March Stephenson

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

Chapter 1

This story contains sexual situations between two males. If material of this nature offends you then you should not read this story. If you are under 18 years of age you are probably not legally allowed to read this Story.

This story is purely a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental. The author claims all copyrights in this story and no duplication or publication of this story is allowed (except by the web sites to which it has been posted) without the consent of the author.

Please feel free to e-mail me at... maxieplus@hotmail.com

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Chapter 1

I spent God knows how many days or weeks trying to cope with a cold empty house, phone calls from Matt were non-existent. I knew I had dropped some weight and when mum and dad found me I had set up home in the garage, because inside the house it was dying. I was sleeping in the back seat of my car and eating out of cans of food I didn't remember buying.

An ambulance was called and I was conveyed to the hospital.

I saw mum and dad talking to some doctors and she handed over my pills.

"What's happening, mum?"

"We are getting you some help son, please rest as much as you can, they are going to do tests on you but nothing too drastic." Dad took over and told me.

"You are going to be okay son, but be prepared to be in a lot of withdrawal pain. The doctors said they can minimize it but still be prepared. Nicky, you have been overdosing on your pills." I couldn't get my head around it and I was so tired.

When I became aware of my surroundings again I had been moved into a ward I felt like death warmed up, and vaguely I knew, I had to fight and beat this illness whatever it was. It was on the third day the stroke arrived I didn't feel anything only when I woke I couldn't talk properly or feel my left arm, my self-diagnosis agreed with my situation, as a trained nurse I can do all that stuff.

Eventually I was moved to a private hospital where I could get some sort of therapy, or a padded cell. I say padded cell because I constantly thought I was losing my grip on the world and my mind, this is what Matt had left me with, a broken body and now a scrambled mind. Mum and dad called by every day and as the days went into weeks I started my climb towards some sort of daily existence. What my life will be like, God only knows, but I did know one thing, Matt wasn't in it anymore and now I didn't care, my breakdown wasn't because he left me, it was because of how he used and abused me. I never said anything to anyone, they assumed I was just heartbroken.

I made some progress between the withdrawals and trying to get some physio, my moods were moving fast between silence and complete madness. I had no control of my emotions and had decided the best I could do was to stay silent unless the question was very important. I regained my speech quite quickly and my arm had some feeling, they are giving me more pills to help it recover. I clung onto mum and dad, I knew how much they loved me and I trusted them.

They tried to talk to me about Matt and our house but I kept repeating to them that they are both dead, and I have no room in my life for either of them anymore. The one thing I had decided was I hated Matt more than anything and I detested the house that was once ours. They told me he knew about my situation and was still on set in Canada doing some sort of tv show for Netflix. They hadnt rang him, they gleamed that news from the gossip pages and neighbours who were friendly with Matts mother. Although I didn't expect him to rush home to be by my bedside, or him to send a get-well card, he could have rung me, but didn't and I don't care.

Dad had told his manager to tell him he's not to worry about the house he will keep an eye on it. They have also moved some of my things back to their home, which was just down the road. When I started feeling a lot better, the movement I gained in therapy was gratefully accepted but I still held my left arm, it seemed to have a mind of its own sometimes, but at best it was controllable. I was damaged and was subjected to many tests and exercises until one fine day I walked out of there to get on with my life.

Dad seemed to be driving for ages, and when I realized where we were I asked mum what was happening.

"Gran's cottage Nicky,, it will be your home away from home for a while. When we get there we can sit down and have a long talk okay?"

"Yes mum, but why?" She let out an audible breath.

"Because you need somewhere peaceful to convalesce, somewhere away from that house and Matt's ghosts, just to be on your own for a while so you can sort your feeling out, and make a plan."

We turned into a familiar driveway that was almost hidden by the trees out front and overgrown bushes. Somewhere in the hills outside of Melbourne, a cottage appeared and dad pulled under the carport.

"This is your home for as long as you need it Nicky, there are plenty of walking tracks and wildlife in the area, the change in scenery will do you good."

I remembered coming up here on school holidays often, my gran was just the best, and I had a lot of cozy nights by the fire with her. She's gone now and she had left dad the cottage, but this was the first time in a few years I have been here. The home had been rented out since gran left us all. A smallish size three-bedroom weatherboard cottage with a wrap-around verandah, it was so cute and so familiar.

I had no idea what their plan was, but I did know it will not involve Matt. I recalled many memories as I looked around the home it had everything I will need, and for some unexplained reason I instantly fell in love with it, it hugged me in a very warm calming way, just like my gran used to do.

It felt like more of a home than that cold house, this place was family the other was a nightmare.

Mum put some coffee on while dad brought in some groceries and started filling up the fridge, then we talked.

"Nicky we will call by a few times a week and bring whatever you want with us, the next visit we will bring your car, but we suggest you don't try to drive it just yet. If it's urgent or beyond your strength, then we will make plans for you to receive some home help."

"I won't need it mum, and I remember there is a small town just a mile or two back down the road."

"There is honey, the exercise will do you good." She smiled.

"Why am I here again?"

"To convalesce, and we don't think it's a good thing for you to be staring at your old house every day. Nick, you need the solitude and time alone to sort yourself out. This place is going to be so good for you." She smiled and I didn't get mad at her for fobbing me off. I thought it was a good idea because they only lived down the road from our house, and yes I would be looking at it every day, maybe going in and laying on our bed, the memories would be horrible.

"So you're not shutting your crazy son away." I smiled.

"No honey, not at all, we just think its the best for you at the moment, when Matt or if Matt, ever comes back, you will be well prepared to deal with any questions he has, and Nick, you're here to try and forget all about him, and I mean that."

"I can't do that mum, at the moment I hate him so much he's constantly in my head." She looked puzzled.

"Then you have to stop that, make it your first chore to accept you can love a man so much that he hurts you. Over and over we have seen Matt's selfishness, but you have to see that also Nicky. For your own sake, you have to see him as he is."

"I understand mum, I do hate him so much and I do see him as he is, a selfish arrogant pig." I wont tell them I didnt love him or about the abuse he put me through before he left.

"That's a good start for your recovery, but your fight isn't over yet. Your father will try to ring him tonight he's not to bother you or interfere in your life for a time. Nicky, make a life plan with no man in it. If love happens again for you, then well and good, but you need to be prepared to not take any nonsense like you have been doing."

"Dad, please dont ring him I know it will be hard for you, but the least interaction we all have with him will be a goo dthing. Just leave it alone, eventually I will ring him because we will need to sell that property."

"Son, I think it's time you started up your running again and get some fresh air into your lungs," Dad said.

"I do need to work dad."

"We will talk about that later, but at the moment you are on a disability pension, take it while you can and have a holiday on the government for a change. I wont ring him until you ar efeeling better then." He smiled.

In the meantime mum had started some late lunch then she made the bed up and placed my medication where I could find it, on the kitchen bench. We talked some more as we ate. I almost felt I had been given a second chance in life and although not excited about it, I was determined to improve my mental status and health while living quietly in the hills. We made coffee and sat on the back porch, there were no houses around me and all we could see for miles was a green woody forest of trees and vines, it was magical.

My first night in my new home was very quiet. As dusk fell I said my goodnights to mum and dad and they drove down the road. Dad had lit the wood heater and it was cozy when I went back inside, there was a chill in the air and the wildlife had died down for the night. I would notice many things while here and the first thing I noticed was when I pulled my bed cover off and laid on the big couch in front of the heater, I fell asleep straight away. No nightmares and a dead, deep sleep. I couldn't believe it when I woke up I had slept for nearly ten hours straight. The fire had gone out but it was one of those slow-combustion ones, all I had to do was rattle the coals and put some fresh wood on and it burst into life while I made some breakfast. I checked my phone, no messages or missed calls. Mum and dad really meant it that I should regroup and take time for myself, so no calls.

My gran had done some work on the cottage but mainly she had made it more comfortable for herself, the lounge room at the back had a basic sliding glass door installed so she could look out from her large family chill-out room, I suppose gran spent many a winter near the hot coals of that heater.

I sent mum and dad a message, and the one I got back was they were pleased their little plan had worked. The next thing I did was haul out my laptop and check that. I would use it less and less over the following months because I would find myself checking on Matt's progress. This is a big break for his movie career, and he up and moved to Canada to do shoots for movies then he landed this job, I guess he wasn't thinking about me, as usual, but it was me that got him the break.

Today I have to survey the area so I know what's about me and what I can or can't do. I went out to the back porch again and looked at the view. Big oversized ferns, trees with vines draping up their trunks, birds making all sorts of noises, and a snapshot of a distant lake, it was wonderfully magical. The driveway and road were in front of the house, but there were the same trees and vines across the road. I cleaned up my dishes and folded my bedding, I can see myself sleeping on the couch every night from now on.

Pulling on my favourite ripped black shorts and tank top I mussed my hair up with some gel looked in the mirror and thought the weight loss had enhanced my muscle tone very nicely, my runners body was tight and hard. I took a deep breath and started my two-mile run up the hillside. I wanted to get a map of the area, then I will plan a longer exercise route. I also wanted to see more of the land just to get my bearings. When I started to run I felt I was dragging a small barrel behind me, but as I gained more confidence I learned I could swing my not-so-good arm quite easily, and my balance improved immensely. I saw houses tucked away as I ran, they were well hidden and I wondered what kind of people lived in them. Probably people that like to be one with nature, which I won't disagree with. I saw the village appear as I ran around a corner, a post office an antique shop or two, a bread shop, a pub, a coffee bar health store. A hotel and a news agency, along with a dozen or two homes, and a garage that looked so vintage it even had an old holden utility out the front.

I slowed down and surveyed the street as I ran.

There is a small park with a bench seat so I walked over to the cafe and bought a coffee. The young lady behind the counter was lovely and very chatty, she introduced herself as May and asked me if I was new to the area. I told her my grans house was just up the road, so I'm here for a holiday and I was convalescing after a minor stroke. She had noticed my arm wasn't the best because I did everything with my right hand, she suggested a herbal tea she made for her special customers, she had enjoyed great results with it.

"Thank you May, I will buy some of that, I am a nurse by trade but I would much prefer something herbal." I smiled. I then thanked her and took my coffee out to her front verandah to sit for a while. The sun was out and I sat quietly sorting out my bearings, a young man came out of the garage and jumped in the old ute then roared off to do a chore I presumed. My coffee was excellent and I will be calling in on May plenty in the future.

She eventually came and sat with me, then she handed me a paper bag and said.

"Twice a day for the first week then sip on it during the day after that. You may feel sick at first but that will pass quickly."

"Thank you I can't wait to try it."

"I sense you're a little sad Nicky, it cant be moving up here."

What the hell, in for a penny in for a pound as they say, so I prattled off the story of my recent life to her. Much of it I lied about because it was too stressful to pass onto someone as nice as her.

"So he up and left me, I got myself into a state, and here I am."

"I guess you are overthinking about him."

"That's for sure, but sometimes I find myself looking through his fan pages."

"Nicky, you need to detox some more, and I don't mean drugs. I mean everything online, do not go to those sites again they are upsetting your inner self." She gave me a small hug.

"Things will work out for you just fine and if you ever want to talk you come to Mays little shop."

"I will and thank you for listening."

"Now you drop a teaspoon full into hot water twice a day it tastes just like tea so don't worry."

Forty dollars lighter and I took my paper bag and said my thanks then headed for home, but before I left I grabbed a local map.

I tucked the bag into my shorts and started running again, it will be easy this time its downhill, and I know I will be sore in the morning. May was a wise woman for her age she couldn't have been any more than in her late twenties. I was wondering what her story was and her cafe wasn't little she had all sorts of herbal stuff to sell.

I could see the smoke from my chimney rising into the treetops and it gave the area a hazy look, it wasn't spooky just suspended in time. The cottage looked awesome tucked away from the road and I was again happy to be back in grans home.

I stoked the fire and put some logs on, then I checked my phone, no messages and nothing on the laptop. I didn't go snooping around, I took her word for it and will try harder not to look at Matt's fan pages. It will be hard because apart from the computer there wasn't much else for me to do, sure I read a bit online and that makes the hours go by faster and I did enjoy my sandwich and tea sitting on the porch. It got a little chilly when the sun went over so I grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around myself then began reading all about the area.

May Stephenson who runs the cafe come herbal remedies, has been in the area all her life, her parents and twin brother had run a farm in the area but when the parents passed, the kids decided they would sell and move into town. I see the brother's name is March and he runs the local garage, what a very unusual name I guess he was born in that month or his parents were covering the boy-girl aspect.

This piece of information made me open Facebook and look for the community page which gave me a bit of a surprise. The top story of the day was the new resident.

`Yes I saw him run by,'

`Is there something wrong with him?'

`His name is Nicky and he's a darling, he came into my shop to grab a coffee,' That one was May's contribution.

'Do you think he's available?' One hopeful filly wrote.

'I don't know maybe you should take up running Vera.' That one got plenty of laughs.

It was funny to read about myself and I did chuckle a bit. I will hold off from introducing myself, and in the meantime, I will just join the page so I can read more. My phone rang, it was dad, he wanted to know how my first day went. I told him everything, plus information on the herbal cure. I was on the community page and I also told him about May and March, he chuckled.

I spoke to mum and said I was going to make another sandwich and chill by the fire.

"There's a small portable tv in the linen closet if you want to watch anything, son."

"Maybe later mum, I'm too busy with the locals at the moment." I laughed.

Again I had a great night, I slept on the sofa. No nightmares just the feeling of total relaxation. In the morning I cleaned up a bit and opened the front and back doors to let the smell of the fire out, I was faced with six tins sitting on the step. They were filled with cakes homemade bread with buns and biscuits a welcoming present from some locals. I had better introduce myself on the local page and thank the callers for my delicious treats.

I showered and had a buttered homemade bun which was wonderful. I then pulled on my shorts and tank top, had my herbal tea, and then set off for a run. Hopefully, it will be further than yesterday, I had my map tucked in my underwear and headed a different way into town today. It was longer and steeper, a few cars passed and blew their horns I waved quickly because I didn't want to lose my balance. Coming into town a different way I had to slow down because I will buy a coffee from Mays and maybe sit out the front, or up the street in that small park, because I didnt want to outstay my welcome.

"Welcome back, I see you came in the opposite direction today, did you sleep well last night?"

"OMG yes, it was awesome, been a long time since I slept so deep and long."

"That's the herbs and the stillness, it slows you down so you can heal."

"Really?"

"I think you are a skeptic Nicky."

"No, just a nurse that has been taught to believe the science."

"Not all sciences are right Nick, there are still a lot of herbal healers out there getting some amazing results." I rubbed my tingling arm and was going to pray it got better but I'm over praying, that got me nowhere. We sat in the morning sun drinking our coffees when I heard a loud.

"Fuck fuck fuck me, fucking fuck fuck." She giggled.

"That would be my twin brother March welcoming you to the village."

"Is he all right?"

"Most likely not, I had better go see if I can help him." I followed her across the road and we entered the dirty old garage that hadn't seen a broom for many years. There was the object of my intrigue bending over a dirty old sink and rinsing his hands. His old worn and torn overalls gave me a glimpse of his black underwear, and when he stood up straight he must have been six one or two and I could see he is well shaped and toned.

"What happened March?"

"Bloody fucking bolt wouldn't move so I banged it and missed."

"So you squashed your finger then, give me a look." She sidled up to him and took his hand, there was blood.

I moved over to look.

"That looks nasty, is there a doctor nearby, you may need stitches?"

His head snapped up and he looked directly into my eyes, I felt a jolt and my mouth opened, he was bloody gorgeous, I fought hard not to move in closer to kiss him, but then he said.

"I don't need a bloody doctor, just tie it up, it will heal by itself." He said this as he still stared at me. I was a stranger but he wasn't looking at my face he was still looking deeply into my eyes.

"Let Nicky have a look March, he's a nurse."

I offered my hand and he placed his gently in it, yes it is scraped but maybe not stitches.

"Okay, where is the medical box?"

"I don't have one." He replied.

"Right, May do you have one?"

"Come across the road, and bring the patient. Oh by the way March, this is Nicky, he's just moved into gran Wilson's old house."

"Hi." He sort of stared at me but only without looking directly at me now, if I didnt know any better he was looking at the waist high split in my running shorts.

"Pleased to meet you, I believe you are the Stephenson twins but your not identical?"

"Have you been snooping Nicky, and no we are completely different as you can see?" May asked.

"Not snooping just surfing the web last night and came across the name, I was looking at the local area and the businesses. I might get dad to bring my car up and maybe cruise around for a bit."

"March can give you a tour when he's not banging in bolts." She nudged him in the ribs.

"Yes, yes I can do that one day, just let me know when."

"I will." I didn't think I will let him though, he's a little too rough around the edges for me and he might run off the road, he seems very unorganized.

When he sat at the table the overalls gave me a better view, I could now glimpse his awesome chest.

I grabbed a bottle of clean water off the shelf and started doing my thing. The bandages were new and clean and the balm May gave me was guaranteed a quick healing. He held his now bandaged finger up and said.

"Good job, thank you."

He then downed the coffee and walked back to the garage.

"He's got to finish the job by four, otherwise old man Jones will kick his ass."

"But he shouldn't be using his finger." She looked at me and rolled her eyes.

"I get it, country boys, they are invincible." I laughed.

I tried to pay for the water and coffee but she wouldn't hear of it, then I continued my run home.

She also said the local page was lighting up with sightings, and suggested I had better introduce myself as soon as possible.

When I got in I had a couple of scones and a piece of cake, I then took photos of the tins and placed them on the page.

"Thank you to whoever made these for me, they are delicious. My name is Nicky and I am living in my dear granny Wilson's old cottage. I am recovering from a stroke and I hope all this beautiful fresh air will help me heal. I am single and not looking, sorry ladies..... and guys."

I got a dozen answers and found out who were the ones that did the cooking and I thanked them personally. I also received a few private messages.

`What do you mean guys?'

`Saw you today you are awesome, keep up the good work.'

I answered all of them, but the one I had trouble with was the what do you mean guys one, so I bit the bullet and told Jason I was open-minded.

No answer and no indication from his Facebook page if he was local or from the city poking around, his settings were set to maximum blackout. I didn't care, I never hid my sexuality and if he comes looking I can't stop the abuse, but I can deal with it.

I stoked the fire and settled in for the night, after drinking my special tea and I gladly snuggled up. The sleep was wonderful, and the wildlife noises woke me up the next morning. I laid there and had a pull the first of many I would have in this house and you all know what the fantasy was all about, March Stephenson. A body to die for and a big smile to look at all day. Well, he didn't smile he grunted, but it was a very nice grunt. His overalls were old and ripped in the right places, but I couldn't see too much because he had black underwear on, but I knew he was very fit.

So in the morning, I was feeling just as good as yesterday. I was having coffee and a nice bun at the small kitchen table and I opened the local page again.

'Forget it ladies he's maybe gay,' was the first listing with a hundred likes and almost as many comments. Not too many crap ones out there, just the ones where people are trying to be nice, and I guess everyone knows everyone around here, and as usual, I guess they get singled out for any bad comments.

I thought I would go one further and write a message that stated I was also getting over a recent relationship collapse. I am not interested in anyone's sons or husbands because I have some self-respect, and I really would like to make a lot of friends in this community, female and male if they would let me. I felt a little better being out there so I went to check the front stoop, yes two more tins with scones in them.

I thanked the person and started eating again. My run today will bypass the town and take me almost to the valley, but I won't go down that road it's too steep for me to get up again unless I can hitch a ride.

I ran down the hill to a bridge that crossed a stream and then moved to the other side, the traffic was less worrying. I turned around to go back and saw a well-worn path that I needed to explore. I arrived at a clearing with a stream running through it. It was pure magic, it looked like some giant had draped vines and native flowers from the tall trees making a great waterfall of green mauve pink and yellow. I sat on a big rock and stared at it all in amazement. The fast-moving brook or river, as I found out later, was beckoning me to take a dip in it. This is it, this is where I will heal, that's if no one comes here to disturb me, my happy place.

I rubbed my arm it was aching and I did wonder if it was happy also.

My training said otherwise, but I did have some feeling back so I restarted my running through this amazing place. It went on for about a mile or two then I entered a large clearing where the loggers had been at work stripping all its timber away, it was almost barren. I felt a great loss for the trees and when I looked closer there were thousands of saplings replanted in the ground, at least they won't want to log the quiet place, I hoped.

There was nowhere for me to go so I decided to get back to the main road and continue, maybe I will head back home I wasn't feeling the best anyway. As it happened an old familiar ute was coming up behind me and of course, it was then my stomach decided to relieve itself of my breakfast treats. I placed my hand on a tree and heaved my guts out. It only took three pushes to make me feel a lot better.

"Did you get it all out?" I heard a familiar voice say.

I looked behind me, it was March Stephenson he was standing there with an actual smile on his face, those thick lips are so kissable. His hair was beautiful, dirty dark blonde waves down to the shoulders, all brushed back off his amazing face. Well I did notice he did that often, brushed his hair back out of his eyes with his fingers

"I think so, the ladies are leaving all sorts of treats on my doorstep, I think I overindulged this morning."

"Well come on, I'll give you a lift home, you go and rest some." I accepted his offer, his blue eyes were mesmerizing and the smile I saw this time was amazingly big, an orchestra of white teeth and puffy pink lips, where do you start?

"How is your finger?" I looked over, he had taken the bandage off. He wiggled it and said.

"It's fine now, thank you. I had to take the bandage off because I couldn't work with it on."

"That's okay as long as you're keeping it clean."

"I am, or should I say, May is." He giggled.

I laughed and he looked at me sideways, then he looked down at my shorts.

"You need a new pair of running shorts."

"I like these, they are my old favorites." I smiled. The shorts I had on had ripped up one side and if you look at them sideways you may get a glimpse of my white jock. I wondered if it turned him on, but no, he's probably straight down the line.

"Here we are, just what the doctor ordered, go have some of that tea it will settle your tummy."

I wanted to settle my tummy for sure, especially if his head is laying on it.

"Thank you March, I will see you around sometime."

He drove off, and it's a wonder that ute hasn't committed suicide it was so loud and rattly, not to mention the smoke. I guess him being a mechanic, he gets to his urgent jobs last.

I opened the front door and left it ajar, then I went to make some tea. While the kettle boiled I opened the laptop and found my way to the local page.

There were sightings and it's almost become a game. I was seen going into the woods, I was seen being picked up by March Stephenson, and I was seen heaving beside a tree. The concern was overwhelming and many a local wanted to come and see if I was okay. I posted a thank you that I was fine now, just something I ate too many of before starting my run, my fault.

Jason messaged me and said he would like to come around and nurse me but the locals will talk. I thanked him and reminded him I wasn't looking for a nursemaid or a boyfriend, but it was nice of him to offer. No answer and I didn't post anything else that night just read a lot of old comments. I did a page search on March Stephenson, and plenty of comments came up about him. This is very interesting, no wife no girlfriend the ladies are all hot for him and he is wasted in that garage. He should be on tv, oh no. I agreed and there won't be any romance from this side of the fence if he pursues a career in acting. I laughed to myself and shook my head, I am being silly again.

Some of the comments gave me some information about the area and what is on offer, local businesses advertised and I see May's shop gets some good recommendations. I rang mum and she asked about me being sick, it looks like she's joined the page also. I told her that it was the delicious buns I ate too many of them before I started my running.

"How is your arm?"

"I think better mum, it's doing a lot of tingling and I can move my fingers easily but still not a lot of strength."

"Okay Nicky, keep up the exercises, your dad and I will be up in two days make a list of the things you need and send it to me honey."

"I will mum I don't need much, the locals are feeding me at the moment, mum please don't forget my car I think I'm going to need it."

"You need meat and vegetable son, a decent meal not sugary stuff."

I laughed as I looked in the fridge at the iced cakes, which I won't eat.

Once again I sat outside and it was wonderful I did my exercises and then I went to shower.

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