An Uncommonly Good Man 20

The Journal of Julian Corsair,

An Uncommonly Good Man

Julian Corsair – Chapter Twenty– "The happy combination of fortuitous circumstances." – (Sir Walter Scott)

Pauley laid the journal aside, questions on his mind, but not on his lips for he feared what the answer might be, I thought. I could see the struggle internalized in him by the look on his face and was about to broach the unmentioned subject when Ben, in either his youthful innocence, ignorance or curiosity, asked, "Matt, did Dr. Corsair ever – well you know," and made the oft-times recognizable signal for fucking by forming a circle with his thumb and forefinger with one hand and jabbing the forefinger of the other in and out of the circle with rapidity, "with you?"

I shook my head back and forth while answering, "No, never; in fact, he made no attempt to bed me the entire time I lived with him or even hinted that he wanted to. This is as much of a surprise to me as to you. I understood he was basically a bottom and really preferred much older men."

"Any port in a storm," added Pauley. "Let's go to bed."

I quietly agreed while Ben grinned, waggled his eyebrows lecherously, knowing full well what his uncle's intentions were once we went to bed.

The beginning of the new school year was less than three weeks away and although Pauley, Ben, and I hadn't discussed Ben's future living arrangements, I had a general idea what they both wanted, especially Ben, so I made a trip to town to visit with Ben's mom and dad, Hugh and Kathy, with an offer, if they were willing, to let Ben stay with us during the school year. It certainly would relieve the crowded conditions in Hugh's house. It's not as if they don't see Ben quite often; he usually drops by the house at least every other day and Hugh often stops by here just as often.

Hugh's day off coincided with my visit. As we discussed a possible living arrangement for Ben, both Hugh and Kathy apologized profusely for their small house with such a lack of space for their family and for putting Pauley and me at such an inconvenience. I repeatedly assured them it was no inconvenience and if Pauley and I weren't amenable to such an arrangement, we wouldn't have made the offer.

As our discussion concerning Ben was winding down, gaining their approval for his new residency, Kathy stated wistfully, "I'm happy he's moving in with you and Paul; you'll be good role models for him."

I raised my eyebrows in silent questioning of her remarks!

"Oh," Kathy acknowledged, "Hugh and I have watched him struggle with his sexual identity and preferences, only hoping someday he'd come to grips with it before something terrible would happen."

"There's so many intolerant people in the world, especially here in the north," added Hugh. "I often worry about his safety if he'd openly declare his gay side at school."

"Not to mention the terrible diseases," Kathy interjected, "from chance encounters or something. There is so much he needs to know living as a gay man in this world and I think you and Paul can help him."

There wasn't much more Pauley and I could provide except to express our concern against unprotected sex with strangers or with friends until commitment and testing occurred. As far as bullies or thugs were concerned, all we could do would be to offer to him those strategies both Pauley and I used when faced with stupidity. Most of all, we could offer him our support and love, helping him cope and adjust, certain he'd always have a safe harbor to return to very much like Julian Corsair provided for me.

My thoughts of Dr. J. caused me to change the subject. "Hugh, your dad has relayed to me some of how your family became acquainted with John Andrews and Julian Corsair. I understand Tom's god-father was Dr. Andrews."

"So was Paul's," commented Hugh.

"He was; how so?"

Hugh thought a moment before responding. "Dad's been a shareholder in the bank about fifteen years, after Dr. John died," pausing, pondering, then continuing, "Paul will be twenty-five September 16, so twenty-five years ago. When he was born, Dr. John and Dr. Corsair were up at the lake and Dad asked if he wouldn't be Paul's god-father and he agreed. After that, Paul would ride his bike out to the `resort' a couple of times per week when Dr. John and Dr. Corsair were up."

What a sly fox Paul was turning out to be; the entire time we've been reading the journal, he's not said one word about knowing Dr. Corsair or his relationship with Dr. John and Dr. J. Perhaps he was curious to see if he was mentioned in the journal before revealing it to me.

Paul is the only one of the seven children who has two middle names," Kathy offered. "Tom does also, but none of his children except for Paul."

"Actually, Paul has three," interrupted Hugh.

"I didn't know that," she stated.

"Paolo Alistair Robert Lester La Pont," continued Hugh. "Paolo is Momma's choice, Lester after our grandfather, Alistair after a great-grandfather, long deceased, and Robert after a Dr. John's middle name.

"That's interesting," I murmured, with a feigned indifference, but politeness, and probed a little more.

"Are your grandparents still living, Hugh?"

"Only Grandma Evelyn; Grandpa died before any of us were born. He was quite a bit older than Grandma. She's got to be over seventy by now, I should think. I just don't remember. She usually comes down for a visit about once a year. She still has two brothers alive in England, I think. When Dad came down here to live, she was well pleased since there was work and he was with his god-father."

By then, it was crowding eleven o'clock and I'd promised Pauley and Ben I'd bring lunch out for them, so I made my farewell, hastened out to the property they were tending to, checking the ice chest to make certain everything I'd prepared was fit to eat, and joined them for a very nice luncheon. They hoped to be done early, Pauley thought, around three or four that afternoon. Lunch any time with Pauley is always the highlight of my day! When I look at him, I often ask myself how could I've been so lucky to find someone who seemed to love me as much as I loved him?

Sitting at home, with the afternoon sunlight glimmering off of the placid lake surface, casting twinkling, sparkling rays of reflected light onto the porch, waiting for Pauley and Ben to arrive after work, I contemplated what was revealed to me, in reference to Ben, this day and my deductions from the inferred information and my previous knowledge of the La Pont Family and Dr. Andrews and Dr. J.

Ben living with us would be no problem! His parents were definitely in favor of it and, probably the most important to Ben, his parents were fully aware he was gay and, although not really approving, but not disapproving, were completely supportive of him and his life style. This was great; I'd think there are many parents of gay and lesbian children who, although nominally disappointed there might be no grandchildren and fearful of the consequences for their children in our society, still love and support their children. There are others who are outright homophobic, making life miserable for the child, and are either unwilling or unable to accept them as they are. It'd do Ben a world of good to know this and speak freely with his parents about his life-style and sexual preference.

I was almost certain, from what I knew and what I deduced from the gleaned information obtained during my conversation with Tom and Hugh, Pauley was the great-grandson of Geoffrey Alistair Bentley-Hughes mentioned by Julian in his journal; yet, if he knew it, he was also reluctant to acknowledge the same. Perhaps he had no previous knowledge of it. Pauley also had Dr. Andrews as his god-father and carried his name as another "middle" name as well. I also assumed, only basing my information on what Hugh told me, Tom inherited some, but not all of, Dr. Andrew's bank shares; how many, I wasn't certain, but I knew it wasn't all of the seventeen original shares Dr. Andrew held. That much information I'd gathered at the bank concerning my discussion with Darnell. The other brilliant deduction (I hope) I came up with was Pauley was another holder of bank shares, but those were being held in trust until Pauley reached the age of twenty-five. My reasoning was based purely on historical speculation. Dr. Andrews was from that generation who felt young people should be given the opportunity to mature before entrusting them with any wealth what-so-ever. I was willing to bet between Tom and Pauley, they held the entirety of the seventeen shares. I was also certain Pauley had no idea of this inheritance, but would find out in September.

All these conclusions and thoughts, save the decision on Ben's residency, I held in my heart, waiting for that appropriate moment for them to be released. A keeper of secrets I'd been in my youth, living off of the streets, and a keeper of secrets I remained now, letting others speak the first words on their own behalf or on their personal, intimate discoveries or details. It wasn't for me to betray any trusts or observations which I felt better off left undescribed and unsaid.

Ben was delighted, when they arrived home, hearing the news! Pauley hugged him, winked at me, and I welcomed Ben, again, into our household.

"Now," he declared, "wouldn't it just be great if you, Matt, and Uncle Paul got married," hugging me. He suddenly became quiet, realizing he may have spoken out of turn, and offered, "I'm sorry, I just thought since, you know, you two seem to love each other so much, you would get ..." and stammered to a halt, face red with embarrassment, wondering if we'd even considered such a union.

"Let's have supper and then read a while," Pauley stated rather stiffly, avoiding further comment on Ben's outburst either during the meal or as we settled in the living room to read, leaving me wondering and in a quandary concerning our relationship. I'd marry him in a heartbeat, but he never asked.

Completing my master's degree and pursuing my PhD occupied the next year or so of my very busy life. Periodic visits by Peter and Harley tended to relax me, but the tonic they served was only a temporary relief. I was fortunate to have a fantastic advisor and a great committee for my course work and my dissertation. My orals (oral examination of the premises and conclusions of the research contained in the dissertation) before the committee was not without trial, but overall successful, leading them to recommend the awarding of my degree.

Miss Harrison, although quite frail, attended the ceremony in the spring. Her pride in my achievement was evident in the joy expressed on her face when my name was read. Unfortunately, that was the last joyous occasion I spent with her. Within a fortnight, she exited this earth as quietly as an early morning dawn rising and warming a country meadow; it's very presence bringing life, beauty, and strength to all living things. With her death, I lost not only a friend, a grandmother figure and mother figure, but my home since her nephew inherited the house and I had to move what few items I still had there out. My big, thick dictionary and Shakespeare book were packed with care. They'd served me well!

During the spring semester, before I graduated, the "Lucky Lads" working at the University encouraged me to apply for an instructional position open with Wisconsin State College-La Crosse (becoming Wisconsin State University-La Crosse and later, in 1971, becoming University of Wisconsin- La Crosse) in Economics. There'd be additional responsibilities, such as teaching a class in money and banking as well as serving as an advisor to a number of freshman students. I was thrilled when I received the appointment; I was on my way to another part of the state and a new life, teaching at the college level. I'd start as an instructor, but if all went well, I'd be on tenure track, then tenure, and eventually full professorship. The school was small, but according to the "Lucky Lads" and my own intuition, destined to grow because of its location and the opportunities in the La Crosse area. The opportunities to tenure in my position should be easier to obtain and, eventually, it was.

My arrival in La Crosse, that beautiful city in western Wisconsin, resting quietly, it would seem, on the banks of the Father of Waters, the Mississippi River, was not a quiet river town as one would imagine at first glance. The city was vibrant, growing, a medical center with two hospitals, a growing private medical clinic, Wisconsin State College-La Crosse and Viterbo College, a thriving business district, and a solid industrial base. Of course, the brewery there added just a touch of pleasure for the slacking of thirst on a hot day. This move was quite eventful for me, but my arrival caused not a ripple upon the waters of life as far as others were concerned.

I found a small apartment, moved in, and reported to the Dean who oversaw the Economics Department and was sent to the Department Head to receive my class assignments in for the fall term. As a junior staff member, I was assigned two section of Econ 101, one section of Econ 102, and an introductory Money and Banking class. I looked forward to the Money and Banking class since Dr. Arnold had spent so much time with me concerning investments and the monetary system. Eventually, I would teach classes in financial management and investment management. There was no doubt, in my mind, I'd be busy!

July and August were spent preparing my syllabuses, lecture notes, recommended reading lists, reading through textbooks, preparing assignments, and becoming familiar with the University course guidelines established for my classes. Fortunately, there were others in the department and college who were available for guidance and assistance. For that I was very grateful. The veteran staff made me feel more than welcome and made my transition from student to instructor so much easier. I seemed to be blessed with good-hearted and extremely intelligent mentors to assist me as I step off into each new adventure in life.

Although I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, the fall term started well or as Geoffrey would've said, "swimmingly, Old Chap!" My first lecture went well, but when I first stepped behind the lectern, I was shaking like a dog shitting razor blades. In the midst of people, I still felt lonely. I missed Geoffrey's gentleness and kindly manner, knowing full well he wasn't gay but bi and just lonely when we met back in Prairie du Sac; Dr. Arnold, for his guidance and investment strategies, and of course, Miss Harrison. Of all of the men I'd bedded over the years, the only two I ever really fell in love with and loved to this day, was Eddie and the Captain. I was certain they were both long gone, but I still had Darnell as my best friend and ventured over to his farm once just before school started. He sent home frozen meat and veggies with me, since, as he stated, "you're so fucking skinny Julian, I can spit on your chest and your back gets wet."

At the end of the first month of the fall term, having devoted almost all of my time outside of class in preparation, correcting tests, and altering my lecture notes, I decided I needed a break and ventured downtown on a warm, fall Friday night. La Crosse has a nice business district with a sufficient number of pubs (taverns or whatever you wish to call them) that cater to the younger college crowd. There is no lack of young men circulating in the area (or women if that's what you prefer) so I sort of hoped I just might get lucky.

Leaving my truck in a municipal parking lot not far from the waterfront and park, I wandered about in search of liquid refreshment and hoped, in the process, of ending up with a romp in the sack. I'd have to be quite careful and selective; it wouldn't be good to end up being fucked by or fucking one of my students. After all, one doesn't want to shit in one's nest, does one?

Walking into a small, but lively establishment, music rocking, young men and women bellied up to the bar, I weaseled myself between two good looking lads, with nice firm bubble butts, and if the bulge in their britches was any indication, a nice piece of pipe, I ordered a beer (no glass please), half expecting one of the lads to invite me to join him – neither did! So, I stepped back, looked around for a place to sit where I could ogle the crowd, and spied, off in a dark corner, a small table seemingly occupied by one man. He appeared to be considerably older than the crowd here present, but, since he was alone, I thought he just might like some company. Hey, I'm partial to older men!

Walking toward and finally reaching the table, I stopped, almost dumb-struck; flummoxed, I shook my head hoping I wasn't hallucinating, swallowed hard, and asked,

"Captain?"

To be continued:

***

Thank you for reading Julian Corsair– Chapter Twenty – "The happy combination of fortuitous circumstances." – (Sir Walter Scott)

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