Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2000 19:24:50 GMT
From: Wayne Patrick <wppsd@hotmail.com>
Subject: gay/beginnings/searching for a son 6

The afternoon ended with the two men wrapped in each other's arms, naked,
contented, asleep.  That evening, Stephen awoke to the warm feeling of Joey
sucking on his dick.  The afternoon matinee became an evening performance,
repeated until neither one could get it up anymore.  Only then did they take
a shower.  They were home.

*****


Chapter 16

The Monday after Stephen and Joey met was a quiet day.  Stephen had the day
off as the office was closed.  They were able to go to the mall and Stephen
bought Joey clothing and other necessities.  Stephen watched Joey carefully
to see what luxuries caught his attention.  Stephen would note these for
another trip back by himself later.  As they went about their business,
Stephen admired the respect Joey always showed him.  He was very
conscientious about the price of things and was always seeking Stephen's
approval in his choices.

When they took a break for a bite to eat, Joey was courteous to a pair of
ladies in the restaurant.  When they saw that Joey was with Stephen, they
congratulated Stephen on raising such a fine young man.  Stephen swelled
with pride, forgetting for a moment that he actually had nothing to do with
the "raising of the fine young man."  Afterwards, it occurred to him that
the ladies had thought Joey to actually be Stephen's son.  Did they have the
physical characteristics to pass for father and son?  He only wished it were
true.

This day gave them time to talk about reality of living together.  Both of
them raised questions about their arrangements.  Joey was interested in
helping with the finances and upkeep of the house.  He wanted to contribute,
and suggested that he could find a part-time job.  Stephen would have
nothing to do with that.

"Your number one job in this family is your education.  Without that you
will be nothing.  I won't stand for that.  I didn't ask you to join me here
to give you no future.  It will be hard enough as it is."

Stephen relented to Joey's request of getting a summer job, but during the
school year, Stephen wanted Joey to have no distractions.  He reasoned that
if Joey worked hard in school now, the rewards would be collected when he
graduated.

"I promised to take care of you forever.  Your not going to dump me in four
or five years for some young thing, are you?  I'm not just some play toy for
you, am I?  I thought that you loved me, Joey.  I thought that we would
always be together.  That's what you said up at the motel.   You wouldn't
abandon me, would you?" Stephen's voice trembled with mock fear.

Stephen was the master of talking Joey into a corner.  He knew in time that
Joey would wisen up to his tricks, but that's what `Dad' is supposed to do.
Teach your son everything you know.  There was no possible logic that Joey
could use to defeat this argument.  Joey just threw his hands up, and
Stephen laughed with delight.

Through their debating, one issue was not brought up.  They did not discuss
the sexual side of the relationship.  That part needed no questions asked.
The night before had resolved all concerns about that.  They were suited to
each other quite well, and both had discovered where their true feelings
lay.  The both found great satisfaction in the company of another man.

Tuesday rolled around and the reality of life shocked them with the buzzing
of the alarm clock to wake Stephen to go to work.  Even though it was summer
and Joey had no school, he still got out of bed, went to the kitchen and
made coffee for his love.  He offered to fetch breakfast, but Stephen
declined.

Stephen shaved, showered, and dressed, thinking nothing unusual until he
tried to walk out the door.  He passed Joey in the living room on his way
out and could not leave without a kiss and a hug.  The longer they hugged,
the harder it became for Stephen to leave.  It wasn't that he was afraid to
leave Joey, after all Joey was 19 years old; he could take care of himself.
The bond of love was so strong that it would not allow him to go.  As
Stephen hugged his man, he tried to understand what was happening to him.
The only thing that Stephen could compare this to was the day when he had to
walk away from the graves of his wife and son, but that bond was caused by
grief, not joy.  Joey sensed that something was wrong.

"I'll be here waiting for you when you get off work."  Joey tried the think
of the most soothing words to easy the pain he sensed in his best friend.
"Call me and let me know if you need something and what time you'll be
home."  With one more kiss on the cheek, he pushed Stephen out the door.
"Have a good day.  Love you."  He walked off to the kitchen, hiding around
the corner of the wall until he knew that Stephen had left.  Only then did
he come back into the living room to see that the front door was closed.

In the office, Stephen would never talk about his personal life.  Almost all
of the people had worked there for years, and had known Stephen through the
time of his marriage, the arrival of Scott, and terrible pain that he had
suffered.  Every one of them cared for Stephen's well being, but he had made
it clear shortly after the accident that he wanted his private life kept out
of the office, that he did not wanted to be the subject of the daily gossip.
  Everyone had respected that request.  Subsequently, every day became the
same as the one before as far as Stephen's routine was concerned.  But this
day was different, and Stephen had no control over it.  He walked into the
office, passing the reception desk where Terry greeted him.

"Good morning.  Hope your weekend went well."

"It was great!  It was wonderful to get away.  How was yours?"  Stephen
could not contain the enthusiasm.  Terry could not be help notice.  This was
not the always subdued Stephen.

"Okay.  I had to work the desk yesterday, so I didn't get the long weekend."
  She was dying to know what was behind the grin that no one had seen in two
years.  Something had happened and it would not take long for the entire
office to get wind that something was up.  "Where'd you go?"

"Oh, I just went up the coast and went to the beach."

"The beach?  I know you live near the beach.  What was so special up there?
"

"Jo...oh, I guess a change of scenery can make a difference."  He had almost
said Joey.  Choose your words carefully.  But all that was in his head was
Joey.  The name, the face, the smile, the body, especially the body.  That
body had put the grin on his face that he now could not wipe off.  He
couldn't wait to get home.  "Any messages for for me yesterday?"

"Nope.  But don't forget the office meeting this afternoon at two."

"Thanks.  I'll probably be in my office with the door closed most of the
morning, but I can be interrupted if needed."

Stephen continued down the hall to his office.  He stopped in the kitchen to
fill his coffee mug.  As he did, he was humming some vague song.  This did
not go unnoticed by the others filling their cups.  Eyebrows were raised
amongst his co-workers.  Stephen did not notice the commotion going on
around him or the subtle change that had happened to him.

His office was across from the work room where the kitchen was.  He entered
his office and shut the door.  The doors didn't line up directly, but after
his close call with Terry, he was going to be careful about his privacy.  He
sat down to his desk, moving piles here and there.  He looked over to the
telephone, and couldn't resist.  Ring. Ring.

"Uh, hello?"

"Hey, Joey, I just called to say I love you.  Are you able to find
everything?"

"Yeah, I really wasn't looking for anything yet.  Thought I straighten out
my stuff and clean up a little.  I'm going to the store later and buy some
things for dinner.  Where can I cash my paycheck."

"I told you not to spend your money, son.  On my desk, in the cabinets, is a
green bag.  I usually keep about a hundred in there for emergencies.  Take
what you need.  I'll be home about six.  I do have some things to get caught
up on.  What are you going to do?"

"Not much.  Just lay around probably."

"Ok, bye.  Did I tell you I love you?"

"Not enough."

Just then, Stephen's best friend Jeff opened the door and walked in.  They
had worked together for years at the firm, and Jeff was as close as anyone
was to Stephen.  He had even been Stephen's best man at his marriage to
Susan.  Jeff sat down across from Stephen.

"All right.  You have been in the office fifteen minutes, and everyone is
talking about the changes in you.  What happened this weekend?"

"What?"

"Come on, don't bullshit me.  Something happened this weekend.  You are a
changed person.  Everyone says they can't remember you this happy since
Scott was born."

Stephen was in a dilemma.  He was so far in the closet that when the door
opened, he still couldn't see light.  In his mind, he was still a married
man with a family.  He didn't suspect that this hidden side of him would
need to be disguised.  And since he didn't get involved in the office
politics, he really didn't have a gauge of what the repercussions would be
for someone who did come out.  These thoughts took only a second.  This was
all he had to response.  Silence would speak volumes.

"Hey, I finally give myself permission to have a good weekend and everyone
is going to come down on me about it?  Cut me some slack, buddy."

Jeff looked suspiciously at his friend.  "Stephen, there is a glow in your
face that I haven't seen in a long time.  I know that something happened.
Won't you tell me anything about it?"

Stephen felt the words ring true.  How long could he delay the inevitable.
"No, my friend.  Now is not the time or place to talk."

"When?  Where?"

"Lunch.  Somewhere away from the office.  It's personal, and I'm still not
going to be the subject of office gossip."

"Okay.  Stephen, I am so happy for you.  You deserve something nice in your
life.  Hell, everyone does, but especially you.  And if it's a someone that
happened this weekend, I would love to meet her."

Uh, yeah.  Her.

"Are you free for lunch today?  We can go somewhere away from here."

"You got it.  I've got a 10:30 with a client, I'll be done by 11:30 easy.
So let's say 11:45, I'll come get you, okay, Stevie?"  Jeff was the only one
who could get away with that name.


Chapter 17

Joey's life had been a fantasy world that weekend.  He had met someone who
he had searched for all his life.  He had broken free from the prison of his
life and his family.  Now he was stepping out into unexplored territory.  He
spent the first morning of the rest of his life just cleaning.  But he was
cleaning for someone he loved and that made it more meaningful.  Washing
clothes, sweeping, straightening up was no longer a chore, but a pleasure.
He was going to do anything he could to make Stephen's life as full of
pleasure as his was.  Towards noon, he left the apartment and walked the
mile to the grocery.  He was going to treat Stephen to the best meal that he
could prepare.

He walked through the market, picking the basics for a meal for that
evening.  Meat department for steaks, produce for salad makings, the
refrigerator case for milk and sodas.  He took everything to the checkout to
pay.  The clerk was a young lady, about Joey's age, her hair pulled back in
a ponytail.  She had dark hair and eyes, and a smooth olive complexion.  As
Joey walked up to the counter, she gave him the once over, stealing a quick
glimpse at the fly of his jeans, checking out his package.

"Hi, haven't seen you before.  Is this your first time here?"

"Yeah, I just moved in town yesterday."

"Welcome, and I hope to see you often.   My name is Katie."

"Thanks, Katie."  Joey acted like this was nothing more than a casual
conversation.  He didn't know that Katie was taking an interest him.  He
thought she was just being friendly.

"Go to school around here or work?"

"I'm starting at City College in September."

"I go there.  Majoring in business."

"That's what I'm thinking about, but I'm not sure exactly what yet.  I might
go for accounting or law or finance.  I've still haven't made up my mind."

"You'll like it there.  They have really good teachers."  Katie was pleased
that things were setting up so well.  "When you're settled in, maybe we can
go there and I'll show you around."

"Thank you very much.  I'd like that.  See you around."

Katie rang up the purchases and gave Joey his change, making sure that the
she placed the change in his hand so that he didn't drop it.  As a matter of
fact, she pretended that one of the coins had stuck to her hand, so that she
could touch Joey's hand just a little bit longer.  This was a cute guy, and
although Katie was not one who chose her friends based just on good looks,
she was interested to see if there could be prospects with this guy.  She
looked at his face as she did this, to see if there would be any reaction
from Joey.  She got nothing from him.  She thought to herself, "Maybe he's
just shy."

Just a few days ago, Joey didn't have a friend in the world.  Now, everyone
he met was falling in love with him on the spot.  And poor, sweet, naive
Joey still didn't have a clue. Joey picked up the groceries and walked away
from the register under her watchful eyes.  As he left, Katie checked out
the back side of Joey's jeans, letting a soft hum out.  "Nice," she thought
to herself.

Joey returned from his errands, put the groceries away and finished with the
chores he had planned for the day.  It was only two o'clock and Stephen
wouldn't be home for several more hours.  He had noticed that the complex
had a pool, not tremendously large for apartments this size, but with enough
lounging space that people would not be laying on top of each other.
Besides, that what Stephen was for.

He went down and laid out for a while, lightly dozing, as he hadn't brought
anything to read.  It was a typically warm summer day, the sky was clear,
and Joey just let the heat soak all the worries from his body.  He reflected
for the first time about everything that had happened to him.  It had been
so sudden that it seemed to just happen, without the need to think.  Each
step had fallen into place and that made this opportunity to review welcome.
  He was happy to be away from the troubles with his step father, and was
thrilled with the attention he was receiving from Stephen.  The previous
day's shopping with Stephen gave him a the security and love that he
searched for.  But more importantly, the banter between the two men fed the
hunger for friendship that had been the great missing puzzle piece that had
been his life.

After napping for who knows how long, he awoke to shadows beginning to cross
his feet.  He sat up, and, as he wiped the sweat off his body, took survey
of the pool area to see who was there and to size up the type of people that
lived in the complex.  He was surprised to find out that there was only one
person besides himself in the pool area, and that this guy had set up in the
lounge chair right next to his.  This guy appeared to be slightly older than
Joey, maybe 25 by Joey's estimation.  His chair was side-by-side with the
way Joey's chair was set.  He was wearing wraparound sunglasses that
concealed where his eyes were looking.  His head was definitely turned in
the direction of Joey.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself."  The man's voice was a sexy baritone.  "You have really
been sacked out there for a while.  If you hadn't been snoring, I might have
called the paramedics by now."

"Sorry about the snoring.  I was just relaxing and I guess I got carried
away."

"No biggie.  I'm Kevin."  He removed the sunglasses and extended his hand to
shake.

"Joey Edwards."  Their hands gripped, and Kevin's larger hand firmly closed
around Joey's.  Joey's hands were smallish and he hated the shake of men who
thought greeting other people was a death match contest.  Kevin's shake,
while firm, was not crushing and Joey appreciated it.

"I'm usually the only one around here on weekday afternoons.  Most of the
people in the complex are hard working people who live in 9 to 5 jobs.
How'd you manage to get out here?"

"I just moved in over the weekend and I'm going to school at City in
September.  I don't have a job, and probably won't until next summer."

"I'm a college student too.  My old man calls me a career student.  Thinks
I'll just stay in school until I inherit my millions from some old dead
aunt."  They both laughed.  Joey appreciated dry humor.  Most guys his age
didn't and that had set Joey apart from his high school friends.  They never
got the same jokes.  "So who are you being kept by?"

Joey blanched.  Kevin could not have known anything about Stephen and Joey.
Answer quick.

"I live over in the corner.  I just moved in with my... my dad."

"Yeah, I'm a kid from a broken home too.  `Cept my dad is paying me to stay
away in my own place.  Say, you'd better get in before you burn too much
more."  Kevin reached over to Joey, pressing his fingers on the top of
Joey's shoulder.  The spots where his fingers had been were white for a
second before turning back to the color of the rest of Joey's body.  He
repeated his test on Joey's stomach and thighs.  The white shined.   "Wow,
what time did you get out here."

"Two.  Maybe a little after."

"Well, it's quarter to five now.  You'd better go in.  Let me know if you
need anything for the burn.  I've got some stuff to rub on you that'll take
the sting out right away."  Kevin liked the look of this new neighbor.  He
thought that he like to rub lotion all over this kid's body.  And if he
played his cards right, they could hook up for the rest of the summer since
they both would be looking for entertainment.

Joey stood up, picked up his towel, and nodded, "Thanks for the offer.  I'm
sure dad has something in the house."  As he left, Kevin checked out the
back side of Joey's suit, letting a soft hum out.  "Nice," he thought to
himself.


*****

You may have a better idea where this is going than I do.  I'll take any
suggestions you have, comments and criticisms welcome.