A Year in the Life

Father's Day Part 3

"Clothing Optional"

By Bix Meister

 

This is a story featuring gay men, and gay sex, intended for Adults, not Minors.  It is fiction, and as such is not based on any actual people or events.  It is a fantasy intended purely as a catalyst for pleasure.  No attempts have been made to portray safe sex, but the author encourages you to practice it. 

 

If this is your first trip to my series, I suggest you start at the beginning, Snowplow.  You will get to know the characters.

 

Father's Day Part 3

"Rock Lo-o-o-ob-ster"

"Rock Lo-o-o-ob-ster"

Frank laid on the bed, ass up while Rolf applied the Aloe Vera lotion. He tilted his head to the side "You know, I don't think your choice in music is very funny. It's bad enough that my ass is burned, you don't have to make fun of it by playing the B-52s.

"Francis, m'man, your ass is wonderful, no matter what color it is. I've always said your butt is hot, this should cool it down." Rolf poured a generous amount of Aloe Vera onto each cheek, then began to massage it in. "Though I regret not applying sun screen in a preventative measure, I do appreciate touching your butt any chance I get."

"Oh, gawd that feels good. I had trouble sitting all day. I'm amazed Jason didn't say anything about it. But come to think of it, he seemed to be sitting gingerly, too."

********************

 Jason turned off the cold shower, then stepped out. He looked over his shoulder, caught himself in the mirror. His softball tan, was there, possibly a shade darker than before. The skin normally hidden by his softball uniform, was bright pink. He reached into the medicine cabinet, searching for lotion.

How was he going to explain this to Ashley? Last night he slipped into bed after her, and was up before her in the morning. He could try to avoid her seeing his naked, sunburnt ass until the burn changed to a tan, but he didn't know how long he could keep on doing that.

More importantly, he didn't know how long he could live with Ashley, knowing he loved Bub more than he loved her. He had talked with his dad about his dilemma late into the night. Jason remembered his Dad's words. "Whatever you decide, I'll be there for you Son. And I know that Frank will stand by you too."

"Dad, I've fucked up so many things because I couldn't face who I was. I don't want to fuck this up too, and I don't want to fuck up my son, either."

"The longer you wait, the harder it is. The problem about living a lie, is that you forget what the lie is. It's easier to remember the truth."

"Imagine how bad it's going to be on Father's Day. Ashley's dad will be here, and I'll have to pretend that I like spending time with him. At least you are going to be there for part of it, and we will have the marathon to distract us, the day before."

As Jason toweled off, he remembered his dad's words. "After years on the force, I'm a pro at hiding my feelings. But if I get even a hint that your father-in-law Patrick is taking advantage of your situation, son, I will make it my duty to end it."

Jason dressed as Ashley napped. He checked the meatloaf in the oven. He noticed it was almost done, so he turned the temp down to the warm setting. He wrote a quick note, explaining his absence with instructions for dinner, then slipped out the door.

*******************

Even though I had my beard trimmed just a few days before, I kept my appointment with Rudy. He looked at me, then quietly said, "I hope you don't mind, but I think I'd like to take you up to my apartment. Oh, don't worry. I won't be trying anything on you. I just liked how great it felt being naked for almost the entire weekend."

Rudy blushed as he said the last sentence. "I'm fine with it, as long as I can join in. I won't even need a smock, just something to cover my shoulders."

Rudy blushed an even deeper shade of red. He went to the door, flipped the Open sign to the Closed side, then lowered the blinds. He unbuckled his belt, and lowered his shorts. He shrugged his smock from his broad shoulders, then nodded to towards the steps to his second-floor apartment.

I easily followed that full, hairy ass up the stairs. I didn't need any encouragement getting naked, and he soon draped a towel over my shoulders as I laid back in his barber chair. "This is just for us, Kyle. You're special to me. Oh, I'm sure I will give the same service to Al, if he wants it."

Rudy blushed again. I realized his blushing was heightened by the slight sunburn he had from the weekend. "So, how did it go with Al?" I asked. "I mean, I can guess how it went, but we haven't talked."

Rudy ambled to the second-floor deck, where he cracked open the sliding door. I could tell he was contemplating his answer as he prepared his tools. He finally looked up, our eyes met. "Damn buddy, what is it about you? It's like I want to tell you my innermost feelings. I want to tell you things I can't even bring up yet with Al."

"Maybe it's that you know that what you tell me will remain safely with me. Let it out bud."

"When did you know that you were in love with Pete?"

"Almost immediately. You?"

"Same. Damn." Rudy picked up his scissors and examined them. "Did you know you wanted to live with him immediately?"

"Well, I wouldn't say immediately. However, I felt safe enough in his arms, that I could see myself there for as long as he needed me to be."

Rudy sucked in air, then exhaled. "See, dammit, that's what I don't get. I think I love that fucker, but I don't see myself moving in with him. Frankly I don't know if there is enough room for me in that crowded library he calls a home. And I don't see him giving up his home for this. I mean look around you. He also has a winter home in Florida and I can't get away from the barbershop for that long."

"You've dated what, three times and you are already wondering about the logistics of moving in? You guys are set in your ways. There is nothing wrong with that. Be happy you have someone you feel strongly enough about, that you are even contemplating this."

Rudy approached me, scissors in hand. "Ain't that the truth. This late in life and I finally meet someone I'd consider changing my life for. Look at me. I'm getting a boner thinking about him."

"Boners are contagious," I said as my own dick inched its way up my belly.

********************

Malcolm scanned the dining room at Sir Ben's. He felt a flicker of recognition as the two men entered the room. "Gordy, Jason, over here." The men were seated quickly. Malcolm looked Gordy up and down. "Talk about a makeover. Did they rush you to Oprah sometime during the weekend?"

"Nope. I just got a haircut, plus, I have my first real job since I moved back to Duluth."

"You look confident, like you belong," Malcolm said. "I hope you'll take time to volunteer for the Marathon since that is part of the plea bargain we worked out."

"Jason and I have talked, and we are volunteering together. If you need security at the Expo, We're available."

"That sounds great. Thanks. I know a friend of mine who might need some help at his water station. It's at the half-way marker, and the runners need as much encouragement as possible. Though it appears your son here might not be too enthusiastic." Malcolm snapped his fingers in Jason's face.

"Huh, what was that?" Jason said, coming out of his daydream.

"I just said that you don't seem too enthusiastic about volunteering for the Marathon."

"Sorry, I'm just – I'm just – distracted. The wife is due to pop any day."

Just then a large bearish man entered the room. Malcolm followed Jason's eyes as the man crossed the room to sit with his lover. "Yeah, I can see that you're distracted," Malcolm said.

********************

I laid back into Pete's arms. He inhaled the scent from my neck as we snuggled on the couch. "Is once every two weeks often enough for your appointments with Rudy?" he asked. He flicked the short hairs at the nape of my neck. A shiver crawled up my spine as he whispered. "You are so sexy in the first place, but even sexier tonight. Tell me, didja get naked and have some fun during the haircut?"

"I got naked, we both got hard, but nothing happened. I think Rudy's in love."

"Ya think? I had lunch with Al today. I think the feeling is mutual. But he seemed a little gun-shy for some reason."

Pete and I compared notes, and realized that our friends felt the same way, and that both of us gave them similar advice. "I've learned so much from you, Kyle. I guess you've rubbed off on me in all the right ways." He inhaled my scent once again. I felt his dick chub up against my back. "Do you think Rudy would sell me a bottle of that bay rum?"

"He'd probably work out a trade for some of our syrup. He kept raving about it."

"I thought you said nothing happened between you two this afternoon. Oh, wait, you're talking about our maple syrup, aren't you?" he laughed.

********************

The parking lot of the West Duluth Walgreens was busy as Jason waited for his Dad, Gordy. He wasn't sure what was so important, but they were only blocks from Frank's place, Gordy insisted he could walk, yet Jason waited. His dad emerged with two small bags, then walked to the truck.  He threw one at Jason. "Jase, these are for you."

Jason opened the bag. "Magnum condoms? She's already pregnant, isn't it a bit too late? And they didn't work so hot the last time, did they?"

"Jase, these are for your other needs. I know Bub, these will probably be a bit snug on him," he winked. Then he quietly added, "I trust you wouldn't need these with Bub. But some other man might tempt you."

"You mean like Fred, or Kyle, or."

"Or that man at the restaurant tonight, Jase," Gordy interrupted. "There is nothing wrong about seeking the love, or the touch of another man if that is who you are. It is only wrong to live in denial of those feelings. You told me last night you needed my help. The first thing I think you need to do, is face who you are. You are a man who has a lot of love to give to another man."

"But I fucked up, look at what I did to Fred."

"You told me about it, and it sounds like what happened was fortuitous. You can't keep running away from who you are. You made him face that in himself. Now you need to face it. I bet if you apologized to him, he would thank you."

"He lives just down the street. However, I've been such an ass to him, treating him like shit on the ballfield and such, I haven't even made the attempt to be neighborly."

"Make the attempt."

********************

When he got home, Gordy pulled down the blinds, and shucked his clothes. He threw a towel on the desk chair, and powered up Frank's computer. He found the email from Grace, and opened the files. It took a while for them to load, so he checked out his account. The instant message from AlphaBette popped up almost immediately.

They flirted for a while, each one describing what they were wearing. Gordy boned up thinking about his cyber-girlfriend in a slinky black dress. He had momentarily forgotten that he had just described the non-existent shirt and jeans he was wearing. Suddenly he questioned the slinky black dress, or her perky breasts that filled it out. He even questioned if AlphaBette was a she.

He was about to confront the situation, when he realized that his zipped file had downloaded. He momentarily forgot about AlphaBette while he perused the evidence and pictures. The suspicions that Grace had noted among the evidence, proved to be clear to Gordy. He suddenly saw a way for his son to move forward, possibly with his newborn son, and the man he loved.

He needed one piece of proof. Something that was concrete beyond the conjecture of circumstantial evidence. He could tell that Grace was looking for the same thing, but coming up short.

He grabbed Frank's phone and dialed Grace's number. He pointed out the evidence he thought was pertinent as the two discussed the case. "Make this happen for the sake of my boy," he finally said.

"I see something bigger," Grace said. "I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg."

"What could be bigger than my boy Jason being able to spend his life with the man he loves?"

"I'm not sure, but if we find out the answer to my hunch, without hurting your son, then I say, go for it."

Gordy went back to his Instant Message from AlphaBette. He realized that AlphaBette had signed off while he was talking to Grace. He took the bottle of lube he bought at Walgreens, put it back into its bag, walked to his bedroom and threw it on the bed.

********************

Malcolm laid back on his bed, finally relaxing after a long day, when his doorbell rang. He got up, trotted down the steps to the front door, and saw a flash of ginger through the peephole, then quickly opened the front door. "Van, what a sight for tired eyes."

"I hope you'll think the same after you see this." Van pulled a sketchpad from his briefcase. "You might say I've been inspired. This is your main bathroom," he said, showing Malcolm the first sketch. "This is the guest bath," he said, pointing to the second sketch.

"They look great, and fit in with the home, but they don't seem to address the space issues we talked about."

"That is why I drew up this floorplan for the basement. Come on, let's sit and go over this."

Van unfurled the large blueprint on the dining room table. Malcolm took a minute to get familiar with the layout, and then delved into the details. A smile developed on his face as he looked at the large bathroom that Van had designed for the basement. "I see this shower could fit more than one, comfortably."

"It's half the size of a shower in my friend's home. We'll have to install a more efficient water heater, but it will be worth it."

"So, Van, tell me, what is this room? I don't remember mentioning an entertainment room."

"Well, let's just say that not every person is entertained in the same way. Notice this panel here?" Van said, pointing to a structure that divided the room. "It's sound proof, and looks seamless. No one will know what goes on behind it."

"Won't the builders know? If we chose the wrong contractors, word could get out."

"I know the right men for the job," Van said.

********************

Fred ambled to the front door of his Norton Park bungalow. Whoever was knocking, sounded impatient. "Who is it?" Fred said, when he got to the door.

"Um, It's Jason, your neighbor down the street."

Fred looked at his partner Jeff, who stood a few feet back. Both men were naked "What do you think he wants?" Jeff said. Fred shrugged his shoulders.

"Listen, I can understand why you might not let me in, but listen buddy, I'm here to apologize."

Fred cracked the door and peered around it. He looked up at the taller cop. He was ready to chew him out, but his defenses weakened at the sight of the young man. "Listen buddy. We're not exactly dressed for this."

Jason pushed at the slightly opened door. "It's nothing I haven't seen, Fred." He hesitated when he saw Jeff. "Fuck, this isn't easy for me, but I've finally got the courage. I know I've been an asshole to you for no other reason than to save my ass."

Jeff smiled. "Well you have to admit, that's an ass worth saving. Let him in, Fred, but only if he agrees to one thing."

"What's that?" Jason asked.

"Our house, our dress code."

********************

As the final credits of Antiques Roadshow rolled, Pete tallied our scores. "Damn, you beat me by 6 appraisals. It ain't fair. You distracted me with your scent."

"And that big dick poking in my back isn't a distraction?"

********************

Jeff glanced at Fred, then Jason. Jason lounged back in the easy chair. His flaccid dick fell easily over his balls. Thanks for the towel, my butt's still kinda tender."

"There has to be a story behind a sun-burnt ass. I know you came here to apologize to my man, but I think I'd rather hear the story, first," Jeff said.

"Not much to it," Jason said quietly. "Hell, you guys know how it is, obviously."

"What's that?" Fred said.

"You know how it is," Jason inhaled. His blushed cheeks added another skin hue to the palette. "You know how it is, to finally find someone, that makes you forget everything else."

Jason breathed in deeply, glanced around the room, then looked Fred squarely in the eye. "But I can't forget you, Fred. I can't forget what I did and what I put you through. All because you were one of the guys who made me face that I am gay, and I like men, real men, like you."

"I always thought there was more to it than a cop who fucked up an entrapment. Damn, you were into me, weren't you? Have you had your eyes checked lately buddy? I was a fat drunk the night we fooled around."

"He probably saw beyond the drinking, Fred, and saw the hot man that I love," Jeff smiled

"But look at him, Jeff. He's a young, hung, hot stud, softball playing, cop."

`Look at you buddy," Jason said. "You play a mean game of softball. You look like my high school wrestling coach. He was the reason I concentrated on softball and baseball instead of wrestling. When I tried out for wrestling, I'd throw a boner in my singlet. And you know just as well as anyone, Fred, my dick ain't easy to hide."

Jeff nodded to himself. "It ain't easy to hide, is it Jason? That is the thing about secrets and lies. You try to hide the secrets, by telling lies. One by one the secrets come out, and the lies are harder to tell. My partner hid his secrets in a bottle. Jason, you opened that bottle, and forced him to be open with his friends."

"Jason, what Fred isn't telling you, is that you forced me to be open to people who had no reason to be my friends anymore. I was an asshole, especially to Charlie. I wasn't even a good friend to myself. I'm convinced that if I would have kept on drinking, I'd be dead right now. If my heart attack wouldn't have killed me, it would have been something else."

"Damn, you two are right. I still was fighting back at you, calling you a fag, because you knew my biggest secret. You knew I was a fag, too."

Jason slumped back into the chair. Fred walked to the chair and sat on the arm, then leaned in to kiss Jason's forehead. "You are no such thing. Don't call yourself that. You are a strong, gay man who finally has nowhere to hide."

********************

"So, what does one, put in a modern sex dungeon?" Malcolm joked. "Imagine what would happen if the voting public finds out that Judge Jeffers has a St. Andrew's Cross in his basement sex dungeon."

"That is why we only use contractors we trust," Van said. "Besides, I prefer the term multifunctional safe space. Safe rooms add value to a residence. Everything we add to it, from video surveillance, to sound proof walls relate the multifunctionality of the space. And we can install an adjustable track system on the ceiling for a sling, or slings as your wishes dictate."

"So, what do we put in a multifunctional safe space?"

"You are limited by you and your partner's imagination, and what is available on the internet."

"Or what I bought at the IML market a week and a half ago?" Malcolm laughed. "However, you didn't catch what I said. I said what do WE put in a multifunctional safe place? Or is this too early in our relationship to be presumptuous."

"Ask me after you kick my butt in the marathon."

********************

Fred hid behind the door as he said goodbye to Jason. He closed, and bolted the door, then walked to the living room where he fell back into the arms of his lover, Jeff.

"Did that really happen? Damn Jeff, a walking, talking, breathing sex god just told me he had a thing for me. You saw that, he even boned up. A fucking cop, most gay men's fantasy, admitted I was once his fantasy."

"I know, I had to hide my dick behind this pillow while I was being supportive. And, he just lives down the block. Can you fucking believe it?" Jeff said.

"It almost makes me want to open the Suck Shack again and lure the neighbor in for a session or two. I wonder if the boys would be okay with that now that the wedding is over."

"The Captain has a `look the other way' policy if we are discreet about it. He owes us anyway. As for Jason, he seems hopelessly in love, so I doubt he'd stop by. I also know we saw the last of The Captain at our glory hole."

"We have a long line of potential dicks emailing us, asking when we'll open it again," Fred said. "It appears we might need to hone up on our oral skills. I say we make it happen, either out at Pete and Kyles, or right here. If we do it here, we need to screen our clients."

"Back to what you said about honing our oral skills," Jeff said. He reached `round his lover and started to stroke Fred's thick dick. We've got the set-up downstairs. Wanna try it."

"Do you have anyone particular in mind?"

"There's a certain former client who I'd like to thank."

********************

"Really? You already own all of this?" Van asked as he looked through the boxes in Malcolm's attic.

"I'm just broadening my horizons, testing my limits. Or hoping to, I should say I really haven't met someone I trust to test those limits with. Believe me, I was discreet as hell at the Congress Hotel in Chicago during the IML market. I paid in cash, and had a Chicago friend I trust, send them to me once IML was over."

"So, do you trust me enough to design a space with these in mind? Give me a budget and a go ahead, and I can make it happen."

********************

The email was simple, as were the rules. They hadn't rigged the garage glory hole yet, so they had to leave a hidden key for the side door to their bungalow. Their client, for lack of better term, was to enter through the side door precisely at 10:00 P.M. and deadbolt the door the moment he entered. He had been there months before Fred entered Jeff's life, so he knew where to go from there. The basement would be left dark, except for four nightlights that would mark the way.

Jeff and Fred were ensconced in their small room, waiting for their client. There was a panel to the side with three small bulbs. When the first light illuminated, they knew the client had entered the home. The second bulb was triggered by the door to the basement, and the third, by the door to the glory hole room.

The third bulb lit, and the duo heard his footsteps. As the client adjusted to the low light, he smiled. "Two glory holes? Hmmm. Which one do I choose? Maybe I should try both."

Fred knelt at his glory hole. The client's voice sounded familiar, yet he could not place it. He heard the familiar sound of a belt being unbuckled, and pants falling to the floor. In the low light, he saw a flaccid dick come through his hole.

Fred held it, and inhaled it, as if assessing a fine cigar. He gently rolled the cock in his hand, taking in its essence. He brushed his lips and beard against the length of it, three times. Each pass caused the dick to grow in his hands. He sensed that the man was a grower, not a shower, so he engulfed the man's cock before it became fully hard.

"Fuck! This isn't you, J" The client slammed his gut against the glory hole wall, forcing more of his growing dick into Fred's mouth. Fred welcomed the invasion with his tongue, massaging the meat that was slowly filling his mouth. He backed off, sucking and vacuuming as he went. He appraised his handiwork. Two inches of shaft had expanded to six.

Fred held the hefty dick, and slowly pumped it. A pearl of pre-cum appeared, and grew as Fred pushed the shaft back. "Yeah, a leaker. Just like I like `em," Fred growled. He reached down for his own dick, rubbed his thumb through his own pre-cum, then coated the head of the other man's dick.

He leaned forward, inhaled, then swirled his tongue over the guy's knob. "You like that pre, don'tcha? Don't worry, it's good for your diet. And my load is filled with protein, buddy. I'm gonna let both of you suck me, but since you're new, I'm feeding you."

Fred engulfed the client's hard dick. "Save some for me buddy," Jeff said as he watched his lover suck the beautiful dick. "You'll love this guy's load. The first one is always creamy, tasty as any man I've ever sucked."

"First load?" Fred asked.

"Yeah, J's talented. He sometimes coaxes a second one out of me. And if he is lucky, I return the favor."

Fred saw the potential for extended fun with the client, so he slowly sucked him down to his pubes, then pulled back. In his mind, he thought of the rhythm of a slow dance, and sucked accordingly. "Yeah, bud, make it last. I got the time. The wife is working the graveyard shift."

Fred involuntarily gulped at the last admission. The guy was straight, or at least straight-ish, and married.

"You like that huh, sucking a married man? Most cocksuckers do."

Fred was not offended being called a cocksucker. There was a ring of honesty to it, especially the way the man said it. Fred inhaled the man's dick to its root. The thick, pre-cum coated knob, filled his throat. He swallowed repeatedly, allowing his throat muscles to massage the client's dick.

"Yeah, J, your man here knows what he's doing. You trained him well. Your glory hole will be a hit once you reopen it. Glad you invited me for the maiden voyage."

"About time you remembered I was here," Jeff laughed. We can't let F get all the good stuff. Bring it on over here."

"F, huh, thought so. Cock sucking is a good workout for all parties involved. It gets the blood pumping."

Fred suddenly realized why the man's voice sounded familiar. He was sucking his heart surgeon, his Doc. He found it funny that he couldn't remember the man's name, just Doc. It was Doc's cock filling his mouth. In many reasons Doc was the reason he was here. He saved Fred's life, and then gave him the go ahead for sex.

He repaid Doc with gusto, and pistoned on his dick. "Too good, too good, too soon, buddy. Make it last F, and give J some of the fun."

Fred withdrew, then held the pulsing dick in his hand. He felt the blood surge in it. He squeezed a few drops of pre-cum, then licked the knob. Secretly Fred wanted his reward right then. However, he thought of the big picture. "Damn, Doc. Thanks for making sure I was healthy enough to see this beauty. Jeff will do me proud, won't you?"

"No names," Jeff whispered.

"Damn, sorry. I figured that after he saved my life, we were beyond that point. Sorry Doc, if you don't mine me calling you that."

"Not at all, Fred. But I get where Jeff is coming from. I'm not your usual client, I get that. But you might want to keep the anonymity for others.

Doc's dick deflated while they were discussing names. He pulled back, and stepped to the second glory hole. He leaned against the wall, allowing his flaccid dick to enter. Fred watched as Jeff inhaled the Doc's scent. Jeff noticed the Doc's knob was shiny, so he licked it clean, then engulfed the dick.

Fred crouched by Jeff, rubbing his beard against his partner, while Jeff sucked the Doc. The three lights from the warning system, offered barely enough light for him to pick out details of Jeff's ministrations on the Doc's thickness. Fred made a mental note to consider low level lighting that would allow them to see each other, while keeping their actions, anonymous.

In Fred's eyes, Jeff was a beautiful man.  Every aspect of him made Fred want to be close to him. There was enough room, so Fred huddled close to Jeff while he sucked the Doc.

"Fred, I'm so jealous of you, getting this man every day. My wife is a passable cocksucker, but not a pro like Jeff. She makes up for it in many ways, and lets me play on the side, so I can't complain."

"He's more than a good cocksucker, Doc," Fred grunted. "You know, if you ever want to do more, without this between us," Fred tapped on the plywood wall.

Fred opened the door, the Doc closed it. "No can do, Fred. I have my limits, and this helps me keep my limits. I'd end up wanting more, and fucking up what I have with the wife."

Fred watched as Jeff suctioned the Doc. He got close, and moved back and forth with his lover as Jeff continued the blowjob.  In the dim light, he could sense that the Doc was getting close. He heard the Doc's hands slam against the plywood wall. He could see the man's penis pulse as Jeff sucked it. He knew the Doc was raising and lowering himself with the balls of his feet. He knew the Doc wanted to save his load for him, but he also knew how talented Jeff's mouth and throat could be.

"Too close, take over Fred, or Jeff is gonna get it," The Doc grunted.

Jeff leaned back, allowing Fred to engulf Doc's thickness. Fred knew it wouldn't take much. Three rapid fire thrusts were all it took for the Doc to fill Fred's mouth. Jeff was right. It was tasty and creamy. He savored the load, slowly suctioning the dick as it deflated.

The Doc laughed. His laughter grew as he stepped away from the glory hole.

"What?" Fred asked.

"My nurses gave me one of those motivational posters. Teamwork makes the dream work. I guess you two prove that. Man, you guys got my heart pumping. I'm thinking I should give all my male heart patients a prescription to your glory hole, when they are healthy enough for sex."

The Doc stood back. Fred made another mental note regarding lighting for the client. Something low level, but still allowing them privacy. He bent down, and Fred regretfully thought he was going for his pants, and he would be gone soon.

Instead, a wedding ring clad finger stroked the bottom of the glory hole. "Your turn, Fred."

********************

I'll be honest, I was mildly shocked when Jason joined The Pack at happy hour the next night. The major shock was when he hugged Fred and discreetly kissed him on the cheek. I got my own quick kiss on the cheek later, as he said goodbye. "Thanks Kyle," he whispered.

I shrugged, "For what?"

"For being somebody I can look up to. Listen, I might need support soon. I'm not blind, I see how you've created a family here. My Dad and I might need you."

"Well, I am here, you know how to get a hold of me. If not, here's my card."

I slipped him my card, then hugged him again.

Jason's actions shocked me again at Thursday night's softball game. He came early to the ballfield and watched our game, cheering for The Pack. His dad was beside him, with Frank. A fan in the stands made a homophobic comment about The Pack, calling us the Fudge Packers, getting a laugh from his friends. Jason stood, calmly walked to him, and confronted him.

"Either be a respectful fan, or leave. There's family here, Tom."

"Geeze, what's up with you, Jase? Did someone cut off your nuts, bud?"

The stands became quiet as Jason stood still. He leaned in and whispered. I couldn't hear what was said next, but Tom, whoever he was, slowly backed down.

After we won the game, I got a chance to sit with Jason for a moment. "Thanks for the support, bud. Tell me, what did you say to Tom, to shut him up?"

"I told him if he didn't shut up, I'd cut off his nuts and feed them to him, while his girlfriend watched. We went to school together, and thinks I am just crazy enough to do it."

"He doesn't know you that well, does he?" I asked. "If he knew the man I'm beginning to know, the man that kissed me, he'd know that you aren't crazy enough to do that."

"See, that is where you are wrong. The Pack is family. I'm afraid of what I'd do if someone messed with my family."

Since Jason and Frank were now unofficial members, many of The Pack stayed and watched the Cops play their game. Pete, Rolf, Gordy and I sat together, while Rudy and Al were just a few rows down. Mario and Micah left early, they were burning the midnight oil, hoping to get the gym open by July 1^st if possible.

Over in the corner, Angelo and Charlie set up their own "walking tacos" stand for The Pack. As I put my own taco fixings into the mini Doritos bag, I asked Charlie, "What's the occasion?"

"Do we need an occasion when it comes to friends? Look around, Kyle. Most of the other teams head off to a bar after playing. Fred, Gino and I are drunks, we thought this was a good alternative." Charlie ensured no one was listening when he whispered, "Besides, Angelo and I want to move forward with buying the farmhouse. Let's keep this our secret for now, until the papers are signed."

Then, as if he just remembered, he sprung more good news on me. "Kyle, you know Van, the architect, right? He wants me to be the general contractor for some plumbing and minor remodeling work to one of those old Victorians on East Superior. He even emphasized that Fred and I were perfect for the job, because of our gay sensitivities. Can you imagine that?"

"Listen, after seeing Jason shutting down a homophobe earlier, I can imagine just about anything."

The cop's game was a blow out in the making, so we spent just as much time socializing as watching the game. I glanced back in the stands, and saw Bub and his brother Chase. I really hadn't thanked Chase for his involvement with the security for our wedding, so I made four walking tacos, grabbed a couple of Cokes and went back to talk to them.

I made small talk with the brothers while I watched the game. From their body language, it became evident who they were cheering on. "Jason's quite the young man, isn't he?"

"He sure is," Bub said. I could feel the need in his voice.

"Things will work out. I know he's dealing with some issues," I said.

"That's what I keep telling him, Kyle. But my brother would never break up a family."

"So, do you deal with the issue now, or let it grow over the years? Which is worse to a family?"

"Good point," Bub said. He was staring intently at Jason, who was at bat. "All I know is I want to be down there, cheering my man on. Letting him know my support is there. Instead I must stand back and watch from a safe distance. It's tough enough coming out of the closet as a farmer, only being forced back in when I find someone I love."

"Things will work out. I'm betting on that." I glanced back at the game and noticed Gordy climbing the stands towards us.

"I bet you don't remember me, Bub," Gordy said, offering his hand.

"You do look familiar, it's been a while, hasn't it?"

"We were much younger then, Bub. I'm Gordy, from the – well – you know."

"Gordo, damn it has been a while. You are looking good. Damn."

"So are you my friend, and boy am I glad I ran into you today. You see, I have something I need your help with. Gentlemen, would you excuse us?" Gordy gestured to a spot a few yards over. Gordy and Bub left Chase and me to talk amongst ourselves.

"I've never seen two men love each other so much. I hope you are right what you said about things working out, Kyle."

"Look at the alternative, Chase. Jason can't change who he is, or who he loves. Neither can your brother."

"Listen, Kyle. Jason put his neck on the line for Sean and me. I want nothing more than to have him become part of my family. If we must wait, so be it."

Bub stood and whistled. "Chase," he yelled, waving his brother over. "C'mon."

Whatever their secrets were, I wasn't a part of them. I went back to sit with Pete and Rolf, giving the men their space. The game tightened up in the seventh inning, and the cops were only up by one run in the eighth. I felt hands on my shoulder. "Thanks Kyle, we knew you'd understand."

I looked back. Gordy, Chase and Bub were there.  With the game tightened, we concentrated on the on-field action. The cops were up first in the ninth, with Jason batting fourth. A fluke single, error, and walk found the bases loaded when Jason got to the plate. I could sense that after two foul tips, Bub was tired of hiding. "C'mon Jase. You got this," he bellowed.

Jason recognized the voice, looked behind me in the stands to where his dad, Gordy, and his lover, Bub, were sitting. He tapped home-plate three times with his bat, then waited for the pitch. It was obvious that the ball was a homer, the minute it hit the bat. And though it wasn't a game ending home run, it was clear the game was over. Three more runs ensued before the cops took the field the last time. The three hitters that came to the plate for the opponents, went down in flames.

Jason walked to the fence after the end of the game. I think I wasn't the only one who was shocked when Bub joined Gordy in congratulating the team on the win. Jason, his dad, Bub and his brother all talked briefly, then left two by two.

Pete and I walked out to Pete's Ram pick-up. Jason and his dad were standing by Jason's Chevy. "Quite a game, huh? Quite an evening," I said.

"You said it, Kyle," Jason said.

"I bet you're proud of your son's win tonight," Pete said to Gordy.

"His win tonight, wasn't on the ballfield, Pete. It happened when he faced who he is, and who he loves, and didn't back down to an asshole."

"Listen, I put my life on the line every day I put on the uniform of this city. If I am man enough to do that, I am man enough to love, the man I love."

"Tonight, you proved that to me. And I am man enough to help you, however you need me to, son," Gordy added.

********************

Gordy scanned the computer screen as he talked to Grace. "I don't care about your hunches, I only worry about my son's involvement. Is there a way to keep him out of the fray?"

"I don't think he matters to the case. I just think there is a segment of this town that qualifies as holier than thou, that would be better off in the trash. Listen Gordy, I need to run, I'll send you more updates as they happen. Perhaps you can stop by my office tomorrow."

Gordy said goodbye, then noticed an instant message from AlphaBette

"Are you ignoring me? I thought we had something."

"No, hon, just busy."

"Hon, now, huh? What the fuck kind of sorry-assed name is that? Pardon my French."

Gordy smiled to himself. Well that eliminates Grace from suspicion as AlphaBette. He admitted to himself he was avoiding AlphaBette for a few days while he stewed over his various pet theories as to who she could be. The fact that he was chatting with Grace when the latest IM arrived, eliminated her as a chief suspect. Plus, Grace seemed to be a more refined lady than AlphaBette.

Considering some of the stories he had heard about online flings, Gordy even considered that the mystery woman could be a man, pretending to be a woman online. Nah, AlphaBette was all woman, he would bet on that. And a very talkative woman from the IM he was reading.

Gordy scanned through the instant message then checked out the Duluth Mature M4W chat board. He could see that not only was AlphaBette talking to him, she was holding court there.

AlphaBette: I keep saying that one rock is gonna bring down this glass cathedral.

SpiritMntns: Her story doesn't change. She keeps saying that the condom broke.

AlphaBette: And she is quick to add that they were Magnum Condoms.

DreamField: Us Magnum wearers have to stick together.

AlphaBette: Or sit by me, WINK WINK. <EG>

Gordy saw his Instant Message icon flicker, so he pulled that up.

AlphaBette: "Us Magnum wearers" Just when are you going to introduce me to your Louisville Slugger anyway? Huh?

Yep, AlphaBette was a woman, and a woman Gordy wanted to know.

He only had to take a short trip to the bedroom to grab the lube. AlphaBette was going to coax another geyser out of him.

********************