Chapter 29

Doris watched as Chris left her bosses office, a wide satisfied smile etched clearly across his face. She watched as he walked away, a slight wiggle to the fleshy buttocks but despite that he looked like the perfect male specimen. She sighed deeply, wondering if she could ever find a man like that for herself and she watched him head out of the door, she wondered if she could ever summon up the nerve to approach Chris and ask him out. She had already found out that he was divorced with a teenage son and while that in itself seeming forbidding, the idea of his hands being all over her was more satisfying

As he walked away from Seth’s office, he could feel Doris’ eyes burning into his back, and he had to admit, she wasn’t all that bad for a women, but man, she sure couldn’t hold a candle to her boss. There were so many facets to Seth that it boggled his mind at times. One second the man was all that you expected of a senior well respected lawyer, the next he was worse than any of the kids could be, specially when it came to the bedroom horseplay. The man was an animal at times, then at other times, you would think he was a brain surgeon the way he was able to be so soft and gentle.

He stood by the elevators, waiting for an empty car to arrive and his mind travelled back in time, to try to sort out the wild ride that he and everyone else in the Bradford family had taken this last month. It was unreal, starting with the revelation of Jeremy’s troubled youth. Seth still fumed at that irked by his being restrained from doing anything about it. Funny, how the lion roared and paced and yet deep down he was nothing but a marshmallow inside.

His eyes narrowed as he thought of Seth’s face when he came back to the car after hearing Jeremy and Taylor out that morning. God help the poor bastard if Jeremy ever let Seth loose, because the man would wish to be dead long before he would actually die, of that Chris had no doubt. Strange too, the mood had been one of anger and yet it had brought him and Seth closer together. For the first time they seriously explored their relationship and lunch that day had begun the now daily ritual.

The smile grew wider and had Doris seen it then, she most likely would have started to drool. The lunch had turned into nothing more than a wild sex orgy at times, papers would go flying from the desk, either his or Seth’s depending on whose turn it was to host the lunch. Chris squirmed a little, still feeling a bit damp, thinking that maybe he hadn’t managed to wipe all of the whipped cream off before putting his boxer’s back on. Damn that man was wild when there was whipped cream involved.

He wondered just how he had managed that too, getting a nicely equipped fridge into the office, and stocking it with cans of whipped cream and strawberries. Wonder what his staff was thinking? He had to laugh at that idea, as they must figure he was entertaining at night the way he kept running out of whipped cream. Chris wasn’t even going to try to guess at what they thought about the chocolate syrup that kept going empty either. Man, how they had yet to stain the plush carpet was beyond him but then again, Seth did have a nice tongue and with that image he laughed out loud, before he could remember just where he was.

Waiting for the slowest elevator in the world, he recalled how they had walked into the office, Seth looking calm and cool as he instructed Doris to get Riley on the phone for him, no matter where the guy was. He had opened his office door and merely waited for Chris to enter before he closed it and let out a deep breath. Only when the door was closed did Seth change. He started to pace the office like a caged tiger, his fists clenching and unclenching, his breath becoming ragged with rage and he paced the large office like it was a tiny jail cell.

“I sweat Chris, if I ever get my hands on this bastard…”

“I know Seth, I feel that way too, but you have to respect the boys wishes”

“Yeah, I do, don’t I?”

“Yep, no matter what your heart is saying.”

“I don’t get it, I really fucking don’t get how an adult can do that to a kid, and the parents, can you believe them?”

“No, I can’t, and to be honest it makes me kind of scared”

“You? Why?”

“I couldn’t help but think of Keith and Tommy all during this, I mean, I am sure that Keith is too smart to fall for that, but then so is Jeremy, I mean, how do these guys get away with it?”

“I guess that kids really just want to be loved, and they don’t know what love is as what abuse is, they just want to please the adult, get his approval, least that’s sort of how I see it.”

“I know, which is why I am such a failure… fuck Seth, I have been such an asshole”

“Come on Chris, that isn’t true, how do you figure that?”

“I haven’t been there for Keith, shit I am still not there for him, I mean, sure we are seeing each other on alternate weekends, but what am I doing? Am I taking a real interest? Am I dealing with what he needs or just play acting?”

Seth had stopped his pacing and stared at Chris. He could see the pain in his face, the way his lower lip trembled a little as he relived his time as being a father. While his lover was contemplating his failures, Seth could feel his own doubts and anxieties rising up as well. He too felt like he had done a lot wrong, and yet despite all of that, he still had the love and respect of his children. He knew that Chris was just embarking on that long road to becoming once more a father, as was he, and it was a frightening thought. What if they did it wrong?

“I don’t know Chris, I guess all either of us can do is our best and hope we do it right, I don’t think you are an asshole or a rotten father, at least you are trying, that’s a hell of lot better than doing nothing. Shit, for two years I ignored my kids needs, I was there but I wasn’t, now I have this chance to be their father again, and like you said, either I am or I am not, so I guess maybe you need to take some of your own advice”

“It’s not the same Seth”

“Sure it is Chris, maybe in a way it is different is that you came to realize it a whole lot sooner than I did, but basically it is the same, so it is either put up or shut up, the past is just that, it’s the past.”

“I guess so, how are you going to deal with all this with Billy and Mike?”

“I don’t know, guess we need to figure that one out, don’t we? What about you and Keith?”

“I haven’t a clue, thought maybe I’d see how you dealt with it first?”

“Not bloody likely, I am going to see how you deal with it with Keith first.”

“Fuck that… you bastard…”

“Hehe, yeah I am that, had you going though…”

“Yeah, shit, sometimes Seth Bradford…”

“Yes?”

“haha, okay you win… so what is the plan?”

“Well, to be honest right now I can’t even think about it, I mean how do you tell your kids that they need to be careful for sexual predators? How do you even bring it up?”

“I don’t know, sort of like the sex speech I guess”

“Oh God, not that one, come to think of it, I don’t think I have given them that one, you tell Keith?”

“Shit not yet, I mean he is only 13…”

“Yeah, well Billy started then, and from what I hear maybe even at 12, I don’t know, do you think we should talk to them?”

“Well you got it easier, I mean Billy and Mike are older and well, they most likely know all about it by now, sure does sound like they do the way that room of theirs smells, never mind the sounds coming from there every night.”

“True, they are a couple of horn dogs, least that is how Mike calls it”

“Yeah, speaking of them, you making Billy and Mike buy their own condoms?”

“No, why?”

“Well, where are they getting them from then? I mean they are using condoms aren’t they?”

“SHIT, I don’t know… fuck do you think they aren’t? I mean, well, to be honest Chris, I never really thought about it much, hell I never really thought about it much until you and I started seeing each other…”

“Christ, I don’t know, I mean by the number of times they do it, you would think they go through a ton of them… if Billy is anything like his papa, he has to go through a box or so a week…”

“you would think so… shit, I don’t know, thanks Chris”

“For what?”

“Now I have another headache to deal with, how the hell do I tell my son that his brother’s lover was abused and oh by the way, where are you getting your condoms from? Like that is going to go over big”

“Hehe, yeah well you did say being a father was making the tough calls…”

“Oh sure throw that up, and just how are you going to explain it to Keith?”

Chris sat on the fancy Corinthian leather couch and stared up at Seth. He was right, how was he going to discuss all this with Keith? And then there was also Tommy, did he exclude him or did he talk with him too? Man, there is no doubt that being a parent was not an easy chore, and yet he knew in his heart that despite the dilemma he was facing, he wouldn’t change it for all the money in the world, and he knew that Seth wouldn’t either.

Looking at Seth, standing in the middle of his office, the worried look on his face and knowing the thoughts that were racing through his mind, he smiled, marvelling at the man’s attempt at humour and how he had made Chris a part of his decision making process. It was like he was truly a partner, a part of his life in more than just a sexual way. Thinking about it all, he realized that this is what had been missing in all of his past relationships. Even with Keith’s mother he never felt like he was a part of anything, now he felt like he was as important as any of the other parts of Seth’s life.

As the smile on his face grew, he could also feel the growing ache in his groin as he contemplated the situation before him. How did he talk to Keith about it and how did Seth discuss it with Billy and Mike? He looked over at Seth and saw him smiling, the first time he really smiled since they left the house so very early that morning.

“I don’t know, any advice from the senior member of this arrangement?”

“Arrangement? Excuse me, this is not an arrangement, this is a family… least it’s what I would like it to be that..”

Tears started to well up in Chris’ eyes as he heard the words, so softly spoken that he wasn’t sure he heard them right. Looking over at the tall handsome man, the weathered face starting to barely show through, the wrinkles on the forehead no longer prominent, as if he had gotten younger with each passing day. This man wanted him, not just because he was younger, and not just for the wild sex they enjoyed so much, he wanted him to really be a part of the family.

“you okay Chris?”

“Yeah, I am… I really do think of us as a family… just… well shit, I don’t know, sometimes…”

“Yeah, me too, but hell, at our age we might as well be honest about it all, look, why don’t you and I talk this over with Billy and Mike, then we can go and talk to Keith.”

“You really want me to be there with you?”

“Yes”

Seth had come over to the couch and as he spoke his one word answer, his hand rested lightly on Chris’ shoulder. His deep blue eyes looked down at the younger man, filled with tears of the moment, and he could feel his heart singing out, wanting to reach out to touch Chris with its own powerful love. He could feel the desire welling up and his groin ached something fierce as his hand reached down and gripped the young man’s arms.

With a sudden surge of power he managed to lift Chris up off the couch and bring him to his feet, to stare into his face. He could feel the love flowing between them as he closed his own eyes and bent his head forward. His lips lightly touched the trembling mouth of Chris and it was like a fire suddenly being ignited.

It was like putting a match to tinder dry sagebrush in the Malibu hills. The fire burned quickly and hot, and spread faster than his mind was able to grasp. His body shook as his lips touched the warm mouth of Chris and his loins stirred rapidly to the feelings now raging inside of him. His whole body trembled and he could feel Chris’ body responding in the same excited manner. Breathing was becoming difficult as he held onto the shaking body now, his tongue pushing urgently past the teeth, opening the mouth and tasting Chris.

Chris shook as he felt the hard wet tongue push into his mouth. His legs started to feel weak and unable to support his weight, when he felt Seth’s arms around his waist, holding him close and tightly. His penis now fully erect inside of his dress pants was poking straight outwards, rubbing up against the solid man flesh of Seth and he could feel the fire burning deep inside of his soul as he swooned a little, caught totally off guard by the sensation of Seth’s kiss.

With unusual strength and single purpose, Seth lifted Chris off his feet and swung him around to rest his firm buttocks on the top of his large desk. Papers that were there were scattered as he sat Chris on the top, his mouth locked with Chris’ and his mind whirling with absolute desire. His body shuddered as he moved himself inwards, his legs pushing apart Chris’ legs. The feeling of Chris’ hard cock pushing up against his groin while his own throbbing cock ached to push past the thin fabric of suit pants.

Chris moaned slightly as his buttocks slapped hard onto the solid wooden desk top, papers pushed aside urgently as his own tongue started to flirt with Seth’s. The fires raging inside started to roar outwards, his legs dangled off the floor as he sat there, feeling the urgent need to hold onto Seth. His arms obeyed and he found his hands pawing at Seth’s waist, pushing at the waistband as if to tear them off the tall firm muscular body.

As he felt Chris’ hands struggling to pull open his pants, his own hands were desperately trying to unbutton the dress shirt that Chris had on. His fingers felt like they were all thumbs as he popped one button and then finally managed to get the rest open without tearing the fine cotton fabric. He stopped briefly as his eyes saw the fine pecs twinkling in the office light, the firm nipples seemingly swaying in the still of the room, looking so pink, so hard, so damn inviting that he almost lost it right there. His cock jerked hard inside of his pants and he knew that he needed to be inside of Chris.

The sudden pulling back of Seth’s head made him open his eyes and he caught a glimpse of the wanton desire and lust that burned inside of Seth. He saw it all as he felt the air waft past his naked chest and he shivered a little at the power that he was unleashing inside of his lover. The awesome feeling was rumbling through his body as his hands finally managed to push Seth’s pants down to his hips, exposing his boxer’s and his hard erect penis. He could feel the heat pressing against his own groin and his rectum started to twitch, desiring nothing more than to have that hard penis buried deep inside of him.

Placing his hands on the desk, Chris managed to raise himself a bit off the hard wooden top and like it had been planned, he felt Seth’s hands stop their groping of his chest and race down to push Chris’ pants down off his hips and expose his own naked desire to Seth. His boxers were pushed down without ceremony and his long hard dick waved briefly in the air as his bare buttocks now sat firmly on the middle of Seth’s office desk. Papers and desk plotter pushed off the edge to float to the floor while the owner manoeuvred his own body to get closer to the upraised flesh of Chris.

Seth’s hot breath was all over Chris’ stomach as he moved his face down to kiss the hot flesh. His mind could only see the tall jerking penis as he licked at the hard stomach and then his hands pushed at the hips, seeing the penis jerk one way, then another as his face grew closer. He reached down with one hand and grabbed the long hot cock, holding it in his massive hand while his mouth was poised just over the fiery cock head. He licked his lips and then he opened his mouth, pushing his face down and letting his lips slide along the hot flesh.

Quickly he pushed down the thick shaft until the huge cock was buried deeply inside of his throat. He heard Chris groan and heard his hand slap the hard wooden desk top, and then he moved up, breathing in deeply of Chris’ scent. His hands gripped the firm waist, holding the body steady as he sucked on the huge cock, enjoying every inch of its presence.

Seth swallowed the hot cock several times then he stepped back a little, reaching down now to push off the dress pants and boxers. He slid them off, but before tossing them he reached inside the back pocket to snare the emergency condom they both carried. He had it in his mouth and ripped at it, to grab the rubber sheath and as he stood up he found his one hand reaching down. Carefully but quickly he reached for his own blood gorged cock, rolling the condom onto the head, then down his own hot thick pulsing shaft. All the time that he was preparing his cock, he gazed into Chris’ eyes, feeling the desire and love that was being aimed at his own heart.

Nothing could stop him now, and with a loud snapping sound of plastic against flesh, he moved in closer. Chris raised his freed legs upwards, resting them on the broad shoulders of Seth. His feet off to either side, his buttocks raised up off the wooden desk and his body sliding forward as Seth grabbed at his waist, bringing Chris’ body closer to his hard cock.

As his hot cockhead wedged itself between the firm buttocks, pressing up against Chris’ hot pink hole, he looked up. His eyes stared into Chris’ eyes and he saw the burning passion there. He could feel it reaching out, surrounding him with its power as he thrust his hips forward. The pain of his entry registered briefly in the eyes, then a dancing flame of desire that was consuming Chris replaced it.

The pain of entry was brief and sharp. Chris let out a loud yell of pain, then groaned even louder as his body seemed to suck in the hot long cock of Seth and his own buttocks pushed down, to meet the hard upwards thrust of Seth’s hips. Every muscle inside of him groaned with the sudden rush of the cock, the hot weapon pushing deep and hard inside. Every nerve inside of Chris started to sing out as the pulsing cock roared inside of him. His cheeks quivered to the hard slap of Seth’s groin as it made contact.

He blinked and looked upwards into Seth’s face. He saw the glazed look coming over his lover’s face and he could feel his legs going numb. His arms were quivering off to either side of his shaking body as Seth ploughed into him for a second time, the hard cock reaching further inside, pushing aside the velvet muscles once more with even more strength and power. He felt the cock deep inside of him, filling him fully with its heat and its love. His balls grew hard as they started to pour their milk out and send it along its way before he could even think about it.

Chris moaned constantly as Seth’s hard cock reared back, then came pushing in faster and harder for a third time. As the hot cock head hit his insides, far inside, he felt his whole body shake and tremble. His arms flayed at the solid wooden desk, his head rolled from side to side as tears of joy came flooding out of his eyes. His cock jerked once, then again, and he felt his body explode as the huge cock buried inside of him struck again.

Hot streams of white milk came flooding out of the jerking penis, striking at its owner with unbelievable power. The hot stinging flashed of cum against his chest and face was too much for Seth. His body too started to quake as he flung his hips forward again, summoning all of his strength in this last final push. His cock was half way inside when Seth started to feel himself grow feint and his body started to tremble like an earthquake. His cock was shooting its own load of cum as the huge cock was still travelling deep inside of the hot love tunnel of Chris’ body.

Seth cried out as his body exploded and he could feel his strong legs growing weak and wobbly as he pushed inwards. His pubic hairs carving themselves into the firm white flesh of Chris’ cheeks. His body etched forever into those nice round orbs of flesh. Sweat dripped off his forehead as he came, forming a river on Chris’ chest that was part sweat and part cum.

While his cock jerked and rocked deep within Chris’ body, his own body started to shake and tremble. His heart was racing at mach speed and his lungs grasped for air as he came deep in Chris. He could feel the stinking slap of flesh on flesh as his hips ground into Chris’ body. His legs were starting to buckle as his cock gave one last jerk and one last stream of hot white man milk came flooding into the plastic covering. He could feel his cum flowing down his throbbing shaft as he pulled out for the last time of the day.

He staggered backwards, until the back of his weak legs struck one of his chairs, where he proceeded to collapse into. Seth’s cock was dangling in front of him, the full condom no longer transparent but coloured milky white. His legs lay spread out on either side, his mouth open, his tongue hanging out a little, as he struggled to regain his breath. His eyes were narrowed as they tried to focus on the naked body lying on his desk.

Chris felt heaviness around his chest as he gasped for air. He was sure that he was having a heart attack; the pain was so intense, so concentrated. His eyes could barely see as they were clouded by the still dripping beads of sweat as he lay there, his chest heaving, his heart pounding, his ears hearing the thunder of his body’s groans. His groin ached and his arms were still feeling like they were made of rubber. He still twitched in the legs as slowly his breathing came under control and he managed to wipe his eyes clear to see the slumped figure of Seth in one of the office chairs.

As he took it in, he couldn’t help but start to chuckle as he saw the lawyer, his legs spread out and his chest still heaving, but the full condom was slowly sliding off the now limp penis, making it look like Seth’s cock was shedding its skin. He watched as it fell, the soaked condom dropping down into the spread open boxer shorts that hung around Seth’s ankles. As it hit, the still full condom spilled and Chris knew that Seth would not be wearing any underwear for the rest of the day, which only made him laugh more.

Seth struggled to open his eyes as his ears reverberated to the sound of Chris’ laughter. He tried to sit up, to stare across at his lover and he didn’t quite understand what was so damn funny.

“What the…”

“Oh man, look down Seth, guess you should have brought another pair with you today…. Oh man that is so priceless…”

“Huh? Oh shit… thanks for the warning… now what am I gonna do all day?”

“Well, I suppose you could always get one of your students to race out and buy you a pair from the men’s store….haha oh man this is priceless”

“Funny boy… but hey, Taylor is working this afternoon… so there I can get him to get me a new pair”

“Oh? And just how are you going to explain the need?”

“Hmm, well I could tell him you ripped them off me… the animal that you are”

“Oh as if he’d buy that”

“Well, he might… hehe okay okay, stop laughing or you’ll get Doris in here”

“Oh that would really be a treat…haha”

Their banter was cut short by the harsh ring of the office intercom and Seth managed to waddle over to the desk to answer it. Chris was still smirking until he heard Seth acknowledge that Riley was on the other end and suddenly the laughter simply died away. The thoughts and images that had been held in check came rushing back and he could see the steel once more filling Seth as he spoke his instructions to the private investigator.

As the elevator doors opened, Chris was still smiling. He could remember how that entire afternoon had been spent in meetings, but how he had found himself constantly thinking of Seth, having to hide behind his desk until Taylor could show up and go out and get him a new pair of boxer’s. He almost laughed out loud again as he remembered how his secretary had called him telling him that a messenger from Seth’s law offices needed to see him.

He was puzzled until he saw Taylor and then he just smiled knowing that Seth was up to something. Taylor looked tired but rather pleased with himself. When Chris asked what he wanted, he told him that his dad had sent him down to collect $45 for a pair of new boxer’s and that he, Chris, would explain why Taylor had to go out in the middle of the afternoon to purchase a new pair for his dad. Chris had handed over the money and told Taylor that his father had a small accident at lunch.

Taylor had looked at Chris and then pocketed the money. As he was about to leave he just turned towards Chris and said: “Well least I don’t have to worry about him showing up doing Viagra commercials” and left. Chris had howled and thought how priceless it was, to be able to joke like this with your sons and as he thought of that, he realized that he needed to really sit down and talk more with Keith. Maybe even one day, he might be able to explain just what his relationship with Seth was, but for now, he would have to settle in trying to give him enough information to keep him from harm. The mere thought of it sent a shiver down his spine, and he realized that for all the bluster, all the headaches, all the subterfuge, all the responsibility it entailed, he really did want to be a good father.

They had decided to talk to Billy and Mike after dinner, then depending on how that went; they would both talk with Keith and Tommy. The drive home had been animated, but as they got closer they became quiet, each of them lost in their own thoughts, wondering how they would approach this touchy subject and if there were anymore surprises in store for them.

The house had been noisy but as they all sat down to one of Billy’s special dinners, they could sense that something was up. Both Billy and Mike spent most of the time simply talking to each other about school, not their normal routine and they kept their eyes on their own plates, hardly commenting on anything else. The two younger boys seemed too quiet as well and as Mike got up to help clear away the dinner plates, while Billy headed off to get dessert, Keith finally broke.

It was very unexpected, and Seth could see the pain in Keith’s face as he started to try and talk. Tears were rolling down his young face and Tommy was struggling to keep his own tears in check as Keith spoke.

“Dad, please don’t hate us, it isn’t Tommy’s fault either, please don’t be mad”

“It’s as much my fault as yours…”

“NO, no Tommy it’s my fault, please dad, don’t make Tommy leave or hate me anymore”

“Whoa Keith, now calm down, what is this all about? What is it that has you so afraid?”

“Billy said we had to tell you, I know he’s right, but please don’t hate me”

“Keith come on now son, I can’t hate you, I love you, no matter what.. you have to believe that son”

“I know, but things have been… shi…. Sorry, I really am sorry dad”

“Okay, I can see that, uh, look why don’t you and I go to the den and you can tell me what this is all about, would that be easier for you?”

“No… you’ll only have Mr Bradford send Tommy away while we talk… please don’t be mad at him”

“Hey Keith don’t let …they aren’t going to get rid of me, and it is as much my fault as yours, so if they are going to be mad at you they have to be mad at me too”

“Hey come on guys, Billy and I told you it’s no big deal, come on, we wouldn’t lie to you, they won’t be pissed, so just spit it out Keith”

“You sure Mike?”

“Yeah I am sure, go on, they don’t bite… not at their age”

The joke worked, and while it wasn’t the best it at least made both young boys smile a little. Tears were wiped and Keith sat there, looking at his father then at Seth then at Mike, his head lowered as he struggled to catch his breath and collect his words. Billy softly walked in and placed his hand on his Dad’s shoulder, as if to keep him calm, sort of like he was trying to let his dad know that it wasn’t a big deal. Chris caught the act and he settled back in his chair, the blind panic slowly subsiding in the pit of his stomach as he waited for his son to gather himself and tell him whatever it was that was bothering him.

“Uh, well see dad, uh, Tommy and I, well, uh we snug off yesterday, and well,”

“You what?”

“We snug up to Mike’s room”

“Okay, so?”

“Well, uh Billy came to get us and well, he found us… we uh, well”

“They were playing with themselves Chris”

“What? What do you mean playing with themselves?”

“You know dad, uh, we were touching ourselves, down there, you know, our private parts…”

“Oh, okay, and?”

“That’s all, honest, we were just doing that, I know it isn’t right, but well, I mean,”

“We like it, we uh wanted to see what it was like, that’s all Mr. Jenkins, honest, Keith and I are sorry, aren’t we Keith?”

“Yeah Dad, we are, we won’t do it again, honest”

Chris was at a loss for words. Here was his son and his friend confessing to what? That they had explored their bodies in front of each other? Was that so terrifying to them? My God, he thought, they actually believed that it was a bad thing, that they would be punished for simply exploring their own feelings? How did his son get so confused and now he knew that the talk they were planning to have was long overdue.

He looked over at Seth, to see his face and to try and get some hint of how he should handle this. All he could see was amazement in his face, and he wondered just how he should handle this. Maybe he should try to postpone talking about it or maybe not. Should he contact his ex wife or try to deal with it himself. Well, this was part of being a father, too bad there wasn’t any manual to prepare you for this type of stuff.

“I told them Chris, that there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, that it was normal and than everyone does it, some even more than other’s”

“Huh? Oh yeah that is right guys, Mike is right lots of guys do that, really not something to be so upset by”

“Then why does the Reverend at church say its evil?”

“Well, uh, I guess some people think that it is something that only married couples do, but it isn’t evil, I am sure the Reverend didn’t mean it that way Keith”

“Mom says it is…”

“Well, she is wrong Keith, look, it is something that as you get older you’ll understand more of, it really isn’t evil or bad, but it is something that really you don’t talk about with other’s, or certainly don’t do it in public, you do know that, right?”

“Duh, we ain’t ten years old dad”

“I know, look Keith, Tommy, this isn’t a big deal, I mean it is your body, it is natural to explore it.”

“See told you so Keith”

“Yeah okay, so if it isn’t so bad, how come everyone makes a big deal about it? And why can’t I do it with Tommy?”

“Well, uh, no one said you can’t do it with Tommy, as long as he understands that it is just between you two… I mean, it isn’t something you do in the locker room at school after gym class say, that is what I mean by being private”

“Oh, so they won’t think we are queer?”

Chris was stunned by the turn in the conversation. He could feel Seth rise up in his chair more, and the two boys, Mike and Billy, suddenly looked very serious as they watched the conversation-taking place. All eyes were on Chris as he licked his lips, wondering just where this was heading. Could the two young boys have seen him and Seth or maybe Mike and Billy? If they did, how did he handle that one and he knew that Seth was wondering the exact same thing.

“Uh, you know what a queer is Keith?”

“Yeah, its guys who like to get dressed up as girls, wear their silly stuff, sissy boys Mom calls em”

“Well, some of them do that, but not all, they are really called ‘homosexuals’ and queers is a slang name, not a nice name actually”

“Told you Keith, it’s the same as fag and bum boy, right Mr. Jenkins”

“Yeah, that’s right Tommy, uh there are many people who prefer the company of other’s of the same gender, you know what I mean boys?”

“Dad, come on we aren’t ten years old, we know what gays are, they are bad people though, they are anti god, aren’t they?”

“They are not Keith, tell him Mr. Jenkins, tell him that gays aren’t evil”

“Tommy is right son, gays are not evil they just have a different way of showing their affection and they simply prefer people of the same sex, that is all”

“Then why does everyone hate them? All the kids at school use it as a bad thing, and even the Reverend says its doing things against God, how can they be wrong?”

“Excuse me Chris, look Keith, these people who are against gays, well they think they are right, they feel they have to be otherwise it upsets how they look at the world, it is, well, basically it is because they don’t understand how two people of the same sex can feel towards each other like a man and woman can, it scares them, and fear makes people say and do a lot of things that are wrong”

“But Mr Bradford, if it isn’t wrong, why do so many people hate them? Are they all afraid of gays?”

“Yes, mostly they are, it is no different than many years ago white people thought that African Americans were the devils children, because their skin colour was black, and you know that isn’t true don’t you?”

“Yeah”

“Well, this is the same thing, they are scared of what they don’t understand, so if they don’t understand it, they make it out to be bad, but it isn’t, it is just the way some people are, just like some people have white skins, some have dark skins, that is all”

“See Keith, told you that, it is exactly what Mr O’Brian said”

“Who is Mr. O’Brian?”

“He was a teacher at school, till they fired him cause he was gay, they all thought he would turn all us boys into gays, least that’s what the parents were all saying”

“Uh, was he your teacher Tommy?”

“Uh huh, he was my history teacher”

“Did he teach you history too Keith?”

“No, I had Miss Walker, she’s a real prune”

“Keith, don’t talk like that… so uh Tommy, this teacher, you and him talked about this?”

“Uh, well, no not really, I mean well I guess maybe, but he was okay Mr Jenkins, really he was.”

Billy saw his father’s face go white and he looked at Mike, to see if he had noticed it. He noticed Mike had his eyes riveted on Chris and he turned to see the normal happy face take on a solemn look. Now what was going on? Surely, they didn’t think this teacher had done anything to Tommy did they?

“Just how do you know this Tommy? Did this teacher uh, were you a special friend to this teacher?”

“No, and don’t look at me that way, I know what you are thinking, and no he didn’t touch me or any of that stuff, he was nice, he didn’t ignore me”

“Whoa, calm down Tommy, what do you mean he didn’t touch you? Why would you say that?”

“Cause, that’s what my dad asked, he saw me talking to him when they had kicked him out, he dragged me away before I could finish saying goodbye to him, no one listened to me”

“What was it that no one listened to you about Tommy?”

“That he was okay, that he wouldn’t hurt any of us kids, he loved us, he wasn’t like most adults, he listened and cared, he wasn’t a pervert or whatever that word is, he was nice”

“Where did all this happen Tommy?”

“In the teacher’s parking lot, some of the older kids had spray painted his car pink and purple and wrote nasty things on it, he was standing there, crying, I wanted to help him… I mean he was nice to me, don’t you see?”

“I do Tommy, what did he say to you?”

“He told me to go away before some of the kids saw me with him, he didn’t want me to get hurt…why do adults always ruin things?”

“I am sure they didn’t think they were ruining things Tommy, they were scared, they were doing what they thought was best for their own children.”

“No they weren’t, how is making a nice man cry and painting his car protecting us kids?”

“I am not saying what they did was right Tommy, just that they thought it was”

“No, that isn’t right, people are supposed to be nice, and Mr O’Brian was nice, he cared and I couldn’t say goodbye”

“Yeah but you got to say goodbye to Henry Tommy”

“Shut up Keith”

“Who is Henry?”

“He’s this big shot at school, it was his folks that got Mr O’Brian fired, well at least they are the one’s who got everyone upset at him, he came and said some dumb things to Tommy…”

“Keith…”

“It’s okay Tommy, dad will understand, won’t you?”

“I’ll try, honest I will, so what happened with this Henry?”

“Tommy decked him, man it was beautiful, you should have seen it, wow, it really was something special, then a couple of Henry’s friends ganged up on Tommy, they were really wailing on him and well, I mean he is my best friend Dad, so I had to help him”

“Keith shut up, you know you’ll only get into trouble”

“Hey, just a second there Tommy, now I don’t know why you think I will be mad, but let Keith finish please.”

“Sorry”

“Go on Keith”

“There isn’t much else to say, we fought and then Tommy’s dad showed up with the vice principal and well, the fight was over and Mr O’Brian left.”

“Is this the fight that got you suspended a short time ago? The one your mother called me about?”

“yeah, I guess”

“You lied to me then”

“No, I didn’t lie to you, I just didn’t tell you everything”

“I wish you had of”

“Why? So you could have yelled at me more?”

“No, so I could have told you how proud I was of you”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“That’s right, how proud I am of you, it takes guts to stand up for a friend and that is something special, no Keith I am not mad at you, I only wish I had known then, I would have talked to your mother and maybe even gone to the school to fight that suspension”

“I know a lawyer who would have helped you Chris”

“Thanks Seth”

“You mean that dad?”

“Yes son, I do, and you Tommy, I am proud of you too, for sticking up for what you think was right, that took a lot of courage”

For the first time since the conversation begun, Tommy looked up and stared at everyone. His eyes searched everyone’s and it was a strange sight to see, to watch a 13 year old realize that there were adults who he could trust. You could see it reaching into him, as he studied each face at the table, and you could see the pain in him slowly leave as he sat up straight in the chair.

“Thanks Mr. Jenkins”

“Call me Chris Tommy, and Tommy…”

“Yes?”

“I am very glad Keith insisted on you joining him here, you are a good friend to him”

“Thanks, I …well he’s my bestest friend too”

“I can see that, look boys, all this is pretty heavy stuff, and maybe we need to discuss it more, but I think we should call it a night for now, maybe this weekend we’ll talk about it more, okay?”

“Sure dad”

“Sure Mr…uh, Chris”

“Okay, and boys, this touching stuff, it isn’t anything bad, it really is normal so don’t worry about it, we’ll talk about that more later, and if you have questions, please, come to me and ask me, I won’t get all ‘adult’ on you okay?”

“Yeah sure”

“Okay, thanks Dad, uh dad, do you?”

“Do I what?”

“You know, do you play with yourself too? I mean you said everyone does it, so, uh…”

Billy almost fell down as he heard Keith’s question. He could see the stunned look on Chris’ face and he could see the way he looked at his dad. His father was no help either; he had turned a bright shade of red, and was holding his breath waiting for Chris’ answer.

“Of course he does Keith, just not as often as us young guys, they are old you know, and don’t have the energy, right Chris?”

“Well Mike I don’t know where you get this old guys stuff, but speaking for myself, as the senior member here, I can tell you that what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality and you know, I think either Chris or I could match you young pups any day of the week, so there Mr Smarty Pants”

“Well I don’t know their pops, least I know enough to take a spare pair of shorts with me when I go out to play”

Seth sputtered at that and turned an even more brilliant red than before. Chris almost spilt his coffee as he stared at Seth then back to Mike’s face where he saw the little devil horns sprouting from just behind his ears. Damn, how the hell had he found out about that?

“What does Mike mean Dad?”

“Huh? Oh nothing son, just a side joke he has with Mr Bradford”

“Yeah? Uh, Mr. Bradford…”

“Yes, uh Keith, what is it?”

“You look funny in red”

“KEITH”

“Sorry dad, but he does, don’t you think so?”

“Well, he does look good in red, I guess, but you shouldn’t say things like that”

“Okay”

“Good, now why don’t you two go play Nintendo or something, while we clean up here and stuff”

Keith and Tommy were halfway up the stairs before anyone could even finish breathing out. All the pent up emotions of the night were suddenly released and Chris couldn’t believe he was still sitting. His legs felt like rubber and he was sure he had lost ten pounds just by sweating. Chris glanced over at Seth and saw him smile, a sort of well-done smile and Chris could feel his groin stir a little at that sign of approval from his man.

“Michael Sheppard!”

“Yes…dad?”

“I swear, there has to be devil horns growing behind your ears at times”

“Nah, Billy checks every night, he never finds anything sticking up there, besides, it was his idea”

“WAS NOT!”

“hehe, no I guess it wasn’t, besides they are kids, they needed a laugh”

“Yeah, well next time, why not comment on Billy’s colour or such, not mine”

“Can’t do that, if I did he might cut me off and I need my billy fix”

“Oh God”

“Give it up Seth, he’s too good for us poor old sods”

“Speak for yourself, I am gonna get you yet”

“Nope, Billy will protect me, won’t you sweet cheeks?”

“Depends”

“On what?”

“Who gets upstairs first”

With that, Billy took off and headed for the stairs. Mike smiled at Seth and Chris and then was off himself. His long legs pumped as he sauntered towards the stairs, not going full out so that Billy could lead him up the stairs to their room. There was little doubt as to what would be happening there tonight and both Chris and Seth just sat there, smiling as they marvelled at the resilience of youth.

Seth turned and looked at Chris. He was so proud of him, the way he had conducted himself with the two younger boys. Mike was right though, they were kids and they did need to see more adults laughing and having fun. It was too bad, he had missed out on all that young kid stuff when his own were growing up, but maybe now he could really have a second chance at it all.

Chris was slowly feeling his heart return to normal. Mike had been right, a good laugh had helped and the tension he had been feeling evaporated as he marvelled at his son’s attitude and defiance too. The way he had been proud of helping Tommy and what about Tommy? There was a troubled young boy who seemed to be finding his way just fine, without any parental guidance. Funny how that worked out it seemed and he looked into Seth’s eyes, seeing the love there and knowing that it was that love that would see him through.

“Guess we’ll have that other talk later?”

“Yeah, it would be too much tonight, uh, Chris, you did great”

“Thanks Seth, man is it always this intense?”

“No, but they have a way of throwing you curves don’t they?”

“Yeah, that’s for sure, you know I wonder, do you think they suspect something?”

“Tommy and Keith?”

“Yeah, I mean the way they brought up gays and stuff”

“Well, I did at first, but now, well I don’t know Chris, I don’t think so, I mean we have been careful, so have Billy and Mike”

“I guess Seth, but, shit what if they ask; what do we say?”

“I don’t know, I guess we could lie, but in the long run that would only snow ball on us, so I guess we would have to tell them the truth and hope they can handle it”

“Fuck, that’s asking a lot of two 13 year olds”

“Well, Billy wasn’t any older when he started, and I don’t think Mike was any older, so there is hope there”

“True, but if they do find out, it could hurt Billy and Mike too, I mean you know how kids are”

“Some Chris, but I think that if they do find out, it won’t be a big deal to them”

“You know, being a parent is a tough job, and yet, I don’t know how to explain this, but it is so exhilarating, I feel so alive right now, so hyped, its weird I know, I mean I am also feeling like I have been through a major war, yet it feels so damn good”

“Yeah I know what you mean, and I think I have the perfect way to end this night”

“Oh? And just what is that?”

“Well Mr Jenkins, new father of the year candidate, I suggest that we grab that last bottle of whipped cream in the fridge, and head up to our bedroom, where we can turn on the television and enjoy some special late night dessert, of course that is if you are able to, remembering you are ancient!”

“Listen here Grandpa”

“Grandpa? Oh well I’ll show you who is ‘grandpa’ there”

Seth stood up and with a twinkle in his eyes, he sauntered into the kitchen, humming a wild tune and he reappeared in less than a minute. The silver white can of whipped cream in one hand, a jar of chocolate syrup in the other. He smiled and with his head, beckoned Chris to lead the way to the bedroom, all the time humming, his eyes glistening with desire.