Second Chance, Chapter 12
Warning:
This story is copyrighted by the author known as David Lee and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without explicit permission.
This story contains descriptions of love and sexual fulfillment between people of the same gender. If possessing or reading this kind of material is illegal where you live, please leave this site at once.
My previous stories may be quickly accessed by searching for my name under the "Prolific Net Authors" heading. You may write to me at dlee169@hotmail.com. I'll do my best to answer promptly. Please put the title of this story in the "subject" line when you email. For the full disclaimer and additional info, please read the statement that precedes Chapter 1.
Chapter 12
The next several days were so packed with things to do that the boys thought that being back in school might feel like a break. Josh painted and Eric wrote for three or four hours a day.
Being isolated in the studio with Josh was great for Eric. At first, he assumed that they would get "distracted" often and was a bit disappointed when Josh didn't try to mess around with him all the time. But soon Eric became more self-disciplined because of Josh's example. When Josh was painting, he could shut almost everything else out. Painting Eric nude became almost like painting a landscape or a still life. He was involved in form, color, light, and shade more than subject matter. But when he needed a break, he couldn't resist stealing a kiss or two and sometimes a lot more.
Eric found that he could concentrate for longer periods of time too. His novel was progressing well. He didn't know if it would ever be good enough to published, but he knew that his writing was improving because of working at it constantly.
When the guys weren't holed up in the studio, they were swimming or out exploring the city around them. Josh wanted to share his favorite places with Eric and discover some new ones together as well.
On Tuesday evening, Ben announced that he had $12,000 to spend on a vehicle for Josh. He suggested that the boys do a bit of research on line to see what was available in that price range. Once they had become informed consumers, they could visit a few car lots and check out vehicles for sale by private owners once Josh had narrowed down the field.
So, the boys had one more project to add to their schedule. This one was not a chore in any sense of the word even though it cut into their time for creative endeavors.
Josh thought that he might want a pickup for hauling things like paintings or a canoe - possibly a pair of kayaks. He already had a kayak and Scott was talking about buying one for Eric so that the boys could take them out on local waterways. There would still be time to do that in the late summer and early fall before the weather got too cold.
Two days after beginning their search, Josh and Eric located several vehicles that looked like they might fill the bill. There was a six-cylinder Toyota with an automatic transmission at a dealer's lot and a four cylinder one with a five-speed stick that was being advertised by its owner. Josh was leaning toward the smaller engine because it had been driven fewer miles and would get better gas mileage.
The boys went to see both of the vehicles on the same day. The salesman at the car lot pressured them to come back soon lest someone else bought the truck before they got the chance. He seemed too eager. He didn't seem to want to come down in price at all (possibly because he's seen the boys get out of Eric's late model convertible.
The man who was selling his truck privately was quite laid back about it. He seemed honest and didn't ask an unfair price.
"I assume that you've done your homework on line and know what this model is selling for in this area. I know that I would get less from a dealer if I traded it in, but you would pay more. I've split the difference in the two figures. I'm willing to give it to for $11,500, but you must have a parent or guardian with you if you decide to buy it so that they'll know I'm not cheating you. By the way, I have all of the service records and the Toyota dealer can vouch for the condition of the truck. You're welcome to have your own mechanic go over it thoroughly."
"Thanks," Josh said. "I'll try to get my dad to look at it after supper unless you assume you'll sell it before then."
"If you think that you want it, I'll hold it for you until tomorrow afternoon. I've had a couple of calls, but you're the first ones to come to see it, so I'll give you the first chance."
The boys went home excited that they might have found the right vehicle at a good price. Saying that Ben could sense Josh's eagerness would be a gross understatement. He felt that he needed to call to see if they could go to look at it before dinner.
Scott went along to drive the pickup home in case they decided to buy it. Of the four of them, he was the only one who had much experience driving a stick shift. He was going to have his hands full teaching the rest of them how to deal with a clutch. He hoped that the transmission was up to handling the stress it was likely to receive.
It didn't take Ben long to see that it was truly a good deal and the transaction was made. Josh wished that he could have been the first to drive his new vehicle, but he knew that he needed practice with the clutch before he was ready.
After dinner, Scott drove them all to a large, empty parking lot at the high school so that each could become proficient in using a clutch before getting into traffic. Ben rode shotgun and the boys were crowded into the tiny back seat. They had no problem about being that close together, but were too excited about having their turn behind the wheel to even get horny.
Since it was his truck, Josh got to go first. It didn't take him long to get the pickup moving without stalling the engine. It took him several tries to do it smoothly, but before long he had mastered it.
Eric went next, and he too was a quick learner. Ben waited until last. He was very good from the start. He had had limited experience with a standard transmission many years before and seemed to be able to go right back to it easily. He said he thought it was like learning to ride a bike; once you got it, it stayed with you.
Josh drove the few blocks home pretty smoothly. This time, Eric sat in the truck-bed and Scott sat sideways in the back seat. Josh grinned all the way. It pleased him even more that Blake and Reese were outside to witness his arrival. They came over immediately to admire his new wheels.
On Wednesday, Eric had an appointment with a counselor at high school to work out his schedule for the fall term which would be starting soon. Josh drove him to the school in his new pickup because he wanted to make sure that Eric got in the right classes with the best teachers. In addition, he wanted to show off his truck if anyone he knew happened to be around. He suggested that Eric bring along a sample of his "novel" so that he could be sure to get into an advanced writing class. Since the first several chapters were "G" rated, it would be appropriate for anyone to read.
Ms. Burgoyne kept the boys waiting only a few minutes until she could get off the phone. Her manner was pleasant and it was evident that she had read over Eric's transcript before the meeting.
"Well, Master Eric, I see you have already made friends with one of our fine students. Master Joshua is a credit to the school and always represents us well. I know his GPA and his reputation on the swim team. You will do well to `hang with him' as the kids say these days."
"Um, thanks. He and I are actually living in the same house, so we'll be hanging together a lot. Our dads were roommates and best friends in college."
"That's great! Now, let's look at the schedule that I've worked out for you."
Ms. Burgoyne went over the possible classes while Josh looked on. When the counselor finished her presentation, Josh had a few comments.
"Would it be possible for Eric to be in my science class third hour with Mr. Farley? Then he'd be able to take Mr. Shackford for advanced writing fourth hour. I know that those teachers are both the best. Eric is a fantastic writer!"
"Well," Ms. Burgoyne smiled. "I'm sure that Master Eric is a fine writer, but I suspect your assessment of his talent might be a bit biased since you're his friend. However, his grades and awards would tend to support your opinion. I'll tell you what; bring me a sample of your work, Master Eric and I'll show it to Mr. Shackford. His class isn't full because he will accept only the best and brightest, so there is a possibility that you could get in. If you can get it to me before noon, I'll see that he receives it."
"I brought a few chapters of a story that I'm writing because Josh said I should."
"See, I'm not overestimating Master Joshua! He thinks ahead. If you are the kind of student he is, I'm sure you'll do well here. Let me call up to Mr. Shackford's room and see if he's in right now. If he is, you can meet him and argue your case directly."
A few minutes later, Eric and Josh were being ushered into the writing teacher's classroom. Mr. Shackford was impressed with Eric's confident manner and firm handshake. He found himself hoping that the boy had sufficient talent to be in the class because he seemed to be polite and respectful. In this day and age, that went a long way toward being a receptive student. He noticed that Eric wasn't cocky or full of himself. That was also a sign that he'd be open to learning new things.
Mr. Shackford asked the boys to take a seat while he scanned the beginning of Eric's story. His expression on his face didn't transmit any signals - good or bad, so the boys were waiting on tenterhooks as he read.
Presently, he looked up at Eric over his reading glasses.
"Is this all your own work?"
"Yes, Sir," Eric answered.
"You didn't get any of your ideas or characters off of the Internet?"
"No, Sir, it's all from my own experience and imagination."
"If that is true, and I have no reason to doubt you, I will certainly have room for you in my class. I love how you draw the reader in with your very first sentences: `Troy Johnson was not a happy camper. Actually, he was not camping yet, but his father was going to be dragging him on a six day, five night trek into the wilderness. YUCK!' Right from the beginning you've set up a situation which suggests conflict. As you go on, you begin to show possible resolution of that conflict. I'll be eager to read more of this as you continue the story. You did say that it was based on experience. Are you, as I suspect, Troy?"
Eric swallowed and blushed as he considered how to answer.
"Yes, Sir, I am. Now that I've told you, I'll have to do a lot of rewriting because it's rather personal."
"Well, I'll be happy to read this in whatever form it takes. I'd be willing to make suggestions on the personal' version as well as the public' one if you'll trust me with it. I won't push you if it's embarrassing for you. I'm not so old that I can't remember the emotions and dreams that I had when I was sixteen."
"Thank you for your offer to help me, Mr. Shackford. It's okay to have Ms. Burgoyne register me for your class then?"
"Yes, of course, you are welcome to be in this class. You'll even have a head start because your story will fit nicely into the main assignment for the first semester. I'll phone Alice to let her know that you're in. It's nice to have met you both," he said rising and extending his hand.
Once they were down the hall, Josh giggled: "So it's `Alice'. I didn't think that Ms. Burgoyne HAD a first name. She's always so proper in an old fashioned way, don't you agree, Master Eric?"
"Ah, indeed I do, Master Joshua!"
"Anyway," Josh continued, "I told you that your writing was awesome. I'm glad I pushed `Alice' to get you into the best writing class in the whole school. It's way above me!"
"Hey, what you do in art is so far beyond what I can do that it isn't even funny!" Eric responded.
Less than 15 minutes later, Eric had a great schedule which included several classes with Josh. Both boys left the school smiling. Josh grinned even more when Garret Bradley, from the swim team, waved to them as they pulled out of the parking lot in Josh's new pickup.
On Thursday afternoon, Ben came home early from work with a plan in mind that he hoped would meet everyone's approval. It was the last of August and school would start right after Labor Day. There would be few opportunities to go out camping on a river or lake before the boys' schedules would make it difficult to coordinate a family outing. He and Scott might like to go alone for "together" time and leave the boys at home, but since Eric and Josh were comfortable with their dads' relationship there needn't be any embarrassment if the two men appeared a bit amorous at times. The main problem would be whether everyone could go at the same time.
Eric and Josh were in the studio working when they heard the speaking tube whistle. Eric called down since Josh seemed to be so engrossed in his work that he didn't want to quit.
"We can come down," Eric said in response to Ben's request. "Give us about 10 minutes. Uh, no, we weren't! Josh is painting a landscape and I have most of my clothes on. Now I know where Josh gets his dirty mind," he laughed.
Scott and Ben were in a serious discussion when the boys got to the kitchen.
"We're going to buy another canoe and a kayak." Scott told them. "Gander Mountain over in Eden Prairie is having a sale on both items. We'll then have two canoes when we all want to go camping and you guys can each have your kayak when you want to go for a daytrip together locally."
"I'd like to take two canoes for a long weekend on the Namekagon River over in Wisconsin." Ben added. "We could leave after lunch tomorrow and take Monday as well. If we take two vehicles, we can leave one at the pullout point and we won't have to pay extra for someone to drive us back and forth."
"I'm game if Josh is," said Eric.
"What?" Scott said with pretend surprise. "How will you make it without your laptop or video games for that long? It will be several miles from civilization and you'll have to sleep on the ground in a tent."
"Dad, don't tease me. You know that I've been converted to loving the outdoor life. I've already admitted that you were right taking me to the Boundary Waters against my better judgment. You'd better mark it down because you still have a few more years before I'm mature enough to agree with you again." Eric joked.
"I wouldn't mind being in a tent alone with Eric again," Josh giggled as he rubbed his hand on Eric's thigh."
"Save that for later, Son," Ben advised. "Right now, we need to go look at canoes and kayaks. I'll drive the Pacifica and you take your pickup so we'll have room to bring them home in one trip."
The selection was still pretty good and the prices were certainly fine. Scott paid for both a canoe and a kayak saying that it was only fair for him to do it since Ben and Josh already had similar equipment.
On the way back from their shopping trip Eric and Josh discussed the coming weekend. Josh was considering an alternative to his father's plan.
"How badly do you want to go canoeing on the river in Wisconsin?" he asked.
"Well, I wasn't kidding when I said I love being out in nature. I thought you were excited about it too. What are you thinking about?"
"I could use another day on my current painting, but I didn't want to be a wet blanket and say that I'd like to stay home. I also think that our dads would enjoy going by themselves, but I'm sure they don't want us to feel left out. They'll be less inhibited if we aren't along. I know I would be without them. We could still take our kayaks or the new canoe out on some lake and we might even camp out a night or two. But we can go with them if you really want to. What do you think?"
"I'll be happy as long as I'm with you," Eric grinned as his left hand found its way to Josh's right thigh. "I think you may have come up with a great idea."
Scott and Ben were of two minds when they heard the boys' suggestion. On the one hand, they would love to have the time alone and on the other hand, they felt like they shouldn't leave two sixteen year olds on their own.
Finally, Josh convinced their dads that they were reliable guys and that they would be safe enough without adult supervision. He reminded them that there were two college guys living very close and that they could be counted on in an emergency.
Ben wasn't really sure that a couple of guys who were 19 and 20 would be more responsible than a pair of high school kids. In the end, he was persuaded that the boys could be on their own. After all, it wasn't like he and Scott were going off to the north woods where there was practically no cell reception. They could keep in touch if the need arose.
Ben and Scott left on Friday after having lunch with their sons. The crossover was loaded with their tent, sleeping bags, cookware, and cooler filled with food. The day was beautiful with warm, but not hot weather. Both men were dressed in cargo shorts and both shed their shirts before they got out of the driveway.
Scott reached over to caress Ben's chest causing him to grin and moan in response.
"Be careful or I'll run off the road! I'm already feeling horny."
"Maybe you should pull off in a rest area and let me take care of your problem," Scott suggested.
Ben pulled into the next rest area, but it was far too busy and the risk of getting caught would be high. Since discretion is the better part of valor, they decided to wait until they were camping.
The trip didn't take all that long. Ben gave Scott the number of the shuttle service to call ahead for transportation so they wouldn't have to waste time getting booked.
In another half hour, they were unloading the canoe and equipment which Scott would watch while Ben dropped his vehicle at their pull-out point and get a ride back to where Scott was waiting.
Scott worked two crossword puzzles to occupy his time, but didn't get a start on a third before Ben was back. Once Ben had paid the driver, he and Scott waded out far enough to float the canoe and then they were off on their adventure.
It was getting toward 4:00 when the men found a great campsite that had plenty of foliage to screen their tent from the river. They quickly unloaded their equipment and beached the canoe where it would be visible to anyone coming down the river. That way, people could see that the site was occupied and wouldn't bother them.
Ben stripped down to a sexy bikini and Scott to his boxer-briefs as they set up camp. When they finished, Ben unfolded a plastic sheet that they could put their towels on to lie in the sun. Scott came up behind him to pull his skimpy swimwear to the ground. Ben relieved Scott of his underwear and began to play-wrestle, pinning his lover beneath him.
Scott reached up to pull Ben even closer to his body. The two of them lay enjoying the sensation of being skin to skin under the bright blue sky. They kissed like two teenagers who had just discovered sex. Ben pulled back, grinning at Scott, and then moved his mouth down to work on Scott's nipples. It was an awesome feeling and Scott writhed in the pleasant agony of unfulfilled lust. When he was certain that he couldn't stand anymore of that action without bursting, he rolled them over and gave Ben the same treatment.
Ben was grunting and oozing precum too. He called a halt while he dug into his toiletry bag to search for lube. When he found it, he lay back down with his knees to his chest inviting Scott to take him.
Scott prepared his boyfriend, lubing him thoroughly before entering his hot orifice. Both men were experienced enough with each other's wants and needs that their union was mutually comfortable as well as exciting. Scott came first, but he stayed hard long enough to keep stimulating Ben's prostate until he achieved orgasm too.
They lay napping for a few minutes in the afterglow before the sounds of people's voices on the river awakened them. Neither man panicked at the idea that someone might see them naked, but they lay very still until the canoes passed by.
The men prepared dinner in the buff. One of the great things about being alone together was that they could be that free. Neither would have been as uninhibited with their sons along. This was like a honeymoon and both men could use the stress relief. They were thankful that their sons had made other plans.
Back in St. Paul, the boys were sitting in the gazebo eating a super-size carryout pizza. Originally they had planned to cook dinner, but Josh had become too involved in his artwork and Eric in his writing. They had wanted to continue while their creative juices were flowing. Food was secondary.
Blake saw them and waved as he came toward the backyard. They invited him to eat with them if he had time.
"I'm alone tonight," he stated picking up a slice. "My Wildman is working at Olive Garden. He makes really good tips because he's cute and he charms everyone he meets. He's probably flirting with someone as we speak."
"You're crazy about him, aren't you?" Josh said.
"Uh, what do you mean?" Blake asked nervously.
"It's okay, Blake. We aren't going to tell anyone. You're going to have to learn to trust him when he's out of your sight or you're going to go nuts."
"So you've figured us out?"
"Yeah, my gaydar isn't broken and neither is Eric's."
"I guess I'm glad that you guys know. It's really hard keeping it bottled up. You know we go to a really uptight school where NO ONE would ever be gay because it's a sin. They love the sinner, but hate the sin. Yeah, right! Our asses would be so busted if it got out."
"Why don't you transfer to the university?"
"He can't afford to. Reese has too many scholarships where we are and I might lose credits and have to take an extra semester. I don't want to transfer without him. Either way, I'm going to be so in debt that I'll be on social security before I get my student loans paid off."
The boys insisted that Blake finish the pizza while Josh went into the house to get him something to drink. They could have eaten more themselves, but held back knowing that he probably needed to food more than they did. Josh returned with a tray bearing three bowls of ice cream and a plate of cookies in addition to Blake's glass of lemonade.
Blake thanked the guys several times before taking his leave. He offered to help clear, but they wouldn't allow him to.
After their shared shower, Josh and Eric remained naked. The windows they were likely to pass were toward the back of the house and if the guys in the garage apartment saw them in their natural state, that wouldn't be a problem. They ended up sitting on pillows on the fire escape outside the studio hoping that the light pollution wouldn't be too bright to prevent a bit of stargazing.
They saw Reese come home and witnessed a tender moment when he came in the front door. Blake met him clad in underwear and helped Reese out of most of his clothes after kissing him passionately.
The boys couldn't overhear their conversation, but figured that it was pleasant from the body language both displayed. The college guys must have gone to shower because they returned nude to the bedroom after being gone about 10 minutes. They settled into the bed and turned out the light.
"Wow, that was sweet," Eric said dreamily.
"Yeah it was, but we should probably let them know that we can see into their place," Josh responded. "I'm as big a sucker for watching guy romance as you are, but I feel kind of guilty. Maybe we should turn on the studio light when we go back in so that they're aware we're up here late sometimes."
"That's okay by me, but they probably have better things to do right now than look out the window."
Blake was lying on his side looking out the window with Reese spooned against his back. Reese had complained of being really exhausted and nothing had happened after they'd climbed into bed. Blake wondered if he'd had a quickie with another waiter in the restroom. He sensed that Reese was still awake.
"Maybe we should move the bed closer to the window so we could see the stars." Reese suggested.
"Yeah, then I could wish on one," Blake sighed. "I can't see any from here because of the house and that tree. Whoa, I see a couple of full moons!"
Both young men propped themselves up to catch better look at the boys who had just entered the lighted studio. The sight was pleasant to say the least!
"Heavenly bodies for sure," Reese exclaimed. "Nice!"
The brief, attractive show seemed to have rejuvenated Reese. He reached his left hand around Blake's waist and fondled his equipment. Blake rose to the occasion. His doubts about Reese's faithfulness were soon forgotten in feelings of lust and love.
Both young men satisfied each other completely in the next several minutes. But as he was falling asleep, Blake thought about the fact that it had taken a glimpse of someone else to turn Reese on...
Author's notes: Thanks to all who wrote since last posting. Among them is my former editor Tim. They include: Jian, Chea, Jim We, Jess M, Paul R, Ryan J, Michael, Paul L, Jim C, Tim E, Baruch, Polar, and Rad.
As always, I'm indebted to my current editors David and Tom. Thanks guys!