Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 07:02:48 -0700 (PDT) From: Puer Amore Subject: The Ice Storm...PT I THE ICE STORM (PT I ) By Barry pueresamo@yahoo.com Disclaimer: This work is one of fiction. Any resemblance of persons or places mentioned in this story to actual persons or places is only slightly more than coincidence. Copyright 2006 Barry. All Rights Reserved. Responding to a sudden clatter from outside, I opened the front door and stood there, only the storm door protecting me from the freezing rain, now coming down at a rate I don't think I have ever seen before. Steam rose from the mug of Hot Cocoa I had brought with me to the door. It was somewhat comforting to hold the mug up close to my mouth and allow the happy vapor to tickle my nose. I needed a little comfort as I had been in a down mood all day. DAMN! I said aloud. It's just NOT supposed to get this cold in Dallas. The temperature continued to drop and even more quickly after the freezing rain had stopped. The street was now glazed with what appeared to be, perhaps, a half inch of polished ice. I glanced at the thermometer on the porch. It read 22 Degrees F. DAMN! I repeated. There was zero traffic. No one was stupid enough to venture out into this weather. Down the block, a lone mercury vapor lamp began to flicker to life, as if awakened to the call of the setting sun. I left the door open, knowing I would return after refilling my mug. Not enough remained for a refill, so I put on another small pot of milk to warm for a fresh batch of cocoa. While it warmed, I stacked some wood into the fireplace and started a fire. I was ready for a soothing session in front of the fire. The wood began to crackle and that wonderful aroma of a wood fire began to find its way to my nose. It seemed that, perhaps, some appropriate music would fill out the experience, so I placed one of my favorite CDs into the player. It was Dan Fogelberg. I selected track 7 "Make Love Stay" ....my very favorite, although the CD was filled with other very good songs as well. I reclined on the sofa, and while the CD player exercised its mechanism to take in the CD and search out track 7, I put on my headphones so as to enjoy it "close up". It began to play and I released myself to its compelling strains. Tears began to well up in my eyes. This was a special song and its lyrics held special meaning to me and to young David, with whom I had shared a very special relationship. I don't know why I listen to that song, it always brings back memories of David which, in turn, always cause the tears to well up. God! I love him so. I continued to lie there, lost in my memories of sweet David, while the remainder of the CD played through. Dear David, the sweetest and most loving boy in the whole world, I thought. David had grown up, as boys tend to do, and had exploited his tremendous musical talents to graduate Magna cum Laude from the Boston Conservatory of Music and move on to a very successful career. He still owns my heart and I remain his fan and love him beyond words. I hear from him only occasionally now. Shaking me from my thoughts was an URGENT ALERT from my nostrils, informing me I had burned the milk. I hurried to the kitchen and confirmed that my olfactory was correct. I poured the spoiled milk down the sink, flushing it with copious amount of hot water, hoping to dispel the smell as quickly as possible. Oh well, it was time now, "Post- Folgeberg" , for a drink more suitable to my mood and one to help ward off the icy weather and its chill. Ah, I thought, time for a visit with my dear counselor Dr. Jack Daniels. I returned to the fireplace with my bourbon on the rocks and once more reclined on the sofa. Just as I settled in, and as if on cue, the lights went out. GREAT! I thought. The last time that ice had brought down the lines, I was without power for a day an a half. My eyes quickly adjusted to the only light remaining, that of the fireplace. Its warm glow now irresistible, I moved to a chair closer to it and took a sip from my drink. HELLO!...HELLO? , a voice startled me from the foyer. What the Hell, I thought. Coming! I returned as I hurried to the front door. As I reached the foyer, I beheld a boy, perhaps 12, his clothing soaked completely through and then frozen again. His hair facetted with ice crystals, he stood there freezing and shivering before me. My God! How long have you been out in this weather with no coat or warm clothes, I asked. A long time, he began in answer. I interrupted, Well, never mind that now. We must get you out of these wet clothes NOW! Before you wind up with frost bite! Take your shirt off, quickly! I ordered. Simultaneously, I reached for his belt and said This is no time for modesty, my young friend; we must get you out of these immediately. With that I pulled his pants and briefs to his ankles. He removed his shirt and undershirt. Just throw them on the floor for now. I said. Now sit down there and I'll pull those pants all the way off. He did as I asked. Your lips are blue, so are your feet and testicles. We need to get you into some warm water right away. Come with me! I said. He followed me into the too dark bathroom. Damn, No Power! I placed my bathrobe around him, started the hot water running, and said I'll be right back, I need to get the oil lamp from another room. I returned immediately and found him standing there, still shivering. Poor Baby, I thought. Thankfully, the power had not been off long enough for the hot water to cool. I began filling the tub with lukewarm water. What's your name, young man? I asked. Travis. He replied. Well Travis hop in there, let's get you warmed up. He wasted no time getting into the tub. HOT! He exclaimed. It's only lukewarm, Travis, it just feels hot to you because you are nearly frozen. You'll acclimate to it in a moment. Thank You mister, he said, looking up at me lovingly. No Problem, I replied. I took the glass from the counter and dumped out the toothbrush. I began using it to gently pour warm water over his head, as the water level hadn't risen to a level where he could dunk his head under it. Better? I asked. Yes Sir, he replied. Thank You! You've saved my life. My heart exploded with an instantaneous rush of emotion for this poor boy. You're quite welcome, Travis, I said. I'm only glad I was here to help. He nodded in acknowledgement. Travis, huh? I inquired. A good old Texas name isn't it. Yes Sir, he replied. Dad says we're related somewhere way back, I don't know exactly how. Interesting, I inserted. Well, Travis, just how is it that you came to be here at my house anyway? I queried. It's cooling down now. Travis interjected. Let's add some hot water, then. I said, reaching for the hot water valve. That's good. He said, after a minute. I shut off the water. Mister, if I tell you what you asked me, you won't get mad and make me leave will you? He asked. Of Course NOT! Travis. Why would I do such a thing? I'm only delighted you're here, safe, and out of this beastly weather. OK, he said. But I don't even know your name, sir. He added. I'm so sorry, Travis. In all this urgency to get you warmed up, I forgot. My name is Barry. Oh, he said, I like that name Barry. Thanks, I said. So did my mother, I chuckled. OK, then, he said, I'll tell you. It's called Tough Love, he said. My Dad, you know. No Travis, I really don't know. Please tell me. Well, he paused, you sure you won't think bad of me? Of course NOT, I said. I'm the most open-minded person you'll ever meet. I can't imagine anything that would cause me to think badly of you. Indeed, I already feel very close to you and regard you as a dear friend, Travis, so feel free to talk to me about anything. OK, he said. You know The Assembly of God Temple in Waco? he asked. No Travis, I can't say I do. Is that where you're from? I asked. He nodded in the affirmative. My Dad is the pastor; he's in charge of the whole evil place. He said. I see. I said. It's cooling down again, he said. OK, I answered, as I, once more, turned on the tap to add some more hot water. We should let some of this cooler water out, Travis, so the hot water we're putting in doesn't cool as quickly. Yeah, OK, he said. I reached across him to remove the stopper. After a minute, enough water had drained from the tub to expose his magnificent physique, including his perfectly formed and proportioned genitals. At this moment I realized that he was absolutely beautiful. An ambulatory work of art. Soon the fresh water had covered him again. I shut off the tap once more. He Hates Me! Travis blurted out. He Hates Me! Your Dad? I asked. He Hates Me! He repeated, as tears welled up in his eyes. Don't be sad, my young friend, I said. You're safe here with me now. No one will hurt you now. Your Dad maybe upset with you, Travis, but I can't imagine anyone, least of all your dad, hating you. I said. He Hates ALL FAGGOTS! Travis added. I see, he's one of those, huh? I asked. He says they all go to Hell! Do you think that's true? Travis asked. I certainly DO NOT! I hastened to say. Does your Dad think you're gay, Travis? I asked. I AM GAY! .... I AM! Is it OK? Do I have to leave now? He sobbed. I reached over and pulled his head to my breast. Of Course Not, my young friend. I said affectionately Travis, my sweet boy, Ganymede himself must have lead you to my door. I said with a smile. Who? He asked. Never mind, I'll tell you about him later. He found out I was doing, he paused, certain things with Jacob, my friend from the temple. Jacob told on us to save his own butt, or he'd probably be here with me right now. I hate him now. He explained. I understand. I said. My Dad and the elders packed some clothes for me, gave me a bus ticket to Dallas, and a hundred dollars. Oh Travis, I'm so very sorry, I can't imag.... I can NEVER come back, they told me NEVER! Travis sobbed. When I got to Dallas, I was to ride the D.A.R.T. till it runs out and then walk to the Boy's Ranch in McKinney. They take in boys like me, I guess. My God! I exclaimed. What Hypocrites! When I got off the D.A.R.T., I started walking and then the ice storm began, and well, I started looking for shelter. Your porch had a roof and your door was open and I could see the fire burning and I .... OK, Travis, I understand. It had to be Ganymede, I smiled, he brought you to me. Who's Ganymede? He asked. Well, I began; Ganymede is a character from Greek Mythology. A young Boy, a shepherd boy. A boy so beautiful that even the gods envied him and fought over him. But, for now, let's just think of him as a mutual friend who brought you to me for he knows I would love and care for you. Travis smiled up at me and said, Thank You Ganymede. Indeed, I said, Thank You Ganymede, for bringing this sweet and beautiful boy to me. I will take good care of him. Looking down at Travis, I said, I promise. Travis smiled and said, Ganymede Huh? Sure, I said. It only makes sense, you see. Travis, he brought you to me cause I'm gay too! WOW! Thank You Ganymede, Travis repeated. Are you warm now, Travis? I asked. Pretty Much, he said, except the top of my head. Looking at his matted hair, I asked, Travis, when did you last shampoo your hair? Before all this began, he said, I was isolated to my room for several days, so probably 5 or 6 days, I guess. Well Travis, here's an idea. I need to shower before the hot water runs out. Why don't you join me, you're already wet anyway, and we'll see what we can do with that hair. If, that is, seeing me naked won't gross you out. I added. NAW! He said. I have been sharing the showers with my classmates for years, I'm used to being naked and seeing other boys naked. It's OK! OK, then. I said. Travis stood up, I dropped my shorts to the floor, since that's all I had been wearing, and got in with him.