Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:32:32 -0500
From: perti@live.com
Subject: Dermot II, Chapter 7

This story is fiction.  Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is
purely coincidental.  These stories have as their main character a sexually
active gay teenager.  If this is offensive to you, or if it is illegal in
your area, or if you are under age, please leave now.

There is a religious element in these stories.  If you don't like that,
maybe now is a good time to leave.

Constructive criticism is welcome on my e-mail at perti@live.com.

____________________________________________________________________


Dermot II
Chapter 7, Mike

     As their English teacher approached with her son in tow, Lando and
Dermot studied the boy.  The youngster reluctantly accompanying his parent
was small, looking as though he belonged in grade five or six rather than
in high school.  He was probably short of five foot, and looked as though
the wind would blow him away, he was so slight.  He had rather long, dirty
blond hair, brown eyes, and a boyish face which made him look both
attractive and vulnerable at the same time.

     "Hello, boys," Mrs. Mattingly hailed them.  "Thank you for waiting.
This is my son, Michael.  I would appreciate it if you would give him some
pointers to help him adjust to the situation here at Baltimore.  He doesn't
seem to have made any friends, and the year is almost over."

     The boy turned red at that, clearly embarrassed by his mother's
comments.

     "Hi, Mike, I'm Lando, and this is Dermot," Lando said in his outgoing
manner, trying to make the newcomer feel more comfortable.

     The boy looked pleased at being called Mike.  He grinned back, which
made him look quite attractive.  "Hi," he kind of mumbled, and stuck out
his hand.

     "Now go on, Michael, speak up," Mrs. Mattingly urged.

     'Mothers!' Lando sighed silently.  Recognizing the boy's discomfort
with his mother hovering, he suggested, "How about coming over to my place,
Mike?  We can play a few games or something, and maybe talk some.  I'll
take you home after."

     "Oh, that would be so far out of your way, Lando," Mrs. Mattingly
objected.

     "Lando just got his license a few weeks ago and wants to show off his
car," Dermot teased.  "The farther to your place the better as far as he's
concerned."

     Lando punched Dermot's shoulder, but that seemed to do the trick.  It
was agreed that Mike would go with the other two boys, and Lando would take
him home later.  He seemed relieved when his mother turned away.  With a
sigh, he felt he owed an explanation.

     "My mom's okay, but some time she's kind of smothering, you know."

     "Goes with being a mom," Lando said, accepting the assessment.  "So,
you're a freshman?  First thing you need to know is you have to always be
very respectful to your superiors, like us sophomores."

     Mike grinned.  "Got that way last fall.  Haven't noticed the superior
part, though."

     "Oh, a smartass.  What are we going to do with him, Dermot?"

     "We'll have to take him back to your place, ply him with Aunt Carrie's
snacks, then beat the socks off him in the rec room."

     "You are the reigning champion at the X-box," Lando admitted, "so I'll
allow you to slaughter this upstart frosh in the most cruel and devious
manner possible."

     "You guys are crazy," Mike giggled.

     "Only north by northwest," Dermot quoted from HAMLET.

     By that time, they had walked to Lando's Mustang, where they found
Emily waiting impatiently.

     "Where have you guys been?  I've been waiting for hours," she
complained.

     "Oh, really?" Lando returned.  "Since it's not quite three-thirty yet,
you must have skipped your last class or two, then."

     Emily stomped her foot.  "You know what I mean.  Hi, Mike."

     The abrupt change of topic seemed typical of Emily.

     "Do you two know each other?" Lando asked, as they all piled into the
car.

     "Oh, sure.  Mike's in my algebra and French classes," Emily replied,
as Mike nodded assent.  "He's my chief rival," she added.

     "Rival?" her brother asked.

     "Mike is the only one with a better grade than me in algebra, but I
think I'm ahead in French.  What's your average in French, Mike?"

     Mike did a quick calculation in his head.  "98.6," he replied.

     "Good.  I'm 99.1." Emily declared with some satisfaction.  "What are
you doing with my retarded brother and his friend?"

     "They invited me to come over to your place to play some games," Mike
answered.

     "Well, good.  Dermot needs to get in more play.  My mom said so.  He
holed up in his room all last week doing school work.  Even Lando had
trouble getting him out, and he's his boyfriend."

     "EMILY!" Lando yelled.

     "Well, you are, aren't you?  Are you gay, too, Mike?" Emily blithely
went on.  "Hanging around with Lando and Dermot sure makes it look that
way."

     Lando gritted his teeth.  "My sister is very clever, but has not an
ounce of tact," he muttered.

     "What?" she questioned.  "Did I say something wrong?"

     "It's okay," Mike said.  "I kind of knew the situation, 'cause my mom
told me about Lando and Dermot coming out during her class period.  That
must have been awesome, and it's why she decided I need to meet you guys.
But, to answer your question, Emily, I think I'm gay, but I'm not sure."

     "Oh, yeah, I heard about that class.  I want to ask you guys about
this coming out thing," Emily insisted.

     But by this time, Lando had steered the car into the carriage house.
Contrary to his normally careful driving, he was surprised he got everyone
home safely, as he was so distracted by Emily's bluntness that he almost
lost control of the vehicle twice on the short trip.  He avoided Emily's
queries, insisting that they suspend all discussion of gay topics until
after snacks.  "And after I put some duct tape over Emily's mouth," he
added.

     She stuck out her tongue at him, and raced off to the house.

     Dermot had been quiet on the way home, not because he was upset or
anything, but because he loved to watch the interaction between Lando and
his siblings.  He almost ached with the desire to have that kind of
relationship with family, but knew it was impossible in his case.

     Aunt Carrie seemed absolutely delighted to have someone else to feed,
so snacks appeared immediately.  However, Lando was unable to stick by his
resolution to avoid all gay topics until later.  Well before they had
finished their snacks Sandy Lyle entered the room, as she usually did when
the children arrived home, and greeted them.  Lando introduced Mike
Mattingly as his English teacher's son, so he was welcomed.  But then Sandy
insisted that Lando come aside for a moment.

     "I just got off the phone with Mrs. Mulvihill.  It seems her son Brian
had an interesting story to tell her when he got home," she began.

     "Mom, Brian made some homophobic remarks in Mrs. Mattingly's class,
and I answered him.  That's all."

     "Not the way I heard it.  Did you announce to the entire class that
you and Dermot were gay, and were sex partners?"

     "No!  Not the sex partners bit!  You know I observe abstinence during
Lent, like everyone else in our family.  But, well, I guess I did admit I
was gay.  I was so angry with Brian and a couple of other guys, I got
carried away.  But I didn't say anything about Dermot, either.  He more or
less made his own announcement."

     Sandy was quiet for a couple of minutes.  "Well, your version sounds
more like what I might expect.  You do realize that this will cause trouble
at school?"

     "Yes, Mom.  We'll handle it," Lando said more confidently than he
felt.  "Um, what did you tell Mrs. Mulvihill?"

     "Why, I just asked her why she was spreading uncharitable stories."

     Lando burst out laughing.  "Thanks, Mom."  He kissed his mother.

     "Is there some connection between this incident in Mrs. Mattingly's
class and the arrival here of Mrs. Mattingly's son?" Sandy asked.

     "Yeah, there is.  Mrs. Mattingly has been worried lately because Mike
told her and his dad that he thought he might be gay.  So, after class, she
asked Dermot and me to kind of give him the benefit of our experience, as
far as how to act in school, and all, you know."

     "Well, he seems a nice boy.  But you be careful about what kinds of
experiences you share."

     "Mom!  I told you, I'm abstaining.  Besides, Dermot is my boyfriend,
not Mike," Lando objected.

     "Okay.  Okay.  Just be careful."

     By the time Lando returned to the breakfast room, the other three had
completed their snacks.

     "Everything okay?" Dermot asked.

     "Brian's mom called Mom.  I was explaining about what happened in
class.  But yeah, everything's okay."

     "Now everybody knows what happened except me," Emily wailed.

     "She's got a point," Dermot said.  "You know by tomorrow everybody's
going to be talking.  It would be better if Emily knew what really
happened, so she could try to squelch some of the more lurid versions."

     "Oooh, lurid!" Emily eagerly latched onto the word.

     Lando considered.  "You're right, Dermot.  Okay, let's adjourn to the
rec room, and give both these lowly freshmen an account of our adventures
in American Lit.

     Emily and Mike accompanied Lando and Dermot to the lower level, where
they received a blow by blow account, beginning with an explanation of how
it all came up because of the gay aspects of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.  When
they were finished, Mike commented that this was a much more complete
version, but it agreed totally with what his mother had told him.  Emily
seemed eager to go into battle, defending her brother's honor.  She
departed shortly after the explanation was over, with Lando surmising she
would spend most of the rest of the day on the phone with her friends,
relaying the correct version of what happened.

     "Mike, I'm afraid you won't be able to remain anonymous if you
associate with the likes of us," Dermot warned him.

     "I don't care.  I'm tired of not being seen.  I'm still not sure
whether I'm gay or not, but you guys rule!  I'm proud to be your friend."
He stopped, then asked hesitantly, "I am your friend, aren't I?"

     "Sure!  The more friends we have, the better," Lando assured him,
thumping him on the back.  "Especially now."

     Somewhat to the surprise of Sandy Lyle, given his record from last
week, Dermot agreed to spend some down time with Lando and Mike.  For
several hours, they played one game after another, with Mike being
surprisingly good, holding his own against the two older boys.  He
explained that he spent a lot of time alone, so he had practiced a lot.
While playing, they talked.  Mike thanked the other two for coming out in
his mother's class, as he said it seemed to take some pressure off her, and
that would take some off him.  His parents had accepting his revelation
that he thought he might be gay well enough.  There had been no drama, no
recriminations, no hand wringing.  But he knew they were unhappy, maybe
blaming themselves in some way.  He admitted he had done nothing sexual
with anyone, except his hand.  He was not absolutely certain he was gay,
but he found himself definitely leaning in that direction.  He had erotic
thoughts about other guys, and liked gay porn on the net.  And he felt no
sexual attraction to girls.

     "Sounds gay to me," Dermot commented.

     Lando, in his direct manner, told Mike, "If you're hoping to lose your
virginity this afternoon, forget it.  I don't do sex during Lent.  But I'll
be glad to talk about anything you want."

     Mike turned scarlet at that.

     Dermot decided to assert his independence while helping Mike along,
and so, tongue in cheek, intervened.  "Speak for yourself, Lando.  Maybe
I'd like to initiate Mike, and I have taken no vows of abstinence."

     The hurt look on Lando's face immediately caused Dermot to regret
making his joke.  "Hey, buddy, I was just joking.  Like, sometimes you need
to be reminded that I can speak for myself.  But I'm not going to run off
with Mike.  You're my boyfriend."

     Mike commented, "That goes for me, too.  I mean, I can speak for
myself.  No matter what either of you decide, I'm not ready for sex, so
forget it.  I'm not even sure I want sex with either of you."

     "Well, I guess that puts me in my place," Lando commented.  He then
grabbed the unsuspecting Mike and tickled him until he protested that he
was going to pee in his pants if Lando did not stop.

     Laughing, Lando pointed out the way to the basement restroom.  Mike
grumbled that now he completely lost his place in the game they were
playing, but his grin showed he was having a great time.

     Finding that Mike had the same lunch period they did, Lando and Dermot
invited him to join them the next day if he were willing to brave the
stares of their classmates.  He had been sitting alone, he said, as he felt
unsure of himself with other guys.

     "I know," Lando encouraged him.  "You want to sneak a look at
somebody's package, but you're afraid you might get a stiffy, and if they
catch you, they'll beat the shit out of you.  Been there."

     Mike blushed, but nodded agreement.  "I can't imagine you being
afraid, though.  I've seen you around all year, and you always seem to be
in charge," Mike responded.

     "You weren't around last year, when I was a lowly freshman."

     Dermot wondered whether that was a reference to the hurt Aunt Carrie
had mentioned.  He'd have to ask some time when they were alone.

     By the time Mike insisted he had to get home, he was feeling much
better about himself and about school.  Nothing had been decided.  He was
still a virgin, and still not sure he was gay, but he was no longer alone.
And that made all the difference in the world.

     That evening, when Lando appeared to help Dermot with his rehab
exercises, he seemed to have something on his mind.  After only a few
minutes, Dermot confronted him.

     "Okay, boyfriend, what's bothering you?"

     "Well, you know, this afternoon, when you said you hadn't taken a vow
of abstinence ...."

     "Now hold on.  I told you I was joking.  I'm sorry it upset you so
much," Dermot apologized again.

     "Yeah, but you were right, too.  You haven't made any vow of
abstinence, and you're used to having sex, so if you feel you need to, you
know, get some relief, or ...."

     "Listen, boyfriend.  There's sex, and then there's sex.  I got raped.
Then I had sex with customers.  I never had sex with a real partner.  I'm
really looking forward to that, but my real partner is you."

     "Thanks," Lando said, kissing Dermot lightly on the cheek.  Dermot
thought a little more was needed to reassure Lando, so he pulled the other
boy closer, and kissed him on the lips, not passionately, but gently and
considerately.  Lando responded.  It just felt so right to have the other
boy there, kissing him.  Dermot moved one step further, putting his arms
around Lando and hugging him closely.  Yes!  This was right!  This was the
way things were meant to be.  They fit together perfectly.  No matter what
anyone said, this was what was natural for him.  The kisses became more
passionate, with Dermot's tongue finding its way between Lando's lips,
beginning a duel with the other.  As the two boys pressed themselves
against each other, it was also impossible to ignore the fact that they
both very quickly sprang hard-ons.  Dermot pressed his crotch against
Lando's, and began to rub ever so slowly.  Breathing became heavy.

     Then, Dermot pulled back, only slightly, but enough.

     Lando looked confused.

     "I wouldn't want to be the cause of you breaking your vows,
boyfriend," Dermot said, with a note of regret in his voice.  "But I can
wait as long as I know you're there for me."

     "Always.  I'll always be there for you, Dermot."

     "Tell you what," Dermot said with a grin.  "I'll make my own vow.  I
won't have sex with anyone but you, unless ...."  He paused dramatically.

     "Unless what?" Lando asked apprehensively.

     "Unless you tell me to," Dermot laughed.

     They kissed and cuddled some more, but not as passionately, breaking
up only when Mark came into the library to consult a reference book.  "Get
a room," Mark ordered, then ignored them as they continued to talk quietly,
if a little shamefacedly, appreciating each other's understanding and
thoughtfulness.

     On Tuesday, it seemed that everyone in the entire school knew about
the incident in Mrs.  Mattingly's class, and about Lando and Dermot coming
out.  Some people avoided them in the halls, or suddenly went quiet when
they approached.  A few muttered homophobic comments as they went past.
But there were more who smiled at them, spoke encouragingly to them, and
even called them heroes.  Lando's teammate Jason appeared between first and
second periods.  He shook Dermot's hand, explaining, "I've kind of had my
eye on Emily for a while, but when you appeared, I thought you were a rival
for her affections.  I'm glad to find out I was wrong about that."

     "No, my affections are elsewhere, but in the same family," Dermot
joked.

     "Hey, that reminds me, Lando.  You think you could put in a good word
for me?  I mean, we have a dance coming up on Friday.  Does Emily have a
date?"

     "Not as far as I know," Lando replied, "but you'd better ask her right
away.  She hates being taken for granted."

     "Right on!" Jason said, departing to his own class, or perhaps to find
Emily.

     By lunch time both Lando and Dermot were tired of hearing about their
big announcement.  Not quite knowing what to expect, they made their way
through the cafeteria line, then emerged to seek a table.  Dermot mentioned
that, during Current Events, Bob and Nate had not said a word to him.  Now,
looking around, they saw that those two boys were at a table with several
others, with no empty chairs.  They refused to make eye contact, so the
boyfriends made their way towards a free table.  As they did, Mike
appeared.  "You still okay with me sitting with you guys?" he asked.

     "Sure, buddy, if you don't mind being a total outcast," Dermot said
bitterly.

     "I've been an outcast all year.  So what's new?" Mike replied.

     Shortly after they sat down, there was a commotion at one of the other
tables.  Looking that way, they saw a girl stand up, and pick up her tray.
She then came towards them.  Dermot recognized her as being in his History
and Current Events classes, but did not know her name.

     Lando did.  He rose as the girl approached, and said, "Hi, Diane.
What's up?"

     "Do you mind if I sit with you guys?  The people I was sitting with
are mostly Neanderthals."

     "We'd be honored," Lando said, pulling out a chair for her, as Dermot
and Mike also greeted her.

     "Okay, you guys, I'm curious as hell.  Give me the straight story
about what when on in sixth period English yesterday," Diane demanded.

     Remembering that Diane was on the school paper staff, Lando asked,
"Are you asking as a friend, or as a reporter?"

     "Can't I be both?" Diane responded.  "The way I hear it, you were
pretty public yesterday, but there are zillions of versions already.  I can
write a story and give your version of what happened."

     At that point, another student approached.  It was Jason, who asked,
"Anyone sitting here?" and pointed to a vacant chair.

     "Yeah, but he's invisible," Dermot answered.  Mike choked on his food
at that, but Lando said, "Have a seat, teammate.  Diane was just asking
about an interview for the school paper.  Here's the perfect solution.
Jason was in that class, and he's a neutral observer.  Quote him."

     "All right!" Diane replied, pulling out her notebook.

     Over the remaining portion of the lunch period, not only Jason, but
Lando and Dermot too, provided Diane with an account of what happened the
previous day.  They also suggested that she talk to Mrs. Mattingly.  Mike
seconded that suggestion.  Remembering Coach Rockwood's comments the day
before, Dermot suggested interviewing him as well.  Diane was very pleased
with the results, and promised to let the boys see her article before it
went to press.

     As the end of the lunch period approached, several guys who Lando
recognized as members of the football team, got up from a nearby table and,
carrying their trays, headed to the trash bins, passing the table where
Dermot and his friends were still seated.  As they did, one of the guys
held his nose and said, "Peeeyouuu!  What's that horrible smell?"

     "It's the reek of faggotry," another said, and all the boys howled as
though that were the funniest thing ever said.

     As the last boy passed the table, Mike suddenly shot out his foot.
Caught unaware, the boy stumbled, dropping his tray and crashing into the
boy in front of him, who in turn bumped the one in front of him.

     "What's all that noise I hear?" Lando asked.

     "Just a passel of primates," Dermot responded.  "They haven't quite
got the hang of walking upright on their hind legs as yet."

     Mike, Diane, and Jason laughed.

     However, the boy who had been tripped turned towards the table, and
was not laughing at all.  "Which one of you queers tripped me?"

     "Tipped you?" Lando asked.  "Why should we tip you?  You didn't do
anything to earn a tip."

     That only made the boy madder, and he was now backed by his friends.
"You're dead meat, faggot," he proclaimed, as he reached for Mike, who was
the obvious suspect because of his location, and was about to jerk him from
his seat, when a voice of authority spoke.

     "What's going on here?  Why is there trash all over the floor?  And
who was that using discriminatory language?"

     "Um ... ah ... er ... hi, Coach," the hostile boys said.  "We were
just walking by when one of these ... these other students tripped Jack
here," one of them added.

     "Who saw any tripping?" Coach Duvall asked.  "Do we have any
witnesses?"

     "No, Coach.  I didn't see anybody do any tripping.  I think Jack
stumbled over his own big feet," a student at a nearby table volunteered.
That brought forth a round of laughter from the crowd which was gathering.

     Just then, the bell sounded, marking the end of the period.

     "Everyone get to your next class," Coach Duvall said, "except you
guys.  Pick up your trash first.  And I don't want to hear that kind of
language again, or there will be some changes in the roster come fall
line-up."  As Dermot scampered away with his friends, Coach winked at him.

     Lando, meanwhile, addressed the student who had spoken up for them.
"Thanks for the support back there, Eric."

     "Figured us soccer jocks should stick together," the boy replied.

     "Right on!  Can't let the football hulks lord it over us," Jason
agreed.

     Right about then, Mike was feeling really great.  Not only had he
successfully tripped up a football player twice his size and got away with
it, but he had the whole soccer team on his side, even if they did not know
it.  He was one of 'us'.

     Diane evidently knew what he had done.  She said just loud enough to
be heard over the din in the corridors, "You can be dangerous.  I'll have
to watch out for you."

     Mike giggled.