John Gets What He Needs
By: Hogan
(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
Editor: Gerry Young

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
 

Chapter 9
 

“Foursome”

Saturday finally arrived and John and Evan slept in as they had planned the night before.  The cookout wasn’t until 2:00 p.m., so they had plenty of time to prepare for it.  Everything had been purchased the night before;  they could take it easy on the nice summer weekend filled with family and friends enjoying the day together.

It was a bit past 10:00 a.m. when John’s mom, Carol, arrived at John’s house with extra lounge chairs for the back yard.  She hadn’t wanted to carry those and the food she had prepared, all at the same time.  As always, she quietly let herself in with her own key and entered the living room to find a pile of clothes on the floor that John and Evan had quickly shed while stripping nude the night before.  She quickly deducted what had taken place between the two boys.

Smiling at her own thoughts, she began gathering up all the clothes and carried them down the hall to John’s room.  As she entered the open-doored room she saw Evan curled up almost on top of John and both were sound asleep.  The only sound was of Evan quietly snoring, filling the room, AND there was the smell of sex from the night before.  Carol smiled again at the second sight she had witnessed since entering the house, only to confirm her first thoughts.

Carol cleared her throat loudly to announce her presence.  John began to stir slowly awake looking around the room 'till his sleepy gaze met his mom, standing in the doorway.  In her arms he noticed the clothes they had had on the night before, right down to their underwear.  Half asleep and half awake, John’s gaze went from a sleepy one to a wide-eyed look as if he had been caught doing something wrong.

Carol quietly said, “John … don’t wake Evan, but will you get up and help me get the chairs out of the car.”  Then she laid the clothes into a pile on the foot of the bed and went into the kitchen to make some coffee.

John didn’t speak but just nodded his head at his mom before she left his bedroom.  Not really wanting the conversation he anticipated with his mom right at this moment, he slowly slipped out of the bed without waking Evan.  He quickly got some clothes on and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

As John entered his kitchen he saw his mom sitting at the table sipping her coffee.  John smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead, added, “Good morning”, and went to get his own cup of brew and then sat down across from Carol.

“Good Morning, son … anything new happening you want to discuss with me?” she asked, with a devilish grin.

John looked up at her from his coffee and smiled back saying, “Nothing that you don’t already know …  you nosey old woman.  Was it the clothes thrown all over the floor?  Or was it seeing us together and naked in bed that gave ya a clue?” John then asked with a sarcastic grin.

“Jonathon Grant Clark … You better watch what you say to me or I will stand right on this chair and slap you down,” Carol said, trying to not laugh.

'Oh, no,' John thought.  The middle name had been used;  that only meant he was in for a lecture from his mom.  “Sorry, mom …  I was just being sarcastic;  Evan told me you already knew about us.  But I was planning on telling everyone at the same time, today, to make it as painless as possible.”

“John … you have nothing to be pained or embarrassed about.  You know your family and friends will be ok with this.  Maybe a bit shocked … but ok,” Carol firmly stated then took another sip of her coffee.  “I suppose Tom may take it badly, but the rest should be just fine,” she continued.

“Mom, he already knows.  I told him the night I picked him up from jail,” John said, just realizing he hadn’t told his mom about that situation and cringed, as he knew what was coming next.

“JAIL!  Good Lord, what did he do now?  I swear I don’t know why you put up with him.”  Carol began to rant when John cut her off and began to speak.

“It wasn’t anything serious;  my sheriff friend, Andy, took care of everything.  We just wanted to teach Tom a lesson and scare him enough to stop using that shit he smokes.  I'll tell you the whole story another time when I’m fully awake and not grumpy,” John said.

“I wouldn’t miss that story for anything in the world,” Carol smiled and sipped her coffee again.

“So ... why are you here so early …  I forgot already?” John said as he also sipped his coffee, trying to wake up.

“The chairs … remember?" Carol said, looking dumbfounded.

“Oh, yeah … sorry;  my mom walking into my bedroom, with me and another man, naked, in my bed, just rattled me a bit is all,” John said with a sarcastic tone in his voice and a smirk as he eyed his mom.  “Maybe you should give me my key back … or maybe … give a heads up before you come over might be even a better idea.”

John’s mom smiled and said, “You're not getting the key back … so don’t even think of asking for it … but I will call on the cell to give you a heads up when I’m on my way over, from now on,” Carol said, reminding her son who was the boss, and then teased him. “What do ya say … is a ten-minute warning enough?”

John didn’t answer, but only chuckled at his mom and shook his head, then went back to sipping his coffee.

The two sat and enjoyed their coffee and changed the conversation to be about John’s sister’s latest drama. 

Evan slowly strolled into the kitchen, half asleep, wearing only boxers and a T-shirt;  he also had a bad case of bed head.

Both looked at him and began to laugh. “Oh, my son … you can see what you have to look foreword to every morning from now on, Honey,” John’s mom teased.

She and John burst out laughing at the sight of his buddy’s condition. “Very funny, you two.  I’m gonna go take a shower and get all purdy,” Evan said as he turned and walked out of the room.

As Evan began his shower, the two unloaded the car full of chairs into the garage, and Carol said her good-byes and that she would see them later.

After she left, John ran to the bathroom, quickly undressed and jumped into the shower with his buddy.  They had some morning fun as they showered and got cleaned up for the day.  It was going on 11:30 when they were finally dressed and began preparing for their guests.

Evan was quiet while they both were in the kitchen making some last minute preparations.  John wondered what was on Evan’s mind.  He had hoped that he hadn’t embarrassed him earlier when he laughed at his morning condition.

“You ok, Ev …  you're kinda quiet … what’s on your mind?”

“Nothing really, big guy …  just getting nervous about being around all these people at the same time.  I really feel uncomfortable in these situations,” Evan admitted.

“Ev …  you will know everyone who's here, and I'll be there for you to lean on if you need me.  Just remember that you can slip away into the house for a few if you start to feel anxious,” John reminded him.

“Yeah … I know …  I'll be ok.  That's why I take all those classes -- to deal with stuff like this.  I might need a hug once in a while, though," Evan smiled coyly.

“How about we sneak into the garage and make out when no one's looking?” John smiled.

“Dang  …  you're turning into a big ol' PERV,” Evan laughed.

“It's all your fault …  you make me this way when I’m around you.”  John grinned.

John changed the subject and asked Evan if he would go to Georgia with him, on the following Friday, to pick up Jacob.  John wasn’t sure if Evan was up to a trip or not.  Evan realized he hadn’t been farther than Indianapolis in many years, which was only fifty miles away.  Actually, since Evan flew back from California when he was sick, that was the last time he had been anywhere.  They decided to discuss it further later in the evening after everyone had left and they were alone again.  John knew that if Evan wouldn’t be able to take the trip, that either Tom or Andy would be able to do so.  Evan acted almost as excited to see Jacob as John was.  He'd never met him before, but knew if Jacob looked or acted like John, that he, too, would fall in love with the child, just like he did with all the many nephews and the niece he had.

Andy arrived a half hour early to help with setting up the chairs and tables in the back yard and on the patio.  John’s backyard had a privacy fence and a large patio, but little else except for the grill.  Andy and Evan seemed to hit it off ok.  At least Evan didn’t ignore him and actually held onto a conversation with Andy.  Out of uniform, Andy still looked more like a Marine than he did a civilian with his jarhead haircut.  John kept his hair short, too, but Andy’s was almost non-existent except for the very top of his head.

Through the kitchen window, John watched Evan and Andy set up the back yard, as he finished with preparing the different meats he had to cook.  He noticed that Andy had a very nice body and was obviously in great shape.  His clothes emphasized his defined muscles well.  They weren’t muscle-head huge, but nevertheless, very defined.  John’s mind wandered to what he thought Andy would look like naked, in the daytime, and what a threesome would be like with him and Evan.  He wasn’t thinking of actually having one, but the thought, or maybe just nothing more than a fantasy, was still there.

John thought that Andy was the only one of their friends not in the loop about him and Evan, and decided to play a little joke on him.  John called Andy to help him in the garage for a minute, and Andy followed him in and John shut the door.  John tried to have a serious look on his face and use his calm demeanor to set Andy up.

“Andy, I think we need to talk about something,” John stated.

“Sure, John … what’s on your mind?” Andy said with concern.

John got uncomfortably close to Andy and with his most threatening stare, began, “I think we need to talk about the night you slept over, when we were drinking.  I know what you did that night.”

“Andy backed up a bit and feeling himself being in harm's way, and ready to defend himself if need be, replied, “Oh, shit, John, I’m so sorry about that … man, it had to be the alcohol … that’s just not like me to do something like that.”

“Andy, you don’t have to blame it on the alcohol."  He really sounded angry with those words, and added a snide accusation as he continued, "I know you're gay … or at least bi.  But it's ok with me, just so long as you don’t try that again,” John said, getting closer and closer into Andy's face, forcing the sheriff to keep stepping backwards until he was forced to stop against some of the tall storage cabinets.  John slammed the palms of his hands against the cabinets on either side of Andy's shoulders, not permitting him to move away.  He was also desperately trying to keep a straight face while "chewing" Andy out.

“Shit …  John, I’m really sorry and embarrassed, man,” Andy muffled out.

“It’s just..." John paused his tirade as he dropped his hands, sighed deeply, turned his back to Andy, and took a couple of steps before he turned again and with fake guilt said, "... I don’t want to be unfaithful to Evan.  I owe it to him to be with him and ONLY with him.”  John could not keep up the charade any longer, and broke into a huge grin.

“You mean to tell me ... you have been … well, you know … and you and Evan are a couple now?" Andy questioned, not trusting what he was hearing.

John was still grinning.  “Andy, I was just messing with you, man.  Evan and I are together now, and I kinda, actually, owe some of it to you.  You got me to thinking and realizing what I wanted.  Evan was the one I NEEDED, and you brought those feelings to the surface, somewhat.  I just wanted to let you know that I knew what happened that night, and I don’t want you to feel bad about it.  I DID enjoy it after all.”  John chuckled.

“Well, I’m glad we talked about it, 'cause if things were different ... whew! Thank God they're not! ... if things were different, you could've pressed charges against me, and with me being sheriff, who knows what could've happened???  And, John,  I am so glad  that you and Evan found each other again.  You both deserve to be happy,” Andy said, and continued, “I wish I could find someone, myself, to come home to everyday.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, Andy … you’re a hot guy, you have a good heart, and don’t forget you have handcuffs too” John chuckled… “You'll find someone soon, I’m sure of it,” John assured him by putting his hand on Andy’s shoulder.

“Thanks, man …  I really appreciate that.”  Andy and John hugged, and at the same time, Evan walked into the garage witnessing the scene.  Evan cleared his throat and the two broke their embrace with surprised looks on their faces.  “Am ... I ... interrupting ... something?” Evan asked, sounding seriously pissed-off, head bowed, eyes squinting, and with his fists on his hips.”

John went over to Evan and gave him a big kiss right in front of Andy and said, “No worries, buddy … Andy and I just came out to each other, is all.”  That was the first time John and Evan had kissed in front of anyone, and Evan was surprised John was so bold about it.  The thought of him, so open, so soon, was a good sign, he decided, and relaxed back into his usual body language and friendly attitude.

As all the guests began showing up, everyone knew each other, so not many introductions were in order.  Andy was the only one who didn’t know everyone.  Tom arrived and was actually on his best behavior.  He and Andy even seemed to be holding private conversations, which surprised both Evan and John.  The cookout went off well and everyone was enjoying themselves.  John tapped the side of his glass to get everyone’s attention so that he could announce his good news.

“Everyone, I just want you to all know that my son, Jacob, will be home ... for good ... by next weekend."  Immediately, applause and yells of joy and happiness filled the back yard.

John held up his hands to quiet them all, because he had more to tell.  And then he went on to say, "And since all of you already know that we're partners now, I would like to take this opportunity to officially tell each and every one of you at the same time, that ..."  He paused, turned his head slightly, looked at Evan, and announced, "I'm hoping and praying that Evan, here, will be a part of our little family ... by moving in with me.”  John took Evan's hand and asked him, “What about it, Ev?  Will you think about moving in with me and Jacob?”

Evan looked shell-shocked, and hadn’t even thought about this step in their relationship, yet.  He was surprised as hell that John had been thinking along those lines, that far ahead.  Evan just managed to embarrassingly reply, “I'm a little shocked, but I am willing to discuss it with you …  just not in front of everyone.”

“Fair enough, bud.  I just want everyone to know how much I love you,” and with that, John kissed Evan in front of all their family and friends.  The sounds of whooping and hollering in approval, once again filled the yard.

John could hear his sister laughingly yell, "God  …  get a room, why don’t cha.”

Evan’s parents seemed to be having a good time and didn’t say anything about Evan moving in with John.  John knew they would be discussing it, in long detail, very soon, on another day, though.  Evan's parents would not let anything happen to him that wasn’t in his best interest, and John knew he'd have a lot of question to answer.

Evan held up well with all the people around.  He only once had to excuse himself to get a breather and take one of his anti-anxiety pills.  It would've been more than he could've coped with, if the people around him had not been family or friends.

Chris was her usual jovial self with everyone.  She took a liking to Andy, and John caught her eyeing him several times.  She had left her husband and her daughter at home and had come alone.  Chris and Evan and his parents made conversation for a while, but John couldn’t hear what they were talking about.

John’s mom eagerly gave tours of Jacob's finished room to anyone who wanted to see her and John's handy work.  Tom and Andy were also praised for their contribution with the painting and the carpeting help.

After a few hours of everyone having indulged his- or herself of a lot of great food and good conversation and enjoying the nice summer day, most had said their good-byes by 5:00 pm.  John’ mom and sister left to go shopping for clothes for Jacob, and Evan’s parents said they had to get home and check in on Tyler.

Chris excused herself shortly afterwards, also, saying that she had to get home and watch her daughter.  Her husband had to play in his band at a local bar, and she had to relieve him of his parental duties for the rest of the night.

 It was just Tom and Andy left to help Evan and John do the cleaning up.

John, Tom and Andy decided to play some hoops in the driveway after all food and tables were cleaned up in the back yard.  There was still plenty of daylight left, and all of them needed to work off all the food they had eaten.

Evan sat down under a tree and watched the three play ball with their shirts off, getting all sweaty.  The view was better than watching his favorite movie, Evan had thought.  Three hot guys, half naked and sweating in front of him.  The show had Evan in an embarrassing situation if he had had to suddenly stand up because he could no longer hide the excitement he had in his pants.

 Evan eventually grew tired of the game, and watching the sweaty Jocks play hoops that seemed to never end, so he walked around the yard looking at the few little plants that were there.  He also thought about what John had asked him earlier in front of everyone.  Moving in together was a big step, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to give up his apartment just yet, even though he hadn’t spent much time there lately.  He thought how much more money he would have, splitting the bills in half.  Living on a disability paycheck from Social Security had kept him in poverty.  Although the other assistance he got with food and medical expenses helped a lot, spending-money was sparse after he paid his rent and utilities.

Many times he had to rely on his family to bail him out when any unexpected expenses came up.  Usually it was Evan's brother who always helped him out.  Evan's brother knew he hated to take money from him, so he would always make up these chores that he needed to have done so Evan could work off the money.  This always made Evan feel a little better about needing help with an expense, and the small amount of legal help he was given.

Evan continued to roam around finding some older plants that really just needed some good pruning and shaping to make them look good.  The guys were still playing ball and he could hear them getting tired, so he knew it wouldn’t be much longer before they all gave in.

He could easily visualize how things would look if he took over the maintenance and care of the yard.  Evan knew that he and John would have to sit down and discuss his offer to live together.  There would be many things to consider.  Jacob, being one of the things to discuss, was a very important one.  How was John going to deal with his son, in later years, of course, knowing he had a male partner?  As yet, John had never discussed it with Evan as to how he was going to deal with that situation.  Another big question was, could John deal with living with Evan and his illness, full-time?  There would be good, as well as bad days, to get through.  Could John handle that and Jacob at the same time, or would it eat away at their relationship?

Evan's head was hurting from all the thoughts rushing into his mind, so he decided just to let it go for the time being.  He knew he could rely on John to come up with all those answers, later.

Evan rounded the corner of the house to see the guys sitting on the lawn, panting and all sweaty from their good workout.  Evan yelled over to them, “So, who won?”

Evan could see Andy smiling proudly as John spoke up and said, “I let the cop win this time.”  John chuckled as Andy swore at him, saying, “You wish, ASSHOLE … I’m just in better shape than you … SEMPER FI … admit it!”

“Yeah ... whatever, Jarhead …  Evan just wore me out in the shower, this morning, is all,” he boldly said out loud and chuckled.  Evan had a look of shock and horror on his face as Tom spoke up and laughingly said, “Ah, shit …  WAY TO FUCKING MUCH INFO, SASHQUACH!”

Andy didn’t say anything, but just laughed so hard, that snot came out of his nose as he rolled on the ground.

Evan relaxed, as he quickly understood he was amongst friends and all was ok.  He even managed to laugh, too.

“Well … now that all the ol' folks are gone, I guess it's time to make some drinks and have some more fun,” John said. Everyone agreed and John’s bar was raided by the all-star jocks, still sweaty from playing hoops.

Evan and Andy stuck to just one drink of vodka and OJ, but John and Tom decided to see who could out-drink each other with beer and shots of Jack Daniels.  Of course, with John’s size … Tom didn’t have a chance.  The four seemed to get along well together.  John was surprised how well Tom was doing with everything that he had been exposed to during the past week.  Andy told Evan that he was also gay, and as for Tom, Andy let John and Evan know he had already told him earlier.

After they all got their drinks, John brought out towels for the three who played hoops to wipe off the sweat with.  They sat in the living room and drank alcohol and watched a Nascar race on TV. Evan watched the race but really wasn’t into racing much. He didn’t see the excitement of guys turning left four times and repeating it about two hundred times to see who had the most money to buy the fastest car to win. To him it was just plain boring except when a wreck occurred.  Then he was interested.

Evan remembered as a kid his dad would take him to see the Indy cars qualify at the Indianapolis 500, since they only lived an hour away from the world famous racetrack. He never actually went to a race all the time he lived in Indiana. His dad, Louis, always said the qualifications were more exciting anyways. Evan remembered when they would be in the grand stands and a car was qualifying all by itself on the track. The driver would have four laps to complete around the track, and the announcer would come over the speakers announcing the cars speed for each lap Hearing the car swish by so fast, you had to be ready for it, to see it. Then over the load speakers you’d sometimes hear if you were lucky ….”AND IT’S A NEW TRACK RECORD!”  The crowd would go wild with applause knowing they just witnessed history, as a car went faster than ever before on any track in the world. Those were days he remembered being a normal kid with not a care in the world.

His dad was right about one thing. Qualifying day was way better than the actual race. The crowds were smaller and you could wonder around and see the cars up close. If you were lucky, you could get autographs from the drivers with a handshake too.

 Now football was a whole different story. This was a real mans sport. The outcome of who wins is totally up in the air. He has seen the worst teams in the league beat the crap out of the best teams and visa versa. In football, you never knew what would happen, he thought. He almost couldn’t wait till fall for the NFL to start up again.

 Evan enjoyed the sight of the jocks without their shirts on watching TV and drinking..  John and Tom both had hairy chests, but Andy’s was very muscularly toned and smooth.  He also sported a nice tan, in comparison to John and Tom.

Evan finished his one screwdriver and went into the kitchen to put his glass in the dishwasher.  He decided to see what he could make the guys to munch on, since they probably had built up another appetite from the basketball game they played.  He decided to make some snack foods and a cheese-and-meat platter with crackers.  John had the stuff in the refrigerator to make everything he needed.

Evan was engrossed in what he was doing and didn’t hear Andy come up behind him.  Andy began to say something and Evan jumped, when he heard the voice so near, almost scaring Andy, too.  They both laughed and Andy handed Evan the glass he had been drinking from.

“Don’t you want another drink?” Evan questioned.

“Na …  I don’t drink much, and besides, I have to drive home later,” Andy replied

“I can’t drink much;  not supposed to with the meds I take,” Evan offered his explanation as why he only had one drink.

“Yeah, I understand that.  You mind me asking how you're doing with your illness?  I don’t mean to be nosey;  I just haven’t been around anyone with schizophrenia.”

“I’m ok;  it's manageable most of the time.  Why?  Do I seem different?” Evan questioned.

“Not really … a bit shy and anxious, sometimes, maybe,” Andy replied.

“Yeah  … that’s me alright,” Evan said with a grin.

“I didn’t mean that in a bad way.  I know a lot of shy people,” Andy stated.

“It's ok, Andy, you're not offending me … You're too cute to get mad at,” Evan said, grinning at the floor.

“Hey …  I’m gonna tell John!” Andy began saying, when John, coming up from behind him, cut him off.

John came walking in and said, “Tell John what?”

“Your boyfriend was making a pass at me.”  Andy laughed.

John looked at Evan and smiled, “Yeah, you have to watch this one, Andy; he’s a big PERV.”

“Look who’s talking …  you should've seen John in the shower this morning.”

“Hey! …  no telling secrets, Ev,” John said as he put his large hand over Evan’s mouth.

Andy laughed at what John had done to shut Evan up.

“What’s everyone doing in here?” Tom asked as he came into the kitchen.

“Not much … just caught Evan coming on to Andy, is all.”

“Screw you, big guy …  you're gonna pay for that later,” Evan blurted out, smiling.

“Anyone want another drink?  I’m dry again,” Tom said, looking at John.

“Not me … someone will have to drive you home tonight if you keep drinking.”  Andy smiled

“I will, Tom;  let's get another shot and then a beer from the fridge,” John said.

“Oh, great;  both of them are gonna get drunk.  Looks like it's just going to be me and you who'll be sober tonight, Evan,” Andy laughed.

“Yes, it sure looks like it,” Evan said, flatly.

Evan finished making the snack trays and Andy helped carry them into the living room and put them on the coffee table.  Tom and John had a bottle of Jack Daniels and were matching shots and beer chasers.  Andy and Evan just shook their heads in disgust, and laughed at the sight of two men acting like they were in high school again.

The night turned into a lot of fun for the four. They laughed and told stories, and by the end of the evening, Tom and John both were toast.  The Jack Daniels bottle was empty and many beers had met their demise.  Tom had to run into the bathroom once and got sick.  That made John laugh so hard, he, too, got sick a few minutes later.  Evan and Andy laughed at the sight of the two.

The night grew later and later, and Andy told Tom he was going to drive him home and that he could pick up his car the next day. Tom wasn’t in any condition to argue.  John was almost unconscious, and Andy and Evan had to help him to the bedroom to lie down.  After they got John to bed, Evan helped Andy to get Tom into the Andy’s car.  Evan said his good-byes and for them to call the next day so that they would know that they were all right.

Andy drove straight to his own house instead of taking Tom to HIS home.  He felt better if he could keep an eye on him, since Tom had drunk so much.  Tom realized that he wasn’t home and asked Andy, with slurred speech, "Where the ... (belch) ... fffffuck am I?" Andy assured him he would be fine and not to worry, that he was going to take care of him at his house.  Andy helped Tom inside and sat Tom down on the couch, without any resistance.

Meanwhile, Evan was undressing John as best he could.  Evan had a difficult time moving the big guy around with all that dead weight.  He finally got him naked and cleaned him up the best he could with a wet towel.  John had a mix of sweat and vomit on him in several different places.  Evan chuckled at the sight of the big oaf.  He dried him and got undressed and slid in beside him, pulling the covers over both of them. Then he snuggled up to his large buddy and fell fast asleep. 

Back at Andy’s place, Tom was half asleep and half drunk on the couch.  Andy brought out some towels and a washcloth to help clean Tom up.  Tom removed his clothes down to his boxers as Andy requested, and gave them to Andy to throw into the washer.

“Tom, you think you can take a shower without falling down?  You'll sleep better, all cleaned up, and not smelling like alcohol and vomit,” Andy said.

Tom vaguely smiled at Andy and said, with as much of a sly grin as Tom could muster in his state of drunkenness, “I don’t know.  Maybe you could give a bud a helpin' hand ... (belch) ... or two.”  His lips grinned, but his eyes drooped in his drunken stupor.

END CHAPTER  9

Special Thanks goes to Gerry Young, for all his help, encouragement and guidance in making my story come to life. He’s a great friend and editor.

I always respond to all the emails I get, and enjoy hearing from you. You can also click on the Yahoo Groups Link on my Home Page, just click on the button below that says HOME, and then follow the link there to my Yahoo Group.

Hogan