Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 20:29:00 -0500
From: Sidney Gittler <SidG@compuserve.com>
Subject: Mall Punk Part 11

This is the eleventh installment of a continuing love story
between a man and a fourteen year old boy.  There is sex involved
so if that kind of thing bothers you, your too young, etc. then
please move on.

                            Mall Punk:  Part 11
                           Return to the Basement

     Man it's been a busy couple of weeks since that baseball
game.  Jon called Ru the next morning and apologized for his
outburst.  They've become friends, not like Jon and Joe but I
think there are things my love feels more comfortable talking to
Ru about than Joe.  The Liberty Corners Parks Department went
into shock when I agreed to donate $10,000.00 to have the new
playground named for Jon's mother.  I mentioned it to Lamont
during our weekly phone call and he finished off their fund
raising drive.
     For the first time in a month I'm heading home on a Friday
evening to a weekend alone with Jon.  Joe and his family are
going down the shore to his grandparents to celebrate his
father's promotion.  
     The house is eerily quiet as I walk in from the garage and
into the kitchen.  Then I see the door to the basement's open and
a piece of paper with an arrow has been taped to it pointing
down.  As I took my jacket and tie off I remembered the quiet
ceremony that night when Jon had walked up those stairs holding
the collar and leash he'd been wearing the day we met and tossed
them into the trash.  He'd turned and headed upstairs.  He slept
cuddled in my arms that night.  A smile was the only thing either
of was wearing.
     I headed down the stairs and followed three more arrows to
the play room.  Jon greeted me at the door naked except for
straps on each wrist and ankle.  I took him in my arms and we
kissed a long, long time.  When we broke I looked him in the
eyes.  He nodded to answer my unasked question and proceeded to
strip me.
     Silently he led me into the room and to the chains and
pulleys near the back wall.  After I hooked him up I ran my hands
over his back.  My nails drawing lines in his back as he moaned
in pleasure.  I picked up a paddle and showed it to him.  It was
a plain wooden paddle made of a soft wood.
     After ten firm swats on each cheek I walked in front of him
and found him smiling ear-to-ear despite his red ass.  I gave him
a quick kiss and pulled the chains raising his arms over his ends
and kept going until his feet were off the ground.
     "I'll be back.  I'm going to hit the bathroom."
     I took my time freshening up.  I remembered Jon's words at
the playground when he killed Fido:  "But don't worry, Jonathan
likes playing rough too."  I knew this was his idea and I was
willing to go through with it, but. 
     After fifteen minutes I reentered the room and quietly
picked up the bullwhip.  Without a warning I flicked it and the
tip flicked across the base of his spine.  His body flinched at
the contact.  The first ten lashes all hit different parts of the
back.  While his body was reacting to the blows, which was
unusual, I didn't hear a sound from him.
     Just as I was about to start the second set his head sagged. 
I dropped the whip and walked around to face him.  
     He was desperately trying to stay silent as tears rolled
down his cheeks.  I put one arm around him and hit the release
button.  We sank to the ground with his limbs still chained.  I
sat him on my lap and released him.  Jon was doing everything
possible to avoid looking at me so I grabbed his chin and turned
his face towards me.
     "Are you OK?  Are you hurt?"
     He shook his head and looked at the floor.
     "Talk to me Jon.  What happened? What's wrong?"
     "I love you Stya, I wanted this to work, I really did.  When
I threw the collar and leash out I figured I would still enjoy
this stuff.  I mean I know how much it means to you so I wanted
tonight to be special."  He stopped and gulped, still trying to
stop the tears.
     I held my lover, my foster son, my everything while he
composed himself.  When he continued his voice was still shaky
but under control.
     "I mean this is where and what let me know you really cared
about me.  That first morning when you told me to leave the
collar down here really told me you wanted Jonathan around and
not just Fido.  Nobody ever treated me like that before.  I
wanted to keep that part alive."
     "What happened?"
     "You came down and I was OK when you tied me up and ran your
fingers down my back.  Even the paddling was fine.  But then you
raised me off the ground and left me helpless when you went
upstairs.  That's what did it.  I realized I hated that feeling,
it brought all the loneliness back."
     "Then why didn't you say something when you heard me come
back?"
     "Because I wanted to do it for you.  To prove I loved you. 
I would have kept quiet for as long as you wanted to go on so you
could be happy."
     My little man had me crying now.  I got up and led him out
the door.
     "Turn the light off."
     He did.
     "Close the door."
     He did.
     I handed him the padlock.  "Seal the room."
     Jon looked at me but didn't move.  I took the lock back,
closed the bolt and locked the room up.  He was just staring at
me so I led him to the couch and sat him down.
     "Jon, this is where I knew how special you were and began to
realize I could come to love you like I do.  And that was that
very first night I picked you up."
     "What do you mean?" Asked a little boy.
     "Outside the mall that night you were being Fido, willing to
go with whomever, do whatever for a place to spend the night,
some food and money.  On the way home all I wanted to do was take
you in there," I jabbed a finger at the locked room, "and have
some fun."
     "I remember, that's all I was expecting.  Then you left me
down here and went upstairs to change."
     "When I came back and saw you reading that magazine all that
changed.  I realized that someone was hiding inside Fido and I
could love him.  And you know what?"
     "What?" A small smile appeared.
     "I love Jonathan a lot more than I could have ever cared for
Fido.  I don't need that crap in there to love you.  If you don't
want it anymore then neither do I."
     "Don't say that just to make me feel good."
     "I told you that day on the boat I didn't care if I never
saw Fido again.  I was thrilled when you threw the collar away. 
I love Jonathan Sorrel and will do whatever it takes to make him
happy."
     "Then take me upstairs to your bed and gently and kindly
fuck my ass."
     I did.

     Once again I woke with Jon in my arms and my cock up his
ass.  I reached around and kissed his cheeks.  He was awake and
the cheek was wet.  I pulled out and turned him around and put
his head on my shoulder.  "What's wrong Jon?  Talk to me."
     He shook his head.
     "Please Jon, I love you, I want to help you but I can't if
you don't talk to me."
     "I don't know the words.  I love you Stya, I didn't know
this life existed much less could be mine, but, but."
     "Slow down, take it easy and tell me."
     "There's a hole in me, I've lost my life and I'm trying to
make sense of what's left.  Oh God, I'm not making any sense and
I know this is so important."
     "Its OK, take your time."
     "For as long as I can remember my life revolved around being
used by my brothers and their friends.  I didn't have a voice in
it or anything else.  What Peter told us doesn't even matter. 
Now its all gone.  I have you and Joe and in a different way
Reuben but after last night I realize I'm like a new baby, or
someone with amnesia or you know we watched that show about
orphans from Bosnia who were adopted by Americans and had to
adjust to a whole new world.  They have to leave everything
behind and I know how they feel."
     He rested on my shoulder as I tried to slow my mind down.  I
had known that something like this would happen and last night
should have been a warning but shit.
     "But you know what, you began filling that hole before you
even realized it was there.  Before it even existed.  You started
filling it with Joe.  Then the life we've built together.  Your
friends at the Y and now Reuben.  You don't have a hole. You've
just replaced one life with another and the shocks just hitting
you."
     "Is it really that easy?"  A little boy's voice asked.
     "No, you really lost the first fourteen years of your life
and that's a lot to make up for.  But you didn't lose it, they
stole it from you and you're going to make the most of the rest
of your life.  We'll take a summer vacation, you'll go to school
in the fall, go places and do the things you want to."
     "With you?"
     "Of course with me.  From now to forever I'll be with you." 
I bent over and kissed him lightly on the forehead and then the
lips.  His arms tightened around me and I hugged back.  I could
feel life flowing back into his body and soul.
     "I've got one favor to ask Jon."
     "What?"
     "Don't be afraid to talk to me if something is bothering
you.  Don't pretend everything is fine when its not.  I'm here
for you all the time and for everything.  Do you understand me?"
     "I'll try, but talking is still hard some times.  After all,
I've only been free for nine months, really alive for five."
     He put his head on my chest.  "I love you Stya."
     "I love you Jon."  
     He fell asleep like that and it was noon before he woke
again.  While still quiet he seemed to be in a better mood while
I made scrambled eggs and rye toast for a very late breakfast. 
As he was pushing his final piece of egg onto the fork with his
fourth slice of toast he finally spoke.
     "Stya, I want to do something special today."
     "Fine, what?"
     "I don't know really but I want to do something that normal
people would do."
     "We'll never be normal Jon."
     He scowled, then sighed.  "I know that I guess, but can't we
just pretend for today.  Take me someplace I've never been
before."
     I thought for a moment.  Here was a fourteen year old boy
who except for a trip to Las Vegas and Skylands Park had never
been out of Longston, New Jersey.  East into New York City, south
to the shore or west into the country.  No, north and west into
the mountains.
     "OK, we're going away for the night.  Go upstairs and pack
your small bag.  Include a bathing suit and something nice for
supper."
     He got up and kissed me and ran upstairs.  I thought and
dialed a number I hadn't used in years and made a reservation for
the night including the late show.  Jon started to ask where we
were going and I told him it was a surprise.  While the ride up
287 to the NY Thruway to Route 17W wasn't as colorful as when the
leaves are changing it was still beautiful.  Jonathan had never
seen anything like it and kept pointing out every cow, horse and
tractor.  After a couple of hours we stopped for a quick lunch
and then headed on for the last few miles.
     When we pulled off the highway for the second time it was
like a time warp as I drove up the long driveway and in front of
The Concord Hotel.  My parents, older brother and sister and I
had come up every summer for two weeks for years when I was a
boy.  My father became Sheriff, Boris headed off for college and
that ended those vacations together.  It was at least a decade
since my last trip up here.
     The place was as big, if not bigger, and as gaudy as I
remembered.  We followed the bellhops directions to the front
desk and Jon stared in wonder as I checked in.
     As we followed the bellhop through the main lobby and for
another half mile or so I recalled my amazement at my first sight
of this classic resort.  There were people of all ages, sizes,
shapes and races milling about.  I think what really amazed Jon
were all the children running about carefree and unattended.  We
got to our room and it reminded me of the ones we used to stay
in.
     "Two double beds?"  Jon asked.
     "You said you wanted us to be normal and fathers and their
fourteen year old sons don't usually sleep in the same bed.  So
for tonight you sleep in one and I get the other.  Your choice."
     "Cool, can we go swimming dad?"
     "Yes son, take your bathing suit and t-shirt into the
bathroom and change.  I'll change out here while you're in
there."
     He went into the bathroom and I pulled my suit out of my
bag.  I turned my back to the bathroom and as I slipped my suit
on thought my parents are never going to believe where I am
today.
     Appropriately dressed and map in hand we went in search of
the outdoor pool.  It took two wrong turns and fifteen minutes to
finally find it.  Another five to find two adjoining empty
chairs.  We sat for a couple of minutes looking around.
     "So this is what normal people do for vacation?"
     "My family came up here every summer for two weeks for years
and years.  Do you see that family over there with the
grandparents, parents and three kids?"
     "Yeah."
     "The grandparents probably started coming up before the
parents were born and the family's never stopped."
     "Why did you stop?"
     "Dad became Sheriff and Mom wouldn't come without him.  But
when you said you wanted something normal and special I thought
about here."
     A waiter came by and took our order for a beer and a cola
and we basked in the sun as we waited for his return.
     "Jonathan?"  A voice came from the pool.  "Jonathan Sorrel?"
     "Brandon?"  Jon had focused on the boy's face sticking up
from the side of the pool.
     "What you doing here?  When you get here Jon?"
     "Just got here, how about you?"
     "Yesterday, you coming in?"
     Jon turned to me and I told him to get going.
     I watched him and Brandon play and talk in the water. 
Amazed at the difference from that first day at the Y gym. 
Grateful that it was someone who knew my son's limitation as a
swimmer.
     While I was sipping the last of my beer a figure blocked out
the sun.  "Hello," I said.
     "Hi, Mr. Maskovitz I presume."
     "Correct and I presume your Brandon's father," I said
sticking my hand out.
     "Ralph Markem, can I join you for a minute."
     "Sure, just toss me Jon's shirt.  Quite a coincidence them
meeting up here. And make it Stya."
     "Yeah, you know Brandon's told me a bit about Jon and you. 
I'm impressed, not many people would have taken on the
challenge."
     "Don't regret it a bit.  From the first day I met him I knew
there was something special in him.  It maybe a cliche but he
just needed some loving."
     "Actually, I wanted to thank you for bringing Jon to the Y."
     "Huh?"
     "Brandon has always been a handful, mild case of ADD,
selfishness up the kazoo."  We both chuckled at that.  "But since
he met Jon his attitude towards his mom and I has been a lot
better.  Even goes to school and does his homework without much
complaining."
     Our eyes drifted over to where the boys were pretending not
to watch us.  "Don't wave," Ralph said, "that's embarrassing."
     I nodded.  "A kid hear's Jon's story and suddenly his mean
old parents and siblings aren't that bad any more.  Enough about
them, what do you do for a living?"  We leaned back in our seats
and exchanged notes and stories with only the occasional glance
over to the boys.  Finally they emerged from the pool and walked
over to us.
     "Can I have some money for the arcade Dad?"  They asked in
unison.  As we both reached for our wallets I looked over at
Ralph.
     "Five dollars apiece," he said and handed the bill to
Brandon and I followed his example.  "Be back in the room by six
to change for supper."
     "Yes Dad," Brandon said.
     "I'll find my way back then too Dad."
     We watched them run off.  "Still getting used to that," I
said.  "Most of the time its Stya which I don't mind but 'Dad' is
pretty nice."
     "Yeah, how long you two staying."
     "Just tonight, this was last minute and I have a major
presentation Monday afternoon."
     "I know what you mean.  I was supposed to have the week off
but depositions in a big case were rescheduled and I've got to
handle them.  Hold it a minute, I've got an idea.  My wife,
Charlene is staying and we've got two rooms.  My daughter can
move in with my wife and Jon can stay up here with Brandon, my
treat and we can come back up on Friday for the weekend."
     I thought for a minute.  After last night and this morning
was Jon up for this?  I wasn't sure but it was something 'normal'
kids did.  "If it's all right with your wife and the boys its
fine with me.  Just if there's any really big special expense
I'll pay you back, and I'll have to buy Jon some more clothes
since we only brought for one day.  Two things though, one this
will be the first time we'll be apart since he moved in and he
usually sleeps in the raw."
     "Let's go talk to Charlene."
     That went fine, I just had to tell Jon he couldn't wonder
around the room naked.  We even decided that Ralph and I would
drive back together so his wife would have a car for the week.  I
headed back to the room to shower and prepare myself for Jon.
     As usual I shouldn't have worried so much.  Jon walked in
all excited.
     "Stya, I've got a question."
     "Shoot."
     "Would it be all right if I stayed up here with Brandon for
the week?.  His father's going home tomorrow and they'll have the
room.  Please."
     I stifled a grin.  "Two conditions."
     "What?"
     "You mind Mrs. Markem and do what your told."
     "Of course, and the second?"
     "She says to tell you that you can sleep in the nude but you
can't wonder around the room that way.  She and Brandon's sister
will be right next door."
     "Fine, hold it what's this 'she says?'"
     "Mr. Markem came up with the same idea and Mrs. Markem gave
her approval while you two were at the arcade.  I have one
question."
     "What?"
     "This will be the first time we've been apart and Brandon is
not Joe or Reuben.  You have to act straight up here and with
them.  Something goes wrong and it'll take me several hours to
get here.  Can you handle this?"
     "When Brandon suggested it I got so caught up I said yes
without thinking about anything except that I don't have enough
clothes.  On the way back I started thinking about that.  Yeah,
I'm a little scared but Brandon knows a little bit already and if
I really want to be a normal kid with normal friends and do
normal things with them and go to a normal school then I've got
to start acting more like one."
     "You got the office and home phone numbers memorized?"
     "Yeah."
     "Can keep your hands of Brandon for a week?"
     "Easily."
     I raised an eyebrow.
     "I didn't say I wouldn't jack off for a week but I'll try
and act straight.  Of course he may want to do it."  An evil grin
turned to a pout at my stare.  "I know, on what basis do I want
to build my normal friendships?  I remember.  Now is it really
OK?"
     "Yes, it's OK.  Now go shower and get dressed for supper. 
Were meeting them in thirty minutes."

     The next Friday when Ralph and I had returned and Jon moved
into my room he told me that everything had gone fine.  There had
been only one thing he'd had trouble getting adjusted to.
     For the first time in his life he'd had to deal with these
weird creatures called:  Women.

As always, to be continued.