New Kid at City High, Chapter 7
Finally, it was time to fly off to Arizona to see Grandpa Ted. Both teens were having difficulty containing their excitement. To some high school students, it's not considered cool to show enthusiasm openly. They weren't attempting to come off as macho studs, but Gio figured he'd be in for teasing from his sister if he appeared too thrilled. He could finally give in to his emotions when he slept over with Benji the night before their departure.
Since their plane left at 6:00 AM, and they needed to be at the airport at least an hour before to go through security, it made sense for him not to have to travel the extra few minutes between their homes. They went to bed early, but neither guy could settle down to sleep easily. Eventually, their snuggling led to making out, and that got more serious the longer they did it. Eventually, they found relief from their stress, in a sticky but satisfying way.
Although they'd had seven hours of sleep, morning came too early for their liking. A quick run through the shower cleared their heads. Ben had a substantial breakfast waiting when they got to the kitchen. He reminded them that airlines didn't serve much these days, and the food in airports was not only expensive but lacked in substance.
Leaving from the Eastern Iowa Airport was a far different experience than at O'Hare. Clearing security took very little time, especially since they all had the star emblem on their drivers' licenses.
On this small jet, they were seated near each other with Benji and Gio in the two seats on the right side, and Ben across from them on the aisle.
They had to change planes in Denver and had several hours between flights. It could have been worse; some routes would have sent them east to Chicago to change and then west to Phoenix. At least they were spared those extra hours in the air.
In the Denver airport, they walked quite a distance to find their departure gate. There was a food court nearby, and soon they were assuaging their hunger.
They sat for a while entertaining themselves with their phones, but the boys became restless after an hour and decided to stroll around the area. Before sending them on their way, Ben reminded them to keep an eye on the clock to make sure they didn't miss their flight. Gio set an alarm in his phone so they would be back in plenty of time.
Benji discovered a caramel-corn shop which reminded him of the one in O'Hare. He had to stop for a large bag to share with his father and Gio.
As they were slowly making their way back toward the gate, a young-looking guy engaged them in conversation.
"Have you been in Colorado awhile or just getting here?" he asked.
"Um, neither. We're connecting to Phoenix," Benji told him.
"Too bad! They've got quality weed here. I can supply you with some."
"No thanks, but how did you get it through security?"
"I have connections," he said with a smirk. "The fewer people I tell, the safer it is. Would you like to try one of my homemade brownies? They're great and harder to detect."
"Nah, we're not into that," Gio shook his head. "We'd better go find your dad, Benji."
The kid they'd been talking to quickly disappeared into the crowd in the opposite direction, while they ambled toward their gate.
Suddenly, a man in a security uniform stopped them. He looked like he'd spent too much time in a donut shop, and he wasn't that impressive as a guard.
"Open your backpack so I can make sure you don't have any contraband," he demanded.
"No, I don't think so," Benji responded. "We've been through the checkpoint and haven't been out of the secure area since. You have no cause to search us.
"Go get Dad, Gio!"
"Come back here," the man yelled as he ran after Gio.
He was no match for the teen's speed and agility. Gio dodged in and out of the crowds to find Ben quickly.
As the supposed security man stood by a drinking fountain, panting, he saw Gio coming toward him with a man who must be the one the other boy told him to fetch.
While all this was going on, Benji had approached another guard to ask for help. As he explained the situation, the officer frowned.
"Were you approached by a kid who tried to sell you drugs?"
"Yeah, but my friend and I didn't buy anything. We don't do that stuff!"
"Hmm... I'm the only one on duty for this immediate area at this hour. Can you point out the man who talked to you? It's not our policy to search a person or his belongings without just cause!"
As Benji and the security officer walked briskly toward where Gio had run, they spotted the teen with Ben and the other man. The fake guard ran to an elevator and disappeared when he saw them approach.
The officer with Benji contacted his counterpart on the floor below. Within a few minutes, he received a message back. The man had been apprehended and was being escorted away by other members of the security team.
"Thanks for your help, Son! We've heard rumors about a scam going on but haven't been able to catch those involved. They do their dirty work during periods of high traffic when they can blend with the crowd.
"Is that your dad and brother coming this way?"
"My dad and my friend."
"Officer Benson here," he called to Ben and Gio.
"I'm Ben Lewis, and this is our friend, Gio. Is my son in trouble?"
"On the contrary! These two young men helped us stop an illegal activity. A guy who poses as a teenager and an older man who masquerades as a cop are evidently shaking down kids for supposedly buying drugs. We're not exactly sure of their MO, but it appears the fake officer frightens teens out of money, phones, and other valuables as bribes not to be turned in."
"It sounds kind of penny-ante to me," Ben said. "They can't make much of a profit."
"It's extortion either way! We don't want our airport to get a bad rep, so we're thrilled to have caught at least one of them."
"Whew!" Ben exclaimed, wiping his forehead in an exaggerated manner. "What would I have told Gloria if her son had been arrested for interfering in officials acts?"
"He didn't do that, Benji insisted. "Running to find you wouldn't be considered interference by a REAL policeman. Something about this guy seemed kinda off to me right away. In our social studies class, we learned about citizens' rights, among other things. That's how I knew he didn't have a legal reason to search me."
"Well, I'm not questioning what you did. I'm proud of both of you."
Gio had no doubt as to the identity of Grandpa Ted when he saw an older version of Ben waiting outside the secure area when they deplaned in Phoenix. All three generations of Lewis males bore certain traits in common – especially the way they smiled. And Grandpa had crow's feet wrinkles around his eyes which proved he'd smiled a lot.
Grandpa was also a hugger, and each person received a warm embrace.
When asked about their trip, Ben was the first to brag about the scene in the Denver airport. Ted seemed to be as proud of the boys as he was.
Ted's condo wasn't located in a Sun City where many elderly people go to retire. He had chosen to remain in Tempe where he'd been on the faculty of Arizona State University. He wanted to be around younger people who were full of life and vitality. There were sporting and cultural events to attend as well as the presence of many colleagues he'd known through the years.
The guys from Iowa were impressed with his home. Ben hadn't been to Tempe since his mother died, and his father had given up their larger home for a place he felt he could maintain on his own.
In addition to having three bedrooms, it had a spacious great room with a fireplace, a well-appointed kitchen, and a sunroom. The sunroom led to an enclosed patio which was quite private. Ted suggested that the boys could get as much sun as they wanted out there, wearing skimpy swimsuits or nothing at all. They blushed at the suggestion but thought they might take advantage of it.
Ted was as good a cook as his son, and around 5:30 mountain time, he brought a tasty southwest-style casserole out of the oven to feed his hungry company. Gio raved about the food, saying his grandpa would probably love to serve it in his restaurant if Ted were willing to share the recipe. Giovani was considering expanding his offering to include some Mexican dishes.
After dinner, Ted served ice cream and homemade sopaipillas. Gio hadn't eaten them before, and he loved them as well. Of course, that raised the boy's stock in Ted's assessment.
When they'd cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher, they retired to the great room to discuss some of the things they might do while they were in Arizona.
"If the weather holds, I'd like you to visit the Grand Canyon. It won't be quite like visiting it in the summer, but we can do a number of things, and at least you'll get to see it. In the winter, only the south rim is open. We'll drive up to Tusayan the day before and stay at a lodge. The helicopter tour leaves from there and there's a free pickup service from the hotel. We should plan to do it the day after tomorrow if that's okay with you. Then, if the weather doesn't look good, we'll have the chance to take the tour the day after.
"Tomorrow you can lie in the sun or visit some sites closer.
Then Ted stood up, looking nervous but determined. His guests wondered about his change in demeanor.
"I have something else important to tell you. Since Gio's Benji's boyfriend, I assume it's okay to share family secrets in his presence."
"If you want them kept as secrets, I know Gio won't tell anyone," Benji nodded. "I can't imagine who he'd tell anyway."
"Okay. First, I need to say that three men, two of whom I've never met in person, have given me the courage to do this. One is Jim Watson the mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, another is Neil Giuliano who is an acquaintance and was our mayor for 10 years, and the third is Ed Smart from Utah. Since we are close in age, perhaps he had the most influence. Can you see where this is going?"
"I think I can, and I'm fine with it," Ben nodded his head because he'd read about two of the men late last summer.
"Ah, Ben, thanks! I'm pretty sure these two young'uns will have the same attitude you do. You see guys, two of these men both came out as gay after pretending to be straight past middle age. Their decisions helped me make mine. I'm gay. There, I've said it out loud to someone in the family besides myself.
"I held it in until after Marjorie passed away a year and a half ago. I never wanted to hurt her. I was faithful until death parted us. Now, I plan to explore how my life might have been had society been more open in my day.
"Benji, you and Gio are lucky to have your whole lives ahead of you. Please be careful with how you live them, but please don't be pressured to act differently than who you are. You were born that way, make the most of it! Hold your heads high. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you're a lesser person because of whom you love."
"Thanks, Grandpa," Benji said, getting up to embrace Ted.
Gio joined him. Ben wasn't far behind, but he let the younger guys express themselves first because of what his father's words had meant to them.
When it was his turn, he told his father that his love for him hadn't changed in any way because of his revelation.
"You're the same man you always were; I just know you a little better now."
Ted shed a few tears in relief.
"With your permission, I'd like to invite my guy friend, Kris Keyser, over for dinner tomorrow," Ted smiled. "He's been kind of worried about meeting the family."
"Please tell him we'll be happy to give him the third-degree," Benji joked.
"If I do that, he'll have a panic attack!" Ted exclaimed.
"Tell him not to worry," Gio insisted. "If Ben and you have accepted me, he should pass with flying colors."
"Benji, you've chosen well. Gio's a keeper."
"Thanks, Grandpa. But I already knew that."
"Do you think your friend would like to accompany us to the Grand Canyon?" Ben asked of his father.
"We talked about it, but I have the feeling he's hesitant to impose on our family time together."
"Perhaps over dinner we could convince him that he's welcome," Ben suggested.
"Yeah, if we have a whole day with him, we can really check him out to see if he's good enough for Grandpa," Benji grinned.
"You'll scare him off for sure!" Ted exclaimed. "That's probably why Kris is hesitant to go with us."
"He'll feel like he's facing the Spanish Inquisition!" Ben exclaimed.
"Dad, you know I'm teasing. But I would like more time than just a dinner or two to meet the man Grandpa's interested in."
Ted decided to share some background information about Kris. The two of them had been colleagues in the engineering department, and Kris was due to retire in a couple of years.
"He is younger than I am, but I'm not exactly robbing the cradle. We've only about eight years apart."
"You certainly don't look your age, Dad. Unless he looks 15 years younger than he is, I doubt anyone would accuse you of that."
"Thanks, Son. I was fishing for a compliment."
Benji was surprised that Grandpa had given Gio and him the bedroom with a queen bed, while Ben would be sleeping in the one with twins. He wondered if Ben had told him about their sleeping arrangement at home. Whatever, the reason, Benji wasn't about to complain!
The teens shared a quick shower before going to bed. It made them feel fresher after their long day of travel. It was only 10:00 PM in Arizona but their bodies were still on central time.
As they cuddled before drifting off the sleep, Gio shared his impression of Grandpa Ted.
"Man, you didn't tell me what an awesome grandpa you have. I think he's as cool as Grandpa G. How come you've been keeping stuff from me? It can't be like not telling me you were in band."
"Seriously, I didn't really know. My mother's parents lived about half an hour away in the suburbs, and we saw them fairly regularly. Looking back, I realize Mother was a controlling type. She always had some reason not to go west. She didn't like her mother-in-law, so we rarely came here all those years. I'm glad that's changed. I'll bet we see a lot more of Grandpa now. My other grandparents dropped me like a dirty pair of underwear when I came out. I went from being the golden boy to a persona non grata!"
"Ooh, you turn me on when you use Latin!" Gio nibbled his ear.
"You'd get turned on if I spoke pig Latin," Benji giggled.
"What's that?"
"My other grandpa taught it to me. It's a silly game of taking off the first consonant of a word and putting it at the end with `ay' tacked on."
"I don't get it."
"Okay. Instead of saying will' the word becomes, illway.' "Illway ouya ebay ymay overlay? Translation: will you be my lover?"
"Esya! Iay illway ucksay ourya ockcay! Do you need an English version?"
"No! I'm a fluent speaker and I love the offer!"
Gio might have demonstrated his oral skills on Benji, but their long day caught up with them and they fell asleep before he could make good on it.
Author's notes: First let me empathize with those of you who have had to change your routines to comply with restrictions over the Coronavirus pandemic. It's like being trapped in a bad 1950's sci-fi movie! Hang in there and take precautions, but don't panic! This too shall pass.
Thanks to: Cary and Ken, Chandra B, John L, Ott H, Joe W, Bill K, Tim T, Mendy D, Ray M, JLF, Tony C, Jerry H, Walter S, Bill T, Hotrod, Joe W (#2), Frank K, Kevin K, Jim W, David B, Gordon, Randy McC, Allen, and Paul R who stayed in touch this past week.
Thanks to David who edited. He's on break and I made a few wording changes he hasn't seen, so don't blame any typos on him!
Thanks to Nifty for posting my stuff.
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If you enjoyed this tale, I'd love to hear from you. Please write to me at: dlee169@hotmail.com