An Improbable Love II
By: Morris Henderson
(© 2008 by the author)
 

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

PREFACE

This is a sequel to “An Improbable Love” that can be found at www.tickiestories.us on the Morris Henderson page. You should read that story before reading this sequel because it will provide essential background on how two teens met, how they discovered each other’s secret yearnings, how they bonded remarkably quickly, and how they coped with having to share their love in an environment that was toxic to homosexuality. More importantly, it will explain the values and attitudes of the two boys and of the people who were influential in their lives.

If you chose to disregard this recommendation, the following summary is a minimal introduction the characters you will meet in this sequel.

TJ

Thomas Jefferson Ryerson III, a sixteen-year-old high school student from a politically and socially prominent family, lives in an affluent community near Arlington, Virginia. He has had a privileged life but is irritated by inequalities and injustices and is committed to combat all forms of prejudice and discrimination. A talented athlete (tennis, swimming), he also excels academically. He was a frustrated virgin until he met Neil.

Neil

Neil Bailey, an eighteen-year-old, earned early admission to a prestigious college in Washington, D.C. His parents in Norman, Oklahoma, a college professor and a High School music teacher, are very open-minded but his younger brother is very homophobic. Neil recently recognized that his goal of becoming a concert violinist is unrealistic and he has yet to decide on a career. Before meeting TJ, he had a brief relationship with another college student that ended very painfully.

Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson

TJ’s mother, a talented and well-known violin soloist, was the catalyst for TJ and Neil to meet. His father, a high-level attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, subscribes completely to the “family values” of his religion and political party and therefore is unyielding in his condemnation of “deviant” sexual behavior. He was aloof and demanding toward his son until, at Neil’s suggestion, TJ successfully, if only partially, repaired the antagonistic relationship.

Isabel

TJ’s nanny and subsequently the Ryerson’s housekeeper lives in a private suite at the Ryerson’s elegant home. She was and is a powerful influence on TJ and is most responsible for his enlightened perspective on race, class, and discrimination. She knows the nature of TJ’s relationship with Neil but voluntarily agreed not to tell anyone.

Cory

A classmate of Neil’s lived in the same dorm as Neil the previous semester. Arrogant and self-centered, he frequently suffered physical and emotional pain as a result of soliciting sex from other men. Neil often used ‘tough love’ to correct Cory’s dangerous behavior.

Ramon

Isabel’s nephew, a photographer, is in an openly gay relationship with Jerry, a journalist. He has offered to be a mentor and counselor for the two teens whenever they face a problem or need advice.

A final note

This is a story of two teens’ struggles to nourish their loving relationship in the face of obstacles and social pressures. There will be occasional descriptions of sex between them but if your interest is predominately erotic descriptions of sexual activity, look for it elsewhere.

CHAPTER ONE

The plane was on its final approach to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. Two teens were on board. Neil, the 18-year-old teen, had invited TJ, his 16-year-old boyfriend, to his home in Norman, Oklahoma for a two-week visit. The younger teen gazed out the window, fascinated by a landscape that was so different from his native Virginia.

It had been a long flight, made longer by an hour’s layover in Atlanta. The time seemed to pass quickly, however, because the boyfriends had been conversing continuously since TJ’s mother dropped them off at the airport in Washington, D.C. They had recalled their final days of the school year. TJ had just finished his Junior year of high school and Neil his first year of college. The joked about TJ’s sixteenth birthday party and the freedom he gained with the gift of a new car from his parents. They also explored possible plans for their stay in Oklahoma. Because of the risk of being overheard, however, they had not been able to talk about their affection for each other nor the hoped-for opportunities to express their love during the coming weeks.

TJ was excited to be visiting a part of the country he had never seen and grateful that his father had reluctantly given permission for the trip. He was also grateful for the supportive arguments from his mother and Isabel that were decisive in winning his father’s approval.

More than anything, however, he was eager to meet his boyfriend’s parents because, he hoped, he would become their son-in-law. As the plane touched down, TJ grew anxious and his perceptive lover noticed his mood change.

“Is something bothering you, TJ”

“I’m just a little nervous. I hope your parents like me.”

“What’s not to like? You’re intelligent and have a winning personality. I’ve seen you handle social situations so I’m confident you’ll make a good first impression. Besides, you’re my friend, which almost guarantees that they’ll like you.”

“I must disagree. Being your friend only guarantees that they’ll be polite. I want them to like me because...” TJ glanced around and continued in a hushed tone, “...because when they find out, it will be easier to accept me.”

The older teen, carefully choosing his words, almost whispered, “We’ve had this conversation before but let me repeat. They’ll be surprised but not angry or upset. It may take a little while for them to accept it but trust me. You have no reason to be uptight. Finally, remember that we’re just friends on a vacation. There will be no dramatic revelation, no crisis, just two weeks of relaxation.”

“I want to believe you, Neil. I trust your judgment. But, to tell the truth, I’m scared.”

Neil felt an urge to hug his lover to comfort and reassure him but knew he couldn’t lest other passengers see them. Instead, he placed a hand on TJ’s, squeezed it, and said, “I can see you’re anxious. I have a suggestion. When I was a freshman in high school, I gave my first recital. I was so nervous that I felt like throwing up. My mother sat me down, told me to breathe slowly and deeply, and close my eyes. She told me to imagine myself playing extremely well. It took a while but eventually, I could almost hear the audience applauding as I finished the piece. It was a mind game but it gave me the confidence to go on stage and concentrate on my playing. Was I nervous? Yes, but it was only mild stage fright and not the overwhelming fear that it might have been. So here’s what I want you to do. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and visualize! Anticipate a warm welcome. Picture yourself being in total control of your words, actions, and feelings. Call on all the positive energy that I know you have in you.”

TJ was initially skeptical that it would do any good but he trusted his lover and had nothing to lose by trying. By the time the plane had taxied to the gate, his anxiety had begun to diminish. Neil’s whispered encouragement helped: “It will be fine ... They will like you immediately ... I’m here with you, TJ ... I’ll always be with you ... It will be just as wonderful as you want it to be.”

The plane was now at the gate. The engines shut down, their muffled roar replaced by the attendant’s welcome to Oklahoma City where the local time was ten past four. Passengers began to retrieve their belongings from the overhead bins but Neil continued his soft words of encouragement.

Finally, it was time to disembark and Neil asked, “How do you feel?”

“Much better. Thanks. I confess that I didn’t think it would work but it helped a lot.”

“One more thing. Don’t talk until we get near the baggage claim area. Concentrate on those pleasant thoughts circulating in your mind. My parents will immediately like you. Believe it! Make it happen!”

Neil’s coaching and TJ’s willingness to follow his partner’s instructions worked. He was not completely confident but the anxiety that plagued him was gone. It was another example of how TJ had learned to rely on his new lover’s guidance. Although there was minimal difference in their ages, the younger teen usually (but not always) willingly ceded the leadership role.

Neil’s parents greeted and hugged their son, a display of parental affection that TJ envied. Neil then handled the introductions and his parents were especially cordial in welcoming TJ, saying, with obvious sincerity, that they were grateful that Neil had such a good friend. The vacation was off to a magnificent beginning!

The 23 mile drive from the airport to the Bailey home in Norman, Oklahoma passed quickly, thanks to the light Saturday afternoon traffic and continuous conversation. The lively exchange of information was not, as TJ expected, centered on Neil’s experiences in college but included friendly questions about TJ’s activities, interests, and goals. The young visitor began to feel almost like a part of the family.

When they arrived at Neil’s home, the two boys took their suitcases inside.

Mrs. Bailey said to TJ, “I’m afraid the guest bedroom has been converted to Mr. Bailey’s office. I hope you don’t mind sharing Neil’s room.”

“Not at all, ma’am. Neil told me about the sleeping arrangements and assured me that he doesn’t mind my intrusion ... as long as I don’t snore,” he joked.

“Is Jeff home?” Neil asked his mother.

“No. He’s on a weekend campout with the Boy Scouts. I don’t think I told you. He’s the assistant Scout Master now. It’s not an official title, of course. He’s only sixteen. But he enjoys it and he relates well to all the younger boys. He was disappointed that he couldn’t be here when you arrived but he’ll be back in time for Sunday dinner.

“Good. I’m anxious to see my little brother.”

“Not so little anymore,” she laughed. “He’s grown taller and added weight--all muscle, thanks to being on the wrestling team.”

“So I should not pick a fight with him?” Neil asked.

“Not that you would!” his mother exclaimed. “I don’t remember your fighting since you were little boys.”

“True enough. He was never the pest that a lot of little brothers are.”

“Go get settled in,” the woman said. “I’ll fix supper and call you when it’s ready.”

Neil led TJ upstairs to his room where they deposited their suitcases.

“No more pretense of a sleeping bag on the floor like in my dorm room,” Neil quipped. “I inherited the double bed when my parents got a king-size. Do you think it will be big enough for the two of us?”

TJ chuckled and replied, “I suspect we’ll only use half of it.”

Neil grinned, closed the door, and embraced his boy friend. “We’ll have to be very careful but I’m sure there will be opportunities for indulging in sensual delights.”

“I certainly hope so,” TJ murmured before kissing his lover long and passionately.

Neil broke the kiss abruptly. TJ’s surprise and disappointment were obvious in his expression.

“I’m sorry, my love,” Neil began. “But I’m getting hard and horny. Now’s not the time. We’ll have to wait until bedtime. Then I’ll show you the depth of my love for you.”

The two temporarily frustrated teens reluctantly separated. Neil made room in his closet and chest of drawers for TJ’s things.

“Are you sure you want to share your closet? I can keep my clothes in my suitcase.”

“One day we’ll have OUR bedroom, OUR closet. In the meantime, I’m happy to have your clothes in my closet.” Then looking his lover up and down lustfully, he said, “But even happier to have you in my bed.”

After supper, the teens joined Neil’s parents in the family room where the conversation was animated and cordial. Mr. Bailey took a special interest in some of TJ’s school projects that involved an analysis of political and economic implications of class, race, and religion in society. TJ was initially hesitant to discuss the conclusions he derived, fearing that his hosts would not agree and it would open a chasm between him and his future in-laws. However, Mr. Bailey couldn’t conceal his pleasure over the young man’s intellectual rigor and logic. It soon became clear that TJ had won the respect of both of his partner’s parents. That, he hoped, would prove to be valuable when they found out the truth about their eldest son.

Neil listened quietly as his father and TJ monopolized the conversation. He was extraordinarily proud of his boy friend and particularly pleased that his parents were impressed.

The conversation became hazardous, however, when Mr. Bailey said, “You seem to be condemning intolerance and discrimination in all its forms. Would you agree that there is sometimes a valid reason for it?”

Not suspecting the direction the conversation would soon take, TJ replied, “Of course. We can never tolerate criminal behavior. We shouldn’t tolerate war except in defense of freedom. And we must not tolerate discrimination that is irrational.”

“Should we tolerate immoral behavior?”

TJ was shaken by the question. Did his lover’s father regard homosexuality as immoral? Would he therefore be intolerant of his relationship with the man’s son?

There was a bigger reason for TJ to be apprehensive. His father frequently used that kind of question not to gather information but to entrap. Mr. Bailey’s question aroused those old feelings of threat, defensiveness, and resentment over being cross-examined. Fortunately, however, years of experience with his father had honed his ability to conceal his anxiety and had enhanced his coping skill. He paused, assumed a thoughtful expression to mask a desperate attempt to formulate an answer, and finally replied, “No, sir. But the difficulty is deciding what’s immoral. Is eating pork immoral? Jews think it is. Is polygamy immoral? Many cultures endorse and even encourage it. The whole conflict over abortion is based on opposing views of what’s moral. Every religion defines morality differently. Sin and virtue are ambiguous at best.”

Both TJ and Neil were relieved to hear Mr. Bailey laugh heartily and say, “If you were a student in my class, TJ, you would get an A plus for that response. Are you on the debate team in school?”

“No, sir.”

“Have you considered following your father’s footsteps and becoming a lawyer?”

“Yes ... either that or a social worker. I want to help disadvantaged and persecuted people.”

“Admirable!” the man exclaimed. “Neil has already mentioned that was your goal and a primary reason he respects you so much.”

TJ had successfully deflected a line of questioning that might have led to a discussion neither he nor Neil were ready to have. There was still, of course, a lingering doubt that Neil’s parents would accept their son’s eventual openly gay union. Neil was reasonably certain they would but it remained an unanswered question.

Twenty minutes later, Neil said, “We’re still running on Eastern Time and it was a long trip. Would you mind if we went to bed early tonight?”

“Not at all,” Mrs. Bailey replied. “And you can sleep as long as you like. After all, you’re on vacation. But if you’re not up by ten, I’ll call you for brunch.”

Safely in Neil’s bedroom behind a closed door, TJ was seized in a tight embrace and kissed almost violently.

“I’m so very proud of you, TJ. I was confident they would like you but I’m still surprised at how quickly you won my parents’ respect and affection.”

“Thanks. I was nervous when your father asked me about tolerating immoral behavior.”

“I could tell ... because I know you so well. But I don’t think they noticed. And your answer was brilliant!”

“I was lucky,” TJ said, embarrassed at the praise.

“Nonsense! You were masterful!”

Denying TJ another chance to minimize his accomplishment, Neil engaged his lover in a very long and very passionate kiss.

When he finally released his lover from the loving kiss, TJ said, “Now you’ve got me hard and horny.”

“Well, then, let’s do something about it!”

They quickly shed their clothes and scrambled into bed. Following an extended period of foreplay consisting of gentle caresses and fondling, TJ repositioned himself, offering his throbbing cock to Neil’s hungry mouth while filling his own with an equally hard and impatient fleshy rod.

TJ, although he tried to extend the pleasure, was, as usual, the first to erupt into his lover’s welcoming mouth. Stifling his moans of ecstasy lest they be heard beyond the walls of the room, he froze as Neil gently milked the last few drops of creamy nectar from the meaty faucet. Then, he returned to his task of giving his partner the erotic pleasure and sensual fulfillment of a thoroughly satisfying orgasm.

As TJ had predicted, they used only half of the double bed as they embraced each other, reaffirmed their abiding love, and eventually fell asleep with arms and legs intertwined.

They awoke the next morning just after seven. Following a quick trip to the bathroom to empty their full bladders, they cuddled in bed and talked softly. Neither of them felt a need for sex although they would occasionally run their hands lovingly across each other’s chest and back. Even kisses were infrequent and gentle but not without meaning. The relaxed closeness and contentment was, in its way, as satisfying as more active sex.

At half past eight, they dressed and went downstairs to find Mrs. Bailey reading the morning paper. “Sleep well?” she inquired.

“Very well,” Neil answered. “And TJ kept his promise not to snore.”

“I should have made you promise not to snore,” TJ said with fake irritation. “You sounded like a grizzly bear.”

“Oh?” Neil countered. “You’ve slept with a grizzly bear?”

TJ almost gave a clever reply but it was too suggestive to voice in the presence of Neil’s mother.

After a delicious brunch, the two teens went on a walking tour of the University of Oklahoma campus, less than a mile from Neil’s home. TJ was overwhelmed at the size of the campus, more than two thousand acres with numerous academic buildings, a huge football stadium, and high-rise dormitories for many of the almost 19,000 undergraduate students.

“With the university right in your neighborhood, why did you go to Georgetown?” TJ asked.

Neil chuckled as he recalled the decision process. “I fully expected to go to OU. As you say, it’s close. And they offer a music major concentrating on string instruments. But my parents convinced me that an important part of a college education is living away from home. They suggested the East Coast. I applied to several schools and Georgetown appealed to me. The clincher was the scholarship money! I didn’t know it at the time but it was the best decision I ever made because I met you!”

“Remind me to thank your parents ... at an appropriate time, of course. Do you think they will regret persuading you to go away to school? When they find out about us, I mean.”

“First of all, going east for school didn’t make me gay. They would eventually find that out anyway. More importantly, they are open-minded. And finally, I’m confident that they like you so they will accept you into the family. They may be surprised, perhaps a little disappointed, but they will adjust to it sooner than you might expect.”

“I certainly hope so,” TJ said earnestly. “But how about your brother?”

“He could be a problem. I’ve told you he’s a first class prude. He condemns any form of sex outside of marriage. And he’s a bigot when it comes to gays. I hope his disapproval won’t turn into hatred but if it does, it’s a price I’m willing to pay to be with you.”

The time the boys spent touring the campus passed very quickly and they suddenly realized it was time to return home for dinner. They arrived just as Jeff was pulling into the driveway. TJ was about to meet the person that would plunge the two lovers into a major crisis.

To be continued...

Posted:11/07/08