Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:42:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: crispin emrys <crispinemrys@yahoo.com>
Subject: Crispin-and-Zephyr/Part-1-Crispin/Chapter-10-revised
These stories are the product of my imagination. However, nothing happens
in a vacuum. Like most fiction, it is based on real people I have met,
places and events I have seen.
The Prologue and Chapters 1-13 appeared on Nifty this winter. They have
been extensively revised (especially Prologue and Chapter 13) and Chapter
13 has been completed. I will post two per week then continue with
Chapter 14.
It may be against the law to read where you are because of its content or
your age. Or you may feel uncomfortable reading it because of the belief
systems you have accepted. Follow the dictates of your heart. If you do
read this series, I hope you enjoy it.
When this five part story is completed, it will have told the tale of one
boy and one man and how their intimate relationship and love for each
other led to the creation of a modern day legion of boy knights. These
knights errant became young champions of human and social rights and
defenders of the weak and the downtrodden. These Boy Knights of the
Green Republic reveal the true meaning, purpose and power of boyhood.
You may be aware of the etymology of the word knight, that it is derived
from the Old English cniht, meaning page boy, or servant, or simply boy.
Knighthood, as in the Old English cnihthad, had the meaning of
adolescence, that most intriguing period between childhood and manhood.
In this sense every boy is a knight, and in my estimation a potential
knight errant.
Copyright 2007 Crispin Emrys. All Rights Reserved.
This series may be displayed on any website so long as no money is
charged for access and attribution is retained. Just ask permission
first. Thanks.
This project is dedicated
to Guy Davenport, a gentle genius and unsurpassed writer of short
stories who died in 2005,
to every Crispin and Zephyr in this or any other world,
and to you the reader that you may be encouraged by it.
I am Crispin Emrys at crispinemrys@yahoo.com. Please feel free to
contact me. I always enjoy hearing from readers.
Index for Part I -- Crispin
February 1999
Chap 1 -- Robbie 1
Chap 2 -- Robbie 2
Chap 3 -- Call to Crispin from Gwen Powell-Jones
Chap 4 -- Crispin thinks it over then agrees to visit
March 1999
Chap 5 -- Plane Boy -- Cody Clarke
Chap 6 -- Crispin stays with Gwen, visits various schools and takes the
offer
Chap 7 -- Cris and Cody 1
Chap 8 -- Cris and Cody 2
Chap 9 -- Cody stays with Cris
Because of the large cast of characters, I thought it would be helpful to
the reader to have a list. Ages are for March, 1999.
Crispin Emrys Wydham
Chipper Sutherland
Anna (Annie) Rothko
Aleksey Rothko (Alex, Alyosha, Alyoshka) -- 13
Mikhail/Michael Rothko (Misha, Mishka) [1983-1996]
Robbie -- 15
Summer -- Robbie's mother -- 32
Tanner [1984-1998]
Adam -- Tanner's brother -- 10
Gwendolyn Powell-Jones
Cullen "Cully" Powell -- 23
Major Theresa (Terri) Clarke -- 35
Jonathan Cody Clarke -- 11
Uncle Billy Clarke -- 33
Paul - Uncle Billy's partner -- 22
Crispin and Zephyr
Part 1 - Crispin
Chapter 10 -- Revised
March 1999
Boulder, Colorado
The very first thing Cris became conscious of was the brilliant
morning sunlight that was pouring through the wall of windows into
Gwen's guest room. The next thing was the small hot naked body that was
curled up against his stomach. Both Cris and Cody lay on their right
sides, with Cody in a fetal position, knees close into his chest, his
back pressed up against Cris's stomach and chest. They were covered by a
sheet and comforter. Cris's left arms was thrown over Cody so that his
hand rested on the boy's chest, sandwiched in by his knees. Quite
suddenly Cris realized that his morning erection was pressing against
Cody's cute, but bare ass. In order to avoid embarrassment to either
himself or Cody, he moved away and turned onto his back. That helped.
Almost immediately Cody stretched out his legs, moaned and with a
sleepy treble voice said, "It felt good there, Crissy. I didn't mind
it."
Cris could not help but laugh at the boy's cheekiness. "Well, I
think it best if we save that for a another time, OK Tiger? And right
now it's time we got this show on the road. We have places to be and
adventures to share."
Cody moved onto his back, rubbed both his eyes simultaneously with
his knuckled hands, then turned his head to face Cris. "Um, I was
wondering. Does our special relationship mean that I am your boyfriend?
I have never been one before. And I have never had one, either.
Actually," he laughed, "I've never even had a girlfriend. Do you think
I am, Cris? Your boyfriend I mean. Cause I want to be."
Cris smiled, always amazed at Cody's skill in being both up front and
disarming in his manner at the same time. Cris was learning that with
Cody, it was best just to go right to the heart of the matter, and with
friendly honesty. "Well, yes, I would say you are my boyfriend. It
might be better if we say that I am your friend and you are my young
friend when we talk with other people, though. That seems to work best
in public, I have found."
Cody uttered a sound signifying that he got the gist of what Cris
trying to explain. "I sorta get what you're saying, but is OK to be
glad that I am your boyfriend anyway?"
Cris could not help but smile at Cody's persistent drive toward his
goal of discovering a practical framework to help him understand all of
this. Cris got quiet for a minute while he gather his thoughts. He did
not want to force his own personal cultural viewpoints down Cody's
throat, but on the other hand he felt duty bound to help Cody raise his
awareness. It was definitely not the time for a lecture on The Social
Construction of Relationships 101; not to an eleven year old boy. Cris
considered how best to answer Cody's question.
Cody was still looking at him, so Cris rolled over onto his side and
cradling his head on his hand and upraised forearm, looked hard at Cody.
"Here's what I think about things like this, Cody. We like each other
so much we choose to call it love. Both of us have said we love the
other. It's truly how we feel. But how we feel is on a scale, like a
thermometer. There are degrees of like or love people have. You love
ice cream, your cat and your mom. But not the same way. But our culture
attempts to popularize terms that will explain everything in a fast and
simple way. But in doing this it really limits how much people
understand themselves and their relationships. With me so far, Cody?"
Cody's eyes twinkled and he smiled, nodded his head and responded
slowly, "Um, yeah, I think I see what you're saying."
Cris smiled and continued. "Good. So if we use terms like
boyfriend, going out with someone, or going steady, if that is even used
anymore, the intention is to help others understand the extent of a
relationship. But there is a problem because people get caught up in the
words and allow the society to define how they feel about each other. It
should be the other way around. I guess in my view it is just better to
show how you feel about the other person instead of trying to put it into
words. Words seem to fall short."
Cody was paying rapt attention, so Cris smiled and in a very gentle
voice continued, "Well and good. But I haven't really answered you
question and I need to. Yes indeed you are my boyfriend," Cris stated,
stressing the 'are'. "And I am very honored that we have this
relationship, because I really do love you and I am so happy that you
love me back."
As Cody looked at Cris Cris could see the affection and love in his
pretty green eyes. "But I am afraid we have to be cautious. I'm sure I
don't really need to tell you this, but 'boyfriend' can only between us,
just you and me."
Cody knitted his brow into a scowl. "Gee, Crissy, I am not that
dumb. I sure don't plan on telling anyone that I am your boyfriend, not
even my mom. But I wish I could." He paused briefly as Cris smiled and
nodded his head in agreement. Then Cody went on, " I wonder what my mom
thinks about us, though."
Cris made a clicking sound with his tongue, rolled onto his back
again, locked his fingers behind his head, and thought a moment before
replying. He was still covered by the top sheet and comforter from about
the belly button down. "That is a very good question, my cute
boyfriend. I am not sure just what she thinks. I guess she sees me as a
mentor and friend for an extremely intelligent and precocious boy who
needs a male role model as he begins the scary journey into puberty. At
least scary for a single mom. Then again, if she is anything like her
son, she is not stupid either. We only met last week and look at us
now. Who knows what she really thinks about all of this. But, I'm not
sure it really matters. She is probably not going to come right out and
ask. She's way too cool for that. I imagine, however, she will be
hinting to see what you have to say," Cris added, raising his eyebrows
to add emphasis.
"She won't get anything out of me, that's for sure," Cody
declared. "I will keep our tracks well covered. Anyway, my mom is
pretty cool about things, so I think it will be OK."
Then Cody's expression changed and in a serious tone asked,
"Crissy, when are you coming back to Colorado? I'm going to miss you so
much." At this he rolled over onto his side, put his arm across Cris's
chest, resting his head on Cris's arm.
Cris unlocked his fingers and slid one arm under Cody and pulled him
even closer to him, kissing him on the forehead and nose. "I need to be
working on that. I hope that I will be back in the early summer. That's
seems like a long time away, but really it is only a couple of months.
I have lots to do to get ready for this move. And, Cody, I will miss
you, too. You have really made me a happier guy than I have been in a
long, long time. I guess I have been trying to find you since I can't
remember when and I now that I finally have I have to leave you for a few
months. It's going to be hard for both of us."
Cody rolled out of the bedding and onto Cris's chest and legs so that
his body lay directly on top of him chest to chest, legs dangling off
Cris's thighs, flaccid boy mouse pressing into Cris's lower abdomen,
rested his forearms on Cris's bare chest. Keeping his forearms where
they where, Cody pushed himself up so that he could look down at his
friend. "Yeah, it may not seem all that long, but it will be. It is a
good thing I will have school and soccer to keep me busy while you're
gone. But we will still get to talk, right? I mean we can phone and
email each other all the time."
Cris tickled Cody's ribs now clearly outlined because his upper torso
was stretched at the waist. He yelped and came crashing back down on top
of Cris with an loud "Uff.". As his face was directly above him now,
Cris only had to lean up slightly in order to kiss the boy on his very
cute nose. "Absolutely, Cody. Everyday." Cris wrapped his arms around
Cody and hugged him, pinched his bare butt, then released him and
stretched his arms upward in the air. "OK. Now its time to rise and
shine. Um..., I sleep in the nude, but I guess you have figured that out
haven't you," he said with a grin.
"Yeah," Cody laughed, "Remember what was poking into me when I
woke up?"
"Anyway, I am going to stand up now so I guess you get to see it
all."
"Whoohoo," Cody chirped brightly, meaning it.
Cris could not resist himself and using both hands gave Cody a royal
tickling this time, and when the boy rolled off Cris in in one direction
in his desperate attempt to get away, Cris leaped out of the bed in the
other and stood up. Although well into late middle age, Cris was in very
good shape, quite athletic in fact. And for many years he had been a
regular practitioner of Tai Chi, which helped to keep his muscles well
toned and his movements fluid.
"Wow, you look great," said the boy as he surveyed Cris from head
to toe and back again, focusing more than once on his genitals. "I like
what I see," Cody smirked. Cris was not greatly endowed but his
plumbing looked very normal and it still worked just fine.
Cris grabbed the covers that Cody had just pulled up and yanked them
off of him. "Hit the shower, boy. Let's get moving."
Cody jumped up and ran into his room wearing only his birthday suit.
By the time he returned Cris had showered and was sitting on the couch
looking out toward the sun lit prairie. Cody was dressed in his nicely
fitting jeans, his sky blue tee shirt, and his gray hoodie from the day
before. He ran over to Cris and without further ado, jumped onto his
lap. Fortunately, Cris was prepared for just such an event. They hugged
and cuddled for a few minutes until Cris thought he had better resume his
responsible adult role. Announcing, "Breakfast," he stood cradling
Cody in his locked hands. Cody wrapped his arms around Cris's neck and
his legs around his waist and they headed to the kitchen. Gwen had
already left for work but there was a note about coffee, tea, hot
chocolate, pastry and further breakfast options. Cris parked Cody on the
counter and began the coffee. After a week at Gwen's Cris knew the
drill.
Shortly after breakfast Cris and Cody were headed out of Boulder and
down Highway 36 toward Denver. They talked about nothing in particular
while Cody searched for some music he liked on the radio.
"Cody?"
"Yeah, Cris."
"I am really curious about your Uncle Billy. Would you tell me more
about him?"
"Sure, Cris. Let's see. Billy is around thirty something, but
younger than my mom. He teaches at a university in Vancouver. Um. His
boyfriend, I already mentioned him, is Paul. Uncle Billy met Paul when
he was doing research on Indians in Manitoba. Paul was a orphan who
lived kinda on his own and Billy took him in. They have been together
ever since. Paul is a artist and he's really neat."
"And Uncle Billy is gay, right?" asked Cris looking over at Cody.
"Yep, and not bashful about it at all. So is Paul. I guess when
they started living together my mom and dad were not OK with it. They
are now. But not everyone in the family is."
"Wow, that's neat. Tell me more about Paul?"
"He's twenty-two or twenty-three I guess. I'm not sure, but a lot
younger than Uncle Billy. I do know that he was twelve when he started
to live with my uncle, though. He is part of the Ojibwa tribe from
Manitoba. Billy was working for the Canadian government doing some kind
of helping work with the Indians there, but in Canada they call them the
First Nation. Anyway, Paul was a bad kid and got into lots of trouble
and really needed help and my uncle helped him. Then they started living
together. It turned out cool."
"Have you been able to see your uncle very often?"
"Not really. Maybe once a year or so. He has been to Denver a few
times and stays with us. Even though he is my dad's brother, my mom
likes him now, and sorta treats him like a brother. It's so cool when he
comes cause we get to spend time together and talk a lot."
"What do you talk about?"
"I promised Uncle Billy I wouldn't talk about all of it. But no
one has really asked me."
"No problem, Cody. It is fine with me if you don't. In fact it is
important to be true to your promises, especially with people you really
like."
"Well, I don't think he would mind it I told a little of it. I know
he would really like you, so it would be OK. He actually never said to
keep it a secret. It was just something I felt. Anyway I asked him lots
of questions about being gay and what he and Paul do together."
"Oh, my," Cris said looking sidelong at Cody.
"Well, he didn't tell me everything, I guess. But he told me a
lot. That's how I understand some of the things boys can do with each
other when they are friends."
"I get it now," Cris smiled. "It is good you have someone you
trust who can explain things to you. What do your mom and dad say about
that."
"Well, they don't know everything, though I did tell my mom more
than my dad, but much less than I am saying to you right now. I think
they were really curious and a little worried that Uncle Billy would do
something bad to me. But they finally calmed down when I did not become
weird on them."
"Cris?"
"Yes, baby."
"I like it when you call me baby," Cody said with a smile. "I
trust you as much as Uncle Billy. I sure hope you get to meet him soon.
I know he would like you right away. Paul, too."
"Aw, Cody," Cris responded shaking his head. "I am so touched. I
really want to hug you so would you come over here and sit right next to
me."
"Cool," said Cody as he undid his seatbelt and slid over right next
to Cris.
"Put the middle belt on," Cris said as he wrapped one arm around
the delightful boy and hugged him tightly as Cody put on the center
seatbelt. "Yes, I am definitely a lot happier now that you are my
friend."
"Boyfriend," corrected Cody.
"Boyfriend," Cris said with a laugh. "And proud of it," he said
looking down at Cody who just grinned up at his new friend.
Cody asked Cris about how he was going to manage moving everything.
Sharing this with Cody gave Cris an opportunity to review in his own
mind some of the details. As they got into the Denver metro area, Cris
asked Cody more about Paul.
"I have only met him twice. Once he came to Christmas in California
at my grandparents. It was pretty uptight, since everyone was
uncomfortable with Uncle Billy and Paul being like boyfriends and all.
They didn't stay long but I got to go out with them later. We had lots
of fun and Paul is very cool. We went to San Francisco and ate and saw a
league soccer game, and a Dragons lacrosse game. Paul said lacrosse was
invented by the Indians, I mean the First Nation. Oh, and we also went
skating on inline skates around Golden Gate Park. Paul was really,
really good. He said it was because of hockey. I stunk, by the way."
"Sounds like you had loads of fun. You said you had seen Paul
twice?"
"Oh, yeah. Another time he came with Uncle Billy to Denver and
stayed with me and mom. It was because of some conference Uncle Billy
was going to. We got to hang out around the house together and talk and
stuff. Mom was real cool about it and we all had a good time together.
Paul is a good artist. He paints in water colors and gave us one of this
paintings. I'll show it to you when we get home."
"I would really like to see it, Cody. I am glad that Paul and Billy
and your mom get along OK." Honestly, Cris was relieved that Terri was
so open minded. It bode well for his growing relationship with her son.
"Me, too," admitted the boy frankly, who was thinking the same
thoughts.
Terri was at the air base, so they had the house to themselves.
Neither wanted Cris to leave, but he had to get back to Boulder. It was
an emotional scene as they got to the point where they had to take leave
of each other. There were mutual tears and bear hugs and lots of
kisses.
Then Cris was back on the road to Boulder mulling over this rather
incredible turn of events in his life. He had to admit, he felt really
good inside, better than he had in a long time, but very sad at the same
time leaving Cody. That he already missed him as he did spoke to the
intensity of their relationship. Cris was grateful for all the work
ahead of him to keep him occupied. One way of taking the sting out of
being separated.
He drove to Gwen's office and they talked a bit about last minute
details. Then she handed him an address and asked him to check it out.
Gwen explained that her very good friend Helen Rys Fulmer, a fellow Brit,
was looking for someone to rent, although she used the British term
'let', the garage apartment behind her house. Gwen had not seen it, but
had heard it was quite nice. Helen was a spry widow whose husband,
Roger, a New Zealander, had been a world renowned expert on Alpine
flowering plants, chiefly in Colorado, China and New Zealand. Gwen
called Helen and said that Cris was on his way.
So Cris headed into Boulder to look at the apartment. It was located
in the older section of town just west of the University of Colorado,
called CU by the locals, close to the Flatirons. Cris headed up Broadway
and turned left onto Euclid. The houses closer to the university were
large and had been remodeled as apartments of very small size, as housing
was at a real premium in the area. Others had been converted into
fraternity or sorority houses. As he drove further to the west, closer
toward the Flatirons and the foothills of the Front Range, he noted that
the houses remained single family residences, some of which had seen
better days, but many still very well kept and probably quite expensive.
Just beyond 8th Street before Euclid ended in a cul-de-sac he found the
house. It was quite a large home, two stories, of variegated dark
sandstone. In the back was a garage, also of stone, with the garage
apartment upstairs. Cris parked in the driveway and went to the front
door. Helen had heard him coming and welcomed him in her very friendly,
if somewhat formal way by offering him tea, which of course he accepted.
They chatted some time about Boulder, his work, his plans for moving,
Gwen, Helen's husband's work and finally about the apartment. The rent
was very reasonable and Helen was very honest about wanting Cris to take
the place because of Gwen's recommendation. Upon looking at the
apartment, which was basically a very large studio loft with two side
rooms, Cris agreed to take it. It really had possibilities and he liked
it. When he explained to Helen hat he would not be arriving for at least
two months, she said it was of no concern. She said that she really did
not need to rent the place for income. It was more a special favor to
Gwen and her friend Cris, and to have some company close at hand in case
of an emergency.
With that settled, Cris headed back to Gwen's. He had lunch and
called Cody to say goodbye as his flight was quite early in the morning.
They talked for nearly an hour. Cris was sitting in the living room
completing a list of some of the tasks he would need to accomplish for
the move and was starting on a time line when Gwen got home.
"Well, you made quite an impression on Helen, Cris. She called me
at the office and was absolutely ecstatic," she said. "I am really
glad you will be living there. It is a really lovely neighborhood and it
will give you time to decide what you want to do more long term. By the
way, how did things go with Cody?"
Cris smiled. "We had a fabulous time together. I am crazy about
the kid and I'm going to miss him terribly."
"He is an amazing boy and he has certainly brightened you demeanor.
And my dear, you will be so busy the next few months getting ready to
move, the time will literally fly. By the way, you are welcome to stay
here while you get settled in at Helen's. Just so you know."
"Thanks, Gwen. You have been such a good friend. I really don't
know how to even begin to thank you. So many changes in so short a
time. It's going to take me a while to get my feet back on the ground,"
Cris predicted.
Gwen smiled and said, "Cris, I can't begin to tell you how much your
working with me on this project means. I should be thanking you, not you
me."
They both laughed.
Gwen walked over to the bar. "I believe we have arrived at the
official cocktail hour and we have an excellent reason to celebrate,"
she announced in her acquired Cambridge English, in times past the only
English one heard on the BBC. "Might we impose upon you to make a batch
of your outstanding martinis, Cris? I have some excellent English gin
that has been waiting for just such an occasion."