Authors note - I sense this chapter will spark some controversy so get ready to get riled and frustrated. I would like to thank my friend Carlos for the biblical references. If you want to read more and gain some perspectives on Christians and gays then you can check out his newsletter at http://www.holycrossmcc.com/crossroads.html. It provides and intelligent and insightful points of discussion on some important issues.
The beliefs expressed by Kevin below are not mine. My beliefs and Ethan's (strange that his and mine are the same) will become clear in later chapters. This is in no way meant to be a religious discussion, nor do I want to engage in a debate on this issue. It is, however, a representation of life in this part of the world and some of the struggles some people go through.
I really want to thank you for the emails encouraging me to write more. Your emails are very motivating so please keep them coming.
As always, all rights reserved. See previous chapters if you want to read the boring disclaimer bits.
Chapter 33
Ethan had the first good night sleep he could remember in a long time. Being home and with Rick at his side was the best medicine he could hope for. Rick too slept well. Ethan at his side made his world seem safe again. Sometime during the night, Adam crawled in bed with his two Dads. The guys woke to the sun streaming in the balcony doors and the sounds of the seagulls noisily searching for their morning meal.
At the trailer in Destin, Ruth and Buddy were also up early. They had seen the news the night before. There was Rick on TV standing in front of a private plane. The story was about a gay billionaire returning to Pensacola to recover from a recent accident. So Rick was with a rich man. And Adam was living the high life now. They had a plan. They were working out the details. Vultures circling prey.
Rick made some calls and arranged for Ethan's physical therapy. He had received a referral for one of the best physical therapists in the area and she would be willing to come out to the condo for the sessions. At least until Ethan was ready to go the hospital in nearby Gulf Breeze for more intensive therapy. She would be arriving the next day for a "meet and greet" and the sessions would begin the day after that if everyone decided the chemistry was right.
Sarah and Ethan talked over some pressing issues for Compass. She would be returning to Ft Lauderdale on a commercial flight late in the afternoon. This was her last chance to get some face-to-face guidance from her friend, mentor, and boss. Quest was arriving into Mobile for her extensive refit. A real problem had been surfacing lately with staff. Despite their assurances of Compass' financial stability, many employees were leaving. The other cruise lines in South Florida were taking advantage of the situation and some real talent was leaving. Some of the leadership team were being approached with lucrative offers. Sarah was worried and they discussed how to stem the tide. Compass already offered an industry leading benefit program. Turnover had been nonexistent, until now. Ethan and Sarah discussed some initiatives and Sarah had some clear direction now.
Ethan managed to stay awake most of the day. By late afternoon he was starting to slow. Rick and Sarah made a light dinner and wheeled Ethan out on to the balcony where the four of them enjoyed the view and meal together.
Rick drove Sarah to the airport for her flight. Ethan and Adam curled up in the bed and watched Cartoon Network. When Rick arrived home, both of his guys were asleep in the bed. Adam was cuddled up to Ethan's side - Ethan's arm protectively around Adam. It was a beautiful sight. Rick read for a couple of hours and then joined his guys for a peaceful night's sleep.
Kevin had settled into the hotel on the beach. He would be staying there until his apartment was ready in a week. He was glad to be back in Pensacola. He had enjoyed his flight training there. The beaches in Pensacola are spectacular and Kevin went for a run every morning.
He had responded to the ad for this position unaware of what it entailed. He had been working for an airline and had enough hours to qualify as Captain on the A320 but the seniority and union rules meant it would be a long time before he moved over to the Captain's chair. When he went to Ft Lauderdale to meet with Brian for the interview, he felt the job was custom made for him. Based in Pensacola, captain of an A320, and without the strains of commercial flight schedules. He didn't know that he would be working for a gay man and his lover. That was a surprise and was troubling.
Kevin grew up in what can be best described as a Christian fundamentalist environment - the type that preaches judgement with the omnipresent heavy threat of eternal damnation. His brother was a preacher at an Assembly of God church in Tallahassee. His sister had married someone from her church and was active in all aspects of her church. Mom and Dad both were also very active in the church. The fact that Kevin was 32, handsome, a real catch, but still single was a constant conversation point with the family. Kevin would be attending the Assembly of God church in Pensacola which is world famous for a large revival it has every year. Maybe he would finally meet someone at the church. Maybe he would finally feel something for someone.
After a day of reading, running on the beach, and doing some paperwork, Kevin decided to have dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach, Boy on a Dolphin. He sat at a table near the windows overlooking the intracoastal waterway. He was deep in thought when someone approached.
"Hi, it is Kevin isn't it?"
"Yes, let me see, you are Sean. Did I get that right?"
Sean stood and talked with Kevin for a few minutes. Kevin noticed that Sean didn't seem to be in a hurry. He asked Sean if he would like to join him. Sean finally agreed. They had a nice dinner and good conversation. Mostly about life in Pensacola and about Ethan and Rick. Kevin had some old military buddies in Pensacola but conversation was not a centrepiece of those friendships. Sports, work, and girl chasing was the usual banter. Kevin was really enjoying talking to Sean. He learned about Sean going to FSU and his degree in business administration. He also learned that Sean had taken care of Adam while Rick was down with Ethan and that Sean had put his business plans on hold. Kevin thought that Sean must be a special guy to have done that for Rick and Ethan.
He asked Sean about Ethan and Rick. He didn't ask about them being gay but Sean sensed that Kevin wanted to know about that. He explained how Ethan and Rick had met and that the love between them was strong, beautiful, and an inspiration. He also explained how Adam had come to join them and how Rick and Ethan had never questioned for one minute their responsibilities.
What Kevin was hearing didn't match with what he had been told about gay people. Disco freaks, drugs, AIDS, cheap sexual encounters. A lifestyle that was a fast ticket to hell. Ethan and Rick seemed to be model people of great character and responsible parents. Kevin asked a few more questions but tried not to be prying. He also sensed that the views of his church, and in fact the views he had been taught to believe, would be best not discussed. He didn't know why, but he didn't want to throw a wrench into a very enjoyable evening.
The guys had been talking for a couple of hours and had lost track of time. Realizing it was late, they paid the bill and went out to the parking lot. Sean mentioned that he planned to go for a run in the morning and then catch a movie in the afternoon. He asked if Kevin would like to join him. Kevin agreed but said that he would have to skip the run since he would be at church. The movie in the afternoon sounded good. They would meet at University Mall at 3pm.
Kevin returned to his hotel feeling good about the evening but troubled about the gay world he was being exposed to. He opened his bible and read for a couple of hours. Romans chapter 1 makes it clear. Kevin had heard it preached many times. Homosexual behavior is wrong. It says clearly, "... they which commit such things are worthy of death." Of course, like is so often the case, the text surrounding these statements was ignored in many preachings. Just down in Romans chapter 2 there is a discussion about people judging one another and that it is also wrong. How could preachers stand in the pulpit and preach judgement? He began to see the art of taking things out of context. He reread the story of the people of Sodom. The book of Ezekiel 16 lists what the 'sin of Sodom' actually was, and to the surprise of many, homosexuality is not mentioned. Sodom's guilt consisted of "pride, excess of food, and prosperous eases, but did not aid the poor and needy. [The inhabitants of Sodom] were haughty, and did abominable things."-Ezekiel 16:49, 50. The real sin there was not anything homosexual but rather it was about turning people away that were in need of hospitality. At the time the story was written it was a horrible injustice to not offer lodging and shelter to those in need of it.
Kevin read this as if reading it for the first time. His world shook. How could he question what he had been told all of his life? Being gay is wrong!
Desiring another man is wrong! Finding sexual pleasure in another man is wrong! But if God is loving and loves all people then why were some people gay? Why, Kevin pleaded in his prayers, why did he himself have gay feelings? Why did he not feel anything for women? Kevin fell into a restless sleep.
Sean arrived back at his apartment filled with joy about the evening. He really enjoyed Kevin's company. He sensed Kevin has some real hang-ups with the gay issue but he still enjoyed his company. He also thought Kevin was intelligent, funny, and gorgeous. But Sean tried not to imagine that there could ever be anything more. He got into bed, closed his eyes, and fell into a sound sleep.
Church was comforting but for the first time, Kevin doubted. He liked the sense of community. He liked the core values. But still, he found himself questioning. Rather than feeling good about this he was depressed. Religion had been his partner. It had provided him solace. Now he felt like he had been misled. He wondered if he was being influenced by the new environment he was becoming involved in. Gay people were known to try to recruit people to their way of life. Children were in danger with gay men. But how could that be? Adam was very happy. Ethan and Rick were loving and protective parents. Kevin just didn't know anymore. He would honor his meeting with Sean but then wouldn't do anything more with him. He wouldn't allow himself to be drawn into the evil world.
He met Sean at 3pm and they saw an action movie. It was sparsely attended. After the movie the guys went over to Shoney's for the buffet. Again, they talked for hours. As hard as he fought it, Kevin couldn't help but be drawn into Sean's green eyes and bright smile. His mind wandered as he pondered why he was so drawn to Sean. This was evil and wrong. But he couldn't help it. The best solution was to not see Sean anymore. He had to remove the devil's temptation. But deep inside he wanted to be with Sean. He had not "been" with anyone. He had gotten close with a couple of girls but it was wrong to have sex outside of marriage. Besides, he didn't feel the things so many people talked about. He never felt those things with girls. He did now, with Sean.
Sean tried to make plans for the next few days. Kevin managed to have excuses and Sean finally gave up trying. They two guys went there separate ways. Both confused but for different reasons.
Monday morning came and Ethan and Rick prepared for the physical therapist to arrive. Promptly at 10am she arrived. She was stocky but not large. She looked strong which would be needed. She was late 40s, black hair, green eyes. Terry was no nonsense but she had a wicked sense of humor. Everyone seemed to click. They agreed to move forward with therapy. She immediately took charge and before Rick could say anything, Terry was wheeling Ethan into the bedroom for some exercises and to give him a bath.
Over the next few days, a love-hate relationship developed with Terry and Ethan. She had many of the same qualities of Sarah. But damn did she push Ethan hard. He would sometime beg for a break but she wouldn't relent. And so it went. Ethan was worn out in the evenings but Rick could see Ethan was indeed getting stronger every day.
On Thursday, Ethan suggested that R-1 go and pick up Alice and Mark and that they have a dinner at the condo for Alice, Mark, Sean, Terry, and the crew for R-1 - Sheila and Kevin on Saturday night. Rick thought it would be fun to have some people over and so the plans began.
Friday at noon, R-1 took off from Pensacola headed for Nashville. By 5pm she was back in Pensacola. Rick met Alice and Mark and took them to the condo on the beach. The dinner would be on Saturday night.
As everyone was settling into the condo, Sarah called from Ft Lauderdale for Ethan. This was not their agreed time to speak every day so this meant something was up. Sarah told Ethan that some religious groups were planning a demonstration at the pier on Saturday. The Southern Baptist church had called for a boycott of Compass. Families and good Christians should not support gay businesses. Earlier in the week, a religious group had greeted Harmony when she arrived in Nassau and they had badgered passengers as they went ashore. Sarah had ordered extra security for all the ships and pier facilities.
Ethan was livid but knew there wasn't much he could do. He knew that these types of things tend to backfire. Religious groups had made a big stink in Pensacola many years ago about gay rights. The result was gay people flocked to Pensacola for Memorial Day weekend. This had now become an annual event drawing thousands of gays from across the southeast. Businessmen had come to realize the spending power of gays and welcomed the gay travellers every year. While religion ruled the bible belt, money had an even more powerful voice. Disney had experienced a similar action. That too had backfired and they now hosted gay days on a regular basis. Ethan told Sarah that the security was a good idea but that this would pass.
Ethan had asked Sean to arrive at the condo at 3pm. He wanted to have a conversation with him while Alice, Mark, Adam and Rick were out getting last minute supplies for the dinner. Sean arrived promptly and joined Ethan on the balcony.
"Sean, I want to thank you for everything you did while I was in the hospital. You took good care of our little guy for us and you put your own plans on hold. I know that is was a great sacrifice and I am very grateful.
On the one hand, I am sorry you put your plans on hold. On the other, I am glad."
Sean didn't know where this was going but said, "Ethan, it was my pleasure. I will always be here for you and Rick. Adam is a good boy and he was no problem. I love all you guys and you can count on me. As far as my business goes, it has put me back a bit financially but it will work out."
Ethan then spoke, "Well, you may know that I have reorganized some of my businesses. Sarah has a new position heading up the day-to-day operations for Compass Cruise Lines. I have a President for the airline and catering business, I have sold off the check printing business, and I have a great guy taking care of our charitable organizations. All of these are subsidiaries of my overall holding company - ENW Enterprises. ENW funds these various companies. The companies send their profits back to ENW where the money is reinvested. I have many more businesses which support these companies. Such as ENW Shipping which actually owns the ships. It is a Bahamas based company since I have to register the ships in a foreign country for tax purposes. The ships are leased to Compass Cruise Lines. They pay ENW Shipping for those leases and ENW Shipping then sends the money back into ENW Enterprises. Anyway, I won't bore you with everything in ENW but I will get to the point. I need someone to be the General Manager for ENW. This person will oversee the ENW portfolio and funding activities. I will remain Chairman and the buck stops with me on all major decisions. But, I can't remain involved at the same level as I have in the past. I need someone that I can trust. Someone that knows and understands my goals and objectives. Someone strong and decisive. Sean, I would like to ask you to take this position. It would be an honor for me to have you join me and the larger team I have."
Rick was stunned. He asked a few questions. He thought for a moment.
"Ethan, you don't owe me anything for taking care of Adam. I don't want you offering me this job as some sort of payback. It really isn't necessary. Seeing you get well and seeing my best friend and his son so happy is reward enough."
"Sean, I will admit this is partly out of gratitude. But it is more than that. I did some checking into your academic career. You were in the top of your class. You wrote some papers on international business finance that were forward thinking. I want you and your knowledge on my team. I want you to help me make ENW and even stronger company. Will you join me?"
Sean thought for a moment. The position would be based in Pensacola so that it was near Ethan. The 20 people currently in the Atlanta office had been offered move packages or very attractive severance packages. Twelve would be moving to Pensacola.
Sean was stunned, moved, and at a loss for words. Ethan gave him a slip of paper with salary information. Sean was stunned. The salary was $180,000 per year with annual reviews.
Sean stood and went over to Ethan and knelt next to the wheelchair. He looked Ethan in the eyes. "I am honored and I accept and I will do everything I can to help you meet your goals. Thank you Ethan. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." He then kissed Ethan on the cheek and gave him a hug.
The dinner started at 6pm. Kevin, Sheila, and Terry arrived and everyone settled in to great conversation. BBQ chicken was the main course and it was accompanied by beans, corn, coleslaw, macaroni salad, tossed salad, garlic bread, and angel food cake with fresh strawberries.
Kevin looked at the crowd. Warmth and true friendship filled the room. Ethan's parents were lovely and clearly loved Rick and Adam. Sean was positively beaming. Laughter was the norm. This was a lovely evening with fantastic people. This wasn't at all the evil, sex crazed, child recruiting scene that Kevin had been told about. This was something that many straight people never achieved. Trust, Love, Kindness, Success, Friendship.
Terry and Ethan went into the bedroom so she could help Ethan with the bathroom. Everyone pitched in to clean up after dinner. Adam curled up on the couch with Grandma Alice and was watching cartoons. Sheila, Mark, and Rick were starting a game of Scrabble. Kevin went out to enjoy the view on the balcony. Once he saw Sean out there as well he turned to go inside. Sean stopped him and asked him to stay. Kevin wasn't very talkative at first but Sean had this way of putting him at ease. They talked for a few minutes and then stood watching the moon rise and cast silvery light over the gulf waters. Sean reached closer to Kevin and kissed him. Kevin was aghast. Not just at the kiss but also because he felt his knees go weak. He felt the sparks he had heard about. He felt the things he had never felt before. He panicked and pulled back. Sean apologized for going to far. Just as Kevin was about to speak, noises came from inside the condo. Gasps and applause.
The guys went inside. There in the hallway coming out of the bedroom was Ethan. Terry was right behind him. He was out of the wheelchair. He was on crutches, moving slowly but under his own strength. His recovery was well underway. Ethan was well and truly back.
Earlier in the day, Ruth and Buddy had finished up the last details of their plan and put the wheels in motion. By Monday, Rick and Ethan are in for a surprise. The fight was about to enter round one.