Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 22:30:07 -0500 From: Lee Mariner Subject: Mark - series Part #36 MARK Part #36 _ DISCLAIMER: This is a gay fictional fantasy and details homosexual acts between consenting men and boys. IF YOU ARE NOT OF LEGAL AGE TO BE READING THIS MATERIAL OR YOU DO NOT APPROVE OF SUCH MATERIAL, STOP AND GO NO FURTHER. All events, locations involved and people are fictional. Actual reference too existing geographic locations is generic and does not mean the author implies the gay lifestyle is condoned and/or advocated. Mark and Carl walked through the side door into the kitchen as John and Sharon parked next to his Explorer. Lee was standing at the railing with his coffee waiting for them and called out "Hi John, Sharon got a fresh thermos of coffee if you care to join me." "I'll be right there as soon as I get these bags carried in Lee. Where's Mark, inside?" John says. "Yeah, he and Carl are probably in the weight room. Need any help there?" "Nah, we can make it Lee. Hang on, be there in a second." John replies. "Ok bro, bring a cup when you come out. I only have mine." Lee says. Sharon and John carry their bags inside and John asks her if she wants to join him and Lee for coffee before she starts unpacking. "No John." She replies. "You go ahead, I want to get this stuff put away and then decide about dinner." "Ok babe. I'm going to check on Mark and then be on the deck if you need me." John says. Walking by the weight room, John opens the door and sees his son and Carl working out on the Bowflex. Walking over to the boys, he asks how they are doing. "We just started a few minutes ago Mr. Michaels." Carl replies. "Mark and his uncle only got home about an hour or so ago." "Yeah Dad." Mark says. "We left Louisville about 9o'clock this morning and Uncle Lee wanted to stop by the old family cemetery in Corinth to see how it was. We had a great trip. How did you and Mom do? Have fun in Indianapolis?" "Had a nice relaxing trip away from you and your sister. I hope you didn't wear your uncle out though, running him all over the place. Are you feeling alright Mark? You look a little tired." John asks, looking his son over. "No dad, I'm fine. Carl pushed the tension bar up higher then I was expecting and caught me off guard for a second." Mark answers. "Ok guys. Just be careful and I'll see you later." John says. As John left the weight room, Carl leaned over to Mark. "Do you think your dad suspects anything about you and your uncle Mark?" Carl asks. "Honestly Carl, I don't know. I have a hunch he does but I'm not sure. He has never mentioned anything like that. I heard him and mom talking once about Uncle Lee and mom sounded worried but I don't think dad was. He has always been pretty cool about Uncle Lee." Mark says. "I sure hope it is okay for your sake." Carl says. "Maybe I better get on home and see you later." "That's okay Carl." Mark says. "Stick around and help me with the bench workout before you go and I can spot for you." John leaves the boys and walking up the outside stairs he reaches the deck where Lee is sitting before he remembers he didn't get a cup. Turning he heads for the side door and calls out to Lee "gotta get a cup bro, be right there." Retrieving a cup from the kitchen, John returns to where Lee is sitting and pours himself a cup from the thermos. Sitting down in front of his brother, he takes a sip. "How was the trip to Louisville Lee? Did you get the equipment okay?" John asks. "The damned company had called and ordered an additional item they needed and put the pressure on me to get it back ASAP. I called George and seems like all hell has broke lose at home headquarters. Other then that, Mark and I had a great time." Lee says. What did you guys do while you were there, Lee? Mark mentioned you stopped at the old family cemetery on the way back. Did it get cleaned up okay?" John asks. "Yeah, Uncle William and Glen did a great job of trimming and cutting. Looked real nice. I wish there was someway we could keep it taken care of on a regular basis but guess not." Lee says. "What did we do in Louisville? Mark checked out the University of Louisville and he has some literature on it. We had dinner at some really interesting restaurants. I introduced him to William Woolford. Do you remember him John?" "I should Lee." John says. "Does he still own the farm in Mt. Orb or do you know?" "He does but I don't think he visits it as much now. He has most of it rented and the house is taken care of by an employee of his. His main business is his clothing store in Louisville. He did invite Mark to visit the farm if he wanted to next summer. Might as well tell you John, I had three outfits made for Mark while we were there." Lee says. "Oh Christ Lee. You spoil him rotten." John exclaims. "His birthday is next week and I won't be here to give them to him so William took special care of it before we left this morning. Besides, you know how much Mark means to me." Lee says. "I've always known that Lee. Every time you are home, he sticks to you like glue and then we can hardly live with him when you leave." John says. "At least he isn't sitting on the curbs crying like he did John." Lee smiles. "No but it is just as bad. You can't get him to cheer up or come out of his room for about a week. When you call he goes bananas wanting to talk with you and tell us you are coming home......good lord. He counts the minutes. Speaking of leaving Lee. You said something about your company wanting the equipment back ASAP." John says. "Yeah, Carl and I will be leaving early Friday morning. He is going to help me with the driving so we get back Friday evening. They will be waiting for me. I am really anxious to find out what is going on when I get there." Lee answers. "And Mark knows you are leaving Friday?" John asks. "Yes, he does and I asked Carl if he was okay with leaving then." Lee answers. "That explains his eyes being red when I saw him in the weight room with Carl." John says. "Any more coffee in the jug bro?" "Hold your cup out. I think there is another cup." Lee says. "Mark's eyes were red?" "Lee, if you told him you were leaving this Friday, you know he will get upset. He does all the time. I noticed it when I looked at him and he tried to tell me it was unexpected tension on the BowFlex. No tension would make him cry." John says. John and Lee sip their coffee quietly. The conversation for the most part had revolved around Mark. Lee could feel that his brother was building up to something and his stomach had a very empty feeling deep inside of him. John watches Lee carefully before taking a deep breath and saying, "Lee, you are my youngest brother and I love you very much. I have always tried to support you and will continue. Sharon and I know your lifestyle and you have never brought it into our home and we deeply appreciate it. She and I have been talking about some things lately and we need your help." "What's that John?" Lee asks. "You both know I will do what ever I can for you." "I know that. Right now we are at a real crossroads and Mark's future is our main concern. He is almost 17, still has a year of high school and then college before him. He has girl's calling all of the time but no steady one. I know he is aware of sex. I caught him and Carl together once. No problem with that and we had a long talk. Hell, you remember when we were teenagers. I want Mark to be the best that he can be and happy with someone of his choice." John says "I understand all of that John. Same thing I want for him. How can I help you with that?" Lee asks. "Lee, would you tell me if my son is gay?" John asks in an almost inaudible whisper. The words hit Lee and he exhales as if he had been waiting for them forever. His mind wraps itself around the question and he knows that the future of several people rides on what he will say. He knows his family could be ripped to shreds if he expresses the wrong feelings. Sitting his cup on the small table, he leans forward. "John." Lee says quietly. "If I told you Mark is gay, what difference would it make? Will he change before your eyes or in your heart? Are you going to treat him any differently then you do now? He is your son and always will be you can't change that. Disown him? What does that accomplish for anyone? But, don't you think you should ask him and not me?" "You are right Lee, I should have before this." John says. "I think I know the answer and it makes me remember when you were 16 and the way Doug treated you. I would hate for that to happen to Mark." Leaning over close, Lee takes his brothers hand in his and say's "John, I promise you that no one will ever hurt Mark." John sits beside Lee on the bench and takes his hand in his. Looking Lee in the eye, he says "Lee I love you probably more then Mark. I promised mom that I would never let any harm come to you. You were her baby and I think that is one thing that irked Doug. You being gay was not the reason he disliked you, no. He didn't like you taking his place with mom. At least that is the way he thinks and I'm afraid he won't change. Right now bro, I need you to help me." "Anything I can do John, you know I will." Lee says. Still holding Lee's hand John squeezes it and softly asks, "Have you and Mark been involved? Tell me the truth, it won't change how I feel." Lee straightens and takes a very deep breath before answering. "John, asking me that is a little like going through the back door isn't it? Do you remember when you took me to meet William Woolford and the reason you took me to see him? You wanted to make sure that I would learn what being gay was. For that I will always love you. I know you also saw William later and thanked him for what he did. I discussed all of this with him and it is almost like history is repeating itself but this time it is my nephew. Mark asked me to teach him the same way William taught me. He has known he is gay for a long time, almost since he has memory. It is hard to explain John, but I felt something deep within me the first time I ever held him in my arms. It was like there was a connection other then he was my nephew. I have fought those feelings for years out of respect and love for you and Sharon. I never wanted to hurt either of you." "Little brother." John says, squeezing Lee's shoulders. "I have known it but wanted to hear it from you or him. Sharon and I talked about this last week. She is more concerned with Mark being happy then being gay, I think. Me. Lee I told Sharon that if Mark was gay then I could think of no one I would rather have him with then you. I mean that bro. I admit that it will take a little getting used to but we will love you both just as much as we do now." "John." Lee says looking deep into his brother's eyes. "You have just lifted a ton off of my shoulders. Can I give you a big hug and tell you how much I love you?" Carl and Mark walk out onto the deck and see John and Lee hugging each other. They both look at each other questioningly as they walk towards them. "Hey guys." Mark says. "Uncle Lee is not leaving until Friday morning, this is Wednesday." "Your uncle and I have been talking and reliving memories Mark. How did the work out go?" John says. "Pretty good Mr. Michaels. Always have a good workout with Mark." Carl says. "I got to be going or mom will wonder why I am not helping her pack my stuff. Thanks again Mark see you guys tomorrow sometime." "Later Carl." Mark says. Getting up, Lee says "Here Mark sit next to your dad. I think he might have a beer for you." "Yeah Mark. You didn't come up right away so it might he a little warm." John says. "Your uncle and I have been talking about your trip to Louisville and all you did down there. Did you enjoy meeting Bill Woolford? He is an old friend of mine and your uncles, great guy." Mark takes a sip of the beer and it is warm. "We had a great time Dad and Mr. Woolford is a pretty cool guy. He told me about meeting you at his farm in Mr. Orb and what you did for Uncle Lee." He says. Lee flashed his eyes at Mark at what he had just said. He had given his father the opening and all he had to do was step through. It was like he was saying, "here I am dad and I'm gay." Lee could see from the look in John's eyes he had heard it too and he held his breath. Mark was almost laying down a challenge. John takes the beer out of Mark's hand and says "that is hot, we will get you a fresh one if you want. Your Uncle Lee has explained everything Mark, well just about everything. I told him it will take a little getting used to but your mother and I will love you just the same. Your happiness means the most to us." Mark sits there looking first at his dad and then his uncle and then his dad with tears welling up in his eyes, he throws his arms around John's neck crying as he says, "Pop, I love you. Thanks for not being mad or all upset. I promise you will never be ashamed of me." "Mark, don't break my neck. Ashamed of you, why would I ever have reason to be ashamed of you? I'm sure Lee is doing everything he can to see you stay out of trouble. Any plans made you want to tell me about?" John says. Mark looks at his uncle and sees him nod his head, "Two things dad. I want to finish school, high school and college. I want to live with Uncle Lee wherever he is. He is the only one I have ever wanted to live with outside of you and mom." "John, I think he means he wants to finish high school here in Hamilton and then attend a college where we can be together." Lee says. "Yeah, that's what I meant dad." Mark says excitedly. "Right now sport, I got to find out what is going on at work, get a place to live where I am going to be assigned. I won't know much of this for a few more days. You start school the day after Labor Day don't you?? Lee says. "Yeah Mark, Lee is right. There is a lot to be discussed and figured out. I think best we cool it for now until we have all of the information to work with. Right now, I want to eat. I am starved." John says. Just about then, Sharon walks out and asks, "If you guys are finished talking, how about we all go to the House of Chili for dinner. We haven't had anything since Indianapolis and you been talking for hours. Everything settled John?" "Now I know why I married you and yes everything is settled, I'll tell you all about it later. Lets go." John says. Sharon looks at Mark, "You alright Mark? Everything okay?" She says. "Sure is Mom, lets eat, I'm starved." Mark says hugging his mother. "I love you Mom." Comments to" mariner23502@hotmail.com