Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2003 08:41:21 -0700 From: Steve Thomas <s4d@hotmail.com> Subject: Rob, Chapter 10 This is a fictional story. It is based on the few experiences and many fantasies of the author. 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. Characters: Robert E. Lee Balser Denny (Dennis Andrew Miggs), 20 Robert F. Balser, Rob's dad Donna Balser, Rob's mom. Roger, Rob's attorney Nana, The Balser's housekeeper Garth Roth, 22 Randy Small, 24 Bob, Denny's Brother 3 years older Gail, Bob's wife Jack, Denny's oldest brother, 9 years older Jack's son's, Jacky, Bobby and DennyToo James Miggs, Denny's dad Carol Miggs, Denny's mom, Ray, Denny's dad's Deputy D.A. friend Tad Newliegh, the new roomie Jacob Smith, Rob's former "Landlord" Linda Smith, Jacob's wife Chris & Craig, partners, Rob's roomies. Seth, Chris's Brother Luke, Seth's partner. Etta, The Smith's housekeeper From Chapter 9: "You -- mean - " Denny stammered, "You mean -- you -- you -- you- CAN't be! DAD'S are NOT GAY! Not MY dad! What the FUCK are you saying?" Denny was shaking. "Denny, calm - " I started. "No! YOU butt the fuck out! This is between me and my - my -- whatever the fuck he is to me!" I was shattered to have him yell at me like that. His dad spoke. "It's okay Rob. He needs to get it out. I needed to get it out. It's his turn. Denny, I'm not gay -- but - - I am attracted to men -- sexually -- always have been. I just finally admitted it. I'm still in love with your mother. I still love having sex with her. I told her this and she reacted about like you did, then she calmed down. Now -- believe it or not -- we are closer than we have ever been." Both Denny's and my mouth dropped open. "Boys," he started, then stood up as if to emphasize the next part. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Boys, secrets don't work. There was a wedge between us that neither of us knew was there. Now the wedge is gone." "So -- you still -- still - " Denny stammered. "I still love your mother. Even more! And Denny -- I love you even more!" Mr. Miggs was still standing. Denny got up and stepped to him. They embraced. Denny broke down and sobbed on his dad's shoulder. Denny was facing me, drilling me with his eyes. I silently got up and put my arms around both of them. Mr. Miggs looked at me. "Thank you -- Son!" he said. I lay my head between his shoulder and Denny's. closed my eyes and felt as if we had found a little piece of heaven. Denny's hand drifter low, and he squeezed my butt. I giggled softly, as I wondered if his other hand was doing the same to his dad. "Dad, I'm sorry I blew up!" Denny said. "That makes two of us." Mr. Miggs said. Now I think I'd better get home to your mother. I happen to know she has another very special dessert cooked up for me at home! He grinned from ear to ear. After he left, Denny and I went into the bedroom and had our own dessert. It was yummy! Chapter 10 The weeks flew by until it was time for my hearing. It wasn't the trial, but rather just a hearing between the D.A., my attorney, the judge and me. The idiot who brought charges wanted to drop them, but this wasn't a civil case, so he couldn't do it. But since he would not be cooperating with the D.A., it was decided to drop the case for lack of evidence. My attorney fought -- and won -- to get it removed from my record as well. Denny's recuperation was slow. He didn't return to school that semester, but when the next semester rolled around, he felt ready to go back. It was great living as a couple. Denny felt bad that I was supporting him completely, but I didn't. "But it's just not right. We're not exactly married. And even then -- I plan to carry my own weight!" He reasoned with me. "If that's a proposal, I accept!" I said, grinning. "Don't change the subject! You know what I'm saying." I blew a strong breath of air out my pursed lips. "Okay, look. I'm sure that there are plenty of folks who would agree with you. But I'm not one of them. I love you. I make plenty for us -- for the time being. If I thought that you were going to take advantage of me, I may think differently, but - " "But that's just it! I AM taking advantage of you." "Do you want to go back and live with your folks? I'm sure they would love for you to do that!" I was getting exasperated! "NO! You know I don't want that!" I took a deep breath, let it out, and then another. "Okay. I don't know what you want me to say. What do you want?" "I think maybe -- I should get a job." I sat silent for a few moments. He continued. "But I can tell from your silence that you don't agree. Why?" I looked down and thought about it a moment. "I mean if you -" "DENNY! For crap sakes! Let me think for a second!" I looked up at him, and his eyes were red. "Look, Denny, first of all, I'm sorry I yelled at you. You are just so insistent sometimes, and I'm kinda -- well, kinda slow sometimes. Now -- you know how -- well -- you know that my dad is pretty wealthy, right?" "What's that got to do with - " "ShhHH!" I warned. "Just sit and listen for a moment -- for a change. My parents could afford to send me to any university I wanted to attend. I chose Berkeley, then because of an unfortunate incident, I decided to come down here. Do you know that Uncle Jake never let even one of us pay for staying at his home while we went to school? Chris, Craig, Seth and Luke are still there!" I paused to think some more. He tried to say something but I shushed him again. "Okay -- remember the movie, "Pay it forward"? He thought and then said, "Ooohhhhh. So you -- you got something for nothing from Your uncle Jake - " "He's not even my uncle! He's Chris's uncle. Chris and Craig were my roommates. And I didn't get something for nothing. I have lived a pretty good life. I think I've been fair and kind to people. Life has been good to Uncle Jake and he likes to "pay it forward" to others. True, I didn't do anything in particular to deserve his gift, but I think that the universe often rewards positive people with positive results." I paused to think again. This time he just sat there waiting. "Now -- if you got a job -- with your present qualifications -- which are nothing -- you'd be working at Wendy's or McDonald's making minimum wage. It's just not worth it. I'd rather you just spent that time studying, so that later, you could earn us both a better living. Does that make sense to you. Will you allow me to "pay it forward" to you?" I felt drained. I guess I looked it, too. "I'm sorry to give you such a hassle, Rob! I don't mean to be difficult." He crooned. "<Sigh!> It's okay, Sweetie. I'd rather you did that than just assume that you are here for a free ride. I don't want to be a parent to you, but I do want you to study and do well. You can uphold your end of the deal by doing your best in school. THAT's your job right now. Well, that and washing your share of dishes, keeping your own stuff tidy, making the bed in the mornings - " " - and tucking you in to bed at night!" He quipped. "That too! But somehow, I don't think you see that as a chore." I said. "I wanted to talk to you about something else." "What?" "Well, you hit on it earlier." I said, trying to keep a straight face. "Do you remember what you said to me -- about us not being married?" "Yeah." He said carefully. "Do you remember what I said?" "No -- well, you said that you make plenty for the two of us and - " "Nope! It was before that!" "What?" "I said if that was a proposal -- I accept." "Uh-huh." He said. Then his face lit up! "What? Are you saying what I THINK you are saying?" He was by this time almost vibrating! "Denny, I'm ready!" "Are you sure? I mean -- uh -- well -- how long have you been thinking about this?" "You mean this time? It just occurred to me when you asked me." "What? -- I asked you?" "Concentrate boy! You made the proposal -- I accepted!" I said. "Oh! Heh! I guess I did -- didn't I? He averred. "Well, I guess it was kind of a lame proposal. I don't even have a ring." "That's okay! Lots of couples go looking for the ring afterwards. How about tonight? I think the mall places are open late on Friday night! And then we can go to my parents and break the news to them." "You sure it's not going to be too much for them?" "They already know. I've just never made it official. They weren't at all surprised when I broke up with Carrie. They know." "Well, I Guess it will be okay with my parents now! Wow! I think I sometimes try to put that out of my mind! Now that I know about my dad, I can see that the looks he gives you -- which I used to think were suspicious looks -- are almost -- well admiring -- and kind of like he is jealous of what we have." "Yeah, I've wondered about that. But he loves your mom -- he told me that. He told us both." "Okay, I have a class `til 3:30. And you're usually finished at work by 4:00. "I'll take you to work, then pick you up at 4:00." "Great!" I said. "But I won't be picked up in that little car of yours!" He grinned. He loved driving my Vette! The day dragged by. I couldn't think of anything except Denny! Finally he pulled up. "Vroooom!" I heard. I turned and there he was sitting proudly in that red Vette, looking more delicious than I could remember him ever looking. He had time to go home before his last class and take a fresh shower and comb his longish hair, and shave extra close. He had on Dockers and a nice, navy silk tee, with a tan blazer. I knew that some of the people I worked with disapproved, but I turned off my computer and lights said goodbye and walked proudly to my lover. As I opened the door to get in, I looked in the large front window. I could have sworn that Donny -- one of the guys who disapproved the most -- was almost ogling the two of us, and -- was that drool I saw at the corner of his mouth? Well, it could have been the car. Right? "Gosh, you look great!" I said. I resisted the temptation to give him a peck on the cheek. "I was thinking the same thing!" He said. "Who was that guy in the blue shirt that watched your ass all the way out to the car?" "Nuh -- UH!" I said. "I saw him looking at YOU!" "He averted his eyes when you looked back!" "That's Donny -- the biggest homophobe in the office!" "Homophobe, huh? Maybe like my dad was a homophobe?" "Maybe. Lets go to that Gold and Diamond place across from the Jetway Mall. They're supposed to have some good prices." I said. Denny pulled smoothly out of the parking lot, and then turned south on the Century freeway. The traffic was heavy -- even for a Friday night. It was a warm night, and Denny already had the top down. There was an NSync CD playing -- not my favorite, but Denny liked them. "Crazy for You" was playing as we pulled in to the Parking lot. "I'm crazy for you, you know!" He said. "I know!" I said. "You'd HAVE to be crazy! But isn't it great that we both are?" I pecked him on his lips, then we got out and walked in the store. "Do we want matching rings?" Denny asked. "I don't know. We can do whatever we want. Lets see what they have." A very nice young woman approached us. "May I help you with anything?" "Yes!" I started. "We're looking for -- uh -- well we're -- uh - " "Friendship rings?" She offered. "Yeah! That's it!" I said. She showed us some nice rings. Some were plain, some were like Celtic designs -- none of them were quite -- well, quite -- nice enough. "Is -- is this -- I mean -- well -- what else do you have." "Well, we have some more over here -- but they're usually for more than just -- friends." She said and she smiled knowingly. "Yeah! That's us!" Denny exclaimed, a little more exuberantly than maybe he meant to. She smiled and led us to another showcase. "I don't like to assume anything, but -- are you two a -- couple?" "Yes." I said, smiling in spite of myself. "I couldn't help seeing you drive up. Your car is quite striking." "Thanks." I said. "Are you maybe looking for something a little more special -- a little more personal than the norm, maybe?" "No, we - " Denny started. "Lets see what you have." I interrupted. "Come this way. I think you will like these over here." We followed her to the other side of the store. There on the wall, was a poster of a very hot looking model, in a tux, pointing and grinning at another equally good looking guy, and they had matching rings, but with different stones. The dark haired guy had rubies and diamonds, and the blond had sapphires and diamonds. She showed us several settings that matched. We looked at one that was plain except that it had a channel and room for seven small stones. Then Denny said, "Do you have the ones that those guys are wearing?" Indicating the poster. "Yes, that's this one here!" She said sweetly. "Oh!" I said. "They look so different without stones in them." "Yes, the gems really set them off." She said. "Do you like those, Sw -- er -- Denny?" I said. "Which?" He said. "The ones in the picture." "YES!" He said. "Me too." I said. "We'll take two rings exactly like those." "Wait a minute." Denny said. "How much are they?" "Doesn't matter!" I said. "It's what we're getting." "But I want to pay for yours!" Denny whined. "And -- how much can you afford?" "Well, nothing -- right now!" "Okay, so you'll owe me!" I was rewarded with a huge grin. "Did you see what else those guys were wearing?" Denny said. "You mean the tux's?" "No. Look again!" It was one of those pictures where everything was a black and white photo except the jewelry. I hadn't noticed! Both guys were wearing stud earrings to match the other's colored stone in the ring. "Oh!" I said. "That's SOOOO cool!" Denny said. "Really?: I said almost disparagingly. "You LIKE that?" "Well -- YEAH!" Denny looked at me, then back at the poster -- then back at me. "What?!!" I said. "Heh! The guy in the poster looks like you!" "Uh-UH!" I said, then I quickly looked at the poster. The girl behind the counter was snickering. "Well -- anyway -- he's better looking than I am!" I said. "No he's not! He's hot -- but not as hot as YOU!" Denny said. I looked at the girl, feeling my cheeks and ears heating up. By this time, she was eyeing the poster and me critically. "It DOES look a lot like you!" She said. "And I agree with your partner -- you are definitely better looking! But you're missing only one thing." Before I gave it any thought, I said, "What?" I immediately regretted it! "You need the earring!" "Nooo! I - " "Pleeeeeeeze, Rob!" Denny said. "I -- I've wanted one -- for a long time. But I wouldn't -- I don't wanna get it by myself." "Well then I'll be there for you when you get yours. I don't care if you have an earring. I'll even buy it for you! But - " "But Ro-ob! If we both got one, we could get the one to match each others ring! That would be the reason for getting it in the first place." Denny looked so damned cute begging like that! I was crumbling! I can't even believe what I did next. I walked around in a little circle, then threw my hands up! My dad does that all the time! "Look! Don't pressure me -- that will never work. Let me think about it -- NO PROMISES! As a matter of fact there's little chance I will ever wear one of those things! Just -- just let me think about it." "K." "K?" I repeated. "Easy as that?" "Easy as that!" Denny said cagily. "You know how I feel. That's enough." "This little bugger is trying to guilt me in to getting my ear pierced! Did you see that?" I said directly to the girl. She put both hands up. "I'm staying out of it!" She said. "Too late!" I said. "You already took his side! Well, not now! Lets -- well, do you want these rings, Den?" "I do, but -- uh -- yeah! I love them! With or without the earrings. What color do you want?" "Me?" I replied. "Well, I kind of like Green -- Emeralds." "YESSS!" He said. "What?" I said. "Why are you so excited that I chose Emeralds?" He immediately demurred. "Oh, nothing. I just like them." He said almost nonchalantly. "YOU!" I exclaimed, staring down into his green eyes. "You just want an emerald earring!" He grinned as if he knew he'd won! He chose dark blue sapphires. I was secretly disappointed. I was hoping he would choose red. I was pretty sure he would WANT red, so I didn't choose it, thinking he would! Well, maybe my disappointment wasn't as secret as I thought. "What?" He said. "What, what?" I returned. "You looked disappointed when I chose sapphires. No -- don't deny it -- I SAW it!" "Okay. I was -- no! Never mind. You deserve whatever you want." "Hmmm. Rob -- why did you choose emeralds? The truth!" "Damn you!" I said. "I thought you wanted red. I would have BET on it." "So YOU wanted red?" Defeated, I admitted, "Yeah." "Okay then! Yours is red!" He said. "But -- your -- your earring!" I said -- again before thinking! "So we're doing it!!??" He said excitedly. "NO! I mean -- not necessarily. But if I -- er -- we do, then you will be stuck with red." "That's okay. It is supposed to be a constant reminder -- as if I needed it -- that I love you and you love me. Besides, red is complimentary to green." He said, his eyes sparkling. All I could say was, "Oh -- yeah." We got our ring fingers sized and left. We went to my parents house next. I had called and asked if we could come for dinner. As soon as we came in the door, my dad said, "So I guess you fellows are -- a couple now? Officially?" Well, that was direct. That was my dad! "Yeah, Dad. And we just came from a jeweler. We will be officially engaged in one week." I cringed even as I said it. I cringed even more when he said, "ENGAGED!" Then he softened completely. "Oh! Engaged. Well -- I guess it makes sense." Then my mom said, "But you won't be moving to Vermont like your friends did -- will you? I mean -- marriage -- is that what you call it? -- isn't legal here, is it?" I had hoped not to get in to this whole conversation at that moment, but here we were! "I'm not sure why Jake and Colin went to Vermont. It may have been that they wanted the protection that legal marriage can offer -- what with Jake's illness and all. But to answer your question -- no, we're staying right here. "It's true that if one of us dies, the other would have to pay some taxes that a legally married spouse would not. But as I understand it, the California legislature is already drafting up a proposal to make a law that gives all the same rights to domestic partners -- but it wouldn't be called marriage. There are too many people who object to that term being used for anything except a man and a woman." "Oh. Good" She said. Obviously I said way too much. All she wanted was reassurance that I wasn't leaving. "Have you discussed children -- adoption -- at all -- like your friends have done?" Said my dad. The one time they were here, Those children were adorable! They seemed to not be suffering from any lack of love!" "Little Uri and Ursula? Nope! They have lots of love." "How old are they now?" My mom asked. "About 3 or 4, I think." I replied. "They seemed to adore their uncles!" Mom said. "Yeah. You know that Chris and Craig are not their real uncles, right?" "I was aware of that. But that's how they are being taught to think of them, as I remember." "That's right. And I'm Uncle Rob." "Uncles and dads." My dad said. "I wonder if there are any women in their lives." "I don't know, Dad." We had a wonderful dinner. My parents were wealthy enough, but they never wanted outside help - domestic help -- in the home. My mom loved being the mom. And since there was only me, I guess it was not overly challenging for her. She fixed all my favorite dishes and she had a red velvet cake for dessert. Again my favorite! And it's not just the color, though it does look great! We talked some more after dinner, then in a half hour we were home celebrating our decision. Yeah -- use your imagination. It's probably better than I could describe anyway. Notes: Marriage: (According to Merriam-Webster) "3: an intimate or close union." Works for me. Comments, as usual, are welcome. To Steve at s4d@hotmail.com. Love you all!