Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:20:53 -0600 From: Roy Subject: Leith - chapter 15 - Gay College section This story is entirely fictional, and any resemblances to actual persons are completely coincidental. Actual locations are mentioned, and are used for 'background' only. This story happens during the period of time when my earlier story, 'Phalen,' ends. Many of the character's names are Finnish. For those who wish to know how they are pronounced, read on. Mikko - MEEK-ko Paavo - PAW-vo Joel - YOE-el Halonen - HALL-oh-nen Roy roynm@mac.com Leith - chapter 15 "That whole thing was intense." Leith propped himself up on his elbows. Both he and his father were still naked and were lying on the carpeted floor of the unfurnished bedroom of Mikko's new loft. His father was lying on his back with his head cradled on his hands, staring at the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought. "That it was." Mikko rolled his head to the right and looked at his son. "Leith, we can't continue this." Leith looked toward his father and raised is eyebrows in silent inquiry. "This," Mikko continued, making a vague motion that encompassed the entire room. "Since we got to Phoenix, I've been coasting. I have to start doing *something* to meet new people." He looked at his son with a serious expression on his face. "This thing with Joel has got to stop. I'm having a difficult time to not think that we could go back to our college days when we spent all of our time together. I think Joel is having an even more difficult time of handling things. If we don't do something soon, someone's going to end up being hurt. I would much rather Joel and I be miserable than to have Susan and the boys suffer." "Can you really call it quits, Dad? I mean, *really*? If Joel comes to you and you guys begin kissing it'll never stop." Mikko gave a gusty sigh. "You're right. Maybe when we move, things will be easier since he and I won't be around one another so much. I've been trying to spend more time at the new office, but there's nothing really for me to do there other than watch the place get built. I've gone out with Larry for lunch a couple times, and it's during those times that I realize how much I want the companionship of another guy my own age." He paused a moment and then amended himself. "A guy my own age, other than my brother." ---------- "Hey guys, what's happening?" Kent was sprawled in one of the large chairs in the living room, sitting sideways with his legs draped over one of the chair's arms. He was reading a book and smiled as his father gave him a distracted smile and ruffled his hair before walking down the hall to his office. He heard the office door close and he turned to his brother who had taken a seat across the room from him and was slouched down with his feet resting on an ottoman. Kent frowned slightly. Something was wrong. Brett never looked as disheveled as he did now. His hair looked like it had been combed by his fingers and his shirt wasn't tucked in properly. If it had been anyone else, he would not have thought anything about it . . . but, it was unique behavior for his brother. Brett shoved himself out of the chair and gave his brother an preoccupied grin as he walked headed toward his room. "Wait, Brett!" Kent quickly got up and followed his brother, pausing at the door to his room. None of the brothers entered one another's bedroom unless invited. "Brett, what's going on?" "Huh? With whom?" "You, stupid. You and Dad. Something just happened and you're both feeling weirded out. Did you guys have an argument?" Brett shook his head and flopped back on the bed with a whoosh of air. "Damn, I'm worn out." He looked toward Kent and grinned. "Well, don't just stand there. Come on in and close the door." Kent slowly closed the door and walked across the room, sitting in the same chair he had spoken to his brother and Leith from, only days earlier. "Now, what is it Kent? What's bothering you?" "Nothing's bothering, *me.* It's you and Dad that are bothered by something. What happened at Mikko and Leith's new place? Did you guys have a fight or something? Why are you guys so quiet." He looked at his brother closely. "You're acting sorta guilty, and Dad's all serious, and your shirt tail isn't tucked in, and your hair looks like you didn't bother to comb it. It's like you had to get dressed really fast or somethin." His eyes got large. "Did Dad and Mikko catch you guys fooling around?" Brett rolled his head to the side and gave his brother a stern look. "I'm not being a nosy little brother, Brett. I'm bothered by whatever's going on. Can you make me feel better?" Brett sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, Kent. I can't make you feel better." "You can't, or you won't?" "Some of both, I think. Please, Kent. I don't know what else to say to you. Things are just tense, that's all. I mean Mom is all freaked out because I'm gay. She thinks I'm going to turn you gay because you're hanging around me like you didn't used to do." He held out his hand when Kent was about to speak. "Kent, I love you hanging around. In the past few weeks I've gotten to know you better than I ever had before. I think you've also gotten to know me better. Kent nodded and smiled. "Mom's also jealous of Dad and Mikko. I think she thinks they're too close. We both know how Mom likes to control stuff, well it's like things are spinning out of her control. First me and the gay thing. Then you hanging around me, and Dad and Mikko liking to hang out together. I imagine she feels as if her house has been invaded by outsiders and that's when everything started to happen. Also, Dad doesn't spend the time with her that he did before Mikko and Leith came to town. It'll pass, but she doesn't like it." Kent sat back in his chair not really accepting the excuse his brother had given him, but seeming to be aware that he wasn't going to get any more information. "Well, it seems as if everything boils down to Mom's feeling left out. If that's the case, she'll have to deal with it on her own, huh?" "Yeah, I guess," Brett, rolled his head to the side and looked at his brother sitting close by for a couple moments. He opened his mouth to say something more but closed it. "There's more to it than just Mom feeling insecure, isn't there?" Brett nodded and closed his eyes. "Will Mikko and Leith be back tonight? Did you leave them at their new place?" "Yeah, that's where we left them. I'm sure they'll be back sometime." "Are you gonna be moving like Glenn says?" Brett shrugged. "I want to, so I can be with Leith. It's also closer to school, which is cool, but Mom doesn't like the idea, and we all know what that's like." Kent grinned and slowly nodded. "I'll miss you, Brett. I've gotten so I like our conversations." "Well, Kent, I haven't moved yet, and it's nowhere near assured that I *will* be moving, so don't get all serious on me, okay?" Kent tried to smile and nodded. "If I *do* move, I'll miss you too. I've always thought of you as my little brother. You still are, even though you're bigger than me." He grinned and stood, stripping out of his shirt and wadding it into a ball which he tossed toward the clothes hamper as if he were playing basketball. "Now, you're more than my little brother. You've become a friend. I like that." Kent stood and spontaneously hugged his brother. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, Brett. Thanks for talking to me like I'm an adult. Mom never does. Same for Glenn." He looked at Brett curiously for a moment, as if his thoughts had been interrupted. "I don't like people thinking I'm a kid who can't think." He hugged Brett once again and then kissed him on the cheek. "I love you, Brett." He backed up a step. "Now," he said, suddenly becoming serious, "maybe you could tell me if this stuff you've got in your hair is dried sperm." He reached out and touched Brett's hair and smiled. "That's why your hair is all messed up and your shirt tail was out when you got home. You and Leith had sex! This must be his stuff in your hair." Brett blushed and then slightly jerked his chin up a bit before he shrugged and tried to smile. Kent made a face and groped himself. "Now I'm all sexed-up thinking about you guys being naked. Could I kiss you? You're an awesome kisser." Brett looked as if he might say no, so Kent jumped in before he could. "I promise I won't ask for anything more." He held his hand up as if taking an oath, all the while looking at his brother with sad eyes. Finally, Brett nodded. "I like kissing you too, Kent." "Awesome." Kent whispered as he stepped close and took his brother in his arms. He looked Brett in the eyes and slightly smiled before he began to run his tongue lightly over his brother's closed lips. They could feel one another tremble as they each opened their mouths, and the gentle kiss became something much more passionate. Kent pulled Brett closer and thrust his hips forward pressing against his brother's rapidly stiffening penis before he reluctantly stepped away. "Shiiiit," he whispered. "You're so good at that. I could kiss you for hours and not get tired." Brett seemed slightly breathless, but smiled and nodded. "Same here." He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled. "Whew! If anyone had told me a few weeks ago that I would enjoy kissing my youngest brother I'd have told them they were crazy." "Cool." Kent smiled brightly, and turned toward the bedroom door. "Thanks, Brett. You're awesome." He smiled and waved as he closed the bedroom door behind him. ---------- 'Things are getting out of hand.' Joel closed the door to his darkened office and then slumped into an overstuffed chair, rubbing his forehead. 'It's one of those situations where you know you can't have what you want, and not being able to have it makes you want it all the more.' There was a gentle knock on his office door. He made a slight face of annoyance before inviting the person in. Susan stuck her head in the door. "Are you busy?" "No, come on in. I'm just thinking." Susan closed the door and perched on the arm of his chair, taking his hand. "Do you want to talk?" Joel inhaled deeply and then sighed. "It's nothing serious. I was just thinking about Mikko's new place. It's beautiful, by the way. And all the things that brought him and Leith here. I was thinking about the boys getting older, which is making me feel old." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "I also was thinking how lucky I am to have you at my side. Just being maudlin, I guess." He quickly leaned forward and slapped his knees before he stood and held out his hands to his wife. "Enough of sitting alone in a dark room. Let's go out to dinner. Just us. The boys can take care of their own dinner." He swept her into an embrace, pleased to hear her happy laughter. ---------- The sound of workers, power nailers, and other motorized equipment filled the air, as did the sound of a radio blasting out a song mourning someone's lost love. Mikko shook his head and wondered why he needed to be present to watch the workers build his new offices. 'I'm only in the way. Hell, I wouldn't know a door jamb from a . . . a . . . fire damper . . . even if someone gave me a hint!' He looked at his watch and smiled. 'Just about quitting time. I'm looking forward to a bit of quiet.' He sighed, leaning back against the wall of glass looking out onto downtown Phoenix. The temporary door to the office opened and Mikko looked up, thinking it might be another delivery. Larry smiled broadly, called his name, and motioned for him to come closer. Mikko smiled as he walked across the room, brushing himself off as he went. "Hey, Larry! You're the bright spot in my day." He shook Larry's hand and patted him on the back, enjoying, as always, Larry's brilliant smile and accompanying dimples. "How's the lawyer business?" Larry laughed and held the door open for him. The construction sound faded somewhat as they closed the door. They stepped into the elevator lobby, and into the attentive gaze of the receptionists in Larry's office. Mikko smiled a distracted greeting at the man standing next to Larry and turned his back to the receptionists. "They try not to miss anything, don't they," Larry muttered, half to himself before he smiled. "Mikko, I'd like you to meet Andrew, a great friend of mine." He turned to Andrew and continued speaking. "Andrew, this is Mikko. He's overseeing the construction of his new offices. Mikko extended his hand to the tall man and was immediately captivated by his pale brown eyes that seemed to dance with amusement. He was sure those eyes missed nothing. Andrew's handshake was strong and warm. He was a handsome man, in a rugged sort of way. His brown hair was streaked with blond highlights. That and the tan suggested he spent much of his time outdoors. His voice was slightly deeper than Larry's, and he had a beautiful smile that tilted slightly to his right, giving him a rakish appearance. Mikko could imagine him in a plaid flannel shirt heading out for a hike in the wilderness. Today though he was casually dressed in a pair of light-colored slacks and a crisp white sports shirt which allowed some of his closely-clipped chest hair to show at the neck. Mikko chanced a brief glimpse at Larry, but all he saw was Larry's Cheshire-cat smile. "Andrew and I are going out for a drink and thought you might like to join us." Mikko glanced from Larry and then back to Andrew. He cleared his throat, not trusting his voice. He noticed Andrew's eyes twinkle and his grin widen. "Um, sure, I'd love to join you." Mikko hurried back into the noisy construction site to grab his bag and tell the workers he was leaving. Andrew looked away from Mikko's retreating back and turned to Larry and smiled. "Wow," he breathed, glancing into the construction site where Mikko was speaking with one of the workers. "I think I'm in love. You think he might be gay?" Larry barely shrugged. "*I* think so. He's never said anything, so I really don't know. I jokingly told him one time that I was going to play matchmaker and pair him up with one of the secretaries from work. He grabbed my shoulder . . . hard . . . and told me he didn't want to date a woman, no matter how cute I thought she was. Funny thing is, I never *said* she was cute." They both turned and smiled as Mikko shouldered his bag and closed the construction door behind him. "I hope you guys don't mind me being a bit grimy." He brushed at the front of his pants, whisking away some stray flakes of sawdust. "I'm glad I don't work construction. I hate being grubby." He looked up, satisfied that he was at least presentable, and smiled. "I'm ready. Let's go. I'm ready for a little enjoyment." The three men were laughing as the elevator arrived and the doors parted. "I'm glad you've abandoned the idea of setting me up with one of your secretaries, Larry. That's all I need." The elevator doors closed. "You mean being set up, or being set up with a woman?" Larry glanced at Andrew and caught him rolling his eyes. Mikko wasn't watching the two men and missed the quick movement. "Being set up with a woman, I guess." "So, I set you up with a guy instead." The elevator chimed as they reached the building's lobby. As the doors parted Larry laughed at the look both Andrew and Mikko gave him, one of exasperation, the other puzzlement. "Easy guys." He looked at Mikko and smiled, flashing his dimples. "I thought you both could use a new friend, so here we are, going out for a drink." "So this isn't a set up? You're not trying to make Andrew and me into a couple?" Mikko teased. "Of course I am, but you have to be friends first . . . right?" Andrew tilted his head back and sighed. "Larry, Larry, why don't you just throw me at the guy," he muttered. Andrew tried a reassuring grin on Mikko at the same time he was giving Larry a dirty look. "Relax, Mikko. Neither of us are going to jump you, but if you'd rather not be seen with two gay guys, now's the time to bail." Mikko shook his head, trying to sort out everything he'd just learned. "So, Larry. Is this your normal method of coming out to people you know? Bring along an unsuspecting friend and out him at the same time?" Larry flashed his dimples and shrugged, totally unrepentant. They crossed the lobby and stepped into a wall of heat that was typical of a desert afternoon. "Why Andrew, Larry? Why *me*?" Larry shifted position, so Mikko and Andrew would be walking next to one another. He turned to his right and smiled once again. "Andrew because he's lonely." Before Larry could continue, Andrew added in sotto voce. "And horny." Mikko barked a laugh, liking Andrew's dry humor. "He needs a nice guy, and I thought you might be the one . . .." He paused and looked at the two men who were walking next to him in silence. Mikko raised an eyebrow, silently requesting a further explanation. "Okay, I thought you'd look hot together." The three men stopped at a crosswalk, waiting to cross the street. "And I was *right*!" "Now's the time to bail, Mikko. If you hang around, no telling what Mr. Blabber-mouth is likely to suggest." Mikko smiled, enjoying the interaction between the two men, as well as the fact that he liked the idea of making two new gay friends. "I think I'll hang around and see how deep a hole he can dig for himself before one of us pushes him in." Andrew burst out laughing. Larry merely looked pleased. "Why don't you two be a couple," Mikko asked as Larry opened the door to a restaurant and motioned for them to enter. "If looking good together is the end goal, the both of you would easily qualify." "We were a couple, for a while." Larry waved to someone he knew as they crossed the dining room, and ushered them to a back table. "But then *he* fell in love." Andrew playfully punched Larry's shoulder. "With a handsome, *young* architect-guy, who has a beautiful smile, great body, a wonderful personality, and I'm sure is sexy as hell in bed." Andrew slowly shook his head. Larry's grin faded slightly as he glanced across the table. "So, this architect-guy is better than Andrew?" Mikko teased, winking when Andrew suddenly looked up. It was obvious to Mikko that all this talk about once being a couple was disturbing to Andrew. "No, he's not better. He just happens to be the person I fell in love with." He glanced at Mikko as they each ordered a drink. "I love Andrew too, just in a different way. I want to see him happy." "And you think *I* can make him happy? You don't even know if I'm into guys." Larry grinned at the waitress who brought their menus before turning back to Mikko. "You're right. I *don't* know if you're into guys. But." He held up a finger to make a point. "Since you're sitting here with us, you're not offended by the idea. That's good." "Men," Andrew said. Larry quickly turned to look toward the restaurant's entry, causing Andrew and Mikko to laugh. "Sorry." He bowed his head slightly, grinning to himself. "I *meant* to say. Men, let's stop talking about me like I'm not present. Larry, you're making me feel as I'm a slab of beef to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. So stop, okay? I can dig myself into my own hole." He turned to Mikko with a serious expression on his face. "Well, Mikko. If you're not totally put off by all my ex-boyfriend's couple-making efforts by now, would you like to go to dinner with me? We won't tell Larry where we're going. I promise he won't be anywhere nearby." Larry snorted in the background, asking no one in particular if *this* was the thanks he got for finding Mr. Right. Mikko grinned at the interplay between the two men and returned his attention to Andrew, who was grinning at Larry's comments. "I already know everything there is to know about Larry, and though he *is* interesting, he is also committed." He turned to Larry and studied him for a moment before turning back to Mikko. "Sometimes, I think he should *be* committed . . . but that's another story." Mikko grinned and glanced from one man to the other. Andrew frowned slightly, and then continued in a more serious tone. "I'm sorry to say I don't know anything about you, such as if you already have the perfect person in your life and all this talk about going to dinner is going to put you in an uncomfortable position." He took a sip of his drink and made a slight face as he set the glass down. "I guess I should have asked that first about the perfect-person-in-your-life-thing." He smiled brightly. "See, Larry, I don't need *you* around to embarrass me. I'm able to do a perfectly respectable job all by myself." Larry reached out and patted Andrew's hand with mock sympathy. "Well, guys. I'm not committed to anyone." Andrew quickly sat back in his chair and let out a long slow breath and then smiled. "I can't say if I'm a person who could make you happy, Andrew, but sure, I'd enjoy getting together for dinner." He leaned closer and spoke in a stage whisper. "You can tell me all the dirt about Larry." He raised his eyebrows and smiled when Larry suddenly looked thoughtful. "The story's too long to tell in one sitting," Andrew warned. "Good, then we'll have to go out a couple times so I can hear the entire thing." Andrew smiled and nodded, looking very pleased. "Wonderful!" Larry leaned back in his chair and looked smug for a moment and then leaned close to Mikko and muttered. "He's a great kisser." Andrew ignored Mikko's laughter as he slowly shook his head. ---------- The twins looked up from their computers as their father knocked on the door to their bedroom. "Hey, Dad. Did you win the lottery or something? If I didn't know better I'd swear you've either a big winner or you're in love." Andrew laughed and walked into the room and flopped back on the bed, his arms stretched out to his sides. "Guys, I think I *am* a winner, but I don't know if it's love." He sat up suddenly as if struck by a thought, and then fell back on the bed and smiled, tilting his head up slightly to look at his sons, "but it certainly could be defined as hard core lust. Larry introduced me to a friend of his . . . and he is one super sexy man. I about dropped to my knees the first time he smiled at me." "Very cool, Dad. So, I guess the mourning for your relationship with Larry is over, huh?" Andrew threw a pillow at Thian, who caught it in mid-air and threw it back. "Let's hear everything. What's his name? What's he look like? What's he do for a living?" Kerin picked up where his brother left off. "How well does he fill out his pants? Do you think he's a top or a bottom?" This time the pillow found its mark. "He fills out his pants very well, I'd have to say. He fills out his shirt very well too." Andrew sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. "We have a date to go out for dinner tomorrow evening." He looked up at his sons and laughed. "I feel like a teenager before his first date." "Too bad you're not a virgin." Kerin held up his arms to fend off another tossed pillow, but his father only nodded solemnly. "I doubt *he* is either. Not with a butt like that." "Name, Dad," Thian asked, prompting his father with a motion of his hand. "Mikko, Mikko Halonen. He's an attorney who has just moved here from Chicago with his son, who's also gay. They just moved into one of those new loft buildings near the University. Leith, that's his son, is going to be a freshman at the University. He is *so* good looking guys . . . Mikko, not his son, though I imagine he is as well. He's my height, and sort of built like Larry, tall and lean, with narrow hips and wide shoulders. His hands are wonderful . . . so strong and warm." Andrew lapsed into silence until Kerin cleared his throat, urging him to continue the description. "He's got curly black hair and green eyes with the darkest eyelashes. He's got a warm fuzzy voice and a wonderful carefree laugh. He likes to tease, and he doesn't mind being teased in return." Andrew sighed. "Either he was half-hard the entire time I was with him, or he has one hell of a dick." "Don't worry Dad. You can take it." Andrew looked around for another pillow. "Watch that mouth, Kerin. I'm bigger than you and I can still give you a spanking that you'll remember." "Ohhh, look at me," Kerin teased. "I'm shaking in my boots." He turned to his brother. "He always brings that, 'I'm bigger than you,' thing up. I *know* he's bigger than either of us, T. It's just like those people who have horse-dicks to go around bragging about them to everyone they meet." Kerin lowered his voice. "Hey buddy . . . wanna see my wanger?" Andrew snorted in the background, while Thian nodded agreement. "Wanger," Andrew muttered, raising his eyebrows. Thian shrugged and grinned as his brother continued talking. "And he keeps threatening to spank one of us, but does he ever *do* it?" Thian shook his head, sadly. "Nope. Hell, I've been wanting a good spanking since." He thought a moment. "Since forever, and all he does is threaten." "Maybe this Mikko guy will get Dad to spank *him.*" "You think?" Kerin frowned. "Lucky guy." ---------- Leith sprawled on the large rug, propping himself up on his elbows as he visited with his father who sat cross-legged nearby finishing his lunch. The two men were resting on the floor of their, as yet unfurnished, living room waiting for the next wave of delivery people to bring the furniture for the rest of their new home. During their meal, the brilliant sunlight had gradually faded into the shade of early afternoon. Both men welcomed an opportunity to be alone, away from the prevailing tension of Joel and Susan's house. Brett was still asking to be given permission to leave home, and had begun making veiled threats that if he wasn't given permission, he'd take matters into his own hands. While both men appreciated the calm and quiet of their new loft, they missed the presence of Joel and Brett who had remained at home in an attempt to calm Susan, who had done her best not to cheer with the departure of her nephew and brother-in-law. "How are things between you and Brett?" Leith tried to shrug and turned onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow while he traced patterns in the rug with the fingers of one hand. "Things are good. Since we've moved to the new place I feel as if I've been exiled though." He glanced around the large room. "This place is so cool, Dad, and I like being here with you . . . without Aunt Susan. Things get so tense around her sometimes. But, I *do* miss Brett." "I heard you call him Mr. Studly, the other day." Leith grinned and nodded absently. "You also said you love him." Mikko left the sentence hanging, waiting for a response. Leith shifted position once again, this time lying on his back with his hands behind his head. "I do." "Is that it? You do?" Leith grinned and then ran his fingers through his hair, a habit he'd had since childhood and grinned at his father. Since Mason's death, Leith and his father had grown close. His father was now treating him as an equal, rather than as his young son. "Yes, I love him." He paused a moment, closing his eyes as he thought. "I don't know *exactly* what that means though, and he's never said he loves me." Mikko waited for his son to continue. "Who knows? Maybe I use the word love, too casually. I don't know." "Do you love him as a lover, as a person you want to spend the rest of your life with?" Mikko watched as his son stared at the ceiling for a few moments before he answered. Leith didn't usually say things without thinking them through first. That was why he was surprised to hear his son tell Brett that he loved him. "I don't know." He shifted into yet another position, this time sitting cross-legged facing his father. "Dad, I truly don't know if I want to spend the rest of my life with Brett. I'm not even sure *Mason* was someone I would have wanted to spend the rest of my life with. If I don't know that about *Mason,* I'm surely not going to be able to answer the question about Brett." He paused a long moment, staring across the room. "I'd have to say that Brett and I are helping each other. Right now we need one another." "I'm comfortable around Brett. He listens to me, and jokes with me. He's funny." Mikko raised his eyebrows, surprised at the description of his serious and shy nephew, but didn't say anything. "He *is* funny," Leith repeated, glancing at his father and knowing what he was thinking. "He just needs to think more highly of himself. When we're alone he laughs and jokes a lot." "Dad, I can't know exactly how serious I am about Brett. Ya see, he's only the second person I've ever had sex with, and he's so different than Mason." Leith looked embarrassed. "I sorta think of him as fragile or something. He's never thought too highly of himself, that's why he went into gymnastics, to help build his body up. He thinks he's too short, too light skinned, and that his dick is too small. When he thinks of himself, he's thinking of a person who is full of flaws. He's taken with me right now, maybe because I encourage him to believe in himself. I tell him he's cute, 'cause he is. I tell him his dick's great. It is. I certainly wouldn't want it to be any thicker!" He laughed at himself and at his father's expression. "I don't know if he's serious about me, or me about him. I'm not anxious to go out and fool around with a lot of guys, but until the two of us have reached some sort of understanding, I want the freedom to be able to do that, and I want *him* to have the same freedom. If we have an understanding, then we'll do whatever we've agreed to do." "I also appreciate that he hasn't judged me or made fun of me because of my feelings for Mason. He's given me space to recover and a shoulder to cry on. You did that, Dad, but Brett is different. Maybe it's because we're the same age. I don't know." Leith bowed his head and thought for a moment. "Those things could make me *think* I love him when I really don't." He shrugged, picked up an unused paper napkin and began to toy with it while he spoke. "I think . . . I *hope*, both of us will know if what we feel for each other isn't really love, and will be able to let the other go if need be." He looked up at his father and grinned. "But right now, I'm having fun with a person I *love* . . . and I *miss* him." He studied his father a moment and then changed the subject. "Dad." He paused for a long moment while his father quietly watched him. "Sometime, can we have a talk about Mom and Mason . . . about how they died?" He took a ragged breath as he crumpled the napkin into a tight ball. "I'm not asking any questions now, other than if we can talk. I think . . . sometime . . . I'm gonna *have* to talk . . . when I'm ready, that is. If it's okay with you." Mikko took a deep breath. "Okay, Leith. Sometime . . . when *both* of us are ready. The wound is too new for me to be able to say anything other than what I've already said. That doesn't mean there's more to tell. It just means, I . . . can't bring myself . . . to talk about the entire incident right now. Do you understand?" Leith absently tossed the crumpled napkin ball from one hand to another and nodded with a slight jerk of his head. "I think I do." He grinned a crooked grin and snorted softly. "Brett warned me not to ask questions if I wasn't sure I was ready to hear the answers." His voice trailed off. "Brett's a smart young man. I'm glad you're listening to him." ~ to be continued ~ Thank you for taking the time to read my work. I've been amazed at how many of you have contacted me about 'Leith' and my other story, 'Phalen.' I *always* welcome your email and enjoy hearing your thoughts. If you would like me to send a pic of the character(s), please ask. I have three other stories you may want to read. 'Phalen', 'and 'Chris' are located in the Nifty College Section. The third story is called 'Wesley', and is located in the Adult Relationships section. I hope you enjoy them all. Best wishes, Roy Reinikainen roynm@mac.com suomalainen_abq@mac.com