Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1999 13:29:59 -0800 (PST)
From: Orrin Rush <orrinrush@yahoo.com>
Subject: Lifeguard - 8

Disclaimer:  The folling story is a work of fiction.  If you are
offended by descriptions of homosexual acts or man/man
relations, please exit this page.

THE LIFEGUARD

Copyright c 1999 by Orrin C. Rush.  All rights reserved.

Neither this story nor any parts of it may be distributed
electronically or in any other  manner without the express, written
consent of the author.  All rights are retained.


Part 8

THE BEACH

Ryan had his bus packed and ready to go by 10 the next
morning.  I had mixed feelings about his departure.  I hated to
see him go , still in his depressed state, and I welcomed the
privacy I'd have now.   He planned to stop by Mom and Dad's
house to say goodbye on his way out of town.

"You guys have been wonderful hosts," he said, standing in
the driveway.

"Thanks," I told him, "I hope whatever's bothering you works
out."

"It will, Bro," he said.  "You don't know how lucky you are," he
added, enigmatically.

The goodbyes were said, we hugged, and he chugged off. 

Since Dave wasn't around to caution me to "go easy", I caught
up on my swimming, getting the excercise that I needed.  After
a hundred laps, which I figured to be about a mile, I'd had
enough.   I spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun.

Friday, Dr. Peterson released me, and gave me a signed
release so I could go back to work.  I hadn't really expected it
so soon, but was excited about the prospect.

On the way home, I thought about the car I was driving.  It was
mine, and I loved it.  I was excited, yes, but , I realized, not as
excited as I would have been a few months back.  I was getting
jaded about material things too damned fast!  "Appreciate!" I
told myself.

I "appreciated" Dave.  I knew that.  I loved him with all my heart,
and this "stuff" was secondary.  The fact that he was so
generous, and so low key about it all, made it easier for me to
feel this way.  I didn't know what reaction he expected, but I
was certainly excited last night when we picked up the car.  I
KNOW he felt it.

I called him as soon as I got home.  First, I told him how happy I
was with the car, and what a feeling of independence having it
gave me.  I said "Thank You" for the umpteenth time.

He stopped me right there.  "One 'Thank You' was enough.  I
don't want to hear about it again.  Just enjoy it," he said.

"Can't I tell you how I feel?" I whined.

"Of course," he answered, "I have a 'thing' about Thank You's
that I'll tell you about tonight."

I went on to tell him that the Doctor had released me, and that I
wanted to go back to work as soon as possible.  I also told
him that Jim would want to check me out thoroughly before he
let me go back, and suggested we invite him for dinner the
next evening, if he was available.  Dave heartily agreed.  We
exchanged "I love you's," and then I called Jim.

Jim was a little hesitant, as I expected, because it was so
soon.  When I invited him over to "check me out" he thought that
was a very good idea.

I went out for another hundred laps, and found myself
invigorated rather than exhausted as I'd been the day before.

When Dave got home, out of his suit, and had a drink in his
hand, he started where he had left off earlier.

"On the 'Thank you' thing," he said.  "I enjoy giving you
pleasure in any way I can.  It makes ME happy, and I can tell
you're happy too.  One 'Thank You' is enough.  I know how you
feel, and I don't want you to ever feel that you have to thank me
again.  Frankly, it bothers me."

"I think I understand," I said. 

"It works the other way, too," he said.  "When someone does
me a favor or gives me something, I say "Thank You" and
that's it.  I absolutely hate people who do something for you,
then remind you, forever, what they've done.  Usually, I'm
damned careful never to accept anything from them again."

"I just wanted you to know that I really do appreciate it, though,"
I said.  "Now that I know how you feel, I'll try not to gush."

"Oh God, don't ever gush!" he said, taking me in his arms
laughing.  "How about Jim?  Is he free tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, he'll be here around 6," I answered.  "I've already
alerted Mary."

"That's another thing," he said.  "This is YOUR home too.  You
don't have to ask me if you want to invite someone over."

"No, sorry about that," I said.  "We live here together, but I feel
that I want to talk to you about our 'social arrangements' before
I commit us.  I don't want to rope you into a situation that you
don't want.  Whatever you say, I plan to keep on doing that."

"You're really considerate," he said.  "And I don't mean that to
sound condescending.  I really mean it, and I appreciate it too. 
I'll try to do the same, but sometimes things happen fast, and I
have to make a decision.  I'll try not to get you involved in
situations that I know you won't like, but I may slip up once in a
while."

"I can certainly live with that," I said.  "Anyway, I want to go
wherever you do.  You're 'my man', you know."

We made mad passionate love that night.  While I was
sucking him, I started thinking about how much I wanted the
big, hard cock that was in my mouth inside me in another
place.  The thought of that, and the knowledge that it would
happen when the time was right, really turned me on.  I was so
hot after draining Dave that when he reached for my cock, I
shot all over him.

"Wow," he said as he milked the final spurts out of me.

"You make me so goddam hot," I told him.  I didn't share my
fantasy with him.  It would happen, and I didn't want to put any
pressure on him.  Soon, I hoped, because I really wanted him.

Jim was relaxed and cheerful around us, even though I sat with
my arm around Dave.  

After I told him I'd been swimming a hundred laps a day, which
got an eyebrow rise out of Dave, he accepted the fact that I
was ready to go back to work.  We agreed that I would start
back on Monday.  

"I'm not going to make it any easier for you," he told me. "No
easy assignments, and I'm not going to pair you with just the
guys that are OK with your sexuality.  It's going to be rough
sometimes, but I think you expect that."

"I know it'll be hard," I said, "but, I think I'm ready for just
about anything."

Sunday afternoon, Dave put his arm around me and asked
"Nervous?"

"Yes," I admitted.  "I just don't know what to expect."

"You don't have to do this, you know," he said. "You sure don't
have to prove anything to me."

"Yes, I do," I answered.  "I'm doing it for me.  I guess I need to
prove something to myself."

"If it helps any, I'll be there with you in spirit every minute," he
said.

"I know that, and it helps, but this is something I have to do
alone.  I know you understand," I said.

He just hugged me, and let me know that he was 100% behind
me. 

I felt a little self-conscious when I drove up in my new Jeep.  I
put those thoughts away and got my assignment for the day.  I
would be paired with Mike on one of the portable towers that
are scattered along the beach.  We'd have a couple of
hundred yards of beach to watch, and if there weren't any rip
currents, would be a boring day.

I hadn't seen Mike since before the accident, so didn't know
what he thought about me now that he, no doubt, knew that I was
gay.

The beach was quiet, not too many people out yet, so, while
we watched, we talked.  First, Mike wanted to know all about
my accident.  I made it short and sweet - I got hit, woke up two
days later, and that's basically it.  I'm not really interested in
gory details about someone else's "operation" or other
medical experience, and I don't think people are interested in
mine.

Then Mike asked "Is it true what I'm hearing, that you're queer?"

"Gay, Mike, and yes, it's true," I said.

"You're the last guy I'd have ever figured was that way," he
said.  "Is this something new?"

"No, nothing new, I've always been gay, just didn't feel the
need to tell anyone.  What difference does it make?" I asked.

"I don't know, I just feel funny around you, knowing that you
'like' guys," he said. 

"Don't worry, I'm not about to hit on you, I already have
someone in my life, and I don't screw around," I told him. 
"Besides, you're not my type."

"Yeah, that's another thing I heard - that you're shacked up with
some old fucker," he said.  "Damn, I don't understand how you
could be interested in some wrinkly old man."

"Dave's older than I am, but he doesn't look his age, and he
sure as hell doesn't act it.  He's more energetic and dynamic
than anyone I know, even my own age," I said.

"Where'd you meet him?" he asked.

"He's Annie's Dad," I said.

"Annie with the pool parties?" he asked.

"That's the one," I said.

"Shit, a rich one too," he said.  "I think I've seen him a couple of
times at Annie's parties, but I didn't pay any attention."

"I did," I chuckled.

"How's it feel to be a rich man's toy?" he asked.

"That's not the way it is at all," I said, defensively.  "We're
equals, and we wouldn't have it any other way, but you're
straight, so you wouldn't understand."

"Who's the husband and who's the wife?" he asked, showing
more ignorance.

"It doesn't work that way," I told him.  "You're stuck in the
dominant - submissive role playing that we're all brought up to
think is the only way things work.  It isn't like that at all."

"I still don't understand," he said, "and I can't picture you
sucking cock or taking one up the ass, it kind of makes me
sick to think about it."

"Then, don't," I said.  "What I do behind closed doors is my
own business."  It was becoming obvious that whatever I said
wouldn't change his thinking, and hell, I didn't really care what
he thought anyway, so I changed the subject. 

The day was quiet, mostly tourists on the beach, and few of
them went out further than waist-deep water.  

When I got home, Dave was waiting.  "How'd it go?"  he
wanted to know.

"No problem," I said, and went on to describe my conversation
with Mike.

"Some people are so closed minded that they'll never
accept," he said.  "They've been so thoroughly 'conditioned'
that they'll never change.  Trying to change their thinking is a
total waste of time."

"I'm beginning to see that," I answered.

The next day I was paired with Jack.  Jim liked to move us
around, mix us up, so that the boredom of just sitting and
watching for something to happen wouldn't be as great and
we'd remain alert.  Jack was also one of the guys who'd
"come out" to me at the hospital.

The first thing he said when we were alone in the tower was
"You haven't said anything to anybody, have you?"

"Why should I?" I answered.  His sigh of relief was rather
noticeable.  

"After I told you, I got nervous.  You're so open about it, I didn't
know what you'd say," he said.

"It's not for me to tell anybody," I told him.  "You'll do that when,
and if, you want to."

While he was pondering that, I looked him over.  Jack was
young, around 20, I'd guess, and if I was "into" young guys,
would've been my choice of all the lifeguards in our group. 
>From a physical standpoint, he was awesome.  Handsome,
tall with a really nicely muscled body, and an almost constant
mischevous grin.  We'd gotten along well since he'd joined our
group, and I considered him a good friend.  

"Relax, man," I told him.  "Nobody'll pick up on you unless you
want them too.  Hell, I didn't even notice."

"I just don't think I'm ready to let it all hang out," he said.  "How
does it feel to be out in the open?"

"I'm still getting used to it," I admitted.  "So far, it hasn't been too
bad.  Mike, yesterday, was pretty grossed out, but after talking
with Dave last night, I realize that what he thinks isn't important
to me."

"You're lucky to have that kind of support," he said.  "What
does your family think?"

"They've known that I was gay for years, no big deal, and
they're happy that I'm happy," I said.  "And now, I don't have to
worry about who knows.  It's kind of like having a big burden
lifted."

"Must be nice," he said.  "Wish I was as confident as you are."

"Do you have anyone 'special' in your life?" I asked.

"Not yet, I'm still exploring and learning," he said.  

"Get it out of your system," I advised, "then, when the right guy
comes along, you'll be ready to settle down."

"Don't think I'm ready for that, yet," he said.  "How did you and
Dave get hooked up?"

"I saw him, I wanted him, and I went after him," I said.  "I had to
work at it, but with some lucky breaks, I landed him."

"He's loaded, too, I hear," he said.

"Why does everybody think I'm in it for the money?" I asked. 
"It's nice, I'll admit, but that's not why I love him."

"Sorry about that, didn't mean to hit a nerve," he said.

"It's something I guess I'll have to get used to," I said.

It was another quiet day without any dramatic rescues or any
other excitement.  Jack and I spent most of the day talking,
sharing experiences.  I think I was able to ease a little of the
tension he was feeling about hiding his sexuality and make
him a little more comfortable with it.

"There's a lot more of us than you imagine," I told him.  "You're
not the only other gay lifeguard around here."

"Who?" he asked.

"I didn't 'out' you, and I'm not going to 'out' them," I told him. 
Then, having a brainstorm, I added "Maybe, if all of you agree
to it, Dave and I will have a party and bring all you 'closet
cases' together."

"How many are there?" he asked.

"Several," I said.

"Now you've got me really curious," he said.  "Yeah, a 'coming
out' party would be a great idea.  I'll be there if you do it."

Our shifts were staggered, so I didn't run into many of the other
guys, or gals, in the office when I checked out.  That night,
though, I ran into another of the guys who'd come out to me,
and I mentioned my idea of the 'coming out' party to him.  He
was as eager as Jack had been.

When I told Dave about my idea, he was, as usual, supportive.
"You're already becoming a 'matchmaker', I see," he said. 

"Well, I'm happy, and I guess I want everybody else to be,
too," I answered.

"Speaking about parties, Bill and Sandy are having a
barbecue this Sunday, and we've been invited.  Want to go?"
he said.

"Will Brian be there?" I asked.

"Probably, and I have to tell you that I have told him that I
confessed my 'slip' to you," he said.  "I'm sure he's nervous as
hell about meeting you."

"Let me think about it," I said.  And, I did, later that evening.

I had long ago forgiven Dave, particularly because he'd had
the balls to admit what he'd done.  He was totally honest with
me, and afterall, what had happened made him realize that he
really loved me, and that's what counted.

Brian was another matter.  Somehow, I felt that he had
seduced Dave, and I wasn't ready to overlook that.  But, hell,
I'd done the same thing.  No doubt there had been others,
though Dave didn't talk about them.  Of course, there was Tom,
who Dave didn't talk much about either.  I wasn't the first, but I
hoped I'd be the last.

It was time for me to show Dave that I was an adult.  No petty
jealousies, or whatever my feelings were, needed to interfere
with our lives.  I knew Dave loved me, I was secure in that, and
that's all that really mattered.

As we were getting ready for bed, I said "I'd love to go to that
party on Sunday, I just had to think about it a little."

"You're sure you'll be comfortable?" he asked.

"I know you belong to ME," I said as I took him in my arms. 
"Nobody, even some hot young stud, will ever get between us."

Unconsciously, I think, when we made love that night, I pushed
every one of his buttons.  For the first time, just as I felt him
nearing the end in my mouth, I put his hand on my bicep and
flexed a few times.  He blew like Mt. St. Helens!

"Wow," was all he said as he drifted back to earth.

The next day at work was "different".  I was paired with Maria. 
Yes, we have female lifeguards, too.  Don't you watch
Baywatch?

Since the day she started working, Maria had been hitting on
me.  I'd been as tactful as possible in turning her down, even
though she was a very beautiful girl.

Her opening comment was "I see the best man won!"

"Sure did," I answered.

"Actually, it makes me feel better.  I was beginning to wonder if
there was something wrong with ME, and now I learn that I
never was even in the running," she said.

"Sorry," I said.  "I couldn't tell you the reason - then."

"You were always nice about it," she said.  "I understand, now. 
Are you happy?"

"Very," I said, "now I can be me.  No pretense, no hiding.  It
feels good."

"If that's what you want, then I'm happy for you," she said.

We went on to discuss how it wasn't really a "choice" but
something over which we gays had no control, and how so
many men suppressed their true feelings and led such
miserable lives.

"I also hear that you have a really serious boyfriend," she said.

"Sure do," I said.

"Tell me all about him," she said.

I felt comfortable with Maria, and quickly warmed to the
subject.  I told her what a romantic, serious but humorous guy
Dave was, and how much in love I was.  I guess I went on and
on, because she finally stopped me.

"Stop," she said. "You're making me jealous, of both of you."

Sunday rolled around, time for my confrontation with Brian.  I
was a little uneasy, which Dave sensed, and just before we left
for the party, took me in his arms and gave me a hug and
lingering kiss.  I felt reassured.

This was my first experience of going to a basically straight
party as an openly gay couple, and I felt a little apprehensive
about that, too.  I needn't have worried.  Nobody paid any
attention, and Dave introduced me around to everyone without
explanation.  It wasn't necessary.  I tried to copy his relaxed,
comfortable manner.

Then I saw Brian.  He was gorgeous, and I could understand
why Dave had tumbled.

When we were introduced, he looked me straight in the eye
and said "We need to talk.  There are a few things that you
deserve to know."

"OK," was all I was able to say.

He drifted away, and I got into a conversation with Sandy
about my return to school full-time.  She was easy to talk to,
and it seemed more like we were old friends rather than
someone I'd met for a minute at the airport.

We were seated, talking with other people, when Brian came
up and said "Can I borrow Eric for a few minutes, Uncle Dave?"

Dave nodded, and I got up to follow Brian.  We found chairs
away from the crowd, and with drinks in hand, he began.

"I want you to know that I put the make on Uncle Dave.  He
didn't have a thing to do with it," he said.

I tried to interrupt, but he wouldn't let me.  He was damned
straightforward, I'd give him that.

"You've got to understand that I've had the hots for him since I
was 15, and this was my chance to live out my fantasies," he
continued.  "Looking back, I realize that it was very selfish, and
the wrong thing to do, but it's an experience I'll never forget
even if Uncle Dave didn't seem to enjoy it much.

"It was sex, pure and simple, for him.  Mechanical, no emotion,
not even a kiss.  I also want you to know that it's over, that's it,
there will never be another time, and I'd like to be friends with
you because Uncle Dave is a very important person in my life,
and sex has nothing to do with it.  One look at the two of you
together makes it real clear to me that you're deeply in love,
and I wouldn't do anything to change that."

"Thanks for telling me all this," I said.  "I had things pretty well
figured out, and you've confirmed everything.  I have to admit
that I seduced him, too, but I think I was a little more subtle."

"Well, the best man won," he said.  "I couldn't compete with
you if I tried."

"Just don't try," I warned him, smiling.  He got the hint.

I went back to sit by Dave, and at the first opportunity, he
asked "What was that all about?"

"Brian just confirmed what I already knew.  He wanted me to
know that he planned the whole thing, and that you didn't stand
a chance," I said.  "I don't think he'll ever bother you again. 
Case closed, as far as I'm concerned."

Then, thinking, I added "If we have that 'coming out' party for
the lifeguards, I think I'd like to invite him.  I'll get him involved
with somebody else and that way I won't have to watch over
my shoulder."

"You don't have anything to worry about, babe," he said.

"I know, but I'd feel safer," I giggled.  He punched me playfully.

The beach where I worked was about four miles long.  In a
way, it was segregated.  Nothing official, just that certain
groups seemed to congregate in their own sections, families
in one area with all the kids, Latinos in another, then gays, the
military, and so on.  One section was reserved for surfers, no
swimmers allowed so they wouldn't collide.  Tourists were
mixed in with all of the groups, obvious because of their pale
bodies.

I didn't have a favorite duty station, but I probably liked the
Latino section the least.  I'm not prejudiced, but when the gang
bangers were on the scene, there was always trouble.  On
Wednesday, with Billy, one of the other "closet cases", we had
the Latino station.  Around noon, the gangs started arriving. 
They were obvious because of the "colors" they wore.  Billy
and I braced for the worst.

We knew many of them because of previous run-ins, and all
the troublemakers seemed to be there.  They were from rival
gangs, too, which didn't make the situation any less tense.  We
alerted the main tower, and sat back to wait.

About 12 of them settled right in front of us, and we certainly
didn't expect what happened next.

"Hey look," one of them yelled.  "The faggot's back," and
pointed at me. 

We ignored them.

They got bolder.  The biggest of the teenage thugs got up,
stood right in front of us, and unzipped his shorts, pulling out a
dick that was as wide as it was long.

"Wanna suck a real man's dick?" he taunted, the others
gathering around to watch the fun.

"Maybe you'd rather I fucked your lily white ass," he continued.

We continued to ignore them.

He was getting excited, his dick getting hard, and enormous. 
There was an audience, and he had to show off.  The group of
spectators was growing, egging him on.

"I know you want it," he said.  "C'mon down and let me show
you what a real stud can do for ya."

By now, there were several dicks in evidence.  Everybody
wanted a piece of the action, and had a chance to show how
manly there were, too.

"Don't be a tease," he went on, "do I have to come up there
and drag you down here so I can fuck ya?"

At this point, Billy grabbed the phone and called for
reinforcements.  Things could get out of hand in a real hurry.

"Callin your fag buddies to help ya?" he shouted, and at the
same time headed for the ladder to our tower.  The crowd, now
numbering at least a hundred, surged forward following him. 
They may have been from rival gangs, but they were more
interested in the excitement than beating up on each other.

"Think I'll come up there and fuck ya so everybody can
watch," he yelled as he started up the ladder.  "Fuckin'
faggots NEED to get fucked."

There was barely room for Billy and me on the platform, so
when this asshole's head and shoulders were above the
deck, I tried to push him off.  He was strong, and held on.  My
efforts only made him more agressive.  With one hand he
grabbed my leg, and before I could get hold of anything, I went
flying off the platform onto the sand.  In seconds, Billy landed
on top of me.

"Hold 'em down," the thug yelled, and his companions below
grabbed us.  We were pulled apart and held down by a lot of
hands, some fat kid sitting on my chest.  I couldn't move, and
Billy was in the same position.

My shorts were roughly pulled down, and I was fully exposed.

"Hey look at that big faggot cock," somebody said.

The ringleader strutted over.  "Roll him over, him too," he said,
pointing at Billy who was also naked.  

"I'm gonna fuck this one first, then that one," he said.  

We were roughly turned over, my dick getting scratched by the
sand.

"Anybody got some lotion?" our torturer asked.  "Don't want to
scrape my cock on that little bitty asshole."

He moved around in front of us, we were lying side by side,
being held immobile.  He greased up his cock which wasn't
too long but had to be at least four inches wide.  He was really
getting into this, now, and would have to go through with his
threats to show what a big man he was.  

"Ready for a real man's cock?" he asked me.  "I know you'll
like it better than those sissy dicks you're used to."

"Spread his legs and gimme some room,"  he told the guys
holding us.  "You guys can have sloppy seconds after I'm
done with him."  This seemed to excite the crowd, and I could
see a lot of hard cocks sticking out of bathing suits, ready to
go.

Up to this point, I hadn't said anything, knowing that to demand
he stop would only goad him on, and I sure as hell wasn't
going to beg.  Billy screamed, I turned as much as I could and
saw one of our captors trying to stick his whole hand up Billy's
ass.  Neither one of us could move or help the other.  The fat
kid was still sitting on me, and a lot of others were holding my
arms and legs immobile.  Billy was in the same position.

My only hope was to stall for time.  I decided to goad him,
maybe get him mad so he'd slow up.  "Whats the matter,
dumbshit?" I said.  "Won't any girls take that ugly dick of yours?"

I guess I hit a sore spot because he slapped me on the ass,
hard.

"I got me a mancock, you fucking faggot," he spat out.  "After I
fuck you, you'll never want anything else."

"Nobody'll take it, huh," I shot back.  "I can see why, it's the
ugliest piece of meat I've ever seen.  You should hide it so
nobody gets sick."

He slapped me again.  

"You still a virgin?" I asked.  That one hit home.

"I ain't no fuckin' virgin, you slimy cocksucker," he yelled.

"With that cock?" I taunted, "must'a been rape because
nobody even wants to look at it."

I'm pretty sure he looked around to see if I was right, but that
didn't stop him.  He was between my legs now, and time was
running out.

The next thing I felt was a sharp sting as a big, blunt finger went
into my ass.  It hurt like hell, but I wasn't going to give him the
satisfaction of knowing that.

The crowd was pretty quiet, listening to the exchange between
us.  His finger went in again, only this time it felt like his whole
hand.  At that moment, I heard the faint wail of sirens, there was
hope.  Seconds later I heard Jim on a bullhorn.

"Break it up," he shouted, and his pickup truck came crashing
through the crowd who had to jump to get out of his way.  

The hoodlums holding us let up, but not fast enough.  Jim's
truck was full of other lifeguards who made flying tackles on the
ones who had been holding us down.  A few fists connected,
and punks were strewn everywhere.

Jim ran over to us, and first wanted to know if we were all right. 

When we assured him that we were OK, he stood as a shield
so we could pull up our shorts with a little privacy.  

By now, electrical ties were being fastened around the wrists
and ankles of our attackers so they couldn't get away.  The
police arrived soon afterward to haul them off.

"We'll get your ass for this," one of them sneered.  I was glad
to see the remark was directed at me, and not Billy.

I could see that Billy was really shaken up.  He appeared to
be shivering, and Jim got a blanket out of his truck and
wrapped it around him.  Possible shock.

"That's all for today," Jim said.  "You guys are going home,
and I'm driving you."  He got no argument.

While Jim was organizing the rest of the troops, making
re-assignments to cover all the beach, I walked over to Billy. 
"You live alone?" I asked him.  He nodded. "Then you're
going home with me."  He nodded.

Back at the office, Jim insisted that we see a doctor.  Finally,
we convinced him that physically, we were all right.  No
damage had been done.  I felt OK, but I was worried about
Billy.  

I talked Jim into driving us home, since he was adamant about
it, in my car.  Sam could drive him back later.  On the way, I
called Dave to tell him I'd be home early.  I told him we'd had
an "incident" at the beach.  When I assured him that I was OK,
he let it go at that.

I wasn't surprised, though, when I saw him pulling into the
driveway just ahead of us.  After a hug, and assurance from
Jim that I was OK, we went in.  

In the den, Dave poured us all a drink, which I think we needed.
I sure did.  When the story of the "incident" had been told, Jim
spoke up.

"I'm going to ask you a favor, Eric," he said. 

"Sure Jim," I said.

"I hate to do this, but I'm going to ask you to quit.  You're
planning to, anyway, and as a personal favor, I'd like you to do
it now.  I've been thinking about this all the way out here, and I
believe it's the best solution for everyone concerned.

"You've proven whatever point you set out to prove, I'm pretty
sure of that because I hear about just about everything that             xxxxx
goes on.

"Between now and when school starts, those little assholes will
be down there looking for trouble every day.  If you're not
there, they won't be able to cause more trouble, and I don't
think either one of us wants a repeat of today.  Will you do it?"

"I see your point, and since I was planning on being there only
another week, I agree,"  I said.  I looked at Dave who was
smiling, but didn't say a word.

"Then I'd better get going," Jim said.  "There's going to be a
ton of reports to fill out even though most of those little shits are
probably minors and will get off with a slap on the wrist."

Sam was ready with the car.

Billy hadn't said a word the whole time, but he was looking a
whole lot better.  I took him into our bedroom to loan him some
clothes.  We both were changing when he cracked "Man, you
really do have a big dick!"

We both laughed, and I knew he was feeling better. 

Back in the den, we told Dave what really had happened.  Jim
had seen us being held down and nude, but neither of us had
given the gory details.  Why bother.  Assault was about all that
could be proven, even if it did get that far.

I told my part of the story up to the point where Billy screamed,
then he jumped in with his version.

"Man," he said, "I've had a few cocks up my ass, but never a
hand that was all covered with sand!  That HURTS!  I know it
sounds funny now, but it sure wasn't then."

While we were laughing, I realized that this was the first time
Billy had mentioned his being gay in front of Dave, or anyone
else that I knew of.  Certainly not Jim.

"If you're going to stick something up there, at least use some
lube," he continued.

When we got around to discussing possible repurcussions
from what happened, I said "They were after me, you just
happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  I don't
think there'll be guilt by association."

"I don't think I'll have any problems," Billy said, "as long as I
keep my mouth shut."

"And so had a few others," I said.

"You mean there's more than just you and me?"  he asked.

"Several that I know of," I said.

"I'm not going to ask who," Billy said, "you probably wouldn't
tell me anyway."

I agreed, and told him about the "coming out" party we were
thinking about.  He was very interested, and suggested that it
would be more than that, maybe a "mutual protection
association" for the closet cases.

Dave hadn't said much all evening.  Finally, putting his arm
around me, he said "I'm so glad you agreed with Jim.  I have
been hoping that something like this wouldn't happen, but it
did.  Now there won't be any more opportunities for it to happen
again.  Truthfully, I'm awfully relieved."

"In a way, I brought it on myself," I said.  "I had to show
somebody, myself, that I could handle it.  I'm glad it's all over."

"Me too," Dave said.

Before the evening was over, the other four "closet cases"
called to tell me how badly they felt about what had happened
to me.  They were even more eager to meet the other gays in
our group.  Hopefully, my bull headedness hadn't set back
their confidence too much.  I owed THEM.

In bed, Dave snuggled up to me and asked if I was really OK. 

"I think I've finally learned my lesson," I said.  "This 'pride' thing
has gotten totally out of control.  My attempting to 'show the
world' may have hurt some innocent people.  After what
happened today, none of the other guys will ever come out of
the closet, and I don't blame them."

"Think of it another way," he said.  "You put yourself on the line
and showed what could happen.  You took the brunt of it, and
now they won't have to."

Why do I love him?  Little things like that.  He's taken
something that I would probably have kicked myself for during
the next few weeks, felt guilty as hell about, and put a positive
spin on it.

"I love you," I said.  "But, do you think I'll ever learn?"

"You're doing that right now," he said.

No advice, no lecture, only support.  That's the Dave I love.

                             - - - - - - - -

We decided to go ahead with the party, and to have it that
Saturday Night if everyone was available.  I also wanted to
invite Brian.  

All the beach guys were available, all five of them, so I called
Brian.  

I explained the purpose of the party, and asked him to join us.

"Why are you inviting me?" he wanted to know.  

"Do you have a boyfriend?" I asked

"Not at the moment," he said.

"Well, this is an opportunity for you to meet five of the hottest,
single guys in town," I said.

"I think I see what you're doing, but I'd love to come," he said.

Dave and I decided to do something different than the usual
entertaining done in Southern California - to eat indoors, for a
change.  We planned a sit-down dinner that Mary could
prepare ahead of time, then Dave and I could serve.  I
advised all the guys that it would be semi-formal, which meant
long pants and something other than a T-shirt.  We also felt
that this atmosphere would slow down any of "that" kind of
activity.  We wanted the guys to have a good time, but not
THAT good a time.  They could do that on their own.

Other than a beer-bust or hamburgers on the barbecue, this
was the first real party that I had ever planned.  Something like
this was everyday stuff to Dave, but he let me handle most
everything.

I looked to Mary for advice, and she was a joy to work with. 
She really wanted to stay around and serve us, saying that
gay men certainly weren't anything new to her.  When I
explained the purpose of the get-together, she understood,
and planned a menu that would require the least amount of
effort for us.

Jack was the first to arrive, followed by Billy.  When Billy saw
Jack, his jaw dropped.

"Not you!"  he said. 

"You bet," Jack said, "I'm as queer as they come."

The rest, Tom, Jason and Aaron, arrived in quick succession
to similar reactions.  All of these guys were 100% masculine,
not a limp wrist among them, and just about all of them were
totally suprised to see the others there. It was like they were
meeting each other for the first time.

Brian was the last to arrive.  I'm not sure if he wanted to make
an "entrance" or if he was just late.  I introduced him as a friend
of "ours", and I thought his eyes would pop out.  

Admittedly, this much testoserone, this beautifully packaged,
was enough to make any gay man's heart skip a few beats
and knees turn to jelly.

I went back to my bartending duties, and caught Billy eyeing
Brian from head to toe.  He saw me looking at him and winked,
saying "This one's MINE!"

At the table, after the wine had been poured, Tom stood up
and motioned for quiet.  

"Here's to our wonderful hosts, and the two luckiest guys in the
room.  They have each other."

We all clinked glasses, and even though he was at the other
end of the table, I saw Dave's eyes get misty.  There was no
hiding the tears that formed in mine.

>From there, the conversation got a bit ribald.  Jason piped up
"At least we all know Aaron's circumcised, he's Jewish," which
made Aaron choke on his food.

Someone else said "I wish I had the balls Eric does to come
out like he did."  Someone else answered with "I just want
Eric's balls, period!" which brought down the house.

Billy wasn't wasting any time with Brian.  They sat together at
dinner, and when we got up to go back to the main living room, 
both of their crotches seemed a lot fuller than before.

All of the guys wanted to know what "really" had happened the
other day when Billy and I had been attacked.  We told the
story, not leaving out any details.  Billy didn't comment about
other "objects" being inserted into him, and I could see Dave
wince when I told about the fingers in me.

It was pretty much agreed that the best way to prevent
something like this from happening again was to keep a low
profile about their sexual preferences.  Since they hadn't
recognized each other as being gay, it was a good bet that
others wouldn't pick up on it either.  No point in advertising, like
I had done.

When the party broke up, there was a lot of hugging and
kissing, and I heard more than one guy say "I've wanted to do
that for a long, long time."

Even though I wouldn't be working with them anymore, they
made it clear that I would always be a member of the group,
and so would Dave.  

Not only did they all like him, Jack whispered in my ear "If you
ever get tired of him, let me know.  I want first dibs."  

"On me?" I asked.

"No, Dave."

Snuggled in Dave's arms in the den, he was chuckling.  I
looked at him questioningly.

"Mission accomplished," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Billy and Brian will be and 'item' before morning," he chuckled.

"Oh that," I said.  "That's just a fringe benefit."  I couldn't help
but chuckle too.

"How do you feel about not going back to work?" he asked,
serious now.

"I'll miss it," I admitted, "but, as I've said earlier, that part of my
life is over.  It's onward and upward from here, and I'll be doing
it with you."

                            - - - - - - - - -

To be continued.

Author's note:  Feedback and comments are always very
welcome.  I carefully consider all suggestions and constructive
criticism.  I'd really like to hear from you guys.  
orrinrush@yahoo.com