R & M Ch. 20
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 to young to read it, please exit now.
The author reserves all copyright privileges. This work may not be reproduced, except for personal use without the permission of the author.
Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Orrin C. Rush, the author of The Lifeguard. (Nifty, College- Last posted October 9, 2002). Orrin’s work was one of the first really lengthy stories I ever read on Nifty. It is an excellent work. If any readers have not read it, I highly recommend it, even thought it was never finished due to his untimely demise.
RON AND MATT
Chapter Twenty
RET Office, Tuesday morning.
The phone rang in Ron’s office. Picking up the receiver Ron listened as Margaret said, “Ron, Ken Friday is on the phone.”
“Thanks Margaret, I’ll take it.”
He pressed the blinking light button on the desk phone.
“Hi Ken,” he said in greeting.
“Hi Ron. I was out of town last weekend and didn’t hear about all your excitement until yesterday. How are you and Matt doing?”
“Thanks for asking, Ken. I’m fully recovered. The headaches only lasted a day. Of course Matt has two ribs broken and a broken arm so he’s not up to his normal self yet. The cast on his arm is inconvenient as hell, but at least it’s getting less painful for him to breathe now as his ribs begin to heal.”
“Please give him my best wishes for a speedy recovery,” said Ken. “I’m glad it wasn’t more serious. I suppose you wonder why I called?”
“The question had crossed my mind,” Ron admitted, “but our lives have become somewhat intertwined, so I’m always interested in chatting with you, even to pass the time of day.”
“Well, let’s talk some business first. I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated the services of Turner Consulting, and how impressed I was with your two guys Jeff Davis and Phil Thompson. They made me realize the potential I have in this business. It’s competitive as hell, but they showed me some new tricks for maximizing profits and improving service without spending a lot of money. As special thanks, I’d like Turner Construction to build my next two stores. I was going to take it out to bid, but I’m sure that I can trust you to not take me to the cleaners.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ken,” Ron said with pleasure. “You’ll find that we’re very competitive in price and give excellent service.”
“I’ve also approved the proposal that Tyler sent over for improving our security. Theft has been a problem and improved security was a recommendation of Jeff and Phil. Their numbers indicate that we can repay the cost of the installation in slightly less than a year, if we only reduce our theft by 50%. Looking at Aztec’s proposal, I’m hopeful for 80%, particularly with some tighter inventory controls.”
“I have some news for you too,” Ron responded. “With Aztec moving their headquarters here and opening a permanent office, I am expecting that our vehicle fleet will expand locally by 25%. I’ve just approved an increase in your service agreement that Jan had prepared. It’s good to do business with friends that do good business!”
“Yes, I agree. It seems that one good turn returns another. Well, so much for business. I was wondering if you and Matt could join me for lunch. I have someone I want you to meet.”
Ron glanced at his calendar.
“I’m available, but I’m not sure about Matt. I’ll call him and let you know if he’s free. Even if he can’t, I can be there.”
“That would work, although it would be nice if he could make it too.”
“Who’s the mystery guest?”
“It wouldn’t be a mystery if I told ya now, would it?” Ken said teasing. “I’ll just give you something to chew on by telling you that you’ll be proud of me.”
“Well, if you’re gonna put it that way, Matt will be there for sure. He has the curiosity of a cat.”
“How ‘bout at the Black Angus on Decatur and Sahara at 11:50.”
“That will be fine Ken. If there are any problems I’ll call you right back.”
“Good. See you then. Bye.”
“Bye.” Ron disconnected, then pressed the speed dial for Matt’s cell phone.
“Hi Babe!” Ron said as Matt answered.
“Hi yourself, good lookin’,” was Matt’s response. “How’s it hangin’?”
“‘Bout the same as ‘Matt’s monster,’ Ron replied. “Missin’ it’s plaything though.”
“For sure Babe. Let me rephrase the question; ‘what’s up?”
“That’s not much better, but if we keep that train of thought, the answer will be ‘Ron’s Rod.’ Actually, I called to see if you would be available for lunch with Ken Friday and a mystery guest.”
“Who’s the mystery guest?” Matt asked.
“Beats me, but I have a suspicion we’ll be surprised from what Ken let on.”
“Sure, I can make it,” Matt said.
Ron gave Matt the particulars. Afterward, Matt said, “I’m glad you called. I have something I need to run by you.”
“Sure Matt, what’s happening?”
“I met with Donna Krametbauer, from the State Child Welfare agency this morning regarding Benny Young. She interviewed him too. She recommended that we place him at Thornton and enroll him at school, the same school our guys attend. She knows of Senator Young, and even though she’s a bit nervous about the whole circumstance, was totally on our team after talking with Benny and looking at his back.”
“What does Benny think of the idea?”
“I was surprised at how receptive he was. He’s made some quick friends here and really doesn’t want to return to his old school. He’s getting bored too while the other kids are at school. I think we should move him here tomorrow. Of course, I haven’t told him yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Ron said. He needs to get back into a routine. It’s fine with me. Is there gonna be a problem with enrolling him?”
“No, I called Mrs. Brown at the school district and she talked to Donna. She said that if we decided on the transfer, she would handle it.”
“I guess it’s a done deal then,” Ron concluded. “I’ll let you handle the details.”
“K Babe, I guess I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Yep. See you then. Bye love.”
“Bye.”
Ron hung up the phone and looked at the clock. In a half hour he’d need to leave for lunch.
* * *
Black Angus Restaurant, Tuesday 11: 50 AM.
As Ron stepped out of his Mercedes sedan, he saw Matt’s sports car pull into the parking lot. Waving, he began to walk toward the spot where Matt had chosen to park. As Matt climbed out, he held the door for his partner.
“Damn, this cast is clumsy,” Matt said in dismay. “I hate the thought of having to wear this thing for a couple of months.
“Yeah, it’s gonna make swimming difficult on the cruise in two weeks,” Ron said winking.
“That reminds me,” Matt responded. “We’ve got some final plans to make. I mean, like we have the wedding stuff in Key West all arranged, but we need to go over the plans and make sure everything is ready.”
“Can you come to the office tomorrow afternoon?” Ron asked as they approached the restaurant’s entry doors.
“I’ll check my schedule, but I think the answer is ‘yes.’
Ron held the door open and Matt passed through. On entering the waiting area, Ken Friday and a youth stood as Ken recognized the entering couple. Matt saw Ken and turned toward their friend as Ron stepped up beside him.
“Matt, Ron. I’d like you to meet Jared Simpson. Jared, Matt Davidson and Ron Turner.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Matt said extending his left hand for a backward handshake.
“Thanks, nice to meet you too.”
“A pleasure,” Ron added as he extended his own hand in greeting.
“Mine too, Ken has had nothing but glowing praise for you guys.”
“Ken, are you spreading rumors again?” Ron kidded.
“He hasn’t heard the half of it,” Ken said smiling. “Let’s go to our table,” he said responding to a signal from the restaurant’s maitre’d.
In a moment, the men were seated and ordered beverages as they looked at the menus. After deciding, they laid their menus on the table and a waiter quickly came and took their orders.
Ken looked at Jared, smiled, then turned his head toward Ron and Matt.
“I guess I’d better explain,” Ken began. “I got thinking of our conversation about my son’s friend in Los Angeles. Last Thursday I called him, and Friday I drove there. It took me all weekend to convince him to come back to Las Vegas with me. The young man,” Ken continued, “is Jared.”
Ron and Matt both expressed their pleasure at the announcement.
“What are your plans?” Ron asked.
“I offered Jared a job with Friday’s and we’re going to find him an apartment,” Ken answered.
Ron and Matt looked at each other and smiled. They had the same thoughts.
“We might know of someone who’s looking for a room mate,” Ron offered.
“Uh, I’m not sure that anybody would be wanting to room with me,” Jared said looking down at the table.
“Is there something that we should know?” Matt asked.
“Uh…. Yeah….uh…. I mean. I don’t know,” Jared stammered.
“Is it because you’re gay?” Matt asked kindly.
“Uh…. Yeah… that’s it. I just don’t want to room with someone under a misunderstanding. I mean, I’m not looking to room with a straight guy unless we can be friends and if it’s a gay guy he has to know I’m not lookin’ to hook up or anything,” he said sadly. “I don’t know if I can ever love anyone again, not after Thursday.”
“What happened on Thursday?” Ron asked.
“Nothin’” Jared said smiling sheepishly. “Thursday is what I used to call Mr. Friday’s son Paul. You know, ‘Thursday Friday’? It was kinda our little joke.”
Ron and Matt laughed in understanding.
“Jared, losing one you love is very hard,” Ron said. “Different people react differently to such a loss. I can’t give you any advice, but I can tell you that the pain will lessen after time. You’ll never forget Paul, a part of him will always be in your heart. Just remember that a heart is bigger than that. Don’t close your heart to possibilities. I suspect that Paul would want your happiness.”
“Thanks, but I’m just not ready for that now.”
“We understand,” Matt said. “The guy we’re thinking about for a possible roommate is gay, too. I’m sure he’ll not press you for anything you’re not ready for. He’s a great guy and a good friend.”
“Anybody I know?” Ken asked.
“Yes Ken,” Matt answered, “it’s Pete Sigler. You remember him. The young guy whose truck was vandalized when we first met.”
“Yes, I remember,” Ken responded. “I had a chance to talk with him for a minute at your house afterward. He’s really a very nice young man.”
“I have no idea whether or not he’s interested, but I suspect he may be. He’s picking up the pieces after his apartment was bombed.”
“That was Pete’s apartment?” Ken asked in amazement. “I read about it in the paper when we got back. I was shocked.”
“Fortunately he escaped unharmed. He has a new apartment, but I’m sure that it will take him a bit of time to recover from his loss. We tried to help him a little, but I’m sure it will be a while before he’s back on an even keel. He might really welcome a roommate, especially one with a job.” Matt smiled.
“Give me a call if he’s interested,” Ken asked. Looking at their waiter approaching with a huge serving tray, he continued, “Well, here comes our food. I’m hungry.”
* * *
Friday’s Tires, Tuesday evening.