This is a story about a man and a handicapped teenage boy that meet and fall in love. If you are underage or offended by the subject matter, please leave. Up to the point where they talk for quite some time, the story is real for the most part. We did part without ever exchanging anything more than conversation and he was just as beautiful as described. Maybe if I had been more aggressive...who knows? The rest is strictly fiction and wishful thinking on my part. Please send any comments to redfordtodd1_@hotmail.com.
Be kind as this is my first effort. No offense to handicapped persons is intended. I already have additional chapters ready, if you the reader are interested. It may come across as long winded and I don't always get right to the sex. (there is more in later chapters) I wanted the reader to feel like these were real people, and get to know them. I want to give credit to my good friend, Wilson, who has helped me more than he will admit as my editor.
Any similarities between a character and a real person, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any actions the reader takes as a result of reading this story are not the responsibility of the author. You may not reproduce, post, or distribute this story in any way without the author's expressed written permission. You may print out one copy or save one copy of this story for your own viewing and entertainment. By reading further, you implicitly are agreeing to the above guidelines.
Dear readers, my thanks to all of you, and please do keep in touch.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< KATE & WAYNE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Gerry
What a day this was turning out to be. After all of the events this morning and this afternoon, and now, we had an interruption. Just as I was in one of my favorite places, in circumstances that couldn't be any better. I pulled back from Todd.
"I did tell you about Kate and Wayne coming over, didn't I?"
With a confused smile, Todd shook his head. "You've spoken to me about your two best friends. I guess it's time that I met them. Just one thing, what do they know about us?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Told them that you were my cousin from Detroit."
He began to laugh. "Well, at least it was the truth, even if we didn't know it at the time."
Crossing to the door, I opened it just as Kate was about to strike again. She barged right in, as was her usual way, giving me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. Wayne followed behind at a safe distance.
Kate is a green-eyed redhead. She's well built but only stands at about five feet even. Underneath her very outspoken exterior is a heart of gold. Not that she gives many people the chance to find out.
Wayne is almost six foot four, on the thin side with light brown hair and deep brown eyes. Usually he doesn't have much to say, so when he does we listen. Again, another heart of gold. Together they look and act about as opposite as any two people could be.
She crossed right over to Todd and stuck out her hand. "I'm Kate and that's Wayne." Wayne gave a nod of his head. "You don't have to tell me that you're Todd. We remember you from graduation. You were so awesome." A slightly embarrassed Todd shook her hand. She took a long look at his finger. "Wow, what an incredible ring. White gold?"
Before she could answer, I replied. "Actually it's platinum; it's been in our family for I don't know exactly how long."
Todd's eyes went wide at my words, and then he just shook his head and put my smirk on his face.
She looked right at me. "Gerry, is there something that you might want to tell your two closest friends that love you and have known you since grade school?" She had a twinkle in her eye.
I shrugged my shoulders. "What are you talking about?"
She gave me her best don't try and fool me' look. "Okay, here gives." She said, "In all of the years that we've known each other, you have never mentioned any cousin period. A few months ago, you were almost killed in a car wreck. Suddenly, your cousin' Todd appears. We can't get in to see you but we see him every time we try. Then at graduation this fantastic looking guy here, shows up and gives your speech. A professional couldn't have done the job as well as he did. The passion and love that he put into it was beyond any family tie. Then when we had that little party on Thursday to welcome you home, you said that Todd was coming here for his birthday. I asked if we could finally meet him and you tried to avoid the whole thing. After enough pressure from me, something you never had a chance against I might add, you caved in and agreed to it."
Finally Kate stopped long enough to catch her breath. "Well?" She asked.
I looked her straight in the eye. "Well, what?" I responded. She was starting to get on my nerves. I could see Todd squirming a little out of the corner of my eye.
"Sit!" She commanded. I did. "Gerry, Wayne and I know."
I could feel the tension from Todd; there was also a mild panic building up inside me. "Know what?" I could hear the edge in my voice.
Wayne waked over and stood next to me and spoke for the first time, putting his hand on my shoulder. "Not that it makes any difference to us, but Kate and I know that you're gay."
She took over again, before I could respond. "Gerry, we've been here for about twenty minutes. From the time that you got up and got Todd his present, when he went down on his knees and when you two did that incredible lip lock, we saw and heard it all."
[we both shared our panic] I looked at her defiantly as I pushed Wayne`s hand away. "What goes on in my own house is not any of your damned business! Not either one of you!" I almost shouted.
"Chill asshole!" Wayne said. I had never heard him swear before in my life. Todd took offense and began to rise up. Wayne gave him a stern look.
"I said that for both of you, now sit your ass back down!"
He looked at her, "Kate, keep your mouth shut for once until I tell you different. Maybe I can fix this damned mess you've made." She looked at Wayne with her mouth wide open, then shut it. He continued. "Gerry, we could give a shit who you sleep with or who you decide to love as long as you are being treated right. We both figured out a few years ago that you weren't chasing after any girls and had a dreamy expression when you looked at certain guys. For what we've seen in the last few months of this guy here, you won't ever have to look again. Kate and I have talked about him way more than you could imagine. Between the hospital and by what we saw at graduation, we knew that you had finally met someone special. When we mentioned his name, or you did, your whole face lit up. For what we saw through the back door, you two have something way beyond what most people can ever hope for. We won't go around telling people, you know us better than that. But, you will find that there are those who won't be so understanding. I say fuck them! Don't let go of what you two have. Maybe someday, I could find the words and tell my one love just how I feel."
I sat there digesting just what I had heard. They knew and it was okay. Not just okay, but they were fully supportive.
Todd spoke up. "Wayne, why haven't you ever told Kate how you feel about her?"
"Because we've been friends for so long, I don't know how to tell her."
What? Did I really hear Wayne right?
Todd spoke again. "It seems that you just have my friend.
I looked over to see the expression on Kate's face. She was in total shock. Her mouth was wide open and for once, not a word came out. Wayne was ten shades of red as he turned away from us with tears in his eyes. Kate crossed the room and put her hands around his waist hugging him close.
The sobbing in Wayne's voice was clear. "You can talk now. I know that this probably means the end of our friendship. Actually, don't say a word."
Kate let go and turned him around. I had never seen him in such a state. Tears were almost pouring out of his eyes. She took a napkin from the table and began to gently wipe at them. After a few minutes she reached up and pulled his head down and looked into his eyes. She was silent but she didn't keep her mouth shut for long. Leaning forward she placed her lips against his for a kiss that could almost match one of Todd's and mine.
Todd looked at me and smiled as he got up. He crossed to me and pulled me to my feet to finish what Kate and Wayne had interrupted earlier. It felt so good. Only about a minute had passed when I heard a voice. What's it take to finish a kiss around here?
"We leave two lovebirds alone for a few minutes and come back to find four." Gram said with a chuckle.
The four of us pulled away. She gave a stern look my way. Smiling I held up Todd's right hand to show her the ring and gave her a quick nod that everything was okay. Kate, Wayne, Todd and myself were all wearing red on our faces.
Kate explained, "Em, I thought that only blonds were supposed to be dumb. After all this time I find out that the one guy I have loved for years has felt the same way about me." She looked at Todd. "How did you figure it out so fast after just meeting us?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Just the way that you two acted toward each other and spoke to each other told me what was going on."
Kate was puzzled. "Do you think you could make it a bit more clear for this dumb redhead?"
She had better watch out; he had on a smirk. "Okay, how's this? You both are like an old married couple with each other."
I heard her gasp as her eyes went wide and she marched indignantly right over to Todd. Throwing her arms around him and planting a kiss on his cheek she said, "Thank you so much. After such a short time I can see what Gerry sees in you."
Of course my modest Todd turned red before he spoke. "You and Wayne love Gerry, and he loves the both of you. I can't say that I feel the same about you two, but I'm sure it won't be long before I do."
Wayne came over and made it a group hug. "I'm sure I speak for Kate when I say that the same goes for us."
"It sure does." She said.
I was feeling left out. "What about me?"
Kate turned around and stuck out her tongue. "It's our first hug from a truly `awesome man'. You just have to wait your turn." Todd blushed again.
Gram interrupted at that point. "I hate to break up you hug fest, but we do have some plans for today. Remember?"
I looked at Todd. He could tell that I wanted to say something private. Coming over to me, I whispered to him. He smiled and whispered back. I nodded.
"If you two think that you can clean yourselves up a bit between now and seven and I can get the reservations changed for two more people." I stopped and looked at my man. "Todd, it's your place to finish this."
He smiled as he looked at Kate and Wayne. "I would be honored if you and your good lady would join us for dinner to celebrate my birthday."
Their faces lit up like children on Christmas. Another point for Todd.
Wayne spoke; "your thoughtfulness good sir humbles us." He bowed with a flourish. "My lady and I accept."
We all laughed. "Guess I never mentioned that Wayne has done a bit of theater." I said.
Todd surprised us all when he bowed with even more of a flourish than Wayne did. "Sir, thy and thy lady's attendance at my dinner is all that I could ask." He stood up and winked at me. "I've been known to do a bit of that myself."
"God help us all. Two thespians in the group." Gram said with her eyes looking heavenward.
We laughed some more as I saw the look on Wayne's face. Yet another point added for mam.
I looked at Todd amazed. "I didn't know you had any theater background."
Time for him to be mister humble again. "I did a few plays in high school, and then several in college. as well as about seven, or so, in different community theater groups."
How many more things were there about him that I didn't know? "You never told me that you went to college."
He looked at me in all innocence. "You never asked, baby. I guess that I should have a degree by now, but I spent a lot of time being a part-time professional student. I've dabbled in a lot of different majors and just never bothered to finish."
Looking at him I had to know. "And just what were those majors, Todd?"
He had a very sheepish look as he began. "Well, I almost have enough credits for a theater degree."
I gave him a stern look. "And?"
"And math, mostly calculus." He said.
I nodded my head. "And?"
"Chemistry." He added.
Looking him right in the eye, he knew he better let it all out.
"Okay, I also have nearly a degree in Spanish, French, German and Speech Communication."
[my astonishment hit him hard] Quickly I added it all up. He had almost seven degrees. "And just what are you lacking to finish those degrees?" I had to know. [embarrassment flowed to me]
"I need two English Composition classes, a history class and two physical activity classes." He said with his head down.
"And if you took those classes, which of the ones that you mentioned would you have a degree in?" I asked, almost knowing the answer.
He looked up at me like a little kid expecting a beating. Wincing, he said, "all of them."
I looked around me at the astonishment on everyone's faces that must have matched mine. Almost whispering, I said, "You aren't kidding, are you?"
Shaking his head, he said, "No."
"And, just what is your grade point spread out over so many majors?" I asked, feeling like this was some weird dream.
"I think it's something like a 3.65." He answered.
"You managed to do this while working full time too, didn't you?" I inquired.
"Well, that's what killed my grade point. The last semester that I took any classes, they changed my work schedule. I was taking 17 credits and they put me on a 72-hour a week schedule." He explained.
"You must have been in school at least four nights a week with that many credits." I stated.
Todd smiled at me. "Actually, it was six nights a week; I went on Saturdays too. What made it really rough was keeping up with the tutoring and when they had me work double shifts as well."
I nodded. "A person can understand with that kind of schedule, that you had to have help."
He shook his head. "No, I was the tutor. Some of the others needed help and I volunteered. It was only one or two hours a night after class. And they all passed." He said proudly.
To say that I was completely stunned didn't even come close. Glancing at the others, they were feeling much the same. I was re-thinking my calling him awesome. Somehow, it now seemed like an understatement.
I carefully thought about what I was going to say. Making sure that he could `sense' my determination, I spoke. "Todd, there is no question in my mind that we are both going to be in school in a few weeks. Do I make myself clear, young man?"
The smile on his face showed it all. "If you really think I should, Gerry, than I will."
I was about to go ballistic when I saw the slight smirk he was wearing. "Let me explain." He said, looking at us. "I took all of those classes because I was interested in the subjects; I really didn't care about getting a degree. What did I want some piece of paper for? Sure, I work for an international company and it could probably get me a much better job. But, I didn't care. With no one to share it with, what good would it be? Gerry, since you've come into my life, I feel that I have a purpose. I want you to be proud of me. I'll get those degrees and more if you want. You're going into the medical field soon. The last thing you want is some poorly educated Neanderthal waiting at home."
He was about to make me angrier than I had ever been. How dare he talk about himself that way.
"Gerry!" Grams almost shouted at me. Her eyes were wide with worry.
Realizing what I had almost done, I closed my eyes for a few moments and thought about nothing but my love for Todd. His love flowed back to me. I opened my eyes to see that I had held it all in check. Todd was okay, and nothing bad had happened. There was something that could be done to diffuse any negative ideas.
"Neanderthal. That would explain a lot." I said, knowing very well how big my smirk was.
"And, just what do you mean by that?" He asked.
"Well, you did make a lot of grunting sounds this morning and I noticed a lot of loose hairs all over the bedclothes." I said in a serious tone.
Todd gave me such a look. "First the Pops, and now this? You are really asking for it, I hope you know!" He had a bit of a smirk himself.
"What's this about Pops?" Of course Kate had to ask.
I gave her and Wayne a detailed story about breakfast. When I was done the two of them were having a tough time holding back their laughter.
Todd shook his head. "Go on and laugh now, but remember you both will be on my list right just below Gerry. If, I ever finish the countless paybacks that he has coming, then you two will be next." He had such an serious look on his face.
Kate let loose first, laughing loud and clear, quickly followed by the rest of us, except Todd. He just stood there shaking his head.
"Does the city know that there are five hyenas loose in the streets?" He said with as straight a face a possible.
It sent Kate into an even higher gear. She hiccups when that happens. That got Todd going too. Before long we all were out of breath from laughing.
"I hate to break up the latest comedy team, but it is getting later and later." Gram reminded. She pointed to the phone.
Making the call, I managed to get the reservations changed. We all chatted for a few more minutes before Kate and Wayne left, but not before giving hugs all the way around. We promised to pick them up at her house later.