Watching Brad

[dman9924]

Any chance of a David-Brook pairing? That could be interesting.

 

[FH1999]

I hope David is OK.

 

[dave_63]

* * * * *

"I envy you guys," David said.

Ya, I envy those guys too......

This chapter is beautiful testament to the power of love.

A truly great story, Neil......Thank you!

 

[phoenix72]

sooo looking forward to whatever happens next.

 

[ballentyne84]

Hiya Neil!

More chapters for me to read! Check your pm ok.

Luv you Neil

Take care
Ben

 

[caddymac]

I got behind in reading the last two chapters. My emotions were all over the place; happy and happy tears. Thank you Neil. This story is such a joy to read and it is hard to stop at the end of each chapter. I have a hunger for more!!!
Thank you.

 

[phoenix72]

the next chapter is highly anticipated by me

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part 154​

"David!!" I shouted one more time and grabbed his hand. It felt cold and clammy to my touch. I lifted it and released it. His arm dropped to his side. There was no life in it. "Shit!" I cursed, totally forgetting that my daughter sat near enough to hear me.

"Ted?" Brad sounded as worried as I felt.

"He's unconscious." I turned to Lindsay, surprised to find her standing right beside me. "Sweetheart," I said urgently, but as calmly as I could manage, "do we still have Pedialyte in the fridge in the basement?" She nodded. "Go get me the biggest bottle you can."

"What flavour?"

"It doesn't matter, Sweetheart. Just hurry." As she ran off toward the patio door, I turned to Brad. "Give Jeremy to Barry. I need your help."

Brad hurried to do so as I grabbed the hem of David's T-shirt and pulled it up his body. His arms lifted without any effort on his part, falling back to his sides when his hands slid out of the sleeves.

"What do I do?" Brad asked, now empty-handed.

"Get the hose," I told him. I had thought of putting him in the pool or the bathtub inside, but the fresh running water would be just as good and much faster. My hands moved to David's shorts, hoping he was wearing underwear under them but knowing it would be better for him if he wasn't. Any clothing keeps heat in, and I had to get it out of him as fast as I could. I hurriedly unsnapped the button and slid the zipper down to the base and opened the flaps. He was, indeed, wearing briefs. I grabbed the T-shirt I'd tossed onto his belly and used it to wipe his face, still calling his name.

"I've got the hose," Brad said. "Now what?"

I held out the T-shirt and told Brad to soak it, which he did. I wrung the shirt out over David's face, letting the water wash over him. Brad soaked the shirt again when I held it out and I used it to wet down David's arms and chest this time. When I could wring no more water out of the cotton, I put my hand on his chest again. His heart was still beating dramatically hard and fast.

"Spray him down, Brad," I said. "Just a gentle spray. I'll do his face. We've got to cool him down."

Brad aimed the nozzle at David's chest and squeezed the handle. A gentle, misty shower began to fall on our new friend. I stuck the T-shirt into the spray again to soak it once more as Lindsay returned with an anxious Nathan following close behind her. Nathan carried two bottles of Pedialyte with him.

"Heat stroke?" Nathan asked worriedly.

"Not yet," I said. "But it could be if we don't get him cooled down. Could you open one of those bottles, please? Brad, try to get his back, too, and his arms and legs as well," I added.

"I'm getting his shorts wet," Brad said.

"That's good," I encouraged him. "Soak them right through. We can dry them later. Spray as much of him as you can." I turned to David, slapping his cheek gently once again and calling his name as Brad soaked him down. "David, come on, pal. Open your eyes."

I felt his cheek and forehead again with the back of my fingers, then soaked the shirt one more time and wrung it out over his up-turned face. I planted my hand on his chest again. His heartbeat was slowing and becoming less forceful, but it was still several long and tense seconds before David finally cracked his eyes open and lifted his head slowly. Brad stopped the hose. "No, Brad," I told him. "Keep spraying." To David, I said, "David? Look at me." His eyes and his head turned. He blinked hard twice, and then his eyes found mine. I breathed a sigh of relief. He was aware. "Good. Do you feel like you're going to puke?"

He shook his head slightly. "No. Just dizzy," he replied softly, then winced. His hand moved to the side of his head as I wiped his face with his shirt. "Feels like someone just did a number on my brain with a baseball bat. What happened?"

"Heat exhaustion," I told him.

His eyes suddenly widened with fear. "I had a stroke!?"

"No, David. No heat stroke or any other kind of storke. You're going to be fine," I assured him. "Just too much heat and exertion."

I held out my hand to Nathan and he put an open bottle of Pedialyte in it. I put it to David's lips and tipped it slightly. "Drink slowly, but as much as you can."

David drank and, when he turned his head away, I pulled the bottle away. Almost half of it was gone. I put my hand on his chest once more and found his heart beating much more normally. His cheek and forehead felt less cold and clammy. "Okay, Brad," I said. "I think that's enough for now, but keep the hose handy."

"Can you sit up?" I asked David. He put his hands on the plastic arms of the chair and tried to boost himself back, but failed. Brad dropped the hose and quickly grabbed him under the arms, effortlessly sliding him into place, but it also slid his shorts down his bum. "Lift him up again, Brad." I grabbed the waistband of his shorts and pulled them back into place when he did so.

"Thanks," David said as I held out the bottle to him. He took it in both hands and drank some more.

"Is he going to be okay, Daddy?" Lindsay asked.

"Yes, Sweetheart," I replied. "He'll be fine."

David drained the rest of the liquid and finished with a satisfied sigh. Only then did he notice what he was drinking and made a sour face and smacked his lips in disgust. "Isn't this stuff for babies?"

"It works for adults as well," I said as I took the other bottle from Nathan and opened it. "It's the only thing we had in the house. Here. Drink this, too," I told him. "We've got to get the salt and liquids back into you."

David reluctantly dropped the empty bottle to the patio and took the one I held out to him. I soaked his T-shirt once more and handed it to him. He put it on his chest and squeezed, letting the water run down him as he continued drinking.

"Feeling better?" I asked.

"Lots," he replied. "Still have the headache, though. What happened to me?"

"Over-exertion, too much heat and humidity, too much sweating, and not enough cooling down," I explained. "Your body just shut down so it could catch up to you. I should have stopped you earlier."

He looked down at himself and noticed his open shorts. "Oh, damn! Did I do that?" He quickly grabbed the zipper tab and pulled it closed.

"No. I did." I hooked my arm under his. "Come on. Let's get you inside where's it's cooler."

I helped him from the chair and walked him to the door. "Are you coming in, Sweetheart?" I said to my daughter.

"I think I'll stay here and read, Daddy," she replied.

"Okay. I'll call you when dinner's ready."

We filed into the house with Nathan leading the way and opening the sliding door for Brad, who went immediately to the sofa and sat down. At some point, he had taken the sleeping twins from Barry's arms.

"I'll find you some shorts to change into. I'm sure we've got something you can wear until your clothes are dry." I led him toward the hallway and our bedroom. I could hear David's sneakers squishing with each step he took.

"Where's your can?" he asked. "I've got to take a major piss."

"Bathroom's right here," I said, stopping at the door. "Can you manage?"

He looked up and smirked a devilish little grin. "Why? Want to hold it for me?" He was definitely feeling better. He looked into my eyes for a moment, and then the smirk suddenly disappeared. "I'm sorry, Ted. That was uncalled for. I'll be okay. I can manage."

I let go of his arm and he went inside, closing the door behind himself. I continued to the bedroom and started looking in my dresser for a pair of shorts he could wear. I figured, having the smaller waist, mine would fit him better than Brad's. David had said he had to take a major piss, and he was right. The splash thundered in the toilet bowl so loudly that I was rather glad Lindsay hadn't come inside with us.

I had just grabbed a pair of beige running shorts I had yet to wear when I heard a loud thump and what sounded like something bouncing on the floor. Within a few anxious heartbeats, I was at the door, knocking on it and shouting, "David! Are you okay?" Nathan was already headed down the hall toward me.

"Yeah, I'm okay," came David's voice. "My shoes are soaked and it stuck to my foot when I tried to kick it off. It went flying and bounced around the bathtub. Sorry."

"Okay," I told him. "The bedroom's at the end of the hall on the right. Come on in when you're finished. I've got a pair of shorts you can wear."

"‘kay."

Nathan looked greatly relieved and headed back to his dinner preparations.

"Hey, Ted?" David called. "You any good with knots?"

"I've got three kids, remember?" I chuckled. "I'm an expert."

"Got one for ya."

"Okay. Can I come in?"

"Sure."

I turned the doorknob and pushed the door open without even thinking that he might be naked already. Fortunately, he wasn't. He was sitting on the closed lid of the toilet, one shoe lying on the floor beside him.

David looked up at me. "Your boyfriend soaked me down pretty good. My shoes are sopping wet."

"We can dry them in the drier," I said. "I'm an expert at drying shoes, too."

I stepped in front of him as he raised his leg and planted his shoe gently on my thighs. I went to work on the knot, but it was slow work. Wet knots are always harder to untie.

"Thanks for taking care of me out there," David said softly.

"Not a problem," I told him.

"How did you know what to do?"

"Well, when I found out my wife was pregnant with Lindsay, I started reading about all the things to watch out for and how to deal with the ones I could deal with. Heat exhaustion was one of them."

"What's the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?"

"If it was a heat stroke, you wouldn't be sitting on my toilet. You'd be in the hospital."

"Oh," David replied quietly. After a moment, he asked, "Were you gay before you were married? You know, the first time?"

"I wasn't even gay when I met Brad. I fell in love with him and it just sort of happened."

"But you must have fooled around with guys before, right? I mean, you didn't just wake up one morning and think ‘I want to get fucked by Brad,' right?"

I shook my head. "Except for masturbating with my Best Man when we were kids, I've never even been interested in guys before. Never had daydreams about it. Never fantasized about another man. Never had any desire to do anything. Now, though, I don't think I could go back to straight sex. Don't think I would even want to."

"Was it his basket? I mean, no offense to either of you, but come on. The guy's got a salami shop going on in those shorts."

"Yes, he does," I laughed. "But, ‘no'. That fascinated me at first, but it isn't why I fell in love with him. Brad is one of the sweetest people I've ever met."

"Tell me about it. My teeth hurt just talking to him."

"I fell in love with Brad - not his basket. The gay part just happened. The sex is all part of being in love, I guess. I didn't even think about what I was doing with him. I just knew it was the thing to do and I did it." I looked up from my work, smiling, but David wasn't. He looked disturbingly sad and was shaking his head back and forth. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

"You don't even look for him and you find Brad. I've been looking for someone all my life, and the only man who falls in love with doesn't want to be near me anymore."

"Aw, come on, David," I said. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You'll find someone else and you'll fall in love again."

"What chance do I have, Ted? Huh? What kind of chance do I have when there's guys like Brad in the world and I'm stuck with this?" He swept his hands down his body. "Huh?"

"Not everyone would want to fall in love with someone like Brad. And you've got lots of chances. You're still young. You're good looking. You've got a great personality. You're sexy as hell, and you've got a body a lot of guys would die to have. Including me."

"And I'm short," he added, not disguising the contempt he held for that word. "Don't forget short."

I looked back at his shoe and went to work on the knot once more. "It's no wonder you can't find anyone."

David angrily yanked his foot out of my grasp and sat up. "What the hell do you mean by that!?"

I sat down on the side of the bathtub. "Look, David, you're a nice guy, but, to be totally honest, your attitude sucks. You're always reminding everyone how short you are as if it's important. I bet that's why you wrestled with Barry out there and just about killed yourself doing it. You weren't trying to prove anything to Barry or anyone else except yourself. You were proving to yourself that you are as much of a man as he is. If you keep on thinking you're not good enough for anyone, if you keep on telling everyone that you aren't, you won't be."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my thighs and clasping my hands together in front of me. "Look, David. My sons are adopted and they're shorter than they should be at their age. My doctor says they probably won't grow much taller than you are. There's nothing wrong with them. They're just short. And they're going to be short when they grow up, too. They've already questioned me why all the other kids are taller than they are. Now, I could have my doctor pump them full of hormones and they might gain a few centimetres or so, but then they wouldn't have the bodies they were born with. They're healthy now and they'll still be healthy when they grow up, no matter how short they are. I won't chance messing that up for them. If the hormones did something to harm them, I could never forgive myself. I don't care if they're going to be short. It won't stop me from loving them as much as I do. So, that leaves me to work on their minds, to make them feel good about the bodies they have and the ones they're going to have. They're going to be short, David, but at least I can help them to think tall.

"Yes, David, you're short. You've always been short, and you're always going to be short. You're always going to have to look up at me and a lot of other people, and we're all going to look down at you, and there's not a damned thing you can do about that. But, you can concentrate on the little man that everyone sees or you can concentrate on the big man inside that everyone gets to know. I've only known you a few hours, David, and I've seen that man and, to be totally honest, I like him, but I don't care much for the man who keeps telling me how short he is."

I'd said what I had to say and I sat there waiting for David to respond. He sat there staring at me, his eyes and his face telling me nothing. And then, suddenly, his voice did. "That is the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard in my entire life."

I sighed deeply. At least I'd tried.

David sagged back against the toilet tank, looking at me but not seeing me, if you know what I mean. "But it's bullshit I wish someone had told me a long time ago," he said. "Look, Ted. I've only been with one man, you know. We met in high school, I was a senior and he was a freshman, but it wasn't until he graduated that we got together for sex the first time. We'd been in love with each other for a long time, though. We kept it secret from my family until two years ago when we decided to move in together and we rented a house. That's when everything fell apart. Kevin's family accepted me easily enough, but my family pretty-much abandoned me. Except for Lori. Even my sister finds excuses not to talk to me anymore and I was closer to her than my brothers. My father won't even let me back in his house. That stuff about the broken windows and the paint on the outside walls was true, but even Lori doesn't know everything. For the last year in the house together, we didn't share a bed. Kevin slept in the guestroom. He wanted out because of all the crap we faced everywhere we went. He stayed with me only because I paid for everything and let him stay there for free. Lori was so happy for me and I couldn't hurt her by telling her truth. The day Lori moved out and came here, Kevin moved out."

David's eyes lifted to find mine, and they were full of sadness. "When I go home, Ted, there's nothing waiting for me there." His eyes moved away again, staring at the empty air in front of him. "No family. No friends. I guess I just convinced myself that nobody else would want me and I was going to spend the rest of my life alone, and being so short was as good an excuse for me as any. Let's face it. Who would want to go to bed with a short little twerp like me when there's people like Brad and Barry around?"

I might have told him that I would, but it was my guess that his only thought was that I had said it just to make him feel better. I thought it best to keep my mouth shut.

David looked down at the floor and became quiet and pensive. For the first time, I really looked at him. He truly was a handsome and sexy young man. Sure, he was short, but his body put mine to shame. His chest was dusted with blond hairs which sparkled in the light from the lights over the vanity, accentuated by the dark, tanned skin. His hefty pectorals bounced as his fingers toyed with each other in his lap and the valleys of his flat, solid and flat abdomen rose and fell with each breath he took. His thighs were thicker than mine and covered in the same blond hair which dusted his chest. The cut-off denim shorts, now wet and clinging, showed promise of the delights inside.

Lori had told me quite some time ago, when I'd shown her a picture of Brad, that he reminded her of her uncle. I tried to see it for myself, but couldn't. Perhaps the resemblance was hidden beneath the tan and the bleached hair. Mind you, their smiles were quite similar, and David occasionally got that same devilish glint in his eye that Brad throws at me from time to time. Perhaps that's what she saw, but I wasn't seeing it.

"David, look at me."

His head remained bowed, but his blue-grey eyes rose to find mine.

"I'm skinny and I'm out of shape. You'll never see my face on the cover of GQ. I'm not someone that people turn their heads to look at when I pass them on the street. But Brad loves me, and he lets me love him back, and I know of at least two other men who think I'm sexy and I simply don't understand why. Personally, I could never fall in love with someone who looked like me if I looked like them, but I can guarantee you that I'd have fallen in love with Brad even if he was as short as you are, or even if he had Vienna Sausages in his pants instead of a salami shop. It's Brad that I fell in love with. Not his body. You've got a lot more going for yourself than I have, David. A lot more than you give yourself credit for. There's guys out there who will love you just as much as you love them. Look at me and Brad. We're the most unlikely pair I can imagine. If it can happen to me, it can happen to you, but it's not going to happen as long as you keep pushing people away and constantly reminding telling them that you're too short."

"You're a nice guy, Ted," David said, finally lifting his head. "I can see why Brad fell in love with you."

Breakthrough! I stretched out my hand and grasped David's thigh just above the knee and squeezed it for emphasis. "That's my point, David. Brad sees beyond this pile of crap I call a body and he loves me. Kevin looked past your height and fell in love with you. It will happen for you again, but you have to let it happen."

"Can you guarantee that?"

"No," I replied, sitting back again and removing my hand from his leg, "of course not. But I'd be willing to bet my life savings on it."

David stared at me for a long while, then his smile appeared. Just a little one. More like a curling up of the lips. His eyes brightened and he rocked forward on is feet to give me a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Ted," he said softly as he sat back down. "It's been a long time since anyone's cared about me."

"All you have to do is let them, David," I smiled back. "Now, come on. Let's get this knot undone."

* * * * *

David returned to the livingroom, now wearing my jogging shorts, and sat beside me. He'd just come up from the basement after putting his wet clothes and shoes into the drier. The twins were still asleep in our arms and Barry was sitting alone on the settee. Nathan was busy with the barbeque outside.

Barry rose from his seat and came forward to stand in front of David, his hand extended in friendship. David took it and they shook hands. "If you were a cop," Barry said, "I'd want you on my team, David."

David appeared to be stunned. "You really mean that?" he asked as they ended the handshake.

"Only one guy at work can best me in arm wrestling," Barry continued. "One more can keep me at a stalemate. From the effort I saw you putting into that match outside, not giving up and pushing yourself to the point of collapse the way you did, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have watching my back out there. And, before you even say it, I don't care how short you are. You're as big a man as I am."

I don't know if we'd made any real progress with David, but he didn't mention his size the rest of the evening, and neither did anyone else.

Nathan once again prepared a delicious dinner for us, and the twins enjoyed the hamburgers he'd made just as much as we did. I don't know how he did it, but every time Nathan made hamburgers, they tasted different from the time before.

Justin had taken his first bite of it, turned to me with his eyes wide in delight, and made a very satisfied yummy sound. He didn't even wait until he chewed and swallowed it. He picked the piece he'd bitten off from his mouth, held it in his fingers, and said, "Uncle Nathan's a gooder cooker than you, Daddy. Can he live with us?"

"Your Uncle Barry would miss him a lot, don't you think?"

Justin looked at Barry, who was smiling and nodding his head, then turned back to me. "Uncle Barry can live here, too."

"He likes to play with us," Jeremy added.

The matter was quickly forgot, though, as the boys began to chow down on their burgers.

At my request, Barry, Nathan, and David left when it was bath time for the kids. Barry graciously drove David back to Lori's home. As Brad and I bathed the twins, Lindsay took her bath and, after the boys were asleep, I took her into her room and sat on the side of her bed and read to her about the adventures of Anne Shirley until she fell asleep.

The doors were locked and the lights were turned out early that night as Brad and I retired to the bedroom where Brad received his final anniversary gifts that day. For the first gift, neither of us could see each other's face. We saw feet instead. For the second one, I had the pleasure of looking up into Brad's face as he looked down at mine.

Brad was smiling, and so was I.

To Be Continued​

 

[upyrkilt469]

That was a beautiful chapter, Neil. I hope David takes it to heart. Keep the coming. Vic

 

[botboy03]

Great Chapter Neil! I can't wait for Wednesday.

Zac

 

[Kyanimal]

Aw, Neil! What can I say?

You've done it, Again!!

I guess I took this chapter a bit more personally than others. Yeah! I'm just a tad under 5'6". And my physical stature, or, rather, lack there of, has always been an "issue", more or less. Especially during my younger years! It's somewhat difficult to grow up not Growing Up! Both Mom, and Dad, are the "runts" of their respective families! My closest, in age, male cousin is 6'3"! But, being as bald as a cue ball, he's "outgrown" more of his hair than I have!

Of all your characters, it's David I can relate to the most! However, I've never been, nor probably ever will be, as "in shape" as he is! Next to David, I'm closest to Ted! I don't, even after 24yr., "understand" why "My" Kev is still with me!

THANK YOU!, Neil!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[harry113]

Great chapter Neil, Thank you.
A bit scary at first, not knowing what had happened to David, but great stuff
Peace & Love
Harry

 

[wyndhampaul]

Thanks Neil, a lovley chapter with even more aspects and points of veiw to ingest. This is the most instructive and entertaining tale I've ever read.
By the way, I expect David is relieved that he won't be visited by the "Storke"! It would surely give him a stroke!

 

[RacerBear]

Tell David to come to Indiana. I'd love to show him the attention he deserves. I've always been attracted to guy who are shorter in height than average. If you've seen "Pirates of the Carribean" you'll remember the dwarf pirate. I've seen porn videos that don't bring on the level of excitement that Marty Klebba (that's the actor's name) causes for me. I'm 5'10" and would happily date a guy his size. I don't know, maybe it's being able to wrap my arms around a guy and comforting him makes me feel good. At the same time, guys who are taller than average turn me on as well. Come to think of it, I'd take David OR Barry. I know, send them both my way. That would be perfect.

 

[phoenix72]

it was great they finally got through to David sort of. which is a big deal in of itself hopefully he'll find someone that loves him for who he is and not what he looks like short or tall.

 

[xchadx123]

Wow, you really get it, don't you, Neil? It's not about physical characteristics, it's all about personality and character--at least, that's what makes a guy attractive to me...don't get me wrong, guys...I like good looks and big dicks as much as any gay guy, but that isn't what makes me fall in love with the guys I fall in love with (when I DO really love in love, that is)or the guy I'm hoping to spend the rest of my life with (when he comes along). No, for me, it'll be whether his core beliefs and values mirror and reflect my own, and what the content and quality of his character is like. I've had plenty of tall, dark and handsome drop-dead gorgeous boyfriends and lovers who turned out to be sick, abusive, dysfunctional ass-holes...ya know what?...I've decided to turn my will and my love life over to the care of my Higher Power, and let Him/Her chose "Mr. Right" for me, 'cause, quite frankly, I SUCK at it!!!...LOL I figure, God (as I understand God) loves me unconditionally because I'm His/Her child, knows me inside out and backwards, and also knows who would be most suitable and compatible for me...and he ("Mr. Right") will enter my life when both of us are ready to meet each other, and we'll start out our relationship by becoming mutual soulful friends of one another before we introduce sex into our relationship and make an eventual long-term spousal commitment to each other. It's all about preparation and synchronicity!! (And maybe serendipity, too...LOL!!)

 

[gsdx]

One final hint, I suppose. Ted and Brad have one week to their wedding. If all goes as planned, that's how long you will have to wait for it.

Unfortunately, things have not gone as planned. I woke up Sunday morning with a tickle in my throat. By noon, it was a fully-fledged cough, and by mid afternoon, I was back in bed. I was there most of Monday (yesterday) and I will be going back again as soon as I finish posting this. I haven't written a thing since Sunday morning.

My apologies. I don't mean to torture you. Believe me, this cold is torturing me enough.

I'll keep you updated.

 

[Kyanimal]

Aw ... Neil, Babe! Sorry to hear that!

Hot Tea, Brandy and Honey! (It may not cure your throat, but, with enough, it won't matter!)

Take Good Care!!
Chaz

 

[harry113]

Take good care of yourself, Neil
We will wait until you are better ( Biting his knuckles !! )
Peace & Love
Harry

 

[smile86]

get well soon! i love the latest chapter