This story contains some explicit scenes of erotic love between males. 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 author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at NJMcMick@yahoo.com.
The story is set in the fictional city of Trenton, New Jersey. Yes, there is a real city by that name, but other than being a state capital on the Delaware River, it bears little resemblance to the city in this story. While a few of the places mentioned may exist in reality, all of the characters and events are fictitious.
Chapter 15
When Norman and I got to the homeless shelter he took a large box out of the trunk of the car.
"What's that?" I asked as he handed it to me.
"You'll see when we get inside. Bring it along."
I followed him into the building, lugging the package with me. After greeting a few people he led me into what looked like a large supply room and opened the box. Inside was a mass of red velour and white cotton which, when he pulled it out, turned out to be a Santa Claus suit.
"Harry used to dress up as Santa for his nieces and nephews when they were small. After they were grown, he wore the suit for the children here. I took over the job from him the last couple of years. I picked up an outfit for you as well if you're not too embarrassed." He took a bag out of the box and dumped a lot of green material on a table. "How'd you like to be an elf?"
I picked up a pair of green tights and a jacket that matched. There was also a long pointed hat and something that looked like a thong of the same color.
"What's this for?"
"It's to wear under the tights. Boxers or even briefs would bunch up. Do you think you want to give it a try?"
"What do I have to do?"
"You saw that big chair set up by the tree in the front hall when we came in. That's for Santa. The kids each get a couple of minutes in my lap talking to Santa, then you give them a stuffed animal. A local manufacturer donated them. For some of the kids it's the only present they'll get this year. Do you want to give it a try?"
"You think I'll look okay in this?"
"It's your size so it should fit. Try it on. I'll look the other way."
He turned around and started getting into his Santa outfit. I quickly stripped down and put on the thong. The pouch looked positively obscene. I pulled the tights on over it and it looked somewhat better but the bulge was still huge.
"I don't think this is gonna go over too well in a family atmosphere."
Norman turned and looked me over. "Damn, you have been working out, haven't you? You've got quite a little build on you. And little isn't the word for what you've got stuffed into those tights. Try on the jacket and see if that helps. I think it comes down over your hips, at least partially."
I put on the jacket and the hat, which flopped to one side.
"Much better. You're pretty much covered now. Just don't raise your arms over your head or the jacket will go up with them. You look cute. Do you feel all right about going out there like that?"
"Yeah, I guess it's okay. I do want to help."
Norman put on the white wig, bushy beard and wire-framed glasses and he was instantly transformed into Santa Claus. I followed him out into the hall and couldn't believe the change in his personality. He was usually very quiet and conservative, but once he saw the kids he became jolly St. Nick. He sat in the big chair and kids seemed to come from all directions. They sat and knelt on the floor around him and took turns climbing up onto his lap. The stuffed toys were on a table behind the chair so I stood next to it and helped the kids pick out what they wanted. The parents lined up around the outside of the crowd, watching the kids and smiling.
About halfway through I saw Marcus and his father come into the hall. They were accompanied by a woman I assumed was his mother and two teenage girls and a boy who must have been eight or so. The boy joined the crowd of kids and took his turn on Santa's lap, but when he came over to me for his toy, his father intervened.
"Those are for the children living here at the shelter, Matthew. You have your toys at home."
The boy gave the stuffed dog he was holding a longing look but handed it back to me and nodded his head. He took his father's hand and went back to join the rest of his family. Marcus gave me a wink when he saw me looking in his direction. Finally all of the kids had had their turn and Santa got up from his chair.
"We can change back into our regular clothes before dinner, can't we, Santa? This was fun but I think I'd feel a little conspicuous serving food in this outfit."
"Sure, Jerry, why don't you go ahead and change? I want to check out the dining room and make sure I didn't miss any kids."
I went back to the supply room and was closing the door behind me when it pushed open and Marcus slipped into the room. He quickly closed the door. I noticed he was wearing the necklace I'd given him.
"Man, you are one hot elf."
"You think that's hot, watch this." I held my arms out from my side and then lifted them, pulling the bottom of the jacket up and exposing my bulging crotch, which was bulging even more now that Marcus was in the room.
"Oh man, I want the stuffed animal you're hiding in there." he whined, pointing at my crotch.
"Have you been a good little boy?"
"The best. Can I have it? Please can I have it?"
"You can have it anytime you like, but I don't think this is a good place."
"Yeah, you're right, but I just had to see you in private for a minute." He came across the room to me and kissed me, cupping my bulge in his right hand and grabbing my ass in his left. The door made a noise and we jumped apart and saw Santa standing in the doorway.
"Ho! Ho! Ho?"
"Hey Norman, you remember Marcus."
"I do, but you didn't tell me that he was THAT Marcus."
"We're trying to keep it a secret. He's not out to his family."
"You don't have to worry about me saying anything, but you might want to lock the door next time."
"Thank you, sir, we will." Marcus gave me a peck on the cheek and left the room.
As we changed out of our holiday costumes I explained about Marcus being worried about how his father would handle finding out that he was gay.
"He is a Baptist minister, you know."
"Yes he is, but in addition to that and being a board member here, he's a state assemblyman who has voted our way on every gay issue. He's a good man, Jerry. I can't imagine Marcus would have any trouble if he came out."
"He said his father was good politically, but he thinks he'd react differently on a personal level. I think he feels like he's under a lot of pressure to be more like his dad. I can't relate to something like that so I have to take his word for it."
"Well, I suppose he knows his own father. It's too bad he has to hide, though."
By the time we went out to the dining room, Marcus and his family had gone. There were plenty of helpers dishing out the food so Norman and I got on line and got our dinner. I think some of the kids might have recognized me as the elf but I was sure none of them recognized Santa out of uniform. Some of the parents stopped by our table to thank us for making their family's Christmas a little brighter.
When Norman stopped the car at my rooming house I leaned across and gave him a hug and a kiss. "Thanks, Norman. This was the best Christmas I've had in years. You made those kids really happy and you made me happy, too."
"We made those kids happy, Jerry. It was a team effort. I enjoyed every minute of it as well."
Marcus had family obligations the next day so we had agreed to meet at Buddies in the evening. I worked out and then read most of the day. In late afternoon my cell phone rang. I assumed it was either Marcus or Manny, so I answered it without looking at the screen.
"Hey babe, how's it going?"
"Babe? I like the sound of that." The voice sounded only slightly familiar. I looked at the screen but the name was no longer there.
"Uh, sorry, who is this?"
"I should've known you didn't mean that for me. It's Derek."
"Oh hi, how was your Christmas?"
"Good. I spent the day visiting my ex-wife and daughter in New York."
"Ex-wife? Well, I'll take your word for it that it was good."
"We're quite civil. And it's always great seeing my daughter. How was your holiday?"
"Really great." I told him about the shelter.
"You're really destroying my image of hustlers, you know. Look, the reason I called is I was wondering if you had any plans for New Year's Eve. I've been invited to a party and I find myself without a date. I'd pay for your time, of course."
I hesitated. He wanted to pay me to go to a party? "Actually, I don't have any plans yet but I'm probably going to be doing something with my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend? The hustlers union is going to revoke your membership if you don't watch out, Coy."
"I told you, I'm not really a hustler. I just do it now and then."
"I know, I'm just teasing you."
"I thought so, but I wasn't sure. Sorry I can't make the party with you."
"That's okay, I can go alone. I enjoyed your company that night a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be fun to make the other guys drool by walking in with you on my arm. But I hope whatever you do with your boyfriend you have a great time. That's how you ought to be spending New Year's Eve anyhow, having fun, not working."
"Thanks, I hope you enjoy your party."
I hung up the phone and thought about Derek. It had been a totally weird night with him, so unexpected, but very nice. And very profitable. The sex had been good too, in spite of the fact that he had to be at least forty. I wouldn't mind getting to know him better, but I was pretty sure he had something else in mind.
When I got to Buddies I noticed they had signs everywhere promoting their New Year's Eve party. It was kind of expensive but the price included food. Besides, it was a special night. When Marcus got there I asked him if he'd like to go. He looked a little uncomfortable.
"I'd love to spend the evening with you, but I'm going to a party with some friends from school. It was all planned before we left for vacation."
"Maybe I could go with you, if there are going to be other kids there."
"Well, it'll probably be a big bash with lots of kids who aren't from school, but I don't know if it's a good idea for you to go. Everybody's straight as far as I know."
"I can act straight. I mean, at least I don't have to tell them I'm gay if you don't want me to." I didn't want to sound like I was pushing, but I really wanted to be with him.
"It's not that. It's just, I don't know, it would be weird going out with you and not being able to touch you. It's better if I just go by myself. Besides, it's on Staten Island so I might end up spending the night rather than driving all the way home."
We stayed at the bar a couple of hours and danced quite a bit, but I didn't have a good time. I was disappointed. It's not as though I wanted to go to a party where I didn't know anyone, but I wanted to be with Marcus. He would obviously rather do something else, though.
Marcus and I hung out together Monday afternoon, but Tuesday I decided to take the train to Chester to visit Aunt Aggie. I played the piano for her but she didn't know me this time. I didn't really expect her to, but I hoped. She was pleasant enough and we chatted for a while, just small talk. I hoped that whoever she thought I was or she was, she realized that someone cared enough to visit her.
On the way home I thought about Marcus and his party and made a decision. I took out my phone and called Derek.
"Coy boy! What's up?"
"Hey Derek, I was wondering if you were still looking for a date for Friday night."
"Yes, I am. What happened with the boyfriend?"
"He's going out with his friends from school, so I decided I'd rather not go."
"His loss is my gain."
We chatted for a minute about his party and I arranged for him to pick me up at the diner at nine. I wasn't sure I wanted him to know where I lived. It wasn't that I was afraid of him or anything, but his home was so beautiful I felt a little embarrassed by the rooming house.
Marcus and I saw each other during the afternoon the rest of the week since I was working in the evening. New Year's Eve was a sore spot we avoided mentioning until Friday afternoon as I was walking him to the car so he could go home to get ready for his party.
"I'm really sorry we're not going to be spending the evening together, Miah. This party sounded like a good idea at the time and I'm sure I'll have fun with my friends, but I don't think you'd enjoy it. And I'd want to kiss you at midnight and we couldn't do that there."
"That's okay, Marcus. It's not like we're engaged or anything. I'm disappointed but I'll live." I didn't want to let on how disappointed I really was or he might think I was a sulking kid. "Besides, I'm going to a party, too."
"You are? When did that come up?"
"Actually, this guy I know asked me before we talked and I turned him down, but then when you had your own plans I decided I might as well go so I called him back."
Marcus stopped and looked at me. "So is this guy a friend or is he a date?"
"Well, I don't really know him well but it's definitely a date. I mean, he's taking me to the party and I'll be with him for the evening."
We continued walking and Marcus didn't say anything else until we got to his mother's car.
"I know we don't have any claim on each other so I should be glad you're not going to be sitting home alone tonight. I am, but I'm also a little jealous. I've got no one but myself to blame, though. Have a good time tonight, Miah." He smiled but looked a little sad. "But not too good a time."
"If it helps, remember you were my first choice for tonight." As soon as I said that I realized he might think that was a bitchy way of reminding him that I wasn't his first choice. "You have a good time, too, Marcus."
"I'm not sure when I'll be getting back, but I'll call you. Maybe we can get together on Sunday."
"Okay, you've got my number."
He looked all around and gave me a quick peck on the lips. That was more than I expected since it was still daylight and we'd already kissed goodbye in my room. Maybe he was working his way toward coming out.
I showered and got ready for my 'date' with Derek. It was a good thing Norman had given me clothes for Christmas or I wouldn't have had anything appropriate to wear. Derek had said casual, but after seeing his house and the way he dressed I had a feeling he didn't mean jeans and a t-shirt. I put on the khakis and one of my new shirts and wore my work shoes. I got to the diner early and had a Coke while I waited. When I saw the Lexus pull up I ran out and hopped in.
"Hi Derek, right on time. I hope I look okay."
He turned on the light and looked me over. "You'd look more than okay wearing nothing. Wait, I'd better rephrase that. You look great."
"Thanks, I don't have much of a wardrobe and casual can mean different things so I wasn't sure." He pulled onto the highway and headed north toward his house. "Is the party near where you live?"
"No, it's in New Hope but we'll be passing my place." We drove in silence for a few minutes. "So it sounds to me like this boyfriend of yours is an idiot."
"What do you mean?" I'd barely mentioned Marcus to him when I called him.
"Well, if I were your boyfriend there's no way I'd leave you alone on New Year's Eve."
"We're not exactly boyfriends yet, but I'm hoping it's heading that way. We're just seeing each other when we can and trying to get to know one another. If he was really my boyfriend I wouldn't be doing this."
"I was wondering about that. Lots of guys have open relationships and I would assume that the boyfriend of a 'working boy' would have to make allowances."
"No way. If I were in a relationship, that would be it for me. And like I told you before, I've got a real job. I only do this when I'm desperate for money for some reason."
"And you're desperate tonight?"
"No, tonight is really because I didn't want to be alone and you offered me something to do. I would have gone to the party with you for free."
"Now you tell me. But don't worry, I'll pay you anyway."
"So how come a nice guy like you doesn't have a boyfriend, Derek? You're good-looking, obviously successful and fun to be with. You shouldn't have to be paying for dates."
"I only came out a couple of years ago and I guess you could say I'm making up for lost time. I'm just having fun right now but keeping my eyes open. I'm generally into younger guys, although you're an extreme. Mostly I like guys in their twenties. Unfortunately, most of the ones I've met who are into guys my age are looking for a daddy or a sugar daddy. I've already got a kid so I'm not looking for another. And if I'm paying I prefer it to be more of a clear business transaction and not mixed with romance."
"There have got to be guys in their twenties who are looking for romance."
"That's what I keep telling myself. Like I said, I'm not in a hurry because I'm having fun, but I'm open to something more if it comes along."
I noticed that we'd passed Derek's house and were continuing north, following the canal and river. In a few minutes we came into a small town. A sign said City of Lambertville.
"This doesn't look like much of a city."
"It's a tiny city. We're right across the river from New Hope. Don't tell me you live a dozen miles down river and you've never been here."
"Well, I'm actually from a lot father south and I've only been in Trenton six months. And I don't drive so I don't get around much outside the city."
"I'll have to bring you up here during the day sometime. Both towns have lots of restaurants, craft shops, antique stores and art galleries. It's very gay."
He turned at the light, drove a few blocks through a quaint business district and then over a long narrow bridge. On the other side of the river was another quaint small town. We turned and followed that side of the river north about a mile. The road was narrow and it soon got worse as we reached a stretch with cars parked along both sides. Derek swung the car into a gap between two other cars and shut off the engine.
"Looks like we walk the rest of the way. I'm sure we won't be able to park any closer."
We got out of the car, he put his arm around my waist and we walked along the side of the road about a hundred yards. Derek and I turned into a long driveway leading to a huge old house. There were cars parked everywhere.
"This is really a huge party." All of a sudden I wasn't looking forward to it. I wasn't much into parties to begin with and I wasn't going to know anyone there, but it was a little late to back out.
"Yeah, Don and Glenn know everyone. But don't worry, I'll hang onto you. I'm not about to lose the hottest guy at the party."
He led me up the front steps and into the house. The place was packed, all men, mostly in their thirties and forties, a few older, a few younger. I didn't see anyone anywhere near my age. A lot of guys turned to look at us as we came though the doorway.
"Coats go upstairs, guys, first door on the right," a man a little older than Derek said as he closed the door behind us.
"Good to see you, Don. This is Coy."
We shook hands and he looked me over from head to toe. "Where do you find them, Derek?" To me he said, "You're absolutely adorable. If Derek doesn't treat you right, just let me know." He moved on into the crowd and Derek and I went upstairs and added our coats to the mountain already on the bed.
"You're probably going to get hit on and felt up all night, Coy. Just take it in stride. Everybody here is pretty harmless, but there's lot of booze flowing. And guys who know me are probably going to assume you're a professional. Others might as well just based on the difference in our ages. Let me know if anyone really bothers you."
It hadn't occurred to me that anyone would think Derek had rented me for the evening, but it made sense. I thought about that for a few seconds. There was no one I knew at the party so I guessed I didn't care what anyone thought. "No problem. I've been groped every time I've been to Buddies. It's no big deal."
We went back downstairs and began working our way through the crowd. Now and then Derek introduced me to someone whose name I immediately forgot. The house itself was incredible. It made Derek's place look like my old apartment in Chester. I thought if I owned so much expensive stuff I wouldn't want all those people messing the place up, but Don didn't seem to mind and most of the guests acted completely unimpressed by the decor. There was a bar set up in a room near the back of the house and Derek got us each a glass of white wine. I wasn't crazy about it but that was probably a good thing. I sipped it very slowly. Fifty guys must have 'accidentally' brushed my ass by the time we made it back to the living room.
Derek found a couple of guys he seemed to know well and introduced us. They talked while I scanned the room, looking at all of the other guests. The music was loud and it was hard to follow the conversation. It was definitely an older crowd, but then to me everyone was older. I did notice one guy across the room who looked close to my age. He was Asian and had thick black hair and dark eyes. He was very good looking and I hadn't been looking at him more than five seconds when he noticed and his eyes locked onto mine and he smiled. I smiled back just as Derek absentmindedly ran his hand up my back and gently rubbed the back of my neck. I turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. When I looked back at the Asian guy he had an exaggerated look of disappointment on his face. I laughed and nodded at him.
We moved on into the den on the other side of the front hall. A TV was on in there, tuned to one of the network specials. It wasn't anywhere near time for the countdown so no one was paying attention. When we went back out into the hall Derek offered to get more wine for us. I could have done without it but I knew he wanted another glass.
"Why don't I meet you back in the living room, Coy? Are you going to be okay on your own for a minute?"
"Sure, I can take care of myself."
"Just don't forget who brung ya." He winked at me and headed toward the back of the house.
I went into the living room and right away noticed the Asian kid. He saw me at the same time and started across the room toward me. As he got closer I could see that he wasn't really a kid like me. He was probably in his mid-twenties. He put his hand on my shoulder as he leaned close to my ear to be heard over the music.
"I thought I'd never catch you alone. I'm Patrick."
"Coy here," I shouted into his ear. Derek had been introducing me as Coy all evening so I figured I might as well stick with it.
"Coy? That's unusual."
"It's a family name. And you don't exactly look like a Patrick."
He laughed. "My father's Chinese-American, my mother Irish-American. I'm a mutt."
"A gorgeous mutt."
"Thanks, you're pretty hot yourself and I'm not usually into younger guys. Are you from around here?"
"Trenton. You?"
"Philly. I came up with a friend. So what happened to that hot dude you were with? Is he your boyfriend?"
"Not really. He's just my date tonight. He went to get us more wine."
"Plying you with alcohol, huh? Gotta watch those dirty old men."
"He doesn't have to get me drunk. Like I said, he's my date."
He leaned back and squinted at me for a few seconds, then his eyes widened.
"Omigod! You're a rent-boy!"
I felt like I must have blushed down to my toes. I quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard him.
"Oh shit! You're blushing! I've fucked up and insulted you. I'm so sorry. It's just that he's so much older than you and the way you said 'date' it seemed logical to assume. I'm really sorry."
"No, there's nothing to be sorry about." I took a deep breath "You're right. I'm working tonight."
"Fuck, the hottest guy here and you're a pro."
"Well, it's not like I do this all the time. Just with Derek, actually."
He smiled. "So if I were to ask you out I wouldn't have to pay?"
I felt like teasing him. "That depends."
"Depends? On what?"
"On what else you had to offer." I laughed. "I'm sorry, I'm just kidding. I'm not really looking for anyone to date right now, though. There's someone I'm sort of seeing."
"Other than your date tonight?"
"Yeah, someone who I think is pretty special. Besides, you probably couldn't afford me anyhow," I teased.
"That depends on what you had to offer," he shot back. "Seriously, let me give you my number and if you're ever in Philly and need an 'escort', call me." He wrote his name, Patrick Chang, and number on a scrap of paper and I stuffed it in my wallet.
Just then I saw Derek talking to someone at the back of the room. "My date is back." I nodded toward him.
Patrick grabbed my hand, half-dragged me out into the hallway and around a corner. He pulled me into a short but passionate kiss and then released me.
"Okay, I'll let you get back to work." He grinned and headed toward the den.
I went back into the living room and found Derek. He handed me a glass.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, I met a hot guy but I told him I was taken."
"You'd better believe it."
We made another tour of the house and managed to get some champagne just as the countdown to midnight started. Derek drew me into a long hot kiss and when we finally surfaced he toasted me and we drank. I liked the champagne even less than the other wine and only took a sip. A huge spread of food was put out in the dining room and we each filled a small plate, but it was a little late for me to feel like eating much. Derek switched from wine to coffee as we ate. Around one-thirty he started saying his goodbyes to his friends and we went upstairs to get our coats.
"Did you have a good time, Coy?" Derek asked as we walked back to the car.
"Considering I'm not much of a party person and I didn't know anyone but you, pretty good. It was fun and definitely very different from what I'm used to."
"Well, lots of people were pretty impressed with you. If you wanted to go into business for yourself full-time you could have lots of clients from this group. Several guys asked me about you."
"And what did you tell them?"
"That you were very selective and that only I met your high standards."
"Good, because I'm not interested in doing this full-time."
We got into the car and started back through town.
"You might want to think about it. I could introduce you to the nicer guys who were interested. You could make a lot of money, you know."
"What, you're not happy being my john, you want to be my pimp, too?"
"By that I think you're hinting that we drop the subject. Whatever you want is fine with me. You are spending the night, though, aren't you?"
"Of course. You make a great breakfast."