Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 20:55:35 EDT From: RitchChristopher@cs.com Subject: briarwood-7 All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language, please exit now. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> "BRIARWOOD" aka "Whence Cometh My Help" R.S.V. A dramatic saga by Ritch Christopher literary enhancement by Les Martin <><><><><> BOOK ONE Chapter Seven <><><><><><><><><><> "...and I long to live in someone's memory, and I long to live upon a hill, and it doesn't matter that I know I never will..." Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse "The Good Old Bad Old Days!" Act II (1973) <><><><><><><><><><> Troy had been hospitalized three days and his whereabouts remained a mystery to Kitty Marsden and Kendall. She decided not to file a missing person report for fear it would arouse suspicion and create gossipy rumors. However, if people believed that she was having an affair with a good-looking younger man, then so be it! But if the real reason for the incarceration leaked out, she would spend a fortune, if necessary, to make Troy appear to be the villain. The news from the hospital was not good, but then, it wasn't exactly bad, either. Troy was possibly paralyzed below the waist. The doctors' prognosis was that perhaps with a few months of bed rest, combined with daily physical therapy, the outlook for complete recovery was about ninety per-cent. On one of Cliff's visits to see Troy, he brought Roger and introduced them to each other. As usual, as with everything or everyone Cliff liked, Roger followed Cliff's lead and almost instantly loved Troy, too. Roger and Troy hit it off big-time and what time Cliff couldn't spend with Troy was filled appropriately by Roger. Cliff's life became wonderfully serene. His duties at the church were normal and uneventful while he and Roger were happy at home. Believe it or not, Jay had gained six pounds, his complexion was rosy and healthy-looking and his energy level increased every day. The power of God?...the new medication and new doctor?...again being part of a family?...or the broccoli? Cliff didn't want to credit Jay's improvement to just one thing. It had to be a combination of all these contributing factors. The relationship between Rob and Timmy was growing stronger with each bedroom interlude, while they were able to keep their romantic capers secret from their respective families. Cliff scheduled a Saturday morning meeting at the church before afternoon confessions to practice a few changes in the mass with Jason and Tony, the two all-American acolytes. Besides being good-looking, they were both "cute". Cliff wondered how long it would be before they indulged in a little pubescent experimentation with each other! Maybe they had already started and were keeping their secret from their Father Confessor. When they were ready to tell him, he would remain calm and not too surprised. From noon until 4:00 PM, Cliff heard the usual sins --- secret masturbation sessions unknown to their spouses (both men and women), a couple of adulterous affairs within the congregation, cheating on a test at school, "accidentally" forgetting to pay for something at the mall, and the usual proclamations of hate toward the in-laws or a neighbor. The priest thought of himself as 'Dear Abby' or her twin sister, Ann Landers, since he wasn't hearing confessions so much as he was just listening to gossip, which is sometimes difficult to absolve or render a penance to attain that forgiveness. And yet, the stream of confessions went on. At 4:20 PM, Cliff was startled by the voice that quietly said, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned."...It belonged to Kendall Marsden. "And of what sins do you accuse yourself, my son?" "Father, I have been a pawn in a wicked game that has ruined another person's life." A shiver went through Cliff's body. "Go on. Please continue." "Father, my mother likes to control things. She likes to run people's lives, especially mine." Cliff didn't want to pry. He wanted Kendall to say freely as much as he wanted to reveal. Cliff wanted to appear unaware of what or to whom Kendall was referring. He continued, "I am fourteen years old, Father. I have no friends. I've never had a friend my own age. I'm not allowed to attend public schools like other kids. Instead, I have several private tutors who come to my house to teach me about the world, life, and other relevant things. I've never had a girlfriend...I can't even remember the last time I talked with a girl. My mother wants to be the only female in my life. When I was thirteen, she taught me about masturbation. She even showed me how to do it...and fearing that I would soon desire sex with a woman, she arranged a blackmail scheme and forced a man to teach me about sex, telling him it was my idea...that I was homosexual and needed a partner to satisfy my needs I knew the guy didn't want to participate, but he had no choice...She paid off his debts and his car, leaving him in debt to her for several thousand dollars and then telling him that if he didn't please me and satisfy my needs, she would tell everyone that he was a child molester and swore to prosecute him to the limit of the law and he would spend the next twenty-five years in prison. So he was afraid of her and every afternoon and every night he came into my bedroom and tried to please me any way he could. He taught me oral and anal sex. allowing me to do it to him anally while he went down on me orally at other times.. I thought the guy was some kind of male prostitute because he showed me how to have my way with him several times a day. I was always the dominant partner and he never let himself reach a climax one single time. Last Sunday afternoon, he left in his car to go visit his dad in a nursing home, like he always did every Sunday...and he never came back. I haven't seen or heard from him in six days. My mother became so angry, she got on the phone and hired detectives to find him...and now I'm afraid one of them found him and killed him...and she paid for it. I don't want to be a part of a murder...I told her I wanted to go for a ride this afternoon and I paid the chauffeur one-hundred dollars to secretly bring me to see you and ask your advice on what I should do." By the order of his confidentiality, Cliff couldn't reveal to Kendall where Troy was, but this kid was in such torment of angst, guilt, and fear, that Cliff was in a dither as to how much he could actually tell him...Plus, Cliff wasn't totally convinced that Kendall was telling the truth. It might have been a ploy of his mother's to query Cliff to see if he knew of Troy's whereabouts. Maybe Kendall was lying to get Troy back for himself! Cliff thought he would try a different tactic to see if the boy was being honest with him. "May I ask...when was the last time you were happy?" Cliff began. "What kind of happiness are you talking about?" he asked. "Any kind. Was it on a trip?...playing a video game?... watching a movie?...laughing at something funny on TV?...playing with a pet?...What is the last thing that made you smile, inside and out?" "None of those things, Father." "All right. When you're alone, lying in bed and have the chance to dream...what do you dream about?" "I wish I just had a friend to talk to. I wish I could be like regular kids and do the things they do." "If you had a friend, what kind of things would you like to do with him or her?" "I don't know...just the normal every-day things kids do." "Give me an example..." "OK...Sunday mornings, when we come to church...I watch those two guys helping you with the mass and I'm very jealous. I wish one of them would get sick and you would look out into the congregation and pick me to come up and take his place. The two of them look like buddies and I wish I could be their buddy, too." "If I could arrange it with your mother, would you like to become an acolyte and serve mass with them." "Yeah, Father. Now that's one thing that could make me happy." "Let me ask you something else... If you could be anything in the whole wide world when you grow up, what would that be?" "Well, since you don't know who you're talking to...or maybe you do and just don't want to let on,...the thing I would like most in the world to be is a priest." If Kendall was lying, he was a pro. He had Cliff convinced that he was telling the truth. "How do you think your mother would react if she heard you say that?" "She'd never let me come to church again...I have to grow up and be rich and take care of her money...That's what she's planned for me...Father, please don't take this the wrong way, but I've even thought about what would happen if she had Troy killed...OH GOD! I DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY HIS NAME!!...Now you know who I am and who mother is and you know that Troy is the guy she's blackmailing." "That's OK, Kendall, your secret is safe with me. You're in a confessional and I'm sworn by the vows of my order that I cannot reveal anything you say to me, even in a court of law." "OK, let me finish what I was about to say...I thought if Mother had had Troy killed, she would be arrested, convicted and sent to some women's prison and I could live the life I wanted and be what I want to be...Father, again, I ask you not to take this the wrong way either, but, time and again, I've wanted to kill myself...just to get even...or get away from her." "Kendall, I never want you to think about doing that...I'm here for you and I'm on your side. Any time you feel this way...you come see me...Promise?" "I promise." "Kendall, I won't or can't go into details, but rest assured that Troy is not dead. Your mother didn't kill him, and as far as I know, she hasn't found him yet." "You know where he is, then?" "That I can't tell you, but take my word for it, he is safe." "Can you tell him I was worried about him and his safety?" "If I see him, I will tell him...now back to you and your happiness...What if I found some way to, well, let's not say 'blackmail', but some way to 'convince' your mother to let you become an acolyte?" "Oh, my gosh! Do you really think you could convince her?" he asked with enthusiastic hope. "Let me see what I can do." "Thanks, Father...now if you'd tell me how much penance I have to pay...then let me do it so I can hurry home before Mother finds out where I've been...She'll be hiring private detectives to follow me, next." <><><><><> At eleven A.M. High Mass, sitting in her private pew with Kendall, her son, but minus one usually here with her, Troy, was Kitty Marsden in her usual smiling arrogance. As Jason and Tony went about their acolytes' duties, Cliff watched Kendall out of the corner of his eye, as he viewed the two boys with admiration and envy. After Cliff gave the benediction, the choir sang the final hymn he had chosen: "In humble admonition, verity unseen, Which thy virtue hidest 'neath dark shadows mean; Lo, who can take a stand to rise up and be bold, For only then, we find the truth that's been untold." Except for Timmy and Rob, the voices in the choir were so discordant and warbly, it was enough to sour anyone's stomach before going home to Sunday lunch. Jesus! Cliff must put in a budget request to hire some singers! Cliff took his usual 'farewell' position by the church's big front doors to shake hands and exchange a few words with those seeking a 'goodbye' until their next mass. He smiled, nodded, he kissed cheeks...all except one... "Mrs. Marsden, could I see you for a moment after the rest of the congregation has left?" "Certainly, Father." she coyly replied. When the last car engine had started, Cliff closed the big doors to face Kitty Marsden and Kendall. "Kendall, would you mind waiting for your mother in your car? I need to have a few words in private with her." "Not at all, Father." he said with nervous anxiety. To him, this could mean his becoming an acolyte and he was eager to let the two adults talk, provided Cliff didn't 'spill the beans' and let his mom know he was in on the scheme. "Mrs. Marsden,.." Cliff began, "Please call me Kitty." she interrupted. "Very well then, Kitty,...while going through several records here at St. Genesius, I learned that you are one of our biggest financial contributors, for which we, and I, are truly grateful." "I've always tried to contribute whatever and whenever I could." "Thank you. .Since you have this reputation for being so generous, I would like to ask you for another contribution." "Whatever it is," she said, "I'm sure it can be arranged...Money has little importance to me." "I've been thinking about enlarging the 11:00 AM Sunday mass with more music and enhanced sections of this mass itself. If I do, I'm going to need some additional acolytes." "And I suppose you're going to need more money to provide them with robes and vestments?" "No, the robes I have...It's the boys I need....What I'm asking is that you 'donate' the services of Kendall." "ABSOLUTELY NOT! That is totally out of the question!!" "Now before you completely refuse me, would you mind telling me why not?" "It's just that Kendall does not do that sort of thing in public!" she stated firmly. " 'Does not' or 'is not allowed to' do those sorts of things?" "What are you implying. Father?" she said, her voice chilling audibly. "Well, let's say that I'm suggesting that Kendall might want to be an acolyte and you wouldn't allow him to do so." "Father, I'm afraid you don't know my son that well." "I would differ with you, Mrs. Marsden...'Kitty', I'm afraid, perhaps, YOU don't know your son that well." "I think I know my own son," Her tone frosted the air. "Well, if you did, you would know he's dreamed of becoming an acolyte for a long time. He's expressed to me, in private, that he wants to serve God better...and I'm sure you wouldn't stand in his way of seeking a more satisfying spirituality." "Kendall has spoken to you about this in private?" "Yes, and due to my vows of confidentiality, I cannot reveal all of his desires." "I'm somewhat taken back. I didn't know my son frequented the confessional booth." "And while I'm at it, I have learned, not through Kendall, but through another source that the young man who lives with you, Troy, is in debt to you for a large sum of money." "Father, I'm afraid you're overstepping your boundaries, invading territories outside the realm of your position." "Not when it concerns the welfare of my church constituents." "I have no idea what you are talking about." "I think you do. To continue, Kitty, if you, out of the goodness of your heart, will tell me the amount Troy owes you, I have an anonymous donor willing to pay you the full amount, with interest if necessary." "Then, I think your 'anonymous donor' should reveal himself and contact my lawyers." "If that's what it takes, I'm sure he'll be glad to, but I'm afraid there are a couple of codicils to the arrangement." "And they are...?" "First of all, when Troy's debt is paid in full, he can move out and no longer feel obligated to you in any way." "...And the second?" "Kendall will be allowed to start acolyte training with Tony and Jason." "Father, even if I agreed to your preposterous offer, I would never let Kendall associate with those two children." "Those two children are exactly who Kendall would like to be like." "I'm sorry, Father, but your requests are beyond my consideration." "Not if the truth were told about the conditions of Troy's financial arrangement with you involving--I hate to say it--a form of 'blackmail'?" "Father, your allegations disgust me!" "They ARE disgusting, if they ARE allegations...But if they're the truth, it's even MORE disgusting." "Tell me, Father!...Do you know where Troy is?" "Yes, I do." "And he's accused me of 'blackmail'?...What proof does he have?...Where are his witnesses?" "He had one witness who's willing to present proof." "And who, pray tell, is that?" "Your son, Kendall...I don't know how many others he has told, but your son is willing to tell everyone, even a jury, to get you to let Troy go, and for Kendall to have his freedom and do what HE wants to do with his life...and that includes becoming an acolyte and maybe even other things he dreams about when he's grown." "Since you know so much...what, for example?" "Why don't you ask Kendall, Kitty? Why don't you get to know your son as well as you think you do?" She didn't reply. She just gave Cliff a stern stare, trying as hard as she could to suppress a tear. "Father, if I agree to these things, what assurance do I have that I will not be involved in a scandal?" "You have my word as a man of God that I will see to it that neither Troy nor Kendall will ever reveal anything about the matter." "What do you think I should do?" "Just what I suggested. Give me a financial figure for Troy's debt balance and I'll see that you get your money as early as tomorrow. Secondly, I would like to see Kendall at acolyte rehearsal next Saturday morning at 10:00 AM...And third, I would like to see you in your usual pew next Sunday. I don't want you to seek membership elsewhere. You are too valuable to St. Genesius' church as a community leader, a benefactor, and as a faithful member and a child of God." "Father, if I have your word, tell your 'anonymous donor' that, as of this moment, Troy's debt is erased and the "donor" can give a large contribution to the church to use as you see fit." In spite of Kitty's generosity, Cliff couldn't help but marvel how she was always able to buy her way out of everything. 'Blessed are the rich...?' "And what about Kendall?" Cliff pressed, "I will talk things over with him and if he wants to be an acolyte, I'll make sure he's here next Saturday." "Kitty, may I suggest...don't YOU make sure he's here, let him decide on his own, and get here by himself." "All right, Father...Anything else?" "Just that...You will be here next Sunday, won't you?" "What?...And miss seeing my son being the star of the mass? I wouldn't miss it!" "Thank you, Kitty." "No, I guess I should thank you. I'm relieved with the idea that things are going to be all right." "Everything's going to be just fine." "Goodbye, Father Cliff." "Goodbye, Kitty,...I hope we can become great friends." "If I live through the conditions you put on your friendship..." After she had departed, Cliff began cutting off the lights and was locking all the doors when the phone in his study rang. "Hello?" Cliff answered. "Hey, babe. I was hoping I could catch you before you left." It was Roger and his voice rang with happiness. "I was just about to lock the side door and leave...Where are you?" "That's why I called. Guess who's being discharged from the hospital on Wednesday?" "Troy? You're kidding!" "Nope, and guess where he's going to live?" "I have no idea. But I have GREAT news. Tell Troy he's free from Kitty's claws. She agreed to accept your offer and guess what else?...I'm getting a new handsome fourteen year old acolyte!" "Jesus! What did you put in the chalice this morning? Kickapoo joy juice?" "No, I'd considered a Dixie cup of ptomaine, though...just for one." "You didn't answer me a few minutes ago...Where do you think Troy's going to be living?" "I said I didn't know." "What would you think if I converted the sun porch at the rectory into a bedroom, complete with a hospital bed and rehab equipment?" "I'm not sure, but my immediate reaction is...it's wonderful." "And it comes with a live-in nurse." "Damn! Another person, too?" "Nope. I talked the whole thing over with Jay and he wants to take care of Troy." "My God, you HAVE been busy this morning!!" "Well, what do you think of my idea?" "I think I love you more than ever, if that's possible...You ARE staying too, aren't you?" "I wouldn't dare leave you alone with two hunks...especially two hunks that are in love with you." "Rog, are you sure we can afford all this?" "I told you, babe, my grandfather left me zillions...Hell, I'll build a whole new wing on the house if you'd like!" "Two new boarders is enough for now, thank you...You stay there at the hospital and I'll come on over and we'll go somewhere for lunch." "Bad idea! We have to go home for lunch. Jay's expecting us. He's found this new way of cooking broccoli." "Good God, I hope he gets well soon before all our skins turn green!" <><><><><><><><> When Cliff went into Troy's hospital room, Troy's face was aglow. Roger was sitting in a chair next to the bed. He rose to greet Cliff and give him a quick "hello" kiss. After Cliff said a few words to Troy, "Did you tell him everything?" Cliff asked Roger quickly. "Not EVERYTHING!...I want him to have a few surprises." Roger replied. "He'll get quite a few surprises, living with Jay. We all have to keep our guard up around him. You never know what he's gonna do next!" Cliff added. "I can't wait to meet Jay," said Troy. "He sounds like a lot of fun!" "Troy, Roger tells me he's talked with you about your living arrangements once you're discharged from the hospital on Wednesday...Are you agreeable to this move?" "You know damned well I'm agreeable! Who wouldn't be? Roger told me what you did with Kitty. I can never thank you enough for that." "Just consider that I did my Christian duty as priest in bringing some peace to this world." "You've certainly brought peace to MY world." "I didn't exactly do it all alone. I had some help." "Oh? Who?" "Can we talk about this next Wednesday when he gets to his new home?" Roger said hurriedly, trying to change the subject. "I suppose we'll have time to talk about a lot of things, once he's moved in....Troy, about your clothes and stuff. Should I send someone over to the Marsden residence to pick them up?" "I haven't decided when or how to get my things yet. I only know I don't want to see her! Did you tell her where I am and what happened?" "No, Troy, if she finds out, it won't be my doing. I've told her, by my vows, I can't reveal secrets...and I'm sorry, even if I could, I wouldn't tell her." "You know she's been paying for everything. I have no money...no savings...no credit cards...nothing. I wanted you to know this before you went too far offering me your hospitality." Troy said, looking down with embarrassment. "Hey, big guy," Roger broke in, "Don't you worry about money. All we want you to concentrate on is getting well." "I'll do my best, but Father Cliff, Roger, I hope you won't mind if I ask who's going to pay for my stay at your house? I know damned well your salary at the church is not that big." "Now there you go again talking about money;" Roger said. "I told you to let us worry about that, not you." "Roger's right, Troy. Let's just say money is not a factor when it comes to getting you back on your feet and returned to a life of normalcy." "I know there's not much differences in our ages, but I suddenly feel I have a new set of parents." Troy said, raising his eyes to look at them, smiling. "That's a nice way to look at it, but if you're going to think of us as parents, there's more that goes with the territory." "Oh? Tell me!" "You're going to have a brother about your own age." "Who? Oh, you mean Jay?" "We mean Jay...We didn't adopt him, HE adopted US." "You've hinted about his being sick...Is he HIV positive?" "You'll find out the details later, but it's only fair to tell you now that Jay has full-blown AIDS with a short life expectancy. He's seeing a new physician who's trying a new experimental drug on him." "How's he doing?" "He's doing wonderfully. He's gaining weight. He skin has a great color back again and his energy level is higher than ours. Whatever is causing the change in him, I won't question it. It's almost like a miracle!" Cliff said. "Some people go into miraculous remission after everything else appears to have failed. Look at Greg Louganis! He had full AIDS and low t-cell count and he got on a new medical regimen, went into remission, and looks better that the rest of us." Troy offered. "Let's keep reminding Jay about Greg. Just looking at the progress Greg's made is therapeutic in itself." Roger added. "We just wanted to make sure you weren't afraid about the prospect of living, sharing, or eating with a person who'd been diagnosed with 'the Big A'." "No problem. I've been to HIV seminars and I know all the do's and don't's." "Great! I guess that's about everything---unless you have any questions, Troy?" "I have a few. What was Kitty's attitude when you mentioned my problem to her?" "I think she didn't want to say much, fearing I would learn too many details about her white slavery. She was more concerned about Kendall's sudden mutiny." "I wonder why the kid decided to become so brave?" "I think, after you were gone, he realized how lonely he is. He wanted friends his age, to be with, to do things with...And he saw how trapped you were under Kitty's rule and he saw he was a victim of the same entrapment and he decided to stand up and be counted for the first time in his life. I'm very proud of him and I'm looking forward to his first mass as an acolyte." "He's a sweet kid, but Kitty has fucked him up royally." Troy added. "Have either of you two seen the American version of 'Queer As Folk'?" "No" Cliff said, while Roger replied that he had. "Well, that kid that plays Justin...the one Sharon Gless calls, 'Sunshine'. reminds me of Kendall, every time I see him. Kendall and I always watched that on Sunday nights and I don't know if he was aware of his resemblance to the boy in the story." "Troy, I don't want to be rude, but Jay has prepared a luncheon feast for Roger and me, and if we're late and he has to re-heat everything, he's apt to cram the whole meal down the garbage disposal." "He wouldn't do that, really, would he?" Troy asked. "Wait until you move in with him Wednesday, and you'll see there's no way to exaggerate anything about Jay," "Sounds like you love him, in spite of....." "Both Roger and I do...You can't help but love him. He won't let you hate him...It's impossible." "Well, before the two of you leave, let me say, thank you. I don't know why you're doing all this for me, but you'll never know how much I appreciate it...and most of all...I love you both so very, very, much." Troy said. His sincerity was amply displayed by the tears rolling down his cheeks. "That's why we want you, Troy---we love you, too. We want you to know that you have a new family and we'll all be there for each other, as one unit." "That's the part I can't get over. Every time I think about being part of a family, it makes me warm inside...even the parts of me that have no feelings now." "Well, if you can survive Jay's nursing skills, all your inoperable parts should be working again in no time." They all laughed. "Bye, big guy, see you tomorrow." "Tomorrow." Troy replied. His face was shining with hope. <><><><><><><><> "I have known the bitter taste of sadness, I have fought some pretty hopeless fights. I have lived the loveliest of days and the loneliest of nights. We are not here for long, but there's time for a song and some wine. And as time runs away, I will look back and say that the goods things in life were all mine." Newley-Bricusse, 1973 <><><><><><><><> Monday morning, the rectory was buzzing with the sound of twenty-plus workers, sawing, hammering, mixing mortar, plastering, painting, and moving in a hospital bed, weights, dumbbells, a jogging machine, and anything else that Roger had thought necessary in redesigning the room to provide for Troy's recovery. Jay was beside himself. When he was not sizing up the workers' crotches, he was busy telling them what to do. He assumed the position of, as he called it, "cuntractor". The neighbors and the members of the congregation probably wound up in dire need of a chiropractor as a result of their 'rubbernecking' as they passed the house. Cliff managed Morning Prayer and his various church activities while calling home every hour to get a progress report on the reformation. When hearing about the outcome of Cliff's meeting with Kitty and the outlook of moving into more conducive surroundings, Troy's spirits were lifted immeasurably. And in between Cliff's moments of celebration, Cliff found time to offer prayers of Thanksgiving, for he had never been happier in his life. Wednesday morning finally arrived and the ambulance brought Troy to his new home. In all the days since his accident, Cliff realized Troy had never met Jay. All they knew about each other was what they had learned from Roger and him. Cliff prayed, 'Dear God, I hope they can and will get along!' It was like getting a 'mail order' roommate. Cliff assumed that everything would be copasetic, but there was always a chance that a mistake had been made...that is...until Jay and Troy met. "Troy," Cliff said, "I want to you meet Jay, the master of the manse." "At least you said, 'master', and not 'mistress'," Jay retorted. "Jay, this is Troy," Cliff said, "Dear God, no wonder the Spartans lost!" Jay replied as he gazed in wonder at the gorgeous man in front on him. "How are you?" "I...I'm fine," Troy said, offering his hand to Jay. "Fine. Yeah, that's what I always say when someone asks how I am. 'F', 'I', 'N', 'E'. That stands for 'fucked up', 'insecure', 'neurotic', and 'emotionally unstable'. I'm 'fine', just like you." Jay joked. Troy managed a small laugh. "Jay's just as you and Roger described him." "Jesus! Couldn't anyone wait for Troy to find out for himself before you and Roger started vicious rumors about me?" "I just thought Troy should be pre-warned," Cliff interposed. "Now, if it's all right, I'll leave the two of you alone to become better acquainted," Cliff said, then he looked at Troy, "you DID put on that chastity belt that I suggested, didn't you?" "All locked and girded!" Troy said, "but do you think I really need it?" "I'll let you find out for yourself!" Cliff joked as he left the room. Five minutes later, one would have thought Troy was Jay's long-lost lover, just returned from the war. TEN minutes later, Cliff heard Troy laughing out loud in the new bedroom at some of Jay's bizarre antics. It appeared the friendship would be good for both of them in their mutual time of need. Jay wasted no time in telling Troy about his illness, making sure Troy felt no fear being around him. Jay began asking Troy questions about the paralysis as he poked and probed Troy's lower half, inch by lovely inch. "Do you have any feeling here?" "Yes." Troy answered. "How about here?...and here?... here"?" "Yes....no....yes." "And how about this part here?" "Most definitely YES!" "Oh shit! I was hoping I'd have to spend extra time on restoring feeling there." "You can work on that part as long as you like. I won't object." Roger and Cliff had been listening to the conversation from the hallway outside the new bedroom and laughed out loud. 'Nurse Ratched' was on a tear. At this rate, Troy would not only be walking again, he'd be running to get away from the happy "prodder". "What are your favorite foods?" Jay asked Troy. "I wanna fix you something special." "I like just about everything except broccoli. It gives me gas and the runs." "Well, that's one way to get you to exercise!" Jay joked. Roger and Cliff walked in to join them. "How are you two doing?" Cliff asked, as if he didn't know. "Fine," Jay exclaimed. "We've decided on a June wedding with a high mass at the church with the Trocadero Corps de Ballet as bridesmaids and Chippendale dancers as groomsmen. That's as much as we've planned---so far!" "Father Cliff, where did you find this lunatic?" Troy laughed, "He cruised me by a lake one afternoon, he followed me home and instead of having sex, he baked me some tea biscuits. I haven't been able to get rid of him since." "Ha! Ha! Just wait'll I get behind you on that rowing contraption and you'll find out whom you're calling a lunatic." "You sure it will fit two of us on it? I only see one seat." Troy joked at Jay. "The way I see it, it will seat two nicely, thank you very much." "I can't wait for that!" "Troy, would you like to rest a bit before dinner?" "I would love it, Father Cliff." "Would you please stop all this 'Father Cliff' formality? It's just plain ole 'Cliff'. We're all part of one big family now." "Sorry, I keep forgetting! Cliff?...Roger?" He sighed deeply before speaking again. "I want to thank you for my new life." "Let's don't get maudlin during this spirit of mirth...You can thank us, years from now." said Roger. They all left Troy in his new digs but not before Jay rendered a terrible Schwarzenegger impression of "I'll be bock..." to Troy. As soon as the three of them were outside in the hallway, they looked at each other and gave a 'thumbs up' on Troy's indoctrination. As they got halfway into the kitchen to start supper, the doorbell rang. Cliff opened the door and was greeted with, "Hello, Father Cliff.". It was Kendall. "I know Troy is here. Do you think he'll see me?" "Kendall, we've just left him to take a nap." "What I have to say will only take a moment." he pleaded. "On one condition. You've got to promise me on the vows of a 'priest-to-be', that you won't say anything to upset him...You promise?" "Yessir, I promise." Cliff knocked first, then went in to tell Troy about his visitor. Troy agreed to see him, for he had gotten along well with Kendall as long as the wicked witch wasn't around. Cliff showed Kendall into the bedroom. In case either of them said anything to which he might later need a witness, Cliff stayed within ear's reach. "Hi, Troy." "Hi, Kendall. Come sit on the side of my bed where we can talk better." "Thanks...You know why I'm here, don't you?" "I have a pretty good idea, but I'd better hear what you have to say." "I'm sorry, Troy... truly, deeply, terribly, very, very, very sorry," "Apology accepted." "Just like that?" "Just like that!" "No hard feelings?" "No hard feelings...If anything, I owe you a world of thanks, Kendall." "For what?" "For stepping forward and helping me gain my freedom." "I got mine, too," "So I heard," Troy said, smiling with pleasure. "What made you come forward to set things right?" "I don't know...I guess Father Cliff had a lot to do with it," "Oh?.. I see he's gotten to you, too." "He's gotten to a lot of us, Troy. For the first time in my life, I'm thinking for myself...making my own decisions....Did you hear I'm gonna be an acolyte?" "Yes. Congratulations. You'll make a fine one, I know." "Did Father Cliff tell you about my long-range plan?" "No. He only tells me what I need to know." "I wanna be a priest...like him." "That's great, Kendall. You couldn't find a better role model." "I know...He's my friend. He's promised to help me." "Same here," Troy said, "He's my friend, too." "I want us to be friends, Troy, you and me, if you can ever find it in your heart to forgive me." "We just took care of that a minute ago. Kendall, I know that what happened was not your fault. I knew that all along, but your mother had you under her power and her spell, too. You couldn't help yourself any more than I could." "I did enjoy our times in bed." "I suppose I did too, once I got used to it," "How do you feel now? Do you still like men, even though you're not forced to do so?" "I guess I always preferred having sex with a male. I just didn't realize it until I started making love to you." "Is that what you were doing?...Making love?...Not just having sex?" "Kendall, it's almost impossible to just have sex without there being an element of love involved." "After all that happened, can you still say you love ME?" "Yes, I still love you. I'm not IN love with you." "There's a difference?" "A big one...You'll learn all about it when you get older." "I told Father Cliff I would only stay a minute, so I guess I'd better be going. I don't want to break a rule, so I can get to come back and see you again," "Kendall, come closer." To the eavesdroppers in the hall, there was a long pause of silence, then Kendall's voice :"You kissed me...Why did you do that?" "So you won't forget to come back to see me." "You mean that? Really? You don't mind if I come back?" "I'm looking forward to it...Now, scat!!" Kendall turned to leave, then stopped. "One more thing before I go..." "What?" "From now on, would you call me 'Ken', not 'Kendall'?" "Sure...good night, 'Ken'." "...night, Troy." Kendall went out the front door, happy as a lark and...got on his BIKE?...The kid was riding a BICYCLE??? Would wonders never cease? "Cliff," Troy called. "You might as well come on in. I know you've been standing outside the door, listening to every word Kendall and I had to say." "Sorry if we eavesdropped." "That's OK. I don't mind if you heard." "You handled that very well, Troy." "Thanks...He's basically a good kid. It's just too bad he didn't have a 'Father Cliff' to guide him while he was growing up. For that matter, I wish I'd had one, too." "Well, you're all grown up now and you've got me. What do you have to say about that?" "Cliff, I owe my life to you. I don't mind confessing I'm IN love with you and I think I feel the same way about Roger." "Roger and I are like one person...We've been like that since we were kids." "I envy him. I'll never have anyone in my life like that." "Yes, you will. You'll find the one person that's meant just for you." "I hope so..." "Now, why don't you get some rest before we eat...and I promise there'll be no more intrusions or interruptions." Cliff left the room quietly and closed the door, <><><><><><> Their very first family dinner with just the four of them! It was fantastic! They celebrated with joy, thanksgiving---and Broccoli Moderne, Jay's latest concoction. They wined, they dined, and they got to know one another better until bedtime. Jay wheeled Troy into the bedroom and Roger, who was not at all tired, went over and selected a DVD for Cliff and him to watch. He chose "The Sum of Us", an Australian film in which Russell Crowe portrayed the gay son of an understanding father, played by Jack Thompson. Russell showed his naked butt and proved he wasn't afraid to kiss and make love with another man in bed. It must've been a challenge for the masculine hunk, but his performance showed no sign of lack of ease. Meanwhile, Jay stayed in Troy's room and stayed and stayed and stayed until Cliff's curiosity got the best of him and he slipped down the hall to listen outside the door. This spot was becoming very familiar to Cliff. Through the door, Cliff heard Jay asking Troy..."...so your penis is not paralyzed?" "No, thank God, everything in that department is in fine working order?" "Do you mind if I get nosy and ask if you've 'gotten off' since you were admitted to the hospital?" "Not once." Troy answered. "You must be pretty horny, huh?" "Pretty horny, yes." "Would you be afraid if I tried to get you off?" "Afraid of what?" "Of my giving you AIDS." "Jay, this is the 21st century. I am gay and I AM educated. I know all about safe-sex and I'm not at all worried about getting infected by you." "Christ! Where've you been the last ten years of my life?" "It doesn't matter. I'm in your life now...and you're in mine...and we're in Cliff's and Roger's lives." "So you wouldn't object to having a little 'safe-sex'?" "Not as long as we're both protected. Don't forget, Jay, you're in as much danger catching something from me as I am from you...Do you have any condoms?" "YOU do. You've got a whole drawer full! I put them there, just in case---and hopefully." "In case of what?" "In case you had a lot of overnight visitors." "Like who?" "Oh, I don't know, just the usual Epiphany,...three wise men, maybe?" "Jay, you are so funny, You make me laugh like I haven't laughed in a long time. I love being with you." "And I love being with you...Now could we both put on condoms and love being with each other in bed?" "Sounds like a winner!" "Whose wiener? Yours or mine? What does a wiener sound like anyway?" "My wiener, you idiot." "Hand-job or blow-job?" Jay asked, blatantly. "Is this going to be a regular hitch or a one-night stand?" "It depends on how I exciting I find you naked." Jay, teasingly, looked miffed, "Well, let's see if you can put your mouth where it's never been, if there IS such a place!" "All right, let's drop your drawers. Your shorts sorta put a strain on things. I just hate trying to drink those nasty body fluids through a cotton sieve" "Fine, but you'll have to help me undress." "I've been known in my life to help a few men pull down their pants." "But only in jest, huh?" Troy quipped. "Before we begin,...whether it's just tonight or every night...both of us promise to wear double-condoms for each other's safety...no questions asked." "Agreed...Now slide a double layer of latex on me and we'll see if this is only going to be a one-night stand," Troy vamped. "Sorry for the pun, but you certainly are pretty cock-sure of yourself for a cripple." "Many have tried, but few...." "Let me win this one for the gipper--or will that be zipper?." For the next two minutes, Jay made all kinds of audible sex noises, while Troy was laughing out loud at him. "You think that's funny, do you?" Jay snapped. "Your turn is next!." "Hey, my turn wasn't over yet!" "Who said it was? You know the cook always serves an appetizer before the entrée." Jay retorted. "Soup to nuts, huh?" "Well, that's one way of looking at it!" Cliff stood there listening as the two of them traded barbs and jibes, interrupted occasionally by the sounds of sexual delight. Maybe it wasn't lovemaking in the truest sense of the word, but it did sound like clean, funny, safe-sex. Cliff went back into the living room for the conclusion of the movie. He was hoping that the sight of a naked Russell Crowe having anal sex with a guy would turn Roger on and, in turn, enhance their evening of lovemaking yet to come. Listening to Jay and Troy hadn't exactly made Cliff horny, for all he needed to get excited was fifteen seconds in bed with Roger, "What are the boys doing?" Roger asked, when Cliff returned. "Playing 'doctor', I think." Cliff said, very nonchalantly. "What?" "At the moment, Jay is either taking Troy's temperature with a rectal thermometer or he's preparing to give him a homemade enema." "Are you serious? Well, God damn!" "Well, we were taught to preach that the Lord moves in mysterious ways." "Yeah, but this almost borders on being macabre, not mysterious." "What did you think of the movie?" "Well, if all Australians look like Russell Crowe, I don't wonder why so many people go 'down under'." "Want to go on a 'down-under' expedition in our bedroom?" Cliff asked..."And don't lose that hard-on that watching Russell Crowe gave you. I have extensive plans for it." "It's all yers, mate." Roger jumped up pretending to be stiff-legged, sporting a three foot long erection and began chasing Cliff around the room when the phone rang, unexpectedly. "Now, what?" Cliff screamed at the phone, then picked it up and said,...."Hello?...Yes, this is Father Cliff, how may I help you?...You're who?...Where?...When?...Well, who told you to call me?...Who?...What happened?... Would you repeat that, slowly?...Oh, my God, NO!...NO!...I'll be right there." "What's wrong, Cliff?" "That was a nurse from People's General Hospital...It seems that, on his way home from here, Kendall was riding his bicycle and was accidentally run over by a truck!" "Oh, my God!! Is he all right?." "The nurse doesn't know how he is. The surgeons are still operating on him." "Jesus God!! What's next?!!!" <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> (To be continued in "Briarwood" Book One-chapter eight)