Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 19:43:41 -0500 From: Charlie Subject: David's Christmas Present part 1 The following story is total fiction. Any relationship to persons living or dead is purely accidental. This first few paragraphs of this story are true. Specifically, I found myself several years ago, on Christmas Eve, watching a young teen as he played a video game in a Target Store. My fantasies, always on the lookout for something to imagine, went wild! I am happy to say, this kid's parents eventually came to get him and they all went off, presumably happily, to their festivities. But I had already formed the basis for this story in my mind. David's Christmas Present I - The Beginning It all started on Christmas Eve, 1998; or at least if you ask David Saunders that's the answer you'll get. In actual fact it began many years before. But here he was now, standing in the electronics department of a Target store, watching the young teen match his wits with the computer game. David Gerald Saunders had never thought of himself as a lover of boys, or men either for that matter. To be honest, he had never given much thought at all to his sexuality. He was 31 now, and just beginning his third year of unemployment. Or was it retirement? Not that he couldn't get a job if he wanted to, but he was having too much fun doing his own thing, hiring himself out on contract from time to time, and of course, managing the business he'd started two years ago: a very successful Internet Service Provider. David's first twenty-nine years had been, well, perhaps confusing is the best word here. He was the youngest of five children: four boys and a girl. Almost from the first thoughts David could remember, he was the family fuck-up, the kid who wasn't supposed to be, the one who would never amount to anything. He wasn't supposed to be born at all, his parents kept telling him. Jennifer, his sister and eldest of the family, was a freshman in college when David was born. His three brothers were all in high school or middle school, their parents beginning to enjoy the freedom that comes when children are pretty well grown. Peter, the youngest of the three brothers, was already twelve when there was another baby: a sickly, wimpy one who would rather sit and read, play the piano, listen to classical music, than play sports or do other little boy things. The only physical activity that interested David was swimming, and at that he excelled; but he knew better than to ask to join a swim team. That required lots of dedication, and more important, lots of time in the pool which meant being driven at all sorts of weird hours, and David knew without asking that no one in his family would be willing to drive him. By the time young David was twelve, he knew for certain that he was "different." Precisely what was different about him he did not know, but he knew whatever it was, that he didn't fit in the family where he found himself. He really never stopped to analyze these things; he simply knew his place. He never expected his parents to attend teacher conferences; father-son banquets at Scouts and Air Cadets were attended alone or not at all. David simply didn't consider himself worthy to even ask his father to go. If he had, he might have been surprised; but he never did. But David had his own interests. He had an absolute passion for things scientific; he was an avid outdoorsman, was certain to become an Eagle Scout, except that too got foiled on a camping trip when he was fourteen. This story is not about David's sexual exploits as a teenager, but a brief summary is in order to complete the picture of what David Saunders is all about. He had gone on a weekend camping trip with a few of the senior scouts. One boy, Gary Bulman, had been particularly friendly to David, and had been quick to invite David to share his tent. David had accepted gratefully. Gary was sixteen, and had wasted no time once the boys were in bed. This was a winter camping outing, and colder than anyone had expected. The troop leader had suggested that the boys all pair up, meaning that they zip their sleeping bags together to for a double, then crawl in together. That suited Gary just fine! Before he was even close to sleep, David felt Gary's hand groping his crotch. He had never thought of such a thing, but it felt incredibly good so David did not protest. He was embarrassed to feel himself get hard almost instantly, but Gary reassured him by taking his hand and guiding it to his own groin. David had gasped audibly as his hand closed around the flint hard member of his friend. When the troop leader stuck his head in the tent to investigate the strange noises, David had just closed his lips around Gary's penis. Gary had sucked him briefly to show him how, but it was David who got caught. The troop leader was champion of all homophobes, and everyone knows how homophobic the Boy Scouts are in general. The Scoutmaster, who had really taken a liking to David, suggested that he simply leave and not come back. David did, and his scouting career was over. That was the only sexual experience, if it could be called that, that David had ever had. The day after David graduated High School, he left home for basic training. He had enlisted in the US Air Force. He knew there was no chance of ever going to college on his own. His sister and two of his brothers had exhausted the family college fund, and none of them had finished. So David had enlisted in his senior year. He had no way of knowing at the time, but this turned out to be the best decision of his entire life! David stood mesmerized as he stood in the Target store watching the kid playing the video game. The facial expressions; the body English; the total immersion in the task at hand. In spite of himself, David found himself admiring this kid. At this particular moment, it was obvious that nothing else in the universe mattered except this game! David could see it, feel it, sense it! He remembered a time when he felt such a commitment. But the stakes were so much higher then, weren't they? Or were they? David began undressing the kid with his eyes, his imagination. Before long in his mind he had the boy's jacket, sweater, T-shirt all removed, and the boy was naked from the waist up. This was all David cared about. His fantasy was not sexual, or at least he didn't consider it such; he merely wanted to watch, or in this case imagine, the boy's taught muscles as they flexed and rippled as the kid played his game. David could tell from the kid's concentration, that every muscle in his young body would be taught and involved, and that was a sight that David did not want to miss, even if he had to imagine it. It was January, 1991. Lt. David Saunders had just finished flight school and was assigned to his first mission: an air base in the Persian Gulf. David was to fly an F-15 Strike Eagle in Operation Desert Storm! Surely this was proof positive that his father was right: that nothing David did was right. Surely this little piece of insanity would be the end of David! And that wouldn't be all bad, would it? His timing had been perfect! He was among the youngest men ever to qualify for his own F-15, and just in time to go into combat! Literally thousands had taken the same training and had served out their time without ever seeing combat, but not David! Well, David didn't get killed. He didn't get shot down, didn't get wounded, suffered no ill effects at all from his ordeal! In fact, he was decorated! He was accepted as a Top Gun candidate! When his name came to the top of the list, he would be allowed to switch to the Navy and train for carrier missions! Mind you, being accepted as a candidate and becoming a full trainee are two entirely different things. He was so far down the list that he would be far past normal retirement before he ever saw a classroom, so David had opted for a college scholarship. And so, with credits he had already gained, he graduated the same year his hitch was up: 1994. Six months later he was engaged to a girl who had been his classmate and best friend. David should have stuck to aircraft. In the pilot's seat of a Strike Eagle, David was in control. He was one with his aircraft! They understood each other, anticipated each other, cared for each other. In contrast, David and Gwen were constantly at war. They understood nothing of each other's needs or wants; they couldn't seem to realize that the adjustments they had to make as a married couple would take time, and that each would have to make an adjustment. And to make matters worse, much worse, David discovered that he was bordering on impotent where Gwen was concerned. He truly loved her as a human being, a friend; but as a lover there was absolutely no attraction! What he wanted, needed sexually, he had no idea. But he knew without doubt that Gwen couldn't provide it. The final straw was about two months before the wedding. Gwen had decided it was time to take their relationship to the next level: in other words, she wanted to get laid. David was terrified! He wasn't sure he knew how, wasn't sure when the time came he could even get it up. Perhaps most important, he didn't WANT to! He and Gwen had done some pretty heavy petting, and during most of it David's sex instrument remained as soft and flaccid as a piece of dead meat. That was fine with David, except that now his secret would be revealed. Now he had to perform, to do things that he felt were totally alien to him! He used every excuse he could think of: he wasn't feeling too well; he was tired; he wasn't sure he agreed with premarital sex. Did that mean he was a virgin? Gwen asked with shock. Yes, he said, of course he was! She eyed him curiously. "Are you... David, you're not gay are you?" David has thought about that night thousands of times since it happened. Of course! There was nothing wrong with him at all! He was simply gay and didn't know it! He had never heard that word in reference to himself before, but now that he was forced to think about it, there had been inferences most of his life. He had avoided girls like the plague all through high school, and had even felt the odd attraction to another boy. And then there was that thing in the boy scout tent. David had been as disappointed about not finishing the act they'd started as he was about being kicked out of the scout troop! He had determined to seek Gary out and finish the blow job he'd started, but he never did. But the evidence was there, wasn't it? But still, even faced with the facts, he could not bring himself to admit what he was beginning to know was the truth. "Of course not!" he replied to Gwen's question. "What on earth would make you say a thing like that?" Gwen took matters into her own hands then, literally! She hadn't had all that much experience herself, but she'd had enough that she was taken completely by surprise when what she grabbed wasn't the least ready for sex, and even more surprised when David pulled her hand away roughly. Things went downhill from there. David argued that he felt they could have a meaningful relationship without sex; Gwen returned that it was pretty tough to have kids without first having sex. Kids? "Of course, kids!" she retorted. "Children! Lots of 'em! I want at least five!" "But..." David objected, "I don't know if I can... I mean... how will we support them? I don't know if I'm ready for..." "Dammit, David! You're not ready for sex, not ready for kids, not even ready to let me touch you! What the hell are you ready for?" "Gwen, maybe we should... you know... wait a while longer." "That's the first thing you've said that makes sense for over an hour. Perhaps we should wait another hundred years. Now, will you take me home, or will I call a cab?" David learned a lot from his experience with Gwen. It was through her that he realized he was gay; Gwen helped him to realize that he really felt no attraction whatsoever to females. Her attempts to awaken him sexually helped him to realize that he considered the whole idea of sex with a woman to be somewhat disgusting; more so, he would learn years later, than most gay men. Indeed, he would meet in the years to come, several gay men who were married and had children. These he admired beyond description, because he knew there was no way he could do such a thing. There was another thing that David learned from Gwen: something that scared him to death! Through her leaving, he realized that he hadn't loved her in the first place, in fact he had no idea how to love! He had never loved, never been loved, and he didn't know how! He liked Gwen, loved being with her, admired and respected her. But he didn't love her. When she left, he was disappointed, but certainly not devastated. He could live without her just fine, and he set about to do just that. There were other things going on in his life, his professional life, that were more important than pining for a lost love; so after a good night's sleep, a night in which he tried to masturbate but failed, it was life as usual, except that David had a lot more spare time. "Sir?" a high pitched young voice jarred him out of his thoughts. "Sir? Are you all right?" "Sorry," David replied as he realized the kid he'd been watching had turned from the game and was addressing him. "I'm fine. Guess I was kinda day dreaming." "I was just asking, did you want to try the game, sir?" "Oh... uh.... no thanks. I was just enjoying watching you play. You're pretty good!" "Thanks. I like to come here and play. They usually let me play as much as I like, long as the store's open and no one wants a demonstration. Do you play video games?" "Not me. I work with computers, so I don't have any interest in the games. I love watching someone like you though. You get so involved! You put your whole body into it! By the way, my name's David." "Hi. Mine's Adam." They shook hands. David was impressed that Adam's handshake was firm and solid, not the dead fish that some people called a handshake. "Adam?" David echoed. "You're serious? Your name is Adam?" "Yes sir. Is that a problem?" "Hell, no! It's incredible, that's what it is. You're not gonna believe this, but, well, if I'd had to guess what your name was, I would've guessed Adam! I mean, you just look like you should be called Adam!" "You're kidding!" "Nope. I already had you pegged as an Adam. So I thought your name was probably Fauntleroy or something." "Sorry to disappoint you," Adam said with a grin. "I guess the store's closing soon," David said more as a way to keep the conversation going than anything. "I presume you're waiting for your folks to finish some last minute shopping?" "Nahh, I'm here alone." David looked into the angelic face of the boy facing him. What was that he was feeling? What in the world was happening? The kid couldn't possibly be a day over fourteen, if indeed he was that old! His coal black hair was a little too long, but on him it looked good. It was thick and lush, perfectly straight, and Adam had brushed it to perfection so that is shone as it cascaded down his back, well past his shoulder blades. David didn't normally appreciate hair so long on a male, but this kid was forcing him to rethink his position. Adam's eyes were the deepest brown David had ever seen, almost like the eyes of a deer: a very handsome deer! Adam's skin, what David could see of it, was deeply tanned, almost a reddish brown. David couldn't tell if it was from lots of time in the sun, or if this was his natural color. He was obviously dressed for the cold, with several layers of shirts and T-shirts, all covered by a lined ski jacket. This kid was drop dead kick-ass gorgeous! For reasons that he did not know or understand, David had to know more about him; to spend time in conversation with him; perhaps get to know him. "Alone?" David questioned. "You're in a Target store on Christmas Eve, alone, playing a video game? But aren't you expected home?" "Not really. I've got lots of time." "Well, the store is emptying out pretty fast now, so I guess they're starting to close. It was cold and starting to rain when I came in, so I'll give you a lift home, ok?" "Thanks, but... well, I'm not going home yet." "That's ok. Wherever you're going, I'll drive you. It's too cold and wet for you to be walking." "That's ok, really. I'm used to it." "Not tonight. It's Christmas eve! Humor me, ok? I'm kinda lonely and I could use the company. And I just won't feel right letting you walk off into the night with it so cold and nasty out." Adam looked at David curiously. "Aren't you going home to your family?" he queried. "Nope. I live alone, Adam. I don't have any family, really." "So, you're spending the holidays all alone?" "Yes. C'mon, they're starting to turn off the lights. I expect the store staff want to get outa here as quickly as they can. You are gonna let me drop you wherever you're going, right? Please?" "I... I guess so. Sure, if it'll make you feel better." The two new friends walked out of the store together and into the cold wetness of the parking lot. "This is your car?" Adam asked with astonishment. "That's my baby," David answered. "You like it?" "Like isn't the word. Man, I've never been in a Corvette before! This is too cool!" "Thanks. I wish it was warmer so we could put the top down. Maybe we can go riding again sometime after this cold snap is over." "Yeah, man! Wow, you must love driving this around all the time!" "Actually, I don't drive it all the time. I have a pickup truck that I use most of the time. But I decided the Vette needed some exercise. So, where to?" Adam didn't answer. David fired up the car as they buckled their seat belts, then slipped it into gear and headed for the parking lot exit. "Uhhh... David..." Adam stammered, "is it ok if we just drive around for a while? I mean, if you don't have any place you have to be..." "No problem," David answered cheerfully. "I never have to be coaxed to cruise around a little in the Vette. This car loves to be driven. But, are you sure there isn't some place you have to be?" "No, sir. No place." Both passengers went silent then, each deep in his own thoughts as the Corvette glided smoothly around town. It was almost as if the car sensed that this was a quiet time; a time for serenity and solitude, for deep thought. There was a low throaty rumble from the car's exhaust: not loud, not obtrusive, but almost soothing as David maneuvered it through the rapidly thinning traffic. The quiet and peacefulness that was Christmas Eve was quickly overtaking the entire town as people rushed home to begin whatever festivities they had planned. Adam sat enjoying the luxury of the little car he was in. He kept stealing glances at David, trying to analyze the intense feelings he was experiencing. What on earth were those feelings anyway? And what in the world had possessed him to take up with this perfect stranger? He'd been so wary his whole life. He'd never taken a chance like this! And this whole process didn't fit with his plans at all, did it? So what on earth was he doing here? Who was this guy David anyway? Why did he care about a throw-away kid like Adam? What were his intentions? He had certainly been the perfect gentleman so far. Adam had been braced for his host to try something long before now, but there hadn't been so much as a hint of anything threatening. What had Adam expected anyway? He chuckled softly to himself when he realized he didn't even know what his suspicions had predicted; only that it was... well, not good. Adam didn't want to admit it, but he found this man strangely attractive. He had known for quite some time that he was "different" from other boys. What turned on most of his friends left Adam completely cold. When they started talking of their sexual fantasies, Adam always remembered someplace else he had to be. It wasn't that he didn't like girls, in fact some of his best friends at school were girls. But that's where it ended. At fourteen not being interested in girls wasn't that uncommon, but Adam knew the truth. He'd had the occasional crush on a few of the boys at school, had begun getting aroused at some sights and thoughts that were ample evidence to Adam that he was very definitely becoming attracted to members of the same sex. Adam was becoming more curious about this guy David. What was he about, anyway? He seemed genuinely concerned about Adam, but he couldn't be, could he? Adam knew that it was only a matter of time till he'd find out David's angle. He was a little surprised that he hadn't been propositioned already. Was he maybe a drug dealer? He certainly seemed to have lots of money. Did he want Adam to sell for him, or just to become a new junkie? But what was taking him so long? Adam knew that any time now, he would have the choice of cooperating or getting out of the car. And Adam wasn't sure what he'd do when the time came. Things certainly hadn't been going his way lately, what with the adamant stand he'd taken against drugs, sex, illegal activities. Perhaps it was time to face reality, to lower his standards a little. And this guy David certainly seemed nice. Not bad looking either, he thought to himself as he stole another glance. "We've been driving around for two hours and you haven't said a word," David said as he caught Adam looking at him for the umpteenth time. "How's about telling me what's on your mind?" "Nothing, really," Adam answered. "Come on, dude. How stupid d'you think I am? It's after 8 on Christmas Eve, and you're out cruising around with a perfect stranger. You don't seem the least bit anxious to go home, or any place else for that matter. You do have a home, don't you?" "Course I got a home!" "You're not happy there though, are you?" Uh-oh... this guy is getting close to some nerves now. How in the world did he know? But then, when you're in whatever business this guy is in, it's probably important to be able to recognize homeless or unhappy kids. And Adam was both, wasn't he? "I'm doin' ok," he said weakly. "You wanna know what I think?" David offered. "I can hardly wait," Adam answered sarcastically. He would get out of the car right now, except that it was so nice and warm here, and outside the rain had turned to snow and it was sticking. He hadn't the slightest idea where they were, and... that killer stereo sounded so nice, so peaceful! "I think you have some place to live," David went on. "Your clothes are too good, too clean for you to be living on the streets. But wherever you live, you aren't happy. Maybe you've just run away. You're wearing about five layers of clothing, which tells me that perhaps you weren't planning to go home tonight... maybe not ever. How am I doing so far?" Adam didn't answer. This guy was uncanny. How the hell did he know? And what the hell business was it of his anyway? "Adam," David said gently, "I'm not out to get you, or to turn you in, or take advantage of you in any way. I just think maybe you're a kid who might need a little help, and I'd like to help you if I can. I was telling the truth back in that store... I get a little lonely sometimes, and even though you haven't said a word for over an hour, I'm enjoying having you tag along with me. But now that you've helped me, I guess I owe you, so if there's anything I can do to help, I'm gonna do it. So why don't you tell me what Adam is all about?" Adam still didn't answer. "Ok, buddy, I understand. But... well, let me come right out and ask you point blank: When is the last time you ate?" "Ate?" Adam echoed. He had braced himself for the big question, like was he interested in making some money, did he want to have sex, would he like a joint. And this guy wanted to know when he'd eaten last? "I think that's a pretty reasonable question," David went on pleasantly. "I happen to know a little restaurant that's run by a Jewish family. I suspect they'll probably be open, 'cause Christmas isn't that big a deal with Jews. Nice place, too. I was hoping you'd let me treat you to a nice meal. Please?" "Sure," Adam heard himself saying, "why not?" They chatted easily over a big dinner, but an hour later when they exited from the restaurant, David was none the wiser about this kid he'd befriended. David honestly didn't know if the kid was purposely trying to conceal information, or perhaps he was just naturally not a conversationalist. But either way, all he knew for sure was that the kid had been very hungry, and that he still had no place he had to be. Finally he got desperate. He was genuinely tired, and the snow was starting to accumulate on the streets. The Corvette, although it is a truly wonderful machine, is not at its best on snow and ice. Add to that a driver who is very tired and getting sleepy, and it's not a good combination. "I'm sorry," David said as he fired up the car, "I'd like to drive us around all night but this snow is starting to stick. I'm gonna have to call it a night. Where can I drop you?" "Any place," Adam replied without emotion. "Not gonna happen, dude. I've got to know you're warm and safe. So if you won't tell me where to drop you so I can see you go inside, then I'll just have to take you home with me." Adam froze. Was this to be the showdown? Was he about to get the bottom line on what this was all about? Or was this guy genuine? Did he really care about some kid he'd picked up? And what of Adam? What did he want? Was this what he'd been holding out for all evening? "What about your family?" he asked weakly. "I live alone, Adam. If you're worrying about intruding, you needn't. I've got a big house all to myself, and you're welcome. But I have to know who your parents or guardians are so I can notify them, else it'd kidnaping. I want to help you if you need help, but I don't want to go to jail." "I... I have no place to go," Adam stammered. "If you're sure it's all right, I'd love to go home with you, but I have no money." "Home it is," David said, ignoring the reference to money. "For the next few hours, you're my little brother, ok? After that, we'll play it by ear." It took the white Corvette over twenty minutes to pick its way through the slushy streets to David Saunders' luxurious home; twenty minutes during which two young occupants were completely silent with their thoughts, their fears, their fantasies. Each stole glances at the other, and each realized that the other was doing the same. What did it mean? Did it matter? * * * I sincerely hope you enjoy my writing efforts. If you do, or for that matter if you don't, I would appreciate if you would write to me. My email address is charlieje@mindspring.com.