This is a work of pure fiction, but based on the author's feelings, beliefs, and in some cases, experience. Come to think of it -- it might not be all that pure! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times between men, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat. If you are too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this kind if story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here. If not, - - ENJOY!
Cast of characters:
Brian Weber -- That's me! Deena -- my wife (Deceased) Ronny -- my son. Gary Foosdorf -- My Sweetheart Dmitri Polczek-- Neighbor Ericka -- Dmitri's wife Alexandra -- Dmitri's daughter Muhammad Zarindast -- Friend Stan -- Muhammad's Afghan hound. Mick Azerov -- 26 year old American Freedom Contender Keyvan & Sohrab -- Persian wards.
From Chapter 16:
In the dark, I could see tears glistening on Gary's cheek. I kissed them away. "I love you to, Bri. G'night."
"Just like that, huh?" I said.
"Huh?"
"Were you just going to turn around and go to sleep?"
"No -- I was going to hold you until we both fell asleep." He said.
"Oh. Okay. But if you hold me -- I am not responsible for what that may start."
"I thought you said you were tired."
"I am -- but that doesn't mean I'm dead. I can still react to you." I caressed his face, and put my finger in his mouth. He sucked it and that gave me a good start on my wood. I climbed on top of him and kissed him -- and I could feel that he was coming alive too.
"I really am exhausted, Bri. Mind if we make it a quick fuck?'
"Fill my dreams, Sweetheart. Fill me with your love." I said, getting off him and onto my back.
He mounted me and I swung my legs over his shoulders and he took me gently - - at first.
Chapter 17
Things settled down to a regular schedule. As the boys got more used to attending school in this country, they had to be reminded sometimes of their own cultural roots of working hard to achieve excellence in school. Sohrab did find a girl -- a Muslim -- who liked him and who he could share his common culture with. She was born here and even though he was younger - he was able to connect with her on a scholastic and emotional level. It may have been stretching it to call it a girlfriend.
"Poppy, I don't know what to do."
"With what?" I asked.
"Saaby now has a friend -- a girl -- and I have no one."
"Is there no one that you can share with at the college?"
"There is a gay group, but no one is -- like me."
"Like you?"
"I am a Persian. I am Muslim. I cannot be seen doing the things that they do."
"What do they do?"
"They show off their bodies in despicable ways, and -- do -- immoral things -- so that all can see."
I could see that Keyvan was very serious about this. It was hard for him -- to be 16 -- and Muslim - - and gay -- in a school where everyone else was mostly white, American, and at least two years older.
"Have you met anyone who you like?"
"There is a guy in my Arabian studies class."
"You take Arabian Studies?" I marveled.
"They don't know the difference. They think that we are Arabians."
"You of course set them straight -- right?"
"I do not like to call attention to myself."
"Kev -- you are only 16, and this is a handicap for you. Any 18 year old would explain to them the difference. You have to be more assertive."
"I don't want to - "
"How are you doing in the class?"
"I do very well. No one can compete with me."
"Then you can set them straight. Have you talked to the guy that you like -- in the class?"
"No. He is -- not like me either, but -- he seems very nice. He looks at me -- in my eye -- and he -- smiles at me -- sometimes."
"Do you smile back?"
Keyvan stared at me a second than said, "I have."
"What did he do?"
"He started to walk my way." Keyvan looked embarrassed. "I ran away."
"You RAN?"
"Not exactly ran, but I turned around and walked quickly away."
"Look, Kev, your Islam does not agree with your gay feelings -- right?"
"No!"
"So why are you worried about -- being with someone who is not Persian -- or Muslim."
"Do you think my brother-in-law would approve?"
"Mo went to extraordinary measures to save you from Iran. I think he expects you to stand on your own legs. I think you would get static from him for anything that might interrupt your studies."
"And -- if I wanted to be with a Blondie?"
"So, he's blond, huh?" I smiled. "Is he -- cute?" Keyvan turned almost purple. "Well, anyway -- why don't you talk to Mo about this?"
"I did."
"What did he tell you?"
"That he is not my father. But my father is - "
"Kev! He only wanted you to talk to me."
"My Fath -- oh! I guess -- you're my dad! Oh!" He got a sweet smile and he hugged me. "Thanks, Poppy!"
About a week later -- on a hot autumn day -- I came home early from work. There was a car pulling out of the driveway that I didn't recognize. He had to drive past me. I stopped. We opened out windows and he said, "You! What're you doing here?"
"I -- haha -- live here."
"Wait a minute -- what the crap? This isn't your house? But it's -- it IS here -- What happened to your house, Pops?"
"It's been remodeled."
"Remodeled? Is anything left of the old house? Wow! It's spectacular. You guys musta come into some money! I haven't seen Ronny in over a year! You look great. But then you always did -- you foxy old man!"
"I'm only 36, Chris. What brings you out here?"
"I must have taken a wrong turn. I was sure the directions were -- I was supposed to meet this guy here -- a guy in one of my classes. We were gonna study together. He is brilliant."
"Um -- was that class -- by any chance -- Arabian studies?"
"Yes! He was -- what? Wait a minute! How could you know that?"
"Is your friend's name Keyvan."
"Key-von? No -- it's wait -- he said it was Kevin. Do you know him?"
"He lives here, Chris. He is my son."
"Wha -- at? But he's a -- well -- he says -- a -- Persian. How can - "
"Keyvan and his little brother live here. I am their foster dad."
"No shit? but -- wait! How can you be a foster-dad to a guy that age?"
"How old did he tell you he was?"
"Well -- he didn't. But he looks like he's at least my age!"
"Uh-huh. And you look about 16." I said.
"No -- seriously he looks about my age! I'm 20 in December! I thought he was at least 21!"
"What's the problem, Chris? Is that bad -- that he's only -- well, not quite 17?" I said as two and two were sounding more and more like six and nine! Note to self: don't judge before you have the facts!
"Come on in, Chris. Kev'll be home in a couple hours and you can also say hi to Ronny. He'll be home soon too."
"He still lives here too?"
"Yup! C'mon in and relax a little."
We parked and he came in the house. He looked around. "Hmm -- the living room looks about the same. Well, maybe nicer furniture, but - "
"Want some lemonade?" I asked.
"You got a beer?"
"We don't keep it around. The boys don't need the temptation. I may be able to produce some wine."
He grinned. "Fuckinae! He said.
Which of course was his way of saying, "Why thank you, sir, I'd love some."
I poured us both a glass of Arak, which turned out to be a Persian liqueur, over some ice cubes.
"Wow! This is potent stuff! This is wine?"
"Well, actually is an aperitif liqueur. It's pretty good though, isn't it? Keyvan's brother-in-law gave it to us."
Chris came over to the love seat and sat next to me. "Look at that deep red color! That's GOTTA be good for you!" Said Chris.
I sat back and took another quaff. It WAS pretty tasty. I closed my eyes. I hadn't realized how hot and tired I was. We talked -- and laughed -- about how we first met. About how he had helped me find Gary. "How IS Gary? Are you still seeing him?"
"Tuh! Yeah! He lives here. He's my partner!"
"No shit?" Chris said a little too loud. But out in the country who cares? I laughed -- maybe a little too loudly as well.
I felt his hand slide up my leg. I laughed and pushed it away. He grabbed my hand and brought it up to his lips. "I always had the hots for you, Papa!" He crooned. I laughed it off, but he had my attention. He stared into my eyes and I could not pull mine from his. His face seemed to swim closer to mine, and I was captivated in his deep blue eyes.
When our lips met, I was mildly surprised, but just let it happen. His tongue explored my mouth. When I felt his hand touch my pants over my turgid wood, I tried to protest. It came out more like a moan.
Chris climbed on top of me, and I felt like I was drugged. I knew it was wrong, but I stupidly just let it happen.
"Poppy!" I heard -- first from out of a cloud, then when I looked, there in the doorway stood Keyvan, Sohrab and Gary, all with their mouths agape.
I pushed Chris off me and immediately tried to stand up. I stumbled and steadied myself. "This isn't what it looks like!" I cried.
Keyvan and Gary stayed as if glued to the spot, but Sohrab came over and grabbed Chris by the throat.
"Saaby -- no! That's - " Sohrab looked threateningly back at his brother. "That's Chris."
Sohrab turned his attention to Chris. "This anemic infidel is the guy -- Chris -- you told me about?"
Then he tuned to me. "Dad? I KNOW you have a good -- reason for this?" His eyes were pleading for my "good reason" for what he had witnessed. I wanted to cry at the pained look on Sohrab's face.
Then I looked at Gary. His expression looked like something had died inside him. He walked to me. "Why -- Bri?" Then he stepped up to Chris's nose. "Why, Chris?" He said, with a withering look. Then he turned and went downstairs.
Ronny burst in the door, mildly shocking us all out of our stupor. He first saw Chris. He didn't notice the uncomfortable and/or guilty looks on everyone's face.
"Chris -- my man! Wassup?"
"Well -- I -- er - "
Mick came in right behind Ronny, who excitedly introduces his new friend to Chris, "Mick -- this is an old high school bud Chris! Chris this is -- what?" It was then he noticed the looks on all our faces.
"Er -- um -- yeah, nice ta' meetcha, um -- Mick was it? I was just -- er -- um -- going." He glanced at me for a split second and headed fpr the door. "Oh -- um -- good ta' see yah, Ron, and -- um -- `guess I'll see you later -- er- well, um -- maybe at school, huh, Kev?"
Keyvan stood stony-faced and said, "No! We won't!"
Chris slinked out and eased the door shut behind him.
"Wow. That was -- erm -- interesting." Said Ronny. "Um -- maybe we should look at that web site you were telling me about before -- we go." He said to Mick. "Oh! Dad! We're going down to Fat's in Roseville for dinner. C'mon, Mick, we gotta shower too."
"Oh." I said lamely.
"I -- er -- just wanted you to know not to count on us for dinner." He said almost apologetically. With that, Ron and Mick escaped into their bedroom -- which left me, Keyvan and Sohrab standing looking at each other. Keyvan, looking directly at me, said something to his brother in Farsi, daring me to correct him. Saaby went to their room.
Keyvan just stood his ground and looked at me. Then he said, "Saaby asked you for an explanation. Do you have such?"
I felt like crying, but knew this wasn't the time. "No -- YES!" I said, then, "But -- Not -- not a very good one."
Keyvan waited while I gathered my thoughts. The truth seemed the best, but even that seemed lame at this point. I felt my legs give way, and I collapsed on the love seat that I never had moved away from. I realized that this was a very weak position -- to have this angry -- but very hurt youth hovering over me, but -- tell that to my knees!
Keyvan's eyes shifted for a moment to the coffee table -- where he saw the liqueur and the glasses. "You were -- drunk, maybe?" He offered. My father was always drunk when he - " His lips tightened.
"Kev, I can't use that as an excuse."
"Maybe not, Poppy -- but it is a reason -- is it not?" his look was almost plaintive.
It was hard for me to hold my emotions in check. The boy was searching for an excuse for me -- even helping me with it. "Poppy -- I don't understand. You never drink. Why did you do it -- today?"
"Chris -- asked for a beer. I didn't have any beer. I shouldn't have -- but -- anyway -- neither of us realized that crap was so strong. It was a gift from -- Mo." I thought about how lame that sounded. Why would I share this gift liqueur with that little poof?
Keyvan picked up the bottle of Arak and read the label. "It says 100 proof. What's that?"
"It means it's 50% alcohol." I said with a sigh.
"Then I forgive you. You did not do this -- the alcohol did." Said Keyvan.
I thought about how I should not let this young man allow alcohol to be an excuse, but maybe now's not the time.
"Somehow I don't think that Gary will be as understanding."
"He will." Said Saaby coming form the bedroom.
Keyvan said something angrily to his brother. Saaby answered, "I was the one who asked!" defensively. Obviously he had been listening to what we said. "I have been chatting with him -- online. He is hurt, but not broken."
I ran down the stairs. I found him staring at his monitor. He quickly closed the dialog box.
"Gary, I - " I started, but the look on his face -- the tears stained cheeks -- stopped me cold.
"Is it true? Saaby says you have a good explanation."
"Saaby's an optimist."
"He says there's a reason."
"More like an excuse." I answered.
"Tell me something -- ANYTHING -- Bri. I - " He choked up. His cheeks filled with blood.
"I - - was - - drunk - - and weak - - and - - - - stupid!" I said, and sat on the bed, looking at the floor.
I heard a heavy exhale, and looked up. His face drained of blood, and his tears again flowed freely. That started me going, and he came and sat next to me. "I don't want to lose you, Bri. Just tell me -- tell me -- you love me."
"Omigod, Gary! I DO love you!"
"That's all I need. I can see you have punished yourself enough. Maybe too much -- under the circumstances. I don't need to hurt both of us more by punishing you any more."
"I guess this gives you a freebie!" I said -- somewhat sarcastically.
"Nope. I've done my share of stupid things -- and I want to believe that's all behind me. Maybe it is -- and -- well -- no freebies! You've been with Deena and me. I've been with -- I can't count how many. Maybe you needed this."
"No -- don't make my excuses for me." I said.
"Just promise me you'll do your best to not let this happen again -- and I'll promise you the same thing."
"One thing's for sure. I'm a tee-totaler from now on. Oh, Gary -- don't ever doubt my love! I love you more than anything."
"I love you too!" He said. We hugged close and lay down on the bed. We kissed deep and then heard a chime from the computer.
Gary got up and went to the computer. He had shut one dialog box -- but it turned out he was also chatting with Ronny. The message said:
"Yay! (um - Close your door!)"
We both laughed and this time he DID close the program. Then I noticed that the cam directed past the chair directly at the bed. I pointed that out to Gary and we burst out in laughter.
We DID close the door and had great make-up sex!
When we came back upstairs, Ronny had already cleaned up all evidence of past sins, (No glasses, no liqueur) and something good-smelling was cooking. At the dinner table, it was obvious that Saaby, Keyvan, Ronny and Mick had agreed on something. The looks between them were conspiratorial and giddy. Finally it was clear: Mick had pulled the short straw.
"Um -- We were just wondering -- Are you planning to get married?" Said a nervous Mick.
"It will soon be time to vote and after the vote, you may not be able to any more." Said Ronny.
"But I heard that those who are married during this time -- will have to be recognized." Added Mick.
"We've talked about that." Said Gary, "but - "
"I can't do that," I said. "after all I have said to anyone who would listen to me -- in opposition to it."
"I know you don't believe that same sex couples and singles should have equal rights of adoption with straight couples -- but if you never plan to adopt -- what does it matter? You can marry and -- don't you want that?" Asked Ronny.
"I would be for getting legally bound -- you know -- with all the rights as married couples -- well, except for adoption." I said. "But there are a few who place some amount of weight on my opinion. And if I got married, - that might blow my credibility out of the water."
"Wait a minute!" said Gary, "Let me get this straight: Do you want to make a legal union -- with me?" Asked Gary
"Is that a proposal?" I said smiling deliciously. "Whatever happened to the `down on one knee' thing, and a little romance?" I feigned a little pout.
"I wasn't asking you to -- I mean -- I was just wondering if YOU wanted to - " he sputtered.
Gary stopped for a minute, then said, "I guess that DID sound like a proposal!" He said with a cute grin.
"I accept!" I said.
So, as easy as that, it was decided. We would be entering into a civil union, with all the survival rights, and really -- spousal rights of anyone married. And I suppose if we ever get rich -- and decide to dissolve our union, some attorney will still get a south sea island vacation! (That ain't hap'nin'!)
"We need some cake or something!" Said Ronny.
"We have ice cream!" Said Mick.
"I saw some Twinkies!" Said Gary
"And we have Rahadlakum!" laughed Saaby.
So we celebrated our engagement with Twinkies, ice cream and rahadlakum. Of course we celebrated in another way later that night.
"I think we should have a traditional Persian wedding!" Said Keyvan.
"You're a sweetheart, Kev," said Gary, "but that might take something away from Mo's wedding. And we -- aren't Persian."
"But we can do it here at home, can't we?" Said Saaby.
"We could -- or maybe we could do it down by the American River -- at Henningson Park down in Lotus." I said. "I don't want to make too big a deal of it."
The room went silent. I looked around the room from Ronny to Mick to Saaby to Keyvan to Gary. All of them had pouty looks on their faces.
"Oh you big babies!" I laughed. "Okay, if you want to make it something -- but no Persian stuff -- sorry boys -- I just won't take any chances of marginalizing Mo and Michele's wedding."
"Maybe we can at least have rahadlakum!" Said Keyvan. "I will be concentrating on its other meaning!"
"Yes -- we all know what you will be dreaming of, Kev!" Said Saaby. "I think to you rahadlakum means Raw-hot-cum!" Everyone laughed at what the "almost 15-year old" said. But both Saaby and Kev blushed.
Later that evening -- after Gary and I had our private celebration, he passed out on the bed, but I couldn't sleep right away, so I went up to the living room to read. The house was quiet except for the old railroad station clock my dad had reworked and hung in the kitchen.
"Poppy?" I think I jumped almost a foot off the love seat. "I'm sorry, Poppy. I could not sleep."
I patted the love seat next to me. He sat down and hugged my arm, his head on my shoulder. He sat quietly for a couple of minutes. I wondered if he was going to fall asleep. He let out a large sigh.
"Did you want to say something, Kev?" I asked.
"I -- uh -- had a -- um -- dream."
"Is that what woke you up?"
"Something like that."
"Did you want to tell me about your dream?" I said.
"Poppy -- I dreamed that you -- and Gary -- adopted me -- us!"
"Oh. And -- were you asleep when you dreamed this?" I asked.
Without answering, he said, "Poppy -- I really want you to."
"Have you told Saaby about this dream of yours?"
"He dreams of it too."
We both fell silent for about five minutes. My mind was racing. But I was also concerned about what Keyvan was experiencing. Finally I said, "I'll talk with Gary. There is also your mother to consider. You were supposed to get emancipated."
"I don't think we are ready."
"I agree." I said. "Let's go to bed."
He stood and started for his room. "Kev?" I whispered.
He stopped and I caught up with him. I hugged him close and said, "I love you."
"I love you too Poppy. G'night." He kissed both cheeks and silently disappeared to his room.
I went down and climbed into the bed beside my lover. "Mm-mm." He said,
"G'night Sweetheart." I said.
"Wha -- huh?"
"Just telling you g'night."
"It's -- oh -- it's late." He said groggily.
"Yeah. I've been talking to Kev. They want us to adopt them."
"Mm-kay." Gary said and turned over and was breathing deep in about 10 seconds.
I lay there for another 45 minutes, going over and over in my mind my conversation with Keyvan. I knew that Gary probably wouldn't remember much, but I could ask him about it in the morning.
Next thing I knew, Gary's hand was on my chest. "I gotta get to work, Babe. Man you're sleeping like the dead. Did you even hear my alarm? Are you going to work?"
"Yeah. Thanks for waking me. I couldn't sleep very well." I said.
"I'm sorry. I had a well, not really a strange dream, but I -- um -- dreamed that we were gonna adopt the boys."
"It wasn't exactly all a dream, Gary. I was up late last night with Kev. The boys want us to adopt them."
"Oh! Wow!" He said, kind of shocked. "Then -- what -- um -- did you tell me that last night?" Gary asked.
"Yeah. I planted the seeds of your dream."
"You can plant seeds in me any time." He quipped.
"What do you think about it?" I asked.
"I love it when you do it! I can feel. - "
"No -- Gary. What do you think about adopting the boys?"
"I -- uh -- hadn't given it much thought."
"You don't seem very excited."
"Oh -- give me some time. I'm sure I'll warm up to it. I'm still getting used to Ronny being my son."
"Okay, well, I didn't mean to make you late for work. Think about it."
"Okay. See you tonight, Bri. Love you!" He pecked me on the lips and went out of the room, then turn on his heel and came back to the door. "Um -- what do YOU think about it?"
"I have a lot of thoughts on it -- but you need to get out of here. We'll talk about it tonight."
"I'm not on a time clock! We can talk now. Some things are more important than work." HE came back and sat on the bed. "I do have some concerns."
"Me too." I said.
"You first!"
"Well -- I -- really want to make Sohrab and Keyvan feel like they belong. I mean -- in less than 2 years, Kev will be too old to adopt. And less than two year after, Sabby will catch up too." I said. "But if they both feel that close to us -- that they want us as their dads -- I don't want to discourage that."
"Yeah." Said Gary, musing.
"What's the problem, Dude?"
"Oh -- nothing much. I just thought -- I mean, I know I never said anything, but -- I was hoping someday to talk about us -- you and I -- adopting -- one or two -- of our own -- I - "
"You don't think you could consider these boys our own? Is it a problem that their mother is so near? I think that is great. I - "
"You -- don't -- understand. I always wanted to raise a -- baby. I mean -- well -- ever since I was about -- 13!"
I didn't know what to say. It was one possibility that I never thought about. I had already done that. Would I want to do it again? I'd be 54 before the baby was even Ronny's age.
"I guess you aren't too excited about raising any more kids." Said my lover, kind of forlornly. "Silence can reveal a lot."
"Yeah -- I -- I mean -- lots of guys don't even start their families until they're my age. And like me -- they marry younger -- um -- you know -- their partner is younger."
"Sigh! You know, I like to fantasize about Ronny being mine, and all, but when doing that -- I don't think about the facts."
"What facts?" I asked.
"That you raised him for most of his life -- that you already have -- gone through this. Maybe I'm just being impractical and immature -- wanting babies around."
"Let's just think about both these propositions a couple days. It may seem impractical and at least emotional -- to adopt two older teens. But -- let's not rule it out based on that. And -- let me live with the idea of adopting -- well, toddlers maybe?"
Gary's face brightened. "Toddlers?" He said. "That's like -- about 2, right? Does that mean they would already be house broken?"
"They're not puppies, Sweetheart. I think you mean potty trained. And well -- Ronny was potty trained by two years old. Not all kids are -- especially when they have been shifted from family to family -- as in a foster care program -- train that soon."
"My dad's 2nd cousin adopted from somewhere in Russia -- I think. He and his partner - "
"You have cousins who are gay? You never told me about them! Where are they?"
"I dunno. My parents were so disgusted when they heard that Colin was gay -- that they dropped any contact they had. We didn't know them very well, anyway. It was only a 2nd cousin."
"How did you find out about this adoption?" I asked.
"Family rumor mill. Something like that doesn't get buried."
"Really?" I said, excitedly. "We should contact them! If we're gonna think about doing this ourselves, wouldn't it be great to talk to someone who's done it?"
"I don't even know who I'd ask. I can't ask my parents -- they still haven't even come to terms with me being gay."
"There's got to be someone!"
"Well, maybe my aunt. She's the family busy body! I don't think she ever quite agreed with my parents' disowning me. She still sends me Christmas cards. I haven't actually talked to her for -- um -- 7 years -- maybe. And it could be that she just wants to know what's going on in the family."
"What's her name?"
"Em. Emma Draeger. That's her maiden name. She never married."
"Where does she live?" I asked, enthusiastically.
"Bri, I think you're getting worked up over - "
"Where is she, Gary?!!" I was insistent. Actually I can't remember being so excited - - and for what? "I want to know. I really think we should - "
"Topeka." He said, giving me a very defensive look. After a moment I got it.
"NUH-UH!"
"Yup!"
"You have an Aunt Em' from Kansas! Are you SURE she never married? Does she have a niece named Dorothey?"
"You see? That's why I never talk about her!" he said sheepishly."
"Let's call her!" I said. "Now!"
"I don't know her number!"
"How many Emma Draegers can there be in Topeka Kansas?"
"She may not even be listed."
"Everyone is listed in Kansas!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Because! It's not California!
Author's Notes: Well, even I didn't see that coming! Am I excited? Maybe. If you want to read about Colin, his story is also in nifty, but it's hard to find ... unless you want to write to the author and ask. Um -- that'd be me! Comments, as usual, are welcome. Thanks and -- Love, Steve