Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 18:33:18 GMT From: Rand * Subject: Prairie Songs - October Chill II Thanks to authorsix, Dreamspinner, for his continuing help. Also thanks to Derek, Joe, TJ, Jake, ClaudImp, bhwl97 and Skipper for your notes and encouragement to continue. This is a story of fiction. October Chill - II I'm finishing the last bite of scrambled eggs my mom had fixed when I notice Jason staring at me with this bemused look on his face. "What?" I ask. "Do you always - " "Yes, he always eats one thing at a time," my mom interrupts with a laugh. It's true, I like to eat one thing at a time. No big deal is it? Eat my bacon, then the eggs, then the toast. Things just ought to be in order. There should be logic to everything. Dinner is the salad, then the vegetables then the meat followed by the dessert. But I really don't want to explain myself. "So, what's the plan for the day?" The question is directed to Jason but mother answers, "You need to call Brandon. He called while you were in the shower and said it was important." Brandon? Oh, the date with Natasha tonight. I still don't want to do that. How did I allow myself to get talked into it? "Guess I better give him a call. What did you want to do Jason?" "Well I was hoping that you'd be able to help put up a tent for our church's revival. It starts tomorrow and runs all week. They were looking for people to help get it all set up. I thought you wouldn't mind helping, I mean it's going to be some work and all - " "Jason, it sounds fine dude. Really, be glad to help. Just a sec while I make a couple of calls." He is so cute. He seemed so embarrassed to be asking me to help. I'd do just about anything to be with him. Boy but I feel good. "May I speak with Brandon please? Thank you. --- Hey Brandon do I really have to take Natasha out?" Talk about a waste of time, me being with a girl, even if Brandon was close by. "Mark, listen, just call her and ask her out - tell her we will be there to pick her up around 6:45. I'll pick you up at 6:00 and we can talk in the car dude. But yes, you need to do this. Are you going to call?" "Yeah, I'll call her right now. See you at 6:00. Bye" "At 6:00 Mark." Don't know why in the world... there is no logical reason... why do I have to do these things? "Yes, hello, is Natasha there? This is Mark Wallace. --- Hi, Natasha? Hey, there's a bunch of us going out to see a movie tonight, would you like to go? Yeah, ok, Brandon's picking me up, we can be at your place around 6:45. Ok, see you." It is amazing how a great day can go sour so quickly. Things look better walking back into the kitchen and seeing Jason. "So, should we be getting to the revival site? Where is it? Can we ride or Mom, could you take us?" "Hey, not so fast, we can get there by bike. Mine's out front. But we should be heading over there now. Mrs. Wallace, thank you for the juice." We stick to the back roads and it is an easy ride. No hills in western Oklahoma to speak of, just flat grazing land. We are riding side-by-side so I reach over and squeeze his thigh. The bike jerks a little and Jason turns to give me a smile. "We got to watch that at the site. Don't do anything that'll get us stared at. Brother Dave... well he hates fags." Jason speaks softly. "Brother Dave? What church do you go to Jason? And give me some sense dude, I won't go and kiss you in front of your church. He hates gays? Isn't it a sin to hate?" "It's the Spirit of God Pentecostal Church. Brother Dave is our minister." "Is he the one leading the revival?" "Yep, it's to get more people to come and join the church." "Why a tent, why not in the church?" "Don't know, maybe cause the church isn't air-conditioned. And Brother Dave says he hates the sin not the sinner. Being queer is about the biggest sin there is, I guess. I mean he talks about it every Sunday. That and how not following the Bible is leading America to destruction." "What all is he talking about when he talks about not following the Bible? And call us gays or even homosexuals, not those terms they use. We don't have to use their terms." Jason stares at me and pedals in silence for a couple of minutes. "Well, like your mom, she was wearing those pant things. Women aren't supposed to wear men's clothes. That's in the Bible, just like men aren't suppose to wear women's clothing. All the women in our Church have to wear dresses." "Even in the summer, how about shorts? What if they play sports?" "Dresses. And most sports are for men. Women are suppose to stay at home and tend the household. They shouldn't try to be man-like by playing men's sports." "Jason, how much of this do you believe? I mean clothing can destroy the world? Playing sports is bad for girls?" "Mark, it's my church, I've got to believe. It's where my family goes, I've got to belong." "But dude, aren't you gay? I mean I don't feel like I'm sinning when we're... together." I want to say, "when we're making love", but I'm scared. "That's why I shouldn't like it. Lets just go and put the tent up ok?" "Sure Jason, sure dude." He starts pumping the bike and picks up speed. I follow behind, staring at a stranger. I thought I knew and loved him. Don't I love him? How can I love him if he thinks like that? We pull up to the open field and men are milling around, nothing much is happening. "Jason, is there some water someplace, I'm thirsty." Jason looks around and points out some tables where women are laying out cups and plates. We walk there and I really don't notice anything strange about the women. I mean they all are in dresses but nothing rustic or puritan. "LET US GATHER AROUND." He is big, 250 pounds and almost as tall as I am. "That's Brother Dave" Jason whispers as we move to join those gathering around the minister. "DEAR GOD, BLESS THIS...." He is a presence and as I sneak glances at those around me, all have their eyes squeezed shut and are murmuring their own prayers. Not a bad idea, "Dear god, save me from fools and zealots... and from myself." His prayer lasts much longer than mine does, though I hope mine is answered too. Then we start the work. Brother Dave yells commands and we form groups. One spreads hay to cover patches of dirt. Another group gets the tent spread out and the poles extended. Jason and I are put on teams to dig holes for the tent poles. When I'm finished with that, I am soon pounding in stakes for the guide wires. I lose sight of Jason as the work continues. I move wooden benches and set up folding chairs. I help set up a stage and bleachers for the choir. Finally, the yelling dies down and people start milling around. "You worked hard." Jason is smiling. I wonder if I'm as disheveled and dirty as he is. "Thanks, it was hard work wasn't it." I smile back and rub my hands against my jeans. I almost suggest we go take a shower, but bite my tongue. "You boys did a good job, best go get cleaned up for some supper now." Brother Dave speaks without looking at us, hardly slowing down as he moves on to some other group. "What time is it Jason?" "About 5:00 why?" "Shoot, I've got to get home and cleaned up. Brandon is picking me up at 6:00." "Oh, well maybe you'll come to the service tomorrow?" The words almost sound like a plea. "I'll try, give me a call ok?" I try not to think, just pump the pedals as fast as I can. "Dude I said 6:00 and here it is 6:10 and your hair is still wet. What's going on?" "Nice to see you too Brandon. Just got busy working and lost track of time. I'm sorry, ok?" "Ok, Mark, just we don't have too much time now before we need to pick up April and then Natasha." "Yeah, you were going to tell me why I need to be dating, right?" Brandon grunts and pulls out of the drive and on to the road. He stares ahead at the road, I swear I can hear the gears in his mind twirling. "Mark," he reaches over and places a hand on my upper thigh, "I had hoped you would come back and visit me again. You know I enjoyed everything you did." His touch both startles and thrills me. There is a tingle that runs up and down my body just from his hand. It is so confusing. "That's just it Brandon, I did everything. I'm sorry, but it just seemed like it didn't matter if it was me or someone else, as long as you got... satisfied." Brandon continues to squeeze and rub my leg. "Are you telling me you didn't like it? That I forced you? Is that your story Mark?" "No man, no, I enjoyed all of it. It's just I wanted more and I didn't think you did." My voice is low. His hand is still on my leg and my cock is getting uncomfortable. "Maybe it was my fault Mark, I didn't know how far you would go or how you would take things. I didn't plan it you know, it just happened. I could see you staring at me and when you started to play with your cock I just decided to push things a little." "Confused the hell out of me man. I was scared you know. It was my first time and well, you are a senior and everything." God, I'm sounding like a gawky kid, well, maybe I am. What are we doing talking about sex between us as we go to pick up some girls for a date? Why is his hand still on my leg? "So, Brandon, do you like girls or guys or both or what?" "Or what?" he laughs. "You think I'm into animals dude?" He squeezes my leg. "Let's just say I enjoy being with certain guys a lot." "And April?" Why am I pushing this? And when is he going to stop torturing me with his hand? I reach down taking his hand, interlace my fingers with his. He turns quickly and gives me a smile. "I enjoy being with April, she is a friend. I really do like her and she fills a 'need'. I mean it is important for a guy to have a girl, otherwise people talk." "Talk, you mean like they might say you must be ugly or have bad breath or something?" I enjoy holding his hand. I rub my thumb across his and then over the back of his hand. I know it is a risk, but I pull his hand up and give it a quick kiss. "Nice dude. No, I mean like they might talk about Mark being real chummy with Jason. Seems just the two of you have been doing things and in your own world. You got to realize some people don't have a life so they watch everyone else living theirs." My heartbeat is suddenly loud and fast, and it feels as if I've forgotten how to breathe. I don't even realize that my hand has gone slack and released Brandon's hand. Talk about Jason and me. Who would talk? Who's seen us? What have they seen? "Mark, Mark! Snap out of it, Mark" It is Brandon, his hands are on my shoulders and he is shaking me. I gasp some air and look around. I think I want to hurl. "You ok Mark? Shit guy, you scared the fuck out of me!" I look around and see that Brandon has pulled over on the shoulder of the road. "I guess so. What happened? I don't remember." "You just went blank. I was telling you about some talk that's going around and you just fucking left." Brandon is scared. Shit, I'm scared. Dear god, what is going on? How can it be happening to me? "Brandon, what talk? Who's talking? What are they saying?" Control, I've got to find control. Breathe, remember to breathe. "Cool it Mark, just some people raising some questions. You can put it all to rest by dating Natasha. Stop the talk before it gets started." "What about Jason?" "So there is truth to the talk." Brandon sits back, releasing his hold on me. "Well, we've messed around a little, just a couple of times. And no one was around, no one could know." "Mark, this isn't the City. You sneeze here and people on the other side of town say 'God Bless'. You can't hide anything around here. You ought to know that. Especially you, people love to talk about your family." They do? Why would they talk about us? We are boring? I shut my eyes, simply too much for me to understand. "So Natasha is to be my protection just like April is yours." I feel defeated, willing to be someone else. "I told you, I like April. She can be fun to be around. So she's not protection, she's a friend. Which is what you need, a female friend to run around with. If Natasha can't be a friend, then find a girl who can. We can talk later, got to get to April's house. You sure you're ok?" "Yeah, it was just a shock." Just a shock, like discovering your hiding place for all your deepest darkest secrets is a glass box. I hardly remember picking up the girls; buying the tickets or the popcorn (lite on the butter please). I only come back to life when during the movie Brandon's hand finds my leg. A gentle squeeze wakes me up. For the rest of the movie, I make comments to Natasha, getting her to giggle in all the wrong places. Afterwards, we met up with David and Carla at the food mart in the mall. Natasha recounts the comments I made and the whole table is laughing. I'm having a good time. After taking the girls home, Brandon and I ride in an easy silence to my house. Brandon pulls into the drive, parks and turns off the motor. "See, that wasn't bad was it?" "No, I had a good time, thanks for getting me to go. Thanks for giving me the warning too." I want to say thank you for caring, but don't dare. "Your parents in bed?" "Looks like it. Don't see any lights." "Which is your bedroom?" "Behind the garage, I got it when Bill went off to college. The others are on the other end of the house." "Sweet. So, no one's going to hear anything if I spend the night? You wouldn't mind would you?" Hear? Mind? I get an instant woodie just with the question. "Sure I mind, but only in a positive way. And if I remember to close the kitchen door, no one should hear. Let's go." I walk up to the side door on the garage. Flip the light and we walk through. I open the door into the house and step aside to let Brandon go first, turn off the garage light and step into the laundry room flipping the light and closing the door behind. "I'll leave a message and close the kitchen door, bedroom straight ahead, bathroom on the right. And, in case you're wondering, we are in the laundry room." No need to talk so much. Can Brandon be as nervous as I am? And why am I nervous? In the middle of the laundry room Brandon stops abruptly and I run into him, close my arms around him and pull him back into a hug. He leans his head back to rest on my shoulder. I pull back my arms so my hands rest on his stomach and then slowly raise them up his torso pushing him back into me till I clutch his pecs, slabs of muscles fill each hand. I nuzzle his neck and give him a kiss. "Is it better this time Mark?" "Well, I still seem to be doing all the work." I manage to whisper in his ear as I kiss and nuzzle. It is so good to be holding him. Maybe to be holding anyone. Gently Brandon pulls away from me, turns to face me and pulls me into an embrace, bringing his mouth to mine, parting my lips with his tongue. My hands find his waist and push into the muscles of his side and back. Like pushing into a wall. I push harder, grinding my body against his body, my mouth against his mouth. "Better?" "Oh yeah Brandon, much better." "Ok, you do the kitchen thing, I'll look in the bathroom for some type of lube. Ok?" "Yeah, sounds good." I reluctantly release him and head to the kitchen. The house is quiet but the nightlight above our message board is on. 'Jason called - services @ 10 & 3.' I erase the message and write 'Brandon here'. Is it possible to love two people? I feel guilty - but I do care for them both. I turn, close the door between the kitchen and the laundry room and head to my bedroom. Brandon has turned down the bed and is standing by the window when I walk in and close the door behind me. "Something interesting outside?" I start to walk over to him. "No, just closed the window, it was chilly in here." He turns and grabs my shoulders to hold me at arm's length. "What do you expect in October, the nights are suppose to be chilly." I smile looking at him. My height but Brandon is more substantial. He fills a room when he is in it. "Well this night is not going to be chilly. He reaches for my shirt but I pull in closer for a kiss. His hands grab my shirt and yank it out of my jeans. Then reaching beneath, he rests his hands on my sides, my skin breaks out in goosebumps and I quiver. His hands slide up my chest, his thumbs reaching around to rub my nipples. All the time, our tongues are battling. We break the kiss and he raises up my shirt and T over my head. My eyes are closed and I am deep into the sensation of Brandon's fingers playing with my chest. "I like your hair Mark, its fun to run fingers through." "And I like your fingers Brandon. Let me take off your shirt." "Hey, not so fast, you've still got clothes on, I want you naked first dude. Remember, you want me more active so just let me handle things." And handle he does as he grabs some hairs and pushes me towards the bed. Suddenly I'm down on the bed and Brandon has grabbed a leg and pulls off my shoe and then my sock. He rubs my foot and spreads my toes. Staring intently at what he is doing. He lowers that leg and then raises the other for the same treatment. He seems content to just stand and rub my feet. He starts to lower the second leg but hesitates. I look at him and smile, he seems undecided about something so I want him to know everything is fine. He smiles back. Then he lifts my foot and gently kisses the sole then sucks on my big toe. My hands clutch the bed spread and a hear myself moan. He runs his tongue over the toes and sucks others into his mouth, his hands rubbing my ankle and calve. All too soon, he gently lowers my leg and moves between my legs. He leans forward and kisses the cleft of my chest above my heart. Then higher to my neck and then his tongue is separating my lips as his hands grasp my head and his fingers work their way into my hair. He rests his weight on me and I wrap my arms around him. He kisses down my chest then rests his head on my stomach. He nuzzles and licks my stomach and my belly button. His hands rub my sides, the hairs of his head tickling my stomach as nibbles at my treasure trail. "Brandon, this feels so good. Man you are putting me into overload." "Hey, no shooting any loads yet Mark," he says with a laugh as he undoes my belt. With the belt undone, he unbuttons the front of my Levi's and folds back the pants to show the whites of my jockey boxer briefs. Placing his hand on the white cotton, he gently rubs my lower stomach. Grabbing the jeans he tugs and I raise my ass so he can pull them off. The air is cool against my skin till he blows right on my harden cock then lowers his mouth to suck the shaft through the cotton briefs. Brandon runs his tongue over the contour of my cock and balls then he presses his whole face into my crotch. I thrash beneath him as his hands hold me tight. Then the assault is over, I open my eyes to see Brandon leaning back staring at me and smiling. I watch as he takes his hands and runs fingers beneath the elastic band and starts to pull my briefs off. Again, I raise my ass off the bed. After tossing the briefs aside, he puts a hand on each leg and pushes my legs apart. Then he slides forward, running his hands along my legs bring his face closer to my cock. My cock is stiff and jerking in the air. His face drops and his mouth is on my balls. He sucks one into his mouth and flicks his tongue against it then licks around it. His hands are rubbing my thighs, pulling at hairs. His hands reach up and grab my cock and squeezes. I groan. Then he licks my cock head, gently kisses it, and slowly slips the head into his mouth. His tongue licks and retreats, licks and retreats, and then tentatively seeks out my piss hole. He works my cock head with his tongue and then slowly takes more into his mouth. He gags and pulls off with a cough. "Sorry dude, new to this." He looks up to me with a smile on his face. "Mark, is that a tear?" His hands still grasp my legs. "It feels so good Brandon. And to be with you is so good. Let me have my turn, please. I need to chill and heat you up." I raise my self up and grab his shoulders pulling him towards me for a kiss. He grabs my head and gently kisses the tears and licks my face. "Ok Mark, your turn. Enjoy yourself." How long we enjoyed each other, shared ourselves with each other, I don't know. But it has been about 30 minutes since Brandon fell asleep. He is sleeping on his side now. I've got my arm around his torso holding him against me. The night has been so incredible I don't dare fall asleep. I don't want the night to ever end. My cock had felt so alive sliding into his hot hole and I had felt so alive leaning over his chest, licking his nipples and kissing his mouth. It was all so right, being with someone I love - well like a lot - hell, someone I admire and cherish. But his words burn in my head, 'Make it last Mark, don't know if or when we can do this again.' It is so unfair. Why should anyone care what we do? We don't need to be so paranoid. So we are ...gay. It is hard to think - how hard will it be to say? I cradle Brandon, kiss his neck. We might have dispelled the chill for a while, but I was shivering now.