Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2016 17:02:03 +0800
From: jeremymyers111@gmail.com
Subject: Logan - Logan15

This story is a fictional account of what could have been, what should have
been, what never was.

All characters are fictional and any resemblance to real people or places
is purely coincidental.

Jeremy Myers is a pseudonym so please don't go looking for him on social
media.

Constructive criticism always welcome.

jeremymyers111@gmail.com

And don't forget, without Nifty none of this could happen so give until it
hurts!

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Logan 15

We went into the shower and washed each other, punctuated with much kissing
and holding and hugging. I was still drying Logan when the phone rang. I
dashed out to the bedroom and picked it up .  "Howdy."

"Hey Jeremy, you guys up?"

"Yeah, we're showered and just getting dressed now."

"Oh, OK, good. I just have to shower and we can go then, come down in 10
minutes, OK?"

"Sure Dad, no probs."

Logan had finished drying himself and was looking through our pile of
cloths for something to wear. He put on the shorts and tee I had worn at
dinner. OK, that was different, I liked the idea though; I found his kit
from last night and put that on. As was always the case when we were
together, underpants were an unnecessary hindrance.

By the time we had cleaned our teeth, repacked my bag and made out again
the ten minutes had come and gone so we checked the room hurriedly,
laughing at the stains on the sheets, and walked out locking the door
behind us. We headed down to room 112 and knocked on the door. Dad answered
quickly and asked us to come in and take a seat. We both walked in and sat
on the edge of his bed. The room smelt of Old Spice, my Dad's favourite
aftershave. Like he had the night before in our room, Dad grabbed the desk
chair and sat in front of us.

"OK, right. Umm, before we get on the road I need to tell you boys a few
things. Firstly, after we got back last night I rang home and talked a few
things over with your Mum, Jeremy. She was very proud you made that offer
to Logan and agreed, we will do what we can to help. As it happened Logan,
your Mum was also there, talking to my Pam, and that's what I need to talk
to you about. I had a very long chat to her about this predicament we have
found ourselves in and she was very candid with me.

"She is very, very happy that you are OK and that you are heading back to
Perth with friends, safe and sound. She asked me a few times about your
relationship with Jeremy and each time I told her that she needed to talk
to you about that, that whatever the answers, she needed to talk to you
about them, not me. You will need to tell her Logan, as soon as you can."

Logan had taken my hand, he was sitting to the right of me and now leaned
slightly into me, as if needing my support. I watched him carefully.

"Now, Logan, I am going to tell you a couple of things which you need to
know. They are perhaps not what you want to hear and you may think me awful
to say them but you need to know. You have serious decisions to make, son,
and I think the next seven or eight hours in the car will be well used in
thinking about it all and making some decisions. These are your decisions,
not Jeremy's or mine, we will help if we can but only you can decide."

"OK Jack, go on." Logan sounded a touch vulnerable and I squeezed his hand,
trying to reassure him.

"Your Mum was quite clear with this Logan, she loves you very much, nothing
you do or say will ever change that. But she wants you to know, that she
has two more children to take care of and she needs to think of them
too. She will support you no matter what though, even if she is not there
for you. I got the feeling, Logan, that she had already come to the
conclusion that you would not be going back to Melbourne with her. And then
there's your Dad. Logan, he will take you back and put this episode behind
you all, as if it never happened. But there are provisos I'm afraid."

Logan squeezed my hand and leaned into me even more. I placed my left hand
over our hands and continued to watch him.

"If you go back to Melbourne, Logan, then you must never do this sort of
thing again, nor must you ever contact or see my Jeremy ever again, at
least, not so long as you remain under your Dad's roof. If you remain in
Perth then, and I'm really very sorry to say this Logan, then he will have
only one son, you will cease to be a part of his life."

Logan's head went down and I thought that he would surely break
down. Instead he took a deep breath and straightened up, looking my father
in the eye.

"To be honest, Jack, this is about what I expected. I never left Melbourne
thinking everything would just be all well and good. I hoped it wouldn't
come down to it, but if that is how he wants it then so be it.

"He has not given me a choice, there is no decision to make, I'm staying in
Perth, I'm staying with the love of my life."

He looked at me and smiled, I smiled back; if Dad had not been there I
would have hugged him.

Looking back to my father he said "Dad has always pushed me, forced me to
be a better student, and for that I am grateful. But he also tried to make
me someone I'm not. He tried to control all facets of my life. Now it's
time for me to control my life sir, to be Logan Phillips, on my terms, my
way. And I want, I need, Jeremy by my side for that."

"Very well Logan. If that's your decision, then so be it.  You know you can
count on my family to assist. One final thing, have you thought more about
Jeremy's offer?"

I held my breath, I found myself nervous, I should have asked Logan earlier
really. I looked at Logan, hoping.

"I have, it is a very generous offer from the man I love and I would have
expected nothing less from him." He was looking at me as he said this,
sincerity all over his beautiful face. "I accept the offer Jeremy, and I
will put in as many hours working as I possibly can; but my pay will not be
saved, it will go into our general funds and we share whatever costs we
can, we will save, maybe for our own place, but it will be a joint effort,
mate. OK?"

"That sounds perfect Logan, absolutely perfect." We couldn't help it, we
hugged tightly. Dad stayed, watching us intently.

"OK boys, well done. And now, I think we should be heading back. Logan,
your mum will be coming up to our place around 3.00. We should be back by
2.30 or thereabouts, OK?"

"Thanks Jack, thank you for everything."

"Not a problem."

We all walked out of the room and Dad closed and locked the door. I put the
bags in the boot as Logan jumped into the back of the Ford, and I sat in
the front with Dad driving. Logan sat on the right side so I could turn
around and we could talk easily.  (remember, Australia drives on the left,
so the driver is on the right).

The first leg of our journey home would be short, we would be stopping in
the next town west, Coolgardie, for breakfast. It didn't take long, about
30 minutes and we found a little café open. And what a breakfast it
was. We all had the Miners Special, eggs your way, hash browns, mushrooms,
tomatoes, toast, a big fat sausage and beans. All washed down with
wonderful coffee.

40 minutes later we were on the road again, all barely able to move with
totally full stomachs. I let go a massive burb and Logan followed. Dad
tried, but failed, he couldn't keep up with the professionals.

Logan and I passed the time talking about university and what he wanted to
study as an undergraduate. He hoped his Tertiary Entrance Exam results and
his entrance rank would get him into his first choice of Bachelor of
Commerce majoring in Finance or perhaps Marketing. If he didn't get into
Commerce, then hopefully he could do one year in Arts and transfer in 1977.

These were exciting times for us. Dean Charles' kind offer to train and
guide me into the ins and outs of Castledean's business, Logan heading off
to uni. Together with our committed relationship we were on top of the
world. Of course, Logan was yet to be accepted, we would know in the next
week or so, and we still had the whole rent versus something else stuff to
deal with but we both felt confident we could work them out.

By 2.00 we were in the eastern suburbs of Perth and we pulled into home
right on 2.25. Barry came bounding out, followed by Mum and there were hugs
and cuddles all round.

Logan hung in the background until Mum said "And Logan, welcome back to
Perth and perhaps to our family, we are very happy to have you." She
approached Logan and hugged him, I'm not sure if he knew what to do but he
didn't forget his manners. "Thanks Mrs, um, Pam, I couldn't think of a
better family to be a part of."

"Excellent. Have you boys had lunch? No? Then come on in, I've made some
pasties and sausage rolls for you all." We grabbed our bags from the car
and went inside, it was substantially cooler in Perth than where we had
come from, the sea breeze freshening things up nicely.

We were just finishing up when Mrs Phillips knocked on the back door. Dad
went out and let her in and she came through to the kitchen. Logan got up
from the table and hugged his Mum, kissing her on the forehead. They went
through to the lounge to talk privately and I closed the doors behind them.

We cleaned up the lunch things and I took Barry outside and played fetch
with him for a while. Whatever was happening in the lounge was between
Logan and his Mum, his family, and there was nothing more I could do or
say. Mum and Dad too had been in deep conversation when I took Barry out
and it didn't take a rocket scientist to know they would be discussing
Logan and I. Barry was puffed out so I left him in the shade of the big
tree, reminiscing on all the times Logan and I had fooled around under it.

I went inside and went up to my room to unpack my bag, the dirty stuff,
including Logan's, I took out to the laundry and, since there were a few
other things ready, I put a load on. Mum and Dad were sitting at the
kitchen table talking quietly and I joined them. 4 o'clock had come and
gone and still no sign of Logan or his Mum, there was much to talk about
for sure. Finally, about 4.30 the doors opened and they both came through
to the kitchen. Both looked as if they had been crying.

"Hi Mrs Phillips." I said, not having had a chance to do so on her arrival.

"Hello Jeremy, you well?"

"Yes, thank you." I didn't really know what else to say at that point.
"Would you like a tea or coffee Beth?" asked Mum.


"Yes thanks Pam, a coffee would be good, thank you."

Her and Logan sat down at the table, Logan next to me. He groped under the
table for my hand which had been on my knee, found it and held it tight. I
squeezed back.

"Who else wants a cup?"

We all said yes, so Mum busied herself making the coffee and slicing up
some of her very moist fruit cake.

"Now then, Jeremy."

I looked at Mrs Phillips and Logan squeezed my hand. This was going to be
interesting.

"Logan and I have had a long chat, a very honest and revealing talk about
why he ran away, about how he feels and, most importantly, about his
relationship with you. My son tells me that you boys have been together for
some time now and that it is quite serious; that you have both made
commitments to one another and that you love one another."

No question about that.

"He also tells me that you want to live together and that it is your
intention to support my son while he goes to university. And on top of
that, you have found him a part time job."

"Yes, that's all true Mrs Phillips, all of it."

"Well, all I can say to you, Jeremy, is thank you. It is a very fine thing
you intend to do; you are quite obviously a very caring, considerate and
generous person and my Logan would be hard pressed to find someone
better. To be honest with you, I have always thought of you as good person,
my son was a much happier boy when you two became friends. And I did
suspect that perhaps you boys were a lot closer than you both were letting
on; you did spend a lot of time together after all.

"I am very happy that it's out in the open now. I am very proud of you
both, never doubt that.

"Logan's Dad, well, he just can't understand the complexities of the
situation. Logan is the eldest son and, rightly or wrongly, he expected
Logan to be nothing but perfect and to lead his siblings by example. He
loves Logan and really just wants the best for him but, unfortunately, is
not prepared to compromise, not prepared to veer from what he believes to
be the right path. I sincerely hope that, once he sees how well you boys
are doing, and I have no doubt you will both do well in whatever you choose
to do, then he will accept both Logan and you for who you are and welcome
you both into his life. If he doesn't then, I think, sadly, it will be his
loss.

"In the meantime, I am not going to force Logan back home, Jeremy. Quite
simply it is not the right thing to do for him.  He deserves happiness and
I think, with you, he has found it. So don't worry, you're not the one who
is going to lose Logan. He is going to have a new family now; my beautiful
son gets to have two families, Jeremy. And I don't think he could have
wished for a better second family than yours, I know you will take good
care of him."

"Thank you Mrs Phillips, we will most certainly look after Logan. He means
the world to me." I hesitated and looked at Logan; he just nodded and
squeezed my hand tighter.

"So with that in mind, and with you all together like this, we want you to
know, that, yes, Logan and I did indeed make a commitment to each other,
two years ago, to never be with anyone else, we have and will continue to
stand by that commitment. We love each other and I give myself to him
completely and utterly as I know he does for me.

"I know the sacrifice you are making Mrs Phillips, I really do, and I thank
you for giving me the privilege of being with your son."

Things were quiet for a moment as everyone took a deep breath and absorbed
the conversation that had taken place over the last few minutes. Dad
finally broke the silence.

"Personally boys, and I think your Mums will agree, all I have ever seen
between you both, right from when we first met you Logan, is a very happy,
honest and genuinely trusting friendship. Now, well I seriously believe
that we are looking at a very solid, committed and caring relationship. I
wish you both nothing but the very best."

Dad took a deep breath before going on.

"Now about living together. We may have an option that will save you some
cash I think. Pam and I are heading to Europe in April, for three months,
so obviously the house will be all yours at that time. You need to be here
for your dog anyway Jeremy." Ah yes, the other boy in my life. "We were
also thinking of buying a caravan and joining the grey nomads up north
every year during winter. We thought maybe, if we buy the van sooner rather
than later, that you two might at least consider sleeping in the van but
living in the house, if you know what I mean. You would have to pay board
and do chores but it would save you a small fortune.

"And, whatever you guys save for a deposit on your own place, say over 2 or
3 years then we will match it. What do you say?"

Sleeping in a caravan, away from everyone in the house, a double bed, our
own private quarters, it seemed a pretty good compromise. And Dad was
right, we could save for a deposit and, if they matched us, well that
opened up a whole series of new possibilities.

I looked at Logan and he just smiled that wonderful smile, and
nodded. "Sure Dad that would be excellent. Thank you."

"Yes thankyou Jack, that's a very generous offer sir."

"Boys, I want to help too, financially I mean. When I can I will get money
to you, OK?"

"Thank you Mrs Phillips, all donations gratefully accepted!"

We all had a chuckle at that and sat back, all a little more relaxed, a
little more comfortable in each other's company.

Mrs Phillips, Beth, headed back to Melbourne the next day, New Year's Eve,
promising to pack up all Logan's stuff and send it back as soon as
possible. She had brought a couple of changes of clothes over for him, just
in case he returned to Melbourne, but hardly enough to keep him well
clothed. So, in the meantime, Logan would continue to mostly be wearing my
gear which, to be honest, I kind of found to be something of a turn on.

Despite our protestations, Mum and Dad insisted Logan and I share my bed
and, if we needed to, the bathroom. They would get used to it. This we did,
needless to say our sex was muffled somewhat and to save on the mess, and
the awkwardness it would create, we reverted back to condoms when we needed
to. It wasn't going to be for long. Dad already knew what he wanted, so the
search for a caravan would be short.

New Year's Eve was a great affair, all my family joined us at the family
home and I finally got to introduce my Logan, not as a mate, but as my
partner, my wonderful, loving partner. My family accepted the relationship
for what it was and enjoyed our company just the same.

On New Year's night, Logan and I were sitting outside on the patio, just
shooting the breeze pretty much and enjoying some quiet time together. Mum
and Dad were inside getting ready to go down to Aunt Dots, I had managed to
talk my way out of going, I really just wanted to be with Logan. Once they
were out of the way we would certainly enjoy each other's company. There
was, however, something I needed to talk over with my man, with my partner.

"Logan?"

"Yes J?"

"I just want to say I'm sorry babe, I'm sorry I never said I loved you
before Monday night. It took me a while to understand my feelings for you,
you know? It wasn't that I didn't care about you, fuck, I adored you. I
just needed to understand what exactly it was that I was feeling."

"Jeremy, you can't carry that one alone. I never said it either, despite
adoring you too. Like you, I needed to understand exactly what it was I was
feeling, J.

"I've always known that you and I had a very special bond, a very special
relationship. I mean, once we got past my jealousy, my stupidity, and we
became friends, we've always been there for one another, always respected,
trusted and cared for each other.

`Fuck, we both knew that we adored one another J, that we shared something
special, and for a long time that was enough, that was all that mattered."

"You've never been stupid Logan, never. Don't ever say that about yourself.

"You mean the world to me; you have for as long as we've been friends, well
before we started being physical.

"It's just, well, what I'm trying to say, I tried for months and months to
analyse my feelings, and if I'm totally honest, with myself, with you, then
I knew, back in August, that I loved you. And once I knew, well once I
knew, I realised that I always have loved you, you know? Right from the
start, the seed was there.

"I'm so sorry babe; I should have been strong enough to tell you long
before I did."

 "It's OK, J, there's nothing to be sorry for. If I'm honest, I knew, I
knew that I loved you, most likely for as long as we've been together. But,
just the same as you, I definitely knew for those last few months we were
together J, I loved you and I never said.

"The thing is, Jeremy, those three words, `I love you'; they cannot be
given or accepted lightly. Monday night was the right time, babe, because
we both knew that no-one and nothing would keep us from each other ever
again."

I took his hand.

"Logan, I love you."

"And I love you, Jeremy."


We decided we should go for the camping trip we had planned for December,
despite the weather being pretty hot. We would be together and that was all
that mattered. The day after New Year, I rang Chris and asked him if he
would be at the beach the next day, I needed to talk to him about a couple
of things and would he mind if I borrowed a couple of his surf boards. He
said he would bring them down tomorrow, and then asked if it was true about
Logan.

"Is what true, mate?"

"C'mon dude, my Mum and Logan's Mum, they've been talking Jezza. You and
your old man made a dash to Kal and picked Logan up?"

"Oh, right, yeah that's true Chris, yeah."

"So, you gonna fill me in on the details or what Jeremy?"

Shit. I didn't really want to do this over the phone. Logan and I both
wanted to be there and explain ourselves in person. It was the least we
could do for keeping secrets, for hiding our relationship from Chris, and
so many others, over the last two years.

"Ah mate, not now. We'll see you tomorrow and I promise, we'll tell you
everything. I mean, you'll have all your answers and more Chris, OK?"

"You mean there's more?"

"Tomorrow dude, please?"

"Yeah OK, around ten then?"

"Yep, see you then, mate. And thanks Chris."

"Sure, Jezza."

I hung the phone up. So OK then, the word was out. Well, Chris would know
the full story, the complete and unabridged story, tomorrow. I hoped he
would accept it all, that he would accept Logan's and my relationship, and,
if anyone else from the sanctum was there, then they too would hear the
truth.

I remembered back to Dan's party and how I thought people may kind of know
about Logan and me. I wondered if what we were intending to reveal tomorrow
was already known, that our friends hadn't somehow guessed. Well, if they
had, and they were still talking to us, then that was a good thing, right?


That afternoon Logan, with me in tow, went off to see his grandmother in
her nursing home. He had promised his Mum he would do it as soon as
possible and since we would be heading down south in a couple of days he
decided now would be a good time. Mrs Phillips had made a quick visit
before she headed back to Melbourne but now, with Logan permanently in
Perth, it was up to him to visit her and keep her company. Some of Mr
Phillips' family had been visiting since the poor thing was put in the home
only a week or two before the family departed east but now Logan was numero
uno.

Of course, she was only old, not ignorant or stupid, so she would want to
know why Logan was in town; he decided to tell her the whole story. I had
met both her and her husband a few times in the early days of our physical
relationship so at least she would know who Logan was talking
about. Despite my dislike for nursing homes and hospitals, I readily agreed
to go with my partner and provide support.

We arrived at the nursing home about 2.00 and gave ourselves an hour. We
hoped.

 Mrs Merritt had a private room with en-suite and it all looked comfortable
enough; there was, however, no getting away from that unique hospital type
smell and atmosphere. I hated it.

 Logan reintroduced me, she remembered me, and made small talk for a while
before she started asking the difficult questions. Logan, though, he
handled it well until she piped up with a right pearler that blew both our
socks off.

"Oh, Logan dear, I knew you were homosexual before you did sweetheart. I've
always been able to pick your sort of men. I knew you were too, Jeremy,
right when I first met you, so when you boys started heading out at nights,
well, I knew you would be OK, but I also knew why!"

She raised her eyebrows and smiled luridly.

Logan and I both blushed, then, as she started to laugh, so did we. God
knows what we were laughing at but it did put us at ease. When things
settled, she went on.

"So where are you going to live Logan? Are you staying with Jeremy?"

"Yeah, we're in Jeremy's room at the moment but his Dad is going to buy a
caravan soon and we'll sleep in there, you know, for some privacy."

"In a caravan? Oh, well I'm sure your folks are doing well by you boys,
Jeremy, but can I make suggestion?"

"Of course Mrs Merritt."

"My house is empty, save for all my belongings. Sadly, I'll never be going
back there, at least to live, so, well, I want you boys to enjoy it, you
know move in. No rent, no insurances, no Council rates, just the utilities,
and all you have to do is keep it looking nice. Well?"

"Ahh, Nan, that's really generous; Jeremy and I, we'll need to talk about
this and, well, how will Mum feel about that?"

"You leave your mother to me. She needs to come back and clean the place
out anyway, you boys can help her and make it your home, do as you
wish. When I go, Logan, you get a third share of it anyway dear, along with
your brother and sister. And God knows, they don't need it right now, but
you boys do."

Logan looked at me and I was just grinning from ear to ear, he flashed me
his wonderful smile and looked back at Nan before he cuddled her and kissed
her on the forehead.

"That's bloody brilliant Nan, we both thank you so much."

"Yes, thank you Mrs Merritt, it is a wonderful offer, thank you."

We finished up staying until 5.00, talking and discussing our new plans. It
was all but settled then, Logan's Nan would discuss it with Mrs Phillips as
soon as possible and then, once she could get back from Melbourne to start
cleaning the place out, with our help, we could move in.

It was a beaut house, four bedrooms, large modern kitchen, two bathrooms
including en suite, lounge, dining room, pool room and a swimming
pool. Since Logan had spent so much time there painting, the place was in
good condition and had newly installed carpets and boards. Far out, it was
all falling into place for us, at last.

Or at least until on the way home, when reality began to set in.

"Loges, when I did my budget, when I did all the figures, I only counted on
a small one-bedroom unit, you know, not running an entire house."

"OK J, don't worry yet, we'll go over the figures, check what it costs your
parents to run your place and work it all out. Then, we'll see where we
stand. Heck, there's four bedrooms mate, maybe we can get a boarder or
something."

"Ahhh, yeah, no, rather not."

"No, me either, poor suggestion."

We told Mum and Dad when we got home and they were quite happy for us, no
disappointment at all, and since we were so close we would not be strangers
either, even Barry could come stay with us on weekends or when the folks
were away, maybe even full time. However, there was the small issue of
balancing the books.

After dinner Dad, Logan and I went over all the figures. Logan, being the
math whiz, and me being slightly thick in that department, found a few
errors in my original calculations, despite all my double and triple
checking. I had really overestimated a few items in the expenditure column
but, in the end, my figures came out nearly perfect... for a four-bedroom
house on a quarter acre, just not for a tiny unit.

Admittedly, it was tight, we would need to be careful with our finances,
but it was still better than if we had gone off renting some pokey unit
somewhere. Far out!  Bloody excellent! And we could still save all of
Logan's pay from Saturdays to put towards a deposit on our own house. If he
did some hours through the week, then even better.  Bloody excellent times
two!

Having our own house would be brilliant. We could have a party or two, have
friends over for a swim or dinner or both, dance until we dropped, enjoy
each other whenever the mood took us and just be together. Fuck, life was
grand. I could not believe that a little over a week ago I was falling into
the darkness of despair at a fair rate of knots and had no idea how to stop
myself.


Logan and I got to the beach about tenish, we had, of course, every
intention of breaking our news to Chris while we were there but as we
walked down from the carpark we realised; everyone was there, the whole
crew, the inner sanctum, plus a few of our other classmates. So, word had
got out for sure.

We said hi to everyone, paying particular attention to Chris, Dan and Max,
hugging them, wishing them a happy new year and everything, and then the
questions started.

All and sundry wanted to hear about Logan's road trip and all so I left him
to fill everyone in on his little adventure. While he told his story to
assorted groups and individuals I made my way around the group, wishing
them a happy new year, chatting and, where necessary, apologising to those
I had fobbed off and hurt over December. Everyone understood, no lasting
damage.

When I had finished I wandered over to where Chris, Daniel and Max were
standing, Logan was just wrapping up with a final group and joined us,
standing a couple of metres away to my right with Max between us. Everyone
else was just standing around chatting, swimming or messing about.

"Well boys, it's certainly been an exciting few days for you, aye?" said
Chris.

"Sure has dude. Umm, but why is everyone here Chris, I mean, it's not that
great a deal is it?"

"Ah shit Jezza, you still don't get it do you man?"

"Sorry, what?"

Daniel spoke up. "Jeremy, everyone, I mean everyone, wanted to be sure you
guys were OK, it was kind of a big thing for us, you making a dash to get
Logan, him running away to be back here with you.

"People love you man; they care about you. When are you going to believe
that? They wanted to hear the story but they wanted to be here for you. For
you both."

"Ah sorry, still not getting it." I wasn't, it all seemed a bit of an
overreaction. Sure it was dramatic for Logan and I and our families, but
our friends?

Dan turned to Logan. "Logan, back me up with this; Jezza, if not for you,
man, there would be no crew, no inner sanctum, nothing. You brought us all
together, you're the glue, Jeremy."

"Bullshit."

"He's right J."

"Far out. You too, Loges?"

"Man, really? I watched it happen, J; you made friends with Dan, then Max,
then Chris, Karen, Jenny, and on it went. And everyone made friends with
each other. I watched it happen, J. We were all a part of it. It was, it
was all you and that fucking magic personality of yours."

"Really? I just made friends is all."

"And brought us all together Jezza," said Chris, smiling. "and well,
everyone wanted to be here for you both. I guess we all like a little bit
of drama in our lives and, well, you boys provided!"

During this exchange I had tried to get closer to Logan, I was not really
comfortable with what was happening, being told these things, my modesty, I
guess, refused to accept it.

At last I was close enough and took his hand.


It was intended, it was time. Here, amongst our friends.


"Well fuck me blind, finally." This from quiet Maxy.

"Thank fuck, we've waited for this for, I don't know, like forever." Chris.

"Well done dudes." Daniel.

"Hey guys!" Chris called out to everyone. "look who have finally come out
of the shower stall!"

Say what?!!! Logan and I looked at each other, `what the fuck' I mouthed to
him.

No time for a reply, no time for anything. Chaos reigned. The whole crew
crowded in on us, there was some spontaneous applause I think. Everyone was
saying things like congratulations, not before time, it's great, you broke
my heart Logan but I'm glad its Jeremy, you lucky bugger Jezza! I could go
on, it was overwhelming, incredible, indescribable.

All our friends were there, endorsing us, endorsing our relationship.

And, my suspicions were confirmed. But how the hell did they know?

It took ages, but finally things settled down and it was just Dan, Max,
Chris, Logan and myself again. A few of the crew hovered around, it didn't
worry us, they were mates, all of them.

"Well that was unexpected, and puzzling, and a little too not surprising
for everyone?"

"Ahh, Logan my man," said Chris," you guys thought you were being pretty
clever but we knew, we knew almost from the beginning I think."

Logan and I looked at each other and honestly, what could we say? We held
hands again and Chris went on.

"You can blame Max, can't they Maxy?" He looked at Max and he just smiled
and nodded. "Max here saw you guys down here at some point, I think after
Christmas sometime, at the end of Year 10 it was, and you were further up
the beach than normal. He was on his way to say hi but then you both got up
and headed to the change rooms. He didn't think anything of it and an hour
or so later, you were back with all the crew. Then he saw you the next day
sitting on the wall up there."

Oh shit, really? Just our second day together, shit.

"Anyway he was heading up to say hi, again, and bugger me if you both
didn't disappear into the rooms, again. After you didn't come out for 30
minutes, Max went in."

Once more, Logan and I looked at each other. We thought we were so
clever. Shit oh dear.

"Max told Dan and they decided to keep it hush until I came back from down
south. What was it you said Maxy, when you told me, something like
`Whatever those guys are doing in there they are having a damn sight more
fun than the rest of us put together!'; that's what he said boys."

Oh God.

"Oh come on, don't look like that. We decided not to say anything, the crew
were the only ones who knew for sure and as the founder of our little
group, Jezza, no-one was going to let it out for general consumption. We
all love you man, really we do.

"You broke a few hearts though, the pair of you, both girls and a few guys
I think. I know of a few guys, aye Dan, who would wait for you to head into
the change rooms then sneak in and have a quiet crank listening to you
enjoying yourselves."

Oh shit, oh dear, we were god-damn porn stars. And Dan, dear Daniel? Fuck,
I needed to get my gaydar repaired. Dan just smiled, as if remembering back
to those halcyon days. Gawd.

"Anyway, we were all waiting for you to make it official. We could see what
was happening, once we knew, we could see, you guys were developing
something special, the body language, the looks, the smiles. It was a
wonderful thing.

"My favourite was when you would stand next to each other, both of you
would extend your fingers toward one another, as if trying to hold hands."

That was pretty perceptive of Chris to be honest, we did do that too,
subconsciously I guess, I caught myself a few times extending out my
fingers, stretching toward Logan's.

"And now here you are, finally. We've all been waiting an awful long time
for you boys to tell us." It wasn't a chastisement, Chris was just stating
a fact.

"What can we say, guys? Jeremy and I, well we're totally blown away by it
all. Just can't believe it. Thank you, thank you for accepting us, for
accepting our relationship, you're bloody great friends, all of you, great
mates, fucking legends I reckon. We're sorry that we never told you all, we
just weren't sure, you know? We didn't want to lose any of you."

Max spoke up, "It's cool guys, we've spoken about this, between ourselves,
and we do understand. We put ourselves in your place and realised, it
wouldn't be easy. It took Dan's insight to realise that, very early in the
piece. And we know in some places, it may not be cool to come out. Just,
please, never doubt what you boys mean to us, to all of us. Keep the trust,
keep the faith dudes."

"Thanks Max, thanks heaps man. You guys mean a hell of a lot to us
too. There is, however, just one last little thing we want you to know; ah,
Jeremy and I are moving in together, we're gonna live together and we're,
well, fully committed to one another and J's my partner, that is, we're
partners now, officially, together."

Logan stumbled a little bit over that last bit, but it didn't matter,
everyone around us just smiled, obviously happy for us both.

 "Congratulations dudes, that's great, it really is. We knew you guys would
make it and here you both are. We're fucking proud of you, really, we are.

"Now, Max, Dan and I, maybe a few others, are heading down the pub soon for
some lunch, you boys going to join us? You know, celebrate?"

"Of course, wouldn't miss it guys." One of the local pubs had a huge beer
garden which some of the crew frequented. We would all be legal over the
next 12 months but most of us were currently still underage. The local
didn't care.

We said our goodbyes, which took a fair while, and then we started making
our way back to the car. We would get the surf boards from Chris at the
pub. As we walked up the beach I saw two familiar figures sitting on the
sand not far from the change rooms. I asked Logan to follow me.

I walked up to the two boys.

"Hey there Marcus, you good?"

"Oh, hi Jeremy, yeah all sweet mate, and you?"

"Yes mate, good, you remember my friend Logan here?"

"Yeah, hey Logan." They shook hands. "And this is my mate, David"

 "Hi David." Logan and I both shook hands with him then I looked at Marcus.

"Guys, Logan and I, well, we made very, very good use of that shower
stall." David blushed and Marcus went to protest but I held up my
hand. "It's fine dudes, OK, like I say, Logan and I made really good use of
it. I just want you both to know, there are others out there like you, you
are not alone. If I can do anything to help, anything to support, guide and
assist, I'll be around, look me up, OK?"

The boys looked at each other and both nodded.

"OK, cool. See you both around then."

With that I took Logan's hand and we strolled up towards the carpark.

"What was that all about J?"

"I've been thinking Logan. You and I, we've been really very lucky with the
people we have had around us. You know, Rodney, Miles, Dean and his
partner, Mum and Dad, your Mum, Nan, and all our friends, all our bloody
wonderful friends.

"I feel blessed mate, I really do. If I can help just one couple get
through the maze, then it helps repay all those great people who have
helped us."

Logan stopped and turned to face me, taking my hands into each of his. He
looked at me, our eyes meeting.

"No wonder I love you so much Jeremy."

"I'm nothing without you Logan, never forget that. And I love you too,
babe."


"Always and forever."