A Marine Called Jason
(Revised)
by: Peter

(© 2007-2015 by the Author)
 

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

The Epilogue Chapters

Epilogue Chapter 21 

(After Appalachia)

After Appalachia our life was back to normal. Some would say boring but it was how we wanted it. Over coffee with Judge Thompson we told him we would no longer be taking in stray kids.  I knew we would, of course, if one showed up, but we didn’t want the judge sending them our way.  I was satisfied with the quiet normalcy of our lives but it made Jason restless. His forays out at night became more frequent. I might have been jealous, knowing that he was meeting a young waitress at the truck stop but I wasn’t.  I was sad that I still couldn’t fill the emptiness in him but I wasn’t jealous.  I knew part of the cause was Vietnam; it followed him from there and never let go. But I knew it wasn’t my fault and it wasn’t his.  It was who he was; who he’d always been, and I signed on for that. Some of it was still inside me but it was buried deeper.

Sometimes he asked me if I wanted to go with him. That’s the way he phrased it—did I want to go. I always went because I knew in truth that he was asking me to go. He wanted me with him. Maybe it was a small way that I could fill the emptiness.  Some evenings we went out for supper.  Other times we went to the truck stop and sat and drank coffee and talked.  The conversations always got around to Vietnam and our younger days.   

One night I woke up and he wasn’t in bed. It was after he’d come home from the truck stop.  When I didn’t find him in the house I knew where he was. I slipped on my boots and walked back to the woods, following my shadow cast by the moonlight. He was lying beside the creek in his sleeping bag, his upper body bared, his hands clasped under his head.

“I don’t mean to intrude,” I said.

“You’re not,” he said as he laid the top of the sleeping bag open, inviting me to join him. 

I bent over to untie my boots. I kicked them aside and started to get in the sleeping bag.

“The shorts, too,” he said.

I pulled my shorts off and tossed them with my boots.

“I never used to check on you when you went out but it’s different now,” I said as I crawled in the sleeping bag with him. He didn’t’ ask me to explain and I didn’t.

He put an arm out for me to lie on and pulled me in close.  I wasn’t cold but he felt warm against me. His muscular arm still didn’t make a good pillow but I didn’t complain. He felt good.

“I don’t want you to feel like you don’t make me happy; you do,” he told me. 

“I know. I want you to stop feeling guilty,” I said. 

“I don’t love her.  She knows I don’t love her,” he said.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you have that understanding,” I said.

“What I can’t figure out is why she wants to be with me when there are younger studs hitting on her all the time.”

“Don’t try to figure it out. You never did understand and you never will,” I said.

“Understand what?”

“I’m not sure I can explain it. It’s so many things. One of the boys said one time that you were gruffer than me, but he saw through you. They all did. I think that’s partly it, when people see through that rough and tough exterior. There’s a magnetic draw. A super confident bearing that would make a girl feel safe. You’re not all that hard to look at, and the body helps.”

“I’m old enough to be her father.”

“Do you think she’s looking for a father figure?”

“No. She told me those young studs don’t know what they’re doing in bed.”

“Well if you’re giving her that, I wouldn’t worry about the age difference.  She obviously isn’t.”     

“Well, we sort of closed the age gap tonight,” he said.

“How so? You’re both still the same age,” I said.

“We had company.”     

“A three way?”

“You could say that.”

“That’s a first, isn’t it?”

“For us, yeah.”

I wanta hear this,” I said.

As Told By Jason 

I didn’t ask Brad to go with me to the truck stop. It was one of those times when I wanted to wallow in my thoughts.  I intended to get laid, too, and nights I wanted to get laid I didn’t ask Brad along.  He understood without anything being said. I figured I would have supper then sit and drink coffee while I waited for her shift to end.  I’d just sat down when this young dude walked in. The way he walked made me take notice. He was wearing a baseball cap atop a buzzed haircut that was neatly trimmed along the back of his thick neck, and worn jeans with slits at the bottom of the legs to accommodate his work boots. Up top he had on a white T-shirt with STEEL MAN across the front in big, bold letters. He didn’t look the braggart type but he had an air of confidence about him. He wasn’t a bodybuilder type but he was very well built; thick chest; flat, hard stomach, good shoulders and arms and his thighs filled out his jeans.  

When he walked by me we made eye contact and I couldn’t resist; I asked, “Is that a fact?” eyeballing his shirt.

“It was last year when I won the shirt,” he said, not in a cocky way, but just stating fact.

“Looks like you could win it again if you tried,” I said, eyeing him up and down.

“I’d have to go all the way to Alaska,” he said.

“Military?  You’ve got a military bearing,” I said.

“No, but probably soon,” he said.

“Sit down, I’ll buy your supper in advance,” I said.

“I can’t let you do that but I’ll have a seat. You’re military?” he asked as he slid in the booth.

“Was, but that was back in the civil war.”

He laughed and put his hand across the table.  “Track Wilson.”

“Jason Seaborne.”  He had a good grip.  “What’s in Alaska where you won the shirt?” I asked.

“I worked in a lumber camp. There was a contest; climbing trees, lifting logs and boulders, a two mile run through the woods, log rolling and the last event was fighting. Not boxing, more street fighting, with some wrestling thrown in. They called it lumberjack fighting.”

“Well, you’re built for all of those events,” I said.

“You think?” he said, laughing. “You should’ve seen some of these big bruisers. But luckily there were points for each separate event. I got creamed in the log rolling but I maxed out points on the other events.”

“Including lumberjack fighting?” I asked.

He laughed again, shaking his head. “I knew I was gonna die when I saw who I drew in that event. He was like a Black Angus bull. But all that beef worked to his detriment. I was quicker and I managed to land some good punches and then dodge out of his way.” He paused when the waitress came to take our orders.

“What can I get for you, stud?” she asked.

“Him first,” Track said.

“It’s Thursday, I know what he’s having,” she said.

“Okay, I’ll have a hamburger, loaded, fries and a double milk on ice.”

I motioned for her to hold up.

“You heard the lady, it’s Thursday. How about two T-bones, fries and a double milk on ice,” I said.

“I’m a working man, I can’t afford steak.”

“I said I’m buying.”

“And I said I can’t let you do that,” he shot back.

I smiled and motioned for her to wait. “You’re put together damn good, but I ain’t no Black Angus bull; my beef don’t work to my detriment.”

She didn’t wait for the outcome of our little challenge. “This fight’s over before it’s even started; you’re getting T-bones,” she told him.

He craned his neck to watch her walk away. “Damn, talk about being put together,” he said. Then he said across the table, “Are you doing her?”

“Gentlemen don’t tell,” I said.

“Fuck that, tell me. Are you doing her?”

“On occasion,” I admitted. “But don’t spread that around.”

“Mann!!” he exclaimed quietly as he looked around again.

“Hey, she’s not a pass-around-Patty,” I said.

“Sorry. I wasn’t implying that. Is she someone special? I’m sorry if I was out of line.”

“She might be special to a lot of guys but I don’t care. That’s her business. She’s special to me when we’re together and that’s all that counts.”

“I meant no disrespect. I would treat her with respect. Do you think I’d have a chance with her?”

“Don’t know, but I doubt it,” I said. “She told me one time young guys don’t know what they’re doing in bed.”

“I’d like a chance to convince her to reconsider,” he said.

“Well, that’d be up to her.”

“But you could put in a good word,” he said.

“I don’t know what I could say. I just met you, and I don’t know how you are in bed.”

“Okay, but don’t you think I deserve a chance to prove myself?”

“Knock yourself out when she brings our steaks,” I said.

“But what about you? She’s not gonna toss you aside for me.”

“That she’s not,” I agreed. “But you’re welcome to give it your best shot.”

When she delivered our steaks he made his move.

“Ma’am, I hope you won’t think I’m out of line if I say I think you’re beautiful.”

Wow! He didn’t hold back.

“No woman would think that’s out of line,” she said, “but coming from you, it is sort of like something you’d say to your mother when she’s dressed up on Easter Sunday.”

“No, Ma’am, and I could say a lot more but my mother did raise me to be a gentleman.”

“Well, your mama’s not here so why don’t you give it your best shot,” she said, putting her hand on her hip.

“No man could help noticing how you’re put together,” he said.

Ouch! I wanted to see her reaction to that.

“For a woman my age, you mean,” she said dryly.

“No, Ma’am. You make age irrelevant.”

She turned to me with a big smile.  “He’s good,” she said.

“So, I’m gonna go out on a limb,” he went on.  “Would you consider going out with me?”

“You mean on a date?” She eyed him up and down. “You’re not so hard to look at, and you’re put together pretty damned well yourself….you can’t find girls your own age to take out?”

“I don’t have any trouble getting dates but I’d like a change of pace.” 

“In other words, those sweet young things aren’t keeping up with you, is that it?”

“Something like that. But I wasn’t making reference to anything out of line. I think you’d be fun to be with.  I think we could have a good time.  Do you like to dance?  I’m a good dancer. I could show you some moves.”

“Oh, I bet you could,” she said.  She looked at me.  “Good lord, I haven’t been hit on like this since you made your pitch. It’s too damned bad it’s Thursday.”

“Hey, don’t let Thursday stand in the way,” I said. “We can make it another time. He just wants a chance to prove you wrong.”

“Wrong about what?” she asked with a scowl.

“What you said about young guys not knowing what they’re doing,” he put in.

“Well, I can see you two have been talking,” she said.

“Nothing out of line,” he said quickly.  “He holds you in the highest regard, and so do I. If I had said anything out of line, he would’ve decked me.”

“Oh, you think he would, huh?”

“I know he would.”

“You two are both so full of shit,” she said, laughing. “But I like it. I like you,” she said to Track. She dug in her pocket and handed her keys to me. “When you’re finished eating, take my car and go to my apartment, draw my bath and light the candles. You stay put,” she said to Track.  “You can drive me home, he can bring you back to get your vehicle.” 

“Yes, Ma’am!”

When I was finished eating I went up to pay. “Are we both thinking what I think we’re thinking?” I asked her.

“Taking nothing away from you, Jason, but the boy deserves a chance,” she said. “And he’s hot.”

“That he is,” I agreed.

“So you don’t mind if it’s three of us?”

“You know my gate swings both ways, I’ve never made a secret of that.”

“I know but I’ve never been able to picture it.”

I grabbed my overnight bag out of my pickup then got in Lisa’s car. Her apartment was in the Country Apartments complex, well outside of town and only five miles from the truck stop.  I let myself in and grabbed a quick shower and flushed out, thinking—hoping--I might find myself in a position to accommodate the young stud, Track. He didn’t strike me as being the type but one could never tell. Most said I didn’t either. I used some good smelling body splash and slipped on a pair of clean briefs from my overnight bag. Then I drew her bath. I turned the hot water on low and added a small amount of bath oil that she liked. I lit the candles in the bathroom and the six large candles in the bedroom; ones I’d bought for her. She loved the smell of lavender and vanilla.  When I heard them coming in I added the bubble bath; Lily of the Valley, another favorite that I’d bought for her. One last thing, I removed the towels from her bathroom.

I couldn’t help noticing the gleam in her eyes when they came in together, and Track’s laid back demeanor had given way to an air of excitement and anticipation. He seemed surprised to see me in my shorts.

“Well, I see you’re ahead of the game,” Lisa remarked.

“Just wanted to be out of the way,” I said.  Then to Track, “The shower’s in there.”

“It smells good in here,” he said.

“Lily of the Valley, my favorite,” she said.  “Jason bought it for me. He spoils me so.”

“It’s not that, I like for you to smell good,” I said.

“And don’t we know why,” she said, laughing. “Did you put the bath oil in my water?”

“Yes, Ma’am. You know I like your skin smooth and supple.”

“Should I go ahead and get in the shower? I don’t want to be in the way,” Track asked.

“You won’t be, it’s separate from her bathroom,” I said.

I helped Lisa into the tub then left her.  Sometimes I got in with her, other times she wanted to be alone.  Since she didn’t invite me, I left her alone and went out to wait in the living room.

I was left secretly breathless when Track came out of the other bathroom wearing very brief, clinging boxers. They were high on the thigh and low at the hairline and bulging in front.

“Man, that felt good. That shower is almost sensual,” he said, seemingly unaware of his own physical presence. “Listen, I’m sure she’s used to seeing you like that but should I put something on? Is this too in-your-face?”

“It’d just be that much more you have to take off,” I told him. Then I grabbed up the towels I’d removed from Lisa’s bath. “Here, take these in to her,” I told him.

“Me? She….she’s in the tub.”

“And that would be a problem because?”

“I….I d-don’t want to intrude. She obviously wants her privacy, you’re out here.”

“She does value her solitude but she’s going to need towels,” I said.

He didn’t stay long in the bathroom and when he came out his face was flushed.

“That woman should not be a waitress,” he said, sounding a little out of breath. “She should be on the cover of a magazine. Just like that, in a bathtub, advertising shampoo or bubble bath or something.”

I smiled. “You are smitten. She’s old enough to be your mother, you know.”

“I meant it when I said she makes age irrelevant. We’re going to have sex, right?  Is it going to be the three of us?”

“I think that’s the plan, although I don’t know exactly what combination. That’ll be up to her,” I said.

“I know you’re used to her, but I’m so nervous I don’t know if I can,” he said. “I’m no virgin but I’ve never felt this way around a woman before.  Geezuss, what if I can’t?”

“Dude, calm down.  She’s not going to eat you alive. Don’t worry, it’ll all come back to you,” I chided him.

“Listen, you said you like her to smell good with that Lily of the Valley stuff, and she said don’t we know why. I got the idea that….that she….is she gonna want me to eat her pussy?”

“She might invite you to partake of the delicacy,” I said.

“Oh, Godd, I’ve never done that.  I’ve never even got that close up….I mean it’s all been feeling…..”

“You do know about a woman’s clit, don’t you? Her love button?” I asked. 

“Yes, I’ve felt it on a couple of girls.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll show you if it comes to that,” I said.

“I just want to make her happy.  And not just to prove she’s wrong about young guys not knowing what they’re dong. I really want to make her happy, for her, not to prove anything.”

“Have you ever made a woman have an orgasm?” I asked.

“I don’t know for sure.  I think I have, but you know how they say women sometimes fake it.”

“You know that little love button you’ve felt on a couple of girls? You use a little tongue on it and I guarantee you will know. You’ll have her screaming with pleasure.”

“Really?”

“Damn straight,” I said.

“Godd, I can hardly wait. But….where will you fit into all of this? I mean, she’s your woman, and we’re talking like she’s my date.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll work my way in,” I said with a chuckle. “Look, Track, you’re getting all worked up over nothing. This is not a date in the sense that you have to win her over.  Consider it a fuck date, just don’t say I said that.”

“There’s something else. I hate to sound like a kid, but….well there are three of us and you said you don’t know what combination, that it’d be up to her to call the shots.  She wouldn’t ask you and me to….you know….I mean, have you ever been in a three way with her and been asked to do something with the other guy?”

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

“Fuck, I don’t know if I could do that….suck your cock or something. If she wanted me to suck your cock and I didn’t want to, do you think she might not let me fuck her?”

”I never try to second guess Lisa,” I said. “Anyway, sucking a cock isn’t so bad, especially if it makes her happy.”

“Shit, I need to go splash cold water on my face,” he said, as he rushed back to the bathroom.

Meanwhile Lisa came into the living room in a beautiful beige bath  gown, also something that I’d bought for her, her head wrapped in a towel. I laughed softly.

“What’s that for?”

“The boy is nervous as a whore in church,” I said as I fixed our drinks.

“With all he’s got going for him I can’t imagine why.”

“You,” I said. “He is smitten like I’ve never seen smitten. He’s so scared he’s afraid he won’t be able to perform.”

“He doesn’t have to perform, he just does what comes naturally for any boy his age. Don’t worry, the testosterone will kick in at the right time.” 

I smiled. “I swear, Leesie, it sounds like you’ve guided more than one nervous boy through his rite of passage.” She shrugged me off. “He’s right, you know,” I said.

“About what?”

“He saw you in the tub and he said you should not be a waitress; you should be doing ads for bath oil, shampoo or bubble bath and the like. And seeing you like this with the robe pulled back from your legs and all of that cleavage showing, I have to agree; even throw in ladies lingerie and robes.”

“Well, he’s star struck; you’ve seen me like this before.”

“But he’s seeing you in a different light, and he’s made me see you differently. There’s something else….he’s a little scared of where the three-way might go, you know, with two guys.”

She laughed.  “Well, I don’t think we ought to try to convert him but I do think he should have a little man sex to round out his experiences.”

Just then Track came in the room, back from splashing cold water on his face. He stopped in his tracks.

“Good lord!” It came out a gasp.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” I said.

“No, I’m seeing an angel.” He seemed out of breath.  “I swear, Lisa—may I call you that?—I’ve never seen anything quite so breath taking as I’m seeing right now.”

“You’re here, Track, you don’t have to flatter me,” she said.  “Jason, fix him a drink to calm his nerves. And freshen mine.”

I made two drinks and held them out to Track.  “This one’s hers,” I said, holding her glass out first.

He took the glasses and went over to the couch. He still had the cocky, confident air about him but his steps seemed to be measured. Lisa took her drink and patted the cushion next to her for him to sit down. He did, on the edge of the cushion, and took several sips of his drink.

“You look like you’re going to cut and run; sit back and relax,” she told him, and when he did, she put her arm around him to pull him in tight.  He almost spilled his drink. She took it from him and set on the end table.  “Have a sip of mine,” she cooed as she put her hand around the back of his head to pull him closer to the glass which she was holding very close to her chest.  She let him have a couple of sips then moved the glass, leaving him face to face with her considerable cleavage. When she twisted around to put her glass on the table the robe pulled away from her left tit. He had a deer-in-the-headlights look that was almost funny except that he looked so scared. There was a little gush of wind that went out of him and he sucked it back in.

“I don’t know what’s wrong….this has never happened before….I’m not even hard,” he said in a weak voice.

Lisa was wonderful.  She said, “You don’t have to be yet,” as she gently pulled his face to her tit. 

He gaped at it for a moment with his mouth open then went for it with a contented moan that sounded like a baby going for its mother’s tit. Lisa looked over at me and smiled.  I groped my shorts and smiled back. If she devoted the entire night to Track, this was going to be worth it.

He quickly found his way back; he fumbled with the tie on her robe and it fell open, leaving her naked except for her shoulders and one big, rough hand began exploring her nakedness as he kissed and suckled both of her tits.  I’d never seen anybody so hungry for tit.  I couldn’t remember ever being so hungry for tit.  I waited and watched as he explored her body. I well knew the feel of it fresh out of her bath, smooth and supple from the bath oil. He explored her inner thighs, moving up from her knee till he found her pussy.  His hand stopped.

“You’re smooth!” he exclaimed quietly.  “Oh, Godd!” I thought that was from him remembering what I’d told him about a woman’s clit.

He rose up from her tits to peer down at his discovery then looked back up at her.

“I…I’ve never done it before but….I will if you want me to.”

“Only if you want to,” she cooed. She’d been feeling his muscles too and she slid her hand down his hard stomach to his shorts. She felt him and smiled.  “I thought you said you weren’t hard.”

“I don’t know what happened,” he said happily. “I wanta do it, Lisa. I wanta give you the big O.”

“That can be a pretty tall order,” she said.

I didn’t think he heard her; he was on his way down, off the couch, on his hands and knees between her legs. He was eager and he wasn’t afraid. He buried his face between her legs and began licking her pussy like a mother cat licking her kitten. I knew from experience how good she would smell and taste. I smiled and Lisa smiled back just before she closed her eyes with a soft moan. He stayed on his hands and knees; he didn’t use his hands at all. Suddenly her mouth flew open and I knew he’d found her clit. He knew it too and he gave it his best. Lisa clamped her hands on his head and humped her pussy up against his face. I loved the look on her face; I’d seen it often enough myself but not from this vantage point. I could see the head of steam building up; her breathing, the look of almost horrified ecstasy. In another minute or two she was going to explode.  But he eased off to get some air and she floated back down. He looked up at her.

“I love doing this, Lisa, I really do, but I’m hard as a board.”

“Let your cock do the work, give your tongue a rest,” she said.

“Oh, it wasn’t work, Lisa, but I need to fuck so bad,” he said as he got to his feet.

“Oh, my lord,” she gasped when she saw his cock

I did a doubletake myself. “Jeezuss, no wonder you’re hard as a board; that’s a two by four,” I said. The kid was easily as big as me and it dwarfed her hand like mine did when she reached for it. He cringed then gently shoved her hand away.

“I don’t think I can do it, I’m afraid I’ll cum before I get it in,” he whimpered.

“So what,” she said. “Your board’s not gonna fall off if you do. We’ll just wait till it comes back up.” She took hold of his cock again and tugged it towards her pussy. He was still cringing as he hunkered down and let her set the head of his cock against the pouting lips.

“Oh, Godd!” he whispered as he pushed through.  “Oh, Godd!  You are so beautiful.  I can’t believe you’re letting me do this.” He went to his knees as he slid all the way in and leaned over her with both arms around her waist and butt.

“Ohhhh, you really are a man of steel,” Lisa moaned.

“If you want me to do anything different, just tell me,” he said.

“You’re doing just fine.  I love those slow, deep strokes.”

“I wish I could go deeper for you.”

“No, no, you’re going plenty deep enough,” she assured him.

He was going along fine. My mouth was watering watching his butt muscles power his big cock. It was better than watching porn. Suddenly the muscles started to twitch and the tremors quickly spread all through him till he was trembling like an earthquake. He was cumming!! He buried his face in her tits to muffle his choked cries. It was a long hard cum. His muscular body gradually relaxed and he just lay there over her for a long moment before he pushed himself up.

“That’s never happened before.  I am so sorry,” he said, looking right in her eyes. “I guess you’re right after all; maybe younger guys don’t know what they’re doing.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for. It’s not over,” she said. “The night is young.”

“No, it’s not over,” he said sternly.  “I said I was going to give you a big O, and I’m going to.”  With that he pulled his cock free and moved down between her legs. I was amazed to see him bury his face in her pussy again, disregarding the moments before when he’d pumped her full of his cum. Lisa let out a little squeal when he found her clit.         

Track was still filled with passion for the woman. He licked at her gaping pussy and this time he spread her lips apart with his fingers to get at her clit and get his tongue inside her. He rose up once and gazed at her and I could see his face wet with his own cum.

“This is so wonderful,” he said.  “I love doing this almost as much as fucking.”

“I love it too, Steel Man.  You make a woman feel so special.”

“You are special,” he said.  “I wanta make you feel so special that you can’t stand it anymore, and if you pass out I’ll still be licking your pussy when you come to.”

My Godd, where was this kid coming from!  He was good and I was sure he would change Lisa’s mind about younger guys not knowing what they were doing.  This kid could write the book. To add some spice he alternated between eating her pussy and fucking her. She didn’t know what the next moment would bring. He fucked her with moves I seldom seen.  The way he twisted his hips around and corkscrewed into her drove her up the walls.  The next minute he was down there eating her pussy. I used that technique myself but it was just as much fun watching him do it. I was aching to get in on it but I didn’t want to distract him.

He got her off and she damn near did pass out. She was like a mad woman all through her climax and he had to hold her down to keep his face in her pussy. He stopped only when I told him he should, when she was limp and gasping for air.

“I hope I satisfied her,” he said as he reared back on his haunches, wiping his cum smeared face with the back of his hand.

“I think you more than satisfied her,” I told him.

She said the night’s young. Do you think she’ll want more or should I just leave?  I’d sure like to give it another try and show her what I can do. I never shot off so quick like that before.”

“You should absolutely not leave,” I said. “I think you showed her what you can do, Steel Man.  I don’t know many men who would eat a woman’s pussy after he just shot a load in it.  That takes a real man.”

“Have you ever done that with her?” he asked.

“Yes. Now, go shower, I’ll see to Lisa.”

I went over to the couch and held her in my arms. The boy’s cum was still draining out of her pussy. I held her till she came back then I leaned down and kissed her.

“I owe that boy an apology,” she said.

“He figures he owes you one.”

“You know I’ve been around the barn a few times.”

“Yeah, I’ve chased you a lot of those times,” I said.

“I never had a one of them his age perform like that. I thought he really was going to drive me out of my mind; I was counting on you bringing me back. Where is he? Did he leave?”

“No, he’s in the shower. He wants another chance to prove himself.”

“My Godd, he’s got nothing to prove.”

“Well, let him, anyway,” I said. “Do you want me to help you to your bath?”

“Yes, I would like to be clean and fresh for him.”  Then she looked up at me.  “I’m not pushing you aside, Jason.”

“I know. I’m just waiting my turn,” I said, and kissed her again.

Jason made it sound like that was the end of his story.

“Either it didn’t work out the way you intended or you didn’t finish the story,” I said.  “It was supposed to be a three-way.”

“It didn’t work out, not that night anyway. But Track and I met up again with Lisa after that. He got the picture when he was fucking her again and I was down there licking around and he accidentally missed her pussy on the drawback and shoved it in my mouth. But that’s a story for another time.”

He was quiet for a long moment before he went on. “There’s an emptiness that gnaws at me all the time, Brad.”

“I know.”

“I can always trace it back to Vietnam.”

“I know that, too,” I said.

“I want life to be a series of re-runs where I get to write the script.  I want my youth back.  I want the chance to be young again and go back to places I've been; to my old barracks, and be who I was when I was there before, with the men I was with before. I want to go back to Toby’s and find you there, waiting for me, then we go to the Trent and fuck till the bed collapses. I want to feel the testosterone and adrenalin rush of combat once more. I want summers at the beach, to vacation on an uninhabited island and live in a hut where I can lie at night and listen to the sea around me. I want to see Tuscany. I miss Vietnam and what we had there.”

“You never mentioned Tuscany before,” I said.

When he’d talked it out he made hard, brutal love to me and I realized he hadn’t talked it out at all.  He was trying to fuck it out of his system.

Some days later I made a list and laid it beside his plate at dinner.

“What’s this?”

“We need to go on vacation.  Go somewhere.  Those are some options.”

He read down the list. “Road trip.  Vietnam. Key West. A cruise.  It’s a short list.”

“You can add to it.”

“You didn’t list Tuscany,” he said.

“Add it,” I said.  He didn’t.

“Where would we go on a road trip?” he asked.

“Travel around and visit the boys.”

“And Vietnam?” he asked.

“You said you miss it.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, sometimes. I miss it more when you’re missing it.”

“A cruise….where would we go?”

“Alaska. The Caribbean. Depends on whether you want to freeze your ass or bask in the sun.”

“What’s in Key West?” he asked.

“From what I’ve read, about everything you could imagine. The Truman Whitehouse, Hemingway’s home, Sloppy Joe’s where he hung out.  And it’s pretty much owned and operated by gays. Very laid back and some really fine bed and breakfasts, many of them clothing optional.”

“Well, hell, I vote for Key West,” he said, laughing.

We didn’t talk about it again for several days. I asked him if he’d given it any more thought.

“I thought we’d decided on Key West,” he said.

So be it.

To be continued...