Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:55:56 -0400
From: Sequoyah Pendor <sequoyahs.place@gmail.com>
Subject: Saga of the Elizabethton Tarheels, Chapter 63

Saga of the Elizabethton Tarheels
Chapter Sixty-three
Warning: Previous warnings apply.

Again, many thanks to Scott.

Contact Sequoyah at sequoyahs.place@gmail.com

Chapter Sixty-three

Alex was driving and after we had driven less than halfway back, we
approached a fork in the trail. One fork led to the house, the other to the
beach. "How about a swim before we head for the house?" Alex asked.

"Sounds like a winner to me," Justin said and Daniel and I agreed. Alex
took the beach fork and after a short drive, we could see two figures
strolling in the surf, holding hands. When they turned and started walking
in our direction, Justin said, "It's Michael and Sandy." When they saw us,
they started running, but quickly slowed to a fast walk. "I'm sure the two
just realized why planning on biking the day after Sandy arrived was not a
good idea," Justin laughed.

When we reached them, Justin and I jumped from the Jeep and grabbed Sandy
in a bearhug and both kissed him on the cheek. Michael then introduced him
to Daniel and the two shook hands. Sandy, of course, knew Alex well and
grabbed him, lifting him off the ground and greeting him with an exuberant,
"Dr. Macon, my lifesaver!" He then turned to Daniel and said, "Dr. Macon
really did save my life."

"And that's the main reason I think Dr. Macon is the greatest!" Michael
said with a huge grin on his face as he hugged Sandy to himself and gave
him a kiss.

"When did you get here, Sandy?" I asked.

"I landed at 9:00," Sandy said.

"Why are you here, Michael?" Justin asked. "Hell, man, I know why you are
here, but I thought you were snorkeling."

"Mrs. Crandall called before we got to the snorkel guy's place to tell me
Sandy was landing at 9:00. The driver dropped off the others and we went to
the airport to pick up Sandy. We got back here about quarter of ten."

"Delicate subject," Justin grinned that evil grin of his and said, "but I
noticed you two didn't get far running. Guess someone finds a cowboy walk
the order of the day."

"Not that it's any of your business," Sandy stuck out his lower lip as he
pretended to pout, "but there was no cowboy walking. Well, maybe a bit like
a cowboy, and not just one," he giggled. Michael blushed.

"A warm, salt-water soak is just what the doctor called for," Alex
laughed. "I'll join you.

La Casa estate fronts on over two miles of beach, and above and below it
for some distance is wilderness. Knowing this, Alex immediately declared La
Casa's beach a nude beach, dropped his shorts and ran bareassed into the
surf. We all joined him after Justin did the obligatory sunscreen ritual
for me.

Half an hour or so later we had had enough swimming and general horsing
around in the surf and headed for a thatched shelter on the beach. Alex
grabbed the blankets from the Jeep and we spread them under the shelter. As
we collapsed on them, Justin pulled me to himself, wrapped his arms around
me and gave me a passionate kiss. We were not alone in exchanging kisses.

After making sure our lovers were well kissed, we lay in a circle, facing
the center. Looking across at Sandy, I said, "Good to have you here,
Sandy. I guess that means you took care of old Miss Stevens."

"You know it! Well, actually Dad did. After old Miss Stevens kept telling
him I failed, but would not show him my grades or my final, he called the
chairman of the school board. That wimpy asshole refused to do anything,
saying that was the principal's responsibility. The principal was in
Raleigh for a big school meeting of some kind and refused to do anything
over the phone. Dad found out he was due back in town between 11:00 and
midnight and was so mad he parked in the principal's driveway waiting for
him. When he got home at quarter of midnight, Dad demanded he do something
right then. He kept telling Dad it would all be straightened out as soon as
he got back at the school and could speak with Miss Stevens.

"'Fine,' Dad said, `Let's get Miss Stevens and go to school now.' The
principal argued, reminding Dad it was midnight, but Dad didn't budge. He
told him he, Miss Stevens and the school system were already facing a
lawsuit. Dad says `lawsuit' is a word school systems hate. Finally the
principal called old Miss Stevens, got her out of bed and they went to the
school. She tried to say I hadn't done the final and the principal said
that was easy to check since finals had to be kept on file. She then said I
had done it, but failed. `He only made a forty-eight,' she smirked. When
the principal got her folder, my final was there. She had changed some of
the answers and written over a ninety-eight, changing it to
forty-eight. Ended up the principal gave me a C. Dad also told old Miss
Stevens she might give serious thought to retiring or spending next year in
court. She wrote her letter of resignation right there! Made mostly Cs for
the semester but, of course, A in art and B in English."

"Since you were mostly starting from Fs, you done good, kid," Justin
said. I agreed.

"Yeah, because of all you guys mentoring and Michael kicking my butt."

"But that's not the reason for the cowboy walk," Justin laughed.

Michael turned bright red and Sandy laughed and said, "Well, you two
mentored us for that too!" Michael, though I thought it impossible, turned
even brighter red.

"They were bedroom work mentors as well as schoolwork mentors?" Daniel
laughed. "Man, does that ever conjure up a picture!"

Michael, being basically a stable, serious guy, explained how he had come
to us about his and Sandy's relationship and how the two of them had
decided to make the trip to La Casa their honeymoon. He was very serious
when he said, "We worked hard preparing for it and we really appreciate
Marc and Justin."

"Hell yeah!" Sandy exclaimed, "and we passed love-making with flying colors
too, but Michael said we could pretend we failed and keep practicing." Poor
Michael. If blushing could kill, he would be a goner. It was clear they
would be leaving their virginity at La Casa having lost it sometime after
10:45 am, probably about 10:46!

Somehow or other, we began to talk about hopes, dreams and fears for the
future. Michael got very quiet and said, "The Clan knows something of my
situation and why my dreams for the future are the reason I have fears of
the future, but I suspect it's worse than they know. First and most
important, I love Sandy. I really, really, really love Sandy. I want to
spend my future with him and as flighty as he seems and can be, I know he
loves me. I want, I need to be with him, now and forever. Since I lost a
year of school because of illness when I was younger, I need almost a
year's credit to graduate so I'll be a continuing senior next fall. Sandy
is a year younger, so he is a rising senior. On the surface, that looks
good since it means we'll be together our senior year and, all being equal,
I guess that's the way it would be. But things aren't all rosy.

"My dad has been on my butt for a couple years about wasting time in school
instead of getting a job and making money so I wasn't sponging off of
him. I've worked construction summers since I was fourteen, bought and paid
for my truck. Since I became sixteen, I have worked at the builder's supply
place during the school year, paying my own expenses except for room and
board, but the pressure is getting greater and greater. If I do summer
school and joint enrollment fall semester, I can graduate in December and
with my few AP course credits and joint enrollment, I can start college
spring semester with almost a semester of college credit at no cost,
putting me a small step toward being able to make a home for Sandy and me.

"And therein lies the problem. Joint enrollment is only possible for me at
ESU, a historically black college. See, my parents are hardcore racist
bigots. My father, in particular, is the kind of racial bigot who believes
African-Americans are an inferior, subhuman race. He calls ESU `that nigger
college.' When I mentioned some of this year's seniors were enrolling
there, he said, `You go to that or any nigger college, you'll go on your
own nickel.' Just to make sure I knew what he meant, he added, 'And I'll
tell ya, boy, ain't nobody going to a nigger college livin' under my roof.'
I guess I could just forget about finishing in December and having some
free college hours, but there is another problem.

"My parents call themselves evangelical Christians. They are
fundamentalists-literalists when the Bible suits them. In my dad's bigoted
mind, there is only one person lower than an African-American and that's a
homosexual. I am still surprised I got away with outing myself at the
prom. I passed it off as a prank and so far that has saved my ass because
Mom and Dad had gone head-to-head with Miss Stevens when they were in
school, know her well and hated the bitch. Also, the more I have thought
about it, the more I think Dad is terrified someone will find out he has a
gay son and maybe is trying to save my soul before that happens. In any
event, I'm sure they think something's in the wind. I mean, I can't
understand why the preacher spends so much time preaching against what he
refers to as 'homo-sex-u-als' unless he thinks there's some around. My dad
is on the Board of Deacons and they pretty much tell the preacher what he's
going to preach.

"Dad and the preacher have also talked about a Brother Fitzsimmons who runs
revivals around the south and, in fact, is holding one in Grandview this
week before coming to our church Sunday. They both think this man has a
direct line to God because he has a so-called clinic in Hooks Crossroads,
Alabama, where he claims `queers are turned from their abomination back to
being god-fearing, women-loving men.' He's spending at lot of time and
effort in the area revving up people against `child molesters, perverts,
queers and their anti-god agenda.' That's what I'm facing."

We were all very quiet, deep in thought about Michael's situation. I was
very glad neither Alex nor Daniel played Pollyanna saying, "Everything will
work out fine." Maybe things would work out, but none of us were
unrealistic enough to think that things would work out without a lot of
pain and heartache. So far Michael had gotten away with what he done at the
prom, and being with Sandy all the time without being called a fag at
school, and was sure things would change sooner or later even if he could
keep his parents in the dark -- if they were.

After several minutes of silence, Sandy said, "But right now we're together
and we're supposed to be having fun." Having said that, he grabbed Michael
by the hand and pulled him to his feet. The two of them ran into the
surf. I guess it seemed like a good idea, since we followed them. After
fifteen minutes playing in the surf, we decided it was time to go and
headed toward the house.

When we reached the house, we headed for the showers. Justin's and my
playtime, which began in the shower, ended in bed where we made slow,
tender love. Afterward, another shower was in order. After drying each
other we dressed, ready to go downstairs. As we stepped into the suite's
sitting room, Sandy and Michael emerged from their bedroom. "Ready to go
downstairs?" Michael asked.

"Ready," Justin said. "Wonder if the snorkelers are back yet? I haven't
heard them."

"I guess we'll find out shortly," Michael said. "Let's go down."

Before we went into the sunroom, Justin went to the bar, found some fruit
punch and poured all of us a glass. He was pouring the last one when Alex
and Daniel came in. Justin asked if they would like a glass of punch and
Daniel responded, "Can you make that a gin and tonic with a slice of lime?"

"Same for me," Alex said.

"No problem," Justin said. "Short or tall glass?"

"Tall glass," Alex answered for both.

The six of us were just settled in the sunroom, when the snorkelers
arrived. It was obvious that they were a tired crew. "In this doctor's
opinion," Alex said, "you are a bushed bunch."

"Dr. Macon, your diagnosis is entirely correct," John said. "We had a grand
time, but don't let anyone tell you that snorkeling isn't tiring,
especially when you make a day of it as we did."

I guess they were all so used to seeing Sandy and Michael together that it
took a minute before it sank in, then Susan shouted "Sandy!" and grabbed
him. A hugfest followed and, of course, Sandy had to tell them about Miss
Stevens. "Damn!" Adam said, "I would be finished high school before the
bitch retired." We all agreed with the sentiment.

"So snorkeling was great?" Sandy asked.

 "Sure was," John replied. "We were given underwater digital cameras and
have some great photographs. Sharky told us he'd get the digital projector
set up in the ballroom this evening so we can see them. So what did you
guys do today?"

I wondered how Justin would respond to that, since the day was really about
him, at least until we met Sandy and Michael this afternoon. "Well, we
drove up the river to a delightful place that Daniel knew, sat and talked
about my Lakota blood, had a great picnic, then came back here and played
in the surf with Sandy and Michael. Kind of a quiet, but exciting, day."

Shortly after the snorkelers were settled with drinks, Mrs. Crandall,
Mrs. Metzer, Jess and Dakota arrived. Mrs. Crandall asked, "Everyone have a
good day?" There all sorts of nods and signs of agreement. "So have we,"
Mrs. Crandall said. "Everything is ready for tomorrow and your private tour
of the exhibition and the Saturday opening. In spite of all that we have
had to do with the change of venue, I am positive this is the best
exhibition Jess has mounted so far. Furthermore, the response to the
invitations has been great. Having to phone everyone to tell of the venue
change has proven a blessing in disguise. So much for that. I suppose all
of you are more than ready for dinner, and dinner is ready for you. Tonight
we're eating in the small dining room." I extended my arm to Mrs. Crandall
and Justin his to Mrs. Metzer. John extended his to Susan and Adam took the
hint just before Bobby took action.

After dinner we all went to the ballroom where a digital projector had been
set up and the photographs the snorkelers made were projected on a huge
screen. All were interesting, some stunningly beautiful. Since Sharky and
Antwon were in charge, it was not surprising that the theme from `Jaws'
started playing during photographs of obviously tiny fish definitely not
sharks.

Alex and Daniel were staying over and at 10:00, Alex said, "Think we all
have had a full day. Guess the four of us upriver exerted less energy than
you snorkelers and the honeymooners, but Daniel and I are ready to go up."
Sandy laughed and Michael turned red as we all started toward our
rooms. Sandy had Michael by the hand pulling him along when Antwon and
Sharky asked them to wait up, as Justin and I had asked them to do. We
missed preparing for the honeymoon Tuesday night when Sandy didn't get to
come, but we weren't missing out tonight.

We rushed up to our suite, grabbed two bags we had packed especially for
the occasion and went into their bedroom. We lit candles all around the
room, changed the sheets for fresh ones scented with herbs and placed a
bottle of lube and three condoms on each nightstand. As we finished, Justin
said, "If they use all the condoms, there will be a very sore ass or two in
the morning." I just grinned.

With the honeymoon room set, Justin and I went to our bedroom and watched
through the barely open door as Michael and Sandy arrived. They stopped in
the middle of the sitting room and embraced. Sandy hopped up, wrapped his
legs around Michael's waist and kissed him with so much passion I expected
them both to collapse in an orgasm. Sandy, his legs still wrapped around
Michael's body, kept kissing Michael passionately as Michael, without
breaking the kiss, walked to their bedroom. Sandy squealed as soon as he
opened the door, then they disappeared inside.

"After spending half a day today in bed and with all that activity on the
beach, they won't have time for a lot of good stuff before they fall
asleep," I grinned.

"Wanna bet?"

"Not on your life, Mr. All-night-long."

"Wanna try for an all-nighter?" Justin grinned one of his, 'I want your
body' grins, raising an eyebrow and licking his lips.

"Yeah,' I responded as I jumped into his arms.

Once in bed, passion, love and lust took over as we made love. Finally
sated, we exchanged a soft kiss and lay side-by-side, my head on Justin's
chest. "Soulmate," I said, "I have been thinking about this afternoon,
about dreams and fears, about the future, about our future, well, about my
future. I mean, you have an idea about what you want to do, I have none. I
have always assumed I would go to college and then law school. That's what
my family seems to do. They and I just assumed that was the way it would
be, but I've never really wanted to. Yet there was never much question
about the matter, either from my family or myself. I'd just do it. Now?

"Unlike Michael, I don't have to worry about money. There is plenty in my
college fund to take me as far as I want to go regardless of what I decide
to study. My trust fund would keep me going even if I wasn't in school and
wanted to so something else. Problem is, I'm not sure I know what I want to
do. Well, beyond knowing I want to spend my life with you."

"Well, then, the important thing's decided: you want to spend your life
with me. That's important, very important, really, really important because
that's what I want as well. Look, if we do summer school, we'll have an
opportunity to get a glimpse of what college, living at home and working
will be like. We'll have a fairly good idea of what next year will be like.

"And even being at home, working at the same job, going to school and
studying as we have been doing, we're bound gain some new perspectives,
maybe new ideas about what we want to do with our lives. That's in favor of
our going to summer school. At the same time, with our AP, we have a year
or almost a year of college credit now. Since we were in a
`get-college-over-with' mode at the time, summer school made sense. Now I'm
not too sure it's a good idea, especially after talking with Dakota
today. Not only is there the question of learning about my Lakota side, but
also the question of whether or not I'm interested in making a search for
my father. That's not just my decision either. We are together, Lord of my
Heart, and it'll have to be a decision the two of us make. I don't know if
any serious work in regard to learning about the Lakota and/or my father is
possible if we do summer school."

"I've been having second thoughts myself, Tehila. We have been in school
for twelve years -- more if you count nursery school. We have almost a year
of college credit right now. Now we're thinking about tying ourselves down
with the same jobs and more school. College will be different from high
school, of course, but let's face it, for us, life won't change all that
much. We'll be living and working, studying, going to classes and doing
homework as we have been. I've been thinking we might do something else for
a year then head off to college."

"Wow! That is a surprise. Why am I just now learning about it? How long
have you been thinking about that?"

"Not long, I guess for the last week or so."

"And just what would you be doing during that year? Where would I fit into
the picture?"

"Babe, we settled that months ago and talked about it a few minutes
ago. You'll be right by my side."

"I guess other than our relationship, things are not as settled as we
thought, huh?"

"Right."

We just lay side-by-side, silent for several minutes as Justin's fingertips
barely touched me as he started moving them over my chest, circling my
nipples and my belly button. "Marc, I love you so much it hurts
sometimes. When I look back to the first time we were in this room, I
remember two young kids who had just revealed they were hopelessly in love,
explored their sexuality and knew they could never love each other
more. Now? I looked at Michael and Sandy today, and thought, 'You think
it's good now, and you bet it is, but you can't imagine how great it will
become. The sex is good and your love is good, but it will grow, it will
change as you share not just your bodies, but all of you: heart, mind, body
and soul.' For them, I sincerely wish and I know for us, as good as it is,
the best is yet to come. I don't see how, but I'm sure of it."

"If better does come, and I am sure it will, I'll welcome it, damn sure I
will, but if this is the best, it's enough to make me beyond happy and I'll
take it." The kiss we exchanged wasn't burning with passion -- at first.

The next day started with a beach vacation as we all headed for the
surf. We swam, played in the surf, flew kites, tossed balls and played a
wild game of Frisbee keep-away. Since we were in and out of the water, it
seemed as though most of Justin's and my time was spent with Justin
reapplying sunscreen, but he didn't complain and when I said something
about it, he asked why I though his having his hands on my body was a
chore.

At lunch, Mrs. Metzer suggested we dress 'nice casual' for the afternoon
and evening. "I thought you might like to have a couple hours for
sightseeing and shopping before the exhibition and dinner. I've got a map
for each of you with all the expected sights and a couple I have
added. There is also a list of shops where you'll find some nice things at
reasonable prices -- well," she smiled, "reasonable for the area. I
scheduled a 2:00 departure to give you a little over two hours before
tea. You all have phones?" We all did. "Phone in at 5:00 with your location
for pick-up or to let me know you'd like to skip tea. If you skip tea, grab
a snack as we are having a late dinner at 9:00. Call in your location for
pick-up at 6:30. We'll go to the gallery for your private showing followed
by dinner. Questions?"

"Will this be on the test?" Adam piped up.

"You can bet your dinner on it," Mrs. Metzer laughed. "Gather here at
quarter of two," she said. "See you then."

When we all gathered at 1:45, Adam took a look around and said, "We do
clean up good." I had to agree.

On the drive into Key West, we discussed what we wanted to do, more or less
as couples. Since this was Sandy's and Michael's first trip, Michael asked
us what the 'have to see' list included. In response, of course, he got a
list which would take two weeks to cover. "You've eliminated nothing, and
expanded Mrs. Metzer's list!" Michael cried.

When we arrived, we started scattering. As Justin and I were walking away
from the minibus, Sandy called out, "Hey, Marc, wait up." Justin and I
stopped and waited for Michael and Sandy. When they reached us, Sandy said,
"Look, guys, you have been here before and, to be honest, neither Michael
nor I have been very far from Elizabethton except for school trips. Then we
were with a group and had teachers herding us. I know we could use the map
and find our way around a bit, but if it's OK with you, we'd like to hang
with you."

"No problem," Justin said.

"You might miss something you'd like to see," I added, "but we'd be glad to
have you along."

"Anything you'd especially like to see?" Justin asked them.

"Only thing I saw I had even heard of was the Hemingway place," Sandy said,
but quickly added, "I just know who he was, not especially interested in
seeing his place and I don't care how many toes a cat has."

"I saw a shop called the Silver Shack on Mrs. Metzer's list and asked her
about it. Sounded like a place I might pick up something for my mama,"
Michael said.

"We were planning on going there as well," Justin said. "Last time we were
here, we missed Nancy's Secret Garden and it is definitely on our 'to do'
list this time," I said, "as well as the Audubon House and Garden. Want to
make a garden tour then hit the Silver Shack? They are all within walking
distance."

Sandy looked a bit pained and asked, in a passable John Wayne voice, "Just
what's walking distance, cowboy?" and started walking slowly and bowlegged
down the street.

"Not too much for you to handle, cowboy," Justin laughed. "If after we hit
the two gardens and the Silver Shack, we have time and like, we can do some
running around shopping," Justin said.

"Sounds like a plan, but no running!" Michael laughed.

We decided we'd see the Audubon House and Garden first and set out. As we
walked, we did take it easy as I was sure both honeymooners were a bit
sore. Even though they had, as Sandy said, been preparing themselves for
their honeymoon for some time, I doubt any of it had been preparation for a
day-and-night marathon as I was positive their love-making had been since
Sandy arrived. "By the way," Michael said, "thanks for last night. It meant
a whole lot to both of us."

"It sure did," Sandy said.

"What do you mean?" Justin asked.

"You know what we mean," Sandy said. "You two are the romantics in the
Clan." Justin and I just smiled.

I think we four were all were surprised at how much we enjoyed the two
gardens, especially Nancy's Secret Garden. Sandy was absolutely fascinated
by the parrots there. In fact, we spent so much time in the two that we
figured we'd have less than half a hour to shop when we reached the Silver
Shack.

As we approached the shop, we saw John and Adam outside, looking very
bored. "You guys been here long?" I asked with a grin.

"Yeah, like 'most an hour," Adam said, "Women!"

"Guess you guys would have liked it," John laughed, "I understand those of
your persuasion like to shop."

I was shocked when Michael did a great imitation of Sissy/Wolf at his most
flaming and said, "Why, Sugar Buns, you just come with me and I'll soon
have you lovin' shoppin'!" John jumped then when Michael reached over and
groped him.

All of us, except John, completely cracked up while John turned red, then
he also cracked up. When we got control of ourselves, John said, "Michael,
you do a better Sissy than Sissy who, by the way, doesn't do Sissy very
well now that he's become Wolf."

"You noticed too," I said. John and Adam both nodded.

The four of us walked into the shop, leaving John and Adam outside. "I'm so
surprised John and Adam are so pussy-whipped they didn't let Susan and
Bobbie shop while they did something else," Michael said.

"Yeah, couples need to realize they also need time apart," I said.

"Maybe they are realizing they are going to be separated soon," Sandy
said. "I've been thinking about Michael and me not seeing each other for
six weeks and that's a long time." Again the reality struck that our time
as a group was rapidly coming to an end.

We didn't have long to shop, but didn't really need a lot of time. Justin
and I quickly found lovely gifts for Mom and Clarisa, and Michael and Sandy
found something for their moms as well. As their gifts were being wrapped,
Sandy spied a necklace in the showcase where the woman was wrapping them: a
black neoprene necklace with silver and designer beads holding a Guy Harvey
swordfish medallion. While I was calling in for pick-up, he managed to get
the swordfish medallion changed for parrot ones on two necklaces and has
his and Michael's initials engraved on the back of each of them. He had
wanted 'Sandy & Michael Love 4ever,' but Michael pointed out that could
mean real trouble if somehow or other one of his parents found out. As each
fastened the necklace round their lover's neck, the minibus arrived.