Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:54:50 -0800 (PST)
From: firehose Joe <firehosejoe@yahoo.com>
Subject: To Thine Own Self   chapter 20

"This above all: To thine own self be true, for it must follow as dost the
night the day, that canst not be false to any man." Shakespeare (Hamlet)

Though the theme of wrestling will be a key component in the early chapters
and a continuing theme, the story is about relationships and being true to
oneself. Thanks to TalonRider for assistance proofing the story. This is
wholly fictional with no reference intended to persons alive or dead.

Please do not distribute to other sites without permission of the
author. Comments can be sent to firehosejoe@yahoo.com

From the previous chapter:

"Well Mr. Algara, I believe this brings down the curtain on our roles as
student and teacher. I must admit it has been awkward at times, simply
because I felt you were a kindred spirit but it was not the time or place
to explore that possibility. If it would suit you, I hope we can continue
meeting, talking about art, enjoying games of racquetball and getting to
know one another on a more personal level."

Alejandro felt foolish. He knew he was smiling like a child opening a
gift. "I'd like that very much."

"If I may make one request," Thibodaux asked. "Can we drop the title? If
you will, call me Charles."

Chapter 20

Frederick had decided to withdraw for a semester as he helped his dad with
the care of his mother. Frederick's mom found soon after the surgery that
her condition was terminal. The cancer had metastasized to several organs
and her lymphatic system. She defied the doctors and current trends
determining not to have chemotherapy. She'd asked detailed and probing
questions and determined that to live a year suffering and then die didn't
make sense.

Her doctors were able to help her manage her pain. The last six months
provided wonderful time spent with her son and husband. Alejandro visited
at least twice each month and more if his schedule would allow. Early
during his visits, while Frederick and his father had gone shopping for
some items, she confided that the catering had been a true god
send. Laughing, she said her husband couldn't boil water for eggs and
Frederick wasn't much better.

The caterer had quickly taken in the situation and had met with her primary
care doctor as well as a nutritionist. Together they designed meals for her
that would be both palatable and nutritious. Aware that the needs would
change, the consultations with the medical staff were ongoing. There was a
completely different menu for her husband and son. The potential stress of
meal preparation had disappeared.

Eventually all of them became comfortable with Alejandro's ability to
travel as he did. It was the kind of thing movie stars did, not a
friend. Frederick did enjoy the respite, away from the house and all that
it had come to represent, to talk and relax with Alejandro. Without
exception they would have dinner together at the hotel.

There was less and less they shared in common. Alejandro told him of the
Mysterious Doctor Thibodaux, as they began to refer to him. Frederick's
curiosity at the possible outcomes fueled Alejandro's curiosity. It became
one of their touchstones of conversation. After dinner they went to
Alejandro's room to enjoy a slow leisurely time together. Gone were the
sessions of frantic, energetic, demanding sex. Rather, it seemed that roles
were reversed.

Alejandro never mentioned it; but it seemed that each time he would have to
awaken the latent desire within Frederick. Together they would slowly build
to that release that seemed to restore Frederick, to complete him
somehow. During one of his flights home, Alejandro captured the moment of
their time together in bed as a cocoon of caring.  It was his personal gift
to Frederick. In the most intimate way, Alejandro `had his back' for a
change. Sad, but in its own way, it was satisfying.

The times with Frederick and his family seemed parenthetical inserts into
the day to day routine for Alejandro. He was glad for them, yet realized
that somehow a brief chapter of his life was likely drawing to a
close. Early in June the call came from Frederick that it was
over. Alejandro listened, silently crying as Frederick gave him the
details. Arrangements were to be made and he wanted Alejandro there if he
could possibly come.

Alejandro was there in hours. The days with Frederick and his father
blurred together. The only island of reprieve from the exhaustion came from
the time they spent together away from the crush of extended family and
friends. Holed up in Alejandro's room they ate room service. They
talked. Frederick napped. Finally, Alejandro helped his friend find that
other release. Afterward, as Frederick slept, Alejandro held him like the
wounded child he was. Tears streamed from Alejandro's eyes as he grieved
his own losses during the past months.

At the Requiem Mass, Frederick had requested that Alejandro sit with
family. It was an honor Alejandro knew he'd keep as a treasured memory. At
the reception following, Frederick told him he'd be transferring to the
University nearby to stay with his father who was seemingly unable to cope
with the thought of being alone. After saying his goodbyes to Frederick's
father and thanking the priest for a beautiful Mass, Alejandro headed home.

Alejandro smiled as he recalled Frederick's demand that Alejandro promise
to continue the saga of the Mysterious Doctor Thibodaux. As he looked out
the plane window, he felt his cock stir at the thought of getting the good
Doctor on his back again. He recalled that evening, remembering both the
humor and passion.

The exam dinner, as Alejandro thought of it, was typical of Charles. With
understatement, with grace and typical southern manners, he'd indicated his
desire to Alejandro that they continue their journey.

When they next met, Charles (as he now insisted he be called in private)
had continued their racquetball instruction. Alejandro was glad for the
opportunity to concentrate on his game. The sweaty workout also helped keep
his libido restrained. As they showered, Alejandro and Charles were more
open in their visual exploration of each other.

In the whirlpool their conversation was for the most part desultory. They
both seemed to have other things on their mind. Alejandro was glad his
penis had only filled to a semi-erect state that could be blamed on the
water. As they rose to leave the pool, he looked down and saw that Charles'
member was turgid but not fully hard. Alejandro felt his own member throb
and begin to harden.

"Perhaps we should step into a cold shower and get things under control."
suggested Charles. Alejandro could feel the lust building in his chest and
only nodded.

Charles maintained a comfortable stream of diverting conversation as they
showered. Soon both were presentable and headed to the locker area to
dress. As they finished dressing Charles turned and said, "Alejandro, we
had discussed dinner." He paused looking at his young friend. "Tell me what
you would like to go. It will be my pleasure to treat you tonight."

Alejandro saw the indirect look again followed by a smile with an arched
eyebrow. He could only hope that the invitation was a double entendre that
had little to do with food. He hesitated, probing Charles' eyes. He'd
waited, wondering long enough.

"Charles, would it be out of line of me to suggest that we go to your
apartment? I'm sure we can find something there to satisfy both of us."
Alejandro held Charles' stare, feeling his dick begin to swell in his
trousers. Charles let the silence build, each man taking the measure of the
other. Each contemplating what the other wanted but knowing, without doubt,
that accommodation would be made that satisfied both.

"I was hoping you might suggest that, Alejandro." Charles said smiling more
openly with a different look in his eye. Was it the same lust he felt,
Alejandro wondered?

When they reached Charles' apartment he offered Alejandro a glass of wine,
always the courteous host. Accepting with thanks, Alejandro reigned himself
in. What he really wanted to do was to take the man in his arms and begin
to explore his body. What he wanted wasn't going to be found in a glass.

Instead he waited. Taking the offered glass he noticed the smile again
playing around Charles' mouth. Charles motioned to a seat telling him to be
comfortable. He sat and watched Charles cross the room to take a chair
opposite.

Charles regarded him a moment before speaking. "Alejandro I almost regret
that our student teacher time is over. For me the relationship and
attending responsibility of teacher to student freed me from any temptation
to explore our seemingly compatible interests and appetites.

"There are several factors that continue, for me, to stand in the way."
Alejandro felt his stomach knot. This was completely different from what
he'd hoped would happen. Charles continued.

"May I ask how old you are?" Charles seemed relieved with Alejandro's
answer that he was 20 but near 21. At least that question gave hope that
Charles' thoughts were heading in the same direction as Alejandro's.

"Of course there is the eight hundred pound gorilla sitting in the room
with us. By that I mean I am a part time curator at the Institute that you
and your family have supported for years. My part there, though small, is
for me supremely satisfying. It is a position I've trained for. Beginning
my career at the Art Institute may well place me in competition for a
career in the future as Curator at any number of leading museums in the
country. I am unwilling to put that in jeopardy, despite my feelings.

"I am at a loss of how to proceed and you, my young friend, are the crux of
my problem." Charles said, taking a sip of his wine then staring intently
at Alejandro as if a solution would spring forth from him.

Alejandro didn't know what to say, so sat in the silence. Charles
continued. "I find you someone to whom I am very attracted." Charles paused
watching for any reaction. "I've said most of these things before. You are
intelligent, mature, athletically graceful and accomplished. You are
articulate. You seem to approach life with a measured je ne sais quoi, not
dismissing your privileged place in the social and economic order of
things, but taking it all in stride without giving evidence of manipulation
for your own gain.

"In addition, I find you a very attractive person physically. It has been
with great effort that I've maintained my control as we've casually shared
time at the club. If that offends you, I apologize; but, it is central to
my conundrum." Charles sighed and took another sip of wine.

Alejandro decided he'd have to ease the building tension in the room. "Ok
Mr. Dr. Thibodaux," he said with what he hoped was an engaging smile, "What
the heck is je ne sais quoi, if I even said that right?"

Charles broke his stern stare and laughed. "It simply means that you are a
bit of a puzzle. You approach life as if the tasks at hand weren't
vital. You acknowledge the claims that your school, work and family make on
your life yet seem to keep for yourself a bit of space. It is an enviable
attitude that most of us find difficult to achieve."

Alejandro continued, grateful that the atmosphere had changed. "Now let me
take on that gorilla." he chuckled as he bowed his arms and flexed as if he
were facing combat and was rewarded with a brief laugh from Charles. "My
friendship with you has nothing to do with my family. It will in no way
affect our support of the Institute, positively or negatively. I wondered,
earlier this year, if your agreement to take me on as an independent study
had been motivated or even requested by the curator to more fully engage
the family's attention and perhaps increase our contribution.

"In hindsight I realize that was an unworthy suspicion, regardless how
small." Seeing Charles' flash of anger, Alejandro quickly said, "Charles I
respect you. I quickly realized that such a motivation was beneath your
consideration. It has been proved to me time and again as we have studied
together. I'm certainly not as intuitive as my friend Frederick, but I have
learned to trust my instincts about people. So far I've been right on the
money about you.

"Within a month I will be 21 and considered an adult in any court of
law. I've been fortunate in the last two years to have had friends who have
helped me understand that I am not alone in my preference for men. Though
it flies in the face of the expectations I've lived with all my life, I
know I will not marry and perpetuate the Algara name. I am, however,
committed to continue what they have started.

"I guess its part of that je ne sais quoi thing you mentioned. That was a
pretty accurate appraisal of how I am approaching life right now and likely
will in the future. I've been surrounded my entire life with the
expectations of others. That's not different from most people I
suppose. I've consciously chosen to honor some of those expectations. My
involvement in the various businesses and my intent to continue the
family's commitments to various organizations will occupy my working life
in large measure. I will not, however, let it consume me.

"Now as for me being the crux of your problem, I don't know what else to
say." Alejandro put his wine glass down on an adjacent table and walked
across to Charles. "I do know that I am not willing to let the possibility
of our friendship go unexplored." Taking the wine glass from Charles,
Alejandro pulled him to his feet.

"I've found you an attractive mystery since I met you. It has not lessened
in the least over the months we've worked together. For me, you are neither
the crux nor the solution to any problem. You are, though, someone I want
to get to know much better.

"Say no to me at any time you wish. I know what I want and believe that we
share some of that same desire." Alejandro said in a softer voice, husky
with anticipation and need. He unbuttoned Charles' shirt. Running his hands
beneath the cotton T he found Charles' nipples erect and began to rub them
gently between thumb and forefinger.

Meeting Alejandro's unblinking gaze, his voice now husky with emotion,
Charles asked, "What do you want, Alejandro?"

"Charles," Alejandro paused a moment gathering his thoughts, unwilling to
express himself as graphically as he would have liked. "I want to explore
your body with my eyes, my hands and my tongue. Then I want to fuck you
gently, slowly `till we both cum." Alejandro said while working his nipples
and looking in his eyes.

Charles watched him, feeling himself grow hard in anticipation. A moment
later he took Alejandro's face in his hands. Slowly he pulled them together
and let his lips and tongue enjoy a brief kiss as he signaled his assent.

Breaking the kiss, Charles held his face for a moment more, meeting
Alejandro's longing with a smile. Dropping his hands, Charles walked to his
bedroom as Alejandro followed.

Their time of mutual exploration was slow and deliberate. When Alejandro
had prepared himself and Charles, his conquest was gentle. Their orgasm
came within seconds of each other. Alejandro continued steadily thrusting
and looked at Charles with an expression Charles later described as a mix
of longing, lust and victory.

Charles understood that Alejandro wasn't finished. He joined battle with
Alejandro again. As Alejandro neared his second climax, their bodies were
thrashing. Charles legs were wrapped tightly around Alejandro urging him
on. Their sweat mingled as did their breath. Alejandro leaned into Charles
driving his cock deeper and faster into the welcoming chute.

After the passion had subsided they lay quietly, Alejandro atop
Charles. Charles rubbed Alejandro's back and gently kneaded the muscles at
his neck. They talked quietly, with some tenderness as they showered. Their
words were not of affection but of mutual desires and passions
satisfied. After dressing, they returned to the living room and sat with
their remaining wine and thoughts.

Charles looked up and smiled at Alejandro, "I hope you will be able to
accommodate me when I'm the one who lusts to conquer. Thank you for your
gentleness. I was not at all sure I would be able to handle you. Though
I've been on the receiving end a few times, those men paled in comparison
to you." Charles felt himself blushing.

Suddenly realizing he'd been more than presumptuous, Alejandro said
"Charles, thank you. It was just as I'd imagined for the last few months. I
guess you'd been imagining the same thing?" Charles nodded and they both
laughed.

They talked about their past experiences and how they were looking forward
to meeting again soon. Alejandro drove home; feeling like a puzzle piece
had fallen into place. Not sure of all that it implied, he trusted his
intuition.

They met two if not three times each week. The venues varied but almost
always ended in Charles' apartment with two sweaty satisfied men enjoying
each other's company. Alejandro quickly learned not only to take Charles
but learned to enjoy it in the process. Charles was a skillful partner.

When Alejandro returned from Frederick's mother's funeral he called
Charles. On hearing the pain in his friend's voice, Charles insisted
Alejandro come over. Recounting the events of the past days and months,
Alejandro told of his friendship with Frederick. He told of their mutual
pledge to be there for each other. Finally he simply sat with silent tears
streaming down his face.

Charles came over to his chair, took Alejandro and wrapped him in his long
arms to let his friend cry from all the loss he'd endured. Without
realizing it, Alejandro was both physically and emotionally exhausted. As
he cried, Alejandro recapped the loss of his grandparents and the feeling
of enormous responsibility that met him each day he awoke. Charles, held,
listened, and comforted as he was able.

Charles encouraged him to lie down and rest. Soon Alejandro was fast
asleep. Charles removed his shirt, shoes and pants and covered him. After
seeing Alejandro was in a deep sleep, Charles prepared for bed. They spent
the night each enjoying the other's warmth and comfort. It proved to be a
bonding of friendship that would see them through many years.

A couple of weeks later, Alejandro called and asked Charles to join him for
dinner. Always ready to spend time with his friend, Charles asked where and
when. Alejandro insisted on playing host at Morton's and told Charles he'd
pick him up.

They sat and when their glasses of wine had been brought, Alejandro lifted
his glass and said he'd like to offer a toast. Charles lifted his glass and
looked expectantly.

"To the twenty-first anniversary of my birth. Here, Here!" With that he
took a sip and set the glass down. "Now, that's done."

Charles looked at him with incredulity. "This isn't how it should be!
Alejandro, I know you told me it was soon but if you'd reminded me we could
have had a wonderful celebration. What is this about?!"

"A party is the very last thing I wanted, though I did want to share a meal
with you. You see I've crossed my Rubicon, not by choice. Well it is by
choice but given the responsibilities I've chosen, I've reached that age
when the gifts of my grandparents come into full play. This was the year I
was supposed to begin managing my life as an adult with their loving and
caring observation and guidance.

"Oh listen to me!!" Alejandro said rhetorically. "I don't mean to
complain. Certainly I don't mean to put you in a situation where you can
only guess what to say, afraid it will be wrong and worsen my mood. What a
mess." Alejandro said at last as to himself.

"My I propose a toast? In the midst of all this carnage, may I venture in?"
Charles said with mock seriousness that earned a smile from Alejandro.

"I toast my friend Alejandro Algara. I celebrate his life and the wonderful
times we've shared. May he have long life. May he find that he is a worthy
steward of the gifts entrusted to him. In the ensuing years, may he be a
generous benefactor and contribute to the lives of many. I raise my glass
and wish for him many happy returns of the day."

Alejandro looked at him with both affection mingled with a small bit of
aggravation. "Well you certainly know how to take the thunder and rain out
of my party!" They both laughed.

As they dined, Alejandro shared with Charles the two portions of his
grandparents estate for which he was now solely responsible. Without
discussing figures, he indicated that he felt the weight of responsibility
more keenly than he'd anticipated. Knowing that Charles received funds from
his trusts, Alejandro was comfortable discussing some of the details he now
felt responsible for.

Charles had a pensive look on his face as he listened. When Alejandro had
finished, he tactfully approached a question he'd want to ask for some
time.

Allowing that his interests were not involved with finances, and for the
most part focused in prior centuries, Charles admitted that though he was
responsible for management of his funds, he totally left it to others. It
was not that he was unable to understand the requirements intellectually;
it was simply that he hated making the effort. As long as monies came in he
adjusted his life accordingly.

"I don't know how your business is structured. I don't know how
presumptuous this suggestion even is, but could one of your analysts look
at my funds and portfolio to give me some idea if the current managers are
doing their due diligence for me?" Charles almost looked sheepish at his
momentary transparency and for the request he was making.

Alejandro's response was immediate, "Of course we can do that. I can
arrange that the numbers are kept entirely confidential. You can meet with
one of our market analyst who will quickly be able to make comparisons for
you and let you know where you stand relative to numerous investment
vehicles. Just tell me when you'd like it arranged."

Conversation during dinner, as usual was wide ranging and entertaining for
both. As they neared the end of their meal, Charles wondered how to offer
what he had in mind. "Alejandro, I'm hoping you will let us continue the
celebration by returning to my apartment for a glass of wine or something."
He left the sentence dangling provocatively

Alejandro simply smiled. At that moment the waiter returned to take dessert
orders. Alejandro looked first at Charles then at the waiter. "Thank you
but no, we have other plans. Now if I may sign the check, we'll be on our
way."  Their shared sex was vigorous, demanding, satisfying for both. It
proved to be a good end to a momentous day.

Nearly the end of June Alejandro received a letter asking if he were
available for a special called meeting of the Acquisition's Committee for
the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It was to be the standard two-day
affair with cocktails and dinner the night before and the meeting the next
day. New York in late June would be disagreeable for any number of
reasons. He was ready to decline when an idea came to him.

Calling Charles, he couched the entire outing as doing him, Alejandro, a
personal favor. Alejandro wanted them to fly to New York and make a weekend
of it. They could stay at the Plaza, enjoy being tourists and make the
business part of the trip bearable for Alejandro. On hearing the dates,
Charles enthusiastically agreed.

Alejandro decided it was time to break down another barrier. Charles
agreed. If other members could bring wives and female guests, why couldn't
Charles accompany him? They both knew how it would be perceived but as
Alejandro put it, "If they kick me off the committee and board it will be
one less of these things I have to attend."

Charles laughed, "Some may sneer behind our backs but with the money you're
giving them, they can't afford to say or do anything. It's time people
opened their eyes and their minds. Let's do it."

Charles was as at home in the Met as he was in Chicago. This was his
element. Cocktails and dinner went off without incident. In fact, they
became the pair to meet and greet. Charles debonair gracious southern charm
combined with his mastery of facts surrounding the acquisitions being
considered gave him a bit of instant celebrity. Alejandro enjoyed watching
him work the crowd. The pressure was off Alejandro to perform.

They walked back to the Plaza. Coats hanging across their backs from their
fingers, their ties loosened and sleeves unbuttoned, they enjoyed the
sights and sounds as they trekked across Central Park in the gathering
dusk. Back in their suite, they agreed to get comfortable and walk down
Fifth and back up Broadway. Dressed in Ts, shorts, and tennis shoes, they
took off.

Not caring how they appeared, they gawked, people watched, rubbernecked
trying to see the tops of buildings. They laughed, stopped for a beer,
shopped at store windows and soaked up sights, smells and sounds. For both
of them it was exhilarating. Back at the Plaza their appearance earned them
the stern looks of matrons on the elevators. They barely contained their
laughter `till they got back to their suite.

They stripped and shared a shower. It wasn't necessarily their intent, but
one thing led to another as they soaped each other. Charles pulled
Alejandro's back to him. Using his long arms, he soaped and rubbed
Alejandro, watching his thick cock rise. Charles let his own cock slide
along Alejandro's crack.

Pulling on Alejandro's balls and working his muscle Charles told him to
bend over. Grabbing Alejandro's hips, Charles entered slowly but steadily
until he was sure Alejandro was comfortable. His assault was steady. The
slapping sounds of wet flesh with the splash of water heightened their
senses. As Charles got close, his speed increased. Alejandro bent over
grabbing his ankles. With a cry Charles released his cum continuing to fuck
Alejandro until his cock softened and came out.

By the time they boarded the plane for their return trip, both men had a
sore ass as a souvenir. They had gone day and night covering Manhattan. It
was more fun than Alejandro could have imagined. He only hoped that Charles
would be willing to travel with him often.

They proved to be compatible travel companions. Charles traveled with him
on nearly all his trips. Early on they worked through Charles' residual
guilt that he was not contributing toward his costs. One Thursday en route
to Miami, Alejandro decided to end the discussion.

"Charles, you have pushed my button about our sharing costs once too
often. When we get to Miami, we're going to do exactly what I would likely
do if I were alone. You're going to put up with it for exactly 24
hours. I'll tell you what you can and can't do – remember, I'm alone and
you are technically an observer. Don't worry, you can eat but not
fuck. Welcome to Miami!"

By the time the 24 hours were over, they were both tired of the
game. Charles finally understood. Together they could have a
blast. Alejandro alone would care for the business at hand, have a nice
meal, and then return home. Together they hammered out the simple
arrangement that transportation, room and board, along with most
entertainment was provided by Alejandro. If they wished, they could go
their separate ways when their interests diverged but that proved to be an
infrequent occurrence.

Alejandro had marked the second anniversary of his grandparents' death
alone with a wreath at their grave site. It was his senior year, 1967. His
father's condition had degraded. The doctor's had no answers. Other than
the weekends when he and Charles traveled on family business, Alejandro's
routine of school and work, was interrupted only by wrestling training with
Jase and his time spent with Charles working out and sharing sex in his
bed.

In early November, after their workout, Jase told Alejandro that his wife,
Mary Katherine was expecting and had to drop her overtime work load. He had
found a job and would be starting the next week so he could have full time
hours.

"You've learned all I have to teach you Alex. It's been fun for me but I
guess it's time to grow up and face the music that I've now got a family to
support. No hard feelings, I hope." Jase's look of sincerity took away some
of the sting from his news. Alejandro kept his smile in place.

"Of course there're no hard feelings. Congratulations man! I know you've
been looking forward to this and I'm pleased for you. Gotta say, I'm really
going to miss our workouts. They have been great opportunities to get beat
up on a regular basis." Alejandro and Jase both laughed.

"Since you're dumping me," Alejandro said, still smiling, "You got any
suggestions for a replacement? Wrestling Club is out for the obvious
reasons and I don't know where else to start looking for either people who
want to wrestle and or train with me."

"Alex, you named the obvious outlet available, the Wrestling Club. Maybe
some of those guys would want to work out."

"I'll check with the captain and see if it can work out, but I don't
know. I'm spoiled by working with someone who's more mature and got their
head on straight. Ya know what I mean?" Alejandro asked. "In a town this
big there's got to be guys who wrestled in high school or college that
still like to hit the mats from time to time."

"I agree. There've got to be loads of guys who wrestled and are still in
good shape who'd enjoy an occasional match. That's not what you're looking
for though." Jase countered. "Look, I've got an idea that I need to check
out before I suggest it to you. I'll have a better idea day after
tomorrow."

"Thanks, Jase. I'd hate to have to take out ads in the paper." Alejandro
laughed. "Look, don't you and Mary Katherine fall off the face of the earth
just because we stop working out. Stay in touch. I want to know when the
baby comes. You got it!"

"Sure Alex. Thanks for taking this so well. I do know this is something you
don't want to let go of. Like I said, let me make a couple of calls and
we'll talk." Jase said as he and Alejandro stripped for their shower.

Thursday night Alejandro pushed hard. He wrestled fast. He knew this was
the last match with Jason and let it fuel his determination to finish
strong. Jason had a wry smile on his lips when 10 p.m. rolled around.

"You were puttin' it all out there tonight, bud. Great workout session."
Jase grinned.

As he gasped for breath and wiped down with a towel Alejandro asked, "Did
you find anything out. You were going to make a call to someone, right?"
Alejandro noticed that Jase was uncomfortable.

"What did you find out Jason?"

"One request, Alex; don't draw any conclusions or make judgments without
hearing me out. This is no reflection on you, me or my buddy Steve. Ok?"
Jase asked, looking more uncomfortable.

"This is the deal. My buddy Steve is a good wrestler. He grew up on the
hard side of town and learned early how to take a punch and keep on
fighting. Fortunately by high school he was able get a scholarship and go
to St. Mary's. He graduated and went on to college. That's when I knew him.

"Cash was always hard to come by for Steve. He heard about a wrestling club
on the south side that advertised cash prizes for winners of wrestling
bouts. He went to check it out and found out that he was as good as or
better than most. Problem was that it was, well, not outright, but he said
there were more than a few gay guys there.

"He was laughing, telling me that if he'd been willing to, well, no need to
be gross here, but if he'd been willing to let guys take care of him, you
know let them give him a blow job, he'd have made more money and not been
so sore the next day.

"Now don't get me wrong. I don't know about this place but Steve said that
there were some straight acting guys there. You might find a coach or at
the very least a wrestling bud there. It's at 187th and 6th and watch your
back." Jase said with not a little anxiety in his voice, worried about what
Alejandro might think of him and his suggestion.

"Jase, cool it. I'm just glad for the information. Now let's get cleaned
up." Alejandro said.

Saturday morning was the first opportunity Alejandro had to explore the
place. After a drive he found it. In a run down area, it looked like a
former warehouse. `Bears Den' was posted on a small sign over the
door. Alejandro got out and walked around the neighborhood such as it
was. He realized his jeans and a flannel would be best for this place.

It was nearly 10 p.m. when he returned. This had to be the place. There
wasn't a parking place within blocks. Locking the car door, he started
walking toward the Bears Den. As he got close he saw guys going in. His gut
clinched with nerves as he approached the door. He had money, singles and
fives to cover an occasional beer. What else would he need?

Pushing against the door, he entered the room. A pall of smoke hung in the
air. It was hot. Alejandro immediately unbuttoned his flannel shirt as he
made his way to the bar.

Ordering a beer, he noticed the barkeep giving him close but friendly
scrutiny. "Your first time, am I right? Just here to watch or you gonna
work out?"

"I'm just planning to watch tonight." Alejandro said as he paid for the
beer and looked for a place to sit. The place was jammed. Men crowded the
bar two deep. Dressed in all manner of garb from leather to jeans, the guys
were, for the most part, putting their muscles and bulges out there for
anyone who wanted to look. There were some older men with young studs at
their elbows but most seemed to be in play.




A writer's peculiar food and drink are the comments of his reader. Feel
free to share your thoughts with me.  firehosejoe@yahoo.com

Ps. Any of you guys who are wrestlers, if you'd be interested in being a
beta reader as part of the editing process please drop me a line.