Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 23:06:07 -0600
From: pns kid <pnskid61@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sojourn 20-21

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.

AUTHORS NOTE - Hi guys.  I am settled back in the US.  Good to be back home.
  Thanks for all the kind emails.  As I have mentioned before, 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.

I haven't done any writing while I was moving back to the US from England.
Guess I better get busy if you want to read more about Ethan, Rick, Sarah,
and ???

Dan.


Chapter Twenty-One

Rick is the narrator


I can't believe she is standing here in my doorway.  It has been almost a
week since I left Ft Lauderdale.  One of the hardest weeks in my life.  My
life with Ethan and Sarah seems like a fading dream.  I had almost convinced
myself it had been a dream.  My life now couldn't be more different than it
was a week ago.

I didn't know what to say.  She was standing there.  Looking at us.  I
suppose I could go for drama and yell something silly and send her on her
way.  But I had had enough drama in the last week, I simply didn't have the
energy.  Plus, I knew that she wouldn't accept anything less than a full
explanation.

I invited her in and we went to the kitchen.  I made her a tea and I had an
iced tea.  I put Adam in front of the television watching Cartoon Network.
I asked him if he could be quiet and a good boy while I talked with Sarah.
He said, "sure Daddy".

Daddy.  Oh, what a week.

I felt myself fill with emotion.  I knew I wouldn't get through this if I
started to cry.  Plus, Adam didn't need to see any more tears.  I asked
Sarah how Ethan was doing.

"How do you think he is doing?  He loves you and thinks he has done
something that caused you to run.  He is one of the best men on this planet,
how could you just up and leave and not even give him an explanation?" Sarah
said in a controlled but tense manner.

I couldn't look at her.  I stared at the table for awhile.  Finally I told
her that I would tell her the long story.  But that I didn't want her trying
to fix things.  I told her that this was my problem and I would take care of
it.

"Well, Rick, I have nothing but time so start talking.  And I make no
promises about trying to fix things.  Where Ethan is concerned I will stop
at nothing.  And you know that," Sarah said.

I figured I would start with high school.  That is where this all began.

I am an only child and was a bit of a loner.  Even in high school I had a
few close friends but I certainly wasn't popular.  My parents were loving
people and our house was filled with mutual respect and good humor.  Both of
my parents worked.  Mom was a business manager at a doctor's office in town.
  Dad was a maintenance man at one of the large hotels on the beach.  The
same hotel I would later work at.  We had enough money to get by but we
never had a lot of extras.  I was happy and content.  I felt loved.

My parents had told me that when I turned 16, I was to get a job to buy my
car.  Unlike some kids that had their first car given to them, I would earn
mine.  They also put me on a budget and I was to manage my money as though I
was running a household.  I thought it was a bit strict but I now see that
they were preparing me for life.

When I turned 16, I started working at the local Dairy Queen after school.
I worked about 20 hours a week.  I didn't work until 6pm on school days so
that I could attend practice for the track team.  I did well in track.  I
loved running and I actually had some medals.  I was busy but I was a bit
lonely.

I don't know what it is, but girls are drawn to athletes.  Well, I do know
what it is!!!  Anyway, I always had girls sending me notes and flirting with
me.  I thought it was nice but I wasn't very interested.  I did find myself
looking at my team mates perhaps a little longer than I should.  It didn't
understand at the time what it meant.

The work at Dairy Queen was fun.  It was mostly kids from the high school
working there.  Plus, DQ was a favorite hang out.  After football games the
place was packed.  It had a fun atmosphere.  I had become good friends with
a couple of people there including Sean and Mandi.

We became the ThreeMusketeers.  We did everything together.  Sean was my
age, about my height.  Black hair, green eyes, and a killer smile.  Mandi
was about 5'6", brown hair that was a little curly.  She had brown eyes and
was a bit thin but not skinny.  Sean's family was fairly well off and he had
a car so he provided wheels.  Mandi's family was, well, white trash.  Mandi
was trying to break out from the white trash vacuum that seems to condemn
people to a lifetime of high drama.  One good thing was Mandi always had a
good story for us.  We would laugh for hours at the things that happened at
the park where she lived.

The night we graduated from high school, we went to a party out by the
beach.  We sat in the dunes drinking tequila sunrises.  Mandi was never able
to handle liquor.  She started to feel sick and fell asleep.  More like
passed out.  So Sean and I sat and talked.  He would be going to FSU in
Tallahassee in the fall.  He said he was going to miss me. "More than I
would ever know".  I thought that was bit odd.  But then Sean reached out
and took my hand.  It was electric.  I looked at Sean and I saw him for what
seemed like the first time.  I realised he was beautiful.  I was thinking a
man was beautiful.  I wanted to leave but I couldn't.

"Rick, I am going to miss you.  I am going to miss what could have been.  I
am taking a chance here but, Rick, I have dreamed about being with you.  I
know you don't think of me in that way, but it is all I can think about.  I
love you." Sean whispered.

I don't know why, but I leaned forward and kissed him.  His lips were warm
and soft.  I ran my hands along his face and felt his slight stubble.
Rather than being repulsed, I was electrified.  Our tentative kiss turned
into passion.  We had sex that night.  In the dunes, with Mandi passed out
nearby. Just after we had finished and had cleaned ourselves up, Mandi woke
up and we went back to the party, danced a little, and then went home.

Sean and I never spoke about what happened.  The summer was busy and before
you knew it, it was time for Sean to leave for FSU.  I was going to the
local community college.  Mandi was going to work full time.  At least two
of the musketeers would still be together.

The day Sean left was hard on us.  Mandi and I went out to the beach that
night.  We talked about our hopes and dreams.  We talked about our families.
  We talked about what we thought we would be doing in a year.  We simply
talked.  I had never felt so close to Mandi.

Over the next few weeks we became inseparable.  And then it happened.  I
took Mandi out to dinner to celebrate my new job at the hotel.  I would be
working in the main bar and also providing support for large functions.  We
had a nice dinner and decided for a walk on the beach.  We held hands, which
wasn't unusual for us.  But tonight it was different.  We sat down, staring
out at the ocean.  No words were said.

It was like we were both actors in a play.  We kissed, and we took each
other's clothes off.  I took her breasts in my hands and kissed her nipples.
  She moaned.  I kissed her stomach.  I moved my hand down to her pussy.  It
was warm, soft, and wet.  I inserted my finger into her vagina and I found
her clit which I began to play with.  Her back arched and she grabbed at the
sand.  Mandi had my cock in her hand and was stroking it.  She changed
positions so she could take my cock in her mouth.  I could now use my tongue
to tease her clit.  We were both moaning.  I wouldn't last long and I knew
what we both wanted.  I moved around and I entered her.  Her eyes rolled
back and it was like all the air left her lungs.  She was moving her hips
matching my thrusts.  Sweat was rolling down my chest and back.  I was
reaching my climax as Mandi was yelling that she was cumming.  I thrust
deeper and I felt my load fill her.  We collapsed into an embrace and stayed
as the gulf breeze cooled our bodies.

So, now Mandi and I were a couple.  We carried on for the next few years.
Mandi's life was filled with the normal white trash drama and my work at the
hotel was going well.  My parents didn't really like Mandi much but they
didn't say too much about it.  I couldn't stand Mandi's parents and they
didn't like me.

Four years later, Sean had come back from FSU.  I was so happy he was back.
But the Three Musketeers were not reborn.  It was me and Mandi and me and
Sean.  Something wasn't right with Mandi and Sean.

I found myself wanting to spend more time with Sean.  I also found myself
thinking back to the night of our high school graduation.  I wanted to feel
that again.  I wanted Sean.  The sex with Mandi had almost seemed robotic.
Oh, it was good and we both came when we had sex.  But there wasn't passion.
  Like I said earlier, actors in a play.  But we kept having sex.  A lot of
it.  Hell we were young and it was better than having a root canal so why
not.

On the night of my 22d birthday, it finally happened.  Sean and I made love.
  It was magical - full of passion and animal like lust.  This was how it
was supposed to be.  We were at my house since my parents were over at my
Aunt's in Panama City for the night.  Sean and I had just had sex for the
second time that night.  We were cuddled in my bed.  I didn't expect what
would happen next.

The door to my bedroom door flew open.  "Surprise birthday boy", Mandi
yelled.  She was standing there naked in my door.  I am not sure who was
surprised the most.  She saw Sean and me cuddled in each other's arms with
the smell of sex filling the room.  There was no sense hiding what had
happened.

"What the fuck.  You two are faggots?  You are disgusting.  So you been
fucking me just for fun?  Well, burn in hell faggot.  Both of you.  Fucking
queer faggots" Mandi yelled.

As I said, white trash have a flair for drama.

I felt my world spinning.  I sat stunned.  Sean tried to comfort me but it
wasn't possible.  I didn't know what to do.  I asked Sean to leave.  He had
tears in his eyes and I know I should have said something, but I didn't. I
let him leave.

I went to see Mandi the next day at her home.  She was living with her
parents in a double-wide trailer.  It was filthy.  I couldn't believe people
would live in such filth.  I never got the connection between not having
much money and being dirty.  It didn't cost much to keep yourself and your
place clean.  Certainly cost less than the beer Mandi's dad drank every day.

Mandi's parents were sitting in the living room.  Buddy, nobody knows what
his real name is, and Ruth.  The never liked me but now there was hate in
their eyes.

"Your faggotty ass isn't welcome here boy.  Get the hell out of here", Ruth
yelled.  I tried to speak but Buddy got out of his recliner with a baseball
bat in his hand.  Besides liking drama, white trash also love violence.  I
yelled for Mandi, but no answer.  Buddy was coming at me and I turned to
run.  The bat hit my shoulder as I was almost out the door.  The pain was
blinding. I fell out of the double wide and managed to make it to my car.
Mandi came out and told me to move over she would drive me to the ER.

She said, "I hate you for what you have done but I don't want you hurt.  I
will take you to the hospital.  After that I don't want to see you ever
again.  You know Eric at Big 10 Tires?  Well, while you have been lusting
after boys, he and I have been getting it on.  He is a real man.  I am going
to marry him.  I don't want your faggot ass coming around ever again".

So, true to her word, she took me to the hospital, she married Eric in a few
weeks, and I didn't have anything else to do with them.  I did hear that
Mandi had a child not too long after she and Eric were married. So the white
trash legacy was passed to another generation.

Of course, I had to explain to my parents how I ended up in the ER with a
busted shoulder.  I thought about taking the easy way out, but I didn't.  I
had to tell the truth.  I also had to admit the truth to myself.  I am gay
or at least bisexual.  My parents were shocked, and devastated.  Their only
child wouldn't be providing them with grandchildren.  But they loved me.  We
worked through things and we had finally reached a good place when tragedy
struck.  They were driving back from another visit to my Aunt in Panama
City.  A drunk driver hit them head-on.  They were killed instantly.

The funeral was well attended.  My parents had lived here in Destin their
entire lives.  Everybody knew them.  In the back of the church I saw Mandi.
She wouldn't look at me.  She had a little boy next to her.  I guessed that
was her and Eric's baby.

That was almost 2 years ago now.  Then the letters started coming.  I read
the first few. They were from Mandi and filled with hate.  She blamed me for
fucking up her life as she put it.  She hoped I would get AIDS and die.  I
stopped opening them and I threw them away.

The other day in Ft Lauderdale, while Ethan was at work, I had a voicemail
on my cell.  It was from Ruth.  She said I needed to get back up to Destin
and pick up this faggoty brat because Mandi was dead.  Ruth said that she
and Buddy didn't want any kid made by some faggot with their slut daughter.
I couldn't breathe.  I had a kid?  Oh my God.  The fact that Ruth was
talking about her daughter and her grandchild in that way didn't surprise
me.  I always thought Ruth was a heartless selfish bitch.

So, that is why I came back so fast.  If I did have a child I didn't want
him spending another minute in that environment filled with hate.  I also
didn't want Ethan having to deal with this.  This is my situation.  Ethan
doesn't have room in his life for this white trash type of stuff.  It is not
fair of me to ask him to take me in and now to take in my child.  I have to
do this myself.

When I saw Adam for the first time, I knew he was my son.  Just look at him,
he looks like me.  Life has been so unfair to him.  The things he has seen
and what has been done to him is inexcusable.  It turns out the Eric came
home after a night of drinking, slapped Adam against the wall calling him a
faggot child, shot Mandy and then shot himself.  It was Adam that ran out
and dialled 911 just like his Mom had taught him.  When the police arrived,
they tracked down Ruth at the bowling alley where she works.  She was upset
about having to leave work.  Never mind that her daughter was dead and her
grandchild was homeless.

I arrived in Destin and went out to Ruth and Buddy's place.  Thankfully
Buddy wasn't there.  But fear not, Ruth was the one with the mouth.  It was
a brief exchange.  She gave me Adam's clothes, his medical records, his
birth certificate, and told me to get the hell out.  She said she didn't
care if she ever saw me or the faggot brat ever again.  I vow that her wish
will come true.

So here we are. Adam is three years old.  I got him here and we had a talk.
He seems to understand more than I thought possible for a 3 year old.  One
thing, white trash kids grow up fast - fairly strong street knowledge.  He
told me he was going to miss his mommy but not Eric.  He never called him
Daddy.  He told me that Eric would hit mommy a lot.  And that he would get
punished for being a bad boy by both mommy and Eric.  I asked him how was he
a bad boy.  He said if he didn't finish his food, if he asked too many
questions, talked too much, or if he got his clothes dirty while he was
playing.  He said that they used to hit him but after awhile it didn't hurt
and he would go to sleep while they were hitting him.  They beat the boy
until he passed out.  Adam also said that he would wake up and be sore and
sometime there would be blood on his sheets.  He knew that he would be in
trouble for getting his sheets dirty.  And the cycle went on.

I picked up Adam and told him that I would be sure that something like that
never happened to him again.  I went to stroke his blonde hair and he
flinched.  He said, I am sorry Daddy did I do something wrong, tears filling
his eyes.  Adam thought I was going to hit him and that he had done
something wrong. My heart broke.  I will fight to the death for this boy.
My son.  I found he had scars and bruises over most of his body.  He has
cigarette burn marks on his legs and feet.  I hate Mandi and Eric for what
they did.  I can't understand.... he is just a little boy.

At this point I broke down and put my head on the kitchen table and sobbed.

Sarah had been sitting there.  Listening.  No Emotion. No interruptions.
Adam noticed me crying and he came up and put his hand on my arm.

"Daddy are you ok?  Did I do something to make you upset?  I am sorry Daddy.
  I will try to be better," Adam managed before he started to cry.

I reached over, Adam cowered, but I simply put my arms out and held Adam in
a big hug.  Rocking him in my arms I knew my mission.  This boy would grow
up knowing that I love him. That he is wanted.  That he is special.  That he
can be anything he wants to be.  His white trash days are over.  As Ethan
had wished for me, I now wish for Adam.

Son, may all you dreams come true.

Chapter 22

Sarah just sat there for a moment.  The tea was long gone.  So was the anger
she had felt driving over from Pensacola.  The story Rick had just told her
was gut wrenching.  She looked at Rick as he held Adam in his arms, rocking
him back and forth.  This man's life had been turned upside down.  Yet, his
strength of character, sense of duty, and his huge heart made it clear to
him what he needed to do.  Without question.  Without hesitation.  He knew
he had to come and take his son from the hell he was in.  A son he didn't
even know he had. This boy was a stranger to him but Rick didn't care.  The
boy needed his father and Rick would be there.  This man is special and
Sarah could see why Ethan loved him.

But Rick was a mess.  He looked horrible.  Sarah thought he hadn't slept or
had a good meal since he had been back.  He was managing to keep going, if
only for Adam.  Sarah decided to take charge.

"Rick, you are exhausted.  You need some food and some sleep.  Adam honey,
could you leave your Daddy and me for a few minutes?  I want to talk with
your Daddy about something."

Adam looked puzzled and looked up at his Dad.  "Are you ok Daddy?  Can I go
watch Dexter on TV?"

Rick looked at Adam and his heart ached.  "Sure Adam.  Sarah and I are going
to be right here and have a chat, OK?"

Adam ran back to the television and Sarah and Rick just sat for a few
minutes. Rick could barely keep his head up.  His hair was dishevelled. His
hazel eyes that had a sparkle a week ago were now dim, dull, and bloodshot.
He had bags under his eyes.  He looked thin.

"Right, now you listen to me."  Sarah started.  "You have been through so
much.  More than anyone should have to deal with in one week.  You look like
hell.  You are running yourself down.  At this rate you won't be worth a
shit to that wonderful boy that needs you so much."

Rick looked at Sarah, "thanks Sarah, you always know just what to say".

Sarah smiled as she recalled Ethan saying the same thing to her last week
when he arrived in the office.

"Ethan is a wonderful man and he means the world to me.  You mean the world
to him.  So, that means you mean the world to me too.  I guess you could say
we are family.  And now our family just grew by one.  I won't let anything
happen to Ethan or the people he loves.  And that includes you.  And that
includes Adam".

Sarah continued.  "So, you are going to go and take a shower while Adam and
I go to the grocery store.  We are going to have a nice hot meal together
tonight.  Then you are going to bed.  I will be sure Adam is bathed and in
bed.  I am going to stay at a hotel tonight and I will be back in the
morning and we will talk about what is next."

Rick looked up with fear in his eyes, "No, you can't take him away from me,
he is all I have and I am all he has.  You can't leave here with him".  Rick
had tears streaming down his face.

Sarah stood up and went over to the now sobbing Rick.  She took his face in
her hands, wiped the tears and looked him in the eyes.

"We are family and we stick together.  You are in no shape to argue with me.
  You are going to have to trust me." Sarah said calmly but firmly.

Rick looked at Sarah and felt something inside let go.  He knew he needed
some help.  He was an only child, he didn't have a clue how to take care of
a 3 year boy, and he was exhausted.

"OK Sarah.  Please promise me. Promise me you mean it and that you will
bring him back.  Please" Rick was practically begging.

Sarah took Rick in her arms and hugged him.  He cried.  They didn't move.
Sarah then spoke.

"Right then, you come with me and lets tell Adam we are going to the store.
Then you go and take a shower and we will be back soon".

Rick said, "thank you Sarah.  I thank you and Adam thanks you.  Oh, about
the hotel, will you please stay here with us tonight?  You can have my
parent's room.  You know what it looks like since you designed it.  Please,
stay here with us tonight?  And I promise we can talk more tomorrow."

So with that Rick and Sarah went and told Adam what was going on.  Rick told
Adam that Sarah was a good friend and that she was here to help them get
settled in.  He asked Adam if he wanted to go to the grocery store while he
took a shower.  Then they would have a nice dinner.  Adam seemed very
hesitant until Sarah whispered something in his ear and he smiled.  Adam
agreed and they were off.

Rick stood in the shower.  It felt so good.  He hadn't had a moment to
himself in a long time.  The shower felt like a real luxury.  He lingered in
the hot water and leisurely washed himself.  His body ached from being so
tired.  He towelled himself off, and looked at himself in the mirror.  Sarah
was right, he did look like shit.  He needed some sleep.

He heard Sarah and Adam coming through the front door.  Adam came racing
down the hall to tell him that he and Sarah had bought so much food. He said
that Sarah said for him to tell his Daddy to get out here and help.

Rick made 5 trips to the car before all the bags were inside.  Rick asked if
she was sure she had bought enough which received a reply of, kiss my ass
whispered into his ear.  Rick was getting a better idea of why Ethan cared
so much for this woman.

Dinner was fantastic.  Sarah cooked chicken, noodles, and peas.  Adam had
fun playing with the noodles and the peas.  Sarah had also bought some
crayons and coloring books and some other toys for Adam.  So after dinner
was done and everyone was full, Adam left the room and was busy with his new
toys.

"Rick, I want you to help me clear the table, go over and say good night to
Adam, take two of these Tylenol PM, and go to bed.  I will put Adam to bed.
You get some sleep".

Rick did as he was told.  After 30 minutes of lying in his bed listening to
Sarah and Adam giggling, he drifted off to sleep.  He awoke 12 hours later
to the same sounds he heard went he went to sleep.

Sarah and Adam were in the living room playing games.  Coffee was made and
some pastries were out on the counter.  Rick felt the best he had in a week.
  What a difference sleep can make.

Adam saw his Daddy and jumped up and ran into his arms.  Rick hugged his boy
and couldn't believe how much he cared for this boy after one week.  He
loved him completely.  He had no doubt he would give his own life to save
Adam's.  He always thought that parents that said that just said it because
they thought they should say it.  Now he understood.  Sarah saw this on
Rick's face and she was touched.

After a few minutes of talk and questions, Rick and Sarah settled down for a
conversation.

Rick started. "Sarah, I can't thank you enough for what you have done.  I
can't even think of words that can describe how I feel.  I can only hope you
know".

Sarah replied, "yeah, I know.  You and Ethan aren't as complex to read as
you want to believe you are.  And besides, I need to make sure Adam is ok -
you don't have a clue"

"Oh Sarah, you are a charmer," Rick smiled.

"Yeah, just be glad I am on your side", Sarah quipped.

"Now listen.  We need to tell Ethan.  He should know what happened.  He is
blaming himself and trying to figure out what he did wrong.  You owe it to
him to let him know.  What you guys do after that is your business," Sarah
said.

Rick paused and then replied.  "Sarah, I don't want Ethan feeling he did
anything wrong.  He is a good man and I loved, I mean love, oh I don't
know."  Rick paused, the continued, "I don't want him feeling he has any
obligation to me and Adam.  I know he will try to take care of everything.
It is what he does.  But he doesn't owe me anything and I don't expect
anything from him".

Sarah looked Rick in the eye, "When people start expecting things from Ethan
or he feels that people are taking advantage he puts a halt to it.  You have
never seen that side of him - and you don't want to.  Trust me, he doesn't
do anything he doesn't want to do and he certainly doesn't do anything out
of a sense of obligation.   He does deserve to know. He must be told.  After
that, take it as it comes."

Rick and Sarah reached an agreement.  Sarah told Rick that Ethan was out of
the country for another 6 days.  She told Rick that she would stay with him
for that time and help him as he got things sorted out and a routine
established.  She asked him about money and he said that he would be getting
a job out at the hotel but for now he still had the $500 from Compass and
his salary from Compass while Sojourn is out of service.  He assured Sarah
that they would get by.  An argument erupted about paying for the groceries
but Sarah would not hear it.

Sarah called Ethan in England.  She told him that she was going to take the
rest of the week off.  She manipulated the conversation and pulled Ethan's
strings so that he thought it was his idea to return to Pensacola after he
finished his time at the farm with her mom.  Sarah was a pro at managing
Ethan.

So, Ethan would be in Pensacola in 6 days, Sarah would be staying with Rick
and Adam until then.  What would happen when Ethan got back.  What did Sarah
have up her sleeve?