I Nearly Missed America

I Nearly Missed America - Part 2

I Nearly Missed America - Part 2

by Steve Snow

Well, you could have scraped me up off the floor when I got the call...  Meara is Randy’s girlfriend and he must have given it a lot of thought.  I hear he was back in town recently and it’s only been a year-and-a-half since that fateful night I gave him that blowjob on the way back from my vacation.  I guess they’ve worked out the details and Meara wants some pointers on the fine art of giving head.  I don’t know Meara other than what Randy has told me which isn’t very much and only in a couple of letters since I met him.  I can make some assumptions but I don’t want to step on Randy’s toes here and I need to get her to open up and spill some beans so I won’t be the one to bring up things first.  It’s a pity he pops into town and is back out before I know it but that must be the life of a young Marine.

In any case, I need to plan our get-together so that Randy can get what he needs here.  I do know that Meara is starting to become more comfortable with giving head but still is a little raw and could use some polish to her technique.  I have thought about the best process to go about giving my class and I think it should be arranged the way flight school is organized with a good foundation in the fundamentals in the classroom followed by some practice in the field.  I will be taking the role of Flight Instructor for the classroom part and because I’m almost certain I couldn’t get it up for the practical demonstration part I have asked my two roommates if one of them would volunteer.  Thad has the same problem I do and that leaves Gerry.  He has eagerly volunteered to be “designated dick” and this surprised Thad a bit and I just know that it will result in some late-night discussions between those two regarding Gerry’s new-found bisexual nature.  For my part, nothing about Gerry surprises me any more.  He is just amazing.

In order to prepare for my class I need some examples:  Off to the greengrocer I go and I get some appropriately-shaped vegetables for practice.  I’ve come home with a bag of out-sized carrots and some burpless cucumbers.  I wash everything and get to work on one special carrot which seems to have some appeal.  I peel it and trim the ends and narrow down the base a little and, working from memory, I get to work with my paring knife.  Within a couple of hours I have a handy Randy stand-in that passes my memory test.  (Randy, of course, wasn’t this orange but otherwise it seems to me to be a good likeness and I need to restrain myself from taking it for a test-drive only to preserve its sanitary nature.)  I also prepare one of the cukes with a bit more generic features and keep that one mostly skin-on for the deep-throat practice and to illustrate the correct way to deal with her teeth.  “Randy” and “Cukie” go into a bag and into the fridge.

Not very much later as I’m getting ready to walk into the kitchen for dinner a whoop goes up from the general direction I’m going.  I look around the corner and Gerry is holding the plastic bag for Thad to examine.  As he sees me Gerry asks: “Nick, why are there dildos in the vegetable crisper?”

“Just practice objects for tomorrow.”

“Is this supposed to be Randy?”  He holds up the carrot-dick.

“Close as I can remember...”

“You lucky guy; and think of Meara getting this all the time.  She has my newfound respect.”

Thad chimes in: “That’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen even if it isn’t real.  Nick, you sure you’re not exaggerating?”

I make a cross over my heart to reply.  “You guys ready for the flight test?”

Gerry replies: “Ready, willing and able, sir.”

“And Thad, you’re alright with it?”

“Especially if she lets me watch.”

“That will be up to her.  I hope she and Randy discussed the possibility of a live demonstration before he took off again.  I’ll need to ask her tactfully.  I don’t want Randy to think she’s been cheating on him.”

“With a gay guy?  What fun would that be for him?”

Gerry comments now: “Watch me.  I’ll definitely get into it.”

“This should be interesting... Nick, will you be joining us?”

“Guys, she needs her privacy at least a little.  If I was there it would be a little too much like an orgy.  She can choose to leave you out too, Thad.  No jealousy?”

“Naaa.  I’ll just be bored.”

“I declare you’re ready for this  - I hope I am.  Let’s eat.  Gerry, put away the dildo... uh the anatomically correct models, will you?”

Next morning, Meara arrives fashionably late.  I make the introductions and Thad and Gerry fade out to let us begin.  I gingerly explain how I came to know Randy and try to probe her gently to see what she knows and how much Randy is in support of what we’re about to do.  Meara spills the beans immediately; Randy has told her everything about his past and given her chapter-and-verse about our time in the back of that bus.  I shouldn’t have expected anything else from Randy, Marine that he is.  I start now in earnest:

“OK, Meara, I proclaim ‘Cocksucker 101’ class is in session.  Tell me, what do you think are your strengths in this area and what are your weaknesses?”

“I’m getting comfortable with having his cock in my mouth and I can eventually get him off that way but I’m a little tentative yet with swallowing his cum and he complains I could be more gentle with my teeth.  He doesn’t bleed but I see the places where I’ve scraped him and it must hurt.”

“Probably.  At least we know where we’re starting and you have a good handle on the areas where you need some help.  I think I’ll also add some tune-up exercises so you’ll have some additional techniques to pleasure Randy in special ways and you’ll be able to give him greater pleasure and get him off more quickly when that’s called for and also give you some tips about how you can prolong the experience when you’re in the mood to torture Randy a bit if you’re of a mind to do that.”

“Thank you, Nick.  Please, let’s get started!”

“Just so.  First, we should start with the basics.  Of course you know the mechanics of this as well as I do but not owning one of the implements yourself, you may not know it from the inside out.  You probably know where the penis is most sensitive in almost everyone, right?”

“Yes – the underside just behind the corona?”

“Right.  There are other places that are quite sensitive – the edge of the opening is that way for some and the full distance around the corona is almost as sensitive as the underside for many.  How about what features of your own anatomy you can use to stimulate these areas?”

“Lips and tongue?”

“Primarily.  You can gently use your teeth along with your tongue as well if the head is only just inserted in your mouth.  You can cause some unexpected pleasure if you catch the corona between the tongue and the top teeth and squeeze the corona slightly with pressure from the tongue against the teeth or from the underside.  You have to be sure that your teeth are smooth and have no sharp or rough edges, though.  You can also use the muscles in the throat to massage the head if you don’t have too sensitive a gag reflex.  How is your gag reflex?”

“It seems to be getting better.  I was gagging a lot at first but not so much now.  There’s still some nervousness about an unexpected orgasm causing me to choke.”

“That can be a problem but for both the gag reflex and the fear of drowning, practice makes perfect.  You can usually tell when the orgasm is near by external signs like the tension of his thigh or calf muscles or the state of his anus.  You can get a lot of clues and provide some extra stimulation that way if he’s not put off by that kind of contact (and you aren’t either.)”

“Good ideas.  I never know what to do with my hands.  I suppose they can be good for something at that.”

“Once you get better at judging his level of excitement and nearness to orgasm, you can also slow down the pace and back him off the peak and play with him for a while.  It can provide more of that practice time you need to become more perfect at it.”

“Great.  What about dealing with the eventual orgasm?  You know the kind of volume we’re talking about here.”

“Yes, I remember.  You need to do one of two things: Either get his dickhead into your esophagus directly by opening the throat valve and swallowing his dick if you can – remember you have to hold your breath until he’s finished; be prepared and don’t be gasping for extra air; or leave some room at the bottom of your throat and as the orgasm progresses you rise up the shaft making more room for cum.  Just don’t try to swallow until you’re sure he’s done.  He has to be sensible not to be thrusting during that time and let you control the action.  I seem to remember Randy has that down.  Just control his motion with your hands to remind him you’re in control for that last step if he forgets in his passion.”

“I’ve often had trouble holding all his cum in my mouth and I dribble some of it out.”

“Right.  Start the cum deeper in the throat and you’ll have more room.  Also, you won’t taste it as much as if he comes directly on your tongue.  Most of it will be down your throat before you can even taste it.  You’ll get used to it in time but some find the bitterness a bit tough to take.  (For myself, I like the flavor now but it did take some getting used to.)  Remember that Randy will cum on a deep thrust and start his spasms once he contacts the bottom of your throat. (He makes a tiny squeak then.)  That’s how he’s wired so use that to your advantage and if you want to control when he cums, have him bump into the back of your throat when the time is right for you.  Remember you can be in charge of the timing if you want.”

“That’s a help.  Won’t he mind, though, me being in charge?”

“He’ll be so delirious he will love it.  Guys are feeling-driven at that moment and you’ll have him so high he won’t know which end is up.”

“That should work.”

“Also remember that in those seconds just before ejaculation the penis becomes almost anesthetized from normal feeling so stimulating his member then is not so productive but just after he finishes, the feelings can rush back and become much more intense for him, sometimes painfully so.  Be careful especially at that time and protect your teeth with your lips so that you don’t scrape him then since that would be particularly painful.  You can play around with the post-ejaculation time and see what he will tolerate.  Some guys like some after-cum play and others can’t stand it.  You can even get a second, weaker ejaculation in some guys.  Those can be the best.  Most guys will find it too overwhelming, though.”

“How am I going to remember all this when it counts?  I get pretty passionate myself when I’m blowing Randy and I’m afraid I’ll forget something important.”

“That’s where the practice comes in...  You’ll need to rely on your sense-memory to give you cues then you’ll remember intellectually just after it kicks in.”

“Sense memory; what’s that?”

“You’ve heard people say ‘you never forget how to ride a bicycle’?  That’s sense-memory at work.  You program yourself to keep that delicate balance so you don’t fall.  The painful memories of falling and the memory of the exhilaration of getting it right work together to reinforce your sense-memory.  I’ll bet you don’t think twice how to tie your shoes any more.  That’s sense-memory too.”

“I see.  I never thought about giving a blowjob as something like that – like second nature.  That’s a different way to look at it.”

“For a gay man at least, it does become like second nature.  It’s kind of fundamental.  You can set your body on auto-pilot and concentrate on the fine points and the passion.  How he’s responding and how to excite him even further become what you think about and not the mechanics of the act.”

“I guess Randy was correct – you are the right teacher.”

“Well I don’t want to upset you and I don’t think you’ll be offended by this but when I was giving Randy that BJ in the back of the bus I was motivated by pure love.  I really liked him and for that instant and in that place he was the only thing in the world to me and giving him pleasure was all I was thinking about.  I wasn’t thinking about the everyday world and all my concerns and worries.  I was focused on only one thing and had only one goal.”

“So it was a little bit of an obsession then.”

“A mix of obsession and possession, I think.”

“Oh.  I’m starting to see.”

“There’s no such thing as a casual blowjob if you’re doing it right.  I bet you never think of it casually when you two fuck, do you?”

“No, never.  It’s too central to who we are as a couple.”

“Right.  For Randy, at least, getting his cock sucked is like that too.  It’s a minor sacrament.  The reason it’s important is because it’s a gift from you.”

“I like thinking of it that way.  He’s really special and it’s a kind of intimacy I really cherish.  I just need to be able to be really good at it.”

“I think you’ll be a champ.  We can talk about this all day.  Let’s move on to the practical side of things.  I have a couple of surprises for you.”

“I love surprises.  Whatcha get me?  Whatcha get me?”  She said this last with a mock-child voice and was having a lot of fun with it.  I walked over to the fridge and grabbed the models from the bottom drawer and as soon as she could see what I had in the bag her eyes grew as big as saucers.

“Oh, Nick!  What every girl wants...  You’re a real artist at heart.  How did you do that?  It’s perfect.”

“Thanks, Meara, you don’t know what that means to me.  They tell writers to write what you know; the same must go for sculptors – I guess I know dicks and it inspired me; Randy inspired me.  You recognized his then?”

“Of course!  After so many years together I can practically conjure him up out of thin air when he’s not here.  I know all of it so well.  I didn’t think anybody else could memorize it that way, though.  This is a treat.”

“Well, you can use ‘Randy’ for the deep-throat demonstration later if you want.  Right now, though, I’d like to introduce you to Cukie...  He’s a little more generic and we should really start with him first so you can feel free to try out some strategies for dealing with your teeth and not worry about him complaining.  His surface is a little softer and you’ll be able to see the marks more clearly if you slip up.”

“He’s so... green.  Never been with a green guy.  Should be different.”

“Play around with it – try things out.  Adjust the angle of entry to see what works for you.  Try using your lips to shield the teeth if that’s needed or just open your jaws wider if you can.  There’s no penalty for contact here.  Cukie never complains.  I’ve washed off the waxy coating so you shouldn’t get any unpleasant taste.  You like cucumbers, don’t you?”

“Sure.  The nice thing is I’ll get a stronger flavor if I scrape the surface.  That will help me learn what works and what doesn’t.  I think I’ll like cucumbers a lot more after this.”

“Get to experimenting.  You go girl!”

Meara did do some practice with Cukie and gave him a couple of scrapes along the way.  I winced internally watching the action though I could see that she was getting the hang of it.  I never had the opportunity to try out my skills on vegetables growing up; only on live volunteers and we loved every minute of it but I could see this might have made the times we spent “practicing” a little less painful.

Soon I’m satisfied that she’s learned all she’s going to from the academic side of our discussion and I send her off to Thad and Gerry’s room for some practical experience.  I’ve asked Thad to write the blow-by-blow (as it were) description of the goings on in there.

“Hey, Meara... come in.”

“Hi guys.  You seem comfortable.”

“Yeah.  We figured this would be how we’d work this:  Gerry and I will make out for a while ’til he’s ready then you can get your practice on.  Will that be OK?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

“We thought it would be too much to ask you to do the make-out stuff and it makes it a little more like cheating and less the practice session it should be.”

“Yeah, I can see that...  Besides I have a feeling I’ll pick up some pointers along the way by observing you two together.”

“Speaking of observing, I wonder if you’d mind if I watch you two when you get going.  I’ll probably never have another chance to see him getting a B.J. where it’s not me giving it...”

“No problem, Thad.  I’m not self-conscious about it.  Gerry, you’re strangely quiet.  Anything wrong?”

“No... Just psyching myself up.  Tell me, Meara, how do you and Randy do this generally?”

“Mostly sixty-nine.”

Gerry shoots me a desperate look and Meara breaks out into a laugh.

“Gerry, that was cruel.  I’m only kidding... I hope you don’t mind.”

“I nearly had a heart attack!  I don’t think I could cope with that.”

“I figured as much.  You’d need to be pretty hetero or at least a confirmed bisexual to do that.  Really, Randy mostly sits back against the headboard with a pillow behind him and watches me while I blow him.”

“That’s a relief - I think I can handle that assignment.”

“Good.  Guys, start your engines.”

Gerry and I slip off our robes and I’m watching Meara’s face for any signs.  She seems to be enjoying the show...  We kiss and cuddle and I tweak Gerry’s tits then move down to kiss them both while caressing his thighs and the back of his knees; he’s particularly sensitive there.  I move on to tongue the area around his navel which he loves.  I dip in a few times then I reach down and grab hold of his member and he’s firming up nicely but I figure I need to give him just a little more motivation before I turn him over to Meara.

Normally I’d just start sucking him in the condition he’s in and I could get him firmed up that way but this situation calls for something else.   I ascend to Gerry’s head level and then just above and without warning I shove Gerry’s nose directly into my armpit.  He’s squirming a little and I plant a big, wet tongue in his ear.  Now he’s really squirming and squeaky, too.  Once I release him, I look down and he’s a hard as I’ve ever seen him.

Gerry gasps: “What the fuck was that?”

“I know it drives you crazy and makes you hot as hell!  Meara, he’s all yours...”

“Thank you, Thad.”

I also know as I get off the bed that he’ll have the scent of me in his nostrils for a few minutes at least to distract him from Meara’s feminine form, assuming he needs distraction.

“Gerry, you’re so sweet to to volunteer to do this for me.”

She kisses him on the lips gently and while kissing him, reaches down and grabs his dick and gives it a tug.  He gasps and she smiles at him and moves down to the lower level and gives his dickhead a tentative lick and savors a taste of the pre-cum that he is generously leaking now.

Meara licks her lips and starts Gerry’s blow job in earnest.  She encircles the head with her lips and wipes her tongue around the corona and over the slit and savors some more of that pre-cum.  She repeats the same move once again and then starts down the length of Gerry’s dick and doesn’t stop until she has bottomed out in his pubic bush.  While there, she caresses his balls gently and pushes them up against his body.  She also runs her finger in the space between his orbs and idly scratches there just a little.

She raises up now to the top and pauses to pay further attention to the head of Gerry’s dick.  It’s a repeat of the previous cycle from what I can see.  Once she’s through, though, Meara seems to enter a new phase  of the action.  She seems determined to set a rhythm and I can hear Gerry is starting to show his appreciation with his sounds.  He’s moaning low and I can tell he likes this new development.  Meara doesn’t linger long at the bottom but starts back up almost immediately.  Once she tops out I can see she’s straining a bit at something and when she descends, Gerry’s moaning stops dead.  I have to assume she’s had a mis-step and something took Gerry’s concentration away from the pleasurable sensations.  Meara seems to relax and recover and soon Gerry is back to his old familiar tune.  The rhythm is clearly there and she keeps it up steady as a metronome.  Gerry is making more pleasure noises now though the change is subtle.  One more cycle and as soon as Meara changes directions and starts to head south, I see a tell-tale shudder in Gerry’s torso which is so familiar to me.  I know this is his signal that he’s about to erupt and soon Meara stops her downward motion and realizes it too.  She seems a bit uncertain what to do.  Apparently this was unexpected for her.  Only seconds later she smoothly starts to rise up his shaft slowly and is back in control again.  Gerry exhales a breath or two and he shows with his muscle tone that he’s just finishing with his last few pulses and he is getting limp as a dishrag.  Meara comes to the top of her stroke and takes a second then obviously swallows.  She places a last kiss on his dickhead and then Meara ascends Gerry’s body and shares a kiss with him that must have a pretty good sample of his cum.  He seems to be enjoying it (perhaps a bit too much from my viewpoint) when Meara breaks off the kiss and calls over to me: “Hey, Thad, I’m giving a two-for-one sale over here.  Judging by the state of your peter, it looks as if you weren’t bored.  Why don’t you join us and I’ll see if I can get some additional practice in.”

Gerry chimes in: “Yeah, Thad, the water’s warm if you know what I mean.”

I shrug my shoulders and hop into bed and Meara gives me a big kiss.  I was right; Gerry’s familiar flavor is definitely in the kiss.  That just takes any slack that was in my dick away and I’m fully hard now.  Meara travels down my body and gives me the same treatment Gerry just got.  I must say I’m surprised that I’m reacting this way.  I’m not even slightly grossed out about getting my first B.J. from a woman.  I never really had much to do with the girls back home and certainly none ever came on to me.  Must have been the vibe I put out.  I was pretty certain from the first that I knew where my interests lay and it wasn’t girls.  Still, Meara is doing a decent enough job and she’s got all her clothes on so there are no deflating distractions and when viewed from just the right angle, she doesn’t look too different from a long-haired guy except for the hips so I’m not losing interest in this at all.  I smile over at Gerry and he gives me a look of encouragement and I reach over and take his hand.  Things are going pretty well stimulation-wise and I’m coming along.  I start to get into the rhythm and despite myself I’m thrusting up a little to meet Meara’s bobbing lips and she takes me by the thighs and guides me a little to control my thrusts.  She’s not stopping me outright but only limiting the depth to make her comfortable.  Then she takes one hand and curls it under my balls and lands her finger on my asshole.  She massages it a little and keeps that finger right there which doesn’t hurt my excitement a bit.  Surprisingly, I figure she’s going to penetrate me but she doesn’t.  Gerry certainly would have but I’m not caring at this minute.  She does have me flying high and soon I’m at the precipice.  It seems she can sense this and swallows my dick as far as it can go and I feel the head bump the back of her throat.  This is about all I can take and I let go with a pretty intense orgasm that she seems to be able to deal with without much strain.  Once I begin breathing normally again she’s up to kiss me and shares some of my cum with me and then with Gerry as well.

Meara says: “Two very different blow jobs there.  Gerry, no offense, but I’m glad we got Thad to participate.  His responses were much closer to what I expect from Randy and it was good practice on the fine points.  Gerry, I notice that you came in greater volume and I needed to learn first hand how to deal with what would have been an overwhelming flow to me just yesterday.  I think this practice session has been a real success.  Thank you both so much.”

We both thank Meara and hold her hands for a minute and then we all get out of bed and Gerry and I put on our robes and accompany her to the living room where Nick is patiently waiting.  We walk in and all-of-a-sudden the three of us are chattering away simultaneously.

Nick says: “One at a time!  Meara first.”

“That worked out really well.  I got both the guys to participate and each had a different take on things.”

“Well Meara, you must be pretty persuasive.  Did you learn much?”

“Nick, the lesson plan was perfect.  Between the two, I got just what I needed.”

“Guys, any criticisms?”

Gerry pipes up: “Just a little minor scrape with her teeth once but overall, awesome job.”

Thad then adds: “I didn’t have any problems with her teeth.  She really has the end-game down.  Meara seems to know just what to do.”

“Glad to hear it and glad you both were able to participate.  I think it’s time for graduation.  Meara, please approach.”

Once she’s in front of me, she smiles at me and I hand her ceremoniously a “Blow Job University” button that I found on the internet.  She proudly pins it to her blouse.  I take her hands in mine:

“Don’t forget to grab ‘Randy’ from the fridge before you leave and take a plain paper bag to put him in.  Don’t want any stares in the subway.”  She giggles a little and then kisses me on the cheek.

“Nick, you’ve been such a joy.  Too bad I couldn’t give you a happy ending as well.”

“Judging by your performance with Thad, I suspect that could have happened.  You must have just the right elements in your personality.  Randy’s sure lucky to have you.  Listen, speaking of Randy, I want you both to come some day for dinner next time he’s in town.  I really want to re-connect with him and you really need to be here too as his chaperone.  Randy’s so magnetic that if he came alone he’d end up as the main course and though that’s not so bad, I’d like to make it a more social occasion.”

“No problem.  I understand magnetic where it comes to Randy.  Even when we’re together he gets a lot of attention and not a few propositions.  I love that about him.”

“Meara, go forth and blow Randy’s mind.  I’m sure you will.  I love you both.”

            . . . .

I’ve just returned from South Station where I was meeting Willis at the bus depot.  Once we return to the apartment I make the introductions and Thad and Gerry couldn’t be more cordial.  They excuse themselves (it is Friday night, after all) and they go out to dance the night away.  I expect them to come in way after midnight.  I ask Sparky if he’d like to unpack and he agrees.  We start to talk while he’s unpacking and he tells me that he was hoping to take a side trip so he could explore Salem during the Halloween season.  He also explains that he’d like to go in costume and shows me a very believable orange jumpsuit and asks me if I have a dark suit.  I tell him yes and he also shows me a totally convincing pair of handcuffs with a key.  I see what he has in mind and I chuckle a bit under my breath.  Since Sparky will be returning in four days and Halloween isn’t for another week, we’ll necessarily be just a little early but I think we can be forgiven for jumping the gun a bit.  I suspect everyone we meet will get into the charade.

Sparky has finished unpacking and I ask him if he’s hungry and he tells me that he’s eaten already and is getting a little sleepy.  I agree that it would be good to retire early and I promise I won’t be too demanding sex-wise.  Sparky and I strip down for bed and before we lay down I wrap him up in my arms and give him a good kissing session standing there in the bedroom that I hope he’ll someday call his own.  We’ve really gotten into it and I’m conscious of my erection pressing into his belly and of his pressing into mine.  He’s obviously not so tired that he isn’t at least a little interested in play, it seems.  I’m so comfortable here with him even though we’ve only spent a few days together over the last 18 months; I do feel as if he’s my lover and that I have his complete devotion.  I’ve come to know him intimately if at a distance of 147 miles and we have such an amazing communication.  We’ve developed a shorthand way of talking because of the cell phone and we finish each other’s sentences now.  “The boys” commented on it within minutes once they saw us interacting together.  They were such a joy with us for just that brief period earlier and it amazes me that these three people who are the heart of my life have only met each other for the first time just a few hours ago.  Of course both Thad and Gerry have spoken with Willis on the phone on many occasions and they know our story so well because I can’t help myself from retelling it obsessively at every opportunity.  Now they get to take their own measure of this man I care for so deeply and I know they genuinely welcome him to our family.

Just now, though, my attention is drawn back to this familiar body in my arms and I reach down between us and fondle his cock.  He smiles at the touch and knows this is the signal that I am ready to move forward.  I release him from the clinch and walk him to the bed hand-in-hand and have him lie down.  I position him on his back and move into place myself just above his groin.  I study him for just a second and take in the sight I never tire of.  I look at his dick standing up for me and think “Hello, old friend; I’ve missed you” and I give it a kiss.  Willis moans out his reaction to that first contact.  The kiss inspires me and soon I’m engaged in some serious pleasuring.  I slide down Sparky’s pole and bottom out with my nose grazing his pubes and just stay there for a moment and nuzzle his bush with a twist back and forth over his member.  He’s starting to respond and I hear his vocalizations start up with a low growl which proceeds to slowly move up the scale heading towards dog-whistle pitch.  I move back up the shaft until the tip of my tongue is over his coronal ridge and I can give it the attention it deserves.  I land just behind the ridge imagining that I’m tracing the contour and memorizing it for the time when he goes back home.  I trace the furrow there from the top to the place underneath which is the most sensitive.  I do this twice, once clockwise and then counter-clockwise and by now Sparky is moving freely around on the bed responding to the sensations.  I start my second descent and bottom out.  I can feel that Sparky will soon be raising up his hips to meet me from the tension in his legs.  I caress his ass and let him know I’m ready for him.  I start upwards again and this time I let his dick almost slip from my mouth and get my tongue placed so that I’m ready for my next move.  I land the tip of it on his dick’s opening and press in just enough to feel it stretch his piss-slit gently and then trace it top-to-bottom with the very tip of my tongue.  I can feel and taste the slippery pre-cum lubricating the action as I wipe up-and-down just a couple of more times.  I return my tongue to the underside and start the next descent but this time agonizingly slowly.  I am teasing and challenging him and he doesn’t disappoint.  He thrusts his hips upwards in an effort to speed up the motion and increase the friction.  Once he’s up as high as his hips can rise, I reward him by a quick move down to the base of his cock and give his dickhead a squeeze with my throat muscles.  He collapses back onto to the bed and now I start the action in earnest.  This is something I’ve been waiting for and I attack the job with all the enthusiasm I own.  I’m not going to stop pumping until I get a gusher.  I put my hands onto each of Sparky’s hips and curl them under until they’re half buried between his ass and the bed.  Meantime I’m stroking his member in my throat in a nice comfortable rhythm that seems to be what he wants judging by his vocalizations.  I’m doing my thing and it is taking longer than I expect so I know he wasn’t fibbing about being tired, I suppose.  Still I can tell he’s getting there since the dogs in the neighborhood have gathered outside and are barking up a storm (only kidding...) I do hear a slight change in his croon and I think it signals a bit of desperation for relief from my guy.  I put on the pressure and speed up the pace and I can tell he’s appreciating the extra effort.  I know that he has the habit of straightening out his ankles and pointing his toes at the horizon when he gets close.  I’m a little too near to the action to see his feet but I can guess from the angle of his thighs that he’s coming along and I can expect his explosion any old time.  I start to lengthen the stroke and I bump his pubes with my nose and graze his balls with my chin.  I think this is going to be the last adjustment needed  and I squeeze those ass-cheeks I adore a little more firmly now.  I know that something is at the boiling point because suddenly there’s air under my hands and his sounds change from continuous to intermittent and morph from a wail into strangled shouts.  I hurry to the top of my stroke and hold there expectantly and I’m rewarded by a shot of precious Sparky-juice followed by a half-dozen more.  I’m not inclined to swallow yet preferring to savor the flavor while I can knowing I’ll need to be satisfied remembering this and only a few additional occasions of bliss in the coming months while we are separated.  Besides, Sparky has the unusual characteristic of providing freely flowing juices at a slower, steady pace for a minute or more after he orgasms and I don’t want to miss a drop.  He’s stopped his tune and he’s slowing down his breathing and has his hands on the top of my head playing with my hair though he knows full well what I’m doing.  Finally the well runs dry and though I suckle his rod a bit more I need to let go.  He’s signaling me with gentle fingers under my jawbone beside my ears that it is time to rise to his level.  I do as asked and smile my widest smile as he comes into view.  I kiss him and give him a good taste of his own cream as I do and he’s doing a bad job of saying “ummm” while I’m interfering with my tongue.  When our kiss is over, I move upwards just slightly and mimic giving a blow job to his cute pug nose and he pleads: “Nick, st-o-ppp” dragging it out like a petulant child.  This just spurs me on and I’m sloppily kissing all I can find of his face.  He knows it will do no good to protest and waits patiently until I finish with a peck on his full lips.

“What brought that on?”

“I was right on the verge of crying and I figured I’d rather smother you with kisses instead.”

“You nearly did.  That was really sweet but why would you want to cry?”

“I’m anticipating you leaving again.”

“Oh.  We still have a lot of time together.  We could just stay in bed the whole time; I wouldn’t mind.”

“No, I’ll get over it.  I want you to have fun while we’re together.”

“That was fun...”

“You should go back energized, not like something the cat dragged in.”

“If we stayed in bed, I would be exhausted.  Sex takes a lot out of me.”

“You put so much of yourself into it; practically your whole being.  When did the vocalizations start for you?”

I can’t remember.  I couldn’t even jerk off at home if anybody else was there.  I should have been nicknamed ‘BlueBalls’ in high school.”

“We’ve never talked about your school days.  I have the impulse to talk with you all night and absorb every memory you’ll share with me.  I want to know just everything about you; skinned knees and all.  But the same rules apply.  You need your sleep.  We’ll get to it all eventually.”

“Thanks, Nick, for being so understanding.  I am opening up to you though it’s taken time.  It must be love.”

“Of course, you rascal; it’s love all the way.  I want it all but I’m satisfied with what we’ve got now.  I feel so close to you.  Sparky, flip over will you.  I want to get even closer.”

“OK but no funny business... I’m half asleep now.”

“No, that will come later...  Tonight I just want to lay my cock against your ass all night, hold you close and dream of fucking you.  I’ll be lucky if we don’t both wake up sticky in the morning.”

“To tell you the truth, I’ll be thinking about that, too.  I want you there so bad.”

So, Willis and I fell asleep with visions of piston engines dancing in our heads.

Next day we two strictly played tourists and I took him everywhere I could think of that would be even a minor interest including to my job to show him off to my co-workers.  Willis was hesitant but I insisted and I introduced him as my lover to everybody I knew.  Thank goodness my company has an open-minded attitude towards these things.  When we were through there I walked with him over to Castle Island for a stroll around the grounds and we watched the planes landing and taking off at Logan airport.

It’s back to the apartment and we brave the gauntlet once again and Thad and Gerry want to know everything about our day and it takes most of dinner to tell the story.  Amid artificial yawns, Sparky and I feign exhaustion and inform the guys that we will be turning in early.

Willis and I retire to bed and I am determined to do what it is that I have needed to do since I met him... I am going to fuck him silly.  I know that sounds aggressive for me but it is clearly something that we both want since we have been talking about it non-stop both in letters and text messages and phone calls since the day after we met and all the way up to last night.  Sparky had the chance to fuck me on the second night we were together (it was a rather public demonstration of our love with practically the whole warehouse watching) and we both seemed to feel that turnabout was fair play but the stars haven’t aligned until tonight.  Now of course I know Willis’ habit of being vocal during sex; it has become a joke to both of us and I have warned Gerry and Thad to ignore the sounds coming from my room but they weren’t here last night and they haven’t actually heard Willis on a tear when his steam is up.  I thought I was prepared for the task and I get to work on those lovely globes of his prepping him and I am ready with my condom on as usual.  The thing is I didn’t really think things would be much different fucking him than they were when he fucked me.  Yes, he was loud but just loud and the rest was as I expected it.  The same thing last night when I sucked him off.  Loud, but I thought I had heard it all before.  Well, once I get going up his rear, you would think the world was ending.  As I am driving in-and-out of him (and at a leisurely pace at that) he is putting up the most distressing caterwaul I’ve ever heard.  I actually think I’m doing something wrong.  I stop thrusting long enough to check but after getting back his breath he tells me he is OK.

I say: “Do you want to do something else?”

He says “No!  Keep it up!  You know I’m loud.”

“It sounds like I’m murdering you.  I don’t want the police over here.”

“Then get it on quickly.  I need this.”

I screw up my courage and pray the neighbors are out-of-the-house.  I start pumping once again and I am determined to maximize the stimulation for me so that I’ll finish soon and hope that Willis doesn’t end up hoarse for the rest of the visit.  We are going along like a poorly oiled machine sounds just before it breaks down when there comes a knock on my bedroom door.  Of course I can’t hear it for all the Sparky-noises so the door opens a bit and two apprehensive roommates peer in through the opening.  They can see we are both OK but they aren’t leaving.  In fact they come into the room and are starting to have a good belly laugh at our antics!  I catch sight of them from the corner of my eye and gesture to them to get lost but they can’t clearly see with their eyes watering from so much laughter.  They take it as an invitation instead.  Thad gets himself under the two of us and starts sucking on Willis’ dick and Gerry comes up behind me and starts pulling on my balls and fingering my ass.  This has the intended effect regardless of what my opinion is.  I put the transmission into overdrive and start plowing a deeper furrow.  The extra stimulation from an unexpected direction seems to have taken Willis by surprise and for a brief, blessed second he’s quiet as he tries to figure out what’s going on.  Soon as he recognizes the intruders, he’s back at full volume again.  So we’re careening to a climax with Sparky at top volume and I’m not too far behind when I finally get off with a couple of serious thrusts.  I can see Willis is just a bit late and Thad’s about to get his reward.  I hold in place for long enough to let Willis cum since he is being supported by my position and my arms wrapped around his midsection.  Willis lets out a few shouts as his orgasm sweeps over him and finally I can withdraw from him and he and Thad cuddle up together as is appropriate after that intimacy.  I announce that I need to visit the bathroom and leave Willis with Thad and Gerry who looks way too pleased with himself.  I have to admit, I’m a little pissed-off with the two of them since I figure I should get to have Willis all to myself at a time like this.  A knock comes on the bathroom door and I call out “Go away!”  Gerry comes in anyway while I’m in my full glory sitting on the toilet.  This isn’t helping my mood at all.  I give Gerry a scowl and say: “What do you want?  Don’t I get any privacy?”

"I can see you’re not a happy camper but Nick, why do you suppose we’re there?  I’ve talked to Thad about it and if we didn’t like Willis a lot, why would we be involved?  We’re there because we love Willis by extension because we love you, old fart.  We approve of Willis without reservation and think you two are great together.  This is the belated bachelor party and engagement party, too.  Go engage Willis in something or Thad will get all the fun.”

“But Gerry, this is our reunion and I just wanted to make love to Sparky my own way.  I didn’t expect it to become open-season.”

“You must admit Willis put on quite a show in there.  You didn’t warn us he was going to be THAT loud or THAT strident.  We thought the walls were going to fall down.”

I start to giggle with the image.  “You know, I didn’t know myself.  I didn’t realize he had two settings – loud and ear-shattering...  I don’t know what we’ll do for an encore.”

“Something quiet, I hope.”

“As usual, Gerry, you’re right.  I apologize for being an idiot.  By the way, thanks for the little boost in there.  It was just what I needed.”

“Any time, old timer!”

“Come over here and say that to me and I’ll show you old...”

Gerry comes to me and literally lifts me off the toilet and gives me a kiss I won’t soon forget.  I struggle to remember that Willis is in my bed and not let my inclinations distract me.  Just now my judgment is a little clouded and the temptation is strong.  I’m getting hard again and Gerry definitely notices and gives it a little tug to show it.

            . . . .

Willis and I take the commuter rail to Salem and while wandering the streets Willis spies a coffee shop that bears my name.  He makes a bee-line for it and we sit down and make our plans.

Of course we are in costume as Willis requested.  Sparky is wearing the orange jump suit (and filling it out nicely, by the way) and I’m dressed in that dark suit as suggested.  Willis has been doing his homework in the quiet hours at home and has been giving my laptop some exercise researching Salem at Halloween-time.  I’m not quite satisfied with my look yet and want to add just the right accessory.

Once we finish our coffee and, we leave the shop with an addition: Willis has produced the handcuffs and has put them on both of us.  It’s a little awkward walking together, especially where we have to walk single-file, but it does give us both the opportunity to clasp hands occasionally and touch the other’s fingers even more often.  Willis is all fired up and is taking the lead most of the time.

We now go off on a quest for that just-right accessory and are in-and-out of stores.  I’ve settled on the idea that you can’t be a proper parole officer in a situation like this without some kind of badge on.  I figure it will be easy to find some tin badge that looks silly but makes the point.  I’d even settle for a plastic one that has the right look but we can’t come up with anything.  Finally we go into yet another store and Willis spots something promising.  It’s an authentic pin from England which is connected to the “Harry the Wizard” craze and is crest-shaped and says “Prefect” and is available in yellow which makes it stand out just right.  I’m satisfied that we finally have found that last item.  After paying for the pin and adding it to my costume we are out on the street again looking for adventure.

Strolling the streets, we two become aware that an increasing number of fellow-visitors are talking about a gathering to be held near the waterside.  We join with the folks walking in that direction.  At the location, a group has come together in the spirit of celebration.  Most folks there are new to pagan ritual but take to the atmosphere immediately.

Much is made of the coming of the Samhain festival in but a few days and all the preparations:

“Thank you all for attending.  For those of you not familiar with pagan celebrations, our year is divided into two cycles:  The season of the light begins on May 1st  at dawn with the festival of Beltane and notes the coming of the summer months and all their warmth and the potential of growth.  At dusk on October 31st we celebrate the festival of Samhain and the coming of the dark months which we see as the reverse of the Beltane fest since they are both expressions of nature’s plan.  The earth needs to slumber and recuperate and many of the things we look forward to in the spring and summer come from events that occur invisibly during the dark times.  We look upon this as our New Year’s time and we also greet this celebration with memories and mementos of our friends and acquaintances who have died during the last year and also with tokens of our wishes for the new year ahead.  We encourage you to write down any of your wishes for the new year and place them into the box there and they will be cast into the flames during our Samhain festival only a few days hence.”

“We are also gathered here for a naming ceremony and the presentation of the new baby to the community.  We choose this time since the child’s umbilical cord has recently fallen off and this is a good time for her parents to introduce her to the greater community before she becomes otherwise well known.  We will announce the spirit name her parents have chosen for her and by which she will be known forever more.  We will also identify her Guardians who will pledge their commitment to her spiritual growth and guidance.”

All hands in attendance rejoice happily for the baby and her proud parents and appointed Guardians.

On the way back and not far away, Willis and I stumble on the Salem Witch Trials Memorial which ordinarily is a quiet place for contemplation but this evening the place is filled with visitors and energy.  The atmosphere is still respectful and muted and we take the time to hold hands and think of the events that commanded this place be built.

Willis is now starved and we go off in search of food.  We walk in the general direction of Salem State and join the students in their travels, many of whom compliment us on our costumes and celebrate the holiday with us for a few minutes.

Finally, Willis spots what he’s been looking for:  it’s a deli in a convenience store very near the campus that specializes in middle-eastern fare.  Willis tells me he has had a craving for a certain delight and we two enter and take seats in the dining area.  Sparky removes the handcuffs to make eating more comfortable and also so he’ll be able to surprise me.  Willis goes up and orders a single falafel plate and also picks up a container of hummus and a soda.  He sends me off to get my favorite drink and once the food is ready, we dig in.  One plate is more than enough for both of us and the hummus is perfect for dipping the lightly coated fries in place of ketchup.  Willis confesses that this is one of his few guilty pleasures that come from his working days since there was often a falafel vendor that would set up near his workplace.  I’m altogether unfamiliar with this addictive meal but find myself seduced by the exotic flavors.  We discuss Willis’ working time and his profession a bit more deeply than we could before since Willis’ bad memories of that time are tempered by our new love and my renewed interest.

I am amazed about the meal but I have a question about the crunchy, tangy, slightly bitter, fluorescent pink-purple vegetables in the sandwich.  Willis doesn’t know either but asks the chef and finds out they are pickled turnips colored with beets (Kabees).  We both love them.  This is a meal we’ll share again and again.  I wonder aloud if Gerry and Thad will like this meal but I decide it’s too good to share (just now).

We meander our way back to downtown feeling warm and aiming for the train station when Willis freezes just as we pass a little alley next to City Hall.  I see a pair of sneakers sitting next to what looks like a pile of trash bags and Willis says “Nick, I’ll be right back.”  He goes down the alley and has a conversation with the owner of the sneakers.  I can only hear snippets but I do hear Willis say “Are you all right?”  He comes out to me and says: “I need to find a train ticket.”

I tell him: “I saw a little store just back there.  They have a ‘T’ symbol on the window and they must sell commuter rail tickets there.”

“I need a round trip ticket for Boston”

“OK.”  It’s just a short walk and I give him a twenty and he goes in and buys the ticket.  When he comes out I can see he’s written his cell number in magic marker on the back side of the ticket.  We walk back in the direction of the alley and Willis goes in there and has another conversation with the fellow in that alley.  He slips the ticket into his pocket and reaches down for his hand and shakes it.  I can finally see that there is a real person there and not just a pile of trash.

Willis comes back to me and says: “Nick, his name is Tony and I just invited him to come out to Albany with me in a couple of days.  He’ll probably be staying with us until then.  Is that OK?”

“Willis, you’re in charge.  Can he come now?”

“Nick, he’s too much of a mess right now but in the morning he’ll pull himself together and I hope he’ll use the ticket then.  I’ll go pick him up at North Station and I hope he won’t be too much of a burden.  Are you sure it’s OK?”

“Willis, it’s completely up to you.  If you think Tony will benefit from some time in Albany then I’m sure we can deal with it.  You sure he’ll be OK sleeping there for the night?”

“From what I’ve seen Salem’s pretty safe and it will only get into the twenties tonight so he should be OK.  He has a decent coat on and he’s wrapped up in those trash bags amazingly well.”

“All right.  I hope you won’t take this comment in the wrong way but he sure has some big feet there...”

That prompted a chuckle out of Willis and the recognition that Tony’s huge sneakers were the only reason Willis saw him there at all...

We had further conversations on our way to the train station and while riding on the train.  I asked Willis what he thought might be up with Tony and he thought he had had a bit too much alcohol and maybe some weed and that he had probably done this for a while judging by his adaptation to the cold temperatures.  I wondered aloud if Willis were getting himself into a situation with the Mann Act and he reassured me that Tony looked to be in his twenties and he also reminded me that Tony could at any time choose to leave and return home.  That was the reason for the two-way train ticket and he apologized but asked if we could get him a two-way bus ticket to Albany as well.  I told him no problem and he stated that it was as much for Tony’s safety as for his reassurance.  Willis explained that if Tony got cold feet he would be safer going back to Salem than being trapped in Boston or Albany at the mercy of the many predators there.  He figured Tony for a bit of an innocent and worried that he might not be able to cope on the streets of a bigger city the way he had in Salem.  It broke my heart to think of any kid sleeping on the streets the way Tony was but I also remembered that Willis was in just that situation not so many years ago himself and would prove to be a worthy guide.

Willis and I get off the train and walk down to the subway and after a transfer are on our way home.   We are both bushed and we’re also unexpectedly quiet with thoughts of Tony.  When we do arrive home, ’the boys’ are up and enthusiastic about hearing about our trip but I beg off from the travelogue until tomorrow.  I do let them know that we may be having a special guest joining us and briefly explain his circumstances.  I tell them that I know they will be open-hearted welcoming Tony to our home and that if he presents any special challenges, please refer them to Willis or myself privately to deal with.  Thad and Gerry assure us they will be model hosts for our visitor.  I thank them both in advance for their considerate treatment and wish them a good night.

Willis and I retire to my bedroom and while we prepare for bed I realize that tonight will probably be the last night we will be able to sleep together for this visit and that we’re both too tired for sex and too distracted to do it justice anyway.  I do resolve to put all my love for Willis into our remaining time together and celebrate our love in my own way.  As I start to emerge from my thoughts something occurs to me and I need to share it with my partner: “Sparky, it occurs to me that we know so little about Tony;  for one thing we know nothing about his orientation.  For all we know he may be straight.  It could be kind of intimidating to have him trapped here with four gay men.  I hope he won’t feel pressured or have it scare him away.”

Willis replies: “That’s occurred to me as well.  For my part I know that won’t be a problem.  At the warehouse, I sleep with the straight men there interchangeably with the gay men.  Pain is pain and comforting someone is just human and doesn’t need to become sexual.  I’ll have a talk with Tony right away and be sure he understands.  Once he loosens up a bit I’ll sound him out about his attitudes and insecurities and we can take it from there.”

“Perhaps it would be wise for us to tone down the casual nudity around here a bit just to make it easier for Tony.  I’ll have a word with the guys in the morning.”

“It would make it less intimidating initially.  It does get a little like a locker room here at times, not that I mind it at all but Tony may view it differently.”

“OK.  I’ll speak to them tomorrow about it.  I hope they won’t feel too put out about it, though.”

Just then there’s a knock on my door.  I say: “Come in.”

Gerry enters and it’s interesting that he’s wearing underwear for the first time since I can remember.  “Gerry, what’s up?”

“Thad and I were just talking and we thought it would be a good idea if we started being a little more modest while Tony is visiting.  Don’t want him to get the wrong impression.  Would that be OK?”

“Gerry, you read my mind.  I would appreciate it at least until we get to know him better.  Thanks and please thank Thad for me.  You guys will be really good at this, I can see.”

“Thank you.  Just let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help.”

Willis suggests: “Just make yourselves available to him if he wants to talk.  He may be shy speaking to everyone together but he’ll be more likely to seek out one person’s ear.  You two are closer to his age and he’s certain to have more in common with you than with us.  If he does seek one of you out, let him lead the way.  He’ll likely hold back some at first and keep it casual.  With time I’m certain he’ll open up.  Be sure to keep his confidence if he shares things with you unless he’s planning to do something stupid.  It’s important that he knows he can trust you.”

“Of course.  We’re both good listeners.  We’ll try to get to be best buds if he wants.  Good night, you two, and keep it down in here... some of us will be trying to sleep.”

“No worries there.  Maybe you should put in earplugs in the morning though.”  I give a wink to Sparky as I say this.

Gerry says: “Eeyew! Gross!  Sleep tight guys.”  He gives us a broad smile and closes the door behind him.

I say to Willis: “Those two are amazing.  I shouldn’t have worried.”

“They will be a real asset with Tony.  They both are very perceptive and Tony needs friends just now, I think.”

             . . . .

Thad says: “Nick, could you get Tony to raise the toilet seat when he pees?  He sprinkles all over the seat and then he doesn’t clean up after himself...”

I reply: “You’ve got to remember that he’s been homeless for a while now and he’s not used to the niceties any more.  I’ll have a talk with him soon but the poor guy is just adjusting to his surroundings.”

“Say that when you’ve got a wet ass sometime.  I’ll be patient, Nick, but please, can it be soon?”

“Done.  Has Tony been talking to either of you guys yet?”

“He seems to want to spend time with Gerry.  Don’t think there’s been any serious discussions yet but it looks like he’s getting close.  As soon as he does, I’ll make myself scarce so they can talk in confidence.  He seems to treat me like a kid brother.  Not really the one he will want to ’fess up to...”

“Thanks, Thad.  You’re the best kid brother there is.”

“Ya-ya... Don’t forget the toilet seat though.”

“You can count on me.”

Later on, I did have a chance to talk to Tony about the toilet issue and I asked if he could accompany me to the bathroom for some privacy.  I outlined Thad’s complaint anonymously as I could and asked him if he could work on it.  He said he was willing but he said that the “sprinkler” wasn’t completely under his control.  I asked: “Mind if I take a look at your equipment if you’re not too shy?  Don’t want to have a problem with it if there’s no need.  This way I’ll be sure there’s no obvious disease or another reason.”

Tony replied: “No problem.  You lose all modesty living like I was on the streets.”

He took out his penis for me to look at.  I could see the problem immediately.  Though Tony didn’t have a particularly large organ, he did have the longest and floppiest foreskin I’d ever seen – perhaps an inch-and-a-half beyond the head when his dick was soft.  I could see that it would be a cause for plenty of complaints and I was surprised that nobody was getting upset about the floor being wet as well.

“Tony, that’s certainly an impressive foreskin there but could you maybe pull it back and expose the head when you pee?  It would make it a much more accurate squirt-gun if you will.  Do you have any urine in your bladder now?”

“Some.  I could give it a try if you like.”

“Good.  I’ll just sit over here if you don’t mind.”

I moved to the edge of the tub which was a couple of feet away mindful of the likely pattern of his spray hose.  Tony raised the toilet seat as I asked and proceeded to pull back on the shaft of his dick trying to pull the foreskin back to expose the head.  It appeared to be difficult and it required some concentration on his part (judging by how he screwed up his face) to get the required effect and then suddenly, without any warning, he let out a “uhhh” sound and then tried to say something but couldn’t get it out.  In a flash, he was pumping big ropes of cum out of him and was swaying and looked as if he might collapse.  I had to stand up quickly and grab him around the waist with one arm and steady his shoulders with the other hand.  Once he was finished with the cum and started to pull himself together he let fly with a fair approximation of a piss in the general direction of the toilet.  By this time, though, he had dropped his hand off his cock and the foreskin had returned to its normal position and, as expected, he peed not only in the bowl but all over the edge and also onto the floor.  By this time I was only just recovered from the shock enough to start to speak:

“Oh, Tony.  That wasn’t what I intended at all.  I’m so sorry.  Are you OK?”

“I guess so.  It’s just that I’m so sensitive when the head is exposed.  Just a breeze will set me off never mind all that pulling on the foreskin.  I never even got the chance to get hard.”

“Wow.  I don’t want you to think I’m a perv or worse.  I had no idea that was coming.”

“I suppose I should have known.  It’s a convenience when you want to get your rocks off but a pain otherwise.”  Tony takes the time to put away his organ as I continue:

“Well, I don’t want to force you to have an orgasm every time you pee...  Just do what you’ve been doing, I suppose, but do raise the seat in future and perhaps dry up the over-spray if you could.”

“No problem.  And Nick, I don’t think you’re a perv.”

“That’s good.  Tell me, though, have you had ’the talk’ with Willis yet?”

“Yeah, I think so.  He was a little round-about with it but I gather you are all gay around here?”

“Just so.  Hope it doesn’t make you too uncomfortable.  You’ll only be here a day or two more.  The atmosphere at the warehouse will probably be more neutral judging from what I remember and I hope you’ll be comfortable there.”

“I’m comfortable here, too.  I’m as gay as you all are.”

“Well, that’s a relief.  Did you tell Willis that?”

“Not in so many words.  He didn’t seem to want to pry.”

“I’ll be sure to let him know.  Perhaps he might have an idea how to help you with your ’problem’ though he’d never offer unless I tell him about what happened.  Would that be OK?”

“Sure.  Willis sure has been sweet at night but I was surprised he didn’t come on to me.  Perhaps a little disappointed even.”

“He’s trying to be careful.  He has to treat everyone the same at the warehouse and doesn’t want to impose on anyone.  That’s one of the things I love about him.  I’ll have a talk with him and I’m sure he’ll loosen up some afterwards.”

“Thanks!  I appreciate what you have been doing for me.  I really want this to work out.  I hated living on the streets but I couldn’t think of another way to survive.”

“That’s all over now.  Just concentrate on the future.  I’ve liked having you around.  Everybody has.  You have a good effect on all of us.  We’ll all miss you when you go on to Albany.”

Tony leans into me and hugs me.  I hug him back for all I’m worth and we touch foreheads for a while.  I straighten up and swat at his ass lightly and say: “Off with you then.  I’ll clean up here and keep the troops off your back about the bathroom issue.  They’ll see some improvement and that will satisfy them.  I won’t let on except for Willis what the real problem is.”

“Thanks, Nick.  It’s been a pleasure to live here.  This is a great place.”

I open the bathroom door and he’s gone.

Later...

Dearest Nick,

I thought I’d give you an update on Tony.  On the bus to Albany we had a lot of time to talk.  He seemed eager to hear what I had to say about the warehouse.  I described the place and my part in it and introduced him a little bit to the cast of characters there.  I told him I thought he’d fit right in there and made sure he knew he was welcome to stay as long as he needed to.  Again he was reluctant to reveal too much about his history and I didn’t press him so that made the talk mostly a monologue.  Once we arrived at Albany he started to be a bit agitated and finally told me that he needed some alone time and I told him to take the time he needs.  I also told him I’d wait a lot longer than he could imagine.  He walked out of the bus depot and I wasn’t sure if I would ever see him again.  This scared me a little and the waiting was torture.  I decided in my heart that I’d wait for many hours and stay right there in the bus depot in case he came looking for me.  However, after an hour I couldn’t stand it any more and I ventured outside.  It didn’t take long to find him just sitting in that druggy little park near the station.  He didn’t see me and I only recognized him by that orange hat you bought him (bless you) and I could see he was alone and must have been nursing a case of cold feet and thinking things through.  Seeing him in that place gave me new worries but I resolved to let him think there at least until dusk if he chose to.  I walked back to the cafeteria and bought a cup of coffee and returned to the waiting room and started to wait again happy that at least he was nearby.  Not fifteen minutes later, and before I had finished that cup of coffee he was back sitting next to me.  I had to suppress the urge to let out a whoop but I let Tony know with my eyes that I was glad to see him.  He asked me to take him home to the warehouse and I just knew we wouldn’t have any more doubts from Tony. He seemed hungry after the long bus ride and I bought him a burger at the cafeteria and I watched him wolf it down. When we arrived at the warehouse I immediately took him to meet Poppa and Matthew and introduced him to them and eventually to all the trustees.  Poppa arranged to have Tony bunk near me and soon it was time for bed.  I knew that the first night would be traumatic for Tony so I motioned him into my bed.  He hesitated a bit but just asked me: “Out here in the open like this?” and I needed to remind him that this was my job here and all the trustees and some of the residents shared their beds and that it didn’t have any meaning except that somebody needed a friend just then.  Reassured, he finally settled into my bed and I hugged him to me just as I had those nights in your room.  He was agitated for a while and watched the scene around us and then when he could see that things were settling down for the night, he did relax, finally. In the days that followed he started to open up and he accompanied me out to the hustle and observed for an hour or two and got the hang of it and tried it himself.  Nick, I can see that he’s articulate and well-educated and if he has a mind to he can do this.  He also spent the day with some other residents (carefully selected) to go out on other more physical pursuits like collecting bottles and cans since I could see he was a bit fidgety and probably needed an outlet for his pent-up energy.  The reports all came back positive and he turns out to be good at most everything he puts his mind to. The five nights following his first he bedded down with Poppa and I could see it was a particularly good idea.  I can attest that Poppa has a positive effect on everybody and can get even the hardest case to open up somewhat and Tony was no exception.  Poppa later shared with me in confidence that Tony had been surviving there in Salem by turning tricks and it was mostly blow jobs given and received.  So, it seems Tony wasn’t quite as innocent as I had given him credit for...  Tony and Poppa both shed a lot of tears those nights and Tony had to relive the humiliation of what he’d had to do to survive. After his time together with Poppa, Tony was more open to everybody in the warehouse and started to be more gregarious, introducing himself to the residents and joining into conversations.  The only problem I could see from then on was that Tony would occasionally appear somewhat jealous when he’d be bunking alone and I was comforting somebody else in my bed.  I always would make an extra effort to greet Tony in the morning with a hug when I had seen that the night before and eventually he made the connection that the person in my bed needed me more then than he did and he was satisfied knowing that. All my love, Your Sparky      . . . . Dearest Nick, After your recent letter I went over to look up your friend Daniel as you requested.  I hope you don’t mind but I asked Tony to accompany me.  We found him home and he was glad to have us visit.  I have to say that for living so close to the warehouse, I’m surprised I’ve never met him before.  I’m sure I would have remembered him if I had. It seems he has just gone through a break-up and though he wanted to write to you a hundred times he hasn’t been able to start to.  It turns out that he was dating a white guy and for once the problem wasn’t racial.  His lover was a little older than he was and somewhat more conservative than him (and a bit of a red-neck I gather) and they quarreled over politics constantly.  They broke up weeks before the election and Daniel thinks it’s over for good.  He expressed a wish to start dating black guys since their politics are generally more compatible.  He thought it was funny that it would come down to that and thanked you for helping make that situation possible. It turns out that Tony and Daniel were an instant hit and took to each other immediately.  It wasn’t but a few minutes after they started talking that we were out the door and down at the park and Daniel was showing Tony the fundamentals of Hacky-Sack.  It looks as if Tony will pick up the game quickly.  It just reinforced the impression that I had from the start that Tony was always athletic and maybe was into running or gymnastics in school or maybe was a swimmer.  I will really need to try to get Tony to open up a bit more about his past if he will let me. The two of us returned from Daniel’s several hours later and I was just plain cold but Tony was exhausted and cold.  We both took a warm shower and Tony retired immediately and I was left to think about what I had seen in the shower.  It’s the first time since we got to the warehouse that I’ve been able to see Tony naked and you wouldn’t believe the transformation!  That skinny kid we saw the first day at your place has transformed completely.  It looks as if the physical aspects of what he’s been doing around here combined with the good if limited nutrition he’s been getting has made a tremendous difference in him.  After his Hacky-Sack workout with Daniel, he was literally glowing.  I must say I found him tremendously attractive though you know I would never make a move on him.  He is going to be fighting off the guys here once the word gets around, however. Nick, for the last week Tony has been a no-show here at the warehouse three times at night and when he did show up I had a quiet conversation with him since I was a little worried what he might be getting into.  He shared with me that he had been sleeping over at Daniel’s place those three nights.  They had played together long past sundown and came back so exhausted that they just fell into bed together.  I gently asked if there was a romance brewing and he admitted he had jerked Daniel off once when he was particularly horned-up but since then nothing.  This relieved my mind a bit and Tony added that Daniel better not point that flagpole toward his ass since he didn’t think he could cope with that.  We both laughed about his thought and I was so happy to hear Tony laugh genuinely for the first time.  It looks as if the two of them are becoming fast friends and I think you will be proud of that. I miss you, Sparky

            . . . .

It’s early December and I just got off the phone with Natalie who announced that she was coming to Boston for a visit at Christmas.  I immediately told Thad and he, of course, called her back and they started making plans.  It’s out-of-the-blue to me but I certainly am glad to hear it.  I appreciate Natalie in ways I never would have expected when I first met her.  Truth be told, she’s one woman to be reckoned with when you cross her but she’s such a sweetheart the rest of the time that you just have to love her madly not to mention admiring the job she did raising Thad alone.  I’m thrilled to be able to see her again.  It will be different from all the time we spend on the phone.  I think she’ll just love Boston at this time of year!

            . . . .

I’ve prevailed upon Willis to visit Boston again at Christmas and to bring Tony with him.  I want to see his progress for myself and to take some additional time one-on-one with my Sparky.  They’ve just arrived and the household is spending some group socializing time together and I say: "Tony, I would be proud if you’d consider this your home-away-from-home and please come visit us any time you’d like."

Tony replies: "But why me?"

I answer: "Because you’re just so wonderful."  Thad looks over at me and I catch the look from the corner of my eye and I can see that he instantly recognizes the phrase and knows it comes straight from my heart.  He has heard it once before and a wry smile comes over his face as he acknowledges it with the slightest nod of assent in Tony’s direction.

We can see that there is something happening in the way that Tony is looking at Gerry.  There’s a need that is nearly palpable in the air and everybody in the room knows it.  Those two have been simpatico since the first and this is clearly the time it will develop into something more than a friendship.  Of course, Gerry has supported Tony as we all have but I figure that there is something deeper here; a recognition.  I can see that Tony and Gerry will soon come to be like brothers and the bond will become deeply spiritual.  Just now, though, there is something more carnal going on and I’m surprised I can’t see the blue electric discharge in the air.

Tony is discussing his time in Salem and says: "I love that place and I didn’t want to leave there around Halloween but I just knew that if I didn’t do something, next year at this time I’d be one of the ones they’re mourning."

Thad and Gerry exchange a look and wordlessly Gerry gets up and takes Tony’s hand and leads him off to the bedroom.

Thad and Willis and I all retire to my room for the night.  I’ll be hanging out in the chair while Willis and Thad take the bed.  Willis will have to be Thad’s protector tonight since we all know where Thad’s heart is.  Eventually they fall asleep entwined together and not long after, I silently pad out into the living room to grab some sleep myself.

I awaken to the best feeling in the world: somebody has just placed a kiss on my cheek.  I look over and it’s Tony.  He’s kneeling next to the couch.

He brushes my hair and says, quietly: “You knew, didn’t you?”

“Of course.  Couldn’t miss it.”

“Is Thad OK with it?”

“Yes.  Willis is with him now and he’s fine.  They all love you so much.”

“I feel it but I still don’t understand it completely.”

“Give it time.  You’re a great guy and we can’t help ourselves from loving you.”

“Not too long ago I wouldn’t have been able to accept it.  I’d have run away from it.”

“Thank God that phase is over.  You need to get with the program and see in yourself what we see in you.  It will never make sense until then.”

“Thank you, Nick.  I realize you’re right but it’s so hard to turn it around.  I have a tough time feeling worthy after doing so many things for so long to prove I was worthless.”

“That’s all behind you.  This is a season of rebirth and it all starts anew here and now.  Happy birthday, Tony.  I love you, son!”

“Love you, dad.”

“Go back and snuggle up to your brother and get some sleep.  He’s probably getting cold.”

“True.”

“Tony, Gerry was my salvation when I needed him most...  Lean on him and you can’t go wrong.  He’s the mature one and he won’t take any of your shit (or mine...)  He’ll just love you until you can’t stand it.  That’s who he is.  Go in and get a tan under his sunshine.  You could use it.  You’re a little pale yet.”  I reach up and tweak his nipple and he jumps just a bit from the feeling and then kisses me on the mouth sweetly.  I watch as he walks back down the hallway to Gerry.  I can’t help being a little jealous of Gerry knowing what a great guy is getting into his bed just now.

Only a day later, Natalie arrives.  It’s two days before Christmas and instantly she and Thad are thick as thieves and out of the house most of that day and the next.  I figure they’re spending time together doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, sightseeing and reconnecting as they should.  Even though he writes her faithfully, it’s been a while since Thad has been out to see Natalie and I blame myself a little for not insisting that he spend more of his break-time from school out visiting her.  He did spend a fair amount of time with Natalie his freshman year and he would get Gerry to accompany him most of the time and I was aware that the three of them would have a great time together.  Natalie came to appreciate Gerry just as much as I did and commented to me on many occasions how he and Thad were a great couple and how pleased she was that Thad had found his soul-mate.  She was also noticing how Thad had matured in that year and how he had become a self-assured adult she could admire.

When we were gathered for supper that night, Natalie drops the bomb:

“Good Christmas Eve to you all!  Thad and I have been looking around town for an apartment for me.  It looks good and I’ll be moving to Dorchester in about ten days.  It’s been ages since I’ve heard Polish spoken on the street and in the shops and I miss it so much!  Looks like I’ll be living only a block or two from the Polish American Club and only just down the street from the Polish ethnic church parish.  I’d really like it if we could all be together and go to Midnight Mass there tonight.  Is everybody agreed?”

Of course we all agree with Natalie and we can see Thad’s beaming smile as she makes her announcement.  It is clear that all our lives have changed in that instant and that Natalie will be a constant presence with us and all of us will be energized having her around.  We certainly need a “den mother” and I am a little weary being a poor substitute and I can see myself needing a bit of feminine TLC as well.  All in all a Christmas everybody will remember!

At eleven o’clock we gather and it’s off to the subway for a quick trip to Dorchester.  We’re all charged up for our first outing as a big extended family and everybody is in the holiday mood.  Even Tony has caught the spirit and by now he’s as enthusiastic as the rest.  Natalie has taken a liking to Tony and has commented to me privately that she appreciates him and how he’s put all he’s been through behind him.  They are kindred spirits, I think.

When we finally arrive at the church we pick a pew that will hold us all and sit down and settle in.  Natalie is sharing stories from Thad’s childhood and her own youth and her experience growing up in the Polish enclave in Scranton where she was born.

I’m looking around and taking in all the sights and the atmosphere here and to my surprise I see Meara coming down the aisle.  I wave at her and get up to give her a big kiss and a hug.  I ask her what she’s doing here and she tells me she’s often drawn to this parish, especially around Christmas time.  I ask her if she’s got any plans and she tells me no.  I invite her to sit with us and she gladly joins the group.  I introduce her to Natalie, Tony and Willis and of course she has a reunion with Thad and Gerry.  Now our little group seems complete.  Even our extended family is extended once again on this magical night and I’m feeling happier than I’ve felt in years.

Epilogue

Gerry received a letter from Daniel on the day after Christmas.  Tony had been with us for a couple of days and had just left with Willis to return to Albany.  Daniel was missing Tony intensely and was writing for advice because he knew from his discussion with Willis that Gerry and Tony had become close during his time in Boston when we first came to know him.  With permission of everybody concerned I include here Gerry’s letter back to Daniel and some of the events it set in motion.

December 27, 2012

Dear Daniel, I wanted to respond to your letter immediately while things are still fresh in my mind.  I understand your wish to be with Tony better than you could possibly know.  You are quite correct that Tony and I have become very close in the last couple of months since he first visited us just before Halloween.  I’m sure he told you at least some of the details of that period when he was freshly off the streets and was settling into our home and planning to go back to Albany with Willis only a few days later.  I should tell you a few things about myself:  I live here with Nick, who you first met, and with my lover, Thad, who is attending school here in Boston with Nick’s generous help.  When we first met Tony we all fell instantly for him.  Tony is a wonderful guy who came to be very close to me as we had the time to understand each other.  I very much wanted Tony to be able to confide in me when he was ready and he did open up to a certain extent in the days we were together.  I won’t share those confidences with you just now but I am sure he will tell them all to you with time as well.  It is much more important that I share with you my impressions of Tony which are my own and which I may pass on. You must first understand that I had no idea of your romantic interest in Tony when he returned here to Boston this week for a few days.  I think I might have acted differently if I had known.  In any case Tony arrived here with a very serious case of desire for me from the moment he arrived.  Everybody could see it and they all commented on it when Tony was out of earshot.   I consulted with Thad who generously consented if I was of a mind to pursue Tony’s infatuation.   I watched Tony and waited for a while to see if his desire might cool but that never seemed to happen.  Eventually we were talking about his time on the streets and he explained that the choice to come live with us here was clearly a choice between the destructive effect life on the streets was having on him and the chance to make a choice which might save his life.  Hearing this, my heart just about melted and I took him to my room and we proceeded to make love.  Daniel, understand that I was clear from the beginning that I wasn’t about to give up Thad in my life and it wasn’t long after that it became clear to Tony that our lovemaking was not an offer but a tribute to what Tony has accomplished and who he has become.  It’s true that I do love Tony but more as a close friend (benefits or not) and not as a lover.  I thought it was important to state this so that what I have to say later in this letter is in the proper context.  I hope you won’t be hurt by this.  It is not my intention. To properly answer your letter, I will answer your four questions in order: 1. Can I trust him? Trust is one of the most difficult emotions to judge.  Much depends on the history of the parties involved.  If you have been hurt before due to trust issues, trusting someone again will be slow in coming.  Short of that, remember that he, too, will need to trust you not to hurt him or else the rest won’t gel.  I can tell you from my experience that the trust did come for Tony and me, but it took some time to blossom.  It is my estimation that there is no room in him for bad intent or pettiness since his heart is so huge and open.  Hopefully he won’t have retreated from the openness we were able to achieve.  You know that I already have a lover but if I were single I would have no trouble trusting Tony with my heart and my life as well. 2. Will he love me? From all I hear, (and you have many admirers here...) there is a lot to love about you and you have many qualities which should serve you well.   I profess no ability to read the future but from someone who was the object of Tony’s love, at least for a while, he gives his love freely now and you already seem to be good friends.  Show him the way and I think you will be rewarded. 3. Will I love him? Just by writing the letter, I think you have your answer.  You already see what can be and you just need reassurance.  I love Tony a great deal and there’s plenty of evidence that he has the capacity to give and accept love.  Be patient with him.  Ordinarily he would be looked at as “damaged goods” but his past experiences do not seem to affect his capacity for love, thank God. 4. How will the sex be between us? You two will have a blast!  Nick tells me you are a superb lover and I can speak from experience that Tony is great in bed...  I see you as well-matched.  He is a little apprehensive now about getting fucked by you but I know you can gently lead him to that experience.  Take the time required and stay aware of his mood and you two will do just fine. I have given you my cell number.  Please call me with any additional questions you may have.  I really want this to work out for you both and it seems to me you are already more than half way there. All my good wishes,

Gerry

Gerry’s letter set off a firestorm back in Albany.  Daniel greeted Tony like a returning hero and Tony realized that things had changed radically from how they were when he left.  Daniel was being patient, however and didn’t just jump in with both feet.  He ramped up the emotion slowly and started taking more interest in Tony and his backstory.  He tried to present an empathetic ear and heard of his romp with Gerry first-hand and a little of Tony’s loneliness in the days that followed their separation.  Daniel tried to bide his time not being interested in a quick up & quick down romance but something that would last.  He started being more physical with Tony and Tony responded in kind.  They were becoming pretty chummy and the possibility of sex started to occur in Tony’s mind.  Daniel had decided, however, that he wanted even the sex to come after some period of courtship.  Daniel was still playing in the park with Tony and they were more and more often sleeping together.  Daniel allowed the time they spent together to get more physical with more contact than before and this satisfied Tony for now.  The times when the weather turned bad they would often walk together and occasionally spend a lazy day at home reading or listening to music rather than exercising.  Tony was feeling a real part of Daniel’s world now.  Mid-January, Daniel started opening up about his loneliness and discussed his original plan to seek out a black lover with Tony and suggested he had lost some of that initial motivation and shared that Tony had been keeping him busy and he was growing comfortable with the new intimacy they had achieved.  He also discovered that the two were as compatible in their views as Daniel had hoped he could find anyway.

In many little ways, love was creeping into their lives together.  They said the word a lot more now – “I love the time we spend doing X” or “I love that about you.”  The declarations were skirting the subject now and were a more common subject matter.

Finally, Tony had a bad day and Daniel picked this up instantly.  He made himself especially available and open for Tony to lean on and soon the floodgates opened.  Tony was missing his family and let Daniel know what was on his mind.  Daniel tried to be a good listener and draw Tony out with his caring attention and reached out his hand to grasp Tony’s and suddenly the walls were down.  Tony poured out his heart and his frustrations and it was not very much longer ’til the subject changed instantly from Tony’s family to Daniel.  Tony was frustrated about their distance and asked Daniel “What’s wrong with me?”  Now it was Daniel’s turn to put up or walk away.

Daniel said the words he had been longing to all this time: “Tony, I love you.  I want us to be together.”

Tony’s mood shifted instantly and he smiled for the first time that day.  “You don’t know how that makes me feel.  I’ve loved you for what seems like forever but I was always afraid to tell you.  I’m so happy.”

“I’m glad.  You are going to shoot me but I want to make this permanent.  I’ve been thinking about getting married to you.  Would you even consider that?”

“Wow!  It never occurred to me that we might get married.  I like the idea but there’s so much to think about.  What if it doesn’t work?  Would we get divorced?  I love you so much that I couldn’t stand the idea of breaking up with you.  Divorce would just kill me.”

“I know just what you mean.  My thinking is that we can count on some bad times when we will want to break up.  Every couple has those problems but the thought of divorcing you would be so horrible in my mind that I’d do just anything to prevent that.  It’s a big motivation to not get into a situation where we even consider it.”

“Is this the wrong reason to get married in the first place?”

“Yeah, it is.  You haven’t heard the whole idea, though.  It’s a way for me to say to the whole world what I think of you.  ‘My husband and I’ or ‘My spouse and I’ are powerful phrases I’d want to use all the time with everybody I know.  Fuck ’em if they don’t understand!  I want all of you and from now ’til I die.  That’s just how my mind works.”

“Oh, Daniel.  It sounds so different hearing you explain it that way.  I’m not so sure I’m ready to say that to the people I know, though.  I’m a little less in-their-face just now and it will take some getting used to for me.  I love the idea of it, though.  I need to try on ‘Mr. Daniel’ or ‘Mrs. Daniel’ for that matter.”

“No Mrs. my friend.  It’s Mister and Mister and I should think of being ‘Mr. Tony’ at the same time.  I don’t think we’ll need to decide who’s the husband in our case.  A bright guy you might know told me we were pretty well matched.”

“Who?”

“Gerry.”

“Gerry?”

“Yep.  I wrote to him just after you left Boston the last time and he was very encouraging to me when I told him I loved you.  I don’t think he’d be upset if I showed you the letter now.  We’ve been keeping up the conversation on the phone off-and-on since and he’s very happy we’ve grown so close now.”

“You’ve been thinking about this since Christmas?”

“Even before.  I just didn’t think it could happen at the beginning.  I thought it was my fantasy but too impossible to come true.  Tony, I do love you.”

The two embraced and held on as if the world would end.

Of course it didn’t and Daniel also added that he hoped they could remain virgins (as far as their history with each other would allow).  Tony bridled a little at this and Daniel suggested that it would only be fair that he could ask for a favor once and get the same treatment Daniel had received from Tony when the tension became too much and Tony reluctantly agreed to that, too.  This really put the pressure on to set a date and since this was mid-January, the obvious date was Valentine’s Day – Thursday, February 14th.  They knew that they would need to hustle to be able to get married on a date so popular and so they went down to Town Hall and applied for a marriage license right away.  They confirmed that they would be able to be married that date and got an appointment to be married in a civil ceremony in the town hall by a marriage officer appointed by the town.

By now you are wondering how I know all of this in so much detail.  I did numerous separate interviews with the two via phone and later in person since I wanted to get the details right.  I knew I would be writing these further adventures and wanted to get all of it down while it was fresh in their minds.  I was the first one they called to give the good news and it fell upon me to tell Gerry, Thad and Natalie.  Daniel and Tony made the next call to Willis who was on the hustle when they called and he dropped what he was doing and went straight over to Daniel’s place to congratulate the two in-person.  They discussed their plans for hours and talked about how many people to invite and in view of the limited facilities at Town Hall they decided to set the number of invitations at ten people.  Five of these had already been notified and the remaining proposed guests would be Poppa, Matthew and three other trustees from the warehouse.  This forced some thought on Daniel’s part if he wanted to include anyone of his own.  He concluded that he didn’t have any gay friends close enough to be included in their wedding but he also wondered aloud who would stand beside him at the ceremony.  He decided Gerry had been instrumental in bringing the two together and he should stand up for Daniel on that day.  Willis suggested that perhaps Tony might pick Thad as his honored representative since the symmetry was particularly interesting.  Tony protested and suggested that Willis as his sponsor might be a better choice but Willis insisted that he would like to see Thad stand for that role.  Tony warmed to the idea and the decision was made.  They also laughed about appointing me as “Honorary Father of the Grooms”.  When I heard the plans later that evening I was over-the-moon with my surprise and emotion for their honor.

             . . . .

We traveled together the five of us as a group taking the bus out to attend Tony and Daniel’s wedding.  It was a wonderful time that I wouldn’t have missed.  All our spirits were so filled with the romance of the occasion.  Willis met us at the bus station and led us to Town Hall.  As I watched the ceremony, I noticed that the Marriage Officer assigned to Daniel and Tony’s wedding wasn’t just going through the motions as I might have expected but was taking the time to convey some meaning with his words and encourage the two to consider the ceremony as something life-changing and not to be taken lightly.  Of course I’ve been to wedding ceremonies before but not to a civil wedding in a Town Hall setting and I had expectations that weren’t met in some surprising ways.  Perhaps it was the date – Valentine’s Day – or perhaps there was something about Tony and Daniel that inspired him but I was impressed with the official and I could see that the others in the ceremony were equally pleased.

The ceremony itself was as you might expect otherwise.  The usual organization of the ceremony was observed: Introduction and welcome, Consent, Vows, Ring exchange, Pronouncement and Introduction of the couple.  During the ceremony, I thought back to the time when we were planning the wedding together in the preceding weeks.  I described to Daniel and Tony an additional tradition that might be appropriate to their marriage – the Rose ceremony – which I had discovered in my research.  They were both enthusiastic about the possibility and discussed it with their Marriage Officer who agreed to research it and perform it for them.  He did learn it and even customized it for the purposes of this particular wedding.  When I saw it performed I thought it was especially appropriate for the occasion.  I had received a call from the Officer who asked if I could be sure the necessary roses were obtained and available for the ceremony and suggested some alternate colors and their meaning and together with the couple we settled on one particular color rose and I agreed to have them ready for that day.  We only needed two roses for the ceremony but I thought that it would be an idea to have a full dozen and hand out the rest to the folks gathered for the ceremony.  The Rose ceremony text seems to be everywhere on the ’net and I share it and his customizations of it here:

“Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings – which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

For your first gift as spouses, that gift will be a single rose.

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing – it meant the words ‘I love you.’  So it is appropriate that for your first gift – as spouses – that gift would be a single rose.

It is also appropriate that the roses used in this ceremony will be lavender ones whose color is symbolic for gay people everywhere and additionally hold the further meaning of ‘love at first sight’.  I understand that this meaning is not lost on the two of you.  I think you recognize now that your love was manifest when first you met though you both were slow to recognize the fact and it took a period of separation to bring your love into focus.

Please exchange your first gift as spouses.  In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all.  Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose – and now you are holding one small rose.  In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this.  In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday.  But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life – one I hope you always remember – the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

Daniel and Tony, I would ask that wherever you make your home in the future that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage – and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.

In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words.  It is easiest to hurt who we most love.  It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love.  It might be difficult some time to find words to say ‘I am sorry’ or ‘I forgive you’; ‘I need you’ or ‘I am hurting’.  If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected – for that rose then says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.

That rose says the words: ‘I still love you.’  The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.

Tony and Daniel, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.”

After the ceremony I passed out the remaining roses to the guests and I noticed immediately that Thad and Gerry exchanged their roses followed by a kiss and the meaning wasn’t lost on the rest of the guests and, inspired by their romantic gesture, Poppa and Matthew and Sparky and I did the same.  It seems there may be additional ceremonies in our future...

Author’s note:

It wasn’t my intention to make this a trip through the holidays but that’s what we have here... Happy Valentine’s Day!  Go kiss someone you love or even kiss a stranger.  You never know where it may lead....

This part is dedicated to my ami Ronald whose kind words and constructive suggestions propelled me forward.  Thank you!

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