Reclaiming Austin
By:
William Tyler King
(Copyright 2005-2007 by the author)
The author retains all rights. No reproductions
are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
Chapter 23
I spent what remained of that
night comforting Austin despite feeling sick and worn out. I held
him tightly when we retired to our bed in the new apartment. I felt
guilty for enjoying being with him when his father had just died,
What follows then, is mostly second hand information, as I was
unconscious for most of it so I’ll just relay the pertinent facts.
Austin apparently had not been sleeping all that well to begin with
until about 3:30 a.m. when I woke him yelling incoherently. I was
moaning loudly and grasping at my stomach, muttering “snakes!” over
and over. I vaguely remember a dream like image of these living
flaming lava tubes popping out of my belly and diving back into it.
Austin was freaked out and was about to call an ambulance when he
decided he could get me to a hospital quicker. So he scooped me up
and set me in the jeep and drove like a demon to Orlando Regional
Medical Center (henceforth-O.R.M.C.). Austin carried me into the
emergency room and screamed out that he needed some fucking help; I
was immediately taken on a gurney to a room in the back where
doctors checked on me and ran a barrage of blood tests. Austin
didn’t know what else to do when he was escorted outside.
Consequently, while he waited he called my mother; then he set to
work finding numbers for Mrs. Tremere, Michael, and the new job I
was supposed to begin later that morning.
My mother pulled in slightly before six a.m. and was told the
doctors were still working on me and that she had to wait with
Austin outside. At six thirty a.m., Austin called Mrs. Tremere and
Michael, shortly there after, Austin and a young female doctor told
my mother that I had slipped into diabetic coma. Austin insisted
that that was impossible, as I wasn’t a diabetic; the doctor read
the report and said my blood sugar was well over a thousand and that
it was very likely that I now did indeed have diabetes. They were
shown my room where I laid quietly sleeping, a sharp contrast to
what Austin had seen earlier. I had an IV sticking out of my arm and
a blood pressure cuff and heart beat monitor on as well. The nurse
said this could last for hours or indefinitely, but that most people
woke soon after their insulin levels were stabilized.
Michael called into his work to say he wouldn’t be there that day,
and showed up to the hospital slightly after seven a.m., he got the
news from Austin about my being in a coma and apparently fell apart.
My Michael, all six foot six inches of him cried on Austin’s
slighter shoulders as my mother hugged him and whispered platitudes
to him. When Mrs. Tremere showed up, after eight-thirty, Austin
excused himself to call his Mom; his father had just died after all.
Michael and my mother told Mrs. Tremere what had happened and was
going on currently. Austin was told that his father had requested
that he not be at the funeral anyways, so he stiffened and said he
couldn’t have gone even if he had been asked to attend, that I was
in danger and his place was with me and he was where he needed to
be. Austin and his mom talked for quite a while, she told him that
they had several relatives with diabetes that were living quite well
so he should be strong.
Austin and Michael called Henna and Jorge, and all my older friends.
Mom called all the relatives, and Mrs. Tremere talked to Ivan and he
told my former bank coworkers. By seven p.m., the waiting are was
overflowing with my friends and family and a very despondent
Austin. Austin and my Mom stayed most of the time over the next few
days; they took turn giving each other breaks and occasionally
allowed my other friends or brother to take a turn. Finally, late on
Thursday afternoon I opened my eyes and saw my Mom sitting by me
reading a book. She almost fell out of her chair when I said “hi”
and then closed my eyes and rasped out “can I have a drink, my mouth
is dry”
She gasped and stood up as if I were a long dead relative and she
said, “Baby, don’t try to sit up, I’ll get your nurse and tell the
others! And I’ll check on a drink for you!” Then she came over and
gave me a small kiss to my forehead. I lay back as I had no stamina
at all and wouldn’t have even thought of standing up, though I was
very curious about why I was in a hospital, as I had gone to bed in
my new house. In moments, a squadron of nurses descended on me with
thermometers, stethoscopes, syringes, and a variety of prods and
gizmos.
Finally, a young guy came over and stuck out his hand “Hi Mr.
Johnson, I’m Dr. Shallamar; I’d like to ask you a few questions if
it’s ok?” I nodded my head and said yes, than I rasped out hoarsely
“Is it possible to get a drink, I feel like I’ve gargled a mouthful
of hamsters.” The young doctor laughed and then he looked at a
young nurse and said, “Can Mr. Johnson get a cup of ice chips
please?” She smiled and nodded then left.
“Your Mother’s here and your boyfriend, Mr. Camble, is being
contacted at home; he’s supposed to be taking a nap.” When the
nurse came back in she handed me a foam cup of ice chips and set a
plastic water pitcher by my beside table. I nursed the ice like it
was a cup of platinum as the doctor asked me a barrage of questions
such as if I knew who the president was (Clinton), where I was
(obviously a hospital but not which one) And about my friends and
family.
Then the Doctor sat back and took a deep breath, “Mr. Johnson, for
the past week you have been in a persistent diabetic coma brought on
by uncontrolled type one diabetes mellitus.” I was about to protest
that I didn’t have diabetes, but Dr. Shallamar held up his hand and
quickly said, “Look, I know you didn’t know you had it, but all
those angry moods, that dry mouth, the persistent peeing, being
sleepy all the time, all of them are common warning signs.
“Does this mean I have to diet and not eat sugar,” I asked.
“Well partially, but you’ll be taking insulin shots too.” I sat
stunned a moment while he read his chart.
“But My grandpa only had to watch what he ate, and loose weight.” I
protested weakly.
“That’s the other form of diabetes, Type II, or Adult onset
Diabetes. What you have is type one or Juvenile Diabetes. You’re a
bit older than we usually see it, but it can occur any time in
life. Unfortunately, type one isn’t brought on by being overweight,
old, or pregnant, they actually produce some insulin, just not
enough for what they need. Your pancreas has ceased to produce any
insulin at all.” I must have looked quite weak at that moment, for
even the very officious doctor looked at me and closed his note pad.
“This can all wait until later, why don’t you just rest and visit
your friends and family and you can talk with our diabetic
specialist tomorrow and see our nutritionist soon too.” As Dr.
Shallamar was leaving, my mother walked in.
“Oh Alex, Honey… “She said closing the distance and bending over to
kiss me.
“H, mom,” I said weakly, still choked up by the news I’d just
gotten.
“So has he told you what happened yet?” She asked sitting in the
chair by my bed.
“Well, he said I was in a coma all week, and that I… uhhh, that I
had diabetes.” I said closing my eyes and laying back.
“Yes Honey, but we’ll all be here for you. Austin has been getting
information all week so he can help with your shots and your diet.
They had a class about the disease and he sat in on it. I think it
helped him because he’s been just lost without you. I think it’s
helped him feel more at ease with what needs to be done and that
there’s hope that there would be a future with you.” She said taking
my hand and squeezing it slightly.
I felt like crying, how could all this be happening, I wasn’t fat, I
ate good, I worked out and exercised… WHY did I have this? In truth
though, I was just too tired to think about it anymore. I’d fallen
asleep within minutes of Mom entering the room and taking my hand.
Later, I awoke to a very soft kissing of my lips and a firm hand
holding the hand my mother’s soft hand had held as I drifted off. I
knew that kiss and just responded instinctively by kissing back.
“Hussy, you aren’t even going to open your eyes to see who it is
first?” Austin teased above me. I opened my eyes to see his beaming
face looking down on me. “I know who it is. I’d know that kiss
anywhere!” I protested weakly.
“Baby, you’ve had me so fucking scared…” Austin said softly. The
lights were soft now and we were alone.
“Now you know how I felt…” I said closing my eyes but smiling
weakly.
“You’re lucky I know you didn’t fucking plan this… you little drama
queen.” Austin said sternly.
I stuck my tongue out at him, “You’re mean!”
He stopped the teasing abruptly, scooped me up in a massive hug;
carefully avoiding the IVs and monitors. “God fucking damn it Alex,
I was so fucking scared! I’m just so fucking glad you’re ok now.” He
said sighing as he held me tightly, his fears washing over me and he
began to sob softly on my shoulders.
“But I’m not ok Austin…” I protested softly, “I have diabetes
apparently, and they don’t know why…” I said as I gently stroked his
hair. “I have to start taking shots I guess…”
Austin wiped the hair from my face and I realized I hadn’t bathed in
a weak. “Baby…” He pleaded softly as he kissed my hands. “I’ll help
with your shots and your diet; I’m just fucking glad as hell you
woke up. Your mom and I really bonded this weak, and poor Michael
is a wreck… A lot of people are here, Marika, Henna… Natasha… Glen,
Dennis… God man, you have a lot of really close fucking friends and
we’ve all been fucking wrecks!” I looked up at Austin. “Just
friends?” Austin smiled warmly then bent over to kiss me “And
family you little fucker”
“Austin?” I pleaded with my eyes as he stood up. I didn’t want him
going anywhere at the moment.
“Yeah baby?” he cooed back at me.
“Will you hold my hand until I fall back asleep please?” I asked
reaching for him.
“You mean like I have all week while you were sleeping?” I nodded so
he took my hand and kissed my head softly as he sat there sharing
his strength as I wandered back to sleep.
Rudely, twice more that night the nocturnal ghouls woke me, wanting
blood and vital statistics for their charts. Finally, at six a.m.,
a tray was arrived with cold eggs, a piece of wheat toast, a pat of
margarine, tea with sweet and low, and two cold pieces of bacon.
Although I ate it, a large part of me was praying this was just
hospital food and not what I’d be sentenced to eat the rest of my
life.
About eight thirty a.m. I got my first visitor.
“Hello? May I come in?” An older woman asked at my door, I bid her
in and looked at her plain skirt, blouse, and shoes before it hit me
whom this was.
‘Mrs. Camble?” I gasped out, totally not expecting her. She got a
knowing smile and put a large card on my desk.
“Yes Alex, I came by to check on you. You had us worried something
fierce. Poor Austin…” She couldn’t finish her thought. I suddenly
remembered knowing that Austin’s dad had just died.
“Oh, Mrs. Camble, I’m so sorry about Mr. Camble.” I said laying back
to rest my head.
She stopped cold than gave me a small knowing smile, “Your mama has
got to be proud of you Alex.” She said coming over to my bedside.
“Yes Ma’am, I think she is.” I said humbly.
“Well thank you, it’s been difficult, but to be very honest, I’m not
sure we’d have been together longer anyway…” She said giving me a
weak smile.
“I don’t understand.” I said looking at her not comprehending.
“Darling.” She said touching my hand maternally, “He was coming
between a mama and her only son. I may not agree with your
lifestyle, or all of Austin’s choices, but doesn’t mean I don’t love
my son, or that I don’t think you’re a fine young man.”
I was about to pass out from her revelation. All I could do was say
“Thank you Ma’am!” I have thought about it a great deal since then
and wish at the time I’d said more, but considering how close my
brain was to shutting down, I guess I was lucky to say what I did.
“Thank you Mrs. Camble, Austin should make you very proud too, he’s
a wonderful guy.” She didn’t respond, but I could see the conflict
in her eyes, how proud she was, but wishing I was a girl telling her
that.
“There’s a big pink elephant in this room Alex, and we both see it
but don’t know how to address it and still be polite.” She said
standing and looking out the window. “Yes Ma’am, but we have to
address him cause I’m too tired to pretend I don’t see him.” I said
with a sigh.
Mrs. Camble stood in the window and turned to face me, the morning
sun shining about her, “I’ll be honest Alex, I pray he comes to his
senses and finds a nice girl and marries her and brings me lots of
grandchildren, the way good southern men are supposed to do.” She
looked down at her feet at that point. “But you’re a very well
mannered boy, and he’s plum crazy about you…” She looked my way from
over her shoulder, “you keep my boy happy and I’ll try to learn to
accept this ok?”
I got a tear in my eye, “Mrs. Camble, after he learns all the
changes we’ll face and what that’s going to mean for us, , I don’t
expect he’ll be with me much longer anyways, so you might get your
wish…” I said turning to face the other direction.
She returned in a swift, determined stroll to the side of my bed,
“Now you listen here Alex…” her voice unexpectedly sounding very
much like my mother’s. “My boy was a wreck while you were in a coma,
he barely left your side, he’s learned how to give you shots, what
to do for emergencies…Alex, you give my boy some credit! You didn’t
see the way he worried over you, you didn’t have to listen to him
cry when he though he might loose you.” She stopped and shook her
head and laughed to herself dismissively. “I can’t believe I’m here
trying to talk you into staying with my boy!” Her determined look
turned to one of sadness.
“Maybe it’s for the best if he leaves me...” I said turning back to
look out the window.
“Now how’d you feel if he walked hisself away? Can you imagine your
life all alone…?” She said. I began tearing up imagining my life
with out Austin. “And how do you think he’ll feel if you turn him
away?” She said further. “You’re upset sugar, its ok, it’s what
anybody that goes through this feels. Take a while to make your mind
up about things, okay?”
I nodded and continued crying, “Thank you Mrs. Camble.” I sobbed.
“Calm yourself down honey, won’t do no one no good all worked up
like that.” She said placing a hand on my shoulder. I nodded and
tried to stop crying. “I’m… I’m ok Mrs. Camble… Thank you for coming
by.”
“Alex, you’re gonna be just fine, Now be strong ok? I gotta go, but
your Momma and Austin will be back here soon. You have a nice day
sugar.” After a weak smile, she gave a small kiss to the air and
winked at me, a moment later she was gone.
An hour later, a tall dark haired girl entered and introduced
herself as Maria. She said she was the diabetic specialist and
wanted to talk to me about living with diabetes. She talked a bit
and gave me very enthusiastic responses about how it wasn’t a big
deal anymore.
I however replied with, “But I can still loose my limbs or go
blind?”
“Well yes but…” I cut her off with, “And I can suffer from sexual
dysfunction and be on dialysis way sooner then other guys my age,
right?”
“Yes Mr. Johnson but…”
I cut her off again, “I’m going to have to take shots several times
a day the rest of my life and will never again have the freedom to
eat what I want to?”
Maria set her note pad down on my desk, sat down, and gave me a long
stare… “Are you done now?” She finally asked when I’d stopped.
“I am unless you try painting a rosy picture again.” I said flatly.
“Fair enough, yes, all that can be true, Diabetes comes with a lot
of rotten side effects, it’s a tough disease, and no one can
honestly tell you otherwise.” She said as she picked up her note pad
again. “My job here isn’t to try and tell you that discovering you
have diabetes is like winning a new car, it’s telling you how you
can avoid all those pitfalls.”
I laid my head back and said, “Why can’t you just give me a new
pancreas?” I closed my eyes then tightly suppressing a sob…
“Well, Mr. Johnson, there are scientists working on that, but it’s
not a real option right now. But we do have some great new
treatments and new insulin’s…”
I looked over at her and said weakly, “I’m really tired right now,
can we do this later please?”
She moved in her seat, trying to think of what to say, finally
however, she stood up and I heard her notepad close, “Ok Mr.
Johnson, I’ll come by tomorrow, maybe we can talk then… we’ll have
to before you’re allowed to leave you know?” A lone tear escaped my
eye as I tried to will myself better.
About four p.m. Austin showed up and walked in smiling and looking
all Abercrombie and Fitch like. “Hey gorgeous!” He smile was so
bright he beamed from across the room. I couldn’t help but give a
brief smile back, even if I was depressed beyond all recognition.
“Sooooo….. Word up at the nurse’s station is that you’re being a
fucking miserable and ornery little cuss…” He said coming over and
kissing my forehead as he sat on the bed beside me. “What gives
baby? The nurses are only trying to do their fucking jobs?” Austin
asked as he reached down and took my hand in his. I just teared up
as I tried to think of what to say. “Hey, hey, hey Alex, calm down
baby…” Austin said as he spun off the bed and reached down to hold
me. “Wow, my mom said you were depressed, but… Dude, I wasn’t
expecting this.” He said softly as he pulled me up to his chest.
“Will you PLEASE stop being so nice to me? Please?” I sobbed loudly
on his chest as I tried to stop so I could talk to him.
“I love you, of course I’m gunna be fucking nice to you… dumb ass!”
Austin teased down at me. “Alex, I went fucking crazy when you were
in a coma, no one could make me smile, everyone around here was a
wreck… I’m not here cause I feel sorry for you, I certainly don’t
think of you as fucking weak or sick… Alex, look in my eyes…” He
said like a small command, so I looked up, my eyes still wet with
tears. “I’m here, because the past few days helped me fucking see
what you mean to me. Alex, I’m a total wreck without you; without
your guidance… Baby, when I say I love you, dude, it’s a mixture of
wanting you, needing you, and knowing with out a fucking doubt that
no one else can make me as happy as you do. I was so totally pissed
cause I couldn’t even call you up and talk to you about what I was
feeling.”
I was sobbing on his chest as he held me protectively in his arms.
It was maybe five minutes later that he hugged me tightly and said
“Ok baby, this position is killing me…” And he got up and stood for
a moment looking down on me before pulling the chair up to the bed
and sitting down, taking my free hand in his and just smiling at me.
“How the fuck am I gonna pay for all this?” I suddenly let out
crying again. “sssshhhhhhhhhhhh” Austin soothed gently, “It’s all
taken care of baby, Ivan said you’re still insured even if you
haven’t started at the new place yet, and Henna and Marika are
coming in later to show you all the money people have donated to
what they’re calling the ‘Alex-Aid’ fund…”
I don’t know why, but that amazed me so much, “What, really?” I
asked.
“Yeah, they already did a benefit for you, and so did Natasha,
honey, don’t worry, the bill is taken care of already, I was worried
about it too.” Austin was smiling his award-winning grin at me and
I just melted. “Sooooooo,” He said with a teasing smirk, I looked
up not knowing where he was going with his jest. “You won my Mom
over this morning huh?”
I rolled my eyes, “Well we talked…” I said.
“Must have been some fucking talk I’m guessing.” Austin teased as he
pulled my hand up to kiss my fingers.
“It was nice though,” I said softly, then added, “since she and I
wouldn’t even recognize each other outside a hospital.” I said
sarcastically.
“Dude,” Austin began teasing me, “She hasn’t blessed our marriage
yet, not sure we should fucking expect that, but she really likes
you. Hell, she ‘warned’ me not to hurt you… She said, (mimicking
her voice badly) ‘He’s a nice young man, he comes from good
breeding, but he’s in a bad way now Austin Camble, don’t you go and
hurt him none!’” he said wagging his finger in my face.
“Alex, dude, she never even said that about any of my girlfriends.”
Austin said with a crazy smirk, I looked up too amazed to know what
to say, I kinda just shrugged for lack of a better response. “Dude,
you have some weird thing that makes everyone want to take care of
you…” Austin said kissing my hand.
I looked up and smirked. He had broken my solemn mood and found the
chink in my armor, my sense of humor was slowly returning. “Well,
too fucking bad, that’s your job from now on!” I said winking at
him…
“Baby, trust me, everyone fucking knows that already.” He said
beaming at me. “So can I tell the nurses it’s safe for them to come
in here again?” He said smirking.
“Yeah, but why didn’t someone think to write, ‘must only be
approached with a tall sexy gay athlete in the room’ in my chart?” I
said laying back and taking his hand with me. Austin shrugged as he
stood up, “I think it’ll be in there by tomorrow sport!” Then he
leaned over and kissed my head, “be back in a few seconds.” Then he
left for the nurses’ station.
Austin sat with me all after noon and into the night as first the
nutritionist and then the diabetic specialist came and talked to me,
Austin held my hand and talked soothingly to me whenever things
seemed to be too much for me and I’d start tearing up. When they
left, we were alone for a while. Austin got into bed with me and
held me to his chest, “Thank you baby.” He said kissing my forehead.
“For what hon? You’ve been the champ in all this.” I replied in true
confusion.
“For waking up and being ok, for not leaving me… God!” He choked up,
I could feel him quiver, “Sorry, you just had me so fucking scared,
you had all of us praying and promising anything if you’d only wake
up and be ok.” He said hugging me tightly.
We were kissing passionately when I heard a loud voice exclaim,
“Good god almighty, the two of you never stop! TELL me he’s awake
and you aren’t just molesting him PLEASE?” Marika begged.
“Marika!” I said sitting up with a smile.
“Hey sugar, how you feeling baby?” She said coming over and kissing
my forehead. We talked for a while and then she said, ‘So, has your
Fiancée given you the money we raised yet?”
I was about to answer when Austin said, “No hon, I did tell him
about it though, and I did tell him you were coming in with another
surprise for him though.” Austin said. Then he added, “Actually,
I’ve already put a down payment on a new Porsche.”
“Oh cool!” I added quickly, “We’ll look so good on our get away
video!”
Marika just scowled, “Neither of you are half as funny as you think
you are!” Marika said putting a folder down and then sitting in the
chair by me. “Now YOU Mrs. Drama queen, we have alllll had way more
than enough of all your antics! So cut it out!” Then she smiled
sweetly, “kay?”
I smiled at her and said as weakly as I could, “you just want me
better so you can pick on me. *cough, cough*!” Marika burst out
laughing, “Shut it! drama queen, Austin, you make him stop!”
Austin just shrugged and smiled, “YOU make him stop, I’m just happy
he’s still here to fuck with!” He said as he reached over for my
outstretched hand.
“Baby…” Marika said to me, “You better treat this man like GOLD! I
ain’t never seen a man break down the way he did worrying about your
ass.”
I squeezed his hand, both out of gratitude, and because I knew, he
was giving her his tough macho posturing. “Yeah, like gold…” I said
softly looking up in his blue eyes.
“Now!” She said sitting up and reaching for her folder, “I brought
these so you could learn the music before we have to perform these.”
She said flipping the folder open before me on my beside tray.
“WHAT?” Austin exclaimed impatiently. “Marika, he almost died… He’s
not singing now!” Austin was so cute and growly when he was
protecting me.
“Easy there papa bear… “ Marika said with her hands up, “I gave him
Christmas music for our concert in two weeks, he’ll be out and back
to work by then I’m guessing… Besides, he should already know the
music; I’m just making sure he has it all to refresh his memory.”
I flipped through the folder than gasped and said, “You want ME to
dress like the Virgin Mary?” I expected Austin to jump up and
defend me again…instead he stood with crossed arms and asked her,
“But he’ll have big boobs right?”
I snapped out, “NO I won’t, I’m not dressing like a woman asshole!”
Marika was laughing, “You two!” Austin just smirked at me. I lay
back down and grumbled. “Well Alex, I’m very glad you’re feeling
better, Robert will be in tomorrow and God only knows when Phil and
Tiago will be here? But I’ll visit soon, maybe this weekend if
you’re still here.” She leaned over and kissed my forehead and left.
The next day Austin sat with me as I talked with all the
specialists, he held me and groomed me as I tried to shave and take
a shower. He wouldn’t let me anywhere near a mirror, saying, “You
lost about 30 pounds while you were sick, most of it came from
muscles…” He sounded very matter of fact about it, but I knew he was
worried about how I’d react.
“Guess this means I’ll never catch up to you now…” I lamented as he
washed my hair.
“It means,” He said correcting me, “That we’ll be spending a lot
more time in the gym from now on.”
After lunch, Austin tried to take me for a walk around the corridors
of the hospital. I was surprised at how quickly I became winded and
tired. Austin nearly carried me back to the room and I fell asleep
moments later.
When I awoke later, my Mom was sitting there reading. “Hey baby, I
heard you were quite the athlete today.” She said as she came over
to kiss my head. I rolled my eyes, “Twenty Seven years olds and I
can’t make it across a damn hall way without collapsing.” I was
pissed.
“Honey, you were almost dead! I don’t mean to make light of what
you’re going through, but honey, we almost lost you… it’s going to
take some time and work to get your stamina and energy back, but you
will, Baby! You have an army of friends and loved ones that want to
help you…so just relax a little honey. It’ll take time, but you’ll
get there.”
I hung my head… “Yeah Mom, I know… Thanks!” So, we talked about my
family and what everyone was up to, what everyone said and did when
they found out I was in the hospital. Mom told me how Austin looked
like a florist in the new place with all the flowers and bouquets
that couldn’t be left at the hospital.
That afternoon Michael showed up. “Ok Little Mrs. Drama Princess,
just cut the shit and get outta bed!” He bellowed on the way into my
room, scaring poor Daniel and Christian to death.
“Hi Michael, nice to smell you too… I suppose.” I quipped back lying
against my pillow.
“I didn’t get you any damned flowers!” He stated flatly.
“Honey, you need to save your money for breath mints!” I said
turning to watch Daniel and Christian laughing.
“I don’t know why I even bothered to come by and check on you!” He
said shaking his head.
“Baby, I heard all about how you were crying and threatening the
doctors and nurses if they didn’t help me… so drop the act ya big
softie!”
Michael gave Daniel and Christian sideways looks and then shrugged,
“I was a little crazy- so sue me!” He shrugged. “It was sweet
Michael- and it may only be me saying this because I’ve been starved
all week, but I love you too.” Michael made a strange face then
turned to face Daniel and Christian, “I trust you value your lives
enough to keep this little secret of ours? Can’t have people
thinking I’m soft or sentimental or anything…” Michael said with an
implied threat…
Daniel laughed and said “For a dollar I’ll tell everyone you didn’t
even show up here!”
Michael thought about it than said, “No, for a dollar I get
Christian for a night!”
“And what about Jason?” I added with a jab of my foot to Michael’s
side.
“Oh him! Uhhh, well… He’s in LA now… and while the cats away…”
“While YOUR Boyfriend’s away, the faggot boy better damned well keep
his pants on!” I added with a grin. Christian grinned too; he’d
loosened up a great deal since meeting us.
“Asshole!” Michael grinned back at me.
By the end of the week, I was ready to kill to get out of there!
Everyone I’d ever known had visited me; Austin had brought me
pictures of the legendary botanical gardens our house had become
since I’d been in the hospital. He and Natasha had planted a great
many of the live plants I’d received so a new garden was waiting for
me when I got home.
Austin and Natasha and the girls had been busy while I’d been away,
even Michael and Glen had come over to lend a hand, the place was
totally set up when I got home, and as I found out later, Austin and
Mrs. Tremere had gone though the cabinets getting rid of any
possible temptation for a newly diagnosed diabetic. Everything was
now “Low carb-high protein” or artificially sweetened. As Austin
pointed out to me though, of major importance was that I was already
used to my coffee with sweet-n-low since that’s how my grandparents
had always made it and what I’d always had growing up. As Michael
had already said to Austin and repeated to me, the ‘place looked
like Martha Stewart blew chunks all over it’ with all the flowers
and the flowery stuff the previous owners had left up. And that was
before Austin and Christian and Daniel had put up the new Christmas
tree and lights and decorated the place with sparkly gold, silver,
red and green foil crap.
At noon I did my first blood test on my fingers and scored a 152, a
little high but not too serious. Austin was upset though and blamed
it on the emotions of finally getting out of the hospital. He drew
up my insulin and told me to “drop trou’” Since he’d appointed
himself my loyal shot giver. It was actually a little erotic
bending over for him, as he pinched and then poked my ass. After he
was done, he continued to pet my ass and lamented, “I have missed
this ass so much this past week.” Then he swatted it and said, “Ok
perv, pull the pants up unless you want me to poke it again.” I
just stayed there bent over while he laughed then redressed me.
“Later perv, we got a lot people to see and have to get some
Christmas shopping done first.”
“Why do we have to go see the people? Hell, all of them saw me in
the hospital this week already!” I asked bewildered.
“Cause that’s what’s done stupid!” Austin replied, as if it was just
the most common sense thing to do in the world… I assumed it was a
Southern thing.
So, we went on a traveling spree all across Central Florida and
thanked the people for their flowers and good wishes. When Korma
offered me a Pepsi, something as natural to her to as my British
friends offering me tea, Austin nearly backhanded me as he flung a
protective arm to shield me from the evil and offensive sugar. “He
can’t have a regular Pepsi anymore Korma- ALL he can have is
unsweetened ice tea, coffee, or a diet soda. Or water I guess.”
Austin said like a protective parent.
I took a deep breath then looked up at Korma who was blushing and
apologizing. “I’m sooo sorry Alex-I forgot…”
I held my hand up, “It’s ok Hon, how ’bout a Diet Pepsi?” I asked
since I knew it was all she drank.
“Ok hon…” She said leaving.
“Austin, you CAN’T do that every time someone tries to get me a
drink or forgets and offers me a desert- it’s just common courtesy,
and let’s face it- I don’t look different so people forget. But
honey, you can’t attack everyone who forgets okay,” I chaffed at him
before Korma came back in the room. Austin blushed and hung his
head. I reached over and cuffed him playfully before Korma stepped
in with our drinks.
Later that day as we sat at Michael’s he grinned over at me and
asked, “Want some Apple pie or a big piece of Chocolate cake?” He
smirked as Austin about blew a gasket.
“Ok, remember what I said earlier about being nice when someone
tempts me?”
“Yea…” He grumbled.
“Well, all bets are off if it’s Michael being a wiener!” I said with
sadistic glee.
“HEY!” Michael pleaded as Austin sprang up and closed with him.
“Are you REALLY gonna have me put your Fiancée in the hospital;
right after you get out?” Michael asked as he stood up and held his
ground.
“You’ll be right next me smart ass…” Austin growled as he flexed his
massive bicep for show.
“Ok, Ok boys, relax, no one gets hurt today…” I sighed, proud as
hell of Austin and his mating strut.
That night as we were sitting looking over the stuff we’d bought for
Christmas, a car pulled up. As Austin got up and went to the door,
a voice called out through our kitchen window, “Hey asshole, open
up!” It was Nathan.
“Nate!” Austin greeted him as he opened the front door.
“Hey Austin, Hi Alex! You feeling better now that you’re out?” He
asked which surprised me because I didn’t even know he’d known I’d
been in the hospital.
“Yea, it’s nice to be home!” I said with a smile at Nathan’s upbeat
stance.
“Hey Austin, I brought something over for you, it’s part… well, it’s
partially something Joe left you, and partly an early Christmas
present… I’m bringing it early or late depending one which way you
look at it.”
Austin cocked his head to one side, not knowing what Nathan meant…
“Huh?”
Nathan opened the door back up behind him and bid Austin and me to
follow him. “Joe left me his car and said I should think about
letting you have it since I already got one…” Nate said as he walked
back to a sharp little red truck under our streetlight. “But I knew
you’d feel as weird driving his car as I would, and I know you
needed one, so I used it as a trade in and paid the rest to get you
this S-10 extended cab pick up!”
“FUCK!” Austin and I said at the same time, then we both talked at
once. “Nate, this must have cost a fortune!” I said as Austin said
“Jesus fucking Christ Nate! I just can’t… Holy shit!”
Nate just stood there beaming. “It ain’t really ‘new’ but it’s
close, it’s in really good shape. I got it for a great price and
Joe’s car went for a lot, I checked it out, and it’s in great
shape.” He said with sad reverence.
“If you don’t think it’s too grim, Austin said slowly, “I think I’ll
name it Joe.” Austin said softly putting his hand reverently on his
new truck! “Thank you Nate, I-I-I just can’t thank you enough…”
Austin said with great respect.
“Awww shut up, if I’d known you get all mushy…” Nate teased though
he never stopped grinning.
“Hey, you want to come in for some coffee or tea or something?” I
asked since it was getting a little nippy out in the mid December
night.
“Yeah, coffee sounds good. I’m guessing you only drink the good
stuff.” Nate said with a smirk, hinting at my being gay and there
fore classier than “normal folk” I just smiled at him since in this
case, he was right.
“Got ya, for you I’ll break out the Kona and ignore the 8-O-clock,”
I teased.
“Austin cook any of his deserts?” Nathan asked.
“Sorry, he threw them all out when he found out I had diabetes.” I
sighed.
Nate looked shocked, “You have what?”
“That’s why I was in the hospital Nate.” I said assuming he’d
known.
“I didn’t know Alex, dude, I’m sorry, god you must think I’m a total
ass.” He lamented.
I smiled at him as I held the door for him. “Look at the smile you
put on Austin’s face Nate… I couldn’t be happier with you right now
if you’d gotten me the new truck.” I said as I closed the door and
let Austin explore his new toy.
“Dude, I’m sorry, my grandpa and Uncle have diabetes, I know it gets
rough watching what you eat all the time.” Nate said sounding
suddenly a lot more human.
“It’s gonna take some getting used to, the diet and all the shots
and shit, but Austin’s appointed himself my official nurse maid-
so…” I grinned at Nate as I put the coffee pot on.
“Yeah, that ass loves to take care of his girlfriends…” Nate stopped
and was ready to apologize when I started laughing.
“Relax Nate-like it or not, that’s what I am now.”
“No you ain’t, but I’m sorry. It’ll just take a while to start
talking about Austin and his boyfriend.” Nate said with a sardonic
grin-it was obviously still a new idea for him.
“Dude, just relax, you won’t offend me unless you say something mean
on purpose… I know the difference.”
Nate grinned up at me with a strange look, “That’s cool dude, you’re
all right.”
Austin popped in just then looking like a lottery winner. “Dude,
Nate… I don’t know what to say! I mean, thank you so much… Man,
that’s one cherry truck!”
Nate laughed and grinned as I set out the sugar and cream. “Austin,
dude, after all the shit I’ve done this past year, it’s the least I
can do for you. I know Joe would be happy as shit to know he’d
helped.”
“Nate, we’ve been friends most of my life… you don’t owe me
anything-this was just awesome though-God damnned-thank you.” Austin
said shaking Nate’s hand.
I put out the coffee and made my own with sweet-n-low and cream and
poured cups for Austin and Nathan.
“Thank you…” Nathan said as I handed him the cup.
“Are you kidding me Nate? Thank you!” I said with a warm smile.
“Now don’t you go getting all mushy on me too- I can’t take a house
full of men getting all weepy on me.” Nate said with a
self-depreciating grin.
Austin drove Nate back home later while I cleaned up. He came back
later and beeped his horn. When I went to see what he wanted, he
yelled, “Come on, go get your jacket and get in- I want to drive
around a bit.” I went and grabbed my bomber jacket and climbed in
next to my leather-clad boy friend. “How bout we get some coffees
at Mr. Donut then walk around Lake Eola?” Austin asked as we pulled
out. The truck was immaculate and had a distinctly Austin smell to
it now. I lay across the bench seats and laid on his jean-covered
lap.
“Whatever you say honey.” I said glad for his good mood after all
the stress I’d put him through the past week. As we drove then
walked around the busy nightspot, we saw Christmas decorations on
the light posts, some of the hotels, the condos, and some of the
more adventurous private homes. Later that night, we sipped our
drinks as we strolled around the chilly park. The night was crisp
and clear and felt like a night in a big northern city with all the
twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and far away traffic. We drove
back slowly, me cuddled against his leather-clad chest and leaning
my head on his shoulder and he drove with his right arm over my
shoulder hugging me to him serenely.
The next day was Saturday and Austin didn’t work until that
evening. I’d decided to go visit the Seattle Scene and hang out
with the group for the evening. That morning, about 10 o’clock,
Austin walked out of the bedroom wearing a pair of beat up shorts,
his white cowboy hat, (we now had a white and a black for him, and a
white for me) and a days growth on his face.
“Hey Sexy, where you heading all shirtless and sexy as edible hell?”
I asked as I sipped my coffee and relaxed at the table.
Austin got a big grin and flexed as he smiled at me, “Cole and I are
gonna work in the yard, I think I’m mowing today.” He offered as he
headed out the door.
I said, “Ok sport! I’ll come out and help…”
“NO you aren’t!” Austin snapped as he chastised me. “You aren’t
doing any work until you get back in shape-I’m not gonna jeopardize
your health!” I got a big grin at his growly protectiveness. Then I
reached for the phone… “Who you calling?” Asked Austin.
“Michael, He’ll die if he finds out I’ve been watching you sweat all
day and didn’t call him.” Austin laughed as I saw a shirtless Cole
walk up.
“Ok, you can sit outside and perv- but NO getting out of your
seat!” I kissed Austin as I filled my cup and rang Michael. I sat
outside in the shade sipping coffee as I watched my big muscled
boyfriend and Cole pushing the mower around and pruning the bushes.
Michael joined me about lunchtime and brought Subway subs for Austin
and Cole. After lunch Natasha came and joined our little soirée
dressed in a billowing something, I called it a nightgown and was
then, summarily “shuuushed” by Natasha who gave me an opened hand
dismissal.
About one that afternoon Austin jumped in the pool as it was still a
warm day and the pool hadn’t yet been drained. After another half
hour of work, the shirtless hunk in the cowboy hat walked up to me
huffing. “You enjoy watching me work hard?” He asked with a sexy
grin.
I stood up, licked the middle of his salty chest, stopped at his
right nipple, and sucked away. Suddenly a big hand was pressing my
face into the warm chest. “Ohhhhhhhh yeeeaaaahhhhhh, God I’ve missed
that mouth.” Austin groaned.
“Baby, all you had to do was ask I’d have licked you…” Michael was
saying from behind me. Without a word, I spun around, cupped
Michael’s balls, and began to squeeze. “FUCKEN-A!” Michael yelped as
he bent over. “Call this little rotweiler off me!” he yelped as
Cole, Natasha and Austin laughed.
“MINE!” was all I said before turning back to nurse on Austin’s
other nipple.
“Michael, honey, I’d be careful around that one, even with all the
muscles he lost, his teeth and claws are still sharp as shit.”
Natasha said with her arm around the ever stoic Cole.
“Alex, I hate to rush you or disturb what you’re doing, but Austin
has got be at work by four…” Natasha said as she walked to her
house. I started to pull Austin toward our bungalow… “This means,
he doesn’t have time to fuck you!” She added without turning
around.
“SHIT!” I said loudly…. “Well come on, we have time for a warm
shower at least.”
In the shower I washed and shampooed him, but try as I might, every
sexual overture was ignored or rebuffed. “I gotta get to work
sweetie!” He’d plead as he swatted my hands off his dick.
He drove us to the P house and I watched him get dressed in his
cowboy outfit… Natasha came over and interrupted us as I was sliding
his chaps off… Then she shooed me away, so in defeat I drove
Austin’s new truck over to the Seattle Scene.
Chloe, one of the servers, was the first to recognize me and hug me
as a greeting when I entered. Then Henna and Jorge followed, and
after their practice set was over, Marika and the band came over to
check on me. I guess from all the action and the emotions, I began
to get dizzy as I sat there listening and bantering with the
regulars and the band. As I sat there, I began to feel very
strange, my stomach was gurgling at me and I began to feel both
faint and panicky. Marika commented how pale I’d gotten and told
Henna to get me a muffin and something to drink. When Henna
exclaimed that I was diabetic and couldn’t have sweets any more,
Marika said, “honey-Alex is going into a diabetic insulin reaction,
if he doesn’t get something to eat soon, he’ll be back in the
hospital…” Henna ran and got me a blueberry muffin and had Chloe
make me an iced Latte. My blood sugar had fallen to dangerous
levels and I all but ate the paper liner around the muffin. I ate
with a panicky feeling of urgency, as though I couldn’t get the food
in me fast enough. Half an hour later, I felt fine, as though
nothing had happened. Marika came over and sat with me after her
first set.
“Baby, from now on, you have to start taking better care of
yourself, you have to eat better and for god’s sake, why aren’t you
carrying around some type of hard candy or something in case you get
low blood sugar? What if you were some place that didn’t have
food?” Marika had learned a lot about Diabetes both from her father
who had the other kind of diabetes and from her sister, Tamara, who
was a nurse. Later that night I wasn’t allowed to leave on my own
after my silly reaction, I swore I was better but the group was
adamant. Finally, Tiago said he’d drive me to the P house in
Austin’s truck and if he couldn’t find his own way back, we could
drive him back to his car after Austin was done with his shift.
While I had been at the Seattle Scene, Marika and I and the band had
discussed the upcoming Christmas event, she asked if we could do a
toned down version-i.e. ‘More religious’ for her church, and we ask
agreed we’d love to. Then, as Robert and Phil began discussing a
way to decorate the stage like a manger, I hatched an idea. Marika
saw my eyes and smirk and asked, “Okay you aren’t even back yet and
I can smell you plotting something… what gives Alex?” I smiled and
said I loved the idea of the decorations… and really, I did. I
didn’t elaborate further as I knew she and Robert would object.
When I got to the P-house, I walked in the back dressing room and
waited for Austin to finish his last number. He came back a few
minutes later dressed in black leather shorts and a chainmail shirt
carrying a prop sword. GOD almighty was he hot! “Hey you- back
already?” he greeted me with a kiss to my cheek.
“No, I’m still there drinking Latté.” I replied with a smirk as he
shed his mail.
“You’re such a shit sometimes!” He rolled his eyes and replied as he
held his sword to my chin.
“Ok, I give up-rape me and pillage my village!” I said with a hungry
look in my eyes.
“Honey, if you’re gonna give up that easy, you should say it in
French!” Natasha said as she walked in dressed as a Massi warrior.
They’d just done her version of Scandal’s “I am the warrior.”
“I don’t want him to misunderstand me.” I said as a plea as Austin
bent over to kiss me.
“Trust me whore dog, he’s not going to misunderstand you-especially
with that hard on in your shorts.” Natasha quipped as Austin cupped
my hard on and rubbed it.
“Ooohhhhh, god, I think we need a few minutes alone…” I moaned as
Austin laughed.
“Nope- we’d need hours baby- think you can wait until I get you
home?” I held his arm so his hand remained where it was as I humped
his big hand. “Can you?” I asked breathing hard in his chest.
After we’d disentangled, I told Natasha and Austin I needed their
help. I asked Natasha if she had any tiger material left from
Halloween, or what else she might have in animal prints. She showed
me a bunch of Tiger skins, Leopard, Cheetah, a variety of browns and
buckskin materials and a few black furs. Then I asked Austin if he
could get a few more dancers for me?
Awhile later Tiago told Austin about my reaction, which did little
to ease his mind, and he all but carried me to his truck. “Damn it
Alex, I told you, you needed to eat more…” He admonished on the
drive home. Once home he had me test my sugar then sat there and
made me eat a peanut butter sandwich before he ushered me to the
bathroom to get ready for bed. Austin tried to baby me and act all
parental and protective, but my soft touches and pleading eyes, and
a bit of seduction finally had him enter me and pound me into
submission. More than just wanting him, same as always, this time I
“needed” him. I needed him to prove to me that some things weren’t
going to change. The next morning we drove to the gym and I began
trying to regain all the muscle tone I’d lost. It was amazing how
much weaker I’d gotten in two weeks.
Later that day I practiced Christmas songs while Austin watched some
sports team loose on TV, I pretended to be upset and consoled him
after they’d lost and while he returned my hug he quipped “Thank you
Alex, even if you couldn’t care less who won or lost.” I kissed his
bare chest and said, “I care if you do…”
He kissed the top of my head and said “Thanks sweetness, But I
wonder if Cole is watching the games-I think I need some male
enthusiasm…”
“Well, if the academy awards come on I’ll show you enthusiasm… but
grown men throwing spherical objects? Well, unless their naked...”
I smirked as I picked up the folder and began singing silent night.
Austin smiled and waved on his way out the door.
Saturday we gathered at the Seattle Scene and wore our best suits, I
wore the pinstriped suit Ryan had bought me. Tiago had on a brown
sweater and a pair of reindeer antlers they were funny as hell to
watch as he was drumming away and they just bobbed and rocked
rhythmically. … Austin and three of his friends were in the
dressing room/supply closet waiting for me.
We started our set with a warm welcome and wished everyone a merry
Christmas. I announced that Henna had made a big batch of both warm
hot chocolate and a pot of mulled cider. We sang a few favorites
before our first break, when the lights went out I gathered my men
near the manger and waited with them, kissing the shirtless Austin.
When the lights came back up the audience saw the half-naked men
wearing animal print loincloths and Tiago and Phil in reindeer
antlers and Robert in a giraffe print tie. Marika, who’d been kept
out of the loop stood there with a shocked look on her face. “What
in gods name are you doing?” She asked me mystified. I shrugged and
said, “You put goats and sheep in your manger and I’ll put the
animals I like in mine.” Marika was as near to verklempt as anyone
I’d ever seen. “You are NOT bringing them to my church tomorrow!”
She stated. “Nooooo, they’re on loan from the P-house, cept the
Reindeer Tiger and Giraffe.” I said. One of the guys, a red haired
named Bryan Okter, came up in his leopard skin loincloth and made a
loud purring noise as he rubbed his head against me. I began our
next set then as I pet Bryan and then scratched Austin under his
chin and behind his ears.
The last part of our first performance was all Marika. With all the
lights out, we put a blue spotlight on her and in her lowest alto
began a note that was so hauntingly low and pure it caused shivers
on me even though I knew what song she was doing as she’d been
practicing it for over a week.
O holy night, the stars are brightly
shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need - to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
Marika sang with a power and conviction that was as haunting as it
was captivating. The audience sat transfixed even as the lights were
brought back up, the subsequent applause was almost a shock as the
silence had been so absolute.
Later, between sets, the well-built cheetah and zebra left as they
had a show at the P house to do, but Austin stayed on with Bryan for
the last set. Bryan only worked as a part time bartender- though
Marika was prepared and we had a good banter as Austin and Bryan
both purred and pawed at me. I stood behind Tiago later and ran a
hand up his sweaty shirt and tweaked his nipple before taking a
Santa hat off a patron I knew and put it on Austin before climbing
on his lap and whispering “I love you” in his ear as though I were
asking for presents.
The next day we enjoyed a leisurely morning of wrapping presents
while Austin was baking deserts for family and friends (and
threatening me with bodily harm and a butcher knife if I dared to
take any samples.) That afternoon, Austin and I got in my jeep and
drove to Marika and Robert’s church and the boys helped Robert set
up as the church filled with people, my mom and Austin’s were easy
to pick out of the uniformly black congregation. Our mothers sat
together with Marika’s family along with Austin and Mrs. Tremere.
The concert was much tamer and more reserved then it had been the
night before. We had a resounding applause at the end, mostly for
Marika’s stellar cover of ‘O holy night.’ The church service was
much, much longer then the catholic masses I’d been to and we were
starved by the end. As Marika had promised though, there was a
great feast of donuts, and various deserts with coffee in the reck
room. Austin and I stayed a short time to be social, but Austin
told the hosts that I was a diabetic and needed to get special food
to avoid getting sick. Tamara, Marika’s nurse sister, was there,
hugged the two of us, and escorted us out as more and more people
were trying to get us to stay. Austin’s mom was nearly crying she
was so happy to see us in a church and getting that kind of
recognition. My Mother smiled a lot and was in a discussion with
several older churchgoers about African art and the influence of the
Highwaymen on modern art.
This was actually the first time our mothers had met, and they had a
lot of trouble finding common ground to talk about. Fortunately,
Mrs. Tremere was there and she facilitated a great deal. Also,
Marika’s family was there and they were thrilled to meet our
families. Marika had been abundantly clear that most parishioners
knew our sexuality, but they’d over looked it in lieu of good old
southern pleasantry. As long as we didn’t say anything, neither did
they. It was like the musical directors in the churches, 99% of
them and most of the singers were gay, but it was a semi guarded
secret- as long as it was silent, everyone could pretend they didn’t
know. This was the southern tradition, black and white alike, of
don’t ask-don’t tell.
We left the families in good spirits as we drove off to get me some
“Austin approved” food. We’d made plans before leaving to visit our
mothers and Mrs. Tremere Christmas day.
The next week went by quickly and Christmas Eve we had a long
passionate night of romance and intense cuddling before I was
carried to bed and loved into a quivering mass covered with
snowdrifts of white.
Christmas morning I awoke to see Austin flying around silently, as
though my radar wouldn’t pick him up trying to make our breakfast.
When he saw me through our door smiling as I watched his antics, he
got a big grin and began walking towards me, wearing only a pair of
boxers in our heated apartment. “Morning sunshine!” He greeted me
before adding “and Merry Christmas baby… breakfast will be ready
soon if you wanna just relax.”
I smiled and said “naaaaaaa” as I stood up and walked to the edge of
the bed and waited for him to walk over and wrap his arms around my
waist. We kissed briefly since neither of us had the best breath in
the morning. He carried me to the bathroom door as we kissed each
other’s necks and nuzzled.
“Come on baby, brush your teeth before breakfast and let me give you
a proper Merry Christmas kiss.” I said dragging him in by his arm.
“You can spare three minutes to brush too baby.”
After we were done, we had a ten-minute kiss by our Christmas tree
and near the mistletoe. “I love you…” I moaned in his chest as he
wrapped me in the bathrobe he’d put on in the bathroom while I
peed.
“Love you too baby.” He said as he disentangled himself as he walked
towards the kitchen. “But I need to get breakfast finished for my
fiancée’” He said as he made it to the kitchen and pushed the button
on the coffee maker.
An hour or so later I sat between his legs on the floor by the tree,
which had only a few presents for each other as we’d already
splurged so much on each other. I gave him the picture I’d bought
him, which he loved and couldn’t wait to hang up. He said, “I have
to get something from Natasha’s place before you can open the rest
of what I have here, and Mom and I have something for you at her
place later.” He said as he stood up and walked to the door.
“That’s ok Baby, I have your main present at Ryan and Michaels for
now.” I said with a huge grin.
Ten minutes later Austin reappeared in our doorway carrying a box
with a big silver and red ribbon on it. He was grinning so widely I
began to laugh at him. He just bounced over and handed me the box,
“I wanted to get you a child to tide us over.” He beamed.
I was confused a moment but as I took the box, I felt it move and
the weight shift. I tore off the ribbon and opened the top to
reveal a gorgeous black kitten with even darker ears and paws. He
looked up at me and gave the deepest meow. I saw he had ice blue
eyes like a Siamese, which also explained his chiseled features.
Before Austin could speak, I was already holding the kitten and
kissing its head. “Austin, he’s gorgeous,” I said happily.
“It’s a black Siamese, there were five of them, his Mom was a
pedigreed black maine coon and his dad was a pure bread Siamese.”
Austin explained.
“He’s just gorgeous baby, and he has your eyes!” I said holding him
at arms length next to Austin’s face.
“Yeah, but he talks a lot, so he takes after you too.” Austin teased
lovingly before adding, “All the other presents are cat stuff,
litter box, food and that shit.”
I hugged the cat to me and said, “I can’t wait to give you your
present at Ryan’s.” Then I let the cat go as I closed with Austin to
kiss him. We embraced and kissed with great passion for a short
time, then I broke it off and handed Austin another of my little
gifts. Austin opened the smallish package and got a funny grin as
he held up a pair of fishnet boxer briefs. “Tired of me going
commando?” He asked with a grin.
“Sss’hyeah right!” I scoffed, “Not at all baby, you wouldn’t even be
allowed to wear anything but a smile if I had my way… but it might
be nice to wear these to certain events.” I said simply as I rubbed
him through his robe and looked up in eyes.
An hour later, we were showered, I was freshly shaved and the cat,
which, I’d named “Tempest,” was set up with a litter box on our
front porch-sun room, with food and water and a variety of toys.
First, we went to Mrs. Camble's, to the house, Austin'd grown up
in. I noticed a ‘for sale’ sign in her front yard near the make
shift manger and cross. There were no snowmen or Santa’s in this
yard unlike the rest of the neighborhood, Mrs. Camble’s yard was
decorated with Christian symbols and reminders that this was Jesus’
birthday. “Wow that was fast.” Austin remarked as he noticed the for
sale sign.
“I’m sure there are too many memories for her here…” I said assuming
I was right.
“Bull shit!” He laughed, “She hated this place and always has, she’s
selling so she can get the fuck out… and with the life insurance,
she can definitely move up a few fucking notches.”
“How much did she get?” I asked stunned a bit.
“Plenty… She’ll be very comfortable.” He said as opened the door for
me. The house reeked of stale smoke and I could see Austin balk and
turn to see if I was ok. I just smiled and ushered him in further,
Mrs. Camble was near an old Christmas tree in the living room.
“Merry Christmas boys!” She said as she came across the room to hug
Austin.
“Merry Christmas Mom.” Austin said as I wished her a merry Christmas
too.
Austin told his mom to get her coat because he was taking us out to
lunch. She grabbed a very nice fur coat and turned to me, “He’s
getting us out of the house cause he’s worried about you and all
that damned smoke.” She said as she patted my back. I smiled and
nodded because I really was getting sick trying not to breathe.
There were a surprising number of breakfast places open for a
Christmas morning. At the restaurant Christmas carols played on a
radio in the back ground and a young blond waitress brought us
coffee and took our orders.
“Alex, you and that girl were just amazing that night when you
sang.” Mrs. Camble said smiling, “God has given you a wonderful
gift.” She said as she added sugar to her coffee. Austin had taken
to using sweet-n-low like me, as a sign of solidarity and he
maintained we didn’t need extra sugar bowls. Mostly I think he was
trying to keep sugar away from me.
“Thank you Mrs. Camble, I’m so glad you could come and see us.” I
said with a smile. “I’m sorry if things were tense between you and
my mom,” I said holding her hand warmly.
“Honey, we’re from different worlds, that’s all. We both love our
boys and we both want the best for you.” She said patting my hand.
“She’s apparently more used to this whole ‘gay’ thing,” she said
whispering like it was a big secret. “But she loves you and wants
the best for you same as I do for my baby.” She added as she touched
Austin’s hand.
“Awww Mom!” He smiled as he reached down and put a big wrapped
present on the table before her. She smiled and tore open the
wrapping paper to find a professionally done portrait of Austin and
me before a Christmas tree. “I baked you a bunch of stuff too, but
it’s all wrapped up back at the house.” Austin said as she teared
up.
“Ohhh baby, this is beautiful…” She said reaching over to kiss him.
I gave her a smaller box and there were new slippers and a new
yellow Sunday dress in it.
“Alex, this is wonderful, you got my colors right and
everything-thank you honey!” She said as she stood up and bent over
to kiss me. Our sandwiches were brought over after that and we ate
a few bites before she said out of the blue. “As you know, Austin’s
daddy passed away a little while ago.” I nodded. “And though I’m not
sure about this whole thing, I wanted to give you my blessing and
well…” She handed me a small box, which I thanked her for and
opened. It was a small diamond ring inside, it was obviously old and
the silver was tarnished. I looked up not understanding “That was
Austin’s grandmas ring, my Momma… it’s a half carat, and I know it’s
too small for either of you to wear, But I’d like to pay for a
jeweler to reset it so you give a proper wedding ring to Austin,
keep it in our family I suppose.”
She said as I sat there stunned.
“Told you she liked you!” Austin teased as I sat there dumbfounded.
I opened my mouth to talk but words just failed to come out. “Mom,
you really shocked him, I’ve never seen him totally forget how to
speak.” She blushed and waved us both off dismissively. “Oh you
two…”
“Thank you Mrs. Camble” I finally said. I wanted to say more but
all I could do was open and close my mouth.
“Alex, you make my son very happy, I ain’t never seen him so happy
and so grown up.” She said as she handed Austin an envelope. He
thanked her and opened it and read his card as she said, that’s for
both of you really, I guess both presents are.”
Then he dropped it down and said, “No Ma, no… I can’t accept this.”
There was a definite tension going back and forth between them.
“Austin, baby, your daddy kept me from you all through college, he
was never ever a good daddy to you, now let me make it up to you.”
I gently took the card from Austin to read. It said, “Merry
Christmas my son, I wish you and Alex all the happiness life can
bring you. Your gift this year is a down payment on a new house
when you find one. Try to keep it under $45,000 okay? Love Mama”
I sat shocked, both by her opening up to me, to our relationship,
and this excessive generosity. “So, should I tell Natasha we don’t
need new cabinets?” I asked.
Austin just gave me a stern look “I haven’t accepted this yet so you
may want to wait” He said holding the card and tapping the table
with it.
“Austin, don’t you go sassing me and not listening to your Momma!”
She scolded in stark contrast to the loving woman who had just
spoken.
“Mommmm, it’s too much, all I gave you was a picture and some
muffins.” He’d actually made more, but it made his point.
“Sweetie, I got a LOT of money from his insurance, he has a lot of
benefits I get to keep, and the house will sell for a good price
cause of the land it’s on… Let me help you out as you start your
lives together please?” she asked.
Austin hung his head and then shook it before looking up with a
crazy smile. “God I love you Mom…” And he stood up and walked around
to give his mom a long proper hug. I sat looking at the ring I had
gotten, but would have to give back when I put it on his finger.
His Mom asked a bunch of questions later on, about what we did as
far as housework, who did what… she really was confused by the whole
gay “two guys” issue. She avoided any impropriety by sticking to
housework questions. I hugged her and thanked her later before we
rose to drive her home.
“Don’t worry none about the smoke Alex, I always hated it too, no
one would visit it was so bad. Soon as Austin’s daddy died, I gave
up smoking and can’t wait till I get new place.” I shrugged off her
concern, wished her a very merry Christmas, and promised that Austin
and I would go to church with her soon.
“Such a well bread young man!” She said pinching my cheeks and
kissing my nose as she said good-bye to us.
“Dude, I can’t believe how much my mom likes you.” Austin said in
wide-eyed amazement. “Or that she wants us to get a new house?” I
added, “OR that she gave us her Mom’s wedding ring!” He added as he
reached for my hand to hold it. “You know what this means, don’t
you?” Austin asked suddenly.
“We’ll need a house with three mother in-law apartments for our moms
and Mrs. Tremere?” I said.
Austin laughed, “Nooooo, well…yes, it means that too, come to think
of it, but NO!” He insisted, “It means I can get a damned dog!” I
smiled and held his hand to my lips as I kissed his fingers, “It
sure does, baby,” I said with a grin.
At my mom’s house later, we sat down in her bright red living room
decorated with all manner of art, paintings, sculpture and pottery.
My brother Patrick was there too. He had a smaller platinum blond
girl with him he introduced as Sam. Sam was a very pretty girl with
a great sense of humor and I knew my mother would like her cause she
had a thick Bronx accent AND she was an art major at the local
university. I helped Mom put out the food for dinner. It wasn’t as
fancy as Mrs. Tremere’s food, but who had the talent or time for her
little ‘throw-togethers’?
Finally, the potatoes, ham, lamb, and veggies were set out and I
called Austin, Patrick, and Sam to the table. We drank a nice wine
Patrick had brought. “One son is dating an Austin, and my other son
is dating a Sam… I’m so proud!” My mom said hamming it up for
dramatic effect. Austin and Sam just laughed but Patrick had to
add, “It’s SAMANTHA… sorry to take away your pride Mom, but she’s a
girl.”
“And your brothers engaged- your point?”
“Well, if things work out, Patrick could offer you a grandchild
first…” Sam added with a hint of amusement.
“HEY!” Austin jumped in, “I gave Alex a baby for Christmas this
morning-your first grandkid has blue eyes and is named ‘Tempest’.
Mom was laughing, we were always an animated family and she was
delighted to have two new members who seemed to fit right in. We
bantered through out dinner and afterwards went to the living room
for presents, which were stacked under the tree. Patrick, Sam and
my mom had done theirs after breakfast. Mom had gotten Austin a
bunch of really nice clothing, Patrick had given us a new set of
Calphalon pots-n-pans with a few low-cal, diabetic cooking books.
We’d gotten Mom a wonderful new Dress in golds and magenta hues with
a few splashes of electric blue that always seemed to radiate a
little more when worn. I accentuated it with a small matching
purse, shoes, and a really sharp small gold broach set with a black
opal. Austin had brought two huge baskets of his baked goods, and
we’d given Patrick two season passes to the local team’s football
games.
Sam laughed as she said, “I get so fucking tired of explaining the
rules to him!”
Austin chirped up with “Oh I hear you, at least Patrick cares
though! Try taking Nathan Lane here to a football game…” They both
got a huge laugh out of that as I hammed up a scowl.
Finally, mom handed me one box that contained three of the Raku pots
I’d been ogling right after Thanksgiving, and then I got that wire
mesh piece of the naked guy throwing the ball… to compliment the
piece I’d given Austin. “Oh, and we packed up all your other
pieces for your new place too, they’re in that box by the front
door.” She said off handedly. Austin and I looked at each other not
sure, if we should say anything yet. “You ARE staying there aren’t
you?” She asked afraid the deal had fallen through. Austin just
handed the card his Mom had given him. Mom read it and then flushed
“Oh my… oh my god!” I explained to Patrick and Sam what it was, and
that very soon we’d be looking for a new house.
“But you just god damned moved.” Patrick said. “And yet, it seems
we’ll be moving again!” I added sarcastically.
Mom said she knew a few real estate agents in the Orlando area and
that she’d find a good one for us. Then I showed her the ring Mrs.
Camble had given me and asked her for a good jewelry maker. “Don’t
know why she gave it to you, I’m the one that’s gotta wear it…”
Austin said feeling left out.
“Face it Bud, we’re expendable during the whole wedding thing”
Patrick said to him.
“YOU might be.” I said to Patrick as I winked to Sam. “But Austin
better damned well be there…” I said hugging Austin around his lower
chest facing his back.
“Here…” I added with a conciliatory smile as I handed him the ring.
Austin grinned and said, “I was only joking baby…” I put a finger
to his lip and said, “I know, but it only makes sense… the important
thing for me is being part of your line, your history, and the ring
belongs to you,” I said before kissing his chest through his shirt.
“You get it adjusted and put it on me when we’re married… I can
wait.” Austin said wanting to kiss my lips.
“How come your brother’s so romantic and you’re such a schmuck?” Sam
asked Patrick.
She was joking, but it set Patrick off. “Cause he’s gay, and Austin
always treats him nicely… he’s never teased him in front of his
friends.”
I was about to correct that last statement when Austin used his hand
to cover my mouth as he said, “See Patrick, treating a guy is no
different than treating a girl, you gotta treat them nicely” And
before I could say anything he spun around and began kissing me.
“Even when other guys think it’s gross or whatever.” He added as he
pulled me against him.
“I don’t think it’s gross.” I protested as I pulled him down for
another kiss.
“Alex,” he said “guys…” Patrick added with a smart-ass smirk.
“Sam, let me tell you about the time Patrick found a dog hair in his
underwear…” I said evilly. Patrick glared at me and gave me the
universal “Ok brother dear, keep the secrets in the damned family
before I start spilling them too.” I just smiled and played dumb
when Sam tried to coax the story out of me.
So we bantered and ate desert, well they did, Austin tasted a little
but said he was supporting me in an act of solidarity. At
seven-thirty we said goodbye as I still had to get Austin over to
Ryan and Michael’s house for his present and to give them theirs.
I told Mom I’d have dinner with her Wednesday while Austin was
dancing, and told Sam we’d get together soon so I could go over all
the important facts Patrick had left out.
We pulled up to Ryan and Michael’s house thirty minutes later. “How
you holding up Alex?” Austin asked as we walked to the door. “Well,
it’s been a long day… Can’t wait to get home and get naked with
you…”
“Well, we’re still planning to be good boys after New Years right?”
He asked. I groaned and nodded…
I had Ryan and Michael take Austin to the living room and sit down
while I ‘supposedly’ went to the bathroom. In reality, I went to a
back bedroom and collected Austin’s present. I walked out holding
a small black Police dog with erect ears and a wildly wagging tail.
“Merry Christmas baby!” I said when Austin looked up.
“Oh my god!!!!!!” Austin yelled as he crossed to greet the puppy and
me.
“But you said…” Austin began,
“I said we couldn’t keep him at our place, assuming we’d be in the
apartment a while, but Ryan said we could leave him here with Thor
and Loki since they all get along fine.” I said hugging Austin as he
played with the puppy. “But since we can get our own place, I guess
we need to get a place with a big yard.” I added before turning to
Ryan and Michael, “Austin’s Mom has promised to help him get a
house.” I said as an explanation. There was a great deal of hugging
and backslapping as Ryan and Michael congratulated us. Austin
played and played with the very happy puppy as I explained that the
puppy could visit, but would have to stay here. We’d pay for food
and all that stuff, and Austin would have to come over once a day to
walk the baby and play with him.
I was telling the boys about the irony that Austin had gotten me a
kitten that morning and I’d gotten him the puppy for virtually the
same reason, we wanted children for the other… Austin had, for once,
been more practical and I’d gone ahead and opted for what I knew he
wanted despite the problems. The smile on his face as he rolled
around with the gangly puppy was priceless.
“So what did you name the kitten?” Michael asked me as he pet Loki’s
face as they both watched Austin on his knees rearing up and bowing
down for the little black puppy.
“I called him “Tempest” I said, “cause his coat was all stormy and
is eyes, flashed like lightening.”
“What a cool name!” Ryan laughed as Austin got a sudden face full of
puppy tongue. “So what are you calling him?” Michael asked Ryan and
me about the puppy.
I shrugged and said, “He’s Austin’s dog, you’ll have to ask him…”
Austin stood up carrying the puppy, “Thunder!” He said suddenly
bringing the puppy in for a big belly zerbert. “oooh, I like that!”
I said walking up to hug my husband and love child. “So we have a
storm theme going down?” I asked.
“Hey, you started it… and with that bark of his- thunder just makes
sense” He giggled, “Even if it more of a yip now!” He laughed and we
all joined in.
Austin snuggled up against me and reached his arms around me to pull
me against him, “Sooooo, I was just thinking Mr. Johnson…”
I leaned back against him and ran my hands up his muscular arms,
“mmmmmmmm Yes Mr. Hunky guy with puppy breath.” He cracked up
laughing and Ryan was snickering away. “I was just thinking…” He
lead in assuming I’d read his mind. It was obvious what he was
hinting at but I played dense.
“Since when have you started thinking?” I asked.
“Ok, SNOT head… I was GOING to say that sense we have a house now, I
could take you back and try to get you pregnant… but screw that” He
said playfully shoving me aside.
“Heeeyyyyyyyyyyyy” I protested. “I still wanna try having your
baby,” I pleaded as I grabbed his arms and pulled it against me.
“You killed the mood!” He said dismissively.
“PLEASE!” Ryan exclaimed loudly, “You two whore mongers will be
naked before you hit your bed room.” He added. “Sweetie I’m betting
Austin’s already hard and Alex’s ass is begging him for some
attention.” Michael added as he shoved me towards Austin.
Austin grabbed me and slid a hand down the back of my pants. “HEY!”
I yelled as I pulled away. “Not in front of the children!” I ordered
as I straightened up.
“Thunder, can I mate your hairless bitchy mother?” Austin asked
looking over to the very attentive puppy. Austin cocked his head as
if listening a minute then grabbed me again, “He said to go for
it.” A moment later, I was lip locked with a big strong sports
star.
Thirty minutes later Austin was trying his damnedest to get me
pregnant, although I didn’t bring up the fact that we were both boys
and that he was wearing a condom. Sometime before dawn, I culled up
on his chest, played with his chest hair as I fell asleep, and
joined him in dreamland.
To be continued...