This is a work of pure fiction, but based on the author's feelings, beliefs, and in some cases, experience. Come to think of it -- it might not be all that pure! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times between men, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat. If you are too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this kind if story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here. If not, - - ENJOY!
Cast of characters:
Tony diMarco -- yeah -- I am he! (CA) Ben Hastings -- First love (Maui) Ben Fisk -- First sex (+4 years) Lucas diMarco -- my dad Wendy diMarco -- my mom. Joseph -- my Brother -- 17 Levi -- my brother - 15 Fred Stumpf -- 31 year old inactive member. Johnnie Weinberg -- LDS Missionary Ashton Staedler -- New friend Mike Hoffman -- Ashton's Half-Brother Geoff Redmond -- Mike's Friend Rollin James -- Hawaiian High diver & government translator Grandpa Antonio DiMarco Grandma Rose
From Ch. 20:
She said, "Finally! I thought we'd never get to be alone!" She was not a bad looking woman, and I think she had a lot of confidence in her ability to seduce me -- again.
She pulled me into the bedroom. She undressed me seductively and kissed me everywhere as she went. I kissed her too, as passionately as I could muster. She got all my clothes off and started to play with my dick. I was afraid that it would not respond. It started to get hard. I know that by this time any normal kid would already be hard as a steel bar. I heard the bathroom door close and some water running. That was my chance!
"I gotta pee!" I said, I opened the door and the bathroom door was closed. (Of course!) "Shit1 I really gotta go. Well, I'll just step outside!" I went to grab my clothes and she said,
"You won't need those. There isn't anyone around here for miles! And besides I just got them off you. There's something awfully sexy about a cute guy peeing naked in the jungle!"
I slipped into the toes of my tennies and stepped out the door. I looked back and she did not follow! I walked around the side of the house, looking down at my nudity, and decided it's now or never1
I bent down and pulled on my shoes and was just about to break into a sprint when I heard, "Tony!" I looked and my heart sank. There stood Marty, fully clothed and zipping up. "I guess you had the same idea I did." I thought he looked at me hungrily.
Chapter 21
My first reaction was fight or flight. That gave me away completely.
"I'm so glad you came out here!" said Marty, softly. "That girl is a witch! I have been trying to think of a way to get away -- the two of us!"
"Huh?" I said, knowing he was lying to get an easy hold on me. I could tell in his eyes that he guessed at the truth. He confirmed it.
"I know that you're pretending, Tony. So am I. I knew the minute that Chris screwed up and said your name."
I stood there, in the tropical night, in nothing more than my tennis shoes. I saw his eyes sweep my body again, stopping longer than he should have at my mid section. I wondered what lie he would tell me next.
"You're gay - - too - - aren't you?"
I'm frankly surprised it took him this long to figure it out - - if it did! I looked for a signature rise in his pants. Nothing. I'm not anything close to an Adonis, but I am confident that any older queer, seeing me naked in the moon light -- would have a response. He was again staring at my genitals. "You like looking at them don't you?" I teased, flipping it. Still no response.
"We don't have much time, Tony. I'll go in and get you some clothes and we'll both run. I know this place like the back of my hand." He walked away in to the house. I knew he couldn't just go into either bedroom and take a set of clothes out without exciting some suspicion -- even if he were telling me the truth.
I also knew I couldn't get far on my own, with them knowing I was gone, so I waited, and soon he appeared with some clothes. I edged my way toward the back of the house and the steep drop-off. He looked at me curiously as he approached and held out the clothing to me. I grabbed them, thanked him and then he grabbed my hand and gave one giant push toward the edge.
I toppled backward off balance -- out of control. I felt myself tipping beyond my ability to save myself. In an instant I thought about Rollie and his grief at my passing, and then about my parents, and how they would be crushed. I thought how my grandparents hardly knew me and that I was glad that I was able to spend some time with them. I thought about Fred and all he had meant to me and -- even at that time I felt a pang of sadness, as I saw Ben Hastings sweet face. I actually could almost feel him as he pushed himself into me in that shower at the Ka'anapali condo. I even thought about Ben Fisk!
All this passed through my head and I even had time to think -- in the twinkling of an eye! At the same time, I also was aware of Marty. He looked on sadly, as my arms flailed wildly to regain some footing or anything. I could read in his eyes that he really didn't want to do this. As I felt myself start to lose my footing altogether, I felt a huge rush of wind on my back and I was literally blown back up.
I saw a rush of relief on Marty's face and he instinctively reached out and grabbed my hand. I grabbed his for all I was worth and pulled hard.
It was almost in slow motion as we passed one another, I to safety and he to fall to his -- well, I didn't see anything but him passing me, losing footing and falling out of sight. I fell to my knees and then crawled over to the edge. The wind was still blowing hard, but not like it was when I was blown back from my own infinity. I couldn't see him -- or anything else between where I was kneeling and the rocks below, glowing eerily black in the light of the moon. I grabbed the clothing he had brought me and ran as fast as I could away from the precipice, away from the house -- or hut.
I stopped after about 15 minutes of running and I began to pass some other huts, with light coming from them, I stopped long enough to put on the clothes he brought out to me. I was exhausted from running and lack of sleep. But I couldn't stop now.
I allowed myself to break down and pray and thank god and - - cry - - for exactly 30 seconds before I started to run again. I saw more and more light and the huts turned to homes, and finally I came to a highway. I was still afraid they might be looking for me and I ran along side of the highway. I came to a tunnel with no shoulder to run on and only a steep hill, through which the tunnel was dug -- in front of me. I sat down again, panting hard and was about to decide whether to go through the tunnel or climb the hill. I stood there looking up when I was startled out of my skin.
"Are you okay there, boy?" came a voice magnified through a loud speaker. I had neglected to take care of some important business in my earlier haste to get away and so -- I quite literally crapped in my pants. I looked around, terrified and there was the flashing red and blue bar light on top of a Oahu County Patrol car. I collapsed and started crying uncontrollably. I heard a door open and shut and the feet of boots coming near. He shined his light in my face.
"Why, you -- you're -- that boy -- that missing boy -- um -- Tony!" I nodded. "Wait here!" As if I were going to go anywhere now!
He went back to his car and I heard him excitedly reporting that he had found me. He came back. He sniffed the air. "Where you been boy? You smell like - "
"Shit!" I said. "Don't worry, officer, I won't tell them you scared it outa me!" Even at that moment I was proud that I could find some humor in the situation. The officer brought back a blanket. I stared at it for a moment.
"It's for you to put around you after you shed those drawers! I don't want my squad car smelling like shit!.
He had a bottle of water and I was able to use a pant leg to clean myself up. I threw the pants on the ground and wrapped the blanket around me, and walked to toward the car. "Nuh uh!" Said the officer. We can't leave those out here. Put them in the trunk."
He took me back to his precinct sub-station. "Sorry, Tony, but we have to get a statement before taking you home. Often the first place we go is the hospital, but you look fine. Did they drug you or anything?"
"I don't -- think so. The guy who ultimately tried to kill me fell over the cliff, by the way."
"We'll send someone to pick him up -- though I'm glad it won't be me. He'll probably be in pieces. Did you know there is an island legend of a group of warriers who backed up against that cliff and were pushed off and were all blown back up to win a victory over their foes? I always scoffed at it until I heard your story this evening."
"May I call my parents?" I asked.
"Of course. Anyone else."
"Yes -- if it's allowed."
"Of course it's allowed!"
"But I thought - "
"Tony, you're not a prisoner. You can have as many calls as you need."
I called my parents. My dad picked it up before I even heard a ring. "Hi Dad."
"Tony!" He said and he called my mom's name. "It's Tony!"
"Where are you?" Asked my dad. Before I could answer, my mom was blubbering on the phone.
"Oh Tony, we were so worried. Where were you all this time? It's been nearly a month! We thought - - we prayed that it wasn't -- oh Tony!" She broke down and started to cry. My dad came back on the line.
"Son -- neither of us can express how - " Dad now choked up, then continued. "When will you -- I mean -- where are you?"
"A Oahu Sheriff substation. They need to get a statement and then I am free to go."
"Go where? Shall we fly over and get you?"
"I -- well -- not -- this morning maybe. I have to call Rollie and then I'll call you back. I'll need to get some clothing and stop by Verizon to get a new phone and - "
"You need new clothes? Use your credit card son. We - "
"No -- I have some clothes over at Rollie's. I just -- I don't have any with me. I sort of -- crapped my pants -- when the officer called me from his squad car."
"I haven't any idea what you are talking about. Call me when you have talked to Rollie and -- let me know what we can do. I love you!"
"We both love you sweetheart!" Said my mom, now somewhat composed. "You let us know and we'll do whatever is necessary to get you back home -- where it's safe. We almost lost you twice there! Honolulu is a horrible place."
"I'll call, mom. Bye."
I decided this wasn't the time to tell them I am living with Rollie now.
"Ralls?" I said.
"Toneeeeeeeeeee! Where are you? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine -- now. Can you pick me up?" I told him where I was.
"I'll be right there!" He said excitedly.
"Don't hurry too much, Ralls. I still have to give the sheriff a report of what happened. It may take some time."
"Like I said -- I'll be right there!" He said and hung up.
It took Rollie a half hour to get there, by which time, I was just beginning to tell my story to the police. When I knew Rollie was there, I asked if he could come in too. I wanted him to hear it at the same time. They allowed it.
I was dreading telling about the part about the sex with the woman, both because of the embarrassment and because I didn't know how Rollie would take it. I explained that I was amnesic when it happened, but still, I saw surprise and then it was like some light went out of Rollie's eyes when I said it.
"If you had amnesia -- how can you remember it now?" Asked Rollie.
"An amnesic can usually remember everything after he gets his memory back." Said the deputy, as if anticipating my discomfort.
When the debriefing was complete, the officer asked if I wanted to call the news people to tell them. "No -- I don't think so." I said. Can you do it -- for me?"
"I'd be happy to, Son." He said and he looked like he wanted to hug me as I was leaving -- but he didn't.
"Have you called Fred?" Asked Rollie. "He has been very upset and depressed. He blames himself."
"That's ridiculous!" I said. "It wasn't his fault any more than - "
"I know that. He's not listening to anyone, though. He and Ben got into a huge fight over it and Fred moved back home for two weeks."
"Oh no!" I exclaimed. "Why? What happened?"
"I guess in his distress, Fred told Ben that he still loves you -- or something. Anyway -- call him." Said Rollie handing him my phone. I punched in Fred's number and as I waited for him to wake up to answer, I wondered how to tell Rollie I had to go back to my parents for -- awhile -- to assuage their worries.
"Hello?" Said Fred, sounding sleepy and - mildly annoyed. "This better be good, Rollie. I couldn't sleep most of the night."
"Fred?" I said.
"What -- this isn't -- is this -- Tony??!!" He said suddenly excited.
"Yeah, this is me Fred. I'm okay."
He went silent for a moment then said, "Omigod!"
"Tell me about it!" I exclaimed "I came too close to -- to -- well, I just want to tell you -- I don't think I want that kind of excitement -- ever again."
"Oh Tony! I am so sorry. I - "
"Okay just stop that! Do you know how many people go swimming at Waikiki at night?"
"Obviously not that many. I'm afraid to even see you any more. I'm surely a jinx for you!"
"That's ridiculous! Listen, I'll be coming home -- to my parents -- for awhile and I insist that we hang out -- like for dinner or something. You are NOT a jinx!"
"How is Rollie? I'll bet he's glad you're home."
Shit! I forgot Rollie was sitting next to me! I just indirectly told him I'm going home. I looked over at him. He gave me a guileless smile. More than that -- it was loving.
"He's -- yes, he glad to see me -- no gladder than I am to see him though. Listen, I'll call you as soon as I get home -- er -- to my parents house."
"Okay. Tony?"
"Yeah?"
"I am so relieved!"
Me too -- I thought he was gonna use the "L" word!
"Thanks. See yah. Tony I've been praying for you! -- love you!"
"Okay, bye Fred."
"You could have at least tell him aloha." Said Rollie, still smiling. "It says you love him."
"I grew up in Hawaii, Ralls. I know what aloha means."
"I know he told you. He always does me." Said Rollie.
"He does?" I said, astonished.
"Duh! Either that or he says he loves me."
"He does?"
"You Haoles! You just don't get it!"
"I know I love you." I said as I stroked his neck.
"Ooo! Can't do that while I'm driving. It'll put me to sleep!" He leaned back and closed his eyes momentarily then opened them again. I moved my hand to his shoulder. "Um -- do you want me to take you to Sky Harbor after breakfast?"
"Huh?" I said, astonished.
"I know you have to go visit your parents. Your mother will want to see that you are fine -- with her own eyes. I'd love to go with you, but I have work to do."
"Uh -- yeah -- that'd be good."
"But you have to promise to be back in a week. That'll give you enough time to tell them."
"Tell them?" I asked.
"About us! I know you haven't told them yet. You'll feel better saying it face to face.
Then during breakfast, he said, "So -- did you feel like you were compelled to -- do her?"
I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I said, "Huh?"
"That woman you - um -- fucked. Did you have a choice?"
He asked it so innocently, but -- that's his way. "Rollie -- that was when I had no memory of my life -- any of it. I didn't even know I was gay."
"So -- was it -- I mean -- did you feel -- straight?"
"That's a hard question to answer. I think I assumed -- without thinking about it -- that I was straight. I had no memory of the church or morality. But -- when it was over -- I felt -- empty. I think I may have wondered -- without actually putting it to words -- if I was gay. I lost any interest I may have had -- in trying anything more -- when they were talking about getting off -- I mean jacking off -- while their `Master' cut out a victims heart while he was alive."
"Yeah, that would have been hard." He said.
"I don't even think I could have done one of the guys when I heard that. `Course, I had my memory back by that time."
"That's gonna be hard for me to wipe from my memory." Said Rollie.
"What? The image of a guy getting his heart cut out while he was alive?"
"No. The image of you and that woman."
"I'm sorry you had to hear that. But it was one detail I didn't think should be left out when I told the deputy."
"Can we -- oh never mind."
"What?" I prodded.
"I said never mind, Haole. It was stupid and selfish."
"Okay -- now you HAVE to tell me. It'll make me feel more up even with you -- if you can show me a chink in your armor. Naw, never mind -- I'll never make that standard anyhow!"
"I was wondering if you could come home with me before you go ho -- I mean to your parents."
"Yeah -- I think I need that."
He pulled in front of his house and we both ran to the door and he fumbled with the keys and he opened the door. We ran in and he closed the door then turned and grabbed me and kissed me. Then he started to sob. "I'm sorry -- I'm sorry, Tony. I was just so afraid that we would never again - "
"But we will and -- we are!" I said. I kissed him again and we almost fell on the couch. We tore our clothed off and caressed all over each others' bodies. Then he said it.
"I'm ready whenever you are, Tony."
"Ready?" I said.
"Only I want you first. I want you to make love to me. I want you in me."
"I want that too, Ralls. When I come back -- huh?"
I studied his face and eyes closely. I think he was disappointed. Well, I know he was -- otherwise why would he have asked. But I didn't feel comfortable with it - - yet.
We went to the bedroom and -- still made sweet love with one another -- in other ways. His orgasm was strong and sweet and mine was maybe not as much as it could have been. I felt bad that I told him no. Rollie seems to be able to get past things like that -- easier than I can.
When we were finished, we lay snuggled together on the bed for nearly an hour with nothing covering us. Nothing was needed. It was like we were in Paradise, and in Heaven all at once.
Before I went home, Rollie gave me a bag. "Take this to Fred. It's his Speedo. I know he didn't mean to leave it. He likes to work out in it. But last weekend - "
"Oh. Fred was here last weekend?"
"Yeah -- to practice our corkscrew. He'll be performing with me in two weeks. First time since he got injured."
"How is he?"
"Oh, you know - - he's Fred. I think his face will always be disfigured -- but no one can see that from as far away as we are up on the cliff before we dive. And once you're with him, you forget all about it. I know I did. He and I - " Rollie stopped abruptly.
"Huh?" I said.
"It was nothing. After our practice last Saturday night, we were both really exhausted and feeling bad about -- you -- and we kind of -- took some comfort with each other."
"Huh?" I said again, afraid of the answer.
"It really was nothing. We both were so distraught. We heard from you once then you disappeared again. We thought you were - " He couldn't talk for a moment. " -- and suddenly we were in each others arms crying."
I listened open-mouthed. Then I said, "Which led to - - ?"
"Do you really want to know? It meant nothing then. Only a way to find some comfort. But now that you are back from the -- well, dead -- it means even less."
"You're right. I don't want to know. I'll forget anything was said!" I said and kissed him.
We got dressed and he took me to the airport. I called my parents to let them know what time to pick me up, then I pecked Rollie goodbye.
I had to wait for 45 minutes for my flight and then the flight itself was another half hour. Funny thing about time alone. Funny how you can build a scenario in your head when you have too much time. I couldn't get the image of those two cute Hawaiian guys kissing and cuddling and --
Oh my gosh! Maybe that's why he wanted me to make love to him. To try to forget doing it with Fred! I mean -- I can't blame either of them. They had given up hope that I was okay. And -- they are so much more a match than either Rollie and me or Fred and Ben Fisk. I was convinced that whatever they did was justified. But -- that doesn't make me feel okay with it. I mean -- well -- I AM okay with it, but -- Why does life have to be so complicated?
Mom picked me up at the airport. "Oh Tony. We just had to put our lives on hold. Nearly four weeks you were gone! What did those monsters do to you?"
How could I tell my mother that they were going to kill me in the most terrible way. I couldn't. I hoped that the police report would not be made public. Not now -- so close to the event.
"It's not what they did to me so much. But they were planning to sacrifice me."
"They -- what??!! They were going to burn you alive?" she almost shrieked. "what did you -- how could you -- you must have been terrified!"
"I had amnesia, Mom. They treated me nice. They wanted me to go peacefully -- to convince me that nothing bad was going to happen. It was one of those deals where someone gets kidnapped and then the kidnappers treat him nice and convince him -- through psychological tricks -- that they are friends. But they were lucky this time -- or thought they were. Since I had amnesia, they tried to make me believe that they were helping me.
"but gradually my memory started to come back enough that I realized they were actually trying to keep me from seeing anything or anybody that would trigger memories. So I tried to escape. I was tackled and knocked out. But -- I guess the second blow to my head jarred something just right and my memory came back completely, including the time I had been with them.
"But even then I didn't have time to be scared. I was too busy trying to devise a way to escape -- Which I did." I stopped for a moment, then went on, gravely, "Mom -- I killed a guy."
"You what?!!"
"He pushed me off a cliff, but I had my own little miracle. The wind blew me back uo and he panicked and grabbed for me. In pulling myself up, I pulled him over the side and he didn't have any miracle wind to save him."
"He killed himself!" She said. "Don't ever imagine that you killed him!"
"Yeah, I keep telling myself that. I hope that's the closest I ever get to killing anyone."
"Well, the important thing is that you are back home now."
"I know. It'll be a fast week. I'm sure." I said as if she knew.
"Fast week? What's happening next week?"
"I'm going back to be with Rollie."
"He's been a good friend, hasn't he. You know your friend Fred has been calling regularly since you were -- gone. Will you also be spending some time with him?"
"No. I'm not just spending some time with Rollie either. Mom, I'm moving to Honolulu -- to stay with him. I'm moving out."
"Oh! That's kind of sudden isn't it?"
"Actually we had already decided it before I was kidnapped."
"Well, I'm glad you will be with another family. His mother seems very nice."
"She doesn't live there any more." I said.
"Oh. Are you trying to tell me something?"
"Yes. Rollie is my boyfriend. We are moving together -- kind of -- permanent -- ly."
"Oh, I see," she said, obviously trying to cover her disappointment.
We were both quiet for the remainder of the time until I spoke up, "Um -- would you drop me off at Fred's house?"
"Where does he live? Oh yes he is the Stumpfs - "
"He's moved. I have the directions here."
We were again quiet except for my giving Mom directions to get to Fred and Ben's place. "What if he's not home?" Mom said as I closed the car door. "I'll wait until you're in the door."
"Thanks." Was all I could say. It was like suddenly there was a wall between us. I don't like this feeling. Am I being unreasonable or -- selfish? I feel like at 22 years old, I am a man. It's like there's a gulf between us and I want it to go away, but it won't. I of course learned about separation anxiety in 11th grade psychology. Is that all this is?
Fred opened the door, smiling surprisedly. I turned and waved at Mom. When the door was closed, Fred gave me a close hug. "I am SO glad to see you!" He said, tears springing to his eyes. "I was afraid - "
"Everything's fine, Fred."
"I saw the news blurb about your rescue. That cop must have been - "
"Rescue? Was that what it was? I guess. At least he recognized me when he saw me early in the morning. I wasn't exactly rescued." I said.
"Did you see the news this afternoon?"
"No. I went to Rollie's after he picked me up, to -- um -- well, anyway, he doesn't have TV. Why?"
"Apparently they swept the area where you were found and picked up. Within 30 minutes they found two women, one a Hawaiian, who looked suspic - "
"What? One was Hawaiian? That has to be them! I wonder why the police didn't call me. They have my cell phone number!"
Fred turned on a news station on his TV. Ben walked out of one of the rooms. "Tony!!" he said, and he ran and hugged me. Of course he's a little taller than I am. He leaned back and looked at me. "You don't look any the worse for wear! As a matter of fact you look -- and FEEL -- great!" He hugged me again and kissed me on the cheek. He held me so close I could feel his bulge next to mine. I was hoping he couldn't feel my strong reaction to this. But I dunno how he couldn't!
"Tony hasn't heard the news about catching the people chasing him. Maybe you guys can watch for it while I go to my parents."
"You're leaving?" I said.
"Yeah. I promised my mom. I'll be back as soon as I can." He pecked Ben on the nose, then opened the door. "You boys behave yourselves while I'm gone!" he teased. We both chuckled.
As soon as the door was closed, Ben said, "Did you meet that master character?"
"Huh?"
"They reported that you were going to be sacrificed and some story about the people that kidnapped you being afraid of a guy they called `The Master'. The news media said you might have met him."
"Oh -- no! They just kept me in a secluded shanty up on the hill. The news always gets half of any story wrong."
"I guess they do that to make it more interesting. They said you may have had sex with one of the women. Hah! We both KNOW that's not true! And they also said something about you falling off the cliffs overlooking Kaneohe bay - - then getting blown back up by the wind -- like in that old legend."
"Oh -- that part was true!"
Ben looked at me as if I were crazy. "What?" Oh that's right! You had amnesia. But - - you mean you actually had sex with one of the - ? "
"I did, Ben. AND I lost my balance and started to fall over the cliff. AND I WAS blown back up by a strong gust of wind!"
"No kidding? Geez! I just thought -- um -- how did you fall?"
"I was pushed. The guy who pushed me was pretending to be my friend, but then pushed me off. It was like slow motion. I guess your mind in those cases speeds up so fast it seems that way. I thought about all the people I loved (Ben -- I even thought about you!) and at the same time, I saw the horrified look in Marty's eyes as he watched me ball back over the edge. He actually looked remorseful!
"Then when the wind pushed me from the rear -- I was naked, by the way -- he reached out and grabbed me. Again I was like in slow motion as I was pulled back to safety and he went hurling past me, and lunged over the side. The wind didn't push him back up!"
"Omigosh!" Said Ben, stunned.
"Yeah. I killed a guy. I killed Marty! I keep seeing his helpless, fearful look as he passed me. He was trying to save me!"
"It doesn't seem like that to me! Just because he suddenly got remorseful and saved you doesn't mean you owe -- or owed him -- anything! He was the one who pushed you off. You know what I think?"
"What?" I said, weakly."
"I think God wasn't ready to take you home. If the wind blew you back up, then that was God! And it may have even been the Spirit that prompted Marty to reach for you. In extraordinary circumstances, people sometimes listen to the Spirit -- even evil people!"
"I know but," I started then stopped. I couldn't stop tears from welling up. "he -- DID try to kill me -- didn't he?" I said. "Ben, one thing I think I forgot to tell the police was - - those perverts -- Chrissy, Melissa and Marty -- actually masturbated as they watched their master rip out a victim's heart -- while he was still alive! But they were all so nice -- to me -- well, at least part of the time!"
I was on emotional overload, I guess, because I broke down and started crying like a baby.
Ben rushed over and grabbed me and held me close. "Shh. It's gonna be okay, Bud. They caught them." He said. "Tony -- I think maybe you need to talk to someone."
"You -- you mean -- a shrink?' I said. He nodded. "I -- I think -- you may be right." I again sobbed, this time with my head on his chest. I knew that I was soaking his tee shirt but the release felt good. He just held me close until I stopped. I shuddered once more and looked up into very sympathetic eyes. I pulled myself closer and put my lips to his. We both closed our eyes and kissed each other passionately when we heard from the TV:
"A news update on the Tony diMarco kidnapping story."
We almost sprang apart and looked momentarily guilty at one another, then tuned our attention to the TV.
"Police questioned and released two people of interest found near the site where Mr. diMarco was picked up on highway 61 just east of the Wilson Tunnels. Ms. Melanie Byington -- a native Hawaiian, and Ms. Christine Overacre, both of Honolulu -- reported they were on and overnight hike." They showed pictures of each woman.
"Christine is the Crissy that seemed to be with Marty. But Melanie -- if that's her real name -- was who I knew as Melissa."
"She was the one that you - - had sex with?"
It hit me like lightening. I had told Rollie that I had fucked her. I never did! We had oral sex. That was all. It was the strangest feeling. I remembered liking it, but now it suddenly made me feel sick. "Ben! I DIDN'T have sex with her! I mean -- yes we did, but it was oral sex. We were supposed to do the rest the night I escaped. We never got that far. I gotta call Rollie!"
"Don't you want to call the police and I.D. those chicks?"
"Oh -- yeah -- but first I need to let Rollie know we didn't - - you know!" I punched in Rollie's number.
"Hi Tony! How's my favorite Haole?"
"Tony -- I didn't -- didn't -- I didn't -- fuck her!"
"Wha -- at?" He said.
"That Hawaiian chick! I didn't have sex with her -- not that way. We only had oral sex."
"EW!" Said Rollie.
"I know! Anyway, I have to call the Oahu sheriff's to tell them - "
"You're going to call to tell them you only had oral sex? I don't think they will see the distinction!"
"No -- to tell them I recognized both those women they picked up. They were definitely the ones."
"Oh Great! They got them!"
"Yeah -- then let them go as -- persons of interest."
"Oh shit!" Said Rollie. "They'll probably never be heard of again -- probably somewhere in Nebraska by now! That's why that cop was asking for you. But call them and call me back!"
We hung up and I got out the officers card. I keyed in the number. He wasn't there, so it went to on operator. "Oahu County Sheriff. May I help you?"
"This is Tony diMarco. I want - "
"Just a minute."
I was cut off -- or I guess, transferred. "Wally!" Came a voice.
"What?" This is Tony -- diMarco."
"Oh! Sorry! Officer Kileane here. Tony! Where did you go?"
"I came home."
"I thought you lived in Honolulu."
"No -- well yes, I do, but I had to come back to see parents -- on Maui."
I suddenly felt extremely guilty because if the way I had treated my mom.
"Well, we coulda used you here. We had to let those two women go. I was so sure that - "
"I SAW them on TV. That was definitely them!"
"Shit!" He said. "Sorry. Usually we keep someone like that longer. I should have seen it!"
"What?"
"The taller chick was afraid, but that Melanie was actually smug! That tells me only one thing: she has a relative or something on the force."
"Pff!" I exclaimed. "You guys are ALL related -- aren't you?"
"Sometimes it seems like it! I'll try to round them up again, but -- most likely they're on the mainland by now -- with altered I.D.'s. How soon can you get back here -- in case we find them?"
"I -- er -- I -- have to still go see my parents. Tomorrow morning okay?"
"Yes."
"Um -- I'm a little short on funds -- do you think - "
"No problem. Be at the Hawaiian Airlines terminal at 8:00 AM. There will be a ticket waiting there -- in your name. I'll personally pick you up in Sky Harbor. See yah!"
I hung up the phone and almost fell back against the couch's backrest. "You okay, Bud?" Said Ben.
"Yeah. Hey! Can you take me to my parents house? I could walk but - "
"Of course! We can leave immediately. Fred's gonna be disappointed." He looked down as if he were feeling guilty. "And -- Tony -- what we did -- that didn't mean anything -- I mean it DID, but -- it was a moment of high emotion and - "
He looked up and directly into my eyes. It was only a half second, but it seemed more like a half hour. Suddenly we both lunged for each other, almost ripping off each others' tee shirts. Our hands were all over one another's' torso. He slipped his hands under my jeans and under my boxers and he ran his finger deep into the crack there. (Not into my anus, but - - )
He took it out and smelled it, and made a low grunting moan. We kissed deeply and again -- passionately. We pulled away and looking deeply into my eyes, I felt his hands go to my jeans. He unbuttoned and then unzipped them. He started to pull them down.
"No!" I recoiled. "We can't! We just can't, Ben!"
"I know!" said Ben, tears in his eyes. Then we heard a door slam. I quickly pulled up and fastened my jeans, and we both pulled on our shirts, as the front door opened.
"HI-eeeeee!" Said Ben to his partner.
"Hi. Um -- everything okay here?" Said Fred, looking between us.
"We were just -- I mean -- Tony was -- er I was just about to take Tony home." He fast-talked the whole story of what we saw on TV and the phone calls. "Maybe you'd like to take him to his parents' house. He needs to see them before he leaves tomorrow morning for Honolulu."
"Sure." Said Fred, evenly. "I'll take him."
"Good luck, Bud!" Said Ben as he hugged me good bye. "I love you." he whispered very low in my ear.
As soon as we were in the car, Fred said, "I'm not stupid, you know." He waited only a moment then said, "Obviously neither of you wears lipstick that I could see anywhere. But you're both lousy liars. That's one of the things I love about you both!"
"Fred, nothing really happened. We got carried away a little when I lost it after watching that TV report. He was only consoling me, when it -- SIGH -- went too far."
I looked at him for a reaction. He waited patiently. I guess that was a sign of his maturity. "We only kissed and -- hugged a little. Nothing more."
That was the truth. Most of it -- anyway. Nothing more was said until we got to my parents house. He leaned over me to open the door and coming back he pecked me on the cheek. I got out of the door and as I started to close it, he said, "I love you, Haole. And -- oh! Your tee shirt's inside out!" He smiled sadly.
I turned red, took a deep breath and went into the house. "Tony!" My mom said. I didn't expect you this soon! I was afraid -- well, anyway -- it's -- I' mean -- I'm glad you're here! Take your things to your room -- or I guess it's the guest room now, huh?" That stung. Your father will be home a little later. Can I plan on you for dinner?"
"Yeah. I'll right out and tell you what happened."
I went to my room and immediately called Ben. "Ben!"
"Tony!"
I quickly rehearsed to him what the conversation was in the car with Fred. "Okay -- thanks. And Tony -- I meant what I told you before you left."
"Ben -- we can't - "
"Gotta go, he's back! Bye!"
"Bye Ben." I said sadly.
Omigod! I'm not a teenager! Why am I acting like one? What shall I tell Rollie. With Fred knowing about this, I can't NOT tell him - - - - - - - can I?
Notes: Is honesty always the best policy? Comments are always welcome -- to Steve at stevethomas535@hotmail.com. Thanks and -- love, Steve