Warning! This is a tale about men loving men. If you find this disturbing - click off. If it's unlawful for you to read this - click off. If you under age - good luck if you can get away with it.

This is not a story for getting your rocks off. Just thought I'd let you know so you won't waste your time if that's what your looking for.

Otherwise, I hope you enjoy my writing.

I appreciate feedback and do my best to respond to it all. I may be contacted at:

J S.Collection@Verizon.Net

Those Golden Eyes

by JWSmith

Edited by TLC (with my gratitude)

NOTE: With this short chapter, I believe I have every thing back into sequence. So you might want to read 25 again. JWS

Chapter 24C

At eleven years of age, Joseph was at the gates of puberty. He had the confidence of a young man born into a family filled with love, acceptance and understanding. He knew he was different from other kids in that his father was black and his mother was white. They had made sure that the schools he attended had zero tolerance for prejudice of any kind. He grew, learned and lived in an atmosphere of acceptance. So when he saw Max for the first time he never stopped to consider that he was different from other boys his age in any way other than being part black, he simply made the decision that Max was meant for him to love, and he for Max.

Both of his parents were professionals. His father the head of the School of Law at the University and his mother was legal counsel for the children's welfare department. Joseph had an above normal IQ, which his parents expected of him, after all he was their offspring. They always spoke to Joseph and treated him as though he were a small adult. Thus, he thought and acted more like an adult than a child most of the time.

He took after his father in that he was tall and loved any game of competition, especially if it involved a ball of any sort. At five his father had him playing baseball with other boys his age. He had a sure eye and a steady hand, rarely missing a ball.

Joseph was also the product of the particularly acute situation his mother and father had found themselves in when they openly declared their love for each other. Ostracization by both Darcy's parents and Miki's father. They had both been brought up in loving families and when they found out that their parents could literally disown them for loving each other, they swore they would always love and accept everything about their children.

Rence's family had been very tactile in showing their love for one another. And this was another thing that he changed in the way they raised their children. Touching, hugging, and kissing Joseph and his two sibling brought a security into their young lives that so many children grow up wanting and never finding, even in adulthood.

At the age of six, Joseph's mother brought him a baby sister. He immediately loved her. He spent his evenings playing with her rather than watching TV or playing computer games like his peers. And then a year later he was given a little brother. Joseph couldn't have been happier. He had always wanted a little brother.

As Joseph was involved with school and all the other things that fill the day for an eight or nine year old boy, Lena and Lexy grew and bonded like they never would with their older brother. They were like twins the way they interacted with each other, even to the point of needing only key words to express things to each other. Of course, they loved their older brother, and Lexy wanted to be just like Joseph, but still, this bond of siblings close in age built a wall between them.

Joseph understood on an intellectual level what was happening. But on an emotional level it hurt him to be left out of the loop. He'd always been number one, but now he came second with his younger brother and sister.

So it was that when he met Max at the age of eleven he was ready and willing to give his emotional self to someone else. He didn't really know what sex was all about. He did know that when he looked at Max he felt excited and tingly just wanting to be close to him. He'd seen enough romance on TV to be able to figure that what he was feeling toward Max was the beginnings of love, and made his argument to him in an adult fashion.

~~~~~

This bowled over Max. Not only was Joseph beautiful to look at he was intelligent and mature beyond his years. Max felt a bonding that he was sure would last his whole life. But still as a normal fifteen year old boy he was filled with doubts. He couldn't understand how Joseph could be so positive. Max sought out his Uncle Dave when they stepped out of the elevator in the Eyrie foyer.

"Can I talk to you, Dave?"

"You know you can, Max, any time. Shall we go sit in the kitchen."

Joe glanced at Lloyd when he heard Max's request. He could see the pain of being excluded from his son's confidence. Joe put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

"Come on, Lloyd, let's go in the den and talk."

Lloyd let himself be guided into the room. He sat down and stared at Joe.

"Am I losing my son? I know that I don't understand what being gay is all about, but----"

"No, Lloyd, I don't think your losing him. He loves you very much. He's just trying to find himself. Max and Dave have formed a bond which will be very helpful to him. You know that Dave is one of the kindest, most gentle men in the world. Be glad that Max feels that he can go to him for the advice that you'd be at a lose to give him."

"Yeah." Lloyd sighed. "You are right. And I am thankful that Dave is back into our lives. Especially now that Max needs his guidance."

In the kitchen Dave made some hot cocoa for the two of them. Max sat at the table deep in thought. Dave could see that he was going to have to broach the subject to get Max to talking. He put the cups in the microwave.

"Joseph sure is a good looking kid. Don't you think so?"

Max turned red and studied the tabletop.

"Yeah, he is beautiful."

"So, are you two going to be boyfriends?"

"He's only eleven, Dave."

"Really? He acts so much older."

"I know he makes me feel like a dumb kid when he argues."

The microwave dinged. Dave took the cups of cocoa to the table, setting one in front of Max, he sat down facing him. Max still hadn't lifted his eyes from the tabletop. Dave took a sip from his cup.

"Mmm. Tasty. Try it."

Max glanced up at him, picked up his cup sipped and grinned.

"I love you, Uncle Dave."

"You know I feel the same way about you, Champ. So are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"

The smile left Max's face. He went back to studying the tabletop.

"He's only in the sixth grade. I'm going to be a Sophomore in high school this year. I'll be a Senior when he's a freshman."

"The age difference is a big problem."

"As mature as he acts, he doesn't see the problem. I can't have a boyfriend who is in grade school."

"Hmm."

"I can't, Dave. Everyone would laugh at me. A cradle robber. What am I going to do?"

"Well, I think you're moving way to fast. You've only just met him. Why don't you just get to know each other. Maybe you'll just be friends. You're both so young, Max. Who knows, maybe he'll meet a boy his age tomorrow and forget about you or maybe you will."

Max looked up at his uncle.

"You don't understand, Dave. I don't think there will ever be someone else for me. When I saw Jos I just knew. He is the onefor me."

Dave saw in Max's expression that he believed what he was saying. He also saw fear and anxiety, he didn't reply.

"What if he doesn't feel the same way about me? He said he does, but he is so young." Max said.

"You are both so young, Max. All you can do is take it one day at a time. See what happens. Look, you're going home to pack tomorrow. In a couple of weeks, when you get back here, see if you both still feel the same. You can invite him up for a swim. You know you can use the pool anytime you want."

"Thanks, Dave. I feel better just talking to you about it."

"I'm here anytime you feel the need to talk."

~~~~~

1. Joe had said nothing more about the condo that he had offered to Lloyd for a hundred dollars. He figured that Lloyd was okay with it. But as the day progressed and Lloyd had more time to think about it the more he convinced himself that there had to be a proverbial insect just waiting to mire itself in the unguent. As the old saying goes if it's too good to be true then it probably is.

While Max was in the kitchen talking to Dave and he was sitting in the den with Joe, Lloyd wondered how to bring up the subject of the condo again. The more he'd thought about it the more he was sure that there was something wrong with the offer.

How could an astute businessman like Joe just give him a near million dollar condo. Where was the catch? And the offer of a partnership in building houses here? No, it was too good to be true. He'd be better off just saying no to the whole thing rather than be caught in something he was unaware of later.

"I've got a feeling that you are thinking that my offer this morning to you was too good to be true."

Lloyd startled. He gaped at Joe wondering if he was a mind reader.

"It is true, Lloyd. Monday morning you and I will go down to the lawyers and have the papers all signed. And while we're there let's set up the rules for being partners in this new venture. I want us to be equals. I definitely do not want you feeling that I am the boss and that you have to kowtow to me. Your input is going to be just as important, if not more so as mine.

"By the time you've concluded your business up north and are ready to move down, the condo will be yours free and clear. Well, not free. You will owe me one hundred dollars. "

Lloyd shook his head. And smiled.

"Besides being generous beyond my comprehension you are also a mind reader, huh?"

Joe grinned. "No, I'm not a mind reader. I was just watching you face."

"I'm that readable?"

"Well, lets just say I think I could beat the socks off of you in a game of Poker."

"I feel very indebted to you, Joe. And it really warms my heart that you would want me and my family living here. You know you're going to be hard set to keep my boys out of that pool, don't you?"

"There's no reason for you to feel any indebtedness, Lloyd. Get it into you head that you are family. Family, Italian style. And as for the pool, what is your point?"

"Alright. I concede. So I guess that we will head back home on Tuesday. Max can stand to miss one more day of school. There is only two weeks left anyway. He's a good student, makes good grades."

~~~~~

On the twenty-ninth floor, one of the owners had mentioned to another resident, while visiting in the lobby, that it looked like he was going to be transferred to the Atlanta office of the company he worked for. Dave stopped by the desk to pass the time of day with the guard on duty and asked if he had heard of any of the units becoming available in the building. The Guard repeated the conversation that he had over heard.

Dave immediately contacted the man who knew the name 'Dave Gates', but was not aware that Mr. Gates lived in the building. And yes, it was certain that he was putting his unit up for sale. Dave immediately with no negotiating on the asking price, bought it for his mother, Jean.

After thinking about it and still being a little paranoid about kidnappers and extortionist he offered to buy the other unit on the same floor for a much inflated price. Since the owner of the second unit had bought the unit on speculation he was delighted to sell at such a great profit.

That evening when Joe came home Dave was waiting for him with another of Angie's wonderful home cooked meals. Joe unwrapped Dave's arms from around his neck after a long lingering kiss.

"What is the occasion?" he asked.

"Nothing special. I just had a good day and since your mother called to asked us to dinner Friday night, I told her I needed to beg a favor. She seemed delighted to cook for us."

Joe sniffed the aromas wafting from the kitchen.

"Let's see. I smell sweet sausages cooked with peppers and onions. Red Gravy(tomato sauce) with mushrooms. Fresh basil."

"Damn you are good. We're having Ziti baked in red gravy with mushrooms. And fresh sliced tomatoes and bufalo mozzarella with fresh basil. And of course, the sausage, peppers and onions."

Joe just smiled. Being raised in an Italian home with a wonderful cook he knew his smells.

"So what made your day so good, Babe?" He asked, as he followed Dave into the kitchen.

"I made a couple of real estate purchases."

Dave pulled the two dishes out of the oven and set them on the counter.

"Oh? Really. I didn't know you were into real estate. What did you buy?"

Joe watched as Dave got out the Mouli grater and a hunk of Parmesana-Regiano cheese.

"The twenty-ninth floor."

Joe's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"So what brought on this buying spree?" Joe asked.

Dave stopped and turned to him.

"Well, you know mom is thinking of moving down here now that Mary and Lloyd are, and I heard that one of the units was going on the market. So I contacted the owner and bought it for her. And then I was thinking that to make things really safe and secure we should have possession of the whole floor. I contacted the other owner and found out that he had bought on specs. So I made him an offer he'd have been a fool to refuse. So -- We are now the proud owners of the twenty-ninth floor." Dave picked up the dish of Ziti and headed for the table.

"What are you planning for the other unit?"

"I don't know. I'm sure something will occur."

"Cool." Joe said as he snatched a piece of ziti from the bowl that was passing under his nose.

"What I want to do," Dave continued, "and I need your help with this, is to alter the elevators so ours will stop at twenty-nine and the other one will only go up the twenty-eighth. And I want to put in a stairwell between the two floors, too."

Dave set a bottle of the wonderful Chianti from Gio on the table, motioned for Joe to sit and then sat down, too.

"So what do you think?"

Joe looked at him with a bemused expression as he held the dish of Ziti in the air.

"Your going to drop that if you don't set it down."

Joe smiled and set the dish down. He propped his elbows on each side of his plate and folded his fists under his chin and just stared at Dave.

"You're just going to stare? The foods getting cold. Mange! Mange!" Dave imitated his mother-in-law.

Joe grinned.

"I love you so much, Dave. You're just so damned cute."

Dave blushed studying the food on his plate. With a wry smile he looked up at Joe.

"Because I love you I'll let you get away with that. You tell anyone else you think I'm cute and your dead meat."

"Well you are, Dave, you are."

"Cut out the Blanche shit or you'll be sleeping on the couch."

"That was Jane Hudson. You wouldn't really make me sleep on the couch would you?"

"When we've got two empty guest rooms?"

"Dave." Joe whined.

"Now why would I go punishing myself for your sick wit?"

"Punishing yourself? Sick wit? Dave, do you really think I've got a sick wit?"

"Well, maybe not sick but definitely a little twisted."

"Twisted I can live with." Joe nodded emphatically. Dave cast his eyes toward the ceiling.

"So how do you figure your punishing yourself by punishing me?" Joe asked around a big bite of Sausage.

"Joe, depriving myself of having you wrapped around me when I sleep would be a dire deprivation."

Joe smiled and took another bite followed by a sip of wine, his eyes never leaving Dave. He swallowed.

"I love you, Dave."

"I know you do. And you know I love you."

"I love you and you love me and we're just loving all this love." Joe gushed around a mouth full of food.

"Alright, enough of Miss Roxy Hart already."

"That's one of the things I love about you, my cute lover. You know everyone of my characters."

"Yeah, and you're just so cute doing them, Joe." Dave grinned back.

~~~~~

Within three days Lloyd had settled a deal selling his part of the construction business to with his partner. He'd be receiving a monthly payment for the next five years for his half. The house had been inspected and put on the market. The day after school was out for the summer, he and Max would head south. The moving van would leave the day before. Jean would be driving Mary's car. So except for packing it was all settled.

Lloyd had picked up Max after school and they stumbled into the house loaded down with boxes they gotten from the local grocery store. Jean was waiting for them. She was already in the kitchen emptying shelves and separating things to facilitate packing.

Lloyd had made a point of getting as many boxes as possible with dividers in them for glasses, bottles and other cylindrical items. Jean had insisted that he get professional packing boxes for the fine heirloom china. It had belonged to her mother and she had passed it on to Mary.

Max made for his room with his boxes. Jean had instructed him on the drive home on how to pack like items in one box to make unpacking easier and to clearly mark the boxes to help him find what ever he wanted after the move.

Lloyd ordered pizza over Jean's protest that she would cook dinner for them. When it arrived they sat down at the kitchen table to eat.

"Actually, Lloyd, I am glad that you insisted. This pizza is good. And I am almost to pooped to pucker."

Max laughed at the thought of his grandmother puckering up to kiss a suitor. Jean looked indignant.

"And what are you laughing about, young man?"

"Grandy, Your too old to pucker." Max said through much giggling and a mouth full of pizza.

"I most certainly am not. See?"

Jean had a hard time doing it for grinning at the same time but she succeeded and planted a big kiss on Max's cheek.

The phone rang. Lloyd answered thinking it would be Mary. She called every evening around this time.

"Hello."

"Uncle Lloyd?" A boy's voice asked.

That threw him for a loop for a moment then in the back of his mind he could hear Joe. "We're family. Italian style."

"Yes? Who is this?"

"I'm Joseph. May I speak to Max, please?"

The voice was so young but so mature the way he spoke. Lloyd had to remind him self he was speaking to a young boy.

"Aaah- sure Joe let me call him."

But before he could get the phone away from his ear Joseph was correcting him.

"Excuse sir, I am Joseph. Joe is my uncle or my grandfather."

Lloyd cleared his throat.

"Yes, of course, Joseph. Let me call Max for you."

~~~~~

As Joe slipped between the crisp cool sheets he watch his lover undressing. He was still amazed that the beautiful man across the room was his to have and to hold, to love and to cherish.

Dave turned and saw Joe watching him.

"What?"

Joe smiled and shook his head.

"I don't think I'll ever tire of watching you. Your just so damned beautiful. And my heart is full to bursting with love for you."

Dave dropped his Levi's on a chair and walked over to the bed. Kneeling he took Joe's face between his hands and pressed his lips to his. Joe's lips parted to let Dave's tongue dance with his.

Dave finally pushed away, stood up and shucked his boxers and socks. Joe raised the sheet to let Dave slide in next to him. Joe took him into his arms.

"Tonight I need you. Take me, Dave. Let me know I'm yours."

Dave growled and rolled on top of Joe who spread his legs in surrender as Dave started kissing his way down his body. When Dave got to his belly he stopped and looked up a Joe. When Joe raised his head and looked back at him in consternation, Dave grinned.

"You never did tell me what you thought about my purchases."

Joe's expression was menacing.

"If you don't shut up and continue what you were doing I may never tell you."

Dave grinned and then ran his tongue in circles around Joe's navel. Joe groaned and dropped his head back onto the pillow.

Continued

I enjoy getting feed back on my chapters. So if you liked this one or hated it, won't you take the time to tell me why? I can be contacted at js.collection@verizon.net. I answer back.