David's Initiation

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. The story contains graphic descriptions of sex between men. Anyone who is forbidden by law to read such material must stop now. This story is being posted to the Nifty Archive solely for the enjoyment of its readers.

David's Initiation: The Recovery 18

"Mr. Baker, your flight is ready for boarding and the gate is just across the concourse from the lounge entrance."

"Thank you, Penny," Dave said. He closed his laptop, gathered his belongings and walked toward the lounge exit. The gate agent was calling for first class passengers to board as Dave approached the gate so he just continued on down the Jetway. Stepping onto the airplane he was greeted by a familiar face.

"Hi, Mr. Baker," the perky voice greeted him.

"Liz! You're back! Good to see you!"

"Yes, I'm back. I decided I didn't like the red-eye flight and came back to this run. Let's see," she said as she looked at Dave's boarding pass. "You're in 3D. A window seat this time, ehh?"

"Yeah, I want to get a good look at the city as we climb out."

"Well, I can tell you that I'm glad to see you onboard. Go ahead and be seated and I'll be by after most of the passenger are onboard."

Dave went to his row, stashed his bag in the overhead compartment, sat down and placed his computer bag under the seat in front of him. One thing he had grown to like was watching the cross section of Americana as the passengers walked past on their way to the coach section. At least 20 people had walked past his row when Dave noticed a man wearing an Army officer's uniform. He looked familiar and was wearing silver oak leaf insignia of a lieutenant colonel. Just before the man was completely past Dave read the nametag -- LEWIS. It was his Captain Harvey Lewis and he was headed back to the coach section. Dave waited until the flow of passengers dwindled and he could get Liz's attention.

"Ready for that Chardonnay now?" Liz asked.

"In a minute, Liz, but do you know if the seat next to me is assigned?"

"No, it isn't. We have a light load tonight. Would you like to move?"

"There's an Army Lt. Colonel seated back in coach and I think I know him. Is there any way you could move him into this seat?" Dave placed his hand in seat C. "Maybe you could make up some excuse to move him up here? I'll pay for it."

"Oh, I'd be glad to do that. And you can't pay for anything on this airline, Mr. Baker."

"And Liz," Dave said rather quietly as he leaned toward the aisle, "after all we've been through don't you think it's all right for you to call me `Dave'?"

Liz smiled. "I'm not supposed to but if it makes you feel better, yes, I will. Now let me go get your Army friend." She straightened up after bending slightly to listen to Dave and walked back into coach.

Col. Lewis had settled into the middle seat after storing his bag in the overhead. He felt like a sardine. His head was back against the headrest and his eyes were closed as he tried to imagine he was somewhere other than squeezed between two `big' people.

"Col. Lewis?"

"Uh, yes?" He opened his eyes and looked up at Liz.

"I'm sorry sir but there's been a mix-up in seat assignments and I'm going to have to move you to another seat. Could you come with me, please."

"Certainly," he said as he began trying to extricate himself from his confinement.

Wonder if he'll recognize me?' Dave thought. How will he react? If he doesn't recognize me should I introduce myself and tell him who I am?' Dave felt the excitement beginning to build. `What should we talk about? Oh, here he comes!' Dave grabbed the airline magazine from the seat-pouch in front of him and tried to appear as though he was calmly interested in its contents. He watched out of the corner of his eye as the Colonel stored his belongings and seated himself.

After a few moments of looking around, Col. Lewis felt like he was obligated to say something to his new companion. "Man, this sure beats the coach section!"

"Yes Sir, it does," Dave replied and looked directly at Lewis. Shit! Why did I say Sir? Now he's bound to guess.' Lewis seemed to study Dave for a moment then looked away. He's thinking about it,' Dave said to himself. Then the Colonel looked back at Dave.

"You know..." Lewis paused. "I have this crazy feeling that I ought to know you. Is that possible?"

"Well yes Sir, it is possible," Dave answered as he closed the magazine, abandoning any further attempt to show interest in it. "Dave Baker, Sir," and Dave extended his right hand.

Lewis took hold of Dave's hand and shook it as he studied Dave's face more closely. Then, like something had shocked him he twisted more to his right. "Oh, you're not Corporal Dave Baker who worked for me in the motor pool admin section!"

Dave could no longer maintain his calm exterior and a big grin spread across his face. "The very same one, Sir."

"Well, this is one heck of a surprise. I used to be the one with all the privileges and authority and now you're sitting here in first class and I'm a straphanger in coach. That's America at its best, I guess."

"Dave are you ready for that Chardonnay now?" Liz asked.

"Thanks, Liz, yes. What're you drinking, Colonel?

"Oh, just bring me what he's having, please." Liz nodded, turned around and went to get the drinks. "Damn, they even know you by your first name. You must be really important!"

"Oh no Sir, I've just spent a lot of time on this flight and have gotten to know some of the crew. So tell me, what have you been doing since I last saw you?" Dave intentionally tried to direct the conversation away from himself.

From his assignment as the motor pool commander, the Army sent him to the Pentagon for almost two years then they sent him to Germany for almost three years. He was promoted early to Lt. Col. and was now in a procurement assignment that was designated as a full Colonel billet. That usually meant he was in line for another early promotion and Dave remembered Paul telling him that Lewis was a `comer.' He was on this flight because he tomorrow he was going to spend the next three days in discussions with major defense contractors.

Dave and Col. Lewis' conversation wasn't the least bit interrupted by Liz picking up their wineglasses or the main entry door closing or the airplane taxiing out and taking off. As soon as the cabin chime sounded indicating they were at an altitude where the cabin attendants could start their service, Liz was back with another glass of wine for each of then.

When Lewis felt like he had talked enough about himself, he asked Dave how he managed to get to that moment and place. Dave simplified and downplayed his story by explaining that when he left the Army he went to college and became an architect. End of story. After that the conversation seemed to lag a bit until Dave asked a seemingly innocent question.

"Say, how's your son? He must be about sixteen years old by now."

Initially Col. Lewis smiled brightly but then it faded and was replaced with a look of sadness. "Close, he'll be sixteen the middle of May." Lewis didn't continue.

"He's alright, isn't he?" Dave had picked up on the colonel's expression.

Lewis hesitated as if he were debating just how much he should say. "Let's just say we're having a generation disagreement." He thought for a moment, `Dave is much closer to Jim's generation and might have some insight into our problem. Also, Dave is a complete outsider, not exactly a stranger but at least not a threat. I've always liked and respected him and extended him a lot of trust. Why not! Go for it!'

"You never met Jim, did you!"

"No Sir, but I think I may have talked to him on the phone once."

"Oh yeah, I remember, you called to see if I could help you locate a friend."

"Yes. And he seemed like such a nice kid over the phone."

"Well yes he was... is." Lewis corrected himself. "Ya see, when we lived in Germany he got involved with a group of... let me call them adventurous kids, some were a little older than he was. You have to understand that life as an Army brat can be brutal some times. Well, when the time came for us to move back to the States he rebelled. I pressed him for an explanation and that's when the real trouble started." Lewis took a long drink of his wine. "That's when he told us he was gay." Lewis hesitated waiting for some kind, any kind of reaction from Dave. When he didn't get any he continued. "Jim was adamant that U.S. society was anti-gay but Europe was more open minded and that's where he wanted to stay. Well, hell! I couldn't leave a fifteen-year-old alone in Europe so I literally forced him to return with us. Now he hardly speaks to us. I'm at a real loss about what to do. You know, the Army has sent me to seminars on how to deal with this kind of problem with the troops but it's different when it's your own son." Lewis sighed as it he had reached the end of his story.

"Do you love him?" Dave asked. He'd been there. He knew what was really important and he wasn't afraid to ask such a loaded question.

Lewis waited for a moment before answering as though that question had never come up and the pause seemed to cast doubt on the veracity of his answer. "Yes... I do. And I don't want to loose him." Turning to Dave he asked, "What would you do?"

"First and foremost make certain sure that he knows you really love him. Tell him point blank to his face. There are several gay youth organizations out there where he can get some greater insight into what it means to be gay; steer him toward one of them. You might also look into an organization called P-FLAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays."

"Gentlemen! Dinner is served!" Liz announced. Colonel Lewis and Dave suspended their conversation until after the meal was served and their privacy was reestablished. Lewis picked up the conversation as they ate.

"You know, Dave I don't think I know anybody who is gay."

"How do you know you don't know anybody who is gay?" Dave asked. He felt the conversation was going somewhere, he just wasn't sure where.

"You just don't come across them that much in the Army. And... well... I just don't, that's all.

"You willing to make a bet on that, that you don't know anybody who's gay?"

"Yes! Absolutely!"

"Tell you what!" Dave began. "I have some friends I'd like you to meet. They're gay and maybe we could turn it into a different kind of seminar than the one the Army sent you to. You've always impressed me as being a courageous, battle hardened Army officer, think you're up to such an adventure?" Dave knew he was pressing his luck; he had just issued a challenge to Colonel Lewis' ego and masculinity. Would he take it?

The colonel stopped eating and looked at Dave for about a minute. "When and where?" The colonel sounded seriously receptive.

"If I heard correctly you said you'll be in town through Wednesday. How about Wednesday night at my place, plan on dinner. Tell me when and where to pick you up and we'll do it." Dave sounded so confident.

Colonel Lewis studied Dave for a few moments. `What do I have to lose? Baker was always trustworthy, I ought to be able to trust him now.' "Okay, you're on!" Lewis stated and offered his hand to seal the agreement.

"Excuse me Colonel," Dave heard a voice ask. "Are you Dave Baker?" Dave looked up to see one of the pilots standing in the aisle.

"Why, yes I am."

"I'm Jamie Kendall, the Captain on this flight, and I just wanted to shake you hand. The word's out that you're quite a valuable passenger to have onboard. Liz told me you were here."

"Well, thank you, Captain," Dave blushed a little embarrassed, "it's nice of you to come back to say hello. But who's flying the plane?" Dave smiled and laughed.

The Captain chuckled, "I let the copilot be in command for a few minutes. Don't worry, we're safe. We'll be starting down soon so I have to get back to the cockpit. I'll tell Sean I met you."

"Nice to meet you, Captain," Dave said as Kendall turned and walked back to the cockpit.

"Wow, I'm impressed," Lewis said. "You must be pretty important for the Captain to leave his post just to say hello."

"Not really, but he thinks so."

Not long after that, Dave could feel the airplane decelerate and begin it's descent. After landing and while the airplane was taxiing to the gate, Dave offered to give his former commander a lift to his hotel. Using his cell phone, Dave called the valet parking service and his car was waiting when he and Lewis exited the terminal. Lewis was beginning to think that maybe he'd made a mistake by staying in the Army. Here was one of his corporals showing him how the rich really live.

On Monday, Dave contacted Dan, Mike and Todd and called for a meeting at Dan's place. That was most convenient because the three friends lived in the same apartment complex. That evening, Dave laid out his plan and incorporated several suggestions from the other guys. Dave called Lt. Col. Lewis' hotel and, fortunately caught him in his room. They arranged for Dave to pick him up at the hotel at about 1730 hrs for the drive to the house. Dave also explained that the evening might run late and that Lewis was welcome to bring his luggage and spend the night; Dave would take him to the airport the next morning. The colonel had agreed to everything so far so why not this?

Wednesday afternoon, Dave was about ten minutes late due to traffic. Lewis was waiting and graciously accepted Dave's apology then chided him that wouldn't have been permitted when Dave worked for him. They both got a laugh out of that. Upon arriving at the house, Dave drove up and stopped at the front door.

"Good grief, Dave, is this how a Corporal lives?" Lewis said as he stepped out of the BMW. "This is SOME house."

"One of my own designs, Sir. Please come on in, we can get your bags later," Dave said as he led the way up the steps and opened the front door.

"Oh, does something smell really good!" Lewis exclaimed. "Your misses must be a really good cook!"

"No Sir, I live alone. That's..."

"We're in the kitchen, Dave," Mike called out when he heard voices in the foyer.

"Follow me, Sir," Dave said as he led the way into the main hallway then left into the kitchen. Lewis followed while taking in the expanse of the great room with its tall ceiling, glass wall and the pool beyond. Entering the kitchen, they found Mike at the range and Dan pouring water into glasses then placing them in the refrigerator to stay cold.

"Hey, those are good lookin' silver oak leaves, Colonel!" Mike exclaimed as he walked toward Lewis with his hand out. Lewis was still in his uniform following his meetings.

"Sanchez?!" Lewis questioned as he took Mike's hand and they shook. The recognition was made easier because meeting Dave had re-energized that section of Lewis' brain where the memory of that time period was stored. The most prominent thing Lewis noticed about Mike was the ring in his left ear. The rest of Mike seemed to fit. "Oh, now I remember, you two were roommates. Right?" He also recalled Mike being outed and arrested by the MPs but he never really got involved because he was in the process of leaving for the Pentagon.

"Good memory, Colonel. I always tried to tell Dave you were smart." Mike began to chuckle at his implication.

"Don't listen to him, Sir, he's gone a little wacko since he got out of the Army," Dave interjected. "Sir, I'd like you to meet Dan Chambers, he and I were in high school together. Dan spent four years in the Navy."

"Nice to meet you, Dan, I have a lot of officer friends in the Navy."

"Sir, if you can relinquish your coat I'll hang it in the entry closet," Dave asked. "And you can take off that tie and roll up your sleeves, this is going to be a casual evening. Mike's your cook tonight and..."

"Yeah," Mike interrupted, "we're having enchiladas, refried beans, and rice in honor of your visiting from Texas." He had moved back over to the range and was checking on the rice. "Dinner is ready as soon as Todd gets here, Dave."

"I'm here, let's eat!" Todd exclaimed as he walked into the kitchen from the garage entrance. He walked over to where Mike was standing, place his arm over his lover's shoulder and they exchanged a very brief kiss, the kind where their lips meet then separate, just like a typical married couple when they meet at the end of the day.

That almost took Lewis' breath away. His initial reaction was that he wasn't sure he was going to be able to go through with this. But then it was over, Todd and Mike were no longer touching, and Todd was removing his coat and tie and hanging them on the back of one of the kitchen chairs.

"Colonel, this is Todd Pepper, my partner. Todd I'd like to introduce Lt. Colonel Lewis; he was my commander in the Army, and a damn good one at that. But he was a Captain back then, I don't know what he's like now that they promoted him." Mike's sense of humor couldn't be contained.

"Nice to meet you, Sir, Mike has mentioned your name a time or two," Todd said.

"Well, as I recall, it was always wise not to take what Mike said too seriously," Lewis chuckled. In his own way he was getting back at Mike. He also noticed the matching ring in Todd's left ear and for the first time realized he was in the company of a gay couple. Well, I DID agree to this,' Lewis told himself. And this promises to turn out to be one hell of an interesting evening.'

"So, we're ready then," Dave stated as he returned from hanging up the colonel's coat. "I'll get the salad, Dan, you bring the water glasses and Todd you take care of the beans. Mike can handle the enchiladas and the rice." Everyone picked up their assigned object and started toward the dining room.

"Mike, allow me carry the rice, please," Lewis asked much to everyone's surprise. He knew how to be a team member when it counted.

"Sure thing, Colonel."

Just as everyone was being seated, "Oh, I forgot the beer! Is Corona Lite okay?" Dave asked of his guest.

"Nothing could go with this meal better than that," Lewis approved. When Dave returned with four beers, Lewis noted that Dan didn't get one. Lewis was even more surprised, and impressed when Dave asked that they bow their heads in a moment of silent grace.

The conversation started slowly, mostly about Dave and the colonel meeting on the flight form DFW. There was much humor and a lot of free banter among the diners. Then Dave very adroitly guided the conversation around to Colonel Lewis, his son, and the reason for them all being there for dinner. By that time they were finished eating and each man, the colonel included, helped clear the table by carrying their own plates, knives, forks, etc., back to the kitchen. Lewis was impressed by the unity and cooperation demonstrated by this group of friends. Dave announced that coffee was ready for anyone who wanted it and five cups were carried into the great room. Dave asked the colonel to sit in the easy chair facing the fireplace, which had a fire in it. Todd sat at the far end of the loveseat on the colonel's left and Mike snuggled up against Todd's right side with Todd's right arm around Mike's shoulder. Dan sat at the far end of the loveseat on the colonel's right and Dave took up a position at the near end of that loveseat.

The purpose of the `seminar' was to provide the colonel with some real life experiences about dealing with being gay, relating to family, coming out, gay relationships and surviving.

By design, Mike started first. He described how he struggled with his identity, without getting too graphic. And how as a patriotic American he wanted to serve his country, and how his coming out essentially destroyed his relationship with his family, and about the terrible stress it placed on his self esteem, causing him to question his own value. Mike explained that if it hadn't been for Dave offering him a place to stay and get his feet under him, he was afraid to think what might have happened. Mike even told the colonel about getting raped; he did so for shock value to help the colonel understand what his son might be facing if he were left to fend for himself.

The colonel listened quietly and when Mike finished he asked one question. "You and Dave were roommates, we've already established that. Did Dave know about...?" Lewis was trying to ask if Dave knew that Mike was gay without actually asking the question.

"Not until a couple of days before he left. I came out to him... actually I tried to hit on him but he was cool with it. He didn't get upset or anything. It really surprised me." Lewis accepted that.

Dan went next. Acknowledging that he and Dave kind of grew up together, he never gave any indication that they had any kind of relationship other than being friends. He told of his own struggles and how he joined the Navy to escape the town bigots. He surprised the colonel by telling just how easy it was to find men of his own kind in the Navy and how they protected each other. Dan went on to tell how he went off the deep end in San Francisco and was now paying the price by having to fight HIV. That announcement seemed to hit the colonel hard. Not only had he never known anyone who was openly gay, he certainly never knew anyone who had HIV/AIDS. Yet here he was face to face with an infected man who looked quite healthy. Then Dan told how Dave helped him get into the Philos Foundation and the great support they gave him. In fact, Dan was now assisting with group therapy and also guided a support group. Then Dan talked about the pain associated with the estrangement from his family and how Dave was able to bring them back together.

Attention then shifted back to the other loveseat to Todd. Lewis had been watching the subtle interaction between Mike and Todd and could easily draw parallels between the two men and many married couples he knew. They obviously shared a bond of affection and trust that some of his married friends would die for.

Todd told his story, which was not too dissimilar from the others, about his identity growing up and how his family now would have nothing to do with him. He told what a great day it when he met Mike and how Dave had supported them. When Todd finished everyone looked at Dave.

"So, Colonel, you knew Mike. If you were to meet either of these men on the street or in a workplace would you be able to identify them as being gay?" Dave asked Colonel Lewis.

Lewis looked around, looked back at Dave and said, "No, I can't say that I would. And your point is?"

"The point is that you probably interface with gays every day and don't think anything about it because they don't look' gay or act' gay." Up to this point, Dave's sexual orientation had not been up for debate. The colonel just assumed he was straight. "Please excuse me for a minute while I go get something," Dave said and he arose from the loveseat and went into the bedroom. He returned carrying a framed picture and handing it to the colonel, asked, "Remember him?"

Lewis seemed to suck in his breath. "Ahh Paul. What a tragedy!" Then he looked at Dave. "You know the post commander called me when he was injured? Our families shared a history and Paul was a great buddy. I was glad I was able to attend the funeral." Lewis looked back down at the photo, "I think he..." the colonel seemed to freeze then he looked at Dave like he was seeing him for the first time. "Just what are you trying to say here, Dave?" Irritation was beginning to show on his face and in his voice. Dave had gone too far by implying that Paul was gay and Lewis was about ready to leave.

Dave didn't reply to the colonel's question. He just sat quietly with a sad expression on his face, looking at his former commander.

"How did you get this picture? Are you telling me you knew Paul?"

"Yes Sir," Dave replied.

Lewis continued to study the photo. "What kind of car did he drive?"

"A Boxster."

"Okay, anybody could know that. If you knew him the way you are suggesting, tell me something private about him."

"He had a ranch about an hour west of the Post where we went swimming and horseback riding."

"How about his family."

"His mother Alex and his father Steve live on a ranch east of Dallas and his sister Connie recently married Adam King, I was in the wedding. I have their pictures up there on the wall." Dave pointed to the wall on the north side of the room.

"Oh god." Lewis was beginning to fade. "Okay, one more thing... tell me one more thing, please."

Dave stood up, walked into his library, returned with the print of van Gogh's Yellow House and handed it to the colonel. "This used to hang in his BOQ room, he gave it to me as a farewell gift.

Lt. Colonel Harvey Lewis appeared crushed. Dave was beginning to think he'd gone too far. "Now let me tell you my story," he asked. Lewis looked at him and nodded.

Dave told how he enlisted in the Army for the same reason as Dan, to get away from the bigots. He really liked the Army but wanted to become an architect. Then a chance meeting with Paul changed his life. Dave didn't discuss his relationship with Paul, only that they had agreed to become partners a short time before his death and how deeply Paul's death had effected him. And in fact it still did. He described his father's rejection and their reconciliation. Then he finished with a kind of soliloquy.

"Colonel, I ask you to look around at the four of us. We are four gay men. We think of ourselves as good people. We keep Christ in our lives; we obey the laws, at least most of them; we have high moral standards. And yet there are people who label us as perverts, demons, defilers, sinners or other derogatory names. Some people think child molesters are gay but they are really sick people. Gay men are not inclined to be child molesters. Three of us served in our country's military. I completed two years Dan completed four years, and for all intents and purposes so did Mike. We are all proud of what we did and it serves to prove that gays can serve with honor and not cause problems. I won't expect you to ever be in a position to affect much change in current policies, bureaucracies move oh so slowly. But you can have a tremendous impact where your son Jim is concerned. He's going to have to make a lot of choices and it appears that not being gay is not one of them. You can help him make the right choices and hope he winds up at least as happy and stable and secure as we feel. It's up to you now."

Colonel Lewis leaned forward, folded his arms and lowered his head face first to rest on his folded arms. As time passed in silence, Dave, Mike, Todd and Dan began to think that perhaps they had been too hard on the colonel. He still didn't move. Dave, beginning to get nervous, got up, walked to the wall to the left of the fireplace, opened the wet bar and fixed himself a gin-and-tonic. Then he turned around and asked, "Anyone else like a drink?"

"Gin-and-tonic, please," the colonel said as he sat back in his chair. It kind of startled everyone.

"Another Corona Lite for me," Todd said. "Me too," Mike chimed in. "Can I have a weak run-and-coke?" Dan asked and three heads snapped in his direction. They all knew he had sworn off alcoholic beverages because of the medications he was taking, so this was probably an indication that the pressure had gotten to him too.

Dave took the drink he had mixed for himself and gave it to the colonel then he got the beers for Todd and Mike. Finally he mixed his and Dan's drinks. When Dave was finally seated again on the loveseat, the colonel began talking.

"I'll have to give you men credit, you don't pull any punches. This has truly been a seminar like nothing I could find in the Army. Thank you for being so honest. Dave, Mike, both of you worked for me so I have first-hand knowledge of your performance. And don't think I didn't know -- I did. Not once did I give any thought to either of you being gay. So from that I have to conclude there is probably a much greater segment of the Army population that is gay and doing a damn good job. But let's be realistic. Nothing is going to change overnight. I hear what you're saying and if given the opportunity I promise I'll try to do the right thing. You've opened a totally different window for me on a lifestyle I never knew existed and I have a lot more respect for it now than I had before tonight.

"As for Jim, I'll follow your advice. When I get home I'm going to go out of my way to let him know that I do love him, unconditionally. And Dave, you said that it appears that not being gay is not one his choices. What did you mean by that?"

"None of the four of us accepts the premise that we `chose' to be gay, we just are. I knew for certain by the time I was thirteen but that's probably because I didn't understand the signs before that. Dan, what about you?"

"Oh, I was interested in boys when I was nine but like Dave I didn't understand what was happening. I never cared for girls," Dan replied.

"Same here," Todd added. "It's not something you choose. Hell, if it were a matter of choice, being straight is a much easier road, much less stress."

"I agree," Mike jumped in. "The stress, the pressure of having to watch every word you say, having to laugh at homophobic jokes... you just can't imagine the amount of emotional damage that can do to a young man."

"Colonel," Todd spoke up. "Being the only non-military guy here tonight, I have a question that may offend you but I don't mean it that way."

"Go ahead, I think we're all being honest here tonight," Lewis replied.

"Well..." Todd hesitated. "Might there be any relationship between you son's being gay and the impact it could have on your career?"

The colonel took a few seconds before he answered that one. "You know... I haven't thought about that... and you may have hit on something. Yes, it's possible. I'll have to give that a lot of thought, thanks for asking." The colonel paused before speaking again. "Is there any possibility I could get you men to run a summer seminar for a sixteen year old boy?"

All four men burst out laughing simultaneously. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Colonel but that's way beyond my qualifications," Mike replied.

"That's a nice compliment, Sir," Dan added, "but we all have jobs... and would you really trust us to look after a young, hormonally driven teenager?"

"Yeah, that is a great vote of confidence, Sir," Dave said, but we all have a living to make. The most important thing you can do is go home, stand in front of Jim, tell him you love him, and then give him a hub. He really needs to hear you say it.

"Deal," the colonel said as he stood up. As he shook each man's hand he added, "If anyone had told me three days ago I would be sitting here discussing the things we have discussed tonight, I would have had him committed to an insane asylum. Gentlemen, it's been a real pleasure. And Mike and Dave I've really enjoyed seeing you again but it's time for me to get some beauty rest, something you men are too young to worry about yet." Everyone chuckled.

Mike, Todd, and Dan made a sweep through the kitchen to make sure they weren't leaving a mess for Dave to deal with and then left. Dave moved his car into the garage and retrieved the colonel's bag from the trunk.

Thursday morning, Dave was up early but he deferred his usual run because he had to drop the colonel at the airport before going on to work. The orange juice was already poured and he'd drunk his. He was in the process of pouring a cup of coffee when Harvey Lewis appeared in the kitchen doorway, travel bag in hand.

"Black, one sugar. Right, Sir?"

"How do you remember that after so long a time?" Lewis asked.

"Some things just stick in your mind," Dave replied. "Sleep well?"

"You men really did a number on me, I had too much to think about."

"Ah, you're still young, you'll recover, Sir," Dave chuckled. "Here's juice and your coffee," Dave said as he placed them on the table. "If you like, we have toast, bran flakes, Cheerio's, and uh..." Dave looked around, "and a banana if you'd like one."

The colonel sat down and drank the juice. "Toast, if you please. If I'm hungry later, there are places to eat inside the terminal." Lewis took a sip of coffee and then said, "Dave I'm so impressed; you really have your shit together. When you worked in my admin section I thought you were the most well organized man I'd ever seen, rather anal... uh, that didn't come out the way I intended."

Dave laughed. "I understand, Sir, my sister says I'm the most anal retentive person she knows."

"One thing puzzles me."

"What's that?"

"Last night you and your friends kept calling me `Sir.' It seems strange because you're no longer in the Service. And you're doing it this morning. Why is that?"

"Oh, I suppose some of it is habit. It's just something you learn and it just seems natural," Dave replied. "It's a demonstration of respect; and you sure earned a lot of that last night. Here's your toast, Sir."

"Well, thanks, for the toast and the compliment. You and Mike and Todd and Dan also earned my respect last night. I'll remember you men for a long time."

After Lewis finished his toast and Dave ate his bagel, they left for the airport. The colonel tossed out a few more questions he'd thought of during the night and Dave answered them as honestly as he could. When Dave drove up to the departure terminal he and Lt. Col. Lewis shook hands, the colonel fetched his bag from the back seat, waved goodbye and disappeared through the sliding glass doors. Dave drove away wondering how things were going to turn out for the colonel and his son. He also had to tangle with morning rush hour traffic, which was always a nightmare.

Saturday morning, Dave was up early as usual for his daily run. He recently bought some compression pants to run in, light blue in color, thinking they would give him better muscle support. They fit like a glove and he liked the support but by the time he got back to the house he was aware of one unanticipated flaw -- when soaked with perspiration, they accentuated every contour of his genitals to the point that they might as well be completely transparent. They would get washed, placed in a drawer and probably never be worn again.

After a light breakfast, Dave settled down in his library/office to work on the plans for a new house he was designing for one of Sean's pilot buddies. Getting to know Sean was having its benefits. Just after 10:00, the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"You busy?"

"High, John," Dave easily recognized John's voice, they now talked all the time. "No, nothing I can't put aside, `s up?"

"I have someone here I think needs to talk to you, can you come over?"

"Sure, give me about fifteen minutes, okay?"

"Yeah, we'll be waiting." John hung up.

`That was rather short, terse and serious, wonder what' going on?' Dave thought as he went about saving his work and closing the application -- he'd leave the computer running. True to his nature, about fifteen minutes later he pulled into John's driveway and stopped, got out of the car and walked to the front door. He knocked as he opened the door and walked into the house. That wasn't unusual because Dave had become a regular at the Close household and knew he was welcome to just walk in as long as it wasn't at some odd hour of the night.

"John?" He called out as he closed the door behind him.

"In the study, Dave," John called out. Dave walked into the study.

"Tomas!" Dave exclaimed in surprise. "This is a nice surprise, how ya doin'?" Dave was happy to see the place kicker and extended his hand as Tomas arose from the chair he was sitting in.

"Hi Dave, nice to see you again." Tomas certainly didn't appear to be in very good spirits. Dave quickly detected that something was amiss.

"Dave," John spoke up, "Tommy has a problem and I told him you were the man to talk to." Turning to his guest he said, "Tommy?"

Tommy sat back down and John and Dave followed suit. "Dave, I... uh... I don't know... about six months..." Tomas was having trouble getting started.

"Try to relax, Tommy," Dave switched to using the name John was using. "We're all friends here."

"Okay, thanks." Tommy replied. "Let me start over. About six months ago I... I had sex with someone and last Wednesday I learned he died of complications of AIDS."

Dave could see that John wasn't reacting so he must have already known. Also, Tommy used the pronoun `he', confirming what Dave and John had already suspected. Dave's reaction was very professional.

"Was it unprotected?" Dave asked solemnly.

Tommy paused, lowered his head and admitted, "Yes."

Dave made eye contact with John and it was like they both felt a mutual sadness. Then he looked back at Tommy.

"Have you been tested?"

"No." Tommy took a deep breath. "I don't know what to do. I came here because I always considered John as my best friend and hoped he would know what to do." Tommy looked at Dave like a begging puppy, "He says you have connections."

Dave scooted forward in his chair, reached out, took hold of Tommy's hand and squeezed it in a comforting manner. "Okay, Tommy, let's not jump to any conclusions. Just because you had sex with someone once doesn't mean you were infected. Let me take you to get tested and then we'll know what to do."

"It wasn't just one time, Dave," Tommy said sadly.

That might make a difference, a big difference and Dave knew it. "Can you come with me now?"

"Yes. Do they take your blood? How long with it take?"

"There's a new method now. They stick a swab in your mouth and in a short while they have the results. It's painless and quick," Dave explained trying to sooth Tommy's apprehension.

Tommy stood up and began walking toward the door. Dave and John exchanged glances then Dave silently followed Tommy outside where they got into Dave's car and left to go to the Philos Foundation.

The procedure happened exactly as Dave explained. Tomas sat in an exam room waiting for the results while Dave sat in a nearby waiting area. He looked up when he saw Doc Gray approaching.

"Dave, is Tomas Douczek a friend of yours?"

"Yes he is," Dave replied. He knew Doc well enough and could read him rather w ell so he knew the news was not going to be good.

"I know this is out of the ordinary but would you care to join me? We've been here before, haven't we!"

"I'm afraid we have, Doc, I'm afraid we have." Dave couldn't disguise his sadness. He followed Doc Gray into the room and he sat down beside Tommy.

Tommy was speechless when Doc Gray gave him the results of the test. He was more than speechless - he was devastated and frightened. But although Tommy was crushed, the news wasn't as bad as it could have been. His T-cell count was just over the line for HIV; he was otherwise in great health and great physical condition; and Doc Gray said Tommy could probably have excellent success with some new drugs that had just been introduced. He wouldn't be cured but he could probably stay healthy for a long time. "After all, look at Magic Johnson," Doc Gray added.

Doc Gray asked Tommy if he could stay for a few days to allow for a more thorough evaluation and to get him set up with a therapist and into a support gro up. Tommy said he could and asked how much this was going to cost. Dave explained that the Philos Foundation was a non-profit charitable organization and it wouldn't cost him anything. However, donations were accepted and appreciated. Tommy took out his checkbook and wrote a check for $50,000. Dave told Tommy not to worry about his rental car, that he and John would make sure it got turned in, and that he'd bring Tommy's luggage from John's house.

It was the last day of March and as Dave drove back to John's house, he said to himself, "What a month this has been! April, please give it a rest!"

April was quiet and seemed to sail past. Spring was in bloom and filled with azaleas. The dogwoods on Dave's back property were absolutely beautiful.

By the beginning of May, the Close and Baker clans eagerly anticipated the arrival of the next little Close. But three days into the month other great news preceded the birth -- John was offered and he accepted the position as football and track coach at his old high school. Thinking back to that time when he and Dave went running down at the high school track and ran into their former coach, John remembered the offer that had been made. After his injury he followed up on that and it bore fruit.

Kate sprang in to action as well as a woman nine months pregnant can spring into anything, she told her brother she wanted him to build her a house in their old hometown and have it ready by the time school started in the Fall. She knew exactly what she wanted, Tara, like in "Gone With The Wind." She specified what she liked about her previous house as well as things she admired about Dave's. Dave began work immediately.

A week later, John rushed Kate to the hospital. Both sets of grand parents were on the road immediately, exceptionally excited that this would be the first grandchild to be born in what they considered God's Country.

Six hours after arriving at the hospital, Susan Close was borne. `Kate finally has her little girl!' was the first thought that entered Dave's mind when he heard the doctor's announcement. The excitement within the extended family was almost uncontainable. Both grandmothers alternated weeks taking care of the Kate and her family. Dave took the boys to his house from time to time to help relieve the pressure on whoever was helping that week and of course the boys thought it was great because they got to go skinny-dipping.

With the arrival of June, Kate hosted a 25th birthday party for her brother and invited his `Platoon.' The next weekend he was back in Dallas for another AANCF meeting and further consultation with Art and Adam about his project.

At lunchtime on the Third Wednesday of June, Dave drove out to the construction site of a new home he and Sam were building. The real reason he went out there was to show off the new Ford F-250 he just took possession of the day before. It was forest green with a large V-8, an extended crew cab, and a hard cover for the bed. He also purchased a power pack for the back of the truck.

The house was on a large piece of property and set back from the road about an eighth of a mile. As Dave drove toward the house he could see Sam standing near his truck talking to a young man he didn't know. Dave watched the young man turn and walk away from Sam just before he came to a stop.

Dave opened the door, slid out onto the step and then jumped to the ground. Today he was dressed in his Texas outfit: cowboy boots the Roehl's had given him, Levi's, white dress shirt and a burgundy tie with horses on it, and a corduroy jacket with leather pads at the elbows.

"Nice truck, Dave!" Sam exclaimed as he walked over to greet his business partner. "When did ya get her?"

"Last night after work. Who's the new man?"

(To be continued.)