Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 10:17:23 -0800 (PST)
From: dante umbero <danteumbero@yahoo.com>
Subject: Artist's Holiday-Joel 4

WARNING this story contains graphic descriptions of
hot man 2 man sex.  If you are offended or too young
to read it go away.  Otherwise enjoy.
This story is based on real characters and real
events.  While creative license has been used to
enhance the tale, and obviously the names have been
changed, the general storyline is factual.
The characters in this story were living in a place
and time when diseases were not so common.  Be
responsible and don't make love without a "glove".
Ciao
Dante-

"A million dollars, Dave you're rich!"  Joel gasped.

"Well I haven't got the commission yet, besides maybe
I don't want to do it."  I sighed.

Joel's mouth dropped open," Not do it, Dave, are you
crazy?"  He said.

I walked to the drinks cabinet, poured myself straight
bourbon took a drink and looked at Joel, "You don't
understand, Joel, if I take this commission it is
likely that I'll need to stay here for an extended
period, possibly move here until it is complete.  The
committee throwing that kind of money can pretty much
dictate the terms of my life for the duration."  I
pulled on the end of the bowtie and loosened my
collar.  "In the meantime you'll be at Davis and we
will be in the same situation just reversed.  I have
decided that I can't live across the country from you.
 No matter the cost.  I receive quite a good income
from my work as it is.  This commission won't change
anything if I turn it down.  I will likely get several
horse portraits from Ingrid's Suede and that isn't a
small amount.  Not to mention my agent has the specs
for a graphics contract in London waiting on me.  I
have plenty of work.  What I want is to be with you,
every possible moment.  Do you understand what I'm
saying?"  I looked at Joel and could see he was still
baffled.  I sighed yet again and said, "Joel you're
worth more than a million dollars to me.  I would
gladly pay a million dollars to have you with me every
minute of every day.  I'd lay down my palette and
shovel horse shit for a living just to be with you."
I reached out and took his hand, took another gulp of
bourbon and slapped the glass down.  "Let's go to
bed."  I said and tugged him to his feet.

Latter, after a furious bout of lovemaking, in which I
worked out most of my anxiety, lying against Joel's
chest.  He said, "Dave, I am still floored by what you
said.  You'd give up a million dollar deal, for me?
How could I be at peace with that?  At least check out
the commission and see. I believe we are meant to be
together, so let's see how it pans out.  OK?"

I could hear his heart beat and feel the tickle of his
chest hair against my cheek; I was beginning to think
I could never refuse him when placed in such a
situation.  I chuckled at the thought and said, "Dude
when I feel like I do right now, I'd give you my left
nut, one kidney and half my liver, if you wanted it."

He brushed his hand across my back and shoulder, "Just
listen to what they have to say.  How long does
something like this take?"  He asked.

"Well it depends on the size and how well I sync with
the committee.  If I can get a good feel for what they
want, the magic happens and the work is large,
potentially a year or more.  Historically though some
monumental works have taken years.  Sargent worked for
like 10 years on the Boston Museum of Fine Art.  I
don't think this is that size but a year is certainly
in the ball park. It isn't like I start and work
exclusively on it.  I have to develop the work do
drawings and probably a few studies in oil for the
committee to approve then begin the main work, all the
while doing the rest of my work.  I'll be able to give
you a better answer Monday afternoon."  I said and
yawned.

Joel getting out of bed woke me.  "God, I can't wait
until you can spend an entire night with me."  I said
sleepily.

Joel leaned over and kissed me lightly, "Soon lover,
soon.  I need to get back to the bunkhouse before
daylight.  Carlo was wasted when I left last night so
he isn't likely to be up yet.  What kind of plans you
got today?" he said.

I yawned and said, "I need to do a bunch of laundry
and start pulling stuff together for the trip to
London.  I'm sending all my oil paints back out west
today so I'll need to run into town.  I've also got to
call the airline and reschedule my return flight from
Paris.  Luckily I took travel insurance out so all
these tickets are covered.  Ingrid wants me to have
lunch up at the house today."  I paused and looked at
Joel who smiled down at me.  "Busy, lover boy, busy."
I finished and smiled.

"Can we spend Sunday together?" he asked.

"Are you asking me for a date?"  I asked.  He nodded
and smiled.  "I thought you'd never ask.  I just got
one thing planned for Sunday and you can tag along."
I said.

He kissed me and I heard the door latch dimly as sleep
reclaimed me.

As I had told Joel the day was busy with mundane
chores errands and a delightful lunch with Ingrid.
She kept thanking me for the painting and kept trying
to pay for it.  I told her that it was a gift, but if
she wanted to help then to encourage those interested
in contacting me about commissions.  When she asked
how much they cost I told her honestly that Ingrid's
Suede wouldn't have been for sale if I hadn't given it
to them, but on average I got about $6,000.00 for a
portrait.  If they want me onsite then they can add
the travel expenses.  She laughed and said I was too
cheap, that the horses cost millions so a portrait
ought to be worth at least 10,000.  She would take
care of it.

She suddenly changed the subject and said, "Is Joel
going to follow you back to California?"

I choked on my water and had to push back from the
table to regain my composure, after a minute of
coughing and gasping I took a sip of water and said,
"My God, what are you talking about."

"Well by your reaction I can assume then that you and
he are together, I won't deny that I was initially
quiet upset at you.  Then the lovely portrait and you
both are obviously happy, what can I say.  I will tell
you though that his family will not be happy if they
find out, so please be careful.  So do you love him,
or is this just a fling?"  She said.

I'm sure that I looked pretty stupid at this point,
but I tried to rise to the occasion and said, "Very
much actually.  I realize there is a monstrous age
difference but Joel seems content.  I unfortunately
still worry, quit selfishly, that he will tire of my
middle age ministrations and move to a younger loving.
 As you know I don't have a great track record in the
love department."

"Well I wish you both lots of luck, and all that.  I
told C.V. about it and surprisingly he was rather
interested.  Said that you were very intelligent and
in a queer sort of way attractive.  He could see what
Joel saw in you.  He also said he would gladly give
Joel a recommendation to Vet school." She said and
laughed.  "So I am glad that you are taken.    Now
about this commission thing, if you get it you'll need
a place to stay around here.  The guest house is yours
at anytime, I want you to promise me you'll stay with
us whenever you need to.  Of course, stay away from
C.V."  She said through peels of laughter.

That night snuggled up against Joel I repeated my
conversation with Ingrid.  He was initially upset but
I calmed him down and told him not to worry.  C.V. and
Ingrid had both lived for four years in San Francisco
so they were pretty cosmopolitan.

"He is going to give you a recommendation to Vet
School."  I said.  "He apparently cares for you and
wants you to do well.  I said.

"It's just too close to home, I guess.  She was right
about my Dad, he won't be happy to say the least.  It
would be better if he didn't find out about us, Dave."
 He said.

"In the words of a wonderful man, whatever it is we'll
get through it together, lover."  I whispered as sleep
claimed me.

Joel lay along time thinking about the situation.  He
knew that he loved this man more than anyone else in
his life.  Even more than his family, he wouldn't let
anything happen to him.  He had already talked with
his advisor and he could either finish up here or
transfer to UC.  He worried that Dave would let his
college arrangements interfere with what could be the
most important work of his career.  Joel was
relatively simple; he wanted to be with David, period.
 He still waited to wakeup from a dream, but hoped
like hell he never did.

The sun shining in the bedroom woke me, I could feel
the warmth of Joel against my back, he was spooned up
to me and I could feel his erection nestled in my
crack.  I snuggled backward into him and sighed.  Then
realized how late it was.

"Oh shit, Joel, wakeup!'  I yelled and threw back the
duvet.  Joel mumbled and sat up.

"Whass wrong, I'm up."  He mumbled groggily.

"Its 7:00 Joel, Carlo will be up and about wondering
where you are."  I said in a panic.

Joel started laughing and pulled me back down into
bed, "Carlo is off this weekend, I forgot to tell you.
 You were the one that wanted me to stay all night
sometime remember.  Now come here and let me wake you
up properly."  He said and reached for the nearest
part of me which happened to fit nicely into his
mouth.

We showered together and made love once again.  "Dude
you are a real horn dog."  I said as he slid his erect
cock into the cleft of my butt, and I leaned back into
him.

Latter I said, "We need to hurry I would like to make
the 11:00 Mass."

Joel stopped and stared at me, "You want to go to
Church?  A Catholic Church?" he said.

I laughed and said, "Well that's what Catholics tend
to do on Sunday."  I finished showering and Joel went
up to the bunkhouse and changed.  I pulled the
Mercedes up and he climbed in looking very sexy in
kaki slacks and a polo shirt.  We managed to make it
to St. Peter Clavier with about 5 minutes to spare.
When we got there I realized it was a traditional
Mass, my favorite kind.  Joel sat solemnly through the
ritual watching while I went through the responses and
the kneeling and standing.  He looked spell bound when
I returned from communion and knelt to say my
thanksgiving.  The Priest shook our hands at the door
and as we left.

"That was one of the most beautiful things I've ever
experienced." He said as we settled into the car.  "I
haven't been in too many Churches; my folks just
aren't the Church going type.  The only kind I was
ever in some redneck was standing up yelling about
hellfire and brimstone and begging for poor folk's
money.  That was elegant and somehow comforting even
though I couldn't understand a word."

"Yeah the Latin takes some getting use to; I studied
it enough to follow the responses.  Of course you
understood the sermon, we call it a homily.  I was
reared Catholic, my folk's are very devout.  I have
never quit, even when I was at my wildest and most
wanton, I never left the Church."  I paused, and then
said, "I remember when I told my priest I thought I
was queer.  He told me the usual stuff about how the
Church condemned the action, but he told me that I
must in my conscious determine God's will for me.  He
was a very wise man, in my opinion."

Joel was silent for awhile then said, "When we get
settled together, will you take me with you again?"

I looked over and he looked like a little boy again, I
reached down and took his hand and said, "Sure,
anytime.  I want the together part to be soon."

We ate brunch at a hotel and leaving the restaurant I
turned to Joel and asked, "So, big boy, what would you
like to do for the rest of the day?"

He took my hand and said, "You won't laugh?"  I shook
my head.  "I want to go back to your place and read
the paper and just hang out with you.  You're leaving
tomorrow and I won't see you for a month, I still
don't know how I'm going to stand it."  I heard him
sigh.

We picked up a paper and were driving back through the
country when a brown furry streak shot across in front
of me, I slammed on the brakes and the big sedan went
into a skid but I managed to keep it on the road.
When it came to a complete stop, Joel was out the door
and down in the ditch after the ball of brown fur.  He
emerged in a few minutes cradling something in his
arms.  He climbed back into the car and I realized he
had a rather tattered puppy.

I reached out and scratched its head and said, "What
have you got here?  Looks like a stray, he's awfully
young though."

We started on down the road again when Joel said,
"People are always dumping their unwanted dogs out
around here.  He looks like a pretty mixed up cocktail
of dog genes, but he's kinda cute."

"What are you going to do with him?"  I asked.

"Feed him and ask around, see if I can find him a
home."  He said, scratching the puppy's ears. "Now lil
fella what do you want to be called, how about Flash?"
 He laughed and I joined him.  Flash looked at us with
one ear up and the other flopped over his right eye,
then settled down into Joel's arms.

Latter in the golden light of the afternoon, I sat and
sketched Joel and Flash, asleep on the couch
surrounded with the newspaper that Joel had read and
Flash had chewed.  I really didn't want to go to
London, but there wasn't really an alternative.  I had
rebooked my return flight and would be back in just
over three weeks.  Ingrid had kindly told me the guest
house was mine to use for a few days when I returned.
Hopefully by then most of the plans will have taken
firm shape.  I hoped to know about the commission and
Joel's college plans and we could establish a more
permanent arrangement.  Looking at the way the light
turned his head gold and his utterly relaxed pose I
felt my heart give a funny skip and smiled.
-------
"So, the space as you can see is 60 x 80 feet and the
arched frieze is where we want the work to go." Mr.
Gallagher, the elder man from the party, said pointing
up to the arched frieze around the second floor
balcony and facing the main entrance.  He led me and
the committee through the atrium and I could see that
a large sweeping work would be needed to not be
overwhelmed by the shear volume of the space.

"Do you have the square footage of the actual space
the work is to fill?"  I asked.  "It looks like we're
talking about 1000 square feet.  Are the walls plaster
and lath or sheet rock?"  I said.

"They are sheetrock and the actual square footage is
987.  It looks larger due to the whiteness and the
curvature.  We are planning on renovating the lighting
to enhance the work, of course."  He explained.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, my medium is oil, not
fresco so I can tell you that I would propose a work
done on canvas in my studio and then mounted to the
frieze with gesso.  Kind of like those hideous murals
you can buy on wall paper.  I would carefully cut the
canvas to match the wall then back in my studio
stretch it by section and paint it then we would mount
them together here.  It is a typical method; most
ceiling paintings are done that way.  After the work
was mounted I would need to touch up the seams of the
work.  I would also propose at least one large oil and
canvas study that you would approve before the
monumental work was started."  I said feeling better
and better about this commission.  I could work on
this in a studio; of course it would need to be bigger
than my current one.  I could continue in California
and just make trips here to cut the canvas, for status
reports to the committee, and then when the work was
fitted in place.

"How long would you estimate it would take you to
complete the commission?"  One of the committee asked.

"At least a year, maybe two, it will take several
months just to complete the final study.  Oil only
dries so fast and I have a reasonable amount of work
already in hand.  However I can tell you that this is
certainly an admirable undertaking and I would like to
be involved in it."  I said striking just the right
note of interest without sounding anxious.

Joel and Flash met me in front of the building in his
pickup to take me out to the airport to hop the
private jet.  I had put my stuff in the back before I
left.

"So, dude, don't keep me in suspense.  How did it go?"
 Joel asked as anxious as I had ever seen him.

"Looks like I'm going to be busy for the next couple
of years," I said.

"Yee Haw!"  Joel yelled.

He kissed me and nearly ran onto the sidewalk.  I
pulled back and asked him to please keep me alive long
enough to complete the work.  Flash barked and wagged
his tail.

"But seriously, Joel, I can do the work in a studio.
I will have to pop out here a couple weeks at a time
to keep on track, but the vast majority of the work
will be done in my studio.  Of course I'm going to
have to find a bigger studio.  Each of the panels will
be very large indeed plus finding room to do my
regular stuff.  Besides I'm thinking that 75 miles is
too far to be away from you.  When I talk to Dale
today I'll get him started on finding me a warehouse
near Davis that we can convert into a studio and loft,
I can either sell my current space in the city or
lease it out.  The contract has been faxed to Bill, my
attorney and Clark, my agent.  If they don't have too
many objections, I'll sign the contract while I'm in
Europe."  I said and grasped his hand.  "We're almost
together, baby, almost."

"I'll call my advisor and the people at Davis and get
the stuff rolling on my transfer. With luck I'll be
ready to move when you get back."  He sighed.

We sat in the parking lot of the airport and ate
McDonald's sharing our fries and pieces of hamburger
with Flash.

We pulled up to the private jet and I looked at Joel.
He was turned looking out the side window.  "Dude,
what's wrong?"  I asked and touched his arm.

He wiped his nose on his sleeve and said in a choked
up voice, "Be careful, OK?  You know I'm gonna be
thinking about you every minute of everyday don't
you?"

I reached over and touched his cheek, "Baby, I'm
coming back, don't you worry.  You're going to have to
run me off.  I'll call you when I touch down in
London, OK?  And by the way, what color was that BMW
suppose to be?"

He laughed and looked at me, I could see the tears but
the laughter was shining there also.  He reached over
and we kissed, then I opened the door and got out.
I'm not sure what the pilot thought but he wandered
over and helped me with my bags.  I looked back at the
bottom of the steps up to the plane and Joel was
sitting there staring at me, he raised his fingers off
the wheel in a wave and Flash was standing braced on
the dash barking.  I waved back and got on the plane.

To be continued...