Dan and Ben at Sixty

Dan and Ben at Sixty--Chapter Nine By Ezra Randle

In the end, after all sorts of haggling over a place to conduct the memorial service, two banquet rooms at the Best Western, one for the service and the other for the meal, turned out to be most suitable. Dan and Jenny had never been practicing members of any of the local churches. The minister at the Congregational Church offered his facility, but the capacity there was barely one hundred. Dan suspected well over two hundred people would show up based on all the sympathy cards they received in the mail. More than fifty people from Jenny's side of the family arrived in stages. Dan turned their home over to Jenny and let her arrange overnight stays and food for them. Dan didn't have nearly as many attending. His father, Chip, Robert, and Chester arrived the day before the service. Dan procured rooms for them at the Best Western. Jerrad and his fiancé, Sylvia, stayed with Jenny and Maureen. Gary, Orvy and Roland drove down together the day of the funeral, and planned to spend the night at the Best Western as well. Ben was there, with Maureen and her son, Peter, on each side of him. Chester played the piano riffing through fifty or so melodies as the people milled about the room. Dan and Jenny had decided there wouldn't be a traditional greeting line. They welcomed the visitors as they embraced friends, both new and old, during the hour before the service began.

At two o'clock, the Congregational minister, Janice Phillips, greeted every one and asked them to bow their heads to whatever God they spoke to in the solemn moments in their lives. Then the crowd became hushed as Chester played a round of "You'll Never Walk Alone." The minister stood and led the crowd through two rounds of the song. At first, the people were reluctant to join in, but by round two, most were singing the words printed on the program, offering their voices to the good of the order. Much as crowds from around the world from soccer stadiums to graduation ceremonies sing joyously to this Broadway standard that has become an almost universal anthem of hope. Orvy stepped forward with his cornet and turned the song into the brass notes of a funeral dirge. It was only remotely jazzy, played so slowly that it pulled tears from everyone in attendance.

Pastor Phillips then spoke briefly about Marie's life before turning the microphone over to Jerrad. Jerrad's fiancé leaned against him as he spoke of Marie's journey as his younger sister. Initially, he seemed terrified standing there, but as the crowd chuckled at his anecdotes, he warmed up and was speaking freely and adlibbing more and more stories by the time he ended. Then an assortment of more than twenty speakers took their turns saluting the life of this young woman, who, by all fair standards, should have been standing in front of them in her wedding gown thanking them all for joining her on this day of great expectancy. Maggie, Jenny's sister, spoke the longest, including many of the thoughts that Jenny herself wanted to say, but knew she couldn't without breaking down in deep tears she was determined to keep within her on this day. Francine, Marie's roommate since their freshman year in college, spoke movingly about her love for her best friend. High school friends and former teachers offered their kind words. As the presentations wound down, Dan's father walked slowly to the front. Dan was worried he wouldn't be able to say what he needed to. He was about to rush up to the dais to help him with the microphone, when Chip performed that chore, gently touching Larry on the shoulder when everything was set.

Most of you don't know me. I'm Dan's father, Larry. Marie's grandfather. Due to circumstances that have now been resolved, I did not meet Marie until two years ago. She came to visit me in Tucson, and almost immediately, a magical connection sparked between the two of us. I saw immediately what a lovely creature she was. Dan and Jenny had raised someone special. She had an irresistible ability to become friends with everyone. Within an hour, I felt like I had known her all her life. She was smart and, for someone so young, had gleaned an amazing amount of wisdom. Some of that wisdom put me to shame.

We cooked dinner, walked in the parkway, listened to music, and talked of our past. She wanted to know everything about me. All about my journey which she had never been a part of. Sometimes, I'd break down and cry right in front of her because so many years of my life had been spent not knowing her. And she understood. She was determined to make up for that.

She became my friend more than my granddaughter. I wanted to see her every week in person instead of merely facetiming with her. She wanted to know everything I could recall about her dad. I looked forward to every phone call from her. When she texted me to let me know she had to cancel, I became so sad, even though she immediately said, "I'll catch you tomorrow, Gramps."

When I first heard the news of the accident and the likely prognosis, I spent two days locked away. Grieving because the most lovable person in my life would soon disappear and I'd never speak with her or see her golden smile again. It was almost too much for this eighty-six year man to bear.

I still don't know what to say. I'm still without words. This is all I can come out with. Thank you.

As he slowly walked back to his chair, almost crippled in his grief, Chip was at his side, holding him upright. The crowd stood and watched him, until he waved and sat, letting the people know he was just fine.

Dan and Jenny stood before the crowd. Dan took on the chores of speaking. Jenny had informed him she couldn't, so he did the work for both of them.

Thank you for coming today. Thank heavens, it's not often in life that our children pass on before it's our turn. There's always a special sadness in that phenomenon. Marie treated Jenny and Jerrad and me to twenty-six years of joy and unexpected tears, but she was always someone unique. Just as your children and grandchildren are unique to you. And as with yours, we loved her warts and all. Because she had them, like we all do. She did her best to learn from her mistakes and misjudgments. Sometimes life turns on an unexpected slippery patch of road that temporarily dashes our hopes and dream. You have to get up and learn from those experiences. And Marie did her best to become a better person when this happened to her. From listening to these wonderful eulogies, we all heard how much she learned from life and how she blossomed. She was someone Jenny and I were so proud of.

But as we all have experienced, sometimes the power of a collision with the forces of life doesn't allow us to walk away from the turbulence. As we pick up the pieces sitting in a room like this one we are left to ponder what is left. As we listen to all the kind and loving words so many of you have expressed today, we try to conjure images of this young woman who didn't survive one of those awful collisions. Thank you, all of you, for relating those words. We needed to hear them.

You will walk away from this celebration in a few hours. Your sadness will lift hour by hour. Until you return to the sunnier aspects of your life. Undaunted by the gloom and grief that lingers behind you. As it should be. But if you recall this day and these past few weeks, sometime down the road, don't forget there are a few of us still stuck in our sadness and grieving. Give us a call or send a text or an email. We'll be happy to know you are still thinking of us.

Please stay afterward. The food will be served in thirty minutes. The bar is open to those of you who would like a drink. Jenny and Jerrad and I cannot fully express our profound gratitude for how you've reached out to us over the past few weeks.

Most of the two hundred plus mourners stayed for the meal. Dan had no interest in eating.

He moved about from table to table thanking as many people individually as he could. He continued with the process until people began filing out. He finally collapsed at a corner table seated with the visitors from the Twin Cities and Arizona. Ben was conversing with Chester, while Gary was laughing with Robert and Chip. Alex and his dad were off to the side at another table immersed in what seemed to be a serious discussion. Dan was talked out, so he sat quietly. Occasionally, someone dropped by to say goodbye and wish him well. He was so exhausted he often didn't get up from his chair. As he gazed at the far end of the room, he saw Jenny going through the same farewell process. She seemed to have more energy than he did. Ben came over and sat beside him. "You look completely exhausted."

"Yeah. Just a little longer and I can take a break. Most people have taken off."

"What are you doing tonight?"

"I have a room here. I gave Jenny the house for a few days. Jerrad is staying at Maureen's. Darren will be heading to Madison in a short while. He and his family have an early flight tomorrow."

"How's Darren doing?

Dan chuckled. "Here he comes. You can ask him yourself."

Darren sat down next to them. "You handled yourself really well, Dan. Everybody says the event was one of the most moving and joyous funerals they've been to."

"Thanks for coming. You've been very helpful."

"Please stay in touch. Let me know how Dad's doing since you're now in charge of his wellbeing more than I am."

"Will do. You know he loves you just as much as me."

"Yeah. I get it. You just understand his life better than I do. That's OK. What do you think about Chip?"

"I like him. Even more after spending time with him these past two days. He's really helpful to Dad."

"Is it fair to say they're in love?"

"I think so. Chip more than Dad. Can you handle that?"

"I'm actually better about accepting that stuff than I used to be. Maybe I'm growing up. My wife tells me what an old fuddy-duddy I am. She's changing me, too."

Darren turned to Ben. "So good to see you again. I can tell you're good for little brother. Help him out when you can."

Darren hugged Dan and Ben goodbye. "Does he know about us?" Ben asked.

"I don't think so. I didn't say anything about being gay. I think he was just talking about us being friends."

"Maybe he's got exceptionally refined system of gaydar."

They laughed. Jenny was waving Dan over, so Ben leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. Chester sat down beside him. "Hey, do you have a bit of time to talk to me? In private?"

"Sure. Where do you want to go?"

"Up to my room."

The room was a short distance down the hall and up a stairway. "Are you and Robert staying in separate rooms?"

"Yeah. He's got some sleeping issues. We usually don't spend the night together, and I like staying up later than he does. Take the comfy chair."

Chester pulled the desk chair near Ben. "What's up?" Ben asked.

"I'm concerned about our friend. After all this is over. What's he said to you?" Chester said.

"He's concerned as well. Probably more than our worries put together."

"He shouldn't go back to work after next week."

"I told him the same. He doesn't have to go back right away. He can take a month off," Ben said.

"What did he say to that suggestion?'

"I think he's intrigued. At one point, he said he might go visit you guys and his dad. Spend a few weeks there."

"That would be great. We'd love to host him again," Chester said.

"I'll work on him. I don't think it will take much of a push on my part."

Chester stood up and looked down at Ben. "I can see why he loves you so much. Just in the few conversations we've had today. It's a real pleasure to meet you."

"Thanks. I know you've had some wonderfully intimate moments with Dan. He speaks very highly of you and Robert. He's had joyous times with you in bed."

"Stand up, Ben."

They were face-to-face as they hugged each other. "Can I kiss you, Ben?"

"Sure. Why not. We have a pretty strong connection because of Dan."

They kissed lightly and embraced again. "Your body feels good, Chester. I'll bet you're a great lover."

"Getting older, but I can still make a man like Dan feel the pleasure. Probably could with you, too.

Ben laughed. "No doubt."

Ben's phone rang. Gary wondered where he was. Most of the people had gone. "Robert invited me up to his room for a while," Gary said.

"Come up. I'm next door talking with Chester."

He hung up while Chester was changing out of his dress shirt and tie. "Are you and Gary staying at the motel, too?'

"We hadn't planned on it. Orvy and Roland dropped Gary off at my place on their way out here. We came over an hour before the service. We'll get back to my place sooner or later. Hey, Chester, out of curiosity, how was the piano?"

"Surprisingly in good tune. Pretty good for a motel piano."

"You sounded terrific. I don't know if you noticed me listening to you during the early part of the gathering."

"Yeah. I did."

"I was wondering if we could get Dan to the piano in a few hours and sing a few songs. He says you guys do that sort of thing in Tucson."

"I'd love to. It would be a great ending to the day."

"I'll check with Danny. See if he has access to the banquet room until later."

Dan was in his room, finally, after the long day. He was stretched out on the bed, and Alex sat on the edge of the bed next to him. "You exhausted?"

"Yeah. I'll revive with a rest. What about you?" Dan said.

"I think I'll head home. I have clients in the morning. Will you come over later?"

"I'll spend the night here. The visitors I most want to see are staying here. Lie down with me before you take off."

Alex stretched out next him, sliding into Dan's arms. "You've been so helpful over the past few days. Thanks."

They kissed and Alex rubbed Dan's blue shirt, pulling it free from his trousers in the process. Alex kissed his belly and pulled up his shirt so he could rub Dan's nipples. "You've got the spirit. Are you feeling aroused?" Dan said.

"Seeing you speak to the crowd made me want you. You were so vulnerable. You know how much I get seduced by that sort of thing."

"What did you think of Dad's speech?"

"Perfect for the moment. You've become a much richer person since you've found him again."

Dan kissed him. "I was thinking I might take a month off from work. Go down to Arizona for most of it. Try to reset myself."

"Great idea. I'd miss you, but you need to get away. Going back to work so soon would not be good for your health."

"Thanks, Doc. That's all I need. I mentioned it to my principal today. He gave me the go ahead. I just need to call him."

Alex snuggled into him more. "If you came over later, I wouldn't be able to stop myself."

"I haven't had an orgasm in weeks. Feel me, I'm soft."

"I'd do my best. At least you'd know I love you."

"I haven't been completely truthful to you about Jenny. She's left me. We might continue sharing the house after this is all over. But that's it."

"What happened?"

"She's taken up with Maureen. Ben's soon to be ex-wife."

"As lovers?"

"Yes. She told me a few months ago. So, I have the freedom to see you more. I didn't want to tell you right away. I didn't want that pressure on either one of us to change our routine."

"I understand and don't blame you. But I wish I'd known."

"I told her I'm gay. Not that many days ago. She's still dealing with that. I didn't mention anything about you. Just that I'd been Ben's lover."

"Do you still want to be with him?"

"I was for a few days this week. That doesn't mean I don't love you."

"You know that's a difficult thing for me, Dan. I'm trying but I still get jealous."

"Even though he's with Gary? Did you meet Gary by the way?" Dan asked.

"Yes. He was very funny. He knew all about my sessions with Ben so he kidded me about them. He doesn't seem to have many inhibitions in that regard."

Dan laughed. "I experienced the same thing with him when I stayed over with Orvy waiting for Marie's ashes. Gary came for dinner. First time I'd met him. I told the three of them that I had just outed myself to Jenny. Like minutes after Marie died. Gary said something like `What the fuck! What's wrong with you?' It was very funny, but right then and there, no one laughed. He apologized later."

"Dan, he was right. Bad timing on your part."

"Suppose so. I wasn't myself, but I also needed to tell her the truth right then and there."

"Has she forgiven you?"

"Sort of. Alex, Ben loves Gary. Gary's moving in with him next week while he looks for his own place."

"Gary told me. But I still have trouble with you and Ben. Sorry."

"When you go back home, will you be sad thinking about it?"

"Probably. For all my recommendations to my clients, I'm not big enough to accept it. Because I'm pretty sure you and Ben will go on forever. You love him too much. He feels the same about you. Maybe I should just go rather than prolong this conversation."

Dan pulled Alex closer. "Please don't hate me because of this. I can't bear it," Dan said.

Alex smiled. "I'd never hate you. I just get jealous. Maybe I need to see my therapist."

They both laughed and kissed again. "Let me walk you to your car."

The late afternoon was turning into dusk as they said goodbye. "Call me. OK. I want to see you as soon as possible," Alex said.

"I'll be by tomorrow or the next day."

"See you."

"Hey, Gary, you'll want to stay for the sing-a-long."

They had just been negotiating how long Gary would stay at the motel. Gary accepted that Dan was Ben's friend and he needed to stay longer. "That will be fun. I'd like to leave after that. Roland said I can use their car."

"Chester invited me to stay the night. So, take my car and come back to get me in the morning. Or we can get a room for ourselves."

"No, Ben. Tonight is for you."

"I'm glad you made the choice to stay a few more days with me. I'm good about driving you up to the Cities on the weekend. And next week, you're moving in."

"Yeah, boss. Maybe I'll sleep in my new digs tonight."

"I know I've asked you this before, but how jealous are you of Dan and me?"

"That's not a fair question tonight. He just said goodbye to his daughter. I'm mostly OK with it. I understand. Some things go beyond normal expectations."

"You're pretty smart for being so young."

"I try to be enlightened. But I don't really know much. I'm just trying to do my best. You're a pretty good test of my flexibility. You've already told me I should expect Dan to visit on occasion. I never signed up for this. You holding two men in your heart at the same time."

"That mean you don't really want me to see him?"

Gary laughed. "No, asshole. I've told you fifty times I can handle it. You were the one to ask me if I ever get jealous. I'm a fucking human being, Ben. Of course I do sometimes."

"I'm glad you're smiling as you say that, Gary. I'd never want to make the choice between you two. I love you too much for that."

They stretched out on Chester's bed. "He might come back in," Gary said.

"I think he's seen this stuff before."

"He's a very handsome guy. I can see why you'd like to sleep with him."

"If I do, it will be as friends, asshole."

They kissed deeply and Ben unbuttoned Gary's shirt, flipping his tie over his shoulder. "I want you so much right now. So you know and won't doubt me."

Gary pulled him closer and unbuttoned his own trousers and slid them down. He was wearing red boxer briefs. "Earlier this afternoon wasn't enough for you?" Ben said.

"Before today, I hadn't seen you in a few weeks. So, no, it wasn't enough."

"I told you we could get a room here. I checked. They have a couple of vacancies," Ben said.

Gary smiled as he unbuckled Ben's trousers and pulled them down. Ben was wearing black boxers. Gary slid his hand inside of them and clutched Ben's stiffening cock, already wet with precum. "What do you want?" Ben asked.

"If we were home I'd fuck you. To claim you as my own."

"You animal."

"Yeah, I'd mark your ass cheeks so no one else would take them."

They both laughed. "Sucking you off will please me immensely, Ben."

Gary pulled Ben's underwear down and licked his balls over and over, then rose to lick Ben's thick shaft up and down, until he finally consumed his cock. Ben moaned his face turned into his arm, not wanting to make too much noise. "That feels so good. I want you, too."

Gary pulled his shorts down and they turned and sucked each other. It didn't take long as they knew it had to be quick and intense. They shot at the same time, swallowing each other. "Let's get cleaned up, just in case, Ben."

They washed each other at the sink, and dressed quickly and resumed their positions holding each other on the bed. Gary started laughing, and Ben couldn't refrain. "We are so naughty, Gary."

"At least we didn't do it on his sheets."

They heard voices outside the room and then Chester came in. "Sorry to interrupt guys."

"We were just getting up, Chester," Ben said. "We just had a little nod off."

"I had one earlier. I think we're set for the singing. Seems like a dozen people will join us. Orvy has his cornet. We'll do a couple of duets as well."

"Great. Looking forward to it."

The singing went beautifully. The four men from Tucson, the three from Minneapolis, two friends of Jenny's who were spending the night, and, of course, Ben and Dan sang and drank beer and saluted one another. Several people who were staying at the motel or dining in the restaurant came in to watch and join in. When Orvy joined Chester for a mellow version of "I've Got a Crush on You," Larry and Chip danced. Dan could tell they'd been practicing in the privacy of his father's condo. When the song was over, everyone cheered for the couple, like it was their formal engagement announcement. Chester and Orvy joined up again for the last song of the night, "Just the Way You Look Tonight." Beforehand, Orvy spoke briefly. "It's been a pleasure to be part of this entertainment. The songs are dedicated to Dan and his daughter. We all know that. This last song especially." He pointed to the photograph of Dan and Marie, set in a wooden frame on top of the piano. "Sing along if you want. Otherwise, let's remember Marie as we sing or smile or cry as you need to during the song."

Orvy nodded to Chester who played the song through once, then set Orvy up to sing it.

Someday, when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight.

Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft

There is nothing more for me, but to love you

And the way you look tonight.

Dan was weeping unabashedly as Orvy sang in his thin voice, so slowly that it was like talking on pitch with the melody. His dad came over and held Dan from behind as Orvy continued.

With each word, your tenderness grows

Tearing my fear apart

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose

And touches my foolish heart.

Lovely, don't you ever change

Keep that breathless charm

Won't you please arrange it, `cause I love you

Just the way you look tonight.

Dan had tried to sing throughout the song, but couldn't. Only a few voices could be heard. Orvy blew into his cornet, as though it was the most beautiful melody anyone had ever heard. He played the notes in a straight forward way, holding each note impossibly long, until he and Chester reached a mutual conclusion. The applause and the thanks for the evening's music were muted. Dan was still lost in the melodies of all the songs unable to remove Marie's presence from his thoughts, knowing much more potent thoughts of her would arise as the weeks and months unfolded.

The group dispersed slowly. Larry and Chip were the first to disappear with the agreement they'd see Dan for breakfast. The flight back to Tucson didn't leave Madison until early afternoon, so the morning promised to be a leisurely one. Robert followed having already mentioned to almost everyone that he was past his bedtime. Chester and Orvy sat at the bar talking about music. They asked Dan to join them, but he waved and said he'd see them in the morning. Ben came back after kissing Gary in the parking lot and watching him drive off. He saw Dan issuing his goodnights to those still in the bar area and followed him down the hallway. "Danny, wait up."

Dan paused. "Yeah?"

"Want to talk for a bit?"

Dan unlocked the door to his room. "I don't have much left in me. I thought you'd left with Gary."

"Chester said I could sleep with him if I wanted to stay. Gary's driving my car back home and will return in the morning. He's staying for a few more days. I'm driving him back up to Cities on Saturday."

"Thanks for taking the days off from work to be here."

"You knew I wouldn't miss it."

Dan took off his dress shirt and tie and slipped out of his shoes. He stretched out on the bed. "Join me, please."

Ben took off his shirt and shoes and stretched out. "I figured Alex would have stayed."

"He has clients in the morning. He doesn't feel that comfortable in situations like this."

Ben laughed. "Who does? It's a fucking funeral."

Dan laughed, too. "It's not just that."

"Is it the Ben factor?"

"He has a tough time with you and me. I didn't even tell him how much time I was with you this past week. Even though we weren't having sex."

"I guess I need to stop by and read him the riot act again."

"Maybe so. Part of the time I can't even explain it to him. I just get drawn back into you and our world. But then I can pull away. How's Gary with us?"

"Not as bad. As Gary says, `I'm human. How am I not supposed to feel a little jealous'."

"Yes, it's part of what love is about. The man to man world is not how we were raised. I don't mean the sex part. The loving part is what's so complicated."

Dan snuggled closer to Ben. "Will you spend the night with me? Like last week at your house."

"Sure. Do me a favor? Give Chester a call and tell him I'll meet him wherever he is."

Dan called Chester while Ben slipped his shirt back on and tied his shoes. "He's heading up to his room. I told him you'd be there in a minute."

Chester welcomed him into his room. "I'm with Dan. And I'm heading back there. Figured you'd approve."

"That's great. One of us needs to spend the night with him. Give him a kiss for me."

"See you in the morning."

Dan left the room door ajar and was already under the bedding when Ben walked in. "Are you sleeping?" Ben asked.

"No. Just waiting for you."

"I'm going to take a quick shower."

"I guess I could get up for that."

Ben waited in the bathroom for the warm water. When Dan didn't show up, he went in and soaped himself. He was rinsed off when Dan slipped inside the shower stall. Ben kissed him and led him under the hot water. "I haven't had an orgasm since Marie's accident."

"Understandable. That's not why I'm sleeping with you tonight. But if I can get you aroused, so much the better."

He lathered Dan, his front side first. He was delicate with his genitals, not wanting to upset Dan's frame of mind. He turned Dan around and soaped his back and ass and thighs. "Feels good. Having it done to me. Like I'm flesh and bones and you're trying to awaken the nerve endings."

"I like doing that for you."

Ben pressed against his backside and kissed his neck, playing with his nipples as he did. "Now, that's nice, Ben."

Ben continued, rubbing Dan's ass cheeks as he did, then he slipped his fingers inside the crack. Dan leaned forward using the shower wall for support. When he turned around, his cock was half-hard, and they kissed deeply. Ben dried him off and sent him to bed, then he used a towel on himself. Dan was under the sheets, face down. Ben slid in next to him, and rubbed his back and ass. "You enjoyed the shower?"

"Yeah. I was almost back. But I couldn't let go all the way."

"That's OK. Little by little. By the way, Chester said to give you a kiss. He would have been here if I wasn't."

"Maybe both of you could bring me to life."

"If you were interested, I'd call him up."

"How would that look, a three-way the night of my daughter's funeral?"

"She might approve. But we've got to help you out. Plus, we both love you enormously."

Dan was silent. "Either I'll continue alone or get Chester. What's your pleasure?" Ben said.

Dan turned to him and said, "Give him a call."

Chester knocked on the door five minutes later, wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt. Ben let him in fully naked and Chester said, "Nice outfit."

"Dan and I were talking. His libido is fighting to come alive. I suggested the two of us might have better luck."

Chester looked over at Dan who was sitting up against the headboard of the bed. "Are you sure you're OK with this?"

"No. I'm not sure. But I'm game for it."

Ben went back into bed, and he and Dan watched Chester. "It's not like I haven't done a three-way. But these circumstances are a bit different."

"Go take a shower, Chester," Ben said.

Ben smiled at Dan and kissed him. "We'll do our best."

They continued kissing until Chester came out of the bathroom. He slid into the far side of the bed so that Dan was next to him and Ben on the far side. Together, Ben and Chester rubbed Dan's chest and belly as they talked about the singing session. "That was fabulous, Chester. I can't thank you enough," Dan said.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it. Orvy was phenomenal especially when we played that last song. Usually it's played in an upbeat way, but he told me to slow it down. Just for you."

"It sure got to me. I almost crumbled."

"Every song is going to slow down for you now. It will take enormous effort to hear those songs with the joy of upbeat music. But it will come. Give it time."

"Orvy does that number with Lorraine," Ben said. "Each time I hear it, they do it more and more as a slow ballad. Like Orvy did tonight."

Dan turned to Chester and kissed him. Then he rolled the other way and kissed Ben again. "You have a very nice singing voice, Ben. Maybe the best of the group," Chester said.

"Thanks. It's easy to sing when I love the songs."

Dan smiled as the two men rubbed him and kissed him. "You're not traumatized by what we're doing, Dan?" Chester asked.

"I thought I might be. But this just feels good. Even if nothing more happens, I'll remember this for a long time."

Ben started licking his right nipple and Chester took over the left. They licked and sucked them until Dan started moaning. "O, fuck, that feels so good."

Ben slid down to Dan's belly and licked there, then down to Dan's legs and licked them from the knees up the inside of his thighs to his groin. Chester continued to suck Dan's nipples and rub his belly. The dual attention drove Dan to moan and move his hips. His cock bolted to attention.

Ben and Chester each stroked it. Dan kissed Chester as Ben licked his balls and up his hard shaft. Ben lifted his balls and licked his taint back and forth. Dan said, "Chester, let me suck you as Ben does that."

Chester straddled Dan's chest so his cock was right at his mouth. Chester pushed his cock into Dan's mouth as Ben took Dan's cock into his mouth. "No problem with the stiffie, Danny. It's wonderful."

"Don't let me get soft. Keep pleasuring me."

Dan sucked Chester as Ben consumed Dan's cock. Dan said, "Play with my ass, too." Ben lubed Dan's ass with lotion, then inserted his finger into Dan's ass. Chester turned so his ass was near Dan's hand. He spread his cheeks so Dan could touch his hole. He rubbed Chester's ass, as Ben sucked him and fingered him. After ten minutes, Dan started moaning again. "It's coming. Yeah, don't stop."

Then Dan shouted out, "Yeah, yeah yeah," and shot into Ben's mouth wriggling his ass as he exploded. They rubbed his belly and chest as they exchanged the cum in Ben's mouth. They rested each of them to the side of Dan. "Thank you so much. That felt wonderful. I don't know if I'm cured. But it's a good start. I'm going to fall asleep very soon. If I don't say another word, just know how much I love you two."

Dan rolled onto his side and within a minute was fast asleep. Chester sat on the side of the bed. Ben got up and stood near him. "Thanks for coming down, Chester. I thought it would be more of a task."

Chester stood up so they were face-to-face again. Like they had been a few hours earlier, but this time fully naked. They kissed deeply and Chester touched Ben's cock. "Come to my room. Let's finish there."

They dressed quickly and Ben followed Chester. Once inside the room, they undressed again and Chester pulled Ben to his bed and pulled down the sheets. They stretched out and kissed. "Are you OK with this, Ben?"

"Yeah. It's an extension of what we were doing with Dan."

"Ever since we had our chat this afternoon, when we kissed, I've been hungry for you. Let me look at you," Chester said.

Ben lay quietly as Chester examined him with his eyes and fingers, lightly touching him just to know what he was like. "You have a very masculine body, Ben. Nice pattern of hair all over. A belly not much different than mine...well, like it was when I was your age, anyway. Thick thighs. Beautiful uncut cock."

"It will pop free from the foreskin when I get hard."

"Would you turn over?"

Ben rolled onto his belly. "I can see you work out a little from your shoulders and upper arms."

"I try to. I've always had this type of a body. Football guy gone to seed.

Chester rubbed his fingers over Ben's ass cheeks. "Impressive."

"Let's be honest. I've got a fat ass."

Chester laughed. "So do I."

"It's my turn to look you over."

Chester rolled on to his back and said, "What happened to Gary?"

"He wanted to go back to the house. He probably thought I'd end up in bed with Danny."

"Does he have trouble sharing you with Dan?"

"He's working on it. Says it's only human to be a little jealous given my history with Dan."

"He's not far off. So be careful. You don't want to lose him."

"I know. But thanks for the advice."

"What will he say if he knows you slept with me instead?"

Ben laughed. "We all have secrets."

Ben touched all areas of Chester's front side. "How did you end up in bed with Danny?" Ben asked.

"Some of it was mutual lust. Robert and I don't have sex any longer. For lots of reasons, but mostly because some medical things have gone south. But he wants me to have sex and prefers it be with someone he knows. Danny was a candidate since he was staying with us. Plus Dan was feeling very uncertain about himself seeing his father for the first time in decades. I mostly wanted to comfort him, seeing I love Larry so much. One thing led to another."

"You must have been surprised?"

"Fuck. Pretty shocked given he's a family guy and I assumed as straight as can be. But his other feelings were also pretty apparent. And, as you must know very well, he's quite a lover."

Chester flipped over and Ben continued to touch him. "Yes. Our first time was terrible in some respects. Maybe he told you about that?"

"Just a little. That you had an adverse reaction."

Ben laughed. "I told him to get out of the room. Like I never wanted to see him again."

"Why did you freak out like that?"

"I had no idea what this, what we're doing, was all about. Then I began to accept it over the years."

"Are you happy being what you are now?"

"For the most part. I've got some tough moments ahead. I'm still new to this."

"Inviting Gary to live with you is a major step."

"I'm trying to grow up in a hurry."

Ben continued to rub Chester's backside. "You have a lovely ass, too."

"Like yours, has a little extra padding."

Ben rubbed the back of Chester's thighs. "What happened to you and Dan?" Chester asked.

"In the big picture, nothing much. We're still very close. He's got part of my heart. I think it's the same the other way around. But I was having trouble being available for him. Accepting this as real. He got tired of waiting for me. He met Alex and they really clicked. I love Alex, too. He was my therapist for years. And I don't want to break them up."

"Even if it's really you and Dan who are meant to be together?"

"I'm not sure that's accurate. I mean, we are together. Our time in his room a few minutes ago reveals that to be true. And now I really care about Gary. I'm crazy about the lovely prick that he is. We get along really well. So, I'm going to see if he and I are meant to be. I know Dan and I are meant to be. That's been resolved."

Chester sat up and held Ben's hands. "How long has it been since you've been seeing men?"

"Dan and I started thirteen years ago. He was my first."

"And you've already learned this much in that short period of time. I commend you. It's not easy."

"Thanks. That's very sweet of you. There's lots more to learn and figure out. I think I've made a decent start. Danny has, too. But I'll always be looking out for him. He needs that more than I do. Despite him seeming to be somewhat impervious to the shit storms of life crapping all over him. I know him enough to see through his apparent equanimity."

"One night in Arizona he was calling out to you in his dreams. When I woke and heard that, I was so impressed. That whoever you were, you had to be quite a man. To leave that impression."

"I'm just mucking along in life like everyone else. Making lots of mistakes. Dealing with the messes I accidentally create. Sometimes I strike gold. Dan is one of the motherlodes of good stuff I've found."

Chester laid down and beckoned Ben to his arms. They lay there for twenty minutes without saying a word. Finally, Ben asked, "What's going on, Chester?

"I'm just very happy holding a man like you in my arms. Just treasuring it. Nothing more."

Ben touched Chester's flaccid cock. "You've had a lot more experience touching these guys in your day. I never get tired of it."

He played with the glans and shaft and felt Chester thicken in his hands. "I have a fondness for them, too," Chester said.

Ben continued to play with Chester, this time fondling his balls very gently. Chester spread his thighs inviting him to touch him there. His taint was not as hairy as his own, but felt very good. "Can I put my mouth down there?"

"Yes. Please. I never get tired of that either."

Ben licked him for nearly twenty minutes, from his balls across the inner parts of his thighs, then close to his hole. Chester rolled over and put his ass in the air. Ben spread his cheeks and licked him vigorously from his hole back up through the taint to his balls. Chester put his face into the pillow and moaned. "O, that's nice."

He rolled onto his back and Ben continued to lick up and down his shaft. Little strokes of his tongue making Chester roll his head back into the pillow. "Fuck, you know a lot about pleasuring a man after just a few years."

Ben took Chester's shaft into his mouth and licked and sucked him in alternating fashion. Chester said, "Please don't stop until I cum."

Ben smiled, so gratified he could provide Dan's friend with this pleasure. He entered a state of physical bliss he could not recall being in before. His own cock was hard, leaking without him touching it. The feeling of Chester's legs on his hips clutching him brought his cock so much pleasure. As Chester's hips rose and fell with Ben's motions, Ben could feel his third orgasm of the day rising in his thighs and hips. Chester shot into his mouth and Ben took some of Chester's cum and greased his cock with it. He exploded all over Chester's hairy belly and chest, then collapsed on top of him. They kissed. Chester said, "That might be the best one ever."

Ben giggled. "Until the next time comes along."

The two of them laughed loudly holding each other until sleep descended on them.