Guardian Angel, Chapter 4
Caleb wasn't especially looking forward to Thanksgiving, other than having time off from school. Carol was working that day, but taking off Friday and the weekend. She was filling in for a friend who had family coming, and she would get paid extra for working the holiday. That would help with the bills. She felt better about leaving Caleb alone since the boys who had bullied him were out of the picture.
Bret's family was going to visit his father's parents, so he wouldn't be around. Caleb thought maybe he'd be lazy and not bother to get dressed the whole day. Having time to himself wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
He was lying naked in bed, playing with his dick, when the doorbell rang incessantly in the late morning. He threw on a pair of sweatpants and stumbled down the hall, cussing the person who had the audacity to interrupt his time of self-pleasure. He opened the door with a scowl, which quickly turned into tears of joy.
"Dad! Wow!
"Yes, wow!" Hollis exclaimed as he pulled his son into a bear hug. "My God, how you've grown! You're taller, and you've filled out too. Look at those biceps and that chest!"
"Dad, I think you need glasses. I'm still a skinny kid."
"No, it's you with the vision problem. You've turned into a young man in my absence."
"Are you home now for good?" Caleb asked, trying to steer the subject away from himself.
"As far as I know, I shouldn't be called up for another stint. I can go back to Rockwell and our standard of living can resume as it was. The new government contract I'll be working on will probably exempt me from further service, unless World War Three breaks out."
"Oh, I'm so happy!
"Are you hungry? There's stuff for lunch, or I could make you a hot breakfast if you'd rather. Bret and I have gotten pretty good at it."
"Breakfast sounds really good. Can you do scrambles eggs and bacon?"
"I can add waffles to that too, at no extra charge."
"Great! Let me throw my duffel bag in the laundry room and get cleaned up.
"Where's Mom?"
"At work."
Caleb hurried into the kitchen to start. He put several strips of bacon in the microwave to cook while he stirred up the waffle mix. By the time his father reappeared, freshly showered, shaved, and clad in boxers, everything was ready.
"You're becoming a master-chef too," Hollis grinned.
"Breakfast isn't exactly a gourmet undertaking," Caleb brushed off the praise.
"So, you and this Bret guy have been practicing? Is he someone who's more than a buddy you have crush on?"
"Yes!"
"I'm happy for you. Did he tell you that he emailed me after you two subdued the boys who attacked you?"
"No, he didn't. He did ask for your address, but he never said he'd used it."
"Well, he did, and he gave me a glowing report about how you kicked ass."
"No way!"
"Yes way. He had me believing you were the Karate Kid from that old movie we used to watch. I got the distinct feeling that he really cares about you."
"He does, and it goes both ways. His parents and Mom are okay with it, and it looks like you are too."
"I want whatever makes you happy. When do I get to meet this young Romeo?"
"Probably tomorrow when he gets back from his grandparents' house."
"So, you've been all alone today on Thanksgiving?"
"I was, but now I have you! I have more to be thankful for this year than ever. And I think waffles and bacon are better than turkey when I can share them with you."
"I take it Mom will be at the hospital most of the day."
"Yup, she gets paid extra for the holiday, and someone else wanted it off. She'll be home in a few hours, and then you have tomorrow and the weekend to, um, make whoopie."
"Is that any way to talk about your parents?"
"Yup it is; well, my dad at least, because I understand a guy's feelings, and you both need it."
"You've grown up in a lot of ways, Son. You seem more like my younger brother than my little boy."
"Thanks! I hope I'm maturing. I even have my drivers' license."
"But no wheels. I think we'll have to remedy that soon."
"It's okay to wait. There are some bills to pay off first, and you'll need a car to get to work."
"Perhaps we can share one for a while. The bus connections for work aren't bad."
"But, I can easily walk to school, and Bret's insisted on driving me since I was beaten up."
"Do you realize that's the first time you've used that term about your earlier run-in with those boys? I'd like to know the full story if you're willing to share it. Your mom alluded to it briefly, but that was all."
"It's not a big story, and it isn't a pretty one. I was attacked by several guys, and had no way of getting loose or fighting back. It wasn't fair at all. I'm lucky I don't have permanent damage. Bret came along, and they all scattered. If he hadn't, I'm not sure I'd be alive.
"The police said it was a hate crime because the bullies called me fag,' queer,' and lots of other derogatory names that are used on gay guys.
"I told Mom I didn't want to worry you. I'm sure you've kept things from me for the same reason."
Hollis nodded, gravely, and their eyes met in a moment of mutual understanding, both tearing up a little.
"We're a lot alike," Hollis said softly. "Traditionally, men have held everything inside to `protect' their loved ones, but I'm changing, and I hope I haven't made you into the old, stereotypical strong, silent type."
"No, you haven't, Dad. I'm not strong and I'm not silent. The only reason I didn't spill my guts to you is that I didn't want to distract your mind and cause you to get hurt because of it. I didn't make a big deal of it in front of Mom for the same reason, I guess. She's had enough pressure without stressing over me. I have cried on Bret's shoulder."
"Ah, that's part of how it should be between people who care about each other. You share the bad times as well as the good."
"The good times are especially good compared with the bad ones we started with. He held my hand for a moment in the emergency room, and we hadn't even admitted that we liked each other then. He's been my rock ever since."
"I'm happy for you," Hollis said, as he embraced his son again.
Caleb cried against his father's chest. He hadn't realized that he'd held some of his emotions in so deeply that they were just now surfacing. There was something about his father's scent and his strong arms that helped Caleb let go.
When Caleb stepped back, he realized that his father was crying too. It was a special moment for both. Dad was home at last!
Together, Hollis and Caleb scouted the pantry and the freezer to find something to make for dinner. There was a small turkey in the refrigerator, but it wasn't thawed completely, and they decided to save it for Friday as Carol had intended.
After planning the menu, Hollis said he needed a nap to help him adjust to the time-change. Caleb grinned to himself, thinking that his father probably wanted to be rested for his nighttime activities.
Caleb sent a text to Bret to tell him the good news that his father home. He didn't get a response immediately, but when he did, it said that Bret would pick him up after dinner for an overnight if he could come. Caleb was sure he'd get permission. His absence would give his parents the chance to have a homecoming celebration without needing to suppress the noise level.
Carol arrived home around 6:00 tired, wondering what she could rustle up for supper. She felt a weight being lifted from her shoulders as a pleasant aroma hit her when she opened the kitchen door.
"Caleb, have you been cooking?" she called. "It smells heavenly!"
"Yes, WE have made spaghetti and meatballs," Caleb answered as he came into the room followed by his father who was now going commando in sweat pants and a T-shirt.
"Oh My God!" Carol cried. "Are you home for good?"
"It looks like it."
There wasn't any talking for the next several seconds while husband and wife ravished each other's lips unabashedly. Although Caleb turned away, it sort of embarrassed him. He found the scene to be like one from the beginning of a straight porn video.
He turned up the heat on the pot of water, so he could add the pasta when it came to a boil. He remained at the stove, facing away from his parents because he didn't want his presence to inhibit them.
When they pulled apart, it was obvious how much his father had enjoyed the contact.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Caleb," Carol blushed as she realized what a display they'd put on.
"No need to be," Caleb grinned. "I can hold off cooking the spaghetti for a while if you guys want."
"That's okay, we can act like adults until after dinner. I need a shower anyway, before um..."
"I understand, Mom. I'm not a little kid. And I think you're acting very much like adults!"
"Well, little kids don't usually cook," Carol observed, trying to change the subject.
"Dad made the sauce from scratch, and I remembered we had turkey meatball in the freezer for a quick meal."
Caleb poured two goblets of Chianti for his parents, and looked hopefully toward the counter where he'd set a third one. His father nodded, and he poured himself a glass too.
Hollis raised his wineglass in a toast. "To family!" They clinked glasses and drank a sip.
Their conversation around the table involved catching up. Hollis didn't say much about the war zone, and Caleb stayed away from discussing his problems with the bullies. They had shared the majority of that during the afternoon, and neither felt the need to cast a pall over their celebratory dinner.
Everyone ate slowly, and didn't stuff themselves. Caleb could understand why his parents wouldn't want their stomachs too full for what they'd be doing later in the evening. He could empathize. If he and Bret ended up rubbing their bodies together, they wouldn't want to be over-full either.
"Mom, I know you've put in a long day, and you'll want to shower and rest. I'll clean up the kitchen and start the dishwasher. Then, I'll call Bret to pick me up. We're having a sleepover at his house, unless you object."
"That's all very thoughtful of you, Son," she said as she rose to hug him. "You're a very sensitive young man. When will you be home?"
"Probably not until after lunch tomorrow. We may go to a movie."
"We'll plan to eat our turkey dinner around 6:00, so please be back by then. Why don't you have Bret join us? It would be an opportunity for him to get acquainted with your dad."
"Thanks Mom! That sounds like a plan."
"Well, did you have any problem getting permission to sleep with me tonight?" Bret grinned, as Caleb got into his pickup.
"You know the answer to that. I'm sure they're happy to have me out of the house, so they can enjoy a second honeymoon without worrying about anyone overhearing it. And, I didn't emphasize the fact that we'd be sleeping together. I figured that might be too much info."
"So, you didn't say that your boyfriend wants you to rub your hot, naked bod all over him until we both pop our loads?"
"I'll bet you don't tell YOUR parents that!"
"Touché."
"Mmm..." Caleb cooed as he ran his hand up the inside of Bret's right thigh.
"What's that for? Not that I'm complaining."
"You said "touché." Isn't that French for "touch me?"
"I'm sure it can be if you touch me there," Bret gasped, as Caleb caressed his growing bulge. "Take it easy so I don't wrap my truck around a tree!"
Caleb could only envision what his parents might be doing, but what Bret and he did in bed left nothing to the imagination. The term, "frottage" wasn't yet in their 11th-grade vocabularies as yet, but they were familiar with the meaning, and were enjoying it more with practice.
After sharing a shower, they hurried to Bret's bedroom, clad only in their towels. Fortunately, Bret's parents were watching one of their favorite TV shows and weren't around to witness how far the terrycloth stood away from their bodies in front.
Once the door was shut and locked, they dropped their towels and climbed into Bret's bed, grinning at each other.
"I want you to lie on top of me," Caleb requested.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to feel trapped. It could trigger bad memories."
"It won't, because I'm not afraid of you. You're not gonna kick me in the gut or make me do something I don't want to do. I need to get used to having your weight one me. Someday, I'm going to want you to make love to me in, um, that way."
"Even if we do that, you wouldn't have to be on the bottom. I mean, there are other ways to do the anal thing. Besides, maybe I'll want you to be on top."
"I definitely want to try it both ways, but I'm not in a hurry to do it, if you know what I mean."
"I do know. We can enjoy lots of hot sex without doing that."
"Cool! I'd like you to pretend we're doing it by you sticking your dick between my legs, like under my balls, while I'm on my back."
"Okay. I'd better stuff a towel under your butt so I don't squirt on the bed when I cum."
In the missionary position, the boys could kiss intimately while squirming around to pleasure their cocks. Bret's slippery hardon rubbed against Caleb's perineum creating a burst of pleasure he hadn't anticipated from that source. His phallus was also being stimulated by Bret's abs.
They would have loved to have kept these sensations going for hours, but after several minutes of this, both could feel their sap rising. Their eyes glazed over as they began to ride the huge wave toward their orgasms.
Caleb stuck his tongue in Bret's mouth, and Bret sucked on it as if it were a different part of his anatomy. That action was the lever that opened the flood-gates. The deluge was powerful. As Caleb sensed Bret's cock blasting volleys of jism in the cleft of his butt, he filled, to overflowing, the narrow space between their bodies. When they eventually came down from their high, they found that the towel was soaked with cum in one spot, and it got a lot stickier as they cleaned the rest from their loins.
Then it was cuddle time.
Thanksgiving dinner, though a day late, was a festive occasion at Caleb's home. He couldn't get over how the bleak November weather didn't do anything to dampen their celebration.
Dad was home! Mom looked relaxed and radiant. Bret received a warm welcome from Hollis, and life was about as good as it could be.
Caleb wore a constant grin which had been rare in the months of school leading up to this point. He was proud of his boyfriend's interaction with his parents, and elated over their acceptance of the boys' relationship.
Bret's team would have its first playoff game on Saturday afternoon, and Hollis promised to be there to support him. He had played football in high school, so he could discuss plays with Bret in a knowledgeable way. It was fun to see them sharing an interest.
Usually, high school football was over before Thanksgiving, but because of the way the calendar fell that year, playoffs and the game for the state title were a few days later.
Caleb was pleased with the unusual schedule because it allowed his father to see Bret and him in action.
Bret warned Hollis not to expect anything heroic from him. He loved playing defense, but he wasn't as big as some of the other players, and didn't get a lot of time in the game.
Hollis said he understood, because he'd had a similar experience. He joked about keeping the bench warm, so it would be comfortable for the more important players, butts when they needed a break.
After their meal was finished, Caleb's parents invited Bret to stay over if he would like. He called to clear it with his parents. He did have to go home to get clothes and toiletries, but it wasn't long before he returned.
Caleb said he should keep a toothbrush and underwear at their house so they wouldn't have anything holding them back from impromptu sleepovers in the future. Bret agreed, and suggested Caleb do the same at his house.
The boys didn't fool around and stay up late. Or, it might be better stated that the boys fooled around but didn't stay up late. Both wanted to be fresh for their team duties, but both wanted to be relaxed and sleep well.
Bret drove Caleb to the game-site on Saturday. The cheerleaders didn't have to be there quite as early as the team, but Caleb was pleased to have the extra time to practice one of their more complicated cheers before the crowd gathered. It saved his parents a trip, and it gave him a few more minutes with the guy he loved.
He was pleased to see that his father kept his promise to attend, as he arrived to get a good seat ahead of the crowd. It was fun to have him there to see Caleb's participation as well.
The opposing team was a tough one, but the lead seesawed back and forth through the first half. The Lions came out of the locker room fired up, and made a touchdown, putting them ahead.
However, in the 4th quarter, they were down by three points, and it looked like they might be doomed, especially after a key defensive player was injured. The coach sent Bret in to replace him, but didn't have high hopes of winning. At least they could hold onto their score and wouldn't lose by much.
Then, in the last couple of minutes, the opposition made an error in judgment. Instead of sticking to a ground game and slogging their way to the goal, they went to the air to try to increase their lead.
Bret intercepted the pass and headed for the end-zone. Since he was lighter in weight, his speed was remarkable. No one could catch him as he made the winning touchdown. For the first time ever, he got carried off the field by his teammates. It was the thrill of his young life.
When he got set on his feet again, the first thing he did was rush to the cheering section to hug Caleb, lifting him in the air.
"Careful," Caleb whispered, "If you treat me like the other guys do their girlfriends, you'll out yourself."
"Hey, if I do, I do. I have deeper feelings for you than several of them have for their bimbos."
Then, it was off to the showers. Bret talked to Coach Hames about allowing Caleb and Joey, the other male cheerleader, to shower with the team. He had no objections, in fact, he thought it was a great way to foster more unity among the guys. He appreciated the support the cheering squad gave them.
By the time the guys cleaned up, it was late enough in the afternoon to have an early supper at Pizza Hut. Several of the football parents had reserved a large number of tables for a celebration in case of a win, or a consolation prize if they lost. The cheerleaders had been included in their headcount.
Caleb loved seeing Bret receive high-fives and fist-bumps from others on the team. It was certainly his due. His diligence had paid off.
Unfortunately, the team's luck didn't hold out in the next game, and they didn't get to play in the Unidome for a state title. However, some of them did go to watch the other teams play. As good sports will do, they cheered for the team who had beaten them the week before.
Author's notes: Thanks for your continued encouragement. I hear from some of the following right after I sent Chapter 3 in for posting: Paul F, Walter Sz, Brion B, Bill DeW, Steve C, John A, Salty, Peter S, John L, Bill T, Vinnie, Chandra B, Daz, Allen, Geoff S, GCD, Max P, Ott H, Michael R, Wayne, Greg W, Adrian M Tim T, Gordon, Allen, JLF, Tony F, Mendy D, Hotrod, Dick W, Tony C, Paul R, Joe W, Charles G, Don H, Bill K, Jim S, Charles C, James M, George D, Jon B. Cole N, John D, John McD, Randy McM, Zero M, and Barry J.
Thank you, David, for editing.
Thanks to Nifty for providing this venue.
http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
I know the following link has no connection with this tale, but I found it today and loved it. I think it will mean the most to my Australian readers.
https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/entertainment/television/videos//259270
Love and Peace,
David