This story is entirely fictional, and any resemblances to actual persons are completely coincidental. Actual locations are mentioned, and are used for 'background' only.
'Phalen - Finding Happiness' Chapter five
by Roy Reinikainen
Phalen shouted. "Would you get the door? I'm on the phone." Jeff pushed back the chair from his desk and stretched as he stood. 'Geez, I thought being a student was rough. Now I'm learning what it's like to be an instructor.' The doorbell rang a second time, followed quickly by Phalen's voice, urging him to hurry.
"Okay, okay," he shouted back. "I've got it." Greg and Larry were standing in the courtyard, waving through the sunroom windows. Larry was laughing at something Greg had said. He smiled, thinking how much more relaxed Greg seemed to be than when he arrived in Phoenix less than two weeks earlier. His trademark scowl was usually seen only when he was reading the newspaper. Most of the time he seemed to be smiling. He was even acquiring a bit of a tan, though he remained extraordinarily modest, as far as Jeff was concerned. He unlocked the front door and let the two men into the house.
Greg walked into the house fanning himself with his hand, commenting on the balmy autumn temperatures. Larry grinned and gave Jeff a brief hug as he passed. "I saw Greg taking a walk when I was driving back from giving Brad a lift to work. He accepted my offer of a ride home."
"I'm you came along. I had gotten caught up in the scenery and hadn't noticed how far I'd walked. Besides, I wasn't sure . . . exactly . . . how to get back here." He looked over his shoulder as he headed into the kitchen, returning a moment later with two glasses of ice water. "I should pay more attention." He handed Larry a glass and then smiled and patted Larry on the back and smiled. "So, Larry came along and rescued me." He turned and headed toward the back yard, motioning for them to follow. Larry glanced at the water and then at Jeff, noticing the barest of smiles.
Larry looked toward the retreating back. "Hey, Greg. What's with the water? I bet Jeff has got some beer in the fridge. It's a lot better than water on a day like this."
Greg stepped back into the living room and made a face. "That stuff in the fridge isn't real beer." Jeff rolled his eyes. "You haven't tasted real beer until you've tasted Lapin Kulta or Karhu." Jeff walked into the kitchen returning with a bottle of Larry's favorite and exchanged it for the glass of water as his brother continued talking.
"We're getting some of the good stuff shipped in. Then you'll see what you've been missing." He guided Larry out to the patio with a hand on his back. "We can have a few beers and talk over old times, solve the world's problems . . . or something." Greg seemed totally at ease, as did Larry. Jeff followed, feeling something like a third wheel.
Larry chuckled as he dragged a patio chair over to the shaded table and sat down opposite Greg. "I hate to break it to you, but the two of us don't have any old times to talk about," Greg shifted in his seat, throwing one shorts-clad leg over the arm of the chair and waved his hand, dismissing Larry's observation.
"Then we make up stories. They're inevitably better than the real thing anyway." He smiled brightly when Larry began laughing, surprising Jeff. He couldn't recall ever seeing his brother as much at ease as he was today. Greg shifted positions and rested both feet on a nearby chair, slipping off his sandals and wiggling his toes.
"Damn, look at me. I've gone native," he laughed, pointing to his short sleeved shirt and shorts. "No one back home would recognize me." He chuckled and looked over at Jeff, his smile brightening. "I love it." He wiggled his eyebrows a couple times at his brother and then leaned his head back and sighed with pleasure.
"Are you sure you didn't have a beer or six while you were out on your walk," Jeff asked, glancing first at Greg and then Larry, whose eyes sparkled as he lifted the beer bottle. Greg shook his head as he finished his glass of water, setting the glass down with a clink.
"Nope, I'm just feeling good."
The three men looked up as Phalen came outside and stood behind Jeff, resting his hands on his shoulders. Jeff looked up and smiled. "Who was that on the phone?"
"Curt. He asked if he could come over. He sounded really down." Phalen scooted a chair close to Jeff and plopped down with a gusty sigh and stretched out, resting his bare feet on Jeff's lap.
"He had a date last night, and I guess it didn't go well." He glanced at his father. "He can't stop thinking of Brad." Jeff continued to massage one of Phalen's feet noticing his brother' puzzled expression.
"Curt is Brad's ex-boyfriend."
"Lover," Larry added. "Their separation was rough on both of them. Sometimes I find Brad staring off into the distance, oblivious to everything around him. I asked him once what he was thinking about and he got all embarrassed, admitting he was wondering if Curt was okay." Larry finished the bottle of beer and sighed. "Maybe it would be better if the two of 'em got back together." Jeff quickly looked up to Larry to see if he was serious.
"I mean it, Jeff. They should either get back together, or admit to one another that their relationship is over. Neither of them can go on this way."
"I'm not sure getting back together would solve anything, Larry. I mean, what's changed? They could just be going back to the same problems they hoped to get away from when they parted. Brad was certainly miserable. He had to be rescued by a professor during his final presentation at school he was so upset by something Curt had done." Jeff looked genuinely disturbed. "At least now, he's got the freedom to start over."
Phalen jumped up as the doorbell rang, and ran to the front door. Greg and Larry were attempting to make small talk but Jeff was listening to the sound of Phalen welcoming Curt.
"Hey guys," he said, leading Curt out onto the patio. Curt followed, looking like he hadn't slept. Jeff couldn't help but compare the man who stood before him with the slightly rumpled clothing, uncombed hair and day-old growth of beard, with the crisply pressed, impeccably dressed man he had met when Brad introduced them. He instantly regretted being critical of the tired looking man who stood next to Phalen, holding onto the back of a chair to steady himself.
"Hi Curt," Jeff stood and put an arm around his shoulders. The gesture seemed to surprise Curt, who initially stiffened before slowly relaxing as Jeff remained friendly.
"I don't think you've ever met my brother, Greg. He just moved here to do his residency at one of the hospitals near downtown." Greg, this is Curt, a friend of Phalen's and mine." Curt gave Jeff a quick glance before giving Greg a tired smile and shaking his hand. He gave Larry a nod of greeting.
"It's always good to see you, Curt," Larry said. "Forgive my saying it, but you look like hell." Curt bowed his head slightly and shrugged.
"Yeah . . . well . . ."
Greg stood and dragged another chair close by. "Hey, have a seat. You look like you're about dead on your feet. Have you been getting enough sleep?"
"You'll have to excuse him, Curt. He's a doctor," Jeff added as Curt slumped onto the chair. He seemed unsure of Jeff's greeting, and Larry's presence was clearly unnerving.
Greg scooted his chair closer, looking concerned. "Yeah, I'm a doctor, and I hate to see someone so obviously in need of a good night's sleep." Curt seemed overwhelmed with the attention he was receiving. He was behaving as if he expected everyone to start shouting at him any moment, telling him what an awful person he was. He seemed to have convinced himself that he didn't deserve friendship and was confused with the reception he was receiving.
"C'mon, man. Let's go inside for a few minutes and get you something to drink." Greg held out a hand and helped Curt stand and they both headed inside as Greg continued speaking. "You'll just have to forgive me while I play doctor for a few minutes." Curt looked back over his shoulder at Phalen who smiled and gave him a friendly wave.
As Greg continued speaking, Phalen sat down and smiled at his father, at the same time he briefly squeezed Jeff's leg and gave the barest hint of a nod in Greg's direction. Jeff's frown attracted Larry's attention.
"Is my dear son playing matchmaker?" His murmur was answered by Jeff's noncommittal expression. Phalen appeared to totally ignore the comment.
"They both need a friend," he said, defending himself when the quiet had gone on for a few moments. "What's the harm?"
"Quite the bedside manner, I'd say," Larry murmured, smiling as he heard Greg continue to talk in the background. "Does he normally take over like that?" Jeff shrugged.
"I've never seen it happen before." He turned back to Larry. "Maybe his doctor-instinct takes over when se sees someone in need. Curt did look pretty bad."
"He looked like shit, you mean." Jeff nodded. "There's more to his appearance and behavior than a bad date." He glanced toward the kitchen. "I'd bet he hasn't been home since." He turned to Jeff with a worried look. "Do you suppose he's been driving around since last night? It's almost dinner time now." Jeff continued to look grave.
"Well," Phalen said brightly, trying to break the somber mood. "Those guys can handle things inside. What should we talk about?" He turned to his father. "How's work, Dad? Have the big bosses gotten over the fact that you may be gay?"
"What?" Jeff's attention shifted to Phalen and his father. "You mentioned you were having a rough time. What's been going on?"
Larry sighed, idly rotating his beer bottle as he spoke. "Someone from the firm apparently saw Andrew and me someplace. Mr Casey . . ."
"The firm's number one dictator," Phalen interrupted, making a face. Larry nodded, trying not to smile at his son's words.
"Yeah, well, he said it wasn't appropriate for one of the firm's attorneys to be seen, in public." He emphasized those words. "Holding hands, he said, with another man. By the time he finished the sentence I thought he was going to need some sort of emergency medical help, he was so red."
"I didn't have a clue what he was talking about. Someone from the office must have seen Andrew and me someplace. Brad and I have hardly been anywhere since he moved in, though we are supposed to visit his parents soon. Mr. Casey gulped down a glass of what I think was water and continued, standing up and grasping the edge of his desk for support."
"Do you deny it," he screeched in a voice loud enough to be heard a few offices away." Larry made a face, imagining what his co-workers must thought as they heard Mr. Casey's voice through the wall of his office.
"I told him I didn't recall holding hands with another man, but if I had it certainly wasn't in court or anyplace else where I would be identified as working for the firm. So, I concluded, if I was holding some guy's hand, it must have been someplace where it's no one's business who I was seeing, or what I was doing."
Phalen leaned forward. "You shoulda punched the old geezer in the face. The old fart," Phalen continued, warming to the subject and suggesting what his father should have said. "You coulda gotten all excited and sorta groped yourself." Larry gave Jeff a long suffering look. "Yeah, Mr. Casey," Phalen continued. "I was holding this really handsome guy's hand right out there in broad daylight. Just when I thought things couldn't get any more exciting, the guy's brother walked up and gave me a big wet kiss." Phalen laughed, picturing the scene. "I thought that maybe when we stripped down and frolicked nekkid in the fountain on civic plaza that we might scare some of the nearby children but, hell, I didn't care. I figured if it was okay for the teachers to gather round, it was okay for the kids."
"Phalennnn," Larry warned.
Phalen gave an acknowledging wave. "I know. I'm not being nice. That man just likes to yell at people. He's got everyone over there terrorized."
"What are you planning on doing, Larry?"
He shrugged. "Right now, nothing. There are always options. I've been there since I graduated from law school, but that doesn't mean I have to remain there."
"No boss should lose their temper and shout at their employees, especially someone who has been with them as long as you have." Jeff continued. "You're devoted to that place. Brad jokingly told me once that he was going to have to drag you away, just so you could get some sleep."
"I thin giving the tyrant a swift kick in the butt, might knock some sense into the guy." Phalen groused, once again motioning to his father that he'd be quiet.
Curt looked out to the patio as Greg urged him to sit down at the kitchen island. "Here, have a seat. You look like you're about ready to fall over." Curt found it easier to comply with the order than argue. Greg bustled about the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee, stopping a moment to study it with a critical eye. He made a face and handed the steaming liquid to Curt.
"Here, if this doesn't perk you up nothing will." He watched as Curt warily took a sip and made a face. "Phalen likes it strong," he explained. "But that's just what you need right now." He leaned on the island opposite Curt and silently watched him finish the cup and carefully set it down. He grinned his thanks, but his eyes kept straying out to the patio where Phalen was laughing.
Even in his current state, sporting at least a day's worth of beard, his rosy cheeks were prominent. The dark circles under his eyes, his mussed hair and generally disheveled appearance though, were troubling.
"Have you had anything to eat in the last twelve hours?" Curt thought a moment and then shook his head, still in something of a daze. Greg refilled the empty cup and made a sandwich feeling Curt's gaze all the while.
He placed the sandwich on a plate and set it on the counter, along with an apple.
"Thanks." Curt took a bite of the sandwich and must have realized how hungry he actually was, since he wolfed down the remainder, along with another cup of coffee.
He murmured another, "thanks," and held the apple, running a perfectly manicured thumb over the fruit's slick surface. 'Strong hands,' Greg thought to himself.
"I'm sorry," Curt looked apologetic. "I was so groggy when I arrived, I don't remember your name." He bowed his head slightly. "Sorry. I'm not at my best at the moment. You are Jeff's brother though . . . right?" Greg's chuckle was answered by a hint of a smile.
"Yes, I'm his brother. My name's Greg."
"Oh." Curt was at a loss as to what to say. "I'm Curt." He was interrupted by a burst of laughter from the patio. They both glanced in that direction. "You both have the same accent." Greg grinned.
"Yeah, that's because we grew up in the same place. English wasn't our primary language."
"Oh." A moment's silence extended until Greg thought Curt might have fallen asleep. He looked up with a slight grin. "I like it. The accent." Greg smiled and nodded thanks. "It suits you. Sorta makes you special." He lapsed back into silence and stared into empty space.
"Care to talk? I know that sometimes it's easier to say things to a stranger than to a friend. I'm a stranger. I'm also a doctor, so I'm able to keep my mouth shut." He paused a moment and then spoke encouragingly. "I'm also a good listener."
"Have Jeff or Phalen told you about me? I mean, what I did to Brad?" Greg thought a moment and frowned slightly, shaking his head.
"I've only been here a short while. In fact, I've only spoken with Brad a couple times in passing. You say you did something to him?" Curt sighed and bowed his head.
"Yeah, he and I lived together for four years. I screwed things up by fucking around behind his back. He left me."
"I see. I take it, it's been rough on you." Curt nodded.
"You could say that. It seems he's all I can think about." Greg grinned to himself when Curt absently bit into the apple.
"Since we . . . parted, I haven't fooled around with anyone. I've been afraid to. That's what got me into trouble in the first place." He glanced over his shoulder toward the patio. "Phalen suggested that if I was ever going to move on I needed to get out and meet someone." He heaved another sigh.
"Well, that's what I did. It was one of the guys from work, actually. Last night. It was a disaster. The whole time, I felt guilty, and dirty. I never used to feel like that." He shuddered and spoke in a voice barely more than a whisper. "It was terrible." When he looked over the counter top to Greg, his eyes were troubled. "And what makes it worse is that he probably thinks he's the cause of my not staying the night. It wasn't him. It was me. I tried explaining, but I bet he didn't believe me. Now, I feel bad because of him and Brad."
"It seems that sometime during the last few months I've acquired a conscience." He gave a dry laugh. "A conscience makes life a lot more difficult." Greg gave him a rueful smile and a slight nod.
"So, you've had a bad experience with this one person. Have you given any thought to what you are going to do? Are you going to follow Phalen's advice, and try to meet someone else? Maybe take things a little more slowly, this time?" Both men looked up as Larry, Phalen and Jeff headed inside.
Larry walked over to Curt and laid an arm over his shoulders, giving him a concerned look. "You doing better now?" Curt nodded. "Good." He patted Curt once and turned to leave.
"Say hi for me, will you?" Larry squeezed his shoulder and nodded, responding to the wistful expression.
"Sure." He gave Curt another gentle pat on the back before he and Jeff walked through the living room and out into the courtyard. They stood in the shade speaking for a few moments and then Jeff followed Larry through the courtyard door.
"So . . ." Phalen said, leaning on the counter and grinning at Greg, then Curt. "Are things okay, now?" Curt nodded, smiling.
"Better. How could they not be, I had some of your coffee? When the caffeine takes effect, I won't be able to sleep for a week."
"Good." Phalen looked at both of them once more. "I've got a favor to ask you guys. Jeff's birthday is coming up and I'd like to be alone with him in the house. You know? Well, anyway, why don't you both get together on that night and go out to dinner and a movie or something? Greg's new in town, and Curt, you need to get away from work once in a while. It'll do you both good."
Greg smiled at Curt. "I think he's trying to play matchmaker."
"Am not. I like you guys, and think you'd have fun going out to dinner or something. But, I really want to have some uninterrupted time with Jeff on his birthday." He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "He gets sorta loud when we're . . . you know . . . fooling around, and I don't want him to be embarrassed, thinking someone might overhear."
"He's not the loud one, Phalen," Greg laughed.
"So'okay, sometimes I get loud too. Comes from being celibate for most of my life." He opened his mouth to continue and then paused a moment, looking back at Greg. "Do I really make that much noise?"
"No, not really. Besides, it gets my fantasies going." Phalen gave him a penetrating glance trying to figure out if he was being teased.
"So, will you guys do it?"
Curt turned toward Greg and tried to grin. "In return for some good advice my doctor," he nodded toward Greg, "gave me, it'll be my treat. I'll even shave for the occasion."
"And get some sleep beforehand?" Curt nodded.
"Okay, Phalen," Greg said, lowering his voice when he noticed Jeff coming back into the house. "We'll do it." Curt nodded.
Jeff walked up between Curt and Phalen and laid an arm across their shoulders, one on either side, looking from one to the other. "So, guys. High level talks going on?" Curt looked up at Jeff.
"Yeah, I heard that Phalen made some of the best coffee in town, so I stopped by for a cup." He extended the cup to Greg asking for a refill. When he took a long swallow of the black liquid Jeff made a sour face. "This stuff is so potent, I ended up asking Greg out on a date."
Greg looked up and smiled when he noticed Jeff looking at him.
Larry sat against a couple large pillows, leaning against the bed's headboard. His legs were spread wide and Brad was lying on his back between them, his head resting on Larry's thigh. He winked and gave Larry an impish smile.
"You're wonderful you know?" Larry tenderly ran his long fingers through Brad's disheveled black hair, straightening the unruly curls as he gave Brad a fond smile.
"I could say the same of you, handsome." Brad attempted to snuggle closer. He turned his head to his left and buried his nose in Larry's pubes, moaning with pleasure as he inhaled deeply.
"Geez, you smell good." Brad's penis began to stir as he took another deep breath. "I could lie here for the rest of the day." He reached up with his left hand and linked fingers with Larry, squeezing gently, his sparkling eyes, lips slightly puffy from their aggressive kissing, and now fully-erect penis, conveying his mood.
Brad closed his eyes and sighed as Larry gently ran the tip of a forefinger over his jaw, pausing a moment on his lips. Brad kissed the fingertip and then opened his mouth at the same time he made a begging sound deep in his throat.
"You realize of course that you're trying to put off our visit to your parents?" Brad lazily rolled his head from side to side, refusing to release Larry's finger, or open his eyes. Larry chuckled. "Yes you are, and we both know it." He untwined his fingers and gently pinched one of Brad's nipples, causing him to open his eyes and release Larry's finger from his mouth.
"Let's stay here . . . like this," Brad groaned. "Dad and Mom can wait to meet you a while longer." He frowned in response to Larry's fatherly expression and then sighed as he struggled into a sitting position.
"Alright, counselor, but I'll have you know I had something very special planned for later. Now, you'll never know what it was." He slid out of bed and stood, thrusting his hips forward and his arms wide as he stretched sensuously. He turned toward the bathroom and then back to Larry, leaning over the bed and propping himself up with his arms.
Larry leaned into Brad's kiss. "Thank you, counselor," he murmured as their lips parted, his breath warm against Larry's mouth. "For everything."
Larry stepped out of the car and straightened, looking toward Brad. "I never thought I feel like this again." Brad gave him a puzzled look as they crossed the driveway and approached the front door to Brad's parents' house. "The last time I had to meet the parents of someone I was seeing was with my ex-wife." He paused a moment. "I hope things go better this time." Brad grinned and patted him on the back.
"Just take a deep breath and pretend you're in court."
"On the witness stand, being cross examined by a hostile attorney?"
"Maybe I should have chosen a different analogy." Brad opened the front door and shouted. "We're here." Larry winced.
"You're yelling like they may be in the next town," Larry muttered. He looked up when Brad's parents walked into the room, both of them laughing.
"He's always done that, ever since he could talk." Brad's father turned to Larry and extended his hand in greeting. Frank was the same height as Brad with the same mischievous smile and twinkling eyes. He looked like a man who enjoyed a practical joke.
"You must be Larry. I'm Frank and this is my wife Liz." Larry returned their handshakes. These were the type of people one could instantly consider friends. The anxiety of a few minutes earlier suddenly disappeared.
Brad's mother was a slender woman and a stark contrast with her husband and son. She was a blond, and if her dark tan was any indication, she enjoyed being outdoors.
"Welcome to our home, Larry," she said in a wonderful voice. "I'm pleased we're having an opportunity to meet you." She ushered them through the living room and out onto a patio that was shaded by a large overhanging tree which cast dappled shade onto the table already holding a large pitcher and some glasses and a large tray of cookies.
"Here dear," Liz said, handing Brad the pitcher. "Would you please pour us all a cool drink?" She looked at Larry with a wide smile as they both took a seat around the table. "I thought the hot weather might have departed for the rest of the year. It appears I was wrong."
Brad finished pouring the drinks and gingerly sat on the edge of a chair, looking completely ill at ease. His anxiety finally drew his Father's attention.
"Is something wrong, son? You're making me uncomfortable with all your squirming."
"I . . . uh . . ." He sat back on the chair and tried to appear calm, only to sit forward once more.
Liz reached out and rested a hand on his, giving him an understanding smile. "Things are fine, sweetheart." She cast a mischievous glance toward Larry and then looked back to her son. "Your father and I aren't going to jump Larry. I promise you. You guys aren't here to get our approval. You're here so we can get to know Larry."
"He's told us so much about you, we both feel as if we already know you." Larry smiled and reached out to Brad and took his hand, causing Brad to glance uncertainly from his father to his mother.
"C'mon handsome, everything's cool." Brad laced his fingers through Larry's and seemed to relax a bit.
"Yeah, I guess." He saw his mother and father watching him. "Guys, you're right, I am . . . was, a little nervous." He cleared his throat. "I want you both to like Larry as much as I do. Your good opinion is important to me, and I've sorta felt alienated from you both for the last four years because I never thought I had it."
"Brad," Larry interrupted before his parents could say anything. "I think I know where your folks are coming from. If I'm correct, they're going through what all parents do when one of their children introduces them to a person they consider special." Liz nodded and smiled slightly.
The tension seemed to finally have left Brad. He turned to Larry, not understanding what he meant.
"Son," Frank stepped in. "After everything you've already told us, and after the short while we've been together this afternoon, your mother and I already know Larry is a fine person. But, he's right. A parent will do anything possible to prevent one of their children from being hurt, either physically or emotionally."
"We know it's wrong of us, but whenever one of our sons tells us he's become interested in someone, we automatically think that that person isn't good enough for our boy." He smiled and glanced at Brad. "No one would be good enough. But, we become accustomed to accepting our children's choices. It's one of the most difficult parts of letting go."
"Sweetheart," Liz added. "You've had no reason to feel alienated from us. All your father and I want is for you to be happy. It's not for us to define what you consider happiness, or with whom you choose to live."
"We'll come to love whomever you choose to spend your life with, whether that person be Curt, Larry or someone you've yet to meet."
"So, Larry's right? Things are cool?" Both parents smiled and nodded, just as the front door slammed and a voice very similar to Brad's shouted.
"I'm home! Where is everyone?" Larry grinned at Frank and Liz's expression.
"All of our boys do the same thing," Liz sighed, looking over her shoulder as a slightly younger version of Brad walked out onto the patio. When he saw that his parents had company, he halted for a moment and then his face lit up with a smile. He stepped forward and extended his hand in greeting.
"Hi. I'm Marty, Brad's brother."
"The baby of the family," his mother interjected, drawing a mock scowl from her youngest son and a smile from Brad.
"Yeah, whatever." He gave Larry a firm handshake and smiled brightly when Larry introduced himself. "It's great to meet Brad's new boyfriend. He's been all jittery 'cause he was afraid Mom and Dad wouldn't like you." Brad bowed his head and closed his eyes.
"I'm betting they already do." He swept his parents with a swift glance. "I mean, what's not to like?" Larry raised his eyebrows slightly and shrugged softly snorting in amusement.
Marty gave his brother a puzzled look. "You like Brad, right?" Larry nodded. "A lot?" Once again, Larry nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "And, I know for a fact he likes you." Larry's smile broke through. He nudged Brad who grinned and bowed his head, trying not to blush.
"Hey, you like baseball too, don't ya?" Larry nodded, still smiling. "Well, we got the bases covered then." He looked at his parents and plucked a cookie from the tray in the middle of the table.
"How do you figure that?" Frank couldn't help himself. It was easy to tell he enjoyed his son's behavior. He leaned his forearms on the table and watched his son who seemed to enjoy the attention he was receiving.
Marty finished chewing the cookie and swallowed before he ticked off the points on his fingers. "Well, the way I figure it." His mother snorted softly, causing him to playfully scowl at her briefly. "I figure since Larry likes Brad, a lot, and Brad likes Larry." He glanced at his mother. "He told me, Mom." She held up her hands in surrender. "They like each other. Isn't it obvious?"
Marty got a mischievous look on his face, making the resemblance to his brother even more striking. "I really don't know what a handsome guy like Larry sees in my plain brother, but there must be something." He thought for a moment and then smiled, his eyes twinkling, just as Brad's did before he was going to say something outrageous. "Maybe he's good in the sack." He jumped aside, expertly avoiding Brad's swat. "Whatever," he laughed, continuing to stand out of arm's reach. "There's no accounting for taste." He smiled at Brad and ingenuously blinked his light brown eyes.
"And," he stressed the word. "And, Larry likes baseball!" He snatched another cookie and bit into it. "Like I said. All the bases are covered. I give Larry my stamp of approval." He smiled brightly and patted Brad on the shoulder. He looked at Larry and winked as he took another bite of cookie.
"Well, since we've gotten that out of the way, I need Brad to come out and see my new car. It's so cool." Brad glanced at Larry and then at his parents, suddenly seeming much younger. Marty was bouncing on the balls of his feet, he was so excited. The moment Brad stood, Marty turned and trotted into the house. "C'mon, Brad. It's been too long since I've had a chance to see 'ya."
"I feel as if I've just been hit broadside by a comedian," Larry laughed, imitating Marty by plucking a cookie from the tray and grinning when Brad's parents turned to him.
"Our son only asked part of the question, when he asked if you liked Brad." Larry nodded, knowing what was coming. "Do you love Brad, Larry?"
He bowed his head slightly and thought a moment, noticing the condensation forming on the glass and the sound of the two brothers' voices in the distance. He shook his head slightly and looked back to Brad's parents. "No, I don't love him. Not yet. It's too soon for either of us to say that about the other. I care for him a great deal. I could easily come to love him, but he's got some things he has to finish dealing with first."
"Curt?" Larry nodded. "I don't want to let my feelings for Brad develop into something . . . deeper, and then get hurt when he can't return them, and I don't want to pressure him into anything. Right now, the relationship we do have is enough for me."
Liz swallowed around a lump in her throat and reached across the table and patted Larry's hand, surprising him. "A lesser man would have told us that he was in love. I would have found that person difficult to believe. I believe you." She smiled. "If things do develop between you two, I will be very pleased."
"Thank you, Liz, but I trust him to figure out what he wants. That's what should govern his life. Not what I want, or either of you want. He hasn't quite grasped the concept yet. He's still trying to please everyone. Sometimes that's not going to be possible. When he finally decides what is best for him, I'll be happy for him, no matter what that decision is. Of course, I hope he decides that I'm the right person, but if he doesn't I'll survive. I spent too many years in a relationship I regretted ever starting, to try and force him to be what I wish. What kept me going was my wonderful son. He made those years endurable . . . and worthwhile.
"Hey counselor," Brad called sticking his head in the front door. "Come on out here and take a look at Marty's new car. Be prepared. It's yellow! Looks sorta like a banana!" There was a yelp followed by the sound of the two young men laughing.
Larry stood and shook Frank's hand, and returned Liz's brief hug. "Welcome to the family, Larry," she said, releasing him. "When the other three boys are at home, we call the place bedlam."
"It's wonderful to hear him laugh again," Frank said as they walked through the house. "It has been too long."
~ to be continued ~
Thank you for taking the time to read my work. 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.
In addition to the first 'Phalen' story, I have three other stories you may want to read. 'Leith,' and 'Chris' are located in the Nifty College Section. The third story is called 'Wesley', and is located in the Adult Relationships section. I hope you enjoy them all.
Best wishes,
Roy Reinikainen roynm@mac.com suomalainen_abq@mac.com