Dan and Ben at Sixty--Chapter Ten By Ezra Randle
The first three days in Arizona were so uplifting that Dan felt like he had absolutely made the best choice about his immediate future. Certainly he thought of Marie, but the distractions of seeing his father and Chip living their life so harmoniously added to his ability to put things in his life into proper perspective.
Both Chester and his dad gave him house keys, so Dan could come and go as he wanted. He could use his father's car most anytime, as his father felt much more secure with Chip as his chauffeur. On his second day, he and Chester had gone hiking in the desert for a few hours before the heat set in. Chester asked him if he wanted a sleeping companion or if he preferred sleeping alone. "I'm not sure. But I like it when you come down to my room to tuck me in and tell me bedtime stories like last night."
"Then I'll continue doing that until you tell me you want more or if you'd prefer to be alone."
That night, when Chester came down to check on him, they talked about their threesome with Ben at the motel the night of the funeral. "You know I thoroughly enjoyed it. But not without some misgivings," Dan said.
"Like what?"
"Was that night the best time to try it? The opportunity was there. I appreciate that reality. And then to have two of my most favorite people in the world next to me in bed seemed like I ate too many pieces of the Whitman's Box of Chocolates in one sitting. It was almost too rich."
"I appreciate your honesty. We had the best of intentions. You know that."
"Yes. And my misgivings are small ones compared to the joy I received."
He kissed Chester on the forehead. "How did things end with Alex before you came down here?" Chester asked.
"Good, but not great. He's having as much difficulty with my transition as I am."
"Does he want you to move in with him?"
"No. He'd like us to build up to it. Two or three days a week for a year. Then reevaluate."
"How's the sex been?"
"I'm still more dysfunctional than not since Marie's death. Even when I orgasm, I feel distracted. Sex should be the distraction, but it's not."
Chester rubbed his hands. "Give it time. Things will even out. I hope you didn't tell Alex about our three-some moment."
"I didn't. I've not told him much about you, and nothing about our lovemaking. Alex still sees Ben as a threat."
"Why do you think that is?"
"Part of it is very understandable to me. He knows how deep my feelings are for Ben. He's heard our story from two perspectives because Ben was a client of his for years. It's daunting to step into that for him, no matter how often I tell him how much I care about him."
"I liked Alex when we met at the funeral, but we didn't talk long."
"Yeah. He's very sweet and compassionate. I'm lucky to have him. But I'm the first man he's had that he's loved like this. He wants it all for himself. Both Ben and I have a different perspective. We can talk about emotional stuff and even make love, then let it go and return to our lives."
Dan felt Chester wanting to kiss him, so he turned and let his tongue tell him how much he was enjoying their conversation. Chester returned the kiss. "This is good for me," Dan said.
"Would you like me to spend the night or should I go back to my room now?"
Dan laughed. "Stick around. Let's see how it goes."
"Good. I was hoping you'd say that. Should we take off our clothes?"
"Yeah. My cock feels good. So that's a good sign."
They undressed and let their bodies pull each other into a series of passionate kisses. Chester kissed his chest and his tongue played with Dan's nipples. Dan returned the favors. Then Dan slipped between Chester's thighs and licked his genitals for a long time, each time closer to his ass. He ended up just teasing Chester's cock before rising to kiss his lips again. "That was nice," Chester said.
He reached down and felt Dan's semi-hard cock leaking precum. "Feels promising, my friend," Chester said.
Chester began his slow journey with his tongue across Dan's torso down to his thighs and to his knees and then up along the inner thighs to Dan's balls. When he reached Dan's cock head, Dan was stiff and leaking. He rose to Dan's lips. "What do you want me to do?" Chester asked.
"Would you fuck me? Are you up to that?"
"Of course. I'm medicated and very aroused."
"It would be my first time in a while. Alex never does it. Ben and I did it a while back."
Dan got up on all fours toward the edge of the bed. Chester spread his cheeks and licked him. He slipped his lubed middle finger inside Dan and Dan squirmed like he'd been thinking of just this sensation for weeks. When he rubbed his prostate, Dan moaned and said, "I love that sensation. A finger giving me such pleasure."
Chester pulled his finger from Dan and rubbed the tip of his cock across his hole. Dan pushed back and Chester slowly entered him. "Yeah, your hard cock feels so nice. It fits inside me so well."
"I saw Ben's hard. His is very nice, too."
"He's a bit thicker. Takes more time getting used to. But I love it when he takes me. He prefers to be taken, so it's always wonderful when we flip."
Chester pushed in rhythm to Dan's pulling away from him. When Dan slid his ass back down on Chester's cock, Chester moaned and shouted, "Fuck, it feels so good when you take control of my cock like that. Do it some more."
Dan repeated the movements of his ass until Chester said, "I'm getting so close. Don't stop. Please don't stop."
Chester shouted as he erupted inside Dan's ass. He leaned forward slumping on Dan's backside before rolling onto his back. Dan scooped some cum from his ass and stroked himself. "Yeah, cum on me, Danny, cum all over my chest."
Dan grunted in pleasure as he stroked himself, then shot all over Chester's chest and belly, like a fire hose putting out a flame. They both started laughing at the energy of their orgasm.
But the next night, Dan had little interest in sex or having Chester sleep with him. He had lost his libido's zest and predictability. More precisely, his libido had taken off on him and was hiding in the ghosts of his memories of his daughter. Something as sacred and regular as his desires was now outside the touch of his fingers. He didn't think about Alex much when he tried to rouse himself sexually in order to masturbate. Sometimes Ben or Chester, but even they were hit and miss. He wondered if this was what happened to older people, men and women. Aging crept in and, among many aspects, took the place of our sexual drive
The following morning, Dan quietly entered his father's unit, thinking his father might be napping. He hadn't noticed Chip's car out front, so he assumed his father was alone. He just wanted to sit in his father's music area and listen to music on headphones. He relaxed with a booklet describing Ella Fitzgerald interpretation of Gershwin ballads, and was about to put the headphones on when he heard some low voices from the living room area near the bedroom. He peeked around the corner, and to his surprise, saw his father and Chip kissing on the sofa. More amazing, they were not wearing a stitch of clothing. He couldn't pretend he hadn't noticed them. He could not think of anything to do other than call out, "Dad, it's Dan. You must not have heard me come in."
Larry said, "We did hear you, but thought you wouldn't mind."
"I'll get out of here and leave you to your privacy."
"Wait. Wait. Don't leave. Come over here. We're fine."
"You're not dressed."
He could hear Chip and his dad laughing to themselves. "How did you know?" Chip said.
"I sort of looked when I heard you. Sorry about that."
"Would you just come over here? Please," his dad said.
Dan got up and walked to the other side of the room. He looked down at the floor and said, "What do you want?"
"Mostly, that you don't walk out of here because we're naked."
"OK, I'll stay. It's just a bit awkward, Dad."
"Why don't you sit in the chair so we can talk. We're not embarrassed. You can look at us."
Dan hadn't seen his father naked since he was a boy and couldn't recall the specifics of when that was. In the years he'd been visiting in Tucson, he had seen his father without a shirt twice at the pool. But nothing like this. He sat down and gradually looked over at the two who were waiting for him to give them eye contact. "OK, just so you know. We are lovers and we don't have sex with our clothes on," his dad said.
Dan giggled. "I didn't think you'd wear clothes. I have that much sense."
"And I'm eighty-six and I like to have sex. Chip is a few years younger. He likes to have sex, too. Is that all right with you?"
"Come on, Dad. I like the idea of you engaging in sexual play. I just didn't expect you'd do it in front of me. I'm sorry I barged in. I should have called before I came in."
"For your knowledge, we weren't having sex. Just kissing a bit. We are often naked together when you're not around."
Dan was smiling at the amusing scene, as were the other two. "You don't want me to leave. Would you prefer I take my clothes off?"
"If you're so inclined. But don't do it just because we are."
Dan stood up and took off his t-shirt and walking shorts. He hadn't been wearing underwear. "Commando, Larry. What do you think about that?"
"I'm impressed. Bet you didn't do that very often as a kid."
"Of course not, Dad. Mom would have been scandalized. Did you do it when I was growing up?"
They all laughed. "Would you like something to drink, Dan?" Chip asked.
"A bottle of juice would be nice."
Chip stopped in front of Dan and slowly turned a full circle, like a model for senior citizen porn magazine. "I know you were dying to see me naked, so here you go."
Dan hadn't figured out if Chip was more muscle or fat when he imagined him under his clothes. But he could see now that Chip was a well-put together man. More muscle than chubbiness. His cock which had been at half-mast when Dan first saw them, was now resting, his glans inside his foreskin. "You must work out?"
"Several days a week. Larry's been coming with me of late. It's good for both of us."
His dad stood up and walked toward Dan. "I suppose you wanted to see me next. So here goes."
He too twirled around slowly showing off what Dan considered a good body for someone his age. Not much flab and his tits didn't sag much. He looked at his penis for the first time since he was ten when he had to examine it with quick glances. It was of average size in a flaccid state, though he thought he could see the remnants of precum on the tip. "Did you ever look at my penis when you were growing up?"
"Occasionally. Usually by mistake. Like when you'd come out of the shower."
"Were you curious?"
"Most boys are. It's a natural phenomenon."
"When I was growing up, my dad was pretty free revealing himself. I'm sorry I wasn't that way," his dad said.
Chip returned with the juice. "So, Larry's making up for his mistakes as a dad. Showing you now."
"Do you want to know what kind of sex with men I like?"
Of course, Dan did, but instead he said, "You don't need to tell me, Dad."
"Let's pretend we're not father and son. Just two gay men who are talking about sex."
"Three, actually, I'd like to be part of this, too. We've talked about it enough, Larry," Chip said.
"Did you have sons, Chip?"
"No, just daughters. So I never had the chance."
"Danny, what are the odds of you and me turning out gay after being married and having kids?"
"Not that great. So, that's remarkable in itself."
"When I met my first lover in Eau Claire. My boss. I told you about him. We were so afraid to do much. At first we just kissed and rubbed each other. But it didn't take long before we got partially naked in his office. We had to be careful because of maintenance people. After a few times, we played with our cocks, and when I sucked him for the first time, it was the most amazing thing. It was what I had dreamed about when I had sex dreams."
"That's what we did first, Larry. When we had our affair back in the day. It was wonderful. When I made you cum the first time, I was just shocked. That I could get a man to do that. My wife had never once even touched my cock, much less sucked me."
"Did you do more with that first man, Dad?"
"Yes, we eventually tried anal. We weren't very good at it, I'm afraid to say. Part of that was the office space. But on our last time together, we got a motel room. In Menominee, a half hour up the road. We did it more successfully. He had been wanting it for years and I entered him. It was amazing. And then we never saw each other again."
"Did he ever contact you again?" Chip asked.
"Yes. He sent me a birthday card. The only mail I ever got from him. He said he loved our tango. Which is what we called that aspect of sex."
Chip was taking over the conversation learning things about his lover that Larry had never revealed. "You and I didn't fuck much. Just a couple of times. Did you want to do more then?" Chip asked.
"I wasn't sure if you liked it as much as you liked trading oral. So I never pushed you," Larry said.
"One time, when I was able to spend the night with you, you fucked me so well I couldn't believe it. Shortly after that, you told me it was over."
"Yes, I had to. I saw too much of myself in you. I needed someone who wasn't married and had family."
"I would have left my family for you. I told you that, Larry."
"I wouldn't have let you. I had already done that. The pain never stopped haunting me. You would have had the same regrets."
Dan watched the two of them talking, ignoring him as though he were sitting on his bed back in Wisconsin. Their cocks were getting a bit erect. This sentimental journey was arousing them. "You never would have met Les if I had come with you. He was the love of your life."
They were holding hands now. "I'm glad you met him, Chip. It means so much to me to make love to you now knowing you have a bit of him in you."
"I really loved both of you, Larry. Some nights when we were leaving the clubs after listening to one singer or another, I wanted to go home with you and Les. I just ached for that. To be in bed with you two would have been heavenly."
Larry leaned into Chip and Chip held him in his arms. Dan didn't want to move and interrupt the sweetest moment he had ever seen. "When you enter me, I think of him just like you do, Larry," Chip said softly.
Chip's cock was quite thick, the glans almost bursting free from the skin. Dan glanced at his father. His cock was swollen, too. It was thinner than his, but longer, reminding him of Darren's. He had seen Darren's a few times when they shared a bedroom for a month while his room was being repaired. Dan thought he should say something or just get up and leave. But his greater need was to watch these older men engage in foreplay. Was this what he would look forward to in twenty years? He wouldn't be at work. Alex would still be working, but home on his day off. They'd talk and get aroused. He hoped they might be naked as they did. Or maybe it would be with Ben. Visiting each other after a long absence. Revisiting the past and getting aroused at their many erotic moments. Just those thoughts, with his eyes closed, brought him to a near erection. Suddenly he realized where he was. When he looked up, his dad and Chip were staring at him, smiling. "It's nice to see you hard, Dan," Chip said. "I could apologize for your dad and me getting that way. But obviously you didn't mind."
"Seeing you two, so sweetly aroused in your conversation, took me back and forward at the same time. I wondered if this could be me in ten or twenty years. I hope so. I'm kind of jealous seeing you two falling in love like this."
Larry and Chip stood up, their cocks still hard. "We're going to the bedroom, Dan. You can stay and listen to music which is what you came for."
Chip laughed. "Or just stay and listen to us."
Dan smiled. "I'll go for a walk instead. See you later."
His dad reached out his hand. "Thank you for being my son."
"And for understanding us so well," Chip said.
The vision of his father and Chip continued to linger for several days. He called Ben in the evening, hoping he was free to talk. "Yeah, what's up buddy?'
"Is Gary with you?"
"He's downstairs in his room. I'm upstairs getting ready to go to sleep."
"Sorry, I forgot about the time difference. I can get back to you another time."
"Don't hang up. What's on your mind?"
"How are you and Gary doing?"
"Good so far. We slept together last night. His job is going well, but it's too soon to know for sure. I'm in charge of making supper. He's good at cleaning up."
"That's great. Seems like it's working out."
"Yeah, but it's one of those one day at a time things."
"What have you heard from the wives?"
"Nothing. Everything is signed on my end. We just have to give it a few months of waiting time. Four months minimum according to the law. We're at fifty days."
"I got a text from Jenny. She wants to talk about the same thing."
A pause replaced their banter. "Danny, I've been thinking about you. Missing you, too. In case that was the reason you called."
Dan laughed. "Mind reader?"
"I'm fucking good at it. You remember that much about us."
Dan then told him what happened with his dad and Chip a few days ago. When he completed he story, Ben started laughing. "That is so fucking sweet and so damn funny at the same time. And you got hard with them. What the fuck was that about?"
"I had drifted off while they were getting all sentimental and mushy and getting aroused. I started thinking of us. There are so many moments to remember. They all just blended together, but we were seventy-five years old and talking and getting aroused at the recollections."
Ben paused. "Danny, are you OK?"
"Getting there. I'm taking a few more weeks off work. It's still a struggle some days."
"You're getting enough love down there?"
"Yeah. That's not the issue at all. Anyway, I hope Gary sneaks up to your bed later. Give him a kiss for me."
"Will do. Dear friend. You're making me cry. Did you intend to do that?"
"I'll let you go. Before you start bawling."
"Good night, Danny."
"Same to you, Ben."
True to Dan's wish, Gary popped his head in his doorway twenty minutes later. Ben had just turned out the light, but he heard him. "That you, Gary?"
"Yeah. Was feeling a bit lonely downstairs. You mind?"
"Come in."
Gary had a robe on, but he dropped it to the floor as he snuggled next to Ben. "Lonely like you need a cuddle? Or lonely like you need to fuck me like you did last night?"
"Lonely like I wanted to tell you I love you. And I need a cuddle. Sometimes I wonder if this will work out. You and me."
"It's working so far. Only been a few weeks, but it's off to a good start."
"Thanks for trusting me, boss."
"With my house key and your half of the garage?"
"Shut up, asshole. Trusting me into your life."
Gary sniffled and Ben kissed him. "My shoulder is an expert at this sort of thing." He pulled Gary closer to him. "Just trust me."
The next morning, Ben called Chester. "How's our boy doing?"
"Up and down. And quite unpredictable."
"He called me last night. Some of it was funny. Some of it sentimental. A bit sad as well."
"You might be needed, Ben. He's got three more weeks left after he extended his time off. Could you come down for a long weekend?"
"I'll check my schedule. I think I can if I'm needed."
Two days later, while Chester was away, Dan and Robert were sitting around on the patio chatting. "Dan, honey, you getting any better?"
"Yeah, I think it is better. Sometimes it's moving very slowly. Occasionally I backtrack."
"I going to take a rest upstairs. Would you accompany me?"
"Sure. I'm a bit tired myself."
They stretched out on Robert's king-sized bed. "Come here, Dan. Let me hold you. I haven't had much chance so far."
"Either has Chester. Has he complained much?"
Robert laughed and kissed him. "Complaining is not in his handbook. I'm sure he'd like a few more romps with you. But we all understand you are driving the schedule of your recovery. We're here to support you. And love you. You know we love you, right?"
"Yes. Speaking of love, can I tell you about Dad and Chip?"
"That they like to prance around naked in your dad's condo?"
"How'd you know?"
"Your dad has been a naturist for decades. If he couldn't live it out in his apartment, he was living it out in his fantasies. He and Leslie took trips to nude beaches every summer. Their favorite was one in Wisconsin along the Wisconsin River. Near a small town called Mazomanie. Apparently, the DNR shut it down."
"It wasn't that they were naked when I walked in. But they were having fun. In a kind of foreplay."
"What did you do?"
"I told them I should leave, but Dad kept me there. Like he wanted me to know about who he is."
"Chip was enjoying it, too?"
"Indeed. I told them I should leave or join the party. So I got undressed and watched them."
"You and your daddy saw yourselves naked?"
"Yeah. First time since I was a kid. I'm sure he hadn't seen me nude since I was a boy."
"Very cute."
Robert was caressing Dan's arms as they lay there. "What did you think?"
"About them naked?"
"Yeah. You must have been very curious. Men being men. And you a full-fledged member of our team now."
"I guess Dad looked like Dad. He looks good for his age and Chip has been taking him to his health club. I wondered what was under Chip's clothing. He's kind of husky from the outside. And he's actually well-toned. Pretty fit. I was impressed."
"And?" Robert said, chuckling.
Dan laughed. "Dad's cock kind of looks like my brother's. Chip's is quite thick with a foreskin."
"He's one of us?"
Robert slipped out of his shorts and revealed his foreskin covered cock. Dan laughed. "Was I supposed to see you naked, too? Is this part of my therapy?"
"I'm not what I used to be. I have trouble getting hard, as you know."
He looked at Dan. "Can I kiss you, Danny? Like a real kiss?"
"Sure. I'd love it."
They kissed with passion for ten minutes. Dan felt it in his shorts. Robert reached down and rubbed it from the outside. "I've wanted to make love with you since you first arrived years ago. However, I can. Chester was my substitute."
Dan removed his shirt and shorts, while Robert stripped alongside him. "Into the shower, first, Danny."
The shower was immense with two nozzles. They had plenty of room to wash each other. Robert, true to his warning, thickened up but didn't get an erection. Dan was hard from all the cleaning Robert did to his body. They dried off and returned to bed. Robert kissed him deeply and Dan responded. He had always enjoyed Robert's teasing quality but now he felt the real Robert emerge. He was grateful he could offer a return to all the gifts Robert had given to him and, especially, to his father. He let himself go with his kissing. Robert stopped. "Wow, Chester didn't lie about your passion."
"Is it too much? I can turn it down a bit."
"My, God. You might even get me hard."
Dan licked Robert's nipples but he didn't respond much, but when he licked down his upper legs and back up his inner thighs, Robert said, "That's my spot. You found it quite easily."
Dan continued licking there, touching his balls which hung like the proverbial old man's testicles. "Lick them, Dan. They love it so much."
Dan licked them until they started tightening up. Then he rose to touch Robert's cock which was standing nearly straight up. "Looks like an erection to me, Robert."
Dan licked the shaft and pulled back the foreskin with his lips. The pink glans shot out, and Dan licked it. "I don't have precum since the prostate surgery."
Dan reached down for some of his own, and spread it across Roberts' knob. "That's nice."
Then he began sucking and licking it in earnest. Robert was breathing deeply and pushed from his hips. "Dan, you might do it. There's some lube on the table. Finger me."
Dan rubbed the lube across his hole and inserted his middle finger. Robert's hips swayed from side to side as the combined pleasure in his ass and cock drove him nearly to orgasm. "Just a little more."
Dan continued and Robert screamed. "Yeah, O God. Danny. I forgot to tell you nothing will come out. But I am having the greatest orgasm in my hips and thighs. Don't try to make me stand, I'll fall over."
Dan laughed as he rolled over and held Robert. Robert slid close to him. "Chester said you were some kind of expert lover. Completely adaptable to any situation. You are."
They kissed deeply over and over. "Thank you so much."
"Has it been a while?"
"I can't remember when. It seems like decades for it to feel this good."
"I assumed because Chester is so good with me in bed, that until recently, you two had great sex."
"We did. I'm not complaining about him. But because I haven't been as great in bed, he hasn't been at his best. It does take two."
"Will you tell him about this?"
"No. I'm not good at keeping secrets as you already know. But moments like this deserve to stay hidden. You shouldn't tell him either."
"I won't. You and Chester and even Dad and Chip have been doing everything possible to bring me back to life. Not just sexually, but out of my grieving. It does work, and each time I go back into my funk, it's not as deep and it doesn't last as long. So, thank you."
"I was just trying to soothe you when we went to bed. And I was planning on taking a nap. But you did therapy on me. I can't tell you what a thrill it was."
They giggled together at the unpredictability of life. "When you saw your dad and Chip aroused, I'll bet you wanted to be a fly on the wall in their bedroom as well."
"In a perverse way, yes. Like seeing your dad when he comes out of the shower when you were a kid. I actually don't think they would have cared, but it would have crossed the line."
"Larry's the top, just for your information. Chip is totally bottom material."
They took another shower, and when they got back to the bed, Robert said, "And now for the nap."
"Can I ask you something first."
"Sure. Fire away."
"Jenny called me a few days ago. She wants to proceed with the divorce as soon as I get back."
"You were expecting that, sooner or later, right?"
"Yeah. She wants to sell the house as soon as we can. It's the only property we share. And it will sell quickly. But it's left me feeling uncertain all over again."
"About Alex?"
"He wants to move slowly, two days a week for a year. And I don't want to crash at Ben's. He's got Gary there. I don't want to ruin that. The thought of finding an apartment or buying a condo doesn't appeal to me. It's all a bit overwhelming."
"Is that why you've been so glum the past few days?"
"Yeah."
"There's a simple solution. Stay in the house. Pay Jenny something every month. Keep track of it so when you do sell it, she gets her half minus what you've given her."
"Jesus, why didn't I think of that? It's so simple."
"Because your mind is too clouded by everything else."
Robert rolled over on his side and invited Dan to spoon him while they drifted off into sleep. "Chester takes good care of you, doesn't he?" Dan said.
Robert laughed. "I'm the one who takes care of people. Chester has had some pretty low moments over the years. Even now he does. I'm his rock."
"Really?"
"You probably have the wrong idea about me. You see me as Mr. Flamboyantly Gay. But I'm pretty unflappable."
"I haven't noticed that about Chester."
"O, boy. You should have seen him after your first visit here. He was a like a schoolboy in love. I thought he'd jump on a plane and go visit you."
Dan laughed. "What did you tell him?"
"Grow the fuck up, Chester. Dan's rediscovering his dad. This is not your show."
"Did it work?"
"In a way. But I can see why he was so smitten."
Dan's cock was resting on Chester's naked ass. "You're getting a bit frisky back there, Danny."
"Sorry. I didn't realize it."
"You want to come in and finish off?"
"No. Chester might come back."
"Not for a few more hours."
Robert reached behind him and pushed Dan's cock between his cheeks. "No, not today, Robert. I've too much on my mind."
Robert patted his ass. "OK. Nighty-night,"
Dan called Jenny and explained the housing plan. She agreed readily, telling him she had no intention of making him homeless. While that dilemma was quickly sorted out, the sadness about Marie came swooping in again. He tried to let it go, but it accompanied him when he went out walking or was sitting still reading a book. Her memory would not leave him alone. A few days later, Chip insisted he come to the radio show with the two of them. "What's the subject, Dad?"
"The later career of Rosie Clooney. She made quite a few albums with a jazz group. You've probably heard me playing some cuts over the past week."
"Yeah, in a funny way, she kind of reminds me of Lorraine Duggins. The way she half talks her way through the old songs. And the cornet player, Warren Vache, sounds like Orvy quite a bit. They do some great arrangements."
"You'll like the show. Afterward, we're going to grab lunch. You up for all of that?"
"Yeah. It will be a good distraction if nothing else."
"Are you getting bored being with us?"
"Not at all. It's just me trying to stop thinking about her."
"Give it time, son."
As they sat in the restaurant finishing up the meal, while Larry was in the bathroom, Chip said, "I haven't had a chance to talk to you since that day. I'm really sorry if we offended you. I've felt awkward ever since. Like maybe you had lost faith in me as your dad's man."
"Not at all. I was impressed. I will admit it was a shock at first. And then to see you two aroused like that. I've gotten over most of it. More than anything, I'm very happy for the two of you. I hope that happens to me when I'm Dad's age. Or even yours."
"You're not making this up are you? To make a bad situation not as prickly?"
"Did you ever see your dad erect when he was in his eighties?"
Chip laughed. "Well, he was dead by then. But I get your point. But Larry is a very virile man. It's remarkable."
"I hope I have his genes."
Chip touched his hand. "It will get better with Marie. Just have faith that time will heal you from the worst of it."
"Thank you. That's very kind."
They pulled into Casa Felicidad thirty minutes later. Chip and his dad went to their condo for a nap. Dan wandered through the streets of the complex, finally sitting on a bench. He hadn't spoken to Alex in a few days, so he needed to phone him later. He had a picture of Marie in his shirt pocket, but instead of pulling it out as he often did. He just rubbed the paper against his heart. It was quite soothing. He looked up and Chester was approaching. "Hey, Danny, I wanted to show you something back at the house. Do you have time?"
"Yeah, I was about to head back there."
"How was the show?"
"Really fun. It felt like I was listening to Lorraine and Orvy."
"I listened for a while when I was driving around doing errands. I had to run out to the airport."
They approached the front door. "Did you have to pick somebody up?"
"Yes."
They walked up the stairs to main level of the condo. He heard Robert laughing with someone. The voice of the visitor sounded familiar. He turned toward the kitchen, and Ben looked at him, a full smile lighting his face. "Danny, how have you been?"
He opened his arms to take Dan in, but Dan paused and looked at Robert and Chester who were laughing. "What have you guys done?"
Ben took him into his arms. "Just a little surprise for you. We all thought you could use it."
"My God. I've never been so surprised in my life."
His dad and Chip walked into the kitchen from the back door. "Did we pull it off?" Chip asked.
Dan started laughing. "You guys with your radio show and lunch."
"Yes. We needed you out of the way," Chester said.
Robert interrupted the hug and took Ben into his arms again. "You are so sexy, Ben. I'd die for a night with someone like you."
"Stop that, Robert. He's just arrived," Chester said.
"We met in Wisconsin at the memorial. He already knows I'm crazy about him."
They all laughed and sat in the piano room. "OK, now Chip and I are really going home to have a nap," Larry said.
"We'll have a light supper later. Come back if you want."
Chester played a few songs while Ben continued his conversation with Robert. Dan put his hand on Chester's shoulder. "What a wonderful surprise."
"He's just in for the weekend. We thought it would be a nice boost for you before you head back next week."
Ben came over and put his hands on Dan's neck and shoulders and massaged him a bit. "You are so sweet to come down."
"Chester play something," Ben said.
Chester ran through a few melodies before settling on "Danny Boy." Dan laughed, "Normally, I'd say no. But go ahead a play it."
They sang along before Chester went off on a jazzy riff. "Let's go downstairs," Ben said.
As they were leaving, he yelled back, "Saturday night, OK?"
Chester nodded and they headed downstairs. "What's Saturday night?"
"We'll sing some songs."
They stretched out on the king-sized bed. "Are you tired from the travel?"
"Yes. A rest will help. How about you? Be honest, how are you doing?"
"Up and down. Some days, I'm not thinking about her, other days I see her around street corners when I'm walking and race up to catch her before she disappears again. Does this ring a bell?"
"It took me well over a year to get a handle on missing Ellie. But it's different with a kid. If one of my daughters died tomorrow, sudden-like, which is much like what happened to Marie, I'd still be in shock, I'm sure. Especially if it was Annie. I'm closer to her than Jessie or Marnie."
"Maybe I should start some therapy when I get back."
"Talking it through with Alex isn't the solution?"
"It's too complicated with our relationship. The fact that Chester and Robert orchestrated things so you'd be here and not Alex says a lot."
Ben opened up his left shoulder and welcomed Dan close to him. "Have you been getting along with everyone here? They've been good for you?"
"Very much. Every day is like therapy to some extent the way they go out of their way."
"I'm going to the radio show tomorrow. They are going to spend an hour talking about Lorraine."
"Is Dad going in for the show?"
"Not sure. Chester arranged it with Chip. They asked me to sit in with them in the studio. Kind of silly since I'm not a musician."
"You'll do fine. It's a very informal chat. They play a few of her songs and talk about them. People call in to give their opinions. You'll love it."
Ben held him tighter. "I'm glad to be part of your rescue mission. Since there's just a week before you come back."
"Kiss me."
"Which version of a kiss?"
"The version that tells me you know me and understand what it takes to be whole again."
"That's a stiff order."
They kissed sweetly and held it, simply lip to lip. "That was nice. I'll need more of those if you are going to rescue me."
Ben laughed. "Tell me about Gary?" Dan said.
"He's extremely busy with his new job. I'm just helping him get through it."
"Was he OK about you being here?"
"Mostly. He talks a tough game. But I have to be careful he doesn't get jealous. But that night he cuddled with you in Minneapolis has really helped him understand us."
"How do you know that?"
"When I saw him the next time, after that evening, all he could talk about was how sad you were. Marie had just died that day, so you were at the bottom with your grief. And then you asked him just to cuddle so you could fall asleep."
"I wasn't myself at all. He saw me at my worst."
"He understands that. He said he got under the covers with you with his clothes on."
"Yeah. I was wearing just my shorts and a t-shirt. I needed your touch and he reminded me of you. It really helped me fall asleep. I went under for eleven hours. When I woke up I still wished he was there."
"He said it was like sleeping with you. That he even got aroused. He said, `What a stupid fuck I was for letting myself go like that.' He was very embarrassed."
"He was spooning me and rubbing my chest and belly under my t-shirt. I could feel him through his jeans. It was funny because he knew he shouldn't. He just couldn't help himself."
Ben laughed. "He's like me in that respect. Has a strong sexual drive."
"I told him it was not to have sex."
"That's what he remembered most when he talked about it. Deep friendship was what you wanted. He was my substitute. He started crying when he told me about it."
"Does he break out into tears much?"
"Yeah. He can be a big fucking baby. Like me."
Ben was caressing Dan and slid his hand underneath Dan's polo shirt. "It was just like that. Rubbing me while I tried to fall asleep. I was so moved he could do that even though it was the first time we met."
"He said it was like he had known you for years."
"Nice."
"Have you been having much sex with Chester?"
"A couple of times. Sometimes he just sleeps with me to keep me company. My libido has been unpredictable."
"After Ellie died, mine was fucking dead. Couldn't even get an erection."
Ben rubbed Dan's crotch area through his walking shorts. "I can see you're not that bad off."
"Amusingly, the fact my dad is so sexed up with Chip has helped."
"And he's fucking eighty-six?"
"Yeah. Very inspirational. But he told me after his partner, Les, died, his cock did a Rip Van Rinkle on him."
"I'm here to comfort you and love you first and foremost. If we have sex, that's a bonus."
"Did you tell Gary we might have sex?"
"He knows. I'm going to call him in a bit to reassure him. That's mostly what he needs. To know you're not going to replace him."
Ben nodded off, almost midsentence and Dan watched him sleep. If he were to live with a man, day to day, Ben was always the first one he thought about. They might be compatible that way. But even that would be a tremendous leap. In some ways, Alex was a better match in that respect. He enjoyed quiet times as much as Dan did. Ben needed to interrupt that quiet with conversation more than he was used to. Though he had to admit, Ben had changed in that respect. If he were going back home to live with Ben, he might have a chance. Or was he thinking that simply because Ben was here, sleeping right next to him. If it were Alex, would he be feeling the same level of optimism? He rolled away from Ben and closed his eyes. His night sleeps were getting better and better. He still woke up once or twice, but he could usually get back to sleep. He wasn't forced to get up and sit in the piano room and try to read anymore. He knew if he couldn't sleep decently, going back to work would be brutal. More than anything, that's what he needed to recover over the next week.
Later that night, as he and Ben were settling in for the night, Chester knocked at their door. "Everything OK?"
"Yes. Thanks for bringing this guy down, Chester."
"We all figured he'd be good for you? Especially your dad."
"I didn't think he had a part in it."
"He was the ringleader."
Dan and Ben laughed. "OK, I'm out of here. Glad you're here, Ben."
"Did he want to sleep with you, is that why he popped in?"
"Maybe. But he also understands me. So, no, he wasn't here to have sex."
They turned the lights out and snuggled. "Feels good after the shower. You OK with me being naked?" Ben asked.
"Yes. Should I take my shorts off?"
"Up to you. Feels weird if one of us is naked and the other isn't."
Dan slipped his briefs off. "Yes, that feels better. Want me to spoon you until we fall asleep?"
"Yes. I'm kind of talked out. So just feeling you will be wonderful."
Ben pulled Dan close to him and rubbed Dan over his chest and belly. He touched Dan's cock but it was soft. "Don't worry about that, Danny."
"I'm not. Please rub me and tell my body to come alive with you."
Ben kissed his neck and shoulders as he held him. Rubbing his front side as he did. His cock did its expected thing and was erect perched at Dan's crack. "Feels good back there. You can put it at my ass."
Ben pushed a bit so that the softness of Dan's inner ass cheeks nestled against his hard cock. "Has Chester been close to your ass since you've come down?"
"Just once. I've told you Alex doesn't like to fuck me. So, even your cock being there right now is a wonderful addition to my sex life."
"I'm not asking to fuck you right now. Just so you know."
"I don't think I want that now. Before you leave maybe. Right now, just closeness."
Ben reached around to feel Dan's cock. It was wet and mostly firm. "How about I taste this for a while?"
Dan rolled onto his back and Ben slipped down between his thighs. He licked Dan's balls over and over and then just beneath them. The saliva ran down to his hole. Dan issued low moans, and Ben smiled, knowing he'd take Dan all the way to bliss. Dan lifted his legs and Ben licked his hole making it so wet Ben could barely contain himself. Ben sucked his middle finger and inserted it inside Dan, then slowly let his tongue rise through the taint, across his balls, and upward to Dan's rigid shaft. "Fuck, that feels good, Ben."
Ben licked his shaft up and down and swirled circles around it, before settling on the glans. He licked there before slowly descending, taking all of Dan deep to his throat. He had consumed just four cocks in his life. Orvy's was the biggest, and Gary's was thicker than Dan's, but Dan's always fit into his mouth so well. He made love to his cock in every possible way his mouth and tongue could. The taste of Dan's precum enriched the love he was dispensing. He slid his middle finger against Dan's prostate, and Dan responded by lifting his hips up and own. Dan's moans grew louder as he yielded to his body's craving to orgasm. Ben shoved his finger in as deeply as it would go. Dan shouted and exploded into his mouth, thrusting and thrusting. When he calmed, he pulled Ben to him. "I'm speechless. You are so talented."
Ben kissed him smiling as he did. "Love you, dear friend."
They held each other tightly. Ben's cock was rigid against Dan's belly and he began to thrust into Dan's hairy belly. He could feel the early signs. Dan reached down and grabbed Ben's ass cheeks all the way to his hole. He swirled around the opening, knowing that was one of Ben's golden spots. Ben erupted onto Dan's chest, spurting onto his chin and around his mouth and nose, laughing in joy as the same time.
Ben had a wonderful time through his stay of four days. The radio show was certainly a highlight, especially when Jimmy and Lorraine Duggins joined them on the call-in show. They recalled their early days with great affection, and spoke to Larry and Chester as though they were long lost friends. Ben mostly listened, but at one point, Lorraine told Chip to let Ben relate how he had come to the music. Ben tried to defer, but they insisted. "Believe it or not, I was led to The Trinity Club by my deceased wife, Ellie. She had met the cornet player in The Duggins group. His name is Orvy Watson and they talked for a long time at my high school reunion. Ellie passed away but she stayed with me in many ways. From the grave, she spoke to me about the two of us going to see Orvy play. So, I did. She was there, too, in spirit. And Orvy and Lorraine and Jimmy brought me into the world of the classic old songs that I had never listened to before. Now, that's all I listen to. It was a transformative experience."
Lorraine jumped in. "Ben has an instinctive love of the music. When he shows up for a gig, we all play better because we know he'll be there feasting on our best. Your listeners should know that this can happen to them, just like it happened to Ben. Let yourself become entranced by the great old songs and you'll never be the same."
They played a cut from the most recent album, "I'll See You Again." While it was playing, the phone lines lit up. When they returned, Chip said, "Lorraine and Jimmy, we're getting bombarded with calls. Can you stay with us for a while?"
"We'd love to Chip."
The first caller directed his question to Ben. "What did it feel like Ben, that first time when you fell in love with the songs?"
Ben described it briefly and then asked, "Did something like this happen to you?"
The listener said, "Yeah. Just like you said. Brings tears to my eyes remembering. Thanks for taking my call."
Several other callers asked about the same thing. Finally, Lorraine came on again, "Chip, I know I move people with the songs. It's the greatest thing in the world to do that. Sometimes, when the gig is over, Jimmy and Orvy and the others, we just sit back and smile knowing something magical happened out there. Your listeners are absolutely right."
The segment of the show which was only intended for an hour, filled the complete two hour segment, mostly with the testimonials of the listeners, with Lorraine's songs filling in between. When it was over, Chip told Ben to stand up and he gave him an enormous hug. "That, my friend, is exactly what I want our show to be. You were wonderful."
"Fuck. I am a bit blown away. Never expected that type of response."
Larry and Chester congratulated him, too, though they had just as big a part in the show as Ben did. Dan had been watching and listening to the show from outside the sound room, and he gave Ben a big hug as well. "Can people stream the show as a podcast, Chip?"
"Yeah, just click onto our station."
"Are you going to tell Gary about it?"
"Absolutely. I wish I had known. I would have given him a shout-out."
When the last night arrived and the last song in the sing-a-long had been sung, Ben and Dan relaxed in their room. Other than the sex they'd had the first night, they had gone to sleep cuddling and talking. Neither had pushed the other for more. They were content to let their naked bodies touch each other before they separated from each other to the far sides of the bed. But on this last night, Ben said, "I don't know when the next time will be. We'll both return to our lovers. Despite your concerns, I have great faith in Alex."
Dan took his words in, but didn't say much. But Ben's plan, which he had been hatching and refining since he arrived three days ago, had moved from gestation to readiness. Dan did not have to know about it. They held each other, saying very little. "The boys are treating you so well here, Danny, that you're going to have a hard time back home. Man, do they love you."
"Yeah, I do feel loved. And by you, too. But we won't have this ease seeing and touching each other when we get back."
"You can always spend the night with me. Or maybe I'll visit you at your house."
"I don't want to mess things up with you and Gary. He's very understanding, but up to a point."
Dan began kissing Ben, deep, rich kisses, as they had done in their most passionate moments from the past. "Let's pretend this is our first and last night."
They'd kiss and pause to talk, then kiss deeply again. They touched each other like it was the first time they had the exquisite pleasure of a man's body next to them. Dan felt like every hair on his body was aroused. Ben didn't miss a spot with his fingers or tongue. After an hour of doing nothing more than kissing and touching, Ben said, "You wanted me to fill you when I arrived. Was that hypothetical or something more?"
"I want you Ben, body and soul. Ben licked Dan's genitals until they were soaked and fully aroused. He turned Dan onto his belly and licked him from his shoulders, to his ass cheeks, then he spread the cheeks and let his saliva drop from his mouth onto Dan's hole. Then he dove in with his tongue and made love that way for fifteen minutes. Dan pushed himself up begging for a finger in his ass. Dan lubed him and fingered him for ten minutes playing with his prostate during most of it. Dan rolled onto his back and perched his legs onto Ben's shoulders. Ben rubbed his fat, wet knob across Dan's hole and slowly entered him. He took his time letting Dan become used to his cock. Dan moaned and said, "It's OK now."
Ben entered and retreated in such a gently passionate fashion that he couldn't recall ever fucking a man or a woman so deliciously. At times, he came close to the edge, then backed off. Dan would masturbate himself, then back off. They looked at each other with such joy as they made love, that Dan couldn't imagine he would be returning to Wisconsin into anyone's arms but Ben's. Ben thought of how much Gary loved it when he fucked him, and decided he would do it on their first night back together. It seemed to go on for hours, until Ben overestimated his ability to hold back and he shouted, "I'm going to cum. Can you, too."
Dan jerked himself just a few times and said, "Yeah, I'm there, too."
The joint orgasm ran through their cocks and asses and thighs. Ben collapsed on top of Dan and they rolled over together. Neither said a word. Dan kissed Ben, and felt his tears with his tongue. Dan joined him weeping in joy, but then the heavier tears poured out of him. "Let it all out, Danny. The sorrow is never far behind the joy."