Dalton stepped out onto the small
concrete landing watching Tip and Lyle mount their bicycles while I
stood in the doorway. Tip waved at Dalton as they rolled down the
driveway, but Lyle accelerated recklessly on the downgrade and
disappeared around the bushes at the end of the drive out onto the road
with no seeming consideration to any oncoming traffic.
"He seems to be in a hurry," I casually remarked as we turned to go
back into the kitchen.
"I don't wonder, Carl; you hardly said a word to him after they
finished dressing."
""Does that bother you, Dalt?" I asked as I placed the sink stopper
over the drain and started the water to wash dishes.
"Wellllll...," he started hesitantly, joining me at the sink as he
continued. "They came out in a rain storm to be with us; we went to bed
with them; and I guess...,oh hell, Carl, I don't know what I am trying
to say."
"It is a little different when you think about it, isn't it?" I
said softly as I turned the water off and started to place dishes into
the sink. "There is a big difference in the personalities and
mental makeup of Tip and Lyle. They did come out in a rainstorm,
but I don't believe it was entirely due to what they told us about
their
father. That may be partially true, but they used it as an
excuse to get away from their house; and I believe they would have
come,
rain or not. I'm not trying to be arrogant or conceited; but
Tip, Little Brother, has been hot for you ever
since he first saw you; and I can't blame him for that. Lyle, on
the other hand, is an entirely different story," I mused softly,
glancing at Dalt and hesitating before continuing. "From his
actions and, from what he has said, Dalt, I don't believe, Lyle knows
exactly what he wants, at least for now. When we
first met them, he acted like a cocky homophobe; and then at the
pavilion he was doing a good job of acting like a horny trick, showing
his box and dropping hints. You told
me he wanted to fuck Tip, and
Lyle told me the same thing. He also told me he wanted to fuck Carla,
but when she turned him down he accused her of being a lesbian with no
proof to substantiate the accusation other than she and Tracey seem to
be unnaturally close to each other. When we were in bed the first
time, he sucked my cock like a pro and wanted more; but then he talks
about wanting to fuck Tip. I can understand that; but, when he
starts talking about Carla, he gets his signals mixed up; and it's hard
to
understand exactly what he wants. Lyle has a lot to learn, but
I'm afraid he will have a hard time deciding what he wants."
"I knew about what he wanted to do with Tip, Carl, but not that stuff
about Carla or of her and Tracey being lesbians," he said
quickly,
interrupting my train of thought.
"I'm not sure that even Tip knew that, Squirt," I said, chuckling
loudly. "Lyle has an on again off again macho image of
himself, and its not
likely that he would admit to having been turned down by any girl or
maybe any boy after last night."
"You fucked him, didn't you; you fucked Lyle?" he exclaimed loudly,
almost dropping the plate he was drying in his excitement.
"Well, he was the only one I was in bed with," I said, chuckling and
glancing at him,
his eyes glittering with excitement. "I didn't have to ask him or even
get him worked up; he was ready before I was in bed."
"Yeah, he sure looked like it," he mused to himself for a moment before
continuing. "I couldn't help but see how excited he was when he
stood up and his
towel dropped to the floor as Tip and I were going up to the
loft," Dalton said softly almost absentmindedly as he finished
drying the last of the glasses and placed them in the overhead
cabinet. "Tip was the same way after we were in bed; he
was really turned on and he was wondering whether or not you would fuck
Lyle."
"He wanted it, Dalt; or at least he certainly did not object," I
replied
as I finished wiping the sink and counter.
"Tip didn't object either," Dalton said sheepishly.
"And you are giving me the third degree?" I exclaimed, faking a blow to
his shoulder before heading for the bedroom.
"Only because Tip was wondering whether you would, that's why," he said
as
he followed.
"You can tell him all about it the next time you see him."
"He will know all about it if I know Tip; he will worm it out of Lyle,
but he told me that he still won't let Lyle screw him."
"Why not?" I asked as I pulled a fresh shirt over my head.
"Because, he told me he loves Lyle, but not in the same way you and I
love each other and, not with the same feelings," he
answered, slipping his arms around my waist and looking into my eyes
after I had pulled the
shirt on.
"And what did you tell him?" I replied, placing my arms on his
shoulders and looking into the soft brown depths of his eyes.
Pulling me closely to him, he gently brushed my lips with his and said,
"There was nothing I could tell him, Carlie; he has to find that out
the way I did; and if he doesn't feel about Lyle the way I feel about
you, there is nothing I could have said that would help."
His tone and impish grin radiated sincerity, and I could feel the
penetrating warmth of his body as he spoke and held me closely.
His eyes shone with compassion; and, in their depths, I saw
a deep burning love that made me realize how deep the bond between us
went, and how much I was going to hate leaving him.
"No..., Dalt," I started to say, chasing those thoughts from my head
while running my fingers through his thick hair, "there isn't much you
could have said that would have made any difference. That is
something he and Lyle will have to learn themselves, if they ever do;
but, right at the moment, we need to finish dressing and packing the
car. It's going to take a little time at Jake's, and I'd like to
get home before dark."
I felt his arms tighten around me and smelled the musky fragrance of
sandalwood in
his hair as he nuzzled his head into my shoulder whispering, "Do we
have to leave today, Carlie?"
"No, we don't, Squirt; but I haven't really spent much time with Mom
and Dad since I've been home. Don't you think that I should spend
a day or two with them before I leave?" I asked softly.
"I guess you should," he said as he lifted his head from my shoulder
and looked into my eyes.
"I just hate to think of you leaving again," he whispered, putting his
lips to mine and sucking my tongue into his mouth.
Our tongues twisted, searching the inner recesses of our mouths in a
long sensuous kiss, and I felt our bodies melding as if we were
one. Passion was rising between us, not erotic or
needful, but the passion of two lovers emotionally rededicating
themselves to each other. As our lips parted I said softly, "I
hate
leaving you again, Dalt; but we have something to look forward to now,
don't we?"
"Yeah, we do," he answered grinning broadly and giving me a quick
sloppy peck on the lips as we separated.
§
It only took us a few minutes before we
had the cottage secured and the car loaded. The sun's rays
were streaming through the trees and had dried most of the dew and
dampness of the rain
from the myriad of bushes, leaves and pine straw that surrounded the
cottage. As I could see that Dalton was feeling a little
nostalgic and hesitant before we got into the car, I looked over at
him and said, "Did you tell Tip that we were trying to buy the cottage,
Squirt?"
"Yeah...," he said sheepishly, "I mentioned it after he asked me if we
would see each other again. You aren't mad, are you? "
"No, I'm not mad," I replied, continuing as we got into the car.
"It would have surprised me if you hadn't. What did he say?"
"He was excited about it, and I was trying to remember whether we had
told
them that you were considering it, but I couldn't remember whether we
had or
not," he
answered.
"It won't make any difference, Dalt, not if Lyle joins the army like he
said he was going to do," I said, grinning to myself.
"We'll know more about it when we see Jake; and, if everything is okay
and we do get it, it will give you and Tip a place to stay when you see
him. Remember, it isn't just for you and me; it will also give
Mom nd
Dad a vacation place if they want to use it.
"I wasn't
thinking about Tip and me or just us when I told him that you were
thinking about buying
it, Carl; but it would ne nice to have for all of us, wouldn't
it?" he said, glancing
at me and smiling impishly as we
rolled down the drive onto the highway.
§
The traffic was lighter than when we had
first arrived, and we were able to find a parking space in front of
Jake's office instead of parking in the lot beside his building.
Tracey was behind the receptionists desk and
looked up smiling brightly when we walked in.
"Daddy," she said cheerfully as she stood and looked over her shoulder.
"Carlton and Dalton are here."
Jake was at his desk; and, when he heard Tracey, he looked up saying,
"Great, saves me a trip."
"I hope you have some good news, Jake?" I asked a little tentatively.
"I think you'll like it, Carlton," he answered, continuing as he stood.
"That
was quite a storm we had last night; how did you guy's make out?"
"We were as snug as bugs in a rug, Jake," I answered, winking at Dalton
and grinning.
"Good," he replied. "We don't get late summer storms like that
one very often, but when they come in across the lake they can be
pretty severe. Why don't you take a seat, and I'll go over what we have
done so far."
"I'll make some fresh coffee Carlton if you and Dalton would like
some," Tracey said as we moved
toward Jake's desk.
"That'll be great, Honey," Jake answered quickly.
"I'll have a soda if you have one, Tracey; but Carl doesn't use cream,"
Dalton said. "Just a little sugar."
"I'll bring both; Daddy likes more cream than coffee," she
answered laughing lyrically as she went into the back room.
§
"Now then," Jake said as Tracey
left. "The Andersons have signed the proper acceptance forms,
and the bank
has advised that your loan has been tentatively approved at a 4.5%
interest
rate. That is pretty damn good for recreational property, since
it
won't be your primary residence."
"Will your commission be included in the mortgage, Jake; or would you
rather that it be paid up front?" I asked.
"That depends on how you want to handle it, Carlton." he
answered, moving a sheet of paper with figures on it across his
desk. "You can pay the closing costs up front if you want; or
they
can be rolled into the total loan, that is up to you."
"What would be the best way, Jake?" I asked, glancing at Dalton who was
listening closely. "I've never bought property before."
"You are in for a bit of an education in property ownership," he
grinned, looking at both of us. "There are appraisal fees,
transfer fees, title search, title transfer fees, and deeds that must
be paid at closing; and, of, course
there is a credit check that must be done. My
commission is included in the closing costs with the other fees for
services. The Andersons must pay you the county and state taxes for
the current year up to the date of closing as you will have to pay them
when they come due. Frankly, since a down
payment is not required for a veterans loan and you have said that you
have no
indebtedness to be concerned with, it would be to your advantage if you
could pay the closing costs including the required taxes up front since
that would reduce your
monthly installment
payment quite a bit," he said, hesitating and breathing in deeply
before continuing. "Most home owners include the taxes and
required home owners insurance in their monthly mortgage payments ; and
then the mortgage holder will pay them for you when they are due.
It is up to you, Carlton; but I recommend that you continue the
insurance policy that the Andersons currently have in effect as it is
very good and is with a very reputable company."
"The easier it is, the better, Jake," I said as we sat down. "I don't
want to have to write monthly checks; and, there aren't very many post
offices available in the middle of an ocean."
"Ha," he said laughing out loud. "I can't say that I've
ever thought about it like that."
§
We were in the middle of filling out
more forms than I could ever remember being needed when I enlisted in
the navy when Tracey returned with the coffee and Dalton's soda.
Jake glanced at her and said, "Set it on the empty desk, Honey.
We should be finished by the time you have it ready."
"Yes, Sir," she answered softly; and, true to his word, I had signed
the
last form when she was ready to serve. Groaning softly, I leaned
back in the chair and asked, "Do you always have this many forms when
you buy or sell a piece of property?"
"Always, Carl," he answered, looking up at Tracey before continuing as
she handed him his mug. "There won't be as many when we do the final
closing, but I believe you said something about giving your father a
power of attorney so he could sign for you since you won't be
available."
"That's one reason we are going home today instead of tomorrow, Jake,"
I said, smiling at Tracey, and taking the mug she was holding for
me. "Since Dalton can't sign, Dad will have to unless you want to
send the papers to me at my next duty station."
"If you did it that way, wouldn't it take a lot longer, Carl?" Dalton
asked anxiously as he lowered his soft drink from his lips.
"It would take quite a bit longer, Dalton," Jake replied answering
Dalton's question and looking at me, his eyebrows raised inquisitively
for a moment before continuing. "I'm not sure that the Andersons would
want to wait that long if you were to do it that way. Your
father's
being able to sign would expedite the sale; and, while we are on the
subject, I would suggest a limited power of attorney that would expire
when the sale is consummated, but that is up to you."
"We will do it the fastest and easiest way, Jake," I said. "I'll
go over these papers with Dad tomorrow, and I don't know of any reason
he wouldn't take care of it for us since they will be able to use the
cottage to get away on weekends or a vacation. Dalton will be
keeping an eye on it, and there are a couple of things we've talked
about that need changing. I am pretty sure he and Dad will take
care of doing that after it is ours."
I could see an expression of relief on Dalton's face as I was talking
with Jake, and I knew what he was thinking from the look in his
eyes. He and Tip would probably be using the cottage more than
our parents would.
"Well..." Jake said as he was folding our copies of the papers and
putting them in a large manila envelope. "It sounds as if you
have been giving things some thought, and I can understand that.
I don't believe there have been any improvements made since Mr. &
Mrs. Anderson built the cottage, and I'm sure there are some changes
that could be made. In the meantime though, you have my number; and I
would like to meet your parents and show them the property if they
would like."
"You can bet that Mom will," Dalton said quickly. "She'll
probably want to put up curtains and who knows what else."
"She can do whatever she wants to, Dalt," I said, standing and taking
the envelope from Jake.
"Just have them give me a call, Carlton; so I can give them a
tour."
"I will, Jake, and thanks a lot for all that you and Tracey have done
since we've been here," I replied, glancing at Tracey.
"When are you leaving, Calton?" she asked.
"Next Monday, Tracey. Dalton will drive me to the airport in
Indianapolis, and I should be in Brooklyn that evening," I answered.
"That fast?" she said.
"Airplanes, Tracey," I answered smiling at her. "It is the only way to
travel they are saying; but, in some ways, I prefer trains."
"It may be faster; but I believe trains are a lot more comfortable, if
you ask me," Jake said as we walked to
the door.
"Thanks again, Jake," I said as we shook hands. "I'll have, Dad
call you."
"Do that, Carl, please," he replied, giving my hand a squeeze.
"It's been great meeting both of you."
"You too," Dalton said looking over Jake's shoulder and smiling at
Tracey as we
left.
§
"Hey, how about you driving home,
Carl." Dalton said, tossing the keys to me as we walked to the
car.
"Me!" I said, surprised by his suddenly tossing of the keys to me.
"Sure, why not?" he replied cheerfully. "I've been doing most of
the driving, and I don't' believe you will be doing very much driving
after you leave.
He was right that I wouldn't be driving very much after I left; and,
for a
moment, I thought he might have an ulterior motive by asking me to
drive. That
suspicion was quickly dissipated when, as I was pulling away from the
curb, he twisted around in his seat and sticking his head and arm out
of the window waved and called back at Jake and Tracey, "See you
soon."
I glanced back over my shoulder as I adjusted the car to the highway
and heard a faint, "We hope so."
"They were really nice, weren't they, Carl?" Dalton said as he turned
around in his seat and cocking one leg up on the seat faced me.
"They really were, Dalt," I answered glancing over at him sitting
relaxed in the corner and said, "Make sure your door is locked if
you're going to sit that way."
"It's locked," he answered. "Did you have fun, Carlie?"
"I did, how about you?" I replied, increasing speed as we left
the Lake Gaston limits.
"Sure did," he answered cheerfully. "I've had loads of fun
since you've been home."
"Me too, Dalt," I said,. "It has really been great.
Do you think, Mom might have enough supper for two more plates?"
"She always does, Carlie; at least, I hope she will tonight, I'm
starved," he said, straightening his
leg out and moving across the seat. Snuggling close, he put his
right arm across my lap placing his hand on my thigh and resting his
head against my shoulder. I tensed for a moment in unwarranted
anticipation but his hand didn't move.
We rode quietly for several miles, each lost in his own thoughts as
row after row of tall corn sped by. Thoughts of Dalton and Tip
together, swimming and laughing as teenagers did drifted through my
head. Lowering my hand from the steering wheel, and placing
it on his thigh, I asked softly, "Any regrets, Squirt?"
"Only one, Carlie, you leaving me next Monday," he answered, snuggling
a little closer and closing his eyes.
Squeezing his thigh and rubbing my cheek against his hair, "I
whispered, "Me too, Squirt, me too."
§