Ring in Mine
Kim Terry
There is one more chapter of John's story to post on Nifty. My readers that have emailed me already have the complete story in ebook form.
The next story in the series is taking shape. It will be posting soon.
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Thank you Zach for proofreading this chapter and your insights.
I enjoy hearing from my readers. The only reason this story and the next exist is because of reader input.
Kim ----------
Ring in Mine: John Chapter 23: Mark and Ruth
Mark and Ruth had tried following John's instructions to the letter. They had left the hospital and stopped at their favorite Italian Restaurant. Mark tipped the hostess for a private table in the corner.
They ate quietly. The two adults that had lived together for nearly 15 years didn't know what to say. Who would break the silence first?
"The house is awfully empty without you." Mark nearly banged his head on the table in frustration. Of all the things that needed saying he came up with something stupid.
"It is sad that our nearly 14 year old son is behaving more like an adult than his father." Mark didn't feel nearly so stupid this time.
Ruth looked at him in silence. Any response to Mark's last statement could be taken badly.
"John's birthday is in a couple of weeks. It would be a lot easier to celebrate if we were back together." Mark was feeling stupid again.
"I have been working really hard with Bob. He says I am doing better at focusing my temper." Mark confessed.
"Ruth will you give me another chance? I miss you so much. Will you come back home?" Mark pleaded.
"I have been waiting for you to ask. I've missed you a lot. I think John is right. We need to work on us for a while. For now he is doing pretty well on his own. He appreciated the boys you sent to help him. They have become really good friends." Ruth answered.
"I hope they haven't gotten too close. Duane and Nigel would die if they found out I have known about them since the fall." Mark disclosed.
"There you go again, assuming John is gay." Ruth accused.
"I chose those two for a reason. If John were gay he would have a support group. If he wasn't gay, John is open minded enough that Duane and Nigel would have an accepting friend." Mark explained.
"I've spent a good share of my life trying to make John into what I thought he should be. I have finally realized he's turned out pretty well all on his own." Tears were running down his face.
Ruth slid her chair closer to her husband. She wrapped her arm around Mark and pulled him to her.
"You taught him a lot. John learned the importance of effort. Look at what he has achieved." Ruth reassured the man pulled to her chest. "John is right; we need to work on us."
Ruth pulled upward on Mark's chin. Her lips brushed his. "Is that caring young man I fell in love with back in high school still in there. Your time with Marcus brought out a tender side of you. I learned to love you even more. Don't hide it away."
Mark placed his lips on hers. Her tongue slid across his lips.
"I would like to skip the movie, spread the furry blanket in front of the fireplace like we did years ago when we didn't have to worry about a young pair of eyes." Ruth whispered.
Mark couldn't pay the bill fast enough. It wasn't in front of a fireplace but John had been conceived on that furry blanket.
Mark unlocked the front door. He stopped Ruth. He swooped her small frame into his arms and carried her into the house. With her arms around his neck, his strong arms supporting his love they kissed deeply and long.
It was a breathless Mark that put his wife's feet back on the ground. Mark got the fire started while Ruth pulled the blanket out of storage and slipped into a naughty little night gown that she hadn't had an opportunity to wear yet.
Mark quickly hopped into the shower making sure that both his beard and balls were shaved smooth, just as Ruth preferred. Ruth spent the time finding a couple of candles and put a stack of records on the changer.
It was much like that first time of unprotected sex when John was conceived. Mark walked out of the bathroom with only the towel he used to dry his hair. Ruth lay on the fake fur in her contrasting negligee.
Several orgasms later Mark was glad that Ruth had brought out another blanket and pillows. He pulled it over their tired bodies as they cuddled and then slept until the sunlight streaming through the window finally woke the pair.
The morning brought a quick trip to take care of necessities and their loving resumed in the bedroom, where they again slipped into exhausted slumber.
Mark woke to an empty bed and an empty stomach. The smell of pancakes filtered in from the kitchen. He pulled on a pair of basketball shorts and headed toward the kitchen. The sight of his beautiful naked wife making breakfast encouraged Mark to lose the shorts.
"Please don't take this wrong. I miss having John around, but I've missed this too." Mark whispered into Ruth's ear as he hugged her from behind.
They sat close to each other at the table and fed each other pancakes.
"I'd like to say let's go back to bed, but we have John's Opening and a reception to attend." Ruth admitted. "We will still have after."
Mark dressed in his best suit. They stopped at Grandma Litchfield's house for Ruth's dress. Mark left without saying anything. It was a slightly impatient wife that met him at the door.
All was forgiven as Mark presented his lovely wife with a corsage for her gown. Ruth couldn't remember the last time Mark had bought her flowers. As Mark opened the passenger door for his wife, she noticed that he had washed and vacuumed the car. This was so much like the Mark she had dated that she pressed her lips to his before climbing into her seat.
"I am afraid we are going to need these." Mark said putting a pocket pack of tissues in his inside bucket.
They were met at the door by security and asked for an invitation. An uncomfortable look came over Mark's face. He hadn't realized he would need the invitation.
"Ruth! Mark! John will be so glad that you made it together." Professor Terrion had come to the rescue. "Stop by and talk with John. He is feeling just a little overlooked. I can't wait to see all their high and mighty faces when he is introduced as the artist."
John welcomed his parents with a hug. "You must not have tried hard enough. Neither of you are flushed or still out of breath."
When Mark realized what John was referring to he blushed.
"That's what I wanted to see." John smirked.
"I am surprised that you are not surrounded by people shaking your hand." Mark noted.
"Look at the work in this gallery. Would you be looking for a 13 year old artist?" John asked.
He was right; beside those paintings leading up to the main gallery, it was an eclectic mix. There was one Mark and Ruth had not seen before. It was three college age kids skinny dipping that looked vaguely familiar.
Ruth looked at Mark. "That's the three of us. How?"
John interrupted. "Just accept it as a gift from Marcus."
There were a couple of others that Mark could now identify. There was one that brought tears to his eyes. A very young Mark clutched a young man and a young woman to his chest. The shorter subjects' faces were profiles. They purposely were not completely identifiable. But Mark knew who they were.
"That original is yours if you want it." John offered. Mark repeated the pose clothed this time with his son and his wife.
Not everything was nudes or sensual; it was all thought provoking eliciting an emotional response in many of the guests.
"When you see the main exhibit, mom, don't blame dad. I don't anymore. I know this is going to be hard on both of you." John warned as he hugged his parents. "I love both of you and I love you most when you are together."
John left his parents browsing the foyer exhibit as John and Sarah greeted Mr. Bertrolli and another well-dressed gentleman.
Many of the pieces were on display for the first time. Some had business card holders displayed with a small version of the work and the Eclectic Synergy contact information. Many of the most emotionally disturbing were not included.
When John was introduced many guests were surprised. When he started the presentation this dignified audience reacted just as the students had.
Mark produced two tissues from his inner pocket. "We are both going to need these."
They both cried and hugged each other in the realization just how terrible that weekend had been. They were amazed that John still loved them.
A friendly pair of hands fell on their shoulders.
"I think we need to leave." Bob suggested.
"John asked me to be here for you." Bob answered their question before they could ask.
John had made arrangements for a quiet room through Professor Terrion. Asking Bob to be there was spot on. If it hadn't been for Bob's presence there would had been a lot of blaming and name-calling. John wanted it to be a time of healing. In many ways John felt it was his fault they had separated.
Ruth and Mark wanted time to talk with their son. It was time for the reception and dinner by the time Bob trusted them on their own. Seeing John and Sarah working the room, they realized this was not the time.
During the dinner they shared a table with university dignitaries. Mark knew he had to be on his best behavior.
The parents were not as surprised as John, when he was given a scholarship. John returned to the table fingering the silver engraved dog-tag hanging around his neck.
There were a lot of congratulations after the meal. The talk would have to wait until John's visit home tomorrow.
As John neared the doors into the night, Mark watched his son's body tense up. Mark stepped toward his son. Ruth pulled him back. They watched as the girl on John's arm whispered something into his ear. Ruth was sure that Sarah had rubbed the front of John's slacks. Ruth was worried that it didn't upset her that her son was going to get lucky tonight. She knew her son well enough that he would use protection.
John put his hand on Sarah's arm and followed her into the night. He was as stiff as a wind up doll but he went out with only a promise. Ruth was proud of her son's strength.
If you would like to be notified when a new chapter is available drop me a line. ringinmine@yahoo.com