"Heya' cookie boy! I'll be up on December 9th to pick you up and bring ya' back to Brock Vegas for Christmas break. Your Dad told me to use his car. And to make sure the trunk was empty for the fifteen pillow cases and garbage bags of laundry your Mom is expectin' you to bring back with ya'."
"Very funny! Hah, hah, hah. I'm just killing myself laughing here Mr. Sasquatch man. Can't you hear me Adam? Uhm, but why isn't Dad coming up though?"
"He has to practice with the choir for Midnight Christmas Mass at St. Francis Xavier that night. And he and your Mom are busy with gettin' the house ready for Christmas. At least that's what he said to me Aaron."
"Ah, OK."
"Honestly Aaron, I think he's just tired these days and probably just doesn't wanna' hafta' drive all the way up there and back."
"I talked to him and your Mom about moving up there with you in the New Year, by the way."
"What did they say?"
"Well, they're worried about the size of the place ya' have there and don't want you getting upset or distracted with me being there all the time and your studies, which I can understand."
"And...?"
"Well, we talked for a long time."
"Yes... and...?"
"Well, uhm, uh... I hadta' promise them I wouldn't get in your way and I'd get myself settled with a job just as soon as I could. I think they were happy I was gonna' pay half the rent and food and all. In the end, they said it was your decision. So whadya' say? Can you put up with me movin' in with you there?"
"Do you even have to ask me that question?"
"Well, I figured I would, just so I could say I did... "
I can hear the music playing in the background at Adam's apartment. Chaka Khan is groovin' with the lyrics,
"Dance wit me ev'rybody dance wit me
If you feel like dancing all night long Band goin strike it up and play you a party song If what you feel is real Then we gon' get down and groove Love the way you party Love the way you move..."
"I'll be waiting for you back here after I pick up the last of my projects and get some of my marks for the semester in the afternoon then."
"I'll be there cookie. And oh... has the ice frozen over on the Canal yet for skating?"
"They're working on it now. They've been drilling holes in the ice and flooding the surface every night. I've been going down to watch the guys from the National Capital Commission doing it. The change huts for lacing up skates are there now. And the concessions for hot chocolate and beavertails are almost done. I think everything will be ready for skating, right after New Year's Day."
"Good to know. We're gonna' enjoy that together... along with lots of other things that we can do with our clothes on for a change."
"Love you Adam. I'll see you on Friday!"
"Love you too cookie babe. Later honey."
Going to have to get my laundry done this week for sure, I think to myself as I hang up the phone and stare into the corner of my bathroom where most of my clothes and Adam's beautiful new bedsheets are piled in a huge heap.
Meanwhile, the music in my apartment continues to boom with the `Jackson Five' chanting,
"Enjoy yourself Enjoy yourself Enjoy yourself with me Enjoy yourself..."
Hmm, oh well... I'll get around to doing the laundry later...
"Has anyone seen or heard from Aleyn this week at all? Melora? Eleanor? Connie? He wasn't here for last week's classes. And now I don't see any of his final assignments in the classroom for submission. Does anyone know what's going on with him?"
"Oh Aaron. You haven't heard then! I thought you would have been one of the first to know," says Melora. "Aleyn was fired from The Bay last week for stealing clothing when he was there after hours. He was caught red-handed on closed circuit camera and stopped by Store Security. Apparently, he's been doing that for some time. I heard that from someone who knows his friend Jeremey. Then just after he got fired, he was over at Sac's one night and apparently OD'd on Quaaludes with too much alcohol and poppers. He's lucky to be alive! Last Jeremey heard, he was back in Maitland with his Mom and Dad and won't be coming back for next semester and maybe not even back to Ottawa."
"Holy shit! I had no idea Melora. Is he going to be OK or does anyone know yet?"
"Well, I think Jeremey said his parents were going to admit him into the Elmgrove Unit at the Brockville Psychiatric to help break his Cocaine addiction after Hanukkah. Then they were going to look to try and sublet his apartment and have him move back with them for a while until he got himself straightened out."
"A Cocaine addiction! Oh my God! What about his dog Dietrich?" I ask.
"I think Jeremey told my friend they were returning Dietrich to her breeder."
"Oh jeez'! What a damned shame."
"I know Aaron. I had no idea about his Cocaine habit, did you?"
"Well Melora, I always wondered how he managed to keep up with his projects and assignments and it always seemed to me that he never slept. I guess Cocaine and poppers and whatever else he was on must have kept him going. This is really too bad. I feel sorry for his parents and that poor dog of his."
"Hi Dad."
"Aaron! Well hello son. How did you make out with your grades and did you manage to hand in that last assignment for Mr. Closer's class you were so concerned with on time?"
"Uhm, yes Dad, I did. But that really isn't why I'm calling. First off, thanks for letting Adam come up to get me next Friday. I really appreciate that and I hope you're OK there."
"Yes Aaron. I'm fine. Monsignor O'Neill made me the lead male vocalist for Midnight Mass this year and I have a couple of solos I must practice with Sister Mary Burns that evening. So I asked Adam to come up to pick you up, that's all."
"Oh, OK. Good. Uhm, but Dad, there's something else I want to talk to you about. It has to do with one of my classmates up here, Aleyn Kinzinger. I think I mentioned to you and Mom that his parent's live just east of Maitland there."
"Yes son, I remember you mentioning them to us. What about Aleyn, Aaron?"
"Well Dad, he's had to drop out of school because he was fired from his part-time job and almost died from a drug overdose last week. I don't know him all that well except for sitting together in some of my classes. And Adam met him and told me to be careful around him."
"Well good for Adam. Go on son..."
"Uh, well Dad... I don't know for sure. But I heard his parents are going to admit him into the rehab clinic in the Elmgrove Unit there at the Psych' right after Christmas."
"Addiction for what Aaron? Do you know?"
"I heard it was for Cocaine and something else called Quaaludes? Like, what is that Dad? I figured if anyone would know about this stuff, you certainly would. I suppose I could ask Adam just as well. But I really wanted to talk to you about all of this."
"Well Aaron, the medical name for Quaaludes is Methaqualone. And they are a depressant like barbiturates or sleeping pills. They affect the central nervous system and among other things, can reduce anxiety and create a false sense of happiness or euphoria. It's a wonder that young man is still alive mixing them with cocaine! Did you know this boy very well Aaron?"
"No Dad. I was over at his apartment once. And Adam and I ran into him a couple of times. But if you're wondering if I'm a friend of his... well no. I'm not. Not at all."
"OK son. Good. I'm sad to say though that his parents are going to have a long rehabilitation road ahead of them in trying to help him break his addictions. Both Cocaine and Quaaludes are highly addictive. You say he's going to be admitted into Elmgrove?"
"That's what I heard. Yes."
"I'll speak with the Doctors there and make sure he gets the best care and resources to help deal with his addictions."
"Thanks Dad. I feel really badly for him."
"Now son, switching topics here, how did you get along with the last bit of work to finish your assignments up there?"
"Well, I managed to get everything done and handed in on time. Alan Closer's project was the one really holding me back. But it got finished. And whatever mark I get on it I'll be fine with, just so long as I pass. I got an A' on that History of Architecture project that Adam helped me with for Lynda Naagy-Birdsong. And I even got a B' in drafting from Gordon Goodrich for the semester. Not bad for a `leftie' eh?"
"Good for you son."
"Now Aaron, on another subject... about Adam. I suspect you know he's told us about `Shopper's Drug Mart' taking over from Mrs. Fullerton and him moving up to Ottawa. Aaron, I want you to be completely honest with me. We're concerned. Are you going to be able to focus on your studies up there and not have them suffer? It's all well and good that you want to help Adam get a fresh start. Your Mother and I do as well. But is this something you are absolutely sure you can cope with up there in that tiny little apartment?"
"Well Dad, Adam said it would only be until the end of the lease here. Then he said we could find a bigger place and he isn't too worried about getting another job. You know, he's actually been a really big help to me with some of my projects. I've thought about it a lot too. And honestly, I think it will all be fine. I really do."
"Well, I told him the decision was yours in the final analysis. So, as long as you are completely sure there."
"I am Dad. It'll all be OK. Now what do you want for Christmas?"
"Peace on Earth and Good Will to Man. And just maybe the ability to get through Midnight Mass without any off-key notes in my solos. You will be coming to Midnight Mass this year Aaron?"
"Can I come and sit up in the choir loft with you, like I used to?"
"I'd like that son. Very much."
"Oh Dad... what colour is Mom's hair going to be this time when I get there?"
"Just never you mind young man! And whatever it is, it's beautiful! You got that?"
"Yes Dad... "
"Heya, babe! I made good time comin' up today. Are ya' hungry and wouldya' maybe like to maybe stop for lunch on the way back to Brockville?"
"Let me grab a couple of eight tracks to play in the car on the way back. I've got a couple of Christmas presents to go over there and my duffle bag and suitcase."
"You mean to tell me you don't have any laundry to take back with ya' and that I cleaned your Dad's trunk out for nothing?"
"Uh... well, the pillowcases are in the bathroom Adam."
"Jeezus fuck Aaron! At this rate you're gonna' need a U-Haul van to getcha' back and forth! I'll be havin' to make friends now with lesbians to get good rates on rentals!"
Adam hoists the first of seven full pillowcases and green plastic garbage bags of laundry over his shoulder and starts to head out to Dad's car, double-parked outside the front door.
"Just hold on for a minute there Sasq'. I have to check on something first." I reach down to grab his furry pube basket and start to shake it. "Hmm... OK. Good. It's still there."
"Well where the fuck did ya' think it was gonna' go baby? It'll be there for ya' for the next three weeks when you're on break... and in ya' for most of that time too."
"Just checking, that's all."
"Well you can play with `King Kong' after we have lunch and are on the road. There's a place in Kemptville I wanna' check out. We can eat there and then head back through Merrickville again. Is that OK with you?"
"I remember the last time with Mrs. Fullerton's car Adam. This time, no running out of gas and no backseat sex in Dad's car."
"OK, baby. Well... there's lotsa' stuff we can do in the front anyway."
The fresh fallen snowscape is blindingly beautiful as we pull into Kemptville, Adam pulls up in front of the Rideau View Motel, just north of what constitutes the main street in the village. "Did ya' know that Robert Pierce's sister runs this place Aaron?" he asks, as he starts to hop out of the car. "Let's get warm inside and find a table to sit down and have somethin' to eat."
"I want to tell you what happened with Aleyn Kinzinger once we get inside. You won't believe what I heard from Melora and Elaine and Connie back at school."
"Yeah, well we've got lotsa' stuff to talk about. But let's get outta' this freezing weather. My nuts are freezin' right now."
"Just so ya' know baby, I went ahead and talked to my Mom and Bast about storing some of my stuff in her garage for a few months. She's got no problem with most of it. I think as long as I can fit a little dresser in your place and carve out some room in that armoire of yours for my clothes, we should be OK for a few months. The rest we can figure out in the next couple of days when you come over and we start to figure out what comes, what goes, what gets stored and what stuff I'm gonna' wanna' donate or get rid of. I'm getting kinda' excited here and once we get through Christmas, things should come together pretty quickly, I'm hoping."
"That big TV stereo console thing of yours isn't going to fit up there. You do know that, right Adam?"
"We'll figure it all out Aaron. I'm not too worried baby. Now, what were ya' telling me about Aleyn Fuckface when we were getting outta' the car just now?"
"Well...uhm, I hadn't seen him in class since we were all over at Sac's. And, when I went in this morning to get one of my project assignments and most of my final grades for the semester, Melora Payne was telling me he got fired and banned from coming into The Bay because he was caught stealing stuff after-hours from the store. Then she told me he had to be taken by ambulance from Sac's one night to the Emergency at the Ottawa General Hospital for a drug overdose! He's back with his parents now in Maitland. And they're probably going to have to admit him to the Elmgrove Unit at the Brockville Psych' to help him beat his addictions to Cocaine and Quaaludes. He won't be coming back into the Program in January."
"Wow babe! I kinda' knew he was fucked up. But I sure as hell didn't think he was doin' Cocaine! The ludes' don't surprise me though. The way he was doing Rush' on the dance floor that night, I was scared he might try to slip ya' a lude baby. I didn't wanna' hafta' deal with him trying to drug ya' to getcha' back to his place and molest you Aaron. I just had a feeling he would try to pull some kinda' shit like that on you that night."
"I asked Dad about Quaaludes Adam and he told me they make you really relaxed."
"Well, Aaron honey... I'd be saying' a whole fuckin' lot more than relaxed. They make ya' horny and take away all your inhibitions. Some people call them disco-biscuits'. People put them into people's drinks and then wind up getting them into bed for sex. And no... before ya' even say or think it baby, that's never' gonna' happen with you and me. Not that we need any drugs to help us get off. That kinda' shit is fuckin' dangerous and just plain stupid."
"Has anyone ever done anything like that to you Adam?"
"Yeah baby... about four or five years ago. That's how I know about them. And I felt helpless and couldn't do a fuckin' thing about it either at the time. Shit like that's never ever gonna' happen again, either to me or someone I care about. There's right and wrong... and there's the words yes and no. I know the pharmaceutical side-effects of those things. Especially when ya' mix `em with poppers and fuckin' Cocaine of all things! Jeezus fuck, the stupid cunt coulda' died doin' all that crap together like that. I don't like him. But I sure as hell wouldn't wanna' see him dead from being so dumb. I kinda' feel a little sorry for him to tell ya' the truth now. He's obviously not a real happy guy. But I'm sure as hell glad to know he's not gonna' be in your Program anymore, that's for damn fuckin' sure!"
"Well, Dad and I talked a lot about Aleyn. And, I told him you said to be careful around him. Dad said he would keep an eye on Aleyn if he goes into rehab and make sure the best Doctors and assistance would be given to him and his parents."
"Yep, that's exactly what I'd be expecting your Dad to say too. He's really somethin' Aaron. I keep tellin' ya' how lucky you are to have a Dad like that," Adam says, as his voice trails off and as he looks away, deep in thought.
Now, I heard back from Calla and Robert and they really wanna' do something special up for your birthday. You gotta' get yourself all prettied up that night `cause I'm gonna' get all showered and shaved and make ya' proud to show me off!" says Adam, with a cute grin on his face.
"Sooo... I won't be able to lick the man sweat off your balls that night then Adam?"
Adam gives me a wink and a suggestive, dirty laugh and says, "Well baby, maybe you can come over beforehand and hop in the shower with me, after ya' bury your face in my hairy crotch and suck me off first. And then I can fuck you silly in the shower and we can head on out after that. Whadya' think of that plan, ya' kinky little twink?"
"My cock is liking that idea big-time Adam. But I don't want to have to wait until the 17th to do that though. Can I play with you when we get out of here?"
"Thought you said no sex in your Dad's car Aaron... "
"I was lying when I said that!"
"Ah, I see. Well... uhm, maybe after we have a piece of pie and some coffee. I'm missing my cookie boy big time. But, I want more than just one dessert right at the moment. Now settle down there while I play footsie with ya' under the table."
Fifteen minutes later, and Adam tries to hide his big, hard dick straining inside his bulging crotch with a napkin and urgently calls over to Robert Pierce's sister behind the counter... "Cheque please!"
Once in the car and after I've managed to undo Adam's belt and unzip his jeans to start to go down on him, suddenly I lift my head up to look at his smirking face and say, "Uhm, Adam? Did you happen to spray `Eau Sauvage' between your legs?"
He is shaking with laughter and replies, "I just wanted to make ya' feel right at home down there!"
"Ohhh! You bastard! You're not ever going to let me forget that, are you?"
"Nope!"
"Well you just wait! I'll get you back for that Sasq'!"
"I was hoping you were gonna' say that babe. Anytime. Anywhere. The challenge is on!"
There is one time of the year that Brockville is at its most festive and picturesque. And that time is Christmas. The six foot tall, stuffed brown bear with the Santa Claus hat and jacket and bells is placed out in front of Craig's Men's and Women's Wear Store every year. One of the Craig men shot the bear and had it stuffed many, many years ago. And it has been brought out to help shoppers celebrate the Holiday season every Christmas since then. All the light standards along King Street are festooned with big candy cane and tinsel illuminated decorations. And the Nativity crèche in front of the World War One War Memorial on Courthouse Square is always in place, just before the Santa Claus parade to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas. The snow that falls in December is mostly crisp and pure and covers the city with an innocent and fresh white mantel of seasonal joy and happiness.
What the hell am I going to buy for Adam for Christmas? I think to myself, as I head down King Street and go through a mental list of possibilities.
Having stopped in to Fullerton's to say hello to Mrs. Fullerton and wish her a very Happy Holiday and after having checked Adam's hot, sexy butt out while he was waiting on a customer behind the pharmacy counter, the search is now on to find that perfect gift for him for Christmas.
"Hi Joseph. I bet you've been busy in Craig's with Christmas coming up in a few weeks' time. I'm really just kind of looking right now. But is there anything new that's come in that maybe I could have a look at for both my Dad and a friend of mine?"
"Well hello Aaron! I guess you must be back in town now for the Holidays. I know your Dad was in here recently looking for a new winter overcoat. You may want to consider a scarf and gloves, or even a new Fedora hat for him to go with the coat. He does like his hats. We've just received several new hats from Stetson's Hat Factory on Park Street in town here. I can show them to you, if you are interested."
"I like the suggestion about the scarf and gloves. Maybe something like a silk and cashmere scarf and a pair of dress gloves. What colour was the coat that Dad bought, Joseph?"
"Charcoal Aaron. Perhaps something in navy and red along with black leather gloves would work with that."
"Perfect Joseph. And for my friend, I was thinking maybe one of those Peter Scott virgin wool pullover sweaters. You know the ones I'm talking about. I've bought a couple of them for myself."
"Yes, I remember Aaron. Did you have a particular colour in mind? And a size?"
"Uhm, well, anything but orange... maybe something either in navy or royal blue. Something that he can wear with either blue jeans or something dressier. And a size large, extra-long please."
Leave it to me Aaron. I'm sure we can find everything you're looking for."
"Hi Calla! So glad you could come to meet me for coffee at the lunch counter in Woolworths' today. It's been forever since we last saw each other. Adam told me about your new boyfriend, Charlie Rieder. Sooo... is he cute? I want details!"
"You'll get to meet him soon enough Aaron. He and I met just after you left for school in September. He's a really big guy with a full beard and a long pony-tail. And I don't want you giving him funny looks about his biker jacket or boots when you meet him. He comes across as really tough and mean. But he's a real sweetie underneath all the hair and the clothes. And before you ask, yes... he knows you and Adam are gay. And he's cool with that too."
"Adam says you are moving out west to B.C. with him in the spring?"
"Yep, I am. I love him Aaron. He's good to me and there isn't much keeping me here in Brockville anymore. My Dad will be just fine with Cora Leanne there. And just like you, I want to get out and see what else there is to life outside of Brock Vegas."
"Sooo... how is Robert Pierce and that new boyfriend of his Calla?"
"Oh! His new friend Scott is a real sweetheart. He's as skinny as you and has long, dark brown, wavy hair, a cute moustache and is a really funny guy. With Robert's blond hair, they make a really nice couple. Robert is still living in that place of his in Courthouse Terrace. He's been talking about moving up to Kingston though to study restaurant and hotel hospitality management at St. Lawrence College. Scott lives up there now so I guess they'll eventually move in together. He's really pretty happy. I think we're all doing great right now. How are things with you and Adam? I really like him a lot Aaron. He loves you, you know."
"I love him too Calla. He's going to move up to Ottawa to be with me early in the New Year. Dad really seems to really like him. And as for Mom... well, you know Mom. She's got him doing all kinds of stuff for her around the house. And he's just been so good to them both."
"By the way, I saw your Mom recently with that crazy hair and headband downtown a few days ago. Like, what in the world was she thinking... getting an `Afro' and dying her hair bright copper? I barely recognized her."
"I stopped trying to figure Mom out a long time ago Calla. Now if I could just find her a decent Christmas present..."
"Go and have a look in Smart's Pro Hardware. They have a new adult gag gift section'. I found a couple of really funny gifts in there. Maybe you could get her something funny. And if that doesn't work, then go into Kami Hair Design and pick her up an Afro pic' and some Afro-Sheen' hair spray for that Soul Train' hair of hers... "
"You're just as mean and bitchy and funny as ever Calla! That's why we're such good friends. God I've missed you!"
Smart's Pro Hardware has been a fixture on King Street West in Brockville for generations. Just before the corner of King and John Streets, it has a huge main floor and a basement with a toy and hobby shop that is always packed with customers shopping for children's toys and gifts at this time of year. Mr. Stanward, the franchise owner supplies all the Christmas gift toys for the kids of those who work at most of the factories in the city. They do a huge business with selecting gifts based on gender and age, then wrapping them and delivering them to each staff Christmas party for each company in December. Mr. Stanward's' fat-assed, near-sighted, Brillo-pad, red-haired son will go and play Santa Claus for an additional fee. It's about the only time of the year he actually works at something other than being a spoiled and lazy brat.
Down in the toy and hobby shop and in the model car kit section, I see an AMT scale model plastic car kit for a '67 AMC Ambassador SST coupe. Hmm, I wonder if Adam would ever put something like that together. He's always bragging about how good he is with his hands. Maybe I'll give them something else to do other than grope and feel me up all the time. On second thought... uhm, maybe not...
Back down King Street, heading home to Bethune and I know I still have to pick something really nice up for Mom. Since Fullerton's is closing up and they have a big clearance sale on now, no reason why I shouldn't go back in and ask Adam to help me. I really don't have any idea what to get her. There was nothing in Woolworth's and no way was I going to go into Lipson's Department Store with John Weldon working in there in the stockroom and on the sales floor. That homophobic bastard prick and his bullying cousin Jimmy. Nope! Not gonna' go there. No way."
"Back again Mrs. Fullerton. I need to get something nice for my Mom for Christmas."
"Adam's in the back right now Aaron. You'll probably want him to help you let him know you're here."
"Heya' baby." he says quietly to me, as he sneaks up behind me in the perfume and cosmetics section of the store. Are ya' lookin' for some more `Eau Sauvage' to spray in my crotch or what can I help you with there?"
"Oh Jeez' Adam! No! Stop teasing me about that. I have to get something for Mom for Christmas and I haven't got a clue what to get for her."
"Hmm, I know she was looking at those silver-plated comb, brush and hand mirror dresser sets up at the front of the store. Also, she wears that Dior perfume and is into dusting powders and stuff like that. I'll sell ya' some of that Dior, if ya' promise me you won't tell her you douse yourself with Christian Dior between your legs like ya' do with my `Eau Sauvage'!"
"All right `Mr. Comedian'. You really should consider taking your act on the road... now, are you actually going to help me here with something constructive? I could really use your help."
"Honestly Aaron, I think the Dior would be a good and safe choice. And then maybe you could stop into Evangeline's Dress Shop and pick her up a scarf or somethin' like that. If you run out of ideas completely, you could always get her a crate of Tequila for those `Tequila Sunrises' she seems to like. She's even got my Mom drinkin' them now!"
"Gee thanks `Mr. Helpful'. I'll know who not to ask for suggestions in the future."
"Aww, now honey... seriously, you might wanna' go and get her some wool and a couple of patterns down at Kitty's Wool Box. She's promised to make me an Aaron fisherman knit sweater in the New Year and is starting to get into knitting again. Maybe that might a good gift for her. Something to keep her busy and occupied."
"Now that's not a bad idea! Maybe that and something personal just for her. Get me some of that Dior and I'll go and see Kitty down at The Wool Box."
Jeez'! What a guy to suggest I go and buy Mom some wool to make a sweater for him! I'll go in and exchange the sweater I got for him for a fisherman cable knit sweater at Craig's and then stop in to get his Mom and Bast a nice bottle of wine and then get some wool for Mom to make something for herself! Jeez' what a guy!
Adam's suggestion about scarves in Evangeline's Dress Shop made me think about that ridiculous `Bianca Jagger' headband Mom was wearing.
"Hi Angelina. Those scarves in the window there... they're beautiful. And there's one with copper, grey, yellow and jade green in it. May I see it please?"
"Hi Aaron! Back home for Christmas are you? I'm assuming it's for your Mom for Christmas. Those scarves are from Italy and are similar to those done by the fashion designer `Emilio Pucci'. A copper-coloured one in that Pucci-inspired print would work well with your Mother's new uhm, uh... hairstyle."
"Well it's either that or an `Elizabeth Taylor' turban Angelina."
Angelina chuckles and then says quietly to me, "Between you and me Aaron, that scarf is big enough to serve as a kerchief once her hairs starts to grow out. Just let me get it out of the window display and then you can decide."
Once purchased and inside the bag, I spot a beautiful Christmas card showing downtown King Street all lit up at night with Christmas lights and a message that simply says `Season's Greetings from Evelyne and Angelina of Evangeline's Dress Shop'.
Thank God... Christmas shopping... done now for another year...
Every year the Town Haus Restaurant is a Christmas kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and scents. The Nutcracker soldiers standing guard at the front door into the restaurant have seen many Christmas's come and go over the decades. Inside is a veritable Bavarian fairyland of German themed ornaments, such as wooden, candle-powered carousels, exquisite painted wood and delicate, antique glass tree ornaments, pine cone wreaths... and one marvellous tree beside the fireplace in the main dining room. The aromas of delicious foods, mulled wine, and tangerines spiked with cloves, gingerbread, pine boughs, holly and burning fire logs enhance the entire festive experience.
I know I have to look nice for my birthday. Adam told me to be at his place for 5:00pm because our reservations are for 7:30pm to meet Calla and Charlie, and Robert and Scott.
"You can change over here and we can head out from here. Does that work for ya'?"
"Do I get my birthday present before we go for dinner or after Sasq'?"
"Yes and yes babe."
"Like, what the hell Adam?" I say, while laughing at the sight of him stark naked and boldly posing for me just inside his front door. He's got a piece of bright orange silk ribbon tied around his cock. It looks like the same one from his birthday cake back in October.
"Well baby... since it's your birthday, I figured I'd get dressed in my birthday suit to greet you... Happy birthday cookie boy!"
"Oh jeez'! How lame and corny is that?"
"Never you mind! Just get your cute little mouth down between my legs and give my balls a good tongue-lashing cause they've been really bad and raunchy boys lately and need a real firm hand to keep em in line!"
"Happy birthday baby." Adam groans softly, as a big load of his thick spunk shoots out of his throbbing crotch rocket and washes down my throat. "Now, let's hop in the shower together and get dressed to go meet Calla and Charlie and Robert and Scott."
"Do you think ya' might be done in the bathroom there and ready to head out before your `next' birthday rolls around there Aaron?"
"You want me to look nice don't you Adam?" I yell back to him, as I pull up my pants and start to throw on my sweater.
"I can see now we're gonna' need two bathrooms when we look for a new place in Ottawa."
"Nah... It just takes you less time because you're so handsome and sexy already." I laugh and yell back to him.
"Yeah, yeah... just speed it up in there baby. I'm not gettin' any younger out here ya' know."
"OK Adam, just gimme' a couple of more minutes and I'll be done."
Once out of the bathroom and stepping into his bedroom, I stop dead in my tracks to take in the sight of him in his new sports jacket and dress pants, leaning back on his bed and smiling suggestively at me.
"Oh My God! You look so handsome. Wow! Next time give me some kind of clue before you decide to give me heart failure. Wow! Can I jump on you and maybe we'll forget about dinner?"
"Nope. You're not gonna' mess up these clothes, ya' horny, little perv'. You can play with my old brown ones all you like. But these ones are gonna' stay clean and pressed for job interviews in Ottawa. Now come on over here and you can sit in my lap for a few minutes and we can stink up the room with the `Eau Sauvage' I'm guessin' you sprayed in your underwear and you can rub my chest hair and then we gotta' head out."
Happy birthday Aaron!
Different families observe and celebrate the Christmas holidays in ways that are as unique and special as they are. At our house, Mom was always the one to dictate how the house would be decorated and what traditions would be observed. Strict tradition with respect to real, freshly-cut Christmas trees and holly and ivy garlands and boughs of pine was always the rule. Mistletoe and multi-coloured lights on the tree and at the front door, where a handmade pine wreath with a red silk ribbon bow greeted visitors was a long-standing tradition. Decorations collected over the decades hung from the tree. The effect was timeless. In contrast to this, Adam's Mom was without doubt, a contemporary `seventies woman who liked to keep up with latest trends and styles. A silver aluminum Christmas tree with a rotating wheel casting red, blue, green and amber-coloured glowing light onto gold and white round globe decorations was a total contrast to what I had grown up with. The exterior of her home on Broadway Crescent was decorated with blue and green Christmas lights along the roof eaves, and a huge silver artificial floral spray with blue and green ornaments at the front door. This was her special way to welcome guests into her home for the Festive Holiday Season. The common link between both was the kindness and warmth of the women who opened their homes up to all over the Holidays and the love they had for their friends and family. I came to finally realize this year that it is this spirit of love and acceptance and desire to want to share happiness and goodwill that is the real, true meaning of Christmas.
"Adam, you really needed a tree in your apartment. So I got you this little tabletop one from The Flower Shop on King Street. It's white and has red decorations and green bows on it. It's kind of a mix between your Mom's house and my Mom and Dad's. I thought maybe we could combine the two families and traditions into one tree. I hope you like it. Merry Christmas!"
"Awww, that's sweet honey. I like the sentiment and you're right. This place kinda' needed somethin' to make it look festive. There's just one thing ya' forgot though... I got some real mistletoe and hung it just outside the bedroom door." Then he pulls me into the doorway of the bedroom and kisses me deeply under the mistletoe.
"Now it's Christmas baby. Merry Christmas honey."
"I'm going with Dad to Midnight Mass at St. Francis this year Adam. I haven't done that with him in years. And I want to go and sit up in the choir loft with him while he sings in the choir. We usually come home after that and open our presents then. What do you and your Mom do? Do you usually open gifts on Christmas morning and then have dinner later on? I assume Bast will be there with you this year. I'd like you to be part of our traditions this year. And of course, if your Mom wants me to be there I'd really like to be part of yours too."
"Mom was asking me about that before I came up to pick you up. She was thinking maybe instead of having to eat two turkey dinners this year, she would do up a honey-glazed Christmas ham and maybe make a Tourtière to keep Bast happy, with him being French Canadian and all, for mid-day. Ya' know baby, when I was still livin' at home growing up we always opened up our gifts on Christmas morning. It's only you damn Catholics' who can't wait til Christmas morning to open up your gifts!"
"Don't say that in front of Dad or he'll have Blackjack pee in your Christmas stocking Adam!"
"So, how do you want to celebrate with me Aaron?"
"Well, how about we come back here after Christmas dinner with my parents and we can have our own first Christmas together... just you and me?"
"Hmm, guess I'll be goin' out to buy lots more mistletoe then and hang it all over."
"Just don't wrap any of it around your dick. That stuff is prickly and I can review chapters one to fifteen of `The Joy of Gay Sex' book on you just fine without anything else other than your big cock and hairy balls hanging down between your legs OK?"
"Jeezus! You're startin' to sound as corny as me there Aaron! But, OK... you gotta' deal. Now, do ya' maybe think you could grab onto my dong again like you did when I picked you up at your... errr, I guess I should be saying `our' place now to bring you back to Brock Vegas? You were so concerned it wasn't down there before. And right now, I can promise you it's very much here and wants ya' to know it too. It was telling me it wants to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
"And hopefully a Happy New Year too..."
"Remember what I always say to you Aaron... you can always count on me. And just so ya' know, my dick doesn't discriminate. It observes all the major holidays, religious and otherwise."
"Ah yes... I remember it mentioning something to that effect at Thanksgiving. Your penis can be very chatty and communicative at times. A real talking head."
"It's only shy around strangers. Once it warms up to someone, it practically never stops yackin' and jackin'!"
Oh God!