Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 13:13:47 -0500 From: paul paris Subject: The Amusement Arcade. Part 5 This story comes from my imagination. It is fiction. The characters are different as are the places to protect the people who may think that they are involved in this story someway. The mission of this is to bring as close as possible to you part of the life that could have happened. I have the copyright to this and all other stories written by me so if you wish to use this then please ask. This will include all fee-paying sites. The story of a relationship between a man and a boy is in most countries against the law so do please check to protect yourself. Does love really exist? This story I hope will go some way into answering that question. The Amusement Arcade. Part 5 24 Hours before school. I had met my accountant. He took my orders but questioned my sanity. I had taken over a closing Arcade so that meant I Had the whole sea front. I had a good builder who did exactly as I asked. The accountant using the brains that I did not have said I could save money by knocking all the arcades together. This would then become one with a new start. ""I part tax instead of 1 for each shop. I estimate that it will save you 22% growth over the year and profit increase 0f almost 30%. For each arcade you need a gaming licence at $75 per arcade. With all becoming one you need just one licence for a larger premises. Now let me look, ah yes that would be $250 a saving of $200 plus which would be a good start to the Traders licence. All in all you will be something like $1000 better off each year. By using just part of the Arcade to sell buckets and spades, Rock and all the sweet stuff then the Tax ratio will be reduced by almost 70%. Right after telling you that I can see you are not interested in what we are talking about so let talk about what's on your mind." Peter was one hell of a good man. He could save money for his clients yet got angry when you offered him a bonus for good work. Like many things the Doctors had a Hippocratic oath, what ever you say to a solicitor was between you and hi, Accountants were the same. I could have walked in this morning to ask him to take $500 of 50 pence pieces to the laundrette then bring them back. Oh what the hell, that my limit of laundering. But he was paid well and was sworn to secrecy. He had to sign a form that was in my Solicitors hands. I blurted it out. Peter was a good accountant but a terrible person to talk to. "Mr Daniels, so you lost your heart to a boy. I assume that this is mutual. You sound like a friend of mine who brought a new car then worried because he stared to think about new models or a different colour. I have the records set up for the school so I am anticipating that no matter what I can say that you are given him the chance of a good education as well as a good life I will again assume." "Do you Peter think it wise to contribute to the mother's income, after all I am taking her son from her?" Stop. You love him, you're not out to buy him, or are you? I cannot beat around the bush. Is he a prostitute?" "No Peter he is the most wonderful thing ever to happen to me. What makes this different is his mother accepts the situation. She in facts encourages Brian, that's his name, to do as he feels. We have spoken about this the mother and I. She lets him stay at my house. I was like a giddy school girl the first night." "No, stop. The least I know the better. I have been with my love for 6 years. We are very happy. Things had to change so people believe that he is my brother." Peter. We have worked together for 5 years and I did not know you liked boys." Peter smiled. "Is that not the right way of behaving? If a compatriot cannot see I am a boy lover then who else would be looking. He is 14 now. It started when he was eight. It might help if the two boys got together. Swap ideas. I was feeling very strange. I had never thought about going to work and telling someone that you had a boy as your lover. Yet here we both were doing just that and thinking nothing of it. "Pity the boy is not your son because the tax returns on children these days are very good." "Is that all you think of Peter?" "No, but I assume that you do not want to hear about the mess we got in at the table last night." He was right, I did not. "Take this. I made up a booklet for some disconcerting friends. It talks about future actions. There are also 3 solicitors who can be called upon 24 hours a day if the legal department pay you a visit. When do you next see your delightful young man?" "Well he works for me and that's how it all started." "Miss Pierce, Mr Daniels car is outside. Would you ask the driver to collect Brian and bring him hear." I smiled. "Peter he is in the car already." A quick change of requests and I asked Peter what he was doing. He answered but protecting my interests was not what I expected. Brian came bounding in and not seeing Peter he headed straight for me. I was covered not only by his body but kisses. Peter coughed. "Oh I am sorry sir. Uncle has taken me out for the day. Its my way of saying thank you." "Brian that's so sweet. Did you dress up like that today? I hope you do not mind but I think you look very sexy. I wonder if I might have a word with you while your Uncle goes to the painters next door. Its for his new Arcade you know." "Peter what all this." "Oh Mr Daniels go do your job I wont take long. Brian will be quite safe. He is safer than all the money you have, that I look after." That was safe. I asked Brian, did he mind, to which forgetting we were holding hands he replied, "If anyone touches me I will call the police. I am yours." Peter laughed out loud when I got up to leave. "Brian I am very aware that you and Uncle are an item. You both love each other so I am very happy for you both." Brian forced his face across the desk. "You open that fat mouth again and I will hit it." Peter loved the boy's reaction. Brian I have a boy just a bit older than you who I love so there is no need to be frightened. I just want to ask one thing, how do you know its true love because there are some beautiful girls just looking for a boy like you?" "Sir I am not sure if I am allowed to talk about such things." Peter sat up and passed a sweet to Brian. "Have you ever passed a cake shop then seen the cake you must have. You go into the shop and a customer buys the item leaving you so unfulfilled?" Peter said no with a nod. "Well That's what it was like except both Uncle and I were to scared at first to buy the cake when given the chance. I suppose you could say that we tasted the cream before buying the whole thing yet that never mattered. He is sending me to a new school, buying me clothes, anything I want. He took me to dinner then to a tall building to see a show." Peter jumped in. "Caroline's very nice place I take Bertie there when I can." Brian leaned back. "The material things he has given me are nothing compared to the love I was looking for. We have yet made a date for the Honeymoon but I can say, we did, just like the cake get to have a taste." "Brian you are the most sensational young boy I have ever met. If I had not got a boy then." "Sir do not say what you were going to say. Uncle is my man. Not another can surpass him. I am to young for hair but every time I am close to him I can feel him pull at it through his magnetic charm." Peter coughed; He was stuck because no words could reply to the statement Brian made. "Well Brian might I make a suggestion?" Brian small frame did take a chance and walked closer to Peter. "I want you to promise me that no matter what happens you will never hurt your Uncle? If you fight or argue, it will happen, make it better before you go to bed. I have this, which I assume is yours. This card will give you pocket money when you are at school. Try not to loose it." Brian sat back down. "Why does he do this sir? His love is all I have every wanted." Brian watched as Peter cried. He explained how beautiful sayings did that to him. Nathan came in to what was a strange situation. Peter crying, Brian sad but both were happy. "Well I think we better go Brian." For the first time in 5 years Peter and Nathan hugged. Like long lost friends finding each other. It took all his composure for Peter to gather himself before the words "Next" came echoing through the corridor. It was almost lunchtime when they left. Red was there to take them to the next place. Mary was spotted across the road with Caroline. "Mum." We all said our hellos while Caroline said that she was here to give Mary the support needed to sign the divorce papers. When it was done, she will have begun a new life. Her former husband would have no claim what so ever on her or the children. By going abroad he would loose his custody right's also any future monies earned by her. Mary had got this all in control. I did feel strange. I would have got my solicitors on this and Mary would have got the best. Well I suppose she had to do things her way. "Before we go, I got this letter today. You better read it." It was brief and to the point. Brian was to begin school a week later. Instead of the 4th he was to arrive on the morning of the 14th. The entrance list was made incorrectly. "Madam This is our fault but I think Brian would be happy at home when his birthday comes. This being the 8th. You are welcome to visit the school at any time to judge his work. Call me the day before. James Potter Housemaster. I passed the letter back I saw Caroline talking to Mary so our further meeting did not last. Mary gave Brian a hug that was longer than usual. I thought of a nice meal but Brian I forgot was still a boy with a Childs habits. "Burger's" Well the bench at the park after the drive in was the choice. I said I had one last job to do for work so Red would meet me in about 1 hour. The smiling face waving through the back window made me wait till the car disappeared. "Red do you know Nathan well?" Red opened the window fully. "I have known him for 7 years. He is very special." Brian leaned forwards going to talk to Red but hoping no one would hear him. "Did you know Red that I am just like him?" Red laughed. "Brian it's best I do not know things like that. I know he has never found a friend who he can share his life with. After the other night I think I guessed that you and he were a couple. I love working for happy people. Now here we are, what would you like?" Between them they both had a good pile of junk food, filling the gaps that food of this kind could always fill. They met up again just were they parted. Red drove home to Brian's then left after making sure his mother was at home. Red was very angry with me. "You could have told Brian. I am sure that you could have arranged something for his birthday. So you have your boy, he told me that, you are getting him the best education, He almost works for you and stays sometimes. His birthday is the same as yours. I can feel your heartache that you cannot tell anyone. I would say that his mother knows. You have her blessing because its what Brian wants and needs. Well I am only your driver so what do I know." I patted Red's shoulder. He was my most trusted friend. He knew my feeling but knew I vowed never to become involved with a boy. I would not have a boy in the car or house just in case. Red was witness to all those lies. It was Brian who became the part of the lie that I could not hide. That evening I sat alone. Even cheese on toast was very plain. Brian called several time beginning each call with, "I do miss you." I do not know about you, I thought phones were for catching up on things that were missed at a face-to-face calls. Family members who had just found their brother or sisters number after a year. Brian and I spoke about nothing. A complete mixture, this added up to nothing in particular. I believe it was the voice that satisfied the person at the other end of the line. The whole days trip rested on the fact that I had perfect eyesight. "Did you see that blue lorry with yellow wheels?" No but what if I had. I loved to hear him. His clear voice seemed just outside. Could have been me but I started to feel the sensation of missing him. Before one speech had finished another seemingly pointless piece of chatter would come my way. I did know his mum must have said, "Do not be long." His face kept turning from the mouthpiece so his voice went quiet yet still hypnotic with the wildest thought he had saved to talk about over the phone. It was Pam's voice that brought things to a stop when she had been told to get Brian for tea. He did go but the whisper said, "I love you." When he put down the phone. I knew that tonight was going to be a long one so wrapped up the extra school things I had purchased. I did not have flash paper but I did have plain. Every piece of tape had my love, every card had the same. At the end I had a drink but still felt unhappy. I called Caroline who said that she was coming to see me. I opened a good bottle of wine to let it breath. Caroline was there for one reason. "Brian's birthday, what have you got in mind?" I was completely blank. He could have had the world but I had to be logical. Caroline suggested a party at the tower. I was not sure. "His mum will be there and I am not sure that the atmosphere would be the right style for her." "Can I be honest with you for once?" Did I have a choice? "Mary and I have spoken about you. I had to be the concerned adult when she told me that her son was in love with a man. Even after she told me that you both had her blessing I told her that she must know what she was doing." I looked at her with a glass shaking while she poured the wine. "For some time, if I had been given the chance I would have made a move for you myself. It was a customer who told me you were gay. I watched you and Brian. I watched a perfect couple. A blind person just had to listen to you both and it would have been so clear. Now then, what say I close up one side and I set up the biggest birthday bash The Tower has ever seen? I thought for a long time. "Nathan you have not told him have you? Your birthday falls on the same day as his. What so bad about celebrating together? Men and boys are not my kind of thing but I trust you and I like Brian a great deal. By closing off part of the Tower you can have a great party. How about you let me do this for you?" "Caroline you give Brian a party to remember but I do not have birthdays now I am to old. I will cover the cost just send me the bill." Anyone else would have lost a friendship that night. Caroline wanted to do this and I said the wrong thing. We did make up after a few more glasses. She called Mary to explain what was going to happen. She asked Mary to help with the setting up so all was agreed. I loaded the gift I had wrapped into Caroline's car I promised to be there. I said that Red would collect Mary and the children telling Brian I would meet later when in fact I would be there. I finished the wine and staggered side to side in the shower, I was so unhappy being alone but I knew that if I went to sleep quickly enough then it would be the time I saw Brian in the morning. Comments to Shaksbeer@ureach.com Part 6 from eleven to twelve to follow. Flames ignored and extinguished.