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 29
"Are you gonna give the ring to him at dinner tonight?"
"I wasn't -- but now that you mention it, he deserves it doesn't he?
Chapter 30
"Jay, let's go out to a really nice place for dinner tonight. I want to treat you guys to a nice dinner and then you can give him the ring at the restaurant."
"Okay. Steve and I may have to go out and get some clothes. All we brought are casual. But I hate to wake him if he's still asleep."
"Casual is fine most places now."
"No, I want to dress up for this."
"I'll bring the camera."
As soon as we were in the house, I went and peeped into my room. Steve wasn't there. I closed the door. "Steve?" I called.
"What's up?" Dad asked.
"He's not in there."
"Maybe he went for a walk." Dad said.
"He would have left a message if he was going to be gone. I have to find him!" I said, trying not to show my mounting panic.
So Dad and I walked around the whole house calling him. Then Dad opened my bedroom door again. Jame! He's in here -- somewhere!"
"What?" I said. That didn't make any sense. The room was too small for him to be "somewhere" in it.
By the time I was at the door, dad was leaning over my bed. Steve was lying on the far side of the bed, on the floor, moaning. We helped him on to the bed.
"What's wrong?" Dad said.
"Jamey -- Jamey," Steve croaked, "Rub my neck!" He moaned some more.
"What's going on?" Dad said.
"Headache." I said.
"I'll get some aspirin." Said Dad.
"NO!" Both Steve and I said in unison.
Dad turned and looked at us as if we were from another planet. I was already kneading Steve's shoulders and neck. "What's -- why don't you want - " Dad started.
"He -- doesn't -- take -- medication -- for these. I can handle it."
"Hi, what's - " Habby stepped in the room and stood, his mouth agape. "Is he - - okay?" Habby sounded scared.
Dad looked at me in some amount of bewilderment himself. I talked as I worked Steve's rock hard neck and shoulders. "He's got sort of an allergy to -- pain relievers, I mean - "
Steve croaked out, "ADDICTION, DAMMIT!"
I wasn't going to "tell on" Steve, but I guess he was giving me permission.
"Steve got himself addicted to pain relievers -- almost any over the counter variety, plus some prescriptive ones. We're kind of treating him "cold-turkey" for it. He'll be okay. But for right now, it'd probably be easier -- at least for me -- if you two would leave and close the door.
After they left, I took off Steve's shirt and really worked him over -- for about an hour. My hands and arms were quivering when I was finished. He turned over and looked at me and just started to cry when he saw my quivering arms. "I'm so sorry, Baby. I'm sorry I'm such a pain in the ass."
"Shhhh -- no, Steve, shhhh. It's one of the few things I can do for you. And we have to get you well for tonight. Dad's taking us out for dinner. Just relax, sweetheart." I knelt by the bed and stroked his head for another 45 minutes.
"Steve -- you felt this coming on before dad and I left, didn't you?"
"I thought I could handle it." He said repentantly.
"You are SUCH a man!" I joked. He half smiled.
"That feels wonderful. Aren't you tired." He asked.
"Well - yeah. So?"
"I love you so much!" he sighed and more tears flowed. I wiped them while I caressed his forehead.
"Me too." I said.
"It's almost gone. Would you just lie with me for awhile?"
I removed my jeans and shirts, shoes and socks, and half covered him with my body. He heaved a heavy sigh and stroked my face. "We'll get through this. You are the sweetest boy in the world." He said.
"It used to bother me when you referred to me that way, but I'm really getting to like it. Actually I love it!"
Steve closed his eyes and his breathing again got very even and slow. I thought about what led us to this point. I couldn't imagine being even tempted to do anything with any other guy, ever. I realized the absurdity of that, considering that less than a week ago -- even though I didn't really do anything -- I was sorely tempted by Buddy.
I watched him for another hour and a half, feeling a euphoric sensation, as if I knew that this was going to last forever. I mean -- how could it not, I reasoned with myself.
I felt free. I have seen a few weddings, and they always say, "until death do you part". I wondered how, if there really is a life after we die, if we remember what went on here, how could we possibly lose the special love we had for -- well, for anyone? Why should death stop a marriage? I decide this was a way that men -- and the church -- justify remarrying after the death of a partner. They just put this little phrase into the marriage ceremony: "Until death do you part."
"What are you so intent upon, Sweetheart?" Steve said.
"Oh! You're awake." I said, smiling.
"I never went to sleep. I've just been relaxing with my eyes closed. It felt so good having you here touching me in so many ways. My eyes have been open the last ten minutes, watching your face. You seem to be thinking pretty deeply about something.
"Yeah, I guess I was. I was letting my mind wander, and it occurred to me -- if there's a heaven -- and I think there is -- then the love that we feel for each other -- it must still be intact there. It may be the only thing we take with us. Our learned feelings."
"If that's so, then when Jesus -- and all the other great religious leaders -- have said it is for our own benefit to forgive everyone, we better listen to that advice -- maybe. I mean -- what if we take all kinds of hate with us? If we won't lose the love -- then it makes sense that we won't lose the hate either. Does that make sense?" He said.
"You've thought about this before." I mused.
"I used to pretty much not believe in anything like that. But as a doctor, I've seen too many things happen -- what some would call `miracles' -- to totally discount God any more. I haven't thought about what you just brought up, but it seems to make sense -- at least to me."
We were disturbed by a quiet tap on the door. "We're awake. Come in!" I hollered.
"Dad wants to know if you guys will be able to still go to dinner and if so, what time."
"We can go any time." Steve said.
"Good!" Habby said. "Is anyone else hungry?"
"I'm starved!" Steve said.
"Glad to hear it!" Dad popped in our room. "Because we're going to a very nice restaurant in Newport Beach."
"Cool!" both of us said together.
"But if you're really that starved, we better get going. It'll take a good hour to get there."
"This IS a nice restaurant!" Steve said. "And the steak and lobster is perfect."
"Glad you like it. So Steve, do you mind chatting about what happened this afternoon?"
"I guess not. It's kind of embarrassing, but it's okay. Your son saved me by the way."
"I could see he was working hard at it." Dad said.
"Well, oh! Yeah, he did earlier today, but I mean really saved me -- from myself." Dad looked on with interest. "In med school, for many of us, it is difficult at best to get by with all the pressures of grades and performance issues in the O.R. So -- some of us resort to -- drugs -- to cope. Some get addicted to caffeine, others to tobacco. Luckily I never took that up.
"But I was severely attached to caffeine at first -- to stay awake and alert -- then I got addicted to it and started to get headaches every time I tried to stop. I would take more -- in the form of Excedrin, but it got to where the Excedrin did nothing but keep me up all night, and wasn't really working any more. I was taking it by the handfuls.
Then I discovered how well I responded to ibuprofen -- Advil -- and it was not long before I was taking handfuls of that instead. That would upset my stomach and I would take antacids at first, but that didn't work, and I was too damned busy to deal with it anyway, so I started taking hydrocodone -- Vicodin -- WITH the Advil. Our boy here caught me one night throwing up blood, so he demanded I see a doctor."
Steve smiled saying that. Dad said, "I've heard about doctors doing that -- over-medicating themselves."
"It's too easy to do. When something hurts. You will do almost anything to stop it. What I was doing -- at least with the Vicodin -- was technically illegal, but most importantly -- it -- but mostly the ibuprofen -- was ruining my stomach.
"So I DID see an internist and he pretty much told me, if I wanted to live, stop taking the crap. He offered an alternative, but said if I could do it without it would be better -- and more permanent. So that's what we're doing. It mostly only hits me at night. This was unusual. But in the past three weeks that Jamey has been with me, the bleeding has stopped, and I haven't vomited in a week. But the headaches are still horrendous, and Jamey helps with those."
"Well," Dad started, "It looks like you're doing well. The condition we found you in is evidence that you don't give up easily."
"Heh. If I gave up easily, I'd never have become a doctor!"
The busboy came and removed the dinner plates, and the tuxedoed waiter asked if we wanted dessert. Of course Habby wanted some, so we all did. Before it arrived, I said, "Steve, do you trust me?"
"You have to ask? Of course!"
"Then close your eyes and don't open them no matter what happens." Steve smiled and closed his eyes. I reached into my pocket and withdrew the ring. Habby gasped when I placed it on the table. Steve grinned wider, but kept his eyes closed. I took his hand and kissed his ring finger. His eyes started to open.
"Nuh-uh! Close em!" I commanded. He did and then I actually sucked on his finger. I could feel other eyed -- from other tables -- on my back, but I didn't care.
"Omigod!" Steve whispered, and I looked down and his wood was thumping. I quickly covered it with the napkin that was on his lap, and then I took the ring and placed it on his finger. Then I kissed his finger again, then his hand and then his mouth. I heard one person say something disgusting under her breath, but I ignored it. "Okay, you can open your eyes."
He looked into my eyes first, both of us grinning widely. Then he looked at the ring. "Omigod, Jamey! Where -- well, it doesn't matter. It's wonderful!" He laughed and continued, "Does this mean you think I'm a keeper?"
I sat back in my own chair. "You're a keeper!" I said.
"YYESS!" Said Habby. We all looked at him. "What?!" he exclaimed. "I like Steve!"
"I like you too, Habby." Steve said, grinning. "Geez, now we HAVE to go get your ring sized, Jamey! And I might have them take a little off this one too, at the same time. They'll do it while we wait."
After dinner we all piled back into the Mercedes (it's pretty short in the rear seat) and drove home. I drove, of course, and both Habby and Steve were sleepy, so Dad rode in the front seat with me. We talked about various things, but I couldn't help seeing what was happening in the back seat.
Both guys fell asleep almost before we left the parking lot, and before long, Habby was crashed on Steve's shoulder. Then he slipped down to his arm, and then he turned and threw his arm over Steve's other shoulder, so he was fully on top of him, face to face. He must have taken his shoulder belt off. They looked so sweet there. I pointed back to them when my dad looked over. He too grinned at the sweet sight.
When we bumped over the entrance to the driveway, they both woke up. "Hi Habby!" said Steve, laughing.
I thought Habby would be embarrassed, but if he was, he didn't show it. "That felt good!" said Habby. "Wanna sleep with me tonight?"
"I think you better ask your brother about that!" Steve said. Habby looked at me.
"I think we'll leave the sleeping arrangements as planned!" Dad said with finality, but still laughing. "You can sleep with me if you wanna sleep with someone, Habby!"
"I'll pass!" Said Habby. "No -- wait! I haven't done that since about second grade. I think I will!" He wasn't kidding!
I immediately was happy about that. Habby's room was next to mine, but dad's was across the house from ours. So - - Steve and I would be happily "alone" tonight! After today's bout, I was trying to think of a way to get him off big-time, without all the usual noise.
We didn't get wild, but we were well satisfied by the time we were done. W snuggled ourselves to sleep, both with dreamy smiles on our faces.
Sunday morning greeted us with the familiar smell of my dad's waffles -- which I'll never tired of.
I heard the door handle shake, then a knock. "We're awake." I yelled.
"Can I come in?" Habby's voice exuberated.
I unlocked the door and he stood there with a grin on his face. "Looks like you slept well last night!" I said. "How was it sleeping with Dad?"
"Oh yeah!" Said Habby. "It was fine. We cuddled! It was like I was this little kid again."
"Just cuddled?" I said.
"Yup! We did have some fun though before we went to sleep."
"Oh?" I said, surprised, and afraid to take the conversation any further. My fears were justified, but not for the reason I feared.
"We had fun listening to you and Steve!"
I turned deep purple and looked over at Steve and he had a big grin on his face, but also red. "Well, that's interesting! Too bad you had to be with Dad and couldn't at least get off while you listened."
"Who said I didn't?" Habby said. As both Steve's and my eyes about popped, he said, "KIDDING!" He laughed and laughed at our expressions. We laughed too. "Dad said that breakfast will be in 20 minutes. That'll be about 15 from now."
"We'll be there." I said.
Habby closed the door as he left. I was already on my feet. But Steve was still lying down, with his hands behind his head. The thin sheet was a very poor mask for the wood within. He grabbed it and said, "Think we can subdue this in 10 minutes?"
"I know I can do mine in about 30 seconds. I dunno about you!" I teased.
He opened the sheet, and after re-locking the door, I jumped in and we started to kiss and feel each other up all over. I exploded almost before his mouth was there to catch it. He was close behind me, but shot all over both of us. We were giggling as he was still on his last spurts. We kissed deeply. I am growing very fond of my cum, seasoned with Steve's natural taste.
We ran across the hall for the shower and quickly washed our bodies. As we were running back across the hall, naked, Dad came to tell us breakfast was ready. He winked as he said, "It's on the table. You can come as you are, or throw on a towel of something, and they won't be as crisp."
We threw on our clean underwear and a tee shirt and ran to the kitchen.
"How do you like your eggs, Steve?"
"Over easy, but if it's easier, scrambled is fine."
"Scrambled is easier, if everyone else is okay with it. Habby, watch the waffle iron while I do the eggs."
Dad lifted the last strip of bacon from the pan and cracked 10 eggs into it, scrambling them with the grease. As they were almost done, he poured some milk on top and fully turned up the heat. The milk went under the eggs and bubbled up through them, making moist, light and delicious eggs.
Habby made another waffle as this was happening and brought a plateful from the oven. We were all eating when Dad said, "Steve, Jamey?"
We both looked at him intently, as his voice told us something important was coming.
"I have been giving this a lot of thought but it's only meant as a suggestion. And I know I'm old fashioned when it comes to these things."
I swallowed hard. I thought from Habby's earlier reaction, that we were off the hook. Now I wasn't so sure. But Dad didn't seem the least upset.
"From what I've seen, you two seem pretty much committed to each other." We both nodded. "Even so, I would have judged this to be a little early to move in together. And after last night, it's obvious you are more than just room mates." We both stared at him for a second then looked at each others' crimson faces.
"I'm just wondering -- if you are that serious, and are committed enough to live together -- why don't you get married?"
"Dad!" I said. "It's not even legal here. Even if we went somewhere else, it wouldn't be legal in California."
"I'm not talking about legal marriage. I'm not even sure if I agree that it's right. But I think there is something more committing and sacred to saying some vows in front of a clergyman. I think that's half the problem with all these couples that move in together -- gay or straight. There is no real commitment in that. You two at least have rings. But what do those rings mean -- if not commitment?"
I was dumbfounded. This was not even close to what I would have imagined Dad to say. Steve was the first to speak.
"I agree that to have a union blessed by a member of clergy - as long as we both respect it -- can help. Hal, we'll take it seriously and consider your comments -- your counsel. We both" he looked at me and continued, "We both respect you and your opinion. Thanks for your caring - - and love."
With that, Steve got up and walked to my dad and pulled him into a close hug. Dad hugged him back. I was all at once, embarrassed, happy, surprised and blown away. I sat there with my mouth gaping open.
"I would say one more thing. I am a little afraid that you will not take kindly to it, but I mean it in the best sense. If you don't feel that much commitment, I would strongly counsel you to move back out. If not, one of you will get hurt -- very badly. I love you both and especially I love my son, Steve, and I don't want him to get hurt."
I finally found my voice. "Dad -- I -- I don't know what to say. I feel -- like -- I want to be with Steve -- forever."
"I feel the same, Hal. We'll discuss it between ourselves. Okay?" Steve was perfectly kind and respectful, but his words told my dad that the conversation was over.
"That's all I expect."
I could see Habby's mind going a-mile-a-minute. I wondered what he was thinking about. I didn't have to wait long. "Dad? Are you trying to -- get me ready -- for bringing a guy home with you some day?"
"No Habby. I'm not even sure what I want yet. But I will promise you that I will not bring any guy here to live with us."
"Oh." Said Habby. I couldn't tell if he was happy, disappointed or what. But he looked longingly at me. I expect he feels a little left out, especially since I was confident he would break it off with Joey.
Steve and I didn't talk much on the way home Sunday afternoon. He was pretty relaxed, but whenever I looked over at him, if he wasn't asleep, he looked deep in thought. That was okay, because I was pretty involved in my own head.
Am I too young to be doing this? Is age even a factor? I feel as if I'm a lot older than Habby, yet at times I feel like a teen again. I caught Steve stealing glances over at me a few times. It was as if there was an elephant in the car and neither of us was going to mention it. If we mentioned it, then we might have to deal with it. I really wanted to talk to Seth!
We started home early because I had some research and study to do for Monday's classes, and I was glad to bury myself in my books. It was not late when I finished, so I went to Steve, who was stretched out on the couch watching TV. He quickly forgot the TV program as I lay on top of him. Even though the elephant had followed us into the house, we were wild in our sex and I felt closer to him than ever when we finished.
The next day at morning break I called Seth: "Jamey! How did you know I wanted to talk to you?" Said an excited Seth. "Etta told me you needed to talk, though, so I shouldn't be surprised. Somehow I always am! Anyway -- she said to invite you to dinner."
"Nuh-uh!" I exclaimed.
Next I called Steve. "Jamey! How are you, Sweetheart?" Steve's voice sounded refreshed and happy. "Will you be home before I am off to work?"
"I'm fine. And no. I'll be going over to the Smith's for dinner. Seth invited me. Well, actually he said that Etta invited me."
"Oh. Okay! Have a great time. I'll see you when I get home from work then?"
"Wake me up if I'm asleep!" I said. "Bye!"
"Bye!"
The elephant was even there breathing into the phone. I could almost hear it. When I arrived at the Smith's, Seth was not home yet, but Luke invited me in to the apartment over the garage. "How are you, Young Jamey?" Said Luke, in his seemingly affected serious manner that I was getting used to.
"I'm okay."
"Seth says you have something to talk to him about."
Yeah. It's nothing confidential. I just needed someone to bounce something off. Seth seems to be the one that I -- are you interested?"
"Sure, if you want to share it with me." He said, non-committal.
I explained the situation to him. He didn't even hesitate: "Go for it, Dude!"
"Huh?" I said, my head still spinning.
"What've you got to lose? Either it works or it doesn't. You've spent a fortune on rings, it sounds like. This can't possibly make anything worse. It can only increase the chances of you and Steve making it."
"But what about my age?" I said. Seth walked in.
"Starting the counseling session without me?" He grinned.
"Sort of." I said, feeling a little chagrinned.
"It's okay. Luke's a pretty savvy guy. What's up, Jamey?"
I explained the same thing to Seth. "What did my partner tell you?" Seth said.
"Aw, don't play games with him, Sethy! Just tell him what YOU think." Luke chided humorously.
"I can't think of any real reason to wait for -- for what? You're already living together. What's the question again?"
"The question," I said, "Has already been answered. I see what you both mean, and it's really - - what my dad was getting at."
"Trust your dad!" Said Seth.
Etta Was all smiles as we came to her dinner table. She didn't say anything regarding why I was there, and didn't make any offhand remarks as in the past. But dinner was superb with the usual Smith ribbing and joking going on.
"You haven't met my son, Jake yet, have you, Jamey?"
"No sir." I said. "But from all I've heard, I am looking forward to it."
"They'll be here for the holidays, so Seth will be sure to call you - - right, Seth?"
"Yes, Uncle Jake. You met my brother Chris, right? (He and Craig are the ones who look like models)"
"Yeah, I wouldn't forget them!" I said with a grin.
"And you'll love Rob. He's like a brother to me too -- well they all are, but Rob's just special." Said Seth, as he looked at Luke and grinned.
"Is Rob another of your nephews, Mr. Smith?
"Heh. No. Jake is my son, Seth and Chris are my nephews, and Rob was a close friend of Chris's. He has become an `adopted nephew'." Said Mr. Smith.
"Kind of like you, Jamey." Said Mrs. Smith.
"Unless you insist on calling us Mr. and Mrs. Smith!" chided Mr. Smith. "Call me Uncle Jake -- or just Jake is fine, if that makes you more comfortable. But then when my son gets here that gets confusing."
"Thanks," I said blushing. "Uncle Jake!" And I grinned, and turned to Mrs. Smith, "And Auntie Lindy!"
She laughed and said, "I like that!"
I looked over at Etta, who was sitting at the far end of the table, beside Auntie Lindy. "Thanks for inviting me, Etta. I know that this was your idea. I don't know how you know when I need -- help -- but you seem to know, so I accept that! I called Seth to come see him, and he was expecting my call!"
"Etta knows, Baybee!" She said sweetly. Her graying hair seemed to create a halo around her face. I tried to guess how old she was, but it was impossible. "It is nice to have you. With Carrie and Al in Puerto Vallarta, it is too quiet roun' here."
"THAT'S what's different!" I said. All laughed.
"So, do you have schoolwork tonight? Luke asked.
"Unfortunately yes. I have to go soon."
"Not `til you have my coconut-papaya dessert!" Demanded Etta. I sat back down and it was delicious!
"Thank you all for your -- well, it goes beyond hospitality. For your - LOVE!" I said.
"You're always welcome. Please come more often1" Said Auntie Lindy. Seth walked me out to my car.
"Do you know why she laughed when you called her Auntie Lindy'?" I shook my head. "Because that's what Rob calls her -- except he pronounces it differently than we do. He says awn-tee'. She loves him a lot."
"Seems to me that they both love everyone a lot!"
"It's true, Jamey -- it's really true. Well, you take care of yourself and call us any time, huh? It doesn't have to be when you need advice."
I drove home with a smile on my face. The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of publicly committing myself to Steve. I knew it would be hard to study, anticipating what he would have to say when he gets home. When I pulled into the condo parking, Steve's car was there. It was only 7:30 and he wasn't supposed to be home until 11:30 -- if he got off on time. But the windows in the house were all dark. I wonder where he could be?
Notes: Thanks again for all your wonderful comments and support -- and for forgiving my many mistakes! If you want to comment, please feel free, to Steve at stevethomas535@hotmail.com. Thanks and love, Steve