Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 10:17:23 -0800 (PST) From: dante umbero Subject: Artist's Holiday-Joel 4 WARNING this story contains graphic descriptions of hot man 2 man sex. If you are offended or too young to read it go away. Otherwise enjoy. This story is based on real characters and real events. While creative license has been used to enhance the tale, and obviously the names have been changed, the general storyline is factual. The characters in this story were living in a place and time when diseases were not so common. Be responsible and don't make love without a "glove". Ciao Dante- "A million dollars, Dave you're rich!" Joel gasped. "Well I haven't got the commission yet, besides maybe I don't want to do it." I sighed. Joel's mouth dropped open," Not do it, Dave, are you crazy?" He said. I walked to the drinks cabinet, poured myself straight bourbon took a drink and looked at Joel, "You don't understand, Joel, if I take this commission it is likely that I'll need to stay here for an extended period, possibly move here until it is complete. The committee throwing that kind of money can pretty much dictate the terms of my life for the duration." I pulled on the end of the bowtie and loosened my collar. "In the meantime you'll be at Davis and we will be in the same situation just reversed. I have decided that I can't live across the country from you. No matter the cost. I receive quite a good income from my work as it is. This commission won't change anything if I turn it down. I will likely get several horse portraits from Ingrid's Suede and that isn't a small amount. Not to mention my agent has the specs for a graphics contract in London waiting on me. I have plenty of work. What I want is to be with you, every possible moment. Do you understand what I'm saying?" I looked at Joel and could see he was still baffled. I sighed yet again and said, "Joel you're worth more than a million dollars to me. I would gladly pay a million dollars to have you with me every minute of every day. I'd lay down my palette and shovel horse shit for a living just to be with you." I reached out and took his hand, took another gulp of bourbon and slapped the glass down. "Let's go to bed." I said and tugged him to his feet. Latter, after a furious bout of lovemaking, in which I worked out most of my anxiety, lying against Joel's chest. He said, "Dave, I am still floored by what you said. You'd give up a million dollar deal, for me? How could I be at peace with that? At least check out the commission and see. I believe we are meant to be together, so let's see how it pans out. OK?" I could hear his heart beat and feel the tickle of his chest hair against my cheek; I was beginning to think I could never refuse him when placed in such a situation. I chuckled at the thought and said, "Dude when I feel like I do right now, I'd give you my left nut, one kidney and half my liver, if you wanted it." He brushed his hand across my back and shoulder, "Just listen to what they have to say. How long does something like this take?" He asked. "Well it depends on the size and how well I sync with the committee. If I can get a good feel for what they want, the magic happens and the work is large, potentially a year or more. Historically though some monumental works have taken years. Sargent worked for like 10 years on the Boston Museum of Fine Art. I don't think this is that size but a year is certainly in the ball park. It isn't like I start and work exclusively on it. I have to develop the work do drawings and probably a few studies in oil for the committee to approve then begin the main work, all the while doing the rest of my work. I'll be able to give you a better answer Monday afternoon." I said and yawned. Joel getting out of bed woke me. "God, I can't wait until you can spend an entire night with me." I said sleepily. Joel leaned over and kissed me lightly, "Soon lover, soon. I need to get back to the bunkhouse before daylight. Carlo was wasted when I left last night so he isn't likely to be up yet. What kind of plans you got today?" he said. I yawned and said, "I need to do a bunch of laundry and start pulling stuff together for the trip to London. I'm sending all my oil paints back out west today so I'll need to run into town. I've also got to call the airline and reschedule my return flight from Paris. Luckily I took travel insurance out so all these tickets are covered. Ingrid wants me to have lunch up at the house today." I paused and looked at Joel who smiled down at me. "Busy, lover boy, busy." I finished and smiled. "Can we spend Sunday together?" he asked. "Are you asking me for a date?" I asked. He nodded and smiled. "I thought you'd never ask. I just got one thing planned for Sunday and you can tag along." I said. He kissed me and I heard the door latch dimly as sleep reclaimed me. As I had told Joel the day was busy with mundane chores errands and a delightful lunch with Ingrid. She kept thanking me for the painting and kept trying to pay for it. I told her that it was a gift, but if she wanted to help then to encourage those interested in contacting me about commissions. When she asked how much they cost I told her honestly that Ingrid's Suede wouldn't have been for sale if I hadn't given it to them, but on average I got about $6,000.00 for a portrait. If they want me onsite then they can add the travel expenses. She laughed and said I was too cheap, that the horses cost millions so a portrait ought to be worth at least 10,000. She would take care of it. She suddenly changed the subject and said, "Is Joel going to follow you back to California?" I choked on my water and had to push back from the table to regain my composure, after a minute of coughing and gasping I took a sip of water and said, "My God, what are you talking about." "Well by your reaction I can assume then that you and he are together, I won't deny that I was initially quiet upset at you. Then the lovely portrait and you both are obviously happy, what can I say. I will tell you though that his family will not be happy if they find out, so please be careful. So do you love him, or is this just a fling?" She said. I'm sure that I looked pretty stupid at this point, but I tried to rise to the occasion and said, "Very much actually. I realize there is a monstrous age difference but Joel seems content. I unfortunately still worry, quit selfishly, that he will tire of my middle age ministrations and move to a younger loving. As you know I don't have a great track record in the love department." "Well I wish you both lots of luck, and all that. I told C.V. about it and surprisingly he was rather interested. Said that you were very intelligent and in a queer sort of way attractive. He could see what Joel saw in you. He also said he would gladly give Joel a recommendation to Vet school." She said and laughed. "So I am glad that you are taken. Now about this commission thing, if you get it you'll need a place to stay around here. The guest house is yours at anytime, I want you to promise me you'll stay with us whenever you need to. Of course, stay away from C.V." She said through peels of laughter. That night snuggled up against Joel I repeated my conversation with Ingrid. He was initially upset but I calmed him down and told him not to worry. C.V. and Ingrid had both lived for four years in San Francisco so they were pretty cosmopolitan. "He is going to give you a recommendation to Vet School." I said. "He apparently cares for you and wants you to do well. I said. "It's just too close to home, I guess. She was right about my Dad, he won't be happy to say the least. It would be better if he didn't find out about us, Dave." He said. "In the words of a wonderful man, whatever it is we'll get through it together, lover." I whispered as sleep claimed me. Joel lay along time thinking about the situation. He knew that he loved this man more than anyone else in his life. Even more than his family, he wouldn't let anything happen to him. He had already talked with his advisor and he could either finish up here or transfer to UC. He worried that Dave would let his college arrangements interfere with what could be the most important work of his career. Joel was relatively simple; he wanted to be with David, period. He still waited to wakeup from a dream, but hoped like hell he never did. The sun shining in the bedroom woke me, I could feel the warmth of Joel against my back, he was spooned up to me and I could feel his erection nestled in my crack. I snuggled backward into him and sighed. Then realized how late it was. "Oh shit, Joel, wakeup!' I yelled and threw back the duvet. Joel mumbled and sat up. "Whass wrong, I'm up." He mumbled groggily. "Its 7:00 Joel, Carlo will be up and about wondering where you are." I said in a panic. Joel started laughing and pulled me back down into bed, "Carlo is off this weekend, I forgot to tell you. You were the one that wanted me to stay all night sometime remember. Now come here and let me wake you up properly." He said and reached for the nearest part of me which happened to fit nicely into his mouth. We showered together and made love once again. "Dude you are a real horn dog." I said as he slid his erect cock into the cleft of my butt, and I leaned back into him. Latter I said, "We need to hurry I would like to make the 11:00 Mass." Joel stopped and stared at me, "You want to go to Church? A Catholic Church?" he said. I laughed and said, "Well that's what Catholics tend to do on Sunday." I finished showering and Joel went up to the bunkhouse and changed. I pulled the Mercedes up and he climbed in looking very sexy in kaki slacks and a polo shirt. We managed to make it to St. Peter Clavier with about 5 minutes to spare. When we got there I realized it was a traditional Mass, my favorite kind. Joel sat solemnly through the ritual watching while I went through the responses and the kneeling and standing. He looked spell bound when I returned from communion and knelt to say my thanksgiving. The Priest shook our hands at the door and as we left. "That was one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced." He said as we settled into the car. "I haven't been in too many Churches; my folks just aren't the Church going type. The only kind I was ever in some redneck was standing up yelling about hellfire and brimstone and begging for poor folk's money. That was elegant and somehow comforting even though I couldn't understand a word." "Yeah the Latin takes some getting use to; I studied it enough to follow the responses. Of course you understood the sermon, we call it a homily. I was reared Catholic, my folk's are very devout. I have never quit, even when I was at my wildest and most wanton, I never left the Church." I paused, and then said, "I remember when I told my priest I thought I was queer. He told me the usual stuff about how the Church condemned the action, but he told me that I must in my conscious determine God's will for me. He was a very wise man, in my opinion." Joel was silent for awhile then said, "When we get settled together, will you take me with you again?" I looked over and he looked like a little boy again, I reached down and took his hand and said, "Sure, anytime. I want the together part to be soon." We ate brunch at a hotel and leaving the restaurant I turned to Joel and asked, "So, big boy, what would you like to do for the rest of the day?" He took my hand and said, "You won't laugh?" I shook my head. "I want to go back to your place and read the paper and just hang out with you. You're leaving tomorrow and I won't see you for a month, I still don't know how I'm going to stand it." I heard him sigh. We picked up a paper and were driving back through the country when a brown furry streak shot across in front of me, I slammed on the brakes and the big sedan went into a skid but I managed to keep it on the road. When it came to a complete stop, Joel was out the door and down in the ditch after the ball of brown fur. He emerged in a few minutes cradling something in his arms. He climbed back into the car and I realized he had a rather tattered puppy. I reached out and scratched its head and said, "What have you got here? Looks like a stray, he's awfully young though." We started on down the road again when Joel said, "People are always dumping their unwanted dogs out around here. He looks like a pretty mixed up cocktail of dog genes, but he's kinda cute." "What are you going to do with him?" I asked. "Feed him and ask around, see if I can find him a home." He said, scratching the puppy's ears. "Now lil fella what do you want to be called, how about Flash?" He laughed and I joined him. Flash looked at us with one ear up and the other flopped over his right eye, then settled down into Joel's arms. Latter in the golden light of the afternoon, I sat and sketched Joel and Flash, asleep on the couch surrounded with the newspaper that Joel had read and Flash had chewed. I really didn't want to go to London, but there wasn't really an alternative. I had rebooked my return flight and would be back in just over three weeks. Ingrid had kindly told me the guest house was mine to use for a few days when I returned. Hopefully by then most of the plans will have taken firm shape. I hoped to know about the commission and Joel's college plans and we could establish a more permanent arrangement. Looking at the way the light turned his head gold and his utterly relaxed pose I felt my heart give a funny skip and smiled. ------- "So, the space as you can see is 60 x 80 feet and the arched frieze is where we want the work to go." Mr. Gallagher, the elder man from the party, said pointing up to the arched frieze around the second floor balcony and facing the main entrance. He led me and the committee through the atrium and I could see that a large sweeping work would be needed to not be overwhelmed by the shear volume of the space. "Do you have the square footage of the actual space the work is to fill?" I asked. "It looks like we're talking about 1000 square feet. Are the walls plaster and lath or sheet rock?" I said. "They are sheetrock and the actual square footage is 987. It looks larger due to the whiteness and the curvature. We are planning on renovating the lighting to enhance the work, of course." He explained. "Well ladies and gentlemen, my medium is oil, not fresco so I can tell you that I would propose a work done on canvas in my studio and then mounted to the frieze with gesso. Kind of like those hideous murals you can buy on wall paper. I would carefully cut the canvas to match the wall then back in my studio stretch it by section and paint it then we would mount them together here. It is a typical method; most ceiling paintings are done that way. After the work was mounted I would need to touch up the seams of the work. I would also propose at least one large oil and canvas study that you would approve before the monumental work was started." I said feeling better and better about this commission. I could work on this in a studio; of course it would need to be bigger than my current one. I could continue in California and just make trips here to cut the canvas, for status reports to the committee, and then when the work was fitted in place. "How long would you estimate it would take you to complete the commission?" One of the committee asked. "At least a year, maybe two, it will take several months just to complete the final study. Oil only dries so fast and I have a reasonable amount of work already in hand. However I can tell you that this is certainly an admirable undertaking and I would like to be involved in it." I said striking just the right note of interest without sounding anxious. Joel and Flash met me in front of the building in his pickup to take me out to the airport to hop the private jet. I had put my stuff in the back before I left. "So, dude, don't keep me in suspense. How did it go?" Joel asked as anxious as I had ever seen him. "Looks like I'm going to be busy for the next couple of years," I said. "Yee Haw!" Joel yelled. He kissed me and nearly ran onto the sidewalk. I pulled back and asked him to please keep me alive long enough to complete the work. Flash barked and wagged his tail. "But seriously, Joel, I can do the work in a studio. I will have to pop out here a couple weeks at a time to keep on track, but the vast majority of the work will be done in my studio. Of course I'm going to have to find a bigger studio. Each of the panels will be very large indeed plus finding room to do my regular stuff. Besides I'm thinking that 75 miles is too far to be away from you. When I talk to Dale today I'll get him started on finding me a warehouse near Davis that we can convert into a studio and loft, I can either sell my current space in the city or lease it out. The contract has been faxed to Bill, my attorney and Clark, my agent. If they don't have too many objections, I'll sign the contract while I'm in Europe." I said and grasped his hand. "We're almost together, baby, almost." "I'll call my advisor and the people at Davis and get the stuff rolling on my transfer. With luck I'll be ready to move when you get back." He sighed. We sat in the parking lot of the airport and ate McDonald's sharing our fries and pieces of hamburger with Flash. We pulled up to the private jet and I looked at Joel. He was turned looking out the side window. "Dude, what's wrong?" I asked and touched his arm. He wiped his nose on his sleeve and said in a choked up voice, "Be careful, OK? You know I'm gonna be thinking about you every minute of everyday don't you?" I reached over and touched his cheek, "Baby, I'm coming back, don't you worry. You're going to have to run me off. I'll call you when I touch down in London, OK? And by the way, what color was that BMW suppose to be?" He laughed and looked at me, I could see the tears but the laughter was shining there also. He reached over and we kissed, then I opened the door and got out. I'm not sure what the pilot thought but he wandered over and helped me with my bags. I looked back at the bottom of the steps up to the plane and Joel was sitting there staring at me, he raised his fingers off the wheel in a wave and Flash was standing braced on the dash barking. I waved back and got on the plane. To be continued...