Chapter Twenty
Returning to his dorm after eight in the evening Neil found a note slipped under his door: "Please see me, Cory."
"Shit!" he mumbled to himself, wondering what kind of trouble the boy had gotten into this time.
He really needed to study, do some internet research, and write a paper due on Monday. He didn't have time to give futile advice to someone he despised nor solve whatever problem that teen had. Still, despite his dislike of the arrogant SOB, curiosity as much as compassion drove him to knock on his door.
"Who is it?" came a muffled voice from inside.
"It's Neil."
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
The kid was lying on his bed wearing only his cut-off jeans. His face and rib cage were a patchwork of bruises. A bloody shirt lay on the floor.
"What the hell happened?"
"I screwed up, again. I know you helped me by talking to Brad and by warning me about what I said and did. I was a complete idiot not to follow your advice. I want to thank you for helping me and tell you how sorry I am for not listening."
Ignoring the apologetic flattery, the eighteen-year-old snapped, "You're not answering my question. How did you get banged up?"
"I went to a gay bar down on Fourteenth Street. I've been there a few times but never scored. I was there ten minutes when a good looking hunk came in and sat at the bar. I moved over to sit next to him. He began talking, which led to me buying him some drinks. He seemed friendly enough. I thought I had finally found somebody to have sex with. The longer we chatted the more aroused I became. I put a hand on his leg, but he moved it. Dammit, Neil! I was horny! A few minutes later, I put my hand right into his crotch and told him I could take care of his needs.
"He shoved my hand away and told me to get lost. What was he doing there if he didn't want what I wanted? He went down to the other end of the bar. After a few minutes, I followed him, and said I was sorry but that I'd really like to suck him off.
"He stood and bumped me off the bar stool in the process -- deliberately, I think. That's how I got the first bruise. The ruckus resulted in everyone staring, which embarrassed me so much I left. Outside, three macho looking jocks walked, by and started to call me a filthy fag. One of them said, `What does a fag deserve?' All three started punching me. That's when I got the bloody nose. I think it may be broken. I was begging him to stop. I fell down and one of them kicked me in the ribs. They walked away laughing. If I had listened to you, I wouldn't be in this mess! I'm sorry, Neil."
"I'm sorry it happened, Cory. Forgive me for saying this, but you're partly to blame, at least for what happened in the bar. You didn't go to make friends but to look for sex. Thinking only of the thrill caused you to be you careless. You came onto the guy too aggressively. There's nothing wrong with being gay, but there's more to it than fornicating with the first dude you think is queer. That's selfish, Cory, but I suppose `selfish' describes you in more ways than just wanting sex. Somehow, some way, you must learn to recognize other people's feelings and respect them. You're going to have to start thinking more about others instead of just yourself."
Cory appeared chastened, which only added to his misery, therefore, Neil softened his approach. "Did you report the assault to the police?"
"No. Then, I would have had to explain why I was there. I can't afford the exposure."
"And, you didn't get any medical attention?"
"No."
"Well you should!" Neil said assertively. "First thing in the morning go to the clinic. Have them check all your injuries. Concoct a story explaining them. Finally, learn to control your urges. Satisfy your needs by jacking off until you develop basic skills for interacting with other guys... I mean really connecting with them socially not simply sexually."
"You're right." the dejected youth said, trying to hold back his tears.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before but I've finally learned my lesson."
Cory then lost his battle to hold back his tears, which was evidence that the suffering teen meant what he said.
"I certainly hope so," Neil replied. "But you've got to learn a lot more about doing what it takes to earn friendship instead of scoring quick sex with somebody!"
Neil disliked leaving the guy in pain, but he had pressing homework, so he added, "I'll be in my room if you need anything. In the meantime, think about ways of changing your attitude and behavior."
"How?" the clueless boy asked.
"I don't have time to tell you now, and I think it will be more constructive for you to develop your own solution."
Back in his own room, the eighteen-year-old called his lover, first, to say he loved him and, second, to explain what happened.
The younger boy was genuinely upset by the news, in part, because Cory had been hurt but mostly because it was a brutal form of persecution.
"TJ, I love you and can't wait to be alone with you next weekend."
"Nor I, my love. Bye for now"
In their Monday night phone call, TJ said, "Guess what... For the first time father called me while being away from home. He said he loves me! We talked for fifteen minutes with him asking about school, swim practice, and things he had never showed an interest in. He promised to be here for my birthday! I can't believe how lucky I've been lately, meeting you and Dad talking to me. Everything is perfect!"
"I'm happy for you, TJ. It's great the two of you have changed your attitudes. But the situation is not ideal, yet."
"What do you mean?"
"It isn't quite perfect until we can be together all the time."
"But, we'll be together for a few days, this weekend. Isabel said she would write me a note for school. When are you coming?"
"There's good and bad news. I talked to my profs about missing lectures. The downer is, since I have an exam on Thursday, I must attend that class. The upper is that I can skip the three on Friday. I told them a good friend was having surgery, and I needed to be with him."
"You lied?"
"Actually, I simply bent the truth. My buddy is not going to have an operation but, well... a `procedure'. It will involve an invasive penetration. There may be a little pain, but I think my friend wants to go through with it and will be glad when he has."
"I still don't understand, Neil. And who is this dude?"
The older teen guffawed at his companion's denseness, adding, "Let me give you another hint. When you arrive home from school on Thursday, I want you to prepare by giving yourself an enema."
The fifteen-year-old took a few minutes to grasp what his chum meant. Then, he laughed, both from embarrassment and the thrill of upgrading their relationship.
"You bet! Will you?"
"Of course. I would never ask something of you I wasn't prepared to do myself."
After they ended their call, TJ was euphoric about the weekend and impatient to consummate their love. Then, he began to worry, because his lover had mentioned some pain, and he didn't know what to expect. He began to speculate, What if it hurts a great deal and I can't go through with it? I haven't even put a finger up my ass, and Neil's cock, when stiff, is very thick. He dreaded the thought of disappointing Neil and resolved to bear the pain however much it hurt. Of course, if it did hurt a lot, he could never show it. Neil would then stop. He wouldn't say so but he would be disappointed.
After mulling it over, he had an idea. Going into the bathroom, he stripped from the waist down. Next, he applied shampoo on his hole and fingers. Slowly slipping one into his love chute, he was surprised how easily it entered right up to the knuckle. Amazingly, it felt good. Removing his finger, he looked at it, mentally comparing its size with his lover's cock. He estimated it would take at least three fingers to equal the width of his guy's prick. Gradually, he slipped in two fingers. There was no pain. The third finger was another story. He struggled to insert the third finger. After several attempts, he discovered that he could relax his sphincter. That helped. There was still no pain, only a temporary discomfort. When the discomfort subsided, he plunged the fingers in more deeply and his cock responded to the pleasant sensation by inflating.
He repeated the procedure several times over the next two days, reasoning that since he had to practice his swimming and tennis to get into shape, it made sense to do the same for the ultimate expression of love.
Each time made him anticipate Neil's "invasive penetration" more. Each time gave him a boner that leaked precum. He didn't jerk off, however, because he wanted to save it for his lover.
....................
Arriving at his friend's house around half past three on Thursday, Neil rang the bell. Isabel answered the door, saying, "Hi.... Please, come in. TJ called saying he would be a little late. The swim coach extended his practice. But, he'll be home as soon as he can. In the meantime, I'd like a few words with you."
"I would be happy to chat with you." He had no idea what she wanted to talk about, but he guessed it had something to do with the two of them.
"Come into the kitchen."
Entering, both sat at the table.
"I'm not sure when TJ will arrive, so I'll get right to the point. He's not only told me about your relationship but indicated you agreed to keep your... ah... 'activities' private. I must never know what you do together."
"Yes, Ma'am. And, we appreciate your understanding."
"Fine. Now, here's what I wanted to say. I adore him, as if he were my own son. He's an outstanding young man with a lot of potential. I want him to be happy, not hurt. He's been ecstatic since you met, and he would be devastated if you destroyed his feelings. It would also deeply affect his parents although they would never know why their son was suffering. He's bright and mature for his age, but, in many ways, still a child. He's experiencing something new and it may be overwhelming him. I'm afraid he doesn't have the wherewithal to know what he's getting himself into. Please! Please don't hurt him!"
The faint watering in the woman's eyes was evidence of her sincerity and genuine concern.
Reaching over, the youth clasped the housekeeper's hand.
"Believe me, that's the very last thing I could do! My love for him is even more than his is for me. I understand how young we both are, but we're sufficiently mature to recognize how right we are for each other. We realize we face many obstacles. However, we are committed to overcome them as a united couple rather than as two individuals. I adore him, Isabel, as much as you do but, of course, in a different way. I won't harm TJ, because he's too fine a person and, because it would injure me just as much."
Tears were in the woman's eyes, as she added, "Thank you! May God bless you both and may you find lasting happiness. One more thing I must say before our boy gets here."
Sitting up straight, she emphatically declared, "This conversation never happened!"
Neil grinned, squeezed her hand, and asked, "What conversation?"
Broadly smiling back, she replied, "I am very grateful. Now, why don't you go to his room? I'll send him up as soon as he gets home and call you when dinner is ready."
"Before I go upstairs, I want to say it's no wonder TJ loves you so much!"
************ My thanks to Baruch for his valuable suggestions on this chapter.