HECK by Mike Austin
nasstop@yahoo.com
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VI.
Two weeks had passed since Rico and Jack connected. Marcus and Heck were delighted that Jack had found a guy to hang with and more importantly, screw. They had invited Jack and Rico to have supper at their place but the couple had declined. "Guess third time's the charm" Marcus admitted to Heck after hearing that Jack and Rico would bring steaks and meet them for supper Saturday night. Heck felt it was a pride matter and that Jack wanted to bring something to the table so to speak and not just his little hottie. Marcus considered the thought and nodded agreement then set about cleaning the house and bringing in some varied veggies. Heck was off to the store for ice cream and sherbet, then would swing by the liquor store for margarita mix and some bottles of wine. By the time he returned, Marcus was finishing up the house and kicked back with an icy cold Lone Star, before tackling the kitchen prep. Heck grabbed a Star and joined his lover on the sofa overlooking the patio and pond farther in the distance. They chatted about music and Heck stood, asked Marcus if he wanted to join in a shower before getting dressed? Marcus looked up, grinned and offered "don't take this wrong, but we don't have the time to `shower' because of where that WILL lead", then stood, swatted Heck on the ass and headed for the kitchen. Heck shrugged his shoulders left for the bedroom, turned up the shower heads and grabbed a relaxing and complete shower. He returned soon in jean cut-offs, a Foreigner t-shirt and flip flops. "My aren't you a picture from the 70s" Marcus proclaimed. Heck gave a doublehanded fuck you and headed out to the patio to fire up the grill. It was Marcus' time to shower and dress and in no time he was in and out, dressed in kahki shorts, a pullover t-shirt and flip flops. Marcus fired up the sound system in advance of the guests' arrival between 6:30 and 7. The Foreigner mixed tape led off with "I want to know what love is" and followed with "Cold as ice", "Hot Blooded" and as the guys were greeting the arrivals the song "I don't want to live without you" was blaring. Heck took Marcus in hand and did a swing set dance on the patio, as Rico stood mouth agog. Jack hugged him, took him in hand and guided his first tentative steps of dancing with another man. Rico learned quickly and was grinning ear to ear. The track headed to "Long Long way from home" as the frozen margaritas were served up, then on to "That was yesterday" and again the guys took to the patio where there was ample open dance room. Midway, Heck whispered to Marcus, then broke apart and tapped Jack on the shoulder who backed away from Rico and allowed his date take up as heck's partner. Jack paused then grinned at Marcus who formed a new dance couple and they all danced free from gossip or worries, enjoying the freedom of being gay couples enjoying themselves. Before they could catch their breaths, Fleetwood Mac "Gypsy" came on and the new couples resumed dancing together. Rico danced with abandon now as he grew more accustomed to this dance form. Soon Marcus broke from Jack and tapped Rico, just to see how he AND the two top men would react. Rico moved easily to Marcus' new lead style. Marcus was an excellent dancer and he guided Rico to do new step and break patterns. Heck and Jack were sort of bobbing together, in tune to the beat, not really as a couple but as two guys not accustomed to NOT being leads. The song ended and before too long a pause, the music and ambience changed abruptly as The Mamas and Pappas "Dedicated to the one I love" began. Marcus returned to Heck and Jack to Rico to hold each closely and slow dance. The four guys were lost in the song and emotion. Rico discovered he didn't needed to move much, just remain hugged close to Jack. Jack slowly took Rico's head in his hands and they kissed softly in the Summer night, on the open patio with their best friends watching. They turned to Heck and Marcus who were lost in their own embrace, eyes closed and swinging closely and softly. The moment eased off as " California Dreamin" took control and the four began a more animated dance. The night music would continue with a delightful mix of 70s and 80s music, while Heck and Jack began tending the great steaks Jack and Rico had furnished, while Rico and Marcus were busy in the kitchen. When "dancing in the streets" came on, Marcus and Rico began a kitchen display and did bumps and grinds as Heck and Jack laughed watching the kitchen duo dance their hearts out. The four shared a freedom that was so easy and natural. When the steaks were ready, the table was being set and veggies served, the music selection got tuned down. Vangelis' "Theme from Chariots of Fire" played in the background as the four fixed their plates and took their seats at the large oak breakfast table overlooking the fire in the grill and the patio with its evening sunset and concealed lighting. The visits were good and sincere and Rico broke into tears at one point announcing he never thought he could find this happiness or know what this really was all about. Jack hugged his boyfriend and they ate their meal with smiles and understanding. The music had not ended when they cleaned off the table and took time and coffee before dessert. The album was at a point of slow reflective tracks, ideal for the hugs Rico received from the other three. They worked hard to comfort the young guy and they succeeded. By the time ice cream was finished they'd all eaten their fill and danced their toes to the ground. While not wanting to leave, Jack and Rico admitted they needed to return to the airfield as was part of the work duty; "No overnight stays without prior arrangements". The pair left and headed back onto the hwy, and on through town. Sunset colors still hovered above them if only barely. Their time together was growing richer and closer. Heck and Marcus waved their good byes, returned inside, put away the few leftovers and headed to bed. The album from the movie continued to play out and shut off at the end. Heck and Marcus were already in deep passionate kisses in each other's arms.
Jack and Rico stepped into the bunkhouse, but this time there was no rush to strip and hit the sack. They took their time undressing each other, touching kissing and more touching then slowly made their way to the shower. Jack heard it first, the hollow sound of an approaching plane as it grew closer, he realized the lights on the airfield may need to be turned on. He quickly dressed and crossed the 50' of grassy space to the office. The radio was going off and the approaching pilot was declaring an emergency Mayday Mayday, his calls becoming more frantic. Jack keyed the mic, Rico now joined him in the office, but Jack thumbed him to return to the bunkhouse and Rico didn't hesitate to exit. Jack flipped on all field lights and illuminated the landing beacons, then replied to the pilot about their location and long/lat position. He asked the type of plane, fuel on hand, souls onboard and their status, flight origin and if he was anywhere near their field and could he see any field lights or hone in on the landing beacons? While waiting for the pilot's response, Jack called 911 for fire and EMS support just in case.......The pilot squawked back his compass heading, reconfirmed the field location and that he was not far away no more than 10 miles, answered all Jack's questions and Jack learned he was in an Aero-Commader 680, but couldn't see any runway lights, though was getting a beacon signal. Jack lit up the approach series of lights at either end of the airstrip. He pulled down the craft landing strip requirements and as he read the details, saw the plane needed at least a 2800' runway length, so they could land here on the 3100' strip, but he didn't know fuel loads or any other craft impairments. Jack heard the approaching sirens of the volunteer fire and EMS teams and again keyed the mic. Before he could speak there was static and the pilot squawked approach field lights at 190 degrees banking to align. Jack had already turned on the honing beacon and dialed in the planes transponder; was getting blips and the radar screen in the office glowed brightly as did the EMS ambulance and pair of firetrucks that had pulled in front of the office. Jack spoke slowly and with deliberate calm as he instructed the approach heading and that they were 6 miles out, gave applicable guidance and saw the approach. He advised the EMS crew to remain about midfield and asked the firetrucks to position one at midfield with the EMS unit and the other at the west end of the runway in case they couldn't brake sufficiently and had to run out the airstrip. The emergency vehicles moved into position and Jack used his set of keys to toss at one of the EMS team and get the airfield firetruck from the adjoining hangar. He then quickly phoned Mr. Waller and brought him onboard, before returning to the plane approaching at 2 miles out. The pilot squawked, port engine out, dumping excess fuel. Emergency vehicle lights, approach and runway strip lights in view, trying to get airspeed stable, flaps 20, flaps full and the plane soared to a fast touchdown at the approach end of the field, coming to a full stop just past midfield. All emergency vehicles rolled toward the craft as the plane members made a rapid exit. They were hustled to the office and Jack made his way to the plane, smelling fuel he directed the fire teams to foam it, in order to reduce the risk of a breakout fire. Mr. Waller was pulling into the airfield as Jack made his way back to the office to the waiting plane members and EMS team. The pilot was screaming about his broken arm, the other 5 guests seemed in shock but no physical injuries. The fire chief reported the plane was foamed and that it appeared stable. Jack knew they'd need to get the craft moved off the airstrip and would need some help from the fire dept. He asked Mr. Waller to remain with the plane occupants and got two of the fire crew to help him maneuver the tow tug from the hangar, out to the mess of a plane and then back toward the taxi strip/holding point near the office. This would clear the taxiway, the access trip and isolate the downed craft. The trio worked quickly and Jack moved the tug into position and once secured, dragged the craft back to the staging area. They left the field's fire truck out of the hangar as well as the tow tug, just in case. Rico was so tense and fearful, yet excited at the same time, and very proud of his guy Jack. He lit up Heck's cell phone to report what was going on, not realizing they may already be asleep. The EMS team took the pilot to the local hospital and 2 police cars carried the other plane occupants there as well. Suddenly there was quiet everywhere except the ambulance siren and heavy diesel sounds of the town's fire trucks pulling away and disappearing down hwy 77. The wind stirred across the still lit airstrip. Mr. Waller congratulated Jack repeatedly before asking if he needed any help cleaning up, then suggested Jack just leave it for daylight. The beautiful plane was covered in and dripped foam in puddles around the fuselage and from the wings. Jack left it sitting as a specter from the event, shut down field lights but not the taxiway lighting, secured the hangar and office then returned to the bunkhouse and Rico. The two fell asleep sitting on the sofa holding each other. No one had noted Rico's truck near the bunkhouse.