Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 01:32:51 -0600
From: pns kid <pnskid61@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sojourn chapter 33

Authors note - I sense this chapter will spark some controversy so get ready
to get riled and frustrated.  I would like to thank my friend Carlos for the
biblical references.  If you want to read more and gain some perspectives on
Christians and gays then you can check out his newsletter at
http://www.holycrossmcc.com/crossroads.html.  It provides and intelligent
and insightful points of discussion on some important issues.

The beliefs expressed by Kevin below are not mine.  My beliefs and Ethan's
(strange that his and mine are the same) will become clear in later
chapters.  This is in no way meant to be a religious discussion, nor do I
want to engage in a debate on this issue.  It is, however, a representation
of life in this part of the world and some of the struggles some people go
through.

I really want to thank you for the emails encouraging me to write more.
Your emails are very motivating so please keep them coming.

As always, all rights reserved.  See previous chapters if you want to read
the boring disclaimer bits.

Chapter 33

Ethan had the first good night sleep he could remember in a long time.
Being home and with Rick at his side was the best medicine he could hope
for.  Rick too slept well.  Ethan at his side made his world seem safe
again.  Sometime during the night, Adam crawled in bed with his two Dads.
The guys woke to the sun streaming in the balcony doors and the sounds of
the seagulls noisily searching for their morning meal.

At the trailer in Destin, Ruth and Buddy were also up early. They had seen
the news the night before.  There was Rick on TV standing in front of a
private plane.  The story was about a gay billionaire returning to Pensacola
to recover from a recent accident.  So Rick was with a rich man.  And Adam
was living the high life now.  They had a plan.  They were working out the
details.  Vultures circling prey.

Rick made some calls and arranged for Ethan's physical therapy.  He had
received a referral for one of the best physical therapists in the area and
she would be willing to come out to the condo for the sessions.  At least
until Ethan was ready to go the hospital in nearby Gulf Breeze for more
intensive therapy.  She would be arriving the next day for a "meet and
greet" and the sessions would begin the day after that if everyone decided
the chemistry was right.

Sarah and Ethan talked over some pressing issues for Compass.  She would be
returning to Ft Lauderdale on a commercial flight late in the afternoon.
This was her last chance to get some face-to-face guidance from her friend,
mentor, and boss.  Quest was arriving into Mobile for her extensive refit.
A real problem had been surfacing lately with staff.  Despite their
assurances of Compass' financial stability, many employees were leaving.
The other cruise lines in South Florida were taking advantage of the
situation and some real talent was leaving.  Some of the leadership team
were being approached with lucrative offers.  Sarah was worried and they
discussed how to stem the tide.  Compass already offered an industry leading
benefit program.  Turnover had been nonexistent, until now.  Ethan and Sarah
discussed some initiatives and Sarah had some clear direction now.

Ethan managed to stay awake most of the day.  By late afternoon he was
starting to slow.  Rick and Sarah made a light dinner and wheeled Ethan out
on to the balcony where the four of them enjoyed the view and meal together.
  Rick drove Sarah to the airport for her flight.  Ethan and Adam curled up
in the bed and watched Cartoon Network.  When Rick arrived home, both of his
guys were asleep in the bed.  Adam was cuddled up to Ethan's side - Ethan's
arm protectively around Adam.  It was a beautiful sight.  Rick read for a
couple of hours and then joined his guys for a peaceful night's sleep.

Kevin had settled into the hotel on the beach.  He would be staying there
until his apartment was ready in a week. He was glad to be back in
Pensacola.  He had enjoyed his flight training there.  The beaches in
Pensacola are spectacular and Kevin went for a run every morning.

He had responded to the ad for this position unaware of what it entailed.
He had been working for an airline and had enough hours to qualify as
Captain on the A320 but the seniority and union rules meant it would be a
long time before he moved over to the Captain's chair.  When he went to Ft
Lauderdale to meet with Brian for the interview, he felt the job was custom
made for him.  Based in Pensacola, captain of an A320, and without the
strains of commercial flight schedules.  He didn't know that he would be
working for a gay man and his lover.  That was a surprise and was troubling.

Kevin grew up in what can be best described as a Christian fundamentalist
environment - the type that preaches judgement with the omnipresent heavy
threat of eternal damnation.  His brother was a preacher at an Assembly of
God church in Tallahassee.  His sister had married someone from her church
and was active in all aspects of her church.  Mom and Dad both were also
very active in the church.  The fact that Kevin was 32, handsome, a real
catch, but still single was a constant conversation point with the family.
Kevin would be attending the Assembly of God church in Pensacola which is
world famous for a large revival it has every year.  Maybe he would finally
meet someone at the church.  Maybe he would finally feel something for
someone.

After a day of reading, running on the beach, and doing some paperwork,
Kevin decided to have dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach, Boy on
a Dolphin.  He sat at a table near the windows overlooking the intracoastal
waterway.  He was deep in thought when someone approached.

"Hi, it is Kevin isn't it?"

"Yes, let me see, you are Sean.  Did I get that right?"

Sean stood and talked with Kevin for a few minutes.  Kevin noticed that Sean
didn't seem to be in a hurry.  He asked Sean if he would like to join him.
Sean finally agreed.  They had a nice dinner and good conversation.  Mostly
about life in Pensacola and about Ethan and Rick.  Kevin had some old
military buddies in Pensacola but conversation was not a centrepiece of
those friendships.  Sports, work, and girl chasing was the usual banter.
Kevin was really enjoying talking to Sean.  He learned about Sean going to
FSU and his degree in business administration.  He also learned that Sean
had taken care of Adam while Rick was down with Ethan and that Sean had put
his business plans on hold.  Kevin thought that Sean must be a special guy
to have done that for Rick and Ethan.

He asked Sean about Ethan and Rick.  He didn't ask about them being gay but
Sean sensed that Kevin wanted to know about that.  He explained how Ethan
and Rick had met and that the love between them was strong, beautiful, and
an inspiration.  He also explained how Adam had come to join them and how
Rick and Ethan had never questioned for one minute their responsibilities.

What Kevin was hearing didn't match with what he had been told about gay
people.  Disco freaks, drugs, AIDS, cheap sexual encounters.  A lifestyle
that was a fast ticket to hell.  Ethan and Rick seemed to be model people of
great character and responsible parents.  Kevin asked a few more questions
but tried not to be prying.  He also sensed that the views of his church,
and in fact the views he had been taught to believe, would be best not
discussed.  He didn't know why, but he didn't want to throw a wrench into a
very enjoyable evening.

The guys had been talking for a couple of hours and had lost track of time.
Realizing it was late, they paid the bill and went out to the parking lot.
Sean mentioned that he planned to go for a run in the morning and then catch
a movie in the afternoon.  He asked if Kevin would like to join him. Kevin
agreed but said that he would have to skip the run since he would be at
church.  The movie in the afternoon sounded good.  They would meet at
University Mall at 3pm.

Kevin returned to his hotel feeling good about the evening but troubled
about the gay world he was being exposed to.  He opened his bible and read
for a couple of hours.  Romans chapter 1 makes it clear.  Kevin had heard it
preached many times.  Homosexual behavior is wrong.  It says clearly, "...
they which commit such things are worthy of death."
Of course, like is so often the case, the text surrounding these statements
was ignored in many preachings.  Just down in Romans chapter 2 there is a
discussion about people judging one another and that it is also wrong.
How could preachers stand in the pulpit and preach judgement?  He began to
see the art of taking things out of context.  He reread the story of the
people of Sodom.  The book of Ezekiel 16 lists what the 'sin of Sodom'
actually was, and to the surprise of many, homosexuality is not mentioned.
Sodom's guilt consisted of "pride, excess of food, and prosperous eases, but
did not aid the poor and needy. [The inhabitants of Sodom] were haughty, and
did abominable things."-Ezekiel 16:49, 50.
The real sin there was not anything homosexual but rather it was about
turning people away that were in need of hospitality.  At the time the story
was written it was a horrible injustice to not offer lodging and shelter to
those in need of it.

Kevin read this as if reading it for the first time.  His world shook.  How
could he question what he had been told all of his life? Being gay is wrong!
  Desiring another man is wrong!  Finding sexual pleasure in another man is
wrong!  But if God is loving and loves all people then why were some people
gay?  Why, Kevin pleaded in his prayers, why did he himself have gay
feelings?  Why did he not feel anything for women?  Kevin fell into a
restless sleep.

Sean arrived back at his apartment filled with joy about the evening.  He
really enjoyed Kevin's company.  He sensed Kevin has some real hang-ups with
the gay issue but he still enjoyed his company.  He also thought Kevin was
intelligent, funny, and gorgeous.  But Sean tried not to imagine that there
could ever be anything more.  He got into bed, closed his eyes, and fell
into a sound sleep.

Church was comforting but for the first time, Kevin doubted.  He liked the
sense of community.  He liked the core values.  But still, he found himself
questioning.  Rather than feeling good about this he was depressed.
Religion had been his partner.  It had provided him solace.  Now he felt
like he had been misled.  He wondered if he was being influenced by the new
environment he was becoming involved in.  Gay people were known to try to
recruit people to their way of life.  Children were in danger with gay men.
But how could that be?  Adam was very happy.  Ethan and Rick were loving and
protective parents.  Kevin just didn't know anymore.  He would honor his
meeting with Sean but then wouldn't do anything more with him.  He wouldn't
allow himself to be drawn into the evil world.

He met Sean at 3pm and they saw an action movie.  It was sparsely attended.
After the movie the guys went over to Shoney's for the buffet.  Again, they
talked for hours.  As hard as he fought it, Kevin couldn't help but be drawn
into Sean's green eyes and bright smile.  His mind wandered as he pondered
why he was so drawn to Sean.  This was evil and wrong.  But he couldn't help
it.  The best solution was to not see Sean anymore.  He had to remove the
devil's temptation.  But deep inside he wanted to be with Sean.  He had not
"been" with anyone.  He had gotten close with a couple of girls but it was
wrong to have sex outside of marriage.  Besides, he didn't feel the things
so many people talked about.  He never felt those things with girls.  He did
now, with Sean.

Sean tried to make plans for the next few days.  Kevin managed to have
excuses and Sean finally gave up trying.  They two guys went there separate
ways.  Both confused but for different reasons.

Monday morning came and Ethan and Rick prepared for the physical therapist
to arrive.  Promptly at 10am she arrived.  She was stocky but not large.
She looked strong which would be needed.  She was late 40s, black hair,
green eyes.  Terry was no nonsense but she had a wicked sense of humor.
Everyone seemed to click.  They agreed to move forward with therapy.  She
immediately took charge and before Rick could say anything, Terry was
wheeling Ethan into the bedroom for some exercises and to give him a bath.

Over the next few days, a love-hate relationship developed with Terry and
Ethan.  She had many of the same qualities of Sarah.  But damn did she push
Ethan hard.  He would sometime beg for a break but she wouldn't relent.  And
so it went.  Ethan was worn out in the evenings but Rick could see Ethan was
indeed getting stronger every day.

On Thursday, Ethan suggested that R-1 go and pick up Alice and Mark and that
they have a dinner at the condo for Alice, Mark, Sean, Terry, and the crew
for R-1 - Sheila and Kevin on Saturday night.  Rick thought it would be fun
to have some people over and so the plans began.

Friday at noon, R-1 took off from Pensacola headed for Nashville.  By 5pm
she was back in Pensacola. Rick met Alice and Mark and took them to the
condo on the beach.  The dinner would be on Saturday night.

As everyone was settling into the condo, Sarah called from Ft Lauderdale for
Ethan.  This was not their agreed time to speak every day so this meant
something was up.  Sarah told Ethan that some religious groups were planning
a demonstration at the pier on Saturday.  The Southern Baptist church had
called for a boycott of Compass.  Families and good Christians should not
support gay businesses.  Earlier in the week, a religious group had greeted
Harmony when she arrived in Nassau and they had badgered passengers as they
went ashore.  Sarah had ordered extra security for all the ships and pier
facilities.

Ethan was livid but knew there wasn't much he could do.  He knew that these
types of things tend to backfire.  Religious groups had made a big stink in
Pensacola many years ago about gay rights.  The result was gay people
flocked to Pensacola for Memorial Day weekend.  This had now become an
annual event drawing thousands of gays from across the southeast.
Businessmen had come to realize the spending power of gays and welcomed the
gay travellers every year.  While religion ruled the bible belt, money had
an even more powerful voice.  Disney had experienced a similar action.  That
too had backfired and they now hosted gay days on a regular basis.  Ethan
told Sarah that the security was a good idea but that this would pass.

Ethan had asked Sean to arrive at the condo at 3pm.  He wanted to have a
conversation with him while Alice, Mark, Adam and Rick were out getting last
minute supplies for the dinner.  Sean arrived promptly and joined Ethan on
the balcony.

"Sean, I want to thank you for everything you did while I was in the
hospital.  You took good care of our little guy for us and you put your own
plans on hold.  I know that is was a great sacrifice and I am very grateful.
  On the one hand, I am sorry you put your plans on hold.  On the other, I
am glad."

Sean didn't know where this was going but said, "Ethan, it was my pleasure.
I will always be here for you and Rick.  Adam is a good boy and he was no
problem.  I love all you guys and you can count on me.  As far as my
business goes, it has put me back a bit financially but it will work out."

Ethan then spoke, "Well, you may know that I have reorganized some of my
businesses.  Sarah has a new position heading up the day-to-day operations
for Compass Cruise Lines.  I have a President for the airline and catering
business, I have sold off the check printing business, and I have a great
guy taking care of our charitable organizations.  All of these are
subsidiaries of my overall holding company - ENW Enterprises.  ENW funds
these various companies.  The companies send their profits back to ENW where
the money is reinvested.  I have many more businesses which support these
companies.  Such as ENW Shipping which actually owns the ships. It is a
Bahamas based company since I have to register the ships in a foreign
country for tax purposes.  The ships are leased to Compass Cruise Lines.
They pay ENW Shipping for those leases and ENW Shipping then sends the money
back into ENW Enterprises. Anyway, I won't bore you with everything in ENW
but I will get to the point.  I need someone to be the General Manager for
ENW.  This person will oversee the ENW portfolio and funding activities.  I
will remain Chairman and the buck stops with me on all major decisions.
But, I can't remain involved at the same level as I have in the past.  I
need someone that I can trust.  Someone that knows and understands my goals
and objectives.  Someone strong and decisive.  Sean, I would like to ask you
to take this position.  It would be an honor for me to have you join me and
the larger team I have."

Rick was stunned.  He asked a few questions.  He thought for a moment.

"Ethan, you don't owe me anything for taking care of Adam.  I don't want you
offering me this job as some sort of payback.  It really isn't necessary.
Seeing you get well and seeing my best friend and his son so happy is reward
enough."

"Sean, I will admit this is partly out of gratitude.  But it is more than
that.  I did some checking into your academic career.  You were in the top
of your class.  You wrote some papers on international business finance that
were forward thinking.  I want you and your knowledge on my team.  I want
you to help me make ENW and even stronger company.  Will you join me?"

Sean thought for a moment.  The position would be based in Pensacola so that
it was near Ethan.  The 20 people currently in the Atlanta office had been
offered move packages or very attractive severance packages.  Twelve would
be moving to Pensacola.

Sean was stunned, moved, and at a loss for words.  Ethan gave him a slip of
paper with salary information.  Sean was stunned.  The salary was $180,000
per year with annual reviews.

Sean stood and went over to Ethan and knelt next to the wheelchair. He
looked Ethan in the eyes.  "I am honored and I accept and I will do
everything I can to help you meet your goals.  Thank you Ethan.  Thank you
from the bottom of my heart."  He then kissed Ethan on the cheek and gave
him a hug.

The dinner started at 6pm.  Kevin, Sheila, and Terry arrived and everyone
settled in to great conversation.  BBQ chicken was the main course and it
was accompanied by beans, corn, coleslaw, macaroni salad, tossed salad,
garlic bread, and angel food cake with fresh strawberries.

Kevin looked at the crowd.  Warmth and true friendship filled the room.
Ethan's parents were lovely and clearly loved Rick and Adam.  Sean was
positively beaming.  Laughter was the norm.  This was a lovely evening with
fantastic people.  This wasn't at all the evil, sex crazed, child recruiting
scene that Kevin had been told about.  This was something that many straight
people never achieved.  Trust, Love, Kindness, Success, Friendship.

Terry and Ethan went into the bedroom so she could help Ethan with the
bathroom.  Everyone pitched in to clean up after dinner.  Adam curled up on
the couch with Grandma Alice and was watching cartoons.  Sheila, Mark, and
Rick were starting a game of Scrabble.  Kevin went out to enjoy the view on
the balcony.  Once he saw Sean out there as well he turned to go inside.
Sean stopped him and asked him to stay.  Kevin wasn't very talkative at
first but Sean had this way of putting him at ease.  They talked for a few
minutes and then stood watching the moon rise and cast silvery light over
the gulf waters.  Sean reached closer to Kevin and kissed him.  Kevin was
aghast.  Not just at the kiss but also because he felt his knees go weak.
He felt the sparks he had heard about.  He felt the things he had never felt
before.  He panicked and pulled back.  Sean apologized for going to far.
Just as Kevin was about to speak, noises came from inside the condo.  Gasps
and applause.

The guys went inside.  There in the hallway coming out of the bedroom was
Ethan.  Terry was right behind him.  He was out of the wheelchair.  He was
on crutches, moving slowly but under his own strength. His recovery was well
underway.  Ethan was well and truly back.

Earlier in the day, Ruth and Buddy had finished up the last details of their
plan and put the wheels in motion.  By Monday, Rick and Ethan are in for a
surprise.  The fight was about to enter round one.