Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2020 02:10:11 +0000 From: John Francis Grice Subject: Chapter 3 Aaron's Year of `77 The Peacock Inn Restaurant is down a couple of blocks from our house and then to the right on King Street, just across from the Prentice ESSO gas station. King Yee bought the property in the early `sixties and proceeded to tear down the massive, dark red brick Victorian mansion that had stood there for over a century to build the peculiar building now housing his restaurant and living quarters above. His new building was faced with thick-trowelled, white stucco with half-circle, rounded arches and flower planters, with wilting red and orange geraniums and impatiens in the front. Brockville was suffering the fate of many small cities in the `seventies, namely a dying downtown core with shopping malls in the north end and teardowns of irreplaceable, historic structures... all in the name of so-called progress and economy. I do have to admit though that the interior of the Peacock Inn Restaurant was rather special for Brockville. Greeting you at the front door when you come in was a huge, fierce and angry-looking cloisonné peacock statue that resembled no such bird ever found in nature. Red, shiny vinyl-upholstered booths and chairs, black lacquered tables, red lacquered hanging lanterns with red silk tassels hanging down from them and a big mural along the back wall showing male peacocks in full plumage completed the theme. It was all very exotic and foreign for small-town Ontario in the `sixties and `seventies and had become a favorite dining spot for many people in town, my parents included. "I'm just so worried about him Richard. He's only nineteen. And all that trouble we had with him skipping school because of the bigger boys taunting him in gym class. Do you really think he is ready to start College in a strange city?" "Viv, sooner or later he will have to learn to stand up for himself. He's not a little boy anymore. We won't always be there to protect him." "I know Richard. It's just that I remember when he was seven years old and playing with that damned John Weldon down the street... John taking his marbles and toy soldiers and throwing them down the sewer grate when Aaron's back was turned. Aaron is a very trusting and naïve boy. I just worry about him getting taken advantage of or getting himself into trouble in Ottawa when he is away from me... err, rather... us." "Oh Viv! You've never liked the Weldons ever since Dorothy broke down crying in our living room and told you her husband Don was having an affair on her. And then that obsession of yours about their youngest one Wendy where you were so afraid she'd try to get pregnant and force Aaron into a marriage because you thought that was what Dorothy told her girls to do to trap a husband. Like that was ever going to happen in hindsight now." "Honestly Richard! You can really go off on a tangent you know at times." "My point Vivienne, is that we must learn now to sit back and let Aaron develop into who he will learn to become. We've both done a good job teaching him to have common respect for others and to understand right from wrong. Both you and I have worked long enough at the Psychiatric Hospital to see the damage done in the name of religion and what someone else thinks and deems is right for boys who just happen to turn out being different. Am I happy that he is gay? Well no, I'm not honey. I have the same fears for his future as do you. It can be a lonely life and a violent and unhappy one with alcohol and drug dependency, or worse. We both know and have seen that happen time and again with the patients at the Psych' who have no family, or anyone for that matter to be there for them. But I think we have to accept and support and love him and just be there for the times... and there will be times that he needs us." "Richard. Have you ever said these things to Aaron?" "Well no, I haven't. I pray for him and ask God to keep watch over him." "Your very liberal for a man of your generation." "I saw a lot of unhappiness and sadness at the Hospital before I met you Viv. And you've seen it too. The way the damned Psychiatrists and staff tried to cure homosexuals with shock treatments and aversion therapy... well, I used to think to myself that they were the ones needing treatment and not the poor kids and young adults they were supposedly trying to fix. I've seen a lot of misery, both with the patients and the many Orderlies I manage on-staff. We are all human beings with our own hopes, dreams and desires. No one has any right to judge anyone else as far as I'm concerned. After all, no one is perfect. And when I think about it now, wouldn't it be one boring world if we all were?" "I know Richard. I know. I'm glad we came out to talk about this. And oh yes... I did give Delphine a call and we are going to have lunch together at The Relax Restaurant later on in the week. I don't think she has many friends. Let's have her over here when Adam gets back to us with a date for dinner. Is that OK with you?" "That's a good idea Viv." "Heya' Aaron! Are ya' lookin' for more KY to buy there?" whispers Adam, as he stands behind me in the store and quietly laughs to himself. "Uh, no Adam. I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the Capital Theatre with me tonight or tomorrow. `Saturday Night Fever' with `John Travolta' is playing and I really want to go see it." "You like to dance?" "Yeah Adam, I do. I've got a lot of disco and soul records and I watch `Soul Train' on the Rochester TV station, when we can get it tuned in on the Cable on Saturdays at home." "I kinda' like `Aretha Franklin', `Stevie Wonder' and some stuff from `Chaka Khan'," he replies. "Are you off this evening then? Can we go? I'm asking you out this time." "OK, sure thing. But how about tomorrow though? I'm off then. But dontcha' be expecting me to put out for you without dinner first! Just kidding babe. I'll pick you up around 8:00pm." "Oh yes! I almost forgot. This is for you." "Hmm, somethin' in a plain brown paper bag. Is it that new `Joy of Gay Sex' book you've been readin' and tellin' me about? Ya' know, you could have at least wrapped it for me," he says and laughs. "Never mind! Just don't open it here. Maybe go into the back when you open it. There's a note inside to go along with it too." "Ya' got me all curious now. Now, was there anything else I can help you with? Maybe like actually buying something? Or do I hafta' kick you outta' here for loitering before old lady Fullerton sees me wasting my time over here with you?" "OK. OK. I'm going now. No big boner for me today, I see." "Saving those now for when I get to be alone and naked with you or when I'm all alone and just thinkin' about you," Adam whispers to me. I laugh and say, "See you tomorrow at eight then." I head out the door with old Mrs. Fullerton giving me the evil eye and feeling Adam's eyes burning a hole in my back, as I leave the drug store. "Now what in the fuck did he put in this goddamn bag for me, I wonder?" Adam mumbles to himself, as he heads over to Mrs. Fullerton behind the cash. "Uh, Mrs. Fullerton, I hafta' go out to get something outta' my car right now. Do you mind if I go on break right now ma'am?" "No, that's fine Adam." And then she says, "Wasn't that Mrs. Christie's boy just in here now talking to you?" "Uhm, yes ma'am. He's going off to school in Ottawa in September and was asking me some things about when I was in College." "I see. Well don't be too long and go on ahead now." "Ya' nosy old bat." mumbles Adam under his breath, as he heads out the back door of the store toward his car. I swear to God every time I hop in my wheels now, all I can think of is Aaron's hot, little boy butt sittin' in my seat. Now what in the fuck did he put in this bag? Adam stretches his long legs out in his front seat and dumps the bag in his crotch. The bag is tightly closed with a solid row of staples so he has to work all of the staples free to get into the bag. Fuck this shit! Just rip it open Adam. Inside the bag is a sealed small yellow envelope. And on the front there is a printed message that says `open me first.' As well, there is a small flat box that is perfectly wrapped in royal blue paper with a big red bow on it. What a creative little bugger. Better read the note first, I suppose. He opens the envelope and takes out the note, which is beautifully printed in Aaron's careful lettering and starts to read it: "Dear Adam, Nooo ... this is not a tube of KY ... I just wanted you to know that I am returning something of yours that I borrowed. I wore them all last week and jerked off in them every night, thinking of you and your big, thick hairy dong. I've laundered them and hopefully they are clean enough for you to start to wear now, because I don't want you showing your hairy man ass and big pube basket to anyone else but me from now on in the store. And yes. You are `The Man of Steel'. Yours very truly, Aaron, your `cookie' Christie" Jeezus fuck! The damn kid can get me horny now when he's not even around me. Adam laughs, as he stares down at the tent his cock is rapidly creating in his pants. Sure as hell can't go back into the store now to face Mrs. Fullerton until I rub one out here. Now where is that cum towel under my seat? Aww, what the fuck. If Aaron can use these to cum in, then maybe I'll jack off with them too and make him wear them tomorrow at the movies. Two can play at this game!" "Well Warren, Dad just hung up the phone on me!" says Ariana, as she puts down the receiver and starts to cry. "He told me they can't help us and that he knows what you've been doing to Aaron at the store. Also, that I should be ashamed of what you've tried to do... about Aaron being a homosexual and his going back to school." "That little brother of yours is messing up my plans. If they don't help us then I'm going to have to declare bankruptcy and we'll have to move out west and start all over. You have to convince them to help us! They'll never get to see their grandchildren if we have to go. Maybe tell him that the next time you talk to him!" "I don't think he wants to talk with either you or me again for a long, long time. I really think we're going to have to put the house up for sale here and sell it. Whatever money is left over after, we can take to head out to Alberta and make a fresh start. You still have your painting contracting business and your equipment. I can always get a job as a teller again in one of the banks out there in either Calgary or Edmonton. The kids are still young enough to adapt and make new friends and fit into new schools out there. They say that Alberta is the place to go to start over. I don't want to lose Mom and Dad here over this Warren. I've never known Dad to be so angry at me as the way he is right now! He told me I was both a bad daughter and an even worse sister." Ariana completely breaks down in tears and looks pleadingly at Warren saying, "We have to do this Warren! We just have to! There's no other way!" "Well, he's not gonna' get his pay from me for his work at the store. I dare your Dad to try and make me pay the little queer." "Warren, Dad said to tell you that not only are you to pay him every cent you owe him, but that if you didn't he'd call the Manager of the Mall himself tomorrow and have the Bailiff put the locks on the store before you have a chance to take any of the unpaid stock and supplies out after hours, like you wanted to sell them off." "Shit Ariana! Your Dad can be a real fucking moral, Catholic cunt at times. OK then. He's backed me into a corner. We'll pay the little fairy what I owe him. But I'm not going to hand it to him personally. Your fucking Father can come and get the hundred bucks from you because I never want to see that little cock-sucking brother of yours again." "Here Aaron. Warren gave me this pay packet of money for you and said to say thanks for helping him up at the store, but that he wouldn't be needing you after all until September. He and Ariana put some extra cash in there to help you with the first semester for spending money when you need some by the way." I open the envelope and there are four one hundred dollar bills in it. "Thanks Dad. But this is a lot more than what Warren owes me. And he hasn't been all that nice to me at the store since I got accepted at Algonquin. Still though, I guess I better call him to say thanks for it all the same." "Uhm, no Aaron. I had a long talk with him when he gave this to me. He and Ariana are extremely busy right now. They have decided to move out to Alberta right after you start school. They are busy now meeting a real estate agent to sell their house. And Warren is going to close up the store. I'll tell Warren you said thanks for the money. You just focus on yourself now for the next few weeks. There's going to be a lot for you to take care of in that time." "OK Dad. But, you always taught me to thank people when they do nice things. Don't you think I should at least call Ariana to say thank you?" "She has a lot on her plate right now son. Leave that for your Mother and I to take care of. She'll know you are grateful for the extra money." "Sooo... did you like the movie Adam?" "Well cookie babe, I think the best part of it was having your hand rubbin' back and forth against my thigh during the whole movie. That and the red licorice and popcorn!" "No, seriously Adam. What did you think of it?" "Well Aaron, it kinda' made me sad in a way. `Travolta' plays this guy drivin' around in a friend's car as old as mine who gets caught up trying to better himself to get out of the life he thinks is all his future has for him. I can kinda' relate to that. But fancy dance moves and white suits and trying to be popular and cool isn't how I think the way to be happy really is. I liked the music though, I hafta' admit." "What did you think about it Aaron?" "Well... outside of you stealing all the licorice, I guess it was OK. And oh yeah, I liked rubbing the inside of your thigh during the movie too!" Adam gives me a dirty laugh and says, "OK then. Let's hop in the car and go somewhere quiet. Whadya' say? Not Blockhouse Island tonight though. Too many fuckin' straight people parked down there at this time of night. I have a special place I know of that I want to show you, OK Aaron" "Sure Adam. Let's go." We're walking over to his car in the parking lot beside the theatre and Adam says, "It's been runnin' not too badly since Gerry fixed it up for me babe. So let's hope my damn car stays that way `cause I just don't need the fuckin' frustration and grief of having to cope with it crapping out or breaking down on me this evening." Luckily, it hesitates briefly and then starts right up for him. "Slide right over tight beside me Aaron. I can drive just fine with one arm around you and one on the wheel. You can play with my cock and stick your tongue in my ear." "Can I turn on the radio Adam?" "Yep... ya' can. First turn the radio on. And then ya' can turn me on," he says, with a suggestive wink and a laugh. `Marilyn McCoo' and `Billy Davis Jr.' are singing, `You Don't Have to Be a Star Baby' as I cuddle next to Adam and as he drives slowly east on Water Street. "I don't need no superstar `cause I'll accept you as you are you won't be denied, 'cause I'm satisfied with the love that you can inspire You don't have to be a star, baby, to be in my show You don't have to be a star, baby, to be in my show..." "We're gonna' park just before Centeen Park at the base of Park Street where the old milk plant used to be and look out over the water. Cookie, did ya' know that Great Lakes steamships used to dock here to unload coal a long time ago? The moon is really nice tonight and it's dark and private and quiet here. And I'm gonna' give you some lessons on how to suck a man's cock." "I thought I already knew how to do that Adam?" "Well baby, I figured I'd suck on yours for a change, and maybe you'd pick up a few pointers from me. Ya' know, there's all kinds of ways to teach and learn in this life." "Uhm... What did you do Aaron?" "What? Adam?" "Uhm, baby... your pubic hair smells like `Eau Sauvage'! Jeezus Christ Aaron. What in the fuck gave you the idea to douse yourself down there with my brand of cologne?" I start to get upset and say hesitantly and shyly to him, "Well... uhhh, it reminds me of you because it's what you always wear. And I can smell it down there when I put it on. It just really reminds me of you Adam." He sits up and puts his hand on my shoulder. I can tell he is stifling a laugh which really embarrasses me. Then he pulls me in, gives me a big hug and starts to nibble on my ear lobe. "Honey, I'm real flattered. But I really don't wanna' smell my cologne down there when I'm goin' down on ya'. I'm real good at this sorta' thing babe. But so far I've never been able to suck my own cock. Besides, I'd rather suck yours there cookie boy." He starts to shake with laughter and I'm almost in tears at this point. "It's OK Aaron. Dontcha' cry or anything baby. It's OK. Hold on. I got an idea. Reach into my glove compartment and pull out that tube of KY I stashed away in there." I open up the glove compartment and his Superman briefs and KY fall out onto the floor of the car. "Gimme' those briefs and KY and I'll clean ya' up a bit to get rid of the cologne smell and get ya' all juiced up at the same time." He proceeds to squirt the KY onto my penis and starts to massage my crotch with slow, rhythmic, deliberate moves... back and forth and up and down. "We'll do the blow job lessons another time. In the meantime I'm gonna' give you a hand job after I wipe ya' down with my underwear to get rid of the smell of that cologne. And uh, Aaron... I don't think `Christian Dior' meant for his cologne to be used down there." he says, while barely able to hold back laughing." Ten minutes of his hands stroking my dick, with him wrapped around me in the front seat and I'm ready to shoot a load all over him and his old car. "Adam! I'm gonna' cum!" "Yeah baby! I can tell! Gimme' a sec' to get my mouth down there though `cause we're not gonna' need a cum towel tonight! You're gonna' feed me baby." I explode deep in his mouth, He moans and grunts and sticks his finger up my butt to increase the sensation. "I think ya' came there baby. Whadya' think?" "I think maybe yes, I did," I whisper. He laughs that wicked laugh again, expertly tugs the zipper up on my jeans with his teeth and then sits back in his driver's seat with his hand on the steering wheel while giving me one long look. "We always seem to be groping and doing something physical and sexual to each other. Not that I'm complainin' or anything. But let's just sit back and look at the moon tonight and talk a little. Are you OK with that Aaron?" "Talk about what Adam?" "Well like, when exactly are you gonna' be leaving to start school for one thing?" "Classes start on September 12th and I have to be moved into a place and ready for classes for 8:30 am that morning." "C'mon over here and put your arm around me baby. I want to feel you tight beside me right now. You know Aaron, I don't want this to end when you move away. We're only just startin' to get to know each other besides what we've got in our pants. How do you feel about that?" "Well, I don't want this to end either. You said something about chemistry before. I don't know if that's all what this is or not. All I know is that I want to be with you. And if I have to give you up because I have to move away and not see you anymore, well... I just don't know if I can do that." "Oh Aaron, dontcha' start to cry on me now. We'll figure something out here. I gotta' feeling we're gonna' go right on with what we got started here `cause I don't wanna' be without you either." He holds me even tighter and nudges my ear. "Uhm, Aaron... I checked my schedule from work and I'm off next weekend. Your Mom can make dinner if she still wants to... maybe next Sunday. I wanna' find out from your Mom and Dad what's got to happen with you between now and when you hafta' move. I'm gonna' step in and help with that if they'll let me, just to stay in the picture. I wanna' see what's in your bedroom that has to get moved and then you and me are gonna' do that together to get ya' all settled in. How does that sound to you?" I stop sniffling and say to him, "OK Adam. That sounds fine. And as for dinner, I'll tell Mom. I know she really wants to have you over." "Now let's just be quiet for a while and look out over that water with the moon shining on it. It's really beautiful isn't it?" A half hour passes without a word needing to be uttered. And then Adam moves to stretch and says "cookie... uhhh, before I get more distracted than I am right now, I left a little something of me earlier in my Man of Steel briefs for ya.' A little thank you present. It'll be a real part of me rubbin' next to ya' when you wear them tomorrow. Like, I'll `really' be in your pants baby. And knowing that will keep me all juiced and boned up for you when I see ya' next time. Now just keep kissin' me for a while and then I'll take ya' home." "This is very nice Vivienne. I don't get out much except to shop for groceries and such. I'm glad you called. I can't remember the last time I was in Relax Restaurant for lunch. It's been years," says Adam's Mom as she looks over the menu. "Oh please call me `Viv, Delphine. I have to admit with the midnight shifts I am on, I don't get out much socially these days myself." "And you call me Del'. Everyone does." "So Viv, Adam tells me that Aaron is heading off to College in a few weeks. I'll bet you miss him already. I remember how I felt when Adam left home. It was hard for me being alone. I didn't know what to do with myself without him messing up the house and having to take care of him. They grow up so fast Viv. How are you feeling about him leaving?" "I don't think I've accepted it yet. I have to say though Del, the house is going to be so quiet and I guess I'll just have to get used to the idea that he isn't my little boy anymore." "He'll always be your little boy Viv. Just the same as Adam is to me." "Did Adam tell you he was giving Aaron driving lessons Del?" "Not in that old car I gave him. Surely not... " "Well, yes. They've been spending an awful lot of time together. And well... Richard and I are pleased that Adam has taken Aaron under his wing. You know Del, there are times I've regretted not having more children. I know Aaron would have liked to have had an older brother. I think it would have helped him in so many ways," says Vivienne, as her voice trails off and she looks away from Delphine lost in her private thoughts. "You know it was hard for Adam growing up in his early teens with just me for him. Sometimes I felt the same way about children. But the way things were with Tom... well, I'm just so glad we didn't when we were first married. You know when his Father left us, Adam had a very difficult time. Adam saw and heard a lot of what he didn't need to while growing up. I don't need to tell you this, but I asked one of the Psychologists at the Hospital to help me out and spend some time with Adam during that time. He needed reassurance and safety and someone else besides me to talk to. He had a lot of anger and resentment inside him and was very protective of me. Adam was just a young teenager back then Viv. It took a long time for him to heal and get past what his Dad had done to us. And because of what happened between Tom and me, I think Adam thought it was his fault because he was born somehow. I'd do anything to take those memories away from him. Especially some of those earlier memories when he was little. I think he's blocked a lot of them out, thankfully. I'm glad he's offered to help out with your Aaron." "So are we Del. I have a feeling they are both looking for some direction in their lives. I hope I'm not being presumptuous by saying that to you." "No you're not. And I completely understand what you mean. I don't think either one of our boys fits the mould of a `happily-ever-after life' in Brockville," says Delphine while giving Vivienne a long, appraising and thoughtful look. Then she decides to confide a bit deeper. "Adam has been a loner and coasting for a while now. And I worry about him and his future. Perhaps seeing Aaron moving ahead with his education and life may be a good thing for Adam. I worry about him Viv. He was not a happy boy in high school. He got into fights protecting me and trying to prove to his classmates he was as good as they were. I think being without a Father during those years affected him deeply. Dr. Leeder at the Hospital said to me back then that he thought Adam was hiding his emotions and shutting down emotionally just after Tom abandoned us. Adam doesn't open up much with strangers and doesn't have many friends, you know. I'm very pleased he wants to spend some time with Aaron." "I'm glad we are having this lunch Del. You've made me feel a little better about Aaron leaving for school. And from one Mother to another, I know you've done a good job raising Adam. Sometimes it just takes some children longer than others to find themselves. We worry so much about them don't we?" "Sometimes too much Viv..." "Hmm, Funny you should say that Del. Richard said the exact same thing to me recently." "Let's do this again soon. It's good to be able to talk with another Mother. Let's you and I encourage their friendship. We women understand more about what it is to have friends than men ever will. And we'll always be their Mothers. And they'll always be our little boys." Vivienne smiles and nods at Delphine and says, "I think we understand how difficult it can growing up in a small town and being, well... being different. Maybe we'll just leave it at that. I think we both know our boys very well. No need to say any more. I'd like that too. Thanks Del." "When did you say that Adam was going to come Aaron?" "He said around 4:30pm Mom. He needed to help his Mom out with some things around her house and it being Sunday and all, he said this would be the best time to get them done for her." "I wished she'd been able to come over for dinner along with Adam." "Maybe next time. Oh yes. I meant to mention to you. Adam was hoping to see my room. He offered to help with moving my stuff up to Ottawa when I start school. He was wanting to talk to you and Dad about helping. I'd like him to if that's OK with you both." "You and he have become quite close friends in a short period of time, haven't you Aaron?" "Uh, yeah. I like him Mom. He's a really nice guy." If she only knew for sure just how close ... "Well you tell Adam to feel completely at home when he gets here. He was so kind when he came over the other day and offered to help pick some of the rhubarb in the back garden for me. In fact, I have a surprise for him. I've baked two rhubarb pies. One just for him and another to take home to Delphine." "That was nice of you Mom." "I'm just happy he has taken you under his wing. You know Aaron, friendships are rare and special things when we find them, and not something to take lightly or for granted. I hope you both will continue to be friends after you move to Ottawa. And Adam can come over here on his own any time he likes to spend time with your Father and me. You tell him that too Aaron. And don't forget to either." Mom and Dad's house at 69 Bethune Street had been built around 1860 and was typical for some of the older houses in Brockville. Loosely based upon Italianate style Tuscan architecture with a shallow hipped roof, heavily bracketed eaves, dark grey painted clapboard siding with white trim, two shuttered windows on the second floor and one down on the first, beside an ornate wood scrolled front covered porch with five steps and cast iron railings up to the vibrant coloured turquoise front door. It was a gracious and welcoming home. Mom had worked hard over the years to furnish the inside with slipcovered sofas and chairs and some family heirlooms her parents had left to her when they passed away. My bedroom upstairs is on the side of the house where there's a two story three-sided bay window overlooking the driveway. I was given freedom to pick the wallpaper and paint for my room and what I chose surprised even Mom at the time. My favorite colour is red. The wallpaper in my room replicated a classic colonial stencil pattern, with tiny white hearts and dots on a strong, vibrant red background. It isn't as girly and feminine as it sounds. My grandmother's antique pine writing desk and a pine armoire that Mom was able to obtain at a local auction sale are the only pieces of furniture in the room, save for the bed that has an antique fireplace mantel serving as a headboard and shelf from the old Bank of Montreal on Courthouse Square when it was torn down in the early `sixties. Mom put a small 5'-0" x 7'-0" red Bokhara rug beside the bed to finish everything off. It wasn't exactly a typical teenager's room from the `seventies. But then again, I'm not exactly a typical teenager either. Adam arrives just before 4:30pm and pulls into our driveway right behind Dad's car. Dad has always been a Chrysler man,. And the 1973 metallic turquoise, two door Newport Royale with a crazy, white paisley-patterned vinyl roof he bought a few years ago is huge... a veritable land yacht. Thank God we've got a big driveway, I think to myself as Adam pulls into the driveway, hops out of his rusting old Ambassador and stands there, just staring at Dad's car. "Heya' cookie! Jeezus, do ya' think your Dad bought a big enough fuckin' car? That thing must be a real bitch to back up and parallel park." "Can you understand now how I backed into Mrs. Elliott's garbage cans when he took me out to drive it?" Adam laughs and replies, "Yep, I kinda' can see that now Aaron." "C'mon in. Dad's reading the Saturday weekend edition of the `Ottawa Citizen' he picked up from Ritchie's Cigar Store last night, and Mom's in the kitchen. She said to say to feel right at home here and we'd have dinner around 5:00pm or so." "Where's Blackjack Aaron? I brought him a bone from the butcher's shop." "Dad will be happy you did that Adam. You know, he really is Dad's dog more than mine." "I wanna' see your room first Aaron before I say hi to your folks." "OK Adam. Follow me up the back stairs and I'll give you a tour." "Jeezus babe. I was expecting to see shag rugs and a disco ball and incense burners and macramé plant hangers with plastic plants and Donna Summer posters all over your room. This is not what I thought your bedroom would look like at all." "Mom is pretty particular about what I can and can't put up on the walls. I like the room though. I picked out the wallpaper and some of the things. And this being an old house with plaster walls and all... well, I just really like my bedroom." "Open up the armoire doors Adam." He opens the doors to find two posters taped to the back of each door. One is of `Harrison Ford' from `Star Wars' and the other one is of `Diana Ross' from `Mahogany.' "Yep. That's more like what I thought," he murmurs. "Look behind my clothes Adam." He shoves my shirts and jeans over on the hanging rod inside and looks at the back of the armoire, only to find a giant poster of Superman with the caption `The Man of Steel' boldly emblazoned across the bottom and starts to laugh. "And I'm wearing your Superman underwear right now." "Fuckin' Jeezus Aaron! Dontcha' be doin' this to me in your parent's house! And I could almost swear you're doin' it to me on purpose too, aren't ya'! "Uhm... Adam. Would you please take your big, sweaty cock out of your pants and rub it onto my pillow on the bed? I want to smell you on it when I go to sleep later. Come here and let my unzip you to help take it out of your jeans. I want to smell you on my hands when we go down for dinner." "Fuckin' Christ Aaron! What a fuckin' cock tease you can be at times! You're makin' me fuckin' crazy here! Getup offa' your knees and let go of my dong. Jeezus baby! It's all I can do right now not to throw you down on your bed and do ya' right here and now. Now let's just settle down here and go down and have dinner with your folks... once my damned cock calms down here in a minute or two that is." "So, when are you starting school again Aaron?" Adam asks, as we sit at the dining room table finishing up dinner. "I need to be up there for September 12th to start my first semester. But I have to find a place in Ottawa close to the Campus, and I have a final interview with Camilla Mezaros, who's the Head of Design on August 22nd." "Aaron, I was looking through the ads in the Saturday `Citizen' for bachelor apartments and rooms to rent and there is a place at 37 Argyle Avenue, just two blocks away from the St. Pat's Campus. It's just up from the Rideau Canal and close to Elgin Street and downtown. You'll be able to bike and skate along the Canal and the school is just over the Pretoria Bridge and only ten minutes away. I won't be able to take you up though until Friday at the earliest. Hopefully, it will still be available and not rented out by then," says Richard. "Mr. Christie, I can take Aaron up to look at the place if you like," says Adam. "I'm sorry, but not in that old car of yours Adam. I don't want him to miss out on this place to another student looking to rent so close to the school." "It's OK Mr. Christie. Old lady... err, that is, Mrs. Fullerton at the store told me I could borrow her car any time I needed it. I don't think she'd mind at all me takin' the time to help out here." "That would certainly be a big help to me if you could Adam. I'd really appreciate that." "Consider it done Mr. Christie." "Thanks so much Adam. I would suggest no later than Tuesday though to try to get this done so we don't miss this opportunity. I'll call the rental agent to set up a time. You'll take care of him. Promise me that you will Adam," Richard says, while giving Adam a long, earnest and reflective look. "Yes I will Mr. Christie. He'll be just fine with me.