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The Inlet
Chapter 10
Art returned to work on Saturday morning, and Ron had to reprieve his role as the rover for another week until he became full time body guard to Freddie and Scott during the month of December. He couldn't wait for that day to come, of course, but there was a fly in the ointment. Kyle and Andrew were returning on the Sunday night after Thanksgiving and there would be another bodyguard in the house. As a rover for the rest of November, he would be sleeping at his own home unless needed. Beginning December 1, Mel would be guarding Kyle and Andrew, Ernie would be guarding Sam and Jean, and Art was the designated rover for December.
On Friday night Ron consulted with Freddie and Scott. "Should I come out to Kyle and Andrew when they get home? Should I eventually come out to Sam and Jean?"
"Yes," they answered simultaneously.
"Look guys," Ron continued. "Maybe the other guys can live celibate lives, and be happy whacking off every night, but that's not good enough for me anymore. You have shown me a better way. I need to live the life you have initiated me into. Would you consider replacing me as a body guard, and giving me a job in one of your other enterprises? I need to have a home life, someone to go home to every night like you guys have."
"Yes," they answered simultaneously again. "Just give us a day or two to think about the best thing to do."
Ron thanked them and spent the night in their bed. On Saturday morning he returned to his empty apartment. On Saturday evening he returned to the gay restaurant where he first came out to Freddie and Scott. He ordered dinner and dined alone. This time when someone approached him, he showed interest, and long before midnight, he was sharing his bed with a gorgeous hunk of a man. Ron's new life as a practicing homosexual was very much on its way.
He had a wonderful time and confirmed that he enjoyed gay sex so much more than straight sex. The downside was that Nat, his bed partner for the night, was not nearly as adept at making love as Freddie and Scott. In fact, newbie Ron showed him a thing or two.
Since taking over Sam's businesses, Andrew and Freddie had started a program of expansion. One of the new enterprises was a string of retail stores in several major cities with large gay populations. The merchandise sold in these stores was aimed at appealing to gays and lesbians. Besides provocative clothing, they sold all sorts of gay toys and paraphernalia. Each store had a manager, but with the opening of a sixth store, Andrew felt that a general manager should be hired to oversee the entire chain and monitor the managers, buyers and the sales people. Andrew asked Ron if he would consider the newly established position.
"Does a cat have nine lives?" he asked. "You bet, I will."
"I figure that you'll only have to travel one week a month unless you expand the enterprise even further. That will give you plenty of time to see your staff," Freddie added.
"If it gets big enough," Ron said, "I can foresee regional managers down the pike."
"I like the way you think," Andrew said as he put out his hand to shake Ron's.
Ron's replacement for the bodyguard position was harder to fill. They began to interview after Christmas when they returned from Florida. The first three candidates were all family men, but each said that they would not be comfortable working for fags. Oops, and out. The fourth candidate was thirty-three years old, married with three kids.
"I would have no problem guarding gay men at all," John Davis said.
"You might have to go to gay establishments with them," Andrew advised.
"Been there and done that. My older brother, Mark, is gay. I love him, and I am very fond of his friends. I've gone to gay bars with them on many occasions A lot of guys have come on to me there, and I've warded off plenty of their advances. Believe me. I can handle it."
"Does your brother look like you and is he single?" Andrew asked.
"Yes, to both questions. Why do you ask?"
"Have we got a guy for him," Freddie said.
"Boy, if you could get my brother to settle down, I'll give you my first week free, that is, if I'm hired," John said with a question mark in his voice.
"You're hired and it won't be necessary to give us a free week," Freddie said. "Now let's talk about something important. How can we get your brother and Ron together?"
"Mark has a degree in accounting but he's in a dead end job with the city of New York. Maybe you have something for him?" John asked.
"Our head accountant has been screaming at me to hire an assistant for him for months. He just has too many different businesses to manage by himself. It's beginning to overwhelm him. Do you think Mark would be interested in speaking to us about that job?" Freddie asked.
"I'll ask him? He'd be a jerk to pass up an opportunity like this."
Ron now had a private office in the Gardini suite of offices. Andrew arranged an interview with Mark Davis at 11 AM on a Friday morning. He thought the timing was perfect for what he had in mind.
Mark was first interviewed by Hank Morrissey, the chief accountant, and then by Freddie and Andrew. Hank, Andrew and Freddie thought that Mark would be perfect for the job. Hank particularly felt that he and Mark could work well together. Once it was established that Mark was the man, and he accepted the position, they agreed upon salary. Mark was just a few dollars shy of doubling his present salary. He said that he felt morally obligated to give two weeks' notice, and he could start two weeks from Monday. Everyone said that would be just fine.
Then Andrew's plan went into high gear. Previously he had asked Ron to have lunch with him and Freddie. Well, you didn't refuse the bosses, now did you? Andrew asked Mark to come back to his office for a little chat. Mark was flattered but a little nervous.
"I'm very fond of your brother, John," Andrew began. "I feel safe in his hands, and I know I'm going to feel safe in yours; in a different way, of course. Your brother replaced a man who now works here in the office with us. His name is Ron Harte. Ron is having lunch with Freddie and me today, and I'd like for you to join us. Your brother John was assigned to me this month. Do you see that closed door over there? John is in it, seated at a bank of monitors, and watching surveillance cameras all over the office. He'll be joining us for lunch also."
"That would be great," Mark said. "I took the whole day off and I have plenty of time. In fact, I'd like to come back after lunch and maybe Hank could show me around the operation and orient me a little bit."
"Or Ron," Andrew said hopefully.
The five men assembled at the elevator to go to lunch. Ron had been clued in that Mark was gay, but Mark was not told about Ron, only because the opportunity had not presented itself. When Ron got to the elevator he was introduced to Mark. He's so handsome. I could really go for this guy, Ron mused to himself. In the elevator, he stood next to Mark, and at lunch he managed to sit next to him. Of course, everyone was helping him in his cause.
"After lunch, how would you like to give Mark a little orientation of our offices and of some of the operations, Ron?" Andrew asked.
Ron broke out into a big grin. "It'll be a pleasure," he said.
In all honesty, Mark didn't have a clue that Ron was gay. The arousal in his groin was scaring him and he tried to put carnal thoughts of Ron out of his mind. He wasn't being too successful.
"I'm just going to show you around the office; orient you to our various enterprises and introduce you to people. I'll leave the accounting orientation to Hank. He can do that on your first day," Ron explained.
After the orientation, Ron invited Mark to his office for a little chat. Mark was beside himself. If he didn't control his urges and his growing erection, this big guy might deck him. The first thing he saw when he went into Ron's office was a picture of two exceptionally handsome teen age boys on his desk. That cinched Mark's belief that Ron was straight arrow.
"I'm trying to convey a sense of family to you, Mark. Why do you look so nervous? Please relax. You won't find a pleasanter, more relaxed, work place than this one," Ron said. "Andrew and Freddie are too good to be true. They take care of their own."
Mark wondered what Ron meant by they take care of their own. Was something shady going on? He concluded that he merely meant, the office staff, and he tried to relax.
Ron decided to go right to the heart of his feelings. He had no idea that Mark did not know that he was gay. "Are you busy tonight? Do you have a date?" Ron asked.
Mark still didn't get it. He thought that Ron was just making friendly small talk. "No, I'm perfectly free tonight. I do have a tentative date for tomorrow night, but I'm not sure yet. Why did you ask me?"
"Frankly I'd like to have dinner with you. Sorry if I wasn't making myself clear."
"You want to have dinner with me?" Mark asked incredulously.
"Sure man. You're hot. I think you're better looking than your brother and he gets my juices going whenever I see him."
Mark broke out laughing. "Please don't hate me if I'm getting this all wrong, but are you gay?"
"Yes, Freddie told me that you were gay. Didn't they say anything about me?"
"I'm afraid not. I would love to have dinner with you tonight, and furthermore now I don't have to be afraid to stand up." Mark stood up and Ron could see that his trousers were tenting. They both broke out laughing.
Andrew, Kyle, Freddie and Scott decided to surprise Andrew's parents, and Sam and Jean, by fling down to Florida for the New Year. They worked it out so that Andrew knocked on his parent's door at the exact same moment that Freddie knocked on Sam's. Moments later everybody was assembled at the Stanley's. After some discussion Sam and Jean cancelled their plans to celebrate at a gay bar, and Dave and Anna gave up their plans to celebrate in the condo social hall. They decided that they would celebrate together in Sam and Jean's apartment. Anna and Jean volunteered to do all the shopping and the cooking.
Andrew and Kyle stayed with Andrew's parents. They put John up on the sleep sofa. David and Anna liked him immediately and oohed and aahed over the pictures of his family. Freddie and Scott stayed with Sam and Jean. Their bodyguards, Art and Ernie shared the third bedroom and everyone was invited to the party. Mel lucked out and got to spend the holiday at home. It was the most festive holiday any of them could ever remember. It was with great reluctance that the boys and their bodyguards returned to New York.
Ron and Mark celebrated the New Year by getting to know each other in Ron's bed for the first time. They were falling deeply in love.
Somehow the months flew by and Memorial Day weekend was staring them in the face. Ron approached Kyle and asked him if he would allow him to open the cabin and get it ready for the season before he and Andrew went down for the first time. He explained that he and Mark would like a week off for a honeymoon. Kyle got so excited he grabbed Ron in a bear hug. It was a case of bigger hugging big, and Ron thought his ribs would break.
After Ron and Mark cleared their vacation time at the office, Kyle gave Ron the key to the cabin, driving directions, and instructions for turning on all the utilities. Andrew took Ron aside and told him about the hidden butcher knives. He asked him to please not disturb the knives and to leave them in place. Ron did not question his boss. Every bodyguard knew the story of the Rodriguez cousins. It was a family secret, and if it ever got out, the informant would pay with his life. However, very few people were aware that Andrew still suffered paranoiac episodes resulting from the incident, and certainly nobody spoke of it. Kyle begged him to go for therapy, but he kept insisting that it was unnecessary. It became the only cause of dissension between them, but fortunately their love was strong enough to surmount it.
Mark and Ron drove up to the cabin separately, in a car and a camper. Their intention was to leave the camper on the premises for the use of the bodyguards during the summer months. They themselves would use the bedroom in the cabin. They intended to spend the entire week in bed so they brought plenty of food with them.
They did everything on Kyle's list and stocked the cabin with all the food. When everything was done, and the cabin was habitable, they kissed each other passionately. This was going to be the first time they would be alone since they met, and they intended for it to be memorable, a real honeymoon. For his part, Ron was anxious to make up for years lost, and Mark was there to support him. Although they were both versatile, Ron preferred to be a top and Mark preferred to be a bottom. Once during the week, Ron was inside Mark's ass for almost two hours without a break. When Ron vacated Mark's sanctuary, Mark cried because he felt such a void.
When they did take a break, they would sit on the grass facing the lake. The temperature barely went above 55 degrees, but they sat naked, huddled together, covered by a blanket or two, as the cold lake breezes blew against their bodies. They should have been chilled to the bone, but they only felt the warmth of their bodies.
They would sit in silence for hours, staring at the lake, until one of them would whisper, "I love you so much." Then they would both jump up and head for the bed of their desires. They had heard often enough from Andrew and Kyle about how they had met here, and about their passionate first love encounter. Now Freddie and Scott also used the cabin as a romantic getaway place. Ron dubbed the cabin, "The Love Hotel" and decided to make a sign for Kyle to hang over the front door when he came down for the first time this coming season.
True to his word, Ron had the sign ready just before the Memorial Day weekend. Kyle, Andrew, Freddie and Scott, all drove up to the cabin on Friday evening for the big weekend. Kyle and Andrew would stay on for the week and Freddie and Scott would go home Monday evening, and return on Friday evening. The first thing they did on arrival was to hang the sign over the front door. The bodyguards followed discreetly in another car and they quickly occupied the camper.
Sam and Jean had made so many friends in Florida, and the weather was so temperate in May, that they decided to stay until mid-June, before driving home. The Stanley's always returned to New York at the end of June as well. Sam and Jean promised their new friends that they would return no later than November 1
Since Kyle and Andrew were staying at the cabin for the week, they claimed the bedroom, and Freddie and Scott got their sleeping bags ready on the bedroom floor. The four of them had gotten to sleeping in the same room if they couldn't share a bed. It didn't bother either couple if one of them was engaged in passionate sex and the other couple wasn't. They knew that at some point in the weekend they would all enjoy each other.
Saturday morning Kyle and Scott drew the kitchen patrol. They were busy making breakfast while Andrew and Freddie sat out on the lawn facing the lake. Freddie had his arm around Andrew's shoulder and Andrew's head was lying on Freddie's arm.
"We are so lucky," Freddie said, "to have what we have, but most important, to have each other."
"I know," Andrew said with a cracking voice. "My life is so full of love. I'm always afraid that something will come along and spoil it."
"Nothing is going to spoil it," Freddie said emphatically. "Please Andrew, try to forget all those bad things and come back to us. You've got to stop jumping every time you hear a door creek. You are surrounded by bodyguards and so many people who love you. You have nothing to fear, I promise you."
"I know all that intellectually, but I can't seem to shake the fear."
"Will you go for therapy? Will you at least try? I know a great shrink. I went to him when I was old enough to realize the source of Uncle Sam's great wealth. Then again, I went to him when that Rodriguez ape told me that Sam had killed my parents. He really helped me cope with everything, and I think you should see him."
"Kyle's been bugging me too. If it's that obvious, and that bad, I should see him, if not for myself, then for Kyle's sake."
"Atta boy," Freddie said. "I'll give you his name and his number." They were lying side by side. Freddie rolled over on top of Andrew. They began to kiss passionately and Freddie was squeezing Andrew's hard cock.
"I need to fuck you, Bro," Freddie said.
"Later," a stern voice interrupted them. It was Scott calling them to breakfast.
Andrew checked the slip of paper with Dr. Morgan's name and address. He was in one of the worst sections of Manhattan without a bodyguard. He had dismissed Ernie telling him that he had a very private errand to attend to. Now, looking around, he hoped that Ernie was around somewhere out of sight. The building in front of him was run down and looked condemned. But surely Freddie wouldn't have sent him here if he would be in danger.
He entered the building and found Suite 101. He opened the door into a reception room, but the room was empty, so he sat down in a chair. No sooner did he sit down when a door opened, and Dr. Morgan said, "Don't sit there come into my office."
Dr. Morgan had a bit of a strange accent, and looked very much like Count Dracula without a cape. "Don't dawdle," he said. "I haven't got all day."
Andrew went into the doctor's office. He was not feeling too secure. The doctor sat him in a lounge chair and the doctor sat in a wing back chair facing him.
"How do you hope to benefit from seeing me?" the doctor asked.
"I hope to get over the fear that someone is going to spring out of nowhere and kill me."
"I doubt you have enough money for the cure," the doctor sniggered.
"Oh, but I do. I'm quite wealthy, I assure you," Andrew started to plead.
The doctor suddenly began to laugh so loudly, that he had to put his hand to his side. As he did, his other hand miraculously held a big butcher knife. He started at Andrew. Suddenly four more brutes emerged from the walls. All were wielding butcher knives and coming at Andrew. He began to scream. He kept right on screaming even after his three bedroom mates woke him up.
Andrew could feel Kyle's huge arms wrapped around him, comforting him, and he began to calm down. In time, he came to realize that it was just a nightmare and he was not in harm's way.
"We have to start curing you," Kyle said emphatically. "Come with me."
Andrew followed Kyle dutifully into the living room. "Now," Kyle said, "I want you to remove the butcher knives from between the sofa cushions and return them to the cutlery drawer in the kitchen."
Andrew turned pale. How did he know? Did Ron or Mark tell him? No, they would never do that. He had warned them on pain of death.
"How did you know?" Andrew asked sheepishly.
"One of them nearly pierced my thigh when I sat down on it yesterday. My God, Andy, they are more dangerous where they are than in a drawer. I could remove them, but I insist that you do it."
"I can't," Andrew said, slightly whimpering.
"You must. It will be your first step toward recovery. If you don't, I swear, I'll sell the cabin and we'll never come here again."
"Please, Kyle, don't do that. You know how much this place means to me. I love it here," Andrew whined.
"Then just do it," Kyle insisted.
Andrew reached for the first knife. It felt like it weighed a ton, and he could hardly lift it. It took great effort, but he finally removed the first knife from under the cushion. He walked at a snail's pace to the kitchen and replaced the knife in the cutlery drawer. Reluctantly, he repeated the process with the second knife When he was finished his body seemed to shrivel and Kyle had to support him.
"I'm proud of you," Kyle said.
"I didn't realize how heavy those knives were."
"Let's go back to sleep now, and we'll talk more about it in the morning." They went back to bed and Freddie and Scott cuddled into a single sleeping bag.
At last Andrew did make an appointment with Dr. Morgan. His office was located on Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park. It was in one of Manhattan's poshest neighborhoods. The building was manned with security guards, and before they allowed Andrew to enter, they called the doctor's office to confirm his appointment. This was a far cry from Andrew's nightmare.
Andrew was taken into an office that looked like a sitting room at some hunting lodge. He relaxed immediately, and that was the purpose of the décor. Dr. Morgan came in a moment later. He was no more than 5' 5" tall, and a good thirty pounds overweight. His blue eyes twinkled, and his pudgy reddened cheeks were invitations to pinching. Andrew thought that in another few years, if the good doctor grew a beard, he could pass for Santa Claus. In short, he liked him, and felt comfortable immediately.
After they introduced each other, Dr. Morgan asked Andrew to take his seat again. "Talk to me," he said.
During therapy, Dr. Morgan was able to get Andrew to recall an incident in his early life. He and Andrew came to realize that this incident had always been a source of fear for Andrew and when he was twice kidnapped, his fears were exacerbated.
Andrew had just celebrated his fourteenth birthday and was in his first year of high school. He had already begun to struggle with his sexual identity. He knew he was strong and brave enough to come out if he wanted to, but he wasn't sure yet so he kept his little secret.
He, and his best friend, Freddie Grant, were just leaving the building to head on home, when they heard a commotion in the school yard. They went to investigate. Four big brutes were beating a thin, gaunt boy with their fists. Even though the boy was obviously unconscious, they kept on beating him.
"Here's what we do to faggots," one of them yelled. "We give them tickets to their trip to hell."
"Fucking faggot," the others yelled. One of them pulled a switchblade from his pocket and calmly started to cut the poor victim's face. Everyone was standing around doing nothing. Andrew was frozen in place, unable to move, until Freddie yelled out, "The cops are on their way. Better scram, everyone." And everyone began to run away including the four brutes.
Freddie ran to the unfortunate victim. "Call for an ambulance," he yelled at Andrew, "and hurry." Andrew ran back into the school, and into the principal's office. The principal's secretary dialed 911, and ran out to help.
Freddie was trying to stop the bleeding on the boy's face with his handkerchief, but it wasn't doing much good. He removed his tee shirt and used that instead, applying as much pressure as he could. When the paramedics arrived, they told Freddie that his actions probably saved the boy's life, but he would need a lot of surgery to restore his face to a semblance of humanity.
None of the witnesses could identify the maniacs who beat up the boy. They were older than high schoolers and certainly didn't attend the private school that Andrew and Freddie attended. They were never apprehended.
Dr. Morgan concluded that Andrew had lived his whole life in dread of being beaten and knifed because of his sexuality. This fear was deeply buried in his subconscious. The first invasion by Carl and Joey Barkin had opened the door slightly, and the second invasion by the Rodriguez cousins had blown the door fully open.
When Andrew realized that his fears did not originate from his two kidnapping incidents, but stemmed from fears of being beaten cruelly, and cut up, because of his sexual orientation, he began to heal. He was no longer frightened by the fact that he was gay. That had been a childhood fear. It took several more sessions with Dr. Morgan, but little by little the seven veils of fear were dropped and Andrew's nightmares stopped.
He looked forward to the upcoming Labor Day weekend. He, Kyle, Freddie and Scott were going to The Love Hotel, and before they left, they would close the cabin for the season. Andrew's parents had decided to live year round in Boca Raton and they had moved out of their apartment during the summer. They would not be spending the two weeks after Labor Day at the cabin this year.
Sam and Jean also decided to spend most of their time in Florida. They announced that so long as they were able, they would travel during the hot summer months, and spend the rest of the year in Boca. Freddie put twin beds in Sam's room for the two bodyguards remaining in the house. The house was less crowded, less noisy and much more relaxed since Sam and Jean decided to become full time Florida residents.
Sam and Jean talked Mel and his wife into moving down to Florida. They said jokingly that all good grandparents did that so their kids would have a place to vacation in the winter. Sam and Jean bought them a beautiful condo nearby to theirs, and Mel became their permanent body guard.
When Ron opened the twelfth retail shop, he needed an assistant, so he hired Mark's brother John. Ernie and Art then became full time bodyguards to the residents of The Town House. The four brothers were together most of the time and so one or the other of the bodyguards was now able to spend more time with his family, and that pleased everyone.
They even began to alternate weekends at The Love Hotel. They became so much a part of the family, that their presence was hardly noticeable and certainly never an intrusion. On warm summer evenings, when the brothers went skinny dipping in the lake, the bodyguard on duty would often join them. There was no longer any embarrassment about being part of a gay naked group. The bodyguards just took it in stride, even when their charges grabbed at each other.
The cabin at the inlet became a peaceful getaway haven for the family. In the winter they flew down to Florida whenever they could get away. They stayed with Andrew's parents or with Sam and Jean. When at home in The City, they went to sporting events, theater, opera, ballet and museums together. The four of them often had dinner at their favorite gay bars and restaurants. At home they made love together.
The further in time that they removed themselves from Sam's old business ventures, the more they obtained anonymity, and the more secure they became. In time they found jobs for Ernie and Art in their legitimate enterprises, and stopped using bodyguards altogether. Sam and Jean objected, but their objections fell on deaf ears.
One warm summer day in the middle of the week, Kyle and Andrew were alone together at the cabin. They never bothered to wear clothes and were a little shocked when there was a knock on the door. They both grabbed robes and Kyle went to answer the door.
"I'm really sorry to disturb you," a handsome young man said. "I was rowing on the lake and my strength just gave out. I'm moored at your dock in the inlet and I wonder if I could get something to drink, and rest up before I return to The Waterfall Lodge."
"Sure, come on in," Kyle said. "Would you like a beer or something softer?"
"Ice water would do just fine," the young man said. He put out his hand. "My name is Marty Soren. I'm staying at the lodge for a few days. I start teaching math at SUNY Albany in a couple of weeks. It's my first gig."
Kyle shook his hand. "I'm Kyle Farrell," he said. "I bought this place as a hideaway when I taught English Lit at Albany. I teach at CCNY now. And this good looking guy is my partner, Andrew Stanley." Andrew was still amazed at how easily Kyle could let people know that he was gay, and he was still so reticent.
"Your partner?" Marty reiterated. He broke out into a big grin.
"Have a seat," Kyle said, motioning toward the kitchen table. "I'll pour the ice water."
Kyle and Andrew sat down at the table with the young man.
"This is so déjà vu," Andrew said.
"What do you mean?" Marty asked. Andrew told Marty the story of how he and Kyle met and fell in love.
"If you had come through the front door instead of the back, you would have seen the sign over the front door, The Love Hotel. That's what one of our friends named the place, and he had the sign made for us."
`What a great story," Marty said. "I'm jealous. I'm still looking for the right girl for me."
"Well, maybe some of the magic will rub off," Kyle said.
"We were just going for a swim in the lake," Andrew said. "If you want to, you can join us. If not, just rest up, and you can leave whenever you feel you've got your strength back.
Marty was about to accept their offer to join in the swim, but they both removed their robes. Marty expected to see swim suits. He was a bit perturbed to see that they were naked.
"I think I'll head back to the lodge," he said. "There's a young lady staying there that has my interest. I've asked her to have dinner with me tonight. Maybe the magic will rub off. We shall see." He tried hard not to look at the two naked men's private area. It was a struggle.
"Good," Andrew said. "We're having dinner at the lodge tonight. We'll look for you. Just close the door when you leave." He and Kyle walked out together. Marty saw Kyle take Andrew's hand as they walked toward the lake. He was a bit envious. He finished his drink and placed the glass in the sink. He walked toward the dock and untied his canoe. He got back in, and rowed toward the lodge.
As he pulled away, he glanced back and could see Andrew and Kyle standing knee deep in the water. He could make out their erect cocks rubbing against their bodies. Kyle was much taller than Andrew, which prevented their cocks from rubbing together. They had their arms wrapped around each other and they were kissing passionately. Marty didn't bother to wave to them as he pulled away. They wouldn't have noticed him.
"Make a wish," Marty thought he heard a voice say. "This is a magic place."
"I wish someday to find someone who will love me like those two guys love each other," he prayed, and continued to row back to the lodge with a big grin on his face.
To be continued...