Date: Tue, 04 May 2004 20:46:12 -0500
From: Paul Daventon <authorpaul@mail.com>
Subject: Dukes of Windsor 06
Disclaimer: This story concerns mainly homosexual men and their lives,
relationships and sexual activities. It was inspired only by my visions
and invention. This tale is entirely fictional. If there are any
similarities to actual people, places or events, it is purely coincidental.
If you are under 18 or if reading this story would be illegal for you in
your area or if you don't like the subject matter, please leave now.
Always be SAFE. Otherwise read on and I hope you enjoy.
The Dukes of Windsor 2004 by Paul H. Daventon. All rights reserved. No
part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission of the author. If you are enjoying this story,
write to me at dukesofwindsor@juno.com
When you write, please put "Dukes" or "Dukes of Windsor" in the Subject
line so I concentrate on story email. Thanks, Paul.
* * * * *
THANK YOU I'd be remiss if I didn't thank David and Allen for editing the
chapters of this story. They have made the writing smoother, more correct
and easier to read.. Thank you guys so much for your help and your
encouragement, keeping me on the path. Love you forever. Paul Daventon
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The Dukes and Duchess of Windsor has 38 chapters and the
story is finished. I will put a chapter on each week if all goes
well. P.D.
========= Chapter Six =========
The following morning, Saturday, was warm for a late
September which was building into a chilly Fall. The three young men in
Steve and Becky's home awoke early, about 7 a.m., rising and showering.
Matt and Hardy showered together in the master suite bath where Steve had
been before them. From the aromas in the air, they knew he was in the
kitchen making breakfast for them, and they hoped he'd asked Gary from next
door, too.
Matt stepped into the huge shower space, four heads spewing
warm water from all directions, followed by Hardy who pressed himself
against Matt's back, his hard cock thrust between Matt's thighs, nudging
his balls..
"Wolfie, we can't take the time now, lover. The aromas we
smell mean that Steve practically has our breakfast on the table."
"Aw, Matty, I just wanted to .... oh, well, maybe this
afternoon, ok?"
"Absolutely, babe, and tonight, too." He turned to hold
Hardy, kissed him and broke away. "Come on, man, we need to get moving."
They finished washing, then used the fluffy towels they found
to dry their bodies, wiping each other's back and butt.
"Hey, Matt, I just remembered, I have a white tie and tails
tuxedo suit at home. I could get that and use it with the Dukes, if you
would like to come with me."
"Where's your home?"
"Oh, guess I never told you, did I? My mother lives in Upper
Arlington at the new golf course. Her house is next to the fifth tee."
Matt questioned Hardy, "Have you called your mother to see if
she would be home?" His mind was working. Hardy's family name was Wolfe,
so his mother's name should be Wolfe, and in Columbus Wolfe is a well-known
name. The family has been prominent for many years as business, financial
and cultural leaders. They were connected with the Columbus Dispatch for
many years and a city park on the east side was named Wolfe Park. The park
was between Broad St., north and Franklin Park South, and followed along
Alum Creek and the Bexley City line on the east.
He thought, 'This young man I'm getting very close to could
have a very secure financial background ..... or maybe not. Doesn't
really matter. Guess I'll just follow along with my man.'
"Why don't you give her a call and ask her if we can come to
see them, or wouldn't they be up yet?" He wondered, "Would your Dad be
home?" As he said that, Matt was looking at Hardy's face, watching his
expression change to an anxious one.
"Ah, I'm sorry I haven't talked about my family. After my
father left my mother for another woman, they divorced and he is still a
big wheel in Columbus as usual. Mother got a great settlement but I'm out
one father, even though he never paid much attention to me anyway." He
took a large breath, "Matty, I've never really come to terms with the
situation, I've put off thinking about the effect of the divorce on me."
He seemed to close in upon himself, but also moved to hold Matt.
Matt took Hardy to his naked body, trying to console him, to
comfort him, holding him tight. He looked at the doorway and Steve was
there, starting to say something. Hardy was facing Matt, away from the
door. Matt put a deep frown on his face and waved at Steve to go away.
Fortunately he understood and mimed going downstairs to eat. Matt nodded
slightly.
"Hardy, what can I do for you? Can we go to see your
mother?"
Hardy sniffed, pressed his cheek against Matt's. "Yes, we
can do that. I'll settle down in a minute." He tried for a warm smile and
came close.
Matt slapped Hardy on his bare butt, then squeezed him
forcefully.
"Ok, babe, let's get dressed and have breakfast." He moved
away and was surprised by Hardy giving his butt a hard slap. "Ouch, damn.
I guess I better be careful of what I do to you."
Both of them ate well of Steve's breakfast cooking and the
three of the talked about all sorts of subjects. Without warning the back
door swung open and Gary stormed in, yelling, "Hey where's my breakfast,
Stevie. I'm famished."
The three men sitting at the table pretty much empty of food,
laughed and laughed. Steve got up, walked to Gary and apologized, "I'm
sorry, Gary, we ate too much, I guess," he solemnly pointed at the table,
"we didn't think you were coming. We are just finishing what's left, don't
you see?"
Gary's face exhibited his lack of understanding, and a real
fear that he wasn't going to get any food. "Jeez, Steve, I thought .....
ah .... " He exploded, "Damn you, Steve, one of these days you are going to
pull one of these stunts and I'll .... I'll ..... oh, shit," and he broke
out in gales of laughter. "Get me a chair and bring me FOOD 'cause I'm
gonna eat .... NOW."
Steve gave Gary his chair, got him some coffee and pulled a
hot plate scrambled eggs and bacon from the oven. He embraced Gary before
he sat down with a kiss on his delectable, bow-shaped lips. Gary's lips
would have looked perfectly at home on a woman, if in fact they closely
resembled his sister's. This was in spite of the fact that nothing about
Gary looked feminine, just the opposite. No, he didn't look like an ape,
just a handsome, masculine man.
Hardy left to try to get his mother on the phone. Matt heard
him talking and assumed that she was home. "Guys, we are going to visit
Hardy's mother in Upper Arlington. Hardy has a white tie and tails outfit
which we need for the Dukes, so we'll pick it up. Probably won't be back
until early afternoon. Don't fix anything for us for lunch, we'll catch
something while we are out."
* * * * *
Soon after Matt and Hardy left, Steve and Gary spent a good
hour muscling Matt's statue back into the studio. Steve had gotten a large
hand cart with oversized wheels made to transport his heavy marble
sculptures and he had made a ramp to get Matt's stone image into the house
and out again.
Coming back into the house, Steve suggested some coffee
before they cleaned up.
"Sounds good to me, Steve. Would there be any of those sweet
rolls that Becky made the other day? They sure were good," Gary wheedled
at Steve, smiling sweetly. "Pretty please."
"Damn, Gary, all I've seen you do since I met you is eat with
a capital 'E-A-T'. And yet you don't seem to gain any weight. How do you
do it?"
"Oh, clean living, I guess," Gary teased, "and a pure heart."
He started laughing heartily, happy to stick it to Steve once in a
while. Actually, that's what he'd like to do, soon.
The two young men sat and ate, sipping their coffee, just
quiet for a while. Gary looked at Steve, "My friend, I can't believe how
close to you I've become in just two weeks. I give you your due, you
haven't forced yourself on me or put any pressure on my feelings. Maybe I
will come to a decision in my mind soon."
"Thanks, Gary, I'm in much the same position. However, I'm
under a different set of circumstances than yours. Let's keep the faith,
my friend." Steve smiled lovingly at Gary, "Why don't you save time, Gary,
and go clean up in our shower. I'll be along in a few minutes after I give
Becky a quick call. Oh, get some clean clothes out of my dresser, we're
about the same size."
"Ok, sounds good to me."
"Hi, is Becky there, Mom? Could I talk to her?" Steve liked
Becky's parents a great deal, in fact, if he were honest, he would admit he
liked them better than his own. His parents, and Matt's, were good people,
but very quiet, so laid back that they rarely did anything with them as a
family. They tried extra hard not to influence their boys in any way.
Steve and Matt thought that was just what parents were for.
"Hi, hon, how's it going? And how're the kids?"
He listened to their activities, then asked how she was
feeling. Becky had not been up to par the last few weeks, feeling so wiped
out and exhausted. Her doctors hadn't found anything.
"No dizzy spells? That's good. Yes, Matt and his friend came
down. They are out running around to see his friend's mother."
"Yes, Becky, I hope they can make it and stick together. He's
got a good one, I'm sure."
"Oh, not much, Gary's been over to help me in the studio.
Move heavy stuff, you know."
"Yes, I made my special breakfast for all four of us this
morning, we had a great time." He asked a loaded question since he didn't
want Becky driving home with just the kids. "When are you coming back,
dear?"
"I'm glad your Dad is driving you back. We'll buy him a
plane ticket home for Monday."
"Ok, you go corral the kids. I miss you, too, dear. Talk to
you later. Love you."
* * * * *
Gary was thoroughly enjoying Steve's shower, the four
multidirectional shower heads and nice warm water. He was luxuriating in
it, indulging himself at Steve's expense, thinking that maybe he'd have one
of these showers constructed in his own master bath, but suddenly he was
startled out of his fantasy.
Gary felt a very large cock slide itself between his
buttocks. He could easily tell that a naked man had come up behind him,
holding him and caressing his whole body front, from his pecs down to his
fast rising cock and balls.
"Oh, Steve, that feels so good. You are going to make me
break my resolution to go slowly, to take my time with you." He turned to
face Steve, then ran his hands down Steve's back to tenderly cup his
buttocks, so full and meaty, yet superbly malleable and supple. He
couldn't get enough of Steve's feel, his bodily strength along with his
concern for his partner.
"Gary, I talked to Becky, just normal stuff, but while I was
doing it, I couldn't help considering her relationship with me and our
connection, yours and mine. I have to tell you, I can't live without you,
Gary, if you will have me. I know our coupling will take so much self
control and deviousness, too. I will hate to deceive Becky, but I just
need you, my dear friend."
"And I you, Steve, you have worked your way into my heart and
soul, not your fault except that's the way you are. I love you so much.
We'll just have to find a way." He giggled, "In the meantime I'd be so
pleased if you would send that great cock up my chute to put out the fire
in my ass. Please, Stevie." Gary leaned his hands against the wall of the
shower, shoving his ass back toward Steve and that eight inch monster cock.
Gary was pleased to feel Steve's hands pull his buttocks
apart, his crack opening up to reveal his brownish-red asshole, so wrinkled
and spasming rhythmically in expectation. Steve stuck his face deep into
the cleft between the two round orbs, massaging them while his tongue
searched out the little bud, surely too tiny to permit Steve's cock to
enter. As his tongue managed to pierce Gary's sphincter, Gary moaned,
wriggling his body, feeling the shocks flood his nervous system through his
whole body but especially his crotch, balls and cock. His sensual
stimulation was reaching new heights, his cock harder than ever, draining a
flow of precum to the shower floor.
Steve was enjoying Gary's anal pucker, tasting some soap
flavor, but also some of Gary's man tang going farther to attempt to spear
Gary's rear end. When Gary yelled, "God, Steve, nobody's ever done that
for me. That feels so hot, so nasty and bad my balls are almost ready to
unload their cargo." Steve continued playing with Gary's asshole, using
his fingers to explore it's depths, spreading the sphincter and reached far
in to toy with Gary's prostate. He yowled.
Instinctively, Steve grabbed Gary's hips and flipped him
around so his cock was practically down Steve's throat when it stopped
swinging. In one gulp Steve took Gary's steely cock to it's base,
admitting to himself he had learned that well with his brother. He only
kept it on his tongue for a couple minutes, when he released it and twirled
Gary around again.
This time he bent Gary over toward the shower wall, spreading
his ass cheeks until his cockhead could push against the wrinkled opening.
This wasn't Gary's first time to have a cock up his ass but he wasn't sure
about the size. Again, Steve knelt behind Gary and shoved his face into
his butt crack, reaching with his tongue for his lover's slick hole,
moistened with Steve's saliva dripped onto it.
By the time Steve's cockhead arrived at the hole, Gary was
ready for it, prepared to accept Steve's monster into his lower mouth.
Slowly the soft/hard prick stretched Gary's sphincter until it was spread
enough that Steve's glans could enter easily. Gary was holding his breath,
squinching his face tight from the pain. Giving Gary time to become used to
having a log up his rectum, Steve pulled back a little, then forward a
little more. Finally, his progress succeeded in having Gary's rectum like
a sheath closing on his hot, turgid cock, constricting and embracing it
with gentle pulsing like a velvet glove. Gary's pain was easing, lessening
almost into all pleasure.
By then Steve had wrapped his arms around Gary, embracing his
chest, lying on his back, but still humping his pelvis against the full
buttocks with hard punches. One hand slid down Gary's front to grab his
cock, slippery with precum, and clenched it tightly as he began to pump it.
"Oh, Steve, pump me and fuck me, it feels so good, I'm so hot
and getting hotter. Come on, cum with me, big man, let's do it!" Gary
felt his semen rising in his balls, to his cock, rushing in a big hurry to
get out. "It's cuming, man, now!"
When Steve heard him yell, he knew he had to cum, to spread
his cum all along Gary's guts, so he shoved his cock as far as it would go
inside his lover and let go, shooting stream after stream of semen up his
rectum. Gary's cum spread over the shower's wall and floor since he was
moving when the streams erupted from his cockhead, pushing out the hot,
white semen all over.
The two men relaxed and stood up, clutching each other's body
to theirs. Finally, Steve's cock, somewhat flaccid and becoming more so,
slid out of Gary's rear to drip on the floor.
Steve whispered in Gary's ear,. "Your ass is magic to me,
man, you are the greatest. Could I talk you into a return engagement
soon?"
"You sure can, Stevie, anytime, in fact the sooner the
better."
"Well, Matt and Hardy will be back a little after lunch, they
said they would get their own lunch." He caressed Gary's slick, naked
body, starting his cock to twitching a little from the sexy feel of his
flesh, muscles and skin. "We better get cleaned up and dressed before they
catch us and think we are real 'horn dogs', can't keep our hands off each
other." He laughed, "Which we are."
* * * * *
Matt followed Hardy's directions to his mother's house,
entering the gated community where the gatekeeper called his mother to be
assured they should be admitted. Matt's ancient car hardly looked like
most of the cars that usually entered that gate.
"I've only been here twice, Matt, Mother just moved here last
summer. Her house was part of the divorce settlement, plus a ton of money,
investments, club memberships and all that."
Matt was looking around, while driving, at all the huge homes
of all types, homes that would probably sell for half million to a million
or more, all in a beautiful park-like setting. He could see parts of the
golf course as they drove along a winding road.
"Here we are, Matt. That stone-front house with all the
peaks is it."
The car just settled to a stop and Hardy jumped out, heading
for the front door.
"Hey, Hardy, I'm coming too. Wait up."
Hardy's face became very anxious, he'd rather have had Matt
stay in the car. But quickly he showed a happy face for Matt. "Sure,
Matt, I'm sorry. I'd like you to meet my Mom."
A beautiful woman, about the mid 50s, opened the door before
they got to the portal.
"Hi, honey, glad to see you. Bring your friend and come in."
"Mom, this is Dr. Ridgway from Windsor College. He's my
graduate professor in the music department."
"How do you do, Dr. Ridgway, I'm pleased you could come.
Hardy said that you were both staying with your brother in Bexley?"
Matt smiled at this gorgeous woman, shaking the slim hand she
held out.
"Yes, we had a free weekend and I hadn't seen my brother's
family for a while."
The three walked through a two story foyer into the sprawling
living room.
"Ah, Mom, do you know where my white tie and tails outfit is?
Dr. Ridgway is starting a new brass group at the college, and I was
selected to be in it. And, he has even made me the assistant director!"
Hardy's eyes lit up so brightly they sparkled, a brilliance his mother
rarely noted with her son.
"Wolfie, you will just have to go look. It should be in your
bedroom closet or the main walk in closet in the hall. I don't remember
seeing it, and it most likely will be in a storage bag. You'll just have
to look." She smiled at her son with the love of a doting mother. That
look Matt easily noticed.
"Dr. Ridgway, come with me to the sun porch, I have coffee
and some goodies laid out for us." She slid a hand down her side and over
her hips. "I do have to watch what I eat." Her smile brightened and she
reached for Matt's hand, leading through a couple more rooms to the
completely windowed porch.
"Please call me Matt, Mrs. Wolfe, I'm only Dr. Ridgway to the
students, and then only sometimes," he laughed. His relationship with his
students pleased him immensely.
One of the rooms they had passed through was a library with
many artifacts scattered around on tables. One sculpture caught Matt's
eye, drawing him to it like a magnet.
"Mrs. Wolfe, could we go back to your ... ah .... library, is
it? Just for a minute."
"Of course, did you notice something?"
"Yes."
She led Matt to the library, where he walked directly to an
etagere which held a number of art objects. He reached between the glass
shelves, then turned to Mrs. Wolfe, "May I?" he asked. She nodded. Matt
picked up a sculpture in white marble to hold up to the light. The piece
was about 12" high and showed two young boys, one slightly older than the
other, walking along, the older one's arm around the younger one's neck.
As he stared at the faces, he knew for sure that his brother sculpted it
because the faces had to be Steve and Matt.
"Do you know the sculptor of this piece?" he asked
Mrs. Wolfe.
"Yes, I met him at the gallery when I bought it."
"Do you remember his name?" He smiled at her.
"Yes, why it was ..... oh my goodness .... Steven Ridgway
.... must be your brother, right?"
Matt grinned proudly, "Yes, that's who we are staying with
this weekend."
"You Ridgways are the most talented brothers I've ever met."
She looked amazed, "Bring it with you if you want, the sun porch has much
better lighting."
On the porch they sat at a white wrought iron table with
similar chairs and Matt set the sculpture on the thick glass table top. He
peered at it closely, intently, all over.
"Hadn't you seen that before, Matt?"
"No, Mrs. Wolfe .... "
"Please call me Anne, Matt."
"Someday you will have to ask Hardy why I hadn't seen it.
I've only seen one of his works besides this one."
"Obviously, those two little boys must be you and your
brother, right?"
Matt blushed, his feelings were bared as moisture filled his
eyes, "Yes, we must have been about three and six, he must have used a
photograph that I remember well, to do the sculpture."
Anne Wolfe poured them coffee and uncovered a plate of small
sweet rolls. She had noticed Matt's reaction to the statue, and she knew
something serious had happened between this handsome man and his brother.
She would find out soon enough. And, besides that, she knew she had just
figured out this imposing man, young but with a tortured background
already.
"Matt, I'm going to say something very personal and I hope
you don't mind." Matt shook his head as he picked up a roll. "First,
Matt, you do know that Hardy is gay, don't you?"
Several thoughts scrambled through his mind, but he was
prepared to be honest.
"Yes, of course, Anne, and I am also."
She was surprised that Matt didn't seem worried or
frightened, just concerned.
"And, if I'm not completely mistaken, and I'm not, I would
say that you and he are in love and just about to become partners, or are
partners. Am I right?"
"Yes, Anne, you are correct. We are going keep our
relationship as quiet as we can until I succeed in my new job and
possibilities for a huge step up in the academic world. We are deeply in
love, the only love of my life, and we have a wonderful love life too."
She winced a bit.
Anne Wolfe looked very serious then. "Matt, I have been very
worried about Hardy, he is my only child and I love him dearly. But I'm
afraid he has been terribly hurt in the past, and I only want happiness for
him, as any mother would.
"From what I've seen of you so far, I'm sure you are the man
for Hardy. I just wonder if you are prepared for him and his baggage of
life."
"Does he know you know he is gay?"
"No. We've never talked about it, either of us. I've been
waiting so long. I want to help him and I just don't know how. Can you
tell me?"
"If you can be patient, I probably can help your situation."
A shout from the front of the house, "Hey, Mom, where are
you?"
"We're out on the sun porch, Wolfie." Then, to Matt, "I
never could figure out a better nickname for him. 'Hard' did not seem
appropriate." She laugh and Matt laughed with her.
"Wolfie is what I settled on, too, Anne."
Hardy stumbled onto the sun porch, carrying a suit bag, "I
found it, Mom, thanks for keeping it safe. It was in the last place I
looked ... ah .... sorry about that .... of course it was in the last
place." He reddened and looked so damn cute and much, much younger. Men,
in the presence of their mothers, seem to lose at least half their age.
"Well, thank you so much, Anne, for the brunch and all, but
we better get moving. Lots of errands to do this morning. I hope to see
you again, soon." Matt led the way to the front door.
Anne shook his hand again, smiling mysteriously, "I'm sure we
will meet again, Matt. I'm glad you could come."
Hardy gave his mother a perfunctory kiss on the cheek, "Bye,
Mom, we'll be down again soon to see Matt's brother and you, too."
This time Anne looked at her son sadly, "Ok, Hardy, I love
you, take care."
Hardy looked away from his mother quickly, opened the door
and headed for the car.
Matt turned to Anne Wolfe, "Don't go anywhere, Anne, I'm
going to try something and I hope I don't screw everything up. Hopefully
I'll be right back."
Walking out to the car, Matt could see Hardy in the
passenger's seat, head down, not looking very happy. Matt opened the
passenger door, looking in at Hardy.
"Hardy," he said strongly, "I am not leaving here until you
go inside and tell your Mother that you are gay and that you and I love
each other and we are going to be partners. Can you remember all that?"
Matt's face was determined, stern and resolute.
"Oh, Matt, I just can't. I know she'll hate me. I don't want
to hurt her, I love her so much."
"Hardy, I wasn't going to tell you, but I guess I have to.
Your mother already knows very well that you are gay. No, no, I didn't
tell her, she already knew." He started to walk away, "I mean it, Hardy,
do I have to hold your hand?"
Hardy looked so frightened, so fearful that he actually couldn't move.
Matt did what he had to. He grabbed Hardy's hand and pulled
him out of the car toward the house. He turned the doorknob, pushed open
the door to see Anne still standing where she'd been when they left.
"Ok, Hardy, my Wolfie, and your mother's, now is the time.
Do it."
Hardy could hardly look at his mother, but finally stuttered,
"Mom .... I .... I .... I'm ...... g .. gay." Tears streamed down his
cheeks, his blond curls drooping over his forehead, he was not able to
move, he was so frightened his mother would disown him.
Hardy couldn't see, but his mother's eyes also were flooded
as she walked the few feet to her disconsolate boy, still a boy to her.
"Hardy, it's all right. I've known you were gay for about
ten years, since you were almost thirteen." She smiled into his eyes, "You
never were very careful with your things, especially your hiding places.
Don't worry, I never told your father even though he would never have paid
any attention."
She embraced Hardy, holding her only child whom she loved
beyond measure.
"Oh, Mom, I was so afraid that you'd hate me, you'd disown me
and throw me out."
"Wolfie, I've always tried to show I loved you, no matter
what. Remember when you stole a CD at that store? I made you take it back
and pay for it. If that isn't love, I don't know what it is. I'll bet you
never did that again."
Hardy shook his 'no', burying his face in her neck, getting
her very wet, I was sure.
Finally, they released each other, standing side by side with
their arms around their shoulders.
Anne spoke first, "I want to thank you, Matt, for helping my
son to 'come out' to his mother." She grinned, "That's the phrase for it,
isn't it?"
Matt grinned back, "Yes, that's it. Hardy would have come to
you eventually, but I didn't want to have to wait until our wedding to stop
hiding all this from you."
"Would you two stop talking about me like I'm not even here?
Please?"
We laughed at his complaint, patronizing him as you would a
small child. I even patted him on the back.
"Come on," he complained again, "I'm grown up now." He even
pouted a bit.
Matt walked to them, put his arms around both of them,
kissing each lightly on the lips.
"Ok, you are grown up. Anne, thank you for being such a
loving parent. And, you better say something now if you don't like it,
because you are going to have a son-in-law around you soon. I know we
can't get officially married, but," Matt stared into Hardy's beautiful
eyes, still slightly damp, "we will have a commitment ceremony if Hardy
will have one."
"Of course we will," Hardy spoke vehemently, then turned and
grinned at his mother, "sorry, Mom." His mother was puzzled until Hardy
let go of her, embraced me with both arms and kissed me soundly.
Then she laughed brightly, "You two better get going and rent
a room. In fact, if necessary, you can have a room right here. I'll
sequester myself in the in-law suite for the time being."
"You won't have to do that, Moth .... I'm sorry," I blushed
deeply, "I'm getting ahead of myself," I put my hand over my face, "We do
have to get back to my brother's. But," I assured her, "we will be back
before we return to Windsor College tomorrow. Right, Hardy?"
He had no choice but to answer in the affirmative.
Anne Wolfe put her face between us to be kissed on both
cheeks, "Now, be careful and drive safely. I keep trying to give Hardy a
car, but he always refuses. He says he will get one when he can afford
it."
As Matt backed out of the driveway, waving at Anne in the
doorway, he said, "Well, are you happy, Hardy, or are you mad at me."
He immediately kissed me on the lips, "Lover, I can't thank
you enough. I probably would have been 50 before I'd tell her. Now we have
two places to go and be ourselves." He considered, "But, maybe we'd better
hold off on much passion in front of her for a while."
* * * * *
When Matt and Hardy were leaving Hardy's home, at Windsor
College the Dukes and Duchess of Windsor were meeting to practice in the
Music Building with the help of Marty Stuart. She was amazed at how far
they had come to have a specially poised and technically fine musical
group. And she was excited about the music which Matt had arranged and the
dance steps they had learned.
The first piece they tried as they sat formally in a
semi-circle was a Venetian style Motet of Gabrielli, about 400 years old.
Her disbelief escalated when they reached the middle where, very gradually,
instrument by instrument, the music changed, harmonically, rhythmically and
tonally. In a few bars she realized that they were now playing "Somewhere"
from West Side Story. As each instrument part was altered, that player
stood up and moved into position. By the time "Somewhere" began in full,
they were swaying slightly to the slow tempo in unison as they played from
memory. As the end approached, they formed a single line, right to left,
facing the audience. Roger Adams, playing in place of Hardy, kept up with
the rest just as Hardy would.
When Marty and Jamal applauded their performance, the quintet
bowed slowly and back up in perfect precision. The quintet grinned broadly,
high-fiving with each other, yelling their feelings out in the open. Roger
Adams, as their 'roadie', and Jamal Woods, as the other 'roadie', slapped
each other on the back, knowing that their work will help the Dukes and
Duchess a lot in the coming months.
Marty spoke to the group in Matt's stead, "I certainly don't
want to give you all big heads, but ... if you keep going as you have
been, this group should be a most outstanding quintet; I'm talking
'professional', lady and gentlemen. I mean 'Big Time', that's what! Dr.
Ridgway has showed you the way, now get to the top."
The six students were quiet, considering what Marty had said,
wondering in a way if she was right, if they were that good. Individually,
they all decided to wait until Dr. Ridgway heard them to see his reaction.
They figured in reality that he would probably be more critical than Marty
was, but all hoped he could see the same outlook for their Dukes and
Duchess.
* * * * *
The afternoon sun streamed in the dorm room window, shining
brightly across Jamal Woods' single bed, illuminating Jamal and his
visitor, Rick Balsaam, lying in Jamal's bed. They were both naked, lying
flat out next to each other. Rick turned to lie on his left side facing
Jamal. Both were worn out from their sex of the previous hour, especially
since they had just come from the Dukes-Duchess practice in the music
building.
Rick laid his hand softly on Jamal's abdomen, feeling his
warmth, his smooth cafe au lait skin, 'a beautiful tone', Rick was
thinking, so light, still black. He wondered out loud.
"I want to ask you something very personal, Jamal, but I
don't want to offend you."
"You go ahead, Rick, you won't offend me. And if you do,
I'll just cut off your dick."
He sounded so serious that Rick, worried some, glanced into
his eyes. Immediately, Jamal started laughing, "Jus' teasing you, Rick.
You're my friend, a pretty close friend, so I wouldn't cut your dick off, I
like it too much." He snickered again.
Not totally convinced, Rick laughed with him, yet wasn't
quite sure. 'Oh well, can't hurt much', he thought.
'Please don't beat me', Rick thought, then said, "Jamal, was
one of your parents white?"
He held his breath, almost shaking with apprehension.
"Little Ricky, you know you shouldn't have asked that
question. How would you feel if I said I didn't know?"
Rick had never thought of that. 'Oh, shit, I'm done for.'
"Please, Jamal, don't ..... "
Jamal turned and wrapped himself around Rick, "Don't worry
so, Ricky, I love you, I've told you that. I would never, ever hurt you.
'Sides, you the best dick sucker I've ever had. Course, that's only out of
you and one other, my high school bud. Haven't been around much."
Rick's relief was perfectly visible, his body relaxed and he
breathed much more easily.
"And, yes, Ricky, my mother was white and my Dad was a 'high
yeller' I think they used to call it. And the result - ta-da - you have
right before you, a gorgeous rich light brown from head to tippy-toes." He
slid his palm along Rick's side to hips, "And, you, little Ricky, you are
beautiful, such a nice rosy off-white. We're just a perfect pair." And he
giggled, then tickled Rick until he giggled, too.
To stop the tickling, Rick slid his partly closed fist down
over Jamal's revived cock, standing so straight and tall, a darker shade
than the skin on his body. Rick loved it, so he stretched his mouth toward
the deeper shade head. Jamal understood what he wanted to do so he pushed
Rick back so he was laying flat.
"Rick, babe, you don't get to suck my cock again until I suck
yours. That's our bargain, right?"
"Geez, Jamie, I don't remember .... "
"Damn it, little Ricky, even if I made it up, it's still a
rule." He kissed Rick on his nose, "I'm bigger than you so my word is
law."
Suddenly, Rick sat up, incensed, all ready to fight. "Jamal
Nigel Woods. I don't care if you are bigger than me, I got rights!" As he
said that, Rick broke into giggles, uncontrollable fits of laughter for
saying he had rights. He did have rights, the rights to suck and fuck, and
rights to be sucked and fucked. That was their bargain. They were equal
partners in their relationship; no husband or wife, just two men in love,
living as a pair of males on Noah's ark way back when.
Soon Jamal joined in Rick's laughing fit since he also was
shattered by Rick's 'rights' demand. He was able to get Rick laying down
again, calming him physically and trying to sooth his silliness.
Jamal got on his hands and knees over Rick, looking down at
his naked lover, his handsome face and wonderful body, so well proportioned
though not developed muscularly. The muscles were there, not under fat but
yet not defined as a body builder's would be. Jamal loved feeling Rick's
body, almost completely smooth with the usual underarm and pubic hair plus
a light film on his pecs, a medium brown color, which didn't hide his
darker red nipples that were the size of a nickel with a tiny pip in the
middle.
Rick opened his eyes and smiled lovingly into Jamal's black
ones as he reached up around Jamal's neck, pulling his head down for a
kiss. Their lips met equally tight, both narrow lips and fairly wide.
Jamal's face held many of the same elements of Rick's, thin lips, straight
narrow nose, high cheekbones, all of which maintained that beautiful tan
color of his whole body.
As one, they initiated their thrusting tongues between
glistening lips, aiming to touch the other's teeth, gums, tender inner
cheeks and solid, tough tongues. Both were becoming aroused, their cocks
filling and swelling, squeezing together in pools of precum as Jamal lay on
top of Rick. That sensation drove them higher and stronger erotically as
they recovered from their recent romp on that same bed. They were so lucky
that Jamal had a single room because Rick had three mates in his room where
at least one of them was around at all times.
The two young men seemed to be wrestling vigorously even
though they were just endeavoring to join their bodies wherever possible,
hands all over from pecs to butts, crotches to shoulders.
"This is for you, Ricky, I'm making love to you as best I
can. I told you that I haven't had much experience with another man, just
one. We were in high school together and didn't know what to do." He
laughed, "I did learn how to deep throat a nice-sized cock like yours. I'm
sure glad you came equipped with this big one - but not too big." He rose
from Rick's body, moving down to his groin, aiming for his crotch. "Just
lay there, babe, and accept my loving."
Jamal lay between Rick's legs, spread wide apart, with his
face on top of Rick's bat and balls, starting to lick them with his tongue,
wetting them, the balls in their wrinkled sack and his six inch bat, lying
on his abdomen. Jamal licked from the base along the underside toward the
glans, dousing everything with his slippery saliva. He carefully sucked
Rick's cockhead between his lips, wetting it with his lips and tongue. The
tongue slid around the firm yet spongy meat, a deeper red than his cock
shaft, flicking under the flange of flesh where it joined the pole.
Rick had already been driven wild by Jamal's tactics, his
lovely tongue and inner mouth. He was having a difficult time staying
still, jerking and jolting under Jamal's behavior, but he let his arms and
hands extend to Jamal's head, his black, curly, but not kinky, hair.
The excitement in his loins was causing spasms in his system
and he had to move. Rick let his legs pull up toward his own head, spread
wide to give Jamal plenty of room to access his whole genital region, his
cock and balls, his perineum which led to his ass and the tiny hole
there. Jamal followed Rick's legs, his hands pushing the thighs tight
against Rick's chest so he could attack the ass crack, licking up and down
over the hole, spreading his liquid lube along his ass.
"Oh, Jamal, you got me too hot - man - I can't hold it much
longer. Please suck me - suck me hard and take my jizz." Rick lowered his
feet to the bed, leaving his knees bent and forcing his legs together
around Jamal's head in the throes of his sensual passion.
"Damn it, Rick, let go my head," Jamal muttered with his
mouth pushed against Rick's balls which he had been sucking into his mouth.
As Rick relaxed his thighs, Jamal moved his mouth higher to the tip of
Rick's cock, pushing his pointed tongue into the piss hole, tasting Rick's
delicious precum with maybe a touch of actual cum.
Slowly Rick's pounding cock slid into Jamal's mouth,
gradually the head reached his throat and by working the muscles, the
darker man kneaded his soft head while still tonguing his shaft.
"Oh, damn, Jamie, I'm cuming, I'm cuming .... don't stop
.... don't let go .... keep sucking my fuckin' cock, make that burning
pecker do it ... make it cum .... cum ... Jamie, you got it - ."
Rick's groin pushed up off the bed, trying to force his cock
all the way down Jamal's throat. "Take it, man, eat it." The pressure in
his crotch was full on, his juices were being driven through the tubes
until stream after stream of his cum forced it's way into Jamal's throat.
Jamal pulled partly off Rick's cock so he could taste the
savory semen from Rick's body, his germ of life and Jamal's ambrosia to
drink. Rick collapsed, relaxed his body after his exhausting spasms and
jolting. Jamal kept Rick's prick in his mouth while it diminished to a
mere image of it's former self.
Jamal slid himself up on the bed to lay beside Rick, holding
his body closely, his hands rubbing that naked flesh, trying to relax Rick
even more.
He kissed Rick gently on the lips, humming low tones, almost
singing to his lover.
"Jamal," Rick started, "you are a wonder. I can't imagine
anything better than that, you certainly could go on the road with that
mouth." He kidded Jamal, crushing him to himself, almost ready to weep
over the explosion he just experienced. "Jamal, man, I'm so glad you are
with us on the Dukes. If or when we go on the road, we can room together,
can't we. No one would ever guess."
"Ricky, everyone will know for sure when they see us together
unless we play it very, very cool. That is, no hugging, no hand holding,
certainly no kissing or touching, is that agreed?"
"Oh sure, Jamal, anything you say." Rick kissed him again,
then considered, "Hey, Jamie, couldn't I move in with you?" He waved his
arm around the room, "There's loads of room, I think."
"You don't know how sorry I am, Ricky, but if the dorm
managers ever found out, this would no longer be a single room. If they
see that two could live here, we wouldn't have this wonderful single room
all to ourselves."
He played gently with Rick's limp prick, flopping it in his
fingers, "Isn't it interesting what this little dong can do when properly
aroused."
"Yes, and I'd like another chance at this guy, after I rest a
bit." Rick was holding Jamal's still erect pole, drooling and pulsing
slowly.
Jamal laughed evilly, "Sure, buddy, any time you want." He
kissed Rick's lips, "Any time you want," he emphasized. "If I haven't told
you before, I love you."
* * * * *
Back in Windsor on Monday morning, Matt and Hardy woke early,
finding themselves still spooned as when they went to sleep, Hardy's
backside shoved into Matt's crotch where Matt's full erection pressed
between his butt cheeks, nudging his hole as Matt tightened and relaxed it
trying to wake his lover. Finally, Matt bit Hardy's ear lightly, resulting
in a wave of motion called 'Hardy waking up'. He didn't wake easily or
eagerly.
"Hmmm, ooh, what's that there, astickin' up my butt? Could
that be my favorite cock toying around with my private hole?" Hardy
snuggled more tightly in the curve of Matt's chest and legs, "Do we have to
get up? Really?"
"Yes, babe, we do, lots to do this morning and we have to
sneak you into the music building. It's good you have a bunch of clothes
here in my duplex."
Hardy raised himself and turned to look into Matt's eyes,
"Hon, why I couldn't rent a room in your house, here. That wouldn't be
bad, would it?"
"I've been thinking about that, Wolfie, it would solve some
of our problems, but I'm not sure that it would be wise. Let's go on as we
have been and think about it." He kissed Hardy on his lips which he rarely
did just after waking because of possible poisoning from their morning
breath. That didn't happen often, but both were uncertain about reality.
"I want to talk to Marty about it, see what she thinks.
She's very bright and knows her way around Windsor. "We'll see, lover.
Now, we get up, cleanup, eat up and get to school."
* * * * *
Matt's first duty after arriving at the music building was to
pick up his mail. He was leafing through junk mail but stopped quickly
when a letter from his Dean appeared in the pile. He wasn't apprehensive,
but his nervous system was on alert as he scanned the letter. Well, it was
what he expected, Powers was going to make him prove his competence
.... and fast. The meeting of the dean and Faculty Council would be Friday
evening in the theatre.
Matt mused, 'nothing I can do but be there with the gang'.
Walking to his office, he said 'hi' at least twenty times, a chore of
sorts, but still gratifying to his soul. He walked into his office to find
Hardy at work on the new arrangements for the Dukes. Matt pointedly shut
the door.
He whispered, "Hi, hon, feeling OK?"
Hardy stood up, smiled and landed on right on his lips. Matt
could only kiss back, then indicate they better move away. A rap on the
door separated them immediately, just before the door opened and Marty came
in.
"Hi, guys, good to see you back. Have a good time?"
Matt answered, "Well, I'm sure you've talked to Gary so you
know we had a great time. Didn't we Hardy?"
Hardy couldn't help it, he thought about what they had done
at Steve's house and his face bloomed like a red, red rose. He muttered,
"Oh, it was OK."
Marty smiled, but kept her sarcastic laughter on the inside.
Matt recounted, "Hardy and I visited his mother in Upper
Arlington, a beautiful house on a veritable park grounds, and a golf
course. You'll have to come down with us sometime and we'll go
visiting. He had a white tie and tail outfit, so he's set. We just need
three more."
"I'd like that," Marty agreed. "Hey, have you heard anything
about the Dukes?"
"Oh, I just got a letter from Dean McAllister. We are to go
on stage Friday night at 8 P.M. in the College Theatre. Sure gave us a lot
of time." He looked disgusted.
"Now, Matty, don't get strung out. I watched the Dukes play
and dance on Saturday in the music building, they are very fine. Their
playing is out of this world and the dances, even though they are simple,
work out perfectly with the music. Matty, you had a great idea for them,
just stick to it and the basics and you'll do fine."
Hardy was excited then, "You mean we get to play, Friday?
Hey, man, we're ready already. Ms. Stuart, how did Roger do in my place?"
"Not as good as you, Hardy, but better than good, all the
way. He certainly could do it if you were sick or too busy with directing
or something." She blushed, "No, guys, I didn't mean that 'or something',
don't get me wrong."
Matt started pacing his little office, "Marty, the first
problem we have to solve is costumes. Could you check with the Drama
department to see if they have any formals and white ties, etc? Otherwise
we'll have to rent them. I must have the right look to the group or they
will lose a lot of presence and poise."
"Ok, Matt, I've got to go. See you, Hardy, keep your eye on
him, will you?" She pointed at Matt, winking at Hardy.
"Ok, Ms. Stuart."
* * * * *
By Friday night everyone in the Dukes was excited beyond
belief. The proper costumes were obtained, mostly from the Drama
department of Windsor College, and Christina had a choice of 4 different
slinky gowns to use. Now, if only everything works fine.
Matt got to the theatre with Hardy about 7:30 and couldn't
believe the mobs of people around the entrance, mostly students as he
checked. How did this happen? 'Ah Ha,' he thought, 'I wonder if our Dukes
and the Duchess have been putting out the word.'
He found his people backstage, dressed and ready, anxious but
they didn't seem scared, just ready to go on.
"Why do I get the feeling that some of you might have invited
some friends to this show of ours?" He smiled when no one admitted
committing the deed, "You know, this is our do or die performance, so I
guess you all are sure we've got a lock, right?"
"Yeah, man, we're goin' ta cinch it in just 30 minutes."
Everyone agreed with Jamal.
"I'd like to meet with you in the classroom across the hall
and I'd appreciate it if you would warm up softly and check your tuning
with the tuner. I need to see the Dean before we go on, see if we're all
set with him." He beamed at them, "Hey, with this crowd we have, it might
be considered a contest between the Christians and the lions." The group
laughed until Hardy spoke up, "Ah, Dr. Ridgway, which ones are we?" Again
they broke up into gales of laughter.
Matt spoke over the noise, "Get over in the classroom. I'll
see you in a couple minutes." He reflected on their appearance. Little
Jeff, Big Jeff, Rick and Hardy looked so handsome in their 'penguin
outfits', and Christine was a very beautiful woman, as if she just came out
of a 1940's fashion advertisement in Vogue.
* * * * *
The ceiling lights dimmed in the theatre but rose on the
stage which was still closed off by the curtain. Matt stepped through the
split in the center of the stage curtain.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is quite an unexpected crowd
since we only anticipated playing for the Arts Dean, Dr. McAllister and the
Faculty Council. But .... but we are happy that you all are here.
"This group, called a brass quintet but more defined by the
name, The Dukes and Duchess of Windsor, is new this year and I hope will
continue for many years. I expect the musical quality and technical
expertise to be at the highest level.
"Enough for now, the group has only been in existence for two
weeks so we could not have a full concert ready, but you will certainly
have an excellent preview.
"Now, let me present The Dukes and Duchess of Windsor." His
arm swept behind him.
As the curtain spread to the sides, the audience erupted into
extended applause until the five students were settled in their chairs,
facing each other in the usual semi-circle. Hardy gave the initial
downbeat with his slide and they were off.
They began with an instrumental piece by Antonio Vivaldi
(1678-1741), fast tempo with lots of runs and an articulated melody. After
two pages, Hardy stood up, walked around the circle to a point on stage
left. His part was changing to a different rhythm and harmony but which
still stayed in accord with the other four. Big Jeff was next to move,
carrying his tuba to stand behind Hardy. His music had changed to rapid
syncopation which Hardy followed. Quickly then, the other three rose one
after the other toward Hardy and by the time they reached Hardy and Big
Jeff the group was in a wild version of Alexander's Ragtime Band. They
danced a simple but effective routine, performed with style and elegance.
When they finished playing, the audience burst forth in
applause and cheers, easily recognizing the Dukes expert performance and
their popular appeal even though they started with two hundred and ninety
-two year old music. Matt was thinking that maybe his idea had been a good
one, and yet he did some quick praying that they continue to do well.
By the end of their performance Matt's young people were
almost exhausted, but so high they would take a week to come down. He stood
in front of the stage, clapped for his 'kids' as hard as he could. They
bowed time after time, but soon Matt turned around to face the audience.
"Thank you , Ladies and Gentlemen, I speak for the Dukes
.... and the Duchess ... ", he saluted Christine and bowed to her, "and I
know they appreciate their friends attending."
"Dean McAllister, that is our performance and we all hope you
will let us continue with this organization."
The Dean stood and faced the audience. "I see all the Faculty
Council is sitting in the front row, so that makes it easy. Could I see
the hands of you who approve of the new music group as set up by
Dr. Ridgway?"
Every Council member raised their arm high, even Victor
Whinery, however those arms were soon lost in the mass raising and waving
of arms by the audience.
* * * * *
Matt was thinking, 'This is one Friday night that I am very
happy to be in my bed early, especially since I have a good friend of mine
with me.'
"Wolfie, I am so damn proud of you guys, that was a
magnificent performance, presented in the most professional manner. And
you, dude, led the way perfectly." He kissed Hardy long and hard. "I love
you so much, Wolfie, I couldn't live without you, you must know that."
"Me, too, Matty, I'm still high and yet you are what really
matters to me." He giggled, "And this thingy here." Hardy held Matt's soft
dick gently but lovingly, "This is my idol." He snickered some more and
grabbed some ass, one arm around Matty's neck to pull their heads closer,
kissing, licking and sucking lips and tongues. The two lovers were warming
up with their foreplay as a prelude to hot sex.
Matt's cell phone chittered on the bureau and he had to get
up to answer.
"Hi, Steve, how ya doin'?"
He listened for a few minutes, then a pained expression on
his face, and sadness in his eyes.
"Oh, Steve, I'm so sorry. Can we help at all?"
Matt put his hand to his head, wiping his eyes with the back
of his hand.
"Ok, Steve, now listen. I'm going to call a person who can
come and take care of the boys, a fine person, my mother-in-law actually."
He raised his eyebrows at Hardy, questioning his decision. Hardy smiled
soberly and nodded.
"I'll talk to her in the next 5 minutes. If that goes wrong,
I'll send some other friends. Ok?" Matt was thinking about the Montoni
twins, they would be good with kids.
Hardy stood up, moved close to Matt and put his arm around
him, holding him tightly for support. He didn't know exactly what
happened, but if Matt was sad, then he was sad, too.
"Wait a minute, Steve, we can check with her right now. Hold
on, don't go away."
"Hardy, get your cell phone, quick! I'll use that, you talk
to Steve. Try to settle him down."
Matt took Hardy's phone, brought up Hardy's mother's number
and pressed call.
"Hello."
"Anne?"
"Yes?"
"Anne, this is Matt. We have a problem."
"Oh, hi Matt. Just tell me the problem. I'm sure we can
solve anything."
"My brother just called. His wife, Becky, has been found to
have a brain tumor which has to be operated on as soon as possible. He has
sent her by ambulance and has tried to locate Gary, his neighbor, but no
sign of him. The problem is the two boys, Jacob and Joshua, because Steve
may be living in the hospital for days.
"Now, Hardy and I will be down as soon as we can, but not
soon enough. Could you possibly get to his house as fast as you can to
take care of the boys there, or maybe you know of somewhere you can
entertain them until we can get there?"
"Why, sure, Matt, just tell me where he lives."
Matt gave her the number on Parkview Avenue, near the Jeffrey
mansion in Bexley.
"That's no problem, Matt, and when you get to Columbus, just
come to my house because that's where we'll be. Ok?"
Oh, Mom .... oops ... I'm sorry, Anne, it just slipped out,
I feel so comfortable with you, like with my Mom only better. If you don't
have any, there are child car seats in the garage, just in case Steve
doesn't recall. Jacob can help you with them, too."
"That's alright, son, I'm going to love getting used to those
names. Now, let me go so I can get to Steve's as soon as possible."
"Ok, bye, Mom." He smiled broadly as he said it.
"Hardy, tell Steve that your .... our mother will be there
soon." His face relaxed in relief.
Hardy revealed after he clicked off, "Steve said that he can
wait for Mom ..... yes, our Mom .... to get there and he's very grateful."
"It's late, but we better pack a weekend bag, get dressed and
head out. Pronto, as Red Ryder would say." Hardy gave Matt a quizzical
look, who returned the look, "You had to be there, Wolfie, I'll explain
later. Let's go."
* * * * *
Matt let Hardy drive that time, he knew he wouldn't be
nervous with his lover handling the car, in fact he did sleep some.
Our lovers arrived at Columbus in record time and Hardy knew
quick ways to Upper Arlington and screeched to a stop in his mother's
driveway. They got out with their bags and walked through the front door
only to break into uproarious laughter to see the huge mess made by just
two small boys. And, Anne Wolfe was sitting in the middle of the living
room floor, Lego building blocks all around her. 'But,' Hardy thought,
'she looks happier than he'd ever seen her. Her hair is a mess, her makeup
askew, but a brilliant, beautiful mess, laughing at herself and her
position.'
"Oh, Matt, I want to keep these boys, they are loves and I
adore them."
"I'm sorry, Anne, but I'm sure Steve will want them back,
sometime."
"I talked to Steve while driving there and asked him to pack
their bags, plenty of stuff. He did, everything was ready when I stopped,
a master of efficiency."
Matt called out, "Hi, Jacob, Joshua." and he got a very
bland, "Oh, hi." in return. They were too busy playing with toys from the
Wolfe attic, old ones of Hardy's, he imagined. He turned around and Hardy
was on the floor, too, playing with them.
Matt was surprised the boys were still awake, running on
reserves.
"Matt and Hardy, you better take these munchkins up to bed.
They may want to sleep with you, so why don't you take the guest room with
two queen-sized beds. And, put out their belongings where they can see
them. Oh, a personal question, Matt, is Joshua toilet trained?"
"He sure is, Anne, and very proud of it. He wants to do
everything like Jacob and he was trained early, for a boy."
Hardy and Matt both kissed Anne on the cheek, thanking her
for bringing them to her house. Matt carried Jacob while Hardy had Joshua
over his shoulder in a 'fireman's carry'. The guest room was fine, except
that the boys wanted to sleep together in one bed, so the big boys decided
to sleep together, too. And they did, very lovingly.
* * * * *
Becky Ridgway and her boys were driven from Virginia to
Columbus by her father the day after Matt and Hardy went back to
Windsor. They decided that she should not drive, she had experienced some
fainting spells the last few weeks. Her mother wasn't well enough to
travel, so her father flew back to Virginia right after he delivered Becky
to her husband. Steve had his tickets all ready and sent him in a taxi to
the Port Columbus airport, not too far from Bexley.
Five days later in the morning Steve called Matt and Hardy,
telling them that the operation would take place that afternoon at 1 p.m..,
and the surgeons were hopeful. The tumor was in a difficult spot though
normally operable.
"Steve, do you need anything now?"
"No, Matt, I'll just keep in touch. Love you guys."
"Us too. Did you know that Hardy's mother has your two boys
statue? She thought she had met you at the gallery."
"What's the name?"
"Anne Wolfe."
"Oh, yes, what a fantastic woman, you have to love her on
sight. Tell her I remember her very well."
"Uh, Steve, the faces on those two boys seem very familiar to
me. Could be?"
Steve snickered, "Yes, Matty, that's us. Remember the
picture was one our mother took that strangely came out clear and in focus.
Probably one out of a zillion she took. I gotta get off, talk to you
later. Hi to Hardy and Anne and give the boys a hug for me."
Matt relayed Steve's greetings.
"And I sure remember him," Anne spoke warmly, "he's going to
be one of the great ones."
Anne had made a wonderful breakfast for everyone and the
boys, the 'big' boys, cleaned up, teasing, tickling and goosing each other
in the process. Their shouts of laughter could be heard by Anne, who
played again with the 'little' boys. Her smile broadened when she heard
them, loving the male voices, particularly Hardy's. Hardy had not been a
totally happy boy, though he hadn't been completely unhappy either.
She was so pleased that he had found a man who would love him
and whom he would love in the same way. Even though she didn't know him
very well, Anne would adopt Matt in a second, and his brother, also.
Matt and Hardy decided to take the boys to C.O.S.I., Center
of Science and Industry in downtown Columbus, a beautiful new building on
the banks of the Scioto River, at that point the combined Olentangy and
Scioto Rivers. Part of the building was an old Columbus High School no
longer in use by the city.
Many of the exhibits were too old for Jacob and Joshua, but
some just fit their sense of humor, like the magic of science. Since
visitors can pick and choose among all the available science and industrial
settings, Hardy kept their total time to an hour. The boys didn't get too
tired or bored. Neither did the 'big' boys.
She took the boys to her country club for lunch and dazzled her
friends with her new 'grandsons'. She didn't explain the relationship, not
wanting to get into 'her son-in-law's brother's sons in her charge',
especially since her friends knew she didn't have any daughters.
When they returned to 'Gramma's house', by Matt's eyes the
small boys were just about ready for a nap. So, when they reached the
house, against all complaints to the contrary, Joshua and Jacob ended up in
their bed, and slept.
* * * * *
Saturday evening, both Matt and Hardy felt the need of a
short nap after supper, so great a need that they didn't even play around
with each other. They did spoon as usual, Hardy curled up against Matt's
chest and crotch, but their passion remained cooled.
About 9 p.m. Matt heard his name through his dazed
sub-consciousness, turned his head to look up at Anne, leaning over him
with the cell phone. Quickly, he noticed that she was crying, "What is it,
Anne?"
"Matt, it's your brother, it isn't good news, I'm so sorry."
She handed him the phone, Hardy still hadn't awakened.
"Hello."
"Matty, come get me, please. Please."
"What is it, Steve, is it about Becky?"
Steve broke down, sobbing into the phone, "Sh .... Sh
.... She .... didn't ..... make it, Matty, she's gone." He coughed, trying
to settle himself, "We'll have to come back later for my car. I can't
drive, oh Matt, she's left me, she has passed away." He broke down again,
crying so hard with such a pitiable, wrenching wail, "Matt, I can't take
anymore. Please come get me."
"Ok, Stevie, I'll be there very soon, and Hardy will come to
bring back your car. We'll be coming back here, to the boys."
"Ok, love, hurry."
* * * * *
Anne gave Steve a sedative and tucked him in bed, kissing him
on the forehead. She hugged him for a few minutes until his breathing
slowed and he relaxed.
Later in the family room, Anne asked, "Matt, where is Becky
now? Still at the hospital?"
"No, Anne, I called a funeral home and they came before we
left. She wanted to be cremated, so that will be done tomorrow. We can be
there or not, depending on what Steve will want to do." He was holding
Anne's hand on one side and Hardy's on the other. "I think there will be a
memorial service for Becky, time for all her friends to pay their
respects."
Joshua and Jacob were playing as usual with the toys, but
they were very quiet. They had not been told about their mother, in fact
no one knew just how to do it. And they obviously had sensed the adult's
change of behavior, complete shift of mood. When Matt tried to hold the
boys, to cuddle them, Joshua would allow it, but not Jacob. 'He must be
sensing on a more serious level', Matt thought.
The three adults sat on the couch, holding hands, lost in
their own thoughts, just waiting. Suddenly from the second floor came a cry
of extreme pain, somewhat like a coyote wailing at the moon, an
uncontrolled screech of someone who had lost all reason.
Matt stood immediately, "It's Ok, I'll go, he'll react well
with me."
Entering the bedroom, he found Steve sitting in the middle of
the bed, his head raised toward the ceiling, howling as he clutched his
chest.
"Steve," Matt said. After no response, he yelled as loud as
he could, "STEVE, listen to me."
Slowly Steve lowered his head and stared blankly at Matt for
a few minutes, finally he recognized his brother. He took a large breath,
"Matty," he cried, "Matty, she's gone, Becky's gone, I can't believe it."
He held his head in both hands, shaking it.
Steve peered into Matt's eyes with a gaze wholly filled with
guilt, "Matt, I killed her," he confessed, "I know I killed her because I
wished I was free and clear, so I could be what I know I am." His tears
ran freely down his cheeks, "Don't you see, Matty, I did it, I killed her."
Again the wailing started, high pitch keening issued from his throat to
fill the house with terror and fear.
Matt acted quickly. He rushed to Steve's side, embraced his
brother and pushed him back on the bed. He whispered in Steve's ear,
"Stevie, my dear brother, Stevie, you have not killed your Becky, you
cannot cause a tumor to appear in someone's brain then to grow and grow
until it causes death." He tightened his hold on Steve. "Do you hear me,
Steve, listen closely. You had nothing to do with it. That tumor would
have loomed in her brain even if she had never met you."
Steve relaxed, as did Matt. Finally, Steve embraced Matt's
body in a grip of iron, hurting Matt who decided he could stand the
compressed ribs for a while. "Oh, Matt, thank you for helping me, trying
to calm me. I still don't understand how I'm going to go on. We were each
other's best friend, lover and true companion."
Matt knew he must explain as well as he could. "Steve, you
still have part of Becky with you, you still have a responsibility to her
and you have a debt to her to be paid." Matt kissed his brother's ear,
then whispered, "Stevie, Jacob and Joshua are at the heart of your need,
they are the responsibility and debt which you owe to Becky, to see they
grow up healthy, educated, cultured and compassionate."
"Oh, my god, I forgot the boys. How could I?" Steve buried
his head in Matt's chest.
"Stevie, we haven't told the boys about their mother, we
didn't know how. We all should talk it over, including Hardy's mother.
OK?"
"Yeah, let's go down. I'll try to act normal for the boys."
They stood and hugged, sharing their strength in a difficult time.
Walking from the room, Matt told Steve, "You won't be normal,
Steve, and the boys will know it. They have been unusually quiet today.
You are just going to have to tell them."
The brothers clasped hands as they walked down the stairs..
Write to Paul at dukesofwindsor@juno.com
* * * * *
Turning The Page
Some characters in this story have been drawn from my first book, Turning
The Page, Nifty/Adult Friends/August 13, 2002. It is not necessary to read
that book first, but it would give you a background for The Dukes and
Duchess of Windsor.