This is a work of pure fiction, but based on the author's feelings, beliefs, and in some cases, experience. Come to think of it -- it might not be very pure either! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times between men, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat. If you are too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this kind if story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here. If not, - - ENJOY!
Cast of Characters:
James Thomas Arthur (Jamey)
Harold Brian Arthur -- Jamey's Brother (Habby)
Harold Garfield Arthur -- Jamey's dad
William Pitts -- Roommate (Will)
Ronny -- Will's best friend.
George Wiggins
Darrel -- George's roommate
Dr. Steve Arlan Jordan -- Doctor
Grant (Buddy) Windward -- Waiter at Holdren's
John -- Neighbor across the hall.
Jerry -- John's roomie
Seth -- Ronny's cousin
Luke -- Seth's partner
Robert Rexburg -- High school friend
Yolanda -- Robert's wife.
Joey -- Flight Attendant
From Chapter 28
The night before we drove to see Dad and Habby, we got really wild and I slept better than I had in the two weeks before. But we were up early to start our drive south. I did all the driving -- always. Damn I love this guy!
Chapter 29
Steve slept most of the way to Bellflower, but I was awake and alert. It was a sunny, but cold, morning. The air was crisp. Most of the leaves were fallen from the deciduous trees. The drive south and east presented a sudden glare in my left eye, as the sun came over the Sierra Madre. I lowered the visor and looked over at the sleeping form of my lover. He looked so much younger when he was peacefully asleep.
I wanted so much to reach out and touch him, but I didn't want to disturb his much needed rest. I smiled to myself, and restrained my arm from reaching out to him. It was 8:30 AM when we drove through Malibu. We were close enough to the steep hills that the sun was not reaching the sea yet.
I drove in the shadows and marveled at the homes set up on the steep hillsides, and that after so many were washed off the hillside, others still had confidence that they could defy nature, as yet other starts of new homes were perched up on some high overhang.
As we drove into Santa Monica, the sun was casting its rays on to Venice Beach.
"That's a gay Mecca!" Steve said.
"Well, good morning, Sleepy-head!" I said. "You ever been there?"
"Venice Beach? Yeah. But I was too shy to attract any attention. It was when I was a teenager." He said.
"Venice beach was here when you were a teen?" I teased.
"Very funny! Damn! I'm starving!"
"Where you wanna stop? You know any place good for breakfast here?" I asked.
"Naw. Just pull in to the next McDougalls, and we can have a McBreakfast." I raised my eyebrows. Not usually Steve's style!
"Let me call my dad first." I said. I whipped open my cell phone and pushed his speed key.
"Hello?"
"Habby! Hi! It's - "
"I know my big brother's voice! Even when I'm half asleep!"
"Sorry to wake you Hab. Let me talk to Dad."
"I don't know if he came home last night. I'm walking to his room. Nope."
"Oh. Okay. Hey -- you wanna go out to breakfast with us?"
"How far away are you?"
"Santa Monica -- about 40 minutes."
"Can my friend come too? He stayed over last night."
"Sure! You had a buddy over huh? Cool! See you in a bit!" I said.
I turned to Steve. "I was getting a little worried about my brother. At 16, he was spending way too much time -- half of it in bed -- with an older girlfriend. But she has found someone -- hopefully closer to her age -- and Habby seems to not be much bothered by it. We can grab a snack at McDonalds and take him and his buddy out. I hope that's okay with you."
"Heck yes! I'm not THAT hungry, if you'd rather wait."
"I don't want anything irritating your tummy, Babe. We can grab a small breakfast burger and some O.J. split it."
"Ew! You want me to eat off the same food as you?" he exclaimed.
I pulled up to the drive through. "Sausage and cheese McMuffin and a large O.J., please." I said then added, grinning, "And please cut the sandwich in half!"
"Jamey! I was only joking!" He said. He grabbed my hand. "I'm not sure I can wait!" he said as he put my middle finger in his mouth and sucked on it. That produced an immediate reaction from Sgt. Smallee. He quickly was turning into Lieutenant Big. (Who, by the way never was THAT big!)
I grabbed his crotch, which was doing a bit of growing of its own. The guy in the service window caught us unaware. "That'll be $2.39 - - oh! Woo hoo! Looks like we're having a little early morning fun!"
I pulled my hand back and turned red. "Yeah, sorry, didn't mean to gross you out!"
"Not at all!" he said, rubbing his own package. "But I may need to take a quick break after you leave!" He grinned, and handed me our food.
"So I guess your dad is okay?" Steve said as we got under way on our last leg to Bellflower.
"I assume so. Habby wasn't upset."
"I guess at 16 he isn't bothered by staying alone at night."
"Naw! Well, he wasn't exactly alone. He said a buddy stayed over."
"That's always fun -- I guess. I never had any friends stay over, but I wished I could."
"Really? Why not?"
"My parents didn't like strange people in the house."
"They thought your friends were strange?"
"Well, heh, since I was not allowed to bring them home, they never got to know any of them."
"That's sad!"
"Tell me about it. But it's in the past. Now I have you!"
"You DO, don't you?" I said.
We fell silent until I pulled up in front of the house. Habby bolted out of the house as we were getting out of the car. He stopped short when he saw Steve. He suddenly looked shy and said, "Oh -- Hi, Dr. Jordan."
"Oh, give me a break, Habby. It's Steve." Said Steve. Habby grinned and licked his lips.
"Are you hungry little brother?" I asked.
"Duh! Been waiting all morning for you!"
"I only talked to you less than an hour ago."
"I know. But I'm still hungry."
"Where's your friend?"
"He -- he had to go to work."
"Oh!" I replied, noting to myself that he was keeping something back. "Too bad. Well, lots of people have to work on weekends. What did you guys do all night -- without Dad there, I KNOW you didn't sleep much! Did you watch some movies?"
"Uhhhm -- no. We didn't sleep much -- well, not all night. We slept a little. But there were no movies -- well, except for what was on TV."
"Oh." I said.
"Where would you like to go for breakfast Habby? My treat!" Said Steve.
"I like Denny's!" Habby said. Steve rolled hi eyes and said,
"Denny's it is!"
Habby jumped in the back seat of the Mercedes. I put it in drive and we headed toward Denny's.
We were turning into the driveway of the Denny's. It was one of those defining moments that you remember exactly where you were and how you felt.
"Uh -- Jay -- I uh -- well - " Habby stammered.
I pulled in to the nearest parking space. "What is it, Hab?"
"My -- er -- friend was in the house."
"I didn't expect this time of the year that you slept out in the tent -- what? You mean -- now!" I said, and I started up the car again."
"No! I mean -- he'll be gone by now. He really DID have to go to work."
"Why didn't you introduce us to -- oh!" I said. I felt for the first time since admitting to myself that I was gay like I was somehow second class or something. I never considered that my own brother would be ashamed of me! I was all-of-a-sudden cold and got an eerie empty feeling. I guessed it was not surprising. "It's okay, Hab. I understand -- really, I do!" I said, trying to convince myself. "If I had a new friend -- uh -- how long have you known this guy?"
"Several weeks, but - "
"Habby -- it's okay! I probably would be a little wierded out about my new friend finding out that my brother was -"
"Jay -- he's my -- boyfriend!"
"WHA-AT??!!" I belched back at him. All of the hurt, all of the emptiness that I felt moments ago -- suddenly caught in my throat, and fought with the feelings of relief, guilt and total astonishment. I started to cough -- and choke.
"PLEASE don't tell Dad -- yet! I'll tell him when I'm -- ready." He shrieked. He looked at Steve for a moment then seemed to not care that Steve witnessed all that. "I'm just not sure I'm ready -- I mean that Dad is ready for - "
"Habby!" I finally said, when I caught my breath. "Your big brother is gay, and your dad is playing with a boy. And you're worried about our reaction?"
"Yeah. I know it doesn't - "
"Hab -- I was for a moment starting to entertain the idea that maybe it was MY fault that you want to fool around with guys! Then the absurdity of it hit me! You're sexual feeling have nothing to do with me! If you're gay, you're gay! If your not, you're not. What better time than now to find out?"
"So -- you're not mad?" Habby asked -- completely sincere.
"Habby, how could I be mad at you?" I marveled. "So will he be coming back this weekend any time?"
"I -- no. He'll be out of town."
"I -- er -- thought you said he was working."
"He is. Out of town."
"He -- is from here -- right?"
"Not exactly."
"Where does he live?" I asked.
"Long Beach."
"Oh! That's not so far. Still, at your age -- do his parents know he's gay?"
"I dunno. He doesn't talk about them."
"But surely they wonder where he is when he's not at home. Doesn't he ever talk about that?"
"He doesn't live with them. He lives alone."
"Really!?" I said. "what does -- does he still go to school?"
"He works."
"What does he do?"
"He's a flight attendant! You know him -- Joey, that you invited to our party!"
"WHA-AT!!??" I went into choke mode again. "Habby -- he's WAAAY to old for you!"
Habby looked hurt for a moment and then looked at Steve and back at me several times. "I'm still hungry~ Can we just eat?" He said.
WE got out and went in to the restaurant. I was seething inside, but I didn't want to blow it with my brother.
"Does dad know -- oh, no, you asked me not to tell him. Okay, I won't -- as long as you dump him."
"WHATT??!!" Habby said, drawing attention to everyone in the restaurant. He looked around then lowered his voice. "You date a guy who is almost as old as Dad, and he dates a guy almost as young as you! And you're telling me that Joey -- who's only a few years older than I am -- is too old for me?"
"Habby -- you're only 16. Do you know that he could be thrown into jail or prison for this? Is that what you want?"
"But -- who's gonna - "
"Hab, do you watch the news at all?" I started. "It seems almost every week, we hear of a new case of a teacher taking advantage of a student."
"He's not a teacher! He's" Habby said belligerently.
"It's not about that! You're a juvenile and he's not. If he were 18, I'd be saying the same things. It's illegal and he could get really screwed." I really doubted that reasoning would go over, but I was convinced that reason -- the real reason -- would fall on completely dead ears. As immature as Joey is, he's still too old for my brother!
We ate in uncomfortable silence. I was hoping Steve would back me up, but I knew he felt intimidated too, because of our relationship and ages. When we got back to the car, I said, "I'm sorry Habby, but you haven't told Dad about this because youknew it was wrong too."
"I didn't feel anything was wrong! I was afraid you guys might think so, though! Joey is the sweetest person I've ever met. He's not all forward and demanding like -- Mel was! He's just sweet!"
"Habby -- you've known him for a little over 3 weeks. I knew Steve almost 3 months before we did any more than talk. Have you had sex with Joey?" (Deafening Silence) "I'll take that for a yes. Well, Okay. I'm not going to say any more, Habby. And I'm not going to tell dad." Habby's shoulders dropped in relief. "Because YOU're going to tell him -- today!"
"JAMEY!" he shrieked.
"It'll sound better coming from you, Habby." Steve said evenly.
"Huh?" Said Habby, tears filling his eyes.
"It'll sound better coming from you than from your brother. And Habby -- approach your dad in a humble way. Ask his advice, rather than just blurting out that you want to have a boyfriend who is -- how old is he anyway?"
"22." Habby and I said together.
"Oh! He doesn't even seem that old. Well, just ask your dad what he thinks. For what it's worth, I agree with Jamey. Habby, I had serious reservations about your brother at first. I felt that we connected so closely, and yet -- there was that age difference. And to make it worse, I was the aggressor."
"That's another question, Hab." I said. "How long after the party did he call you?"
"He didn't. I did. I had to remind him who I was." His voice was sounding more even.
"Habby -- does he know your age?" Steve asked.
"I told him." Habby said, a little more defensive again.
"You told him what?" I asked.
"I told him how old I am."
"And -- how old did you say you are?" I asked. Another dead silence. "You told him you were 18, didn't you?" I said a smile playing on my mouth.
"Yes." He said looking away, smiling too.
"So now you have two people to come clean with." I said.
"Huh?"
"You have to tell Dad, and you have to tell Joey the truth."
"JAMEY!" He was in emotional mode again.
"Habby, Joey was hurt very badly -- abused really -- by his last boyfriend. Did he tell you that?"
"N- no."
"And the longer you wait to tell him, the more you're going to hurt him. Is that what you want?"
"How's that going to hurt him?" Joey asked.
"When he finds out your true age, he will have to stop seeing you. He's smart enough to know that. And if he is -- very fond of you -- it's going to hurt. If you let him fall for you -- it will really ruin his life -- at least for a while -- maybe for a long time."
"This sucks!" he said. "Not fair!"
"When I was your age, I didn't have a car, a girlfriend or a boyfriend -- and I was a very frustrated virgin. Was that fair? I know once you've eaten the fruit, it'll be hard to give it up. But I didn't even like you screwing your lights out with that Melanie chick."
We pulled up to the house. Dad's car was in the driveway. "No time like the present, kid." I said. He gave me a deadly look.
"We won't say anything if you don't want us to -- as long as you tell him -- today."
We walked in the house all together. Habby surprised me by saying, "Dad, I need to ask you something." I started to pull Steve out of the room. "No! Please don't go!" Habby said.
We walked back to the living room. "Shall we sit?" Dad said, or will this be one of those stan-up situations?"
"I think YOU better sit." Habby told him.
"Sounds serious!" Dad said.
"Dad -- I have a boyfriend."
"Hmm. Dad said. "So do I. So does your brother."
"Do you know who it is?"
"I assume it's that nice boy that you have been seeing. I've wondered if you were going to introduce me. Well, I guess I was introduced at your party. You think I didn't guess there might be something between you two? Was he someone you met at school?"
"He was someone that Jamey invited to the party."
"Oh. Well, he seems nice enough." Said Dad. Habby looked at me. I nodded in Dad's direction.
"Dad, I have been telling Jamey and Steve about him. I really like him a lot. He's sweet and always really nice to me. But Jamey thinks he's too old for me."
"He doesn't seem -- uh -- how old is he?"
"22." Habby said, and looked like he would cringe, but maybe that was my interpretation.
"Oh!" Dad said, "Hmm -- that could be a problem alright." Dad said, much more evenly than I reacted. "If you really like him, have you thought about what this could do to him if the wrong people found out about it? How involved are you with him?"
"He stayed the night last night."
"Hmm." Said Dad, still very calmly. "You brought this up with your brother here -- and Steve. I guess I can assume that you've talked it over with them. What do they think?"
"I'm more interested in what you think right now." Said Habby.
"Well! That's a surprise." Dad said. "Well, beyond saying the obvious -- all the safe-sex stuff, which we've discussed before -- I've seen the boy. I'm frankly surprised he's 22. He seems much younger. I really don't think it's a case of him seducing you. Habby, knowing you as I do, I wonder if it's not you who might be seducing him -- if anything." Habby grinned, in spite of himself.
"I guess I would be concerned with two things. How clean -- safe -- he is, and how it could hurt him if the law got wind of this. He'd go to jail, for sure." Habby frowned at that.
"I guess I should tell him my age."
"Why? What does he - ? Did you tell him you were older?"
"18."
"Okay. Here's what I think. I think you should call him as soon as possible and tell him the truth. Do you know where he is now?"
"Probably half way to Florida."
"He left on a trip?"
"He's a flight attendant."
"All the more reason to be careful. Flight attendants are high risk people -- no matter how nice he seems. Where did YOU meet him, Jamey?" Dad turned to me.
"On the flight home from Burmuda -- with Steve. Dad. I didn't know about him and Habby. I invited him to our party to meet George, Melanie's cousin. He has a lot of contacts and we actually saw this kid being abused by one of the pilots -- that he was having an affair with."
"Interesting even you would call him a kid. Well, I know that you will do the right thing, Habby -- if you really like him."
I felt sorry for Habby for the first time this morning. I also knew he was about to "do the right thing", but I could see how hard it was. I also was in awe of my dad. He accomplished the same thing I was trying to do in a much nicer way.
If Joey was immature, Habby was more so. He immediately flipped out his cell phone and punched in a number. "Yeah, it's me. I didn't know if you were gone yet. Oh." Habby's eyes clouded up. Actually his whole face clouded up. "I have something to tell you." Habby said and his voice broke. "No. No, they're all okay. It's me I called about. No -- I'm okay too. I mean physically. But -- Joey -- I'm not 18. I'm 16!"
Habby looked up at each of us in order. When he looked at me, I half smiled -- approvingly -- but with an understanding grimace. "No, I -- I'm sorry! I should have -- told you sooner. Yeah, I mean at first. What? Oh. Okay. Okay. OKAY!" Habby smiled. "Bye then! Byeeeee!" He hung up.
"Wow." Dad said, again not too emotionally. "That apparently didn't go too bad."
"He says he'll talk to me when he gets back. He was boarding the plane. But he says, we can maybe talk about waiting `til I really am 18."
"That's a long time for a teenager, Hab" dad said. "And I'm not so sure you even should put yourself on ice for two years."
"What on ice? No -- I'm sure he's talking about sex. Wait for sex."
"I'm not sure that's even possible." Dad said.
"It's possible! I really -- um -- like him a lot."
"Well, I just don't want you to -- well -- a month ago you really liked that Melanie a lot. But don't worry about it. What will be will be." Dad shot me one of those, "I've said enough!" looks.
Habby grinned, and said, "Yeah! Que sera, sera! I learned that in Spanish class.
"Que sera, sera!" Dad repeated.
Later that day, when Habby was off somewhere else, after lunch, Dad said to me and Steve, "You know boys,"
"Who are you calling a boy?" Steve laughed.
"Long as you're with my boy, you'll be a boy!" Dad laughed back.
"Hmm." Steve mused, then, "And what about the boy you are dating?"
"I guess he'll be like a dad to you, huh?" We all roared at that one. "Anyway, what I was gonna say -- BOYS, was that at 16 Habby is technically still a boy - a real boy. But He's old enough to make most of his own decisions. If I were to demand too much, he'd do what he wanted to anyway, and our dialog would be closed."
"I was impressed with you, Dad. I'm afraid I wasn't as nice as you were."
"Well -- you're not his dad. I think he'll do the right thing most of the time. And I pray that when you guys don't, you'll live through it! You haven't disappointed me."
"Thanks, Dad."
"So, you're all moved in now, huh?"
"Yeah. It makes things a lot simpler."
"How's that?" Dad asked. Steve looked hard at me. I hadn't told my dad about Steve's problem.
"Well, mostly I am not hounded by the other guys. They wouldn't leave me alone when I was in my dorm."
"How are they?"
"I dunno. They're seeing each other at present. Grant's problem is gonna be hard to deal with, but John is very patient. I just don't know what to think."
"And you two?"
"What?" I said looking as Steve.
"Do you think this is a pretty permanent situation?"
"No." Steve said. My neck almost snapped as I yanked my head back to Steve. "My place is a bachelor pad, really. When we decide it is permanent, I'm sure we'll want something bigger. Sooner than later, maybe."
"Really?" Dad said.
"Really?" I said.
"We need a weight room and I'm all for your boy finishing his education. So he needs a place to study. And really I need a study too. I mean, we can share a study."
I was rather blown away by all this. Dad looked like it was nothing out of line. Steve said, "Would you two think I was too rude if I took a nap? I guess work last night was grueling than I realized."
"No problem." Dad said. I followed Steve into my bedroom and closed the door, after telling Dad I'd see him in a minute.
"Are you okay, Steve?" I asked.
"Just tired. It came on me kind of fast. But it's 2:00 o'clock. I like a nap at this time anyway."
"You don't have a headache or anything?" I asked.
"No, I'm fine. Go be with your dad. Man you're lucky to have a dad like that!"
"I know. Well, dream of me!" I said.
"I always do!" He said. We embraced closely and kissed and I left the room.
When I got back out to the living room, Dad said, "You wanna go shopping with me?"
"Sure!" I said. "Let's take Steve's car."
"Is that what you're driving?"
"Yeah. Where are we going?"
"I thought we would go to the jewelry store."
"Oh? What for?"
"So you can pick out a ring for your boy."
"You mean my man!"
"That too!"
"I kinda wanted him to be there, so it would fit."
"I think we can make a pretty close guess. I shook hands with him and also was observing his hand. It's about the same size as mine. And - - he surprised you. That should tell you that he likes surprises."
"Oh. I never thought of it that way. Where do we go?"
"I know of an outlet that has great deals and a large inventory. It's probably the best bang for your buck."
We had to be buzzed it to the place. As soon as we were in the store and asked about men's rings, I saw it. It was plain to look at, but elegant. It was yellow gold, with the raised part supporting the stones being Florentine. It had a one karat diamond in the center, and two 1/2 karat emeralds on each side. Dad "loaned" me an extra $500.00 to pay for it. They sized it to fit dad's hand. Of course he faked at getting it stuck on his finger.
"You want a gift box?" Said the handsome Arab salesman. "No extra cost."
"No. I'll just put it in my pocket."
"Ah! You like to handle your jewels while your hand is in your pocket, eh?" He said with a wink.
"I'll put it in the other pocket!" I said, and he laughed.
On the way back home dad said, "You sure found that quickly."
"I know what he likes -- I think. I know he likes green. He has a lot of green in his shirts and sweaters."
"Probably to match those green, green eyes. They're pretty intense."
"I know! Dad - - what made you decide that I should buy his ring today?"
Dad smiled. "I could see you were getting uncomfortable when he was talking about buying another house -- for you."
"Yeah. This does make that better. He does like `nice'. He looked disappointed when we told Habby we'd take him anywhere for breakfast and Habby chose Dennys!"
"Po' people have po' ways. I'm sure Habby doesn't know anything better." Dad said. "Are you gonna give it to him at dinner tonight?"
"I wasn't -- but now that you mention it, he deserves it doesn't he?
Notes: Comments always welcome. To Steve at stevethomas535@hotmail.com. Thanks and love, Steve