This is a fictional story involving sexual acts between two or more men. If this offends you, why are you here? If you are under the legal age to read sexually explicit material then do not read any further. This story in no way represents any person living or dead. Any resemblance to any real person is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the author and no copying or posting to any other website is permitted without the author's written consent.

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture. Thomas Paine

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I do not believe that you have to read Devyn's Struggle to follow the storyline but it might help. You can find the story here: https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/devyns-struggle/

Brent's Struggle Chapter 47

"It sounds like a huge weight has been lifted from your consciousness," Dr. Drake said.

Brent had just been telling the doctor about the weekend and how things had gone with Devyn. It had gone better than Brent had ever imagined. Devyn had to be one of the most understanding people in the world to forgive Brent for how Brent had treated him.

"It went better than I ever dreamed." That was not entirely true. Brent had dreamed of Devyn forgiving him and then embracing him. That was then followed by a passionate kiss. That was how Brent had wished things had ended. It had been going in that direction. Devyn had been very adept at stimulating Brent. The kiss had been unexpected but almost more exciting than Devyn's fingers fondling Brent's package.

"That is good Brent. I know this was a big burden for you. Do the two of you plan to see each other again soon?"

"It will be a few weeks," Brent said. He then explained about Devyn's commitments to taking a friend to a dance, his performance in the school play, and his chores on the farm. "I still find it so hard to believe he's living on a farm and taking care of animals."

"That does not fit your memory of Devyn?"

"Not at all. He was much more...well...like..." Brent did not know the word.

"Lazy?"

"NO," Brent's voice was a bit sharp. Devyn had never been lazy. He could remember Devyn having to go to the construction sites with Frank and work on the weekends. "I just always pictured him more like his dad... you know the boss not doing the manual labor type stuff."

"That was your image of Devyn but maybe that was not exactly accurate," Dr. Drake said. "Perhaps it was the way you wanted him to be?"

"No... I don't think so. I liked Devyn as he was. We just talked about our future, and he was going to be a manager like Frank. I thought I'd be like my... Richard." Brent had switched from calling Richard, his dad. He would not think of that man as his father any longer. If he was going to call anyone dad, it would be the men who loved him. It would be Matt and Bryan.

"Maybe both of your fathers were pushing you into the careers they wanted for their sons and not actually what their sons wanted."

Brent believed Dr. Drake was right about that. He had not given it that much thought. He knew he would go to college like his dad. He would probably get a business degree like Richard and follow right along in the mold that Richard had picked out for him. Well, that was not going to happen now. He would rather follow in Matt or Bryan's footsteps. Could he be an architect? Brent thought that was more likely than joining the Marines. He did not think he had it in him to be in the military. "I never thought about it before, but you are right. I was going along with what Richard wanted me to do. He wanted me to be a clone of his. I'm not doing that now."

Dr. Drake could hear the defiance in Brent's voice. "You shouldn't shut off a future career just to defy Richard. It could be something you would enjoy."

"I'm not sure I would. I... I honestly don't know what I'd like to do. Maybe be like Matt."

"You could do a lot worse than to follow in his or Bryan's footsteps. You have time to figure these things out."

"I guess I do." Brent shrugged. He honestly had not thought much about his future. His focus was always on his present or maybe his near future. He never thought about life after high school. Did he even want to go to college? What could he do if he didn't go to university? He did not see himself working at some dull job just scraping by. Could he run a business? Maybe be like Albert and be someone's administrative assistant? That seemed to require a number of skills that Brent was not sure he had.

"Brent, you honestly do not need to decide right now." Dr. Drake had seen the stress on Brent's face. "You have time to figure it out. My own daughter has no idea what kind of career she wants and she's in her second year of college.

"Right, I have time... hell I have to make it out of high school first. I'm not even sure I can do that. My grades suck and I'm behind."

"You have some excuses that most high school boys don't have that have poor grades and to be a bit behind. Cut yourself a little slack on that."

Brent nodded. He knew Dr. Drake was correct. He was going to start putting in more of an effort to get caught up on his schoolwork. He was going to study and hopefully maybe bring up his grades. He was already talking to a few of his teachers about doing extra credit assignments. Most of them were willing to work with him.

"There was something else..."

"About meeting with Devyn?" Dr. Drake could see that Brent was hesitant to talk about some part of his reunion with Devyn. "If you can, please talk about it, Brent."

"You know how... um... being touched kind of... well stresses me out."

Doctor Drake did know this. He believed that physical contact was doing more than just stressing Brent out. It seemed to be almost painful for the teenager to have any type of intimate contact. Dr. Drake thought it had been getting better and he thought in time that Brent would fully overcome the conditioning that Wilson had done. "Yes, has it gotten better?"

"Devyn and I... we had... um... a moment in the woods... we had gone for a walk... we kind of both got emotional and... and we held each other. I didn't freak out." Brent did not add that Wilson's voice had been silent during that physical contact. Brent had been focused on comforting Devyn.

"That is great, Brent. I think in time, you will no longer have those conditioned responses."

"Before Devyn left... he... um... kind of... wanted to... well... I told him..." Brent's voice trailed off. He knew he was not making much sense. He could feel his face growing warm at the idea of telling Dr Drake what Devyn had done to try and help him. "Let's just say I got aroused."

"That's great," Dr. Drake said. He was happy for his young patient. He knew how much not being able to perform sexually was bothering Brent. "Were you able to climax?"

Brent could feel the burn of the embarrassment growing fast up his neck and across his face. He looked down. "After Devyn left, I... um... tried masturbating."

"Nothing wrong with masturbation, Brent. We all do it."

Brent glanced up and could see the hint of a twinkle in Dr. Drake's eye.

"Yes, even me."

"Well, I tried but... well... I got interrupted and then couldn't." Brent had been on his bed thinking about Devyn and how good Devyn's fingers had felt massaging him. He had remembered how good Devyn's lips had felt on his own.

Brent had been so excited by Devyn's kiss and Devyn's touch that the pre-cum was liberally flowing from his cock. It was the first time that he had been able to maintain an erection for so long. He kept playing the scene over and over again in his head while stroking himself. He was getting closer and closer to a climax. If Devyn had continued to fondle him, if Devyn had just taken out Brent's cock and stroked it, Brent knew he would have been able to cum. He half wanted to cum with Devyn. Should he have fondled Devyn? Was that what Devyn had wanted? Would they both have gotten naked then? Would they maybe have done more than just stroke each other?

Brent was remembering his and Devyn's last sexual time together. The night before they had been caught. He could remember how good it had felt to have Devyn between his legs. He could still recall how warm and wet Devyn's mouth had been when the other boy had gone down on him.

Brent had been on the edge of actually having an orgasm when Bryan had poked his head into Brent's room. "Hey soldier, dinner is ready."

Brent had hastily pulled blankets over his exposed erection. "Um... thanks!"

"I wasn't sure if Bryan saw what I was doing or not," Brent told Dr. Drake.

"But the interruption broke the mood?"

"Yes, I was too embarrassed then to... um... finish." Brent could feel the pink creeping back up his cheeks.

"There is no reason to feel embarrassed, Brent. Masturbation is perfectly normal. Both Bryan and I know that."

"Yeah, I'm sure Bryan has done it."

"I guarantee he has," Dr. Drake agreed. His voice was filled with amusement. "Boys often get caught by a father masturbating. Masturbation is a normal part of sex."

"It's still embarrassing to be caught... but at least it was Bryan this time and not... well... like when..."

"Like when you and Devyn were caught?"

Brent nodded.

"That should not have been so traumatic for both of you. Both you... I mean Richard and Devyn's father should not have had such a destructive reaction to finding the two of you together. Exploring sex with a close friend is also normal. Many boys experiment with each other. Mostly it stops with mutual masturbation."

"That is how things started with me and Devyn... I mean just kind of experimenting." Brent could remember that camping trip when they had both climaxed just from wrestling around on the bed in their underwear. That had been the start of their sexual exploration with each other. Brent had never felt embarrassed about talking to Devyn about any of the sex stuff. It had felt natural for both of them to confide in the other one.

Brent was a little glad to have his appointment with Dr. Drake over. He knew he needed to talk about all of this stuff with the doctor, but he still felt somewhat like a perv talking so much about masturbation in the session. "I'm sorry this got so... um... I mean that we focused on..."

Dr. Drake put a hand on Brent's shoulder. "It is good to talk about it, Brent. It is part of your recovery. Remember this room is a safe place to talk about anything. Today's session shows you are making progress... I think maybe we can reduce your visits."

Brent looked into the doctor's eyes. "Really? What about the court stuff?"

"I think I have more than enough to write up my report for them. It is obvious to me that with Matt and Bryan's care, you are recovering from your trauma. I think with their continued support, guidance, and love that you will make a full recovery."

"So... um... then is that what... I mean you will tell the court?"

"Yes, Brent. That is what will be in my report to the social worker and to the judge. I hope you were not concerned that I might recommend anything else. These sessions were more to have proper documentation rather than for me to form an opinion."

# #

After the appointment with Dr. Drake, Brent felt like a weight had been lifted from him. He had not realized how concerned he had been that Dr. Drake might recommend anything other than staying with Matt and Bryan.

"I guess I should have known what Dr. Drake would recommend but... well... I guess I just needed the confirmation." Brent was talking to Steven. They had been talking at least a couple times a week and that had not changed.

"He sounds like a decent doctor," Steven said.

"Are you seeing anyone?" Brent knew Steven had seen someone but was not sure if his friend had continued those therapy visits.

"Yeah, my uncle is still making me go...I guess it's alright. The therapist is nice enough. He's even alright looking for an older guy."

"Steven, are you always looking at men as... as... like..."

"Nothing wrong with seeing a guy as a hot dude... at least when he is hot."

"I guess that's true," Brent remembered the picture he snapped of Matt, Bryan, and Devyn. "What do you think of this?" Brent quickly sent the picture to Steven.

"Wow... what are they doing to him... it's hot!"

"I thought you would think that."

"He's got a nice ass," Steven said.

Brent was looking at the picture he had sent to Steven, and he had to agree that Devyn did have a nice ass. Brent could remember touching the smooth skin of that firm ass. He could remember parting those cheeks and finding Devyn's tight pucker. They had both been virgins then. Brent reached down and adjusted himself. He felt as though he was starting to plump up down there. He had not tried to jerk off since the night when Devyn had left. He had not wanted to try and fail at achieving an orgasm.

"Bryan's looking like he is enjoying spanking that butt. I think he's getting hard in those shorts."

"Nah..." Brent had not noticed that but if he looked closely, it did look like Bryan was slightly turned on.

"Yeah, I think he is," Steven said. There was a note of amusement in Steven's voice. "I think he likes spanking. I wonder if he just likes to give or if he even gets turned on more by receiving."

"Damn Steven!"

"Well... inquiring minds want to know. Could you ask him?"

"No!" Brent could not help but chuckle at Steven. "I'm not asking him that."

"It would be hot though. I'd let him spank me if it was going to get me that hot beefy marine body to play on.

"Shit Steven... you're like a perv."

"Yeah, and I like it."

Brent could not control the laughter. It felt so good, and he found he could not stop it."

Steven waited and waited. He was glad to hear his friend laughing like that. He wasn't sure he had ever heard Brent laugh before. "You alright?" Steven asked once Brent's laughter had settled down.

Brent wiped at his eyes. He did not know when he had laughed so hard. "Yeah, I think so. It was just too funny."

"It really was not that funny, but I'm glad it made you laugh. I like hearing you laugh."

"That's the same thing Alex says."

Steven was wondering if Brent was remembering something from his time with Alex. "He does... or he did?"

"Yeah, he did." Brent's voice was a little more serious now.

"So, it's something he told you?" Steven asked.

"I... um... I'm not sure." Brent paused trying to force his mind to remember. "I think... well... it is more like something I remember him saying rather than something he told me that he said."

"Do you remember anything else?" Steven was hopeful that maybe his friend would regain the lost memories.

Brent concentrated but could not bring up a solid memory. "No, just sort of remember him saying that to me."

"So, you don't remember hugging him, kissing him, or going down on him?"

"Geez Steven."

"Well, if you did remember that, then I'd want details. You know how long it is. How big his balls are, oh, and his girth."

Brent chuckled again. "You are a perv."

"Yeah, and proud of it!"

# #

"I'm glad you agreed to go out tonight," Alex said as he was walking with Brent to his car. "I've... um... wanted us to go on a... um... date."

Brent knew that was true. Alex had asked him several times to go out. He had not wanted to as he did not want to give Alex the wrong impression. It had been Steven who had finally pushed Brent to go out with Alex. "If you don't go out, how can you know if those old feelings you had for him are gone," Steven said.

So, Brent had accepted Alex's invitation to go out to a movie. It had been where they had met, and Brent wondered if it might trigger a memory. He would do almost anything to have that hole filled in. Those missing months sometimes drove him crazy with wondering.

Brent had wanted to see Devyn this weekend, but this was Devyn's big homecoming date with a girl. "It doesn't make sense to me," Brent had told Devyn when they had talked the night before the homecoming dance. "You are gay, and you are out but you're still going to this thing with a girl."

"Julie is a good friend," Devyn said. "She asked and I just could not say no. I think she really wanted someone else to ask her, but he didn't. He's either clueless or gay because Julie is hot and she's smart and sweet."

"She sounds great," Brent said.

"She is. My friends here are all great. Sam's loyal and straight but doesn't care that I'm gay. He's Charlie's best friend and I've told Charlie Sam will be cool with Charlie being gay."

Brent could not stop the flair of jealousy when Devyn talked about Charlie. Brent wished that there was no Charlie in Devyn's life as Brent believed that would give them a better chance of getting back what they had shared. "It seems like that would make it easier on Charlie... I mean with his best friend being so alright with it."

Devyn let out a sigh. "It would, except Charlie's older brother is a homophobic dick."

"Oh!" Brent was kind of surprised by the tone of Devyn's voice. It was obvious that Devyn did not like Charlie's brother at all.

"Charlie used to kind of idolize him, but I think that is wearing off fast. Sam told me Howard's always been an ass to him. It is crazy how different the two of them are."

Brent had both enjoyed listening to Devyn talk about his life, but it had also made Brent realize how different they were. Brent had not made any true friends at his new school. He just wasn't sure how he could change that. He just was not as comfortable at putting himself out there. Dr. Drake had told him that was natural after what Brent had been through.

"Hey Brent," Alex's voice cut across Brent's thoughts and pulled the teenager back to the present. "We're here," Alex said.

"Oh, I... um..."

"You were having some deep thoughts...were you maybe remembering something?" Alex could not keep the hopefulness out of his voice. He had hoped going to the movies would help trigger a memory. Alex had considered dawning his Alexis costume but thought that might only push the memories further away.

"Um... not really... I was just... um... thinking I guess." How did Brent tell Alex he had been thinking of Devyn? That would only hurt Alex and Brent did not want to do that. He had been upfront about this just being two friends going to the movies, but that would not stop it from hurting Alex if he knew Brent was thinking about Devyn while with Alex.

"It is good to try and remember," Alex said. "I still think the memories will come in time." Alex was hopeful that at some point Brent would remember their time together and how they had felt about each other.

Alex wanted to grab Brent's hand as they walked to the entrance, but he knew it would make Brent uncomfortable. He did hold the door open for Brent, which got a small smile from the blonde. Alex had been tempted to put his hand on the small of Brent's back but again he knew that would make Brent feel uncomfortable. Brent had never been comfortable with touching in public. Alex had never cared about who saw them together, but he understood why Brent was reluctant to show affection in public. Alex understood that Brent was stifled by his homophobic father.

"How about a drink and some popcorn?" Alex asked after they had purchased their tickets.

"Um... sure. But I'll..."

"Nope, it's my treat. I invited you." Before Brent could protest, Alex got the snacks, and they moved into the theater.

"You know it was this theater that we first sat next to each other," Alex said.

"Is that why you chose this movie?" Brent asked.

"No, I just wanted to see this one."

Brent wondered if that was true. Had Alex just wanted to see this movie or had the man wanted to try and coax out a memory? Brent was not sure the darkened theater would make that happen.

"I got my friend to cover for me so I could sneak in here and watch part of the movie with you. You seemed like you needed a friend, and I guess..." Alex shrugged his shoulders in the darkened theater... "Well, I guess I wanted to be that friend."

"That's... um..." Brent realized what a sweet guy Alex was. He just was not sure how to say that without giving Alex the wrong impression. The man really was special. He was more than just understanding. He was loyal, kind, and considerate. There was also the fact that he was damn good-looking and sexy as hell. The guy really did have it all. Brent knew Alex could have just about anyone and yet the guy was focused on Brent. It did make it seem to Brent that what the two of them had shared had been very special. Brent just wished he could remember those feelings.

"Me just being a nice guy. Of course, at the time, I wasn't sure you were gay. I just knew you were spending quite a bit of time here."

"I was trying to stay out of the house and away from my parents," Brent said. After the words were out, he knew that was the truth. He had been coming to the theater to get away from Richard. He had liked getting lost in the movie and not having to think about who he was or how disappointing he was to his dad.

"You remember that?" Alex asked. It was hard for the young man to keep the hopefulness out of his voice.

"Yeah, I do. I remember the feeling of... well... sadness and shame."

"You had nothing to be ashamed of," Alex said firmly. "You know that now, right?"

Brent shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I do but back then that is how I felt. I'm just not sure if it was because of what my... Richard thought or if it was how I felt about how I had treated Devyn."

"That is great Brent. You are starting to remember... even if it is just a feeling. The rest will come."

Brent hoped that Alex was right about that. He wanted to fill in the blanks in his memory. He wanted to remember Alex and what they had done together.

Brent got lost in the plot of the movie. He had to admit that Alex had picked a good movie. The storyline kept his interest and there was enough action that it did not drag.

Alex had been fighting the urge to reach over and touch Brent. He wanted Brent to know how special the blonde boy was and how much Brent's friendship meant to Alex. He wanted Brent to remember those feelings of friendship, love, and sexual desire that they had shared. Towards the end of the Movie, Alex decided to see if a casual touch would stir some additional memories or feelings for Brent. Alex leaned in and whispered, "I'm going to touch your hand." Alex took Brent's hand in his own. He wanted to do more but he could content himself with holding the other boy's hand for now.

Brent relaxed a little when he did not hear Wilson's voice in his head. Maybe he was making progress there. He gave Alex's hand a firm squeeze. Did he remember doing this before? Was it Alex he was remembering holding hands with or was it Devyn? He could remember it though. He had been in a dark theater like this and had held a boy's hand. Maybe it had been both of them?

# #

Brent had enjoyed the evening with Alex. It might not have been a true date, but it felt like that. Alex had taken them to a burger place that he said he and Brent had gone to before, but Brent did not remember it. It felt a little familiar, however, that just could have been because it was like any other burger place.

"I had a really nice time," Brent said. They were back at his house now and Alex had walked him to the door.

"I'm glad. I did too, but I always have a good time with you."

Brent snorted. "Sure, you do. I'm sure it was a blast sitting with me in the hospital."

"I'd have to say that wasn't a blast, but at least I was with you."

"You're sweet Alex."

"I am sweet on you."

Brent laughed. "Alex, I did have fun but... well..."

"Brent." Alex reached out to take Brent's hand. "Can I touch you?" Alex hesitated only a few inches from touching Brent.

Brent nodded his ascent and Alex took Brent's hands; one in each of his. "You don't have to keep reminding me that you don't remember. I get that. I even get that you are hung up on your feelings for Devyn and that's understandable."

"It is?" Brent was a bit surprised by Alex's words.

"Sure. He was your first and you were his. First love is powerful. It takes time to process all of those feelings. Since you lost that time, you have to do it all over again. It isn't like the two of you broke up. You were torn apart and that makes it harder to cope with."

As Brent listened to Alex, he understood that Alex was right. The way things had ended with Devyn had made it harder for both of them. They had not drifted apart. They had been ripped apart by Richard and Frank. The two men had not stopped at just attempting to sever their relationship. But in Brent's case, Richard had tried converting Brent.

"You are more understanding than just about anyone I know," Brent said. Brent gave Alex's hands a firm squeeze.

"You seem to have gotten better in letting me touch you," Alex said. "You aren't as tense as before."

"I've... um..." Should he tell him that Devyn had helped with that?

"I am guessing I have Devyn to thank for that." One part of Alex was hurt to know that Devyn had made progress with Brent where he, Alex, had not. The other part of Alex was glad that Brent was progressing through the recovery.

"Maybe a little," Brent said. He was not going to tell Alex how close the two had come to doing more than just touching.

Alex lifted Brent's left hand to his lips. "Is it alright if I do this?"

Brent felt the warm moist breath against his skin. He gave a slight nod, and Alex kissed his bare skin. Brent felt his pulse quicken. He could feel it growing warmer inside his jacket.

Alex looked up into Brent's eyes. "Yes, I'm going to have to meet Devyn to thank him for helping you."

Brent wasn't sure that Alex and Devyn's meeting was a good idea. He was realizing now just how much the two looked alike. Brent wondered if that was what had drawn him to Alex in the first place. Was it the fact that Alex looked like Devyn that Brent had feelings for the man in the first place?

Alex stepped in a little closer. "Is it alright if I give you a hug?"

Brent hesitated. So far, he had not heard Wilson in his head. He wanted to keep it that way. If Alex hugged him, would that pull that voice out of wherever it was? Brent knew the only way to find out was to try. Brent made the first move, putting his arms around Alex and pulling the other boy to him.

Alex did not hesitate. He wrapped his arms around Brent and breathed deeply of the boy's scent. Brent's blonde hair smelled like summer sunshine to Alex. He could feel Brent's baby-soft cheek against his own. He held Brent tighter.

Brent was relieved when Wilson did not raise her ugly head inside his mind. He thought maybe he had conquered the bitch. Maybe he was finally starting to put that episode behind him.

Alex looked into Brent's eyes. He wanted to go further. He wanted to kiss Brent's lips. He could remember just how good those lips felt against his own. He wanted to make love to Brent. He had planned on that happening last Christmas, but Darrin's attack ended those tentative plans. Alex caressed Brent's cheek. "You are so beautiful."

"Alex..."

"You are and my feelings for you have not changed. Even if you don't remember them, I do. I can't not remember what I felt for you. I can't stop thinking about what we could have even now. You don't have to remember how you felt. You just have to allow yourself to be open to feeling that way again."

"Alex, we've talked about this. I may never be able to be... well to be a full boyfriend..."

Alex put a finger on Brent's lips to stop him. "You will but even if you aren't able to do that, it won't change what I feel for you."

Alex's tender caress sent electrical impulses surging through Brent. He could feel himself growing even warmer. Alex's touch was causing him to feel things that until now he could only remember feeling with Devyn.

Alex cupped Brent's face and leaned in closer. His eyes looked into Brent's. He moved his lips closer. Alex lightly kissed Brent's lips. Alex wanted to pull the other guy to him. He wanted to hold Brent tight. Alex wanted to kiss Brent with all of the passion and intensity he felt. "I've wanted to do that for so long."

"It... um... was." Brent was not sure what he should say. It was so tender. It had been so intimate somehow. It was not the way he remembered his and Devyn's kisses. There was so much emotion behind it. Brent swallowed the lump in his throat. "Thanks... I mean for everything tonight."

"Anytime. I'll let you pick the movie next time. We can do whatever you want."

"Whatever I want?"

Alex nodded. "Yes, whatever you want to do."

"Then let's just run off to... oh... Rome." It had been the first place that had popped into Brent's mind. Maybe because he was just reading about it in his world history class.

"Do you have a passport?"

Brent laughed. "No."

"Well, we will have to fix that first."

Brent laughed. "Sure, I'll get right on that. I'll just go ask Richard for my birth certificate. I think you need that to get one."

"You do," Alex confirmed. "But we don't need to ask Richard for it."

"I should ask Matt about that. I'm sure I'll need that sort of thing at some point." Brent paused and looked out of the yard. It was strange how quickly this place had become his home. His home with Richard and Linda had become just a house when he and Devyn had been found together. How different would things have been for both of them if they had been granted parents like Alex's or Matt's?

"Everything will work out," Alex said. He thought he had seen some worry on Brent's face when the younger boy's parents were mentioned.

"Yeah, it will... I guess. If Dr. Drake's report has any influence, then I should get to stay here with Matt and Bryan.

"That's great. I like it better here than having to do all that sneaking around we had to do before. Oh, don't get me wrong," Alex said when he saw another worried look on Brent's face, "I did not mind it. I even kind of enjoyed it, but this is easier."

"I do too... I mean better living here with Matt and Bryan."

"Thanks again for a very nice... um... evening." Alex had started to say date, but he had caught himself. He knew using that term would only elicit a protest from Brent that it was not a date.

"I had fun, Alex. It was a good night. Thanks."

Alex stepped back and released Brent's hand. He had not released that hand since he first took it before their kiss. "Then next weekend... or whatever night you want."

"We can see," Brent said.

"I'll call you," Alex said, from the bottom of the steps.

"Night Alex."

"Good night." Alex blew Brent a kiss before he turned to walk to his car.

# #

Copyright 2024 by Keith yates (keith.96@att.net) all rights reserved. No copying, reposting, or distributing is permitted without the author's written consent.

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. Thomas Paine

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Thomas Paine

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture. Thomas Paine

Character is much easier kept than recovered. Thomas Paine