Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 03:17:46 EDT
From: RitchChristopher@cs.com
Subject: but-who-knows-where-or-when?-10

All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or
are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language,
please exit now.

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                           "But Who Knows Where or When?"

                               Copyright Ritchris, 2007


                                     A Story

                                        by

			         Ritch Christopher


                               literary enhancement

                                       by

                                    Les Martin


                                    <><><><><>


                                    chapter ten

                                    <><><><><>

                       "Sometimes you think you've lived before
                        all that you live today.
                      Things you do come back to you
                        as though they knew the way.
                      Oh, the tricks your mind can play!"

                           excerpted from "WHERE OR WHEN"
                        from Rodgers and Hart's "Babes in Arms"
                                   copyright 1937

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

	Lunch with Rex had sprung a host of questions in Blaine's mind. Who
was this priest? What had he to do with the whole situation, if anything at
all? Arriving back at his office, he parked, still in a fog, and
entered. Seeing his faithful receptionist, he told Phoebe that he had to
make a phone call or two before seeing his next patient. She nodded her
understanding as he moved into his private office. Sitting at his desk, he
dialed the operator to get Information and asked for the telephone number
of St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Willow Street. The operator was
efficient and courteous, complying by telling Blaine she could direct his
call to the church without his dialing. After he sat for a moment, the
phone at the church rang four times before female voice answered.

	"St. Augustine's...?"

	"Yes, I'm John Ridley", he lied. "I work for the Towers Insurance
Agency and I'm trying to reach one of our clients who says that he's a
priest at your church," Blaine improvised.

	"Yes, sir. May I ask his name?"

	"Yes, it's Todd Benton...FATHER Todd Benton, rather..."

	"I beg your pardon? Did you say Father Todd Benton?" Her voice held
a note more questioning than Blaine had expected.

	"Yes, I did."

	"Sir, he must be a priest at another Catholic church. We have no
priest by that name."

	"He's a young man...say, twenty-five or so...about six feet tall,
dark hair and dark eyes...medium build..."

	"Mr. Ridley, I've been the church secretary for over twenty-five
years and I can assure you that no one with that name or description is a
priest here...!"

	"Well, do you KNOW of a priest with that name in Epperson?"

	"There's only one other Catholic church in Epperson besides
St. Augustine's. You might want to call St. Luke's. Perhaps he works
there. I can give you the number."

	"Thank you. That will be a big help to me."

	Blaine waited while she looked up the number in her desk directory
and gave it to him.

	"I DO hope you find the priest you're looking for."

	"So do I...Yes, so do I," Blaine said, thanking her again and
hanging up.

	He felt it was useless to call St. Luke's, but just to satisfy his
curiosity, he called the number, only to find that there was no 'Father
Todd Benton' there either.

	'Hmmm...' Blaine said after hanging up from calling
St. Luke's. 'Just as I thought...Who ARE you, 'Father' Todd and what game
are you playing with my patient, Tom?'. Blaine sat at his desk, thinking
about his encounter with the mysterious priest in the men's room. 'What
kind of priest would stick his penis through a glory hole at noontime in a
public restaurant?' No reasonable answer came back to him in his thoughts.

	Then he buzzed Phoebe and told her he was ready for her to send in
his next patient.


<><><><><><><><><><><><>

	Rex practiced his speech to his team mates a dozen times, trying a
dozen different approaches before he realized that time was up---he was at
the stadium. After parking his car, he still sat a moment, puzzled as to
what to say to his erstwhile buddies. Still without an answer, he went
inside the locker room. The entire team, sans Kent, of course, was seated
in front of a chalkboard and Coach Garner was diagramming a defensive play
as Rex entered... ...fifteen minutes late. The coach stopped abruptly when
he saw Rex.

	"Well, Mr. Morris, it's so nice to see that you decided to join
us." His voice reeked of sarcasm. "Would you be kind enough to tell us
where your friend, Mr. Stevenson is...or is he planning to make an entrance
by himself as well, just as you did?"

	"I...I should have called you over the weekend, Coach, but I'm
afraid we're gonna have to start the season without Kent," Rex stammered.

	"Oh? Is he dead or wasn't he able to call and tell me himself?"
Coach Garner sneered,

	"I could tell you in private, Coach, but it's something the whole
team should hear."

	"We're waiting with bated breath to hear the announcement," the
coach replied, bitterly.

	Rex walked down toward the coach so that he was in front of the
chalkboard.

	"There's no other way to say it, but Doctor Rogers, my
brother-in-law, examined Kent and discovered he has cancer and is planning
to operate on Kent next week."

	"Good God!" Randy exclaimed. There was a buzz all around the locker
room as the team burst into excited chatter amongst themselves.

	"Cancer? But it IS operable?" Coach Garner asked...this time in a
serious tone. The team members looked shocked, a sudden silence blanketing
the room.

	"Blaine...Dr. Rogers, that is...isn't sure how far it's
spread. Kent complained last week that he had an enlarged testicle. He told
me about it and at first, I laughed it off by telling him he had blue balls
from not getting enough. BUT all of you know that Kent has sex regularly---
it couldn't be that. So I took Kent to see Blaine and he ran tests on
Kent. He went next door to the lab to have MRI's done along with blood
work...and Blaine doesn't think that Kent's cancer had metastasized to
other organs yet, but he can't be sure until he operates and explores other
places the cancer might have spread."

	"Jesus Christ!" the coach exclaimed, "Sammy, it'd appear that
you've just inherited Kent's job as starting quarterback!"

	Sammy Timmons gulped in his seat, his eyes clearly demonstrating
his shock at the sudden change. "I...I'll do my best, Coach!"

	"Goddammit to hell!" the coach hollered. "THIS was the first time
in years I felt we were putting a winning team together!." Then, forcing
himself to a false calm, he said. "Sammy, it's gonna be a tough row to hoe
for you to step into Kent's cleats."

	"Boy, I'm sure aware of that, Coach!" Sammy replied.

	"Well, Mr. Morris, since you've just ruined our season with your
news, are there any more glad tidings you have to share with us...I mean,
YOU'RE still gonna play, aren't you?"

	"Of course, Coach," Rex replied...'But I DO have more news...if you
think now is the time to tell you..."

	"Whatever it is, spill it so we can rewrite our play book for the
season," the coach answered, gloomily.

	"Well, as you know, my parents left me the big house and I haven't
been living in it.  I chose to live in the dorm with the rest of you
guys...SO, with Kent being sick and probably needing special rehab after
his surgery, I...I opened up the house and moved Kent in there with me."

	"So? What's the big news about that? You and Kent won't be living
in the dorm...SO?"

	"I guess this is going to be a big shock to all of you, but...well,
after Kent got his bad news, he and I...well, we became real close. I mean,
well, we've always been best friends, you guys know that, but after this
weekend, we found out that we're CLOSER than best friends..."

	After a long silence, "And what the hell does THAT mean...?" the
coach asked.

	"Well, it's no secret about all the girls Kent and I have
dated...and well, yes, fucked...We...Kent and I...Friday night...we
revealed to each other just how much we mean to one another..."

	"Oh, my God...don't tell me............!" the coach said, dropping
his head.

	"Yes, we're lovers.....gay lovers!"

	"I don't believe it!" the coach choked out.

	Once again, chatter broke out among the team members. A few were
laughing in disbelief. Others looked disgusted. Some just looked at the
floor, shaking their heads.

	"I wanted ALL of you to know and get your wisecracks and your hard
feelings out of the way. I dare ANY of you to say anything about it to Kent
if you should see him. His life has been literally turned upside down with
the news about his cancer and...well, very frankly, he's scared, just as
all of you would be if you were told you might die. Kent needs someone to
be with. He needs someone to care for him,...someone to love. I...I'm that
person. Now all of you can get mad or take out your anxiety toward me ON
the field or OFF. I can handle myself against all of you, if needs
be...then, if you don't want a faggot on your team or if you feel you can't
play with a 'fairy', let me know now and I'll walk out of this locker room
without looking back."

	Ben Redmond stood up and said, "Rex! My God! How the fuck can you
stand there and say that you like to suck Kent's cock? Are you two fucking
each other in the ass, too?"

	"Ben, I don't know what your sexual pleasures are, but MINE and
KENT'S are our own. Neither of us has sexual desires toward you and neither
of us would ever try to put the make on you. What Kent and I have...is just
between the two of us. IF you are so unsure of your masculinity, then I
swear NOT to take a shower with any of you after practice or after a
game. I don't want to hear any nasty comments about EITHER of us! Hell, for
all I know, you might be a cross dresser and wear your mom's lingerie to
bed every night...but that's YOUR prerogative and I don't give two fuckin'
hoots in hell what you do in your private life...and THAT'S the key
word...PRIVATE! What Kent and I do is private. What you do is private to
you and it's no one's fuckin' business!"

	"I just thank God Kent won't be reaching between MY legs for me to
center the ball to him!" Jamie Dressler, the center said. His remark got
quite a few laughs from some of the team.

	Wes Kramer, a tackle, stood up and said, "OK, Rex! Tell us that
this is all a joke so that we can all have one big laugh before you tell us
the truth!"

	"I'm not lying, Wes. It's ALL the truth!"

	Terry Blanchard quickly added, "I don't want you in the shower
while I'm in there. I won't let anyone know that I showered with a
queer..."

	"Thanks, Terry, and I mean it, I appreciate your being so honest,"
Rex said.

	Randy and Jay had been sitting beside each other wondering what, if
anything, they should say. Finally, Jay stood up and, looking at Wes, said
"I guess you don't want to shower with me and Randy either, then!"

	"What do you mean?" Wes replied, confused.

	"Only that Jay and I are gay lovers, too!"

	"HOLY SHIT!" Wes replied.

	"Oh, my God..." Coach Garner echoed. "What the fuck kind of team
have I been coaching? A powder-puff team? SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! Are there any
more of you in the locker room?"

	Slowly, Bobby Martin stood up. "I...I'm gay..."

	Johnny Levy stood up after Bobby, "So am I..."

	"CHRIST ALMIGHTY!" the coach cried out. "Should we change the team
colors to lavender and pink?"

	"How about puce and aubergine?" Wes declared, getting another
laugh.

	Ted Ross, a three-hundred pound right-end, stood up.

	Wes said, "GOD, NO! NOT YOU, TED?"

	"I'm not gay," Ted said, "but I AM 'bi-'!"

	"Me, too," Frank Stafford added as he stood up.

	"And me..." Billy Cochran said from the far corner of the room.

	Wes looked at Billy and asked, "Billy, do you REALLY suck dicks?"

	Billy stood up and walked toward Wes. "Hell, yes! You wanna make
somethin' out of it? You ought to suck a dick occasionally to shut your
fuckin' mouth up. I'd like to see if you're man enough to take my nine
inches up your ass without squealin' like a pig!"

	Wes had no reply. He sat down and looked at the floor.

	"Perhaps we should change our mascot from Eagles to 'Fruitcakes',"
the coach said, his contempt obvious.

	Billy shot back at the coach. "Coach, you've just heard about eight
or nine of us confessin' to likin' homosexual sex, so if you don't want US
to walk out, you'd better put a button on that lip of yours or you won't
have a team to coach. I'll bet there are more bi's and gays here who are
afraid to admit it. I won't ask, but I'd love to see a show of hands of how
many of you jerked off with your best friend or even traded blow jobs with
him when you and he were fourteen or fifteen years old! I'd say MOST OF
YOU! Sure, you liked it when your best friend sucked you off and if you
were real men, you'd have the guts to say you enjoyed sucking off your best
friend just as much!"

	Every team member started covertly looking around at one
another. Faces were turning red, others white as a sheet. Suddenly, it
seemed that maybe Billy was correct...most of the team WAS guilty and Billy
had reminded them of their pubescent days during sleepovers, scout camps,
behind the barn, or at the old swimming hole.

	After the silence, Billy looked at Rex and said, "Rex, I'll be
proud to play football with you. Hell, I'll shower with you and you can
even wash my back if you want to...and will you give Kent my best, too?"

	Rex smiled with relief and said, "Thanks, Billy...and thanks to the
rest of you for your support and your understanding."

	The coach saw he was losing his battle and so he finally added,
"All right, is there anyone on the team who would like to quit because we
have homosexuals on our team? You'd better speak now so I can find a
replacement for you as soon as possible. There'll be no hard
feelings...just get up and walk out the door right now!"

	No one moved and no one stood up and the coach turned back to the
chalkboard while Rex took a seat next to Randy and Jay.

	"If you're all through choosing up sides amongst ourselves, let's
get back to work. Oh, I DO have SOME good news. All your TB tests came back
negative!...Now---this play I was tellin' you about...the half back runs to
the forty yard line..."

<><><><><><><><><><>

	With Rex at football practice, the big new house gave Kent a lonely
feeling and he decided to make a phone call...one he had put off making far
too long. Dialing long distance he waited and fidgeted until his mother
answered.

	"Hello?"

	"Mom?"

	"Kent?"

	"Yes, Mom."

	"It's so nice hearing from you, son."

	"I...I just wanted to hear your voice, Mom."

	"Is something wrong?" A mother's inner voice said 'There's a
problem'. "You usually don't call until after five when the phone rates are
cheaper."

	"I had a few things I wanted to tell you. Is Dad there?"

	"No, Kent. You know he doesn't get home from work this early..."

	"I should have waited till later and talked to both of you at the
same time."

	"Kent, I know you too well...something IS wrong. I can tell by the
tone of your voice."

	"Well, worst news first, Mom. I...I'm going to have some surgery
next week..."

	"Oh, my Lord! Did you get hurt playing football?"

	"No, Mom...I wasn't injured...my surgery is organic."

	"Tell me, Kent, and don't lie to me..."

	"I...Mom, I have cancer."

	"Oh, God, no! Where is it?"

	"I have it in one testicle and perhaps both of them."

	"So you're talking about having an amputation?" Her voice
transmitted her terror.

	"I don't really think it's called an amputation, Mom. But I AM
having one or both of them removed. The second might have to come out
before it, too, becomes cancerous."

	She started to cry. "I...Son, do you want me there? How about your
dad?"

	"No, Mom. There's nothing you can do except worry and you can worry
at home as well as you can worry here. I know how emotional you can get
and, right now, I...I don't need to spend my time cheering you up."

	"Kent, do you have a good doctor? What does he say? Will you be all
right after your surgery?"

	"Doctor Rogers is convinced that I'll recover just fine. I might
have to have some chemotherapy or radiation, but that's almost expected
after cancer surgery." He tried to make it sound as though everyone had
'been there, done that.'

	"But you're gonna be there all alone. I can't bear to think about
that!"

	"Mom, you know Rex, my roommate?"

	"Of course. How is he?"

	"He's fine, but I wanted you to know that Rex has this huge house
which was left to him by his parents. It's like a two story mansion. He's
moved back in to it and I moved in with him."

	"You're not at the dorm?"

	"Not any longer, Mom. Rex...well, how can I put it? Rex is
wealthy. His parents left him quite a bit of money and he wants to take
care of my expenses. I know that Dad is carrying me on his hospitalization
insurance policy, so the doctor and the hospital will be getting in touch
with the insurance company or with dad sometime this week."

	"You SHOULD be fully covered for your surgery, Kent, but..."

	Cutting her off, Kent replied, "That's what I was hoping,
Mom. However, if there's anything the insurance won't pay for, Rex said
that he'd take care of it."

	"That's awfully nice of him, Kent, but Rex is not part of your
family. Any other bills should come to your dad and me."

	"Rex won't hear of it. He wants to do it, Mom..."

	"Well, you must have the best friend in the world to want to do
that for you."

	"He is, Mom. Along with you and Dad, Rex is the most important
person in my life."

	"You sound as if you and Rex are REALLY close."

	"We are, Mom. Closer than you can imagine."

	"I remember Freda Pearson when I was about your age. She was MY
best friend and there's nothing in the world that she or I wouldn't do for
one another. It's so wonderful to have a friend like that!"

	"Mom...that's the second thing I have to tell you..."

	"There's more?" Her worries intensified.

	"Yes...about Rex..."

	"What about Rex?"

	"Mom, Rex and I are MORE than just best friends..."

	"I should think so, after all he's doing for you!"

	"What I'm trying to tell you, Mom, is that I'm gay."

	"Kent, baby, y'know, I expected you to say that."

	"You did?"

	"Sure! NOTHING gets this family down...not even cancer. There you
are about to undergo surgery and yet, you tell me that you're happy about
it!"

	Kent finally realized that his mother had misunderstood his words.

	"I'm happy, Mom, but---but I'm also gay."

	"Well, doesn't that mean the same thing...happy? Gay?"

	"Mom, I...I'm homosexual...gay."

	Edna was silent as the telephone seem to freeze in her hand.

	"Kent...are you joshing me? I...I can't hear about your cancer in
one breath and then learn that you're joking about something so important."

	"I'm not joshing OR joking, Mom. I'm homosexual and Rex is my
lover..."

	"Oh, dear God! Let me sit down to catch my breath."

	"I'm sorry to pile all of this on you at once, Mom, but I felt that
you needed to know everything!"

	"IS THERE MORE?"

	"No, Mom. Just those two things..."

	"Thank the Lord for that! Oh, Kent! How am I going to tell your
dad?"

	"If you'd rather not, I'll call later tonight after he gets
home. You can play, 'dumb', as if we hadn't talked and I'll tell him
everything myself."

	"No, No, that wouldn't be honest. Let me handle it, Kent. You've
got enough on your mind with your surgery and you don't need a lecture from
Carl."

	"Mom, I'm sure you're disappointed to hear this from me, but, for
the first time and the only time in my life, I'm in love."

	A silence "With a man?"

	"Yes, with a man, Mom...with Rex."

	"I don't understand, Kent. I raised you right. You were brought up
as a Christian and the Bible speaks against such things."

	"The Bible speaks against a lot of things, but love, Mom? Mom, but
if you remember, David loved Jonathan in the Old Testament---and Christ
loved his disciples as Himself."

	"Yes, but it doesn't say that they...had sex together!"

	"The Bible doesn't talk about ANYONE having sex, but they
must've...remember all the 'begats' in Numbers? They were having sex!"

	"And you don't feel that you can love a woman the way you love
Rex?"

	"Mom, without getting graphic, you know I've made love to dozens of
women. You know that no guy my age is a virgin...but ALL those women I
dated and made out with...I didn't love any of them."

	"But you DO love Rex?"

	"Yes."

	"And Rex loves you?"

	"Yes..."

	"The same way that you love him?"

	"Yes, Mom. After my surgery, I want you to get to know him as I
know him. I think you'll love him...NOT the way that I love him, but you'll
love him like a son."

	"Does anyone in Epperson know about you two?"

	"Practically, the whole town does. Rex's sister gave us a big party
at the Country Club last night and made the announcement for EVERYONE to
hear."

	"They...they accepted you and Rex as...homosexual boyfriends?"

	"Yes, Mom."

	"What about the guys on your football team?"

	"Rex is telling them right now as we speak...but anyway, I won't be
playing football any more this year after my surgery and my
rehabilitation."

	"Lordy, Lordy, Lordy! What can I say? The world is spinning in
circles too fast!"

	"Mom, do you think you can accept me as your gay son?"

	"WHAT A THING TO SAY, KENT STEVENSON! You're my son, no matter
what! And you'll be your dad's son, too! I'LL SEE TO THAT!"

	"Thanks, Mom. You know I love you and Dad. You've taken a load off
my shoulders..."

	"And put it on mine..."

	"I didn't mean to do that..."

	"I shouldn't've said that, Kent! Your parents should be strong
enough to carry anything their son puts on their shoulders. That's why we
had you! If you're...gay...and if you're in love, why should I or anyone
stand in the way of your happiness? Life is too short to let anyone live
somebody else's life. I married your father because I loved him and no one
in this world or the next could have stopped US from getting married. If
Rex is who you want, then you have my blessing, son!"

	"Thanks, Mom. God, I DO love you, you know!"

	"I'd never doubt that, not in a blue moon, Kent. If, God forbid,
you were ever in an auto accident and had both legs and arms cut off, I'd
love you even if you were HALF my son!"

	"Well, I MAY be losing both testicles...but you won't know they're
gone!"

	"I guess we'd better get off the phone, Kent. We're running up
somebody's phone bill."

	"Rex's."

	"There's no reason to make him poor just because we used up his
money on a long distance phone call."

	"I think Rex can afford it."

	"If you say so..."

	"I do, Mom...so, goodbye!"

	"Call me again before you go to the hospital...!"

	"I will and, next time, I'll let you talk to Rex."

	"I'm looking forward to it. Goodbye, son."

	"I love you, Mom." His throat felt blocked.

	"I love you, too."

	Kent and Edna both had tears in their eyes as they both hung up the
phones. Sitting in her chair after talking with her son, she quietly
prayed, thanking God that her son loved his parents enough and was honest
enough to open his life to them. Her 'Amen' was heartfelt.


<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

	It was after five-thirty before Blaine finished with his last
patient and could leave his office to go to the hospital to check on
Tom. Tom had had no visitors that day and was getting a little antsy, being
in bed with a cast, taped up ribs, and IV's in his arm. Being confined, all
he could do was channel surf with the television monitor. It was Monday and
he had had to watch soap operas most of the day, in the process, getting
several involuntary erections from looking at the good-looking stud
actors. Tom had convinced himself that every male soap star was gay. Most
were too pretty not to be attracted to other guys...especially the younger
ones. Tom had invented fantasies about how each of them had been
cast...bending over their agent's couch or on their knees in front of their
agents.

	Once or twice, he felt he couldn't take it any longer without
masturbating, but then where would he deposit his sperm...one of those
kidney shaped stainless pans beside his bed? That wouldn't do---the nurses
would see and know. Instead, he held off his urge by switching
channels. The nurses had checked on him several times. One had given him a
sponge bath and two other aides had brought his breakfast and lunch to
him...ALL WOMEN! Didn't this hospital have any male nurses or attendants?
At least, he had food to eat, bland as it was, a place to lie down, and a
television to watch. Tom was relieved when Blaine walked in to see him. AT
LAST, a talking man! And a handsome one, at that!

	"Good evening, Tom," Blaine said. "How's your day been?"

	"Boring!"

	"I thought maybe you'd've bored a hole in the wall, you know, just
to keep in practice."

	"The thought DID occur to me, but I doubted that anyone would stick
anything interesting through it to give me a thrill!" Blain smiled in
response, but quickly regained his professional composure.

	"Have you experienced much pain today?"

	"Just my ass. I need to get up, walk down the hall. Go to the men's
room instead of having to use this goddamned bed pan."

	"You think you'd find more action in the men's room?" His eyes
twinkled involuntarily.

	"I don't know but there's certainly been no action in THIS room!"

	Blaine noticed a potted chrysanthemum on the bedside table. "Oh,
did someone send you flowers?"

	"Yes, a friendly admirer...or rather, a gentleman caller," his
voice taking on an obvious southern accent.

	"Oh? One of your old tricks?"

	"Hardly."

	"Mind if I read the note attached?"

	"Go ahead, but don't look too surprised."

	Blaine picked up the card stuck in the flowers and it read, "Good
health, good wishes! All my best, Todd."

	"The PRIEST?", Blaine asked in surprise.

	"The same."

	"Did---did he come by today?"

	"No, but I've looked for him to pop in all day...the mysterious
hospital chaplain who doesn't seem to have a chapel..."

	"Tom, may I ask you something?"

	"The answer is 'yes'!"

	"Tom, I'm serious!"

	"And so am I."

	"The guy who attacked you...can you remember? What did he look
like?"

	"A big piece of concrete sidewalk!"

	"What do you mean?"

	"I mean, he hit me from behind and I fell forward on the
concrete. I never saw him...even when he kept kicking me, I was face down."

	"Now don't get me wrong, but I'm beginning to wonder if your
attacker and your mysterious priest---are one and the same!"

	"You've GOT to be kidding me!"

	"No, I took my brother-in-law to the Vir Gin Rickey for lunch
earlier today, and I saw a young priest...like the one you described, going
into the men's room of the restaurant. I waited outside for him to get
through peeing or whatever he went in there for...and then I, purposely
bumped into him. I apologized and I lied, saying that I had seen him here
at the hospital. I didn't tell him I was a physician, I made up some cock
and bull story and introduced myself with a phony name and he said--he said
he was 'Father Todd Benson'...!"

	"That's his name!"

	"I thought so...but he told me that he was a priest at
St. Augustine's Catholic Church. So when I got back to my office, I called
St. Augustine's and they said they have NO Father Todd Benson. I even
called St. Luke's, the only other Catholic church in Epperson, and he
didn't work there either!"

	"Well, as you know, he lied when he said that he was the chaplain
of this hospital."

	"Yes, I know. But WHY would a priest...IF he WAS a priest, lie to
you...and to me?"

	"You don't think that...?"

	"Tom, I THINK that he came to visit you to see if you could
recognize him as your assailant!"

	"Well, I couldn't. If he was, he surely fooled me! We had a long
conversation about priests, and religion,...and sex..."

	"You didn't feel threatened while he was here?"

	"No. As a matter of fact, I thought I had turned him on, a couple
of times."

	"I hope to God that he doesn't come back to see you, BUT if he
does, please make some kind of excuse and turn on your call light and ask
the nurse for Security and when you get a chance, call me at the office or
at home...my answering service will forward your call if I'm not at the
office."

	"You don't think he would try to harm me here in the hospital, do
you?"

	"I don't know...but we can't afford to take any chances. Look what
he did to you in just a few minutes...and with you lying here, almost
helpless in bed, there's no telling what he might do...or what he's capable
of doing!"

	"WHY, Doctor Rogers! I DO believe you care about me!"

	"I do, Tom. I spent most of the night putting you back together and
I don't want to have to do it again!"

	"Oh! You just don't want to see your medical artistry destroyed, is
that it? I mean it's not ME that you care about."

	"Tom, I care about ALL my patients."

	"Even when they're NOT your patients in the hospital?"

	"Yes. Everyone that I treat becomes a part of me. I care about them
and I want to see them well and happy."

	"Like the way you made ME happy in the men's room at Vir Gin
Rickey?"

	"No, Tom...not THAT way."

	"I'm still curious why you stuck your dick through the hole."

	"I'm not sure that I know.  I told my brother-in-law about our
episode and he said that I was 'bi-curious'."

	"Were you...or..ARE you?"

	"His explanation is better than any one I can come up with."

	"You NEVER had ANY kind of gay sex while you were growing up?"

	"No...you were my first, only, and last!"

	"Why did you put a finality on it? Your last...?"

	"I...I can't do it again."

	"CHRIST! I didn't leave a scar, did I? If you hadn't told your
brother-in-law, no one would have ever known. You see, DOCTOR, most kids
experience SOME kind of sex when they've just learning about masturbation."

	"I'm not an idiot, Tom. I just never had the chance or the desire
to experiment and I didn't have a friend to do it with, anyway."

	"Too bad. Let's just say that you were a late bloomer. Ninety
percent of all guys who experiment as kids, grow up to be heterosexual and
never think anything more about what they did with their best friends. It's
just a phase or a rite of passage that MOST boys, except you, go through."

	"I...I missed that when I was growing up."

	"Tell me, I'm sure you've had oral sex with women or with your
wife, at least. How did MINE compare?"

	"I never thought about it..."

	"Say on a scale from one to ten...where would you register my blow
job that I gave you?"

	"Oh...about an eight and a half."

	"I'm crushed that you didn't say, 'ten'!"

	"That's because you don't know my wife, Maggie! Now SHE'S a ten!"

	"Bully for her...and goody-goody for you!" Tom said, only half
jokingly. "Then I'm SURE you've never kissed a man?"

	"Actually, I have..."

	"Your father or your brother?"

	"No...it was just the other day."

	"Whoo, boy! You ARE coming out of the bi-curious closet! Was it
someone who sorta turned you on?"

	"In a way...but it REALLY wasn't a kiss."

	"How can a kiss not REALLY be a kiss?"

	"My...our...his and my lips touched, just for an instant!"

	"I would LOVE to meet your phantom kisser."

	"He was...he IS my brother-in-law's lover!"

	"Your brother-in-law is gay? MY, MY! The plot thickens! Does your
brother-in-law KNOW that you kissed him?"

	"As I said, it really wasn't a kiss...but I DID tell my
brother-in-law about it."

	"Was he jealous?"

	"No, not really, because he and his lover weren't lovers at THAT
time."

	"You kissed your brother-in-law's lover BEFORE they became lovers?
I'd say your entire family must LIVE in a closet surrounded by rooms."

	"The two of them only discovered that they were gay late last
week..."

	"But now they're both OUT?"

	"Yes, my wife, my brother-in-law's sister, gave them a party Friday
night to announce their relationship!"

	"Then your wife must be VERY liberal and very understanding!"

	"She is! VERY!"

	"I'm making you nervous, aren't I, Doctor?"

	"A bit...", Blaine admitted.

	"Since we're alone and no one will come in to bother us, since
you're here...would you like to see what it really feels like to kiss a
man? I mean, what's a kiss after I've sucked your dick and swallowed your
semen?"

	"I'm your doctor, Tom...NOT your lover."

	"Who said anything about love? I was just hoping to help your
'bi-curious' situation by offering you a kiss."

	"That could lead to many things...ALL BAD! Besides, it would be
very unprofessional on my part!"

	"What if I were to pass out right now? Would you give me
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?"

	"Of course I would!"

	"Then what's the difference? You said that you touched your
brother-in-law's lover's lips with your own--- why couldn't you do the same
to me? Is it because I've known you intimately?"

	"That's ONE reason."

	"Is there another reason?"

	"Probably dozens, but I don't want to enumerate them just now!"

	"Your first name is Blaine, right?"

	"Yes..."

	"Then, Blaine, why don't you kiss me...kiss Tom? You ARE curious,
aren't you?"

	"I...I don't know..."

	"Come on...it'll just be another little secret between us..."

	"Tom, you're a Delilah! You'd shave my head if given the chance..."

	"You DO want to kiss me, don't you?"

	"What if I did?"

	"Then come here, and let's make it quick!"

	"You swear you won't tell anyone?"

	"I haven't told a soul about sucking your dick, so why would I tell
anyone about one tiny kiss?"

	After a moment, Blaine sat on the edge of Tom's bed and leaned
forward. Never had Blaine been more unsure of himself. He'd never been this
nervous performing surgery, but the idea of this little touch of tenderness
was all but freaking him out.

	Carefully, slowly and gently, he leaned forward and placed his lips
on Tom's. He could immediately sense the Scope mouthwash on Tom's breath
and Blaine hoped that his breath was just as clean.

	Tom's lips were warm and inviting. Blaine was startled when Tom put
his arms around Blaine's back. drawing him gently closer. Blaine resisted a
moment, then, after a long sigh, he gave in to Tom's kiss and embrace. He
locked his lips when he felt Tom's tongue trying to enter his mouth, but
once again, suddenly Blaine threw all caution to the wind and accepted
Tom's tongue and the kiss grew deeper and stronger. Blaine had to be
careful of Tom's injuries and his cast, but he suddenly longed to put his
arms around this young handsome man as he felt himself springing an
erection, as did Tom. The two men held the kiss as long as they could, then
they broke away and both inhaled a big gulp of fresh air.

	Blaine kept his head on Tom's shoulder and whispered, "God, I
needed that!"

	Tom replied in a whisper, "With me...or with anyone?"

	"With anyone, Tom, I guess...but I'm glad it was with you..."

	"It wasn't so bad, was it?"

	"Not in the least...but it WAS different..."

	"Different, how?"

	Blaine laughed softly, "For one thing, I've never felt a beard
cutting into my lower lip before."

	"Should I have shaved?"

	"No, I'm glad you didn't! This way I knew it was a man I was
kissing."

	"Would it be all right if I asked for another?" Tom asked,
sincerely, not joking or sarcasm, looking directly into Blaine's eyes. "I
think I need another one now..."

	"I'll give it to you, just relax..."

	Blaine kissed Tom this time and became brave enough to lower his
right hand between Tom's legs. Tom's penis was hard as marble...warm
marble.

	Tom sighed and uttered a moan. "Hmmm, that's it, baby, feel it!
Touch it! Love it! This is the best thing that's happened all day!"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

	"You mean Billy Cochran actually said that to Wes?" Kent asked,
excitedly.

	"Word for word," Rex said with a big smile on his face.

	"God, how I wish I had been there!"

	"You'd've been fit to be tied, looking at Wes' face."

	"Did...did anyone else say anything?"

	"Are you kidding? Randy and Jay, of course...then there were Terry
and Johnny and Ted and Frank..."

	"HOLY SHIT! All THESE guys are gay?...Our teammates?"

	"There probably would have been more after Billy said what he did
about young guys experiencing sex with their best friends."

	"GOD! Who would have thought it? I mean, three-hundred pound Ted?"

	"Well, some said that they were 'bi', but that counted as far as
Wes was concerned."

	"You think the Shakespeare adage, 'Methinks she doth protest too
much' applies to Wes?"

	"Maybe! In fact, more than likely!"

	"Damn, babe! You've sure made my day!"

	"I wish you could have watched Coach Garner melt in front of our
eyes as, one by one, our team mates stood up to reveal their gay secrets!"

	"You know, Rex, before anything really started between you and me,
I often felt that the coach was eyeing me in the shower."

	"He probably eyes a lot of guys in the shower."

	"Man, oh man! This is TOO funny!"

	"I'm glad that this put you in a good humour! How was your day?"

	"I got a little fidgety and lonely, but I curtailed it by calling
my mom."

	"That's great! How is she and how's your dad?"

	"Do you mean before or after I told her that I was gay?"

	"YOU DIDN'T?"

	"Oh, but I did!"

	"What was her reaction? I mean after someone helped her up off the
floor?"

	"At first, she didn't believe me...or rather, I guess, she didn't
WANT to believe me. Then I told her about you and me moving into this big
house...but before that, I told her about my operation!"

	"I see, give her the bad news first and them bombard her with the
worse news!"

	"Oh, she cried and was quite concerned about my cancer. She wanted
to come to Epperson to take care of me."

	"Why not? It might be a good idea! You know we have plenty of spare
bedrooms..and even one more since we're sleeping together in the same room
now."

	"I talked her out of coming. I mean, I'd have to spend more time
consoling her than tending to my own recovery. And then I didn't know how
much she would interfere with OUR lives."

	"Did she ever accept the fact that you're gay now?"

	"Yes, and, y'know, she took the news rather well. My dad wasn't at
home and I told her I would call to fill him in on the operation AND about
our relationship, but she said that SHE'D rather tell my dad."

	"Do you think he'll go through the roof?"

	"Nope.  Mom can handle him. I think he'll be more worried about my
cancer than about my bedroom activities!"

	"It sounds as if you got a lot accomplished today---and I've very
proud of you!"

	"Well, at least, BOTH of our families know now. We won't have to
hide."

	"You know, at first I got really mad about Maggie outing us at the
Country Club, but after it was all over, I was fucking glad. It's ALL out
in the open now...just as you said, we no longer have to hide! Our folks
know and finally the team knows. Who does that leave?"

	"Just dozens of horny women dying for you or me to fuck 'em!"

	"That's what I say...'FUCK 'EM'!"

	"How was your lunch with Blaine?"

	"Don't laugh, because I think the whole world has suddenly rolled
off its axis."

	"What do you mean?"

	"You remember when Blaine kissed you in his office?"

	"Hardly! The kiss was so brief, I barely remember it!"

	"Well, I think my brother-in-law, Blaine, is going through a
premature middle age crisis. He's become 'bi-curious'! I think he wants to
have sex with a man!"

	"Why, for God's sake? He's got the best looking wife AND the
sexiest in the world!"

	"I know...but still, I think Blaine is ready to embark on a new
territory, just as we were."

	"You don't think he wants to sleep with one of US, do you?"

	"No...and this is a BIG secret you've gotta keep!"

	"Tell!"

	"He stuck his cock through a glory hole at a restaurant and had his
first blow job from a man!"

	"CHRIST! Did they go any further?"

	"No...but it turns out that the guy who blew Blaine is one of his
patients. Figure that one out!"

	"Good God! So he knows who it was!"

	"Yep!"

	"Then who knows where THAT might lead?"

	"I've been wondering the same thing ever since lunch with Blaine!"

	"Oh, God! Won't Maggie kill him?"

	"I somehow doubt it, but since Maggie and I are so close, I just
might help Blaine out by having a talk with my sister."

	"You two are THAT close?"

	"As I told you the other night, how many sisters loved to jerk off
their brother's dick? Hell, we've always been extremely close!"

	"I just hope you know what you're doing!"

	"I just hope Blaine finds out what's he's doing before he gets
involved with the wrong guy..."

	"His patient?"

	"Uh, huh. I also think I'LL drop by and see his patient."

	"He's in the hospital now?"

	"Yes...he got beaten up by some loony. It was a sex crime! I
thought maybe I'd drop by and pay him a visit to see if he's right for
Blaine."

	"Just be careful."

	"I'm ALWAYS careful, and you know it!"

	"SO, Sherlock, what do you want for dinner?"

	"YOU!"

	"After that!"

	"MORE OF YOU!"

	"That can be arranged, but what FOOD would you like?"

	"I thought we'd go out and try a restaurant called, the Vir Gin
Rickey."

	"Never heard of it?"

	"Neither had I before today."

	"That's a peculiar name for a restaurant!"

	"I know, it's sorta like a gay-bar-restaurant. I figured that 'Vir
Gin' was a play on Virginia or splitting it into syllables, 'Vir' is the
Latin word for 'man'...'Gin Rickey', the name of a drink. That's what I
came up with...Vir Gin Rickey!"

	"Sounds logical. What time do you want to go?"

	"When you and I get through in the bedroom and not a minute
before!"

	"Then get your clothes off and we'll hop to it. I've been thinking
about it all day!"

	"Kent! I love you SO much!"

	"Good! That's how much I love you!"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

(To be continued in "But Who Knows Where Or When?" chapter eleven...next
week! ((just two chapters to go!))).