Love that Dare Not Speak Its Name, Chapter 12
Ryan called Michael's mom on Sunday to say that he wasn't feeling well and wouldn't be over to share dinner with the family as he usually did. He was going to take it easy and hopefully he'd be okay for school on Monday.
When Marge offered to send Michael over with a plate of food, Ryan said that the guys in his house were looking after him and that he didn't want to expose Michael to whatever he had. Marge thought it a bit odd that he wouldn't want his boyfriend around when he was ailing, but it seemed that he was being very cautious not to spread his germs. That was certainly a loving attitude.
Michael didn't appear to be surprised by Ryan's "illness" or that he was keeping his distance.
On Monday morning, Michael went next door to see if Ryan was going to school. It was Michael's turn to drive, and not taking Ryan would tip everyone off that they'd had a disagreement.
"I thought maybe you wouldn't give me a ride to school after Saturday night," Ryan said. "You really blew me off; um, not in the way I'd like to be blown. Damn, that isn't funny, is it? I'm sorry."
"I'm not offended," Michael responded. "Your quirky sense of humor is one of the things I love about you."
"You still love things about me?"
"Of course. That's why it pains me so much when you run hot and cold. I have to shut down a part of my heart so I don't get hurt. I'm not up to dealing with a lot of drama. Drama is such a high school thing."
"I know. Having to sleep alone on Saturday night gave me lots of time to think about what you said. After I quit crying, I had a long talk with myself. I'm making some serious changes today, and I'm not wimping out this time, even if I have to out myself to the whole school. But if I did, it might out you too."
"Ryan, I'm not asking you to come out to the world. If you do, and you bring me with you, I won't object. Still, I don't want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I just want to be sure that I'm not setting myself up for more hurt if I keep on seeing you. Like I said before, if you need to do it with a girl to be sure of what you want, then please do it."
"Jeez Michael, you're too laid back. Wouldn't you be the least bit hurt or jealous?"
"I might be, but what good would it do me? You have to do what's best for you. I don't own you and I can't force you."
"Would you like to own me?"
"Not unless we owned each other. Owning someone probably works for some people. I'm not judging them; it's just not for me."
At noon in the cafeteria, Sara came to the table where Ryan and Michael were eating with several other guys and said that one of the boys who was sitting by Ryan would have to move over a seat because she was going to sit there. Michael didn't move, but Jared did. If the expressions on their faces were any indication, the other guys at the table didn't appreciate her intrusion.
"You didn't call me yesterday," she said. "I thought people who are dating were supposed to stay in touch."
"I didn't feel well yesterday, and I didn't call anyone."
"Not even your best buddy who lives next door?" Sara said with a sneer.
"If it's any of your business; no, I didn't. Besides, who said you and I are dating? I only asked you to homecoming and nothing else. After Saturday night, I won't be asking you out again."
"How can you treat me like that? I did everything you wanted me to."
"It's more like you did things I didn't want you to do."
"All boys like what I did, unless they're queer! You don't like girls, do you? I think you're a fag!"
"I don't like being molested by anyone."
"Just stay away from me, loser!"
"That's what I'm trying to do, slut. I didn't push my way into your circle of friends, so why don't you find somewhere else to eat?"
Sara left, but not before throwing a glass of water in Ryan's face. Michael, Jared, and Todd offered their napkins to dry him off. The cafeteria monitor came over to see what the commotion was about, but Ryan declined to make a complaint, so she decided not to press the issue.
"Whoa, what happened on your date, or is that none of my business?" Jared asked.
"I don't want to get into it. Let's just say that aggressive females turn me off," Ryan answered.
"I know what you mean," Jared agreed. "If I'm gonna get some action, I want to be the one making the moves, or at least I want them to be mutual. I'm not pushy, and I'd resent my date being that way unless we were already hot and heavy for each other."
"Yeah, some of them come on that way and get a guy all hot and horned up and then won't carry through," Todd agreed. If you expect them to, they yell rape! Sara's kinda weird. You're better off to be rid of her."
"I'm proud of you," Michael said on their ride home at the end of the day. "You carried through. Sara will probably spread rumors that you're gay, but our buds didn't seem to think you were out of line for doing what you did."
"I don't care what any of them believe; I only care about how you feel. Do I have a third chance?"
"I think you're still on your second, but you'll understand if it takes me awhile to trust you completely."
"I know. I've screwed up and I'll have to prove that I care about you. I feel a lot lighter after being called queer, if that makes any sense. I mean, I didn't deny it, and I didn't even panic over it. I'm not going to obsess about it. I'm just gonna be me."
"Does that mean you'd hold my hand in public?"
"Yeah, I might even kiss you," Ryan grinned as he planted a big wet one on Michael's right cheek."
"Careful, you could be guilty of distracting the driver."
"I'm sorry, but I had to let you know I'm not afraid to do it when others could see."
"Would you consider spending next weekend at my house," Michael asked. "I'd like to make up for, um, blowing you off Saturday night. We could snuggle if you're comfortable with it."
"Could you possibly come over to `study' in my room for a while tonight. I don't think I can wait that long to hold you."
Michael hadn't planned to do anything more than cuddle with Ryan, but after they began to kiss, it was a losing battle. Or possibly a winning one. They ended up nursing one another to terrific climaxes, and he had to admit that he'd opened up his heart more fully than he'd intended. He just hoped it wouldn't get broken again. He felt stronger and more vulnerable at the same time. Love and life were full of contradictions.
Tuesday morning, Ryan was happier than his housemates had seen him in a long time. They suspected that whatever had happened in his room the evening before was responsible for his mood. They had the good graces not to tease him. Hopefully, this was the beginning of a new day for Michael and him. The college guys were pulling for both of them.
At school for the rest of the week, Sara went out of her way to show that she was ignoring Ryan. It was comical to the point that his tablemates in the cafeteria joked about it.
Michael felt more confident and relaxed as the days passed. It seemed to him that Ryan had at last made peace with his orientation.
They went to the Halloween dance together, stag. Several of their lunchtime tablemates did the same, so they didn't look out of place. Laurel made it a point to dance with several of them. She wanted to show Michael that she wasn't snubbing him, but at the same time, she wasn't interested in going steady.
Sara and her date were practically making out on the dance floor. Their behavior was suggestive enough that an associate principal had a little chat with them. The couple left soon after.
"I'll bet someone's getting laid tonight," Michael ventured.
"At least it's not me," Ryan said.
"So, you're totally off of sex?"
"Nope, I'm totally off her. I wouldn't mind getting off with the right person."
"Hmm..., a man after my own heart," Michael grinned.
"Or, after your own hard," Ryan whispered.
As they had the previous Thanksgiving break, four of the college boys were going to spend part of their time helping Len bring in the harvest and possibly aiding Beau's father with a building.
They told Ryan that he was welcome to stay in the house in their absence. He had proved to be trustworthy, and he wasn't going to fly to California until Christmas. He said that he would keep an eye on the house, and possibly entertain in his room on occasion, but Marge had invited him to spend the break with them. She was allowing him to sleep in Michael's room with him. Sharing a bed in Michael's house seemed like tacit acceptance with their relationship as boyfriends. Both kids were all for it.
Of the six college buds, Cy and Beau slept at Beau's house. Chet and Derek slept together in the room which Len had designated as theirs. Paul and Kyle split their time between their two families, both of whom were supportive to their relationship.
Beau's father, Larry, had just enough cold-weather business to keep his crew busy and didn't need his son's help. Therefore, Cy and Beau pitched in with the harvest. It was a good thing that they did because a neighbor of Len's had a heart attack before all of his crops were in. Several local farmers in the area volunteered their time. Cy and Beau were among them. It gave them a good feeling to know that they could make a difference in someone's life.
Jen and Molly saw to the Thanksgiving dinner preparations. They had help in the form of Molly's boyfriend, Aaron Sheldon, who didn't have a clue about farm-work and felt he'd just be in the way. However, he had kitchen skills which would make a chef proud. He worked side-by-side with the women and kept up a lively conversation. Jen wanted to "adopt" him like she had Beau's friends. If Len wanted an outside opinion of the young man who seemed to be getting serious about his daughter, Jen would give the kid her recommendation.
Jen was particularly impressed that Aaron would be staying in her guest room instead of bedding down with Molly. Molly had made the arrangement with her before she'd invited her young suitor to spend the holiday with her family. Both had felt it best not to put temptation in the way. They were taking it slowly in the sex department until they got to know each other better as friends. When they made a commitment, they wanted it to be for life.
There were still a few acres to harvest on Thursday. Chet and Derek had offered to work in the morning on them, but Len said that no one was allowed to do any labor on the holiday. It was going to be a day of fun and relaxation. If the boys wanted to go rabbit hunting instead of watching football, that was okay. He figured they might all feel like napping when they got their tummies full.
About half an hour before dinner was scheduled to be served at the Stephen household, the front doorbell rang. Looking out the living room window, Len saw a car which looked like the one his ex-wife had been driving when she left him.
Larry answered the door, and sure enough, Janice was standing on the porch.
"There's no one home at Len's place. Is my family here?"
"Your FORMER family is here," Len said as he came to stand by Larry.
"Len, I need your help. I've made a terrible mistake. Robert isn't the kind of man I thought he was. I need a little money so I can get away from him. Please, lend be a couple of thousand. I'll pay you back when I get a settlement from him. I've filed for divorce."
"Sorry, but I don't owe you anything. Perhaps Aunt Clara can give it to you, unless she's actually dead. You went to visit her several times after your bother told me she'd passed, so I don't really know."
"Len, I know I did you wrong, but I've changed. I've found God again. When my divorce is final, could we maybe talk about starting over? We had a lot of good years together."
"There'll be holding the Winter Olympics in Hell before I'd take you back, Janice! Now please leave so we can enjoy dinner. It's coming out of the oven in a few minutes."
"At least, let me speak to my children!"
Len went to the dining room and asked Molly and Cy if they would like to see their mother. Both declined. He came back to relay their message to Janice, and then told her to leave or he would call the sheriff and have her removed.
"I'm sorry about that scene," Len apologized as they gathered around the table. It's straight out of `Days of Our Lives.'"
"It may have sounded like a soap opera," Larry said, "but you didn't write the script. It's not your fault."
"He's right, Dad, you didn't cause it," Cy added. "You did a great ad lib with your lines. My film class professor would call it method acting."
"Despite the interruption, we all have a lot to be thankful for this season," Jen smiled. "I'm thankful that Larry's cancer is in remission. Does anyone else have something to add?"
"We're thankful for our adoptive family," Chet announced, while Derek nodded.
"I'm grateful to have an extended family to support me," Len said, as he gestured toward everyone else.
Beau picked up his wineglass and proposed a toast.
"Here's to this remarkable assembly of people. I wish everyone in the world could be as lucky as we are."
They all clinked glasses and took a swallow.
Then, came the ritual of passing the platters of delicious holiday fare.
"Jen, you and Molly have outdone yourselves this year. This stuffing is even better than usual! I've never tasted better."
"You can thank Aaron for that. He made it. He says he started with his grandmother's recipe and tweaked the herbs a bit. It is delicious. I watched him, so I may be able to replicate it. However, I may not have tastebuds as sensitive as his."
"In that case, we'll have to keep him around," Len grinned.
Aaron blushed at the compliments. Len's pronouncement made him feel that he would have the man's blessing when he asked for Molly's hand.
Dinner was a pleasant time. Even before dessert was served, Janice's intrusion was forgotten – well, at least put on the back-burner so that no one obsessed over it.
When the family reassembled in the living room after the table had been cleared and the leftovers stored, Aaron went over and stood by the chair where Len was seated. He was blushing again.
"Sir, I would like your permission to ask Molly to be my wife."
Len arose and put his hands on Aaron's shoulders.
"Son, you don't really need my permission in this day and age, but I commend your chivalry. The decision is up to Molly. However, I must say that you have my blessing."
"Thank you!"
Aaron proceeded to kneel in front of Molly's chair. He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and looked up into her eyes.
"Molly, will you marry me?"
"YES!"
Then he placed a lovely diamond ring on her finger. She leaned forward and rewarded him with a kiss.
Larry went to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of Champagne and little flutes on a tray.
"I know you're all stuffed, but I think we need to drink another toast."
"Um, how did you happen to have this ready," Aaron asked. "I didn't tell anyone about my plan."
"You'll have to thank Jen for that. She has a gift for seeing into the future," Larry joked.
"Thanks, Jen!" Aaron exclaimed. "I feel like I have a second mother."
The newly engaged couple cuddled in front of the fireplace after everyone else had gone to their respective beds. They didn't want the day to end.
Eventually, Aaron said he felt he should take Molly back to her home before things got out of hand.
"You'll probably be in agony if you don't take yourself in hand," Molly joked. "Don't be embarrassed, I have a brother and I know what boys do. Before he came out, he was dating a girl who used to get him all hot and bothered and then let him suffer. I'm not like that. Unless you think I'm being a naughty girl, I can help you with your problem."
Molly reached for Aaron's zipper while he unbuckled his belt. Soon, she was holding his erection gently in her soft hands. She knelt to get a closer look at it. After she kissed the head, she began to slowly milk it.
"Oh God, Molly! This is so hot! I'm not going to last long."
When she stopped stroking, Aaron thought maybe she'd changed her mind. However, it was only for a moment while she was grabbing some Kleenexes. After she resumed, she brought him to an awesome climax.
Molly cleaned him up with the tissues but also licked her fingers while he had his eyes closed. She had heard talk from her sorority sisters about what cum tasted like and she wanted to know firsthand. She wasn't disappointed.
Aaron felt wiped out! He wanted to luxuriate in the afterglow. But his sense of fair play told him that he should reciprocate. So, he helped her undress enough to allow him to suck on her nipples while his fingers found their way into her panties. Before long, Molly was writhing in anticipation of an awesome orgasm.
They kissed deeply as they came down from their high.
"Wow! That was awesome!" Aaron exclaimed.
"It was for me too. I hope you don't think I'm a slut for what I did. I'm sure my mother would."
"From what went on earlier today, I don't believe her opinion would carry much weight in this family."
"You're right. She went off and had an affair while still married to Dad. I couldn't care less what she thinks of me."
"Well, I'd better get you home to your bed before your father thinks we're shaking up."
"He likes you a lot. I doubt he would judge us if we were."
Author's notes:
Thanks for reading this story. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to contact me a dlee169@hotmail.com and let me know. Your emails are the only reward I receive for writing. Please put the story title in the subject line in case your email goes into the spam folder.
A special thank you to Tony C, Jim W, Ott H, John L, Frank K, Andy R, Ken McC, Joe W (2), Geoff (2), Greg D, Paul R, Peter S, Mendy D, Bill T, Brad W, and Paul F who emailed this past week about chapter 11.
Thanks to David S for editing. He finds the typos and missing words! He also makes valuable suggestions.
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David
P.S. I have a chronological list of all my posted stories which I can email to you if you have an interest.