Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 02:10:01 -0500
From: Deron Dreem
Subject: Come Sail Away / Chapter 7

All the usual disclaimers apply to this story. I am not going to say this
is all fiction, but I have tried to be as vague as possible to protect
those who might not like to be known. The following story Involves sex
between two teen males. If that bothers you, then please don't read. Please
be at least 18 or within your Legal right to be able to read it in your
area. Thanks 8-)

I also would like to thank 2 very important people. First, Billy Joe Walker
Jr. You were always an inspiration to me. Your writing moved me more than
you will ever know.  Secondly, Dave I love you. Thanks for being my best
friend

			      Come Sail Away
				 Chapter 7


I can remember the last time I drove this far north. I went to a hockey
game that changed my life forever. I didn't know it at the time. Sometimes
you can't see the forest through all the tress. The song came back to my
mind again.

			WE LIVED HAPPILY FOREVER
			SO THE STORY GOES
			BUT SOMEHOW ME MISSED OUT
			ON THE POT OF GOLD
			BUT WE'LL TRY BEST THAT
			WE CAN TO CARRY ON


	 I walked and kept thinking. I opened my mouth and sang softly to
myself.  "We'll try.best that we can.to caarrryyyy on......."


	 I looked down at my watch again and, and.SHIT. I forgot my
backpack. I must have left it lying on the ground next to the picnic
tables. I did an about face and went back to the tables. It was gone. I
looked around. I didn't see anyone, at least no one close by. I can't
believe this was happening to me. I lost the book. I didn't give a shit
about anything else. It was the book I cared about most. The book, that
Brian gave me as a present.


I had put it away several years ago. I didn't really want to look at it
anymore. It brought back too many memories. Some good. Well actually a lot
good. I was digging through my closet and found it tucked away in a box and
pulled it out. I hadn't looked at it in several years.  I opened the front
cover and seen once again what was wrote on the inside cover.


	 Damn, I looked around once again. I had to find it. I couldn't
loose.. I sat down and felt totally helpless. I wanted to cry. This whole
day has been shitty.  I have so few things left that mean anything to
me. The book Brian gave me was one of them. Brian loved two things. He
loved to listen to Bob Dylan, and read Edgar Allan Poe.  I learned to love
Poe. Dylan on the other hand was something I just tolerated. Like a
splinter wedged deep into my mind. I remember the day I got the book. It
all came flooding back into my mind. I got it just before Green
Bay................




	 I didn't know what time it was, but I knew that it was morning. I
turned and seen Brian was close to my side. I loved waking up next to him,
and I loved sleeping under his covers and on his pillows. His smell was
everywhere. I rolled over and tried to see the clock. I sat up a little
trying to focus my eyes. The bedroom door opened a crack, and Brian's mom
stuck her head in. She put her finger up to her lips, signaling me to be
quiet, then smiled and shut the door. I looked over to the clock and seen
that it was 7:30.  I lay back down and began to think. These past weeks
have been so great. For the first time in my life I found what was
missing. I turned my head towards Brian and just watched him sleep. It was
Brian. That's what I had been missing. He was now such a big part of my
life. Everyday when I got up, he was the first thing I thought about. At
night, he was the last thought that went through my head before sleep took
over.


	 I don't know how long I laid there starring at him. I loved to
watch him sleep. He looked so peaceful. I just felt so much love for him. I
could no longer imagine life without him. I reached over, closing my eyes,
and ever so gently kissed his cheek. I opened them once again, and just
stared down at him. I wondered what it would be like to be loved by him, to
have someone love me as much as I loved him. I slowly backed away and
smiled. I propped my head up with my hand and just watched him sleep.  That
moment seemed to stand still for me. Im not sure how much time had passed,
when he started to stir. His eyes seemed to slowly come in focus, and he
looked strangely at me.

"Morning buddy, sleep good last night?"

"Yeah." He stretched and just kind of rolled over and looked at me. "How
long have you been awake?" I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

"Don't know buddy, awhile I guess."

"So what have you been doing, just laying here waiting for me to wake up?"

"YEP." He smiled at me and shook his head.

"Weirdo."

"Weirdo, what you talking about, Im no weirdo. Did you know that you do
this funny thing with your nose when you sleep?" I was starting to smile,
but held back from laughing.

"See, see what I mean. You are a weirdo"

I couldn't hold it back anymore and just started to snicker a little. "Well
true, but at least I don't do that funny thing with my nose"

"Damn, you even wake up as a smart-ass. I'll bet you even dream smart-ass
things?"


	 This got me laughing, and he started to giggle a little too. His
voice was a little horse in the morning. Even though it sounded a little
groggy. That laugh could always make me shiver and tighten up. I wish I
could have only bottled that laugh. He sat up real fast and looked around.

"What time is it anyways?"

I too sat up. "I don't know." I looked at him while he stretched to see the
clock. He was only wearing a pair of Boxers. I loved the way he looked in
Boxers. I can't imagine anyone looking better. His smooth skin was pure
perfection. The way his body moved was like watching a sculpture come to
life. I always thought that if Michelangelo had seen Brian. He would have
sculpted him instead of David.

"Damn dude, we have to get moving." He jumped out of bed. I could see by
the front of his shorts he had the ole morning wood working. I wanted to
say something, but didn't.  Instead I just gasp to myself. This was the
first time since I had met him, which I finally had a clue to what lay
beneath those shorts. WOW. I kind of just lay there for a second and
stared. He ran out the door to the bathroom. I think I was daydreaming when
he walked back in the room.

"Come on you bum. You going to stay in bed all day long?" I rolled over on
my back and placed my hands behind my head.

"Well come to think of it, I am kind of comfortable. I think I will just
stay here. I didn't really want to drive all the way to Green Bay today
anyways."


	 Well that was the wrong thing to say. Once again he seen weakness
in my position and attacked. I recoiled in reaction to him landing on top
of me. I loved the feel of his body on top of mine. The smoothness of his
skin was like running your fingers though fine silk. I quickly reversed the
position and was now looking down at him. When I rolled over on top, I hit
his eye with my elbow. He winced in pain; I stopped in fear of him being
hurt.

"Damn buddy, im so sorry. I didn't mean... I stopped and didn't say another
word. I was just looking at him trying to figure out if I had hurt him. He
pulled his hand back and kind of blinked his eye several times.

"Its O.K., you just grazed me a little. I'll be fine." I sat there
motionless. As his eye came back into focus he looked up at me and
smiled. I think he was trying to let me know he was O.K. I just stared into
his eyes and didn't move. I had this overwhelming desire to reach down,
place my hands on his face and gently place a kiss on his lips.  I was
overcome by desire at that moment. I wanted more than anything to share my
love with him. I reached down with my hand and gently caressed the side of
his cheek.  Looking deep into his eyes, I saw something. I got scared, and
quickly pulled my hand back.


	 "You sure you are O.K.?"

"Yeah im fine." He said it almost in a whisper.

I slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed. My head was spinning from
the rush of emotions I just had. I wanted so badly to tell him. Tell him
more than anything how much I... I loved him. Yes, to tell him that I loved
him.

"Scott" he said in broken whispered voice"

I turned and looked at him. He had almost a pained look on his face. I
tried to figure out what that look meant.

"Yeah" I said just as quietly.

"Do you like me?" he said this while he turned his head and looked away.

"What?" I think I was more shocked than anything else.

"Do you like me?"

"Well of course I like you. What would make you ask a question like that?"
He paused for a second and turned to face me once again.

"I just wanted to know if you liked me, or felt sorry for me?" I sat there
stunned by this question. I guess this was the last thing I ever thought he
would ask me. I turned around on the bed and faced him. I sighed. I felt
like I had failed him somehow.

"Brian, I don't come over here and see you everyday, or call you all the
time cause I feel sorry for you. I am here cause you're the best friend I
could ever want, or wish to have."

"Yeah." He looked up at me and kind of smirked a little.

"Yeah." I smiled back.


	"Well I want to give you something." He jumped up and walked over
to his Dresser and opened the bottom drawer. Reaching in he pulled out a
sack. Walking back over he handed it to me.

"Here, I got this for you. I was wanting to give you something, but I felt
like it was stupid."

"Why did you think it was stupid?"

"Cause you have given me so much. I mean look at everything you got me for
my Birthday. All I got you was this." He sat down next to me, and waited
for me to open the sack.

"I don't know what to say. You know you didn't have to get me anything?" He
smiled and I opened the sack. I pulled out a package that was wrapped in
red tissue paper. I looked up at him and smiled. He had a very eager look
on his face awaiting my reaction.

"Thanks Buddy, I don't have one of these. Really you shouldn't have." I
said in my best sarcastic voice.

"Shut up and unwrap it will you." He smiled and then got an antsy look on
his face.

I held the package for a second. I didn't want this moment to end too fast.
This was a gift from Brian. As far as I was concerned, it could have been a
pair of Big Bird slippers. I wouldn't have cared. It was from the person I
loved, and meant more than anything.


	I reached down and kind of caressed the package. I could tell he
was getting anxious for me to open it. I slipped my finger in the edge of
the paper and ripped it open.  My eyes scanned the contents and realized
that it was a book. I flipped it over.

"Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe"

"I hope you like it." He just sat there and looked at me.

"Like it?" I said in cracked voice. "I love it. Thanks." I reached over and
gave him a hug.  It was a hug of love for me. I let my hand caress his back
while I held him.  He felt better than any words could describe. I almost
felt like I could have cried.  I was so happy that my emotions went into
overdrive.

"I was hoping that you would like it. I love his poems; they are so deep
and mysterious.

I just sat there and held the book. The front cover had a picture of a
Raven on it.

"I had to read one of his poems in class. I know I will love it. Thanks
Brian. I really like it a lot." I sat there and held it. I looked up at him
and smiled.

"I just wanted you to know that I... Well I like you and..." He paused and
kind of looked down at his feet. It was so cute when he got shy. I wanted
so badly to tell him how much I loved him.  I wanted him so badly to tell
me that he loved me also. I waited, and nothing.  Maybe I was hoping for
too much. I finally broke the silent tension in the room.


	 "Well buddy, I like you too. Does this mean we are gonna go jump
in a warm shower together?"  I leaned over and bumped him with my
shoulder. He just looked up at me and rolled his eyes.

"I was going to write something in the front cover." He paused for a
second, and fiddling with his hands a little. "I just didn't know what to
write. Someday I will know, and then I will write in it."

"Well I tell you what. If we don't get a move on it, we are going to have
all weekend HERE to think about it. Are you ready to blow this pop stand?"

"HELL YEAH lets hit the road."

With that said we both jumped up and started to get ready to leave. I
reached down and grabbed my bag, and started digging for something to
change in to. I looked up just in time to see Brian drop his Boxers. He
turned and opened a dresser drawer, grabbed a clean pair and started to
pull them on. I know I was staring. I couldn't help it.  He was just so
beautiful. I cannot put into words what I saw, or what my mind was thinking
at that moment. I felt dizzy. I turned quickly away with his image frozen
in my mind.


	 I didn't deserve him. He was too good for me. What was I thinking?
You're out of your league on this one Scott. These thoughts kept going
through my mind.  Maybe if I would have saved a busload of kids from a
burning building or something.  Then maybe God would have rewarded me with
someone as perfect as him. This weekend was going to be harder than I
thought. I had to stay in control. I have to remember that Brian is my
friend. He just likes me as a friend. I kept repeating this over, and over
in my mind.

"Come on Dude, I cant wait to get out of here."

I turned; he was dressed and ready to go. He had his hat turned
backwards. I loved it when he wore it that way. His face looked so angelic.

"All right, hold your horses."

We made our way downstairs and his mom handed us each a sack lunch. She
kissed Brian, and told him to be good. He looked at me and I could tell he
was embarrassed.  I walked over to his mom and stuck my cheek out and asked
where mine was.  She smiled and just shook her head.

"I feed you, and I board you. I think that's enough."

I acted like my feelings were hurt, and Brian just laughed. This now got me
laughing.  Brian ran out the front door and I was walking behind him. His
mother grabbed my arm and stopped me. She reached over and kissed me on the
cheek.

"You two be careful this weekend. If you have any problems, call."

She handed me her Cell phone and I walked out the door. I jumped in the
truck, and we just looked at each other. Smiles broke out on our faces at
the same time. I started my truck and we headed out.


	 We drove down the road in a perfect blend of chatter and
silence. He reached over and grabbed the book he gave me. Opened it and
started to read. We had been driving for about three hours and I wanted to
stop before I hit Chicago. I pulled over into a gas station and announced
that it was break time. I filled up with gas and we both hit the
restroom. The ride continued into Chicago. We both marveled at the city
skyline and how big everything was. The traffic passed us, as if he were
standing still. No matter how fast I drove, we always seemed to be in every
ones way. Once through Chicago, I breathed a sigh of relief. We were in
Wisconsin and quickly making our way to our final destination.  The time
seemed to pass quickly. We both sat and talked about everything and
nothing.  That was one of the things I loved about Brian the most. We could
talk about nothing.  There just seemed to be an unspoken ease between
us. Neither one of us felt like we had to entertain the other, we were just
content being together.


	 Finally we were getting close to reaching Green Bay. My butt was
asleep, and my legs were getting cramped from driving for so long. We
followed the directions to the Hotel, and pulled into the parking lot. Off
in the distance we could see Packer Stadium. I have always been a Football
fan and this seemed to be like the Holy Shrine of Stadiums.  The history of
Packer Stadium was second only to Yankee Stadium of Baseball lore.
Thoughts of Vince Lombardi were in my mind as I walked in to the Managers
office to check in. I gave him the confirmation number, signed a paper and
got our key. I walked outside, jumped in the truck, and threw Brian the
key. Driving down to our room for the night, I suddenly felt a little
anxious. We unpacked our stuff, and made our way to the room. We walked in
and the first thing that caught my eye. There was one king size bed.  I
felt a little nervous at first to our impending sleeping arrangement. I
wondered what Brian was thinking. Would he feel uncomfortable about this? I
mean we had slept in the same bed before, but it was always by chance, and
never by design.


	 I studied his face for any reaction, there seemed to be none
there. We closed the door and he called out.

"I get this side." He quickly made his way to the side of the bed closet to
the window.

I walked over and fell back on the bed. I was beat, and tired from the
drive. My butt was numb, and my legs felt like lead. I glanced over at the
clock on the nightstand. I seen we still had almost four hours before game
time. According to the Hotel Manager, the rink was a little over a mile
away. I announced to Brian I was going to lay here for a second and relax.

"Go ahead dude, I will sit here and read a little. Im still too fired up."

I lay there with my arm draped over my eyes. Letting all the tension from
the drive leave my body.

"What is your favorite poem of Poe's?" I rolled over on my side as I asked
him this. He thought for a second.

"Hhhmmm, I don't know." Thinking for a second. "I guess it depends on the
mood im in.  What poem did you read for school?"

"We read The Raven." I rolled back over and closed my eyes. He opened the
book and began to read me The Raven. The words seemed to create haunting
visions of a dark and mystic room. I remember him reading softly, I drifted
off to sleep to the sound of his voice.........




	 I sat on the edge of the picnic table with my head buried in my
hands. I remembered him reading the poem to me. His voice still to this
day, echoes through my mind. Those words haunt my memories.



               Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an
unseen censer
               Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted
floor.
               "Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee--by these angels
he hath
               sent thee
               Respite--respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;
               Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost
Lenore!"
               Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."




	 With this passage going through my mind I did not here him
approach. With my head still buried in my hands, he walked up and stood
beside me. I became startled, and jumped. Standing before me was my Skater
friend, in his hand was my backpack.

"Hey dude, did you lose this?"

I looked down at his hand and a wave of relief swept through my body. I
sighed out loud.

"Yes. I thought I had lost it forever." I looked up and stared into his
eyes. They seemed so familiar, yet different.

"Well you said you were going to be out here. I was just bumming around and
came over here to find you. When I got here all I found was this. I thought
it was yours, so I grabbed it before someone else did."

I reached out and he handed it to me. I felt as if a part of me had been
restored. I grasped it tightly. My hand was shaking a little. I set it down
on the table and just stared at it.

"You going to check to make sure everything is there?"

I looked up at him, and didn't really know what to say. Did I send some
message of distrust to him?

"Why? I trust you."

"Trust me, you don't even know me. Why would you trust me?"

I thought for a second, and motioned for him to have a seat. He stood and
looked at me for a second. I think he was trying to figure me out. Finally
he sat down on top of the picnic table a few feet away. He reached in his
pocket and offered me a smoke.

"Here dude, I owe you one"

I reached over and grabbed it. I stuck it in my mouth, and reached in my
pocket to grab my lighter. I hesitated, and took the cig out of my mouth.

"I think it's time we introduced ourselves. My name is Scott, what's
yours?"  I lit my smoke and looked over at him.

"Eric. My name is Eric" His eyes stayed focused on the ground. Not once
looking up at me.

Well Eric, as far as I know you have never given me a reason not to trust
you. Would you feel better if I did?" I looked at him for a reaction. He
looked up and kind of shrugged his shoulders.


	 He did not answer me. We sat there and silently smoked, neither
one of us wanting to break the silence first. I stared out at the lake
again. The breeze had seemed to all but quiet down. Now there was just a
silence in the air that could only be described as peaceful. The silence
was broken, his voice softly asking me.

"So, who's Brian?"


Thanks for reading. I hope I have not left you hanging too long between
Chapters. I just needed a break. I will get the next one out in a day or
two. As always I love to get your E- Mails. I have made so many new
friends.  "From Fresno to New Zealand, I love you all."