Bart's first Christmas abroad was not a happy one. As bad as they started, things got worse until a major revelation left his Father devastated, his Mother furious and Bart ecstatic.
This is a fictional tale of sexual relationship between two teenage boys. The characters are made up and are not based on any person, living or dead. You must be eighteen to read this story. If it is against the law where you are to read stories like this you are kindly requested to leave and not read this story. It is only a fictional story for your reading pleasure.
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You're Not Better Than Me
Chapter Eight
One would think that spending Christmas in Europe would be a wonderful experience for a high school student. But not when he was forced to go and leave behind a boy he loved dearly, knowing he wouldn't see him again for at least six months. No, it was in fact a sad and lonely holiday.
The family flew to London where they met the Father's business partner and his wife, Gunther and Wilhelmina Friedrich. They were of German royal descent, their ancestors going back to the Habsburg Monachy in Germany. Their daughter, Catherine Anne was waiting for them at their estate in Schwechat, Austria, 1/2 hour southeast of Vienna. Gunther introduced his wife to Bart. The proper greeting was for Bart to bow and kiss her extended hand at which time she would curtsy. This made Bart concerned that he was going to be spending the next six months with a family more uptight than his. Maybe their daughter would be more down to earth.
They boarded the flight to Vienna, landing 2 hours later. Their luggage was retrieved by one of Gunther's staff as they made their way to the stretch limo waiting at the curb outside. Bart looked inside to see if the daughter had come along to welcome her parents home and greet his family but the car was empty. On the way to the family estate, Bart's Father and Gunther talked about their joint venture, something to do with the oil refineries around Schwechat. Bart didn't really understand what it was all about so he occupied himself by looking out the window at the beautiful countryside.
They arrived at the Friedrich Estate, a castle like home built on the banks on the Danube River. The main house was over 35,000 square feet of opulence, with 20 bedrooms and 24 full bathrooms. The grounds were immaculately groomed, all 250 acres. The driver pressed a button on the visor and the ornate heavy iron gate swung open, closing after they had driven through. They pulled up to the front door and were met by more staff The senior butler welcomed them while the others got the luggage from the car and carried it to their rooms. Still no sign of the daughter.
They entered the front door and there was the daughter, standing in the middle of the oversized foyer in a flowing ball gown.
"Welcome home, Mother and Father. I trust you had an enjoyable and fruitful trip," she said. Then she looked at Bart and his parents, looking Bart up and down like she was looking to make a purchase at the local meat market.
"I would like you to meet our daughter, Catherine Anne Friedrich. Catherine Anne, this is Mr. and Mrs. Worthington and their son, Bartholomew."
"A pleasure, I am sure," Bart's Father said as he did the same greeting with the kissed hand.
Bart's mother came forward and kissed her on both cheeks.
"What a lovely gown," she complimented Catherine Anne
"Thank you." Then she turned to face Bart.
He followed his Father's lead and kissed her hand.
"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Catherine."
She glared at him and stood straight and tall, pulling her hand back.
"It is Catherine ANNE! And don't forget it!" she said through clenched teeth.
"Catherine Anne, mind your manners. These people are our guests," her mother admonished her.
'Then tell him to address me in the proper fashion!"
"I am sorry, Catherine Anne, I meant no disrespect," Bart apologized.
"How would you like me to call you 'Bart'? "
There was only one person who called him that and he would love to be called that right now.
"I would not, Catherine Anne. I will not make that mistake again."
Her Father interceded before they came to blows.
"Cedric, please show our guests to their rooms. You can settle in and freshen up. We will have dinner in the main dining room at 7:00 PM."
The butler led them to the main staircase to the second floor, then up to the third floor. All of the rooms were huge, each with its own full bathroom complete with a bidet. Bart was thinking of all the ways he could enjoy that. All his clothes had already been unpacked and put away in the closet. After spending so many hours sitting in the plane, he decided a shower would be in order before going down for dinner. He got undressed and went in to turn on the water. There were plenty of towels and toiletries so he was all ready for a good long hot shower.
As he soaped up his body, his thoughts went to Eric and the shower they had shared, resulting in his cock springing to life. He washed his body but kept returning to his boner, stroking it a few times with his soapy hand to keep it stiff. He didn't want to cum too quickly so he would move on and wash another part of his body. Eventually he had no choice but to get diligent with his stroking and work his cock until he shot his load all over the shower wall. He stood and got his breathing back to normal, watching the cum swirl down the drain. How he wished Eric had been in there with him so his seed would not have gone to waste.
He stepped out of the shower and began to dry off. He had the towel over his head, drying his hair as he walked out of the bathroom, his cock still chubbed up. He walked towards the closet or fresh clothes when he heard a girl's voice not ten feet away from him.
"Hmmm, not bad, not any where as big as Raul but much more than Pierre. I suppose it will have to suffice"
Bart quickly pulled the towel off his head and covered his crotch with it. Standing in front of him looking at his naked body, from top to bottom, was Catherine.
"Excuse me, but what the hell are you doing in my room?"
"Technically the room belongs to my Father. I am checking out the equipment on my suitor de jour to see how you compare. Not the best I've had, but it will do I suppose," she said as she approached him and squeezed his cock underneath the towel.
"I do not care that your Father 'owns' the room. You have no right to be in here," as Bart swung sideways to shield her hand from him.
"I have the right to be any where I please, any time I please. And do not forget that or you will be sleeping in the servants quarters behind the stable," she firmly stated.
"And what the hell do you mean, 'suitor de jour'? I am not your suitor and would have no interest in being such."
Catherine just laughed.
"You are so naïve. You will learn soon enough what your position is here."
She flipped her head and walked out of the room, not bothering to close the door.
Bart finished drying off and got dressed for dinner. He was headed for the dining room when he passed the sitting room where his parents and the Friedrichs were talking and laughing over a glass of wine. The butler came and rang the dinner bell and everyone adjourned to the dinning room. Catherine was the last to enter, making a grand entrance so everyone would pay attention to her. She came and sat right beside Bart.
"Tomorrow we will go the city and explore the Spittleberg Christmas Market. Vienna is known worldwide for the Market. It is spread over many alleys, featuring gifts, food and all the things that make Christmas in Austria so special. You can find anything and everything that you would want for Christmas," Gunther explained.
Catherine put her hand in Bart's crotch and squeezed his privates under the table. Bart jumped at the intrusion into his personal space.
"Are you all right, Bart?" his Mother asked.
"Yes, Mother, just a cramp from sitting in the place for so long"
"I know what I want for Christmas. And I always get what I want, don't I, Father," Catherine announced. She looked at Bart and smiled an evil and calculating smile
"I could never deny my precious princess anything her little heart desires," Her Father said.
The rest of the meal was uneventful, Catherine keeping her hands to herself. As soon as Bart was finished eating, he excused himself and went to his room. He locked the door and got into bed still wearing his clothes. His virginity was in peril from that nymphomaniac. He wanted to loose his virginity to Eric, not some aristocratic slut. During the night he was woken several times by the doorknob jiggling, someone trying to enter his room. He was glad he locked the door.
The next morning they all got in the limo and headed for downtown Vienna. On the way, Bart suggested they break up into groups.
"I want to get something really special for Father, so I would like Mother and I to go shopping together. Catherine Anne and her mother can shop and the men can go find something special for their wives."
"Oh my, an excellent idea, Bartholomew. You must be very proud of such a thoughtful son," Mrs. Friedrich said.
"Yes, he is different than most boys his age," Bart's Mother said, giving him a little wink.
Holy hell! Bart just realized his Mother knew that he and Eric were more than just good friends. Thankfully she hadn't said anything about them to his Father.
The limo dropped them off and the different groups went their separate ways, Catherine glaring at Bart for successfully splitting them up. Bart was walking with his Mother, arm in arm, perusing the goods in the booths and on the tables.
"Mother, how old is Catherine Anne?"
"She a year younger than you, why?"
"She seems older, more mature for her age, that's all."
A year younger and she had already had at least two lovers, maybe more.
"That is why your Father and I thought this trip would be good for you. Let you see more of the world and experience new things and meet new people."
"I was perfectly happy back at home."
"I know, dear, but it will only be for six months."
"Six months at my age means more to me than six months out of your life."
"Maybe if your Father and Gunther can finalize their deal we can head home sooner."
"That would be excellent. Just what is the deal they are working on?"
"I do not know all the details but it has something to do with the refineries that are located here. He tries not to get me involved with his business deals until it comes time to sign the checks."
Bart didn't understand what she meant by that. He was about to ask her when he saw the perfect gift for Eric. It was a small bronze sculpture of two gay men sitting on a base of onyx. Bart stopped and picked it up to look at it closely.
"Are you interested in that, young man?" the vendor in the booth asked Bart.
"It is exquisite. What is the cost?" he asked.
"That piece was done by Ernst Fuchs. He died a few years back so his work has become more valuable. I can tell you are an American so I will give you a discounted price. For you, the price is 2,000 Euros."
"Mother, how much is that in our money?"
"That would be $2,200."
Bart gently placed the piece back down on the table.
"Thank you sir, but that is too expensive."
He started to walk on when his Mother grabbed his arm.
"You can not put a price on love, Eric," she smiled at him. "Can you wrap that up securely for the flight home?" she asked and gave the vendor her American Express Black Card.
"Oh Mother, really?"
Bart hugged her and thanked her again.
"Just do not tell your Father. I do not think he would understand," she winked.
If Bart could just get rid of his sexual predator, this trip might be tolerable after all.
As kept walking around the market they came upon the food vendors. Bart and his mother were hungry so decided to get something to eat. The first choice was Wiener Wurstel, or authentic Viennese Sausage, slathered with mustard and eaten right out of their hands without the benefit of plates of utensils. Bart's mother was laughing as she ate, wiping mustard from the side of her mouth.
"I have not eaten like this since I was a child and attended country fairs with my father. This brings back so many fond memories."
Bart was trying to be as careful as he could not to make a mess on his hands and face but saw the delight his mother was having. He threw all caution to the wind and dove in with a passion for food he never experienced before. When they were done with the sausages, they went looking for dessert and found a booth selling Apfelstrudel, better known to them as Apple Strudel. This Austrian delicacy became popular under the influence of the Habsburg Empire, ancestors of their hosts. The light thin crust filled with apples and cinnamon and spices made a sharp contrast to the heavy sausages they had just consumed.
In the next alley, Bart spotted a booth selling porcelain figurines. They had a set of a German boy and girl in traditional German lederhosen with chubby red cheeks, His Mother had a set like this at home but the boy figurine had fallen off the shelf and was smashed beyond repair. The remaining girl figurine always looked so lonesome. Bart sent his Mother on ahead so he could buy the boy figurine and have it wrapped so she wouldn't know what he had bought.
They walked on and ended up buying Bart's Father a couple bottles of his favorite wine, his Mother not finding any better gift for him.
At the end of the day they all returned to the estate for dinner. Bart turned in early again while the parents sipped wine and talked about their day at the market. Again, Bart locked the door as soon as he got to his room. He washed up and got into bed. He hadn't fallen asleep yet when he heard Catherine's voice at the door.
"Bartholomew, your Father is requesting your presence down stairs right away."
"What does he want?" he asked.
"I do not know. I am not you personal messenger, I am just telling you what he said."
Bart got out of bed, put on a robe and opened the door. Catherine pushed open the door, forcing herself inside then closing and locking the door behind her.
"What do you think you are doing?" Bart demanded to know.
"It is not your Father who wants you, it is I!"
She grabbed at his robe to push it back off his shoulders.
"Now we will see if you are worthy of me," she growled as she tried to remove his pajama bottoms.
Bart jumped back before she could undress him.
"I beg to differ. It is you who are not worthy of me. I saw street urchins and beggars at the market that had more class and held more appeal to me than you do."
She was furious and slapped him hard across the face.
"The time will come, you impotent wimp, and when it does you had best make me cum the likes of which I have never experienced before or I shall cast you aside with the rest of my useless lovers!"
She unlocked the door and flew out into the hallway, cursing and mumbling under her breath.
Bart quickly closed the door and leaned against it. Did her parents know she was such a slut? Did they care? He had to think of some way to keep her away from him or he feared she would eventually physically rape him.
Christmas morning came and everyone assembled in the Great Room. The Christmas tree was tall with ornaments spaced out perfectly and every piece of tinsel hung in its designated location. A fire was blazing in the fireplace and presents were placed under the tree in preparation to be given out in an orderly fashion.
As guests, Bart's parents each received one gift, then Bart and Catherine, and finally Catherine's parents.
Bart's Father received one of the bottles from her and his Mother opened a very nice cashmere sweater from him. Catherine opened a large box, which contained a beautiful formal gown. She did nothing but bitch about the style. Big surprise. Bart opened his present from his father to find a formal tuxedo. He looked at his Father, questioning why.
"You never know when you need to be dressed up for the biggest event of your life," he stated.
That made no sense what so ever. Bart had plenty of custom tailored suits in his wardrobe. He thanked his Father and sat quietly. Catherine's parents opened their presents to each other and then it was another round of giving. Bart's Father got another bottle of wine from Bart. His Mother opened the small box with the porcelain figurine from Bart. She took it out of the box and she inhaled sharply and covered her mouth.
"Bartholomew, where ever did you find this? It's the twin to the one that got broken."
"Yes, Mother, I knew you would like it."
She motioned him over and gave him a big hug.
Catherine opened another of her large presents to find more clothes.
"What the hell, am I supposed to open a clothing store with all this crap!"
"Mind your manner, young lady, or everything will be returned," her Mother warned.
"Fine by me. Take it all back and buy me some real presents!"
She got up and stormed out of the room, her Mother calling after her to no avail.
Bart opened a small box from his Mother and broke into a wide smile. He looked at her then back in the box.
"When we get home we are going to have to rejuvenate the garden if you are willing to help me," she told Bart.
"Oh Mother, this is wonderful. I can not wait to get home and get started. Each one of these will require special attention. It will be a lot of work, but it will be worth it. Especially with you by my side."
In the box were flower seeds for some of the native flowers of Austria. Edelweiss, gentain, alpine rose arnica and Lady Slippers were all there to bring the garden at home back to its original beauty.
Catherine's parents opened their presents from the children. Catherine had gotten her Father several neck ties, one that had a Christmas design that lit up. He shrugged and put them back in the box. She got her Mother a mystery novel, not something she would read now that all her reading was done on her Kindle tablet.
There was one more gift left. It was tagged "For Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich from Bartholomew". They opened it to find an antique looking scroll describing the origins of the Habsburg Monarchy, their ancestors. They both hunched over it and began reading it. Gunther looked up at Bart.
"Son, this is the most thoughtful gift I've ever received. I am going to be proud to welcome you into our family."
Bart said thank you but was puzzled at what he meant by that remark. Maybe he misspoke and meant welcoming Bart in to their home.
After the present exchange everyone got dressed up to attend the Christmas ceremony at the local cathedral, all except Catherine. She was suffering from 'woman problems' which she seemed to be suffering from every time she didn't want to go somewhere with the family. Mrs. Friedrich pointed out that this beautiful cathedral was perfect for her daughter's wedding.
After Bart was forced to attend a New Year's Eve party with Catherine who quickly ducked out without him to go to another more rowdy party, things were quieting down for a while. Then Mr. Friedrich announced that he was sending Catherine and Bart to Innsbruck for a week of world class skiing. Bart had never skied before, a fact that no one seemed to be concerned about. The parents weren't able to go so Mr. Friedrich had arranged for a bodyguard, Maxmillian, to go with them. They had used his services before and Catherine was pleased with him. Maxmillian was mid twenties, tall, good looking and viral. He had trained with the Army Special Forces but got washed out over disciplinary issues. On the train to Innsbruck, Bart thought that Maxmillian, or Max as he preferred to be called out of earshot of the parents, and Catherine were very flirtatious. Bart didn't mind, though, it kept Catherine occupied and away from him. When they checked in at the hotel, the room they were assigned had one king sized bed and only one. Bart got a sinking feeling in his gut. This was going to be a long week. Bart was unpacking his clothes when Catherine announced she was thirsty and ordered room service. A bellboy showed up with 3 bottles of champagne, one for each of them.
"I do not drink alcohol so someone can have mine," Bart announced.
"You do not do much of anything, do you?" Catherine said with contempt.
Catherine opened one bottle, took a big swig and went to the bathroom. She came out in just her thong and bra, grabbing her open bottle and taking two more hits.
"Let the party begin!" she yelled.
She moved over to Max, took another big gulp and then pressed her lips against his and forced her mouthful into his mouth. She then proceeded to strip his clothes off and jump on the bed. Max joined her, proceeding to engage in some heavy kissing. She pushed Max on his back, his rigid member standing straight and tall, ready to serve Catherine. Catherine's naked body did nothing for Bart but the sight of that enormous cock, leaking and pulsing, had him chubbing up. She straddled Max then looked back at Bart.
"Max is much bigger than you so he gets the good side. You are smaller so you get what is left," she said as she slapped her ass. She and Max fucked for 30 minutes, switching positions several times before they both came. She rolled off him and looked at Bart.
"What is the matter? My ass is not good enough for you?"
"Quite simply put, YOU are not good enough for me."
She gave him the finger and curled up to take a nap.
Bart had chubbed up even more watching the two of them go at it. When Max was on the top, Bart got a good view of his ass. The dimples in his cheeks, appearing and disappearing as he flexed his muscles every time he plunged into her. His bubble butt was hairy, something Bart was not used to seeing. Evidently Max has somehow noticed Bart staring and got off the bed to approach him as she slept.
"She is something, isn't she?" Max said, looking at her sleeping naked on the bed.
"Yes she is, but as a gentleman, I will not say what kind of something she is."
"Ahh, you aren't fond of her? I thought you might have been jealous that I had the first fuck. There is plenty more where that came from," Max laughed.
"Not jealous, more like repulsed."
Max reached to Bart's crotch and gave him a squeeze, noticing his chubbed up cock.
"Ahha! You are more interested in Max than that sweet piece of ass on the bed."
Bart pushed his hand away.
"No thank you. She is all yours, but I am not!" Bart said emphatically.
"Suit yourself, but if you change your mind, there is plenty of me to go around as well," he said grabbing his long cock and swinging it around.
Bart went down to the front desk to see about signing up for skiing lessons. The bellboy who brought their bags up to their room was waiting at the front desk for his next assignment. He asked Bart if there was anything he needed help with.
"I was going to inquire about ski lessons. I've never skied before and do not want to break a leg trying." Bart told him.
Waiting for the boy to answer, Bart had a chance to get a good look at him. Blonde hair parted in the middle, blue eyes and high cheekbones. A cute smile with bright white teeth. This boy was certainly good looking. Considering the smile and the continued stare the boy was giving Bart, he was thinking about telling the boy what else he could do for him. Bart had chubbed up thinking about what the boy looked like under that uniform, something that did not go unnoticed by the young man.
"You should try the Innsbruck Ski School. They have some very good instructor and work well with beginners. If you want to wait until I get off duty, I can accompany you and show you the way."
"I can find it with some good directions if you will," Bart replied. Walking the streets of Innsbruck with this hotty would be heavenly, but he knew it would end up somewhere he didn't want it to go.
"Are you sure I can't help you with anything else?" he asked again, dropping his glance briefly to Bart's growing bulge.
"No, thank you, I am all set," as Bart turned to walk away while discreetly rearranging his boner.
"The name is Jakob if you change your mind. Just ring the front desk and they will find me if I'm not here."
Bart gave a wave over his shoulder and kept walking before his self-control waned. So many hot men, so many opportunities to have sex but he wanted to remain true to Eric. He wasn't sure why. He may never see Eric again. But until it was definite, he felt he owed it to his best friend and lover not to be like Catherine and jump in bed with anything that had a pulse and a stiff cock.
Bart found the ski school and signed up for lessons, starting tomorrow morning. He was excited as he walked back to the hotel. He entered the lobby and the bellboy called him over. He told Bart that Max was waiting for him in the lounge.
"If either of you want anything, I'll be glad to help you both," he said with a wink.
Bart just nodded and went to the lounge to find Max sitting at a table by himself.
"Hello Max, why are you sitting here all alone?" Bart asked.
"Our beloved Catherine is up in the room with the waiter who brought us room service. I didn't want to use the back door, if you know what I mean, so I left them alone in the room."
"Are you not our chaperone? You should be keeping an eye on her."
"And what of you? You went traipsing around town by yourself. It is the poor young man with her who needs protection, not her."
"I am afraid I concur."
"I wish you good luck with her."
"I am trying my best to avoid her as much as possible. I have signed up for skiing lessons tomorrow morning while she . . . well, does what ever she does."
"And she does it often," Max laughed. Max reached across and put his hand on Bart's thigh. "It is just the two of us for a while. Would you like to go somewhere more private?"
Bart was startled at Max's boldness to make such a move in public. He was also embarrassed when he looked and saw that Jakob had seen the move and was smiling at them. Bart pushed the hand away and moved his chair.
"If you want to go somewhere, we can go to the dining room and order dinner," Bart replied. "I fear Catherine will not be hungry after she has had her fill of room service."
Max let out a belly laugh at the insult Bart had so cleverly laid on Catherine.
They had supper and went to their room to find empty champagne bottles on the nightstand, the waiters underwear and socks scattered on the floor and Catherine naked and passed out sprawled across the bed. The room smelled of sex and sweat.
"Grab her feet and let's put her in the bathtub. Then I'll call housekeeping to get fresh linen and room freshener."
"Tell them to send a woman, not a man, in case Catherine wakes up," Bart said sarcastically.
"Is the women for you? Because I'm not sure if it would make a difference to Catherine," Max shot back.
They both chuckled to each other as they carried her limp body and put it in the bathtub. Housekeeping came and cleaned the room to remove any evidence of Catherine's escapades. Max and Bart sat in the chairs and turned on the national news.
"So, Bart, What is the story with you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"The story?"
"Most teenagers I know would not pass up the opportunity for free sex with a girl as hot as Catherine or a stud like me. I don't think you're gay because you passed up my advances and those of the cute bellboy."
"You know about that? I thought he was being very subtle."
"I'm your body guard. It's my business to know these things. What I don't know is why you're so adverse to enjoying yourself sexually."
"If you must know, there is someone back home. We are in love and I am staying true," Bart said with a sigh.
"Yes but she, or he, is back home, thousands of miles away. Now that you are here it is best to forget the past and get ready to move on."
"I don't want to forget the past. I want it to be my future."
"You're future will unfold soon enough and I'm afraid it may not be what you envision."
"What do you mean by that?"
Max realized he had said too much and had to cover his ass. He knew the family secrets but it wasn't his place to reveal them.
"I just mean that we plan our future the way we want it to be but life intervenes and it sometimes turns out different for us. Not necessarily bad, just different."
"No, I am not going to let life get in the way of my happiness, of what I want!"
They heard Catherine groan as she woke up in the bathtub.
"What the fuck am I doing in here?" she yelled.
"She's awake, for better or worse," Max said as he went in to check on her.
The smell from her body was disgusting. She needed to be bathed before she could get into the freshly made bed.
"Bartholomew, come help me wash her to get the stench off her body."
"That is not my job, nor should it be your responsibility to care for her personal hygiene."
"Maybe so, but we can't let her in bed with us smelling like this."
"I will sleep in this chair before I lay my hands on that disgusting sperm covered body."
Max ran the water and started to fill the tub to clean her. Bart was still watching the news when he heard the water shut off and the giggling begin. Splashing water sounds and the unmistakable sounds of sex in the bathtub were drowning out the TV. Bart got up to close the bathroom door and got another good look at a naked Max. He stood there quietly in the doorway watching as Catherine leaned over the side of the tub and sucked Max's cock, his long thick uncut cock. Bart wished it was he and Eric living out that scene but it would not happen anytime in the near future. Bart closed the door and returned to his chair. He unzipped his pants and pulled out his swollen cock, lay back in the chair and slowly stroked his cock. He tried to edge himself to prolong his pleasure but without success. He aimed his ejaculate on the rug in front of him so as not to soil his clothes. When he was finished and caught his breath, he used his shoe to spread the puddle around to hide his mess. Then he sat back, closed his eyes and cried. He cried for not being able to be with Eric, he cried for having to put up with Catherine and most of all, he cried thinking that Max might be right and Bart had no say in his own future.
The rest of the week continued with Catherine's debauchery, never leaving her room, receiving steady visits from indiscriminate boys and men looking for expensive champagne and cheap sex, both in plentiful supply. Bart learned the basic of snow skiing and generally amused himself alone while Max earned an obscene amount of money for very little work and some unsatisfying sex. Catherine slept on the train all the way home so she was rested enough to tell her parents what a wonderful time they had. Bart just nodded his head and went along with the charade.
The next few weeks were boring as hell. Bart's Father and Gunther were frequently sequestered in Gunther's office with the door closed, much like at home, discussing their business plans. Catherine would leave the house in the morning to go shopping or hang out with friends who were also on the prowl for new cocks to conquer. . As long as she was out of Bart's presence, he wasn't complaining. The two mothers were spent their time planning some big event, presumably a celebration of the consummation of the business deal that was in the works.
Bart was headed for the kitchen to get a snack, going past the office door. Gunther came out of the door and called back to Bart's Father,
"I am going to the kitchen to review the menu with the staff. You make your phone calls and I'll be right back."
Bart knew he shouldn't continue to the kitchen and disturb Gunther's meeting. He stood there trying to decide what to do now. The door was still open and he could hear his Father on the phone. He knew he shouldn't be eavesdropping, but this was a rare opportunity to observe his Father at work.
"Get the damn mortgage done . . . . I do not care about the interest rate . . . . I just need the funds by the end of the month . . . . I am selling the house when I come back to clean up loose ends . . . . Yes, the move here is permanent . . . .Once this deal is done, Gunther and I will make Rockefeller's Standard Oil look like a corner filling station . . . Thank you . . . . I'll be sure and send you an invitation to the wedding of the children . . . I will be looking for the transfer of the funds from the stock sale as well . . . Yes, of course she approves . . . . Good bye."
Bart was floored. He broke out in a sweat and started to shake. His world was coming to an end. His Father was planning on selling their home and moving here forever. The wedding of the children? He and Catherine were the only children he was aware of. That was not going to happen! He turned and ran to find his mother.
"Mother! I have to talk to you immediately!" Bart shouted.
"Bartholomew, where are your manners? Say good morning to Mrs. Friedrich."
"Yes, of course. Good morning, ma'am. Now can we talk? Privately?"
Mrs. Friedrich excused herself to give Bart and his Mother the room.
"Now what is so important?" she asked Bart.
"I just overheard Father on the phone."
"You should not be listening to other people's private conversations."
"I know Mother, but this is important. Father was talking about selling the house and moving here permanently. I don't want to live here, I want to go home. He can't sell our home."
"He and I discussed it but we have not made a final decision."
"He has. I heard him tell someone to put the house up for sale. He also mentioned a wedding. I am NOT going to marry Catherine. She is a horrible person."
"Now Bartholomew, you are exaggerating. You just need to get to know her. You will see."
"No, Mother, she is a slut. When we were in Innsbruck she never left the room and had men and boys to her room for indiscriminate sex all week. She came on to me and was having intercourse with Maximillian as well."
"She is just sowing her wild oats, as your Father would say, before settling down."
"She will never settle down. I could never trust her to be faithful as a wife. Father also told the person on the phone to sell the stock, all of it."
This caught her attention.
"He said what?"
"He said to sell the stock, all of it, and wire the funds here so he could complete the deal with Gunther. I do not know what the deal is, but it sounds big. Gunther told Father he needs to get this done by the end of the month."
"We will see about that!"
She stormed out of the room and went to find Bart's father.
"You are planning on selling the house after we decided to wait and see how the new venture worked out?"
"Everything will be fine. We all love it here and Bart and Catherine are becoming great friends. They will make a cute couple."
"I have news for you. We are NOT selling the house. Bart can not stand Catherine and he has opened my eyes to exactly what type of person she really is."
"But . . ."
"No buts. No sale, no wedding, as if I could ever give my consent for that. "
"But . . ."
"And you are NOT selling any stock. That stock belongs to me and can not be sold without my signature. If you forged any papers, so help me, I will have you put in jail and end this unholy marriage!"
She stormed out of the room to find Bart standing at the door, his mouth open.
"Are you making a habit of eavesdropping?"
"No, Mother, I was worried about you. I am sorry."
She hugged him and led him to his room.
"Sit down, we need to talk. I met your Father when we were freshman at Stanford. He was so handsome and well mannered, not like so many other boys at the university. I didn't care about his family fortune, I was in love with him. I was a plain country girl from Redmond, Washington, and the attention he gave me made my heart race and my palms sweaty. It was like a dream."
"If you were just a country girl, how did you afford to attend Stanford?"
"My father had started a small delivery service right out of high school. There was one small start up company that was always short of cash to pay for his services. His delivery service was starting to get profitable to he let the bills slide for a while, helping a fellow struggling small businessman.. The owner felt bad and offered stock in his new company instead of cash. My father was impressed with the idea that he would be a stockholder, something not many people in our area could brag about. He kept accumulating more and more shares over the years, long after the company became very successful. His shares of Microsoft made our family famously wealthy. But it didn't change us. My father's biggest purchase with his new wealth was to send me to Stanford to get a first class education. When he died, all the stock transferred to me."
"So both you and Father are wealthy. All this time I thought it was Father's money."
"He did not want anyone to know it was my money. Shortly after I married him I found out he and his Father had squandered most of their family fortune and they were nearly broke. We have been living off my money ever since."
"No wonder you could put your foot down when Father threatened to cut me off if I kept seeing Eric."
"Yes. While I am baring my soul, there is something else I have to tell you."
"Only if you want to, Mother."
"I do not really want to but it is important that you know. Your Father and I were very happy for the first few years we were married. When I was pregnant with you, I caught him in an indiscretion with the young gardener. I was devastated but he swore it was just once and he would never do it again. Two weeks later I caught with the boy again. I threatened to divorce him so he stopped. Or was more careful. There was no way I was going to actually go though with a divorce and go though childbirth as a single mother."
"If that happened, then why are you so accepting of what Eric and I have?"
"Because you and Eric are being true to who you are with each other. Your Father sees himself in you and is jealous that you can be true to yourself but he can not. He was always hiding that side of him, unable to come to terms with his desires. I am happy that you and Eric are comfortable with each other."
"Oh Mother, I am so sorry for you."
"Do not be, son. You are the one good thing in my life and I will do whatever I can to make you happy."
The mood in the house was tense the next few days with Mother and Father spending most of the time in their room, arguing and yelling. Then it was quiet for a day or two. Bart's Mother told him that she was having Maximillian take him to Vienna for some shopping and then bring him back for dinner. They spend the day walking around aimlessly looking at the shops in the city. Max tried to cheer up Bart but to no avail. The sun was dropping into the horizon when Max said they were leaving. But the limo didn't head south to get back to the house but headed north out of the city limits.
"Where are we going? The house is in the other direction." Bart said, turning to look out the rear window.
"Do you remember the discussion we had about whether or not you could control your future?"
"Yes. You told me I could not and I had to adjust to what life brought to me."
Now Bart was getting nervous. With the turmoil in the house and now heading in the other direction, was he being sold to another family as part of hi Father's scheming? Was he being taken to an orphanage? Max saw the concern on Bart's face.
"Relax, Bartholomew, you are a stronger young man than I gave you credit for and you can control your future."
As Max told him that, the limo turned into the entrance ramp to the airport they flew in on.
"What the hell?" Bart exclaimed.
"Your Mother wanted you out of the house while she packed. She has tickets on a flight home for you, your Father and her. After you telling her what you found out, she took the initiative to do some digging on the Friedrich family. They had us all fooled, and it not easy to fool me. They are con artists. . They were trying to swindle your family out of their fortune. The estate was only rented for the short time you were here. Once the money was transferred, you would all be out on the street."
"Something did not feel right but I had no idea that was going on."
"Your Mother is a formidable woman when she gets mad. She had the Friedrichs arrested on fraud charges before they left the house."
The limo pulled up to the curb and was met by Bart's Mother. He got out and hugged her tight.
"I am so sorry for you, Mother, but so excited to be going home."
"I am relieved and happy to be headed home."
Bart's father stood by the check in booth with a frown. He had lost his big deal but more than that, he lost face by being scammed and almost losing the family fortune to a college friend he trusted.
They boarded the plane and took their seats, Bart and his Mother sat next to each other and his Father sat in a seat alone on the other side of the aisle. Bart wasn't sure if the seating arrangement was on purpose or if by chance. Either way, Bart was pleased.
After switching planes in London, the remaining flight was smooth and uneventful. They landed and went to get their luggage then out front to meet the limo for the ride home. Someone was standing by the open trunk of the limo. As Bart approached the car, Eric walked from behind the limo.
"It's about time you got your skinny ass back here." Eric said with a smile.
Bart's Mother had phoned Eric and told him they were flying home and asked him if he could meet them at the airport. Eric tried to climb through the phone to hug her and thank her when he heard the good news.
Bart yelled Eric's name and ran to him, almost knocking him over.
"Eric. I missed you so much. But how did you know we were coming home?"
Eric pointed to Bart's Mother. She smiled and nodded her head.
Bart and Eric hugged and danced around, quick kisses interspersed between jumping up and down.
As the boys celebrated, Eric parents showed up and walked up to Bart's Mother, thanking her for the heads up they were coming home and her understanding of the boy's relationship.
It had been the most trying few months of the boy's young lives. But they stayed true to each other and now they were back together again and free to express their love in their homes with no fear of reprisal or scorn from their parents. Now they have to decide if they are going to come out to their friends or not.