Friends and Family Series

Kip & Kyle

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 4

Kip was much happier at Columbia.  After the first three months he became comfortable with the new arrangement.  Now that he had some spare time on his hands, he took Kyle's advice and joined the New York Athletic Club.  They didn't see as much of each other since Kip began his new program at Columbia.

Kyle was overseas most of the time.  The money markets in Europe and Asia were hurting the U.S. Export business dramatically.  Just as Kyle solved one problem, another cropped up in another country.  Frankly, he was tired of the traveling and wanted to stay home for a while.  He was scheduled to fly home to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with Kip.  They spoke several times a week and kept abreast of what was going on.

Kip broke up with Sue Anne and decided not to become involved in another relationship until he finished college.  If Sue Anne had been smarter, and given him more rope, he wouldn't have gotten away.  It was all for the best; Sue Anne was one of those young women looking for her MRS Degree.  She decided if it was not Kip, then it was going to be some other man.  She was determined to end up with her future husband before she graduated.

Kip was spending his weekends at Petersen Manor while Kyle was abroad.  He was having more fun now that he made the acquaintance of the college crowd at the country club.  Kip got a kick out of inviting his friends to the Manor for Sunday brunch to watch their faces after they had a chance to look around.

Kyle arrived back at the apartment on Tuesday afternoon.  After a bowl of soup, he went to bed and slept through until six o'clock the next morning.  After a shower and breakfast, he started to feel much better.  George told him that Kip had called several times.  He was staying at the Manor and asked Kyle to call him when he awoke.  Kyle told George to order the limo for his trip to Old Greenwich.

Kyle dialed the Manor, "Hi, Walter, is Kip there?"

"No sir, he is riding at the moment, but he took his cellphone along in case you called.  Do you have that number, sir?"

"Yes, I do, Walter.  I should be leaving within the hour and will be there for lunch."

Kyle redialed, "Hi, Bro, how's the weather in your neck of the woods?"

"Kyle!!  I was beginning to get worried.  George said you went to bed before six last night.  Are you alright?"

"I'm fine now, I'm sorry, I should have called, but I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open.  Do you have anything planned for today?"

"No, I left my calendar completely open until I heard from you.  What are your plans?"

"None, I plan to hang loose and unwind," Kyle said.  "I should be home for lunch and we can talk then.  If you had planned to do something with your friends, go ahead, don't let me stop you."

"Don't be silly; even if I did have something planned, I'd cancel it.  Catch you at lunch."

Petersen Manor

"Welcome home, Mr. Petersen, it's good to have you home again," Walter said.  "Mr. Schmidt is in the second floor den, sir."

"Thanks Walter, it is good to be home."

Kip was typing away on his computer as Kyle walked into the den.  When he saw Kyle, he jumped up with a big smile on his face.

"Kyle!" He took him in his arms and hugged him.  "God, it's good to see you again, sit down and let me look at you."

"Hi, little brother, you look terrific, this country air does wonders for you."

"It looks like you could afford to spend some time in the country.  You look tired; this trip has taken a lot out of you."

"I am tired; I've been pushing myself too hard.  How much time do you have off from school?"

“I don't have to be back until a week from Monday."

"Did you have anything planned for Thanksgiving?"

"Nope, I'm at your disposal.  You realize you owe me something like twenty-four Sundays.  Don't think I'm going to let you off the hook either."

Kyle chuckled, "What, don't those two weeks we spent in Spain and Germany earn me any bonus points?"

"Okay, if you're going to play hard ball, I'll knock off nine days."

"How do you figure nine days, we were gone fourteen days?"

Kip smiled, "Ah yes, but Karl spent five of those days with us, so dear brother — those five days don't count."

Kyle laughed, "I can see I've created a monster.  How about we take off this afternoon and spend the rest of your vacation in St. Thomas?"

Kip was smiling from ear to ear, "Right-on brother.  What time are we leaving?"

"Let me call the charter service to see if they have a jet available."  Kyle made the call and hung up the phone.  "We take off at three o'clock this afternoon.  Will that give you enough time to pack?"

"You bet. OK, Kyle, but you still owe me four days when we get back.  Why don't you have Walter pack our bags?"

"Yes, master, anything else?"

"If there is I'll let you know," Kip said laughingly as he turned off his notebook computer and closed it up.  "I need to take this along just in case things get boring.  Seriously though, I'll need to spend some time on this program that I promised to turn in to my boss next week."

"How are you doing at the office?"

"Great, I'm really enjoying my job and the staff is super."

"How are you doing at Columbia?"

"God, what a difference, it's a new world for me.  It's not that NYU isn't a good school, but Columbia reminds me more of the schools I went to in Germany.  The professors are first class.  I've met so many interesting people there.  It's really an exciting and stimulating learning environment.  I still try to keep in touch with a few of my friends at NYU for a beer, but less frequently now.  I just don't have the time anymore.  While you were away, I spend my weekends here.  I love this place and I've been using our Sundays to have some of my new-found friends in for brunch."

"I'm glad that you're keeping yourself busy and amused.  As you know, my parents liked their Sunday brunches."

"And speaking of parents … how is Karl?"

"He's fine, thank you; he sends his regards."

"I had hoped you would have become friendlier with Karl after your stay in Germany? I gather you still don't like him, Kip?"

"No, I don't like him, but he's not my lover.  I guess I'm old fashioned when it comes to marriage or for that matter any meaningful relationship between two people.  I'm not willing to share the person I love with anyone else.  How can a married man like Karl justify his relationship with you? He's married for Christ's sake.  It's your life to live anyway you want, but you are also my friend, and I don't want to see you get hurt.  I'm sure Karl loves you in his own way, yet I don't think he will ever leave his wife and children to live with you.  Does Karl's wife know he is bisexual?"

"Of course not."

"Am I making you uncomfortable knocking your relationship with Karl?"

"Not really."

"How did you discover he was gay?"

"We met in an exclusive gay bar and one thing lead to another until we became lovers."

"Are you hoping that Karl will leave his wife for you?"

"He said he would after his children are out of the nest."

"How long have you been lovers?"

"Four years now."

"How old are his children?"

"The youngest boy is fourteen."

Kip smiled and shook his head, "Well, that's not too bad, you only have to wait another four years.  Look, tiger, I've got to pull some things together for Walter to pack, so I'm going to run along."

"No; wait a minute! Why are you so skeptical about Karl? You really don't think he'll leave his family for me, do you?"

"No, I don't, not for you, or any other man.  But, that's only my opinion.  I'm just a college kid, what do I know about life in the fast lane?"

"Are you jealous of my relationship with Karl? Are you afraid you would be pushed aside if I married Karl?"

"Why should I be jealous of Karl? It hasn't changed anything in the last three years I've lived with you, so why would it change anything in the future.  Even if he did decide to live with you, Germany will always be his home, and certainly, he would not be willing to live here in Connecticut.  Karl is a big man in Germany and is a product of the Austro-German aristocracy.  He is used to that way of living.  He has that old world charm, and granted he's attractive.  You forget, I'm a German, and my ancestors date back to the same aristocracy as Karl's family.  I know how Karl thinks.

"Again, my only concern is for your well-being; I don't want to see you hurt.  You deserve the best, and Karl, as far as I'm concerned, is not good enough for you.  Your only chance of marring him is if his wife dies or leaves him.  Karl will never sue for a divorce.  First, he is a German aristocrat, second he enjoys his position and power and third, he is rich. Most of all, he loves his sons.  He would dishonor his family name with a divorce, even if his wife learned about you, she would never grant him a divorce."

Kyle had a sad look in his eyes as he let out a deep sigh, "I wish you were available; you would make the ideal mate for me," he said as he stood and walked toward his dressing room.

To be continued...

Posted: 08/10/12