Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 03:42:55 EDT
From: RitchChristopher@cs.com
Subject: Half-Past-Sunset,-an-hour-before-dawn-3

All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. This is a work of
fiction containing explicit sex and graphic language. If you are offended
by such, underage, or live in a state or territory where literature of this
nature is unlawful, please exit now and read no farther....R.C.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *




                      "HALF PAST SUNSET, AN HOUR BEFORE DAWN"

                                       by

                                Ritch Christopher


                       - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


                                 Chapter Three

                                     "DEL"



	Delmar Maelstrom was Scandinavian by origin. His grandfather, Otis,
had immigrated from Sweden before the start of WWII, escaping all the woes
of Hitler and the Nazi regime, even though his native land was not directly
involved. The old man have left his father's farm which had been the
supplier of milk and cheese for the small village of his birth. Otis had
legally applied for a passport to America and two days after it was
granted, he packed enough clothes to fill one knapsack and stowed away on a
freighter to Scotland, where he hopped onto the next boat to the New World.

	Otis got a job on a dairy farm in Fleming, Wisconsin, where he met
and married the farmer's daughter, Helena, and had one son by her, Lars,
who was later to become the husband of Katinka and the father of three
sons, Bjorn, Eric, and Delmar. The farm was passed down two
generations. Bjorn, the oldest son, wanted nothing of farm life,
especially, anything that had to do with cows, milk, and cheese. He set out
to see the world, via the U.S. Marine Corps. There was only nine months
difference between the ages of Eric and Delmar, and since they were
actually born in the same calendar year, they had grown up as twins, even
dressing alike and attending the same grade at school.  The two of them
shared a large double bed with mountains of quilts and comforters to combat
the blustery winter blizzards of the cold middle west.

	Eric, at thirteen and three-quarters, and being "slightly older",
was the first of the two to discover boys' first rite of
passage...masturbation, quite by accident. One evening coming into the
house from the barn after finishing the day's milking, Eric slipped on a
patch of ice, covering a two foot ditch of icy water. He fell through the
thinnest part and completely soaked his pants and long underwear. The brisk
wind, whipping through the snow, had scared him to the point he thought
he'd gotten frostbite on his private parts. Not wanting to alarm the other
members of his family, he went into his and Del's bedroom and peeled off
the frigid clothing. His testicles had contracted up into his lower
torso. He warmed his hands by the open grate in the fireplace and placed
his hands on either side of his "blue" shaft and began rubbing it as if he
were trying to start a fire with a stick, a-la-Boy Scouts of America
101. Somehow the friction was working as his penis returned to skin color
and slowly each of his balls popped back into place. The action of his
hands felt so wonderful as his penis swelled that he didn't want to
stop...but then a sensation went through his body like he'd never felt
before. At first he feared he was going into shock or something for his
entire body started contracting and jerking...and then the rush that came
over him from the back of his head to his heels made him cry out in that
seven seconds of ecstasy a boy feels, the first time he climaxes. He felt
the warm liquid spilling out on his hands while his eyes were shut. He was
certain when he looked, he would have spurted blood all over himself and
the floor...but this was WHITE blood.  He'd heard the teacher in science
class talking about red and white blood counts...and this must be the
WBC. He'd never seen anything like it before. He wondered if white blood
was only excreted through his penis coming from his kidneys. He froze in
fear that he might bleed to death. He pondered the thought of calling his
mom or dad for help, otherwise he could hemorrhage and they would find him
dead in a pool of white blood. later. But somehow, after the sudden gush,
the bleeding had stopped. He felt no pain or dizziness. Maybe it would pass
and he would recover without medical assistance. He went over to the basin
of water he and Del kept in their room to wash up, since there was no
bathroom on the second floor of the house where their bedroom was. He
really couldn't understand how he nearly died and it felt so good...like he
wanted to do it again. But that was just playing with death. If he came
that close to dying, he would be stupid to try it again. He washed up, put
on fresh, dry clothes and went downstairs to join the rest of his family
for supper. He never said a word about it until later that night when he
and Del went to bed.

	The two boys slept in two pairs of long socks and flannel night
shirts. While the two of them were dressing to go to bed, Eric, casually
brought up the subject.

	"Del," he began "have you ever seen any white blood."

	"White blood?...Good gosh, no. There is no such thing." Del
replied."What, ever, made you think of that?"

	"What about red and white corpuscles?" Eric continued.

	"Silly, we learned about that in school. They both make up the
blood...but it's always red...NEVER white!", Del pronounced. "You're acting
kinda strange. What's this all about?"

	It took more courage than Eric had ever mustered to talk about what
had happened to him. So far as he knew, he and his "twin" had never kept a
secret from one another...but if he had suffered some sort of physical
injury, producing the "white blood", perhaps he should tell Del just in
case he had a reoccurrence and needed medical attention during the
night. He slowly began describing the details of his "plight with death",
even taking time to show Del the "physical therapy" he applied to his male
member. The more Eric revealed, the wider Del's eyes became with wonder and
intrigue. Eric continued his demonstration which caused him to get an
erection...something both of them had seen before, especially when they
woke up in the morning. But this phenomenon was only a symptom that is was
time for the "morning pee". As Del watched his brother's involuntary
arousal, he became aware he was experiencing the same thing happening to
himself. He carefully eyed Eric's hand movements and without giving a
second thought, decided to follow suit. The two of them began watching each
other.

	"Don't rub yourself raw," Eric told him.

	"I'll stop if I begin to feel sore." Del replied.

	"Are you feeling a strange sensation or anything?" Eric asked him.

	"Nothing more than I feel when I'm about to explode and pee all
over myself."

	"That's sorta the way I feel, too." Eric said.

	"How long did you do it before you felt dizzy?" Del asked.

	"Not long...just wait...I'm feeling something right now." Eric
gasped, ready to hold his breath.

	"Good Gosh! I'm feeling kinda dizzy too?" Del exclaimed.

	Neither of them wanted to stop. It was like feeling good,
badly. Their eruptions were almost simultaneous. Their jet streams arced as
they crossed paths hitting each other with white hot liquid. They both held
their breaths and kept their eyes closed until the spurting had
stopped. They were almost afraid to open one eye to peek at each other and
see what had happened.

	"SEE!...White blood!!" Eric exclaimed.

	"You idiot! That's not white blood. That's semen! You read about
semen, didn't you, in Mr. Nordstrom's class?" Del said, trying to make Eric
remember.

	"You mean that's what it is?" Eric asked, amazed.

	"Bro, we're old enough to make babies!" Del almost shouted.

	"Then I'm OK?...Physically, I mean...? I'm not hurt or anything?"
Eric asked, looking for assuring words from his learned brother.

	"What you did was like discovering a new invention or something,
only you discovered it on your own body." Del said, excitedly.

	"Then...whoopee!! Let's do it again...that is, if you feel like it!
By the way, I forgot to ask you how it made you feel...I mean did you get
short of breath and feel all tingly up and down your spine?" Eric asked.

	"That's exactly how I felt. I guess that's the way you're suppose
to feel, since we both felt the same things, the same way." Del replied,
like an old pro.

	"Tarnation! Bro! If this is sex...I mean real sex...it's
like...like... the greatest thing in the world! No wonder people have so
many kids." Eric said, beginning to jump around.

	"Ssh, Eric, you'd better not let our folks find out we know about
this just yet. It might be like drivin' or something...maybe we aren't
allowed to do it until we're sixteen or eighteen!" Del said to him,
cautiously.

	"Well, I'm not waitin' another three years to do it again. Let's
get in the bed and do it again, right now." Eric replied in a loud whisper.

	"We can't get that stuff all over the bed sheets and blankets. Mama
would find out in the mornin' when she made the beds." Del said.

	"Then, let's take all the sheets and covers off the bed and pile
'em in the floor until we get through...Go over to the basin and dip one of
those wash rags in water and we'll wash up whatever mess we make...How does
that sound?" Eric said, hurriedly.

	"OK, but we'd better hurry before the fire goes out and the room
turns cold. We're gonna need those covers to keep warm." Del said, giving
in.

	The two of them looked at each other as if to say,
"Ready...set...GO", as they raced to the bed and began to strip it to the
bare mattress ticking.

	"Maybe we should keep one blanket on the bed to cover up in case
Mama or Dad come into the room and we'd need to hide real fast." Del said.

	"OK...but just one! We'll toss it on the floor when we start
tingling." Eric said, finalizing the plan.

	"Take off your nightshirt, so it doesn't get mussed." Del
suggested.

	The blows flung off their night clothes and jumped into the bed,
covering themselves with a single quilt. Instinctively, they hugged each
other as they usually did every night during the wintry season, just for
body heat. But they had never felt the nakedness of their flesh touch
before except when they were toddlers and their mother bathed them together
in the same tub of water. As soon as they became aware of the flesh against
flesh sensation, they both came aroused and their penises began to fight
for positioning like two knights with their lances or two roosters fighting
with their bills.

	At first, the awareness of the sexual sensuality scared them. They
were almost afraid to move...or even breathe, for that matter. But slowly
they became accustomed to this newly found freedom and their hands began to
explore each other in a new way.

	"Can I touch yours?" Eric asked.

	"Sure, if I can touch yours, too." Del whispered in Eric's
ear. They were lying face to face and their foreheads were almost
touching. Eric's left hand and Del's right moved down each others sides
passing across the edge of their buttocks and moving forward until they
each found their targets.

	"Do you think it's wrong to touch each other this way?" Eric asked.

	"Why? Who's to know? We're both brothers...with the same
mother...our skin and bodies are almost identical. When I touch you, it's
like holding a part of me." Del said, trying to convince Eric as well as
himself.

	"Gosh, why does it feel so different when you hold it...than it
does when I pull it out to pee?" Eric asked innocently.

	"I don't know...but it just does." Del said. "Squeeze mine some and
I'll squeeze yours."

	"Oh, wow...do it some more."

	And that was just the beginning of a nightly ritual that would take
them all the way through high school until Del left for college and Eric
stayed home to run the dairy farm with his dad. During the interim, they
learned every conceivable way to have orgasms...manually, orally...even Del
let Eric do it to him anally on occasion, but Eric would never let Del
reciprocate. The two boys experimented nightly doing almost the same things
to each other...each of them having the same number of orgasms. Everything
on an even keel. The only difference between them was a major one...it was
unspoken. Whether the other one knew it or not...they never mentioned
it. The difference being...every time Eric closed his eyes during a climax,
he was dreaming of every beautiful girl at school. Del had the same dreams,
but he thought of all the boys in his gym class. Neither of them ever
revealed their private fantasies to anyone OR to each other.

	It was in the first term of his freshman year at the University of
Wisconsin that Del had his first experience with another male besides his
brother, Eric. Del had gone to college to major in business and minor in
law. It was his intention to come home after graduation and set up a
business to represent all the dairy farmers and see to their needs, making
sure they were getting the fairest price for their goods. He would act as
their agent, handling contracts with big companies that wanted to buy their
milk, cheese, and all the other fine dairy products that were so synonymous
with Wisconsin.

	His very first class at the university was in Finance 101. There
were few girls in the class and about fifteen or so nerdy looking
guys...all except one, Frid Olsen, the most handsome blue-eyed blonde, this
side of the Alps.  His looks stood out even among the crowd in the Commons
or the cafeteria. Without asking, Del knew for sure that Frid's last name
was Redford, not Olsen, as he later discovered. The second that Frid turned
to look at Del, it was love at first sight. Their eyes spoke a silent
language that only guys who are attracted to other guys can translate. They
both knew it at the same moment...they felt the same sensation in their
pounding chests and yearning loins. They didn't understand it...but they
immediately knew they were meant to be together. They tried to concentrate
on the lecture but each sensed the awareness that the other one was staring
or just stealing momentary glances.  Class was over. The professor gave the
students their assignment and everyone exited except for Del and Frid. They
both found something to keep them in the room after everyone was gone. Then
they stood up and looked at each other. Del was the first to speak.

	"Hi, I'm Del" he said with his voice cracking like a kid in
mid-puberty.

	"Frid,,,Hi," Frid replied extending his hand to shake, even though
they were on opposite sides of the classroom.

	The two of them felt they were in some movie. The music should
start swelling out of nowhere. They were supposed to run together, meet in
the center of the room and embrace like the Prell shampoo commercial on TV
that suggested, "The closer he gets...the better she looks"...only this
time, the "she" was a "he". The emotions shown on their faces and their
transfixed eyes were doing all the talking. Words couldn't seem to come
from their mouths. They were completely "taken" with the sight of one
another. It was Del who finally broke the silence.

	"Business major?" Del asked.

	"Uh huh." Frid replied softly.

	"Me, too," Del said. "Are you transient?"

	"Uh huh."

	"Me, too...First time away from home?"

	"Uh huh."

	"Freshman, I suppose."

	"Yes." Frid said.

	Del was having as much trouble as Frid in finding something to say.

	"When's your next class?" Del asked.

	"Not until one."

	"Would you like to go get a cup of coffee or cocoa?"

	"Sure," Frid accepted.

	When the two of them got near the door, again, Frid put out his
hand for Del to shake. Del took the warm hand in his and held it longer
than he should, maybe, but he was honestly smitten by this adonis. College
life wasn't going to be as bad as he had anticipated. It was only the first
day of classes and he'd already met someone that made him glad he had
come. He finally released Frid's hand so that the two of them could exit
and find their way to the Commons. They got two cups of coffee, both with
cream and two spoons of sugar and found a table in the corner of the large
noisy room.

	The conversation between them began slow and seemed almost
calculated, but after an hour sitting together, they found they had become
relaxed and were laughing and talking wildly as if they'd known each other
since childhood. They became instant friends and since neither of them had
completely settled into their dorm rooms, they decided during their second
hour together that they would go to the dorm dean and pursue the
possibility of getting a room together. There were always "no show" on the
first day of school...students who decided they wouldn't or couldn't
return, which always made room assignments flexible. It was fate! They were
meant to be with each other. There was a vacant room for two on the second
floor, near the showers and the bathroom. They immediately signed the
necessary papers and rushed off to get their gear and move into their new
"home". Frid had to rush to his next class, while Del was free for the rest
of the day. They had chosen which side of the room was whose and as soon as
Frid left, Del began unpacking, making the beds, and generally
straightening the room so that it would be finished by the time Frid
returned.

	Frid rushed to the dorm. He had kept his loose key in his pocket
and fumbled with the lock before entering. As a joke, he decided to enter
with the old Desi Arnaz watch cry, "Hey Lucy, I'm home" he said in his best
Spanish accent.

	"You sure are." Del said as he revealed himself from hiding behind
the door. He closed it swiftly and then without warning, he took Frid in
his arms and gave him a "welcome home" kiss. Del was startled by his own
actions because in his entire life, he'd never kissed a male on the
lips...not even Eric...and now here he was disclosing his secret desire to
a boy who was a total stranger until about five hours ago. He and Frid had
not discussed relationships or male or female preferences...somehow they
just "knew". Neither of them were the least bit effeminate or showed any
outward signs that they were attracted to men...and especially to each
other. All these ideas flashed through Del's mind in only a couple of
seconds as his lips touched Frid's. What if he had been wrong? What if Frid
really liked girls and he had just ruined a friendship as well as making as
ass of himself. He was almost afraid to pull away from the kiss for fear of
Frid's reaction.

	Del's worries and fears were unfounded, because almost instantly as
Del kissed Frid, Frid stuck his tongue deeply into Del's mouth. "My God."
Del thought, "this is another first for me."

	One kiss led to another and another kiss led to wandering arms and
hands in a body exploration which led to a swift action involving massive
unbuttoning, unzipping, and stripping. They didn't take the time to get a
look at each other's naked bodies. In their minds, the "movie music"
swelled and they slowly danced to one of the freshly made beds and lay
down. For the next two hours, they experienced the most extensive "getting
to know you, getting to know ALL about you" that two people could. Del had
tried "everything" with his brother, Eric, except entering him from the
backside and somewhere, somehow, Frid showed Del a few things he'd never
thought of. It was the most joyous, sensuous sex either of them had ever
known. By seven o'clock, the two of them were deliriously exhausted. This
had been the best day of their lives and it was only the beginning. They
had four more years of heavenly bliss to look forward to.

	For the next three months, September through November, in classes
or around the campus, they were the two Swedish buddies and roommates, but
as soon as they got to their room and locked the door, they became Daphnis
and Chloe. No two people, male or female, had ever been so much in
love. They studied together, made good grades, supported and helped one
another with any problems or household duties. Everything was
perfect...totally, absolutely, completely perfect, that is, until
Thanksgiving. Even Eden had a problem or two.

	Frid was the only son of parents who had tragically died
simultaneously in an automobile accident. This had left him alone and
independently wealthy thanks to the double indemnity clauses on his parents
insurance policies. He had financed his schooling and, prior to going to
the university, he had leased his house, completely furnished, to a family
of six. Holidays had meant nothing to him since the accident. He'd had no
one to have Thanksgiving dinner with, no reason to decorate a Christmas
tree and no one to buy a present for. This created a dilemma for Del. He
was expected to celebrate both holidays at home with his family, but he
couldn't bear the thought of leaving Frid alone in the dorm.  He wasn't
sure about inviting Frid home with him, for with their constant emotional
and physical love, it would almost be an impossibility to hide such
gestures and actions from his family who would never understand or accept
his lifestyle. Then there was his brother Eric to consider. Eric had
written Del about having met the girl of his dreams on a weekend trip to
the Dairy convention in Chicago. The two of them had gone on one date and
the second night, wound up spending the night at the Blackstone Hotel. This
was the night that Eric had lost his true virginity and had tried as many
sexual acts as he could that he had learned from his own brother. It was
different but more wonderful than Eric had ever fantasized. The two of them
became close, writing love letters and mounting up long-distance phone
bills. Eric had written Del that he'd invited Francine to spend
Thanksgiving with him and the family at which time he planned to propose to
her.

	Del had mixed emotions. In spite of his happiness with the new love
of his life, Frid, the thought of giving up his brother to a stranger, and
especially a female, upset him. He'd often thought how alike they were in
every way except sexual preference.  Both he and Eric had dated girls in
high school for appearance sake, but neither of them had had a steady
girlfriend. They didn't need one because all their physical needs were
being met every night in their bedroom.

	With Francine being at home with Eric for Thanksgiving dinner,
sleeping accommodations would be difficult, especially if Bjorn came home
too, with his bride and three kids. The idea of having Frid with him in
that milieu and atmosphere was not a good idea. He knew that Frid would
understand without being hurt. So it was decided that the two of them would
be separated for the first time since they'd met. It would only be from
Wednesday night until Sunday when Del would return.  They'd doubled up on
their love making two nights before Del left, just to make up the "lost
time". Frid had bought Del's bus ticket...round-trip...as a joke to be
assured of his return.

	Thanksgiving Day, Del's family assembled at the house. Bjorn DID
come with his brood and so did Francine, the idol of Eric's affection. Del
couldn't keep his eyes off her for three whole days. She was pretty, sure,
but Del couldn't keep from wondering if she satisfied Eric more than
he. Del had never seen or touched a vagina, but no matter how far he
stretched his imagination, if he'd ever tried sex with a girl, there would
just be something missing...something BIG.  The idea almost revolted
him. He didn't bring up the subject with Eric because he didn't want to
hear any details. He almost felt it was a rejection by his first "lover".

	Francine was given the spare bedroom. Bjorn and company somehow
crowded into his room. Eric had invited Del to share their old room for old
time's sake...but without giving a reason to anyone, Del had refused
politely and opted to sleep on the couch. This created another burden, Del,
sleeping in the open living room, gave him no chance to masturbate and
fantasize about his love he'd left behind.  He went to a pay phone in town
Friday night to call Frid at the dorm. The dorm dean told him that Frid
wasn't in his room. This disappointed Del tremendously. Later,around one
o'clock in the morning, Del tried to call him again from his parents' phone
in the kitchen. Again, Del was told Frid wasn't there and hadn't been seen
all day or night.  Del was consumed with fear and anxiety. He'd told Frid
he would call him Friday night...but where was he?

	Saturday was a long day for Del. Bjorn's kids had driven Del almost
to the point of infanticide. Looking at his brother and Francine together
made him determined that marriages of mixed sexes should be outlawed. He
spent most of the day with his mama and dad, telling them all about school,
except for his personal life. His dad had reinforced how much Del would be
needed by all their friends and fellow dairymen. The big plan was to form a
local dairy association and put Del in charge of all their business
transactions. He would have his own office building, staff, and whatever he
needed to look after their affairs, guaranteeing him a healthy salary with
benefits. The proposed group didn't stipulate that Del had to graduate,
They were ready to use him as soon as he felt he was knowledgeable enough
to assume the duties of the position. Del's thoughts returned to Frid,
wondering how the association would accept his male bride. Oh, well, one,
two, or four years from now, many things and attitudes could change if they
wanted him badly enough.

	His worries increased over Frid's absence from the dormitory. He
felt no concern about the trust they had between them but something was
wrong and, with him being home, he was unable to find an answer. He called
the bus station to see if there was an earlier connection as he wanted to
return to school NOW. Being a long holiday weekend, there were extra buses
scheduled, but then it was a matter of first come, first serve. He wasn't
due to depart until 7:00 AM Sunday morning and he would arrive at the
University around noon, owing to good weather and traffic. But he was lucky
and learned of a bus he could take around 10:00 PM, Saturday night. Frid
wouldn't know to expect him at 3:00AM, but Del could always take a cab from
the station to the dorm.

	Leaving home, Del made his goodbyes quickly and as painless as
possible, mostly for himself. The next time he saw Francine, she in all
probability would be his sister-in-law. Del only hoped that she would enjoy
the sounds of mooing as much as the sounds of Chicago night life. Del's
only hope for Bjorn was that he would get a vasectomy or win a ten year's
supply of condoms in a birth control sweepstakes. If not, the marines would
probably kick him out for trying to deplete the funding for wives and
children at the rate he was going, Bjorn and his fertile wife could soon
easily have a whole platoon of monsters under the age of thirteen.

	Mama and Dad bubbled at how proud they were of Del, that they
waited anxiously for his return to his soon-to-be dairy agency. Del have
never had much of a taste for alcohol, but he wished he had had about six
beers in order to fall asleep on the bus and make the trip quicker. The
ride seemed interminable with the bus so firmly packed with holiday
travellers and of course, their screaming "heirs". He counted the miles by
the minutes. Soon, he would be in the arms of the love of his life and all
would be well, once again. Del had already made up his mind, family or no
family, Frid was going to come home with him for Christmas and if everyone
learned the truth of the relationship, then, so be it. Frid would certainly
be a more desirable addition to the household than Eric's or Bjorn's
choices.

	It was cold when Del arrived. The cab pushed slowly through the
slush made by the early snowfall. Del paid the driver and rushed to the
dorm where he would be warmed by the steam heat in the building and warmer
still in his "honey's lovin' arms" that Barbra sang about. He raced up the
stairs two steps at a time and then down toward the end of the hall to his
room. Nervously, he put the key in the lock, swung back the door and
clicking on the lights all in one movement and shouted the familiar, "Hey
Lucy, I'm home." He was so relieved to see Frid's body hidden under the
covers of the bed that he ran over to pounce upon his unsuspecting body and
straddle it. He ran to make his leap, and just as he got within one step of
Frid's bed, he halted for it appeared to him that there was more than one
person in the bed. He saw the top of Frid's blonde locks but close to them
was a head of brunette hair meshed with Frid's. Del trembled at what he
saw. A plethora of emotions encumbered his mind and body...shock,disbelief,
puzzlement, anger, hurt, betrayal...each of them overpowered the
other. Should he pull the covers back to reveal the feared mystery or would
he let Frid make the first move?

	From under the covers came Frid's soft cry, "Oh my God..."

	The tension of the silence for the next few moments was so huge,
the entire room could have imploded. Slowly Frid pealed down the top of the
blanket to reveal himself and his "partner" with the long brown hair. Del
stepped back to gasp and grasp at what he was looking at. The person in bed
next to Friday was Mary Ellen Scuttles, one of the varsity
cheerleaders. Del's soul seemed to sink inside him. He felt weak in the
knees and was near collapse.  The look on Frid's face was horror. His mouth
was open to speak, but there were no appropriate words for the situation.

	It was Mary Ellen, who spoke, "Hi, you're Del, Frid's
roommate. aren't you?...I'm Mary Ellen." Her introduction trailed down to
almost a whisper and she began to sense there was something wrong between
the two guys in the room.  She began to apologize, "Hey, I'm sorry if you
were startled by seeing me with Frid. He didn't expect you back until
sometime Sunday afternoon. I hope you don't mind my being here, Frid and I
have seeing each other for a few weeks and we just sorta took advantage of
the holiday and all...and thought this would be a good chance to spend a
whole weekend together."

 	Del listened to her babble while all the time he had locked his
eyes on Frid's. He had to release some anger or his head would explode like
the victims in "Scanners". He continued to look at Frid as he screamed at
Mary Ellen, "WILL YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GET YOUR GODDAMNED ASS OUT OF
HERE?"

	"Why are you yelling at me...?" she started.

	"SHUT UP, Mary." Frid said, "I think it would be best if you left."

	"Well, just what is going on between you two?" She asked.

	"NONE OF YOUR GODDAMNED BUSINESS!" Del continued his rage. "I'M
TELLING YOU TO PACK UP YOUR FUZZY LITTLE CUNT AND GET OUT OF HERE!!!"

	"I WILL NOT BE TALKED TO LIKE THAT!" Mary screamed back.

	"FRID, I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU DON'T GET HER OUT OF HERE, I'M GONNA
THROW HER THROUGH THAT WINDOW...AND DON'T FORGET IT'S SEVERAL STORIES
DOWN." Del yelled.

	"Honey, please leave," Frid said to her.

	"HONEY? IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL HER WHEN I'M NOT AROUND?" Del asked
Frid.

	The light was beginning to break thorough in Mary Ellen's
naivete. "Hey, do you have some sort of crush on Frid or something?" No one
responded so she went further in her accusation, "Hey, that's it! You DO
have a crush on him!!!...Frid?...FRID?...You don't feel the same way about
him, do you!??...Well, DO YOU?...Oh my God!...OH MY GOD!...WHAT THE FUCK'S
GOIN' ON AROUND HERE?  ARE YOU TWO A COUPLE OF FAGGOTS?...YOU ARE, AREN'T
YOU?...GOD DAMN!!...HOW COULD I'VE BEEN SO STUPID...FAGGOTS!!!...YOU BET
YOUR LIFE, I'LL GET OUT OF HERE!"

	She began bunching up her clothes to cover her nakedness to make
her exit. but she stopped for one final remark to Del.

	"Looks like our blonde god had us both fooled. You didn't know
anything about me, nor I you. He must be a real pro when it comes to
deception. Frid, maybe you should take your blue eyes and good looks and go
to Hollywood because the way you can lie and act, you're a sure shot for
winning an Oscar..Well, I'll leave you two boys to sort out your lives and
see who still loves whom after I leave...Good luck, Del...and as for you,
Frid, get fucked...but not by me...faggot."

	Except for what she was covering with her clothes in the front of
her body, she went out the door bare-assed.

	Frid sank to sit on the side of the bed as Del turned his back on
him and squatted on the floor. This was to be the most difficult
conversation either of them ever had or ever would have. Were there words
to say? If so, what? In spite of all his efforts to keep from crying, tears
were streaking Del's cheeks. There are certain times in a person's life
that leaves an indelible memory, like hearing that your mother died, your
house burned down, or a doctor saying you have six months to live...or when
you find out the one you loved the most has deceived you, cheated on you,
and broken your heart. This was one of those times.

	"Is there any point to my asking 'why'?" Del said in a monotone.

	"You have the right," Frid replied, quietly, "but I'm not sure if I
have an answer."

	"I...wasn't enough for you?" Del said with the first hint of anger.

	"Yes, you were enough." Frid answered, flatly.

	"Then I WILL ask 'why'. Be sure you choose your words carefully
because whatever you say will affect me for the rest of my life." Del said,
turning to face Frid.

	"Del, you know there are no words in Webster's dictionary that
would be appropriate at this moment."

	"Well said," Del replied, "but is there anything appropriate about
this moment?....I trusted you. I gave every ounce of love I'd saved my
whole life to give to someone...I thought YOU were that someone." He
stopped for a minute to gather his words. "What should I do? Jump out the
window and kill myself...or should I kill you first before I jump...or
should we hold hands and jump together? For at this moment, I have nothing
to live for. With the anger I'm feeling right now, I could kill you without
batting an eye. As long as you live, you'll never know what you've done to
me. I may never trust or love anyone again...and GODDAMMIT!...a CUNT!...a
slimy, hairy, fishy-odor reeking cunt!  When have you had time to see her?
How the fuck did you keep this secret from me...and
GODDAMMIT...WHY?...WHY?...WHY?", Del was screaming through his tears.

	"I have no explanation that makes any sense. Mary Ellen and I
became acquaintances during my Economics class. Just like you and me. it
started with a cup of coffee after class one day. This was the first female
I'd actually talked with since my mother was killed. I had missed the sound
of a feminine voice. Her skin, her hair, her eyes, all reminded me of
Mother. I reached across the table to take her hand and I had to hold back
the tears from what I was feeling just touching a woman's hand. I couldn't
tell you about it because I knew there was no way you could or would
understand. After two weeks of casual meetings, you didn't know it, but I
dropped Economics...and so did Mary Ellen. We began meeting for an hour at
a time in her room...well, you know,... one thing led to another and one
day we wound up in bed and then later showered together. I don't think I
ever told her I loved her. I don't think I did..or do...but she filled a
void in my life I subconsciously needed to fill." Frid said.

	"I don't buy that, Frid. You were thinking about your mother while
your were fucking Mary Ellen?".

	"No, the sex came later...it just sorta went along with the
friendly relationship we had." Frid explained.

	"And how long did you think you could keep all this hidden from me?
I assumed you loved me as much I loved you...and believe me, there is no
male or female that would ever have interfered with what we had.!!...You
notice I used the verb in the past-tense...'HAD', not 'HAVE'!!"

	"I don't expect you to forgive me." Frid said.

	"Good for you. You may have lost your mind but not your
insight...because I WON'T FORGIVE YOU!!. NOT NOW! NOT EVER!!"

	"What are we gonna do? You want me to move out?" Frid asked
sheepishly.

	"NO WAY! I could never spend another night in this room with the
aroma of a dripping pussy floating around...GODDAMMIT!...YOU FUCKED A
CUNT!!! I wouldn't touch your dick again if it'd been bitten by a
rattlesnake and you needed me to save your life." Del was still
angry. "I'll leave, you can have this love nest...I want no part of it! As
a matter of fact, just to make sure that I don't ever see you again, I'm
leaving the University...TODAY!"

	"Don't do that...a lot of folks are depending on you and your
education. You won't let them down...I'll leave...I'll leave the
University...YOU stay." Frid said.

	"Oh get real! Stop acting like the fucking martyr. I wouldn't stay
here knowing you'd give ANYTHING up for me. Fuck it and fuck you!!!"

	Without listening to any more or Frid's rhetoric, Del went to the
closet and pulled out his two empty suitcases and began piling every stitch
of clothes he owned into them, while Frid stood in the center of the small
room watching, silently.

	"Oh by the way, Frid, if you should get lonely, at least this room
is next to the men's shower. You probably won't find much pussy in there
but you're bound to find a dick or two to suck. Also, maybe by the time
Mary Ellen tells the student body about what happened...you might find a
line of boys outside the room waiting to fuck you. Who knows? Maybe you'll
find a boy you can be true to."

	"Del, I'm truly sorry..." Frid began.

	"SAVE IT!! I wouldn't believe you if you were lying on the floor,
dying, and uttering an apology with your last breath. I just wished to God
I was Catholic and could find a monastery to join." Del yelled, slamming
one of the suitcases shut. He fumbled until he packed the last of his gear
and grabbed both cases and headed for the door. He turned to get in one
final word. "I pray to God, if there is one, that you don't live to destroy
anyone else's life the way you have mine!" With that said, Del ran down the
stairs, called a cab, and went to the bus station,

	Frid stayed in the middle of the room until he crumbled into a heap
on the floor and cried harder than he had when he lost both his
parents. They never saw one another again.

	Del didn't know what to say to his parents, but he had hours to
figure that out on the bus ride home. He would never mention Frid or
anything that concerned their relationship. He decided to lie and say he
knew how much the farmers needed him and he'd like to be in on the ground
floor building the dairy association the way he wanted it.

	The small town was excited and filled with enthusiasm when it
learned that Del was back home for good. At long last the farmers would
have someone to represent their dairies' interests and see to it that they
got a square deal with the percentage of profit they deserved and
expected. A small two story building was leased downtown and Del assumed
the position of "CEO" with the staff comprised of two--- himself and a
secretary.

	Initially, Del bluffed his way through setting up the association,
but by the end of the first year, driving himself to forget Frid and what
had happened between the two of them, Del had gotten his footing with a
firm grasp of the business and what he was supposed to do. Soon he had six
employees working for him...then ten...and twenty five desks were needed to
accommodate the agency, which of course meant that a larger building was
needed. Milk producers from the surrounding counties were joining and the
business was growing with contracts coming from all the forty-eight
contiguous states. There was money to be made with the proper management
and Del was doing just that. The dairies were raking in millions by
incorporating other entities such as cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt,
and all flavors of genuine Wisconsin cheeses. The second building they had
leased was replaced with the erection of a ten story brick structure with a
marbled lobby and water fountains inside and out.

	Del had no need for a social life. He dated no one, nor had he had
any kind of sex, other than solo, since he left the university to build his
dynasty. Eric, who had now married Francine, had joined his brother in the
firm and was flying to all the major cities signing up new customers and
handling all out of town contracts. One of Eric's duties was to wine and
dine potential clients with fancy dinners, shows, nightclubs. etc. Francine
accompanied him and once more she enjoyed being back in the night-life
spotlights. Del wasn't sure, but on a couple of occasions, he suspected
Eric had asked his wife to spend the night with a hard-to-get hold-back.
All that concerned either brother was that the papers were signed and the
agency was flourishing. "Pussy Power"...Del still didn't understand
it...but Francine had managed things that neither he nor Eric could
accomplish.

	One day, during the third year of running the business, a lawyer
from St. Louis made an appointment to see Del personally. This was nothing
out of the ordinary except that Lena, Del's secretary, said the lawyer was
not involved with dairy matters. At 2:00PM on the designated day, Mr. Hiram
Fierstein entered Del's office carrying a rather expensive leather
valise. He made an unusual request, asking Del if he had proof of his
identity. Del wondered if perhaps this was the IRS checking on him or
something. At first, Del refused but the man was quite persistent and said
it was of utmost importance that he could prove he was who he said he was.

	Three years earlier when Del had applied for the very first
business license, he had to produce a birth certificate for the state of
Wisconsin, making sure he was not an illegal Scandinavian immigrant. Del
remembered there was a folder containing both a copy of the birth
certificate with the license. Lena found it in the bottom drawer of one of
the vast array of filing cabinets and brought it to Del. When Mr. Fierstein
was satisfied, he opened his briefcase and began stating the reason for his
visit.

	"I believe you're the owner and/or founder of the Maelstrom Heart
Fund Association?" Fierstein began.

	"I beg your pardon?" Del asked, looking quizzical.

	"My specialty is testamentary law and one of my clients has
deceased and named you sole beneficiary of his estate, including all
properties, assets, and insurance dividends. After legal fees, it comes to
a rather tidy sum of around two and one-half million dollars."

	"Sir, I'm afraid you've made a huge mistake," Del stammered.

	"Quite the contrary, after much research, my firm is quite
confident that that person is you." Fierstein said, staring directly at
Del.

	"But...Who?...What?...Why?" Del quizzed.

	"I believe a few years ago, you made the acquaintance of my now
former client, a Mr. Fridric Melonin Olsen.?

	"Your former client?...Frid?...Deceased?" said Frid, taken
back. "Frid's dead?...How?"

	"I'm not at liberty to reveal the nature of his illness, but
Mr. Olsen suffered a long strenuous disease for six months before his
demise. As a matter of fact, I was at his bedside just a month ago when he
finalized this will. He was deemed rational by all concerned and from an
extensive investigation made by me and my firm, there appears to be no one
to contest the document.  I assure you it's all quite legal."

	"But, a heart fund? I don't understand. I don't have a heart fund."
Del said.

	"He told me that it was one he had started with you on your last
meeting.  Something about he'd made a pact with you to cure all ailing or
broken hearts...Now do you have any more questions?" Fierstein said, very
business-like.

	"I have dozens, but I don't think you have the knowledge to answer
any of them," Del said, slowly shaking his head in disbelief.

	"Well, then, if there's nothing more...If you'll just sign these
documents as the beneficiary and would be kind enough to give me the
address and phone number of your personal lawyer, my office will be in
contact with them and you within the next week."

	"Thank you," Del said, numbly.

	"I wish to express my condolence for your loss and congratulations
on your inheritance."

	Del slowly signed the papers. Mr. Fierstein handed a copy to Del
and arose to depart, leaving Del in a state of confusion and stupor. The
questions he wanted to ask could never be answered by anyone. He was
saddened by the news of Frid's death but was even more shocked by Frid's
final action. They hadn't seen each other nor spoken since "that" day.  Had
Frid done this to pay for his misdeeds or guilt? Suddenly Del felt equally
guilty in his bafflement. He pushed the intercom and asked Lena to cancel
the rest of his appointments for the day.

	Del didn't go to the office for the next three days while he
mourned and stayed on the phone trying to find out the details of Frid's
death. It was on the morning of the first day that he received a phone call
telling him that Frid was HIV positive and had died of AIDS. Fear hit Del,
naturally, and he casually asked Lena to make an appointment for him with
Dr. Muldaur for a check up and a flu shot. With much trepidation, he asked
the doctor to do a Smac-80, a complete blood profile, on him as he wanted
to apply for some new life insurance and wanted to be assured he was in
good health. A week passed before Del got the results of the tests...he was
HIV negative and his body was in sound condition. He was relieved beyond
belief but his thoughts wandered back to Frid...how?...with whom?...from
whom?...mostly, how much had Frid suffered? God, he wanted to take back his
final words and conversation with his one and only lover. If things had
been different, if he hadn't come home that Thanksgiving...if there'd never
been a Mary Ellen. These were unanswerable questions that would haunt Del
the rest of life.

	For the first time in three years, Del allowed himself to feel
loneliness. He'd given up his one and only partner and hadn't looked for
another. His life was filled with cows and not people.  He suddenly missed
having someone to love. He didn't need or want a wife like Eric had or a
family like Bjorn, but he had to have someone...a male someone. But that
would be impossible in his position.  Perhaps a change of venue would fill
the bill. Eric might not like it, but he could take over in the home office
and there had been talk among the board of directors. for some time, about
opening an office in New York, near the stock market with the possibility
of going public on the open market and someone needed to be there to head
that division of the association.  Del nominated and elected himself for
that position. No one, except his lawyer, Georg Slezak, knew about his two
and a half million dollar inheritance and this would set Del up in a New
York life-style he'd only dreamed about...and now it could all come true.
Somewhere in a city of over eight million people he could find "HIM". and
no one in Wisconsin would ever have to know. He could start fresh and be
himself as he'd always wanted.

	Del called a New York agency and told them what he was looking for
in the way of an apartment. Two weeks later, the agency phoned him and Del
flew to New York to look at a bachelor's paradise on the fifteenth floor at
85th and Central Park West. He asked around for the best decorator and
interior designer that money could buy. It took two months, but soon the
pad was filled with remote controls everywhere...walls moved up and
down...furniture slid into place...even a skyline with an artificial rain
maker at the click of a button. What more could a young man want...?
Someone to share it with, that's what. Del spent another two months setting
up his office, hiring trusting and dependable employees...but hell, this
was New York, the most beautiful and exciting city in the world.

	It was time to start enjoying his life. He visited all the familiar
bars and restaurants that had been recommended, but so far that "someone"
hadn't appeared.  One night in early Autumn, after a rainfall, he'd
wandered into "The Jazz Cat" for a drink. Before being seated, he went into
the bathroom where all the urinals were occupied. He found an empty booth,
went in to pee and someone slipped a note under the wall of the stall. Del
read it, smiled, and wrote, "No thanks" and exited to wash his hands. It
was there that made a magical eye contact with a guy named, Chris.


<><><><><><><><><><><>

(to be continued in Chapter Four)