Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:59:21 -0700 From: dnrock@rock.com Subject: Photo 8 Photo by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com) 8: Expanding our Base Aphrodite located several galleries in the San Diego area that were willing to hang my work but I would need to stay around for one or two weeks to supervise the framing and perhaps the opening of a show. In addition, she found two industrial assignments for me, one at a ship yard and another for a vegetable growing cooperative. Brad and Chuck worked for a week non stop, getting my new catalogue additions posted to our web site. I had no idea just how popular that site had become but people, shops and galleries all over the place, were placing orders for limited editions. Nipping the hackers in the bud turned out to be much more important to my business than I had originally thought. I feared getting writers cramp from all the signing. The hardest part is choosing which shots, the non commission ones, that are limited and which general or stock. The commission shots usually become restricted in distribution or have a limited interest. My figure studies of Brad were not considered for sale yet, something we had to talk to his dad about first. Plato thought we should let him work out those details with Milton. Limited editions, by the way, are fixed to a set number of images. Once that number of prints has been produced the negative or positive is retired. In fact it is destroyed. Each limited image is dated, numbered and signed by the artist and a certificate of authenticity is also issued. None of my editions has sold out yet, so I have not had to face the emotion of destruction. My images are my children or my friends. It will come some day. For now the Ltd. negatives and positives are kept in a fireproof vault, under archival conditions. Each negative has a unique number that is highly controlled and tripe checked. A list of images and prints exists on the computers and in hard copy. To keep inventory costs and space under control I tend to make up prints in batches, 25 for the first batch, and then in batches of 10 after that. In addition, all the technical data related to taking, developing and printing is recorded including the freshness of the chemicals. I do this to insure the consistency of each print, so they are as close to each other as is possible to produce, even when produced months or ever years apart. I try and take the same care with all my images, even family snap shots. Just as we were about to leave one of dad's teaching buddies, a physics professor at the college, stopped in to make us a proposal. He offered to rent his San Diego condo to us for the time we needed. His price was three framed Ltd. prints. I remembered Dr. Basguard, a good instructor, not that I did all that well in his class, except in the lenses and light sections, but I felt I learned a lot. It is about an hour drive from the Navy yard but the price was right. I guess his condo was not used all that much while classes are in section. We arrived a couple of days before the JFK docked. This gave us some time to get organized and do most of our business, including delivery of one, large pile of pictures. Mom even arranged a discount for the sailors having my work framed. Now a goodly number of the prints had been sent in the mail already so the prospect for the frame shop was good. The owner also took a number of my 24 X 36 prints on consignment. Mom figured that a few consignment prints would serve as samples which would return 5 to 7 orders of large formats, and who knows how many smaller ones, for every consignment print displayed. It did seem to work. I understand all this business stuff, I am just not interested in it or in managing money, except what is in my pocket. Brad on the other hand seemed to have an accountant's mentality. He was into the finest details right off. He reorganized our cataloguing, tracking and file systems. He just had a talent for this stuff, like I do for visual things. It turned out Milton is a quartermaster. Perhaps more things are genetic then we may think. The condo was nice, three bedrooms, lots of open space, 4 bathrooms. It was sparingly furnished and my pictures went well with the decor. We would leave a digital thank you or two for Dr. Basguard, when we depart. Brad was getting excited as the 25th came closer. He also was excited about the 27th but I did not realize it or that he was in on my parent's surprise. We all went to greet the fleet, as it were. This was quite a crowd scene. I was taking pictures as usual, mostly with the digital camera. Milton was toward the end of the disembarking line. Brad embraced his dad, for a moment I though he would kiss him but he didn't. "I am so happy to finely meet you Apollo," he was saying, "my mates and I enjoyed all the snapshots you e-mailed to us" Brad introduced Plato and Aphrodite and we all piled into the Jeep. Milton had a 4 day pass and he would spend it with us at the condo. Milton is a tall man with light brown hair, rather fair skin, a thin well kept mustache and a fit physique. He had that military air about him, a kind of confidence. He spoke highly of his ship and it's company. He obviously liked what he did, he enjoyed his work. He was wearing his dress whites with all the decorations. Milton was handsome and for a man in his late 30's or early 40's was quite sexy. Brad obviously respected and admired his father. Milton did not talk like a sailor, at least around us "civvies", he spoke softly and firmly, using a midwest accent and educated vocabulary. I was impressed so were my parents. It was also obvious to me that Milton had been corresponding with Plato and Jim the ranger. He made sure to tell me how much he liked my work and how much he and his room mates enjoyed having my wildlife pictures posted on the bulkhead. He mentioned that one of the photographer's mates expressed a desire to meet me. Brad showed his dad to the guest room. I'm afraid I did a bit of a double take when he reappeared in civilian clothing, jeans and a T-shirt. Brad sure did resemble his father, except for skin tone and hair color, his facial features, stature, gate and facial expressions were the same. I am a lot like Plato too but resemble Aphrodite in the shape of my face, and texture of my skin. We are all a blend of nature and nurture. As the song tells us "we rise again in the faces of our children." (Aselin Debison) The parents sat around the kitchen table drinking beer. The boys had soda. Brad is only 15 and I became the designated driver. Milton wanted to know all the details about our adventures, the ones we did not put into the e-mails, that is. Mom, excused herself, to prepare for dinner out, her way of leaving the boys to boy talk. Brad quickly outlined his experiences at the camp before he ran into me. I told him about how mystical our experiences at the cabin were and how big a crush Brad had on Linda. "Oh yes the retired coast guard's youngest daughter. Brad suggested you had the hots for Veronica, Apollo?" I blushed a bit telling him we were just platonic, not that I didn't want more but it just didn't happen. "Brad here was, shall we say a bit more successful." Now it was his turn to blush. Our fathers laughed hardily about it, telling us to be careful or we would get caught in that great female fishing net. Mom returned at that point so the conversation shifted to a less sexes tone. The next morning we turned our condo into a business office with laptops, printers faxes and cell phones working overtime. Milton had his affairs to organize and Mom and I had our stuff. Plato and Brad made themselves scares in the morning, returning to prepare lunch. Milton spent a long time on the phone, making calls in the privacy of his room. I assumed they were to Chicago. He would want to talk to his younger children and I assumed to Brad's mother. I also figured Brad and Milton would want some time alone, some father and son bonding time. I was beginning to wonder what my mother was going to do for my birthday. Now I am not one to dwell on such things, I don't care much for these celebrations but women seem to think they are all a real big deal. Mothers get hurt and upset if you forget their birthdays and things like that. Dad's are happy if you remember to call or perhaps send them a card, if it is a few days late that's okay, but not moms. It better be on time and something special, not big or expensive, but special. Mom, dad and Brad left early in the morning promising to return about noon leaving Milton and I alone for the first time. We lingered over the breakfast table drinking coffee and chatting. Milton was feeling me out, trying to get a better sense of Apollo as a person and his oldest son's best friend and roommate. I know he wanted to ask if we were more then good friends and master-apprentice but he would not. He did ask if I thought Brad was truly interested in photography as a profession. I gave as honest an answer as I could. "I know he likes the adventure and the out of doors aspects of wildlife and nature work. He is competent in the darkroom, he understands the chemistry and physics but not the art." I figured he liked the business side of my work more then than sitting for hours until the light is just right. Milton appreciated my candor. He obviously knew his son better then Brad thought he did. He probably understood the boy better then Brad figured he did too. I broached the subject of Brad signing up with Apollo's Artworks, as our first contract model. He would need to sign the contracts as Brad was underaged. Milton would not make any commitment without talking to Brad first. Nor would he give me any hint of what he planed to do relative to the boys immediate future either. I did not push. He did suggest that he had been corresponding with Plato and Aphrodite on the subject, something they had not told either Brad or I about. He cut this line of conversation off saying today was my day and Brad's was three days away. He had kind of a sarcastic or sardonic smile on his face, one I could not quite read. I think he likes surprises or surprising people about as much as I do. Now I sure like to give it but being honest, I can't say I like taking them all that much. Maybe I'm more of a control freak than I'm willing to admit. Milton and I hit it off well on a one to one basis, I think we are kindred sprites so to speak. I liked the man, he commanded respect. He was well organized if not highly educated. He was obviously experienced and knowledgeable in his field. He spoke softly but with assurance. He was very masculine but not overbearing. He was obviously capable of compassion and understanding. He loved his children and I think Brads mother. Milton had shown in the past a sensitivity to her feelings and even to her beliefs, which were different then his own. He was not one to rush his judgment and I was sure once committed steadfast. He is observant and sensitive to the feelings of others. I suspect he could hang with the boys on ship or with the tea and biscuits crowd. In short, the kind of person you wanted and were proud to have as a friend. My family trio came bounding into the condo carrying all manor of packages. In fact, it took several trips. Mother had a large cake and bags of take out food, dad and Brad carried boxes, packages, and a large tube. I was just a bit overwhelmed by it all. Milton just urged me to sit still and go with the flow. Before mother cut the cake she insisted Brad open one of his presents, a few days early. My parents had purchased a point and shoot digital camera for Brad and she wanted him to record the events of the day. I was never very good at the family snap shot stuff anyway. We cut the cake and laughed a lot. My parents had found a used medium format camera with all the accessories. I was delighted, overwhelmed would be more like it. In addition, my company had purchased a high resolution digital back for it. So I traded a Zone 5 workshop for a digital back, a fair trade for sure. I was speechless knowing that combined this was almost as expensive as a new car. Milton also had a gift for me, I did not expect this. I guess he and Brad had cooked it up through e-mail. He presented Brad and I with large clothing bags. Another early present for Brad. We had matching suits in the latest style. Now Brad did not have any real dress clothing with him and I hadn't had a suit since high school graduation. These were complete, ties, underwear, shirt, socks, black wing tip shoes, even a belt. The suits were charcoal gray of fine summer weight wool. I was impressed, Brad was just a bit hesitant as he associated dress clothing with church. Milton just smiled saying if we were to accompany the parents to fine dining or when we attended gallery openings he wanted us to look the part. I was quite blown away. I was also wondering what if anything this kind of thing symbolized. Brad handed me a poster. I could tell it was a poster given the size of the tube. It was a 48 by 36 of him. One of the shots I had taken of his bare ass on the bed in the cabin. One of my better figure studies, if I say so myself. Brad had brought the negative with him and supervised the processing at a local custom lab. I was most impressed, with both the quality of the processing and Brad's (I was sure with dad's help) interpretation of my negative. Brad and I immediately hung it up in our bedroom. Milton was quite impressed with both my art and Brad's sexy form. Brad pushed his body close to mine, whispering, "I wanted to be sure you would not forget what my ass looks like." Placing my arm around his shoulders, I replied, "you never need to worry about that." We went to look over my medium format kit. What it was, was a recent model Hasselblad with 5 lenses, tripod, caring cases, filters, and other stuff. The digital back was new. I have wanted a medium format for many years but could never afford one before. Plato told me this one had been in the estate of an advanced amateur. "His widow did not want to brake the kit up and out of respect for her late husbands memory, wanted the camera kit to wind up with some one who would use it, not just collect it. When she saw your work..." Brad interrupted, "I showed her the poster." "She was most impressed, in fact she was so impressed she offered to throw in her husbands negatives and slides, so Apollo Art now has a wide range to mostly southwest oriented stock to offer." "I promised you would stop by so she could meet you," Brad interjected, "Its good PR you know." I'm sure Milton was impressed with Brad's business savvy, I know I am. Wow was all I could say, along with many thank you's to everyone for everything. I know my parents put up a lot of money for the body and lenses and my company must have paid a good buck for the digital back. Brad already had a complete inventory, right down to lens brushes, on my lap top. Mom had already arranged the insurance. I would put this new prize to work next week on the industrial assignments. I was a bit overwhelmed by it all but all was not over yet. I was also taken aback by Milton's gifts. I realized the matching suits were not only thoughtful but quite expensive. We boys were told to dress for dinner. Joining each other in the shower gave us a chance to share a much need emotional release thought some hard, satisfying sex. Our naked bodies pressed against each other as the warm water coursed over our smooth skin. Our hard cocks pressed, as our lips pressed together and our hands fondled each others butts. I lay on the bed with my legs pulled up toward my head. "Give me your greatest gift, brother." Brad moved up, taking his index finger and carefully lubed my anus. His large fat cock slipped in its full length. I could feel his balls pressing against my ass. His cock slid easily pressing on my prostrate as we both climbed to climax. Brad pressed his body against my chest and we kissed driving our tongues into each other's mouths. Brad drove deep and hard while my sphincter grabbed his cock as tightly as possible. I ejaculated spraying cum over our bodies moments before Brad filled his condom. I could feel each of his ejaculations sending shivers through my body. "Wow are these briefs sexy, Brad. Did you choose them?" "I wish I had, it was the salesman. He picked all the accessories. Dad had sent him our pictures and Aphrodite had sent our measurements. Dad picked the suit color, material and style from an internet catalogue. That's all I know, except if things don't quite fit we can bring them back for adjustments. " I pulled on the white silk thongs. I had never had a thong on before, it felt just a bit funny to have that string pressing against your anus. "God you look sexy in those things." Brad looked at himself and then at me. I raised my arms and slowly turned around. "Me, you should look at yourself." I moved a step closer and fondled his cloth covered cock. The design of these things is great, they hold you balls up and make your half hard cock look much bigger then it is. When Brad pulled up his contour hugging pants I thought I would come in mine. The suits fit perfectly and did we look sharp. Our parents thought so too. The next day we slept in and by the time we made out way to the coffee pot mom and dad were packed and ready to depart. Milton was smiling and joking with Plato and Brad as mom called me out to the car. She had wrapped the present I had ordered for Brad. She gave me some business papers to look after, made sure my bookings were in order and covered a few last minute corporate details. I was not quite sure what the future would bring. My impression of San Diego was favorable and I was sure some kind of temporary base in this area would be a wise business decision. I just didn't quite know what nature that base should take. At any rate I had at least two more weeks of meetings and appointments to get through before I could even think about my next project; which was the master class at the Art Institute in Chicago. Milton reported to his ship the next day while Brad and I made the rounds. We had a very nice meeting with Mrs. Wild the lady who sold the camera. I did not realize that along with the camera and photo collection, my parents also bought the darkroom equipment. Anyway, she sure appreciated my work and assured me that her late husband would have liked it. She knew he would rest easy knowing that a talented young professional would be using his equipment so others could enjoy the world. I liked her thoughts, I only hope I can live up to her expectations. We picked up Milton from the Navy Yard and headed off for dinner. I wanted to talk about Brad's future but Milton did not seem inclined. He did invite us to tour his ship, encouraging me to bring the Hasselblad, mentioning that the photographer's mate used one. The day was bright and sunny with lots to activity on board the JFK. Milton had arranged a tour and the Photogapher's Mate. Orval arranged for me to take a number of real cool pictures. He gave me lots of useful tips on using a medium format. Stuff they taught in school but I had forgotten most of it, not having much practical experience with one. I learned a lot from Orval and we made plans for him to accompany me on a nature expedition when he had a long enough leave. Brad got to spend some time in the Quartermasters sections. By the end of the day we were bushed. Milton, it seemed was just getting started. Oliver and Milton took us bar hopping and dining, to places frequented by the sailors. Brad and I made quite a splash being so young and cute, as one old chief put it. They would not give us any beer however, Brad being underaged and I was designated driver again. Brad's party started early ending at a strip club with a couple of the girls paying very close attention to us. I though for a little while that we might get laid but that did not happen either. We dropped Orval off at his quarters and headed to our condo. Milton had the 30th off and we slept in again. He came in to wake us up, two naked boys, laying on top of the blankets, wrapped in each others arms. Well if he didn't know we were lovers before he sure did now. Milton did not appear shocked or surprised. He was relatively gentle suggesting that revile had been played some time ago and the coffee was hot. He was dressed only in his boxer shorts. We quickly organized ourselves, brushed our teeth, pissed and pulled on our Jockeys. Joining him at the kitchen table. The remainder of my cake was sitting ready with two candles and steaming coffee. I think Milton was a bit hung over, we were just tired. I had purchased a palm pilot for Brad and Milton gave him a new ibook; of course his new suit and the digital camera added up to a fair bit. Brad was very pleased and I got to take a number of snapshots of him and his dad with his new camera. He also had greetings from his brother and sister. Brad's mom called on Milton's cell and he had a long conversation with every one back in Chicago. His mother wanted him to come home as she missed him. Brad knew that she had not been taking care of his siblings for the past two months, as they had been staying with her brother's family. Milton gave him a nod to indicate that he would be seeing her soon and that seemed to temper her crying. I could see he was not to happy about that and the mood of the party took a cooler tone when the call ended. Brad handed the phone back to dad and ran into the bedroom. Milton and I sat in silence for a few minutes. I was about to get up when Milton spoke. "Brad is a bit hot headed and I'm sure very angry right now, teens as you know are often a bit overly emotional, I think it best to let him cool off." "I should go and be with him." "Yes and no, yes you feel you should support your buddy and that is nobel, but no he needs to face up to his emotions and talk this out with me like the man he thinks he is." "True, but he needs to know that you love and support him and it's okay to cry or be angry or what ever, Milton. Just tell him that, tell him you respect his feelings and you and I are ready to talk about it when he is." I said with my best please dad pleading facial expression. Milton did that, returning to the table in short order. We chatted a bit about general stuff mostly about how much I enjoyed our JFK experience. I figured Milton had some news for Brad and that the call must have interrupted his flow. From the expression on his face when the cell rang I took it the call was early. I'm not sure he expected his wife to be at her brothers and talk to Bard either. Brad came in and sat down not saying anything. I expressed my speculation and Milton more or less confirmed it. "I'm sorry son, I had no intention of upsetting you." "I don't want to go back to Chicago, I can't trust her and I won't forgive her, so don't ask me." Milton moved over and gave Brad a big hug holding him to his chest. "I know son, it will take time for all of us but she is your mother and she does love you and you love her." Brad started to protest but Milton jumped in. "That is why you are so up set with her, because you love her and you feel she had betrayed your love, isn't it?" "Yes," Brad sobbed. "I love her too and I feel the same way, that is why I had to take sea duty, that is why I would never force you to live with her again." "But..But you said I would see her soon." "Yes I did and you will, but seeing is not living. Look you brother and sister are with Uncle Jason and your cousins. I was a bit surprised she was even there, it is your birthday and you are her son, I should have anticipated this and prepared you for it. I failed and I'm truly sorry for that failure." I took a few snapshots of the father and son embracing and Milton kissing his forehead. "Are you collected now and can we talk together as men." "Yes, sir." Brad reported with a mini mock salute and a bit of a smile on his angelic boys face. "I have another present for you Brad, this one involves Apollo and his family too." At that both our faces brightened right up, we thought we knew what he was going to say. Not exactly what we wanted to hear but close and probably even better than we had imagined. "I have been trying to find out what you wanted to do and how you wanted to do it. I also have been examining all the options, trying to consider what was in your best interest, along with the best interest of your siblings. At the same time I have been looking at my options. One of which is leaving the navy." "You can't do that, you love the navy, you can't." Brad blurted out. I just kept my motor mouth shut during all this, a real first for me, perhaps I am growing up, a little anyway. "No, I won't leave the navy, the thought did cross my mind but Plato talked me out of it. For the time being Martin and Sacrina are secure and seem to like staying with Jason's family. You however, have your schooling to consider. I know at 16 you think traveling the world with Apollo is wonderful and it is. I know you two think you are in love and I also know love is blind and your hormones, this applies to both of you, are ragging and hormone driven love is both blind and death. Your best interest will be served by furthering your education, and your parents agree with me," he emphasized by looking at me. "Linda will just have to pine in Montana for your return." "Apollo has a master class in Chicago and will probably pick up some assignments there too. That will take most of the fall up, anyway. You should attend you regular school until Christmas break and then move to Bellingham. The Bidis' will look after you until I get reassigned to shore duty in the Seattle area. Once I have shore duty, our family can be together. Plato and Aphrodite have agreed to this already, so has your Uncle Jason." Turning to me, "Apollo, I signed a modeling contract for Brad, Aphrodite has it, I was not sure about this modeling stuff until I saw that poster, it convinced me he had the body and you have the talent. You and Apollo will stay with Plato's cousin in St. Charles. That too has been arranged. You must promise to spend lots of time with Martin and Sacrina, and have regular visits with your mother." "I promise, we promise don't we Apollo?" "Yes we sure do." "But what about mom," Brad asked? "Your mother is sick, Bradley. I should have recognized it but I didn't. She has some kind of mental illness. She needs to get help and once she is better then we can be a family again. I feel like a big shit sometimes, running off to sea and not staying by her and helping her. The mental health people and your uncles and aunts all feel I did the right thing. Our fighting was adding additional stress to the situation and only driving her further away into the clutches of that stupid cult. I was very concerned about you, but Ranger Jim wrote me a long letter after it was all over, reassuring me you had not been badly harmed or sexually abused. He also warned me that you and Apollo were a bit closer then an employee/employer normally are. I had to see that for myself. What I see is a very positive situation and a loving relationship. One I will brag about to my navy buddies, one I can see is in the best interest to both my older boys." Milton reached out his hands and we each took one in our own. I figured that was about as affirmative a statement of our relationship we were likely to get from him. Brad was quite relieved. I figured Plato had a lot to do with his acceptance, but that is only speculation on my part. "Apollo has about two weeks more in San Diego, I have 30 days leave starting today. You and I will fly to Chicago day after tomorrow so you can get back to school. We will stay with my sister in Berwyn until Apollo arrives, which should be by the end of September. I almost forgot Apollo, don't you have another gift for Brad?" I have several, one was a big kiss which I planted on his mouth, the second was his modeling portfolio mostly nude and undie shots, which Milton thought were quite well done, and a good hard fuck which I would give him in privet. It was some hard for Brad and I to say good by, even if for only a few weeks. At least we could e-mail and phone on a regular basis. The condo was sure lonely though. I had hoped to pick up some assignments along the way east, that did not happen. I did have a chance for some reconnaissance and to take a number of shots on spec. The medium format is truly wonderful, Ansel Adams, Apollo Bidis is on your ass. My industrial assignments went well. The ship yard purchased a number of my shots and suggested a lot more work was to come. The Veg. Coop was most interesting. I took the usual field stuff and then a large number of bench tops. I worked along side a video crew. We were given direction by an art director. She was a short, overly rounded, fun person who knew just what she wanted. By working side by side she was sure to have good coordination between the still and video images, yet each would be unique. I would not see how well things came out for some time however. Perhaps this was an opening in the advertising world. My show openings were all well received. I got to meet not only other local artists but people who had interfaced with me or us. I met the photo lab tech who made the poster and the salesman that arranged our suits. A journalist from the San Diego Daily Transcript recognized me and my name from the Jonas affair. He mentioned his paper had carried one of my syndicated shots and made sure his readers realized this artist was also a minor celebrity. I'm sure that will not hurt sales. Orval brought all his navy photo buddies to meet me, some of them had already order stuff at Milton's suggestion. Over all it worked out quite well. The lab tech introduced me to several big art wheels in the local community who wanted to see my figure studies. I promised them a small collection ready by the year end. The clothing salesman's name is Gary. He works at Nrodstrom's, University Town Center store. He asked about Brad, showing great disappointment that he was in Chicago. It was quite obvious Gary was gay and Brad had made a strong impression on him. Brad must have turned him on and the way he was giving me the once or twice over I must too. "How does the suit fit Mr. Bidis? Are you sure? I will gladly arrange for a final, privet fitting." "Well Gary, see for yourself," I said taking the jacket off and slowly turning around. His hand brushed across my ass, keeping contact as I rotated until his fingers lay over my crotch. "Hum, perhaps a little tight in the crotch, why not come by the store about 2 tomorrow and I can make an adjustment" We shook hands and he departed.