Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 07:12:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Puer Amore Subject: Visit from David PT I VISIT FROM DAVID (PT I) By Barry pueresamo@yahoo.com Disclaimer: This work is one of fiction. Any resemblance of persons or places mentioned in this story to actual persons or places is only slightly more than coincidence. Copyright 2006 Barry. All Rights Reserved. My word, Travis, you really look fetching in a tux, I said, as I straightened his tie. You too, Barry, you look beautiful. He consoled me. I laughed, Thanks, sweetheart, it's been a long time since the word beautiful was used to describe me. I'm flattered. I said. Well, you're beautiful to me, I love you, you know! He declared. I know, sweetheart, and if you only knew how much it means to me. I asserted. I love you, Travis, more than I love my life. Never doubt it. He smiled at me with those beautiful blue eyes, his white teeth accentuating his irresistible smile, and said, I won't forget, Barry. I love you that much too. I hugged him for the longest time. He returned my hug, placing his cheek upon my breast. Why didn't we just meet him at the airport last night? Travis inquired. Well, Sweetie, I replied, When David comes in for an event like this, he is always accompanied by an entourage of support persons, producers, and such. You can't get anywhere near him. We'll have plenty of private time with him later. He's pretty famous, huh? Travis asked. In certain circles, Yes, he is, Sweetie. I confirmed. I'll be famous when you write my story, huh? He asked. I'll do my best, love, you're already famous with me, with David, and with Ganymede. In any case, I'd hate for you to miss out on your fair quotient of fame because I failed to do justice to your compelling story. I promise I'll do my best and won't publish anything without your approval. OK? I asked. OK. He affirmed. It's a little too soon to write your story anyway, Sweetie, but, when the time is right, we'll see to it. Please trust me. I begged. I always trust you, Barry; I'd trust you with my life, which you already saved, remember? Travis said. Don't make it a bigger thing than it was, Sweetie. I'm only grateful to Ganymede that he brought you to me. I insisted. I might have froze to death...he started Remember, now, I interrupted, just a polite nod to David when he acknowledges us from the stage, then we sit down. OK. He said. I'm kinda nervous about it, though. We'll do fine, Sweetie, I'll be at your side, it will all be OK. You'll see. I assured him. But, ALL THOSE PEOPLE! He declared. Sweet Travis, we're sitting front and center. Our tickets are for the front row, center. All those people will be behind us. All we have to do is concentrate on David and the orchestra. We'll be fine, I promise. OK. He replied. The orchestra was warming up behind closed curtains, as Travis and I took our seats. Travis turned to me, straining over the crowd noise, to speak into my ear. I've never experienced anything like this. He smiled. His eyes sparkled as he tried to envision what was about to happen. The house lights began to dim, the curtain began to rise, and the orchestra began to applaud their guest-conductor, my sweet David. The spotlight fell upon him and my heart nearly exploded. David!.... My David, right there, only feet from me, yet I could not run to him. Travis and I were among the last in the audience to cease our applause. David bowed to the left, then right, then to the center, where our eyes met and he winked at Travis and me. As we were sitting down, once more, Travis took my hand and said, He winked at us, Barry, did you see that? I squeezed his hand and only nodded to him. David picked up the baton from the music stand and raised both hands. When his hands fell, the orchestra exploded into the most wonderful strains. Travis wasn't prepared for the high decibel presentation of a full orchestra and was startled as the music began. I turned to him and exclaimed, SLEIGH RIDE! He smiled a big smile at me. He was really having fun. I was so very pleased to see him enjoying himself this way. As each piece proceeded, Travis' eyes followed the music across the stage and back again as the various instruments were employed. He was so excited with all of it. All too quickly, it seemed, Intermission was upon us. As the applause began to subside, the curtain also began to come down. Can we go backstage now? Travis asked. Not till the concert is completely over, sweetheart. I said. Oh, I thought it was over. Travis said. No, Sweetie, this is just the intermission. It's like halftime. I analogized. Oh, he said. There's another half to go then. Exactly. I said. Leave your program on your seat, and we can stretch our legs a little bit. Do you need to visit the restroom or anything, Sweetie? I suggested. No, he smiled. I thought I was going to pee on myself when the music first started, though. He said. I chuckled. I didn't think to warn you, sweetheart, I'm sorry. I said. It's no big deal, he said, I just wasn't expecting it to be so loud. Let's go get a drink to get us through the second half, Whatcha say? I suggested. OK. He replied. As we stood in the lobby chatting about David and all this beautiful music and what a tremendous experience this was, I couldn't help noticing all the many persons who were starring at my Sweetie. They, too, recognized just how beautiful he is. Not just the girls, but women and some obvious old queens were looking at him in a way that made me instantly jealous. You ready, sweetheart, I asked. Yeah. He said. We should get back to our seats now. I suggested. He took me by the hand and we walked back to our seats together, hand in hand. That should piss-off all those Gawkers and Old Queens. I thought. It wasn't long before the house lights began, again, to dim. The curtain rose, and standing at the house microphone, was my beautiful David. The spotlight shone upon him, and the audience erupted into applause. He relished in it briefly, turned to acknowledge the orchestra, waited a bit longer, then raised his hands as a signal to cease the applause. He looked out over the audience, surveying it slowly, His gaze finally coming to rest on Travis and me. "It's a genuine honor for me to be here with you this evening. Here, so close to home and so close to Christmas. I thank you for inviting me. I'll try to make the experience worthwhile". David asserted. Once again, the audience erupted into applause for a favorite son, as it were. Once more, David raised his hands to quiet the crowd. "If you will bear with me, very briefly, he said, I would like to acknowledge two very special people who are here, at my request, this evening". "I would not be standing before you this evening, or before any other orchestra, on any other night if it were not for the love and encouragement and guidance of one of these two, who has seen me along my career for longer than either of us would care to admit. The other is a young man, I have recently come to know, and who is now experiencing the same direction and loving care of this wonderful man. He stretched out one hand to point us out and said, Barry...Travis, I love you!" .The spotlight turned to us. I could not contain myself. I burst into tears. Applause! I can't believe it, Applause? I pondered. I took Travis by the hand and indicated for him to stand, as I did as well. Tears fell from my eyes as I gave David that polite nod, I had earlier instructed Travis on, and now watched him deliver. As we sat down again, I fumbled for my handkerchief. Travis took my hand and squeezed it tightly and said, Shhhh...Shhh, it's OK, Barry. David continued. "I have reserved the next piece until now, knowing it is Barry's favorite." Looking at us again, "It's for you two...I love you!" "Oh, By The Way", he addressed the audience," it's not on your programs, I wanted to surprise my special friends with it." David returned to the platform and picked up the baton. At its fall, the violin section came boldly to life. What Child is This? As I regained my composure, Travis was still squeezing my hand tightly. You OK? He asked. Yes, sweetheart, I replied. I'm sorry for that. I hope I didn't embarrass you. No Way! He exclaimed. Never! He asserted. He continued to squeeze my hand and, leaning over to my ear, he whispered. He said he loved us, In front of all these people. Isn't it wonderful, my sweet boy? I declared. Yes, and they clapped for us too. He said in amazement. I turned to whisper to him saying, Travis, my love, the kind of people who enjoy this sort of entertainment are usually pretty sophisticated and they understand and appreciate open expressions of love. We'll talk about it later. Cool! He exclaimed. Sit back, Sweetie, and enjoy the rest of the performance. I suggested. Enjoy it, he did, and I was delighted to see him doing so. When the final curtain fell, there was a protracted Standing "O", and the expected chants of "More!" After a delightful encore, more Standing "O"s, bows and such, the real final curtain fell. Travis and I rose from our seats, as I began fumbling for our back stage passes. Bring along your program, sweetheart, we'll get David to autograph it for you. Sure! He said. I can't believe he said he loved us in front of all those people like that. Wow! He exclaimed. Travis, sweet boy, my father used to tell me, and I, now, tell you, never miss out on a chance to tell someone, whom you really love, "I Love You"...you may not be granted another chance. With that, we reached the security checkpoint where our passes were briefly examined and we were allowed to pass. We made our way down the corridor to find David surrounded by an absolute throng. It was impossible to approach him more closely. Soon, he saw the two of us standing there, me directly behind Travis with a hand on each of his shoulders. David nodded at us and pointed at a door. I knew this cue and ushered Travis and myself into a dressing room to wait for David. After a while, the racket from the hall began to die down and David burst through the door, closing and locking it behind him. He rushed over to me and gave me a quick, though passionate, kiss, square on my lips. My heart leapt with joy. God, how I have missed you! He exclaimed. David then turned to Travis and said, Travis, I'm so very happy to meet you at last. Travis blushed and held up his program, saying, Barry said you might autograph this. Of Course! David said. Looking at me, David exclaimed, My God, he's Gorgeous. If the word were not already in the dictionary, we'd have to invent it for him. He is indeed, I said. And as beautiful as he is on the outside, his soul is even more beautiful. Then, He's perfect! David asserted with a big smile to Travis. He Is! I agreed. David took the program and quickly scribbled: To Travis, my dear friend, whom I love very much! David. Travis took back the program as David returned it to him. He read it and said You really love me already, David? He asked. Does Barry love you? David asked in return. Oh Yes, very much! Travis responded. Then, of course, I love you too. You can take it.... To the bank? Travis concluded for him. David smiled at him and said, Absolutely! OK, you two, David injected, you'll have to forgive me for tonight. I have to go now and spend time with a bunch of beer swilling, belching, Municipal Dignitaries. Looking at Travis, he added It's part of the job. David smiled. Tomorrow, we have a repeat performance at 3PM, Being Christmas Eve, and all. Then drinks with still more inane people...so...I should be able to sneak away and be at the house by 6:30 or so. Again, he looked at Travis and me saying, I can't wait! He gave me another passionate kiss on the lips and, then went over to Travis and asked Is it OK? Travis looked at me for the answer. I nodded in the affirmative. OK, Travis replied. David kissed him, sweetly, on the forehead. Take care of Barry for me, Travis. I'll see you both tomorrow. With that, David quickly left the room to join the other performers and those "dignitaries" he was obliged to endure. As we drove home, Travis was unusually quiet, until he finally turned to me and asked Is it OK for me to kiss you that way, the way that David kissed you? Of course, sweetheart, I just didn't think you were so inclined. Oh, I've always wanted to, but I was afraid you might be grossed out. Travis declared. Wait till we get home. I'll show you how grossed out I would be. Travis turned to me and smiled. I love you Barry. I love you so much. Never stop saying that, sweet Travis, you don't know how it touches my heart. Don't worry, he replied, I'll never stop. I Love you, I Love You, I LOVE YOU! Travis exclaimed, smiling broadly at me. Travis, Sweetie, I interrupted. I want to tell you something important. I said. OK. He puzzled. You are stunning in your physical beauty...I started NAW! He began to say. NO! I interrupted, It's True! I demanded. Travis became very quiet and looked at me. You will find that uncommon beauty such as you possess is both a blessing and a curse. I said. Really? He queried. Oh Yes, Absolutely! I reinforced. You will learn that more people than you can count will find you extremely attractive, but their motives will be entirely wrong, in terms of what they would do with you. Many people will tell you they love you, when, in fact, they regard you as prey. They only want to score with you. This means that they would consider it some sort of victory, on their part, to convince you, or worse, force you to have sex with them. For persons like that, sex serves as its own end, and is used to bolster their egos. It allows them, then, to place another check mark on their score card in the win column. Persons like this will hurt you tremendously. You must be on constant guard. You see, sweetie, you must learn to discern someone's intentions if they express an interest in you. Some will treat you like a genuine treasure, and, indeed, that's what you are. As a treasure, you should be cared for, protected, nurtured, and above all, respected for your inherent worth. There is, unfortunately, another class of persons who will regard you as a trophy to be won, something that, once won, may be placed in a trophy case to serve as a bulwark to their egos. They will play with your emotions to get what they want from you, only to discard you, thereafter, leaving you in their wake as they move on to their next conquest...their next score. Be always on guard for these despicable maniacs. Real Love, sweet boy, may, indeed, be expressed sexually, but it is not rooted in sex. Real love is a function of the soul, so the theologians say, and it always involves commitment and self sacrifice and a recognition of the one loved as a true, priceless treasure. A treasure the lover can never be truly worthy of. As beautiful as you are, sweet Travis, remember that ALL physical beauty is transitory. That means it diminishes over time. Yours will too. Those who really only loved your physical beauty will find nothing left to love as your beauty dims. Don't be fooled, Sweetie. Sure! The animal side of us always responds to certain stimuli, and demands our attention. It's the way we're wired. Like seeing those beautiful boys in The Genesis Children might cause one to experience an erection and experience certain desires. DON'T confuse these feelings, strong though they may be, with real love. Does any of my rambling make any sense to you, sweet Travis? I asked. Sure does, Barry. He replied. I had strong desires to do stuff with Jacob, but I never loved him. Exactly! Sweet Travis. You are wise beyond your years. I thought of all this, and to bring it up at this time because I noticed, during our visit to the concession stand, during intermission, that so many people were starring at you, but in a totally lustful manner. It made me, first, jealous, and then furious. Don't worry, Barry. Only you own my heart now. Travis assured me. You don't need to be jealous or mad. Don't worry! Actually, Sweetie, my fury was aroused by a couple of old lobby queens of the type who frequent these events, looking for prey. Oh. He said. I didn't notice them. I know you didn't sweetheart, but I did. Even if it had been Jacob, Sweetie, you need to understand another serious matter. Even though your circumcision provides you with a certain degree of protection from HIV / AIDS, as we have discussed in the past that protection is NOT absolute. Let me tell you that there is NO QUICKY worth risking your health or your life. Barry, he said, you're the ONLY one I want to do anything with. You know that. I trust you completely and I love you like I never knew I could love anyone. That means more to me, sweet Travis, than you can imagine, and I know it's true. Still, I owe it to you, to inform you of all this. I said. You will be surrounded by people of dubious intentions at school and in your peer group, who constitute a serious risk to you, emotionally and to your physical health. Don't be fooled! Please! The garage door began to open, as Travis pressed the button on the Genie, as had become his chore. As I pulled the car into the garage and placed it into "park", I turned to Travis and said My Sweet Travis, the love I have for you compels me to protect you in every way. That's why I'm telling you all this. I do so, also, in something of a selfish vein. I couldn't bear it if someone hurt you or caused you to contract HIV...The idea of watching you suffer is unthinkable, Sweetie, I'm too weak, I guess. Don't worry, he repeated, Don't Worry! I belong to you now, and only to you. God, How I do love you, Travis, I exclaimed. I love you more; he smiled, knowing he had just stolen my line. I think we have a serious kissing session now, huh? He asked. You said wait till we get home, Right? Well, we're home. He said. I smiled at him lovingly, as the garage door closed upon this scene.