TRIALS AND TRIUMPH -- II
Chapter 10: THE OUTING
Eric had been working for the agency for three months. His schedule had expanded and he was servicing at least five clients each week and sometimes as many as ten in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding cities. It was profitable because Max steered him only to affluent clients who tipped generously. His expenses were minimal and his bank account was sizable. More importantly, he was happy. The frequent sex was enjoyable, of course, but he took pride and delight in pleasing grateful and lonely men. He didn't yet have what he most wanted -- a lifetime companion -- but he was optimistic about finding someone to love.
In early December, Max summoned all twelve employees to a staff meeting at his home. It caused quite a stir among the escorts because it had never been done before and no one had any clue about the purpose of the meeting. Max deflected all questions about why he called the meeting.
Everyone assembled on a Wednesday afternoon to find name tags laid out for them on a table in the foyer. It was a considerate move since none of the escorts had personally met more than two or three of their colleagues. For the first hour, they mingled and introduced themselves to each other while Max and Justin circulated to make sure that plates were filled with hors d'oeuvres, and glasses were filled with wine or soda. Always in hushed tones when the curious young men were sure that neither Max nor Justin could hear, they queried each other, "What's this all about?" The consensus was that it must be an early Christmas party.
All conversations were interrupted when Max called out, "Gentlemen! Would you all join me on the patio out back? Bring your plates and glasses if you like. I have something to say to you."
Most of the guests looked quizzically at each other but they all followed Max and Justin out the back door to a spacious patio. Four tables and sixteen chairs were in place under a very large awning.
When everyone was seated, Max started the meeting. "First and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you for your efforts. It's you guys that have made the agency the success that it is. And I want to commend you for earning the praise ... and the loyalty ... of our clients. As a token of my thanks, I'm inviting you to a two-day retreat where you can relax and have a bit of fun. I've arranged with one of our satisfied clients to rent his vacation house in the Piney Woods Region of East Texas. Calling it a house isn't right. It's a huge place surrounded by forest on three sides and overlooking Sam Rayburn Lake. There's a swimming pool and tennis court out back. I've visited there and I assure you it's palatial and beautiful. There are only six bedrooms in the main house and two in a nearby guest house so you'll have to double up at night." Max paused and continued, "HOW you double up is entirely up to you." A mixture of giggles and laughs rippled through the surprised staff. Max turned to Justin and jokingly asked, "What's so funny?" Laughter resumed.
"The dates are December 27th and 28th -- typically a slow time for the agency. It's only two days but I think you will enjoy it. It may conflict with regular weekly appointments for a few of you. If so, I will explain to your clients the reason. I'm sure they will understand. Some of you might have other plans for those dates. I'm hoping, however, that ALL of you can arrange your plans to join us. Now. What will you do to fill two days of vacation? There will be no planned activities except for meals that will be catered. You'll be on your own to hike, go boating, swim, or ... whatever comes up and catches your fancy." Boisterous laughter erupted.
"I've chartered a bus to take us there and back. I've prepared an information sheet on when and where to meet the bus and some more information. Justin? Would you pass them out, please? Any questions?"
After a short pause, Tim asked, "What should we bring?"
"A shaving kit, a change of clothes, and ... depending on you interests ... swim suit, hiking shoes ... whatever you might need for your preferred activities."
"Plenty of condoms?" Justin shouted.
"JUSTIN!" Max shot back, faking displeasure. "Can't you think of anything else?"
Justin pretended to sulk, which only caused the laughter to grow louder.
"Okay, guys," Max said to quell the din of laughter. "Meeting's over. I'll assume that you will all come but let me know in a couple of days if you CAN'T attend the party. You're welcome to hang around here for a while or get back to whatever you had planned for the rest of the day."
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It was about a four-hour bus ride to the site of the retreat but the joviality and energetic conversations among the passengers made the trip pass quickly. It was almost midnight on the evening before the two-day retreat when the bus pulled up in front of a very large house. "Geez," one of the escorts exclaimed. "It's a scaled down version of the Grand Hotel complete with huge porch and a portico!" Pressed for what he meant by those who had never heard of the Grand Hotel, the young man explained, "It's a famous and very classy hotel on Mackinac Island in upper Michigan. I stayed there with my parents years ago. And to think this is just some guy's vacation house! Incredible!"
Max escorted the entourage into the house as the bus pulled away. Inside, he briefly pointed out where to find the available bedrooms and bathrooms (He and Justin would take the master suite.) and finished by saying, "It's late. Breakfast is at seven. If you haven't already paired with a roommate, do it now. I'll see you in the morning."
Most had already agreed to share a room and proceeded immediately from the foyer up the stairs. Eric and Tim were among the first to go up the stairs. They had not met each other prior to the trip and nothing more than chance found themselves as seatmates on the bus trip. They developed an immediate rapport and agreed to share a bedroom.
Tim was not a hunk like many of the other escorts. He had a thin frame and a very youthful looking face that made him seem years younger than his age of eighteen. Eric thought that might be appealing to some clients.
Tim came from a dysfunctional family in northeast Ohio. His parents found out he was gay and berated him mercilessly. They threatened to send him to a camp in Wyoming that claimed to "cure" homosexuals. He refused to go and left home at seventeen to live with his boyfriend. A heated argument with his boyfriend just before high school graduation forced him to move out. He hitchhiked to Texas to stay with his married older brother who knew he was gay and accepted it. Unable to find a job without a diploma, he started working for the agency.
But they were dissimilar in other ways. Tim was a gregarious extrovert who made friends easily. He was what academics would call a lateral thinker because he creatively found connections between seemingly unrelated things. To him, a sunset was the slow descent of the curtain at the end of an act in a play, signaling an intermission and time to reflect on how he performed in that act. Eric saw the same sunset as the inevitable consequence of Earth's rotation with brilliant colors caused by the refraction of light -- the orderliness of demonstrable facts, Tim saw the world around him differently and was drawn to artistic expression in painting, music, and the performing arts. Eric's mind was more analytical and logical.
Eric found Tim to be, for lack of a better word, refreshing -- honest and unpretentious, energetic, an attentive listener and interesting talker. Tim appreciated Eric's curiosity and genuine interest in Tim's passionate love of visual and performing arts. Together, those factors formed the basis of mutual attraction and their agreement to be roommates.
Upon staking claim to one of the upstairs bedrooms, Eric and Tim unpacked the few things in their overnight bags while still talking to each other as if they were old friends. Eric said, "I think I'll grab a quick shower before anyone else monopolizes the bathroom."
Tim surprised even himself when he impulsively asked, "Why don't we shower together?"
Eric's expression was briefly startled but it quickly changed to a grin. "I'd like that." But, fearing that his comment was too bold, he immediately added, "It will save time for others who want to shower."
Both young men grinned. Each had the same hopes. Each sensed that the other felt the same way. They stripped off their shoes, socks, shirt, and trousers and walked down the hall to the bathroom where they took off their underwear.
Eric must have shown his surprise upon seeing Tim's pelvic region with no public hair, which made his average penis look longer. Tim chuckled and said, "Yeah, I keep it shaved. It's a turn-on for a couple of my regulars; all the others don't mind. Any time a new client requests a juvenile escort, Max tells them we're all at least eighteen. If they insist on a young appearing escort, he gives the assignment to me. I can't be sure -- I have no clear evidence -- but I think one guy might be a pedophile. But if I can satisfy his urges so he doesn't bother little boys, I'm happy to do it."
"Well," Eric said, "I'm not a pedophile but I must say it's sexy."
It was not undiluted lust but it was a combination of mutual fondness and admiration that drove them both to be gentle and caring as they washed each other. No words were spoken as they tentatively began; none were necessary. The budding bond between them eliminated the need for requests and permissions. Both became increasingly aroused in small part by the sensuous actions of washing and being washed but mostly due to their fondness for each other. Their erections did not plead for release as much as they seemed to beg for the privilege of bestowing joy on a deserving friend. The intensity of their orgasms was magnified by their liking for each other. As each deposited his seed in the other's mouth, he didn't fully recognize the magic of the moment: another seed had been sown -- the latent seed of love for each other. Neither could foresee how soon or how vigorously that seed would grow and flourish. Both of them, however, were warmed by a rich glow of emotional bliss as they cuddled together in bed. Before they fell asleep, each reminisced to himself about his first lover. It seemed so long ago and quite meaningless when compared to the current evening's physical and emotional gratification.
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Everyone gathered on the patio by seven in the morning or slightly after for the catered breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, waffles with a selection of syrups, juice, milk, coffee, and tea. The good food was enhanced by the view of a swimming pool, tennis court, and the expansive back yard surrounded by dense forest.
After breakfast, everyone scattered to enjoy hiking in the woods, swimming in the pool (nude, thanks to a wooden privacy fence on three sides of the pool that made it visible only from the house and patio), playing tennis, canoeing on the lake, lounging on the patio, or going back to their rooms for undisclosed reasons.
"Hey, Eric," Mike said. "Care to join Larry and me in a walk through the woods?"
"Sure," Eric replied. "Would you mind if Tim comes along?"
"More the merrier!" Mike replied.
For the rest of the day, Eric and Tim were inseparable -- canoeing, swimming, playing billiards in the basement game room -- which caused many other escorts to speculate. The new friends' companionship was particularly obvious to Mike and Larry. They, more than anyone else, noticed the uninhibited laughter, the frequent consideration of the other's needs and wishes, the sparkle in their eyes when they exchanged glances, and what seemed to be a glow of happiness in both their faces.
Larry and Mike sat with Tim and Eric at dinner that night. When Tim excused himself to go to the bathroom, Mike seized the opportunity to resolve a question that had intrigued him for most of the day. "You and Tim get along very well together. Is it more than a friendship?"
Eric was blindsided by the question and was hesitant to reply. Yes, he cared for his vivacious new friend. He allowed himself to hope that the friendship would continue and ... perhaps ... blossom into a relationship. But it was far too soon to be sure of any reciprocal interest. To divert the subject he answered, "I only met him yesterday. He's fun to be with. He's a friend ... like you and Larry are my friends."
"Forgive me," Mike said. "It's just that I see in both you and Tim the same thing that Larry and I experienced when we met. Call it excitement, camaraderie, joy ... whatever. But I've never seen you so happy. Let me just say that I hope it works out for you both. You'd make a perfect couple."
Larry interjected, "If it does, buddy. I hope we're the first to know that our prediction was right."
"Geez, guys!" Eric exclaimed. "You really believe in love at first sight?"
"YES!" both Mike and Larry said in unison and laughed.
That night, as Eric and Tim made love in bed, they both felt that they may have found someone with whom to share the rest of their lives or at least they allowed themselves to hope so.
Chapter 11: GO SOUTH, YOUNG MAN
The second day of the retreat in the Piney Woods Region was much like the first. All the escorts had ample opportunity to enjoy each of the recreational activities available. Everyone agreed that it was a highlight of his year and each thanked Max repeatedly for the experience. His response was always a variation of "I'm glad you liked it. You deserve it for your outstanding contribution to our success."
Eric and Tim again spent the day together and became increasingly enamored of each other. Each expressed to the other the wish to remain friends after the return to Dallas. Neither, however, dared to express the hope that the friendship would evolve into a loving, committed relationship. Both felt they ought to wait because a decision to dedicate their lives to each other was important and ought to be made only when they were certain.
Dinner was early that evening, at five, to allow time for packing and for the bus trip home. Following desert, Chad, the senior member of the staff, stood and said, "Max, I speak for all of us. Right, Guys?" A chorus of agreement erupted. "We all appreciate your hosting this outing but not as much as we appreciate your leadership and friendship. With the unanimous support of everyone, we hereby bestow upon you the title of His Excellency, the GRAND STUDMEISTER. And we pledge our allegiance to you for as long as you in your wisdom allow us to serve." Thunderous applause and cheers erupted. When it died down, Chad continued, "And to your partner, Justin, whose extraordinary efforts have not gone unnoticed, we hereby bestow the title of His Royal Highness, the ONE WHO GETS THINGS DONE." More applause and cheers.
Max stood and said, "Thanks guys. But I want you to know how lucky I am to be associated with each and every one of you. I kid you not when I say it's you guys and the superior service you render to our clients that are behind our success. My role? I'm just a guy that answers the phone and keeps the books."
"And a helluva lot more!" someone shouted, which triggered another round of cheers.
"Okay, Guys," Max said. "Here's my first command as your newly exalted ruler. While the caterer clears up the dinner, gather up your sheets and towels and take them to the utility room in the basement. Put them in the hamper down there. Let's tidy up the whole house. None of us want our client to find the place in disarray. Then pack your things. The bus will pick us up at eight."
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During the next three weeks, Tim and Eric were together frequently -- usually in the middle of the week when neither of them had an assignment. Eric decided that the time was right. He was sure that he wanted Tim as a permanent partner. But he was not nearly as sure that Tim was ready to commit to a relationship. In spite of those doubts, he planned to `pop the question' on Wednesday when the two of them would be spending the night together in Eric's apartment. He hoped his proposal would be accepted. If it wasn't, he hoped they could continue to be friends in and out of bed.
On Monday morning, Max called Eric and asked, "Could you stop by and see me? I've got an idea and would like your opinion."
"Sure," Eric replied. "What's the idea?"
"I'd rather explain it to you in person. It may take an hour or so to discuss it."
They agreed on a time, ten the next morning, leaving Eric to wonder what was on Max's mind.
"Thanks for coming," Max said as he answered the door and let Eric in. They sat in Max's office where the man said, "First of all, I want to say that I couldn't be more pleased with your work. I've received more thanks and praise from your clients than for anyone else in the agency. That's the reason I've given you so many assignments ... and the reason why I've tried not to overburden you with work. But let me get to my idea. I've done a great deal of research and decided to enter the Houston market. There are a lot of men, travelers and residents, in Houston mostly because of the oil and space activity there. And there's nothing like our service available. Bottom line: big market and no competition. But I can't manage the operation from here. I need a resident manager. I need you, Eric, to be in charge down there."
"I'm flattered by the offer, Max, but I'm not sure I'm the one you want. Why not Chad? He has the most experience."
"Chad's a good man. He's a real trooper and has a loyal following. But his talents don't include executive ability. You, on the other hand, have what it takes to hustle up the business, to organize, to maintain a vision of the future and work hard to achieve it. What you've been through and how you handled setbacks are evidence of your initiative and ambition. Those are qualities that one has or doesn't. You, my boy, have what it takes. You, more than anyone else, can make the Houston operation a success."
"Thanks for the confidence," Eric replied. "But I'd like to think it over."
"EXACTLY!" Max exclaimed. "That's one of the reasons I want you. You don't jump into things without proper consideration. So here's some information that will help you decide. You'll have an apartment with the first year's lease paid by the agency. Two bedrooms so you can use one as an office. The first year's marketing and business expenses will be paid by the agency ... with minimal oversight and no objections unless you do something stupid, which I'm sure you won't. That's all part of the start-up costs. You'll have to recruit staff. Until they're on board, you'll have to entertain clients yourself. Profits of the operation will be yours for the first year. After that, they will be divided equally between us."
"That's very intriguing," Eric said. "But I'm sure you appreciate that this would be a big change for me and I'd like some time to think it over."
"So what's to think over?" Max asked. "I think the offer is not only generous but irresistible."
"It is generous. And tempting. But there's one more thing I have to find out before I can say yes."
"And what's that? What more information do you need from me?"
"It's a personal matter," Eric replied, reluctant to divulge his affection for another staff member.
Max was pensive for a few minutes, trying to think of a way to overcome the unknown objection. Finally, something occurred to him. He grinned and said, "Oh! I see! You don't want to leave your boyfriend. I should have thought of that. It's plain to see that you and Tim are fond of each other. Am I right?"
"That's part of it," Eric replied reluctantly. "But it's more complicated than that. Yes, we're boyfriends. We like each other a lot. But we're not yet full partners like Mike and Larry. So you see, my dilemma is choosing between the opportunity you're offering and the possibility of living with Tim. I'd like to be in charge of the Houston agency but I don't want to lose what I have ... and may have ... with Tim."
"Well now," Max mused. "That's a dilemma for both of us. It's hard enough to lose you as part of our team here in Dallas but if Tim follows you to Houston I'll be losing TWO outstanding people. If you decide to stay here with Tim, then I'll have to offer Houston to my second choice. By the way, for what it's worth, I think you two would be a great couple so I would understand. On the other hand, I would hate to lose both of you. That would be a serious problem not just for the agency but for many of our clients. I guess we both have to think about it for a while. Is a week enough time for you to make a choice?"
"Yes, Sir. But I'd like your permission to discuss your offer with Tim. If he says goodbye and good luck then I'll know he's not interested in a long term relationship and I'll go to Houston. If, on the other hand, he feels about me the way I feel about him then it comes down to this: we both move or we both stay here. In that case, it's your choice: give the job to someone else or replace both of us on the Dallas staff."
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Eric weighed his options for the remainder of Tuesday and most of Wednesday and always concluded that he would have to decline Max's offer if it meant parting from Tim. The sleepover Wednesday night only added urgency to the need to clarify Tim's feelings about their relationship.
They met at seven for dinner at a local steak house and returned to Eric's apartment by eight thirty. Following their custom, they immediately went to bed for about two hours of love-making followed by conversation while they snuggled together before falling asleep. The conversation that night, however, was very different.
"Tim," Eric began. "Max asked me to stop by his house yesterday. He wouldn't say why. But when I got there he surprised me. It seems he wants to open an agency in Houston and needs someone to set it up and manage it for him."
"That sound like a great opportunity," Tim said.
"It would be ... but there's a complication."
"What? You think you can't handle it? I think you can."
"The complication has nothing to do with taking the job in Houston." Eric paused to reconsider what he wanted to say. "It's something personal, something far more important to me than a job. That something is you, Tim. I don't want to live 150 miles away from you. You mean too much to me. Let me lay it out. Sure, we've only known each other for a short time but I love you. You're the person I've wanted for years. I'd like to spend every day for the rest of my life loving you. And I can't do that if I move to Houston."
Tim said nothing for a few moments that seemed like an eternity to Eric, who quickly grew anxious over the absence of any reaction. He was surprised when Tim seized him in an embrace and said, "I feel the same way about you but I've been afraid to say it. I don't think I could stand the disappointment if all you wanted was a sex buddy."
They sealed their commitment to each other with a long, very passionate kiss.
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"Well," Max said when Eric arrived. "Are you going to be the head of the Houston agency?"
"I'm afraid not," Eric replied. "I appreciate the offer and your confidence in me but I can't leave Tim behind. I'm even more sure of that now because we've agreed to be life partners."
"That's WONDERFUL!" Max exclaimed. "Congratulations! You two will be a perfect couple. But don't turn down the Houston job just yet. I've given a lot of thought to the matter. I don't like the idea of losing TWO outstanding staff members but I've concluded that starting a new operation in Houston might be a bit much for one person -- even one with your talents. The agency here in Dallas is up and running but it still keeps Justin and me busy. As I thought about the difficulties I had starting from scratch here, I remembered how hard it is for one person. Having both you and Tim in Houston, therefore, will significantly improve the chances for success. And with your new relationship with Tim. I realize that the startup cost will not be any more than if you were there alone because you can share one apartment. Bottom line: you and Tim can start your lives together by starting a new business. Do we have a deal?"
"That we do!" Eric said with a broad smile. "When can we start?"
"In two or three months. You'll have to spend some time with me to learn the ropes of running an agency. You'll have to find an apartment in Houston. Together -- and that means me, you, and Tim -- we'll have to work out a marketing plan. You'll probably want to spend time in Houston scouting out possible candidates for your staff and recruiting them. It's going to be a busy time. And challenging. But very rewarding in the long term."
Immediately upon arriving home, Eric called Tim. "Hey, Buddy. Do you want to move to Houston with me? Max has agreed that it will take two of us to get the new agency started."
"FANTASTIC!" Tim whooped. "I'd go to Timbuktu to be with you."
"What was that?" Eric grinned.
"I'd go to Timbuktu ... to be with you."
"You're a poet and don't know it; but your feet show it ... they're Long-fellows."
"What?"
"Never mind," Eric replied. "Let's celebrate. With dinner at a fancy restaurant and then spend the night showing how much we love each other."
Chapter 12: ROCKY ROAD TO THE SUMMIT
YEAR ONE
It was a difficult first year in Houston.
Although Tim and Eric were together as devoted partners and treasured the mutual love they shared, the challenge of setting up an escort agency was almost overwhelming. After two months of trying to get it started, they began to regret their decision to strike out on their own. They were able to accommodate their few clients but as the number of men requesting an escort grew, scheduling conflicts became a problem, especially on weekends. With only Eric and Tim available to handle the increasing number of requests, they had to turn away new clients. Recruiting desirable and reliable staff was as urgent as it was difficult and was the major hurdle to the growth and success of the business.
They visited college campuses to investigate whether there was an organization for gays (whether officially sanctioned or not). The University of Houston, a school of about 35,000 students had such a group. The much smaller Rice University had just formed a Gay Lesbian Support Group sponsored by the future chancellor of the school who was straight. They even visited Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, seventy miles away. But none of those visits were productive. They cruised bars that seemed to cater to gays but came away with nothing promising to show for their efforts. Frustration mounted and depression was just around the corner for the two entrepreneurs. Only two things kept them going. The first was that they had very few expenses since their apartment and the startup costs of the business were taken care of by Max. More influential, however, was their ambition, their optimistic hope that success was just around the corner, and their unwavering support of each other.
A classified ad they prepared was rejected by the mainstream newspapers but accepted by an "underground" paper. [Seeking 18-25 yo men to provide evening companionship/entertainment to refined gentlemen. Part-time, variable hours, generous compensation. Call 555-1212] Responses were few. Fewer still were those invited to an interview. All of those interviewed were unacceptable for a variety of reasons. Two didn't pass the background check because of criminal records -- minor offenses like public indecency or driving while intoxicated but enough to suggest potential character and behavioral problems if they where hired. Three were rejected because they were not sufficiently attractive -- overweight or had unappealing tattoos. It was particularly painful to tell those candidates that they were otherwise qualified but their appearance would not appeal to clients. One lost out on the basis of his emphatic statement, "Nobody's gonna fuck me! I won't be a cunt bitch for anybody!"
Eric and Tim were disheartened by the fading promise of success. While Tim manned the phone at home and dreaded having to turn away yet another potential client, Eric made yet another frustrating round of scouting the bars. His spirits were given a lift while sitting in a bar talking to a patron named Zack who was a strikingly handsome twenty-year-old, friendly, articulate, and well groomed. If Eric had not already found an ideal partner, he would have pursued the possibility of forming a relationship with Zack. Instead, he deftly maneuvered the conversation to the point where he could introduce the subject of an escort service and say, "You're exactly the kind of guy who would be a phenomenal success and you would earn lots of money just for doing what you and our clients want. Would you like to come work for our agency?"
"No," the young man said. "I wouldn't be interested but I think you ought to talk to Terry. He's a real hunk and he needs the money as much as he needs the sex. He was in a relationship once but it soured after a short time. Now he's giving it away to anybody who will take him home or to a hotel room. He's getting all the sex he wants but needs the cash to pay his bills."
"How can I contact Terry?" Eric asked.
"He comes in here quite often but I haven't seen him tonight. We had sex once and he gave me his phone number. I never called him but I think I still have his number at home. Come by tomorrow night. I'll bring the number with me."
Eric sensed something suspicious in the otherwise encouraging information and asked, "Why didn't you call him after the first night together?"
"It's not that he fails to satisfy. He does a magnificent job at that. It was something he said. I told him what I really wanted one day was a permanent partner. He laughed as though he was mocking me for being too romantic and said, `That's not for me, pal. I was there once and it was a disaster. All I want is sex. As often as possible.' That isn't what I want so I lost all interest in him."
Terry turned out to be the ideal candidate -- very attractive, articulate, clean record, and eager to start work. He was given a probationary assignment and earned high praise from his first client. The fledging agency had its first staff member, which came just in time to handle the steadily increasing number of calls from men who sought an evening's (or overnight) pleasure. Both Eric and Tim were grateful for the help because even with the two of them they often had to turn down a new client because of prior commitments. Within a short time, Terry was handling ten or more clients each week and frequently with multiple appointments on a single day. He was extremely happy in his work because it gave him the cash he needed to live and all the sex he wanted.
Hiring Terry was a double win because he was instrumental in referring other candidates, three of whom met the criteria and signed on to work for the agency. Bill's day job was a delivery truck driver who was strikingly handsome, needed the extra money to help his parents pay for medical expenses, and had the bedroom skills that delighted his clients. Josh was a college student who, like Tim, looked years younger than his age, a characteristic that appealed to several clients. Bruce was a warehouse worker whose dedication to body-building was immediately obvious even when he was fully dressed but absolutely stunning without clothes. The Houston business therefore had a variety of escorts to satisfy the preferences of a wide range of clients.
After a troubled and discouraging period of launching their business, Eric and Tim could bask in their success in establishing their business.
Max was both surprised and pleased by how soon the Houston operation became viable. "Amazing!" he exclaimed over the phone. "I never lost confidence in your ability but you've surpassed my expectations. You've achieved what it took me years to achieve. Congratulations!"
Eric replied, "Thanks, Max. "But a lot of credit goes to you and your guidance in how to set up and run an agency."
YEAR TWO
After the first arduous year in Houston, Eric and Tim couldn't be happier. Their love for each other grew daily. The escort business was thriving with five escorts kept busy with local residents and with business men visiting Houston. Eric and Tim each kept a few favored clients for themselves because they were enjoyable, and grateful. But they had plenty of free time so Tim completed his GED for a high school diploma and enrolled in college. Eric also began college studies. They were able to coordinate their schedules so they didn't have classes at the same time and one of them was always available to answer the phone when a client called.
Business was good. Their love life was VERY good. But they were unaware of brewing trouble.
A fundamentalist and very charismatic minister delivered a sermon to his small but devoted congregation that included a scathing denunciation of homosexuality. His voice grew to a crescendo as he concluded with, "Brothers and Sisters, a cancer is growing in Houston that threatens the moral fabric of our community. Homosexuals have established a prostitution ring that lures men into acts of depravity. They could be your sons. Your brothers. Your father. We must demand the cleansing of this abomination. The laws of the Almighty prohibit this wicked and unnatural practice. It demands our immediate action to eradicate this assault on the morality of our city. Failure to stamp out this abomination will surely bring God's punishment to anyone who does not take action. I call on you to attend the next meeting of the City Commission and let God's will be heard through your voices. Demand that Law Enforcement arrest and punish the degenerate sinners. Let us now pray for purity in our city."
The minister's congregants filled the City Commission meeting room the following Wednesday night. When the designated spokesperson was ruled out of order because the issue was not on the published agenda, a roar of protest erupted in the room and didn't stop until several police officers cleared the room of all who continued to shout their indignation.
A front-page article in the next edition of the Houston Chronicle reported the outcry and chaos that disrupted the commission meeting. Although it did not identify Eric's agency since none of the protesters knew its name or the names of its personnel, it did include an interview with the Chief of Police who emphasized that department was already overburdened with more serious issues of drugs, assaults, murders, burglaries, and more. In spite of the Chief's comments, Eric worried that his operation would be shut down. Worse, he, Tim, and the escorts would be prosecuted, fined, or jailed for prostitution. He took immediate action by notifying all the staff, urging caution and reminding them of the required protocol. The first contact with a new client should be considered as a possible sting operation by an undercover Police Officer. Therefore, he emphasized, never initiate sex or even talk of sex with a new client. Always let him take the lead and explicitly request sexual contact. Allow him to continue until you are absolutely sure that he is the one who instigated the sex. Then and only then should you become an active participant. Moreover, never say anything about payment for your services. You may accept a tip only if he does not explicitly say or imply that it was for sexual service.
As an additional precaution, Eric and Tim would mention to all prospective clients that the escort's role is to provide companionship, conversation, and entertainment. If the caller specifically inquired about sexual contact, the standard reply was, "The nature of the companionship is entirely up to you but the escort may or may not agree to grant your request." Most new clients chuckled and said something like, "I get it. You're just being cautious." To which Eric or Tim would respond, "And you can be sure that we will honor the confidentiality of our service."
In spite of -- or because of -- the renewed emphasis on caution, there was only one suspicious encounter. One of the escorts reported to Eric that his client took him to dinner and then back to his hotel room but never requested or suggested sexual contact. The escort left at ten that night after two tedious hours of trivial conversation. Eric agreed that it was most probably a sting resulting from the protests at the Commission meeting and he complimented the escort for handling the situation perfectly.
A brief article on page 23 of the Houston Chronicle several days later reported the highlights of the City Commission meeting. Included was a report from the Police Department that "An investigation of a homosexual prostitution ring found no evidence to substantiate the allegations made in a previous Commission meeting."
YEAR THREE AND BEYOND
The agency continued to be successful with no apparent interference from law enforcement. Three more escorts were hired and all escorts were kept busy and enjoyed their lucrative compensation. The virulent homophobia occasionally surfaced in one church or another but never rose to the level of a threat to the agency.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and spent his free time painting and sculpting. He work was honored in an exhibition at a local art gallery, rave reviews, and a growing demand for his work. One painting was never shown but was hung in his and Eric's bedroom. It showed the two of them naked and picnicking in a grassy clearing in the middle of a forest that was reminiscent of the woods that surrounded the house where they were roommates and became lovers on the retreat Max had sponsored.
Eric graduated with a Bachelor's degree, majoring in business administration.
During an otherwise routine phone call from Max, Eric was surprised to hear, "Eric, my boy, I couldn't be more pleased with the way you set up and have run the agency in Houston. I want you to take over both operations because it's time I retired. Justin and I want to relax and to be rid of what's become a chore running the Dallas agency. You'll have complete control over both Houston and Dallas. I'd like you to come up to Dallas where we can discuss the details."
"Wow!" Eric exclaimed. "That's a huge surprise. Are you sure there's not one of your staff up there who could take over?"
"Yes and no," Max replied. "I know that's ambiguous but we can talk about it when you're here."
<><><><><>
"How did the meeting go?" Tim asked when Eric returned from Dallas.
"Very well," Eric grinned.
"So are you going to accept the added responsibility?"
"I haven't yet because I need to get your opinion. The terms are that I buy his interest in the Dallas agency. That means a sizable investment. And I won't do it if you don't approve or have any reservations. After all, it's OUR money that will be at stake."
"DO IT!" Tim exclaimed.
"But you don't even know how much it will cost."
"True. But this much I do know. If it were too much you would have turned him down on the spot. You're the business major. You have already evaluated the risks and rewards. Here's something else I know. I know you love me and I love you. I appreciate your consulting with me but I'm with you forever and will support you in any way I can."
Eric kissed his lover to thank him and said, "There's more. I insisted that you and I must stay together. He said he knew that and then said that Chad, his senior staff member, was capable of managing Dallas but couldn't afford the cost of buying the business. Moreover, Chad wants to give up servicing clients because he's found a partner who doesn't like the idea of his continuing to see clients. So he will be in charge of Dallas and we can stay in Houston."
Later that evening, as Eric and Tim lay in bed after a particularly amorous period of making love, Tim said, "I love you, Horatio."
"WHAT?" Eric replied.
"You're a modern day Horatio Alger," Tim laughed.
"Why do you say that?"
"Horatio Alger wrote a series of novels in the late 1800's about young boys who started out poor, hungry, and neglected but through ambition and courage rose to respectable middle class status. That's kinda your story, isn't it?"
"With one big difference," Eric countered. "I'll bet none of the boys in his stories exchanged homosexual services for money or favors."
"Don't be so sure," Tim replied. "More than a few scholars have speculated on Alger's sexuality. There are frequent episodes in his novels where the hero, a boy, may have had a forbidden relationship with a kindly man. Of course, the Puritan atmosphere at the time would not permit anything more than a hint of such a thing but the evidence strongly suggests that he was expressing his own attraction to boys and men."
"If it's true that he was gay," Eric mused, "and if he were alive today, he could have been a client of our agency."
"Just like so many other men who use our service," Tim laughed.
THE END ... for now
Author's Note: My thanks to Iatia for expert editing, for valuable suggestions, and for welcomed encouragement.