Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2003 20:20:37 -0500 From: Rhaven Subject: The Long Road Chapter Five This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/man. For more stories and poems, please visit: www.rhavenlore.com CHAPTER FIVE Jeremy wasn't sure why he was so excited about going to town. He sat on the edge of the seat and stared out at the colorful buildings of Eden with the joy of a child at Disney World. Eden catered to the rich and the richer. Main Street had been transformed into a prism of top retail stores. It had once been an average town, until the wealthy discovered it. Now it served the elite. Jeremy didn't mind, normally this kind of town would disgust him, but he was just happy to be out of the house, it was nice to be anywhere. Mr. Sonnenfeld parked the car in front of Manacles Express, a posh clothing store. "Shall I wait here for you Mr. Brice?" The stiff driver asked in his scratchy deep voice. "We will have lunch at 11; pick us up here at noon." Bram confidently spat out the orders. They entered Manacles to the cheerful smiles of the employees. "Welcome back Mr. Brice, I trust you have been well?" A scarecrow of a man asked with a smile so unnatural, he looked in pain. "Where are your swimming trunks?" Jeremy noticed that Bram had once again transformed into his old man attitude, even his posture had changed. They followed the over-eager man to the back of the store. "Here we are." He sang, pointing as if Bram and Jeremy were too blind to notice the swimming suits. Bram began to browse, while Jeremy stood dumbfounded at the price tags. "Two hundred dollars for a bathing suit?" Jeremy moaned. "Don't worry; my father will pay for these." Bram said with a smile. It didn't seem right, but Jeremy wasn't about to argue. He wanted the bathing suit and figured Mr. Brice had plenty to spare. It only took Jeremy a few minutes to pick out a nice black bathing suit, but Bram had difficulties. He searched every rack, every fixture and only seemed to get more upset with each look. "I can't make up my mind." Bram finally said with frustration. Before Jeremy could say anything, the scarecrow spoke up. "If I may sir. These are very popular this year." The man picked up a suit that looked like a flower massacre, than a swimsuit. Jeremy thought it was the ugliest thing he had ever seen, but Bram seemed excited. "That is perfect!" Bram exclaimed, taking the suit out of the salesperson's hands. "What do you think Jeremy?" "Um. they look.fine to me." Jeremy said trying to look sincere. "Excellent choice Mr. Brice, excellent!" That freaky smile appeared again on the man's face. Jeremy wondered if the salesperson was pulling a prank on Bram. Telling him something was popular, when in fact, it was detested. They headed next to the summer wear, to pick out some casual clothes for Bram. Jeremy had never experienced anything like Bram shopping. He had thought the dentist was bad, but watching Bram fuss and fume over what looked good and what looked stupid, was overwhelming. It was almost 11 a.m. before they had finished. However, Bram seemed happy with his choices and that was all that mattered. Their next stop was McDonalds, Bram walked in wide-eyed and all smiles. Jeremy found it both sad and amazing to see the boy's excitement over the fast food restaurant. Bram devoured his Big Mac, as if it was a filet mignon. Jeremy could barely eat his for watching Bram. "It's almost noon." Jeremy said looking at his watch. "Mr. Sonnenfeld will be waiting on us." "Does McDonalds deliver?" Bram whispered looking around to make sure no one could hear his question. "Afraid not sweetheart, but we can come back here anytime you want." They headed outside and walked towards the car. Mr. Sonnenfeld waved as they approached and started the engine. The drive home wasn't as exciting as the drive in town. Jeremy wished they could have spent a little more time there. "So what would you like to do for the rest of the day?" Jeremy asked, no longer able to stand the silence in the back seat. "Your room." Was all Bram said, as he peeked into his shopping bags. "Would you mind if we took a walk first?" Bram frowned. "To the creek? Why?" Jeremy shrugged his shoulders. "It just sounds like a good idea; it's such a beautiful day. We can try out our new bathing suits." "In the creek?" Bram almost fell out of his seat. "Just for a little while, okay?" Bram shook his head and finally reluctantly agreed. The car pulled up to the house as Maggie was walking out. "Maggie, what's up?" Jeremy asked, it seemed strange seeing the woman outside, like a fish out of water. "Heading to my sisters for the rest of the weekend. The house is yours Mr. Roberts, please don't destroy it before I return." "See you Monday Maggie!" Bram said as he raced into the house with his new clothes. "You're leaving?" "I am taking advantage of you Mr. Roberts. Since you are here to watch over the child, I am visiting my sister." Maggie smiled and patted Jeremy on the shoulder. "Don't fret; I have meals prepared, toilet papers stocked and the cable bill paid. I think you two will be fine." "And Nancy?" Jeremy wasn't sure why he was asking, he just couldn't believe that he would be left in charge of this huge house. "It's just you and Bram until Monday." Maggie gave Jeremy a quick kiss on the cheek and climbed into the car. Jeremy stood there until the car had disappeared over the horizon. He scolded himself for being so paranoid, but it felt like a trap. He laughed at this thought and walked into the house. "What do you think?" Bram twirled around to show off his new swimming suit. Bram made the ugly thing somehow look stunning. Even the plain t-shirt he wore seemed special. "I think you. it.it is beautiful." "Well, go get yours on! I don't want to spend all day soaking in sewer water." Jeremy headed up stairs laughing. "It's creek water, not sewer water. Believe it or not, there is a difference." "Whatever." Once Jeremy had changed, they headed outside. Jeremy could tell by the way Bram walked, he wasn't too excited about this expedition. He on the other hand was looking forward to it. The spot by the creek was gorgeous; he could spend the rest of his life staring at it, absorbing its natural beauty. "We. we aren't actually going to swim in the creek are we?" Bram stuttered as they approached. "Don't think its deep enough to swim; I thought we'd just walk some in it." It wasn't as hard getting Bram into the creek as last time, he did still cringe as he stepped in. "Why is this so exciting for you?" Bram asked groaning. "I don't know. Maybe it reminds me of who I am." Bram cocked his head and looked at Jeremy curiously. "Who are you then?" Jeremy reached down and picked up a stick floating down the creek. "I am nothing. In this whole world of beauty, of natural's wonder, I am nothing." "That is insane!" Bram slipped, but quickly balanced himself. "You aren't nothing. What is beauty without someone to notice?" Jeremy stopped walking and looked down at the boy. "Wow." Was all he could say. They walked further down the creek without speaking. Bram seemed to enjoy the walk a little more than last time. Only occasionally, would he slip or groan over something he thought felt gross. Jeremy decided they had walked far enough and to Bram's joy, they headed back. Jeremy once again had to help the boy out of the creek. "Have a seat." Jeremy said pointing to the spot they had had the picnic. "We're not going inside?" Bram looked confused. "I just want to rest for a moment." Jeremy lay down on the ground. Bram reluctantly sat down next to him. "It was stupid to put on our swimming trunks." Bram said quietly. "They aren't even wet." "You're probably right." Jeremy laughed. "But you are so damn cute in them." "Oh hush." Bram said blushing. "Jeremy?" "Yes, Bram." Jeremy said lazily. The boy stretched out on the ground, resting his head on Jeremy's stomach. "Can you tell me another of your poems?" "You really want to hear one?" "Please?" Bram said thumping his head into Jeremy's stomach. Jeremy cleared his throat and began; "I wish I could write a poem for you With no words and still be true I wish I could write a sonnet of love Song by angels and cherubs above I wish I could create a ballad of bliss To express every feeling that exists I wish I could sing you a song A tune to erase all that is wrong But nothing in a poem Would hit home Not even a sonnet Could recite it No not a ballad Wouldn't be valid Nor a song It doesn't belong No words can describe perfection No words show my affection No words define my heart No words display such art I have nothing to tell you I have nothing to say I have nothing to view All I have to offer for you Is something you already knew The few words that are just The few words that I must I say this straight and true My darling, I love you." Jeremy wondered if Bram had heard the poem, for the boy said nothing. They lay there for several minutes in silence; Jeremy could tell Bram was thinking about something. "What's on your mind?" He finally asked. "Nothing.it was stupid." Bram whispered. "Nothing is stupid; tell me what you were thinking." Bram took a deep breath and rolled over on his side to face Jeremy. "I was wondering. is love enough?" "Sweetheart, love is everything. All creation was created by love." Bram sat up and shook his head. "What if. what if you've never known love? How do you know when you're really in love?" Jeremy sat up and wrapped his arms around the boy. "Love is indescribable, when you do fall in love you just know. You asked if love is enough, once you have it, it's all you ever want." "Can we go in now?" Bram asked still in deep thought. "Sure, I think we've both have had enough of the outdoors. Race you to the house!" Jeremy jumped to his feet and started running. "Stop.please stop!" Bram screamed. Jeremy skipped to a stop. He looked around to figure out what had upset Bram, but couldn't see anything. "What's wrong?" "No running, that's all. I. I just don't want to run." Jeremy could see that Bram was visibly shaken, he just didn't know why. "No problem, I won't run." He walked back to where Bram was standing and took the boy's hand. They slowly walked back to the house. It seemed that Bram was holding his breath until they finally made it inside, only then did he relax. "I think we should take a shower." Bram said sniffing himself. "I feel dirty." Jeremy stopped half way up the stairs. "And then?" Bram looked down the stairs and then up to Jeremy's room. "Slumber party." "Slumber party." Jeremy repeated. "This time we'll fix popcorn and bring up some cokes." "Sounds good, but first a shower, I smell like a dead fish." Bram didn 't wait on Jeremy, he raced up the rest of the stairs and sprinted into his room. Jeremy shook his head, as he watched the boy disappear. Bram was such a mystery to him. Such a seesaw of emotions, he ran inside the house, but won't outside, Bram was definitely a mystery. Jeremy walked to his room. He decided this time he was going to take a bath and soak. It was funny, he really didn't need one, but he knew it would make Bram more comfortable if he did. Jeremy stripped naked before he even made it to his bedroom. It seemed to take forever for the tub to fill up, but once it had, it was worth it. Jeremy moaned with delight as he slipped into the tub. He felt almost comatose; it was so relaxing. Suddenly Bram walked into the bathroom. "You're still taking a bath?" "No, I'm finished. I'm just too comfortable to move." Jeremy joked and pretended to fall asleep. He opened his eyes and looked over at the boy. Bram had on some his new clothes. The shorts and shirt made him almost look like a normal kid. "I like the clothes." Jeremy said lazily. Bram gave a blushful smile and sat down at the edge of the bathtub. "They are nice, aren't they?" Bram dipped his hand in the water and swirled it. "Do you think we could order a pizza? I've seen commercials where they bring them to your house." "A pizza? I'm sure we can find someone around here who delivers. If you'll get me the phone I'll see what I can do." Bram raced out of the bathroom and returned like a flash with the phone in his outstretched hand. "Here you go!" Bram said excitedly. Bram sat back down on the bathtub ledge as Jeremy dialed information. He remained silent as Jeremy got the phone number to Pizza Hut. Jeremy made the call as Bram once again stuck his hand into the water. His thin fingers ran down Jeremy's leg to his knee. Only when Jeremy had placed the order and clicked the phone off did he remove his hand. "Can I get you a towel?" Bram almost whispered. "Who says I'm ready to get out?" Jeremy joked. "Come on, you can't stay in there all day!" Bram splashed water in Jeremy's face. "Oh so you want to fight?" Jeremy said playfully and splashed water into Bram's face. Bram laughed and tried to dodge, but only lost his balance. Before Jeremy could do anything, Bram fell into the tub. "Oh man!" Bram was stuck with his feet slung over the edge of the tub and his butt between Jeremy's legs. The boy looked disgustingly at his wet clothes and frowned. "Oh man." "Smooth move." Jeremy laughed. It was a struggle, but he finally was able to pull the boy out of the tub. He grabbed a towel and tried his best to dry Bram off. "Oh man." Bram said again, still looking down at his wet clothes. "No worry, nothing broken, nothing harmed." Jeremy pulled the boy's shirt off as Bram slipped out of his shorts. "Just think how clean you are now, with two baths." "Very funny." Bram grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. "You better get dressed or the pizza man will think we're running a nudist colony here." "Go put something else on." Jeremy slapped the boy on the butt and grabbed himself a towel. He threw the boy's clothes in the hamper and went to find himself something to wear. Once dressed he headed downstairs to wait for the pizza. Jeremy could have honestly stayed in the bathtub for days; he had to admit to himself that being alone in the house with Bram was straining his nerves. He deeply cared for the boy and felt himself falling in love. This wasn't what he had expected or predicted. He also felt that the boy was smitten on him. Whatever happened, Jeremy just wanted to make sure that Bram would be all right with it. He could see the boy becoming obsessed, blindsided by their relationship. If there was going to be a relationship, Jeremy still wasn't sure. All he knew was that he would do anything for the boy, without question or thought. That was what scared him.