Clean Hands and a Pure Heart, Chapter 5
Before long, school was back in session. Jon and Dave were rested from their break and eager to begin their final term. Having taken extra credits their sophomore and junior years, they had registered for just enough hours to maintain their fulltime status during this last semester. Students in their field often did this in order to concentrate on their thesis project which was a major undertaking for everyone graduating. Since these two had been so diligent in their research and writing, they were far ahead of the majority of their peers in meeting that final requirement.
Early in January, when they were at Staples buying an ink cartridge, they noticed a "help wanted" sign and decided to inquire. The manager needed a couple of new employees immediately to fill positions vacated when two of his workers left. One had been terminated after being caught with her hand in the till, and the other had quit without notice before Christmas in retaliation for the firing of his girlfriend. Mr. Hames was delighted to interview them on the spot.
Freedom students may have been looked at, by members of the community at large, as being a little "too wholesome," but were, by the same token, deemed honest. Mr. Hames needed people whom he could trust. Some of his former employees had been known to pilfer supplies they needed instead of paying for them. He expected it to happen occasionally, but not to the point of being robbed blind. He felt safe in hiring Freedom College students because he knew they wouldn't have sticky fingers.
At the end of the short meeting, Mr. Hames offered the guys jobs which they could begin immediately if they wanted to. He promised to work around their class and swim-meet schedules.
The guys said they would consider his offer and let him know within 24 hours. They hadn't come in looking for work, after all, and they needed time to think it over.
"This could be Divine Providence at work," David mused. "It would be a boost to the savings account we've started for next year's expenses. I'm certain that Grandma will help us if we need it, but I'd like us to be able to make it on our own, with maybe a small loan or two."
"I agree! We know that our families will probably desert us when we come out. It's not really their responsibility to pay for grad school anyway. We're way ahead on our theses and our class loads are very light. I think we should do it! Let's tell Mr. Hames that we'll take the jobs, but with the understanding that we could bail with two week's notice if things get too hectic."
They were hired for basically the same position, but with different schedules. The only time they would be in the store together was on Saturday. They would work alternate Sundays. The school didn't like having students work on the Sabbath, but did allow exceptions for seniors who filed for an exemption.
Jon's old roommate Matt and his buddy Bryce were playing a bit of grab-ass, and were on the verge of sharing a kiss in the back of the office supply store one afternoon when they were startled by Jon who came to see if they needed help finding something.
"Um, we, um, wanted to look at a new printer," Matt stammered.
"They're up toward the front on the right. I'm surprised you didn't see them on your way in. What are your requirements? We have a lot of different features and price ranges. It's not very busy at the moment, so I can help you as long as you need me."
Matt hemmed and hawed for a while as he looked at the machines. It appeared that his interest in printers had been a ruse to deflect Jon's attention away from what Bryce and he had been doing.
"Do you guys want to talk about anything?" Jon inquired quietly, seeing their discomfort.
"You KNOW, don't you?" Bryce said with tears forming in his eyes.
"I had suspected, but that doesn't mean I knew." Jon said gently. "Your business is your own; I'm not a whistle-blower."
"Thanks!" Matt exhaled. "We're so scared that we'll be discovered and thrown out before Bryce can graduate next year. I have only a few months, but..."
"If you're really paranoid about it, you need to keep your hands to yourselves except in the privacy of Matt's room. You never know who might be observing your behavior. Now, I should look busy in case the manager pops in; is there anything you do need from the store?"
"I need a new highlighter for the textbook in apologetics," Bryce said. "That's actually what we came in for."
Jon led the boys to the section where pens and markers were displayed and then scurried to the front to welcome a new customer who had just entered the store.
Freedom's swimming team swept the final meets in their college division. Jon and Dave were thrilled at their performances. Their times stood up against schools which were ordinarily out of their league. It was like a Cinderella story. Because of that, they made the cover of a national sports magazine, standing by the pool in their skimpy Speedos with Jon's arm draped over Dave's shoulder and big grins on their faces.
Jim texted Jon the minute after he'd seen the issue hit the newsstands. He had purchased two copies and insisted that they autograph both of them at graduation time. He said the kids from his high school were really pumped about having one of their alums make a national "splash."
Jon's dad was excited too. However, Shirley complained about having a picture of her nearly naked son spread across the country. She could only imagine what David's parents would think when they saw it! She almost never called her older son at school, but this time she needed to express her displeasure immediately.
Jon took it all in stride with a grin on his face as he responded to her rant. He explained that neither the school nor he had any control over what sports photographers captured for their publications. He did say that he thought it showed off his fit body rather nicely. That, of course, sent her into another tirade. He laid the phone down on the desk and let her babble to herself for a while. When he heard a break in the non-stop prattle, he simply said "goodnight, Mother," and hung up.
Dave and he both giggled over it for several minutes.
"Too bad we weren't on Skype," Dave grinned. "She could have seen how we look when we're more than half naked! Imagine that conversation."
It was in February that they each received their official letter of acceptance to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and, with it, a response to their applications for scholarships. The dean, who replied personally, told them that he had read the draft copy of their combined senior project and was thoroughly impressed. He had shown it to others in the department at their meeting and they had decided to award the guys teaching scholarships if they wanted them. Not only would they get free tuition, but also stipends to help defray living expenses. It was practically like getting an advanced degree for free.
Jon and Dave replied immediately saying that they were pleased with the offer and would accept it. They realized it might take longer to get their degrees than if they were concentrating on course work fulltime, but felt the rewards were worth the effort.
"Let Mom have a cow when we come out!" Jon exclaimed. "She no longer has any hold over my life."
"I feel the same way about my parents," Dave nodded. "At last, we're nearly free to be ourselves! All we have to do is survive this place for about 11 more weeks, but who's counting?"
"Evidently YOU are," Jon laughed.
Once the swimming season was over, Jon and Dave had only their few classes and work to occupy their time. Yes, they were making a few minor changes in their senior project, but for all intents and purposes, it was a fait accompli. They were happier and more relaxed than they'd been since before the first day of their freshman year. It looked like there would be smooth sailing right up to graduation, but looks can be deceiving.
One evening, Abel paid the pair an unexpected visit. He congratulated them on their great swimming season and asked about their senior project. He was even more pleased with their academic accomplishments when they told him of their scholarships.
"I take it that the frustration which plagued you earlier in the year has passed away," he smiled. "I remember that both of you were having a very HARD time surviving part of the purity code. It appears to me that you have discovered how much better things are when you have a good buddy to lend a hand, so to speak."
The guys caught his obvious innuendos, and blushed, but were careful not to speak up until they knew where the conversation was headed.
"I purposely paired the two of you because I felt you were a perfect fit. I assumed that you would find a way to deal with the letter of the law and still be able to get the release you needed. Not all of the guys I've put together do that. In fact, many of them remain under stress, finding only a modicum of relief in a lot of prayer and night emissions.
I'm not here to judge your lives, nor do I expect you to make any kind of admission to me about what I suspect. I DO want you to know that you aren't alone. Jehoshaphat and I have a similar relationship. I assume I can trust you with that information."
Both guys smiled broadly and nodded.
"Cool! Tonight's visit isn't a purely social one; I have an ulterior motive. I overheard something that I shouldn't have, and I want to spread the word among guys I feel are `like-minded.' I was in the chaplain's outer office, but the door to his private one was ajar. I only got his side of the conversation, but the gist of it is this. Some alumnus from several years back read about a young gay man on the campus of Liberty University. He was appalled that the school allowed the guy to stay. This alum is on a mission to root out any gay influence that might be at work here at Freedom. It sounds to me like he's on a witch-hunt.
He would be too old-looking to pass for a transfer student, but he's sending in someone the right age to do his snooping for him. The chaplain made a comment that he could come up with a cover story as to why the guy was entering the program in the middle of the second semester of the year.
We all need to play it very cool. We don't want to get caught giving each other an intimate look or touch, so we should only do that when we're in private. I'd like you to pass this information on to anyone you know or suspect might be, um, closer than just buds."
Jon and Dave nodded again. This time Jon responded for both of them.
"Abel, it took a lot of courage and trust to share all of this with us. We'll do what we can. We all have to survive until graduation!"
"That we do," Abel agreed. "My motivation isn't entirely altruistic, I'm afraid. I worry that the relationships I know about, or suspect, could shine an unwelcome spotlight on the Masturbation Anonymous program and result in an investigation. I want to see the organization continue and thrive after we've graduated. It has benefited all of its members in one way or other. I trust that you won't reveal the source of the information leak. I need to stay in good standing with the chaplain and the dean."
"You can count on us," Dave assured him.
At breakfast the following morning, Dave and Jon sought out Vlad and Alexi to warn them. Their Russian friends paled at the possibility of being found out and thanked the guys profusely for informing them. They promised to be extra careful.
On the way to lunch, Jon caught up with Bryce to let him know what was afoot. Again he received thanks.
By nightfall, probably any guy who had a close buddy had heard the word. Most of them, possibly 90%, were straight as an arrow, but all felt the need to be cautious lest they be labeled as homosexuals. Many of them were already more tolerant than their elders, but now had a better understanding of what it must be like for gay or transgendered people in society. It was a kind of epiphany that would lead to an even greater acceptance on their part.
An announcement at Friday's chapel struck a chord of confirmation for those who had been privy to the rumor. At the end of the short service, Chaplain Walsh introduced a young man who had just joined the academic program. He explained that Lance Pearson had been in school in Jordan where his parents were undercover missionaries, and because of threats to expose them, the family had to flee. Therefore, Freedom was allowing Lance to continue his studies at the school. The chaplain wanted everyone to welcome him and help him adjust.
Lance's mannerisms were so camp that many of the guys figured he must have failed an acting class at sometime or other. He was just too swish to be genuine.
Dave and Jon nearly went into fits of laughter when Abel caught their eyes and grinned. Someone else near them held up a limp wrist just low enough not to be seen from the dais. Students around him snickered.
If the chaplain wanted to have Lance blend into the general population, he should have suggested putting him in classes that didn't involve computer technology. It was painfully evident to even the dullest student (and there were precious few in that area of study) that the boy didn't know anything about the subject. Normally he kept his mouth shut, but when he did open it, he got his size 11 sneakers lodged clear to his tonsils.
Jon and Dave wondered if they had been targeted when they bumped into him while having a leisurely swim at the pool. Fortunately, they weren't swimming nude, but had on boxer-type trunks. Lance dived into the deep end of the pool in a skimpy suit which was pushed down to his knees by the force of the water. Instead of discreetly pulling it back up, he climbed out and stood on the deck so that everyone could see his good-sized dick and partially shaved pubes.
"Let's get out of here," Dave said in an aside to Jon. "I think he's hunting, and we may be the prey."
"Let's pray it isn't so!" Jon joked.
Lance followed the pair into the big group shower, evidently trying to get a "rise" out of them. No matter how much he showed off, soaping his dick until it became stiff, they averted their eyes and managed to keep their cocks soft. It wasn't easy.
As soon as they got back in their room, the two young men sucked one another to mind-blowing climaxes. Lance's exhibition had had an effect on their libidos!
They must have passed the test, because from that time on, they saw little of Lance other than when he seemed to be buddying up to some other pair of guys in the gym or dining hall.
Dave and Jon didn't go to Illinois for Easter. Shirley seemed disappointed that David wouldn't be her guest again, but she would see him and his parents at graduation time when they would be coming home for a year's furlough just in time for the big event.
Jon didn't give any explanation as to why Dave and he were staying on the East Coast. He let the `rents assume that their workload was heavy.
They spent the first part of their break in Florida, but would go to be with Grandma on Easter Sunday.
Despite being in fairly good shape financially, they went on the cheap, staying in an inexpensive motel a few miles in from the Atlantic shore. They ate fast food for evening meals and had mostly bread and cheese for lunches. Their big entertainment was sunning on a nude beach nearly every day.
The motel owner's gaydar had gone off when they came in to register and he had given them a really good deal on a small room with a queen bed. He remembered how difficult it had been for him to get together with his boyfriend (now husband) at that age and he enjoyed giving the younger generation a better opportunity.
"We're gonna have to shower in private when we get back if we don't want to reveal our lack of tan lines," Dave said on their last night.
"Do we really care at this point? We don't have swim practice, so not many will notice, and if someone does, we can say we hit the tanning booth."
"Ooh, you are devious. I like that in a boyfriend."
"C'mere and let me show you something else you like in a boyfriend," Jon giggled, waving his stiffening member.
"Yes! I love that thing! Rub it all over my face!"
"Ooh, you're such a pervert, and I LOVE that in a boyfriend!"
The weeks before graduation were extremely stressful for some students. However for guys like Jon and Dave, it was pretty relaxing. Anyone with a grade average of 95% or higher in the classes they were taking was excused from final exams. The only thing still standing between them and their degrees was walking across the stage in the graduation ceremony.
They worked a little extra at Staples, filling in for a couple of high school kids who had tests at times which conflicted with work. They also enjoyed the pool, swimming nude now that Lance seemed to have disappeared.
The most productive part of their free time was finding a small apartment in Charlottesville within walking distance of the university. It was less than an hour and a half from their current residence, so they could easily drive down there to move in most of their belongings as soon as it was available. They put a deposit on it after talking to the current occupants who had nothing but good things to report about the landlord and living conditions.
The manager of Staples hated to lose them after graduation, but said he understood that they couldn't afford to commute three hours a day for what they were earning. Because they had been so dependable, he contacted his counterpart in Charlottesville, securing them positions there if they wanted the work for the summer. They did. It would be a way to support themselves until their scholarships kicked in. With all of these arrangements made, their futures looked pretty secure.
A few of the Freedom students opted to miss the last chapel service of the year. It would be difficult for the administration to "punish" any senior who didn't show up, but most of them went because of habit rather than threat.
Jon and Dave were happy that they attended. They enjoyed singing the hymns, and they could easily block out the short sermon because they had four years of practice.
At the end of the service, something the chaplain said got their attention, and made it all the more worthwhile.
"Some of you have wondered what happened to the young man, Lance, who came here in the middle of the term. He, uh, felt that he couldn't live up to our code of conduct and decided to withdraw. I'm proud to say that all of you appear to have had the self-discipline to carry through! I commend each and every one of you!"
"Hypocrisy runs deep here," Able said in a stage whisper to his boyfriend who was walking next to Jon and Dave as they exited the chapel at the end of the service.
"Yeah, and it's brown and stinky," Jon agreed.
Everyone within hearing distance had a good laugh.
Both sets of parents had booked rooms that were side by side at the Marriott for Friday and Saturday night to attend the graduation festivities. Jon's parents paid for a separate room for Jim to share with Dave's brother Tom and another for Beth to share with Ruth. The Minors didn't mind displaying their affluence, and their generosity would give Sue and Allen Albright privacy instead of having to be in the same room with their children as they'd originally planned.
No one except David and Jonathan had considered Grandma Albright's desire to attend graduation, so they took care of booking her a room at the Hilton nearby. She had planned to hire a car to bring her to Lynchburg, but Dave and Jon insisted on chauffeuring her.
She was delighted that her grandson and his boyfriend took it upon themselves to extend the hospitality that her son should have done. Their act of kindness reinforced her feeling that she had done the right thing when she recently modified her will.
The guys were happy to have an errand which would take a chunk out of their special day and keep them from having to spend breakfast and lunch with their families in addition to the obligatory after-graduation party. They would eat breakfast at the dining hall and have lunch with Grandma a couple of hours before getting dressed in their caps and gowns. Then, they would pick her up from her hotel so she would be early enough to secure a prime seat. Late afternoon and evening would be plenty of time to spend with the `rents.
"Do I feel an undercurrent in the Albright family dynamics?" Jon joked when he and Dave were dressing.
"My, my, how perceptive of you, my love."
"Seriously, don't your parents like her? How could they not?"
"She's far too liberal for them, as you may have guessed. They only tolerate her from a distance."
"That's too bad. They have no idea what they're missing!"
The graduation ceremony went off without a hitch, other than the fact that the speaker went on far too long. It was as if he wanted to review the whole Bible with the seniors before they were sent out into the world.
Many of the graduates sighed in relief when they were at last walking across the stage to receive their diplomas. No doubt some would look back nostalgically on the past four years as the best times of their lives, but Jon and Dave couldn't wait to be free of the place.
After it was over, the family members all went to the Marriott where Jon's parents had rented a small reception room so that everyone could be together. As might have been anticipated, Shirley fawned over the Albrights to the point that her children were ready to throw up. Dave's family had learned to smile and be nice to people like her because they didn't want to jeopardize their support money.
The younger set decided to spend time in the pool in order to get away from the cloying conversation. Grandma opted to go to the pool area to watch them so she could escape too.
Around 6:00, Roger ordered several kinds of pizza, salad, and sodas to be brought in for everyone to share. Dave's parents tried to pay half of the cost, but were thankful that their offer was turned down. They needed to watch their pennies carefully.
After the meal was over, Shirley said it was time to cut the celebration cake. She brought out one that was decorated with the name of the college and the date of graduation. Jon's name was on one end and Dave's on the other. They guys wondered why she put their names on since they knew she didn't like the idea of them sharing an apartment next year. Could she be mellowing?
Their fathers each gave them graduation cards with money in them. When Jon saw the size of his check, he flipped. It was made out for the sum of $20,000.
"Dad, this is too much!"
"No, it's what I want to do. I was thinking of a new car, but decided it would be best for you to spend it as you need to. Perhaps you'll settle for a beater and put the rest toward you schooling. You have worked hard, and I am very proud of you."
Shirley didn't look elated because she had no prior knowledge of the size of the gift. Roger was the breadwinner and head of the house, so she had no say over financial matters, but it irritated her that he would spend that much on the child who was her least favorite.
Grandma Albright also gave the boys rather substantial checks. Jon hadn't expected to get more than a card and possibly a few dollars.
"We'd like to see pictures of your apartment," Shirley said, steering the conversation in a different direction. "I'm sure you must have taken several."
Jon set his laptop on a table and turned on the slide show of the photos they'd taken. The outside of the building looked nice and well-kept, with trees and flowerbeds complementing the gracious architectural features. Evidently it had once been a large stately home that had been cut up into a number of small units. Roger noticed that there were several metal fire escapes so the guys would be able to evacuate quickly in an emergency.
Next were the shots of the interior. There was a small galley type kitchen that had folding doors to screen it off from the sitting room which seemed fairly commodious. Eventually a shot of the little bedroom with its queen sized bed popped up. Finally there were pictures of the bathroom and the closets.
"There's only one bedroom?" Shirley asked. Who's sleeping on the couch?"
"No one, unless we have company?" Jon smiled tightly.
"You're sleeping together? What does that mean?"
"It means we are sharing a bed like we have been for most of the year in the dorm," he said.
"I have a bad feeling about where this is leading!" Shirley exclaimed.
"It's leading to an announcement of how your son and I feel about each other," Dave smiled.
"I sent Jonathan to a Christian college to prevent something like this from happening!"
"Yes you did Mother, and I used to be very angry with you for forcing me to attend Freedom, but I've come to accept it as a part of God's plan. If I hadn't come here, I never would have met the love of my life. I am truly blessed!"
"How dare you use those terms to speak about evil things? What you are doing is an abomination! You are not only condemning your soul to Hell, but taking a fine young man with you."
"With all due respect, Mrs. Minor, it is I who first tempted your son. Yes, it was an act of pure lust wearing shorts which would show off my erection, but it turned into love once the ice was broken."
"The Bible says it's an abomination!" Shirley continued without taking another breath. "You may have tempted him first, but he should have resisted."
"The Bible also says that David's soul was knit together with Jonathan's soul, and David loved him as his own soul. It's in First Samuel, verse 18." Jon told her. "My soul is knit with Dave's. We LOVE each other like those two did so long ago."
"Let them be, Shirley," Roger said quietly. "Things are different in the 21st century than they were when Leviticus was written. Besides, all of your yelling is only upsetting everyone. Look, Sue is crying. Perhaps you should spend your energy comforting her."
"I'm too upset to comfort anyone. Who's worried about my feelings? I demand that you stop payment on the check you gave Jonathan. You should have waited until this all came out!"
"As a Christian wife, you have no right to demand anything of your husband," Roger reminded her. "Remember, you promised to love and obey."
"Maybe things are different now than they were in Bible times, especially between you and me!"
"Perhaps they are."
"I'll tear up the check if you want, Dad."
"No, I don't want you to do that. It was given as a reward for your hard work and achievement, and the fact that I love you very much. It has nothing to do with your orientation or whom you love."
"Thanks," Jon swallowed as he hugged his father.
During Shirley's entire angry outburst, Dave's parents had remained silent except for Sue's weeping. Allen looked stunned. He didn't seem to be able to focus or come up with anything to say. Shirley had presented all of the standard arguments. He believed in his heart that his son and Jon were on the wrong path, but he had no idea what to do to stop them. The notion that two males sharing love was an abomination in the sight of God had always seemed obvious until it was HIS son who loved another man.
Shirley was still seething when Dave and Jon said goodbye to take Grandma back to her hotel. To her annoyance, her other children hugged both of the guys and wished them well. Dave's siblings followed their example.
"I'm proud of both of you," Grandma said as they got her settled in the car. "You didn't back off from your stand. You quoted scripture right back in your defense.
Please come in for a few minutes when you see me to my room. I have another little present for you."
In her room, Grandma brought out a small cooler from the closet. It was full of melting ice and a bottle of fine champagne.
"This is for your own private celebration of your graduation and your love for each other. It should be at a good drinkable temperature by now. This bag contains two flutes and a corkscrew. It's a rather fancy one which removes the cork cleanly without leaving pieces in the bottom of the bottle. I hope you'll enjoy it in the future for other celebrations and think of me when you use it."
"This is awesome, Grandma," Jon exclaimed.
"Yes it is," Dave chimed in. "We love you very much!"
"And I love you. I don't seem to be alone in that regard. Your siblings all love you, and it's obvious that Roger does too."
"What time do you want us to get you in the morning?" Dave asked as they were about to leave.
"Why don't you arrive around 10:30 or so and we can have brunch downstairs before heading out? They have an excellent one here."
"Perfect! Goodnight Grandma, and thanks again."
"Good night, and enjoy the rest of the evening."
"How would you like to celebrate," Dave asked with a big grin when they entered their little apartment.
"How do you think? Or are you too tired after our long day."
"Want me to prove that I'm still up for it?" Dave asked.
"Let me check," Jon said as he cupped the front of Dave's slacks. "My, my, you certainly are UP!"
"So are you," Dave smiled as he felt Jon's bulge as well. "How `bout we take a warm shower to relax and sample Grandma's gift before we sample one another?"
"Sounds like a plan to me!"
--------------------------------End---------------------------------
Author's notes: Thanks to the following who emailed since last posting: Ott H, Tony W, Wayne, Bill K, Mendy D, Jim W, Walt S, Tom A, Zero, George F, Harry T, Trish R, Anon, Paul F, and JPC.
I appreciate hearing from you.
A special thanks to Tom and David, my faithful editors. They fix a lot of things that need fixing!
Please remember to donate to Nifty if you have the means. This site gives a lot of us the chance to practice our writing.
I will likely post a new story soon; I'm thinking after Easter. The working title is: "Family Matters" and it is about two young men who meet by chance and begin to help each other with their problems. I'm assuming it will be posted under "adult friends" or "beginnings," but I'll leave that up to the Nifty editor.
Thanks for taking the time to read my efforts, and for giving me feedback.
Hugs,
David