Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 17:26:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: JMH <trandar2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Watch chp 2 (revised)
Again, this is a story about gay relationships so 1. if you are
breaking the law, underage, or just hate gay stuff don't read any further.
The World Wide Web is a big place so you can find something else. 2. The
story is not based on any real person place thing, or another person's
idea. So any similarities are pure chance. 3. Since this story is of my
own creation, I have the copyright to it. No other postings, except at
nifty, are allowed. Nor is the selling of the story to others permitted.
Any questions about the above, please write.
Enjoy
JMH
trandar2002@yahoo.com
******************************************
It was a little longer then a few days before Robert received the
report. He kept calling the Williams, who were a husband-wife
investigation team. Each were very nice when he called but told him that
they were still investigating but that he would be happy when he learned
the news.
It was in the second week and three days before Josh was to start
working for the firm that Robert took a call from Mrs. Williams saying she
was just outside the building and was ready to give her report. Robert's
heart picked up the pace on the news. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know
the truth. If Josh was "his" Josh what was he going to do, Josh was
married. If he was not his "Josh" then Robert would feel devastated. He
was deep in these conflicting thoughts when Mrs. Williams voice spoke up.
"Is it ok for me to see you Mr. Townsend?"
Robert took a deep breath and finally said, "Yes sure come up."
Robert then called the secretary to hold all his calls and then started to
clear his desk of papers. He wanted a clean space to read the report." He
was so nervous that he almost got up to meet the woman at the door but when
he heard a knock. In came his secretary Camilla who was escorting a heavy
set black woman wearing what looked like her Sunday best, a bright purple
dress with white trim topped with a large brim black hat with a white bow
wrapped around it.
"Helllooo Mr. Townsend, its good to meet you face to face."
Mrs. Williams smiled with a wide grin"
"Hello Mrs. Townsend." Robert returned with a nervous smile as he
tried to stand up.
"Don't stand on my account. With the info I have for you, you will
want to be seated I expect... and please call me Mary."
"Yes Mary...thank you." Robert said as he slowly sat back down."
Mary sat down in the chair before his desk and began fiddling with
papers. "Its so exciting to give these reports. You never know how the
person is going to take it. Its better then television."
"Oh no." Robert thought. She's going to be one of those sadistic
people that will leave him hanging for a while.
That is exactly what she did. She went on and on about the small
details about Josh's life that Robert wasn't interested like what kind of
car he drove, how much he paid in mortgage payments, the name and age of
his wife and son. She even went into a family history of Josh's wife,
Terry, down to the birthplaces of the grandparents."
"All right already. You have been very detailed about everything
except Josh. You even gave me the age of their pets. What I want to know
is WHO josh is and where did he come from."
Jessica replied with a sly smile. "Well sir all you had to do was
ask."
"Ugh, just tell me what you know about Josh."
"Well for starts, he names was not always Josh." Jessica replied
Robert's heart sank on that news.
"His name was Fredrick Harper. So named by his adopted parents."
"Adopted parents?" Robert's hope picked up
"Yes, he was adopted at age ten by the Harper family. It was weird
actually. Most parents don't change the first name of a child they adopted
for a kid of his age."
"What was his real name?" Robert not excited.
"Well it was Josh of course." She smiled.
"YES!" Robert shouted, jumping from his chair.
"I knew you would be glad to here that. You two met at the same
summer camp didn't you."
"Yes we did! You really did a number on this." Robert complimented
"That's why it took longer then we expected. When we research a
person we also want to know why the person wants the info. In your case
he's an old friend from the days when you were an orphan."
"I still am an orphan." Robert thought but only nodded his head yes.
"Well he is that poor boy. You knew that his parents and older
brother died in a car wreck."
"Yes I did. I met him the first day he was at camp. I was his
counselor."
"Well he was adopted about two years later to a family that had just
lost their own ten year old son and I bet you can guess the boy's name."
"Fredrick"
"You're right." Mary grinned.
"It must have been hard on him, being expected to replace a lost
son."
"It was. As soon as he turned 18 he had his name changed back to
Josh and from what I have learned he has never gone back to see his family
again. Luckily the life insurance policy his parents had left him with
enough money to pay for college but not much was left after that. He met
his wife Terry when he was an undergraduate and they married when he was in
law school. He is very popular with the people who know him but he really
doesn't have a close friend."
"Are you suggesting that I could be that friend?"
"It's a possibility."
"What am I going to do?"
"Robert, can I call you that, I know about your sexual exploits so if
you think this might be a chance to have a fantasy fuck then I think you
are looking at the wrong person. If you are looking to reconnect to an old
friend then I think you have a good chance on gaining a real good friend."
"So no seducing." Robert said flatly.
"That's right. Only try to be his friend. You are the only person
who knows him before he was adopted. I think that gives you a special link
to the young man."
"Thanks. How much do I owe you?"
"Don't worry about it. Glenn and Kyle are taking care of this one.
That and I give a 10% discount when I deliver good news. I hate giving bad
news."
*************************************************************
After Mary and Robert had said their goodbyes Robert was swamped by
the giant grins on his friend's faces as they came rushing into the room.
"So you got good news?" Glenn smiled
"How did you know?" Robert said confused.
"We got a 10% discount which means you got good news."
"Oh that's right. Thanks for setting me up with her." Robert
thanked them.
"No problem...so are you going to tell us or are we going to have to
strangle the info out of you like we have to do with Mary?"
"He's the one." Robert said with a wide grin.
"Can't get more straight forward then that." Kyle laughed.
"So what are you going to do?" Glenn asked.
"I don't know." Robert answered honestly. "I'm not ever sure I'm
going to tell Josh who I really am."
"Why not?" Kyle asked.
"Because he's afraid of the disappointment if things don't work out."
Glenn guessed correctly.
"Yes, your right I am afraid of that. I made a promise to come for
him and I didn't."
"Robert there was nothing you could of done anyway. He won't hate
you for that." Kyle said supportively
"Its just that Mary hinted that Josh didn't have a happy childhood
after he was adopted. I feel at fault for that"
"Robert...when are you going to stop being hard on yourself." Glenn
said concerned.
"When is he going to stop always being HARD?" Kyle tried to joke but
was elbowed by Glenn.
"I loved that boy, Glenn. I really did. I still have a few of the
letters he wrote to me. A lot of them got damaged or lost when I was in
the navy but I still have a few. He was my family."
"Until Lance came into your life."
"Right. Then I thought I was really part of one but then he left me.
I don't want to go through that again."
"Robert you will never be happy unless you risk your heart again."
"I know. I just don't know if I want to tell him before or after I
try to befriend him."
"You have a point. Honesty is always best but for you to dump this
information on him might put any kind of relationship at risk. Just
promise my one thing."
"What?" Robert asked.
"I want you to promise you wont get your expectations up."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do. You are one of the few people I know who will try to
force a square peg into a round hole. Don't let you're expectations on how
Josh should be make you try to force Josh to be the person you want him to
be."
"Yeah, yeah." Robert blew it off.
"No I'm serious Robert one reason we are friends is that we don't put
up with you're shit. Don't heap a load on Josh or you might push him
away."
"I'll try to avoid that Glenn, thanks. Thanks for being my friend."
"That's what friends are for. They're supposed to be able to tell
you when you are fucking up."
***********************************************************************
Today was to be Josh's first day at work and since Robert's many
duties also included human resources, Robert would be able to spend the
whole day with Josh. He had also used his influence to have Josh's office
right across from his.
When he greeted Josh at the front doors he had to stop himself from
pulling Josh into a hug. Instead he settled for a firm handshake and a pat
on the back as he led Josh to his new office. The room had not yet been
decorated and only had a desk, chair and computer. The files Josh had from
his old office were to arrive in the afternoon, as was a decorator.
"Well here's your office."
"Thanks...Robert."
"Nervous?"
"Just a little."
"Don't' be, we're just one happy family here." Robert smiled but
noticed Josh cringe on the word family. "So do you play any sports?"
Robert said to quickly change the topic.
"Yes, I play a mean game of hand ball and I run. I use to play
soccer in high school but I don't do that any more."
"I should take you to the gym I go to. They have private workout
rooms."
"Sounds expensive."
"Don't worry, I'm a member and allowed a guest whenever I want one."
"Sound's great!" Josh said finally smiling.
It was at that moment that Robert was certain that Josh was who he
thought he was. That one smile was so much like the way Robert remembered,
lips only a few millimeters apart showing a flash of white teeth. The
corner of his lips formed dimples and another on his chin. It was a small
but sincere smile, one that Robert had always trusted. Boy... he wanted to
kiss those lips.
"I'm glad I finally got you to smile." Robert laughed.
"Sorry if I look down, I'm just nervous." Josh apologized.
"No problem. Why don't you come over to my office and we can go over
the rules and procedures."
Robert walked him to his room, right across from Josh's and had him
sit on the couch as he took up a chair and pulled it next to him. He
didn't trust himself to share the same seat with the object of his
affection. He did though allow himself to move in close so that their
faces were only about a foot apart as he talked. An outside observer would
have noticed Robert moving his head forward at times as if he wanted to
sneak in a kiss but surprisingly he would always pull away. Another thing
that would be surprising for the people who knew Josh was that he didn't
move away when Robert's head moved forward. A few times he even moved his
own head a hair's thickness toward Robert. There was wanting in both men's
eyes but each man was so concentrated on avoiding their feelings that they
could not see that they both wanted the same thing.
After the info session was over, Robert had arranged for Josh to have
lunch with Kyle, Glenn, and himself. They went to a Chinese restaurant
where they ordered family style. They had beef with scallops, crispy whole
fish, garlic eggplant with pork, chicken lo mien, and an order of fried
dumplings. During the whole time Kyle and Glenn were amazed on how the
other two acted. Robert would actually joke around while Josh lowered his
nervous stance and would kid around also. The couple thought it very weird
when the two of them started feeding each other with their chopsticks like
they were in love themselves. They had never seen Robert this carefree.
They only hoped it would last.
After lunch, Robert finally left Josh so Josh could sort through his
files and talk to the decorator only to be followed to his office by his
two friends."
"My god you two are already acting like a married couple!" Kyle
laughed
"Great isn't he!" Robert beamed.
"He really seems to like you." Glenn agreed.
"I hope he does cause I really like him."
"Just remembered he's married."
"Trust me." Robert smiled in mock offense.
"Yes just like with Mike. He was perfectly happy married but then
you have to turn him over to the dark side." Kyle laughed.
"Well I don't know how happy he was before I got to him. He didn't
seem happy until I poked him a bit."
"Tell me about it. He's now the biggest bottom in Kansas City thanks
to you." Kyle returned
"Just doing my part for the gay cause." Robert grinned.
"Speaking of gay, does Josh know you are gay?" Glenn asked.
"I don't know I would guess that he might because I hang around you
two so much."
"I wouldn't bet on it but I don't think that matters as he seems ok
about the two of us," said Kyle.
"He'll find out soon enough. Your exploits are common cooler talk
here."
"Hey I have a reputation to up hold."
"Just be sure it doesn't get you into trouble."
*************************************************************
The next few days were some of the happiest Robert could remember.
Josh was such a sweet and carefree guy once you got past his nervous
exterior. He would laugh at your jokes even if they were flops. He always
looked on the bright side of things and would always be encouraging. There
was very little time that Josh or Robert was not in each other's offices
working or just goofing off.
It also started rumors that Kyle and Glenn went to great efforts to
hide from Josh. They would steer Josh away from the gossip hounds or would
hang around Josh, giving the other associated ominous stares if they looked
like they were going to make a comment about the rumors and it was real
bad. This ranged from Josh being Robert's bitch to that Josh slept his way
to the new job. Glenn would pressure Robert to tell Josh that he was gay
and in love with him but Robert was too afraid to risk what he had. It was
not until Thanksgiving that things started to fall apart.
Robert would traditionally go to Glenn and Kyle's house for
Thanksgiving but this time he was invited by Josh to spend the weekend at
his place. They had a guest bedroom that he could stay at from Thursday to
Sunday. Robert debated if he should bring his boxers or just some jock
straps so he could show off in front of Josh if they met heading to the
bathroom. But he played it safe and decided to just wear boxers. He
wasn't going to wear a nightshirt. He wasn't going to become a prude just
for a long weekend.
It turned out that it wouldn't of mattered anyway, each of the
bedrooms had their own bathroom connected to them so there would be no
wandering at night, at least not to the bathroom. He left his car in the
parking lot and drove with Josh to his home. Driving in the four door
Saturn was a step down for Robert who liked his Lexus SUV but he knew that
if the rumors were true, Josh would soon be able to afford a new car to
rival his.
Josh had been working long hours; it was one of the reasons Josh had
not taken Robert up in his offer to go to the gym with him. Robert had
talk to one of the janitors and found out that it wasn't uncommon for Josh
to still be in the office after ten and to come in before five. No one
could keep up those hours without feeling the strain. Glenn was concerned
on how this was affecting the marriage due to his handling of several work
alcoholic divorces.
But when Robert arrived at the house, all seemed well. Josh led
Robert up to the front door and opened it to the smells of pre-Thanksgiving
cooking. The smell of sauces and the baking of pies rushed out at them as
Josh opened the door.
"You can leave your suitcase in the hall for now, I want you to meet
Terry."
Robert dropped his bag at the bottom of the stairs and followed Josh
to the kitchen. Inside there were already three pies cooling on the
counter, pumpkin, apple, and pecan. Several pots were bubbling and two
cutting board were covered with freshly cut vegetables. A woman whom
Robert took as Josh's wife was watching television as she snap some green
beans.
"Hi hon," Josh said as he walked behind his wife and gave her a hug
"I wish he would call me hon and give me a hug." Robert gloomily
thought to himself as he watched the happy scene.
"Is your friend here?" Terry laughed as she tried to slip between
her husband and the kitchen counter to turn around.
As soon as the two made eye contact, Robert was almost certain he saw
a frown grow on Terry's face but it was quickly replaced by a wide smile.
"How are you doing Mr. Townsend?" She greeted with a sweet syrupy
voice."
"Just fine Mrs. Harper."
"Oh please call me Terry, you're almost family with how much time you
spend with Josh."
The comment was made cheerfully and sincerely but a lump formed in
Robert's throat. He had an ominous feeling that Terry could see right
through his chummy act with Josh and knew that Robert wanted to not so much
replace her as be her in Josh's heart. But she still smiled at him and
gave him a friendly hug, careful so that her hands wouldn't touch his
jacket.
"Have you shown him his room yet?"
"No not yet. I wanted to say hello to you first."
"Thanks dear. Now go play host and give him the grand tour."
"Where's Nate?" Josh asked Terry about his son.
"Oh he's at Sara's house playing with Greg. He'll be back before
supper."
"All right."
"Now stay out of my kitchen, I'll call the two of you when dinner is
ready."
Robert had to control his laughter at the way Terry controlled her
husband but what he didn't understand was why she seemed to go out of her
way so that Josh and he could be alone. If that single frown meant
anything it was that she felt him a threat not a friend. Josh for his part
seemed oblivious to it as he almost bounced back to the stairs dragging
Robert by the hand. Oh how Robert wanted to kiss that hand.
Josh took Robert's bag with his free hand and led him up the stairs.
They passed a few doors down a long hallway until they reached the end and
Josh opened the door. As soon as it was opened Josh tossed the bag on top
of the bed and joined it. The picture of Josh spread out on a bed, in a
bed that Robert was going to sleep in was enough to send his dick shooting
up. He quickly moved himself to the foot of the bed where a raised wooden
board hide his harden dick from Josh's view.
"Look like a real nice room." Robert nervously commented as he tried
to sneak his way to the bathroom on the other side of the room without
looking suspicious.
"What's wrong?" Josh asked with concern on his face.
"Oh nothing, I just need to use the bathroom."
"Want me to leave?"
"Oh no!" Robert said a little to eagerly. The last thing he wanted
was for Josh to leave the bed. "It'll just be a sec."
"All right, just don't get lost in there." Josh joked as he spread
himself out on the bed as if he were making snow angles.
"Oh god I don't want to leave right now." Robert thought as he
rushed into the bathroom and locked the door.
"You don't need to lock it, Nathan's not here and he knows better
then to open a closed bathroom door." Josh called out to Robert who was
trying to work his pants off over the bulge located there.
"No problem." Robert shouted back as he sat on the toilet and began
pumping his cock imagining that it was Josh holding it.
It must of taken Robert longer then he thought to shoot off his wad
because when he finally opened the bathroom door he found Josh asleep. It
could have been that Josh was dead tired from work. He looked so peaceful
with his eyes closed. There was even a soft smile on his face. Robert sat
down on the side of the bed so he could just be closer to the man he was
falling in love with. It must have been the movement of the bed cause when
Robert sat down Josh turned onto his side toward Robert and curled up.
Robert took that as a sign. Josh, at his most vulnerable and
peaceful state moved toward him as if by instinct. Robert took his shaking
had and moved a loose strand of hair that had fallen over Josh's face. His
fingertips brushed against Josh's forehead. The skin was cool to the touch
but perfectly smooth. Wanting just to touch more Robert pressed the palm
of his hand against Josh's cheek, his chin fitting right into it. Robert
let his outer most fingers brushing against Josh's pug nose. He moved the
finger slowly against the side of that nose in the way he wanted to nuzzle
his face against Josh.
He almost jerked his hand away when he saw Josh's eyes slowly open
but with all the courage he posed he held his hand there and Josh didn't
move. Instead his eyes began to water and a single tear ran down his face.
Robert removed his hand and drew up the drop with the tip of a finger. He
then ran the wet finger down his own cheek.
The two of them continued to stare at each other in silence for
several minutes but eventually Robert felt an arm wrap around his waist. He
let himself be lowered on to the bed where Josh proceeded to press his damp
face against Robert's chest.
"Why didn't you come for me?" Josh croaked.
With that comment Robert knew that Josh knew who he was. "I would of
Josh had I known where you were. I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault." Josh returned.
"But we have found each other. That's all that matters." Robert
said before kissing the top of Josh's head and ran his finger along his
back.
They remained like that for over an hour and it was only the voice of
a small boy who interrupted it.
"Hi dad." A smaller younger version of Josh said as he climbed up on
the bed.
Josh must have been shocked by his son's voice as he practically
pushed Robert out of the bed before turning over to see his son.
"Uhm... Hi Nate. Did you have fun with Greg." Josh quickly
recovered.
Nathan ignored his father's question and climbed over his father to
see Robert on his ass, still in shock from the rough treatment.
"Are you all right mister?" Nathan asked concerned.
"No problem kiddo." Robert smiled
"I... Sorry about that Robert." Josh stuttered.
"No problem." Robert repeated.
Robert hopped back in the bed but Josh kept some space between them.
Instead Nate sat himself between them and started asking a million
questions of Robert.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Robert."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm staying over for Thanksgiving."
"Are you my dad's friend?"
"Yes."
"Why were you hugging my dad?"
"Well do you dad hug you?"
"Yes."
"Do you like it when your dad hugs you?"
"Yep."
"Well we were doing the same thing."
"Ok."
"Ah this simplicity of youth." Robert thought as he gave Nathan as
wide smile.
"I think your funny mister." Nathan laughed when he saw the goofy
grin on Robert's face. "Dad can I have a hug too."
"You can have a million hugs Nate." Josh returned as he lifted his
son on top of him and gave him a bear hug.
Robert looked on as father and son hugged each other. He wanted so
much to hug them both but knew that now wasn't time to press things with
Josh. Eventually Terry called the three of them for dinner. Nathan took a
piggyback ride on his father's back with Robert in tow.
*************************************************************
Dinner was a new experience for Robert. Dinner with Kyle and Glenn
was having dinner with friends. This was dinner with family. There was
less of a need to impress. This led to more relaxed conversation then
Robert could ever remember having. One thing that did surprise him was
that Josh did not sit next to his wife. Instead Nathan sat between them,
surrounded by the attention his parents gave him. Eventually Nathan
yawned, sending a queue to Josh to pick his son up give him a bath and take
him to bed.
Robert was now left alone with Terry. The two rivals stared at each
other in silence for several minutes until Terry sighed and spoke.
"Can you join me outside?" She asked in a weary voice.
"Sure." Robert agreed and followed her to the back yard.
It was a cold night but the ground was still free from snow. The two
of them could see their breath from the light coming from the house. Terry
kept her back facing Robert for a few seconds before turning around and
confronting him.
"I don't want a long speech from you just a yes or no answer. Are
you in love with my husband?"
"Yes."
"Shit..." Was her first response to Robert's frank answer... it was
later followed by tears.
"You asked for a blunt answer."
"Sorry it's not your fault." Terry returned when she got control of
herself again.
"I don't know if it's anyone's fault." Robert returned.
"You're right again. Will you tell me why you love him."
"Well I guess it goes back to when we were both orphans but now that
I've met him again it's because he makes me happy."
"I'm glad to here that. I wished I could make him happy."
Robert was about to answer that but Terry spoke up again. Don't get
me wrong; Josh is a very loving man. He's a good husband and a great
father. I... I just can't get rid of the sorrow that he always carries
within him. I try to talk to him about it but he just won't. I...I just
can't stand watching as a good man suffer as he does."
"What's wrong with him. I know he seems nervous at times and tends
to stare at his watch a lot."
"So you noticed that." Terry sighed
"Yes he acts like he's always making sure he won't be late."
"That's not the reason."
"What is it then?"
"I'm not going to tell you and I don't recommend asking Josh about
it. When he's ready to tell you he will."
"All right, but can't you tell me what's wrong with Josh."
"Ever since I've know Josh, he has put up a front of looking happy
for others. This does not mean he's not a caring person, he is. I think
he cares too much at times. He worries so much about others that he often
forgets himself. I...I just want him to be happy. When he would come home
from work he would have a genuine smile on his face. Not the half grin
that I found so hard to bear before he met you. I felt that the only thing
that made my husband happy was Nathan. He would come home from work at
four, stay till he put Nathan to bed and then go back to the office.
I... I never suspected my husband could be gay until I saw you walk into my
kitchen."
"You say I look gay?" Robert was surprised. He prided himself in
his straight acting ability.
"No, its not how you look or act. It is how you look at Josh that
told me you were in love with him."
"Oh."
"You are in love with Josh. I can accept that. I just want you to
promise me that you will make him happy."
"That's all I want. But what about you, you deserve to be happy as
well?"
"True and I still love Josh. I just feel that he cares for me but
doesn't love me. He would never ask for a divorce but I might."
"What about Nathan." Robert asked concerned. He didn't want to be
the one held responsible for breaking up his parents.
Tears began to run down Terry's face as she struggled to answer. "I
love my son and I want him but if it is the only gift that I can give Josh
that would make him happy I will."
"Why?"
"Because Josh saved me. We both grew up on neighboring farms in
Kansas. We both came from families that were abusive to us. Josh's family
tried to force him to be someone he wasn't and both of my parents were
drunks who hated each other but feared how their families would look on a
divorce more. I was the only person who would call Josh by his real name.
That's how we became friends. When we both graduated from high school Josh
was set to go off to college and forget his old life while I was given the
choice of marrying another farmer's son or be kicked out on the streets. I
was willing to accept being kicked out but then Josh gave me another
choice. He had the money from his parents' life insurance to more then pay
for college. On the night he was leaving town forever he came to me and
asked me to join him. He was my savior. We got a two-bedroom apartment.
He went to KU while I went to the community college in nearby Topeka. We
would always be together and most
people thought we were married so one day that's what we decided to make
it official. We got married. Josh went to law school while I went on and
became a registered nurse. After two years we had Nathan. During that
whole time Josh cared for Nathan and me. I thought it was love and it was
in a way. I am his friend and he loves me as a friend but not as a soul
mate."
"I see. Can I ask you one thing?" Robert said when Terry finished.
"Yes." Terry replied.
"Don't divorce him without asking me first. I think you could be
right. Both of you cling to each other because your friendship has been
the most loving experience in your lives. Because both of you didn't know
that anything else was possible, you accepted it."
"Yes, your right." Terry agreed.
"I know that you see this Terry but I don't know if Josh does.
Please give me the time to show Josh what it means to be loved if not he
might take the divorce as a sign that there is no love out there for him."
Robert asked.
"You're right again. Just you be sure that he finds out what he
deserves. I couldn't go through another..." She started but was unable to
finish.
"I'll try my best." Robert returned, not knowing what Terry had
wanted to say.
"That's all I can ask for. I just hope my husband IS gay. For your
sake that is." She tried to laugh.
"Well I've had my share of straight ass. He wouldn't be the first
man I've seduced into bed."
"Don't seduce him. Just love him." She said dead serious.
"I will."