Watching Brad

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXVIII​

"Please," Neil said to me, "come in."

His extended hand guided me through the door into the entryway of his apartment. A large, patterned rug hung on the wall to the left, hiding white styrofoam. Probably soundproofing. Brad was standing in the livingroom, just to my right, petting a beautiful, cream-coloured dog which stood a bit above Brad's knees. Neil closed the door as he entered. When the dog saw me, a new round of barking began and she came toward me, limping as badly as her master.

"Sam!" the man scolded. Then, to me, he said, "Don't worry. She's gentle."

"You call her ‘Sam'?" Brad asked.

"Short for Samantha Morgan Dog," Neil said.

"No wonder you call her Sam," Brad smiled brightly.

Sam was no-longer barking and her tail was wagging energetically in response to my hearty scratching of her ears. She tilted her head into it. I turned to Neil. "Excuse me, where's my daughter?"

Neil stepped back to the entry door and indicated a doorway opposite. "Bathroom's right there," he said.

I saw the bathroom door immediately and walked there in just a few steps. A small kitchen opened to the right with a single window at the back and another door leading outside. Both were opened to let in the fresh air. There was no room in the kitchen for even a tiny dining table. I knocked on the door. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"I'm looking at a Reader's Digest, Daddy!" she called back. "There's lots of ‘em in here. And newspapers and everything!"

Typical bachelor's reading room. I smiled. "I'm coming in, Sweetheart," I said, and opened the door, closing it again as I stepped inside. Small bathroom. Lindsay was sitting on the toilet just ahead of me. The tub and shower were against the wall to my left, and a vanity sat against the wall just beyond Lindsay. Newspapers and advertising inserts lay over the side of the tub.

"Other people need to use this room, too, Sweetheart," I told her. "Are you finished yet?"

"Yup," she replied. "I just had to go pee."

"Well, come on, then," I said, taking the Digest from her and setting it on the vanity. When she was ready, I sent her out the door. "I'll be right there."

"Okay, Daddy,"

A quick piss, flush, and handwash and I was heading back to the livingroom. It wasn't a large room. A large green sofa covered with a blue blanket and a red afghan over the back cushions sat under a single window against the far wall. A rather cluttered coffee table sat in front of it. A computer table with wall shelves above it sat just to the left. The computer was turned on and a desktop picture of a man I didn't know filled the screen. The wall farthest from me, to the right of the sofa, opened into the single bedroom. The bed wasn't made. A wooden stand full of plants stood against the bedroom window at the front of the apartment There was a long shelf above the door upon which sat a number of very old glass bottles and a few snowman ornaments, plus a small sign which read, "So this isn't Home Sweet Home. Adjust".

On the wall opposite the sofa, just to my right, a huge, home-made, wooden entertainment unit and bookshelves covered most of the wall from floor to the very high ceiling. There were lots of books - encyclopaedias, old hardbacks, a number of paperbacks, and numerous coffee table books - and knick-knacks, as well as a small collection of DVDs. The highest shelves contained an assortment of jigsaw puzzles, ornaments, wicker baskets, and a large vase of flowers that seemed to be made of the same stuff from which Lindsay had made my coaster. The television was off, but a small stereo system sitting on a shelf below was playing Bach's Third Brandenburg concerto. On a shelf above the television were a VCR and DVD player. A large ceiling fan spun overhead.

Early hand-me-down decor. Thrift-shop chic.

"CFMX?" I commented, nodding to the stereo.

"Yes," Neil said. He was looking at Brad. Then he looked at me. "It's the only station I listen to."

"Excuse me," Brad said as he stepped between us on his way to the bathroom. Neil watched him go. Stared at him, actually. There was an odd look in his eyes - sad, perhaps - and he stared at the door even after I heard it close. I got the strangest feeling that he'd met Brad before. He took a deep breath and let it out again before returning his attention to me.

Lindsay was all over the dog. She looked at Neil. "Why is her leg bent like that?" she asked. It was obvious the dog had been injured. She stood upright on her left front leg, but her right leg was bent at the ankle and her entire foot lay almost flat on the carpeted floor.

"She was hit by a car a few years ago," Neil said. "The car ran over her leg. She was in a cast for a few months."

"Poor doggy," Lindsay said, giving her another hug. "Does it hurt?"

"No," Neil said. "It just makes it harder for her to walk, that's all."

"I had a cast on my arm," Lindsay said, holding it up for inspection. "It's all better now."

Neil smiled at her. "That's good." Then he said, "Would you like to give Sam a treat?"

"Can I!?" Lindsay loved dogs. I should consider getting her one now that she had a permanent home for a dog.

Neil seemed nervous, but not in a ‘nervous' way. I got the feeling that was the way he always was. I mean, his face didn't look nervous. He just shook slightly, and his movements were calculated and precise, as if he were planning them in his mind before he did them and was very conscious of them. He searched through the top bag of his grocery cart and pulled out a crinkling deli-wrap package. As he opened it, Sam escaped Lindsay's grasp and headed for her master. She knew that sound. Neil opened the package and pulled out four small pepperoni sticks.

Brad returned. "Please," Neil said to both of us. "Have a seat for a bit."

I had planned only on letting Lindsay use the bathroom, getting directions, and moving along, but I liked this man. I don't know what was wrong with him, causing his limp. I didn't ask. His life was simple and slow, but he seemed content with it and didn't seem to resent what life had handed him. He was taking it in stride and dealing as best he could. He may have been alone, but he didn't appear lonely. Our chance visit with him seemed to bring a welcomed break to an otherwise wearisome routine, so we found ourselves staying..

Brad and I sat on the sofa.

"I have to buy these for her each time I go shopping or she gets mad at me," Neil said smiling as he approached Lindsay, the dog following close behind. He broke two of the sticks into five bite- sized pieces as he walked. It looked odd, both master and dog limping like that. He set the pieces on the coffee table and set the other two sticks aside. "When you give them to her, just say ‘easy'."

"Okay," Lindsay said.

Neil took off his cap, smoothing out his thinning hair with a sweep of his hand, and sat on the chair in front of the computer with some effort and even more relief. He spun the chair around to face us.

"Mister?" Lindsay said as the dog happily munched on another piece of pepperoni. "Can I have a drink?"

"I don't have any pop," Neil said, "but I have milk or iced tea or cranberry juice." He started pushing himself out of the chair.

Ever to the rescue, Brad stood up. "I can get it," he said.

Neil settled back into the chair. "The glasses are in the corner cabinet to the right of the sink."

"What would you like, Lindsay?" Brad asked.

"Iced tea."

"Help yourself if you'd like some," Neil said. His eyes were locked on Brad's face. "There's plenty. Coffee there, too, or I can make tea if you prefer."

"Thanks," Brad replied. To me, he said, "Ted?"

"Iced tea if there's enough."

"There's more than enough," Neil said.

Brad turned to Neil. "Can I get you anything?"

"Nothing, thanks," he said. "I'm fine."

Brad left for the kitchen, and, again, the older man watched him go until he disappeared around the corner.

"So," Neil said as he turned back to me. "You're lost, eh?"

"We're trying to get to the zoo and the Lift Lock, and then the fireworks tonight. I'm not sure where we went today, but it certainly wasn't where we wanted to go."

He smiled knowingly. "Easy enough to get lost in Peterpatch. Streets don't match." He pushed himself out of the chair and moved to the sofa. Before he sat down, he grabbed up a small tray with a plastic tub of tobacco and a cigarette rolling machine which was sitting on the corner of the coffee table. He set it out of the way near his computer. "I see you don't smoke," he said. "Neither do I when I have visitors."

"Thank you," I said.

He sat down and reached toward a shelf below the coffee table. He located a folded map and handed it to me as he took off his glasses and exchanged them for another pair on the table.

The dog had finished her treats and was now lying on a large, cushioned rug just to the right of the bedroom door. Lindsay had joined Sam there and was petting her again. It had taken considerable effort for the dog to lie down and I suspected she was much older than she looked, and probably suffering from serious arthritis.

"How old is she?" I asked.

"I'm not exactly sure," Neil replied. "Thirteen, fourteen maybe."

"She's beautiful,' I told him.

"Thank you."

I opened the map and began looking at it. Neil looked on from the side. "You only need to remember three streets," he said. He pointed to the map and his finger suddenly began to shake even more than it had before. More of a jerking motion, actually, as if he were trying to counteract each shake. "Sorry," he apologized, and pulled his hand back and set it into his lap to join his other hand. He took a deep breath.

I pointed to where he had pointed. "Here?"

"Yes. Now, move right to George Street." I did. "It runs one way south. The next street over is Water. It's one way north." I found them easily. "Now, go south a few blocks and find Hunter." Again, easily found. My finger traced his directions on the map. "Go east across the river to the canal. That's the Lift Lock. The zoo is way up on Water Street. Look for Riverview Park."

I found that easily, too. "We were so close to where I wanted to be," I said.

Brad returned with three glasses in his hands, letting Lindsay take one first before handing the other to me. Neil began to rise from the sofa.

"You're okay," Brad said. "There's plenty of room." He settled in beside me.

"The fireworks are down George Street at Little Lake," Neil said. "Look for Creary Park." Once I located the lake, it was easy finding the park. "Three streets," he added. "George, Water, and Hunter. His eyes returned to Brad.

"That's simple enough," I said as I folded the map again and began to replace it on the table shelf.

"Take it," Neil said. "I don't need it." He removed the black-rimmed glasses and exchanged them with the gold-coloured ones again.

"Thanks," I said and tucked it between myself and Brad.

"Are you a Stargate fan?" Brad asked our host. "I saw Daniel Jackson on your computer screen."

"Big fan," he said. Neil seemed lost in Brad's face. "I watch it in reruns every night. Pretty stupid for an old guy like me."

"It's not stupid," Brad said with his chipped-tooth smile. "I like the show, too. I always liked Jack O'Neill, though." Then the smile disappeared and he said, "Excuse me, but you keep staring at me."

Neil looked like he'd just been caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. "I'm sorry," he said as he looked away. "I didn't even notice."

"I remind you of someone, don't I?" Brad asked. "It's like you already know me.

Neil looked at Brad again, then pushed himself out of the sofa, putting his hands on his knees to push himself upright. He circled the coffee table, stepped carefully over the dog's feet, and went into the bedroom. He opened a large, blue plastic container sitting on the floor and pulled out a crumpled shoe box and carried it back into the livingroom. He returned to the computer chair and opened the box. I could see him rifling through an assortment of photos before pulling out two of them. He held them out to me and I stretched to reach for them.

Brad and I looked at them, then we looked at each other, and finally back to Neil. "He looks just like me," Brad said in astonishment.

"Can I see, Daddy?" Brad handed the photos to Lindsay. The dog lifted her head off Lindsay's lap, sniffed at the photos, then settled her head back onto her new friend's leg.

Brad looked at Neil again, and the older man looked away. Brad's voice was gentle and caring. "You loved him, didn't you? When you look at me, you have the same look in your eyes that Ted has when he looks at me, but it's sadder somehow."

"Yes," Neil admitted. He sighed deeply and settled back against the chair.

Brad's hand found mine and clutched it tightly. "He didn't love you back," Brad said.

Neil shook his head and raised his eyebrows. "No, he didn't. He couldn't." He looked back into Brad's green eyes. "He was about your age when I met him back in ‘83. Nineteen. I was thirty- two." Brad's hand squeezed mine even tighter. "He's shorter than you, though. A lot shorter. And his eyes are a different colour. . ." He smiled timidly. "And he doesn't have a chipped tooth. But ‘yes', you are very much like he was when he was your age."

The photos flashed into my mind again. The resemblance had been astonishing and had extended to the midsection as well. Neil's friend wasn't quite as blessed as Brad, but it was still quite impressive. "Where is he now?" I asked.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him for a few years. But that's life. You live with it or you let it get you down."

Until that moment, I hadn't realized how lucky I was. The similarities in our lives were eerily similar, but that's where they stopped. I had found love, and it had found me. Neil would probably never find it. He had only his memories of long ago and what might have been.

"Would you like to join us today?" Brad asked.

Neil smiled as he sat back down. "No," he said. "But thanks for asking. I can't do that anymore. Too much standing and walking."

"I'm sorry," Brad said.

Neil simply smiled and shrugged. "I do what I can. Just can't do that."

We should have left then. We had things to do, but we ended up staying for almost another hour and another glass of iced tea. Neil still didn't drink anything.

"Did you make the flowers?" Lindsay asked, pointing to the vase on the shelf.

"Yes, I did," Neil said. "A long time ago."

"It's plastic canvas, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"I only make flat things," Lindsay said. "I hope I can do stuff like that some day."

"The clock above you is plastic canvas, too." Lindsay looked up. "If you practice enough, you can do things like that as well." He paused a moment, then his face brightened. "I have something for you," Neil said. He pushed himself out of the chair again and made his way once more into the bedroom. He returned a moment later with a bird house, all stitched in blues and whites and tans. It was in the shape of a Swiss chalet and small enough to sit on a shelf. A bird was perched outside the circular hatchway. He handed it to Lindsay.

Lindsay ran her fingers over the stitching, examining the bird house, front and back. She poked gently at the bird and found that it actually moved. "It's so pretty," she said. Her eyes were wide with wonder and excitement.

"I made this for my mother a long time ago," Neil said. "When she died a few years ago, I got it back. I'd like you to have it." There was no sadness in his voice when he spoke of her.

"Sweetheart," I said, "I think you should give it back."

"Please, Ted," the older man said, "I'd like her to have it. It just sits on my dresser." He smiled at Lindsay. "You keep it and enjoy it." Then he walked back to his chair and sat down.

"Thank you, Neil," Lindsay said.

"You're welcome."

We talked for awhile. Brad and Neil got into a pleasant discussion about this Stargate programme and Brad teased him lightly about his obsession with Daniel Jackson and asked how he felt about Jonas Quinn. Neil's eyebrows raised high on his head and a small grin crossed his face. He motioned Brad to the computer. He clicked an icon, quickly bringing up a word processing program. He found the file he wanted and opened it. He scrolled down the page and Brad skimmed it over his shoulder.

"You wrote a story about Daniel and Jonas?"

Neil's smile was rather embarrassed. "Two of them, actually. I always thought they belonged together. Besides, it passes time and keeps this old brain moving."

"I'd like to read it sometime," Brad said with genuine interest.

"It's online in a forum I belong to," Neil said as he handed Brad a small note pad and pen. "‘justusboys dot com'."

I don't think Brad wanted to leave any more than I did, but Lindsay was getting antsy and anxious to see what we had come to Peterborough to see. After another toidy break, we left, hoping this wouldn't be the last time we saw this man. Neil and Sam stood on the front porch, watching us as we walked to the corner, Lindsay clutching her bird house in her arms. We turned for one final, happy wave and ‘goodbye' from us and a cheery ‘take care, eh?' from Neil, and then we were gone.

* * * * *

I was surprised to see how close we had been to our goal without even knowing it. Another block would have taken us there. But it was like all the forgotten maps and the ‘uh ohs' and dead ends and wrong turns and zigzags had taken us to find Neil. I didn't really believe in fate, but I'm sure now that fate had a hand in this. Whatever it was, we were destined to meet him, and Brad and I were forever changed by meeting him. My love for Brad shot into orbit when I realized how lucky I had been that he had chosen to love me back.

* * * * *

With Brad reading the map, we found the Lift Lock easily enough. We got there just as a tourist boat was pulling into the tank at the bottom level. More small watercraft waited to board, but there was little room left in the large tank. The other tank, at the top level, already had boats bobbing in it.

The lock looked like a concrete castle with side-by-side drawbridges and square towers on either side. A round, red-roofed tower divided the tanks. The gigantic tanks took the place of the drawbridges - one at the lower level and the other at the top. A huge metal cylinder held up the upper tank.

We watched the gates close, locking the boats in place, and then the upper tank began to sink. As it did, the lower tank slowly rose out of the water. It looked like a giant swimming pool balanced on a gigantic, metal pedestal. The tanks moved slowly at first, and I thought it would take forever for them to exchange positions, but suddenly they began to move much more swiftly. I could imagine the rush the people on the boats felt. For those in the top level, it would be like riding down in an elevator and suddenly having the cables cut away.

We waited and watched the full process from beginning to end again before getting back in the car and heading out to find the zoo. The drive to it was pleasant for a Sunday afternoon. Following the map, I improvised a bit and took the scenic route out, following the meandering river. As we crossed the bridge to rejoin Water Street, we could see Trent University to our right. All concrete. I think it would look rather depressing in the rain.

The zoo was pretty crowded, even though the streets weren't, and Lindsay ran from exhibit to exhibit with Brad and I tagging along as best we could. We came across a small orchestra playing music for the visitors in a small circular courtyard. We found a place to sit on the rim of a huge fountain set into the pathway and Brad went to a small concession stand nearby to get us each an ice cream cone.

"Daddy," Lindsay asked. "Why didn't Neil want to come with us?"

"I don't think he could, Sweetheart," I told her. "He has trouble walking and he wouldn't have been able to keep up with us." I smiled at her. "Especially you."

"I could walk slower," she offered.

"I'm not sure that would have helped, Sweetheart."

She took a few licks from her cone and said, "I hope we see him again. I liked him."

"I do, too, Sweetheart." But I wasn't sure if we ever would.

Fortunately for Lindsay, I'd had the forethought to pack a few changes of clothes for her. When we finally found the playground, Lindsay headed first for the wading pool. She had on her shorts and a light blouse, so all she had to do was to take off her shoes and socks. She spent a half hour in there, splashing around and playing with the other children, before hitting all the tunnel slides and swings and all the jungle gyms and all the other things Peterborough had given her to play on, and all at the cost of a single ice cream cone.

Lindsay was changed into a dry pair of shorts and blouse and I'd brushed the wetness out of her hair. It dried in no time at all. It wasn't hard finding a place to eat supper. There were plenty of restaurants around now that we didn't need one in a hurry and I let Lindsay choose. Fortunately, she picked a family restaurant where I could order something other than a burger and fries.

We arrived early for the outdoor concert and there was already a sizeable crowd there. Many were sitting in lawn chairs, but a lot of people were standing. Brad set up our two chairs where Lindsay would have a good view of the stage, and then we sat and waited. Lindsay sat in my lap. Before the concert started, Brad went to the concession stand there and bought pops for each of us and several bags of potato chips and a barrel of popcorn. We munched away as the concert unfolded.

It was quite enjoyable, even for the adults attending, and Lindsay was enraptured by it. When the concert finally ended, we were alerted to move to the lake for the boat show and fireworks display. Brad carried the chairs and I carried Lindsay. It was dark by then.

The boat show was nothing like I had expected it would be. Music played in the background and the small sailing boats danced a ballet in the water. The sails were furled, but white twinkle lights trimmed everything - the boat, the spar, the boom, and all the rigging. We could barely hear the outboard motors running. I was very impressed, and Lindsay watched in total fascination. The fireworks which followed were equally impressive.

As we walked back to find our car in the shopping centre parking lot across the street from the lake, Lindsay wrapped her arm around my neck and curled into my chest, resting her cheek there. I knew she wouldn't be awake much longer. Brad returned the lawn chairs to the trunk as I buckled Lindsay into the back seat. I gave her a kiss and handed her a pillow. "Thank you, Daddy," she said. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Sweetheart." I gave her another kiss and closed the door. She propped the pillow between her head and the side window. By the time I got behind the wheel, she was sound asleep, her cherished bird house clutched gently in her arms.

* * * * *

I had to wake Lindsay up to go to the bathroom, but that was it for her. She was asleep again before I crossed the hall into her bedroom. I changed her, tucked her in, kissed her goodnight, and went to bed myself.

Brad was already there. He'd unloaded the car, then locked up the house for the night. I stripped and climbed into bed and Brad climbed into my arms.

"I thought I loved you before today," he said softly. "I didn't realize just how much until this afternoon."

"I know," I told him. "I feel the same way. I couldn't believe how much his friend looked like you. Even the hair was the same."

"Did you notice that we were both about the same ages they were when they met?"

"Deja vu," I said. "It was like I was looking at my own future, except that you were with me and I wasn't all alone."

"I can't see myself being anywhere except with you, Ted. I don't want to be anywhere else."

We were quiet for awhile, just holding each other. "I wish I had got his address, or at least his phone number," I said.

"I saw his name on a phone bill on the coffee table," Brad said. "I can look it up."

I kissed him then. "I love you so much, Bradley Hayes."

"I love you, too, Ted."

We kissed again.

Before we fell asleep, Brad said, "Did you set the alarm clock?"

I hadn't.

To Be Continued​

 

[sheep]

Awesome!

 

[Kyanimal]

One of my "smaller" fascinations, with Alfred Hitchcock's work, has been to spot his quick cameo appearances in each of his films.

And, in his more recent novels, Clive Cussler manages to show up about 3/4 of the way through his stories.

But, you have far surpassed either of those. You have invited us into your home, and allowed us to meet you and Sam. THANK YOU!!

Huge Hugs, Neil! HUGE HUGS!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[Davelandia]

Neil -

I just found this story and read it from its start up till this point, laughing and crying as I'm sure so many others have.

I hope that Brad and Ted and all the other important people in their lives are with us for a long time to come. I wish I could know them all personally - this is at least the next best thing. Thank you for bringing them into our lives.

You have a gift and I thank you so much for sharing it with us.

 

[sweet~boy]

u realy had me on the edge! keep it up! your work is unbelivable good! my complaments all go to neil.

 

[ronboy]

Neil,

I have been away for a few days, and just finished with Chapter 24. I can't wait to finish reading the rest of the chapters!

Ron

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXIX​

Life with Brad changed after our visit to Peterborough. Sex changed, too. It's hard to explain how. It wasn't just sex anymore. Everything we did became an affirmation of our love for each other. Even a simple kiss became a promise to our future. I think Brad was most affected by the visit. Until he'd met me, he'd been alone, and I think he felt as if he'd always be alone. What he'd seen in Neil's eyes made him realize that he might have ended up the same way, sitting alone in a small apartment buying pepperoni sticks for his dog. We were all affected by the visit, but I don't think anyone was more affected than Brad.

Lindsay proudly showed Grandma and Grandpa her bird house, and Cali and Mags gave her all the expected ‘oos' and ‘ahs'. Tyler didn't particularly care. Brad found the forum and Neil's stories. He's printed them off and showed them to me on Monday night. He'd also found Neil's phone number and address through Canada 411. I didn't know you could do that. Brad would have to teach me more about the internet.

Our neighbourhood trio became regular night-time visitors over the next week, showing up after dinner for a dip in the pool. Brad no-longer felt shy about his Speedo and Mags was no-longer shy about seeing him in it. All the hard work in the front yard had hardened him even further and he was beautifully tanned. Cost me a fortune in sun screen. By Wednesday, Tyler didn't need anyone to start him off anymore and he didn't even wear his water wings in the pool. And he could float on his back!

By the week's end, giving Brad a blowjob was something I could do easily. Each time, I grew more accustomed to his size and each time there was less discomfort for me. Brad didn't cry anymore, but he was just as excited when he slid into my throat as he had been that first time. I made love to him, of course, and he enjoyed that. But, once you describe it, there's not much else you can say about it except that it happened. Blowjobs are different, and you can do different things and describe them in different ways, but how many ways can you describe ‘in and out'? Still, though, we enjoyed the one activity which had brought us together in the first place. Brad still liked jerking off, and I still liked watching him do it.

That's what we were doing that Friday night. Lindsay was at Grandma's and Grandpa's for the weekend, and Tyler was off with his father. Cali and Mags were making good use of their time alone and went out for dinner and to the movies. Brad and I were enjoying our time alone.

It was dark except for the soft lights of the solar lamps which cast its warm glow over the bubbling hot tub. Classical music played gently in the background, the sound coming from small weather-proof speakers which Brad had installed under the eaves of the house.

The water was hot, and Brad was hotter. He sat beside me, my arm over his shoulders and holding him. His hard cock was poking out of the water, pointing at his chest. His hand appeared regularly as he stroked himself from the base of his shaft to the head. As much as Brad enjoyed sex with me, he still enjoyed sex with himself and I still liked watching him do it.

He was well-settled into his rhythm and his hand was moving smoothly over himself. We were looking at each other and his eyes told me what he was feeling. Brad enjoyed jerking off in the hot tub. The bubbling water did things to his balls that his fingers couldn't do. My own hand worked my own joint beneath the surface of the water. There was just me and Brad and his cock. And then there was. . .

"Up periscope?"

Cali's voice scared the hell out of both of us. My head jerked around toward her, just in time to see Mags disappearing behind the privacy fence. Cali was standing there, grinning. Brad was shouting, "Gee-sus, Mur. . ." The rest was just blubbering as his head disappeared under water.

Cali just stood there, smiling, waiting for Brad to reappear. He did, eventually, but only his head. He spit out a mouthful of water and said anxiously, "Could you go away, please?" I'm sorry, I can't describe his face at that moment. There were so many things going on with it, so many expressions being shown in it. I think you can imagine it yourself, though.

"Oh, I don't think so, Honey," Cali said with a mischievous grin as she began unbuttoning her blouse. "It's time we all pull our heads our of our asses and stop being strangers."

Brad held his hand up, palm outward. "You can't come in here!" he shouted.

"Why, isn't there any room left with that thing in there with you?" She pulled off her blouse, revealing her bikini top beneath. She suddenly became very serious when she spoke again. All her smiles had disappeared. "Bradley, you're my friend, and I love you dearly. You're the sweetest boy I've ever met in my life. I'm sorry I embarrassed you just now and I can understand why. But we're. . ." She looked around for Mags. "Mags? Get in here!"

Mags appeared slowly and stood beside Cali. "I'm sorry, Brad," she said sheepishly, "for embarrassing you. I've never seen a man doing that before."

Brad gave her a weak smile. "That's okay," he said. "I shouldn't have been doing it out here."

"That's my point, Bradley," Cali continued. "We're the trespassers here, but we're also your friends. We've seen you now. Or, at least, more of you. This was bound to happen sooner or later. You can't hide something like that forever. You and Ted can't be yourselves in your own home, on your own property, if you're always looking over your shoulders wondering if someone is going to see what you're doing."

She stopped talking for a moment, still holding her blouse in her hands as she looked back and forth between me and Brad. "If you want us to leave, we'll go. But, I'll tell you right now, you won't find two better friends than us where you can be totally safe and free to be yourselves, whether or not you have clothes on, or what you're doing together. No-one around here will ever understand you better."

Brad looked up at me. I nodded my assent. He was still sitting mostly under water, his arm hooked over my leg, my own arm resting around his shoulders once more.

"Would you like us to leave?"

Brad pulled himself up, sitting beside me once again on the tub seat. He'd lost his hardon. "No," he said quietly. "You can stay."

"Would you like to at least finish what you were doing?"

I could see Brad blushing, even in the glow of the solar lights. "No," he said, his head hanging and shaking back and forth. But he was smiling a timid smile.

Cali finished stripping down to her bikini as Mags began pulling off her own clothes, revealing her own two-piece suit. Cali climbed in opposite us.

"I'm happy to know you trust us enough, Bradley," Cali said.

"I've always trusted you, Cali," Brad said. "I just felt so stupid being caught jer. . . um. . . well, you know."

Mags was climbing into the tub, taking one of the other seats.

"I'm surprised you can keep your hands off it, personally," Cali said with a wink. "Either of you." She held out her arm and shifted herself to the side. "Over here, Mags. That looks like fun." Mags hesitated. "Come on, Sweetie."

I reached behind me and pulled the last two beers out of the case and handed them to Cali. Mags settled in beside Cali and Cali's arm draped itself around her shoulders. It took a few minutes, but Mags began to relax and feel more comfortable. Before long, she was cuddling with Cali and feeling much more at home.

"Brad?" Mags said a short time later. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure."

"Um. . . Does it hurt when you do that?"

"No," Brad said, somewhat surprised.

"I've known that men masturbate, but I always thought it would hurt them, especially because you're. . . um . . ."

"So big?" Brad offered.

"Well, yes." She paused. "And you can make yourself have an orgasm just by doing that?"

"Yes."

Mags looked at Cali. "I feel like I've spent my whole life being locked in a cold, dark basement."

"You did, Sweetie, until I found where your parents hid the key."

Mags did something then which I'm sure surprised Brad as much as it surprised me. She leaned forward and gave Cali an extremely sensitive kiss. Brad's hand found my own hand underwater and squeezed it tightly.

When they finally ended the kiss, Mags said, "I'm closing that basement door forever, Cali." She turned to face Brad and me. "Besides Cali and Tyler, you two are the only friends I have in this world. I don't know what you do together. I've never even seen a real naked man until tonight. Only in pictures. I've come to care for you a great deal, and I'm not going to let my past keep me from enjoying my future with you. I won't allow embarrassment stop me anymore. All my life, I've been terrified of who I am. Of what I am. I've always been terrified of men, but you two don't frighten me at all anymore. I want to know things. I want to do things. I want to walk in the rain without an umbrella. I want to live life the way other people do. And I want you to teach me how."

We were all stunned to silence. Since we'd met her, Mags hadn't said as many words as she did that night. I swallowed the growing lump in my throat and Cali dabbed at the tears in her eyes with the back of her finger. Mags stood up and carefully approached us, nudging her way past our feet. She gave each of us a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Will you help me?" she asked.

"Of course we will," I said, and we each gave her a kiss in return.

Mags became an entirely different person that night.

* * * * *

We discovered, following Mags' magnificent speech, that she and Cali had gone to see the latest box office hit, but it had been sold out and they decided to give us a surprise visit us instead of sitting home alone. We talked and we joked and we laughed and we drank beer and we had one of the best nights together since we'd met. Our friendships grew with each passing minute.

Mags asked questions and we answered them as best we could. "Do you have erections now?" she asked at one point.

"No," I answered.

"But, don't you always get erections when you're naked?"

"Not always," I told her.

"Huh," Mags grunted.

"I bet the bubbles feel good, though," Cali said. She turned her back to Mags. "Unhook me, Sweetie?" To us, she said, "You don't mind, do you, boys? Fair's fair."

"No," I said and Brad shook his head.

Mags hesitated a moment longer, then reached up and unhooked Cali's bikini top. Cali slid it off and set it on the deck before leaning back against the tub. She wasn't a large woman - as blessed in the breast department as I am in the dick department. Mags and Brad, however, were similarly blessed.

Oddly enough, Cali's small action had less of an impact than I would have expected. I could look at her without a single tingle in my nuts. She was a pretty woman, but that's all I saw now. Just thinking about Brad or the boy in the roller blades could send the blood flowing, but there was no reaction whatsoever to Cali. Her little action had sealed my future. If there were any doubts before, there were none now. I was gay and that was that. My life would never be the same again.

Now, beer may go directly to the brain, but it detours through the bladder first, and mine was getting desperately full. Mags didn't even blink when I swallowed my pride. "I'm sorry to have to subject you to this torture, but this boy has to visit the little boy's room." I climbed out of the tub and headed for the bathroom. I was still pissing when Brad entered and joined me. He was still just as naked as I was.

"I'm glad you got out first," he said. "I've been dying out there ever since they showed up, especially after I lost my hardon."

"Any comments when you stood up?"

"Cali whistled. Mags just looked."

"Maybe we should put on swimsuits before we go back."

"Don't bother!" Cali's voice came through the door. "Just hurry up and get your asses out of there! We're lining up to get in!"

I chuckled lightly and tried to hurry my piss. I finished before Brad. He still had a long way to go. Pun intended, of course. I washed my hands and grabbed a couple of towels from the linen closet. Mags and Cali had brought their own. I waited for Brad to finish and we left together.

As Cali pushed past us, Mags hot on her tail, she said, "Grab more beer on your way out." The door closed behind them.

Brad went into the basement to get another two-four from the fridge we kept down there. We were already sitting in the hot tub when Cali and Mags returned. Mags had a towel wrapped around her shoulders.

"I hope you don't mind," she said. "I was chilly and I got this from your linen closet."

"No problem," I said.

They climbed into the tub again. "You know, Bradley," Cali said, "it's a good thing Michelangelo didn't use you to model for David. I don't think he could have found a big enough piece of marble to do you justice." She glanced at me. "Doesn't it scare you, Teddy?"

"Not anymore," I answered truthfully.

"No offense, Bradley, but it would scare the hell out of me."

"That's what everyone said until I met Ted."

"Oh, come on, Bradley," Cali said as she sat up straight. "You can't tell me you didn't have people crawling all over you."

"None that I wanted to have anything to do with," Brad said, a touch of sadness in his voice. "Those I was interested in said what you. . ." His voice trailed off into silence.

Cali's voice was soft and sincere. "I'm sorry, Brad. I shouldn't have said what I did."

"That's okay," Brad said. "Don't worry about it." His smile returned.

Cali settled back against the tub.

"And then Ted came along and he wasn't afraid of you," Mags said.

"Oh, I was afraid, Mags," I told her. "But when you fall in love with someone, the fear goes away if you want it to."

"That is so romantic," Mags said quietly. "I'm so happy I met the two of you." Then she smiled. "My fear is going away now, too." She raised her beer bottle. "To best friends?"

We all raised our own bottles. "To best friends," we said in unison, and we sealed it with a gulp of Labatt's.

The party went on until well past two in the morning. After Cali and Mags went home, Brad and I went to bed and finished what we'd begun several hours earlier.

* * * * *

The next morning, before I joined Brad in the yard to continue the landscaping, I made the reservations. I phoned Bernice and set up the date for her to watch Lindsay for me. In two weeks, I would be spending the weekend at Niagara Falls with Brad. I didn't tell him, though. Bernice promised she wouldn't say anything, either. That was one of ‘my little secrets' and I wanted to surprise him with it.

* * * * *

Brad worked like an ox all weekend and, with my meager help, as well as a bit of effort from Cali and Mags, we finished all the stonework for the new garden. The serpentine retaining walls for the raised gardens were finished and a thick layer of bark chips was placed in Lindsay's garden, making a small, circular patio for her right under her bedroom window. Another retaining wall surrounding the bark chips stepped itself up from the patio entrance to the foundation of the house. He'd already shown me the cedar swing set he'd bought, but he wouldn't tell me about the special surprise. I'd have to wait to see that when Lindsay did.

Saturday night, Cali and Mags took us out for dinner and a movie. I'd bought another case of beer on the way. We hit the hot tub again afterward. Cali had grabbed towels out of the linen closet and joined us outside. The case of beer sat opened on the deck.

Brad and I stripped down, and so did Cali this time. Mags kept her bra and panties, though. At least for awhile. She'd been in the tub for only about half an hour when she said, "And the basement door slams shut behind me." She removed her final articles of clothing and tossed them to the patio along with her other clothes.

Like I said earlier, a whole new person. . .

I wasn't very surprised that sitting next to Brad and holding him was more exciting to me than the naked ladies in sitting in front of me. I'm not sure when I stopped looking at women as sexual, but I believe it was around the time I realized that just thinking about Brad could give me a hardon.

We were all becoming very comfortable with each other.

"You don't joke with me much anymore," Brad said suddenly to Cali.

"Don't I?"

"No," he said. "You used to tease me all the time."

"Well, Bradley," she said, "it's not easy making jokes about a naked man when he's more deserving of compliments than jokes. Besides, I'm afraid you'd pop a rod or something and poke my eye out."

Brad chuckled.

"What in hell do you shove up your ass for ballast?" Cali asked. "Something has to keep that thing from floating you to the surface."

"Okay, okay." Brad chuckled louder. Even Mags was giggling.

"Let me know if you get a hardon. I'll go home and get my climbing gear."

"Okay! That's enough!" Brad was laughing, now, and so was I.

"Just don't spin around too fast when you stand up. Those balls of yours could KO all of us in the first round."

"Stop!" That was from Mags.

"Does your cum take a train or a bus? I know it's too damned far to walk."

The only way Brad could get her to stop was to plant a big kiss on her lips, and he was laughing all the time he did. Cali began to shake and I could tell she was laughing as well.

"Okay, you two," I said jokingly. "That's enough."

Cali's arm came around Brad's neck and held him there.

"Come on, break it up." I suppose I would have sounded more serious if I wasn't laughing so hard.

"Okay, that's it!" I stood up, grabbed Brad around the chest and pulled him away from Cali. He was still laughing when I spun him around to face me.

"Ooooo," he said. "Teddy's jealous!"

I grabbed his head and pulled his face to mine. It was supposed to be a small kiss. Just a joke. Just for fun. It changed when Brad's arms came around me and pulled me to him. Cali and Mags disappeared from existence as my arms wrapped themselves around Brad. His chest pressed against mine. He held me so tightly that I could feel his heart beating. There was only me and Brad and the music in the night.

Blood flowed into my cock and I could feel it growing. I could feel Brad's growing, too. It pressed against me, and then Brad was pushing at my shoulders. His expression was desperate. "I've got to sit down," he whispered. "Fast."

I backed up a step and sat down. Brad's hand moved to his cock, holding it down. It was growing rapidly. He stepped forward and sank into the water before he turned to sit beside me.

"Shit," he said under his breath.

Mags and Cali were looking at us. "That was so romantic," Mags said.

But Cali's face was watching Brad. I looked over at him. There was a frightened, embarrassed look in his face, but his eyes showed pain. "It's okay, Bradley," Cali said softly. "Let it go."

Brad's head jerked up, looking at her. His eyes opened wide. "What!?"

"You're hurting yourself," she said. "Let it go."

Brad looked at me, hoping to find an answer that only he could give. He looked back to Cali.

She was smiling gently now, and her face was full of understanding. "Let it go, Bradley."

I actually heard Brad swallow, and then I felt his right arm moving slightly. His cockhead broke the surface of the water and rose like a tower until it was standing against his belly.

"Oh, my," Mags said, but she didn't look away.

Cali simply looked at it for a few moments, then rose out of the water, approached Brad, and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "There," she said. "You never have to be embarrassed by it again. No more secrets." To me, she said, "I'm going to take Mags inside and make a pot of coffee so you can help Bradley with that. We'll be waiting inside when you're finished."

Without another word, she turned, grasped Mags by the hand and pulled her to her feet. They stepped out of the tub, gathered their clothes and towels, and disappeared around the fence. A few moments later, we heard the clicking of the sliding door latch as it closed.

"Oh, God," Brad said.

My arm went around his shoulder. "It's okay, Brad," I said to him. "They understand."

Brad looked at me. "No, Ted," he said hoarsely. "It's not that! I'm going to cum!"

I suddenly knew he wasn't kidding. His eyes told me so. I got my mouth over the tip just as the first blast erupted from it. I slid my mouth over the head and sucked and swallowed. Brad's groan of release filled the night. "Oh, God!" he croaked.

I took everything he had to give, and then I held him there until he began to soften. When I pulled my mouth away at last, Brad stood up, grasped me under the arms, and lifted me to the deck. He sank between my legs and siphoned my cock into him. It took me longer to cum, but it was worth the wait. Brad was greedy in accepting it, and, when it was over, he held me in his mouth until I was completely soft. Then he sat on the deck beside me and hugged me.

* * * * *

Mags and Cali were dressed and Mags had a towel wrapped around her shoulders when we entered. Both Brad and I had towels wrapped around our waists.

"I guess we should get dressed," Brad said.

"Don't bother," Cali said as she looked around. "No more secrets, remember? Now, get your asses over here and have some coffee." She went to pour us a mug each.

We tossed our clothes on the sofa and sat at the table. Brad sat across from Mags.

"I would have liked to have stayed for the grand finale," Cali said, "but I had to go pee."

I wasn't going to say anything. Brad did. "You almost saw it," he said.

Cali returned, carrying two mugs of steaming coffee.

"Really?"

Brad reached for the mugs and took them, setting one in front of me. "Yeah," he said. "You barely got through the door."

"Wow," Cali said as she sat down again. "My kiss did that to you?"

Brad's head dipped down as he spooned sugar into his coffee. "Sorry. It was Ted's."

"Oh," Mags said. "That's so romantic."

"Lay off with the ‘romantic' shit, Mags," Cali scolded.

"Well, I'm sorry, Cal," Mags said. "I think it's very sweet that Ted could do that to Brad with just a kiss."

"Hey," Cali said suddenly, "there's no funny little white puddles floating around out there, is there?"

"No," I assured her.

"Then don't kiss me until you've brushed your teeth."

Brad and I laughed. Mags said, "I don't get it."

Cali put on her best ‘Mr. Rogers' voice. "Can you say ‘blowjob'? I knew you could."

"Oh," Mags said as she looked at the table. It took a moment for the connection to be made. She sat back in her chair and uttered a very long ‘ewww!'

"Take it easy, Mags. They do their thing and we do ours."

Mags looked at Cali, then to us. "Oh, I'm sorry." Her hand reached out to my arm. "I didn't mean to offend you."

"No offense taken, Mags." I patted her hand before she withdrew it.

"You mean you actually swallow Brad's. . . um. . ."

"Semen," I said. "Yes."

She looked at Brad. "And you swallow Ted's?"

"Yes."

She turned back to me again. "I've never seen a man have an orgasm. Is there a lot?"

"From me, no," I told her. "From Brad, yes. A whole lot."

Her eyes turned to Brad. "Well, that doesn't surprise me." We started laughing again. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean. . ."

Cali grabbed Mag's hand. "Relax, Sweetie," she said. "It's okay."

Mags looked down at her mug. "Sometimes I feel so stupid."

"Don't feel that way, Mags," I said to her.

She looked into my eyes. "Thanks, Ted," she said. "But I am stupid in a lot of things. I didn't even know what to do until Cal came along. I want to understand, I really do. I don't understand a lot of your jokes because I don't understand them."

"Well," Cali said with a smirk, "ask them nicely and they might show you."

"Oh, no, Cal. I don't think I could watch them do that."

I saw Brad turn his head toward me and I looked into his green eyes. I had an idea what he was thinking. I mouthed the word ‘album'. Brad nodded slightly. "Are you sure?"

"They've seen everything else," he said. I nodded. Brad turned to face Mags. "We have pictures if you'd like to see them."

"Of you two?" she said. "Doing it?"

Brad nodded.

"Is the semen there, too?"

"Yes," he said.

Mags looked at Cali. "It's your choice, Sweetie," Cali said.

Mags turned to me again. "I want to understand," she said quietly, "but if I don't like looking at them. . ."

"You can stop anytime you want."

She thought for a long moment, staring down at her coffee mug. "Okay," she said finally, "I think I'd like to see them."

Brad stood up. "I'll get them." He disappeared toward the bedroom.

"I hope I'm not prying into something very personal," Mags said timidly.

"They were meant just for us, but what the heck." I said. "Just don't laugh too loud when you see me."

Cali winked. "We won't. How did you take them?"

"Some on the digital camera, but most of them on the movie camera, then we just took screen caps of them and printed them off the computer."

"I'm going to have to get me one of those things," she said with a wink and a grin.

Brad returned with the album and set it on the table, turning it toward Mags. "Would you like us to leave?" he asked politely.

"No," Mags said. "I might have questions I want to ask."

The album was divided into three sections. The first was photos of both Brad and myself in various states of dress and undress, including his latest Speedo poses. The second section was all Brad. He was naked in all of them and masturbating in most of them, including giving himself head and many orgasmic close-ups. Several photos clearly showed the splatters on the wall. The last section contained photos of our mutual love-making. There were photos of me fucking Brad, but, of course, none of him fucking me. I'd just learned how to give him a blowjob. I wasn't quite ready to take it up the ass yet.

We weren't certain how Mags was going to react. I was ready to head for a mop and pail if necessary, but she seemed to take it all in stride after her initial shock, especially when she got to Brad's jerk-off and our love-making sessions. Mags looked at every page, every picture. She asked questions and we answered them. There were many questions, but only one comment.

She was looking at the pages of Brad having an orgasm. One photo in particular captured her attention. Brad was sitting against the headboard of the bed. Both hands were wrapped around his cock and his chest and face were already splattered with cum. A huge splatter was on the wall behind him. The photo captured a solid stream erupting from him, ready to land on his chin.

"I think I could watch that," she said quietly. I'm not at all sure she even knew she'd said it. It seemed more of an ‘out loud' thought than a statement.

When Mags finally closed the album, she sat back in her chair. "I can't believe I'm twenty-seven years old and I never knew this world existed."

"You didn't even know your world existed, Sweetie," Cali said.

Mags nodded, then looked at both Brad and me. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "I understand a lot more now, and it doesn't frighten me anymore."

"I just want to know how you get that thing in your mouth!" Cali said.

"Practice," I told her. "Lots and lots of very pleasurable practice."

"Not that you're a slouch in the pecker parade, Ted," Cali added.

I shrugged. "I know when I'm licked."

"I bet you do, Sweetie."

We laughed, and Mags laughed, too. "I got it!" she shouted gleefully. "I really got it!"

As the laughter died down, Mags pushed the album toward me, breathed in a deep breath, and pulled her shoulders back. I believe her cold, dark basement was now becoming a distant memory.

To Be Continued​

 

[mushka]

Whoa. I never thought Ted would actually show them the album.

Is the Niagara thing the one in the shoebox? And is that thing and the shoebox (or the Niagara thing if that's not it) the other secret?

Pep

 

[gsdx]

Whoa. I never thought Ted would actually show them the album.

Is the Niagara thing the one in the shoebox? And is that thing and the shoebox (or the Niagara thing if that's not it) the other secret?

Pep

Time for my own 'Whoa!' But I'll stick an exclamation mark on the end of mine.

I've already written the 'Niagara thing'. You'll just have to wait and see. However, I shall remind you that Ted has 2 secrets now.

But, thanks for asking.

As for the album, I didn't know they would show it, either. I had no plans for it. However, like most of the rest of the story, it happened naturally as I was writing it, so I left it in.

I don't know what I'm going to write when I sit down at the keyboard in the morning. I may have ideas, but I write around them and not to them. I would say about 95% of this story has been spontaneous. I just go back over it to clean it up. I can think of only two times that I've deleted what was written and started over again.

Believe it or not, this story was never intended to expand beyond Brad's bedroom window.

 

[sheep]

Eeww,
Can you post a warning, *contains nude female/lezzie content*?
This chapter was a real hardon killer for me.
Sure hope the guys don't get a yeast infection from the *female sex organs*.
That reminds me to post on the Toronto Jub Meet that the pool/spa/BBQ is a *guyz only event*

 

[gsdx]

Eeww,
Can you post a warning, *contains nude female/lezzie content*?
This chapter was a real hardon killer for me.

Sorry. That certainly wasn't my intention. It was intended to advance their friendships and to confirm Ted and Brad's relationship.

I'll do my best not to let it happen again.

At least I didn't have Brad coming home and finding Ted banging some secretary in their bed.

 

[DeafFoxDemon]

neil, how in the hell u came up with the jokes!! i cannot stop laugh because it is so funny!! i like the joke "Just don't spin around too fast when you stand up. Those balls of yours could KO all of us in the first round." this is my favorite line!1

 

[gsdx]

With that said, I want to say that I disagree with Ted about there not being many ways to describe 'in and out'.

Having extremely limited personal experience in the matter (i.e. once passive, zero active), Ted's ability to describe the old 'in-out' must develop with my own.

So far, both Ted and I limited to describing this:

 

[ronboy]

Neil,

I am all caught up now! WOW! You have this Musketeer's undying devotion and attention!

 

[HaydenLogan]

Totally agree with Sheep on this one Hardon killer.
I like Mags and Cali I think of them as sisters, but lately
they seem to always be crashing the party. Also never in
a million years would I show my errection to a female friend
whom I think of as a sister.

I like the joke with Brad's ball KO'ing people, but I was
waiting for Brad to snap. There is so much teasing one
person could take even from very close friends.

Also a female friend who catches you jerking off and joking
about it WOW I would need some therapy.
I'd get a panic attack, my face would be totally red and my
head would feel like it would explode or my face would
turn ghostly white.

I see Mags and Cali as 2 annoying sisters in this chapter.
No offense Neil. Lately Mags and Cali seem to just turn me off.
Story gets great but then they come in and they hit the
off button on me. I can't wait for Brad and Ted to have more
alone time on their weekend at Niagara Falls for some peace,
quiet and some fun.

 

[gsdx]

Lesson learned. Ix-nay on ali-Cay and ags-May. They will become friendly, unintrusive neighbours.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXX​

The topsoil arrived Monday morning, dumped in a huge pile on a blue tarp placed over the driveway. Brad began moving the dirt himself, but was joined in the early afternoon when Mags brought Tyler to the house to play with Lindsay. She started to help Brad shovel the soil into the wheelbarrow and she got hooked. She loved watching the garden take shape. By early Tuesday afternoon, the raised gardens were full of soil.

She was there again early Wednesday morning for the arrival of the plants which Brad had unloaded into the garage. Mags was not only becoming Brad's best friend, she was also becoming obsessed with gardening. Brad was patient and answered all her questions and showed her how to properly plant the new plants, breaking open the root system, and setting them at the proper depth before packing the loose soil around them. He drew up the plant lay-out on the computer and printed it off. With Mag's help, he had all the planting done by Friday morning. Friday afternoon, he and Mags assembled Lindsay's garden swing and set it into place on a diagonal near the right side of the bark chips, tucked under a small shade tree.

In just a few days, my yard turned from a few snake-shaped walls to a garden oasis complete with garden swing, beautiful plants and bushes, and a few small trees. But he still wasn't quite finished. While Cali and Tyler were playing in the pool with Lindsay and me Friday evening, Mags and Brad were busy out front with Brad's special secret.

The sun was dipping toward the horizon when Brad and Mags came around the corner of the house. Both looked exhausted, but both looked enormously pleased and excited.

We climbed out of the pool and, as a group, walked around the house to see our new gardens. We had seen most of it, of course, but Lindsay's special surprise stopped her in her tracks. In the middle of the bark-chip patio stood a small, burbling fountain. Colourful dancing faeries surrounded the rim. A larger faerie, which looked as if it were suspended above a rock at the back of the fountain, poured water from a jug. John and Bernice joined us. Lindsay walked into her garden in silence. Cali and Tyler followed me in. Brad and Mags stood back and watched.

"Oh, Daddy," Lindsay said in awe as she ran her fingers over the fountain and the dancing faeries. "It's beautiful." I stepped back toward the swing, watching her. She circled her fountain, touching each faerie and choking back the tears. I glanced at Brad. He was beaming as he stood there with his arms crossed over his chest. Mags was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Brad nodded toward the garage and I looked. And then I saw it. The fountain wasn't the real surprise.

"Sweetheart," I called softly. She looked up and I motioned her toward me. She stopped in her tracks as she approached and stared. Hidden from the front yard and the street by several strategically-placed bushes stood a snow-white unicorn with a golden horn. It's back was to the wall and the unicorn's head was turned, looking out of the garden toward the swing.

As Lindsay slowly crept forward, Cali and Tyler drew near me. Brad and the others joined us. The unicorn's head stood almost to Lindsay's shoulders. Her hand reached out and touched it so gently she might be touching a raindrop.

Brad stepped beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist. I turned to him, wrapped my own arms around him and held him closer than I have ever held him before. "I love you so much, Bradley Hayes," I said. Brad held me back just as tightly.

I looked back to Lindsay. She was stroking the unicorn with all the love and wonder she could manage. When she turned around to look for Brad, tears were streaming down her face. She saw Brad standing beside me, she ran to him, arms outstretched. Brad squatted quickly to catch her in his own arms. As he stood up with Lindsay clinging to him, Cali and Tyler went to see the unicorn.

"Thank you, Brad," Lindsay whimpered through her tears. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Lindsay."

We stood there in Lindsay's garden for quite some time. Lindsay and Tyler sat side-by-side on the garden swing, swaying back and forth and looking at the unicorn.

I hugged Brad again and kissed him this time. "How did you manage this?" I whispered. "That thing must have cost a fortune."

"You bought the fountain," Brad whispered back. "Mom and Dad leant me the money the unicorn. I'll pay them back, Ted," he said. "It's my gift to Lindsay."

As the sun fell below the horizon, small solar lights came on, lighting the gardens in a mellow, sheltered glow. It was a whole new world at night.

"Excuse me, everyone," Bernice called. "You're all invited to our home for coffee and cake. Pop for the kids."

Who could resist an invitation like that?

* * * * *

With ‘back-to-school' only a few weeks away, Saturday and Sunday became shopping days for us. Brad had got money from his father and I headed out to the malls with both he and Lindsay in tow.

Lindsay ‘needed' all those new gadgets - cell phone with digital camera, laptop, iPod, MP3 player - but she didn't get a single one of them. I bought her a new calculator, though. Sunday afternoon, we spent a few hours going through her dressers and closet and sorted out all the clothes she couldn't or wouldn't wear anymore to make room for her new outfits and the new winter coats I'd bought. The personal clothing was tossed in the trash. The rest went with me Monday morning and was dropped off at the local charity clothing shop. Two garbage bags full.

I made final preparations for our trip to Niagara. Brad still didn't know about it. I was ready for it and so looking forward to it. Lindsay already knew she was going to Grandma's and Grandpa's for the weekend.

I'd arranged to take Friday afternoon off work (thanks again to JW) and came home unexpectedly for lunch. I told Terry she could have the afternoon off. After lunch, I took Lindsay to Bernice while Brad helped Terry clean up, gave her a big hug and kiss, and told her we'd be back on Sunday. I promised to phone her every night. She wanted to come with us, of course, but she understood that I wanted to spend some time alone with Brad.

Brad tried to drag the surprise out of me, but I wouldn't budge. We showered together, then packed our suitcases, locked the doors, and we were off.

We stopped in Mississauga to visit with Bill and Warren. He was out of the hospital by then and back home. He looked so much better than he'd looked the last time we'd seen him. There was so much life in him again and the lost weight didn't hurt his appearance at all. They knew we were coming. I'd already told them of my weekend plans, and they promised not to say anything.

Brad got a huge, tight hug from Warren topped with a kiss on the lips. Of course, it was probably just so he could enjoy feeling Brad pressed against him. I didn't mind. Before he let Brad go, though, his right hand slid down and gave Brad's right butt cheek a healthy squeeze.

"If I wasn't a married man," he said, "I'd ravish you right here on the carpet."

"And the excitement would put you underground," Bill joked.

Warren stepped back and looked down at Brad's crotch, now encased in his favourite white shorts. "Yes," he said as he licked his lips. "But what a way to go, n'est pas?"

Brad smiled at him when Warren looked back up again. "You know, if I didn't like you so much, you'd be eating knuckles right now."

"Just make sure you knock out enough teeth so I can get my mouth around. . ."

"Warren!" Bill and I were thinking the same thing. We said the same thing, too. At the same time.

"Aw, come on, guys," Warren said. "You can't serve up something as delicious as this boy here in front of Warren Littlefield without expecting a little innocent fantasy."

"Innocent fantasies don't grab butts," I said.

"Yeah, well, tell that to my hand." Warren's hand reached down and grabbed another handful and stayed there. "See? It has a mind of its own."

Brad smiled a chipped-tooth grin. "I like you, Warren Littlefield, but get your hand off my ass."

Warren pulled his hand away and grumbled, "Spoil sport." Then he raised his hand and looked at it. "I'll never wash this hand again."

"And that would be different ‘how'?" Bill teased.

"Oh!" Warren said as he sat back down on the sofa. "Men! Can't live with ‘em! Can't shoot ‘em!"

We talked then, about Brad and myself, about Lindsay, and the new neighbours, and the pool and hot tub, and the new gardens. We'd brought pictures with us. Brad earned a congratulatory hug from both Bill and Warren for his landscaping.

"You should go into the business," Bill said seriously as he looked at the photos. "If you do, and you need investors, give me a call."

"Really?" Brad asked.

"You did this all by yourself, didn't you?" Bill responded with his own questions. "You didn't use someone else's design?" Brad shook his head ‘no'. "Then this is something I wouldn't hesitate a moment to invest my money in."

"Well," Brad said, "I've thought about it before. I enjoy it."

"Then think harder," Bill said.

"Listen to him, Bradley," Warren said. "Bill doesn't give away his money lightly. If he's willing to give it to you, he believes in you and what you can do."

Brad said, "Thanks," but I could see his mind working. The future career he'd thought he had planned wasn't quite the one he was thing about now. I, of course, would back him up all the way, whichever way he decided to go.

* * * * *

By the time we hit the QEW heading toward Burlington, Brad finally knew where we were going. A huge smile split his lips and he looked like a little boy who was going to his first Blue Jays game at the SkyDome.

"Niagara Falls?" he grinned. "You're taking me to Niagara Falls?"

"Just you and me," I told him. "But first, we're going to Crystal Beach. My Mom wants to meet you. My Dad, not so much, but Mom does."

"I won't cause any problems there, will I?"

"Nothing I can't handle," I assured him.

Dad wasn't exactly thrilled with the way his son had turned out, but he remained polite for the most part and was relatively accepting of Brad. He spent most of his time grumbling in a silence which we could hear. I'm sure Mom had given him a dressing down before we got there.

After the formalities were complete and we'd both received a hug and kiss from Mom and a handshake from Dad, we sat at the diningroom table having a cup of tea. Mom didn't have any coffee in the house. No self-respecting de Villiers would drink coffee. Except me. I was more Canadian than South African. No lingering British habits here.

Mom's main concern was with Lindsay. "How does she feel about all this with the two of you?"

"She's fine with it, Mom," I told her. "She loves Brad."

"Does she understand it?"

"She understands enough. We answer her questions when she asks them," I said. "When she's older, she'll understand better when we talk about it."

"Just don't let the fag turn her into a lesbo," Dad mumbled.

"Dad!" I shouted as I stood up. "How dare you! You never once bitched and complained about anything I've done in my life! You never said anything about any of the losers I almost married! You never said anything about Connie, even after you found out what she did to your own granddaughter! I love Brad, damn it! If he's a fag, that makes me a fag, too! I won't sit here in this house and listen to you talk like that to either of us!" I grabbed Brad's arm, yanking him roughly to his feet. "Come on, Brad. We're getting the hell out of here."

Mom was on her feet. "Ted, please."

"I'm sorry, Mom!" I said. "I can't stay here and listen to this bullshit!" I dragged Brad by the arm into the livingroom, heading for the door. Mom caught me before I reached it.

"Ted!" She grabbed my arms and held me and looked up at me. The top of her head barely reached my shoulders. "Please don't go like this, Ted. He's just upset at the way things have turned out for you. He thinks it's his fault."

"It's no-one's fault but mine, Mom. I was the one who wouldn't allow myself to see the truth before."

"You mean your whole life, your whole marriage was a lie?"

"Only to me, Mom." I smiled at her. Brad still stood close beside me. "It took Brad to show me what my life really was."

"Ted?" My father's voice was quiet and calm. I looked at him standing there in the entrance to the diningroom. "May I speak with you for a moment? Alone?"

I nodded. "Sure, Dad." He disappeared back into the diningroom. I gave Mom's arms a squeeze. "We'll be okay," I told her, and kissed her cheek.

Dad was standing behind his chair when I got there. He looked down for a few seconds, then back up to meet my eyes. "I don't like this one bit, Ted. I don't understand it and I don't approve of it."

"Dad," I said, but he stopped me with a raised hand.

"Listen to me, Son," he said. His hands moved to the sides of my shoulders. "You've never stood up to me in your life. That took guts. And if this is what it takes for you to stand up to me, then it has to mean something to you."

"It does, Dad."

His eyes flashed back and forth between mine for the longest time before he spoke again. "I don't think I can ever accept it, Son, but I believe I can live with it."

"Dad," I said.

Dad didn't say anything. He just pulled me forward into his arms and hugged me. "I love you, Son," he said finally. "That will never change."

"I love you, too, Dad," and I hugged him harder.

When he backed away, I asked, "Can I bring him back in?"

"I'll get them." Dad slapped my shoulder twice. He went to the door. "Honey? Brad? You can come in now." Brad must have hesitated because Dad added, "It's okay, Son. Come on back." A moment later, he returned to his chair and I sat in mine. Mom and Brad joined us.

* * * * *

Dad may not have accepted our relationship, but he sure accepted Brad after he discovered that Brad had designed and built our gardens. He couldn't help but take us into the back yard to show us the ‘English Country Garden' he'd been tinkering with for the past few years. Mom and I sat under the shade of the umbrella, sipping another cup of tea as Dad led Brad from plant to plant and bragged about their survival in the harsh, Canadian winters.

"I think it's going to be alright, Ted," Mom said.

"I hope so."

"Is Brad just buttering up your Dad, or is he genuinely interested in gardens?"

"He's thinking of opening a landscaping business," I told her. "You remember Bill? He wants to invest."

"Bill doesn't even invest in day-old doughnuts," she said. "His wallet squeaks just as loudly as Angus MacPherson's."

I chuckled, but she was right. "Next year, I'm putting in a swimming pool and Brad's going to do the landscaping. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up with an authentic English Country Garden back there, too. Now that he knows what they look like."

We were quiet for awhile, watching Dad and Brad continue their tour. Then Mom said, "I don't understand this homosex thing, Ted, but is it real?"

"You mean the homosexual bit? Yes, it's real."

"No, Honey, I mean the love part," she said. "You said you loved Brad. Is it real?"

"Very," I said.

"May I ask what made you fall in love with him?"

I looked at Brad. He and Dad were laughing at something or other. "Brad is a kind, gentle, caring man, Mom, and he's generous to a fault. That's what I fell in love with."

"And if you hadn't met him?"

I thought about her question as I looked into her wizened eyes. "I don't know, Mom," I said. "I really don't know. The only thing I'm certain of is that I wouldn't be as happy as I am now."

"That's all I wanted to hear."

We left Mom and Dad with the promise that we'd all come down for Thanksgiving in October. Mom was delighted, of course, and Dad was rather anxious that he'd have Brad to help him winterize his garden.

Everything was going to be okay.

* * * * *

We dropped off our suitcases at the hotel, washed up and changed, then headed out to the restaurant for dinner. I'd made reservations there as well. Brad was ecstatic. We could hear the Falls, and we could see the mist rising into the cloudless sky, and it drove Brad mad. He suffered through a delicious dinner, though, and then we began our walk down the hill to the Falls. Sunset wasn't far away, and I wanted Brad to enjoy them to the fullest - at their most beautiful.

When Brad spotted another gay couple walking hand-in-hand, his own hand found mine and we continued on our way. I swear, he was like a little boy. He was so excited that he dragged me to the rail when he realized how close we were. He looked and snapped pictures, then dragged me along the rail until he found the exact spot he wanted to stand on to look at them.

We weren't standing there too long before he released my hand and slid it around my waist, pulling me closer to him. My left arm went around his back. Behind us, the sun dipped closer to the horizon, then slowly slipped beneath it. We stood and looked and waited, and then the lights came on. The Falls were awash with rainbow colours. Brad actually gasped and pulled me tighter.

We stood there for a long time afterward.

* * * * *

Our suite had a Jacuzzi, and Brad and I made good use of it. Room service had brought us a plate of hors d'oeuvres and a bottle of champagne and we sat in the tub for over an hour, relaxing and cuddling, nibbling and sipping.

"I wonder how romantic Mags would think this is?" Brad said.

"I'm sure you'll find out when you tell her all about it." I smiled at him, but Brad cut my smile short with a more-than-passionate kiss. He was hard, of course, and so was I, but we were both up to our shoulders in the water, so everything was beneath the surface, including our free hands.

"I've never had champagne," Brad said after he finally ended the kiss and we gave each other a sip from our own glasses. "It's not what I expected. Why do people go so ga-ga over it?"

"At a hundred and twenty bucks a bottle, you don't yawn."

Brad almost did a classic Hollywood spit take and held up his glass for inspection. "For this!? Gee-sus, Murphy!" I had to laugh. "I guess we'd better drink up before it goes flat."

"Just go easy on it," I told him with a smirk. "I have plans for you later."

Brad kissed me. "Don't worry. It takes more than a few expensive bubbles to soften up this baby."

We turned serious then. Our hugs and kisses became more intense. I set my glass on the side of the tub and took Brad's glass out of his hand, setting it beside mine. I stood up, took him in my arms and pulled him toward me. His cock pressed against me, my own cock rested beside his, trapped between our clinging bodies. Our lips met and we began one of the longest, slowest, most sensual kisses we've ever had. Brad became lost in it, and so did I. Neither of us really wanted it to end, but, like I said, I had plans for Brad.

I ended the kiss and found Brad's hand. I led him out of the tub. The timer still had a half-hour to go and there were still several glasses of champagne left in the bottle, but I didn't care. We were both still steel hard, and we remained so as we dried each other off. I led him by the hand to the bed, sat him down, and pushed him to his back.

He lay there as he watched me open my suitcase, reach into one of the side pockets, and pull out a foil condom pack and a new tube of lubricant. I sat beside him on the bed, setting the lube on the blanket, then ripped open the foil pack. Brad knew it was different from the condoms he always bought.

I removed the latex sheath and held it in my fingers as my other hand reached for Brad's cock. His chest heaved up and down, and his breaths were rapid and full of anxious disbelief. His eyes followed every movement of my hand. I stroked him a few times to make sure he was fully hard, then placed the condom over the head and began to smooth it down his shaft.

His eyes found mine. "Oh, God, Ted!" he gasped. "Oh, God!" His eyes were full of cautious disbelief and stunned questions.

I smiled at him. "It's your turn, Bradley," I said softly.

"Oh, God, Ted!" he repeated as he stared wide-eyed at my hands, still working the condom into place. "Tell me I'm not dreaming. Brad never looked more beautiful than he did at that moment. There was a mixture of fear and concern, but there was also a look of eagerness and anticipation.

I paused the preparations long enough to lean in for a kiss. "It's real, Baby," I said. "You're not dreaming this."

My ‘little secret' was about to be unveiled to Brad. He didn't know about the shoe box in the drawer in my office at home. He didn't know about the toys in that shoe box back home - the toys I'd been using to make myself ready for this moment. He didn't know that I had bought the condoms online specially for him. And he didn't know that I had been planning this night for a long, long time. And that I was doing it all for him.

When both of us were ready, I lay down beside him. He kissed me so hard I thought he might chip another tooth. His breaths were loud and fast and urgent. "Oh, God, Ted," he repeated. "Are you sure?"

"I'm ready for this, Brad," I assured him.

He was terrified that he would hurt me. He moved so slowly and cautiously. With my guidance and urging, he found me and he pushed inside. The moment the head of his cock slid into me, with only a strained wince and some heavy gasps of breath and a loud, prolonged moan on my part, Brad realized he had already done the most hurting he could do.

"Oh, God," he said again, his eyes wide and stabbing into me with nothing but adoration and appreciation. He would repeat that phrase often during the next few minutes.

When I was ready, when I had steeled myself for the intrusion, my hands guided his hips forward. Brad slid into me, filling me beyond anything I could have hoped for. And it was the most wonderful feeling I had ever experienced.

Brad was just as kind and caring and gentle with his love-making as he was with everything else. What discomfort I may have felt melted away when I saw the look of rapture in his beautiful face. It was worth every bit of effort I had put into this night. His good feelings flowed into me.

I lay back and watched him. Everything he was feeling was mirrored in his face, and I saw it all. He was slow and he was loving. Even when he came, there was no urgency in him. There was only the pleasure of doing what only his dreams and thoughts had previously allowed him to do.

I could feel him moving inside me. I could feel his curly pubes brushing against my testicles each time he pushed into me, and I could feel his own balls falling against the cheeks of my ass. There was pain, but the pleasure I was receiving, and the pleasure I could see on Brad's face, far outweighed it all and I felt none of it.

Brad actually whimpered as he fucked me. He paused a few times to kiss me. His thrusting was slow and measured, but it was no less effective in bringing about his orgasm. Even in the coolness of the room, beads of sweat broke out on his brow. There was more on his back when my hands found their way there. The dimmed lights from the headboard lit up the green of his eyes and they twinkled. Every bit of love I had for Brad was put into that night. It belonged to him.

I could feel Brad cumming deep inside me. I could feel every swelling, every pulse, every jerk and spasm and twitch of his magnificent cock. And I watched it all happen on his face.

When he finally pulled himself out of me, he fell to his side beside me and gathered me into his arms, holding me as tenderly and lovingly as he had ever done. His kiss was as slow and sensual as his love-making had been.

Neither of us spoke. I removed the condom, rolling it up and setting it aside. My lips and tongue cleaned him off, and then I settled in beside him, pulling the blanket over us to keep out the chill of the air-conditioned room. My hand reached to the headboard and the dimmed lights flickered out. We held each other then, and we kissed.

Our love went unspoken that night. There was no more need for words. We both knew that we would spend the rest of our lives together, and this night would be repeated many, many times.

Somewhere behind us, through the closed windows of the hotel suite, the gentle roar of Niagara Falls lulled us into our slumber.

To Be Continued​

 

[mushka]

Squeeeeee! Shoebox: Check.

 

[Trent0n1]

WOW!

Thanks Neil.

 

[Kyanimal]

AWE-SOME!!!!

Neil, Dude!

You had me tearing up with Ted's Mom and Dad! But ... you've completely "floored" me with Brad and Ted at "The Falls"!

PLEASE DO! keep up your fantastic typing, Man!!

The Ripples you're making are turning into Waves!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz