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 Thirty-One
Monday morning I called Norman to see if he could take me to a Ford dealer to look at cars. He agreed to pick me up at one o'clock so after my morning workout I went to the library to do a little research on the Internet. I checked out the Ford website and looked at the different Mustang models and all of the options that were offered. It was a little confusing trying to figure out the difference between the 'deluxe' and the 'premium' models but at least I had an idea of what I'd be looking at and knew I'd have to ask some questions when I got to the dealership.
While I was waiting for Norman to pick me up I called Patrick and told him what I was doing. He said to make sure that if I saw the car I wanted I should write down every detail so he could get the information to my grandfather. He also gave me an update on the condo. Everything was on schedule and it looked like the closing would be right around August 1.
Norman took me to a Ford dealer just south of Trenton. It's a good thing he was with me because the salesman who approached us wasn't at all interested in helping a kid like me. Even after Norman explained that we were looking for a car for me, he treated me like a little kid and addressed all of his comments to Norman. He did let me take their Mustang demonstrator for a short test drive. I loved the feel of the car and the way it handled. I hadn't had much driving experience and all of it had been in Norman's sedan, so driving a sporty little car was a new experience.
Even after the salesman explained the different models I wasn't sure I could tell them apart. Norman talked me out of my initial desire for a GT, explaining that I wouldn't need the power of a V8 engine since most of my driving would be in and around the city. I decided on a V6 deluxe, figuring that was in between standard and premium. The only option I was really concerned with was a quality sound system. The car I took for the test drive was bright red, what they called torch red, and I liked the look, but Norman said cars that color had a reputation for attracting the attention of the police. Besides, living in downtown it might be a good idea to have a car that didn't stand out so much. I decided on a dark blue metallic color with a black top.
I wrote down all the information, copying a lot of it off the window sticker of a car on the lot. I was a little nervous when I looked at the price, but knew that it would probably cost my grandfather a lot less. Patrick had already told me not to even think about the price. On the drive back into town, Norman suggested that I email Patrick with the info while he prepared dinner.
"I hope you don't mind, but I invited Jack to join us for dinner tonight. I know Monday nights are usually our time for just the two of us, but I figured that since we were already spending the afternoon together it would be okay."
"Sure, no problem. I haven't seen him since the cookout. Is Janet coming, too?"
"No, she's got other plans. It'll just be the three of us."
There was something in his voice that made me look at him questioningly. "Is something going on between the two of you?" I had asked him that once before, not long after they'd met at the political dinner and I found out they were seeing each other again and he'd denied it was anything other than friendship.
"Well, maybe," he said, hesitantly. "We seem to enjoy each other's company and as we get to know one another we're very comfortable together. Neither of us has been looking for a new relationship, but we've decided to just see where this goes."
"I hope it goes to someplace good for you, Norman. You're a great guy and you shouldn't be alone. You deserve someone who loves you."
"I had that once and don't expect to find it again, but we'll see what happens."
While Norman got things organized in the kitchen, I called Patrick and then sent him an email with all the car info. I'd just started playing the piano when Norman came in and sat down. After a few minutes, he interrupted my playing.
"You've said the main room of your loft condo was an enormous space. Do you think you'd have room for this piano?"
I was shocked. "What do you mean? You can't give me the piano. It's Harry's!"
"It was Harry's. Now it's mine and I don't play. You're the only one who plays it now so I think you should have it."
"I'd love to have it, but it's got to be worth a fortune. Are you sure?"
"Yes, I've given it a great deal of thought. I think Harry would be happy that it was getting some use. We could call it a long-term loan, if you like. Do you think you could fit it in your loft?"
"I'm sure I could. There's one end of the living room area we weren't sure what to do with. Manny said it would be perfect for a pool table, but Blaine and I were leaning toward computer desks. But there's plenty of room for those in the bedrooms. I'll talk to Blaine tomorrow and see what he thinks."
"It's your home, Jerry, you don't need his approval."
"Yeah, I know, I didn't mean that. I meant that he might want to rearrange things to make the piano fit in better. He's always talking about the room as if it's a work of art and everything has to fit together perfectly. As far as I'm concerned, as long as I like everything and nothing is too ugly, I'm fine."
"From what you've said about the decisions you've made for the condo, I think you have pretty good taste, Jerry. Don't give all the credit to Blaine."
Norman grilled a London broil, Jack husked and boiled half a dozen ears of silver queen corn he'd brought and I made a big salad. We ate on the patio. Now that I knew there was something developing between the two of them I kept a closer watch on them. I realized that I didn't know much about Jack's background. I'd just seen him at first as my teacher and then as another older friend. I knew that he had also had a partner who died a while back but I didn't know the details. Over dinner, I tried to ask without seeming to pry.
"Bill died of AIDS, Jerry. Apparently he was positive back when we first met in the early '80s, although neither of us knew it at the time. We found out when he first developed pneumonia, after we'd been together five years. His body managed to fight off one infection after another over the next fifteen years, but it finally got to be too much for his battered immune system."
"But there are all kinds of drugs for AIDS. I didn't think anyone still died of it these days."
"In the beginning there were no drugs at all so it was a miracle he made it through those early years. The new drugs are wonderful for the most part, but some have side effects that are pretty nasty and some don't work for everyone. Bill tried pretty much everything as it came on the market and had some success, but after a while nothing seemed to work. I think he just got tired of fighting. It wore him down emotionally as well as physically."
"And you're still okay?"
Jack smiled. "If you're asking my HIV status, I'm negative, Jerry. Bill and I were always safe with each other, right from the beginning."
I nodded and changed the subject. I'd pried more than I meant to and felt uncomfortable. Jack didn't seem to mind and from the way Norman acted he was already familiar with Jack's background, but it was too much for me to absorb. While AIDS had been around my whole life, I'd never known anyone with it and to me it had always been some obscure, nasty thing lurking in the distant background, something to avoid but something that wasn't quite real to me.
Tuesday morning Patrick called with the news that my grandfather had a car I might like. It wasn't exactly what I'd asked for, but it was close.
"It's got a few more options, like leather seats, and it's red, not blue, but other than that it has everything you wanted."
"I don't know. I liked red, but Norman said that was too flashy."
"This isn't the bright torch red but a darker metallic color. Your grandfather said it's attractive without being flashy. One other thing. It's not exactly new. They've been using it for test-drives, so it has just over a thousand miles on it. That could be a good thing, though. If they ordered a new car for you it could take 6-8 weeks to have it delivered. With this one you could fly down there and drive it back whenever you wanted."
"I'd have to drive it all the way back? I don't have a lot of experience driving, you know."
"Maybe you could take one of your friends with you to share the driving."
I thought of my discussion with Marcus about visiting my father and grandparents. I hadn't specifically tied that in with getting the car at that time, but I realized that this could work out just right.
"I'll talk to Marcus tonight." I hesitated a second. "Um, I was wondering if it would be possible for us to pay Marcus' way if he goes with me. I mean, he's gonna have to take time off from work and that'll cost him, so I don't want to put him in the position of having to spend a lot of money he can't afford."
"Don't worry about it, Coy. We'd have to pay to have the car shipped up here if you didn't go. And the only extra expense would be his airfare. I assume you two would share a hotel room." I could practically hear him smile over the phone.
"Yeah, you'd better believe we'll be sharing a room."
"Okay, just let me know when you want to go and I'll make all of the arrangements, for both the trip and the car."
Just over two weeks later on a Wednesday afternoon Marcus and I were getting settled in our seats on a Delta jet, leaving Philadelphia for Atlanta. As excited as I'd been about the trip, I wasn't looking forward to the flight at all. I'd never flown before and I was nervous. Marcus had spent the whole time since we'd arrived at the airport trying to calm me down.
"I've never understood how something this big and heavy could stay in the air. Now that I've seen a plane up close I understand it even less. It just seems so unnatural."
"It's perfectly natural, Miah. It's physics, plain and simple."
"I was never very good in science and, if you recall, I dropped out of school before I got to physics."
"Then maybe you should take a course in college. Flying is really safe, babe. Safer than driving a car."
"That's not the best thing to say. Don't forget, we're driving back on Sunday and I don't have all that much experience so I'm kinda nervous about that, too."
"Don't even think that far ahead. I told you before I'd do most of the driving if you wanted. Just think about us spending the next few days together." He took my hand in his and brought it up to his mouth, kissing it lightly.
"I'm sorry I'm being such a wuss. I feel better when you're holding my hand, though. Do you mind if I hold onto it until we're up in the air?"
"You can hold onto me until we get to Georgia, if you have to. I don't mind at all."
The businessman sitting on the other side of Marcus seemed to mind if the sideways glares he kept giving us were any indication, but we just ignored him. I closed my eyes, held my breath and practically crushed Marcus' hand as we raced down the runway and finally lifted off the ground.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now. We're on our way."
"No, I'm good. I think I'll just keep them closed until we're safe on the ground again."
Actually, once we were in the air I was good. The flight was smooth and uneventful, although I did have to grab onto Marcus again as we landed in Atlanta. By the time we'd changed planes and were taxiing to take off for Augusta, I was an old pro. Of course, knowing that the second flight was less than an hour made it easier to be brave. I didn't let on to Marcus that I was feeling better, though. I held his hand all through the second flight.
We arrived in Augusta a little after nine o'clock. Since we were only staying until Sunday we didn't have much luggage, just a couple of carry-on bags. Chipper was waiting for us with a big smile just past the security checkpoint. He gave me a big hug and I introduced him to Marcus. Marcus held out his hand and shook absentmindedly, looking back and forth between Chipper and me.
"Damn! How did you guys not know you were brothers? My baby brother Matthew and I don't look anywhere near as much alike as you two do."
"We had no reason to think it was any more than coincidence. After all, neither Chipper nor I had any idea we had a long-lost half-brother out there."
"Yeah, it looks so obvious now that we know, but back when we met... So, do you guys have any luggage or are you ready to go?"
"We're good, Chipper. This is it." I gestured with my bag toward Marcus'.
He led us out of the building to the parking lot to a dark gray BMW X3. We tossed our bags in the back of the SUV and I climbed into the front while Marcus got in the back.
"Nice set of wheels, Chipper."
"Thank, Marcus. My dad says I can take it to school with me this year. He insisted I spend my freshman year on campus without a car. He said it would help me focus more on school."
"Did it?"
"I don't know. So many friends had cars I was never without a ride when I wanted one. I did spend a lot of time on campus, though."
"Well, next year you can come visit me in Trenton whenever you want."
"You'd better believe I will, bro."
We'd been riding nearly ten minutes when Chipper nudged my left arm and pointed up ahead across the highway. I saw a large lit up parking lot filled with cars, and then noticed the sign above it -- Walton Ford.
"Damn, look at the size of that place. It looks like I've got me a rich boyfriend." Marcus laughed in the back seat.
I was too stunned to answer. There were a number of car dealers along this stretch of highway and some were larger, but the size of the place wasn't what brought a lump to my throat. It was seeing my name up there on the sign. I'd spent my whole life feeling pretty much isolated, not connected to anything or anyone except Mom and Aunt Aggie. But this was my history; this was where my family was.
"Are you okay, Coy?"
"Yeah, it just surprised me, seeing my name like that."
"Wait until we get to the hotel. I think your lawyer friend who booked your trip has a little twisted sense of humor."
Nothing either Marcus or I said could get Chipper to explain his comment. I knew we were staying at the Comfort Inn. Patrick had faxed our itinerary to Chipper so he knew that as well but obviously he knew more than we did about something. We drove into the city and as we approached the hotel Chipper pointed out the road sign. We were on Walton Way.
"Shit! How big is my family, anyway? Is this street named after us, too?"
"You'll have to ask your grandfather about that. That's the side of your family we don't have in common. Ask me anything about the Johnsons of Augusta and I can answer you."
He dropped us off at the door and went to park the car. Marcus and I carried our bags into the lobby and approached the desk. The young woman working there seemed barely older than me. She gave me an odd look as I told her my name. She checked the monitor.
"Yes, we have you down for four nights, a no smoking room with a king sized bed." She looked back and forth between Marcus and me. "I should be able to switch you to a room with two double beds if you'd prefer."
"No, the king will be all right." I'd specifically asked Patrick to request a king sized bed.
"Are you sure? You'll probably be more comfortable in two beds."
"I think my brother knows how he'll be more comfortable, Jen."
I turned and Chipper had come up behind us. He was smiling at the desk clerk.
"Brother, huh? Where have you been hiding him, Chipper? I've known you since the third grade and you never mentioned a brother."
"Well then, you obviously don't know as much about me as you think you do."
Once we were in our room Chipper explained that he'd gone out with her a couple of times in high school. "The news of your arrival will be all over town by noon tomorrow. Jen is a notorious gossip."
"I hope that doesn't make problems for your family."
"Don't worry about it. Dad told Mom all about you when he came home from Trenton and the rest of the family knows as well."
"But your family is well known here. I don't want to embarrass you."
"Our family, Coy. And as long as you don't get caught fucking in the streets you're not going to embarrass us. Now, speaking of fucking, I guess I should leave you boys alone. You've had a long trip and I'm sure you're eager to get to bed, if not to sleep."
"Thanks for picking us up, Chipper. It's so good to see you again."
"I'll be back in the morning, say around nine. We can have a late breakfast and I'll take you to get your car."
"That sounds good to me, although I'm a little nervous about seeing my grandfather again. He's just a bit intimidating."
"Hey, he's your family. Don't sweat it."
Chipper hugged us both goodbye and left us alone. I decided to have some fun with Marcus. I stretched and faked a big yawn.
"Man, I'm beat. All that stress on the plane took everything out of me. I'll probably be asleep before my head hits the pillow."
"Well, if that's what you want to do. Just make sure you fall asleep on your belly with your legs spread. I'll try not to disturb you too much."
"You'd fuck me when I was unconscious?"
"You'd bring me a thousand miles from home to a great bed in a nice hotel and then fall asleep on me? I think I'd be justified."
"Well, I don't think we have to worry about that. I'm not going to sleep until I've had my way with you. I might even let you have your way with me if you're nice about it."
Marcus smiled at me. "I have a feeling that your way and mine are pretty much the same thing. I want it all and so do you."
"Yeah, that's pretty much it. How about we start in the shower?"
"Sounds good to me. As long as we end up in bed I don't care where we start."
For all of our relationship, Marcus and I had been so limited in what time we had together and what we could do. We'd spent exactly one night together, that night back in September when we'd fallen asleep after making love for the first time. Most of our sexual encounters had been afternoon events before going out, an awkward way to begin a date. And my little twin bed in the rooming house wasn't all that comfortable for one person to sleep on, much less for two people to make love. Knowing the walls of my room were paper-thin had been a bit inhibiting, too, though not always. Ever since the possibility of this trip had come up we'd both been looking forward to all of the time together. I'd had the feeling that as soon as we were alone in the hotel room we'd tear each other's clothes off and spend several days rutting like animals.
Instead, we moved slowly and gently, almost timidly. I think we were both a bit intimidated by the luxury of all that time together. Marcus pulled me into his arms and kissed me, another one of those astounding, magical kisses of his. We slowly began to undress each other, trying not to break the kiss. We didn't totally succeed, but when we were naked we pressed our hard (some parts harder than others) bodies together and resumed the kiss. We finally pulled apart from each other and went into the bathroom to shower.
We must have spent an hour washing each other, exploring each other's bodies. It wasn't so much a sexual experience as a sensual one. We soaped, we rinsed, we touched, we fondled, we massaged. And every few minutes we kissed and held each other tight. Even though it was a big hotel, I was surprised we didn't run out of hot water.
When we finally made it to bed we resumed making out in a slow, yet passionate, way. We luxuriated in the huge comfortable bed, rolling around, changing positions, enjoying each other's bodies. At long last I couldn't take it anymore.
"Please make love to me, Marcus. I need you inside me, now!"
He grabbed the bottle of Wet and a condom from the nightstand and positioned himself between my thighs. He applied some of the lube to me, getting me ready for his invasion. With his other hand he applied a little Wet to himself, then unrolled the rubber over it, then added some more lube. After a few minutes we were both ready. He lifted my legs onto his shoulders and got into position, locking his eyes onto mine as he began to push, slowly impaling me. I felt that initial brief stab of pain as he entered me, then a feeling of uncomfortable fullness, but he was moving so slowly that by the time he was fully buried in me I was feeling nothing but good.
He bent down and kissed me, then lifted up again and began to make love to me. Again, it wasn't the animalistic rutting I'd anticipated, but it was an awesome, passionate experience. I'd been afraid that we were both so horny it would be over before it started, but Marcus was amazingly in control. He brought us both to the edge a few times before backing off to begin again. The fourth time I couldn't take it anymore and grabbed my hard, dripping dick. I stroked it exactly two times and it exploded, flooding my chest and stomach with more cum than I would have thought my balls could hold. The force of my orgasm affected Marcus and before it was over I felt him pulse and throb in me. He collapsed on top of me and we just lay there, panting and gasping.
"That was the best ever, Miah. You are fucking fantastic!"
"No, you are fantastic fucking, but I agree that it was the best."
"I think we need another shower now but I don't think I have the energy."
"Just lay there. I'll take care of it."
I slid out from under him and he rolled over on his back. I gently removed the condom from his shrinking dick and disposed of it in the bathroom. After cleaning myself up a bit I took a damp towel back to the bed to take care of my beautiful lover. Afterward I curled up along side him, my head on his shoulder.
"I could get used to this, Marcus."
"So could I. How much longer did you say it was until the closing on your condo?"
"About two and a half weeks. I have a feeling it's gonna seem like forever, though."
We just lay there in silence for a while, my left hand on his smooth chest, feeling the beating of his heart within. His breathing became rhythmic and I was pretty sure he'd fallen asleep.
"I love you, Marcus," I whispered into his left nipple.
His hand moved up under my chin and tilted my head up to face his.
"I love you, too, my beautiful Miah."
To be continued.