DISCLAIMER: This is a work of FICTION. It is NOT TRUE. Any resemblance between any character and any real person is thoroughly and completely accidental. This story contains scenes of sex between males. So you're forewarned. If this story warps your sex-drive or your previously held opinions, feelings or desires, then it has been successful.
This story is dedicated to a real member of the USMC who is my friend and whom I care very much about.
SPECIAL NOTE: A lot of you have written to ask if the Marine I mention above is my lover. I do not have a lover (not that I don't want one!). The Marine that this is dedicated to is exactly what I have described - a friend. If you have read my stories on this website, you know that being a friend is, to me, far more important that being a lover.
Marine Encounter - Part VIII by RimPig (c) 2001
Tim sat on his bed in the hospice room waiting for Brad to arrive. 'Brad' he thought to himself, 'what would I ever have done without this wonderful man? How would I have survived this long?'. He and Brad had been together for 2 years now. Two years of heaven and hell. Two years of love and medicine, good days and bad days, close encounters with death. This was the second time that Tim had been in this hospice and it was the second time he was going home. Home to the apartment where he and Brad shared whatever happiness they could find in life.
He sat remembering how he and Brad had met. Both were volunteers at Gay Men's Health Crisis and had met while in volunteer training. They seemed to be instantly drawn to each other. The first day of training they had dinner together and ended up at Brad's apartment, now theirs. It had been awkward at first. Brad was HIV- and Tim had difficulty with that at first. He was so afraid of passing the virus to him. Brad had been so gentle and understanding. He'd talked to Tim for a long time that night, helping Tim to realize that with simple precautions, there was no danger of Tim infecting Brad. They had very slowly and gently made love that night, and many nights afterward. Soon, having spent most of their time together, they decided it was foolish to continue to have two apartments and decided that since Brad had the biggest apartment and it was rent- controlled (Brad having inherited it from his parents) that they would live there.
But there were problems almost from the beginning. Tim had gone through a series of medical setbacks, not the least of which was that he had been resistant to almost all the HIV medications that were supposed to keep the virus at bay. He had started getting sicker and finally ended up in the hospital last year with a bout of PCP (pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and the doctor's had almost given up on him. But Brad stayed by his bed-side night and day and confronted the doctor's decisions that Tim was terminal. They finally put Tim on a new, potent antibiotic which finally brought him out of the pneumonia but left him so weak and his immune system so depleted that he was sent to the hospice because he wasn't expected to survive.
But the doctors hadn't figured on Brad. He spent every day with Tim and brought him special vitamins and nutritional supplements. Within a month, Tim was able to go home, seemingly stronger and healthier than he had been before the pneumonia. They had resumed their life together and Brad had been able to return to his job as an attorney with a public interest law firm. Everything had gone back to normal until six months ago. Tim had been diagnosed with lymphoma. The doctor's tried chemo-therapy but it seemed ineffective. Tim went downhill rapidly and again the doctor's considered him terminal and moved him back to the hospice. And again, Brad came to the rescue. He contacted an old college friend who works with the National Institute of Health who told Brad about the work that was being done with IL-2 and Brad had arranged for Tim to begin treatments. The drug worked like a miracle and now, after only one month, Tim was well enough to go home.
As he was sitting there thinking, one of the hospice nurses came in the room.
"Tim, there's someone here wanting to see you." he said.
"You mean Brad's here?" Tim asked.
"No, not your friend Brad. This guy says his name is Shawn Reilly and that he knew you in high school." the nurse replied.
Tim could not have been more shocked unless the nurse had just informed him that he'd been cured from AIDS! Shawn! It couldn't be! Not after all these... what was it? 11 years since Shawn had ruined Tim's life in their high school? What would he be doing here? Now? And did Tim really want to know?
He'd long ago forgiven Shawn for what he done. In some ways he'd made Tim's life easier. It had forced him to leave small-town Ohio. He'd come to New York and found himself. He'd lived among other Gay men who had taught Tim how to be proud of his life and his love and give up the shame and guilt he'd been raised with.
He'd also come to realize that it was Shawn who's life would be hell - always knowing what he really wanted and not being able to admit to himself what he really was - Gay. Tim had come to actually feel sorry for Shawn. He'd loved Shawn once and it hurt to realize what Shawn's life had probably become.
But what was he doing here? Now? There was, Tim figured, only one way to find out.
"Well, let him come in, please." Tim told the nurse.
A few minutes later Shawn appeared at the door. He'd chosen to wear his Marine fatigues for the visit. He felt that his uniform would explain some about what his life had been like in the intervening years.
"Hello, Tim" he said, standing in the doorway.
"Hello, Shawn." Tim answered. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has. Over 11 years." Shawn replied. "Can I come in?"
"Sure." said Tim. "Have a seat."
Shawn walked into the room and took a seat in a chair near Tim's bed. This was the most difficult thing he'd ever done and he could feel the sweat dripping from his armpits. He was scared - a feeling he wasn't used to.
"So why did you come here after all these years?" Tim asked, putting things right out front.
"Because I did something really horrible to you and I wanted to apologize." Shawn stated bluntly.
Tim sat silently for a few minutes.
"Do you think an apology will make up for what you did?" Tim said pointedly.
Shawn was taken aback by Tim's words.
"No! I don't." he said. "I don't think I can ever make up to you for what I did. I just wanted to tell you I was sorry. I'm not asking you to forgive me. I just wanted you to know how much I've thought about what happened all these years and what a bastard I was."
"Yes, you were certainly that. Did you realize that I loved you?" Tim asked.
"Yes. I knew it. I didn't know what to do with that! I was attracted to you, but I didn't feel the same way. I didn't want to be gay and I hated you for making me see that I was." Shawn admitted.
"And now?" Tim asked.
"Now? I don't hate you, if that's what you mean. I know we probably can never be friends, but I do care about what happens to you. And I am truly sorry for what I did to you." Shawn said.
"No, what I meant was, have you come to terms with yourself. I see you're a Marine. Isn't it dangerous to have anything to do with me? Someone will report you and you'll be thrown out for being gay." Tim said.
"I'm out of the Corps in about 2 weeks. I don't think I have to worry about it." Shawn chuckled to himself.
"So, did you marry Cheryl?" Tim asked.
"No. I kind of left her at the altar. I finally realized that I couldn't go on hiding what I was. I knew what I wanted was to love another guy the way you had loved me. I wanted you to know that to. You did finally change my life. And I'm grateful to you for showing me what I could have if I just quit kidding myself." Shawn stated.
Tim was silent again. Shawn didn't know what to do or say. He'd said what he came to say. He thought maybe he should leave. It was obvious that this was painful for both of them and Shawn didn't want to cause Tim anymore pain.
But as he got up to leave, Tim looked up.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I just figured that maybe this was too painful for both of us and I don't want to hurt you anymore than I already have." Shawn said.
"Shawn, you can't hurt me anymore. You don't have that power. I have someone who truly loves me, has stood by me and is still here. I haven't seen you in 11 years." Tim said.
"I know, Tim, but..." Shawn tried to say.
"No! Don't say anything!" Tim interrupted. "It's my turn to talk."
"Ok." Shawn said, putting his head down.
"I hated you, as much as I had once loved you. It took me a long time to get over that! I finally realized that what you had done, you did because you were scared. Things just happened too fast for you to deal with. I should have realized that and not pushed it. But I was young. You were the first guy I'd ever fallen in love with. I forgave you a long time ago. In fact, I was always concerned about how you turned out. I didn't know if you could ever come to terms with yourself. But you seem to have. I don't know how, but I'm glad for you that you were able to. As far as us being friends, there's no reason we can't be, Shawn. I don't hate you. What happened between us is in the past. I've moved on. I hope you will to." Tim said.
It was Shawn turn for silence. He didn't know what to say. The fact that Tim didn't hate him and had forgiven him was more than he'd hoped for, but to also offer friendship again was a dream come true for Shawn. When he finally looked up, Tim could see tears streaming down his face.
"Thank you, Tim. You can't know how much that means to me. I would be proud to be your friend again." Shawn said through his tears.
Tim stood up. He moved towards Shawn slowly and carefully, still weak from all the chemo. Shawn stood up at his approach and when Tim reached out his arms to him, gently took Tim into his embrace. As they hugged, tears flowed freely from both of them.
It was at that moment that both Brad and Bobby came to the doorway. Brad had met Bobby in the hall outside Tim's room. Bobby had explained who he was and what he and Shawn were doing there. Brad at first was concerned as he knew from Tim about Shawn and what had happened all those years before. But Bobby told him that there had been no raised voices and so he thought that things were going all right between the two men. At that, Brad approached Tim's door with Bobby at his heals only to see Shawn and Tim embracing and both crying.
"Well, I guess I was worried for nothing." Brad said to Bobby, but loud enough for Tim and Shawn to hear him.
Shawn and Tim looked over at their lovers standing in the door, looked back at each other and started to laugh and hug all over again. Finally they broke apart.
"Shawn, this is my lover Brad." Tim introduced them.
Shaw looked over at the tall young man standing next to Bobby. He was very attractive, with auburn hair and green eyes like his own. Shawn walked over and shook hands with him. The grip was strong and masculine.
"I'm very glad to meet you." Shawn said.
"And I'm glad to finally meet you. Though I thought when I did I would probably slug you, not shake hands. I'm glad I don't have to. I don't think I'd want to have to handle a Marine." Brad smiled.
"I'll let you take a swing at me, it would make you feel better." Shawn said with great seriousness.
"There will be no male bonding in my room!" Tim stated emphatically.
"I don't need to. If you and Tim have made up, I'm very happy. You were very important to each other at one time. I'm glad you've been able to find each other again." Brad said.
"Thanks. I'm very glad, too." Shawn said.
"Well, since nobody here seems to have any manners, let me introduce myself. I'm Tim." he said, speaking to Bobby.
"Oh, God! I'm sorry." Shawn said. "Tim, let me introduce my lover, Bobby. You wondered who helped me come to terms with myself, this is man."
Bobby stepped forward and gently took Tim's hand.
"I'm so happy to finally meet you." Bobby said.
"It's thanks to Bobby that we're here at all. I had told him the whole story about you and me and told him how I'd tried without success to find you. He was able to find you and told me about your condition. He arranged for us to come here immediately." Shawn said.
"Well, I don't know how you did it, but your information seems to be a trifle out of date." Tim said. "The reason that Brad's here is to take me home. The chemo has started working and I'm free of the lymphoma. It seems I'm not going to die anytime soon." Tim smiled.
"Well, that's the best news of all!" Bobby said.
"Look, guys, I really want to blow this pop-cycle stand!" said Tim. "But I really want to continue to talk. Why don't you come back with us to our place?"
"We'd love to." said Shawn, looking to Bobby for his feelings.
"Yes," said Bobby, "We'd like that a lot."
"Well, we'd best get a move on. I've got the car waiting downstairs." Brad said. "Do you have all your stuff?" he asked Tim.
"Well you took most of it home last night. I've just got this one bag." Tim said.
Brad grabbed the bag, but found it awkward to handle it and help Tim, too. Shawn immediately stepped forward and took the bag from Brad so that he could help Tim. Brad and Shawn smiled at each other and Bobby could see Tim smiling at the two men who meant so much in his life. A warm feeling went through him, knowing that he had been able to give this gift to his warrior/lover.
Brad drove them to a pre-war building on the upper east side. They went up to Tim and Brad's apartment which turned out to be a beautiful two-bedroom apartment with a wood burning fireplace and a terrace overlooking the city.
"What a beautiful place!" Bobby exclaimed.
"Thank you!" said Tim. "It was Brad's parent's place. He inherited it when they passed away a few years ago, just before we met. We only pay $400 a month for it because it's rent-controlled."
"You're kidding!" said Bobby.
"Nope, it's how we make it with all my medical costs. Brad has dedicated himself to caring for me. I find it hard sometimes to realize how much he loves me." Tim said.
"I know exactly how you feel." said Shawn, coming up behind Bobby and putting his arms around his lover.
"Why don't you guys go sit down in the living room. I'm going to go make some tea. We also have coffee if you'd rather, but Tim and I switched to tea because it is healthier. It contains anti- oxidants and other important benefits."
"Oh God! Don't get him started! He's such a health-nut because of me!" Tim laughed.
"Well, tea would be just wonderful, thank you." Bobby said.
"Yes, fine for me." said Shawn.
The four men talked for several hours until Tim became tired and needed to rest. Brad helped his lover to the bedroom and then returned to Shawn and Bobby.
"I can't tell you how much you've done for him today." Brad said. "I'm so grateful to you, Shawn. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time. Having you back in his life, even for a day, had done him a world of good."
"It isn't for just a day, I promise you!" Shawn said.
"Exactly!" Bobby said. "We value your friendship as well. We haven't been together long and you and Tim are actually the first gay couple we've known as a couple. We want to stay in contact. Why don't you and Tim come for dinner tomorrow night at the Plaza, where we're staying so we can talk some more?"
"I would love to and I'm sure Tim would love it, too. I don't think he's ever been to the Plaza and we haven't been able to afford a place like that in a long time."
"Well, it's done then! You both come to our suite tomorrow night at seven." Bobby said. Turning to Shawn he said, "I think we should go and let these men get some rest, don't you think, lover?"
"I agree. It's time we were going." Shawn stated.
They both hugged Brad and refused his offer to drive them back to the hotel. They told him he needed to be with Tim and that they could easily catch a cab. They were both silent in the ride down in the elevator and did not even really begin to talk until the building's doorman got them a cab and they were on the way back to the hotel.
"A penny for your thoughts." Bobby said to his lover who was silently staring out the cab window.
Shawn turned to him, looking as if he had been far away and suddenly returned without knowing where he was.
"What did you say, love?" he asked.
"I said, 'a penny for your thoughts'." Bobby repeated.
"This has been one of the most amazing days of my life. Almost on line with the day I met you! I can't believe that I've carried around all this guilt for so many years and now it's gone. I feel like I've been washed clean somehow. And I'm so grateful to you! Without you it would never have happened." Shawn swore.
"Thank you. I was only too happy to do it. I knew that you would never truly be happy until you did something about the situation and I want you happy! I want you to never, ever regret having fallen in love with me." Bobby stated.
"I could never do that, babe. I believe that the day I met you was the best and luckiest day of my life. Regardless of what happens from here on, I will always know that you love me and I love you. And that will be enough for me to see me through anything." Shawn swore.
They sat in silence for a while each lost in his own thoughts.
"How long do you want to stay in New York?" Bobby asked.
"I don't know. A few more days anyway. Why, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, first of all, isn't your friend Mike coming with all your stuff and your car?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah. It should be at least a week though before he gets to Fort Lauderdale." Shawn answered.
"Well, I've got an idea. Let's try and get Tim and Brad to fly down and visit us in a few weeks. I'm sure they could use a vacation and I think the warmth and the sun could do wonders for Tim." Bobby said.
"I think that's a great idea." Shawn said. "Let's talk to them about it tomorrow night when they come for dinner."
"My idea exactly." said Bobby.
And then Shawn reached over and put his arm around him and he settled back into the cab seat, secure in his lover's embrace.
End of Part VIII
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RimPig