Berto's Roses
By Ben
Part LII
We each grabbed a box of food and carried it inside to the kitchen. Carla and Randy started putting things away while Berto, Wade, Ricky and I brought in the rest. I pulled Randy aside long enough to ask him privately, "Did Berto say anything to you about what he saw this morning?"
"Oh yeah. We had a nice talk about..." he looked around, then simply said, "...things."
"Really?" I asked. "Tell me about it later?"
"I think you need to be talkin' to Berto, buddy." He patted my shoulder and returned to what he was doing. I just stood there with a questioning look on my face. Nathan wandered in and asked me what was wrong.
"Huh? Oh, sorry, Nathan. Nothing just wondering about something Randy said." I explained.
"Okay. I just wanted to let you know that everything is set with Bob's bitchy daughter. I got her to take a very generous offer for her claim to Bob's estate, but it leaves you everything, with more than enough operating capital to keep you in business for a long time."
"Really? That's great, Thanks Nathan. What are your plans, now?"
"Well, I'm planning on leaving after the memorial service tomorrow. I have a lot of loose ends to tie up with the firm in San Diego. You would think that two lawyers would have everything thought out in case something like this happens, but there are always things that get forgotten somehow."
I nodded. "Yeah I guess so. This took us all by surprise."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Nathan offered.
"It looks like it's just a matter of getting it all put where they want it. I know better than to try and stick my nose into somebody else's kitchen. I get the feeling Randy is just as possessive as Manuella was about that."
"I think you may be right. He's damn cute, too." Nathan winked at me.
"That he is, my friend. Let me get back out to the studio and get that painting finished for Berto."
I was adding the last touches to the painting: the highlights in Manuella black eyes, the shadows that gave the painting depth and brought out her round features. The little details that made it seem more lifelike. I turned and discovered that Berto had come in at some point. He sat on the bed and watched me as I completed his mother's portrait.
"What do you think, Berto?" I asked.
He stood up and walked over beside me, looking closely at the painting I had done for him. He was silent for a long time, then turned to me and said. "It is muy bonita, Senor Ben. It is much better than I imagined it would be. Mama would have liked it very much. Thank you so much for doing this for me."
"It was my pleasure, Berto." I said wrapping my arm around him and hugging him to my side. "Thank you for asking me to do it."
Berto's arm just naturally circled my waist and we stood there looking at Manuella's happy face as she gazed out the window. Despite everything that had happened, the ill-fated party, the plane crash, and the deaths of so many people who were close to me, I was content. I still had the casa and I still had Berto here beside me. My thoughts were interrupted by Berto's voice.
"Senor Ben?" He asked quietly. "May I talk to you about something?"
"Of course, Berto. Anything you want. What is it?" I was leaving myself wide open and was dreading his answer.
"I was talking to Randy earlier today..." He began.
"Oh shit. Here it comes." I thought. "Uh, okay. What did you talk about with Randy?"
Berto hesitated. "Perhaps this is not a good time to bring this up to you." He suggested.
I was torn between wanting to talk openly to him and wanting to put it off a little bit longer. I well remembered the turmoil I felt before I came out to my son. I didn't know what to expect. I tried to mentally prepare myself for his reaction, whatever it might be. As it turned out, there was almost no reaction at all. He just kind of took it all in stride. What a great kid.
"Well, if you think It's important, lets go ahead and talk about it, Berto. Would you like to sit down?" I gestured to the bed.
Berto nodded and sat down at the foot of the bed. I sat a comfortable distance at the side and turned to him so he knew he had my full attention. "Go on, you were talking to Randy..."
He looked into my eyes. "Si, and we talked about many things, Senor Ben. But I wanted mostly to talk to you about one thing."
"Okay, and what would that be?" I asked.
"Well, Senor Nathan told me that Senor Roberto had left money to Mama in his...will... Is that right?"
I nodded. "That's what it's called, and, yes, I knew he had done that. Whatever he left her, is now yours."
"Si, Senor Nathan has told me this." Berto said.
"Okay, it that what you wanted to talk about?" I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Si. That and something else also." Berto replied.
"Oh, okay. Did you have some questions for me, then?"
" It is a great deal of money, Senor Ben. More money than I would ever have imagined." Berto started. I nodded and he continued. "I wanted to know if I may spend some of it for something I want very much."
"Well, it IS your money, Berto. You can spend it anyway you want to. What is it you want?"
He got a very serious look on his face. "I wish to purchase a car. One of my own."
I was taken a bit by surprise. I hadn't even considered that he might want a car. Although it wasn't unusual for a young man his age. "Oh, of course, Berto. We'll look for a car for you when things get a little more back to normal. We can go up to San Diego and get just about any car you want. Will that be okay?"
"I already know what car I want. That is the other thing I wanted to talk to you about."
I was puzzled. "You don't mean you want to buy MY car, do you? Or the truck? You don't have to buy it. You can use it anytime you want to. You know that."
"No, no. Your car is fine, Senor Ben, and the truck if okay too, but there is a car I know of that I would like very much to buy."
"You're going to have to explain to mean, Berto. Is this a car you have seen at college-at the university?"
Berto shook his head. "No, but it is in San Augustin. It belongs to Enrique. It is a small blue car with no top." I thought for a minute, then realized he meant the '57 Thunderbird that I drove at Ricky's place."
"Whoa, I don't know about that, now. That car is nearly as old as me, Berto. Don't you want a new car?
"I like the older ones. I like many older things, Senor Ben."
That remark caught me a little off guard and I looked into Berto's eyes. His gaze never wavered and I was the first one to avert my eyes. What did he mean by that? Was I reading too much into a simple statement? Was this just wishful thinking? I did know what to think, so I changed the subject.
"I don't know if Ricky wants to sell that car. Has he mentioned anything about it to you? I asked.
"No, he has not. I was wondering if you might ask him for me, and, if he will sell it, how much money he wants for it." Berto had puppy dog eyes as he asked this.
"I will ask him, for you, but I don't promise anything, Berto. Understand?"
Berto nodded enthusiastically. His smile lit up his beautiful face and he threw his arms around me. "Oh, gracias, gracias, Senor Ben."
"Hey, it's far from a done deal. Save all that for when it's sitting in the carport, That is, if Ricky goes for the idea." I laughed.
"Oh I know you will talk him into it. " Berto said confidently.
"Well, we shall see. Is that all you needed to talk about." I asked.
"There is something else, but I want to take the painting to Carlos so he can make a frame for it. I want it to look very special in the chapel. Do you think it is dry enough to move it, yet."
I tested in several places. "It seems to be. We can lay it flat in the truck and put a tarp over it so it doesn't get dusty on the way into town."
Berto and I loaded the portrait and he headed down the road at break neck speed. I wasn't so sure if I wanted him to have the T-bird after all.
I walked into the sunroom and saw Ricky lying on one of the couches, eyes closed and looking very tired. I though he might be catching a well deserved nap so I quietly started to walk past him into the house.
"Ben." His voice stopped me and I turned around.
"Hey, amigo. I thought you were asleep." I said.
Ricky sat up and patted the seat next to him. "No. Please come and sit with me. I am tired but I need one of your hugs, my friend."
"I've been saving one up for you." I said as I sat down and took Ricky into my arms. We embraced for a long while, then I held his face in my hands and gave him a loud wet kiss.
"How are you holding up, buddy." I asked.
"I'm not sure. I have been through so much. First the fight with Jose. I was such an idiot Ben. When I thought I had lost him forever, I felt such guilt. Then losing Papa that way. Then finding Jose again..."
Kind of an emotional roller coaster, huh? I offered.
"Si, very much so. And I hate roller coasters. The make my stomach sick.
"When will Jose get to leave the hospital?"
"He will come to the memorial service in the morning and then we will bring him here. I have hired a nurse from Mexico City to care for him until he can go home, and maybe to take care of him in San Augustin as well."
"Does he need anything special while he is here?" I asked
Ricky shook his head. "No, I do not think so. He just needs to rest and he needs time to work out his feelings. He feels guilty about being the only one to survive the crash, especially since he was flying the Lear. He has vowed never to fly again."
"That's a shame. He used to enjoy it so much. Maybe he will feel differently later." I said hopefully.
"I do not think so, mi amigo." Ricky replied doubtfully.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked.
"Could you just sit here with me and hold me for awhile? I miss having a pair of strong arms around me."
"Of course I can. Here, turn around and lean into me."
Ricky turned as I swung my leg behind him. Then he lay down with his back resting against my chest and stomach. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him to me. Because he was so much shorter than me, this put his head directly in front of and below my mouth. I kissed the top of his head and inhaled the fresh, clean scent of his soft, shiny black hair.
We sat in silence and soon his head rolled to the side and his slow steady breathing told me he had fallen asleep. The weight and warmth of his body pressed against my chest and groin caused my cock to harden. There is something sensual and satisfying about holding a sleeping young man in your arms. The fact that Ricky was so handsome and had such a great body didn't hurt either.
I saw the truck drive up and Berto got out. He came in through the kitchen door from the carport. After a few minutes, he came out to the sunroom.
"Randy says that supper will be ready soon and wanted to know if you wanted to eat it out here..." Berto's voice trailed off as he realized that Ricky was asleep. "Sorry." He whispered.
I smiled. "It's okay, Berto. I suspect you could drive a freight train through here and he wouldn't even notice. I don't think he's gotten much sleep for the past few days." Berto nodded his understanding, then sat on the floor next to the couch where I held the sleeping Latino.
Berto had his back to me but was close enough for me to reach out my arm and hug him, too. He lay his head against my hip and I ran my fingers through his thick, unruly hair. "I didn't get the chance to ask him about the T-bird yet." I told Berto.
"It is okay, Senor Ben. He has enough to think about right now. I am happy that he still has Jose. I like them both very much and they have been very good to me in San Augustin." Berto reached up, took Ricky's hand, and held it gently. I don't know how long we stayed like that, but I was completely content, and my mind wandered.
I was startled back to reality by Wade's slow drawl. "Would you jes' look at that, there? Now that's what I call purty. Ben, you got them fine-lookin' Mexican boys all over you. No wonder you like it here so much."
I smiled in reply and looked down to discover that Berto, too, had drifted off to sleep. "Yeah, it is nice alright." "Randy has me setting up the table out here." Wade explained. "Will I be disturbing you guys?"
"Not at all. I am going to have to wake these guys up anyway before my legs fall asleep." I said. I gently shook Berto awake. He yawned and stretched his arms up. I kissed Ricky and softly called his name until he roused and sleepily opened his eyes.
"Hey, buddy. I hated to wake you, but Randy is ready to feed us and I really need to pee."
"Si. I can tell that." Ricky said as he sat up. He reached over, grabbed my erect cock and laughed at my embarrassment. Berto, still seated on the floor was at eye-level to catch all of this. My face blushed crimson. Berto shifted his gaze from my face, to Ricky's, and finally to Ricky's hand on my hard cock.
I pushed the hand away and got up quickly, and clumsily, trying to adjust myself discretely. "Uh, I'll be right back." I mumbled. I headed into the casa and when I looked back, Ricky was leaning over to whisper in Berto's ear. Berto nodded then they both put on conspiring grins. I wondered what they were up to as I made my way to the bathroom to take a much-needed piss.
I returned a short while later and found everybody sitting at the large round table. I took the empty chair between Ricky and Carla. "Feeling better?" Ricky quipped. I elbowed him as I sat down.
"What is wrong, Ben?" Carla sounded concerned.
"Oh, nothing, Carla. I'm fine. Your brother is just giving me a hard time about something." I instantly regretted my choice of words as both Ricky and Berto laughed out loud. I chose to ignore them. "You're looking beautiful tonight." I said.
Carla was dressed in a bright yellow pantsuit that really brought out her caramel complexion. Her hair was pulled back tightly, away from her face and cascaded down her back in a long, lovely ponytail, which was held in place with a yellow ribbon. Her make up was subtly applied and accentuated her large dark eyes and high cheekbones. The effect was a natural, healthy, "senorita next door" look. I noticed that Berto, who was seated across from us, stole more than one glance in our direction.
"Gracias, Ben. I was tired of looking gloomy. I do not like to wear dark colors. You do not think I am being inappropriate, do you?" She asked.
"I cannot imagine you ever being inappropriate, mi amiaga." I told her.
"You flatter me, Senor. Berto tells me you painted a beautiful portrait of his mama. I am looking forward to seeing it."
"We're going to hang it in a place of prominence in the casa. Manuella will always be remembered as an important part of this house." I said.
"Of course she will. Why not put the painting above the mantle there?" Carla indicated the large space across the sun porch. You and your guests will spend much time in this sunroom. It will seem like she is still with us." Carla reached over hand took Berto's hand in her small slim one. Berto smiled at her gratefully.
Supper progressed and it grew dark outside as we ate and talked and remembered those no longer with us. Ricky and Paco excused themselves so that they could return to the hospital and Jose. Wade, Carla and Randy went into the kitchen to clean up so Berto and I went out to the garden.
The air had a slight chill and a soft breeze blew in from the gulf. The sky was clear and filled with stars. I turned on the ground lights, then Berto and I squatted to work on the roses. There were more and more blooms sprouting up on the tortured branches. I began to have confidence that the garden would recover to full bloom soon.
As was usual for us, we worked in silence. Listening to the rose bushes and communing with them. I had learned much about caring and serenity from this handsome young Latino. I watched him as he worked, wanting to touch him, to hold him, to kiss his perfect lips, to make sweet love to him for hours and hours.
We finished just as the full moon began its ascent into the navy blue sky. I turned off the water and the lights while Berto got rid of the clippings and the few weeds that we had found. I tried to stifle a yawn, but was unsuccessful. This caused Berto to yawn, too.
"Getting sleepy?" I asked him.
Berto yawned again and nodded. "Si. It has been a very busy day. Can we go to bed now?"
It was just naturally assumed by us both that Berto would be sharing my bed again. I scarcely gave it a thought as he followed me into the studio. I undressed to my underwear and slid between the cool sheets. Berto slid in beside me and snuggled into my shoulder. We lay there and watched the moon travel across the panes of glass.
Berto gave a final, soft yawn and turned his back toward my chest. "Buenas Noches." He said sleepily.
"Good night, Berto." I said. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him to me. I reached down to adjust the covers and my fingers brushed Berto's bare hip. It wasn't until then that I had realized that he was completely nude.
And so it goes on. More to come. Write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com. Check out my other stories, under the "Authors" link. Look for "Lyle Benton".