Tween to Teen Ch 38

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Never in my wildest dreams, the dreams of a boy who was born and raised in a small landlocked Oklahoma town, could I have imagined the grandeur of the ocean and the city of Galveston. Long before we reached the actual city we were stunned and in awe just staring out at the gulf, but when we finally reached our destination and gazed out at the immensity of the ocean, we must've felt what so many before us had, a sense of smallness and insignificance. The ocean was so huge, and we were so tiny, so unimportant, and yet here man had tamed it for a bit and dared to live on it's edge, defying the elements.

Of course nature had often reminded man of such frivolity. In 1900 a hurricane killed over 6000 of it's inhabitants and destroyed much of the businesses there. The city was an important seaport, because of it's location, and continues to be to some extent to this day, but after the hurricane the city began to find other sources of revenue, including gambling, liquor, and prostitution.

All this I learned from a trip to the library before our trip, but until I actually saw the city, those words meant nothing to me. Later the city would become important in other areas, such as banking, education, and medicine, but most importantly tourism, and that was the city that we saw that day.

As we drove along the coast gazing out at the sea and the sandy beaches that day, I had a lump in my throat and butterflies in my stomach, and once again that feeling of homesickness overcame me. I was a thousand or more miles from the safety and security of home and family, and if not for Johnny and the others, I'm not sure I could have remained in such an intimidating place.

But I was 17, and still young enough to have that child-like wonder and sense of adventure, and by the time we had parked I was one of the first out of the van and headed toward the rolling ocean.

Johnny was right on my heels, and by the time I'd reached the water the others had overtaken us. Tony was kicking off his shoes and skinning off his socks even as he careened toward the ocean, and we soon joined him.

Barefoot and laughing, we waded into the roiling sea, admittedly a bit reluctantly on my part, and for the first time experienced the wonder of the ocean up close.

We lounged on the beach, sipping sodas as we stared out at the vastness of the ocean and observed those around us. There were young and old, male and female, but all seemed to have one thing in common, they were having fun and enjoying life.

I noticed a boy and girl about our age sitting on a blanket not far from us, and the boy seemed to be staring at Tony. It was then that I began to feel a little uneasy and maybe a little frightened. Texans were not known for being an accepting bunch back then, and I feared that the boy might have an issue with us bringing a black boy with us.

However, Tony wasn't the only black person there, and after observing that fact, I felt some better. It never occurred to me though, that none of them were interacting with white folks. All of the blacks were either couples or in small groups, but exclusively black, unlike us.

I didn't want to say anything with Tony there, so on the pretense of going to the bathroom I managed to get Johnny away from the others so I could talk to him.

As soon as we were out of earshot, I told Johnny what was troubling me and he turned to look back to see who I was talking about.

"Oh him? Maybe he just thinks Tony is hot," Johnny teased.

"I wish that was true, but I don't think so. I'm worried. Maybe we should move to another part of the beach."

"I like it here. Besides, we can't let anyone run us off just cause they don't approve of who we're friends with. Come on, let's pee and get back there."

The bathroom was busy, and there was no opportunity to do any more than check each other out, but I really wasn't in any mood for more than that anyway.

Back at the blanket we got a real shock as we approached and saw the young couple standing over our group, which sat on the blanket staring up at them.

My hackles were up and Johnny was poised for action, but fortunately there was no need for any ass kicking that day.

"Hey guys, meet Beth and Kevin," Caleb said as we finally arrived.

"Hi," I said, trying to swallow down the knot that had formed in my throat earlier.

"Howdy," Johnny said, apparently recovering quicker than I had.

"Hi guys," the girl said, smiling as she held on to her boyfriend almost possessively.

"Hello," I hear you're from Oklahoma," the boy said without the usual Texas drawl we were used to hearing.

"Yep," Johnny said, "ever been there?"

The boy laughed, yeah, actually I was born in Shawnee. We moved to New Orleans when I was 10, and then back to Oklahoma, and finally to Houston. I go to school there and so does Beth."

"Cool," Johnny said, "so you guys are vacationing too?"

"Yeah, in fact we're staying at my aunt and uncle's house while they're in Europe. He's a big wig with some shipping company and has a house not far from here. They travel a lot and I house sit sometimes."

"Just you?" I chuckled.

"Well, both of us now," Kevin admitted with a wink.

"That sounds like fun," I offered, though I wasn't sure being with a girl was as good as being with a boy, especially Johnny.

"We're having a little party tonight, and I was wondering if you guys would like to join us. It's just a few of our friends and nothing wild. There won't be drugs or anything, just beer and maybe some liquor."

I really didn't think it was a good idea to attend a party given by perfect strangers in a city far from home, but I decided I'd leave it up to the others to decide.

"We'd have to talk it over," Johnny said, taking charge as usual.

"Sure, I get that. We're going to go swimming. We'll be back in a while and you can let us know."

"All right," Johnny said, "right now we don't have any plans except to find a place to camp out tonight. Know of any places like that?"

"Sure, but if you decide to come to the party, you can just crash there with us. There are like six bedrooms in that house, plus a pool house...and a pool."

Why anyone would want a pool when they lived so close to the ocean I couldn't figure out, but I supposed a pool was safer and shark free, which I'd heard wasn't true of the ocean.

"What do you guys think?" Johnny said, sitting down on the blanket.

I fell down beside him, careful not to get too close for fear of giving away the fact that we were a couple, and studied the others' faces. What I saw was a lot of indecision mixed with a hint of excitement.

"I don't know, we really don't know them. What if it's a trick to get us to go with them and their friends beat us up or rob us?" Donnie argued.

Johnny chuckled, "They don't look dangerous, but you're right, we really don't know them. They're older, and who knows what they're really up to."

"I say we go," Tony suggested, "If they're cool with me bein' black, they must be okay."

"What if that's an act?" I said, voicing my real fears. Then I told them how I'd noticed the boy staring at Tony earlier.

"Oh yeah, well...he's pretty hot, so's his girl. Maybe they both like to play," he chuckled.

"What if he has a bunch of red-neck buddies that beat the shit out of us," Gerald said, "I say we stick to our original plan."

"I'm with Gerald," Walter said, "something just doesn't seem right. It's not like it was with the cop back in Dallas, this is way different."

"Yeah, I think Gerald is right," Donnie quickly agreed.

"I guess you guys might be right," Donnie admitted, "I guess I was just hoping that they were for real."

"Johnny?"

"I'm cool with whatever everyone wants to do. As long as me and Robert can find some alone time tonight," he said grinning.

"I say we stick to our original plan and find someplace to camp, but I don't think we should ask them about places to camp. I'd rather they didn't know where we were."

"Man, you make it sound like they're murderers or something," Johnny laughed.

"Not murderers maybe, but no need to take any chances."

"I have a good idea," Caleb said, speaking up for the first time, "why don't we head out before they get back and let that be our answer to them. I saw a burger place on the way here, we can go get some lunch and then see if we can find a place to camp for the night."

I sort of hated to leave without at least giving our answer or saying goodbye, but the mention of food got everyone moving and I didn't protest. As we gathered up our stuff and started toward the van I looked out at the ocean, but I couldn't pick the two out from the swarm of people there and shrugged it off.

We ate burgers at a little place not far away, and the guy who worked there told us about a place to camp near there that fronted the beach. It cost 10 dollars a night, but since we hadn't spent any money in Dallas on camping, we had plenty of money.

He wrote down the directions for us and we thanked him and headed off to find a spot before they were all filled. The camp ground was easy to find and we were encouraged by the fact that it looked clean and that there were bathrooms and showers within walking distance of our campsite. There were probably a dozen other campers there and most of the campsites close to the ocean were taken, but we found one that wasn't too far from the beach or the bathrooms and settled in there. We set up the tent and drug out our coolers and stuff and zipped them up in the tent before going down to explore the beach and ocean.

There was a family with two small boys in a huge RV near our campsite, but most of the other campers we saw seemed to be young adults, maybe college kids, or old folks in campers and RV's. The younger ones all had tents, some the two man type, and I wondered if any of them were occupied by two guys, or if they were all mixed couples.

"I feel bad not saying goodbye to them," I said, finally verbalizing my feelings.

"Yeah, me too," Johnny said, "but it's probably best this way. It's like you said, we really didn't know them, and they're older, and we sure don't want to get into trouble. Our folks would have a cow."

I laughed, "Yeah, I'm still wondering if we should tell them about the cop and his family."

"Not till we're at college and out of their reach," Johnny advised.

"Yeah. Johnny?"

"Yeah babe," he said softly. We were far enough from the others that we could talk privately, and I had something on my mind that was more pressing than what had happened earlier.

"I've been thinking, about our folks. About, telling them about us."

"Hmmm, I don't know. Things are just fine like they are. Why mess things up? Why not wait till we get to college, then lay the news on them. By then it will be too late for them to lock us away," he teased.

"I don't know. I just feel...I don't know, bad about lying to them about our relationship. But it has to be your decision too, you're the one who has to deal with your folks. I'm pretty sure mine will be okay with it once they have time to think about it. I mean, they love you like a son already, and they know we've always been close, so it might not be such a shock to them."

"I'm not worried about your folks," Johnny said looking out at the ocean.

"I know, that's why I said it had to be your decision too. Just think about it, okay?"

"Okay, but right now I just want to enjoy the rest of our trip, and tonight I am gonna do some nasty things to you," he said lustily.

"Oh man...I can hardly wait."

"Last one in is a rotten egg," I heard Donnie say as he took off running toward the water, and soon seven teenage boys from Oklahoma were headed toward the vastness of the ocean.

We swam for a long time that day. There's something totally different about being in salt water as opposed to Salt Creek, and despite our initial fears, we had quickly embraced the joy of swimming in the ocean.

When we finally climbed out, we piled down in the sand and Gerald started building a sand castle. I laughed at his antics, but soon we were all helping, and before we knew it we had quite a magnificent structure built. I couldn't help but flash back to the times we'd played in the big sand pile on the railroad tracks, and built castles then stomped them into oblivion. I remember fondly the time we'd taken Ronnie there and showed him that fun thing to do and I wondered what he was up to back in our home town.

Tomorrow we'd be headed back home, but for now it was as if we were in a different world. We'd made a few friends along the way, and seen more of the world in a few days than most of us had seen in our lifetime. I loved our small town and our lives there, our family and friends, but this taste of freedom and seeing new places and meeting new people had somehow opened my eyes to a whole world of possibilities.

We had college to look forward too, but who knew what came after that? Johnny had his art, and I had my writing, but where would that take us? Would we be happy to settle down in Pryor, or would our careers and desires carry us far from the home we loved so dearly?

I knew this wasn't the time or place to be thinking about such things, and I was glad when the others pulled me from my thoughts and got me headed in the right direction.

"Let's walk along the shore and see if we can find any seashells or drift wood," Caleb suggested.

"Yeah, I'd like to take some souvenirs back with us," Gerald said, rising and dusting the sand off his bottom.

"I should draw this...the ocean, and...and all you guys on the beach," Johnny suggested, and later we all posed for him while he did just that. I still have that drawing, along with the dozens of photos we took during our trip with my little Kodak Brownie, and when I gaze upon them these days I am reminded of a simpler time, a time filled with love and laughter, and those friends that made my life so wonderful and full.

We grilled hot dogs and ate chips and drank sodas as we watched the sun set that evening. The sun's rays on the water made me lonesome for home and the safety of my family, but I was among my friends, and soon forgot those feelings. We roasted marshmallows, told ghost stories, then talked quietly as friends often do.

When it was time for bed, we moved into the tent and undressed to our underwear. I snuggled into Johnny and we talked softly as we listened to the sounds of our friends doing what horny teenage boys often do when in the presence of other horny teenage boys of like mind.

I lost myself in Johnny as he made love to me, fulfilling his promise of earlier to do nasty things to me, and of course I did nasty things to him as well. I was glad we had skipped the party with strangers and spent our last night in Texas together with our friends. Soon we would be homeward bound and back with our families. We all had summer jobs to go to and who knew how often we could get together once our adventure was over?

I slept comfortably in Johnny's arms that night, and when the sun came up I quietly slipped out of the tent and crept to the bathroom to relieve myself, then went for a walk along the ocean.

I don't know if Johnny missed me and came looking for me, or had simply had the same need to relieve his bladder, but he soon joined me. It was early and no one was out or about, and when Johnny took my hand in his I smiled and gave it a squeeze.

"I've been thinking...about what you said yesterday, about telling our folks. I've decided that if you want to, we'll do it."

"Are you sure? I don't want to mess things up with you and your folks, or for that matter, with me and your folks."

"I love you, and I'm not ashamed of that love. If they have a problem with that, well...then that's their problem, not mine. I'm proud to be your boyfriend, and even though I know a lot of folks don't understand or approve, well...screw them. I want the whole world to know that I love you," the last part was shouted, and I looked around to make sure no one was around to hear him.

"I love you too, but I don't think the world is quite ready for that announcement. Let's start with our folks and see how that goes," I laughed.

"Okay, you figure out the best time and we'll do it. Then I better plan on spending the night," he teased.

"I think we should do it before school starts. We'll just have to pick exactly the right time. Maybe we can ask my folks to invite your folks over for dinner or something."

"Yeah, a cookout, then we won't be shut up in the house when my dad explodes," Johnny joked.

"Do you think he will?" I asked with concern.

"Naw, he might be disappointed, but I don't think he'll be mad or upset. My folks love you too. In fact I think they might love you more than me," he laughed, "they're always telling me what a good kid you are, and what a good influence you've been on me over the years."

"Well, I do tend to keep you grounded," I said grinning.

"Yeah, and thanks for that. Otherwise I might have missed out on some great times with a great guy and a great bunch of friends."

"Yeah, our friends are the best," I said smiling, "they're probably wondering where we are. We should probably head back."

"Okay, but can I have a kiss first?"

"Right here?" I said looking around, but except for a few seagulls, no one was stirring.

"Yep, right here in front of God, and the seagulls, and the big blue sea."

"Okay, but no sexy stuff. I don't want to get put in jail for having sex in public," I teased.

Behind us the sound of the surf and the seagulls was the soundtrack to our expression of love for one another. I think I will remember that day for a long time, sharing our love unashamedly, and declaring to the world that we were one, but it was only the beginning.

The trip back was almost a repeat of the trip there. We swam in the ocean that last day, ate at a nearby restaurant, then began the long trip back home.

In Dallas we considered stopping by the Hudsons and sharing our adventures with our new friends, but instead we drove on through, taking turns driving till we reached Oklahoma. We stayed over at a small campground just past the Oklahoma and Texas border and then got an early start the next morning.

We left early the next day and drove straight through to Tulsa where we fulfilled our promise of spending some time at Bell's Amusement Park. It was the perfect end to a perfect trip, but by the time we left there late that evening we were all tired and ready to get home.

There was still some daylight as we rolled into town, dropping Donnie off first, then Gerald, Walter, and finally Caleb and Tony. At each stop we hugged our buddies goodbye, and promised to keep in touch, even though we knew it would be tough.

No longer were we kids with the carefree days of summer. We were 17 and working now, making our own money to help out our families or provide for our own growing needs.

Finally it was just Johnny and me, and I dreaded our parting. As we drove to my house I began to formulate a plan to keep Johnny with me, but I couldn't quite bring myself to actually suggest it.

When we pulled up at my house we were surprised to see Johnny's folks' car in the driveway and I was happy that Johnny now had an excuse to hang out with me a bit longer.

"Wonder what mom and dad are doing here?" Johnny said casually.

"Probably having a big party," I teased, "Or maybe it's a big welcome home party for us."

"Let's find out," Johnny said, leading the way.

We breezed in the front door and were greeted with warm smiles and hugs from our moms, and pats on the back from our dads. Noticeably missing was my kid brother Mikey, and I was really looking forward to seeing him.

"Where's Mikey," I asked looking around.

"He's spending the night at his cousin Joe's," mom said, maybe later you can go down and say hello to him and your aunt and uncle and the other kids."

"Okay, sure...what's going on?" I asked, suddenly feeling a little worried.

"Oh, nothing really. We thought we'd have a nice dinner and talk about your trip. I'm sure you boys have lots of stories to tell us," dad said looking at mom and then back at us.

What was really going on? I wondered.

"Good, I'm starved," Johnny said, "we ate junk food at Bell's but we haven't had a decent meal since breakfast."

There was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cornbread, and a chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. We talked about our trip while we ate, not going into any more detail than necessary, and leaving out some parts, such as being busted in the park in Dallas, and the invite on the beach in Galveston.

When dessert was over, my dad suggested we go to the living room and talk some more, and I began to get an uneasy feeling about the whole situation. My dad took his usual seat in his recliner and my mom and the Williams sat on the couch, leaving the love seat for me and Johnny. We plopped down as we always did, close, but not too close, and leaned back.

I was tired and really wanted to take a shower, go see Mikey, and then lure Johnny into spending the night in my bed, but it was obvious that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

I looked at Johnny, and for the first time I saw concern in his eyes. That made me even more nervous, and I began to tick off things in my head that might be responsible for this meeting.

"Is everything okay?" Johnny asked, looking at his mom and dad, then at my folks.

"Yes, everything is fine," Mr. Williams said, looking as nervous as I'd ever seen him look.

"We just wanted to talk to you boys while we had you alone," Mrs. Williams said, looking at my folks for support.

"Did we do something wrong?" I asked, trying to figure out what they might have on us.

"Some people might think so," Dad said mysteriously, "but we, your mother and I, and Johnny's folks are in agreement that we don't feel that way."

Oh God, what was this about? I wondered in horror, but I still hadn't figured out what this was all about, even though it should have been obvious.

"What are we...um, talking about," Johnny said, sounding as clueless as I was.

"You're not in trouble, if that's what you're thinking," my mom said smiling, although a bit weakly.

"Okay, so what is it?" I dared to ask.

"Son," my dad began, "I thought I knew just what to say, but now I find myself without the right words," he said sounding embarrassed.

"Robert," my mom said then, "Is there something you two boys would like to tell us?"

That really got me going, and now I'd begun to see what should have been obvious all along.

"Like what?" I said, stalling for time.

Dad sighed, "You're not going to make this easy for us, are you?" he added chuckling.

It was Johnny who save the day though, speaking up for us even when I knew he'd had doubts about us coming out at the beginning.

"I think you already know the truth, don't you?" Johnny said unashamedly as he reached over and took my hand.

The thought of refusing this act of intimacy never crossed my mind as I squeezed his hand gently and gave him a tender look. No matter what happened at this point, nothing mattered except that Johnny was showing me without a doubt that he'd meant those words he'd uttered back there on the beach, that he was proud of our love, and that he didn't care if the whole world knew it.

My mom smiled and looked at dad who seemed to be thinking about what to say next.

"We've known you boys were close, closer than most friends, ever since the day you met. And when you boys had that silly falling out over, well...whatever it was, I think we began to see just how strong those feelings were. Only people who love one another can get that bent out of shape over a simple falling out."

Mom jumped in then, "I guess I knew from the way you two looked at each other and the way you treated each other what was happening, but it's one thing to know, and quite another to admit it. The gentle way you treated each other, the smiles, the touching when you thought no one was looking, and sometimes even when it was obvious they were, because you'd become comfortable with that intimacy."

"It's not what we would have wanted for either of you," Mr. Williams said sighing, "but then it's not our decision to make, is it? It won't be an easy life, most folks don't understand that sort of thing, but then it's really no one's business but yours."

"I love you like a son," my mom said to Johnny, "and you make my son happy, what more could a mother ask for? Maybe I won't get those grand kids I wanted for a while, but I have a chance with Mikey," she said smiling.

"There's that," Mrs. Williams said sighing and adressing Johnny, "but it would be selfish to expect you to give us grand children if you're heart wasn't in it."

"I...how long have you known?" I said once I'd found my voice.

"Well, until this very minute, we didn't," Dad said, "but we've suspected something for a long time. We've been spending a lot of time with Johnny's folks while you guys were gone, and we began to compare notes, and before long we finally put two and two together."

"You guys could have denied the whole thing and we'd have probably let it drop," Johnny's dad said, "but you owned up to it, and that tells me that it's real, and that you're committed to one another."

"We were gonna tell you," I said quietly, "we talked about it while we were in Galveston, and Johnny and I agreed that when we got back we'd find the right time and place and tell you. I felt like we were living a lie, and that you deserved to know, no matter what. I didn't really think you'd disown me or anything, but I was afraid you'd lose respect for me if you found out from someone else."

"We love you, you're our son. We love Johnny too. He's been a part of our family for so long I can't imagine life without him. When you boys had your falling out, your father and I missed him coming around, and we talked about stepping in and seeing if we could help get you two back together. Even then, I think I sensed that there was more to your falling out than you were sharing."

"I can explain what happened back then. It was really my fault," Johnny said, and I looked at him in horror hoping he wasn't going to tell them everything.

"I was confused about my feelings," he began again, "I knew how I felt about Robert, but I was scared. I guess I just couldn't admit to myself that what we had was real, and not just some phase we were going through. I thought we'd both find a girlfriend and we'd stay friends, but just friends. I was stupid, and I hurt Robert a lot. I was a jerk, but he forgave me and took me back, and ever since then things have been great. I'm not confused anymore, and I know what I want. I want to be with Robert for the rest of my life. I love him more every day and I'm proud to be with him."

"I love Johnny too. I guess I never really had any doubts about loving Johnny and what that meant. It was harder for Johnny, but I kept pushing him and he finally snapped. I was as much to blame for what happened as he was, but we fixed things, and we were stronger after that."

"Well, now that it's all out in the open I want you boys to know that we won't treat you any differently. Well, not in a bad way anyway," my dad chuckled, "we've had some time to think about this and sort of get used to the idea, so I think I speak for the adults here in saying, we'll be okay."

"We just don't need to know everything," Johnny's dad said looking serious, "what you two do when alone is your business," he said blushing, "you're nearly grown men now, and in a year or so you'll be off to college and living on your own. If we had figured this out earlier we might have felt differently about giving you two so much freedom, but it's a little late for that now. I guess because you had that freedom your feelings for one another had a chance to grow, and well...it is what it is."

"Boys, as a woman I have to admit that I don't understand exactly how these things work with boys, but I can guess," my mom said, making Johnny and me blush now, "but as long as those things are done in love, as an expression of love, I guess it's really no different than what a boy and a girl must feel. You're both good boys. We've had very little trouble with either of you growing up, and maybe these feelings between you two have had something to do with that fact. I don't know, maybe they've helped you mature a little faster than most boys, but for whatever reason, I can say without a doubt that we are very proud of you both and we love you dearly," my mom was leaking tears by the time she was finished, and I automatically moved over to where she sat and hugged her to me.

"Thank mom," I said wiping some tears of my own, "we love you too, all of you and I think we both agree that we have about the best folks any kid could ever ask for."

The rest of the evening easy after that, our secret was no long a secret and Johnny and I could breathe easier knowing that we didn't have to hide our love. Oh not that we were going to go around kissing or making out in front of our folks, far from that, though we did occasionally hold hands, and we sat a little closer as long as we around just our family.

Eventually mom suggested we go down and see Mikey and my aunt and uncle and Johnny and were glad for the opportunity to be alone once more. On the way down (they lived just two house down the street) we laughed about how things had worked out.

"Just think, we were so worried about them finding out, and they knew all along," Johnny laughed.

"Well, I guess we were pretty obvious. I mean look how quick our friends caught on."

"Yeah, but they were doin' stuff too. Horny boys don't have a problem with that kind of stuff. Sex is sex to those guys."

"But not us, right?"

"Nope, it's making love for us. Always has been, I reckon. It just took me longer to figure it out, but you always knew, didn't you?"

"I always knew I loved you, but until the summer when we were 11 I didn't know what that meant exactly."

"Yeah, well...it's been a great 6 years, and know what? I think it's only gonna get better as time goes on."

"I think so too," I said as I took his hand in mine, and we were still holding hands when we knocked on my aunt and uncle's door.

Mikey swarmed us and I picked him up and planted kisses all over his face and hugged him tight. I'd really missed the little guy, and it was obvious the feeling was mutual by the way he clung to me and Johnny when we finally sat down.

My aunt fixed us glasses of tea and uncle Joe sat there looking at us grinning for a long time before he spoke.

"Well, any news to share?"

"Uh, you mean about the trip?" I asked, but I knew what he really meant.

"Well, that too, but what happened with your folks when you got home? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, great actually," I ventured, "so they talked to you about it?"

"Heck, I think I knew before they did," my uncle admitted, "I'm not so old that I don't remember what boys can get into, only with you two it was obvious there was a lot more going on than two boys having fun."

I blushed as I glanced over at my aunt who was just smiling and letting Joe do all the talking.

"We're not ashamed of what we feel," Johnny said boldly.

"And you shouldn't be," my aunt said suddenly, "love is love, no matter who it's between, and I think what you boys have is wonderful."

"Thanks," I said giving her a smile, "I guess we're about the two luckiest boys on earth to have a family like ours."

"Well, life won't always be that easy, but things are getting better, and at college you shouldn't have too many problems. College students tend to be more liberated and accepting. Oh, sure they'll be a few knot heads that would cause trouble if they knew, but it's your business and you can choose who knows and who doesn't," my uncle said.

"Yeah, our friend Caleb's been going to NSU for a year now and he says it's a very open and accepting place. He says there's a good mix of kids and most of em' are decent people who mind their own business."

"Don't go," Mikey said suddenly, "don't go to school and leave me," he begged.

"It's okay sport," I told him pulling him onto my lap and wrapping my arms around him, "it's a whole year before I graduate, then we'll have the summer, and I promise next summer I'll spend as much time with you as I can."

"And Johnny too?" he said looking over at my boyfriend.

"Yeah, me too buddy," Johnny said patting him gently.

"Okay," he said leaning back into me and yawning softly.

"You must be tired buddy. Are you ready for beddie bye?"

"Will you lay with me till I go to sleep?"

I looked at my aunt who nodded. "Little Joe, you go too. You look like you can barely keep your eyes open."

I ushered the two little boys off to bed, stopping long enough for them to use the bathroom, then I tucked them in and squatted down by the side of the small bed they shared and patted Mikey till he fell asleep. I leaned over and kissed his cheek, then rose and rejoined the others in the living room.

"That kid loves you so much," my aunt said smiling, "and you too Johnny. It's like he has two big brothers."

"He's a swell kid," Johnny offered, "well...I'm a little tired myself. I think we should head home."

"Yeah," I agreed, "thanks for, well...you know?" I said as Johnny stood to join me.

This time it was me who made the first move, and as I reached over to take Johnny's hand I saw my aunt and uncle both beaming with pride. They were both years ahead of the crowd in thinking, and would go on to be wonderful parents to six kids before it was all over.

They were always my favorite aunt and uncle, and Johnny and I would benefit from their wisdom, and guidance, and nuturing for many years to come.

Johnny's folks were gone by the time we got back to my house and I walked Johnny to his van and we stood there unsure what to do for a moment.

"Wanna see if you can come home with me?" Johnny finally said.

"Earlier I would have said yes, but after all that talking, and knowing that the folks know what we might be up to now, I think maybe we should sleep alone tonight."

"Okay, if you're sure," he said pulling me into a hug and kissing me gently.

"No fair," I laughed, "you're making me want to change my mind."

"Sorry, I just needed to do that. I've wanted to all night. I meant it when I said I loved you and I don't care who knows it. Our folks are cool with us, and our friends are cool with us, what more could we ask for?"

"Nothing I guess," I admitted, "I love you too, but I don't think one night apart will hurt anything."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Anyway, I am beat, and probably would fall asleep on top of you," he teased.

"Oh God, stop it," I said pushing him away, "the picture of that makes me so fucking horny."

"Okay, okay, I'm going. One last hug, okay?"

We hugged, and kissed, but eventually we pulled apart and I opened the door for him, and he climbed in the bug bus and started the engine. Through the open window I touched him gently, then moved away as we said goodbye began to back out of the drive.

I watched him drive away and stared after him long after he'd turned the corner and disappeared into the night. I took in a deep breath of air and the scent of mimosa filled my nostrils. To this day when I smell that sweet fragrant aroma I think of that night, and all the other nights of my childhood in that little house on Taylor street, where I grew from a boy to a man.

End of Chapter 38

The boys are home and their secret is out. Surprised at how easily their parents have accepted their love and their sexuality, the boys are sill apprehensive about expressing that love in their presence. But eventually they forget their fears and move on to the next phase of their lives and relationship.

Next, the boys finish out the summer, then the start of their last year of high school. It will be a year of new discoveries, new friends, and finally the end of an era.

To all my faithful readers and those new readers who have only discovered my stories, I wish you health and happiness. We are living in uncertain times, and it is more important than ever to take care of each other and do our part to slow, and eventually stop the spread of Covid-19. There are many people out of work, hungry families and kids, and for those of us who are still working or have the means to do so, it is important that we do our part. Give generously to local food banks or shelters. Because meals provided by the schools are the only food some kids receive, now that the schools are closed, it is important that those kids get fed. We live in a world that has plenty, and no child should ever go hungry. So help where you can, and stay safe, and do your part, and together we will beat this thing and come out on the other side stronger than ever.

Send all comments to: kewl_dad1@hotmail.com

4-9-20

Kewl Dad

I have updated my story list if you see any missing please let me know.