Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 20:32:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mickey S <njmcmick@yahoo.com>
Subject: Billy and Danny, Freshman Year, Ch. 29

This is a story of love between two young men. If you are under age, or
live in an area where reading stories that include sex between males sex is
illegal, or if you're not into this type of story, please leave. The story
begins in 1969. While the characters and their story are completely
fictional, it is set at places that are real and is told against a backdrop
of some real events. This was a time when all sex was safe. It isn't now,
so please respect yourself and others enough to always play safe. As
always, thanks to the Nifty Six for their support and encouragement,
especially Tim and Tommy. The author retains all rights.  No reproductions
or links to other sites are allowed without the author's consent.

Comments are appreciated at NJMcMick@yahoo.com.

Danny

Brad and I stood in the doorway, frozen in horror at the bloody scene in
front of us. Billy pushed through and leapt into action. He grabbed Mark's
right wrist for a second.

"He's alive."

Then he straightened Mark out on his back on the floor, grabbed a hand
towel, soaked it in cold water and knelt down in the blood and began
pressing against the cut on Mark's wrist.

"Dan, in the top drawer in the night table by the bed get me a piece of
rope and a pencil. Brad, see if you can get his pants on him. We have to
get him to the hospital right away and we can't take him out like this."

The two of us still just stood there like live statues.

"MOVE IT!! We haven't got a second to waste. Let's go, guys!"

I ran across the room and got the rope and pencil and brought it back to
Billy. Brad nearly had Mark's pants on him.

"Brad, take over here, keep the pressure on the wound. Danny, take the
blanket off the bed and fold it double on the floor just outside the door."

He took the rope and tied it around Mark's upper arm, looping it around the
pencil, then began twisting the pencil, tightening the rope around the arm.

"What are you doing, Billy?"

"It's called a tourniquet, Brad. It cuts off the blood supply to the
arm. Sometimes it's the only way to stop the bleeding on a big cut. He
looked at his watch. But you can't leave it on very long. Brad, tie the
towel tight around his wrist. Let's go, guys. We've got to lift him through
the doorway and onto the blanket. I've got to keep one hand on the
tourniquet, so you have to help on my side Danny."

We managed to get him onto the blanket.

Just then Lucy walked into the apartment and screamed, "Oh my God, what
happened?"

She looked like she was going to faint. Danny grabbed her and held her up.

"No time to explain now Lucy. Pull yourself together. We've got to get him
to the hospital."

"Okay, everybody grab a corner and lift together. Danny, you and Brad get
at his feet and go first. Lucy and I will follow. And be careful on the
stairs. You guys are gonna have to lift him pretty high to keep him even."

Aunt Connie came running out the back door as we got to the bottom of the
stairs.

"Oh my dear, what's going on?"

"Sorry, Aunt Connie, we don't have time to explain. Mark's bleeding badly
and we have to get him to the Emergency Room. Can you get the back door of
the car?"

Brad and I pulled him into the car, sliding the blanket along the
seat. Brad got out the other side and hopped into the driver's seat. I
stayed at the far end and sat with Mark's feet in my lap. Billy got in the
back and slid under Mark, holding the tourniquet and cradling his head in
his lap while Lucy jumped into the front seat. We were off like a shot.

"Be careful, Brad. We're in a hurry, but we all want to get there alive."

"Don't worry, honey, I'll get us there. Where's the Emergency entrance at
Morristown Memorial? I don't think I've ever seen it."

"It's around back on Franklin St."

Billy gave Lucy a brief description of the scene we had walked in on while
Brad sped through town. Fortunately, there was only one traffic light
between us and the hospital. Unfortunately, it was red. Brad slowed down,
saw nothing was coming either way and floored it. Within two seconds a
siren was screaming behind us. Brad glanced in the rear view mirror.

"He's gonna have to wait until we get to the hospital to give me the
ticket."

We screeched to a halt in front of the door. While a very irate looking cop
made his way toward Brad, Lucy jumped out of the car and ran inside,
screaming, "Help, my friend is bleeding to death outside. Help!"

Nurses and doctors came running, and a couple of orderlies pushing a
gurney. They helped us get Mark out of the backseat and onto the gurney and
rushed him inside. Billy ran along side, never losing his grip on the
tourniquet. Lucy and I ran behind, leaving Brad to deal with the cop. By
the time we got to a small room, Brad had caught up.

"When the cop saw all of the blood, he let me go."

A middle-aged guy in a white coat who was apparently a doctor took charge.

"Okay, you kids can't stay in here. Are any of you related to him?"

"I'm his cousin."

"Great, then you can give them all of the information they need at the
desk. The rest of you will have to go to the waiting room."

"Not until someone takes over the tourniquet."

He looked down at Billy's rope and pencil.

"Not a bad improvisation. Nurse, take over. How long has he been
unconscious?"

"At least 15 minutes. Billy and Brad and I found him on the floor."

"Actually, he came to in the car for a second. I was looking down at him
and he opened his eyes and whispered, 'Tell Brad I'm sorry, I didn't mean
it'."

Brad turned and rushed out of the room.

"Okay, guys, everybody out. We'll keep you posted."

We went out into the hall to find Brad leaning against the wall, tears
streaming down his face.

"Oh God, I love him so much. He has to be all right."

Lucy put her arms around him and held him.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he will be. Billy was fantastic and really took good
care of him. I could see the doctor was impressed."

Lucy led Brad over to the desk where he gave Mark's basic info and his
parents' names and phone number. Then they came over to where Billy and I
were sitting.

"Let me call Aunt Connie and give her the abbreviated version of what
happened. She must be worried sick."

 She went over to the pay phones and called.


Billy

"Damn! I can't believe this. And I can't believe how you took charge, black
boy. Where did all of that come from?"

"Danny, sometimes in living a violent street life you learn some useful
stuff."

"I thought that working in a hospital a couple of summers got me used to
watching how people react in emergencies. I've seen some really gross,
terrible stuff. But when it's happening live and someone you know is in
pain or danger, you panic. I know all about tourniquets from Boy Scouts,
but I just couldn't move."

"Well, a couple of years ago, when I was 15 or 16, my gang got into a fight
with another that got real ugly. Lots of knives. One of my friends got cut
really bad and nearly died. So I got a first aid book from the school
library and practically memorized it. And living life on the street, you
sometimes have to think and react fast or you're in trouble, big trouble."

"Well you were really a hero today. You saved my best buddy's life. I'll
always owe you for that."

Lucy came walking over, sat down next to Brad and put an arm around him.

"Any word?"

"No, not yet. How's Aunt Connie?"

"Less hysterical. I didn't tell her much about what happened or why, just
that I thought we got Mark here in time and that he would be okay. She
likes him a lot. Turns out she taught him Spanish two years in high school
and they had a nice little reunion just before we got home."

I looked at Brad and he was crying again.

"You know, guys, Mama is the religious one in my family, but I don't think
it would hurt if we all prayed for Mark." Billy reached out and grabbed my
right hand and Lucy's left hand.

We moved in closer together, so we could all join hands and bowed our heads
in silent prayer. After a few minutes during which I think we all cried a
bit, we were interrupted by the woman from the desk.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to intrude, but would you have another number
where we might reach his parents? We've been calling every few minutes and
there doesn't seem to be anyone home."

Just then, the doctor walked over.

"The vascular surgeon has repaired his blood vessels and they're about to
close the wound. This was a close one. My guess is that he lost over three
pints of blood and that the only thing that saved him was that
tourniquet. Where did you learn to do that?"

"You don't want to know, but I'm glad it worked."

"Well thank God you were on the ball." He turned to the nurse. "Have you
reached his parents yet?"

"No, I was just asking if there might be another number I could call."

"I'll call my parents. They might know where they are."

We all walked over to the desk together; it's like we couldn't bear to be
apart. Brad called home.

"Hey, Mom, we're back. Actually we've been back a while but things got a
little hectic... Yeah, the trip was good. Look, do you have any idea where
Uncle Matt or Aunt Sue might be? It's important... You mean they're there
with you? Can you put Uncle Matt on the phone? I have to talk to
him...Uncle Matt?"

The doctor took the phone out of Brad's hand.

"Mr. Spencer? You are Mark Spencer's father?...This is Dr. Shapiro in the
Emergency Room at Morristown Memorial. You son was brought in by his
friends with a serious injury....No, don't worry, he should be fine, but
we're going to keep him overnight at least and I think that you and your
wife should come over here...No, there's no absolute emergency, don't kill
yourselves trying to get here. He'll probably be admitted by the time you
get here, but stop by the ER. I'd like to talk to you before you see him."

He hung up the phone.

"Is he really going to be okay, doc?"

"Physically, once he's had a few transfusions, he'll be fine. But what can
you tell me about his emotional state? Why would he do this?"

"I've known him my whole life and I love him. He's a great guy. But he
embarrassed himself terribly this afternoon. He let out some very personal
feelings that he probably didn't mean to in front of me and probably felt
humiliated. But even so, I can't believe he'd try to kill himself over
it. I think that it was all some terrible accident. Please don't tell his
parents any of this. Let him tell them himself."

"Well, in cases that even appear to be an attempted suicide, we strongly
urge a psychiatric evaluation and at least an overnight stay for
observation. I'll go easy on the attempted suicide part with his
parents. But I have to give them the medical information."

"Thanks for saving my buddy's life, doc."

"Better thank your friend there. He saved your cousin's life. That was a
damn good tourniquet, son. You should be proud."


Danny

"Can we see him, doc?  There's something I have to tell him."

"Let me check on his status and I'll tell you if it's all right."

He went back into the room, but returned in less than a minute.

"He's all stitched and bandaged, getting a transfusion, but a little
woozy. But he's conscious and I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."

We trooped into the room where Mark was lying on the table, a bandage on
his left wrist, a bag of blood hanging over his head, running through a
tube into his right arm. He looked over at us then looked away.

"Brad thanks for saving my life. I don't deserve it."

"Markie, I didn't save your life. Billy did."

He looked over at Billy, puzzled.

"Oh. Why would you want to save me Billy? I thought you would hate me."

"How could I hate you? I don't even know you."

"After what I did today, after the way Brad reacted, I was sure all of you
all would hate me."

"First of all Mark, I didn't mean to react so badly. I were just shocked to
find you naked in their bed."

Lucy opened her mouth in surprise but Danny turned her away and put a hand
over her mouth before she could say anything.

"Yeah, dude, we were kind of surprised with what Brad told us, though we
let him know that he should have given you a chance to explain. All week
Lucy's been telling us what a great guy you are and Brad's been telling us
how much he loves you. So we were kind of on your side from the start."

"You love me, Brad? Or, you did until this stupid stunt?"

"I've always loved you, little cuz. You've been the best friend a guy could
have. I always wished you were my brother, not my cousin."

"Really? As we got older, you kept making comments about fags, and it made
me so scared that you'd stop liking me if you found out. So I kept it in,
not telling anyone, trying to act straight so you'd keep liking me."

"Oh, shit, if I'd had any idea my stupid comments hurt you, I'd never have
said them. I love you and I don't care what you are. I could say you should
have told me sooner and maybe I wouldn't have been such a jerk, but maybe I
wasn't ready until now. But I really do love you and always have."

"Excuse me Brad, but what is going on? Matt and Sue are talking to the
doctor."

We all turned and there was this really casually overdressed 'hip' couple
in the doorway, obviously trying to look way younger than their years.

"Mom, Dad, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Lucy, whom I've
talked about quite a bit, and these are my friends, Billy and Danny. Guys,
these are my parents, Bill and Marcie Heath."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Heath."

At least Lucy remembered her manners. I think Billy and I were both
speechless at their faux hippie style.

"Hey, Uncle Bill, Aunt Marcie."

They both looked at Mark and the bandage on his wrist.

"What have you done to yourself, young man?"

"Mom, it was an accident. Mark's okay. Don't freak on us. It's the last
thing he needs right now."

"And what was this shit you were saying about loving him when we walked in?
What kind of queer talk is that?"

"Dad, you know Mark and I have always been close since we were kids. Yeah,
I love him. He's like a brother to me."

"Well, it sounded faggotty to me."

"Shit, Dad, isn't it a little early to be drinking? Did you at least let
Mom drive?"

"Yeah, sweetie, I drove. Your father had a couple while getting the grill
going, and on an empty stomach, they hit him right away." She hesitated a
moment, then leaned closer to Brad and whispered. Unfortunately, she must
have had a few also, because everyone in the room could still hear
her. "Brad, honey, I know you've all just come back from a week in Florida,
but Lucy's a bit darker than we expected."

Brad seemed to just crumble. He went over to the table and kissed Mark on
the check. I was standing closest and heard him whisper.

"I love you Mark, but I just can't take any more of them. I've got to go
out and sit for a while. Promise me you're gonna be okay."

"I know what you mean. I promise. But please don't ever stop loving me."

"You've got my word."

Brad turned and walked out of the room. I squeezed Billy's hand then
followed after him. I saw Lucy trying to talk to Brad's parents as I left
the room and Billy moved over toward Mark. I found Brad sitting in a
wheelchair in the hallway, sobbing, his face in his hands. I couldn't
believe it. Brad was the man, the guy in charge, the one who could handle
any situation. I walked over and squatted next to the wheelchair and put my
arm around him.

"What's the matter, Brad? Mark's gonna be okay. It's gonna be alright."

"Oh, Danny, there are no words in this world for me to thank Billy for
saving Mark's life today. He did it. We would have stood there in shock
while Mark bled to death. Billy's my hero. But my parents are
assholes. They're both drunks. I've been taking care of them since before I
can remember, but they seem to think they're taking care of me. And Mark's
parents aren't much better. I keep thinking it must be in the genes, which
is why I try not to drink much."

"Well, Brad, just remember we all love you. And if you and Mark both end up
sleeping on our floor, that's okay with us."


Lucy

There's definitely something unpleasant about Brad's parents and odd the
way he spoke to them. When Brad left the room my instinct was to follow
after him. He didn't look so good. The way his parents were behaving I
didn't blame him. But Danny went after him. So I thought I could use the
time to get to know his parents, to try to get on their good side. It
didn't take me long to realize they were both drunk. Three-thirty in the
afternoon and they were smashed. Smashed and rude, though I got the
impression they were probably just as rude sober. I can't imagine how they
got from Mendham to the hospital in one piece.

I escaped from them and turned toward the door to follow Danny and
Brad. Billy was keeping Mark company and it appeared that Brad's parents
were spending all of their energy staying vertical. Another middle-aged
couple burst though the door. They didn't seem very stable either.

"Mark, how could you do this to us? Do you realize that people here know us
and know what you've done?"

"Dad, it was an accident. I didn't mean to do what I did. It was an
accident."

"What were you thinking? How can slashing your wrist be an accident? Do you
have any idea what our friends are going to think? Don't you have any
consideration for us at all?"

"Mom, I don't get it. I nearly died, and I would have if Billy didn't know
what to do. And all you can think of is what your friends will think? I'm
your son. You're my parents. You're supposed to love me, no matter
what. I've always loved you, no matter what."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean, son?"

Mark completely shut down, stopped responding, totally withdrew. But he
kept a tight hold on Billy's hand.

"Excuse me, my name is Lucinda. I went to high school with Mark. He was
always a great guy I wanted to know better. He's been through a horrible
afternoon, but he was doing okay until you got here. Can't you let up on
him a bit?"

"What's he doing holding hands with that black kid? What's going on there?"

"I have no idea, Mr. Spencer, but Billy saved his life this afternoon. And
maybe if you were as understanding and as supportive as Billy, Mark would
be holding your hand. He needs support right now and all you're doing is
attacking him."

Danny and Brad walked back into the room. Brad looked around the room and
then focused on Mark.

"What are you assholes doing to Mark? He was fine a few minutes ago and now
he's out of it. You four are really a piece of work."

"How dare you talk to us like that? We are your parents. You should show a
little respect."

"Yeah, like there's anything there to respect."

"You watch your mouth, you little shit. I'm your father."

"All of you get the fuck out of here right now. I'll come out in the hall
to talk to you in a minute. None of us needs this, least of all Mark."

Oddly enough, the four parents quietly left the room.

"Thanks, Brad."

"Nothing to thank me for, Mark. I'm just so glad you're gonna be okay. I
love you so much."

Brad went over and sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Mark into a
hug. Then he kissed him on the cheek. Then, hesitantly, he kissed him on
the lips.

"You know I'm as straight as they come, but you're always gonna be the most
special guy in my life. You're my cousin, my brother and my best
friend. And I'll do anything for you. And anything to convince you of my
love. But right now, I think Lucy and I have to drive the parents back to
Mendham. They're certainly not able to drive themselves. I'll be back in a
while, buddy. I love you."

"I love you too, Brad."

"Billy, Danny, would you be willing to stay with Mark for a little while?"

"No problem, Brad. I think we can find a lot to talk about."

"Thanks, Danny."


Danny

It was just me and Billy and Mark. Mark looked like he wanted to talk but
didn't know what to say so I started off with what had just happened.

"Are you okay Mark? Your parents and your aunt and uncle seemed a little
off and negative. And I thought we were losing you for a minute until Brad
took over."

"Yeah, I was pulling out. I wouldn't say it to Brad because I love him so,
but his parents are a mess. Mine aren't so bad most of the time, but when
they get together with Uncle Bill and Aunt Marcie, they're just as bad. I
can't tell you how scared I was as a kid coming home from their place with
my Dad driving, with the car all over the road."

"How do you think they'd react to finding out you're gay?"

"They'd probably get drunk for a week and kill me. Do your parents know
about you?"

"Yeah, my father beat the crap out of me while my mother prayed."

"And then Billy's mother called mine and told her. Mine weren't violent,
but were no more accepting. So we're on our own now. If it weren't for Lucy
and Aunt Connie, we'd be living on the streets."

"Yeah. My advice is, until you're ready to be on your own, don't tell them
shit."

"I'd have to agree with Billy on that. Do you have any gay friends, someone
you can talk to?"

"No, I've never known anyone else who was gay. I've just been dying inside,
not able to talk to anyone. And then Brad told me about you guys and I
thought you could be my salvation."

"We can be your friends and advisors Mark, but not your lovers. We are each
other's lover, exclusively, and that's the way we want it. You'll meet
someone for your own. You're young, good-looking, bright and charming. And
Brad, Lucy and Aunt Connie all know you and think you're great. You're not
gonna have trouble finding a guy. Is there a gay group on your campus?"

"Are you kidding? Boston College is a Catholic school and even though half
the administration may be gay there will never be a gay group on campus."

"Then maybe one of the other schools in the area. Or in Boston itself. Tell
you what, Saturday we'll take you into the Village and we'll find out
what's available for you in Boston."

"You guys are the best, Billy. I still can't believe you don't hate me for
the way I was planning to greet you or what I did in your bathroom."

"As for the way you were going to come onto us, I'm sure you were you were
incredibly sexy if a bit misguided. What made you think that would work? As
for what you did in our bathroom, we're just so glad you're alive, although
Danny has a lot of cleaning up to do when we get home. I'm not sure I can
get through all of that blood again."

"I guess I was just being stupid, but I never met anyone gay before. I
always figured it was all about lust and sex, that that's what you do when
you meet another gay guy."

"Well, Mark, I can't fault you for that. That was what I thought until I
met Billy. And even then, I didn't recognize love staring me in the face
until Billy told me he'd fallen in love with me. Falling in love with
another guy wasn't even a concept that had ever entered my brain until
then. Hey, I just had an idea. Mark. What are your plans for the week?"

"Not much, I was just going to hang around home, but now I may be stuck
here for a while, which might not be a bad thing considering my parents'
attitude right now."

"Billy, how about we take Mark down to Rutgers with us? He can stay at the
dorm for the week. You and I only take up one bed. It'll severely limit our
sex life for a bit, but I think it would be good for him. We could take him
to the Student Homophile League meeting Tuesday and the poker game on
Thursday night. He could see other gay people, living out their lives. And
then next weekend, we could bring him back and go into the city as you
suggested to find him a place to go in Boston."

"That sounds like a great plan."

"That sounds fantastic guys, assuming I can talk them into letting me out
of here tomorrow."

"What about your parents? Do you think they'll let you, especially after
today?"

"I think I can talk them into it. If the hospital says I'm okay, they'll
probably be glad to have me out of the way for a while. They're taking this
very personally, as if this whole thing happened just to embarrass them."

Just then an older guy in a suit appeared in the doorway.

"Excuse me. I'm Dr. Schneider here for an evaluation of the patient. I'm
afraid I'll have to ask you boys to step outside for while, or maybe you'd
rather come back later."

"In that case, Danny and I will go back and clean up and let you guys
talk. If you don't mind Mark, we'd like to come back and visit you
tonight."

'Mind? I'd love it. Please come back."

We each kissed Mark on the cheek as we left. Walking home, we again gave
the folks of Morristown a little show by holding hands, not that we were
conscious of it.

"You should seriously consider a major in social work, white boy. That was
a fantastic idea you had."

"Are you sure you don't mind, Billy? I should have discussed it with you
before mentioning it to Mark, but it just popped out."

"I may mind the limitation on our sex life, but I do think it's just what
Mark needs; a safe and sane introduction to gay life and an escape from his
parents."



Billy

We got back to the apartment and there was blood everywhere. I thought it
would just be in the bathroom, but the towel around Mark's wrist was soaked
and had dripped all across the room to the door. I really don't know how I
got through that whole scene earlier. It must have been the adrenaline
pumping though me. We started to clean up together, but I'm not good with
blood and got a little dizzy, so Danny sent me down to explain the
afternoon to Aunt Connie and see if she could come up with some supper for
us and Brad and Lucy when they got back while he cleaned it all up.

"So Billy, what happened to that poor boy?"

"Well, basically, he painted himself into a corner and didn't know how to
get out. But he's gonna be okay. It's lucky we all worked together to take
care of him and got him to the hospital in time."

I explained how we found Mark and how we got him to the hospital,
downplaying my role quite a bit. Then I told her about Mark's treatment and
the scene with his and Brad's parents.

"You know, Danny still amazes me. He was horrified when we found Mark and
could barely move. Yet when we got to the hospital, even though he was
still shaken, his loving, nurturing side came shining through. When Brad
was having trouble with his parents and walked out, Danny went after him
and pulled him back together. And he was so supportive of Mark; he even
came up with the idea to have him come stay with us at school this week so
he doesn't have to be alone."

"I don't know how you can be amazed. Look at how he took care of you during
the holidays."

"Yeah, I realize that. It isn't the love within him that amazes me, it's
the way he always finds the strength to give it, even when he's not in the
best shape himself."

"You're the one who always told us how strong he is. Now you're surprised
when he does just what you say he can do?"

"No, it isn't that. It's just that I'm so proud of him. I love him so much
and he just keeps doing things that make me love him more. And I feel like
I don't deserve him."

"You know, Billy, you take good care of him, too. Don't think less of
yourself whenever you think more of him. You're made for each other and
made to take care of each other. Besides, I'm pretty good at reading behind
the lines. It sounds to me like you were a real hero today and maybe that's
not a role you're used to or comfortable with, so you're focusing on Danny
to take the spotlight off of yourself. I'm so proud of you both."

Brad and Lucy came in little later.

"Hey, we stopped by the hospital to see Mark and he said you'd had to leave
when the shrink came to see him, but that you invited him to spend the week
with you at Rutgers."

"Yeah, not much of a Spring Break, spending it at another school, but we
thought maybe we could keep him company."

"You guys are amazing. First you saved his life and now you are taking care
of him."

Brad hugged me tight and I realized he was crying.

"Ah, c'mon, Brad, I know it's been a tough afternoon for you, but enough
tears for one day. Danny just thought maybe it would be good for him to be
around some other gay guys. It's no big deal."

"Yeah, it is a big deal. I love him more than I've ever loved another guy,
you two don't even know him, and whether you know it or not, you're saving
his life again. I can't ever thank you enough."

"Where's Danny?"

"He's up in the apartment, cleaning up the blood. I couldn't deal with it
and we thought Aunt Connie should know what happened, so I came down."

"Well, let's go up and get him. I want to thank him for everything he did
today."

We went upstairs. Danny was sound asleep on the stripped bed. Every trace
of blood had been cleaned up. I sat next to him on the bed and shook him
gently. He murmured slightly, but didn't wake up.

"I think today took a lot out of him. Why don't we just let him sleep?"

"Good idea, Billy. Why don't you lie down with him and get some rest? You
were superhuman there for a while. That's got to take a toll." Luce was
into her mothering mode.


March 29

Danny

I slept the rest of the afternoon. Billy woke me at six-thirty and we went
down to eat at Aunt Connie's. As soon as I walked into the house, Brad
jumped up, came over and gave Billy a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I can't stop thanking you. You saved his life, you know. I'll always love
you for that."

I could tell Billy was feeling really self-conscious. He's not used to
being the good guy, the hero.

"I just acted out of instinct. I wasn't trying to he a hero or anything. I
just did what had to be done. I'm sure if I hadn't acted, one of you would
have. Danny's Boy Scout training probably would have kicked in. Can just
picture him as a Boy Scout, in his hot little uniform, a sexy little gay
Boy Scout."

"God, Billy, you can turn anything into sex."

"Yeah Luce, don't try to tell me that a picture of Danny in a tight green
uniform didn't cross your mind, even if just for a second."

"Well...."

"You see, I'm not the only pervert."

"Speaking of which, I'm not even going to ask why you keep short pieces of
rope in your bedside table. You guys put enough pictures I didn't want in
my mind in Ft. Lauderdale."

After eating the four of us went back over to the hospital to see
Mark. Billy and I had to sneak in because he was only supposed to have two
visitors at a time. We were lucky they let the whole crowd in this
afternoon. Probably because of the circumstances. We were with him in the
Emergency Room and then they couldn't very well keep the adult relatives
out, though it might have been better if they had.

"I think I did a pretty good job with the shrink. He seemed to think I'm
not too crazy or suicidal, so they're going to let me out in the morning,
as long as I don't flip out between now and then."

"That's great news, Mark. I'll be over at Lucy's early in the afternoon
before heading back to school. Why don't you come over and hang out for a
while?"

"Sure thing. I love being with you and I don't think it's gonna be too much
fun around my parents."

We got home early and left Brad and Lucy with Aunt Connie and went upstairs
to bed. In spite of our nap, we were exhausted. I made the bed while Billy
undressed.

"You were pretty spectacular today, black boy."

"I wish everyone would stop saying things like that. I just reacted to the
situation. Like the day after Christmas when you went after Pop and got me
to the hospital, you didn't think, you just did what had to be done."

"Why don't you get into bed and let me help you unwind from your long day?"

Billy barely managed to crawl into bed while I got undressed. I cuddled up
against his side and started playing with his dick.

"Not tonight, white boy. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm just too
tired."

"Then just lay there and let me take care of you."

With that, I reached over and grabbed a bottle of baby oil and poured a
little over his dick and began stroking it, my hand sliding up and down the
shaft, gently squeezing the head each time.

"Hey, I'm not to exhausted to do a little of that. Pour a little oil on
your own beautiful dick and I'll do a little pulling myself."

So I lubed up my dick and he began stroking it. But it was kind of awkward,
reaching across each other, arms getting in each other's way.

"Hang on, baby, let me handle this."

I got up, straddled his thighs and laid my dick on top of his. I wrapped my
hands around the two cocks and began stroking. My hands stroking our meat
and our meat sliding against each other, white on black, the contrast was
beautiful and hot. He reached up with his left hand and began pinching and
pulling and gently twisting my right nipple. With his right hand, he was
doing the same to his own nipple. I kept stroking our two dicks together
with my right hand like I was jerking us both off and he took his left
hand, reached under me and squeezed my balls. That did it. I began
squirting my juice all over his chest and abdomen, white ropes of cum
covering him. Seeing that must have done it for him, because he started
shooting his own white ropes of cum all over as well, mixing with mine on
his dark brown chest and abdomen. When it was over I leaned in and kissed
him gently and passionately on the lips. I licked up a bit of the cum mix
and shared it with him in a kiss. Then I reached over, grabbed a towel and
gently began cleaning him up. He was asleep before I finished.

I had wanted to find some way to show my love how important he was, how
much he meant to me and to others. God it felt good holding both of our
cocks together in my hands, stroking them as one. His dick feels so good
rubbing up against mine. But then, it always has, ever since our first
'Princeton Rub.' And looking down into those beautiful, tired brown eyes, I
fell in love again. After our orgasms and cleanup I just lay there next to
him and watched him sleep for a minute.

Six months ago, I fell in love with a black boy I barely knew. Since then,
we've been through heaven and hell and have gotten to know each other
inside and out. And if there is one thing I know, it is that I love him
infinitely more than I did six months ago. That was my last thought as I
drifted off into sleep.


Billy

We slept in today, getting up at around eleven, which didn't leave us much
time to pack for school. Thank God some fairy godmother named Connie had
done our laundry yesterday while we were at the hospital.

Brad came over around twelve and Mark arrived just a few minutes
later. Danny and I splurged and provided lunch for everyone. Not much,
actually, just a few sub sandwiches from Long John's and some Cokes and
chips. We talked for a few hours. Mark talked about how much he wanted to
meet us after Brad told him we were gay, but how afraid he was that we'd
tell Brad. I think he's secretly in love with Brad but knows how straight
his cousin is. And he didn't know if Brad would accept him. Now he
definitely knows.

"Cuz, I want you to know that I will always love you. Don't ever doubt
that. You've always been there for me and I'll always be there for you."

"You saying that means everything to me, Brad. I have always loved you so
much."

The two of them hugged and kissed, on the mouth again, though with their
mouths closed, of course. It was really touching, and I couldn't resist
breaking the moment.

"What kind of a man-to-man kiss is that? This is a real kiss."

I got up and pulled Danny up. Then I took him in my arms and kissed him,
and it was like we were back at Willie the Silent last September, re-living
that first magical kiss. I just couldn't help it. I am and always will be
so totally overwhelmed by Danny. God, I love him so much and am amazed that
he loves me. So I grabbed him and kissed him. And what a kiss. I mean
kissing him is always good. But there have been a couple of times where
we've just kind of blended into one being. This was one of them. It went on
forever, or at least it seemed to. I don't know how I didn't come in my
pants. When we finally separated, we both had very obvious bulges in our
jeans which Brad and Lucy were both kind enough to point out.

"God, I hope someday, some guy kisses me like that."

"Don't worry, Mark, it'll happen. And it looks like you've got a bit of a
bulge going there yourself."

He blushed and covered his crotch with his hands.

"I have to break this up, but I've got to head north. If you guys will give
us a few minutes, I'd like to say good-bye to Lucy in private."

"Okay, we'll go out to the driveway. Just don't stain the sheets."

"Billy, get your mind out of the gutter. Maybe I'll just blow him."

I couldn't believe Lucy said that. We're not a good influence on her at
all.


Danny

We went down to the yard while Lucy and Brad said their good-byes. Mark had
brought a bag with him for the week and we had packed so once Brad left, we
were all ready to head to school. We explained the situation in the dorm
and the rules. Mark looked really scared.

"Don't worry, Mark. It's a little tense, but it's not that bad. They leave
us alone."

"But if I'm staying with you, they're gonna know I'm gay."

"Yeah, they will. But they'll leave you alone as long as you stick to the
rules. They act tough, but they're all scared shitless of Billy."

"This is gonna take some getting used to. But it's still better than
spending a week getting the third degree from my parents. They're not real
happy with me right now and not at all sympathetic. It's like they want to
know what happened, but not why. I'm glad I don't have to explain, but sad
that they don't seem to care."

"Well we care if that means anything. But I hope you don't know anyone at
Rutgers, because by the end of the week, you're going to be very out on our
campus."