Birthday Dare

By: Rick Masters
(© 2014-2015 by the author)

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

Chapter 50

After breakfast it seemed like time moved very slowly but then also sped up dramatically throughout the day. Both Steve and Mike did not talk much more about the issue that was before them but chose rather to fill their time together talking about and doing other things which probably gave rise to the apparent erratic passage of time.

Both boys did find, however, despite their earlier decisions, that the arrival of the director from Dick's company and the arrival of Mike's father Dan with the unexpected arrival also of Dan's partner in the business did make them feel rather nervous.

"Hi, guys, sorry to spring this on you but it was a late thought and Jordan agreed to come along at the last minute as I was concerned my thinking might be a bit biased if it came to having to make a decision and this way we can make it together." Dan explained the addition of a third member to the party.

"Hello Mike, it has been quite some time since I last saw you. It is good to meet you again". Jordan said extending his hand towards Mike. Then turning towards me, "And you must be Steve. It is good to meet you too. I hope this will not be too traumatic for the two of you."

Dad introduced his director to us who shook our hands and then lent in and gave each of us a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I can see why you two are attracted to each other." He straightened up with a smile and both of us blushed. Then taking charge he said, "You can call me Derek. Are the two mothers joining us for this discussion? As I think we should get started."

"You better believe the two mothers are joining in." mum answered his question as she walked through with a tray with teas and coffees on it followed by Michelle also with a tray but hers had a plate of biscuits and some beers and glasses on it. "Let's get the refreshments sorted and then we can continue undisturbed." She finished with as she put the tray down on the coffee table in the sitting room.

Both our dads offered us a beer but we both chose to go with coffee while the two mums had tea and the four men each plumped for a beer. Watching Derek swallow a mouthful of beer I had to admit that if I did not know better I would not have thought he was gay. There was nothing in the way he moved or spoke that suggested anything like that.

Having swallowed his first mouthful of beer Derek took the lead again, "Believe me Steve and Mike when I say that it is not our intention to cause you two any trouble with this and while some of the other directors are insisting that you be part of the publicity we are trying to gain I don't believe they will force us to withdraw our offer to the centre if you two refuse to be a part of it. However, having two young men such as yourselves showing that the centre can and does help young people is part of the aim of our publicity through the donation. Mike it seems you want to say something."

Mike had put up his hand as if he were in class and wanting permission to speak. "I think we can make this meeting easier if we tell you what Steve and I have discussed and decided. We are already out to a select few people some of whom go to the same school as us. We want to be able to be a couple at school and that means coming out to all and sundry and we have decided to do that but thought that waiting until the presentation to the centre is made might make the others go a bit easier on us as there will be that bit of notoriety surrounding us, but if there is going to be a delay in the publicity then we might just come out to some of our friends before that and let it filter out. So really our only concern now is that no mention is made of the reason we ended up at the centre in the first place just that we went looking for advice. People can then assume that it was for advice on coming out."

"That is a very courageous step to take and I commend you. I came here this evening expecting to tell you that we would go ahead with our donation even if you guys refused to be a part of the publicity. Sorry Dan I could not tell you earlier because I really only made my mind up on the way over. But now I can see the point in having a bit of fame to come out under and I agree that it could help in smoothing the way for Steve and Mike. So I propose we look to getting this done as quickly as possible. I think we could arrange our side by Wednesday, how about you Derek? And would that be early enough for you two to wait?" Jordan interjected.

"Yes, we can make the announcement anytime and then work out the logistics with the centre after that. And I am sure the media will be able to get there in time to give the coverage. Shall we aim for late Wednesday afternoon? Would that be okay for you boys to get there and soon enough for you to show your love for each other nationally?" Derek asked with a huge teasing smile on his face.

Mike and I turned to look at each other and we did not have to discuss anything. We both knew that we would agree to that and so turning back I said, "Yes that will be fine with us."

Jordan raised an eyebrow and was about to ask how I could answer for both of us when Dan said, "They have this thing between them Jordan. It will be fine." Which simply caused the second eyebrow to rise and then he said, "remind me not to play bridge with you guys if you partner up." Everyone chuckled realising what he was getting at. "Well then, thank you boys. Now I am going to give you my persuading talk that I had prepared just so it doesn't go to waste." Which got some more chuckles.

"While I am well aware of the circumstances and how much your fathers were involved in getting our two companies to make a donation each to the centre, we are very aware that it kicked off from you two. We are also very aware that a lot, in fact most kids today tend to sit back and expect everything to be done for them. But because you two did not follow that pattern something good is happening that will help a lot of other people who are experiencing difficulties in life through possibly no fault of their own. We wanted to show what young people who are willing to get off their butts and do something can achieve and hopefully through that encourage some more young people to do the same because we are worried that the leaders of tomorrow will still be sitting back expecting it all on a plate."

"And that is it in a nutshell." Derek added. "Steve and Mike it is not going to be easy for you because no matter how famous you are there will still be some bigots out there who want to take a shot at you because you are gay. I act straight more than I do gay because I know that it could kill our business if some of our clients knew that I was openly gay. And I don't believe that we would gain as much from the more accepting client base as we would lose from the bigots. Both of you have great parents and you can be as proud of your parents as they are of you but should you need further help either ask your father to come to me or pick up the telephone and call me direct and I will do all that is in my power to help you, not so much because you are gay, but because you deserve it with your attitude towards life and others. I am proud to be associated with you."

"Hear, hear." Jordan added as he clapped his hands. "And the same goes for me too. Send a message and I will help in any way I can, but knowing Dan and I am guessing Dick is no different, I very much doubt there is much that you might be needing help with beyond what they can do for you."

"Well now that you come to mention it. We will both be going to university in a year or so." I said and grinned. "Just teasing." I added after a short pause.

"Oh Steve, you are incorrigible!" mum said embarrassed.

"No really, I am just joking mum. We are not used to this sort of praise and I had to say something before I either burst with pride or burnt up with embarrassment." I responded.

"Steve, you might have been joking, but don't look down on the idea you just put forward. There are a lot of companies who sponsor young folk through university. Some of the sponsorship comes with strings attached which is understandable but not all of it. I happen to have some connections with other companies who are involved in this sort of thing. So we will let the dust settle on this event and then both of you are going to come and see me and we will have a chat about your future and then I will see if any of my connections might be able to help. Of course you will have to go through the same selection process as any other applicant, but you might have an advantage with the publicity you earn from this event and some good letters of recommendation from business leaders." Derek said.

"Thank you, I don't know what else to say but thank you." I said meekly.

"And one other thing, you guys are both over seventeen years old now so what would you think about finding some holiday work? We don't have anything at the company but some of my friends do have and I could put a word in for you if you want it." Derek added.

"Thank you, that would be great because then we could start saving a bit towards our uni costs." Mike answered for both of us.

"And we will keep our ears open too. It would be better not to take a partner's child on as other employees will soon jump on their soap boxes and cry 'nepotism', but we also have friends in the business world who would gladly employ somebody with our recommendation." Jordan added.

"There is one more thing that we need to discuss. At the presentation, you two young men are going to highlighted and this means that the media will be after you for comments and statements. I would like to suggest that you take the humble approach and keep it simple. Say that you feel honoured or privileged to have had a part to play in getting the donations from these two companies and you want to thank the companies for their generosity. And leave it at that." Derek suggested.

"Yes I agree with that too. We will have had a bit to say before you two get to speak and a lot of what you might have said will have already been said so there is no point in repeating it. Rather leave us to take the hard questions." Jordan concurred.

"That is fine by me, I would rather not face the media at all, but I know we can't be at the front and not get a bit of it." I said.

"Yes we will certainly be happy to leave you to tackle the hard questions and might even refer some to you if you don't mind." Mike added.

"Good, that is settled then." Derek said. "Dick, will you come and see me on Monday some time, there is another matter I would like to discuss with you."

"Yes of course. What time?" Dad replied.

"When you have a few minutes to spare just give Veronica a call and she will tell you if I am free, and you can come on up." Derek said.

"Okay, I will do that." Dad agreed.

Derek and Jordan left within a few moments of each other leaving our two families together once more.

"I don't feel much like sending my wife home to cook. What say we all go out to a carvery or pub and have a meal together?" Dan suggested.

"I second that idea," mum chipped in quickly.

"Well we could consider the Mostert Carvery," dad said with a sly grin on his face.

"If we go to that one, the male chef is on duty tonight." Mum retorted.

"Touché!" Dad admitted defeat, "Anyone got a preference?"

There was a fair bit of discussion during which almost every food establishment within a twenty mile radius was mentioned as an option to choose from and it was finally settled after a few phone calls to check availability of table space to go to the Toby Carvery in the next town as the one for our town was fully booked.

When we got there we had to wait a short while for our table to come free and while we were waiting Derek arrived with another man. He could not miss seeing us as the waiting area formed a part of the entrance vestibule.

"Dick it seems great minds think alike." Derek said smiling. "I would like to introduce Rupert to you. Rupert, this is Dick who works for my company and his good wife Ruth. This is Steve their son and his boyfriend Mike and you know I have already talked about them quite a bit. And these two people are Mike's parents Dan and Michelle. And all of you this is my partner and soul mate, Rupert."

Rupert stepped forward and there was the usual round of handshakes and "good to meet you's". Then Derek said, "if they are able to accommodate us with you would you mind if we joined you. I would like Rupert to have the opportunity to get to know some of those I have been talking about lately and it will also give me the opportunity to get to know you all a bit better?"

"I don't have a problem with that, are you alright with it dear?" Dan asked Michelle.

"That would be lovely," mum said and dad nodded his agreement.

"What about you two. Are both of you happy with that?" Derek asked us specifically which made us feel good.

"Yes, it will be nice to share our table with you." Mike answered and I nodded in agreement.

"Good, I will go and see what can be arranged." Derek took off leaving Rupert with us. We stood in silence for a bit.

"I hope you don't mind, but Derek has shared with me some of what you have discussed tonight. Derek does use me as a bit of a sounding board for things at times." Rupert broke the silence. "Steve and Mike, you are doing a brave thing and a good thing. I hope you do not take too much hassle from your peers at school. I wish that I had had the courage to come out when I was that young. I might have had a very much better life than constantly being on my guard in case something I said or did let the cat out of the bag."

"Yes, but the people back then were a lot more conservative and you probably would have had a worse time as you might have been ostracised by nearly everybody including some of your own family." I said.

"That is true, but then Derek and I could have been together more in our teens." Rupert said.

"You have known Derek since you were teenagers?" Mike asked.

"Derek and I have known each other and been good friends since we were five. We did not discover that we were both gay and in love with each other until we were looking at universities to go to and thought that it would be great if we could go to the same university. Then somehow it just slipped out and we had our first kiss." Rupert told us.

"My. That is both sad and happy at the same time." Mum said.

"Well there is more to that story too, but I would want Derek to be with me before we share anymore" Rupert said.

"Share anymore what?" Derek asked as he returned to us.

"Our life story." Rupert answered.

"Oh well there will be time enough to bore them with that later. If half of us are willing to sit on a bench seat then they can seat us now." Derek said.

We were all agreed and so the waitress who had been hovering took us through and showed us where to sit explaining the way the carvery worked and the upgrades and perpetual drinks we could have.

Mike and I immediately headed for the bench seat as we felt we were more suited to working our way along it. Mum and dad joined us on the bench and I noticed that Rupert made sure he was sitting on the end immediately opposite Mike so that I would be opposite Derek, with Dan and Michelle next to Derek and opposite my parents. All the males took the upgrade in size but both mums stayed with the standard plate and after our drinks had been delivered to the table we headed up to the carvery to get our main course as none of us wanted a starter first.

At the end of the meal Derek announced that this had been a business meal and it was going on his expense account which pleased our parents.

Derek reminded dad to go and see him on Monday at work as we parted company once more and headed home. Mike was riding with me in our car as he was staying the night and so we said goodbye to his parents at the same time as Derek and Rupert. On the way home, dad suggested that we might want to watch something on the tele but he and mum were going to take themselves to bed as they were pretty tired. Mike said that he was still finding he needed more rest than before his surgery and that we would probably also just go straight to bed.

To be continued...
 

Posted: 07/03/15