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DISCLAIMER: This story is a work of fiction and fantasy. No part of it is based on true events, and any similarity to any person, living or dead, is coincidental. It contains descriptions of homosexual activities between consenting adults. If you are not over 18 years of age, or if you find this type of story offensive, or viewing this material is illegal where you are, then please DO NOT READ IT! If you choose to read it, then - I hope you enjoy it!
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When You Least Expect By Josh Blake
Chapter 18
As great as the wedding was, the honeymoon was even better. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we decided not to travel anywhere that required flying. In reality, we just wanted to be together. We had decided to just spend the following week in Chattanooga with our friends Dorothy and Rose. That turned out to be a great arrangement. We spent time hiking some trails and just enjoying each other's company. The weather was perfect and I had my man with me. What else could I ask for?
All too soon, it was time to return home.
The unwelcome sound of the alarm woke me up bright and early on that Monday morning.
"Good morning, handsome," Braden said, moving in for a kiss almost as soon as I opened my eyes.
"Good morning yourself!" I embraced him, and before I knew it, we were in a full make out session.
"Now I'm hard as a rock with no time to take care of it," I said.
"Let me handle that for you," Braden said, disappearing under the covers. The next thing I felt were my boxers being pulled down my legs and my cock in Braden's mouth. Did I ever mention that my husband gives the best blow jobs ever? Well, he does.
After a few minutes of Braden's expert tongue action, I was ready to blow.
"I'm cumming!" I yelled, just in time. I filled his mouth with my load. As usual, he shared it with me through a kiss. Some might find that disgusting, but to me, it was one of the most erotic acts on the planet and it further connected us as one.
"Now, it's my turn to return the favor," I said.
"No, you don't have time. You're already running late," Braden said. "You can do it tonight. I promise. Now go get ready before you get stuck in traffic."
"Ugh, you're right. Traffic has been awful here lately," I said, walking into the bathroom.
"We should talk about moving closer," Braden said.
I looked through the doorway of the bathroom at him.
"And leave your...our family behind?"
"Well, your career is there. Family can come see us and we can come see them. And my career hasn't started yet. I can work closer to there just as easy as I can here. Let's just discuss it sometime. Just not now. No hurry up and get ready to go. I'll go make your coffee."
The first Monday back at work started off as a little bit of a drag. One welcome addition was a framed photo of Braden and me on our wedding day I had placed on my desk. I was ready for any questions I might get. My staff just knew I was taking care of some personal business during my absence. I was interested to see what questions the addition of a wedding band would bring.
The day went pretty smoothly, overall. I spent most of the day in the hallways and in classrooms. I did notice a few teachers, and some students, looking at my hand and the ring on my finger, but none dared to ask. I had already decided I wasn't going to lie about it. Finally, while I was sitting with a group of students in the cafeteria, someone asked the question.
"So, Mr. Patterson, who's the lucky lady?" asked Sam, an eleventh grader and one of the school's athletes. I made it a habit to walk around the cafeteria each day and socialize with the students. That allowed me to get to know them and often, stomp out any problems before they became problems.
"What are you talking about, Sam?" I asked, acting incredulous to his question.
"Your wedding band. It's new. Is that where you were last week?" Sam asked.
"Yes, that is where I was." I said. I was hoping he would let it go.
"So who is she?" This time it was Sabrina, one of the girls in the group with whom I was conversing. "I bet she's gorgeous. Do you have a picture of her?" They were being sincere. They had no reason to think otherwise, and they were legitimately interested. I don't make a habit of discussing my personal lives with my students, but I also had no intentions of lying. I did, after all, want their trust as their principal.
"Yeah, show us a picture, Mr. P," another student, Trey said.
"Alright, if you really want to see, I'll show you," I said. "This is my husband, Braden." I held up my phone to show them the picture of Braden and me on our wedding day. It was the same photo from my desk.
The kids sat there with their mouths hanging open. No one knew what to say. Finally, Sam broke the silence.
"Congratulations, Mr. Patterson. I'm happy for you," Sam said, then offered me a handshake. I shook his hand and smiled.
"Thanks, Sam, that means a lot," I said, and it really did. For a moment I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I was so touched.
"Yeah, that's awesome!" Sabrina said. "And daaamn! He's a snack!"
"Language, young lady," I laughed. "But yes, I find him to be very attractive."
"He is a good looking dude, if you're into dudes. I'm not. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm just not..." Trey stuttered, trying to find the right words.
"Trey, it's alright. I know what you meant. And thanks for the compliment," I said.
"My older brother is gay," Sam said. "He lives with his boyfriend. They both go to Mississippi State."
We continued to have small talk for several more minutes. At their prodding, I told them how Braden and I met and how our relationship came to be, leaving out anything not `G-rated.' They wanted details about where the wedding was and all that stuff. Finally, the bell rang to end the lunch block. I shook hands with Sam and Trey, and got a side hug from Sabrina as they walked out of the cafeteria.
"Mr. P, you need to bring him up here one day to meet us all. He can tell us how you really be at home," Sabrina said.
"I'll keep that in mind, Sabrina. Now get to class! Don't let me catch you three skipping class again!"
"But it's chemistry with Mr. Davis. And he's soooo boring," Trey complained.
"Well, maybe you should try staying awake and actually learning some of it, and it might not seem so boring," I said. Truthfully, I would hate to have to sit through one of Mr. Davis's lectures. He had been teaching for almost thirty years, and I'm pretty sure he was still using the same materials. Despite all of the technology the district had installed, Mr. Davis still used overhead transparencies with handwritten notes. But he was, overall, a good teacher who cared about his students.
After that lunch block, I returned to my office to catch up on some of the emails that had accumulated during my absence. I looked at the picture of Braden and me on my desk and smiled. The smile faded when I turned to my email. 143 unread messages. Jeez. I deleted all the spam messages, leaving only the ones from within the district and the ones that appeared to be from parents. "Josh, Dr. Turner is on the phone for you. I'm going to transfer him," my secretary, Anita said, appearing in my doorway.
"Sure," thanks Anita. "And close the door, please."
"Josh Patterson," I said, answering the phone.
"Josh, it's David. Welcome back! So how was the honeymoon?"
"Oh David, it was everything we could have hoped for. Sure, a trip to somewhere exotic would have been great, but we have the rest of our lives to do that. It was just wonderful being together."
"I'm sure it was, Josh. I emailed over some reports I need you to take a look at. Enrollment is down, which is to be expected with the pandemic. It looks like you might lose some teacher units for next year. But we won't panic yet. Let's just see how things play out."
"Yes sir, I was afraid of that. That's why teacher evaluations are going to be so important this year. I want to make sure we keep the best of the best."
"Absolutely, Josh. I also wanted to invite you and Braden over to have dinner with Robert and me one night soon. What about Friday night? You both can sleep in the guest room if it's too late to drive home."
"That sounds wonderful, David. I'll check with Braden, but I don't foresee that being an issue. I wanted to ask you one more thing, David."
"Sure, Josh. What is it?"
"Would it be a problem if Braden came to work with me on Friday? That way we could leave here and come to your house. He has some observation hours to complete as well, so it would take care of several issues at once."
"Do you think that's a good idea, Josh? I mean, it's not a problem for me. I'll back you up one hundred percent. But, I know you didn't want to draw too much attention."
"Well, after the conversation I had with some of my students in the cafeteria, I don't anticipate it being a major issue. Some of the kids noticed the wedding band, and started asking about who I married. Of course, they assumed it was a woman. So, I showed them a picture of Braden and me, and let's just say they were really happy for us."
"That's great to hear, Josh. Just remember that not everyone is going to be accepting. It's easy to get caught up in those who approve of your marriage to Braden and forget that many many people still don't accept homosexual relationships, especially in our state and in our careers."
"Well, David, I hope that we can change their minds. I believe that kids need to see positive gay role models. Just like they need to see positive female role models and role models that match their ethnicity."
"You're right, Josh. You know you have my support. I'm proud to call you my friend," David said.
"Same to you, David. I'm looking forward to Friday night."
"Me too, Josh. Take care."
I was answering emails when a call came over the walkie-talkie on my desk.
"We need an administrator in room 207."
"I'm on my way," I said into the walkie-talkie, then got up and headed in that direction. I never knew what to expect when calls like that came through. Usually it was nothing, but it could be a fight or some kid giving the teacher a hard time. I rounded the corner to find Ms. Bishop, one of the English teachers, standing in the hall with two boys. Both of them were hanging their heads and looking at the floor. When I got closer, I realized that one of the boys was Trey. The other boy was Lucas.
"Trey, Lucas? What's going on here? I believe at least one of you is supposed to be in chemistry right now. Lucas, where should you be?"
"Band," he said with a cracking voice.
"Ms. Bishop?"
"I went to open the custodian's closet to get some garbage bags, and they were in there. Together."
"I see. Boys, I want you to go wait for me by my office. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Yes sir," they both said, quietly.
"Ms. Bishop, I know what you saw may have been disturbing to you. But what did you see the boys doing?"
"Oh, I'm not disturbed, I was just caught off guard. That is not what I expected to find when I opened the door. They were kissing. And grinding against each other. But that was all. They had all their clothes on, thank the good Lord!"
"Yes, I'm thankful for that," I said. "This goes without saying, Ms. Bishop, but can we please keep this to ourselves? I don't want to create an issue for the boys."
"Oh, absolutely!" Ms. Bishop said. "And Mr. Patterson, just so you know. I reacted the same way I would have if I had found a girl and a boy in there together."
"I don't doubt you, Ms. Bishop. Thanks for all that you do."
"And sir, I just want to say, congratulations on your marriage. I'm sure this Braden that I'm hearing about is quite a guy."
"Well, thank you. May I ask how you heard?"
"I'd rather not say, if it's okay, but just know that it's getting around. Can I show you something?"
"Of course, Ms. Bishop."
"Please, call me Mandy. I have always kept this hidden because of my job. But, I figure it's safe to tell you now."
Mandy held up her phone to show me a picture of her with another woman.
"This is my girlfriend, Kate. We've been together for about five years. She's an attorney."
"That's awesome, Mandy. I'd love to meet her sometime!"
"Just as I would love to meet Braden," Mandy said.
"We'll have to arrange that. Let me go take care of these boys," I said.
I walked back toward my office. Ms. Bishop was a good teacher, but kept to herself a lot. Now I knew why. I had never had any reason to suspect that she might be gay, but it was good to know that the well wishes were continuing for me.
I opened my office door and ushered Lucas and Trey inside. Then, I closed the door and told them to take a seat.
"Which one of you wants to tell me what happened?" I asked.
"Didn't Ms. Bishop tell you all the details?" Trey asked.
"That's not what I asked you. I asked you what happened."
Both boys were silent. I picked up the photo of Braden and me on our wedding day and turned it around so the boys could see it.
Let me take a moment to describe the two boys. Trey had brown hair and brown eyes. His hair was somewhat messy, which was a trend with kids these days. He was skinny and stood about 5'7". He probably still had at least an inch or two to grow.
Lucas also had messy hair, but his was red. He had piercing blue eyes and was fair skinned. He was a little taller than Trey, standing about 5'9". He was also a little bulkier. Lucas played baseball, while Trey ran track.
"Trey, you already know who this is. It's the same photo you saw in the cafeteria a little while ago. Lucas, this is my husband, Braden. We were married last weekend. I love him with all my heart, and not being able to be with him is something I can't even imagine. How long have the two of you been together?"
"Two months," Trey said. Lucas was still silent. "But no one knows but us." "So that's why you were tripping over your words in the cafeteria earlier," I said.
"Yes sir. Because Braden is freaking hot and I let it slip that he's a good-looking guy. I couldn't have Sam and Sabrina thinking I'm gay!"
"And why not? Based on how the two of them responded to me, I doubt very seriously that they'd turn on their friend."
"You're probably right, Mr. P. But you just don't understand. My parents are liberal and they won't care when they find out, but Lucas's dad would flip out."
A quick search in the student information system confirmed that Lucas lived with only his dad. His mom was not in the picture.
"Is that so, Lucas?"
"Yes sir. My dad has already told me that if I turn out to be a faggot he'll throw me out. That is if he doesn't kill me first." By this point Lucas was crying. Trey had his arm around him.
"See, Mr. P? This is why. If his dad found out he really would kill him."
My blood ran cold as thoughts of my own dad and his verbal abuse through the years and the similar threats he made flooded my memory.
"I can relate to that. My own father made very similar threats, and I have no doubt that he would have made good on them if I had come out while I lived with him."
"We just don't have any time to be together," Trey said.
"I do understand that, but you can't be in the janitor's closet making out at school. Anyone could have walked by and opened that door. That was a bad risk to take, boys. Luckily for you, Ms. Bishop is understanding and was just following the rules by calling me."
"What are you going to do to us?" Lucas asked. "Please don't call my dad!"
"I'm not going to call your father, Lucas. Or yours, Trey. But you boys have to promise me that this sneaking around stuff is going to stop. If it happens again, I'll have to punish you. It's just not safe to do that. If you need to be together, which I know you do, pick a safer spot. Trey, can Lucas come to your house?"
"Yeah, anytime he wants. But getting his dad to let him come over is a different story."
"Why is that, Lucas?"
"We don't live in the best neighborhood. Trey's family lives in a really nice house. He doesn't want me over there being a `charity case' as he calls it."
"What if you boys had a project you were working on together so you had to work together?"
"That would probably work, but we don't have any classes together," Trey said.
"I can fix that. Lucas, how would you like to have English with Ms. Bishop the same time Trey does? Then you can work together on her big literature assignment."
"That would be great!" both boys said.
With a few clicks of the mouse, I had changed Lucas's schedule to put him in English with Trey.
"I'll email your teachers to let them know about the change, Lucas. You can start following your new schedule tomorrow."
"Thanks, Mr. P!" both boys said. "You're the greatest!"
"Well, I don't know about that. My husband might disagree at times!" We all had a good laugh.
"Trey, you go on back to class. Here's a pass. I need to talk to Lucas for a few minutes in private."
"He can stay, Mr. P. It's alright."
"Actually, it's not. I need to talk to you alone, Lucas. It's going to be fine, I promise."
Trey left to go back to class with his pass, but not before giving Lucas a hug. I turned my back for just a moment to give them a little privacy.
"Lucas, I do need to discuss something with you. But first, I have to call the guidance counselor, Mrs. Ford."
"Am I in trouble?" Lucas asked, nervously.
"No, you're not in any trouble. I just need to make sure you're okay." I called Mrs. Ford's office, and in just a few seconds, she was in my office.
"Lucas, I asked Mrs. Ford to come in because she is an advocate for you. Anything we discuss in this office will stay here, unless we determine that you are at risk, then we will have to follow protocol. You have to be completely honest with us at all times. If I suspect that you are not, I have no choice but to notify the authorities. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes sir...I guess so."
"Lucas, whatever is going on, I promise you it will be fine. Mr. Patterson and I are not here to judge you for anything. We just want to help you," Mrs. Ford said.
"Lucas, you indicated to me that your father has threatened to kick you out of the house if he knew you were gay. Is that true?" I asked.
"Yes sir."
"You also made the comment `if he doesn't kill me first.' Do you think your father would physically harm you?" I asked.
"He never has. I don't think he would. He didn't say anything about killing me. Those were my words, not his."
"Has he ever done anything to make you not feel safe in the house?" Mrs. Ford asked.
"No, he's just not a super affectionate guy. After mom left, it was just the two of us. I think he blames me for my mom leaving. He talks about how much they loved each other before I was born. And he says it just went downhill after that. He says I wrecked my mom's pussy so she didn't want to sleep with him anymore after that."
"How does that make you feel?" Mrs. Ford asked.
"Like shit. Sorry. I shouldn't have cussed." By this point, Lucas was crying.
"We aren't worried about your language, son. We're worried about you." I said.
"It's okay, really. I'm fine. I just need to man up, that's all." He took a tissue from the box I offered him. "As long as my dad doesn't find out about Trey and me, I'll be okay. If he ever finds out, I'm fucked. Sorry, but it's true."
"Lucas, I'm going to give you some advice from personal experience. Don't let your dad find out. Be careful where you and Trey choose to be intimate. If you can keep him from finding out until you're out of his house and in college, you'll be better off. But, if something does happen, I want you to know that you are not alone." I took a post it note and wrote my personal cell phone number on it.
"This is my personal cell number. If you ever get into trouble, I want you to call me. I don't care if it's two in the morning. You call me and I'll come get you." I handed him the sticky note.
"Yes sir. Thank you."
"You're a good kid, Lucas. I want you to know that. I'd be proud to have a son like you," I said. I got up from my desk and walked around to Lucas and hugged him. He buried his face in my chest and sobbed. The boy had so much pent up emotion it made my heart physically hurt. I just held him. After a couple minutes, he got himself together.
"Go to the staff restroom down the hall and get yourself together," I said. "If you don't feel like going back to class, you can sit in Mrs. Ford's office for the rest of the day."
"I'll be fine, Mr. P. Just, thanks for caring."
"You're going to be fine, son."
Lucas went out the door, closing it behind him.
"Michelle, I'm sorry I couldn't fill you in before-hand. I just needed you in here for that conversation."
"No worries," she said. "I do worry about him, though. I don't think there's any physical abuse. He's not malnourished. He has no visible bruises or anything. His clothes are always clean and his grades are adequate. I just think it's emotional abuse."
"I agree," I said. "Unfortunately, in this case, I think we'd make things worse for him if we tried to intervene."
"Definitely. Well, keep me posted and let me know if anything happens. Oh, and congrats!"
"Thanks, Michelle!"
The rest of the day went by without any major events. Before I knew it, the bell rang to end the day. I was waving the buses off when my walkie-talkie sounded.
"Mr. Patterson, this is Mrs. Fletcher. We have a situation in the library. Can you respond?"
"On my way." I power walked in that direction. What could be going on in the library after school? Mrs. Fletcher, the librarian, wasn't one to `cry wolf,' so I assumed something legitimate was happening.
I opened the door to the library expecting to see a bloody brawl or something worse. Instead, I was greeted by a loud "Surprise!"
The majority of the faculty, along with David, were in the library. I was shocked to see Braden there!
"What on Earth is this? And Braden? What are you doing here?" Without thinking, I walked up and hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Devin called me and asked if I could drive over," he said.
"I know you wanted to keep it quiet," Devin said, "But word got around fast what was really going on. And you'll be happy to know that everyone wanted to do something to honor the two of you."
"Since we couldn't come to the wedding, we wanted to have a reception here," Mrs. Fletcher said. "You can start off by introducing us to this handsome guy you're holding onto!"
I laughed and wiped my eyes. I was overcome with emotion. I never imagined that everyone would rally behind us the way they did. I did notice a few people were missing, and I assumed that it was not by accident that they didn't come. But that's okay. As David said, not everyone is going to be accepting.
"Everyone, this is Braden. Braden, this is everyone," I said.
The party planning committee, headed by Ms. Bishop and Mrs. Fletcher, had done a phenomenal job of putting this together without me knowing anything about it.
"How did you guys pull this off without me knowing?" I asked.
"You were tied up in your office with those students most of the afternoon," Ms. Bishop said. "That worked in our favor, although that wasn't part of the plan."
"I was supposed to come in and keep you busy going over reports and such," David said. "But when I showed up, you were dealing with a student issue, so they didn't need me after all."
We spent the next couple hours talking, laughing, and eating. Some people had to leave early to pick up children or take them to practice, and finally there were only a few of us still there. After thanking everyone for the surprise, Braden and I set off for home. I couldn't wait until we were alone to tell Braden all about the day's events. I pulled into the driveway just before Braden. My mom's car was there, which was highly unusual. I got out of the car to find her sitting on the front porch.
"Mom? What in the world are you doing here?" I asked.
"I left your father. I didn't know where else to go," she said.
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