Will was initially shocked by Billy’s elation over their horrible assignments and was about to resume venting his angry disappointment when the last part of his friend’s comment registered in his mind.  Yes, he was not only assigned to the same ship as Billy but they would be working together.  He hadn’t lost everything after all.  His unrealistic dream of continuing to be with the man he wanted as a partner had become a reality ... by whatever random chance or perhaps his father’s spiteful intervention.  The ominous clouds of despair had parted and he was warmed by the rays of brilliant sunshine.

“That changes everything, my friend,” Will said enthusiastically.  “I’d do anything the Navy asked if I could be doing it with you at my side.”

Billy was extraordinarily happy over the extreme good fortune of the identical assignments.  But he was made even happier by Will’s comment.  It was, he dared to hope, an indication that the affection he felt was shared.  Perhaps, just perhaps, his best buddy might become his lover one day — a development that he had fantasized about repeatedly but never dared to voice.  He stood next to Will, struggling to decide what to say that might give a clue to his interests without explicitly revealing his strong sexual attraction.  It wasn’t the best response but it was as good as he could muster at the moment: “Shucks, Will, ya make it sound like...  I dunno.  Anyways, I feel the same way.  I’m happy as pig in shit that we’s gonna be together.”

They smiled at each other for a lingering moment.  Their thoughts, although unknown to the other, were virtually identical.  The single difference was that Will recalled his earlier goal: to seduce a naïve farm boy merely for sexual pleasure.  Now, however, his attitude was distinctly different.  He regarded Billy not as a vulnerable country hick but as an honest young man with an admirable character.  That changed his strategy and tactics irrevocably.  He would have to proceed more slowly.  He would have to suppress his carnal lust in favor of winning and deserving trust ... and love.  When the silence became awkward, Will said, “Yes, my good friend, we’re going to be together.  I can’t think of anything that I want more than that.”

Billy’s smile broadened and radiated the joy he felt over Will’s statement.  The smile was returned in kind.  It was at that moment, they would later recall, that their mutual affection was first manifest to each other.  There remained but one obstacle to taking the next step: the institutionalized and virulent homophobia of the military at the time.

<><><><><> 

On the final day of basic training, there was little to do except prepare for and participate in the graduation parade and ceremony.  Will and Billy then had ten days of leave before they had to report to the Naval base in San Diego.  Will was hoping that he and Billy might spend that time together. Off base and as temporary civilians, they might experience what they both wanted without fear of court martial.

“What are your plans for our ten day leave?” Will asked.

“Spend some time with family.  Lord knows how long it’ll be afore I get to see ‘em again.”

“Oh,” Will said.  “I suppose that makes sense.  I’d do the same except ... well ... you know I don’t get along with my dad and I don’t want to suffer through his tirades about how I’ve screwed up my life.”

Billy thought for a moment and said, “Why doncha come home with me?  I sure would like my family to meetcha.  I think you’d like ‘em, too.  They’s plain folk but salt o’ the earth type.  They’d make ya feel welcome.  How ‘bout it?”

“That’s very kind of you, Billy.  But I wouldn’t want to intrude on your time with your family.  I’d just be in the way.”

“Bull crap!” Billy said.  “Y’all would be welcome.  And, truth to tell, I’d like to spend some relaxin’ time with ya ... away from all this mil’tary stuff.”

The implications of “relaxing” were not lost on Will but he doubted that there would be any chance of truly private time in which to pursue the possibility of sexual pleasure.  Not with parents and five younger siblings in the household.

“Don’t get me wrong, Billy.  I would enjoy spending time with you ... because I like you ... a lot.  But I was planning on going out to San Diego early.  I’ve never been to California and ... well ... I’d just like to be a tourist for a few days.  We’ll have plenty of time to be together aboard the ship.  Ten days won’t be that long to wait, will it?”

Billy’s disappointment was palpable and Will felt guilty for declining the invitation.

“Okie doke,” Billy said sullenly.  “But I was kinda hopin’ to have my folks meetcha.  Let ‘em know what a fine fella y’all is.  Not a hard-drinkin’ sailor type if’n ya know what I mean.  So as they don’t worry none about me.”

Will realized how much the visit would mean to his buddy and offered a compromise.  “I could stop by for a day or two.  Would that be all right?”

Billy’s grin expressed his delight and appreciation far more accurately than his exclamation of “”HOT DAMN!  That’s wonderful.”

<><><><><> 

The two love-struck but frustrated buddies hitched a ride from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center to Chicago where they bought tickets for the Greyhound bus ride to Detroit.  During the 300 miles on the bus along I-94, they periodically talked when Billy, in the window seat, was not engrossed with the passing landscape. 

It was evening on Saturday when the bus pulled into the Detroit depot.  Billy’s father, Bobby Lee (namesake of his grandfather), was effusive in greeting his eldest son.  Will wished that his own father was as comfortable showing affection.  Mr. Simpson, when introduced to Will, was extremely cordial.  “Pleased to meetcha, son,” he gushed.  “Billy Ray done a’ready tol’ me how good ya been to ‘im ... he’pin’ ‘im with school work an’ such.  Any friend o’ his is a friend o’ mine.”

“He’s spoken very highly of you as well,” Will replied.  “His whole family, as a matter of fact.”

The man laughed and said, “Didn’t tell ya ‘bout havin’ to take a switch to his bottom when he got into mischief, then, did he?”

“No, sir,” Will laughed.  “But that’s what a father has to do, isn’t it?  It seems to me that you did everything right because Billy turned out to be an admirable young man that you can be proud of.”

“That I am.  Proud, I mean.  ‘Course his mama gits most of the credit.”

Later, nearing the Simpson home, Billy’s father said, “Almost there, boys.  Hope ya don’t mind sharin’ a bed.  Yur brothers, Billy, are goin’ on what they calls an overnight with friends so’s y’all can use their bed.  ‘Course they gonna be there durin’ the day.  They’s mighty eager-like to see ya. ”

Both Will and Billy pondered the prospect of sharing a bed but each also realized that he couldn’t do what he most wanted to do.  Getting caught making love while in the Navy was disaster: immediate dishonor of discharge.  Getting caught by parents could be far worse: destroying precious bonds ... perhaps for life.

Billy’s two brothers and three sisters rushed to him when they arrived in the apartment, all clamoring for his attention, competing loudly to have their welcoming comments heard, and jostling for the best position to hug their big brother.  Will was struck with the outpouring of affection, which was something he had missed growing up and missed even more now.

The uproar was interrupted when Mr. Simpson shouted, “YOUNG’NS!  Yur furgetin’ we got company.  This here is Will Benson.  Say hello to our guest!”

One by one, in ascending order of their age, the children greeted Will by shaking his hand and voicing a variation of “Pleased to meet you, sir.”

Meanwhile, Billy walked over to his mother, gave her a big hug, and said, “I missed ya, Mama.  And I love ya.” 

Will, took note of the affectionate exchange in spite of the successive greetings by the five children.  He wouldn’t dare do that with his own mother.  He also noticed that the woman had tears, happy tears, rolling down her cheeks.  They broke their hug, the woman wiped away the tears with her apron, and said, Y’all gotta be hungry.  I got a big pot o’ ham and green beans ready for ya.”

“Wonderful!” Billy gushed.  “Ain’t nobody in the Navy that cooks like my Mama.”

They gathered around the small kitchen table elbow to elbow, leaving no chair for the youngest child, a six-year-old girl.  “Come ‘ere, punkin’” Billy grinned. Tapping his lap, he said, “There’s room for ya right ‘ere.”  She grinned broadly and jumped up on her brother’s lap.

The meal was delicious and the friendly banter was joyous.  It was just after ten when Mr. Simpson announced, “Boys, get yur stuff and be off to yur friend’s place.  And ya better be good over there.  Any mischief and ya ain’t never gonna do it again.  Heah?  We’ll see y’all in the mornin’.”

As the two young boys retrieved their things in already packed grocery bags, anxiety began to occupy both Will’s and Billy’s mind.  In just a little while, they would be in the same bed ... and unable to take advantage of the opportunity. 

In the bedroom with the door closed, they undressed.  They had seen each other naked in the shower on base several times but there was a new component to their thoughts as articles of clothing came off.  They were, at least for a brief time, civilians and not subject to military discipline for “unmanly” behavior.  They would crawl into the same bed just inches away from each other.  The temptation to express their desires for the first time, to show their affection, and to give and receive the ultimate in sexual pleasure was intense.  But knowing what was just beyond the bedroom door — Billy’s parents and his young siblings — made that impossible.  They forced themselves to think of something else to control (if only partially) the demanding stirring in their groins.

As they lay in bed, perilously close to opposite sides of the mattress, Billy said, “G’night, Will.”

Will replied, “Good night, Billy.”  But added, “Meeting your family explains why you’re such an admirable individual.  You may have grown up poor and sometimes hungry but it’s obvious that you enjoyed an abundance of love.  And love is the most important thing in life.”  He stopped himself just in time before saying, “I love you, Billy.”

“Yup,” Billy replied.  “They’s good people, my family.  Gave me lots o’ lovin’ and I s’pose it taught me how to love.”  He hoped his bed partner grasped the hidden meaning in that comment but it was too subtle and Will could think only of his childhood when spoken or physical expressions of affection were as scarce as water in the Sahara.  Neither of the young men could fall asleep quickly, thinking of each other.

<><><><><> 

Will thoroughly enjoyed himself the next day, Sunday, playing with the younger children in the park or sitting on a bench talking and watching the energetic brood enjoy their play time in the brilliant sunshine.  After a delicious evening meal, Mrs. Simpson directed her sons and daughters to finish their school homework.  That allowed the adults to sit in the living room and interrogate Billy about life in boot camp, his expectations for serving at sea, and reminiscing about old times.  Will was not left out of the conversation, however, and was very comfortable among people his parents would regard with disdain.

Monday was Will’s last day as a guest in the Simpson home.  He had a flight to San Diego leaving in late afternoon.  The children had gone to school and both of Billy’s parents had gone to work — he as an assembly line worker and she as a waitress in a nearby café.  That left Billy and Will on their own in an empty apartment.  Will was almost to the point of revealing his feelings and, sure that Billy would agree, suggest that they spend at least part of the day in bed to show their mutual love for each other.  Before he worked up the courage to do so, however, Billy said, “Know what I’d like to do, Will?  I’d like to take ya to the Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.  I ain’t never been there but always wanted to.  I hear tell it’s worth a fella’s time to see.  How’s that sound to ya?”

Will was disappointed but if that’s what his boyfriend — yes, boyfriend even though they hadn’t discussed it, much less acted on it — then he would agree to the idea to please Billy.  In spite of losing the opportunity for sex, both young men thoroughly enjoyed the day and had to cut it short so Will could make it to the airport in time.

Billy insisted on seeing his friend off at the airport and just before it was time to board the plane, he grew nervous.  Haltingly he said, “I’m gonna miss ya, Will.  Do ya s’pose ever’body ‘round here might think we’s brothers if I give ya a hug?”

“I don’t care what they think, Billy!” 

They embraced, oblivious to the crowd of people around them.  Will, tossing caution to the wind, briefly ground his crotch into Billy’s and happily noticed no adverse reaction from the buddy he grew fonder of every day.  As he settled into his seat aboard the plane, he reflected on the parting hug.  Billy didn’t recoil when they pressed their crotches together.  That was a good sign; Billy undoubtedly has the same urges, the same wants, and the same goals.  Or did he?  It was possible that he didn’t notice the deliberate stimulation or that he noticed and, being a gentleman, said nothing.  “Damn!” Will thought.  “Why can’t I be sure of Billy’s feelings?  I have to be sure before I offend him and risk discharge from the Navy.

To be continued... 

Author’s Note:  Thanks, Iatia, for your valuable ideas, friendship, and expert editing.