Date: Wed, 08 Jan 2003 09:39:46 -0600
From: pns kid <pnskid61@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sojourn 18-20

The story below is a work of fiction and contains erotic and/or sexually
explicit behavior between consenting males. If you find this type of writing
offensive, or if you are underage and it is illegal to view it, please do
not read further, but exit now.
The author reserves all copyright privileges. This work may not be
reproduced, except for personal use, without permission of the author, and
may not be linked to any pay sites.

Thanks for all the kind emails.  This is my first attempt at this so your
comments have been very helpful and motivating.  Please feel free to send me
an email with you thoughts about the story.  Dan.


Chapter 18

Ethan is now the narrator

I can't believe he is gone.  I don't know when I have felt so horrible.
Seeing the SuperShuttle pull away was like watching a part of me leave.  I
love Rick so much.  How could he do this?  I want to be angry but all I feel
is grief.  I wish I knew what happened.  What was so horrible that caused
him to leave me?  I believe we could work through anything together.  I
guess he doesn't feel the same way.

I should have known that my situation would be hard for him to accept.  I
try to live my life as I did before all the money came my way.  Sure, I have
the beautiful condo in Pensacola.  And A-1 is a bit over the top.  But I am
still the guy I always was.

So I sit here on my balcony wondering what went wrong.  I can't stop crying.
  I am not hungry.  I am tired but not sleepy.  I am so lost.  And so
confused.

Morning greets me as I sit on the balcony.  I need to snap out of it.  I
have to get cleaned up and get into the office.  Then I have to fly over to
Germany to make final arrangements for Sojourn's repairs and to handle some
details regarding the finishing of Tranquility.  Oh God, how can I face
Tranquility now.  Rather than a beacon of love and warmth she will now
always remind of what was.

I had a shower and drove to the office.  Boss was waiting for me, as usual.
I don't know how she did it.  She was always there before me.  She always
had things planned so perfectly.  My life at work ran smoothly because of
her.

"Good Morning Ethan.  You look like shit.  Did that stud keep you up all
night?"  Sarah said.

I looked at her and managed the best smile I could.

"Good morning to you too Boss.  No, it isn't anything like that."

I went into my office and before I could reach my desk she was in the room
and closed the door.  "Talk to me - what is going on?"

How she knows when something isn't right has always amazed me.  And scares
me a little too.  I told her what had happened.  At least what sense I could
make of it.  She came over to me and hugged me and I broke down and cried.
Sarah and I had been through so much and she always could read me like a
book.

"Ethan, I know you really love him.  I am so sorry this happened.  Please
don't let this destroy you.  Your wealth is hard for people to comprehend.
It is intimidating as hell.  Well it isn't for me cuz I will kick you ass,
rich or poor", Sarah said trying to lighten the moment.

"Sarah, sometimes I hate this fucking money.  I don't flaunt it.  I live a
fairly normal life, whatever that is.  I have so much love to give.  I know
I am no Adonis but I do think I am a good person.  I just want to love and
be loved.  To share my life and to create memories with someone.  But I
guess that isn't going to happen."

Sarah grabbed my arm and looked me in the eyes.  "You are the best person I
know.  You have done so much for me and for everyone close to you.  Your
charity organizations do so much for people you don't even know.  You are
generous to a fault.  You are so special and so kind.  You are loved and
don't forget it.  Now about not being an Adonis, that is for sure - you look
like shit".

"Thanks Sarah - you always know just want to say.  Bitch".  We both laughed.
  I really needed that.  She always had a way with me.

Sarah then outlined my day.  Meetings and conference calls most of the day.
The President of my charity organization, Keith, had some plans to run by
me.  A-1 would be ready to go about 8pm for a non-stop flight to Hamburg.
Sarah had arranged for a car for me at Hamburg airport so I could drive over
to the shipyard in Papenburg.  I would be at the shipyard for 3 days.  After
that, it was up to me.  I had hoped to take Rick to Gran Canaria but I don't
think I will be going there now.

I made it through the day.  I was like a robot. I did all the right things
and answered and asked all the right questions.  But I didn't feel anything.
  The conversation with Keith was the highlight of the day.  He outlined
some plans for some new programs that he knew would mean a lot to me.  I
left the office at 4pm, went home, packed, and headed for A-1 for the
overnight flight to Hamburg.

The flight is going to be about 9 hours.  I think if one more person tells
me I look bad I am going to scream.  Brian and the rest of the crew felt
compelled to say something.  I know it is because they care and are
concerned.  I told them I just wanted to have a quick dinner and then bed
for the overnight.  I took some Tylenol PM and with any luck I would get
some sleep.

I ate a chicken Caesar salad and went to bed.  The last time I was in this
bed was with Rick.  I had kissed him and I managed to have him at the brink
of an orgasm 3 times before I decided to let him cum.  He was so cute
calling me names.  God, I love him.  I wish I knew what happened and that he
was OK.  The Tylenol PM kicked in as I dozed off.

I slept through the flight and even through the landing at Hamburg.  The
German authorities were not pleased that I wasn't there for passport checks
but Brian handled it for me.  The car was waiting.  I had a quick shower,
left A-1, and headed out to Papenburg.

I arrived at the Meyer Werft shipyard and the next 3 days went well.  I love
being here.  Seeing massive ocean liners taking shape.  Most of the pieces
of the ship are built offsite and brought over pre fabricated and assembled
in the massive dry dock facilities.  When the hull and most of the
superstructure is complete, the dry dock is flooded and the ships are at
home, in the water.  Wiring, lights, computers, carpets, sound systems,
kitchen equipment, furniture, so much had to be thought about.  Ships are
very complicated feats of engineering.  Vacuum pressure toilet systems,
garbage incineration plants, waste water and sewage processing, clean oil,
dirty oil, satellite positioning and communication systems, and the
production of enough electricity to light a small town.  It was incredible
to think about and fascinating to watch.  It was a good escape for me.  I
missed Rick but at least I could focus on my other love - my girls.  And my
latest girl, Tranquility, was being born before my eyes.  Somewhere,
somehow, in spite of being comprised of machinery and hardware, these ships
gained a spirit and a unique personality.  Quest was the first born and
always seems to be over performing as if trying to prove something.
Sojourn, has a sweetness and softness to her.  What would Tranquility be
like?

So I drove back to Hamburg.  A-1 was waiting for me.  I felt the sadness
returning.  The emptiness.  I wish I knew what I had done.  I did know one
thing, I didn't want to go back to Pensacola.  I needed some time to
reflect.  Many people don't realize that and bottle things up.  I always
allowed myself some reflection time, not too much though!  I never wallowed
long.

I told Brian where I wanted to go.  He said it would take about an hour to
get all the clearances.  I called Sarah and she was making all the
arrangements before she was going to take some time off as well.  True to
his word, an hour later A-1 turned onto the main runway at Hamburg.
Destination - Exeter in Devon, Southwest England.

Chapter Nineteen

Late Spring in England can be a mixed bag.  Well, English weather in general
is a mixed bag.  The annoyance of the constant rains did have a silver
lining.  The lush green that covers England is spectacular.  I left the
airport and headed down the M5 to the A30 heading west.  I exited on to a
small road, the B3212, and headed towards Dartmoor. The drive through this
area is like a throw back to another time.  Houses with thatched roofs and
small villages with no sign of a Starbucks or McDonalds.  I always chuckled
seeing a thatched roof house that is hundreds of years old with a satellite
dish attached.  I guess modern conveniences have penetrated all corners of
the world.

I continued driving entering the Dartmoor National Park at Dunsford.  I
passed through Moretonhampstead, North Bovey, and I arrived at my
destination.  This was one of my favourite places in the world.  The
farmhouse was built in the 17th century. It has stone floors and wood beam
ceilings.  Many of the walls are stone as well.  The farm has horses, sheep,
pigs, goats, and ducks.  A stream runs right past the main house.  You can
see the dramatic landscape of the Moor.  It doesn't look like the lush green
that you see near Exeter.  Rather it has a lunar look.  Thick bracken covers
the ground.  Dramatic tors are scattered about and are an easy walk from the
farm.  Foggy mists roll in with little notice creating an atmosphere of
mystery and solitude.  There are fantastic legends that are fiercely guarded
by the locals.  I feel at peace here.

I go into the house and I am greeted by Jane.  She gives me a firm
handshake, hugs just aren't done around here.  Jane is Sarah's mother.
While Sarah has acquired some American traits, Jane will have none of that.
She gets up at 5am, feeds the animals, cooks breakfast for any guests
staying in the B&B, then is back out working the farm until early evening.
She is tough.  And don't forget it.  This is her life and she loves it.  But
somewhere, behind the hardened exterior, she really does like me.  We sit by
the fire, drinking tea, and chat for awhile.  She tells me I am staying in
the barn which has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a large family room with a
TV, and that I have it to myself.  Tired, I leave and go to the barn.  The
darkness in this area of the world is incredible.  No light pollution means
total darkness.  Only a carpet of stars provides light.

I sleep soundly.  I wake about 8am, have breakfast of porridge and toast,
and go out on a hike with the dogs.  I walk over to Grimspound which is a
remnant of a pre-historic village.  Then I cross back over and head out
further into the Moor.  I climbed to the top of one of the tors and had a
lunch that Jane had made for me.  Sitting here, in the Moor, looking at the
wild ponies that are walking through the moor, I start to reflect.

Rick is first in my mind.  How is he?  Where is he?  What is he doing?  What
went wrong.  I feel an emptiness in my soul when I think I might have lost
him forever.

I then begin to think how my life has changed in the last 10 years.  I grew
up in a strange environment.  My father left my mother when I was barely
one.  My mom remarried and the guy, was, well, he was an asshole.  He had a
knack for lying and conning people.  We lived by feast and famine.  More
famine than feast. We moved about every 6 months to avoid bill collectors
and the IRS finding us.  When times were good he would buy himself a flash
car and new clothes.  My mother and I never had much. When times were bad,
we didn't know how we were going to eat.

I never met my real father.  He called me once when I was 13 and we arranged
to meet.  I was so excited to meet him. He stood me up.  The only other
interaction I had was when I was 16.  His wife called to say that my father
had killed himself and that it was my fault because I wouldn't let him be a
part of my life.  If she only knew how much I wanted to meet him.  How hurt
I was when he didn't show up.  The man had never been a part of my life.  He
was dead now and I felt nothing.

I spent most of my summers with my grandparents.  They had lived in the same
house since my mother was a child.  Those summers provided me with
stability.  I think they are what kept me sane.  My grandfather had the most
incredible sense of humor which I think I picked up.  My grandmother was a
financial mastermind and taught me about how to live on a budget, to save,
and the importance of taking nice vacations as a reward.  My grandparents
took me on my first cruise.  I was hooked.

At 17, I moved into my boss's pool house.  I was working in a small shop in
the mall.  I was determined to get away from the asshole and that I would
have a better life.  I could only hope that my mother would wise up and
leave him.   I could have wallowed and felt like I had been dealt a bad
hand.  But I thought that I have been given a chance to do something with my
life.  And I intended to seize every opportunity and to never be a victim.

I went to college.  Had some times when I couldn't afford to eat. I dropped
to 110 pounds and I looked like a skeleton.  But I wouldn't give up.  I then
worked for a few companies before I joined a large computer company in
Atlanta.  I did real well there.  I had moved up into a high middle
management job.  I was transferred to London where I lived for 4 years.  It
was at my job in London that I met Sarah.  She was my secretary and we hit
it off immediately.  I felt at home in England.  It really is my second
home.

It was during the time in London that everything changed.  I used to go the
local pub in my area of SW London.  It was a gay pub.  Now, you would think
that would make people friendly.  Wrong.  Nobody spoke to me the first year
I was there.  I tried talking to some people but it didn't go anywhere.  I
noticed a man in his 60s that was there and he always seemed alone and
nobody spoke with him.  I figured he looks as sad as me so I went over and
talked with him.  I can't stand how ageist the gay community can be.

This man was incredible.  His name was Albert.  He had a wicked sense of
humour and could converse about a range of topics.  There was a sadness to
him though.  I finally got him to tell me about it.  He had come to terms
with being gay after his wife died.  His kids have disowned him.  He said he
kept himself busy doing work "here and there" for some companies.  He didn't
offer details and one of the things I learned living in England, if they
don't tell, don't ask.

We became good friends.  Just friends.  We would go into London and see
shows and art exhibits.  He would have me over for dinner.  We would go
shopping.  He told me about some charity work that he did at the local
nursing home and I joined him in that.  I really enjoyed talking with the
people and hearing their stories.  Albert was a good man.  He never tried
anything with me.  He was 40 years older than me and he loved me as a
friend.  And I loved him too.  We would sit at the pub and talk for hours.
It was so good to have a friend and my life in England started to feel
better.

In my third year in England, I noticed that Albert was slowing down.  He
would often cancel the pub.  He stopped working at the nursing home.  One
evening after not hearing from Albert for a few weeks, even though I rang
daily, I went by his flat to see if he was OK.  When he opened the door, he
looked like he had aged 10 years.  He was ashen, frail, and appeared weak.
He put the kettle on, made us some tea, and we sat by the fireplace.  Albert
told me that he was avoiding me because he didn't want me to see him like
this.  He had terminal liver cancer.  He was in pain but it was bearable.
Not like the English to complain.  He didn't think he had long to live.
With tears in my eyes, and a glistening in his, we pretty much said goodbye.
  We both knew that is what it was but never actually said those words.
Three days later, Albert was dead.

I was devasted.  I went to the funeral.  A few people from the pub came.
None of his family.  There were people from the businesses that Albert did
some work for but not many people came.  I was so angry.  This was a great
man and nobody came out to send him off.  At the service, a solicitor
approached me and asked me to stop by his office in 2 days.  I asked what
about and he said, just come round and I would find out.

Albert had left me everything.  Albert was a very wealthy man.  This "work"
he did for businesses really meant he was the owner of the companies.  He
had mining companies, shipping companies, owned land, and had interests in
some North Sea drilling.  He was worth one and a half billion pounds.  About
2.25 billion dollars.  And it was mine now.  Albert had left a letter for me
which the solicitor gave to me.

My Dearest Ethan,

Hiya mate (he always would say that to me and make me smile).  I suppose you
might be a bit shocked as you are reading this.  I never lived the life of a
wealthy man.  I found that money often changes how people treat you.  I
prefer to get to know people as the real me.  Without the confusion of money
and wealth.

You showed me true friendship.  You spoke to me when nobody else would.
Your friendship meant so much to me and you brought me great happiness.
Ethan, you have a gift.  You had such a hard life.  But you would not let
that get you down. You are successful in your own right and you have done it
all yourself.   I have never met anyone with such a sincere, compassionate,
and positive outlook on life.  You have an ability to inspire people. To
push them to achieve things they didn't know they could.  I admire and
respect you, Ethan.  You are a gift.

So, I know that you will take what I had and do great things with it.
Whatever you do, I want you to have a little fun but never lose sight of
where you have been and who you are.  Money can change some people.  I have
faith in you and know that you are strong and sincere.  You will do great
things.

May you be as blessed in your life as I have been since you came into mine.

May all your dreams come true.  Your friend,

Albert.

So, there I was, 10 years ago, a multi-billionaire.  I was determined to not
change my approach to things in any way.  I was also determined to take care
of the people I care about and to be sure that those that can't take care of
themselves received some help.  I would never flaunt my wealth and I would
live as close to the way I always had.  Simple.  Uncluttered.  Hopefully,
not alone.  I have been in two relationships, one for 3 years, the other for
4 years.  Both are beautiful men that I consider my closest friends.  But I
have been alone for many years.  At least until Rick.

Sarah had told me about her mother's place and I had been there many times
and Albert loved the place.  Sarah mentioned that her mother was going to
have to sell the place.  So, the farmhouse was the first thing I bought with
the money.  I bought it through a third person on the condition that Jane
would never know who owned it and a further a condition of the sale was that
Jane would never be required to leave.  Sarah knew what I had done and it
was one of the few times I saw her cry.  She promised never to say anything
to her mum.  So when I come here, Jane treats me as a friend of Sarah's.
She has no idea.

My mother finally cracked wise after the police showed up one day to arrest
her for writing numerous bad checks.  It turns out that asshole had been
forging her name on checks from her personal account.  She finally had
enough.  A few months later, she met, and later married, a wonderful, kind,
loving man that I have grown to love so much.  He has a business that
supplies parts and repair services on printing equipment.  The business was
struggling.  I hadn't told anyone (except Sarah) about my money, not even my
mother, and I knew that simply giving money to my Mom and her husband would
not be accepted.  So, the second business I purchased was a check printing
company in the US.  Well, they do more than just check printing (they do
most of the printing for Compass) but that is their main business.   One of
the conditions of the sale was that my step-father's small business would
have the repair contract for the operations in the Southeastern US.  Again,
my name was not directly used in the transaction.  My mother called with the
great news that they now had a contract and they wouldn't be struggling
anymore.  I was so happy.  They still have no idea.

I sold the mining business at a substantial premium and shortly after that
the oil business when oil prices were at a high.  I doubled the value of
what Albert had left me.  I took the shipping business and made it into what
is now Compass Cruise Lines.  I own the ships and lease them to Compass
Cruise Lines. The money from the lease provides ENW with the cash flow it
needs to fund the charities and the rest is invested.  The investments paid
handsomely during the boom years and I converted most of the funds into
safer funds at just the right time.  Another 2 billion has been added as a
result of this investment strategy.  The other business interests are simply
assets and self funding.

The moor always has this effect on me.  It centers me and gives me clarity
of thought.  It is clear to me now what I have to do.  I am going to spend
another week here and relax and plan.

I need to get Rick back. I will get Rick back.  We will work through
whatever is going on.  It goes without saying, I will not fail.


Authors note.  The farmhouse really does exist and is as wonderful as I
tried to describe.  Words cannot do the place justice.  If you want the sex
clubs, all night raves, theatre, hustle and bustle, and 5 star hotels of
London, this place isn't for you.  If you want a unique rustic experience in
a magical part of England, send me an email and I can give you the link to
the farmhouse.  Yes, the 21st century has made its way into a 17th century
farmhouse.

Chapter 20

Sarah is the narrator

I can't bear to see Ethan the way he was today.  He just left to go home,
pack, and fly to Germany.  I know how much he loves visiting the shipyard so
perhaps it will give him a boost.  He is such a nerd when it comes to ships.
  I am sure I never ask him about how anything works.  I am not sure the
word passion is strong enough to describe how he feels about the ships (his
girls as he calls them).

This man has grown to mean so much to me.  Hell, I followed him from England
to Florida.  I have never met someone with such a kind and compassionate
heart.  He is always up, always ready for a laugh, and will fight to the
death for those he cares about.  When Ethan first came into the money, he
didn't tell anyone.  I didn't know until I told him about my mother's
farmhouse and that she was going to have to sell it because she couldn't
afford some major repairs that needed to be made.  Ethan loved the farmhouse
so I wanted him to know in case he wanted to make a last trip down to Devon.

He asked me to join him down the pub after work because he had something to
tell me.  I certainly didn't expect him to tell me he was a
multi-billionaire.  I thought he was having a laugh.  Hell, he was toiling
away in a cubicle in a middle management role.  I had no idea.  He said that
he didn't want anyone to know and that he was trusting me with this
information.  That trust he extended to me will never be broken.

He said that he wanted to buy the farmhouse but didn't want my mum to know
who had purchased it.  He swore me to never tell her.  I hated myself for
it, but I cried.  Damn I hate that.  But I did.  And so, the deal was done.
Mum is still in the farmhouse.  She has no idea it was because of Ethan.  My
loyalty to Ethan was sealed.

Ethan told me that he had always had a love for cruise ships.  I knew this
since every holiday the bloke took was on a ship.  He said that he was going
to leave the company and convert Albert's, well now Ethan's, shipping
business into a cruise line.  He was going to base it in Florida. He asked
me to join him as his personal assistant.  It meant leaving England and
moving to America.  At first, I told him no.  But then I realised that Ethan
would not let anything bad happen to me.  Besides, the boy needed me around
to be the "bad cop".  So, we both left the company six weeks later.  Nobody
knowing what we were doing or where we were going.  Ethan doesn't tell
anybody about his wealth.

The early days of Compass were hard work.  We didn't have any ships, no
employees, nothing.  Within 18 months, we were up and running.  Ethan was
there, every day, in every way.  He hired the very best people in the
business.  He paid all of his employees well and soon his charisma,
intellect, humour, and generosity had resulted in a loyal team that would do
anything to ensure Compass was a success.  And so Quest was launched.  Ethan
never participated in press events or large employee meetings.  In fact most
people at the head office didn't know who he was and that he was the boss
(even though he calls me that).  Our office is in the HR area which is
generally off limits to most employees due to the sensitive types of things
they handle.  Most people think that he is a manager in HR.

He wanted to be sure that everything was the way it should be and he spent 6
months as assistant purser on Quest.  I had rarely seen him so happy.
Living in a small cabin, working weird hours, being ordered about as if he
were a regular member of the crew, he was in his element.

As the fleet (of his girls) grew, Ethan realised a charter airline would be
a good fit.  It would allow him to bring in the thousands of passengers that
sailed out on Compass ships every weekend.  He bought a small company,
invested huge amounts, and upgraded the airplanes to the newest and best he
could buy.

All this time, Ethan drove a clapped out old Honda and lived in a small flat
not far from the office.  He still lives there.  He dresses in clothes from
Old Navy and The Gap and you would never know he was wealthy.  In an unusual
twist, he did splash out on a nice condo and, recently, a new BMW, in his
home town of Pensacola.  I damn near fainted when he told me he was buying
himself a new 777.  That is not like him.  But then again, he loves
airplanes.  He told me that Albert had told him to have some fun and that
the plane was his indulgence to Albert's request.  The plane had been named
A-1 (Albert One) which is written by the main door in the front of the plan.
  Few people know what it means.  Ethan never forgets.  Albert would be so
proud.

I won't let anyone hurt Ethan.  I can't stand to see him this way.  Rick
seemed like a nice guy and you could see the love between them.  It was
almost out of a film or a cartoon where you see hearts popping out of people
when they look at each other.  I know it is sappy but that is what it is/was
like.

Right, I have a mission.  I am getting to the bottom of this.

Ethan called from Germany banging on about sewage plants and garbage
incinerators.  I told him I didn't care and he kept talking.  I was actually
pleased to hear him go on about this because it meant he was thinking about
something besides Rick.  I told Ethan that since he was going to be away for
awhile I was going to take a few days off.  He made some smart arse comment
about that I never worked anyway so why not.  I love this man.  He asked me
to arrange for him to stay at the farmhouse and to arrange a car in Exeter.
He would be arriving on A-1 later that day.  I hung up, took care of Ethan's
business, and then I took care of my own.

Two days later I left on my mission.  Ethan was at the farmhouse and I knew
mum would take care of him.  My flight was fine and the connection in
Atlanta was no problem.  I arrived into Pensacola about noon and I hired a
car and headed east.  I was in Destin in about an hour.  I knew Rick's
address since I had co-ordinated the remodelling of the house.  I pulled in
the driveway.  It didn't look like anyone was home.  The yard had been mowed
so I knew that someone had been there recently.  I went to the door and
knocked.  No answer.  I knocked again.  Rick answered.  He looked old,
tired, and miserable.  But there was another thing.  Rick was holding a
little boy who looked about 3 years old.  The boy said, "Daddy who is that?"

Author's note - Well guys, I am moving back to the US (you can probably
guess where) from England.  I will be out of pocket for a week.  Thought
this would be a good place to leave the story for now.  I have written
several more chapters so there is more to come.  I hope you have enjoyed
meeting Ethan, Rick, Sarah, and ????