This is a gay love story which is pure fiction and fantasy. None of the characters portrayed relate to any known person.
Warning - it contains explicit m/m sex.
The Pink Retreat
The first couple of days following his wonderful weekend with Luke went reasonably smoothly at home. Perhaps it was because Josh was feeling so happy which somehow placed a barrier between him and his father or perhaps his father was just not as miserable as normal. The other reason that flashed across Josh's mind was that his father had also enjoyed Josh's absence. Who knew?
But, on the third day things were back to normal. His father kept on making remarks about Josh and that it was time he stopped all the `pansy' interests he had. Josh just bit his tongue trying not to react but by the Thursday, despite knowing that he was going to stay with his lover again at the weekend, his defence broke.
Immediately after their meal that evening his father made yet more snide remarks about his music and that he should be doing manly things such as going to football matches with him instead of doing girly things and being a poof. Josh finally lost his cool.
"What is wrong with you?" Josh shouted, "what if I am a poof as you put it? So what? You're the fucker who brought me into this world."
His father went red with anger and glared at Josh.
"Is that what you really are then, a fucking poof? Because if so then I'm not having a fucking queer living under my roof so you can get out" his father shouted back.
Josh's mother slunk back in the corner of the room. She knew this would happen at some time or another and she just didn't know what to do apart from watch her son fight back, which in some respects made her proud of him.
"Yes, I am gay, so there you bigot; and I'm proud of it and in no way am I going to boring football matches with you. You stupid bastard" Luke shouted in response.
His father picked up the nearest item to him which happened to be a plate, and threw it at his son. Fortunately Josh was too quick for him and ducked out of the way allowing the plate to smash into the wall causing the plaster to crack and crumble. Without saying anything, Josh ran out the door, slammed it behind him and ran upstairs. By the time he reached his bedroom and closed the door behind him, he was physically shaking. He knew what he'd done; he'd come to the end of the road and had to move on.
He grabbed his holdall from the top of his wardrobe and stuffed as many clothes into it without much thought or care. He placed his laptop inside along with various other personal documents that he kept in a drawer, grabbed a few of his favourite CDs and stuffed those into a side pocket and zipped the bag up. He then collected together his college books that he would need the next day, a leather case that contained his music, and finally his clarinet. Having got these items on the bed he sat down and cried.
"What the hell am I going to do?" he asked himself, although really he knew the precise answer to that question.
"Hi Josh, how you doing mate?" Luke said cheerily when he saw it was Josh calling him.
As soon as Josh answered, he could tell something was wrong. All Luke could make out were sobs coming from the other end of the call.
"What's happened love?" Luke said quietly trying to calm his lover down.
Josh quickly told Luke what had happened and that he was now sitting on his bed with things all round him ready to leave.
"What am I going to do Luke?" Josh sobbed into the phone.
"I'm coming straight round" Luke replied without any hesitation, "You're coming here".
They then arranged that Luke would meet Josh with the car at the end of Josh's road so that his father would not see Luke and hence know where he was going.
When the call ended, Josh grabbed his coat and was about to collect his things together when there was a knock on his bedroom door. It had to be his mother since his father never had the grace or decency to knock first. Josh opened the door ajar just to check and seeing it was his mother he let her in and closed it behind her.
When she saw Josh's bags on the bed ready to go she took him into her arms and cried.
"I'm so sorry Josh, I've let you down, I should have stopped him long ago" she wailed.
"It's not your fault mum, you know what he's like" Josh replied gently rubbing his hand up and down her back.
"Where are you going to go son?" she asked although she too had guessed what the answer would be.
Josh then told her that Luke was on his way to take him back to his house. This news seemed to calm her down and she was pleased to hear he had somewhere safe to go for the time being.
"Your dad is out all day on Saturday at an away match so will be leaving early" she whispered as if her husband was standing right outside the door, "Come back around ten to collect the rest of your things if you can my love".
Josh said he would do that but wondered at the time why she had said this.
By the time Josh had carried his belongings to the end of the road, Luke had arrived. He helped Josh put everything into the back of the car and then gave him a big hug and a kiss. He didn't care if anyone saw them; his love was upset and he needed comforting.
"I'm so sorry love" Luke said patting Josh up and down his back, "but mum says you can stay with us".
"Thanks" Josh managed to get out between more tears, "I knew things would eventually erupt; I just couldn't take any more".
Luke led the boy he loved without question round to the passenger side of the car and waited until Josh was seated inside before gently closing the door. He then ran round to the other side, climbed in and drove off.
When they reached Luke's house, they unloaded the car and left everything in the hallway. Luke led Josh into the living room where his mother immediately stood up and came over to them.
"I'm so sorry Josh" she said as she walked towards him.
Josh immediately burst into tears again and she stepped forward and took him into her arms. Luke watched on as his mother tried to comfort Josh. He felt so proud of her.
"It's okay Josh, you can stay here for as long as you want; there's plenty of room in Luke's rooms for you both."
"Thank you Mrs P", Josh managed to say between more sobs which were now causing a damp patch on her shoulder.
He'd always called Luke's mother Mrs P right from a child so it had stuck somehow.
"If you're going to live here Josh I think we need to drop the Mrs P" Luke's mother chuckled, "why not call me Ann since that's my name".
Josh looked at her and smiled, "Thanks ... Ann" before turning to Luke who was standing nearby.
"Now give your boyfriend a big hug and a kiss" Ann said to her son, "and then go and get yourselves sorted out upstairs; have you eaten this evening Josh?"
Josh nodded as Luke immediately took his lover into his arms and hugged him tight. Much to Josh's shock and amazement, Luke then gave him a long hard kiss on his lips whilst his mother looked on.
When they'd finally parted, Josh looked at Ann to see her reaction. She was smiling.
"It's okay Josh, I know all about you two and for the record I have no problems or hang-ups about it; the fact that my son is gay and has a gay lover is fine by me; all I want is that you are both happy."
Just hearing someone say that to him, made Josh shed more tears.
"Thank you" he whispered as Luke led him by the hand into the hall.
They collected Josh's few belongings and made their way to the second floor. When they were up there and had placed the items on the floor, Josh turned to Luke.
"She knows about us then?"
"Who, mum? Yeah of course she does; she's not stupid you know she's seen how we look at each other and put two and two together."
"Wow, you are so lucky Luke"
"I'm sure your mum would be the same if she was not dominated by that bastard of a father of yours" Luke replied and then wondered whether he had gone too far.
"Yeah, you're probably right" Josh replied deep in thought.
"Anyhow, let's unpack your holdall and then I can really show you how much I love you" Luke giggled.
They took the bag into the bedroom and Luke quickly made some room for Josh's few clothes.
"Is this all you've got?" Luke asked seeing the few items that eventually came out the bag.
Josh explained he had more at home but not a lot more, and that he had arranged with his mum that he would go back Saturday morning to collect the rest of his things.
"You're quite sure about this are you Luke?" Josh then asked very seriously.
"Of course I am you silly thing; I can't think of anything better, we're actually going to live together, sleep together and have sex whenever we want!"
Josh giggled. The thought of waking up each morning beside his lover really cheered him up irrespective of any problems that might arise on the way ahead.
Back at Josh's home, his mother was furious that her husband had finally driven out her second son.
"Do you have no love for him at all?" she shouted at him somewhat out of character for her.
Her husband just grunted and stated again that he was not going to have a poof under his roof.
"What are you afraid of, that he might embarrass you? That really would be terrible wouldn't it?" she yelled back sarcastically. "Not that you need any help in that direction; you are a big embarrassment to me and yourself" she added before she stamped upstairs and went into Josh's room having taken her night clothes out of her own. In no way was she going to sleep with the bastard, she told herself.
She looked round Josh's room and cried. She would so miss him. It already looked bare even though there were still things of his around.
She sat on the bed and thought for a moment. She knew what she was going to do.
On the Friday, Luke and Josh came down to breakfast with Josh feeling somewhat better than he had the night before.
"Morning boys" Ann called out as they entered the kitchen.
"So, what would you like for breakfast?" she asked Josh as he sat down.
He opted for cereal and toast as he always did and also said he'd have coffee since Luke had that and he didn't want to be a nuisance and say he normally had tea; although the only reason for that was that his father hated coffee so they always drank tea at his house.
As they ate, Josh decided he must mention something about money.
"I'll pay for my food Ann" he said pausing between mouthfuls of cereal.
"Don't be silly Josh, there's no need for you to pay me anything; besides, it's nice to have another young man around the house, isn't it Luke?"
"Sure is, can't argue with that one mum!" Luke giggled patting Josh on his leg.
"Well I must do something to help out to thank you for your kindness" Josh continued.
"As you know Josh, Luke looks after his part of the house so you can help him if you like; apart from that there's not much else to do since I have a cleaner come in to do the rest."
"Perhaps I could help with the garden" Josh then suggested even though he knew Ann employed a young man to come in each week.
"Well, you could certainly give Jacek some guidance; he's a willing lad but I don't think he has much idea about plants when it comes to that, so yes, you could use your expertise in the garden Josh; thanks."
"I'd be happy to and if you wanted me to I could always take over the gardening in place of Jacek"
"That's very nice of you Josh but Jacek relies on all the work he can get so I don't want to take that away from him; no, you just give him your guidance and expertise and that will be fine; oh and you can also help Luke with washing my car every now and then; I always have to nag him to do it for me!"
"Well, I have my own car to wash" Luke laughed.
"Now there are two of you, it shouldn't be a problem should it" Ann laughed deciding that she was going to enjoy having these two gorgeous young men around the house!
As was often the case on a Friday both Luke and Josh were home by lunchtime. Ann was at work of course so Luke made them a sandwich for lunch. Once they'd eaten that and cleared up, they went up to Luke's rooms, or as Luke now called them `our rooms'.
"I've got some prep work I must get done before Monday" Josh said once they were upstairs.
"Yeah, so have I so why don't we both get stuck in and then we can enjoy ourselves later"
With that agreed, Luke sat at his desk with his laptop and Josh sat on the sofa bed with his perched on his lap.
"Think we shall have to think about getting another small desk for you" Luke commented as he looked across to his boyfriend.
Josh smiled and realised this was now his home for the time being and no longer just a place he visited.
They both spent the afternoon working hard with just the occasional chit chat in between and a short break when Luke made them both a cup of afternoon tea. How much different it was here than at his place, Josh thought as he sat back and drank his tea. He really was going to enjoy living here so perhaps his father had done him a good turn after all.
When Ann returned from work, she called through on the intercom to say she was home and what time the evening meal would be. They had now finished their work and packed it away and were sitting side by side on the sofa watching television, or at least pretending to since in reality they were kissing and cuddling each other and having a good feel of the erections forming inside their trousers.
"Come on, we'd better go down" Luke eventually said. Before they did so, they went into the bathroom, had a pee and a wash and made sure they were both looking respectable. It was one thing for his mother to know they were both gay and slept together but it was quite another to go downstairs showing clear signs of sexual excitement inside their trousers!
When the meal was over, Luke and Josh said they'd do the clearing up and told Ann to go and sit in the living room where they would bring in the coffee once they'd cleared the dishes away. Ann certainly didn't argue so quickly took advantage of their offer. She was definitely going to enjoy having these two around if this was a sign of things to come! The wonders of young love she smiled to herself as she settled down with her book.
Once everything was done and coffee had been consumed in the living room, which was Luke's normal practice, the pair of them returned to the second floor. As soon as the door was closed they were in each other's arms and undressing one another. Not long after they were in bed making love.
"Mm, just think" Luke said, "we can do this every night if we want".
"That's provided you don't get bored with me" Josh replied, although he didn't think they would get bored with each other.
Luke sat up on his elbows and looked intently into Josh's brown eyes, "Of course I won't get bored with you; I love you and always will".
Josh grinned and kissed him.
"And I'll never get bored with this!" Luke added giggling as he grasped Josh's thick organ which was now fully erect and ready for action.
On the Saturday morning, Luke told his mother that he and Josh were going round to his house to collect the rest of his things. When they got there, Josh's mum hugged her son before turning to Luke and giving him a hug as well.
"Thank you so much for taking Josh in Luke" she was saying, "and please give my thanks to your mother for being so kind; I just don't know what Josh would have done without you".
"It's okay, mum is pleased to have him live with us, isn't she love" Luke said without realising what he'd called his boyfriend.
"Well, it's a big relief to know he's with someone who loves him as much as you do Luke so thank you."
Josh looked slightly aghast at his mother for a moment. She'd never spoken of love before when referring to Luke.
"Don't look so shocked son; I've seen the way you two look at each other and how your eyes glaze over whenever you talk about Luke; I know you're both gay but it doesn't bother me son; it's only your father who can't deal with it you know."
It was all too much for Josh. He again burst into tears and took his small framed mother into his arms and hugged her tight.
"Thank you mum, that means so much to me; I love you so much" he sobbed.
Not wanting to be left out, Luke placed an arm round Luke's shoulder and patted him.
"Now come on you two, we've got lots to do and there's something I want to tell you both first so come in here" Josh's mother finally said having extricated herself from the two strapping lads.
Having told them both to sit down she then announced that she was leaving her husband and going to live with her sister down in Cornwall.
"Your Aunty Pam and Uncle John have been on at me for years to go and live with them on the farm but I always told them I couldn't leave you and I knew you wouldn't want to leave London Josh. He's gone too far this time Josh so I'm leaving him."
"Wow, are you sure you want to do that?" Josh asked somewhat shocked at the news although not the slightest bit surprised.
"I am; I should have done it a long time ago but as I say I couldn't leave you but now you're going I can"
"So when do you leave?" Josh asked still trying to take in the news.
"I'm catching the midday train from Paddington; I'm all packed and ready to go as soon as you have cleared your room."
"Wow, I think that's great news mum; I'm so happy for you" Josh finally said moving forward to give his mother another kiss.
"Right, off you go and take whatever you want but remember that anything you leave will probably be thrown out by the bastard so make sure you have everything."
With those comments in mind, Luke and Josh ran upstairs to start packing. They'd brought with them a couple of holdalls and some cardboard boxes to pack Josh's books into. Fortunately, being a small room there was little rubbish around since Josh had always had to prune things whenever he got something new.
It didn't take long and all that was left were some old clothes which Josh was more than happy to leave, plus a few old books that he no longer required. Everything else fitted into the holdalls and boxes easily. They carried them downstairs and packed them into the car outside.
"Perhaps we should offer to take your mum to the station" Luke said when they'd got everything packed into the car.
"We'd have a job getting her stuff in as well" Josh replied seeing the back seat already full with boxes and the small boot filled up with the holdalls.
When they went back inside, Josh made the offer and said that Luke could take his stuff home and then return with an empty car.
"That's very kind of you Luke but I've organised a taxi which should be arriving very shortly so I can manage, but thanks for the offer."
"Why don't I come with you to Paddington mum and see you off? I'd like to do that."
His mother smiled at him. It was typical of her son to suggest something like that. It was for that reason she loved him so and hated her husband trying to change him into a selfish man like him.
"Thank you Josh, I'd like that if Luke doesn't mind"
"Of course not" Luke immediately replied, "I'll take your stuff home Josh and see you later, give me a call when you're on your way home."
With that agreed, Luke gave Josh's mother another hug and wished her all the best. He then kissed Josh on the lips and said he'd see him later.
"And you must both come down to Liskeard to see us some time" she called as Luke moved off into the hallway, "my sister and her husband would love to see you both".
"Thanks, we will" Luke called back as he closed the front door behind him.
When Luke had gone, Josh looked round the living room. He noticed that several photos of him and his mum were missing along with other trinkets. He guessed his mother had gone round and collected all the things she wanted to keep and put them into her two large cases that were now standing in the hall ready to go with her.
"So you're sure you've got everything you want?" she asked Josh.
He nodded, "And you?"
"Oh yes, I've taken everything that is dear to my heart and left him the rest" she replied.
"What about money mum, will you be okay?"
"Oh yes, as you know I looked after the finances and made sure that I kept my own money separate from his otherwise he would have spent it all on drink; so yes, I've got plenty; he's the one who's going to find it hard to live but that's his problem now isn't it" she chuckled.
"Will you divorce him?"
"Yes, I'll speak to a solicitor once I'm settled in down in Cornwall. Will you mind son?
"Of course I don't; I never want to see the man again" Josh replied rather more harshly than he intended but that was how he felt.
"We'll be okay" his mother then said squeezing his hand, "You with the boy you love and me with Pam and John".
For a moment they just stood there waiting for something to happen.
"Oh, almost forgot" she then said as she delved into her large handbag, "I'd like you to have this Josh; it belonged to my mother's father and I'm sure he would have liked you to have it."
She then gave Josh a small blue velvet box. When he opened it he gasped.
"Oh mum, it's beautiful" he cried.
"It was his signet ring so you wear it on the third finger of your right hand in case you're not sure"
Josh slipped the ring on and it fitted perfectly as if it had been purchased for him.
"Thank you so much mum, I love it" Josh exclaimed as he gave his mother a big kiss.
"I will wear it always with him in mind" he added as he admired the gold ring with its small offset diamond.
He couldn't wait to show it to Luke but now they had to get his mum's two large cases out the door and into the taxi which had just arrived.
When they were finally on their way, Josh looked back at the house he had been born in. He was slightly sad on the one hand but excited on the other. One thing he was definitely sure about was the fact that he would never have to face his father again. This made him wonder whether his mother had told him about her leaving. He had seen the handwritten note she had left on the kitchen table when he had a final look round. It said `You have driven my two sons away from home and now you have driven me away. I never want to see you again.' It was signed Jane and her wedding ring had been placed on top of the note. It made it quite clear to his father that this was final.
"Have you told dad?" Josh asked as they made their way down the street.
"No, but as you probably saw I left a note for him" she replied with a slight chuckle.
"Wow, he's going to get a shock when he gets home tonight; I bet he'll be mad" Josh giggled.
"Serves him right doesn't it" she replied patting Josh's leg.
When they reached Paddington Josh left his mother with her luggage whilst he went to purchase her one way ticket to Cornwall and a platform ticket for himself. He wanted to see her safely on the train before he finally left her.
Having got the tickets, they found the platform they required and it wasn't long before her train was ready for boarding. Josh helped her with the luggage and they found a seat that was within sight of her two cases. She had assured him that his Uncle John was meeting her at the station the other end to help her with the luggage and take her back to the farmhouse where he and her sister lived.
It was an emotional parting of the ways and Josh felt very sad when he finally had to leave his mum. They hugged and kissed and promised to stay in regular contact. She said she would phone him as soon as she had arrived and he said she should ask John to set her up on email so they could communicate more easily with each other. She had never used a computer let alone email but no doubt she could learn.
"You and Luke will come down to visit us sometime won't you?" his mum said as Josh got off the train.
Having assured her they would, he finally made his way back up the platform and round to the tube to go home. Josh didn't want stay to watch the train leave. It was difficult enough knowing he wouldn't see his mother each day without watching her disappear in a train to a place that seemed miles away.
Once he was on the District line to Wimbledon, he called Luke to say what time he would arrive.
"Everything okay?" Luke asked.
Josh said it was and he had seen his mum onto the train but Luke could tell that Josh was feeling very emotional over the whole situation.
When he got through the barrier, Luke came running up to meet him. They hugged and kissed not bothering what those around might say about two guys who were showing their love for each other. Luke could see that Josh had tears in his eyes and he wanted to comfort his boyfriend so to hell with what people thought.
Without saying anything, Luke led Josh off by the hand to walk the ten minute journey home. For quite a while they just held each other's hand in silence.
"I'm going to miss her so much Luke" Josh finally said between more sobs.
"I know my love; it's been a shock to you but at least she will be happier with her sister away from your dad and we're together now."
"I know" Josh replied still sobbing, "but it seems so final".
Luke put his arm round his lover and pulled him in tight.
When they got home, Ann came out to greet Josh. She could see he had been crying and took him into her arms.
"I'm so sorry Josh; it's never easy when your world suddenly falls apart but from what I've heard your mum is better off without your dad."
Josh nodded, not knowing what to say. He just knew he was going to miss his mum so much despite living with the guy he loved with all his heart.
"So, you must make this your home now and I know Luke will look after you and I will too."
"Thanks" Josh managed to reply looking over to Luke who was standing nearby watching on.
"Come on Josh, come upstairs and I'll show you how I've fitted your stuff in" Luke said trying to cheer his mate up.
"I have put all your books and stuff on those shelves over there" Luke was saying excitedly when they were in the living room area, "and mum has let us use this table for you to work on so have put your laptop here".
"Thanks Luke, that's great" Josh replied slowly calming down and taking in what was being done for him.
"And I've taken the opportunity to clear out my wardrobe of old stuff I no longer want so the rest of your clothes have gone in here" Luke was saying as he led Josh into the bedroom.
"Thanks Luke, that's very kind of you" Josh replied just standing there looking at what Luke had done for him.
Luke took him into his arms and hugged him. He wasn't really sure what he could do to make his love feel happier but hoped that having him in his arms would do the trick.
Slowly Josh relaxed and began to feel better as they kissed passionately.
"I love you so much" Luke whispered into Josh's ear, "and after lunch I'm going to take you to bed".
Josh grinned.
"Love you too" he replied as he placed a hand onto Luke's growing organ.
"Come on, we'd better go back downstairs otherwise I shall have you stripped off here and now" Luke chucked as he took Josh by the hand and led him off.
After lunch, they did in fact go to bed and made passionate love. At last Josh was feeling better and having his lover deep inside him certainly helped!
The next chapter of 'The Pink Retreat' will be available shortly. I welcome comments so feel free to do so by sending me an email.
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Other stories by Adam Stewart: Moving Forward Love at Last Gary's Story Finding Ryan The Advert Number Twenty Five Life After Ryan The Tangled Web