Reclaiming Austin
By William Tyler King
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Hi there, I’d like to
thank everyone involved in getting this story out, Yes, I wrote it, but I have
a bunch of test readers fromn the very critical Derry who needs a good spanking, to Jere and Scott and
Mary. Mostly though, I’d like to give a
glowing thank you to Jerrie. I have more
thank you’s I want to make as well, but the names are in my email account and I
can’t get there yet…
So don’t copy this
blah blah blah, Don’t steal or copy the ideas written in this story… Don’t read
if you’re narrow minded, or get put off by two guys kissing… Blah blah blah…
Thanks, now for the
story…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next
morning, I woke up to Austin putting a tray by me with hot coffee and my testing
equipment and I could smell the fact that he’d already been up cooking. I saw a
bottle of insulin on the tray along with a syringe. I took a big drink of coffee as he knew all
to well how I liked it, I watched as my guy sat next to me and took his cup,
his eyes were stunning with the morning light reflected in them… My blood sugar
was a little higher than usual so when Austin filled the syringe, he added a few extra units of
insulin. I happily rolled over to give
him access to my ass, which he rubbed with alcohol before sticking. He playfully rubbed and swatted my ass a few
times before pushing me off his lap and getting up to retrieve the food.
We ate a
nice long breakfast before Austin
jumped out of bed and got in the shower.
I cleaned up breakfast and was washing the dishes when Austin came out looking like an Armani model. Austin came out and did a slow spin for my approval; he was
wearing a classic grey pinstriped suit and a white shirt with a silver silk tie
of mine. He just radiated sex
appeal. I suddenly had a thought, “Go
outside and wait by your truck baby!” I ordered him as I ran to the spare room
to search for something. He asked me why several times but I just told him to
go wait. A few minutes later, I walked
out carrying the Polaroid. He just started laughing when he saw the camera.
“WHAT are you doing crazy man?” Austin asked as I took a picture of him laughing. I took an
entire roll of him mostly smiling and laughing, with the morning sun catching
in his blue eyes and the wind tussling his hair. I got a great picture of him
facing to the side of me and looking over his shoulder smiling down at me. “So, you going to meet us for lunch later at
Enzo’s or wait for us at the wedding?” Austin asked as he leaned back against his truck, “I’ll meet
you for lunch; you can tell me all about your meeting on the way to the
church.” I said thinking about how I needed to find an excuse to get him a
spiffy new briefcase just cause he looked like he needed one. “Don’t forget the present for the, honey,” he
said pulling me over to him and bending him down for a kiss.
We had
gone from a quick peck on the lip to deep kissing in the few moments since he’d
taken my hand. I was only vaguely aware
of a car pulling up the driveway, then as I heard the engine cut off a loud
voice said, “Austin Camble, put your pocket fag down and get in the car!”
Colin’s voice held a hint of irritation, a strong note of humor, and because I
knew him, I detected the faintest hint of jealousy, though he’d likely deny it
to everyone including himself.
A few
minutes later, Collin was pulling out with Austin in his Oakley shades sitting next to him. If Armani produced hit men, THAT is what
they’d look like, I thought.
I
cleaned up the house and did the dishes then after showering drove over to feed
and clean up after the dogs, all three began a barrage of barks and howling
when I drove up, I heard them carrying on as I got the right key out and went
in to fix the food. Ryan and Michael had
gone to Key West for the weekend.
The food was easy as the dogs dishes were on the counter with a can of
food and a hand written note, “Alex-Austin,
fill the big dish in the back yard with 1 scoop of dry food for each meal
(X2/day) And split a can between the two older dogs and give Thunder his own
puppy food. Oh, and fill the water bowl every meal, they tend to play in it and
make a mess.” So I filled the three
dishes and got a big scoop of the dry food and went out back where the three
dogs jumped and barked and tried their best to knock me over to steal the
food. They were busily scarfing down the
wet food while I filled up the dry bowl and walked around the yard gathering
dog shit in the pooper-scooper to throw away.
I spent a few minutes playing with the dogs and throwing the tennis
balls and toys they kept bringing me. I played with them for about an hour
before realizing I needed to go get ready for lunch, so I kissed Thunder on his
tummy and said good bye to Thor and Loki and left.
I got to
Enzo’s early and ordered a coffee for me while I waited and had two beers
waiting on the boys. They arrived about
20 minutes later, which was good because the restaurant was starting to fill
up. Austin was carrying several large bags and a grin that
spread from ear to ear. God damned he
had a great smile, I thought, “Sorry we’re late Alex,” Collin said walking
around me and kissing me on top of my head, “No worries Hon,” I said then
added, “So was it a business meeting or a shopping trip?”
Austin sat down and exhaled before taking the beer off the
table and drinking it. “Naaah, we went to the meeting but it was over pretty
quick, so Collin said we should go get some work clothes for me, So, we went to
the Fashion Mall.” Austin said before taking another drag off his beer. “Wow, so like suits and stuff?” I asked.
“Yeah, plus we got a new brief case, and cell phones…” Before he could go on,
Colin tossed a small box in front of me. “I got you one too cause it would
probably land up with you anyways otherwise.” Collin said as I looked down at
the Nokia box. “Collin!?!” I asked half
confused and half bewildered, “I-I-I don’t get this, why are you being so…” I
asked not even knowing what word I wanted.
Collin sighed and said, “I haven’t seen you in several years, and before
my dad had me so scared of him finding out about me, I used to be scared to do
nice things.” He said as he opened his menu. “Collin Stellington, scared?” I
asked incredulously. Collin dropped his
menu a hair and met my eyes, “I had to get a phone for Austin, so adding you to the plan wasn’t too hard, ok? Can
we order now?” He remarked as he went back to reading, My antennae were
wiggling and I knew something was up… But since it was clear I couldn’t push
it, I just reread the menu I had almost committed to memory.
I landed
up getting a seared shrimp Caesar salad
while Austin got a Chicken in Penne dish and Collin opted for a
lasagna with meat sauce. We ordered
another round of drinks and I got an iced tea and told them to go for beers
since I’d be driving. Both decided that
since they weren’t driving, Jack and Cokes seemed like better ideas.
We
discussed business plans and what Collin expected of Austin after Collin left.
“When are you leaving Hon?” I asked Collin. He gave me a funny look in
the mirror from the back seat, “Anxious for me to leave already huh?” He asked.
I rolled my eyes and said, “Yeah, that’s it; you and that crazy accent have WAY
overstayed your welcome.” I said drolly. Then I said “Asshole!” and let it
drop. “I’m going to be here until…” He
trailed off while looking at his calendar book. “Till March 8th.” He
said snapping his book shut. “I mean, as
long as I won’t be upsetting you or anything,” he teased; I just stuck my
tongue out at him.
“So what
did you get them Alex?” Collin asked trying to change the topic, Austin got attentive since he didn’t know either. “’WE’ got
them a combo- wok-sushi mat- Asian cook book and sushi plate gift set.” I said knowing Korma would laugh and Phil
would love it. “Did you remember to put
my name on it too?” Austin asked wishing almost immediately that he hadn’t as he
noticed my scowl. “No, when they’re opening gifts you’ll have to stop them so
you can say you helped too” I said rolling my eyes. Collin laughed and took out an envelope, “I
just gave them a hundred each, cause I didn’t know what else to do…” Austin and
I locked eyes momentarily then broke out laughing. “What? That’s ok isn’t it?”
Collin asked suddenly self-conscious until I said, “Yeah baby, that’s more then
generous.” I said not wanting to make him feel like he hadn’t done enough for
two people he didn’t know.
When we
got to the church, a small Quaker church that Korma belonged to, we found the
place already covered in older members of what I assumed were her family. As we went in, the only faces I made out
directly were Marika and Roberts as they were way to easy to spot in this
middle class white mostly older crowd. Though Robert at 6’8” would have been
easy to spot even if he had been white.
We sat next to Jason and my Michael in what Glen referred to as the Gay
Ghetto. Glen sat one row forward and
Dennis and Cynthia and Audra sat with him.
The
church was sparsely decorated with cream-colored ribbons and off white lilies
and magnolias, which was nice because with the soft lighting and wood and off
white decorations, it added a wonderful golden glow to the setting. Before the alter was a small table covered in
an off white cloth with a unity candle sitting on it. A church organist did the
wedding march when Korma was ready to walk down the isle. Phil was glowing internally as he stood there
waiting for Korma. Austin reached down and held my hand as the service took
place. The service was surprisingly very short and brief and was over before it
seemed to have even begun. It was explained
later that the Quakers were known for no nonsense no frill ceremonies. Dan was
the best man and wore a tux similar to Phil’s in black with a cummerbund, and
Leslie, Kormas sister was the maid of honor and wore an avocado colored dress..
Within forty minutes, we were in the reception hall where Robert and a small
crew had already set up the sound equipment.
Marika was wearing a black and white spotted skirt and had on a big
fancy coif. Robert was in a conservative black jacket, though how a guy his size
could find a nice suit that fits… was way beyond me.
I had
met Phil’s mom before. She was a lovely woman and we got along fine. I had never met Korma’s Mom before, and was a
little surprised by how much older she was then most of the parent’s I knew. Still she was a nice and unassuming lady and
made a perfect counterpoint to her very animated father. I could picture him on an old Vaudeville
stage with no problems. There was a
great deal of mingling and courteous conversations with the army of Grandmothers,
Great Aunts and old family friends while we set up for the music. As I was looking out from the stage across
the crowd, I found myself trying to remember the correct steps for CPR.
After a
short number of songs, mostly geared to a much older conservative crowd, we
stopped for a break so we could get something to eat, as I was walking over to
the buffet table, I found myself caught between 4 large guys and had to look up
to realize that Austin, Collin, Michael, and Robert had surrounded me, “How
many bar fights do I have to win before people learn not to mess with me?!?” I
asked pointedly. Suddenly I heard Austin say, “And how many damned times do I have to remind
you to test your sugar and take a shot before you eat?” Collin, Michael and
Robert all voiced their agreements. With
my eyes rolled up into a nearly permanent sneer, I was escorted to the bathroom
and made to test my sugar before Austin grabbed my ass and gave me a shot. “NOW you can eat.” Austin announced as we were leaving the restroom.
A buffet
had been arranged and the prerequisite roast beef and chickens were served with
potatoes, vegetables, salad and rolls… I was imagining the fair that Austin and
Mrs. Tremere would be serving. I figured the question most people would be asking
rather than “Chicken or Beef” would be, “What the hell is that?” And, “What is
that in English?” As my plate was being filled with vegetables and chicken, I
imagined Austin trying to answer that question and Mrs. Tremere correcting his
French and giving way too much info to whoever it was who’d asked. I had to laugh imagining her expression if
anyone made the Faux Pax of bringing a MacDonald’s bag of food in.
Later
when the cake was being cut and the old women were passing it out, I told Austin, I’d take a slice and give it to him rather than try
to explain diabetes to them. He got a
worried look for a moment, trying to figure out if I was planning to cheat or
not but finally said, “Yeah, ok, but if I see you eating it I’m going to tackle
you.” I rolled my eyes as I turned to take the plate of white cake and thanked
the women. As I was handing the plate
over to Austin I took a fork and speared a piece of the cake with no
icing and swallowed it before Austin could say anything.
“You’re only hurting yourself dipstick!” Austin said angrily as he put the plate on a table behind
him. I just smiled at him and said, “It
didn’t even have any icing.” Austin turned to me not sure if he should make a joke or
scold me. Finally he broke eye contact and walked away saying, “Don’t get sick
Alex, I mean it, DO NOT get sick!” He said walking away. I started to follow
but Cynthia stopped me with a soft hand and her gorgeous South Carolina accent,
“Honey, he’s worried, He’s lost all his friends and I don’t think he’d have a
clue what to do if you got sick on him.
He’s taking all this personally I think, a lot more than he would under
normal circumstances… just give him some time baby.”
I was
trying to give him space and thought he’d be ok over talking with Collin, so I
found Michael flirting with Dan and making him blush. “WHAT?” He demanded down
at me. I looked up and said, “BITE ME!” right back at him which made Dan and
Glen laugh. “You ARE in a church munchkin,” Michael said turning to face me. So, I stepped closer and looked up at him and
said, “Sorry, I meant, BITE ME PLEASE. Amen” Glen and Dan were hysterical.
Michael just shook his head and said, “Ya know, they aren’t laughing with you.
Those fools are laughing AT you.” I
stepped back and began waving my hands in front me as if I were waving off a
bad smell, “Michael, this is a church, close that mouth of yours before they
need an exorcist!” Before Michael could
respond, Marika’s voice rose from a small group she was in, “Alex… ALEX
JOHNSON!” She yelled over to me. I walked over towards her only to find out
she’d just talked with Austin. “Alex Johnson!” She said angrily. Before I could mount an excuse she lead in
with, “That boy deserves better than to be your mama, he’s cried over you when
you lay in a coma in that hospital room… Alex, He’s lost everything, and STILL
found the strength to stand by you… You’d best start treating him right. Cause you get sick again, it’s all on you.”
With that she turned to the women she’d been talking to. I felt about an inch tall after that and
instinctively sought out Austin who was talking with Collin. “You Ok?” Collin asked me as I walked up to
them with my head hung as I stared at feet.
Austin turned around and put his back to me. “Ok,” Collin
asked looking back and forth between the two of us. “What has Ma Puce done now?”
Austin didn’t even turn his head he just said, “He’s fucking
with his diabetes and thinks he’s being cute. I just don’t have it in me right
now to deal with needless fucking drama.” My heart sank into cracks on the
floor, I couldn’t even look up at Collin as I walked around and tentatively
draped my arm across Austin, “Baby, I am SOOOO Sorry!” I said into the big chest
as I swung around him. “Alex…” Austin said with a jerky voice that made me look in his
eyes, they were glazed over and a big tear rolled down his cheek. “Alex, I-I-I
only want to help… I’m… I’m barely able to keep my act together most days… I
don’t have it in me to fight you on this… I-I don’t wanna fight you baby.” I
had wrapped my arms around him by this point. “I am so sorry…” I pleaded,
“Alex, I-I-I can’t fight you on this, I want to help, but…” Austin said as his eyes filled with tears. Collin walked in
and took Austin in his arms and whispered platitudes to him. After a minute, Collin pushed Austin gently towards me and said, “Alex, Go make this
right!” It wasn’t said mean, it was a gentle order. So I took Austin outside and under a leafless tree, I hung my head and
said, “Austin, I’m so sorry baby… I totally didn’t mean to upset you.
I had no clue it would affect you this much… It was only a tiny piece, and no
icing…” I pleaded though it sounded as stupid even to me as it must have to Austin, “But I’m sorry, I’ve never ever taken what you do
for granted…I hope you didn’t get that impression baby. And I’m sorry, really
sorry baby.” I would have gone on stammering out my apology but Austin took my
face in his hands and made me look up at him, “Alex, I’ll try my best to help
you, I’ll do whatever I can, but you can’t hurt yourself baby, I couldn’t go on
at all if you weren’t here with me.” And saying that he bent over and wrapped
his arms around me and began to kiss me as he stood up, taking me with
him.
I have
no idea how long we stood there kissing, but after several minutes, by which
time I’d lifted my legs and wrapped them around Austin’s waist, Austin began
snickering which caused me to lift my head and look him in the eyes, as I did
he nodded behind me and I heard Marika say, “This IS a church you godless
heathens, go get a hotel room!” I turned my head and saw a small crowd by the
Church exist. “Marika Williams, I’m
TRYING to apologize!” I said sharply. I
got an official Marika sneer and herd, “Mmmm Hmmm, You apologize any harder we’ll have to call
the police.” At that point I asked Austin. “So, we ok now?” He pecked me quickly on the lips
and responded, ”One hundred percent baby.” As I slid down to the ground I said,
“Good, cause I’m about to go strain white black relations.”
As I
approached Glen and Korma came up to me. “I’m sorry Korma; I know churches
aren’t too keen on homosexual demonstrations.” I said apologetically. Korma smiled over at me and said, “Relax
Alex, the Quaker church was one of the first to accept gay rights. We have a very down to earth belief system
and don’t think God would create people to be left out of his love.” As she
said this, Glen was nodding in agreement. “I think I’d like to know more about
this church… If they’re as loving and open minded and dedicated to love and
peace as they seem to be, I may have to leave the Baptist church and join the
Quaker church.” He said hugging Korma.
“I’ll introduce you to Pastor Evans after the reception.” Korma said to
Glenn.
When we
were home later, Austin made this steak and cream sauce thingy with a bunch
of broccoli and invited Collin over while I was feeding the animals; Thunder
was with us until night time when we’d drop him off as we fed the big
dogs. As I was wrestling on the floor
with Thunder, The phone rang and I asked Collin to answer it. “Yeah, one second Justin…” Collin said as he
held the phone out to me. Thunder, who
was busy trying to knock me down to drool on me leaped up and tried to grab the
phone in his big snout. Collin raised
his hand with the phone as I reached in and took it as I swatted Thunder
playfully, “Hey Justin, sorry about that, our dog tried to answer the phone.” I
heard a little snicker and then, “I uhhh… You told me to call about doing
dinner later this week?” “Right, Right…”
I said anticipating having to break the poor kids’ heart if he wanted to do
dinner that night.
“W-when
were you thinking?” I asked. Justin must
have sensed my worry, “I was-ummm thinking maybe tomorrow night, or later if
you had plans…” “No, No, tomorrow is
fine Justin… I only hesitated tonight cause it’s getting late and Austin already has dinner cooking-and TRUST me, you do NOT
want to get between Austin and his perfect meal!”
We
talked a few minutes and I got Justin to laugh a few times and then I held the
phone aside as I said, “Justin says he likes Italian and Mexican foods the best” Loudly to Austin, Collin was
laughing at the bird he was shooting me or whatever gesture Austin was making
behind the bar separating the kitchen from the living room. “Tell him if he promises to be good I’ll make
a desert!” Austin called out.
Justin and I ended the phone call and I returned to turning Thunder on
his back and blowing zerberts on his belly. “God, that brings back memories…”
Collin said looking down at the play. I
recalled how Collin used to do that with me, sometimes in front of the whole
Judo club.
I got to
work the next day and was almost instantly reminded what a god damned BITCH
faced cunt my boss was. The truly sad
fact is that she was actually worse than that, Bitch faced cunt would be her on
a good day. Tuesday after work, I met
Justin at the Seattle scene and then drove home with Justin next to me as
we left his car there. When I got home
Collin was there talking on the phone and Austin was doing whatever it was he did in the kitchen. Justin came in and was greeted by a very
bouncy Thunder who wanted to welcome the new guy with 40 yards of tongue and
drool. When Justin came in and looked
around he got a confused look on his face, “Soooo, are all three of you like a
couple?” He asked me as I realized he’d only seen us all together. “Noooo, Austin and I are a couple, Collin and
I USED to date.” I said to clarify things, “Right, and now Collin’s visiting
from Australia and he’s my boss.” Austin said with a smirk.
“Roit, we’re one big happy gay family now.” Collin said in his gorgeous
Aussie accent.
As we
talked we wandered to the table Austin was setting, He was pouring a home made Caesar
dressing over a bunch of chopped Romaine
in a bowl with fresh shredded Parmesan cheese over it. The place smelled incredible and I finally
had to ask Austin, “So what the hell are we having for dinner?” I
queried as I sat down. “Sea food Paella-
You only get a little rice, but there’s tons of seafood in there, Collin bought
out the Fish Market.” Austin said as I jumped up to test my blood sugar. “Good boy
Alex.” Both Austin and Collin said respectively. So although I had wanted to
talk to Justin first and get him to tell me why he was so depressed, I thought
seeing a happy gay couple with a well adjusted gay ex was worlds better then
having him repeat his sad circumstances.
I think
both Collin and Austin shared my opinion and both began telling crazy stories
about me… After Austin had told Justin all about my helping him come to
grips with his sexuality and our rocky beginnings, Collin then told him about
my beginning, about how hard it was for him to pretend he thought I was
straight even though everyone he ever talked to already knew I was gay. He told them both as Austin had never heard
Collin’s account, How Collin used judo to seduce me, how he’d pin me and make
me all flustered before whispering some sexual innuendo in my ears that no one
else could hear.
We’d hit
the paella good and hard, Collin was suitably impressed which made me happier
than I think it did even Austin. I was given mostly a lion’s share of mussels,
shrimps, crab claws, tuna, and scallops, with a small amount of the rice and
vegetables.
After
dinner, Collin and I helped Austin
clear the table as Justin told us about how he was scared to tell his mother he
was gay. When the table was clear Austin went to the refrigerator and removed what I knew was
a cheesecake. He set it out and Justin
and Collin gave the obligatory “oooohhhhhs” and “Aaahhhhhs” I got up and made a pot of coffee and set the
water on for tea while the boys divvied up the desert. When I got back and sat down with a tray of
coffees and tea, I noticed that someone had made me a cheesecake slice too. I assumed it was Justin trying to be nice as Austin and Collin knew I couldn’t eat it. “Thanks Justin,
but I’m diabetic, I can’t have deserts…” I said, passing the plate back as they
were getting their coffees. Austin
smiled at me, “Go ahead, try it.” He said with a priceless smirk. I suddenly thought it was a joke, “Oh HA HA
HA! You made it with out any sugar huh?” I asked. Austin had only intensified his grin, “Yup-it’s nearly
calorie free. Sept for the crust.” He replied, Justin was giving us a careful
scrutiny and Collin was just enjoying the play and his cheesecake. “I—I—Ok, So
what are you saying Austin?” I asked. Austin gave me his brightest smile, “Do you love me?” He
asked sweetly. I was tempted to play a game and say something smart assed, but
I looked in his dazzling blue eyes and I just melted, “Yes… I’ll do you right
here in front of Justin and Collin if that’s what you want.” Austin blushed but never lost his grin. “I think you’re so
horny right now you probably would.” Collin swallowed and piped in with, “You
got that Roit mate.”
Austin handed me back the cake and said, “Go on, try it…” I
wasn’t sure what game he was playing, but I trusted him, and I trusted Collin,
whom I knew was in on whatever was going on. So I took my fork and took a bite.
“Well???” Austin asked. “It’s great, very tangy and sweet and creamy.”
I said, enjoying what I suspected was my last bite. “The slice has 16 carbs in it and 12 of those
are from the crust.” He boasted. I was shocked, “You made this with
sweet-n-low?” I asked since I assumed he’d have avoided Aspartame since my
family couldn’t have that. “Nooo, there’s this new stuff on the market called
Splenda, I tried that and it worked great.” Austin said grinning. “And it’s not that evil Aspartame?” I
asked bewildered, “Nope, not Aspartame or Equal or saccharine.” I was stunned
and listened as Austin explained my shock to Justin. I sat my cake down a
moment and walked over and gave Austin the biggest kiss. “Thank you baby, I-I-I can’t tell
you how great this is- I mean the cheese cake AND what you did for me.” I then
threw my arms around his neck, pulled us together, and gave him a good kiss. “I
love you Austin Camble!”
After
dinner and desert, we all sat around talking when Austin asked, “So what are you afraid of if you tell your
mom?” Justin swallowed and shifted in his seat, “I know she’ll freak, she
blames gays for everything, every time a storm or disaster hits the United States, and she says its god striking down the gays!” All eyes were on me suddenly as I sighed,
“And you’re scared she’ll throw you out of your house or what?” “I’m scared
I’ll be locked up or put in some kind of exorcism or reparative therapy.
They’ve done it to other guys in that church of hers”
“Bloody
bastards, do they really still practice that voodoo here in the so called seat
of democracy?!?” Collin snipped angrily. Before I could say anything Austin said, “There’s a LOT
of people, gay and straight, that think that if they pray hard enough god will
cure them.” He said diplomatically. “Fucking self righteous bastards, there’s
not one thing to cure! God and nature made us this way. If the church doesn’t
like it, then they can FUCK OFF!” Collin said angrier than I had ever seen him,
Even Austin was overwhelmed at Collin’s out burst. “If they want to cure something, why not go
after AIDS or cancer and do some good?!?” he then righted himself and said,
“Listen Justin, when you’re ready to tell your mom, I’ll go with you, let her
try being a bitch to me. If she throws
you out, I’ll get you a place to stay.
If she tries hiring those wacko religious fanatics to get you,” He
puffed out his impressive well-muscled chest, “THEY will have to get by
me!” Collin dared, it was almost
terrifying in it’s quiet assertion and Justin, Austin and I sat immobile a moment.
I made a
face at Justin and slowly looked to Colin, “Hon…” I asked softly. “Yes Alex?”
he replied with a roll of his eyes. “I-uhhh- hate to bring this up, but ummm…
you might not be the best person to go with Justin,” I said carefully. Collin
looked shocked and demanded, “Why the bloody hell not?!?” I was about to speak when Austin said, “Dude, you’re almost 30, how do think the
parents are going to react when their son comes out to them with an older guy
standing there? Can you say predator? Besides which, this is the South, chances
are a foreigner will only stand out as worse then bad ” Collin looked pissed and started to defend
himself, “That’s not what I’m doing, Shit!” he demanded turning around with
frustration. “I know!” Said Austin, “But it’s what they’ll say and think.” Collin was
upset, he snorted, and spun around in frustration, “They can’t do this to him!”
He said rather loudly. Justin sat stunned so I spoke up, “So Austin and I will
go with him, they won’t take either of us on, they won’t out argue me, and if
it comes to it, We’ll bring Justin back here and you can get him a place to
stay. “We’ll you’re almost as old as I am!” Collin pointed out. “Yeah, but I
look younger because of my size, and Austin and I are a couple, we’re less
likely to be mistaken as pedophiles.” I countered.
A few
minutes later, after apologizing for his outburst Collin asked Justin if he
were ready to face his mother. Justin was hesitant but finally agreed after
Austin and I assured him that Collin was both financially capable of putting
him up, and that I was skilled enough to stop a couple of crazies from a church
as long as they didn’t have guns.
After
we’d eaten and discussed more about what to expect, Austin drove my jeep and we dropped Justin off to get his
car. We followed him home and waited for him before we walked up to his
residence, a large blond brick home in a development with a neat yard. Justin lead us up to the door and went in, a
small Cocker Spaniel barked at the two of us and a lady about 35 came out, she
had black hair done up in a conservative style and wore a flowered skirt,
“Justin dear, who are your friends?” She asked pleasantly. He stuttered as he
said, “Ummm, th-this is Alex and his… ummm.. and Austin, guys, this is my mother, Mrs. Janet Stiller.” We
were given careful scrutiny by the women before she smiled and bid us to enter
further, “Please, come in and have a seat, Justin’s dad is in the kitchen.” She
said. “Ummm, Mom, can I talk with you and Dad about something?” She turned
around and had a plastic smile on, “Of course dear…”
We went
to the kitchen and Justin sat in a chair with arms directly across from his
father, while Austin sat next to me on the regular chairs, Mrs. Stiller
stood near the dishwasher and said, “Ok Justin, what’s going on? Why did you
bring your friends over to talk with Your Dad and I?” Mr. Stiller looked up from his paper and took
a drink of his coffee as he looked over at Justin. Justin looked down and
stuttered a moment, “I-I-uhhh…” He looked up and continued, “Mom, Dad, I have
to tell you something, Alex and Austin agreed to come with me for moral support…” He spoke
haltingly as he stared at the table. Mrs. Stiller’s smile went from polite to
plastic and worried in a millisecond, And Mr. Stiller sat back attentively. I
could tell she knew what was coming, mothers always know. “Justin, honey, what
on earth would you need strangers to help you with?” She asked with saccharine
sweetness. “Y-you remember… last y-year… When I uhhhh, when I had t-to go to
the hospital after I accidentally…” Justin was sweating and terrified to say
the words. “Well, in truth, it wasn’t so much an accident…” She glanced at us a
moment before smiling and saying, “Of course it was Dear… Why would you want to
hurt yourself?” As Justin fought with his inner daemons trying to muster his
courage, he hung his head down to avoid her eyes. She moved her piercing gaze
and looked at Austin intensely to get him to look to down, she then tried
it with me. I stubbornly looked back and gave a small smile. She grew flustered and looked away. Mr.
Stiller who had been quiet this whole time said softly, “Would someone be so
kind as to tell me what in gods name is going on?” He looked from me to Mrs.
Stiller, to Austin and finally Justin.
“Dad,
Mom… I…I… I did do it on purpose; it wasn’t an accident… I did it so I didn’t
have to tell you…” He said stumbling over his own words. Mrs. Stiller got
steely and stood upright, trying her best to intimidate her child. “That’s
ridiculous Justin, what could you possibly say that would justify that?” Justin’s dad sat there quietly a moment and
said, “Janet, sit down and shut . Let’s let Justin finish what he’s trying to
tell us.” Justin was sweating like crazy and he stood up suddenly and faced
away from his parents avoiding his mom’s icy gaze. “I’m gay! That’s what I
couldn’t tell you!” He blurted out before tears erupted from his eyes. “I’m
gay, and I couldn’t tell you!!!!” Like a beast, Mrs. Stiller marched up to
Justin quoting scripture like a mantra and raised her hand to slap him. I stood
up as soon as she began advancing on him and when she raised her hand, I
grabbed her arm and said, “NO!” Suddenly I was faced with a very angry woman.
“TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF ME!” She shouted angrily. “Janet, SIT DOWN!!!!” Mr.
Stiller yelled loudly over her screaming and Justin’s crying. “I want both of
you out of my house NOW!” Mrs. Stiller screamed as she stood up facing me and
pointing to the back door.
Mr.
Stiller stood up and stepped in front of me facing his insane wife, “Janet!
SHUT THE HELL UP AND SIT DOWN!” He yelled which shocked us all. “I mean it
Janet, sit your ass down and listen to ‘our’ boy without any of your damned
church cultic shit!” He said standing his ground before turning to me, “Thank
you young man, you and your friend can go now if you want, I’ll keep Justin
safe from Janet and her screwed up cult.” He said as she blew a gasket.
“Justin?” I asked as a reply to Mr. Stiller’s request as I looked over to him.
He gave me a small smile and then looked nervously to his mother, “Dad, is it alright
if they stay a little longer? Please?” Justin asked. Mr. Stiller looked from
Justin to Austin and then to me, “Certainly Justin, why don’t you
introduce us and then go on with what you were saying, And don’t worry son,
she’s not getting her cult’s claws on you.”
So
Justin introduced Austin and I and began telling his story to his dad,
apparently they hadn’t talked much in a few years and Mrs. Stiller had
railroaded both of them. It seemed now,
that IF their marriage continued, SHE was going to assume a back seat to the
relationship between Mr. Stiller and his son.
When Austin and I left an hour later, Mrs. Stiller had gone to her room
to pack a bag so she could stay at a friend’s house since “Karl (Mr. Stiller)
was pandering to the homosexual conspiracy that we were part of.” Karl and
Justin however were having a great heart to heart and were making plans for the
future. As I was leaving Justin asked,
“So, this weekend, can I bring dad to see your show?” I turned and gave a huge smile, “You bet Justin,
I’d really like that
“So what
are you and Collin, like gay super heroes or something?” Austin asked as he tossed his shirt into the hamper in our
room. “Nice shot!” I remarked as I followed him in. “Well, if Collin and I are
super heroes, what does that make you sweet cheeks?!?” I asked as I walked up
and slid an arm around his early stages of fuzziness from behind.
“I guess
I’m Lois Lane only like, a really sexy Lois Lane!” Austin
said with a grin that made my legs falter. “Jesus Christ I want to rape you
right here and now!” I said trying to decide what to do. “Just a few more weeks baby!” He said
laughing at my distress. I moved up to
him and gave him a simple push that knocked him over onto the bed then before
he could move I straddled his chest and kneeled on his shoulders, “THAT’S not
good enough MR. Camble… WHEN are you going to marry me so we can have SEX
again?!?” I shouted down at him menacingly. Austin was more shocked then anything else at that moment
and looked up at me with big eyes, “Uuuhhhh.. March 8th ok with
you?” I couldn’t believe he’d actually picked a date. “YES! The 8th
is great!“ I screamed excitedly. I then
proceeded to poured myself over him and kissed him again and again, ”Oh MY
GOD!!!! AUSTIN!!!!!!” I squealed happily! Austin was playing cool and suave and just laid there
smiling up at me. “Oh shit!!!!! We have
so much to plan before then.” I said suddenly. Austin reached up and began pulling me down to him, “NO you
don’t! It’s all taken care of baby… all you have to do is memorize your vows
and show up.” Austin said still pinned under me, he had the damnedest
smile at that moment. “Have I told you yet today how much I adore everything
about you?” I said kissing him on the nose. “Nope, mostly you were ogling
either Justin or Collin…” Austin
began teasing but I covered his mouth with mine and after a long passionate
kiss I leaned back and said, “There’s no comparison Austin, Justin’s a nice guy
but totally a bottom, and Collin? Trust me baby no comparison! I belong to you
now and ever after.” I said then pulled him in for another long kiss. “You know, I don’t think a heterosexual guy
could have said that under any circumstance.” Austin giggled up to me, “You want to be in bed with a
heterosexual guy?” I asked with a smirk, “Nope, just you.” He said with a warm
smile then added in a gay lisp mimicking me “Now and ever after…”
We
kissed and after a lot of wrestling and discussion, jacked each other off as we
headed to sleep. It wasn’t what either
of us wanted to do, and both of us made sure the other knew what we really
wanted to do, but we came and eventually fell asleep.
The next
day started off nice enough, Austin made me breakfast in bed and we hugged and kissed
before I left for work. Mrs. Cleavlan
however was a royal bugle corps of flaming bitchiness with an attitude,
starting from the five minutes early I was getting there right on through lunch
and up till the time I left at 4:30, she made it her sole purpose to ridicule
me and anyone who seemed remotely polite to me.
I then went home and stewed, I was afraid of letting my temper go around
innocents and especially Austin in his fragile mood as of late. Collin who’d come over to go over some
paperwork with Austin said I needed to get back into Judo to burn up some
of the extra tension I was building. I
looked at Austin and said, “Yeah, may as well, since I won’t have any
other way of relieving my frustrations.” Austin gave me a sarcastic face and said, “Awww, the poor
baby can’t wait ‘one fucking month’… “ I walked up and cupped his crotch and
said softly, “Sure I can baby, but I’ll tease the living shit out of you while
I do.” Austin just moaned and I could see his desire to fuck me
into next week in his eyes. I suddenly understood why this celibacy practice
was so… traditional and well thought out.
Austin had made a Chicken Cacciatore which I totally loved
and we’d both talked Collin into staying over to share it with us.
Henna
called that night and said we’d have to reschedule our meeting as she was
coming down with one of her Migraines. I
told I was free next week and that she was going to love the Valentines special
we’d been working on. Then I told her briefly that we were getting married on
the 8th, she said, “Of March dear, not February” I was about to ask
her how she knew but she cut me off saying, “Alex Love, I have to hang up, my
head is killing me.” And before I’d even wished her well, she’d hung up. After dinner, we sat around talking and
Collin mentioned how much he’d loved surfing in Australia and how sad the waves were here. Austin got excited and said, “You SURF?” Collin got a grin
and said, “I’m Australian mate, we all surf. You know, when we’re born we’re
given boomerangs and surfboards and sent out.” Austin and Collin began trading
stories and Austin said he felt like he needed to apologize for the
shitty waves he had in Florida. Collin said that when Austin came over for business they’d make some time to hit
the beach. When Collin asked what kind
of board Austin had, Austin looked over at me a moment and said, “Well none any
more-it was stolen last year, one of the reason’s I had to come down here. The
theft I mean, not that I lost my surf board.”
I understood that it was one of the things that that ass hole Gene had
taken and sold. So they got into this
whole surfer thing and I felt left out momentarily as this was something I
didn’t share with either of them.
Finally I said, “Collin, if Austin gets eaten by a pointer (Great white shark) I will be
VERY displeased!”
The rest
of the week was uneventful, and that weekend, the 7th, 8th,
and 9th of February, we did a regular show and mentioned over and
over the big show we had planned for Valentines weekend. Because Austin had said he wanted to show me something after lunch
that Friday, which was Valentines Day, and because I had so much setting up to
do for the special show that night, I told Mrs. Cleavlan that I was taking a
half a sick day that day. I’d actually told her a week before I was planning to
do it, but her carrying on and fit of rage, one would have though I’d asked to
borrow the company car to pick up an underage whore. I basically ignored her as I had worked for
the bank for 5 years and had glowing reviews on all my evaluations so far, and
I had followed all the protocol and unless she could establish a reason to deny
me the time off; I was good to go.
Thursday
the 13th of February, we were having a brisk morning which is what
they called weather from the 50s and 60s.. I muddled through work avoiding any
confrontations with the bitch. Austin
and Collin were gone when I got home but it was fine cause all I was doing was
eating and changing my clothing. Austin had a sandwich and some salad waiting for me with a
note that said, “It’s a tuna salad sandwich, there’s a Caesar salad in the bowl
in the fridge… TAKE your shot… Collin has some paper work for me to fill out,
see you when you get home-have a great time baby… Love you, Austin” I was about
to dismiss this as just another note, but it suddenly hit me. It was an example
of how Austin always thought of me. I just melted. Although I had
no time to spare, I quickly took the note and put it in the top drawer of my
dresser. After eating, I drove to the
warehouse that we’d been using to practice in.
When I walked in, the others were already practicing so I came in and
sat with Bryan Okter, the dancer that had been in my stable at Christmas,
and had been at all our rehearsals the past few weeks. I noticed immediately that on stage was an
older black guy playing bass guitar.
Tiago had said he had an old band mate who would probably fit right
in. He had dread locks and wore basic
jeans and a linen caftan. When Marika was done with the number she was working
on, I went up and greeted Marika and her younger sister Maki and her cousin Vinda
and to meet the new guy. The girls
looked remarkably alike despite the several year age difference, mostly because
they both wore basic black miniskirts with cream coloured tops and had
identical hair styles, Neither though came close to the diva status of Marika
who demanded attention as soon as she entered a room. Marika had brought her sister and cousin as
back up singers to help with a few numbers.
I shook the new guy’s hand and he introduced himself as Spider, we shook
hands and I told him my name. He said, “I know you are brother; word of you
reached beyond Tiago.” I wasn’t quite sure how to take that so I thanked him
and watched him play a while. We practiced till about 11-o-clock when we broke
with the understanding we were going to meet at the Seattle Scene between 5 and
6 the next afternoon. Spider, or
whatever his real name is, played in a funk/disco style and fit in like a
puzzle piece especially for many of Marika’s numbers. It also added a further dimension to my cover
of wicked games.
When I
got home, I found Tempest waiting up for me begging for the tartar treat I
always gave him on my way through the kitchen. Austin was in bed naked and snoring his adorable low volume
snore. I saw that he had set a
Valentines card by a sandwich he’d made me on the table. I was awwwwwing over
the card as I tested my blood sugar and took my night shot before bed, I got
the card and presents I had gotten for him out of my jeep and set them at his
part of the table. After finishing the
peanut butter sandwich Austin had made me, I brushed my teeth and got ready for
bed. I was asleep moments after I’d
curled up against Austin’s chest and pulled his arm around me protectively.
The next
day I woke up to find Austin dressed in the natural wool Greek fisherman’s
sweater I’d gotten him, and nothing else, Standing at the foot of my bed. “Happy Valentines day baby!” He said
enthusiastically. I blinked a few times and said, “Happy Valentines Day
sweetheart… So why don’t you take that hunky body over here so I can give you a
proper Valentines day blowjob to prove my love?” Austin grinned at me and said, “Horny monkey!” He then
swished his ass at me and walked to the kitchen. I could smell the bacon and eggs and coffee
he already had cooking. “I’m not opening
the rest of these till you get out here.” He called out. “That’s good of you, you only open the
biggest package, and THEN you get scruples.” I called back. “Come test your
sugar, I want to jab your ass before you have to go.” He yelled out as I was
walking into the kitchen, “If you hurry up you can jab it a lot before I have
to get showered for work.” I said arching my eyes suggestively.
After
I’d showered and tested my sugar, I let Austin shoot me in the ass with my insulin shot. I then sat down and pretended to be surprised
when Austin handed me the card he’d left out over night. “I’m impressed” Austin said as I kissed his cheek before I opened the card,
“Why?” I asked, “Cause I had rigged the card with a hair to see if you’d opened
it over night to see what was in it,” he said smirking. I made a face at him
and pulled out the card, it was a naughty Valentines Day card and had a naked
guy showing his ass and looking over his shoulder. It was blank inside but Austin had written, {I love you Alex, there are a million things
I could thank you for, and that wouldn’t begin to be enough, Mostly I want to
thank you for being you and allowing me to be me without restrictions
and only encouragement. No matter how
much I love you, it will never be enough. All my love babe. I belong to you now and ever after. Austin.} He smirked wondering if I’d caught his little
mimicking of me at the end; it was as adorable as he was standing in a sweater
with no pants.
I just
sat it down and closed my eyes as more than anything, I wanted to get up and do
him on the table… and I guess it showed because Austin said, “Soon baby, very soon!” After he poured me more
coffee, I had him open his other
presents, a pair of light blue silk work shirts, a couple of silk ties, and a
few pair of black fishnet boxer briefs I’d gotten online. I said, “These are
really more for me…” I said with a grin.
“You have to wait till lunch for your present” Austin said plainly with a grin so big I could have dived in
and been lost. We ate leisurely the rest
of breakfast and he dropped me off at work for another day in unmitigated hell.
With a
great deal of drama, I finally went outside at 12:30 and waited about five minutes for Austin to pick me up. He said we were going to a sushi bar
for lunch and handed me my testing kit. “We need to get you a traveling
version, this is just so damn bulky” (Editors note: this was 1997- and
the; Just like cell phones and
computers, the meters were substantially larger then than they are now.) My
sugar was a little high but not bad and I took a shot for it.
Collin
met us for lunch and I presented him with a Valentines card too. He seemed shocked and taken back by it. “Um,
well thank you Ma Puce, but I didn’t get you one.” “No worries Mate, you can
get the check and we’ll call it square,” I said with a smile, knowing he’d have
beaten Austin or I to a pulp if we’d tried to pay. “Deal!” He said with a nod to me.
After a
nice lunch we all got in Collin’s Mustang and drove a while into the outback of
winter park, Eventually we came to an old driveway and I noticed the “For sale
by owner” sign in the drive way. The
house I finally saw was hidden by a very tall fence of shrubs and a clump of
bamboo. “Austin Camble, are you thinking of buying this house?” I asked, floored
by the obvious 1950s architecture and size of the house. Austin was grinning like a school kid on Christmas morning…
well actually like he did on Christmas morning come to think of it. “Come on, you need to meet Mrs. Nottinbach.
and no anti-religious remarks Alex, she’s very Lutheran,” Austin said sternly. I scowled and said, “Yeah, cause I
always go around trying convert people to Satanism.” “Whatever, we want her to accept the bid and
she won’t if she wigs out because you got smart mouthed. Collin began laughing, “I don’t think I’ve
ever met anyone that could win an argument with the flea.” He said referring to
the nickname he’d hung on me.
When we
knocked on the door, a small woman, even by my standards, answered the door,
she was maybe 5’2” and that was due in part to large heels in her shoes. She
wore a day-glow green knit top with a pair of black slacks and black shoes. A
large golden cross hung around her neck.
“Oh, you’re multiplying on me, well come on in than” She bid as she
stepped aside to let us in. Although the
architecture was clearly 1950s, the decor had been changed in the 70s and still
had numerous burnt sienna, and bright earth tone oranges in the furniture,
ancient spider plants hung in macramé hangers, and the TV was a large wooden
console, a Curtis Mathis I noticed-very top of the line in the 1970s.
“I
was just making a pot of tea, can I offer you cups too?” She asked politely. We
all agreed and as we sat down Austin said, “Mrs. Nottinbach, as of this moment, I can put
$70,000 down outright and arrange for payments afterwards, and this is without
getting a loan from the banks.” I wanted to take Austin aside and remind him his Mom had asked him to limit
it to 45,000… I then noticed Collin’s brief scowl as he looked out the corner
of his eye. Mrs. Nottinbach said, “I’m
sorry Mr. Camble, But a lovely pair of newly weds can put $65,000 down, and I
already offered the place to them, they’re a church going, religious couple,”
she said, My heart began to sink as I watched Austin’s face fall. Collin finally spoke up and asked if we
could still see the house so Austin could show us some of the points, he liked, so we’d
have a better idea of what we’d be looking for. Mrs. Nottinbach agreed and told
us to follow her. As we walked through
the living room, I smiled thinking how modern and swank this place had looked
in 1975. Austin was saying how he liked the big windows but I had to
see the bathrooms and kitchen to see what he really loved. The part of the kitchen he loved were the counters
and cupboards that went almost to the ceiling- He could put stuff there I’d
never be able to reach or even see with out a ladder, I wondered how the 5’2”
woman had used the spaces. But his
favorite parts were the rounded corners in all the ends of the cabinets. These had obviously been hand made and
weren’t off of any hardware shelves. The
bathrooms were still done in 1950s black and white tiles with turquoise tub,
sink and toilet. “Isn’t this so cool?”
He asked enthusiastically, I smiled and
resisted calling him “soo gay” and said, “Yeah, I love these old houses, I’ll
bet it’s built like a tank too, nothing hurts these old places.” I said noting
Mrs. Nottinbach nodding and smiling. “Yes, Henry, my late husband built this
place with his brother and our boys, he loved this place, but he was so worried
about hurricanes and tornados, since he’d grown up in Arkansas, that he built a
bomb/storm shelter under the house-the entrance is under the stairs.” I wanted to see it as I’d never seen a bomb
shelter before. But Collin said we needed to be going as I was performing that
night. Mrs. Nottinbach was very gracious
as we left, I think it was obvious she’d figured out that we were gay, it was
apparent that Austin and I didn’t share any genetic links so his claim about us
being brothers was likely dismissed out right… As we drove away Austin lamented, “Damn it, I was hoping to get that house
today! Now I don’t have valentines Present for you.” He said sulking. I reached up from the back seat and massaged
his shoulders, “relax baby, it’s the thought that matters to me. But ummm, how were you going to put $70,000
down, I thought your mom asked you to stay under $45,000? I know I don’t have
that kind of money saved. Collin who’d
been driving spoke up and said, “I offered to give it to him, to double what he
had, but he said he wouldn’t take it as a gift, but would make arrangements to
have a percentage of pay withheld to pay me back. Frankly, I wanted to pay it
all in cash right there, but Austin said no.” I was floored, not that Austin had said no, he was far too proud to accept that, but
that Collin was willing to do such a thing. He’d never been cheap or stingy,
but grandiose gestures like this weren’t him either. My little antennae began
twitching.
When
we got the Seattle Scene I went right in and began helping Robert and Jorge set
up, I told Collin and Austin to go out and to bring me something for dinner
later when they came back. Tiago, Robert, Phil and I were there early, setting
up a light show beyond what we’d ever done in the past. “So Phil, what did you get Korma for
Valentines?” I asked him. “Well, we started out with a dozen red roses before
breakfast, which I brought to her in bed.” He said which got nods from Robert
and Tiago. “And tomorrow I’m taking her out to dinner in Orlando” Phil added.
“So what did you and Austin
do for each other?” Tiago asked. “Well I got him a sweater a few shirts, some
ties and a very sexy pair of boxers.” I said emphasizing the “Sexy” part. “Cool, what did he get you?” Phil asked as he
dropped some power cords he was untangling.
“Well, he was going to get us a house, but that didn’t pan out.” I said
waiting for the chorus of guffaws. “Damn
you gay dudes always gotta out do the rest of us!” Robert said shaking his head
side to side. “You ain’t lying!” Tiago said.
“Soooo,” I queried Tiago, “You got a special guy or girl you’re
celebrating with today” I asked. “As a matter of fact Mr. Flea,” He said trying
to rattle my cage. I screwed up my face
when I realized that my nickname had returned thanks to Collin. “I am seeing a
wonderful black man right now, he’ll be here tonight.”
About
7:30, Austin and Collin came back and brought me a grilled
shrimp Caesar Salad. I was already
drinking my second iced latte, and after testing my sugar and taking my shot, I
sat down and ate. Collin was eating a
piece of lemon pound cake with a cappuccino while Austin was either talking to me or trying to get Bryan to say why he was here this night. “I asked Bryan to be here.” I said hoping to curb Mr. Question.
As
the early evening dragged on the bar began filing up way beyond what it usually
did. The overflow was gathered outside
on the covered walkway but the doors were open as it was a gorgeous evening
out. It was past the frigged cool of
winter and before the time of mosquitos.
When
eight O clock finally came around, Tiago was wearing a red top but he’d be
shirtless after a few numbers, Phil, Robert, and I wore red shirts and black
pants, Marika had on a full length red dress with a swirl of burgundy sequins
on it and a white silk scarf wrapped around her neck. She was on red high heels and wore a large
red hat on her finely coifed head.
When
we were ready to begin all the lights were turned off, Robert was playing a
piano scale on his keyboard. “Happy
Valentines day ladies, gentlemen, Even you Michael,” I said looking right at my
Michael. “And Marika…” I said knowing she was behind my trying not laugh and
trying to think of a proper retort. “We are doing a special tonight and I think
you’re going to love a few of the specials we’ve put together, If you like the
show, we’ll be doing it all weekend so tell your friends. To begin with we have a few special guests
I’ll be introducing after our break.” I
then sat down on a tall bar stool and a soft blue light fell down on me from a
spot light. “The following song is one
from a powerful singer named Seal. It’s called Don’t Cry” When I nodded
my head Robert began a keyboard lead in and Jorge shown a soft white spot light
down on a heap on the floor in front me. At first, it looked like a strange
rock, but as the song began, an arm shot out, and the form unfolded into a tall
dancer with reddish hair wearing a rust colored leotard. Although I was the
main singer, Marika and her cousin and sister sung back up and Spider played
his mean bass.
Don't
be so hard on yourself.
Those
tears are for someone else.
I
hear your voice on the phone.
I
hear you feel so alone.
My
baby.
Ohh
my baby.
Please
my baby,
My
baby,
When
we were young,
And
truth was paramount.
We
were older then,
And
we lived a life without any doubt.
Those
memories,
They
seem so long ago.
What's
become of them?
When
you feel like me I want you to know.
...They've all gone for sure...
Don't
cry.
Not
alone.
Don't
cry,
Tonight,
my baby.
Don't
cry,
You'll
always be loved.
Don't
cry,
Tonight.
My
baby.
Today
I dreamed,
Of
friends I had before.
And
I wonder why.
The
ones who care don't call anymore.
My
feelings hurt.
But
you know I overcome the pain.
And
I'm stronger now,
There
can't be a fire unless there's a flame.
Don't
cry.
Your
not alone.