Liam's Journal, Chapter 3
January 17th:
Another big swim meet and more success! I'm really glad I decided to do this again my senior year. There'll be a lot more milestones this year. Tony and I haven't decided if we'll go to prom or not. This is a fairly liberal school district, and other same-sex couples have gone together for the big formal dance. We might do it too.
There's a lot of sports activities going on and Tony and I have attended a few that don't involve us. A couple of wrestlers have come to our meets when they didn't have matches which conflicted, so we feel we should support them as well. I think one of them might be gay. He's cute and he really shows well in a singlet!
January 24th:
It seems like I'm not keeping up my journal as faithfully. With everything going on, I don't have time to write more than about once a week.
This past week has been packed with activities. Our wrestling team won their recent match, and we were there to see it. We did well too. I'm enjoying it, but I have to say I'll be relieved when the season is over.
We had a test in our government class last Tuesday. It's really getting interesting with elections coming in November. There are a whole lot of people in the Democratic party throwing their hats in the ring. Iowa is the first in the nation to hold caucuses. They're different from primaries from what I've heard. We'll get extra credit for attending. Many of us will be old enough to vote this year, so we really need to learn as much as we can about the process and the candidates.
Trump looks like a shoo-in for another term. He's lowered taxes for his rich buddies, and he has a lot of right-wing religious followers. How can anyone compete with that?
February 3rd:
It's a Monday night and I'm updating early this week. Tony and I went to the Democratic caucus. We were allowed to participate, but our votes won't count in the final tally. That's okay because it's a learning experience!
We stood with the group supporting Pete Buttigieg. It seemed logical that gay guys would do that, but he's got a lot going for him.
I was blown away by the large number of seemingly straight people who supported him. He's young and has a lot of good ideas. However, I don't think he'll get the nomination in the end. He's been the mayor of a large city but not a senator or representative. And I think the "gay" issue will hold him back. LGBT rights have come a long way in recent years. However, having a gay president might not fly.
If he did win, he would be the first openly gay person to hold the job. However, from reading on the `net, I found that James Buchanan might have been our first gay president. He never married, and he lived with a man named William King for a couple of decades. In letters, he described King as his soulmate. It makes me wonder....
When all the legitimate votes were tallied, Mayor Pete won in our precinct, Bernie Sanders came in second, and Biden was third, and Warren was a distant fourth. No other candidate had enough votes to be a viable group, so they joined other groups to bolster their numbers.
February 4th:
The big news is the botched Democratic caucus! There were glitches in reporting and it's all a hot mess. Rumor has it that people at the state level in the GOP tied up the phone lines with fake calls and caused an overload. I don't know if it's true or if it's a conspiracy theory. So many of those are floating around on both sides of the political aisle.
It looks like Buttigieg and Sanders are seesawing in taking the lead. It makes me feel sad for my adopted state with all the bad press their getting.
February 7th:
Now I almost wish I didn't live in a state with early caucuses! Political ads are non-stop on the TV. It's not like I watch it much anyway, but you can't even catch a bit of news or weather without having a lot of different candidates badmouthing each other. Jeez! It's like prize-fighters talking trash before a big match.
I'm sticking to getting my news online. I can hardly wait for November when it's over for a while. This year, I get to vote!
February 13th:
Wow, Valentine's Day is on a Friday, and the Gay/Straight alliance is holding a dance. Of course, Tony and I will be going to it, as will our closest friends. Believe it or not, Collin is taking the girl he's been dating off and on. I think it's great that so many straight people are coming to it. Makes me feel accepted.
February 15th:
The dance was great, but what we did after was better. Now that I'm keeping this log just for myself and don't have to turn it in, I might record more details. So, this was our big romantic night. When we got to my house, I asked Tony to take his shower first and put on the thong I bought for him from a place on the web. He was to put on sleep shorts over it and I'd do the same, so we could model for each other after I had my shower. While he was in the bathroom, I did a kinda corny thing. I lit several votive candles in red holders. Then, I pulled back my comforter revealing the red satin sheets I'd put the bed before I picked him up for the dance. I sprinkled rose petals on my top sheet. I held my breath, wondering if he'd think it was over the top.
When he came in, his face lit up in a big grin. "You did all this for me?" he said.
"Yup," I responded. "Is it okay?"
"It's perfect!"
Then he kissed me for several seconds. I really didn't want to break the mood, but I also wanted to be squeaky clean. So, reluctantly, I took my turn in the shower.
A few minutes later, I returned, and we took up where we left off. In the process, we rid one another of our shorts, revealing the bulging thongs underneath. Believe me, those pouches were stretched to the limit! I hadn't gone soft through my shower.
We stepped out of the shorts and continued to kiss and pet. It seemed only natural to rub our pouches on each other, so we did. That, along with running our hands over one another's buns, we could hardly hold back. Truth is, we eventually couldn't. With gasps and moans, we filled our new thongs to the max, causing some of the jizz to leak through. Being true conservationists, we quickly lay on the floor and sucked the rest out of the fabric, pulling it away to lick the residue underneath.
This was a truly memorable orgasm in every sense of the word. I'm glad I recorded it in detail! I'm no longer concerned that Collin will try to read this. I made his swear a solemn oath with dire consequences, including having his balls fall off if he breaks the vow!
February 20th:
Tony is all mine for the next two weeks! His grandparents left today to fly to Cairo where they pick up their cruise. My grandparents have been in touch with them, and they're excited about sightseeing together.
We took Ed and Adelade to the Eastern Iowa Airport in their big Lincoln. Tony would rather have driven his own car, but his grandparents like the luxury and the huge trunk for their suitcases. Jeez! It's about the size of an aircraft carrier, and Tony hates navigating traffic in it. On the plus side, it rides extremely well. I doubt it's ever hit a serious bump.
February 21st:
Okay, Tony and I have shared our bed on several occasions, particularly last week! However, it's a real treat to sleep together every night of the week. It's kinda like being married. We don't make love every night, but from what Dad's indicated, that IS like being married.
March 3rd:
Tony's grandparents got home late last night from their fantastic trip. We offered to pick them up, despite the hour, but they insisted on taking the limo service. Neither of them was feeling tiptop and they didn't want to expose us to any foreign germs. Adelade thinks they might have been exposed to the flu. She wants Tony to stay with me until they get better. That's fine with me! He could move in permanently.
March 6th:
Tony is still here, and it looks like he will be for the foreseeable future. I made a wish that he could, but not for the reasons he has to. Both of his grandparents are in isolation in Mercy Hospital and might have to be transferred to University Hospital. They're on oxygen! They have some new disease called the Corona Virus or Covid 19. It's popping up in several places. The White House says it's just like the flu and will go away in a few weeks. Let's hope so!
Last night was rough for Tony. I could tell he was hurting and worrying about his grandparents. He didn't open up, and I wasn't sure what to say to him, so I did what I'd want him to do if our situation were reversed. I held him with his head on my shoulder, so he'd know he's not alone. He was very quiet, and I thought maybe he'd gone to sleep. Then, I felt his tears falling on my skin. I gave him an extra squeeze and it was like I'd wrung out a wet washrag.
I've never felt closer to anyone. Feeling his tears on me was almost like being sprinkled with holy water. There was something sacred in that moment.
After a few minutes, I could tell by his breathing that he had fallen asleep for real.
March 8th:
Word from California is that my grandparents are ill with the same virus. They aren't as bad off, though both have lost their sense of smell and taste. Grandpa says it could be a good thing to have long enough to lose the pounds he gained on the trip. The man has a warped sense of humor!
Tony and I have yet another thing to share and it's anxiety. We pray for our grandparents a lot. He's there to support me, like I have been for him.
It was harder on him because he feels like he doesn't have much family. I told him, I'm family too, and I'll marry him the minute we turn 18 if he wants me to. We got all mushy after that.
March 16th:
An announcement just came out that our district will close schools until April 13th because of the pandemic, as per Governor Reynolds orders. So, we won't be going back to classes after spring break. I guess they're gonna try some classes on the Internet, via our computers, so we won't get too far behind.
Many other services, like the public library and county offices will be closed until April 5th.
Yup, this is serious shit! It's spread to people in rural areas who haven't traveled abroad. There are people on cruise ships who aren't being allowed to disembark because they're sick with the virus. It looks like this is far worse than flu. People are comparing it with an epidemic of "Spanish Flu" which happened about a century ago.
Tony's parents are sending money to my parents to help pay for his keep. Mom says she'd keep him without any compensation. I love her attitude!
I read that the school district will try to provide meals for kids who are on free and reduced lunch. Wow! Tony and I are lucky to have families who can provide.
March 19th:
The news isn't getting any better. I've seen picture of college kids on the beaches in Florida, not worrying about getting sick. I know all of us young dudes are supposed to think we're invincible. Not me! I wish they would come up with a vaccine to make us safer.
There's a lot of "togetherness" at our house. Currently, my parents are will both be working from home. We're lucky to have a really good Internet provider to handle all the traffic we'll be generating. We're also lucky to have a large house. The extra two bedrooms will become temporary offices.
March 20th:
Tony's grandparents got sprung from the hospital! Both are pretty weak and will spend some time in a care facility until they get their strength back. We would love to visit them. However, we aren't allowed to. We can Skype with them, and we do it usually twice a day. They seem happy to communicate with us.
We also keep in touch with our best buds. All of our parents think that we would be safe to get together since we all follow the protocols like, wearing masks if we leave the house, keeping six feet from others we don't know, and washing out hands constantly. So, they're gonna let us shoot hoops on warm days, and play video games with each other. If classes resume online, we'll be allowed to study together. That could be a big plus for us! Our buds said they're inviting Collin to join us when we play basketball or go for a run. He's really touched to be included. I think he broke up with the Hruby girl. He hasn't said anything, and I haven't asked. Maybe I should.
March 23rd:
We should have been back to school today. Well, we were in a way. We had some classes via our computers. It was sorta okay other than the glitches which happen when people are trying new technology. Or I should say that new people are exploring technology that they've not used before. We'll get there!
Doing our lessons online isn't going to be as good as in-person, but it should help stop the spread of the virus. Again, I have advantages over some of my peers. With both parents educated, and dad really smart in math and the sciences, Tony and I will have help that some kids won't get.
March 24th:
It's Sunday, and we got a real break today! Benji's dad invited a bunch of our parents and us over to his house for a potluck meal. The list included my mom and dad, Travis's dad, Sawyer's mom, and all the kids. Gio's parents were invited but declined, saying they came in more contact with outsiders because of the restaurant business and all the people coming in for carryout meals. Gio came by himself.
The main purpose of the gathering was so that others could see how Ben Lewis has his home office set up, but I think they all wanted the social contact as well. We kids certainly did.
Ben's been working from home for a while and has a great system going. Our parents asked a lot of questions and made notes as well.
Ben says that the pandemic might be a blessing in disguise, because it's forcing people to change their habits and we're cutting down on energy usage by not commuting to the office. He thinks if we continue this direction, it could ultimately help save the planet.
I get what he's saying, but I think about all the people who are dying from the virus. I guess that's my nature.
Anyway, the food was excellent! I think everyone wanted to make a good impression. Although the Thompsons didn't attend, they sent a big pan of lasagna with Gio.
The best part was having face to face time with our buds. I think it cheered Tony up a lot. He's realizing that he has a LOT of people who care for him. Just having fun and getting our minds off the fact that we might all die is a real plus!
March 26th:
My parents are good cooks and have some experience despite having a cook when we were in California. Juanita is a lovely lady. She's Mexican and we ate a lot of ethnic food because of that. I don't understand how people can hate someone because of the color of their skin or their accent. I miss her carnitas! Maybe I'll write to her to see if she'll share her recipe.
We kids have been told that we're going to take on some of the meal prep. I guess that's okay. It will take our minds off the bad news about the virus and the political fights which will continue because of this being an election year.
Dad is taking on the grocery shopping to cut down on the number of us who are exposed to the outside world. He may have some things delivered, but he likes to pick out fresh produce instead of being stuck with whatever the supermarket sends. You should see him when he goes out. He wears his mask, of course, and he also wears disposable latex gloves. I think he'd put on a Hazmat suit if he had one. I don't tease him about it because he's trying to do the best he can for his family. I admire that!
March 28th:
Tonight, we had Italian sausages roasted in the oven with slices of onion and red, orange, and yellow peppers (Dad can't eat green ones because the mess up his stomach). Tony and I found the recipe on the `net. We served it with a tossed salad, Italian bread, and linguini which we had tossed with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, and ripe olives. Everyone raved about it. Collin helped with the cleanup. When he's in charge of cooking a couple of days from now, we'll help him.
March 30th:
These news conferences that the President is holding about Covid would be funny, if the problem weren't so daunting. Remdesivir is being touted as the most helpful treatment. I'll have to ask Ed and Adelade if they got it. I doubt there's enough to go around for us common folk.
I hope the major drug companies can come up with some kind of vaccine. If they do, it could help their reputations. Some of them are in deep doodoo for pushing opiates which they knew were in danger of becoming addictive!
We need something more sensible than a notion of injecting people with bleach! I could see Dr. Fauci's eyes roll when that suggestion came up in a press conference.
April 1st:
No, this isn't an April Fool's joke. Tony and I will spend some evenings with his grandparents and stay the night occasionally. They are home now and are very lonely despite having a lady come in for part of the day to do household chores. I have no problem with sharing him as long as I can have him in my bed or be in his!
April 3rd:
Boy, am I glad I continued this journal. I can mine it for the facts and figures I'll need for our new writing assignment. Mr. Fiala wants us to write about our experiences in dealing with the pandemic. He thinks it will not only provide an outlet for our emotions, but it could also be a historical record for the next generation. Hmm... That sounds important. I'd like to think I could add something helpful for those who follow us. Fiala wants to put them all into a compendium and publish it! Wow! We'll have to do our best.
April 6th:
I know it sounds like I'm obsessed with this pandemic, but it's all over the news and it's scary. Today on Good Morning America, they did an interview with a guy named Dimitri Mitchell who's about our age who lives only a few miles away in Tiffin.
Here's a quote from him, "It's the most sick I've even been and I told my mom I felt like I was hit by a truck."
His mom is a tech worker in a hospital, so when he got sick, she took him to the emergency room and got him tested for flu, pneumonia, strep and Covid. The tests were all negative, so they sent him home.
Then he got worse with a temperature of 105 F, and she took him back. This time it showed positive for Covid 19.
She said he could hardly talk or walk. She'd never thought the virus could affect him that badly because he's young, healthy, and in sports. So, you never know!
It happened back in March, and he's recovered now, thank God!
He probably picked it up from working at a grocery store. At least most of my buds and I aren't in places where we'll be exposed -- other than Gio who had been working at Pagliai's. Now, his parents are making him stay home.
Author's notes: Some of you might like to read the actual article about the kid who had Covid. Here's the link.
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/healthy-18-year-speaks-contrac ting-covid-19-happen-69968217
Thanks to all who emailed since last posting. The list includes, Tony C, Allen, Norman R, Ott H, Walter S, Paul R, Steve C, Bill T, Charles G, Cary and Ken, Mendy D, Peter S, Jim W, Gus, Gordon, Paul F, Hotrod, Joe W (2), Nick R, Marty H, Zero M, David C, John L, and Tim W.
Thanks to David for editing.
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If you've enjoyed this tale, I'd love to hear from you. Please write to me at dlee169@hotmail.com and put the title in the subject line in case your response ends up in the spam file.
David