This story contains explicit sexual activity between men. Please read no further if you are offended by such or if you are a minor. Any resemblance to actual persons or activities depicted is purely coincidental, but actual places and events are mentioned to add a sense of reality to the story.
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SAM CALDWELL'S FURTHER ADVENTURES
by Macout Mann
Chapter 9
Celebrity
A week later, Win and Ron are both in their room studying. Ron is already having trouble in Freshman English, and he has prevailed on Mason Jackson, another student in his class, to come by and help him with a writing assignment.
When Mason arrives, Ron doesn't bother to introduce Win, and Win takes no notice of the new arrival. That is, until Mason notices Win's portrait.
"Hey, that's one neat picture," Mason exclaims. "It's you, isn't it?"
Win turns around and smiles. "Yes, it was done by a friend of mine."
"God it's good," Mason says, moving closer. "It looks almost like an illustration by Sam Caldwell."
Then he sees Sam's unique signature, "SamC" with a scribbled underline.
"It is a Caldwell!" Mason cries. "You know him?"
"Yes, he's a good friend of the family," Win replies. "I've known him since I was four years old. I even posed for some of his early books."
Mason looks more closely at Winn, then says, "Yes, I can see. You were Sandy Kelley. I read 'Sandy's Lakeside Adventure' over and over when I was in grammar school. Don't you remember that book, Ron?"
Ron speaks for the first time. "I never read any of that shit," he says.
"Maybe that's why you're about to flunk English," Mason retorts. Turning back to Win and extending his hand, he says, "I'm Mason Jackson."
"Winston Hart," Win responds. "Good to meet you, Mason. I'll have to tell Sam he has a fan. He's always saying it's only the author's name that people remember."
"Not me. I guess I was four or five when I got an Advent Calendar done by Tasha Tudor. The drawings were so wonderful. Mom and Dad told me all about her and how the books she illustrated had won all these important awards. So I always pay attention to who the illustrator is."
"Sam has won a couple of Caldecott Medals," Win boasts.
"I know. He's the best," Mason replies. "What's that emblem on your shirt?" he asks, looking at the picture more closely.
"Oh that's for Sparta U. Sam went there. I guess he and my folks would've liked for me to, but I didn't want to go to school at home."
"Man, I tried to get into Sparta, but my scores weren't good enough."
"Why'd you wanna go to a fuckin' Podunk school like that?" Ron chimes in.
"Shit, man, where've you been all your life?" Mason retorts. "U. S. News ranks Sparta fourth in the country, right behind Stanford."
Turning back to Win, Mason says, "Mr. Caldwell lives here in Atlanta, doesn't he? I'd give anything to meet him."
"Yeah, he does live here. He's been by the dorm a couple of times. But I never know.
"Say," Win continues, "I do know he's going to be here for the Western Carolina game. My dad and kid brothers are goanna be here too. I think they're going to work it out so they pay for regular seats but get to sit with me in the student section. Maybe you'd like to come with us. He could meet his biggest fan.
"You might like to come too, Ron," Win finishes.
"Maybe so," Ron replies. Seems like Sam's celebrity and Mason's putdowns may be changing Ron's attitude.
The figure of Aris completed, Sam researches what the ancient Olympic Stadium looked like. He is surprised to find that it was totally unlike the later Roman monumental structures. In none of the venues were there seats. Spectators sat on the grass. There was a natural hillside which provided the seating area on one side. A matching built-up knoll formed the opposite side of the stadium. Between them was a large clay court where the races and other events were held. At each end were also knolls, on one of which was a platform where the judges presided. At the other was a stone passageway leading to the Temple of Zeus.
Sam meets with the two Kantereses, and they decide that Aris will be portrayed on clay with an empty grassy knoll and sky behind him. A stone pillar will be included in the background to suggest the stone markers that delineated starting or finishing lines for races.
After their consultation, they enjoy their usual activities in the bower. This time Aris is not excluded.
September 12 is bright and sunny. Chilly, but not really unpleasant. Jim, Chuck, and Bryan arrive at the Habersham about ten. The game will be at two.
Sam has hot coffee and doughnuts ready, and says that he only has three bedrooms. "Do you think we can trust the boys to sleep together?" he teases.
"They slept together until Win moved out last month," Jim laughs. "Haven't noticed anything strange going on."
"Very funny," Chuck says.
"Well here's the deal," Sam says. "I've arranged for us to sit with Win in the student section. He's invited his roommate and another friend to come with us. We'll all meet at eleven-thirty at Win's dorm and have lunch on campus, then go to the game. We'll need to get there early, since the seats won't be reserved. After the game, we'll play it by ear; but ultimately we'll be back here.
"Now Win's roommate is a real asshole. So yall need to show him what a real family is like. Jim, if you're asked what you do for a living, say you're a general contractor. Ron's dad is one down in Houston, and Ron thinks he's hot shit. You don't have to let him think you build everything in Eastern Georgia, but...well, you know.
"And guys, this bastard's likely as not to make some anti-gay comment. If he does, be good-natured, but you don't have to be sweet, if you know what I mean."
When they all reach the dorm, Win, Mason, and Ron are waiting. As Sam expected, Ron immediately asked Jim what he did for a living.
"I'm a general contractor, nothing earth-shaking," Jim smiled.
"My dad's a general contractor too!" Ron exclaimed. "Win, you never told me."
"You never asked," Win said. "Didn't seem all that important to me."
"Do you have as much trouble as Dad has keeping queers off his crews?" Ron asked.
"Never thought about that. As long as he's a good worker, I'm willing to hire anybody, straight or gay. You never can tell. There might be a gay right here in this room," Jim replies, still smiling.
"Even two, counting you, Ron." Mason laughs.
There's laughter all around. Ron is not happy, but doesn't rejoin.
He seems very ill at ease. He obviously has never experienced the comradery that exists between Jim and his sons. And Sam and Mason fit in so easily. There's a great deal of give and take. And Chuck, picking up on Ron's homophobic attitudes, exchanges a number of good-natured gay barbs with his younger brother, who gives as good as he gets. Win's portrait, although Ron still has to acknowledge it, speaks for itself. And Jim as well as both boys are obviously macho as hell. Yet they tease each other about "being that way."
The group moves on from the dorm to lunch to the game.
Mason is obviously overwhelmed to be in the presence of his idol, Sam Caldwell. Sam finds this very amusing, but is also very touched. Mason is a strapping six footer with green eyes and auburn hair. His face betrays the North European origins of many residences of his home state of Minnesota. His father is a physician at the Mayo Clinic, so they live in Rochester. His build doesn't quite match any of the Harts', but it's nothing to be ashamed of.
Mason quizzes Sam every chance he gets, and his questions are well worth careful answers. Win is also finding Mason more and more interesting.
Tech triumphs 37 to 19.
Sam had said they'd play it by ear after the game. His dick controls his brain more often than not, but it had not signaled any interest in Mason. His brain was very interested in the boy, however. And he sensed that a real friendship might grow between his admirer and Win. So he proposed that the group stay together.
"We need to celebrate the victory," he announced, "and I know how at least one of you young college boys would like to do it. The Chez Caldwell isn't known for checking ID. Let's all go up to my place."
"Let me get my car, Mr. Caldwell," Mason said. "Yours is already stuffed. I'll take Ron and Win and follow you. I'm parked at my dorm."
Sam hands a card to Mason. "Fine," he says. "Don't worry about keeping up with us. Here's my address, and Win knows how to get there. Just tell the doorman that you're visiting me and he'll take care of your car."
When Mason arrives at the Habersham, he tells the doorman, "We're visiting Mr. Caldwell."
"Yes, Mr. Jackson," the doorman responds. "Mr. Caldwell just arrived and told me to expect you. And how are you, Mr. Hart?"
Ron was beginning to realize that Atlanta might be something for Houston to reckon with. Or maybe that Atlanta might not even give a shit about Houston.
Upstairs the Harts continue doing their thing, and Sam make drinks for those who want them. The younger Hart boys are allowed to have Cokes with a tablespoonful of Bourbon in them. And the conversation reprises the game with emphasis on each of Georgia Tech's scores.
Mason, returning from taking a piss, passes Sam's studio. "Oh, is this where you work, Mr. Caldwell?"
"Most of the time. Take a look, if you'd like."
Sam has been working on the background of Aris' picture. The easel was faced away from the door to catch the light from the windows, so no one has noticed it before.
"I can't believe this. It's remarkable!" Mason cries.
The whole group streams into the studio to view Aris in all his naked glory.
"I didn't think you were doing portraits or figure studies these days, Sam," Jim says.
"I don't go out looking for them," Sam responds, "but I can't easily turn down twelve grand, when it walks through the door either."
"You're getting twelve thousand for just that?" Ron exclaims. "Why's he naked?"
"Well the subject is sure to be a member of the 1996 American Olympic team. His father is Greek and an admirer of the Ancient Olympic ideal. He wanted a picture of his son as if he were competing in the ancient games."
"They went naked?" Ron asks.
"They went naked and oiled themselves up so they'd look handsomer," Sam explained.
"Well, my friend, that's another of your pictures that one day should wind up in a New York museum," Jim says.
"You've got pictures in museums?" Ron asks Sam.
"Only one, I think," Jim answers. "It's `Pirates in a Storm.' Wouldn't have been so good if I hadn't been the pirate."
"Would've been a hellova lot better if I could have found another model," Sam teases.
"Fuck you!" Jim responds.
"Well, guys," Sam announces, "let me treat you all to dinner. I got some good news yesterday. I'm going to illustrate a new kind of graphic novel. The author's Curt Abramson. And I'm going to get the same percentage of the gross as he is. It's goanna be a lot of work, but it may be the beginning of a new relationship between author and illustrator.
"Underground Atlanta isn't what it once was, but they're trying to bring it back, and I know a damned good restaurant down there. What do you all say?"
"Should we change out of these jeans?" Jim asks.
"Oh, the maître d will recognize me, even in jeans," Sam laughs. "Besides, Jim, you would get a ringside table anyway. They want some eye candy for the middle aged lady tourists to enjoy, while they're waiting for their entrees."
Laughter all around.
Ron begs off, saying that he's promised some guys he'd celebrate with them. Mason offers to drop him back on campus on the way downtown. Win offers to go with Mason.
Dinner goes well. Win and Mason find interests in common. Chuck and Bryan are fascinated by Underground Atlanta. It was quite the destination in the 60s, when the post-Civil War buildings were rediscovered, and it became a major entertainment district. When the "new" wore off, locals were no longer attracted to it and it declined. A major renovation was undertaken in the 80s, but it still has not achieved its original prominence. And it still has its sordid side. Sam and Jim have both noticed a couple of hustlers making the rounds. Just as well that Ron hadn't joined them.
Back at the Habersham, Chuck and Bryan hit the sack, and the adults are not far behind. Sam does manage a visit to Jim's bed. As they snuggle, Sam thanks Jim for coming, and Jim thanks Sam for his interest in Win. They also relieve each other's pent up urges before Sam returns to the master bedroom.