting Cliff with the "Emmett" which Jay had kept hidden on a tray underneath a napkin.
Jay made the presentation a huge to-do by listing a group of names of people eligible for the award, including Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson, Bill O'Reilly, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Sean Hannity, and finally Cliff for outstanding talk show guest. Jay announced Cliff as the winner, Billy threw confetti in the air, everyone applauded and Jay gave Cliff the trophy. Everyone burst into laughter when Emmett's genitalia were revealed. Even Jay was surprised by the little joke the award maker had played on him, for Emmett was displaying a rather large but full erection.
Jay squealed when he saw Emmett's organ. "My God, if I had noticed that, I'd've kept it in my room for myself and ordered a huge floral wreath for you, Cliff! I just know how much you ADORE getting floral arrangements!"
When the luncheon party was over, Tom, Mike, Lee, and Jake were the first to leave, but only after Billy had drawn Jake aside and invited him back to the house soon to play video games in his private bedroom.
Kyle and Hal said their goodbyes to Cliff, Roger, Jay, and Troy just in case they didn't see each other before they and the kids departed for Europe in three days. It had been a grand party for Cliff, Roger and for everyone. The Briarwood boys always welcomed any and every chance they could get to assemble.
Kyle was the last to leave and Cliff drew him near to say, "Kyle, I know how empty your heart has felt since Ryan left us. I can also see that you've grown attached to Hal. If you find that he's the one to fill a small part of your heart, then love him with all our blessings. It would take a fool not to see how much the kids love him already. Hal will be good for them and if you should fall in love with him, I can see that Hal will return your love in kind. He's a good guy, a little shy about all he's seen since coming here, but each of us went through a period of adjustment as we found one another. Be safe and have a grand time!"
"Thanks, Cliff. I prayed that I wasn't moving too fast with Hal. As you know, he says he's always been hetero and finding himself falling in love with a man is strange to him, but I feel in my heart that he does love me and the boys."
"Roger and I feel it, too...and God knows, Jay feels it. I had to stop him when he returned from your house the other day. He was ready to take you to Macy's and register your silver and china patterns."
"Good old Jay, he seems to know more about our lives than we do ourselves."
"I love you, son."
"I'll always love you, Cliff."
"Now go before we both start crying and Jay will start dabbing Preparation H under my eyes to hide the puffiness before I go back to the church for evening vespers."
Kyle left, smiling and happy, looking forward to the next chapter of his life.
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Hal had buckled Danny and Petey's seatbelts in the back seat of the Lexus by the time Kyle got to the car. Hal was seated on the passenger's side and Kyle walked around to him and opened the door.
"What? You want me to get out for something?" Hal asked.
"Yes, I want you to drive," Kyle said.
"I've never driven a car as...as luxurious as this."
"I know, that's why I'd like you to start getting used to it."
"Well, if you insist?"
"'Insist' is rather a strong word. It sounds like I'm ordering you to drive."
"Okay, what if I say, I'll drive if that'll make you happy?"
"It would make me very happy." As Hal got out of the passenger's seat, Kyle's hand almost accidentally touched his.
"All right, but I'll take it slow. The last thing in the world I want to do is put a dent in it. It'd probably cost the price of my old Ford to fix it."
Hal started the car and drove down Cliff's long driveway, turned right, and headed toward home. The kids were watching the new "Shrek-2" DVD in the backseat, totally absorbed and not listening to Kyle and Hal's conversation.
"Hal, would you stop worrying about money by putting a price tag on everything?"
"Kyle, I've never had more than five-hundred dollars at one time in my life."
"What would you do if you suddenly found out you had five million?"
"First, IF I ever got over the shock, I'd probably find me the right person, get married, have a couple of kids and drive off into the sunset to live happily ever after."
"The sun sets in the west, doesn't it?"
"Always has."
"Then, how far west do you want to go?"
"Oh...as far as the Pacific Ocean, I guess, then catch a boat and go all the way to China."
"Do you like Chinese food?"
"I had some chow mein once."
"Did you like it?"
"It tasted kinda like chicken stew with a lot of bean sprouts. It was kinda bland though."
"Ha! I don't care much for it either."
"Kyle, why did you say 'five million'? I thought you said Roger gave you and Ryan a million dollars..."
"That was before Ryan found out how to invest in the stock market."
"You mean he turned a cool million into five?"
"No, a lot more."
"Jesus!"
"I told you that money was no object between us. I'm not belittling you but where did you buy the trousers you're wearing?"
"Wal-Mart."
"Let's put Wal-Mart aside and go shopping tomorrow at L.L. Bean's and get you a new wardrobe."
"You're...you're not ashamed of the way I dress, are you?"
"Of course not, nothing about you makes me feel ashamed. I want you to know how if feels to own a few of the nicer things in life which you can now afford."
"Kyle, I don't want to become your son where you think you have to buy things for me. I have my credit cards and can buy my own things...things which I KNOW I can afford."
"I was gonna save these until we got on the plane Wednesday but I'll give them to you now..."
Kyle pulled his wallet from his pocket and got three see-through plastic credit cards embossed with Hal's name and handed them to him.
"What are these?" Hal asked.
"American Express, Visa, and MasterCard, they belong to you. Whatever you charge or want to buy, the balance will be deducted from a joint bank account with yours and my name on it."
"Are you serious?"
"That seems to be your favorite question to ask me," Kyle said, amused. "I'm always serious when I talk to you."
"But a joint account? That's for two people who are..."
"Go ahead, fill in the blank. People who are..."
"Are you saying that you and me..."
"That's two empty blanks now. Keep going and you'll have a whole page to fill out."
"I guess what I'm trying to ask is, are you sure you wanna enter into a relationship...the two of us?"
"Only if you're agreeable to it."
"I...I've already said I love you."
"And I said the same to you."
"But were we BOTH serious?"
"There you go again! Yes, I was definitely serious. Now it's my time to ask--were you serious?"
"More serious than I've ever been in my entire life."
"Well, at least that's settled."
"But...these credit cards and a joint bank account. It's all YOUR money."
"It's now OUR money."
"I...I don't know what to say!"
"Nothing, just keep your eyes on the road. However, if you SHOULD dent the fender, you can buy a new car tomorrow and charge it to American Express."
"This is fuckin' unbelievable...oops, I hope the kids didn't hear me say that!"
"I don't think they did. They both have their headphones on."
"Kyle?"
"Yes?"
"You REALLY want me? You're sure?"
"Since the first day I met Ryan, I've always been sure of everything I do. Now what about me? Are you sure that you want me? I mean, after all, I AM a man."
"I was sure of my feelings for you ever since we slept naked together the other night. It didn't bother me, instead I loved feeling your huge sex organ against mine. It excited me and after I got used to it, it felt normal. I...I wasn't sure what to do, but I had an urge to slide down and put it in my mouth and make love to you."
"I wanted to do the same thing to you but I was afraid you'd jump out of bed, run to your car, and head toward North Carolina before you could stop."
"I guess we're both just a couple of kids...probably younger than Danny and Pete."
"I have a wonderful idea."
"What?"
"After dinner and the Sunday night TV shows that the kids love to watch, why don't we plan on going to bed as soon as they're tucked in and see what transpires in our bedroom?"
"Good Lord! Do we have to wait that long?"
"Yes, it'll give you time to decide what you want to do...or how far we want to go."
"You know you have the upper hand in the male/male sex department?"
"I hope only for a short while. From what I gather, you used to be pretty hot with the Hawthorne women."
"I was pretty good, yes."
"Then, why don't you take charge and show me what you did to them?"
"I don't know if I can with you."
"I'll make you a deal. I'll let you do anything you want to me, barring chains, leather, and whips, if you'll let me have the same freedom with you. We can take it as slow or as fast as you want. I'll do anything that you ask of me, but I get to reciprocate."
"Are you serious?"
"Oh, Jesus!"
Hal laughed. "I'm sorry. I know damned well you're serious! So am I!"
"Then we have a deal?"
"Signed in blood," Hal replied, excitedly. "You realize I won't be able to eat a bite of dinner!"
"Then we'll have a midnight supper. How's that?"
"Kyle, do you have any idea how happy I am right at this moment?"
"Yes, because I'm feeling the same way."
"I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but I'd love to see the expression on my friend Steve's face when he finds out that I'm gonna have a gay lover...and what's more, I'm gonna be one myself."
"Maybe we can visit him after we return from our trip!"
"My God! I almost forgot about the trip. I'd just as soon stay home and spend a month in bed making love to you...once I learn how..."
"Hal, we can make love in the London fog, under Paris skies, in the snows of Switzerland, or in a pagoda in Japan...any place we want...and as often as we desire."
"What about Danny and Pete. Won't they resent me trying to take Ryan's place in their lives?"
"No. No one will ever do that, but they'll have a new spot in their hearts, especially for you."
"Are you ser...sorry...do you think so?"
"Would you believe it if I told you I heard Petey referring to you as, 'Daddy Hal' talking to Danny?"
"God, I can't believe all this is happening! You know, if I hadn't stopped at that diner and talked with Jeff that night..."
"Hal, it was MEANT to happen. God sent you to me at a time when I needed you most...and have you stopped to think WHY you drove into Briarwood when you were grieving for your brother, Noah?"
"Do you really believe it was God who brought us together?"
"I have no doubt. I think Cliff thinks so too."
"Father Cliff knows about us?"
"Hal, you'll soon get to know that Cliff AND Roger know everything. They both can pick up vibes from a steel wall. Jay can too, only his vibes begin as speculations at first, but Jay knew we were in love before we did."
"Jay's quite a character!"
"Yes, and he'll soon be as close as a brother to you. You only thought you didn't have a family, but little do you know that you're becoming a member of the strongest band of brothers in the world. The Briarwood Boys, as we call ourselves, will give you their last dime or even stand up and take a bullet for you. At one time we were all lost and lacking direction, but somehow we were all led to Cliff and Roger, and all of our lives were changed. We became as united as a brick fortress, with Cliff and Roger, united, being the keystone. If anything should ever happen to me, you'd be surrounded by and with them. We're like the warmest and most impregnable fraternity that ever existed, but that, you'll soon find out for yourself."
"What about the two in New York? Timmy and Rob?"
"You'll meet them...and lots more. When we go to Mackintosh, we'll stop and see them. I want them to see YOU...and then there's Johnny, Jeff's other half...Alex, Jeff's real brother and his lover, Ted."
"Good gosh! How many Briarwood boys are there?"
"The number seems to keep growing...on and on."
"All this just seems to get better and better."
"Just wait until we go to bed tonight and you'll find out just how better things CAN get."
"Damn, I'm horny!"
"Stay that way!"
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(To be continued in "Briarwood"---BOOK EIGHT--Chapter--eighty-eight.)