Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 12:52:56 -0400
From: Ehlrich - Nifty - <ehlrich@hotmail.com>
Subject: My Roommates Boyfriend - Chapter 13

Gary left church that day feeling more confused than he had felt when he
first arrived.  He really had no idea what to think about anything anymore.
At first he had been dreading the trip to Ohio.  Then, he thought that it
might not be so bad.  That it might actually be the time he needed to clear
his head and really think about where his life was going.  But now that his
cousin was trying to blackmail him, he didn't know what to do.  Should he
even stay?

Gary's internal thought process was suddenly interrupted when his cousin
leaned over and whispered to him, "So, have you given any thought to my
proposal?"

Gary looked up in the front seat to see if either his aunt or his other
cousin were paying attention before responding.  Both of them were too
engrossed in the radio, which was unusually loud considering it was just
gospel music.

"Listen to me.  You have no idea why I'm here.  Things are very complicated.
  I don't know what you think you know but let me assure you, you have no
clue."

"I don't need to have any insight into your life," Marcus replied, "If you
want us to be friends and you want to talk about things, that's fine.  But
that doesn't change anything.  You need me to keep quiet and I need relief,"
he said as he looked down at his slightly tented khakis.

Gary looked down at his cousins' crotch and felt himself actually getting
aroused.  It had been awhile since he had a cock buried in his throat and he
actually found himself missing it.  But this was still his cousin - adopted
or not - it just didn't seem right.

"That's it," he said, "take a good look at it.  I know you want it."

"Look.  We're not going to talk about this right now."

"Fine.  But you will be sucking on it later."  Gary turned his head and
looked out the window as the scenery of Ohio flew past him.  His internal
struggle was only getting worse, not better.

When the car rolled to a stop in Aunt Mary's driveway, Gary quickly
unbuckled his seat belt, got out of the car and started to walk down the
street.

"Gary, where are you going?" Mary asked.

"I just need some more air.  I'm still not feeling very well."

"Well," Marc chimed in, "we wouldn't want you getting lost.  I'll show you
around," and he ran after Gary.

"No, really," Gary replied, "it's okay.  I'm sure I can find my way."

"Leave him be, Marcus." Mary was getting annoyed by her son between his
disappearing act at the church and his constant clinging to Gary.

"But, Mom.  I really think he should see the sights.  There are some great
trails I could take him down," he said devilishly.  "I insist."

Gary turned to look at his cousin whom was smiling at him in such a way to
indicate that it might be in Gary's best interest to let him come along.

"Fine," Gary said in defeat.

"Just don't be gone too long," Mary shouted as they continued down the
street.  "I'm going to be making a nice big dinner."

After Marcus was sure they were out of earshot of his mother and sister, he
turned to Gary and noticed that his cousin was visibly upset.

"So, what's wrong?"

"Like you care."

"I do.  Honest.  I'm just a horny teenager with an eye for opportunity but
that doesn't make me heartless."

"So, does that mean your not going to blackmail me."

"We'll see.  But first, spill the beans."

Gary sighed.  He wasn't sure he wanted to tell his cousin everything.  But,
at the same time, he hadn't really talked to anyone about what was going on.
  'Maybe this will actually help,' he thought to himself.

"Okay, here's the long and short of it.  I've been dating a girl for several
years now."

"Confused already but go ahead," he interjected.

"A few weeks ago, I slept with one of her roommates."

"A guy?"

"Yeah."

"Your first?"

"No."

"Okay...?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right.  I have to back up a little bit, don't I?"

"Apparently."

"In high school I fell in love with this guy named Mike.  We dated for
awhile but I insisted that we keep it quiet.  I couldn't risk having anyone
find out we were dating.  It would have destroyed my life."

"But you guys would have had each other."

"I don't think that would have been enough."

"Interesting."

"Will you let me finish?"

"Yeah, sorry."

"I ended up breaking up with him because he told his parents."

"Jesus you're harsh."

"MARCUS," Gary said sternly, "do you want to hear this or not?"

"Okay, I'm done.  I'm done."

"So, I broke up with him, started dating Karen and that takes us up to a few
weeks ago when I slept with Andrew," he paused.  Just mentioning Karen and
Andrew's name in the same sentence was difficult.  "Well, Karen found out
and then proceeded to tell my Mom.  Now, my Mom is about ready to tell my
Dad if I don't 'straighten out', as she put it.  And that's why I'm here."

"I have a funny feeling you left a LOT of stuff out but at least I have the
general idea."

"Exactly.  It would take hours to tell you everything."

Marcus pointed to a trail that lead into the woods and they headed towards
it.  It was a remarkably beautiful day and a perfect day for a walk.

"So, are you gay?  Bi?  What?"

"I don't know.  That's the question I've been trying to answer.  I mean, I
guess technically I'm bi.  I'm attracted to both sexes."

"One more than the other?"

"I don't know.  I guess I'm a little more attracted to guys than girls."

"So.  Where's the dilemma?"

"I love Karen."

"And how do you feel about this Andrew character?"

"I love him too."

"Interesting."

"And what about that other guy?"

"Who?"

"The guy from high school."

"Mike?"

"Yeah.  Do you still talk to him?"

"Not exactly," Gary said with a very sarcastic tone.

"What does that mean?"

"We talked not too long ago and it wasn't pretty."

"Cat fight?"  Marcus laughed.

"No.  But let's just say that he was less than nice."

"Ahhh," he paused for a moment.  "So, how do you feel about him?"

"Who, Mike?"

"Yeah."

"Well, at first it was nice to see him again but it got ugly very quickly."

"That's not what I asked you."

"Mike's not even an option, so why does that matter?"

"Just asking."

"Well don't."

"Touchy, touchy," Marcus starts to walk off the path and through a thick
section of bushes.  Gary wasn't 100% sure he wanted to follow but also felt
like he was left with little choice.  "Okay," Marc continued, "So, you're
trying to figure out which one you love more.  Andrew or Karen, right?"

"I guess so."

"You're very cryptic, you know that, right?"

"I'm not trying to be.  It's just a very difficult situation.  I love both
of them but can't possibly compare the two.  I don't think I'll ever be able
to get Karen back and I don't know if I can live the life of a gay guy and
be with Drew."

"So, are you hiding behind Karen because you're gay and you can't deal with
it or are you genuinely bi?"

"I love Karen."

"Once again, not what I asked you."

"I wouldn't say that I'm hiding behind her, no.  But it is a much more
socially accepted relationship."

"Who gives a fuck?"

"I do."

"Why?"

"Because I need a roof over my head and I need my family in my life."

"I can respect that," Marc said.  "For all the shit that my Mom puts me
through, I can't imagine life without her.  She took me in and has taken
very good care of my sister and I."

They walked in silence for a moment.  Gary was thinking about Marcus's last
question.  Had he been partially using Karen this whole time?  She was,
after all, the one he ran to after Mike.  Maybe he really was gay and he
just happened to fall in love with Karen.  Just because he was capable of
having sex with girls didn't necessarily mean that's what he wanted.

"So," Marc said, interrupting Gary's thought, "are you close with your
parents?"

"Fuck no."

"So, why are you so insistant on staying connected with them."

Gary paused.

"Ya know somethin'.  For a teenager, you're full of awfully good questions."

"I try.  Besides, you don't go through the foster care system without
learning a lot.  It forces you to grow up pretty quickly in some aspects."

"I can imagine."

Gary and Marcus had only been walked away from the path for a few minutes
when they came to a small clearing.  It was beautiful.  It looked like a
small piece of paradise in the middle of what was otherwise a fairly dense
forest.  There was a single tree in the middle that provided a small area of
shade.  Marcus walked over to the tree and Gary followed.  They both sat
down in the shade of the tree and Gary looked around in awe of how gorgeous
it was in this one spot.

"How did you find this?"  Gary asked in awe.

"Just walkin' around one day."  Marcus picked up a stick and started
breaking it into small pieces.  "It's a little off the beaten path so I
don't think that many people really know about it."

"Somebody must.  The grass almost looks like it's maintained on a regular
basis."

"I've come out here enough times to know that this grass doesn't get
trimmed.  It just seems to stay at a relatively reasonable length all season
long."

"Weird."

"Yeah, but it's cool.  And it gives it a little bit of mystery, ya know?"

"Hmmm."

Marcus leaned over towards Gary and rested his head on his cousins shoulder.

"So, what's your story," Gary asked.  "I mean, seriously.  Horny or not,
most guys do not want to get head from another guy."

"I don't know.  I guess I'm a little curious," he replied, picking his head
up and turning to look at Gary.  He noticed his prominent facial features
and looked down to survey his cousins body.  The definition of his modest
musculature aroused him more than he expected.  Although he was willing to
blackmail his cousin, it more out of a desire to sleep with him than
anything else.  And he knew that even if Gary said no, he would never
actually rat him out.  Gary suspected the same thing after their chat.

Marcus reached his hand out and with the back of his hand, stroked gently
down the side of Gary's face.

"Dude, I..."  Gary attempted to form words but was slightly flustered by his
young cousin.  He was very attractive.  He wasn't buff or even really toned
but Gary could tell that he definitely took care of his body.  Being he was
only 17 probably helped as well.

"It's okay.  We don't have to do anything.  I just wanted to touch you,"
Marc said, lowering his hand.  "You really are very handsome."  He was
incredibly nervous and could feel his heart pounding out of his chest.  He
wanted to lean forward and kiss Gary but was too nervous to follow through
on his impulse.  He had never been with another guy before but had been hit
on by a gay kid at school.  Part of him wanted to explore that option but he
knew that, like his cousin, he just couldn't risk having anyone in school
accuse him of being gay.

"You look pretty good too.  You're turning out to be a very nice looking
young man."

"Don't you want to kiss me?"

"I can't," Gary replied even though his crotch was telling him otherwise.

"Can't or won't."

"Marc, please.  I'm confused enough already."

"I'm not looking for any kind of relationship or anything like that.
Nothing complicated.  No strings."

"Marcus!"  Gary's heart was starting to race.  Once again, he was beginning
to think with the wrong head despite his best efforts to do otherwise.  Marc
noticed that Gary was starting to weaken and it gave him enough strength to
lean in and kiss his cousin.

The kiss was forceful and rough.  Marc wanted one thing and one thing only.
This wasn't about romance.  This was about fucking.  Gary couldn't resist
the urge to kiss him back.  The two of them sat under the tree kissing each
other passionately for a few minutes before Marc finally got up the nerve to
reach his hand down and grope Gary through his pants.

"Stop."  Gary broke the kiss.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't do this.  I just can't."

"You don't have to do anything.  Just let me suck your cock."  Marc's
hormones were raging and his inhibitions were gone.

"What?  I thought you were the one who wanted the blowjob."

"Forget about that!  I want to know what it feels like to have a cock in my
mouth."

"Marcus!"  But before Gary could finish his thought, he had repositioned
himself so that his head was in Gary's lap and he was biting at Gary's dick
through his jeans.

Gary stood up to try and walk away but Marcus was determined and he grabbed
at the waistline to Gary's jeans.  He pulled Gary close to him and quickly
unbuttoned and unzipped him.  Gary was getting so hard that his cock poked
out the instant his jeans were yanked to the ground.  Gary grabbed him by
the shoulders and tried to push him away but not hard enough to actually
move him.  Marcus didn't wantto waste any more time so he pulled Gary's
boxers resulting in having Gary's dick pointing right at his mouth.

He opened his mouth without any hesitation and impaled himself on Gary's
dick.  Gary groaned and instantly stopped resisting.  Marc must have been
paying attention when Julie had given him the blowjobs that he told Gary
about because he sucked cock like a pro.  He wasted no time either.  He was
pumping Gary's dick like a piston.  It was probably one of the roughest
blowjobs Gary had even been given but it felt so good that he didn't want it
to end.

Marcus was moaning and slobbering all over Gary's cock like a whore.  He was
in absolute heaven.  He had no idea how good he would feel pleasuring his
"cousin" but he was so glad that he had finally gotten the balls to do it.
He continued to increase his pace as he reached down and started to stroke
himself through his khakis.

He could feel himself getting close to cumming so he unbuttoned his khakis,
unzipped and pulled them down along with his underwear so that he could get
a good grip on his meat.  Gary looked down to see him stroking his 6", solid
cock.  It wasn't terribly long but it was incredibly thick.  The sight of
him stroking himself sent Gary over the edge and he started to shoot in
Marc's mouth without any warning.  He choked on the first shot but didn't
stop pumping Gary's dick or his own.  He could feel the cum hitting the back
of his throat and it was turning him on so much.

When Gary had finished, Marcus buried Gary's cock down his throat and
started stroking himself even faster.  When he started cumming, his moaning
sent vibrations though Gary's dick.  The cum was flying onto the ground and
Marcus couldn't stop moaning and whimpering.

He slowly pulled himself off of Gary's cock and Gary twitched as he did.
When he stood up, he started passionately kissing Gary again.  The two of
them stood there, making out, with their pants around their ankles.  Their
beautiful asses faced out into the meadow from underneath the shade of the
tree.  As Gary's erection started to go down, his brain started to kick back
in and the reality of what he had just done began to settle.

"What the fuck did we just do?"  Gary said as he broke the kiss.

"Tell me you didn't like it," Marcus said with a smile.

"That is so irrelevant."

"So you did like it?"

"You're a fucking natural.  But we should not have done that?"

"Why?" Marc asked.  He bent down pulled his boxers and pants back up and
looked Gary in the eye.  "What's the big deal?  It's just sex."

"I just don't need any more complications in my life."  Gary followed suit
and pulled his own pants up.

"You didn't exactly try too hard to stop me."

"I know.  I'm an idiot.  I think with my penis."

"No wonder why you're in so much trouble."

"You're not exactly one to talk!  Apparently you do the same thing."

"I'm not hurting anyone in the process."

"Thanks."

"I didn't mean it as a dig."  Marcus smiled, leaned in and kissed Gary on
the nose.  "Now let's head back before Mom starts to freak."

They started to walk out of the clearing and back towards the trail.

"So," Gary asked with a grin, "looks like you've developed a taste for
cock."

"That was fuckin' hot."

"Yeah it was."  Gary said in defeat.  Although he still wasn't proud of his
actions, Marcus was right.  It felt damned good.

"So, when can we do it again?"

"I don't think we'll be doing that again."

"Yeah, right.  All I'm gonna have to do is get down on my knees in front of
you and you'll change your tune."

Gary held his arm out and held his cousin back from continuing forward
another step.

"What?  You wanna go again right now?"

"Ssshhh."  Gary was gazing intently into the edge of the woods.

"What?"

"Someone's there."

"Bullshit!  It's probably just some animal or something."

"I'm telling you, I saw a person."

-----------------------

"So, how'd it go?"

"It went," Karen said unenthusiastically.

"I'm sorry, sweetie," Stacey walked to Karen and put her arm around her.
Karen immediately started to cry and turned her body into Stacey's.  "Jesus!
  Are you okay?"  Stacey wrapped her other arm around Karen and hugger her
tightly.

"No," she sobbed.  "That fucking bastard!"

"Who?  Your therapist or Gary?"

"Gary!  I can't get the fucker out of my head.  I hate him.  I fuckin' hate
him."  The tears were streaming down her face.  "That's all we talked about
in therapy and all I did was cry.  I spent a fucking hour crying and
complaining about how awful I feel."

"Well, you probably needed it.  You needed to let it all out."

"I know but I just can't do this!  Every time I close my eyes I see him.
It's killing me.  Part of me wants to call him and tell him to come home.
Another part of me wants to hunt the bastard down and murder him.  I just
don't know what to do."  Her sobs continued to get heavier and her breathing
was shallow.

Stacey held her tighter and started to stroke her hair gently.  "It'll be
okay, sweetie.  I'm here for you."

"The shrink said this was just part of the process.  That I had to mourn the
relationship."

"That makes sense."

"I know," she said, pulling herself away and sniffling.  She was trying
desperately to calm herself down as she walked into the bathroom to get a
tissue.  Stacey followed her in.

"It's gonna take some time but you will get through this."

"I know.  I just can't believe how much this hurts.  I really did love him.
Despite all of his shit."

"I know you did."

"But I have decided one thing."

"What's that?"

"Although I may be hurting on the inside, I will NEVER let him see it.  And
I will NEVER take him back.  Now matter how confused and conflicted I feel,
I just can't do that to myself.  Thinking about it is one thing but acting
on it would just be stupidity."

"Good for you."

"I can just see him trying to come crawling back to me and I won't do it."
Karen's tears had stopped and her face reflected a look of resolve.  She had
made up her mind.  She would never forgive him for what he had done to her
and she meant it.  Nothing he could say or do would ever change how she was
feeling.

"Seems like you're already making progress."

"I do feel a little bit better.  Despite my sloppy appearance," she
chuckled.  She looked into the mirror and saw her red, puffy eyes staring
back at her.  "Jesus.  I wasn't kidding.  I do look sloppy."

Stacey opened the linen cabinet, pulled out a face cloth and handed it to
Karen.  "Wipe your face with some cold water, you'll feel better."

"Thanks hun."

"Anytime."

Karen washed her face and did, in fact, feel a little bit better.  Both of
them walked out of the bathroom and into the living room where they sat down
next to each other.

"I talked to him about Andrew, too," Karen said.

"Really?  And?"

"He said I have no reason to forgive him either."

"Well, as much as I don't like that answer, I do agree.  I just hate the
fact that the three of us will never be able to hang out together anymore."

"I know.  We always had so much fun."

"Yep."

"And who is gonna help me pick out all of my clothes?  My fashion sense is
AWFUL!  I looked so damned good once he started dressing me!"  She laughed.

"Do ya' think you could ever forgive him?  I mean, you two do kinda have
something in common now."

"What?"

"Well, Gary stomped on both of your hearts."

"Why, Gary told him to go screw?"

"He just keeps fucking with his head."

"Yeah, that does seem to be his M.O. these days, doesn't it?"

"Yep."

"But Drew screwed me over pretty hard.  It's not like he was some innocent
bystander that didn't know about Gary and I.  He totally knew that I was
head over heals for him."

"That's true."

"In his own way, he broke my heart as well.  He violated my trust.  I don't
see how I could ever let him near any of my boyfriends ever again."

"He does feel bad about it."

"Yeah, and so does Gary but I'm not about to forgive him either."

"I'm sorry.  I'm not trying to push you to forgive him."

"I know.  And I know how difficult this is for you.  You're trapped in the
middle."

"And, unfortunately, you guys will probably have to at least be civil to
each other at some point.  I can't possibly be friends with both of you
without you guys running into each other now and then."

"I know.  And, eventually, I'm sure I'll be able to.  Who knows?  Maybe
someday down the road I will get over all of this but it's not going to be
anytime soon."

"And, in the meantime, I shall do my best to keep the two of you away from
each other."

"Speaking of which.  Did you think about the housing situation any more?"

"I actually talked to Andrew about that today."

"How'd that go over?"

"Not well.  But we're gonna talk about it some more later."

"What's there to talk about?"

"Well, right now his parents are paying his portion of the rent so I can't
just toss his stuff out on the lawn."

"That's fine.  But I'm willing to pick up his third until we can find
someone else.  So, whenever he or his parents stop paying, just let me know.
  Eventually, he's going to want all of his stuff."

"Yeah, I just can't think about all of that right now."

"And for now, you don't have to."  Karen put her arm around Stacey.  "So,
what are your plans for the evening?"

"Well, my man is gonna take me out to dinner.  You're welcome to join us if
you so desire."

"Nah.  I'm not much into the whole third-wheel thing."

"You wouldn't be!"

"I know you guys wouldn't do anything to make me feel that way.  I'd end up
doing it myself.  Don't worry about it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Alrighty, I'm gonna go get ready then."

Stacey stood up, bent over and kissed Karen on the forehead.

"Cheer up, hun," she said.  "Everything will get better."

"Thanks."

Stacey turned and walked down the hall to her bedroom.  Karen was, once
again, left alone with nothing but her own thoughts.  After sitting on the
couch for a few minutes staring at the wall, she decided that she would go
out and do some shopping.  Spending money always made her feel better.
'Andrew's therapy', she thought to herself before getting up and yelling
down the hall.  "I'm gonna go out, Stace."

"Where ya' goin'," Stacey yelled from behind her door.

"Just to the mall."

"Sure you don't want to come with us?"

"Positive, thanks though."

"Alrighty.  Have fun!"

"I shall try."

Karen grabbed her keys and walked out to her car.  When she turned the key,
her radio immediately came on and it was tuned to her favorite country
station.  When she heard the song that was playing, she froze.  It was their
song.  Not just their song but the song they always said they would use as
their wedding song.  "When I Said I Do" by Clint and Lisa Hartman Black.
She could feel herself getting emotional again and snapped herself out of
it.  She reached over and changed the station.  Eminem was on the local top
40 station.  She hated Eminem but anything was better than that song in her
mind.

--------------

"Can you pass the potatoes, Mom," I was STARVING.  It had been a fun day.
My Dad had stayed home with me all day and we played video games.  I was
getting to know my father and he was getting to know me.  I felt like a part
of my life that had been missing was finally being filled in.

"Sure thing."  Mom passed the potatoes across the table and Dad started to
laugh.  "What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking about that game that Drew and I were playing today."

"Which one, Dad?"

"Mario Golf."

"Oh!"  I laughed.

"Okay, wanna clue me in?"  Mom said with a smile.  She was so happy to see
the two of us laughing and talking together.

"There are these comment buttons that you can push when the other person is
trying to putt and I didn't tell Dad about them.  He was convinced that I
had picked a rude character."

"Yeah," Dad interrupted, "until I saw him pushing the buttons.  It was
saying things like 'hurry up, already' while I was trying to line up my
shot."

We both laughed.

"Well, you WERE being a little slow about it."

"I don't play video games very often."

"I know.  And, all things considered, you did a pretty damned good job!"

"It was fun, regardless."

"Well, I'm glad you boys had a good time today while I slaved away at the
office."

"Awww.  Sorry, Mom."

"No, no.  I'm just teasing.  It's nice to see you two hanging out together
again."

"It WAS nice," I said with a smile to my Dad.  "I hope we can do it again
sometime soon."

"Me too."

The phone rang and my Mom excused herself to answer it.

"Hello?  .....  Oh hi, sweetheart!  .....  How are you?  .....  Definitely!
.....  Hang on one second."  She handed the phone over to me.  "It's Derek."

I smiled and took the phone from her.

"Hello."

"Hey Drew!"

"Hi!  I didn't expect to hear from you again today."

"I'm not bothering you, am I?"

"Nah.  We're just finishing up with dinner."

"Oh, I'm sorry.  I'll let you go."

"No, no.  It's fine.  What's goin' on?"

"I can't talk long either but I just had to call and say good night."

"Awww.  That's sweet of you."

"I try."

"You succeed."

"And I have a piece of good news for you?"

"Oh?"

"Yeah.  I'm gonna be coming home late tomorrow.  I'll be getting in very
early the following day."

"Really?  That's awesome!"

"I'm psyched!  Angela and I hammered out all of the details and then she's
going to be coming stateside next week to see our offices."

"That's so cool!"

"Well, it's kinda late here so I'm gonna get going.  I just wanted to give
you a quick call."

"What time IS it?"

"It's like 12:30."

"Oy!  There's that whole 6 hours difference thing at work!"

"Yeah."

"Well, go to bed, young man."

"Yessir!"

"I'll see you when you get home."

"I miss you."  Derek said softly.

"I miss you too."

"Alright, I'm gonna go."

"Talk to you soon."

"Love you."

"I love you, too," I said.

"Bye."

"Sweet dreams."

When I hung up the phone, I looked up and noticed that both of my parents
had stopped eating and were watching me intently.

"What?" I laughed.

Mom was all teary-eyed.

"I'm sorry.  We didn't mean to eavesdrop but you just sounded so happy."

"I am, Mom.  I'm starting to consider things I had never thought about
before.  I mean, he's my best friend!"

"And that's the best part," my Dad said.  "I know I married mine."  He
reached over and put his hand on my Mom's.

Now I was getting teary-eyed.

"I hope this doesn't change," I said.

"What's that, kiddo?"

"We've become a totally different family over the past few weeks.  I've
never felt closer to you guys."

"It's just a shame that it took us almost losing you for it to happen," my
Dad said.

"I'm fine and something good came out of it.  That's all that matters."

I went to bed that night feeling happier than I can recall feeling in a very
long time.  Everything seemed like it was coming together.  Granted, my
housing situation was exactly perfect but, for now, I was kinda enjoying
being with my parents.  And then there was Derek.  I never imagined just how
happy he could make me.  But, just the sound of his voice and the knowledge
that he would be home in about 36 hours put me on cloud nine.  Things were
only looking up and the possibilities seemed endless.

-------------------------

As Gary and Marcus stood there, a figure stepped out from the shadows.  It
was Julie.

"Wow," she said.  "That was quite the show."

"Jules," Marcus said, turning slightly pale.

"Fuckin' great," Gary chuckled.  "Can anything else possibly go wrong?"

"You're not gonna tell Mom, are you?"

"Tell her what?  That you're a cocksucker?  Why would I do that?  It's one
of my favorite past-times.  Who am I to criticize?  Besides it's not like
you don't have something on me."

"So, what?  You were just sitting there watching?"  Gary asked.

"And touching myself.  Yeah.  One of the best orgasms I've had in a long
time.  Thanks!"

"You guys really are sick out here."

"It's not a very bustling area, Gary.  We have to entertain ourselves
somehow.  It's either drugs or sex.  And, frankly, Marc is suck a good cunt
licker that drugs just don't seem like an option."

"That's great, Julie."

"So, how is he at giving head?"

"We are not discussing this!"

"Why not?  Now is not the time to be shy.  I've seen you naked now,
remember?"

"I'd rather not think about it."

"What about a threesome?"  Marcus asked.

"HELL NO!"  Gary yelled.  "Things have gone far enough!"

"Fine, fine," Julie said, "just let me know if you're going to do it again
so I can watch.  I'll bring my vibrator next time."

"Fuckin' A."  Gary rolled his eyes.

"Loosen up, G."

"Sorry.  I don't think that's an option.  I've got a lot on my mind and now
I've got two cousins that have seen me naked and one that has given me a
blowjob."

"We CAN make that two," Julie said with a devilish grin.

"Julie!"

"Wow.  You ARE uptight.  You just have to stop thinking of us as cousins.
We aren't related, remember?"

"I know that but it still doesn't seem right."

"Oh get OVER yourself," Julie said as she turned to walk back towards the
house.  "Besides," she yelled behind her, "it's a little late to be
questioning things.  Marc's already had a Gary protein shake."

Gary wasn't sure whether to laugh or not.  It was funny but it still seemed
kinda wrong.

"Let's just go home and have dinner, please."  Gary said.

"You having me for dessert, Marc?  Or are you done with pussy now?"

"Of course I'm having you for dessert.  Just because I've tasted cock
doesn't mean I'm gonna neglect my sweet sister."

"See.  That's where I get skeeved out.  When you talk about eating your
SISTERS pussy.  NASTY!"

"Oh, it's fun.  It's just a game."

"Whatever."

Julie and Marcus spent the rest of the walk back trying to make Gary as
uncomfortable as possible.  He wasn't sure whether to laugh, be turned on or
be completely repulsed.  As usual, he was confused.

When they got back to the house, Aunt Mary had set the table and the house
was full of wonderful smells.  She had been cooking a ham since before they
left for church and it smelled so good.  When they all sat down to eat,
Julie and Marc spent most of dinner throwing around sexual innuendo that
their mother was apparently oblivious too.  Now Gary was amused.

"So, Gary, how are you feeling now," Aunt Mary asked.

"I'm feeling much better.  And this dinner is awesome!"

"Well, thank you, dear.  I try."

"So, I hear you met Mr. Thompson?"

"Mr. Thompson?"

"Yes.  I was talking to him about you and he said you must have been the one
he met on the steps."

Gary gulped.  "Oh, yeah, him."

"Isn't he such a sweet man?  Oh - and such a good father too.  He just loves
his little girls."

"We didn't talk for very long."

"Oh, he's great.  You'd love him."

Marcus stifled his laughter.  Gary simply didn't respond to his Aunt after
that.

"You missed a good sermon, Gary," his Uncle Frank added.  Uncle Frank was
older than Aunt Mary but you never would have guessed.  He was in excellent
physical condition and looked like he was Gary's age.  He and Marcus went
running together every morning and with all the church activities that Frank
did, he kept himself quite busy.

"I'm sure it was.  I just wasn't feeling well at all."  Gary knew that the
sermon was not something he wanted to be a part of but he wasn't about to
let his Aunt and Uncle know that.

"It's a topic that really needs to be addressed.  The gays are taking over
our society."

"What do you mean taking over?"  Gary couldn't resist engaging his Uncle in
a little conversation.  He would be careful with his words but he was
interested in his Uncle's backwards opinion.

"They're on TV.  They're holding parades.  They have equal protection under
the law.  And now they want marriage rights.  That's like saying I should
have the right to go marry my dog if I want to."

"So, you're comparing two human beings to a human being and a dog?"

"It's just as wrong."

"Says who?"

"Jesus."

"And, what does Jesus have to do with governmental regulations?  We live in
a country that supposedly separates affairs of church and state."  Gary's
Uncle looked at him strangely and Gary realized that perhaps he was getting
too involved in the conversation.  "I'm just playing devil's advocate,
that's all."  Marcus was looking at Gary as though he had lost his mind.

"Devil, indeed.  That's the only explanation for this gay nonsense."

"But you didn't answer my question."

"Now, now," Mary chimed in, "is this really dinner conversation?"

"It's okay, Mary.  The boy wants a conversation and apparently needs an
education."

"Excuse me?" Gary replied.

"Well, I think you're a little confused on the issue.  You see, religion
needs to step in when government starts to fail our society.  And, up until
President Bush, it had been failing us miserably."

"I disagree.  I believe that everyone deserves to fall in love with the
PERSON of their choice and have that love recognized the same as anyone
else."

"You live too close to the city.  It has clouded your mind and curropted
your thoughts."

"Open-mindedness will appear that way to people that don't have it."

Gary's Uncle slammed his fork down onto the table and looked sternly across
the table at Gary.  Everyone else had stopped eating and was just staring at
Gary.

"Now you listen here, young man," his Uncle said.  "I will not be insulted
in my own house and especially not at my own dinner table under the grace of
God."

"I live by a philosophy, Uncle Frank.  Treat people the way you want to be
treated.  You started insulting my and I returned the favor.  I assumed that
was the way you wanted me to react to you since that was how you were
reacting to me.  You're correct.  You shouldn't be insulted in your own
house.  But, then again, you shouldn't be insulting people and expect them
to sit there and take it."

"I wasn't insulting you at all.  Just trying to educate you."

"Saying that I obviously needed an education was insulting.  And the only
reason to resort to insults is when you're incapable of having a calm and
friendly debate.  A debate requires open-mindedness and a willingness to
examine ALL the facts.  Not just the ones you believe in.  So, in actuality,
I wasn't insulting you at all.  Just stating the facts."

"Alright, boy," he said with a grin.  "Why don't you educate me then?"

"Gladly," Gary said.  Now Gary was getting pissed off.  He had studied some
parts of the Bible during his relationship with Mike.  He had been
questioning whether or not Jesus really did hate homosexuality and he had
studied the very verses that Mr. Thompson had made reference to earlier.

"Let's start with one of the bible verses that I'm SURE was quoted today in
the sermon.  Leviticus 20:13.  It basically says that if a man lies with a
man the way he lies with a woman that both have committed a sin and shall be
put to death, correct?"

"Absolutely.  And, you're right, the pastor did cite that passage today."

"Did he cite some of the passages that come before that?  Leviticus 19:27
condemns haircuts and shaving stating in the exact same words that it is
equally sinful."  His Uncles face fell.  "Leviticus 19:19 condemns wearing
clothes of more than one type of fabric.  Also a sin."

"It can't possibly treat them as equal sins."

"Why not?  Who's to differentiate?  It's not differentiated in the Bible.
So, is it up to you or the pastor to determine which is worse?"

"These are questions that you should bring to the pastor."

"Why?  He's going to claim that one is worse than the other.  He won't
acknowledge that according to the same verse he uses to condemn
homosexuality with, would also condemn him for cutting his hair and
shaving."

"I'm not sure what to say but I'm sure there's an explanation."

"There isn't.  And, by the way, you look freshly shaven today.  And, is that
a poly/cotton blend shirt you're wearing.  Looks like you've committed
double the sin of a homosexual."

"And, why is it that you know this so well and that you defend
homosexuality?"

"I have gay friends," Gary said without hesitation.  "And they're not
sex-crazed maniacs that abuse little boys like most people think.  They love
one another.  They are perfectly normal people."

"I had no idea you were so well versed in the Bible."

"I have learned how to combat the attempt to use the Bible for hatred and
justification of discrimination against anyone.  If you want some websites
that quote more verses, I will gladly give them to you."

"I'm not sure I like this conversation."

"I didn't think you would."

"You're excused, Gary," Aunt Mary said loudly.

"I'm not finished with my dinner."

"You are now."

Gary stood up to leave the table and the squeak of his chair against the
hardwood floor was quickly followed by another.  Gary looked up to see
Marcus standing.

"And just where do you think you're going, young man?"

"Gary has a valid point.  And you're both just brushing it off.  You're not
willing to look at the Bible verses that disagree with what has been pushed
down your throats for years and years.  I wasn't raised to not look at all
of the facts.  You both raised me to ask questions and to keep an open mind.
  I don't that you're practicing what you preach, so to speak."

"That doesn't excuse you from the table, nor does it give you the right to
talk to us like this," Uncle Frank said as he tried to remain calm.

Julie's chair was the next to be pushed out.  Aunt Mary pulled her napkin
off her lap and threw it on the table.

"This is ridiculous!  Look at what you have done, Gary.  You've turned our
own children against us," she said, choking back tears.  "I hope you're
happy."

"I'm not happy that they're choosing to defy you.  But I am happy that
you've taught them to be analytical and logical.  You should be proud of
that."  Gary turned away from the table and started to walk away.

"Gary," his Uncle said calmly.  Gary turned to look at him.  "I still don't
agree with your position on the gays but that's no reason for us to argue.
Nor is it a reason for us to break up this fine meal.  Come back and sit.
That goes for you two as well."

Julie and Marcus sat reluctantly and Gary started to walk back towards the
table.

"So," Gary said, "what about the Bible verses?"

"Perhaps I should study them a little further and bring it up to the
pastor."

Gary sat down at the table.  He knew that even if he hadn't completely
opened his Uncle's mind, he at least got him to acknowledge that maybe he
didn't know everything there was to know about the book he believed in so
heavily.

The rest of the meal was finished in silence.

---------------------

The next morning I could barely contain my excitement.  Derek was going to
be home in just 24 hours and my cast was going to be removed in 6 more days.
  I was just getting more and more excited.  Suddenly, my housing situation
ceased to matter.  In fact, I was giving some honest consideration to
hanging around with my parents for awhile.  They had even offered to convert
the large loft in the garage into an apartment.  I felt just like Mike from
that old show, "Growing Pains".  Seriously though, things were really
looking up.

I decided that I was going to get out of the house today.  Even if all I did
was hobble out to the back yard and sit in the swing, it was better than
sitting indoors.  It was a beautiful day and I was determined to make the
most of it.  I grabbed my composition notebook, put it into my messenger bag
and then got myself out to the swing.

I took a deep breath and just enjoyed all the smells that being outside had
to offer.  It was heavenly.  Sunny days always seem to be better and
brighter when things in your life are going well.

I turned my attention to my composition book.  As I thumbed through it, I
was reminded of all the pieces that I had been working on.  I had so many
unfinished projects.  But I wasn't interested in revisiting the past.  I had
woken up with a tune in my head and it was begging to be written down.
Derek had inspired me to write again.

The notes flowed from my hand as if they controlled it.  Before I knew it,
the page was decorated with clefs, notes and rests.  It was only a framework
but at least I had gotten it out.  And, although it wasn't being played
aloud, I could hear it in my head and I was getting goosebumps.  The melody
had unlimited potential and I could already hear the harmonies in the
background.  This was going to be one of the biggest undertakings I had ever
attempted.  This was going to be more than a simple string quartet or solo
piano piece.  I had to think bigger.

I turned the page and began writing for a flute.  I knew that I wasn't
properly notating because I had never written for a flute.  But there was
time for that later.  For now, it only had to make sense to me.  I would get
it all into the computer as soon as I was able to make my way into the
basement.  I had neglected the mini-studio in the basement of my parents'
house since moving into Stacey's but, as soon as I could, I would change
that.

Page after page flowed from my soul.  It seemed as though it was almost
writing itself.  I wasn't 100% sure how well it would all sound together but
I had already written the melody for a violin and harmonies for the rest of
the string section and woodwinds.  There were still days of work ahead of me
but I had made a good dent in it before my stomach demanded that I go back
inside and get something to eat.  Four hours had passed and it only felt
like 20 minutes - tops.

I was still having a hard time negotiating my way around the house with my
bulky cast but Mom had done her best to make things more accessible.  I
opened the fridge and found a note from her on top of a Tupperware
container.  'I packed up the leftovers from last night.  Have a good day.
Love - Mom'.  It made me smile.  'She's so cute,' I said out loud.

-----------------

"So, that's two tablets of the Amoxicillin, twice daily.  She's gonna be
just fine."

"Thanks, Karen.  Both you and Dr. Madesko have been great.  We weren't sure
what to expect when she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease but my little Tilly
seems like she's going to be okay now."

Tilly was a 4-year old Border Collie with beautiful markings.  She had come
in the day before and was admitted to the hospital for treatment,
antibiotics and fluids.  She was slightly dehydrated and very lethargic when
she came in but was already doing much better.

"Yeah, the tricky part is going to be keeping her quiet.  She seems like
quite the little spitfire."

"Oh, that's my girl."

"And, not the easiest dog to get pills into either.  She somehow manages to
eat around them when we put it in her food.  Unfortunately, you'll have to
open her mouth and do it the old-fashioned way."

"I've never had to do that before."

"Oh, it's easy.  I can show you."

Karen stepped around behind Tilly and got into a position where she could
easily hold her with her legs and still have easy access to her mouth.
Tilly's owner was trying to pay attention to Karen's demonstration but was
paying more attention to Karen than Tilly.  He was about Karen's height with
a modest build.  He had short, spikey hair and glasses.  He was very much
the studious type and Karen had learned that he was a professor at one of
the local community colleges.  His name was Mr. Aldo but he had insisted
that Karen call him Justin.

Although he was looking at Karen's face and listening to the words coming
out of her mouth, he found himself transfixed more on her beautiful face
than the explanation of how to pill his dog.  There was something about
sending patients home that always made Karen's face light up.  She smiled.
She talked to the pets.  And she really enjoyed educating the owner on
everything they would need to do when they got home.

"So, it really isn't that difficult at all.  Wanna try it?"

"Huh?"  Justin snapped back to reality but wasn't quite sure what Karen had
just said.

"Do you want to try it while you're here?"

"Oh, uhm, nah, I think I can handle it."

"Okay, well, if you have any problems, you can always bring her by and I can
show you again."

"Sounds great!"

"Alright, Til.  We'll see you back in a few weeks for a recheck, sweetie,"
Karen said as she bent down to pet the dog.

"Thanks again," Justin said as he turned and headed towards the door.  He
took about four steps before turning back around.  "Hey, Karen."

"Yes?"

"I don't usually do this but, uhm, I was just wondering what you're doing
for dinner tonight."

"Oh!"  Karen was floored.  She was not expecting to get hit on at work and
it caught her off guard.  It wasn't as if she looked her best.  She was in
medical scrubs and had her hair tied up to keep it out of her face (and to
keep young kittens from batting at it while she worked on them).  "I, uhm.
Nothing."

"Would you be interested in going out?"

"I, uhh," part of her wanted to say 'yes' but she just couldn't bring
herself to do it.  "I can't.  I'm sorry."

"Oh, no, that's fine."  Justin tried to hide his disappointment and figured
that she must have a boyfriend already.  Why wouldn't she?  She was
gorgeous!  "I didn't mean to.."

"No, no.  You didn't.  It's okay."  Karen was nervous.  Not only had she
never been hit on at work but it had been years since anyone had hit on her
at all.

"Well, thanks again."  Justin turned back around to avoid any more awkward
conversation and started to walk out.

"Uhm, Justin," Karen called after him.

"Yeah?"

"Maybe some other night?"

Justin smiled.  "I'd like that.  Should I call you?"

"I have your number here.  I'll call you."

"I look forward to it."  Justin's disappointment had been quickly replaced
by feelings of anticipation and happiness.

Karen raised her hand and waived to him.  Justin waived back, turned around
and walked right into the door.  "OW!  Shit!"  He rubbed his head.  Karen
put her hand over her mouth and stifled a laugh.  She walked over to him.

"You alright?"

"Nothing bruised but my ego," he chuckled as he opened the door.

"Okay," Karen chuckled back.

"I'll talk to you later."

He waived to her and walked to the car.  "C'mon Tills.  We're goin' home."

Karen smiled and went back inside.  The receptionist looked up at her with a
huge grin.

"So!  Going out with the dashing Mr. Aldo?"

"Maybe.  I don't know.  I don't think I'm really ready but I didn't want to
just blow him off either."

"Oh, nonsense.  Nothing says you have to go out and marry the guy.  Just go
out, tell him the truth and have a good time.  You deserve it!"

"I guess you're right.  We'll see."

Karen walked into the back of the hospital with a little more of a spring in
her step than she had before.

----------------

Gary's mother had just gotten home from work when she heard a knock at the
door.

"God dammit.  Can't even get in the fuckin' door and get settled without
someone wanting something.  Probably some god damned salesman."  She angrily
made her way towards the door and flung it open.  "Oh my God!  What the fuck
are you doing here?"

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I was ... just ... looking for Gary."

"Yeah, well, he's not here.  And, frankly, you shouldn't be."

"I don't understand."

"Look.  Just get the fuck out."

She slammed the door on Mike's face.