Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:43:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: firehose Joe <firehosejoe@yahoo.com>
Subject: Chapter 46 To Thine Own Self Be True

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Shakespeare (Hamlet)

Thanks to Chael for assistance in editing and proofing the story. This
is wholly fictional with no reference intended to persons alive or dead.

Please do not distribute to other sites without permission of the
author. Comments can be sent to firehosejoe@yahoo.com

From the previous chapter:

Cesar bid them good-bye the following morning. During the flight back all
three men napped, lulled by the drone of the engines. In San Antonio,
Alejandro stretched his legs as he said his good-byes and the ground crew
topped off the tanks.

Refreshed from his morning nap, Alejandro ate a light lunch aboard the
plane while catching up on some reading. When he landed the sun was
setting, backlighting the skyline of Chicago. It had been a great weekend
but he was glad to be home.

Chapter 46

The weekend at Casa del Placer had been a balm for Alejandro. He realized
he'd been brooding over Charles' departure. Charles was ready for a new
challenge, a new place and room to grow personally as well as
professionally. Being at the Casa and meeting new people had helped
Alejandro reinforce his decision to make a deliberate effort to expand his
circle of friends.

Several requests for appointments from members of his management team were
on his desk when he arrived Tuesday morning. His day and week quickly
filled up. Time at the gym came at some sacrifice but Alejandro knew it was
a necessity to keep a healthy balance in work and life.

By midday Friday he'd caught up on most of the demands and put out a few
fires on the business front. There was a meeting with the building project
partners to review architects' applications and whittle the list down to
five for interviews. Matt had kept Alejandro in the loop as the search had
gone forward. Alejandro was pleased at the investment each group was making
in terms of their commitment.

Friday afternoon late, Matt called to update Alejandro on the reference
checks done on the final five to see if Alejandro knew any of the
people. Their conversation was easy as usual.

"They're calling for this snow to stop later tonight and it's none too soon
for me," Alejandro said.

"Agreed! What I've got my eye on is the warm front heading our way. Maybe
we can get some of this snow cleaned up if we get the rain they're
forecasting," Matt said.

"It will be another cold, wet, and gray weekend. Mexico is looking better
and better." Alejandro didn't look forward to spending a weekend rattling
around in the condo alone.

"Look, why don't you come out to my place tomorrow. You know how much you
enjoy snooping around the greenhouses. I've got some several different
orchid genuses that have bloomed since your last visit. I'll fix a pot of
stew tonight; we can get our hands dirty working on the plant beds and the
day will fly by." Matt's enthusiasm always seemed contagious and Alejandro
found himself agreeing. They set a time and Alejandro headed out toward the
gym.

He arrived at Matt's home shortly after 1 p.m. Matt lived nearly 45 miles
outside of Chicago on a small farm. Though sitting cheek by jowl to the
ever-expanding Chicago `burbs, it was rural and a refreshing change for
Alejandro. There was still a thick snow layer on the roads but it was
packed down and passable. Alejandro's spirits picked up immeasurably as
Matt's place came into view. At the top of a hill, his covered feeding pen,
holding straw for the few head of cattle Matt owned, was the first thing
Alejandro could see. The cattle were munching contentedly.

Another half mile, Matt's house, greenhouses and barns came into
view. Every time Alejandro saw the place he wondered how one person kept it
all going so smoothly. Matt was not one to waste a minute; he worked both
hard and smart.

Matt's home, from the front, was a typical single-story dwelling with a
deeply pitched tin roof. The innovations started in the back. A
mud-room/vestibule attached the greenhouses to the main house. There were
two of them running parallel. They joined in another vestibule that was
attached to a door in the side of the barn. The barn had a large storage
area, four attached 250 gallon storm water collection tanks and a wood
furnace that burned coal or logs.

The furnace was double walled so that nearly all the heat was trapped and
funneled off through ductwork to heat the living quarters, greenhouses and
barn.

Alejandro pulled into the driveway beside Matt's home, parked and saw Matt
working in the nearest greenhouse. Alejandro went to the breezeway
connecting the house to the greenhouse, hung up his coat and was met my
Matt.

"What a nasty day! Sure feels good in here, though," Alejandro said as he
stepped into the humid warm space.

Matt gave him the quick tour of the vegetable beds, and then took him to
see the orchids. Stepping from one area to another, Alejandro could feel
shifts of temperature and humidity. Matt had over 60 orchid plants of
various genuses, with over 30 in bloom. It was a spectacular sight.

Before they got to work, Alejandro went to the barn and changed into
work-clothes he'd brought then pulled on some coveralls and short boots. It
was messy work in the greenhouse. Over the next several hours, until dusk,
the men worked harvesting some root crops and hauling potting soil from a
mound in the barn. They cut lettuce and other salad fixings, and
transferred several trays of plant sets into fresh beds.

They went to the barn to clean up. While there, Matt stoked the
double-walled wood furnace.

Giving his pits a quick sniff, Matt said, "Whew, I'm more than a little
ripe. I'm going to grab a quick shower out here before we go into the
house?"

"Shower out here?" Alejandro asked.

"Yeah, it's over there next to the water runoff collection containers,
behind that wooden partition. I'll show you."

Matt had run piping from the storm water retention containers into a simple
system for the shower. He'd poured a crude 4'x8' concrete floor. It was a
changing area that included a portion with raised edges to catch the shower
water that drained to the outside.

"You see that insulated pipe coming off the furnace?" Matt asked as he
pointed. "That becomes a heat exchanger inside this tank. It warms water to
about 80°. When I'm not burning the furnace I've got a tank of propane that
heats the water. Tell you what, let me fire up the propane and get the
water where it's real comfortable. I don't mind it a little cool."

Alejandro grinned, "I think I can take it. Of course it will increase the
effect of seasonal shrinkage."

Both men laughed at the effect of the cool water on their cocks and balls.

"I'll get done here and head to the house to warm up the stew."

Matt efficiently stripped off his boots, coveralls and clothes and stepped
into the shower. As he lathered and rinsed he said, "It's not too bad
today. With the recent drop in temperature, the furnace has been stoked
night and day and burning for more than a week now to keep everything happy
and growing."

He toweled off. Grabbing a pair of jeans off a hook, he pulled them on not
bothering with briefs. Donning a hooded sweatshirt he slipped on his boots
and walked through the greenhouse to the kitchen.

Alejandro stripped. As he stood in the shower, he marveled again at the
ingenious mind that saw so many opportunities and the skill to make them
happen. Matt remained an enigma of sorts. Perhaps it was that he truly had
no agenda other than what one saw. Alejandro still wondered if there was
possibility of his being gay. Matt had given Alejandro no indication of his
interest in him. He thought, `Oh well, it's probably better to keep some
personal distance since we work so closely together'.

Alejandro finished dressing and walked to the mudroom. Pulling off his
boots and stepping through the door, the smell of stew filled the air.

"Yum, that smells great and I'm starved," Alejandro said.

"Make yourself useful. Pour us some wine," Matt indicated an open red on
the counter, "Set the table with plates and bowls, and slice the bread. Oh,
get the butter out of the fridge."

Alejandro remembered his first meal here. It was hearty, simple and casual
as this promised to be. After finishing the business they'd had to discuss,
Matt had given him the complete tour. He'd described the more than one
thousand of feet of trenching he'd dug so he could lay the heat exchange
piping that assisted in warming the greenhouses and house.

"Of course it's not enough but it saves having to use active heating –
the furnace and/or heat lamps – to create the temperature for a proper
growing environment. Besides in the summer, I keep the house cool and never
run an air conditioner."

Alejandro asked how he used all the vegetables he grew.

"I eat them," Matt said, looking somewhat surprised. "I have some fresh
produce all winter that I use. I supplement it with stuff I've canned and
stored in the root cellar."

Alejandro said he'd only read about such cellars. Matt took him to a set of
stairs hidden behind a closet door. They went down to a dug out room that
had been crudely enclosed with brick and mortar. There was shelf upon shelf
of canned vegetables. Matt pointed to bins in the corner. That's for
potatoes; that's onions. I've got dried apples, berries, pears, cherries,
plus canned fruit.

Each year I butcher a cow. A neighbor who slaughters pork exchanges some
beef for some pork. I probably have 200 pounds of meet stored in here,
either cured or canned at the beginning of the season.

"When I was a kid, major thunderstorms were pretty common. Often
electricity would be out for a couple of days. Depending on a freezer for
everything was risky. Mom did most of the canning of course, but we kids
all pitched in prepping the meat and veggies prior to canning," Matt
explained.

Alejandro had never met anyone so self-sufficient.

As they were eating they heard the drumming of rain on the tin roof.

"That's the most peaceful sound to go to sleep to," Matt said. "I just hope
the cold front doesn't hit along with it and make it freeze."

After an apple cobbler and coffee, Alejandro said goodnight. Matt was
uneasy to see him leave. The weather had degraded and ice was forming on
the clothesline near the house. Alejandro said he'd grown up in this kind
of mess and would be fine. Still, Matt had misgivings.

An hour later, Matt decided to check on the cattle. Pulling on his boots
and a wool-lined raincoat, he trudged to the barn. He grabbed a sack of
grain, hopped on his tractor and drove to the top of the hill. He portioned
out the grain along the feeding tray, checked the hay and saw that all was
well.

As he turned, his eye was caught by some sort of stationary light barely
visible on the road. It was at an odd angle. He gasped realizing that it
could be a car that had slid off the road into the deep ditch. It couldn't
be Alex, Matt tried to reassure himself. He'd been gone for nearly an hour.

Revving up the tractor he made a beeline for the gate and headed up the
road. As he approached he felt ill. It looked like Alex' Mercedes sedan
lying on the steep bank. Putting on his emergency flashers, he got off the
tractor and made his way to the car.

It was Alex. He was trapped inside the vehicle. He'd been thrown to the
passenger side when the vehicle spun out and slid over the embankment. The
side nearest the ground was in water. Matt knew Alex was wet and in danger
of hypothermia. The doors were still locked and the engine was off. Alex
saw Matt and relief flooded his eyes. Matt went to the toolbox on his
tractor and pulled out a hammer and grabbed some canvas tarp. He broke out
the rear glass, laid the canvas over the bottom of the opening and crawled
in.

"Come on Alex; work with me!" Matt said sternly. Alex was very lethargic
from the cold. Matt had to manhandle him into the backseat. Immediately,
Matt saw that Alejandro would be no good walking on the icy slush and
likely might add to his injuries. Quickly he determined there was no way to
carry him on the tractor and his truck would be of no use. He'd have to
improvise.

He stripped off his coat and wrapped it around Alejandro's upper
body. There was no way to get him completely out of the water. Matt felt
the urgency in his gut.

"Stay with me, Buddy. Listen to me."

Alejandro's head lolled to the side as he slurred, "I'm lissnen, wha..?"

Matt slapped Alex to startle him and make him pay attention. "I'm going
back to the barn to get something to carry you with. I can't hold you on
the tractor and drive. You can't walk. Wrap up in this and I'll be back in
minutes. It's gonna be alright, Buddy. It's gonna be alright. Stay with me
now!"

The pelting, freezing rain soaked Matt to the skin before he got to the
barn. He was shivering. He grabbed another sweatshirt and threw it on. He
knew the logical thing would be to place a call to the rescue squad but who
knew when they'd get here with all the likely accidents on the main roads.

Muscling a piece of plywood he'd used to tow bulky things on the farm, he
hitched it up to the back of the tractor. He grabbed some rope and rode
back as fast as safety would allow.

Alejandro was nearly asleep. It looked bad. From what he could see there
was no blood, and when Alejandro had moved to the backseat he'd not cried
out in pain as if from a broken bone. Still, Matt couldn't be sure.

Gingerly, he got Alejandro in a position so he could be removed through the
rear window. "Come on! Help me here!!" Matt yelled as much to wake him up
as anything.

Matt felt Alejandro's pulse, it was still steady but not as strong as he'd
like. Matt held on to Alejandro's collar and slid backward out of the
opening. He felt the glass snag and tear his sweatshirt. `Damn' he
muttered.

There was no way. The angle was wrong to remove a body. He'd have to make
the opening bigger. He gently slid Alejandro back into the car and covered
him with the canvas tarp. Methodically he broke out the glass until the
opening was clean of shards and large enough to move the man.

Letting his legs fall off the high side of the car's fender, Matt began to
drag Alejandro across the seat and through the opening. Finally! Finally,
most of Alejandro's weight was on the trunk. Never letting go, Matt dragged
Alejandro up the steep incline. He braced his feet against the wheel and
wrestled Alejandro onto him. They fell heavily on the shoulder of the road.

Matt moved immediately. He was single-minded and was checking off his tasks
as speedily as he could. He dragged Alejandro by his shoulders to the
plywood. Matt spread the tarp out onto the plywood. He lifted Alejandro and
placed him gently on the canvas-covered wood. He proceeded to wrap him
securely then to tie the canvas both to the tractor frame and the holes in
the plywood so Alejandro wouldn't fall off.

Double checking his knots, and sure his friend was secure, Matt revved the
engine and began the trip to the house. The quarter mile seemed like ten
miles. Finally they were at the house. Matt killed the tractor engine and
leapt from the seat. The knots had iced over. Taking his knife, Matt
quickly cut the rope and unwrapped Alejandro. Picking him up like a child,
Matt took him inside and laid him across a bed.

Before he stripped off Alejandro's clothing he methodically moved his hands
along Alejandro's body, checking for any broken bones. Feeling none he
removed Alejandro's clothes until he was naked. Matt threw a quilt over him
as Matt took off his own clothes. Throwing back the covers, Matt again
picked Alejandro up and laid him in the bed. Crawling in behind him, Matt
spooned his naked body against Alejandro and began to rub Alejandro's arms,
chest and thighs vigorously.

Eventually Alejandro began to shiver less. Finally the shivering ceased
except from the occasional spasm. He drifted off to sleep.

Matt realized he must have slept also. Suddenly he woke and realized that
Alejandro was evidently dreaming as he moved and muttered unintelligible
things. Matt also realized his cock was rock hard and buried in Alejandro's
crack.

"Alex, wake up. Wake up." Matt said as he gently shook his friend's
shoulder.

Alejandro startled awake gasping, "What? Where am I? How'd I get here?" It
all came out in a jumble.

Matt filled in the details Alejandro couldn't recall. Alejandro's breathing
calmed and he rested against Matt's strong chest.

"Thank you. I likely would have died out there. No one was on the roads. I
was stupid to try it. After I de-iced the car windows I knew it was going
to be treacherous. So stubborn!!"

They talked quietly for a while. Slowly it began. Matt licked Alejandro's
neck and rubbed Alejandro's nipples gently with his fingers. Alejandro
began to thrust in a counter motion against Matt's gentle thrusting cock.

Finally Alejandro turned to face Matt. Taking Matt's face in his hands he
looked into his eyes.

"I truly hope I'm not screwing something up by doing this," he said as he
leaned in and kissed Matt deeply.

Matt responded with fervor. He was aggressive yet sensitive. Alejandro
responded and soon they were lost in their rut, their precum-slicked cocks
ramming against each other. Alejandro felt himself tighten up, "I'm
cumming, Matt. Almost there..." his orgasm came with near violent
force. Matt hunkered down and slammed his cock against Alejandro's spurting
muscle and soon grunted out his own heavy load.

Matt looked down at Alejandro. He slowly let his mouth and tongue find
Alejandro's. They kissed gently as lovers might. Matt continued to slowly
grind his still-hard muscle against Alejandro. As their tongues began to do
battle Matt's pace increased. Alejandro wrapped his legs around Matt's
waist and they slammed against each other with grunts and groans `til they
both shot again.

Matt, was gasping. He knelt over Alejandro resting his weight on his hands
and knees, looked down and smiled.

"Been wantin' to do that since our first lunch," Matt said between gasps.

"Yeah, me too. Only, I wanted you when you first came into the
office. Fuck, you are one hot fucker!" Alejandro said catching his breath.

Matt smiled, "Nice to know you can swear like the rest of us. `Fuck' and
`fucker' in the same sentence. A little redundant perhaps but that's okay
considering it was a compliment." Matt leaned down and gave Alejandro a
quick kiss on the lips.

"Let's get a shower. We both stink," Matt said.

"I can't believe I'm going to suggest this, but let's shower in the barn,"
Alejandro said watching for Matt's reaction.

"Sure, there's more room there." Matt grabbed his sweatshirt off the floor
and mopped up the pools of cum, stood up and pulled Alejandro's arm. "Let's
get going."

Matt led Alejandro by the arm to the backdoor.

"You going there this way?" Alejandro asked, gesturing to their nudity.

"Do it all the time," smiled Matt.

Soon they were under the soothing warm water. It seemed years ago to
Alejandro that he was in his wrecked car, cold and afraid he would die.

When they were toweling dry, Matt said, "You want to camp out here in the
barn and play some more?"

"And sleep where?" Alejandro asked looking around for a bed.

Matt reached down and playfully grabbed Alejandro's cock and pulled him
toward the back plank wall of the shower. Grabbing a string, Matt turned on
a light. A large bed was nestled in the corner.

"Sometimes I sleep out here if one of the cows might have trouble
delivering. John and I have used it more than a few times after working
out." Matt winked.

"It's plenty comfortable and I've got clean sheets," Matt added.

Alejandro looked at Matt and grinned, "You promise you're going to make
this worth my while?"

Matt suddenly looked a bit apprehensive. "That kind of depends on what you
mean. I um, uh..." Matt was chewing his lower lip. It was the first time
Alejandro had seen any indecisiveness about the man.

"Let me guess. You've always been on top. Am I right?" Alejandro asked with
a bit of a smile.

"Yeah, I hope that's okay. `Cause that's the way it is," Matt said, his
face straightening with his decision.

"Count on it as long as you can get it up again. Think you've got what it
takes?" Alejandro teased.

"Make sure we've got lube, `cause I'm going to stretch you bigtime," Matt
said huskily.

The next morning, Alejandro stirred when he realized his personal heater
was missing. He looked up and saw Matt stoking the furnace.

"Seems you were shoveling it harder and faster last night. Wear you out,
Stud?" Alejandro said grinning.

"You ready for a rematch, Alex?" Matt said turning to face Alejandro, his
eyebrows raised in some surprise. His dick was half-hard, his hands were on
his hips.

"Should be plenty slick in there after all you deposited. But, I don't want
to wear you out. Wouldn't be fair," Alejandro said with a chuckle.

A while later, after their fourth orgasm in less than twelve hours, they
lay quietly nestled in the warmth of the bed.

"Sorry about last night and your car. I knew in my gut I should have made
you stay. You seemed so sure and I thought, `you're the boss'." Matt's
voice was serious.

"It was stupid stubbornness and my fault. Thanks for riding to the rescue."
They lay still for a moment more. "Matt, I hope this doesn't change
anything between us. It can't. Your work is so important to a lot of people
we don't even know yet. Are we going to be.., um," Alejandro didn't know
how to finish.

"Alex not a thing has changed for me. I mean I've lusted after your body
since I met you. We're still guys who are friends and work together. I
trust you. You can trust me. None of that has changed one iota," Matt said
with some forcefulness.

Matt met his gaze and smiled. "We're alike in lots of ways, Alex. Our
friendship will wear well, I'm sure," Matt said. "Now I'm starved. Let's
get cleaned up, get some breakfast and see how the roads are."

Later that morning, after calling a wrecker, Matt took Alejandro
home. Alejandro was sore from the accident and took a long, hot
shower. Later he napped. After a light supper, he worked at his desk
preparing for the next week. It was going to be busy as usual.

By Friday all the participants in the selection process had reviewed the
architect's applications. Alejandro insisted, even when pressed as to his
preference, that he was only one vote. Over the weekend he invited the
partners to his condo for a working lunch on Saturday. They finalized the
list, and agreed on a list of questions for each candidate. A member agreed
to call the finalists to build a schedule for interviews.

Matt had strong views and articulated them clearly. The partners,
representing various constituencies, were somewhat diverse in their
approach to what they considered most important. They didn't knuckle under
to Matt but saw that he represented everyone, while representing no one in
particular. His was a moderate voice that shared carefully thought-out
opinions which rarely diverged from the core issues they all agreed on.

Within a week they made their choice. Paul Dupuy was a young man who'd
recently graduated. His practice was small as expected. Paul's references,
though, were what weighed in his favor. His B.S was in engineering with an
emphasis on inner-city urban reclamation – reviving older buildings. His
personal references told of his commitment to housing and justice issues.

During the interview, Paul asked numerous questions regarding the purpose,
motivation and likely long-term commitment by the various partners. When
Matt's role was explained, the young man's enthusiasm ramped up
significantly. Matt made it clear that the nutrition component was a
critical part of the project and would require creative partnership.

As Alejandro watched the interchange he was intrigued. There was a Gestalt
moment occurring. The young man was seeing a whole process that was more
than just adequate housing. Matt finally had to agree to meet privately
with Paul to answer further questions so that the meeting could
conclude. Alejandro felt deep in his bones that this was the right
decision.

Alejandro called Zach after the dust had settled to bring him up to date on
the work in Chicago. Zach was enthusiastic and was nearly adamant that the
young man come and see what they'd done. Alejandro agreed and suggested
Matt accompany him.

"Matt, what do you think of taking Paul to San Francisco to see their
work?" Alejandro asked a day or so later.

"Great idea! There are several things I've discovered I want to study in
more detail since my previous visit. I'll check my schedule and see when
I'm free – should be soon though. You want me to talk to Paul?" Matt's
eagerness was good to see.

Dates were finalized within the week. Alejandro's secretary had arranged
for their flights and a car to meet them. Alejandro had told Matt of the
condo and that was set up for their use.

"One of you will get the bed, the other the sofa. That's the only potential
wrinkle in the plan. Check with Paul and see if he's okay with this. You'll
find the condo much more comfortable than any hotel," Alejandro said.

Alejandro met the men for lunch to go over their itinerary for the days in
San Francisco. It was ambitious but Matt and Paul were eager to get there
and get started. As they parted company, Alejandro returned to work and the
guys headed for O'Hare. As he cleaned up his desk at the end of the day,
Alejandro wondered briefly if by throwing them together in this situation
something would develop between Matt and Paul. He shrugged thinking,
`They're big boys and can take care of themselves'.

Later that evening Alejandro's phone rang. He was pleased to hear Cesar on
the other end. After sharing bits of news of their lives during the past
weeks, Cesar asked if Alejandro would like to return for a visit to the
Casa before the weather became too warm. Looking out at the cold, driving
rain, Alejandro eagerly agreed. Cesar suggested two dates and asked
Alejandro to call back with a confirmation of the date that suited him
best.

Alejandro realized, next day, that he needed to lock down his spring travel
schedule so others could know what to expect. Alejandro met with the lawyer
who advised on philanthropic matters and his secretary to build the
schedule. It would be a busy spring.

Alejandro called Cesar and they pinned down a date. On the spur of the
moment, Alejandro pulled out John Abernathy's business card. Tapping it on
the edge of his desk, Alejandro paused for moment thinking about past years
of traveling with Charles. `Expand your circle of acquaintances and
friends, Alejandro', he said to himself.

"Mr. Abernathy's office, may I help you?"

Alejandro found the Texas accent a bit jarring even after spending time
with Stan and Tony.

"Yes, thank you. This is Alejandro Algara., is John available?" Finding he
was not in the office, Alejandro left a message after helping the secretary
with his name.

When John returned the call later that afternoon, he was pleased that
Alejandro could visit.

"Give me a good excuse to go down to our small spread, south of here. Do
you ride, Alex? If so, I've got a corral with some horses that could use
the exercise. And make sure to pack your swimsuit, weather's perfect for
pool time. Now listen to me going on! You just come and we'll figure out
what you want to do and have ourselves a good old time." John seemed
genuine in his welcome.

Somewhere Alejandro had heard that things were bigger in Texas. John seemed
to embody that with enthusiasm, plans and welcome.

Paul and Matt returned from their study jaunt to San Francisco. Matt gave
Alejandro a heads up that Paul was raring to go and wanted to meet, just
the three of them.

"Matt, I'm depending on you to help him understand that I'm only one person
on the team."

"I know, Alex, but he's bounced ideas off me literally day and night and
needs another set of ears. By the way, the condo was so cool. Thanks!" Matt
said.

"Call him and let's do an early, light supper at my place. That way, you
don't have to get home so late," Alejandro offered. Checking his calendar,
Alejandro suggested two possibilities after he returned home from Mexico
and asked Matt to call him with the date.

While finalizing his travel plans the next day, Alejandro wondered if
Charles would be comfortable introducing Alejandro to some of his friends
or staff. He wanted to meet some of the New York people without attached
agenda of business.

"Alex, what a nice surprise. Sorry I've not been more in touch but I hope
the occasional card buys me some grace." Charles had used Met postcards to
drop Alejandro notes about the goings and comings of life in New York and
his new job. They'd been greatly appreciated and Alejandro made sure
Charles knew that. They briefly discussed the next board meeting and
Alejandro's hope that a social occasion separate from board business could
be arranged.

"I don't want to burden you, Charles. Please understand that."

"Of course I understand. Actually, I was going to call you closer to the
board meeting. I've made friends with some people I think you'd enjoy
knowing. What do you think of a small dinner party here at my, um, our
place?"

"Charles, let's get something clear now. I don't mean to sound harsh or
abrupt, understand. It is your place; we've just some financial details to
work out sometime but as far as I'm concerned I am your guest when I'm
there. Further, if you have found friends that you enjoy sharing your bed
with, I'm glad for you. We've had this sort of conver.."

Charles interrupted, "Alex! Yes. You sound like you're getting yourself in
some sort of state. I know this is my home and yes, I've met several
attractive men that I've enjoyed being host to.

"This visit we're talking about will help put your mind at ease. Now, will
you trust me to make all the arrangements? It will be a dinner for eight,
you, me and six guests. Believe me; you'll enjoy meeting them and those who
weren't included will be green with envy," Charles said in his blend of
baronial/lecturer tone.

"You are the best I know at setting me straight, Charles. Thank you for
doing this. A word of warning though..." Alejandro waited a few beats.
"With you not able to travel with me to the various board meetings, I'm
working to expand my circle of friends so that the meetings are not all
work. Be warned!"

Charles laughed as did Alejandro.

"I'll make sure my harem is not on the list - not that you'd find any of
them especially attractive. I know what you like, Alex. These lithe, thin,
muscled artistic types wouldn't turn your head the first time. Some are a
bit over the top for even for me but they're great company, know just
everyone and have helped me tremendously."

After exchanging news and catching up on Charles' friends in Chicago they
hung up. Alejandro was looking forward to the New York visit already.

Time sped by and the trip to the Casa was imminent. Alejandro cleared the
remaining business from his calendar the afternoon before his departure.
Heading to the gym, he knew a thorough workout was the medicine he needed
prior to a day of transit. O'Malley was in the locker room when he arrived.

Their schedules rarely meshed so working out with John was a treat for
Alejandro. They spotted each other, encouraged and critiqued each other as
appropriate. When they finished they were drenched in sweat and each
confessed they were exhausted.

They skipped the pool laps, deciding to shower and finish their workout
horizontally back at Alejandro's condo. After they'd both cum they
showered, got a drink and chatted for a while. John said how excited Matt
sounded each time they talked. After a pause, John looked inquiringly at
Alejandro as if hesitant to ask or say something.

"Matt and that architect John, its Dupuy isn't it, sure are spending a lot
of time together. Matt is so fired up about this project, and is enjoying
working with someone who understands where he's coming from."

"I've noticed that too, John. They've really clicked. It's a relief to me
to have that focus and energy coming from them. Together they're going to
make a big difference in this effort," Alejandro added.

He wondered at John's expression and what was behind the observation. He
let the subject drop but determined to be more aware in the future.

The next morning he was awake early and found himself anxious to get
started. The next few days were going to be an adventure for him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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