Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 10:43:35 -0800 (PST)
From: Mickey S <njmcmick@yahoo.com>
Subject: Billy and Danny 2, Chapter 6

This is a story of love between two young men. If you are under age, or
live in an area where reading stories that include sex between males is
illegal, or if you're not into this type of story, please leave. The story
begins in 1969. While the characters and their story are completely
fictional, it is set at places that are real and is told against a backdrop
of some real events. This was a time when all sex was safe. It isn't now,
so please respect yourself and others enough to always play safe.

I would like to thank all of those who have written to me with comments,
suggestions and encouragement, especially my fellow writers in the Nifty
Six. The author retains all rights.  No reproductions are allowed without
the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at NJMcMick@yahoo.com.


Danny

For every up there seems to be a down lately. This one came when Billy
brought in the mail Monday afternoon. There was an envelope from the
hospital addressed to me. I opened it and read through it twice.

"So what do they want, Danny?"

"A little over five thousand dollars. Apparently, I'm no longer covered by
my father's insurance so I'm stuck with the bill."

"Fuck! Five thousand? You were only in the hospital a week."

"Yeah, but I had surgery and was in ICU for a day. That costs a lot. Shit!
What are we gonna do, Billy? We've barely got two thousand and we need that
for a car."

"We'll have to go over to see them and try to work something out. They
can't get money we don't have."

"But we'll never be able to afford a car now. And school starts in five
weeks. Without a car we can't get there."

"Let's not panic, baby. First, even though we don't think of our money that
way, we can claim that half of the money in the bank is mine and half is
yours. They can't touch my half. Which leaves us something. And even if we
can't afford a new car, maybe we can get a used one. And if we can't afford
that we might be able to work out a deal with Lucy to give her some money
and use her car until we can. We'll work something out."

"I know, but it just isn't right. You've been working so hard all summer
and now half the money will be gone."

"Danny, all I care about is that you are all right now. We make really good
money at The Restaurant and we'll be able to pay off the hospital sooner or
later. I don't care about the money. I care about you."

We walked over to the hospital in the morning. It didn't work out too
bad. They wrote off part of the bill once they knew I didn't have
insurance. We had to make a big down payment and then we set up monthly
payments until the rest is paid off. Halfway through the negotiations I
thought of my old savings account. I could have paid off the whole bill and
had money left over if I could only have that money. But I don't have it so
there's no point thinking about it. On the way home we stopped at
Dr. Hanson's office and made arrangements to pay off his bill as well. I
guess my income is spoken for for quite a while.

Mark

Things were really tense with my parents after their visit to The
Restaurant. They were obviously unhappy with my working there but didn't
seem to want to talk about it, especially at home in front of my brother
and sister. I was sure they'd have all kinds of questions about me that I
wasn't ready to answer but they pretty much avoided the subject. But
they're not dumb and they can put two and two together. I work at a gay
restaurant, I have gay friends, I spend every weekend with a gay guy and I
don't have a girlfriend. They did put up a bit of a fight about my staying
over at Joe's on the weekends but finally gave in and allowed me to
continue to 'sleep on the couch' at his place. It's like, if no one says it
out loud is isn't real. This is the way they deal with everything they
can't handle. Have a drink and ignore it.

I wish my little brother Jamie were as easy. At fourteen he's at that
incredibly inquisitive stage. He and I have always been close in spite of
our six-year age difference. Once he learned Mom and Dad had been to The
Restaurant he kept asking questions. They managed to shut him up, at least
in their presence, but he kept asking me when he could go there. I finally
got him to stop by telling him it was a nice restaurant for grownups and
promised to take him there when he got older.

Late one Sunday afternoon in the middle of August I was serving brunch to
two of my regulars when I heard a slight commotion at the door. I turned
and there was Jamie, apparently arguing with Wayne. I excused myself from
my customers and rushed over to him.

"Jamie, what are you doing here?"

"I found the address on Mom's desk in the kitchen. They were going out
today so I figured I'd come see where you work."

"You know you're not supposed to come into the city alone."

"What's the big deal? I've taken the train in with Mom and Dad lots of
times. I know how to do it."

"Yeah, but you're still a kid."

"Apparently you two know each other, Mark?"

"Yeah, Wayne, this is my kid brother, Jamie, who's going to be in big
trouble when he gets home. Jamie, this is Wayne. He's my boss."

"Any more family members we can expect to show up, Mark?"

"Just my sister, Kathy, but I don't think she'll be in."

"Yeah, Kath doesn't care about anything but her boyfriend."

"Is it okay if I put Jamie at one of my small tables, Wayne? I'll buy him
brunch. I don't want him wandering around the Village on his own."

"Sure, no problem."

I sat Jamie at an out-of-the-way table and made him promise to stay put and
keep quiet. He looked ridiculously out of place. He's a late bloomer like I
was and could easily pass for twelve. I left him with a menu and went over
to the bar to get him a Coke.

"I thought you were into men, Markie. What's with the little kid?"

"Cut it out, Billy. He's my little brother, Jamie. I don't know how I'm
going to explain this place to him. I love him a lot but I don't think he's
ready for this conversation and I know I'm not."

"Just be cool, Mark. Answer his questions but don't volunteer anything."

"Easier said than done, Billy. You don't know Jamie."

I took the Coke over to Jamie and got his order. For a kid he wanted a big
meal, steak and eggs.

"So how come there's only guys in this place, Mark? Where are all of the
girls?"

"I don't know. Lots of places around here have mostly guys in them, like
bars."

"Those two guys in the corner are holding hands. I think they're queer."

"The word is gay, Jamie. If you're going to hang out in the Village you'd
better learn it 'cause you're gonna see lots of gay guys here and the word
queer doesn't go over well."

"I didn't mean anything by it. That's the word everybody uses at school."

"Well, you're not in school now so please be careful what you say. I've got
to get back to work. I'll bring your food in a few minutes."

By the time I brought his order to him the afternoon was winding down. Half
of my tables were empty and the few customers I had left were finishing up
or just having a last drink.

"Thanks, Mark. Your friend Joe was just talking to me. How come you never
brought him out to the house to visit again after the Fourth of July?"

"It's hard when we work weekends. Besides, I don't think Mom and Dad like
him much."

"Well, I think he's neat. Is he your boyfriend?"

I nearly fell over.

"What makes you ask that, Jamie?"

"Well, it looks like everyone else here is gay. And you spend every weekend
at his place. And that would explain why Mom and Dad don't like him and
won't talk about this place. Are you gay, Mark?"

"If I answer that do you promise not to tell Mom and Dad?"

"You know I never tell them anything. We guys have to stick together."

"Yeah, I'm gay, Jamie, and Joe is kinda my boyfriend. We've been going
together all summer but it'll be over when I go back to Boston in the
fall. Does that bother you?"

"I don't think so. It's kinda weird, but okay, I guess. I just don't want
to know the details about what you guys do. So you don't like girls at
all?"

"Only as friends. And I wasn't going to tell you the details anyway so you
don't have to worry about that. Can you keep this our secret? I don't think
Kathy would handle this too well and Mom and Dad seem happy to overlook
it."

"Yeah, if Kath thinks everything I do is gross she'd probably freak over
this. It'll just be our secret, Mark. But you've gotta keep my secret,
too. Please don't tell Mom and Dad I came into the city today."

"We'll keep each others secrets as always, bro."

"I wish you didn't have to break up with Joe at the end of the summer. I
like him."

"I like him too, Jamie."

Danny

The last month of the summer was so much better than the first. My head was
completely better (or appeared to be, at any rate. I'm not taking anything
for granted again after this.) And I was able to work the last several
weeks so I didn't feel as useless, and even with the medical bills Billy
and I managed to save some money. Near the end of August we went shopping
with Brad for a used car. Straight guys do come in handy at times. We
looked at several cars and Brad and I both drove a few before we settled on
a two year old Datsun. It didn't look like much but it was cheap and Brad
thought it was in pretty good shape. The dealer said it would take a few
days to take care of the registration, plates and insurance but it would be
ready for the weekend.

"Okay, Billy, it's time to get your driver's permit. I have to teach you to
drive."

"We only have a week or so before school starts, Danny. Why don't we wait a
while?"

"What difference does it make when school starts? If we get the basics out
of the way you can get lots of practice driving to school and back."

"No way I'm driving that far on big highways so soon. I have to start
gradually."

"I don't believe this. I think you're scared, black boy."

"I'm not scared, Danny. Maybe a little nervous, that's all. It looks so
easy when you or Lucy or Brad drives but when I think about doing it myself
it seems so complicated."

"It really isn't hard, Billy. If I can do it you can. I'll take you to the
cemetery where I learned to drive."

"Cemetery?"

"Yeah, there are lots of little roads, no traffic and nothing you can
hit. And besides, everyone there is already dead."

"Very funny. But I really don't see why we both have to drive."

"Wow! Who would have believed it? Big bad black boy is afraid of
something. You're starting to make me feel like the butch one in this
relationship."

"Just wait until we get to bed, white boy. I'll show you who's the tough
guy."

"Uh-uh, Billy. Until you start doing some of the driving in the car I'm
gonna do all of the driving in bed. Not that either of us minds that now
and then but I don't think you're gonna want to go too long without my cute
little butt, are you?"

"That's blackmail, Danny. When did you get so mean?"

"I'm not mean. I just know what I want and how to get it, especially when
it comes to you. You'd better get used to the idea that I can make you do
anything I want if I put my mind to it."

"You're just figuring that out, Danny? You've been able to make me do
anything since the day we met."

My bedroom threats made Billy give in and he got his driver's permit the
day before we picked up the car. I may have pushed it a bit by making love
to him every day, sometimes twice. We both loved it but it was a constant
reminder of what he wasn't getting. I offered to let him make love to me
after each of his driving lessons. He thought I was being generous; I
thought I was being selfish. As much as I wanted him to get over his fear
of driving and get his license, I really didn't want to go too long without
the incredible feeling of his big dick up my butt. I went without long
enough after my surgery and I wanted it on a regular basis, but he didn't
have to know that.

We picked the car up late Saturday morning and after I drove it around a
while to get used to it I took Billy out to the cemetery for his first
lesson. We had already gone over all of the controls and indicators on the
dashboard and I'd run though all of the basics with him. I'll have to admit
he looked funny sitting in the driver's seat tightly gripping the steering
wheel. He started the car, stepped on the brake and put the car in drive.

"Okay. Take your foot off the brake and step on the gas."

I should have specified lightly, because he stomped on the accelerator and
the car took off, its tires screeching. We were both thrown back against
our seats.

"Brake! Step on the brake, Billy!"

He quickly stepped on the brake, which threw us both forward toward the
dashboard. The car hadn't traveled very far but we had run off the narrow
road onto the lawn.

"Take a deep breath and relax, baby. I think maybe you're a bit too tense
about this. Why don't you just ease up on the brake, let the car roll by
itself and steer it back onto the road. Then very gently use the
brake. This car hasn't got those new shoulder belts and I really don't
think it would be good if I hit my head."

Billy did as I suggested and this time brought the car to a gradual stop.

"That was better, Danny. I think maybe I need a little practice to get the
hang of these pedals."

"That's what we're here for, Billy. Just try starting and stopping a few
times. It'll be second nature in no time. And remember, you don't have to
step on the pedals. That's just an expression. Pressing lightly works
better."

We spent an hour riding around the cemetery and Billy didn't do too
badly. He was able to keep the car on the road on the straight stretches
and only ran off onto the grass now and then on curves. I was glad they
didn't have the graves too close to the road but on one curve I held my
breath as we passed a tree with about an inch to spare. But by the end of
the lesson he was in pretty good control of the car.

"Do you want to drive back into town, Billy?"

"On real roads with other cars? Are you nuts?"

"You're starting to sound like a real sissy. But okay, we'll switch places
and I'll drive back. Next time I'm gonna get you out into traffic a bit,
though."

"Maybe. But for now just get us home. I think maybe I've earned myself a
little reward this afternoon."

"I think you have too, but we really don't have time. Lucy and Aunt Connie
are going to want to check out the car and then we have to get ready for
work."

"Damn! How about I do you on the train?"

"Sure, I can pretend I'm sitting on your lap and it's a bumpy ride. I don't
think that would be a good idea. You can't be that horny, Billy. Just keep
it in your pants a while and I promise when we get home from work tonight
you can have your way with me."

"You're damn right I'll have my way. You always love my way, white boy."

"I sure do, black boy."

Billy

We went back out to the cemetery on Monday and I drove for what seemed like
hours. Danny didn't push me too hard and didn't insist when I balked at
going out on real roads. We kept at it every day and by Wednesday I was
driving on local roads and we were able to abandon the cemetery. On
Thursday I drove part of the way to the poker game but let Danny take over
when we got near Plainfield. I wasn't ready for city driving yet, even if
it was only a small city. Each day I got better, more comfortable, more
adventurous. Danny showed an amazing amount of patience and let me progress
at my own pace.

And in bed I got my reward every night though somehow I think it was a
reward for Danny, too. Not that I don't love it when Danny makes love to
me. That's such a special feeling, having him inside me. It's more than
just sex. Letting him into my body is just one more way of letting him into
my life. I've never allowed anyone to get that close to me and I know I'll
never let anyone else. Danny is the one, period. It feels so good opening
up to him, letting him possess me, trusting him to love me. I don't know
how or why it happened but it did and I'll be grateful the rest of my
life. And making love to him is heaven on earth. Yeah, he's cute, he's
adorable, he's sexy. But he's so much more beautiful inside. It sometimes
amazes me that someone so good could love me so much. My life before Danny
was one of constant conflict and struggle, of not fitting in anywhere. And
I fit with Danny. I wish I could be inside him always. In some ways I know
I am, and even when we're apart that thought brings a smile to my
face. I've finally found the place I belong. And that place is Danny.

Lucy

August just flew by and before we knew it we were all getting ready to go
back to school. We decided to have a little going away party the Monday
before Labor Day weekend before it all came to an end. We all chipped in to
put together a kind of potluck dinner. Because he was the only one old
enough, Brad brought the wine. Aunt Connie helped me with a family recipe
for arroz com pollo. Mark brought a huge salad and Billy and Danny made
veggies and cornbread. We ate at the picnic table in the backyard but moved
up to the apartment when it started to get dark.

Brad and I grabbed the love seat, Mark took a chair from the table and
Billy sat on the floor, leaning against the bed. Danny opened a new bottle
of wine and refilled all of our glasses, then stood in the middle of the
room and cleared his throat.

"You know I'm not much for speeches but this might be the last time we're
all together for a while so I just want to tell you all how much your
friendship and support has meant to me this summer. I couldn't have made it
through everything without all of you. You guys are really special friends
and I love you all. Thank you for loving me."

Everybody started talking at once. Brad got up and gave Danny a hug, then
just stood there with his arm around Danny's waist.

"I think I speak for everyone when I say that you're pretty special, too,
Danny. You've been a good friend to all of us and we love you. Nothing
makes us happier than seeing how well you've come back from a pretty bad
time."

We all got up and took turns hugging Danny. By the time we were done he was
wiping a couple of tears from his eyes. Billy was the last to hug him and
kissed him on the cheek.

"I don't want to make another speech but there is something I'd like to
say. This is a very special day for Danny and me." Danny gave Billy a
puzzled look. "Yeah, white boy, I know you think that you're the romantic
who pays attention to details like this, but now and then I notice things
too. One year ago today I walked into Demarest Hall and saw this beautiful
guy for the first time. One year ago today, I fell in love. This date will
be in my heart forever."

"Wow! You're right, Billy. I should have noticed the date. It's kind of
hard to believe how that one day has changed our lives. A year. It kind of
flew by but so much has happened. We've had a few setbacks but overall I
think things just keep getting better."

"Congratulations, guys. And that means that tomorrow is the first
anniversary of the day I met you both. So maybe I'll have to take some
pictures of you to commemorate that."

"Sure, Luce. We haven't modeled for you in quite a while."

"Depending on the kind of modeling I think I may want to chaperone this
session, Billy."

"We'll let you join in, Brad, if you like."

"Hey, if you three are going to do it I don't want to be left out. Count me
in."

"Sorry, cuz, I don't think it's gonna happen. In case you guys forgot, I'm
straight. And while I love the three of you, spending time naked with you
is pushing it a bit."

"I'm not keen on the idea of sharing my man, but the four of you would make
for some really hot pictures."

"I'll pose for some really hot solo shots if you want, Lucy. But I think
we'd better change the subject. I think you and the guys are getting into
this too much."

"Okay, party pooper. We'll pick on Mark. How did it go with Joe this
weekend?"

"Not so good, Lucy. It was harder saying goodbye than either of us thought
it would be. We went into the summer knowing it would only be a short
affair, but I think we both got more involved than we expected. He's such a
sweet guy."

"Do you really have to end it, cuz? I know you're gonna be apart for a long
time, but if you really like each other maybe you can make it work."

"We talked about it. Maybe if things were different. But we're both young,
I'm still just coming out and anxious to meet people in Boston. And he
lives in the Village, which for a gay guy is like a kid living in a candy
store. We could try to keep the relationship going but it would only be a
matter of time before one or the other met someone else, someone close at
hand who was too tempting to resist. So we decided to just end it as
planned so we could move on but still be friends."

"It's kind of sad, but at least you're still friends. That will help if you
come back to work at The Restaurant next summer."

"Yeah, Danny, I definitely want to come back next year. I think Jamie is as
upset over my breakup with Joe as me."

"You mean Jamie knows, Mark?"

"Yeah, Brad. He found out a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe how cool
he is about me being gay."

"You and he were always close, Markie. You don't know how jealous I used to
be, wishing I had a brother like that."

"Yeah, it's nice being a big brother even though Kathy can be such a girl
sometimes. No offense, Lucy."

"None taken, Mark. I guess it's easier for brothers to be close. But as an
only child I can't really relate. I had a great childhood with Uncle Evan
and Aunt Connie but it must be nice having a brother or sister, sort of a
built in friend and playmate."

"Same here. My parents had to get married because of me. They were both
really young and I think they always resented that my coming along put a
premature end to their adolescence. So they made sure not to have any more
kids to interfere with their life."

"I always wondered why your parents stopped after you, Brad. I figured
maybe they thought they couldn't improve on perfection."

"Thanks, Mark, but it would have been nice if they tried. Maybe that's why
I want to have lots of kids. I always wanted to be part of a big family."

"That's good to hear, Brad. I think I'd enjoy a big family, too." Billy and
Danny were comfortably snuggling on the floor, seemingly oblivious to our
conversation so I decided to pick on them. "How about you guys? You gonna
have lots of kids?"

"We keep fucking like rabbits, Luce, but so far neither of us has gotten
pregnant. But Danny and I aren't gonna give up. I guess we'll just keep
doing it until it works or until we get tired of it. Either way, I think
we'll be going at it a while."

"I can just picture it; Billy pacing the floor with a howling baby, Danny
changing diapers."

"No way, Brad. Ali McGraw may think love means never having to say you're
sorry, but as far as I'm concerned, being gay, love means never having to
change diapers."

"Too bad, Danny. I know I've told you before, but I think you and Billy
would make great parents."

"Yeah, Lucy, tell you what. You and Brad have lots of babies and Billy and
I will be their godfathers. That's close enough for us."

"We'll take you up on that, Danny, but that doesn't mean you're not going
to get a few diapers to change."

"Don't count on it, Brad. But enough baby talk. Is everyone ready for
school?"

The talk turned to the coming school year. Mark and Brad and I were leaving
over the weekend. I was going to be in the dorm again but my move was a
little easier than theirs since I would be coming home a lot of
weekends. Billy and Danny were going to be commuting, of course, which
meant they didn't have the hassle of moving but would have more of a daily
grind.

As they talked about their plans I thought about how much I was going to
miss these four men who had come to mean so much to me. Brad and I had
slowly built our relationship over distance last semester so we were used
to being apart. But we had spent so much time together this summer, getting
so much closer, so it was going to be harder this fall. And Mark had become
a good friend this summer, a sweet man who was easy to talk to, someone we
could always count on. And Billy and Danny. They were going to be closest
and I knew I'd see a lot of them, but I thought I might miss them the
most. They'd be spending so much less time at school; who knew when I'd see
them. It was definitely going to be a different kind of year.