Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004 09:36:22 -0800
From: Steve Thomas <s4d@hotmail.com>
Subject: Leonards-Lust ch. 19

This is a fictional story. It is based on many experiences and fantasies
of the authors. If you are really into graphic sex, it may not satisfy
your purpose for coming here. If you like to hear of real love and real
teen angst, with a little sex thrown in, you are in the right place.
There may be some amount of graphic sex between males. If this is
objectionable to you, or you are legally too young to be here, you are
cordially invited to press your back button.

Cast of Characters:


Leonard Kirk Harston (Lenny)

Lawrence Olivier Goodwin (Rennie)

Mrs. Harston, Lenny's mom

Mr. Harston, Lenny's dad

Mr. Goodwin, Rennie's dad

Mrs. Goodwin, Rennie's mom

Joy -- Rennie's older sister

Jennifer -- Rennie's younger sister

Bobby -- Joy's husband

Seth -- Lenny's friend

Luke -- Seth's lover

Chris -- Seth's Brother

Criag -- Chris's lover

Jake Smith -- Seth and Chris's cousin.

Colin -- Jake's husband & Bobby's brother

Morty -- Rennie's Cousin

Ursula -- Jake & Colins daughter

Uri -- Jake and Colin's son

Carrie -- Jake's sister

Uncle Jake -- Jake's dad

Aunt Lindy -- Jake's mom

Renate -- The Goodwin's housekeeper

Etta -- the Smith's housekeepe

Shelley -- Friend at University

DeVon -- Shelley's cousin

Marcus -- DeVon's brother

Arthur -- A team leader at the shelter

George - Ren's tennant

Ty -- new friend from Oklahoma

Ricky, Ty's cousin

David - Toyota Dearlership owner

Jason, waiter


From Chapter 18:

"Why are you messin with my mind?
U Drive Me Crazy
Why are you tellin' all these lies?
U Drive Me Crazy
Stop doing all these things to me
U Drive Me Crazy"

My eyes popped open. My clock radio had come on! It was light in the
room. I looked over and it was 7:00 AM and ... he was gone! DAMN, was it
only a dream? Was "In Sync" trying to tell me something? Naw, it was
just a coincidence.

I took my shower, dressed and went out to the kitchen for some cereal.
There was a note on the table.

"Dear Lenny,

You fell asleep, so I let myself out. It felt so good to just hold you
like that. I'd like to talk to you some more when you're not so
tired. Call me at work, or come by. I'm usually there for the dinner
to late night crowd. I'll be there tonight. I'll make an excuse to my
wife to be out later again.

See you, Jason

P.S. Thanks!"

Oh my God! I wonder how much we actually did -- and how much was my
dream! I ate my cereal and milk and went out to go to school. There
in the driveway was my new Sequoia. I had forgotten I even had it! I
went back in and grabbed the keys out of my other pants, and drove to
school.

Chapter 19

I had just left my trig class, when I heard some scuffling behind me. I
stepped back and saw two guys that were beating up on a smaller kid.
Fear ran through me, but I ran and grabbed one of the bigger guys.
"Hey! What the hell are you doin'!?? This kid is half the size of one
of you!" I hollered.

Then I recognized the little guy. "Rennie! What the ---?" He didn't
go to the university. As soon as I got the one guy off him, Ren shot me
a look and then plowed into the other guy. I knew Ren could hold his
own. I'm sure the guy I was holding could have taken me, but I guess my
height commanded some amount of respect. His friend called to him, but I
grabbed him and he stayed.

"What's going on here?" A campus policeman came running.

The guy standing closest to me started yelling. "That little fucker
attacked us! We - "

"Who -- that LITTLE guy?" The policeman answered incredulously. "He
attacked you two all at the same time? Boy! THAT must have been scary!
What are your names!!??" He demanded.

"Fuck you, narc!" one said and they ran. The policeman was not any
older than me.

"I know who they are!" a voice said. It was Shelley, DeVon and
Marcus's cousin. She shot me a kind look and I helped Ren up. We heard
her telling the cop that the two guys were on the football team. As soon
as we were around the corner, I asked Ren what happened. He was just
opening his mouth when he collapsed.

"Rennie -- what is it?"

"I think one of them broke my rib -- geez it hurts!" He curled up into
a fetal position. I knelt down and put my hand under his neck and
stroked his head with the other hand. "Shall I get someone?"

"NO!" he said too loud. "No -- just -- do you have time to -- take
me to the emergency room?"

"I -- have a - of course!"

"No -- dude -- if you have a class - - ?"

"It's only a stupid Chem lab. I can make it up." Can you get up --
yet?"

"Yeah, Gimme you hand -- NOT SO FAST! Yeah, that's it. Oh my GOSH
that hurts!"

I helped him a few steps and when it was too much for him, I picked him
up. He yelled at first, but he said to go. He was sweating profusely --
I suppose from the pain. I carried him half way across campus to my car,
other students gawking.

I gingerly put him down and reached in my pocket for the keys.

"Dude! You got a new car? Nice!"

"Yeah," I said, "thanks!" He made a grimaced smile.

I unlocked the car and helped him up into the back seat, where he laid on
the seat while I drove to the emergency room.

I stood looking on as the doctor examined him. At one point, the doc
jabbed his ribs pretty hard and he cried out and grabbed my hand, and
looked into my eyes. I had such mixed feelings. I tried to stay
uninvolved, but it was impossible.

"Nothing broken, but you're pretty bruised on the left side. Alternate
ice and heat on it for the next day or so, take acetaminophen or
ibuprophen for the pain -- and maybe you can get your partner here to
massage that neck -- a lot of tension there." Said the doctor. "I'll
give you a shot before you leave to get you started."

"Oh, we're not partners!" I blurted out.

"Oh! I just -- sorry! The doc said. "You looked pretty close a moment
ago."

"We're -- we're -- just good friends." Ren said, sadly.

They insisted on Rennie riding in a wheelchair to the car. When we were
on the way home, he said, "What did you do with the Miata?"

"Traded it. Was that okay?"

"It was yours. I was just curious."

"It was just -- too small. Um," I started, not quite knowing if I
really even wanted to ask, "Why were you at the university today?"

"I was looking for you. Len, I really miss you. I know it hasn't been
that long, but -- just knowing we won't be together -- it hurts a lot.
I was -- uhmm -- hoping that -- uhhmm -- well you kind of answered that
at the hospital, didn't you. And you're right. We're not partners.
But -- Lenny -- I think I can change."

I wanted to cry, but I didn't let myself. "Ren - <SIGH> I think we
both will change -- a lot! We're still teenagers, for crap sakes. I
don't know how to react to your gift, but Uncle Jake says I should
accept it. I didn't want to."

"No -- it's okay. It means nothing to me -- and I want you to have it
-- no matter what. I truly didn't give it to you to try to sway you.
But I love you -- "

"And I love you!"

" -- and I want you to be comfortable. If you feel like you want to do
something in return, well, do something for someone else who needs it."

"Can you make it in the house?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Let me help you down, at least. It's a long way to the ground in this
car!"

I jumped out and ran around to his side and gave him a hand down. He
started to walk and groaned. "Ohhh!"

I caught up and put his arm around my shoulder. When we got to the door,
I was about to say good bye and grabbed his shoulders, squeezed them, and
said, "Wow! These are pretty tense. Maybe you better let me rub them
for you a little bit."

He didn't protest. He unlocked the door and went directly to the
bedroom and flopped face down on the bed.

I climbed carefully on top of him, taking care not to hurt him,
straddling him and sat on his butt. I began to knead and massage his
shoulders. He gave several moans as I pressed my thumbs and fingers into
his neck and shoulders. As they got less tense and softer, something in
my own nether regions was getting harder. I wiggled a bit to readjust
and kept rubbing his back. His moans were good moans -- moans of
delight. They grew more and more quiet until he was breathing very
slowly and I checked -- he had fallen asleep.

I climbed off him and he didn't stir, so I left the room and the house
and drove home. I started re-examining my feelings for him. I wanted so
much to turn around, drive back and climb in bed with him! But I
didn't. I decided that I had to be more practical. I reaffirmed to
myself that I was not going to get hurt again -- at least by him -- at
least now!

I ate a quick snack and went back and caught the end of my chemistry
lab. I could finish it on Saturday morning. As I walked to my car, I
had the distinct feeling of being watched. I looked all around, but
could see no one. I drove home, checking in the rear view mirror all the
while. Something felt creepy to me.

When I came into the house, there were three messages on my machine.

BEEP! "Hey, remember me? It's David. Please give me a call." He
left a number. David? Well, I was lost. I DIDN'T know a David. I
called the number.

"Hello?"

"Is this David?"

"Yes. Who's this?"

"Lenny."

"Lenny. Lenny? OH! Lenny! Haha -- thanks for calling back!"

"Um -- do I know you?"

"Yes! I'm David -- I own the Toyota store."

"OHHhhh!" I said, trying to remember what he even looked like -- and
trying to think why he would call!

"The reason I called is -- well -- I'm really having some -- er --
struggles, and thought maybe you would -- or maybe could -- get together
with me -- maybe for a drink -- or -- something."

"Uh -- hmm. I - - I mean -- why do you want to get together, again?"

"I'm just struggling with my -- attraction to men. I don't know
anyone else -- like me -- and .... You seemed like such a nice guy. I
was hoping maybe you could help me make some sense of it."

"Wow. Well, in the first place - aren't you bi?"

"Well, yeah, but - "

"I'm not!"

"Oh! OHHhhh! Oh jeez! I'm sorry! I have -- I mean I guess I
completely misunderstood when you asked if I was -- I mean -- SHIT!"

"I'm gay."

"What? Oh -- ha ha ha! OH! You're gay! So -- you aren't at all
attracted to -- women.?"

"Nope! And -- I'm a one man guy."

"And you currently have a guy in your life, I know. But I am just
looking for someone to talk about this with."

"I can understand that. And - - I'm don't currently have a guy in my
life." Oh shit! Why did I say that!

"Oh -- really?! So that guy with you wasn't your -- um - "

" ...Partner?"

"Yeah. He's not your -- uh -- partner?"

"No. Just a friend. Well, maybe more than that. He wants to date.
I'm open. How can I help you?"

"I just want -- well, NEED -- someone to talk to about it."

"I know. It gets pretty lonely. I was like that -- before I met a few
guys."

"Do you think we could meet sometime -- and talk?"

"Sure -- ahem -- not a date right?"

"Oh noooooo! Not at all. I just wanna talk."

"Well, sometime we can do that." I conceded.

"When?" He pressed.

"Can you come over tonight?" I conceded.

"Er -- well -- actually my ex is coming over. She wants to talk about
getting back together. How about tomorrow night?"

"That'd be okay. What time is good for you?"

"6:00 okay? I'll bring pizza!"

"Deal!"

"You like beer?"

"Not much. Root beer!"

"Root beer it is!" He sounded excited. I was -- well -- feeling
weird. "Bye!"

BEEP! "Lenny! Ricky. Please call -- as soon as possible. Not an
emergency, but I wanna talk to you about something."

I dialed Ricky's number. "Hello?"

"Ricky? It's Lenny."

"HI!!! Gosh, I thought you'd never get home!"

"What's up?"

"Have you eaten?"

"No -- why?"

"I got some fish! You like trout?"

"I'm not much on seafood."

"Haha! Trout's not seafood. It comes from a stream! I know how to
fix it really good!"

"So -- you wanna come and fix it here?"

"Yess!" He sounded exasperated.

"Oh -- kayyy. Do I need to do anything special?"

"Do you have any lemon? And pepper and salt?"

"Sure -- all of that."

"I'll be right there."

"Do you need me to come get you?"

"Oh! Heh! Yeah!"

"Okay. It'll be a couple minutes, I still have messages to listen
to." I said.

"Okay. Half hour?"

"It won't be that long. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"K. Bye!"

BEEP! "Hi." It was Rennie's voice. "I was so bummed when I woke up
and you were gone. I didn't sleep long. Please call me."

"Hello? Lenny!!!"

"Hi. Feeling pretty sore?"

"Yeah, but I'll live. Can I come over?"

"Uh -- well -- not -- er -- ummm -- another dude is coming over!"

"Oh. (sigh)" He started. Jeez! I felt like I was kicking him when
he was down! "Well, how about tomorrow night?"

"I guess that'd be okay."

"Six?"

"Yeah -- okay."

"Thanks! Bye, Babe!" CLICK!

Ohhhh -- shit! That's when David is coming! I started to dial his
number, then put down the phone. I decided that it might not be a bad
thing. I was just a little nervous about this older guy coming over.
And -- I didn't really want to be alone with Rennie either. And --
it's not as if I planned to screw up. I'll just leave it.

I ran into the toilet and peed, checked my hair in the mirror, brushed my
teeth, quick-smelled my armpits and flew out the door. I was over at
Ricky's place in 15 minutes from when we spoke.

He was in surfer shorts! He had a pail -- with the fish -- and a satchel
in the other hand. He got in the car. I didn't need to worry about my
underarm odor. He smelled like he was out all night -- plus the smell of
the fish was also strong. The combination was almost nauseous. "O
God! I'm sorry!" He exclaimed.

!"sh to cookin'at orous. We were all dried off and standing nude talking
toeach other.d. soap lingered in any crevasses.

"What?"

"I saw you recoil as I got in! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry - - that's
the other thing I wanted to ask you!"

"What?"

"This flea-bag motel is having problems with their hot water. Could I
shower at your place? I have a towel and clothes in my bag."

This was turning out more interesting than I anticipated! "Sure! No
problem."

"I wouldn't have gone running if I had known I couldn't shower."

Somehow, knowing the odor was "honest" made it more bearable.

"I said - - no problem!" I reiterated, and kissed him on the cheek!
He beamed. Gosh he was cute!

When we came into the house, he said, "I'll be as quick as I can!"
and headed for the bedroom. All of my being wanted to follow him. But I
didn't. In about 3 minutes, I heard the shower running and he hollered,
"Hey, Lenny! Got any more soap?"

I promise you, I didn't plan that! HEY! I didn't know he would be
showering at my house, so - - shut up!

I went in and got him a new bar of soap. "Here it is!" I hollered.
He appeared at the shower room door, soaking wet. My eyes couldn't be
restrained. I took in every inch of him. He noticed and flashed me a
huge, embarrassed, red grin. I blushed too. "Sorry!" I said. "I
stole the other one for the lavatory. I didn't know you'd be the next
in my shower!" Than we both laughed.

"Are you sorry?" He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Only that I'm not in there with you!" I came back with.

"What's stopping you?" he quipped.

I ran to my bed and shed everything on me and was in the shower in about
10 seconds! I went to the shower next to his. He pouted. So I stepped
into his, and he wrapped his body around mine. We kissed long and then
he took the new bar of soap and rubbed it all over me. Then he proceeded
to wash me with his hands -- every inch of me! I was embarrassed -- I
don't know why -- that my dick stood at attention for him. His was
too! For once, he wasn't blushing.

When he came to "it" he washed all around it and then looked me in the
eyes -- as if to get my permission. I nodded. He then stroked it
several times to get it clean. Then he pushed me into the shower stream,
and rinsed me all off, taking extra care that no soap lingered in any
crevasses. When he came back to my dick, he looked me in the eyes and
slowly started to stroke it. It was already hard as a rock, but it kept
flexing and throbbing, and my hips seemed to be thrusting all on their
own.

I stopped him, grabbed him and kissed him again. Then I pretty much did
the same to him as he did to me, including the stroking at the end. When
I started this, he also grabbed mine. It wasn't long before we were
both grunting and gasping, and the stroking got really slippery for some
reason! Again we embraced, our members still throbbing between our
bodies. We kissed and then rinsed off again.

We didn't say a word the whole time. When we were drying off, I said,
"So - - have you done that with your cousin?"

"No way! That was the first time I've ever done anything like that.
We never did anything more than jack each other off. Does it always make
you feel like this?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know -- like -- um -- Wow! I dunno -- it feels like I really
love you! Does it -- is that - I mean -- what's supposed to happen?"

I was dumbfounded. What was he saying? I thought about his question
probably too long -- for him. But I wanted to answer it right. "Uhhmm,
I think so."

"What?!! You think it always makes you feel like you're in love?"

"Yeah." I answered. "I've done it with two other guys, and one of
them I did -- DO love him -- but -- I know that I kind of felt like that
when I kissed an almost total stranger over a year ago, and also when I
kissed Ren's brother-in-law. And -- also when I kissed you that first
time - when we were in bed naked together. Didn't you feel it then?"

"Well -- yeah -- but that was with you. I was really wondering if this
is what love feels like."

"Interesting question." I pondered. "You know what I think? I think
that when our body reacts in a certain way, it kind of fools our mind --
for awhile."

"Oh. I see -- I think. So how long -- does it take to wear off?"

"I'm not all that experienced, but - "

"Because I have felt this way ever since I met you!"

Wow! What do I say to that?

"Uh -- probably it takes different times -- um -- for different
people."

"So -- er -- you have not felt this for me -- at all?"

"Dude, I -- I'm still in love with Rennie." I admitted.

"Oh." He said, disappointed.

"But, Ricky -- I can't help that! The thing is, he has hurt me over
and over -- and I just finally decided that I can't do it any more..
"So I decided to date -- maybe several guys -- until I feel like I'm
ready to do it again."

"Do what -- again?"

"Let my self fall for a guy."

"Oh." He clearly was hoping I had fallen for him.

"Ricky, please be patient with me. If it helps any -- you're at the
top of my list. I think you are very cute, you really turn me on -- and
-- I just like you all around."

He took a deep breath. This was almost humorous. We were all dried off
and standing nude talking to each other.

"I better get that fish to cookin'!"

We put on our clothes and went to the kitchen. I showed him where stuff
was and he told me to get out and let him cook.. I went to the table and
sat and watched him. He was self-conscious, but he survived. I thought
about Rennie and if he would ever settle down -- be content with just one
guy. I wondered what Ricky was like. I didn't really know him yet. He
seemed awfully cute. Nice, sweet and all -- but so was -- IS -- Ren.

I wondered if anyone could ever be completely true. Yeah, I think so.
My parents seem to be. And yet they turned their back on me. "What's
the matter dude?"

I didn't realize that tears were welling up. "Oh! Just -- it's
okay."

He left the stove and come over. "NOooo, it's not!" He knelt down in
front of me ans put his hands on my knees. His eyes got glassy. "I
don't want you to be unhappy when I'm here! And if you are -- I want
to make it better."

I needed someone to care about me, I guess. I smiled through my tears,
but I couldn't speak.

He took my hand and kissed it, then lay his head on my lap. I rubbed his
head and caressed his ears. "Thanks." I whispered. He rose up and
kissed the tears on my face. I then kissed his mouth and it could have
been more, but the fish were smelling done. He also had steamed some
broccoli.

"Got any white wine?"

"I don't drink. Sorry. Never liked it."

I hated it -- and what it made people do -- especially Rennie. -- that
and drugs.

"That's okay. Water will do."

We ate in relative silence. After dinner I asked, "What's Ty doing?"

"I dunno. He doesn't spend much time at home. Sometimes he doesn't
come home at all." He said woodenly.

"Can you -- maybe -- stay here tonight?" I asked.

"I'd really like that."

"Good. So would I."

"Lenny, I'm really getting to like you -- a lot!"

"I know. It's obvious. I like you too. But I don't wanna lead you
on. Whatever we do tonight is for fun, k?"

"I'll keep that in mind." He said.

"First, lets go out for dessert!"

"Okay. I'm afraid I'm a little embarrassed when it comes to money!"

"Don't sweat it. I have enough."

We went to an ice cream parlor and while we waited for our polar
monstrosities to arrive Ty walked in, with someone else behind him. When
they got in the door, the someone else turned out to be -- Rennie. I of
course had no hold on him, but it still ached. He looked uncomfortable
too. I did something adventurous.

"Hey! Come on over and sit with us!" I said.

Ricky didn't say anything, but his face said, "Shit!" They came right
over.

"Be right back!" Said Ren. "Need to wash my hands."

"Me too!" Ty said.

As soon as they were out of ear shot, I said, "I'm sorry! I should
have asked you first!"

"It's okay!" he growled.

"Obviously it's not. And I AM sorry."

"I just didn't want to run into HIM tonight! Or any night!"

"I assume you mean Ty. Ricky, you need to forgive him."

I hate to see you unhappy!"

"Well, seeing you pissed at your cousin doesn't make me happy."

"What can I do? He doesn't listen to anything I tell him."

"Maybe," I started, "Maybe you should not be telling him anything."
I offered. "He's a big boy. He doesn't need his 10-years-younger
cousin telling him how to live his life. And if he did need it -- you
still wouldn't have the right. Remember: HE's supposed to be looking
out for YOU!"

"Yeah! Fine fucking job he's doing of that! He's never home!"

"I meant that he told your mom that to make her feel good. Do you feel
threatened here?"

"N- no."

"And if you did, would he protect you?"

"I dunno -- I suppose."

"You're 18 now, and an adult. I think he's doing his part."

"But it gets lonely every night to have him gone!"

"Then you need to get out more. Like tonight."

"Sometimes I hate growing up!" He smiled for the first time since they
came in.

"Yeah. Parts of it suck, huh?"

"Do your parents know your gay?"

"Hmph! Yeah -- they know!"

"I guess they don't approve."

"My dad disowned me -- and my mom just goes along with it."

"That sucks!"

"What sucks?" Ty said, coming back to the table.

"His parents have disowned him."

"Do your parents criticize everything you do?" Ricky said to Rennie.

"I wish! My parents are dead." Rennie said, matter-of-factly.

"Ooooooh! I'm sorry, dude!" Ricky exclaimed.

"It's okay -- you didn't know. Why? Your parents criticize
everything YOU do?"

"No! `Course I don't tell my parents everything I do!"

"Haha! Smart man!" Rennie said. Then he turned to me. "And how is
mister Harston?"

"Okay."

"Just okay?"

"Yeah. School is weird, and -- well you know the rest. How's your
side?"

"Still pretty sore."

"I been helping him feel better!" Ty said. Ricky looked daggers at
him. Our ice cream came. We ate it and paid the bill. As we were
leaving them, Ty said, "See you at home?"

"Oh!" Ricky exclaimed. "Why? Were you thinkin' o' comin' home
for once?"

"Hmm. Sounds like we need to talk a bit cuz."

"We could if you were ever home!"

"Wow! We REALLY need to talk! Well, I'll be there tonight."

"I won't!"

"Okay. Tomorrow night then?"

Ty was being as cool as he could be. Ricky cooled down a little.

"I -- uh -- guess."

"so if your mom calls -- or somethin', you'll be at --?"

"I'll be at -- yeah -- Lenny's."

I shot a quick look at Ren. He looked dismayed for a split second, then
recovered. Putting on the happiest face he could manage, he said, "See
yah, Babe!"

"Bye."

As soon as we were in the car, Ricky said, "That Ass hole!"

"Ricky, you're beginning to worry me."

"Why? He didn't have to say that!"

"Ty didn't know he was saying anything wrong, Ricky. What worries me
is -- if you and I do get close, then will you always have something
festering inside your head? Something I did that you judged to be the
wrong thing to do?"

"Aw, that's not fair!" he whined.

"I think it is. Ty will be home tomorrow night. As he said -- you need
to talk."

"Why do you care?"

"First of all, like I told you before, I don't have any close cousins.
I wish I did! It hurts me that you guys are letting little things split
you up. And secondly, I can see how it hurts you. That makes me sad
too. Please try to just see things his way. And then if you don't
agree - - love him anyway. Try it -- for me if no other reason -- k?"

"I guess."

By that time we were home. "I need to hit the sack early tonight --
school tomorrow, yah know." I said.

"I'll go for hitting your sack early any time!" he said with a grin.

We went in, cleaned up the dinner, and went to bed. We didn't wear any
clothes to bed. I decided to let him do whatever he wanted. He first
started to rub my back, then when I was really relaxed, he cuddled with
me. We both fell asleep cuddled together. I woke up in the morning
before the alarm. I opened my eyes, and he was smiling ear to ear.

"Bin watchin' you sleep. You looked so sweet! OH! My breath!
Sorry!" I guess I grimaced a little. It was pretty raunchy -- probably
that fish last night.

We both got up at the same time and headed for the sink to brush. We
both giggled. When we were sufficiently "better-breathed", we went
into the shower and pretty much repeated yesterdays activities. We ate
some cereal and I took him home. Then I went to school.

A little before six there was a knock at the door. I answered and it was
David. Dressed more casually, he looked a lot younger and a lot hotter.
There were a few chest hairs popping out of the top of his shirt. He
smelled slightly of beer. Surprisingly, that actually turned me on! His
day's beard growth was a heavy shadow. His smile was across his face.
"Hi! Well, here I am!"

"Yup! There you are! Um -- I kind of messed up. I kind of forgot and
invited -- um -- my ex -- also at six."

KNOCK KNOCK!

"That's okay, there's plenty enough for all of us!"

"Come in!" Rennie came in, and stopped cold when he saw David.

"Dave!!??"

"Rennie!!? Rennie is your ex?" David said. Rennie turned white.

"Dave -- I -- uh -- I mean, er - "

"Rennie, you don't have to explain! I'm gay!"

"What!!?? YOU??" Rennie said, incredibly.

"Yeah. Did you know that Doris and I are divorced?"

"NO SHIT!" Ren said. Then turning to me, he said, "Dave was my
dad's best friend! He's like a second dad to me! And you're gay?
When did you decide this?"

"I've known it a long time. When I told Doris, she went ballistic."

"Oh, Dave! I'm so sorry."

"Rennie -- I was out of town when your parents -- er -- family -- um --
I am so sorry, kid! C'mere."

Rennie almost flew into David's arms. They both cried. "Sorry,
Lenny," David said, "This is just such a surprise! All of it!"

"Duh!" Ren said,

"Well, let's eat Pizza before it gets cold!" Dave said. "Did you
send this boy to my store, Ren?"

"Nope, that was on his own."

"Haha! He was a trip! My sales force tried to ignore him. But he
wouldn't be ignored! He's quite a boy!"

"He's quite a MAN!" Rennie said, making sure Dave caught his whole
meaning.

We chatted a lot. Dave shared some things he never shared with anyone
before, and looked visibly relieved when he did. When they left, they
hugged again. Only this time it was a very close father/son hug. Dave
kissed Rennie on the cheek and left. Feeling still in the spirit of the
hug, Ren turned to me. He hugged me. I hugged him back -- for a long
time. He then looked up at me and said, "So -- you have a new friend?"

"That's all he is -- a friend."

"But -- he spent the night -- last night."

"We didn't have sex -- at least by my standards."

"Huh?"

"I'm sure he thinks we did. We showered together was all. To him that
was sex."

"Oh? You didn't touch him?"

"Ren -- we washed each other! And rubbed a little more on some parts
that others -- that's all."

"Did you - "

"Yeah -- we both -- came."

"Where did he sleep?"

"Where do you think?"

"On the couch?"

"Rennie!"

"Well!!?? It hurts to see you with someone else."

"I understand. I felt kinda funny when you came in last night with
Ty."

"Oh!" I didn't ask any questions at all. I didn't have to. The
look on his face told me all of it!

Notes: Good! You're still here! I'd love to hear from you -- what
you think. Please mail comments to Steve at s4d@hotmail.com. Please put
"Lenny" in the subject area. Thanks and love, Steve

Bottom line: Love will Rule in the end.