Sleepy Days, Come No More
Chapter 9
We went into the house and Blake looked around for his mother, I followed him. When we entered the study there was a woman sitting at the desk sifting through a stack of papers.
"Mom." Blake said with excitement.
She stood and walked toward Blake. They hugged and kissed.
"This is Steven." Blake announced with a smile.
She looked at me with a smile, "Hello, Steven. I am very pleased to meet you." She said.
I extended my hand and shook hers, "Hello Mrs. Mitchell, you are lovelier than I imagined." I said.
"Call me Patty. I am so glad you are here." She said.
"You have a beautiful home, thank you for having me." I said.
"Blake you have done well, cute and well mannered, I like him." She announced.
"And you have only just met him, he gets better." Blake said.
I blushed, "You are embarrassing me." I said.
"Don't be embarrassed, especially when the truth is complimentary." Patty said.
"Okay." I said with a smile.
"Well, it is around lunch, I'll have Liz serve us in the solarium." Patty announced.
Patty then left the room.
"The solarium?" I asked.
"The sun porch." Blake said.
"Oh." I said with a laugh.
We all gathered in the solarium. Liz served little sandwiches and shrimp cocktail and a raw vegetable dish. We ate and talked.
"So, Mrs. Mitchell, I understand you are a lobbyist?" I asked.
"Yes, that is correct." Patty said.
"What led you down that path?" I inquired.
"Well, I came from a certain kind of family," she paused, "we weren't rich, but we were upwardly mobile and my father was constantly making strides in social positioning. I was supposed to marry well, and join some social clubs, be a good little girl. However, I wanted something more. I was taking a lot of sociology courses at college and I began interacting with a group of students who wanted to change the world. We began organizing rallies and protests, it was really quite exciting, but as time went on I realized that in order to cause real change, there had to be an open and cordial dialogue between activists and politicians. So, I began to approach things differently, thus I have been lobbying for nearly 30 years." Patty explained.
"What kind of issues are you working on?" I asked.
"For the past year I have been working diligently on veteran support matters. We are trying to get a bill passed that will provide more substantial support for military personnel and their families post service." Patty answered.
"So, you are primarily into social issues, not private or corporate interests?" I asked.
"That's right, though the private sector provides a much more lucrative living for its lobbyists." Patty said.
"I think that is really interesting, I guess you are the inspiration for Blake's political interest." I said.
"Well, my son was set to please both of his parents, majoring in political science and then was to continue on to law school, but he has decided to follow his own path, though I think he would make an excellent lawyer or very successful politician." Patty said.
"Mom, I love teaching." Blake said.
"I know you do honey, it's just the current climate of the public education system is drear, and you, with all your talent and skills, can't even secure a permanent position at one of those schools. I just think that if you became a lawyer and then pursued a political career that you would benefit many more children, you could facilitate significant change." Patty said.
"Mom, I am not interested in becoming a politician or a lawyer. I just want to teach." Blake said.
"Well, if that is true why won't you allow your father or me to get you a permanent teaching position, it is just a matter of a phone call." Patty said.
"Mom, I want to do it on my own." Blake said.
"I know you do honey, but everyone gets a little help from time to time, we would only be getting you the chance, you would have to work to keep it." Patty said.
"Mom, when is dad coming home?" Blake asked, shifting the conversation.
"Late, as usual, but we can discuss something else." Patty said.
"This is a remarkable room." I said.
"Yes, it is my favorite room in the house. I love natural light." Patty said.
"There are so many rooms, do you entertain often?" I asked.
"This house is nothing more than a status symbol. It was an announcement to the world that Henry Blake Mitchell, III, had arrived. But it was fun to decorate, and we do entertain from time to time, but not nearly enough to justify the size of our home." Patty said with a laugh.
We talked for a while longer, but then Patty had to make some phone calls.
"Your mother is something." I said.
"Yes she is." Blake said with a smile.
"She is so smart, and you have her eyes." I said.
"She really likes you, but I knew she would." Blake said.
"I like her too; I hope it goes this well with your father." I confessed.
"I'm sure he will like you too." Blake said.
"Why are you so opposed to your mother getting you a job?" I asked.
"I have been given everything in my life; I just want to be able to handle certain things on my own." Blake said.
"You would still have to do the work in order to keep the job, are you sure you don't want to take her up on her offer?" I asked.
"I want to tell you about my family." Blake paused. "My parents got married, not because they were madly in love, but because it was mutually beneficial. My father's family had a lot of money but it was dirty, so they would never be able to join polite society. My mother's family had all the social graces but lacked the economical resources to ascend any further. So, my grandfathers arranged for their children to be married. My mother's father used his clout to get my father into the best firms and social circles, while my father's father provided monetary support for my mother's family. It was a win-win situation, I am supposed to be the hybrid son who can benefit fully from both, and the whole thing just sickens me. My parents would have been much happier had they made different decisions, I just don't want to benefit from it." Blake said.
"Wow, I understand. It's just that after having to scrape and fight for everything I have, I would have loved for someone to open a door or two for me, but I completely understand your position, and I respect you for making it." I admitted.
"You have something on your mouth." Blake said as he leaned over toward me and kissed me on the lips.
"Did you get it?" I asked.
"You are just too dirty; I'm going to have to give you a bath." He said flirtatiously.
"Well, you look pretty dirty yourself." I said.
"Oh, there is room for two in the tub. Come on, let's go." He instructed.
We went upstairs to our room and undressed. Then we went into the bathroom and started the bath. Once the tub was filled Blake stepped in first and then I followed. I wanted to sit opposite him but he insisted that I sit in front of him.
"I don't know how productive this bath is going to be with your arms and legs wrapped around me." I said with a laugh.
"It's a relaxation technique." Blake said.
"Oh, I can feel the therapeutic value." I said sarcastically.
"Do you want me to turn on the jets?" He asked.
"Sure." I said.
"That's nice." He said.
"What time is the rehearsal dinner?" I asked.
"7:30." He said.
"Have you written your best man speech?" I asked.
"I have written a few things down, but I don't know what I should say, I want it to be as close to perfect as possible." He said.
"You should just say how you feel; you know how you feel about Joel and your hope for his future with Michele. I think you should relax and just speak from your heart." I said.
"That is great advice, but it is easier said than done." He said.
"One of your best qualities is your confidence. You teach about 150 teenagers a day, I mean that is a tough audience, but you manage to capture their attention. And it's because you are smart and confident. At the reception you are going to have people drinking and who are full of joy, they are going to love whatever you say, especially if it is sincere. I know you will do well." I professed.
"I knew there was a reason for getting you into this tub, at first I just wanted you naked so I could cop a feel, but now I see it was to inspire me." He said and kissed my shoulder.
"What can I say, I'm awesome." I said with a laugh.
"Yes, you are." He said.
"Don't get me wrong; I love when you hold me, but how long are we going to sit here, my bottom is completely numb." I said.
"Oh, well if necessary I could give your ass mouth to hole resuscitation." Blake said as he tweaked one of nipples.
I gasped at the sensation from my nipple, "You are such a pervert, you convinced me to get into this tub under the guise of hygiene, yet we have been sitting here for 20 minutes and all you have done is fondle me. I am personally appalled." I said in a stern voice.
"I am terribly sorry Mr. Greene, you are absolutely right. My behavior is completely unacceptable; I feel that I should be severely punished. Would you like me to bend over so you can give my ass a few slaps?" He asked flirtatiously.
"That will not be necessary, especially since I am not convinced that you would not derive some sort of perverse pleasure from the physical attention." I said in a serious voice.
"You might be right, having your hot hands on any part of my body might just be too much, and it is your fault." He proclaimed.
"My fault?" I asked.
"No one told you to be such a sexy stud." He exclaimed.
"My sincerest apologies Mr. Mitchell, I never intended to contribute to your moral deficiency." I said.
"We better stop, because you are really turning me on and we may never leave this tub." He proclaimed.
"Okay, but you have to release me first." I said with a smile.
"I know." He said as he nuzzled my neck.
He finally released me and we finished bathing and got dressed. We hung around and watched television until it was time to leave. The rehearsal dinner was at a country club. It was very nice. Blake and I sat a table with Adam and his girlfriend Sharon, and Jason and his lady friend Renee.
Blake introduced me to everyone at our table and many other people who were in attendance as they came over to greet him. Jason was about 5'9, he had brown eyes, and sandy blond hair. He had a husky build, like a rugby player. Renee was taller than Jason, about 5'11, she was very thin and had a very full bosom, she had long legs and square hips, she possessed a labored beauty.
Sharon on the other hand had a very studious appearance. She was about 5'5; she had dark brown hair, which she wore in a tight bun. She was a slim woman. She was pretty, but it seemed she was really trying not to be.
We sat and casually talked amongst ourselves. Blake, Jason, and Adam did most of the talking.
"Sharon that is a handsome pin." I said.
Sharon smiled, "Thank you it was my grandmother's."
"Adam mentioned that you were an attorney." I said.
"Yes, I work for the public defender's office." Sharon replied.
"Oh, that's great. I know there are many people who don't have the financial ability to secure quality representation, and from what Adam said you were in the top five percent of your class." I said.
"Yes, that is correct." Sharon confirmed.
"So, have you always wanted to be a defensive attorney?" I asked.
"Yes, though I am not exactly enthusiastic with my current position." Sharon admitted.
"Oh, why not?" I inquired.
"It is just disheartening to spend all of that time in law school, to represent people who make a career of petty crime; most of them either barely graduated high school or dropped out. I just have little sympathy for individuals who refuse to take the necessary measures to improve their lives." Sharon said bluntly.
"I don't mean to be impertinent, but if you are so apathetic to the type of people you represent, why continue as a public defender?" I asked.
"It is a wonderful opportunity to get courtroom experience, and it will eventually lead to something better. My father is friends with the future lieutenant governor, so in the next 12 to 18 months I will be offered a position with one of the state agencies." Sharon explained.
"That is great for you, but it seems very unfair to the people you represent." I said.
"Unfair. I provide them with adequate representation, and given the fact they do not contribute any monetary and often no intellectual resources for their case, I would say they are the ones who are fortunate." Sharon said pointedly.
"It is hard to believe that anyone could feel fortunate to have a lawyer who isn't completely committed to their cause. It just completely undermines the purpose of public representation." I said sharply.
"I think that a person, who has led a life of crime, is lucky that the state is willing to provide them with any type legal assistance. The real victim is society, the law abiding citizen who is terrorized by these delinquents and then has to pay for their legal defense through their taxes." Sharon retorted.
"Your point operates under the assumption that all of the persons who utilize public defenders are guilty, and that isn't always the case. Every person is supposed to have the presumption of innocence, but more and more it seems that there is a presumption of guilt, especially if the person doesn't have the benefit of a country club lifestyle." I exclaimed.
"This is not a matter of class or economic standing; it is simply a matter of ethics and morality. If you break the law you should be held accountable, not excused because of your personal circumstances. There is no personal circumstance that justifies a disregard for the law." Sharon said bluntly.
"I think that you have made an excellent point, it is a matter of morality and ethics, and there is nothing morally or ethically correct about a person working for an organization whose mission is one thing, while they believe in something completely different." I paused. "That isn't just grossly unprofessional, but it also speaks to the true character of the person." I said with a smile.
"Perhaps this is too sensitive of a topic to discuss; it is evident that we have a difference in opinion. Maybe it can be attributed to our different experiences, you grew up under certain circumstances." Sharon said sincerely.
"Oh, does that mean poor. Yes, Sharon, it is true my parents had to work, sometimes multiple jobs to make ends meet, but it seems that some people are afforded every advantage and still fail to become a fully actualized person." I paused. "If you all would please excuse me, I think all of this fine food has upset my poverty stricken constitution." I said sarcastically as I stood.
I made my way to the bathroom and splashed my face. I was so pissed, I was burning and my body was shaking. The door opened and Blake walked in.
"Are you okay?" Blake asked.
"That snobby little bitch, I can't believe what she said." I exclaimed.
"Sharon is an idiot. She only cares about herself." Blake said.
"I could have stabbed her with that diamond encrusted pin." I said.
Blake walked over and put his hands on my shoulders. "You were great. When you called her immoral, I almost choked." He said.
"I did imply she was immoral, I am sorry, she just really pissed me off." I said.
"Don't be sorry, you were right, and you are so sexy when you get angry." He said.
"I could take a crap and you would find that sexy." I said.
"Hey, we may have to test that out." He said with a chuckle.
"You are a very sick person." I said with a smile.
"Are you ready to go back?" He asked.
"Yeah. May I have a kiss for luck?" I asked softly.
"You can have more than a kiss." He said flirtatiously as he moved in to give me a kiss on the mouth.
"Well, I would have sex with you in the bathroom, but I'm sure Sharon would attribute that to my lack of breeding, and assert that you have been corrupted." I said with a laugh.
"That would be hot." He said.
"Okay, Mr. Mitchell, let's go." I said.
We rejoined the table. There continued to be conversation, but I elected to listen, and only spoke when someone elicited my specific opinion. Then there was a toast made by the father of the groom thanking everyone for their participation and offering well wishes for the soon to be wed couple. Later, there were gifts presented to the groomsman and bridesmaids, as well as the ushers and the event planners.
After, the dinner everyone received a gift bag and the bride and groom stood at the exit and bid everyone farewell as they left.
Jason asked Blake and I if we wanted to go out for a drink with him and Renee. We agreed. We met at a bar, not far from the country club. We ordered and received our beverages and then sat a table.
"So, Steven, you are a real bad ass, huh?" Jason asked.
"What?" I asked.
"You completely slaughtered Sharon tonight." He smiled.
"Well, she certainly is no push over." I replied.
"No, she is a real bitch." Renee said.
"I won't refute that." I said.
"I was glad that someone finally gave the pretentious little twit a piece of their mind." Renee exclaimed.
"So, Steven, you are a nurse?" Jason asked.
"Yes, that is right. I am in hospital management now, but it is in direct correlation with the nursing staff." I said.
"My mom is a nurse." Renee said.
"Oh, really. What do you do Renee?" I asked.
"I am an administrative assist at a telemarketing firm." Renee said.
"That's where we met; I am a VP at the same company." Jason interjected.
"There isn't a policy against interoffice relations?" Blake asked with a smirk.
"What they don't know won't hurt them." Jason paused. "So, do you have everything ready for the bachelor party?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, everything is in order, you just need to show up." Blake said.
We talked and played a game of darts, before we parted ways. We arrived at the house around midnight. When we entered a voice said, "Come, join me."
It was a man; he looked to be in his mid fifties. He had dark brown hair, which had begun to grey. He appeared to be about 6 foot or 6'1, it was hard to determine because he was sitting down. He was a handsome man and shared the same facial structure as Blake.
"Hey, Dad." Blake said with excitement, as he moved toward the man.
The man stood and they embraced. I entered the room and stood near them.
"Dad, this is Steven." Blake announced proudly.
"Hello, Steven. It is nice to be able to put a face with the name." He said.
"I am pleased to meet you Mr. Mitchell." I said as I shook his extended hand.
"Call me Hank." He said.
"Thank you for allowing me to stay in your beautiful home, I really appreciate it, Hank." I said with a smile.
"Of course, we are pleased to have you." Hank said.
"How was your day?" Blake asked.
"It was productive, the firm is working on a huge merger, and it is going to bring in a lot of revenue, which will earn me a lot of money." Hank said with a smile.
"That's great dad." Blake said.
"Only thing that would make it better would be to have my son by my side." Hank said as he placed his hand on Blake's shoulder.
"Dad, I love you, but let's not travel down this road again. You already have Theresa, she will be done with school soon and then you will have one of your children by your side." Blake said.
"I guess I'm greedy, I want both." Hank said with a smile.
"I know dad." Blake said.
"So what have you boys been up to?" Hank asked.
"We went to Joel's rehearsal dinner, and then we went out for a drink with Jason and his girl." Blake answered.
"How is Jason, the little bastard?" Hank said.
"He is still Jason." Blake said with a smile.
"Oh, that little son of a bitch was always stirring things up. I remember one time I came home and he had two girls up in the guest room and had gone through half a bottle of scotch." Hank said with a laugh.
"I remember you were pissed." Blake said.
"That was an expensive bottle of scotch." Hank said. "I could have kicked his ass. I always liked that kid." Hank professed.
"Remember when he took his dad's porch and drove down to New Mexico that was funny. His father came here in a frenzy, demanding that I tell him where Jason had gone. Hell, I knew he had taken the car but I didn't know where he had gone." I paused. "Jason was so impulsive that he probably didn't know where he was going." Blake paused. "His dad just continued to yell at me, until finally you came and told him that you would punch him out if he didn't leave." Blake said.
"Yeah, I thought I might have to, he shouldn't have been yelling at you because he couldn't handle his son." Hank exclaimed.
"My dad's a real bad ass." Blake said.
"Hey, you have to be if you're gonna make it, I don't take any shit and neither did my father, and nor does my son." Hank said smiling at Blake.
We talked for about an hour. I answered questions about my job and my aspirations. Hank asked about my family and my background. He told me a few more stories about Blake and I could see that he really loved his son.
Then, Hank said he had to go get some rest. He told me that he was glad to meet me and gave Blake a hug and a kiss on the forehead, before he left the room.
"Your dad really loves you." I said.
"Yeah, I really love him too, just wished we had more time together." Blake said.
"I'm pretty tired; I'm going to head up." I said.
"Okay, I'll be up in a minute." Blake said.
I went to our room and stripped out of my clothes and got in to bed. I turned off the light and proceeded to fall asleep. The next morning I woke up with Blake's arm draped over my abdomen. I wiggled from beneath him and went to look out the window.
It was a beautiful day, the sun had just come up and the sky was clear. I saw a deer running through the trees. I stood there mesmerized by the scene. Later, Blake woke up and we completed our hygiene and had breakfast with Liz. Then we headed over to the hotel to drop off the liquor Blake had bought the day before.
We ran various errands to get things set up for the bachelor party. Blake was really excited about it; he said it was going to be a wild night. I was a little apprehensive about it; I imagined there would be big breasted strippers, straight porn, and a lot of drunken guys doing silly things.
Special thanks to Oscar, J.T., and Mikal for their continued encouragement.
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