Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 01:02:13 +0000
From: Steve Thomas <stevethomas535@hotmail.com>
Subject: Outing for Brian, Chapter 20

Outing for Brian, Chapter 20

This is a work of pure fiction, but based on the author's feelings,
beliefs, and in some cases, experience.  Come to think of it -- it might
not be all that pure! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times
between men, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat.  If you
are too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this kind
if story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here.  If not, - -
ENJOY!

 Cast of characters:

Brian Weber -- That's me!
Deena -- my wife (Deceased)
Ronny -- my son.
Gary Foosdorf -- My Sweetheart
Dmitri Polczek-- Neighbor
Ericka -- Dmitri's wife
Alexandra -- Dmitri's daughter
Muhammad Zarindast – Friend
Stan -- Muhammad's Afghan hound.
Mick Azerov – 26-year-old American Freedom Contender
Keyvan & Sohrab -- Persian wards.
Michele – Mo's wife and Keyvan & Sohrab's sister
Colin -- Gary's cousin
Jake -- Colin's husband
Uri -- Colin's and Jake's son
Ursula -- Colon's and Jake's daughter
Liv (Olivia) - Uri and Ursula's Mother
Chris -- Jakes Cousin
Craig -- Chris's partner
Seth -- Chris's brother
Luke -- Seth's partner


Author's note:

Okay, many of you have written to me and told me that you actually LIKE
sappy, corny and cheesy!  What can I say, except - So do I!

From chapter 19:

We returned to Salt Lake city several shades darker than we left it.  Gary
looked so hot with his suntanned face and body!

Our last night in Salt Lake City, we relaxed.  Nothing but laying around
the hotel room, pool and spa, watching some pay per view on the TV, and
trying to imitate what the porn-studs were doing, but finally giving up and
doing our much wilder version.  We were up early the next morning, drove to
the airport, turned in our convertible and arrived back at Sacramento
International, picked up by Ronny and Mick in my Avalanche.

The boys were all anxious to see our pictures and hear our stories.  We
glossed over most of our night activities, but told just enough to make
them all drool, (yes, even Ronny, Mick and the boys!) because we didn't
really give any of the sordid details.  Only teasers that were not
inappropriate for horny teenagers!

Chapter 20

7 years have past since Gary and I became a couple. About three years after
we all were married, Mohamed approached Gary and me about another rescue
mission in Tehran. He would not even think of letting Ron go this time,
because Ron's wife was five months pregnant with their little boy.  Yeah,
I'm a grandpa now, but a young one with plenty of experience doing what he
asked of us. Ronnie begged me not to go, and Mohamed rescinded his
invitation, and left it up to Gary if he should go.

"Brian, you know that Mohamed would not put me at risk anymore than
necessary, and also I will be a driver as before, so not in as immediate
danger as the others."

Gary went and - - didn't come back. Mohamed sent a letter telling me he was
not worthy to speak to me face to face, but to inform me that there was not
enough of anything of Gary's being to bring back.  On the day that I
received the letter, Mohamed showed up at my door.

"It was cowardly of me to send a letter, my friend, if I can ever call you
that again."

I couldn't even talk. All I could do was watch him walk back to his truck,
Stan in tow, seemingly as distraught as his master was.

It was Ronny who reminded me that I would never have peace until I found
forgiveness- for Mo, for Gary and for myself. I yelled at my own son for
that. I never used to yell at Ronny.

"Dad," he said with wet eyes, as he closed my door, to head home, "Think
about it."

I did think about it, and when I could not get any resolution that way, and
after gallons of tears, I found myself kneeling beside my bed.

"Father, I know you wouldn't have me bitter, but I'm stuck!  Please help me
deal with this." I cried out. Now I was yelling at God! I didn't feel much
better by the end of my prayer.

After my prayer I fell into a troubled sleep.  "Brian." It came like a
whisper.  It was another dream.

"Bri, please forgive me."

"Gary?" I thought. It can't be - can it!

"Bri, please forgive me!"

"G-Gary?"

"I love you - no matter what, Bri. You have to forgive everyone - me, Mo
and most especially yourself."

I woke up with a start. I looked around, as if I might see him. Of course
he wasn't there. I felt cold and - numb. My body started to shake and I let
out a shuddering sob. I was on my back. I turned over and screamed out my
agony.

I guess my pillow didn't muffle it enough. After about 5 minutes Saaby was
kneeling at my bedside.

"Poppy, Poppy, what's wrong?"

If it was Ron he would have been in the bed consoling me, but I couldn't
allow the boys that privilege. They both were still too confused, since
their dad would - take advantage of them.

"Saaby, I had a dream. I'm sorry I woke you up."

"Can I do anything, Poppy?"

"I feel better already, knowing you care,"

"Poppy, I love you no matter what!"

"Wha-WHAT?"  It rang over and over in my head: "I love you no matter what!"

I whimpered and then told Saaby I'd be okay and to go back to bed. "I love
you too, Sab."

I quietly whimpered and cried most of the night. As soon as it was decently
late enough to call in the morning I pushed Mo's number.

"Hello my friend." Said a sad sounding Mo.

I couldn't talk. After a long moment "Bri, what can I do for you?  Whatever
you ask will not be enough."

"M-Mo, it's - it's not your fault. You were only- "

"Brian, I can't ever even forgive myself, please - "

"MO, JUST SHUT UP AND LET ME TALK!" I screamed. I started crying
again. "Just a moment, Mo."

I set the phone down and again buried my face in my pillow and screamed and
cried for about 30 seconds. I picked the phone up and with a very hoarse
voice said, "Please stop telling me it's your fault. In the first place
it's not, in the second, you have done something wonderful for many young
men."

"But I could have - "

"Please Mo, Really: stop! I forgive you. I really need you to forgive
yourself, so that every time we meet or see each other, across the street
or at family doings you can look me in the eye!  Gary's gone (sob) and
nothing we can do will bring him back.  I'll love him forever, and will
also forever be indebted to you for bringing us together.  I never knew
what love was until Gary. And (sob) your refusing to – forgive yourself,
and allowing me to do the same, just makes things that much worse.  Can you
understand this?"

"In my country, "

"How many times must I remind you – you are an American now!  Will you
please try?  If not, I forgive you for that too.  I don't want to lose you
as a friend.  We used to be able to tell each other anything – that's
the Mo I want back."

"I'll try, my friend" he replied, still sounding sad.

The kids, (Saaby and Keyvan) were really young adults now.  Both were
becoming doctors.  They had jobs, but Mo insisted that they still take care
of the horses and all that entailed.  Saaby was quite content with that,
but Kev was not so satisfied.  Both had special friends, (a girlfriend for
Saaby, and a boyfriend for Keyvan) but there wasn't much time for that in
their life.  It was always a challenge for Mo to convince Kev to stay in
school.  He wasn't as motivated as Saaby was.

They both drive Mercedes by this time.  Mo spoiled them almost as much as
he did me.  He bought me a brand new Cad Escalade EXT pickup truck.  Of
course I vociferously objected, but Mo had a way to justify things and
would not back down.  This was the reason I was worried that things between
us would never be the same. He bought a Ferrari for Gary and it stayed in
the garage.  I decided this was silly.  It's only a car, after all: so I
gave it to Ronny!  It won't be much good for his family, but he and Rachel
love driving it. Besides, Mo bought them a Lexus SUV as a wedding gift.

Back to the present.

Everyone was badgering me to start dating.  I stood firm: "I'm not ready!"

"It's been four years, my friend," reasoned Mo, "You must have someone to
complete you."  He told me many times.

We were all invited to Mo's place across the street, for Michele's birthday
– on Memorial Day.  Everyone in the family was there, including a young
man I had not met. "Ashtad, I would like to introduce you to my best
friend, Brian Weber.  Brian, this is my cousin, Ashdad."

Ashtad shyly presented his hand to me.  "Nice to meet you, Ashtad."  I
said.  He was about an inch shorter than I – tall for a Persian – had
almond, almost round black eyes and long dark red hair tied at the neck and
going halfway down his back.  I'm sure if it were untied, it would reach
almost to his waist.  I wondered if he was a model.

He smiled and said quietly, "Please call me Ash."

At his smile, I was dumbstruck.  Up close he didn't look quite as young and
his smile brought out wrinkles that were previously not apparent.  Quietly
again, he said, "Mo has told me somewhat about you."

Oh, has he?! I thought.  "Are you just visiting – or are you going back
to Iran?"

He smiled mischievously.  "Do I sound like I'm from Iran?"

I felt SO stupid!  He had no accent – at all!  I turned red.  He
giggled, (He giggled?) and said both his parents were brought here a teens.
He grew up in Palm Springs. (If I weren't so nervous, I would not have
missed that very obvious clue!)

"I – I – I guess I'm busted!"  I stammered.  I felt like I was a
teenager again!

"Ash is a program designer at Intel down in Folsom." Said Mo.  Fortunate
for me, Mo didn't mention what I "did".  At Mo's almost insistent
recommendation, before Gary left, we both got multi-million-dollar life
insurance policies in case "something" should happen to either of us.  I
was – at least at present – unemployed/retired.

I thought about Gary every day.  I was no longer devastated, but there was
always a dull ache when I thought of him.  "Palm Springs, huh? Your parents
must have felt right at home."

"Oh, there's lots of snow in Iran."  He gave an almost inaudible giggle.
He was playing with me!  But I was onto him now!  I also figured out that
what I thought was shyness was the probably reserve that seems to run is
Mo's family.  Or – maybe it was a Persian thing.

"Yeah there's snow in Palm Springs too – especially if you want to go up
to it – just like in Tehran!"

Ash looked at me, tilted his head and said, "OH!  That's right!  You've
been there!  I guess you got me there!" and he laughed.  "Where do you
live?" he asked.

I smiled and pointed, "Over there."

"Oh." He said and then, OH!  You're Keyvan and Saaby's guardian!"

"Well, not any more.  They live in my basement, but they are protιgιs
of Mo.  I haven't been responsible for them since Mo, Michele and their
mother moved in here."

"What my friend is not telling you," said Mo, "is that he is everything to
those young men.  He has taught them to be Americans – he and Ron, and
he is trying to make me one too!"  We all laughed at that.  "Not an easy
task! Why don't you take Ash and show him your stables.  He too is an
excellent horseman.  You have plenty enough time before sunset if you want
to take a ride. We will eat between 8 and 8:30."

"My cousin is still on Persian time!"  Said Ash, laughing again.  I could
get used to that laugh.

As were about to go out the door, Mo added, "You may as well take to your
satchel along so you have something to dine in.  Ash can clean up over
there, Brian?"

"No problem!"  I said as I closed the door.

"He's pretty transparent, isn't he?" said Ashtad.

"He can be subtle when he needs to be.  I think he was giving us a broad
hint!"  I laughed.

Since we had plenty of time, we decided to take Mo's advice and go for a
ride.  Of course there was no need to borrow Dmitri's horses.  "I love that
you have preserved a rustic look for these ultra modern stables!"  Said
Ash.

"That was kind of Mo's idea.  The architect had a shouting match with Mo
over it!  Well, the architect shouted, at least.  Ronny and I built the
original stable after his mother died."

"I'm sorry." Said Ash.

"Thanks.  So to keep us busy and to work together on something, Ronny and I
built the stable.  It was – putting it nicely, `rustic'.  But it was our
project and Mo would not take that away from Ronny – or me."

"I've heard him speak of Ronny.  So he's your son. Hmm."  Ash said, seeming
far away for a moment.  "Mo wants children – a child – a boy – so
badly!  I wonder - "

" – if maybe he doted on my son – to assuage his own longing?"  At
Ash's nod, I said, "I've wondered about that."

"There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with either of them."  He added.

"He could sour his own – sperm supply," I started, "if - he is very set
on his own – uhh "

"Guilt?"  He asked.

I was stunned.  How could – but of course!  If he knows about me, he
knows about Gary. I immediately clouded up.

"You look sad, Bri." (Did he just call me Bri?)  "Oh, how insensitive of
me!  Gary was your - "

"Partner."

"Omigosh!  I am so sorry and ... Gosh, I can almost feel your pain!"  Said
Ash, looking like any moment he would cry as well.

"Oh, if only you could have known him!"

"I did know him!  When I told you that Mo told me about you – he didn't
tell me that you were the one who stole Gary from me!"

"You – he – I – what?!"  I exclaimed.

"Oh it's not like I made it sound.  I loved Gary – from afar – like
everyone else!"  I have spent several evenings over at my cousin's down in
Citrus Heights, either dining with him or playing silly games with him and
Mo.  I didn't know that you were the one who stole his heart.  You know he
was pretty distraught when you decided to go to Tehran the first time."
(I'd almost forgotten about that!)  I got a faraway look on my face and a
tear started to form in my left eye. "Oh I'm so sorry!" He said I've done
it again! I don't seem to know when to keep my mouth shut!"

"No, it's quite okay.  I needed to be reminded of – of – that." I
said woodenly.

"Do you mind if we go bareback?"

"What?!"

"I don't like saddles.  I like to ride bareback. Is there a horse that will
– oh! Is that Red?!" he said, indicating a tall chestnut in the far
stall. I pointed at the name over the gate.  "May I?"

"He's pretty skitterish."

"Oh, we're friends from way back!"  Ash said approaching the gate.  "C'mere
Red." He almost oozed.  Red perked up and turned to him, as Ash grabbed a
carrot.  He nickered appreciatively and Ash stroked his cheek and forelock.
"He likes me close – bareback would be perfect!"

"Oh! Of course."  I said, glad for the change in subject, "I prefer it
too."

We put the bareback pads on and secured the bridles and reins.  Red snorted
and started to dance around a bit and Ash gently said, "You remember me,
don'tcha, Red?"  Red looked wary for another few seconds as Ash whispered
soothingly to him, as if coddling a baby. He took the lead and led him
through the gate and outside the stable.  He hopped easily up onto Red's
back, while Red stood perfectly still.  "Now you remember me, big guy,
don'tcha?"  All the while I looked on with my mouth agape.

Then I noticed it: Ash's hair was the same shade as Red's!

He rode the big horse around in circles, as he waited for me to come out.
"Which way?" He asked.  I pointed the trail going up to Dmitri's house.  As
we neared the entry, Dmitri came out.  I knew he would like to see my new
friend atop this spirited horse.

"Brian! How nice that you have graced me with your presence!  How long has
it been?"  It had been too long.  I was pretty much cloistered in my house
most of the time since ...

"And look!  You have brought me a beautiful stallion to gaze on!  And the
horse is not bad either!"

I laughed while Ash blushed.  "Oh, I am so brash sometimes, aren't I?"  He
exuded.

"Dmitri, this is Ashtad.  Ashtad, Dmitri.  We were just going riding.  I
thought you may like to saddle up Satan and - "

"Thank you, my friend, but I have a student doing scales while I came out
for a moment."

"Dmitri is a famous baritone - "

"Was a baritone, and famous it overstating it!" laughed Dmitri.  Now I eke
out a living teaching others the sing."

"Well, I know you were friends with Pavarotti."

"I'll do my own name dropping, Brian!"  He chided.  "I must get back.  You
two have fun!"  He waved and stepped back into the house.

"Is your neighbor gay?"

"He's got a wife and 2 kids.  Like me, it wasn't done when we were young or
got married."

"You too?  How did I miss the rainbow over your neighborhood?"  He snorted.

"I know you're not surprised!  I thought that was why Mo sent us out
together."  I quipped.

"You got me!  I wasn't gonna assume anything."  We trotted back to the
bridle path.

After a while, Red started to get skitterish again.  "This is the only
straightaway on the path.  He want's to run."  I said, nudging mine
forward.  She broke into a lope, but Red took that as his signal to jamb!
He soon outpaced my Morab mare, and we were both laughing and exuding in
the contest.  Morabs were developed in the 18th century as a carriage
horse.  They're quick and very well mannered, but cannot keep up with a
purebred Arabian, such as Satan or Red.

When we got to the end of the straightaway, we slowed to a canter.  Red
tried to trot, but Ash had a lot of charisma with this horse.  We then
showed to a walk for awhile while the horses cooled down, and stopped at
the small creek between Dmitri's and my properties.  The horses sucked up
the water, and after the last conversation, I was at a loss as to how to
continue.

"I love the rolling hills here.  How long have you been here?"

"We moved shortly before Deena died.  I've never regretted it!"

"It's hotter today than I expected.  Mind if I remove my shirt?"

I nodded He was riding in jeans and a tee.  He removed both his shirt and
hair band in one motion.  He put his head back and shook out his hair.  It
fell to about 2" short of his waist.  His torso was ripped as much as his
horse was!  He smiled shyly (or was it reserved?) when our eyes met.  I
felt a familiar tightening in my jeans.  I climbed back up on Lady. I
acquired the Morab just before Gary – left.  She was supposed to be his.
As I thought about that, the tightness went away.  He easily hopped up onto
Red and we loped for a time.

"We should probably get back and clean up for supper."  I said.

"It's only 6:30, but I agree." Said Ash.  "It's been awhile since I rode.
I saw a hot tub as we left for your neighbor's.  Mind if we - "

"Great idea.  That will make it easier for you to get up tomorrow morning.

"Yeah, I'm feeing it in my back already."

We walked the horses the rest of the way, took off their gear, curried for
awhile and went into the house

We shed our clothes. Everyone else was at Mo's, so we strode to the spa in
our own birthday suits.  I again felt that very familiar feeling – like
I was in junior high school again.  We showered and - I wasn't hard, but it
was respectably chubbed by the time I bent over to step into the spa.

"Nice."  He said.

I was still facing the other way and felt my ears get hot.  "I like these
tubs that don't have all the sculptured seating.  They're seldom made for
anyone over 5'-7" tall."  I doubt he heard my relieved sigh.  He sat and I
reached party over him to turn on the jets.  "Nice," he uttered again as my
stretched out meat hung by his shoulder.  He had sat down before I could
get a good look at his, and in the seating position, it was pulled way back
next to is body.

"You seem to know how to put a guy off-balance!"  I quipped, feeling
everything above my neck heat up.

"Sorry.  It's kind of a defensive mode I go into when some else is
... superior to me in `one way or the other'.  I probably don't have to
tell you what way I was referring to."

"How old are you, Ash, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Ah! Now you're trying to put me off-balance!  I'll be 48 in 2 months."

"NO WAY!"  I exclaimed.

"Now who's patronizing?"  He said.

"No really, I had you pegged more like 35.  Tell me something else."

"What's that?  He said, giggling again.

"Do you find yourself feeling like you're in junior high school again - -
too?"

I swear the next thing he did was guffah like Goofy!  He turned red and
said, "DUH!"

Notes: Were you as devastated as I to find out about Gary? Is four years on
ice enough?  Shall I keep going after this long interlude?  Let me know!
Luvnhugsnstuf, Steve