Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:44:23 +0000
From: Ben nobody <ben_sc@hotmail.com>
Subject: Ben's Gift-beginnings

Ben's Gift

By Ben

Chapter One


	It was growing light as Berto awoke after a fitful night's sleep.
Ben had brought him here and stayed with him until the nurses made him
leave the night before. As he looked around the sanitary hospital room, he
began reflecting upon the surgery he would be undergoing in a few short
hours, and his life in general.

	His earliest memories were of sun-filled days in his childhood home
in the small town of Santa Rosalia. As a small child he lived with his Mama
in the house of his Tia Rosa. His mother, Manuella was a cheerful, loving
parent who was raising Berto alone and supporting him by working whatever
jobs she could find.

	Of his father, Berto knew nothing.  He had not even been aware of
the fact that there was no paternal parent missing in his life until he
began school at the age of six .It was then that the other students would
ask him about his father. But Berto had no one to call "Papa".

His cousin, Carlos, had a Papa until just before Berto was born. Tio Pepe
was killed in an accident when a building he was renovating collapsed upon
him. That was when Mama had moved into the house she shared with her older
sister. Carlos was more like an older brother, his hermano, than he was a
cousin. They slept in the same bed until Mama got a very good job working
for Senor Roberto and the moved into the casa by the water.

It was not that Berto was without positive male role models. In addition to
Carlos, there was Senor Roberto. While he seemed to keep a physical
distance between himself and the boy, Senor Roberto was always kind and
generous. He helped him with his studies, and always made sure he had
whatever he needed. And he also had the Padre.

The village priest was a regular visitor to their home. He could remember
from his earliest recollections how the young, handsome priest would come
and play with him and lavish him with attention. Where as Senor Roberto
seldom, if ever, hugged him, the Padre was very affectionate and was always
happy to spend time entertaining Berto.

The Padre had a passion for growing roses and shared this with young Berto.
He would often show up at the casa with a box full of rose bushes. The two
of them planted and tended to them, and Berto was always excited when the
juvenile plants finally started producing buds, which soon yielded bright,
beautiful blooms.

The other passion that the Padre shared with him was football. He learned
that in Estadas Unitos it was called "soccer". It was a word that sounded
funny to Berto. He spent a lot of time playing and practicing football with
the Padre, honing his skills. He became very adept and during games at his
school was known to be one of the best players.

A fierce competitor, Berto was, nonetheless a good sport and it would never
occur to him to be otherwise. After a victory he would congratulate all the
members of his team and thank the opposing team's players for a well-played
game. Walking off the field proud and sweaty, he would look up and there
was Mama smiling broadly. Right beside her or behind her, also smiling and
shouting to him encouragingly, was the Padre.

The sun was beaming brightly through the open window of his hospital room
this warm spring day. He heard footsteps approaching on the shiny tiled
floor and knew by their speed and tempo that is was Ben. A soft rap on the
door and a softly spoken "Berto?"  and it was confirmed.

Ben peeked his head into the room and, seeing that Berto was awake, broke
into a big smile. Ben always smiled when he saw him-no matter what the
circumstances.  He was always happy to see Berto. It was almost like the
puppy that Ben had surprised him with on his twentieth birthday. Lobo
wiggled and wagged his tail furiously whenever Berto returned from even the
shortest of absences. He was always happy to see him and just be with him.
Ben was like that.

Ben looked around conspiratorially and said. " I brought somebody to see
you."

Berto wrinkled his brow. "Really? Who?"

Ben slowly and dramatically brought his arm from behind the door. In his
hand he held Berto's ratty old, threadbare teddy bear. Tears immediately
filled Berto's eyes. Nothing could have pleased him more. Ben came to the
foot of his bed and walked and danced the teddy bear up the length on the
bed and then placed him snugly into Berto's arms.

Ben leaned down to kiss Berto's lips. He raised his hand to gently wipe
away the tears that ran down the handsome face. "What's all this? I didn't
mean to make you cry." He teased.

"Oh Ben, you always know just the right thing to do for me. Gracious, mi
Corazon!" Berto reached up and drew the man he loved into a tight hug.

Ben's mouth was right by Berto's ear. "Did you sleep well, Babe?"

Berto loosened his grip, and Ben stood upright. "No, not really. It was the
first night that I did not have you to sleep with." This was true. In the
five years they had been together, not one night had been spent apart.
Berto had quickly become accustomed to feeling Ben's warm, naked body
pressing against his back. He loved to be held in those strong arms and
wake to the feel of Ben's hard on against his ass crack in the morning.

"Oh, I know, Berto. I couldn't sleep, either. I missed you and..." His
voice trailed off. He didn't have to finish. Berto understood that Ben was
worried about him-about the operation.

-This story continues from "Berto's Roses". If you have not read it, I
invite you to do so.  Click the "Authors" link and scroll down to "Lyle
Benton". There you will find a list of stories I have submitted to
Nifty. Comments are always welcome.  Write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading!

Ben