R & M Ch. 2
The story below is a work of fiction. It may contain erotic or sexually explicit behavior between males. If you find this offensive or are too young, please leave now.
The author reserves copyright privileges. This work may not be reproduced, except for private use, without the permission of the author.
I’d like to thank Bill H. who has been so steadfast in editing this story. Without his help this would be a far poorer work.
I hope you are enjoying this continuation of the story of Ron and Bryan. Please feel free to write your comments. HUGs, John Tucker, www.JETjt@aol.com
RON AND MATT
Chapter Two
Pete looked at his new friend and visitor who polished off his second burger as ravenously as the first, which had disappeared like it had been dropped down a well.
“Finish off the potato salad,” Pete offered, “that stuff doesn’t keep too well.”
Cody looked up and was suddenly embarrassed. He had scarfed down his food like a starving man, finishing off both burgers and a large helping of the thick potato salad before his host had finished his first burger. “I’m sorry that I’m acting like such a pig,” he said apologetically.
“Not a problem,” Pete answered. “The chef always likes a customer who enjoys his preparations. Now finish off that potato salad.” Picking up a knife he cut his second burger in half and put one of the sides on Cody’s plate.
“Uh….no thanks. I appreciate it but I can’t take anything more from you.”
“Hey Bubba, watch it! Don’t piss off the chef! If you don’t mind me askin’, when was the last time you ate?”
“I had a sandwich day before yesterday,” Cody answered looking down. “I was ok until about noon today, then I got a little wobbly.”
“I’d hope so! Finish that stuff while I start cleaning up. Then we can shower and get the stink off our bodies. Afterward we can talk, watch the tube, or get on the Internet. It’s still early, but us construction guys start pretty early so we won’t stay up too late. I get up at six in order to make it to the job by seven. Tomorrow is Friday and payday too. That always makes it a good day. ”
“Let me help with the dishes,” Cody offered.
“You can help once you’re done. Don’t rush though. Don’t want you getting sick from eating too fast. Besides I’ll have it cleaned up in no time. I know where everything goes.
I hope you won’t think it’s a come-on when I say that I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to have company.”
“You don’t have any idea how grateful I am to be here. I don’t even know how to properly thank you, Pete. You saved my life.”
“Now don’t go getting melodramatic! I’m just glad I’m able to help. I do hope you can land a job with Turner Construction though. It would be just what the doctor ordered.”
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” Cody said in gratitude.
“Cut that shit out! You’re gonna give me a swelled head.”
Pete picked up his dishes and put them in the sink of the tiny kitchen. He then cleared the table of all the serving dishes that had held the food and the condiments taking them into the kitchen, throwing away the now empty potato salad container and returning the ketchup, mustard, mayo, and pickle jars to the refrigerator. He ran a sink of hot sudsy water and was nearly finished washing and rinsing the items he had brought from the table when Cody arrived with his plate, glass and utensils.
“There’s a dish towel in the first drawer there,” he said indicating with a nod of his head. “You can dry, and I’ll put the stuff away. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Cody picked up the dishtowel and a plate and started drying it, then placing it on the counter. He continued as Pete washed a pan, a knife and a pancake turner that he had used in making the meal.
“Boy, I’m full as a tick,” Cody said as he continued with the drying.
“Yuk! You have colorful metaphors,” Pete commented.
“Guess it’s just the crudeness of hometown vernacular,” Cody replied as he dried the last dish and handed it to Pete.
“Thanks for the help bud,” Pete said. “Hang the towel on the hook over there. Ready for a shower?”
“Uh…yeah. Uh… you wouldn’t have a washer would ya? All of the few things I have are dirty. I hate to put back on dirty clothes, and I really need something clean to go to the job in the morning.”
“Sure do,” Pete replied. “Tell ya what, you put all your dirty things, including what you have on, on the floor by the bathroom door and I’ll throw ‘em in the washer. I’ll get you something to wear ‘til they are dry and put it by the door for when you’re finished. Now let me get you a clean towel and washcloth while you get your stuff together.”
“Thanks Pete you don...”
“Enough already! I’m only gonna tell you this one last time. It’s not that much. I’m only doing what I’d hope someone would do for me if the shoe were on the other foot. If you have to say something, a simple ‘thanks’ will do. OK?
“Sure Pete, whatever you want.”
With that Cody picked up his back pack and after entering the hallway to the bedroom and bath, began to unload his few articles of clothing onto the floor in a small heap. Pete joined him a minute later with a towel and washcloth which he handed to the youth. Stepping inside the bathroom, Cody laid the folded linen on the toilet seat and began to untie his cross trainers.
“Catch ya when you’re done,” Pete said turning toward the living room. “I’m gonna check my e-mail. Take your time.”
“K, Pete. Uh…Thanks.”
“Welcome,” Pete replied as he disappeared around a corner.
45 minutes later the two youths sat on the sofa with early rock and roll softly playing from small stereo speakers as they talked.
“Tell me about being gay,” Cody abruptly asked.
Pausing for a second to gather his wits at the brashness of the question, Pete answered. “What’s there to tell? I mean, either you are or you’re bisexual or straight. I mean, you told me you were gay, so what do you want to know?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure I’m gay. I’m not really attracted to girls, and I’ve visited gay porno sites on the web and got hard looking at the pictures. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve never been with another guy.”
“Well, let me say this: being gay is inside you, not physical. By that I mean, it’s who you think about, who you fantasize about that means something. Plenty of straight guys have had sex with other guys, but that doesn’t, by itself, make them gay, anymore than a gay guy having sex with a woman makes him straight.”
“It isn’t how many notches you have on your belt that counts either. Guys, but gay guys, in particular, have a reputation for having sex with any guy that walks. That idea, while true for some, isn’t true for the majority of gays. Just as some straight guys consider the number of ‘conquests’ they make a sign of their virility and manhood, the same is true for some gay guys. Yet most gay guys are indistinguishable from straight guys when you meet them. Some choose to live straight lives in society and keep their sexuality hidden in a closet. Others choose to be ‘out’ to society, and ‘damn the torpedoes’. Some guys are very conservative in dress and some very flamboyant. There is as much variety in gay men as there is in straight men, or in women for that matter.”
“You asked me to tell you about being gay. I don’t know everything since I’m only beginning to learn myself. I do know that most gays desire the same things as straight people: someone to love and to love them. I’m not talking just about sex either. When you’re young it’s easy to think that sex and the excitement that goes with it is love. It’s not love, its lust. Loving is giving, not receiving. The receiving comes back by itself from the one you love, if he loves you the way you love him.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Cody asked.
“Nope, not now. I had one for a while, but we wanted different things. It was never going to work as a long-term thing, so finally we decided to part. The whole dating thing is sad, in a way.”
“What do you mean?” said Cody in rapt attention.
“As I said before, most gay men are indistinguishable on the street from straight guys. Most of those guys would like to have a partner, but finding one is difficult. Unlike straight guys who have no trouble recognizing the sexuality of their potential partners, the same is not true for gay guys, especially very straight acting ones who are attracted to other guys like themselves. In addition there are enough homophobic guys around that it can be dangerous to reveal your sexuality. Even if the guy you’re attracted to is gay, if he’s afraid to reveal that fact and you are too, how do you ever get together? It’s a real dilemma.”
“If that’s true,” Cody said, “then why did you ‘out’ yourself to me?”
“Well, I had a couple of things going for me. There was at least a reasonable chance that you had left home because you were gay. From the amount of possessions that you were carrying, it looked to me like you left home in a hurry. Second, I’m a little bigger than you are, and if you wanted to fight, I knew I could ‘hold my own.’ and probably even win. Third, you wanted a ride. If you had gotten hostile, I’d have stopped and let you off. You also needed a place to stay. I made sure that you knew that I wouldn’t put moves on you, when I told you I was gay. If you weren’t gay, you would have had a choice of making it on your own or accepting my hospitality. Last, you looked tired and hungry so it was not likely that you would raise a big stink. None of those things guaranteed your reaction, but it proves my point about ‘outing’ yourself to another straight appearing guy. If you’re going to do it, you need to at least weigh the odds of a nasty confrontation.”
“I understand what you’re saying. From my father’s reaction, I sure saw the negative side of being ‘outed’.
“I think that most straight people are nice and don’t really care as long as they don’t feel threatened. After all, polite people don’t go around asking other people about their bedroom habits, so on a day-to-day basis it’s not a big problem. If bullies assume you are gay and harass you, you have to make a choice as to how you are going to react. I normally just ignore them. Sometimes you can’t though and have to take some kind of action. I think we’ve talked enough about this topic for one evening. I also think its time to hit the sack, if we’re going to get up early.”
“Sounds great to me,” Cody said with eyes beginning to droop.
“You have two choices. You can either have the sofa, or share my queen-size bed. I’m not going to molest you during the night, if that thought entered your head. It’s your choice.”
“Would it be ok if I slept with you?” Cody answered. “I trust you and I won’t try anything with you either.”
“Sure, it’s fine. Lets get your stuff out of the dryer, and we can call it a night.”
Moments later, with the clothing folded and stacked neatly, the two youths headed for the bedroom. Pete slipped off his shorts and started to remove his briefs, then hesitated. Corey watched, but didn’t slip off the robe he was wearing. He was staring at Pete’s large basket and was starting to get hard.
“Ya wanna sleep in underwear, or bare?” Pete asked.
“Uh… at the moment I’m kinda embarrassed to even take off my robe,” Cody answered, blushing.
Pete glanced at the projection tenting out the front of the robe and laughed.
“Hey! You can’t let a little wood get you flustered. If so, you’re gonna be real flustered in the morning. I rarely wake up without one. When you’re young you often don’t have much control over those things, so it’s natural, not something to worry about, especially around me.”
“Well, if you don’t care, I’d rather sleep naked. I’ve never done it before.”
“Yep, that’s fine,” Pete said as he slipped off his briefs.
The tent of Cody’s robe suddenly reacted to the sight, and he turned away, sitting down on the bed, removing the robe. Sliding under the covers, Pete caught a glimpse of a nice straight dick perhaps 7 inches long, before it disappeared from view.
“You’ve got nothing to be ashamed about,” Pete commented as he got in on his side of the bed. “Relax, I’m not going to attack you,” he said grinning.
“Thanks, Pete. Could I ask you one final question?”
“Yeah, go ahead Cody.”
“Would you have sex with me?”
“Whoa!!!! Is that a rhetorical question or an invitation?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean now,” Cody said, blushing again. “I meant do you think I’m good looking enough to be attractive to somebody like you?”
“Without a doubt,” Pete said. “I told you that I wouldn’t put any moves on you tonight, and I won’t. I always keep my word, but that doesn’t mean I’m not tempted. Yeah, you’re plenty attractive. Under different circumstances I’d jump your bones with the slightest acceptance, but that’s not tonight. Now can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, and I’ll tell you the truth too, if I know the answer.”
“How old are you Cody?”
“Mmmm, uh, almost 14.”
“Holy Shit!!!!”
* * *
“I know boss, but now I don’t know what to do,” Pete said to Terry, the job super.
“I’d really like to help, but I’d have problems with the child labor laws. I’m really sorry, ‘cause we could use the help. He’s just way too young.”
“Who’s too young?” Ron asked as he stepped into the trailer.
“Oh hi Ron,” Terry said. “Pete here has a young friend who is desperate for a job, but I don’t see how I can hire him, even though we could use the help.”
“Hi,” Ron said turning to Pete. “My name’s Ron Turner, what’s yours?”
“Sorry Ron,” Terry said quickly. “This is one of our best hands, Peter Sigler.”
“Nice to meet you Peter. Now what’s the problem? Maybe I can help.”
“Well, Mr. Turner. I’ve got a young friend that I met recently whose dad threw him out and he has no place to go. He stayed with me last night. I told him that I’d try to get him on with me here doing labor work, but then later, after I told him that, I found out he’s only 13,even though he looks much older. He’s broke and has nowhere to turn. I’d help him more myself, but I make barely enough to get by on laborers wages.”
“Where is he now?” Ron asked.
“He’s in my pickup in the south parking lot. It’s a ’91 Nissan and has faded grey paint.”
“Terry, could you spare Matt for about an hour?”
“Sure, Ron. By the way, he and Tony are really good workers. They do more than their share and never complain.”
“Thanks. Ask him to meet me at the IHOP down the street as soon as he can get there. I’ll be there with, uh, what did you say his name was Peter?”
“It’s Cody, Cody Desmond. Do you know Matt and Tony too?”
“Yeah, you might say that we’re friends, but that’s just between us, ok?”
“Sure, Mr. Turner. I sure hope you can help Cody.”
“I’ll give it a try, my friend. Matt will let you know what happens.”
“Thanks, Mr. Turner. He’s really a good kid.”
“You’re welcome Peter. We’ll do our best,” Ron said smiling as he stepped out of the trailer, heading for the parking lot.
“Wow! That was the Ron Turner?” Pete asked Terry. “The guy that owns Turner Construction? What a nice guy!”
“Yes, that’s him. He’s one in a million all right,” Terry answered.
* * *
“ I hope what I told you doesn’t get Pete in trouble,” Cody said. “I’d kill myself if I did anything to hurt him. He saved my life.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Ron said. “I know the boss.” He grinned at Matt.
Cody had just finished the story of how he came to Las Vegas and had even divulged his sexuality after a bit of leading, but gentle probing by Ron and Matt.
“I guess I should tell you a bit about Matt and me,” Ron offered. “I own Turner Construction and Matt is my partner.”
“If he’s your partner, then why isn’t he working at the office instead of working out on a job getting dirty?”
“Well, he’s not technically my business partner. Were life partners.”
“You mean…?”
“You got it. I knew you were a smart young man.” Ron said winking at Matt.
“Wow! You mean that you’re gay too?”
“Bingo! Two for two! Any more questions?”
“Yeah. How am I gonna get out of the mess that I’m in? I’ve got no place to go, you said that I’m too young to work at a regular job, and I can’t go home. I guess there’s nothing left except to sell my body on the street. I don’t want to do that, but I’ve had my taste of being hungry, and I don’t want to be that bad off ever again.”
“Did you see the project that Peter and I are working on?” Matt asked. He knew where Ron was heading.
“Sure. It’s cool. I mean it’s a nice place and it’s real pretty the way it’s all set up into different buildings that look like nice houses, and it has a pool and what looks like a football or soccer field and tennis and basketball courts and everything. What is it, a school for rich kids?”
“No,” Matt answered. “It’s a place where guys like you can live, without fear of harassment, until you get out of high school. It’s a ‘safe house’ for gay youth who need some help. How would you like to be the first occupant?”
“Wow! That’s cool, but…. I’m not too sure about living in an institution.”
“Ted Thornton would be disappointed if he heard that you thought this place was an institution. He’d say that we wasted our money,” Ron said. “Did you see any fences around the property?”
“Well, no. And who’s Ted Thornton anyway? Is he the moneybags that put up the dough to build this place?”
“No, not hardly.” Ron said with sincerity. “Ted was an employee of one of our companies, called Turner Consulting. He and his lover were brilliant business analysts who helped companies in trouble or companies that wanted to grow. They gave advice and made plans to help businesses. One night he and his lover were out celebrating the successful completion of an important job, when they were attacked by bigots and Ted was killed. A fund was set up in his honor to help young gay youth, like yourself, who for whatever reason, have no home and who need help. The project you saw is the result of that effort. It’s funded by a lot of people, many of who are straight, who want to give young guys like you a fair chance to make something of your lives.”
“Wow, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. What’s it going to be like living there?”
“We’re calling it a ‘neighborhood’ that will have several houses where the guys will live. There will be no more than 6 guys in a house, with a house Mom and Dad. It will be much like living at home. You will have your own room, meals will, most of the time, be served at each house, cooked by the guys and the Mom and Dad that live there. There will be chores, just like at home. You will go to school at a regular school, and have an allowance so you can buy a few personal things and have a little spending money. You will be furnished clothes and the things you would receive at home. Even though there will be a lot of freedom, there are rules that have to be obeyed. Things like bedtime hours, stuff like that. We’re trying to make living there as much like a real home as possible. Staying there will be voluntary. If you don’t like it, you can leave. If you break the rules, you may have to leave.”
“Why do there have to be rules?” Cody asked.
“When people live close to each other, and especially when people are young, there are restrictions for both their protection, and for the protection of others who live close to them. You see it every day in real life. You see traffic signs and lights, speed limits, rules against littering, all kinds of things. When you come to live with us, we will give you a copy of the rules, and you have to agree to live by them, if you want to stay. It’s very similar to the rules you would have at home. We hope that the boys who come to live there will be like brothers, rather than cellmates. I’m sure there will be guys who come to live there that you won’t like. I’m also pretty sure that you will find that some of the rules might, from time to time, seem stricter than you like. In another way, it will be much like a family too. You earn your privileges and freedom. When you show responsibility for your actions, you will be given more freedom. If you break the rules or are irresponsible, you will suffer the consequences. You will make your own life pleasant or unpleasant. If you can’t or won’t live peacefully and responsibly with the other guys who are trying, you will leave. But know this: if you leave you can’t come back. This is not a boarding house where you can come and go. You either make up your mind to succeed in life and get on with it, or you go away. It’s pretty simple.”
“I don’t know whether to jump for joy or be afraid of the confinement,” Cody commented.
“When I told you that there are no fences to lock you in, I was serious.” Ron said, “You can try it. If you don’t like it, you can leave anytime you like. You just have to understand that if you decide to leave, the door that was open to you is then locked. Even though you are the first ‘son’ to join our home, you won’t be the last. We may have to turn guys away before too long, so if you leave there will be someone else who needs a family that will take your place. I will say one thing though. Except for a few things for which we have no tolerance, it will not be ‘my way or the highway’. You will have a Mom and Dad that you can talk to. They will listen, be understanding and be fair, but they also have responsibilities to the other boys, to the home we are creating, and to the community. If you deserve punishment, you will be expected to accept it.”
“You said there were some things for which you don’t have tolerance,” Cody said. “What kind of things?”
“Drugs and alcohol are two things that come to mind.” Matt responded. “If you want to ruin your life, go somewhere else. If you want to make something of your life, you will be welcomed and loved. Those two things, particularly drugs, are terribly destructive. If a young guy comes to us with those problems we will be understanding, but he will be allowed to join our family only if and when he gets control of those things.”
“It would be a lot more fun,” Matt continued, “to be at least out of High School and to be independent. I know that you think Pete is lucky to have his own place and be independent. You have the possibility of being far luckier than he. We have a lot of resources available that Pete doesn’t, to help you succeed in life. If you need help in school, we will provide help. If you do well in school, there’s a possibility of a scholarship to go to college. Pete is a fine young man, but he has to drag himself up, by himself. That’s not all bad, but it’s not easy. Only the strongest succeed. I hope he is one of them. You on the other hand, have far greater possibilities if you want to take advantage of them.”
“Do you need some time to think about it?” Ron asked.
“Yeah, if you don’t mind. Can I get a copy of the rules? Then Pete and I can talk about it tonight. I’ll need to decide soon because my invitation to stay with him is only for a couple of days. Oh! Could I ask you two more questions?”
“Ask away,” Ron offered.
“Do you have any ideas about where I could stay until the place opens and what about sex? I mean, with a place full of gay guys, there’s bound to be some.”
“I’m not sure about the first question.” Ron replied, “Perhaps if we covered the cost of you staying there you could stay with Pete until the Center opens. It would be up to Pete, of course. In any case you will be housed and taken care of. As to the second question, the answer is yes; we expect there will be sex. It cannot become a free-for-all since these homes are not expected to be dens of iniquity. If we get a reputation like that in the community, we will be shut down. Therefore discretion is important. You will have your own private room, and I’m sure that there will be opportunities. We do have one rule about that though, and it is one of those rules that we will enforce without tolerance. There will be sex only between two willing partners. Forcing yourself on someone who is unwilling will be an automatic expulsion. Even though our house parents will be tolerant of the sexual needs of young men, we expect you to treat your home as your home, and at the same time treat your brothers with respect. Anything else?”
“No, I guess not, except I don’t know what I’m going to do the rest of the day, until Pete gets off.”
“Well, I know,” said Ron, “You’re going to get to work with Pete, Matt and Tony. Not as an employee of Turner Construction, but as a potential son of the home. You won’t get paid as a construction worker; you’ll get paid an “allowance for chores”. Here’s $20 for pocket money as an advance. Since it’s the end of the week, we’ll take it out of your first real paycheck next week. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like fancy footwork to me,” Matt said grinning.
“Yeah, I love fancy footwork,” Cody giggled, as he pocketed the money, happy at last.
“Oh,” Ron said. “One last thing. You and Pete are invited for dinner at our house at 7 o’clock tonight. Bring your bathing suits if you have them. If not, don’t worry about it. We have plenty. Matt will give you directions, when you get off work. You and Pete can have some time alone while you’re there to talk about our offer. We have some other friends coming too, so you will get to know a few people, including a couple of young guys. If you have any questions, we’ll be around to answer them.”
“That sounds great, Ron. Thank you and Matt for the opportunity you’ve offered. I really like the sound of it, and it seems almost too good to be true.”
“You’re very welcome. We don’t want to make it sound too wonderful, though.” Matt said, “I think you’ll find that the hardest part will be learning to live with and get along with the other guys. It might be the greatest, and it might be difficult. That’s what the house parents are for: to help even out the road. We think you’ll like it though. Life can be good if we let it be.”
“Yeah,” Cory said smiling, “I’m beginning to find that out.”
* * * * *
Hope you’re enjoying the story. JET J