Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:18:13 -0400
From: chris james <drmeta4@gmail.com>
Subject: Gene, Chapters 13 & 14

Dear Reader: this story is adult fiction, the contents are not meant to be
read by persons under the age of 18.

	This story has prompted so many wonderful e-mails. It's good to
know that a character of my imagination can touch so many of you out
there. It inspires me, and for that you will reap the reward over the
coming months as I post more often. I share the joy of bringing a character
to life with you the readers. For each of us has a place in our hearts for
someone like Gene...if only. As always, your comments are most valuable. I
shall respond to all.

	drmeta4@gmail.com


				Gene (M/B)

      Chapter 13

      Gene sat by the window as the American Airlines jet took them out
over the ocean. He had held Ben's hand during the takeoff, squeezing hard
enough to show how nervous he really was. But things were fine now and they
would be landing shortly.

      Mom and Dad had delivered them to the Miami terminal only hours
before, time enough to get through the Customs check and board on
schedule. The sincerity of Gene's farewell to his new Mom and Dad had a
wonderful effect on Ben. Just to know that his parents had accepted the boy
was gratifying, but Gene's affection for them had been exceptional. It was
as if the boy knew what he needed to do, and he had done everything right.

      Mom had slipped the boy some pocket money; of course...she always
used to do that for Ben. But the moment Ben remembered most was the gleam
in his father's eye, were those tears? His Dad had hugged Gene with sincere
affection and Gene had even kissed the man on the cheek.

      These were things Ben had never felt capable of doing at eighteen,
but Gene had managed them all. And now he was once again alone with his
boy...and headed towards the place of dreams.

      It had been shortly after Thanksgiving when Ben had that second
conversation with Simon Hanover. The man had gushed over the improvement
Gene was showing at school. That was when the idea formed and Simon had
been brought into his confidence.

      "I love him, Simon...there's no way around it, he means the world to
me," Ben had admitted.

      "It shows...he's a changed person thanks to you," Simon said. There
had been a pause, and Ben knew it was coming. "So how do you plan to
express that love?"

      "I don't know....well I do. He wants something and I can't help but
give it, can you understand my position?"

      "More than you know...I was only sixteen when I met my first man. Ah,
the feelings were all there, but he wouldn't sleep with me either. I was
devastated...it was like having a wall between us, it must feel like that
for you too."

      "Yes...and no, but Gene seems to understand. We'll wait until his
eighteenth birthday. But even then, I want it to be special."

      "I'm sure the waiting doesn't make it any easier. You can't be equal,
that's the hard part. He can only give you so much and then there is this
line drawn in the sand and all because you want to be responsible. I don't
think any boy can really understand why he isn't allowed to show his
love. But I have a suggestion, if I might?"

      And Ben had listened. He felt guilty about not being honest with
Simon. What he and Gene had been doing in bed shattered any moral and legal
convictions he might have had. But it met their needs. There was no longer
any doubt; Gene was Ben's partner in and out of bed and they both wanted it
that way.

      The plane screeched down on the tarmac in the bright Aruba sunshine
and Gene seemed more excited than ever.

      "Wow...look at all the palm trees....did you see the water as we flew
over...awesome."

      It was forty degrees at home and ninety-three on the beaches of
Oranjestad. Ben led the boy through the lines, paid a fee, had their
passports stamped and collected their bags. Then they were whisked away by
the hotel bus.

      The both of them were taken by the mix of people, strange
architecture and the shear size of the capital city. Ben explained that the
culture here was influenced by Dutch colonialism and the African heritage
of so many in the native population. But the look on Gene's face told him
the boy wasn't listening; he was too overwhelmed at the adventure.

      Their hotel room was on the sixth floor overlooking Palm Beach, and
crowded it was. All those tanned bodies swimming and lying in the sun soon
urged them into their bathing suits, down the elevator and out onto the
terrace fronting the ocean. Ben felt like he was in a daze as Gene dragged
him down onto the sand. Five days, he told himself...time enough to show
the boy everything he would ever want to know about love.

      They frolicked in the warm water, drank fruit beverages from the
terrace bar and ate lunch on the patio. Gene's energy didn't dissipate one
bit until the sun began to set, and then it only flagged a little until Ben
said they would be going out to sample the nightlife around town.

      Standing in the shower together, he saw the beginnings of mild
sunburn on the boy's shoulders.

      "We have to keep applying that sunscreen, sweetie, or you're gonna be
toast," Ben said.

      "Your face is red too," Gene replied, and then he smiled. "Why are we
here?"

      Ben knew he couldn't hold back, Gene was much too in tune with his
thoughts for him to hide anything from the boy.

      "I brought you here because I love you and...and I wanted someplace
special to show you what that means."

      Gene's eyes grew wide. "You mean we can...?"

      And Ben nodded. "Yes...we can."

      Gene screamed with delight, grabbed Ben's arm and dragged him out of
the shower.

      "Now....I want it...now," he squealed.

      Ever since that first encounter in the tub they had been exploring
the possibilities of the male body and finding answers that made them both
aware of the pleasures two lovers can share. Ben had used their exploration
as a means of holding off the inevitable, while Gene found that he could
give of himself and still reap the rewards he so desired.

      It was time well spent, making them both aware of the needs of the
other and fine tuning their responses. Gene's body was ready for this next
level of involvement, it was almost begging for it now and Ben knew the boy
could handle him without concern.

      And so they sprawled across the bed, bodies entwined, and with great
love and caring Ben began the dance. There was no need to heat the boy up
and allow passion to relax his body; Ben could almost feel the heat pouring
off him already.

      Gene gazed up into his eyes with sublime satisfaction as Ben raised
the boy's legs and knelt between them. And as he pressed forward, Gene's
body seemed to relax. The boy opened up at his touch and Ben slid inside.

      There was that moment of awe they both felt. Gene felt the discomfort
of that first intrusion, but they had planned for this and he seemed to
embrace the fullness. For Ben it was like sliding into liquid heat and he
was amazed, there was no resistance.

      It was a defining moment, an almost holy window of time where the
world around them ceased to exist. Gene moaned with the feelings and
grasped Ben's waist with his legs, pulling their bodies together.

      So enraptured were they that only their eyes aglow with passion and
the sound of their breathing gave evidence to the physical act they were
performing. This had been the missing piece, the singular moment that would
give meaning to all the rest.

      The heat of Gene's body seemed to flow around him as Ben began a slow
stroking motion. He knew Gene's impatience wanted them to give into the
lust they both felt, but Ben knew better. Slow and easy he took the boy's
virginity, the last vestige of his youthful obsession.

      Ben could feel his passion building very quickly, his body totally
absorbed by the new and wondrous feelings. There was no way this first time
could last forever, it was just as well, there would be so many such
moments to remember. Ben could hold back no longer and after several
minutes the shattering climax hit him.

      Gene felt the flood released inside of him and it pushed him over the
top in a mere heartbeat. He had been in awe of the feelings until that
moment of release. He had wanted to scream with joy and yet the silence
they shared had overwhelmed him. It had allowed him to focus completely on
Ben and the power that seemed to emanate from his very being.

      And as Ben lay forward, rubbing against him, Gene let out a long hard
stream of cum that pulsed between them. Nothing in his life had ever
touched him in this way, and he felt the tears flow down his cheeks, swept
away by the joy of discovering what this man meant to him.

      Ben had known the boy would cry, for most things that brought out
profound emotion in Gene made him cry. It was a reaction that he had come
to understand as a necessary part of the boy expressing himself. So the
tears flowed as Ben lowered his lips to Gene's and he gave meaning to the
joy that they shared.

      It was the first time and not the last they shared that night. And to
keep the boy aware of how equal their love should be, Ben encouraged Gene
to switch places. He knew that they would have to be flexible in their
lovemaking. It was an important lesson in giving that Gene took to
heart. He had been looking for a means of giving back to his man.

      It was like a honeymoon, Ben decided. They arose each morning and
made love, showered, ate breakfast and went straight back to bed. Short
hours on the beach gave them both a much needed tan, but they always
returned to the bedroom several times a day.

      Ben was surprised at his own level of achievement during those loving
moments. He could understand Gene's response; the boy was insatiable and
had a constant desire. By the third day things slowed down and they spent
more time being in love then acting on the feelings.

      Those hours spent in cuddling allowed them time to talk. And Ben had
some pretty serious things on his mind.

      "You know, now that you're eighteen you can live anywhere you want,"
Ben said.

      "I want to live with you...always," Gene replied. "You want
that...don't you?"

      "More than anything, this is the most incredible feeling I've ever
had for someone else. I'm sure glad you called Hanover a fag."

      Gene punched him for that. "That's not fair, I made a mistake."

      "I might have gone my whole life without meeting you, sweetie. Now
that wouldn't have been fair, look at what we'd be missing."

      Gene gazed at him a moment. "You ever worry about growing old?"

      Ben smiled. "Not now...not with you in my life. Growing old doesn't
bother me, doing it alone would. What are you thinking about?"

      "I was just wondering what life will be like when I'm your age," Gene
said.

      "Hmm, you'll be thirty-two and I'll be forty-six," Ben said. "Have
you given any thought about the future? You'll graduate, but high school is
only the first step. What do you want to do after that?"

      "You mean like college? I don't know, am I smart enough for that?"

      "You can be anything you want, sweetie. College would be the next
step if you have a career in mind."

      "Yeah, they ask us at school what we want to do after
graduation...what we want for a career, but I haven't any ideas. How did
you decide to be a counselor?"

      Bens smiled. "I saw a need, knew there was an opportunity there and
decided to start the business. I have an interest in keeping kids out of
trouble. Sometimes all it takes is someone who cares...that's me."

      "You think I would be any good in your business?" Gene asked.

      "Sure, all you need is the right training. Would you like to work
with me?" Ben asked.

      It was Gene's turn to smile. "I think so...are you a good boss?"

      "For you I'd be the best. But we'd have to start planning a place for
you right away. I spent a couple of summers as a camp counselor working
with handicapped kids. That taught me a lot about the needs of others. Do
you think you could handle that?"

      "What would I have to do for kids like that?" Gene asked.

      "Kids with special needs just need someone to watch out for them. It
would mean you have to help them decide what clothes to wear for certain
activities, and just make sure they have a good time. I had to walk the
kids to meals and help them learn how to swim. I had great fun with the
other counselors, those were wonderful experiences."

      "I could do that...don't you think?"

      "I'd miss having you around for about six weeks, but I think we have
a plan," Ben said.  "But I haven't told you the best part, guess who runs
the camp?"

      Gene gave him a blank look. "You'll have to tell me, I can't guess."

      "Tom...your big buddy Tom. He's been working with the handicapped
since his first child was born. You haven't heard about Eddie; he was born
with Down syndrome."

      "Oh...that's terrible," Gene said.

      "It's heartbreaking, but Tom did the right thing, he got
involved. Eddie passed away about ten years ago, but Tom still works with
those kids. He started the camp with a group of lawyers, I'll talk to him
when we get back...or you can."

      "I feel so sad for him; he never said anything about his son
dying. But you don't work with handicapped kids, do you?"

      "No, I don't have to. Kids like that don't get into trouble; they
have to be watched all the time. I work with kids who have entirely too
much time on their hands and no supervision, which always leads to
trouble," Ben said.

      "Or kids with a big mouth like me, huh?"

      Ben laughed. "Yeah, sometimes...but in your case it was perfectly
understandable considering your environment. You just reacted poorly to
something you didn't understand at the time, but now you know better. We
all make mistakes, the point is you learned from yours."

      "Now I'm the fag," Gene said.

      "And why would you say it like that?"

      "Cause if anyone at school finds out that's what they'll call me,"
Gene said. "Not like I'm about to tell anyone, but I don't care anymore if
they do find out."

      "Are there other gay boys at Southeast you know about?"

      "Some...maybe two or three, but I don't actually know if they're
gay. They act a little girly sometimes and they get picked on."

      "Does Simon know about this?" Ben asked.

      "Probably, he runs the club...that gay and straight thing."

      "The GSA, that's an important outreach program," Ben said.

      "Think I ought to join?" Gene asked.

      "Only if you felt comfortable doing so. Don't join just to out
yourself to the school. Do those kids get a lot of crap for being in the
club?"

      "Sometimes, everyone knows who's in it. They get hassled, you know,
the usual stuff."

      "Usual stuff...like what?" Ben asked.

      "Oh someone writes 'fag' on their locker or they get pushed against
the wall during change of classes. It gets reported but nothing ever
happens about it. Some kids are just mean."

      "Well if it happened to you I'd be pretty upset," Ben said. "I don't
like the idea of gay bashing one bit."

      "Then I won't join the club," Gene said. "If I did someone might pick
on me and I would have to fight back."

      "It's not wrong to fight back, Gene...its how you chose to do it that
makes it right or wrong. Punching somebody won't solve the problem."

      "Well I don't need that club to learn about being gay, I have you."

      And like all good things, their little honeymoon was soon over. The
flight back to Florida was uneventful; Gene actually enjoyed the trip this
time. Mom and Dad met them at the airport and commented on how much better
Gene looked with a tan.

      They celebrated the New Year with dozens of others at the country
club and Gene got his first taste of champagne. Ben couldn't take his eyes
off the boy all dressed up in a suit and tie, Gene looked positively
radiant.

      It was the first day of the New Year when Ben went down for morning
coffee in his mom's kitchen. Mary had been sitting at the table waiting for
him and she greeted Ben with a smile.

      "Your father is still asleep. He's not used to these late night
events anymore," she said.

      "And what about you?" Ben asked. "You haven't changed a bit in twenty
years."

      His mother laughed. "I get by. Did Gene sleep well after all the
excitement?"

      "I envy the way a teenager can sleep for hours and not feel the
effects."

      "You love him very much and I'm glad. From what I see the feeling is
mutual. I just worry that he's a little young for such a serious
relationship," Mary said. "And you know what kind of relationship I'm
talking about, so let's put aside the pretense."

      He should have known his mother would see everything so clearly. It
was uncomfortable, yet at the same time it was a relief.

      "How long have you known?" Ben asked.

      "About you or the two of you together?"

      "Let's start with me," Ben said.

      "I'd say probably since you were in high school, that's the first
time I realized you were special and not at all like the other boys you
brought home. But when you brought Joseph home for spring vacation I knew
there was something between you two. Mothers usually sense these things,
but your father is still blissfully unaware."

      "I'm sorry, Mom, I should have told you a long time ago," Ben said.

      She smiled. "And what child is ever comfortable talking about his
sexual preferences with his mother? But Gene is so young; do you think this
is the right thing for the both of you?"

      "I've been asking myself that question for months. Being in a loving
relationship seems to work for both of us, it meets a need. Without going
into details, Gene has harbored these feelings for a long time without
resolution. He needs someone like me to feel whole again.

      "As for me, just being different all these years was hard enough. I
couldn't tell anyone, I didn't want you and Dad to be worried about me. My
time with Gene has brought out some wonderful feelings and resolved a lot
of issues. I wouldn't feel comfortable evaluating myself in all this except
to say he brings me joy and happiness. What else can I hope for?"

      Mary smiled. "Love does that to a person. And if you're in this for
the long haul then I can't worry about it. Just the look in his eyes when
he sees you walk in a room tells me everything I need to know."

      Ben reached across the table and took her hand. "Well I learned about
love from the best teacher in the world. Love is more than a feeling, it's
a compulsion to act, to bring the best out in others, and you taught me
that."

      "Then you already know that love isn't easy," she said. "I imagine
raising a teenager and having him as a partner will try your patience quite
a bit. You were a blessing as a child and I've never felt disappointed by
the things you've accomplished. Maybe this is what the both of you need, I
sure hope so."

      "I'm going to give it my best shot," Ben said. "His future is wide
open and we've already begun making plans. I'm going to get Tom to find him
a place at the camp this summer. It will tell me a lot about how his past
will affect his career path."

      "So he wants to be like you I gather. Does he have the aptitude do
you think?"

      "He's a smart boy, Mom, something his former environment didn't allow
him to pursue. He's made some changes since last fall, and best of all he
now feels those changes as a positive force in his life. I think we're
moving past the infatuation stage into realizing how good the relationship
can be."

      "Then remember...I'll do what I can to help," Mary said. "Your father
and I have been married forty years and not all of that was smooth
sailing. You have to expect a few bumps now and then; it makes the whole
thing worthwhile. Now let's go get those guys out of bed, I want to get
breakfast over with before noon."

      But it wasn't until after they were driving back north that Ben told
Gene about that conversation. Gene blushed at the knowledge of Mom knowing
what she did.

      "Are we that obvious?" he asked.

      "To her...yes. Mother's are like that sometimes," Ben laughed.

      "But she didn't say anything to me...does it make her uncomfortable?"

      "Maybe a little. I'm sure she doesn't want to know the details of our
love, but she accepts it because we're both involved. She trusts us to make
the right decision, that's the best part," Ben said.

      "Our Mom is so cool," Gene said. And Ben understood that he was
implying that his own mother wasn't.

      "Dad still doesn't know, and I bet he never will unless she tells
him. My father is a complicated man, Gene. But he never failed to support
me in anything I did. So I suppose if he finds out about us this won't make
any difference."

      "I'm sorry. From what you said I gave it away, didn't I?" Gene asked.

      "Don't be sorry, sweetie. I want the whole world to know how much I
love you. But that just isn't realistic; we have to choose our friends and
allies carefully."

      They returned north to a breath of cold air, but it only excited
them. The shared experience of their bedroom activity in the warm Caribbean
gave new meaning to sleeping together in Ben's king sized bed when they got
home.

      And all too soon the boy was back in school, forging ahead with his
studies and showing great promise. They managed to work on several of
Gene's school projects together over the course of the winter, allowing the
boy to garnish another good grade in his science class. The report card's
came out, and this time Ben couldn't find a single C...progress had been
made.

      With wrestling season over, Dean became a more frequent visitor in
their home. And the sly smiles he gave Ben certainly meant that Gene was
sharing information with his brother yet again. But Ben only smiled back;
Gene had every right to be happy.

      It was in February that Ben decided Gene needed driving lessons. It
would mean the boy could gain some independence and Ben needed to reward
that improved academic behavior. But the thought of Gene behind the wheel
of his precious Vette, or that huge truck didn't seem right. He chose a
Saturday morning to take the boy car shopping.

      "Where we going?" Gene asked.

      "Its surprise," Ben laughed, enjoying the boy's moment of doubt. "But
I think you need something and I know just the place to find it."

      "I don't need anything...you give me way too much stuff," Gene
replied.

      But his eyes got wide when they pulled into the used car lot. "I'm
going to buy you a car and teach you how to drive it." Ben said.

      "Wow...really?"

      "Really."

      Barry Stevens showed them some nice cars, but Gene fell in love with
a cute little Honda right off the bat. It was red and shiny, had nice
chrome wheels and only about eighty-thousand on the odometer. Ben smiled
and gave the boy a nod. Gene whooped with joy and slid into the driver's
seat as Ben turned to talk with Barry.

      "How much?" Ben asked.

      "List is nine thousand, you may have it for seventy-two hundred,"
Barry said.

      Barry was grateful; Ben had pulled his son out of a serious drug
charge two years ago. The judge only gave the boy three months in rehab;
Barry had made sure the kid stayed straight. Straight into the Navy to be
exact, he was off in the Mediterranean at the moment.

      "I'll take it," Ben said, and wrote out a check. Barry promised to
have it delivered to the house by the end of the day.

      He drove Gene over to the Motor Vehicle office and picked up a
driver's handbook. "You need to study this a few days so we can get you the
learner's permit," Ben said. And all the way home Gene flipped through the
pages of the booklet.

      By Sunday night Ben quizzed the boy and was astounded at the results,
it seems Gene had memorized the booklet cover to cover.  Birth certificate
and passport in hand they went back to the MVA on Tuesday after school, it
was a done deal.

      Gene had grinned in his photo and kept running his fingers over the
little card. "This is so awesome," Gene laughed.

      "I'll teach you how to drive responsibly, the rest is up to you," Ben
said. "But the insurance rates will only go up if you aren't careful,
that's where I have to depend on you."

      "I'll be very careful, you'll see," Gene replied.

      There was a point behind Ben's desire to have the boy drive. With a
license Gene could take himself to school, but then summer was coming. Tom
had agreed to take the boy on at the camp, and that was a hundred miles
away from home. If he ever expected to see much of Gene this summer then
the boy needed a way to get home between camp sessions.

      Like a good manager, Tom had developed a training manual for his
staff of young counselors. He presented one to Gene the first week in
March, along with a book about disabled kids.

      It was Gene that got right to the point. "Ben told me about your son,
Tom. Hearing about that made me so sad, I'm sorry," Gene said.

      Tom got a far away look in his eyes, but then he smiled. "Eddie was a
delight, even with his mental disorder. I wouldn't have missed those years
we had together for anything, I just wish there had been more time to love
him."

      "You started the camp because of him, that shows you really loved
him," Gene said.

      Tom smiled. "Yes, it gives me great pleasure to see all those kids
being so happy despite the problems they face. I see a lot of Eddie in many
of them; all disabled kids deserve the chance to be happy."

      "I'm really going to enjoy being there. Ben thinks it will be a good
experience for me."

      Ben knew where this was going; Gene had broached the subject several
days before.

      "Uh, Tom...do you worry about having a gay boy as one of your
counselors?" Gene asked.

      Tom laughed. "No way. To my way of thinking gay people experience the
same fear and prejudice in society just like my disabled kids do. You all
have something in common, so where's the problem? No, I think it will be
good for you because of your feelings, Gene."

      It had been the week after they returned from Florida. Tom had come
over to give Gene a late Christmas present and ask about their trip. It was
Gene who had brought up his newly discovered identity.

      "I think Mom and Dad are the nicest people in the world," Gene said.

      Tom had laughed, immediately recognizing who the boy was speaking
about. "Yes, they are...very nice people," He agreed.

      "And Mom, she knows I'm gay and it doesn't matter to her one bit,"
Gene said. Only then did he realize Tom wasn't in on that little secret.

      Tom gazed at the boy, appraising and finally smiling. "So you're
happy with the discovery, that's good. I'm sure Ben's happy too."

      "I love him, Tom; he helped me discover the truth about myself. All
those years wondering about what I felt, what I was thinking and now I
know."

      "I always knew there was something special about you, Gene. I'm glad
you finally got a handle on it." And that was Tom's final pronouncement on
the subject, he was totally accepting. And even now it was as if he'd
always known Gene was someone special, someone to be cherished.

      "We're going to have a camp staff meeting in a few weeks, you'll need
to be there," Tom said. "It will give you the chance to meet everyone. Some
have been with me a few years; others will be new like you."

      "Are any of them gay?" Gene asked.

      "I won't tell you, you'll just have to find that out yourself," Tom
said. "Ben will tell you what camp life is like. The counselors work pretty
hard, but they get to socialize a lot after hours. We try to make sure
everyone has a good time there."

      "I'm really looking forward to this, thank you so much," Gene said.

      "I'm a pretty good judge of character and I think you'll do just
fine. So how's about we go eat? I'm starved," Tom said.



Chapter 14

      The birds began building their nests in the eves of the back porch, a
sure sign that spring was here to stay. Ben smiled at the chattering
creatures as he stood with his coffee mug and breathed in the cool morning
air. His dad would have tried to chase the birds away, but he never felt
like molesting them. Nature would take its course, just as it had with the
boy.

      Gene was growing taller and broader. His reed thin body filling out
from the nourishment and exercise they shared. But the body belied the
adolescent that still lived on in Gene's mind. Emotional maturity was still
a distant goal, something Ben worked on every day.

      In just a few weeks school would be out and the boy would have time
on his hands before the camp season opened. Ben was glad Gene would have a
summer of work and social activity ahead; he needed to develop those skills
as well.

      Their driving sessions had been an ordeal, but Gene had finally
accomplished the skills to Ben's satisfaction and passed the driving
test. By regulation he was under a mandatory six month probationary period
and that meant he couldn't run around with a car full of kids, not that he
had that many friends to tote around.

      They had been together for eight months now, and yet every day seemed
like the first time he had laid eyes upon the boy. Each day gave him
another reason to feel wonder at the relationship, and Ben felt like the
honeymoon would never end.

      Some mornings they jogged, other days they worked out with the
weights. Gene enjoyed the excercise and it never failed to excite his
passions. A hot sweaty workout always seem to incite the riot in his pants.

      It made for an exciting shower after each workout, although sometimes
they didn't make it that far. Love found them on the kitchen floor, the
laundry room and even the staircase. Gene was insatiable, and Ben felt
helpless to resist.

      Coming from such a bad environment, Gene appreciated every nuance of
his new life. Every thing he now owned received such exacting care. His
clothes were always folded and put away, his school books looked immaculate
and the car, well the little Honda was his greatest possession at the
moment.

      Gene had grinned when he applied the school parking permit to the
rear window, he was ready to show off his new baby. And Ben had laughed as
the boy backed carefully out into the street, waving his goodbye and
driving off to school that morning. Yes, the boy was growing up, it made
him sigh.

      Tom had thrown his spring barbeque for the camp staff, allowing Ben
and Gene to help him set up for the event he hosted every year. The
counselors came from miles around to enjoy Tom's hospitality and meet the
people they would be working with for most of their summer.

      Ben took over the grill, constantly turning a massive amount of
chicken and ribs for the gathering. There would be twenty-two staffers at
the camp this summer and over fifty kids in each one week session from all
over the state. Camp Stillwater was a privately owned, tax free enterprise
laid out on four hundred wooded acres near the central part of the
state. Hundreds of young men and women applied for the jobs, Tom only chose
the best.

      Ben recalled his days there, and the work they'd endured developing
the place in those early years. Now the facilities were modernized, the
cabins bright and roomy, the showers fed by a decent plumbing system. Not
so those first few years, Ben still remembered how they often ended up
taking cold showers and patching leaks in the roof, but that had been the
charm...the campers were still the main focus.

      Gene sat and listened as Tom went over the objectives, the guidelines
and the state regulations. It was all in the manual, but Tom liked to put
his own twist on things. His little lecture gave him the opportunity to
watch the new guys and judge their reactions; it also gave Ben a chance to
evaluate them as well.

      Gene's question about anyone else on the staff being gay had made Ben
wonder as well, now he had the chance to look them over. The experienced
staffers had spread themselves out as the crew sat down for the
meeting. They were there to take a look at the new guys and spot any
weaknesses in their fellow staffers.

      Ben had remembered doing the same thing, it was a tradition. Just as
every staffer wore the orange shirts proudly at camp, they stood out here
for the way they carried themselves. Each had been chosen for their
leadership ability, Tom was an able commander.

      Each counselor would receive a letter of commendation for services
rendered. Many of those went straight to the college of their choice as
part of the application process. Tom knew how well that spoke to the
character in each person he hired; he made sure each of their schools
received a phone call to follow up.

      It must have been an impressive message. Ben remembered the Dean of
his university calling this young freshman into his office after talking to
Tom. The man had gushed with warmth, congratulating Ben personally on his
character and welcoming him to the school. Tom made all that happen.

      And amidst the staff Ben saw a few who might fit the criteria in
answer to Gene's question. He was sure Gene would have no idea what to look
for without asking each of them personally. The sixteen to twenty-two year
old young men and women gathered here today were as diverse as the kids
they served, Gene would learn so much about life from these bright people.

      The meeting broke up and the eating began. Tom had a large back yard;
the fields surrounding his home handled half a dozen horses. Gentle beasts,
some of them retired from camp service. Here to enjoy the rest of their
natural lives on the sweet grasses in Tom's pastures.

      Stillwater had horses, a petting zoo with goats, piglets and lambs,
while ducks swam about the lake, everything a child might find
attractive. These were special children, their physical and mental
handicaps constrained normal development, but their minds were inquisitive,
trusting and the camp experience did wonders for their self esteem.

      It would do the same for Gene. He would discover how affectionate the
kids were, how needy, and with the slightest bit of attention they
blossomed...the boy would love that. For if anything, Gene was the most
loving person Ben had ever met. He had so much to give and his desire to
please seemed to drive his spirit. Yes, Stillwater was just the place for
Gene.

      But there was another surprise in store for the boy, and he received
it in the last week of school. The exams had gone well with Gene garnishing
more A's than B's this time around. He seemed surprised when he got out of
his last period of the day and found Ben standing in the hallway.

      "Hey...what brings you here?" Gene asked.

      "Hanover called me, said we had a meeting with your principal this
afternoon," Ben replied. Of course he knew why but had decided to let the
principal have the honor of telling the boy.

      Gene looked concerned.  "Have I done something?"

      "No, nothing wrong...but you have done something," Ben smiled.

      "OK, you're messing with me," Gene laughed. "What is it?"

      "Let's go find out," Ben said.

      Mr. De Witt, the principal, was standing in the outer office talking
with Simon Hanover when they walked through the door. Both men gave the boy
big smiles as he approached. DeWitt stuck out his hand and shook Ben's, and
then he turned to Gene.

       "Congratulations, young man...you've been promoted."

      It was obvious from his puzzled look that the boy had no idea what
that meant so Hanover stepped up.

      "Gene, that means you'll be a senior next year...congratulations."

      The look on Gene's face was one of awe, but Ben saw his jaw tighten
and knew what was coming. Quickly he threw his arms around the boy and gave
him a hug, whispering for the boy not to cry. Gene sniffed back the tears
and grinned.

      And it was Hanover that gave Gene the biggest compliment of the
day. "My boy, you certainly earned it. Every time I saw your grades go up I
knew you had been held back unfairly, we should have given you a better
chance, and now we can."

      "Thank...thank you," Gene stammered.

      Ben and Hanover had discussed this the previous week. The boy would
be given a chance at the end of summer to take the junior level English and
Math exams. Neither of them felt he couldn't accomplish the work over the
summer, and then he would be cleared to begin his senior studies.

      It would put him back on track with kids his age, put him back in
line with his brother and make Gene feel like he had really accomplished
something. He was in shock for hours, even after sharing the news with Dean
over the phone. And as Ben was rinsing out their dinner dishes he felt a
pair of arms surround his waist.

      "You did it...I owe it all to you," Gene said.

      Ben sighed. "I did very little, sweetie. You were the one who spent
all those hours in study and wrote all those wonderful papers, your grades
earned you a place in the senior class."

      He felt Gene's kisses on his neck and a nibble to his earlobe. "I did
it for you, Ben," Gene whispered in his ear. "Because you said the only way
I could pay you back was to graduate. I did it to make you happy."

      Ben turned around and kissed the boy, feeling the emotions rising in
his mind and trying to stave off any tears he felt like shedding. He knew
Gene had worked hard to please him, it was never a secret. But to have him
say that in his moment of triumph...it seemed like the most wonderful
expression of love he'd ever heard.

      For Gene it was a validation, and he arose every morning for the last
week of school with a huge smile. The Southeast graduating class had their
moment of glory, and then were gone from the campus. The rising seniors
were feted at a final assembly the day before school let out.

      Ben attended because he knew what was about to happen, and he wanted
to be there for Gene. All schools had traditions and this was one of
Southeast's finest. The new senior class was to be recognized for their
achievement in front of the whole school. Many students would already have
heard of Gene's new status, now they would all be shown what lot of hard
work could accomplish.

      The new seniors were paraded down the aisle of the gymnasium and Ben
joined in the applause as Gene walked in. One hundred and forty-two kids
made an entrance; Ben saw only one as they took their seats at the front.

      There were the usual announcements and then DeWitt began to read off
the academic honor roll, a long list that would include Eugene Carr. The
applause as each student stepped forward to receive a certificate grew
louder as many of the popular kids were also good students.

      Ben rubbed his hand nervously as they began to come closer to the end
of the list. The boy had to be wondering why they had skipped right over
him, but DeWitt was saving him for last. And when Gene's name was finally
called out the applause was average, so many kids barely knew him. But as
Gene received his certificate DeWitt held up his hands for silence and the
gym full of kids obeyed.

      "Some of you may not know him, but Gene Carr is the most academically
progressive student in our school today," DeWitt began. "But we pause here
in honoring all of you to give Mr. Hanover a chance to say something."

      Simon stepped up to the microphone and gave Gene a smile.

      "Some of you may remember that Gene and I have had our differences
this past year." A smattering of laughter from the kids, now they
remembered Gene, his incident with Hanover had been one of the big events
last fall.

      "But I stepped up here today to tell you how proud of him I am. Not
only did he apologize to me for that...um, moment of bad behavior, but he
became one of my best students. His achievement in the last six months has
been exceptional and has earned him a place in next year's senior class.

      "If any of you ever need proof that hard work can change a person and
give them greater standing in our academic world...here it is. I
congratulate Gene for his outstanding achievement. You are all asked to
perform at your best here and for many of you that means never seeing your
name on the honor roll. But that's fine too, just as long as you are doing
your very best.

      "The road to success is taken one step at a time, and sometimes you
even have to crawl. But each of you knows what success feels like because
we have role models like Gene here. I hope each of you have a happy and
enjoyable summer."

      Hanover turned to shake Gene's hand and slowly the applause began to
swell, and as Gene resumed his seat Ben could see the boy was blushing from
all the attention. But many of the new seniors stood to shake his hand or
pat him on the back. He was a made man and Ben was so very proud of him.

      Gene was totally stunned at all the other students who wanted to
congratulate him after the assembly was over. Ben stood to one side and
watched him attempt to thank every one of them until the last person walked
away. Gene looked up and Ben saw that grin before the boy threw his arms up
for a hug.

      They held one another until Dean came over and wanted to hug his
brother too. Brad was not far behind and the two men stood watching their
boys in animated conversation.

      "Wow, I've never seen anything like it," Brad said, patting Ben on
the shoulder. "You must work magic."

      "It's easy when the boy is so self inspired, he just needed the right
environment," Ben said.

      "Oh, somehow I think it's a little more complicated than that, you
were his inspiration, at least that's what he's been telling Dean."

      "Well, maybe I helped a little," Ben said. "I was surprised at
Hanover's little speech, their relationship has certainly changed."

      "Did you know he's retiring? Seems he and the hubby are setting up
house in the Caribbean next fall. He'll be missed, I felt like I had an
ally in the teacher's lounge."

      Ben smiled. "He hinted that might happen last time we spoke, I didn't
know he'd made the final decision. He didn't say anything to the kids."

      "Not his style. Says now he can write that great novel he's been
planning for years. I wish him all the luck, someday it will be my turn,"
Brad said. He looked over at the boys and sighed. "We never know if they'll
be there when the time comes. I try not to think about it, Dean means the
world to me, but I never know if that will last forever."

      Ben understood the feeling. The attachment Gene had to him wasn't
about to end any time soon, but the future was something he couldn't dwell
on. The boy's life was more secure now, but he didn't see any signs of
curiosity towards other men.

      Finally the boys were ready to go home and Gene gave Ben his honor
roll certificate to hold. It was a proud achievement but the boy seemed
more taken with the parking sticker each new senior had been given.

      Ben remembered receiving his all those years before. It was a status
symbol, Gene's ticket to the senior parking lot. The blue school's coat of
arms surrounded with the gold ring, a symbol denoting senior status. The
boy couldn't wait to apply it to his windshield. And tomorrow he would park
in the senior lot on the final day of school, a long standing tradition.

      Of course the last day was also a traditional day for the new seniors
to skip school if they chose. Ben had, their work was done, and their
lockers already cleared out...why go? But Ben knew Gene would be there, and
now he had a good reason to go.

      He had followed the boy home, smiling every time Gene used his turn
signals or came to a full stop for a yellow light. They had been home maybe
five minutes when he shared the news.

      "Gene, did you know Hanover is retiring...he won't be back next
fall."

      "No...He never said anything. Aww, that sucks, I'll miss him," Gene
said.

      "So say goodbye when you drop by school tomorrow. I know you and Dean
will end up skipping and spending time with your friends at the mall," Ben
said.

      "Skip...me?" Gene said with such innocence.

      Ben laughed. "Yes...you. Go on, we all did it. Just don't be out
there drinking beer and driving mister. That would piss me off."

      "No way, I wanna keep my license, besides beer tastes like crap."

      "I trust you, Gene. I really mean that. I was so proud of you today."

      Gene laughed. "I was so embarrassed, all those kids looking at
me. But it felt kinda good too; at least now everyone knows who I am."

      "Yes they do. You're the most handsome boy in that school, and one of
the smartest I ever met. Is it any wonder that I love you so much?"

      That statement made Gene take his hand and drag him upstairs to
return the compliment. There was never a time when Ben felt he could say no
to Gene's advances. It just meant they would take time out of whatever
plans they had to be lovers.

      They'd had five months to perfect making love, and Gene excelled in
that discipline as well. It just proved that once committed, Gene could be
the best at anything he chose. And this afternoon he chose to be on the
bottom.

      It was the nuances Ben decided that made Gene such a good partner in
bed. The boy had been wide open to anything when they first began and he
studied each step of the process. He knew the best positions, the moment
when he should relax and allow Ben to invade his body and the power he had
to give Ben the greatest thrills.

      There was no doubt that the boy was gay because he had achieved that
most important of understandings; he needed to please Ben. Focusing on the
pleasure he could give his partner meant he knew what he was doing during
the act of making love. For no longer was it the boy seeking to find an
orgasm for his own benefit, it was the commitment of a young man to make
their joining a thing of awe, the ultimate commitment to pleasure them
both.

      Ben stared down into those beautiful eyes and felt himself being
swept away by the emotions and feelings of their love. Gene's eyes were a
reflection of that feeling, revealing his total immersion in their act of
passion. And as their gentle caresses became more insistent, their kisses
more demanding, it was all focused on that singular moment of release.

      They had become adept at understanding one another, of knowing when
the feelings were reaching a climax. And Gene would arch his back, pushing
his body closer, allowing Ben to achieve the greatest depth in his
thrusts. And the orgasm would always sweep them both away, shattering any
illusions that this had been just another fuck, when in fact it was
something that defined their love.

      Those were thoughts which caused Ben to pause as he worked at his
desk, the mindless drivel of his clients quickly forgotten as he leaned
back in his chair and remembered the best of those moments with Gene. It
was good he had those memories; the boy had been gone to work at the camp
almost four days now.

      They had decided Gene would work two full sessions before coming home
for the weekend. He needed time to become accustomed to camp life, to
become a part of the social life with the other counselors. Ben would hear
all about it the following week when Gene came home.

      And Ben understood the basic psychology of allowing the boy to
venture off on his own. It would validate his home life and the trust Ben
gave him to be independent. For nothing is so dear as something missed, Ben
felt that now.

      He stood at the door to his old bedroom...Gene's room now. The room
was so orderly, as if the occupant had made sure to leave it that way. The
clothes hung neatly in the closet, the pennant for his high school tacked
on the wall above the desk. And the books he was going to study before
school started again, all were neat and tidy.

      Ben sat on the bed and looked around the room. These walls had seen
him grow up and had heard the gasps of his adolescent desire. He gazed at
the books on the shelf and saw that one of them had been turned around
backwards. Ben stood up and reached for the book, pulling it from the
shelf...and the paper fluttered out, hitting the carpet.

      "Ben," the note said. "I will miss you when I am gone and nothing
could ever take the place you have in my heart. Love was just an absent
feeling in my life before you came along. And I feel silly now because all
I could ask was, why are you being so nice to me? But now I know, something
made you want to love me and that is the best thing that could have ever
happened. No matter how many days I am away from you, nothing will ever
bring me greater joy than coming home to you. All my love. Gene."

      Ben's tears fell on the page as he sobbed. God, the boy knew he would
find this. The words meant everything. He had been adrift for these four
days and now he had joy. Gene had left to find himself and had left this to
anchor his feelings about coming home.

      And he slept with a smile on his face that night. Because somewhere,
a hundred miles away, Gene slept with Ben's love in his heart.



      ..........Gene, The Epilogue

      The boy looked so handsome in his cap and gown. Ben smiled and
acknowledged Gene's wave as the graduating seniors from Southeast walked
down the aisle of the auditorium. He felt his mother clutch at his arm for
support as the audience of parents and friends stood to applaud.

      Gene and Dean couldn't wipe the grins off their faces as they took
their seats facing the crowd. There was no doubt in Ben's mind that the
twins were the handsomest young men on that stage. He looked over at Brad
who gave him a thumbs up. Yes, they had both accomplished something, the
boys were graduating.

      Dean was off to State on a wrestling scholarship, and Gene...Gene was
still undecided. School had meant a lot of stress and hard work the past
two years, he wasn't in any hurry to return to that come fall. Ben had been
comfortable with the decision; he understood the underlying issues better
than anyone.

      The previous summer at Camp Stillwater had forged a compassionate and
caring person; Gene had come home a different person. Ben recognized the
symptoms, he'd been through the very same feelings, and it was now his
career.

      He had waited up that Friday night, Gene's first weekend home in two
weeks. He'd made all sorts of plans for their first night together; it
would be a weekend of love. But the door had opened and Gene threw his arms
around Ben, kissing and hugging like they had been apart for years. Then
Gene turned around and introduced Ben to Lee.

      Tom had not said there were any other gay members of the counseling
staff, but Gene had found the one and only besides himself. Her name was
Leslie, but she preferred to be called Lee. Gene's first new gay friend was
a lesbian.

      Ben could have been upset, but he wasn't. Plans were made to be
changed and they were. If Gene thought enough of the girl to bring her home
there had to be a reason...and there was. Lee was a smart kid, just turned
nineteen this year and Ben might even say she was pretty...or would she
prefer handsome?

      Ben was aware from the start that Lee knew everything about his
relationship with Gene, and that was fine. But from the moment she opened
her mouth Ben understood that trust was implicit in the relationship she
wanted with him. Gene had fostered that and as they sat down to get
comfortable the boy slid into his lap as if to say there would be nothing
hidden from anyone.

      Lee had been a foster kid for most of her life and that meant years
of moving around from home to home, more than a little physical abuse and
entirely too much sexual abuse. Ben knew the profile only too well. What
was less surprising was Gene's reaction; he felt the need to help the girl.

      It was something Ben had wanted to see. The whole camp experience had
been geared to help Gene find a calling in life...and here it was. The boy
had natural empathy for the feelings of others, and better yet, he was
determined to make positive changes where needed.

      Lee was working her way through community college and studying to be
a nurse. It was the only way she could think of helping people in need. Ben
could see why Gene had cultivated the friendship, she had a plan. The girl
would make a good role model.

      Ben looked down the row of auditorium seats at his father and
Tom. This reunion of old friends had made them all happy, especially
Gene. He was so pleased that Mom and Dad had come up for the graduation,
but then they wouldn't have missed it for the world, and neither would Tom.

      Sitting beside his mother was Lee who had taken a day off of her
classes to attend. That first summer and every weekend thereafter, Ben had
welcomed her into their home. They had amazing discussions around the
kitchen table on every subject imaginable. These were moments that inspired
Gene and Ben discovered why the boy had become such close friends with the
girl.

      His school work took on a new tone. The papers he wrote for English
class became great works about social injustice and the need for
reform. His grades shot through the roof and just before graduation he
became third highest on the honor roll.

      But he was still the same loving Gene when he rushed into Ben's arms
at night. Lee felt perfectly comfortable down the hall in their guest room,
even though she knew what was happening in Ben's room. She told them she
envied that love, but she wasn't ready yet, her career came first.

      The graduation program began with prayers, speeches and admonishments
to the graduates who were about to take their place in the world. But
finally the words were over and the diplomas were wheeled on stage. Ben
felt his mother take his hand as the roll call began. He had looked in the
program; Gene was number thirty-two, right after his brother.

      And finally the moment was upon them as Principal DeWitt announced,
"Dean Andrew Carr." And the boy stepped up to receive his degree. Ben and
the family stood to applaud, but Brad was beaming.

      "Eugene Michael Carr," DeWitt announced and they all clapped as Gene
took his diploma and then gave DeWitt a huge hug of thanks. The audience
loved it and the applause was filled with laughter as DeWitt hugged
back. Dean had not left and the brothers fell into one another's arms and
flashed the victory sign before leaving the stage.

      Ben's mother smiled and gave him a kiss. "You did good, he looks so
proud."

      They filed out into the lobby to wait amidst the crowd. But then the
boys were both there, appearing through the crowd and acknowledging the
well wishers along the way.  Gene handed Ben his diploma and his hat before
throwing his arms around Mom for a kiss. Lee got hers and they danced
around a bit before it all dissolved in laughter.

      But finally Gene stood before Ben, his eyes filled with love. "You
did this, you made it happen," He said.

      Ben smiled. "I just got you started; it isn't over yet, sweetie."

      Gene grinned. "It never ends, does it?"

      Ben hugged the boy, feeling so proud, so in love. And he whispered in
Gene's ear. "This is just another beginning."

      And they walked off to the parking lot arm in arm, surrounded by
family and friends...for that is where life begins.

				 * * * * *

Author's Note: The story of Gene ends here, but stories like this never
really end, they just go to sleep. The characters are still fresh in my
mind, the details still surround my thoughts, but I have to put them
away. Too many other characters abound, some of them already working their
way into my heart, as I hope they will into yours. So onwards, another fine
tale to tell: The Bridge to Anywhere begins now.