Friends and Family Series

Sandy & Dan

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 6

(Dan's Point of View)

I made an appointment with Dr. Goodman, the psychologist that Gloria recommended. According, to Pete, I was fortunate that Dr. Goodman would see me. He was well known and a respected professor with the faculty of Emory University Medical School. Naturally, if it weren't for Gloria, the good doctor would never have taken me on as a patient. Although I tried not to show it, I was extremely nervous as I walked into Dr. Goodman's office for my first session. His office was located in the new office complex off Clifton Road, a short distance from the Emory University campus. His office was tastefully decorated in Danish modern decor. His receptionist was a friendly, attractive woman in her late thirties. After filling out the usual paper work I sat and waited. Shortly afterward, his nurse came out to usher me into his office.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Kelly; Dr. Goodman will be with you in a few minutes," she said.

Ten minutes later, Dr. Goodman walked into the office, greeted me and sat down behind the large teakwood desk. In my own mind, I had pictured Dr. Goodman as a middle aged, gray haired man in his fifties, yet I was pleasantly surprised. The good doctor was an attractive man in his late 30's. He was over six feet tall, with dark brown hair and eyes. He appeared to be in excellent physical shape judging by the tailored blue oxford shirt he wore.

"I've received copies of your medical records from Dr. Grant," he said. "Your records indicate that you're a healthy young man." He thumbed through the folder he was holding, "According to this questionnaire you filled out, you say you are having trouble sleeping at night, and having a problem concentrating on your work? Why don't you tell me what is troubling you, Dan?"

"I think I may be a latent homosexual."

"Why don't you tell me how you arrived at this conclusion?"

I took a deep breath and let it out before speaking. "I've become infatuated with a male friend of mine."

"I see; tell me a little about this man and how long you have known him?"

"I met Sandy about two years ago. We both shared the same hospital room recovering from orthopedic surgery." I went on to tell Dr. Goodwin the highlights of our friendship from that time up until today. After I finished my story, Dr. Goodman asked me a lot of questions about Sandy. Then he went on to question me about my life before I met Sandy. He questioned me about my relationships with the opposite sex. How often I had sex with women; how did I feel about it afterwards? How often did I masturbate? What kind of sex did I enjoy and did I satisfy my partner. Why did I break up with my fiancé? How many times did we have sex while we were together. Did I fantasize about having sex with Sandy? Some of the questions were downright embarrassing. After a while, the questions became easier to answer, and I began to understand the reasoning behind his questions.

"I would like to continue this session longer, Dan, but unfortunately, I have to give a lecture in thirty minutes. I'll schedule you for a longer session Wednesday afternoon. By then, I'll work out a schedule for your next appointments. He wrote out a prescription and handed it to me. "Here; get this prescription filled and take the pills three times a day. They'll help you to relax so you'll be able to concentrate at work. No drinking or driving while you're on this medication."

My sessions with Dr. Goodman helped me a great deal. The medication did its job and helped me to cope. My many conversations with Pete and Penny helped me considerably. By the end of three months I was able to stop the happy pills.

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Sandy did not return as planned. His stay in Ireland was extending for several months. During that time, I pulled out all the stops, and was able to finish my project for the process plant ahead of schedule. Since Bret didn't have me scheduled for another project right away, I decided it was a good time to take a vacation, something I hadn't had for a while. Sandy thought it was a good idea and arranged to join me for the last two weeks of my vacation. He insisted that I sail the yacht on an island-hopping cruise and meet him in Saint Thomas.

Pete, Penny, and the kids joined me for the first two weeks of my vacation. The time flew by and before we knew it, we were saying our goodbyes. The twins begged their parents to let them stay and I'm sure Pete would have let them, if Sandy wasn't planning to join me the following week. We needed that time to talk. I hated to see them leave, now that they had become so much a part of my life.

For the next week, I had a leisurely cruise around the island. I didn't mind being alone, since I had a backlog of reading to catch up on for the next semester. I'd be up at sunrise, do my morning exercises on deck, and after that, have a leisurely breakfast on the afterdeck. After breakfast, I'd change into my bikini bathing suit, apply my sun screen and read until lunch. After lunch I swam two hours to strengthen my leg muscles. By the end of that first month, I was back in top shape and felt great, both mentally and physically.

"Hello, Danny, it's good to hear your voice again," Sandy said. "Are you fully rested?"

"I feel great. I'm looking forward to our next two weeks together."

"I'm afraid I have some bad news. It looks like I'll be stuck here for another couple of weeks."

My mood changed abruptly. My voice dropped to a more serious note and I couldn't disguise how disappointed I felt when I replied. "I'm sorry that you won't be able to make it. Look, I know how important this project is to you. Stay as long as you must. I will be flying back home as soon as we reach Saint Thomas."

"Danny, I'm sorry; I was looking forward to our time together, also."

"It's okay, I just wish you had let me know earlier, the boys wanted to stay with me a little longer."

"There will be other times," Sandy said. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. Don't you think I want to be there with you, instead of this damp and cold miserable place?"

"I don't know what to think at this point. Your business is your whole life, Sandy, and comes before everything else. I really don't understand you sometimes. You have more money than you can ever spend in three lifetimes, yet you've become a slave to your business. You have some very competent executives that could handle this for you. I'm sorry if I sound like the ungrateful cur that bites his master's hand. Look, I'm sorry for my outburst, thanks for calling and letting me know your plans."

"Danny, please call me when you get back to the manor."

"Sandy, I will only be going back to the Manor to clear out my things. That was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. Pete has offered me a job working for him. He is also giving me one of the cottages to live in. I think it would be better all around if I took his offer. I should be moved out of the Manor by the time you get back. I'll call Brad tomorrow and let him know that I'm not accepting the position he offered me."

"Please don't do anything until I return, Danny. Promise me you'll wait until I get back home."

"I'm sorry, Sandy, there is nothing to keep me at the Manor. I appreciate and thank you for everything you have done for me. I still owe you so much. Unfortunately, I must work and live under conditions that fulfill my life. I enjoy the friendly, warm atmosphere at the Plantation, which is something that's missing at Dunnlap Manor of late. I told Pete I would give him my answer after our vacation was over. Pete has offered me a great opportunity to join his firm and I would be a fool to turn him down."

"That's fine," Sandy said. "I'm so sorry I messed up your vacation plans."

"Me too, if only you knew how much, Sandy."

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(Sandy's Point of View)

My next call was to Pete. "Hi, Pete, will you tell me what the hell is wrong with Danny? I just got off the phone with him and he told me he's leaving me to join your firm next week."

"What did you say that set him off?" Pete asked."

"Nothing really, I told him that I had to cancel our vacation plans," Sandy said.

"Oh, now I understand."

"What are you talking about? I was devastated when he told me he would be leaving me and moving to the plantation. Pete, please, you've got to help me, I'd be heartbroken if Danny left me."

"Sandy, you know I love you, but I can't help you on this one. Danny is having a bad time with his life right now. He's been going through a lot of heavy stuff since you've left, and he is not out of the woods yet. He made me promise not to tell you he was having a nervous breakdown. He is under the care of a psychiatrist, and has been for several months. We all love Danny and want him to stay with us if that's what he wants. He needs us right now, believe me. Sandy, I have the feeling, if you force his hand, he will leave us, too."

"Oh Jesus," I said. "My, poor tiger; you should have said something, Pete. You know how much I care about Danny. Look, screw everything else. I'm flying to Saint Thomas tomorrow."

"Now you're making sense," Pete said. "Why don't you call the captain to find out for sure when he will be arriving in St. Thomas and let him know your plans?"

"Thanks, Pete, I love you."

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It was 7PM when I landed at the St. Thomas airport. I called the Captain to have a launch ready to take me out to the yacht. "Is Danny on board?"

"No, sir, he went ashore for dinner tonight, in fact the launch is at the Yacht Club right now, Mr. Dunnlap. Mr. Kelly left a half hour ago. He had an 8PM reservation at that new restaurant, the Golden Anchor. He said he would be returning around 9:30."

"Perfect," Sandy said. "Thank you, Captain."

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"Welcome aboard, Mr. Dunnlap," the Captain said.

"It's good to see you again, Captain," Sandy said. "I think I'll shower and change into something more comfortable, Captain. Is my stateroom made up?"

"Well, sir, we have a slight problem. Dan is using your cabin now. If you want, I can move his stuff into another stateroom? I decided to leave everything as it was until you came aboard."

"You did the right thing, Captain. For tonight move my bags into the adjoining stateroom."

"Are my clothes still in my stateroom?"

"Yes sir.

I went down to my cabin. I quickly showered and changed into an off white linen shorts and a dark blue, silk short sleeved shirt. My deck shoes matched the fabric of the shorts. I still maintained my golden tan at the health spa. People would say I was as handsome as my twin brother, Pete. I stood six feet tall, with blue green eyes, curly blond hair, and a classic profile. I had broad shoulders that tapered down to a trim waist, and long, well formed legs. I walked back to the after deck, poured myself a glass of wine and selected several CD's and turned on the stereo system. I sat in one of the large leather lounge chairs and looked across the harbor to the shore.

The Captain walked up to where I was seated, "Do you have any orders for tomorrow, sir?"

"I'm leaving that decision for Dan. I'll have him get with you in the morning. After Dan and the crew return, you can secure the launch for the night, and please make sure we are not disturbed."

"Yes, sir."

I heard the launch pulling up next to the yacht.  Dan climbed aboard and didn't see me until he walked back to the afterdeck. Dan stopped dead in his tracks, totally surprised.

I walked over and embraced him. "How's my handsome Danny boy?"

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(Dan's Point of View)

"I don't believe my eyes," I said. "What a wonderful surprise! When did you arrive?"

"About an hour ago," Sandy said as he kissed me on the cheek. "I've missed you so much, Danny. Come, sit down and let me fix you something to drink?"

"A brandy would be nice," I said. Sandy poured the brandy into two snifters and handed one to me.

I smiled, "It's wonderful to have you back. I've missed you, too."

"Well, I'm here now. Please tell me what's troubling you," Sandy said. "Pete told me you've had some sort of a breakdown. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"That's partly true; my shrink thinks I've been pushing myself too hard for the last several months. But, it's more than just the work and my studies. The problem is my accepting the fact that I am gay."

Sandy raised his eyebrows, "Oh ... that must have been devastating for you. Why didn't you feel that you could tell me?"

"Believe me, I wanted to. The God's honest truth is I had to accept the reality about my orientation myself, before I could face you. After you left for this last trip, I became very depressed. I was fine when you were around. Yet, I felt depressed  after you left. It wasn't because I was alone in the house, either. I felt the same way at the Plantation, surrounded by your family. It got to a point where I couldn't function properly. I didn't feel like eating; I wasn't sleeping well either. That's when I confided in Pete. If it weren't for his help I think I would have lost it. With Gloria's help, they found an excellent psychiatrist, and I've been in therapy ever since."

"Can you tell me what you feel for me now," Sandy asked.

"I'm in love with you. Yet, I keep thinking that I am not the right person for you. I fear that you would tire of me very quickly. I've been laboring over this for so long that I'm emotionally drained. I've made a list of all the reasons I should not become involved with you, and the list is quite long. You have a brilliant mind, far superior to mine, or any other man in your field. You're more knowledgeable and have experienced so much of life. Not only that, but your wealth is staggering. Whereas, I am a young and inexperienced guy just starting out, with a lot to learn. Hell, it's taken me all this time to learn about myself. Plus the fact I've never been with another man in my life. And, I'm still uncomfortable about being gay.

"I've played this meeting over and over again in my mind for weeks and came up with the same answer every time. I was going to discuss this with you when you joined me on this vacation. Then when you called to say you wouldn't be joining me, I hated the fact that business was forcing you to break your promise to me. That was why I decided to accept Pete's offer.

"I realized this morning that I had no right to act the way I did. You have given me so much, yet, I acted like an ungrateful idiot. I was planning to call you this evening and apologize for my behavior. I feel even worse now, dragging you away from your business meeting."

"Danny, my love, stop berating yourself over this. You have every right to be disappointed with me. It made me realize how thoughtless I've been. You are the most important person in my life. I fell in love with you the first day I met you. Even though I knew you were straight, I still wanted you to be a part of my life. I was willing to settle for a platonic friendship, if that's what it took to be near you. I love you, Danny. If you will have me, I want you to be my lover and my partner for life."

"I want to say yes," I said, "but I'm afraid. I want to be your partner, but I'm afraid I'll end up like Jack, and Glen. I don't want to be number three. I love you too much to have that happen to you again."

Sandy put his glass down and stood and turned off the lights and the stereo equipment. He took my hands in his and pulled me into his arms. He kissed my face and neck and finally my lips. I moaned.

"My beautiful, wonderful, Danny, it hurts me when you say that you are any less of a person than I am. It's true you don't have my IQ, but other than Pete and my nephews, few people do. We were blessed with this gift of above average intelligence, and we have used our talents to make a better than average living. However, there is another side of the coin that you have overlooked. Because of this very talent, we were isolated from people our own age as we were growing up. We never had a normal life. This is not to say that we were unhappy; it's just that emotionally we never developed in the same way as most normal boys did. Our time and energies were directed to areas that each of us found more productive. Pete's orientation gradually changed, and he developed into a more conventional life. He discovered the opposite sex and was lucky enough to find, and marry the ideal mate for him. My orientation never changed. After Pete and I discussed this, we decided for each to pursue our separate ways. Naturally, Pete spoiled me, because I compared every male to him. I never met anyone who passed that test. Finally, I gave up looking and decided to devote all my energies to my business.

"So it was, that I never developed any relationships with another man. It was only after I had reached my career objectives that I began to look for a partner. I was somewhat jealous of Pete as he had his wife and kids. My total lack of experience in meeting and having any meaningful relationship with other gay men was the reason I failed with my affairs with both Jack and Glen. I didn't know how to make a relationship work. I treated each relationship as I would a business partnership, instead of a loving relationship. Being in a relationship with a person you care for is much more complex than ten of the worst business deals put together. It was only after years of therapy that I began to understand where I went wrong.

"Being a genius, and dealing with complex issues, didn't help my love life much. I often became bored with my mates. Plus my business trips keep me away from home too much of the time. It's true, I am a wealthy man, and I have responsibilities to my employees and my customers. When I found you, I felt I had found the ideal man. I feel that you have qualities that I lack. You have acquired the ability to deal with people in everyday life. You have a warm, outgoing personality that draws people to you. You're intelligent, mature, sophisticated and genuinely interested in people, and in spite of your age, you're wise beyond your years. You are a beautiful person from the inside out and I'm willing to do anything in my power to prove that to you. I respect you and love you dearly.

"Don't worry about your lack of sexual experience in love making. That will come to you naturally. Anyway, sex is only a small part of a loving relationship, important yes, but not the most important part of a truly loving relationship. Our understanding of each other has grown over the past two years. I have treasured the hours we have spent together, and I can't think of another person I would rather be with than you, my love. You have taken the first step in our relationship and I am willing to wait until you are comfortable with me, before we take the next step. I ask you to take your time and don't concern yourself with our making love. I only ask that you let me hold and touch you, and that we sleep together and enjoy the things that people in love do."

I smiled and kissed Sandy. "I accept and welcome your loving affection, but not in front of the family."

Sandy chuckled, "Thank you, sweetheart. This has been a hellish two days for me and I haven't slept more than four hours in the last two days. Would you mind if we went to bed and snuggled together?"

I held him tightly and kissed him passionately, "No, babe, that's fine with me. I haven't sleep well myself."

We walked forward to our cabin. Sandy used the toilet and brushed his teeth and then he returned to the bedroom and slid into bed next to me. He turned off the bedside lamp and pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

"You feel so good in my arms, my love. This is the way I dreamed it would be. I've told the Captain to await your orders, you decide what we will do for the next two weeks, and you'll have my undivided attention."

"I love you too, Sandy. It's so nice to be in your arms at long last. I just might get used to this." I kissed Sandy again and laid my head on his shoulder. "I'll think about it in the morning."

Sandy had relaxed his grip on me and fell sound asleep in a matter of minutes. I smiled and kissed him again. "Good night, my love."

Being that I was a light sleeper, I was awakened by the noises on deck. I was still wrapped in Sandy's arms and didn't want to get up, it was just too comfortable. I pulled the sheet back and gently slipped out of bed, but not before admiring Sandy's handsome body. Pulling on a pair of white shorts and a pale blue Polo shirt, I headed up to the bridge.

"Good morning, Captain."

"Good morning, sir."

"Captain, are you ready to set sail?" I asked.

"Yes, sir, the fresh water and fuel tanks are topped off. The cook has taken on his provisions early this morning, and the crew is on board. The weather report is outstanding for the next week."

"Good, let's weigh anchor and set a course for Paradise Island. Ask the crew to keep the noise level down, Sandy is still sleeping."

"Yes, sir."

"How long do you think it will take us to get there?" I asked.

"If we don't make any stops, we should be there by tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you, Captain.

I stopped by the galley and told Cook I would be ready for breakfast in half an hour. Then I went forward to the second cabin to shower and shave. I put on a Bikini swim suit under my shorts and headed to the dining area for breakfast. After breakfast I took a towel and sunscreen, and went to the forward deck to sunbathe.

Sandy awoke at eleven o'clock, alone in bed. He got up and headed for the bathroom to shave and shower. He dressed and headed out to the deck. He saw I was alone on the forward deck and walked up to me.

"You're a beautiful sight to behold, my love."

"Good morning, Sandy. Did you sleep well?"

He laughed, "I slept eleven hours. Thanks for letting me sleep. I feel refreshed now, but still a little groggy. Where are we headed?"

"Paradise Island," I said.

"I thought you might want to fly to Spain or Paris? The 737 is still parked at the airport in St. Thomas."

"Why don't you have your pilot fly it over to Paradise Island, just in case we need to get somewhere in a hurry. But I plan to spend the rest of our vacation at your villa on Paradise Island where we can have more privacy. At least I wouldn't feel uncomfortable kissing you with the crew gawking at us."

"Oh, are you planning to hit on me when we're alone?"

I grinned and growled, "You got that right, and your ass is mine, and mine is yours now. I did a little exploring while you were sleeping this morning, and Sandy Jr. looked like he was ready for action. I hope I was the cause of your erection?"

Sandy blushed, "You always are, my love. You're the only one I ever dream about. Did you like what you saw?"

"That, my pet, is why we're headed for Paradise Island. Oh shoot, I just remembered something; I was going to mess up the bed in my room and I completely forgot."

Sandy chuckled, "Don't worry about it Danny, the Captain knows I'm gay. He was also very careful in selecting the crew. They are gay friendly and discrete."

"Does that mean that they'll think I'm gay as well?"

"I don't know; does that bother you?"

"A little, I'm trying to get used to the idea myself. I'm still feeling self conscious about being gay, and can't help feeling everyone is staring at me."

Sandy chuckled, "They would anyway and you're a handsome sexy stud. Don't feel so self-conscious, that feeling will pass with time. And to answer your question, no, they don't know you are gay. Just because you realized you're gay, has not changed you in any way. You're the same man you were with Pete and the boys. You act like any other young executive; no one would ever suspect you of being gay. Some gay men choose to act Nellie, but that's their business. I'm sure some people may assume that you're gay because we live together. Some may even have the nerve to come out and ask. But, just avoid the question, or put them down for being so ignorant to ask such a personal question. I've always made it a practice to be evasive and avoid these people from then on. I also make sure they are never invited to my home again, or to any social gathering I may have. I also let it be known, in the right circles that these people are to be avoided.

"Now I don't know about you, Tiger, but I'm starved. Are you ready to eat?"

"Sounds like a winner," I said. "Why don't you tell the chef while I change and hit the head? Can you drop by the stateroom after you talk to the chef? I want to show you something."

"Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes."

Sandy walked into our cabin just as I was finishing up in the bathroom. "What did you want to show me, Danny?"

I walked over and took Sandy in my arms and kissed him tenderly. "You're really a sweet guy, and I love you. You were asleep when I kissed you this morning. I just wanted you to know that."

Sandy kissed me back and held me close to him. He forced his tongue into my mouth. I was moaning and could feel Sandy's hard penis press against my own growing erection. Sandy stopped kissing me.

"Oh, Danny, if we don't stop right now I'll cum in my shorts. You turn me on big time, babe."

I let my breath out, "Wow, that was close for me, too. I was somewhere else. You're some kisser."

I kissed Sandy lightly on the lips. "I think we should plan on some sack time after lunch. It's time you started my lessons."

Sandy laughed, "I think you could teach me a few things. You are one hot stud. I can't wait to kiss and taste every inch of your gorgeous body."

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Sandy closed and locked the stateroom door behind us. He closed the draperies and led me over to the king-sized bed. He took me in his arms, kissing me again. As we kissed, Sandy unbuttoned my shirt and gently stroked my chest. He slipped the shirt off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. We quickly finished stripping each other.

I began to moan as Sandy slid his fingertips all over my body and moved down to my penis. "Oh, God, that feels so wonderful, Sandy; don't stop.

We were so bonded that we felt a part of each other. I realized that Sandy loved me more than anything in this world. I knew that I had found my life partner. He reached forward to kiss me once again and whispered in my ear, "I love you more than anything in this world. I know we'll be together throughout eternity." We experienced a long sustained organism together. The euphoria lasted until we drifted off to sleep.

I awoke two hours later wrapped in Sandy's arms. The draperies were opened and I could see that the sun was setting. I kissed Sandy tenderly on the lips.

Sandy opened his eyes and smiled. "Hi, handsome, how long have you been awake?"

"About twenty minutes," I said. "I was thinking how wonderful it feels to be lying in your arms right now. All those months of anxiety and fear are a thing of the past. I feel alive and happy, and in love." I smiled. "I'll look back on this day and remember it for the rest of my life. Your love has touched every cell in my body. It is truly a beautiful experience. You are absolutely fantastic and you're everything I dreamed you would be. Something wonderful has happened between us today and I know that nothing will ever come between us."

The tears were running down Sandy's cheeks as I was talking. I pulled him into my arms and held him, and licked the tears from his cheeks. "I didn't mean to make you cry; I want you to be happy."

After a few minutes Sandy said, "I am happier than I've ever been; thank you for sharing your heart and your feelings with me. I was crying because you were vocalizing exactly the thoughts I was feeling about you. I, too, believe something magical happened to us today. I also felt you in my mind, as well as my body. You are my only true love and I want to walk with you hand-in-hand through eternity. My life was empty before you walked into my world. You are the man I've been searching for all my life. I never want to be separated from you again. If I must travel overseas, I want you to be there with me. You're my spouse now, and the most important person in my life. I'm not going to allow you to take second place to my business or anything else. I gave a great deal of thought of what you said about this merger in Europe, and you are absolutely right. I'm not going to let them jerk me around any longer. I've became so involved in the details and the petty nonsense that I lost the basic objective. I'll take your advice and let my division President carry the ball from now on. When they come to an agreement, then I'll sit down with them once again."

I smiled, "Yes, dear; I feel the same way. Would you like to join me in the shower?"

"My pleasure, those that bathe together, stay together; it does smell a little raunchy in here."

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To be continued...

Posted: 06/01/12