Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 10:52:12 -0800
From: Macout Mann <macoutmann@yahoo.com>
Subject: Sam Caldwell's Further Adventures 9

This story contains explicit sexual activity between men.  Please read no
further if you are offended by such or if you are a minor.  Any resemblance
to actual persons or activities depicted is purely coincidental, but actual
places and events are mentioned to add a sense of reality to the story.

Please also donate to nifty.org to keep stories like this one coming to you
free of charge.

And please let me know your reaction to the story.  It means a lot to hear
from readers.  Write me at macoutmann@yahoo.com.



                   SAM CALDWELL'S FURTHER ADVENTURES

                            by Macout Mann



                              Chapter 9

                              Celebrity


A week later, Win and Ron are both in their room studying.  Ron is already
having trouble in Freshman English, and he has prevailed on Mason Jackson,
another student in his class, to come by and help him with a writing
assignment.

When Mason arrives, Ron doesn't bother to introduce Win, and Win takes no
notice of the new arrival.  That is, until Mason notices Win's portrait.

"Hey, that's one neat picture," Mason exclaims.  "It's you, isn't it?"

Win turns around and smiles.  "Yes, it was done by a friend of mine."

"God it's good," Mason says, moving closer.  "It looks almost like an
illustration by Sam Caldwell."

Then he sees Sam's unique signature, "SamC" with a scribbled underline.

"It is a Caldwell!" Mason cries.  "You know him?"

"Yes, he's a good friend of the family," Win replies.  "I've known him
since I was four years old.  I even posed for some of his early books."

Mason looks more closely at Winn, then says, "Yes, I can see.  You were
Sandy Kelley.  I read 'Sandy's Lakeside Adventure' over and over when I was
in grammar school.  Don't you remember that book, Ron?"

Ron speaks for the first time.  "I never read any of that shit," he says.

"Maybe that's why you're about to flunk English," Mason retorts.  Turning
back to Win and extending his hand, he says, "I'm Mason Jackson."

"Winston Hart," Win responds.  "Good to meet you, Mason.  I'll have to tell
Sam he has a fan.  He's always saying it's only the author's name that
people remember."

"Not me.  I guess I was four or five when I got an Advent Calendar done by
Tasha Tudor.  The drawings were so wonderful.  Mom and Dad told me all
about her and how the books she illustrated had won all these important
awards.  So I always pay attention to who the illustrator is."

"Sam has won a couple of Caldecott Medals," Win boasts.

"I know.  He's the best," Mason replies.  "What's that emblem on your
shirt?" he asks, looking at the picture more closely.

"Oh that's for Sparta U.  Sam went there.  I guess he and my folks would've
liked for me to, but I didn't want to go to school at home."

"Man, I tried to get into Sparta, but my scores weren't good enough."

"Why'd you wanna go to a fuckin' Podunk school like that?" Ron chimes in.

"Shit, man, where've you been all your life?" Mason retorts.  "U. S. News
ranks Sparta fourth in the country, right behind Stanford."

Turning back to Win, Mason says, "Mr. Caldwell lives here in Atlanta,
doesn't he?  I'd give anything to meet him."

"Yeah, he does live here.  He's been by the dorm a couple of times.  But I
never know.

"Say," Win continues, "I do know he's going to be here for the Western
Carolina game. My dad and kid brothers are goanna be here too.  I think
they're going to work it out so they pay for regular seats but get to sit
with me in the student section.  Maybe you'd like to come with us.  He
could meet his biggest fan.

"You might like to come too, Ron," Win finishes.

"Maybe so," Ron replies.  Seems like Sam's celebrity and Mason's putdowns
may be changing Ron's attitude.



The figure of Aris completed, Sam researches what the ancient Olympic
Stadium looked like.  He is surprised to find that it was totally unlike
the later Roman monumental structures.  In none of the venues were there
seats.  Spectators sat on the grass.  There was a natural hillside which
provided the seating area on one side.  A matching built-up knoll formed
the opposite side of the stadium.  Between them was a large clay court
where the races and other events were held.  At each end were also knolls,
on one of which was a platform where the judges presided.  At the other was
a stone passageway leading to the Temple of Zeus.

Sam meets with the two Kantereses, and they decide that Aris will be
portrayed on clay with an empty grassy knoll and sky behind him.  A stone
pillar will be included in the background to suggest the stone markers that
delineated starting or finishing lines for races.

After their consultation, they enjoy their usual activities in the bower.
This time Aris is not excluded.



September 12 is bright and sunny.  Chilly, but not really unpleasant.  Jim,
Chuck, and Bryan arrive at the Habersham about ten.  The game will be at
two.

Sam has hot coffee and doughnuts ready, and says that he only has three
bedrooms.  "Do you think we can trust the boys to sleep together?" he
teases.

"They slept together until Win moved out last month," Jim laughs.  "Haven't
noticed anything strange going on."

"Very funny," Chuck says.

"Well here's the deal," Sam says.  "I've arranged for us to sit with Win in
the student section.  He's invited his roommate and another friend to come
with us.  We'll all meet at eleven-thirty at Win's dorm and have lunch on
campus, then go to the game.  We'll need to get there early, since the
seats won't be reserved.  After the game, we'll play it by ear; but
ultimately we'll be back here.

"Now Win's roommate is a real asshole.  So yall need to show him what a
real family is like.  Jim, if you're asked what you do for a living, say
you're a general contractor.  Ron's dad is one down in Houston, and Ron
thinks he's hot shit.  You don't have to let him think you build everything
in Eastern Georgia, but...well, you know.

"And guys, this bastard's likely as not to make some anti-gay comment.  If
he does, be good-natured, but you don't have to be sweet, if you know what
I mean."

When they all reach the dorm, Win, Mason, and Ron are waiting.  As Sam
expected, Ron immediately asked Jim what he did for a living.

"I'm a general contractor, nothing earth-shaking," Jim smiled.

"My dad's a general contractor too!" Ron exclaimed.  "Win, you never told
me."

"You never asked," Win said.  "Didn't seem all that important to me."

"Do you have as much trouble as Dad has keeping queers off his crews?" Ron
asked.

"Never thought about that.  As long as he's a good worker, I'm willing to
hire anybody, straight or gay.  You never can tell.  There might be a gay
right here in this room," Jim replies, still smiling.

"Even two, counting you, Ron." Mason laughs.

There's laughter all around.  Ron is not happy, but doesn't rejoin.

He seems very ill at ease.  He obviously has never experienced the
comradery that exists between Jim and his sons.  And Sam and Mason fit in
so easily.  There's a great deal of give and take.  And Chuck, picking up
on Ron's homophobic attitudes, exchanges a number of good-natured gay barbs
with his younger brother, who gives as good as he gets.  Win's portrait,
although Ron still has to acknowledge it, speaks for itself.  And Jim as
well as both boys are obviously macho as hell.  Yet they tease each other
about "being that way."

The group moves on from the dorm to lunch to the game.

Mason is obviously overwhelmed to be in the presence of his idol, Sam
Caldwell.  Sam finds this very amusing, but is also very touched.  Mason is
a strapping six footer with green eyes and auburn hair.  His face betrays
the North European origins of many residences of his home state of
Minnesota.  His father is a physician at the Mayo Clinic, so they live in
Rochester.  His build doesn't quite match any of the Harts', but it's
nothing to be ashamed of.

Mason quizzes Sam every chance he gets, and his questions are well worth
careful answers.  Win is also finding Mason more and more interesting.

Tech triumphs 37 to 19.

Sam had said they'd play it by ear after the game.  His dick controls his
brain more often than not, but it had not signaled any interest in Mason.
His brain was very interested in the boy, however.  And he sensed that a
real friendship might grow between his admirer and Win.  So he proposed
that the group stay together.

"We need to celebrate the victory," he announced, "and I know how at least
one of you young college boys would like to do it.  The Chez Caldwell isn't
known for checking ID.  Let's all go up to my place."

"Let me get my car, Mr. Caldwell," Mason said.  "Yours is already stuffed.
I'll take Ron and Win and follow you.  I'm parked at my dorm."

Sam hands a card to Mason.  "Fine," he says.  "Don't worry about keeping up
with us.  Here's my address, and Win knows how to get there.  Just tell the
doorman that you're visiting me and he'll take care of your car."

When Mason arrives at the Habersham, he tells the doorman, "We're visiting
Mr. Caldwell."

"Yes, Mr. Jackson," the doorman responds.  "Mr. Caldwell just arrived and
told me to expect you.  And how are you, Mr. Hart?"

Ron was beginning to realize that Atlanta might be something for Houston to
reckon with.  Or maybe that Atlanta might not even give a shit about
Houston.

Upstairs the Harts continue doing their thing, and Sam make drinks for
those who want them.  The younger Hart boys are allowed to have Cokes with
a tablespoonful of Bourbon in them.  And the conversation reprises the game
with emphasis on each of Georgia Tech's scores.

Mason, returning from taking a piss, passes Sam's studio.  "Oh, is this
where you work, Mr. Caldwell?"

"Most of the time.  Take a look, if you'd like."

Sam has been working on the background of Aris' picture.  The easel was
faced away from the door to catch the light from the windows, so no one has
noticed it before.

"I can't believe this.  It's remarkable!" Mason cries.

The whole group streams into the studio to view Aris in all his naked
glory.

"I didn't think you were doing portraits or figure studies these days,
Sam," Jim says.

"I don't go out looking for them," Sam responds, "but I can't easily turn
down twelve grand, when it walks through the door either."

"You're getting twelve thousand for just that?" Ron exclaims.  "Why's he
naked?"

"Well the subject is sure to be a member of the 1996 American Olympic team.
His father is Greek and an admirer of the Ancient Olympic ideal.  He wanted
a picture of his son as if he were competing in the ancient games."

"They went naked?" Ron asks.

"They went naked and oiled themselves up so they'd look handsomer," Sam
explained.

"Well, my friend, that's another of your pictures that one day should wind
up in a New York museum," Jim says.

"You've got pictures in museums?" Ron asks Sam.

"Only one, I think," Jim answers. "It's `Pirates in a Storm.'  Wouldn't
have been so good if I hadn't been the pirate."

"Would've been a hellova lot better if I could have found another model,"
Sam teases.

"Fuck you!" Jim responds.

"Well, guys," Sam announces, "let me treat you all to dinner.  I got some
good news yesterday.  I'm going to illustrate a new kind of graphic novel.
The author's Curt Abramson.  And I'm going to get the same percentage of
the gross as he is.  It's goanna be a lot of work, but it may be the
beginning of a new relationship between author and illustrator.

"Underground Atlanta isn't what it once was, but they're trying to bring it
back, and I know a damned good restaurant down there.  What do you all
say?"

"Should we change out of these jeans?" Jim asks.

"Oh, the maître d will recognize me, even in jeans," Sam laughs.
"Besides, Jim, you would get a ringside table anyway.  They want some eye
candy for the middle aged lady tourists to enjoy, while they're waiting for
their entrees."

Laughter all around.

Ron begs off, saying that he's promised some guys he'd celebrate with them.
Mason offers to drop him back on campus on the way downtown.  Win offers to
go with Mason.

Dinner goes well.  Win and Mason find interests in common.  Chuck and Bryan
are fascinated by Underground Atlanta.  It was quite the destination in the
60s, when the post-Civil War buildings were rediscovered, and it became a
major entertainment district.  When the "new" wore off, locals were no
longer attracted to it and it declined.  A major renovation was undertaken
in the 80s, but it still has not achieved its original prominence.  And it
still has its sordid side.  Sam and Jim have both noticed a couple of
hustlers making the rounds.  Just as well that Ron hadn't joined them.

Back at the Habersham, Chuck and Bryan hit the sack, and the adults are not
far behind.  Sam does manage a visit to Jim's bed.  As they snuggle, Sam
thanks Jim for coming, and Jim thanks Sam for his interest in Win.  They
also relieve each other's pent up urges before Sam returns to the master
bedroom.