Disclaimer: The folling story is a work of fiction. If you are offended by descriptions of homosexual acts or man/man relations, please exit this page.
THE LIFEGUARD
Copyright c 1999 by Orrin C. Rush. All rights reserved.
Neither this story nor any parts of it may be distributed electronically or in any other manner without the express, writte consent of the author. All rights are retained.
Part 7
Saturday morning, I think the smiles on our faces gave away the fact that "things" were back to normal.
Annie picked up on it immediately and announced that she was spending the weekend with friends in Palm Springs. Mary got the hint, but left us with stuff to warm up.
I didn't give Ryan a chance. As soon as he got up, I told him to get lost until late Sunday. I'm sure he understood, but had fun with me by refusing at first, then gradually giving in, leering a the whole time.
When we were finally alone, there didn't seem to be any rush to get down to business. We put on swimsuits and lounged out by the pool. I was perfectly content to just lie there in the sun holding Dave's hand.
I felt like swimming a few laps but couldn't. Not until my should healed. It was coming along nicely, but would take more time before I could get it wet.
"Have you talked to your Dad yet?" Dave asked.
"About school? No," I answered.
"I've got a proposal for you," he said.
"I'm listening," I said.
"How about if I set it up so that you never have to ask me for anything, and I won't even know about it? Would that work?" he asked.
"OK," I said, watching his face. His expression was priceless. He didn't show surprise, more like amazement and total disbelief.
"Did I hear you right? You said 'OK'?" he sputtered.
"Yep," I said, prolonging the moment.
He shook his head in amazement, then said "I expected a pitched battle."
"And I'll bet you have an hour's worth of arguments all ready, too," I said smiling.
He nodded. I was getting to understand him better all the time, better able to predict what he was going to do next. I leaned over and kissed him, then sat back, looking into his eyes.
"Listen, my love," I started "there are a few things that maybe you've seen, but it's taken me longer to figure out. You know you can't 'buy' me. You don't have to. I'm all yours, for whatev that's worth. I'm in this with you for the long haul. You're goi have to run me off if you ever want to get rid of me. I also understand your motives. You want to help me, not control me, and I'd be a damned fool to turn you down. Believe it or not, it was a fight with Ryan that made me see things clearly."
I told Dave what had happened and all about our discussion, ending with the little bit of insight that I had gotten out of the conversation.
"Until Ryan brought it up," I said, "I never even considered the possibility that going to Dad instead of you might possibly hurt you. Then, thinking a little more about it, I wondered what Dad would think, too, maybe that I didn't trust you, or that I have doubts. I've been hoping that you'd ask again so I could say yes, and tell you why."
"I love you, Eric," he said, "and I trust you totally, and I don't to change you in the slightest way. Maybe 'bend' you a little, though." He was grinning from ear to ear.
I could tell I had made him happy. Damned pride gets in the way of a lot of things.
"We'll take care of everything next week," he said. "Now get your ass over here and give me a kiss."
I straddled him on the lounge where he was sitting. The kiss was long and tender, but got me going fast. He definitely knew how to kiss.
"I want to suck your dick," he whispered.
"That's all you ever want, just my dick," I teased.
"Yeah, and I have to put up with the rest just to get it," he teas back.
"Let's go in," I said. "I'm still a little stiff."
"I'll say," he said, grabbing my hard cock.
On the way in, thinking about what was going to happen, my dick got even harder. I didn't know how Dave was able to take all of me the way he did. Hell, it's about all I can do to take him, and he's an inch and a half shorter than I am. Yes, we'd measured, seven and a half and nine and a quarter. Thank God I wasn't real thick, or it wouldn't have been possible.
"You're first," he said, "no arguments."
I rested on my back, on my elbows as he crawled between my legs. His licking on my balls made the precum start to flow, then he worked his way upward to lick it off. Slowly, he bathed the head with his tongue, licked up and down the shaft, then slowly sunk all of it into his mouth and throat, just holding it there wh he hit bottom. The hot feeling of his mouth was totally awesome.
Then, the long strokes, his tongue doing magical things as he moved. I wanted to hold him, but he was out of reach, so I closed my eyes and enjoyed, hoping he was enjoying this as much as I was. It was useless to try to hold back, but I tried anyway, then exploded. It seemed to last forever, far longer than usual, and when I stopped thrashing in ecstacy, he still had more than half of me in his mouth. I was drained.
I pulled him up on top of me. I tasted my own cum when we kissed. He held me, I held him.
"You were right," I told him. "It does get better and better."
He rolled off me, and it was my turn. Over the years, I'd sucked my share of cocks. Mainly because it was expected, and I enjoyed it to a degree, but since the first time with Dave, that h changed, and giving was becoming as much of a thrill as receiving. Really caring about who I was doing it to made a huge difference.
I could tell that he was already highly aroused, so went directly for his cock. I'd missed it for the past week and wanted to savo it. I tried to take it easy, but soon lost control of myself and unintentionally got so turned on that I brought him off a lot fast than I intended. I drank every drop.
We held each other through the afterglow - for both of us. It fe like I'd had another orgasm right along with him.
We decided to go car shopping. I admitted that I hadn't given it much thought, and that I didn't have any idea what I wanted.
"Let's start with the Rolls dealership and work our way down," he said.
"That's an 'old man's' car," I said, "we can get one for you," I teased.
"I'm not THAT old!" he shot back.
Shopping with him was a new experience for me. Driving up in a Mercedes, the salesmen smelled money and were all over us like a rash. Dave was polite but firm. We were "just looking" he said, and asked them to let us do so in peace. Another thing I noticed was that when I would show a little interest in one, he would never ask the price, and he never checked out the window stickers either.
While driving between dealers, he said "You looked so damned sexy in that Jeep you had. It just seemed to fit your personality, the gorgeous, carefree, beach guy."
"I don't want another one," I said. "That part of my life is over
"Just don't become an old fogey on me," he said, seriously.
"Don't worry," I told him. "You know," I continued, "being around you makes me feel younger than I've felt in a long time. You 'think' younger than most guys my age."
"Guess I'm a teenager in an old man's body," he said.
"That 'old' body has more life in it than a man half your age," I told him, sincerely.
"Enough of that bullshit!" he said, adding, "have you seen anything you like?"
"Can't make up my mind," I said. "I kind of like that hot little Mercedes, and I also like the Jeep wagon."
"Want 'em both?" he asked, "no problem."
"Come on," I said, "I'm just getting used to the idea of letting y buy something for me. That'd be overkill, and I don't know if I could handle it. Maybe later. I think I've seen enough for one day, let me have some time to think it over."
"Let's find something to eat, then," he said. "I don't feel like going home and cooking."
"Sounds good to me," I said, "got anyplace in mind?"
"How about barbecue?" he asked. "There's a little place downtown that's really good. You get messy as hell, but it's worth it."
"I think I know which one," I said, "let's do it."
It was fairly early, but the place was still busy, and we had to w for a table. We talked about cars and I told him my thinking about what I wanted, actually thought out loud. The Mercedes was a little too gaudy for a college guy, and I didn't need the attention. The Jeep wagon was more my style, but then, I would like to have a convertible. Hell, I couldn't make up my mind. I' have to think about it some more.
Our table was right in the middle of the noisy crowd, but somehow, it felt intimate. The food was great and we had a lot of laughs about the splatters of barbecue sauce that couldn't be avoided. In the middle of this, I couldn't help myself. "Babe," said, "I don't say this enough, but you have no idea how much I love you."
"I don't say it enough, either" he said. "I think you know how I
"I do," I said, "but I need to tell you."
I hadn't even thought about the people at the other tables when this exchange started, and when I realized that several were listening, I realized I didn't care. Neither did Dave. We were i our own little world.
On the way home, my hand on his thigh, I realized how much I wanted to make love to him. My dick was already hard and I moved my hand up his leg. He was hard too.
We went straight to the bedroom. For the first time in a long tim we undressed each other. Taking his clothes off, one item at a time, really got me hot, and the effect on him was obvious. When we made it to bed, I wanted to take it slow.
"There's another part of my education that I've been neglecting," I said. "Your body."
He grinned, and kissed me deeply. I knew I hadn't found all of his "hot spots" and proceeded to expand my knowledge. Running my hands over him, barely touching, I found that his inner thighs were hyper sensitive. His moans told me so.
We took turns, the pleasure building as he found spots on me that I didn't even know about.
When I ran my fingers over his cheeks and into the crack, his "Oh God" told me what we both wanted. I licked my finger and rubbed his pucker. I wanted him, and I knew he wanted me.
I got the lube and penetrated him with my finger, kissing him deeply at the same time. He had my dick in his hand, rubbing the precum over the head, making me want him even more. I stretched him slowly, using two fingers and then three to loosen him up. I wanted this to be as enjoyable for him as it was going to be for me.
When he said "any time," I knew he was ready.
I pushed and went right in, then paused to allow him to adjust. More, rocking back and forth, until I was in to the hilt. I leane down to kiss him. He felt so warm, so tight, so loving, so right.
I started the long strokes that I knew we both loved. He was by no means passive, his legs were wrapped around my hips and were pulling me into him, and his tight ass seemed to suck me in further and further and massage the length of my dick as I stroked. He would gasp every time the head of my cock would slide past his prostate, and I knew he was going higher and higher. So was I.
Not only the incredible physical sensations, but the emotional high I was reaching, feeling the oneness with the man I loved, were pushing me toward the inevitable climax. I felt his cock twitch against my stomach and knew the end was near. His back arched and I drove into him harder and harder, feeling his spasms as he came. I was right behind. My lips locked to his, my body convulsing, and shot after shot poured into him as he shot between us.
I'm not sure what I said or did, but I do know that we both made a lot of noise.
Lying there, wrapped in each others arms, we basked in each other.
After a little cleanup, we snuggled. "God, you felt good," he sai
"Maybe you didn't notice, but I kind of liked it too," I answered, kissing him again and again.
Lying there I couldn't help but think of some of the other guys I' fucked. As soon as we'd gotten off, or at least I had, I'd been ready to do it again. It wasn't enough. This was completely different. I was satisfied, content, fulfilled, complete. So muc more. Maybe love had something to do with it.
Sunday morning I awoke with his mouth around my cock. It felt so good. Piss hardon or not, he was determined. It didn't take long.
"I needed that," he said as he sat back watching me struggle with waking up and coming down from the high he had given me all at the same time.
"I want some too," I said.
"Later, how about tonight?" he said.
"It's a date," I told him.
As usual, we wound up out by the pool. The scabs on my shoulder were starting to fall off, and it looked pretty raunchy. For a change, I hadn't picked at them.
"When does school start?" he asked.
I thought a minute, then said "In about five weeks, I think."
"What're your plans between now and then?" he asked.
"Hadn't thought about it much," I said. "Probably sit around for another week or so until the Doctor releases me and this shoulder heals, then go back to work for a while. I need to do that."
"I understand," he said. "Then what?"
I could tell he had something in mind, so I decided to have some fun. "Then, I think I'll just lay around, be lazy and enjoy good life. There's one catch, though, I don't want to do it alone Either you'll have to stay home so we can make love all day, or I'll have to collect some of those beach studs to keep me happy."
He chuckled. "I have a better idea. I'll stay home, you gather up the beach studs and we can both sample them," which made us both laugh.
"Seriously," I said, "I don't really have any plans. Do you?"
"Let's go someplace," he said, "someplace where neither of us has been. How does that sound?"
"I thought you'd been everywhere," I said teasingly.
"There's a few places left," he said. "Where haven't you been?"
"Hell, I've never been out of the country, except Mexico," I said.
"Do you want to pick someplace, or will you let me surprise you?" he asked.
"How about you surprise me," I said. "Not Egypt, though, I want to save that for a very special occasion - like our honeymoon, and I want to learn a lot more before we go."
"That's fine," he said, "I'll think of someplace else. How about we take about a week or so?"
"Will I need a passport?" I asked.
"Probably, and it'd be a good idea for you to have one anyway," he said. "That way, we can take off any time the urge strikes us."
We talked, in general terms, about the trip. He didn't even give a hint about where he might have in mind. Then, the subject changed to the nearer future, the next week, to be exact.
"Why don't you come to work with me on Tuesday," he suggested. "We can take care of your 'banking' and you can see what I do when I'm playing 'businessman'."
"I'd love that. I'll get to see all of your minions scampering around trying to please you." I giggled.
"It's not like that at all," he said. "The people who work 'with' tell me I'm full of shit when they think I am, just like you do."
"You allow that?" I laughed.
"Not only allow it, I demand it," he said, "and Annie's the prime example. She has, however, learned to be a little gentler with her disagreements with me."
"What does she do, exactly?" I asked.
"She's working under Bill," he said. "She's only been there about a year, so is getting to know what's going on from the 'big picture' standpoint. Later on, she'll spend more time learning each of the separate businesses. Eventually, she'll replace me, but we'll still have to have non-family management on the lower levels. I just hope she's able to find somebody as good as Bill when the time comes. She's not a 'crown princess', and has to earn her way, which, I can truthfully say, she is."
"You've got to be awfully proud of her," I said.
"I am," he said.
By now, the troops were returning. Ryan dragged in looking like he'd really tied one on. Of course, I teased him about it, but he didn't want to talk, and went to his room to recover.
Annie had overdosed on the sun in Palm Springs and I got out some of my sure-fire lotion for her. I even rubbed it all over he after she had showered. Her only reaction was to say "Damn, you've got nice hands!"
Monday, after asking Mary to iron a dress shirt for me for Tuesday's "day at the office," I found Ryan out by the pool brooding. I tried to cheer him up, but all he would say was that some things had happened that he was having trouble dealing with, and that we'd talk about it later.
I knew that Dave always wore a suit when he went to the office, so I dug out my one and only. A couple of years ago, I had really splurged and spent a lot of money on a really good one. Thank God. I wanted to look good for Dave.
That's another thing that I hadn't thought about - clothes. For years, "dress up" for me had been long pants and a sportshirt. That would change now that I would be accompanying Dave to God knows what type of functions. I dearly hoped that he would include me, and I felt pretty sure he would. Here we go, I thought, I'll be spending more of Dave's money.
Tuesday morning when I pulled out the shirt that Mary had ironed and started putting on my suit, Dave stopped dressing and watched me. When I had my tie tied, and put the coat on, he was still staring.
"Turn around," he said. I did.
"My God, you look even better WITH clothes than you do without!" he said. "I didn't think that would be possible, but it You're just so goddam sexy."
"You're getting me all hot and bothered," I told him. "Want me to strip and we can have a quickie?"
"No way," he said, "I want to show you off just like you are. I'l have a hardon all day, but I think I can deal with that." Chuckli we headed for the office.
Dave's reserved space in the underground garage was just a few steps from the elevator. His office, of course, was on the to floor, the 30th. On the way up, I asked how many floors his company used.
"All of them," he answered, "except the ground floor which we lease out."
"You mean, you own the building too?" I stammered.
"It's been a good investment," he said. "When we built it, we only used a few floors, but gradually we've grown to use it all. Now, I think, we're about to outgrow it."
"I'm impressed," I told him. He just smiled, and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "This is a part of me that you haven't seen before. I hope you like it."
Nancy, Dave's secretary who I'd heard a lot about, sat guarding double doors which I assumed, correctly, led to Dave's office. I was introduced, and it was pretty obvious that she was giving me more than a once-over. Her adoration of Dave was also obvious, and I guess I was being measured up to see if I was worthy.
Evidently I passed because we were allowed to proceed. Dave's office didn't look like an office at all. More like a comfortable living room. No enormous desk, as I had expected, instead, sofas, chairs and coffee tables. The only furniture that gave away the fact that it was an office was a good sized conference table. Huge windows were on two sides, and on the other walls hung a collection of colorful impressionists. few strategically placed plants gave the room warmth and life.
"This is my ceremonial office," Dave said as I followed him the length of it. Opening a door, we went into a much smaller office with a desk-high counter running all the way around it.
"This is where I work," he said, "there's only one chair so visito don't stay long."
Papers littered the counter, just like his office at home, and the were two computers with huge screens. Above the counter were shelves filled with binders, books, and overflow from the counter. The room looked lived in, used, but functional. It was obviously Dave's command center.
Back in the 'big' office coffee was waiting on one of the coffee tables. There were mugs instead of the fine china you'd expect on the silver tray.
We sat, Dave poured us a cup. So damned sedate and civilized, I thought. In my mind, I guess I'd pictured "Big Business" being conducted in a more rough and tumble atmosphere. The huge desk with the "Boss", smoking a cigar, giving orders and people scrambling. This wasn't anything like that, but I knew that this was the place where things happened.
A discreet tap on the door, and Nancy announced Bill.
We shook hands. I'd met him once, at the Airport. He wanted to know all about my accident, and appeared to be genuinely interested in what I had to say. That done with, the conversation turned to business.
It seemed that a factory in Indonesia was having production problems, causing even more problems down the line. Bill and Dave didn't talk around or over me, but included me in the discussion. I didn't have anything to say, at first, but I "felt" were including me in, nevertheless.
Showing my ignorance, I finally said, "What can your contractors do?"
"Good question," Bill said. "But we don't use contractors. It's our own operation. It might be easier if we did, but when we started following "cheap labor", we decided to do everything ourselves so we'd have control over everything, including working conditions. In most cases, it's worked to our advantage, but once in a while we have these problems."
What he said wasn't a rebuke or anything, just an explanation of how they did things.
My first thought was "Oh, no, don't send Dave!" Then, I thought, "Maybe Indonesia would be interesting in a month or so."
"Who'll we send over?" Dave asked. That allayed my fears.
"I suggest a team," Bill said. "Somebody from Production, that new guy in Industrial Engineering, and maybe a couple of people from logistics. If they need others, we can send them later."
"Sounds like a good plan, Bill," Dave said. "Is there anything political involved?"
"Not that I know of," he answered. "But we'll find out."
The conversation turned to other subjects. Only a few were negative, most were good reports on sales and other matters.
When Bill left, Dave said "I'm going to call Charles to come in."
"Who's 'Charles'?" I asked.
"He handles most of my personal stuff," he said. "He's set up your account and all that. I'll let him tell you all about it. B way, he's 'Charles', not 'Charlie' or 'Chuck'. Thought I'd warn you because he's kind of anal about it."
"Thanks," I said, and we both chuckled.
Charles was a short, bespectaled man who exuded seriousness. All he needed was a green eyeshade and a pocket protector to be a stereotypical accountant.
After introductions, he asked me to come to his office. I followe him. His office, by most standards, would be considered large, but compared to Dave's was a mere closet.
Seated across his desk from him, he started his explanation in a monotone.
"First," he said, "at Dave's request, I have handled this matter without giving him any details whatsoever. He told me what he wanted, and told me to 'handle it', which, I believe I have done. This is a highly confidential matter, and only you and I will know the details."
"This is how it will work," he continued, very precisely. "I have opened a checking account in your name. In addition, there is an ATM/Credit Card for the account. The initial deposit was $25,000, and additional deposits will be automatically made if the balance drops below $20,000. Your credit card limit is $100,000 per month, but can be increased if needed."
"Whoa, wait a minute," I said. "I don't need that kind of money! Does Dave know how much you're giving me?"
"No, he doesn't, and he never will unless you tell him," he said. "The amounts were left up to me, and I consider these reasonable amounts for you, being the 'companion' of someone of Dave's stature."
The way he used the word "companion" was in the same tone as if he'd said "wife" or "girlfriend". There wasn't any inflectio disapproval, in fact, I detected a little wistfulness. Was he gay too? I wondered. This amount of money was boggling, but Charles didn't seem like someone that you'd disagree with easily. I didn't think. I just listened as he continued.
"Also, understand, you cannot write a check that will bounce. The bank has been instructed never to turn down one of your checks unless they think the check is a forgery and not written by you. Same with the Credit Card, no limit, really. Here is a checkbook and your card. All I need is for you to sign this signature card here, which I will take to the bank right away. Th account can be used right now."
"I really don't know what to say," I said. "I'm overwhelmed, to say the least. Anyway, thank you."
As I was signing the card, he said "Call me anytime you have any questions, or if I can help you." Then, smiling for the first time, "I think I understand how you feel right now. It's hard to accept, but you'll get more comfortable with this as time goes on. I have confidence that you'll handle it well."
He was human afterall. I smiled back, hoping he was right.
When I was ushered back into Dave's office, he was in his "command center" on the phone. He ended the call, and asked "How about lunch?"
I was still in a daze, which he noticed. I merely nodded.
"What did good old Charles do to you?" he asked, noting the box of checks in my hand.
"He totally overwhelmed me," I said.
Before I could continue, Dave held up his hand. "I don't want to hear about it! That's between you two. Are you happy?"
"I'm not sure yet," I said. "This is going to take some getting used to."
"I'm starved," he said. "We're going to do the 'Power Lunch' thing. Nancy made the reservations."
"OK," I said.
The restaurant was crowded. People were about six deep at the bar waiting for tables, but we were escorted in immediately. As we were seated, Dave waved to the people at several other tables. He was very much at ease, and I tried to relax in this rarified atmosphere.
"There's a lot of table-hopping," he said. "You've already turned quite a few heads, and no doubt they'll all be coming over to find out who you are. I finally get to show you off." Th love and pride in his eyes was unmistakable.
I tried to relax, and we ordered. The prices were outrageous, but I guess that's what you pay to see and be seen.
The first to come over was a graying, distinguished looking guy.
"And who is this gorgeous person, Dave?" he gushed. I wanted to slide under the table.
"John, I'd like you to meet Eric Lundborg," Dave said. Plain and simple. No qualifications or details on who I was, or what I was.
I shook hands with John, and he continued to gush, probing for more information. Dave's eyes twinkled as he parried John's questions. He didn't avoid them, he just didn't part with much information. John finally gave up and went back to wherever he came from.
"Nosy old queen," Dave said, and we both cracked up. "He's a wannabe writer who settles for a gossip column and music reviews."
It was a steady parade. I recognized some of the names as belonging to the "Movers and Shakers" around town. I could also tell that they had the greatest respect for Dave.
On the way back to the office after our two hour lunch, I had to remark "I kind of felt like a bug under the microscope."
"Don't," Dave said. "There are a few who were curious, and I think they've figured 'us' out, and the rest are just friendly. T is nothing. Wait until I drag you to some of those damned benefits that I have to go to. Then there'll be the women with their claws out!"
"I can hardly wait," I muttered.
"Cheer up," he said. "Now that you're my partner, I won't have to suffer alone anymore. With you along, I won't be suffering, either."
We spent the afternoon in his "command center." Dave brought in a chair for me, and showed me what he was working on. I understood what he was talking about and got so engrossed that the afternoon flew by.
"I'ts about quitting time," he said. "Since I'm showing you off today, want to stop at a bar or two on the way home?"
"Gay bars?" I asked.
"I don't know any other kind," he chuckled.
"OK," I said, "but I want to stop at the bank first. I'm buying t drinks tonight."
"Just write a check. Nancy can cash it for you," he said.
I wrote out a check for $100 and took it out to Nancy. It felt strange to know that my checks would never bounce again. Not like in the past where I had to rush to the bank to cover them. I felt good, but a little awesome, too, like I suddenly had power.
On the way, Dave told me "We're going to 'The Sheik'. I call it the elephant burial ground because it's where all the old farts like me go to find young stuff. The twinkies are there, too, looking for a sugar daddy."
"Stop that, dammit," I said. "You're NOT old, and I can vouch for that!"
"Yessir!" he chuckled. "That's just a habit I've gotten into. I THINK of myself as old."
There were a lot of old men, like Dave said. 60's, 70's and some even 80's I'd guess. There were also a lot of young guys, a lot who didn't look like they were old enough to be there. Most of them were extremely good looking, and as we came in, they looked at me like I was trespassing on their territory. Virtually every head turned as we walked up to the bar, something I later learned was customary. Anybody new got checked out as they entered. This being my first visit to a gay bar, it took me a whi to relax.
With our drinks in hand, we were lucky enough to find a tiny table against the wall. We sat close together, and I put my arm around Dave, partly protectively and partly for protection. This was definitely a predatory crowd. The older guys were conservatively, and expensively dressed. The young guys were mostly wearing tight jeans that blatantly displayed their wares. It was comical in a way, but sad in another. The mating ritual, I guess.
Looking around, I saw John, from lunch, heading our way. Oh shit.
"And, Dave, you've been holding out on us," he gushed as he dragged a stool away from another table. "Where have you been hiding this gorgeous man?"
He started every sentence with "and", which bothered me, and his hand on my thigh moving up fast bothered me even more. Taking it by the wrist, firmly, I put his hand on the table. "I'm already spoken for," I told him, smiling. Dave was laughing.
"Can't blame an old man for trying," John said. "And, I was pretty sure you two were an 'item' at lunch, but now it's abundantly clear."
"Yes, we are," Dave admitted.
John then launched a barrage of nosy questions. Most were embarassingly personal, and I expected him to ask my dick size any minute. He stopped short of that, barely. Dave handled him politely, but finally told him to back off, saying tha some things just weren't anybody's business but ours. It seemed like the guy was either dense or impossible to insult.
The lone waiter ignored us, so I went back up to the bar to get refills for us. Standing there, I got thoroughly groped. A hand my butt didn't bother me, but when somebody started fondling my dick, that was too much. I just glared at the guy, a young one at that, and he moved his hand away. Checking out the competition, I guess.
John finally left, so Dave and I could finally talk. "John's a pa in the ass," he said, "but he does respect my privacy and we'll never show up in one of his columns."
"You're creating quite a sensation," he continued. "Everybody's checking you out, and I saw a lot of drooling when you went up to the bar. What happened up there, anyway?"
"Some guy was trying to play with my dick," I said. "I guess I don't know how to act, yet. It's different, that's for sure. I a think we're the wrong age for this place. I'm too old and you're too young." This got us both laughing.
Since we weren't "shopping," we didn't stay around much longer.
Ryan was still moping around. This time he was out by the pool, seeming to be in his own little world. I took my breakfast out there with the intention of cheering him up.
"Morning," he mumbled.
I ate, hoping he'd be a little bit more talkative. He wasn't, so decided to try a different tack.
"Whatever's bothering you must be earth shattering," I said.
"None of your fucking business," he shot back.
"At least you could be civil, and not drag everyone around you down," I said.
"Don't worry about it, little Bro, I'm leaving tomorrow," he said, cutting me off. "This is something that I have to deal with mysel Let's talk about you for a change. How was your big day at the office?"
I resented his sarcasm, but, at least it was something to talk about. "It was great," I told him, "I learned a lot."
"Your big-shot boyfriend really showed you around, huh?" he said.
That did it. Enough. "Listen, you sorry assed wimp, whatever's bothering you doesn't mean you can be an asshole to me. Either straighten up, or leave now!" I told him.
Then he started crying. Something I hadn't seen since we were kids. He must really be upset about something.
When he settled down, he said "I'm sorry, you didn't deserve that. I didn't mean to be so nasty. I guess I'm a little jealous see you so happy when I'm feeling like shit. You guys have been really nice to me, and I like Dave a whole lot. You're a very lucky guy, you know?"
"Yeah, Ryan, I am," I said, "and what you said to me a week or so ago, in one of your more lucid moments, really helped."
He actually smiled for the first time in days. "Must've been an accident, something that slipped out," he said. "What did I say, anyway?"
"It was about trust and accepting Dave's help. The control issue and my independence," I said. "After talking with you and thinking about it, I'm letting him help me financially. I realize that he doesn't want to control me - or change me, only make things easier for me."
"Damned false pride gets in the way of a lot of things," he said. "Glad you saw the light."
"He did it in a way that I can live with," I said. "I'll never ha 'ask' for anything, and even he won't know how much I spend or on what. One of the guys at his office is handling it, without Dave's knowing anything about it. You wouldn't believe how much money he's giving me."
"You won't abuse it, either," he said. "I know you too well."
"It's almost mind boggling not to have to even think about spending a few bucks here and there. It's a totally new experience, and it'll take me a while to adjust," I said.
"You'll get used to it," he said. "How about wheels?"
"I decided on a Jeep Cherokee, and we're picking it up this afternoon," I told him. "Would you come along and drive Dave's car home. I want to take him out tonight, something special, just the two of us."
"Ain't it great to be in love?" he commented.
"Sure is," I told him.
It wasn't just any Jeep Cherokee, but a Grand Cherokee with every conceivable extra, even a Global Positioning Sattelite hookup. Dave wrote a check for it, but I didn't see the amount. know it was sizeable, though.
We drove down to the beach where I worked. It was my turn to show Dave a little about me. Carefully, I drove through the intersection where the accident had happened. I had to do that, just to bring back a little reality.
No fancy restaurant tonight. I took us to a joint close to the beach where I used to hang out a lot. It had the best greasy hamburgers in town. We saw a few people who I knew. I introduced Dave, and some even hung around and talked for awhile about life at the beach. I was so proud of the way Dave fit right in. Maybe that's why I love him so much. If the Doctor released me, I'd be back down here next week, something I had been doing a lot of thinking about.
Returning to my job was something that I HAD to do. I guess I had to prove to myself that the life I had chosen was really what wanted and that I could do it openly, without any reservations. I wasn't out to make a "statement" about being gay, let somebody else do that. I just wanted to show that I hadn't changed, and that I was comfortable with myself and could be proud of who and what I am. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I had to do it anyway.
To be continued.
Author's note: Feedback and comments are always very welcome. I carefully consider all suggestions and constructive criticism. I'd really like to hear from you guys. orrinrush@yahoo.com.