Yes

In the following story, all of the characters are totally fictive. For whomever it would be illegal, immoral or forbidden for any other reason whatsoever to read a story about love between two men of different ages is kindly requested to refrain from continuing. A photo album (pdf) concerning this story is available upon request marin.giustinian@laposte.net. This being said, I hope you enjoy the tale.

YES

by Marin Giustinian

Nowadays, between Nova Scotia and the Islands of the Azores

MY NEW SECRET NOTEBOOK

Today, I begin a brand new notebook! I was graduated out of high school last week on my eighteenth birthday! I might sound conceited but I must admit to myself, it's fun being smart! I was the valedictorian! Also, I enjoy being rather good looking and I know it. It shows on my pictures. I always put on the top model expression... mostly to hide behind it and protect myself. Sure, I wasn't the most popular, by any means, but I was certainly the sharpest, if not the cutest.

Now, I'm holding my diploma. I guess it's a kind of birthday gift to myself. Next step, I'm accepted in the University of Toronto. Dad graduated from there. I'm not really excited. As a freshman, I don't have to choose my major yet, but Dad keeps on pushing me into business administration like him. Mom says she's worried and refuses to let me live on campus. She keeps on saying that university life can be really ruthless and raunchy at times -- and she knows what she's talking about! Well, I did have all the opportunities in the world to walk on the wild side in high school, but it really didn't interest me, at least not for the time being! I prefer staying off to myself, not get too involved in activities, and never get tied down with a girl. I don't party, and I hate proms! It's not that I'm a loner, but when I'm alone, I feel like I'm in good company. We'll see if college is different. For now, I'm on holidays with my folks visiting my grandparents in Chester, Nova Scotia and loving every minute!

Dad's home town is fantastic! I love the boats, the ocean, the 'down to earth' people. It's so different from Toronto, the lake, and the sophisticated suburbanites my parents try to keep up with. Here, everything is so quaint and calm, it's like being in a movie.

Anyhow, what makes me even happier is that I've just heard that Craig... Uncle Craig, as I was taught to call him, is due to make a layover here in his new boat. I think I heard he's sailing to the Azores to shoot a video and write an article about the islands. What a life! He is so special to me. I haven't seen him for nearly four -- or maybe even five years, but that doesn't matter. We get his circular newsletter three times a year with the most awesome pictures I've ever seen and I devour it each time. I'm crazy about boats. I've spent the last two summers in a sailing school on the lake and I must admit, I'm not bad at all at it.

Uncle Craig has a life I've always envied. He lives alone on his boat. He works as a photographer, writer and videographer for the best travel magazines and sailing channels in the world -- maybe not the whole world, but at least in Canada, the UK and the USA. He's sort of famous in the yachting world.

He's my father's only little brother and six years younger than him. Dad once said they weren't really close growing up -- too much of an age gap, he says. Whatever, their paths split. Dad considers himself as the serious one of the two, being a rising business executive in Toronto and, according to him, Craig is still a reckless brat. He says his little brother just keeps on playing around like he always did and somehow is making a living out of it. I think he must be some kind of jealous.

In his last bulletin, Uncle Craig said he had a new boat, a 32 foot French sloop. From the pictures, she appears to be very well crafted, and quite elegant. He equipped her with all of the best options : Sat Nav, radar, B&G autopilot, survival raft, satellite internet and telephone. The name is really sexy, also! Eros.

Grandad said he left Newport, Rhode Island three days ago and should be arriving up here either tomorrow or the next day. I just can't wait! I do hope he stays for at least a few days!

Uncle Craig is here! He called the house while he was passing by Tancook Island saying he would be docking at the Chester Yacht Club pier.

We hurried down to meet him. I was the first to spot and recognize Eros. She really is BEAUTIFUL! Just like her captain! I helped him tie up and when he stepped onto the dock, he immediately hugged Grandma and Granddad, then my Dad and Mom, and then me! I was so excited. I'm sure I blushed like mad and made a little squeak when he said, "Good God! You've become a really handsome young man, David!" as he touched my cheek. I felt like a fool and a king, standing there with the dock line still in my hand.

"Thank you, Uncle Craig."

"Just call me Craig, David," he commented, then turning to the others, he said, "Let me get my sack out of the boat, and I'm with you. Damn! It's really good to be here!"

"Let me help you Uncle... Excuse me! Let me help you -- Craig."

"Thanks, grab my little backpack on the table."

Grandma hooked his arm, saying, "Come on son, I'm sure you're going to enjoy a long, hot bath!"

"Do I stink that bad, Mom?"

"Oh, shut up!" she yelped, patting him on the ass! We all laughed.

I walked behind the family as we went back to the house. I felt as important as a page for his 'shining' knight, carrying his sack on my back.

Everybody chatted, commenting on this and that, sitting around in the backyard. As the afternoon light started to slant, Craig asked me, "Could you come and give me a hand to strip everything that needs washing onboard? I'm going to monopolize the washer-dryer before happy hour."

"Sure! With pleasure!"

As we were walking just the two of us, he asked, "By the way, can I bunk up in the other bed in your room tonight? Since I'm stripping all the berths, I can't sleep aboard."

"It's an honour for me, Craig!"

"Thanks for sharing, fellow! Also, once we've finished getting the stuff out of the boat, we'll free the dock and go anchor her. I heard that you do a lot of sailing."

"Much less than you, but anchoring, that I can do, Craig!" I exclaimed, happy as a flying kite as we walked back down to the yacht club dock.

I straightened up my room and bath before going down to join the grown-ups for drinks. When Granddad had served everybody, he asked me if I wanted scotch or white wine. Dad frowned, but said nothing and I felt great saying, "White wine. Thank you, Granddad." Grandma giggled a little, passing the peanuts around, commenting my glass in hand, "My, my aren't you growing up fast, my little Davy-boy!"

I smiled, shrugged and blushed.

For the rest of the evening, during dinner and after, I just listened. Dad looked a little bored as Craig told us of his adventures and his plans for the Azores. It made me dream! Mom and Dad turned in early, followed by Granddad and Grandma.

"I guess it's time for us to retire too, David."

"As you like, Craig."

When I came out of the bath with my pyjamas on, Craig chuckled, looking at me. I felt like a nerd.

"I'd forgotten what pyjamas looked like! You're cute as pie like that!"

I stuttered, saying something stupid, I'm sure, and crawled in bed. Craig was out like a light as I tossed and turned, thinking about that fantastic boat of his -- and fantasizing about him, as well. It's really hard to go to sleep when you've got your own personal hero sleeping in the same room!

When I woke up, Craig was already gone and his bed was made. I got up, showered, dressed and went down for family breakfast. The table was set but other than Grandma, no one was to be seen.

"Your mother and father haven't come down yet and Craig is taking care of his wash. Hope you're not starving, sweetheart," Grandma said, caressing my cheek.

"No, I can wait. I'll go help Craig."

I ran to the laundry room and came in just as Craig was folding the last cushion slip. Everything was neatly packed in the tote bag.

"Good morning, David! Sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you! I see you're already getting ready to leave."

"I'm not leaving yet. I'm an early bird and I hate postponing my chores. Living on a boat can do that to you! Let's go see if breakfast is ready."

I felt relieved that he wasn't leaving already. When we entered the dining room, Mom and Dad as well as Granddad were already at the table. We took place, giving our greeting to everyone.

Granddad spoke up saying, "I see you two are getting along well."

Craig answered, "Yes, we are, Dad. David's a fine young fellow. You two did a good job!" he added directly addressing my parents.

My mother spoke up, "We do what we can..."

After several minutes of small talk, Craig suggested we all go for a little sail this afternoon. I immediately exclaimed, "Yes! Even right now if you want!"

"Slow down, man! Anybody else willing to come?"

Grandma said, "I'd love to, but after lunch. I've already prepared half the meal."

"Me too," added Granddad, "the weather looks like it's going to hold out fine."

My Dad said, "You can count us out, Craig. I've lost my sea legs and Veronica gets sick on boats, don't you, honey?"

"Oh, you're so right, dear. We were planning to do some shopping in Halifax anyhow."

"Well, that's settled. David, could you give me a hand putting the bedding back together. I'd like to go up to the marina and fill up on water and fuel while we're onboard."

"I'm ready whenever you are, Craig."

My mother looked a bit surprised when I didn't say Uncle... but said nothing. I really wish she and Dad would let me grow up on my own now!

Craig and I got the jobs done on Eros. I even polished some brass. That impressed Craig a lot. After lunch, Mom and Dad left for Halifax, and with the grandparents, we set sail for a little cruise around Mahone Bay.

Eros is a work of art, a gem of a sailboat. I loved being at the wheel, enjoying the way Granddad and Craig smiled at me while Grandma took pictures, as usual! On our way back, the grandparents sat together like two lovebirds up front under the lee of the cabin roof, dangling their feet overboard. Craig and I were alone in the cockpit. I mustered up all the courage I could, swallowed deep and said, "I think it would be great to go with Eros -- and you, of course, to the Azores, Craig."

He looked at me, smiled and replied, "Well, why don't you come then?"

"WHAT! You mean you'd let me sail Eros with you?"

"Sure. I'd be glad."

His conditions were not drastic at all. I agreed and surprised him as well as myself as I jumped on him, hugging his neck.

Stepping back into the cockpit, Grandma exclaimed, "What's going on back here, boys?"

"Craig said I could go with him to the Azores. We'll see if we get along between here and Saint John's, up in Newfoundland, where we'll make a layover. If we both agree, I stay with him. If not, I'll fly back home!"

"That's wonderful, David," said Granddad, "I see you know your way around on a boat."

"You better be careful, boy!" added Grandma, "We'll see what your folks have to say about that."

"I'll help you persuade them if needs be!" exclaimed Granddad, patting me on the shoulder.

Craig then calmly said, "Listen, David, whatever they decide, you'll agree to what they say and that's it. No trouble... Okay?"

Well, Dad agreed!

Granddad and I drove over to Lunenburg to buy some correct sailing clothes, slickers, sleeping bag for my bunk in the little rear cabin, a seabag, etc. He said it's my graduation and birthday gift combined. Dad gave me one of his credit cards for my expenses and return flight, either from Saint John's or the Azores. Mother said she'll be worried to death but guessed she couldn't refuse. Grandma calmed her some saying she understood. All I understand is that I'm the happiest guy on earth and that it's going to be hard to get some sleep again tonight!

I did my shopping with Granddad, packed my seabag, and the following day, away we sailed on the morning tide.

Estimation : 5 days to Saint John's Bearing 60 ° ENE

We took our time getting to know each other better, just the two of us, under sail. The weather was never too bad, nor too sunny... Nova Scotia! On a boat you're always busy doing nearly nothing. There's a lot of time and mental space for thought, and not talking isn't a problem, not like on land where you're always expected to say something when you're with somebody.

At any rate, I asked Craig to tell me about his work. He told me a little. Sounded great! He asked about me and I told him how I felt facing life, now that I'm out of school. He said, "If you're smart, you'll never be out of school. The world is your new classroom!"

I thought about that and it scared me a little. When I think about the future, it scares me as much as it thrills me. Never insisting, he did ask me about the girls in my life. I told him that there weren't any, for the time being. I just didn't have any space available for them. He laughed and just shrugged when I asked, "And you?"

"Don't be nosy..." he replied, sort of joking. I suddenly understood sex was a prickly subject for him too.

Craig's lifestyle was just like what I wanted to grow into. Even if he's a loner, as he says, it seemed like he enjoyed having me with him, teaching me new tricks about sailing, how to use a sextant and how his fancy camera worked. He also had things to say about life in general. Every now and then, he would come up with a sentence like this : "Never let anyone decide for you! You can agree, but you do the deciding!"

Then there was this one : "Don't expect society to give you a meaning in life. Society is often a fog that hides your guiding star, don't look for a job, create it!"

That sort of blew my mind! That's exactly what I needed to hear! Sometimes I felt like I was more in a philosophy class than on a boat. When I asked for an explanation, he just said, "Think about it."

So that's what I did... and came up with the right answer for me. He's really got wisdom!

When I asked him, "Why do you tell me things like that?"

He replied, "Because I feel like you're thirsty to hear it."

Again he was right! This experience of sailing with Craig is far deeper, far richer than I imagined. My God! I am one lucky fellow!

We safely arrived in Saint John's. I was dying to continue. I was praying he'd let me. Once we were tied up, he simply asked, "So, do you agree to go on with me?"

I said, "Yes".

And that was it.

I called my parents and listened to mother give me the same speech twice, telling me to be polite, be careful, be this... be that...

"Yes, Mom -- I love you too, Mom -- Here's Craig -- He wants to talk to you."

They spoke some while I started doing the chores. Craig went into town to order and have delivered what we needed for the big voyage. We went and dined downtown in a fancy restaurant and raised toasts to getting along well together!"

Of course, I was in seventh heaven.

We minutely prepared Eros for the big leap! She was shipshape, stocked and ready. A favourable northeast wind carried us out of Saint John's at dawn, bearing 106 ° east by southeast. Next stop : Terceira Island, Azores. Wow!
 ----------

We were settled, nice and comfortable like, in a routine when the battle between the north winds against the warmer ones of the Gulf Stream was declared. Southeast of Newfoundland, those battles can brew up some really bad storms. The one we ran into, six days out of Saint John's, was a rather angry one. It changed my life!

As usual, we checked the forecasts on internet twice a day and thus we were informed that storms were building up in the zone we were crossing. Craig briefed me on what to do and what not to do as we prepared the boat and ourselves in case we ran into one. We fixed some food in advance and secured everything, double checking the rigging, the electronics, the hatches and ventilation. I thought I was prepared... but when the wind and sea began picking up around ten yesterday morning, it started to frighten me and it just got worse and worse!

Then around four in the afternoon, the weirdest thing happened in my head, making my emotions change from panic to fun. The wind was howling in the stays, the sky was dark, lightning was striking all around, the sails were reduced to the minimum. We were heaving, diving in the waves, rising and falling again, over and over and there I was tied down, holding the wheel, with spray and foam washing over the deck and I was wet to the bone, serene and almost enjoying the situation. Maybe it was Craig's calm that inspired me -- at any rate, he was steadfast and at ease in the midst of all the havoc and that made me feel somewhat safe. But deep down inside, I was scared out of my skin.

This went on into the night. By four o'clock in the morning, the storm was finally behind us. The wind and waves were back to normal. We ate a little more, checked the radar. No near nor distant vessels in sight. We turned on the autopilot and decided we deserved some rest.

As I was undressing, I started shaking all over. I wasn't that cold. It was my nerves unwinding releasing all the fear built up, hidden inside. Whatever it was, I was in dire need of warmth and security!

"Craig, I'm drenched, dead tired and I can't stop shaking. Can I bunk with you? Please..."

He simply beckoned me to come up front with him in his berth. I crawled in and we snuggled up naked together.

I mumbled, clinging to Craig's warm body, "I sorry I'm behaving like a child, but I was so scared. I thought we were going to die. Thank you for comforting me, Craig. I really need it."

He held me a little bit tighter, rubbed my buttocks and simply replied, "I was scared too, David, now let's rest up some."

His scent, his warmth, his strength flowed into me. I stopped shaking but I did shiver some, not from fear but from pure pleasure as he kissed me in the nape of my neck. I wiggled a little and hummed my contentment -- then fell immediately asleep.

About two or three hours later, as we headed into the dawning light, I suddenly sat up, panicking. I was alone in the berth. I pulled the cover around me and scrambled up on deck.

Wow! I was awestruck! The clouds were splitting, spilling a profusion of colours on the now gentle sea, emblazoning the heaving swell under an explosion of gold and crimson. Dawn was shimmering in the trembling ripples. Craig was standing by the companionway, nude as a Greek god, facing the rising daylight. I came up behind him and wrapped the cover around us both, pressing my body against his back, nudging my head against his shoulder. We greeted the sun like that, together. I'm sure he felt my cock throbbing against the rear of his thigh. He suddenly turned around, grabbed me by the waist, holding me tight against him, his own cock pressed up against me.

Tears of joy swelled in my eyes. I was on the verge of weeping, quivering in Craig's captive embrace.

"Something wrong?"

"Oh no, Craig! Nothing's wrong. Everything is just too right! Life is just too beautiful here -- here with you!"

He kissed me. His lips felt like gentle fire on mine. My mouth welcomed his, opening to his tongue. I writhed in yearning for more. Never could I imagine, in my wildest dreams, feeling my soul surge and flow into his. Our kiss lasted and lasted. Our most intimate energies converged as we clung to each other, enthralled, soaring, slowly swaying with Eros.

The cover had fallen. The chill caressed us. Craig murmured, "Come..."

Once back in his berth, he caressed me, humming, kissing my neck. My skin was alive, tingling as his beard tickled my tits. I writhed beneath him, clawing his back. Then I slid out from under him. He pulled me on top of him. I was swimming in his sweat, mine dripping from my pits. I licked my way down his chest, kissing his belly, burying my nose in his pubes. He grabbed my head and pulled me back up into an even deeper kiss. I was crazy with lust, drooling, lost in a riptide of total abandon. Images of the storm flashed in my head. I humped Craig with instinctive, uncontrollable force, my cock oozing a continuous string of slick. Craig pulled me up higher, until I was straddling his chest, his own cock teasing my ass. He gripped my buttocks, pulled me up and swallowed my cock, tonguing, slurping, sucking me as deep as he could. I began to burn, lost in the whirling flame of a crashing climax. I panted, my balls were boiling and then IT HAPPENED. I arched my spine, threw back my head. My anus throbbed. I screamed, paralyzed, spewing my semen into Craig's eager throat.

I collapsed, catching my breath, and slowly coming back to my senses, found myself sprawled on the man of my life, gently rubbing my back. Still in my haze, I felt his hands on my shoulders, coaxing me to return exactly to where I needed to go. My lips grabbed his cock and I sucked him like my life depended on it. It did! I needed his semen, I needed his manly sperm, his ultimate proof of love in me, the very urge of life itself! He hummed, squirming in my mouth, his legs wrapping around me, my head between his hands, dancing. And then he stiffened, shivered and convulsed, nearly sitting upright as he exploded like the sun, spewing in me, over and over with all his might. I drank his intimate fire, filling me with his light. Replenished, love-drunk, contented, I crawled back up to his face and we kissed. The taste of each other melded into one as our tongues enlaced, slithering together, dancing to the silent hymn of our dawning love.

I whistled, brewing the coffee, my old sweatshirt hanging down, barely covering my balls. Craig had pulled on his baggy shorts and T-shirt and was up on deck unrolling the sails as we resumed again our full speed. I brought him his coffee. He exclaimed, "No damage! Eros is a valiant little ship! And as for me, I'm starving! Love does that to me!"

"Do you often make love?"

"Let's put it this way, I got my rocks off as much as possible... " he confessed, lowering his head, looking a bit sheepish, and continued, "But now... You see..."

He stalled.

"But what?"

"This is going to sound really corny... but now, with you, it's something new. I said 'love' and not 'fucking'. You are a special guy for me, David. You've grabbed my heart and..."

"And you grabbed mine! Please be kind with mine, Craig! This is all so new for me. So damn, wonderfully new!"

"David, you see, you make me feel vulnerable. You make me feel disarmed! That's why I feel you have power over me. And when I realize I could be your father..."

"I'm glad you aren't my father! What's dawning between us is too beautiful to be messed up stuff about incest."

"But we are incestuous. Damn it! You are my nephew, aren't you? Ha!"

"No, I'm not, Craig."

"WHAT?"

"Listen, it's supposed to be a secret, but my parents and I had a deep discussion a few years ago. They told me the truth about my REAL father, about the guy whose sperm made me."

"It's not Martin's?"

"Let me bring up some breakfast and then I'll tell you everything."

As we ate our pastries and drank our coffee, I spilled out my story.

"You know about how much of a party-girl my mother was."

"Oh! That I do!"

"Well, it was during a college house party in Halifax when your brother -- my dad, and my mother and a bunch of other students got high out of their minds, drinking and smoking pot. It all ended up in a big time orgy. They said they were all fucking like mad, laughing and carrying on. Aids was considered only like something the gays caught, so no condoms and for Mom, well she was late for her pill and too drunk to care. To sum things up, Mom found out she was pregnant with me. Dad and she hoped that they had done the job together, but they weren't really sure. They got married and when I was born, they had me tested. My dad is not my dad. Nobody knows who my dad could be. So therefore, we're not involved in incest, you and I. We're only involved in -- involved in love."

Craig remained silent, then started laughing.

"Love! Yeah! That's what happening to us, isn't it, David? Isn't it love? I'm so damn happy, I could make love to you all day long!"

"What are you waiting for?"

"Man, we've got a lifetime ahead of us, but for now, a boat to clean up... Remember!"

"That's right... Let me put my jeans on! Ha!"

It's been fair sailing and strong loving ever since that fabulous sunrise. Sex with Craig is fabulous! I can't get enough of it! We've become really intimate. I can take him inside me easily now and he welcomes me with evident pleasure too. I know it's playing with words, but anyhow, I must say that with Craig we love each other always and all ways! Enough said about that...

The weather has gotten a lot warmer. We barely dress anymore, only outside after sunset when the temperature drops. My tan, like Craig's, is equal all over and my hair is now highlighted with a few blondish streaks. The rest of my body fuzz is bleached too, giving me a kind of glow in the sun. I feel so real! But doom is looming!

The damn Sat-Nav says we're only three days away from the Azores and I don't want to go back to Toronto. I have to stay with Craig!

This morning, he said to me, "You look worried,"

"I'm dreading going back, Craig. I wish the trip could go on forever!"

"But you've got to go to the university."

"No I don't! Dad wants me to go, not me. I never refused what he ordered, but now, I feel stronger. Whatever happens, I won't go. For that my mind is made up."

"If that's the case, then stay with me. Live and work with me here on Eros. Is that what you really want?"

"Yes"

"That's what I want too. But let's be clear... perhaps I'm too old for you, David. You'll probably get tired of me and want somebody else later on, someone younger, someone more like you. Think about..."

"Think what? Stop! You're making me angry with your stupid comments! And maybe you might get tired of me and want someone younger later on too, or more mature. Who knows? Shit! I'm staying! I know it's a risk, but I'm taking it! And you've got to take it too! Am I clear, Craig?"

"Yes"

"Good! I love you!"

"Then you've got to tell your parents."

"Tell them everything?"

"Yes, and if you don't, I'll tell them and my parents too. Don't you think they deserve to know that we love each other, without shame? Don't you think the whole damn world needs to know!"

That hit me between the eyes!

"Yes, Craig, you're right. But I couldn't stand them hating me, not wanting to see me any more... Craig, I don't want that to happen."

"If they react like that, David, it's their problem. You'll just have to forgive them and live your life your way."

The picture was clear! I understood it all. I stood. He looked at me and smiled.

"Well, when you feel like it, write out the mail and let me add a PS before you send it. Come what may, David. I love you, man! I need a kiss..."

"Me too..."

Subject : Craig and I

Dear Mom, Dear Martin,

Craig and I get along very well. We have become lovers. There is no problem of incest because I told him about being the son of an unknown father.

I shall stay with him aboard our boat and we shall work together at Craig's job. I shall not return to Toronto. I've notified the university that I'm not coming.

I am happier than I have ever been. I trust you are happy for me too.

Love,

David

Subject : David and I

Dear Parents, Dear Brother, Dear Sister-in-law,

I am happy to announce that David and I are in love. We shall draw up a legal domestic partnership contract with the Canadian Consulate in Sao Miguel, Azores. We plan to live and work together on Eros. Our decision has been thoroughly discussed, covering all of the aspects concerning our partnership : heath insurance, joint banking, etc. We plan to make Angra do Heroismo, on Terceira Island our home port for the next four to five months.

I trust you shall be very happy for us!

Sincerely yours,

Craig

The content of my parents' answer read as follows : "We think you both have lost your minds. You must tell us when you arrive in Angra and we shall fly over to figure out a reasonable solution together, Martin. copy to Craig"

The content of the answer to Craig's message read as follows : "Wonderful news! Love to you both! Our home is always open to you. We know you are not in an incestuous relationship, so Bon Voyage to both! Love, Mom and Dad.

No comment.

We spotted Flores, the first island of the Azores. Beautiful! Three days later, when we arrived in Terceira, we were given a comfortable slip in the marina. We hooked up electricity, water, and used the washer-dryers in the utilities block. We sent the message we had promised to Martin, and to my mother, Veronica. We looked up the address of a good restaurant on internet, dressed up, and went into town to celebrate in style our safe arrival to destination! Three days after, Martin and his wife phoned to inform us that they had booked a flight on the Azores Airlines direct from Toronto arriving in Terceira on Monday. They also had a room reserved at the Angra Marina Hotel and wanted us to meet them there Monday afternoon.

I wasn't really upset about the upcoming show-down, but I was nervous anyway. I just thought, "Well, we shall see what we shall see."

In between time, we started our visit of Angra, checking out what we'd like to film, taking notes about the extremely rich history of the place. During the colonial times, Angra was a major halt between Portugal and South America. The Spaniards even took over the place for a while. Ships loaded with gold and other treasures stopped here on their return to Europe. It used to be a wealthy, bustling seaman's town. Now it's a buzzing little city, with thriving cultural activities and beautiful people.

Monday came.

I was really tense as we waited in the lobby for my parents to come down. When they came in, I ran up to hug Mom, then Dad. He just held out his hand, first to Craig, then to me.

Okay! So that's how he's decided to behave... Childish!

We went out and sat in a secluded corner of the terrace with a great view on the marina. It was good to be able to see Eros from where I was sitting. Martin opened the hostilities.

"We've come to take our son back! Your crazy dreams have gone to his head! You're just a fucking misfit, Craig, a queer, a pervert who has contaminated our boy. I want my kid to be normal! Do you hear me! Normal!"

"Quiet down, dear. You don't have to be so loud..." interjected Mom, "you do look great! Both of you."

Craig answered very calmly, with loads of class.

"Martin, for the first time you are going to listen and accept what you hear. You are not the boss here. I freed myself from you and I must say that you have ceased to impress me a long time ago. David is legally free to do as he thinks best for himself. You no longer have any power concerning him. Make that clear in your mind. This being said, we're glad you came to see us and that's it."

Martin looked like he was going to have an attack. He stood, turned towards his brother with a threatening eye and was going to speak when Craig simply said, still calmly seated, "Please sit back down and listen to me, Martin. Don't make more of an ass of yourself than you have already. Try to be elegant for once and stop barking around like an arrogant poodle trying to sound like a wolf. You're not in charge! I'm in charge, so act like a civilized gentleman."

Martin sat, dumbfounded by Craig's serene authority.

"That's better. Now let me try to wrap my mind around what you're saying. You say 'Normal'. There are thousands of norms in the world and yours is not necessarily the one David wants to abide by. He finds your norms, your mainstream choices in life, and friends sad, hypocritical and boring."

Martin started to stutter something and Craig insisted, almost hissing, "Don't interrupt me, brother!"

There was a silence as Craig stood and slowly came over beside me. I was comfortably seated, relaxed even, in the chair by the balustrade. Veronica's eyes darted all around, like she was panicking, sitting on the edge of her chair next to her very pale husband.

Craig, outlined by the sun, continued. He knew how to stage his effects!

"So if I gather things correctly, you want him to go back to Toronto," he stated, his hand on my shoulder, "go to business school, graduate with a good address book, lick asses to get a junior executive job like you, find a decorative Barbie to show off and fuck, then maybe marry a debutant slut who in the day is a prudish princess and at night a raving sex maniac. You'd like to see him get deep in debt to live in some stupid upper class suburbia, play golf, run up a bill entertaining at the country club."

Then looking directly at Veronica and then at Martin, straight in the eye, "Is that what you want for your adopted son, Martin?"

"I won't allow you to rant on any more. Your insinuations are nothing but gross insults to a world you were incapable to succeed in."

"Shut your damn mouth, Martin. I earn more money than you, I'm well known by all your yachting friends that go out drinking on the lake only on Sundays. They are the kind of success stories that buy my dreams in front of a stupid television screen. Dreams? I live them and I'm damn well paid to dream them for real! You're about as creative as an answering machine and you know it. Your adopted son is ten times smarter, creative and capable of loving and living a freer life than you and your kind can even imagine. You crave power, but you are a prisoner of the power the bigger shots have over you. You are an obedient ass plodding behind the carrot of what they make you think is success."

I couldn't resist. Seeing Martin deflated for the first time, I stood and spoke up.

"Dad, you've always resented the fact that it wasn't your dick that made me. Whoever did it must have been way smarter than the both of you, fucking your girlfriend in front of you! The brains I got from him made me a 'gifted child'! But I was a suffocating child too! You remember my asthma? It was in my brain. I didn't realize it but I was revolting against the lifestyle you afflicted me with. No more asthma, Sir! Finished! I'm BREATHING! Away from your sick suburban world I'm happy -- happy and healthy! So don't try to mess me up. Try to love me the way I am!"

"But we love you, both of us do, darling! That's why we're here," spoke Mom.

"But the university, Son? You can't pass that up! I've already paid the first year and..."

"I could care less about your university, Martin! Just thinking about it makes me sick. You make me sick! You never held me. You always cut me down, corrected me and if I proved I was right, you resented me for it. If that's love, then it's sick! Does love express itself only by keeping a 'manly' distance, making disobliging remarks about my nonconformity? I'm sure that you've said to each other that it would have been better if Mom had aborted. But you didn't know, did you? Maybe I was Craig's nephew after all... Well, tough shit, folks! I'm here, on earth, with my own life and I'm staying with Craig whatever you say. So listen to the moral of the story. It goes like this : I don't need your approval. I don't need your money. I need you to love me in peace and let me live my life as I think best for me. At least, don't let your 'love' warp me 7/24 any more! Yes, I am a radical nonconformist queer in love with another radical nonconformist queer who's the best man on earth for me! But also, I'm smart and only the brainwashed ultra-liberal urbanites or the simply mentally ill can criticize that! So let me alone and if you can't love me like that, then ship out!"

Martin exploded, "Listen to the boy, Craig! He's gone mad! What have you done to him?"

"Nothing, Martin. I found him like that. We've been more than intimate for the past month. I know him better than you could ever understand. He's awake, Martin, and you're still in a dream, the sick fairy tale the Big Upper Class Lie! You've always been jealous of me, of my looks and of my freedom. All I've done to him is nothing more than just allowing what's in his nature to freely come out and express itself, become a simple reality, a reality you can't even conceive, stuck as you are in your stupid 'system'. We happen to share the same reality, David and I. We are true to ourselves and not to what the mainstream expects. Being who I am has made me free and, as I said, way more wealthy than you. Think about that! So now I shut up. Do you have anything reasonable to say to your adopted son or to me? If so, I pray it's to say that you understand us and that your love for us is stronger than the prejudices that distort your mind."

Seething in silence, Martin stormed through the glass doors into the lobby. Veronica gave us both a really sad look, stood and quickly said, "I've got to go take care of him. He needs me when he's worked up and confused like that. David , just know this : whenever you get back to your good old self and realize that all of this was just a phase, you can always come home. Even if Martin isn't your father, you are, after all, my son and that, nobody can change!"

She ran out catching up with Martin and like that, never turning back, they strode out of my life.

When we were out of the hotel, I couldn't control myself any longer. I broke down in tears. An eruption of anger, relief and unleashed bitterness made me vomit as I wept. Craig stood silently by me, real close.

"Please... I need to be by myself some... I'll be okay and back on the boat in a few minutes. I love you."

"I love you too," was his sole reply. God! that's a lot! It's everything to me!

I paced the jetty alongside the port until I calmed down. When I came back aboard, Craig took me in his arms, saying nothing. He slowly undressed me and took me to bed. We made long, gentle love until far past twilight.

When I came out of the shower, Craig said, "Let's go into town, find a typical, local pub, a fisherman's dive where we can eat fries and greasy fried fish and get drunk! How does that sound?"

"Sounds great!"

Standing stark naked in front of him with my arms hanging down, I asked, "Do I look good enough to deserve walking into our new town, alongside a hunk as beautiful as you?"

"Of course, my wonderful idiot! You certainly do. Does that suit you?"

"Yes!"

A photo album (pdf) concerning this story is available upon request marin.giustinian@laposte.net.