The room was dark except for the light coming from the open bathroom door. The clock on the wall had just chimed two am, and a figure was sitting in a chair in front of the open window. The window screen had been opened, and he was staring out into the back yard.
Lloyd was sleeping peacefully on the bed and was totally unaware that Wheeler had been sitting in the chair for over an hour. As he sat there, tears made there slow trek down his cheeks... pooling on the windowsill. His thoughts were on the pain that he was feeling inside. Mental pain more than anything else. He dearly loved Lloyd, but he could not help feeling as if he were not doing all he could for him. Sure Lloyd had been treating him with a degree of neglect -- almost to the point of seeming not to want him around or touching him.
But tonight he had made love to him. He had allowed Lloyd to pour out the pain he had inside, and he hoped this was what Lloyd needed.
However, that was not the real reason he was sitting there. No, it was something else. He knew that Lloyd's parents had loved their son. And Wheeler knew that they had even treated him as if he was their son as well. What was really eating at him was the fact that his own parents could care less if he was alive. What had he done to deserve to be treated that way? Why did such good people like Lloyd's parents' lives have to end, and parents like his continued to live... especially after what they had done to him?
Next door, in an upstairs bedroom of the house behind the dormer, Glenn woke up needing to go to the bathroom. He untangled himself from the arms and legs of Ritchie, and, as he walked to the bathroom, he thought to himself, 'I need to open the window. It's really warm in here.'
After relieving his bladder, he walked over to the window and eased it open. As he turned to go back to bed, he stopped when he noticed the small window of the dormer, and due to a light on inside, he could make out the figure of someone sitting there. Somehow he knew right away who it was. He had noticed lately that Wheeler had looked sad and withdrawn, and his eyes had the look of dark circles around them. Glenn knew he had to do something about it. He moved to the bed and woke up Ritchie.
"Hon, wake up."
Ritchie sleepily rolled over.
"What is it, Glenn? Is there something wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong babe."
"I'm too sleepy too play right now, honey."
Glenn punched him playful on the arm.
"No, not that, silly. Come here."
Ritchie pulled himself out of bed and followed Glenn to the window. Glenn pointed to the lit-up window across the way with Wheeler still sitting there.
"Who's that?" asked Ritchie.
"I'm not sure, Hon, but I'll bet it's Wheeler. Have you noticed that he's looked sort of run down and tired lately?"
"Yeah, and his eyes look as if he's lost some of that spark, Ritchie replied.
The boys stood there a few minutes, then Ritchie said, "Well, let's go," and turned back towards the bed. Glenn was slightly upset that Ritchie seamed a bit uncaring until he noticed him grabbing his jeans and putting his left leg in. Glenn's heart swelled with pride for his lover. He knew then that they were heading out to help a friend.
As Glenn and Ritchie were getting dressed, in the other house, Lloyd reached out in his sleep... feeling for Wheeler. He woke up and looked around, then noticed the small frame of his lover sitting in the chair by the window. He slowly slipped out of bed, and, as he walked up behind Wheeler, he noticed the moonlight glistening off the pool of tears. He slowly slipped his arms around his lover. Wheeler never flinched. The arms he knew so well belonged to the man he loved so much.
Lloyd leaned in and whispered in Wheeler's ear, "I love you so much."
Wheeler broke down, and the tears started flowing freely now.
Lloyd just held him tighter and said, "Sweetheart, I don't know what's wrong, but will you please let me help?"
Wheeler only nodded, and Lloyd closed his body around his lover. The boys never heard the door open as Ritchie and Glenn, having gotten the key from the hiding spot, walked into the room. The two new arrivals separated and, one on each side, knelt and added to the hug that had started between Wheeler and Lloyd.
After a few minutes, Wheeler had composed himself and looked around at his friend.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Ritchie said softly, "We saw friend in need from our window, and we came to help."
Wheeler started to cry again, but Lloyd said, "Hush, Hon, it's all right." Then he addressed their friends as well, "I want to talk to all of you for a minute. Can we move over to the couch, please?"
Ritchie and Glenn stood, and Lloyd loosened his hug on Wheeler. Then they all moved toward the couch and sat down. Lloyd move to sit on the coffee table in the front of the couch. Glenn and Ritchie sat at the outside ends of the couch so they could leave room for Wheeler in the middle... the only seat left available.
Lloyd began, "Look, guys, I need to tell all of you a few things. First, though... Wheeler, babe, what's wrong?"
"I don't know if I should say anything. I don't want you guys thinking I'm being a baby.
"No way!" Ritchie said.
"Right," Glenn replied.
Lloyd just looked on and smiled, so Wheeler looked at Lloyd and began.
"I was really feeling sorry for myself, I guess. I was thinking about how your parents... who loved you so much and seemed to like me as well... had to die, whereas mine... who hate me... keep right on living."
Lloyd's eyes grew misty. He realized the pain Wheeler was feeling.
Wheeler continued, "You've lost so much, and I feel like I haven't done enough to help you. You wake up at night with nightmares, and I can't stop them like you've been able to do for me when I've had mine. Since your parents' death, it was like you didn't want me around you... or even to touch you.
"Only tonight... this was the first time we've been really together, and you made love to me. I could feel the pain that you were letting go of. And I was afraid that since you were losing that... the pain... well, to be honest, I thought you might be letting go of me as well... that I would be losing you. Now that you have all that money and a car, what do you need me for?"
Ritchie and Glenn were heartbroken when they heard these words, and tears rolled down their faces. Lloyd moved from the coffee table and crawled between Wheeler's legs. He wrapped his arms around his lover and cried right along with them.
"Wheeler," he said after a few minutes, "you have no idea, do you, silly boy. It was you and your love that have helped me keep my sanity when I thought I would crack. It was you who have been there to keep me going. If I lost you, I would just die. If it had not been for you... and you guys too," he said looking at Ritchie and Glenn, "and my other friends, and John and Carol... I would have just died along with my parents.
"But mostly it has been you, sweetheart. You were the one who has been there for me to make sure that I always knew I was wanted and loved. It was you that stayed with me even though I often wasn't able to show you that I wanted you... that I needed you. And why would you think, just because I have money and a car now, that I wouldn't need you? I would give it all up right now if you wanted me to.
"It's not just MY money. It's OUR money. It's there for the both of us. Don't you get it, honey?"
Wheeler, and Ritchie and Glenn as well, were a little surprised at Lloyd's last statement.
Lloyd got up from the floor and walked over to the desk and pulled the drawer out.
"The day before yesterday, the lawyer called me and asked me to stop by. He'd finally gotten the papers that were necessary in order to open Mom and Dad's safety deposit box. On top, was this envelope addressed to me. It wasn't even opened. After the lawyer handed it to me, I opened it and read it."
He handed the letter to Wheeler.
"Our dearest son, Lloyd,
"We are so sorry, but if you are reading this, it means that something has happened to your mother and me.
"First, let me say that you don't have to worry about anything financially. Your mom and I have made sure that you will be well- cared-for. We have asked John and Carol Simpson to take you into their home, and they have agreed. They wouldn't even allow us to pay them in any way.
"We want you to know that we love you very much, and we also want you to know that we did not have just one son... we had two. We have seen the love you have for Wheeler, and we love him as much as you do. Never turn your back on him, and he will be there forever. He loves you so much, we can tell, as much as we have always loved you. Take care of yourself, and take care of Wheeler. We love you both.
"Do not be sad that we won't be there for you as you grow older... to watch you and Wheeler grow together. But no one knows how long they will be here. Don't be afraid to be happy. Above all, do not sit and grieve because we are gone. Make every minute count. Make us proud. And please tell Wheeler that we loved him too. We are so happy for the both of you."
It was hand signed, "Mom and Dad."
Wheeler was so overcome with emotion that he just fell apart... sobbing uncontrollably, and Lloyd pulled him up from the couch and gathered him in his arms.
Wheeler had dropped the letter, and Glenn picked it up. He looked up at Lloyd, and Lloyd smiled at him and nodded his head.
Glenn and Ritchie read the letter together, and when they were done, they too dissolved into tears.
After a bit, Lloyd asked Wheeler, "Are you OK, babe?"
Wheeler nodded, so Lloyd went back to the desk and pulled out two more envelopes.
"I went back to the lawyer this afternoon to pick these up. I had him do something for me. This one is the deed to the Simpson house and the final mortgage payment. The house is now free and clear of debt, and it's fully in Papa J and Momma C's names. Now... this one is for you, babe," and he handed the other envelope to Wheeler.
Wheeler looked at it and then pulled the papers out. It was an investment broker's statement showing stocks, bonds and Certificates of Deposits... as well as a bank book showing a $40,000 balance... all totaling ten Million Dollars and change. And it was all in both Wheeler's and Lloyd's names together as co-owners of the accounts... as well as a Property Deed showing Joint Tenancy on Lloyd's parents house.
Wheeler looked up at Lloyd and nearly whispered, "But Lloyd. This is all yours. I can't accept this."
Lloyd just smiled and said, "It's ours. It's for us together, my brother."
Ritchie, being the real joker of the group, said, "Well, this just isn't right... after all... making love to you own brother!" and then he started to laugh. The other guys busted out laughing as well.
Wheeler, though, looked directly and intently at Lloyd. "But I simply can't... It's not fair to you."
"Yes you can, and if you take me, then you take all I have to offer. We are equals in this together. Mom and Dad thought of you as their son, and that makes us family, and some day I will make you mine... forever mine."
Wheeler felt helpless to continue reasoning with Lloyd, so, instead, they hugged. Any discussion of the matter was now closed.
"Well," Lloyd suggested, "It's too late for you guys to head home. You might as well stay here."
The four boys went over to the bed and lay down... and soon drifted off to sleep cuddling their own partners.
They woke up early, and Ritchie and Glenn headed home.
Wheeler and Lloyd took a shower together, and then Wheeler knelt and sucked Lloyd into his throat and began to finger his rosebud. Lloyd began slow- thrusting himself into his warm mouth. It didn't take long for Lloyd to explode, and Wheeler didn't miss a drop.
Lloyd pulled Wheeler to his feet and kissed him hard still tasting his own cum lingering inside his mouth. He changed positions with Wheeler and turned his back and leaned over to brace himself on the wall. Wheeler leaned down and slowly rimmed him... driving his tongue in as deep as he could get it. Lloyd just moaned softly.
Wheeler stood then and slowly slid his cock into Lloyd... getting hotter as Lloyd moaned out, "Yesss..."
So Wheeler started to pump himself in and out in a slow rhythm.
"Harder!" shouted Lloyd. "Make me feel it!... Unnnh... God, I love you... oh, baby. Take me. Fuck me hard!"
Wheeler started pounding his full length into him... pulling out until just the head was in, and then plunging in again. After a few minutes, he was pulling all the way out and slamming himself all the way back in... his balls banging against Lloyd's butt,... and Lloyd was moaning in ecstasy and yet screaming at him to go harder and faster.
It only took a few more thrusts for Wheeler to cum... shooting one of the largest loads of his young life. He knew then that he and Lloyd were going to be OK... that today was a turning point in their relationship. They were one... and complete.
The boys bounded into the kitchen. Lloyd said, "Morning, Papa J."
John Simpson looked at him perplexed. Lloyd didn't know how to take it and was a little afraid he'd pushed too far.
"Is that OK with you?"
John smiled and hugged him. Then Carol came into the kitchen... not knowing what had been said.
"What's for breakfast, Momma C?
Carol couldn't help it. She started to cry and hugged Lloyd as well.
"Pancakes and bacon," she finally said.
While they were eating, Lloyd reached into his back pocket and took out the envelope he had there. Wheeler knew what it was and just watched.
"Guys, I just want you to know that I understand what you all have done for me, and John, I want to thank you for allowing me to stay here. It means..." and there was a little catch in his voice here, "more than I can ever say. Much more."
"Nonsense," Carol said, "no thanks are necessary. You're just one of the family now."
"Please," Lloyd said, "let me finish. John, I know when I called you yesterday, I had to get your permission to do what I did for Wheeler, and I want to thank both you and Carol for allowing me to do so. But I also had the lawyer do something else for me. This is for you two for all you have done."
He handed the envelope to John and, after he'd read the contents, John simply said, "No! Lloyd, this is not right."
Carol then set the papers down and agreed.
But, looking straight at John, Lloyd wouldn't give up. "Look, you guys have taken Wheeler and me into your home. The house belongs to you and Momma C, but, well, now it's our home too. I just really want... I need... to do this. You two have done so much for both of us. This is for all of us."
John finally reluctantly agreed to it... after insisting that Wheeler and Lloyd would allow him to make some changes to the dormer for them.
After breakfast, the boys were just leaving the house when they heard a loud whistle.
They turned to look to down the street towards Jason's house and saw that Jason and Allen were crossing the street and walking towards them.
When they got near, Allen said, "Hey... umm... guys? Can we talk to you for a few minutes?"
Lloyd and Wheeler looked at each other. "Yeah, sure. Let's go upstairs."