This is based on the author's feelings, beliefs, and in some cases experience but it is a work of pure fiction. Come to think of it, it may not always be that pure! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times between men, so if this offends you or you are otherwise not allowed by law, etc., you are invited to retreat. Otherwise ... enjoy!
Cast of characters:
Kyle Tragg -- That's me! Kevin -- My older brother. Ron -- my dad. Chrissy -- my mom. Mike Newberry -- New Best Friend.
Tommy Newberry -- Mike's Dad.
Bette Newberry -- Mike's mom. Bob -- Old best friend. Jorge -- New friend.
From Chapter 8:
"You sure like to kiss ... for a straight guy, Mike!" I said, finding the perfect angle so as not to engage his broken nose or cheek and kissed him gently.
"Yeah, weird isn't it?" He said. "Whew!" He whistled softly. "That tasted good! My stuff mixed with your own great taste! Thanks Kye! You can't know what that meant to me!"
"Unless of course I could!" I said, smiling.
"I wonder if I'll ever find a girl who can kiss like you!"
"I wonder if you could ever find a girl who loves you ... like I do at this moment!" I thought to myself.
"I love you too, you know!" He said.
"Wha -- did I say that aloud?" I exclaimed.
"You didn't say anything. I read it in your eyes -- in everything you have done for me. I hope I can in some way show you what you mean to me."
Chapter 9
"Kye, I don't want to screw you up at school. You better be going ... don't you think?"
"I'll go talk to your professors. Maybe I can help you so you don't fall too far behind."
"I'm gonna owe you so much, a lifetime won't be enough to repay it." He said, looking at me adoringly.
His eyes and lips were about all I could see, and they told me so much ... but maybe not as much as I wished was there! "You just do all you can to get well, Mike! We'll think about reparations later! You're right. I guess I better go. You seem to be okay enough. I'll have my cell phone. Call me if you need anything."
He closed his eyes. I could see he was tired. "See yah!" I said.
"Yeah. Love yah, Kye!" He said. A current of electricity went through me. "Um -- Kye?""
"Yeah?" I said as I was to the door.
"You can say it too." I stopped and turned my eyes wet. "And yah could also kiss me g'bye ... if yah wanted!"
I almost ran to him and again tilted my head just right and we both closed our eyes. I kissed him sweetly. He moaned his approval. I felt like skipping out, but I didn't. Just as I was going out, he said, "Damn! Maybe I AM gay!"
I stopped cold and turned and his eyes were closed and he looked like he was already asleep. "I DO love you, Bud!" I said.
"Yeah, I know." He murmured. "Bye."
I felt like a zombie, but I went directly to the college. I had missed my first two classes, so I went to the professors' offices to get the reading assignments and find out what else I needed to do.
I also went to the administration building to find out what I could do for Mike. Friday was my shortest day, and I was glad because I was so tired. I had a couple lecture classes where there were over 100 in the classes and no one knew anyone else ... or so I thought!
As I came out of the only class I had left after missing two, I was surrounded by ... well ... mostly girls. They knew who I was and who Mike was! There were about 6 or 7 girls and 2 guys, peppering me with questions, mostly asking how Mike was and what I knew about his assailants.
I dunno of anyone knew what provoked the attack. If they did, they had enough class not to ask about that. But ... there was talk about whether the guys who attacked Mike should be tried with the added jeopardy of calling it a hate crime. It was the closest anyone came to hinting they knew the cause.
I thanked them for their good wishes and told them I needed to see my instructors and also see what I could do for Mike. In that group, there were people from every class Mike had. The girls especially wanted to know where he was and if they could visit.
I felt an initial wave of jealousy, but then told them I'd find out if he could have visitors. Of course I knew he could, but I wanted to see if he WANTED a bunch of people visiting him that he probably didn't even know. I told them I'd try to find out Mike's visiting policy and get back to them. Being Friday, it didn't seem likely I'd see them before Monday.
As I walked to the admin building, the small crowd thinned to just two girls and a guy. I could tell that the girls were trying to impress me ... and so was the guy. When I went into the building, they didn't follow me.
They gave me Mike's professors' names and where their offices were. I flipped out my phone and punched in Mike's code.
"Hello?" said an almost agonizingly tired voice.
"Oh crap!" I said. "I was hoping maybe you were awake."
"No, it's okay. I was awake. I'm a little groggy. My pain got a lot worse this morning after you left. They gave me some morphine. Now I feel (hee hee!) nice!" He giggled. That, in itself, filled me with joy!
"Dude!" I said. "When I got here, I was surrounded by people that heard about your ... incident. They want to come visit you."
"Wha --at?" He said. "I don't even know anyone else that well! Who are they?"
I could tell he was thoroughly confused. I wished I hadn't told him. "I don't know them. I think maybe they were just being nice."
"That's nice ... Hee hee!"
Boy he MUST be drugged!
"Anyway, shall I just tell them you can't have a lot of visitors?"
"Mmmm -- I dunno -- no -- that'd be kinda rude, wouldn't it?" He mumbled into the phone.
"Well, there were only two girls and a guy who followed me to the admin building. Oh, by the way, I got your professors names and I'm going to talk with them."
"Oh ... hee hee -- I don't even know their names! Did you know my dad had moved back in with Mom? They probably are doing that because of me -- they said - "
I let him go on. Apparently he wasn't remembering that I already knew everything he was telling me. He changed subjects several times and giggled several more times.
"So -- if I see anyone else do you want me to tell them it's okay to visit?"
"What -- people want to visit me? That's weird ... I don't really know anyone but you!"
"So -- what do you want me to do?"
"About what?"
"Obviously you're not thinking very straight right now, Mike. I'll just - "
"Hee hee -- maybe that's cuz I'm not as straight as we thought! Hee hee! Oh hell, send `em all over!"
"I'll be discreet."
"I know I can count on my best friend. Did you know that I know that you love me, Kye kye? Hee hee! But I didn't realize how much I loved you! Hee hee!"
"I'll come see you later on, Bud. And yes, I love you."
"Love you too -- hee hee!" And he hung up.
As I left the Admin building, the girls had left, but the guy was still there -- sitting on a bench -- seemingly waiting for me. He smiled at me, but didn't say anything. "Hi." I said.
"Hi." He repeated.
"Were you -- waiting for ... um ... someone?"
"Um -- oh! Yeah -- um -- you!" He said, his smile turning red.
"Oh -- um -- what did you um -- want?"
"What did you find out?"
"What did I find out -- about what?"
"Mr. Newberry -- I think that's his name -- isn't it?"
"Oh -- you mean Mike?"
"I last saw him in my advanced English class. I was -- um -- wondering ... if he wanted any company."
This guy looked like any minute he was going to have a baby ... he was so strung up. I figured this was a major stretch for him -- to meet someone new and to ask to go see someone he's never met and that he -- apparently admires ... at LEAST admires.
"I've got to go see Mike's professors about some make-up work -- to keep him up with his classes. Then I'm heading over to the hospital. If you want to wait for me you can ... but you may as well go over now. He's at Kaiser Hospital in Bellflower in room - "
"NO!" He almost yelled. "I -- I mean -- I can ... um wait -- for you."
"Suit yourself. This may take awhile. I have to wait until they are available. Well, first I have to find them!"
"I know where they are! You want me to show you?" He said shyly.
"That might make it faster. I'm Kyle, by the way."
"Oh -- yeah -- I'm Ronald." We bussed fists.
I looked at him closer for the first time. He has light blue eyes that seem to be haunted. His hair is dishwater blond, and falls across one eye. He stands ... and walks ... like he has a board up his back.
"Let's go, Ron." I said.
"It's Ronald. This way." He said and started to walk.
Did I mention that he is kinda cute ... in a Goth sort of way? But no black hair.
"Tell me again how you know Mike." I said.
"He's in all of my classes! But I doubt he even knows I exist!"
Oh! Wow! It's like that, is it? I thought.
"Are you -- um -- are you -- gay?" I asked
"Aren't you?" He said, as if he was saying ... DUH! "That's why I wanted to go there with you. You're his boyfriend -- aren't you?"
"No, Ron -- er -- Ronald -- I'm his best friend, but not - "
"You're NOT his boyfriend?"
"No!, He's - "
"Then maybe there's a chance for me!"
"He's NOT gay -- Ronald."
"He's -- not? Can I go anyway?"
"He's kinda groggy, but he'd probably like that you cared."
Now this is just stupid! First I'm jealous of Mike's mom ... now I'm jealous of this guy.
Two hours later we were on our way to the hospital with notes and assignments for Mike from his instructors. I learned that Ronald lives in Norwalk with his older sister and brother-in-law, that he rides the bus to the college, that his parents divorced when he was 11 and then they both died within a month of each other two years ago, when he was 16. He had his 18th birthday last week, but it wasn't celebrated because his sister and brother-in-law are Jehovah's Witnesses.
"Didn't you at least celebrate with your friends? 18 is a significant birthday!"
"Aw, I don't have that many friends." He said.
Suddenly all my stupid jealousy melted away as I realized the deep sadness of Ronald's plight. I don't have THAT many friends, but I did have a nice birthday celebration with the few I have ... and that was BEFORE Mike came into my life.
"Where are we going?" Asked Ronald, as I turned a u-ee a block before the hospital.
"Mike isn't expecting us at any particular time, Ron ... ald! We're going to celebrate your birthday!"
"You don't have to - "
"It wouldn't be any fun if I HAD to!" I said.
I drove out to Lakewood blvd. and the 5 miles down to the juice bar. "What's this place?" He said seeing the neon sign. "A juice bar?"
"I think you'll like it!" I said.
We walked in and his eyes widened as he saw several young guys dancing as couples, and a lot more hanging out together ... as well as the regular straight crowd that hangs out there on Friday night. Then I stretched my own comfort zone a little:
"Can I have your attention everyone?" I hollered, as soon as the current music stopped. "We're here to celebrate my friend Ronalds 18th birthday!"
"We don't have any cake." Said the cute girl behind the counter quietly.
"It's okay ... we don't need cake." I answered. And I started the song, "Happy Birthday to you ... " and of course most in the bar picked it up and Ronald was crimson faced and grinning from ear to ear.
There was a whoop sent up at the end of the song and then a slow song was played, and I took him in my arms and danced, with me assuming the female stance. His body was stiff as a board at first, but as he noticed other male couples hit the floor again, he relaxed slightly. "Let yourself go, Ron ... ald!" I said and pulled him to me "Relax!" And ... he ... did.
He relaxed into me and laid his head on my chest. I felt a deep sigh swell his chest then escape him. He held me closer and said, "You can call me Ron if you want."
"Ah, but now I want to call you Ronny!" I chuckled.
"I think I'd like that even better."
We finished the dance. I bought him a fruity-foo-foo drink with a cherry and a cocktail umbrella in it. We danced once more and then left to go back to the hospital.
As soon as we got back into the car, he started to giggle almost uncontrollably. "That was one of the fun-nest things I've ever done! Thank you so much!"
"It was fun for me too!" I said.
"At first I wanted to find a hole to crawl into!"
"I had to crawl out of my own to do it!" I laughed. "But the look on your face made it totally worth it ... and the COLOR! I'm surprised you could even keep standing, with all your blood in your face!"
He rubbed his crotch. "It wasn't ALL in my face!" He grinned and turned red again.
"I felt that too ... while we danced, once you let yourself relax ... well MOST of you was relaxed!" I said. He giggled some more.
"Let me go in first to prepare Mike for a new guest."
"O God! Now I really feel stupid! He probably won't even recognize me!"
I went into his room. It was darkened. "Hey Bud -- you awake?" I said in almost a whisper. He turned to me and smiled weakly, then grimaced. "Hard day huh? I brought someone who wants to say hi and wish you well."
"Who?" He said.
"A guy who says you are in all his classes. `Name's Ronald."
"Oh -- a guy. Wow. I hope I remember him."
"You can pretend."
"Um -- okay." He was barely more than mumbling. "Hrmf!" He snorfled a chuckle out. "I look like crap!"
"There were several girls too -- that were concerned. But Ron was the only one that waited me out."
I went to the waiting room. "He's pretty groggy but he wants you to come in."
Ron followed me to Mike's room. Mike had gotten himself into a sitting position, but his bandaged head was still resting on his pillow.
"Mike -- this is Ronald."
Mike slowly turned his head. Obviously it was either an effort, or painful ... or most likely ... both! As soon as he saw Ron, he was instantly animated. "Dude!" Said Mike, still half mumbling, but more animated than before. "I know you! You're in most of my classes. You sit next to the door most of the time! Like me, you probably wanna escape before anyone wants to talk to you! As a matter of fact, you sat right next to me in chem 2.1 before I moved up to sit with Kye."
What? He was in our chem Class? Now it was I who was embarrassed. Ron beamed on realizing that Mike DID know he existed!
"Thanks for coming to see me, um -- Ron, is it?"
"Um -- oh! Yeah, that's good enough! Well, wow! I mean -- when I heard about what happened to you ... I about -- I mean -- everyone was upset about it today on campus."
"Oh ... wow! How did they - " It was obvious Mike was trying to fight his way out of his drug-induced fog.
"You know how stuff like that spreads!"
"I didn't imagine anyone would even miss me ... OH!" He said as if he was receiving a revelation directly from God. "That dude that was in our chem. Class -- HE was a football player! Of COURSE they would find out if one of them went to jail -- even though the season's over!"
"Trust me Mike," I said, "There are a BUNCH of girls that missed you! You better be ready to fight them off when you go back. They followed ME around like a bunch of ... oh! Heh! A bunch of school girls ... when they figured out that I know you."
"Hrmph!" Giggled Ron. "I guess that makes me one of the school girls!"
"OH! I'm sorry, Ron! I didn't mean - " I said, realizing I had stuck my foot in both our mouths, "Um -- well, there WERE a couple other guys too, you know!" I added.
Mike looked like he was in a trance for a moment while he processed what we had said. Then he closed his eyes for a moment and said, "How weird is this? I just figure out I might be gay and now I have both guys and girls excessing over me!"
Both Ron's and my mouths dropped open, like we were trying to catch flies.
"Omigosh!" Said Mike, opening his eyes and pulling me close to his face. "Did I say that aloud?" He said in a stage whisper.
"Don't worry about it, Bud. You're all drugged up." I told him.
Mike smiled widely and said, "I know ... and it feels great! I love you, Kye-Kye!" He said and made his giggle that I love so much, seemingly to completely forget that there was another visitor in the room.
"I know you do, Mike," I whispered very quietly in his ear, "But let's not forget that Ron-ald, from your classes is also here with us."
He looked seriously into my eyes and said, "It's okay if someone else knows I love my best friend!" Then he giggled again.
"I -- I probably better go." Said Ronald.
Mike giggled again and said ... or rather slurred, "I think I may have too much morphine in me. C'mere, Ron-Ronny~!" I moved and Ronald stepped closer. "Ron-Ronny, I don't know why you came tonight, but I'm glad you did. Now that we know each other, maybe we can be friends too. You -- you're a cute boy! Don't pay too much attention to my raving. It just feels good to actually say what I feel! I really don't think I'm a fairy, but if I am, it's good to know I will have some cute guys to -- to -- um -- you know?"
I saw Ronald's ears start to glow, so I said, "I think he means to hang around with."
"Yeah, THAT!" Said Mike. "You're cute and my Kye-Kye is beautiful -- to me. Okay, I've said enough now. I -- I -- " and his head collapsed on the pillow. He fell asleep in the middle of his sentence.
"If -- you need to stay with Mike, I can get a bus back home" Said Ronald.
"No -- who knows when the next bus runs?" I said.
"I do. It'll be here within 30 minutes."
"Then I will take you home! Mike's parents will be here soon, and he'll probably still be asleep anyway. Let's go."
Ronald directed me to his place. It was very small, but the yard was well kept -- probably the only yard on the block that looked good. "Nice!" I said.
Ronald beamed when I said that. "You wanna come in ... see the inside?"
"Oh, maybe not now, Ronald. I didn't get any sleep last night. I don't want to meet your mom like - "
"I live alone. I never get company. Please come in ... just for a few minutes?"
I had homework to do but I didn't want to be rude or make him feel bad, so I followed him in.
The inside, like the outside was neat and clean. He turned the light on and the first thing I noticed was that it was pretty rustic -- very basic furnishings. But on second consideration, it all matched a theme. He knew how to put a room together.
The next thing I noticed was that Mike was right. Ronald was extremely cute! His eyes were slightly sunken in, but his lips were a dark red color that accented the darkness of his deep-set eyes. His manner of brushing his longish hair out of his eyes -- with his fingers -- was particularly alluring.
I felt my own ears burning as I thought that. I felt a bit of a slut as I recognized the other itching I felt in another part of my body. "I -- uh -- better go!" I said suddenly. "Got a lot of homework. Thanks for inviting me in." And I almost felt a flight reaction. I sublimated that and walked to the door. He ran to it and opened it, and just stood there. "Um -- thanks," I said "again -- Ronald."
He looked deeply into my eyes. "You can call me Ron of you want."
He reached to buss my fist with his and I drew him to me in a hug. I kissed his cheek and said, "Thanks for coming to see Mike. I know it meant a lot to him." I said and left.
Later when I saw Mike, he said, "Man I was high when you were here with that Ron guy. And Kye -- I remember all of it. He WAS gay -- right?"
"Yeah."
"Omigosh I felt like a fool after I remembered what I told him. Please tell him I apologize. Somehow it felt right at the time to tell him I was gay. but, Kye ... I`m not."
"I'll pass that along. But Mike -- oh gosh! What I did to you! I'm sorry! I'm afraid I might have taken advantage of your stupor and - "
"Don't be silly, Dude! You're my best friend. I'd help you out the same way! I can wank myself now, but ... anyway, I want to get even with you when I get outa here! What you did was above and beyond."
"I think maybe Ron likes me." I said.
"Dude! Go for it! He's an extremely cute guy! I mean, be careful and all, but ... "
"I know. Nice about your mom and dad, by the way!"
"Are you kidding me? They can't get along. They love each other, but she needs a man who wants a woman ... and he needs ... a guy! It's so obvious to me. I was hoping that might be you. But now you can't wait for something that - "
"Are you ready for your next high?" Laughed Brian, then seeing my back, he stopped. "Oh, sorry Mike! Didn't realize you had -- oh, Kyle! Well, you're like family! Let me hang this new drip bottle. Is the pain med level okay now?" He asked Mike."
"Oh yeah. It hurts a bit, but I don't like being so drugged up." Mike smiled. His eyes closed and they stayed that way long enough that I knew he was still feeling pretty loaded. He opened his eyes and smiled again. "This is my bud!" He said, grabbing my hand that was lying on the bed.
"I know." Said Brian. "Look, if you guys want some privacy, just pull that curtain around the bed and if someone comes in the door, they'll know not to bother you. And while I'm your nurse, no other employee will be coming in."
I looked and Brian was smiling slightly. "We may do that. Kyle brought me some homework and is gonna help me get caught up."
"A good friend will do most anything for his bud!" Said Brian, leaving, closing the door.
"I think Brian was talking about giving some privacy to take care of what's under my covers." He giggled. "Do you think I fooled him?"
"You fooled me!" I grinned. "You want it now or later?"
"If we do it now, I'll get sleepy and won't want to do my catch-up work. We better do schoolwork first."
I got out our books so we could read a little together. The benefit of this to me was that I could do my own homework at the same time. As I started to read aloud, as he followed in his book, he said, "Kye -- the other day, you were worried that you couldn't ever repay me -- because I was doing something simply to please you ... remember?"
"Yes." I said, wondering what was coming next.
"Kye -- I don't know if I'm part gay or what. I do know that I like what you do to me and ... maybe mostly -- that it is YOU doing it. But -- and I'm not sure if this would be true with anyone else -- I LIKE doing you too. It's more that just pleasing a friend. When I'm doing it ... it feels right ... it's awesome! I had a hard time with that at first, but now I can let myself go ... now that I admitted this to ... me."
His speech was still somewhat slurred, but he seemed to be thinking clearly enough. His eyes shone and sparkled like he was wide awake and yet he seemed somehow sleepy at the same time.
Brian came back in later, to warn us that he saw Mike's parents coming down the hall. He obviously was watching out for us that we didn't get caught doing anything ... that might embarrass us or his parents.
"Thanks, Brian." Said Mike.
I stepped out to let his parents have some time alone with their son. Before they went in Tommy closed his door and pulled me aside. Bette looked like she had been crying. "Kye, we just came from talking to the doctor."
"Oh!" I said, trying not to make too much of it, but still alarmed.
"Mike has some motor damage as well as nerve damage. He also seems to have some trouble with speech. Have you noticed his slurring?"
"I thought the drugs - " I started,
"So did we -- at first, but the doctor says the hydrocodone that Mike prefers ... so he's not groggy drugged -- doesn't do that." Said Tommy.
"Oh!" I said again, even more concerned.
"The doctor said that he may have to train another part of his brain to take over the parts that are damaged. He may regain everything he lost -- but it may take some time." Said Tommy.
Bette went into Mike's room. Tommy immediately let out a deep sigh. Tears came to his eyes. He was obviously trying to be strong for his wife. He looked deeply into my eyes. I stepped to him and drew him to me.
"Oh God, Kye! That's my boy in there!"
"But you said he would probably get better ... ?" I said.
"Yeah. I know. But it's hard. And Bette -- well -- she doesn't like to see me cry."
"Oh." I said. "Um -- how's that going ... the whole you and Bette thing?"
"Not as well as we ... wanted. But we want to put up a solid front for Mike."
"Mike knows, Tommy. He told me." I said.
"Really?" He said. "And -- um -- do you think he's still ... um - "
"He still wants you and me to ... um ... explore -- um -- together."
"Oh." He said. He didn't sound put off by it but he didn't sound all that excited either. "Well, if ... and when ... this doesn't work out with Bette ... but that's not at all fair to you, Kye."
I suddenly felt a deep melancholy. My best friend is brain damaged -- though he will probably completely heal from it. The hot guy standing in front of me ... well okay, standing in my embrace -- was telling me that I shouldn't wait for him.
"I'm not sure what fair means, Tommy!" I said with a sigh. At his querulous look I continued, "For now at least, I'm in no hurry."
"Heh! I thought all guys your age were in a hurry ... I know I was!"
"You were already married at my age!"
"I still was in a hurry ... for everything!"
"I've got nothing to be in a hurry about." I said. I cupped his face in my hands. "I -- I -- I'm worried about Mike, as you are! That's more important to me now than who I date. The one I would really want to date -- if it was not you ... and it doesn't seem that's a possibility right now, isn't interested in me that way, and - "
"If you're talking about Jorge, I think you may be wrong, Kye" Said Tommy looking almost regretful.
"I'm not. It's someone else."
"Oh! I didn't know you ... well, that's none of my business anyway. You're young -- you'll find someone -- maybe someone new but -- probably someone you already know!"
Tommy seemed to be searching my face for something. Up this close, looking into his eyes - it could have been ... Mike! I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. I thought I felt his lips graze mine, but when I opened my eyes I found it was my imagination. I licked my lips. He smiled slightly and whispered, "I want it too, Kye, but - "
And then he sighed deeply. We stepped apart just before Bette came out of Mike's room.
"He wants to talk to you, Tom." She said. she looked between us as if she wondered what we were discussing. When Tommy went in to see Mike, I wanted to follow, but I wasn't exactly invited, so ...
" ... So -- Kyle -- you and Michael have been pretty close I guess."
"Yeah. Maybe a little too close -- at least as some see it." I said, ruefully.
"Those boys will be punished severely if what that officer said is true." She said. "Not only were they overreacting -- I mean -- geez! Can't a couple guys even hug?"
Is that what she thinks we were doing? Well, I'm not going to be the one to burst her bubble!
"I've just been so pleased that Michael and his father have been so close lately -- and I believe we have you to thank for that. They never hugged -- at least since Michael was a little boy. And now -- well, they can't seem to get enough of -- and I think I've seem you hugging both Michael and Tom. That's so wonderful to see!"
I wonder if she would care if she knew that those hugs meant more to all three of us ... than she could know about!
Tommy came out. "Mike says you have been here with him for awhile, Kye. He suggested that his mother stay with him while I take you out for something to eat."
"You two DO that!" Said Bette. "I don't have enough time with Michael as it is. Oh! Why don't you just take him home and you guys finish up those fillets we were going to have earlier? Do you like fillet mignon, Kyle?"
"Duh!" I grinned. I poked my head into Mike's room and said, "We're pretty much done with what I'd planned ... except that last part. Your dad wants to take me out for dinner. I'll probably just go home after that, unless you were really counting on ... "
"No -- we can finish that last part later -- maybe tomorrow. I may be able to participate a little better by then anyway." He said and he winked at me.
Of course they couldn't have known that last part was what was going to conspire under his covers!
The Newberry's don't live more than 10 minutes from the hospital, but by the time we were there, I was sawing logs! I didn't even wake up when Tommy's car bumped into the driveway.
"Kye ... KYLE ... we're here."
"M-kay." I said. I got out my door and followed him to the house.
Tommy heated up the fillets and we ate in subdued near silence. "You like Crème Brulee?" Asked Tommy.
"You have Crème Brulee?" I asked. "What's the occasion?"
"It was going to be an occasion, before we got into a -- a -- difference of opinion. Actually it's been since yesterday, so it's probably more like flan by now ... the sugar on top will have dissolved back into the custard. But it'll still be pretty good and - rich."
"I'm game for it." I said, smiling sleepily.
"Kye -- I'm going back over there after we eat ... would you like to just stay and sleep here? Do you have an early class? You can get up with me in the morning. Don't worry, I'm not working a regular job yet ... so it won't be too early. I can wake you when Bette gets up and we can leave together. I'll just take you over to your car at the hospital ... okay?"
"Oh gosh, Tommy, I'm so tired! I'd like that!"
"Bette?" Said Tommy, calling his wife, "I'll be back there in a few minutes. Kyle's gonna just sleep in Mike's room tonight. He's pretty exhausted. Huh? Oh! Um -- well -- okay -- I guess that'd be okay. I can see him more tomorrow too. Okay, Hon. Bye!"
"So I guess ... Kyle?" Tommy touched me gently on the cheek. I woke up. "Bette suggested I just stay here with you and she'll come home later. She really wants to spend time with Mike alone. She hasn't done enough of that. So if you want to eat your dessert, you can just climb into Mike's bed. Do you need clean sheets?"
"Naw -- we've slept there together plenty of times ... It's fine."
"I'll take your clothes and wash them in case you need them clean in the morning."
I finished the crème Brulee and insisted on helping with the dishes. Tommy insisted louder and sent me to bed.
I shucked my clothes and gave them to Tommy and climbed between the sheet. My head hit the pillow ... and then it hit me! Mike's smell was all over the bed ... especially the pillow! It made me shiver a little and I rubbed myself. It started to get hard immediately. I leaned over, down under the covers and sniffed a little lower. I then realized how ridiculous this was and came back up, but could not get his musky smell out of my nose.
I lay back on the pillow and felt something hard under it. It was his rolled up pajama bottoms. He never wore them when I slept over. I giggled slightly to myself as I dragged them out to place them next to me on the bedside table, but ... the smell of them was too much for me to resist.
I put them ... the crotch ... up to my nose and quaffed deeply of the essence that was there. I let out the air with a sigh and started to snivel and choke. It seemed to hit me all at once. Mike was in the hospital ... with possible permanent brain damage -- because of me!
I wanted sleep to overtake me ... I was sooo tired! But all I could do was sob.
I perceived more than saw the light from the opening door.
"Oh, Kye! What's wrong?" asked Tommy.
He came and knelt on the floor, because the way I was laying, there was no room to sit on the bed. I poured out my heart to Tommy and he told me that I was worrying for nothing. He said the doctors were very sure that he would come out of this just fine. I still choked and sobbed.
Tommy climbed over me and pulled down the covers and top sheet enough to rub my shoulders and neck gently. I responded positively with moans and sighs. I turned to my side and looked into his eyes. They too were wet. They looked exactly like Mike's in this low light.
I grabbed him and kissed him deeply. He hesitated a moment and then kissed me back with gusto. I pushed him away and pulled back the sheet ... he shed his clothes and slipped in next to me.
Notes: Okay ... I didn't see that scenario coming! It didn't exactly surprise me either. Where will it go? I'll let you know when I find out. Comments are always welcome. Thanks and ... love, Steve