Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 09:04:57 -0700 (PDT) From: T Chase McPhee Subject: Nature Walk 23 The following story is a work of fiction set in the format of reality. Any resemblance to real people is entirely coincidental in nature, and is not meant to accurately reflect persons in towns, cities, or governmental areas, in which the story is staged. If sexual scenes involving male to male relationships offends you, then you should not read this story. Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age, in most states and countries, you are not allowed to read this by law. This is fiction. Don't forget, in real life, to think about 'sexual safety matters'; got condom? "Nature Walk" 23 (M/t oral anal kidstuff) wriTten by T. Chase McPhee % "Oh cool! The dads are home!" "Hey... hey... hey... you guys helped pick out the food, now you get to help bring it in!" So the parade of brown sacks proceeded, carting the food from Matty's SUV, through the front door, through the den and into the kitchen of Clark home. "Okay guys, c'mon it's Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly time!" "Cool!" "Um, do we get a snack, Jade?" "Sure, help yourselves, Chad and Matty." "Y'know, Jade, you do a lot of work around here." "You think so?" "Come off it Jade, we know why you put that extra special touch into everything." "I thought we heard some voices!" A dad's voice rings out. "Oh, hi dad." "Chad... Matty.." they each greeted the two. "What are we having for dinner tonight?" "We are having chicken cordon bleu and I'm hoping that you are inviting Alonzo to have dinner with us tonight." "Oh? What's so important about Alonzo being here for dinner, Jade?" "Oh, you leave that up to me." "Uh-oh, I sense Jade's got a tif with Alonzo over Diego's nutritional upbringing," Chad lays down the subject to be reviewed. "Steve... Barry... that child is malnourished," Jade reports. "Hey, the guy's had a tough life. Being a father at fifteen I'm sure didn't help things." "Fifteen?" Jade asks. "Oh the poor man." Suddenly Jade's fiery emotion has gone out of her like a doused candle. "Poor Diego." "Well, Jade, I don't think Alonzo's done too bad of a job raising Diego. They love each other very much." Barry adds to Steve's kind words, "A young guy bringing up a kid.. well, what influence would he have on what a boy should eat, but what himself feels like eating." "Oh, I feel so bad about what I've been thinking." "Jade, your heart is in the right place." "No it's not. You see, to prove a point I was going to serve us all cordon bleu and...." "What Jade?" "I was going to serve Alonzo Spaghettio's." Steve and Barry began laughing. Chad says, "Jade, I didn't know you had it in ye to do such a dastard deed!" "I know... I'm sorry." Matty breaks out with, "I think it's a good plan!" "You do?" Jade looks up at Matty. "Sure. I see Matty's point. This will make Alonzo see what he's feeding Diego," Chad agrees. "No, I don't think it's a good idea." "Why not dad?" "Barry's right. First of all, Alonzo eating something different than the rest of us will embarrass the hell out of him." "Yeah, you're right Steve and to think of it, we really hardly even know Alonzo." "Okay," Matty gets a brainstorm, "What if we 'all' eat the same thing and still get the point across." Chad says, "Brilliant, but then we'd have to go back to Donovan's and get more Spaghettio's." "C'mon, I'll drive," Jade offers. "No, I'll drive Jade," Matty counters Jade's offer. They hear Chad scheming on the way out, "Maybe we should have gummi bear worms for desert!" "Well, Steve, looks like they have everything under control." "Yeah, now how about we go get something else under control?" % "I don't know why you're making me to go out for dinner, Alonzo. We can just as well have something here." "I know we 'can', Jabari, but I have Diego to think about." "You said he's with Steve and Barry's family." "I know, but I'm his dad and he looks forward to me being with him." "Oh c'mon. It wouldn't hurt if you miss this one time, Alonzo. C'mon back to bed." Alonzo takes a good long look at Jabari. "Y'know Jabari, you're a nice guy and I had fun this afternoon, but I don't think you're right for me." "Oh come on, Alonzo! What'd I say?" Not being able to jump up and defend himself or go after Alonzo, Jabari flops back down in the bed. % "Mike? Mike?" "Connor?" "Are you okay?" "I hurt. You?" "Some. Um, do you know what happened to us?" "We got beat up." Mike Finnegan played it cool, trying not to spill any information that would jeopardize his name. Not at this point, at least. He wanted to formulate his thoughts and analyse them before shooting his mouth off. "Worst experience of my life. Did you see who did it?" "Um, I think I'm falling asleep." "Okay. You take care Mike. I hope you feel better." Mike faked sleep, at least closing his eyes. % "Oh man are you such a hot beast, Mike." "With a hot ass like your's Gary, how do you expect me to control myself?" "Tell you the truth, Mike, I didn't think your nine inch pistol wound fit so nicely in my chute." "Oh yeah, Gary? I had a feeling that I'm not the first to rifle your ass!" "Oooooh just keep drilling, Mike... oooooh it feels so fuckin' awesome." Officer Mike Green had met his match. Unlike the straightforth, typical hospital professional that knew he could throw his weight around, when it came to bedding down, Mike commandeered the helm. "So, you're not like those other guys, I see Gary, huh?" "Hey, I know a hot cop cock when I feel it. I'm not going to jeopardize that, Mike." "So, you only love me for my cock huh?" At that point, both heard a popping sound, as Mike pulls out, after doctoring up Gary's ass. "Ooooooooh fuck noooooooooooooo!" "Hee hee heeee... How about some lip-locking?" Gary's hand moves around back, like the first time Mike fucked his hot ass and slips his finger or two in. "Damn, you're big!" "I don't know why you do that, Gary." "Do what?" "Feel your ass everytime after I pull out. You know that I've already busted your chute wide open." "I know and Mike?" "Yeah Gary?" "You do mean more to me than a hot fuck." "Oh?" "Yeah. Hot about sinking down in the hot tub and I'll show you what I mean?" "Mmmmmmmmm," Mike responds, climbing out of the bed and closely following Gary out to the enclosed porch. % "I guess it's my turn, then?" "Haa ha ha ha haaaa" Aidan laughed his ass off, followed by Philip and Diego. "Hee heee...looks like you've got to pay to the piper, SpongeSteve Wedgiepants!" "Can I owe ya?" "Yeah, okay." "Dads, that's not how you're supposed ta play. If you go bankdrupped than you lose." "Aw shucks, guys." Aidan says, "Here dad, I'll loan ya a dollar so you wouldn't be poor." "Aw thanks son, but I think it's going to take more than a dollar to bail me out." "Just the same dad. Here, take it. I insist." Steve's so glad he and Barry opted out of the love making to be with their sons. It's not that they will be around their household forever. "Helloooooo... anybody home?" "It's my dad! Dad we're in here.... we're in here!" Diego lit out of the den like there were ten sticks of lit dynamite chasing him out of an old mine. "Look guys! It's my dad!" There Alonzo walked in, Diego perched high on his shoulders. "Well, what do we have here?" "We're playing Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly. Wanna play?" Philip shouts out. "Sure. Let me loosen my tie up and I'll be raring to go." "Cool! Let's start over guys!" Aidan calls out. "Yeah.. yeah... yeah... dad, you be my partner, okay?" "Sure, Diego!" "How about's a drink, Alonzo?" "Sure." "What'll you have?" Steve follows Alonzo's finger as he puts his hand on his stomach and taps where his navel is. Barry picks up on it, saying, "I'll have one too, Steve," then giggles. The three boys hurriedly get the unique Monopoly game back to the starting session, moving it to the floor. Philip sits with his dad, as Alonzo lays back indian style, letting Diego lean back on him as if using him for an easy chair. "Where's the drinks, Steve?" "Jade caught me in the act and insisted on making them and serving them." "Does she know how to make a fuzzy pierced navel?" Right away the three boys' attention is drawn to poor Barry. "What's a fuzzy purred bellybutton, dad?" "Navel, Philip." Steve tries to help out, "It's like your dad's hairy navel and Diego's dad's pierced navel, except it's a drink in a glass." "Huh?" Aidan says to his dad. It's Diego who brings some light to the subject. "My dad's got a pearl in his bellybutton." "Oh, can we see?" Philip pleads. "Now, Philip, that's kind of personal." "Oh, I don't mind showing them," Alonzo replies. "It's up to you Alonzo." Of course Barry and Steve wouldn't mind seeing it again, either. "Oh, excuse me, son," Alonzo says, moving his son's shoulders forwards. Diego moves away from his dad's lap and kneels, awaiting the bellybutton show to begin. Alonzo decides to unbutton the white shirt he's been wearing all day and strip it. Getting on his knees, to bring the show down to kid's level, he pulls his white tightey-tee from his beltline, up to his pecs. "Oh wooooow!" Aidan reacts. "Hey, Diego, you're right! Your dad does have a line down his belly!" Philip calls out. Barry and Steve look at each other, then to Alonzo. "Can I touch it dad Alonzo?" "Dad Alonzo?" Diego's dad questions Philip about. "Sure. You hang around our dad's a lot, so you could be our dad, too!" "I never thought of it that way, Philip." Alonzo shrugs his shoulders and smiles at Steve and Barry. "Can we?" "Yeah," Aidan adds, "I've never seen a stuffed bellybutton before!" "Alright, but only if your dads say you can." "Can we dad? Pleeeeeease?" "Okay, but just a little touch." As if touching a dog, hoping he doesn't bite, Philip dabs his finger on the jewel in Alonzo's bellyhole. "Go ahead, Philip. I've touched it lots of times.... see?" Diego reaches forth and literally handles the small pierced item, shaped like a little metal ball. "Wow! Go ahead, Aidan. It doesn't hurt!" Philip suggests. "Cool!" "Can I touch it again?" "Okay. But this is the last time, Philip." Sneaky little Philip had ulterior motives, the little snake! First he touches the little pearl and then runs his thumb up Alonzo's trail, until a grabbing hand collides with it. "Um, I think that's far enough, son!" Alonzo says. "Philiiiiiiip!" Barry scorns him. "Oh dad." "You were suppostta feel only my dad's bellybutton, Philip!" "I know, but I told ya Diego, that I like them lines on a guy's belly." "Yeah, but your not suppostta touch a guy's body without asking!" Barry's gesture to Steve, a thumb's up, gave the impression that Alonzo is teaching Diego some good values. However, he also sensed embarrassment at what Philip had done. "Alonzo, I'm terribly sorry." "No problem, Barry. Kids are inquistive. You know what they say, inquiring minds have to know." "Yeah, they say that about adults, too." "Well, Barry, if you want to, you'll have to inquire later!" "Oh really, Alonzo?" Alonzo began putting himself back together again, going with only the tightey-tee covering his pecs and belly. "Here we are!" "Oh Jade. This is too much!" "Where on earth did you get this table?" Steve had to stand up from his sitting position on the floor to view the elegant rolling cart that Jade had just rode into the den, drinks and foods atop. "Kade and I have had it at home for so long and never used it." "Oh wow! Look at this detail," Alonzo makes mention. The boys all show frustration at their dad's deterred attention and making such a big fuss over a dumb table on wheels. "Where did you get this?" Barry asks. "It's been in my family for years. I'm not sure how they happened by it, but it's old." "Must be. Here's one of it's habitants." "Oh cool Philip! Look!" "Cool Aidan! A spider... Oooh can I have it for a pet, dad?" "No. He's going on a little trip out the back door!" "Oh but he'll freeze ta death, dad!" Jade to the rescue! "I have a jar in the kitchen. How about we give him a home?" The three boys all follow Jade to the kitchen with Barry cupping the little thin-legged creature along for the ride. "No sense letting all this go to waste Alonzo?" "I know. Um, Steve, I need to talk to you about something." "Sure Alonzo. Shoot." "Has Barry mentioned anything to you about the possibility of me buying your house once you move?" "Um, yeah. I think he mentioned something of the sort. So, you're interested?" "No." "No? Is that a 'no' no?" "Steve, I don't think I can swing it. You see, I've had some debt, plus taking care of Diego and I don't want to jeopardize falling into bancruptcy." "Alonzo, I'm sorry. I didn't know things were this bad." "They aren't yet, but I don't wish to have things reach that point." "How can I help?" "You can't, but I want your opinion on something." "Sure. Whatever I can do to ease matters, Alonzo." "Thanks Steve. You know Bernice Bridges better than I do." "Yes." "Would you happen to know if she has a very modest sized home. You see, the apartment we live in is no place for a little boy to grow up. He needs fresh air, a place to ride his bicycle around. You know what I mean?" "Yes, I do. I'll ask Bernice... in fact I'll call right now." "Oh, you don't have to go to the trouble of doing that now, Steve." "No problem for friends, Alonzo." Steve goes for the remote phone and rings the Bridges residence. He chats first with Alberto, then Bernice. "Well?" "She's headed right over with her portfolio of homes." "Did you mention the word, 'cheap'?" "Haa ha ha haa... don't you worry about that. I'm sure she'll find something that you'll like and be able to afford." Yeah, like she found for Steve those almost eighteen years ago. Looking around the place, he recalls the good memories. Of course, it harbours some unhealthy memories, but thinking about his boys growing up in the house, sheds some light on how a house can become a history of memories. "Look dad, we now have a home for Kermit." "Kermit's a frog, Aidan." "Yeah, but now he's a spider, too!" "Um, Jade?" "Yes, Steve?" "Better set another place at the table." "Oh? For Kermit" "Bernice is on the prowl!" Next order of excitement fills the room. "Oh cool! Wait til Aunt Bernice sees Kermit!" "What is she's afraid of spiders?" "If the spider knows us then she won't be afraid, Aidan." "Cool Philip." Diego suggests, "Let's make real good friends with Kermit so Aunt Bernice won't be afraid!" The adults look down at the Monopoly game, the jarred habitat sitting squarely on top of Spongebob Squarepants' belly. The three are talking to the jar like into a tape recorder, having the spider memorize every fact they are feeding it! "So, what's this with Bernice?" Barry asks, sipping his fuzzy navel. "I don't think I can swing it with the house, Barry and I'm hoping Bernice can find something on a smaller scale." "Geez, if that's the case, I could've let you have the third bungalow." "Third bungalow?" "Sure. The chatsworth place is built like that." "Barry's right. We figured it out where we all would've fit into two main parts of the house and the third module would have become like a small apartment." "But I'm sure you could utilize the space as a family room or..." "No, that's the thing. In the two first modules, we would already have plenty of bedrooms for each of the boys, den, an office for Steve and I to share, plus all the other amenities, including three and a half baths." "Wow! I hadn't an idea just how big that place is." "Plus swimming pool, hot tub and a leaky barn!" "Still. I don't know guys." "Let's do this, Alonzo," Barry lays out the plan, "Look at what Bernice has to offer and then if there's nothing in your wallet range, take the third bungalow." Steve adds, "Even if it's a temporary solution for you, Alonzo. At least think of Diego and getting him out into the country." >From the floor, around the spider habitat, they hear little quips of repeated conversation. "Hear that Diego? You're gonna be living with us." The three dads look at each other. Barry and Steve begin to giggle. "Well there's nothing much I can do now about not accepting your plan. Alright, if Bernice doesn't have anything maybe we'll do the temp thing, but I insist that whatever rent I'm paying now, I pay to you two." "We'll work all that out if that be the case, Alonzo." "Thanks guys. I really appreciate what you're doing for Diego and me." "Hi dad!" "Sean? Seaaaaan!" "I hope you don't mind a couple of extra dinner guests." "Oh course I don't. Jacq, welcome!" Barry walks over and hugs each of the men, then brings Jacq into the den to introduce him. "And what is this?" "Do you know anything about spiders, mister?" Diego asks Jacq. "Why sure. I'm an expert on them!" "You are?" Philip questions. "Sure. Let me see the fella, please." Aidan reaches up and hands the jar to Jacq, as they all stand. Sean saunters over to Jacq and hangs on his shoulder. "So, you counsel spiders, too, Jacq?" "Sean if this your boyfriend?" "Yup. That he is, Aidan" "He's older than you!" "So? You're a year older than Philip and he's your boyfriend!" Philip and Aidan look at each other, then Diego. They realize they forgot to fill him in on their little secret. "Diego, we gotta talk to you!" "That's okay, Philip. I know you and Aidan are boyfriends." "You do, Diego?" "Yeah." Suddenly Kermit has lost the three kid's attention. "So, what's so special about this spider, Jacq?" "Okay, we're back Jashock!" "It's Jacq." "How do you spell that, Sean?" "J-A-C-Q." "Hmmm... how come it's not Jack-cue." "Because it's French. But listen up Squirts, Jacq is going to tell you about Kermit." "Cool!" "First of all, Kermit is a simple garden spider. His technical name is Argiope Aurantia, a common orb weaver of the Araneidae family. "So is that his last name?" Aidan asks. "Not really. You see, unlike humans, animals and insects can have several names." "Wow! So Kermit has a lot of names." "Yes. The interesting thing about this little bugger, whom looks to be a baby, can grow to about almost two inches long." "Wow!" The boys speak out in awe of the fact. "Where is he from?" Philip asks. "Well, garden spiders can grow anywhere in the North America's, including Mexico. So varieties are found in Europe and Hawaii." "I wonder if they can hula?" "Aidan, don't be lame!" "But I will tell you the sad part about Kermit." "What's that Jock?" "If we keep Kermit in the jar and not release him outside, he'll die." "Ooooooooooh!" The sad groans ring out. "How long can we keep him, Jock?" "Think of how long 'you' would live in a jar, Philip?" Hmm?" "I guess we better let him out." They watched as Sean, Jacq and the three boys headed out of the den, on their way to the outdoors. "Well, it looks like Jacq has hit it off with the boys." Alonzo asks, "Um, is that your boy's partner?" Steve replies, "We assume so." "What Steve means is that as of yesterday he found out.... we found out that they have had a relationship going." "And are you happy about that?" "Well, at first I wasn't sure Alonzo. You see, Sean is nineteen and Jacq is thirty-two, but from Sean's point of view, I can see that he loves Jacq very much and I think the same in regards to Jacq's feeling of Sean." "The only thing I can see of concern, which could be meaningless, is that they both understand that one part of the relationship will age faster than the lower number." "True." "Steve, Barry?" "Yeah, Alonzo?" "I want you two to know that when I left Jabari this afternoon, it wasn't on pleasant terms." "Oh?" Barry wonders. "Want to talk about it?" Steve inquires further. "Well, yes, but not get too much into it. You see, I got this feeling that he wanted to develop some kind of relationship..." "It did seem like you two did hit it off." "Right, Steve, but what I sensed to discover is that Jabari doesn't want Diego to be a part of it." "Ooooooh!" Barry sighs, "I can see where that could strike a wrong chord." "I lost my cool at that point and stormed out of there. Damn it! When it comes to Diego, I just couldn't stand for talk like that!" "Easy, Alonzo," Steve tried calming him, putting his arm around his shoulder. "Steve's right. It's not like you're in a relationship where it's too late to bow out, Alonzo." "I know. Thank God for that." "In fact maybe it's good you found out now where Jabari stands before it's too late." "That's the way I'm trying to perceive it, guys. In fact, I think we both acted out of lust more than anything." "So, you don't really feel any great attachment for Jabari?" "Nah. Just two horny guys who needed a quick trick, but still." "There's that apprehension." "Right, Barry. And there's more." "You really like the guy?" "No. I.... I really like you guys." Steve and Barry couldn't have been more unprepared than what just escaped Alonzo's lips. "What do you mean like, Alonzo?" "Just he way it sounds and I'm sorry for saying it." "Why?" "Why? It's obviously isn't it? Here I am trying to bust into your lives by expressing my feelings. I mean... I don't fuckin' know what I mean." "Alonzo?" Barry tries to help rationalize, "I can't speak for Steve, but..." "Yeah, you can speak for me Barry." Steve grinned at his lover. "Alonzo, we both like you too." "Like... but.. you guys have been great to me, but I'm looking for more than 'like'." "I think what Barry is trying to tell you Alonzo is that we more than like you, too." "Huh?" By this time, Barry and Steve stood on either side of Alonzo. "I know this sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone, Alonzo, but there's a reason why we both decided to keep the third bungalow void of our presence." "For me?" "Yes, but it's not like we wanted to force you into taking it and that's still the case." "Oh man, guys. You two are something special." "To each other we are and we didn't know exactly how to go about drawing you into our relationship, Alonzo." "You overwhelm me." "Alonzo, may I make a suggestion that I think makes a lot of sense?" "Sure Steve." "When Bernice shows you her book, thumb through and show some interest, but settle for the third bungalow." Alonzo turns and looks Steve dead in the eyes, then does the same with Barry. "I'm still not sure, guys." "Then just go with what you think, Alonzo." "I.... I think I want to trust your judgement, Steve... and Barry." "Then do it, but know this that if things don't work out, Alonzo, then no hard feelings." "One thing I can say to the good, at least the transition will be easy for Diego, thanks to your wonderful boys." A three way hug ensues, Alonzo getting all the rubs up and down his back. Barry teases, sending his finger tips lower than the beltline, inside. Soon noises are heard coming back in the back door. "She's here!" Steve begins on that tinkly tune, the theme from 'The Outer Limits'. "Dads, Aunt Bernice is an actress!" "Don't tell me. What did she do, Aidan?" It's Philip who squeals out a scream. "Yeah, dads, she screams just like Philip did and then pretends she faints, after we let Kermit outta the jar!" "Hmm, Barry. Maybe Bernice missed her call and should have been a drama coach." "You know that's not a half bad idea, Steve," Alonzo states. "What? Oh you're kidding. Bernice?" "Sure, I agree." "You do Barry?" "Sure, I think she'd be able to tell the kids like it is, too." "Oh for sure she wouldn't let any of those kids get away with any shit." "Only one problem Steve." "What's that Barry?" "I don't know if Alonzo and I could stand all that hogcallin'!" Alonzo didn't exactly get what Barry was driving at, but just to see the two laugh made him feel good inside. "The way you two talk Bernice up, even though I haven't met her, seems that she's a pillar of the community and to me, she would be worth having on our team." Steve decided to interject an idea into this conversation, drawing reference to Alonzo's attitude in the car earlier. "Worth having on our team for what purpose in mind, Alonzo?" "Hey, look who just walked in?" 'Oh perfect!' Steve thought. 'What better time for Kade to show up!' "Hey Kade." Alonzo stood a little standoffish, mumbling a quiet greeting. "Um, I just wanted to stop by to..." "Good that you could make it, Kade!" Steve quickly grabbed him in a hardly handshake, then passed Kade off on Barry with, "Here, fix Kade up with a hairy... er I mean fuzzy navel, Barry! So, Alonzo, I wanted to get the full gist of just how you were going to use Bernice here." Sitting down in one of the easy chairs, Steve crosses his legs, knee on top of knee, both hands situated on top of the mount. "Um, well I didn't exactly mean use in the sense of 'use' Bernice." "That's the way it sounded. Isn't that the way it sounded to you, Barry." "Yes, that's the way it sounded to my ears, Steven." Barry rolls his eyes, catching both Alonzo's and Kade's visual senses. Steve, on the other hand couldn't detect anything happening, with his back to his partner and the cart of fuzzy navel fixin's. Rather than play Steve's obvious game, Alonzo directs his words to the one this whole charade is intended to address, "Look Kade," Alonzo gets up to talk straight in the eye, "I'm sorry I blew up at you in the car this morning." "Well, I have to admit you came on strong, Alonzo, but I did provoke you in a way, but I think there might be a good reason." "Oh? Care to explain." "First, I want to say, Barry, this drink is fantastic!" "Ahem!" Alonzo clears his throat." "Oh yeah.. hee hee... I didn't come up with it. It's Alonzo's concoction on account of... of, um he likes fuzzy navels.. oh shit that didn't come out the way I intended it!" Barry stands there half embarrased, but knowing Alonzo takes it all in jest. "You're lucky I like you Barry!" "So," Steve gets the conversation back on target, "do you care to explain what you think happened this morning, Kade?" "Hee heee," Barry makes one last quip, "sounds like you're playing referee, Steve." "Well somebody's gotta keep these kids from fighting!" After the laughter died, the four take their fuzzy navels to the lounging area, near the fireplace, which sits unlit at the moment. Two shortee sofas face each other, with a coffee/cocktail table in between. Barry and Steve face Alonzo and Kade. The sofas allow for minimal space in between. "First of all," Kade takes a deep breath, "I know this is not an excuse, but I believe my knowledge of precludes me of the thinkings in a gay world." "So, you're saying your ignorance of the gay world in itself gives you reason to call judgement, Kade?" Steve interjects, "No more than using a person for one's own gain." "Steve, I didn't mean that and you know it!" Alonzo bursts out, going back to the 'Bernice usage' question. Barry pats Steve's thigh, "Let them talk it out, Steve?" He smiles back at his lover, then switches his attention back to the two. "Look, Alonzo, I know that no matter what I say or what excuse I could offer, I wasn't right in bringing up the matter of Marsha Burke and whether she's a lesbian or not. Not that it would matter if you are gay or Steve and Barry." Steve infers, "Or if you were a homosexual?" "Steve, do I have to get out the duct tape?" Barry says, threatening him to keep his mouth shut. "My lips are sealed." Like Aidan would do, Steve zips his lips shut and opens his mouth to swallow the key. "That was a dumb thing to do." "What was, Alonzo?" "Now how are you going to get that key out to unlock your lips you just locked up?" As the conversation goes on, Steve backtracks his actions. "So, you're saying because of your ignorance, that all this is a misunderstanding then, Kade?" "Well yes, but it's not like I didn't learn anything from it." "Oh and what did you learn?" "If you don't mind me venting my feelings." "No, not at all, Kade," Alonzo takes on the psychiatrist's chair mode, relaxing back after taking a sip of his fuzzy navel. Steve turns slightly to the right, his ass pointed up towards Barry. "What Steve?" he whispers. "That's where the key is going to come out!" He smiles, then is greeted back with a harsh, but warm slap on the ass. "Owwwch!" "Would you pay attention?" Barry scolds the little kid in Steve. "That hurt." "I'll put a bandaid on it later," Barry replies. "Now what were you saying, Kade before you were so 'rudely' interrupted?" Steve smiles. "I... think my whole life is a wreck," Kade seems to break down, after leveling with them. Steve, Barry and Alonzo look back and forth to each other, as Kade puts both hands over his face and snaps his head back against the rear of the sofa. "What's wrong, Kade?" Steve turns to Barry and whispers ever-so-softly in his ear, "Periscope up," then makes the signs of two antennas coming out of his head like 'My Favorite Martian'. His reward is an elbow in the abs! "C'mon Kade. Whatever's ailing you it looks like it's time to get it out. You're among friends, you know." Sitting up, he picks up his drink and upends it. Barry reaches over for his glass, then hands it to Steve. "Here, make yourself useful!" Kade looks up, "Make it a double of whatever you're serving, Steve." "Will do, Kade." Barry restarts the conversation. "So, tell us... what's troubling you Kade." Both Alonzo and Kade lean forward, elbows resting on their thighs as Kade begins to unload his life into their ears. "First of all, Jade and I are getting a divorce." First wave of oh-no's fill the room. "Secondly, which is maybe tougher for me to say than the first is... I'm gay." It's no surprise to the three of them, but it's Alonzo whom brings out the reality of it all. "Kade, that's nothing to be ashamed of. You wouldn't be the first married man that's come out and said that." "I know, but I didn't think that it would ever come to fruition. I figured I would just keep on being married and live with it." "Kade, living with a lie about your life would be the worst thing you could do." "But I never meant to hurt Jade." "And how is she taking this?" Just then, who should enter the room? Barry rises and at first only offers words, "Jade I'm sorry." "I... I'm not upset." But Steve, as well as the others could detect otherwise. He switched from the navels to the highballs. Jade took an invited seat next to Barry. After serving something stronger to Kade, Alonzo, Jade, Barry and himself, he sat in the high back chair opposite the fireplace. "Kade and I have talked this out. I'm not angry. Maybe a little disappointed, but I realize that I can't make Kade into the husband he's not or ever will be." "That's very understanding of you Jade." "I'm not saying that I'm impervious to the hurt at this moment, but I do wish Kade well and there will always be a part of him in my heart." Silence prevailed for a short interval. It's unclear what thoughts she be revealed at this point. For sure Kade's gay realizations should not be discussed, but at the same time, something needed to be brought forth to break up the monotony of the situation. "Hi guys!" "Jade, you should have seen Aunt Bernice when she saw Kermit!" Aidan gasps. Diego says, "Dad, she almoss fainted dead!" Jacq and Sean can see that something morose is on the minds of the five. "Something I can help you folks with?" "Uhhh..." Barry looks at the kids and then back at the circle of adults, with unsurity. "Sean, why don't you take the kids to visit with Chad and Matty." "Okay. I just hope they're not in the 'middle' of something important!" % continuendo......... Copyright 2005 T. Chase McPhee All Rights Reserved. www.assgm.net www.nifty.org Permission is NOT granted to publish this story to any PAY site, nor any site that is not listed above, without the author's prior consent.