The following is a work of fiction and is the property of the author.
If you are looking to get off quick, read something else. This story is presented in serial form and you'll read a lot of background, before you get any mind-blowing sex scenes. If you are bothered by same sex relationships, read no farther.
This is a story about the inter-relationships of males of differing ages. It's a story with some sex, not sex with some story.
This section of "Pop" is dedicated to Bob A. For your steadfast patience and dedication through this time of pain and loss, may you eventually come to see this as a time of new beginnings with only your best memories remaining. My thoughts remain for both you and Jim.
Pop
Chapter 11
He lay in his warm bed, secure even with the darkness of the room surrounding him, knowing that he and Timmy were both safe. A month ago he would have never had such a thought under any circumstances. This feeling of safety was new to him, or if not, it was so long since he had encountered it he had forgotten what the feeling was like. But still, security he knew could be fragile and fleeting . A glance at the bedside table clock told him it was 8:15. His clock, his bed, his room, his security. What a wonderful thing it was to have all these things which he could now claim as his own. Before, nothing could be claimed as his, not even life. The only time he had really owned it were the final seconds of consciousness that night he had decided to end everything.
After that, there were changes. When he had come conscious in The Man's' arms, he was first confused and then fearful. He had encountered this handsome, powerful man previously and although they had played a game of words and salesmanship, he knew this was a dominant male, capable of ruling over him and bending his will to anything the man desired. He had thought a good deal about this man previously and had named him, "The Man". And yet there was nothing malicious about him. There was great strength, but there was also great kindness and understanding. This added more to his confusion, but allowed his fears to subside. He had foolishly tried to escape to his former existence when The Man' had left him alone for a couple minutes, but he did not really have the will to run, or even strength enough to dress himself and `The Man' had returned and captured him. This time, the words left no doubt in his mind, he now belonged to this man and there was to be no other. His old life had died instead of him that night and he was reborn into a new existence. And yet his heart had cried out for only one element of the past. Timmy.
He had awakened in this very bed the first morning and lay quietly, not remembering much which had happened after they had been whisked up in the elevator. There had been other people around while he sat at the table and a lady had given him some pills. Now awake, he didn't know what he should do. When he tried to move, everything he tried to do, hurt. Then The Man', who he now called, Pop' was there, beside his bed. He learned that Timmy was safe and nearby. He was so relieved he though he would cry, but Pop talked with him and then helped him into a hot bath. It made him feel good to soak in the hot water. This was luxury to him, far beyond anything he was use to having.
Again, Pop had returned to help him get up, dry off and put on a robe. Pop was touching his body, but there was nothing suggestive about his touches, they were supportive or helping, unlike how almost everyone had touched him in his past memory. They ate breakfast together and Pop told him how they had rescued Timmy with the help of the State Troopers. He vaguely remembered the presence of Policemen in uniforms last night, but could remember nothing about them.
As they sat eating, Pop hit him with a surprise out of the blue. He and Timmy were going to live here with Pop. The man even asked his opinion and when he declared his obedience he was told, he was not to be his slave, but his son. All the things he had done and the things done to him came rushing through his mind and he knew he was contaminated and not fit to roam the alleys much less live in such a wonderful place as this man's son. He told this to Pop truthfully, because he owed him the truth.
Pop said, the things he had been through were no reflection on him. He had survived and kept Timmy safe and those were the only things which mattered. Tom knew this man, saying these things to him, meant it was true. He felt a load lift from his shoulders, but his thoughts quickly flashed to Neil. What about the things he had done, not because he was forced, but because he wanted to. Wanted to more than anything else in the world. Those were his sins and he was to blame for those feelings. Would this man still think of him as fit to be his son when he learned about the things he had done out of desire ? Pop insisted he take some pain medication and lay down for awhile. Sleep captured him almost immediately and he was briefly relieved from his guilt and the task of making choices.
Tom sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The clock now reported it was 8:40. He really needed to see if Timmy was up and if he had gotten something for breakfast. He wondered who had gone down to open the Club this morning, Dex or Pop.
It had been surprising to him that he and Timmy had been included when the four of them sat down and discussed Dex moving in. It was one of those times he began to realize this was really now his home and he had a voice in what happened here. He had wondered previously why such a strong, sexy, forceful man as Pop did not have a partner, so it was no surprise to learn he was taking one. But he didn't know if a strong, sexy man like Dex would be able to confront the force of Pop's power. Not that Pop ever abused the power he held over others, quite the opposite seemed to be the case.
He was not sure he understood about love. He loved Timmy, but that was not the kind of love you took to bed. He thought maybe the feelings he had with Neil was love. But his feelings for Neil were different now than they had been before. Neil's presence still excited him, but he had embraced the abstinence which had been directed and now he enjoyed Neil's company and attention on a different level. Those feelings were different than any others he had ever felt. He had different feelings for Pop and Dex too. They were feelings of admiration, but also there were some similar to those he felt for Neil and also some like he felt for Timmy. There was love and there was lust, but there was also more. He just couldn't figure out what was what.
He stood by his bed and moved over to the dresser which held some of his new clothes. The experience of new and clean clothes was starting to become an accepted reality. It had been so different to put on clean clothes everyday and to find his wardrobe growing slowly with new items which he selected when Pop or Dex or Brenda took them shopping.
Pop had brought clothing to him that first morning. Laying naked in his bed he had made a comment to let Pop know he was prepared to provide him with any service he desired. Of course he had meant it as sex. What else did he have to offer to someone who had already done so much for him and Timmy. He knew Pop had heard him and understood, but there was no response. In fact, Pop made a point of using the clothing he had brought in to let him know he now had choices and was not bound to his previous experience in doing things. It had taken him awhile to figure out this example also applied to many other things.
A little later, Pop had really straightened him out. He had restated the reason Pop had given for having them live with him in terms of using them sexually. Without anger or rejection, Pop made it clear there would be no using of anyone. He was not interested in having sex with them. He wanted only to have them as his sons. Tom again knew that when this man said something, it was the truth and he would never have to worry or ask again. He also knew Timmy would be safe here and he would no longer have to be concerned.
Taking some underwear and socks from his dresser, Tom padded into his bathroom. He thought back to how astounded he had been when he learned this bathroom attached to his bedroom was also for him. Luxury was not a sufficient word, but he could come up with no other. Brushing his teeth, washing his face and combing his hair, he peered into the mirror checking out his face and body. The exercise and regular meals over the last month had done wonders for him. He was becoming solid. No longer skinny and gaunt, he was now thin and solid. The weight he had gained had been carefully shaped and molded by Dex and the exercise equipment in the Club.
Tom recalled the first day he lay on the massage table and Dex's strong hands and fingers had carefully sought out the hurt muscles and damaged areas of his body. At that time he had come to understand Dex as his friend and accepted those powerful hands and muscles would never harm or abuse him. Since then their friendship had grown and he now felt even safer and more comfortable whenever the muscular man was near. He had admired Dex's body many times and always was excited by the sight of it. The first time he had been naked in the showers with Dex , he had become hard and erect. Dex had noticed and leaned close to him quietly commenting how it was really tough to be a horny 14 year old. They had both laughed and since then he had never again felt self conscious or embarrassed with Dex.
Chapter 12
Life had settled into a routine. While he and Timmy had been physically recovering, they had spent many hours talking with Pop and the social worker, Miss Grolier. He had learned to express the anger he had always felt about being forced by George to be used and do things he did not want to do. He had forgiven himself for what he had mistakenly considered his own weaknesses. These things had not been easy to relive and examine and he had spent many times with his head cradled against Pop's shoulder while tears flooded his eyes and Pop soothingly stroked his head and back. It was as if Pop had often absorbed his pain and released him from the burden of carrying it any further. He knew that much of the same release had been provided for Timmy and he was very relieved and thankful the people there cared enough about both of them to help them through those horrors.
So many good things had happened for him, he kept expecting something to go wrong. When he had started going to the special school where he would receive extra help to catch up on all the work he had missed, it reaffirmed for him that he was truly free to live his life again. The work at the school was difficult, but there was lots of help from his teachers and Pop or Dex, John or Cliff, Brenda or Neil were always there to review any material he was still uncertain about when he came home.
Timmy was doing very well at his school. Several of the boys Timmy met at the Club's Sunday gatherings turned out to be in the class Timmy had joined, so he felt included right from his first day. His teacher was pleased with the progress he was making and felt strongly that by the end of the year he would be caught up entirely with his work.
A routine had settled into our lives. I discovered that life with the boys gave me a special sense of accomplishment which I had not felt for a long time. My life with Dexter was a different kind of relationship than I had ever before had with another person. We both encompassed a natural tendency to lead, but each of us received great satisfaction in being able to pull back and watch the other manage different aspects of our relationship. When this happened, the pride and love we felt deepened and intensified our commitment to one another.
Neil had become a regular with the playful Troopers and his involvement with them had given him a self assurance which he had previously lacked. He was developing into his own man. His brotherhood with Tom continued and their dedication to each other flourished. They were free to expand a fraternal interest in each other and they shared a trust which allowed them to acknowledge feelings beyond the restrictions of their ages. Neil was becoming sexually matured through the knowledge and experience he was gaining and as he grew to Tom's level in these matters, Tom was maturing in his own intellect, experiences and development. They had previously shared need and then sexual attraction, but now they were finding common ground in many different areas, as their varied personal maturity levels began to intersect at diverse points.
Dex and my relationship was becoming closer and stronger all the time. Although the demands of the business kept him very occupied and the needs of our boys were filling my schedule more and more, we were careful to reserve time for each other regularly. This was not limited to the wonderful sexual sharing we enjoyed when we finally ended each day, but also time we shared together with others, sitting and talking, or actively doing various activities.
Chapter 13
Into every stabilized environment a little change will surely fall. Our next change began one Friday evening following Thanksgiving when the telephone rang on my private line. Dex answered and after a few words called me to speak with John Stewart.
"Good evening, John." I greeted the young State Trooper. "I thought you and Cliff were going to be `on duty' this evening.
"Actually we are, Sir." John responded. "We've run into a somewhat special situation and we would really like to ask for your help. May we drop by and visit with you for a short while."
"You know both of you are always welcome in either the Club, or our home." I told him.
"Thank you, Sir." he replied. "We will be there in about 15 minutes and we're bringing a young friend with us if you will allow." I knew from this statement and the tone of his voice something was up.
"You bring whoever you like, John." I encouraged him. "We'll be pleased to see all of you."
After I hung up the phone, Dex asked me about the conversation. I repeated the substance to him and he too felt something unusual was afoot. We both went into the kitchen and talked while I started to put some coffee on for John and Cliff, but then decided to offer them something other than what they must face all through their shift. Within the 15 minutes specified, the desk downstairs was ringing up to say we had visitors and Dex sent the elevator down to transport them.
When John and Cliff exited the elevator, they were accompanied by a young fellow about 16 or 17 years old. He was a nice looking boy, about 5'10" and 135 lbs. He had sandy, blond hair which was nicely trimmed and neatly combed. His clothes were neither designer name, nor new, but he was smartly dressed and neat in appearance. He had a solid, but not overly large build. Proportionate in body size to his height and weight, he appeared healthy and athletic.
"Mr. Merrill, this is our friend, Billy Horton." Cliff said in way of introduction. "I've known Billy most of his life. He and his Mom lived next door to where my family use to live, before my Mom moved to Florida to look after my Grandma." I shook hands with Billy and was impressed by the firm, confident handshake the young man provided. I watched our boys' reactions as Cliff was introducing Billy to them and Dex.
"It's very nice to meet all of you." Billy said. His voice was past the crackled strains of puberty and resonated in a masculine tenor.
"Sir, we have a favour to ask you and Dex to consider." John informed us. "Billy's Mom has been admitted to Central Hospital this afternoon due to a recurring problem with cancer. It had been expected her period of remission would last a much longer time than it has and Billy would be considerably older when this next stage developed. Unfortunately things haven't happen that way."
"The problem is, Billy has nowhere to go, Sir." Cliff continued. "He is a terrific person and we would gladly keep him with us, but you know how erratic our work schedule can be. They want to put him in the Juvenile facility. I can't stand the thought of him having to endure that. He's done nothing wrong, except been left on his own before he should have been. We know you are a licensed Foster Parent and Dex said, he had applied for his license, so we wondered if you would consider allowing Billy to stay with you."
"We couldn't think of anywhere that would be better for him than being with you guys." John added.
"Hey, Pop." Timmy interjected. "We could have a new big brother. Then Tom could have someone to boss him around ,so he wouldn't spend all his time bossing me around." He ducked quickly as Tom reached out and playfully swatted at him.
"Well that certainly might be one good reason for Billy to be here, Timmy," I chuckled, "but I think we should ask Billy what he thinks about all these arrangements and what has been happening to him. Billy would you feel comfortable talking with all of us, or would you prefer if just Dex and I spoke with you ?" Billy looked around at everyone sitting together in the lounge area.
"I don't mind talking with everyone, Mr. Merrill." he declared. "I trust Cliff and if he says this is where I should stay, then I'm willing to accept it. I really felt I could manage on my own, but Cliff says the law won't allow that. Besides, I like having others around to talk to and be with. You all seem like very nice people and the Health Club downstairs looked really interesting when we came in and it would be nice to have some younger guys around to tell what to do."
"Hey!" Tom and Timmy both reacted and we all laughed. I liked that Billy could employ some humour in what must be a very foreign and strange situation for him.
"This is not just a place to hang your hat, Billy." Dex told him. "If you live here, you become part of the family and get the good and the bad, just like anyone else." Billy gave a big grin and nodded.
"I'd like that, Sir." he chuckled.
"He's `Sir'," Dex indicated, pointing at me, "I'm Dex."
"He's not Sir"." Timmy announced. "He's our Pop'." It seems that titles had been clarified. And it also seemed to be decided that Billy was going to be living with us. He went down with Cliff, Tom and Timmy and brought up from the patrol car several bundles, bags and bales of his possessions which were moved into one of the large bedrooms.
Before they left, Cliff and John both gave Billy a hug and told him, if they had their choice of anywhere to live, it would be right here. After climbing onto the elevator, Cliff stuck his head out the door.
"Good night and thanks, Dex." he said. Looking over to me, "Thank you, Pop." and I saw a tear in his eye before he pulled his head back into the lift. From that time on, both our young police officers began to address me as `Pop'.
Young Billy settled into our family and our routine as if he had been with us forever. Our friend, Betty Grolier was able to expedite the paperwork which placed him formally in our care. Billy's Mother, who either Dex or I visited daily with Billy was greatly relieved he had moved somewhere he liked and he was wanted and well cared for. Cliff's recommendation carried a lot of weight with her as well and she readily signed custody agreements for us to supervise Billy.
Supervising Billy was an oxymoron. If ever any teenager was capable of responsibility, it was Billy Horton. A straight A's student in grade 12, he did his homework and set his own study schedule without the need for any prompting from us at all. He was a wonder with Tom and Timmy, giving them his time and attention freely, without any hesitation. The hero worship they fell into was handled maturely by Billy, without taking advantage of his superior position with them. He maintained an active social life, suggesting his own curfews and then adhering to them.
We learned that Billy was indeed athletic and his main sport was Karate martial arts in which he was highly ranked and well disciplined. I could see how the discipline of his martial art's training spilled over into all aspects of his life helping to round him out into a fine young man.
"Sir, may I talk to you about something personal ?" Billy asked me one day. He had quickly fallen into the habit of addressing me as Pop', so the title Sir' queued me that something important to Billy was at hand.
"I'm here for you to talk with anytime you wish, Billy." I responded. "Do you want to go to my office, so we are not interrupted ?" He indicated he would prefer to do so. Once we were seated in a couple comfortable chairs he seemed to relax.
"Have you noticed my Mom is getting worse ?" he inquired. I knew what he was talking about because I had seen a deterioration in Mrs. Horton's condition and she had advised me privately, the treatments were not being effective. On the other hand, I did not want Billy left without any hope about her possibly entering remission once again..
"Yes, Billy." I acknowledged his question. "You know, often with these treatments the patient gets worse, before they get any better."
"Do you believe she will recover this time ?" he asked. I was not about to lie to him.
"I'm afraid that the prognosis is not promising." I admitted. He paused for a moment, hanging his head as if he was saying a quick prayer. Lifting his head, he looked straight into my eyes.
"Thank you for being honest with me, Pop." he answered. "I was pretty sure I could trust you and now I'm certain. When my Mother passes on, will I still be allowed to stay here with all of you ?"
"You are a part of this family, Billy." I assured him. "We have all come to love and respect you and the only time you will leave us will be when you decide to do so." I saw the tears starting to form in his eyes and then run down his cheeks. I reached out my arms and he left his chair and kneeling, wrapped his arms around me while I did the same for him.
"It's all right, Son." I told him quietly. "We're here for you. I'm here for you. You can laugh and you can cry with us. You don't have to always be a pillar of strength. Let us support your needs once in awhile." He held me tightly and I held him, allowing him to cry and release some of the tension which had him continually wound up so tightly."
Following this talk, our perfect son ,became our normal son. His bedroom took on an appearance of being lived in, his manners needed correcting occasionally and every once in awhile he got himself grounded for missing his curfew. A much more relaxed version of Billy lived with us. Still a pleasant, industrious young man, but now more filled with real life. An even greater pleasure to enjoy.