Chapter 22. Nightmare
Dylan's dream:
He is at Sanders. Tiger walks into the changing room while Dylan is in his underwear. He punches him in the gut and then tries to punch him in the balls but his fist connects with the cage and he pulls it back in fury, not understanding what happened. IN a fit, he pulls out a knife and slashes Dylan's t-shirt until it falls to the floor. He punches Dylan in the face, drawing blood. Dylan keeps calling for Tommy, but Tommy is nowhere to be found. Tiger continues pummeling Dylan's body screaming hateful curses at him as he always did. He takes his knife and starts to cut the name "Sinclair" into his back. "You will never be free of us!" he screams as the knife continues to do its work. Dylan screams from the pain, and wakes up trembling and sweating from head to foot.
Tommy wakes up, hearing Dylan calling his name. Dylan is trembling and crying for Tommy, soaking wet and horrified and trying to fight off the knife attack. He keeps repeating "No, not Sinclair." Tommy has a hard time waking Dylan up. Mom tries to enter the room, but finds that it is locked. She goes to get the key and then opens the door and goes over to the bed. She sees how wet Dylan is, and gets a couple of towels to help dry Dylan's sweating body.
"Dylan, Dylan, it's only a dream. You are safe here. We love you. You are safe." Finally Tommy's voice pierces through the dream and Dylan awakens, trembling and shivering now. "blood!" he cries and tries to reach around and touch his own back. "Blood," Tommy, stop him!
"Dylan, it's me. I'm here with you, baby. I stopped him. There isn't any blood, just sweat." Mom suggests the get Dylan into the shower, but Tommy doesn't want her to see Dylan naked and caged, so he wraps Dylan's upper body with the wet sheet and carries him into the bathroom. Mom strips their bed and remakes it, then turns off the light. Tommy has turned on the shower and holds Dylan in his arms as they get into the shower. The water helps wake Dylan up, and he leans against Tommy, trembling and shivering. Tommy just keeps saying "I'm here, baby. You are safe. It was just a bad dream. I'm holding you. There's no blood. I love you, Dylan. I have always loved you. I will take care of you." Dylan falls to the ground sobbing. He lays his head at Tommy's feet and holds on tight.
Tommy keeps talking to Dylan, and he gets down on the floor of the shower and cradles Dylan's head in his arms. `It's okay, Dylan. You're safe now. I'm with you, sweetheart."
Dylan emerges from the terror and hugs Tommy. He tells Tommy about some of the dream. They stand together and Tommy tears off his wet underwear, takes soap, and washes Dylan, who is now warming up under the warm water.
"Please wash my back good, Tommy. Wash away the blood!
Tommy washes Dylan's back and assures him there is no blood, no sign of the word "Sinclair." They wash together at last. Tommy sends soap into Dylan's cage and washes it as best he can. Dylan begins to function. They get out of the shower and dry each other off and then, wrapped in towels, they make their way back to the re-made bed. Tommy lays Dylan down and gets into bed with him, and they snuggle together, naked.
It seems to Tommy that the dream was triggered by two things that caused Dylan anxiety that previous evening: the change of name from Sinclair to Roberts, and his time stripped in the fitting room at Sanders. Tiger, he thinks, will continue to be an ogre in Dylan's subconscious.
Tommy holds Dylan tenderly, Dylan kisses Tommy's neck and forms a hickey! Dylan snuggles his head into Tommy's arm pit and falls back asleep. Tommy can't sleep, but keep stroking Dylan's head and back, as the night turns into day.
Tommy's parents decide to let the boys sleep in after what happened. Tommy finally dozes off, while Dylan sleeps peacefully through the night after Tommy had calmed him down.
Dylan wakes up feeling good, the nightmare fading into the past What he remembers most is Tommy taking care of him and helping him move out of his agitation and fear. He decides to show his lover how grateful he is. Slowly he moves under the covers down Tommy's body and takes his soft cock into his mouth, nursing it into a full erection, using his tongue to give as much pleasure as he possibly can—and that's a lot of pleasure! Tommy slowly wakes up and moans, delighted with what he is experiencing. He reaches down and runs his hand through Dylan's hair the way he enjoys so much. "Balls, baby," he says and Dylan immediately moves to obey. Tommy still smells sweet from the soap in the shower they had only a few hours ago. "Okay, boy, suck me dry!" orders Tommy. Dylan gets right to work. Tommy reaches down to clamp one of his nipples, and the boy sucks more deeply and faster. (It always works, Tommy thinks.)Everything is just perfect until, just as he's building up to cum, his mother knocks lightly on the door to tell them it is 9 am. they have to leave for the doctor's at 10.
Tommy thanks her and then immediately erupts down Dylan's throat. Dylan drinks eagerly and then licks around Tommy's head, which he can just barely tolerate, being so sensitive after an orgasm, but it sure is fun! He pulls on Dylan's nipple to get him to come up for a kiss. What a wonderful way to start the day. Tommy thinks things over and realizes that he hasn't had an orgasm outside of Dylan's mouth for weeks now. This thought makes him kiss Dylan even more tenderly and squeeze him tightly. He tells Dylan what he was thinking. Dylan is very pleased about that. "it should always be that way, dude, at least until you start fucking me."
"Are you eager for that?"
"I'm looking forward to giving myself to you that way, but I'm in no hurry."
"it's going to take time, pup. I want to open you very slowly. I do not want you to experience any pain when I finally take your virginity. I want it to be an act of love for each of us." Dylan kisses him again. He looks at Tommy's neck and says "OMG! I gave you a hickey last night! I'm sorry."
"sorry?" you should be proud! Now I want to mark you." Tommy throws off the blanket and dives down near Dylan's cage and plants a big hickey on his skin right where his pubes would be if they hadn't been shaved off. Dylan moans and giggles.
They both sit up. Tommy stares deeply into Dylan's eyes. "You good, baby?" "Yes, Daddy." Tommy does a double take "daddy?" "Cause you took such good care of me last night. Made me feel like your little boy." "Anytime, Dylan, anytime you want. Maybe I should buy you a pacifier."
"I have one," answers Dylan. "Right here," as he grabs Tommy's cock. Tommy laughs. "So we should get up. Showers?" "I'm okay if you are." "yes. Lets put some clothes on and go down for coffee and breakfast if anything is left over." Tommy wears jeans and a button down shirt. Dylan puts on jeans and his "fiancé" t-shirt, and they make their entrance into the kitchen.
"there you are!" Thomas welcomes them. Mom can't decide where to look first: Dylan's t-shirt or Tommy's hickey! "Dylan! You devoured Tommy!"
"sorry, Mamma, but I don't claim responsibility for anything that happened last night before tommy got me to calm down and fall asleep."
"You're okay now, it seems." "Yes, Momma. It was a terrible nightmare, though. The worst yet. Always about Tiger attacking me."
Momma thinks. "Please tell the doctor about it. She might be able to give you something. We've got to face the fact that you must surely have a touch of PTSD."
"I know I do, Momma. If it weren't for Tommy, I'd be in bad shape all the time. He's my cure" big smile.
They all sit around chatting about the upcoming wedding. There are a lot of decisions they all have to make, and this is a good weekend to get started on them. Tommy's mother is already making up a list.
Tommy tells them that they're going to go to Dr. Mary first and then if time, have a little bite of something, then go to Sanders for the suit and then come straight home. They can spend the afternoon planning things. Everyone agrees it's a good plan.
Dr. Mary
Drawing the blood was a simple matter, completed in mere minutes. But then Dr. Mary asked Dylan to sit down and talk with her for a while. Dylan was ready for this to happen; he asked that Tommy stay with him during the interview. Dr. Mary agreed, understanding how important it was for Dylan to have his fiancé with him.
She asked him if there had been any further attacks since the last time she saw him about 4 years ago. He explained that he had moved in with the Roberts family immediately after that event and had pretty much stayed away from the abusive household.
He told her about the dream he had the night before, although he couldn't remember all of the details. "What I remember most was that Tiger broke into the changing room at Sanders and ripped off my t-shirt. He punched me several times and then told me that he was going to make sure I always remember that I was a Sinclair, not a Roberts. He took out a knife and made me turn around and began to carve the letters into my back. S-I-N-C and there was blood everywhere and I screamed from the pain, and also from the horror of having to face that I could never change my family, that even if Tommy's family embraced me, even if I married Tommy, I would still always be Sinclair trash. I fought him and screamed and then I woke up, soaking wet and trembling, and was kind of out of my mind. I mean, Tommy was talking to me and trying to calm me down but I wasn't really aware of him being there. Tommy tells me that his mother used a key to get into the room and take care of me, but I don't remember any of that at all. The first thing that I remember was being in a warm shower and my crying into Tommy's chest and him washing me with soap."
"If you can tell me," Dr. Mary asks, "what triggered this dream?"
Dylan was getting very upset after telling about the dream, and was so nervous he was shaking again. Tommy held him tightly and took over explaining.
"there were two things he mentioned after the dream. One was that Dad had given him new identity cards, credit and debit cards (the first he had ever had), and insurance information, all in the name of Dylan Roberts. We won't be getting married for several weeks yet, but Dad decided to jump the gun on the ID's rather than have to go through the hassle of having to change his name a few weeks afterwards. So it seems to us that the dream was a reaction against that happening."
"You said there were two things."
"Yes, well, last night we were at Sanders tailor shop and Dylan was fitted for a new suit, the first suit he had ever owned. the process of having to strip off his outer clothes in front of Mr. Sanders, and being measured and all that was very stressful for him. He was also very surprised by all the things we were buying for him: shirts and ties and handkerchiefs, etc., cufflinks, a wallet, new shoes—all of these things were things that Dylan never had of his own. Anytime he needed to dress nicely up until then, he always wore my clothing. He had basically nothing. And I just thought of something else: the stuff from his own home had been boxed up and moved into our house and he had a chance to go through things. Most of the clothes he threw away. There were other things as well, and it turns out that Tony-I mean, Tiger, had managed to get into the boxes and had left threatening messages in them. The thing that hurt Dylan the most . ."
Dylan cuts in: "I had a picture of Tommy as a teenager in my room and I always loved it. Tiger ruined the picture and defaced it." Tears come down his eyes. "Momma said that I could have any picture of Tommy I wanted from their house, but I'm going to miss that picture so so much, even though now I have Tommy with me all the time and I can take plenty more pictures."
Tommy adds, "there were other hateful things in the boxes, things which I threw away without letting Dylan see them, but the hatred was in those boxes to be sure."
Dr. Mary looks very distressed. "These things are terrible indeed. And they have taken a toll on you, Dylan, that is obvious. Tell me, do you often have nightmares about your old family?"
"Yes, ma'am. But this was the worst one of all. Most are just about being screamed at and insulted or attacked by Tiger and even my younger brothers. Tiger was teaching them how to hurt me. Sometimes he held me down so they could practice on me."
Dr. Mary says to Tommy, "At this point, Tommy, it is important that I speak with Dylan alone for just a couple minutes." Tommy kisses Dylan and messes up his hair and tells him he'll be right outside the door. He gets up to leave. Dylan watches the door as it closes. He is very distressed.
Dr. Mary is able to calm him down and they spend a few minutes talking together.
Mary smiles at Dylan. "You really love him, don't you, Dylan?"
"He's the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my life, Doctor Mary. He's been in my life almost all of my life. I've been in love with him since middle school."
"and now you two will be getting legally married. Are you excited about that?"
"Very, although sometimes I get a little nervous about it and all."
"Why is that?"
"Because there are so many details to take care of. That makes me nervous, like I'm afraid I might fuck up and get everyone mad at me."
"tell me, Dylan, has anyone in Tommy's family, or even Tommy, ever gotten angry with you?"
Tommy has to stop and think . . . "No. I don't think anyone's ever been angry with me. I try to be a good boy all the time, ma'am."
"so it is very different than it was in the house you were growing up in, I guess."
`You can say that again! they were always mad at me for things that weren't ever even my fault."
"that would be a good thing for you to remember, Dylan. People in your life never ever get angry with you."
"yes, I can see you've got a point. Besides, if tommy were upset with me he'd . . . Dylan blushes
"He'd what?"
Dylan giggles. "He'd um, he'd spank me. But only in fun. He's never mean to me. He protects me from everything. Ever since we were kids he was like that. Always looking out for me. Always making me happy. So so happy, Doctor Mary."
"I'm happy to hear that. I wish you well in your upcoming marriage. You are a very fortunate young men, despite bad things that have happened to you. But they are all in the past now. Let's hope they will soon stay out of your dreams, too."
"that would be awesome!" Dylan smiles his beautiful child smile.
She calls Tommy back into the room and Dylan throws himself into Tommy's arms.
Dr. Mary goes to her desk and takes out a prescription pad.
"It is clear to me that after the terrible things Dylan has suffered, he is also now suffering from PTSD—just how much, I'm not competent to assess. I do have a colleague in this practice, however, who is a specialist working with abused children who carry PTSD into their adult lives as a result of what has happened to them. I know you live far from here, but it would be to your advantage if you could make arrangements for periodic visits with my colleague, Dr. Michael Rosen, or, if necessary, we could try to locate someone closer to where you'll be living."
"We'll work it out," Tommy promises, "even if we need to come out here every weekend."
"Let me see if I can schedule an appointment for Dylan in two weeks with Dr. Rosen." She checks the schedule on her computer. "I can get you in to see him on Saturday at 8:30 am if that isn't too early for you."
"No problem at all. We can come out and visit with our parents on Friday night, then come for the appointment and then head back home. That will work fine." Tommy makes a note of it on his phone.
"In the meantime, I am going to prescribe two medications which will be helpful at this time. One is a very mild sedative called Xanax, which Dylan can take whenever feeling anxious or suspecting that he is going to have an anxiety attack. I'm prescribing a small dose, but it could be doubled if he is in a lot of distress. Tommy, you may need to remind him, or make a decision about how much he should take because when he hits anxiety it seems to me that he can't make decisions. The second is something that can help him sleep more calmly, and should help prevent the nightmares. Both of these are very mild doses. Dr. Rosen can make whatever increases or changes he deem best. It is important, Dylan, that you take the sleep medication every night before bed. You can take the Xanax whenever you feel unsettled or fearful. I assure you, you will not feel drugged by taking these things. do you understand?"
"yes, ma'am. I will do as you say." "I will make sure of it, doctor," adds Tommy.
They bid the Doctor good-bye and thank her for seeing them. "We will have
the results of the tests in about 5 days. I will contact you when they come in."
They head out. This appointment has taken longer than Tommy expected, so it is time for them to go right to Sanders.
While waiting for the prescriptions to be filled, Tommy has a question.
"What did you and the doc speak about when you were along together if you don't mind telling me.?"
"Mostly, we talked about how much I love you. Oh, and how no one in your house ever really gets angry with me. I never thought of it that way."
"Well, that's good. So maybe there's not as much to worry about as you thought."
"That's true." Dylan giggles. "I did tell her that if you got upset with me you would spank me. . . . "
"You didn't!!!!" "Yes, I did, but I told her it was only a fun spanking." Tommy ruffles up his hair.
"Well, my boy, sometimes it might not be as much fun as you think . . . " He glares at Dylan, which make him giggle even more.
"I've had a hard spanking from you, Sir, and it wasn't really fun until I got to cum."
Tommy threatens him: "don't count on that happening all the time, boy."
"Yes, Sir."
They get the medicine and head out.
Hand in hand they walk into Sanders, who is happy to see them. `You can go right into that fitting room. Put on everything: a new t-shirt, the dress shirt and tie, the shoes and then the complete suit. Tommy can help you if you want."
"yes, please, Tommy."
Tommy enjoys watching Dylan strip down to his underpants and he jiggles his cage a bit and tweaks his nipples. He puts the undershirt on his boy and then the shirt, which he buttons up. Next come the suit pants, then the shoes which really look nice. then the tie and the rest of the suit.
"You look wonderful, sweetheart. I'm gonna be so proud of you showing you off at the club tomorrow. come on out, so Mr. Sanders can see you."
They walk into the showroom. Sanders is very pleased with how the entire outfit has worked out. "Ok, gentlemen, you're already for high society now. You will both look wonderful. Tommy, since I've put Dylan into the light blue shirt, I suggest you wear a white one with perhaps a silver tie."
Tommy agrees. They go back inside and Tommy helps him undress. "Gee, boy, I wish I could just walk you out to the car in your underpants! That would be hot!"
Dylan tickles him.
He gets dressed and they head off. Tommy calls home to see if they want him to pick up anything for them for lunch. His father suggests that the boys just have lunch together—quality time.
Tommy decides they will go to a diner in town. He orders a cheeseburger with French fries for himself and a French dip for Dylan with a side of pickled beets (which he knows Dylan loves.)
Tommy assures Dylan, "It sound like a lot of decisions will be made this afternoon about the wedding. If I ask you what you think about something, I want you to be completely honest with me, even if you disagree with me. I won't get angry. Understand?"
"Yes, my love. But you know I'll want whatever you want."
"Well, just in case. For example, what do you want for music?" I know what I think. I want to know what you might think.
"What do I think? I think . . . . I hope . . . we could get gay musicians."
"I like that idea. I'll call Mike to see if he knows anyone who plays gay clubs since we're too young to go to any of them."
the food arrives. They start to eat. Dylan eats all his beets first! Tommy takes a French fry off his plate and holds it towards Dylan, winking at him. "Open up, boy. I've got something to put in your mouth."
Dylan snatches the piece off Tommy's fingers with his teeth, licking the tip of his fingers at the same time. They both laugh. "Just like we talked about the other night!" Dylan exclaims.
Dylan dips his sandwich into the juice and takes a bite of it. some of the juice dribbles down his chin. Tommy reaches out with a napkin to wipe it off him, not caring who might notice. (Actually he got the fries just so he could feed his beloved.) Dylan grunts. "Damn cage. Stop trying to make me get hard, dude! Ouch!" He tugs at his crotch.
Tommy looks very pleased with himself and feeds Dylan another fry. "Those who wear slave collars should also be locked in. Basic rule for boys like you." [wink] Dylan reaches up and touches his collar. "this is something that is making me very happy. I am so grateful that you decided that this is the way things are going to be. I need this. I need you, Sir. With all my heart."
Tommy smiles. "Look into my eyes, boy." Dylan obeys. "Mine." Just that one word sends so much through Dylan's being he can hardly contain it. It makes him feel so very safe. It makes him feel cherished and loved. I makes him realize that, contrary to what he had been told so often by toxic people, he is not trash, never was, and never will be.
"When we get home, boy," says Tommy, slowly and in a low voice, "I am going to use you like the slave you are. The minute we walk into the house you are to go upstairs, get naked, kneel down and bow your head to the ground and wait for me."
"Yes, Master." Dylan quickly slips into sub space. They ride home in silence. Tommy keeps slapping him on the thigh to emphasize what he has said. Dylan opens his legs to give Tommy better access. By the time they get home, he can hardly bear the pain of the spanking he is receiving from his Master's hand. He is lost in awe and gratitude and enters more deeply than ever into what Tommy calls "his true nature." He is so thrilled about the way Tommy is acting.
As soon as they get to the house, Tommy says, "Go! Quickly!" Dylan enters the house and rushes upstairs. When Tommy enters, he tells his mother,
"He really had to go to the bathroom. We'll be upstairs a little while. We didn't get showers this morning, but I think we need them now."
"Take your time," his mother says.
Tommy enters their room and immediately hardens, seeing Dylan naked and groveling like a good slave. He quickly undresses himself and puts one foot under Dylan's face and Dylan knows what to do. Tommy lets him stay there licking and kissing and sucking and then changes to the other foot and Dylan worships that as well. Then he says, "Get into the shower, fix the water temperature, and kneel down."
Dylan goes and obeys, breathing heavily he is so excited. Tommy enters and gets into the shower facing Dylan. "Open your mouth, slave." Dylan opens. As Tommy enters his mouth, he reaches down with both hands and works the boy's nipples and feels the boy's mouth and throat open. Tommy grabs the back of his head and rams his cock into dylan's throat. Dylan gags and chokes a bit. Tommy counts out loud to 10 and then pulls out so Dylan can catch his breath. He does it again. And again. And again until dylan's phlegm is all over the head of his cock. Then he orders, "Suck it slave, deep and fast and hard. And while you are sucking, piss out of your cage." It's difficult to manage the two, but eventually, dylan's piss starts to flow.
He works his Master's cock like a mad man. it doesn't take long before Tommy cries out in pleasure and shoots down the boy's throat. "Clean me off, slave!" Dylan licks all around. Suddenly Tommy gets a wicked urge.
"Sit back against the tub." Dylan obeys. "Your thigh is all nice and red. If we had time, I'd work on the other one as well, but we've got to get going. Right now, I want you to look me in the eyes and don't take your eyes off me!" Dylan gets lost in his masterful staring. Suddenly, Tommy begins to piss. "Keep your eyes on mine, slave! Take my piss!" Tommy pisses on Dylan, mainly on his cage and a little above that. He knows Dylan once had a bad experience with this so he want to make sure he doesn't trigger that memory. What he is doing is more than enough to establish his rule over the boy. Once he has finished, Tommy orders, "Get up here and clean the head of my dick, slave. Lap up my piss that is left." Dylan hungrily goes after his Master.
Finally, in a softer voice, he says, "You are a good boy. You have pleased me very much. Stand up now, sweetheart and come into my arms." Dylan melts and Tommy has to help him up. Now tenderly, Tommy takes the soap, gets down in his knees, and washes Dylan where he has pissed on him, washes it all away. Then he stands and finishes washing his beloved boy, washes himself and then has Dylan turn around so he can take special care of his beautiful hair.
Finally they finish. Tommy takes a towel and dries his lover. Dylan does the same for him. They get out of the bathroom. Tommy picks out a clean pair of underpants and helps Dylan into them, then puts his own on. They hug. Dylan whispers, "thank you, Sir. thank you so much." Tommy replies
"I know you needed that. I could tell by the way you kept fingering your collar in the diner. I love you so very much."
"I am yours." "Mine. Let's get dressed and go downstairs. Wear your fiancé shirt!" "Yes, Master. I love you." "why don't you take one of these Xanax pills now before we start working on all the details. I think I did a pretty good job settling you down, but let's find out what effect this drug has on you during times that you would usually tense up."
"Okay, Sir." Tommy opens the bottle and takes out a Xanax, then gets a cup of water and gives it to Dylan. He tips the cup so Dylan can swallow the little pill easily.
They go downstairs. Fresh coffee is brewing.
"So how was your visit with Dr. Mary?" Mom asks. Dylan answers. "It was very good. She's a nice lady and made me feel very comfortable. She had a discussion with the both of us together and I told her about my nightmare while Tommy was there with me. Then she spoke with me alone and we had a nice talk. She's very happy for us and for our upcoming marriage. She also gave me a lot of good things to think about."
Tommy adds, "She noticed right away that Dylan suffers from a special type of PTSD that is common for those who were abused as children. She has made arrangements for Dylan to meet with one of her colleagues who is a specialist about this condition, a Doctor Michael Rosen. Dylan will meet with him in two weeks, so we'll come out Friday night and spend some time here with you."
"That's lovely, dear. I've heard of this doctor. He's very respected in the community. I'm sorry to hear about the PTSD, Dylan, but it does make sense, considering. I wish we had thought of it sooner, but what's done is done. I'm glad you'll be getting good help."
Tommy continues, "Dr. Mary also gave Dylan two prescriptions. One for anxiety and one for peaceful sleep. We'll see how they work out for him."
Thomas joins them in the kitchen and hugs each of the boys. they all sit down at the table. Mom gets out her legal pad.
"So, guys, can be begin?" They agree. Tommy keeps his eye on Dylan to see his reactions.
"The first thing is the tent, and I've already ordered that."
"Next, we have to consider the guest list. Do you know whom you want to invite?
Tommy says, "we were just thinking the 28 members of the swim team and the two coaches, and maybe just a handful of friends that aren't on the team. Can you think of whom, dylan?
"Peter, for sure, and Marvin."
Mom asks, "What about plus one's, like girlfriends?"
"I guess we won't know that until the invitations come back. All the more reason to get them out very quickly."
"that's my next item on the list: the wording of the invitations."
"Can we do it in the first person? I mean, Dylan and I doing the invite? I've given this some thought and it might be nicer because no mention of dylan's parents will have to be made."
"What are you thinking as an example?"
"this is easy: Mr. Dylan Sinclair and Mr. Tommy Roberts are happy to announce that they will pledge their vows to each other in marriage on XXXXXX at 11 am on the grounds of the Roberts family, address."
"that's excellent, son!" says Thomas. I think you should add, "Since the date is quite soon, we would appreciate a prompt reply from you and any guest you would like to bring."
"Sounds good," Tommy replies.
Mom takes over. "Then the wording is settled. I have this sample card for you to see, but we can change the font, the size or anything else." She shows it to Dylan first. Dylan shows it to Tommy and nods. Tommy approves.
Mom: "Now the next thing on the item is the formal announcement to be made in the newspaper. This is now common practice for gay weddings after some struggles a couple of years ago."
Dylan gets agitated. Tommy holds his arm and asks, "You look concerned about something, baby. What is it?"
Dylan struggles to speak. "It's just that . . . if there is a notice in the paper . . . they'll all know."
"Who?" asks Tommy.
"I know what he's getting at," says Mom. "dylan, perhaps it would be better if we decide to forego having an official announcement in the paper."
"Oh yes, thank you. I don't want them to know." A tear drips down his cheek. Tommy takes a napkin and wipes it clean. "See, baby? See how easy that was?" We don't want anything that will hurt you."
Tommy thinks for a bit. "Would it be permissible to invite Mike, but not his father?"
"I don't see why not. There is no reason for anyone to be here who you would consider unsafe, for any reason whatsoever."
"Okay. Mom, I'll send you a guest list by Monday. If we act quickly enough, there will be enough time to sent the invites to their campus addresses."
"Your father and I have a few people to invite as well. A couple of
personal friends who are affirming, and a couple of the officers from Thomas' business. They will all be supportive and safe."
Dylan suddenly sits up. "What is it, sweetheart?" asks Tommy.
"I just thought of something. How about stating that in lieu of gifts, we request that a donation be made in our name to The Trevor Project."
"That's fantabluous, Dylan! Mom and Dad, the Trevor Project is an organization that helps out gay youth in trouble and does a lot of work with suicide prevention. You know that gay teens are 5 times more likely to attempt suicide than straight kids?"
Thomas, "Well, that settles it . After all, you have no need for a new toaster, or blender, or that sort of thing, and you certainly don't need the cash. Not after I get to tell you what I've been waiting to tell you, Tommy."
"Can you tell me now?"
Thomas looks at his wife and she nods. "Okay. I never told you this, but on the day you were born, your grandfather set up a special trust fund for you, which was to be turned over to you on your 21st birthday or the day of your marriage, whichever comes first. So anyway on the day you get married, you will be coming into a considerable amount of wealth of your own."
"What do you mean, a considerable amount of wealth?"
"Far more than you can comprehend. Let me put it this way: You both will get to spend a great deal of time using your resources to help people in all sorts of difficulties, if that's what you want to do."
"Number, Dad, please? No riddles."
"The last time I checked, the fund had just hit 50 million dollars." Dylan faints. Tommy was ready for it and catches him and then faints himself.
When they all come to, Mom passes out orange juice.
Sorry, boys, but there's more that has to be settled.
Tommy, wearily, says, What next, Mom?"
"Music"
"We've got that handled. We'd like gay musicians, I have to contact Mike because he will probably know who's around the gay scene. Leave that to me."
"Flowers" "Your department, Mom. Oh, and we'd like real china and real silverware, not that throw-away stuff they usually hand out."
"check."
"Best men?"
"We'll settle that this week. That's the whole wedding party. Just the four of us."
"Dress."
"Dylan and I will wear our blue suits. We can rent suits for the best men."
"Minister."
There's one that Dylan really likes, Rev. Martha Hollingswood. Ok for you if we choose a woman?"
"It's your wedding, sweethearts."
"We'll use the corporate caterers. The sky's the limit regarding food."
"Dad, can you work that out. Just make sure we have a chocolate fountain." He rubs the back of dylan's head. Dylan grins. "Yum"
"Someone to plan and rehearse the logistics. this is important, especially for an outdoor wedding."
Tommy turns to Dylan: "Maybe we could ask Pete to do that. He's so dom,--I mean, he likes to have control of things." Dylan nods and yawns.
`Mom, Dylan took one of those pills the doctor gave him, and I think it's putting him to sleep.
"We've got most of it done I'll text you anything further. Go take your boy to bed before he passes out down here."
They head upstairs. Tommy strips Dylan, who is like a wet dishrag. then he tugs him into bed and get in after with his clothes still on.
Dylan rambles. Your clothes feel so good against me bare. Bare and I'm marrying a millionaire! Didn't 'count on that." hope he doesn't think I'm too cheap."
"SShh darling."
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
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