GRANDSON'S EDUCATION
By: Morris Henderson
(Copyright 2007 by the author)
 

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

 Chapter 15
Subtle Signals

Kevin was about to drift off into blissfull sleep when Jerry said, "Hungry? How about some dinner? Then we can come back here and ..." He didn't finish the sentence but the meaning was nonetheless clear to Kevin.

"Yeah. Let's eat ... but have desert back here. Okay?"

"Okay, horny toad," Jerry laughed.

It was just getting dark when they finished dinner in the Lodge. Having paid the bill, Jerry stopped by the reservations desk to confirm the horseback riding in the morning. He specifically requested two gentle horses since this would be Kevin's first time on a horse. "All our horses are gentle, sir," replied the attractive young woman at the desk. "But I'll make a special note on the schedule for you."

As they walked away from the desk, Kevin said quietly to Jerry, "She likes you."

"What makes you say that?"

"Didn't you see how she smiled at you ... and the way she looked at you?"

"That's her job," Jerry said dismissively. "She has to smile and be nice to all the guests."

"I don't think so," Kevin said. "And I don't think you're practicing what you preach." Jerry was now confused and looked quizzically at Kevin. "Remember you told me to be careful about what I said and did because it might send the wrong signal? You said I would also have to pay close attention to what other people said and did so I could get clues to whether they're interested in ..." He caught himself before saying what he was about to say and then finished his sentence with, "...you know...whether they want what I want."

"You're absolutely right, Kevin. I guess I'm not paying attention. And I'm pleased that you remembered what I said. My only excuse is that I'm not shopping now so I don't notice the ... ah ... merchandise that's available. When I do go shopping, it will be for -- shall we say -- something more to my liking -- and I'll pay more attention.

As they walked through the lobby toward the front door, Jerry noticed that several guests were seated there enjoying the fire in the fireplace and sipping on drinks. "I know we're having desert in the cabin but would it be all right with you if we sat here in the lobby for a little while? I'd like to have an after-dinner drink. You can have a soda if you want."

"That's fine. But don't have too many," he added with a smirk, "because it might ruin your desert."

"Trust me," Jerry replied. "I would never do anything that would interfere with enjoying desert."

"I think I'll try out the video game room. Just come get me when you want to ... when you're ready to leave."

Kevin hurried across the lobby to the videogame room while Jerry ordered a Scotch at the bar and took it to an empty arm chair near the fireplace. As he sat and sipped his drink, his thoughts were consumed with, of course, what had happened and how he had come to regard his grandson as a lover. It was an astonishing turn of events and one that simultaneously pleased him and frightened him. That, in turn, led to thinking that the relationship must end much sooner than he would have liked. He worried more about its effect on Kevin much more than on himself. Had he let things get started, had he allowed them to continue, had he, in fact, encouraged them to continue without sufficient consideration of Kevin? It's true, he assured himself, that he had helped his grandson become much more comfortable with being gay. But it is also true, he reminded himself, that Kevin would face significant problems living gay. Would Kevin be able to cope with the abrupt end of sexual activity? Could he eventually find a partner to take the place of an old man who was, for a brief period, available and willing? And finally, what could he do to make the end of the vacation easier for Kevin to accept?

With no acceptable answers to those questions, Jerry realized that his glass was empty. His first thought was to order another but then he remembered the plans for the evening and his promise to Kevin not to have too many. He strolled across the lobby to the videogame room but stopped in the doorway when he saw Kevin and another boy competing on some type of shoot-em-up game. They were obviously caught up in the game and Jerry didn't want to interrupt.

As he stood just inside the doorway watching, he noticed that the boy with Kevin was strikingly handsome. He was Kevin's height but seemed to have a more well-developed chest under a tee shirt that clung to his torso. His almost jet-black hair was full, covered his ears and the back of his neck but was neatly cut. Cut-off jeans revealed slightly muscular legs with a moderate amount of short, black hair. Jerry guessed him to be about Kevin's age but perhaps a year or two older.

He continued to watch and it became obvious that the two were not just having fun with the videogame but had developed a rapport. That was not particularly remarkable because Kevin had always made friends easily. However, knowing what he knew about Kevin's orientation, he wondered whether they had found more of an affinity between them than merely enjoying a videogame together. With no more reason than that, Jerry suddenly felt jealous. He immediately cursed himself. Even if there was some secret kinship developing, Kevin was doing exactly what he wanted him to do. Kevin had a right to have friends his own age and he had no right to discourage it.

They finished the game -- it appeared the other boy had won -- and walked together, laughing, toward another game. Just then, Kevin saw Jerry in the doorway, smiled, waved, and said something to his new friend. The smile on the other boy's face faded as he looked over in the direction of the doorway. The two boys talked for a few moments, each appearing to be quite serious. Then, both smiled at each other and parted company. Kevin hurried over to Jerry and said, "Ready for desert now?"

They walked back to the cabin and the conversation consisted mostly of Kevin talking about the various video games and how they were more fun than the few he had at home. He said nothing about the other boy and Jerry's curiosity was building. He was about to ask when Kevin said, "I met a boy from Chicago and we played some games together. You saw him just before we left. He just got here today with his Mom and Dad and little sister. We had a ball! His name is Casey and he's really nice. And he's great at the video games."

"It sounds as though you like him," Jerry ventured, hoping to learn more about how they got along.

Kevin didn't reply immediately but walked in silence for a while. Then, he found the courage to ask what was on his mind. "I'd like to talk to you about Casey some time. I know we're supposed to have desert and I want to do that but I'd like to talk to you later. I think I need some advice."

Kevin's comments, but even more his serious, concerned tone tended to confirm Jerry's suspicions that there had been more of an attraction between the two than would be expected between casual friends. "Of course, Kevin. I can't guarantee that my advice will be any good but I'll do my best."

To be continued...

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Posted: 10/05/07