A Helping Hand
By: DL
(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are
allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
dl@tickiestories.us
What I had thought was sure to result from Julian giving Juan the bag duly transpired: Juan broke down and cried. I had realised on day three that Juan was emotionally vulnerable after his rejection by his dad and then his brutal treatment by the travellers' kids; I had discovered for myself that Juan was unable to cope with kindness: he was at that point, a really vulnerable and mixed up kid.
I got up and walked over to the bed/settee and sat down on the other side of Juan, reaching out to him and drawing him to me, and hugging him closely and murmuring gently in his ear [nothing that I'm going to repeat here!]. As I hugged and gently rocked him, Juan slowly stopped sobbing and just lay motionless in my arms; I waited patiently for a few moments and then held him away from me and said, "you are such a silly so-and-so, you know that Julian loves you don't you?" Juan looked up at me with his tear-filled eyes and nodded his head; I hugged him again and gently rocked him, giving him a few more moments to compose himself. "So, you really shouldn't be surprised when your lover tries to make you happy by giving you a present should you?" I whispered in his ear as I held him away from me again. Juan looked at me, and smiled wanly as he shook his head.
I looked over Juan's head towards Julian, who was still sitting there distraught at the effect his gift had had on Juan. "Juan's just a bit overwhelmed by your surprise, Julian; he's alright now, I think, but why don't you take him down to the bedroom for half an hour and comfort him while I cook something?"
Julian was clearly relieved at the sight of a slightly more composed Juan, and I held Juan away from me again and kissed him on the forehead, saying "And remember, young man, no hanky-panky!" This had the desired effect as it got a grin from Juan; I tousled his hair and let him go as I got up. Julian wasn't slow to reach out and hug him, whispering quietly in his ear: I couldn't hear what he said, but I had little doubt that he was intent on making up with Juan. I left them to it and disappeared into the kitchen to cope with another domestic crisis: what to eat!
Now you should by now have got the message that hitherto I had been your typical bachelor with no outside interests: home was just a place to rest my head when it needed it! Thus there wasn't much in the way of food in the cupboards or fridge: bread, cereal, cans of assorted Heinz soups and baked beans; the fridge wasn't much better: butter [back then I favoured Anchor], milk, eggs, some Kraft cheese slices, lettuce, cartons of orange juice and guess what? [If you've been paying attention thus far, Diet Coke should come as no surprise – if it does, perhaps I should suggest you read another story on this fine site: anything BUT one by Deepdiver that is: he's got too many readers as it is!]
I returned to the lounge to find that the boys had indeed decamped to the bedroom. Figuring that they deserved a little time alone, I switched the TV on and was just in time to catch the final sporting round up on BBC1's Grandstand at 5 minutes past 5 [no, I can't remember anything of what happened that day sports-wise!] as the final credits rolled about ten minutes later, I switched the TV off and thinking that the boys had had 20–25 minutes alone, so I could probably safely disturb them, I made my way down to the bedroom and knocked gently on the open [ajar] door.
"It's OK, Dave, you can come in." Julian called out. I was pleased to note that he sounded more cheerful as I pushed the door open and entered. Julian was lying on his back on the bed with Juan curled up alongside him, on his side with his head resting on Julian's chest, and Julian's arms around him. I was pleased to note that the tears were gone and he smiled at me as I entered. "You both OK now?" I asked, getting a nod from Julian and another smile from Juan.
"Well, guys, I have some bad news for you!" Being the heartless sod that you by now know me to be, I couldn't pass up the chance of some harmless fun at the boy's expense. As I said it, both boys' faces turned serious and I couldn't bring myself to follow through with my jape at their expense: "Don't worry; I'm doing you a favour!" I changed tack, mentally kicking myself once more for my thoughtlessness. "We'll have to pop back to town and eat at the café at Sainsbury's, so get your shoes on!"
Both the boys looked surprised at this announcement, so I explained: "You obviously haven't looked at what's in the kitchen, food-wise." I said, noting a dawning comprehension and amused smile from Julian before he leant over and kissed Juan unashamedly, before getting up and helping him off the bed.
I retreated to the lounge and was joined in a couple of minutes by the boys. "We need to do some shopping after we've eaten. I don't have anything for three – just cans for the unusual night in." I said to them as we prepared to go out. I watched as Julian picked up Juan's discarded gifts and gave them once more to a more receptive Juan: he smiled gratefully. Julian hugged him and we all made for the door.
And just for a change [LOL!] I'm going to leave it there instead of leaving you in suspense. Till next time, be well [if I can't steal any of the Diver's readers, I may as well misappropriate some of his clichés!].
To be continued . . .
Feedback always welcome: dl@tickiestories.us
Posted: 08/17/07