The following is a work of gay fiction. If the subject matter is offensive to you or you are too young, please exit now. This chapter is the property of the author and may not be reproduced without permission. See Ch. 1 for copyright information. JETjt@aol.com
EMPIRE
Chapter Thirty-three
Thursday evening, Ron and Matt's estate on the pool deck
Nathan and Carl looked at David ben Sharif who had just offered to lay open his heart to them.
"David, you don't have to tell us, unless you want to," Carl offered. "In this house, your past isn't held against you. What's important is from this day forward."
"I appreciate you saying that Carl," David replied. "You guys have been open with me and offered me friendship, so I should be open with you too. It's my decision. It's not an easy one for me, but I need to tell someone."
"Alright. We promise that anything you tell us will be just between us, and that we'll not judge you," Carl declared.
"I was feeling confident that it was so," David responded, so here goes. "Uh... I'm like you guys. I'm pretty sure I'm gay," he said in one staccato blast.
"That only makes the bond of our friendship closer," Nathan said without surprise. "We know it's difficult to come out, and we also know how much trust it takes. As we promised, we'll never tell anyone without your okay."
"Thanks guys," David responded. "You're not shocked?"
"No. Someone else might be, but not me, for sure," Carl replied. "I have pretty good Gaydar."
"What's that?"
"It's the ability of someone to detect others who are gay. Some guys are really good at it and some have no clue."
"You can really do that?" David asked.
"Sometimes. Nathan is better at it than me." Carl said truthfully.
"I would never confront anyone that I thought was gay," Nathan went on with the conversation. "It's not up to me to `out' anyone. It's a person's choice whether or not they want others, including me, to know. There are always risks."
"How do you do it?"
"With some guys it's really difficult, especially if they're very `butch.' I look at mannerisms, the way subjects of conversation are handled, but most of all I look at their eyes. I look at the way they look at me, and if they look at other guys, especially cute ones."
"Did I give myself away?" David asked.
"Well, I wondered," Carl answered, "but I wasn't really sure. The thing is, it didn't really matter. I liked you as a person, gay or straight. You knew that I was gay and that Nathan was my partner. You accepted us. We accept you. It's pretty simple. Being gay is just another ingredient of you being who you are, and it's not as important as you being a good person at heart. That's the guy we accepted as our friend."
"I second that," Nathan added. "I think you have a good heart."
"You don't know that much about me," David countered.
"No, but I have an innate feeling that is seldom wrong," Nate responded. "I felt that way about Carl, when I first met him. I had all kinds of personal doubts about myself, but at least I was sure I could take care of myself. Then I was attacked and left for dead. Carl came to my aid and helped me, even though he was in no position to take care of himself, much less me. Nonetheless, he jumped in to my rescue. Somehow I feel that you're that kind of guy too."
"You were attacked?"
"Yes. Being gay is sometimes more than just emotionally difficult. It can be physically dangerous."
"I can believe that," David agreed. "I've never told anyone about me before, partly because of that, and also because I have no family or friends who would support me, for sure if they knew I was gay. My religion, like the Christian one, condemns gays."
"You're a follower of Islam?" Nathan guessed.
"Yes," David revealed. "I hope that won't make you dislike me."
"No, of course not," Carl said, reentering the conversation. "I was raised in a sect of the Mormon Church whose teachings are far less than mainstream. I'm certainly not one to challenge someone's beliefs."
"Hoping that you won't judge me either, perhaps you'd be more comfortable knowing more about me," Nathan offered. "It's not a pretty tale, but as Carl said earlier, yesterday is not as important as today and tomorrow."
"I'll listen, even though you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."
"Thanks David. Here it comes..."
For the next 20 minutes, Nathan told about his earlier life. When he was finished, Carl took up the baton, telling about his background. David's reaction was mixed. It was exposure to the inner feelings that he shared with his two hosts, but circumstances were beyond what he had expected and what he was sure he fully understood. He listened with interest though, asking a few questions as the stories unrolled. Finally when Carl concluded, he sat in silence thinking of all he'd been told.
Breaking the silence, he confessed, "I'm not sure of what to say."
"No response is necessary," Nathan said. "You know more about us now than anyone besides each other. You either accept us or you don't. You can think about it though. There's no hurry."
"The older guys here don't know your background?" David asked.
"Tyler knows most of it," Carl said. "I'm sure the other guys know a lot of it, but I'm sure not all. The younger guys here, as we said earlier, all have difficult backgrounds. We all love each other, and accept the guy we see."
"I'm not sure that they would accept me if they, or even you, knew everything about me. My story is quite different from yours."
"Perhaps that's true," Nathan said. "Cultural differences sometimes make it difficult to come together in understanding, but that is just another version of acceptance. Ron often says that being different' is the root of most of the world's problems. We're taught from an early age that we're okay' but whoever is not like us is wrong, immoral, and less than we are. It doesn't matter if you're talking about sexuality, skin color, religion, ethnic background or whatever. Civilized man in an overcrowded world needs, most of all, to change his attitudes. The guys in this house are the best example I've ever seen of true acceptance. If you're a `bad guy' it's because you act bad, not because of what you are or where you come from."
"I can see that," David agreed. "I come from a culture that has huge difficulty with gays."
"Were you born in the United States?" Carl asked.
"No, I was born in the Middle East. My father was a car mechanic and I had three brothers and a sister. My father was an angry and cruel man. When I was just a teen, I knew that I had to leave my family as soon as I could to escape him. He would beat us and was extremely violent. I was afraid for my life and ran away when I was thirteen. Fortunately, I found some guys that let me live with them. When I was 16 my mother found me, and told me that an uncle in the United States would take me, so I was able to come here. Unfortunately, my Uncle was as bad as his brother so after two years I ran away again. I was afraid he'd find me so I took the money I had saved and came to Las Vegas. I had worked in construction in New York, so I looked for a job here and got the job I have now with Turner Construction."
"Why did you say we wouldn't like you," Carl asked. "It sounds to me like all you did was escape from harm."
"In a way that's true," David admitted. "It's what I haven't told you that you won't like."
"Can you tell us that?" Nathan asked. "You don't have to, you know."
"It's just that my family, and for that matter everyone I grew up with, had ties to terrorism. Several of my young friends were either killed or sacrificed their lives for the cause of Islam. I'm sure of how you feel about those things. I was afraid you'd paint me with the same brush."
There was another pause of silence before Carl replied.
"David, you are right in one respect. We hate terrorism and violence. It's the antithesis of everything we believe and practice in this house. The ultimate result of terrorism is death, death for the victims and death for those who practice it. Terrorism breeds retaliation until all who hate are dead. We believe in life and love, not death and hate. On the other hand I can only repeat what we said before. For you, with us, today is a new day. Wherever you came from, what ever you did, can be over if you want it to. I won't ask if you participated in that hate game. I don't want to know. I only want to know if you can buy into what we believe, the belief that life is good, and love is the highest goal of life."
"I want to Carl," David said with a tear leaking from his right eye. "I guess I've never really believed that there was a choice. Please be patient with me. I've got a lot of thinking to do."
"Take your time," Nathan said. "Friendship means giving, not demanding."
"Thanks guys," David said.
"Sleep on it, my friend," Carl advised. "We can talk some more another time. In the meantime, how about a hug before we call it a night."
"No one has hugged me for years," David revealed.
"It's about time for a change then," Carl said as he arose, pulling his friend up from his seat and into an embrace.
Nathan also stood and waited for his turn, then after taking their new tearful friend in his arms, said softly, "It's okay David. Everything will be okay."
Friday Morning, 6 AM, Ron and Matt's suite
Ron lay on the large bed looking at the beautiful body of his mate. He never ceased to be amazed at how lucky he'd been in their union. Not only was Matt gorgeous, he was intelligent, funny, and caring. The best thing, without a doubt, was the love for each other that they shared. It wasn't only physical, it was the joining of two hearts, both different, but united in a commitment of devotion to the other partner and to the goals in life that they pursued. Somehow that devotion made the sexual side of their relationship whole. It became the physical expression of the love they shared, rather than an end in itself.
Matt stirred, opening his eyes and seeing his lover looking at him. "Mornin' Babe. Like what you see?" he asked with a smile.
"My eyes can never get enough of you lover," Ron replied. "Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe that you're real and that you're mine."
"I'm real alright, and will always be yours," Matt promised. "How long have you been awake?"
"Just a few minutes. We have a lot to do today if we're going to Houston this afternoon so I woke up early."
"Parker will get us all packed," Matt replied. "What's left to do?"
"I was just thinking," Ron replied. "Since Jerry and Zack are staying for the move this weekend with Tyler and Dan, we have plenty of room on the plane. I know that Carl especially would like David ben Sharif to come along."
"You think Carl is getting `sweet' on David?" Matt asked surprise.
"Not at all," Ron answered. "I'm sure that Carl and Nathan are inseparable. It's just that I think he's found someone `in need' and wants to help him as much as he can."
"It's okay with me," Matt agreed, "but I'd talk to Carl and Nathan first before offering. Nathan just met David, and I'd hate to add a third wheel to their bicycle unless they were both comfortable with it."
"I get your point, lover," Ron said giving Matt a kiss.
"Yuck! Morning mouth!" he exclaimed with a grin.
"Same to ya!" Matt kidded back. "Your mouth tastes like my ass."
"Hmmm," Ron responded with a twinkle in his eye. "There might be a reason for that!"
"Let's hit the shower and get beautiful," Matt suggest after a feigned poke to Ron's shoulder.
"A shower will never improve your looks," Ron assured his love.
"No, maybe not," Matt countered, "but it will sure improve the air quality down-wind of me," he concluded with a laugh.
20 minutes later, in the breakfast room
Ron and Matt found Carl and David busily munching down their breakfast at the table when the two older men entered the room. The younger guys were dressed in their work clothes, and were wasting no time with eating in order to avoid being late on the job.
"Morning guys,' Ron and Matt both said.
"Morning Ron," Carl responded then David quickly followed with, "Good morning, Sir."
"Where's Nathan," Matt asked.
"Oh he's going in with you guys later," Carl answered. "He's up but was just taking his shower when I last looked. He'll be along shortly. He wants to say goodbye to David before we leave for work."
"I need to talk with both of you privately for a minute," Matt requested. "Let's go up and chat for a second. It won't take long. Ron can stay here with David and get better acquainted."
"Sure Matt. Let's go," Carl said as he wiped his face with a napkin. "Back in a minute David."
"Okay," came the muffled reply from a mouth half full of English muffin.
Matt and Carl disappeared through the doorway through the family room as Ron grabbed a cup of coffee and joined David at the table.
"How was your visit?" he asked the younger man.
"Incredible," David responded. "At first I was a bit intimidated with this place, but Carl and Nathan kept me so occupied I didn't have time to worry about it. It sure is beautiful though, and you and all your family made me feel welcome. I want to thank you for having me here."
"You're most welcome David. Carl has had nothing but good to say about you since he first started working with you. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. We try to enjoy ourselves when we're not working. How do you like your job?"
"It's a lot better now that Carl is working with me. I mean it was good before, but now it's great! We get along well and make a really good team."
"I'm glad," Ron said with a smile. "You know, I worked construction too for a while when I was younger."
"I bet it wasn't as a laborer though," David said.
"Not for very long, that's true," Ron confirmed, "but I started at the bottom and had a taste of the construction business all the way up. I did it for all of the summers when I was in college, then returned to it for a while later when my Dad and I didn't get along. The first summer I worked was doing what you're doing."
"Wow! I had no idea," David responded.
"Where do you think all these muscles came from?" Ron said jokingly as he raised up his arm and flexed.
"The gym," David replied.
"Well, that too," Ron admitted with a wink, "but working in the field got `em going. I used to come home beat to a frazzle. It gets pretty hot here in the summer."
"I can't wait," David kidded back.
"Anyway, I'm glad you had a good time here. We want you to feel that this is your second home. You're welcome anytime."
"I really appreciate you saying that Ron," David replied. "You have no idea how much it means to me. It's one thing for your friend to invite you home, but it's so much more when you're welcomed and made to feel part of the family like you guys have done with me. Carl said I'd not want to leave, and he was right."
"I consider that a sincere compliment, David. Thank you."
"You're welcome Sir. You can be proud of what you have here. I don't mean just the house either. The guys here are the best. It makes me want to cry with envy."
"Good things come to those who work hard for it. Of course a little help makes it easier, but I believe that, with few exceptions, we make our own destiny in this country. It's what makes America great. We have the freedom to become what we want to be."
"What about America forcing its will on others?" David asked. "I came from the Middle East and we feel America's yoke on our neck, trying to make us bend to their will. What about Afghanistan and Iraq?"
"I wish there was an easy answer to that David," Ron replied. "America has made a lot of mistakes since it was forced out of isolationism by World War One, and even more so by World War Two. Before then America believed that it could survive and prosper by itself. Now we have a world economy. Not being isolated is an economic necessity, if we wish to improve our conditions in the world. The world's population explosion alone makes it imperative. For years our main focus was to defend against Communism. The third world was of minor concern to us. As I said, we made many mistakes and we'll make many more. We've often allied ourselves with despots in order to achieve a regional balance or even in our own self-interest. We've toppled some too, for the same reasons. I'm not making excuses, just stating facts. There are many things we can't be proud of, but in the last 100 years we've never conquered for our own gain. We've never enslaved peoples for our own enrichment. We've poured billions and billions of dollars into helping other nations and peoples. We want peace, but it's very difficult when hate is preached from infancy, and power and greed prevail. I'm not saying we're blameless ourselves. Our human rights history alone is appalling. We're trying to do better, but it's hard to overcome generations of distrust."
"I wish everyone felt as you do Ron," David remarked. "The world would be a better place."
"I'm sure that's true," Ron agreed. "We have to win this battle one person at a time. I truly believe that good is stronger than evil. I believe that love is stronger than hate and that hard work and caring for others will prevail over greed and selfishness. Sometimes it looks like a hopeless task and we might never live to see it, but I believe that one day it will come. Of course we didn't believe that man could travel to the moon either. It's happened though, and my father lived to see it. It is amazing what can be accomplished when the will is there."
"No one ever talked to me about this stuff before," David revealed. "I was either a dumb kid whose opinion didn't count, or someone's pawn. You treat me like an adult, a man with a brain."
Ron smiled.
"That because you are a man David. You do have a brain and your opinions do count. I only ask that you make your judgments from the right perspective, the perspective of the inherent goodness that is the potential in all people."
Their conversation was interrupted by the reappearance of Carl and Matt, followed by the now freshly scrubbed Nathan. Matt nodded affirmatively at Ron.
"David," Carl who had been appointed spokesman began, "I know I had asked you here for the weekend, but it turns out this weekend we're taking a trip. We wondered if you'd like to go along."
"Where are you going?" David asked in pleased surprise.
"We're going to Houston to visit some friends," Matt answered. "They have a camp there for youths, and they called last night telling us that they're having a weekend gathering there. It will be a bit rustic, but should be fun."
"Uh, I'd sure like to," David replied, "but I haven't any money for fun things, nor clothes that are really good enough."
"It will cost you nothing," Ron responded. "We're providing all the transportation and lodging, and there'll even be a bit of pocket money for everyone too. As for your clothing, I'll ask Parker to take your measurements before you leave for work. He'll see that you are outfitted properly and he'll love spending the day shopping. Most of the time will be very casual so there won't be much, if any `dressing up'."
"I can't let you do that," David said dejectedly. "You've all been wonderful to me and I've nothing to offer in return."
"All we're asking for is your company, Dude," Carl replied. "Daddy Warbucks is in charge of everything else," he said kiddingly. "Ya better say `yes' if ya know what's good for ya," Carl said in imitation of John Wayne.
"Then it's `yes'," David decided with a smile; then he suddenly frowned.
"A problem?" Ron asked.
"Uh, I was supposed to go to um....a meeting this weekend," David reported. Then shaking his head he again made up his mind. "I can skip it, I guess. I'll just have to make a phone call. Thanks for asking me. I'll try not to embarrass you with your friends."
"That's Carl's job," Ron said laughing. "It will be good to have you along. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
6 PM, McCarran Airport's Executive Terminal
Ron and Matt led the boys through the doorway leading to the RET hangar. The boys' eyes, already filled with wonder, about popped when they saw the white Grumman G-V bathed in light from the overhead floodlights. In addition to Ron and Matt, the entourage consisted of Ronnie, Douglas, Carl, Nathan, and their guest, David.
"WOW!" David said, expressing each of the boys' feelings. Only Ronnie had ridden on the large corporate craft before and he smiled as he was reminded of the trip to see Jerry in the hospital in Houston. He knew how the others were feeling, yet was again himself filled with the excitement that was visible on the other boys' faces.
"We're going on that?" Carl asked. "I knew we had a plane, `cause Nathan and I rode on it when we came here with Tyler, but it was way smaller. I didn't know we had this one!"
"Actually we have four planes," Ron revealed. "This one, and another like it are the big ones. We have two smaller ones too. The rest of them are all gone on business now."
"Man, you have a regular airline," David ventured.
"Sometimes it seems like it," Ron said. "We have another three on order. Two are small ones, and the other is even bigger than this one. It's actually a commercial jet from Boeing that's customized for business. We rent two planes also, but we don't keep them here. We have one in Atlanta, and another in New York. We'll turn them back in when we get the smaller ones delivered."
"I'd hate to have your gas bill," Douglas giggled. It seemed that whenever he got used to one thing in the household, there was another surprise waiting.
"You forgot the helicopter, Ron," Matt reminded his mate.
"Oh yes," Ron announced to the boys. "We have a helicopter too."
"It that what the big concrete pad is back behind the house?" Douglas asked.
"Yes, that's what it's for," Ron answered. "Let's get aboard. It's going to be very late when we get to Houston."
"How long does it take to fly there?" Ronnie asked as everyone approached the boarding stairway.
"About 2 ½ hours," Ron replied, "but then there's the time change, and we'll still have an hour's drive out to the camp."
Later
An hour into the flight the three older boys were watching a movie on the plane's DVD system, while Douglas and Ronnie were playing games on the new game system that Ron had special ordered. Ron and Matt rested on two adjacent executive chairs, holding hands and listening to music over earphones from the aircraft's stereo system, ignoring the antics of the younger crowd.
"Mr. Turner," Ron heard the co-pilot's voice interrupt the Bach he was enjoying. "There's a phone call for you from Jeff Davis. Just push the blinking button."
Ron removed his headset before picking up the phone from the armrest and pressing on the blinking light.
"Hi Jeff," Ron greeted.
"Hi Ron. We've finished the audit. Everything looks good. We have an outline of the contract too. I'll be faxing it to you aboard the plane along with two consolidated financial statements. One is for Tegano Constructors, and the other is an asset statement on the land the company owns. I'm also including the information on a couple of pieces of land that you asked me to research. The one between Austin and San Antonio is owned by Tegano, but the other one near Dallas is available for trade. We have contacted the owner and have a potential land swap ready, if Tony is interested."
"Good work Jeff," Ron said smiling.
"If you guys get the chance to see the land while you're in Texas, it would sure make things easier, if Tony wants them. One we can just exclude from our deal with Tony, transferring title to his trust or whatever. The other we can proceed with the land swap and probably consummate the deal within two weeks or so. Let us know as soon as you've decided. As for the purchase, I think we should snap the offer up. It's a great purchase, and Will, who's here working on the purchase agreement, thinks financing will be a snap."
"I'll review the statements here on the plane. Are you sending the preliminary agreements along with the draft of the final purchase agreement?"
"Yes, the preliminary agreements are included," Jeff reported. "If you agree with our assessments, I'd get those signed this weekend if at all possible."
"I'll let you know if I see any problems," Ron assured the bright `whiz kid.' Thanks so much for your hard work. If this deal comes off as expected, you'll be properly rewarded as I indicated before."
"Working for you is reward enough, but thanks anyway for the bonus. Call me if you need anything. We are staying at the Houstonian hotel. It's first class and adjacent to the best health club I've ever seen."
"I'll call you if I need you. In any event, I'll call you at least on the way back to Las Vegas on Sunday. Thanks again. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Ron, give our best to Matt."
"I will. Thanks."
Ron hung up the receiver. Matt seeing his partner finish the call, removed his own headset.
"Good news?" he asked.
"Yes, the best. The purchase of Tegano Constructors is solid. Phil and Jeff have found a couple of pieces of land to expand Jake and Tony's camping charity too. The paperwork will be coming by fax momentarily."
"Looks like there's no rest for the weary, huh?" Matt said smiling.
"It's a labor of love, Babe. Not to mention that it's the biggest deal, by far that we've ever made."
"I hope it goes," Matt said encouragingly. "I know it will mean more work for awhile, but I'm sure it will be worth it."
"Yes, its effect on our company will be monumental. I'm positive that it will keep us all hopping for the next few months."
"I'm with you all the way Babe," Matt assured his partner.
"I'm counting on it, Poopie," Ron replied with a grin.
Three hours later, at Tony Tegano's camp outside of Houston.
Ron and Matt sat back in the living room of the owners' cabin at Tony Tegano and Jake Marley's Camp Hope. Sleep had finally overcome their boys' excitement and Ron and Matt relaxed for the first time since early in the plane flight from Las Vegas.
"I don't know how to tell you how impressed I am with your facility here, guys," Ron commented. "It's beautiful and wonderfully well kept. I'm overawed with the beauty of this place too. It's not that far from the City, but you'd never know that, once you're here."
"Thanks Ron," Tony said over the drink he was sipping. Jake and I love this place. If it wasn't for the daily needs of our businesses in town, I think we'd just move here permanently. As it is we keep a condo in town and come out here twice a month on the weekends. How is our deal looking?"
"It's a done deal as far as we're concerned. I brought a preliminary agreement for signatures, along with the financials. After you read them we can discuss or change anything you wish. There is one thing though. I asked Phil and Jeff to look for land for new camps for you. They found one parcel in San Marcos that is part of the `Constructor's' land. They found another southeast of Dallas on a lake at Seven Points. It's available for swap and, I understand is quite beautiful. We have the preliminary swap already earmarked for another piece of land you already own that is not nearly as desirable for your use."
"How will that work?" Tony asked.
"If you like the land, we'll extract the piece you already own from our deal and place the title with your charity that operates this place. The other, we'll swap for you, then deed it over the same way. If you don't like either or both pieces, we'll find some land that you like instead. Matt and I discussed it on the way here. Since we're buying your construction company, we'll build any facility you want on the two pieces, and are willing to donate $5 million apiece for each parcel's development."
"That's very generous," Tony said as his partner Jake agreed.
"The generosity started with you," Ron replied. "The deal you've offered us is the best deal we've ever made. The two camps are just our way of thanking you."
"How will we be seeing them?" Jake asked.
"I took the liberty of chartering a helicopter for tomorrow and Sunday when we landed," Ron answered. The boys can stay here, and we can make a short hop to San Marcos sometime tomorrow, and a longer trip to Dallas on Sunday."
"That sounds great," Tony responded enthusiastically. "I like the way you work. I have a suggestion though."
"Shoot," Ron requested.
"Tomorrow we'll make the fairly short round trip to San Marcos and back. On Sunday we can fly to the second site by helicopter in the late afternoon. Your boys can board your plane here, then fly to Dallas. After we see the site, the helicopter can take you to your plane, then bring Jake and me back to Houston. That way, you'll save an hour or more on your return flight."
"Thanks, that's a great idea," Matt said as Ron nodded his agreement. "I'll stay with the boys on Sunday to make sure they don't forget their heads when we leave. I'll get a chance to say goodbye when you bring Ron to the airport."
"Sounds like a plan," Tony agreed. "Well, I think we'd better turn in. It's well after midnight here." "I'm ready," Matt responded. "Thanks again for your hospitality."
"For friends, nothing is too good," Tony replied.