All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. This is a work of fiction containing explicit sex and graphic language. If you are offended by such, underage, or live in a state or territory where literature of this nature is unlawful, please exit now and read no farther....R.C.
"HALF PAST SUNSET, AN HOUR BEFORE DAWN"
by
Ritch Christopher
Chapter Three
"DEL"
Delmar Maelstrom was Scandinavian by origin. His grandfather, Otis, had immigrated from Sweden before the start of WWII, escaping all the woes of Hitler and the Nazi regime, even though his native land was not directly involved. The old man have left his father's farm which had been the supplier of milk and cheese for the small village of his birth. Otis had legally applied for a passport to America and two days after it was granted, he packed enough clothes to fill one knapsack and stowed away on a freighter to Scotland, where he hopped onto the next boat to the New World.
Otis got a job on a dairy farm in Fleming, Wisconsin, where he met and married the farmer's daughter, Helena, and had one son by her, Lars, who was later to become the husband of Katinka and the father of three sons, Bjorn, Eric, and Delmar. The farm was passed down two generations. Bjorn, the oldest son, wanted nothing of farm life, especially, anything that had to do with cows, milk, and cheese. He set out to see the world, via the U.S. Marine Corps. There was only nine months difference between the ages of Eric and Delmar, and since they were actually born in the same calendar year, they had grown up as twins, even dressing alike and attending the same grade at school. The two of them shared a large double bed with mountains of quilts and comforters to combat the blustery winter blizzards of the cold middle west.
Eric, at thirteen and three-quarters, and being "slightly older", was the first of the two to discover boys' first rite of passage...masturbation, quite by accident. One evening coming into the house from the barn after finishing the day's milking, Eric slipped on a patch of ice, covering a two foot ditch of icy water. He fell through the thinnest part and completely soaked his pants and long underwear. The brisk wind, whipping through the snow, had scared him to the point he thought he'd gotten frostbite on his private parts. Not wanting to alarm the other members of his family, he went into his and Del's bedroom and peeled off the frigid clothing. His testicles had contracted up into his lower torso. He warmed his hands by the open grate in the fireplace and placed his hands on either side of his "blue" shaft and began rubbing it as if he were trying to start a fire with a stick, a-la-Boy Scouts of America 101. Somehow the friction was working as his penis returned to skin color and slowly each of his balls popped back into place. The action of his hands felt so wonderful as his penis swelled that he didn't want to stop...but then a sensation went through his body like he'd never felt before. At first he feared he was going into shock or something for his entire body started contracting and jerking...and then the rush that came over him from the back of his head to his heels made him cry out in that seven seconds of ecstasy a boy feels, the first time he climaxes. He felt the warm liquid spilling out on his hands while his eyes were shut. He was certain when he looked, he would have spurted blood all over himself and the floor...but this was WHITE blood. He'd heard the teacher in science class talking about red and white blood counts...and this must be the WBC. He'd never seen anything like it before. He wondered if white blood was only excreted through his penis coming from his kidneys. He froze in fear that he might bleed to death. He pondered the thought of calling his mom or dad for help, otherwise he could hemorrhage and they would find him dead in a pool of white blood. later. But somehow, after the sudden gush, the bleeding had stopped. He felt no pain or dizziness. Maybe it would pass and he would recover without medical assistance. He went over to the basin of water he and Del kept in their room to wash up, since there was no bathroom on the second floor of the house where their bedroom was. He really couldn't understand how he nearly died and it felt so good...like he wanted to do it again. But that was just playing with death. If he came that close to dying, he would be stupid to try it again. He washed up, put on fresh, dry clothes and went downstairs to join the rest of his family for supper. He never said a word about it until later that night when he and Del went to bed.
The two boys slept in two pairs of long socks and flannel night shirts. While the two of them were dressing to go to bed, Eric, casually brought up the subject.
"Del," he began "have you ever seen any white blood."
"White blood?...Good gosh, no. There is no such thing." Del replied."What, ever, made you think of that?"
"What about red and white corpuscles?" Eric continued.
"Silly, we learned about that in school. They both make up the blood...but it's always red...NEVER white!", Del pronounced. "You're acting kinda strange. What's this all about?"
It took more courage than Eric had ever mustered to talk about what had happened to him. So far as he knew, he and his "twin" had never kept a secret from one another...but if he had suffered some sort of physical injury, producing the "white blood", perhaps he should tell Del just in case he had a reoccurrence and needed medical attention during the night. He slowly began describing the details of his "plight with death", even taking time to show Del the "physical therapy" he applied to his male member. The more Eric revealed, the wider Del's eyes became with wonder and intrigue. Eric continued his demonstration which caused him to get an erection...something both of them had seen before, especially when they woke up in the morning. But this phenomenon was only a symptom that is was time for the "morning pee". As Del watched his brother's involuntary arousal, he became aware he was experiencing the same thing happening to himself. He carefully eyed Eric's hand movements and without giving a second thought, decided to follow suit. The two of them began watching each other.
"Don't rub yourself raw," Eric told him.
"I'll stop if I begin to feel sore." Del replied.
"Are you feeling a strange sensation or anything?" Eric asked him.
"Nothing more than I feel when I'm about to explode and pee all over myself."
"That's sorta the way I feel, too." Eric said.
"How long did you do it before you felt dizzy?" Del asked.
"Not long...just wait...I'm feeling something right now." Eric gasped, ready to hold his breath.
"Good Gosh! I'm feeling kinda dizzy too?" Del exclaimed.
Neither of them wanted to stop. It was like feeling good, badly. Their eruptions were almost simultaneous. Their jet streams arced as they crossed paths hitting each other with white hot liquid. They both held their breaths and kept their eyes closed until the spurting had stopped. They were almost afraid to open one eye to peek at each other and see what had happened.
"SEE!...White blood!!" Eric exclaimed.
"You idiot! That's not white blood. That's semen! You read about semen, didn't you, in Mr. Nordstrom's class?" Del said, trying to make Eric remember.
"You mean that's what it is?" Eric asked, amazed.
"Bro, we're old enough to make babies!" Del almost shouted.
"Then I'm OK?...Physically, I mean...? I'm not hurt or anything?" Eric asked, looking for assuring words from his learned brother.
"What you did was like discovering a new invention or something, only you discovered it on your own body." Del said, excitedly.
"Then...whoopee!! Let's do it again...that is, if you feel like it! By the way, I forgot to ask you how it made you feel...I mean did you get short of breath and feel all tingly up and down your spine?" Eric asked.
"That's exactly how I felt. I guess that's the way you're suppose to feel, since we both felt the same things, the same way." Del replied, like an old pro.
"Tarnation! Bro! If this is sex...I mean real sex...it's like...like... the greatest thing in the world! No wonder people have so many kids." Eric said, beginning to jump around.
"Ssh, Eric, you'd better not let our folks find out we know about this just yet. It might be like drivin' or something...maybe we aren't allowed to do it until we're sixteen or eighteen!" Del said to him, cautiously.
"Well, I'm not waitin' another three years to do it again. Let's get in the bed and do it again, right now." Eric replied in a loud whisper.
"We can't get that stuff all over the bed sheets and blankets. Mama would find out in the mornin' when she made the beds." Del said.
"Then, let's take all the sheets and covers off the bed and pile 'em in the floor until we get through...Go over to the basin and dip one of those wash rags in water and we'll wash up whatever mess we make...How does that sound?" Eric said, hurriedly.
"OK, but we'd better hurry before the fire goes out and the room turns cold. We're gonna need those covers to keep warm." Del said, giving in.
The two of them looked at each other as if to say, "Ready...set...GO", as they raced to the bed and began to strip it to the bare mattress ticking.
"Maybe we should keep one blanket on the bed to cover up in case Mama or Dad come into the room and we'd need to hide real fast." Del said.
"OK...but just one! We'll toss it on the floor when we start tingling." Eric said, finalizing the plan.
"Take off your nightshirt, so it doesn't get mussed." Del suggested.
The blows flung off their night clothes and jumped into the bed, covering themselves with a single quilt. Instinctively, they hugged each other as they usually did every night during the wintry season, just for body heat. But they had never felt the nakedness of their flesh touch before except when they were toddlers and their mother bathed them together in the same tub of water. As soon as they became aware of the flesh against flesh sensation, they both came aroused and their penises began to fight for positioning like two knights with their lances or two roosters fighting with their bills.
At first, the awareness of the sexual sensuality scared them. They were almost afraid to move...or even breathe, for that matter. But slowly they became accustomed to this newly found freedom and their hands began to explore each other in a new way.
"Can I touch yours?" Eric asked.
"Sure, if I can touch yours, too." Del whispered in Eric's ear. They were lying face to face and their foreheads were almost touching. Eric's left hand and Del's right moved down each others sides passing across the edge of their buttocks and moving forward until they each found their targets.
"Do you think it's wrong to touch each other this way?" Eric asked.
"Why? Who's to know? We're both brothers...with the same mother...our skin and bodies are almost identical. When I touch you, it's like holding a part of me." Del said, trying to convince Eric as well as himself.
"Gosh, why does it feel so different when you hold it...than it does when I pull it out to pee?" Eric asked innocently.
"I don't know...but it just does." Del said. "Squeeze mine some and I'll squeeze yours."
"Oh, wow...do it some more."
And that was just the beginning of a nightly ritual that would take them all the way through high school until Del left for college and Eric stayed home to run the dairy farm with his dad. During the interim, they learned every conceivable way to have orgasms...manually, orally...even Del let Eric do it to him anally on occasion, but Eric would never let Del reciprocate. The two boys experimented nightly doing almost the same things to each other...each of them having the same number of orgasms. Everything on an even keel. The only difference between them was a major one...it was unspoken. Whether the other one knew it or not...they never mentioned it. The difference being...every time Eric closed his eyes during a climax, he was dreaming of every beautiful girl at school. Del had the same dreams, but he thought of all the boys in his gym class. Neither of them ever revealed their private fantasies to anyone OR to each other.
It was in the first term of his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin that Del had his first experience with another male besides his brother, Eric. Del had gone to college to major in business and minor in law. It was his intention to come home after graduation and set up a business to represent all the dairy farmers and see to their needs, making sure they were getting the fairest price for their goods. He would act as their agent, handling contracts with big companies that wanted to buy their milk, cheese, and all the other fine dairy products that were so synonymous with Wisconsin.
His very first class at the university was in Finance 101. There were few girls in the class and about fifteen or so nerdy looking guys...all except one, Frid Olsen, the most handsome blue-eyed blonde, this side of the Alps. His looks stood out even among the crowd in the Commons or the cafeteria. Without asking, Del knew for sure that Frid's last name was Redford, not Olsen, as he later discovered. The second that Frid turned to look at Del, it was love at first sight. Their eyes spoke a silent language that only guys who are attracted to other guys can translate. They both knew it at the same moment...they felt the same sensation in their pounding chests and yearning loins. They didn't understand it...but they immediately knew they were meant to be together. They tried to concentrate on the lecture but each sensed the awareness that the other one was staring or just stealing momentary glances. Class was over. The professor gave the students their assignment and everyone exited except for Del and Frid. They both found something to keep them in the room after everyone was gone. Then they stood up and looked at each other. Del was the first to speak.
"Hi, I'm Del" he said with his voice cracking like a kid in mid-puberty.
"Frid,,,Hi," Frid replied extending his hand to shake, even though they were on opposite sides of the classroom.
The two of them felt they were in some movie. The music should start swelling out of nowhere. They were supposed to run together, meet in the center of the room and embrace like the Prell shampoo commercial on TV that suggested, "The closer he gets...the better she looks"...only this time, the "she" was a "he". The emotions shown on their faces and their transfixed eyes were doing all the talking. Words couldn't seem to come from their mouths. They were completely "taken" with the sight of one another. It was Del who finally broke the silence.
"Business major?" Del asked.
"Uh huh." Frid replied softly.
"Me, too," Del said. "Are you transient?"
"Uh huh."
"Me, too...First time away from home?"
"Uh huh."
"Freshman, I suppose."
"Yes." Frid said.
Del was having as much trouble as Frid in finding something to say.
"When's your next class?" Del asked.
"Not until one."
"Would you like to go get a cup of coffee or cocoa?"
"Sure," Frid accepted.
When the two of them got near the door, again, Frid put out his hand for Del to shake. Del took the warm hand in his and held it longer than he should, maybe, but he was honestly smitten by this adonis. College life wasn't going to be as bad as he had anticipated. It was only the first day of classes and he'd already met someone that made him glad he had come. He finally released Frid's hand so that the two of them could exit and find their way to the Commons. They got two cups of coffee, both with cream and two spoons of sugar and found a table in the corner of the large noisy room.
The conversation between them began slow and seemed almost calculated, but after an hour sitting together, they found they had become relaxed and were laughing and talking wildly as if they'd known each other since childhood. They became instant friends and since neither of them had completely settled into their dorm rooms, they decided during their second hour together that they would go to the dorm dean and pursue the possibility of getting a room together. There were always "no show" on the first day of school...students who decided they wouldn't or couldn't return, which always made room assignments flexible. It was fate! They were meant to be with each other. There was a vacant room for two on the second floor, near the showers and the bathroom. They immediately signed the necessary papers and rushed off to get their gear and move into their new "home". Frid had to rush to his next class, while Del was free for the rest of the day. They had chosen which side of the room was whose and as soon as Frid left, Del began unpacking, making the beds, and generally straightening the room so that it would be finished by the time Frid returned.
Frid rushed to the dorm. He had kept his loose key in his pocket and fumbled with the lock before entering. As a joke, he decided to enter with the old Desi Arnaz watch cry, "Hey Lucy, I'm home" he said in his best Spanish accent.
"You sure are." Del said as he revealed himself from hiding behind the door. He closed it swiftly and then without warning, he took Frid in his arms and gave him a "welcome home" kiss. Del was startled by his own actions because in his entire life, he'd never kissed a male on the lips...not even Eric...and now here he was disclosing his secret desire to a boy who was a total stranger until about five hours ago. He and Frid had not discussed relationships or male or female preferences...somehow they just "knew". Neither of them were the least bit effeminate or showed any outward signs that they were attracted to men...and especially to each other. All these ideas flashed through Del's mind in only a couple of seconds as his lips touched Frid's. What if he had been wrong? What if Frid really liked girls and he had just ruined a friendship as well as making as ass of himself. He was almost afraid to pull away from the kiss for fear of Frid's reaction.
Del's worries and fears were unfounded, because almost instantly as Del kissed Frid, Frid stuck his tongue deeply into Del's mouth. "My God." Del thought, "this is another first for me."
One kiss led to another and another kiss led to wandering arms and hands in a body exploration which led to a swift action involving massive unbuttoning, unzipping, and stripping. They didn't take the time to get a look at each other's naked bodies. In their minds, the "movie music" swelled and they slowly danced to one of the freshly made beds and lay down. For the next two hours, they experienced the most extensive "getting to know you, getting to know ALL about you" that two people could. Del had tried "everything" with his brother, Eric, except entering him from the backside and somewhere, somehow, Frid showed Del a few things he'd never thought of. It was the most joyous, sensuous sex either of them had ever known. By seven o'clock, the two of them were deliriously exhausted. This had been the best day of their lives and it was only the beginning. They had four more years of heavenly bliss to look forward to.
For the next three months, September through November, in classes or around the campus, they were the two Swedish buddies and roommates, but as soon as they got to their room and locked the door, they became Daphnis and Chloe. No two people, male or female, had ever been so much in love. They studied together, made good grades, supported and helped one another with any problems or household duties. Everything was perfect...totally, absolutely, completely perfect, that is, until Thanksgiving. Even Eden had a problem or two.
Frid was the only son of parents who had tragically died simultaneously in an automobile accident. This had left him alone and independently wealthy thanks to the double indemnity clauses on his parents insurance policies. He had financed his schooling and, prior to going to the university, he had leased his house, completely furnished, to a family of six. Holidays had meant nothing to him since the accident. He'd had no one to have Thanksgiving dinner with, no reason to decorate a Christmas tree and no one to buy a present for. This created a dilemma for Del. He was expected to celebrate both holidays at home with his family, but he couldn't bear the thought of leaving Frid alone in the dorm. He wasn't sure about inviting Frid home with him, for with their constant emotional and physical love, it would almost be an impossibility to hide such gestures and actions from his family who would never understand or accept his lifestyle. Then there was his brother Eric to consider. Eric had written Del about having met the girl of his dreams on a weekend trip to the Dairy convention in Chicago. The two of them had gone on one date and the second night, wound up spending the night at the Blackstone Hotel. This was the night that Eric had lost his true virginity and had tried as many sexual acts as he could that he had learned from his own brother. It was different but more wonderful than Eric had ever fantasized. The two of them became close, writing love letters and mounting up long-distance phone bills. Eric had written Del that he'd invited Francine to spend Thanksgiving with him and the family at which time he planned to propose to her.
Del had mixed emotions. In spite of his happiness with the new love of his life, Frid, the thought of giving up his brother to a stranger, and especially a female, upset him. He'd often thought how alike they were in every way except sexual preference. Both he and Eric had dated girls in high school for appearance sake, but neither of them had had a steady girlfriend. They didn't need one because all their physical needs were being met every night in their bedroom.
With Francine being at home with Eric for Thanksgiving dinner, sleeping accommodations would be difficult, especially if Bjorn came home too, with his bride and three kids. The idea of having Frid with him in that milieu and atmosphere was not a good idea. He knew that Frid would understand without being hurt. So it was decided that the two of them would be separated for the first time since they'd met. It would only be from Wednesday night until Sunday when Del would return. They'd doubled up on their love making two nights before Del left, just to make up the "lost time". Frid had bought Del's bus ticket...round-trip...as a joke to be assured of his return.
Thanksgiving Day, Del's family assembled at the house. Bjorn DID come with his brood and so did Francine, the idol of Eric's affection. Del couldn't keep his eyes off her for three whole days. She was pretty, sure, but Del couldn't keep from wondering if she satisfied Eric more than he. Del had never seen or touched a vagina, but no matter how far he stretched his imagination, if he'd ever tried sex with a girl, there would just be something missing...something BIG. The idea almost revolted him. He didn't bring up the subject with Eric because he didn't want to hear any details. He almost felt it was a rejection by his first "lover".
Francine was given the spare bedroom. Bjorn and company somehow crowded into his room. Eric had invited Del to share their old room for old time's sake...but without giving a reason to anyone, Del had refused politely and opted to sleep on the couch. This created another burden, Del, sleeping in the open living room, gave him no chance to masturbate and fantasize about his love he'd left behind. He went to a pay phone in town Friday night to call Frid at the dorm. The dorm dean told him that Frid wasn't in his room. This disappointed Del tremendously. Later,around one o'clock in the morning, Del tried to call him again from his parents' phone in the kitchen. Again, Del was told Frid wasn't there and hadn't been seen all day or night. Del was consumed with fear and anxiety. He'd told Frid he would call him Friday night...but where was he?
Saturday was a long day for Del. Bjorn's kids had driven Del almost to the point of infanticide. Looking at his brother and Francine together made him determined that marriages of mixed sexes should be outlawed. He spent most of the day with his mama and dad, telling them all about school, except for his personal life. His dad had reinforced how much Del would be needed by all their friends and fellow dairymen. The big plan was to form a local dairy association and put Del in charge of all their business transactions. He would have his own office building, staff, and whatever he needed to look after their affairs, guaranteeing him a healthy salary with benefits. The proposed group didn't stipulate that Del had to graduate, They were ready to use him as soon as he felt he was knowledgeable enough to assume the duties of the position. Del's thoughts returned to Frid, wondering how the association would accept his male bride. Oh, well, one, two, or four years from now, many things and attitudes could change if they wanted him badly enough.
His worries increased over Frid's absence from the dormitory. He felt no concern about the trust they had between them but something was wrong and, with him being home, he was unable to find an answer. He called the bus station to see if there was an earlier connection as he wanted to return to school NOW. Being a long holiday weekend, there were extra buses scheduled, but then it was a matter of first come, first serve. He wasn't due to depart until 7:00 AM Sunday morning and he would arrive at the University around noon, owing to good weather and traffic. But he was lucky and learned of a bus he could take around 10:00 PM, Saturday night. Frid wouldn't know to expect him at 3:00AM, but Del could always take a cab from the station to the dorm.
Leaving home, Del made his goodbyes quickly and as painless as possible, mostly for himself. The next time he saw Francine, she in all probability would be his sister-in-law. Del only hoped that she would enjoy the sounds of mooing as much as the sounds of Chicago night life. Del's only hope for Bjorn was that he would get a vasectomy or win a ten year's supply of condoms in a birth control sweepstakes. If not, the marines would probably kick him out for trying to deplete the funding for wives and children at the rate he was going, Bjorn and his fertile wife could soon easily have a whole platoon of monsters under the age of thirteen.
Mama and Dad bubbled at how proud they were of Del, that they waited anxiously for his return to his soon-to-be dairy agency. Del have never had much of a taste for alcohol, but he wished he had had about six beers in order to fall asleep on the bus and make the trip quicker. The ride seemed interminable with the bus so firmly packed with holiday travellers and of course, their screaming "heirs". He counted the miles by the minutes. Soon, he would be in the arms of the love of his life and all would be well, once again. Del had already made up his mind, family or no family, Frid was going to come home with him for Christmas and if everyone learned the truth of the relationship, then, so be it. Frid would certainly be a more desirable addition to the household than Eric's or Bjorn's choices.
It was cold when Del arrived. The cab pushed slowly through the slush made by the early snowfall. Del paid the driver and rushed to the dorm where he would be warmed by the steam heat in the building and warmer still in his "honey's lovin' arms" that Barbra sang about. He raced up the stairs two steps at a time and then down toward the end of the hall to his room. Nervously, he put the key in the lock, swung back the door and clicking on the lights all in one movement and shouted the familiar, "Hey Lucy, I'm home." He was so relieved to see Frid's body hidden under the covers of the bed that he ran over to pounce upon his unsuspecting body and straddle it. He ran to make his leap, and just as he got within one step of Frid's bed, he halted for it appeared to him that there was more than one person in the bed. He saw the top of Frid's blonde locks but close to them was a head of brunette hair meshed with Frid's. Del trembled at what he saw. A plethora of emotions encumbered his mind and body...shock,disbelief, puzzlement, anger, hurt, betrayal...each of them overpowered the other. Should he pull the covers back to reveal the feared mystery or would he let Frid make the first move?
From under the covers came Frid's soft cry, "Oh my God..."
The tension of the silence for the next few moments was so huge, the entire room could have imploded. Slowly Frid pealed down the top of the blanket to reveal himself and his "partner" with the long brown hair. Del stepped back to gasp and grasp at what he was looking at. The person in bed next to Friday was Mary Ellen Scuttles, one of the varsity cheerleaders. Del's soul seemed to sink inside him. He felt weak in the knees and was near collapse. The look on Frid's face was horror. His mouth was open to speak, but there were no appropriate words for the situation.
It was Mary Ellen, who spoke, "Hi, you're Del, Frid's roommate. aren't you?...I'm Mary Ellen." Her introduction trailed down to almost a whisper and she began to sense there was something wrong between the two guys in the room. She began to apologize, "Hey, I'm sorry if you were startled by seeing me with Frid. He didn't expect you back until sometime Sunday afternoon. I hope you don't mind my being here, Frid and I have seeing each other for a few weeks and we just sorta took advantage of the holiday and all...and thought this would be a good chance to spend a whole weekend together."
Del listened to her babble while all the time he had locked his eyes on Frid's. He had to release some anger or his head would explode like the victims in "Scanners". He continued to look at Frid as he screamed at Mary Ellen, "WILL YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GET YOUR GODDAMNED ASS OUT OF HERE?"
"Why are you yelling at me...?" she started.
"SHUT UP, Mary." Frid said, "I think it would be best if you left."
"Well, just what is going on between you two?" She asked.
"NONE OF YOUR GODDAMNED BUSINESS!" Del continued his rage. "I'M TELLING YOU TO PACK UP YOUR FUZZY LITTLE CUNT AND GET OUT OF HERE!!!"
"I WILL NOT BE TALKED TO LIKE THAT!" Mary screamed back.
"FRID, I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU DON'T GET HER OUT OF HERE, I'M GONNA THROW HER THROUGH THAT WINDOW...AND DON'T FORGET IT'S SEVERAL STORIES DOWN." Del yelled.
"Honey, please leave," Frid said to her.
"HONEY? IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL HER WHEN I'M NOT AROUND?" Del asked Frid.
The light was beginning to break thorough in Mary Ellen's naivete. "Hey, do you have some sort of crush on Frid or something?" No one responded so she went further in her accusation, "Hey, that's it! You DO have a crush on him!!!...Frid?...FRID?...You don't feel the same way about him, do you!??...Well, DO YOU?...Oh my God!...OH MY GOD!...WHAT THE FUCK'S GOIN' ON AROUND HERE? ARE YOU TWO A COUPLE OF FAGGOTS?...YOU ARE, AREN'T YOU?...GOD DAMN!!...HOW COULD I'VE BEEN SO STUPID...FAGGOTS!!!...YOU BET YOUR LIFE, I'LL GET OUT OF HERE!"
She began bunching up her clothes to cover her nakedness to make her exit. but she stopped for one final remark to Del.
"Looks like our blonde god had us both fooled. You didn't know anything about me, nor I you. He must be a real pro when it comes to deception. Frid, maybe you should take your blue eyes and good looks and go to Hollywood because the way you can lie and act, you're a sure shot for winning an Oscar..Well, I'll leave you two boys to sort out your lives and see who still loves whom after I leave...Good luck, Del...and as for you, Frid, get fucked...but not by me...faggot."
Except for what she was covering with her clothes in the front of her body, she went out the door bare-assed.
Frid sank to sit on the side of the bed as Del turned his back on him and squatted on the floor. This was to be the most difficult conversation either of them ever had or ever would have. Were there words to say? If so, what? In spite of all his efforts to keep from crying, tears were streaking Del's cheeks. There are certain times in a person's life that leaves an indelible memory, like hearing that your mother died, your house burned down, or a doctor saying you have six months to live...or when you find out the one you loved the most has deceived you, cheated on you, and broken your heart. This was one of those times.
"Is there any point to my asking 'why'?" Del said in a monotone.
"You have the right," Frid replied, quietly, "but I'm not sure if I have an answer."
"I...wasn't enough for you?" Del said with the first hint of anger.
"Yes, you were enough." Frid answered, flatly.
"Then I WILL ask 'why'. Be sure you choose your words carefully because whatever you say will affect me for the rest of my life." Del said, turning to face Frid.
"Del, you know there are no words in Webster's dictionary that would be appropriate at this moment."
"Well said," Del replied, "but is there anything appropriate about this moment?....I trusted you. I gave every ounce of love I'd saved my whole life to give to someone...I thought YOU were that someone." He stopped for a minute to gather his words. "What should I do? Jump out the window and kill myself...or should I kill you first before I jump...or should we hold hands and jump together? For at this moment, I have nothing to live for. With the anger I'm feeling right now, I could kill you without batting an eye. As long as you live, you'll never know what you've done to me. I may never trust or love anyone again...and GODDAMMIT!...a CUNT!...a slimy, hairy, fishy-odor reeking cunt! When have you had time to see her? How the fuck did you keep this secret from me...and GODDAMMIT...WHY?...WHY?...WHY?", Del was screaming through his tears.
"I have no explanation that makes any sense. Mary Ellen and I became acquaintances during my Economics class. Just like you and me. it started with a cup of coffee after class one day. This was the first female I'd actually talked with since my mother was killed. I had missed the sound of a feminine voice. Her skin, her hair, her eyes, all reminded me of Mother. I reached across the table to take her hand and I had to hold back the tears from what I was feeling just touching a woman's hand. I couldn't tell you about it because I knew there was no way you could or would understand. After two weeks of casual meetings, you didn't know it, but I dropped Economics...and so did Mary Ellen. We began meeting for an hour at a time in her room...well, you know,... one thing led to another and one day we wound up in bed and then later showered together. I don't think I ever told her I loved her. I don't think I did..or do...but she filled a void in my life I subconsciously needed to fill." Frid said.
"I don't buy that, Frid. You were thinking about your mother while your were fucking Mary Ellen?".
"No, the sex came later...it just sorta went along with the friendly relationship we had." Frid explained.
"And how long did you think you could keep all this hidden from me? I assumed you loved me as much I loved you...and believe me, there is no male or female that would ever have interfered with what we had.!!...You notice I used the verb in the past-tense...'HAD', not 'HAVE'!!"
"I don't expect you to forgive me." Frid said.
"Good for you. You may have lost your mind but not your insight...because I WON'T FORGIVE YOU!!. NOT NOW! NOT EVER!!"
"What are we gonna do? You want me to move out?" Frid asked sheepishly.
"NO WAY! I could never spend another night in this room with the aroma of a dripping pussy floating around...GODDAMMIT!...YOU FUCKED A CUNT!!! I wouldn't touch your dick again if it'd been bitten by a rattlesnake and you needed me to save your life." Del was still angry. "I'll leave, you can have this love nest...I want no part of it! As a matter of fact, just to make sure that I don't ever see you again, I'm leaving the University...TODAY!"
"Don't do that...a lot of folks are depending on you and your education. You won't let them down...I'll leave...I'll leave the University...YOU stay." Frid said.
"Oh get real! Stop acting like the fucking martyr. I wouldn't stay here knowing you'd give ANYTHING up for me. Fuck it and fuck you!!!"
Without listening to any more or Frid's rhetoric, Del went to the closet and pulled out his two empty suitcases and began piling every stitch of clothes he owned into them, while Frid stood in the center of the small room watching, silently.
"Oh by the way, Frid, if you should get lonely, at least this room is next to the men's shower. You probably won't find much pussy in there but you're bound to find a dick or two to suck. Also, maybe by the time Mary Ellen tells the student body about what happened...you might find a line of boys outside the room waiting to fuck you. Who knows? Maybe you'll find a boy you can be true to."
"Del, I'm truly sorry..." Frid began.
"SAVE IT!! I wouldn't believe you if you were lying on the floor, dying, and uttering an apology with your last breath. I just wished to God I was Catholic and could find a monastery to join." Del yelled, slamming one of the suitcases shut. He fumbled until he packed the last of his gear and grabbed both cases and headed for the door. He turned to get in one final word. "I pray to God, if there is one, that you don't live to destroy anyone else's life the way you have mine!" With that said, Del ran down the stairs, called a cab, and went to the bus station,
Frid stayed in the middle of the room until he crumbled into a heap on the floor and cried harder than he had when he lost both his parents. They never saw one another again.
Del didn't know what to say to his parents, but he had hours to figure that out on the bus ride home. He would never mention Frid or anything that concerned their relationship. He decided to lie and say he knew how much the farmers needed him and he'd like to be in on the ground floor building the dairy association the way he wanted it.
The small town was excited and filled with enthusiasm when it learned that Del was back home for good. At long last the farmers would have someone to represent their dairies' interests and see to it that they got a square deal with the percentage of profit they deserved and expected. A small two story building was leased downtown and Del assumed the position of "CEO" with the staff comprised of two--- himself and a secretary.
Initially, Del bluffed his way through setting up the association, but by the end of the first year, driving himself to forget Frid and what had happened between the two of them, Del had gotten his footing with a firm grasp of the business and what he was supposed to do. Soon he had six employees working for him...then ten...and twenty five desks were needed to accommodate the agency, which of course meant that a larger building was needed. Milk producers from the surrounding counties were joining and the business was growing with contracts coming from all the forty-eight contiguous states. There was money to be made with the proper management and Del was doing just that. The dairies were raking in millions by incorporating other entities such as cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, and all flavors of genuine Wisconsin cheeses. The second building they had leased was replaced with the erection of a ten story brick structure with a marbled lobby and water fountains inside and out.
Del had no need for a social life. He dated no one, nor had he had any kind of sex, other than solo, since he left the university to build his dynasty. Eric, who had now married Francine, had joined his brother in the firm and was flying to all the major cities signing up new customers and handling all out of town contracts. One of Eric's duties was to wine and dine potential clients with fancy dinners, shows, nightclubs. etc. Francine accompanied him and once more she enjoyed being back in the night-life spotlights. Del wasn't sure, but on a couple of occasions, he suspected Eric had asked his wife to spend the night with a hard-to-get hold-back. All that concerned either brother was that the papers were signed and the agency was flourishing. "Pussy Power"...Del still didn't understand it...but Francine had managed things that neither he nor Eric could accomplish.
One day, during the third year of running the business, a lawyer from St. Louis made an appointment to see Del personally. This was nothing out of the ordinary except that Lena, Del's secretary, said the lawyer was not involved with dairy matters. At 2:00PM on the designated day, Mr. Hiram Fierstein entered Del's office carrying a rather expensive leather valise. He made an unusual request, asking Del if he had proof of his identity. Del wondered if perhaps this was the IRS checking on him or something. At first, Del refused but the man was quite persistent and said it was of utmost importance that he could prove he was who he said he was.
Three years earlier when Del had applied for the very first business license, he had to produce a birth certificate for the state of Wisconsin, making sure he was not an illegal Scandinavian immigrant. Del remembered there was a folder containing both a copy of the birth certificate with the license. Lena found it in the bottom drawer of one of the vast array of filing cabinets and brought it to Del. When Mr. Fierstein was satisfied, he opened his briefcase and began stating the reason for his visit.
"I believe you're the owner and/or founder of the Maelstrom Heart Fund Association?" Fierstein began.
"I beg your pardon?" Del asked, looking quizzical.
"My specialty is testamentary law and one of my clients has deceased and named you sole beneficiary of his estate, including all properties, assets, and insurance dividends. After legal fees, it comes to a rather tidy sum of around two and one-half million dollars."
"Sir, I'm afraid you've made a huge mistake," Del stammered.
"Quite the contrary, after much research, my firm is quite confident that that person is you." Fierstein said, staring directly at Del.
"But...Who?...What?...Why?" Del quizzed.
"I believe a few years ago, you made the acquaintance of my now former client, a Mr. Fridric Melonin Olsen.?
"Your former client?...Frid?...Deceased?" said Frid, taken back. "Frid's dead?...How?"
"I'm not at liberty to reveal the nature of his illness, but Mr. Olsen suffered a long strenuous disease for six months before his demise. As a matter of fact, I was at his bedside just a month ago when he finalized this will. He was deemed rational by all concerned and from an extensive investigation made by me and my firm, there appears to be no one to contest the document. I assure you it's all quite legal."
"But, a heart fund? I don't understand. I don't have a heart fund." Del said.
"He told me that it was one he had started with you on your last meeting. Something about he'd made a pact with you to cure all ailing or broken hearts...Now do you have any more questions?" Fierstein said, very business-like.
"I have dozens, but I don't think you have the knowledge to answer any of them," Del said, slowly shaking his head in disbelief.
"Well, then, if there's nothing more...If you'll just sign these documents as the beneficiary and would be kind enough to give me the address and phone number of your personal lawyer, my office will be in contact with them and you within the next week."
"Thank you," Del said, numbly.
"I wish to express my condolence for your loss and congratulations on your inheritance."
Del slowly signed the papers. Mr. Fierstein handed a copy to Del and arose to depart, leaving Del in a state of confusion and stupor. The questions he wanted to ask could never be answered by anyone. He was saddened by the news of Frid's death but was even more shocked by Frid's final action. They hadn't seen each other nor spoken since "that" day. Had Frid done this to pay for his misdeeds or guilt? Suddenly Del felt equally guilty in his bafflement. He pushed the intercom and asked Lena to cancel the rest of his appointments for the day.
Del didn't go to the office for the next three days while he mourned and stayed on the phone trying to find out the details of Frid's death. It was on the morning of the first day that he received a phone call telling him that Frid was HIV positive and had died of AIDS. Fear hit Del, naturally, and he casually asked Lena to make an appointment for him with Dr. Muldaur for a check up and a flu shot. With much trepidation, he asked the doctor to do a Smac-80, a complete blood profile, on him as he wanted to apply for some new life insurance and wanted to be assured he was in good health. A week passed before Del got the results of the tests...he was HIV negative and his body was in sound condition. He was relieved beyond belief but his thoughts wandered back to Frid...how?...with whom?...from whom?...mostly, how much had Frid suffered? God, he wanted to take back his final words and conversation with his one and only lover. If things had been different, if he hadn't come home that Thanksgiving...if there'd never been a Mary Ellen. These were unanswerable questions that would haunt Del the rest of life.
For the first time in three years, Del allowed himself to feel loneliness. He'd given up his one and only partner and hadn't looked for another. His life was filled with cows and not people. He suddenly missed having someone to love. He didn't need or want a wife like Eric had or a family like Bjorn, but he had to have someone...a male someone. But that would be impossible in his position. Perhaps a change of venue would fill the bill. Eric might not like it, but he could take over in the home office and there had been talk among the board of directors. for some time, about opening an office in New York, near the stock market with the possibility of going public on the open market and someone needed to be there to head that division of the association. Del nominated and elected himself for that position. No one, except his lawyer, Georg Slezak, knew about his two and a half million dollar inheritance and this would set Del up in a New York life-style he'd only dreamed about...and now it could all come true. Somewhere in a city of over eight million people he could find "HIM". and no one in Wisconsin would ever have to know. He could start fresh and be himself as he'd always wanted.
Del called a New York agency and told them what he was looking for in the way of an apartment. Two weeks later, the agency phoned him and Del flew to New York to look at a bachelor's paradise on the fifteenth floor at 85th and Central Park West. He asked around for the best decorator and interior designer that money could buy. It took two months, but soon the pad was filled with remote controls everywhere...walls moved up and down...furniture slid into place...even a skyline with an artificial rain maker at the click of a button. What more could a young man want...? Someone to share it with, that's what. Del spent another two months setting up his office, hiring trusting and dependable employees...but hell, this was New York, the most beautiful and exciting city in the world.
It was time to start enjoying his life. He visited all the familiar bars and restaurants that had been recommended, but so far that "someone" hadn't appeared. One night in early Autumn, after a rainfall, he'd wandered into "The Jazz Cat" for a drink. Before being seated, he went into the bathroom where all the urinals were occupied. He found an empty booth, went in to pee and someone slipped a note under the wall of the stall. Del read it, smiled, and wrote, "No thanks" and exited to wash his hands. It was there that made a magical eye contact with a guy named, Chris.
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(to be continued in Chapter Four)