Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 16:59:21 -0500
From: Lee Mariner <mariner23502@hotmail.com>
Subject: An Orphan - Chapter #29

An Orphan
(c) By Lee Mariner

March 2003

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This story is a fictional gay fantasy and includes
homosexual acts between men and boys. IF YOU ARE NOT OF LEGAL AGE TO READ OR
YOU DO NOT APPROVE OF SUCH MATERIAL, PLEASE LEAVE. All characters and events
are fictional and unrelated to any person or persons living or deceased.

DO NOT ENGAGE IN UNPROTECTED SEX, IT CAN LEAD TO A LIFE THREATENING
CONSEQUENCE.

All stories I have written can be found under the name of Lee Mariner in the
Nifty Archives listing of Prolific Authors. Constructive criticism is
appreciated.

COPYRIGHT: This story is copyrighted (c) by the author and may not be
reproduced in any form without the specific written consent of the author.
It is assigned to the Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission
guidelines but it is not to be copied or archived on any site without the
written consent of the author.

Copyright: March 2003 - Author: Lee Mariner - All Rights are Reserved.

Mariner23502@hotmail.com

				* * * * * * * *

Chapter #29

In Lincoln, Devon was our unofficial driver but not in Baltimore. Robert
took over those duties driving the rental we had reserved for our arrival.
Devon was good in Lincoln but this was Baltimore and Robert and Stewart had
been born here.

Working on the docks like I had there never was much time for sightseeing
but looking around as we drove, you could see that Baltimore was making
great strides in its urban renewal programs. The Marriott
Baltimore-Waterfront Hotel was an excellent example of joint public and
private enterprise working together in the ongoing improvement of the
surrounding blighted areas of the waterfront.

"I watched them building this place when I worked the docks but I didn't
realize it was this big. Someone did a hell of a job designing it."

"I thought you might like it Clyde, that's why I made reservations here.
It's close to Dad's office and some of the other places we might like to
visit." Stu said, his face beaming.

"We should be getting some kind of response on the invitations we sent out,
I'd like to get the old Branston back in business."

"It's going to take a little while Clyde but you should be hearing something
in the next few days." Robert said handing us our room cards saying, "I hope
you like the view. You two should be able to see all of Baltimore and
Annapolis from the top floor."

"The top floor, your kidding Robby." Stu exclaimed like a little kid. "I
asked for an upper room but I didn't expect the top floor."

"No joke little brother, your luggage is already on the way up. There was a
message from Dad that he would like for us to meet him at 1 o'clock at the
Continental Club for lunch. You remember where that is don't you Stu?"

"He only took me there for lunch once Rob but why there? Why not at the
office in the dining room?"

"I don't know. His message said for all of us to meet him there."

"All of us Rob." I said looking at Devon.

Robert saw my eyes shift in Devon's direction and he smiled. "All of us
Clyde. We have a little over an hour so that gives us time to freshen up.
How about you and Stu drop by our rooms on 20, #2026?"

				* * * * * * * *

The hotel had six elevators controlled by computers programmed for a
continuous rotation of the cars between floors so that guests did not wait
more then a few seconds and I mentioned it to Stu. "It'd be a good idea if
we had our elevators monitored like these are. Watch that master display on
the wall and you can see where each car is."

"We can have that done." He said agreeing with me. "I like the way they have
merged art-deco and contemporary."

"Yeah, that's your department."

The rooms were luxuriously decorated with an obvious eye to easy
maintenance. Bathrooms constructed of ceramic tile, heavy safety glass
mirrors and stainless steel. Oddly enough there were not tubs only glass
walled showers with Kohler fixtures.

Robert was right. On a clear day you might be able to see Annapolis. The
windows were again thick safety plate glass and non-opening with thermal
drapes. I guess I was thinking more like a businessman until I felt Stu's
arms slip around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder with his hard
muscled body pressed up against me.

"What's wrong Clyde?" He whispered blowing in my ear.

"Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"Because I've gotten to know when something is bothering you babe and except
for a word here or there, you have hardly said anything since we left
Lincoln."

"Think you know me, do you?" I said twisting in his arms and putting mine
over his, clasping my hands behind his broad back and looking into the
depths of his deep blue eyes.

"I don't think anyone ever really knows everything about someone Clyde, but
I am learning about you every day.  You think a lot and I saw it when we
were at the farm and discovered what had been going on there. You were
fuming inside but you didn't say anything until after Hardison and his men
had cleaned it out. You didn't say anything on the drive back too Lincoln
and then when you were asked, you told us you were going to convert the farm
into a boys home. Things like that babe, little things." He said, laying his
head on my chest, his fingers tickling my spine.

"Lets sit down Stu, there are a couple of things I've been thinking about."

I had been thinking about how much I disliked Baltimore and how much I had
grown to like Lincoln in the short time we had been there. Adam and Cody
were two great guys pretty much we were, Devon was a gem and the others all
seemed like sincere people with a sense of worth. I didn't want to stay in
Baltimore any longer then we needed to be here.

"Stu, have you thought about where we are going to be living?  Would you
want to stay here in Baltimore or somewhere else?"

His eyes searched mine as if looking for an answer before answering. "I'll
live anywhere you are Clyde but you know we are going to be living in
Lincoln so why ask?"

"Because I want you to be happy Stu. We could finish remodeling the town
house here and have an apartment in Lincoln if you want."

"And we could have a place in the Bahamas or maybe in Spain or even in
Russia Clyde, but would that makes either of us any happier? I doubt it.
Besides there is so much you want to do in Lincoln and West Point so why
would we live any place other than there." Stu said almost breathlessly,
picking at a piece of lint on his trousers.

"I'm not sure about Russia babe but we might be able to manage the other
places if that's what you want."

I knew Stu was excitable but I didn't expect him to launch himself at me and
push me back against the arm of the couch his chest flat against mine with
his arms around my neck. His beautiful eyes were sparkling as he lowered his
lips to mine in a deep passionate kiss. His tongue was a hot poker twisting
and probing in a hot duel with mine our cocks swelling hardening between us,
his heart racing with mine. Stu felt heavier when he exhaled pulling his
lips away from mine gazing into my eyes. When he inhaled his chest expanded
and I could feel his groin pressing tighter against mine as he looked at me
grinning. "You silly goose. Don't you know by now that all I want is you? I
wouldn't care if it was where we first met in that dinky room you lived in
or a mansion on some hillside just as long as it is you that's with me."

"That's one of the things I love about you, no holding back. Let it all hang
out for the world to see and if we keep this up there is going to be a mess
between us."

"We've had those before but since when did that stop you?" He asked smiling
and grinding his hard cock against mine.

"Since it is time for us to pickup Robert and Devon so we can meet your
father. One of us has to keep his wits about him lover of mine." I said
quickly pecking him on the forehead, lifting up carrying him with me. "Do
you think Rob has told your father about him and Devon? He said we all were
invited for lunch and Devon was included."

"That's probably one of the reasons why we are meeting him at the
Continental Club and not having lunch at the office in the Executive Dining
Room. When dad has something serious on his mind he usually lunches outside
of the office so he won't be distracted and if Rob has told him about Devon
and that he is gay, that is serious."

"Do you mean he might be upset? He didn't seem that upset when he was told
about you and I."

"He suspected I was gay remember? Rob is something else; he is married with
a daughter. There is nothing Dad can do about it if he has been told but Dad
is pretty pragmatic when it comes to changes within the family. He will want
to know exactly what Rob intends to do and be sure that he is doing the
right thing by his wife and daughter plus the family.  That's what makes him
a good lawyer; he is practical and does not try and change what he knows he
cannot. He will actually act like a buffer between Rob and his wife."

"Some fathers go ape shit and raise all kinds of hell. Rob and you were
lucky yours was not like that. Surprised the hell out of me they way he took
it that day."

"That's dad and speaking of him we better get going. Maybe we can finish
later what you started."

"Me, I didn't start it but I can damn well finish it when we get back." I
said pulling the door closed behind us, hearing a squealing laugh when I
smacked his ass as he walked by.

				* * * * * * * *

Almost as soon as we knocked Robert and Devon came out of their rooms,
wearing different clothes then when we left them and I received a dirty look
from Stu when he saw them commenting. "We didn't have time to cleanup and
change."

"We didn't have to but it feels better after that long flight. I always feel
sort of gritty cramped up like that for so long." Rob said glancing at Devon
who had an impish look on his face.

"Yeah, those closed airplane cabins can be dirty can't they." Stu said
glancing at me again his eyes flashing blue sparks and in defense, I sort of
shrugged my shoulders.

"Come on guys, we better get a move on." I said hastily. "We don't want to
keep your Dad waiting."

The Continental Club was on S. Charles St. and Robert tooled the rented
Buick sedan through the streets easily. Stu had lost a little of his pique
and sat close with his hip touching mine.

I had driven past the Continental Club several times in the past but never
paid it any mind. It was in one of the older buildings in the city and not
very impressive. The architecture was early Federal and the rust colored
bricks didn't look like they had been cleaned since the building had been
constructed. The windows had to be almost 10' tall and 4' wide and you could
see heavy shades not Venetian blinds covering them inside.

Granite steps led upwards to a brick floored portico with a roof supported
by two huge brick columns. We walked through huge double doors with inset
lead framed opaque diamond shaped glass. A stone-faced Mat'ire d'hotel' was
standing just inside of the doors and he must have recognized either Robert
or Stewart by the way he greeted us.

"Mr. Robert, Mr. Stewart, good afternoon. Your father is at his table, right
this way." He said with a slight bow, glancing at Devon and I.

We followed our greeter into a huge high ceiling room filled with round
tables with snow-white tablecloths. Each table had a small lamp in the
center and a telephone. The senior Ricksford was sitting by one of the
windows at a larger table that must have been at least 8' in diameter and
when he saw us threading our way through the maze of tables and chairs, he
waved and stood up.

"Robert, Stewart, Clyde, good to see you." He said extending his hand and
thanking the mai'tre d'hotel' for escorting us.

"If your guests would like something to drink Mr. Ricksford, I'll send your
server right over."

"I think they will Samuel, ask Eugene to come over when he has a moment."
Ricksford said, gazing at Devon. "You must be Robert's friend Devon." He
said extending his hand too him.

"Yes sir, Devon Walker. It's nice meeting you, Robert and Stewart have told
me about you." Devon said smoothly and with confidence while shaking the
elder Ricksford's hand.

It was impressive watching Devon stand his ground and not flinch. Devon
wasn't a small man but he was nowhere as large as the man I saw approaching
our table if he was our server.

Eugene was a man probably in his mid to late 30's.  He was tall with broad
thick shoulders, a narrow waist with salt and pepper hair and piercing
almost cold slate gray eyes. He had a thick Slavic accent when he asked if
he could be of service. He took our drink orders, giving Devon a close
scrutinizing look before writing his down and left without further comment.

"He isn't a very friendly fellow is he Dad." Stu said to his father.

"His demeanor might indicate that son but I really wouldn't know. Samuel
runs a pretty tight ship and un-necessary talking by the staff is
discouraged. Most of them have been with the club for years and probably
hear a great deal while serving the guests but its not likely they repeat
any of it." He said quietly looking at the 4 of us, asking. "How was your
trip?"

"Uneventful but it surprised me when we checked in at the Marriott and there
was a message from you waiting for us. How did you know where we would be
staying?"  Robert asked.

"A Mr. Anderson told me when I called to see what your plans were. He said
he was manager of Clyde's hotel and at first was rather reluctant to tell me
anything until I convinced him I was your father." He said looking at me.
"Good man to have Clyde and please call me Elwood."

"Of course and thanks. Your right, Scott is proving to be a valuable and
competent asset." I said glancing at Stu sitting on my right. He and Robert
were sitting on either side of their father with Devon and I sitting beside
them.

We had a limited but delicious lunch. There were two entrée's you chose from
and depending on what day of the week it was, the choices varied. Since it
was Monday we had a choice of black-peppered Burgundy roast beef or Lemon
Chicken breast. After lunch we all had coffee except Devon who had tea.
None of us smoked except Elwood, he smoked cigars and lit one as soon as his
coffee was served.

"Judge Doumar called me right after you were before him Robert, he really
was impressed with the presentation of the documentation and how thoroughly
everything was presented. The transfer and approval went well then?" Elwood
said too Robert.

"The transfer of the assets of Clyde's uncle was done with little confusion
sir. Mr. Dickson, the estate executor, was helpful with the estate
inventories and evaluations. Judge Doumar impressed me as being a no
nonsense jurist and he spoke with us for a few minutes after the proceedings
were concluded. He mentioned he knew you and asked if we were planning on
opening an office in Lincoln. He offered assistance if we needed it."
Robert said, skipping over some of the rough spots we encountered because of
Dickson's attempt at subterfuge.

"Doumar mentioned that when he called, what do you think?" Ricksford said
blue smoke curling up from his cigar, his eyes on Roberts face.

"Its something we should think about. I've already submitted applications to
the state for licensing and reciprocity with Maryland just in case we decide
the firm should expand. Stewart is going to complete his education and with
Clyde's interests he will need help occasionally. I think it's a good move."

"It sounds like it might be and you will be relocating with or without your
family."

"I told you about Devon when we talked Dad and he came with us to meet you."

"I kind of figured who the young man sitting next to you is. My apologies
for seemingly ignoring you Devon, lawyers have a nasty habit of talking to
much."

"I've learned that since meeting Robert and Stewart Mr. Ricksford."  Devon
said.

Leaning back in his chair Elwood smiled, looking at his sons and us rolling
his cigar between his fingers in reflection before he spoke. "I wasn't
totally surprised when Robert told me of his decisions and preferences, I've
known for sometime about his inner struggle with his feelings. It was just a
matter of time until he knew which road was meant for him.  None of us know
the road we are destined to travel; we just do the best we can. Parents have
hopes and wishes but most of us know we cannot control their futures, we can
only train and hope with their safety and happiness uppermost in our minds.
That always has been and always will be."

"You never mentioned anything about it Dad." Robert said, a surprised tone
in his voice.

"Parents see things Rob, as their children grow into adults, you should know
that since you have a daughter. As for saying anything about it, it is a
personal thing and not my place to intrude in my children's personal lives.
I will ask you if Marie knows you are here?"

"Not yet. I'm going to see her tomorrow and talk things over but I don't
anticipate there will be any problems. She has probably suspected it for
some time."

"I suggest you do Robert." Elwood said pushing his chair back and standing.
"It was good seeing you again Clyde and meeting you Devon. We will have to
get together for dinner while you are here."

				* * * * * * * *
When we arrived back at the hotel, I heard my name being called by one of
the clerks behind the registration desk when we were walking across the
lobby.

"I wonder what he wants Stu. I'll be right back." I said but he walked with
me.

"Mr. Hampton?"

"Yes."

"There are two gentlemen waiting for you in the lounge. They didn't give
their names sir, just told me to let you know they wanted to see you when
you came in." The clerk said nervously.

"Two men in the lounge waiting for me. How long have they been waiting?"

"Not quite an hour sir. One of them has came out and looked around the lobby
a few times."

"Thanks." I said turning away and Stu and I rejoined Robert and Devon.

"Two men waiting for you, who do you think they are Clyde? What do they want
that they would be waiting for almost an hour?" Stu asked.

"Better than that Stu, who knows we are here at the Marriott except Dad.
Scott wouldn't tell everyone we were here."

"The best way to find out is go see instead of standing here speculating.
You guys wait, I'll be right back."

"Want us to go with you Clyde." Dev asked.

"There's only two Dev, I'll be back as soon as I see what they want."

As soon as I walked in the door of the lounge I spotted two men sitting in a
back booth and I knew they were mob but not who they were. It's easy to spot
mob people when you work the docks where they hang out but I couldn't
remember seeing these two before and I was trying to think what they could
want with me.

"You Clyde Hampton." One of them said without looking up, crushing his
cigarette in an already full ashtray.

"Maybe." I said cautiously. "It depends on who's asking?"

"Don't get cute bud, Mattie sent us to pick you up. He said he'd like to
talk with you. He's over at the Piers End."

"Mattie wants to see me now?" I asked quietly.

"He told us to wait for you so I guess that means now."

I knew that before he even said it. Mattie was what is called a made man and
that means you didn't fuck with him. He and I had always been on good terms
so it surprised me that two goons would be sent to pick me up for a meeting.

"Give me a minute and I'll meet you out front. Okay?"

They looked at each other for a second before the one who had been talking
stood up. "You know Matte bud, he don't like people screwing with him. You
got 5 minutes." He said threateningly before they walked out of the lounge.

Stu came through the lounge door with Robert and Devon following him before
I had a chance to rejoin them.

"Clyde, who were those guys?"

"Two men you don't want to know little brother." Robert said softly over
Stu's shoulder.

"You know them Rob?" I said a little surprised.

"Personally no but I've seen their kind in court. Are you in trouble?"

"No, my old union steward wants to see me that's all, probably about past
dues." I said trying to be nonchalant.  "You guys go on up and I'll be back
as soon as I see what he wants."

"Where are they taking you Clyde?" Stu said looking at me with worry in his
eyes.

"We are going to a bar over by the docks where I worked, the Piers End. It's
a longshoreman's hangout.  You remember Mattie the day you came on board the
ship looking for me. Mattie is the ILA steward for the local I belonged to.
I won't be gone that long, so don't worry, okay. You hang with Rob and Devon
until I get back." I said looking at Robert.

					* * * * * * * *

The Piers End was a neighborhood bar by the docks and I had hung out there
when I was working the docks. Mattie and other ILA dockworkers hung out in
the bar but didn't live in the neighborhood. It wasn't that much of a drive
but I had no idea what Matte wanted me for.

				* * * * * * * * * *
TBC