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The Day His Motor Died
Chapter 4
"If you wanted to sell your farm, does it have a market value? How hard would it be to unload it?" Michael asked bluntly.
"Not only does it have a market value, I could get a premium for it."
"Wow, I didn't know wheat farms were in such demand."
"This one is."
"How come?" Michael asked. He was intrigued. His investment manager's mind was working hard to fathom it. After all, how many people would want to be buried out here in no man's land?"
"The man who owns the adjacent farm has a son who's getting married soon," Doug explained. "He's asked me several times to sell. They'll need a bigger spread now, and his son and future wife would have a fully-furnished home of their own."
"Wow, that is a stroke of luck," Michael said.
It was Doug who got curious, "Why are you asking?"
"I want us to be together forever so I've been thinking of ways to accomplish my goal. Here's what I've come up with so far. If you don't like it, we'll go back to the drawing board."
"I'd rather go back to bed. I can't think straight right now."
"Oh yeah. Well listen up. Our future together has priority over your horniness."
"Yes sir," Doug laughed. "So, what's your plan."
"You sell the farm, come back to New York, and live with me. You'll finish that final semester at NYU. I'll finance it."
"I love you, and appreciate your offer, but there's no need. I can pay for one semester with the profits from the sale. What happens next?"
"You graduate and get a real job, and I go back to work like nothing ever happened. I never thought I would want to do that, but with you in my life, I can't wait to get back to New York, and back to work. I figured it out. My dad and Nancy don't need me. McCauley doesn't want me, but my firm didn't fire me, and they still want me. I've decided to go where I'm needed and appreciated."
"Great. I approve of your entire plan. Now can we please get back in bed?"
They made love for over three hours. While they were lying side by side enjoying a euphoric after glow, Michael said, or rather asked, "How could I have been so blind as not to have known that I was gay, and how beautiful it is to make love to someone you love and who loves you back?"
The question was rhetorical, but Doug answered anyway. His answer was simple. "You needed to meet me, and thank God you did."
Just then Doug's phone rang. Emanuel asked for Michael.
"Good news, the dealership in Cheyenne had your transmission in stock. They are shipping it right out. It should be here in two or three days. More good news. You're still on warranty."
"Thank you so much, but I have to ask you to work on it quickly. Things are happening, and I have to get back home as soon as possible."
"I promise."
Michael turned to Doug and wrapped him up in his arms. "Please call your next-door neighbor and tell him it's a go. I'll leave for home as soon as possible, and you can follow me as quickly after that as you can. I have to secure my job. I'll even get you reenrolled in NYU for next semester."
Michael was excited, and suddenly he didn't feel so isolated. He vowed to call his office as soon as Doug was finished with his call.
Doug's face was flushed as he hung up the phone. "It's a go he said, and he promised we could close as early as it was convenient for me."
The two men kissed joyfully.
"I'm going to call my boss now," Michael said. "The office will be closed by now given the time difference. I'll try to catch him at home and fill him in. I'm afraid to give him an estimated time when I'll get home, but I'll give him a ballpark figure. Did I mention that I love you?"
Even though Joe Spenser did not recognize the phone number on his caller ID, he could see that it had a strange area code. He hoped beyond hope that it was Michael Moran. There was such relief in his voice when Joe realized who it was, that Michael felt very much less apprehensive even before they began their conversation.
"Before you say anything," Joe said, "I've been trying to reach you for a few days, but your phone seems to be dead."
"As good as dead," Michael said. "I'm in the wilderness, surrounded by wheat farms. There's no cell phone reception here."
"What are you doing there?"
Michael explained how his transmission died in the middle of nowhere, and where he stood in the repair process. "If I'm lucky I should be home in about two weeks at the latest, maybe sooner," he promised.
"Thank God," Joe said. "None of your clients want to deal with anyone but you. Frankly, I was afraid you weren't coming back, and I didn't know what to tell them. That's why I was trying to reach you. Can you give me the number where you're staying?"
"It's the number I'm calling from, and he repeated it for Joe. "A very kind farmer is putting me up for the duration. You can tell my clients I'm coming back soon, and to please be patient. And Joe, James McCauley is a first-class schmuck."
Joe laughed, and said. "Stay away from the farmer's daughter, and come home safe." He hung up.
"Yippee," Doug screamed. "Our dreams are coming true."
"Is there a big enough town around here that has a decent restaurant? I'd like to celebrate tonight."
"Not really," Doug said. "We'll have to make our own celebration."
"I can live with that."
A week later Emanuel called. "I'll deliver your car tomorrow morning, if that's alright with you."
"It's more than alright. Please don't disappoint me.
"I won't. I promise you."
Immediately, after hearing from Emanuel, Doug called his neighbor to arrange the closing. Carl Gustafson had already been to his lawyer and his bank. He had all the papers ready to sign. He was assuming the mortgage, and he handed Doug a certified check for the balance. Doug's personal belongings were already packed in Michael's car. He signed over his deed and the truck's registration certificate. The business was concluded.
Carl was one happy buyer. He had gained a relatively new truck, and his son would be living next door in a fully furnished house. As an extra added bonus, he and his son would be harvesting both farms when the wheat was ready. He figured out that he got the better of the deal.
Everyone was happy.
Michael and Doug jumped into the front seat of the Lexus. They fastened their seat belts, and headed the car southeast towards New York, towards home.
To be continued...