Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 14:05:58 +0000
From: Ben nobody <ben_sc@hotmail.com>
Subject: Jose Spreads His Wings Chapter 14-Beginnings

Jose Spreads His Wings

By Ben

Chapter XIV

They were awakened by a soft tapping at the door. "Enrique, Jose... may I
come in?" Carla's voice came to them through the heavy wooden door. Enrique
pulled the covers over his and Jose's naked bodies. "Si, Carlita. I am
awake."

Carla opened the door and entered. Her gaze caught the clothing piled on
the floor and her nostrils flared at the unmistakable smell of male sex,
but she gave no outward appearance that she noticed either.

"Mama sent me to tell you that it was time for you to get ready to return
to university. She has had your things sent to the plane along with enough
food to keep you both full for a week. I hope you can fit it all in your
little car when you get back." She smiled the brilliant smile that was
identical to her the one her brother wore.

"Si. I will wake Jose and we will shower and come up to see Mama before we
leave. Gracias, Carla"

She blew him a kiss as she was shutting the door, then winked at him as she
blew one to the sleeping Jose as well. Gently he shook Jose and called his
name until he opened one sleepy eye. Jose smiled and reached for him. They
shared a sweet kiss and a strong embrace before Enrique told him that they
had to get up and get ready to return to school.

They showered quickly washing each other and occasionally stopping to kiss.
They dried each other, dressed and headed up the stairs to see La
Dona. Senora Chavez was sitting on her bed, as beautiful as ever. If it
weren't for her thinness and her pale skin, it would have been easy to
forget she was so gravely ill. Although their father was a handsome man, it
was from their mother that Enrique and Carla got their exceptional good
looks.

"Aqui, mi ninos. Come and sit with me." She invited as she patted the bed
on either side of her.  She turned to Jose first. "You have had your heart
broken, I know, but all will be well with you. Even if your family
continues to be narrow and cruel, you must know that you are always welcome
in our home and in our hearts."

Jose was deeply touched by her kind and sincere words. His eyes brimmed
with tears and spilled over as he nodded to her, unable to speak. She
reached for his hand, held it firmly to her lips and kissed it.

"Enrique, your Papa tells me that you are to have an assistant. Never
forget that Jose will be more than that to you. He will be your partner in
every sense, so you must always show him the respect he deserves."

"Si, Mama. I understand." Enrique assured her while he looked at Jose's
handsome face.

"You must go now so you will not arrive at university too late
tonight. Give your Mama a hug and promise to call me when you get to your
apartment." She reached her arms out to her first-born.

Jose saw just the slightest twinge of her brow as Enrique embraced his
mother. He had no way of knowing how excruciating the pain was for her, but
he was much gentler when it came time for his hug.  They bid the great lady
good-bye and headed downstairs to the car. Don Chavez was there to see him
off and Carla was to drive them to the plane.

She pulled up to the hangar and they all got out of the car. The plane had
been loaded and the engine was warming up while the pilot conducted his
ground checks. Carla gave Jose a big hug. "Take care mi hermano. I love
you." She said into his ear, then kissed him. He stepped over to shake the
hand of Don Chavez.

"Muchos gracias, Senor. I thank you for everything you have done and are
doing for me. I will try my hardest not to make you regret it." He said.

"My trust is well placed. Enrique is a good judge of character. Go, study
hard. I will expect great things from you, Jose. I know I will not be
disappointed." He pulled Jose into a hug. Enrique made his farewells to his
sister and his father, exchanging his promise to call when they were safely
at his apartment for theirs to keep him informed of his mother's health.

The small plane sped down the hard packed runway with the pilot in control
but Jose's hand and feet on the duplicate controls. He looked forward to
his flying lessons with only the slightest apprehension.  He dreamed of
when he would fly Enrique and his papa on their business trips.

When they grew hungry, Enrique unpacked some food from the huge basket and
they ate, first Jose and Enrique, then the pilot ate while Jose took the
controls. Of course, he never left the seat, just in case something might
happen that he needed to take the controls. He admired and encouraged Jose
as an apt pupil and assured him he would be an excellent flyer.

After their in-flight dinner the two young men managed to get some
sleep. In what seemed like a short time, the pilot woke them and told them
that they would be landing in the next few minutes. Enrique invited the
pilot to stay at his apartment overnight before heading back to San
Augustin, but he was told that his father had added a very comfortable room
to the hangar he leased near the university.

The plane landed without incident. Jose and Enrique helped the pilot unload
the small plane and push it into the hangar, after Enrique removed his
car. They bid the pilot good-night and were soon back at the apartment. The
travel and events of the long weekend had them feeling bone-weary. They
made sure everything was ready for their classes in the morning, Called San
Augustin, then collapsed into bed.

As usual, Enrique snuggled up against Jose's back as he held the long, trim
body in his arms. Jose felt warm and safe and loved. Despite the pain his
father had caused him, he now saw his future clearly. He would study hard
and give himself fully to his flying lessons. He reached down and pulled
Enrique's hand to his lips and kissed him. "I love you, Enrique." He said.

Enrique held him closer and pressed his hard body up against that of his
lover. He kissed Jose's neck and shoulder. "I love you, too, Jose. Buenos
Noches, mi Corazon."

So that's the beginning of the story for Jose and Enrique. Reader feedback
was less than overwhelming, especially as compared to "Berto's Roses". I
hope you all enjoyed it anyway. I plan to return to the characters in
"Berto's Roses" in the future, although I don't know in what capacity. Be
watching for anything!  Please write to me at ben_sc@hotmail and, if you
have not done so, please read my other stories on Nifty. Just click the
"Authors" link then scroll down until you see a listing for "Lyle Benton".