Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:12:02 -0400
From: crazy4u <rnielsen47@gmail.com>
Subject: The Man From Swift Current Chapter Twenty Four, GM High School, College

Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author,
Russ Nielsen (rnielsen47@gmail.com).  To read more of my stories you can
find them at my story site - http://www.saskboystories.blogspot.com

All the usual disclaimers apply.  This is a work of pure fiction. Any
similarities to persons living or dead are coincidental.  If it is illegal
to read this where you live, don't read it. If you are under legal age
where you live, don't read it.

This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between adult
males.  Passing through Nifty's main page to get here is your way of saying
it is legal for you to be reading it.

*** ***

Chapter Twenty Four -- Rick and Glenn's First Date

At first I didn't respond to Rick's kiss, I was so surprised I didn't know
what to do.  Rick continued to run his tongue over my lips and tried to
push his tongue into my mouth.  I naturally responded by opening my mouth
and soon I was kissing him back matching his hunger and passion.  Our
tongues danced back and forth as our passion for one another grew.

When we finally surfaced for air, Rick gently took my face in his hands,
his eyes piercing my soul, he said softly, "I love you, Glenn Nielsen,
don't you ever forget it."

Rick rocked my whole world with those whispered words.  I totally didn't
know what to think or how to respond.  This wasn't what I was expecting
from this macho, tough-guy military dude.  I knew he was very straight.
I'd seen him with his girlfriends here in the apartment.  I just couldn't
make things add up.  Why was he kissing me like this?  Rick has kissed me
before but I always thought it was more to get at Keith.  This doesn't make
sense.

He was so gentle with me and right now his gaze was searching my face for
clues to how I felt about him.  I couldn't drop my eyes from his.  It was
like I was hypnotized by his deep blue eyes.  I wanted so much to love him
back as much as he seemed to love me.  Could this be real?  Or was this a
set up?

Could it be that this was the beginning of a fairy tale with the happy
ending where they live happily ever after?  You know the ones where love's
first kiss happens at the end with the happy couple riding off together
into the sunset.  But here I was hoping, dreaming, and wanting this fairy
tale to come true but not quite believing it was going to happen to me with
Rick as my Prince Charming.

I couldn't help but think that I was dreaming and that I would wake up and
find none of this was happening.  Finally, I got my mind to unlock itself
and I let out a long sigh.  That was when I realized I had been holding my
breath for what had seemed an eternity.

I smiled at Rick and simply said, "I love you."

I couldn't believe I just uttered those three words without giving it a
second thought.  I should be panicking right now!  Last time I said those
words, I ended up being played for the fool!  What was I thinking?  I just
said, "I love you," to a muscle bound, womanizing military type!  Rick just
didn't seem the type of guy to want to get it on with a guy.  Maybe I
should play along and see where this goes.

Rick pulled me back into a tight embrace and then led me to the couch where
we sat down side by side.  He put his arm around me and held me close.  We
sat there for awhile not saying anything.

When the silence started to get uncomfortable, we both started to talk at
the same.  We both laughed and I said, "You go first."

"I thought I had lost you when you left here without telling us where you
were going.  I was so afraid that you would hate me.  I'm so sorry that
Keith and I got into an argument.  Keith can be so over-protective and
stubborn sometimes.  He really means well.  I'm sorry he hurt your
feelings," Rick said, his anxiety showing in his voice.

Hearing Rick defend my cousin just set me off.  How could he ruin my
perfect dream making excuses for someone who didn't' deserve it?  "Rick,
please don't defend Keith to me!  He needs to talk to me on his own.  He's
a big boy and is accountable for his own actions.  Besides, I don't want to
talk about him anyway.  I want to talk about us...me and you!  This all
hasn't quite clicked in my head, yet," I said more than a little befuddled
at what had happened in the last few minutes.

"I know you don't want to talk about Keith but I need to talk to you about
him before we can move on.  I know you're still angry with him but can you
at least give him a chance to apologize?" Rick pleaded with me.

I still couldn't believe what I was hearing.  "Why are you so concerned
about Keith?" I asked with a note of frustration in my voice.  "What does
Keith have to do with you kissing me and telling me you love me?"

"Because Keith is a very good friend and I hate to see you two at odds with
each other over me," Rick said rubbing my back with his huge hands.  I was
having trouble concentrating on what he was saying.  I moved away from him
so I could organize my thoughts.  I needed to make sure we understood each
other.  I saw the crushed look on Rick's face and was immediately sorry I
had moved away from him so abruptly.

"Listen, Rick, it not about you.  It's about Keith's attitude towards me
and the way he treats me.  I can't stand people who say one thing and then
do another.  I thought I could trust Keith.  It really hurts to know that I
can't trust him.  His true feelings about me surfaced that night two weeks
ago.  He made that perfectly clear.

"He will have to decide just where he stands because he can't pretend he's
okay with me being gay and then stab me in the back and leave me bleeding
in the street when he finds it inconvenient to pretend anymore or when his
true feelings burst through his carefully rehearsed lines!" I said with a
fierceness that surprised me.

I hadn't realized just how hurt I felt about Keith's betrayal of my trust.
I had reached out to Keith with a desperate need to know that someone
thought I was okay after being totally crushed by what Ian had done to me.
He had seemed so understanding and tolerant of the fact that I liked guys.
He betrayed me!  No, I don't want anything to do with Keith right now!  Why
can't Rick understand that?

Rick reached over and pulled me into a close embrace, "Just promise me that
you will let him talk to you and you will hear him out.  That's all I ask."

"Rick, you can't make me say I will talk to him by distracting me.  You are
making it very difficult for me to say no to you because I want you so
much.  I don't like being manipulated into doing something I don't want to
do," I said heatedly as I, again, pulled away from Rick.

"I'm not trying to be difficult, Glenn.  I just want to be able to keep my
friendship with Keith and have you in my life at the same time.  Please
don't make me choose between you two," Rick voice trembled with emotion.

The intensity of his feelings about getting us to reconcile our differences
made me pause and think for a moment.  I had been so angry I didn't really
give myself a chance to see just how strongly Rick felt about it.  I didn't
want to continue arguing with him about Keith.  I wanted to talk about us.

"Okay, I will at least listen to him but only because you asked me to and
not because of any loyalty I owe Keith," I said.  "Can we talk about us
now?" I asked moving closer to Rick.

"Okay," Rick said hesitantly.  I turned so I could face him and look into
his eyes.  I leaned forward and kissed him briefly.  Rick responded to my
kiss by putting his arms around me.

"I want to know when you decided you were in love with me," I asked
drinking in the sight of the angular planes of his face, trying to memorize
every feature as if it were the first time I'd ever seen him.  I so wanted
to love him but I needed to know that I wasn't just an experiment in gay
sex.  I didn't need a repeat of my relationship with Ian!

"I knew I wanted you the first time I saw you sitting at the kitchen table
staring in shock at me.  I was stark naked and you looked me over from head
to toe with your mouth open in wonder at seeing such a hot stud!  It was a
wonder you didn't start to drool all over the floor!" Rick said laughing at
the memory

"I didn't look you over from head to toe and I wasn't drooling!" I
exclaimed as the color rose in my cheeks.

"No, you but you sure did check out my package before you even looked me in
the eyes," Rick continued to laugh.  "From the bathroom, I heard Keith tell
you to close your mouth before you embarrassed yourself!  From the way you
looked at me, I thought you were gay but I wasn't sure.  I held back until
I overheard your conversation with your Uncle Dave and how Ian had dumped
you."

"So you "were" eavesdropping on my conversation.  I wondered when I found
you in the kitchen.  So that's when you decided to pursue me?" I asked
earnestly.

"Well, no.  I had already decided I wanted you from the moment I first saw
you.  I was intrigued by the obvious desire for me that I saw in your eyes.
I figured I would eventually have my way with you!" Rick laughed.

That was what I was afraid of hearing.  I did NOT want to be his fuck
buddy.  "But that's not what you said a few minutes ago.  You said you
loved me.  Now you are talking about something totally different.  Is it
that you just want to try out having sex with a guy and I happen to be that
guy?" I said more than a little annoyed.

My fairy tale was coming apart at the seams before it even got started!  I
should have known that reality would hit sooner or later!  After the hard
fall I had taken with Ian, I didn't want a relationship where we were just
friends with benefits.  I wanted a more permanent relationship, one where
we could learn to love each other and maybe even grow old together if
things worked out that way.

"I have to be honest with you Glenn.  At first it was just that," Rick
admitted lowering his eyes to look at the floor, "I thought getting you in
the sack would be a great way to try out having sex with a guy.  Since I
had no intentions of developing a relationship with you, I thought it would
be fun for both of us without the entanglements of a romantic nature.  You
would get to have great sex and I would get to experience what it was like
to have sex with a guy.  I thought it would be good for both of us.  You
obviously wanted me and I wanted you in the same way," Rick paused and
looked back up at me to gauge my reaction to his words.  My face must have
shown the anger that was building inside me at Rick's calloused attitude
towards his sex partners and towards me in particular.  I didn't want a
casual relationship with Rick and I certainly didn't want to be his new sex
toy!

"What made you think I would agree to any such thing, especially after you
overheard my conversation about Ian?" I asked with angrily.  I was shaking
I was so angry!

"Don't get angry with me please!" Rick begged me putting up his hands as if
to ward off a blow.  "Give me chance to explain, okay?  I realized how
vulnerable you were as I listened to you crying on the phone as you told
your Uncle Dave about what Ian had done.  Hearing the pain in your voice
made me want to reach out and protect you.

All thoughts of having sex with you left my head at that moment.  I felt
angry at Ian for treating you so poorly and it made me feel guilty that I'd
thought of doing the same thing to you that Ian had done...use you and
leave you.  I felt about as low as you can get.  I even felt guilty for
eavesdropping on your conversation!" Rick said, his face showing the shame
he felt still about the thoughts he'd had about me.

Despite his obvious feelings of guilt about his motives, I still was pretty
hot about the pure audacity of his actions.

"So how do I know that this isn't all an experiment?  How will I know that
once you've tried out sex with me that you won't treat me like I have a
disease or worse yet like an abomination?  Let's be honest, Rick, you are
about as straight as they come.  I know you have had a different girl just
about every weekend.  Keith has told me about your sexual exploits!  Not
only that, you are in the Marines and your military doesn't allow gays!  So
that tells me you aren't gay!  Being gay isn't like pushing a button and
all of sudden you become gay!  So please tell me why should I trust you?" I
asked more sharply than I intended.

Rick ducked his head and wouldn't look me in the eye as he mumbled, "I'm
sorry Glenn.  I don't know what more I can say to you than I already have.
Maybe you should have stayed at Brett's house instead of coming back here
with me."

That just made me all the angrier.  How could he just roll over and play
dead?  I'm not letting Rick off the hook that easy.

"It's too late for me to go back to Brett's house and it's too late for you
to back out on me now Rick Lernier!  You still haven't answered my
question!  Why should I trust you?" I repeated letting my exasperation with
Rick show in my voice.

Not waiting for an answer I kept going, "Rick I'm really attracted to you
physically and I so much want to have a relationship with you, a romantic
relationship not just a friends-with-benefits kind of thing.  You have had
those every weekend for who knows how long with any girl you could get to
go to bed with you!  But I need to know that I can trust you!" I was
practically begging Rick to answer me now.  I wanted so much for this
relationship to work.

I reached over and lifted Rick's chin so I could see his eyes.  I was
totally in shock as I saw the tears running down Rick's cheeks.  I felt
guilty for being so hard on him.  The ice that had formed in my heart
melted at that moment and the hot anger that I felt inside quickly
dissipated.

 I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders and said, "I'm sorry, Rick.
I didn't mean to hurt you.  I just need to know I can trust you.  I've been
badly hurt and I don't want to repeat the experience.  I certainly don't
want to hurt you either!  Please tell me you can forgive me for being so
harsh with you."

Rick finally responded to my embrace and wrapped his arms around my waist
and pulled me close to him.  "I want you to trust me but I need to be
honest with you.  I know I was taking a risk by telling you how I first
reacted to you.  I not only want for you to trust me but I want to be able
to look myself in the mirror and know that I have been totally honest with
you.  I want our relationship to be built on mutual trust and
understanding.  Would you have believed me if I had told you that I never
lusted after your body and wanted to do to you what I have done so many
times before?"

I shook my head negatively at his question.  "Now can you understand that
it's not just about getting into bed with you?" Rick asked, his eyes
begging me to understand what he was trying to say to me.

"Yes, you're right.  I would have always wondered if I was just another
name on your list of conquests," I said, "I guess it was better that you
told me even though it made me angry with you."

Rick looked down, again.  "I haven't been able to develop a close
relationship with anyone since I broke up with Angie.  I'm really afraid of
developing long-term relationships.  I'm always afraid of being hurt.  That
if I give my heart away like I did then, I will just have my heart broken,
again.  I can't stand being vulnerable in that way and the thought of
opening my heart to you scares me so much I want to run and hide."

This wasn't what I expected from this big, strong marine.  He was trembling
in my arms and the tears were still streaming down his face.  I lifted his
chin up so I could see into his eyes and wiped the tears from his cheeks.
I leaned in and gently kissed him on the lips.  I brushed the hair out of
his eyes and put my hands on either side of his face so he looked at me.

My eyes held his as I said, "Rick, I want a lasting relationship with you
and I promise to be open and honest with you so we can work on it together.
I want us to have a full and equal partnership where we both feel warm and
comfortable.  I want to create a place where our love for each other can
grow and prosper becoming a refuge from the outside world.  I do trust you
Rick Lernier!"  My eyes were misty as I felt for the first time that I had
found a soul mate to share my life.

It seemed like hours that we gently held each other wanting this moment to
last forever with my head on his shoulder and his arms wrapped around me.
I sensed a change in Rick as he tightened his embrace.  I pulled back and
looked him in the eyes, again.

There was a sparkle in his eyes and roguish grin on his face.  He and I
knew I had just given my heart to him and with it all the confidence and
love I was capable of giving him.  The sudden change in Rick was like when
the sun has come out from behind the clouds after a violent thunderstorm.
As I returned his smile, Rick's expression grew more mischievous.  It made
my heart stop for a second.  I knew I was in for a wild ride!

Rick said, "I hope this means I get to have my way with you Glenn Nielsen!"

"So what makes you think you can have your way with me?" I asked with an
impish smile on my face as I straddled his lap.

"The bulge in your pants tells me you are attracted to me and that I can
probably get you into my bed right now!"

"How do know that it's you who turns me on?  Maybe it's some hot chick I
met at the beach!" I asked laughing at Rick as I put my hands up his
t-shirt and started playing with his nipples.  I could feel him growing
beneath me and I intentionally moved around on his lap causing Rick to lean
his head back and moan with pleasure.

"You are such a wicked tease," Rick complained grinning all the while.  "I
guess I will have to show you who is the boss.  Don't say I didn't warn
you!"

Rick stood up with me in his arms and carried me into his bedroom and
gently put me down on his bed and slowly undressed me.  He caressed every
part of my body sending sparks of electricity all up and down my spine.  It
made me shiver in anticipation!  Rick did a strip tease as he undressed
himself with his bright white smile contrasting with the deep tan of his
face.  I couldn't take my eyes off his magnificently sculptured body.
There was a slight sheen to his tanned skin that made each muscle stand out
prominently on his chest and abdomen.  I watched mesmerized by the slight
movement of his chest as he breathed in and out.  I was quite literally
drooling as I watched him finish disrobing.  He moved closer to the bed and
gave me the look of a very hungry wolf ready to devour his prey.  I half
expected him to issue a growl as he pounced on me.  I was so ready for him
to take me to new heights of ecstasy that I surrendered completely to the
passions that engulfed us both.

*** ***

A short while later we lay exhausted in each others' arms enjoying the
afterglow of our lovemaking.  I have never felt so much love for anyone
before tonight.  It was truly a revelation to me that having sex with
someone you love and who loves you back could be so much more than just the
act of having sex.  Rick helped me understand that being in love meant
lowering all of my barriers and letting him inside my world.  Not only did
I give myself to him physically but emotionally and mentally as well.
Believe it or not my fairy tale was coming true!

I rested my head on his chest listening to his heart beat.  I lifted my
head to see if Rick was awake.  As I looked up, my eyes met Rick's and a
huge grin spread across his face.  "Do I qualify as Prince Charming, yet?"

"Yes, but I'm not some princess that you rescued from an evil queen!" I
teased.

"True you're not the princess but you are the prince that was turned into a
frog and had to wait for true love's first kiss!" Rick teased back, "And
I'm the lucky guy who broke the spell!  Now do we get to live happily ever
after?"

"Yes, we do!  At least, that's my plan," I said laughing with Rick about
what looked to be a perfectly wonderful life together.

"Do those plans include having dinner with me tonight?" Rick asked,
"Because I'm hungry!"

Just then I heard his tummy rumble.  We both burst out laughing.  "Okay,
Prince Charming.  Race you to the shower.  I can't go out in public
smelling this way!"

With that, we raced to the bathroom.  Rick started the shower running and
we cleaned each other thoroughly.  This was a new experience for me.  Ian
and I had never showered together.  I couldn't help comparing Rick to Ian.
Ian never seemed to care how I felt.  It was always about getting him off
and then he would withdraw from me.  Rick was so different.

Rick's touch on my skin as he soaped me up and rinsed me off started the
passions running high in both of us, again.  As I washed Rick off, he
pulled me into a tight embraced and kissed me under the shower.  The
cascading water accentuated the erotic feelings we had for each other.
Rick had his way with me, again.  By the time we finished cleaning up a
second time, the water was starting to turn cold.

"We're going to need a bigger water heater if we're going to keep doing
that every time we shower," Rick joked as he toweled me dry.

I looked up at Rick with smile, "Well, we wouldn't need so much hot water
if you could control yourself in the shower!  I thought they taught you how
to govern your passions in the marines!" I joked with him giving him a
quick kiss on the lips.

"Not so!  They only taught us how to focus and channel them not necessarily
control them.  However, it wouldn't matter if they did teach us to govern
our passions as you say because I don't have any control over my passions
when you touch my skin and caress me the way you do.  Not to mention the
fact that you are the best kisser I have ever met!"  Rick pulled me close
and proceeded to kiss me running his tongue over my lips until I opened my
mouth and let him in.  After what seemed like an eternity, we came up for
air.

"We are never going to get dinner if you keep kissing me like that!" I
exclaimed laughing as I caressed the muscles on Rick's upper arms.  Rick
let me loose and I grabbed a towel and helped dry him off.  I followed him
back into his bedroom.  I couldn't take my eyes off of him.  I still
couldn't believe that Rick was now my lover and wanted me to be with him.

Rick looked over at me as he dressed, "Aren't you going to get dressed or
are you going out like that?"

 His question prompted me to redirect my attention away from him towards
getting dressed, "Yeah, so does this mean I get to share a closet with
you?"

"Sure does," Rick responded.  "Go get your things and I will help you hang
up your stuff."

I grabbed my bags from the front room and brought them back to Rick's
bedroom.  We made quick work of putting away my clothes and he handed me
what he wanted me to wear to dinner.  He made me smile as he stared at me
as I put on my Speedo underwear.  I had the feeling that I wouldn't be
using a lot of boxers or briefs anymore.  I pulled on a golf shirt and
khaki cargo shorts.  They matched what Rick was wearing.  We both pulled on
our trainers and left the apartment for Rick's favorite restaurant, Ray's
in the City.

Rick parked his Jeep in the underground parking lot a block away and we
walked up the hill to the restaurant.  It was a beautiful summer evening.
Rick took my hand as we walked.  I was still floating on air as Rick opened
the door for me and we entered the cool interior of Ray's.  The hostess
quickly seated us near the back of the restaurant in a semi-private corner.

Rick looked at me across the table with a broad grin on his face, "Order
anything on the menu you want.  This is a special occasion and I feel like
celebrating!"

When the waiter introduced himself, Rick ordered a bottle of wine to be
served with dinner.  He also took our dinner orders: clam chowder and
seafood pasta for me and horseradish crusted grouper for Rick.

"I've never eaten mussels before so I wanted to try them," I said, "I've
had shrimp and scallops before but never mussels.  I'm excited to try
something new!"

"It makes me happy to see you enjoying yourself.  Have you had much wine
before?" Rick asked.

"No, Mom and Dad don't drink alcohol so I haven't tried beer, wine or
anything else.  Having a glass of wine with my dinner tonight will be a
first for me," I said smiling at Rick.  "My parents will think you are bad
influence on me Rick with you introducing me to alcoholic beverages!"  I
laughed at Rick's surprised expression.

"Are you totally serious?  Do mean to tell me you have never had anything
with alcohol in it?"

"Not only that, I haven't ever had a cigarette or chewing tobacco.  My
parents are pretty strict about alcohol and tobacco products.  Dad always
said they were tools of the devil and were a major waste of money," I said.

"I have to agree with your Dad on that point.  They are a major waste of
money and cause a lot of damage to those people who are addicted to them.
However, tonight, we will make an exception as we are celebrating our love
for each other.  I will make sure you don't drink too much.  I don't want
you to get sick or pass out on me on the way home!"  Rick said with all
seriousness.

It made me feel warm all over knowing that Rick wanted me to be safe and
would look out for me.  Normally, I would have resisted having someone tell
me what to do but it somehow felt right knowing that Rick did it out of
love for me.

"What about you?  Did your parents let you have tobacco or alcohol?" I
asked.

"My Mom and Dad had alcohol in the house for entertaining but discouraged
us kids from touching it.  It was the same thing with cigarettes.  However,
when I joined the marines, I did my fair share of carousing and spending
time at the local bars close to base.  When I go on reserve duty, we
usually end up at a bar after we're done to unwind and visit with each
other," Rick said.

"How long have you been in the marines?"

"I've been in for 2 years and have 6 more to go," Rick said.  "I know where
you are headed with your questions but can we not dwell on it right now,"
Rick pleaded with me.  I looked into his eyes and saw the tears forming
there.  "I want this to be our special night, one that we will treasure for
many years to come.  We can talk about our plans for the future another
time."

I nodded my head, "I'm sorry Rick.  I didn't intend to put a damper on our
celebration.  I just want to know everything there is to know about you!
There are so many things we don't know about each other.  I look forward to
discovering the real Rick Lernier!"

"Well, what you see is what you get!" Rick said jokingly.  At that moment,
the waiter returned with my clam chowder and the bottle of wine.  The
waiter showed the bottle to Rick before opening it and pouring a small
amount in a wine glass for Rick.  He waited for Rick to taste it and give
his approval before pouring a glass for me.

After the waiter left, Rick raised his glass to me, "A toast to the most
wonderful lover in the world."

I raised my glass to his and then sipped a little wine.  The taste was kind
of bittersweet and I could taste the alcohol in it.  My reaction to it must
have been pretty evident on my face as Rick burst out laughing.

"I can see you don't like it Glenn.  You don't have to drink anymore of it.
I didn't know you didn't drink alcohol so I won't make that mistake,
again." Rick said.

"I'm sorry Rick.  I didn't mean to spoil it for you," I looked at him with
misty eyes.

Rick reached over and took my hand, "Don't worry, my love.  You haven't
spoiled anything.  Relax and enjoy yourself."  Rick waved the waiter over.

"How may I be of service," he asked.

I spoke up, "Could you bring me a diet coke, please."

"Sure, I'll be right back with your soda."

Rick still held my hand.  "You have such small hands.  I've never met
anyone with such small hands"

"I've always been the smallest one in the family.  I weigh 53 kilos and I'm
173 centimeters tall.  All of my brothers and my dad weigh more than me and
are taller than me."

Rick looked puzzled.  "So how tall are you really?  In normal measurements
I mean."

I laughed, "Those are normal measurements.  You Americans are the only ones
who insist on not using the metric system.  I don't remember the conversion
factors right now but you can measure my height and weight when we get back
to the apartment if you have some scales that is and a measuring tape."

Rick released my hand and smiled, "We can stop on the way home and pick
those things up.  I'd like to know everything there is to know about you."

I continued eating my clam chowder as I listened with rapt attention as
Rick talked about his family.

"My dad was an Air Force pilot so we moved around a lot when I was a kid.
After he got out of the Air Force, Dad moved us back to North Carolina to
be close my grandparents.  I was in 9th grade then.  Your cousins, Keith
and Roger became my best friends.  I love working on cars and so do your
cousins.  Keith and I took every shop class we could and became really good
friends with Mr. Thompson, the auto mechanics teacher.  Keith is a much
better mechanic than I am.  Between Keith and Mr. Thompson, I learned how
to work on any kind of vehicle.  I bought an old Corvette and fixed it up
while I was in high school with Keith's help.  It's parked at the apartment
and I keep it covered to protect it from the elements.  I will have to show
it to you tomorrow.  It's bright red and drives like a dream!"

The waiter arrived with our meal and refreshed my soda.  "Don't you have
any siblings?" I asked.

"Yes, one sister named Julie.  She is 10 years old than me.  When Dad
retired, she stayed in Maryland with her boyfriend.  They are married now
and have two kids.  She still lives there."

"So you basically grew up as an only child then," I said.

"Well at least the last four years I did," Rick answered.  "After my break
up with Angie, I kind of got really depressed and stopped doing any
homework and I didn't want to go anywhere or be seen by anyone.  Keith
tried to get me to rejoin the real world but he and Roger couldn't get
through my self-pity.  Finally, one day, Keith's Dad asked me to come into
his office and we had a good talk.  He was really able to reach me that
day.  You don't know how much I owe your Uncle for talking to me that day.
He challenged me to bring my grades up and to go on to college.  It was
that day that he told me he would make a deal with me.  If I went to
college, he would pay all of my expenses for the first four years.  At
first, I told him no.  I couldn't stand the thought of taking money from my
best friends' Dad.  I didn't want to be in debt to anyone."

"So what happened that made you change your mind?"

"Your Uncle Stan talked to my parents about it and they agreed to talk to
me.  My parents told me I was being extremely ungrateful and that I needed
to go back and apologize to him for refusing his offer.  It was hard for me
to go back to talk to him about it.  In fact, my Mom drove me over to
Keith's house and made me go in and talk with Stan.  He made it clear that
I wasn't a charity case.  He considered me part of his family and as such
intended to make sure I got a good education.  Of course, he made me
promise to do the best I could to do well in every class.  What about your
parents Glenn?"

"My Dad didn't want me to come here.  He has always been fiercely
independent and doesn't like people trying to help him.  When my Grandpa
offered to pay for my college, Dad said no at first.  In fact, my Mom
threatened to leave him and move back to my grandparents' house if he
didn't allow me to go to college."

"Wow!  I thought that the Scarboroughs were a very close knit family!" Rick
exclaimed.  "I had no idea that there were any disagreements or hard
feelings between any of the family members."

"I agree with you Rick about the Scarboroughs being very close.  That's
what I've witnessed as well but something happened between my dad and my
grandparents when my parents were first married to cause a rift between
them.  I have been lucky to see my grandparents once a year and sometimes
less." I said with a hint of sadness in my voice.  "I feel like I lost out
on what could have been a wonderful relationship with my Mom's side of the
family.  I'm just glad I am getting to develop a relationship with them
now.  What are your grandparents like?"

"We have lived with my grandparents since we moved to back to North
Carolina.  Both of them are in failing health and need full-time care.  I
have helped take care of them when Mom and Dad have had to work.  Grandpa
has Alzheimer's disease and has to be watched constantly.  When we first
moved back, he used to take me fishing and camping.  He has to be the
funniest man I know.  Grandpa used to have us laughing all the time.  Then
he started to forget things and acting really weird.  It wasn't long before
he would wander off and get lost.  It has been really sad to watch his
mental state deteriorate so quickly." Rick explained.

I nodded encouragingly as I finished my soup.  The waiter brought out our
meals and refilled my soda and Rick's wine glass.

Rick continued, "Grandma fell and broke her hip and hasn't been able to get
around very well since then.  Grandma has taught me our family history.
She is a great storyteller!  I know you will love her when you meet her.
She is the glue that holds our family together.  My Mom's parents live in
the town just down the way.  They are wonderful people, too.  They live on
a tobacco farm.  Grandpa still farms it with some help from my uncles who
live nearby.  I used to help them harvest the tobacco.  I love family
reunions with my Mom's family.  Grandpa makes a pretty good BBQ.  He slow
roasts a whole pig all day and boy does it taste good when it's finally
done!  I have got to bring you to our family reunion in August so you can
taste the best BBQ pork in the whole state of North Carolina!"

"I would love to meet your family!"  I said enthusiastically.  "I want to
be part of your family and I want you to be part of mine.  We'll have to
take a trip home so you can meet my parents, too."

Rick's mega-watt smile made me feel warm and toasty all over.  Is this how
it feels to make someone else happy?  I could get used to this feeling!

"I am so happy, Glenn.  You don't know how long it's been since I have felt
this way!  How's your meal?"

"I love the shrimp and scallops but I'm not fond of the mussels.  Do want
the rest?"

"Sure," Rick said as I passed him my plate so he could help himself.

"So what did you tell Keith about us?" I asked, curiosity getting the
better of me.

"You mean after I finished yelling at him for interfering in my life?" Rick
asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I left during that part," I said.  "You were pretty loud.  It's a
wonder the neighbors didn't call the cops!"

"I guess I was pretty worked up about it.  It made me mad that Keith had
the audacity to try to run my life for me, especially when it comes to who
I want to spend the rest of my life with, lover boy!  I told him in no
uncertain terms that he had no right to try to tell me how to live my life
or to lecture me about not having sex with guys when we had sucked each
other off when we were in high school!"

"Are you kidding?  You and Keith sucked each other's cocks?" I asked in
amazement.

"Yeah, Keith will probably kill me for telling you.  We were both pretty
drunk and horny when it happened.  It only happened once and we've never
talked about it until I threw it in his face when he was trying to tell me
that being gay was a sin and that I would rot in hell if I had a
relationship with you."

My face must have registered the shock I felt hearing what Keith had told
Rick how he felt about being gay.  Keith had never mentioned a word to me
about his religious views.  "You still want me to talk to Keith after what
he said about gays and me in particular?"

"Yes, I do.  Glenn, we don't have to sink to his level.  We can show
kindness and tolerance towards him and help him to see that it is wrong to
treat you the way he has.  If you return hate for hate, it won't solve
anything it will just make everyone miserable.  I want to take you to
Keith's wedding and feel comfortable being there that is if Keith still
wants me to stand up with him.  He is still my best friend and you are
still his cousin!  One mistake shouldn't be held against him.  Okay?"

I couldn't help thinking back to how my Dad had treated my brother Randy
and his life partner, Shawn.  It really tore my family apart when Dad
disowned Randy and told him to get out of his house with his faggot friend
and to never return.  We weren't allowed to mention Randy's name or talk
about him in any way.  As far as Dad was concerned, Randy didn't exist.  It
really hurt me to know that my Dad had lied to us.  He used to tell us he
loved us unconditionally.  When he found out Randy was gay and had a lover,
he went ballistic.  I have never felt more betrayed then I did at that
moment.  How could Dad say all those mean things to Randy and disown him if
he really loved us unconditionally?  My whole world started to crumble
around me that day.  The pain of that day still lingers vividly in my
memory even though Dad has finally acknowledged that he was wrong and has
reconciled with Randy and Shawn.  I didn't want that kind of hurt to spread
by not doing what I could to resolve things in a positive way.

I let out sigh of surrender, "Okay, I guess I could at least talk to him.
But I won't stand for being told I'm going to rot in hell for being the
worst kind of sinner and have Keith call me a faggot and every other kind
of derogatory term that comes into his head!"

"If you want me to be there when you talk to Keith, I will stand by you.  I
also told Keith that I wanted you to be my life partner if you would have
me.  I told him I loved you and wanted to be with you always," Rick said
capturing my hand in his.

"So how did he react to that?" I asked with wide-eyes.  I was totally taken
aback by the thought that Rick had already told Keith that he loved me and
wanted me to be his life partner even before he had asked me.

"He got really angry and stormed out of the apartment.  I haven't talked to
him since then," Rick said sadly.

"So you haven't even talked to him yourself and what makes you think he
will want to talk to me?" I asked.

"He will have to talk to you because you are part of his family.  I know
your grandparents won't allow him to NOT invite you to his wedding.  I
figure that you will see him sometime before then and you will have the
chance to clear the air with him."

I looked in Rick's eyes seeing the distress he was feeling.  He was really
hurting because his best friend had betrayed him just as he had me.  It
made me even angrier at Keith for inflicting so much pain with his
inexcusable behavior.  Before I had time to think about what I was doing, I
reached up and placed my hands on both sides of Rick's face and gently
brushed my lips to his and whispered, "I love you."

As I pulled back, I saw a tear slip down his cheek.  I wiped it away and
smiled at Rick.  "I promise to talk to Keith if it will make you happy, my
love.  I won't promise I won't tell Keith a thing or two about what a jerk
he has been to you but I will make an effort to talk to him."

Rick took my hands in his and said, "I am the luckiest man alive.  Thank
you for letting me be a part of your life."  Rick's ever ready smile
returned to his face.  He seemed like a kid at Christmas who has just
opened the biggest and best present ever!  My heart skipped a beat as he
rubbed his leg against mine under the table.  Rick knew just how to get me
worked up!  It was totally unfair!  I was afraid to look down to see just
how obviously aroused I was!

Just then, the waiter appeared to clear the table and asked if we wanted
dessert or any after dinner beverages.  We declined both and he left the
check.  Rick counted out the cash and left a generous tip.  He grabbed my
hand as we left the restaurant.  The evening had cooled off a bit and the
moon had come out.  What a wonderful way to spend an evening!  I couldn't
have been happier.  We retrieved Rick's jeep and headed back to our
apartment.  Boy that didn't take long---I was already thinking of it as
"our" apartment.

Rick said, "Thank you for letting me love you.  I had a great time tonight.
I hope you did too."

"Yes I did.  I think I can foresee many more such wonderful evenings in our
future!" I said grinning from ear to hear.  I couldn't help running my hand
up and down the inside of Rick's thigh.

Rick placed his hand on mine and gently removed it from his leg.  "If you
keep that up, I will have a mess in my shorts before we are even half-way
home!  You know that your touch has that effect on me.  You are just so
sexy and I love the way you touch me!  Please let me get us home safely.
Then I'm all yours!"

Either I was really in love this time or I was totally on a hormone
overload!  I have never had so much trouble having a continuous hard-on.

Rick stopped at the drug store near the apartment.  Rick said, "Wait here
while I run in and get the scales and measuring tape.  I won't be long."

My eyes followed him into the store.  He walked with such grace for a big
man.  Man! Rick was hot!  Rick returned to the Jeep a couple of minutes
later.

"Let's go home, Babe," Rick said as he turned the key in the ignition.

By the time we arrived home, I was hurting pretty bad.  One look at Rick
confirmed that he was having the same problem even though I hadn't touched
him since he asked me to restrain myself.

As we entered the apartment, Rick closed the door behind him and caught me
looking down at his crotch and that mischievous grin spread across his
face.  I soon learned what that grin meant!  "Come here you!  I think we
need to take care of a few things," Rick said huskily.  He reached out and
grabbed me around the waist as his mouth captured mine.  We kissed for what
seemed an eternity.

Rick started maneuvering us towards the bedroom as he continued to kiss my
neck.  He had me stripped totally naked by the time we reached the bedroom.
He was out of his clothes in a flash and pushed me firmly down on the bed
and proceeded to make madly passionate love to me.