Tales from Bentonville, Chapter 64 By David Lee
Warning: This story contains scenes of love and sexual interaction. Much of this involves males with other males. If the reading or possessing of such material as this is illegal in your country, state, province, county, municipality, etc., please leave this site immediately and do not proceed further. If you are under the legal age to read this, please do not do so. It is not my intention to offend anyone or to get you in trouble.
The author retains all rights to this original story. Please do not publish without explicit authorization from me.
Disclaimer: This story is completely fictional. Most of the places mentioned, and none of the characters exist in real life. Some may possess physical or personality characteristics of people I know or have known. But if you see yourself in this story, your imagination is better than mine!
"Tales from Bentonville" is a romantic story centering on the lives of high school kids. Lovers of other ages may appear, but not normally in a cross-generational sense. References to sex with under-age kids may be made for the sake of the story line. However, I feel that child molestation is a crime and should not be glorified or tolerated.
This is my fifth attempt at writing fiction. My other stories on Nifty include: "Zeke" (August 29, 2005), "Always and Forever" (March 25, 2004) under High School, "Brad and Alan's Canoe Trip" (April 23, 2004) under Camping, and "Jacob and Jacques" (May 30, 2004) under High School. Some characters from previous stories may have cameo roles in this one. However, you need not read them first.
Our only reward for contributing to Nifty is your e-mails. Please write if you like the story. Please include the name of the story in the title of your e-mail. I get a lot of spam!
Finally, thanks and hugs to Tim, Tom, and David who edit for me so that there are fewer mistakes!
dlee169@hotmail.com
Tales from Bentonville, Chapter 64
The week of fall break always seemed to move more rapidly than school days often did. Joel was excited about what was happening at the lakeside cottage. He had talked his grandfather into getting a large, flat-screen TV for the downstairs recreation room. Of course there was a satellite dish to complete the package. Jane Masterson had been resistant to having that kind of technology in their rural retreat, but gave in because she knew how much it meant to Joel. Besides, how better to entertain the majority of males who would be there for Thanksgiving? The room would probably be the favorite haunt of those who wished to watch a marathon of football games.
Joel's estranged parents had thrown him another curve ball and Rhys had thought that a new toy at the cottage might help to distract him. For some time, Joel had pretty well put his immediate family out of his consciousness. He had his loving grandparents and his school friends. His relationship with Alex was going as strong as ever. He was looking forward to college next year. Everything was good in his life.
Then, he had received this impassioned plea from his mother asking him to come home for Thanksgiving. She said that she had gone to counseling and had had a change of heart. She now understood his feelings and wanted him home for the holiday. She had sent a first-class plane ticket to speed up the process.
On reading the letter, Joel had felt his emotions bouncing all over the place. He wanted to believe that his mother truly loved him, but he suspected that things were not as they appeared to be. He had shared the letter to his grandparents.
"You need to decide what you want to do," Rhys had counseled. "You have to be the one to make the judgment call. Have your parents changed, or are they merely trying to get you back to Florida where they can control you? The courts there would likely respect the decision made in your custody case here, but it could take months to get you back if your father and his lawyer put up a big enough battle."
Joel had made his decision quickly, sending back the plane ticket accompanied by a sheet of paper that simply said: "No thank you."
It was done. He had no regrets! Yet, there was a sad feeling in the corner of his heart. He really, truly wished that his parents could accept him. He hoped that someday it might be true. But for now, he was playing it safe. He had too much to lose.
Of course, he had discussed all of this with Alex. Alex and he had spent Tuesday night alone at the cottage cuddling in front of the fireplace. They had kissed tenderly and had talked late into the night. Their love had not been expressed in sexual ecstasy, but in gentle embrace.
The next morning, however, had been a much different scene. Both teens were horny and hot. They began by playing a little grab-ass on the way to the shower. That led to soaping each other's bodies, taking time to stimulate every erogenous zone.
In a flash, Alex was on his knees worshipping Joel's throbbing hard-on. Joel was quickly reaching the point of no return. He pulled his lover down to the shower floor and started to suck Alex with a lust-driven fury. Alex pulled Joel's crotch up to his face so that he could finish what he had begun. Both guys were exploding moments later.
Fortunately, the fancy water heating system that Rhys had chosen for the place kept a warm flow of water cascading over their spent bodies until they were able to find the strength to stand up again. The morning's activities plus the bonding from the night before served to reestablish Joel's equilibrium and positive outlook on life.
At Miss Charlotte's house, Darrin and John were doing their best to help get ready for the big dinner. Cory and Dan were pitching in polishing silver, but they had some basketball practices during the week that occupied some of their time.
Darrin's shift that week was the late one, so he was able to do some things around the house. Chores like moving furniture and adding more leaves to the dining room table were too taxing for Lottie and Emma these days. Darrin was more than happy to lend a hand.
John was going to have to work on "Black Friday" when all of the merchants hoped to have a good pre-Christmas turnout. Wal-Mart had several specials that would likely draw out a crowd to jostle each other in the rush to save a few bucks. At least he didn't have to work on Thursday.
Dane and Colton didn't have a completely free week either. Both of their coaches wanted the teams to keep up their practices. Dane swam so much that his hair was beginning to look frizzy from the chlorine in the water. Colt teased him about it, but Dane always said that it was good clean fun -- unlike rolling around on a mat with a sweaty guy. On Wednesday morning, Colt challenged Dane to a bit of wrestling on their bedroom floor. At the end of a rather sensuous session that resulted in some serious loads of cum being spilled, Dane had had to admit that it was more fun than swimming.
Colton's mother and Dwayne arrived on Wednesday in the late afternoon. They were there visiting with Greta when the boys got back from practices. Colt thought that being pregnant suited his mother. She was radiant. He had never seen her looking better. Sure, she had gained some weight with the baby, but that didn't make her less attractive. If anything, it caused her to seem like a fertility goddess.
When Colt embraced his Mom after not seeing her for months, he had tears in his eyes. He missed her a lot. His life with his grandmother and loving cousin was great, but there was a part of it that was empty without his mother's daily presence.
Dwayne was as cordial as ever. He expressed affection for his stepson and the people who had become his extended family. In his mind, he marveled over the way that Greta treated her son's former girlfriend as if she were a daughter. It went beyond the acceptance of her as Greta's grandson's mother. It was genuine caring.
DJ, Ellen, and the twins were there for dinner. Everyone got along well and enjoyed the time together. Sharon was eager to talk with Ellen about raising children in this day and age. Both were excited about the new products on the market for babies. It was a far different world than it had been when their boys were little.
The scene was rather like something from a 1950's family sitcom until Wade and Roger arrived in the evening. The atmosphere changed to one of polite, but cool civility. It was evident to everyone that all was not well.
Roger seemed distant and almost on the verge of tears. Wade did not exhibit the little gestures of love toward his partner that he usually did. Greta hoped that it was simply a spat over which route to take or what to pack, but she was concerned that it might be more serious.
Ellen said she needed to get the twins to bed. Dwayne and Sharon pleaded fatigue and got ready to go to DJ's house for the night. It was logical that Sharon could use some rest after the trip, but that wasn't the main reason for retiring early. They all left after some stilted small talk with the new arrivals.
Roger soon made his departure for the guest room across from Dane and Colt's. Wade didn't even look his way when he ascended the stairs. Wade and the boys went upstairs after a bit while Greta turned on the TV to watch the late news.
The boys asked Wade to come into their room to talk for awhile. He was hesitant at first, but eventually consented.
"Okay," Colt began. "What is going on? Are you guys just tired or are you breaking up?"
Wade sat on the edge of the bed and slowly shook his head.
"I don't want to talk about it. It hurts too much."
"Damn," Colt swore. "You have to talk to Roger and get this straightened out. I've come to care for him like another Dad. You can't just ignore him."
"He doesn't love me anymore. He's attracted to someone else and I can't go on like this." Wade sobbed.
Colt went across the hall and knocked on the other bed room door. Roger invited him in. The two talked for a couple of minutes before Colt came back nearly dragging Roger behind him.
"Okay," Colt announced. "We are going to talk this out. Roger, please tell us your side of the story."
"Well," Roger began. "Wade thinks that he knows what happened, but he doesn't. He won't let me explain."
"I don't want to hear your lying shit!" Wade yelled as he jumped up. "I know what I saw!"
Dane and Colt exchanged knowing glances. It was like deja vue all over again (as some comedians have said). It sounded too much like their own experience. Dane took charge of his uncle for the moment. He put his hands on Wade's shoulders and gently sat him back down on the bed.
"A friend of mine, named Trent, gave me some very sound advice when I was in a position like you are. I'm going to pass it on to you in what I hope you will come to see as a loving and caring way. SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
Wade was dumbstruck by the force of Dane's command. He sat there quietly while Roger began his story.
"Well we went out to this gay club last week to have some fun dancing and being with some of our friends. It had been a long time since we had made the scene. We had a couple of drinks with some guys we knew and were joined by a couple of others that we didn't know. One was a cutie in his 20's that kept flirting with me. I flirted back in a harmless way. It's flattering to think that you're still attractive to a young stud. It was all quite innocent on my part."
Wade snorted, but let Roger continue.
"Anyway, when Wade went to the bathroom, this kid whose name turned out to be `Chance,' got friendlier. He moved into the booth next to me and began to run his hand up my thigh. I would be lying if I said that it didn't turn me on. My little head wanted me to throw him on the floor and screw his brains out, but the one on my shoulders told me to hold off and do that to my lover when we got home. However, I never did get home that night because just as Wade was coming back, Chance kissed me on the lips, hard and deep. I tried to push him away, but by the time I did, the damage was already done. Wade went storming out leaving me without a ride home. Another couple we know took me to their place where we talked about it and everyone had another drink. I couldn't let either one of them drive at that point because they were both over the legal limit. So I slept on their couch and grabbed a cab in the morning."
"You could have taken a cab that night. I still believe that you went home with Chance and did what you dick was telling you to do." Wade broke in.
"I did not! They told you I was with them."
"Yeah, but they would lie for you."
"They didn't! It was just like I said. "Besides, you went out with Gavin. How many times have you been with him?"
"I told you that he and I have only gone to Starbuck's and that we've only talked. He understands me and what I'm going through!"
"Well, you seem to have bonded emotionally with Gavin. I'd be less hurt if you had had him for a quickie!" Roger cried. Besides, I found out that Chance and he are buddies. Gavin is into redheads and has wanted to get into your pants for along time. Chance set this whole thing up so that I would be out and Gavin would be in!"
"That's a new one; who told you that?"
"Johnny, the bartender did. He overheard them conspiring."
"I don't believe you."
"You can call him right now at the club. I have his cell number." Roger offered.
Wade sat there shaking his head. He didn't know what to believe. He wanted to feel that Roger was telling the truth, but he was still hurting. He wanted to wallow in self-pity for awhile. He didn't want to admit that he might be wrong.
Dane spoke next.
"Uncle Wade, how can you be so stubborn and hard-headed? Think about all of the love that you and Roger have shared. Think about what he means to you. Think about what your life would be without him in it. Isn't it worth the time to make a phone call?"
Colt rolled his eyes at the tern "hard-headed" because he remembered how their grandmother had said that all Johnson males possessed that characteristic. He and Dane had been no exception. He decided to tell their story to his dad and step-dad.
Colt didn't spare any details. He explained what had happened and that he had been flattered that Joel had checked him out in the locker room. When he had checked Joel out in return, it evidently signaled Joel that he was interested. He went on to tell them that Joel had become a good friend and that his actions were explained by his meds being off kilter.
"Dane was really hurt and pissed because he thought that I had initiated the contact with Joel. I was angry and wouldn't explain the whole story -- not that he would have believed it at that point."
"No, I was as stubborn as Uncle Wade," Dane agreed. "You guys need to grow up and trust each other. This sounds way too much like the drama that goes on in high school. We're guilty of it too, but Hell, we ARE in high school!"
Both Wade and Roger grinned slightly at Dane's little speech. Then their eyes met. Wade knew by Roger's steady innocent gaze that it wasn't necessary to call Johnny to get the truth. Roger had been telling it all the while.
"I'm sorry, Babe," Wade began. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. If only you weren't so attractive to young studs, I might not act so insecure."
"I'm sorry, too, Woody," Roger said. "I'm not going to flirt like that again. I know that it's like playing with fire and someday I'll get burned."
"Woody?" Dane and Colt exclaimed together.
"He's my red-headed woodpecker." Roger responded with an affectionate smirk.
"I don't think I want to know the full story behind that pet name," Colton laughed. "I'm pretty sure I can fill in the blanks on my own."
"Well, Dane calls you `stallion' and I'm pretty sure I know why," Roger grinned.
"Okay, why don't you two boys go to your room and play nicely," Dane suggested. "And please don't keep us awake by banging the headboard into the wall all night."
Colt shook his head at the backs of the retreating men.
"You were great tonight, Dane. I think that you should consider becoming a shrink. You have a gift for getting people to listen."
"Yeah, but I don't think psychiatrists are supposed to intimidate their clients by yelling: `Shut the fuck up!'." Dane giggled.
Their conversation was interrupted by their grandmother calling up to see if anyone wanted popcorn. They yelled back that they would be down in a minute.
Sitting at the kitchen table with a big bowl of buttered popcorn, Greta asked them if they thought that Wade and Roger might want to join them.
"I think that they have other things on their minds," Dane ventured with a slight grin.
"Let's hope they get things straightened out," Greta said. "Tonight when they came in the house it was so chilly that I thought someone had opened all the doors and windows."
"Well, I think they are making up as we speak," Colt suggested.
"Or making out," Dane smirked.
"Ah, are you suggesting that they are having some "make-up" sex?" Greta grinned.
"Grandma, how you talk!" Colton snickered.
"Just because I'm old enough to be your grandmother doesn't mean that I don't know about such things! You young people think that you invented sex.
How do you think you got here?"
It made the boys blush to realize that their grandmother had sexual thoughts too. Jeez, older people still thought about such things! It put the world into a new perspective.
When Greta went into the kitchen the following morning to make coffee, she found that it was already made. Wade and Roger were sitting holding hands and having their first cup of the day.
"You both look bright-eyed for being up half the night," she exclaimed.
The men had the good manners to blush thinking that she had heard their extended make-up session.
"Don't look so guilty," Greta laughed. "The walls and floors of this old house are very solid and I didn't hear anything. I'm simply teasing. If I were your age and had had a spat with my true love, I can imagine what I would have done."
Both men jumped up and hugged Greta. They appreciated her more than ever. In fact, everything looked and smelled and tasted better on that sunny morning than they had in a long time.
Author's note: I appreciate hearing from all of you who continue to write despite my erratic posting schedule! I have heard from Bill K, Jon (Joe Nathan), Steve P, David (Colorado), Buddy, Jim We, Rob and Walt, Z-man, Tim (Fla.), David S, Tom H (an editor), RC, Paul W, Carroll, David B, Daniel F, Peo, Rad, Josh L, and Paul G. You are great guys! Please continue to correspond even when I'm not producing as much in the way of writing.
I'm feeling a bit better, but the clostridium difficle isn't cured yet. We got a negative back from the lab a week and a half ago, but it wasn't accurate. The symptoms came back in a few days and I am on a longer stink of antibiotics. I'm hoping this time will do it! It's like having the stomach flu for weeks at a time. And curing it seems to be a bit of a crap-shoot (pun intended).