Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2005 09:46:20 -0800 (PST) From: T Chase McPhee Subject: A 'Nature Walk' Christmas one The following story is a work of fiction, set in the format of reality. Any resemblance to real people is entirely coincidental in nature, and is not meant to accurately depict, nor reflect upon persons in towns, cities, or governmental areas, in which the story is staged. If a sexual scene involving male-to-male relationships offends you, then you should not read this story. Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age, in most state and countries, you are not allowed to read this story by law. This is fiction. Do not forget, in real life, to think about 'sexual safety matter'; got condom? "A 'Nature Walk' Christmas'" one wriTten by T. Chase McPhee % "And what are you doing in my closet, Preppy?" "Nothing! Um... just checking to see if my boots are in there?" Chad knew he had been snagged. Why would he be looking for `his' boots in Matty's closet? "You're a very bad boy, Preppy. Santa doesn't bring anything to bad boys, except coal!" Being `rough' on his bad boy, Matty grabbed up Chad's shirt, bunching it up in his fist, pulled him out, slammed the closet door, pushed him up against it and then wedged his partner in between his body and the wooden door. "But I forgive you!" The words of a loving heart, paved the way for a forgiving kiss. "Hmm... think I'll look for my boots again!" "Yeah, well I think I'm going to have to padlock my closet!" However, the eighteen year old decided to change his tune, adding, "In my closet?" "Better idea Preppy." Matty had just returned from `Bridge's & Barr's', formerly Donovon's, the store they joint owned, with Zach Roberts. Stripping his shirt, he dropped it into the hamper, then went about kicking his sneakers off, into his walk-in closet, then removing his jeans. "Owwwch... owch!" "Shit! What's the matter?" Matty called out, running to Chad's closet. "Nooooooooo...don't come in here!" "Are you hurt or anything?" "Um... I don't think so," Chad replied. "Well, um.. yeah I think I am, but if you come in here, you're going to see the Christmas present I bought you, Matty." "Are you bleeding or anything, Chad?" "Um, no." "Oh, okay, then I guess you'll be alright." "Um, I think I broke something though." "Not my present?" "No, birdbrain, I was talking about something between my waist and my toes." "Closer to your waist or closer to your toes?" "Owch..ooooh..ohhhhh.." "Give me another hint? Does your crotch hurt?" "Ooooh... I think I broke something in my leg." Matty stood there outside of the closet, hand on one hip, scratching his nose with the other. "Look, Chad. I'm coming in there." "No, you can't. Hold it. Maybe I can throw something over it." Hearing all kinds of syllables, a reaction to pain, Matty waits. "Chad, you're being a real idiot, you know?" "Well..oww...look at it as.. owwwch...ooooh...how much I... ohhh... love you! Owwch..owwch... okay, you can come in now." "I was looking for my boots and the bowling ball... oh shit!" "Haa ha ha ha... you told me what you bought me!" "Sure, Matty. Laugh your ass off while I'm sitting here in pain!" Well, he wasn't in total pain, sitting there, eye level with Matty's stuffed, low rise briefs. "So, where does it hurt?" Chad's gaze dropped from waist height to where Matty squatted, rolling up the cuff of his trousers. "Huh?" Matty looked at Chad, then down, at his own crotch. "I take it that it doesn't hurt `that' bad, Chad?" "Oh, well, it's the other foot." Smirking at Chad, Matty rolls up the other pants leg. "Want to help me out here?" "Oh, it's my foot." "Don't tell me that you stored the bowling ball on the top shelf?" Looking up, Chad replies, "Um, no. I'm not that stuped! I had it on the shelf with my boots." Matty eyes up the shelf that sits a foot above the floor. "So, let me get this straight. You're boots are sitting right out there in front of you, so you're in `my' closet, looking for them?" "Okay, so I was being snoopy. Are you going to take a look at my foot or what?" "I don't know, Chad. What I have to go through to find out where you hurt!" "Oh, I didn't tell you it was my foot?" Matty rolls his eyes, untying Chad's sneaker. "Owwwwch...oh..oh... gentle!" "On second thought, I think the sneaker should stay on. C'mon." "Where are we going?" "The hospital. For x-rays." With his arm around Matty's neck, Chad limps along. They exit their room and head for the front room, main entrance. "Um, aren't you forgetting something, Matty?" "Like what?" Even in pain, Chad shows the humor of the moment, tweaking Matty's nip. "Owch! Oh.. hee hee.. yeah. Guess I better throw a sweatshirt on." "Well, I have no complaints about the Jockey's but somebody else might!" % "Nice of Sean to drive us to the mall, Aidan." "He had to come for himself, too." "Oh, that's right. He did say that. Do you think he's going to buy us something for Christmas?" "Sure." "What did he get you last year?" "Nuthin'." "Nuthin'? Then what makes you think he's going to bother this year?" "Because I heard him say to dad that him'n'Jock are `going Christmas shopping for the kids'." "What should we get him?" "I was thinking that we should get him'n'Jock a gift together." "Good idea Aidan. Less to wrap up!" "Just what I was thinking, Phil." "Got any ideas?" "Nope. How about you?" "I figured since he's your brother, you might know, Aidan." "What would you get Chad?" "Hey, I got an idea." "What Phil?" "Whatever we buy Sean'n'Jock, we should buy the same for Chad'n'Matty!" "And what would that be?" "I dunno." "Hey, will ya look at that, Phil?" "Laptop Monopoly?" "Oh forget it, Phil. Look at the price." "Of course, when it comes with the laptop." "Hey, this one's cheaper." "Hanukah Monopoly, Aidan?" "Any of your family Jewish, Phil?" "I'm not Jewish, so what do you think Aidan?" "Oh yeah." "Besides, Aidan, our families both go to a Pressedberterian church?" "Oh `double' yeah." "Hey, look at this Phil. This might work!" "Name your own Monopoly?" "Yeah. Says here to send in your family name and they will inscribe your family name on the board." "Wait. Let me see that, Aidan." Phil reads it all out loud. "What do you think, Phil?" "Might be nice to have a `Barr-Clark' personalistic game." "Or `Clark-Barr'?" "Nah. I think `Barr-Clark' sounds better." "Yeah, but isn't there a candy named `Clark Bar', Phil?" "So?" "Don't you think if they thought it would sell better, they would've called it `Bar Clark'?" "They called if `Clark Bar', because it's a candy bar, Aidan. It's not a `candy Clark'!" "Oh yeah. I guess you're right, Phil." "Know what else, Aidan?" "What?" "If we got this, it would be a gift for all our brothers and dads." "Hey, you're right. Look at all the shopping that would save us." "Then again, I'm not so sure about our dads, Aidan." "Yeah, a Monopoly game doesn't sound like enough." "Yeah, especially for all they do for us." The ten and eleven year olds then began to feel a bit melancholy. "Y'know, Phil, if I didn't meet you, I wouldn't be having anybody to shop with?" "Same here, Aidan." "Another thing." "What's that Aidan?" "If we buy the Monopoly game, I won't have enough money to buy you anything nice." "Isn't it our dads that are always saying they got each other." "Yeah. We got each other, Phil." Being in a public place, Aidan squeezed Philip's arm, to show his affection. "Me too," Philip replied. "Yeah and you know what else Phil?" "What?" "Because we got each other, it's gonna save me a lot of money." "Me too, Aidan. C'mon. Let's pay for this." % "Oh, Barry. Good that you're here. I was almost ready to page you on the PA." "What's the problem, Agnes?" "I received a call a moment ago from Matty Bridges." "Oh? Something wrong?" "Not too terribly. It's Chad." "What about him?" Barry asks, alarmed. "Seems that a bowling ball fell on his foot." "A bowling ball? To my knowledge Chad doesn't bowl." Agnes shrugged her shoulders, saying, "Well, Matty took him to the hospital for x-rays and thought you would want to know." "Thanks. I'll leave right now. Do me a favor thought, please?" "You know it's only for the asking, Barry." "I'm going to have to take the car. Steve wouldn't have a ride home, so please inform him. He'll have to bum a ride with someone else." "Oh, I can give Steve a ride home." "That'd be great, Agnes." "What else?" "I had an after school meeting with the superintendent. Page Marsha Burke and ask her to sub for me." "No problem." Mr. Washakie, former principal at the high school, kept pushing up the date of retirement, for health reasons. The board had elected Barry to be an interim principal, until he either acquired a degree in administration or a principal was hired. Being that Barry had been a highly respected individual, it was more, than less, understood by the board members that they would take a relaxed duty at finding a new principal. However, they decided it would be best if the longest-standing principal, already in place, be moved to the high school to assist Barry. That person was Washakie's niece, the elementary school principal and one of Barry's best friend's, Marsha Burke. "Damn!" Barry said, with another thought, then apologized, "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Agnes." "That's alright Barry. We've all gotta `damn!' now and again or else it wouldn't be healthy!" "Agnes, you're one in a million. Your husband must be one lucky guy." "Oh, I'm not married, Barry." "You aren't?" "Nope, but you better get moving." "Yes and oh.. I told Wes that I'd sub for him for `Rectangulair', but now...." "Is that what the `damn!' was for?" "Yes, Agnes. I'm about to say another one, because I don't have anybody else in mind. Hey, what about Steve?" "Oh, don't you worry about `Rectangulaire'. Mr. Kawaii owes me a favor or two." "Oh now wouldn't the girls be happy about your choice, Agnes!" "And the boys, too?" Barry got Agnes' hint about the handsome, twenty-six year old English teacher. He wasn't sure how many of the teaching staff Agnes had `matched up', but decided to keep it `mum' about his partner status with Kade Love, high school history teacher and swimming team coach. Although, Barry suspected that there wasn't much that Agnes `didn't' know! % "You're home early, Zach." "Oh, hi Unca Gary." "Mm... what's cooking?" "Asian Pork Stew." "Interesting. What's in it?" "Pork." "Really?" "I'm sorry Unca Gary. I didn't mean to be sarcastic." "Oh, I wasn't thinking anything of it, but.. I have noticed that something seems to be bothering you, Zach." "I know." "Zach, haven't I told you that anytime you have something on your mind, that needs thinking out, you can come to me?" Gary rested from sorting through the mail, dropped it on the kitchen counter and walked over to the stove. He placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, rubbing it. The twenty-two year old looked down into the pork, veggies, spices and herbs, stirring it up. When Zach didn't respond, Gary asked, "Is it Patrick?" Dropping the spoon into the pot, Zach turned to Gary, almost tearful and hugged him. "C'mon, Zach. Let it out." It's at that point, Zach let loose the torrent of tears. Gary could feel his dress shirt getting sopped, but it wasn't important at the moment. "Anybody... home?" In through the kitchen door, Officer Mike Green walks. "Hey, what's the matter?" "That's what we're trying to figure out here," Gary replies to his lover. "Hmm... Oh? I guess I'll hold off on giving Zach his Christmas present, then." "Christmas, Mike? It's three weeks away yet." "I know Gary, but I couldn't wait." Zach's back had been facing Mike, so it gave him an opportunity to signal Gary, with a wink. In return he got a look of question. Mike tried to motion to Gary something, pointing his thumb outside. Zach turned. Mike made like he was scratching his head. "I... I'm not much in the Christmas mood, so you might as well take whatever you bought, back to the store for a refund!" Without letting anyone get a word in edgewise, Zach runs out of the room and hightails it upstairs. "Wait a minute there, Zach! Zach?" Mike calls. "Let him go, Mike. The kid's hurting." "Well, come out and see what I have for him." "I guess you need a hand bringing it in. Okay, let me get my coat." Mike didn't really, but it seemed like the only way to get the present inside, at the moment, since somebody was showing some interest. "You're gonna love this, Gary." "I thought it was for Zach?" Stopping in the back of the house, Mike asks, "I don't know about you, Gary, but seeing Zach like this is putting a damper on my holiday spirit." "Yeah, you're right Mike. Even though I'm trying to be upbeat, I have been experiencing some anxiety over it." "I think you need a shrink, Gary." "I `am' a shrink, Mike!" "Gary, wait up." "What, Mike?" "There's something I've got to tell you." "What, hon?" "I have Pat out in the car." "Patrick?" "Yeah." "That's fantastic! How did you... never mind. Let's go welcome him home. This just what Zach needs to..." "Gary, wait a minute." "What?" Mike had to wrestle with Gary's arm, to get the thirty-six year old psychiatrist to stop in his tracks. "What is it Mike?" "Gary, Pat's changed." "What do you mean `changed', Mike?" "Gary, I've arranged for Pat to be here, as a fluke of bad luck." "Bad luck?" "Yeah. You see, four days ago, at the reform school, Pat was jumped by two of the other boys, beaten and raped." "Oh fuck no!" "Yeah. It's only because of the turn of events, that my request to have him granted leave, had been approved." "You mean they weren't going to allow Pat to leave for the holidays?" "Right. After all, he had performed a serious crime." "I realize that, Mike, but turning evidence against..." "Gary, I'm not bringing this up to rehash the case against Pat." "Yeah. Sorry about that. So, where do we go from here?" "Well, this is where it depends on you, Gary." "You know I'll do all in my power to help Pat out, for Zach's sake." "I'm glad you mentioned that." "Oh?" "Yeah. The only way I could get them to consider releasing Pat was under your care." Gary sensed more than an office visit. "Meaning?" "I'm sorry to do this to you, Gary, but either you or I have to be with Pat 24/7, for the next three weeks." "Really? But aren't you pulling double shifts, Mike?" "Yeah. That's why I'm bringing this up now, before I get Pat out of the car." "Meaning, that..." "Yeah, that's what I'm meaning, if you catch my drift." They both knew that, in order for the time with Pat to be covered, that Gary would have to siphon off some accumulated vacation time. "I suppose I could ask Dr. Scalia to cover for me." "Maria? How can she do that?" "Oh, something I know that you don't know." "What's that?" "A long time ago Maria had her own practice." "Psychiatry?" "Yeah. Then went back to med school." "Amazing. So, she can take over for you?" "Might cost you a box of Perugina, Mike." "Me?" "Yeah. To cover `your' ass! C'mon. Let's go get Pat out of the car and give Zach his early Christmas gift!" % "Mama Bernice!" "Juan! Just the person I've been meaning to call!" "What's up Mama Bernice?" Miguel whispers to his partner, "She wants you to cook!" "Come into the kitchen, Juan," Whom hasn't much choice, pulled along by the arm, stolen away from Miguel, "I'm planning a Christmas party and need lots'n'lots'n'lots of help planning it!" Miguel parks his ass at the bar, after helping himself to a beer. "Son, how are you?" "Good Papi." "It's getting cold out there!" "Looks like you've been chopping wood." "Oh, that." After flicking away the sawdust from his father's shoulder, Miguel hugs his dad. "What's this for?" "I love you." "I love you too, son." It's a nice thing for fathers and sons to hug now and then, but when it comes as an unexpected outburst, it gets one wondering. "Are you and Juan alright, son?" "More than ever." "Oh?" "Come and have a beer with me." Alberto knew he would be catching hell for leaving the satchel of wood in the middle of the floor, but some other things were just more important! "So, what's on your mind, son?" "Well, since Juan and I met... I know you're probably going to frown on this, Papi, but we've been leading a very open relationship." "Open relationship?" "Si. Meaning that if either of us felt like it, we'd have sex with another guy, with the understanding that we would tell each other whom the guy was and if we had oral or anal sex with the other guy." "Kind of risky, I'd say, son," Alberto replied, his eyebrows frowning at the practice. "Yeah, we realize that. It's not until something hits home that a person wakes up." "Noooo, you don't.... Juan?" "No, Papi. Neither of us have AIDS, or anything like that, but one of our friend's does. A guy that both of us have had sex with." "And?" Alberto asks, still edgy. "We've been tested, Papi. We're in the clear, but it still hasn't made us forget about our friend." "Anyone your mother or I know?" "Terry Duncan." "Wasn't that the young man that helped pull Jim Faulkner from his car on the hill, the night of Donovon's accident?" "Yeah, that's him." "The poor guy. Have they found out how he got it?" "Terry got mixed up with a bunch of leather guys. They are into this kinky S&M stuff. Seems that a bunch of guys took their turn at barebacking him and they think that's how it happened." "That's all it takes. I don't see why gay men aren't more careful!" Miguel got the message again, this time hitting home, as a result of his own father. "Exactly my point. Our point, Papi." "So, I take it you're changing the policy of your relationship?" "Yes and there's more." "Oh?" "This is the happy part, so don't look so distraught. Papi, Juan and I want to get married." "Married?" "Yeah, if... if you'll give us you... and mama, will give us your blessings?" Another sweet father and son moment occurred as both hugged, Alberto relaying the ecstatic information to his son. % "Well, what in the hell happened to you?" "Um, hi there Dr. Scalia!" Chad had guilt written on his face, even before either he or Matty could divulge the meaning of the need for a handicapped chair needed to transport Chad from Matty's 4x4. "Wait a minute there, let me fetch some help for you." Matty replied to Dr. Scalia, "I'm strong enough to..." "You'll wait for help and that's an order young man!" "Yes, sir... I mean ma'am," Matty saluted her. "You get smart with me and I'll take a switch to yer ass, young man!" Chad chided, "Oh, I'd love to see that," meant for Matty's ears only. "Shut up, Preppy!" "Ooooh, I think my foot hurts." "My cow is dead, so don't give me that bull!" Matty responded, smirking at Chad pulling `that' stunt. Looking out of the cab of the 4x4, Chad gloats, "Oh, now this is the kind of help I don't mind!" Heading towards the metallic blue truck, is Estefan Sanchez and another orderly. "Hey, what's it this time amigos? Working overtime and break a spoke?" Both Chad and Matty laugh sarcastically at Estefan trying to be funny about what lies `between'. Chad gets even and mocks Estefan, right in front of the orderly, "I've told Matty that we've got to have more threesomes, Estefan. At least with you there, it'd be a lot safer!" "If you're trying to get even, amigo, it wouldn't work. Guys, this is my boyfriend, Tony." "Rats!" Chad states, snapping his finger and thumb. "That's okay. I wouldn't `hold it against you'," Tony replies to Chad's disappointment. However, when Tony, only at five feet, nine inches tall, exerted his strength to help Chad out of the 4x4 cab, he seemed to be stronger than a six foot weight lifter. "Workout?" Chad asks Tony. "Yeah, I do a lot of `pushups'," he replies, glancing at Estefan. % Continued..... Copyright 2005 T. Luke McPhee This story may not be sold or made part of any collection without prior written permission.