"This above all: To thine own self be true, for it must follow as dost the night the day, that canst not be false to any man." Shakespeare (Hamlet)
Though the theme of wrestling will be a key component in the early chapters and a continuing theme, the story is about relationships and being true to oneself. Thanks to TalonRider for assistance proofing the story. This is wholly fictional with no reference intended to persons alive or dead.
Please do not distribute to other sites without permission of the author. Comments can be sent to firehosejoe@yahoo.com
From the previous chapter:
"Well Mr. Algara, I believe this brings down the curtain on our roles as student and teacher. I must admit it has been awkward at times, simply because I felt you were a kindred spirit but it was not the time or place to explore that possibility. If it would suit you, I hope we can continue meeting, talking about art, enjoying games of racquetball and getting to know one another on a more personal level."
Alejandro felt foolish. He knew he was smiling like a child opening a gift. "I'd like that very much."
"If I may make one request," Thibodaux asked. "Can we drop the title? If you will, call me Charles."
Chapter 20
Frederick had decided to withdraw for a semester as he helped his dad with the care of his mother. Frederick's mom found soon after the surgery that her condition was terminal. The cancer had metastasized to several organs and her lymphatic system. She defied the doctors and current trends determining not to have chemotherapy. She'd asked detailed and probing questions and determined that to live a year suffering and then die didn't make sense.
Her doctors were able to help her manage her pain. The last six months provided wonderful time spent with her son and husband. Alejandro visited at least twice each month and more if his schedule would allow. Early during his visits, while Frederick and his father had gone shopping for some items, she confided that the catering had been a true god send. Laughing, she said her husband couldn't boil water for eggs and Frederick wasn't much better.
The caterer had quickly taken in the situation and had met with her primary care doctor as well as a nutritionist. Together they designed meals for her that would be both palatable and nutritious. Aware that the needs would change, the consultations with the medical staff were ongoing. There was a completely different menu for her husband and son. The potential stress of meal preparation had disappeared.
Eventually all of them became comfortable with Alejandro's ability to travel as he did. It was the kind of thing movie stars did, not a friend. Frederick did enjoy the respite, away from the house and all that it had come to represent, to talk and relax with Alejandro. Without exception they would have dinner together at the hotel.
There was less and less they shared in common. Alejandro told him of the Mysterious Doctor Thibodaux, as they began to refer to him. Frederick's curiosity at the possible outcomes fueled Alejandro's curiosity. It became one of their touchstones of conversation. After dinner they went to Alejandro's room to enjoy a slow leisurely time together. Gone were the sessions of frantic, energetic, demanding sex. Rather, it seemed that roles were reversed.
Alejandro never mentioned it; but it seemed that each time he would have to awaken the latent desire within Frederick. Together they would slowly build to that release that seemed to restore Frederick, to complete him somehow. During one of his flights home, Alejandro captured the moment of their time together in bed as a cocoon of caring. It was his personal gift to Frederick. In the most intimate way, Alejandro `had his back' for a change. Sad, but in its own way, it was satisfying.
The times with Frederick and his family seemed parenthetical inserts into the day to day routine for Alejandro. He was glad for them, yet realized that somehow a brief chapter of his life was likely drawing to a close. Early in June the call came from Frederick that it was over. Alejandro listened, silently crying as Frederick gave him the details. Arrangements were to be made and he wanted Alejandro there if he could possibly come.
Alejandro was there in hours. The days with Frederick and his father blurred together. The only island of reprieve from the exhaustion came from the time they spent together away from the crush of extended family and friends. Holed up in Alejandro's room they ate room service. They talked. Frederick napped. Finally, Alejandro helped his friend find that other release. Afterward, as Frederick slept, Alejandro held him like the wounded child he was. Tears streamed from Alejandro's eyes as he grieved his own losses during the past months.
At the Requiem Mass, Frederick had requested that Alejandro sit with family. It was an honor Alejandro knew he'd keep as a treasured memory. At the reception following, Frederick told him he'd be transferring to the University nearby to stay with his father who was seemingly unable to cope with the thought of being alone. After saying his goodbyes to Frederick's father and thanking the priest for a beautiful Mass, Alejandro headed home.
Alejandro smiled as he recalled Frederick's demand that Alejandro promise to continue the saga of the Mysterious Doctor Thibodaux. As he looked out the plane window, he felt his cock stir at the thought of getting the good Doctor on his back again. He recalled that evening, remembering both the humor and passion.
The exam dinner, as Alejandro thought of it, was typical of Charles. With understatement, with grace and typical southern manners, he'd indicated his desire to Alejandro that they continue their journey.
When they next met, Charles (as he now insisted he be called in private) had continued their racquetball instruction. Alejandro was glad for the opportunity to concentrate on his game. The sweaty workout also helped keep his libido restrained. As they showered, Alejandro and Charles were more open in their visual exploration of each other.
In the whirlpool their conversation was for the most part desultory. They both seemed to have other things on their mind. Alejandro was glad his penis had only filled to a semi-erect state that could be blamed on the water. As they rose to leave the pool, he looked down and saw that Charles' member was turgid but not fully hard. Alejandro felt his own member throb and begin to harden.
"Perhaps we should step into a cold shower and get things under control." suggested Charles. Alejandro could feel the lust building in his chest and only nodded.
Charles maintained a comfortable stream of diverting conversation as they showered. Soon both were presentable and headed to the locker area to dress. As they finished dressing Charles turned and said, "Alejandro, we had discussed dinner." He paused looking at his young friend. "Tell me what you would like to go. It will be my pleasure to treat you tonight."
Alejandro saw the indirect look again followed by a smile with an arched eyebrow. He could only hope that the invitation was a double entendre that had little to do with food. He hesitated, probing Charles' eyes. He'd waited, wondering long enough.
"Charles, would it be out of line of me to suggest that we go to your apartment? I'm sure we can find something there to satisfy both of us." Alejandro held Charles' stare, feeling his dick begin to swell in his trousers. Charles let the silence build, each man taking the measure of the other. Each contemplating what the other wanted but knowing, without doubt, that accommodation would be made that satisfied both.
"I was hoping you might suggest that, Alejandro." Charles said smiling more openly with a different look in his eye. Was it the same lust he felt, Alejandro wondered?
When they reached Charles' apartment he offered Alejandro a glass of wine, always the courteous host. Accepting with thanks, Alejandro reigned himself in. What he really wanted to do was to take the man in his arms and begin to explore his body. What he wanted wasn't going to be found in a glass.
Instead he waited. Taking the offered glass he noticed the smile again playing around Charles' mouth. Charles motioned to a seat telling him to be comfortable. He sat and watched Charles cross the room to take a chair opposite.
Charles regarded him a moment before speaking. "Alejandro I almost regret that our student teacher time is over. For me the relationship and attending responsibility of teacher to student freed me from any temptation to explore our seemingly compatible interests and appetites.
"There are several factors that continue, for me, to stand in the way." Alejandro felt his stomach knot. This was completely different from what he'd hoped would happen. Charles continued.
"May I ask how old you are?" Charles seemed relieved with Alejandro's answer that he was 20 but near 21. At least that question gave hope that Charles' thoughts were heading in the same direction as Alejandro's.
"Of course there is the eight hundred pound gorilla sitting in the room with us. By that I mean I am a part time curator at the Institute that you and your family have supported for years. My part there, though small, is for me supremely satisfying. It is a position I've trained for. Beginning my career at the Art Institute may well place me in competition for a career in the future as Curator at any number of leading museums in the country. I am unwilling to put that in jeopardy, despite my feelings.
"I am at a loss of how to proceed and you, my young friend, are the crux of my problem." Charles said, taking a sip of his wine then staring intently at Alejandro as if a solution would spring forth from him.
Alejandro didn't know what to say, so sat in the silence. Charles continued. "I find you someone to whom I am very attracted." Charles paused watching for any reaction. "I've said most of these things before. You are intelligent, mature, athletically graceful and accomplished. You are articulate. You seem to approach life with a measured je ne sais quoi, not dismissing your privileged place in the social and economic order of things, but taking it all in stride without giving evidence of manipulation for your own gain.
"In addition, I find you a very attractive person physically. It has been with great effort that I've maintained my control as we've casually shared time at the club. If that offends you, I apologize; but, it is central to my conundrum." Charles sighed and took another sip of wine.
Alejandro decided he'd have to ease the building tension in the room. "Ok Mr. Dr. Thibodaux," he said with what he hoped was an engaging smile, "What the heck is je ne sais quoi, if I even said that right?"
Charles broke his stern stare and laughed. "It simply means that you are a bit of a puzzle. You approach life as if the tasks at hand weren't vital. You acknowledge the claims that your school, work and family make on your life yet seem to keep for yourself a bit of space. It is an enviable attitude that most of us find difficult to achieve."
Alejandro continued, grateful that the atmosphere had changed. "Now let me take on that gorilla." he chuckled as he bowed his arms and flexed as if he were facing combat and was rewarded with a brief laugh from Charles. "My friendship with you has nothing to do with my family. It will in no way affect our support of the Institute, positively or negatively. I wondered, earlier this year, if your agreement to take me on as an independent study had been motivated or even requested by the curator to more fully engage the family's attention and perhaps increase our contribution.
"In hindsight I realize that was an unworthy suspicion, regardless how small." Seeing Charles' flash of anger, Alejandro quickly said, "Charles I respect you. I quickly realized that such a motivation was beneath your consideration. It has been proved to me time and again as we have studied together. I'm certainly not as intuitive as my friend Frederick, but I have learned to trust my instincts about people. So far I've been right on the money about you.
"Within a month I will be 21 and considered an adult in any court of law. I've been fortunate in the last two years to have had friends who have helped me understand that I am not alone in my preference for men. Though it flies in the face of the expectations I've lived with all my life, I know I will not marry and perpetuate the Algara name. I am, however, committed to continue what they have started.
"I guess its part of that je ne sais quoi thing you mentioned. That was a pretty accurate appraisal of how I am approaching life right now and likely will in the future. I've been surrounded my entire life with the expectations of others. That's not different from most people I suppose. I've consciously chosen to honor some of those expectations. My involvement in the various businesses and my intent to continue the family's commitments to various organizations will occupy my working life in large measure. I will not, however, let it consume me.
"Now as for me being the crux of your problem, I don't know what else to say." Alejandro put his wine glass down on an adjacent table and walked across to Charles. "I do know that I am not willing to let the possibility of our friendship go unexplored." Taking the wine glass from Charles, Alejandro pulled him to his feet.
"I've found you an attractive mystery since I met you. It has not lessened in the least over the months we've worked together. For me, you are neither the crux nor the solution to any problem. You are, though, someone I want to get to know much better.
"Say no to me at any time you wish. I know what I want and believe that we share some of that same desire." Alejandro said in a softer voice, husky with anticipation and need. He unbuttoned Charles' shirt. Running his hands beneath the cotton T he found Charles' nipples erect and began to rub them gently between thumb and forefinger.
Meeting Alejandro's unblinking gaze, his voice now husky with emotion, Charles asked, "What do you want, Alejandro?"
"Charles," Alejandro paused a moment gathering his thoughts, unwilling to express himself as graphically as he would have liked. "I want to explore your body with my eyes, my hands and my tongue. Then I want to fuck you gently, slowly `till we both cum." Alejandro said while working his nipples and looking in his eyes.
Charles watched him, feeling himself grow hard in anticipation. A moment later he took Alejandro's face in his hands. Slowly he pulled them together and let his lips and tongue enjoy a brief kiss as he signaled his assent.
Breaking the kiss, Charles held his face for a moment more, meeting Alejandro's longing with a smile. Dropping his hands, Charles walked to his bedroom as Alejandro followed.
Their time of mutual exploration was slow and deliberate. When Alejandro had prepared himself and Charles, his conquest was gentle. Their orgasm came within seconds of each other. Alejandro continued steadily thrusting and looked at Charles with an expression Charles later described as a mix of longing, lust and victory.
Charles understood that Alejandro wasn't finished. He joined battle with Alejandro again. As Alejandro neared his second climax, their bodies were thrashing. Charles legs were wrapped tightly around Alejandro urging him on. Their sweat mingled as did their breath. Alejandro leaned into Charles driving his cock deeper and faster into the welcoming chute.
After the passion had subsided they lay quietly, Alejandro atop Charles. Charles rubbed Alejandro's back and gently kneaded the muscles at his neck. They talked quietly, with some tenderness as they showered. Their words were not of affection but of mutual desires and passions satisfied. After dressing, they returned to the living room and sat with their remaining wine and thoughts.
Charles looked up and smiled at Alejandro, "I hope you will be able to accommodate me when I'm the one who lusts to conquer. Thank you for your gentleness. I was not at all sure I would be able to handle you. Though I've been on the receiving end a few times, those men paled in comparison to you." Charles felt himself blushing.
Suddenly realizing he'd been more than presumptuous, Alejandro said "Charles, thank you. It was just as I'd imagined for the last few months. I guess you'd been imagining the same thing?" Charles nodded and they both laughed.
They talked about their past experiences and how they were looking forward to meeting again soon. Alejandro drove home; feeling like a puzzle piece had fallen into place. Not sure of all that it implied, he trusted his intuition.
They met two if not three times each week. The venues varied but almost always ended in Charles' apartment with two sweaty satisfied men enjoying each other's company. Alejandro quickly learned not only to take Charles but learned to enjoy it in the process. Charles was a skillful partner.
When Alejandro returned from Frederick's mother's funeral he called Charles. On hearing the pain in his friend's voice, Charles insisted Alejandro come over. Recounting the events of the past days and months, Alejandro told of his friendship with Frederick. He told of their mutual pledge to be there for each other. Finally he simply sat with silent tears streaming down his face.
Charles came over to his chair, took Alejandro and wrapped him in his long arms to let his friend cry from all the loss he'd endured. Without realizing it, Alejandro was both physically and emotionally exhausted. As he cried, Alejandro recapped the loss of his grandparents and the feeling of enormous responsibility that met him each day he awoke. Charles, held, listened, and comforted as he was able.
Charles encouraged him to lie down and rest. Soon Alejandro was fast asleep. Charles removed his shirt, shoes and pants and covered him. After seeing Alejandro was in a deep sleep, Charles prepared for bed. They spent the night each enjoying the other's warmth and comfort. It proved to be a bonding of friendship that would see them through many years.
A couple of weeks later, Alejandro called and asked Charles to join him for dinner. Always ready to spend time with his friend, Charles asked where and when. Alejandro insisted on playing host at Morton's and told Charles he'd pick him up.
They sat and when their glasses of wine had been brought, Alejandro lifted his glass and said he'd like to offer a toast. Charles lifted his glass and looked expectantly.
"To the twenty-first anniversary of my birth. Here, Here!" With that he took a sip and set the glass down. "Now, that's done."
Charles looked at him with incredulity. "This isn't how it should be! Alejandro, I know you told me it was soon but if you'd reminded me we could have had a wonderful celebration. What is this about?!"
"A party is the very last thing I wanted, though I did want to share a meal with you. You see I've crossed my Rubicon, not by choice. Well it is by choice but given the responsibilities I've chosen, I've reached that age when the gifts of my grandparents come into full play. This was the year I was supposed to begin managing my life as an adult with their loving and caring observation and guidance.
"Oh listen to me!!" Alejandro said rhetorically. "I don't mean to complain. Certainly I don't mean to put you in a situation where you can only guess what to say, afraid it will be wrong and worsen my mood. What a mess." Alejandro said at last as to himself.
"My I propose a toast? In the midst of all this carnage, may I venture in?" Charles said with mock seriousness that earned a smile from Alejandro.
"I toast my friend Alejandro Algara. I celebrate his life and the wonderful times we've shared. May he have long life. May he find that he is a worthy steward of the gifts entrusted to him. In the ensuing years, may he be a generous benefactor and contribute to the lives of many. I raise my glass and wish for him many happy returns of the day."
Alejandro looked at him with both affection mingled with a small bit of aggravation. "Well you certainly know how to take the thunder and rain out of my party!" They both laughed.
As they dined, Alejandro shared with Charles the two portions of his grandparents estate for which he was now solely responsible. Without discussing figures, he indicated that he felt the weight of responsibility more keenly than he'd anticipated. Knowing that Charles received funds from his trusts, Alejandro was comfortable discussing some of the details he now felt responsible for.
Charles had a pensive look on his face as he listened. When Alejandro had finished, he tactfully approached a question he'd want to ask for some time.
Allowing that his interests were not involved with finances, and for the most part focused in prior centuries, Charles admitted that though he was responsible for management of his funds, he totally left it to others. It was not that he was unable to understand the requirements intellectually; it was simply that he hated making the effort. As long as monies came in he adjusted his life accordingly.
"I don't know how your business is structured. I don't know how presumptuous this suggestion even is, but could one of your analysts look at my funds and portfolio to give me some idea if the current managers are doing their due diligence for me?" Charles almost looked sheepish at his momentary transparency and for the request he was making.
Alejandro's response was immediate, "Of course we can do that. I can arrange that the numbers are kept entirely confidential. You can meet with one of our market analyst who will quickly be able to make comparisons for you and let you know where you stand relative to numerous investment vehicles. Just tell me when you'd like it arranged."
Conversation during dinner, as usual was wide ranging and entertaining for both. As they neared the end of their meal, Charles wondered how to offer what he had in mind. "Alejandro, I'm hoping you will let us continue the celebration by returning to my apartment for a glass of wine or something." He left the sentence dangling provocatively
Alejandro simply smiled. At that moment the waiter returned to take dessert orders. Alejandro looked first at Charles then at the waiter. "Thank you but no, we have other plans. Now if I may sign the check, we'll be on our way." Their shared sex was vigorous, demanding, satisfying for both. It proved to be a good end to a momentous day.
Nearly the end of June Alejandro received a letter asking if he were available for a special called meeting of the Acquisition's Committee for the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It was to be the standard two-day affair with cocktails and dinner the night before and the meeting the next day. New York in late June would be disagreeable for any number of reasons. He was ready to decline when an idea came to him.
Calling Charles, he couched the entire outing as doing him, Alejandro, a personal favor. Alejandro wanted them to fly to New York and make a weekend of it. They could stay at the Plaza, enjoy being tourists and make the business part of the trip bearable for Alejandro. On hearing the dates, Charles enthusiastically agreed.
Alejandro decided it was time to break down another barrier. Charles agreed. If other members could bring wives and female guests, why couldn't Charles accompany him? They both knew how it would be perceived but as Alejandro put it, "If they kick me off the committee and board it will be one less of these things I have to attend."
Charles laughed, "Some may sneer behind our backs but with the money you're giving them, they can't afford to say or do anything. It's time people opened their eyes and their minds. Let's do it."
Charles was as at home in the Met as he was in Chicago. This was his element. Cocktails and dinner went off without incident. In fact, they became the pair to meet and greet. Charles debonair gracious southern charm combined with his mastery of facts surrounding the acquisitions being considered gave him a bit of instant celebrity. Alejandro enjoyed watching him work the crowd. The pressure was off Alejandro to perform.
They walked back to the Plaza. Coats hanging across their backs from their fingers, their ties loosened and sleeves unbuttoned, they enjoyed the sights and sounds as they trekked across Central Park in the gathering dusk. Back in their suite, they agreed to get comfortable and walk down Fifth and back up Broadway. Dressed in Ts, shorts, and tennis shoes, they took off.
Not caring how they appeared, they gawked, people watched, rubbernecked trying to see the tops of buildings. They laughed, stopped for a beer, shopped at store windows and soaked up sights, smells and sounds. For both of them it was exhilarating. Back at the Plaza their appearance earned them the stern looks of matrons on the elevators. They barely contained their laughter `till they got back to their suite.
They stripped and shared a shower. It wasn't necessarily their intent, but one thing led to another as they soaped each other. Charles pulled Alejandro's back to him. Using his long arms, he soaped and rubbed Alejandro, watching his thick cock rise. Charles let his own cock slide along Alejandro's crack.
Pulling on Alejandro's balls and working his muscle Charles told him to bend over. Grabbing Alejandro's hips, Charles entered slowly but steadily until he was sure Alejandro was comfortable. His assault was steady. The slapping sounds of wet flesh with the splash of water heightened their senses. As Charles got close, his speed increased. Alejandro bent over grabbing his ankles. With a cry Charles released his cum continuing to fuck Alejandro until his cock softened and came out.
By the time they boarded the plane for their return trip, both men had a sore ass as a souvenir. They had gone day and night covering Manhattan. It was more fun than Alejandro could have imagined. He only hoped that Charles would be willing to travel with him often.
They proved to be compatible travel companions. Charles traveled with him on nearly all his trips. Early on they worked through Charles' residual guilt that he was not contributing toward his costs. One Thursday en route to Miami, Alejandro decided to end the discussion.
"Charles, you have pushed my button about our sharing costs once too often. When we get to Miami, we're going to do exactly what I would likely do if I were alone. You're going to put up with it for exactly 24 hours. I'll tell you what you can and can't do – remember, I'm alone and you are technically an observer. Don't worry, you can eat but not fuck. Welcome to Miami!"
By the time the 24 hours were over, they were both tired of the game. Charles finally understood. Together they could have a blast. Alejandro alone would care for the business at hand, have a nice meal, and then return home. Together they hammered out the simple arrangement that transportation, room and board, along with most entertainment was provided by Alejandro. If they wished, they could go their separate ways when their interests diverged but that proved to be an infrequent occurrence.
Alejandro had marked the second anniversary of his grandparents' death alone with a wreath at their grave site. It was his senior year, 1967. His father's condition had degraded. The doctor's had no answers. Other than the weekends when he and Charles traveled on family business, Alejandro's routine of school and work, was interrupted only by wrestling training with Jase and his time spent with Charles working out and sharing sex in his bed.
In early November, after their workout, Jase told Alejandro that his wife, Mary Katherine was expecting and had to drop her overtime work load. He had found a job and would be starting the next week so he could have full time hours.
"You've learned all I have to teach you Alex. It's been fun for me but I guess it's time to grow up and face the music that I've now got a family to support. No hard feelings, I hope." Jase's look of sincerity took away some of the sting from his news. Alejandro kept his smile in place.
"Of course there're no hard feelings. Congratulations man! I know you've been looking forward to this and I'm pleased for you. Gotta say, I'm really going to miss our workouts. They have been great opportunities to get beat up on a regular basis." Alejandro and Jase both laughed.
"Since you're dumping me," Alejandro said, still smiling, "You got any suggestions for a replacement? Wrestling Club is out for the obvious reasons and I don't know where else to start looking for either people who want to wrestle and or train with me."
"Alex, you named the obvious outlet available, the Wrestling Club. Maybe some of those guys would want to work out."
"I'll check with the captain and see if it can work out, but I don't know. I'm spoiled by working with someone who's more mature and got their head on straight. Ya know what I mean?" Alejandro asked. "In a town this big there's got to be guys who wrestled in high school or college that still like to hit the mats from time to time."
"I agree. There've got to be loads of guys who wrestled and are still in good shape who'd enjoy an occasional match. That's not what you're looking for though." Jase countered. "Look, I've got an idea that I need to check out before I suggest it to you. I'll have a better idea day after tomorrow."
"Thanks, Jase. I'd hate to have to take out ads in the paper." Alejandro laughed. "Look, don't you and Mary Katherine fall off the face of the earth just because we stop working out. Stay in touch. I want to know when the baby comes. You got it!"
"Sure Alex. Thanks for taking this so well. I do know this is something you don't want to let go of. Like I said, let me make a couple of calls and we'll talk." Jase said as he and Alejandro stripped for their shower.
Thursday night Alejandro pushed hard. He wrestled fast. He knew this was the last match with Jason and let it fuel his determination to finish strong. Jason had a wry smile on his lips when 10 p.m. rolled around.
"You were puttin' it all out there tonight, bud. Great workout session." Jase grinned.
As he gasped for breath and wiped down with a towel Alejandro asked, "Did you find anything out. You were going to make a call to someone, right?" Alejandro noticed that Jase was uncomfortable.
"What did you find out Jason?"
"One request, Alex; don't draw any conclusions or make judgments without hearing me out. This is no reflection on you, me or my buddy Steve. Ok?" Jase asked, looking more uncomfortable.
"This is the deal. My buddy Steve is a good wrestler. He grew up on the hard side of town and learned early how to take a punch and keep on fighting. Fortunately by high school he was able get a scholarship and go to St. Mary's. He graduated and went on to college. That's when I knew him.
"Cash was always hard to come by for Steve. He heard about a wrestling club on the south side that advertised cash prizes for winners of wrestling bouts. He went to check it out and found out that he was as good as or better than most. Problem was that it was, well, not outright, but he said there were more than a few gay guys there.
"He was laughing, telling me that if he'd been willing to, well, no need to be gross here, but if he'd been willing to let guys take care of him, you know let them give him a blow job, he'd have made more money and not been so sore the next day.
"Now don't get me wrong. I don't know about this place but Steve said that there were some straight acting guys there. You might find a coach or at the very least a wrestling bud there. It's at 187th and 6th and watch your back." Jase said with not a little anxiety in his voice, worried about what Alejandro might think of him and his suggestion.
"Jase, cool it. I'm just glad for the information. Now let's get cleaned up." Alejandro said.
Saturday morning was the first opportunity Alejandro had to explore the place. After a drive he found it. In a run down area, it looked like a former warehouse. `Bears Den' was posted on a small sign over the door. Alejandro got out and walked around the neighborhood such as it was. He realized his jeans and a flannel would be best for this place.
It was nearly 10 p.m. when he returned. This had to be the place. There wasn't a parking place within blocks. Locking the car door, he started walking toward the Bears Den. As he got close he saw guys going in. His gut clinched with nerves as he approached the door. He had money, singles and fives to cover an occasional beer. What else would he need?
Pushing against the door, he entered the room. A pall of smoke hung in the air. It was hot. Alejandro immediately unbuttoned his flannel shirt as he made his way to the bar.
Ordering a beer, he noticed the barkeep giving him close but friendly scrutiny. "Your first time, am I right? Just here to watch or you gonna work out?"
"I'm just planning to watch tonight." Alejandro said as he paid for the beer and looked for a place to sit. The place was jammed. Men crowded the bar two deep. Dressed in all manner of garb from leather to jeans, the guys were, for the most part, putting their muscles and bulges out there for anyone who wanted to look. There were some older men with young studs at their elbows but most seemed to be in play.
A writer's peculiar food and drink are the comments of his reader. Feel free to share your thoughts with me. firehosejoe@yahoo.com
Ps. Any of you guys who are wrestlers, if you'd be interested in being a beta reader as part of the editing process please drop me a line.