Lawn Boy, Chapter 11
When classes resumed after the break, at least two couples in Donley Hall were refreshed and raring to go. There was plenty to accomplish in the approximately three weeks left of the semester. Not only were there tests, papers, and projects, but there would be some shifting of room assignments because of incompatibility issues for a few students, and the forming of friendships for others.
Clay and Garth wanted to room together, of course. However, Clay didn't want Liam to feel hurt if he left their shared room. Liam suspected that they were holding back because of him. He discussed it with Perrin, and they worked on a plan which they hoped would keep everyone satisfied.
On Wednesday, Perrin approached Austin with a proposal. Austin would have to pay extra for his current quarters if he continued to live there alone through second semester. He was welcome to do so, but if he didn't, another bed and dresser would be moved in so Clay and Garth could have it in January, and he could move in with Liam if he chose to.
This was good news to Austin who had been concerned about whom he'd want to share with, but had dreaded spending the extra money to keep a single.
That evening, Perrin called all the affected parties to his room for a brief meeting to discuss it.
"Austin, I'd be glad to share a room with you if you're comfortable with having a gay roommate," Liam said. "I know these two would like to room together, and I think it would all work out."
"As long as you aren't shagging someone all the time without giving me ample warning, I'll be a lot happier than I was with Mike. I don't care what your preferences are. You've always been nice to me."
"I promise I won't entertain in our room without plenty of notice, and I'd expect the same consideration from you. I don't plan to "shag" anyone in there anyway."
"I don't either," Austin blushed.
"How did you know we wanted to be together next term?" Garth asked, with a grin.
"I think a little bird told me, or maybe it was the good fairy," Liam returned his smile.
"Hmm... Watch the innuendos," Garth giggled.
Garth was about as happy as any freshman on campus. After his shaky start, he had adjusted well to college life, and was going to end up with a great GPA for his first term. Next semester, he'd be living with the guy he was falling in love with.
At his prompting, his parents invited Clay to spend the entire Christmas break with them. Clay was thrilled! He sent a text to his mother right away telling her that he had plans, so she needn't include him in whatever they were doing for the holidays.
Others on the fifth floor of Donley were pleased at the results of their first semester too. Liam was bursting with confidence, and the knowledge that Perrin and he had navigated through the storms caused by Ted Bachmann and Peter Prichard. Despite those distractions, they had done well in school.
On Friday after their finals were all finished, some of the guys were packing up their cars to travel home for Christmas, while others were awaiting the arrival of parents or other relatives to pick them up. The mood was one of eager anticipation.
Perrin would be on duty until the last of his charges left. That wouldn't be a hardship since Liam was planning to sleep with him in his room if the process went into the evening hours.
Suddenly, there was a ruckus, as Clay's stepfather, Richard, ran down the hall and banged on the door of his room. He yelled and cursed, causing several guys to spill into the hall to see what was going on.
Liam emerged from the room first, and was nearly struck in the face before Richard realized he wasn't Clay, and pulled the punch. His second swing, this one at Clay, was thwarted by Perrin who grabbed his arm from behind to prevent it.
Austin saw that his help wasn't needed to handle the guy, so he started recording a video on his phone in case this turned into a brawl.
"Sir, you need to cool down," Perrin ordered. "Whatever it is that you're pissed about needs to be discussed in an orderly fashion, and without violence."
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Richard snarled.
"I KNOW who I am; I'm the RA on this floor, and I'm in charge of the wellbeing of these guys. If you don't settle down, I'll have campus security remove you, bodily. Now, what's going on?"
"I'm here to take Clay home. His mother and I have this wonderful family Christmas ski trip planned and he's upsetting her by saying he's not going."
"I have no intention of ruining my break by spending it with you," Clay retorted. "It would certainly NOT be wonderful for me, being forced to do something I don't want to do!"
"Your mother wants you there, and I'm here to take you home. If you don't cooperate, I'll cut off your college funds."
"Good luck with that! They're in a trust that my father set up in case something happened to him in battle. You have no control over them, or me!"
"Okay, be that way. I wasn't going to use my trump card and embarrass you in front of your friends, but you leave me no choice. I know you're planning to go home with that little queer, and do God knows what."
"The term is "gay," not "queer," Garth interjected. "And I'm sure God has better things to do than watch us in bed."
Richard had figured his revelation would shock everyone, and that neither boy would stand up to him. Instead of caving in, Garth had sassed him back.
In frustration, he hurled himself at Garth, but immediately ended up, face down, on the floor with one of his arms held in a painful position behind him, and Garth sitting on top.
"Let me up, you little cocksucker! I'm gonna beat the shit out of you!"
"Hmm... Your threat doesn't give me a lot of incentive to release my grip," Garth laughed, mirthlessly. "You'll have to do better than that. Even if you apologize for the name-calling, I have no plans to let you up until the campus cops arrive."
"Hey, RA dude! If you're in charge, tell him to let go of me!"
"Not a chance," Perrin shook his head.
"I'll sue!"
"Be my guest. You attacked him, and he defended himself. He has a right to hold you until the authorities get here."
"Yeah, well, it's my word, as a respected businessman, against a bunch of college punks," Richard smirked. "I'll see you all in court!"
"I hate to burst your bubble, mister," Austin spoke up for the first time, "but it's our word backed up by the video I'm shooting. Keep on making threats; and I'll keep on recording `em."
When officers Truax and Smith arrived, they turned to Perrin for an explanation before telling Garth to release Richard. Since they had worked with him in the matter of Austin's roommate, they knew he was a straight-shooter. Perrin gave them a quick overview of the situation, and said that Austin had recorded nearly every minute of the confrontation.
Officer Smith requested to have a copy sent to her official phone, and Austin did that, as well as sending copies to Perrin and Clay in case they needed some backup ones. Then, he hit "record" again to continue.
While this was going on, Officer Truax asked Garth to release his hold on Clay's stepfather. When he did so, Garth sprang back far enough to be out of harm's way if Richard decided to lash out at him.
Instead of attacking him, Richard rubbed his sore arm, playing the poor gentleman who had been victimized by a bunch of thugs. It didn't garner him any sympathy from the officers, but it did cause them to be less vigilant than they had been. In those few seconds, he turned and ran to the stairway.
"Damn it!" Truax shouted, as he ran after him. "I just got suckered like a rookie!"
By the time Sara Smith had followed them down to first floor, Richard Poston had sped away from the scene, sideswiping the car of a parent who was waiting in the half-circle drive for his daughter to say goodbye to her roommate. Now Poston would have a traffic charge to face as well.
While Truax exchanged information with the owner of the damaged auto, Officer Smith went back up to fifth floor to get names of witnesses and a few brief statements. Austin's video saved everyone a lot of time and effort.
Clay was concerned about what might happen to Garth and him on the way to Garth's house if his stepfather knew what kind of car they were driving. Garth doubted that Richard had been resourceful enough to check that out.
"He's a hothead. He didn't stop to think what he should do to coax you home, instead of shooting off his mouth and making threats. I doubt he's capable of making a rational plan, but we can drive around town to see if we're being followed before we hit the road."
"Good! I'll feel safer if we take a circuitous route."
"Okay. I love it when you use big words! It makes me hot!"
"Don't be a smart-ass!" Clay laughed, for the first time that afternoon.
"Be nice to me, or I'll give you the other twin bed in Evan's room, and I'll sleep by myself."
"Alright, I'll be good. By the way, I loved how you took him down. Remind me not to get into a serious fight with you. You really kick ass!"
"It was very easy. He was so out of control that a 10-year-old with a little training could have done it. My, what a temper that man has."
"Yeah, tell me about it. I'm going to send my mother a copy of that vid Austin took. Perhaps she'll finally believe how he's treated me ever since they got married. I'm glad Austin kept recording so there's proof of everything. On top of that, an arrest warrant for leaving the scene of an accident which caused several hundred dollars of damage should convince her of how volatile his temper is. He can't weasel out of that. I'm surprised she hasn't seen that side of him already. Or, maybe she has, and she's afraid of him. God, I wish we were free of him!"
A few hours later, the pair reached Garth's home without any incident, and in time for a late dinner. They hadn't told his parents about the scuffle for fear of worrying them unnecessarily. So, they had a quite story to tell when they got there. Garth's family members were all very proud of him for handling the situation with a cool head. Evan was particularly in awe of his older brother after viewing the video. Garth grew about two feet taller in his eyes.
"Well, the last guy is finally gone, so I'm a free man until after New Year's," Perrin sighed. "I knew I was taking on a big responsibility when I signed up for this job, but I guess I didn't know just how serious it could get. I certainly didn't expect to be on a first-name basis with the campus fuzz."
"Have you heard of anyone else who's dealt with all the problems you have?" Liam asked.
"Not quite, but Dave on 4th had one kid who got so drunk he had to call 911 for an ambulance. That was pretty bad. The guy's parents praised Dave for saving their son's life. Some of these boys don't realize how dangerous alcohol can be.
"Mikki had to break up a cat-fight last week, so I guess I'm not the only one. But, this business with Clay's stepfather was kinda scary. What if he'd had a gun?"
"That could have made things a lot worse; possibly with a tragic ending, but I'll bet Garth could have disarmed him. I can't believe that's the same kid who was in tears his first night here. Wow, he's grown a pair!"
"Thanks to Clay and you."
"And to you as well. You're the one who took him under your wing and invited him to eat with us that first night. So, it looks to me like maybe you were supposed to take this job. Not everyone would have been as sensitive and caring. If the guy who had the RA job originally wouldn't have quit, I wonder what would have happened to Garth.
"Now that you're a free man for the moment, how about you go home with me and I'll give you a reward for your fine performance?"
"If I'm guessing correctly about the nature of my prize, I'm certainly UP for that!"
The college guys had about a week of relaxation before Christmas itself. It gave them time to unwind, but they didn't let themselves be completely lazy. Loren had purchased "vacation passes" for all three of the boys at the health club he belonged to. The guys weren't about to let them go to waste.
Kellan's fall term lasted four more days than the college guys', so it was just Liam and Perrin who went until he was free to join them.
Perrin was amazed to see how many adults frequented the gym. He couldn't guess the ages of all of them, but he knew some had to be of his parents' and grandparents' vintage. He hoped to keep himself up like that as he grew older.
He was also rather surprised at how casual most of the men were about being totally naked in the locker room, and the attached steam room. They seemed completely comfortable in their nudity.
Having gone to high school at an uptight academy, he wasn't used to this attitude. It reminded him of how Liam and he had frolicked at his home pool.
They took advantage of the steam room to stretch their muscles and relax after an intense workout. The hot, humid environment was perfect. They even went so far as to massage each other's shoulders when they were alone in the room. They agreed that if someone happened to come in, they would continue briefly so it didn't look as if they were up to something they shouldn't do in a public setting.
When it was Liam's turn to work the kinks out of Perrin's back, he let his hands stray down to his butt. That action caused his boyfriend to go hard immediately. Liam giggled at Perrin's attempts to hide his erection by sitting in the darkest, steamiest corner until he got it under control.
"Paybacks could be hell," Perrin threatened, ominously.
But then he couldn't keep a straight face and joined Liam in laughter. That had the effect of causing his hardon to recede to an acceptable level.
When the public and parochial schools let out for break, Kellan was eager to accompany them to the club. He asked if Max could join them. Perrin said he'd get his brother a pass too, if he was serious about not wasting it.
The high school boys texted back and forth, and assured Perrin that they'd come every day it was open.
Max loved the environment of the health club's locker room. He wasn't the least bit modest, and didn't mind having others assess his body. He figured it was also good practice for what he'd be exposed to in public school next semester.
He partnered with Kellan, so the two of them could spot for each other, and also to make sure they were lifting with correct form, so as not to get injured. Working together caused them to put forth their best efforts as well. Perrin just hoped Max wouldn't overdo in competing, but he was thrilled that the two 15-year-olds were bonding like brothers. Being Kellan's buddy would give Max a good entry into his new school.
Liam's whole family attended the late Christmas Eve service at First Lutheran together. They went to bed immediately after they got home. Not surprisingly, Liam and Perrin lay awake for a while, talking and cuddling. They didn't end up having hot sex, but they enjoyed the skin to skin closeness.
In the morning, they exchanged gifts. They had drawn names, and put a limit on spending because they all felt it was more the spirit of the season than the cost of the present that was important. Loren did stick $50 bills in the young men's stockings as an added gift. It was a way to give them a bit of extra spending money from "Santa."
Dinner was excellent, as might be expected, and everyone vegged out for a while afterwards.
Perrin received a text from Max saying that their mother would like him to come over to the house. Perrin texted back that if she wanted him to come, she should call him to say so. She had his number.
A few minutes later, he answered his phone and Madeline was on the other end.
"Hello."
"Hello. This is your mother. I'd like you to come over to spend time with your family this afternoon."
"Is Liam welcome too?"
"I suppose it would be okay. My mother wants him to come. You may bring along his brother if you wish. Max seems to be enamored with him. I hope this isn't some kind of bromance or whatever they call it."
"They have hit it off well, and it will help Max adjust to his new school because Kellan is well liked. Lots of young men bond. They don't sleep together like Liam and I do, if that's what you mean."
"Must you bring up your unwholesome lifestyle?"
"Actually, you're the one who alluded to it. And, I'll thank you not to judge how I live. If you've invited me over in hopes of changing my nature, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, and I'll be angry. We will come for a while, but I won't stay if my boyfriend and I don't feel welcome."
"Alright, I'll see you within the hour."
"Hmm... Are we walking into the lion's den?" Liam asked when Perrin had ended the call.
"No, it's more like we're lions walking into a den of Daniel's, but in truth, Mother is the only one who's acting like an adversary. Grandma and Max love us, and Pennie seems to be leaning in that direction."
"Okay, I'll go roust Kellan and we can get this over with."
Their welcome at Perrin's family home followed a pattern much like at Thanksgiving time. Grandma Flo hugged them warmly, and Pennie did too. Pennie hugged Kellan longer than she did the other guys. He was beginning to think that the girl might find him desirable, and that didn't bother him in the least. She was pretty.
Madeline served pecan pie and a choice of beverages. The boys all chose milk or water. It surprised her that no one went for sodas.
Their light conversation centered mostly around the older teens' college life, and there was some talk about the school Max and Pennie would attend after New Year's. Pennie had lots of questions for Kellan, which served to reinforce his perception of her interest in him.
After half an hour or so, Madeline said she'd like to talk to Perrin alone. He suggested that Liam should be in on the conversation, and she consented, but warned him that the subject matter might make him uncomfortable. They went into the den and closed the door.
"I want to read you a passage from the Book of Leviticus," Madeline began.
"You don't need to," Perrin replied. "We know about the laws of the ancient nomadic Jewish tribe that our religion is partially based on. We know it's an abomination to eat shellfish or to wear clothing made of more than one kind of fiber."
"Don't be cute! You know very well it's about two men lying together! Those other things were invalidated under the New Covenant."
"Why some and not others? Either the Old Law was replaced by the New, or it wasn't. You can't cherry-pick what you hold as truth."
"I never thought I'd see the day when my own flesh and blood would turn against me! Satan must have entered your heart!"
"I never thought my own mother would desert me either," Perrin said softly.
"Come, it's time to take you home," Liam spoke up.
He took Perrin's hand and led him toward the living room. Everyone else was in there, looking somber.
Flo put her arms around her oldest grandchild, tears flowing down her face.
"I tried to reason with her," she murmured. "Give her more time. I think she'll turn around."
"I know; it's not your fault," Perrin kissed her cheek.
Max got their coats from the hall closet and helped Perrin into his. Then the brothers hugged for several seconds. Max didn't pound his back like some jocks do who are insecure about embracing another male.
"Thanks," Perrin sighed.
Pennie was as demonstrative as Max had been. Perrin knew how they felt about him.
Then the siblings embraced Liam and Kellan in a similar way.
As they were about to leave, Flo handed Perrin and envelope, asking him to open it later. She hugged him once more.
Author's notes: I've heard from the following since last posting: Steve C, Joe W, Jim S, Walt Sz, Chandra B, Tony F, Jim M, Charles G, Al B, Bill T, Wayne, Jake C, Tony C, Chris P, Ott H, Mendy D, Robert L, Geoff S, Al N, Vern, John L, Skip M, Hotrod, Bill K, Gordon, Tom A, Tim T, Douglas and Lawrence, Thomas T, Frank K, Jim W, Puppy, Tom S, Zero, Bill DeW, and Randy McC.
Jake, I'm simply replying to your email, and it bounces back... The message says it's likely a problem that only the recipient's email admin can fix.
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