All disclaimers you usually see do apply.
CHAPTER 24
I finally am settled into my new house, and all seems to be going along, except for fulfilling my purpose in life. Of course, I don't need to work at all since living off the interest from my inheritance is providing more than enough. In fact, too much more, and I find my accounts building quickly. Of course, the kidney stone still makes me wrench in pain, which the Percocet helps dampen. It's amazing how long it can take for it to move down that relatively short path. I try to keep hydrated, but the doctor assured me it'll take time.
Tonight, I cook myself some spaghetti, pour a Pepsi and head into the den to watch a movie. I have nice collection of videos. When I really like a movie, I'll buy it when it comes on video (or DVD now) and can watch it many times. Not at once, of course. I select "Maid to Order". It has Ally Sheedy in it, and it's about a rich spoiled girl, living with only her father and the household staff. It's kind of a hokey storyline, but it's still humorous, and has some great stars in it. Especially Michael Ontkean, who has a shirtless scene at the pool. Anyway, Sheedy's character gets into trouble with the law, and dad (played by Tom Skerritt) wishes on a star that he'd never had a daughter. The wish comes true, and her fairy godmother (Beverly D'Angelo) comes and changes her life. Well, the main reason I'm telling you all of this is because as I watched the movie, I remembered that the father is a philanthropist for a fictional organization known as the "Starlight Foundation" which grants kids' wishes. A moment of inspiration hit me and I realized I could do this! While the movie plays on, I grab pen and paper and begin jotting down ideas.
I consider the following: Set up a foundation...for what?...and contribute....no, not just contribute, but also publicize and try to raise funds...yes....and oh! I could do events like in the movie where they put one together....I'm pacing the room, my mind abuzz with ideas. But...I can't do it alone. A staff! I could hire a staff! I could afford to pay a couple of people at first, until it becomes self-sufficient!! I shut the movie off and decide to do some surfing on the Net to see what I need to do or maybe get ideas.
Four hours later, I'm sitting on my couch, sipping a glass of wine, and congratulating myself. I don't mean that in a conceited way, but you know that feeling of excitement when a great idea finally comes to solve a problem? I polish off the wine and check the time. 2:00am. Friday night. This is pathetic. Now I need to work on my love life. I wonder what movie could help me with that? I chuckle to myself, but decide I'm too tired to jack off to gay porn.
I head to bed, strip down and slip between the sheets. Staring at the ceiling, I do a mental review of my life and how it's changed on a dime. A short few weeks ago, I was sitting at a desk in a company that made billions but only to stuff their own pockets. Now I'm considering doing something to help other people. And yet...I got here through a man that never felt love for me, and that I've never met, and who actually disowned me. But still, even though it's through my brother, for whom I feel intense brotherly love for, it was that coldhearted asshole who made it happen. I resolve to go visit his grave tomorrow. And with that, I fall into a deep sleep, probably the most restful I've had in a long time.
The next morning, I'm making breakfast, wearing only my favorite terrycloth robe when there's a knock at the back door. Frowning, I go over, wondering how someone got in the privacy gate. There stands Chris. He and I have been sort of on and off as far as dating. I let him in.
"Hey Jess. Sorry to bug you this morning, but we need to talk." he says, somewhat grim.
"Hey Chris! No problem....you want something to eat or drink?" I ask, glad to have company.
"No. Thanks. I just...." he paces over to the den area..."feel like we need to ..." he stops.
"What? Chris, for heaven's sake for the last two times we've been out you've been distant. What's going on?" I say, exasperated.
"I just think we need to move on with our lives, ok? I think we both agree we don't feel that way about each other." he says quickly.
I sit on the bar stool by the breakfast counter. "Wow. Well, I admit, I guess I've always thought of us more as buddies than lovers, but..." I shrug, unsure of what to say next.
"Exactly. And with that, I think I'd better go. It was good knowing you." he says as he heads toward the front door.
"Wait a minute...does this have to be goodbye?" I ask. I really do like him as a friend.
"Yeah. I'm sorry, but it hurts too much to be around you." Where have I heard that before? I muse.
"hey! Before you go....how'd you get in the gate, and why the back door?"
"Oh. Well, I was going to leave you a note, and I saw the gate was open. You might want to call that idiot contractor back over here to fix it. It's not lined up right. Then I saw you in the kitchen, and figured I'd better knock. I just didn't want the note to disappear, and since you always go in through the garage..."
I nod. Understanding. And with that Chris walks out the front door and out of my life. I don't get people sometimes. But, if it has to be, it has to be. Yet, I'm sad to lose what I thought was a good friend. I go back into the kitchen, and it hits me: I've used him. He's just been filling an empty spot, and he sensed it. I wasn't attracted to him.
SIGHING, I clear up my breakfast dishes, and then look around. Well, now what? I look around my lonely room, without even a pet to keep me company and I long to have someone. Oddly, I burst into tears, sobbing. I never loved Chris, but I wasn't alone. Now I'm alone in a big house with no one in my life. I have friends, but that's not enough.
The phone rings, shaking me out of my mood. Swallowing and clearing my throat, I answer as normally as possible.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jesse! How's my favorite cousin?!" Stephanie's cheerful voice comes over the line.
"Stephanie! My gosh, it's been awhile! I'm great (I lie!) ...how are you?"
"OK. I had a few minutes before work, so I thought I'd give you a call. You have any free time coming up? I'd love to see you again!"
Oh marvelous!!! "Yeah!! I can come down any time! I've got all the time in the world!" I reply cheerfully. Finally, someone to spend time with!
"OK, well, tell me what looks good and I'll arrange time off work. What do you mean you have all the time in the world?"
"I'll explain when I come down. Let me call you back with the dates, ok?"
"Sounds good, sweetie! I'll look forward to hearing from you!" and she hangs up.
With a bit more cheer in my step, I head upstairs and shower and get ready to face the world. I go through my wallet, checking for my American Airlines Frequent Traveler card, and a slip of paper pops out. I pick it up, and on it is written a phone number and "Mike." Mike. I don't know a Mike. Who? Where? How? I mentally go through the bars I went to, and I know I never get so drunk I can't remember meeting people. I smell the paper, and it smells of leather (from my wallet) and...hospital. The light goes on. The male nurse from the ER! I sit on the bed and ponder this for a moment. I was doped up on pain meds and was sort of out of it. I can't remember what he even looks like. Sighing, I set the paper on my dresser, vowing to consider calling it tonight.
I head out and drive to the cemetery where my grandfather is buried. I found out through Josh where he was. The man at the front office tells me where to find the grave, and I drive down into a ritzy part with elaborate headstones. Some of them are quite beautiful. Just as he said, I find the marker. Plain, dreary looking. Must have been bottom of the top of the line. I quip mentally. I stand over the grave, still patchy from the replanted grass. I note how bumpy the land is, never realizing that it's not really smooth as it looks. I see a small concrete bench, so I sit on the hard cold seat. Cars pass behind me, but I take no notice as I stare at the plot.
"Why?" I ask out loud, not caring if anyone hears me. "Why did you hate me so much? What did I ever do to you? Do you know that Josh gave me part of your money? Would you have cared? I've decided to do something good with it. Mom says you were never generous or very warm. Why not? What was so horrible that she had two kids? I feel badly for you, actually. I just...don't understand why you could love him and not me."
A voice startles me from behind. "He had trouble loving anyone, sweetie."
I turn and a kindly old lady in a (fake) fur coat is standing next to me, smiling sweetly.
"Oh, hi. I uh..." I flush with embarrassment, suddenly caring because I got caught.
"You don't have to say a word. I come here once a week now myself to tell the old fart that I believe in life after death. Now that he's dead, I have a life."
At that, I bust out in a small laugh. "Sorry. It's the way you said that." I grin.
She grins too. "Well, my sense of humor must be getting better." She turns to look at me, with a twinkle in her eye. "I should introduce myself. I'm Jessica Gantling."
My eyes widen. "Jessica Gant...then you...you were his...you..." I stammer.
"Yes dear, I'm your grandmother." she smiles sweetly.
"You know who I am?" I marvel.
"In hearing you talk to the old fart, I pretty much deduced who you are. I'm assuming you're not Joshua, though."
"No ma'am. He's my brother." My mind is racing with disbelief. I'm meeting new family!
"Of course, and enough with the ma'am stuff. How are you, Jesse?"
"You know me?" I ask
"We need to talk." She motions to the limo, which I hadn't seen until now. A man around my dad's age comes over.
"Richards, Mr. Corey and I will need to have a discussion. Would you have Security drive his vehicle while Jesse rides with me in the limo?"
"RIght away, Mrs. Gantling." he says, giving a slight bow and dashes off to do as told. I hand a GORGEOUS security guard my keys and follow my new-found grandmother to her very expensive Mercedes.
We get in, and right away I notice the plush warm interior. Until now I hadn't realized I was cold. Immediately, she gets down to business as we pull out of the cemetery.
"Now, so that you don't think I'm kidnapping you, we're going to get a nice lunch, and it's on me, and I don't want to hear any arguments." she says.
"Yes ma...yes, Grandmother." I say, catching myself.
"OK, you have one million questions, but I just have one for you, so I'm going to go first. How is my daughter?"
"Mom? She's great. She and Dad are...." I stop. She may not like that mom or I have part of the inheritance.
"..are doing very well." I finish.
"Good. OK, I'll want to know more, but first, let me give you some family background that may answer a few questions, including the ones I overheard. First, your grandfather wasn't always a cold man, but the war changed him, and not for the better. He came back cold, bitter, and distant. He became abusive to me, and to your mother, so we found it best to avoid him and did things in order to keep his temper in check. It wasn't totally horrible, but it was very stressful on me. We basically became servants in our own home. But, to be fair, he provided for us, did very well for us financially, as I know you know, and so it was impossible for me to leave him. The saddest part is that he never really got close to your mother, and that saddens me today. It also caused she and I to be estranged. She couldn't understand why I'd stay with him, but I had no choice, Jesse."
She says that so emphatically, I'm forced into believing her. I keep quiet, waiting for her to give me a sign she's finished.
"So, when I produced a daughter instead of a son, that's when things really got ugly. He never hit me, but he was so horrible at times that it was impossible. Yet, I couldn't leave and raise a baby on my own. So, that's why I said now that he's dead, I can finally live. I'm up there in years, but I'm healthy and strong."
She puts a hand on my knee. "I'm not the same person as he was, Jesse. My life was one of servanthood and solitude. I want to get to know my family better. I want to make up for lost time, and mostly I want my family BACK. Can you help me?"
"I think I can, Grandmother. I would like to try." I say. "But there's something you should know first. Well, a couple of things. First, Josh was the only inheritor of the estate."
She interrupts me. "Not the sole heir. I got the estate. He got $50 million of it. I have the other $75 million to myself still."
"Oh wow. OK, well, the thing is....Josh split up the money, kept half and Mom and I split the other half." I inhale, waiting for a tirade. Instead, she smiles.
"Wonderful!! When I heard that tight assed lawyer read that mandate about you and your mom, I was furious. But I was also powerless to change it. What's the other things?"
I again inhale and look away. "The other thing is....that I'm gay." I look over quickly, to get her reaction.
She blinks. "And?"
"And....that's it. I just thought you might...I don't know..have a problem with that."
"Well, your grandfather would have, but he's dead. Sweetie, I don't judge people. I lived an oppressed life for the last 50 years. Life's too short to get hung up on what people are or who they are."
I sigh with relief. Over lunch, I detail my ideas about the foundation, and to my wonder, Grandmother is all for it! "Just let me know what I can do to help!" she says enthusiastically.
After lunch, I drive home, and immediately call Mom. She laughs, crys, has hysterics, and finallly comes back to reality with an agreement that she'd like to try to get to know her mom better also. I give her Grandmother's number and also tell her about the Foundation, which she also thinks is a great idea.
I run up to my bedroom to change into more comfortable lounging clothes and my eye is caught by the piece of paper on my dresser again. Taking a deep breath, I decide to give it a try. The phone rings twice, and finally is picked up.
"Hello?" asks a male voice.
"Hi...is this Mike?" I ask.
"Speaking. How can I help you?"
"Uh, Mike, my name is Jesse. I don't know if you remember, but a couple or three weeks ago, you handed me your number and said to call you. I was a patient, in with kidney stone, and I was leaving with my parents, and....oh boy, I don't normally do this, but....I thought maybe...?"
"Jesse." He says flatly, but I can tell he's trying to place me. "Oh! Yeah! You're Scott Landry's friend!"
"Well, friend...yeah...I guess...anyway, it kind of surprised me that you'd just hand me your number like that, but...I mean...I uh, just found your number in my wallet. I guess I was a little out of it when I put it there and forgot."
"Hey, it's cool. I knew it might be a long shot. Scott actually told me you were single and maybe interested in getting together." Mike says.
Scott! "Scott said that?" I ask.
"Yeah. He told me you guys went out for a bit, but it didn't work out."
Hm. "Yeah, we sort of drifted, I guess you'd say." I say. Wow. Why would Scott do this? Guilt?
"So..." Mike says, shaking me out of my reverie. "Would you like to go out sometime? I don't normally slip people my number, but..."
"Yeah, sure...why not? Why don't we meet at the Applebee's at South County Mall?" I offer.
"Uhh....yeah...that'd be great! When?"
Hm. Eager beaver. Red flags pop up, but I decide to go for it. "Well, what do you have free? I'm pretty much available any time."
I hear him rustle papers, probably his calendar. "Damn, I'm on shift evey night for the next few nights. I'm free tonight. Is that too short of notice?" Mike asks.
"You know what? That sounds good. Let's go ahead and meet tonight." I reply.
"Cool. I'll be wearing a blue buttonup shirt with the Hilfiger label on it." he says. "My last name is Murphy, so if I get there first, I'll get us a table under that name."
"Great. And if I get there first, it'll be under "Corey."
We agree on 8:00pm, say our goodbyes, and I scoot off to get ready for what feels more like a blind date, since I barely can remember him. The red flags scoot their way back into my thoughts. Medical person! It didn't work out last time. Weird hours! Nurse! I shoo them away and get ready.
Later that night, I arrive at the restaurant. He hasn't arrived yet, so I get us a table. As I'm sitting there, I watch each guy who's alone walk up to the doors of the mall, but none of them walk into the restaurant. Finally, at 8:30 when I'm getting ready to leave, in walks a blonde guy with blue eyes, and the memory rushes back to me like a wave. He catches my eye, smiles, and walks over.
I stand and we shake hands. My eyes dart south to the package, then back. He doesn't notice, and I'm hoping he did the same. My button-fly jeans always show things off nicely.
"Jesse...wow. You look much better than the last time I saw you." he grins.
"Well, I'm not doped up on pain meds!" I laugh. We both share a laugh and take our seats.
"So, Scott suggested you call me?" I ask after some initial small talk.
"Yeah, he said he kinda felt bad about the way things went between you two and thought I might be able to get with you. I have been sort of alone for a couple of months too."
"I see." It's a pity date. Thanks a LOT Scott!
"Well, I mean, I think he just thought that IF you were alone, and he knew I was alone, that maybe we might hit it off."
Uh huh. Well, maybe. "Oh...well, yeah that's sort of cool of him to do" i say, feeling lame.
We continue through our meal, and I notice that he checks out every single guy that walks past our table. He's very obvious about it. The red flags start waving at me. I mentally tell them to shut up, but this time they're more persistent.
After dinner, he suggests that we go back to my place, or his.
"I don't think so, Mike. I'm sorry, but I'm not sure if this is right for me."
"Oh." he says, with obvious disappointment. "Well, thanks anyway." he says, and walks off.
I raise my eyebrows in amazement. What was he AFTER then??? Oh well.
I go home, and check my email. In there is a letter which I find intriguing:
"Hi, Jesse...My name is Kevin Masterson, and I'm the head of a charitable organization here in Denver. I heard about your new foundation that you're starting, and I am interested in working with you on getting that started and perhaps we might enjoy a business relationship to help each other out?
Our organization runs several shelters in a couple of the large cities, catering to runaways. The majority of our kids are gay or lesbian, with a few transvestites thrown in here or there. We help these youths who have been rejected by their families and try to work things out, or help them get their lives started if they cannot be.
This cause is important to me, because as the old saying goes, I'm not only president, but also a member. I was a young man when my parents kicked me out for being gay, and I vowed to help as many people as I can who are going through the similar situation.
I would enjoy very much meeting with you. Please call or write at your convenience.
Kind regards,
Kevin"
I sit back in my chair and ponder. First, how'd he get my name and email so quickly? Secondly, what's he look like? Then I mentally kick myself for thinking with my dick. Then I notice another email. It's from Josh.
"Hey bro....You'll be hearing from a Kevin Masterson. Mom told me about this foundation idea. Why didn't you talk to me too?? Anyway, let me know what I can do as a lawyer to help. Meanwhile, Kevin is a good guy and has a great cause, and I've known him for a couple of years. Give him a call, if he writes to you. Love ya, bro! Josh"
I call the number that was supplied, and to my surprise, he answers.
"Hello?"
"Kevin? This is Jesse Corey."
"Jesse!! I'm glad you called! I hope it was ok to give you my home number."
"Sure...I guess if you don't mind it, I don't mind."
We set up a meeting for two days from today. I check the airlines and I decide to hop down to Phoenix after Denver so I can visit Stephanie, as promised. After all is set up, I head off to bed.
I'm standing in my hotel room, looking out the window, buck naked. It's dark out, the city lights twinkling. I'm on the 23rd floor, so I figure no one can see me. The mountains are out there, but I can't make them out in the darkness. A warm bare arm comes around my chest. A voice whispers in my ear "Jesse, I want you." I feel a hard cock sliding up and down my ass crack, wet already from being lubed. I reach behind me, and pull the small of his back into me. His breath is hot on my shoulder. "Please, I need to be in you." he begs. THe voice is Kevin's. I lean down, putting the palms of my hands on the end table between the two chairs. I hear him sigh excitedly, anxious to get relief. I feel a cold hardness press agianst my hole. My cock is stiff as a board. I inhale sharply, waiting for the pain, but his cock slides slowly into me. I marvel at the lack of pain, but the feeling of fullness entering me. I keep my ass relaxed to take it in with ease. His hands are on my waist, and he bottoms out. He's gotta be 8" at least. He thrusts twice and my cock unleashes a torrent of cum onto the table, without me even touching myself. I straighten up suddenly....
...and burst awake. My heart is pounding, and I'm in my own bed. My ass feels as if it was really penetrated, but I think it's the ghost of the dream. I suddenly become aware that my sheets are soaked. I reach my hand down and feel a creamy substance. I've shot off in my sleep again. I groan and roll over, making streaks of cum on the top sheet, my cock jumping with that sensitivity that the head gets after cumming.
I pull the covers up, those cum streaks now on my bare side, but not caring.
I relax back into my pillow, staring at the window on the far wall. I wonder...is this a premonition of what is to come, or what I hope will come?
What DOES Kevin look like? Is there a chance we might hit it off?
I get out of bed, determined to find out. Josh always checks his email from the office. I fire off a quick email..." Josh....what does Kevin look like?
Is he single? Do you think he might be interested in more than just business? I called him, and I have to say, I'm in love with the sound of his voice. OK, I just shot in my sleep dreaming about him, and I'm curious, oK? -- Jess."
Josh and I never hid our sexploits from each other, so I know he won't freak over that last sentence. And even now, as I shut down my computer, I wonder if Josh just did a set up on me.
The next morning, I rush to the computer. Sure enough, Josh answered:
"Jess...you horn dog! Gosh, talk about desperate! You need to get out more!! OK, I'll quit. I'm no judge of man flesh (grin), but I think Kevin could be considered attractive. I've attached a pic of me, him, and a bunch of friends on a ski weekend in CO. I got to know Kevin on that trip, as he and his partner were in the next room. Don't worry, bro, they broke up a couple of years ago, so you know this picture is a little old. I know you're wondering if I set you up, and the answer is no. I thought of that after I gave him your email. Do I think you'll hit it off? I think chances are good, but dont' hold me to that and you can't use it in court! Love ya!
Josh"
I do a little dance in the kitchen, then decided that I'm getting ridiculous in my old age, and go to get ready for the day. Just today and I'll be on my way to Denver....I wonder what surprises will be there??
To be continued....
Well....I decided the medical angle was done already, so I made Mike out to be that way just to get rid of him. :) The joys of authorship. Anyway, some of you keep telling me you're hoping for something good to happen....we'll see what comes next!!
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.. Stay safe as we enter the winter season soon!