Berto's Roses
By Ben
Part XXII
"Mama sent me to tell you that your...our meal is ready."
"Thank you, Berto. I'll be right there." I grabbed the towel after he turned and left the bathroom. I dried myself and wrapped the towel around my waist, walking into the bedroom. Berto was standing beside my table looking at all of my computer gadgets and gizmos.
"Have you ever used a computer, Berto? Does Bob let you use his?"
He turned towards me. "I have used them at school, but Mama will not allow me to go into Mr. Roberto's room. So, I do not use one here. How will you get yours to work" He picked up a cable and looked at the connector.
"I'll hook it up after we eat. Would you like to help me?"
"Si, Senor Ben. I would like that very much."
"Okay, let me get dressed, and I'll be with you and your Mama in just a minute."
Berto left the room and I got dressed. I walked in and sat down at the table. Manuella sat to my left and Berto sat across from me. I had to be careful not to look to intently at him under the watchful gaze of his mother. It was another fine meal with grilled chicken and yellow rice. Many fresh fruits and, of course, tortillas.
We had lively conversation throughout the meal. Berto was excited about going to school and about helping me set up my computer. Manuella asked me about the plans for the house and seemed agreeable to most of them. She suggested that I add a studio at the end of the carport so I would have a place to paint and to work with my computer that would not take up so much space in my room. It was an excellent idea, and I told her I would talk to Bob about it tonight, or tomorrow, if he got in too late.
"Oh, he will be in very late, Senor Ben. When he goes out with Senor Mack, he eats things that are bad for him and he drinks too much, too. He is not well and he should know better." Manuella gave a stern, angry look and shook her head, her chubby arms crossed over her huge breasts.
This was more confirmation of Manuella's dislike for Mack. Glancing at Berto, I could see he shared the sentiment as well. While I didn't much care for some of Mack's remarks, and he was definitely not, "my type", I still wondered just what they had against him. Ah, well. That had nothing to do with me. They had their reasons.
We cleared the table and Manuella actually let me help! I even dried the dishes for her. It made me feel more like part of "the family". These were good people and I liked them very much. After everything was put away I suggested to Berto that we water the roses before it got too dark.
We lugged the watering can back and forth and I decided that I would start, as soon as possible, measuring and designing the sprinkler system. I wasn't about to drag that damned thing around any longer than I had too. We finished up in about forty-five minutes and went inside to my room.
Berto and I began connecting cables between the computer tower and the rest of the equipment. We started by identifying each cable and component and finding the right socket on the back of the PC. Berto volunteered to crawl under the table and had the cords back and forth. He was hesitant to hook them up, but I assured him I would watch him do it. He seemed to feel okay with that. As I passed the cables to Berto (and vice versa), I looked down at him. He was working with his hands and arms above his head while lying on his back on the cool floor. This caused his shirt to ride up, exposing the lower part of his flat belly and his black, wispy "treasure trail". This disappeared at the top of his thin white shorts.
I should not have been watching him, like that. What was it about this kid that grabbed my attention so strongly? Of course he was cute-hotter than hell, but it wasn't just a physical beauty which called to me. Berto had a certain quality, and unspoiled...well, sweetness of character. I enjoyed being around him. I liked teaching him, sharing with him, learning from him.
We got it all hooked up and I turned it on. I didn't hook it up to the Internet yet because I wasn't sure just how to do that. I assumed that there was AOL available, but I would have to check with Bob to see just what I should do.
Berto was so anxious he was like a child at Christmas. I decided that I would start by printing his picture, as I had promised him. I got the adapter connected to the camera and the last photo I had shot came up on the monitor. I showed Berto how to view the pics while I dug around in my boxes for some photo quality paper.
He flipped through the frames of himself and finally settled on one that he liked. It wasn't my personal favorite, but Berto was quite photogenic, so there were no bad ones. I loaded the printer and showed him how to print. It always impressed me how easily young people adapt to using a computer. There is no intimidation at all. They just go for it, and Berto was no exception.
I had a good printer and some great paper, so the print turned out very nicely. Berto was so pleased with it that he took it to his mother. He returned shortly and asked if he could print another one. I told him he could use the computer any time he wanted to. There wasn't much I would deny him.
We looked around and I showed his some programs for word processing and business/accounting programs. I showed him some drawing packages and he seemed very interested in them. I told him I would show him how to use them, later on.
I also showed Berto some AutoCAD drawings and explained that I would be making some measurements tomorrow and drawing up plans for the work on the house. He volunteered to help me and I promised to show him when I was drawing the plans.
It was getting late and we were getting tired, although I was reluctant to part company with Berto. He was such a lively, interesting person. He absorbed information like a sponge and always wanted to try out what I had explained to him. I told him that experience is the best teacher. I told him to feel free to do anything he liked and if he had any questions or got stuck, to just let me know.
Berto thanked me for the pictures and for showing him how to hook up and use the computer. He gave me a strong hug and I, again, had to resist the urge to kiss his perfect lips. "Good night, Berto. See you in the morning."
"Buenos noches, Senor Ben. I am happy you are staying here. Even if I am going to university, you will be here whenever I come home."
Another hug. "You can count on it, Berto. And I'll take good care of your roses. I promise."
Berto closed the door behind him and I sat down at the computer. I flipped through the pictures again and went to the beginning file. These were the shots of Ricky and Jose making love. God, what gorgeous men!
The light from the huge fireplace shone on their skin, and the shadows were deep. Looking ad Ricky's cock disappearing inside his lover's ass was extremely stimulating. This was particularly true when I remembered just how great it felt having him inside of me.
I hadn't realized that I had taken so many pictures of them. I boned up in no time, and I was feeling VERY horny. I pulled off my shirt and pants, then moved the mouse to my left hand. I softly stroked my hard cock as I continued looking at the shots.
Using my fingertips, I stimulated just the head until I just couldn't stand it any more. I grasped the shaft hard and jacked vigorously to an extremely strong orgasm. I caught the spooge in my t-shirt and just collapsed back in my chair.
After recovering, I hauled my ass out of the chair, put my clothes in the wicker hamper and came back into the bedroom. The screen saver was on so I switched of the monitor and crawled in bed. I was asleep in no time and was awakened by the sound of Bob and Mack noisily climbing the stairs to the third floor. I checked my watch and it was 3:30. Manuella was going to be pissed off for sure.
Waking with the sun, I took a long, hot shower and dressed comfortably for the day ahead. I wanted to get started with the measurements around the house as soon as possible. Of course, it was impossible to avoid SOME sort of breakfast. Manuella would consider it a major insult, but she was learning that I preferred light meals early in the morning, with coffee and little conversation.
I grabbed some paper, pencils, a clipboard and a 100 foot measuring tape and walked to the carport. I looked around for Berto, but didn't see him yet. I figured he was in the garden again. I did some preliminary sketches and took some of the shorter measurements, but I really needed help with the longer ones.
I started looking for Berto and finally found him in front of my computer, playing a game that I had shown him the night before. It was then I realized that I had left the photos of Ricky and Jose showing when I went to bed. Shit! There was no way that Berto could have missed them.
I was trying to formulate some sort of response in case he asked me about them, but he just looked up and smiled at me. "Good morning, Senor Ben. I am winning!" Yeah, I thought, he was winning my heart. "Congratulations, Berto. Do you mind if I watch you?" He looked back at the screen and continued his play while he shook his head.
Presently, he finished with a score that pleased him very much. He stood and asked if I was ready to work on the plans. I told him I needed his help with some measurements and he apologized for playing computer games while I was waiting for him.
"Its okay, Berto. I am glad you took some time to have a little fun. You work very hard around here and you are very good at what you do. We have plenty of time to get this done. By the way, what day do you leave for school?"
"I will be leaving in five days-on Tuesday. I will take the bus to San Augustin to the University."
"Really? I didn't know you were going there for school. I could visit you there. That's where my friends live."
"The ones in the pictures?" He asked as he switched of the monitor.
I blushed deep red as he looked at me. "Uh, yeah...yes. Ricky and Jose. Ricky's father is an important businessman in San Augustin."
"He is Senor Chavez? I know of him. He has much money, no?"
"He does indeed, but he is a very nice man, with a wonderful sense of humor. He has given me a list of people to help with the house. His home is enormous and very beautiful. Ricky has his own house on his father's property."
" He lives with his lover... what is his name? Jose?"
Another blush from me. "Yes that's right. And Jose is a pilot. He took me for a tour in Don Chavez's airplane. He flies like you drive!" I poked Berto playfully in the ribs and he laughed melodically. He was such a joy to be with. I knew I would miss him when he went away next week.
We walked out to the carport and made our measurements and I sketched away. We moved to the patio and made the necessary sketched there too. I wanted Carlos to have the plans as soon as possible so I could get his estimate and we could start putting feet to my plans.
After making our final measurements for the bathrooms, we returned to my computer and I drew up the plans while Berto watched closely. I let him do some simple stuff and he was a fast study. We had everything drawn and were printing the plans when Bob knocked at the open door.
"Good morning, party animal!" I said. "How are you feeling today?"
"Just a touch of a headache. I behaved myself last night. I had to drive home. Mack is a hell of a steamer, but he likes to have a good time."
Berto's expression visibly clouded at the mention of the little lawyer. I made a mental note to talk to him and find out what was going on. We showed the plans to Bob and he was impressed. He also liked the idea of a studio attached to the carport.
Berto wanted to show off his computer skills and started the program for viewing and printing the photos. I jumped. "Uh, Berto, wait a minute..." But it was too late. The screen was filled with the photo of Berto in the garden-my favorite one of him. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Berto printed it out and I suggested that we put it in a frame and give it to his mother so she would have it while he was at school. I happened to have several in a box. We found one that we thought she would like and, after trimming the print to the right size, placed it in the frame.
Maneulla yelled for Berto, so he rushed out, picture in hand. He returned in a few seconds to inform us that lunch was ready. We followed him to the table where he excused himself. Bob sat down and I did too, wishing that Manuella and Berto would join us. We ate and talked about the plans, Carlos, Internet providers and the status of our legal papers.
"When Mack wakes up, we'll print everything and sign it. The money can be taken care of with a couple of phone calls. Have you gotten a plumber to come out yet?"
"Nope, I was waiting to get the plans drawn, so he could have something to go by. Don Chavez gave me a couple of names to call. I will get Berto to call for me after lunch."
"Sounds good. I doubt that Mack will be up before siesta, and your plumber certainly won't be around until late afternoon. What about Carlos?"
"I'm not sure if he has a phone or not. I will ask Bert. I might have to go get him."
The telephone rang and Manuella waddled in carrying the cordless set. "It is for your, Senor Ben."
"Hello?"
"Hi Ben, it's Jake. I just wanted to let you know what my travel plans are. I will be in San Diego on Tuesday afternoon. Is that okay?"
"You bet, man. I'm looking forward to it. What airlines and flight will you be on?
"I lucked out and managed a hop from Jacksonville. I'll be flying into the base. Can you pick me up?"
"I'll be there. Just tell me what time. I'll find the place."
"The schedule has me there at 3:35, but you know military flights. It could go either way."
"I'll be early, then. You're worth the wait, my friend. It'll be good to see you. I've missed you."
"Me too. See you on Tuesday, buddy, Bye."
We hung up and I thought about something. I was going to be driving right past San Augustin on Tuesday. I asked Bob, "What time does Berto have to be at school on Tuesday? I have to pick Jake up in San Diego in the afternoon."
"I'm not sure, but I think it's in the morning. The bus leaves here around 5:30."
"I'll ask Manuella. I might as well take him since I'm going up that way anyway." I walked to the kitchen to talk to Manuella. She was all for it. The timing worked out perfectly and she confessed that she felt better about Berto going with somebody that he knew and trusted.
With that settled, I procured Bob's truck for that day and told Berto about me taking him. He looked a little relieved. "I was afraid Senor Mack might be staying until then and want to take me."
"Um, Berto...Could you tell me what's going on with him. Why do you and your mother dislike him so much?"
"I don't know why Mama does not like him. I think maybe She does not think he is a good person for Senor Bob to be with."
"That makes sense. What about you?"
Berto looked at his feet. "When I was sixteen, Senor Mack found me alone in the garden. He...he touched me."
Uh-oh. "Where did he touch you, Berto?"
"On my butt and on my pinga. I did not want him to do this to me. I told him to stop." He looked up at me with shame in his expression.
"Oh, Berto, I am so sorry. I hope you understand that you didn't do anything wrong."
Berto nodded. "I do not trust him, Senor Ben. I try to avoid him and never be alone with him."
"I can't blame you for that. Nobody has a right to touch somebody like that, unless they are invited to do so."
Berto looked up. "Oh no, Senor Ben. I did not. I do not want HIM to touch me!"
"It's okay, Berto, I believe you. I'll talk to Bob and make sure that Mack doesn't bother you again. Even if I have to insist on a new lawyer." "Please, Senor Ben. I do not wish for Senor Roberto to know of this. I am embarrassed and Senor Mack is his friend. It might cause problems and Mama and I might have to leave. PLEASE do not tell him, Senor Ben!"
He was pleading and his eyes were filled with tears. He had grabbed my shoulders and looked up into my face. I promised him I wouldn't say anything and his expression changed to relief again. He hugged me and thanked me over and over.
More to come, folks. Thanks for continuing to read and for your great messages to me. Let me hear more from you. ben_sc@hotmail.com. If you haven't read any of my other stories, check them out under the "Authors" link. Look for "Lyle Benton".