The story below is a work of fiction, set in the format of reality. Any resemblances to real people, alive or in the hereafter, is entirely coincidental in nature. It is not meant to accurately reflect upon persons, of continents or islands, in countries, counties, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, streets, cul-de-sacs, nor governmental or non-governmental areas, which the story is staged. If a sexual scene involving male-to-male relationships offends you, then why are you here? Seriously, if guy-to-guy sex stuff makes you barf or is going to screw up your mind, you should not read this story.
Various states and countries have various rules regarding reading or viewing adult material'. It is up to the reader to research this subject, abiding by their own laws. The pages of this story contain adult material', intended for an `adult audience'. Bypass this warning at your own risk.
% Sexual safety matters. Remember guys, this is fiction. In real life, use protection.
Hey dudes, if you have enjoyed reading NiFTy stories as much as I have, over the years, consider adding some support for `internet $pace'. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
^o^ Concluding remarks ~ reading this story could make you stiff or gooey, so I would suggest not reading it at work... just sayin'! :)
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FiRE iSLAND BiKiNiS ~ `beLLyhOLe ALeRt!' 08 WriTten by T. Chase McPhee
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Slowly, they began to trickle out of the mens room, Giles leaving first. It wasn't a secret, Jay seeing how well they were getting along.
Marco, still holding Jay up with brute force, wondering what the eye-lingo was, going on between the two, says, "You go ahead Peter. I can take it from here."
To acknowledge, Jay reiterates, "Yeah, Marco can take care of me," turns his eyes to staring into Marco's, "I think."
"Sure. No sweat," Marco boldly says.
"Are you sure you're okay, Jay?"
"Sure, I'm sure, Peter," and meant to send a message, "Maybe Giles needs some help in the kitchen?"
"I'll check," Peter smiles back.
With everyone gone, except Marco, he says to Jay, "Okay, now show me how all this cripple...sorry, I mean, handicapped stuff, goes."
A brief smile, showing he wasn't angered, Jay confides, "I've never changed clothes, sitting on a sink before?"
"There's a first time for everything!"
Wanting to be truthful, Jay knew his limitations, "Would be better if you went out to get my chair. I like, live in that thing!"
"Your chair?" Marco questions.
However, Peter, like being a mind reader, bangs the door from the other side.
Marco couldn't leave Jay, or else he would make a face-plant into the tiles, "Who is it?" Marco yells.
Peter almost sings it, "Your fairy godmother!"
Complete metamorphosis, from a half hour ago, Jay is laughing his ass off, alerting Marco, "Peter, he's a real kook!"
Pushing the door open, much like he did the front door into The Nook, Peter drags the chair in, "I thought this might be helpful."
Having a wiseass response all bottled up and ready to let loose, Marco says, "I was ready to have my fairy godmother grant my three wishes."
This entertained Jay, Peter even more so, "Which would be?"
"1. Come over here. 2. Kneel down. 3. Open your mouth!"
Compelled, Peter, whom couldn't get the wheelchair past the door, shimmies past it, adding a long spider step, "In my own opinion, I think you would need a 4th!"
Curious, after the hardy laughter, Marco sounding a little evil, nasally, sort of like he had marbles in his mouth, says, "Then you must be some other dude's fairy godmother."
Truthfully, Peter was then sad he said it, repairing his thoughts, "Well, maybe 3 wishes would do it, and then some improvisation on the fairy godmother's end!"
Smiling, evil on his mind, Marco says, "Well, you're already here. All you have to do is drop and open up!"
"That's nice," Jay puts it over on both of them, "and then what happens when you take your hand away from my chest, Marco?"
"You got a point there, Jay."
Everything is cancelled out!
Feeling disappointed, the `fairy' gipped, Peter resolves, "To be continued?"
Before he left, Peter went digging in the bag Jared left behind.
Jay, he didn't like the first two tee shirts Peter pulled out.
Marco, couldn't care less about clothing, seeing the tip of Peter's asscrack, each time he squatted down, which made him utilize his unused hand.
Getting themselves together, Jay changed, Marco and Peter working in conjunction, choosing the `diaper changing station', instead of the wet sink, of course Jay played them, pretending he was a baby.
It did occur to Jay, "You checked to see if Giles needed help, Peter?"
"I did," Peter replies. "He said not right now, but maybe later?"
When it came down to Peter and Marco, they almost resorted to a wrestling match, tug o'war with the only black shirt in the bag.
"That's my color," Marco claims, tugging at one side.
"I saw it first!"
"Right, but you had your hand on the red one. I'm the one who pulled the black out of the bag!"
Relinquishing his hold on the tee, Peter gives in, "Only if you let me grant your three wishes."
Marco replies, "I thought it was four?"
Butting into their business, Jay, a bright smile on his face, yells, "Who the fuck cares...can we get out of here, please?"
Speaking of fucking, Jay could have very well done it, conjuring up some wishes of his own, only with this impediment between the legs...
With the black tee in his possession, Marco stands with his back to Jay, corralled in between the knees, which worked beautifully in keeping Jay put.
It was too much resistance for him, to touch those beautiful shoulder blades, the curve of the back muscles, "Wow, you're so smooth, Marco."
If Jay had 4 wishes of his own...3 would have worked beautifully, 1. The plumbing in excellent working condition. 2. Ability to slide off the changing table, no imposition at all. 3. Hard and ready to penetrate. Too bad he wasn't feeling what he was wishing for!
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Jared, having been running around all day long, events good and bad making an unusually hectic day at work, decided he needed some relaxation and TLC!
Fortunately, near day's end, he got calls from all his contacts, both J&J stores and Sean. It was a pleasure to hear Sean go down the list, Jay's Surf Shop, Warrior One, Westside Marketplace, which also entailed what he and Elroy came up with, conferring with Adam over the tattoo shop.
It was strange for him, feeling the whole day jam-packed, only to have nothing going on at night. Winding up his phone calls, in what Jared would call `the office' from now on, he sat at his table, The Nook, waiting for Jay and Peter to come out of the mens room. He would give them 5 more minutes, then spring in on them and see what the hell was going on!
Meanwhile, Giles had elected himself Jared's personal servant, coming back over, "Can I get you something else, Jared?"
"Yeah, a nice back rub will do!" Jared stretched arms way overhead, which when done, he had to tuck his shirt back in.
Having dashed back and forth, counter to table, a few times, Giles says, "Better to be busy, than not busy, my dad used to say, because if you're not busy, then you're not going to have the loot to play!"
Chuckling, it made Jared at least crack a smile, "Sounds logical. I take it, other than the orgy which went on this afternoon, in the mens room, you've been keeping yourself busy?"
Smiling, Giles replies, "I made those pastries you ate with my two little hands!"
Well, in Jared's estimation, Giles hands were hardly that, more giant, like he had oven mitts on, which looked oversized-human, "They were very good. You know, I've been thinking about something and wondered about your opinion."
Standing on the other side of the table, Giles leaned with both hands braced, "Shoot."
"I like you in a tee shirt and wondered what you thought about dressing the place down?"
"You want me to wear my speedo to work?"
"Um, not that much dressed down, Giles."
"Wouldn't work anyway, with the hot ovens, hot coffee, even though," said with proudness, "I do look quite hot in a speedo!"
Jared couldn't take much more of this humor, yet wouldn't mind seeing Giles in something skimpy, "I bet you do!"
"By the way, Jay was quite talkative and mentioned he has a birthday coming up?"
"Friday," Jared says.
Giles says, like he was suggesting, "The 4th?"
"The 4th? Oh no, it's the 5th, Saturday, "Jared tries recounting the days in his mind.
"Well, if you haven't planned it out, I'd be honored to make him a birthday cake?"
"You know," Jared reacts, "that would be great. You wouldn't happen to know how to make it in the shape of a surfboard?"
"Sure," Giles stands, puts hands in both back pockets, "I could do that."
"Tell you the truth, I got a little busy and being behind in the plans, I don't know exactly where I'm holding Jay's party, except maybe Korbeau's, so if you could arrange to have the cake there?"
Thinking on it, hands out of the pockets, right arm across his middle, left elbow pocketed in the palm Giles strums his scruff, "Korbeau's, huh?"
"Unless you know of a place?"
"I do," Giles allows the `o' to roll, "by chance."
"Make a proposal then," Jared would like to know.
Giles smiles, "Will you marry me?"
Cocking his head, smiling, Jared says, "No. I'm not having Jay's birthday party at our wedding!"
"Is that a yes?"
"What do you think?"
A little wishful thinking never hurt anyone.
"Okay, well the place I was thinking of, what better place than on the beach!"
Not that he was cheap, having the cash in the bank to back him up, Jared says, "Great. You just saved me what Michael was going to charge!"
"Michael?"
"Korbeau. He and Jay are good friends. I suppose I am too."
"Well," Giles comes up with another brilliant idea, pulling out a chair and sitting, glad Jared sits as well, "If you don't have anything to do with the money I saved you, you could put it in my next paycheck?"
"I could, could I?"
Knowing it wasn't floating Jared's boat, Giles gets up, pushes the chair in, "Well, I better get back to the kitchen, before all havoc breaks loose!"
"Why? Are we having fistfights breaking out?" Jared wonders.
"Oh no. You know they can't do anything without me!"
All Jared could do is smile, watching Giles hurry off, behind the counter and then disappear. Sitting back, he thought on the beach idea and what better place to have it, but in the neighborhood of Surf Walk Lane.
Looking up at the clock on the wall, Jared squints, saying to no one in particular, "Is that clock right?"
"No, it's been broke for two days," Yashir picks up on it, thinking Jared has asked him.
"Really?" Standing, frankly tired of sitting, Jared walks over, "How is your book going?"
"Very well," Yashir replies. "This is the perfect place to write."
"What is your subject?" Jared looks at a stack of papers.
"I have a title and I'm working from it. It is called, `View From The Cafe' and it is about all the people I watch, coming and going from The Nook."
"Hmm," Jared thinks on it. "My suggestion would be, if you happen to know someone by name, scratch it out and give them a fictitious name?"
"Thank you for the idea, Jared," Yashir says, even though he already thought of it."
"One question though?"
"What is that?"
"How much of a cut is The Nook getting from the profits?"
Yashir can tell, from Jared's smile, he's kidding. "Tell you this, if it becomes a New York Times bestseller, I will buy you a cup of coffee!"
"No pastry?" Jared complains!
"Okay. I will throw in a pastry. You can have a refill on the coffee too."
"We don't charge for refills," Jared disputes.
"Oh, that is good to know, since this is my 8th cup!"
Knowing Yashir was at the same table yesterday and the day before, the day before that, says, "We should share the same office."
"You have an office?"
"Identical to yours, it's over there where my laptop is," Jared points with thumb over his shoulder.
"I hope you really don't mind me being here?"
"Well, it is kind of draining the coffee reserves, but I don't think it will set the profits back too much," Jared smiles.
"Say, I'm not doing anything tonight. How would you like to be my dinner guest?"
"Kind of you," Jared says, "but I'm meeting a guy for dinner, thanks."
Not dead set against multi-partner meet-ups, Yashir says, "He can come along?"
Knowing Pinto said he was cooking up a gala barbecue, with enough to feed an army, Jared says, "Why don't you come along with me? I'm sure he won't mind."
"It is a date," Yashir begins packing up.
"Okay. Let me get myself packed up."
While doing so, Jared thought it was his cell going off, Yashir having the same ring tone.
Bag over his shoulder, Yashir comes over, "I am sorry for the inconvenience, Jared, but the date I was to have tonight, cancelled. Now he calls back and says it's on. I will not be able to go with you. Again, I am very sorry."
"Not a problem," Jared says. "Think nothing of it." Then, it's his cell summoning him. On the phone, it was Pinto, barbecue canceled out, but message to stop by.
With Yashir leaving, Jared turns around to the commotion at the back of The Nook, "Well, it's about time!" he stands, one hand on his hip.
"Stop standing like that moron, you look like a girl!"
Throwing a pen into his case, Jared says, "That's the thanks I get for giving up my whole afternoon?"
Wise to his brother, Jay says, "You mean, while you were working from your `office desk'?"
"So, what's the verdict, Peter? All ready to go?"
"That we are," Peter replies, behind Jay's chair.
"Oh," Jay suddenly perks up, "I forgot to say goodbye to Marco."
"Who's Marco?" Jared asks.
Answering his bro in a particular manner, Jay says, "The hot Italian stallion who kept me from doing a face plant on the floor, not to mention he works for you?"
"He works for me?" Jared searches the data base in his brain, "Where?"
Peter let Jay do the talking, going over to chat with Giles, whom suddenly needed some help in the kitchen.
"Here, dah?"
"At The Nook? Funny, Sean didn't mention him?"
"Like, do you really need to know, Jare?"
"Of course I should know," Jared gets stern.
"You don't."
"I don't, do I? How do you figure that?"
Rolling closer to the table, Jay says, "It's not that you don't have to know, it's that, why does it have to come from Sean? If you really needed to know, you look it up on your laptop, dah?"
"Hmm, I guess you're right," Jared looks at his laptop, even though it's off.
"Just goes to prove something."
"What's that?"
"You're a moron!" Jay laughs his ass off!
Not agreeing, nor disagreeing, Jared replies, "Apparently!"
"What's for dinner?" Jay asks.
"Pinto's barbecue. Want to come?"
"I wasn't invited."
"I'm inviting you, moron!"
"Oh. Okay. I guess I'll go then."
Jared, concerned still, asks, "How's your stomach?"
"Better. Peter's remedy did the trick, along with all that barfing."
"Which was?"
"A bottle of ginger ale. Tasted good too. I might just make it my official drink," Jay giggles. "Oh, by the way?"
"What?" Jared asks, packing stuff away.
"I think you might have to have the mens room condemned!"
"I was thinking that myself. It's coming out of your allowance."
"Mine? Mine isn't for stuff like that!" Jay differs in opinion.
Confronting each other, it didn't need to be so, Marco coming out of the mens room, "Okay, I've got everything cleaned up. Smells good in there with the window open."
Walking over, Jared offers his hand, "Thanks very much. I understand you work for me?"
"Oh, brother," Jay says, not meant in a way in which he was calling Jared. Though, it was understandable, Jay thinking Marco quite the hot dish!
Jay did suggest, "Invite Marco to the barbecue, Jare, you know, to thank him for taking care of me?"
Jared knew things could not be that easy.
However, it was Marco, tearing himself away from Jared, walking over to Jay, "Hey, thanks for the invite, but we'll be closing in a few hours and I've got to mop up and clean the oven." Leaning on the arm of the chair, "Can I take a raincheck?"
"Even if it's not raining," Jay is agreeable.
Still standing nearby, Jared is eyeing up the Italian, that swimmers build, encased in the black tee shirt, which looked to be a size too small.
"Rain or shine," Marco smiles, "that's my policy!"
"Will you come to my birthday party?" Jay asks.
"Of course. When and where is it?"
"Saturday," Jay tries looking around Marco. "Where's it going to be, Jare?"
Good thing he had a talk with Giles, "On the beach, right at the end of Surf Walk Lane."
Thinking it important, Jay asks, "Did you know, sometimes they call it Surf Rock Road?"
"Why's that?" Jared steps over to the conversation.
"You can't see it unless you're standing at the end of Nash's yard, but beyond are a clump of rocks and boulders. I think they got washed downstream from Alaska, in the last ice age."
"Long way to travel, without an airline ticket!"
It made Marco smile, who held more interest in checking Jared out, than what he was saying!
"Lame, bro."
Knowing it too, Jared says, "So we better get moving. There's tons of traffic out there."
Even though it was a people walk', void of motor traffic, Jay knew how summers could get, with the tourists, daily and seasonal visitors, especially moving around quitting time, people getting hungry, heading for the various places to dine. It also made Jay sigh, thinking deeply about it, so many bellyholes, so little time,' the summer passing so quickly.
However, Jay never complained, the best time for viewing was the summertime, boys of all ages, going shirtless. Often he had to watch out for himself, meaning not staring. Being in a wheelchair, it was often himself, prey to staring eyes. If by chance he was checking some guy out and the dude happened to look at him, Jay knew he would be found out. So, bellyhole-watching, he had to be very sneaky about it!
He couldn't place total blame on himself for actions, Jay getting a gentle tap on the shoulder, whenever Jared saw some hot guy and wanted Jay to know he was checking him out too.
Sometimes Jay was ahead of his brother, like right now, passing 2 dudes, whom had to be either high school grads or first year college frat, responding to the tap, "I know," Jay looks up and smiles, staring up at the underside of Jared's chin, his brother not finished checking out the scenery!
A matter or a block from Surf Walk Lane, Jared says, "Mind if we take a detour?"
Before Jay could answer, Jared was headed up another path.
"I suppose my answer is, `not a problem!'"
"I need to make one small stop."
"Wiener ready to explode?" Jay laughs at his own joke of his brother having to pee!
However, Jared's response was in a different sense, "It sure is!"
What Jay found out, from a distance, spots Pinto's garage, "What's up with this?"
"I dunno. Pinto said he had a little surprise for us. Your guess is as good as mine," Jared retorts.
In front of the garage, the front being the back, the door was closed down. Jared knocks.
Five seconds in, Jay calls it, "He's not home. Let's go."
"Wait a minute," Jay gets a whiplash response. "We have to give him more than 5 seconds," upon which Jared knocks again, louder.
"Okay, but if he doesn't come this time, we should leave."
"Why, what's your hurry?"
"Remember I threw up my lunch. It's time for a refill!"
Third knock, Jared was ready to go, saying, "Mystery to me why Pinto didn't answer, since he was the one calling me and asking me to stop by," he turns Jay around towards the `street'.
"Are you sure you were supposed to meet him here and not somewhere else, Jare?"
"Hmm," Jared wasn't sure, "could be."
Five feet from the building, the garage door opens with loud noise, like someone beating a can with a baseball bat.
"You're here?" Jared asks.
"I've been here."
"We knocked three times," Jay says.
"Oh, well," Pinto enlightens them, "I was in the can. What's up?"
Jared says, "That's what I'm wondering, since you called me?"
"Right. About the greenhouse?"
Jay was wondering, why Jared was giving Pinto a strange look, dragging a finger under his chin, like saying heads were ready to roll. He knew something was up, something which he wasn't supposed to know about most likely. Being it was his birthday in near future, he knew things like this could happen, so pretended he didn't hear, picking up an object off the table, "Hey, what's this for, Pinto?"
From behind him, Jay hears a sighs from Jared, which meant he fooled them!
"That," Pinto takes it out of Jay's hand, "is a very sharp tool, used for scraping down rough wood."
"Oh. Dangerous, is it?"
Pinto responds, "Dangerous for those who don't know how to handle it."
Curious to why Pinto mentioned the unmentionable, Jared says, "Jay, I've got to talk to Pinto about something," he ducks out of the garage, dragging Pinto by the elbow.
"No," he turns around, seeing them dash out, around the corner of the garage, "problem."
Another period of waiting around, which seemed to plague Jay's life at times, not being able to go where he wanted to go, do what he wanted to do. Nothing in the garage shared an interest, so Jay just reflected on what people said to him today. The profound thing he could come up with, is Peter and his words of wisdom and advice. From there, it led him through a maze of what he was doing in life and, like Peter had told him, where he could be going. A hint of Marco, made him smile.
About the house on Surf Walk Lane, he's been thinking about it for the past half day, thinking it's not really the ideal place to stay, for a person in his condition. He liked the house that fell in', because it was more suited for a wheelie' guy. Tired in thought, he went to find Jared.
"Oh," he says, running into them on the return, "I was just about ready to send out sea'n'rescue for you!"
Joking, Jared replies, "You mean like the pair we saw today?"
"If I had my pick, it would have been the dude on the left."
"Of course," Jared says, "the hairy one for you and the smooth one for me!"
"I'm supposed to be kicking the habit."
"Kicking what habit?" Jared asks.
Not specifically mentioning bears and cubs, Jay tells, in general, "Thinking so much about boys and stuff like that. Peter says I better start thinking about what interests me and how I can work at it to start supporting myself."
"I think he has a good point there," Jared says, taking the back of the chair and rolling Jay out.
"Um, what did Pinto want to see you about?"
Or maybe Jay shouldn't have asked!
Lying, Jared says, "Nothing much. Something about the marketplace, that's all."
Not for nothing, Jared was protecting Pinto against being stalked, like what Jay did to anyone who gave hint on what he was getting for his birthday...knowing how much of a pest his brother could be, if given a hint of the present he was getting, it would result in the poor victim's cell phone getting bogged down with calls all day long. It's the reason Joseph became very secretive at this time of year!
"Okay. So are we headed back now?"
"That we are, unless you want to stop somewhere else?"
Jay stutters, not exactly knowing how to put this, "Fine, but could you do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
"Call Homer and ask if we're having chili again? Um," Jay still swallows some of the remnants of eating at Tam's, "we might want to eat out, only food that's not real greasy?"
Jared agrees to make the call, saying while his phone dials, "I think we should talk to Peter about what you should be eating and not what you would like to be eating?"
"Whatever you say, boss!"
Come to find out, chili was on the menu!
Like the chili taste was still in his mouth, Jared informed Homer he and Jay would find dinner on their own, turning back to his brother, "Where would you like to eat?"
Not which Peter was becoming his `god', Jay had started thinking for himself, more than sitting around all day, pondering over what he could or should be doing. An impression he's gotten from many over recent months, but especially lecturing from Peter, he couldn't sit on his duff for the rest of his life and let everyone do everything for him.
"Hmm, where would I like to eat?" Jay thought, while Jared stood there behind the chair.
"C'mon now. Remember, it's me getting the exercise pushing you around town and I think I've gotten my share of legwork put in for today?" Jared laments.
"I got an idea!"
Rolling his eyes, Jared knew that tone of voice, "What?"
"Peter. He said he had to run over to Warrior One to do something, but if he's not busy, maybe he can help me get started on how I'm supposed to be eating!"
`Not a half-bad idea,' Jared thinks on it, "Make the call."
Proud of himself, Jay looks up to his bro, "Um, can you get it for me?"
Most often than not, Jay would keep his cell tucked halfway in the pocket of his pants, or right next to his thigh on the chair, sometimes in the non-working pocket of his closed legs, but to retrieve it, it didn't look too `swift.'
"Why not?" Jared part-serious, half-joking, reaches down for the small sports duffle adapted for hanging on the back of the chair. Reports, "You don't have it?" Jared searches.
Running hands along the sides, deep into the recesses of the chairs, patting down his pockets, looking around before checking his junk, Jay replies, "Nope. It's gotta be in the bag."
Already, prelude to an emotional rescue had set in.
"Well, it's not back here, bro!" Jared hangs over the top of the chair.
"Oh my god, what happened to it?" Jay acts like he's lost all his assets!
Sensing it by now, how Jay's mental state could change radically in seconds, "Now don't go and get misty on me. Here, use mine. Chances are, you could have left it back at the house."
"Okay."
Being handed Jared's phone, accepting his excuse, Jay pulled back from mental breakdown.
In minutes he was reporting back, "Peter said meet him at Ali's Market," Jay waited intently for a certain response.
Not disappointed, Jared replies, "Our competition, is it?"
Comforting his brother, Jay says, "Only while the marketplace is under renovations."
"True," Jared thought on it.
In actuality, Jared had sent his attorney, Karl Jarlsberg, over to Ali's Market. Not only a fixture in J&J businesses, the 34-year old attorney, who also practiced in Manhattan, would make the perfect spy', calling Fire Island home' on weekends, holidays and other getaways. Stranger to most, he fit in with island decor, throwing off any suspicion of checking out the competitive market.
Sure enough, meeting Peter outside, when they walked in, there was the owner, Amir. Ali's brother, who had taken over with his bro's passing, the 59-year old was there to greet them, "Checking out the competition?"
Contrary to what Jared thought, he found Amir not at all contentious, responding, "Of course!"
What could have escalated into argument, Jared is surprised, being given a hand to shake, instead of a swinging fist, Amir saying, "I am happy to see you are fixing up the old marketplace."
"Really?" Jared wondered what was up with that, Ali's his main competitive edge.
"Let me explain," Ali led them over to a table.
As with The Nook, a person walked in, helped themselves at the counter and found their own eating space. Instead, with a wave of his arm and a few words to his employee, Amir calls over, "Qazi," moves four fingers to beckon presence at the table they sit at, Jay rolling underneath.
"Hey, this is comfy," Jay shows no effort in fitting himself under the table ledge, right up to the midsection, "you should get some tables like this at The Nook, Jare."
With a purpose, Amir says, "You can have this table. You may have them all!"
Cocking his head a like to the side, Jared asks, "What was that?"
Announcing with hands coming together like in prayer, Amir says, "Anything you want, it is on the house. Today is my last day in business." Laughing, "After today, you have no competition!"
"What?" Jared says, not meaning to sound like it's a terrible idea!
"Yes, I am retiring to California, but..."
Reason for calling his 20-year old employee over, "I beg of you, please take on Qazi at your marketplace?"
Holding his employee, much like a son, from behind, hands scrunching up both of Qazi's shoulders, positioned like putting the mid-eastern man on display, waits for Jared's reply.
In a bind here, Jared knew he just blew off Joseph and Terry, over hiring Hans, "I need to think on it."
Peter and Jay sat there, leaving it up to Jared, except Jay more attentive, the dude seeming to fall around his own age, "Oh c'mon, Jare. Everyone deserves a break?"
Jared knew, if he stood there haggling long enough, it would not be his own decision, but rather his brother, `making' him hire Qazi, out of pity and not the usual, qualifications!
"We need to talk," Jared takes both men aside.
Now there, by themselves, Peter rises up out of his chair, "Well, so much for table-service! What'll you have from the counter, Jay?"
"Anything you're having," Jay wasn't paying full mind to Peter.
"Right-o," he says, leaving Jay to fend for himself.
Jay looks across the way. He missed something! Amir had wandered off, leaving Jared to speak with Qazi, "Oh man, I've got to pay more attention!"
Within timeframe of minutes, Peter returns, "I hope you like what I picked out for us?"
"What is it?" Jay looks between the bread.
"Well, since Jared gave me the task of putting you on a diet," he lifts the lid off one of the sandwiches, "we're having a very healthy roast beef sandwich, with bean sprouts, a little balsamic vinegar and a couple of squirts of olive oil. What do you think?" he stood there with a grin.
Not able to put it all under a close microscope, Jay questions the contents, "Bean sprouts, eh?" he touches the little wiry green snaps like, if he wasn't careful they would bite!
"Trust me, they're quite dead, but alive?"
"You just contradicted yourself, y'know?" he looks up at Peter, Jay more looking over the top of their table, across the way.
"Will be interesting to see if Jared hires him, huh?"
Jay says, still not sure he wants to pick up his sandwich, "I hope so."
After all he's lectured, Peter asks, "On what do you base your itinerary?"
"My what?" Jay looks at Peter, like he's got three heads!
Being kind to morons, Peter explains, "When you apply for a job, you naturally take along work history and other things to sell yourself?"
"Really? Well, the moment I saw Qazi, he had my vote!"
Peter could not dispute the fact, Qazi was quite a handsome lad, so said nothing to reprimand Jay on his way of thinking, instead adding, "I wonder something?"
"What?" Jay gets up enough nerve to pick up his sandwich. Loose grip, he smiles, most of the sprouts falling out!
"Why you, as partner in the Evans empire, is not over there interviewing along with the `senior partner'?"
Brief thought, Jay, out of more than a desire to fall into the human resource slot, puts his sandwich down and with conviction says, "You know, you're right, gosh-darned it!"
Jay, pushing away from the table, tries going around Peter, only to be stopped, "Hold on a second there Buffalo Bill Cody!"
"What?" Jay says, being toted backwards by the handle at the top of the chair.
"I don't think you will make a good impression, covered in dead or alive bean sprouts?"
Two sprouts hanging from Jay's jaw, a few clinging to the front of his shirt, Peter feels obligated to do a modest clean up, "There, I think I got them all."
Most worries, Jay wondered how long the interview was going to continue on for, "If I don't have my chance, it's your fault!"
"Three strikes I'm out," though Peter only had two thus far, `dead and alive!'
Being Ali's Market was going out of business, there were less tables, which meant easier maneuverability for Jay, making his zoom.
Coming upon the table, Jared lost his train of thought, glancing from Qazi to Jay, "What's up bro? Feeling sick again?"
"No," Jay says, becoming excessively cheerful, "I came to help you out with the interview!"
Quick-thinking on it, Jared didn't think it such a bad idea, "Well, pull up a chair, why doncha?"
Giving his brother the `moronic' look, Jay says, "Don't mind if I do!"
Qazi, he looked cool, calm and collective, smiled.
"Did you get all his vitals?" Jay asks.
"Only the ones you aren't interested in," Jared says.
Looking ghastly, surprised, Jay says, "I can't believe you said that to me...how do even know Qazi is...you know?"
Jared did, because part of Qazi's history involved leaving a strict, religious family, to strike out on his own in the world, leaving behind bigotry and a homophobic past.
"I am," Qazi smiles.
Jared, a quaint little smile, says, "He is."
"You are?" Jay was serious, but then joyous, "Cool!"
However, getting down to business, Jared pops the question to his brother, "What other credentials do you want Qazi to share?"
Shrugging his shoulders, for Jay, it was a tiny nudge, "That's it. I found out all the important stuff!"
Jay left the table, Qazi giggling, Jared just shaking his head.
"How did the interview go?" Peter asks, Jay facing him, then rolling around to his other side.
"Fine. I found out all I need to know."
"Which would be?"
A close-lipped smile, Jay opens up, "Qazi's gay!"
Not which he didn't want to know, Peter asks, "What happened to all the conscientious, constructive interviewing?"
Picking up his sandwich, Jay says, "Oh, I'll leave that stuff to Jare."
"So much for becoming a human resource person!"
"I don't want to become a human resource...oops!"
Peter started his lecturing, after watching bean sprouts fall like Mardi Gras confetti, "Didn't your mother ever teach you not to talk with your mouth full?"
Jay says, right after the sip of water, swallowing, clearing his throat, "Probably, but with my accident, I think I forgot, `dad!'" he laughs.
Letting bygones be bygones, Peter asks, "Well, what was Jared's impression of Qazi?"
Inconclusive, Jay utters, "I'd hire'm!"
Snuck up on him, Peter had no idea Jared was right there at his back, "Oh my god, Jared, you scared the bejeezus outta me," he holds a hand over his heart!"
Without pity, Jared says, "Go to church on Sunday. I'm sure Pastor Mark can fix it!"
Qazi back at work, Jay could care less right now about Peter's situation, "Lucky Terry, Qazi's going to be working under him!"
Taking a beating, Peter became the focus of Jared's ridicule, while staring at Jay, "I thought you were trying to break Jay of his evil ways, Peter?"
He didn't get it, Peter looking up at Jared, "What do you mean?"
Two of a kind, like should it be any different, Jared and Jay crack up, laughing their asses off over Qazi working `under' Terry, not which they've thought about who was who, top or bottom.
Getting even, Peter gets up out of his chair, "I'm outta here!"
Jared, hands on Peter's shoulders, reseats him, "Chill out Peter. I was only joking!"
Well, the feel of Jared's hands on him, Peter was willing to instantly forget all transgressions.
However, setting the record straight, "Qazi won't be working at the marketplace."
Face lighting up, wishful thinking, Jay asks, "Warrior One?"
How Jay would love to catch Qazi in or on his way to the shower!
"Three guesses and you don't get an answer!"
"Not that game again, Jare?" Jay whined.
Peter, feeling left out, "Am I missing something?"
"When we were kids," Jay explains, "we used to play guessing games," though Jay didn't elaborate it was during their `bromantic years', "and if either of us could not guess what the other was thinking, in 3 guesses, we would never find out!"
Though, there were times when Jay would tie Jared to the bed and coerce it out of his brother, tickling the soles of his feet or balls, with a peacock feather!
"Sounds like a challenge," Peter replies.
"Yeah," Jared stares down Jay, "you should try it sometime!"
Come to find out, before Jared left them, he spilled his guts, without having to be tickled, Qazi would be sidekick to Adam, at the opening of the tattoo shop.
"Does he know anything about ink?" Peter asks.
"Qazi claims, if the interview were in a more private place, he could show me some skin designs," Jared leaves out, placed in various places on the chest, stomach and other unmentionable spots.
Jumping to it, Jay says, "I think you should invite him over to the house later, Jare!"
Slouching a bit, to show he wasn't warming up to his brother's brilliance, "I should, should I? Got any other lame-brain ideas, bro?"
In private, Peter told Jared not to be so hard on his brother!
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For the next two days, things ran right along, according to Jared's expectations, until Thursday, getting a call from Amir.
"Don't tell me...you're thinking twice about closing and need Qazi back?"
It wasn't the case, instead Amir giving Jared the heads up, two Asian guys were at his market, looking to make a purchase. Not which Jared had anything against Asians, he did have something against the competitive edge.
Not sure how strong his financial base was at this time, he put in a call to his new finance advisor.
Having jumped ship, from being planning manager for CK's enterprises, a degree in business, Milo Domersanto made the transition, working into a position recently vacated by Jared's financial officer's retirement. As a precaution, Jared had Milo pal around with his attorney, Karl Jarlsberg.
Asking Karl to meet him at Ali's market, not only did Karl show up with Milo, but invited the whole crew, which now resembled a Fire Island ratpack. The only non-executive was Joseph, always into poking more than a nose into his business and nonbusiness affairs.
Included, was Sean, who now recounted to Jared in person at least once a day, "What's up Jared?" he taps Jared on the arm, having walked up behind him.
If anyone knew what this was about, it was Sean, truly having risen to Jared's senior confidant.
"Oh, glad you could make it," Jared knowing Sean was spending much time at the as of yet, unopened tattoo shop, "how's progress over at the tatt-shop?"
"Good," Sean replies, "but what did you find out?"
"Nothing more than I already told you about, except if we don't put in a bid soon for Ali's, we're up for some fierce competition and you know, we've already committed ourselves to the marketplace."
"Right," Sean replies, already looking the place over.
With Karl and Milo walking in, Johnston McSeain, his apprentice, Carlos L. Anthony with him, the four talking in a line, Jared and Sean walk over to greet them.
However, Sean goes one step further, beyond the four, greeting, "Elroy, how's it going?"
They all just stood there and watched, Sean greeting Elroy with not a hand shake, but hug and kiss on the lips!
Jared, losing the battle, remarks, "So much for separation of business and pleasure!"
Johnston, not impervious to the ruling himself, says, "Give it up Jared. This isn't the 80's anymore!"
"I wouldn't know, Johnston, like I was still in the cradle, grandpa?"
At 36-years old, Johnston could be disagreeable himself, instead picking the easy way out, "Fuck you, Jared!"
Johnston's protege looked at Jared's reaction, which drew attention from the boss. Stepping behind Johnston, speaking into Carlos' ear, Jared says, "Make sure you punish him hard tonight?"
"Don't answer that," Johnston, who overheard, tells Carlos.
With a little Cuban in his accent, Carlos tells Jared, "It will such a pleasure giving him `hard' discipline!"
Carlos didn't get the `fuck u,' Johnston walking away, but what he did know, Johnston would not mind at all getting his head bashed on the wall, while he brought up the rear!
Regardless, when it came down to business, they were all attentive to their assignments, checking over the market with checklists drawn up by Sean.
"Ingenious idea, Sean," Jared awarded him, them the only two not sent out to scout around.
"It seemed the right thing to do. Like I said, one opinion might not pick up on what 2 or 3 other guys find."
Speaking casually, given complimentary coffee and anything else their little hearts desired, from the counter, Jared says, "You know, when I was considering you for the position, my expectations weren't this promising for you, but you've really proven yourself, Sean?"
"Right hand man, or rather `Strategic Assistant', is an important position. I just hope you have the same opinion of me when it comes time for raises!"
Feeling reluctance in his voice, Jared asks, "Should I be under the impression you don't think you're receiving a proper salary?"
"Oh no, don't get me wrong," Sean places his hand on Jared's forearm, "I'm okay with what I'm getting. More important, it's all the experience I'm benefitting, from knowing your staff."
"Especially, Elroy?" Jared smiles.
"Yeah, I know," Sean relaxes his wordy business attire, "you have this business versus personal thing, but I'm just crazy over Elroy and I feel the same from him. If it came to it, I would resign my position, rather than make him."
Knowing his original, 1980's rule was wearing thin, Jared says, "Don't even think about it, Sean!"
Sean says, "I know rules are rules and in rare circumstances the rules need to get a little bent, but I'm a stickler for abiding by them and doing the right thing. I look at it, like the job I do, a real challenge."
"Wow!" Jared acts amazed, "and how much college have you had?"
"Going into my senior year and then hopefully grad school," Sean confidently replies.
"Then, after you graduate?"
Already having thought about long range plans, Sean says, "Nothing. I just plan staying where I am, but not necessarily in the same position."
Acting snottily, Jared says, "Oh, so you'll be bucking for my job?"
Smiling, Sean says, "From what I've seen and notice so far, your...our business is growing. I for one see a growth in the number and variety of positions. I'm not looking to dethrone you, Jared, though I might want a share of the pie!"
"Apple, cherry or pumpkin?"
"Banana cream?" Sean smiles.
When they all came back to powwow, sitting around a table, Milo didn't let on, Karl helping to prepare his presentation. Fact alone, they all had chipped in with expertise, on the business manager's first time experience presenting an analytical essay, which was admirably received by Jared, even though he double-checked with Karl later on.
Them all going behind Jared's back, he didn't look upon it as the case, "Karl, it's good to find out, everyone is working as a team."
Said to drive a point home, the blondish attorney states, "And I think Milo and myself make a good team at that!"
Getting the message, Jared says suggestively, "Friends? Boyfriends? More?"
"Boyfriends, maybe more."
Having thought about this over and over, thinking it could possibly affect him as well, Jared tells, "I'm rescinding the rule about employee relationships."
After a little giggle, Karl says, "I hope you can tell, by now, no one pays attention to it, Jared?"
"Why should I worry myself over it as well, when I might be on the job someday, spot a guy, fall in love?"
"I can rightfully say, when the business was only the marine stores, I knew everyone who worked for us. With the undertaking of new real estate on Fire Island, that's changing for me," Karl says.
"Me, as well," Milo Domersanto, Karl's sidekick around town, says. Being sympathetic, or maybe a little crazy humor thrown in, Milo places a hand to Karl's shoulder, "Don't worry though, I'll help you through all the confusion!"
"Thanks," Karl says, physically wipes Milo's palm off, yet with a twisted smile on his face, instead of a frown upon the lovable gesture.
To draw attention back to himself, Jared says, "I'm feeling it myself a little, especially since I've limited my activity from traveling to Jersey."
"Oh, by the way," Karl says, working with Jared on this one, to keep gossipy minds from assuming mentor and protege' equivalent to top and bottom', or some other arrangement, "that shortstop you have, he's a real firecracker, Jared!"
"Sean, you mean?"
Karl reads into it, "Not which I've changed all that much, but Sean kind of reminds me of when I first started out with you."
"Right," Jared can relate, "I was under the impression, you were a real ass-kisser, Karl!"
Jared's laugh inspired Karl to do the same, having the domino effect with everyone else, even though the boss was half-right!
When Milo had found employment with the CK crowd, he was under the impression he would be hooking up with some hot supermodel. His real intentions had been to work his way onto the CK campus, as Cayman's secretary, then gain ground as a model. He had the looks for it, 6' tall, nicely muscled, able to pack a wild bikini and very good looks. Only problem, at his age, 29-years old, it happened, being stuck in the secretary position and not getting as much notice,' as the younger dudes. Milo wandered from the idea he was ever going to snag the opportunity. set upon by his own ambitions. When on Fire Island, he saw the window. Gracefully, without dramatics, he made the switch from position to position, taking along with him all the things he learned while employed by CK, which included some other business skills. He was also amazed Cayman didn't bat an eye regarding losing him, not in a malicious sense though, taking it as a compliment, rather than slander, being replaced by the next' hot ex-model!
One thing he hadn't planned on, was meeting the man of his dreams.
Rather than dwell on a subject which could escalate, Jared says, "If we can take this back to business, men?"
Going around the table, each gave their input and valued opinion regarding the purchase of Ali's Market. From the tour of Westside Marketplace, they all had an idea of what to look for, which turned up, "Well, based on the information and considering your expertise, I'll ask Karl to go forward with the purchase."
Reluctant at first, Milo's gut reaction made him feel compelled to bring up, "In my own opinion, since this is all about competition, it's redundant to have a clone of the marketplace?"
"He's right," Elroy says. "I think we have to go outside the box here, instead of selling only fruits and vegetables." Turning around, looking at the modest fast-food counter, Elroy tells them, "I think it would be more lucrative to expand on a restaurant type of business, selling products on the side."
Johnston argues, "Doesn't Fire Island have enough eating establishments?"
Eye on a recent development on the island, Johnston's apprentice, Carlos Anthony, whom remained silent for the most of the meeting, states, "This is true, but look at Korbeau's. When it opened, it gave people something which was lacking, an upscale place for lodgings and a convenient dining facility, without leaving the spa."
Jared smiled, glad Carlos had said something, realizing he wasn't `just another pretty face,' "What is your proposal?"
Carlos furthers, "I think the eatery idea is good, but what else is there besides," he counts on his fingers, "Italian, Asian, or `Piggies in a Blanket'?"
A healthy eater himself, Elroy says, "Organic? Wholesome? Perhaps a vegetarian menu?"
Personal statement, with more than one meaning, Johnston says, "I'll never give up meat!"
It drew laughter, even though Elroy was trying to be serious!
"Okay, okay, can we come back to earth now?" Jared recalled their attention. "I'm inclined to agree with Elroy. I mean, has he ever been wrong?"
"Only once," Johnston smiles, staring at Elroy, the two obviously sharing a `moment.'
"I've gotten over that, Johnsi, you should too!"
Newcomers, Milo and Carlos, of course they hadn't a clue, but knew there were ways of finding out.
Jared, he knew the facts. Last summer at the company picnic, Elroy and Johnston had a little too much to drink, Elroy shooting his mouth off about how a guest of one of the employees, had a big dick. From there, Johnston talking Elroy up, something about how maybe it could be an `all day sucker'...Elroy got into big trouble, when Johnston approached the guest, finding out he was straight!
Final reply, which Johnston has not yet found out a way of revenge, says, "That's okay. I don't get mad. I get even!"
Elroy knew, if it hasn't happened yet, most likely it's been forgotten. Then again, why did Johnston bring it up? Still, knowing their lives were a tight bond of friendship, "Promises, promises, Johnsi?"
Seeing an in, Jared says, "Well, since you two are being so vocal, I'm dumping this project into your laps, Elroy and Johnston."
Putting on a horrid facial expression, Johnston says, "Ick, I have to work with him?"
Not allowing things to rest, Elroy says, "Why not, Johnsi, when you can still have an `all day sucker?'"
"I'm not getting into this," Jared wound up the meeting. "You two work out your own differences."
"Milo?"
"Yes, sir," Milo sits up from slightly slouching, called to duty.
"Are you ready to get your feet wet?"
"All ready and raring to go," Milo replies, excited over his first really big closing, knowing if he misstepped, Karl was there to catch him.
"That winds things up for now. Don't forget Jay's birthday party, on the beach, Saturday, at the end of Surf Walk Lane. Be there by noon, with a gift or don't bother coming!"
After adjourning, Milo, a little strapped for cash, approaches his mentor, "Hey Karl, did Jared mean don't bother coming if we're late or without a gift?"
Knowing Milo somewhat, having covered bases over what he did before the job at the CK mansion, during and now, lack of a solid financial seating, "Don't worry about it. I've got you covered on the gift. Just remember you owe me!" he winks.
It's not like Milo didn't mind the comment, literally. Last time in bed, Milo suggested Karl remove his glasses, if he didn't want them to fly off in the middle of `something,' "Like, how could I forget," or rather the tight massage his shaft got? Then again, when they switched places, Milo could sense how it feels to fly off the handle!
In public, it was better to leave some things unsaid. Neither Karl, nor Milo would want it to go public, how each felt about the other, allowing things to remain hush-hush for now.
"Where are you headed now, Jared?" Elroy asks.
Without Sean, nothing much else was exciting in Elroy's life, that he discovered.
"The marketplace. I promised Pinto I would stop by. He was to go over the notes we took and make some suggestions. Might be good if you came with me?" Jared finishes threading the loops of his laptop bag.
"Why not?" Elroy replies, especially since he knew Sean was most likely doing the walkthrough with Pinto!
"First though, I need to touch base with Jay."
One thing Jared abhorred, was walking down the street, carrying a cellphone to his ear or even doing any kind of remote conversation. He was getting to know many folk on the island, through his acquisitions, and would rather give a person his undivided attention to meet and greet.
Such a person, the few times Jared has been to the marketplace, he sees a patron and two toddlers, "Well, hello," he lengthens the `o', "how are we doing today?"
"Hi," the man at first didn't recognize Jared.
"The Marketplace?" Jared reminds. "Every time I'm there I see you and...are these your kids?"
Now he recalls, "Right. I remember seeing you there. Yes, these are mine. Philip is 6-years old and Ethan is 7. Say hello to the man," he tells his boys.
Each say hi', Jared responding with smiles and a little boy handshakes', which the older one adds a hi-5.
Standing from hinged over, Jared addresses, "I'm Jared, by the way?"
Shuffling shopping bags, from right to left, "Hey. I'm Laif. Laif Riksyn. Good to meet you Jared."
Philip interrupts, tugging on his dad's tee shirt tail, "Daddy, I have to go."
Looking around, Laif jokes, "Always happens. They wait until we leave the store!"
"The Nook's right up the road?" Jared nods.
Elroy, hanging out, doing nothing, suggests, "Why don't I go on ahead and to report what we've discussed, Jared?"
"Great," Jared replies. "Make sure Sean has a look at your tablet."
"Will do."
After watching the two interact, Laif says, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"What is more important, we better get to The Nook before your son stops dancing around and we have an accident on our hands?"
"Good call," Laif terms it, the four heading off.
Busy time of day, Jared realizes the walkway not the ideal place to carry on conversation. He's amazed how willingly Ethan took his hand, Laif trusting to give him a bag to carry, considering a minute ago they were near-strangers.
"Right this way," Jared holds the door.
Giles, at the counter, says over it, "Jared, I've got to talk with you."
"It'll have to wait, Giles," Jared rushes around tables, headed for the boys room, Ethan in tow!
In the meantime, Laif is dragged over to the counter, Philip mesmerized by all the muffins and baked goods.
"What can I help you with?" Giles stands there with a smile, knowing Jared didn't have children!
"Probably a cookie, when Philip makes up his mind!" However, he had another question on his mind, "Jared, he come in here often?"
"See that table over there?"
They all looked the same.
"Which one?"
"Right side, second from the wall. Jared's so-called `office.'"
"Oh, so he does come here frequently. I suppose it's how he knows this place had a mens room?"
Philip, eyes as big as saucers, counts each goodie, one by one. Wishing he could have all, knows his daddy will let him have only one!
Busting to tell, Giles says, "This is one of Jared's business ventures, but has claimed that spot over there as his office space."
"Is that so?" The 26-year old gets a wicked idea. Turning to his son, "Philip, why don't you pick something out for you and your brother?"
Smart kid, Philip tells his father, "Ethan wouldn't like it...he wants to pick his own!"
Popping up, meeting Giles' smiling face, "Looks like your son knows his brother more than you do!"
"You got that right!" Laif cheerfully replies.
"Coffee for you?" Giles asks.
"Would you happen to have green tea?"
"I think I can rustle up a bag or two?" Giles replies.
"No loose tea?"
Remedying the request, Giles replies, "I could empty out some bags?"
It made Laif smile, giggle, retort, "Jared's lucky to have such a valued employee!"
Seconds later, Ethan comes bounding out, ahead of Jared, exclaiming as he holds up 10 digits, "Jared made me wash my hands, dad!"
Smiling, the blue-eyed blond says, "Thank you, Jared!"
"No sweat," Jared says, walking behind the counter. Picking up a mug and coffee carafe, "Did Giles offer you some coffee?"
Confirming it, Laif realizes his suspicions, Jared is the owner.
"Get away, get away," Giles' hand, over Jared's, replaced the flask of coffee on the burner, "this is why you pay me, remember?"
"Whatever," Jared unhands the mug as well.
Walking out from behind the counter, Jared says, "Oh, by the way, Giles, this is on me."
"Like, I couldn't tell?" Giles smiles back.
The boys called them `cupcakes', even though Giles knew they were muffins, playing along. Granting Laif's wish, he turned tea bags into loose coffee, using invention to steep it.
Afternoon business picking up, late lunchers coming in, Giles had no recourse to pull Marco off the duties-chain, "Marco, put on your butler outfit and take this tray over to Jared's office, pretty please?"
In quiet, they often mocked each other, Marco softly saying to Giles, "No problem, cock-sucker!"
Louder, no disguise needed, Giles replies, "In your dreams, Marco!"
With mixed reaction, depending on whom the guy was, Giles figured Marco out to be the guy he wouldn't mind being on his knees. Hot, Italian, dominant, macho attitude, he would love to slave over his manhood!
"Hey, guys, how's it going?" Marco announces himself and the tray he carries.
Laif greets him with, "Good, and you?"
"Great," Marco replies, "but I meant the `little' guys."
At first Laif has a serious look on his face, but glancing to Jared, mellows out into a smile.
Even though Jared didn't have a clue, he says, "Marco loves kids!"
An assumption became transparent, Marco squatting down to kid-level and chatting in kid-talk, yet not losing the tough attitude, only toning it down a little.
"On vacation with your pop?" Marco asks Ethan.
"We're not on vacation," Ethan replies.
Philip butts in, "We're gonna live here!"
"Is that so?" Jared asks, looking to Laif for an answer.
"Soon as I get some roots planted," Laif replies.
"Sorry, I've got to go," Marco sees Giles getting overwhelmed at the counter, "but you dudes need anything," meaning the boys, "come over and tag me."
"You want to play tag?" Philip asks.
"Um, not right now, okay?" Marco replies, looking to the boss for help!
"Marco means he's getting busy and if you want something else, you have to go over and ask him for it," Jared says.
Even though Marco wasn't into playing games right now, the impression he made on the boys, Ethan says, "I like Marco."
"Me too!" Philip follows his brother's opinion.
"Me too," Laif stares at Jared over his tea!
It's all the confirmation Jared needed, that possibly Laif wasn't married to a she', but a he', "So, are you shopping alone?"
Knowing what Jared was driving at, "Their `other' father is no longer part of our family. I'll tell you about it some time."
"Oh, so there is going to be another some-time?" Jared smiles.
"I know this sounds heartless, but if you could get some decent green tea in here, I might come back for another cup?"
If Laif's critical evaluation and followup weren't accompanied by a quaint smile, Jared might have taken this the wrong way, "It's really that bad?"
"No, not bad, but could be better?"
Totally sold on Laif's opinion, incredibly good looks, frankness, Jared asks, "What are you and the boys doing for dinner?"
"Know where we can get a cheap meal?" Laif asks, sipping his recycled teabag tea.
"As I see it, you've got two choices. Pigs in a Blanket or..."
Laif could almost bet what was coming, "Or?"
"Or you and your boys can join me and my brother at our place!"
Not able to make up his mind on such short notice, leave it to Philip, "Can we dad?"
"Yeah, can we?" Ethan backs him up.
Nonstop, Philip asks, "Can Marco come too?"
Since their dad was the authority figure, both boys looked up to him.
Passing the buck, Laif says, "That would be up to Jared, but boys?"
"Huh?" both returned attention from looking for Jared's approval, to their father.
"It's not very good manners to invite a person over to someone's house, unless invited to do so, or if you really know the person well enough."
Young Philip says, "But we know Jared!"
While on the mannerly kick, Laif adds, "It's also not polite to call an adult by their first name." Thinking on it, "What is your `family' name, Jared?"
"Evans."
"Like in Sarah?"
"Sara?" Jared questions.
"The country singer?"
Raising both shoulders, Jared didn't know!
"Not a country and western fan, eh?"
"We are," Ethan exclaims. "Our dad plays it all the time. He's fanastic."
"I think," Laif defines it, "Ethan is trying to tell you I'm a fanatic, but I like other genres of music as well," not wanting to lose Jared's friendship over a score of tunes.
From what Jared thinks, Laif is also `educated', "Like opera?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no...don't go there!"
Siding with him, Jared retorts, "I won't!"
"Dad, are we going to Jared...I mean, Mr. Evans'es'says' house?"
"Close," Jared giggles over Philips pronunciation.
"I suppose I shouldn't disappoint the family," Laif still acted reluctant.
"Tell you the truth, my brother would sure love the company."
Finishing up at The Nook, Jared would not accept payment for the meal, Laif leaving Giles and Marco to fight over a $5 tip!
"I hope I left enough," Laif says.
Jared replies, "They work for peanuts anyhow, so they'll never know the difference!"
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Copyright 2015 T. Chase McPhee
FiRE iSLAND BiKiNiS, and developing segments of this story, may not be sold, nor made part of any collection, without prior consent from the author.