Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:42:29 -0700 From: Roy Subject: Phalen - Finding Happiness - chapter 22 - Gay College Section This story is entirely fictional, and any resemblances to actual persons are completely coincidental. Actual locations are mentioned, and are used for 'background' only. 'Phalen - Finding Happiness' Chapter twenty-two by Roy Reinikainen Greg leaned against the kitchen island counter, watching as his brother went about preparing dinner. "Jeff, I've invited Larry to dinner, so he can meet Mother and Dad. I hope it's okay. He called the office this afternoon to ask how things are going and to tell me he's feeling better about Brad leaving." Greg seemed about to say something more but hesitated, and then seemed to change his mind. "Inviting him was a good idea. Besides, Phalen's been feeling guilty that he's ignored his father, recently. He's really gotten into the tour guide mode. Mother and Dad are going to be worn out." Greg grinned at Phalen's enthusiasm, and the sound of his animated voice through the open door leading to the patio. "It *is* nice to have the old Phalen back with us, isn't it? That thing with Dustin and the drugs took its toll on each of us, but I think Phalen felt it most." Greg gave Jeff an abashed grin. "Well, *I* felt it too, but at least I had you and Larry to talk things over with. That helped. Hopefully, if something similar ever happens again, he'll have sense enough to come to you, or me or . . . someone." Both men looked up as their father entered the house, carrying an empty glass. David put his arm around his son's shoulders, encouraging a rare smile from Greg. "Mita kuuluu," David murmured. "I'm fine, thanks. I was just telling Jeff that I invited Larry, Phalen's father to dinner. I think you'll enjoy one another. "He's been feeling down because he just ended what he thought might be his first gay relationship." Jeff left the stove where he had been working to lean on the counter opposite his father and brother as Greg spoke of Larry. "Larry's gay?" David seemed surprised. "Yeah, he only recently admitted it to himself," Greg added. "He was over talking to me about his breakup the other day. He was pretty depressed at the time. He seemed to think he isn't relationship material. His marriage was a disaster. The first man he was involved with was becoming serious, but I guess Larry stopped it before it had a chance to develop very far. Then there was Brad." Jeff watched Greg shake his head. "He told me he felt as if someone had kicked him in the stomach when they decided to separate. When I spoke with him on the phone today, he seemed better." "Are you good friends, then," David asked, accepting a refill of his drink from Jeff, along with a puzzled expression. Greg nodded. "We're friends. He was my attorney during that drug thing I emailed you about. We visited often during that, but not much since. There hasn't been any reason to. Besides, he's been involved with Brad. The two of them seemed to be pretty attached to one another. I was surprised to hear they split up. It's too bad, really. Larry's much like Phalen . . . a nice guy. He deserves to be happy." "Have the two of you ever gone to dinner, or done things together, or anything? I mean, if he's such a nice guy, at least it'd get you out more and away from work." It was funny to watch Jeff's expression change as David spoke to Greg. 'Where are you going with this, Dad?' He could almost hear Jeff's anxious voice. Greg absently rotated his glass on the counter top. "No, we've not socialized. He was my attorney. That's all. We visited, but nothing more. Why?" David shrugged. "Just wondering. Like I said. You need to get out more, meet some people, have some fun." He chuckled. "I'd do a Phalen imitation and wiggle my eyebrows, but on me, it wouldn't be dignified." Jeff sputtered as he was about to swallow "Hey," David turned to him. "What's that all about? I can be dignified if I have to." He looked from Jeff to Greg. "Really." Jeff rolled his eyes. "Sure, Dad." Greg offered, amused both by Jeff's snicker, and his father's indignant reaction to it. "I'll make sure to point out the fact that I'm in the process of being dignified to you both, the next time I'm in such a situation. Just don't you laugh. You'll spoil the illusion." David leaned across the counter and lowered his voice. "Tell me, Jeff. Where in Phoenix can a man go and be naked?" Jeff nodded toward his father. "Dignified, he says." "What? A person can be starkers and be dignified at the same time! I've done so . . . on any number of occasions." He grinned. "I've also been anything *but* dignified . . . on a few occasions. But, there's no need to go into detail about that," he hurriedly amended. "I really would like nothing better than to spend a day or three with the guys, being nude." He screwed up his face. "Even though it's cold back home, at least I could strip off and join other guys in a sauna." He sighed, with a far away look on his face. "I've often wished your mother . . ." The thought trailed off. "It wouldn't be the same as hanging out with the guys though." He shook his head. "Everyone has to behave differently when women are present." "Jeff's got a sauna," Greg added. "You guys should hang out there. Phalen and I could entertain Mother. "Nope," Jeff said, quickly. "If we took a sauna, Phalen would insist on being with us. He's actually more of a nudist than I am!" David turned to look over his shoulder toward the back yard where Phalen's voice could still be heard. "Truly?" Both Greg and Jeff nodded. "What about you, Greg?" "He's not so shy as he pretends," Jeff said, with a smile, ignoring Greg's instant lowering of the eyebrows and warning flash of his dark blue eyes. "He's taken a few saunas with Phalen and me and enjoyed them, too. He's even swum with us in the nude." David studied his oldest son. "Good for you, Greg." "Yeah, well. That was with you and Phalen. I'm not much of a public nudist, I guess. At least not like you guys." "Well, I hate clothes," David groused. 'If I could, I'd be naked 24/7." "I get erections," Greg added without thinking. "When I'm naked so much . . . you know?" "So do I," David added. "Guys do that sort of thing, you know. It's no big deal." Greg smiled, a mischievous look flashing across his face. "Well, Dad, maybe it's a problem for me because I'm bigger than you." David's eyes widened and a smile played at the corners of his lips. "Maybe when you get hard, no one even notices," Greg continued. He turned to Jeff. "You think?" Jeff craned his neck in an attempt to look at his father's crotch, and the nodded, winking at his father. David guffawed and slapped Greg on the back. "That's my boy! You're joking! I love it!" He paused, and then spoke in a confidential tone. "But, to tell you guys the truth, no one's ever found my . . . equipment . . . lacking." He sat back with a smug look on his face, pleased to see he had surprised both his sons. Greg seemed to be at a loss for words, while Jeff seemed to be silently studying him. David raised his eyebrows in Jeff's direction, causing him to smile and return to his drink, though he continued to study his father over the rim of his glass. Margit and Phalen came into the kitchen, catching the tail end of David's chuckles. "What's all the laughing about," she asked, heading for the coffee maker and pouring herself a large mug. She was one of the few people who seemed to appreciate coffee as strong as Phalen. "Oh nothing, dear," David said with a grin. "Greg and I were just comparing the size of our penis." Phalen had been rummaging about in the refrigerator. When he heard what David had said, he stood and put his hands on his hips. "Oh damn. I missed it! I always miss the good stuff." Margit laughed." Do all men like to show off like your father, or is he unique?" Jeff nodded. "Yes, Dad is unique, but not because he likes to show off. All men I've ever met enjoy it whether they admit it or not. And before my big brother claims *he* doesn't, I'd have to tell you, he is pretty pleased with what he's been endowed with." "Who wouldn't be?" Phalen's voice came from where he had now returned to the refrigerator. David winked at Greg, who remained as speechless as his mother. "Men just like sex, dear," David smiled at his wife. "Damn right," Phalen remarked, sidling up close to Jeff. "Don't look at me like that, big man. You can't tell *me* you don't enjoy sex." He turned to Margit and David. "A wild man!" Jeff blushed, and rather than say something to which Phalen would only have a humorous rejoinder, he turned to the stove, distancing himself from the conversation. "Big man?" David asked, not willing to let Jeff get away so easily. "Must be another penis allusion," Margit added as she joined Jeff at the stove, turning her back on her husband, as she spoke with Jeff. Phalen's silent description of Jeff's anatomy, as he held his hands apart in description, caused both David's and Greg's happy laughter. Jeff and his mother turned to find the others wearing outrageously innocent expressions. The moment they turned back to the stove Phalen wiggled his eyebrows, causing another outburst. All Jeff could do was shake his head in resignation. They all turned as the front door opened and Larry announced himself. "I can smell a party a mile away. Especially one where Jeff's doing the cooking. So," he said, walking into the dining room. "I decided to invite myself over and see if I might prevail on you to provide dinner to a poor street person such as myself." He smiled broadly, nodding a greeting to David and Margit, and briefly resting an arm over Greg's shoulders. "Dad! I didn't know you were coming to dinner! I'm glad you are." Phalen walked to his father's side and made introductions. "See," he said when Larry had shaken David's hand and had received a warm embrace from Margit. "See," Phalen repeated, gesturing toward David. "Didn't I tell you he was a ten?" Larry's eyes widened. "A ten," David asked, intrigued. "More penis talk," Margit asked with a pained look. "A ten," David repeated. "Would someone explain?" "He's not referring to your . . . length," Greg offered, amused despite himself. "I could have told you that," Margit murmured, as she raised a cup of coffee to her lips. She swallowed and then gave her husband a sweet smile. "He's referring to your looks," Jeff filled in for his father. "A ten is good." Larry laughed and slapped David on the back, enjoying his pleased expression. "Phalen always has been very outspoken. It has been a trial at times." "Hey!" "But, we still love him, despite his many flaws," David added, enjoying both Jeff's and Greg's mildly scandalized expressions. "Hey, I complimented you. What's this about flaws?" "Dear," Margit said. "They're teasing." She wrapped a comforting arm over his shoulders. "The whole family is a ten, as far as I'm concerned," Larry added. "Even Greg, when he's not trying to be intimidating." He moved close and once again put his arm over Greg's shoulders. "Someday that expression is going to become permanent, and then where will you be?" David watched the way Larry's fingers . . . caressed . . . Greg's shoulder under the guise of being friendly. When he glanced at Greg's face, he saw his oldest son had totally missed the significance of Larry's touch. "You become accustomed to his sour looks," Margit added from across the kitchen where she was now helping Jeff with meal preparations. "Not me." Larry shook his head. "I've seen him smile, and laugh." He squeezed Greg's shoulder. David wondered to himself what Larry would have to do to gain Greg's attention. "It was a wonderful experience," Larry concluded. I swear, he could light up a room with one of his smiles." Larry smiled at Greg who returned his look with a puzzled expression. They both missed the significant look David gave Margit. Phalen was also unusually quiet, studying the undercurrents in the room. Greg apparently, was the only person who had no clue as to what was going on. Larry patted Greg one more time before stepping into the kitchen to look over Jeff's shoulder. "What's for dinner? I'm starved!" David watched, fascinated, as Larry did everything but throw himself in front of Greg, screaming, "Pay attention to me!" He hoped Larry was not a person to give up easily because Greg appeared to have no idea what was going on around him. 'Is it possible, he's so self-absorbed, that he doesn't realize what Larry's feelings are?' David asked himself. 'Surely, he'd find Larry, at least interesting. *I* certainly do.' He turned his attention to his drink in an attempt to ignore the feelings coursing through his body. Larry was such a presence though, that it was difficult not to watch him. He sipped his drink and watched Larry casually leaning against the kitchen counter, teasing Jeff and easily capturing Margit's high regard. It was easy to see that Larry was accustomed to attention. Both he and Phalen seemed not to notice how people gravitated to them as if they generated some personal type of magnetic field. He softly snorted to himself. 'They *do* generate such a field,' he thought. 'It's the magnetism of their personality.' He looked away, flicking a glance in Greg's direction. Greg looked on the laughter in the kitchen, with a benign smile. It was as if he never even contemplated being a part of the fun. 'Damn, but Larry's good looking,' David thought, feeling only slightly guilty for his thoughts. 'After all,' he told himself, 'I don't intend to have *sex* with him!' He smiled to himself. 'But, damn, I sure would like to!' Larry's tan slacks clung to his narrow hips, draping over his rounded buttocks and cupping what appeared to be a . . . generous . . . package. His dark yellow polo shirt stretched across his flat stomach and broad shoulders. Like his son, he smiled often; his gestures broad and encompassing. His dark blue eyes, almost identical to Greg's, seemed to miss nothing, and sparkled with barely contained amusement. 'This is a man who has been depressed?' David found Greg's description of Phalen's father difficult to reconcile with the man who was now teasing Margit. She was blushing like a school girl, under Larry's attention. From time to time, Larry would glance in Greg's direction and his smile would broaden. 'What a smile!' David almost moaned. 'I think I could spend many an hour, enjoying the feel . . . and taste of his lips.' David changed position, surreptitiously trying to adjust his thickening penis. At the movement, Greg looked in his direction, quirking his eyebrows. "C'mon, Greg," David said, "bring your drink, and let's go out onto the patio while all these domestic types finish preparing our dinner." He noticed Larry watch as they left the room and moved out into the cool evening air. Once they had sat down across from one another, David took a breath of the crisp air and smiled in contentment. "Your thoughts?" He glanced at Greg with what he hoped was an encouraging expression. Greg shrugged. "Don't have any, right now." He shifted position, hanging a leg over the arm of the chair and idly began swinging his foot back and forth. "I'm just tired after all the hours at work." "Larry seems to be a really nice guy," David ventured. Greg nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching up in agreement. "Yeah, he is. He seems in a rare mood tonight." Greg sighed. "Sometimes, I wish I could be more like him. He seems to fit right in no matter where he goes. Whenever he's talking to me, I feel as if his entire attention is focused on me. Look at how Mother is responding to him! He'll have her giggling before he's finished. *Imagine*," Greg chuckled. "Mother, giggling." He looked across the table at his father's gentle smile of agreement. "It's a rare gift to be able to focus on someone like that. It makes a person feel . . . I don't know. Special, like you really are important. Phalen's got it. Larry's got it. I don't." David nodded his understanding, and then smiled as the subject of their conversation came out onto the patio and dragged a chair over to the table, sitting between father and son. "Mind if I join you both?" He looked from son to father. "Jeff was about to suggest I stir something." He nodded toward the kitchen, where Jeff was orchestrating dinner preparations. Both Margit and Phalen were bustling back and forth between the kitchen and dining room, following Jeff's instructions. "I didn't want to spoil all his efforts by making some sort of unforgivable mistake, so I decided to absent myself and see what was going on out here." He smiled at Greg. "We were just talking about life . . . love . . . that sort of thing," David grinned at Larry's smile. "Do you have any observations you'd care to share?" "Hmm." Larry thought a moment. "Being philosophical, are we? Well, let's see. He stared into the distance for a moment. "Life can seem like a bitch at times, but those times soon pass and their pain fades. No matter how long one's life is, it's never long enough, so each of us should enjoy every minute we're granted." David's eyes widened slightly, wondering if Larry's observations were somehow aimed at his son. "Now, love," Larry said, frowning slightly. "I am not the best person to talk to about that. Isn't there some sort of saying that begins, 'unlucky at love . . .'" He sighed. "That's me." He turned to David and then Greg, speaking in a confidential tone. "You know, the unlucky part wouldn't be quite so bad if it didn't leave one feeling horny as hell." He burst out laughing and then leaned close to Greg, who wasn't laughing. He leaned closer and looked him directly in the eye. "Are you ticklish, Greg?" David had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. "Does one have to wrestle you to the ground and do something . . . outlandish . . . to make you laugh?" He turned to David and spoke in an offhand manner. "I'm willing to try anything to see your son smile." At last, Greg seemed to relax some. "You can leave the wrestling to Phalen and Jeff. Just being around you for a little while is enough to make anyone feel better." He smiled and Larry sat back, satisfied. "I was just thinking the same thing, Greg," David said. 'Father and son are very much alike," he added. "In more ways than you can possibly imagine, David," Larry said, lifting the frosty bottle of beer to his lips. ---------- Larry finished the last bit of blueberry tart dessert and sat back in his chair, smiling at his host. He looked as if he would have licked his plate, but for the presence of others at the table. "Jeff," he sighed with pleasure. "I am once again amazed at your culinary skills. If anyone asked, I would have to say I am one step away from nirvana." "Thanks Larry, but Greg is the real cook in the family. Our housekeeper taught him, and he taught me." Larry turned to Greg, who was finishing his own tart. "You taught him?" Greg nodded around a mouthful, and grinned. "I showed him some basics. He's gone on to much greater things than I ever taught him. Phalen has inspired him to new . . . heights." Phalen smiled brightly, nodded and wiggled his eyebrows when everyone turned to him. "Would you consider giving up your medical career and becoming my cook?" Larry made a slight throw away gesture. "Nah, I guess that's not a good idea. You see, I happen to be severely challenged when it comes to cooking." Phalen snorted agreement, and whispered in an aside to Margit. "He doesn't know how to boil water! Even, *I* know how to do *that*!" Margit patted his hand. "Good for you, dear. You must be proud of yourself." Phalen glanced first at Jeff and then to Margit, unsure whether she was teasing him. "Perhaps you could give me some lessons," Larry continued talking to Greg. ". . . in your copious amount of free time, that is?" He winked. "I would be willing to bet that, between the two of us, we're capable of cooking something up even Jeff and Phalen might envy. You think?" "Sure, Larry." David noted Larry had manage to coax one of the first genuine smiles from Greg in the entire evening. "I'd be pleased to teach you some basics." He seemed to consider the daunting task ahead of him. "Boiling water, huh?" Both Larry and Phalen nodded. Larry cast his son a mock-severe scowl, vaguely reminiscent of Greg's, for agreeing so readily. "That's pretty basic," Greg observed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But . . ." Greg glanced at Phalen, his smile broadening. "Being intimately familiar with your son's . . . cooking . . ." He thought a moment. "I hesitate to use the word, skills." He cleared his throat. "If the two of you are at all alike, I can understand how one might wish to keep you out of the kitchen." Phalen's eyes widened at Greg's deadpan delivery, and at the amused glance he shot in Larry's direction. David caught Margit's eye as well as her pleased expression. They were both thinking the same thing. Greg was not only smiling, he had been reduced to teasing, an unprecedented behavior in their experience. Even Jeff seemed . . . surprised, by his brother's behavior. "I'm not *totally* without . . . experience," Larry teased in return. "I *do* have some water chilling in the fridge. I mean . . . I have to use the thing for *something!* From time to time, I even go to the market to buy . . . stuff, mostly because I think it's the thing to do." He heaved a sigh. "Unfortunately, whatever I purchase inevitably spoils. "Tell me, doctor," he asked, in a voice barely able to control a chuckle. "Is what I have fatal?" "Only if someone has to eat it," Phalen instantly muttered. The chime of the doorbell interrupted the laughing and prevented Greg from replying. Everyone turned and watched Phalen jog out the front door and across the courtyard. The laughter resumed as Jeff began an animated description, complete with accompanying arm waving and facial expressions, of Phalen's attempt to prepare him a birthday dinner, and the extensive efforts required to clean up the resulting smoke damage. Everyone was laughing so hard their eyes were watering by the time Jeff described how Phalen, wearing a brief white towel, and nothing else, dropped a smoking pan, and its blackened, forlorn contents onto the range in disgust, and raised his arms in surrender as he fanned away the thick smoke engulfing the kitchen. When Jeff described Phalen's appalled look at being told his eyebrows had been singed off in the brief flare-up, even Greg was laughing. David looked up from wiping his eyes. Something major had to be happening for the room to suddenly become so quiet. Phalen was escorting two men into the house, one on either side, an arm around the shoulders of each. Phalen's arms appeared to be in place as much to push the men along, as for reassurance. "Hey, men," Larry managed, in a throat suddenly gone dry. Both men smiled tentatively, but seemed relieved when Jeff seemed to jump out of his seat, suddenly aware of his duties as host. He hurried over and gave each a brief, comforting hug, a subtle hint that things would be okay. "Mother, Dad," he said, turning back to his parents. "I'd like you to met two very good friends." He turned to the man on his left. "This is my best friend, Brad. We went to architecture school together. Very talented," he added in an aside. "We're both teachers, now." He grinned. "I hear his students complain that he's some sort of ogre, but in reality, he's a little kid. His students have never seen his softer side." The description caused Brad to blush and lean into Jeff's one-arm embrace. David, watching the expression on his son's face, as well as that of Brad, was glad Jeff had such friends. Jeff turned to his right. "And, this is Brad's partner, Curt, a man who could charm a person into buying the air they're breathing. The advertising firm he's with is lucky to have him on their staff." Jeff glanced to Brad. "And, Brad is lucky to have him as a partner." Curt's lips softened and twitched up into a slight smile, as Jeff spoke. 'So,' David thought to himself. 'These are the two men who are at the crux of both Larry and Greg's . . . situation.' He smiled his most charming smile, stood, and extended his hand in greeting to both men. After shaking his hand and nodding a greeting to Margit, both men seemed at a loss as to what they should do next. They were saved when Larry stood and hugged first Curt and the Brad, patting him on the back. "It's good to see you both. I've been hoping to see you, so I could wish you well." David rested his hand on the back of Greg's chair, and squeezed his shoulder in what he hoped was a subtle hint that *he* should be as gracious as Larry. Greg seemed to flinch slightly, brought back to the present from wherever his mind had been vacationing. He stood and walked to where Curt and Brad stood, holding his arms out in welcome. "I second Larry's sentiments," he said, hugging Brad first, and then Curt, for a slightly longer time. "You're both with the person you should be." He became aware of the surrounding silence, and the audience watching his every move, and decided he didn't give a damn who was watching. He needed to put Curt at ease. He hugged him once more, and murmured in his ear. "I'm glad you've found one another." Curt tightened his embrace, managing an emotional, "Thanks," as they separated. David cleared his throat in an attempt to spare Greg, and Margit, who was wiping a tear away from her eyes, any more emotional turmoil. "Well, men. You missed Jeff's marvelous blueberry torte dessert, but I'm sure he can find something for you to drink, right Jeff?" "Uh, oh, sure Dad." Brad extended his hand. "No, Jeff . . . really. We came by to say hi and to let you guys know we're okay, since we've been out of touch for the past few days." He blushed as he continued speaking. "We've decided to take the next week off work to get . . . reacquainted." Phalen's background, "ooooooh," caused the mood to lighten. Curt once again shook Margit's hand and then David's. "It was a pleasure to meet you both. I've heard Jeff speak of his parents, and it's nice to finally meet you." Brad followed Curt's lead, pausing a moment to accept a brief hug from Phalen, before he and Curt turned toward the front door. "Wait, men," Larry said into the uneasy silence. "Would you mind visiting with Greg and me, a while longer?" He turned toward Greg and extended an arm, as if to gather him up. Obligingly, Greg allowed himself to be gathered. Larry continued speaking, as the four men walked out of the house into the courtyard. "I've got some of your stuff," everyone heard him say, before the door closed. Phalen sank into a chair with a whoosh of expelled breath. "Geez! I hate drama. I really do." Margit nodded, her eyes moving from Phalen to Jeff, who seemed to be worrying what was going on outside. She patted him on the back and urged him into the kitchen. "C'mon, sweetheart," she murmured. "Whatever they're discussing will surely clear the air between them. It was a difficult situation for each of them, I'm sure, but now is the time to have their little talk. If they had waited, they would each find it more difficult to say the things needing to be said." "You're right, dear," David added. "It's too bad this had to happen now though. We had just managed to get Greg laughing." She softly snorted agreement before turning back to help Jeff with the dishes. Everyone spent the next few minutes in silence, trying to act unconcerned, but casting covert glances toward the courtyard. David smiled when Phalen and he caught one another doing the same thing. The only sound in the house was the occasional clink of dishes being loaded into the dishwasher. Finally, Phalen could stand it no longer and began to pace, walking outside onto the patio for a few minutes before once again coming inside. He remained in the room for a short while and then returned to the patio. This time, David followed. When Phalen looked up, David gestured to one of the chairs. "Have a seat." When Phalen seemed reluctant, David continued. "Pacing isn't going to make things move any faster, I assure you." He smiled when Phalen gingerly perched on the edge of the chair, ready to scramble up at a moment's notice. "Are you worried about your father?" Phalen shrugged slightly. "Some. But, I think I'm more worried about Greg. He's made such progress since he arrived, I'd hate to see it all reversed. Curt wouldn't do anything to hurt Greg on purpose," he hastened to add, "but right now, Greg is sorta fragile." Phalen turned to face the house. "He needs someone to hold him and tell him he's a good guy. Curt did that, and he finally had Greg believing it." Phalen sank back on the chair, throwing a bare leg over one of the chair arms and swinging his foot, similar to the way Greg had done earlier. "Y'know," Phalen added, after a moment of silence. "All of us, except you and Margit, are, or have been, sexually stifled, emotional cripples. Jeff, me, Greg, Curt . . ." He paused and thought a moment longer. "Brad is probably the most well adjusted of any of us, 'cept he's always afraid he's gonna hurt someone." He looked at David, who was intently watching him. "Jeff and I saved one another." He smiled, remembering something which had happened, and then returned to the present. "Dad sorta makes it half-way and then things collapse beneath him. It's happened twice; three times if you count Mom. Poor Greg hasn't even made it half way." He looked up, but remained in his seat as Greg entered the house. Margit set aside a dish towel and spoke to him, smiling and patting him on the back. "Well, nothing awful musta happened," Phalen told David, who had chosen not to look over his shoulder to investigate what was happening. "He's sorta smiling and talking to Margit." "Oops," he said, standing quickly. "Jeff's motioning me to come inside." Phalen passed Greg and Margit who were heading out to the patio. "Where's Dad?" "He said he'd had enough drama for the evening and had decided to go home." "Everything's cool," Phalen asked, receiving a nod. "Yes, cool." David smiled a greeting to his wife as Greg held the chair for his mother and then sat opposite his parents. David finished his glass of wine, waiting for someone to begin talking. "So," he said, when he was sure neither his wife nor Greg were going to say something. "Curt and Brad seemed like nice guys. I'm sorry they weren't able to stay longer. I'd enjoy getting to know some of your friends." "They make a handsome couple," Margit murmured, flicking a glance to her husband in a silent question. 'Do you know what you're doing?' His eyes twinkled as he gave her a reassuring grin. "Did you guys get everything straightened out when you went outside? Phalen thought everything was pretty intense." Greg slowly nodded. "Yes, they were afraid Larry and I would be . . . upset with them, and wanted to make sure everything was cool." "Upset," Margit ventured. "Why would you be upset with them? Is that why they were here? To apologize for something?" Greg heaved a sigh. "No, Mom. Until last week Brad was living with Larry, and I was dating Curt." He glanced at his parents, expecting a reaction. "Brad and Curt had been separated, but they finally realized they belong together. They came over here because, even though they're happy to be back together, they were both feeling bad because they felt they'd hurt Larry and me for leaving us." "So," Greg said when no reaction to his being gay announcement occurred. "Aren't you upset about me being gay? Don't you have a reaction? You *did* hear what I said, yes?" "Yes, we heard." David seemed puzzled. "Why should we have a reaction?" When Greg seemed unable to figure out what to say, David continued. "It's not a problem for us. What about you?" "Uh, no, it's not a problem. It would have been, once, but . . . Curt helped. So did Jeff and Phalen." "Is your separation from Curt the reason you seem more quiet than usual," Margit asked. "When we arrived, we thought we'd find you happier than we seem to have." "What happened," David asked. "The man calls himself a diplomat." She gave Greg a comic grimace and nodded in her husband's direction. "No, I'm not upset. That's what *they* wanted to know, when Larry and I spoke with them a few minutes ago. They're each where they need to be." He sighed. "It's just that I've found I don't like being alone. You know . . . not part of a couple." David grinned. "Horny, huh?" Margit rolled her eyes in a long suffering expression as Greg barked a welcome laugh. "That's part of it." "Okay," David said, leaning against the table. "I've to to ask." Margit gave him a warning glance? "He turned to his son. "All I was going to ask, is *are you BLIND?*" Margit bowed her head and covered her eyes, slowly shaking her head. "David . . . David . . . David," she murmured. 'If you don't behave better than that back at the Embassy, I'm surprised you haven't caused some sort of international incident between Finland and the States." She shook her head in exasperation. "Are you blind?" "Well," David asked. "Are you?" "Uh, no. Why?" David limply flopped back in his seat, his arms dangling on either side. "He's blind." "Blind?" Greg turned to his mother. "What am I missing, Mother?" "You aren't seeing what is truly important sweetheart. You've been so emotionally tied up with feeling alone . . . and whatever else, that you've failed to realize someone else cares for you. He's done everything but throw himself at your feet . . ." "Naked," David interrupted, grinning unrepentantly when Margit lowered her eyebrows in a scowl. "One wonders whether you would have noticed *that*!" "He's done everything but throw himself at your feet," she repeated, casting a quelling glance in her husband's direction, "hoping you would recognize how much he cares." Greg thought for a moment. The only person his parents had met, other than Brad and Curt was . . . Larry." "Larry?" "Bingo!" David shouted, holding up both hands, drawing another exasperated look from his wife. "Larry . . ." both Margit and David gave him a sage nod, looking extremely satisfied with themselves. "Larry . . ." A slow smile transformed Greg's face, starting with a twinkle in his eyes and ending with a flashing of his white teeth. "Larry!" David studied his son for a moment and then turned to his wife. "He never did claim to be a great conversationalist. I've heard some doctors are like that." "He *does* have a nice smile though," she responded, playfully. "Maybe he should take that smile, and his one-word repertoire and go over to *Larrrrry's* house." David pointed in the general direction. "With a couple cartons of Lapin Kulta beer . . ." Margit added, grinning at her son's pleased expression. "And give him a very thorough kiss," David finished, sitting back in his seat, crossing his arms and giving his wife and son a nod and satisfied smile." "Kiss?" Greg's voice raised an octave. "We've only just hugged . . . a couple times." "Then you're obviously ready for the next step," David crowed. "Now, go." He made shooing motions with both hands. "Before he goes to bed," Margit added. Greg pushed the chair back and stood. Now that he was thinking of Larry in a different way, one part of him wanted to rush to him. Another part, the older and more familiar, feared that his parents might be wrong and Larry might not actually be interested in him. Could he stand rejection . . . even a sensitive form of rejection, which Larry would surely give?" "Don't take your pajamas," David quipped, giving Greg a lascivious smile, and another motion to hurry. "I don't wear pajamas." "Good! Now, go." "Have a good time," Margit called to his retreating back. Greg raised a hand in acknowledgment. Now that his parents had propelled him in the general direction of Larry's house, he had momentum. Larry *had* been pretty friendly, lately. He nodded to Jeff and Phalen, who turned and watched in silence as he opened the refrigerator door and set out three cartons of his favorite Lapin Kulta beer. He thought a moment about taking some of Larry's favorite, which Jeff kept at the ready, but rejected the idea. 'Nothing but water,' he thought to himself, nudging the refrigerator door closed with his hip. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," David shouted from the patio, chuckling when Greg paused a moment to turn and give him a strange expression. His parents waved back, wearing bright smiles. "I wonder where he's going." Phalen glanced toward the patio where Margit and David had raised their wine glasses in a toast, and then turned and watched Greg walk briskly across the courtyard. Jeff backed up against the kitchen counter and held his arms out for Phalen. Where do you think," he asked, nuzzling the nape of Phalen's neck. "Ohhhh," Phalen sighed as Jeff began nibbling on his earlobe. "I love a happy ending." "It's the beginning, lover. At least I hope it is." "Hmmm," Phalen hummed. "S'good to me." He was unable to say anything else because Jeff's lips and tongue had found his. Neither man was aware that David had walked into the kitchen and was silently watching them. He was stunned with the instant sensuality of the scene before him. Jeff groaned and grabbed Phalen's buttocks through the fabric of his shorts, pulling him closer at the same time he thrust his hips forward, grinding himself against Phalen's groin. The sloppy kiss continued, a sight which had given David an instant erection. Margit had yet to look over her shoulder into the kitchen, as he groped himself. He could see Phalen madly sucking on Jeff's tongue, and then his son doing the same to Phalen's. 'I never would have expected *this* of Jeff,' David thought, removing his hand from his crotch by strength of will. He cleared his throat and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, men. I didn't mean to interrupt, but I wanted a refill." He held up his and his wife's empty wine glasses. Jeff wiped the back of his hand across his face and then licked his lips, appearing to be almost in a daze. He reached down to adjust his erection grinning at his father as he tried to make himself more comfortable. Phalen took a deep breath and smiled at David as he turned to the wine cooler to retrieve the bottle of wine. "Y'okay, Jeff," David teased, enjoying his son's embarrassed, yet strangely satisfied smile. "I know what it's like to get all worked up and then be interrupted." "Damned uncomfortable, huh?" David nodded at Phalen's observation. He glanced over his shoulder, toward the patio, and his wife. "Um, if you guys'd like to go take care of things, I can keep Margit entertained for a little while." "Uh, no, Dad. That's okay." Jeff seemed to finally have recovered, but made no effort to hide his attempt to readjust what was left of his erection. Motioning Phalen to lead, David held Jeff back with a slight motion of a hand. "That scene was certainly hot, Jeff. Jeff paused and studied his father, speaking in a low voice. "Dad, have you ever . . . ?" David grinned and lay an arm over his son's shoulders. "I don't know a man who hasn't, son." 'Big man,' David grinned to himself as he left Jeff behind to contemplate what he'd just said. 'Damn,' he thought to himself. 'What I wouldn't give to watch those two.' He scooted a chair around the table to sit closer to his wife, smiling broadly at Phalen. "Jeff'll be along in a minute." ~ to be continued ~ Thank you for taking the time to read my work. I *always* welcome your email and enjoy hearing your thoughts. If you would like me to send a pic of the character(s), please ask. In addition to the first 'Phalen' story, I have three other stories you may want to read. 'Leith,' and 'Chris' are located in the Nifty College Section. The third story is called 'Wesley', and is located in the Adult Relationships section. I hope you enjoy them all. Best wishes, and to those in the States, Happy Thanksgiving Roy Reinikainen roynm@mac.com suomalainen_abq@mac.com