Jasons First Workout

Jason's First Workout Ð Chapter XIV Ð Brock's Next Big Talk

Dear Readers:

Thanks for all of the emails and the encouragement to keep this story going. Dozens of you have asked for my inspiration pics of the characters, and I'm happy to keep sharing. Just email and ask. Not as much sex in this one but I have lots of plot to develop, so please keep reading!

If you enjoy this story and the site, remember to give what you can back to Nifty so that we can all continue to get off here! http://donate.nifty.org/

Best, Coach Luke. Olcoach44@gmail.com

(New chapters (5 and up) updated to present day: Luke age 56, Brock 48, Jason 34, Joe 40, Chase 28, Sam 26).

Jason:

"Damn Joe, yes right there," I moaned as his head bobbed up and down on my throbbing cock and he pinioned his large index finger into my moist hole. "Damn baby, I'm so close."

His mop of brown curls, still floppy on top, bounced on my crotch and I grabbed his head with both hands, feeling my orgasm building in my balls. Then he jerked his head away from my cock and screamed at the sight of something behind me. "No," Joe barked, backing away from me, and I sat up and looked back. A body of a beautiful, blonde twink was hanging from a rope stretched across the exposed beam of the great room.

"Shit!" I sat up suddenly, drenched in a cold sweat, my softening cock was pulled out of my shorts and the front of my t-shirt held a trail of pre-cum that had jizzed my dream/nightmare. I came to, realizing I was still laying on the couch and the room was now semi-dark. I was alone in the cabin after the storm, and Joe had left hours ago now, to check on his grandmother. I wondered if the storm had finally knocked out the power, and I was not on generator. I pulled up my shorts, wiped the front of my shirt, and walked into the kitchen. I hit the switch and the light bloomed across the cabin. I reached into the fridge, grabbed a bottle, reached into the cabinet for a glass and poured myself a glass of wine. I guess Joe's talk had gotten to me more than I realized. No wonder the poor fuck was still so heartbroken. But, it had been what? More than 15 years at least. Could he really still blame himself?

I reached for my phone. NO messages from Joe, but Dad had sent one.

Brock: "lost power most of afternoon. Doc and I had fun. Back on now. We want to bring steaks for supper tomorrow night and meet Joe officially. That okay?"

And, "How's the cabin? Any downed trees?"

I texted back:

"Hey, tomorrow night is good but I'll check with Joe. He may be moved back home by then."

And, "no downed trees on house or drive when walked after storm. Never lost power. Mountain protected back side. Haven't checked creek yet. Love you."

Brock: "Okay. See you tomorrow. Doc sends love 2."

I smiled to myself. Those guys. If I knew them, they'd probably run around in the backyard naked during the storm or done something else crazy. Then, I felt a bit guilty. It was very sad that Joe didn't have anyone close in his life except his grandmother. Was I walking into something with another messed up guy with Daddy issues, or was he more mature and settled than I was giving him credit for? I checked my email for the first time since the storm. A number of work issues that could wait, but there was one from Scotty. I opened it on my phone.

"HI Jason,

Same Judge who approved separation has approved filing for no-contest. Sign and scan the attachments and return to me. We'll file with court. If I get back by tomorrow (Friday), we can finalize before December 30, 2020. That means you'll be divorced by the new year! Charging him with adultery wouldn't have been any faster (thank the state of California for no-fault divorce laws) but I would have loved to do it, especially with the SOB's videos all over YouTube. You're a nicer guy than me, pal!

Send back asap. BTW- Jake sends his love. We miss you. FaceTime us so that we can make sure you haven't gotten lost in the wilderness.

Scotty

J. Scott Pearson, Esq."

I texted Scotty quickly. "Got your email. Will print docs and sign and back to you before tomorrow AM. Big storm here this afternoon and was off-line for a bit. Haven't gotten lost in wilderness. We'll catch up this weekend. Love to J."

For some reason I couldn't shake the memory of Joe's conversation. It had clearly shaken me. I'd never had a sex dream end in a nightmare. I'd have to bring that up in my zoom with Dr. Patterson tomorrow morning. Wonder what the fuck she'd think about that? But the divorce news was good. Wasn't it? I poured myself a second glass of chardonnay and walked into the great room. The cabin seemed small and empty in the semi-darkness without Joe filling it up with his larger-than-life presence. I couldn't be this guy. I couldn't sit around and be lonely for a man I'd just met a few weeks ago, could I? Hell!

I shucked my clothes (the pre-cum stain on my shirt was drying crusty) and threw them in the dirty clothes hamper in my room. I'd get a long hot bath. My tub in the cabin wasn't huge but it was plenty big enough. I missed my soaking tub in California. Briefly, I remembered Butch and I soaping each other up in the tub on a Saturday night, surrounded by candles. We'd had some really good timesÉ I would not cry. I would not cry for him anymore! I walked into the bathroom, cock swinging, and set my glass on the vanity. I started the tap and got it HOT. I'd soak. Then I'd eat some supper. NO guarantee that Joe would return tonight and that was okay.

Oh fuck, who was I kidding? I ached for the man's touch. It was barely 8 PM here. Still 4 PM in Cali. I'd go back online and get some more work done. Answer those emails. Why put off until tomorrowÉ. I stepped into the scalding tub determined to forget and just clear my head.

Joe: I drove up to Miss O'Della's and saw the outline of Frank sitting on the steps. He stood and welcomed me as I got out of the car and walked up the sidewalk.

"Hey Joey, you've made quite the splash in the last week or two!" he teased.

"Thanks Mr. Frank. What's up with the text? I would've gotten here sooner but some trees were down over off 11. I drove by Gran's slow but looks like the old maple held up well," I said.

"I didn't mean to worry you, Son. And I done told you. I'm just Frank, not Mister to you. Mz. Shirley's alright. She and Mama just been up to something and now she done gone and got cold feet. Wants me to talk to you first. Let's sit out here on the porch," Frank said, motioning to the patio set on O'Della's tiled front porch.

Frank eased himself into a wicker chair. At 60, his thinning grey afro was almost gone and now worn shorn close to his skull, and his heavily lined forehead and jawline showed years of hard manual labor, but he was still tall and thin, like all four of his brothers, and as the eldest, he always took a paternal air with them, and with Joe. Joe had not known him well before his return to the Carolina's ten years ago, but his Gran had talked of him often. Francis, or Frank as he was called, was O'Della's oldest son who had always looked after her and with her friendship with Gran over the last 25 years, he'd by proxy looked after Shirley Green too.

"What did they get up to, mister, uh Frank," I asked again.

"Well, son. It's like this. Seems that after all this time, Mama and Ms. Shirley don't like having to walk up and down the sidewalk three houses over to visit. Your Gran coming to stay a few days ago got them thinking and they'd been watching those commercials on the televisionÉ" he went on.

"Oh no," I interrupted, "I hope they didn't buy something we can't return."

"Well, maybe son," He intoned softly. "Just you hear me out now. Seems that your Gran got in her Camry and drove Mama over to that new retirement complex in Swannanoa they keep on advertising. Both talked to this sales guy, who, before you get upset, I've done followed up on. They weren't taken advantage of that I can tell and looks like they've paid the going rate. It's all above board."

"Paid for what?" I asked incredulously.

"Your Gran and my Mama have decided they want to sell out and move into that retirement place. They've put down deposits on two, Step 1 apartments in the complex, adjoining. Shared patio off the back. They can step through a door in between into their own efficiency apartments. Each has a bedroom, bath and little kitchenette and sitting area. Won't get in each other's way when they want to cook but can still get to each other whenever they want," He stated flatly.

"Wow!" I was flabbergasted. "I had no idea that Gran wasn't happy living with me. I thought things were good and, well, I wanted to take care of her."

"Son," he patted me paternally on the shoulder, "now don't get upset. That's why your Gran has had a change of heart. She doesn't want to leave you. Says you need her to take care of you still. Told Mama that today, and then Ms. O'Della calls me crying, says Shirley be breaking her heart." He stops and takes a breath. "So, you see what kind of mess we're looking at Joe. My Mama's 83 years old. It's only a matter of time before she can't take care of herself. Your Gran is 79. She's got some more time. They are both in great health for their age except for Mama's sugar and your grandmama's arthritis, but really, do you plan on being the home caregiver for your Gran `til she dies?" He looked at me straight on, as he almost always did. Frank was the definition of a straight shooter.

"Well, I guess. I don't know. I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I mean," I stumbled, "since I got back I was just glad we had a nice house she could take pride in, thanks to you. She had her little garden. She seemed happy near O'Della. I went to work and paid the bills," I said.

"Yes, and you've done a damned fine job, son, but you was also gone lots of nights and weekends. Out in the field, doing your job, chasing that Cat as we've all come to find out lately. Making her proud. And you've made a good living, but isn't it time you start thinking about your own life, Joe? What, you 39 years old now?" He asked.

"I'm 40. But that doesn't matter. I promised Gran I'd always take care of her just like she did me. I'm all she's got," I stammered. Damnit, I would not get emotional in front of Mr. Frank. He was just trying to help us. "I'm not sure. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say here, Frank." I finally confessed.

"Well boy, if you'll indulge me. I don't want to presume, but you know I think the world of Ms. Shirley. She and my Mama stood across the aisle from each other in that little grocery store in Pickens for almost 20 years, running those two checkout lanes, until I made Mama retire and move up here. I couldn't be going back and forth to Pickens every weekend once my three girls by my first wife got grown. It was wearing me out. But then, Mama insisted almost every other weekend, I had to take her down to visit your Grandma, or go to Greenville and meet your Gran and bring her back up here. When you decided to move back here and got this job, nobody was happier than me, believe me! I'd had a house or two on this street as part of my listings for more than two years hoping one day, I could convince your Grandma to move. Thankfully, you did that for me" He chuckled.

"I had no idea, Mr. Frank. I just knew when I got the job, Gran said to call you and you could help me find a house with your real estate company. I thought you were still running construction `til I moved back home," I said.

"Well now, I built this house and the one you're in and two others on this street. But you know, Tyrell, my middle daughter's husband, is running the construction company now. I've been slowing down a bit since my third wife and I want to retire in the next five years or so. Just enjoy our grands," He ruminated.

"But what I'm trying to gets to is this, son. Mama and me think on your grandmama like family. In fact, more so, probably, and she done got me in the middle, so let me talk to you like I'm your Daddy. That alright with you?" he asked carefully. I grunted, a bit taken a back. I mean this man and his family had always been good to us, but still. I did have great respect for him Ð a black man who'd come up as a construction worker, then started not one but two of his own successful businesses. He'd had struggles but clearly, as I'd learned over the last decade, being his friend or associate opened doors for me in the Hendersonville area. He was that well thought of.

"Yes," I said haltingly.

"I'm sorry, son." He said again. "I'm getting old, and I don't always think. I know what that feels like, you know?"

"Like what?" I said.

"Being without a Daddy," He reminded me. "My Daddy walked out on us when I was near 10 years old. Little DeMarcus wasn't even 1 and walking yet. Left my Mama with five growing boys to raise and her just working as a maid. Took all of us working together to get out of that shack `cross the tracks in Pickens."

"I - I didn't realize," I stammered.

"You a good boy, Joe," He went on. "I helped Ms. O'Della raise my four brothers, always felt sort of like a Daddy to them, especially the two youngest, Brad and DeMarcus. They was so much younger than me. So, I didn't mean to speak out of turn. I'm not your Daddy, but let me tell you. I've watched you. The way you've worked in school and graduate school. Starting from not much, but you've always looked after your grandma the same way she raised you and looked after you. Any man would be proud to call you son, Joe," he said finally.

"Uh, thank you," I finally said back. Then, "Frank. You were in school with my Mama, right? Do you remember her? Who she hung around with back then?"

"Ah, Joe. I know what you asking me, son. Actually, yo' Mama Cheryl was about two grades behind me in school. She my brother Tyrone's age, about two years younger than me. Tyrone dropped out his junior year so I don't know much about that group. You know, he's the one that's been in and out of prison, nearly broke Mama's heart. But I did remember, your Mama was one of the prettiest girls came out of Pickens. That long, dark hair down her back and them big blue eyes. Course none of us was looking, black boy in the late 70's early 80's still get strung up for messing with a white girl! But I hear you, son. No, I don't know who your Daddy is. I was already married and working construction for Mr. Hart by then, but of course we all heard about it. Small town. Girl gets pregnant and no husband or boyfriend. But I don't want to speak ill of anyone." He corrected himself.

"It's okay," I whispered. "Gran told me long ago. About the drugs. And the men. I know she was running around. Gran said it's probably why my Granddaddy had his accident. He couldn't sleep for worrying about his only daughter."

"Oh Mr. Leland was a fine white man. He led that lineman crew for years. One of my buddies, Cornell, worked up there for him. Said Mr. Leland treated him just like the other men on crew, never different even though he was black. It was a bad thing that happened to him in the accident," Frank intoned. "But your grandmama, coming to work in that store with Mama bout when? You were starting middle school? Well, who'd have known these 30 years later they'd still be such good friends. But now, she's decided she wants to move and you've got to decide something too, son."

"Decide what?" I asked, still not sure where this circular story was going.

"What in the hell you gone do with your life, Joe?" the black man asked me.

"I don't know what you mean," I asked, still clearly confused.

"Alright," he went on, the Pickens twang coming on the more we both talked and the more familiar it got. "Daddy talk. Here goes. You love your Gran, but you been hiding, Joe. She ready to move on and let you go, but you still not ready. You been grieving your whole life. Missing your Mama who left you, your Daddy you don't know. You were given a hard hand, Son. But you were also blessed. That woman in there was better Mama and Daddy to you than you could ever know. She loves you still. But you've got to grow up and get on with your life. And she's afraid to let you."

"Gran's afraid?" I asked. "How am I holding on?"

"Son, it's a small town." Frank put his arm on my shoulder again. "Word gets around. Go out and settle down with that barber fellow over in Flat Rock you been sleeping with, what's his name? Bill? Billy?"

"What?" I sputtered, laughing. "Bill? And he has a husband, Billy Joe. There's two barbers!" I corrected him.

He laughed. "Oh Damn. Well word on the street was you hooked up with the barber. I thought BB&J was some kind of gay code. Like you got a haircut and something afterÉ" he cracked himself up and I started laughing too. Then he went on, "What about that organic farmer over near Cane Creek? The good-looking divorced fellow?"

I sat up, astonished, "How the fuck do you know all this?" I asked him.

He smiled. "Don't let your Gran hear you talking to me like that!" He popped me on the jaw. "Built his barn back two years ago. Tyrell saw your forestry truck sneaking in and out of there a time or two. Asked me if I knew of this big, burly forest service man who might have been sneaking around with another man over there. I knew you was the only gay man in this community driving a truck like that, so I did the math."

"Damn," I shook my head. "Does Gran know?"

"What?" he smiled. "That you been fucking around all over town? She's not stupid, son. She knows you're probably not celibate. But, she does want you to find somebody and settle down. Worries she didn't have anyone in her life and teach you how that's important."

"She does?" I said concerned. "This doesn't have anything to do with Gran."

"I know, son," He continued. "Mama and I know about that boy from college. You had a hard time. It's why I respect you so damned much. Never known a man with so much hurt in his life do so good for himself and his family. Could've turned on everybody and just become an old drunk, like my old man, and walked away. But you didn't."

"Thank you," I whispered, lowering my head. "I just, I'm not sure what to say or do here. I mean. Thank you for telling me this. I do want to do what's right for Gran, but I'm just. I guess I wasn't expecting this."

"Well, me neither," he laughed. "Thought I had `em both settled in, good houses, close enough they could get along, but then this! And I'll tell you something else, just between you and me but you can't ever tell this to your Gran or my Mama," he said. "Promise?"

"Uh, yeah, I promise. What?"

"I came over here yesterday morning. Early. I still get up early. Like to get my paper, still go by the office. Sometime I come over here, let myself in with the key, make the coffee. Mama don't get up early like she used to. I'd plumb forgot Ms. Shirley was staying over. But anyway, I'm standing in the kitchen, drinking my first cup, trying to be quiet-like, when here comes your Gran, wrapping her robe around her coming out of Mama's bedroom. She went back into the guest room and then came back out and got some coffee and act like nothing happened, but I'm wonderingÉ" he drifted off.

"Surely you don't think there's something other than friendship between my grandmother and your Mama?" I asked incredulously. "I mean, hell! They're 79 and 83!"

"Hush, now. I don't know," he chuckled. "And I don't care. I mean. Both widowed or abandoned for more than 40 years. Your grandmama could have made your life and hers easier if she'd taken another husband. I heard tell years ago some tried, after your Mama ran off. She was still a good-looking woman back then, strong and a good worker. Some would've happily raised you too. You got to wonder?" He mused.

"Wow," I said, trying not to think about it. "There has to be a simple explanation. She may have just been checking on your Mom in her sleep."

"Maybe," he says. "But now they done gone and bought apartments in the retirement home. Mama has savings I set up for her and her retirement. She can pay it if she's careful. I don't know how your Gran is set. She says to me she needs her half of the equity you got in that house yonder to pay for her part. That right?"

"Well, yeah. I did put the house in both our names though I've made all the payments these last ten years. And she has savings because I insisted she put her social security away. I've paid for all the bills except when she buys groceries over my objections. She has enough probably without selling but I don't know, Frank." I answered truthfully.

"It's a good time to sell, if you decide," he answered truthfully. "These Yankees all want to retire here. I could list it tomorrow and sell it by Monday, probably above yo' asking price. But you need to talk to your Gran. Tell her you are okay with it. You are okay with it?" he went on. "You're going to have to reassure her, Joe. She won't ever do anything that she thinks will make you unhappy even if it means risking her own happiness."

I didn't know what to say. My grandmother had sacrificed her whole life for me. Yes, I'd had scholarships and internships and loans that I'd paid off, but I was always clothed and fed. She'd worked two jobs to get me through middle and high school. She'd sent me money in Gainesville when she didn't have money of her own. Damn. I must've sighed because Frank touched me again. I thought to myself, you are a good man, Frank. And then I decided to say it.

"You're a good man, Mr. Frank. I don't know what me and my Gran would've done without your help all these years. I appreciate you telling me all this. I think Gran was probably right to let you talk it through with me first." I began. "I just, I've got to decide what to do. Selling my house is a big step."

"You still paying on that other piece of investment property I helped you buy two years ago?" He asked. "Your Gran knows about that too, right?"

"Yes sir. The 12 mountaintop acres overlooking Glassy Mountain. I've paid double-payments sometime. That was a good deal. My plan was to build there eventually, if something ever happened to Gran," I said.

"Well, see. There's a plan! Here, let me tell you this story. You mind taking another minute with me fo' you talk to your Granny?" He asked.

"No, I like talking with you, Frank," I answered, meaning it.

"Well it's like this," He began. "I done told you, I've got the four younger brothers. The baby ones, Brad and Demarcus, let me see, they'll be 53 and 50 now. Oh Brad. Mama was cleaning that rich lady's house then, Ms. Harper. She'd watch them soap operas in the middle of the day when she was ironing. She liked this one guy named Brad, so we got a Brad Brown. Poor old black boy with a white boy name. Brad, he married and works for Duke Power over in Seneca. Good man. Got three kids, same wife all these years. Not like his older brother, me. Anyway, the baby, DeMarcus. He was like my own. I raised him, with Mama. All of us boys you know played basketball, just like you. All played for Mountain High too, even though most times we was only one or two black folks on the team. Not like it is most places now. But bout his junior year, DeMarcus comes home says he ain't starting no more. He was the best of all of us, even if I am a bit partial. That boy could handle the ball. He's only just over 6 feet but he was smooth and fast. Said ol' Coach Allison didn't think he was working hard enough. I was married and living off in Pickens, with my own young'uns, but Mama say she worried. We all would eat dinner after church with Mama on Sundays, even if I didn't go to church, back then. One Sunday, a few weeks after basketball had ended, DeMarcus says he has an announcement after lunch. We all been eating, but Mama looks at me like what's up?' Anyways, we all there and DeMarcus he say, I want y'all to know I'm quitting basketball. And after this year, I'm quitting school and moving out.'

Well, you know Joe, my Mama say education comes first! All of us got high school diplomas even if Tyrone was a piece of shit and got in with drugs and the law after he got out. Jerome, he graduated too and working still today. So, we is shocked! I thought Mama would pitch a fit but she reached over where DeMarcus hand is and take it and say what's wrong, honey? What this all really about?' Well, DeMarcus looked right at me, like I'm the one he can count on, and he said, I'm gay. I know y'all will want me to move out and that's why I'm gonna quit. One of the guys on the team, I thought was my friend, he found out and he told the Coach. That's why I didn't get much playing time. But I stayed. I didn't quit, but it's been awful.' For he can go on, old stupid Tyrone says I ain't having no god-damned faggot for a brother!' Fo' I can even get up, Mama done slapped Ty side the head so hard we could hear it ringing cross the room! Tears came all up in his big ol' eyes and I know he hurtin'. Mama turn and look at each one of us and she say First of all, any of you ever take the Lord's name in my house, you not welcome here again, you hear me?' Then she turn and look at DeMarcus and say, you ain't quitting school. I'm proud of you for finishing the season. That coach didn't play you, he a stupid fool. Why he lost half of them last games. As to being gay, you love who you want to love as long as you do right by whoever that is in God's eyes. Ain't nobody gone say a word to you in this family' Ð and she looking right at Tyrone now, `long as I'm alive to say anything about it. I've got five fine, strong boys. I'm proud of every one of you. As long as you have each other, you are stronger together than you'll ever be a part. Don't you ever forget it.' And then, damn, big ol' Tyrone he starts crying, and DeMarcus is crying, and my first wife, D'Ansley, she be crying. It was crazy."

"You have a gay, brother?" I asked. "How'd I never know that? Where's he live now?"

"Well, that's the rest. I'm getting to it cause it's one reason I always been sort of partial to you too, Joe. So, we get through. The next year, Ol' Coach Allison done gone. And a new Coach, Coach Smyth, I think you played for him at the end of his time. Anyway, he come and he's teaching and coaching basketball. Young fella right out of Clemson, still wet behind the ears. He comes to DeMarcus after English class and says why aren't you trying out? I read the stats and you the best ball handler from last year's team and you're a senior. So, DeMarcus outright tells him, I'm gay and Coach Allison found out and wouldn't start me last year. So this new rookie Coach talks DeMarcus into trying out, and when he makes it, Coach tells the team, `DeMarcus is our starting point guard. Any man got a problem, better come see me.' And nothing else is said. DeMarcus is all region, Mountaineers make the playoffs, and with his good grades and scores, that coach helped D get a basketball scholarship to Furman. He has a great career and gets into Law School at Duke." He says proudly.

"Wow, that's an amazing story," I interrupt. "But just because we're both gay doesn't mean I could've gotten into Duke? I'm not sure I understand."

"I ain't finished yet," he goes on. "listen. After his first year up in Durham, I get a call from Mama. Something ain't right with Marc. He's saying we can't call him DeMarcus anymore. He be Marc now. Anyway, I been sending money up there even though I didn't have much, trying to start my own business. Tyrone, surprisingly, been sending him money. We all trying to support him cause he's the best of us. First college graduate and all that. Anyway, I go up to Durham. Marc, he got through first year of law school but he telling me, it's too hard. I'm quitting. I say what's really going on? Come to find out, he's been partying. Out clubbing in the big city with the other gay-boys. He's been doing some drinking and drugs too. Not only was Tyrone sending him some cash, he been sending him Ecstasy. Some other kind of drugs the gay-boys are taking. Marc, he got two other gay boys laying up in that lil' stanky apartment with him, all of'em about strung out. So, I have to clean house. Throw them hangers on out of there. Call Ty and say I'm gone kick his ass when I get home `cause this is what I found. He say he give Marc a little and only cuz he asks. Anyway, I get my baby brother checked into re-hab. Takes all the cash and savings I got but I find him a place. Tell him, we not gone let him shit his future away. He's sick and we love him, but damn." He shakes his head.

"What happened?" I asked, hoping this story does not end up the way mine did.

"Well, he was there almost a month. It was a hard time. I went up on two weekends to visit when they'd let us. Wouldn't let Mama go until the end. But he got better and he got help. Seems a lot of gay boys and especially black ones, have a harder time getting through. This rehab center not only helped him with his addictions but also his therapist really helped him come to terms with being a gay, black man. He got back into his second year of law school, buckled down and threw himself into his books, even made law review, which is a good thing they tell me. And then, he met someone, which is what I'm getting to for you," he pointed at me.

"Uh oh," I said, "what does that mean?"

"It's time you settled down, Joe. If the barber and the divorced farmer are taken, find you a man on the internet or when of them apps. But it's time, son. It's time to move on. I know it's not my business, but you and your Gran made it so. That's my point of my story. DeMarcus was strung out and then he got sober and met the man of his dreams. Turns out a second-year medical school intern was doing his psych rotation at that same center. They saw each other but nothing happened. Then that fall, Josh saw Marc on campus near the Medical Center. He knew he'd been a patient but didn't want to upset him. He just asked him out for coffee. And that was that. My lil' bro fell hard for this short, balding, hairy Jewish boy from Queens, NY. First kid in his family to go to college too. First to come out as gay too. And I love him like another little brother. Now they a doctor and a lawyer in Raleigh with two adopted girls from China! Cutest little things Ð well big girls now. One's in her freshman year at NC State and the other's a junior basketball star at Durham Prep. And Marc, he's happy and sober. More than 25 years sober. But it was love that did it, son. You need to help your Gran do what she wants and then, you go find your life."

"Wow," I said, stunned. "That's a beautiful story, Frank. And I'd love to meet Marc and Josh sometime. But you know, everything doesn't work out for everyone. Some people may just be meant to be alone."

"Bullshit," he said.

"What?"

"You heard me. Bullshit!" he raised both hands, "And I know, I'm on marriage three. I'm not one to talk but that should tell you I'm a hopeless romantic. Chasing pussy and being stupid, I can tell you is not the way to go. At least, when you fall, you fall for the same sex that thinks like you. I'm on wife three and I still can't understand women, but I'm getting better each time!" He laughed long and loud. "But I still believe in love. Go find you more than a hook up. You've got an amazing career. That cat of yours is the story all over the state. I heard the Panthers football team is gonna re-do their logo in your cat's image. May even pull you in. The local Chamber said in our meeting yesterday they want to feature you in our marketing campaigns."

"Wait," I said, "the last thing I want is more people coming up here looking for panthers."

"It'll be fine," he chastened me. "Tourists will get sucked in by your story. It's a great story. But they ain't gonna know where to look. They'll go to our trails, our waterfalls. Not off the beaten path. Then they'll stay in our hotels and condos and eat in our restaurants. Son, you and that panther have done more for this area than you can know. You may get a key to the city. What that damned Mouse did for Orlando, your cat is gonna do for Hendersonville."

"Damn," I said. "I just wanted it to be safe to come back home again and now I may be selling it."

"Where have you been staying?" He asked.

"A new friend has a cabin over near Zirconia," I said. "Near where my research area was off Sky Top."

"New friend, huh? He good looking?" he asked.

"As a matter of fact, he's very handsome. But, he's also recently separated and I'm not sure he's looking for anything. Or at least, anything from me, other thanÉ" I trailed off.

"Boy, I ain't gay," he chuckled, "but I can bet you're sex on a stick with all them muscles and all that hair. But you're right. I've said too damned much. My brothers say I can't stay out of their business or anyone else's. But I wanted you to know. Your Gran is so proud of you. The whole town is too. You'll make the right decision. For her, and for you."

"Thank you, Frank," I said, getting up. "I guess I better get inside and get ready to congratulate these two ladies. Sounds like they have big plans."

He stood up, patting me on the back. "Big Plans are right. And it'll be you and me coordinating their move to the resort," he groaned. I reached for the outer screen door and then opened the inner door and stepped inside.