Keith & Dean

By: Ron Robbins
(© 2011 by the author)
Editor: Frank Perry

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

Chapter 5

Keith narrates:

These last four years have been some of the happiest and most rewarding of my life. Dean accepted my offer and we settled into a relaxed, comfortable existence. This is not to say we didn't have our period of adjustment. Any relationship takes some fine-tuning. In our case good judgment prevailed and we both feel that our friendship has grown stronger because of it. It took us almost a year to find the right place to live. I know for sure, we drove several real estate agents up a wall. Yet, it was worth it in the end. We both agreed on the ideal house in Roswell, Georgia. Dean was not completely sold on the location at first, but decided to humor me in the end. He felt the place was too big for two people. He was right in a way. It was almost as large as the Plantation in Jackson. Yet, he was not aware of my ulterior motives. I pacified him by adding a pool and tennis courts and bought a new van. Then he was happy.

We both carried heavy programs at Tech, in addition to our work for the company. We commuted to Jackson, Mississippi, several times a month; Dean for the computer programs and me for my Board meetings. Three years ago, we decided to use the Agrochemical Division to test our new computer program. The program was so successful I had the system installed at all the divisions. We actually cut our costs by 15-percent in the first year alone. The board approved my decision to hire Dean as project director of computer systems. Of course, they had no choice but to agree. They were not disappointed in my decision.

Although I had always felt Dean was above average as a friend, I never had the opportunity to evaluate him as an employee. His parents had a strong work ethnic that they bestowed on their children. After working with Dean's father Jerry, over a period, I felt certain that Dean would have the same traits. My judgment proved me right. Not only did he do a fine job, but he earned the respect of my executives in the four divisions as well. The job has helped Dean to mature also. He became more self confident and felt more at ease, not only with the job, but in our relationship too. I was delighted with his newfound inner peace.

In the beginning, Dean felt ill at ease because he felt I was treating him like my fair-haired boy. Invariable, he would ask me if it was all right to do this or that in the house. He was making me feel uncomfortable; I wanted him to feel that we were partners and that this was his home, too. I sat him down one afternoon and told him how I felt. That if he didn't stop I was going to break him of the habit. After that he was fine. Oh, he did have an occasional relapse every now and then, but who's perfect? The thing that changed him the most was the high salary and bonuses he was earning. No longer did he acquiesce to my every decision. Now, he felt confident to air his views on a given subject. He dressed better once he began to buy his wardrobe at the better stores.

Toward the end of our first year together, I realized how much I cared for Dean. I wanted more than the platonic relationship we had. Naturally, we were both dating at the time and we cultivated a group of friends that we both enjoyed. Nevertheless, some of the young men I dated left a lot to be desired. Dean refused to allow me to frequent the gay bars, so we settled on an upscale private club that catered to straights and gays alike. They always had a nice crowd and separate dance facilities for the gay men. Your average college kid could not afford this place to begin with; secondly, you had to be a sponsored before you could become a member.

Dean was so much a part of my life by then; I knew that it would be devastating when he moved out on his own in three years. It was a very emotional time for me. I also knew that as long as we were together, I could never have a meaningful relationship with another man. That is when I decided to raise a family. I discussed this at some length with my shrink and then with a family councilor. Adoption was not an option for me, because I was gay. However, my shrink put me in touch with an agency that specialized in finding surrogate mothers. The mother's background was meticulously screened for any heredity defects, as well as their social status. After consulting with my attorneys, I made my decision to start a family.

Before I could set the wheels in motion, I had to get Dean's approval. He didn't embrace the idea with open arms, yet he did not stand in my way. I've always been open with Dean and I felt I couldn't make the move unless he knew my reasons. It was an agonizing decision for me because I really didn't know how Dean would react. I felt that I was putting undue pressure on him by telling him the truth.

When I finally marshaled my courage and told him how I felt, he surprised the hell out of me. He told me that he had suspected as much and realized that my having children would be the right solution. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Here, I thought I was being so clever, hiding my feelings. However, I redoubled my efforts to be more careful.

Today, I have four of the most beautiful children in the world and I love them so much. My first-born were twins, now three years old. The boy I named Dean, and my daughter, Betty, after my mother. My two-year-old daughter, I named Georgette after my sister, and my two-year-old son, Keith, Jr.

I had the family room sound-proofed and made the house child-proofed. I moved Dean's desk to one side of the room, and had a half wall built so we could be with the children when they were awake. I had an outdoor fenced-in play area designed so that it could be reached through the sliding glass doors from the family room. The children shared the wing with Dean and me. They each had their own bedroom and there was a nursery complete with a small dining room and kitchen.

Dean and I continued to share a large comfortable suite with adjoining bedrooms each with its own bath and dressing rooms.

♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦

Keith's plan to ruin the Thornton’s and the Grant’s was moving along nicely. It had taken three years to destroy the business of the two arrogant men. The final blow would be struck in two weeks. His private investigators finally had enough solid evidence on Ken and Norm to put them behind bars where they belonged.

Keith was in the nursery, lying on his stomach while Dean and Betty were sitting on him riding him like a pony. All the while, he was helping Georgiana stack her blocks.

Dean smiled as he walked in. "I thought I'd find you in here."

When the older two children heard his voice, they leaped to their feet and ran to him. "We were waiting all afternoon for you, Uncle Dean."

He reached down, gathered them into his arms and hugged them. "My plane was delayed again, kids. Did you miss me?"

"Yes, Uncle Dean. Daddy said we couldn't go to Stone Mountain unless you were with us. Can we go tomorrow?"

"We'll see, kids. I have to talk to your daddy first," Dean said. "Hi, Tiger, I missed you and the kids. It's good to be home."

"We missed you, too," Keith said. "How was your trip?"

"Productive, yet exhausting," Dean said. "I don't know about you, but I could go for a drink. But first I'm going to shower and change."

"Let me read to the kids and I'll meet you in the living room as soon as I finish here," Keith said.

"Sounds like a plan," Dean said.

Dean had one of his favorite jazz CD's playing softly on the stereo when Keith walked into the room. Keith had changed into one of his new lounging suits. Dean stared at him for a few seconds before speaking. "You know I love those kids, Keith, and you looked like a kid yourself playing with them in the nursery. You know my contract will be up in less than six months."

Keith smiled, "Yes, I know. Would you like to renew it for another four years?"

Dean chuckled, "I just may do that, but we're going to have to make a few changes. You know you're a very clever guy, Tiger. You knew I would fall in love with the kids."

"My children and I thank you for the compliment," Keith said.

"Would you like me to go to Stone Mountain with you and the kids tomorrow?" Dean asked.

"Yes, it should be fun," Keith said. "I have to be in Jackson next Saturday; would you mind sticking around to keep an eye on things? I hate to leave right now but it cannot be helped. Keith Jr. has an ear infection and I'd feel better knowing you will be here."

"Sure, no problem, I have a backlog of work to catch up on anyway. Not to mention the classes I missed. Were you able to record the two lectures I missed?"

"Sure did, they're on your desk," Keith said. "I also got our marks for the last marking period and they were outstanding. We're doing all right for two red necks from Mississippi."

Dean laughed, "You can call yourself a redneck if you want, but I'm a Southern gentleman from Mississippi, I'll have you know."

"And so you are," Keith said. "You've come a long way, baby."

"You'd better believe it," Dean said. "You know there was something that happened at the club that I forgot to mention. I was cleaning out my wallet tonight when I found the card. The last time I went to the club was the night you decided to stay home. Well anyway, I was sitting at our usual table when this attractive person walked to me and said, 'Dean McCall' and I nodded. He extended his hand, 'My name is Alex Savage.' He was a clean cut looking man, so I invited him to sit down. He said he was waiting for his other half to arrive. He mentioned that he had noticed us in the club before and wanted to introduce himself. He knew who we were and said he would like us to join them for cocktails at his home some evening when we were free.

"We talked for a while, when his other half, Sandy, appeared on the scene. Sandy happened to be the most strikingly handsome man I have met. Not only was he polished, but he was interesting. He was the type of person who makes you feel at ease and makes you feel that you're the most important person in the world. You know the type. Anyway, I bought them a drink and we talked for a bit. Then this vivacious, drop dead gorgeous woman, by the name of Lois Parr joined us for a drink as well. They finished their drinks and left shortly to attend a dinner party."

Dean handed Keith the card. "I didn't think much about it until I called Dad, I asked him if he ever heard of Stonewall & Savage Engineering. He told me they were the largest engineering construction firm in the southeast. It seems that Alex Savage is the president and owner of the company and Sandy Lambert, is his number two man. Lois Parr, it turns out, is a high-powered well-connected woman. Dad said it wouldn't hurt to get to cultivate those people."

"Did you forget to mention it to me because they were gay, or because they thought we were a couple," Keith asked?

Dean smiled, "That was ungenerous of you, Tiger. You know I don't have any animosity against gay men. It doesn't bother me if people think we're a couple. I think your jealousy is showing, Tiger."

Keith chuckled, "You're right; I thought I had that under control.  Forgive me?"

"You've been very good about that," Dean said. "You're forgiven."

To be continued...

Posted: 03/30/12