This is a story about some young gay men and their families, and what they experience learning about gay life. Thanks to Tim Mead for all his help. Comments welcome to Cgard43@hotmail.com
THE OTHER BOYS OF SUMMER
-5-
I was still puzzled about the whole thing with Eric and this guy Drew, but there was nothing I could do about it. I was also confused about the way Rafe had been acting, but hell, I couldn't anything about that either. I figured I'd just concentrate on work and see what happened on those two fronts. Willie and Pedro were my constants.
And then...the following week, our crew was working at a building that had a large storage unit near the back. They let us store seed, fertilizer, sprays and other stuff so that we didn't have to bring it to them each time we came. I'd gone to the landscape center after I finished weeding to pick up something we were going to need at our next job, and saw no sign of Pedro and Willie when I returned. I finally walked back to the shed and caught them in the act.
Big, strong Willie stood there pounding little short Pedro's ass wildly. They jumped when they saw me, but I encouraged them to go on. I bent down in front of Pedro and stroked his very long, thin tool in rhythm with Willie's fucking. Leaning forward, I started sucking him, and he groaned at the double action of my mouth and his buddy's big cock. It didn't take long to get him off and he warned me off and then shot a big load on the floor just as Willie was unloading his nuts deep into the condom in his hole.
I left them to clean up and to get themselves back together.
Both of them couldn't have been more apologetic about what they were doing, but I told them not to worry. I promised I'd never mention it to Eric, because I didn't think he'd understand it. Pedro explained to me that they were just getting the relief that being away from home for months required, though he blushed furiously as he was telling me. I suspected there was more to the story than he was telling, but it wasn't going to be my job to discover or worry about it.
But, after that day, the matter was never discussed for the rest of the summer. I couldn't bring myself to ask but I sure wondered if Pedro got his turn in the top role. I hoped he did anyway.
Sure enough, late that afternoon, Drew came out to talk to me again and Willie and Pedro gave me space.
"I passed on your message," I said, "It seemed to me Eric was pleased to hear that you remembered him. He asked me to suggest that we all meet up tomorrow for a cup of coffee." His grin cracked his face.
"Oh yes, I'd like that, or maybe I could meet Eric for a beer sometime," he said continuing to smile.
"Well, let's start with a coffee at Starbuck's. How's tomorrow about nine o'clock?" He was nodding all the time I was talking.
"I'll be there," he said with a huge smile, and then he asked me to tell Eric he was looking forward to seeing him again.
"Where'd you guys meet?" I asked. He seemed to hesitate.
"Eric and I met at a conference. We didn't get to talk too much but he seemed such a nice guy that I'd like to renew his acquaintance." I couldn't help but notice how carefully rehearsed that answer was.
So that's the way we left it. I called Eric later and told him it was a go and he got excited all over again.
"Now look," I said, "I want to talk to you about this before we go there tomorrow. Can I come over tonight?"
"Of course," Eric answered, "You can do anything with me you want. You know that." I laughed but said I'd be there about eight.
I admit that I was concerned about the next day; not about Eric's obviously good manners but about how this former "convict" was going to come on to him. So I spent about an hour that evening explaining to Eric about dating guys. It's not that different from dating girls (well, except the obvious.)
"The thing I want to emphasize, Eric," I said finally, "Is that you must not go overboard when you meet someone you find attractive." He looked at me shyly.
"You mean like I did with you?" he asked.
"No, not exactly, although I don't suggest restroom encounters as a good idea. I mean just take things slowly.
"You should always start by just getting to know another guy. Do you know what I mean?" Eric grinned at me.
"Oh yeah, like you and Rafe?" he asked. "You're in love with each other and you know it. I can tell that you're both in denial." That shook me.
"That's not the same," I said, "I'm not in denial. Rafe doesn't want to get involved that way. And, that's the last time we're going to talk about that." I could tell he was somewhat startled by how directly I'd spoken. I later wondered if Rafe had said something to Eric about me when they'd had coffee.
"Sorry," he said. I smiled to let him know the subject had passed.
Actually, that night was just a dating primer and I wasn't surprised that Eric took it all in pretty easily. Having been generally well raised by his parents, he already had good social skills in most areas; they just needed honing for the 'gay date' aspects that might come up.
"I've never really dated any girls either," Eric confessed. "I mean, I went to the dances in school but with girls who were just friends. I think I only kissed one girl in all of high school and none since I've been at college."
"Well, let's not worry about kissing right now," I said and grinned at him. "Let's talk about what you do and don't talk about on dates, and although most of this applies to girls as well as guys, let's focus on the guys and specifically Drew.
"The old rule is don't talk about sex, religion or politics. I think in Drew's case, however, that we may have to bend that first rule. To put it bluntly, you need to know if Drew is actively gay or not." He smiled very broadly.
"That shouldn't be too difficult so the most straightforward approach is for you to ask him why he left the...wait, he didn't call it a conditioning session; I think he called it a conference. Let's adopt that word." Eric nodded.
"My guess is that at some point early on you'll want to tell him that you also finally escaped from the treatment program as well. He'll want to know that, and that you're not still fighting being gay."
"Beyond that subject, and I'll probably stay with you guys for a coffee while that one gets resolved, talk about things you like to do, ask about what kind of work he does, what he does for hobbies, and so forth. It's not a job interview; it's friends meeting and getting to know each other.
"Also, be honest in talking about yourself with him. Tell him about you. I suspect he already likes what he knows of you so let him know you better."
"What if he asks me to go out?" Eric asked and I could see his interest rising. It made me think for a minute.
"Didn't you tell me that you were allowed to pal around with guys who'd been in the program?" Eric grinned and laughed.
"I think we just found a loophole," I said with a wink. "So you're not going against your parents' orders, are you?" Now Eric laughed, a delightful sound I'd heard too infrequently.
"You're not only the best tutor," he said as he chuckled, "You're smart too! Yep, that's our loophole."
When I left, Eric was still very excited and he kissed me a couple of times. I allowed it but didn't encourage him, and we both were pleased with the results of the evening.
We all arrived at Starbuck's separately. Eric had much more impressive wheels than my old car and I figured it couldn't hurt to let Drew know that Eric wasn't just a struggling college student working for a landscape service. Besides, I had every intention of giving them some alone time if things went well.
Drew was already there when we arrived; that's points in my book. We each ordered a drink and sat down at a table. Eric made the official introductions and I noticed they held their handshake longer than usual. Once the drinks were served Eric started the conversation in earnest.
"Drew, I was so worried when you left the conference," Eric said. "I was concerned about you."
"No, no, it was nothing bad," Drew answered, lowering his voice as he looked around. "To tell the truth, I escaped. Say, Eric is it okay to talk about that conference stuff here?" He clearly meant me and Eric reassured him.
"Oh yes, Andy knows everything about me; well, maybe not everything." He blushed attractively and I admired his modesty.
"I'll be cool at your office too, Drew," I said. "Don't worry about that." He relaxed but kept his gaze focused on Eric.
"What about you, Eric?" Drew asked almost solemnly. "Did you complete the session?"
"No, I got out too, though I was there much longer than I wanted to be. My parents seem to have come around a bit about accepting the way things are, and we're doing better now." I was glad he didn't mention my role.
"Thank God mine have too, although it's still not much discussed when I'm at home with them," Drew said and I could tell he really meant it. I had to make sure I was leaving Eric in good hands.
"So, you're okay now with being gay?" I asked very, very quietly. Drew smiled at me.
"Oh yes," he whispered to both of us, "And I'm especially glad of that now that I've reconnected with Eric." Drew gave us a great smile, and Eric looked ecstatic.
"It's not easy meeting guys, you know," Drew said with another smile. Eric and I just nodded.
Since we'd cleared the air on the gay issue, I decided it would be fine for me to finish my drink and leave the two of them alone. I mean I didn't think two guys in their early twenties needed a chaperone once we'd settled that one big issue.
What I did hear of their conversation after acknowledging that each was gay was nice, friendly guy talk on a wide range of issues. I felt fine about leaving them alone to get to know one another better.
I pulled out my cell when I got to my car and called Rafe. He answered right away and just as quickly invited me over. He wanted an update on Eric and I was eager to fill him in the latest developments.
He was still very pleased about the change in counselors for Eric (naturally I'd called to tell him that), and he was both amused and happy about the new guy Drew coming onto the scene.
"That's good," Rafe said, "Maybe if Eric starts dating Drew you'll have more time for me. You're always so busy lately." I admit the remark puzzled me.
"Rafe, you know I'll always have time for you," I said, "Hell, you're the best friend a guy ever had." He gave me a half chuckle that I didn't know how to read.
Well, to shorten up this story for the poor reader's sake, Drew and Eric hit it off as we'd all hoped they would. Before they left Starbuck's, where they talked for an hour and a half, Drew had invited him to go to church with him the next day at the local MCC. Fortunately, Eric had read the pamphlet I'd given him so he knew what that was all about and accepted.
"Then we'll go out for brunch," Drew went on, "I know a great place." Eric agreed.
My cell phone rang about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Naturally it was Eric. Acting more like a giggling schoolgirl than anything else, he told me almost everything that had been said. The critical points were these: Drew was gay and single and not dating anyone at this time; Drew told Eric that he found him attractive, and Eric returned the favor on all counts. I was delighted for both of them.
"He told me he has to usher for one of the church services, but that we could sit together and everything. He even said I could go to communion with him, but I'm not sure that's right."
"Oh yes, that's right," I countered. "I've been to their services and they have an 'open' communion. It's perfectly fine for you to go. Might be nice if you went with Drew." I swear Eric giggled.
So things on that Saturday went very, very well. There was just a slight, lingering concern about Rafe that had me puzzled.
I was actually a bit relieved that Drew had suggested church and brunch as a first date. I doubted anyone could get into trouble in that scenario, and when Eric called later on Sunday afternoon he left a message saying he'd had a terrific time and that there was only one thing that he wanted to talk to me about. When I called him back, I suggested he bring a sandwich and get to our jobsite the next day for lunch so we could talk.
"My buddies understand that we're friends and need to talk sometimes," I said. There was a silence on the other end of the phone.
"It's fine," I said, "Just trust me on this."
He'd told me about going to brunch where they'd talked and talked, but he kept coming back to the other points: Drew was so handsome (I agreed); Drew seemed to like him (surprise!) and he'd explained the parents' rules but also our loophole. Eric said Drew had said I was clever.
"Get on with you," I said with a laugh.
The next day, what he wanted to talk to me about was his mother. She'd called after he got home from brunch and asked flat out if he'd gone to church that morning.
"Yes," he'd answered honestly, "I went to church with a friend who goes to another church." And that's when she got upset. After several minutes, his father got on the phone and he went through the whole story with him.
"That's fine, son," his Dad had said quietly. "I guess we should be glad you're going to church somewhere. We'll talk about it more when we come home, and I'll calm your Mother down now. Okay?"
"Thanks, Dad," Eric reported saying, "You're the best."
"What I'm concerned about," Eric said to me, "Is what they'll do if or when they find out that the MCC church welcomes gays. I mean Drew introduced me to some very nice guys and even a few women yesterday. They all seemed so pleasant and it was so friendly." Then he giggled.
"We even got to hug during the service." I knew what he meant. "I think I'd like going there instead of the Baptists."
"Well," I said, "You told me that you think your Dad is becoming more accepting of you being gay. If he does that, it's only logical that you should want to attend a church that doesn't condemn you like some of them do. I'm sure he'll see the reason in that."
"They're both coming home in three weeks," Eric said, "So, I think we better get busy tutor." I laughed.
"You've got it!"
to be continued.