Wheeler's POV
I was sitting there crying. Was it because Lloyd had shown me things I had only dreamed of? Was it because we had been caught? No, none of that was it. It was the simple fact that he had done what he did, and I hadn't done anything in return. I took from him... and gave him nothing in return. I looked at Lloyd. He had the most endearing smile on his face -- one of deep concern, and he asked me again,
"What's wrong babe?"
He was concerned for me. I don't think it registered on him that Uncle John had heard us. I looked into those eyes.
"I'm sorry, Lloyd."
"That's OK. Your Uncle John knows that you're gay and I'm gay. I just wish we hadn't put on a show."
"No. I'm sorry that after what you did for me, I did nothing in return for you."
"Babe, you just don't get it, do you?"
I looked down to the floor -- not understanding what he meant.
"I did what I wanted to do. I did it to make you feel special. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't plan on going anywhere. I don't plan on leaving you. I had as much fun as you did... maybe more. I was the one giving, and if you don't believe me, just look."
Lloyd stood up, and there was a wet spot about the size of a cd on his pants. I had never thought about what joy he could have gotten. I understood then. We both looked at each other.
I smiled and said, "Do you think you should put your shirt on right now?"
We both started laughing. Lloyd pulled me to him, and we began to kiss. I started to pull at his belt, and he stopped me, saying, "I think I'd better get cleaned up first."
I know that he wanted to be clean for my first time, and I understood.
So instead, we lay there kissing and cuddling for almost an hour.
Finally, Lloyd said, "Do you think your Uncle John is upset or anything?"
"No. He had this funny smile on his ace when he left. But how am I going to face him now that he knows?"
"I don't think he cares... only that you are happy."
Nevertheless, I was still dreading the meeting.
And now, Lloyd had to go. We parted at the back door of the garage... kissing and holding on to each other for the longest time.
Lloyd suggested that we should spend tonight together. After all, it was Friday. I thought that sounded like a good plan... if I had ever heard of one!
He went home to clean himself and ask if it was OK. I was hoping he could get permission from his parents to spend the night. As he walked around the corner, he stopped and looked back. I was still standing there waiting by the door. I was thinking to myself... if he spends the night, I'll show him how much I love him. It was then I realized I was hungry, and I went into the house to raid the fridge.
As I walked in to the kitchen, Uncle John was sitting at the table. He eyed me, and with a straight face and said, "We need to talk."
I was almost frozen with panic.
He said, "I want you to know a few things that I didn't want to talk about in front of Lloyd. I know he loves you, but I want to talk to you about private things."
As I sat down, Uncle John was staring at my every move. He was trying real hard to think of how, and what, he wanted he wanted to say. I waited for what seemed like an eternity.
"Wheeler, I want you to know that I put the intercom in your room for your safety... not to spy on you. I know every night that you have nightmares. I can hear them from my bedroom. I only turn it on to check on you, and I can listen from there. I give you my word that I will never listen in when I know Lloyd is there."
I didn't know what to say except, "Thanks, Uncle John, and I'm sorry that it was on today. I am so sorry."
Uncle John smiled and said, "Look Wheeler, I came home a little early today. As I walked into my room, you and Lloyd were, well, almost 'there'. By the time I turned the power off, it was over. I knew I had to say something to you right away. I'm just glad that your Aunt Carol wasn't home already."
As he said this, he reached over and hugged me. I didn't know what to think. I thought he would be furious, but instead, he was comforting and putting me at ease.
As we talked, the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID, and it was Lloyd's number. I picked up the handset and, in the sexiest voice I could manage, said, "Hello, lover."
After a slight hesitance, Lloyd's mother responded, "Hello, Wheeler."
Shit!
I almost fainted.
Then, with a chuckle in her voice, she said, "Don't worry, sweetheart. I love you too."
My face was as red as a beet.
"Is your Uncle John home?"
"Yes, he is, Mrs. Patterson."
She laughed and said, "No, Wheeler, you don't have to call me that."
Twice today I have been embarrassed beyond belief. As I handed the phone to Uncle John, he was still trying to dry out his eyes from laughing so hard. I sat there and listened to the one side of the conversation I could hear.
"Hi, Mrs. Patterson." Big laugh. "Yes, Joan... uh huh. Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm sure. Yes, that will be fine. No problem at all. OK... later, Joan, and thanks for calling. Bye."
As soon as the handset was down, I had to know what was said.
"What did she want, Uncle John?
"Calm down, Wheeler. If you were a puppy, you would have wet the floor by now."
I laughed... but was till worried about why she had called.
Uncle John told me that she wanted to make sure that it was OK with me that Lloyd was spending the night.
"I told her it was, and, well, you know what I said," he laughed.
"Uncle John, I was just getting ready to ask you if it was OK."
"I knew it was coming. Do we need to have the talk about condoms, and do you need a ride to the store to get some things?"
OK, this is now getting too weird. It's the third time today that I've turned this shade of red.
"No, Uncle John. There's no need for that talk. We've learned all about things like that in health class. And Lloyd and I have not gotten that far in our relationship that we need them."
He looked at me and said, "I think we need to go to the store anyway just so you'll have them." And so we got in the car and went.
As we were driving, I was again scared. How could I tell him I was worried that they wouldn't fit or be too tight? He looked at me and as if he was reading my mind and said,
"Umm... I think we need to get the large size."
I was so puzzled as to what he knew and how.
"Look, Wheeler, when you were in the hospital, I never left your side... even when the doctors came into your room. I wouldn't let anyone near you without me or your Aunt Carol being there. You were out of it most of the time, and, well, while bathing you and changing the bed, I saw just about everything you have. You lucky dog!"
And he was smiling. OK, great! That's four times today with that color.
"But your Aunt Carol always left the room with just me there for those times, so don't go running around the house strutting your stuff in the buff!"
We both started laughing at that one. We finished our talk as we were returning from the store. My Uncle John is so cool. I went up to my room and cleaned it so that it looked like it did the day I arrived. I was like a mad man cleaning. I don't know why. Lloyd had seen every thing like it was, but I wanted everything just right.
Taking Uncle John's advice, I hid the condoms and lube we... or should I say he... had bought, in a safe place. I didn't want Aunt Carol to stumble onto them. They should be safe in my sock drawer... at the bottom in the back.
I was just coming out of the shower and was dressed sitting by the window when I saw Lloyd coming around the corner of the street. He was walking along, and when he saw me in the window, he smiled that smile and waved. My heart was racing, and there was a twinge in my groin that I wasn't expecting. Maybe, just maybe, I've found the happiness I've always longed for.
E-mail me at usock@aol.com with your comments and suggestions. We'll see where Chapter Six takes them.