Second Chance, Chapter 78
Warning:
This story is copyrighted by the author known as David Lee and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without explicit permission.
This story contains descriptions of love and sexual fulfillment between people of the same gender. If possessing or reading this kind of material is illegal where you live, please leave this site at once.
My previous stories may be quickly accessed by searching for my name under the "Stories by Prolific Net Authors" heading which is found under the "Information for Readers" spot to the "D's" since they've changed the way things are alphabetized.
You may write to me at dlee169@hotmail.com. I'll do my best to answer promptly. Please put the title of this story in the "subject" line when you email.
For the full disclaimer and additional info, please read the statement that precedes Chapter 1.
As always, I thank my editors Tom and David for their proofing my work and giving me suggestions and lots of positive feedback. They're an integral part of this effort.
Second Chance, Chapter 78
Since everyone was getting ready for church at about the same time on Sunday morning, it put an even greater stress on the household bathrooms than during the week. Josh and Eric offered their facility to Jay and Isaac after their shower so the guys wouldn't be holding Rob and Blake up from using the second floor bath.
Isaac wasn't uncomfortable being nearly naked in the presence of the other guys since he and Jay had been posing in Speedos. He was becoming more relaxed in many ways after essentially telling his parents that he was going to live his own life.
He was looking forward to attending church with the rest because Jay had spoken highly of it. He had told Isaac about discovering that God was a being who loved him for who he was rather than a judgmental deity who was watching his every move in order to catch him doing something wrong.
Eventually everyone was ready on time and drove to services in two vehicles, utilizing the late model Dodge Grand Caravan Blake had settled on.
Isaac discovered early into the service that Jay had been correct in his assessment of the place. This appeared to be a church which would welcome them.
At the social hour after the service, Dr. Mann and several members came over to greet them and make them feel at home.
Brunch at the country club was another welcoming experience. Several people, including the Bell's, stopped to chat for a few minutes as they were finishing. Jay was elated to see that Tinker treated him as if he were part of her circle even though he suspected she remembered his initial disheveled appearance from the Christmas Eve dinner at the mission. She would certainly have recognized him as the person who had served her table at the club recently for lunch because she had looked him in the eye when complimenting him on his service. Yet, there seemed to be no social barrier between them.
Isaac received a similar reception. His parents belonged to another country club, and he'd not had to survive on the street, so it all seemed quite ordinary to him. However, he too was impressed with the down to earth warmth of this refined lady.
Isaac paid for their meal as he had promised; giving the cash to Ben so it would run through Ben's membership account.
Josh and Eric spent part of the afternoon catching up on homework they'd let slide because of the meet on Saturday. While they were studying, Isaac and Jay left to do a little shopping. They were going to pose again for a bit after they got back.
Their venture was not to the mall, but to an adult shop in downtown Minneapolis. There, they spent several self-conscious minutes choosing the toys and lube their friends had suggested. They felt like everyone in the place was watching them and fantasizing on what they would do with the toys. No doubt some of the men were doing that very thing.
Isaac made the purchases with some of the money his grandfather had given him for the weekend.
When Jay and Isaac returned to the house, they spent about 45 minutes "napping" before coming up to pose. Both came up wearing their loaned Speedos and big grins.
"We made it to the first level successfully," Isaac confided. "It was so hot helping each other!"
"So you did succeed," Eric commented with a grin. "You know the old saying, `If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking!'"
Both Isaac and Jay laughed hysterically. They were not used to x-rated puns, but certainly had the sense of humor to appreciate them.
Josh was more than pleased by the progress he'd made on the double portrait before the guys got called down for supper. Jay and Isaac were absolutely blown away by his ability to capture their likenesses.
January often seems to drag along because of the weather, but not so much this year due to all the work and activities everyone had. Swimming became a nearly full-time job for Eric and Josh. They remembered that it had been more difficult a year before when they were also trying to get up to feed Robbie in the middle of the night. They were thankful that they didn't have to do it this year.
Jay was busier than he had been in the early part of the month because a couple of servers had quit their jobs and he was needed most evenings to fill in. The situation was fine with him. He was eager to make the money even though it meant less time with Isaac. He needed to get ahead financially.
With his earnings, he'd managed to pay for the insurance on the car Blake had given him. It wasn't anywhere near as nice as the one he'd had at his disposal before his family had booted him, but it was all his and he loved Blake and Rob for letting him have it.
In one sense, Isaac was relieved that Jay was able to work more because it cut down on the temptation to mess around. Isaac lacked the self discipline to keep at his studies when his lover was free. He was not quite as easily distracted as he had been in the beginning of their new relationship, but he still would rather be playing in bed than studying.
Scott encouraged Jay to invite Isaac to sleep over from time to time during the week as well as weekends. Occasionally when Isaac's roommate was gone, the two of them played house in the dorm. They didn't feel free to shower together because others used the same facilities, but it was fun making love in the room next door to guys who were probably doing the same – only with a girl.
True to their threat, Isaac's parents cut off all financial and emotional support – not that there had ever been much of the latter. His mother tried to withdraw all the money from his savings account, but wasn't able to since it was Edgar's name that was on the account along with Isaac's. It infuriated her, but there was nothing she could do. The bank manager notified Mr. Bassler about it and that gave him one more reason to distrust his daughter and son-in-law.
It got Jay to thinking about what his mother had done with the money in the bank that was supposed to be his. He talked to Ben to see if he could recoup any of it. Ben said they could try if they could get access to the records, but he didn't hold out a lot of hope of getting it back unless they could scare her into cooperating.
Jay, like a lot of young people, had banked on-line. He was able to use Scott's computer to access the records from his account to prove that he had made numerous deposits, and there were almost no withdrawals until the large one made by his mother. Ben said he would use copies to try to force Jay's mother into paying him back, or face a civil suit. He would be happy to take it on pro bono.
At the January meeting of the LGBT club, many guys signed up for the short retreat scheduled for the next month. Josh and Eric were surprised at the number and also a bit worried. It would mean a lot of planning while in the midst of swimming finals. At least it would not be a time of major exams in classes as well.
Dr. Mann provided curricula for the guys to review, but said those were to be treated as guidelines. He was sure that the kids attending wouldn't want cut and dried clinical answers, but would likely appreciate a more informal discussion.
Eric contacted the TV station to get permission to show the interview Tiffany Jones had done of Rob and Blake as a kind of introduction to a segment of their planned retreat. The station was pleased to assist.
While they didn't have to commit to a college immediately, the time was coming soon for seniors to make the big decision. Garret had already signed up for the University of Minnesota and was promised a scholarship for being on the swimming team.
Dylan was leaning toward that school too because Garret had always been his best friend. Since Dylan's bro was gay, he had no real problem with accepting Garret as gay too.
Damian also was considering the hometown university because he could be with his friends and probably continue working at the country club. It would save money if he lived at home for at least a year or two. With his swimming scholarship, he could make it without incurring long-time debt.
Rob was definitely going to college in the Twin Cities. Blake had a sure job offer from Cox and Bradbury. Given the state of the economy, it would be foolish to turn down a secure position when so many people were out of work.
Josh and Eric were really torn about where to go. They had both been accepted at Iowa State where Dane and Colt were and that made it especially appealing. Also, their marriage would be recognized in Iowa. They had not been offered scholarships on the swim team there, but might end up on the team as "walk ons" and be in line for financial aid. At the very least, being on the team would grant the in-state tuition.
Cam and Reese were in the last semester of their senior year in college. Both were happier than they'd been in years. Cam understood that he wasn't Reese's first love, but hoped very much to be his last. He cared for Reese more than he had for any of the other guys he'd been with. Perhaps it had something to do with growing up and knowing what he wanted in life.
Reese knew that Cam was his guy and was ready to get married in the summer, but he still felt an occasional tug at his heart when he thought about Blake. He and Cam had watched the TV special together and he had shed a couple of tears. Cam hadn't acted jealous, but had held him in his arms. Afterword, they'd made the kind of slow, gentle love that raised Reese's spirits.
"You're always gonna feel something for Blake," Cam commented in the afterglow. "It's only natural. I remember my first love fondly, but I'm not in love with him anymore. It could have worked if I'd been faithful, but that's in the past. What I have with you is a mature, lasting relationship and I'm glad it's you and not him."
"I love you, Cam. Thanks for understanding. Sometimes I almost feel like I should see Blake again to find closure. I don't mean for a kiss or anything. It's not like I'm going to try to get him back. I know the time we got together with the other guys and him in the park really helped."
"Let's see if we can think of something to get that bunch of guys together for a party. I'm not sure what the excuse would be and we can't serve alcohol since there are several minors." Cam suggested.
"Nah, let's not do anything for the present. I feel like I'm being disloyal to you even mentioning it. I'm over him; it was just kind of a shock seeing him with his husband and son – all the domestic scene I didn't want in the past. Instead of thinking about what might have been, I'm thinking about what wouldn't have been if I'd have stayed with him and that's you and me, of course!"
"Okay Lover, let's go to bed and cuddle. Morning is going to come too early again."
Ben had become a master at "gray-mailing" after his dealings with Roberto Mancini and a few others. When he contacted Jay's mother, he was ready to scare her with a civil action if she didn't restore Jay's savings to him.
Connie Krum's first reaction was outrage punctuated by slamming down the phone receiver. But after receiving registered mail containing copies of records of deposits and withdrawals from Jay's account, she began to fear that she really was in trouble. This lawyer didn't seem to be going away.
Ben let her stew over it for a couple of days before contacting her again. He wanted to allow enough time to make her nervous, but not enough for her to hire legal counsel to dispute Jay's claim or make some kind of counter claim. Since she lived in a very small town, she was less likely to have access to a good lawyer on short notice.
The second time Ben called, she didn't hang up. She began with an alibi that she had only withdrawn the money to keep it safe from Jay's father's grasp. Once she had made the statement, it was difficult to take a different tack. Ben commended her on keeping her son's money safe and suggested that if she returned it to Jay quickly, no further action would be taken.
The truth was that Mrs. Krum had spent the slightly more than $5,000 on an Alaskan cruise with her husband. Now, she was going to have to stall until she could raise the money. But Ben insisted the money be returned within two days. She ended up having to withdraw it from her retirement account and pay taxes and a penalty. In addition, she had to make the fifty mile trip to the Twin Cities and meet at a specified time.
To Ben's happy surprise, the lady showed up at the local bank branch exactly at the appointed hour. She came bearing a cashier's check for the full amount. It all looked valid, but Ben insisted that it be deposited immediately into a new account he and Jay had just set up.
Jay sat in a cubical talking to the lady who'd helped him open the account. He kept his back turned so he wouldn't have to look at his mother. He had his winter hat on so that she would not recognize him.
"How do I know he'll get the money and not you?" Mrs. Krum asked after she'd already given the check to Ben.
"Perhaps you'll have to trust me just like your son trusted you. Do you have any idea the suffering he went through this winter? When my family first saw him, he was hungry, ragged, and filthy. It was all he could do to keep body and soul together in the bitter cold. How could you throw away an awesome kid like that?"
"You'd take a different view if your son was queer," she said huffily.
"My son is gay," Ben smiled. "In fact he's married to my husband's son. They got married ahead of us by a few minutes so there wouldn't be any question about marrying their stepbrother."
"You are all disgusting! I guess it's worth giving back the money just to be free of him, but I'm still not convinced he's getting it."
Ben was about to show her to paperwork from setting up the account when Jay came up behind them.
"Here, let me hold the check before I endorse it and give it to the teller."
He signed the back and handed it along with a deposit slip to the cashier.
"I really didn't want to see you again, but I guess that's the price I have to pay for justice. I hope you're happy not to have to lay eyes on me again either. Goodbye and good riddance!"
After getting his receipt, Jay turned on his heal and headed to the men's room as a place to get away from her.
Ben watched Connie Krum drive out of the lot before he summoned Jay from his temporary sanctuary. Jay high-fived him when he came into the lobby.
"You did it! I really thought she'd make us take her to court and drag it out until there wasn't any money left."
"I wouldn't have charged you a cent even if it had gone on for years, but I'm glad it didn't. It was almost too easy," Ben smiled. "I'm relieved her bank is the same as this one so that we don't have to worry about something going wrong. A cashier's check should be as good as gold, but I always feel better when it's safely in the account! You want to stop at Dairy Queen on the way home, or is it too cold out for that?"
"Let's stop, but I'm buying a gallon of the stuff to take home for dessert so everyone can have a treat. We all deserve to celebrate."
It wasn't a week after their conversation about seeing Blake again that Reese and Cam ran into Blake and Rob at the mall. It was a cordial meeting and Rob suggested that they all grab a bite to eat at the food court to continue their conversation. (Robbie was hungry as usual.)
Their chance meeting was fortuitous in a sense because it put Reese face to face with his former lover.
"We were talking recently about that TV spot of you guys as an ordinary, everyday family," Cam said. "It made us even more certain that we want to settle down. You make the domestic scene seem like heaven."
"It's not always that smooth," Blake laughed. "We have our problems just like hetro couples."
"But, that's what I mean when I say an ordinary family. You've done a lot in the way of PR for gay couples. I'll bet you changed some minds about the so-called "gay agenda!"
"Isn't that a misused term?" Rob commented. "Every time we push for equality, it's dismissed as some sort of plan to take over the world and turn everyone gay."
Their conversation ran along those lines while the young men ate their lunch. At the end, they all embraced after they'd cleared their tables and were about to go their separate ways.
"It was great seeing you again, Reese," Blake said as he hugged his former lover.
"Same here," Reese replied.
Rob hugged Reese and Cam hugged Blake. No one showed any hesitation or discomfort.
After they'd parted, Reese put his arm around Cam's shoulder as they walked.
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm over Blake and head over heels in love with you."
Then Reese did something totally unexpected. He got down on one knee in the middle of the mall in front of Cam. He took Cam's hand in his as he looked up into his eyes.
"Cameron Nelson, will you marry me?"
"Of course I'll marry you!"
Cam pulled Reese to a standing position and kissed him on the lips. Several young people and an older couple who had overheard their conversation applauded.
Author's notes: There will be about a week's hiatus in posting because I will be out of the country and won't likely have the chance to post until I return. Sorry about that.
Thanks to all who emailed since last posting: Rutabaga, Lux, Paul R, Tom A, Bill K, Tim K, Jim W, Jim C, Bill B, Paul F, Harry T, Chris B, Michael P, Steve, Vann, John McD, and Carroll.
Pray that BP will get the oil mess contained soon!
David