Dan and Ben at Sixty-two

Dan and Ben at Sixty-Two--Chapter Eight By Ezra Randle

Dan was creating a to-do list at the kitchen table while Jerrad was finishing up with dinner dishes. "What are you doing?" Jerrad said.

"Things to get done before Grandpa and Chip visit in a couple of weeks."

"Is there much cleaning to get done? Because Katrine does that type of work. You could hire her."

"That's a great idea. Will you contact her about a day next week?"

"Will do. Where is everyone going to sleep?"

"I'm putting Dad and Chip in my room. They'll have a king bed and their own bathroom. I'm going to get a new mattress and bed for Marie's room. Queen-sized. Want me to get you one, too?"

"I've slept in that old double bed since I was eight. That mattress has lots of memories. And stains."

Dan laughed. "How about I get another queen. I think a king would be too big for your room."

"That would be wonderful."

"When I called about the new bed, they said they had plenty in stock. I'll ring them up and double the order. We'll move the old ones out the day before."

Ten days later, as they were moving out the beds to the garage, Jerrad asked, "Are you nervous about the visit?"

"Yes and no. He's never been here. We were estranged for so long that he missed out on seeing you grow up and witnessing our family together. It's too late for most of that stuff. So, I'm mostly nervous about the little things. But I've seen him so much over the past half a dozen years that he really seems like family. Or at least like an old friend who's coming to visit. And I like Chip. I get along with both of them. I'm more nervous for you than for me."

"You shouldn't be. Grandpa and I have talked on the phone and sent enough emails that I'll be shocked if we don't get along in person. Plus I'll be gone at work most of the time."

"But this will be just the second time you've met them."

"The first time didn't really count since I was with Sylvia and it was at the memorial service. I'm looking forward to it."

"I know he wants to get to know you. And you are so much more approachable now than you've ever been. He's got some interesting habits. The naturist thing is probably the most outrageous. But given how you've evolved, that shouldn't be a problem for you."

"It's one thing to be naked with you or by myself. But with two older guys, that's something else."

"He knows how to be polite. He'll be on his best behavior."

They finished moving the beds and the vacuuming, making Jerrad's room looked quite presentable. "Where are you going to sleep tonight?"

"Probably the sofa. It's just one night."

"Use the bedding we just took off your bed. I bought new sheets for the queen beds. They're washed and ready to go after the beds come in tomorrow. I think the blankets and spreads will work for now."

"Great. I can't believe I won't be sleeping on my old bed."

"What size bed did you use in Chicago?"

"A queen. Towards the end I wish we would have had a king. So, I could have gotten further away. The last few nights before she moved to her parents, I slept on the sofa. When she left, it was a huge burden lifted from my shoulders. A ton of anguish. I didn't realize how huge it was until I moved up here. It's very difficult to get a good night sleep when you're not at peace."

"Have you been sleeping well here?"

"Better than I can ever remember. Plus, I love sleeping naked which was something I started doing in high school."

"I had no idea that was your preference."

"Wasn't like I was going to tell you and mom. I stopped doing it with Sylvia. She didn't insist I wear shorts to bed, but I was too embarrassed about my body to sleep naked."

"You seem quite liberated from those inhibitions now."

"Yeah. I can't believe how much that issue has been resolved."

"Was it just the weight loss?"

"I'm down twenty-three pounds, by the way. Yeah, that was a big part of it. But just being here, regaining some of what I was, is probably more important. You don't mind me naked or shirtless. I feel comfortable around you. Hanging around with Gary helps, too. His body is like mine and he's not hung-up about it. I started showering at the club in front of other men. I'd never done that in my life. I never once took a shower in the high school gym. Gary told me to try it. That it would be good for me. To let other men see me. It feels good to do that."

"Maybe seeing Grandpa and Chip without clothes will be fine then."

"I enjoy seeing other men naked. But it's not a gay thing. It's like I belong to the male species for once."

"Katrine seems to enjoy you."

"Yeah. I'm not sure we're destined to be together. But I like being with her. Which often means we have sex." Jerrad smiled. "I don't mind telling you, Dad, but it's the best sex I've ever had. Maybe that sounds silly coming out of my mouth. It's not like I'm a grizzled veteran of sex games."

"You're never too young or old to realize that."

"Was the sex you had with Ben that much better than with Mom?"

"It was different. That's not saying anything bad about my sex life with Mom. I just prefer it with the few men I've been with."

"Maybe I should have sex with a guy, just to know for sure."

Dan laughed. "You'll know if you need to have sex with a man."

That night, Jerrad tried to get comfortable on the sofa. But it was too short for him to stretch out like he was used to. The sofa cushions rubbed against him and prevented him from getting into a comfortable position. He tried the floor but it was too hard. As much as he was reluctant to ask, he knocked on the door to his dad's room. "Mind if I sleep with you. The fucking sofa is terrible."

"Yeah, that's fine. The king has plenty of room."

Dan turned on his bedside lamp so Jerrad could get positioned in bed and noticed that Jerrad was naked. Dan thought about putting shorts on but didn't want to get up and be fully awake again. "Are you set?" Dan asked.

"Yeah. You can kill the light," but, as the darkness consumed the room again, Jerrad rolled around on his side of the bed making a commotion as he snuggled under the pillows he'd brought into bed with him. When he finally settled down, Dan became immediately discomfited having his son in bed with him. It had been decades since he'd been with a man in bed unless their intention was to have sex. Though their bodies weren't touching, the twelve inches separating them felt like just a few millimeters. Dan was fully awake again. "Sorry to wake you, Dad. Are you sure you're OK having me here?"

"It's been a long time since we slept together. Probably not since a river camping trip when you were a freshman in high school. Do you remember that adventure?"

"Yeah. Just you and me. That might have been the last one of those trips we did. It was a summer ritual up until then. Why did we stop?"

"You told me it wasn't that much fun anymore."

"Really? I said that? I must have been angry about something else when I said it. I loved those trips with you."

"You got a job the next summer. So, another trip didn't work out. I figured we had a good run, but it was time to move on from the father-son thing."

"I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression from what I said. I did enjoy the time with you quite a bit," Jerrad said.

"Maybe that's true in retrospect but wasn't at the moment. I'm sorry, too. We could always head out onto the river for an overnight some weekend. They still rent canoes out at the same place."

"Let's think about it. OK?"

"Yeah. No rush."

"I thought you'd caught me on one of those trips. Maybe the one after seventh grade," Jerrad said.

"Caught you at what?"

"Jacking off. I walked to the far end of the sand bar where we were camping because I had such a need to do it. You kind of snuck up on me from the other direction. I was stroking like crazy. I covered up as well as I could when you approached."

"I have no memory of that."

"Good. Cause it was very embarrassing."

"I'm glad you did that regularly. It's a healthy thing. Did I tell you that when I gave you the lecture on the birds and the bees?"

"Yeah. I remember you saying that. I had already started masturbating and loved it. So, I was happy you approved of it. Did Grandpa tell you the same thing?"

"No. It was a different era. I don't recall him saying anything about it. But I sure enjoyed doing it."

"How old were you when you started"

"I don't know. I guess I started changing in seventh grade. It took me another year to start doing in regularly."

"How often?"

"Most nights I think."

"It's hard not to once you start. It's like second nature with my hand once I get into bed. Even if I don't actually complete the act, my hand wants to play down there," Jerrad said.

"Even if I hadn't told you it was OK to do it, you would still have been doing it."

"I still do it before I go to sleep. So, I might go off to the bathroom and come back if I can't fall asleep."

Dan laughed. "You can do it here, just don't make a mess if you don't mind."

"I might. Thanks for giving me permission."

"I'm going to try to get to sleep again. Goodnight, buddy. Love you," Dan said.

"Love you, too, Dad."

Ten minutes later, Dan was just nodding off when he realized Jerrad was jerking off on the very far side of the bed. He tried not to listen, but it was impossible not to. It didn't take Jerrad long before the short gasps of his orgasm eased off to regular breathing again. He could feel Jerrad reaching for the box of tissue, snapping several from the box, and wiping himself off. Dan came close to laughing but held it in and finally fell asleep.

Chip and Larry had been staying for the past week with Chester and Robert during their annual summer stay with Chester's daughter, Bobbie, and her family. The new Airbnb outside of Boulder was wonderful with an added bedroom, giving Chester and Robert separate sleeping rooms and a big bedroom for Chip and Larry to share. It even had a piano, so Chester entertained them nightly. It was the first time Larry had traveled with Chip other than on day trips around Tucson. He had been hesitant, not sure how well they'd click with all the little things of life, but their frequent overnights back home had eased that concern. Quite simply, while Chip had some idiosyncrasies that took getting used to, they were quite a good match for an adventure like this that was destined to end up for several weeks in the Midwest. One night, as they lay in bed, cuddling, Chip asked him if he ever thought about marriage. "Only a little. Les and I could never go quite that far. We had lived together as unmarried men for so long. When the law changed, we talked about it but decided we didn't need this change in court rulings to validate our love. Chester and Robert feel the same way. But it was not an easy decision."

"If you thought you could, I would love to be married to you. Not soon, but if things continue to go so well for us. Just something to think about," Chip said.

Larry looked at him and smiled. He was letting Chip into his heart more and more each day. He hadn't expected that when they started dating. The best he'd been hoping for then was good sex, which was no small matter for a man his age. He discovered his libido was still strong once he emerged from his grief at losing Les. He and Les had almost no sex during Les's long decline. Occasionally, he gave Les a blow job, but Les was not able to sustain the activity of mutual sex. Chip told him a month after Les's passing that he was eager to be his friend and perhaps his lover anytime he was willing to move on from Les. He had presented his request in such a humble way, misty-eyed as he said it, that Larry was moved to tears. The renewal of their relationship of decades earlier in Chicago moved along quite gradually. At first, no one knew. He didn't want to jinx the possibilities by even telling Chester about the feelings he had again for Chip. The emotions were so different now, at his age, after so many years with Les, whom he was convinced was the only love of his life. But the opening was there. He began to feel things again. The joy began to seep back into his life. And, now, after almost two years of courting and making marvelous love each week, he was able to see a future with this man. A passionate life that could carry him to his final years.

"I will think about it. And I love you for suggesting it. I would have loved you if you hadn't suggested it, too. Can I make a suggestion?" Larry said.

"Absolutely."

"We haven't made love for several days. And tomorrow we take off to Wisconsin. So, let's take advantage."

They kissed warmly and then Chip inserted his tongue into Larry's mouth, something that always ignited the fire in Larry. Larry's cock fueled by the magical qualities of the blue pill bolted upright. Chip felt it and immediately slipped down between Larry's hips. He licked and sucked it as though it were the first time in their Arizona romance. It felt that fresh. He rose to kiss Larry again. "Please fuck me with that stick of yours."

Chip rose on his hands and knees as Larry pulled the four inch plug free and lubed Chip. When he rubbed his cock tip against the opening, Chip flipped onto his back and put his legs up on Larry's shoulders. Larry lifted Chip's hips and placed a folded towel underneath them, elevating Chip's hips. Then he slowly inserted his rigid cock inside Chip. Chip moaned loudly as Larry easily filled him, retreated, then filled him again. As he did, Chip rubbed his precum up and down his cock. His glans shot out from his foreskin. He stroked himself and said, "Honey, I'm ready."

Larry smiled down on him. "Let it go, babe."

Chip's cum oozed out of his cock, like lava erupting, rolling over the tip of his cock, down the shaft and onto his belly. Larry pulled out and scooped a handful of Chip's cum. He stroked his cock until he climaxed. His cum rolled onto Chip's belly mixing with his own. Larry collapsed onto Chip. "Pretty damn hot for guys our age, Lar."

"It was wonderful. You're a great lover," Larry said.

They lay there almost snoozing until Chip turned and grabbed a towel and wiped them both off. Larry spooned Chip as they drifted into sleep.

Chip and Larry arrived two days later in mid-afternoon, and Dan hurried out of the house to greet them. He embraced them both, then his dad a second time. They put their luggage in the bedroom, with Chip complaining they had no right to steal his bed. "Not only do you have the right, but it's decades' worth of repayment to Dad for all that we left on the table by not seeing each other."

"Yes, Dan, we left a lot. Now where's my grandson?"

"He'll be back shortly after five. He just texted me. He's looking forward to seeing both of you."

"How's he doing?"

"Amazingly, almost shockingly, he has made tremendous changes in his life since he moved back home. He's hardly the same guy you saw at Marie's memorial. I just love living with him. And since Alex and I are taking a break from each other, he's been my support system as well."

"That's great. I've certainly gotten good vibes from him since we've been connecting on the phone over these few months."

"I'm eager to reacquaint with him, too," Chip said.

"You sure arrived on a beautiful day. Classic Wisconsin summer day. Dry air by our standards. Absolutely clear skies and eighty degrees. We might have a few more days of this before some clouds drift in."

"Now let's take a walk. We need to stretch our muscles."

Dan led them down the township road that had very little traffic. Though it was mid-July there was a cool breeze that kept the sweat from forming and drove away any insects that might be lurking to annoy them. "Any special plans, Dad?"

"I think we mostly want to hang out here. The cool air is really blissful. Just like it was in Boulder. I'd love to see Ben and Gary of course. I was thinking we'd drive up to Eau Claire to see my brother. I have a bunch of other relatives there, too. But I could only handle a few visits before I'd get worn out."

"What have you heard from your brother?"

"When I called him to let him know I'd be in Wisconsin, he seemed eager to see me. So maybe the bad blood is dissipating. When I saw him at Marie's memorial, he was very gracious. Maybe he's mellowed since his wife died. I sent him lots of text messages during her final days. He seemed grateful."

"If you get up there, you might consider going over to see Lorraine and Orvy play at The Trinity. They're playing every Saturday night through July."

"Would you go, too?"

"I might. It sure would be fun to see her again."

They turned around at the mile marker and headed back home. "Are you and Alex over? You've been very cryptic on the phone."

"It's up in the air. Would you like me to invite him over for dinner some night? He's asked about you."

"Only if you want to. Seems like it wouldn't be a good idea from what you've said."

As they approached the driveway, Dan saw Jerrod's car in the open garage. "Hey, he's back early."

Jerrod must have been looking out the window because he came out of the house just then wearing a cut-off t-shirt, baggy gym shorts, and flip-flops. He walked right up to them and said, "Hey, Gramps. Really good to see you."

He opened his arms and gave Larry a bear hug. Then did the same for Chip. Larry gave him a once over. "I know I hardly saw you at the service, but, man, there is something different about the way you look. Is it just the shorter hair?"

"I've been cutting it shorter since I broke up with Sylvia. It's easier to take care of. But I hope what you're noticing is I've lost some weight."

"More than a little," Dan said.

"How much?" Chip asked.

"About twenty-five. I'm still working on more. And man does it feel good to be walking with a lighter step."

"Congratulations, son. I'm proud of you. I know it's hard work. How are you doing it?"

"A little bit of everything. Diet, working out, getting support from people like Dad. Everything is really going well. That's a big part of it, too. Feeling good about myself."

They entered the house and Dan said he'd start the grill for brats and burgers. Jerrod sat with the visitors. "Want something to drink?" Jerrod asked.

"Just water for us," Chip said.

Jerrod returned with three classes of lemon water. "How was Boulder?"

"Wonderful. But coming here is just as good."

"Dad said you're staying for a while."

"Chip has to get back after a few weeks. If I want to stay longer, I can fly later and Chip can drive back on his own."

"I do all the driving anyway. If Larry weren't along, I wouldn't stop as much. So, I'd be OK with the drive."

"I know it's hot back there. As far as I'm concerned, stay as long as you want."

"Thanks. That's kind of you. But it really depends on how I get along with your dad. If he wants me around."

"I'm sure he'd like it. You saw him every day when he was in Arizona after Marie died. So, you know what he's like. He can be moody, but he knows how to take care of himself when he is. As for me, I'll be at work much of the time. Though I took tomorrow off to be around to visit."

"Good. Maybe you'd like to come with Chip and me?"

"Where are you going?"

"When I was living in Chicago, there was a naturist beach not too far from here. Near a town called Mazomanie. We'd come every summer. It was a beautiful place along the bluffs of the Wisconsin River. The evangelicals got the DNR to shut it down. They didn't like naked people hanging out on state owned land. But a couple who own some land near that beach have turned it into a naturist refuge. It includes a nice stretch of river frontage. We're thinking of driving over there in midafternoon, after the heat of the day."

"That sounds interesting. What was the old place like?"

"Just a gorgeous place. It was mostly men sitting on blankets and towels and enjoying themselves. You could ignore the crowds during the weekdays and find a secluded spot under a willow tree. The water was always a nice temperature and you could frolic in it and cool down. Or take a walk out to the sandbars."

Chip looked at Jerrad. "It's not everyone's cup of tea. So if you're hesitant, you might not want to. But we'd love it if you came with us. I know your dad is too busy."

"Your dad mentioned you like hanging out naked in the house," Larry said.

"I do. And you should, too, if you feel comfortable doing it here. Dad told me you guys are naked in your condo some of the time."

"Yes. We enjoy that freedom."

Jerrad took off his shirt and smiled. "Glad you don't mind."

"You can take it all off, if we can join you."

Jerrad laughed. "Why not."

He removed his shorts and underwear and stood near the recliner chair naked. Chip and Larry followed suit. They examined each other. Chip said, "I can't tell how much heavier your belly was before the weight loss."

"It was mostly from my gut and chest. A little from my ass. I'd like to lose forty more, but I know how easy it is to put it back on. Everybody says that. They warned me to take it slowly so it feels natural and I get used to it at different stages. Then I'm more likely to keep it off. If you had seen me growing up, you wouldn't be surprised at my body type. I've always been chunky. Unlike Dad. You look like you have Dad's body type, Grandpa."

"It's a bit more like your Dad's brother, Darren. A little heftier than your dad's. Jerrad, would you mind calling me Larry?"

"That's up to you?"

"I'd prefer it. Seems like a better fit than Grandpa. Not that I don't want to be a loving grandpa to you."

"What did Marie call you?"

"Gramps. I told her to call me Larry, but she didn't want to. So, if you don't, I'd understand."

"I've never had a friend named Larry. You'll be my first."

Dan came in with a platter of grilled meet. When he saw them, he started laughing. "Who started it?"

"It was kind of mutual, dad. And we don't care if don't join us."

"Maybe after dinner."

At three the next afternoon, Chip drove through the gates of Reston's Camp. The name was innocuous enough, but when Jerrad did an online search he was able to figure out that it was a naturist facility with the expectation that if you stayed for very long, you'd be sans clothing. You'd could camp or buy a fifteen-dollar per person day pass, which is what they did. Chip toured the road through the campgrounds, and there were about forty tents or campers set up along the way. They parked in an area near the walkway down to the river. Jerrad carried the cooler with cold drinks and sandwiches, and Chip and Larry brought the blankets and towels. "How long will we stay?" Jerrad asked.

"We can stay until dark. I'm guessing eight or so, unless it's no fun."

The walk way cut through a lightly wooded area of oak and aspen until it opened up to a gorgeous vista of the river. The far side was punctuated by a series of bluffs. The main flowage of the river was near the far shore, and they immediately spied three canoes slipping by the bluffs. The lower end of the Wisconsin River was affectionately called the Driftless Zone as the river meandered through the unglaciated area of southwest Wisconsin, creating valleys through the bluffs for nearly one hundred miles before it flowed into the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien. It was a canoeist's paradise as the territory was sparsely populated and there were no dams below Sauk City impeding the flow of the boats. As they approached the water, two more canoes pulled into the shore at the naturist beach. About fifty people, some alone and others in pods of two to four gathered around towels and blankets that had been spread out in the sun. Some stood in a few feet of water talking, while others roamed the shoreline. They had been told to restrict their naked walking to a mile corridor that ran north and south of the main gathering point. Jerrad was impressed as the place matched the descriptions Larry had given to him in the car on the way over. It truly looked like a paradise.

Larry picked a spot that another group had just vacated, partially hidden and shaded under a small cottonwood tree. Jerrad and Chip spread the blankets and they disrobed. The three of them walked to the water's edge. An older man walked by and stopped as he gazed at Larry. "Is that you, Larry?"

Larry looked at him for a few seconds before approaching the man. "Ed, Jesus, how long has it been?"

"Twenty years at least."

They embraced and Larry introduced Chip and Jerrad. They retreated to the blankets, and Jerrad asked Chip if he would lather his backside with suntan lotion. Chips hands felt good as he massaged his back and shoulders, and his ass cheeks and upper thighs. "You don't want to get burnt back there."

Jerrad completed the task on his front and included his penis, thinking it, too, might get a bit reddened if he didn't. Chip said, "Don't forget your face and ears. You should have brought a hat."

"You're probably right, but the sun is descending. I think I'll be OK. I'm going to take a walk while you guys visit with Ed."

Jerrad walked along the shoreline. Several heterosexual twosomes talked. One looked like they had two elementary school age kids with them. He wondered how that might work out, if you were trained to be naked in the home would it truly be "normal" at that age? Might a neighbor call in the social services? It was all a bit bewildering when something you did in your home suddenly became more public at a beach like this one.

He saw a couple of men slowly trudge through shallow water to a sandbar that was substantial enough that it had major tree growth. He followed them and wandered around the sandbar. There were paths in the interior like the place was used with some regularity. Some shorter paths ended up at the shoreline, others just fed into other sandy paths. When he rounded the corner of one of the paths, he saw the two men standing next to each other in the sand, kissing and stroking each other. He paused, mesmerized at the sight. They rubbed each other's ass and kissed more deeply before resuming the stroking. He decided to walk past them but as he did, they stopped him. "Want to join in?"

He was curious enough to say yes, though part of him wanted nothing to do with them. "We won't bite," one of them said.

Jerrad walked up to them and they grabbed his shoulders. One of them kissed him on the lips, and he didn't mind. The same man took his cock which was partly hard and stroked it. He liked that and his cock responded in kind. He took that man's cock and played with it, feeling his hairy testicles. The third man came behind the man who was holding him and pressed up against him, obviously doing a dry grind against the man's ass. He didn't penetrate him, but the man who stroked him moaned in pleasure. Jerrad smiled. It was a thrill to be part of it. He turned around and the man who he'd been stroking now rubbed his hard cock across Jerrad's ass crack. Jerrod knew the man wasn't going inside him with his cock, but he enjoyed the novelty of the situation. The men switched now. Jerrad was now rubbing his cock against a man's ass. For the first time. He wanted it inside the man's crack but didn't know if the man wanted it. But then the man pulled his cheeks apart and Jerrad pushed inside the cheeks. He didn't know if he was rubbing against the man's hole or across the man's taint, but it aroused him. Then all three of them stopped, and Jerrad thanked them and walked on. He found a nice sandy area at the end of one of the pathways and sat with his legs in the river water. The water, brown colored and sparkling like amber jewelry from the mix of the tannic acid leached from the trees and the brilliant sunshine, ran across his legs. It felt magical, and the chill of the water didn't faze him as most of his torso was sitting above the water. One of the men popped out of the woods behind him. "Hey, you were nice back there. Like you knew what you were doing."

"I've never done anything like that before with a man."

He looked down at Jerrad's cock which still had a drop of precum on the tip. The man sat in the shallow water with his legs spread. Jerrad joined him. Their legs touched. The man inched closer so that he was partially sitting on Jerrad's thighs. He reached out underwater and touched Jerrad's cock, holding it and squeezing it. Jerrad smiled and did the same thing. The man placed his head underwater and swallowed Jerrad's cock for ten seconds before resurfacing. "Did you like that?"

Jerrad nodded. He backed up so he was sitting on the bank again. His body from the thighs up was out of the water. The man leaned into his cock and started sucking it again. Jerrad leaned back letting the pleasure warm him. The man stopped and sat on the bank next to Jerrad. "Would you like to taste mine? It isn't as big as yours, but it would love some attention."

Jerrad looked at him. "No offense, but I'm not ready for that. But thank you for tasting me."

He stood up, his cock still quite hard. "I'm heading back to shore. Good to meet you."

He wandered back into the interior of the island, not caring if his cock was hard. He exited the sandbar into the river. Halfway across, in water that was chest deep, he let himself sink into the water, swimming feebly against the current. Gradually his erection subsided in the cool water, and he continued back to shore. As he walked past various men, he was now more interested in their genitals. Most of the cocks were in a flaccid state, but a few were in various stages of being erect. It didn't seem to matter here whether you were excited or not. He walked to the edge of the property which was marked by a sign that said, "Go No Further. DNR Land Ahead."

He laughed. This place existed in open defiance of the state. Two canoes paddled by, both manned by women. They smiled at him. One of them looking at his cock yelled out, "Bet it's a beauty when it's stiff."

Jerrad laughed and saluted the women. He thought he had a handsome cock, and, as he walked this beach, it was nice to see others in various stages of arousal. A single man walked up to him from behind. He looked over at Jerrad as he passed. He figured the man was cruising and let him go by without a word. If he came to this beach with regularity, would he inevitably have sex with some of the men or would he simply get used to naked men and lose interest?

He returned to the blankets where Larry and Chip were stretched out alongside Ed. They were laughing and didn't notice him standing near them. Chip's cock was nearly erect, and Larry and Ed's were not far from that state. It was obvious they had been touching and kissing each other. Finally, Larry noticed Jerrad standing nearby and welcomed him to sit. Jerrod dug into the cooler for a water and a sandwich, then sat on a separate towel. "We saw you wandering off to the island. What did you find?"

"It's a beautiful place. Lots of naked men. Not many women. Is that the way the old beach was, too?"

"Pretty much. It's a gay man's paradise," Ed said. "And I've been coming here, to the old beach or to this one for over thirty years."

"Jerrad's not gay. I brought him along. Would you say it's a bit of an anthropological visit?"

"Kind of like that."

"Did you see much on the sandbar?" Ed asked.

"Couple of middle-aged guys stroking each other."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"It was fine. I'm not really threatened by being around gay men. My dad's gay, grandpa's gay, and dad has gay friends over. And I kind of like the naturist thing. I'm naked a lot around home."

Ed laughed. "Very enlightened, Jerrad. I'm impressed."

They bathed as a group in the warm river waters. Jerrad said hello to the man he'd played with earlier on the island. The man asked him if he wanted to return to the island. He had half an erection as they talked. "Maybe in a while. I'm with my family right now."

"Those guys are your family?"

"One of them is my grandpa and another his partner. The third guy is an old friend of theirs."

"You like older men?"

"I'm not gay. I'm just with them."

"You seem to like what we were doing on the island."

"Yeah. It was fun. If you see me walk out there, maybe I'm interested. Not sure when we're leaving."

Larry and Chip stretched out. "I think we'll take a little nap before we take off, Jerrad. You OK by yourself?"

"I'll be fine. I'll take another walk."

He walked along the shoreline and headed to a smaller sandbar that was a bit further away from shore. He was taken by the beauty of the place. Each vista was a variation of the others, but all were extraordinary. He hadn't been on the river like this since early high school when he and his dad had gone canoeing on a lower section of the river south of here. But they had never mixed with a group of men like this. He found a secluded spot on the north end of the sandbar. There was a pool of water just off the edge of the sandbar that he could sit in and gaze up at the sky without the river current tugging at him. A red-tailed hawk floated by. Then a dozen turkey vultures effortlessly soared above him, circling overhead like he was carrion awaiting their approach. He heard a noise behind him. A man about fifty dressed in a t-shirt and shorts stood before him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I know about this pool and was hoping to find it empty."

"Feel free to join me. It's a gorgeous spot. How did you discover it?"

"I know the river pretty well. I'm kayaking today. My boat's on the other side of the sandbar. Have you come out from shore?"

"Yeah. I've never been here before and I'm just exploring. This spot might be the best I've found. There's some shade and it's hidden away."

The man slipped off his clothes and joined Jerrad in the pool. The pool was big enough so they could both stretch out without touching one another. But the man let his feet touch Jerrod's. It was a minor advance compared to what happened earlier on the island with the other men, but the effect of it ran up Jerrod's leg to his groin. He wasn't sure if the man could see his arousal in the root beer colored water, but Jerrod didn't care if he could. The hours along the beach had woven a spell of sensuality, and he recognized he was deep immersed in it. His arousal from the touch of the man's toes was an extension of it. Jerrad closed his eyes and allowed the flow of the disparate elements of sensuousness fill him. He had never meditated, but he felt like he was in a trance. The man swiveled around so he was sitting alongside Jerrad, but Jerrad was unaware of his change of position. The man touched his shoulder. Jerrod looked over at him and smiled. Suddenly the man kissed him. His tongue touched Jerrod's. Jerrad didn't know what to do. To give in to the impulses alive in his body or to tell the man he didn't want this sort of attention? When the man kissed him a second time, Jerrod opened his mouth and took his tongue. They kissed passionately for several minutes. "Wow, you're good," the man said.

"You, too. I've never kissed a man before."

"Really. I just assumed you sitting here was like a magical apparition. And you were waiting for your Prince Charming."

"Well, I am charmed."

He felt the man reach under the water and touch his erect cock. "It seems like I've gotten to you."

"It's the place as much as you. No offense."

"None taken. I enjoy the place, too. I'm not the type of guy who would approach a total stranger like this and kiss him and touch him like this."

Jarrad turned toward him, a rush of desire driving him, and he pushed himself on top of the man, kissing him deeply. "O, God, you feel so good," Jerrad said.

"Easy. You'll drown me at that rate."

Jarrad laughed. "Sorry, I don't know what came over me."

"I have a blanket back near my kayak. Would you like to stretch out with me?"

They rose out of the pool, both fully aroused, and Jerrad followed him. The man spread a blanket in a hidden spot near a willow tree. They stretched out and resumed their kissing. Before long, the man was between Jerrad's thighs licking his balls then up to his shaft. "Fuck, man, you've got some magical lips."

"Do you want to cum?"

"Not yet. Let me try you."

He turned the man on his back and licked his inner thighs like he might go down on Katrine. As he approached his balls, the man moaned and Jerrad smiled and began ascending up his shaft. He licked it up and down without tasting his glans. He paused and saw the precum. He thought of his own cock, oozing precum so easily when Katrine licked him across his body. Then he licked the precum and felt his own cock which was rigid along the man's legs. He couldn't stop himself from taking the man's cock. It was as long as his but much thinner. He took it deep into his mouth and was surprised how easy it was to take him. It didn't take long for the man to stiffen further as he approached his orgasm. "You want it because I'm getting close."

Jerrad continued sucking. When the man erupted giving him his first taste of cum other than his own, he let it linger in his mouth without swallowing it. He rose to his knees still tasting the pool of cum in his mouth. The man looked up. "Taste good?"

Jerrad smiled and leaned down to kiss the man letting the cum enter his mouth. "O, my," the man said.

Gary spat the rest of the cum into his hand and masturbated himself. The man urged him on, "Yeah, jack yourself, make yourself cum. Shoot it on me."

Jerrad spurted onto the man's belly exploding upward to the man's face. He couldn't recall an orgasm of such force. They walked back to the pool and submerged to wash themselves. The man sat on his haunches. "This might be one of the greatest sexual moments of my life. Thank you. My name is Joel by the way. Not that we're likely to meet up again."

Jerrad noticed the man's wedding band for the first time. "Thank you, Joel. I'm Jerrad. You're probably like me. Taking a walk down the wild side before you return to your usual."

Joel laughed. "I am. I see you're not banded like me. You can explore a few more years until that happens to you."

Joel got out of the water, slipped into his shorts and walked back to his boat. Jerrad closed his eyes. The last thirty minutes had been like a dream. He smiled. Who the fuck would believe what just happened to him? He slowly walked back across the river. The man who had sucked him earlier emerged from the bigger sandbar and caught up to him. "Hey, man, I was looking for you. What happened?"

"I was walking around the other sandbar. Another time. I've got to head out."

Larry and Chip were sitting up on the blankets. They had just come back from a dip in the water. "Hey, Jerrad, we're about ready to take off."

"I'm ready, too."

They dressed, gathered their belongings, and headed up the pathway. "What happened to Ed?"

"He left a while ago."

"Where does he live?"

"Somewhere around Madison. Back in the day, there was a group of us and we'd meet up every summer for a long weekend. You used to be able to camp along the beach. Les and I were part of it."

"Hey, Jerrad, would you drive? I'm still a bit tired being out in the sun like this all afternoon," Chip said.

As they drove back, Jerrad could hear Chip snoring in the back seat. Larry was alert next to him. "What did you think, as a first time visit?"

"It was lovely. I felt like I was under a spell as I walked around. The river, the sandbar islands, the swimming, the open sensuousness. It was all quite amazing,"

"Yes, it has a different flavor than the old place, but it is still charming. I'm glad you were able to see what it was like. I'm a bit shocked you liked it so much. Chip and I figure you'd want to leave after an hour."

"I was fine, Larry. I found an amazing spot on the far sandbar. A hidden pool. Like I had landed in my own Garden of Eden. I think I fell asleep for five minutes sitting there."

"Were there many men having sex on the islands? That was always the usual fare back in the day. Sometimes there would be group sex."

"I ran into a couple of guys having some fun on the big island. I joined them for a few minutes. Just stroking cocks."

"What about on the little island?"

Jerrad smiled as he recalled the improbability of Joel discovering him. "No. I was just by myself which is what I wanted."

Larry nodded off and Jerrad called his father. "We'll be back in an hour. The boys are sleeping. All tuckered out from their big day on the beach."

"Good. I'm making homemade pizza. I'll pop them in the oven just before you get here. How was it Jerrad?"

"It's great fun being with Larry and Chip?"

"Did Dad get you to call him Larry?"

"Yeah. Seems like that's the most reasonable thing. It's not like I'm forgetting who he is in my life."

"He tried the get me and Marie to call him Larry, too. I'm glad he convinced you."

"He and Chip are a cute couple. I'm glad they're here. See you in a few, Dad."

Later than night, Jerrad called Katrine asking her if she could see him the next night. She was free and said she would see him at eight. He was beside him with expectation, envisioning her naked body, telling himself to calm down and not masturbate. His sleep was restless and the next day he forced himself to take a walk in the early morning, then join Larry on a grocery expedition. When he mentioned Katrine was coming over, Larry was eager to meet her. "How much do you like her?"

"I've liked other girls more in some respects, but she's very different. She's had quite a bit of experience with sex. It's nice to learn a few more things than I knew about."

"She's good in bed?"

Jerrad laughed to himself at thought of having this conversation with Larry. "Yes. Very. I'm looking forward to seeing her, especially after yesterday. My hormones were quite aroused."

"All those men. And a few women, too. Many of them in a state of excitation. I understand what you're talking about."

"Maybe Dad told you. But I never used to be so open about sexual matters. Not even a little bit. Until now. I never would have gone to a place like that beach. Now, it's quite enjoyable."

"What happened?"

"I grew up and got out of an unhealthy relationship. Dad's been great helping me come out of my shell."

"You certainly seemed at ease yesterday. How did your dad help you with that?"

"Partly it's the reality that he loved my mom for decades and now he's an active gay man. Well, not so active recently. It's a very freeing atmosphere. Even Katrine notices. She says there's a very liberated vibe in the house. Two men feeling quite open about their sexuality."

"The beach was just an extension of that vibe?"

"Partly. Yesterday I surprised myself actually. I was really out of character."

"Why's that?"

"Just being there. Seeing all those naked men. Seeing a few men having sex didn't bother me much. And it's the first time I've seen it. Dad hasn't had a man in bed with him since I moved in. So I haven't seen or even heard any male sex in the house. It's not hard to know what men do. Just a couple of clicks on the internet."

"Your dad mentioned you were worried you might turn out like me or him, coming out later in life?"

"Not so much worried. Just aware it could happen. I don't believe it's an inherited trait. But what are the odds of you and him happily living a gay life after being married and having kids."

Larry smiled. "I get it. Pretty unusual. Did anything you saw yesterday appeal to you?"

Jerrad laughed. "I guess I can be honest with you. I saw three different groups of men sucking each other. Getting a blow job feels pretty damn good. No matter who gives it to you. I've never had it with a man, but Katrine is quite talented," Jerrad said holding back on the truth. Admitting what he'd done with Joel was not something he could talk about yet. Regardless of how liberated he was feeling.

Later than night after several hours of joyous sex, Jerrad cuddled with Katrine. "When do you have to leave?"

"Either now or at six in the morning. I'd prefer staying if you don't mind."

"I hoped you would. We just had a wonderful romp. Maybe the best we've had."

"Yeah. You sure seemed to enjoy it more than usual. And you always like it."

"I've told you you're the first woman I've been with who turned me on so much. Made me so uninhibited in bed. Have you had sex this good with anyone else? You've had considerably more experience than I've had."

"You're better than Frankie."

Frank was Katrine's boyfriend, but he traveled often for work and was away this weekend. "You must give him the same lessons as you give me."

"He just doesn't respond like you do."

"Do you talk about me when you're with him?"

"I'm not going to tell him about you. You're too special."

Jerrad pulled her close and kissed her neck from behind. "Jerrad, I've been with women a few times. I mentioned it one other time to you. But I wanted to tell you again."

She didn't say anything more for a minute. "Just so you know. It's not a big deal. Just wanted you to know."

"I told you my mom is a lesbian. That was shocking when I first found out. You telling me you've been with a woman doesn't compare to that jolt."

"I held back talking about it. But now I think you can handle it."

"It's OK with me. Sex is complicated. We shouldn't limit our desires if we have strong feelings."

"You asked me earlier if I've had sex this good with someone else. The woman was really good. Just as good as you but in a different way. She made me feel things like you do. Making me feel the joy of sex. Because it's meant to be joyous."

"Yeah, it is. I'm glad you've taught me that."

He kissed her again. "I'm going to sleep. Thanks, Jerrad. You're such a sweetheart."

Jerrad felt her drop off, but he was too keyed up to let sleep take him away. As he spooned her, he recalled what had happened to him with Joel on the island. He wondered what it would be like to see him again. He thought of Joel's slender cock in his mouth and down his throat. The vision of all the cocks he saw at the beach now came to him. Fifty of them, at least. It was different than taking a shower at Gary's club. You had to look at men very surreptitiously there. The beach was made for direct ogling. He rolled away from Katrine when he felt his cock stiffen. Had something changed within his sexual desires? Or was the moment with Joel just a one-off romp while he was under a spell of beach pheromones that were still lingering in his memory? There was no doubt he enjoyed it even if he thought the passionate fucking he'd just had with Katrine would dispel the thoughts from his mind. But Joel was here next to him in bed. He rolled away from Katrine and played with himself. He quickly became erect agan. It didn't take long for the stroking to bring him to the edge. As he exploded in his hands, he thought of his cock touching Joel's and them spurting together.