Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2014 08:23:13 +1100
From: maxwell Dowling <maxieplus@hotmail.com>
Subject: Never Give Up 21 (Revised)

Never Give Up 21

By Maxieplus
Please feel free to e-mail me at ...maxieplus@hotmail.com

Dan and I had grown closer, he was more attentive to me and I lapped it up.
I still drove him to training and the games but we didn't linger too long
at the bar, it was too crowded and I eventually had a word with the
manager. He said they were going to extend it but with the money that was
available, it won't be for another three years yet. I suggested he stop all
the hangers on going there, the boys needed their space and the intention
of having the bar in the first place was for them to wind down.


He agreed with me and said,

"Maybe it's a solution, there are too many public members going there now."

So I noticed the following week a sign had been erected, "Only players and
their guests will be permitted entry to this bar", as a result the crowd
was halved in no time. It was just like old times going there so Dan and I
lingered longer and caught up with Matt and John, they were excited about
the boutique and said all the boys were happy for me. I said,

"Well the boys automatically get a twenty five percent discount that
includes all players."

I designed the shop setup with a minimum fuss and the office, tearoom and
storage were nearly finished. Adam had moved with his chandeliers and
venetian mirrors, my side looked like an industrial warehouse, it looked
fabulous. They complimented themselves beautifully. My stock arrived and my
first container load was unpacked.

The boys helped me price and organise the racks hanging from the
ceiling. The shop was called simply "Cody Mitchell". I had an opening night
and Adam invited a lot of his clientele to come, the till was operating and
the sales were flowing like the champagne. Adam's girls and boys were busy
also. I had a small parade with the boys in their suits and the press were
there.

Jaques was in heaven and he bought some clothes. He said,

"Cody why haven't I seen these designs?"

I replied,

"You did Jaques but you didn't take them, I tweaked the sketches and came
up with these new ones for my shop."

He was so happy he couldn't stop laughing. When I was interviewed I
mentioned Armani several times and how grateful I was to them.

My boys strutted their stuff, April and mum also did their bit but the
highlight was Mr and Mrs L, they walked out and looked so natural and
nervous everyone gave them a standing ovation. Not to be out done Mike
appeared in his speedos and a tank top, he took the mike and said, "The
underwear and swimwear collection is on the way", we all booed him off the
small catwalk. He wiggled his bum as he left.

Everything was perfect, Dan and I drove home holding hands and he kept
telling me how proud of me he was. I said to him,

"Dan when my underwear collection gets here I want to know if you will do
the bikini shots."

He looked at me and said,

"No you don't Codes, get Mike to do them."

We made love forever and he got us off twice. We were just talking and
groping each other not wanting sleep to part us. He reached over and pulled
an envelope out of his drawer. He said happy six month anniversary Codes, I
was floored.

"Dan you remembered?"

"Of course I did Codes, what sort of a boyfriend would I be if I forgot."

I pulled my drawer out and gave him his present. Now it was his turn to be
stunned. I opened mine first, it was the title to a new penthouse apartment
on the Brisbane river and had both our names on it. I looked at him
quizzically and he said he had a great offer on his apartment that he'd
accepted so he bought this property because of the security features and
it's position, it looked straight up the river and out to sea and also
because my grandfather had designed the building.

I cried and said,

"Dan you cant afford this."

He said he will only have to put very little towards it, he was getting a
record amount for his apartment. So it didn't cost that much and anyway I
had given him a four million dollar house on the beach therefore he wanted
to do the same for me. I kissed him deeply and thanked him profusely and
made him promise I could pay for the furnishings. He then opened his
present, also an envelope with a very dirty mushy card inside from Surfer
Dude.

"Two tickets to Spain." He said,

"What?"

I said,

"Brush up on your English Dan we are off to Spain when the season is over,
the people that were renting mum's villa had to return to America so we can
go there anytime. There was a caretaker looking after it so we didn't have
to worry about upkeep, my mum had virtually given us the villa."

He was so wrapped he hugged me to him and as he held me he stuck his finger
in my bum.

I said, "I hope you don't mind Dan but I also got flights for your mum and
dad, Mike, Luke and Jamie, they will be there for two weeks and us for
three."

He said,

"Mum and Dad are going to be so happy Codes they haven't been anywhere."

I said, "Neither have we Dan but doing it this way we won't miss them and
it gives them time to get passports organised."

His fingers were in me now and he moved on top of me, I put my legs around
his waist he entered me and gently started to move, the sensations I was
feeling were wonderful. I reached around and probed his tight ass and he
came soon after. Exhausted, we were well spent, I wiped us off and spooned
him, nothing was said, it was just us and everything was well.

In the morning the boys made us breakfast we gave them their airline
tickets, they screamed and jumped up and down like school kids. I added
that they were all inclusive, their jobs were covered and so was any food
and shopping they wanted to do, they were stoked. They both would be on
holidays about the time I set so no problems there. Armani sent me a big
bunch of Irises, I looked at Dan and smiled, he said, "I know Codes, I
never forgot."

"Boys can you take mum, dad and Mike's tickets to them so they can get
started on their passports." Dan said.

"Sure Dan we leave after the game saturday so will do it then." Luke
replied,

"So your not coming home?" He added.

"Not this time Luke, Dan and I just want to enjoy some time together", I
said.

"Dan what do you want to do today?"

"Just chill out with you babe, maybe we can have a barbecue lunch and then
go look at our new place."

"That would be great Dan."

I fell in love with the new apartment, it was beautifully designed and the
views are unbelievable. I did ring mum to tell her about it and what Dan
had done. She was so pleased, yes you guessed it, she owned the penthouse
in the same block.

It's been rented by a computer recluse for the last few years. He doesn't
seem to come out of his apartment at all and all his groceries are
delivered.

The rest of the week was uneventful, I went to training with Dan and we
hung around the bar for a couple of hours, the club was still on top of the
ladder.

My next appointment was due to arrive, Maria Condorus.

I prepared coffee and italian biscuits for her arrival. I figured with a
name like that she had to be Italian.

An old Peugeot ambled carefully up the driveway and into the yard. I
watched as a small woman dressed in a floral dress emerged pulling her
oversized handbag behind her.

Her hair was pulled back into a bun and she swept up a few strands and
patted them down, took a deep breath and walked to the door.

I greeted her with a smile and bade her come in. We sat on the verandah
because it was a lovely day and I fetched the coffee and biscuits.

"Now Maria what can I do for you today?"

"Well Mr Mitchell I would like you to design me a new dress, not for a
special occasion but one I can wear if I have the need to."

"Okay, firstly it's Cody or my nickname Squirt, Mr Mitchell is too formal."

I started to sketch for her.

"Do you have any children Maria?" I enquired.

"Yes Mr Cody I have two beautiful boys, they are all grown up now and I am
very proud of both of them. My husband is in the food business so the boys
help him out."

"Mr Cody this house is magnificent, is it yours?"

"Yes Maria, it belongs to myself and my partner. My grandparents built it
years ago and left it to my mum, she gave it to myself and Dan.

It has a two bedroom apartment downstairs where Dan's brother and his
friend live.

"Oh, you have a big family", she said as she played with her handkerchief.

"Well not really Maria, I am an only child. My dad passed away a few years
ago so there's only mum and me but Dan has two brothers, his parents live
on a farm not far from here, they are hard, honest, working people not
unlike yourself I am guessing?"

"His brother Luke and his partner Jamie live downstairs, James and I have
been welcomed into Luke's family without question."

"Luke is going to university to become a doctor, James is also a top
footballer but his interest is more in architecture, he's amazing at what
he does. It's going to take both of them years to complete their studies."

"It must take a lot of money to do all that study."

"It does Maria but Dan and I have it covered, they will always have both of
us looking out for them.

Jamie's parents are not in the picture anymore, for whatever, unknown
reason they seem to have disowned him from what his brother was telling
him. So we are looking out for him, he's a beautiful man with a wonderful
heart."

I was watching her with a cautious smile, she gasped.

I was spot on with my suspicions.

"Well Maria this is your design however it's not completed yet, I want to
think on it some more but I can tell you a story with what I have done so
far.

I have designed for you an afternoon tea frock because I am guessing you
don't go out at night much.

The colour is three shades of blue, they represent the three boys in your
life.  The lace represents the delicate balanced way you have lived your
life, not upsetting anyone you come in contact with. It also means
tradition that can't or won't be broken even if it means separation from
the ones you love.

The pink cowl back represents your girls that were never born, they are
with you in spirit and hug you constantly and the belt is the chain that
links your large family together. If you look at the buckle detail it has
hearts and crosses engraved on it and this represents God and his love for
all of us, there is more to the story but it's not finished yet.

I will do the detailed designs tonight and make another appointment for you
next week.

If you decide to go ahead with it you can go to my workroom or I can
measure you here."

"Oh Cody, it's just beautiful and you described my life completely. I
certainly will have it made maybe I will have a very special occasion to
wear it."

"Maybe you will Maria."

I spilt my coffee down my t shirt.

"Oops, sorry Maria what a klutz I am."

I took another off the clothesline at the other end of the porch.

"Please excuse me while I change."

I took the stained shirt off facing away from her.

I heard a gasp and a loud sob.

When I turned around she was sitting there with her mouth open wanting but
not wanting to say something.

"I apologise Maria, I should have gone inside."

"Oh no trouble Cody, what in gods name happened to you?"

I took a deep breath and said,

"I don't like to talk about it Maria but I will say just this. Someone who
I thought loved me abused me and with the help of another man, they threw
me through a plate glass window because they didn't like the dinner I
provided for them and they were on drugs at the time"

"There's a lot more but that's all I can tell you. Please don't repeat what
I have told you to anyone."

"My god who would treat another human like this, I can't even comprehend
it, I'm so sorry Cody."

She hugged me hard.

I said to her, "When you go home Maria hug your boys and thank god they are
safe and happy."

She looked worried as she twisted her handkerchief.

I said, "Maria can I make this easier for you?"

She looked up and said, "You know don't you?"

I said, I suspected she was Jamie's mother by the way she kept looking
around for him.

"Yes I do know for sure now."

"I am so sorry Cody, I didn't want to deceive you but I had to see if my
son was all right. This was the only way that I could think of to see him,
he refuses to take our calls and I even wrote to him but the letter came
back unopened, his father and I are so worried about him."

I replied, "Maria, Jamie's fine, between the three of us here, his team
mates and Dan's family we have his back. There is no way on this earth we
would let James be hurt, he is our family and we will protect him always
because we all love him."

I added, "He was very upset you cancelled the luncheon some weeks back and
you sent Gino to Dan's twenty first to drag him home. He misses his parents
terribly but if you can't accept him the way it is, he's going to forge
ahead with Luke who I might add is his soulmate. They are so deeply in love
but Gino passed your message on to him that you didn't like his lifestyle
or Luke."

"Oh my God Cody!! That's not true, I know nothing about these things you
are saying."

"Then I want to hear your story because Maria I don't see a hateful bigot
in front of me, all I see is a loving mother."

"We were looking forward to meeting you and Dan but Gino said he called and
cancelled the luncheon. Had we known we would have come to Dan's twenty
first but I swear on my dear mother's grave we didn't receive an
invitation."

I said, "Well I think Gino has some explaining to do, don't you think?"

"He certainly does Cody, I know he's not happy that Jamie is gay but we are
okay with it.  We were disappointed of course, you must understand that but
we fell in love with Luke that day at our place, he's such a lovely boy. We
have come to terms with Jamie's choices, we are not the average Italian
family Cody we have moved with the times. We see so much love and also
unhappiness in the shop we see it as our duty to talk with the customers,
much like you are talking to me today. My sons are my life and I have to
speak with Jamie and explain we didn't know what was going on."

I said, "Well he will be here in about an hour and if you want you can
wait, I could finish you detail drawings while you do. Of course Maria
there will be no charge for this dress you are family and I don't charge
family."

"Cody thank you but I have some money put aside for something frivolous for
me."

"Okay then here's what you do, I will have your dress made and you and Mr
Rosano could take Jamie and Luke to a nice restaurant one lunchtime, your
shout and you can show off your new dress, is that frivolous enough?"

She laughed and agreed then she asked to use the phone as she had to ring
her husband Stefano. She would explain and tell him she would be late for
the shop and ask if he could have a talk with Gino.

"That boy is going to apologise to you all and then we will see what he was
thinking about. He's usually a good boy so this is so out of character
Cody."

"Well he was removed from this property the day of the party Maria, he was
pretty full on about you wanting Jamie home to ask the Church's
forgiveness."

"Ah that may be the answer Cody, he goes to a different church than us, we
don't like it there, the priest seems too much against everything good in
the world, we don't like him. But Gino goes there all the time, maybe he's
too involved anyway, I will talk to his father."

"Okay you use the phone, I will make fresh coffee and finish my work,
measure you up and get this outfit sorted.

I went to the kitchen then got started on the detail drawings.

When she came back she told me that Stefano was going to speak with Gino
tonight. She said he was very upset and told her to take her time.

The bell rang and Jamie and Luke bounded up the stairs.

"Mum! why are you here, has something happened to dad?" Jamie said.

"No Jimmy, your dad's fine. I am here because I love and miss my son and I
missed Luke also. I'm having a dress made by Mr Cody and he was telling me
some interesting things about Gino. Please son don't think we sent him,
he's been playing games with you and your father is going to sort it out
tonight. Come here and give your momma a hug I've missed you so much."

Jamie started crying, he hugged his mum tenderly so did Luke. I said,

"Why don't you all go onto the porch and talk, I'll bring fresh coffee."

Dan arrived. He said,

"Who's that lady out there?"

"Jamie's mum Dan, seems Gino's been doing some shit stirring."

We had a great night and laughed at Maria's stories about her sons. Jamie
asked about the pizza cafe and she said he was missed by everyone, they
both had no idea why he quit but his father has been putting money aside
every week hoping you would return.

"Did you receive a letter from me and your Poppa?"

Jamie replied, "No mum."

"Well something else to add to Gino's list of wrongs."

"Momma you know that I wouldn't return any communication from you and Poppa
that would be so disrespectful."

"We were hurt but now I know the truth."

The boys showed her their apartment and she was truly happy for them.

She hugged me goodbye and said, "I am sorry I intruded but he's my son, I
had to do something."

"That's quite all right Maria I understand, I nearly was at the point of
coming to you and Stefano and I would have once I found the time."

"Don't ever be afraid of us Cody, I know I will learn to love you and Dan
as much as my boys."

The season was full on and the following saturday we headed for Sydney. Dan
had booked us into the Hilton for a treat, James and Luke had a room down
the hall to us. The game was a loss for us but the boys held their own and
didn't lose by much. We all met at the bar and everyone was down but tried
to have a good time. As usual the papers were there and lots of photos were
taken as we arrived.


Jamie and Luke were talking with Larry and April, they seemed to be in good
spirits and after awhile they made their excuses and left for their
room. Dan and I only stayed a further ten minutes, said our goodnights to
everyone and headed for our room. We came across a very upset Jamie, he was
alone and pacing up and down the corridor.

"What's the matter James?"

"Fuck Cody, Dan there was a photographer in the hall when we got out of the
lift, he snapped a photo of us holding hands. Luke took after him down the
fire escape, he told me to stay here."

I said, "Dan take Jamie to his room and I'll go find Luke."

I ran down the fire escape about three floors down and saw Luke sitting on
a step.

"I couldn't catch him Cody, he was too fast."

"Okay Luke no problem, let's get you home."

"I told Jamie to stay there, it could have got nasty actually, apart from
thinking of smashing his camera I really didn't have a plan." He laughed.

"Well you did your best Luke, don't worry about it, the photo may not show
anything."

We returned to the room and I ordered coffee for us all. Jamie was a bit
upset but I assured him that all would be fine and not to worry." After all
you were only holding hands and it may not be clear."

We heard a knock on the door.

"Wow, that was quick." Dan said.

I opened it and there was a nice looking young man standing there, he had
security tags pinned to his jacket.

"Is Mr Lawrence and Mr Rosano here sir?"

I bid him to come in.

He said his name was Harry and he was head security guard on the night
shift.

He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a micro chip and said.

"I believe that what you are looking for is on this photo chip Mr
Lawrence."

He handed it to Luke who was dumbstruck.

"We observed the photographer outside the lift on the security camera so we
dispatched two men to intercept him as he alighted the stair well", he told
us.

"After a very persuasive conversation with the police, he decided to do the
right thing and hand it over."

"Sir, we at the Hilton pride ourselves in keeping our guests safe and
secure and we apologise for this error. The photographer slipped through
our ranks, he was trespassing and harassing our honoured guests so when we
pointed out to him what he did was illegal, he agreed with us and handed
over the photograph."

The waiter came with our coffee and we invited Harry to stay but he had to
return to work. All's well again but it could have been worse so we had to
come up with a plan for the future. Dan was all for calling the papers and
outing himself there and then but Jamie was a little upset with that idea.

When we got back into our room Dan couldn't get me into bed soon enough, he
was so horny he didn't wait to even take his top off or to get his usual
massage, we were all over each other.

The next day we flew home and there was a small piece in the sport pages
about the hand holding incident but no names were mentioned.

It was good to be back in my own bed. We rang Dan's mum and then my mum to
let them know we were home safe. Mike was coming for a visit and he asked
if he could invite Debs over on sunday, they had hit it off at Dan's party
and had kept in touch. Of course that was more than okay.

Dan went off with Jamie to do a TV segment then a photo shoot for a footy
magazine. I didn't have much to do so I sat on the porch with my sketch
book and started to do some work. It was going great and I was enjoying the
sun when something shone in my eyes so I looked up and spied a boat
anchored off the beach about a half mile out, I thought maybe it's one of
the neighbours out fishing but I could see two men in the boat, they looked
like they were just waiting for something.

I went inside and looked into the telescope that was set up in the family
room, I saw the two men, they had video and cameras set up in the boat. Oh
my god, they were spying on us. I grabbed my phone and rang Dan.

"What do I do Dan it's obvious that they are spying on us."

He said, "Leave it to me Squirt, I'll ring you back."

Within ten minutes the Coast Guard arrived and moved them on.

I rang Dan back and said, "All sorted Dan thank you, I miss you babe when
are you coming home?"

He said, "We are nearly finished here so we will be home within the hour."

We reluctantly said our goodbyes and I went back to my sketching.

I had taken Dan's suggestion and dropped back to three customers a week.

The store was going good guns and I already had my next container
organised.

We all sat on the porch for dinner, it was another magic night.



Dan

Well the shit hit the fan the next day when I opened the paper, there was a
half page photo of Codes sitting on the porch no shirt on and his notebook
in hand.

The headline read, "Top designer shows his battle scars."

The story was about his beatings by his drugged up flatmate and dealer. It
was only half a story, part truth part fantasy.

I closed the paper and took it into the den where I read it through.

The photo showed off Squirts many scars, the other photo showed a close up
of the one on his leg.

The phone rang and I ran to the sunroom and grabbed it before Codes could
pick it up, it was his mum.

"Dan I am reading the paper, is Cody okay?"

"At the moment yes mum but I haven't shown it to him yet, he doesn't know."

"Okay Dan, I won't trouble you but please let me know if you want me to
come over, good luck, I love you."

"Love you too mum, I will be in touch."

I pulled the phone out of the socket then went from room to room and did
the other three. I spied his mobile on the bench and shut it off.

Cody was doing some washing from the weekend, I rang the bell and went
downstairs to talk to Luke.

They had just got up so were still in their underwear I said,

"Guys I think Cody's going to need us today more than ever."

I showed them the two pages I had taken from the paper they read it and
sighed,

"Who the hell has been talking to the papers Dan, this is only a bit of the
story but the rest is crap."

"I take it you haven't told Codes yet?" said Jamie.

"No", I replied. "I don't know how to fucking start to tell him, this will
rock him, guys I need you to stay close to the house today, I may need back
up."

"Sure no problem Dan we only have some study to do so will be in all day."

"Okay", I said. "Wish me luck."

They both hugged me and I went back upstairs.

"Good morning my beautiful boy, what you been doin?" I said.

"Hi gorgeous hunk, been washing your manly knickers", he replied.

"Well I hope you haven't been sniffing them Codes, they get a bit rank on
the field."

"Codes can we have coffee and chill on the porch for awhile, there's
something I have to talk with you about."

"Sure Dan I'll bring it out."

When we settled I pulled him onto my lap and stroked him, he only had his
shorts on so my mind wasn't on the job at hand, I quickly snapped out of it
and said,

"Codes there's something that's happened and we need to discuss it but I
really don't know where to start only that I adore you and love you so much
everyday is a bonus to wake up next to you."

"Dan are you dumping me?"

"No Codes be serious, I'd never do that to you, I'm just trying to tell you
something but I really can't just blurt it out."

"Oh that's okay Dan I thought you were dumping me for that wimpy school
boy."

"Codes it's serious, I need to tell you something." He cut me off,

"I already know Dan."

"What you know? No you don't Codes not this."

"Yes I do Dan and I even know who leaked part of my story to the
newspapers."

"What, how?"

"Dan I already skimmed through the newspaper earlier, you were sound asleep
and I thought I would get a head start with the washing. Most of the story
is bullshit, you know that Dan. The photos were from yesterday I will be
more careful in future."

"And your good with this?"

"Dan of course I'm not good with it being plastered all over the news, but
what's done is done I can't change it. I am furious with Jamie's mum and
more mad at his brother."

"What? what have they got to do with it?"



He told me what he had done in front of Maria and thought she must have in
some way told Stefano, maybe that rat Gino overheard them talking. But the
story I told is the same as the one in the paper, so it had to be him. It
wasn't the true story, I had told Maria just the one that was printed. Put
two and two together Dan, I got Gino, bingo."

I rang the bell and the boys were there in seconds fawning over Codes.