The Lloyd King Story

Friends and Family Series

The Lloyd King Story

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 7

We arrived at the Hong Kong Palace restaurant, the newest of the restaurant chain of twenty restaurants that Randy and Kim jointly owned. This was not your average Chinese restaurant. This was an upscale gourmet Chinese restaurant. The dishes were authentic Chinese cuisine. These restaurants could only be found in major cities that catered to people who appreciated superior restaurants and enjoyed a leisurely dinner with impeccable service.

They were shown to their table. Kim ordered them a special Chinese dinner that was to be a new feature on the menu in the future. Every dish was excellent; they had finished their dinner and were having their tea when a well-dressed Eurasian man came up to their table.

Kim introduced his nephew, Robert Lee. After the introductions, Randy and Kim excused themselves leaving Robert and Lloyd alone.

"You have a delightful British accent," Lloyd said. "Most Americans, me included, are attracted to a British accent. Your uncle has told us about your wish to make a career change. Your resume is very impressive Robert; quite honestly, I feel that you are overqualified for the position we have to offer. My feeling is that you will become bored very quickly with the job and leave us. Perhaps you can tell me why a well educated man like you would want to become a house manager?"

"Let me assure you, that if you do decide to hire me, I have no intention of leaving you, unless of course, you find my work unsatisfactory," Robert said. "I entered this country on a work permit. It is my intention to become an American citizen. My uncle was kind enough to sponsor me and gave me a job. Being a waiter was not a choice, it is a necessity. My degree and training has been in marketing. I've tried to find a job in advertising and marketing in this country. Believe me, I tried hard. I had a great many interviews, but no job offers.

"Finally, after being rejected by the last company, I asked the recruiter to level with me and tell me why I was being rejected. He was the first man that told me the painful truth. The reason why these firms wouldn’t hire me was because I lack experience dealing with the American market. His feeling was that I could not communicate with an audience I knew nothing about. He suggested I go back to college in this country for my MBA and learn more about how Americans think and act, then apply for a job in advertising."

"My uncle thought this opportunity with you would be ideal. It would allow me to be exposed to the more affluent members of American society, yet give me the flexible hours to attend college" Robert said.

"Kim suggested we convert one of the utility rooms into a bedroom for you," Lloyd said. "Did he mention that to you?"

"He did, in fact I would prefer that," Robert said. "I would be willing to take less of a salary if you allowed me to live in your home. At present, I live with a Chinese family and I share a small bedroom with their teenage son. They are decent people, but the bedroom is no bigger than a closet and I have no privacy."

"I'm a good cook and know how to clean a house. I admit I have no experience running a household, but I'm a fast learner," Robert said. "I'm skilled in the martial arts and I have no bad habits. You will not be disappointed if you hire me."

"Before we go any further, Robert, you should know that Randy and I are a gay married couple. If you can't handle that, then this is the time to say so."

"Didn't my uncle tell you that I was gay?"

"No, I was unaware of that," Lloyd said. "Would you answer a personal question for me?"

"Yes sir."

Lloyd smiled, "You are an attractive young man; what assurances do I have that you're not going to run off and get married yourself?"

Robert laughed, "Thanks for the compliment, but you don't have to worry about that happening any time soon. My career and my education come first."

"You look more American than Chinese."

"My mother was an American and died of cancer five years ago. My father insisted that I leave Hong Kong and immigrate to the United States before the Communists took over. It has taken over five years to finally make it. Even though my Mother was an American, I was still considered Chinese. Dad feared that I would be ostracized by the new government because I was Eurasian and a homosexual, not a good combination in China."

"Both Randy and I work long hours. I'm rarely home most evenings. The duplex will be a full time job until you learn the ropes," Lloyd said. "Your job will be to run the household efficiently. That will include the shopping, taking care of our personal laundry and preparing the main meal each day. We prefer to fix our own breakfast and rarely eat lunch at home. We plan to spend our weekends at Water View, our county home. If you are interested, I would like you to spend the day with Kim tomorrow to see if this job is for you. You can let me know your decision tomorrow evening. Do you have any questions of me?"

"No, sir, I'll work out the details with Uncle Kim."

"If you do decide to take the job, you will be required to take a drug test and a blood test."

"That is not a problem, I'm not into drugs and I have no social diseases."

"Good! Let's wait for Randy and Kim in the lounge. They may need this table."

Lloyd and Robert joined Randy and Kim in the lounge. Lloyd mentioned the arrangements he and Robert had made for tomorrow. Kim decided to stick around the restaurant for a while.

Randy and Lloyd left and took a taxi home where they went to bed and made love, falling asleep in each other’s arms.

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Lloyd could not make it to Randy Senior's office. They decided to meet at The French Restaurant on East 52nd at noon, instead.

Lloyd arrived on time and was shown to Mr. Cavanaugh's table.

"Perfect timing," Senior said. "Another of your trying mornings I take it?"

"Yes sir; thank you for rearranging your schedule."

"Last week Randy told me all about Curtis and about his charming wife, Dotty. I'm still not over the shock," Lloyd said. "You all have suffered so much. This tragedy had to be devastating for you and your wife. The reason I bring this up at all is because Randy was very upset about losing the gold cross and chain Curtis left him. I plan to buy Randy another hollow cross and fill it with Curtis' ashes. It was Curtis' wish that Randy wear the cross in his memory. Would you help me to get a few grains of his ashes to place inside the cross?"

"So that was why Randy was so upset about losing that cross," Senior said. "He became hysterical at the time and never told me what the cross meant to him. We tore his room apart, but never found that cross."

"I've been wracking my brain to select a gift for Randy and I thought this would be something he would cherish. It's difficult to buy something for the man that has everything. I felt that this would be something that Randy wouldn't do for himself. It's not necessary for you to come with me; all I'll need is your written permission to open the crypt."

"Let me know when you'll want to go and I'll take you there myself," Senior said.

"That's very kind of you, Mr. Cavanaugh. I would like to know about your childhood, what your folks were like and your aspirations. You know all about me, yet I know very little about your family."

Randy Senior told Lloyd his life story up to the time he met and married Grace. "I think the rest of the story can wait until next week," Senior said. "It's two o'clock and I'm sure you have a busy afternoon ahead of you. This was a pleasant lunch and we should do it again. Let me know your schedule for next week."

"My goodness, I was so engrossed in your story, I lost all track of time. You're a fascinating storyteller. I could listen to you all afternoon, thank you for a relaxing and interesting lunch."

They shook hands and went their separate ways.

Lloyd called Randy at five to let him know he would not be home until seven-thirty.

He had no trouble catching a cab when he left his office and was home in ten minutes. He found Randy working at his computer in the library when he arrived. Lloyd kissed him and went to their bedroom suite to change for dinner. When he returned, Randy was waiting for him in the living room. They sat on the sofa next to each other.

Randy kissed him on the cheek and said, "Sorry I missed you at the office. Dad was in good spirits when he returned. He said he had a pleasant lunch and you're meeting him again next week."

"Your dad is a very complex man. He told me some of his fascinating life story, and we're planning to get together for lunch next week and cover the juicy parts about you, as you were growing up."

"If my Dad has asked you to join him for lunch a second time, it's because he likes your company and not because you're my other half. Did you know that Dad never liked Dotty? He was always the perfect gentlemen, but that was as far as it went. Mom felt the same way, but never had a bad thing to say about anyone."

"Dotty and I double dated a few times with Curtis. But he begged off after the second time. He couldn't warm up to her. Naturally, it bothered me that he felt that way and talked about it at some length. Curtis felt she was insincere and didn't really love me. That was his gut feeling for what it was worth. He never mentioned it again after we got engaged, but his attitude toward Dotty never changed and he kept his distance. It really hurt me that both Dad and Curtis felt that way. It was the only time in my life that I didn't take their advice and it came back to haunt me."

"Oh, before I forget, Robert would like to speak to you when you have a chance."

"Let me take care of that now so we can make out after dinner."

Robert was helping his uncle in the kitchen when he walked in.

"Kim, could you spare Robert for a few minutes?"

"No problem, Mr. Lloyd."

"We'll only be a few minutes."

"Well, Robert, what have you decided to do?"

"I feel confident that I can do the job taking care of you and Mr. Cavanaugh. I would like to accept the job."

"That's fine, Robert. I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to talk on Saturday, but I had to run out to Long Island. I want you to consider Saturday your first day on the job. I expect you to use one of the spare bedrooms until we have a proper bedroom suite built for you. Go ahead and move your things in tomorrow. I'll have Randy set up an appointment for you to meet with our financial manager tomorrow. He'll take care of all the details in scheduling your physical, your salary package and in setting up a household account. After we have a household routine established, I want you to enroll at either Columbia or NYU for that MBA. We will pay for that. Now if there's anything I've forgotten, you let me know. Again, don't hesitate to come to Randy or me if you have any problems."

"Thank you so much, you won't be disappointed in hiring me."

"I know we won't, Robert. You'll do just fine."

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During the next three months, Lloyd's job was demanding more and more of his time. He was spending weeks at a time on the road and returned to a desk full of work on his return. On top of everything else he lost another key production manager and had to fill in on the projects himself. He had no backup managers to take up the slack. Naturally, his daily routine work was suffering due to his absence. The long hours and tension were taking its toll on him both physically and mentally. The job was putting a strain on his personal life as well.

Randy had flown to California to spend the weekend with him, but he spent most of the day in the hotel room until Lloyd returned late in the evening exhausted.

Lloyd had lost weight and developed dark circles under his eyes. The evenings he did come home early, he would fall asleep in Randy's arms in the middle of their conversation.

Lloyd and Randy Senior finally were able to get together for lunch after three months. As usual they had a long and relaxing lunch together. When Senior returned to his office that afternoon he made a beeline for Randy's office.

"I was absolutely shocked when I saw Lloyd today," Senior said. "He looks bad, Randy. Has he seen a doctor? Randy, you've got to do something about this immediately. I'm worried about Lloyd."

"You're right, Dad. I've let this go on too long. I thought he would have straightened this out by now, but it only gets worse. I'm going to put a stop to it tonight."

"Look, son, no job in the world is worth Lloyd's health. I've become attached to him and we don't want you to lose him. He'll end up in a sanatorium if he keeps up this pace."

That was the last straw for Randy. He knew his Dad was right. He was wrong allowing Lloyd to continue on this way. He called Lloyd at the office and told him he wanted him home by six.

Lloyd was in the middle of his afternoon production meeting when his secretary pointed to her watch. It was five o'clock. Lloyd stood and told Jim White to continue the meeting without him, he had to leave.

Lloyd knew Randy was angry with him. There was hardness to his voice that he had never heard before. His mind was racing with everything he left unfinished at the office. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he passed Tiffany. He retraced his steps and walked in the front door. The salesman had called earlier that morning to let him know the cross and chain was ready for him. The last time he was in town, he and Randy Senior had made the trip to the cemetery to fill the hollow cross with Curtis's ashes. He had the Tiffany jeweler seal the cross and inscribed the back for him.

He made it home and had changed into his casual clothes before Randy arrived. He decided to lay down on the lounge in their bedroom suite and rest until Randy arrived.

Randy arrived a little after six and found Lloyd asleep. He changed his clothes, walked over to the lounge and sat next to Lloyd. He took his hand and woke him.

"Hi, Baby, are you still angry with me?" Lloyd asked.

Randy kissed him, "I'm not angry with you, my love," Randy said. "I'm angry at what I'm allowing you to do to yourself. I don't want to lose you. If you keep pushing yourself this way, you're going to end up in the funny farm. You're my spouse and I'm not going to let this job destroy you. You have become so wrapped up in this project that you have allowed it to take precedence over what is really important in your life. Does this job mean more to you than your health, or me?"

"I've been selfish. I'm sorry I've neglected you. What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to call Paul Chadwick this minute and tell him your doctor has said you are suffering from exhaustion and you must take some time off."

Lloyd didn't hesitate, he reached for the telephone and made the call to Paul and briefed him on the project and the emergencies that had to be handled immediately. He hung up the telephone and moved over so Randy could lay next to him on the lounge.

"I feel badly for neglecting you," Lloyd said. "I'm so exhausted; I feel I could sleep a week."

"We're leaving tomorrow morning for Water View and we'll talk about our future. I have a plan I think you'll like. We are both too young to retire; we need to work and keep active. But let me stress once again, baby. You don't need to work, you're a millionaire. I want you to listen to me this time. You're married to me and you never have to concern yourself about money again," Randy said. "I've opened a joint checking account and the check book is in the center desk drawer in the library. Anytime you need money for anything, go out and buy it. I understand you want to make your mark on the world and that's commendable. We both have this drive to succeed, and we will, but we must be realistic in our approach to that goal. That is one thing we're going to discuss."

"Before I forget, your sister Marge called to say that she has a signed contract on the Bay Shore house and you should clear over a hundred thousand on the deal."

"That's fantastic news."

"Call your folks next week and tell them you're buying them a high-rise condo in Sarasota, Florida. Let our banker handle everything. You can't afford to make that much of a profit and not invest it into another property."

"God you’re wonderful, Randy, you're so good to me. At least this time I have something to give you in return." He handed him the package from Tiffany.

Randy opened the box and took out the gold chain with the cross. He read the inscription, "Our love forever, Curtis and Lloyd."

"It's beautiful, thank you. I promise I will never lose this one."

Lloyd took the chain and placed it around Randy's neck and said, "With this chain I thee wed, my love. It's taken me a little time to find a cross that would hold Curtis' ashes."

Randy squeezed him tightly and held him. "Don't ever leave me."

"How could I ever leave my beautiful protector?"

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Lloyd and Randy spent the week at Water View House relaxing. They talked from morning until late in the evening about their lives and their future plans together. Lloyd never once mentioned Chadwick or Telecom. "I would like to show you the house where Curtis and I grew up."

"I've been looking forward to that for some time," Lloyd said.

The Cavanaugh estate was completely hidden by a high stone wall. Beyond the wall was a wooded area thick with spruce and oak trees. Randy drove up to the gate, pushed the small electronic device attached to the dash and the gate swung open. The drive made a sharp turn to the left for several hundred feet then another sharp turn to the right. The tree break ended to reveal a beautifully landscaped lawn. The road ended at the brick paved circular driveway leading to the three-story mansion. The house was huge with several impressive smaller buildings behind the manor house.

Randy parked his van at the front door. He opened the door with a combination of numbers on the touch pad mounted at the side of the door. Randy introduced Lloyd to the butler and housekeeper and said, "Mr. King is my partner and is to be treated as one of the family."

The interior was absolutely beautiful. Randy took him on the tour of all the public rooms on the first floor and the huge modern hotel size kitchen. The basement corridor resembled the corridor you would find in a modern office building. It was brightly lit with highly polished floors and pastel painted doors. The house had a modern heating plant and diesel powered electric generators is case of a power failure. They took the elevator to the third floor that served as guest rooms and staff studio apartments. Finally, down to the second floor where the family bedroom suites were located. There were several bedroom suites on the left side of the floor and only two large bedroom suites on the right. These were the family's suites. Randy and Curtis shared one and their parents the other.

Randy took Lloyd into the bedroom suite he had shared with Curtis. It was a large suite with a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookshelves. There were two separate modular desk units made of hand carved mahogany. The furniture was covered in natural leather in pleasant earth tones. The wide board hardwood floors were finished in a warm walnut stain adorned with handmade Indian designed rugs in the same tones as the furniture. The room had an inviting, warm feeling about it.

"This is the first time I've been in this room in over three years," Randy said. "It brings back too many memories. This is where Curtis and I spent our childhood and young adult life."

He showed Lloyd Curtis' room where there were book shelves that held his trophies and ribbons, and photographs of him accepting his awards. "The rooms are exactly as we left them," Randy said. "Nothing has changed. They're dusted and cleaned with loving care by the same staff."

They sat in the sitting room. Randy reminisced about the happy days he spent here and of the good times he and Curtis spent together.

"I don't remember too much about returning here after I left Dotty. That was a traumatic and depressing time for me and I don't remember leaving here, or of the time I spent in the sanatorium for almost two years."

Lloyd walked over to Randy and took his hand, "Come with me." He led him into Randy's bedroom and locked the door and held him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. He undressed him and climbed into Randy's bed where they made love.

"I can finally make love to you in the place where I longed to be, my handsome lover," Lloyd said. "I've loved you for eight years, Randy, and I will until the day I die."

Randy began to cry and didn't stop for a long time. Lloyd held him until Randy got it out of his system. They fell asleep in each other's arms.

They were awakened by the loud crash of thunder that shook the whole house.

"I'm sorry if I upset you before," Lloyd said. "I should have known this room would have triggered some unpleasant memories for you."

"You did just the opposite," Randy said. "This is the first time I've had the courage to face this room again. I feel close to Curtis' spirit. You have given me the strength I needed to face my demons. I feel at peace with Curtis and I no longer blame myself for his death."

"This past week with you has been glorious," Randy said. "It's the first real honeymoon we've had. The days have slipped by too fast. It seems we are never at a loss for things to talk about. The nice thing is that I'm learning more about you every day. I don't regret not having the luxury of a long courtship before we married; I think it's delightful to get to know each other this way. I'm deliriously happy with you."

"I've never told you how impressed I was with the package you put together for Telecom. How you can grasp so many complex elements and make them all work is beyond me. The strategy you used to land the Telecom contract was very creative. I realized you take your obligation very seriously and that is how it should be. I can't argue with you over that. However, there are limits as to how far you can push yourself without ending up like I did."

"My life was not the same when you were away," Randy continued. "I missed your companionship and your warm body next to me. I realize you must work late and that you need to be out of town — that’s a given — but that doesn't mean I like the idea. I don't want you to think I'm making unreasonable demands of you. I realize your career is important and you have to make a commitment to your company. All I'm asking is that you cut back on long hours and spend more time with me."

"There is no reason why you can't do both, I want you to start living a normal life again. I'm not going to stand by and watch you destroy your life. I made that mistake with Curtis. It would kill me if anything happened to you. I need you and love you too much. Dad was all over me last week and very upset with me for allowing you to work so hard. He was angry enough to go to your office and drag you home. I've never seen him so upset. He said no company is worth your life. You are my life now, baby, and I'm not going to lose you."

"You and your dad are good people, I love you both very much," Lloyd said. "I will do anything you say. I'm sorry I put you through this. You come first, Randy. I will never allow this to happen again. This has been a grand week and I've enjoyed every minute with you. I never realized how precious the love between two people can be. It is a wonderful feeling and one that I don't intend to waste. If you want me to resign, I will."

"I've spent the last three months studying the contract you put together for Telecom," Randy said. "Dad and I have kicked it around and have come up with a couple of ideas that may solve our problems.

"First let me say that we both think you're a very talented guy. I'm not saying that because you're my spouse. You have proven yourself to be a top notch manager. Your only serious weakness is not hiring a team of inexperienced managers to run the program.

"Dad and I propose that we start a company for the express purpose of packaging convention programs for large corporations. Just like the Chadwick Organization. We don't think we should get involved in the actual production phases ourselves. We can farm that work out to local production companies. You will head the operation and be responsible for the creative part of the business. I'll oversee the administration and financial part of the business.

"It's going to take us some time to pull everything together, but Dad has promised to help us out by using his staff to put the organization together. Not only that, he has promised to recommend our new company to some of his influential business contacts. My goal is to be ready to open for business in a year. The timing should be perfect. After your contract ends with Telecom you will be free to leave Chadwick.

"The first thing I want you to do when you return to work in two weeks is to hire me as your executive assistant. This will give me an opportunity to observe the whole operation. After I have a good handle on the business, I'll resign and begin to develop our company."

"We both know that the Chadwicks have no intention of making you a partner, or making you a VP. Quite frankly, I don't feel they deserve you. That's all academic anyway, since you will be running your own company. Now what do you think of my plan?"

"I think it's great, particularly the part where we'll be working together as a team. You and your Dad are just super people. You're right about Paul. If he had any plans to make me a VP, he would have done it by now. This is going to be rough on you Randy, I hate to see you putting your head into the Chadwick wringer. If you knew something about our business it might make it a little easier on you. But if you want to go through with this, I'll be there to train you and make it as painless as possible."

"I'm a fast learner and all I'm really looking for is an overview of the operation and how the divisions interact," Randy said. "Once I learn that, the rest will fall into place."

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Lloyd said. "Let's do it."

Randy squeezed him in his arms, "I would like to stay like this for the rest of the day, but I think we should give that beautiful body of yours a rest. Come on baby, let's hit the shower."

It was still raining hard on the return drive to Water View.

"Your estate is really beautiful," Lloyd said. "It certainly puts the Robbins' estate to shame. It has an aesthetic beauty and the architectural lines flow so beautifully. The decor is understated elegance, every room is beautifully furnished and the colors flow gently from one room to the other. Buddy's house by comparison, is too sterile and cold with jarring contrasts. I always felt his manor needed a designer to give it some refinement.

"Your parents are so delightful and down to earth," Lloyd told Randy. "It's hard to believe they are so wealthy. Of course there are many little telling signs that separate you from the average middle class family. Those certain speech patterns give it away."

"I've always believed that breeding will surface in a person later in life. I remember reading a fascinating case study when I took psychology in college. It was about two infants being switched at birth and raised with families from different social backgrounds. One infant came from a wealthy family while the other from a low income family."

"The children were pretty much alike until they reached their teens. That's when the teenagers genetic factors kicked in and they began to assume the characteristics of their natural parents. The child raised with the lower income family did quite well, whereas the child living with the wealthy family had to struggle to keep up with his fellow classmates. Fortunately, the switch was discovered and the boys were returned to their birth parents. The family's money helped the child they raised to reach a level he could never have achieved living with his birth parents. For some reason, I've never forgotten that case study."

"What's really on your mind, Lloyd? Are you afraid my parents will turn against you when they learn about your background, or are you about to tell me that we were switched at birth and you're the rightful heir to the family fortune?"

Lloyd laughed, "Naturally it bothers me a little. Yet, I'm not ashamed of my background and I make no excuses for my family. I don't want your parents thinking I'm one of them when I'm not."

"Somewhere in the back of my mind I had the nagging notion that it was too early to show you the old homestead. I thought it might upset you."

"You're wrong Randy, this estate is beautiful and I love everything you've shown me. It's what this estate represents that concerns me. This is the estate of a wealthy prominent family."

"We are wealthy, but so what?" Randy asked. "You married into this family and we all love you, case closed. Get used to the fact that one day this estate will be ours. You never misrepresented yourself to me, or to my parents. That was never an issue anyway. My parents know the truth about you already; you are socially acceptable, but not wealthy."

"You must understand how my parents think, Lloyd. They are more concerned about how you would fit into the family on the social level not on the size of your bank account."

"My father is a smooth operator and thought he was being very clever in maneuvering me into inviting you to brunch. I was amused, because I knew what he was up to. I was confident that you would be your straightforward self. He was satisfied after learning you were on speaking terms with some of his good friends, hence the reason for your being invited to dinner and your weekly lunches with my dad. One question though, is it true your ancestors date back to the nobles of Spain?"

"Yes, that is true, but it means nothing to me," Lloyd said. "That and a token will get you a ride on any subway."

"Maybe it means nothing to you and me, but to my family, it's important. My dad likes you, your highness, and enjoys your company. He was the one who jumped all over me about your health and wanted you committed to the hospital for observation last week. He was genuinely concerned. When I told him your condition was caused by overwork, he insisted that I kidnap you and force you to take a vacation."

"That's when he insisted that we should set you up in your own business. Aside from that, baby, I'm curious about one thing. Did you always have your nose in a book when you were growing up?"

"As a matter of fact I did. I used every spare moment to read and to absorb as much as I could. I never had the time to read novels. Most of my spare time was spent attending lectures, watching educational television or visiting museums."

"I worked even harder after Buddy opened my eyes to his world after my second year at camp. I realized for the first time that a different world existed out there and I wanted to become part of it. My first visit to his estate was an experience I will never forget. That's when I made up my mind to learn to speak and to act like Buddy and his friends. I felt I had nothing in common with the boys in my neighborhood. Don't misunderstand me; Buddy and Tommy weren't any better than my classmates, they just happened to be more focused on their future and were exposed daily to the finer things of life."

The rain was still strong and showed no sign of letting up as they pulled into the circular drive and ran into the house. Kim had opened the front door to let them in. "I was worried about you two," Kim said. "The weather report said that this was a severe storm and that lighting had knocked out several transformers and downed trees, and took down several power lines. Looks like it will continue all night."

"After we change into some dry clothes, we'll be in the den," Randy said. "Take your time and let us know an hour before dinner is ready."

After they settled comfortably in the den, Randy asked, "What made you change your way of life?"

"It was the comment Buddy made to me about Chip. Buddy developed a serious crush on Chip, but he had a problem. Chip would never be accepted in his social circles. I thought that was sad, because Chip is a nice guy and crazy about Buddy. That's when I asked Buddy to teach me what I must know to be accepted in his social circle. Buddy thought it would be fun, his version of Pygmalion. He relished the idea of fooling his friends."

"As it turned out, I played my part so well he changed his mind and decided not to ever tell anyone the truth about me. He wanted to keep me as a friend, now that I was accepted in his social circle. I never knew until a few months ago that he had a serious crush on me and asked me to become his lover. I never dreamed he felt that way. I always thought we were just sex partners, nothing more. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for Buddy and he still is my best friend. I can never thank him enough for helping me find you. He really didn't have to help, knowing my feelings for you."

"I would like to have them to dinner one night," Randy said. "It will be interesting to meet your playmates."

"Buddy's teaching has taken me on a path I've never regretted. I've achieved my goal and became sophisticated in the process. I've met some exciting and interesting people. Above all, it prepared me to walk next to the most important person in my life. I could not have done that without Buddy's help."

"I love you so much, Lloyd, and I know our marriage will survive. Our destiny was preordained. You see, I don't believe in coincidences, or luck. We have taken a sacred vow that will never be broken. I plan to live out the rest of my life with you."

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To be continued...

Posted: 09/28/12