Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 07:40:32 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Austin Subject: HARBORSIDE Ch 2 HARBORSIDE 11.30.19 A Tale of Two Men by Mike Austin nasstop@yahoo.com Dear Reader: Please remember that Nifty.org relies on donations to continue delivering this material to you. Also, please give authors your thoughts about their works. II. The blur in Jack's brain at the image of Sam in the shower, ended suddenly as he realized Sam was now out of the shower upstairs, the water off and image of him drying off, chest, crotch, crack, legs, feet, pits, and his hard back and butt took center stage in his reverie. He listened and the door open, a few steps and then Sam coming downstairs, made Jack alert. He stood, grinning, asked about the shower, noted Sam still drying his head, "WOW", came Sam's response. "Hope you don't mind me enjoyin that a little longer, but had been a week since the last full shower and not spit baths. I enjoyed the hell out of that bud", "can't thank you enough" Sam added. Sam took in the sofa made up for his bed, walked to the fire, turned and the warmth made him shudder a bit, before taking his seat again in the chair he'd earlier enjoyed with mugs of coffee and meal. This time, Jack clearly noted the long hairy muscled legs and feet, set wide and warmed by the fireplace. Sam dug his toes into the rug, his knees wide, when both men heard the washer stop. Sam rose quickly to attend his laundry and load the dryer, before returning to the room. The rhythmic dryer tumbled behind the closed louvered doors. Both guys sat in silence. Sam's head tilted back against the chair and Jack noticed his eyes slowly close and Sam's torso relax. Jack took this time to glance at Sam's face, note the outline of his nose, backlit by the fire. The dark eyebrows, long dark lashes, scruff and aggressive jawline. His hair, moderately long, covered his ears and fell almost to his shoulders; slightly wavy and thick, now showered and not somewhat matted as before. Jack took note of Sam's mouth too as it sagged open slowly with his relaxed status, not snoring but breathing in long, slow deep breaths. Jack's image of the two men next to each other in Jack's bed, took the forefront. He closed his eyes a bit and allowed himself to, imagine. He felt his crotch warm and his cock throb and recognized the deep stir in his balls. How long had it been since a man ...His eyes popped open. He stood, shook Sam gently on the shoulder and announced he was hitting the sack. The other man stirred more alert now, stretched and agreed that it was very late, or early as it was about 3 a.m. Jack walked to the stairs, as Sam attended the clothes in the dryer, and gave a thumbs up to his host. Jack left the man he'd just met to find his way to the sofa, now bed; and wondered what the morning would bring? Slight sunshine, split the slightly parted curtains in Jack's bedroom. For a moment he'd forgotten about his guest. His cock throbbed hard and needed attention as he remembered Sam downstairs and wondered if he was awake. Suddenly he smelled the scent of cooking. He glanced at his clock to see it was already 9:30. Had it only been 6 hours since he fell asleep; since he left this stranger in his home? He peed, pulled on jeans and a Tshirt and made his way downstairs. Sam was in fact awake and in the kitchen; had coffee made and was about to crack eggs in a skillet; "scrambled, toast and ham ok with you" he posed to Jack? Jack scratched his chest, nodded yes, wiped sleep from his eyes, noted Sam, still in the robe from last night; took in the kitchen, sliced bread, butter out, plates and utensils at the ready, chunks of ham cut and in the skillet, waiting for the eggs. "Didn't know what you eat usually on a Sunday but since you didn't mind ham and cheese for that late night meal, figured it was ok to do a repeat for breakfast", shared Sam. All Jack could muster was "yeah, great", the late night now receding in his mind. That's when he saw the Sunday paper on the hall stand, beside his keys. He didn't take a paper, could it be, and Sam seeing Jack's quandary- offered, "well you fed me and made me a guest, so used some of the cash to get a paper, hope you don't object"? Jack, shaking his head, was amazed at this blunt courtesy, a reciprocal man; a strange man in his home, did he know of Jack's `other life'? What might he say if he learned? Would he..................................? His thoughts interrupted by Sam nudging him aside, and headed with his own plate to the den and chair he'd claimed from last night. Jack focused on the plate Sam had readied for him, grabbed it and mug of coffee, then joined Sam in the den. He thought, the paper, he had to dress and why was he back in a robe, what had made him think I read a paper, was anything.......? Sam stirred him back to the present, "is it ok"; "more than ok man", came Jack's reply. "It's worse than last night out and the wind is off too. I saw the Captain when I went for the paper and he shrugged, shook his head not today, then disappeared in the wheelhouse", Sam delivered. "Man I gotta say Thank You again for last night. I slept so sound on that sofa and feeling like a decent guy again, you can't know what a difference this meant to me. This paper and breakfast ain't much, but just about all I can offer right now. Clean clothes, that shower, made me feel decent ya know what I mean? Not some down and out bum lookin for a handout". Jack thought, how could such a gesture as offering a stranger $3 in cash produce these results? Might I..................................... ???????????????????????????????????????? The two men ate, gulped down cups of coffee; he'd even found the small coffee pot I'd not used in a year or more to brew up a proper set of coffee for more than a single serving of instant, noted Jack. Sam took the lead, grabbed their plates and forks, headed for the kitchen and began washing the plates and skillet, etc. He announced from the kitchen that he'd get out of Jack's way soon as he cleared up this stuff and dress. He was saying other things when Suddenly Jack realized Sam would be gone shortly and then what???? Jack entered the small kitchen as Sam finished the dishes and was about to grab his clothes and dress, when Jack pressed his hand to Sam's chest and said "well no real need for you to leave is there? Do you have a plan for later, for tonight, for until the captain is ready to shove off, what then"? Had he been that bold to pose those questions after now only a few hours? "Well I just figured you had a life and needed to get on with your stuff, or whatever", said Sam. "Damnit you stay as long as you need and get your duffle from the Maryann and we'll figure out something here. We're even looking for some warehouse help, if the captain isn't ready to sail. The pay is minimum wage, but I know you can get hired on" Jack advised. All the while Jack's hand still pressed firmly against Sam's chest. He felt the man's heart race and pound, felt his hand warm too against the hairs of his pec over his heart. Sam stepped back a bit, "uh" all that he could muster; and then "well damn yeah I'll hire on at the warehouse and soon as I can will pay you rent or make my way clear to get my own place and get out of your way". "No need to stray" Jack retorted, "You're welcome here bud". "Uh I probably need to use that washer a few times on stuff in my duffle bag if that's ok", Sam shared. "Get out there and back, get the wash going, then we'll, hit the warehouse and get you an application so it's ready to turn in Monday morning". He tried to ignore Sam's dressing in the den, jeans, T-shirt, boots. His `other life' Jack pondered as Sam walked out the front door, onto Harborside and down to the Maryann for his gear and back, as directed. Jack knew nothing more about this man, but...could he feel the same way again? Would he let himself feel again??? Jack was upstairs when he heard a knock at the front door. He came down, pulled it open to find Sam standing there, duffle bag over his shoulder. "Get in here", bellowed Jack. Sam dropped his head and came inside. After a minute, suggested he take his bag out back to empty it and sort through his stuff so the bag and his stuff wouldn't be too bad inside. He'd asked if there was a hose outside he could spray his duffle bag with, as well? Jack led him through the den to the one, paned door that opened onto the small brick patio. While neat, it was a single guy's patio and nothing more. A place to sit in the sun and get some fresh air, and nothing more. Jack conjectured, now there WAS something more, as he watched Sam empty the duffle and sort the few things, his possessions. There were two washer loads, nothing more. When he got the first load washing, he went out back and turned the hose on the outside and then inside of his duffle bag. Jack tossed him a bottle of soap to use as well. It could hang outside to dry. The mound of Sam's few underwear lay on the ground in a heap; waiting for his shirts, socks and jeans to finish. Jack noticed the underwear was torn and stained. He thought, then stopped that thought suddenly. Not yet... Once the wash was completed and dried, the duffle bag hung out to air dry, the two men headed to the warehouse for the application. Sam followed Jack into an office. Jack pulled open a drawer, handed Sam a form and pen and told him fill it out and put me down as your reference. Sam sat, did as instructed, returning the form and pen to Jack and said "now what"? Jack read the form, noted that Sam GIANCANO was 34, with no emergency contacts and that for a reference he listed Jack SALEM, "friend". Jack opened the desk drawer to file the form, reached out to Sam, shook his hand and advised, "Welcome to Bayside Warehouse Sam GIANCANO, pay's $7.50/hour to start for your 90 day probation period; then can go up based on your work". Sam grinned, stood and offered "holy shit, REALLY; Thank you Jack, uh Mr. Salem I guess it should be now; Thank You AGAIN". Jack said, warehouse guys were all on first name basis no Mr., but when it came to the few women, they were addressed as Ms or Mrs, NO EXCEPTIONS. "Got it" Sam replied. "Hired on at Bayside Warehouse, just like that, what will I be doing" Sam questioned? Jack explained he'd be low man doing cleaning, janitorial and then work up from there in time. Sam remarked he was a hard worker, and willing to do what it takes and work up. He'd not let Jack down. For the first time in a long time, Sam didn't feel like a low man, low rung, worthless. He felt good about himself. Jack noticed a visible change in Sam's face, the stress and strain seemed to vanish. Jack knew he'd made the right decision to hire Sam, to help him, but what more might transpire? The two men left the warehouse, headed up Water St. to Palm where the small grocery market in downtown serves those at the apartments, boarding houses and small hotels nearby. Mrs. Jaggo, the owner's wife, greeted Jack with a wave and smile. Jack grabbed a basket and made his way through the small store, aisles, the small meat market and deli, asked Sam about things he needed or wanted and wrapped up their shopping. Mr. Jaggo was at the register. Jack introduced Sam to Mr. Jaggo and said he was a new hire at the warehouse and that if he needed anything or I send him in for something, just let him charge on my account. Mr. Jaggo grinned, nodded agreement and pulled out Jack's account card and asked Sam to sign his name for future reference. Sam bagged their groceries then they headed back to #7 Harborside, where they quickly put away the groceries, etc and discussed their dinner meal. Sam went out back, found the duffle bag dried and did not smell, and clothes in the dryer finished. Jack showed where Sam could store his clothes suggested he make some room, but Sam said he'd stick stuff back in his duffle bag and keep it behind the sofa for the time being. Jack agreed and let it drop. Sam suggested he fix a roast and potatoes for supper and they'd have leftovers for next week. Jack was stunned that Sam was a decent cook if he made that sort of suggestion so he agreed and off went Sam to prepare the roast. Jack knew it was time for him to get his laundry done, so he loaded the washer and while at it, got some glimpses of Sam's butt in the kitchen. His balls again stirred, dick throbbed and precum pulsed from his slit at the thought of he and Sam in bed together. That lean muscled body was amazing and Jack wondered about Sam's passion............? He snapped back, finally hearing Sam's questions about the pending meal prep and finished loading the washer then answered Sam's questions. He felt his pulse race at the thought of the firm body and how he'd manage their sex? Again, he snapped back from his daydream, swallowed and reached to adjust his cock, then ambled to the den and his chair beside the fireplace. The paper, he'd not even opened it and proceeded to read the front page and thumb through the remaining pages. After years, he might subscribe to it now, OR make it a habit of buying it for them on Sunday mornings from now on. Again, surfacing from the daydream of "their future" he wondered if such was or would ever be the case? Sam returned to the den, reheated mug of coffee in hand and asked Jack if he wanted any as there was about a half cup left? Jack declined, stood, went upstairs to pee, strip his bed and gather towels for the next load of wash, He smelled Sam's towel deeply. His cock throbbed and raged against his jeans. Precum throbbed out with force. How could he relate to this younger man? Only nine years older than Sam, would he be able to maintain; would he have the stamina to deliver what Sam must need? What does Sam need? Again more daydreams............................