Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2004 14:19:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: J. W. <hardhattx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Beginnings - The Cabaret Singer - Part 4

The Cabaret Singer -- Part 4

The Third Date -- I'll never see him again...


"If you feel you need to leave, I understand," Dan
said with the beginning of a tear in his eye.  His
heart was breaking because he thought he'd never see
Mark again.  He wanted so much to have the opportunity
to really get to know the hunk as there was a
connection there.  "I don't blame you for wanting to
leave.  If the situation was reversed, I probably
would as well.  May I call you tomorrow?"  Mark
nodded, turned and left.

Dan and Mark had met only five days earlier and there
had been an instant connection.  Both mentally and
physically.  Their first two dates had been a
wonderful time spent getting to know each other.  On
their second date their passions intensified, and
while Miss Manners might have been shocked at their
behavior, they were not.

Their first time to undress the other had been a hot
mix of eroticism and passion.  There was none of this
ripping each other's clothes off, but a hot steamy
session of exploration.  Dan found Mark to have one of
the most sensitive bodies he'd ever seen.  The
discovery of feel, taste and smell had been
electrifying and they had both wanted it to last.

They had met the Sunday before, and gone on their
second date on Monday.  Because things were escalating
and a fast pace, Dan suggested the not see each other
until Friday.  Besides they both had things going on
during the week.  Mark was going to come over to Dan's
house and he was going to grill a couple of steaks and
open a bottle of wine.  The hottub would be waiting
for dessert.  Dan had been anticipating Friday evening
with Mark all week long.

They had chatted several times, and learning more
about each other.  They found they shared many of
their favorite movies, music types and even operas.
Mark mentioned that he had two tickets for the
symphony on Saturday evening.  His parents were on
vacation and had given them their tickets.  "I believe
the pops are playing Cole Porter," he said.  "Oh, I
know that will be a great concert," Dan replied happy
to know now that they were going to be together both
Friday night AND Saturday evening.

During the past year, Dan had dated several other men,
and done a number of internet tricks in order to ease
the pain of losing his partner the previous year.  One
of the men he had dated was Thad.  They had met as an
internet trick, but enjoyed each other and began
dating.  Thad was a big handsome man.  He was African
American, 6'2", 220 lbs, dark eyes, shaved head,
moustache, massive thighs, but what mostly caught
Dan's attention was Thad's thick uncut beer can of a
cock.  It was hard all of the time and shot gallons of
white steamy cum.  Dan loved playing with Thad, but
always let the man know that he wasn't looging for a
relationship.  They had some of the hottest and best
sex that Dan had ever experienced.  But as time wore
on, Dan began to realize that he wanted more.  He
wanted someone in his life that he loved with all of
his heart.  Thad simply wasn't that man.

As Dan tried to pull away from Thad, the more
possessive and demanding the man became.   He wanted
to know where Dan was every minute of the day.  If Dan
wasn't where Thad though he should be, he made all
sorts of accusations.  Dan needed out.  Dan had a
feeling that Thad had a dark side, and was somewhat
frightened about how he might react to the news.  At
first he was angry, and made some threats.  He often
said things in anger and Dan mostly blew them off.
Over the past couple of months Dan had tried to break
off the relationship.  Each time, Thad had thrown him
on the bed, and that was all she wrote.  What can I
say?  Dan had `slut' encoded into his DNA.  This time
Dan wasn't going to see Thad any more.  He wasn't
going to meet face to face, and he was going to stand
his ground.  Thad could be quite persuasive, but this
time Dan needed to end the relationship once and for
all.  This had taken place a couple of weeks before
Dan met Mark, but Thad was still calling from time to
time.  Dan stood his ground and was firm.  It was best
for both of them that they didn't talk to or see each
other for a while.  They had the possibility of being
just friends, but he felt they needed separation for a
few weeks.

Thad called Dan on Friday evening after work and Dan
suspected he had been drinking.  He started talking
about wanting to get back together and talk through
things.  Dan was adamant about not seeing him and not
talking.  "There's nothing to talk about right now.  I
really care about you and believe in you, and I do
love you as a friend.  However, I've searched my heart
and soul, and I don't love you as a partner.  I'm
sorry to tell you, but I'm being as honest and open as
I possibly can," Dan explained.

Thad started to get angry and belligerent.  "Look,"
Dan continued, "I just can't talk right now.  I need
to be running."

"Oh," Thad said sarcastically, "The Great Dan has a
date, and doesn't have time for me anymore."

"As a matter of fact, I do have a date," Dan said,
"And I do need to be running."

Then Thad got angry and started the threats.  "You'd
better watch your back^Å. You think you're rid of me,
well let me tell you something -- You'll never be rid
of me."  The ranting and raving continued.

Dan tried to calm the man down.  He'd never seen him
this mad, and say these types of things.  It scared
him.  "Look, I've always been honest with you.  I told
you I wasn't interested in a relationship.  I told you
I needed to find out how I am as an individual.
You've known the feelings you have for me weren't
shared.  I'm really sorry to hurt you, but I've
searched my heart and soul, and I'm not in love with
you.  I really feel that it's best for both of us if
we don't see each other."

Thad ranted some more.  Finally, Dan said, "I can't
talk any more, I have to go.  I'm hanging up now Thad.
 Good bye."  He hung up just as the doorbell rang.

As Dan opened the door, Mark straightened up, thrust
his chest forward and beamed.  That handsome man and
smile, well the body too, made Dan's heart soar.  Mark
came inside. They hugged and kissed.  "I could kiss
this man forever," Dan thought to himself.

As Dan was pouring a glass of wine, Mark asked "So,
how was your day?"

"Well, I've had better, and it's certainly a lot
better now that you're here."

"Oh, what happened?"

"I got a couple of calls from a guy I used to date.  I
broke it off several weeks ago, but this evening he
called back, found out I had a date and went berserk,"
Dan tried to calmly explain.   "He threatened me."

Mark said nothing, but just looked blankly at Dan.
Their silence was broken by the ringing phone.  Dan
picked up, and instantly both men could hear the
yelling coming through the receiver.  Dan took the
phone in another room, and kept the conversation as
brief as possible.

"I'm sorry about that," he said as he reentered the
kitchen.

"What did he threaten?" Mark asked.

"He told me to watch my back, and that there are a lot
of crazy dangerous people out there.  I know he's
angry, and I really doubt he'd do anything to
physically hurt me."

"Have you called the police?"

"Do you think I should?"

"Yes, you need to file a report.  If he should do
anything crazy, you need to have a report on file,"
Mark explained. "I had to do that once when I had some
neighbors who got out of control from time to time."

"I'm sure this is freaking you out as much as it is
me," Dan said.

"Yes it is," Mark said slowly.

"I really don't think there's any chance of him coming
here."

"I hear you," he paused, "but I think I need to be
leaving," Mark said somewhat sadly.  The
disappointment was clear in his face.  So was the
concern.  "I just need to be by myself and think
through some things."

"I understand if you feel that way, I'm sure I would
probably do the same."  Dan knew that trying to save
the evening was impossible.

Mark gave him a hug, but Dan feared he'd never see the
man again.  While he wasn't in love with Mark, he had
certainly seen that there was a possibility of a
relationship there.  He'd felt something with Mark he
hadn't since he had met Alan.  All hopes were smashed,
and he felt a tear welling up in his eyes.  "May I
call you tomorrow?"  he asked.  Mark nodded, turned
and left.

Dan's heart fell.  He hadn't been that low in months.
Here was someone who could have been a possibility of
someone special, and he knew he'd probably never see
him again.

After Mark left, he called Thad back to see if he
could calm the man down.  Now Thad's threats of
violence increased, and he was even threatening to fax
embarrassing information to Dan's boss.  "I'll let her
know what a sick perverted pig you are," he said.
"I'll tell her to drug test you for pot.  I'll have
your job.  I have nothing to lose, but you have
everything to lose," the rants continued, "I'm going
to see you lose everything."

Now Dan was really frightened not only for his own
personal safety, but for what Thad might send to his
office.  Dan couldn't sit on the fax machine 24/7.
The decision was made, and Dan called the police
department at the non-emergency number.

A couple of hours later an officer came and took his
statement.  Dan was given a case number for a
"terroristic threat" and was told that someone from
the homicide division would be following up with Thad.
 "They'll let him know the police is watching him, and
to lay off you," the officer said.  "Hopefully that
will be the end of your problem. If not, you can
always call the DA and they'll file charges."

Dan blew out the candles on the table, poured himself
another glass of wine and went to bed to sort through
his life.  Things had been finally turning around for
him, and now everything was passing in front of his
eyes.  While he seriously doubted Thad doing any
physical harm to him, he didn't doubt that the man
might carry through with his threat of sending
embarrassing photos to his boss.  He also knew that if
Thad suggested to his boss he be tested for pot, he
wouldn't pass.  Dan wasn't a druggie, but did enjoy a
joint from time to time.

Saturday morning, Dan woke to sun streaming through
his bedroom window.  He loved the way the morning
light created bands through the wide slat blinds.
Looking out his bedroom window, the sight of the pool
and garden always relaxed him.  The memories of the
previous evening were still swimming in his head.

As he was brewing a pot of Kona coffee, the phone
rang.  Dan looked at the Caller ID and saw that it was
Thad.  "I hope he's calmed down," he thought to
himself as he picked up the phone.  The call started
civilly, but then turned argumentative, and then the
threats began again.  "Thad, last night I called the
police and filed a complaint against you.  Based on
the things you've said, they called it a "terroristic
threat." Dan interrupted.  "If anything happens to me,
they'll come knocking on your door.  I'm ending this
conversation, I'm going to hang up, and please do not
call me back -- ever again."  Quietly he hung up the
phone.

Next he called That's good friend Debbie.  Dan had met
her several times over the past few months and knew
that she was the mind of reason.  Debbie was surprised
at what Dan told her, but he could tell she believed
every word of it.  "Don't mind Thad anymore.  I'll
talk to him and take care of it.  He's just upset and
doesn't realize what he's saying," she said.  Dan
wanted to believe her, but was wary.

After he second cup of coffee, he wound up the courage
to call Mark.  Mark was cheery, but somewhat reserved.
 "I'm sorry for leaving last night, but I could just
see this big guy showing up, slashing my tires, and
God knows what else," Mark started out.

"Don't worry, I would have done the same thing.  I
don't blame you for leaving."

"However," Mark continued, "I also think I heard
everything I need.  I don't think this will work."

"What do you mean?  What are you saying?"

"Dan, last night you said you had told Thad that you
weren't interested in a relationship.  That you were
looking to meet men to date, but weren't looking for a
relationship," Mark paused.  "I don't date around.  I
am looking for a relationship, and I just don't date
as a sport.  I'm sorry, but I don't think we're on the
same page."

Dan's heart was breaking.  "Mark, listen to me for a
minute please.  When I lost Alan, I never thought I'd
love again.  For the past year, I've met men and had
some fun, but no one has really connected with me.  I
realized I was dating Thad because he filled a hole in
my life.  I also realized I don't love him, and he
can't fill the hole in my heart," he paused, and the
line was silent.

"However, once I got past the anniversary of Alan's
death, I started to realize it was time to move
forward with my life.  That I wanted to meet men and
start dating.  Then I met you.  And when I did, there
was electricity that shot through my body.  It also
shot through my heart.  It was a feeling I hadn't felt
since I met Alan.  One never knows where the next Mr.
Right is, but when you find someone, whether it's a
good time or not, you owe it to yourself to take a
look and see where it goes.  In other words, while I
wasn't ready for a relationship with Thad, I could be
ready for one with you.  I see something there with
you, and I want to have the opportunity to explore
it."

Dan continued, "You're a very special man.  I can see
that and I can feel it.  I do hope you'll give me
another chance."

There was a sigh on the line as Mark gathered his
thoughts.  "I'm so glad to hear you say that.  I feel
there is something with you too, and I think we owe it
to ourselves to explore it.  Let's say last night
never happened, and start over again this evening and
go to the symphony."  Dan was elated.

Mark continued, "So do you want to have dinner before
we go to the symphony?"

"That sounds great," Dan replied.  "Where would you
like to go?"

"How about your house?  You can cook those steaks you
were gong to grill last night."

"Great, come by at 6:00, we'll eat, then after the
symphony, we can come back here and have dessert in
the hot tub."

"It's a date!" Mark replied.  They both hung up and
smiled.

--------------------------------------
     More to Come
     The Cabaret Singer -- Part 5
     Sex and the Symphony

If you like what you read and care to comment, please
e-mail: HardHatTx@yahoo.com
--------------------------------------