Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:54:00 -0500
From: Odin <belsport09@gmail.com>
Subject: Second Shot Chapter 19: What Money Can Buy

Disclaimer: Story characters belong to the author, any resemblances to real
people are entirely coincidental.

Content Advisory: Adult situations, language, sexual references

Copyright, 2010, Quonus10

I hope you enjoy it. Please comment to: belsport09@gmail.com


This story will continue to be posted on Nifty. It is COMPLETED, however,
and can be found also at
http://www.gayauthors.org/story/quonus10/secondshot


19. Chapter 19: What Money Can Buy

After Peter got over his initial anger, he suggested Ethan and Anthony meet
he and Jason somewhere before the end of the summer. They agreed
Philadelphia had the most to offer, so Jason and Peter booked a hotel for a
Saturday night and the three of them drove to east for the weekend.

Everyone agreed the `road trip to Philly,' as Ethan called it, was one of
the best nights of the summer. Peter and Anthony got over any angst they
had once they all met. Jason decided if he and Peter looked as happy as
Ethan and Anthony, people probably got nauseous around them. After they
dropped Peter off, Ethan made as similar comment to Jason about him and
Peter. They argued the rest of the way home over which pair was worse. When
neither budged they called it a draw and decided both couples were equally
sappy.

The rest of the summer flew by for Jason. After the day working on the
stump, Reggie usually assigned the four of them to the same work
team. Without knowing how, though they all suspected Reggie, the others
working on the estate soon learned Jason and Dean were related to the
Henrys. Some tried to cozy up to them without success, while others were as
rude as they could be without jeopardizing their jobs.

Jason and the others either didn't notice or didn't care. The highlight of
their summer came during Jason's last week. Raymond Henry had the four of
them spend two days washing, waxing and detailing his collection of antique
cars. For Jason's last day, Raymond told the four to come to work dressed
in shirt, pants and a tie; he did not elaborate.

When Aaron and Ethan showed up, Dean and Jason had no better idea what to
expect than their friends. When Raymond appeared wearing his old touring
cap, Jason's face nearly split in two; they were going to an antique car
auction.

Of the four, only Jason had spent any time learning about antique cars; it
was the thing he and his grandfather did together every summer. Despite not
going on a trip for a couple years, Jason kept up via emails on the various
cars that caught his grandfather's eye.

While the others walked about examining the various cars for sale, Jason
and Raymond inspected two cars his grandfather was interested in
buying. They discussed the rarity of the car, how well it fit with his
collection and how much they would bid. To the amusement of his
grandfather, Jason used his iPhone to search for details not readily
available.

From the moment they arrived, Raymond Henry was given the royal treatment
by the staff who knew him on sight. Some recognized Jason as the little boy
they watched grow up, tagging along every summer beside the grandfather who
delighted in showing him the smallest detail. Dean and the Miller brothers
surrounded Raymond and Jason as they waited for the two cars they were
interested in to come up for sale.

The first car offered was not the primary target. The 1931 Chennard &
Walcker Tank was a beautiful car, but was a bit older than Raymond
preferred. Chennard & Walcker was a French manufacturer whose car won the
first 24 hours of Le Mans in 1923. This car was rare; Jason didn't remember
seeing one at auction before. In mint condition, it was the cache of owning
one that piqued his grandfather's interest.

When the bidding reached $90,000, his grandfather looked at him for
advice. Jason shrugged. If they could only get one, he wanted his
grandfather to buy the other one on their list. It wasn't because he would
get to drive it, he just knew his grandfather's taste. When someone bid
$95,000, Jason shook his head and his grandfather let them know he was out.

They had to wait for three more cars to be auctioned before their target
was offered. Ethan and Jason went to get some drinks for everyone, stopping
at the bathroom on the way.

"Did your grandfather really let you decide if he was going to bid
$95,000?" He asked while they were at the urinals.

Jason noticed a few people stare at them, but didn't really care. "I'm not
sure if he just wanted to see if I knew the value of a car or if he really
was letting me decide."

Ethan zipped up and followed Jason to the sink. "Why didn't you keep
bidding? It's not real money to you."

Jason laughed at the expressions some of the serious collectors gave
them. "IF Pop wanted a car, I don't think anyone here could out bid
him. The fun is to get the car you want at the right price."

"Listen to your friend." An older gentleman drying his hands next to them
said. "Old Ray never over spends on a car."

Jason recognized the man, but didn't know him by name. He expended his
hand, "I know we met when I was a kid, but I don't recall your name
sir. Jason Tellerman."

When the older man grinned, it was clear he didn't remember Jason
either. "Nice seeing you again Jason. Been a long time. You sure have
grown. Ernie Smith. Your granddad and I go way back."

Jason remembered the man now. Holding back a frown he said, "Mr. Smith,
this is my friend Ethan Miller."

"Nice to meet you sir." Ethan smiled. "Did you find anything of interest
today?"

"Nice to meet you, too." Ernie was polite, but brusque. Clearly only one of
Ray's grandsons warranted his full attention. "Who are those other two with
you?"

"One is my brother Dean, the other is Ethan's brother Aaron." Unhappy at
Ernie's treatment of Ethan, Jason made it known they had to go. "Nice
talking to you again Mr. Smith, we need to go get drinks for Pop and the
others."

He motioned for Ethan to follow without waiting for a reply.

"What was that about?" Ethan asked.

Jason put a finger to his mouth and nodded toward the bathroom. He mouthed
the word wait. Getting in line, he scanned the bathroom to see if Ernie was
following.

"Ernie clearly couldn't be bothered to be polite to just a friend of Ray's
grandson, so why should we be nice to him." Jason explained.

"Won't he complain to Mr. Henry?" Ethan kept watch in case the subject of
their discussion showed up.

"No." Jason shook his head and ordered five bottles of water, two bags of
M&Ms and three large cookies. "He isn't friends with Pop. Ernie Smith is a
pretender. He always puts in bids well below what the car will
realistically fetch, then drops out acting as if the price is too high. Pop
said he never buys, but likes to act like he can."

Jason paid the cashier, waving Ethan's money away. "My grandfather gave me
money to take care of the four us. Said it was his treat to us for a summer
of hard work."

Collecting their snacks, they started back. "Once," Jason scanned one last
time for Ernie. "When I was fourteen or fifteen, Pop wanted this old
Ferrari. Somehow Ernie found out and made sure to get a bid in before Pop,
probably expecting my grandfather was going to bid soon once the price was
close to the real value. Pop waited until just before the sale was final to
put in his bid. Old Ernie nearly shit a brick being on the hook for $65,000
he didn't have."

Ethan started laughing so hard he nearly dropped what he was
carrying. "What happens if you can't pay for the car?"

"People like my granddad have credit." Jason explained. "He can transfer
funds the next business day. People like Ernie need to make good before
they leave."

"How?" Ethan followed him toward the row of seats. "I mean it's Saturday,
how can they settle up today?"

"You bring a letter of credit from a bank stating you have fund in escrow,
I guess." Jason shrugged. "I really don't know since I always go with
Pop. Anyway, to answer your question, if you welch on a bid, they won't let
you back. This is not exactly a big community. Once you get black listed
from one auction, the others quickly follow. Sellers want their money,
which is why they put it up for auction. If the high bidder backs out, I
guess they can offer it to the next highest bidder, but most times those
people bought something else."

They moved through the row to the empty seats by Raymond and the
others. Handing out the snacks, Jason asked his grandfather, "What happens
if you can't make good on your bid Pop?"

"It means your grandmother froze my account," he joked.

Jason shook his head at the answer. "Not you Pop, I mean in general."

"Saw old Ernie did you?" Ray's eyes narrowed. Jason knew this was not a
game to his grandfather. He enjoyed his cars and took the process
serious. When people like Ernie tried to make a mockery of it, he was not
pleased.

The four younger men gathered closer. "There are many options, but they all
begin and end with being banned from future sales. The seller can sue; a
fool's errand if the high bidder is one of the Ernie Smiths of the
world. They can offer it to the next highest bidder or they can offer it at
a future auction."

"Have you seen that happen often Mr. Henry?" Ethan's interest made Jason
smile; another thing they had in common.

"Often? No Ethan, I wouldn't say it happens often. Less than once a year,
I'd estimate." Raymond looked up from his booklet. "I'll give this to
Ernie, he has been doing this far longer than anyone else I've seen. Most
get banned because they get caught up in the moment. Or they misjudge the
market for a car.

"Once, the most remarkable thing happened." Ray's smiled while his audience
hung on his every word. "Jason and I were at an auction outside
Harrisburg. You must have been 10 at most. A particularly brazen charlatan
was there; bidding when cars got too close to the end. The car he bid on
was worth at least $10,000 more than he offered, but no one offered to go
higher. It was like the entire room was out to see him banned. As he
scanned desperately for another bidder, imploring someone to speak up, the
room when silent. No one wanted to disturb this most perfect of moments;
Harry Neubler was about to be banned. Even the auctioneer realized what was
happening and quickly ended the auction. The gavel hit," Ray brought his
hand down and said, "Sold."

They all laughed at his antics. "You could have heard a pin drop. Everyone
wanted to hear the sobs and squeals as the fraud in our midst was
revealed. Now Harry was not a man without some means, he just couldn't
afford a $70,000 car without liquidating everything he owned. In short, he
could be sued."

His audience smiled at the way Raymond Henry changed his voice when he
said, `sued.' Jason remembered how as kids, `Pop' would tell his stories
just like this.

"What would old Harry do? Banishment was assured; but financial ruin could
be averted if he could find someone to cover the cost. He needed to find
someone who wanted the car, who would pay what he bid or at least something
very close."

"You!" Ethan pointed at his host.

"It was a fetching car, and the price was right." Ray told them amidst
their laughter. "Watching Harry get banned for life AND having it cost him
two thousand dollars was just icing on my cake."

"Did you arrange that freeze out Pop?" Dean asked.

"No Dean," Jason spoke up. "Didn't you hear him say it was a spontaneous
event?"

Raymond gave Jason a wink that only Ethan could see. Jason had been too
young to understand what was happening, but now it all made sense. The
buyers all talked up the car; inflating its estimated value. He remembered
seeing Pop tip his hat to people all day, something he never did before or
since. When the bidding started, he remembered the stares that came their
way until his grandfather tipped his hat again. After that all the bidding
stopped.

"One does not `fix' an auction, Dean." Raymond said with total
sincerity. "That would not only be illegal, it would be ungentlemanly."

"What else are you bidding on Mr. Henry?" Ethan was far more interested
than Aaron or Dean.

"Shh." Jason dramatically looked all around. "Never tip your
hand. Otherwise word can get out who is bidding on what."

"Oh, sorry."

"Fear not young Master Miller." Raymond laughed. "We shall make a true car
buyer out of you yet."

When the next car came up for bid, Jason tapped his grandfather on the
arm. "Can I see the booklet Pop?"

Keeping his eye on the front of the stage, Raymond handed his grandson the
book. When Jason ignored it, Ethan gave him an odd look. Before he could
speak, Jason gave him the barest shake of his head.

The 1964 Austin Healey 3000 MK III was the type of car Jason knew his
grandfather really loved. Sure he had more of the large old touring cars in
his collection, but secretly he loved the small, sporty British
roadsters. Jason figured it was because he drove those himself instead of
being driven by the chauffeur.

The bidding started slowly, but eventually hit $40,000. Raymond looked to
his grandson and entered the bidding. When the price reached $50,000, Jason
exchanged looks with his grandfather. With a small nod from Jason, the
older man bid another $2,500.

Jason and his grandfather sat calmly, waiting to see if another bid
materialized. Correction, Raymond Henry was calm, Jason was as nervous as
the others acted. Only his prior times at the auction kept him from letting
too much emotion show.

When the gavel tapped, the Henry entourage, as they took to calling
themselves, erupted in a cheer. Jason's was only slightly less exuberant
than the others, managing to shake hands with his grandfather before Ethan
practically pushed him from his seat. At first the crowd glanced over in
annoyance. When they saw Ray congratulate his grandson, a murmur went
around the room, with more than a few nods and smiles sent their way.

Of course Jason hadn't bought the car for himself, but no one needed to
know that. To most, this was Raymond Henry passing the torch to his
grandson.



Once Raymond made arrangement to transfer money and have his car delivered,
they made their way back to the car.

"Jase, this is so cool." Dean was crowing. "Pop let you buy a car."

"Correction, he just let me decide if HE was going to buy a car."

"Tell me, Jason," Raymond interrupt the brothers' conversation. "Why did
you go over our preset limit?"

Jason felt his throat tighten as everyone except his grandfather stared at
him. "The car fits you Pop."

"Many cars `fit' me." He turned toward his grandson. "Why this one?"

"When I was a kid, you had a car almost like this." Jason smiled at the
memory. "You took me to our first auction in that old Austin Healey. For
years, we drove that silver convertible on our trips."

A fond smile touched his grandfather's face.

Jason remembered his Uncle taking the car for a drive without asking. The
engine seized because the car was about to be refurbished and didn't have
enough oil. After it was towed back, it was determined the car was a total
loss. He never saw his grandfather so angry over a possession as he was
that day.

"It's been years since we've seen one this nice come up for sale around
here. When we were looking it over today, I could see you admiring
it. And," he swallowed once before giving the last reason. "It isn't my
money, so it doesn't hurt me to spend it. I know that sounds terrible, but
I really thought it would make you happy. We only went five percent over
the agreed limit."

Raymond stopped walking. "What about `find your price and stick to it?'
Didn't I teach you that?"

"Yes, sir." Jason nodded and looked away.

He was about to apologize when his grandfather spoke again. "But there are
also times when price isn't the main driver."

"Yes, sir." He repeated. When he looked back, his grandfather was smiling
at him.

"This was one of those times." He reached out to rub Jason head.

"Huh?" He had no idea what happened.

"Earlier I was thinking about that day I took you to our first auction. How
you loved that Austin Healey, telling anyone who would listen that it was
our car. One day, after a ride, you got very serious for a twelve year old
and told me, `Pop, when I grow up, I'm going to buy this car from you.'"
Raymond changed his voice again, evoking laughter from his `entourage.'

"I wasn't sure if you remembered." Raymond kept his focus on Jason. "Buying
this car because it reminded you of our trips makes it very special to
me. What better reason to exceed our limit than to capture such a special
memory."

Feeling choked up, Jason reached out to hug his grandfather, something they
rarely did. He wasn't sure Raymond would be receptive, but he was
pleasantly surprised when his grandfather hugged him back.

"Thank you, Jason, for this wonderful day," Raymond said softly in his ear.

"You're welcome Pop."

*****

Soccer practice started the second week of August, so Jason was the first
to go back to school. Saying good bye to Ethan and Aaron was harder than he
expected. Dean he knew he would miss, that was how it was every
year. Ethan, however, surprised him. Because they did not hook up, but
became friends instead. Ethan turned into Jason's confident, his foil of
sorts. When he returned to school, he did not have a gay friend who could
assume that role. Sure he had Darryl and Wendy, but talking to Ethan left
him free to say more than he did to his straight friends, particularly
about sexual issues or romance. For those reasons, he would miss Ethan far
more than he realized at first.

Darryl was already settled in by the time Jason returned. He came a week
earlier, not having worked this summer. Unable to find a job, his parents
lined up projects around the house and volunteer assignments to occupy his
time. They also paid him for his work, so he did not go without spending
money.

Unpacking wasn't as hard as in years past; he left most of his stuff in the
apartment other than his clothes and a few other essential items. The two
talked while Jason unpacked, then went for a run where they discussed some
of their training for the upcoming season. Once they got home, they put
their thoughts to paper.

"Why don't you just call him?" Darryl must have noticed how anxious Jason
was, even after their run. "You're dying to see him."

Jason finished the sentence he was working on. "He's at work until
eight. Calling him will just get me his voice mail. I don't need that."

"Not when you have those sappy messages he left that you saved and listen
to when you miss him." Darryl darted away to avoid Jason's punch.

"Dude that is so wrong of you to bust me on that." Jason tried to look
upset.

"Whoa, Jase," Darryl held up his hands, joke over. "I'm sorry. I didn't
know you were so sensitive about that."

"Yeah, well now you know." He snatched the paper, heading for his room. "Oh
and another thing . . ." When Darryl turned, he flashed him the biggest
smile he could. "Gotcha!"

Jason made it to his room, slamming the door just before Darryl reached
him. Opening the door, Darryl tackled Jason onto the bed. Unable to stop
laughing, Jason could do little to get his best friend off him.

"Dude, your face was priceless." Jason tried to make a serious face, which
only infuriated Darryl more.

"You sneaky little doofus," he repeated as he punched Jason on the side of
the arm. Peter's ring set Jason struggling to get his phone. Darryl, using
his position to his advantage, snatched the phone without letting Jason up.

"C'mon D, give me the phone." Jason pleaded between laughs.

"No way," Darryl hopped off, sliding the bar over to answer the
phone. "Jason Tellerman's phone, this is Darryl Minger, how may I assist
you?"

Jason couldn't hear Peter's side as he struggled half heartedly to get his
phone.

"Peter who? Oh Gregory." Darryl shifted hands to keep Jason from the
phone. "No, he can't come to the phone right now he's too busy getting his
ass kicked by his roommate for being a doofus."

Darryl hung up the call, tossed Jason the phone and ran out. Caught between
chasing his roommate and calling Peter back, he opted for the later.

"You're a dead man Co-Captain Minger." He shouted as he dialed Peter's
number. "A dead man, do you hear me? Dead Man!"

"Whose a dead man?" He heard Peter asked.

"Hey Pete!" Jason forgot about Darryl for the moment. "In case you missed
it, I'm back."

"Aside from getting your ass kicked by Darryl, what are you doing?" Peter
sounded as happy as Jason felt.

"Waiting for a hot sexy man to finish work and come see me."

"Hey!" Peter yelled. "I thought you were waiting for me?"

Jason let the self deprecating humor slide, he was in too good a mood. "You
and the hot sexy man are one and the same, Mr. Gregory."

"Oh. In that case, when am I allowed to come over?" Peter was definitely
getting better about letting Jason compliment him.

"When can you get here?" Jason replied.

"How soon can you answer your front door?"

Jason froze, unsure what to say. Walking quickly, he made it to the door
and swung it open. Peter stood in the hall with a yellow rose in one hand,
his phone in the other.

Jason turned the phone off, pulling Peter into his apartment by the front
of his shirt. He barely shut the door before he drew Peter closer for a
kiss.

"Oh would you two please go to your room." Darryl covered his eyes as he
walked toward the kitchen. "You make us straight single people jealous."

Jason couldn't suppress a smile. He was still stunned at how easy D
accepted his relationship with Peter. `You two go to your room.' It was as
if Peter lived there already. Lost in that thought, he barely heard Peter
greet Darryl.

"Hey D." Peter gave Darryl a wave with the hand holding the flower.

"A flower for me?" Darryl laughed. "You know, you're not my type."

"You aren't mine either," Peter played along. "I only chase gay men. You
straight boys are no fun in the sack." Turning to Jason he added in a loud
whisper, "I hear straight guys give lousy head."

Jason snickered until he saw Darryl standing, slack jawed, staring at
them. While his best friend searched for something to say, Jason began
laughing uncontrollably.

"Thanks Pete." He gave him another kiss. "That's better than killing him
for what he did earlier."

"What are boyfriends for if not to gang up on straight boys?" They both
laughed harder.

Darryl covered his ears, closing his eyes tight. "Okay! Off to your room,
both of you."

Half kidding, he pushed the willing pair into Jason's room. Behind the
closed door, Peter gave Jason a real kiss; the kind that still made his
knees weak when the blood rushed toward his groin.

"Wow." He said breathlessly. "I waited two weeks for that."

"Two long weeks." Peter presented the flower in dramatic fashion, earning
another kiss for his troubles.

Laying the flower on the dresser, he noticed the time. "What happened to
working until eight?"

"If I told you I asked Master Lee to switch with me so I could surprise
you, it would have ruined the surprise." Peter sat down on the bed,
grinning devilishly.

"So," Jason plopped next to Peter, "what are we going to do with our
evening?"

"Sadly not what you have in mind horn dog." He grabbed Jason's hand. "I
have a favor to ask."

"Favor? You came over to ask me a favor?" Jason flinched at the idea. "Why
do you even need to ask?"

"Because it's kind of important to me. I want you to come to dinner at my
mom's tonight. Erin's coming too."

"Tonight?" Jason repeated as if he didn't understand the word. "You want me
to meet your mom tonight?"

"Are you okay Jase?" Peter's question was devoid of humor. "You sound
confused."

Trying to clear his head, Jason stood up. "Sure, let me shower. I would
love to meet your mother."

Hugging Jason from behind, Peter said, "Are you sure? You looked a bit
freaked out there for a minute."

Separating Peter's hands, Jason turned to face his boyfriend. "Completely
sure. It took me a minute to process what you said, that's all. I was
expecting . . ." He really didn't know what `favor' Peter needed. "I don't
know what I expected, but it was not `come have dinner with my mother and
sister.' You just took me by surprise."

"But you're cool with it?"

"Yeah, totally!" The more Jason thought about it, the more it excited
him. "I know how much she means to you, so I want to finally meet her."

This got a smile from Peter. "Nice!"

Thinking about it a moment longer, Jason said, "I can't believe we waited
this long, I mean it's your mom, not mine, right?"

"Last semester was a bit crazy. Then you ran off this summer to make eyes
at Ethan with your shirt off."

Reminding him of what happened sent a pang of regret through Jason. Was
Peter still worried about that? Did he still harbor doubts about how Jason
felt? "Pete, I'm sorry I . . ."

"Whoa," Peter cut him off, grabbing Jason's face in both hands. "Bad joke,
sorry. I like Ethan, really, and I'm not threatened by him."

"You sure?" He felt better, but still worried he hurt Peter.

Peter pulled him closer for another kiss. "Positive."

Satisfied things were good between them, Jason took a step back. "If you
expect us to make it to dinner before nine, you better let me shower."

"Hmmm. That's a tough one." He held out both hands moving them up and
down. "Kiss Jason for three hours, or go have dinner with mom and Erin."

Grabbing both hands, Jason pushed them together. "How about go have dinner
with your family, THEN come back and kiss Jason for three hours?"

"Hmm, well if you insist." Peter winked, then rolled onto the bed. Pushing
the pillow up, he said, "Go shower. I want to watch you get naked."

Peeling his off sweaty shirt, Jason shook his head. "If this is your mood,
this is going to some dinner."