The Inlet
by:
Hankster
© 2009 by the author
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the
author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
Chapter 11
Andrew and Kyle arrived at The Waterfall Lodge long before their dinner reservation hour. They wanted to be sure to see James Harper before he left for the day. James was delighted to see them and gave them each a bear hug.
“It’s always great to see you two,” he said. “It always reminds me that there is an outside world.”
“And for us,” Kyle remarked, “seeing you reminds us of our secluded little getaway cabin.”
“I’m not sure how much longer The Waterfall Lodge will remain open. I suspect that it might shut down after Labor Day,” James said, quite remorsefully. “The owners have it up for sale. It’s been on the market for almost a year and they haven’t had a single offer yet. If nothing comes through by Labor Day, they’re shutting down. It’s not that the place isn’t doing well, but they are getting on and just want to retire.”
Strange as it seems, Andrew and Kyle had only met the owners on rare occasions. They were a couple in their late seventies, and Mr. Powell was confined to a wheel chair from wounds suffered during the Korean War.
Andrew’s head began to swim with an idea. He excused himself, went into a private space, and called Freddie.
“What would you think about buying The Waterfall Lodge?” he asked. “It might not be much of a money maker, but think of what a haven it would be for us and our families. The cabin is great, but it‘s uncomfortable when we come out here together. This way we could escape year round and have every amenity. Sharon and Mike could even vacation here with their families, not to mention Sam and Jean and all our parents. It would be so wonderful.”
“How do you know it’s for sale?” Freddie asked.
“James just told us. It’s been on the market for nearly a year without a bite. I’ll bet we could get a real bargain.”
“OK Bro, go do your thing. Get us a good price, but don’t even think of screwing those nice people.”
“I got you babe. I’ll see to it.”
He returned to where James and Kyle were chatting. “How can I get in touch with the Powells?” Andrew asked. “Gardini Enterprises is interested in purchasing this place.”
Kyle’s jaw dropped open and then he broke out into a big grin.
“Don’t worry Kyle. We can still use the cabin in the summer, but we’ll be able to come out here all the rest of the year.”
“We’d better buy a good set of snow tires,” Kyle said while tapping his forehead with his index finger, as if to say, See, I think of everything.
“Mr. and Mrs. Powell will be here tomorrow morning. I’ll call and alert them,” James advised Andrew. Why don’t you come for breakfast tomorrow morning and you can meet them and discuss business.”
James was about to leave, but Andrew took him by the arm to stop him. “If I buy the place, James, will you manage it for me and Freddie?”
“Work for you?” James asked. “It would be my pleasure. My partner, Richard, is retiring at the end of the year. He could help me, and I wouldn’t have to worry about his having nothing to do. Plus, I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a job in my late fifties. Thanks for the offer, Andrew.”
“I feel better already knowing that I can depend on you,” Andrew said. He shook James’ hand and said, “I’ll see you in the morning then.”
It was still early for dinner so Kyle and Andrew decided to take a stroll down by the lake. This time they were not alone. They spotted Marty sitting on a bench facing the lake. A young woman was sitting quite close to him. They couldn’t see her face, but they could tell that she was quite slim. Marty is very good looking, Kyle thought. I’ll bet she’s beautiful.
They approached Marty and greeted him. He jumped up and pumped both their hands. Then he remembered his manners. He introduced them to Laurie Payne. She was absolutely stunning, and Marty informed her, “These two guys just about saved my life this afternoon.”
“Well then, I must thank you also,” Laurie said. “If you hadn’t been so gallant, I’d be sitting here alone tonight.” She smiled at Marty.
“Kyle used to teach at
“Anything goes,” Kyle said. “There is only one rule that all the good teachers adhere to, and that is to never get involved with a student.”
Marty groaned. “Laurie will be a senior there this coming semester.”
Kyle saved the day. “The rule doesn’t count,” he said, “if you are already involved. Are you?”
The two young people looked at each other and smiled shyly.
“In that case,” Andrew said, “we’ll go in to dinner and leave you two alone. It was very nice meeting you Laurie.”
When Kyle and Andrew left, Marty said, “They are a gay couple you know. I have never seen such love between two people. When I left their cabin, I silently prayed that I could find someone who would love me like they love each other.”
Laurie looked deep into Marty’s eyes. She pulled his head down and kissed him passionately.
Gardini Enterprises and Mr. and Mrs. Powell arrived at a selling price which was less than the Powells had hoped for. But based on the depressed economy and the net profits of the lodge, both parties were satisfied. The Powells were happy in the knowledge that their retirement was assured. Gardini Enterprises put down forty percent of the purchase price and had no trouble securing a mortgage for the balance at a local community bank. The sale became effective on September 30.
The first reservations that James took for
Gardini Enterprises were from Dr. and Mrs. Stanley, who booked the last two
weeks of August for the following summer. Shortly
thereafter, Jean Gay booked two rooms, one for him and Sam Gardini and one for
Mel Thomas and his wife for all of July and August. Mel
remained Sam’s bodyguard, but nobody was fooled. Mel had
become like the old family retainer in a Merchant Ivory film.
In the meantime the lodge was booked solid for the winter months. It snowed steadily that year, and the skiers came up in droves. James was pleased to report healthy profits at the end of every week. Richard worked a deal to retire a month earlier, because James really needed his help. The only slack period they had was late spring and James and Richard needed the break for their own vacation.
Kyle and Andrew, Scott and Freddie worked
it out so that they all spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas in
Now that they were owners, Andrew and Freddie stayed at the lodge every other weekend with their spouses. To their credit, they acted like good hoteliers. They mingled with the guests, and even asked the New Yorkers to call them in The City for dinner out together or just to say hello.
Every few weekends, Marty and Laurie Soren came for a weekend. They had been married during the first week of November. Marty told Kyle that this way he didn’t have to break the rule about fraternizing with the student body, since they were previously involved.
“I’m really happy,” Marty told Kyle. “I love teaching, and I love the lady I come home to every evening. I’m a lucky guy.”
“Yes,” Kyle said. “I can see that.”
The guest population was also filled with friends of the Gardini family. Some were mutual friends, some were friends from CCNY, some were business associates, but whatever the source, they booked a stay at the lodge and they all loved the rustic atmosphere. Sometime in early May, James told them that the lodge was booked solid from June through September. It was developing that their investment was a good one, both financially and socially.
Only one thing marred their serenity. About once a week in the summer, and whenever possible the rest of the year, Andrew and Kyle drove to the gorge where the Barkins and Rodriguezes lay buried. They peered into the deep waters below. The waterfall kept the waters churning at this point and the lake was so deep that it was impossible to see below the surface. Still, they felt better when they could determine that there was no sign of the evidence, and that it was forever buried.
There was nobody alive to seek out the Rodriguez cousins. As for the Barkin twins, Mary Barkin never knew who her sons worked for, and when they disappeared, she didn’t know where to begin to look for them. Eventually she faced the fact that they were not returning. She naturally assumed that they were living incognito in some remote city, hiding out from something or someone, too afraid to even contact her. She stopped looking for them and stopped inquiring about them, believing that it was for their own safety. In short nobody missed the four bodies lying buried in the deep.
One early October day, Andrew’s secretary buzzed him. “Ron Harte is here to see you, Andrew,” she said. “He doesn’t have an appointment.”
What the hell is she
talking about? Since when does Ron need an appointment?
He usually barges right in. There was a knock on
the door and Andrew yelled, “Come on in.”
Imagine his surprise when he saw a young man, no older than eighteen years old enter the room. He looked exactly as Ron might have looked about twenty years ago. Andrew stood and held out his hand, which the young man shook.
“You have to be Ron’s son,” he said. You look just like him.”
“Everybody says so, but I’m an inch shorter,” Ron, Jr. said.
“Did you come to see your father? I’m afraid he’s out of town on business. He won’t be back until Friday night and he won’t be back in the office until Monday,” Andrew informed the young man.
“Actually, I came to see you. I’m a freshman at CCNY. My English Lit teacher is Dr. Farrell. I got to talking with him one day, and told him that I was majoring in accounting, and would love to get a part time job in some accounting office. He suggested I go see you. At first I was hesitant, because I know my dad works for you, but then I figured maybe that would help me, rather than hurt me.”
Andrew grew a little suspicious.
“Can you tell me how you came to be talking to Dr. Farrell so
intimately?”
“Oh sure, Mr. Stanley. Dr. Farrell is very open about his being gay. He often mentions you in his lectures and how much you two guys love each other.”
“He does?” Andrew asked, pleased but incredulous.
“Uh huh! Anyway, I have reason to believe…. I think I might be…..”
“Gay!” Andrew finished the sentence. Ron Jr. nodded.
“I don’t know if you know, but Dr. Farrell is always encouraging his students to consult him with any of their problems. He has a reputation of being the best teacher and the most compassionate on campus. I needed to talk to someone about my, er, situation. I can’t talk to my step dad. We aren’t that close. My kid brother and he are close, but I’m not. I’m afraid to talk to my real dad. You know he’s a big, macho guy, and I’m afraid he would be disappointed in me if he knew.”
Andrew couldn’t believe it. Nobody had ever told Ron’s son that Ron was gay. He figured that it would be up to Ron to do the honors. He certainly wasn’t going to.
“Was Dr. Farrell able to help you with your situation?”
“Yes, he gave me some good advice. Basically he told me not to worry so much about it, and to just let things unfold in their natural order. He was also positive that my dad would take the news better than I expected, but I really doubt that.”
“Have you got a boy friend?” Andrew asked out of curiosity.
“God no!” Ronnie stated emphatically. “I don’t know where I stand yet myself.” He looked down at the floor. “But I sure would like to find out.”
A voice from Andrew’s deep past said to Ronnie, “It’ll happen.”
“Why don’t you sit here and wait for me, son. I want to go to accounting and discuss what we might have for you.”
“Thank you sir.”
Andrew literally ran to the accounting office. Hank and Ron were on the same business trip. Mark and several clerks were holding down the fort. Andrew grabbed Mark and pulled him into Hank’s private office.
“What’s going on?” Mark asked thoroughly alarmed. Andrew filled him in on everything that had happened up to this moment.
“He has no clue that his father is gay, and certainly would not suspect that you are his father’s lover. Don’t spill the beans. I suggest you leave that for Ron. I wonder if Ron knows that his son is gay.”
“I doubt that very much. He would have discussed it with me. Don’t worry; my lips are sealed. I won’t tell either one of them about the other,” Mark said.
“I’ll bring him to see you. Give him that part time job even if you don’t need him, and we’ll let the chips fall where they may.” Andrew buzzed his secretary from Hank’s phone and asked her to bring Ron Jr. around. When Ron came into the office he read the sign on the door which said, Henry Morrissey, CFO. He reached out his hand and before Andrew could make introductions Ron said, “Hello Mr. Morrissey. I’m Ronald Harte, Jr. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Both Andrew and Mark laughed.
“No son,” Andrew said. Hank’s on the same business trip with your dad. This is Mark Davis, Hank’s assistant.”
Ron blushed, “I’m so sorry Mr. Davis.”
“It’s quite alright son. Don’t let it bother you. I just can’t get over how much you look like your dad.”
When Ron threw open the apartment door
Friday evening after returning from
“I can see that you are bursting to give me some news,” Ron said. “Spill it!”
“I hired a new part time accounting clerk a couple of days ago.”
“So why the look?” Ron needed to know. “That’s hardly big news.”
“It is if you consider that he’s related to you.”
Ron’s jaw dropped. He grew silent and looked thoroughly deflated. “My son?” he asked. Mark nodded.
“This is awkward. He doesn’t know that I’m gay.”
“I know. Andrew told me,” Mark said.
“How would Andrew know?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask him.”
“Well, he’s eighteen. He was bound to find out sooner or later. At least I know that Rhonda kept her word not to tell the boys.”
“Will you tell him?” Mark asked. “It’s no secret in the office. It might come out, and I want to love him too.”
“Yes, It’s time he knew the truth. But I must make it clear to him that my being gay had nothing to do with my divorce. Rhonda dumped me before she knew.”
“I know you’ll handle it well,” Mark said. “I’ll be there if you need me.”
Ron returned to the office on Monday morning. In order to accommodate his son’s class schedule, Ronnie’s hours were from one to five every Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Poor Ron fidgeted all morning. He couldn’t concentrate on his work.
His son arrived at 12:45 and went right to accounting. As soon as he could, Mark alerted Ron that his son was in the office. Ron ran over to the accounting office. As soon as he spotted his son, he embraced him. Ronnie hugged back.
“Weren’t you going to stop at my office and say hello, Ronnie?” Ron asked.
“Sure dad, but I wanted to do it after working hours. I really need to talk to you about a few things.”
“That’s great. Come by at five. We’ll have dinner together and we can talk. I need to talk to you about a lot of stuff also.”
While Mark was giving Ronnie work to do and explaining the process to him, he inadvertently was very touchy feely. He wasn’t even aware of it. Ronnie was so much like his father that Mark was merely reacting to natural instinct. For his part, Ronnie was enjoying the intimacy with another male. He had no idea the other male was his father’s lover.
For Ronnie, the afternoon went much too fast. He really enjoyed the work and the friendliness of his co-workers. For Ron, the afternoon extended into eternity. At last there was a knock on the door.
“Come in and leave the door open,” the father said. He knew so little about his own son that he had to ask, “What kind of food would you like tonight son? Italian? Chinese?”
“Chinese would be great Dad,”
“Good, we’ll go to my favorite restaurant
in
Mark poked his head in. “Good night, Rons,” he said. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Ronnie was certain that he saw Mark wink at his father, but then again, he could have been wrong.
Ron grabbed his coat and put his arm around his son as he escorted him to the elevator. Downstairs they grabbed a cab and Ron gave the cabbie instructions. As soon as they were settled in the cab, Ron asked, “What did you want to talk to me about, son?”
“I’d rather wait until we’re in the restaurant, Dad. Let’s try to get a quiet table away from other people. OK?”
“Sounds serious, son.”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
The waiter served them both wonton soup. Ron didn’t want to pressure Ronnie so they ate in silence. When Ronnie had his fill, he pushed his plate aside and looked at his father. This is it, Ron thought and prepared himself for the worst.
“Dad, I have something to tell you.” He hesitated.
“Go ahead son.
You can tell me anything. When you love someone you should
be able to tell him anything or it isn’t really love.”
Ronnie nodded and continued. “Did you know that Mr. Stanley is gay?”
“Yes, I knew. But…”
“His partner, Dr. Farrell, is my English Lit professor, and he’s the one who told me to see Mr. Stanley about getting a part time job. He encouraged it even after I told him that you worked for Mr. Stanley.”
“I’m glad you didn’t let that stop you, Ronnie.”
“Dad, Dr. Farrell is very openly gay. That’s why I went to see him. I needed someone I could talk to. When I told him that I was gay, he advised me strongly to tell you and mom.”
Ron was dumbfounded, speechless, and unable to react. He sat like a statue and Ronnie began to shake. “Do you hate me, Dad?” Ronnie began to weep.
“Good god. I don’t hate you. I love you. I love you more than ever.” Ron jumped up and embraced his son who was weeping into his father’s shoulder.” Just then the waiter came to the table with their entrees. The two men grew silent until he left.
“You said that you had things to tell me also, Dad. I think it’s time to put all our dirty laundry on the table,” Ronnie said, anticipating some juicy stuff from his dad.
“The first thing that you must know is that my divorce was all my doing. Your mom was blameless. I was just never home. Certainly I was never there for her. I made better than average wages, and you were all well provided for but I realize now that it wasn’t enough. I want to apologize to you and your brother, right here and right now, for not being a father to you. It’s ironic. Now that I have time for visitation, your brother doesn’t want to see me. Perhaps you can intercede for me.
“That having been said, something happened to me after your mother and I split. As you know now all my employers are gay. Somewhere along the line, I realized that I was beginning to be attracted to men, especially to my employers. I was struck dumb. More and more I wanted to act on my desires. Finally, I confided in Freddie Grant, and his partner, Scott, who is also a professor at CCNY. Shall we say, they experimented with me, and helped me realize that I preferred to be with men more than with women.
“Andrew and Freddie introduced me to someone and I fell in love. I’m happy to tell you Ronnie that your old man is in a happy and monogamous relationship. We live in our old apartment and there is always room for you and your brother should you care to visit. Would you like to come home with me after dinner and meet him? I’ll put you in a cab and send you home afterwards. I don’t intend for you to use the subway this hour of the night.”
Ronnie sat with his jaw hanging open. He was literally speechless.
“Please say something, Ronnie. Even if you want to disown me as a father, just say something to me. I’ll go crazy if you don’t. I can’t tell you how much I need for you to accept me as a father and to accept my lifestyle. Even more importantly, I want you to meet my partner, and see why I love him so much.”
“Are you really gay, Dad?” was all Ronnie could spit out.
Ron nodded his head. He was sobbing silently. Tears were smearing down his face. This time Ronnie stood up and embraced his father. “I love you, Dad, and I can’t wait to meet your partner. Can we leave now?”
“Of course we can. Just let me call him and let him know that we are coming over.”
“I’d love to stay at your place tonight, Dad, but I have no clothes for the morning or even a tooth brush. Could we spend the weekend together? I’d really like that and maybe I can convince Tommy to join us. I’m not sure how he’ll take it when he finds out we’re both gay. Does mom know?
“Yes, I told her soon after our divorce, but she said that it was up to me to tell you boys when you were ready. She’s a smart lady, your mom. I am truly happy that she has found happiness.”
In the cab going to Ron’s apartment, Ron was giggling inside at the thought of Ronnie finding out that his immediate superior was his stepfather. This will either be a hoot or a disaster, Ron thought. He had butterflies in his stomach.
When Ron put his key in the door, it was Ronnie who had the butterflies. Most straight guys grew up wanting to have the kind of sex their fathers were having. Most gay boys didn’t feel that way, of course. Ronnie knew that he used to be an exception, and so he found it very thrilling to be in the same boat now, wishing to have sex like his father. He couldn’t wait to see the guy who his dad was fucking and maybe being fucked by.
They walked into the apartment and Mark Davis was standing and waiting for them. “Hi Ronnie,” he said, and held out his arms letting Ronnie know that he wanted to embrace him.
Ronnie fell into Mark’s arms and allowed himself to be hugged. After awhile Mark released him and Ronnie started to giggle. “You’re very lucky, Dad. When I met Mark the other day, I got the hots for him.”
“Well, I am flattered,” Mark said.
“Are we still alright at work?” Ronnie asked Mark, with real concern.
“Of course, we are.”
Ronnie changed after that. He became open to his sexuality and came out to his mother and his stepfather. Neither was happy about it, but they accepted it. “Given the circumstances,” he told them, “I would like to move in with dad. I’ll come home as often as I can,” he promised.
They were less than pleased to see him go, but Ronnie was eighteen, and Ron was paying his college expenses, so they had to submit to his wishes.
He was unable to get his kid brother, Tommy, to come and reconcile with his dad, but he vowed to keep trying.
In time Ronnie met the entire ‘family’, and he became the son they never had nor would ever have. He had no idea, but Sam set up a very healthy trust fund for him, and he would some day be an extremely wealthy man. Everyone else treated him as if they had spawned him from their own loins. To his credit, Ronnie was fully aware of how blessed he was.
He began to have occasional sex with men he met at college, but the real love which surrounded him in his new family life, eluded him. He kept thinking of Andrew’s words, “It’ll happen.” When? He kept asking himself.
In his senior year, he was studying International Finance. The class was very small. The minimum number of students a class needed to have in order not to be scrubbed, was twelve. There were fourteen students in the class, all men. The professor was getting ready for retirement and there was even some doubt that International Finance would be taught the following year. While most of the class struggled with the course material, Ronnie and another student, Leo Jennetti, were shining aces. Professor Thompson was thrilled at how astute the two men were. He was of British origin and he began to invite them to his home for high tea and scones, and to discuss international finance together. He found the boys intellectually stimulating, and delighted in playing devil’s advocate with them.
Understandably, Ronnie and Leo became good friends. One day as they were leaving Professor Thompson’s home, Leo asked Ronnie if he would like to double date with him one Saturday night. Ronnie had been mentored by so many gay men, he didn’t hesitate to tell Leo right out, “I’d love to go out on a double date with you, Leo, but I have two problems.”
Leo looked unhappy. “It isn’t me?” he asked concerned.
“That’s ‘I’ Ron corrected, “and no it isn’t you, it’s I. First of all, I am not seeing anyone right now and I have nobody to ask out, and second of all, I’m gay, flamingly so! If I had a date, he’d be a guy.”
“Thank God! Thank God!” Leo said, looking heavenward.
What?”
“Please don’t let me frighten you away. We can talk about it if you get scared, but I’m gay also and I am so hot for you, it hurts. I can’t believe that someone as good looking as you is unattached.”
“That might be because until a second ago, I never met anyone who turned me on enough to spark an interest. Oh Leo, please let’s go someplace where we can be alone and talk about this before I burst.”
Ronnie took Leo to his dad’s apartment where he had been living for almost three years. On the way, he explained his living situation with his two dads here, and the other dad living downtown with his mother.
All Leo could say was, “And I was afraid to come out to you. What a jerk.”
Ronnie knew that Ron and Mark would not be home for at least another hour. He and Leo went into his room, and closed the door. They had intended to talk only and express their feelings for each other, but the minute the door closed, they were all over each other. They stripped so fast that they may possibly have set some sort of record. Without preliminaries, they were hard as rocks.
They knew they didn’t have much time, so they threw themselves on Ron’s bed, twisted into a 69 position and began to give each other life’s most intimate pleasure. They both came so fast, it must have set another new record. They didn’t hesitate to swallow each other’s cum. Best of all, they both knew immediately that this was only the beginning of greater things to come.
While they were dressing, Ronnie asked, “Do your folks know?”
“I have never come out to them, but I’ve been told that parents seem to sense these things. Now I have reason to tell them. Will you be with me, when I do?”
“Of course, if it will make it easier for you.”
When Ron and Mark came home, they found Leo and Ronnie sitting on the sofa, wrapped up together and kissing passionately. The two young men never even heard Ron and Mark enter the apartment.
“Ahem,” Mark said. Ron just smiled. Ronnie and Leo jumped up from the sofa. Both of them were very red faced.
“Introduce us to your friend, Ronnie, and then if you want to continue, just carry on,” Ron joked.
“Dad, Mark,” Ronnie said. “I’d like you to meet someone very dear to me.”
When Ronnie and Leo graduated, Ron and
Mark made a big party at The Four Seasons. It was to be a
double celebration. Of course, there was the graduation to
celebrate, but they were also celebrating their commitment to be together.
Sam, Jean and the Stanleys came in from
Ron thought about it a very long time and in the end he invited Rhonda, her husband and his son, Tommy. He was really shocked when they accepted the invitation. They already knew Leo, but they had never met Mark.
By now Tommy was getting ready to enter
college. Kyle and Scott were delighted to hear that he was
going to
Tommy was a young man now and very mature. Ron was afraid to speak to him alone, but Tommy came up to him. He was taller than both his father and his brother.
“I want to thank you dad for providing for me all these years and paying for my college education. I realize that you don’t have to do that now that I’m eighteen.”
Ron grabbed him in a bear hug. Tommy didn’t resist. “I love you, son,” Ron said sobbing. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me, Dad. I have a good life. I like Mark. I’m happy for you. When I met Leo, I realized that if I didn’t accept him as part of my family and let him into my life, I would lose my brother. Then I realized that I had lost you for that very reason. I’d like to make up for it and be your son again.”
Words failed Ron so he just kept hugging his son and crying. Mark watched from a distance and he cried too.
Kyle took Ronnie and Leo aside. He handed them the keys to the cabin on the inlet, and written instructions how to get there. “I want you two guys to use the cabin this weekend and next week. Andrew, Freddie, Scott, and I will be at The Waterfall Lodge over the weekend. It’s across the lake from the cabin. Feel free to come over and join us for dinner.
“But be warned,” Kyle said in a hushed voice. “The cabin is magical. It will cause strangers to fall in love, and lovers to fall more deeply in love. Do you think that you can handle that? It’s where your father and Mark honeymooned, and look at them. Look at Andrew and me and look at Freddie and Scott. Every time we go to the cabin, our loves deepen. Don’t question my sanity. You’ll see. It’ll happen.”
It’ll happen! That’s what Andrew had said, Ronnie thought. At the time I thought he meant sex, but he meant love.
I can’t wait to get there, Uncle Kyle,” (It had been ages since Ronnie had called Kyle and Scott professor.)
“Me too,” Leo echoed.
The next morning, they loaded the car and headed for the magic cabin.
The End
Posted: 01/01/10