TO THE READER:
THE STORIES I POST ON NIFTY ARE NOT TRUE. OFTEN MEN WILL HAVE SEX WITHOUT PROTECTION, THOUGH THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS CHAPTER. PROTECT YOURSELF. THERE ARE MANY SERIOUS DISEASES OUT THERE WITH NO OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS.
"Searching for Love"
Chapter 11
Wednesday and Thursday were very busy days for both Owen and Walter. Each came home dead tired. Apart from showering and fixing and eating dinner, each just wanted to sleep, but this was choir rehearsal night. Owen was relieved to learn he was not expected to sing a solo again on Sunday. They had walked to the church with John, and returned home with him. Their fatigue was accepted by John as the reason for little conversation.
At home, the two men wanted no TV, no love making, just sleep. Friday began as a very different day: the mood of the employees of the company was just downright dismal. The end of employment was a cruel blow to most during this time of severe economic downturn.
The mood of Congress matched the mood of the Congress of the 1930 election, when all wanted to cut the cost of government, throwing many out of work, and increasing the severity of the Depression. President Hoover's experience was unknown to the contemporary Congress.
What was that old quote? Ah yes, "Those ignorant of history are condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past." But, of course, they were ignorant, and the mistakes were repeated.
When Walter reported to the supervisor on Friday morning, he learned that the security staff was being cut back, and he was fired. He wondered what he could do during this dismal time for hiring. He looked in his wallet to see how much money he had. In counting his money he found Ralph's card. He thought of Ralph's nice apartment, good body, and how Ralph had appreciated him. `It wouldn't hurt to call him,' he thought, then sought out a phone and did it.
Ralph answered on the first ring. He was just going out shopping, and was delighted to hear Walter's voice. Was there any chance Walter had a day off? Walter said he did, and would enjoy a day with Ralph. Ralph was given the address of the office building, and promised to be there within 20 minutes. Carefully waiting until Owen's back was turned from the entrance, Walter snuck out to await Ralph's arrival.
Owen was very busy, trying to get the inventory in shape for collection the next day, so he didn't notice Walter's failure to appear at break time. Again, he expected Walter at lunch time, but when he didn't appear, accepted that as a problem of Walter's with the work he was paid to do. At quitting time, Walter had not been seen since they arrived together at the building at 7 a.m. Owen closed the store, put the receipts in the floor safe, and locked up the store, turning off the "Open" sign for the last time. Owen would return the next day to supervise the emptying of the store, but no more sales or customers would concern him. He would miss his "regulars."
When Ralph came to collect Walter at the office building, Walter tried to hold back information on is firing, but he could not. He told Ralph while they were on the way to Ralph's home. On questioning, Walter admitted he had no job prospects now, but he would start hunting for a job Monday.
Ralph offered to put Walter up while he was job hunting, no charge, just love making expected. Walter jumped at the opportunity, and asked Ralph to go to Owen's apartment so they could collect his clothing and the uniforms he would need to return to the security agency on Monday. With the two of them carrying bundles of clothing out to Ralph's car, and the few personal items Walter had brought to Owen's apartment, their moving chore was accomplished in less than an hour.
Walter left his door key and a note for Owen:
Dear Owen,
I was fired today. They are cutting back on the number of security
personnel at the closed office building. I can't afford to pay any more
rent, so I am leaving. The key is all I had of your things.
Thanks for your kindness to me,
Walter
Owen rode the bus home alone, hoping Walter was O.K. He got off the bus, looking around, hoping to see Walter, but, of course, he was not there waiting for Owen. Owen entered the apartment house lobby, collected his mail, and went to his apartment. He hung his jacket in the entry closet, then called out to Walter, "Honey, I'm home." Hearing no answer, he went to the bedroom and changed into his usual sweat suit. The closet door was closed, so he didn't notice the absence of Walter's clothes.
Owen went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for the two of them. There he found the door key and Walter's note. Owen looked around the apartment, then realized that everything of Walter's was gone. He wanted to tell Walter he could stay, that Owen had enough money to carry them through this job crisis. He went through each room, becoming aware of the absence of Walter's things.
Going back to the kitchen, he picked up the note and carried in to the sofa, where he sat and read and read it. Finally, he put the note on the coffee table, put his hands to his face and began to cry. No, not cry, sob. Owen had invested his emotions in this relationship. He loved Walter, now Walter was gone without a word spoken. Owen had no way to contact him. Owen paused in his thinking to admit he was alone again. He had been dropped totally, unceremoniously, and it hurt.
Owen did not notice how long he had been sobbing. He just knew that again, he would have to move forward in this lonesome world he lived in. No one to care for, to love, and no one who loved him. He didn't feel like eating, though he knew should eat something because he had a hard day's work ahead of him tomorrow.
He picked up his jacket and keys, locked the door, and headed out for a walk. He didn't notice the time. He didn't care. No one cared about him. He walked until it was dark and getting cold. He found himself back at his apartment building, and he entered, but he didn't want to return to his empty apartment. Instead, he went to John's apartment and rang the bell.
John answered the door and told him, "I'm sorry dinner's long passed. What has happened? You look bad. Come in and tell me all about it. Maybe I can help."
Owen entered, surrendered his jacket, and followed John to the living room. John's offer of a drink was politely refused. John offered to make coffee, and Owen accepted. While John was making coffee, Owen looked around the living room, noticing the soothing atmosphere, the subtle colors, the comfortable furniture, and the mood of serenity. He thought, `It's sure not like my apartment. Mine is all chaos and stark colors. I should learn from John.'
John returned from the kitchen with two mugs of coffee, put them on the coffee table, sat down next to Owen, put an arm around his shoulder and said, "Owen, you know I want only the best for you. Is there anything I can do to help? Tell me what it is that hit you so hard."
Owen began to cry, then sob. John just kept his arm around Owen and gently patted his shoulder, saying, "Take your time. We've got time. Let it all out." Finally, Owen ceased crying, blotted up his tears with the Kleenex from the box on the coffee table, and began
"John, I didn't see Walter all day long after we got to work this morning. I assumed he was busy on his job. I worried about him when quitting time came and he hadn't appeared. I locked up the store, caught the bus and came home to an empty apartment. All of Walter's things were gone. He left his door key with a note saying he'd been fired, couldn't pay any more rent, and had taken all his things and left.
"John, I didn't need his money. I have enough money to take care of both of us while he looked for another job. Since he came to me, I've not spent any money at bars, or done my usual crazy stunts with gay men. I can take care of both of us. But, " and he began to sob again, slowing to say, "I don't know where to find him. He never told me about any family. I don't know who to call, how to reach him. I guess he didn't trust my love. I've driven him away!" The deep sobs returned.
John turned Owen's tear-covered face to him and said, "Owen, you didn't drive him away. He didn't want to face being unemployed and being dependent on you. It's not your fault. Now, drink your coffee, and tell me what is on your plate tomorrow."
Owen took a sip of coffee, then replied, "Tomorrow I've got a full day. The movers are coming to clear out the store, and I have to be there by 9a.m. If it's like the last time, they won't appear till late afternoon. Then I'm done till Monday morning, when I go to the office to learn to be a supervisor. I'll be busy all next week, and probably for several weeks, while I settle into the new job, learning all the things my job requires. At least, I've got something to keep me busy."
"That proves it," John said, "You've done good work, and you're being promoted because you're a good worker with the ability to get along with people, learn from experience, and think about the future. You've got a future.
"Now, have you got anything on the stove?" Owen shook his head, no. "Would you like something to eat?" Again, Owen shook his head, no.
"Then I think it's time to get some rest." He took Owen's hand, and led him to the bedroom. He helped Owen get out of his skimpy clothes, undressed himself, then put the two of them to bed. John carefully put his arm around Owen, spooned his backside, and bid him goodnight.
Owen fell asleep rapidly. John lay awake, thinking of this dear man in his arms, how he had made such a hash of his life, and now, when things were going better for him on the job, his room mate dumped him without letting Owen talk. He patted Owen's shoulder, then settled down, arm around Owen, spooned up to his back and went to sleep.
The next morning, John awoke at 7 a.m. to find Owen was gone. On his kitchen table was a thank you note, with a promise to stop by tonight, if John was at home, and take him to dinner. John smiled and shook his head. The old Owen was back, the one who never thought of himself, spent money on others when he really couldn't afford it, and still was a delight to be with. John decided he would fix a nice dinner for Owen when he returned from emptying out the store.
The day passed rapidly for John as he did some shopping and prepared a nice dinner for Owen.
The day passed slowly for Owen as he sat quietly in the closed store, not a single customer to break the silence, all the inventory prepared to return to the warehouse. Of course, the moving men came late in the afternoon, though they did clear the store rapidly. Owen waited for the bus outside the closed office building, seeing no lights above the entrance floor, and no employees to share the bus with him. It had been a lonely day, and it was a lonely ride home.
At home, Owen checked the mail box, only finding a letter for Walter. He showered, dressed nicely, and went to John's apartment, ready to escort him to a nice dinner. John met him at the door with the usual wooden spoon in his hand.
"Owen," he said, "I didn't feel like going out. I hope you don't mind. I got some lamb, rack of lamb, which I believe you said you liked."
"John, you didn't have to do that. Lamb is so expensive. At least, let me pay for it."
"No, Owen. It' s my treat. I don't buy this for myself. You know, when I eat alone, I don't each very much at a sitting. This is just as much a treat for me as for you. Now, take off your jacket and tie, and your shoes, if you want, and get comfortable. I have some wine in the refrigerator, if you'd like."
"Thanks, John, but I find I do better if I don't drink. First, I wake up with a clear head, then I save the money, too, I would have spent buying myself a hang over. I would like a glass of water. They shut off the water to the store on Friday. I had no water to drink all day. There was lots of soda, but I never did care for sodas. Water sounds just great to me."
John returned with two tall glasses of ice water, handed one to Owen, and said, "I guess I'm going to have to get used to the new Owen, or the Owen I've never recognized before." He brought his glass close to Owen's and said, "To the real Owen. May his life improve daily."
"John, you've been my best friend for years now, and I rarely have thanked you when I wasn't beaten up, or hung over. Now, I want to thank you for being the kind of friend every man wishes he had!"
They touched their glasses together, each took a sip, and put them down. Owen stood, took John's hand to pull him up into a hug. Owen kissed John and thanked him for being such a good friend, no, better than that, the family every gay man wanted.
Owen stayed with John that night. Soon, Owen moved in with John, happy to share the life of such a kind, warm lover.
Oh, yes, the letter for Walter had "Open at Once" on the envelope. Not knowing how to contact Walter, Owen decided to notify the writer that Walter had moved. The letter inside told Walter to contact his probation officer at once. Additional information on his criminal history required review of his probation. There was a phone number to call.
Owen did call, and told the probation officer that Walter had moved out without any forwarding address. Owen explained he didn't know how to contact him, or any other friends or family who might know his whereabouts. The probation office assured Owen he was lucky not to have any knowledge of Walter's family, they were all in trouble with the law all the time. That was true of Walter also. In surprise, Owen thanked the probation officer for Walter's history, and thanked the Good Lord Walter had left him before he reverted to his ways of the past.
THE END
TO THE READER:
I HAVE TWO OTHER STORIES ON NIFTY: "The Family" AND "Lost in the Wilderness." "The family" TELLS OF SOME OF THE SAME CHARACTERS AS THE COMPLETED STORY ON BEGINNINGS, "Surprise Guest." "The Family" IS POSTED IN THE GAY/ADULT FRIENDS SECTION. I EXPECT "Lost in the Wilderness" TO BE POSTED THERE ALSO.
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR INTEREST. HELPFUL COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
dastardlyd3@aol.com