*** !!WARNING!! *** Gay fiction about to begin!
If you're not old enough please come back when you are. If you're not allowed to see this wherever you're accessing it from don't! You should go now at a run-if not, it's your neck and don't say I didn't warn you to leave. And last but not least-if you are offended by the thought of homosexuality then you're definitely in the wrong place. Please go back the way you came in or you will be offended.
Also, these characters come from my imagination. I know of no one like them in real life. Any one who sees himself or anyone they know should mark it down as a coincidence.
And Now, A Word From the Author.
This is going to be a short chapter as most transitional ones are. Nothing earth shattering happening, just a couple of tearful reunions.
. The story continues.
Jeremy and Ian emerged from the hallway in to the airport terminal. They started to head toward the baggage pick-up when a voice called out.
"Jeremy?"
Ian watched Jeremy's eyes light up as he turned to find the voice that called his name. It was obvious that Jeremy knew whoever that voice belonged to. Jeremy searched the faces that were near them until he found the one that called out.
"Toby!" Jeremy called out and rushed off.
Ian followed, quietly watching where Jeremy went. He saw Jeremy run up to a young black man and the two embraced like the old friends he knew they were.
Jeremy spoke excitedly, "My God, Toby, you look great. I haven't seen you in forever! What're you doing here?"
"You're looking sly yourself, and your mom asked me to meet you. She's at the hospital with your dad." Toby replied just as happy as Jeremy. "What've you been up to?"
Ian watched the two friends, specifically Toby. Normally he was not attracted to black men, but looking at Toby he could see that Toby was very attractive. Ian found himself thinking that Jeremy had good taste in men. For a moment Ian felt a pang of jealousy which he promptly scolded himself for. He trusted Jeremy, so it did not matter if he trusted Toby. For Jeremy though, he would give Toby a chance.
"I went back to high school to get my diploma, and I'm working in Ian's restaurant." Jeremy was answering Toby's question.
"This must be Ian standing behind you." Toby said looking up at Ian.
Jeremy turned and blushed.
"Yes, Toby Ferris, this is Ian Shea my boyfriend." Jeremy introduced Ian proudly
Toby stuck out his hand, "Hi, Jeremy's mom told me you've been taking care of my man here."
Smiling, Ian took the hand and shook it warmly, "Jeremy's told me a lot about you too. I'm glad to finally meet you. As far as taking care of Jeremy, he pretty much does that for himself."
"Yeah," Toby agreed rubbing his hand on Jeremy's head like he was trying to mess up his hair. "My man always could take care of himself."
"Cut it out you two." Jeremy protested batting Toby's hand away from his hair. "let's get the bags."
Ian and Toby chuckled at Jeremy's embarrassment.
"Yeah, I suppose we should get the bags." Ian agreed smiling.
As they moved back toward the baggage claim Toby said, "While you're in town give me a call and let's get together. I want to hear about what's been going on."
"I'd like that." Jeremy agreed. "I want to know what you've been doing since I left town too."
"Then it's a date." Toby grinned.
Ian had to struggle to keep his face neutral. He did not like the tone of Toby's voice when he said date. Ian warned himself again to trust Jeremy even if he was having difficulty trusting Toby.
They retrieved the bags and Toby lead the way to his car. Toby's car was a nineteen sixty-three Chevy Impala. It was black with a small dent in the rear and the rear bumper was twisted. The chrome was all still there and over the rearview mirror was a picture of a well muscled black man in a pair of tight bikini briefs.
Jeremy stopped and stood there when he saw the car Toby was driving, "Good Lord, you're still driving this old pile of junk?"
"Dude, she may not look like much, but you should hear how she purrs." Toby smiled proudly.
"I remember how she 'purrs'." Jeremy laughed. "And coughs too."
"It's been almost four years, man. She doesn't have that cough anymore." Toby protested taking keys from his pocket.
"Yeah, right." Jeremy sounded skeptical even as Toby unlocked the car's trunk.
"Don't be dissin' my ride, man." Toby warned, but his eyes were sparkling.
Ian noted the car could use some wax, but aside from the dent and twisted bumper the car seemed to be in fair condition. Ian realized that car and owner suited each other. It was true what they said about a car matching its owner.
They loaded the luggage in the trunk and then climbed in to the car. Toby and Jeremy sat up front and Ian sat in the middle of the back seat. Toby put the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine started the first time and Jeremy made a face that said he was impressed.
"She does sound better. Sorry for doubting you, Tobe."
Toby grinned proudly, put the car in gear, and drove away.
They stopped at the motel where Jeremy had booked rooms for them just long enough to check in and drop off their luggage before Toby drove them to the hospital.. Ian had let him make the arrangements because it seemed to be important to the younger man.
A little more than half-an-hour later the three climbed back in to Toby's car and headed off to Thornapple Memorial Hospital. Toby steered the car up to the front entrance and stopped.
"Sorry, guys, but I gotta' get to work. You guys gonna' be able to get back to the hotel?" Toby apologized.
"Yeah, we can catch a cab." Jeremy said. "Thanks for the ride, Tobe."
They climbed out of the car and Ian stopped in front of the driver's window. He stuck his hand out. "It was nice to meet you, Toby. I hope we see you again."
"Me too, man." Toby said taking Ian's hand.
A moment later, Ian and Jeremy entered the hospital. Ian followed Jeremy thinking that the younger man would stop at the nurse's station and ask for directions. Ian was surprised when Jeremy went to the elevator and pushed the up button. Ian realized that if Jeremy knew where he was going that could only mean that Jeremy had been to the cardiac intensive care ward before.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. The two stepped on to the elevator and Jeremy pushed the button for the second floor. The doors closed and the floor moved under their feet. Jeremy was really quiet and the sour look on his face would have been a clear indication to even a blind man that Jeremy was not happy.
"Talk to me?" Ian asked gently.
Jeremy sighed, "I don't want to see him, Ian. I don't want to."
"You don't have to if you don't want to." Ian said simply. "Don't let anyone force you to. As much as you love her, don't even let your mom force you."
Jeremy nodded.
Just then there was a ding and Jeremy straightened up, taking a deep breath. When the doors opened Jeremy looked at Ian. The look on his face said he did not want to step off the elevator. Ian stood, unmoving, saying that it was up to Jeremy with his actions and his eyes.
Finally, Jeremy's face hardened and he turned away. Ian felt a sense of pride as Jeremy stepped off the elevator. That's my man, Ian smiled to himself as he followed Jeremy.
They had not gone very far when Jeremy stopped. Up ahead of them was a woman with brown hair salted with white. She was getting a cup of coffee and started to turn toward them.
"Mom?" Jeremy's voice was so quiet Ian barely heard it.
The woman spotted them and immediately stopped. Her face looked stunned for just a moment and then her eyes glazed over with tears.
"Jeremy." She gasped.
Ian noted she had enough presence of mind to set down her coffee before rushing toward them. Jeremy bolted toward her at the same moment. They met wrapping arms around each other.
"It's so good to see you, sweetie." The woman said with tears on her cheeks. "I've missed you so much."
Ian could not see Jeremy's face, but he could hear Jeremy sniff so Ian knew he was crying too.
"I've missed you too, Mom." Jeremy said.
They stood there in the hallway for a long moment just holding each other as though afraid to let go. Ian waited patiently. It had been nearly four years since they had seen each other so they had a lot of hugging to catch up on.
When they finally relaxed they pulled away only so far that their hands were holding each other's arms. They were looking each other over.
"You look wonderful, sweetheart." The woman nodded.
"You look tired." Jeremy said with concern in his voice.
"Well, I haven't been sleeping much since your father's heart attack." The woman turned her head.
Jeremy was quiet for a moment and his mother could see the question in his eyes.
"Your father is doing fine. He just fell asleep a minute ago." She replied reading Jeremy's mind.
Jeremy nodded, "How are you doing?"
"Much better now that you're here." She patted his elbow. Then she looked over Jeremy's shoulder.
"You must be Ian." She smiled.
Ian smiled back, "And you're Shirley. I wish the circumstances were different, but it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"It's so wonderful to meet you too." Shirley said as she moved over and hugged Ian.
Surprised, it took a moment before Ian returned the embrace.
"I wanted to thank you for taking care of my son." Shirley said.
"You've already done that." Ian said quietly. "It was my pleasure. You have a lot to be proud of with him."
"Hey!" Jeremy said. "I'm standing right here. You don't have to talk like I'm not."
Ian grinned at him, "We know."
Shirley released Ian and turned to look at Jeremy. She still had one arm around Ian's waist.
"Oh honey, it's not like it's anything bad, but it's just that I was so worried about you after you left." Shirley explained. "I had no idea what had happened to you, or where you were. Then when Ian called I was just so thankful to know you were alive and well. I owe him so much for making sure you were safe, and I didn't have to worry about you."
"I'm sorry I worried you so much, Mom." Jeremy looked down at the floor.
Shirley reached out and put a hand on her son's face. Jeremy looked up at her and his eyes were glazed.
Shirley softly said, "I know, honey. I even know why you never called. Your father."
Jeremy nodded his eyes, and sniffed again. He wiped his eyes and said, "I was afraid Dad would answer the phone, and I didn't want to hear how much he hated me again."
"Is Jeremy's dad still upset about Jeremy being gay?" Ian asked a little surprised.
Shirley nodded her head sadly. "I'm afraid so."
Ian shook his head, "Unbelievable."
"That's my dad." Jeremy's tone was dark. "Once he's made up his mind there's no changing it."
"Your father will come around, dear." Shirley sighed. "It's just going to take a while."
"It's been four years, Mom." Jeremy reminded her. "How long does it take?"
Shirley shook her head, "I don't know, dear."
They stood there quietly for a moment neither knowing what else to say to each other. Ian finally broke the uncomfortable silence.
"That coffee looks good, Shirley. Would you know where I could find a cup of that?"
Shirley looked at Ian. There was a look of gratitude in her eyes that Ian took as a thank you for changing the subject.
"C'mon, I'll show you." Shirley said.
Then she slipped her hand in to Jeremy's and started to walk. Jeremy allowed her to lead him along with Ian following them along the hallway.
They came to a cafeteria and went in. Ian saw the commercial sized coffee maker and said, "Ah, I see coffee. Jeremy, would you like something?"
"Just the usual." Jeremy shrugged.
"Okay," Ian nodded. "One cola coming up. Why don't you and your mom pick out a table and I'll get our drinks."
"Sure." Nodded Jeremy.
Ian went to fetch the coffee and soda while Jeremy and his mother walked hand in hand toward a table. Jeremy picked on in the far corner away from everyone else. He wanted to talk to his mother without everyone in the hospital hearing what they were saying.
"Ian seems like such a wonderful man, dear." Shirley smiled. "I'm so glad you met him."
"He's incredible, Mom." Agreed Jeremy. "I don't know where I'd be now if I hadn't met him."
Shirley looked over at Ian as he was standing there paying for their drinks. Then she looked a nervously at her son.
"Jeremy, please don't take this wrong, but how old is Ian?" Shirley asked barely above a whisper.
"Mom!" Jeremy gasped in surprise.
"Oh honey, please don't be upset." Shirley spoke calmly but quickly as she put her hand over Jeremy's hand. "Ian is such a wonderful man that I have no problem with his age. I just want to be sure you don't have a problem with it."
Jeremy shook his head, "No, Mom, I have absolutely no problem with it at all."
"Have no problem with what?" Ian said standing above them.
"Mom was wanting to know if I had any trouble with the difference in our ages." Jeremy explained. "I told her that I don't."
Ian nodded as he set down the cola in front of Jeremy, "Well, I'm glad to hear that. I wish I could say the same."