Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 07:44:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Tchase Mcphee Subject: FiRE iSLAND BiKiNiS 09 The story below is a work of fiction, set in the format of reality. Any resemblances to real people, alive or in the hereafter, is entirely coincidental in nature. It is not meant to accurately reflect upon persons, of continents or islands, in countries, counties, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, streets, cul-de-sacs, nor governmental or non-governmental areas, which the story is staged. If a sexual scene involving male-to-male relationships offends you, then why are you here? Seriously, if guy-to-guy sex stuff makes you barf or is going to screw up your mind, you should not read this story. Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age in any state (21yo in Alabama, Mississippi, Wyoming, Nebraska), or in most countries, you are not allowed to read this story, by law. Check with your local laws regarding such. Following, pages of this story contain `adult material', intended for an `adult audience'. Bypass this warning at your own risk. % Sexual safety matters. Remember guys, this is fiction. In real life, use protection. Hey dudes, remember, Nifty needs your donations to provide these wonderful stories. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html % FiRE iSLAND BiKiNiS 09 WriTten by T. Chase McPhee ^o^ Jared waited... and waited... and soon, after about 10 minutes, not measured on his watch, because he wasn't wearing it, help dropped in. First, he heard two voices in the distance. Jake, saying his friend was on his way, Jared thought maybe Jake's friend's friend was with him, but as they came closer, it wasn't a young guy Jay or Jake's age, but `older.' Seeing the young guy with this older, maybe 40-ish guy, it was kind of cool the older guy was shirtless, except for the red plaid suspenders, but between those red pieces of material, the older dude had a nice, uniform bod! With 10 feet remaining between the two, the younger of the males yells, "Are you Jake's friend?" Walking away from his truck, Jared introduces himself, "Right. My name's Jared." The lad returns, "I'm Cody and this is my dad, `Scott'." At which time, Scott walks up to Jared, extends a hand and with friendliness, "Scott McCaffry. I understand you're having trouble with a flat?" "Uh, yeah and at the most inconvenient of times," Jared replies, shaking Scott's hand and peering into those beautiful hazel eyes. Though, to not show anything `gay', since probably the guy had a wife sitting at home, compliments him, "Nice hat. Looks," not knowing for sure, "Scottish or something?" "Our family are a UK mix, so Scottish would work!" he replies. Something was amiss here, as the two started working on the truck tire. Through some friendly interrogation, Jared learns Cody and Jake became friends through this guy Jay had mentioned, `Gonzo'. Trying to fit two and two together to make meaningful math, it didn't make much sense. Either Scott married young, had children young or could it be Cody was adopted? Then he stopped figuring things out, taking in the eye candy for what it was worth, Scott's beautiful frontal assault on the eyes, nicely formed pecs, a sheathing of dark hair, even though his closely cropped beard was a salt and pepper mix, thin trail which fanned out over his sixpack, swirls over the rest and even though he didn't always look upon Scott's front, he had a muscled back dipped right down into the crack, which he caught a hint of whenever Scott bent to do something, like after his son removes the lug nuts, of which Jared almost gets snagged, changing off to, "What happened to your hand, Cody?" the reason Scott was doing the heavy duty stuff. "Tag football with the guys. I was on the bottom of the heap and unfortunately my hand got run into the ground by a foot!" he laughs. "I take it you weren't very mad?" "Are you joking?" Scott stops for a moment, as he squats, but turns to look up at Jared, "Cody was livid," then looking at his son, "until he found out it was his boyfriend?" he laughs. "Nothing like outing me, Scott?!" Cody blames. `There!' Another piece of the puzzle, unless... However, not wanting to make Cody feel out of place, Jared outs himself, "Same thing happened to me!" Cody questions, "Outed you? You're...." "I meant getting piled on by a bunch of guys and then my hand squashed into the turf," Jared replies, suddenly not sure he wants to out himself, a gut reaction maybe. Even though Jake had already tipped Cody off, he kept mum, "Then I guess you know how sore it can be. Like, how long did it take to get better?" Scott, trying to get the tire off, says, "Reason Cody wants to know, it takes two hands to lift a surfboard!" he laughs. "Shut up, Scott!" It reminded Jared of him and Jay, how most of the time they could squabble with each other, only a tiny percentage of serious nature! "Is that any way to speak to your old man?" Scott replies. "You're not my old man," Cody says. Jared says, "Old man? You don't look a day over 40!" "I'm 37," Scott says with a quick glance, then back to work! "Oops. Sorry," Jared apologizes, then not forgetting his secret quest, asks Cody, "So, this isn't your `real' father?" "No, though," Cody replies, but rather than a sad retort, "Scott has been more of a father than any could ever be." Provoking, Jared put it strategically, "I'm sure there's more to that?" Much more to Scott's appearance, was how he could bring to the site a tire, one which was fully inflated and the probably reason for the muscled bod, lifting the tire off the truck axel and replacing it with the inflated one, Scott says, "Okay, take over Cody." It seemed like things fell right into place, like a rehearsed play, the new tire on, Scott standing and Cody feeding the lug nuts to the screws. "You see," Scott starts right in on an explanation, removing a rag from his pocket, "I don't know how you feel about things like this, but it doesn't bother me to mention, Cody's real father and I were partners." A load of relief from Jared's mind, he tells, bluntly, "I was almost into a relationship myself... with a man." "Oh, then I feel it not a problem to say to you, you're as gorgeous as Matt, Bomer?" Reading the twofold, like answers to a question, "That I'm gay and..." and reading Scott's eyes, the lick of his lips, it wasn't only Scott, but probably himself wanting to make a connection at the lips! "And?" A little nervous, plus lack of the right words flooding his mind at the moment, Jared says, "Thanks for coming all the way out here to," he gestures towards his truck, "changing the tire." Raising a hand, gesturing a handshake, Scott replies, "You're welcome." Taking his hand, Jared was stuck in a mode of not sure what was being communicated. He's been there, done it, taking a man's hand and depending on how long it's held, quickly, an ordinary handshake, or like now, Scott holding on for extended period, Jared leaving it up to Scott to break the bond, "And it's great knowing you." Finally, Scott breaks to hold they have on each other, sliding the fingertips of his hand down Jared's tee shirt, "How about a cup of coffee sometime?" "What?" Jared asks. "In other words, I'm asking you if you want to go out on a date with me?" Scott smiles. Still making up his mind, not that he was repulsed by Scott or his invitation, the unintentional wait stalled enough time, for intervention. "Jared, how's it going? We're waiting for you at Kermit's Nook," Jeffry says. At first he hadn't noticed, then when he did, instead of Jared or the other guy, it's Cody Walder he focused his attention on, "Hey, how's it going?" seeing the bandaged hand, "Tire slip?" Looking up at Jeffry, Cody replies, "Oh," realizing the gauzed up limb, "this? No, hurt it playing tag football." He was nice enough looking when bent over, trying to tighten the lug nuts with a wrench. Standing up, Jeffry caught the whole picture, Cody erect and facing him, "I could finish up on those nuts, if you want?" Cody smiles. Reading the smile, the look, Jeffry replies, "You've got a dirty mind, Cody!" he stole the tire iron out of the lad's hand. Unlike his stepfather, Cody wasn't lithe, muscled or much in resemblance to him. More meat on the bones, it was no wonder the appeal was there for Jeffry, chunky build and from what could be seen, shorts showing off hairy legs, tee shirt uncovering hairy forearms, slight beard and right at the neckline, fur, which when all put together into the equation, matched up to Jeffry's tastes completely! They weren't the only two getting to know each other, Jared fascinated to learn of Scott, once partnered, with Cody's real dad. An accident leaving the father brain dead and many related details. The family keeping Scott from being allowed to visit his partner and how Cody helped sneak him into the hospital. Uninvited to the funeral. Joyed that writing on a piece of paper was honored by the judge, Scott's partner willing him the gas station. And in case of something happening like this, the partner's intention, to have Scott carrying on, caring for Cody. "Wow! That's some story, Scott! Heart-wrenching at that. How did you manage to keep it all together?" Jared asks, the two sitting on the edge of a short wall, containing shrubs. "I have a few good qualities which kick in when times turn sour," Scott replies, taking his hat off, fanning himself. "I'd like to find out what they are... Maybe use them for myself someday?" Jared smiles. "Sure. When?" Unattached for the moment, Jared wasn't rushing into things, but when opportunity knocks... "Have you had breakfast yet?" Having heard Jeffry shoot his mouth off, Scott replies, "Have you ever tried the Kentucky Cider at Kermit's?" Using a gesture, his hand dive bombing, Jared says, "Have I? Like, dogged me right under the table, schwi-i-i-i-it!" Both laughed, Scott responding, "We'll have to try something a little weaker on you, like a..." "Got it covered," Jared taps a hand against Scott's shoulder, "their Passion Mimosa's suit me fine!" Getting up, Scott says, "Then what are we waiting for?" As he says it, Cody announces, "If it's okay Scott, I'm heading over to Kermit's with Jeffry for some breakfast?" He had seen the two, across the drive, but didn't get the name, Cody already introducing long distance, the two shaking hands. "Only one thing?" Jared question. "What's that?" Scott asks, watching Cody and Jeffry walk off the drive. "Shirts required?" In a sentimental plea, Scott asks, "You wouldn't happen to have one which would fit me?" With his swimmer's build, Jared says, "I think I can find one which you could fit into," Jared thinking it, `said the spider to the fly!' Right at this moment, it registered with Jared and not at all bent out of shape about Paul's breakup. Matter of fact, walking in the front door of the house, glancing back occasionally to carry on some conversation, he wasn't taken aback over the fact of age difference. From Scott's perspective, the questions Jared was handing out to him, like `Are you in a relationship now?', he sensed some interest. Inside the front door, it was Scott's turn, "This is where you live?" "I know things look a little discombobulated, but after the work is done, we hope it will look like a placed to be lived in." "`We?'" "I'm really having it done for Jay. Oh, you wouldn't know it, because you haven't met my brother. He gets around in a handicapped chair. We're making over the house to serve his needs." Entering the bedroom Jared has led him, Scott says, "And are you reconstructing this room to meet your needs?" Smirking, not which Scott could probably see, Jared was thinking about it, whether his thoughts were appropriate, addressing a guy 10 years older. It's not that age differences mattered, but it irked him a little right now, "Sure. It meets my needs," Jared does a sudden about face, "when a man who appeals to me is standing at my doorway!" Looking up, then back at Jared, Scott says, "Well, I'm not exactly situated `in' the doorway?" Stepping closer, Jared liked Scott's game plan, "So, you think you're appealing to me?" "Or else I'm reading into something which is fictional, perceiving it as real?" Scott replies, looking down and up Jared's shirt, coming to rest as eye to eye. "Do you always answer a question with a question?" "No," Scott says, allowing his words to lead, instead of hands, for the moment. Suddenly snapping out of the spell Scott had put on him, Jared says, "Well, okay, let me get that shirt," he sets himself in action, going to his closet. The only move Scott made was to stick his thumbs in the looping of his suspenders, move one, then the other over his shoulders, allowing them to drop to his sides. Turning around, a shirt on a hanger, it was like Scott had taken more of, Jared saying what he felt, "Weird. If I hadn't known any better, I'd be thinking you took more off than that?!" "Be careful." "Of?" Jared hands the shirt over. "Too late," Scott replies, feeding a hand into the sleeve. Jared stood there, his look telling all. "You just said two questions in a row?" Scott poses to him, smiling as he sheaths both shoulders, begins to button up. "The first was not a question for your information, but rather an observation," Jared was cautious not to make the inflection of his voice sound like `asking'. Then there was silence, Jared watching Scott close up the gap of his shirt. In a way, he was disappointed a moment did not occur which would have brought them together. Then again, he Jay and the gang waited on them at Kermit's. "Well, how do you think your shirt fits me?" "Almost as good me!" Jared replies with a smile. "Shall we go?" "Now `that' was definitely 2 questions in a row, Scott," Jared not caring if it were a question answering a question, only as a friendly get-even tactic. "Can we have a truce. Because if you don't, it might lead to other behaviors and I `would' like it if I had another chance to do this tonight?" Jared didn't have time to reply, or want to, looking deep into Scott's eyes, as Scott's hand lay on his shoulder, winding it's way around the back of his neck, leaning in to kiss. After they broke, about 30 seconds worth of smooching, Jared says, "I can't believe how long it took us to get to this point." "You're right," Scott agrees, pulling his suspenders up. "I don't know about you, but I was feeling `something' for you when I was changing the tire." Same emotions, a different twist, Jared says, "I know the feeling. Came to me every time you twisted a lug nut off!" As they walked out the front door, Scott asks, "How would you feel about a date with an older man?" "I'm not sure. Tell me, do older guys suck cock just as good as younger guys?" "Only one way to tell," Scott says. Expecting the usual answer, Scott offering to get to his knees, Jared says, "That would be?" "I do you. You do me. They call it a '69?'" "I know what it's called," Jared replies, not giving a firm reply. "Aren't you going to take the truck, now that I've changed your tire?" Scott asks, running a hand along Jared's truck. "What, and deprive Jeffry and Jake of all that exercise, motoring Jay back?" On the way to Kermit's, it was not a lengthy walk, both trading off stories of what they did for a living, Scott falling into the situation of inheriting the gas station he and his partner ran, along with a sympathetic judge releasing Cody into his care, based on a scribbled message, with signature confirmation. Some of the finer details, Scott tells him, "I really only worked at the station for, first, a lack of a job and secondly, income for us together, for our family. Everyone has to help meet ends." Having a bundle in the bank, it's not like his family didn't start somewhere, "I can relate to that." "There's a couple of things making me want to sell and move out of the business, lack of motivation to run it without my former partner and in the last year, as a result of some fierce competition, sales have really declined, with the opening of all these big auto retailers. There's just no need for a `mom & pop' business anymore and who can compete?" "Well, I'm not trying to put anyone down here, mainly you, but I get the feeling you have more education under your belt than what it takes to run a gas station?" A block from Kermit's Nook, Scott says, "Believe it or not, `when I was your age'..." Laughter, ignited by Jared, he says, "Sorry!" "You will be when you catch up to me, but as I was saying, before your laughter interrupted me, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away I thought of opening a book store or cafe, or maybe both. Now, I don't think I'd waste my time with a book store, everything going on the net, but selling the station and opening a cafe, I might feel inclined to like to be in a business such as this," said like Scott was waiting for an opinion. "I'm a business owner myself, marine store, two of them, but as for coffee sales, you got me on that one!" Jared replies. "Thanks for being honest and open." Holding the door to Kermit's Nook, Jared says, "Maybe you can take away some hints from Kermit." Scott didn't mean it to be funny, just came out that way, "Kermit's a person?" It became a highlight of the table's conversation, all of them trying to remember if they ever met `Kermit'. Being bold, Jay asks the waiter, "Hey, is there really a guy named Kermit?" The guys all agreed on being as baffled as Jay, the waiter replying, "There is, but I'm not sure if he's around at the moment." "Oh, we don't have to meet him," Jay speaks on the initiative, rather than claim responsibility for the whole group, "we just wondered if Kermit was a first or last name of a person, or a frog?" "I see," the waiter replies. "If you hold on a second, I'll go see if he's in the back." Going to the back, one of the other waiters see him flushed, asking, "What happened to you, Kermit?" "Like oh my god! This really cute guy was asking me about," Kermit gulps, "me!" "How come you didn't come clean and tell him?" the waiter, Jack, asks him. "Can't give you a clue, Jack. It was like, I was taking their order and this dude was doing all the talking and my eyes were set on him and..." "Dude," Jack places his hand over Kermit's shoulder, "you need to calm down and get a grip." "What do I do?" "First, you take off the waiter's apron and start behaving like you own the joint," Jack instructs him, pulling the little bow at the back of the apron. "Um, like it's only you and me waiting tables, Jack?" "Aren't I the best waiter you own?" "Among other things, Jack?" Kermit gives him a wry smile. Jack deviates from the current situation, "That was only one time, Kerm. You know we've had a strictly professional relationship since?" "Yeah, I can't believe my dad, God rest his soul, never caught on!" "Um, are you trying to weasel out of going out there and hooking up with that cute guy, Kerm?" "No. Why?" "Just go back to your office, Kerm," Jack turns him around at the shoulders, points him in the direction of the little cubicle, "get your jacket, so you look official," gives Kermit a shove, "and while you're introducing yourself, smile a lot, show those brighty-whities and make it sound like a joke," Jack gives him advice. With Kermit on his way to the back, Jack was on his way out to do some more waitering. First on his agenda was checking out the cute guy his friend and employer gloated about. Walking right to the table, he says, "Hi. I'm Jack," and rather than explain the whole situation about the switch up, "have you placed your order?" He didn't say it, but Jay did wonder, `What happened to the cute guy with the bowtie?' Then, with a lull, Jared picking out some food off the menu, it gave Jay an in, "What happened to Sean?" "Sean?" it didn't register for a moment, then Jack thinking he did it again, disguised himself using his middle name, but rather than tell all himself, "Uh, Sean will back in a minute. He had to go tinkle," quickly going off subject, addressing Jared, "Have you decided, sir?" `Sir?' Jared had a personal moment, thinking this dude not more than 2-3 years younger than him, yet it did jog a memory or two, same title he and Jay addressed their own father. After placing his order, Jack scoots off, Jared addressing his tire-changer, "You missed your chance, Scott?" "Missed my chance? How so?" "Place is busy and if you had been observant, they seem to be short-handed?" "They don't know me from Adam," Scott replies. "To get anywhere in this world you have to be assertive, Scott!" "And how would you recommend me doing just that, Jared, having the expertise to do so?" Scott leans his chin on his palm and stares. An already bonded interest, the others at the table could care less about Jack racing around the room, with Jeffry chatting up Cody, having a cub-to-cub conversation, Jake keeping a keen eye on Jack, Jay scouting the perimeter for `Sean'. "Let me tell you a story about this kid at my store, `Greg.' Once upon a time, when Greg was 21-years old and in college, he happened upon my old man giving a sales pitch to a perspective buyer of a midsize fishing boat...." Jay interrupts, "Give him the short version Jare," then to Scott, "or he'll bore you out of your skull!" "Um, like want to put a lid on it, little bro?" "Just sayin'." Again to Scott, "Jare gets real excited over this stuff!" Jay laughs. Jared scratches his nose with his middle finger, continuing, "As I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted," he coughs, "Greg walks up to this customer, which at the time my dad thought of him as being rude, but put it all past him after Greg compared both model boats, saying he had experience as a fisherman..." Jay interrupts once more, "Oh god, Jare. Don't you dare go into how Greg caught that Marlin?" Looking to Jay, Jared crossed both arms over his shirted pecs, turning to Scott, "Gist of the story is, Greg is the one who sold this customer the deluxe fishing boat." One more time, unintended to mock his brother, Jay tells, "Moral of the story, Greg wasn't getting paid to sell the boat, but because he was assertive and sold a more expensive model, our dad hired him and Greg is still selling boats for Evan's Marine, eleven years later!" Jared says sarcastically, "Thank you, Dr. Freud!" "So, what you're saying is, I should offer my services, even though I'm not getting salaried and maybe it might lead to a job?" Scott presents. Ready to open his mouth with his conclusions, Jared is shut up by Jay jumping in, "Yeah. Don't blame us for helping, because you were too cheap to do something for nothing!" "You know," Scott directs at Jared, "you're little brother's got moxie!" It worked though, Scott putting a hand on the back of his chair, launching himself out of it and heading for the tray Jack was assembling. Jared claims, "I was just going to say that to Scott." Having more important questions, Jay asks, "What took you and Scott so long to get here?" "Uh, not what you're thinking little bro. Did you like notice him wearing my good, white shirt?" Jared replies, a quaint smile on his lips. Jay quickens his reply, "Is he wearing your briefs too?" Sitting side by side, Jeffry and Cody talked together, Jake finally getting bored, "I think I'll go get assertive. Maybe I'll get a job out of it!" "Aren't you good?" Jared says to Jay. "Like, how would that go?" Jared tells him, "Maybe I should hire you as human resources manager at the store!" "I told you. Running the store doesn't interest me," Jay replies. "Let me tell you, though, kiddo..." Jay knew a sermon was coming on... "You better not sit around the house all day playing video games..." "Ok, dad, you can stop with the sermon. I forgot my violin, besides I already told you... Remember the little room with the pencils and paper you're having built for me?" "The `art room'," Jared coins it. "Whatever, I'm going try to work something out." Jared was ready to discuss further, only he lost Jay's attention, looking over his shoulder. Sure enough, as suspected, their waiter, Sean, was headed in their direction, Jared mumbling, "Figures." What better way to introduce yourself, than to walk right up to a person and announce, "Hi. I'm Kermit!" Jay read him right away, like a Hitchcock novel, nervous as all hell, Kermit's tongue stuck between his teeth, waiting to see if Jay was going to pick up on his little charade and accept it or write it off, "So, you're Kermit? I'm Jay. Have you seen our waiter?" Right away, Kermit puts his hand to his chest, "Me?" "No," Jay plays him out, "the other waiter who was waiting on us, that Sean-dude?" Probably about as much experience at life as Jay has had, though having lost his last surviving parent only last year, the 22-year old confesses, "Uh, like, I'm that Sean-dude. Sean's my middle name. Sorry for the deception, but I had to pitch in on the waitering and if I reveal my first name, people..." Jay, thinking, like Jared, something so simple could be made into a filibuster, "Important thing is you fessed up to your crime. Admirable of you," though if Jay didn't think the dirty blond was drop-dead gorgeous, he might not have been so forgiving, "thanks." "Really?" Kermit can't believe it went over so well, dropping his ass into the chair vacated by Scott. "Sure. We can understand it, right Jare?" Kermit throws his attention to Jared. Before Jared could say a word, Jay says, "Our last name is Evans. We own Evan's Marine. How come we haven't seen you around?" Jared, seeing he's about to get cut out of the conversation, faster than out of an unloved child's will, "Uh, I think I'll check up on Scott." By this time, Jeffry had escorted Cody out onto the back deck facing the lagoon, taking their coffee and pear pecan crumbcakes with them. "What happened to everyone?" Kermit's first reaction, he looks towards the front door. Jay didn't hold grudges. Guys come and guys go, so he wasn't so bent out of shape, by the comings and goings since Friday. He thought he was going to be forever tweaking up Eric's nips, amid the ginger fur, but that slipped through his hands. Next, Jeffry, well maybe that wasn't to be. However, he wasn't about to allow this moment go to waste, "Jake, the skinny guy?" which Jay was smart to bring up, hoping for a lead in to something about Kermit. "I didn't think he was skinny? More a swimmer's build?" Kermit says. `Fair enough,' Jay thought. After all, this wasn't about Jake, it was about himself, "Anyway, Jake an' me, we've been best friends since forever and last year he got kicked out of his house for being gay. Making a long scenario short, I've given him a roof over his head for the time being, but he needs a job. Got any openings?" Not immune to Jack's helpers, Kermit asks, "And the other guy with the plaid suspenders?" "Scott. I don't know much about him, except what his son told us. The chubby guy?" "Which one?" Kermit noticed two at the table. "Oh right," Jay remembers, the one on my right. "That's Cody. He's Scott's son, though not his real son, adopted I think. Cody's real dad died and his other dad, Scott, owns a gas station, but he doesn't really like it, so he wants to sell it and open a cafe. All kidding aside, I think he wants to steal some of your ideas?" Right now, Kermit's elbows on the table, chin resting on the shelf of his folded hands, he wasn't paying that much attention to details, "Nice of him to offer to help Jack out." And because he was already sensing how close Jay and Jake could be, "Jack and I, we met in college and like your friend Jake, didn't have a home to go home to, so came home with me. We lived together for a little while..." "Lived together? Like how would you mean it?" Jay asks, thinking it stoopid as hell afterwards, "I mean... none of my business, really." "That's okay. We were lovers for a short while," said by Kermit, like asking approval. The table kept Jay from falling forwards, however Jake and Jeffry neglected to engage the brake lever and as Jay would call, blowing his cover, "Oh damn! Not again!" It made Kermit pick up the white linen table cover and look underneath, "What tha?" Bracing himself, Jay's face almost landed in the dollop of whipped cream, atop the slice of Pumpkin Chocolate Cherry Bread, his nose a 1/10 of inch from getting creamed. From viewing Kermit adjacent at the table, to doing a pushup off the edge of the table, Jay looks up, "How did you do that so fast? You like, saved my life!" "Are you kidding? I'd be up for a lawsuit if I allowed you to drown in whipped cream?" Kermit returned the smile. "While I have you, how about we go out on the deck? There's a beautiful lagoon out back?" Jay had grown up in these parts, at least during the summer months. He well knew about Blue Lagoon, more recently reworked by the town, deepening the shallow bed to accommodate light craft, mainly paddleboards, small skiffs and one-person sailboats. Any boat powered by liquid fuel was forbidden, to keep the pristine look. Though, admitting he had patronized Kermit's Nook before, but not with a `pet', "Um, do you mind if Thor comes with us? He's a very well trained dog?" Kermit's surprised by Thor, walking out from under the table, and maybe using a bad choice of wording, Kermit says, "I didn't even see you sneak him in?!" Confessing, Jay says, "Yeah, you got me, but if anyone objected to Thor being here, we would have left." Defending Jay, Thor sat down, reaching one paw up, like an adult would offer up a hand for a handshake, Thor driven to receive a pawshake for his actions. Reaching down, Jay watches as Kermit takes Thor's lead, Kermit saying, "I have to admit, he's more mannerly than some of the customers who patronized the Nook." Then, standing, Kermit says, "You've done a good job training him." Not letting on, about Arrow doing all the work, himself receiving the benefits, Jay simply leaves it as, "Thanks." Out on the deck, resembling a porch attached to the back of a house, a long house, Kermit wheels Jay under the ledge of a triangular shaped table. "Now, this is something different," Jay replies. Seating himself, Kermit tells him, "Not all customers are a party of four or six." Jay asks, "Are you expecting a third?" As he asks, Jared comes along, pulls out the chair and seats himself, saying, "So, what's up?" Like, Jay didn't have any problem with Jared quickly hooking up with a stranger, Scott, but knew, as soon as a dude started honing in him, his brother would be there, for the simple idea of checking him out. Of course, why should Jay doubt it, Jared starting right in on the 22-year old, "So, what's your story, Kermit?" Sitting next to Jay, Kermit says, "I went to a private boy's school and from there, right into college, deviating off course to cooking school, but also with an interest in business. Believe it or not, when I was old enough to discover the cafe being named for me, it had been like a quest to own it someday. Unfortunately, I had hoped my father would still be alive to help me run it." His hand lingering on the rail of the wheelchair, Jay puts his on top of Kermit's knuckles, he says, "Jare and me," Jay steals a glance to his brother, "we kind of went through something like that. When I was still a kid, our parents were killed in an auto crash." "Stinks!" Kermit says, turning over the hand under Jay's hand and sandwiching it shut with his other hand. Jay couldn't get a word in, Jared asking, "What happened to your mother?" "Left my dad when we were in high school, with some French dude, who wooed her off her feet. I haven't spoken to her since. Frankly, I have no idea where she's living. She hasn't contacted me either. I don't know if my dad knew. He didn't say. I think all around we both resented the fact." Jay would have liked to have consoled Kermit, but he knew the drill, to remove his other hand from the other railing, he might wound up with his nose in more than whipped cream! "Stinks," Jay replies. "You like my word?" Already conscious of not much excitement stirring up this conversation, plus a longing to `check out' what Scott is up to, Jared says, "If you'll excuse me, I've got to use the men's room." They both laughed when Jay says, "I wonder what Jare's going to use it for?" "It doesn't happen often, but mostly with a couple of high school kids, with no place to meet, don't get down and dirty, will meet for coffee. Then the other drifting off to the mensroom and as has happened, with their hands on each other's cock, myself or Jack show up!" "No way! Really?" Jay says. Then, with excitement and a strong sense of curiosity he asks, "Like how do you handle it?" "Even though I wouldn't mind standing there and perhaps reaching down in my own pants, it's my place of business and I need to keep it clean," Kermit replies. After 2 seconds of silence, "However, Jack, he claims if they are both hard, he'll be merciful and let the pair shoot their wads." "Sounds like Jack's a nice guy," Jay says. "Oh, then I suppose that makes me a nasty meanie!" Kermit says, not too seriously. "Not at all the opinion I got from Thor?" Kermit says, "I like your dog!" Conscious of his own predicament, Jay asks, "If you don't mind me being in this chair, I'd like to find out more about you?" "Sure. Another time, though, because we're really busy and I should be helping out." Jay understood, but also was under the impression of getting the brushoff, not unheard of when it came to not being able to get up and run around like other guys. Then again, felt maybe something different, Kermit again profusely apologizing before he departed. However, he returned 3 minutes later, "I can't believe it!" he sits next to Jay. "Is Jake behaving himself?" "No. I mean, I suppose so, but Jare and his boyfriend, Scott, they are taking up the slack. I like, don't need to help out!" Kermit says excitedly. It was news to Jay, picking up on Jared and Scott, boyfriends? However, when Jared and Scott ferry some vittles out to the deck, Jay has plenty to say, "Hey Jare, the boss says you and your boyfriend are doing a superb job?!" Scott asks Jared, "We're boyfriends?" "Why do you think I stole that kiss off of you, dummy!" Jared replies. Jay further rakes his bro over the coals, "Uh, like giving up the marine business, Jare?" Jared again scratched his nose, saying, "You mind your business, bro, and I'll mind mine?" It gave Kermit the impression Jay and his brother didn't get along. With communicating it to Jay, again Jay explained how close they really were, but not filling in all the gritty details! It wasn't a quick brunch, Kermit getting up once in a while to see how the business was running and since it was like auto pilot, Jack, Scott, Jake and occasionally Jared keeping things running smoothly, time flew by, until 2 o'clock rolled around. Finally, Scott comes by, asking, "Whew! When does a guy get a break around here?" Kermit says, "You're not on the payroll yet, remember?" "So, I'm not governed by union rules?" Scott says. Making it official, Kermit asks, "Are you interested in a full time position?" Having scantily talked it over with Jared, about the gas station business in slow decline, Scott jumps at the opportunity, "Yeah, I think I am." More businesslike, Kermit asks, "Would you happen to have a resume?" "No, but I can draw one up and have it for you tomorrow morning?" Scott says. "Great," Kermit replies, smiling, "bring it with you to your first day of work. And oh, I'll be paying you today for a full day's work. You guys earned it!" Knowing he wasn't the only one attributed to keeping the Nook running next to normal, "Should I pass the same information onto Jake?" Because Jay had mentioned his bud before, Kermit asks, "Jake's not working now?" "No. He's kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place, since his dad threw him out of the house and terminated his job at the family gas station. Now he doesn't have any family, except me and Jare," then feeling fur on his ankles, "and Thor!" "Where's he staying?" Kermit asks Jay. "At the beach house. I can't make it up to the loft, so I told Jay he can make it into a habitat for himself." Drawing a sketch of Jay's history on an order pad, Kermit jots that down, asking, "Will he be paying rent?" "No. Jare and me, we really aren't hurting for the money and how can I charge a guy I've known for three quarters of my life?" "I'm sorry for being blunt, but I've had guys his age skip out on me and it's no simple matter to train a new employee," Kermit explains. "Jake catches on fast and whether or not you think it's a benefit, Jake has a way of establishing repeat business!" After asking, Kermit wasn't sorry he dug deeper into Jake's history, sitting through the story of how Jake ran from the beach to the station, almost late, having to service customers all day, only dressed in a bikini-type swim suit and flip-flops. Even so, Kermit figured Jay the best person to break it to Jake, "He'll need to wear a shirt, pants and dress shoes. That's the way my dad ran the Nook, with a little upper class dress code. People like it." "Yeah," Jay agrees, looking over at Scott. "But you didn't say anything to Scott about the plaid suspenders and red cap?" "I know, because I caught him in conversation with one of my loyal patrons. They both were talking up Scott's Scottish heritage. I have a feeling Mr. MacDonal is going to think twice about having brunch at another cafe!" Jay looks up, seeing Jeffry approach, his hand coupled with Cody's hand, "Hey, are you going to be sitting here all day by chance?" Jay knew a hint, when a hint was thrown into his court, making a corporate decision on his own, "For awhile I guess, until Jare is done. Why? Where are you off to, Jeffry?" Knowing he wasn't being too slick for Jay, Jeffry replies, "Cody and me, we thought we would walk the town for a few hours. No problem in meeting you back here," although, Jeffry would rather head right back to Cody's place, to get to know each other better! "I'm almost ready for my afternoon snooze," Jay replies, "Jake can take me back." Jeffry checked another time, to make sure it was kosher with Jay and then was off. "Hey, anytime you need a lift... I mean a push, back to your house, I'm okay with leaving Jack in charge?" Kermit tells. Rather dwelling on Kermit's kindness, Jay says, "That'd be cool. Then I could show you around, but I warn you, there's a lot of remodeling going on and the place kind of resembles a battleground?" "Trust me, I've lived far worse places," Kermit replies. Knowing there was a story there, Jay hoped being friends would last long enough to hear it out. After noon, the place got jumping, Kermit having to leave Jay's side. Every once in awhile either Jare or Jake would come by to make sure he was okay or needing something. Having downed enough hazelnut coffee, Jay opted for a bottle of water. Personally, Kermit showed up, screwing off the cap to a Perrier for him. "Sorry, I only have a second," he poured some of the glass, hurrying off. However, as quick as he did, Kermit comes back, whispering so only Jay could hear, "By the way, it's slowly sinking in what you said about Jake and the customers!" He didn't stay around long enough for Jay to find out `how', because when it came to Jake, things almost always had an erotic twist to it! About 2pm, after sitting there at Kermit's Nook, Jay had to `go'. Looking side to side, he was sure he could not navigate around the patio deck. He bit his lip, thinking about how desperate he was getting and without Jared or Jake in sight, it made matters worse. Then, a ray of hope flooded his brain, bracing his shoulder to the table, leaning over and commanding, "Thor, go get Jare." Thor lay there. "C'mon you lazy bum, go find Jare and bring him here." Jay had to laugh at himself and Thor, the dog thinking human, not wanting to inconvenience his restful lounging, slowly getting up, almost one limb at a time and then heading off. "What a good dog!" he was awarded, coming back. However, instead of Jared, Jay says, "Oh, I didn't mean for Thor to go and find you!" "I guess this makes me one of the family!" Scott says. "Besides, I was probably the first he recognized, Jared in the kitchen doing dishes." Breaking out in a toothy smile, Jay exclaims, "You're kidding? Jare doing dishes?" Though, part of what Scott constitutes as a business with a thorough working environment, "Happens when everyone clicks and works as a team." "I have a feeling Kermit is going to like you around here, but he won't like `me' very much if I get his deck all pissed up. Um, do you like know how to help a guy like me go to the jon?" Placing a hand on the chair, Scott replies, "After you explain it, I'm sure I can a get a grip on things!" Thinking on it a sec, Jay's throbbing cock, not for the reason he would like, but out of necessity after drinking a whole bottle of Perrier, "Whatever, but we better make it quick!" Quick it was, Scott being overly cordial, steering Jay from out on the deck to a more subdued indoor environment, down a hallway, where Jay laughed, seeing Jared through a kitchen door, getting wet at the sink, then pushed through a door, Scott saying with the blast, "Oops! I forgot about your legs!" "No problem. That wasn't my legs you heard crashing through, but the footings of the chair. Don't worry, if it was me, you'd hear me cursing you out!" Scott wasn't sure how to assist, asking, "What should I do? I mean, you need `help' or..." "Nah. Just stand there and watch, Scotty," Jay replies. "That's what my father used to call me when I was a boy." A little interesting, more important, Jay was having a problem, "Uh, I don't quite have the hang of this with just my zipper down. Um, like don't take this wrong, Scotty, but can you help me get my pants open and my cock out?" It made Scotty burst out in laughter, replying, "My, you have a way with words, Jay. Of course I would be happy to strip your butt and help you hold that monster!" But it wasn't a monster, only a little inflated and then right after the yellow juice was expended, whatever state of rigidity Jay's cock had amounted to, fell soft. "Dang it!" "What's wrong?" Scott asks. "You don't know this, but the only time I get some kind of hardness is when I have to pee. Right after, it goes flat," Jay says glumly. "I know. Jared had mentioned it." "What?" Jay asks, more out of astonishment. "When?" With sudden candor, Scott realizes he should have not said that, but since it was out, "Talking with Jared, about four-fifths of our conversation had to do with you. You have to remember, I'm partly responsible for bringing up Cody. Sometimes with that kind of experience a father gets carried away with adding some expertise." Done peeing, waiting for leftovers to surge, so his shorts don't show little dots of `wet', or worse, Jay says with wishful thinking, "I hope you and Jare are going to be seeing more of each other." "Oh," Scott says, with waggish reply, "I didn't know I had to go through Jared's social director to schedule an appointment!" "I'm done," Jay says. It took minutes for Scott to figure out how to fit Jay back together again, heaving the waistband of the shorts up his rounded butt, making sure cock and balls fit back into place, to avoid any man's horror of getting skin caught in the zipper. Trying to turn the wheelchair around proved fruitless in the small cubby, Scott winding up holding the door open with his butt, backing Jay out. "Oh, by the way Scotty, I'm not Jared's keeper, though he's mine!" "Somehow I think that is something which works mutually good for the two of you. However," Scott had to lean over to talk, out in the open cafe, "if you need help, I'm here for the asking!" "Well, I'm surely confident," Jay plays him up, "you can assist in taking me to the jon. Didn't spill a drop!" Strangely, after spending a week at the beach house under construction, Jay wasn't the least bored with the day slipping by at Kermit's Nook. Out on the patio deck, Kermit suggested moving Jay to the far left, which was a spot usually saved for a more intimate brunch, lunch or dinner. There, Jay didn't feel self conscious about napping. Waking up, the sun had traveled across the sky, heading for the horizon. "Hey! Wake up you lazy bum!" Jared slaps Jay across the middle with his apron. "What time is it?" Jay stretches, to the east and west, a little unsteady. "Dinner," Jared tells him. "What? You let me sleep the whole day away?" Jay replies. Then, missing a person, "Where's Kermit?" Sitting down next to Jay, Jared replies, "Showing Scott and Jake all about what's needed to close for tonight and open tomorrow morning." "I wonder how busy it is on Sunday?" Jay asks. "Probably a duplicate of today, but I've got to be over at the store," Jared says. "Why don't you get religious and close it on Sunday's, Jare?" "Because if I did, the remodel of the beach house would never be finished?" Jay looks to him, "I thought you said we had the money to do it?" "We do, but the next time we want to spend some money, if there's none in the accounts to do it?" Getting the message, like agreeing, Jay asks, "Who is going to be staying with me?" Jared was in a predicament. Little did Jay know, Jeffry had backed out of taking care of Jay, saying he was taking the job Arrow's friend had offered and for the time being, taking up residence in the apartment, with partially paid rent, until Jeffry got on his feet. "And I doubt you will be seeing much of Jeffry, with Cody around." "You know what?" Jay was bitter over it, like he finally had a nice bear cub in his life... "What?" "Fuck Jeffry!" Jay sat there, his head falling to his chest, almost. "Hey, what's up?" Kermit read into the conversation. With always the best for Jay on his mind, Jared replies, "I think Jay needs an unbiased ear to talk to." He gets up. Sitting down, Kermit says, "What's troubling you, Jay?" Down on everyone at the moment, something which has been the ups and downs of his life since the surfing accident, Jay gripes, "I suppose you're the next one who is going to walk out on me, not giving a fuck?!" Instead of putting himself on a pedestal with others, Kermit doesn't even mention what he knows about Jeffry, supposedly how their relationship seemed to be evolving, "I was thinking about taking some time off tomorrow and leaving Scott in charge. With that, I won't have anyone to spend my free time with?" "I'm not much fun," Jay replies. "That's because you haven't tried out my new catamaran!" "What?" Jay's attention span brightened up immediately, hearing of a vehicle, meant to sail along of the waves. "You've got a catamaran?" "Yup. Brand new. I've been dreaming of getting one for a while, saved it up and a month ago placed an order. I had it delivered on Thursday and I suppose you were sent to help me try it out. Were you?" Kermit made it like an offer which could not be refused. "Of course!" Second thoughts, "If I can!" "We'll make it happen!" Kermit replies. "Now, how about getting out of here and getting some dinner?" "Cool!" Jay was once more on the upswing of his emotions! On the way out, Jay thought twice about Kermit, holding up the set of keys to the cafe, having them swiped out of his hand by Scott. "Not that I'm for or against it, more for it, but aren't you kind of overly-trusting about a guy you just met today, Kerm?" "I'm holding back on you," pushing Jay towards the door, Kermit leaves a smile on his face, wondering how Jay will respond, knowing each other about as long as he has known Scott. "I like him!" Jay blurts out. "Oh?" Kermit suddenly stops, looks down at the top of Jay's head. "How would you be meaning that?" "I'm not into older guys," Jay stops short, not sure Kermit would understand why he liked Scott, for one of his assets, as he saw it. "Well, that's good to know," Kermit continues on pace. Thinking it, `who was holding back now,' Jay opens up, "Don't get me wrong. I like Scott. He's a really nice guy and I think he would make a nice boyfriend for Jare, but I have to admit, when I first look at a guy, I..." Again, Kermit put on the brakes, "You, what?" Looking upwards and even so Kermit's face was upside down, Jay thought him good looking, but it itched him to get it out in the open, one of his fetishes about men, but in case Kermit didn't have any, "I don't know why, but the first time I look at a guy, it's his hair that turns me on. Make sense to you?" "Hair? Like, where?" "Under the shirt?" Jay holds his gaze. It was a little, piddly thing, Kermit thinking it rather cute, than something obscure, weird or a reason to be turned off, "Well that's good, because I've got plenty of it!" "Really?" Jay says, a look of astonishment on his face! After a brief laugh, Kermit says, "You know, right before you said it, Jay, you licked your lips?" "Oh no! Horrors! I didn't?" "Yep, you did," Kermit says. As they regain their stroll, Jay questions himself, "I wonder how many other times I've gestured that same way and how many times I've been snagged?!" Out of curiosity, Kermit asks, "And you? A hairy guy?" "No, not very much," Jay thought, Kermit like himself, whether he preferred hairy over smooth, "in fact, other than my pits, all I've got is a hairy little, squiggly happy trail?" he looks up at the underside of Kermit's head. "That okay, Kerm? You're okay with mostly smooth guys?" "Don't take this wrong, but it doesn't matter to me," Kermit replies, smiling. "I hope I didn't weird out on you?" "Nope. I think it's kind of cool. Get ready for a sharp right turn!" Hearing it, Jay held on, but the way Kermit handled the chair, it was like, "You're pretty good at this, Kerm." "I got enough years of practice. My younger brother, 2 years apart, had MS. Our parents had us later in life. They were older, so welcomed the opportunity to have a `strong' son," Kermit laughs about it. Catching part of the conversation, one word stuck in his mind, Jay asking, "You say he `had' MS. He's cured now?" "Uh, no. He was afflicted with it from 8 years old and didn't make it past his teen years." This time Jay put on the brakes, holding a hand up, because when he looked up, Kermit didn't have that bright outlook on his face, "Hold it a second." "What?" Kermit asks, not realizing he wiped an eye with the back of his hand. Then, noting it, "I'm okay." With lack of the facilities to get up out of the chair, Jay grabs onto Kermit's arm with one hand, gives a pull, "C'mere and give me a hug." Without reluctance, Kermit bends down, runs his hands down Jay's shoulders, saying, "David used to say the same thing to me, when he could talk." After about two minutes, Kermit stands, saying, "Sometime I will tell you the whole story." As he started to pushing Jay, Kermit is surprised, "Oh wow!" "What?" "Your dog. I forgot all about him, but look, he's right beside us and I didn't even realize it!" Jay then realizes something himself, "I guess I forgot to introduce you guys. This is Thor. Thor, say hello to our new buddy, Kerm!" Turning right around in his tracks, Thor sits, extending a paw. "Wow! Did you teach him that?" Kermit asks. "Of course not. Thor is a smart dog. He learned it all on his own," though Jay didn't know for certain, but probably it could be attributed to Arrow. When they reached the seafood restaurant, Jay wasn't sure the management would allow a dog, but found `Kermit' to be key in getting them through the door. Too, a small cue, whoever was ushering people in, recognized Kermit and zipped them right inside, the dude claiming they had reservations! It was his first matter of conversation, Jay asking, "Do you know the dude at the door?" Rolling Jay under the table, setting himself down in a padded chair, Kermit replies, "If he wasn't so busy, I would have introduced you two. Kenny Baldridge." Waiting for Jay to make the connection, he does, "Works for the family business?" Jay guesses, from the overhanging sign where they came in, reading, `Baldridge House.' Skipping over the obvious, Kermit gets on with the more interesting parts, "Kenny and I were in school together most of our lives, but didn't connect until high school. It's amazing how we were both smart nerds, but never thought about hanging together." "You were a smart nerd?" Jay giggles. Sending a message, Kermit replies, "Hey, we all can't look like Zac Efron! I bet you were a football jock or something?" "Nah. Football was only a spectator sport, if you know what I mean. My real fun thing was surfing," and it surprised Jay himself, not phasing him to say, "it's what put me in this chair." "You sound like you've gotten it together?" Jay just sat there, staring at Kermit, a little smile on his face. "What?" Kermit replies. "You." "What about me?" "Well, not all you. I should have listened to Jare. I've been real cranky about being alone and then suddenly, this weekend I've had more guys in and out of my life, than in the past year. I'm glad I met you. I hope you're going to be one of the guys coming into my life and going out. Am I making any sense?" Jay speaks frankly. "Plenty! Our parents brought us up, always saying, `things don't happen without a reason'. I suppose it's the reason they were both in the business of running the Nook. My mom passed away when I was fifteen and my father ran the business alone. At first I was against taking care of David so much, but time passes and I saw that life wasn't all about me, that there was room to share it with others. I suppose it's what you felt being all alone, before all these guys dropped into your life?" "We'll talk about this sometime, I suspect, but Jare and me, we were close brothers, too." "Close? How close?" After all, even though he didn't say anything, Kermit had noticed Jared and Scott being a little more than buddy-buddy to each other. In the kitchen, once, he caught Jared slapping Scott on the butt, Scott responding by leaning towards Jared, kissing him on the cheek. "If you're wondering if Jare is gay, he is, and if you don't know by now, me too?!" "I would hope so!" Kermit laughs. "Well, not to prolong your curiosity, we were more than your usual pair of brothers." It's then Kermit opens up, "David was straight. I never had any attraction to him, except helping him out, which wasn't the same feelings I had towards Kenny!" "The plot thickens," Jay giggles. "Not much to the story of Kenny and me. High school students who never bothered with each other until we caught ourselves looking at each other's dicks in the boy's room our senior year. We both admitted we didn't know what took us so long to discover each other." "Then you became lovers?" "No," Kermit replies, "more like curiosity-seekers." "Without the strings attached?" Jay guesses. "Exactly. There was some passion, but mostly we jerked each off and then one day, out of the blue, Kenny said he wanted to know how it felt to be fucked." "Cool!" Jay says with excitement, then subdued as day and night, "I mean, really? You fucked him?" "No. Apparently Kenny was two-timing me with the tuba player in the marching band. We set a date, time and place. Kenny said at lunchtime no one bothered using the practice rooms. Having just gotten there, we began to strip and who shows up but the big-assed tuba player." "He had a big ass," Jay readied to cut a joke, "and you didn't fuck him?" Kermit made sure he kept this quiet, "I hope you don't like big cocks. I'm only like 7 or 8 inches. I don't think I could cut through all that blubber!" It made Jay laugh, saying, "Um, like I can't feel much from the pubes, down, so I won't know if you were drilling me with 5 inches or a perfect 10?" Play on words, Kermit asks, "How about a corkscrew?!" It then became a game, each trying to outdo the other, expanding their play on words to cock, stick, pole, golfballs, walnuts, until they had frustrated their vocabularies. They spent two hours eating, sharing food from each others selection off the menu, telling a little bit more about their individual histories, Jay ending with, "That was the best brownie and ice cream I've ever had!" Experiencing how a person with a disability could be affected mentally, Kermit shared in the joy of Jay's laughter, even though it was over a little thing, like how tasty dessert tasted. More so, Kermit got good vibes sitting there throughout the whole duration of their meal, sensing he was ready for another challenge in his life, one cut short by his own brother's passing. Different from a sibling to care for, Kermit felt, with Jay, things could get intimate and be alright, for the fact his knew challenge fell in the realm of being gay, not straight! % Copyright 2013 T. Chase McPhee `FiRE iSLAND BiKiNiS', and developing segments of this story, may not be sold, nor made part of any collection, without prior consent from the author.