Chapter 72
Marcus and JW left shortly after Tanner had finished reading the full article. JW didn't know exactly what to think of the article; on one hand it was great to have people understand his opinion but on the other hand he felt that it was a private matter and no one else really needed to understand how he felt. JW found comfort over what Shane had said to him and Shane explained the article was nothing but a positive thing. After breakfast Marcus and JW left and started the drive back home. Before climbing into the Porche Tanner caught JW in the drive way and jumped at him with a hug. JW was at first confused by the embrase and felt nervous. Then he relaxed and looked down to Tanner who said, "Thank you for taking such big steps for all of us." JW smiled, said good bye and then climbed into the passenger seat.
After driving about an hour Marcus looked over to JW who was staring out the passenger window. Marcus wanted to ask JW about last night but decided to soften JW with the first random question that came to mind, "Would you rather live in the city or where we currently live back in our home town?"
JW looked to Marcus and furrowed his eyebrows, "What the hell? What are you talking about? I am just staring out the window... and I like home just fine. The city is too busy for my tastes."
Marcus bit his lower lip and didn't say another word. Several minutes passed before JW looked to Marcus, "Ok so what is wrong? What did I do?"
Marcus drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel and chose his words carefully, "You will read too much into this next statement, but I am worried about you."
JW laughed, "What? Why?"
Marcus shrugged, "How did you feel about the party... You did some things that I would never suspect that you would. It was hot as hell but still... I am curious as to why you acted that why?"
JW shook his head, "Where are you going with this? Did I do something wrong?"
Marcus laughed, "Babe I just want to make sure you are doing ok? There were a couple of things that you did that just surprised me is."
JW smiled and shook his head, "What are you talking about?"
Marcus bit his lower lip, "Oh you... Know some things? Like when you had your feet in the air and... Just making sure you enjoye that?"
JW nodded his head and smiled, "I don't know what your trying to do but yes I enjoy it... A lot."
Marcus shook his head, "Enjoyed what exactly?"
JW turned back to Marcus, "You want me to say it?"
Marcus nodded his head and bit his lower lip, "I want to hear you say it!"
JW sighed, "I loved getting fucked on the couch, I really liked it when when you had me on my back on the couch and you had my feet pinned by my head... And then when you offered for the other guy, who was hot and a good choice by the way, to move in so I could so his cock... That was awesome."
Marcus laughed and slapped the steering wheel, "Then you wanted both of us in you... That was..."
JW interrupted, "Incredible..." He looked back outside the passenger window, "What are you worried about? Other than having an amazing night of sex and enjoying it, I am perfectly fine. Did I miss something?"
Marcus bit his lower lip, "Well there are about twenty details that you happened to not mention there... But it was amazing for me."
Marcus glanced at JW, "It's just a major change from when we first met is all... you were so up tight and shy and now you're my special like homo butterfly porn star who has finally spread his wings..."
JW muttered and then laughed, "More like spread eagle..."
Marcus gasped and laughed, "And you have finally found a sense of humor... So you are perfectly fine being the perfect muscled god of fire fighting who takes a dick in the ass and are proud of it now?"
JW looked to Marcus, "Well fuck, when you put it that way it sounds pathetic."
Marcus shook his head, "No it sounds hot!"
JW shrugged, "Marcus I don't know how to explain it. But I am fine with who I am and what I do in bed. I prefer being the bottom and actually really enjoyed... Oh what's the word?" JW paused and started to laughed, "Performing like that is a way to prove something to myself, to you and well obviously everyone watching."
Marcus smirked, "Other than being amazing what are you trying to prove?"
JW shrugged, "That a guy can be masculine and still be a bottom I guess... is something wrong?"
Marcus reached across the car and grabbed JW's leg, "No! Not at all. It's just that I fear that I am asking too much of you and..."
JW interrupted, "God damn it, I am fine and I wouldn't have done anything if I didn't want to. Stop being a jackass and just accept that I am settling into being a gay man."
Marcus laughed and nodded his head, "Sounds good to me."
Driving down the street to their house Marcus saw JW's nemesis Matt standing in front of the house he was having built. Marcus glanced over to JW who was obviously nervous and had just darted his eyes to the floorboard the Porsche. Marcus quickly pulled on the steering wheel and the Porsche shot down a side street. Marcus drove a few houses and then pulled over in front of a unknown house and turned to look at JW.
JW looked at up Marcus, "Why did you do that?"
Marcus smiled softly, "Do you really want to prove something to yourself."
JW frowned and then narrowed his eyes, "What are you thinking?"
Marcus shrugged, "Do you want to help the volunteer fire department here again? Did you enjoy it?"
JW didn't respond and hesitated several times before finally getting the words out of his mouth, "Yes... but I know what would happen... I lost my chance I had there because of Matt..."
Marcus quietly said, "And also because of...?"
JW sighed, "Also because of what I did..."
Marcus smiled, "Ok... now that hatchet is buried, would you or do you want to go back?"
JW nodded his head, "In a limited capacity probably... but between the kids, school, my job, working out and of course our time together. I won't have much time..."
Marcus interrupted, "OK so are you going to make excuses or do what you are meant to do?"
JW sighed, "... what are you thinking?"
Marcus smiled, "Well you do what you want and I mean that, but I think you have just as much to prove to yourself as you do Matt."
JW looked to Marcus, "I don't have a god damn thing to prove to him."
Marcus laughed, "You have everything to prove to him... after all he is your nemesis!"
Marcus and JW talked for another twenty minutes; giving him encouragement and getting him ready to talk to Matt. When Marcus felt JW was ready he turned around and drove back to their house. As Marcus rounded the last corner he saw Matt again and as they got closer it was obvious Matt was angry and yelling at some man wearing a white hard hat.
Marcus pushed the garage door opener on his mirror, pulled into the garage and turned the motor off. He looked over to JW who was nodding his head. JW looked up to him and gave a quick nod of his head and then opened the car door and walked out of the garage.
JW walked up behind Matt who was obviously furious and making who ever the poor bastard he was talking to feel like shit. JW knew this side of Matt and knew how fast he could turn on people. The worker being yelled at turned a brighter shade of red as he made quick eye contact with JW. Matt looked over his shoulder at JW, furrowed his eyebrows and then turned back to the worker, "If your guys fuck this project up one more time, so help me god, I will break your god damn legs. Do you understand?" The man nodded his head, glanced at JW and then turned and walked away quickly.
Matt turned to JW and slowly looked him over head-to-toe and then back to house and pointed, "These god damn idiots couldn't make a straight line with a laser and a yard stick... now what do you want?" JW fidgeted with his hands and stammered, JW glanced at Matt who was staring at him and started shaking his head, "Jesus Christ man what is wrong with you?"
JW finally spoke up, "You intimidate me to the point of me wanting to pass-out or run away..."
Matt rolled his eyes, "Bullshit."
JW nodded his head, "It's true! I am terrified of you."
Matt shook his head, "I don't know why... but I don't care. There is no way you came over here for that... in fact I know that isn't the case and you just said that because of your lover coached you on how to try and get me to warm up to you." Matt paused, looked back at his house and turned back to JW, "I am going to give you some advice and I don't care if you want to hear it or not."
Matt watched JW nod his head and he sighed, "Stop being a tool... Stop doing what everyone else tells you to do... Stop being a sheep and blindly doing what other people lead you to do." JW started shaking his head and tried to speak but Matt cut him off, "I don't care that you're gay. The only people that would care are over seventy and will be dead soon enough..." JW laughed and for the first time made eye contact with Matt who said, "Now what did you come over here for?"
JW sighed, "I will come back to the department but you have to understand one thing, I am gay... I will even tell you that I like to get fucked..."
Matt raised his hands, shook his head and closed his eyes, "Fucking too much information."
JW stuttered and laughed, "Ya, that was too much, but you have to know that I will not take anyone calling me anything or saying anything to me about me being gay. They can talk behind my back all they want but face-to-face not a single god damn word on what they think about my sexuality."
Matt shook his head, "I obviously can not guarantee that, but I will promise you that I will keep my mouth shut on one condition."
JW looked up to Matt and shrugged, "What's that?"
Matt laughed, "Don't be a god damn tool."
JW nodded his head, "So you won't be giving me any shit then?"
Matt shook his head, "I am going to be giving you shit non-stop and you know that. So don't be bitch about that either..."
JW gritted his teeth, "You mother fucker!"
Matt started to laugh, "It's going to happen, if it makes you feel any better I have been calling you a fag long before I ever knew you were gay..."
JW rolled his eyes, "Also I won't be making many calls a month. I have a lot going on between my kids and work."
Matt nodded his head, "Deal! So are you actually going to be coming back?" JW started nodding his head when Matt stuck his hand out to shake JW's hand, "There is no deal until it's agreed on with a hand shake."
Epilogue
Marcus looked over to JW who was staring into mirror, "I don't know why you're so nervous. It's not like you have to say anything and its not like you have not been to a valedictorian graduation before. Leah and Kira already paved the way for Luke."
JW looked at Marcus in the mirror, "It's just sad is all." He smiled to himself and in his eyes Marcus was the sexist middle-aged man that he could possibly ever have. The years had changed dark black hair to silver streaks mashed into the black, his skin not as smooth but still one of the most physically fit and active men that he knew and one of only a handful group of people who could keep up with him when working out. The time in the gym all these years have paid off ten fold as they aged because they still worked like they were thirty, played like they were thirty and had the sex drive of eighteen-year-old boys.
Marcus smiled back and walked into the bathroom and put his hands on JW's shoulders, leaned over and kissed the back of his head, "JW... there is nothing sad about this. Besides Luke said that he has good news."
JW turned and looked at Marcus and quizzically asked, "What's that?"
Marcus laughed, "The school called about half an hour ago and said they approved his speech."
JW rolled his eyes, "He is going to embarrass the hell out of us."
Marcus shook his head and turned to walk out of the bathroom, "Well, I am sure it took them so long to approve his speech because it was so long. I am sure he could jabber for three hours up there... and have everyone hanging on every word." Marcus paused and looked down at his watch, "Jesus we have ten minutes before we need to leave. Hurry up!" JW watched Marcus walk out of the bedroom and he turned and stared at himself in the mirror. He staring into his own eyes and a flood of memories hit him about Luke, Kira and Leah. Getting his kids home for the first time, watching them grow up, watching the kids move through grades, sporting events, broken hearts from first loves, first cars, groundings from bad grades and so many more. After today that would all be gone...
Marcus looked over his shoulder one last time at JW and could tell he was nervous. Marcus smiled to smile and could not believe he could have been so lucky to stumble into JW so long ago. Other than having grey hair and bad hearing now from the engine sirens, JW could out perform and out work any twenty-year-old man. Even to this day JW could be an underwear model and if he did loose anything by getting older it was not noticeable in Marcus eyes.
Marcus walked into the living room and made eye contact with Leah and Kira who were talking, both were going to college at University of Texas. Marcus smiled to himself and thought back to the girls the first time he saw them; skinny as rails, toothless smiles and bright blond hair.
Someone walked up behind Marcus and slapped his ass, "Both girls picked up some of their father's height and with the right agent probably could have gone into modeling, but instead they chose college."
Marcus looked down into the eyes of Nick, "Ya they both are very pretty."
Nick smirked, "That's an understatement if I have ever heard one. Have they picked majors yet?"
Marcus smiled, "Leah only cares about soccer but I think she is leaning towards an business and doing something sports marketing." Marcus paused and laughed, "I think she watches more ESPN than JW these days..."
Nick laughed and slapped Marcus on the arm, "And Kira?"
Marcus rolled his eyes, "Lawyer... 100% sure."
Nick smiled, "Any boys that you know of?"
Marcus laughed, "Leah brought around one guy for a weekend a few months ago. Long story short JW threatened him if he saw him again..." Nick laughed and shook her head when Marcus saw Shane and Matt talking to each other. Marcus excused himself from Nick and walked across the living room toward Shane and Matt.
Marcus smiled at the thought back on the problems JW had with Matt; Matt turned out to be one of JW's strongest allies besides Shane and ultimately lead JW to becoming the assistant chief of the volunteer department in town. Matt was instrumental in getting JW to truly accepting himself through the volunteer department. Marcus walked up to Shane, "Congratulations on becoming Assistant Chief of the Metroplex."
Shane shook Marcus hand and smiled, "Well thank you, I am just glad that JW could move up as well. I think he is the youngest battalion chief in department history."
Marcus turned to Matt and shook his hand, "And you sir, elected Chief for another year. Figured they would be tired of your sorry ass now."
Matt laughed hard, "Well the clowns do need a ring master. Besides no one else will do it... I have been trying to talk JW into doing it and he keeps refusing... you need to talk him into it!"
Marcus laughed and shook his head, "Not a chance, besides I think he is going to be focusing on Luke at the volunteer department now."
Shane raised an eyebrow, "What? Seriously? That kid is smart as hell and he could go to any school in the country. You're telling me he is going into the fire service?"
Marcus shrugged, "JW begged him to consider something else, at least go to college... so Matt recommended a fire science degree, that way when he does get into a fire department he will be able to move up quickly."
Shane looked to Matt who nodded his head, "Makes sense at least..."
Marcus smiled, "Personally I think it's a no brainer for Luke. He is a top athlete in the state, even in better shape than his father, is always competing in everything he does, a natural leader and he is only eighteen... I could only imagine what he will be when he is twenty five."
Matt laughed, "Well if you could only shake the thirty girls hanging off him right now... he will be rather distracted."
Marcus shrugged, "He is one handsome kid...possible even better looking than his dad." Marcus glanced over to Luke again; Luke took a lot of a lot of JW physical build. Luke was six feet one inch, short dark black hair, and bright blue eyes and had the physique of a fitness model but looked more like a linebacker with broad shoulders. Luke was more than handsome, he was on the same level of his father, a god from Greek mythology.
Matt stood on his toes and slapped Marcus in the back of the head, "Jackass!"
Marcus furrowed his eyebrows and then smiled, "What?" Shane and Matt stood there shaking their heads. Marcus left Shane and Matt to continue talking and continued to make the rounds and greeting the graduation guests.
Marcus walked around the house, talking, laughing until finally he walked up to Luke and said, "Are you ready?"
Luke was smiling hard, and even though he was an inch or two shorter than his dad they looked exactly alike, it was obvious Luke was JW's son and Marcus knew all of JW's best qualities came through. Luke looked at the girls at his side, "Can I have a minute alone with Marc." The girls giggled and then walked away. Luke pulled a piece of paper out of the inside of his suit jacket and handed it to Marcus, "Go ahead and read over it." Luke pushed the papers into Marcus hands.
Marcus shook his head, "No, that is yours! I am sure its fine."
Luke folded his arms across his chest, "Just read it please. I want to know what you think?"
Marcus opened the sheets of paper and started reading. At the end of the speech there was something hand written and just added. Marcus read over it and then read the hand written notes. Marcus jumped back and Luke threw his hands over Marcus mouth, "Not a word!"
Marcus pulled Luke's hands away, "Are you serious? I mean this isn't a joke right?"
Luke was glowing, "Nope, just figured someone should have a heads up."
Marcus stood there looking down at Luke and then shrugged, "Yes, you are right. Your dad is not going to be happy about this... Not one bit."
Luke shrugged, "Not his choice."
Marcus tried one more time, "He is going to think it's something he did... Why don't you wait until you get home? After everyone leaves then you can explain it all to him..."
Luke shook his head, "No sir, it needs to be done there for my own personal reasons."
Marcus shook his head and shrugged, "Well shit..." Then Marcus and Luke saw JW walk out into the living room. They looked at each other and Luke grabbed Marcus arm, "Please don't tell him yet... please!"
Marcus gave Luke a slight shake of his head and then walked across the living room to JW and wrapped his arm around JW's shoulder, "Time to head to the school for our last graduation!"
Marcus sat down next to JW, who was twitching his leg and fidgeting in the chair. Marcus looked around at the large group sitting around them; both sets of grandparents, Leah and Kira, Matt, Nick, Shane and Tanner. Everyone was talking, joking and laughing except JW, Marcus reached down and squeezed JW's hand, "You doing ok?"
JW looked up and smiled nervously, "I am fine. I am just worried about stupid little bullshit is all. Are you excited?"
Marcus smiled and nodded his head, "Babe what is wrong, you have been acting strange today?"
JW shook his head and shrugged, "I have a feeling Luke is going to say something in his speech... I just hope he does not do it."
Marcus held his composure and focused, "What do you think he will say?"
JW gave a faint smile, "Oh... I guess we will just have to wait and see."
Marcus was about to dig deeper when the graduation ceremony started and everyone in the schools large auditorium settled down. Thirty minutes into the ceremony JW reached over and grabbed Marcus hand again, the two looked at each other and smiled. JW lifted Marcus hand and lightly kissed the back of Marcus hand and then turned back to face the stage.
As the graduation continued and as the graduates started to walk the stage, JW's hand tensed up for a second as Luke walked across the stage and received his diploma. JW stood up and was surprised at what he saw, he knew Luke was popular but the roar of the auditorium even caught him off guard and the cheers did not stop until Luke cleared the stage. As everyone was starting to sit back down; Leah and Kira both sitting in front of JW and Marcus turned around and waved their dads down for a hug. JW knew he was about to lose it if he didn't sit down and focus. The next two grads following Luke were difficult for JW but he managed to gain his composure again.
Another hour passed before it was finally time for Luke to give his speech. As Luke was walking towards the podium the Principal joked, "This fine young man not only has a bright future but has set the standard high for anyone following in his foot steps. Now I must admit that we did have one hard decision. Luke's first speech that he gave us to review had to be turned down." The large auditorium erupted into whispers and boos. JW looked at Marcus confused; Marcus just shrugged and slapped his face with his hand. JW started to laugh and turned back to the stage as the Principal finished, "It's not what you think folks. Luke's first speech would have been five hours long and as much as I know everyone at the school appreciates him, no one wants to sit through that. But here he is and I have to admit that it's a shame that this is the last time this fine young man is going to be leading his class."
The Principal stepped aside and waved his hands at Luke who was obviously embarrassed and shook the Principal's hand and then attacked him with a hug the Principal was not expecting. The auditorium erupted into laughter and JW and Marcus looked at each other and both exclaimed, "That's Luke!"
Luke took the podium and started with a broad smile, "If you know me, you might think that this might be easy for me. But the truth is, I am scared to death right now and it's hard to concentrate on what I must say and what I want to say... You might think that this family tradition; my two sisters also lead their class across this stage and I have to say that it's an honor to follow their lead as valedictorian." Luke continued the usual thanks and praise for his class, friends, teachers and coaches.
JW felt relived as the speech had to have been coming to a close but then Luke went down a different path. Luke's speech turned to JW, Luke's childhood and the inspiration that his father has been. Then Luke really turned the tables as he started to talk about Marcus and everything that he has done and everything that he meant to Luke. Then Luke explained, "I know a lot of you in this room know my dad JW through the volunteer fire department. And lot of people in this town work for my other dad Marcus; he owns the investment company he started several years ago here. Occasionally a friend or a friend's parent or some stranger asks me a question. They ask if my father is gay? Obviously I know the answer but how do I answer that question?"
Luke paused and looked around the auditorium and then his lifted his arm and pointed at the crowd, "And that is why I ask how do I answer that question? If you paid any attention just then someone leaned over to the person they were sitting next to a made a remark. Or maybe you just made the remark... the real question is do you know my dads? Do you know who they are? Do you know what they do? Do you really care if my dads are gay?"
Luke paused again and lifted his hand to his ear and this time the auditorium was silent. Marcus reached and put his hand on JW's back, JW was leaning forward and hanging on Luke's every word. Luke lowered his hand and smiled, "One dad saves people's lives on a daily basis and he does not care what they think of him., because not only is my father a volunteer firefighter, he is also a paid firefighter in the Metroplex. I know of a story where one day a man threatened my dad and the next day my dad saved his life. The other dad would go 500 miles past the end of the earth not only for his family but just to do the right thing for a complete stranger. I never needed to learn to accept my dads... I never needed to adjust because of how I was raised... I never needed an example of how to be a man... I never needed a single thing from another person because I know no matter what the circumstance is, my dads set the example of what it means to be a good, kind, loving and compassionate man. My dads taught me focus, work ethic, determination and high standard of morals. I was taught: do the right thing no matter the cost, always treat people fair, listen before you speak, take care of those around you so they will take care of you, cherish those around you, strive for the best and never leave a friend behind in a time of need. There is a saying that my dad uses quite often these days and the older I get the more I begin to understand what he was telling me. You will never truly know a man until you know his secrets. " Luke paused and then turned back to face his class.
JW tugged on Marcus hand, Marcus looked at him with a blank look on his face. JW nodded towards the stage, "What is going on?"
Marcus hesitated and lied, "I don't know..."
JW narrowed his eyes at Marcus and smiled, "Luke is only telling half of the story with that quote and you know that. I always use that quote in referring to you and me as a gay couple. Being gay is our secret. So where is Luke going with this?"
Marcus shook his head and saw that everyone in their group was looking at them. Marcus remembered the hand written note on Luke's speech and he knows that Luke is taking a few seconds to decide if he is going to follow through with his note. Luke turned around and faced the auditorium, "There is one thing that I think everyone in this room needs to understand. My father looks at his sexuality as a curse. Now do not read too much into that but I say that so everyone knows that he raised me to be a normal teenager in every way and I could not have had a more masculine and manly childhood. But I feel that it's important that I leave this auditorium with no doubt about whom I am and what I stand for. I want everyone to know my secret and then you will truly understand who I am." Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out something small and started to unfold it.
The second JW saw it he knew it was a gay pride flag, his stomach started to knot-up. JW leaned back into his chair and gasped about the same time as everyone else in the auditorium. Even from a distance it was obvious to JW to watch his sons hands tremble while he unfolded the pride flag and draped it over the podium in front of him. JW watched Luke closely as he looked at the principle to his left, the principle nodded his head and Luke lifted his head on last time to speak into the microphone, "Almost everyone in the school knows that I am gay and I could never tell you how much support I have gotten from the school, my friends, my class mates and even my friend's parents. But there is a handful of people in this auditorium that do not know my secret until now and I want to leave this school a better place and leave all my secrets out there for everyone to know." Luke turned and started to walk away.
Marcus turned to JW immediately and he had a nervous smile on his face, but surprisingly he looked calm and relaxed. Marcus glanced at the obviously shocked grandparents and then down to Leah and Kira. Marcus leaned forward and whispered, "Did you two know?" Both turned, smiled and started to nod their heads. Marcus wrapped his arm around JW's shoulder and as Luke was starting to walk away the auditorium blew up into clapping, cheering and screams of excitement. As Luke made his way to his seat JW was surprised to see the response and acceptance Luke was getting. Not a single person that he passed didn't slap him on the back, shake his hand or grab his shoulder. Luke was absolutely glowing.
It took the Principal five minutes to calm the crowd down and finally end the ceremony. As everyone was standing up and leaving the auditorium Marcus grabbed JW by the arm, "So what do you think?"
JW smiled and looked up to Marcus, "I am scared for him... it's a long rough rode out there in the real world and he will not always have a room filled with support to help him in dark times..."
Marcus leaned in and kissed JW quickly and then lifted his head, "So are you surprised? Shocked? What are you going to say?"
JW shook his head, "I have known about this since he was freshman."
Marcus pulled his head back and had a shocked look on his face, "What? Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you tell me?"
JW smiled, "A father knows his son... I was hoping it would just be a phase... maybe something he would try and figure out that he does not like... but that appears not to be the case any more..."
Marcus forced a smile, "So how do you feel about it?"
JW shrugged, "No big deal really. I think Luke is already a 1000 times more prepared for what's ahead than I ever was and ever will be."
The End (Or is it?)
I would like to thank everyone who has spent the last few weeks taking time out of their day to read Meeting of Coincidence. I must give a gigantic word of thanks to Wolfie... With out your help Meeting Of Coincidence would not be half as good... So thank you! I have seriously enjoyed taking a lot of truth and spinning a little fiction into my story. I currently have started a new story and it will be fully fiction and completely different. I hope that I have not disappointed too many of you and look forward to releasing my next story in a few months. Also I have been toying with the idea of doing a story with Luke... Time will tell...
Thanks again and sincerely,
MK.