Mentoring

Mentoring, Chapter 6

Kyle Britton didn't appear to be surprised about the subject of Aidan's call. He suggested it would be best for the two of them to have a face-to-face meeting rather than a discussion over the phone. He would be happy to come to Aidan's room after school, at his convenience. They set a time for Thursday afternoon because both felt sooner was better than later for their conference.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Britton. I'm Aidan Fiala and this is Neil McVey. He's the co-sponsor of our karate club and I'd like him to sit in unless you'd rather not have him."

"Please call me Kyle, and it's a good idea to have you here too, Neil. I'd like to get acquainted with everyone who has any regular contact with my son."

"Good, let's all be on a first-name basis then. I'll begin by repeating, as nearly as I can, the substance of the conversation your son and I had on Tuesday after karate," Aidan continued.

"Travis came to me complaining about a couple of boys in the club who seemed to be `fags' – his word not mine," Aidan clarified when he saw Kyle wince. "He was very concerned they might touch him inappropriately."

"I'm not surprised about his fear of being touched or his homophobic language. Believe me, it's not my doing. His mother and I are divorced, and I now have total custody because the court charged her with child endangerment after she forced him into a program which was supposed to change his orientation, and it was nearly the death of him. I have no problem with his being gay.

"Those people really did a number on him, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It may take years, and lots of therapy from a licensed psychiatrist, to help him accept himself, but I'm hoping for a breakthrough with his current counselor. I also hope you men can help mentor Travis, so he'll become the happy child he should be. I know I'm telling you a lot of private information, but I feel it's necessary, so you'll know where he's coming from. My intuition tells me you'll keep it confidential."

"I certainly won't gossip, and I know Neil won't either. (Neil nodded in agreement.) As to the mentoring proposition, would you be comfortable with having me in that roll if you knew I'm a single man who doesn't have a girlfriend and has no intention of seeking one? I'm sure you get what I'm implying."

"Definitely. You'd have a better perspective of what Travis is going through. I did a bit of detective work; some might call it snooping. I used whitepages.com to look up all the staff members who work with him and saw that a Mr. Neil McVey is associated with you at the same address. May I assume he's the same person who's sitting across from me?"

"You may," Neil grinned. "You're a first-rate sleuth. We don't advertise the fact that we're more than colleagues, but we're not hiding it either."

"Congratulations on finding your special someone, then. As you know, my marriage didn't survive. Perhaps I should look for a guy-friend instead of another woman in the future."

"So, our being `together' doesn't make you worry about entrusting your son to us?" Aidan guessed.

"Not in the least, I know from statistics that men who prey on boys are more likely to be married to women and to have fathered children than those who are in a same-sex relationship."

"Thanks for your vote of confidence. However, I feel our principal should be informed of Travis's problems and what you're asking of us in case someone should feel differently."

"Yes, I've already requested to speak with Dr. Dickinson today before I leave, and her secretary said she'd pencil me in. I want Travis's counselor to know as well. I suppose I should talk to the rest of his teachers about his `phobia' soon, but probably in less detail than I'm doing now.

"Do you think I should talk to Travis the incident from Tuesday?"

"Not necessarily, unless he brings it up. I don't want him to feel like I've told you tales out of school, so to speak. It might erode the trust he seems to have in me. I normally tend to be as mum as a priest about what students confess to me, unless it's something criminal."

"I'm glad you didn't keep silent in this case. His mother made a stink in his previous school about the wrestling coach being too `intimate' with the boys. Travis might take the same tack with you if you even put a hand on his shoulder, so it's better that you and I are on the same page.

"Please keep me informed if his attitude doesn't improve."

"Okay. I really appreciate having this meeting. I'm glad we share the same goals for your son. He's a bright and pleasant boy in most ways."

"Yes, I think so. I just want him to be a well-adjusted one who's comfortable in his own skin."

"Thanks again for coming in on short notice," Aidan said as they stood and shook hands all around.

The following Tuesday afternoon, Travis again asked if he could speak with Aidan privately before their club meeting. Naturally, Aidan was on his guard after the report he'd received from their fellow teachers in the southern part of the state and what Travis's father had said.

"That depends on what you mean by `private,'" Aidan responded. "I don't have closed-door meetings with students unless someone else is present or I have a security camera rolling. I don't ever want to put my teaching license in jeopardy over some accusation that could be brought about by some well-meaning person who misconstrued what was taking place."

"I get you; we can talk in the hallway if you want. I have a few things to say about last week. I don't want others to hear, but I could just stop talking if someone gets near enough."

"That's fine. Let's step outside."

"Okay, first, I want to apologize for what I said last week. I told my therapist what I did, and he said to discuss it with Dad. Both of `em pointed out what I did wrong and what made me do it. I think I understand and I'm trying to change.

"I'm going to confess something to you I hope you'll keep between the two of us."

"I tend to be one who can keep a confidence," Aidan nodded.

"I kinda got that feeling about you. I trust you, so I'm gonna take a chance and tell you some very personal stuff. I've been fighting with who I am inside. I know I'm gay, and it scares the crap out of me! My mother tried to have me changed. I told you last week that the therapy worked, but if I'm honest, I'd have to admit it didn't. I'm so mixed up! You probably think I'm crazy."

"Your apology is accepted, of course. Your orientation isn't a problem for me unless it causes you to hurt yourself or others. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Right now, it helps that you aren't mad at me and you seem to know what I'm going through. I'd love to have a big hug from you, but I can understand how others might get the wrong impression, so I won't ask. Doctor Hahn hugs me at the end of our sessions and it feels so good."

The activities in karate club seemed more focused and relaxed compared with the week before. Travis even made a point of dapping fists with Vin and Caen at the end. They were astonished because Travis had acted like they were pariah last week. He'd even made some disparaging remarks about "fags" behind their backs but within earshot, so he had to know they'd heard him.

Travis had done all his forms correctly, and he was quite proud of his progress. He smiled as he bowed to Aidan and Neil on the way out.

"What's happened with our new kid?" Neil asked.

"A kind of epiphany. I'll tell you in detail on the way home. He's made a lot of progress with his therapist and I think, at least I hope, he's gonna be okay."

Travis did seem to improve from that day forward. He came in before karate club a few weeks later with a huge grin on his face.

"What's gotten into you?" Aidan asked returning his contagious smile.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"That you and Mr. McVey are living together."

"Oh, that. Is it anyone's business?"

"Nope, but it gives me hope. I've never known a gay couple before."

"I suspect you have, but you just didn't know their relationship," Aidan said, thinking of Pete and Syd. "There are a lot of other same-sex people who are quietly sharing their lives. It's not always to their advantage to advertise their status."

"Yeah, I'm sure there're people who would criticize you for being a living example that same-sex unions are normal. But, knowing about you can help kids like me realize we're not freaks."

Vin and Caen had gym the last hour of the day on Monday and Wednesday. Like many kids, they favored that period because it allowed them plenty of time to shower and style their hair without having to worry about racing to another class. Then too, they were all nice and clean if they had an opportunity to play around before going to the store to bag groceries.

On one particular Wednesday, the stars had aligned for them. They had the afternoon off from the store, and their gym teacher had to hurry out to the field for football practice because his assistant, who usually oversaw the warm-ups, had called in sick.

There they were, the last ones in the shower as the coach left, asking them to make sure the lights were turned off and the door shut tightly when they were finished. The minute he was gone, they started soaping each other and throwing boners in the process.

Little did they know that Travis had remained out of sight behind one of the rows of lockers, so he could spy on them. He stripped off the clothes he had started to put on and entered the shower room.

"Can I play too?" he grinned.

"Where did you come from? Caen asked.

"Oh, I hadn't left yet. Wanna do a circle jerk?"

"Why would YOU want to?" Vin questioned. "Are you trying to get us in trouble with the principals or something? You made it obvious you hate fags like us."

"I'm sorry about that. My mind was poisoned by people who tried to make me straight. I'm gonna be myself now, and `myself' wants to play around."

"I can tell that by the sword you're pointing at us, but we're not interested. Come on, Caen, lets finish this at my house."

Travis was disappointed, but he felt rather pleased about coming out to them and that Vin had referred to his dick a "sword." It WAS pretty long, and it definitely needed attention. He decided to jack off by himself in the shower anyway.

Unbeknown to him, there was another voyeur in the area.

The following day, Sawyer Smith, in language arts, chose Travis as his discussion partner. When they were heading for lunch after class, Sawyer asked if they could eat together. They settled at a table where no one else was sitting yet.

"Um, could you come for a sleepover this weekend at my house?" Sawyer asked.

"Probably, who all is coming?"

"Um, just you and me. We can play video games and possibly swim if I can convince Mom not to have the pool winterized until a week or two later."

"That sounds cool! I'm sure Dad will let me because he's been on me to make more friends."

"Cool! I really hope you'll be able to come."

"Hello, Jane Smith here."

"Hi, this is Kyle Britton. I understand your son has invited my son for the weekend. I figured I should call to make sure his parents know about it."

"Yes, Sawyer cleared it with me before he asked. I've been thinking I should call you, but he'd probably tell me I'm treating him like a baby if I did."

"Fifteen-year-olds may believe they're grown up, but I think we adults need to touch base. Travis is the new kid in school, and I'm still going to keep him on a short leash until he settles in. Is there anything special I should send with him? Will he need a sleeping bag?"

"Nothing I can think of. Sawyer has twin beds in his room. They probably won't want to go to church on Sunday, so they can dress as casually as they like. In fact, your son would be welcome to wear school clothes to worship if they did decide to go."

"Travis kind of burned out on religion currently because he's figured out how my ex used it to mess him up. I'm trying not to push him."

"Ah, I see we have something in common. It's sometimes a chore to raise a teen as a single parent."

"True, but it does allow us to do it as we see fit."

"I agree. Are you okay with them being alone part of the day on Saturday? I have sewing club and lunch. I'll be sure to have food prepared for them, so they won't starve."

"Sure. If you're comfortable with them loose in your house, I'm fine with it. I'm sure they're responsible enough not to burn it down."

Since there was no PE class on Friday, Travis packed his gym bag with the few things he'd need for staying with Sawyer. He was excited. He hadn't been allowed to sleep at the homes of any of his classmates after his mother found out he was gay.

He assumed he would need to be careful not to screw up a potential friendship by being overly friendly and appear like he was hitting on Sawyer.

Sawyer was even more excited than Travis, if that's possible. He was the one who had watched Travis masturbating in the shower and he'd been impressed. All he needed to do was to find a way to bring up the subject of jacking without letting on that he'd spied on him.

Jane Smith's car was waiting in the horseshoe drive when the boys came out of the school. Sawyer sat in front with his mom, though he would rather have been beside Travis in the back. Since it was only a 10-minute drive, it wasn't a hardship. He didn't want to come on too strong in the beginning anyway.

Knowing her son's appetite, and assuming Travis's was probably like his, Jane had a snack prepared for the boys at the breakfast bar in the kitchen. They made short work of it and thanked her for the treat. She smiled in return. This kid her son had brought home made an excellent first impression. She wondered if he would become a frequent guest. Sawyer appeared to be smitten. Possibly a stranger would miss the signs but not his mother.

The boys played video games until it was time for dinner. Sawyer had left the blinds open on his west-facing windows and the room had warmed up more than the rest of the house. He'd done this on purpose to have an excuse to take off their shirts at least. Catching a glimpse of his companion's chest between games was worth the effort.

They put their shirts back on when Jane called them to eat. Sawyer then opened a window to cool the room down before it was time for bed.

Dinner was fairly basic, but it tasted great. Jane was a good cook. The guys carried on a pleasant conversation with her and helped to clean up after eating. Again, she was impressed. Well, if she wasn't going to have a daughter-in-law, there was always hope that Sawyer would end up with a likeable guy as his partner.

Sawyer figured he could convince Travis to go nude in the pool the next day while his mother was gone, but he hated to waste a whole evening which might lead to more fun than playing video games.

Since he'd left the window open, the room was a bit chilly. This had also been part of his plan. When they continued their game, they did it sitting close together, sharing a blanket.

An hour later, Sawyer put the rest of his scheme into action.

"Um, I guess I overdid it with the temperature in here. When we strip down to sleep, you might be too chilly. Would you like to climb in my bed to warm up?"

"Yeah, that would be good," Travis gulped.

He was a little apprehensive about being so close to Sawyer in a nearly naked condition, but the anticipation of it overrode his resolve to be cautious.

"This is really comfy," Sawyer observed. May I snuggle up behind you?"

"Uh, yeah," Travis managed to say. He was finding it hard to think clearly.

Sawyer placed his left hand on Travis's firm abs, sending a tingle down his front.

"You've got good muscles," he said, massaging the area above his pubes.

"Yours are probably better," Travis said, deciding to see where this might lead. "Could I feel them?"

"Sure," Sawyer responded, turning on his back.

Pretty soon, they were exploring each other's nipples as well as abs. Then Sawyer took a chance and dipped his hand under the elastic band of Travis's underwear and caressed the hot, throbbing piece of boyhood there. Travis did the same to him immediately.

"This IS nice!" Travis sighed.

"I'm glad you like it. I've been thinking about it all day. I'm so hot I could blow any minute. Let's get naked and turn the light back on so we can watch each other cum."

They did.

On Sunday afternoon when he got home from his sleepover, Travis wrote about his experience in his secret diary. He had been keeping one for several months at the suggestion of his therapist. Dr. Hahn had encouraged him to "confide in his future self." It would be like telling a best buddy his deepest thoughts and involvements without the risk of having them exposed to anyone else. It was part of what had given Travis the courage to come out to himself, and eventually to others.

"Dear future me, I've come a long way in the past few weeks, as you know. Since I'm gay, I'm gonna enjoy it! This weekend, I've `cum' in other ways too! I'd never allowed myself to even jack off with another boy because I'd been brainwashed into feeling it was sinful. Wow! It was awesome!

"Sawyer was very kind and gentle with me. He knows more than I do because he found stuff on the Internet and he showed me what to do. He said he's never done it with another boy either, but he wanted to do it with someone he trusted.

"Skinny-dipping in his pool was AWESOME, too! I've never had the chance to be naked in the sun for any amount of time. We spent a couple of hours like that and got off again!

"I think I'm completely cured of being `healed' by those awful people in Missouri. I suppose they thought they were doing the right thing, but I can't forgive them for the hurt they've caused me. I hope they end up paying for what they do to kids like me."

Author's notes: Thanks to Paul R, Ott H, Walter S, John L, Joe W, Allen, Bill T, Bill K, Roy M, Mendy D, Wayne, Tony C, Gordon, Tim T, Thomas A, Hotrod, Jim W, and Paul F who sent messages of encouragement since last posting.

There was an error is the last chapter toward the end. Travis's father's name is Kyle, not Jared. I had originally named him Jared but figured it would be confusing since Aidan and Neil had more or less adopted a kid by that name. When I did the "find and replace" function, I evidently missed one.

Thanks to David and Tom who edited and to Nifty who posts.

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David