Leith

This story is entirely fictional, and any resemblances to actual persons are completely coincidental. Actual locations are mentioned, and are used for 'background' only.

This story happens during the period of time when my earlier story, 'Phalen,' ends.

Many of the character's names are Finnish. For those who wish to know how they are pronounced, read on.

Mikko - MEEK-ko Paavo - PAW-vo Joel - YOE-el Halonen - HALL-oh-nen

Roy roynm@mac.com

Leith - chapter 12

Andrew pulled into the parking lot of his gym, scarcely remembering the drive from his home. Larry's long sensuous kiss witnessed by his sons had left him unsettled, as had Larry's description of Mikko. He found his imagination running riot, conjuring one image of Larry's friend after another.

'Why am I bothered so much by the thought of this guy Larry thinks is right for me,' he asked himself as he stepped out of the car and slammed the door. He grimaced at the noise, regretting letting his irritation get the better of him. 'I'm just horny, that's all. Maybe a workout will calm me down.' He opened the door to the gym, again with more force than necessary, frowning slightly when the attendant looked up at the unexpected noise.

'Why does Larry think I need his help finding a bed-mate?' He flashed his membership card at the attendant and walked down the hall toward the locker room. He stopped a moment as his hand was poised to open the locker room door. 'Maybe Larry's right. I don't need a bedmate; I need a mate. Knowing Larry has made me want to settle down with someone. I guess I'm tired of all the short-term relationships I've had. None of them meant anything. I had fun, but I always ended up alone.' He pulled the door open and walked into the humid locker room, heading for his locker. 'My relationship with Larry did mean something.' While thinking about his relationship with Larry he admitted to himself he wanted more of the feeling he had when they were together. 'I want it permanently.'

'Okay, I admit it. I want a partner.' He dropped his gym bag on the bench with a thud and leaned back against the lockers. 'What I wanted was Larry, not someone he finds for me . . . Larry.' He heaved a sigh, still not willing to admit that Larry and he would never be partners. 'I can't understand why I'm not willing to let Larry go.' He shook his head, leaning over to pick up his gym bag and began sorting through it and nodding a preoccupied greeting to a group of guys he often saw while working out. 'Maybe this Mikko person will be the one.' He tugged on his jock and adjusted himself in its pouch, pausing a moment to grope himself. 'Damn, I'm horny,' he thought once again as he finished dressing and entered the weight room to begin his workout.

During his two-hour workout he tried to not think about Mikko but erotic images kept intruding. He and the illusory Mikko would be kissing in one, lying next to one another, wrapped in one another's arms, lost in sleep in another, or engaged in passionate sex in yet another. 'Damn, I'm horny,' he thought once again as he stepped into the gym's steam room. He hoped to find it empty and was initially disappointed to find four other men already positioned around the room. He knew three of them, having had a brief affair with two. He had seen the fourth, a young college guy named Frank, but had never spoken to him. He returned their greetings and spread his towel on the bleacher-like seating before sitting down, leaning back and stretching his legs and closing his eyes. Three of the other men still had towels wrapped around their waist while Frank, the youngest, was wearing a swimsuit. Conversation stopped when Andrew stripped off his towel, and now all eyes were focused on his hand as he absently caressed his penis.

Finally, he couldn't take it any longer. "I hope you guys won't freak but I really need to get rid of a load." If possible, the room became even more quiet. He thought he heard Frank emit a slight groan, but with the hiss of the steam coming into the room, he wasn't sure.

"Haven't been getting enough," one of his old boyfriends chuckled, intimating that he wouldn't have that problem if they were still seeing each other. Andrew grinned slightly and cupped his testicles, spreading his legs further apart, deciding to put on a show.

"Yeah, something like that." Since no one objected, he massaged his cock to a full erection at the same time he fondled his scrotum. He grinned when the two men facing him stripped off their towels and followed his lead. Frank seemed entranced by what was going on. His eyes were wide as he watched the two men across from Andrew begin masturbating. When the person sitting next to Andrew stripped off his towel and begin to slowly masturbate himself, Frank ran a hand over his flat stomach and teased his nipples, audibly groaning.

"Join us, Frank."

He shook his head, continuing to fondle himself. "Mind if I watch though?"

"Shit man, you can get as close as you want. In fact you can lick my nuts if you want!" The guy next to Andrew spread his legs and fondled his balls lewdly inviting Frank to move closer.

"Really?" Frank's voice squeaked upward. He looked at each of the men as he moved closer, squeezing the prominent bulge in his swimsuit as he gingerly knelt between the man's spread legs. His eyes darted from one person to another before settling on the man only inches away from his face.

"You like what you see, Frank?" The guy next to Andrew was really getting into showing off for the young guy. Frank nodded, licking his lips. "Move closer and you'll get a close up view of me losing a load."

Frank looked from one naked man to another. "Will . . . will you . . . will you guys cum on me . . . on my face and stuff?" He paused a moment while the only sound was the noise of the sound of four men giving pleasure to themselves. "Please." The guy next to Andrew groaned as he began to stroke himself more quickly, causing Frank to look back.

"Fuck yeah, but if you want my load splattered on your face you'd better move close quick, 'cause I'm about ready to unload." The guy across from Andrew, one of his old sex partners, edged closer to the front of the bench and then stood, stepping close to Frank who had taken the guy's word and was nuzzling his balls, groaning in pleasure.

The guy began to groan loudly and Frank looked up with an expectant expression as the two other men moved closer. Andrew spread his legs wider and groaned low in his throat as the sitting man grunted and the first jet of his sperm splashed against Frank's cheek. A second shot hit him on the right eyelid, causing him to flinch.

As the first man's orgasm passed, the two standing men moved closer and groaned as both shot at the same time, covering Frank's face. They both continued to milk their cocks and then moved even closer to Frank and wiped them back and forth across his face. Frank swiped his tongue across the end of each man's penis, licking off any remaining sperm before he turned an expectant and slightly breathless look at Andrew. A thick strand of someone's sperm was dangling from Frank's chin but he didn't notice. The sight of the cum-covered face and the slowly lengthening string of sperm caused Andrew to groan.

"You want it?" Andrew asked in a husky voice. He was answered by a slight moan and an anxious nod.

"Open up!" It was an order Frank instantly obeyed. His chest was rapidly rising and falling with each breath. "Let me see your tongue!" Frank breathlessly complied as the other three man moved closer. Frank's eyes flicked from the penis, only inches from his open mouth to Andrew's flat stomach, hairy pecs and the look of intense concentration on his face.

"Shit man," one of the guys murmured. "This is so hot." He wiped his hand over Frank's cheek and used the sperm he collected to begin masturbating himself while he watched the scene in front of him unfold.

Andrew stood and continued to slowly masturbate as he placed the head of his penis only inches from the waiting mouth. Someone groaned. Frank's eyes darted toward the sound but returned almost instantly to Andrew. He seemed to know Andrew was close. It would only take a moment more and he didn't want to miss it. As if trying to draw out the pleasure he was experiencing, Andrew slowed the motion of his hand even further, finally gripping his penis behind the head and squeezing. There was another moan from one of the men, and then Andrew exploded directly onto Frank's waiting tongue and open mouth.

Frank swallowed once . . . and then a second time before being hit on the side of his head by another load from one of the men who had cum minutes earlier. All eyes turned towards him and he grinned as he continued to slowly milk his penis, looking slightly embarrassed. He briskly shook his head sending water droplets scattering and then stepped close to Frank and wiped his still dripping cock across Frank's face. He spread his cum-covered fingers through Frank's hair with a grin. Frank remained on his knees, looking up at the man with a slightly open mouth and some of Andrew's sperm running out the corner of his mouth.

"Hot, guys." With those words, the guy turned and left the steam room, followed by three of the other men. Each gently slapped Frank on the back, thanking him.

Andrew smiled at Frank, who was still kneeling, and seemed to be dazed by what had just happened. He offered him a hand to help him stand. "Thanks, man. Did you get what you want?" Frank absently nodded, licking his lips.

"Are you okay?"

Frank suddenly seemed to become aware of Andrew still standing in front of him. "Yeah, a little overwhelmed, that's all." He tried to scrape some of the cum off his cheek but didn't have much luck. Andrew grinned and wiped some out of his hair and offered it to him on the tip of his finger. Frank hesitated, looked at Andrew for a moment, and then sucked Andrew's forefinger clean.

"I . . . I've never done anything like this before," he admitted with a sheepish smile releasing the finger. "But, seeing you guys wanking your meat was so cool." He paused a moment. "Thanks for shooting in my mouth. That's the first time anyone's ever done that." He gave Andrew a sheepish look. "I wanted to ask all you guys to do it but I was afraid." His voice trailed off. "I'm glad you were the one to do it."

"Are you gay?"

Frank shrugged. "Mixed up, I guess. I don't really know what I am, but if liking what just happened makes me gay, then I'm definitely gay." He grinned a moment and then seemed to become embarrassed, and bowed his head.

Andrew lowered his voice. "Have you ever sucked a guy off?" Frank's head remained bowed as he slowly shook it. "Do you want to?" He looked at Andrew and seemed to think a moment before he gave Andrew a single nod.

"Here?"

Andrew had been slowly stimulating himself as he had been talking. "Don't worry. Seeing your face covered with the cum of three guys, and then seeing my sperm shoot into your open mouth has got me about ready to pop. It won't be long." He stood before Frank, his erection standing perpendicular to his body.

"Don't swallow. Let me see your mouth full of my cum first, okay?" Frank nodded and thrust his hand inside his swimsuit as he knelt.

Andrew continued to slowly run his fist up and down the length of his cock and then stepped closer, spreading his legs, one to either side of the young man in front of him. Frank glanced up, then at the penis in front of him with its wide flaring head. He licked his lips, opened his mouth wide, and slowly engulfed Andrew's erection in his warm mouth, pleased with Andrew's hiss of pleasure. He began to slowly suck, using his tongue expertly on the underside, just the way Andrew liked it.

"Ready?" There was a nod.

Andrew could feel his erection thicken, and then the second orgasm of the afternoon gripped him. Frank's cheeks bulged from the size of the load. He backed off of the erection slightly and some of the sperm escaped from the side of his mouth.

Finally, Andrew pulled his softening cock free and squatted down in front of Frank who opened his mouth to display his sperm covered tongue. "That's so hot, Frank," Andrew murmured. "You're a great cocksucker." Andrew put two of his fingers in Frank's mouth causing Frank's eyes to widen. He closed his lips on the fingers and caressed them with his tongue, moaning and playing with himself as Andrew remained squatting in front of him.

Finally, Andrew could hear Frank swallow. He removed his fingers and held them in front of his face for a moment before sticking them in his own mouth to lick them clean. Frank's eyes were wide as he watched Andrew suck on his own fingers.

He swallowed again. "Thanks, that was so cool. I think I could grow to love doing that." Andrew laughed at the expression on Frank's face.

"You don't know it, but you are just what the doctor ordered. Are you sure you don't want me to help you out?" He nodded toward the erection covered by the tight swimsuit.

"Nah, maybe another time."

"You sure?" Frank nodded and stood, stepping into Andrew's one-arm embrace.

"Thanks though . . . for offering, and everything."

Andrew smiled and gently slapped him on the back, leaving him in the steam room. As the door closed, Andrew looked over his shoulder and saw Frank wipe a hand over his cheek and begin licking his fingers.

Joel sat in front of his computer trying to concentrate. The past couple weeks had been tough on him. Every day he watched the relationship between his son and nephew grow. At the same time he felt as if his brother was slowly pulling away from him. Mikko was gone much of the time, either overseeing construction of his new office, or just driving around town.

During the last few days things seemed to have become less tense. Susan had begun to treat Mikko better, and in turn, Mikko seemed more at ease. He hadn't asked either of them what the reason for the change was, but he was sure something had happened between them. Susan had always tolerated Mikko, but had never really liked him. Now, it seemed as if they were on their way to becoming friends.

None of this did anything to solve the growing distance he felt between his brother and himself. If anything, the growing friendship between his wife and brother, made things worse, not better. He was feeling more isolated from his brother every day. Sometimes, he wanted to scream. He was sexually frustrated, envious of his son, puzzled by his wife's behavior, and a little bit angry with his brother.

When he invited Mikko to stay with him and his family until he found a place to live, he never dreamed things would turn out the way they had. He rubbed his eyes, grainy from lack of sleep and sighed, then ran his fingers through his hair. He knew it was wrong of him to blame his brother for the emotions plaguing him. Mikko was doing nothing wrong. Neither were Brett and Leith. He was the problem. His feelings for his brother, so long held back, had been let loose and they were threatening to overwhelm him.

He threw his pen onto his desk in frustration and leaned back in his chair absently chewing on his lower lip. 'What was I expecting to happen when he showed up?' He rubbed his eyes again and then blinked trying to focus on the desk clock. 'Six pm . . . where is he?' He shook his head in disgust.

'I can't go on like this. Something has got to change.' He leaned forward and rubbed his temples, trying to think.

There was a quiet knock on his office door and the sound of his brother's voice. "Hey, big brother, may I come in?"

He jumped up, rushed around the desk and opened the office door, all thoughts of fatigue forgotten. Mikko was standing in front of him with his hands behind his back, wearing a big grin. "May I come in?" Joel stepped aside and let his brother pass, and then closed the door. As he turned around, Mikko was waiting for him with his arms spread. Joel stepped into the embrace and suddenly all was right with the world. He choked back a sob and tried to gain control of himself. He had not realized how close to the surface his emotions had been running. When they broke their kiss he stepped back, still holding onto his brother's shoulders, unwilling to break contact.

Mikko studied him with a concerned look. "What's happened to you? You look like hell. When is the last time you had a good night's sleep?" Joel shrugged, attempting to deflect the conversation.

"What are you smiling about? You look as if you're bursting with news." Mikko grinned and nodded, glancing at his brother's hand on his shoulder before giving him a puzzled look. Joel gave his brother a sheepish grin, released his shoulders, and perched on the corner of his desk. Mikko sat on the edge of the nearby sofa.

"I've found a place for Leith and me to live. In fact, I actually found it last week and put in a bid on it. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want Leith to get his hopes up in case my bid was refused. Well, I got a call today and was told that my bid was accepted and I've just come from signing the papers. I'm a lot poorer, but I'm now a homeowner! Your life can get back to normal. You can call Glenn and Kent home from exile." Mikko's smile faltered and faded as he watched his brother's shoulders slump.

"I thought you'd be pleased to have some order return to your life. You don't look happy at all." Joel abruptly stood and began to pace back and forth in the dimly lit room. Mikko was surprised to see him so agitated, and sat quietly waiting for his brother to sort out his thoughts.

"What does you buying a house mean for . . . us?" Joel motioned to his brother and then himself. A series of expressions washed across his face in the space of a few moments; puzzlement, hurt . . . anger. "When you move will we go back to being just brothers? What will your stay here have meant to you?" He made a sweeping gesture, taking in his entire home. "Will our time together end? Does seeing me again mean nothing to you, Mikko?" Joel's voice cracked as he reached the far end of the room. He paused a moment with a bowed head in an attempt to regain his composure before he turned to face his brother. "I've been torturing myself because of my feelings for you. Lately, I can't seem to think about anything else. You are constantly on my mind." He plopped down on a chair looking disconsolate. "It seems as if you don't share the same feelings for me." Joel rubbed his eyes and tried to focus on his brother, wondering how he had become so exhausted.

"Oh shit." Mikko scooted forward, moving closer to his brother and took both his hands. "I'm sorry, Joel. I've been so focused on getting my own place so you could have yours back, I didn't even think about how you might be feeling. I'm going to start over, okay?" Joel returned a puzzled nod.

"Hey big brother, guess what." Mikko waited for a response and then muttered. "Now's when you're supposed to ask, what?" Joel frowned, not wanting to play games. "I'll take the glower as a suitable response to my earlier question." Joel snorted softly, and seemed less tense.

'Leave it to Mikko to make me feel better with only a couple sentences.'

Mikko leaned close and lowered his voice. "I found a permanent place for us to play. No hiding out. No wondering if someone we don't want to see us, will." He grinned broadly. "Though if we do want to be seen, there are huge windows." He stretched out his arms to both sides.

"Bigger than that, actually." By now Joel was smiling. "The place is on the seventh floor, so I'm not sure who'd see us, but one can always hope." He paused a moment and then confided. "If it turns out to be the cops, we'll tell them we threw the sex-crazed exhibitionists out, and if they hurry they might be able to catch 'em."

"Because they'll be buck naked, right?" Mikko smiled and nodded.

Joel chuckled, finally entering into the spirit of the conversation. "Geez, you're smart, little brother."

Mikko smiled brightly. "Of course I'm smart. I have to be. After all, I am what is widely known as an ambulance chaser." He winked, having used the description for a lawyer Joel's wife once unthinkingly used in front of him. "My new license plate says in big letters, 'SUE EM.'" He leaned back on the sofa and crossed his arms looking smug. "Cute, huh?" He watched his brother for a moment and then leaned forward.

"Joel, I love you. You know that. You also know that in addition to wanting to be near you, I want to have sex with you . . . often." He paused a moment, catching his brother's eye as he perched on the edge of his desk, one foot on the floor, the other hanging. "Right?" Mikko prompted. Joel nodded slowly.

"You have to remember, big brother," Mikko continued, leaning forward and clasping his hands between his slightly spread legs, "while I want to continue my sexual relationship with you, I also want to establish a new life for Leith and myself. I want more than anything for you to be a large part of that life, but I also want to have the freedom to be my own man." Mikko bowed his head for a moment and then returned his gaze to his brother.

"Joel, you have a wonderful family. All I have left of my family is Leith. I know what it's like to suddenly be without those you love, and I won't be a party to ruining what you've got here with Susan and the boys. You and I have to figure something out that will hopefully give us both what we want, but you losing your family is not worth getting our rocks off. You need to be able to be a husband and father to those who love you."

Mikko scooted forward and took his brother's hand. "I want you so bad Joel, I ache with the need. At the same time I feel as if we're possibly going to get into something we can't control." He looked up at his brother. While I have these feelings for you, I want to be able to establish a new family for myself. I don't know if it'll end up being with a woman or a man, but I want to be part of my own family. You'll always be the man I love most after Leith. Please, never forget that for a moment."

He ran his fingers through his curly hair. "I had a conversation with the boys the other day. Somehow we ended up talking about truthfulness and trustworthiness. I've got to tell you, I don't feel very good about what we're doing." He shrugged. "Maybe it's just because we've had to sneak around, and have had no place to go where we can really relax. I don't know." He paused a few moments, lost in thought. "I think we both need to do some heavy thinking about . . . things."

"Until we've figured out the type of relationship we're to have, let's not worry about things that have yet to happen. For now, let's continue our sexual relationship, but please . . . support me . . . when I tell you I also have to have a life of my own. Don't be jealous of me. I love you. I want you, but I also want . . . need . . . my own freedom. I am and always will be your little brother, but I'm not the little brother I once was, any more than you are the same big brother. We've both grown. We both have responsibilities to others who depend on us. We can not ignore those responsibilities."

Joel took a deep breath and then gave his brother an uncertain smile. "You're right, of course. But, Mikko I just found you again. I don't want to lose you. I had forgotten how much you mean to me."

"You're not going to lose me." Mikko glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice. "Now, go sit behind your desk. I want to tell you about my new place, and I just heard a door close."

When Susan knocked on the door to the office a few moments later, Mikko was standing in the middle of the room with his arms stretched wide. He looked away from his brother, who was behind his desk, leaning back in his chair with his feet on the desk. Both men were laughing like a couple of children. She smiled at the infectious good humor, and at her brother-in-law's brief embrace. Susan sat on the sofa facing her husband's desk.

"What's so funny? Has my suddenly-funny son Brett, been giving you lessons in humor and you're trying them out on my poor husband?" Mikko shook his head.

"I was telling your poor husband about my new home." He stretched out his arms. "It's got windows this big." He looked from side to side. "Bigger, actually. Lots of 'em. Your husband's volunteered to come by and wash them for me." Joel noticed the slight but distinct increase in his wife's smile as she leaned forward and asked to hear all about the new home.

Mikko looked up from the newspaper and smiled as his nephew approached. The patio was cloaked in early evening shade, and in the distance a bank of clouds and the occasional rolling sound of thunder hinted at a possible rainstorm. Joel and Susan were visiting Susan's parents, and their two other sons, leaving Mikko home alone with the two "boys." "Hey Brett, how are things going? Where's Leith?"

Brett smiled as he dragged over a chair and sat close to his uncle. "Hi, Mikko. Leith's taking a nap. We were lying down talking and he just faded out on me." He sighed and glanced off into the distance for a moment. He heard the newspaper rustle as his uncle folded it and set it aside.

"Are things okay? You look troubled." Brett gave his uncle a crooked grin as he leaned back in the chair and stretched his legs out before him, crossing them at the ankles. He absently jerked his chin up slightly, a nervous habit born of insecurity. Mikko tried not to smile. He'd noticed how seldom Brett expressed the old habit since meeting Leith.

"Yeah, things are good." He grinned slightly, his lips quirked upward. "Actually, I've never been happier." A blush colored his cheeks a light pink, all the more visible because of his pale skin. "Leith's teaching me to believe in myself and to not take things so seriously all the time. It's also really a load off for Mom to know I'm gay." He frowned slightly. "She can be . . . rough . . . sometimes. I always worried how she would handle learning that I like guys."

"She's handling things well, I assume?" Brett nodded slowly, but seemed absorbed in his own thoughts as he ran a finger from left to right on the glass table top separating him from his uncle. He was silently watching his finger move. The moment of silence stretched until it was almost unbearable for Mikko. Finally, Brett blurted.

"Things aren't totally okay though." Brett's light voice was troubled.

Mikko leaned forward, but didn't try to hurry his nephew. "Leith's nightmares seem to be happening less often . . . and he doesn't cry as much as he did when you guys first came." Brett sat silently and then took a deep breath, seeming to reach another decision. "Even so . . . he's caught up in an ongoing argument with himself about Mason and Aunt Julie's death, and whether he wants to know more details . . . about . . . how things . . . happened." The last few words seemed to have been dragged out of him. He anxiously looked toward his uncle.

"Mikko, please tell me if I should keep quiet and mind my own business. I've had arguments with myself, wondering if I was breaking some sort of confidence if I spoke to you of Leith's thoughts." He shrugged and spread his hands. "Obviously, I figured out that I should let you now what he's thinking." Mikko rested his hand on Brett's for a moment. He silently hoped the warmth would convey the message to not worry.

"He loves you, Mikko." Brett's voice broke. "At the same time, he's afraid you're hiding things from him, things that he should know." Brett glanced up and then plunged on. "I told him if he was going to ask you about any other . . . stuff, he should at least wait until the nightmares have stopped and he isn't crying all the time." Brett shifted in his seat. "He seemed to agree with me, but I don't know what he's going to do."

Brett looked at his uncle in obvious distress. "You see, he's convinced there's more to the story than he knows, and yet he's afraid what the untold parts might be." Brett paused a long moment and then took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead as if to prevent an oncoming headache. He quickly glanced over his shoulder to see if Leith might be nearby.

"I don't know if there is any more for him to learn, and I don't want to know, but please don't hurt him more than necessary, even if it means keeping some things to yourself . . . forever." Brett's voice cracked. "He hurts so much right now, I . . . I don't know how he could handle any more." Once again, Mikko rested a comforting hand on top of Brett's.

"The other day, you talked to us about truthfulness and trustworthiness." Mikko nodded, remembering the conversation by the swimming pool. "I was wondering if there aren't times when it's better to not be totally truthful, in order to preserve someone else's sanity. Wouldn't it be better for . . . someone . . . to think they know everything, than to be plunged deeper into a world of hurt?"

Brett shifted his position, obviously uncomfortable with the conversation. "If you . . . or anyone . . . decided that it was better to keep some things to yourself, what would that do to your arguments about being honest and deserving trust from everyone around you?" He sat back letting his breath out in a whoosh, appearing to have only just thought of something.

"I hadn't thought, until now, about what would happen if . . . someone . . . found out, somehow, that what he thought was everything . . . wasn't." He turned to his uncle, almost on the verge of tears.

"Please don't hurt him, Mikko. He already hurts enough."

Mikko silently squeezed his nephew's hand. "We both love him, don't we, Brett?" He was answered by a slight nod and a sniff as he raised his chin an inch and tried to look as if he was in control of his emotions.

"Don't worry. I'll think about what you've said, and do no more than I think absolutely necessary . . . when, and if, the time comes." He paused a moment and then squeezed Brett's hand.

"No one need know you and I have visited this afternoon." Brett nodded his bowed head and looked up with watery eyes as Mikko continued, speaking softly. "I want to thank you for telling me your thoughts, Brett. Leith is a lucky young man to have someone like you to look out after him." Brett gave him an unsteady smile and squeezed his uncle's hand before he stood and slowly walked back into the house.

"Let me get this straight." Glenn, Joel and Susan's sixteen year-old son was irritated. "Brett and Leith will be sleeping together in Brett's room. Uncle Mikko is in my room, and Mr. Smart Ass and I have to share his room?"

"If you're referring to your father, Glenn, the answer is no, I share a room with him. If, on the other hand you're referring to your brother as Mr. Smart Ass, then you're right." He rolled is eyes and appeared ready to argue. "Glenn, it won't kill you to share a room for a couple days. Mikko and Leith will be moving to their new place as soon as it's completed and at least furnished with a couple beds. And your brother Kent, or Mr. Smart Ass, whichever you choose, will be the model brother during your brief stay with him." She turned a stern look on her youngest son. "Won't you?"

"Sure, Mom, aren't I always?" Everyone chuckled. "Hey, it's just that everyone else in this family is so drop-dead serious all the time. I add a little spice to your lives. You should be happy you have me around." Susan rested a tender hand on her youngest son's shoulders.

"We are happy you're around, Kent, though sometimes we could do with a little less of your mouth." Susan's words were delivered with a fond smile.

Glenn still wasn't satisfied. "I'd rather sleep on the sofa in Dad's office."

His younger brother rolled his eyes. "That's a loveseat, Glenn, and you're too tall. You'd hang off the end. And don't get any ideas. I'm not sleeping on the loveseat so you can have my room." Kent leaned close to his father. "He doesn't want to share my room, 'cause he's afraid I might see his weenie." Susan gave her husband an irritated look when he began laughing at his son's comment. Glenn attempted to swat his brother, but missed when Kent expertly jumped away.

"You're only encouraging him by laughing, Joel."

"Did I hear someone say weenie?" Brett had been approaching the kitchen when he heard his brother's comment. "I like weenies. Whose are we talking about?" He walked into the room with a bright smile, looking at his two brothers who were watching him with large eyes and open mouths. Glenn quickly looked toward his mother to gauge her reaction to Brett's comments. Joel was beside himself trying not to laugh. Susan threw up her hands in exasperation and looked toward the ceiling before she bowed her head and pinched the bridge of her nose in an attempt to keep her cool. Glenn and Kent silently watched their older brother as he casually crossed the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He took out an apple and bit into it with gusto.

"Well, whose weenie are we talking about, and when did we start referring to them as weenies?" He pulled out a bar stool and sat down, idly swinging his feet as he looked first to his mother, then his father, and lastly at his brothers.

Joel snorted in amusement. Brett's brothers were still looking at him as if he had suddenly sprouted horns, and his mother now was taking a couple deep breaths in an attempt to figure out a way to regain control of the situation.

In a flash of insight, Brett realized most problems with his mother happened when she felt as if she was no longer in control. This was definitely one of those times. The entire family was silent, waiting for her to say something.

She took another deep breath and then released it slowly. "We were talking about your brothers sharing a room for a couple days until Mikko's home is finished." Everyone nodded, except Joel who smiled. He was seated behind his wife, so she didn't see. Brett however, did.

"Oh, I thought I heard someone talking about Glenn's weenie." Brett ignored his brother and mother's glare, but winked at his little brother before taking another bite of apple.

"What's happened to Brett?" Kent turned toward his parents. "He's gone all weird."

Glenn nodded agreement, looking toward his mother for an answer. When she didn't respond, he added. "He's behaving like normal people." Brett took another bite of apple and looked at his father with a grin. They were the only two in the room who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Kent stepped closer and examined his brother, leaning close and looking into Brett's pale blue eyes. Brett grinned, opened his eyes wide for his brother's examination, and took another bite of the apple. Kent straightened and turned to his father, speaking with authority. "I think he musta found himself a girlfriend, or else he's fooling around with someone who's lots a fun." Kent turned to his mother. "He's got the sorta look that says he's getting all he can handle."

"Kent Halonen!" He looked at his mother and innocently blinked his green eyes. "What would you know about sleeping around?" She paused a moment before holding out her hand to prevent him from saying something. "Wait. Don't answer. I don't want to know. Besides, Brett's been in the house every night."

"He's been sleeping with Leith!" Glenn shouted, drawing an instant frown of disapproval from his mother.

"I knew it," Kent announced. "Brett's gay!" He spread his arms wide and then walked to the island and leaned on it with both elbows and stared at his older brother. "Brett, are you gay?" Brett swallowed the apple and nodded.

"Sure, is that a problem?" Susan looked at him with a horrified expression. Brett turned to her and shrugged. "Well, Mom, you said it was my job to tell them. They asked, and I answered."

"For real?" Glenn's eyes lit up. "You're really gay?" Brett nodded, setting the apple core on the counter and brushing his hands over his legs. "Mom didn't kill you?" Glenn looked at his mother with a guilty expression. Her body language told him that he was close to being the victim, not Brett.

"Way cool, Brett," Kent crowed. "Way to go!" He smacked the kitchen counter and then reached out and shook his brother's hand. "I wanna hear all about it!" He suddenly stopped talking and looked at his brother who was continuing to wear a big smile. "Leith too?" Brett nodded once again. Kent clapped his hands once and nodded. "Well, this explains everything!" He held his arms out to his sides for a second and then dropped them, looking relieved.

"Explains what, Kent?" Joel asked.

"All sorts a stuff. The reason Brett's so happy is that a load's been taken off. He's not afraid someone will find out he's gay. Also, I bet he and Leith have been having a good time, which also accounts for the smile. Am I right?" Susan covered her eyes with a hand and shook her head, denying what she was hearing. Kent continued. "It also explains why he went into gymnastics. He's much cuter now that he's filled out a little. He wanted to build himself up so he'd attract a good looking guy."

"Cuter?" Joel laughed. Kent nodded, turning to his father.

"Yeah, don't you think so, Dad? I mean guys'll look at him now that he's got some meat on his bones, and he's smiling." He stopped speaking and turned to his brother. "You do want guys to look at you, don't you, Brett?" His brother shook his head and continued to grin.

"Not necessary any longer."

"Holy sh . . . " Kent glanced at his mother. "I mean, holy smoke." Joel snorted at the abrupt change in language. "That means you and Leith?"

"Kent, stop harassing your brother about his private life," Susan ordered, standing up and trying to derail her youngest son's enthusiasm by ushering him out of the room with a firm grip on his shoulder. "Go . . . go, clean the garage. Wash the cars. Do something useful!" She gently pushed him from the room.

"Brett and Leith! This is so friggin cool! You gotta tell me all 'bout it, Brett," he shouted as the door leading to the garage closed behind him.

"You're really gay, Brett?" Glenn muttered.

"Not you too, Glenn!" Susan flopped onto a dining chair and looked defeated. Her shoulders slumped and both arms hung limply at her sides.

"No, Mom. I'm not gay." Glenn thought for a moment and then looked from his mother, to his father and then to Brett. "At least I don't think I am. I've never . . . you know." Glenn made a helpless gesture and looked embarrassed. Susan covered her eyes and shook her head.

~ to be continued ~

Thank you for taking the time to read my work. I've been amazed at how many of you have contacted me about 'Leith' and my other story, 'Phalen.' I always welcome your email and enjoy hearing your thoughts. If you would like me to send a pic of the character(s), please ask.

I have also posted the first chapter of a new short story, entitled, 'Chris,' also in the Gay College Section. I hope you enjoy it.

Best wishes,

Roy Reinikainen roynm@mac.com