Our Summer Vacation

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2005-2008 by the author

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

The boys left and got themselves something to eat at the buffet. I looked at Ed and said, “I need to call the charter service so I can change my destination from New York to Tampa/St. Petersburg.”

Chapter 10

We walked back to the suite so I could figure out what time zone we were in so I knew what time it was in New York. I was going to inform them that there would be three additional passengers on the plane and for the money they’ve already made from me I didn’t want a change in price. We were walking down the corridor when I spotted Stacy and Tammy sucking face and I said to them as I walked past, “Hey girls, get a room.”

Stacy broke the kiss and said laughing, “Can we borrow yours?”

I laughed and said, “Have fun girls.”

We got inside and I saw Gustov and asked him what time zone we were on. He answered saying, “Right now it is nine in the morning in Miami.”

I smiled and thanked him. I knew it was also nine in New York so I called and made the changes in the flight. The girl assured me that there would not be an increase in price. The boys came in and gave me the poor starving child routine so I told them there were plenty of places where they could get something to eat considering there was still an hour before the dining room opened for lunch.

Joel and Alex sat on the sofa and relaxed for a few minutes then Joel said, “Dad, can I ask you something?”

I went over and sat beside him and said, “Sure son, what’s on your mind?”

“Well,” he started looking at the floor and almost mumbling. “Ah gee, it’s like this. What are we going to do when we get in San Diego?”

I looked at him and said, “Well son, that’s over a week away.”

I could see that didn’t really answer his question and both boys were looking like lost puppies. Joel looked up at me and his eyes were getting wet. He said softly, “I know Dad b but I d don’t want this vacation to end.”

Now I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I didn’t want to break the surprise to them this early into the cruise nor did I want them moping around for another week. I looked at the boys and said, “There is still a lot of time for you to be together here on the ship. I haven’t decided what we’re going to do when we get to California and I really don’t want to think about at the present time. Why don’t you go and feed your faces since you were just crying to me that you’re about to starve.”

That managed to get their minds thinking about something else. Joel looked at Alex and said, “Come on love, lets go raid the pizza bar.”

The boys got up and headed for the door then I said, “Hey guys, isn’t there a teen swimming competition this afternoon?”

Alex had forgot about that when he and Joel had been moping around. Joel looked back at me and said, “Thanks Dad, we forgot about that.”

After lunch the boys came back to the cabin and got ready for the swimming tournament. I took a shady spot and reserved a seat for Ed who was in the bathroom and prepared to watch the teens do battle. I noticed Kyle and Roger down there but Roger wasn’t wearing his trunks. I guess he was Kyle’s cheering section.

They held heats and Alex had entered both the 50 and the 100 meters freestyle. It had worked out that neither he nor Alex had been in the same heats and as the boys were getting eliminated, they would eventually have to race each other.

In the semifinal heat of the 50 meters, Alex and Kyle were in the same heat with the top three advancing to the finals. They finished one two with Alex just touching out Kyle in a very close race. Thirty minutes later they had the finals. It was 1 length of the pool going flat out and from watching the previous races the two fastest boys were Kyle and Alex. Everyone was in their places when the lifeguard blew his whistle and they were off. Everyone was going flat out giving it everything they had for this one length of the pool. Half way through the length Alec and Kyle were about 3 meters in front of everyone else. Everyone was screaming and I thought Roger was going to fall in he was jumping ad screaming so loud. With less than 10 meters to go, Alex and Kyle were virtually neck and neck. When it got closer, I had no way of knowing who was going to win. According to the guards, both boys touched the wall at the exact time. It was a dead heat with both Alex and Kyle being declared the winners.

I was excited for both the boys. I worked my way down to the pool and Alex jumped into my arms. He was whooping it up saying, “We won we won.”

Kyle was in Roger’s arms and he was saying the same things. Roger came over and then I had my arms wrapped around both boys. Kyle looked at me and said, “Mark, can I use your shower? My parents are out somewhere and I forgot my cabin key.”

“Sure son,” I said. “Alex and Joel can use theirs and you can use mine.”

“Thanks,” he said smiling.

I looked around and Alex was nowhere to be found. Come to think of it, neither was Joel. I took Kyle and Roger back to the room and no sooner had we came in when Joel and Alex came out showered and dressed. They walked past and Joel said, “We’re going to the ice cream bar on the Sun Deck, Dad. Be back soon.”

I thought Kyle would hurry through his shower and want to joint them when he dropped his trunks and hugged Roger. I smiled and said, “Kyle, you can catch a cold like that.”

“Sorry Mark,” he said. “Joel and Alex say they go nude around you at times so I didn’t think you would mind.”

“No son, I don’t,” I said answering him. “But won’t your parents be upset if they know you were naked in some guys cabin?”

Kyle looked at me and said, “After saving my butt from my cousin my parents trust you dude. After I get out of the shower, can Roger and I talk with you for a little bit?”

I was honored that they would talk with me instead of Kyle’s parents. Kyle quickly took his shower while Roger and I talked for a few minutes. I looked at him and said, “What is it you two want to talk about?”

“Er ah well Mark,” Roger stuttered.

“I think what he’s trying to say Mark is we would like to ask you about sex,” a voice from my room said.

“I see,” I said. “Do you guys have general questions or is there something specific you want to talk about?”

Kyle walked over and sat beside Roger and said, “Well, I want to know how someone gets ready so they can have a dick inside them.”

“Whoa boys,” I said. “You guys just met. Don’t you think you’re moving just a little to fast?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him” Roger said.

“I know we have babe,” Kyle said. “I’ve been wanting to know what it feels like for a long time.”

I looked at him and said, “Son, that is the biggest step in a relationship two people can make. It’s when a man and woman makes love for the very first time. It is the ultimate in giving and showing you love for your partner. Once you have given yourself that first time, you can never have it back.”

“Baby, you’re the best thing that has happened to me in a long time,” Roger said looking into Kyle’s eyes. “I want to get to know you, learn all there is about and fall madly and deeply in love with you.”

I looked at Roger and said, “Son, would you mind showing me how big you are?”

“Sure Mark,” Roger said dropping his shorts and boxers.

I looked and he was almost six inches then said, “Kyle, I don’t think you’re physically ready to have that in your butt son. I know you might think you are but you need to grow more inside.”

Roger kissed him softly then said, “Baby I would just die if I hurt you. There are other things we can do and if you like something in your butt, I can always use my fingers.”

Kyle looked at his boyfriend and said, “Alright love, I’ll wait but I do want my first time to be with you.”

Roger kissed him again and said, “Just like I do baby.”

I was surprised by what Roger admitted but glad that he too was a virgin so they could both get the maximum enjoyment when they finally decided to have their first time. I wrote my email address on some paper and gave it to the both of them then said, “When you two are ready, email me and I will help you prepare properly for the wonderful time.”

They both hugged me and thanked me then Roger said, “We’re heading to join the others for ice cream, wanna come?”

That sounded very good so I decided to join them so we went to the Sun Deck for a cool refreshing treat. When we got up on deck, four boys and two girls were sitting around a table eating huge treats. The boys were inhaling very large banana splits and the girls were putting a major hurting on come chocolate sundaes. I went and got a sundae then said, “Got room for one more?”

I slid in between Alex and Kyle and devoured my cool treat. We walked around the deck and let the ice cream digest then the boys wanted to go swimming again. We went back to the room and got into our trunks. Roger didn’t have his but I found another pair I had brought and let him use them. I was about to go into the bathroom to change when Roger said, “Mark, you can change in front of us. We don’t mind.”

I looked at him and said, “That’s ok son, you two get changed in here and I’ll use the bathroom.”

I quickly change my clothes then met Alex, Joel, Roger and Kyle in the living room then headed to the pool. Adam and Jerry were still in theirs because they hadn’t gone into the pool. As soon as I was in the water, it was eight against one and I was in serious trouble. I guess the girls started feeling sorry for me because I felt someone climbing up my back and soon I had a body sitting on my shoulders. She shouted to the others, “All right now, the sides are even. Who thinks they can dunk us?”

Well I know Joel and he’s never been one to back away from a challenge. Adam climbed onto Jerry’s shoulders and soon the war was on. The rule was both teams had to be in the water at the same time or else the game was still on. We were going at it for a good twenty minutes when finally Stacy took a long shot but it paid off.

While Adam and Alex were going at it we moved in and attacked them both at the same time. She grabbed Alex’s arm and gave a strong yank and they went into the water. Next she took Adam by the head then shoved him backwards and both teams were in the water. She then stood up on my shoulders and began pumping her fist in the air shouting, “Who’s the girl, who’s the girl.”

The boys were in the water soaking their wounded pride when Stacy hopped off and went over to them. Tammy put her arms around her girlfriend and said, “Come on guys, it was all in fun. You aren’t pissed because you got beat by a girl are you?”

Jerry smiled and said, “If I could see what’s on the top I might want to see what’s down below?”

Stacy looked at him and said, “Don’t even think about it and Tammy here can vouch that I’m all female down there. Can’t you sweetie?”

They kissed each other and said, “That’s right. You have the perfect equipment.”

Alex looked at them and said, “Eeeeeeewwwwwwwww, gross. I like guys because they have more things to play with.”

Now I’m just standing back listening to the goings on when I coughed saying, “Why don’t you all tell the world. If you’re going to talk like that you need to keep your voices down some so you don’t end up embarrassed.”

Stacy looked around and said, “Opps, sorry Mark. You’re right. I just take things so much for granted I don’t stop to think.”

I smiled at her and said, “No problem Stacy. It’s nice when you’re really comfortable with who you are. So where are you girls from?”

“We’re from Boca,” Tammy said. “It’s a pretty nice place to live. Nice neighborhoods and schools.”

We were relaxing in the water just talking when Alex said, “Hey Pop, I’m getting hungry.”

Ah the teenager’s favorite cry. I looked at my watch and it was almost five-thirty. We needed to get showers and cleaned up before dinner so I said, “All right Alex. It is getting close to dinner so let’s all get back to the cabin so we can get showered and changed. Kyle, are your parents back yet?”

He looked at me and said, “I think they should be. I’ll remember my key from now on.”

I rubbed his hair and said, “All right but it’s no problem if you guys need to use our shower.”

We headed to our cabin and got ready for our evening meal. I couldn’t believe it but I was very hungry. This was a semi-formal evening so we were in sport coats and ties. We had a wonderful dinner then took in a magic show in the showroom. After the show we walked around deck and happened to bump into Roger and his parents.

Roger went up to the boys and talked and joked while I met his parents. I was standing there but was getting a very uncomfortable feeling by the way his Dad was carrying on. Roger came up to us just as his father started with the gay joke and he said, “Why is it every time you meet someone you have to start with that crap?”

His father took a mouthful of his beer and said, “Maybe it’s because the jokes are funny?”

I looked at him and said; “I can tell you’re from the south so how about I started telling jokes about you? I know lots of them and I could make you the butt of every one of them.”

“What are you,” he started. “Are you some kind of faggot lover?”

Now I was really getting pissed but I didn’t want to put Roger into a position where he would be embarrassed. I looked at him and said, “What if I am? They happen to be people too and it so happens that I know several gay people who have excellent jobs and make a very good living.”

“Well I,” he started.

I was looking at his wife who was sipping her beer but was getting more than a little fed up with his attitude too. She looked at him and said, “Why don’t you just shut your mouth Fred Young. For twenty years now I’ve put up with your so-called jokes and I am more than fed up with them. Roger is right, every time he brings a friend over you start your shit and drive them away. I don’t blame him for being ashamed of you because I sure am. Now hear this mister, if I hear one more word about gays our cabin will be one person lighter. I don’t care if Roger here turns out gay, straight or purple, he is my son. Got it!”

Roger had moved close to me while his mother was laying the law down to his father. Fred looked up and said calling her bluff, “You mean?”

“That’s right,” she said. “One more word ever and I will divorce you.”

Roger looked up at me and smiled then his father said, “All right, no more comments about gay people.”

Roger looked at his mother and said, “Mom, this is Mark Miller. His son Joel is over their with his friends. Mark, this is my mother Martha Young and I think you already know about my Dad.”

She put her hand out and said, “It’s nice to meet you sir. Might I ask what you do for a living?”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said. “I’m a retired firefighter/paramedic from New York. Oh and one more thing, I do happen to be gay.”

Fred’s eyes got big then he said, “You’re what and a firefighter?”

I looked at him and said, “Don’t looked so shocked Fred. We don’t walk around with signs over our shoulders. I fought fires and saved peoples lives for over twenty years and now I’m raising a son. What’s wrong with it?”

“You like guys,” he said.

“And you like girls,” I countered.

“Bu but,” he stuttered.

“Look guy,” I said. “This is the 21st Century and it’s no ones business what goes on in the privacy of any ones bedroom, not yours and not mine.”

“I’d never let a gay person touch me if I was hurt,” he said.

I looked at him and said, “How would you know if he was or wasn’t? Can you tell just by looking at him? You thought I was straight until I told you.”

Roger stood beside his mother and said, “Dad, you can’t tell if a person is gay or not. You can’t even tell I am.”

He looked up at his mother when he said that and she just hugged him. Fred looked at him and said, “Son, you play football.”

“Point being?” he said. “Dad, I’m gay. I have been for three years and nothing is going to change it. I don’t like girls the same way other guys do. Mom, do you remember Kyle? Well, he’s my boyfriend and he lives in Ft. Lauderdale.”

She looked at Roger and said, “He sure seemed like a nice boy son.”

Just then Kyle came out onto the deck and said, “Hi Roger.”

Roger pulled Kyle to him and gave him a hug and said, “Everyone, this is Kyle.”

Fred shook the boys hand and was cordial to him. Joel walked up and said, “Dad, can we all go back to the cabin and play video games?”

“Sure,” I said.

I ended up with six teenagers in the cabin yelling and whooping it up over a car chase until eleven. Roger and Lyle went back to their own cabins as did Adam and Jerry. I was very tired with all that we did this day and Alex was asleep on the floor. I picked him up and carried him onto their room and Joel got them ready for bed. I did my nightly routine and crawled into bed for some much needed sleep.

We made our way through the Panama Canal and visited several more ports of call on our way to San Diego. As the cruise was drawing to a close, two boys were again starting to feel the pangs of being separated.

Our final day at sea was spent doing some last minute shopping and then the dreaded packing. Joel and I managed to get everything we brought and bought back into the suitcases we brought. I’m still not sure how we managed that feat but we did. Joel even helped Alex pack his things but not without more than a few tears. Ed and I talked about if we should tell them now or wait until we docked and it took us both several minutes to decide on waiting until we docked because we knew they wouldn’t get any sleep if we did. We also wondered just how much sleep they would get thinking tomorrow would be the last day they saw each other.

I was lying in bed just dozing when I saw my door slip open a little and two naked boys standing there. I pulled the covers down and said, “Come on guys, get in.”

I had Joel on one side and Alex on the other and both were holding on tight as if their life depended on it. I felt both boys start to shake a little as Joel said in a cracking voice, “Will I ever get to see him again Daddy?”

This was beginning to break my heart. I knew I had a wonderful surprise planned but I couldn’t bear to hear him cry like this. I kissed his head and said, “Yes son, you’ll see each other a lot. School isn’t starting yet and we will get together over Thanksgiving and even Christmas.”

I was able to handle the immediate future when Alex said, “But I’m gonna miss him Pop.”

Great now I have them in stereo two crying teens. I kissed him on the head and said, “You guys haven’t gone any where yet son and I said that school hasn’t started yet.”

Alex lifted his head up and asked, “We can still spend some time together?”

“We’ll work something out,” I said trying to get the water works to stop.

I sat up and handed them each some tissues then laid back down to get some rest. Before we went to bed we set our luggage outside our cabin doors so they could be collected and taken below so Custom’s dogs could check them. This is done on every cruise to keep illegal things from being brought into the country.

I had the alarm set for seven so we could get dressed and eat before we left the ship. It took ten minutes to get Alex and Joel conscious enough to get them to take a leak. I handed them each a glass of juice as they came out of the bathroom and they managed to get that down.

I could see them starting to mope about to I gave each of them a light pop on their butts to get them in gear. We made it down to the dining room and all they did was pick at their food. Adam and Jerry weren’t their normal eating machines either but they were doing better.

After breakfast we went back to the cabin to double check that we hadn’t forgot anything and we got our carry on bags and went to the showroom to wait for the announcement we could disembark. Alex and Joel were sitting together holding hands like today was the last day they were going to see each other totally forgetting what I had said last night. An announcement was make that people on the Sky and Verandah Decks could disembark. I got Joel and Alex while Ed had Adam and Jerry.

We took the stairs down to the Main Deck then went down the gangway to get hit with the California heat. We were directed over to a huge area that was a huge mass of luggage. Pillars were labeled with the deck names and we quickly found all our bags. We saw the parking lot with loads of busses and a number of limos. I looked around and there was a man standing holding a sign with our last name on it. I looked at Ed and said, “Hey, can I give you a lift to the airport?”

He grinned at me and said, “Sure, do you have enough room?”

I headed over to the limo and set the bags down by the trunk. The driver nodded his head and said, “Six people total sir?”

I nodded my head then went and got the boys. I hearded them into the car and when Ed and I got in, we now had four moping teens on our hands. Ed looked at Adam and Jerry and said, “What’s wrong with you guys?”

They looked at each other when Adam said, “We’re gonna miss Joel too. He’s become like brother to us.”

Ed said, “I understand son but they need to get back to New York, at least for a little while. But they will be back before school starts.”

Jerry looked at Ed and said, “Yeah, I guess so P.”

I looked at the boys and said, “Well there is maybe another idea you guys haven’t considered.”

They all sat up and started looking around trying to think of something. Joel looked at me and said, “What possible other idea Dad?”

“Well son,” I said. “Would you entertain the possibility of maybe considering relocating?”

All four boys got the meaning at the same time and said, “WHAT?”

Joel was hugging me while Alex had Joel wrapped up in his arms. I said, “Ed has offered us the chance to move in with you guys and create a little larger family. Now there would mean a few trips to New York to go through our things to figure out what we want to take and what we don’t.”

“Where are we all going now Dad?” Joel asked.

“To the airport,” I said grinning.

“That’s not what I meant Dad,” Joel said slapping me on the arm.

“Oh,” I said in mock surprise. “Well how about St. Petersburg?”

“All right,” Alex said bouncing onto my lap almost getting the family jewels.

Joel hugged me and said, “If we have to go to New York, can Alex come with us or maybe even everyone? There are three bedrooms Dad.”

“Well,” I said. Ed and I will talk about that.

We got to the airport and got settled in on the private jet that would take us back to Florida and to the start of a new life. The flight took just over three hours and we were met by the Florida sunshine and another limo. Ed had taken a taxi to the airport so he wouldn’t be leaving his car at the lot racking up days and days of parking fees.

When we got to their house I was amazed at the size of it. We got our things inside and the boys all spit up and headed to their rooms. Alex took Joel into his room then Ed said, “Boys, come here for a moment.” I know that room is going to be small for a while but you guys will soon be in the next room. Joel has furniture from his room in New York that he wants to keep and it would be perfect in there. Mark is going to use the guest room for the time being then he will take over your old room.”

Alex said, “P, why not let Mark have to guest room because that has a bathroom in it and it’s bigger than mine.”

“That’s a thought because there is another room with a bathroom that we can use for a guest room,” Ed said.

We got ourselves situated for the time being and we got unpacked and just collapsed. The boys on the other hand decided to check out the pool and swam and played until lunch.

The following week I made arrangements to put the house on the market and to have a mover come in and move all the things we wanted to keep. I decided to keep the living room furniture because it would go perfect in Ed’s place and Joel wanted everything from his old room. I decided the bed in my old room wasn’t worth keeping nor was the furniture. All the electronics went to Florida with us as did a few special items of my old family.

It took us a day to pack the things and clothes we wanted to move to Florida. I called the area Salvation Army to come out and pick up the things we didn’t want to take. The next day the movers came and loaded what was heading to Florida. We cleaned the house from top to bottom then headed for a hotel to spend the night. It would take two days for the movers to have our things in St. Pete so we had another bust day when we got back home.

The boys and I moved the furniture out front so it could be picked up and just as we got that done the movers arrived with Joel and my things. We showed them where everything went and they even helped set up the bed in Joel and Alex’s room. By three o’clock everything was set and finished up except for the boxes that needed to be unpacked. They weren’t a major priority so we took our time emptying them.

By the weekend everything was settled and two families were now one. I had Joel tested and he was accepted at the magnet school with Adam and Jerry. Joel would be in the eleventh grade with Adam, Jerry a senior and Alex would be in the eighth grade.

Joel wasn’t a sports buff but did like watching Alex swim. He made the swim team at his school and won many of his races. Adam and Jerry never fully came back down to earth, as they became licensed pilots. Where were they when I was using chartered jets? My house in New York sold for just over $500,000 and I invested most of that. Ed and I settled on a figure that I paid him to cover the living expenses for Joel and me.

Alex and Joel continued to grow closer and closer together and the following year decided that they were going to be life partners. Adam and Jerry had pretty much made that decision but told us the same time Joel and Alex did.

Ed and I enjoy our retirement years while continuing to raise the boys. Even after they leave for college, this is and always will be their home and our lives will forever be truly blessed.

The End.

Posted: 06/27/08