Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 07:20:45 -0700
From: Steve Thomas <s4d@hotmail.com>
Subject: Leonards-Lust - Ch. 8

This is a fictional story. It is based on many experiences and fantasies
of the authors. If you are really into graphic sex, it may not satisfy
your purpose for coming here. If you like to hear of real love and real
teen angst, with a little sex thrown in, you are in the right place.
There may be some amount of graphic sex between males. If this is
objectionable to you, or you are legally too young to be here, you are
cordially invited to press your back button.

Cast of Characters:

Leonard Kirk Harston (Lenny)

Lawrence Olivier Goodwin (Rennie)

Mrs. Harston, Lenny's mom

Mr. Harston, Lenny's dad

Mr. Goodwin, Rennie's dad

Mrs. Goodwin, Rennie's mom

Joy -- Rennie's older sister

Jennifer -- Rennie's younger sister

Bobby -- Joy's husband

Seth -- Lenny's friend

Luke -- Seth's lover

Chris -- Seth's Brother

Criag -- Chris's lover

Jake Smith -- Seth and Chris's cousin.

Colin -- Jake's husband & Bobby's brother

Morty -- Rennie's Cousin

Ursula -- Jake & Colins daughter

Uri -- Jake and Colin's son

Carrie -- Jake's sister

Uncle Jake -- Jake's dad

Aunt Lindy -- Jake's mom

Renate -- The Goodwin's housekeeper

Etta -- the Smith's housekeeper


Chapter 8

Ren

Lenny went home early that night. He said he had to study for an exam or
something like that. I told him I didn't mind, seeing as I had a lot to
think about myself. I walked him out and we shared a sweet kiss in the
courtyard.

"I could come back over with my stuff and study here... If you need
someone here?" he said. It was more of a question, than a statement.

" I appreciate that, but I guess I'm gonna hafta get used to this being
by myself. At least for a while anyway." I replied smirking. I definitely
want to spend the rest of my life with this boy. I gave him a kiss on his
forehead (which was a good trick, since he stood at least a head taller
than I) and told him not to worry and closed the door.

I was alone.

For the first time since it had happened it seemed I was able to think
clearly for some reason. It was almost like I was detached from the
situation. I already knew that I would not be able to stay here. There
are waaay -- too many memories. I'd hafta figure out what to do with all
this stuff, too. I think I'll go through it, and what I don't keep,
I'll give to charity. I still didn't know what I should do about my
inheritance. I mean it wasn't a question of whether or not I was going
to split it with Bobby. He, and my cousin, Morty are the only family I
have left.

I walked into my Fathers office and sat in his chair. I could still smell
his cigarette. Dad had been smoking for years in this office, and he
thought mom never knew. She did, of course. It was just one of those
things that always went unspoken. I wonder what he saw in it? He only did
it when he was stressed, or worried about something. I reached into the
drawer where he hid them and took one out. I rolled it around in my
fingers, the way I had seen him do a million times, when he thought I
wasn't looking.

I need a lighter! Hell, if my dad did it for years then it must be of
some use. "Now where the hell did he keep it?" I thought as I went
through all his drawers. Something else caught my eye though before I
found it. It was a revised copy of my parents will. But why wouldn't the
lawyers have a copy of this? As I read over it I saw it was an answer to
my prayers. This one specified that any of my sisters' spouses would
receive their share in the event that their children's death proceeded
their own. It also named Bobby specifically for a few things, and he
inherited dad's business as well. Dad knew that I wouldn't be
interested in that, and seeing as Bobby was already working on and off as
my dad's assistant that made perfect sense.

Lenny:

I drove home in my old car. As I pulled up and parked by the curb, I
looked at my parents house. My parents house! I'd never thought about it
that way before. It was always my house -- or our house. It was not quite
a fixer-upper. But it needed so much. It was a tract home from the
sixties, and the neighborhood was also well worn. It reflected about how
I felt. I was tired.

I went into the house and into my bedroom. I looked at the saxophone case
in the corner of the room. I looked at my unmade bed. I usually made my
bed, but lately, I had always been in such a hurry to get over to Ren's,
that I left it unmade. I would close my door on the way out and mom
didn't intrude.

I wearily got out my books and started studying. It was hard to
concentrate, but it had to be done. As I was almost falling asleep trying
to concentrate on Constantine's triumphal homeward march to -- well --
Constantinople -- now Istanbul, Turkey, My dad poked his head into the
room.

"Leonard, can you come out here and talk with us for a bit?"

I was glad for the diversion. I shook my head to wake up more, and said,
"Sure!"

They were waiting for me in the living room.

"Leonard, we wanted to talk to you about something. But first, how are
Lawrence and Bobby?" My mom said.

"Well," I started, "They are -- well, how do you think they are? They are
not too happy right now. They still -- still can't quite believe what
has happened."

"It must be horrid. I can't even imagine what they must be going
through." She added.

"And how about you, Son?" My dad said. "You have spent nearly every
waking hour with them since this happened. And quite a few of the
sleeping hours as well. How are you? Did you know the family well?"

"Not really all that well, Dad. They were nice enough to me."

"And that housekeeper -- Renate -- weren't you almost kind of afraid of
her?" Mom asked.

"Heh! Yeah, at first -- before she knew she could trust me."

"Trust you?" Dad said. "Why wouldn't she trust you?"

"Well -- I don't know -- it's just -- she has been with them so long
and feels very protective of Rennie and his sisters."

"So," continued my dad, "in your case, she was protecting Rennie from
you? Isn't that kind of odd, Son?"

"I don't know. Never gave it that much thought, Dad."

"I don't think a housekeeper would spend that much effort -- protecting
one of her charges -- from -- well -- just a friend. It just seems odd to
me, that's all. As far as I knew, Rennie was a fairly new friend to you,
wasn't he? And yet -- and yet, maybe through all this trauma with the
accident and all - terrible business -- well, you have become pretty
close friends, huh?"

"Yeah." I could feel droplets of sweat rolling down from my armpits. "We
found we had a lot in common."

"Really?" Dad said. "From what I could see when we were over there, there
was very little in common with our situation."

"They are pretty wealthy, if tha's what you mean, but we just kind of -
" I stopped to clear my throat. "Dad, what are you driving at?"

"Son, something has been eating at me ever since -- well, one night soon
after the accident. I looked in on you two and he was softly stroking
your face -- it looked very intimate."

"Oh! Uhhhh - " I stammered. I remembered the time he was talking about.
"Well, uh -- he thought that I was -- I mean he called me his mom - and
uh -- I just -- uh -- I didn't want to -- I mean I didn't know what to
do, so I - "

"And at the funeral -- the two of you -- you seemed to be almost always
nose to nose. If I didn't KNOW better, I would have maybe guessed that
you were -- uh - "

I was sweating bullets by now. As tired as I was a few minutes ago, I was
wide-awake and my mind was racing a mile a minute! I was worried about
this, and yet I had not given it any forethought. How stupid could I be!
All I could think of was Rennie and how much I loved him! I let that get
in the way of thinking how I would answer these questions that I KNEW
would come up eventually. All these thoughts occurred to almost in an
instant and seemingly all at once. Then it came to me. A certain calmness
came over me. I thought again how much I loved Rennie -- and how he loved
me.

" -- kind of sweet on each other?" I said. That would be exactly how my
dad would have put it.

"What?" He said nearly recoiling at the thought -- even though he was the
one thinking it first. I guess hearing me say it -- out loud -- was very
revealing to himself. ""What did you say?"

"You were saying that you thought Rennie and I looked like we were -- and
I said, `kind of sweet on each other'. Was there something else?" I
calmly asked.

"Don't you talk back to me like that, young man!" he said, sounding more
defensive than offensive.

Again, very calmly, I said, "What is it you want to know Dad?"

He did recoil this time, as he said, "Don't you raise your voice to me,
BOY!"

"Dad, I didn't - "

"Leonard!" he commanded. "Are you telling me that you are a homosexual?"

I couldn't believe how calm I had become. "I was not telling you
anything, Dad. You were suggesting something to me, and I was responding
to it. I guess to answer the question that you still have not really
asked me -- I am in love with Rennie. I am not attracted to girls --
sexually -- never have been." Dad was on his feet in an instant, looking
like he was trying to think of something to say, but he was doing nothing
more than sucking air.

I continued. "Rennie and I discovered our mutual attraction recently,
yes, but we also found out that we have been watching each other since
9th grade. I guess to an outsider it probably would look like love at
first sight -- but it was a long time coming."

"You -- you -- you - " Still sucking air.

"Yes, I love him. And he loves me!"

He finally got a hint of control. "You're a fucking QUEER?! No! NO!!! No
son of mine's a fucking queer! Tell me I misunder -- but no you've
already told me haven't you!? WELL?? Haven't you?" I only nodded. "So
all this time that we trusted you -- thought you were only consoling a
grieving boy, you were fucking him weren't you. And he was fucking you!"
My mom was crying by this time. Dad was out of control. And that -- that
-- that Bobby? He's a queer too, isn't he! I saw the three of you
cuddling on the bed. I have heard how your dirty little queers like to
mix it up in threesomes and -- and -- and -- "

"Orgies?" I suggested.

"Out!" he commanded. "Get OUT of my house!"

"Dear, maybe we shouldn't be - " my mom started.

"SHUT the FUCK UP, Woman! No son of mine is going to march himself into
my home and calmly tell me that he is a -- a -- a -- pervert! A
candy-assed, girly little queer!" He turned back to me, and lowered his
voice. "Okay, you little fairy-boy, you've made your bed -- now you can
just go SCREW in it! But not in MY house. I don't want to see you here
in the morning. I'm sure there is room at that hotel over there that
your pansy-assed little friends lives in. And that whore that was
protecting you! Armada -- or whatever she was called - "

I had had enough. I walked to my dad and stood inches from him. I towered
over him. I was still very skinny, but I had the advantage over him. "You
will NOT talk about my friends that way! You will NOT! Say what you want
about me, but don't ever let me hear you -- EVER -- talk that way about
the people I love!" He backed away. I calmed done and lowered my voice --
and attitude a few notches. "And as far as that goes, Dad -- Mom -- I
really do love both of you -- very much."

I guess he could not take that. "Out! Get OUT! Get you stuff and leave
this instant!" I looked at my mom and she gave me a half withering/half
helpless look. I turned on my heel and walked slowly out of the room.

"Leonard -- son - " my mom's voice.

"NO!" My dad interrupted. "He's no son of mine -- of ours!"

I calmly walked into my room, shut the door and sat down on my bed.
"Well, that could have gone better." I quietly said to myself. Then I
broke out into sobs. I buried my face in my pillow to mask the sound, and
sobbed and sobbed. When I was cried out, I went to packing my bags. And I
do mean bags. I had no suitcase. I went to the kitchen to find some more
bags and then remembered some boxes I saw in the garage. When I came back
in the door was locked. I reached into my pocket and my keys were not
there. They were in my room.

I kicked the door in, and my dad was standing there glaring at me. I
glared back and walked straight at him. He nearly jumped out of my way. I
went to my room and finished throwing everything I could fit into the
containers I had. I didn't want another encounter with my dad, so I
opened my window and lowered my stuff to the ground, then climbed out,
myself. I was glad I was not driving the Miata, because there was too
much stuff. My dad had momentarily forgotten that it was really his car
that I was driving. As I was pulling away, he came running after me,
yelling that I couldn't take his car, but I drove off. I would bring it
back in the morning.

I knocked at The Goodwins' door. Bobby answered. "Oh! We -- er -- I --
didn't expect to see you again tonight!" He then looked closer at my
face. He didn't wait for an answer. "Rennie -- Len is here!" He called
out.

Rennie came from around the corner. "Oh! I thought - " Then he saw my
face. I guess it looked pretty bad -- tear-streaked and red eyed. "What
happened, big guy?" He crooned.

I looked into Rennie's eyes and saw pure love. And concern. I lost it!
"Ren -- Ren -- Rennie -- I feel like such a fool!" I sobbed some more.

"Why, Baby?"

"Oh come on! You -- you -- you have (sob) gone through so much, and I --
I -- am such a baby about this."

"About what? What happened?"

"My dad kicked me out."

"What?!!" Ren said incredibly. "What -- I mean -- but you -- oh! You told
them!"

"Yeah. And my mom was right there with him. Oh she was crying, but it
wasn't that she agreed or felt sorry for me. No! She was sorry for him!"

"Aw Lenny, they'll cool off."

"No -- you don't know my parents -- my dad! He's one to carry a grudge
to the grave! And my mom -- well she just doesn't think for herself! Oh
god, Rennie, Oh my -- unh -- unh -- (*SOB*) Look at me! I'm going on
like a complete fool. You have lost your entire family -- well
practically -- and they loved you so much! All I did was be kicked out.
I'm such a baby! Such a fucking baby!"

"What I have gone through has nothing to do with your pain. And the fact
that my parents loved me so much is one of the things that makes it
bearable for me."

My dad -- he -- he --he was such a NERD! Well, still is! They both are. I
still can't believe they named me after SPOCK!" I even smiled at that --
through my tears. "But my dad was so mean -- EVIL -- to me!" I held
Rennie to me and sobbed. My tears falling on his head.

"How about your mom?"

"Like I said, she was crying, but -- but -- she - "

"So she is not so angry at you?"

"Oh, I think she was crying because she was losing her only son -- and
that I made her husband so angry. She was pissed all right. I saw it when
she was here -- and she just glared at me. She knew then. My dad probably
did too, but he was in such denial, he would not admit it until -- until
-- (SIGH!) the funeral. Oh, Rennie, what would I do without you?"

"Where's your stuff?"

"What?"

"Didn't you bring your stuff with you? You ARE moving in here!"

"Ren, I have to sit down." He let me go. I went to the couch and
collapsed. Relaxing just got me started again. I bawled like a baby.
Rennie came over and knelt on the floor and hugged my head.

"I asked you a question. Did you bring your stuff?"

"Oh -- yeah. I was hoping I could maybe stay for awhile."

"Only for awhile?"

"Well, until you get tired of me." I said seriously.

"Good. That's perfect! Because I will never get tired of you! I watched
you for the better part of three years, pining over you. You think I will
get tired of you? Not in THIS century."

"Well, (*shuddering SIGH*) Where can I put my stuff? Will you guys help
me bring it in. I'm afraid it's just a lot of junk."

"Would you mind putting it in my sisters room? It is the one down the
hall from mine, upstairs."

"Sure, but -- we may have to sneak over and steal my bed. I've seen your
sister's bed. It's too small for me."

"You're a pretty funny guy, you know!"

"What?"

"You get to put your STUFF in my sister's room. You -- SON -- will NOT
be sleeping in there!"

"Oh." I said sheepishly. "Sorry, I guess I'm just a little stoo-pud
tonight."

"Let's go get your stuff."

Bobby was standing there during this whole exchange. He was smiling,
grimacing and even cried a little when I first came in. We went out and
carried in my array of bags and boxes. When we were finished, Rennie
said, "So -- what now?"

"I don't have anything planned." I answered. "I'm way too tired to
study. How about you?"

"Well, I can think of one thing." He said. Bobby snickered.

"What?" I said, expecting I knew what he had in mind.

"I think we should take your parents' car back to them -- tonight!"

"Oh! Okay -- that's a good idea." It wasn't what I was expecting!

Rennie followed me in the Miata, and I parked the car in front of my
parents house. The lights were all out. I locked it up and jumped in the
Miata. He drove away. We got a half block away and I told him to go back.
He backed up, and I got out. I walked up to the door and knocked loudly.
My father came to the door. He stood there glaring at me. "Well?!" He
growled.

I handed him the keys -- house and car keys -- Then I said, "Good bye --
Mr. Harston." And walked away.

He just stared at me. No not at me, through me, as I walked to My car.
Rennie said he was still standing there when Ren looked in the rear view
mirror and let the bird fly. I, on the other hand, did not turn back.
Don't plan on it either. But that didn't keep me from starting to sob
as soon as we were away from my parents place. I cried hard until we
approached Ren's street.

I was braced for the turn, but instead of turning, he passed it. I was
exhausted, but figured I might as well go with it. He drove us out to the
beach. There were some people out there but it was late and for the most
part we were alone. Damn, I was reminded of that first time we met, at
Ren's cousin, Morty's place. I thought about our first, very chaste
kiss. I smiled. Rennie saw it and asked, "A penny for your thoughts,
Sexy!"

"Heh! I was thinking about how we met at your cousin's place. It seems
like it was a year at least -- even though I know it was only a few weeks
ago." He pulled me down to his level and kissed me again -- about in the
same way we kissed that first time.

We walked out onto the beach holding hands and sat on the edge of the
shore so the wakes were breaking just in front of us. Ren was really
quiet the entire time, and I got the feeling he was thinking about his
family. So we sat in silence for a few minutes -- it seemed like hours.
Finally he spoke:

" What do you think they're doin right now?" He asked the night air. "I
mean, do you think are they in Heaven? Is there such a place? Are they
looking down on us right now? Can they hear us?"

"Well," I answered, not knowing what to say, but just coming from the
heart, "I do believe in heaven Babe. And I am sure they are looking down
on us right now." I whispered in his ear.

" Len, we have to talk." Rennie said. He sounded so serious. "When I look
at us, I see -- well, I see long term. I mean, I love you more than I've
ever loved anyone in my entire life. I love the funny way you twirl your
hair around your finger when you're nervous, and the way you sip your
drinks. I can't imagine ever not having that."

"Ren - " I interrupted.

" No, Let me finish. I decided I'm gonna sell the house. I simply can't
live there anymore. There are too many memories everywhere I look. I've
been thinking about it and I think I wanna buy a place by the ocean.
Somewhere with a view. The reason I'm telling you all this is because I
-- I want you to be there with me -- as more than just my boyfriend. I
want what Craig and Chris have. You remember them, right? I need that
right now. I need security. I need you Leonard Kirk Harston."

"Wow" was all I could think to say. Was he -- was he saying what I
THOUGHT he was saying?

" Are you -- are you asking me to -- marry you?"

There was a long silence. That was it! He was asking me to marry him. A
million thoughts immediately rushed though my mind. Am I old enough? Am I
really ready for this? Is He? Is this just a cry for help from a lonely
boy who just lost his family or was this the real deal? I looked at him
for a long time. I searched his eyes for something to tell me what to do.
All I found was Love.

" I -- uh - I"

Notes: Well, well, well, Kenjamin finally has his chance on the soap box!
First let me tell you it is an honor and a privilege bringing these
characters to life for you. Also my I publicly express my love for my
co-author Steve. Although we have never met, he is like a big brother to
me. This has been an exhilarating experience writing with such a master
of the art. Sorry for the cliffhanger but I hafta keep you guys
interested don't I? You'll notice I am adding an email address to the
pot for you to send your comments to: s4d@hotmail.com (Steve) or
kenjamin99@yahoo.com (me) Until we meet again-kenjamin