Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 18:14:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: tiberius <tiberius224@yahoo.com>
Subject: Pillow Talk

***  !!WARNING!!  *** Gay fiction about to begin!

If you're not old enough please come back when you are. If you're not
allowed to see this wherever you're accessing it from don't! You should
go now at a run-if not, it's your neck and don't say I didn't warn you
to leave.  And last but not least-if you are offended by the thought of
homosexuality then you're definitely in the wrong place. Please go back
the way you came in or you will be offended.

Also, these characters come from my imagination. I know of no one
like them in real life. Any one who sees himself or anyone they know
should mark it down as a coincidence.

And Now, A Word From the Author.

This is going to be a short chapter as most transitional ones are.
Nothing earth shattering happening, just a couple of tearful reunions.

. The story continues.

   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Jeremy and Ian emerged from the hallway in to the airport terminal.
They started to head toward the baggage pick-up when a voice called
out.

"Jeremy?"

Ian watched Jeremy's eyes light up as he turned to find the voice that
called his name. It was obvious that Jeremy knew whoever that voice
belonged to. Jeremy searched the faces that were near them until he
found the one that called out.

"Toby!" Jeremy called out and rushed off.

Ian followed, quietly watching where Jeremy went. He saw Jeremy run
up to a young black man and the two embraced like the old friends he
knew they were.

Jeremy spoke excitedly, "My God, Toby, you look great. I haven't seen
you in forever! What're you doing here?"

"You're looking sly yourself, and your mom asked me to meet you.
She's at the hospital with your dad." Toby replied just as happy as
Jeremy. "What've you been up to?"

Ian watched the two friends, specifically Toby. Normally he was not
attracted to black men, but looking at Toby he could see that Toby was
very attractive. Ian found himself thinking that Jeremy had good taste
in men. For a moment Ian felt a pang of jealousy which he promptly
scolded himself for. He trusted Jeremy, so it did not matter if he trusted
Toby. For Jeremy though, he would give Toby a chance.

"I went back to high school to get my diploma, and I'm working in
Ian's restaurant." Jeremy was answering Toby's question.

"This must be Ian standing behind you." Toby said looking up at Ian.

Jeremy turned and blushed.

"Yes, Toby Ferris, this is Ian Shea my boyfriend." Jeremy introduced
Ian proudly

Toby stuck out his hand, "Hi, Jeremy's mom told me you've been
taking care of my man here."

Smiling, Ian took the hand and shook it warmly, "Jeremy's told me a
lot about you too. I'm glad to finally meet you. As far as taking care of
Jeremy, he pretty much does that for himself."

"Yeah," Toby agreed rubbing his hand on Jeremy's head like he was
trying to mess up his hair. "My man always could take care of himself."

"Cut it out you two." Jeremy protested batting Toby's hand away from
his hair. "let's get the bags."

Ian and Toby chuckled at Jeremy's embarrassment.

"Yeah, I suppose we should get the bags." Ian agreed smiling.

As they moved back toward the baggage claim Toby said, "While
you're in town give me a call and let's get together. I want to hear
about what's been going on."

"I'd like that." Jeremy agreed. "I want to know what you've been doing
since I left town too."

"Then it's a date." Toby grinned.

Ian had to struggle to keep his face neutral. He did not like the tone of
Toby's voice when he said date. Ian warned himself again to trust
Jeremy even if he was having difficulty trusting Toby.

They retrieved the bags and Toby lead the way to his car. Toby's car
was a nineteen sixty-three Chevy Impala. It was black with a small dent
in the rear and the rear bumper was twisted. The chrome was all still
there and over the rearview mirror was a picture of a well muscled
black man in a pair of tight bikini briefs.

Jeremy stopped and stood there when he saw the car Toby was driving,
"Good Lord, you're still driving this old pile of junk?"

"Dude, she may not look like much, but you should hear how she
purrs." Toby smiled proudly.

"I remember how she 'purrs'." Jeremy laughed. "And coughs too."

"It's been almost four years, man. She doesn't have that cough
anymore." Toby protested taking keys from his pocket.

"Yeah, right." Jeremy sounded skeptical even as Toby unlocked the
car's trunk.

"Don't be dissin' my ride, man." Toby warned, but his eyes were
sparkling.

Ian noted the car could use some wax, but aside from the dent and
twisted bumper the car seemed to be in fair condition. Ian realized that
car and owner suited each other. It was true what they said about a car
matching its owner.

They loaded the luggage in the trunk and then climbed in to the car.
Toby and Jeremy sat up front and Ian sat in the middle of the back seat.
Toby put the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine started the
first time and Jeremy made a face that said he was impressed.

"She does sound better. Sorry for doubting you, Tobe."

Toby grinned proudly, put the car in gear, and drove away.

They stopped at the motel where Jeremy had booked rooms for them
just long enough to check in and drop off their luggage before Toby
drove them to the hospital.. Ian had let him make the arrangements
because it seemed to be important to the younger man.

A little more than half-an-hour later the three climbed back in to
Toby's car and headed off to Thornapple Memorial Hospital. Toby
steered the car up to the front entrance and stopped.

"Sorry, guys, but I gotta' get to work. You guys gonna' be able to get
back to the hotel?" Toby apologized.

"Yeah, we can catch a cab." Jeremy said. "Thanks for the ride, Tobe."

They climbed out of the car and Ian stopped in front of the driver's
window. He stuck his hand out. "It was nice to meet you, Toby. I hope
we see you again."

"Me too, man." Toby said taking Ian's hand.

A moment later, Ian and Jeremy entered the hospital. Ian followed
Jeremy thinking that the younger man would stop at the nurse's station
and ask for directions. Ian was surprised when Jeremy went to the
elevator and pushed the up button. Ian realized that if Jeremy knew
where he was going that could only mean that Jeremy had been to the
cardiac intensive care ward before.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. The two stepped on to the
elevator and Jeremy pushed the button for the second floor. The doors
closed and the floor moved under their feet. Jeremy was really quiet
and the sour look on his face would have been a clear indication to
even a blind man that Jeremy was not happy.

"Talk to me?" Ian asked gently.

Jeremy sighed, "I don't want to see him, Ian. I don't want to."

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Ian said simply. "Don't let
anyone force you to. As much as you love her, don't even let your mom
force you."

Jeremy nodded.

Just then there was a ding and Jeremy straightened up, taking a deep
breath. When the doors opened Jeremy looked at Ian. The look on his
face said he did not want to step off the elevator. Ian stood, unmoving,
saying that it was up to Jeremy with his actions and his eyes.

Finally, Jeremy's face hardened and he turned away. Ian felt a sense of
pride as Jeremy stepped off the elevator. That's my man, Ian smiled to
himself as he followed Jeremy.

They had not gone very far when Jeremy stopped. Up ahead of them
was a woman with brown hair salted with white. She was getting a cup
of coffee and started to turn toward them.

"Mom?" Jeremy's voice was so quiet Ian barely heard it.

The woman spotted them and immediately stopped. Her face looked
stunned for just a moment and then her eyes glazed over with tears.

"Jeremy." She gasped.

Ian noted she had enough presence of mind to set down her coffee
before rushing toward them. Jeremy bolted toward her at the same
moment. They met wrapping arms around each other.

"It's so good to see you, sweetie." The woman said with tears on her
cheeks. "I've missed you so much."

Ian could not see Jeremy's face, but he could hear Jeremy sniff so Ian
knew he was crying too.

"I've missed you too, Mom." Jeremy said.

They stood there in the hallway for a long moment just holding each
other as though afraid to let go. Ian waited patiently. It had been nearly
four years since they had seen each other so they had a lot of hugging
to catch up on.

When they finally relaxed they pulled away only so far that their hands
were holding each other's arms. They were looking each other over.

"You look wonderful, sweetheart." The woman nodded.

"You look tired." Jeremy said with concern in his voice.

"Well, I haven't been sleeping much since your father's heart attack."
The woman turned her head.

Jeremy was quiet for a moment and his mother could see the question
in his eyes.

"Your father is doing fine. He just fell asleep a minute ago." She
replied reading Jeremy's mind.

Jeremy nodded, "How are you doing?"

"Much better now that you're here." She patted his elbow. Then she
looked over Jeremy's shoulder.

"You must be Ian." She smiled.

Ian smiled back, "And you're Shirley. I wish the circumstances were
different, but it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"It's so wonderful to meet you too." Shirley said as she moved over
and hugged Ian.

Surprised, it took a moment before Ian returned the embrace.

"I wanted to thank you for taking care of my son." Shirley said.

"You've already done that." Ian said quietly. "It was my pleasure. You
have a lot to be proud of with him."

"Hey!" Jeremy said. "I'm standing right here. You don't have to talk
like I'm not."

Ian grinned at him, "We know."

Shirley released Ian and turned to look at Jeremy. She still had one arm
around Ian's waist.

"Oh honey, it's not like it's anything bad, but it's just that I was so
worried about you after you left." Shirley explained. "I had no idea
what had happened to you, or where you were. Then when Ian called I
was just so thankful to know you were alive and well. I owe him so
much for making sure you were safe, and I didn't have to worry about
you."

"I'm sorry I worried you so much, Mom." Jeremy looked down at the
floor.

Shirley reached out and put a hand on her son's face. Jeremy looked up
at her and his eyes were glazed.

Shirley softly said, "I know, honey. I even know why you never called.
Your father."

Jeremy nodded his eyes, and sniffed again. He wiped his eyes and said,
"I was afraid Dad would answer the phone, and I didn't want to hear
how much he hated me again."

"Is Jeremy's dad still upset about Jeremy being gay?" Ian asked a little
surprised.

Shirley nodded her head sadly. "I'm afraid so."

Ian shook his head, "Unbelievable."

"That's my dad." Jeremy's tone was dark. "Once he's made up his
mind there's no changing it."

"Your father will come around, dear." Shirley sighed. "It's just going to
take a while."

"It's been four years, Mom." Jeremy reminded her. "How long does it
take?"

Shirley shook her head, "I don't know, dear."

They stood there quietly for a moment neither knowing what else to say
to each other. Ian finally broke the uncomfortable silence.

"That coffee looks good, Shirley. Would you know where I could find
a cup of that?"

Shirley looked at Ian. There was a look of gratitude in her eyes that Ian
took as a thank you for changing the subject.

"C'mon, I'll show you." Shirley said.

Then she slipped her hand in to Jeremy's and started to walk. Jeremy
allowed her to lead him along with Ian following them along the
hallway.

They came to a cafeteria and went in. Ian saw the commercial sized
coffee maker and said, "Ah, I see coffee. Jeremy, would you like
something?"

"Just the usual." Jeremy shrugged.

"Okay," Ian nodded. "One cola coming up. Why don't you and your
mom pick out a table and I'll get our drinks."

"Sure." Nodded Jeremy.

Ian went to fetch the coffee and soda while Jeremy and his mother
walked hand in hand toward a table. Jeremy picked on in the far corner
away from everyone else. He wanted to talk to his mother without
everyone in the hospital hearing what they were saying.

"Ian seems like such a wonderful man, dear." Shirley smiled. "I'm so
glad you met him."

"He's incredible, Mom." Agreed Jeremy. "I don't know where I'd be
now if I hadn't met him."

Shirley looked over at Ian as he was standing there paying for their
drinks. Then she looked a nervously at her son.

"Jeremy, please don't take this wrong, but how old is Ian?" Shirley
asked barely above a whisper.

"Mom!" Jeremy gasped in surprise.

"Oh honey, please don't be upset." Shirley spoke calmly but quickly as
she put her hand over Jeremy's hand. "Ian is such a wonderful man that
I have no problem with his age. I just want to be sure you don't have a
problem with it."

Jeremy shook his head, "No, Mom, I have absolutely no problem with
it at all."

"Have no problem with what?" Ian said standing above them.

"Mom was wanting to know if I had any trouble with the difference in
our ages." Jeremy explained. "I told her that I don't."

Ian nodded as he set down the cola in front of Jeremy, "Well, I'm glad
to hear that. I wish I could say the same."