Second Chance, Chapter 26
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.
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As always, I thank my editors Tom and David for their proofing my work and giving me suggestions and lots of positive feedback. They're an integral part of this effort.
Chapter 26
On Saturday morning everyone intended to sleep in. Unfortunately, no one had told Robbie who was up bright-eyed and ready to eat around 6:00. Rob went to tend to him, smiling as he did so.
"Robbie, I think you're old man is in love. Please keep it a secret for a while till I can sort out my feelings. I know that you like him too. And he loves you like his own. He's older and wiser, but we're both just kids in the grand scheme of things. But he's steady and giving and caring. Oh God, I hope it can work. I think he feels something deep for me too."
Ben and Scott got up shortly after Rob had and joined him in the kitchen. They sat at the table drinking coffee until Robbie finished eating his breakfast and then they began preparations for the rest of the family.
"Sit still, Rob," Ben said when the young man tried to get up to help. "You've already had a busy morning."
"I know, but I feel like I'm sponging. I appreciate every single thing you guys have done for me, but I need to contribute. For my project in econ, I've figured out about what it costs to feed Robbie and me plus a share of the overhead for utilities and things like that. I'm going to pay you that each month. If I'm not being fair, I want to know. You might not want to take it, but I need to do this to feel like a man – or at least try to become one."
"No one in this house doubts your masculinity or your maturity!" Scott insisted. "You have never shirked your duties. If all young men were like you, there'd be no court hearings over child support."
"And I'd be looking for work!" Ben chuckled. "We will accept your offer for the time being if it makes you feel better. But you must know that we love you like another son and you need to include that in your calculations."
Josh and Eric came shuffling into the room about that time. The aroma of coffee had signaled the possibility of getting fed. While neither was that fond of the taste, the smell of coffee brewing had become a signal that food was forthcoming.
"Hey Josh, how did you do last night? I saw several "sold" stickers over the price tags even though we left early. I want to get back to see the show again before the paintings get taken away." Rob said.
"Everything will remain in place for two weeks, except for one of the paintings of Robbie. Some man gave us an extra $500 to have it delivered today and Norm accepted it for my sake even though it's against his policy to do that."
"That man was Roberto Mancini," Ben said. "Although I had made myself scarce, I saw him going over to Norm right after the near fainting scene."
"Are you sure?" Rob asked.
"Yes. I know your father pretty well from working on that case with him. Are you upset?"
"No," Rob sighed. "I can't keep them from buying a picture of their grandchild and I'm glad that Josh got extra money out of the deal. I just hope that they don't try to use my son to force their way back into my life."
"Oh Rob, I would have put a sold sign on it if I'd have thought."
"No, it's okay, really. Tell us more about how things went."
"Norm's supposed to call today with a more exact figure, but as of last night he was estimating that I'd clear between $5,000 and $6,000 after his commission and expenses! He said it's the biggest opening he's ever had for an unknown artist and he's absolutely ecstatic. He wanted me to thank his lawyer for putting him onto this young dude."
"Oh, God! He's talking about himself in the third person. Pretty soon he'll be demanding to be addresses as `Sir Joshua' or something." Ben gasped in mock despair, lightening the mood.
"It will be sufficient if you simply call me `sir' as long as you still call me on time for meals!" Josh giggled. "I promise I won't get the big-head."
"Speaking of calling people for meals, where's Blake? Is he upstairs sleeping?" Eric snickered.
"Eric!" Scott scolded. "Don't tease your brother."
"Sorry, Rob." Eric grinned after an unsuccessful attempt to look penitent.
"It's okay. I was wondering if I could invite him to sleep over. I'm not sure what the rules are..."
"The rules are whatever you're comfortable with in this case," Ben said and Scott nodded. "Our sons share their bed, and we assume their bodies, and we can't ask you to live differently than they do."
Rob blushed deeply; the boys to a lesser extent because they were used to good-natured teasing from their dads.
"I don't know that we'll be doing that." he said quietly staring at the floor.
"I'm sorry for presuming," Ben said gently. "I just want you to know that if you have an intimate relationship with another guy under our roof we won't be upset."
"So, do you care for him?" Eric teased as he nudged Rob playfully in the ribs.
"Yeah!" Rob grinned, responding without hesitation. "I really wanted to sleep with him last night, but he said I was too vulnerable after that scene at the gallery and he didn't want to take advantage of me. I agreed that I'd better think about it. Well, I have slept on it and I rested well because there wasn't any decision to fret over. I still feel the same."
"Why don't you give him a call and invite him to breakfast. It's almost ready."
Blake was at the door nearly as soon as Rob had hung up the receiver.
Blake was still there when Mr. Hadley called with the good news. He had purposely underestimated the totals lest he had forgotten some expense or other. He was pleased to tell Josh that he was a little over $8,000 richer and there were still several paintings that people were interested in purchasing. He and Charles were going to open up another small room to display the extra ones that hadn't been hung originally. He encouraged Josh to contact the frame shop for mats to be cut for some of the smaller things he had at home. They could be sold without frames to people who wanted a genuine "Joshua" but couldn't afford to spend top dollar.
"Let's go out and get mat board and a cutter," Eric suggested. "We could get a bunch of paintings ready and over there today if we do. You know there'll be people in on Sunday. If we wait for the frame shop, the show will be over."
The boys scurried upstairs to shower and dress so that they could get started.
Blake said that he really needed to go home to finish a paper that was due for his philosophy class on Tuesday, but that he would be back in the evening if that was okay. Rob got up to see him to the door. He gave him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek to give him extra incentive to work hard. Before their embrace ended, Rob was convinced that Blake had the "hard" part mastered.
Norm Hadley was considering leaving early since Charles had everything under control. However, he shelved his plans when Josh and Eric showed up with the additional paintings. He was impressed with the job the boys had done. They admitted that their dads had helped, but Eric said that Josh had known what to do because his art teacher had taught the basics in one of their advanced classes.
"I've got to thank him." Josh said.
"Why not give him a small painting," Norm suggested. "I'm sure he'd love that."
Norm, Charles, and the boys spent the next hour putting up the matted work. Without the frames, the effect wasn't as grand as the "Genesis" show, but looked pretty nice just the same. Norm was happy to have the extra art to sell. In the current recession, a hundred here and a hundred there helped to keep the bills paid for him as well as his artists.
They were tired, but Josh and Eric offered to play with Robbie while Rob entertained his "gentleman caller" in the parlor or his bed or whatever he had in mind. Rob and Blake thanked them, but said that they wanted to be with Robbie themselves. Rob didn't want to be away from his son unnecessarily and besides, Blake was completely enamored of the little one.
Eric and Josh showered and headed for bed early. They didn't bother to put anything on as they went to their bedroom. It was an all male household after all and they weren't sporting wood. Instead of making out, they cuddled and talked. They discussed the show, Garret, Blake, and Rob of course. Eric could empathize with the hurt Rob was feeling about his mother's actions, or inaction to be more precise. He could also understand how much Blake's kindness meant to him in his hour of need.
"Hey Stud, do you know what today is?" Eric asked.
"Yeah, it's Saturday the 14th and my opening is out of the way at last."
"No, Silly! It's February the 14th and it's our first Valentine's Day together. I got you something special. Wait here with your eyes closed while I get it out of the closet."
Eric came back into the bedroom a minute later wearing a shiny red thong with a heart on the front and holding a red rose in his teeth.
"You can look now," he mumbled around the stem.
"Ooh! Can I open my present, please?" Josh asked springing up from the bed.
"Here it is," Eric said handing him a gift bag."
"No, I want to open this one," Josh insisted, groping Eric's crotch.
"Look in the bag first."
Josh pulled out a black thong with a heart made of sequins covering most of the front. He put it on as quickly as he could, trying to contain his stiffening rod.
"Look, I've got a heart-on!" he joked.
"Yeah, I noticed," Eric giggled as he knelt before his boyfriend's bulge.
"I'm sorry I don't have anything for you, damn it! With my opening, I forgot all about what day it was. I'll be more romantic next year." Josh promised.
"You've got the perfect present right here! Now tell me if you're too tired to get romantic tonight."
"Not a chance! Get your sweet body over here and let me find out what you're hiding in that thong."
While Rob and Blake were in the living room, Ben and Scott stayed in the den watching TV. They wanted the two young men to have the opportunity to be on their own although that was rather difficult to achieve with a six and a half week old infant.
It wasn't until they heard Rob going to the kitchen that they stirred from the den. When they joined the two younger men, they found Blake sitting at the table holding Robbie and Rob busy warming formula. On the table was a small bouquet of red roses.
Ben and Scott busied themselves making a snack for everyone.
"There's nothing better than having a dad who knows your orientation and loves you just the same – unless it's having two dads like that," Rob said as he brought the bottle to Blake.
"Or maybe two dads, two brothers and a handsome neighbor," Scott teased.
"That's for sure," Rob agreed, "especially one that loves your kid and brings you flowers."
Once Robbie had been fed, changed, and put in his crib for the night, Rob and Blake retired to Rob's bedroom. Blake stripped to his underwear and pulled back the covers to get in.
"Let's not go to bed yet," Rob requested. "Let's take a shower to get squeaky clean and then we can sleep naked."
"You do know where that could lead," Blake said. "I mean it doesn't have to and it can't go too far until I've been tested. Reese cheated on me and I'm not exactly a virgin. I wish I'd saved myself for you."
"Don't worry about that, everyone has baggage. I'm not going to think any less of you because you have experience. And yes, I know how it could end. I may have less experience, but I'm not totally naïve!"
The shower was even more erotic than either of them had anticipated. Once they got each other's body soaped up and began to rub together under the warm water, it was all over – literally. There was cum dripping from their abs and accumulating on the floor of the tub not to mention a few stray globs on the shower curtain. For the moment, they were oblivious to the mess as they kissed long and deeply.
"Oh Rob, I've had great sex before, but never knew it could be this awesome!"
"You don't have to say that to make me feel good." Rob said.
"I'm not; I mean it! Sex is always fun, but I now know that I've never felt so close to anyone - ever. It's like I want to be inside your skin with you – like our souls are melted together."
"I know; I feel it too. Do you think this is love?"
"Oh, Rob, I really hope so! But let's go slow because I thought I was in love before. I don't want to mess this up!"
The two young men cleaned out the tub and dried each other off. They slipped into boxers to get to Rob's bedroom, but shucked them the minute they got there.
Rob lay on his right side and Blake spooned up against his back. Both of them enjoyed the presence of another warm body in bed. They might have enjoyed a second round of hot sex, but each was concerned about rushing things. Blake had learned the hard way that sex wasn't the only important element in a relationship – maybe not even the main one. Rob was more interested in finding a soul-mate who loved him and his son than in bounding from one sexual high to another. At that moment, he was thinking that he might have found that kind of affection.
They talked openly about their feelings, desires, and plans. They discussed the pros and cons of finding a lover at a young age. Neither of them wanted to sow wild oats anymore. (Rob really never had.) Both were interested in making a good life and sharing it with someone who cared. The more they talked, the more it felt right to be together.
Scott and Ben had their own little celebration in the master suite after the others had retired. They showered together unhurriedly before dressing in the red silk robes that Ben had bought them.
Scott dimmed the lights and poured champagne into two ruby-red flutes that were his contribution to their romantic night. He lit the incense and proposed a toast to their continuing life together.
As they propped up on the bed sipping their wine, Ben moved his knee so that his robe gapped open revealing his semi hard appendage. Scott followed suit showing that he was as interested as his partner.
Their glasses were soon deposited on the nightstands as they found something sweeter than wine to taste...
It would have been easy for the 20 year old college student to roll back over to sleep when baby Robbie demanded his breakfast. Rob was up already heading for the nursery, but Blake felt that he'd better get used to this if he wanted to be a real part of Rob's life. So, he put on sweats and stumbled down to the kitchen to help.
Eric and Josh arrived soon after and started the coffee for their dads. Then they hunted in the fridge to see what was available for breakfast. They got out the waffle iron and skillet to make waffles, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
They had nearly completed their task when Ben and Scott came in. Of the whole group, the two adult dads looked the most tired. It made the boys wonder what they'd been up to last night!
"Is anyone up for going to church," Ben asked. "We have plenty of time."
"I'd like to go," Rob announced. "I want to talk to Pastor Mann about having Robbie baptized. I know that he's not going to be damned if I don't, but I'd like to have it done."
"Don't you want to raise him Catholic?" Scott asked.
"And have some priest tell him his father's bound for hell because he's gay, while he, himself, is molesting altar boys? No thank you! I've seen how my church operates and how yours does and now I know what I want for Robbie and me."
"I understand where you're coming from Rob, but you need to know that not all priests are like that." Scott said. "I had a good friend back in Iowa who was a Catholic priest and who was also gay. He had no interest in having sex with children. If fact he helped to rid the church of someone who was abusive."
"You're right. I shouldn't assume that they're all like that, but I've had it with my church. I want Robbie to grow up in a more inclusive environment. I want him baptized there and I want Josh and Eric to be his God Parents."
Blake looked hurt for a second, but successfully masked it. He smiled when Rob continued.
"I'll probably wait until spring when I hope to have a couple more things straightened out in my life. You will stand up there with me, won't you, Blake?"
Blake was positive that his conservative classmates would be concerned about his soul when he didn't show up to the church they went to. He would have a difficult time explaining why he had worshipped with a congregation that openly accepted gays into membership. He would hide that from them for the time being, but he would have to look into transferring to the state university for next year. There was no way he could chance being thrown out of his present school before he got his credits and there was no way he would trade being with Rob for the chance to remain enrolled there!
At first Blake thought that the service was not going to be completely different from what he was used to. But as it continued, he could see a number of things that were unusual. First, the hymns were not all that familiar. Second, the preacher's whole approach was different. He spoke in a normal voice as if he were talking to a group of friends instead of gesturing and pontificating. Third, his message had more emphasis on the love of God than on the sinful nature of human beings. Forth, there were a number of same-sex couples attending together. The service left Blake feeling refreshed and closer to his Maker instead of feeling like he was wicked beyond redemption.
When Rob talked to Reverend Mann, he was elated to find that he would be welcomed as a believer instead of having to be baptized again and go through a lot of training sessions. He was invited to a class that would explain the basic beliefs of the church. Rob was also pleased that Blake expressed interest in attending it with him.
On Sunday afternoon, Josh and Eric went to pick up Dylan, Garret, and Damian who had all expressed an interest in seeing Josh's show. They took Ben's vehicle in order to accommodate everyone. Marissa was a little peeved that Dylan was going without her, but she didn't make an issue over it after he told her that guys needed to do things with their buddies and if he couldn't do that, he wasn't interested in going steady.
Blake took Rob and Robbie to the gallery in his car so that Rob could have a better chance of seeing the total exhibit without the drama of Friday night. He also wanted an excuse to be with them for the rest of the day.
As Garret looked at the paintings, he could see the love that Josh had for Eric. He wondered if he would have noticed had they not come out to him. He felt that he would have, though. His awareness of body language, and with it his gaydar, seemed to be developing by the day. He smiled wistfully at the interaction between Rob and Blake. The more he observed them together, the more he felt that he had no chance of being with Rob even though he suspected that Rob was gay.
Damian took in everything. He appreciated the figure studies, but especially loved one of the small landscapes based on the Boundary Waters photos. Josh made a note of that and thought of the small one in his studio that was similar. He decided to give it to Damian if he could do so without hurting anyone else's feelings. He knew that Dylan could afford to buy one if he wanted it bad enough; he wasn't sure about Damian or Garret.
All of the boys were impressed with the large painting of father and child. Garret voiced his opinion that it captured the infant and his father's love for him perfectly. The others agreed.
It was time for the students in the parenting class to care for their robotic babies for an entire week. Their duties would begin Wednesday and end the following Tuesday. That way, they'd find out what it was like to have to schedule around a baby on the weekend when many had plans to study, go to a basketball game, or just hang out with friends. Several students were already figuring out that an infant could put a damper on their activities.
Rob had to get permission from the administrators to bring a real, live infant for the experience. He had no trouble doing that because Miss Hovland had already talked to one of the vice principals who had agreed with her point of view and had convinced the others.
If the girls in the class had seen Rob as boyfriend material because of his trim body and raven hair before he showed up with an infant, they were absolutely smitten when they saw him in his role as a father.
Robbie was a chick magnet. Puppies tend to attract girls, but babies are serious bait. Robbie was on his best behavior smiling and cooing as if he were incapable of fussing. Everyone wanted a turn to hold him.
Miss Hovland asked Rob to demonstrate changing a diaper when it was time. Robbie did his part by filling one with a particularly smelly load. Some of the guys held their noses, but Rob went about his task matter-of-factly ignoring their response. He had a cloth ready to deflect the stream when Robbie peed in the air like a miniature fire hose while being changed.
Some of the students noticed that Robbie hadn't been circumcised. One boy, Peter Staley, was brave enough to ask about it. Miss Hovland explained the terms "foreskin" and "prepuce" and mentioned that there was a growing trend in the US not to remove that extra skin. Rob explained that he wanted his son to grow up "natural" like many Europeans and all of the males in his family.
"Isn't it necessary to cut that off for health reasons?" one girl asked.
"Actually, boys can be taught to pull the skin back to clean it and it does have a purpose. It keeps a guy more sensitive from what I've been told. Of course, I don't know any different." Rob blushed.
"Some religions require circumcision," Miss Hovland added. "Some primitive tribes perform the rite when boys turn 13 as an initiation into manhood."
Several males in the group cringed and rolled their eyes. It was all that they could do to keep from clutching their crotches in a protective gesture.
Robbie proved to be a lot different from the robotic infants. His moods were more predictable, at least for his father. And, he tended to settle down with a pacifier when he was cranky and in need of a nap. All in all, he charmed students in other periods as well as in the parenting class.
Garret took Robbie to his Spanish class which was at the same period as Rob's science class because Rob had a lab that day which involved chemicals that might be hazardous for a child to be around. Rob got Garret's fake baby in the exchange. Ironically, the robot acted up and would not respond to whatever Rob tried while Robbie slept in his carrier on a table beside Garret's desk.
At lunch time, Rob was allowed into the cafeteria kitchen to warm Robbie's bottle of formula in the microwave. Practically everyone in the lunchroom came by to admire the infant and several offered to feed him while Rob got his lunch. The honors went to Josh and Eric who took turns. Robbie also seemed to know them either by sight or scent. Whatever his source of information, he was comfortable with guys he knew.
Garret was in the next lunch shift and felt a bit left out that he couldn't have been there to help with the feeding. He would love to be as close to Rob as the guys who lived with him. He envied Blake who lived right next door and had a car to take Rob places.
Garret would have to be very careful to hide his feelings around Eric and Josh. Those two had figured out that he was gay and that he had a crush on Dylan. He couldn't risk having them guess what he felt for Rob.
Authors notes: If you don't hear back quickly from me it's because I'll be out of town a few days. Don't assume that you're not important to me! Thanks to those who wrote since I last posted: Polar, Baruch, Bill K, John McD, Harry T, Jim C, Mike DeW, Paul R, Tom A, Vann, Jim We, Pete R, Gary McC, Rutabaga, Dave J, Rad, and Steve (Angels). As you can see, I still get responses occasionally from earlier stories that readers have recently discovered.
Weather here in Iowa has been beautiful and things are growing will. Other than an onslaught of gnats (buffalo flies) who have multiplied like rabbits since last year's flooding, it's been nice lying out bare in the woods...
I hear that New Hampshire has joined Iowa and several other states in allowing same-sex marriage even if California remains back in the Dark Ages!
David