All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language, please exit now.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Hawthorne Awakening
by
Ritch Christopher
Part Eleven
By the time Steve reached the English house, his anxiety from Wade's distress over the phone, had been replaced with rage. Thelma Gladys Thurman English was a foot stomping, Bible toter from the word "go". Christianity originated to give comfort and solace to those in need. But why did people such as Thelma make everyone around her live in the shadow of hell? Steve had had the basic birds and bees talk with his dad when he was thirteen, but Mr. Jarvis had also educated his son in his own political views. Herman Jarvis, Steve's dad, was a liberal Democrat and very proud of it. This was rather unusual for a native Carolinian.
As Herman gave Steve his lecture on politics, he first made Steve look up the word "liberal" in the dictionary. In modern times, Conservatives frowned on the "L" word as the "N" word once was.
Steve read aloud, "Liberal: having, expressing, or following social or political views that favor revolutionary progress or reform; tending to give freely; generous; tolerant of the ideas of others."
Herman continued by saying, "I'm not as religious as I used to be, but I remember Jesus telling everyone to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless. He told the rich man to sell all his worldly goods and give it to the poor. It's seems to me that Jesus was more liberal than all of us. I just can't see where the religious right wing get off by claiming to be Christians and not following the ways of Christ. They are selfish, self-righteous sons-of-bitches, all."
Steve had always remembered his dad's philosophy and Thelma Gladys English fit the definition of "conservative" to a "tee". This was the twenty-first century where times, habits, cultures, and viewpoints had changed. Thelma, and others like her, were still living in the seventeenth century with the Pilgrims and Puritans. Instead of seeking male love, it would make more sense if Wade sought the comfort of a tender and loving woman since he'd never known female love, either. Maybe Wade's opinion of all women stemmed from the way he saw his mother's behavior and wanted nothing more to do with it.
Steve parked his car in front of Wade's house, jumped out and ran to knock on the door. Thelma answered the door, but cracking it open three or four inches.
"Mrs. English?" Steve said, rather boldly.
"Yes, Steve?" she replied, rather coldly.
"I want to see Wade, please."
"I'm afraid that Wade had gone to bed and he needs his rest. I won't wake him."
"Mrs. English, he's NOT asleep. I talked to him not more than ten minutes ago!"
"Well, I'm sorry, but you still can't see him."
"May I ask why not?"
"Steve, Wade has been hanging around you, Hal, Randy, and Tyler far too long and I'm afraid you've made Wade stray from the way I've tried to raise him."
"Mrs. English, according to the law, Wade is an adult! He's nineteen years old and old enough to decide who his friends are and what kind of life he wants to live."
"As long as he's living under MY roof, he'll do as I say," she said, very emphatically.
"Then maybe it's time that Wade moved out from under you roof."
"And live the life of Satan as the rest of you boys do?"
"I do NOT live the life of Satan, Mrs. English...nor do any of my friends!"
"All your drinking, pot smoking, whoremongering! You call that living a Godly way?"
"I can see you have a rather low opinion of me."
"You chose the life the way you wanted, but Wade will not join you in the eternal lake of fire!"
"Mrs. English you can call me names or make any rash statements you wish, but I'm not leaving here until you let me see Wade."
"All I can say is I hope you enjoy sleeping in your car because Wade is NOT seeing you tonight...or any other night in the future!" She tried closing the door but found it to be impossible as Steve wedged his foot in the door opening.
It was at that moment that Steve heard Wade calling his name from a distance.
"STEVE? STEVE? Is that you?" Wade called distantly from upstairs.
"It sounds to me that Wade is no longer asleep!" Steve said to Thelma. "I'M HERE, BUDDY! COME ON DOWN!" He yelled at Wade.
"I CAN'T, STEVE!" Wade cried out. "MOTHER HAS MY DOOR LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE!"
"Jesus Christ, Mrs. English! I can't believe what Wade just said!"
"Don't you dare go using the Lord's name in vain!"
"Mrs. English, if you don't open his door, I'm calling the police to tell them that you're holding your own son hostage!"
"Don't try to threaten me, Steve Jarvis! I know what I'm doing and it's for Wade's own good."
"Pardon my politically-incorrect English, Mrs. English, but you're full of shit!"
"What did you just say to me, you impudent delinquent?"
"I said to step aside or you're gonna get a black eye when this door hits you!"
"You wouldn't dare...!"
"Oh, wouldn't I?"
It didn't take much force but Steve pushed the door with all his might, sending Thelma English hurling backward onto the living room floor. Steve climbed the staircase two steps at a time, and sure enough there was a padlock on the sill of Wade's bedroom door. With one swift kick, Steve broke the door open and Wade rushed into his arms.
"Steve, I'm so sorry," Wade said, holding back tears. "I didn't mean to get you involved this way. There's no telling what she'll do to you!"
"I'll just have to take my chances, won't I?" Steve said, wiping Wade's cheeks with his hand. "Now, I want you to hurry and pack as many of your things as you can. YOU'RE LEAVING HERE NOW WITH ME!"
"I can't Steve!"
"Like hell you can't! Take as many clothes as you can. It doesn't matter if they're in a suitcase or not. I'll carry what you can't, but just hurry, we're getting out of here!"
Thelma English had gained her composure, stood at the bottom of the stairs and yelled, "I'm calling the police!"
"GOOD!" Steve hollered. "I want them to see the padlock you put on Wade's door. That'll certainly give you pastor something to preach about on Sunday...because I'll call him and tell him myself."
Wade had a red plaid, vinyl suitcase with a zipper that he used to go to Bible camp. He piled as many shirts, pants, socks, and underwear that would fit and zipped them up.
"What about my shaving gear and such?" Wade asked.
"Leave it. You can use mine or we can buy some new stuff!" Steve replied. "Are you ready?"
Wade nodded his head, "Yes".
"Then, let's get the fuck out of here!"
"But...?" Wade tried to interject.
"Look, I'm know it's gonna be a great temptation, but when we get down the stairs, DON'T LOOK AT YOU MOTHER, WHATEVER YOU DO! And for God's sake, don't say anything or look back when we go out the door!"
The idea of moving out of his house and away from his mother had Wade, all but trembling. He was leaving with the new love of his life and that's all that should matter.
Steve and Wade reached the bottom of the staircase and Thelma was standing at the foot, arms folded and blocking their exit.
"Mrs. English, MOVE!" Steve commanded. "I don't want to get violent, but if you force my hand...you're gonna regret it."
"I'll see Wade dead first!" She screamed.
"Not in this lifetime, Mrs. English. Wade had a new life ahead of him and I'm gonna see that he gets to enjoy it."
Steve turned around to get the suitcase from Wade. He held it in front of him and used it to push Mrs. English's body aside. Wade did as Steve asked, and didn't look at his mother. Instead he looked at the back of Steve's head and followed him out the door, down the sidewalk and into the passenger's side of Steve's car.
"Where are we going?" Wade asked, fearfully.
"We're going to my house for tonight, and tomorrow we're gonna take a long trip out of town!" Steve said as he started his car and skidded away on the pavement.
"Where to?"
"Have you ever been to New Hampshire?"
"You know I've never been outside Hawthorne. Have you been to New Hampshire?"
"No, but we're going."
"But why there?"
"We're going to pay a visit to my cousin Johnny and his lover, Jeff, who's a priest there."
"Do they know we're coming?"
"Not yet, but I know they'll treat us well once we get there."
Mrs. Jarvis was not at all surprised to see Wade entering her house with Steve carrying Wade's suitcase. She could surmise what had just happened. Nora Jarvis was no fool. She could put two and two together and fully understand what happened and why her son was taking such a guardian attitude over Wade. She knew that it was Wade whose last name ended with an "E" was the reason for the sudden change in Steve's demeanor. If her son had decided that he was gay, they so be it! And if Wade was the new love in his life, then that was all right, too. Not a word had to be said for as soon as Wade entered the doorway; Mrs. Jarvis grabbed Wade and hugged him to her breast.
"Please come in, Wade, and make yourself at home," she said.
"Thanks, Mrs. Jarvis."
"Wade, why don't you call me, Tess, or maybe what Steve calls me, 'Mom'?"
Calling Mrs. Jarvis, "mom" embarrassed Wade at first. How much did she know? And if she knew EVERYTHING, how could she be so accepting of his and Steve's new relationship? He was puzzled, but immediately felt safe.
<><><><><><><><>
To Tyler's disbelief, his parents, Nora and Fred Groom swallowed the bitter pill and accepted the news about Tyler and Randy's newly acquired relationship when Ethel Sage called to invite the Grooms to her house for dinner. Like Steve's parents, they too, were all liberal Democrats and could see nothing wrong with the way their son wanted to live his life.
The Sages and the Grooms were seated at Ethel Sage's dinner table while Randy and Tyler waited upstairs in Randy's room, nervously before making a grand entrance. The boys had showered, shaved, and primped to look their best. Randy had loaned Tyler fresh clothes and had taken turns to splash lemon body lotion on one another. The two had taken time to trim the other's hair and combed it to perfection. Neither of them had ever looked so good. Since the cat was out of the bag, they wanted to make the best possible impression on the awaiting "in-laws" downstairs.
Ethel speculated that both boys were stalling and perhaps were apprehensive about facing their respective parents, especially since she was the only one who had talked openly about the new relationship. She got up from the table and went to the bottom of the stairs and called the boys to come down.
"Randy? Tyler? What's keeping the two of you? I've kept dinner warming so long it's probably overcooked by now!"
"We'll be down in a sec, Mom," Randy replied.
"Randy Sage! You said that thirty minutes ago. So, come on down, NOW, the two of you!" She called back.
Fred Groom was a heavy set, bald, jolly man who could always make light of any situation. He looked at the other three parents and asked, "Should we hum, 'Here Comes The Groom'?" and laughed heartily.
"Fred, don't you dare!" Nora, his wife warned him. "This is a rather awkward circumstance for all of us, but imagine how the boys must feel!"
"Nora," Jim Savage spoke up, "I can't say that I was surprised when Ethel called me and told me about our sons. In my opinion what they learned about each other was inevitable. I wondered why it took them so long to recognize the obvious? They've been inseparable all their lives. They're highly compatible and if they truly love each other, then why shouldn't they spend the rest of their lives freely and happy?"
"Here! Here!" Fred Groom added. "Can you imagine Thelma Gladys English accepting her son being gay? Pity the day!"
"God knows, she would suffer a stroke immediately," Nora said, "after she killed poor Wade."
The four parents laughed out loud.
"Come on, dammit!" Randy whispered to Tyler at the top of the stairs.
"I just don't know if I can face them," Tyler replied.
"You saw how my mom reacted and she said that my dad wasn't a bit shocked when she called him at work to tell him," Randy assured him.
"Yeah, but my parents might act differently," Tyler said.
"They came to dinner, didn't they?"
"Well...yes."
"Then, buck up and let's go face the music."
"You're really sure about this?" Tyler asked.
"About what?"
"About your loving me?"
"Goddammit! What do I have to do to convince you...go downstairs to the dining room stark naked and have sex in front of our folks."
"Fuck, no, Randy! But you know what I mean..."
"Look, you love me, don't you?"
"Yes."
"And I love you...right?"
"Yes...only remember once we face them and let it be known that we're a couple now, there's no turning back."
"Your right, Tyle, there's no turning back...forever and ever!" Randy leaned forward to peck Tyler on the lips.
Tyler grinned and said, "OK, I'm ready."
The two boys came down the stairs to the main floor and walked into the dining room. The four parents stood and looked seriously at their two sons and began to applaud. Randy and Tyler blushed and Randy grabbed Tyler's hand to hold.
"Well, it's about time...you two love birds!" Ethel exclaimed which made the boys faces turn even redder.
"I suppose we have to chip in now and buy you a couple of tickets to San Francisco to make this union legal!" Fred said, chuckling.
"If that's what they want to do, Fred, then why not?" Nora replied.
"Mom...Dad..." Tyler said, "Randy and me have no plans of getting married. I mean gay doesn't necessarily mean we're queer. I mean, it would embarrass the heck out of both of us to walk down the aisle and get married so the townsfolk of Hawthorne could have a field day of gossipin' and hecklin'!"
"Tyler," Jim spoke up, "the six of us know how hard it's gonna be for the two of you anyway, but as long as all of us accept the two of you, then to hell with everybody else. I mean, it's not like either of you are in any danger of losing you jobs. Randy works for me and Tyler works for Fred. It's just a matter immediately of where you two want to live. I know damned well that you'll want to live together now. As far as I'm concerned you two can live at my house and I'm sure Fred feels the same way. For the time being it would look less conspicuous if you lived with one of us instead of getting your own place. I don't know about you, Fred, but I think I'm gonna have to give my son a raise. I can't expect my son to take a mate and support him on what he's making now."
"Dad, I..." Randy tried to butt in.
"Jim, whatever salary raise you give your son, Randy, I'll double it for Tyler!"
"Like hell you will," Jim snapped back, "I'll call your double and redouble Randy's raise."
"Then, I'll call..." Fred said, "but I won't go any higher."
"Settled!" Jim replied.
Randy and Tyler couldn't believe their ears. Their salaries had just been quadrupled and neither of them had asked for an extra cent.
"JIM! FRED!" Ethel said, loudly, "enough of this bartering! Are we going to eat or not? The boys and I spent all afternoon preparing a big meal that's being ruined in the warming oven while the two of you stand here auctioning off your own son's salaries."
"Well, Ethel," Fred said, "I for one am starving!"
"You look it!" Nora joked to her husband. "You've probably already had five or six meals today."
"Yes, dear, but how often do I get to taste Ethel Sage's cooking? It's a wonder Jim's not twice as big as I am."
"I suppose the six of us will be having lots of meals together from now on," Jim added.
Nora chimed in, "Oh, just think! We're all going to get to share Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries. You'll be fat as a hog, dear."
"OINK! OINK!" Fred snorted.
"Ethel," Nora continued, "let all the guys take their places at the table and I'll go into the kitchen and help you serve."
Nora exited into the kitchen with Ethel, leaving Randy and Tyler alone with their dads.
There was a momentary silence among the four guys until Jim spoke.
"Are you two guys happy?"
"Yes, sir," Randy and Tyler said together.
"You can thank your stars that Fred and I see eye to eye on your relationship. I think I can speak for both of us. Neither of us is stupid. We've both well-read enough to know that if two people are meant to be together, it doesn't matter whether they're both of the same sex or color. As far as we're concerned, it's God's will. Everything that happens is the way HE meant it to be, so who are we to rebuff His plan with a contrary viewpoint?"
Randy looked at his dad and said, "It's just that neither Tyler nor I expected you to accept us so easily. Hell, we didn't know what was happening between us until a couple of days ago."
"You're still our sons aren't you? You've still got our blood flowing in your veins, don't you? You've practically spent day and night together all you lives, haven't you? So what's changed?"
Tyler looked at Fred, "Dad, do you feel the same way as Mr. Sage?"
"Son, Jim's right!" Fred replied, "He spoke for the two of us."
"You're not ashamed?" Tyler asked.
"Are you and Randy ashamed?"
"No sir."
"Then why should Jim and I be ashamed for you?"
"Thanks, dad."
Fred leaned forward on the table to speak softly so that Ethel and Nora couldn't hear from the kitchen, "Only son, some time when we're alone and you feel like talking...you know...father to son...you gotta tell me what two guys do together when they're alone."
"Dad..." Tyler blushed.
"Well, I've always wanted to know and never knew anyone who could tell me first handed," Fred laughed.
"You never told me what you and Mom do," Tyler said.
"I guess I just got my answer," Fred said. "But, still I wonder..."
"You nosy old fart!" Jim said, joking.
"Well, Jim, haven't you wondered too?"
"No, not really," Jim replied.
"You mean YOU KNOW? HOW, for God's sake? JIM, don't tell me that you...?"
"I won't tell you anything, you old coot!"
Randy looked at his dad with a puzzled look. Was his dad implying that he...? Of course not! But then...?"
"Dinner is served!" Ethel announced as she and Nora returned from the kitchen loaded down with four bowls of food each.
The dinner set before them looked delicious. Ethel and Nora sat down to join the men and Ethel looked at her husband, "Jim, are you going to say 'grace'?"
"Sure!" Jim said. Everyone bowed his head. "Dear Lord, we come before you today in Thanksgiving, thanking you for joining our two families as one. We pray that you will bless our sons, Randy and Tyler, and give them a long and happy life together for many years to come. Give them strength to stand up to and adversities they might be confronted with. Let them know that you bless and sanctify the union of two persons' love, no matter what gender they are. Give them peace, love, and happiness now and forever. Amen."
"Amen," Fred echoed.
"That was sweet, dear," Ethel said.
"Thanks, Dad," Randy said, with tears in his eyes. "I love you and Mom."
"Dad, Mom," Tyler said, "I feel the same way. I love you both." Then, Tyler looked at Randy's parents, "Mr. Sage, Mrs. Sage?"
"Now, that's GOT TO STOP! You can't go on calling us 'Mr. and Mrs. Sage' if you're gonna be our son's...mate, spouse, husband, or whatever you are. You gotta call us Jim and Ethel, Dad, number two...Mom, number two...no, 'number two' means something else...but NO MORE 'MR. and MRS.', OK?"
"That goes for you, too, Randy," Fred added.
"Why don't you call us, Mama Nora and Daddy Fred?" Nora said.
"That's fine," Randy replied.
"And Mama Ethel and Daddy Jim?" Ethel said to Tyler.
"Suits me!" Tyler said, grinning. It was impossible to tell whose face was beaming most, Randy's or Tyler's as the two of them looked at each other. Everything that seemed impossible was now possible. The six of them ate and laughed lovingly at the dinner table for the next hour.
<><><><><><><><><>
Noah managed to keep as low a profile as possible around the campus. He hadn't officially reported to the administration office that he'd returned early. His dorm mates would assume he had and since there was always safety in numbers, Noah was able to slip into the dining halls for meals or wouldn't be missed should he decide to skip a meal and go off campus for a burger or quick meal. He enjoyed his little cat and mouse game by "being at school" but nor really. He still had three weeks before his senior term was to begin. So, if he was careful and played his cards just right, these three extra weeks were like an additional vacation where he could come and go as he pleased without being questioned or getting caught.
From the moment that Fr. Steve had driven him back to school from Signal Point, with the hope of a "date" with Fr. Steve on Friday night, that's was the focus of Noah's every waking thought. He was positive that he could manipulate Fr. Steve in having sex with him...and who knows how long the relationship might last? Wouldn't it be fantastic to have an off-campus lover the entire senior year?
In the solitude of his room, he could envision Fr. Steve's naked muscular thighs. Fr. Steve had worn loose running shorts and as they ran from Signal Point backed to the parked car at the Alexian Village parking area, Noah ran alongside Fr. Steve and kept eyeing his crotch which revealed Steve was not wearing underwear or a jockstrap as his freely swinging sex organs flopped from one side of the shorts to the other. Noah knew that the shorts were hiding a hefty piece of meat beneath.
Noah used this image for a masturbatory fantasy as soon as he returned to his room...and again...and again. How thrilling it would be for Noah to slide his hand under the garment and latch on to what he wanted most. Noah decided that if or rather, when, he got Steve alone and prepped for their first sexual encounter, he was more than willing to let Steve do anything or whatever Steve desired to do to him...romantic sex or rough sex...it didn't matter. He would win Steve's affection, no matter what it took.
He found a copy of the Chattanooga Times Free Press to peruse the movie page. Hopefully, there would something sexually arousing playing at one of the downtown theatres. Fortunately, this weekend's movie choices offered new features starring Brad Pitt, Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe, Heath Ledger. Any of these would assist Noah's plight for an evening of sex with the Father. These four Hollywood hunks were but a few of Noah's "get off" fantasy boyfriends. In the past, just watching any one of the four on screen would cause Noah to slide his hand down his pants and grab hold of his own organ for the duration of the picture. How great it would be if Steve would let him slide his hand down Steve's waistband or vice-versa! Noah was really making big plans for their "date".
Wednesday afternoon finally arrived. It was time to call Zephyrhaven and finalize the date. He retrieved Steve's card from his wallet and went to a pay phone down the road from the campus so that he could talk freely without any of his dorm mates around.
The phone at Zephyrhaven rang three times before a young woman answered.
"Zephyrhaven," she said.
"Hello, I would like to speak with Father Steve Duncan. He's expecting my call," Steve replied to her.
"Pardon?"
"Father Steve Duncan," Noah repeated. "I would like to speak with him."
"I'm sorry sir, but is Father Duncan visiting someone at Zephyrhaven?"
"No, he works there. I believe he's in charge of your facility."
"Sir, you must have the wrong number. I know of no one on the staff here by that name."
"Is your administrator's first name Steve?"
"I'm afraid not. Our administrator is a woman and believe me her name is not Steve. Miss Sandra Freeman is our administrator."
"There must be some mistake," Noah said. "Isn't this a facility for AIDS, HIV, and cancer patients?"
"No sir, Zephyrhaven is a psycho-social rehab center for former psychiatric patients. We assist our members to readjust themselves back in the community when they've been discharged from state mental hospitals."
"Your place IS called ZEPHYRHAVEN, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Well, by chance to you know of a facility which houses AIDS and HIV patients nearby?"
"No sir, I've been employed at Zephyrhaven since its conception nearly five years ago and I know of no such facility in Chattanooga. When I was a social worker, I often wished there were such a place to send members of my former caseload to."
"Ma'am, if I described a person to you, would you be able to tell me if you have a resident there that fits the description."
"Sir, if you described him to the 'nth' eyebrow on his face, I would not be able to give you that information. We are sworn to client and resident confidentiality. We do not give out names or data on anyone."
"What if I were to take a cab and come over there. Would I be able to see for myself if Father Steve Duncan was there?" Noah asked, extremely frustrated.
"You'd only be allowed to visit IF one of our residents was expecting you. One just can't come here and gawk or stare; and more importantly, the client's doctor would have to have a written order saying that he could receive visitors. Our facility is not like a zoo. It's very private and most of our residents choose for their being here to remain a secret."
"But I was told that you have volunteers who work there. Father Steve invited me to come there and see if I wanted to offer my services."
"Sir, I do not wish to sound rude, but your coming here would be a waste of time...yours and ours. You would not be admitted past my office and from your description of Zephyrhaven, this is NOT the place you have in mind."
There was a long pause at both ends of the conversation.
Finally, the young woman said, "Will there be anything else, sir?"
"No...I guess not," Noah replied, dejectedly.
"Then, thanks for calling and have a nice day."
She hung up the phone.
Had Noah entered "The Twilight Zone" of some time warp? The onslaught of emotions all but made him stagger as he walked away from the pay phone. He was confused, hurt, puzzled, angry, embarrassed, depressed, afraid. dejected, lonely...all wrapped into one. Had Steve made a fool or sucker out of him? Their new friendship seemed so real, so caring, and so hopeful. He HAD Steve's business card. That was proof in his hand that he hadn't imagined the episode. The conversation, the jogging, the ride down the mountain, the 'making the date for Friday' were all real...weren't they? Of course, Noah had never heard of a place called Zephyrhaven. He didn't invent the name. After all, it was printed on Steve's card and the phone number was that of Zephyrhaven...but this was a center for crazy people to get back into society. Was Steve a client there? Was he crazy as well? He drove his own car...at least Noah assumed it was Steve's car.
Next, Noah remembered all the time he had spent lusting after the priest day and night for two days. His sexual fantasies were just that...fantasies, never to become real. Had Noah fallen in love with a mirage or someone who didn't exist? Noah began to doubt his own sanity because the "thing" with Steve was so real. Noah didn't do drugs, he didn't drink, and he had never remembered hallucinating before.
What if? What if the young woman to whom he had spoken on the phone was insane? What if she had told him lies? There was only one way to get to the bottom of the mystery. Noah went back to the phone and called a Yellow Cab. He would go to Zephyrhaven and find out the truth for himself.
<><><><><><>
(To be continued in "Hawthorne Awakening" Part Twelve.)