Rob

This is a fictional story. It is based on the few experiences and many fantasies of the author. If you are really into graphic sex, it may not satisfy your purpose for coming here. If you like to hear of real love and real teen angst, with a little sex thrown in, you are in the right place. There may be some amount of graphic sex between males. If this is objectionable to you, or you are legally too young to be here, you are cordially invited to press your back button.

Characters:

Robert E. Lee Balser

Denny (Dennis Andrew Miggs), 20

Robert F. Balser, Rob's dad

Donna Balser, Rob's mom.

Roger, Rob's attorney

Nana, The Balser's housekeeper

Garth Roth, 22

Randy Small, 24

Bob, Denny's Brother 3 years older

Gail, Bob's wife

Jack, Denny's oldest brother, 9 years older

Emma, Rob's boss.

Jack's son's, Jacky, Bobby and DennyToo

James Miggs, Denny's dad

Carol Miggs, Denny's mom,

Ray, Denny's dad's Deputy D.A. friend

Tad Newliegh, the new roomie

Jacob Smith, Rob's former "Landlord"

Linda Smith, Jacob's wife

Chris & Craig, partners, Rob's roomies.

Seth, Chris's Brother

Luke, Seth's partner.

Etta, The Smith's housekeeper

Donny, Works with Rob

Timothy -- Donny's brother

Rod -- the flight attendant

James (Red) Rod's friend

From Chapter 14:

"The only thing left -- besides my genitals -- was my face. He came up to my face and gently rubbed and massaged it with oils and aloes. When he was finished he planted a wet kiss in my lips. I grabbed him and ripped the clothes off him, and I'll leave it up to your imagination what came next. But I will say that if it was a show, it would have required encores. As it was, it was the best yet!

Sunday morning we again slept late. We didn't eat the continental breakfast offered, opting instead for a little breakfast place we had seen on the way in, Friday night. We drove home -- top down -- to another beautiful autumn day.

Chapter 15

I was faced with a dilemma: What do you get for the guy who has nothing! He has no idea that my dad set up a trust for me. I could retire if I wanted. But I don't want to. I could buy him anything I -- or he -- wanted. I want to - But I'm afraid he would take it badly. And - - -there's the more sticky issue of -- we are talking something akin to marriage.

Should I tell him about my father's trust? It's not like what men and women have to consider exactly -- prenuptial agreements and all that. Especially in 48 of the 50 U.S. States where gay marriages are not legal, it's really a non-issue. But only legally. I feel like, as an equal partner, Denny deserves to know, at least before we do any kind of ceremony.

And if I wait until then to tell him, will he think I didn't trust him all this time? Do I trust him -- really? Or am I still making our relationship vertical -- like I am somehow above him, in a parent role -- rather than equal? I know I feel like I need to father him sometimes -- and he feels like he wants me to, as well. Does this include telling him about my assets? To me this is not as much a legal thing than a moral one.

So I have made a decision. When we set a date -- I will tell him! And as far as I am concerned, long engagements are a bad idea, so it needs to be soon. So - - -

"Denny, I am so happy that we are so committed to each other. Engaged, if we can call it that."

"Isn't that what we ARE calling it?"

"Well -- yeah. I wonder how soon we should -- well -- have our ceremony -- before God and man -- to give ourselves publicly to each other?"

"Hmph. Is that a question? Do you want my opinion? Or are you just wondering aloud?"

"I want your opinion."

"Uh-huh -- and then when I give it to you, you will want me so see your side of the issue -- your opinion -- right?"

Damn, he knows me pretty well! "Damn, you know me pretty well!" I said grinning.

"Well, then why don't you just tell me your thoughts and I will tell you if I agree, or if I have other ideas." He said.

I couldn't help smiling. "Okay. I think we should do it as soon as possible."

"And - - your reason would be? Besides the fact that you aren't getting any younger!" He laughed.

"I just don't believe long engagements are a good thing."

"Oh. Well, I guess I agree. But what's long? I'd like to finish school. Is that too long?" He submitted.

"Yes! I'd like to do it sooner. I'd like to set a date even sooner than that -- I mean really soon."

"But what kind of a marriage can we have if you are still the major breadwinner -- or I should say the ONLY breadwinner?"

"Do we have to go over this issue again and again? Just look at how many guys are going to your own college -- being supported by their wives! And almost as many women being totally supported by their husbands. I really think it is not an issue -- well at least for me."

When do you want to do it?" He asked.

"As soon as -- oh! What, set a date or actually do the ceremony?"

"Okay," he asked, looking pensive, like the cat playing with the mouse, "Let's say -- umm -- Set the date! How soon do you want to set the date?" He smiled seemingly almost mockingly. I had to remind myself that he had no idea why this was important to me.

"Now."

"Now?" He parroted.

"Well, as soon as we can make sure all the people we want there can be there."

"May I ask what your rush is?" he challenged.

"Umm -- okay. Yes, you may ask. When two people -- umm -- set a date -- I believe there are disclosure issues that need to be shared. It really isn't totally serious until a date is set -- and plans are put into motion."

"Disclosure issues?" He said. "Like telling each other that they have this huge debt that they may have forgotten to mention before? That type of disclosure issues?"

"Yeah. That's the type. Either of us may have some stuff that is not anyone else's business -- unless we are committed enough to set a date."

"Okay. I'm convinced." He started. "Well I don't have any debt or any big secrets, so - - why don't we set the date for next spring! We can work out the exact date -- like you said -- when we get all the important peoples' input."

Wow! Now I really feel the burden. He now knows I have this big "issue" and wants to find out what it is.

"As a matter of fact," he continued, "Christmas is in two weeks. Next spring is at least three months away. Let's just pick a date. There are always people who have considerations. We can't work around everyone."

"When, then?" I said. Heh! I am the one that was pushing this in the first place, so why do I now I feel I'm the one getting railroaded?

"Okay -- spring is in March. How about the first Saturday in April?" He said.

"Okay!" I said. As simple as that! I looked at my calendar. "The first Saturday in April it is!"

Denny sat back as if he had won something. "Okay -- well since we have committed to that point -- I feel like I need to tell you something." He said to me.

"What?" I asked, completely blown away.

"It's something that I have been worried about ever since we got engaged." He said.

Wow, what deep secret does he have that I don't already know? "Okay -- but whatever it is -- I can handle it." I said sounding more convinced than I was.

"I'm still -- I mean - I still have very -- um - " He dropped his head. "I still love Garth. I miss him -- sometimes terribly!"

"Wow! You could have told me that a long time ago. I love him and think of him often, too. But it doesn't change my love for you! Do you think it's a problem?"

"I -- I don't think so."

"Then neither do I." I replied. "I don't think that love is something that you can just turn off. It's okay if you still love him. I'd say there's something wrong with you if you didn't." I looked at his face, and it relaxed so much.

"So -- what is your deep dark secret -- for me?" Denny said.

"Well, first of all I want to say that I can now see that this guilt over Garth was really bothering you. I believe that we need to be more honest -- or something -- sooner. This little `secret' that you were holding inside you had to affect out relationship. It's the little things like that, that rob us of complete joy. And secondly," I paused here as a stalling measure. "Secondly, Denny I am- um -- independent."

He looked at me blankly. "That means I don't need to work. At all. My father has given me -- or actually set up a trust in my name -- enough so that I would never have to work at all."

He still looked like he didn't understand me. "So -- what you are telling me is -- we're rich?"

"Haha! No. My father is rich. This is not rich. But I suppose that's relative, isn't it. I really want to make it on my own. And I want you to excel at what you're doing. Is this knowledge going to change your motivation any?"

"Nope! I want to be able to keep my end of the relationship up. I don't know if I could ever rise to your standard. But I can strive to rise to my own."

"HAH! That is my standard! That's all I could ever ask. But you know what?"

"What?" He said.

"I love you." I said, simply.

"I love you too, but what's that got to do with - "

"I love you, so it doesn't really matter -- to me. I mostly want you -- us -- to be happy. I just don't think you would be happy if you weren't doing what you can to pull your weight. And - - besides that, no one is a better judge of that than you, yourself. And I am no judge at all, when it comes to your standard."

"Okay. Would I be overstepping my limits if I asked -- how much are we talking about?"

"How much?"

"Your trust. How much are we going to be getting?"

"Already ARE getting." Wow, I didn't really plan on FULL disclosure yet, but -- well, we HAVE set a date, so -- why not. "Well, it was 5 million at the beginning of the last quarter. My dad has it set up in an unbelievable way -- that only the very rich know about and can do -- so that it gets back a minimum of 2% per month."

"2%? That doesn't sound so - "

"That's 24% per year, and that's not compounded. It amounts to $100,000 per month -- minimum. Sometimes it is as high as $200,000."

"Sheee -- yit!" Denny exclaimed.

"And not only that, since I'm not using it as fast as it comes in, it compounds on itself. Next year the principle could be as much as 8 million."

"I -- uh -- um -- duh! I just don't know what to say, Robby. No wonder you can afford this nice condo! I just kind of assumed your job was good enough to - "

"It is! I don't hardly touch the trust. But that's also how all the charges got cleaned off my record in that assault deal. If you know -- and pay -- the right people -- it's easy." He gave me a look. "Sorry, baby -- don't look at me that way. You know I didn't do anything wrong. It's just a fact of life: if you have money -- you get benefits that other's don't. It's not evil to be rich, like the liberals like to make out. Oh, there are many people who use their riches in unfair or evil ways. My dad never would. Neither would I! And don't worry: the creeps that beat you up didn't get a cent!"

"Okay -- I believe you." He said.

"Just like that? I had so much more to say!" I was joking, but not really.

"Why shouldn't I believe you? You've never given me any reason to not trust you?"

"Denny -- does it bother you that I never mentioned this to you before?"

"You mean about the money?"

"Yeah. I felt bad keeping it from you."

"You know how you told me that people -- on some level -- know that a guy is gay?"

"Yeah?" I said.

"It's the same with this. I didn't really know -- at least consciously. But I sort of -- um -- felt -- that we wouldn't ever hurt for money. I guess I felt like you would inherit your fathers money or something. And the way your dad's lawyers came immediately to your aid -- our aid -- when you got involved in my fight. And of course there's your grad present -- the Vette. It all makes more sense now. But -- on some level -- I guess I knew. Heh!" Denny continued. "I wonder how your parents feel about you marrying a `commoner'?"

"I think it WAS a bit of a concern. I know it bothered them more than the gay issue. They never said it, but I know that they had concerns about how their little -- or not so little -- rich boy could deal with someone not exposed to this kind of abundance."

"Wow! That was a mouthful!" he ribbed.

"The first Saturday in April! All of a sudden I'm getting excited! That really IS soon!"

"Seems a long way away to me." Denny said.

"Well -- haha! When you get to be my age, time goes faster."

"You are soooo old!"

"And you're in deep trouble!" I said, laughing, as I picked him up and turned him upside down.

"Nice view from down here!" He said, as he grabbed my butt and buried his face in the front of my Dockers, then clamped onto my crotch with his teeth.

"Ooooo! You're achin' to get creamed!" I threatened.

"Promises, promises!" He mumbled, as he chewed on my swelling piece, through the material of my clothes. I put "the squeeze" on him, so he wrapped his legs around my head and tried to hump my neck. Remember he was upside down!

I carried him to the couch and tried to put him down on it, but he remained clamped on to my head with his knees and my dick with his teeth. So I lay down on the couch with him on top of me. He then proceeded to undo my fly and pushed his face in, and sucked me through my boxers. I was as hard as steel, and without thinking about it, my hips started to rock.

He let go of both ends of me and jumped off. Then he jumped back on, this time, securing his mouth on mine, and pushing his other end into me. We laughed and kissed passionately for several minutes.

"I love you so much!" He said. "So, what shall we do to celebrate?"

I had almost forgotten there was something to celebrate. "What do you want to do?" I asked.

"You KNOW what I want to do!" He giggled. "But maybe we can go out and do something significant first?"

"Okay. Unless you have some other ideas, I'd like to drive by both our parents places and tell them our date. Then we can go out to eat. I know a very nice place -- now that you know I can afford it!"

"Can we go by and tell Randy and Tad, too?" Denny asked.

"Of course!" I said. "Maybe they'd like to go out to eat and celebrate with us!"

"Great! We better call them now, so they don't eat first."

Denny made then call. "Hey Tad! Pretty good, you? No, I'm fine. It was just kind of exhausting. Hey can you guys go out to dinner with us tonight? No, our treat. Yeah -- we have an announcement to make. Yeah. Red? You mean James -- is he there?" Denny looked at me and I nodded. "Sure he can come too. Oh. OH! Really -- he is?" Wow. Well I'm not surprised. K. See you -- about eight! K. Bye!"

"So do I get to hear what went on, on the other side of the line?" I asked.

"James is living with them."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. He had been living with Roddy, but after that night on the boat, they got into a big fight, and Rod kicked him out. So he's living with the guys, in the dorm, illegally, of course -- for the time being."

"Yeah, I'm not surprised either." I replied. "Well we better get our butts in gear if we're going out to Orange County to see our parents and then coming back here -- wait! Let's have the guys meet us out there. Tell them I'll give them gas money! I know they are all strapped."

Denny put the phone on hands free. "Hi. Listen Randy -- we are really on a tight schedule. Rob says he'll give you gas money if you'll meet us out in Orange County."

"Cool!" Randy said. Where?"

Denny looked at me. "Fleming's Steakhouse -- Newport"

"Where's that?" Randy asked.

"Do you know Newport?"

"Yeah."

"It's on Newport Center Drive on Fashion Island."

"What time?

"Eight o'clock sharp."

"We'll be there -- WAY cool! Bye!"

"See yah -- bye!" We said.

"Wow. That'll be a treat for the guys -- well, and for me!" Denny said. "I've driven past there before and just assumed it was too rich for my blood!"

"It's a nice enough place. Lets get going. Did you want to warn your parents we're coming?"

"Naw -- they'll be there -- and if I call, Mom will want to invite us for dinner, with all the explaining -- let's just go."

"My feelings exactly."

We pulled up to Denny's parents home. His dad was in the front yard, mowing the grass. "Hi boys! What's the occasion? Does your mother know you were coming?"

"Nope!" Denny said. "We decided to drop in."

"Well, you know, when you just drop in at dinner time, you have to accept pot luck!"

"We won't be staying for dinner, Sir." I explained. "We have reservations for later."

"Oh? Well, come on in the house. Your mother will be happy to see you -- both!" He said. He was staring at our ear studs. Denny noticed also and asked,

"What do you think?"

"It's kinda hard to get used to, but - - it makes me wish I was younger!" Denny's dad said. "It's cute!"

"Wow!" Denny said. "That's a switch! Talk about hard to get used to!"

"You know what, Son? I'm somehow happier, now that I accept these feeling for what they are." He opened the door for us, and we walked in. Denny's mom was in the kitchen. It smelled good in there!

"Oh! Denny! And Rob! How nice! Are you here for dinner? I can always throw a couple more potatoes in the pot!"

"No, Mrs. Miggs. We have reservations for later. We stopped by to -- tell you something."

"It must be important. When is it gonna be?" Denny and I looked surprised at each other. "Men are SO transparent!" she added. "Let me guess! Next Spring!"

"MOM!" Denny exclaimed. "How did you know?"

"It's a mother thing. "When is it?"

"The first Saturday in April."

"Ooooo!" Mr. Miggs said. "We're going to Hawaii then!"

"No, dear -- we don't leave until the Monday after that!"

"We can change the date, if that is cutting something too close, Mr. Miggs. That's why we're here!"

"Nope! It works fine!" He answered, then added, "And please -- call me Jim -- or Dad -- if you feel comfortable with that!"

"And you can call me Carol -- or Mom!"

"Erm -- how -- um -- how about Jim and Carol for now? Well, listen, we need to go over to my parents and tell them now, so we'll get out of your way so you can eat."

"Oh you'll never be in the way, Dear! Tell your parents hello, and thank them again for the lovely Thanksgiving dinner!" She kissed Denny and then hugs all around. "And remind them that they are invited here Christmas day."

Before we left, Jim said, "I am so proud of you, Son -- er -- Sons!" And he kissed Denny on the cheek.

When we were back on the road, I said, "Did you know that dinner was going to be at your house?"

"No."

"I wonder when they were going to tell us?"

"So -- my parents are going to Hawaii! That's great. They've never been before. So -- I guess we can safely say that Hawaii is out for our honeymoon!"

"Why is that?" I asked.

"I don't want to be there the same time as my parents!"

"Hawaii is a big place, Baby."

"Still, it would creep me out, even imaging running in to them."

"Heh! And I was thinking seriously about Hawaii! But we can go there any time. How about a cruise?"

"Yesss! Denny said. "Where?"

"Well, I've been to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, Alaska and a cruise of the Greek Islands. But you know what? I've never been to the one that goes down to Mexico. And - - I've never been on any of those as an adult!"

"Mexican Riviera cruise?"

"Yeah. How does that sound to you?" I asked.

"Anywhere you are sounds like heaven to me!" Denny said.

"I'll call my travel agent in the morning."

When we got to my parents house it was nearly dark. So it was easy to see they were home by the lights already on in the house. We walked in the front door, and my mom was coming from the parlor as we entered. "Oh!" She exclaimed. "You startled me!" Then she hollered, "Nana, two more for dinner!"

"No, mom! We have reservations at Flemings."

"Ooooo, Fleming's!" She exclaimed. "So when's the date!"

"Aw Mom! We wanted to surprise you!"

"Well, I'm surprised! When's the date?"

"I mean -- how did you know?"

"I'm your mother, Robert! You have to ask how I know? When's the date"

"Where's Dad?"

"He's in the garage working on his Excalubur. I swear that car takes more of his time than -- When's the DATE, Robert?"

"I'll tell you together. Maybe then ONE of you will be surprised."

Mom pushed a button on the intercom. "Bob, Robert and Dennis are here. They have some news for us!"

"Be right in." The box squawked back.

Dad came in wiping his hand on a snow white towel. "So -- when's it gonna be? And where?"

I almost felt like crying! "It's going to be the first Saturday in April! We haven't gotten as far as where it will be."

"Why don't you have it at the club? It is a great place for a party like that."

"You really think the Country Club will want a gay wedding there?"

"Trust me, Son. If we throw enough money at them, the board will come dressed in period costumes if we ask them to!"

"I think we'd like it to be a little more -- uh -- genuine. I was thinking the same place Chris and Craig did theirs. It's a little glass church in Palos Verdes."

"Oh yes, I know that place -- lovely setting!" Mom said. "It would need to be an evening wedding -- to take advantage of the sunset."

"Yes, that's how Chris and Craig's was."

"Wonderful! Nana, forget the 2 extra for dinner. Robert and Dennis are going to Fleming's to celebrate setting their date!"

Nana came to the kitchen door and clapped her hands. "Oh, this is so wonderful!" and she smiled a huge toothy grin.

"Listen Mom -- Dad, we have to be getting down to Newport. So that date is good for you two?"

"Oh yes!" My mom exclaimed. Good-bye, my two gorgeous boys! Tell Arthur hello for us!"

As soon as we were out the door, "Who's Arthur?"

"He's the maitre' d. My parents are regulars there."

"Of course they are!" Denny said, not trying too hard to hide his sarcasm.

It just occurred to me to call the guys. I flipped out my phone and threw it to Denny. "Get one of the guys on the line." I said.

He did as requested and handed the phone back to me. "Yeah -- this is Rob. Hey, Do you have enough for parking? I'll pay you back. Oh. Yeah -- it's valet parking only. Yeah. Well, just get the ticket and I'll give you some to get your car back. What? They don't care about that! Yeah, I suppose, but that's their problem! See yah!"

"What was that about?" Denny said.

"They were worried about valet parking for their old car. Well, I'm sure there are some snobs that would get incensed that their car may be next to Randy's. Too bad. Some people just have no class!" I said.

We waited outside for the guys, and all went in together. I saw Arthur. "Hello Mister Balser! It's been a long time!"

"My parents send their regards, Arthur." I slipped a $20 into his hand. He led us to a table set into a bay window -- overlooking -- you guessed it -- the bay.

When we got settled, I ordered sparkling cider all around. (Too many designated drivers!) When everyone had a glassful, I made a toast. "To my friend and lover and the sweetest guy in the world -- Denny!" After several clinks and everyone took a drink, Denny stood.

"To my wonderful partner. It feels great to be loved by the ACTUAL sweetest guy in the world!" Another clinking of glasses, and I continued.

"I suppose you all have guessed why we wanted you all here tonight." They looked at me then at each other -- clearly puzzled. I looked at Denny and said, "Heh! Looks like we get to surprise SOMBODY tonight! Guys we are getting married the first Saturday in April!"

"Woo-hoo! Yeah! Great! Yeeeee-hawww!" They whooped and hollered. I couldn't help grinning so much it hurt -- nor the tears in my eyes. Denny was in the same shape.

"And guys, It may have been presumptuous of me, but I pre-ordered for all of us when I made the reservations."

"Hey," Randy said, "beggars can't be choosers!"

"I ordered steak and lobster for everyone!"

"Woo-hoo! Yeah! Great! Yeeeee-hawww!" They whooped and hollered.

"And Crème Brûlée for dessert!"

"Hunh?" They all said in chorus. I laughed.

"Something new for you to try." I said.

"I'm game!" Said James.

"Pretty brave for the kid who has enough on his plate already!" Randy said.

"What's going on in your life, Red?"

"Well, as you may have heard, Rod kicked me out."

"Jerk!" I said.

"Well, I have been staying the last couple nights with these guys."

"This is kinda also his farewell dinner. Tomorrow he gets evicted from our place. Dorm rules." Randy said. "Tomorrow he will be in the street."

I looked at Denny. His bottom lip was sticking out.

"Do you wanna come bunk on our couch for a while?" I said, before good sense made me think it out. We hardly know the guy! But Rod is a jerk, so this guy must be okay -- right? Hah! Well now I'm committed.

"Do -- do you really mean it?" He asked. "I promise I won't be any trouble. How much can I pay you?"

"Nothing." I said. Denny looked at me as if I was crazy. "All you need to do is find a place as soon as possible. Denny and I need our privacy more than the money. But I don't want you sleeping in the street!"

"Oh, I can sleep in my car, but - "

"No -- that's not much better than on the street. You come over tomorrow night. You can stay for up to 3 months, if you need to, but you need to look for another place immediately. Sorry, I'm just not set up for a boarding house. Does that sound fair to you?"

"Yes, of course." He said, sounding sincere, but looking as if his neck was in a noose. I saw an exchanged look from Randy to Tad. As far as I knew, they still had no third roommate, so I guess having Red there impacted their own privacy a lot. I was already beginning to regret being so impulsive and - - - nice.

The rest of the dinner went well enough, but I seemed to sense a pall on the whole evening. It was as if the fun that the other guys -- including Denny -- were having was just background noise to me. Finally I excused myself and went toward the restroom. As I passed the entrance door, I veered off and went outside.

I walked around thinking. I had training years ago. It was a lot more than how to hug! We learned techniques for dealing with this kind of situation. I took a deep breath and reasoned -- and decided that, if I screwed up, then we would get through it, and agonizing about it now was not fruitful.

"Rob? Are you -- uh -- what's wrong?" Denny put his hand on my shoulder.

"I just had to get away for a moment."

"Are you upset with me?"

"What? Oh, Noooo, baby. I just -- well, maybe fu -- screwed up in there. Sometimes I'm too nice for my -- and now OUR -- own good."

"Well, for what it's worth, your heart was in the right place. But -- three months?" He said it lightly enough, but it was like a dagger through my heart.

" Okay, here's the deal. Yeah, sometimes I think too much with my heart and not enough with my head. In the case of you and me, I think I am right on track. And I was trying to think as rationally as I could under the circumstances -- on the spur of the moment. I thought I saw a look from you which communicated that you wanted to save this guy, too."

"Yeah, you did. But why for nothing?"

"Well, I figured if he doesn't have enough to get into a place, paying me -- us -- will just drag that out longer. Three months may be too long, but thinking on the spot, I reasoned that would get him through the winter. If he is still sleeping in his car by spring, then I can't help him. I just had to get some distance for a moment to think -- mostly to let it go -- and enjoy the moment. Tonight is a celebration -- right?

"Anyway -- he has a deadline. Denny, my -- er -- our place is pretty nice, but - - not so nice that it would make anyone wonder about why I could afford it. Let's just keep my financial position confidential. No one except you and I needs to know anything about it."

"Of course. Your business is not anyone else's affair."

"OUR business, Babe -- OUR business. Let's get back inside. With no alcohol flowing, they will be wondering where we are and why we left. I'm okay now. Thanks for coming out!" I hugged him and we returned to the party. We got a look when we came back, but no one said anything. James was not there, but returned after a moment, with a drink in his hand. Lots of implications there, but I had already decided to let it go, so I ignored it.

That night in bed, after we did a good bit of celebrating of our own, we were just lying there, enjoying the afterglow, Denny's head on my chest.

"That was pretty incredible sex, Robby! Especially considering all you had on your mind."

"I'm pretty good with compartmentalizing."

"What were you thinking when he came back with a drink?"

"Heh! You saw me thinking?"

"Yeah -- and then you seemed to be okay with it."

"More compartmentalizing. I was thinking: this party was on me. We were at a pretty high-end establishment. All he had to do was order what he wanted from the waitress. But maybe he thought he was going to be taking enough charity, and at least he could buy his own drink. But the rest of us weren't drinking, so why did he feel a need to? Things like that. All that in a quick moment. And then I told myself, this was a party -- I had already decided to live with -- to make the best of -- the situation, so I let it go."

"Man, you could sure teach me a lot about that kind of dealing with situations!"

"Oh, I will! The main thing is to learn to live each day -- in that day. Don't worry about the future, and especially don't worry about the past -- you can't change the past. That's why I stepped outside tonight. I was really beating myself up -- questioning why I did what I did. But the fact is -- I did it! I invited an almost total stranger into our home -- for three months -- for nothing. But once it was done, I -- er -- sorry, Sweetie but -- WE have to deal with it."

I expected some response, and when there was none, I noticed that he was very relaxed. I looked down and his eyes were closed. Heh! I had put him to sleep with my worries! God! I love this boy!

Notes: Well, what have I done to our boys? I -- like Rob -- was not really thinking ahead on this one. I was tempted to just delete it and start over with a different theme. But that's not my style. In real life, this is exactly the kind of hands we deal ourselves -- or get dealt. So I decided to play it out. I love your comments! Send any you have to Steve at s4d@hotmail.com. Be sure to include "Rob" in the subject line. Thanks and love, Steve

Bottom line: Love will Rule in the end.