VANCE STREET by Mike Austin
nasstop@yahoo.com
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II.
The chirping bird and street noise woke Ivan after a very full Friday. He'd successfully rented an apt, had the utilities and internet switched into his name, bought a few essentials, located a grocer and used furniture store, arranged for his folks to come into town to help finish off his new digs and no doubt eat a home cooked meal his mom would surely bring along, and maybe get some bro time to beat off together. He took his time in the shower, shaved to be presentable to his mom and made sure the cum rag from last night was stowed away. It was mid-morning by the time his door buzzer sounded and he bounded down stairs to greet them. As he passed level 2, Katia was again rehearsing in apt. F. An early 30s lady was struggling with her door key at Apt G and finally reaching the 1st floor, found his parents and older bro Michael, balancing boxes and such on the stoop's entry to #14 Vance Street. He greeted his dad and mom with hugs, maneuvering around the boxes, etc, then reached to chest punch Michael and get his in return. As Michael passed his brother, coming into the stair hall, looking around Michael offered only "bro" in a low tone and shook his head.
After climbing the 3 flights of stairs, his dad and mom winded, they reached the still open door that led into Apt L. His folks were speechless at the sparse room they found. As his mom began setting down the box and bags of food on the aged linoleum countertop, her eyes glazed with tears as she reached for her husband's arm for support. Michael had to piss as did his dad and both guys headed for the only room with a door that had to be the bathroom. Their pair of pisses roared and echoed in the empty space. "Mom it will be fine with some pictures, a few pieces of furniture and look I already have a pet bird" Ivan tried his best to deflect her shock as he led her to the double wide windows and faux balcony where the little sparrow sat chirping and fluttering about. He continued, "there's a laundry set-up in the basement and storage lockers for each apt and then a large open area to practice in and anyway most all the other tenants are performers of some sort." His mom's silence still overshadowed Ivan's real or conjured enthusiasm, as his dad and bro returned to the open area of the apt. As his dad hugged his wife he urged her to imagine it with more lights and pictures and "some stuff like a bed" he said with emphasis. "I guess you're right, it's just that......." and shaking her head, she returned to the kitchen and began unloading the box and bags of food. Ivan's dad asked him quietly "is this the best you could get?" "It'll be fine dad, just wait", Ivan offered back. Dad and bro began unpacking the boxes that had some linens, towels, new pillows for his bad and throw pillows for some future chair or sofa, a few pictures from his room at home, his desk lamp and floor reading lamp, as it became clear they would need to manage a furniture run.
By the time everything was unpacked or unbagged, it was lunch time and Mrs. Markilev had prepped their meal and they stood at the counter eating her chicken and dumplings, veggies and Ivan was eyeing the apple pie for dessert. She'd bought a 2 cup coffee maker, toaster oven and matching blender for her son. The lone duplex outlet would do multiple duty for the appliances. After they ate, all pitched in to help clean up the dishes. "Cabinet paper, lots of paper towels, window cleaner, scouring pads and brushes, kitchen cleansers, spray cleaners, scented candles, another fan or two, a heater- that may have to wait as it's still Summer, laundry soap and dryer sheets, uh" Mrs. Markilev mumbled as she filled her shopping list notepad to get for The Apt, then added "bird feed, bacon, eggs and milk." Purse in hand, she led her family down the stairs and out into the midday sun and across the street to their car. Ivan began with directions, "on Elm two blocks over, there's a grocer and second hand store" and off they went to the second hand store.
Max's Resale sat on one corner and the grocer, Elm Street Market was on the diagonal corner. Both buildings had seen better days but both were very clean and orderly inside. A tall lean Norse looking guy greeted them at Max's, "hello I'm Jim Hemmings, how can I help you today?" With an outstretched hand he greeted each family member, then followed Mrs. Markilev and Ivan around the floor looking for a sofa and chairs, table, etc. The bro and dad stayed a safe distance behind. Mrs. Markilev explained they were setting their son Ivan up in his new apt and what they needed. Jim showed several items, higher priced of course and she steered him back down the cost scale, "and he'll need a bed- a new one" as she glared at the used mattresses and box springs that were for sale. "Yes mam, we have new ones still wrapped at the other end of the store. "Mom don't get carried away, this is a small Spartan place and not a lot of room..." she cut-off her son's guidance in mid sentence. "Do you deliver young man" she asked and before he could reply, she added "today?" "Well mam, where is it being delivered, as we do have a small van for local runs and for orders over $100, and for a $25 delivery fee?" Ivan shared it's on Vance Street #14 a..." and before he could complete the information, Jim interjected "oh hello neighbor you must be in L, I'm in H on the 2nd floor." They shook hands again and exchanged broad smiles. Mrs. "M" set about finding items for Ivan's space and curiously, were pieces Ivan liked and knew he'd enjoy. It clearly gave his mom pure joy shopping for his stuff and setting him up as if it were Home. Her having a hand in this task made all the difference to them both. The total cost exceeded the $100 delivery minimum and Jim said "for this amount we'll waive the delivery fee, but it will be after 5:30 before we can be at the apt." All agreed and the 4 headed off to Elm Street Market. Ivan turned to Jim and gave a thumbs up and parting grin and nod; Jim returned the grin and thumbs up then waved as the family exited the store. He watched his new neighbor and brother as they disappeared in the grocery store and with his shop helper, began gathering the various items together and figuring how to load the white Econoline van with this set of merchandise.
Mrs. "M" once again took the lead in the grocery store, going up and down aisles and double checking her list, then going back for additional items that occurred to her. "Ugh damn mom" Michael expressed, "it's a 3rd floor, and stopped short of saying fucking, UH walkup." Her glare shut up her older son and after they unloaded the car at #14 and hiked up the 3 flights of stairs, all were pretty whipped. Mrs. "M" made 2 cups of coffee for her and her husband while the boys drank cold bottled water that Ivan had purchased the day before and chilled overnight. She assigned duties to each and set about her tasks as did the guys. About 5:45 there was a knock at the door and there stood Jim and his helper Dan, balancing the twin bed box spring and bedframe, Ivan and Michael made quick work or getting the bed setup about the same time Jim and Dan arrived with the extra-firm twin mattress; then departed to bring up the next set of purchased items. Mr. "M" dug into his wallet for a pair of $20s as a tip for each delivery chap. When the last item arrived and was set in place, Mr. "M handed over the $20s and both guys thanked him repeatedly. Jim added, "so Ivan, let me know when you're settled and maybe we can connect for a brew or burger. I'll intro you to the other residents." The pair went downstairs and returned to the store to end their day. They'd hit a local icehouse for a couple of well-deserved brews. Mrs. "M" began, "I'm not so sure of that Brew thing, you hardly know him or what he's like, you never can tell about people these days" then paused to make another pair of coffees. She began unwrapping a Tupperware container of cold burgers, another of cole slaw and a 3rd of baked beans; then set up a self-serve line for supper. "Don't forget Birdie" the sparrow's new name, she instructed Ivan. The 4 ate with some animation and laughter, then as Ivan and Michael did KP duty, Mr. and Mrs. "M" made the twin bed, set up a makeshift bed on the small loveseat and tossed together some linens for the boys to use as pallets; before everyone took their turn in the bathroom and got ready for bed. Michael and Ivan slept in their boxers, when both usually slept bare-assed. Mrs. "M" settled in the twin bed while Mr. "M" took the loveseat. The breeze and sounds of traffic and the fans after the long day, enabled everyone to turn in for a good night's sleep. Ivan settled into a restful ease; thinking of his new friend "Birdie" on the balcony, Mr. Scott on the 1st floor, Katia and Jim and that odd lady fumbling with her keys on the 2nd floor, just 14 more to meet. His thoughts drifted to Jim and he wondered what his story was and if he played. What a Saturday it had been. Ivan's dick raged hard and grew to its full thick and throbbing 9" delight. His hood was fully retracted and his head flooded pre-cum. Damnit, his folks there, he couldn't beat off, but as soon as they left.........that would be party time with his hardon!!! Soon the fan and traffic noises were punctuated by his dad's low snoring and Michael's heavy breathing. All settled down, even "Birdie".