Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 09:04:26 +1200
From: nivision@manawatu.gen.nz
Subject: Gay Devotion Chapter 4

Gay Devotion

Chapter four

It was an enticing sunny morning which made Andy's practise more difficult.
Mark assured him that it sounded good and that Quella o questa was coming
along nicely. The Processor of Opera Studies had made this aria from
Rigolleto a critical assessment of the one in the National Opera's next
production.

"We are expected to be familiar with the whole score." Andy lifted the
thick volume off the piano and dropped it on the floor. "Bloody hell, what
a pain."

"We could do it together," said Mark.

"It would take more time than weekends."

"That could be arranged." Mark was grinning.

"You mean you would move in?"  Mark nodded. "Really move in for good?"
Again he nodded. "Yippee, that's great. Oh Mark, that's terrific, at last
we are together.. Now we can attack bloody Rigoletto."  Andy hugged
him. "My hopes and dreams have come true."

Two young men arrived soon after lunch and were introduced as the caterers
Toby and Kevin. They immediately began preparing the dining room and the
kitchen for the previously prepared dinner. At 3 Aaron arrived and together
they checked that Jerry's wheelchair would not be obstructed, including the
use of the downstairs toilet. Aaron was watching for the arrival of the
Weston's car. As it entered the drive, he called to Andy and Mark. As Andy
welcomed Mr and Mrs Weston there was a look of surprise when they entered
the hall. Like Mark they were impressed by it's spaciousness. Andy showed
them into the sitting room which was bright from the afternoon sun. He made
sure they were comfortably seated and then, by way of explanation, said
that he was sorry his parents were overseas and unable to welcome them, so
he had that privilege. Julia grinned.

"Don't be so stuffy Andy, we appreciate the invitation, relax and have
fun."

Andy grinned, then turned to Mrs Weston. "What do you like to drink?" He
then asked Mr. Weston. As he poured the drinks at the cocktail cabinet he
said, "I suppose Julia is driving you all crazy as she practices her aria."

"How true," Jerry replied, interrupted by Mrs. Weston.

"Not at all, she will be a wonderful Gilda."

"I'm sure she will. Thanks to Mark, he's helping me with mine. I suppose
Jerry does the same."

"No way," said Julia, he's too impatient. I wish Mark lived handy."

"Perhaps I could go through it with you sometime," said Mark. Julia was
quick to accept the offer, saying she would phone him. "Where could she
reach him."

"Here of course," said Andy. "We are now living together." There was a
slight irritation in his voice that did not go unnoticed by Julia.'

"You have a beautiful home," said Mrs. Weston.

They quickly accepted Andy's offer to show them through. Aaron helped Jerry
onto the stair lift, carried his wheelchair to the top and helped him into
it again. On his descent, Jerry in a low voice said to Aaron, "there was
only one bed being used, do they" he failed to voice those critical words,
"sleep together."

"Sure, they're lovers," Aaron answered nonchalantly

They were having further drinks when Kevin announced that dinner was
ready. Andy invited them to follow him. Mark was impressed by the flower
arrangements, even small posies at each setting provided by the caterers.

"This is splendid," said Julia, "all yours."

"Oh no, we get help for special occasions."

"So we are special?"

"Very much so, and we hope you will be our guests many times," said
Andy. Turning to Mr Weston he said, "you have very talented children with
Julia's voice and Jerry's compositions. I will show you later."

The meal was a great success. Andy had chosen first class wines for each
course and no one seemed to want the meal to end. Mark suggested that they
have coffee in the music room. Mark sat at the piano quietly playing a
Chopin waltz. Julia stood behind him.

"So Andy has had a look at Jerry's songs?"

"Yes, and they are good, really good. Andy is going to sing them tonight."

Mark began playing the introduction to Could that be me. Jerry stopped
talking in mid sentence. Andy rose and stood beside Mark. He began to
sing. His voice gave such feeling to the words, that yearning expressed in
the lovely melody had everyone enthralled. By the second verse, Jerry was
weeping. Aaron immediately put his arm around him. The song ended on a high
note quietly fading.

Mr Weston looked amazed. "My God, did you write that?" he asked Jerry,
"It's terrific, it's so beautiful."

Mrs. Weston hugged Jerry.  "I love it."

"So do I," said Andy. "Can I sing it sometimes Jerry, it really is worth
promoting. Now shall we try the others?"

Mark began the introduction to a bright number that was a dialogue between
two irritated lovers, sometimes amusing, at other times sad. It was lighter
and with an infectious melody. Everyone thought it was good. Andy turned to
Jerry.

"Do you think we could work on this one? I have some suggestions you might
like to think about."

Jerry enthusiastically agreed. Andy sang the remaining two songs and made
similar suggestions.

"You have great ideas and good tunes and these are excellent songs. You do
have real talent so keep composing. I hope that you will consider taking
the composition option of the music degree at University. It would help you
a lot."

"Would you like to sing your Rigoletto aria?" Mark asked Julia. Julia
screwed up her face. "Don't expect a polished performance. I'll give it a
go. It's Caro nome from Act One."

Mark first played it through. Julia's rendition was good but she did see
him make some wry expressions.

"I'll give you a call," she said..

It's good, it just needs polishing. I look forward to your call."

The evening continued with songs and duets from Andy and Julia. It was
quite late when they left with thanks for a wonderful meal and a very
enjoyable evening.

"There is no reason why you can't stay the night is there Aaron," asked
Andy.

"None but whose bed will I be sharing?"

Mark looked at Andy. "Is it to be a repeat of his first visit?"

"Why not, that was fun, and I am sure he is missing his teddy."

Aaron grinned. "Very much so and the memory of him only makes my bed all
the more desolate. Tonight I will again have two teddys to cuddle."

Andy was pleased to see that the caterers had left the kitchen and dining
room clean and tidy. He switched off the lights then followed Mark and
Aaron to the bedroom. A quick shower removed some of his weariness but he
flopped onto the bed next to Aaron.

"Now it's up to you to choose your teddy for the night. This one is too
tired to be much fun."

"Sweet dreams Andy, I have Mark again and he is the best," Aaron replied as
he turned towards Mark and put his arm around him.

When Mark awoke he found Aaron cuddling Andy. He pressed against his back,
kissed a familiar mole and caressed his shoulders with his cheeks. Aaron
sighed, "you still know how to thrill a guy."

"He sure does," said Andy. "Now I am the one getting all those messages
from my lover."

"Lucky you, he was never my lover but was great sex."  Aaron began to
breath heavily. "I know it is his mouth around my cock right now." He
hugged Andy more tightly, then his mouth found a nipple which he
energetically began to suck. Andy began to squirm. Then Aaron gasped as he
ejaculated driving his cock deeper into Mark's mouth accompanied by grunts
and repeated "Oh yeah" . He then collapsed on top of Andy. Mark transferred
his attention to Andy's cock.

The smooth warmth of cum enveloped rod, spread by a massaging tongue. The
comforting, soothing strokes encouraged relaxing. Andy sighed as he put his
arm around Aaron, succumbing to Mark's stimulation. He was surprised when
his orgasm developed so soon and he intensified the growing sensations by
vigorously thrusting his cock deeper into Mark's mouth The mouth grasped it
tightly so that more effort was needed by Andy. With mighty heaving of his
pelvis, he thrust and pulled until with a roar he exploded. Mark pulled
away and cum spurted over his mouth, his eyes, his face. It was not until
it ended that he slipped back up the bed to face Andy. He kissed him. Their
tongues entwined as they tasted the mixture of cum. Then Mark leant over
and kissed Aaron. Mark wiped cum from his face with his finger and put it
in Andy's mouth.

"I like yours better but it still tastes good," said Andy.

"I'm not complaining even if I do like coffee with my cream," said Aaron.

"The coffee comes later," mumbled Andy as he hugged the guys in each of his
arms. "I feel just great, it is going to be wonderful with friends like
you."

Aaron snuggled closer. Mark kissed Andy again. "More than a friend I hope"
he said.

During breakfast they discussed the visit of Jerry and his family.

"It was certainly a great success," said Aaron. "I am sure Jerry's parents
were impressed by his friends."

"Do you think he would be able to stay over a weekend when we could work on
his compositions?" asked Andy.

"Aaron seems to have his family's acceptance of his friendship with
Jerry. It is likely to help if Aaron stays over with him. How about it
Aaron?" asked Mark.

Aaron agreed saying that he would tell them that he also had been invited
to stay. So it was decided that the invitation would be for Saturday week
when Andy with Aaron would collect Jerry in the BMW. Aaron was thrilled by
the thought of spending a couple of days with Jerry and he hoped that he
would feel the same.

During the week Mark worried about his visit home. He knew that somehow he
had to tell his family that he was gay and he wondered how thy would
react. He talked about it with Andy who continued to be encouraging,
reassuring him that no matter what the outcome might be, he would be
supporting him.

They left early on Saturday morning for the two hour journey to
Feilding. Mark's home town. It was a fine day and in the Fiat it was a
quick comfortable ride. As they got closer, Mark grew more anxious and grew
silent.

"You are worried, aren't you?" said Andy.

"I am. I know this visit will tell them what they may not want to know,
that I am gay."

"Relax, don't worry, we will handle it whatever might happen," Andy
replied, reassurance in his voice.

As the car pulled into the drive, Mark's mother appeared, her face beaming
with delight. No sooner was Mark out of the car than he was in her arms
receiving a welcoming warm embrace. Mark introduced Andy who also received
a welcoming smile. Then his sister Susan rushed at him with a warm hug
followed by his brother and his father. They all welcomed Andy as Mark
introduced him. They were ushered inside with his mother asking endless
questions about his trip and welfare. It was a new experience for Andy, an
only child. Susan quickly claimed his attention with her ceaseless
questions and bubbling personality, while Mark was subject to his parents
enquiries about his life in Wellington. Luke brought in mugs of coffee as
his mother tried to rescue Andy from Susan and include him in their
conversation. It did not take long for them to realise that Mark had a very
close friendship with Andy.

Luke's admiration of the Fiat prompted Andy to offer him a ride. He
accepted excited. While they were away, Mark talked to his father as he
forked over a vacant part of the vegetable garden. Mark knew that this was
the opportunity to tell him about himself even though he really was scared.

"I have something important that I must tell you Dad." He said as he looked
at his feet. His father drove the fork into the ground, leant on it, and
waited for him to continue. Mark's words stumbled as he faced him.

"You may have noticed that I do not have any girlfriends and wondered why,
well I have no interest in girls but I do like guys. You see I have to tell
you that I am gay."

He waited for his father to reply but he did not react but waited for him
to continue. "I guess this will be a terrible shock and disappointment for
you and Mum, but it is something over which I have no control. I have felt
this way since I was 14 and I assure you it was not my choice." Again he
waited, then continued. "I hope you can still accept me and love me as your
son." Mark had tears in his eyes.

His father left his fork, went over to Mark and hugged him.

"We have had our suspicions for some time. Luke was certain and talked it
through with us as he produced all the evidence. He is girl mad and he
wonders why you are not the same." He laughed. "Mum says she always
knew. We have got used to the idea and have been waiting for you to tell
us."

Mark's beaming face showed his delight and relief. He hugged his Dad.

"Let us now tell Mum," said his father. They returned to his mother who was
in the kitchen. "Mark has something to tell you," he said.

"Dad tells me that you already know what I am about to tell you," said
Mark. I have told him that I am gay. It has not been easy and I guess It
wont be easy for you to accept. It is something over which I have no
control and I hope you and Dad can accept and still love me.

His mother was not concerned by her vegetable stained hands as she hugged
and kissed him.

"I knew, I always knew. Of course it makes no difference. You will always
be our son who we love so much." She hugged him again.

"This calls for a drink," said his father as he filled three wine
glasses. "To a happy and successful future," he said as Luke and Andy came
through the door.

They looked surprised. "What's going on?" asked Luke.

"Oh nothing important," said his father. "Mark has just admitted that he is
gay."

"Didn't I tell you?" boasted Luke. "I knew it. Congratulations on coming
out. We too should drink to that." He poured a couple of glasses of wine
handing one to Andy. Andy was smiling, he hugged mark.

"I'm glad. Now we have nothing to hide."

"So you are more than a fried?" asked Mark's father.

Andy nodded. "We love each other very much. Mark is very special to me."

"Welcome to the family then," said Mark's mother. She hugged and kissed him
followed by a hug from his father. Mark took Andy's hand, joy filled his
heart and smiles lit his face. He was speechless. Susan came in looking
puzzled by all the smiling faces and glasses of wine.

"What's up?" She asked. When told, she shrugged, "Oh is that all. Of course
I always knew Mark was gay, big deal, now what's for tea?" Everyone
laughed.

Mark sat at the piano playing Chopin while Andy looked through a pile of
sheet music. He came across several light classics and popular ballads and
put them aside.

"Would you sing to us after tea?" asked Mark Andy agreed and handed him
several of those that he had selected. Mark played them through.

Over tea Mark's mother said that she had enjoyed hearing the piano again
and was pleased to hear him playing so well. Mark told her about the Le
Bistro performance and the assistance he was giving Andy but he felt that
he had to improve further.

"Andy wants me to take further lessons for I may need to contribute items
during his recitals." They all thought it was a good idea, especially his
mother. Over coffee, Mark asked them whether they would like to hear Andy
sing. They said they would. Andy chose Where 'er you walk, Danny Boy, and
La Paloma. They loved them and were impressed by his voice, it's beauty and
the feeling expressed in each song. When he had finished, Mark's mother
hugged him. "That was beautiful. You two are great partners in music and I
hope in other ways." She kissed him. Andy returned the kiss.

"I know we will, we are both working hard at it."

At bedtime Luke said to Mark, "Andy was to sleep in the spare room, but he
can have my bed in your room and I will take Andy's room." He grinned, "too
bad you can't sleep with him."

Mark grinned back at him. "You would be surprised how two can sleep in a
single bed."

"No I wouldn't." He left Mark wondering whether he was already sexually
active.

They left late Sunday afternoon to return to Wellington, both feeling that
it had been a very enjoyable and eventful visit. Andy was over the moon
that Mark had come out and that his family had received the news so
positively. He was even more delighted that he been made so welcome and
been accepted as a family member.

"I feel that I am on top of the world," he said as he squeezed Mark's
thigh. "Shall we call on Peter and Paul on the way home, I want to share
the good news."

They were both warmly welcomed. Andy was soon telling them about the visit
Both Peter and Paul were also pleased at the news. During supper Paul asked
Andy whether he had received a fax from his father about his return Monday
week. He thought it likely that it would have arrived when they were
away. "I expect it will be another short stay," he added wistfully.

As soon as they arrived home, Andy found the Fax confirming the return of
his parents. He was pleased that at last Mark would be able to meet them,
assuring him that they would make him most welcome. There was also a
request on the answer- phone from the Dean asking Andy to contact him first
thing on Monday morning. This was puzzling for it sounded urgent and it was
the first time that the Dean had phoned him at home. Andy was again reading
the fax when Mark stood behind him and placed his arms around him.

"Thanks to you, this weekend has seen a turning point in my life. You gave
me the courage to come out to my family. I believe it has strengthened that
courage and made life easier for us all." He hugged him. "You have made
such a difference to my life.
 He sighed. "Every day I love you more, you become more important for I am
always thinking about you." He laughed. "In fact you are a terrible
distraction and I have to remind myself that I am a student studying for a
degree."

Andy turned around, gently grabbed Mark and kissed him.

"I have never before felt for a guy the way I feel about you. I know that I
am besotted by you. You are the most important person in my life. I hope
you will never want to leave me, that would destroy me. Oh Mark, I love you
so much."

They embraced, holding each other for a long time

"Shall we go to bed?" Mark whispered. Neither felt they could part and
continued to embrace until they slept.



To be continued.

The author Stewart Ransom invites comments.
E-mail address:  nivision@manawatu.gen.nz