Aarons Year of 77

In the weeks to follow the assignments continued to be piled onto to us and one by one, we started to lose people by the curbside. As Adam's Birthday and Thanksgiving approached, the first semester English class shrank from twenty-one students down to fifteen. A partial refund of tuition fees was available to those students who changed their mind about the Program within the first month after commencement. Some have decided to cut their losses and drop out, rather than continue to endure the brutal pace and demands of the Program.

I'll be honest. There were several times when I became discouraged and wanted to just hop the bus and go home. But I remembered that last horrible phone call and the awful conversation I had with my sister Ariana before she and Warren moved away. And in some twisted way, she really did me a favor when she told me I wouldn't last through the first semester. I was damned-well going to prove her wrong. And so, I persevered and tried to keep focus on why I was there and what my end goals were.

The sacred five, who I thought would be the ones to make it through the first semester... Aleyn, Lorita, Melora, Lynne and Colin offered up their own surprises. As we entered the second week of October, Line dropped out, then followed by Lorita.

I must admit, Lorita was not a surprise to me.

Lynne however, well... that just floored me. I was to learn later that her Father had been diagnosed with Cancer. And as he was divorced and as Lynne was his only child, she was stepping in to provide health care and support to him. I was truly sorry to see her leave the Program. She had talent. I hope she returns to the Program sometime in the future. I know though had it been one of my parents, I would have done the exact same thing without a moment's hesitation.

Colin continued to chat up every gullible female in the class. And it always seemed to me that his projects and presentations seemed to assimilate design concepts that were suspiciously borrowed from those fellow classmates who fell under his spell.

Aleyn always seemed to manage to complete his assignments and continued to maintain his `C+' average. He remained just under the radar and avoided the dreaded wooden rod that Camilla continued to brandish like a crazy, near-sighted empress. As the weeks rolled on, I have to admit his sarcasm and biting, sometimes cruel wit and observations made me glad he was sitting beside me... even though he made me feel less than him somehow when he compared my parents and background with his at times.

As for Melora, I was determined I would be her partner for the group assignments we were told would be coming up in the second and third terms. She was my hero.

My marks seemed to be all over the place that first semester. I tried to focus on what courses I considered to be important and which were prerequisites to pass in order to go on to the next stage. For example, Interior Design One was a precursor to Interior Design Two and such until the final year, when a major thesis project on hotel and restaurant planning would complete the Program. We had some fluff courses which were added to the curriculum in order to meet the requirements of the Program and provide opportunities for creative expression. They touched upon Industrial and Graphic Design, Professional Photography, History of Art and Furniture and English, of all things! And while they did little more than create additional stress with more workload and assignments, I have to admit I found some of them to be fun and a welcome respite from drafting and building construction and assembling abstract models reflecting Design Theory and Principles.

Lynda Naagy-Birdsong's major assignment for my first semester was stumping me. Even so, I found her lectures on History of Design and Architecture as well as her ones on History of Furniture Design to be interesting and useful. Giving Lynda credit, she knew how to hold a student's attention and was knowledgeable on the subject matter she spoke about in her classes. But the one major project we were given by her to be handed in for 60% of our grade for the first semester was one I just could not get my head around.

It was to be either a presentation booklet or series of display boards reflecting `Architectural History from our own personal, creative perspective' and was to demonstrate our knowledge of certain periods of Architecture. As well, it was to be a visually appealing, professional-looking presentation integrating best practices of Graphic Design in how we laid out whatever subject matter we were planning to cover.

"Hi Mom. I'm glad you called! How are things back in Brock Vegas?"

We're both laughing at the sarcastic term to describe the city and then she says, "Hello Aaron. Everything is good here. Blackjack misses you. And he's been moping around the house for the past month. You are coming home for Thanksgiving on October 10th, I'm assuming?"

"Yes, of course Mom. I'm coming home for the whole weekend. I could use the break. And I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving Dinner with you and Dad. Your apple, strawberry crumble pie is something I wouldn't miss. Oh... and thanks for asking Adam too. I know he really appreciated the invitation."

"That was one of the reasons I called you Aaron. Please give Adam a call and get him to ask his Mother to come as well. She'd probably welcome a break from having to do up her own dinner for Thanksgiving and let someone else entertain her for a change."

"OK, Mom I will. And I'll ask him to get back to you."

"We miss you Aaron."

"Hi Adam!"

"Heya' cookie boy. I miss you baby! I'm glad you called. What's up... besides what you're most likely grabbin' onto there right now with your right hand?"

"Well, we haven't talked all week and I miss you too. I just got off the phone with Mom. She called me and told me to ask you about having your Mom come to join us all for Thanksgiving dinner. Would you ask her and maybe give Mom a call to let her know if she can come too? She said it might give her a nice break from having to cook herself."

"Ok babe. Sure thing. But she might be having her own dinner with Bast though. And remember, she wants you to come for dinner too... maybe on the Friday when you are down that weekend. I sure hope you're gonna' be hungry that night!"

Well the food up here is the pits. So any home-cooked meal would be appreciated. You know I think I've actually lost weight."

"Baby no! Your only 115 pounds soaking wet now. You can't afford to lose weight. I don't wantcha' gettin' sick up there Aaron."

"I know."

"Uhm, uh... Aaron, I better warn you about your Mom before you come down that weekend. I went over to help her get her garden ready for winter and she, uhm, well... she, uh kinda' looks a little bit different since you started school."

"What do you mean?"

"Well baby, she's got her hair done now in a big, frizzy Afro' and was wearin' a bright red, one piece zipped-up pantsuit when I was over there. She sorta' looks like she's trying to look like that woman outta' that movie The Bride of Frankenstein'. And she asked me to teach her how to do The Hustle' cause she wanted to go out sometime to the disco out at Long Beach!"

"What? Tell me you're kidding! And how dare you compare my Mother to her!"

I'm actually trying not to laugh at his comparison of her to Elsa Lanchester. I can just about picture it in my mind.

"Nope Aaron. I'm bein' dead serious baby. I asked your Dad about it and he just kinda' shrugged his shoulders and said something about her going through Menopause. Then he laughed and said she'd been goin' through it for the last twenty-five years of their marriage! It's actually kinda' funny what he said."

"Oh my God... thanks for warning me."

Then he changes the subject and continues with, "How are the assignments and courses going? I know you've been busy. It's been really hard for me not to pick up the phone to talk with ya'. But I really wantcha' to concentrate on your studies there."

Adam, I'd rather you call me, even if only to talk for a couple of minutes than sit around here and wonder why you haven't. Let's make a deal to call each other every couple of days, OK?

"Well, OK... uhm, do ya' want me to come up and pick you up on October 9th and bring ya' back to Brockville for the weekend? Mom isn't using the car that night. And she thought maybe you and I could come over for dinner once we got back with her and Bast. She promised no turkey though `cause we'll be having that with your Mom and Dad. Would ya' like that baby?"

"That would be great. Yes! How are you there Adam? "

"Like I said, I miss you baby. I've gone over to see your parents a few times and had a couple of suppers with `em too. I've been helping my Mom a bit. And other than that, just work as usual at the store. Not much really happening back here in good old Brock Vegas Aaron."

"I wish I could say the same. I've got this one assignment I have to do for 60% of my mark for History of Architecture and I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do yet. It's beginning to really bother me, to tell you the truth."

"Well cookie boy, let's you and I just forget about work and classes and assignments that weekend, and just walk around town here and enjoy the fall weather and each other. Does that sound like a plan to you?"

"Sounds like a perfect plan, since you're a part of it. I love you Adam."

"I love you too Aaron. I miss you so much."

Friday, October 9th arrives and Adam pulls up in his Mom's lime green Volvo to pick me up for Thanksgiving weekend. "Heya' baby!" he says, as he closes the front door and moves in to grab me in a tight embrace. "What the fuck are all these pillow cases stuffed with? Have ya' not done a laundry since I was last up?"

"Uhm, no Adam. I just haven't had the time to go and sit in the laundromat and wait for everything to wash and dry. I know Mom won't mind if I do them down there. God! I missed you so much!"

"Judging from how hard my dick's gettin' at the moment, I'm guessin' it musta' missed you too!"

I reach down to grope Adam's big basket and realize he's as hard as a rock and not wearing any underwear, given the sticky wet spot that's starting to seep through the warm crotch of his jeans.

"I'm going to do you right now Adam. I've missed how you taste and smell and I just have to, like, right now."

"Well, my dick was half hard drivin' all the way up here. So if ya' wanna' taste of my big light sabre, then get down there and do me now before we hop into my Mom's car to head back to Brockville. Am not gonna' have ya' suck me off in my Mom's car `cause that would be just too weird baby."

"Well that kind of spoils my plans to play with your stick shift on the way back." We'll have to negotiate that on the way home Chewbacca!"

"Well cookie, to quote you... all things are negotiable."

"You've been reading more chapters in that `Joy of Gay Sex' book, given how you're goin' down on me there."

My tongue is teasing the tip of his big, stiff cock and sucking up every bit of pre-cum that's leaking out of it. I can smell his cloying, provocative man scent, and my hand is massaging his pleasure trail. He has to lean back against the wall to steady himself. And all I can hear are his moans of pleasure as I take his entire cock in my mouth, while my finger plays with his anus."

"Fuck baby! I'm gonna' cum like anytime now! Keep strokin' my balls babe! I gotta' get rid of some of my ball juice and I'm gonna' explode deep inside your mouth like, right fuckin' now!"

"Aww! `Fuckin' fuck' babe! What a perfect way to start a Thanksgiving weekend with ya'. Jeezus fuck, I've missed you so much Aaron."

"I promised Mom we'd be back no later than 7:00pm for dinner with her and Bast. She's gonna' have dinner on the table for us for 7:30pm so we better pack up all your crap here and get back on the road like, right now!"

"OK Adam. But before we go, I got you a birthday present for next Wednesday. And I want you to open it now."

"Aww baby! Better not be a pair of your cum-stained bikini briefs there. I'm not gonna' wash `em for ya'! Seriously though honey, ya' really didn't hafta' go and do that."

"I know I didn't... "

Adam gives me a stunned look of surprise and we both laugh.

"You didn't think I was going to forget now, did you? I didn't have time to wrap it so the plastic bag will have to do."

Adam opens up the bag and pulls out an Algonquin College sweatshirt, dark evergreen in colour, with the College Crest logo and lettering and after a few long seconds looks at me and says, "Aaron, this was really thoughtful of you. Thanks so much cookie."

"It should fit you and I hope you like it."

"I'll wear it to bed to remind me of you every night," he says softly.

He is oddly quiet while checking the size label on the sweatshirt and I know he is thinking something. "Is it OK Adam? Is it the right size? Do you like the colour? Would you have wanted something else?"

"Well baby, Algonquin is where you're going to school up here. And to be honest, I'd rather I was wearin' you to bed every night. But it's a really sweet present and I'll wear it when you're not around and when I miss you, which is like, almost all the time now these days."

He reaches out and pulls me into him and my hand somehow makes its way into his shirt, rubbing his chest hair until he eventually sighs and says, "No more of that for now or we'll never get outta' here and down to Brockville in time for dinner. Thanks again for the present Aaron. I do love you, you know."

"You better Adam. That sweatshirt cost me thirty-five bucks!"

He laughs and says to me, "I'm worth it babe."

We're pulling up in front of Delphine Blanchard's house on Broadway Crescent and I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous really meeting and having the chance to talk with her for the first time. I look at the raised ranch bungalow style house with the double car garage on the basement level and a big, curved bay window beside the front door. It's very different from my Mom and Dad's house. I'm guessing it was built in the early to mid `sixties. It's right on the curve of the crescent at the top of a little hill and the front garden and hedges look carefully clipped and manicured.

"Mom and my Dad bought the house when it was first built and this is where I grew up Aaron," says Adam, as he hops out of the car and comes around to my side. "Now, you just be yourself and don't think you need to impress anyone to get' em to like ya'. We're gonna' have a nice dinner. And after that I'll take you on over to your parents' place, OK Aaron?"

"Hi boys! Glad you made it back before dinner. You certainly made good time on the road. Adam, you know Bast already. Aaron, this is a good friend of mine, Sebastien Forestier from the Hospital. He works for your Father as an Orderly there."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Forestier."

"Call me `Bast' Aaron. Everyone else does. We want to hear all about how your first few weeks of school have been for you. Del, that bottle of wine I brought over. Let's open it now before dinner."

Walking into the living room, the first thing I see is a huge `L'-shaped sectional sofa in an avocado green and burnt orange, bold floral fabric with clear plastic slipcovers over it... and a coppertone brown, thick shag carpet on the floor. Up on the wall, above the biggest combination stereo television liquor cabinet console I've ever seen is a beautiful quilted piece hanging from a maple rod that I'm guessing Adam's Mother must have made.

"That hanging quilt is really beautiful Mrs. Blanchard."

"It's Del' sweetie. Call me Del. And thank you. Now, how have the first few weeks at Algonquin been for you Aaron? I'll bet they've been exciting!"

"Well Mrs. Blanchard... errr, uhm, Del... they've just gone by so fast. I just haven't had the time to sit back and really think about them. I have a feeling Christmas is going to come and I'll still be trying to finish my assignments."

"When does your first semester end Aaron?"

"The last day for actual classes is Friday, December 2nd. And all my assignments have to be complete and handed in for the following Friday, December 9th.

"How are the other students in your Program making out?"

"Well, it's funny you should ask that. We've had like, six or seven drop out already. At the rate things are going, I can see a few more drop out before the end of this first semester. There's a lot of class time and assignments to get through. I think some of them had no idea what they were getting themselves into before they enrolled in the Program. It's good though, because it gives the rest of us more time with the Profs and the Instructors. It's been pretty good so far... all things considered."

"Have you had much chance to get out to experience life outside of the College?"

"Not yet, no. I'm finding just trying to keep up with my classes and workload to be pretty demanding. And I really haven't had much time to do much else, to tell you the truth."

"I can vouch for that Mom, given the five stuffed-full pillowcases of laundry he brought home with him." says Adam while laughing in the background. "I'll need to remember to get that stuff outta' the trunk when I take ya' home to Bethune Street."

"Oh yes! Thanks for letting Adam pick me up with your car ma'am. That really helped me out a lot."

"You're more than welcome Aaron. Now I'm curious, what has been the biggest surprise to you, now that you're settled into your new apartment in a new city?"

"I guess not having someone around telling me what to do all the time. I have all this freedom now to come and go whenever I like. Does that make any sense to you?"

"It's called growing up and becoming an adult. I'm sure you'll do very well once you get a chance to catch a breath and experience life outside the Campus... and Brockville too, for that matter," Delphine says, while casting a thoughtful glance over at Adam.

"Have you managed to make any friends with any of your classmates yet?" she asks.

"Not really friends, no. But Melora Payne in my class has been pretty nice to me... and Aleyn Kinzinger who sits beside me. His parents live just east of Maitland. And well, he is probably the one person I've had a chance to sort of get to know in the first few weeks. He's OK. But I don't know if he's going to stick with the Program after first year. He's taking a leave of absence from his full-time job to see if he wants to go through the full Program. It's pretty competitive. So I don't want to get too friendly with anyone just now, until I know if they're going to stick with the Program or not."

"Well here's to you Aaron. Let's celebrate your first few weeks in College and hope you continue to grow with your studies. Cheers!" says Bast, as Delphine heads into her harvest gold kitchen to serve up dinner.

Later that evening before Adam takes me home, he heads down to where we parked before, just west of Centeen Park. "I wanna' talk to you about a few things before I take you on home Aaron. OK with you?"

"OK Adam."

"Its times like this I miss my old Ambassador baby. I'd like to cuddle in that big front seat and be close to you right now. But I've been giving some thought to when I was last up in Ottawa with you right before school when we went to the Coral Reef Club, and I think we need to talk."

"About what? Did I do something wrong Adam? You sound very serious."

"Aww, no cookie honey... nothing to worry about. But I've been thinkin' about the age difference between you and me, especially with my birthday comin' up next week. And I'm thinking that if what we have here is going to last, then I'm gonna' hafta' give you some space to grow a bit on your own and experience the same things I did at your age. I don't want you later on to feel like ya' missed out on anything `cause you spent all this time with someone who's almost eight years older than you. Do you understand what I'm saying to ya' here?"

"No... not really Adam. Are you saying you don't want to see me anymore?"

"Oh hell no! No fuckin' way! That's the last thing I want. But you're still so young and I don't wanna' be someone who controls you. You're a smart young man. And both you and me need to have freedom to grow and do whatever it is we want in life. That doesn't mean we hafta' be apart though. I think what I'm tryin' to say to you is that for this relationship to last we hafta' come at it from the perspective of mutual respect and as equals. That's gonna' be real tough, given the age difference between us. I want ya' to know though Aaron, I see you as an equal partner here. You're doing just great now with your education. And that's making me think about where I am with my life and what I want to do. I haven't figured that one out just yet. I know I'm gonna' hafta' make some decisions for me soon. And I wanna' make sure you're an important part of that... but not at the expense of you havin' to sacrifice anything for me. There has to be respect and trust and support between us. And by that, I mean not just me watchin' over you to stop ya' from making some of the mistakes I've made in my own life. I don't think that's gonna' happen anyway. You're a lot more mature than I was at your age. And I think you're damn smart too. I love you Aaron. You know that already baby."

"I need you to be there for when I make mistakes though Adam. I love you too. I don't think of you as a father figure or anything like that. It's just that you just happen to be a bit older than me and I like older guys because they usually are more mature than the ones my own age. And like you, they're usually a whole lot sexier too. Especially you! I get flutters in my stomach that shoot right down to my cock every time I'm close to you. And I don't ever see that stopping either. All you ever need to do is look at me a certain way and boom... my penis gets hard and all I want is to be with you."

Adam gives me one of his indecent, dirty laughs and says, "And I find cute, horny, kinky little smart-ass buggers like you just as sexy babe. I'm no cradle-robber though. There's just something unique and special about you Aaron."

"OK then Adam. So what you've just said to me... what does this mean for us now?"

"Well, I've thought a lot about this. For one thing, ya' don't need me to be taking you to places like the Lord Elgin and bars like that. Of course, I'll always go with ya' whenever I'm up in Ottawa, and you when want me to go with you. But you're gonna' get lotsa 'interest from guys and I'm just gonna' hafta' get used to that and not be jealous or overprotective. I don't wantcha' to be going into any bath houses like the Club Baths' at 1069 Wellington though. The Police raided that place last year in May. And the Ottawa Citizen' threatened to publish the names of all the men who were either in there at the time, or who were members of the place. Twenty-seven men got arrested that night. The whole gay scene up there in Ottawa just hasn't been the same since then. Lotsa' guys and women are scared for their jobs and their safety right now. And the fuckin' Ottawa Police and the RCMP are still out to get anyone they think is gay cause they all just fuckin' hate us. Promise me you won't be goin' into any places like that cause I don't wanna' hafta' worry about you getting arrested, or beat up, or getting crabs, or VD or anything like that."

"Uhm, OK Adam."

"And I think you need to have a few friends close to your own age you can spend some time with while I'm back here workin' for now. I'm thinkin' about my job and apartment back in Brockville. And I've almost come to a decision about what I wanna' do in the next few months. But I'm not ready to talk to you a lot about that just now. Mrs. Fullerton was talking to someone from the `Shopper's Drug Mart Group' though and they may want to buy her out as part of their expansion program by opening up a franchise on King Street downtown here. She's something like eighty now and not gettin' any younger. She won't always be around. And that's really made me think. For now, all I know is that I want and need you and want us to be together like, all the time. But I don't want to come between you and your school work. And I don't want to smother you either. Do you understand what I'm tryin' to say to you here Aaron?"

"I do now. Yes. And I miss you like, all the time now too and want you to be up here with me. I've heard some stories from Aleyn Kinzinger about the clubs, and going out every night, and smoking up, and doing poppers, whatever that is... and getting drunk and, and, well... I'm just not interested in those things."

"Aaron, I want you to come to those decisions and feel like you can make those choices on your own. I'll always be there to support ya'. You can count me for that. But I don't wanna' be having to babysit you or tell ya' what to do all the time either. Some days I feel like I'm barely able to make my own way in this world. So you just might hafta' help me too honey."

"Sounds like a good plan and basis for a relationship to me."

"Me too baby, me too."

"I still get to suck your `King Kong' dong whenever I want. And you get to fuck me whenever you want though, eh Adam?"

"That's not negotiable baby! And judging from how hard you just made me now by changing the subject and bringin' up sex, I'm gonna' let you go down on me right now cookie boy. What goes on in Mom's Volvo stays inside Mom's Volvo though, deal?"

"Shhh! I can't suck your big, hairy dude piston and talk at the same time."

Twenty minutes later and Adam quietly says to me, "I'm pickin' you up tomorrow morning and we're gonna' take a long walk downtown together. Your Dad promised me bacon and eggs and coffee first thing so I'll be joinin' ya' both for breakfast. And Blackjack is really happy when I take him for walks now. He doesn't get enough exercise. And your parent's backyard just isn't big enough for him to run around and play in. I've gotten to really like him Aaron. And I know he misses you a lot. Also, I was thinking about your Architectural assignment for that Birdbrain' lady and you and me are gonna' walk around Courthouse Square cause I think I might just be able to give you an idea or two while we walk around. Sometimes an answer can be staring ya' right in the face. But it might take someone else and their eyes to push you into seeing it. I'll see you tomorrow baby. And be prepared to spend some time walkin' around with me and enjoying the fall weather and the leaves, and each other."

"Good God Aaron! Lucky for us we've got a king-size washer and drier down in the basement here. I'll get into this tomorrow morning while you and Adam go downtown. He said something to me about helping you with one of your assignments when he was over here earlier in the week. Don't get used to me doing your laundry for you though sweetie. I'm only going to do this for you this one time, you hear me?"

"Uh... yes Mom. Thanks."

"Aaron we're so glad you are home now for Thanksgiving with us." my Dad says, and reaches out to give me a hug. "I've missed you son."

"Me too Dad."

"Oh no! Richard, look at Blackjack! He's pee'd on the rug in front of the sink! He's so excited to see Aaron."

Blackjack's tail is going 100 miles an hour. He's running around in circles, chasing his tail with his tongue hanging out and barking every thirty seconds.

"I've missed you too Blackjack."

"Mom... uh, your copper-coloured Afro' hair and that jumpsuit and big, wide Bianca Jagger' headband... uhm, Adam said something about you wanting to learn how to do `The Hustle' and go out to the Flying Dutchman sometime to their disco. Uh, well, what made you decide to do that with that hair band and your hair?"

Dad is sitting there with a bemused look on his face and is just waiting for Vivienne to respond.

"I just felt like it was time for me to make a few changes, given that change is happening with you and Ariana and life in general. Why? Don't you like it Aaron?"

"The pantsuit looks pretty cool Mom. I'll just need to have some time to get used to the hair. It's brighter too... and all the grey is gone out of it."

Richard chokes and quickly jumps in at that point and says, "There never was' any grey in it Aaron! For a young man who is supposed to be so good with colour, I'm surprised you would even think that. Your Mom still looks like she's in her thirties and has the butt to prove it too in that outfit."

Mom turns ten shades of red and says to Dad, "Let's not discuss my butt in front of Aaron, Richard.'"

To which Richard replies, "OK honey. We'll take that conversation upstairs when we go to bed then."

"Oh Jeez' Dad! When is the next bus back to Ottawa?"

"Have you heard anything from Ariana, now that they are out in Calgary?" I ask them both.

Richard answers by saying, "They were able to make it out there safely and arrived about a week or so ago. They have rented a house for a year in the east end. And apparently, someone that Warren had hired to work for him when he had his contracting firm back in Brockville here offered him a job. Your sister is looking to find a job with one of the bank branches out there. They're going to be just fine Aaron. Don't you worry about them."

"I still think about what she said to me Dad. I hope they're going to be OK."

"We know son, we know."

"Did you talk to Adam about having Del come over to join us for Thanksgiving dinner Aaron?" my Mom asks.

"She's having a dinner for her and Bast for thanksgiving."

"Who is `Bast' Aaron?"

"Oh no! I don't think I was supposed to say anything about that. Uh, oh well... Bast is someone she's been sort of dating for a while now. It's a big secret though. Dad, you know him. He works under you at the Hospital, Sebastien Forestier. He's an Orderly there. Do you know him Dad?"

"Oh yes, Sebastien, I know him very well. Hmm, I wonder if he might be uncomfortable coming over to have dinner at his bosses' house. I'll bet that is why Delphine has been turning us down for dinner over here. Also, the staff at the Hospital like to gossip and create all kinds of unnecessary drama at times. Both you and I know that Viv, don't we?"

"Indeed we do Richard," she replies.

"Tell you what Aaron. You didn't tell us this. Leave this with your Mom and me to handle with Delphine and `Bast'... is that how you say it?"

"Yes Dad. He was really nice to me at dinner earlier. He seems like a very nice man."

"He is Aaron. He's a very quiet and shy man when on duty. He keeps to himself most of the time. Leave this to me. I'll make sure he and Delphine feel they are welcome over here anytime."

"Thanks Dad. I know Adam would really appreciate that too."

Later that night when Mom and Dad are in bed together, Richard turns to Vivienne and says, "So how about that. Delphine and Sebastien shacked up. I never would have thought the two of them would get together in a million years."

"Oh, I don't know Richard. Del has been alone and on her own for years now. And she said to me she found it lonely and really tough when Adam moved out on his own. I'm happy she's found someone. Now Richard, instead of you jumping in here and putting your big foot in your mouth with Sebastien, would you please just leave this for me to speak privately to Del about? I want her and Sebastien both to know that we would like to have them over here. And I don't want the fact that he works under you to be a source of discomfort."

"OK Viv. Now, on another topic... since when have you ever thought my feet were big honey? Is there anything else you'd care to comment on with respect to size on me now that we're in bed together?"

"Oh shut up Richard and just kiss me you damned silly fool! The door is locked I hope, isn't it?"

"Double-bolted from the inside. Blackjack can sleep in the kitchen tonight," he laughs and responds while cuddling up close.

The next morning and Adam and I have just covered the four blocks from Bethune Street to Courthouse Square. "OK Aaron, here's my pitch to you about that History of Architecture assignment you've been worrying about. Hear me out on this. And if ya' like it, I won't charge you a fee for my services!"

"You can take it out in trade if I like it Adam." I respond and laugh at him.

"OK babe, here goes... We're standing in the middle of Courthouse Square right now. Start with the Courthouse and go clockwise. Count the number of historic buildings going right down to King Street and back up, until you get to the Courthouse again. And remember to include the ones that got torn down in the past couple of years like, where the Comstock Block was."

"Uhm, OK. Not sure where you're going with this. But I'll play along."

I start to count and name the buildings off to myself... the Old Courthouse, the Wall Street Methodist Church, the new Bank of Montreal where the old one used to be, the First Baptist Church, the land where the old Comstock building used to be, the Toronto Dominion Bank at the corner of King and Courthouse, the Cossitt Block, The old Post Office, the Brockville Club, the George Street Episcopal Church, Courthouse Terrace and the First Presbyterian Church.

"OK, I got twelve Adam. Do I get a prize now or something for it?"

"Not just yet baby. Now... uhm, how many hours are there on the face of a clock?"

I'm starting to get a little impatient with him but still playing along. "Twelve Adam. Where are you going with this?"

"Patience cookie butt boy, patience. Architecturally, how many different types and styles of buildings would you say there are here? And over how long a time period would you say they've been built?"

A lightbulb is beginning to go off with me. "Adam, are you suggesting I take these buildings and describe them and relate them back to their time periods and then maybe compare them to the hours and hands of a clock that's tracking progress and time? Is that what you are trying to tell me?"

"You got it baby! You wouldn't have to go too deeply into describing them... just their architectural style and then take photographs, black and white ones of all of them. Then you could compile them all into a booklet or something like that. What do you think of that idea?"

"I think you just gave me my first `A' for the semester Adam! God, I love you. Thank you so much."

"I even help ya" with the photographs. It'll be fun. And Aaron, sometimes the best ideas come from the most surprising inspirations and unlikely sources. Never forget your hometown and where you're from. Brockville is a historic city and its Architecture is really important and worth recognizing, preserving and respected."

"Hello Del. How are you? We haven't talked since our lunch together."

"Hello Viv. Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to you," says Delphine, as she answers her phone.

"Thank you Del. I just wanted to call to say thanks for letting Adam drive Aaron home from Ottawa. I don't think the five overstuffed bags of laundry he brought along with him would have fit into the overhead bins on the bus!"

Del laughs and says, "Welcome to the world of a College student mom Viv. I can still remember when Adam did that to me years ago when he was up in Kingston."

"Listen Del... I'll get right to the point here and hope you won't be embarrassed or offended. Aaron let it slip quite accidentally that you and Sebastien were quietly seeing each other. I'm absolutely thrilled for you. But I have to ask, are either Sebastien or you nervous about coming over here, because he works for Richard and we all work together at the Hospital? Please be honest with me."

Five seconds of dead silence on the other end of the receiver, and finally Delphine says to Vivienne, "Viv, I really don't want anyone to know about Bast and me. But yes, frankly he is apprehensive and cautious about having the staff at the Hospital know about us right now. It's still early on in our relationship. And you know as well as I do how nosy the staff are up there. Neither he nor I need to be talked about."

"I understand completely Del. And that is why I'm calling. This is confidential information. But Richard plans to retire sometime next year. He is sixty-three now so please tell Sebastien not to worry about reporting to him and coming over here. And please Del, Richard's planned retirement is not something we want to have circulated at the Hospital for the moment any more than you and 'Bast'... is it?"

"Yes Viv. He likes to be called Bast. He's the best' at just being Bast' as he reminds me all the time... "

"Good. Now that we've confided in each other, then I hope that settles that. And as for you and Bast, I have to say I'm thrilled for you that you've met someone and are not alone there. It's none of my business I know. But I remember our lunch together and am feeling a little lost and lonely myself here with Aaron away at school. I'm just so pleased that you have someone for you there now."

Thanks Viv. I do appreciate that."

"Now... about Thanksgiving dinner. I have a suggestion and a proposal. I know you are doing up dinner there for you and Bast. Aaron let that one slip as well. But how about coming over to have dessert with us later on in the evening? Do you think Bast might be comfortable with that?"

"I'd have to ask him Viv. Can I get back to you on that?"

"Absolutely. We'd love to have you both come over, truly. Call me back when he lets you know. And Del, I swear to you that no one will hear about you and him from either Richard or myself. That is your business. But I want you to know, both Richard and I are very happy for you. You deserve happiness Del. You really do. We really are happy for you!"

"Thanks for that Viv. I'll let you know later on today."

"Are ya' hungry Aaron? Wouldya' like to maybe pick up some fish and chips over at Manoll's and maybe head down to Hardy Park to watch the ships on the river before the main channel freezes over in a few weeks' time? Then maybe we can go back to my place for a while. Whadya' think cookie boy?"

"It's going to be one of the last nice days to do that before the cold weather comes. Sounds good to me."

"You sure do like your ketchup there, dontcha'?"

"It's good with the batter-coated haddock. And I forgot how good these fresh-cut french fries were."

"So now that it's just you and me baby, tell me more about how you've been doing like, really. We haven't had much chance to be alone and talk since I drove ya' back. I remember my time away at College. And it was lonely for me at first. Have ya' really not gone out at all or done anything outside of your classes with any of your classmates?"

"Well Adam... like I said last night, I just don't want to get too friendly with anyone right now. There is this one guy named Colin in my class. He's straight by the way. But he chats everyone up. And then before you know it, his assignments look like someone else's when it comes time to hand them in. I don't trust him. And Aleyn Kinzinger... well, he seems OK. But his parents are really rich and he makes me feel like I'm some kind of charity case sometimes when he talks to me. I may be wrong though. I just don't know."

"You're just as good as anyone else Aaron. Don't you ever let anyone make you feel bad because of what they have and what you haven't. Take it from me Aaron. I aughta' know. And money isn't the measure of what makes ya' good... or happy for that matter."

"Thanks Adam."

"You're welcome. Now, are there any other projects or great mysteries of life you want me to help ya' with right now? Or can we go back to my place and maybe practice chapter fourteen of your `Joy of Gay Sex' book there?"

"No fair Adam! You've been reading ahead and are ahead of me now. I don't know what chapter fourteen covers."

"Everything chapters one to thirteen doesn't baby. Now let's hike it back to my place right now, OK?"

"I'll race you there!"

"Sometimes it's all about the journey and not just getting to your destination Aaron," he says, as he gathers up the newspaper fish and chip wrappings and tosses them into a garbage can... just before the gulls swoop down to fight each other to get the last few fries.

"You have lost some weight there baby. I can see your hip bones protruding out more than normal. How much did you say you weighed now?" asks Adam, as I climb fully naked onto his bed.

"I think I've lost maybe between five and seven pounds."

"Well baby, that's just not gonna' happen anymore. I can't have ya' wasting away to just skin and bones. You have to keep your strength up. Winters up in Ottawa are damp and cold. And I don't wantcha' coming down with the flu or bronchitis or anything like that."

"Since you're the drugstore wizard, I expect you to keep me healthy."

"I'm bein' dead serious Aaron. I know I said you hafta' grow up and learn at your own speed. But I do worry about you and don't want ya' getting sick on me. You got that?"

"Yes Adam, I do."

"Good! Now, let's see just how tight your little butt hole is there. I think it needs my tongue teasing it and getting it ready for a full-scale Star Wars Imperial Star Fleet attack! My light sabre might need some charging up from you though to get it ready for battle. Think ya' can manage that for me honey? Chapter fourteen is all about `69' Aaron. Do ya' know what that's all about baby?

"Nope. No idea," I lie to him.

He has his clothes off in record time, climbs over me on his bed and says, "Cookie babe, roll over onto your right side and get ready to take me in your mouth while I lean on my right side the other way and do the same to you. I'm gonna' play with your ass and balls and suck the livin' shit outta' your little buddy down there. And you're gonna' do the exact same thing to me. Now... when you really like what I'm doin' to ya' down there then I wantcha' to imitate it and do the exact same thing to me. That way I'll know what gets ya' off. Not that I don't already have a pretty good idea of that now though."

Every time I go down on him now all I can think of is his hairy pleasure trail and the base of his big, thick shaft. I like to squeeze it at the base, because he moans and groans when I do and his big cock seems to swell up even more whenever I do that to him. I know that when I do this, his cock head gets super sensitive and starts to leak precum and the sighs of pleasure get louder from him whenever I just focus and concentrate on what I'm doing to him down there.

The scent of his fully aroused cock is something I swear I would know in a darkened room. It's pungent, totally masculine and virile. And I wish I were a pair of his Superman underwear at times so I could be in his hot crotch and have his man smell between his furry, hairy legs and in his pube bush on me all day long.

"I love how you smell Adam..."

"Jeezus Aaron! You're one kinky little fucker at times baby. I don't think you'd be sayin' that after gettin' a whiff of me after three or four days without a shower. But if that's what gets ya' hot, then I'm OK with it. Now babe, I wantcha' to stick your finger up inside me. My butt needs some attention honey. We'll shower up together after this... maybe in four or five hours or so after we've had five or six messy cum sessions together. And I just might fuck you in the shower when we're in there together too. Whadya' say cookie?"

"What I really want to eventually do is play with your hairy chest and nipples Adam."

"Once I shoot my ball juice all over ya' then you can do whatever the fuck you want to me there baby. Is that OK with you?"

"I'm so boned up now Adam, all I want to do is just keep sucking on your big dick and have you cum all over me."

"Well, you just keep on with what you're doin' down there to my light sabre babe. And I promise ya' I'll explode all over ya' like, anytime now!"

"Jeezus fuck! Where in the fuckin' hell did you ever learn how to squeeze my cock in that exact spot when I'm cumming like that? It felt like I was gonna' pass out. And I've like, never ever shot a load that hard before. Like, fuck Aaron! Feel my heart in my chest. It's still racing here and my sphincter muscles in my ass just keep flexing. How in the fucking world did you ever manage to accomplish that baby? I just gotta' know so I can do that to you too."

"Maybe I'll be giving you some lessons soon. Think you can afford my hourly rates for tutoring Adam?"

"Aaron, if you can make me do that, then I'll pay you whatever your weight is in fish and chips."

"Your face when you orgasm is payment enough for me Adam."

"Come here and snuggle close to me. I wanna' feel your heartbeat next to mine. Let's just stay this way for a while. OK Aaron?"

I'm so relaxed and half asleep. All I can do is nod and nestle inside his warm inviting armpit to feel his strong, steady heartbeat and close my eyes.

Its Thanksgiving dinner at the Christie household. We're just finishing up the last of the stuffing and turkey and Mom is starting to take the plates away from the table when the doorbell rings.

"Now I wonder just who that could be interrupting our Thanksgiving dinner?" Vivienne says to Richard with a little smile on her face. Sebastien and Delphine walk into the dining room and Delphine says, "Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope there's some dessert and coffee left for us. We've brought a bottle of Grande Marnier over to mix with the coffee."

"Well, well! Anyone bringing liqueur with them is always welcome for Vivienne's homemade pie and coffee! Adam, Aaron... pull up a couple of chairs for Del and Bast. Happy Thanksgiving to you two as well."

Just then Mom comes into the dining room carrying a `Charlotte Rousse' lady-finger birthday cake, tied with an orange silk ribbon from Tait's Bakery on King Street with twenty-eight candles on it.

"The pie will have to wait Richard. Adam's birthday is this coming Wednesday. And given that Aaron will be back in Ottawa at school, Del and I decided that Adam was going to have two birthday cakes this year. Happy Birthday Adam! Now make a wish. And I'll take the cake back into the kitchen and serve it up shortly."

Adam is silent as he looks at the cake, then over to his Mom, then to me, and then finally, at everyone else. "I don't know what to say. I think some of my wishes came true this year. And most of them are about the people around the table with me right now. I do have one more wish. But I'll keep it secret `cause I really want it to come true. Thanks everyone." He blows out all the candles and smiles.

Richard hands Adam a card in a sealed envelope. "Now Adam, this is a birthday card from Vivienne and me. Don't open it here though. You take it home with you son and open it there. And again, a very Happy Birthday to you."

"Thank you Mr. Christie."

The evening ends with everyone in front of the fireplace in the living room having coffee and Grande Marnier. Blackjack is flaked out completely and snoring in front of the fire.

My Dad gestures to Bast and signals him to come over to talk with him. "Now Bast, I know you report to me at the Hospital. But when you're over here, it's just you and me and Del and Viv. Do you understand that?"

"Yes Richard. And thanks, I do."

"Good! Then let's get really drunk and pretend it never happened on Tuesday when our shifts start again at the Hospital!" Both men share a private laugh together while Delphine and Vivienne give them both suspicious looks.

"Uh, Aaron... can I see you in the kitchen for a minute? I wanna' take home a piece of that cake, if that's all right with you Mrs. Christie."

"It's all yours Adam. Take as much as you want," my Mom replies. Then she turns to Delphine and says, "Del, I have some Tequila in the kitchen. Have you ever had a Tequila Sunrise? They're absolutely delicious! Let me make you one when we finish with our liquor."

"Sounds wonderful! Thank you Viv."

"Aaron honey, do ya' wanna' know what my wish was when I blew out my candles?"

"I think I might already know Adam. It was for a new car." I answer him and then laugh.

"Nope. Not exactly. I think you know what I wished for. I love you Aaron. I know I've said that like ten times already today. It isn't easy for me to say that word either ya' know. Can I please see you tomorrow before ya' hafta' catch the bus back to Ottawa?"

"How about me staying over at your place with you tonight? Would you like that?"

"That would be the nicest birthday present I could ever receive. Let's make up some lame excuse that no one will ever believe and leave them to finish off their coffee and liqueur by themselves. Does that sound like a plan to you?"

"A perfect plan."

"Uhm, Aaron... when you go back to Ottawa, I wantcha' to take this shirt of mine back with you. I've been wearin' it to bed and sleepin' in it on purpose for the last four or five days. It smells kinda' salty and I sprayed some of my cologne on it. I rubbed my balls with it too. So my man scent is all over it. You can wear it to bed and fall asleep thinkin' of me if ya' want. I know how much you love how my suit jacket and old pants feel. It's a real kinky fetish kinda' thing to do... but ya' know baby, and I never told you this `til now... but honey, you wearin' and gettin' off on my clothes after I wear 'em really gets me hot and makes me feel really possessive and protective of you... almost like I need to douse you with my man smell to claim ownership if that makes any sense to ya' at all. It's like some basic kinda' primitive animal instinct thing. I think the word they use is primal... or somethin' like that anyway. Ya' know baby, I'd be walkin' around with a permanent boner thinkin' about fucking you all the time if you were to just wear one of my old white dress shirts from work and nothin' else around here with your hot little boy butt and sexy legs teasing me. When I see ya' sleepin' with my sports jacket coverin' you, it kinda' makes me feel like you hafta' have me to be like... all over ya' inside and out to feel safe and protected and really belong to me. But cookie, I really need it for work right now. And this is the next best thing I can think of for ya' to have me wrapped around you to feel good when you're tryin' to fall asleep. Willya' promise me you'll wear it for me Aaron?"

"Well Adam, your old tan suit pants and sports jacket are a really masculine, touchy feely kind of thing for me. I like to rub my face back and forth on them to feel your big cock inside them. And I don't care if that's perverted or weird or not. I don't know if you can really understand that. But sure... you bet I will! Can I have your Superman briefs too Adam."

"Sure thing! Ya' know babe, every time I put on those old suit pants and start to zip up the fly, I keep thinkin' about you rubbing your face against them and that look you get on your face. Then I get half-hard and all distracted and horny... like every damn fuckin' time honey! Whatever gets you off baby works for me. Knowing it does too keeps me all boned up and juicy for ya' Aaron. Guess we're both kinda' kinky that way. Who knew, eh?"

"Yeah Adam, who knew?"

"Uhm, uh... Aaron, changing the subject here and while I'm still thinkin' of it too, I'm really gonna' try to stop calling you babe and baby all the time. I've been giving that a lot of thought. You're growing up and practically an adult now. So cookie and honey are what I'm gonna' try to remember to say from now on."

"When you come up to Ottawa next time to spend the weekend with me, would you maybe wear your suit though when you get here? I really do get off on the feel and smell of your hard cock inside your suit pants when I get to play with it. It really makes me horny and crazy when you go commando and your big, hairy dong is poking out at me and to quote you, sayin' hello."

"Cookie, any fuckin' thing I can do to keep you interested in what's hangin' down between my legs works for me. Now let's go to bed `cause tomorrow is gonna' be busy for us both. Nite honey"

"Nite Adam."

"Oh come on Aaron! We've only got a few weeks left until we have to start our final assignments for the semester! One night out isn't going to make a big difference at this point and I really want to party this evening, since it's Friday!" says Aleyn Kinzinger, as we head out the front door after enduring one more long and painful journey down Carnaby Street with Elizabeth Mountebank in Design Basics.

"God she is such a bitch that woman! I handed in that first assignment I had to redo for her weeks ago and she still hasn't graded it yet. I swear her cunty face was as icy as her vagina probably is when I asked her about it."

"Now you're sounding just like me! That's really good Aaron. Now let's dump our things over at my place and we can head out to the Lord Elgin and then catch a cab over to Sac's on Rue Principale in Hull to drink and dance our asses off until they close at 3:00am.

"I don't suppose it would do any harm to go to the LE. Adam will be up later on tonight though. So Sac's will have to wait for another time."

"He must be really something, this Adam of yours. Why don't you just leave him a note and he can join us at the LE when he gets off the bus from Brockville and gets to your place?"

"Uh, I don't know about that Aleyn. He's expecting me to meet him at the bus station.

He'll understand Aaron. Now come on! I have to walk Dietrich and then I'll lend you something of mine to wear with your jeans. We can make a Hollywood entrance together through the doors of Pick's Place and watch everyone pick their jaws up off the floor when we get there."

"Aleyn, he's worked all week long at Fullerton's and will have been on the bus for more than two and a half hours coming up here to spend the weekend with me. I can't just leave him stranded by himself at the station. Would you like it if someone did that to you?"

"Well, Aaron, you'll never catch me taking a bus anywhere. So I guess we'll never know."

"Aleyn. I'd like to go. But I'm not leaving Adam alone. And I think my own clothes are good enough."

Aleyn stares me up and down from head to toe and finally says, "Well don't say I didn't offer."

"Look Aleyn. I'd love to see your dog and apartment. Dietrich sounds beautiful and actually, I've seen you walk her on Elgin Street. I don't know where you find the time to keep her so well-groomed. Afghan Hounds need at least a daily brushing. We never have to worry about that with Blackjack at home. He constantly sheds and my Dad takes care of that."

"Well, she is a purebred sighthound and my parents help me out with money for a dog-walker and professional groomer for her," he says. "Tell you what. Come on up and you can see my place and meet Dietrich. And I have a really nice red silk shirt I think you really should wear tonight. In fact, I'll even give it to you and you can leave that old one you have on now with me and I'll have it taken care of. How does that sound?"

"Wow! This place is fantastic Aleyn. Are those real maple inlays in the oak hardwood floor? And that wood panelling in the front hallway and living room... is that what Lynda Naagy-Birdsong was describing as English Tudor style linen-fold panelling? It must be 5'-0" high around the entire perimeter of the room. And the fireplace surround, is that real cream-coloured Carrara marble?"

Uh, yes... well of course it's real Aaron. But then, I couldn't really expect you to know that. When my Mother came back with Father from one of their postings abroad a few years ago, she found this place for me. And as for that 19th century mahogany Biedermeier fall-front desk and matching bookcases there... well, she had those brought back from Germany through my Father's diplomatic channels. And I wound up with them, because they were a matching suite and the bookcases were too tall for the library in their country house east of Maitland. Oh yes, and that late 19th century Irish Waterford crystal chandelier with the converted gas jets... another one of Mother's impulse purchases gone horribly wrong. It's all OK here though, I suppose."

"It's incredible Aleyn. Oh! I love that William Morris' wallpaper in the front entry hall. I recognise the pattern. It's called Ianthe' isn't it? Those pale teal, navy blue and blood red colours are just so beautiful together."

"Uhm, uhhh... yes Aaron. I'm surprised you would actually know that. It's imported from Liberty of London. But my Mother brought it back with her when she was there for a fitting for her annual spring and summer wardrobe at Norman Hartnell'. He dresses the Royal Family you know. I wouldn't have anything else but an original Art Nouveau William Morris pattern in there. I have a galley kitchen through here. And I like to sit and look out the window over at the Museum of Nature with a cup of double expresso in the morning. That is of course, after I walk Dietrich and before I head in to class. The mosaic marble tile floor in here is the same tile used in the main gallery hall of the Museum. This building was built in the early twenties. I think they used some leftover materials from when the Museum was built to finish the interiors of these apartments."

I'm speechless at the richness and elegance of Aleyn's place.

Aleyn continues to lead me through his place, describing it and saying, "There is a separate room with a big, leaded diamond-pane glass window just past the main salon... or the living room as you would probably call it. Actually, it's more like a double parlour with the columns separating the two spaces and I think wood sliding rod-pocket doors must have been installed there at one point. They would have had to have been more than ten feet tall as the ceilings in this apartment are fourteen feet high. The columns with the fluting going half way up them are of course, solid oak... as is the panelling and that crown molding and the doors and casings. And my bedroom is in here."

There is only one piece of artwork in his bedroom. A tiny black and white abstract print with a huge white matte and a simple, thin burnished silver frame hanging on the wall.

"That print is beautiful Aleyn."

"Oh that," he says. "Another one of my Mother's mistakes... "

I follow him into his bedroom, only to find Dietrich lounging on his huge brass bed with a white down duvet and what looks like a cashmere throw blanket, casually strewn out on top. At the head of the bed, there are huge, fluffed-up, goose down pillows that I swear have not one single strand of dog hair on them.

"Where do you actually do your assignments Aleyn?"

"Oh those... well `Mother' at the Bay lets me use his office there that has a drafting board and work table. So much easier for me that way."

"You don't have anywhere to sit down in your living room though. Just that beautiful fireplace and the desk and those bookcases."

"I like to live simply Aaron. And less is more. Especially when it's the best." He laughs, and then continues with, "But seriously though, I just roll out my 19th century oriental Caucasian dragon-patterned carpet in the entry hall closet and take the pillows off my bed whenever I want to lounge in there. Mother had that rug shipped to me in a diplomatic pouch from `Kirghizia' which was Father's last posting abroad before he retired. Strange that they call it a pouch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs... but those things, which can sometimes be as big as a shipping container are never subject to inspection or customs duty when they come into Canada. I actually do rather like that rug. At least Mother didn't screw that up for once."

Ten minutes later and Aleyn has Dietrich's Tiffany blue patent leather collar on her and says to me, "Aaron, I have to take Dietrich out for her walk. Go into my closet and find that red silk shirt I promised you. It has a band collar on it. I think it's in a pile along with all the other ones on the floor. They're all new and I just haven't had a chance to hang them up yet. It's all just sooo' dreadfully boring. And oh yes, if you need to wash up you'll find fresh white towels in the bathroom. You may even want to use some of that cologne in there too. It's called Grey Flannel' by Geoffrey Beene' and is so much more sophisticated and subtle than that Eau Sauvage' stuff you seem to like.

"Uhm, well... OK Aleyn."

I can't help but compare my little apartment on Argyle with this amazing place and feel a bit like a poor country relation to what Aleyn and his Mother have managed to create here for him. And that comment he made about the `Eau Sauvage'. I have to wonder just what Adam would say about that.

"Yes! I just knew that shirt would look perfect on you Aaron. You know, the first time I ever saw you, you were wearing red. Leave that other thing of yours here. Just throw it down on the floor in the corner at the foot of the bed and I'll have my housecleaner see to it."

"Uh, Aleyn... Adam gets in around 9:00pm at the Voyageur Colonial station. Do you want to come with me to meet him there?"

"No Aaron. Not there. I don't do bus stations... sorry. I'll see you both downstairs in Pick's Pub at the LE when you get there."

"OK Aleyn. Your place is amazing and Dietrich is beautiful and thanks for the shirt."

"No problem Aaron. Later then."

The bus gets in twenty-five minutes late from Brockville. And Adam is the first person off, looking dishevelled, stressed and exhausted..

"Heya' Aaron! That goddamn fuckin' bus this time. Let me tell ya'. All I could smell was piss and disinfectant from the washroom at the back of the bus and I swear it seemed like everyone back there was smokin' their brains out. And I had to sit in a seat that I'm hoping someone spilled what was just Coke' on it. Its times like this I really miss not havin' my wheels. How s your week been?"

"It's been not too bad, except for today. I just got my final assignment from Camilla for the semester and it's a big one. And that damned Lisa Mountebank... is she ever a fucking bitch. She made this stupid comment during crit' time in her class today and said that Connie Reichmann, Melora Payne, Eleanor Morrell, Natalie Portlander and I had all failed her class because according to her attendance records we'd missed more than three of her classes for the semester. I didn't though Adam! The lift bridge was up one day when I went to cross the Canal because it was letting a sailboat through and I was more than fifteen minutes late for her class. I couldn't do anything except wait for the bridge to go down again to let me cross the Canal. I hate her! The other two times... well, once I was late again because of that stupid Pretoria bridge and I was sick another morning and didn't want to spread what I had to anyone else that day. Then Lisa comes over to me and says, Oh Aaron, I'll get to you and your crit' when I am done with Colin here.' Honest to God Adam, she spent more than thirty minutes with Colin flirting and then she says she's going to fail me and then is still planning to give me a crit'! I fucking hate that god-damned, fucking bitch! I said to her, Why are you even bothering to come over to crit' my work since you've just failed me for the semester?' And you do know what she actually had the nerve to say to me? Well, Connie Reichmann was listening to all of this and was really pissed off at her, and Lisa says, Well, I didn't actually say I was going' to fail you... just that I could... if I wanted to.' Adam, I hope her vagina freezes over forever and she never, ever gets to have sex again... not that anyone would ever want her!"

"Well, you stood up for yourself babe. And maybe that's what she needed you to hand right back to her... that you weren't gonna' let her bully and threaten you. I have a feeling she might not be so tough on you next semester. If she is, then you just go and report her to the Student Union and let them deal with her," he says to me. "And Aaron honey... the way you're swearing there baby, you're beginning to sound just like me!"

"I will Adam. God, I missed you so much!"

"Me too!"

"Did you bring your suit with you in that garment bag this time?"

"Sure did cookie boy. You can play with my lonely dick in my pants when we get back to your place, and I'll smother ya" with my suit jacket. Whadya' say to that, ya' kinky little fucker?"

"I say. Let's get out of here, and I'll take care of you when we get back to my place."

"I got to see Aleyn Kinzinger's place on Elgin today Adam. It's amazing. He gave me a shirt of his and wants us to meet him at the LE for a beer or whatever this evening. Do you want to do that or would you just rather stay at home here? I'll do whatever you like."

"Well honey, since you mention him more than the others in your class, I think it's time I get a look at him and meet him. I'll be wanting to get myself cleaned up a bit though to get rid of the stink of cigarette smoke on me from the bus and throw on somethin' sexy, so you won't be ashamed of me. Wanna' hop in the tub and scrub me up while I play with your little sailor boy down there?"

"Hmm, I have some new soap that Aleyn just gave to me. It's scented and is called `Grey Flannel'. Can I rub you all over with it and play with your hairy chest and then pretend to dry you off Chewbacca?

"Aaron, baby... uhm, just get the water hot and I'll letchya' rub me and scrub me and we can head out after that. Not with that Grey Flannel' shit though. We have it in the Men's cologne section back at Fullerton's. It's way too strong on me and smells like a goddamn cheap whore's perfume. I like my own cologne. Now get outta' those clothes and let's play rub a dub, dub, two sexy guys in a tub!"

The Lord Elgin Hotel is a historic landmark in Ottawa. It was built in the early forties during World War Two and with the exception of the Chateau Laurier Hotel on the other side of the War Cenotaph, is probably the most elegant place in the city to host wedding receptions and important events. I remember what Adam said to me about the washrooms there. And how I have to watch myself when I go down into the basement at Pick's Place' and in what they call `The Library' just off the main lobby on the ground floor.

There is a side door that is at the corner of Laurier Boulevard and Elgin Street that avoids having to go in to the main lobby where the hotel staff give you judgemental stares if you go in that way.

I was to learn later on that the owners of the hotel were not exactly happy with the reputation of Picks Place and The Library being prominent, notorious, gay male cruising spots. But ever since the end of World War Two according to Adam, the hotel was about the only place in the city where men could meet to have a drink and check each other out with the intent of having sex together. It's probably one of the worst kept secrets in the city.

"Did ya' know Aaron that Lord Elgin was an Earl back in England and was the Governor General of what was then, the province of Canada between 1847 to 1854? This place has been a hangout for gay men ever since the end of the war. Lotsa' soldiers coming back from the war stayed here. And with the Department of National Defence just on the other side of the Canal and especially when the Union Station still had all the trains coming right into downtown, its reputation as a hang-out for guys to hook up for sex started way back then?"

"Was History one of your favorite subjects in school Adam?"

"Yep' honey, it sure was. Knowing the past can help ya' understand the present and shape the future baby."

"This place was just about the only place for men to meet back then. But then in the fifties and sixties, the RCMP started to monitor the place to try to uncover government workers they thought were a threat to the security of the country... and they were brutal and ruthless when they interviewed suspected homosexuals at their headquarters, right across from where the Russian Embassy is in Sandy Hill along the Rideau River. Lotsa' men had their careers destroyed by those fuckin' bastards. And some even committed suicide. We're lucky we didn't hafta' live in those times Aaron. I know that RCMP undercover officers still go into `Pick's Place' though and sit with their newspapers and take pictures of some of the senior government men who go down there. Some things never change Aaron. Ya' just gotta' be discreet when you go in there. Never know where you might wind up workin' when ya' graduate. And the last thing you need is to have an RCMP file on you if you ever need to pass a security check for a job or something like that."

"I'm glad you know these things Adam. I always feel safe with you."

"I'll always take care of ya' cookie. I love you."

"Aaron, before we head down into Pick's Place, let's poke our heads into The Library. It's pretty classy and not like the fuckin' meat market you're gonna' find when we go down into the basement."

The Library is elegant with beautiful, dark hardwood panelling, and has a long L-shaped' bar with a brass foot rail and a heavily veined, green serpentine marble counter top. The lessons that Lynda has been giving us at the College are starting to make me more and more aware of these things. There are seven or eight older men sitting at the bar drinking scotch or whatever. I can feel the frank appraisals and blatant stares and interest from them as we survey the space. There are landscape reproductions of The Group of Seven' Canadian artists and some black and white portrait studies of important celebrities by the famous photographer `Yousuf Karsh' in thick, ornate, gold-leaf frames with picture lights illuminating them around the room, and gold velvet, heavily-lined draperies with elegant sculptured pelmets and jabots framing the big windows looking out onto the National Arts Centre, Confederation Park and the First Baptist Church at the corner of Laurier and Elgin. The atmosphere is hushed, like what I imagine a men's club would be like. And there are wing chairs in green and gold striped, heavy tapestry fabric, tightly clustered around low, round coffee tables that I'm positive would bang the shins of anyone drunk trying to get into and out of those over-scaled Queen Anne reproduction wing chairs.

"A little too rich up here for my taste Aaron. The downstairs is more my style. But just remember what I told you about the washrooms here. You'll pass by them on the way down to Pick's Place on the landing where the stairs turn. Don't let appearances up here fool ya' into thinking this isn't more than just a place where men pick up other men for sex. And never let yourself get caught doing anything here that you wouldn't want your Mom and Dad to hear about, OK?"

"I understand Adam. I don't want anyone but you anyway."

"Just remember what I'm tellin' ya' honey please. And oh yeah... when we go downstairs and through the doors into Pick's Place you're gonna' get a shock cause it's loud and noisy compared to here. And if you hear guys whispering numbers out loud, they'll be staring at your hot, little boy butt there and rating it on a scale of one to ten when they check ya' out. And remember Aaron, your butt s mine and it's a ten and a half!"

"And yours is a twelve there Adam."

"Damn fuckin' right it is."

There are pay phones right beside the doors into Pick's Place and a couple of guys are standing around them, pretending to talk on the phone while checking everyone who is coming and going out of the bar.

"Couple of RCMP creeps right there Aaron. I recognise the look." Says Adam, as he heads into the bar with me behind him. The sounds of clattering glasses and beer bottles mesh with the high-octane, frenzied volume of lots of men getting drunk and laughter filtering out into the corridor, and I follow him inside and start to look around.

The place looks like a typical beer hall, like the Manitonna Hotel back in Brock Vegas... just not as dirty and stale beer-smelling with crushed peanut shells all over the floor. It has some class to it when I start to look around. There are banquette benches in green leather all around the perimeter of the room and captains' chairs facing the banquettes with their backs to the main doors into the space. Then in the middle of the room between the huge, thick wood-panelled columns supporting the hotel above are more large round tables and captain's chairs. All around the room, above the banquettes and wainscoting are gold leaf framed pictures. But these ones are illustrations of what I think must be Grenadier British soldiers in full dress with bayonets and rifles, posing to show off their military uniforms to reinforce the history and image of the hotel above. The noise is distracting, because it seems like everyone is talking at once and staring continuously at the doors into the bar to see who is coming and going, and what they are wearing, and how old they are, and whether they warrant a rating on their butts when they go to sit down.

Seven' I hear when I start to head over to where Aleyn Kinzinger is sitting along the wall with a couple of people I don't know. "No, no, no! That's a seven and half, if I ever saw one, says one guy to the other as Adam and I brush past them. Adam gives them both a dirty look and then puts his arm possessively on my shoulder and whispers to me, "Honey you're butt's a ten' to me and fuck those two nasty old queens. They're just jealous `cause you're a lot younger than they are. Now let's join your school friend over there, and you can introduce me."

"Well, I see you finally made it out tonight Aaron. Nice silk shirt you've got on there. I had to fight with a couple of mean bitches but I managed to hold on to these two chairs for you. Unfortunately, you won't be able to face the doors to check out anyone coming in or leaving. But that's the best I could do since it's a Friday and the place is packed with yummy guys tonight." says Aleyn, as he brazenly checks Adam out from head to toe and then dismisses him and starts to talk with his friends on either side of him."

Uhm, Aleyn... this is Adam, who I've been telling you about all semester."

"Obviously, Aaron. So Adam... you're the guy who works as a sales clerk back in Brockville who wears `Eau Sauvage'. You're older than I thought you'd be." Immediately one the guys sitting beside Aleyn covers his mouth with his hand to stifle a snicker. I can see that Adam is embarrassed and doesn't quite know what to say.

"Uh, uhm, yeah... right. Nice meetin' ya' too there Aleyn." Says Adam, as he stares warily back at him.

"And there's that `Brockville accent' I was telling you guys about when I go down to spend weekends with my Mother and Father," says Aleyn, as he stares directly at Adam and gives him a saccharine smile.

"How is your Mother, Aleyn? Is she still buying up all the antique stores in Europe and having everything shipped back for their house in the country?" says the guy on the other side of Aleyn.

"No Jeremey. Father has her on a strict budget now. And she can only buy what he approves of... for antiques and furniture, that is. As for hers and my clothes, well... we can still spend as much as we like on those. He likes it when we look properly groomed. He says it reflects well on him, and in the circles he travels... well, you know... appearances are just so important."

Once again, he gives Adam a head to toe appraisal, dismisses him, and then says to me, "So Aaron, we're just about to head over to Sac's in Hull. It's so much more chic and lots more fun than this stale old place. We only come here to get a head start on drinking and usually just cab it over to Hull from here after 11:00pm when they crank up the dance music and we can dance and party until 3:00am. Sure you don't want to come with us? Oh yes. And, you too of course... uh, Adam... was it? Did I get that name right?"

"No thanks Aleyn. Maybe some time again. This weekend is Adam's and mine. And I haven't seen him for a couple of weeks."

"Well, whatever Aaron. We'll see you around then. Bye."

Aleyn and his friends get up to leave, generating a cloyingly sweet, toxic cloud of `Geoffrey Beene' as they grab their jackets and head for the doors. Aleyn looks back to see how many guys are looking at him leaving and then gives Adam a withering look as he turns and heads out.

"Sooo... that's the guy you've been sitting beside in class Aaron?" says Adam, as he frowns and watches the doors as they swing shut.

"Uhm, yeah... that's him Adam. He's pretty good-looking, don't you think?"

"He's a little bit younger than me, I'm thinkin'. Maybe twenty-three or four and not my type at all. He's a bit too pretty for my taste. And in five years, that fat bubble butt of his is gonna' look like a flabby inner tube. Doesn't matter to me though `cause I'm thinkin' he doesn't really get off on me either, which is just fine with me."

Just then the waiter goes by and Adam gestures to him, "Heya' John! Good to see you man! Could I get a beer and a rum and coke for my friend Aaron here please?"

Adam! We haven't seen you in here in a long time. Not since the police raids on the Club Baths' at 1069 Wellington' last year. So, this is your new friend, is he? Well nice to meet you young man. Anything for you Adam and your friend. I'll be right back with your drinks."

"His name's Aaron, John. You'll take care of him when he comes in here, willya' please?"

"Of course Adam. For you, anything!" So good to see you back in Ottawa. And with someone," replies John.

"John and André over there have been here forever Aaron. John must be almost seventy now and he's been serving up drinks here ever since the hotel first opened up. He's straight and married with grandchildren now. He's a really great guy. He always keeps his eye on us and makes sure we stay outta' trouble with the local cops and the RCMP. And André... well, he is one hot-lookin' man. I've met his lover and I'm thinking André must have been workin' here now for at least ten years. He's pretty tough and has seen a lot of things in this bar over that time and can bounce anyone outta' here if they get rowdy or give anyone trouble or too much attitude. They're good guys to have in your pocket, if you know what I'm saying."

"Speaking about pockets Adam, I was looking at the other guys in here and you know something? Your sexy butt's a definite `fifteen' compared with most of what I see in here."

"Aww, honey! That's really sweet of you to say that. I don't think your friend Aleyn would agree with you. But he's never gonna' get to see mine naked so I don't give a fuck whether he does or not. Uhm, after this wouldya' like to maybe head on back to your place and stop to have somethin' to eat at that twenty-four hour delicatessen before we go past the Museum of Nature? Maybe we could curl up together and watch television or something. It's been a really long day for me and I'm kinda' tired."

"Oh God, yes... for sure."

As we are leaving, Adam walks over to where John and André are standing, just I'm heading out the doors.

"Heya' guys!"

"Adam! Good to see you man! Is that you're new friend, Aaron? Was that his name John?" says André, as he turns to John and then back to face Adam.

"Yep! He sure is buddy!"

He's a cutie Adam. A real nice piece of `chicken' for sure. If I didn't have my baby right now, I'd be jealous!"

"Aww, thanks André. He's pretty mature for his age though just so you know, and not just some `dumb twink'. Uhm, guys, wouldya' maybe keep an eye out for him whenever he comes in here to make sure he stays outta' trouble? He's just about to turn twenty soon. And I'd really appreciate it if ya' kinda' were as good to him as you both were to me when I first started coming in here. Wouldya' do that for me please?"

John speaks up and says to Adam, "He reminds me of one of my grandsons Adam. Don't you worry, we'll take good care of him. Rest assured of that."

"I can always count on you two. He's special to me, and it means a lot to know someone has his back when he's up here in College."

"Never mind his back there Adam. I heard a couple of guys over there in the corner who were giving his butt a `ten' when he went out the door just now!" says André, while laughing at Adam's reaction.

"Well, that cute, little boy butt is mine André! So hands off there fella'!"

André chuckles and says, "You've got no competition from me, judging from the way he's looking back at you from the doors right now."

"Oops! Gotta' go! Like, right now! Nite' guys!"

"Are ya' cold there baby? Wouldya' maybe like my bomber jacket around your shoulders `til we get to the deli?"

"Gee Adam, I kind of miss you not calling me babe and baby anymore. Would you maybe do that for me more when we're together, just the two us, maybe like every now and then, like you just did now?"

"Anything that makes ya' happy babe, anything at all."

"That deli place was fuckin' packed. I'm gonna' make sure we go over to the IGA on Isabella cause you just can't be eating out all the time. You're gonna' turn into one big cheeseburger if I don't start getting after you about what you're eating. We're gonna' go do that together first thing in the morning. I'll load you up with everything I think you should have in your fridge there to keep ya' healthy. Now come on and let's get those clothes offa' ya' cause I wanna' see if you've put on a couple of pounds at least before my cock takes over and finds its way up into your hot, little butt there. C'mon, let's snuggle and my baby maker can practice some long division and maybe some multiplication scales on ya' before we fall asleep. OK cookie boy?"

"I need a pet name for you Adam. Wookiee just sounds really kinda' dumb and childish. Can I call you Chewbacca, or maybe even Sasquatch or just Sasq' for short when it's just you and me together?"

"Works for me there. My five o'clock shadow and hairy chest that you're always tellin' me gets ya' hot and horny and my big, hairy `King Kong' dong are just fine with that."

Now babe, let's get naked and review what we learned about 69' in chapter fourteen of your Joy of Gay Sex' book once again. Whadya' say to that?"

"I thinking I'm needing lots of practice with that one Sasq' until I get the hang of it."

"It's not supposed to be hangin' when you do that baby! Here, let me review that chapter with ya' right now."

Can I rim your hairy man ass again first Adam?"

"Oh fuck Aaron! Just do whatever the fuckin' hell you want to me! I'll be smilin' in my sleep next to you with my cock stuffed up inside ya' `til we fall asleep soon enough anyway."

"Hullo?"

"Hi, is this Adam Blanchard?"

"Uhm, yeah... who is this?"

"Hi Adam! I'm Calla Cuthbertson and a friend of Aaron's."

"Well, hi there Calla. I remember Aaron talkin' all about you. I think I went to high school with your older sister Cora Leanne. She was just starting at BCI. And I was in grade eleven or twelve back then."

"That's right Adam. She remembers you and told me to say hi when I called."

"How is Cora Leanne? Is she still working up at Black and Decker? Is she married yet? I haven't seen her in like, forever. Is she doin' OK? What can I do for you Calla?"

"Well... uhm, yes. She's still working shifts up at Black and Decker on the assembly line there. And she's still at home with Dad and me. Mom died last year when she had her last major stroke. And my other older sister Corinne is up in Kingston working as a prison guard at the Women's Correctional Facility. She lives with her friend Victoria. And no, Cora Leanne is still single. She just got herself a new puppy, a little miniature Poodle she named `Anne Murray'. I don't think she's gonna' get married anytime soon Adam. Corinne neither for that matter."

"I'm really sorry to hear about your Mom Calla. Aaron told me you were the one taking care of her there at home after she had her first bad stroke a few years ago. That musta' been really tough for ya'. Well, you be sure and say hi to Cora Leanne from me and tell her to pop into Fullerton's sometime real soon to get caught up. I remember her from BCI and she was always real nice to me when I was there. And Aaron tells me you were nice to him too before you, well... before you had to drop out."

"It's OK Adam. You can say it. There aren't any secrets in this town. Yes, I got myself pregnant when I was fifteen. You know Adam, Aaron was one of the few who bothered to speak with me and be friendly to me when word leaked out and I started to show. I decided to give the baby up for adoption and then got my high school through correspondence courses and work now at the Sub Shop on King Street West."

"Oh! Is that you in there in the evenings? You're kinda' pretty. I come in there once in a while. I never knew you were Cora Leanne's younger sister or I sure woulda' said hi to ya'. Have you heard anything from Aaron? Is there something wrong? Did he call you about something? What can I do for ya'?"

"Well Adam, you and Aaron have been seeing a lot of each other, I know. And he's sorta' occupied now with you and with school and all. He and I used to go up to the Skyline and the 401 Inn with Robert Pierce to dance in the discos there a lot before he met you in the summer... not that I'm jealous or anything like that. But he's just been so busy with you these past few months, and then with him moving up to Ottawa and going back to school... and you know his birthday is coming up on December 17th when he is back in Brockville on Christmas break. You do know that's his birthday, don't you Adam?"

"I sure do Calla. I was planning on taking him out to the Town Haus Restaurant on Apple Street for dinner that night. I need to fatten him up a bit with some Beef Stroganoff and Spätzle! Wouldya' maybe like to join him and me for dinner, and maybe you could give Robert Pierce a call and ask him if he'd like to come too? I think Aaron would be really surprised and happy if you both could come to help him and me celebrate his birthday. He's been really busy with his studies at Algonquin. It'll be a good chance for you and Robert to get to spend some time with him. Whadya' think Calla?"

"I can see why Aaron likes you Adam. I'd like that a lot. And I know Robert has been missing him up at the Mall. I just met a new guy named Charlie Rieder. I'd like to bring him along to get to meet Aaron if that's OK. Charlie and I are gonna' move out west to Prince Rupert in B.C. in the spring. And I really want to introduce him to Aaron before we go. I'll give Robert a call and get back to you to let you know if he can come too. Thanks Adam. We both miss him so much. Brockville just isn't the same without him, you know."

"Hell Calla! You don't need to tell me that! Let me know and I'll make the reservation. And if you're talkin' to Aaron, let's just keep this as a surprise for him. I know he'll be happy and excited to see you over the Holidays. And I'd kinda' like to get to know you too. Aaron has talked about you a lot to me and I know it hasn't been easy for you... and he's had his own problems in this city growin' up... just like you and me."

Adam hangs up the phone in his kitchen and starts to think. Now she's a really nice person who knows what real life's all about `cause she's hadta' live it and survive it. My kinda' person for sure. Not like that fuckin' Aleyn Kinzinger and his snotty and creepy friends up in Ottawa. Aaron and I are gonna' hafta' make some time for her and Robert Pierce. Fuck, I'm glad she called me. Actually, I'll give Robert Pierce a call myself and invite him. What the hell! No time like the present to meet the only other decent gay guy Aaron knew in Brockville before I came into the picture and got into his sexy, tight fittin' jeans."

Chapter Six -- November/December

October came and went in fast-motion after Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad and Adam's birthday. The two major November assignments taking us up to the beginning of December and then to the end of the first term semester were from Camilla Mezaros in Interior Design One and from Alan Closer in Building Construction.

They were intimidating with respect to the amount of work required in order to complete them. And I was beginning to totally freak out.

Alan's assignment was interesting. We were to take what Alan had taught us in class regarding what many Architects and Designers followed when trying to develop perfect proportions for their creative work and apply what was called `The Fibonacci Sequence' to a scale model built from balsawood.

The `Fibonacci Sequence' was essentially a series of numbers in which each number was the sum of the two preceding numbers. For example, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 and so on. Scale and proportion are important elements in Architecture and Design and Alan was absolutely determined we were going to understand these principles as we advanced in the Program.

I had an idea about building a stud-frame house model based on the ratio of 3, 5 and 8 and had discussed my ideas with him during crit' times. Having heard his suggestions and listening carefully to what he was hoping to see in the final completed model, I was now on my own to actually build the damned thing to a scale of 1 inch equal to 1 foot.

Camilla's assignment was equally as demanding. It involved not only construction of a scale model constructed with Bainbridge board... seems like this was Camilla's favorite choice of material... easier to knock off a table with her wooden rod, I guess. But we also had to do what was described as a programming study and design concept narrative for what we were to hand in for 50% of our grade for that first semester. The assignment was to design and build a scale model of a student home workspace that we could theoretically work in as Interior Designers.

Suddenly, now we were going from abstract theory into what most of us understood real Interior Design was all about... namely design of real space for real people. The programming study mandated that we measure every piece of equipment and material we would employ to either build or use within the space as Interior Designers for our work, such as storage and shelving/filing, drafting boards and furniture like our drafting boards and stools and whatever else we thought we'd need in order to create an efficient and workable environment in which to do our work.

All the abstract theory and concepts we had been taught up to that point in her class with respect to colour, line, shape, texture, space, form, harmony and balance were to be incorporated to signify our understanding of the course. This was a daunting assignment.

Holy fuckin' fuck... to quote what Adam would say!

"Hi Adam."

"Heya' there honey! I'll be hopping the bus up on Friday and should be up there around nine. How are ya' makin' out with those models you're workin' on?"

"Oh God Adam. If I have to measure one more piece of Bainbridge board, or sheet of drafting paper, or pen, or pencil, or marker, or piece of balsawood I'm going to kill myself! She's got us measuring our drafting boards and stools too. Next thing you know she be asking us to measure our asses to make sure they fit in the stools in the model!"

"Well I can sure help ya' with that one baby. I already know it's a perfect fit for my big `King Kong' dong... the one that I'm playing with right now!" Adam chuckles, while laughing on the other end of the phone line. "Now seriously Aaron, is there anything I can help ya' with when I'm there, besides measuring you cute, tight, little ass?"

"Well Adam, you do know how to type don't you?"

"Sure do. I was pretty good with business and commerce classes back in high school. Why? Do ya' need me to type something up for you there cookie boy?"

"Oh God yes! I have to take all of the measurements and design concept information and put it all into a programming booklet, along with the scale model when I submit it. Would you maybe help me with that? I'd be so grateful if you would."

"So no partying this weekend then? We get straight down to work and no foolin' around?" he asks me.

"Well, maybe some party-time when you measure my butt and after we turn the lights out. Does that work for you Sasquatch?"

"Mmm... sure does baby! Oh yeah, and those black and white pictures I took for ya' for that booklet for Lynda Birdbrain', they turned out pretty good here. Maybe I can help ya' trim them up and put them into that assignment you have to hand in for her History of Architecture' course for the end of November. You know Aaron, you're gonna' have to put me on the payroll there baby, if this keeps up for next semester!"

"Stop calling her `birdbrain'! I almost called her that myself last week because of you. And as for payment, just put it on my account and take it out in trade Sasq' man!"

"I like those terms and I'll take the job!" he says, and then gives me one of his dirty, obscene and suggestive laughs.

"Oh yes! Adam, while I'm thinking of it, I got some groceries and some wine from the LCBO and I'll have dinner ready for you when you get up here. My cooking's getting a little better now. At least the last time I didn't have my upstairs neighbor here coming down and banging on my door, because they thought I'd started a fire on my stove! Jeez'! That was embarrassing."

"Just don't give me food poisoning with whatever ya' decide to make there and we'll be fine Aaron."

"Maybe I'd better just make us some bacon and eggs, then."

"Over easy then honey. And no... I wasn't referring to you there either."

A few hours later... and its one clock in the morning. Aleyn Kinzinger and his friends are dancing frenetically to the throb of their own personal highs at Sac's in Hull on the Quebec side of the river. The flashing strobe lights and pulsing beat of "Relight My Fire' by Dan Hartman' cranks up, just as "Love Machine' by The Miracles' ends.

"I'm just a love machine And I won't work for nobody but you (Yeah, baby) I'm just a love machine A hugging kissing fiend I think it's high time you knew Whenever I think of you My mind blows a fuse..."

The dance floor is packed with beautiful, sweaty bodies in constant gyrating movement. Machines are blowing liquid nitrogen smoke into the air and it's suddenly Saturday Night Fever' every night of the week for Aleyn and his ever-present amber bottle of poppers. "Here Jeremey, sniff some Rush' and let's keep dancing!" he yells to make himself heard above the loud, pounding, vibrating speakers surrounding the stainless steel dance floor.

"And if we all stand up in the name of love And state the case of what we're dreamin' of I've got to say I only dream of you But like a thief in the night You took away the love that I knew oh, oh oh oh

Relight my fire, your love is my only desire Relight my fire, 'cause I need your love..."

The bottle of isobutyl nitrate gets passed around to four or five others. And then the light-headedness and heart-racing, body quivering dance moves take over while everything else but the music and the beat is forgotten.

Right beside Adam and Jeremey is this outrageous, three hundred pound queen in a pair of glitter-covered, high platform-sole disco running shoes with 7-Up soft drink logos on them. He's wearing a matching green silk kimono jacket, huge cats-eye dark lensed sunglasses that look like something Grace Jones' would wear, and a pair of denim cut-off shorts cut so high up to his crotch that unfortunately, nothing is left to the imagination. In each of his hands there are oriental fans that he hits other dancers with if he thinks they are cute. And when he does, he screams and then yells he wants to fuck them right then and there on the dance floor. "You go gurrrl... shake it Mother'!" shouts Aleyn to his Creative Display Director and Boss from the Hudson's Bay Company store on Rideau Street.

The interior of Sac's on Rue Principale is like something out of New York City or possibly, the hot gay bar scene in either Toronto or Montreal. It's the closest thing to Studio 54 one would ever expect to find in staid, boring and ultra-conservative Federal Government Ottawa. Two gorgeous, tall `leather from head to toe' clad doormen command the front checkout and control the black velvet rope they only open for the best-looking and coolest dressed people to get into the club. One is white and the other black. Both are the sexiest-looking males you could possibly have wet dreams about.

Once inside, there are three bars surrounding the huge dance floor. The entire club is painted with matte black paint and the floors are highly polished, shiny black linoleum so the sense of space seems to disappear and go on forever inside. Recessed pot lights are set on low dimmers in the ceiling and they look like stars twinkling in a black midnight sky. The tops of the bars are stainless steel like the dance floor. Some people sit at the bars on black leather and chrome stools while most of the horny gay guys cruising stand at high tables on a raised platform to overlook the dance floor and pose like frigid Greek statues, hoping someone will come up to them and beg them to dance or go have sex with them in the washroom stalls.

The strobe lights are blinding. Commanding the entire bar is a DJ booth that looks like an Apollo space capsule about to re-enter earth's atmosphere.

One of the local sports news celebrities, Dex Kellner is sitting at the first bar to the right when one enters the space. He has two very young, bitchy-looking, skinny French Canadian twinks sitting on each side of him... bilingual bookends no doubt. His reputation for seducing twinks is legendary. A couple of years earlier, he was arrested and charged for driving the wrong way on the 401 after one of his live `on-the-scenes' broadcasts. He now has a personal driver to take him over to Sac's when his 11:00pm syndicated nightly sportscasts finish each night. The driver is down the bar from him wearing a chauffeur's cap and black suit looking very straight, extremely uncomfortable and seated all by himself, nursing a Diet Coke.

"Hey Dex!" says Aleyn, as he and Jeremey and `Mother' pass him by on their way back to the raised platform where the rest of his friends pose like constipated swans in tight leather pants and a rainbow array of expensive silk shirts.

"How are you this evening Adam? Did you get that stuff I asked you to get for me?" Dex says to him.

"Oh yeah! Here it is Dex. It came in a diplomatic pouch from an embassy friend of my Mother's in Uzbekistan' the other day wrapped in some drapery fabric. Nooo... not you Mother'! My other Mother!" he says, as he turns and laughs at his Boss from The Bay.

A bag of Cocaine is surreptitiously handed off to Dex. And then Adam and his troupe move on.

"I'll be in tomorrow to help you work on my assignments from school," he says to `Mother.'

"I'll need more of what you just gave to Dex then, Adam."

"No problem. I have more back at my place and will bring it for you tomorrow. Oh! Let's head back to the dance floor! I absolutely love this song!"

"All that pressure got you down Has your head spinning all around Feel the rhythm, check the rhyme Come on along and have a real good time

Le Freak ... C'est Chic ..."

"Sooo... when do we get to meet this classmate of yours you've been bragging to us you're planning on seducing? And just exactly when are you going to bring the little piece of twink candy over to Sac's to receive my approval and blessing?" asks `Mother'.

"When I figure out a way to get rid of his damned, fucking Brockville boyfriend."

"We make a good team kid. I'll take these notes and measurements you scribbled back home with me and type them up for ya', no problem!" says Adam, as he looks over all the pages spread out on my grandmother's desk beside the fireplace. "And tomorrow we'll clean up some of the mess around here and spread out those pictures I brought and start to lay them out for that other assignment you have to have ready in a week's time for the end of November for Lynda `bird lady' there."

"I wish you'd stop calling her bird lady' Adam! I have to admit though she does kind of remind me of that Tippi Hedren' actress out of Alfred Hitchcock's movie `The Birds. And that really doesn't help the situation at all you know!"

He chuckles and says, "OK honey. No problem. By the way, how's that Aleyn guy doing with his assignments Aaron? Is he gonna' stick with the Program after this semester? Or do ya' know yet?"

"I don't really know Adam. He seems to get all his stuff in on-time. And for the most part he's getting fairly consistent marks from the Profs. I don't know how he's managing it though, because he tells me he is still going in to The Bay after hours to help with that Mother' person there and he hasn't missed any classes either. He always seems wired up somehow though. And I'm not talking about the same wire' that Camilla seems to get off on talking about on me. Sometimes I wonder if he gets any sleep at all."

"Hmm, has he asked you to go out partying with him and his friends lately?"

"Well Sasq' yes, almost every night. He's beginning to really piss me off to be honest about it. I suppose I'll just have to say yes one of these times, just to get him off my back."

"Tell ya' what baby... hows about you and me head on over to Sac's tomorrow after we finish with your assignment stuff to check the place out. A friend of mine from Merrickville, Ronnie Brownlee is one of the doormen there. We went to high school together Aaron. Him and me... well, we haven't talked in a long while. He used to work up at Black and Decker and then decided to get out the hell outta' Brock Vegas for a year to maybe find out what gay life was all about. He got the job at Sac's and has been up here now for about six or seven months or so. His Dad's been sick and I kinda' wanna' talk to him to find out how he's doin'. Whadya' say? Is it a date then?"

"Well, if you really want to go then sure, let's do it then. But not until I get to suck on that big cock of yours and maybe show you something new of mine down there before we head out tomorrow!"

"Hmm, I'm real intrigued now baby. Just whatcha' hidin' down there from me?"

"You'll just have to wait and see, mister commando."

Adam is laughing, while trying to pull my jeans down and says. "I love you cookie boy."

"I love you too Sasq'."

"Now, what did you manage to make for me for dinner? And where's that wine you promised? I'm fuckin' hungry and hadta' skip dinner to make it to the bus stop on time to catch the bus up here. And it better not be just bacon and eggs either!"

The dishes, glasses and cutlery are already spread out on the carpet in front of the fireplace. Five minutes later and orange and blue taper candles are lit and flickering. The cloth napkins I scammed from my Mom's linen closet are in place as I head into the tiny kitchen and pull a `McCain's frozen pizza' out of the oven.

"Thought you said you were gonna' `make' me something for dinner Aaron," he says, as I put the cardboard plate down and start to carve up the pieces.

"Well, I managed to turn the stove on and get the temperature right. So that's like cooking, `hmm... izzzn't it?' "

"C `mere baby. I wanna' measure your butt right now to make sure ya' haven't lost any more weight. Let me get my tool out and we'll see if my eight inch measuring tape can tell if you're healthy or not."

"Never you mind Adam. You can have your cookie for dessert later if you behave yourself. Now, kiss me and then eat what I made for you."

"Oh yeah... speaking of food there, when you're home on Christmas break, am gonna' take you someplace special for your birthday. I have a nice surprise waitin' for you... besides the one hiding in my suit pants, which by the way, kinda' miss ya' these days. They're real lonely all by themselves and told me they're gonna' go back into the closet'... they keep sayin' to me they won't come out' again til you're back in town! Not to worry though... they're pretty well-hung' in there!"

"Very funny Adam... very funny." Meanwhile I'm thinking... just how lame and corny can this guy be at times? Jeez'.

"Yeah! I kinda' thought so too." he says with a smug grin on his face as he bends over to kiss me.

"My old suit jacket said to say hey to ya' as well baby. It misses you almost as much as I do cookie boy."

"It's just jealous of your shirt Adam. It'll have to get used to the fact that I have more than just one love interest now that I sleep with. I wear it every night Sasq'. And it still smells of you. You know, I don't think I'd make it through a whole night without it to help me sleep."

It's late Saturday morning. Adam shakes me awake with a hot cup of strong coffee in his hand and says, "Babe, let's crank up the music here and start to get into these black and white pictures. Where's your X-Acto knives and that expensive piece of linoleum cutting board surface ya' got ripped off on from Wallack's?"

He heads over to my stereo and pulls out Diana Ross'. Suddenly Love Hangover' starts to play, and we make some room to start working on Lynda Naagy-Birdsong's History of Architecture presentation.

"If there's a cure for this I don't want it I don't want it If there's a remedy I'll run from it From it..."

"These pictures are fantastic Adam! I'm glad you insisted we do them up on glossy print paper. The black and white contrast in them is incredible. You should be a professional photographer Sasq'!"

"Thanks baby. You told me what you wanted and how to frame them in each composition though. So you take credit here too. It's a group effort. But no one ever needs to know that baby. I just like helpin' ya' honey."

`Diana Ross' continues to sing in the background.

"I've got the sweetest hangover I don't wanna get over Sweetest hangover ..."

Three and a half hours and four cups of instant black coffee later and all the pictures have been cropped and cut precisely and laid out on twelve pages of expensive white matte finish linen paper, ready for gluing and binding together. Between each page is a sheer white sheet of very thin, translucent velum paper that is like organza, intended to separate each page. The whole booklet will look extremely elegant once it's all done and ready to be handed in.

"Adam, do you know what `Letraset' is?" I say to him, as he carefully finishes up with gluing each photo down onto the linen pages the way we both decided they should be laid out.

"Uh, uhm, no honey. What's that?"

"Well, it's like a dry-transfer kind of typeface lettering you rub onto paper or Bainbridge board with a burnishing tool. Do you think you might want to help me by trying to do that with the lettering and symbols having to go on each page?"

"Sounds like fun. Let me try it and see what you think."

"God Adam! That looks amazing! The spacing between the letters is really good. I'm glad you're here to help me. Are you still sure you want to go out later? I'm good if you just want to stay home with me here and watch TV or something."

"Nope! We're goin' Aaron. I wanna' see Ronnie and get caught up with him. His Dad had a heart attack last year. And I wanna' get another look at that Aleyn friend of yours."

"I don't really think of him as a friend Adam."

"OK babe. Whatever. OK."

Later that evening and Adam says, "One great thing about this apartment Aaron is that ya' never seem to run out of hot water for that big bathtub of yours." I'm gonna' put some bubble bath I brought up from Fullerton's in it now and whadya' say we hop in there together before heading out to Sac's?"

"Yeah, I'd like that. My back hurts from bending over to finish off all those pages for Lynda's booklet. It sure looks good though. Thanks again for all your help on it. If I get an A' on it you can have a look ahead into chapter fifteen of the Joy of Gay Sex' and I'll do anything from chapters one to fifteen you want me to do on you? Deal?"

"Fuckin' fantastic deal there! He says, and then laughs that indecent, dirty laugh I've come to love about him, along with everything else... not the least of which is that hard, hairy man butt as he heads buck-naked into my bathroom and bends over the tub to test the temperature of the water.

"Holy fuck! Look at the line-up trying to get into the place Aaron!" exclaims Adam, as we pull up in front of Sac's at 117, Promenade du Portage in Hull.

There are at least fifty people in line waiting to pass inspection to gain entrance into the club. My classmate Aleyn Kinzinger, along with his friends Jeremey and `Mother' are far back in the line-up, looking very unimpressed that they have to wait in line along with everyone else.

Then suddenly, Adam spots his friend Ronnie at the front door. "Hey! There's Ronnie right by the front door there with that tall black guy beside him. I'll get us in there in no time baby. You just wait here and I'll be right back."

"Heya' Ronnie! How are ya' buddy! It's been too long! How are your folks back down on the farm in Merrickville? Is your Dad doin' better, I hope since his heart attack? You never come into Fullerton's to see me when you're back in town anymore. I've missed ya'! Say... I really wanna' talk to ya' when you get a few free moments. Any chance you can get us past the line-up here? I've got my boyfriend from Brockville here with me and I wanna' show him the club."

"Hey! Aaron, c'mon over and meet Ronnie. Ronnie, this is my boyfriend Aaron. Aaron `Richard' Christie. You might know his Mom and Dad from the Hospital. They're over on Bethune Street. He's all mine though so dontcha' get any ideas there bud!"

Ronnie's mouth is agape when I head over toward him and Adam to say hello. "You fuckin' lucky guy Adam. How come I never got to meet cute guys like this when I was workin' at Black and Decker and livin' back in Brock Vegas?" he says, while reaching out to give me a friendly hug. "I'd have never moved up here if I'd found someone as cute as this back there, let me tell ya'!"

I promptly turn five shades of red. Adam grabs me and laughs and gives me a big kiss on my cheek and says, "I think Ronnie kinda' likes ya' Aaron." And then he smiles back at Ronnie, who is beaming. Then Ronnie says, "Jeezus Adam, I'm really glad to see you with someone. It's about fuckin' time you met someone and settled down."

"I hear ya' Ronnie."

The black velvet rope gets opened up for us with a flourish while people in the line-up groan and shoot us dirty looks. Ronnie introduces us both to his black doorman counterpart named Jean-Louis-Pierre-Francois from Montreal, originally from Haiti. I swear they both must be more than six and a half feet tall, the two of them. And both are magnificent with their tight leather pants, harnesses, military flight bomber jackets, 3" platform-sole, black leather, lace-up, mid-calf boots and bare, chiselled hairless torsos.

"Thanks Ronnie. Please man, willya' come and find me when you're on break. I want to catch up on what's been happening with you, OK?"

"Sure thing Adam. I will for sure."

"Oh! And by the way there Ronnie, I wouldn't be showin' up back in Brockville on King Street in that get-up unless you're holdin' a whip in your hand." says Adam, as he gives his friend a big bear hug and lets out with a huge laugh.

"Oh! Fuck off! My nipples are turnin' to ice in this cold weather, ya' bastard! You're just fuckin' jealous `cause I'm so fuckin' hot and you're not!" Ronnie responds, while laughing at Adam.

"Want me to tweak them to see if they crack and break off Ronnie? You say somethin' like that in front of Aaron and I'll fuckin' cut your hairless nuts off!"

"He's waiting for ya' and looks kinda' lost there Adam. Fuck he's cute. Now, get inside there with him before Dex you-know-who' gets a good look at him and decides to be Colonel Saunders' lookin' for a `chicken dinner' tonight! Enjoy yourselves!.

"Rum and coke, baby?" asks Adam, as he steers me over to the bar on the left once we leave the coat check and head into the club. "Try not to give too many guys a hard-on while I leave ya' alone for a couple of minutes, OK?"

"Oh God Adam. Just hurry back, OK?"

The music is cranked up to near ear-splitting decibel range and The Bee Jees', You Should be Dancin' is blasting out of the biggest speakers I have ever seen in my life surrounding the dance floor. The dense cigarette smoke is blending in with the liquid nitrogen and I can hardly see anything, because my eyes are stinging and honestly, I'm starting to get really tired from all the work Adam and I did earlier in the day on my projects.

"Let's dance Aaron!" shouts Adam, as he dumps the drinks on the counter and grabs me and heads out onto the dance floor.

Five songs later with Gloria Gaynor', Michael Jackson', more Bee Jees', Diana Ross' and `Dan Hartman' and I yell over to Adam, "Sasq', I just have to go and sit down! I'm tired!"

"OK baby. I wanna' go talk to Ronnie anyway. Are ya' gonna' be OK on your own? Do ya' wanna' come with me, while I look for Ronnie?"

"It's OK Adam, I'll be fine."

"Well, well... look who blew the doorman and got in before us guys. It's Aaron from school!" says Aleyn, as he walks over to my end of the bar with Jeremey and `Mother'.

`Mother' appears at this point and looks me up and down, then grabs onto my arm. He hits me on the head with one of his stupid oriental fans and starts to pull me onto the dance floor. "We're dancing! That's it, that's all!" he screams in my face.

I'm mortified at this point and have no option but to follow him onto the dance floor where he starts to grab onto my butt and grinds his fat, gross body into mine in a disgusting and lurid display of what he must consider to be dancing.

"Shit. Adam! Where are you? Help!"

After about sixty seconds or so, Aleyn steps onto the dance floor and takes over from Mother' who is panting and fanning himself with those idiotic fans and yelling, "I'm hyperventilating here... get me to a doctor... I'm having a love machine' seizure!" as Aleyn laughs and says to me, "Just ignore him Aaron. He's just a big, old drama queen."

Aleyn pulls his bottle of poppers out and hands them to me. "Here Aaron, try this. Just sniff it and you'll get a rush and really get into the music. Trust me. It's OK."

"I'll take over from here Aleyn," barks Adam, as he shoulders Aleyn out of the way and starts to dance with me.

"He was dancing with me you big, clumsy Clydesdale," sputters Aleyn, as Adam moves me over to the side and turns back to face Aleyn.

"You're right there pretty boy. He was'. But not now. Now you take your fuckin' bottle of Rush' or `Liquid Gold' or whatever the fuck you're hidin' there and your freaky friends and move your fuckin' asses over to the other side of the bar or I'll have ya' bounced outta' here. You got that or wouldya' like me to spell it out for you in interpretive dance, along with my friend Ronnie at the front door?"

"Oh fuck off, you pathetic Brockville hick!"

"A hick with a smokin' hot, big, hairy, man-size dick that's fuckin' Aaron... not you, ya' fuckin' pathetic, phony asshole. Something you're never gonna' get to do with that shrivelled up piece of stale tube steak between your fat ass cheeks and flabby legs. Now get outta' my face, ya' fuckin' size queen!" exclaims Adam, as he thrusts his threatening face three inches away from Aleyn's shocked expression.

"You're nothing' compared to me you pathetic piece of low-class, Brockville trash'. Oh... fuck it all! This is all just too terribly `boring and common'. C'mon guys. Let's go do some crack in the washroom and forget about these two small-town losers."

Adam walks over to Ronnie who is still manning the front door monitoring everyone coming in and out of the club and says quietly to him, "Uhm, Ronnie... those guys who just went into the women's washroom back there... they're gonna either smoke up or do crack. I know your boss here has had problems with the Police before about illegal drugs in this place. I think ya' better either bounce them outta' here or call someone to come and bust them."

"Fuck Adam. Thanks man. There's been undercover RCMP officers in here a lot lately and they're just lookin' to shut this place down and arrest everyone. I'll kick those bastards outta' here before they can roll a joint or do their first snort of crack up their fuckin' noses. The owner here will be really grateful to you for lettin' me know this. I'm gonna' let him know too. I'll have them out the back door and on the street in no time. Hey! Jean-Louis-Pierre-Francois! We got some fuckin' freaks doin' drugs in the ladies room! Let's bounce their fuckin' asses outta' here like, right now man!"

"Adam. I'm glad you came to help me. I just didn't know what to do when that fat `Mother' guy dragged me onto the dance floor... and then when Aleyn tried to take over from him. I've had enough of this place and I just want to go home! Please Adam, will you take me home now, please?"

I'm halfway to tears at this point, and Adam pulls me into him and says, "Remember what I've always told ya'. I'm always here for ya' cookie. Now let's say g'night to Ronnie and we'll catch a cab around the corner and head back to your place. Sorry this turned out so badly for ya' babe. But I hafta' say, I'm not one fuckin' bit sorry we ran into Aleyn and his fuckin' goddamn freaky friends here tonight."

"Heya' Ronnie! Thanks for letting us gate crash tonight. Willya' promise to come and say hi to me at Fullerton's when you're back down in Brock Vegas?"

"Will do Adam. And Aaron, really nice meeting you. You two make a real nice couple. Hope to see you both real soon now. G'night... a plus tard, mes amis."

In the cab on the way back to Argyle, I'm thinking quietly to myself. Halfway there and then I turn to Adam and say, "You know something Adam, I'm not really sure if you are going to get this. But I've been thinking just now about Aleyn and that first abstract planes assignment Camilla dumped on us at the beginning of the semester. You know, just like that first assignment, Aleyn seems to me to be like a flat two dimensional plane... nothing to him actually. He lives in his own little world in total denial of what his life is all about. The sad thing about it is that he'll probably never develop into anything more than he is now... his own narrow vision of who and what he thinks he is. Does that make any sense to you at all?"

"Uhm hmm, you're learning Aaron. And yes it does babe. But I think your brain's workin' overtime right now. Time to give it a rest and exercise another part of your hot, little body with me when we get home. Whadya' say to that?"

Meanwhile the cab driver looks back in his rear view mirror, rolls his eyes, and shrugs and thinks to himself, I don't get paid enough to listen to this `merde' at this hour of the morning...

We're undressing and about to hop into bed when I say to Adam, "Turn your back for a second, while I take my jeans off."

"Why baby? It's not like you're bashful around me. And there isn't anything down there that I haven't had my lips, tongue, hands or mouth on... or my big cock shoved into for that matter, is there?"

"Just turn around!"

"Uhm, uh... OK babe... turnin' now."

"OK, you can turn back around now... "

I'm wearing a brand-new pair of Superman bikini briefs with the logo on my butt. Mine are different from Adam's, because the Superman logo is on the front of his to show off his big bulge. I'm wiggling my ass, and he is really laughing.

"My ass is truly yours now. Now let's get naked and I'll suck your big, thick dong there `Man of Steel'!" I say, as he dives for me and we both fall onto the bed.

"Faster than a speeding bullet... it's Superman! No... it's `Adam'."

"My inseam is a 34 and my waist is either a 33 or 34, depending on how they fit. I take a 44 long usually in jackets. But you can measure me up and then let's have a look at sports coats and a nice pair of wool dress pants to go with them," says Adam, as Joseph the clerk in Craig's Men's and Women's Wear on King Street back in Brockville wanders off to find a measuring tape.

"I got a date comin' up for someone's birthday real soon Joseph, and I wanna' look really nice that night," He says to the clerk.

"How about this jacket here Aaron? It's Donegal tweed and not too thick and heavy that you can't wear it for three out of four seasons. It's on sale and very versatile and practical. The colours in the tweed would be good with your colouring and it should fit you well, especially in the shoulders and in the length."

Adam tries on the jacket, looks at himself in the three-way mirror and smiles. "I like the browns and tans in it. This orange and blue paisley lining is great... my favorite colours. And without any pocket flaps or elbow patches or any of that pipe-smoking university professor' or lord of the manor' crap, I'm thinking it looks pretty damn good on me. I like the back side vents too. They don't stick and flare out and make my ass look big when I bend over. Uh... the arms need to be lengthened a little though."

"Adjusting the arms and buttons on the cuffs won't be a problem. And I think it needs to be taken in a little at the back to emphasize your athletic torso. Our tailor in the store can do that at no charge for you. I'll take care of that, no problem."

"Great. Now find me a nice pair of brown dress trousers to go with it, wouldya' please, Joseph? No pleats in them or cuffs though. And I want them to fit me like a glove, if you catch my meaning."

"Ah... yes, I think I know just what you're looking for."

Twenty minutes of tailor's chalk adjustments, then pinning, tucking and hemming the pants to really show off his shapely man butt... three hundred dollars later and Adam heads back to Fullerton's just down the street to finish his shift with a big smile on his face.

"I really don't know how to thank you for the bonus Mrs. Fullerton. The new clothes will help a lot when I start to look for a new job. And that letter of recommendation you wrote to your friend at the Ministry of National Health and Welfare in Ottawa... well, I wantcha' to know that meant a lot to me."

"You know Adam, I've always felt like an aunt to you. A nosy, crotchety and interfering old aunt at times, yes I know. But not having had any children myself, I always considered you almost one of my own. The past five years you've been with me here have been a blessing and a God send. I didn't know what to do with the store when Mr. Fullerton died. If you'd hadn't agreed to come in and work here for me, I think I would have closed the store up back then. I'll be eighty-one this coming spring and it's time to finally step down and enjoy whatever is left of my life."

"Yes ma'am. You know how much I'm grateful for the chance you gave me here. I'm real sad to see this place get taken over. But I understand. And the way the rest of Brockville is goin' these days, I suppose this was bound to happen."

"I'm glad you understand Adam. I care a great deal about what happens to you. And I only wish I could do more to help you on your way now."

"Well ma'am, laying me off will help me to collect unemployment insurance faster. And with the savings I've got and your letter and all... uhm, well... I think I'm gonna' be just fine. Ya' know Mrs. Fullerton, things happen for a reason. And I think this is coming at a good time for me. I haven't said anything to anyone about this yet, not even my Mom. And I figured you'd wanna' be the one to let customers know and all. Do ya' have a firm date yet for when `Shopper's Drug Mart' is gonna' take over?"

"The end of February Adam. We can close off the end of the calendar year here and hold a big sale for Christmas and early January and do a final inventory of whatever is left after that. And Adam, you'll get another bonus from me then when I pay off the suppliers and after we clear out whatever stock we can sell between now and then. I'd be grateful if you could stay on with me until the middle of January. And of course, if you need time off for job interviews or whatever you're plans are before then, that won't be a problem at all."

Adam gives Mrs. Fullerton a hug and says, "Ma'am you know you've always been able to count on me. That's never gonna' change ya' know."

She is holding back tears and says, "You know Adam... there are a few things I want to say to you here and now. First of all, I'm an old woman who's lived a long, long time and can say whatever the hell I damned well want. People can either like it or lump it. I haven't got much time left to me and it seems to go faster with each passing year. I've seen a lot in this city, and in my life for that matter. I have watched Brockville grow from a little town to what it is now. There are two types of people in this place now Adam. With all of the factories... Black and Decker, DuPont, Brockville Chemicals, Automatic Electric, Phillips Cables and Parke Davis Pharmaceuticals, you've got a lot of blue collar workers making up most of the city. And then you've got retired old rich bitches like me who have been around forever. There's nothing in the middle. And I've always felt that this wasn't a place for you to live your life in."

"I remember your Dad Adam. He just couldn't fit into the mold of factory shift worker and happy husband, even though he grew up here. And when he left, I wasn't surprised. None of my business I know. But I felt you needed to hear that from someone who knew your Father back then. I know you've got your young friend Aaron who is in College up in Ottawa now. And I'm not going to judge or pry into your personal business. But, there is something I want you to know about Mr. Fullerton and me. I was ten years younger than him when we got married more than sixty years ago. It wasn't easy over the years. But we stuck together. And in the end, it was being together that made up for all the sadness and disappointments we had to endure over the decades. Age is just a number. Maturity and character are more important Adam. If you care for someone, then be patient and love and trust them. It'll all work out in time. You live your life the way you want to and never be afraid to show others who you are inside. Do you understand what I'm trying to say to you?"

"Yes, I think I do. And thank you ma'am."

Meanwhile, Mrs. Fullerton with tears in her eyes says to Adam, "You're a good boy Adam. I hope you'll come and see me after things wind down here."

"Count on it. Mrs. Fullerton. I'll always be around for ya' ma'am."

It's Friday, December 2nd the last day of formal classes, with a week to go for hand-in of final assignments and also my last weekend alone with Adam in Ottawa before I head back to Brock Vegas for the Christmas Break. The bus is over an hour and a half late, because of the blizzard that has descended on the Capital. The Voyageur Colonial bus stop in Ottawa is steaming with humid heat while anxious passengers arrive and those who wait for them stare through fogged-up windows, heaving huge sighs of relief as each bus is announced on the loud-speaker and pulls into the station. Adam's bus finally pulls in just after 10:30pm.

"Adam! The bus trip must have been awful. It's been snowing heavily up here all day. I was starting to get really worried." I say, as Adam comes through the doors and looks around for me.

"Aww, baby... the snow is gettin' really bad out there! We hadta' change buses in Prescott because the one we were on kept cutting out and then broke down totally on the driver when we stopped there. A fuckin' full bus and the driver hadta' transfer all the suitcases and packages from that bus into another one they keep there for emergencies. We lost almost an hour there and then when we got to North Gower, the snow was so bad and roads so slippery we almost goddamn, fuckin' skidded off into the ditch! I didn't think we were gonna' make it here. Honest Aaron. Fuck! I'm sure as hell glad to see you!"

"Well, you made it and am I ever glad you did. Let's get the hell out of here. I've got the heat cranked up in the apartment. And I got us some rum and wine. Hopefully you can warm up when we get there."

He gives me a big hug, while people rush by him to catch cabs or meet those waiting for them outside in warm, idling cars. Then he gives me one of his suggestive laughs and says teasingly to me, "Well ya' wanna' know somethin' babe? At least the front of me is startin' to heat up now."

"Gimme' your back pack. It's the least I can do to carry it back for you. You look exhausted."

"Nah baby. Not exhausted, just so fuckin' relieved to see you and make it up here in one piece. I'm thinkin' when we get to your place, I'm gonna' be feelin' a whole helluva' lot better. Let's go Aaron."

"I've got a zillion things to tell you Adam. But for now, I just want you to take all your wet clothes off and get dry. Do you want me to run a hot bath for you to help you warm up? Would that help? I can dry you off afterward? I'd really like to do that, actually."

"I've got a better idea," he says, as he pulls me into a tight embrace and slowly starts to pull his coat, sweater and shirt off. I'm thinkin' you've got too many clothes on yourself there babe, as he yanks my coat off of me and tosses it over on the floor by the front door. I wanna' do you like, right now Aaron. We can talk later and tomorrow. But right now I'm so fuckin' hot for you my balls are gonna' burst if I don't shoot my load inside ya'."

His tongue thrusts deep inside my mouth with a demanding, passionate kiss, playing with my tongue and exploring every deep recess, while his hands roughly fondle and grope every sensitive part of my body. I can feel his thick, hard cock thrusting into me with a determined and urgent rhythm as my hands paw and knead his strong shoulders and hairy chest, caressing and squeezing his hard, sensitized nipples. He moans with intense pleasure as I pull and start to lick and suck them with my tongue. I can feel my own cock responding. And all I can do is to keep exploring him invasively all over with my tongue. His armpits are starting to sweat with the heat in the apartment and the intensity of the moment. His pungent, male pheromone scent is blocking everything else out of my senses as I drop down in front of him to tug and yank the zipper down on his jeans, shove my face into his fragrant, thick, furry bush and grab onto his pulsating, precum oozing dick.

"Shit Adam! I love your man scent. I wish I could live down here all the time. You make me crazy! Your hairy pube forest is mine Sasq'!"

"Aaron, gimme' a sec' to take my pants off, or I'm gonna' hafta' fuck ya' in them! My dong's got a mind of its own tonight and I'm not gonna' argue with it, and neither are you. Not tonight. I just wanna' cum in ya', on ya', and all over ya' `til it settles down and I wantcha' to suck on my aching, full balls and bury your head in my funky crotch all night long!"

I love to bury my head down between his inner thighs and slowly start to work my lips and tongue up until I get to the base of his sweaty, tight scrotum. His thick, dark pubic hair tickles my nose. All I can do is inhale deeply and take in his unique manly odor and masculine aura while thinking of nothing else but pleasing him and worshipping his hard, pulsating tool. He always groans with mindless, unrestrained surrender when I grab onto his hairy ass and clutch and fondle it, with both hands tightly groping each perfect globe at the same time.

"Shove your cock down my throat as hard and as deep as you can Adam. I want to swallow you up whole and then ride you on the bed `til you cum deep inside me. I can't get enough of you tonight. It's like the first time for me with you!"

"Aww, fuck baby! You're makin' me fuckin' crazy! Am gonna' toss ya' on the bed and work my tongue all over your body until ya' beg me to bury my dong way up deep inside ya'. I wanna' hear you moan and beg for me tonight. It's been too long without ya'. My dick has missed ya'. Now keep on goin' down there with those magic lips and tongue of yours on the tip of my cock `cause I don't wanna' waste any of that pre-cum and ball juice. It's all for you tonight."

Somehow he managed to get both us onto the bed in a `69' position together. I remember him lifting me up gently while I buried my face in his hairy armpit, biting his shoulder and softly moaning. Next thing I know, he is down between my legs, urgently biting and sucking on my inner thighs and rolling my balls in his mouth, while greedily squeezing, clutching and clawing my backside and butt cheeks.

"Jeez' Adam! I can't get enough of your mouth and tongue. You're driving me nuts with your hot body and hairy cock tonight! You're making me crazy! The more you do what you're doing to me, the more I want you inside of me. I want you to fuck me now Adam! Like, really fuck me... just like the first time when we came together at the Lyn Pit. And just like I hope it's going be with you every time, from now on."

Animal-sounding snarls, grunts and growls from Adam as he clamours and scrambles to shift his position and then roughly rolls me over, starting to forcibly finger my anus with single-minded determination.

"I'm thinkin' you're lubed enough on your own down there honey for me to shove my cock right inside ya' without any KY or foreplay."

"Fuck the foreplay. I need your cock inside me so badly! Adam, I want you to shove it in there fast and hard and fill me up like, right now!"

"Aww, you feel so fuckin' good inside. Fuck the snow and cold outside right now. My baby-maker is telling me it's a hundred and ten degrees inside your tight, juicy little ass tonight!"

"And my ass is saying to find my prostate and make me forget everything else but you and your hot body on top of me right now."

His thrusts become more and more aggressive and his breathing more ragged. I can feel his hard chest expanding and contracting with rapid deep breaths.

"I don't care how raunchy this is. I just gotta' have your hot, thick spunk inside me, and really fucking soon too." I sigh and whisper breathlessly to him.

"Aww... I'm cumming baby! Clench your fuckin' hot ass cheeks around my dick down there and squeeze the livin' fuckin' shit outta' my fuck rod honey. I'm gonna' shoot my load in ya'... like right fuckin' now!"

At the same time I exclaim, "Aww! Fuck Adam! Me too! Me too! I'm gonna' cum! Fuck me Adam! Fuck me hard! I want your juice inside me! Make me cum hard and now!"

"Here baby. Throw on my shirt here so ya' don't catch cold over by the window. Where's that wine you were talkin' about earlier? And have ya' got anything in your kitchen that would feed a starving, fuckin' hungry hunk like me?"

"There's some Fig Newton's on top of the fridge. And I think there might be some crackers, cheese and peppercorn pâté somewhere in there too. "

You're getting kinda' classy on me with the pâté there babe... "

"Anything I can spread on a cracker works for me these days."

"Hmm, you're giving me an idea for the next time I bang ya' baby!"

"You just like to hear the word `spread' Sasq' man... I'm onto you.

"Onto, into, under, on top of... it's all good. Now, here's your wine. Let's snuggle and get caught up. You were sayin' you've got a million things to tell me before Armageddon happened around here just now. I can't see the floor `cause all the pillows and clothes are all over the place. Now, let's get comfortable and snack on these Fig Newtons and crackers so I can get my strength back to do ya' all over again."

"Uhm, uhhh... OK Adam. But first I want you to have a look at my student workspace assignment for Camilla `hmm... izzzn't it' Mezaros under the plastic bag I'm using to keep the dust off it on the desk."

"Holy fuck, Aaron. This is great! But, lookin' at the scaled-down drafting stool there, I'd say it's too big for your cute little butt though. Ya' really shoulda' let me measure your ass the last time I was up babe."

I laugh then and reply, "Oh fuck off Adam! I can just curl the edges of it up like this and then it will hug my butt, just the way you do."

"Good thinkin' there cookie boy. You could even stick somethin' in the middle of it and pretend it's my dick pokin' up at ya' too!"

"OK smartass. Enough `Adam Blanchard sex talk' for now. Really now, take a good look at the model and let me know what you think."

"The detail is amazing babe. This musta' taken you days and days to complete. You did a real good job measuring the heights of the table tops. And I like that you put a shelf between the lower and higher one to make them look like they line up. It's really clean and slick-looking, like something outta' the Jetsons. You've made up one of those Paradraft things for your drafting board and a couple of set squares too outta' Bainbridge. And all those bins for your drawings and boards and stuff... wow, look at all the work ya' put into this! Fuck, you even put pins with little white, round heads on the drawers to make them look like pull handles so they can open. And all measured to scale and cut outta' white Bainbridge board. I'm really fuckin' impressed. And Aaron, don't let me forget to give you the programming and design study I typed up for ya'. It's in my backpack."

"Thanks Adam. I really appreciate that."

"Now baby... didya' hand in Lynda `Bird lady's' assignment last week, and has she got back to you with a grade on it yet? I'm really interested to see what she thinks of it."

"She was super impressed. I didn't know, but she has in-laws living down in Brockville. She knows the city well and really liked what I handed in. I won't be getting my grades until next Friday though. But, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do well with that one."

And that Professor Alan whatshisnames' model on the frikken' nachos' theory, or sequence, or whatever the fuck you call it ... where is that? Can I see it babe?"

"`Fibonacci' Adam! Jeez'! It's an algorithm. And Fibonacci was a 13th century Italian, not Mexican."

"Yeah, yeah... whatever cookie boy. So like, where is it?"

"I've had to leave it back in the classroom and work on it there. It was going to be too fragile to carry back and forth. And well, I didn't want to wreck it by trying to get it over to the College."

"Uhm, uh... baby, you don't leave a lot of your work there alone when you're not there, do ya'?"

"Well, sometimes I do. There's usually someone there to keep an eye on stuff. In fact, some of the students have been bringing coffee makers and sleeping bags into the classroom to spread out under the drafting tables to work on their stuff all night to get them done in time for submission. I know Melora Payne and Eleanor Morrell have been doing that this past couple of weeks."

"Aaron, I don't wantcha' to leave your work unattended. That fuckin' scene with that goddamned Aleyn Kinzinger and his strung-out, crack-smokin' friends when we went to Sac's really kinda' freaked me out. I'm not saying anyone would sabotage your work. But you never know. And I don't wantcha' takin' any chances this close to the end of your first semester. Just thinkin' here out loud. Uhm, Aaron... does the College have any night watch security guards to patrol the halls and classrooms. And do they like, lock the outside doors late at night? Is there a guard desk to let students and people in and out?"

"Yes, they do Adam. No one gets in unless they check in there and have a valid student photo ID card. And trust me... I'm way ahead of you with Aleyn. In fact, he hasn't shown up for class all this past week. I'm glad he hasn't too."

"Good to know honey."

"Now Sasq' man, can we suck and chew on each other's tongues for a while here? And, can I rub your Sasquatch fur... or do you want to talk some more?"

"Well, maybe five or ten minutes of kissin' and gropin' `cause I wanna' taste that red wine on your lips and tongue. But after that, then I gotta' few things to talk to you about too. Does that work for you baby?

"Are ya' all nice and comfy there with your head tucked into my armpit Aaron?"

"Sure am Adam. Now what did you want to talk to me about?"

"...well once upon a time, there was this cute, young kid named cookie boy, and he loved a hunky Sasquatch... "

"Sounds like one twisted, fractured kind of bedtime story to me there... "

Adam chuckles and then says, "Seriously honey, remember when I was telling you I was starting to think about my future and where we're going together in this relationship?"

"Uhm hmm, I do." I start to yawn, stretch and curl up closer to him as he continues talking quietly to me.

"Well, how wouldya' like it if I moved up here and crashed with you here in your little apartment until we found a bigger place together at the end of your lease? Do ya' think we could manage together in this mouse cage for a few months together?"

"Oh Adam! Would you? I'll do whatever I need to around here to make space for you. What made you think about doing this?"

"Well, I'd hadn't really made up my mind til I was on that fuckin' abominable snowman' bus ride up here tonight. Do ya' remember me telling you about Mrs. Fullerton talking to some folks about selling the store and about them maybe opening up a franchise back in town? Well, I've known about this for a week or so now. Mrs. Fullerton is gonna' be eighty-two in the spring. And she's tired and wants to move into a seniors' apartment back in Brockville. Her big, old brick house with the turret just behind the store on Victoria Avenue is gettin' to be too much for her with the stairs and all. And she just wants to slow up now a bit and enjoy the rest of her years in peace. She's been really good to me about the whole thing. She gave me a nice big bonus and a letter of recommendation and spoke with a friend of hers up here in Ottawa at the Ministry of National Health and Welfare. Seems like they're interested to interview me for a job. I'm not gonna' get too excited about it just yet though. And I don't wantcha' to get your hopes up either. But Aaron, Mrs. Fullerton agreed to lay me off to collect unemployment insurance right away and I have some money saved up. She wants me to work the store with her through Christmas and January and then the `Shopper's Drug Mart Group' will take over in February. Sooo... wouldya' like me to move in with you here in the short term and then maybe look for a bigger place for us both at the end of your spring semester in May? I think having' you in this bed here with me every night would be the best Christmas present I could ever hope to get. I love you Aaron and I know it's gonna' be tight here in this postage stamp excuse for an apartment. So whadya' say?"

"Adam. I love you too. And if you can put up with me and my cooking and mess around here, then let's do this."

"Uhhh... I'll be doin' the cooking Aaron. I wanna' live to see the New Year. You just leave the place tidy and keep that tight, little ass ready at a moment's notice whenever I wanna' get into your pants and we'll sign a formal binding contract to that effect and move on from there. Deal?"

"Deal!"

"Good. I know my old sports jacket and pants are gonna' be real thrilled with havin' to fraternize and share space with your sexy jeans in your armoire there. You can take them out and abuse them any time ya' like... you perverted, kinky little fucker. How does that sound to ya'?"

Do I have to break the news to your shirt Adam, or will you do that?"

"Aww... c 'mere honey. I think that old shirt can learn to share ..."

"Now Aaron, I'm gonna' talk to your Mom and Dad about this when we're back in Brockville together over your Christmas Break and ask my Mom and Bast to store some of my furniture and stuff in her garage. I'm not gonna' sneak around behind their backs and free-load up here. I'll be paying half the rent on this place and my share for groceries and all. We'll do just fine together if we can manage not to trip over each other on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night."

"God, I love you Adam!"

"Aww... me too, you."

"Somethin' else too Aaron before I start to get hard here again and "King Kong' starts to take over the thinkin'... your friend Calla Cuthbertson called me a couple of weeks ago and she and I had a really good long talk on the phone. I know her older sister Cora Leanne from BCI. We're gonna' have your birthday dinner with her and Robert Pierce from Woolco on the 17th... or if your parents are doing dinner for ya' that night, either the night before or just after. You haven't seen or talked to her since you moved up here and I don't wantcha' forgetting about or takin' your old friends for granted. They miss you a lot and want to see you. Calla's got a new boyfriend named Charlie. He's an independent long-haul truck driver with his own rig and Calla told me they're planning on movin' out to BC in the spring. And Robert's met someone too named Scott and they really wanna' meet both you and me and maybe get together once in a while, when we're either back in Brock Vegas or when Robert and Scott come up to Ottawa. They're good people and trust me Aaron, friends like that are really worth holdin' onto."

"I know I haven't called Calla since September and I feel badly about that too. And Robert, well... he was just starting to date Scott when you and I first got together. And I just figured he was busy and not really thinking about me and all. You're right though Adam. It's been way too long. And I miss the times we all got together and danced up at the Skyline and the 401 Inn. It seems like a lifetime ago now. But they were there for me then. And I guess I'd better make time to be there for them now."