The Preacher's Son - 2. Part 2

Chapter 4

My face felt like it was on fire as I sat in the front pew listening to my father’s sermon. His voice grew louder and louder as he walked back and forth, gesturing wildly with his hands. I felt like every eye was on me as he preached.

I thought God was supposed to be love, but my father’s God was only about hate and condemnation. I remembered Jackson’s words. God don’t make mistakes.

I looked over at Mother. She clasped her Bible to her chest. Her eyes were closed and she was nodding along like a good sheep.

I wanted to get up and run. I slid my hands off my knees to the edge of the pew. I gripped tight, keeping myself from fleeing. I could get through this. Just another half hour…

Tomorrow night I would be meeting Jackson after work. I closed my eyes and concentrated on Jackson and what I hoped was our blossoming relationship…

* * *

When Jackson pulled up in front of the library, I bounced up from the bench and hurried over.

“Hey, baby boy.”

“Hi, Jacks.”

Jackson got off the bike and pulled his backpack off. He moved behind me and helped me put it on my back. As he did, he leaned down close to my ear. “Missed you, baby,” he whispered.

My eyes fluttered closed as his warm breath on my ear and neck sent shivers down my spine. I breathed in deep, taking in his unique smell, a mixture of his cologne and natural body odor.

“I missed you, too,” I whispered back.

“Let’s grab some tacos or something and go back to my crib and chill.”

“Sure. That sounds good.”

He handed me the helmet and I pulled it on and climbed on the bike after him. I wrapped my arms around him as he leaned forward.

We made a quick stop to grab some cheap flour tortilla tacos, then we raced back to his place.

I followed Jackson into the small trailer and he flipped the switch. “Let there be light,” he said with a chuckle as the lights came on.

“Cozy,” I said with a smile as I looked around. “I like it.”

The small living room had enough space for a couch and a coffee table. A small stand held a TV. There was a counter height bar separating the living room from the tiny kitchen. The hallway on the other side led to the bathroom and the bedroom.

His home was clean, but there wasn’t much in the way of decoration or personal items. It didn’t give off a ‘Jackson’ vibe. Jackson apparently wasn’t the kind of person who had attachments to objects or material things.

Jackson set the take-out bag on the coffee table and pulled me down onto the couch. He took me in his arms and kissed me softly and gently.

We pulled apart and Jackson moaned. “Mm. I needed that.”

Jackson leaned forward and grabbed the bag from the coffee table. He opened it up and handed me a taco.

“You want hot sauce?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, thanks.”

“Don’t like spicy, huh?” he said with a smirk.

“Not really. So how was work today?” I asked as I opened the wrapper, then took a bite.

“Good,” he nodded as he poured a liberal amount of hot sauce onto his taco. “It was hella busy. I didn’t even get an afternoon break. Didn’t even get to take a fucking piss.”

His cussing always made me blush, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“How was your day?” he asked before he bit into his taco.

“Boring. It was really slow.”

“What do you do?”

“I follow Mother around and take pictures of the houses and rooms and make notes and measurements. Then I enter the home listings into all of the computer systems. I also print flyers and post cards and stuff. The worst is having to make phone calls. Since the market is so bad, when it gets slow, Mother makes me call past clients trying to get business. I hate that.”

“I bet the money is good, though, huh? My job don’t pay shit.”

“Well, maybe my parents make money, but I don’t see that much of it. Why don’t you get a better paying job? At a real auto shop like you had before?”

Jackson grunted. “I tried when I got out, you know? No one was hiring. Well, they weren’t hiring me. But I think the manager at this place was desperate to get someone in.”

“Oh. But, it’s his gain, don’t you think? You’re a really hard worker.”

“Yeah. I ain’t the smartest, but I know my job and I’m good at it. I figure I’ll hang around this place for a year, you know? Keep doing good work. It’ll look good on my applications, then I’ll be able to get a better job.”

I stared back at him in amazement. “That’s a really good idea. You’re really smart.”

“Quit playin’.”

“No, I mean it. You got it figured out, you know? You’re thinking about your future. That’s good. That’s smart.”

Jackson grinned and leaned in and kissed me.

After we finished eating, we started making out. Before we got too heavy into it, Jackson got up and held out his hand. I could see his dick pushing out the leg of his baggy jeans and I looked up into his eyes.

The corner of his mouth turned up in a half-smile. “That’s what you do to me, baby boy.”

I took Jackson’s hand and pulled myself up. I followed him to his bedroom, both of my hands clasped around his.

Jackson turned on the small lamp and I looked around, seeing the room for the first time in light. His full sized bed took up one whole wall. He had a small night table next to it with the old lamp on top of it currently bathing the room in soft light. The sliding doors of his closet were covered in mirrors and were closed. Like the rest of his home, everything was neat and tidy. Even his bed was made.

We stood together holding each other, softly kissing. Jackson reached for my shirt and I glanced at the lamp. The last time it was dark. Out in the light, I was feeling self-conscious and vulnerable.

Jackson held my face in his hands. “Don’t be nervous.”

He pulled my shirt off and unbuttoned my shorts. I did the same for him. I rubbed and touched all over his chest and arms, feeling the strength of his rock hard muscles.

He slipped off his boxer briefs and then sat down on the bed and just watched me. I felt a little embarrassed standing there in my plain white briefs. I turned around and slowly slipped the underwear down, unaware that I was putting on a sexy display for Jackson.

Jackson groaned behind me. He reached out and grabbed my hips and pulled me closer.

“Mmm. God damn, your booty is fine.”

Jackson stroked and kneaded each of my butt cheeks, before planting a kiss on each one. He nipped my butt with his teeth, causing me to yip in surprise. Jackson laughed and he scooted back on the bed and pulled me down. I crawled up and laid next to him, on my side facing him. He moved his arm under my head so that I could rest my neck on his hard bicep.

He ran his hand through my brown hair and I closed my eyes and relaxed into his touch.

After kissing me breathless, he laid his forehead on me. “You know you my boy, right?” he whispered.

I looked into his brown eyes. The depth of emotion there startled me. “I-I-I am?”

“Hell, yeah, you my boy. I wanna be your man, baby. I don’t want you fuckin’ around with no other dudes.”

“Never, Jackson. I would never do that. I promise.” I paused for a second, then asked, “And you promise, too?”

“I promise, baby boy. Ain’t no one but you from now on.”

I tightened my grip around him and buried my face in the crook of his neck. That feeling of being safe and protected intensified as Jackson held me in his arms, having just vowed himself to me.

Jackson lifted my chin up and he kissed me deeply. I parted my lips to him, inviting his tongue into my mouth. The slick muscle slid in and swirled and lapped at mine before exploring the rest of my mouth. I rested a hand on his strong jaw while the other roamed his muscular body.

Jackson’s hand was all over my butt. He kneaded and squeezed and stroked. His fingers slid into the crack and brushed against my most private opening.

“One day you might give this up to me, baby?” he asked.

“One day,” I whispered nervously. “But I don’t think… I’m not…”

“Shh… It’s okay. I can wait ‘til you’re ready.”

I let out a sigh of relief. I knew that I wanted to go all the way with Jacks, but I wasn’t ready just yet. That didn’t mean I wasn’t interested in fooling around with him, though.

I slid my hand down to his crotch. I cupped his heavy sac in my hand, rolling and fondling his big balls. I kissed my way along his jaw to his ear. I whispered quietly into his ear, “We can do other things, though.”

“Like what?”

“I can do that thing you liked… Like last time.”

“Mmm. And what was that? Tell me, baby boy… Let me hear you say it…”

My cheeks burned bright red and I closed my eyes and whispered, “You can… put it in my mouth.”

Jackson shuddered, and huskily breathed in to my ear. “Damn, baby. Is that what you want? You wanna take me in your mouth?”

“Yeah.”

“You wanna suck my dick? Say you wanna suck it.”

“Yes. I wanna suck it.”

“What do you want me to do to you?”

“I want… I want you to do the same.”

Jackson brushed his lips across mine. “Tell me, baby boy… Say what you want me to do.”

“I want you to suck mine, too, Jacks.”

Jackson kissed me hard and deep, then moved down the bed a bit.

“Turn around, baby,” he said. “Get on top of me.”

He helped me turn so that I was facing his feet, then guided me so that I was on my hands and knees above him. My hand was shaking as I reached for him. I lifted his dick away from his belly and pulled his foreskin back. The musky smell and taste sent a shiver down my spine. I leaned down and swirled my tongue around the head, cleaning up the pre-come and musky sweat.

I wrapped my lips tight around the head and began sliding my mouth up and down. Jackson’s warm, moist tongue slid along the bottom of my rigid shaft. I moaned and took Jackson deeper in my mouth until that large head bumped the back of my throat. I choked and backed off him, then slid back down.

My dick ached so bad. I had never felt such a strong urge to come. When Jackson’s tongue slid around the head and pulled it down to swallow it, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. His mouth slid up and down the entire length of my shaft while gently sucking.

I gripped the blankets in my fists, struggling to keep moving on Jackson’s throbbing bone. My arms and legs quivered and I whimpered. Jackson bucked his hips up, pumping his girth in and out of my mouth. I just closed my eyes and sucked hard, letting him use my mouth for his pleasure as his own mouth brought me to the brink.

I tried to pull off to warn him, but he thrust up into me, jabbing at the back of my throat. I groaned and my body convulsed as I spurt over and over into Jackson’s hot mouth. I heard him groaning as he swallowed. His hips bucked up faster and faster. His hand slid down my back to hold me in place. He pulled off my dick and gasped. “Baby, I’m gonna nut! Oh fuck, here it comes!”

Never-ending jets of hot cream burst into my mouth and I swallowed down every single drop. I didn’t release him until he went soft and his breathing slowed back to normal. His half-erect dick laid limply against his hip. I swirled my tongue all over it, getting it nice and clean. I pulled back the foreskin and gave the head a good bathing. When I finished, I pulled the foreskin back so that it covered the head. I kissed the base of his penis and nuzzled my nose in the wiry curls there, sniffing in his musky scent.

Jackson let out a sigh of contentment.

I turned around and laid on my side next to Jackson, straddling his body with my arm and leg. His arms moved around me and I laid my head on his chest. He pressed his nose into my hair and breathed in.

“You fit good in my arms, Wally,” he said quietly.

“Jacks… I can’t be late,” I said as my eyes drifted shut. “But I’m sleepy…”

“I got you, baby boy. Rest for a minute.”

I snuggled into Jackson’s chest and fell asleep.

Chapter 5

“Where’s your ring?” Mother asked. She had a frown on her face.

I wiped the maple syrup from my mouth with my napkin and looked down at the empty finger on my left hand and froze.

Dad set his fork down and it clattered on his plate. “Your mother asked you a question, Junior.”

I hadn’t been wearing the ring for almost a month, since Jackson and I started dating. I should have been surprised that they didn’t notice until now, but then they never really paid me much attention. I just couldn’t bear to put it back on. It would be a lie.

“I took it off,” I said. “It was starting to irritate my skin.”

I lowered my head and turned my attention back to my waffle.

“I expect you to have it on for service this morning,” Dad said firmly.

“Yes, sir.” I pushed my plate forward. “Can I be excused?”

“Go get dressed for church. And comb your hair for heaven’s sake.”

I dropped my napkin on my half-eaten breakfast and stood up and pushed back from the table. I stopped and turned back to my parents. “Oh, I’m going to have dinner with my book club after the library closes.”

“Fine, dear,” Mother said.

Dad sighed and shook his head, returning to his breakfast.

I turned and headed up the stairs, feeling a little bit guilty for the way the lies just rolled off my tongue. But I knew that they would never understand.

* * *

I made it to the library just before noon. My heart was pounding in my chest and my palms were sweating. I was meeting Jackson’s family today. He invited me over for Sunday supper at his mama’s house.

I ran my hand through my hair, stopping when I saw the sunlight gleam off my ring finger.

“Oh, jeez,” I muttered. I pulled the stupid purity ring off my finger and shoved it into the pocket of my blue jeans.

I heard the hum of Jackson’s bike and I stood up and walked to the curb.

“Hey, baby boy. Damn, I missed you.”

“Missed you, too.”

“Ready to go?”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah.”

“Don’t be nervous. You trust me, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I trust you, Jacks.”

“Good.” Jackson handed me the spare helmet and I pulled it on and climbed onto the bike.

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into the apartment complex. Jackson parked the bike and I climbed off.

“Bring your helmet inside,” he said as he looked around.

The apartments weren’t in the nicest neighborhood, but I knew that others had it far worse. Jackson put his hand on the small of my back and escorted me inside the building. We climbed the steps to the second floor and turned down the hallway. Jackson stopped outside the apartment door and moved close to me. “Ready?”

“I’m ready.”

Jackson bent down and kissed me softly, then opened the door. “Mama?” he called out.

“We’re in here, baby,” was the answer back.

I followed Jackson into the kitchen. There were two women standing in the kitchen at the stove. One was an older, plump woman. She looked very regal and was very beautiful with smooth mocha skin. The other woman looked to be younger. She was a little heavier and had a very pretty face. They looked like they were sisters.

“Hi, Mama,” Jackson said to the older of the two. He gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

He proceeded to give the other woman a hug. When he pulled away, he took my hand and pulled me next to him.

“This is Walt Rockdale. Walt, this is my mama and my Aunt Bunny.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said as I held out my hand.

Mrs. Carter pushed my hand away and pulled me into a warm embrace. As soon as she let go, Aunt Bunny gave me a hug.

Aunt Bunny put her hand on her hip and looked me up and down. “Damn, you just a skinny little thing, ain’t you?”

I blushed wildly and shrugged.

Mrs. Carter waved her hand at Aunt Bunny and looked at me. “Don’t you pay her no mind.”

I looked around at the kitchen, which was decorated with a strawberry theme. The dining area next to it had a worn, lived-in table. The leaf had been put in the middle and two mismatched chairs joined the four matching chairs. The wall above the buffet was decorated with various family pictures.

“You have a lovely home, ma’am,” I said.

“Call me Mama Carter,” she said with a warm smile.

“Yes, ma’am. Um, Mama Carter.”

I looked up at Jackson and he smiled at me and grabbed my hand again and laced our fingers together.

“Joseph,” Mama Carter called out. “Get out here and speak to your brother.”

Jackson’s younger brother Joseph walked into the room and grinned when he saw Jackson. The buff teenager was the spitting image of Jackson, only he was younger, just seventeen years old. He was built big and muscular just like his brother and he had the same bright smile.

They clasped hands and pulled in and hugged each other, slapping their hands on each other’s backs.

When they moved apart, Jackson motioned for me. “Joseph, this is my boy, Walt.”

Joseph smiled and shook my hand firmly. “Hey, Walt.”

“Nice to meet you, Joseph. Jackson talks about you all the time. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”

“Same here. Jacks talks about you all the time, too.”

Joseph went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

Mama Carter, smacked him on the butt. “Boy, get out of there. Supper’ll be ready in just bit.”

Jackson took my hand and led me over to the wall of pictures. He pointed out a few of his favorites. I leaned in and saw one of him as kid dressed as The Incredible Hulk.

“Is that you?” I asked.

“Yeah, that’s me,” he said with a groan.

“You’re so cute,” I giggled.

“I ain’t cute,” he grumbled.

I pointed to a picture of a man who liked like an older version of Jackson in an Army uniform. “That your other brother?”

“Yeah. That’s Antoine.”

“He looks a lot like you.”

I pointed to a naked toddler in the bathtub. “Is that you?” I asked with a big smile on my face.

“No, that’s Joseph,” he said with a chuckle. “With his ding-a-ling all out.”

I clapped my hand over my mouth and giggled while Jackson laughed loudly.

“Mama,” Joseph whined. “I keep telling you to take that one down.”

Everyone laughed and Joseph plopped down on the sofa and pouted. Jackson and I followed him into the living room as the apartment door opened and another man entered. He vaguely resembled the two Carter boys, but was older, in his early to mid-twenties.

“Hey, cuz,” he said to Joseph, before looking at Jackson with a blank expression. “Jackson.”

The newcomer then turned to me. He licked his lips as he looked me up and down. He slowly moved up closer.

“Who’s the white boy?” he asked.

Jackson stepped in between us. “His name’s Walt. He’s my boy.”

Jackson’s tone and body language told the man to back off, but he moved around Jackson and held out his hand to me. “I’m DeShawn, Jackson’s cousin.”

I shook his hand quickly and then pulled it away and moved closer to Jackson. I didn’t like the way DeShawn looked at me, like a predator looking at his next meal. I wondered if this was the cousin that he got in trouble with. I was pretty sure that it was.

DeShawn moved around and stared at my ass. “Damn, cuz, where you been hidin’ him at?”

“Step off, ‘Shawn,” Jackson warned as he moved me away.

Jackson pulled me over to the recliner and sat down. He pulled me down so that I was sitting on his lap. His muscular arms circled my waist and he pressed his lips against my neck. He was claiming me in front of his cousin as well as his family. I relaxed back into him and let him hold me.

Supper was excellent: baked pork chops, greens, macaroni and cheese and cornbread. It was simple, but it was absolutely delicious. Especially the mac and cheese. It was yummy and creamy and I had seconds and thought about thirds.

After dinner, the two women dismissed us so they could clean up.

“Jackson,” Joseph said excitedly. “Lemme show you the brochure for summer football camp. I can’t wait!”

Joseph ran back to his bedroom with Jackson in tow.

DeShawn came up behind me and leaned in close. “Damn, you cute. You letting Jackson hit this?” he asked as he ran his fingers across my butt.

I gasped and pushed his hand away and stepped back from him.

He circled me, leering up and down at me. “Mm. I like you white boys… looking for big black cock, trying to get back at daddy.”

My mouth fell open in shock and I cringed away from him. “You don’t know anything about me.”

DeShawn smirked and let out a huff of air. “You think you the first white boy he brought home? You ain’t. And you ain’t gonna be the last either.” DeShawn closed the distance and put his hands on my hips, pressing his body into me. “I don’t mind sharing. Wouldn’t be the first time. Mm. I bet you suck good dick.”

“Get your motherfuckin’ hands off my boy,” Jackson growled as he pulled DeShawn away from me.

I stepped back against the wall and looked on in shock. Jackson looked like he was going to beat the crap out of DeShawn, who just stood there with a smug grin on his face.

“What is going on in here?” Mama Carter asked. She stepped in the living room and put her hands on her hips, looking between the three of us.

Jackson moved in front of me. “‘Shawn was rubbing on my boy and laying his motherfuckin’ hands on him.” Jackson looked back at DeShawn, who looked very pleased with himself. That only made Jackson madder. Jackson balled his hands into fists and clenched his jaw. “You must have lost your damn mind, disrespecting me in my own home. You best fix your goddamn face, ‘fore I fix it for you.”

DeShawn’s smirk got even more smug. “Bring it on, cuz.”

Aunt Bunny stepped in. “That’s enough, DeShawn. Always stirring up something.” She walked to the front door and opened it. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

DeShawn shrugged like he didn’t care. Aunt Bunny closed the door behind him. I could see the hurt and embarrassment on her face and I felt really bad for her. She put her hand on my arm and said quietly. “I’m sorry for that, Walt.”

I tried to smile for her, and I squeezed her hand. “It’s okay.”

Mama Carter took Aunt Bunny by the arm. “Come help me with these dishes.”

They walked into the kitchen and I moved closer to Jackson. His body was still tight and he was shaking with rage. I grabbed his right fist and his fingers slowly unfurled and then curled into mine. His posture visibly relaxed and he pulled me into a hug.

“Are you okay?” I whispered.

“Yeah. You okay?”

“I’m good.”

“He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No.”

Jackson let out a deep breath. “I don’t like people touching what’s mine.”

I relaxed into Jackson’s arms. As he kissed the top of my head, I couldn’t help but replay the things DeShawn said to me in my head. Part of me knew that he was just trying to mess with me, but part of me wondered if there was some truth to what he was saying.

Was I only with Jackson to rebel against my conservative father? No, that wasn’t at all true. Even though I despised the things that my father says and as much as I don’t like the values that he preaches, he is still my father. I love him and I didn’t wish him harm.

I didn’t care that Jackson was black. I would have liked him even if he was green. I liked him because he made me feel good about myself. He made me feel safe. I felt special when I was with him. Like I was the only person in the world.

Obviously Jackson wasn’t a virgin when we met. But the thought of just being one in a string of others… That hurt right to my heart. My chest constricted at the thought of not being with Jackson, of him being with someone else. This man, my man, was becoming a critical part of my life. I hugged him tighter.

“It’s okay, baby boy,” Jackson whispered. “He ain’t gonna lay hands on you ever again. I’ll make sure of that.”

Jackson bent down and kissed me. It was gentle, but loving and sensual.

“Eww,” Joseph groaned. “There are other people in the room.”

Jackson let go of me and he and Joseph both laughed at my embarrassment.

Joseph jumped up from the sofa. “Hey, I got the new Madden. You wanna play? I’ll let you win.”

“Let me win?” Jackson said as he followed his younger brother back to his bedroom. “Boy, I’ll beat your ass.”

I followed the pair back to Joseph’s bedroom. The small room was decorated with posters of football players. He had a bookshelf that had a ton of trophies and ribbons on it. There was room enough for a twin bed and a dresser. His XBOX and TV sat on top of the dresser along with a stack of game cases.

Joseph put the Madden DVD in the XBOX and the two brothers sat down on the bed.

“You better not let Mama see this,” Jackson said as he pulled a porn magazine out from under his pillow. The magazine had a light skinned black girl on the cover with her legs spread. Red starbursts strategically covered her naked parts.

“Shit, man!” Joseph grabbed the magazine and opened his night table drawer and shoved it in. I couldn’t help but notice the condoms in the drawer. Mama Carter probably wouldn’t like that either.

Joseph handed Jackson a controller and started the game.

As they flipped through the screens to pick their teams, Joseph said quietly, “I’m glad you don’t hang with DeShawn anymore.”

“I’d rather hang with you and whoop your ass at Madden.” Jackson pushed Joseph’s head and the two of them laughed.

I had a big grin on my face watching the two of them play their video game. They would yell and jump up and push each other with their shoulders. It was nice to see that they loved each other.

I looked up when Mama Carter walked in.

Just as she stepped into the room, Joseph jumped up to his feet as his man scored a touchdown. “In your face, bro!” he yelled as he did a little end-zone dance.

Mama Carter put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Boys… They don’t ever grow up.” She linked her arm around mine. “Walt, come help me get dessert ready.”

I followed her into the kitchen. Aunt Bunny was making a pitcher of iced tea and she smiled at me when I walked in with Mama Carter. Mama Carter touched the top of each of the pies she had cooling on top of the stove. One looked like a fruit pie. I figured it was cherry from the red juices bubbling up through the slits in the top crust. The crust was a perfect golden brown and was sprinkled with sugar. The other one looked like pumpkin or sweet potato. They looked delicious and my mouth started to water from the smell.

“Thank you for inviting me to supper,” I said.

“You welcome, child. I’m glad you could come. I been wantin’ to meet you. I knew you was special from the way Jackson talks about you.”

I shrugged and I couldn’t help but blush a little bit. Mama Carter chuckled and pinched my cheek, which only made it redder. “And a little cutie, too.”

“Oh, jeez.”

Mama Carter and Aunt Bunny both laughed.

“You’re good for my boy,” Mama Carter said. “I don’t need to worry about him getting in trouble, since he’s always out chasing after you.”

“Oh. Well, I’m not sure if that’s my doing. I mean, Jackson seems to have his life planned out, you know? He wants to stay out of trouble. He’s got his mind set. He’s going to go places.”

“You’re a part of that.”

I looked at her, trying to process what she was telling me.

“You’re the one,” she said as she handed me a stack of plates and forks.

“The one?” I asked as I set the plates and forks at each place setting on the table.

“The one. Jackson’s in love with you. And you’re in love with him. Maybe you ain’t said it yet, but that don’t make it not so.”

That revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s nothing to say. You know it’s true.” She pulled me in for a tight hug, then kissed my cheek. “Now, run and get the boys so that we can have dessert.”

We hung out at his mama’s house until evening. I knew that Jackson wanted to spend some time with me alone at his place before I had to go home, so I wasn’t surprised when he leaned into me and asked, “You ready to go?”

I nodded. “Let me go pee first.”

He snickered and smacked my butt as he pointed down the hallway. I took care of business and washed my hands.

Jackson and Mama Carter were in the kitchen, so I turned towards them. I stopped and hung back when Jackson pulled out a wad of money and pressed it into his Mama’s hand.

“No,” she said. “Jackson, you give me too much already.”

“You need it more than me, Mama.”

She shook her head. “You got someone to take care of now.”

“Me and Walt do just fine. Take it. Use it on Joseph’s camp fees.”

She nodded her head and stuffed the money into her pocket. She pulled Jackson into a hug and rubbed on his back. “You’re a good son.”

She sniffled and wiped her cheek. I felt a warm drip run down my face and I quickly swiped away at the stray tear. That was when I knew. Mama Carter was right. I was head over heels in love with Jackson Carter.

I made a quiet noise with my throat like I had just entered the room.

“Ready?” Jackson asked.

“All set.”

“C’mere and gimme some sugar,” Mama Carter said to me.

I smiled and gave Mama Carter a hug and she squeezed me tight and then kissed my cheek. “You don’t be a stranger, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am. I won’t.”

She gave Jackson a kiss on the cheek and smacked his butt. “You stay out of trouble.”

We gave Aunt Bunny hugs and I shook Joseph’s hand. We grabbed our helmets and headed out the door. After Jackson closed the door behind us, I stopped him and pulled him in a hug and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

“What was that for?” he asked with a big grin.

“For being wonderful.”

* * *

Jackson laid my naked body on his bed. He moved on top of me, straddling my leg. Our hands glided over each other’s bodies as he stared down at me. His chocolate brown eyes were mesmerizing. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He opened it again and said, “I love you, baby boy.”

“I love you, too, Jackson.”

He kissed me deeply, pushing his tongue into my mouth. I grabbed at his broad shoulders and pulled him down onto me. Jackson’s hand slid down my side and around my back. His mouth slid down to the base of my neck. He licked and sucked my neck while he cupped my ass and squeezed it. I moaned and tilted my neck to give him complete access. I loved the feel of his heavy muscular body on top of me. It felt so right having him on top of me, holding me, pushing me into the mattress. I pushed my body back against him, wanting to increase the skin-to-skin contact, completely lost in what he was doing to me.

Jackson’s mouth moved to my nipple. He sucked and tugged on it with his lips. He flicked his tongue rapidly back and forth across it, making it stiffen and stand up. I gripped the back of his head and his shoulder tight and drew in a sharp breath. “Jacks,” I moaned. “Yes…”

Jackson’s hand slid around and fondled my balls. He pulled his hand back and wet his middle finger with his mouth. His hand slipped between my thighs and his middle finger slid into my crack. The wet finger rubbed up and down my crease. The rough pad of his finger slid back and forth against my virgin flesh, sending shivers of pleasure through my body. I whimpered and my hips bucked up.

I reached down and laid my hand on Jackson’s, encouraging him to continue. He thought I was stopping him and he started to pull his hand away. I pressed my hand onto his. “Don’t stop,” I whispered.

“You like that?” he asked.

“Mm-hmm,” I panted.

He re-wet his finger and returned it between my legs. He was staring at me while he was doing rubbing me and it became too intense. I closed my eyes and let the pleasure wash over me. I laid my hand on his as it slid back and forth. I spread my legs wider. “Yes, Jackson,” I whispered. “Yes.”

“Yes?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Jackson groaned and the pad of his finger applied pressure and then slipped inside me. I gasped as he breached my sphincter and slid the tip in.

Jackson moved so that he was on top of me and I spread my legs wider so that he could settle between them. He kissed me hard, thrusting his tongue in and out of my mouth. His fumbled with the night table drawer and he yanked it open. He felt around and grabbed a bottle. He pulled away from me for a moment while he flipped the top of the bottle open.

“Here,” he said as he handed me the bottle. “Pour some on my fingers.” He held open his hand and I turned the bottle upside down and squeezed a small amount of the clear liquid onto the tips of his fingers.

He rubbed his thumb across his fingers a few times. He lowered his mouth back onto mine as his hand moved back between my legs. His finger was extremely slick now and it slid right into my hole.

Jackson sucked on the base of my neck as his finger slid in and out. I spread my legs further. My body quivered from the stimulation. Jackson’s finger turned and twisted. He pushed in hard and flicked it. It tapped against a spot inside me and I about leapt off the bed. “Jacks!”

Jackson kept poking and rubbing the spot as he pumped his finger into me. I was moaning and writhing, pushing my hips back against his finger. My dick throbbed and leaked a steady stream of pre-come onto my belly every time he stroked my spot.

“That’s your prostate, baby. You like that?”

“Feels so good,” I whimpered breathlessly.

“Fuck, baby boy,” he groaned into my neck. “God damn, you make me rock. I wanna be inside you so fucking bad. This hard dick, the one attached to your man, the one you like to slick down and swallow, wants you bad.”

I reached down and wrapped my hands around Jackson’s dick. It was so thick and so hard. The thought of him inside me sent ripples of pleasure through my body and I shuddered.

“I love you, Jacks. I want to be with you.”

“Only if you’re sure you’re ready. You know I want it, but I can wait,” he said. He then muttered to himself, “God, I can’t believe I’m turning down ass this fine…”

“I don’t wanna wait. I want you, Jacks. I want you inside me. And not just your finger.” I gave his dick a firm squeeze. “I want this inside me.”

Jackson groaned and pulled my hand off his dick. “Damn, you ‘bout to make me bust my nut talking like that.”

“I don’t want you to bust until you’re inside me.”

Jackson shuddered and let out a long groan. “Oh my fucking god.”

Jackson moved between my legs and spread them apart. He kissed his way down my body. He pushed my knees up so that they were bent and spread wide. He traced the tip of his finger in little circles around my hole. He brought his nose between my legs and inhaled. “Mm. That’s nice.”

His tongue flicked out across my hole and I gasped in shock. “What are you doing?”

I was mortified. I grabbed his head and tried to pull it away, but he grabbed my wrists and pressed his face into my crack. His tongue darted and circled my hole and I fell back into the mattress. My brain went into overload as he rapidly licked and lapped at me, sending bursts of pleasure throughout my body.

He kept up his fast and furious tongue action, not stopping for a minute. As he plunged his tongue in and out, I felt like I was on the verge of orgasm. “Jacks,” I cried out. My body started to tremble and Jackson pulled away.

He crawled up my body and laid down on his side next to me. Jackson held out his hand and I poured more lube onto his fingers. He pressed two fingers to my opening and they slid in nice and slow. I drew in a deep breath. It didn’t really hurt, but it was a little uncomfortable.

Jackson kissed me, then rubbed his lips against mine. “Breathe and relax… It’s gon’ hurt the first time, but I promise it’ll get good. I’m gonna go nice and slow and then it’s gon’ get real good.”

He slowly stretched me with his fingers. He added a third finger and it hurt for a few seconds, but then my muscle started to relax and it started to feel good again.

Jackson kissed up and down the side of my neck as his fingers thrust and twisted into me. “You okay?” he whispered.

“Yeah.”

“You ready?”

“I’m ready.”

Jackson reached over me and pulled out a roll of condoms from his night table drawer. He tore off one of the orange foil packets and tossed the others back into the drawer. I saw the ‘King Size XL’ marking on the wrapper and I gulped nervously. He brought it to his teeth and tore it open, then spit the corner out and tossed the empty wrapper onto the table.

He held out the rolled latex to me. “You wanna put it on me, baby?”

“Okay.”

He settled onto his back and I sat up. I gripped his shaft and lifted it upright. The size of it made me nervous. It was the thickness that was scary. I couldn’t even close my thumb and fingers around it. His skin had retracted, exposing the head, which was a deep purple color. I put the condom on top of the head.

“The other way,” Jackson said as he rubbed circles on my back.

“Oh.” I flipped it over so the little tip pointed up. I slowly rolled it down until I reached the base. The rubber fit him nice and snug.

“Lay down on your belly, baby boy.”

I laid down like Jackson said. He moved on top of me, pushing my legs apart with his knees. He grabbed the bottle of lube and poured it onto his latex-sheathed cock and spread it around. He pressed more lube around my hole, then leaned in. He rubbed the slippery head of his cock up and down my crack, teasing my hole with every touch. I closed my eyes and waited for him to shove it in.

Jackson lowered his head next to my ear. “Hey. Relax.”

“I am,” I said through gritted teeth.

“No. You’re tensed up like a mug.”

I opened my eyes and looked over at my hand which was white-knuckling the pillow. I let out a deep breath and unclenched my fists. “Sorry.”

“Turn over.”

Jackson helped me roll over onto my back. He moved on top of me and held my head in his hands. He let his weight barely rest on me. I lifted my hands to his waist.

“We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready,” he said.

“I’m ready, Jacks. I’m just really nervous.”

“You know you’re my boy, and you know I love you, don’t you?”

“Yes. You’re my man and I love you.”

Jackson kissed me slowly and deeply. He pushed my legs back so that my knees were up to my chest. He grabbed a pillow and slid it under me. He slid forward on his knees between my legs. His cock was shiny with lube, pointing up to the ceiling.

He pushed the top of his shaft down with his thumb, lining it up against my asshole.

“Ready?” he asked. “I’m gonna go nice and slow.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. I slowly exhaled as the head pushed into me.

OH GOD.

It felt like Jackson was splitting me into two. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to breathe as I dug my fingers into Jackson’s waist. It hurt so bad I wanted to cry out and tell him to stop, but I didn’t want to disappoint him. He told me that it would hurt at first and I trusted him when he said it would start to feel good.

I felt Jackson’s lips on mine, soothing me with gentle kisses.

“I love you, Wally,” he whispered against my lips. “I love you so much, baby boy.”

I opened my eyes and looked up at Jackson. He reached up and brushed away the tear that dripped down my temple. I stared into his deep brown eyes. I kept breathing and the sharp pain finally started to fade. The dull ache throbbed with each of my heartbeats.

Jackson just stayed still, holding himself up, watching me the entire time. I felt my muscles finally start to relax, stretching for his wide girth.

“That’s it, baby,” he whispered. “Open up for me.”

Jackson gave a little push forward and sunk in another inch. I grunted at the increase in pressure and the twinges of pain. He held still while I adjusted, then pushed in again. He repeated this over and over until I finally felt his wiry pubic curls against my skin and his heavy balls resting against my ass.

Jackson laid his head next to mine. He breathed in deep and let it out slow. It came out stuttered and ragged. “You so fucking tight. I feel like I’m ‘bout to come if I move. You okay?”

“It feels full. You feel so big. But it’s okay.”

Jackson pushed up onto his hands. He moved my legs so that my knees were locked against his waist, my heels resting on his butt. His arm muscles flexed as he effortlessly held himself up on his hands as if he was doing a push up. He pulled his hips back, then very slowly pushed back into me until he was buried to the root.

“Nnn,” I groaned at the pressure.

Jackson dipped his head and looked down between our bodies. He repeated his move, slowly pushing into me.

“Look at that, baby,” he whispered. “Look at that big, fat, black dick sliding into you.”

I looked between our bodies to where Jackson was staring. My dick was lying soft in the wispy chestnut brown curls between my legs. Further down, Jackson’s cock was inside me. I could feel the ridge of the head about to come out. The dark shaft was shiny with the lube that slicked the latex. It looked so large, so big around. I watched as his length pushed forward, sliding into me, disappearing into the space between my pale legs. It was unbelievably erotic. My dick twitched and started to fill.

Jackson shifted his knees closer to me and slid back out. When he pushed in, he angled up and the head tapped my prostate. I gasped and bucked up, digging my heels into his ass.

“Jacks,” I moaned as I gripped his biceps with my hands.

Jackson moved a little faster using deep, even thrusts. He rubbed across my sweet spot with nearly every push.

Jackson grunted. “Baby…”

He changed up his rhythm, switching to short, quick jabs at my prostate. I was feeling no pain now. Only ecstasy as he moved in and out of me.

I gripped him tighter. “Feels so good, Jackson. Oh god, please…” I clenched my muscles around Jackson’s thrusting girth.

“Aw shit,” he groaned loudly. “Mothafuck…”

He twisted and rolled his hips, changing up his rhythm again. His long, deep thrusts sent spikes of pleasure through my spine. He pumped faster and harder, rocking the bed underneath us. I slid my hands up his back to his shoulders and gripped tightly.

“Please,” I whispered, begging for him.

“Wally,” he groaned as he stared into my eyes.

Jackson laid his weight on top of me. He kissed me, then sucked hungrily on the base of my neck. He licked his way up my jaw and he kissed me hard, thrusting his tongue into my mouth in counterpoint to his thrusting hips. I pushed back against him, writhing underneath him, urging him to go deep while at the same time rubbing my aching dick against his hard body. The pressure was quickly building up in my groin. My sack tightened and my balls contracted. It happened so suddenly, I wasn’t prepared.

“Jackson!” I warned him with a sharp gasp, but it was too late. My body went rigid, then convulsed. I dug my heels into his muscled bubble butt. My groin contracted and I came. Hard. The warm jets spurt between our bodies, covering the both of us from neck to groin.

“Wally, baby, oh god, oh fuck! I’m gonna fucking come!”

Jackson bit down on the base of my neck and grunted. His rhythm faltered and I felt his cock expand and throb inside me. He thrust into me and I felt his thickness pulse. His body jerked several times and then went still. His breath was loud and hot against my neck.

He gave me one last kiss on my neck. With a long groan, he pulled back and sat back on his heels. He let out a deep breath and wiped his brow with his arm. I rubbed my hands on his hips, tracing the well-defined ridges of his oblique muscles with my thumbs. His chest and stomach were covered with a fine sheen of sweat as well as my semen. The condom hung from his softening cock. The end hung heavy with thick creamy white liquid.

I let my legs drop and I sat up on my elbows and watched him carefully pull it off. He tied the open end off to keep the contents inside, then dropped it into the wastebasket next to the bed.

Jackson crawled over me and moved to lay by my side. He laid with his head on his hand and looked at me with such love and care. He leaned down and gave me tender kiss after tender kiss. He slid his arm under my neck and I leaned my head into his chest.

“How do you feel?” he asked, while tenderly rubbing a hand up and down my bare skin.

“I feel great.”

“You aren’t sore are you? I didn’t hurt you?”

“You didn’t hurt me. I feel a little bit sore, but it’s a good sore.”

“I’m glad,” he said as he gave me another kiss.

“I’m glad you were my first, Jacks.”

Jackson grinned. “Me, too, baby boy. Me too.”

“So it was worth the wait?” I asked shyly.

“Mm. You don’t even know. I ain’t ever had it better, baby.”

“Yeah? Really?”

“Yeah. You the best.”

I smiled proudly. I planted a kiss on Jackson’s neck. “You’re the best, too,” I said, then began to quietly sing, “the best I ever had, best I ever had.”

That made Jackson laugh loudly. After thoroughly kissing me, Jackson leaned his head on mine and let out a sigh. “We better get cleaned up so I can get you home on time. Wish you could stay the night with me.”

“Me, too.”

I followed Jackson into the bathroom and we showered together. There was a lot of kissing and touching and both of us got hard again. If we had more time, I would have loved to have made love again. Instead I slid down to my knees and took him into my mouth. Using my mouth, tongue and hands, I brought him to a quick orgasm, then he knelt down and did the same for me.

As we raced towards the library, Jackson stopped at a stop sign and I tapped his shoulder. “Turn right here. Don’t take me to the library. Drop me off at my house.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

Jackson pulled into the church parking lot and I climbed off the bike and took my helmet off. Jackson took his off, but stayed on the bike.

“Thank you, Jacks,” I whispered. “I had a wonderful time today.”

Jackson looked around nervously. “Me, too, baby boy.”

“My parents are in bed by now. I just… It wouldn’t be right for you to leave me at the library. Not after we made love tonight.”

Jackson closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I love you, Wally.”

I reached over and squeezed his hand. “I love you, too, Jacks.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “After work.”

I stepped back and waved as he pulled out of the parking lot. I crossed around the back of the church and headed inside for the night.

Chapter 6

“The library? Again?” Dad asked with a disapproving frown.

“Yes,” I said with an indifferent shrug.

“What do you do at the library every single day?”

“I read. I meet friends there.”

“Friends?”

“Sure.”

“Leave him alone, Walter,” Mother said. “His little book club is keeping him out of trouble.”

If she only knew what I was getting into at the library all these months. Or, more accurately, who was getting into me. I smiled to myself as I pulled my hoodie out of the hall closet.

I zipped up my sweatshirt and headed out on the sidewalk towards the library. Today was me and Jackson’s five month anniversary. I wondered if he knew that it was, or if it would be lame if I brought it up.

I smiled to myself as I remembered last weekend. I had supper with Jackson, Mama Carter and Joseph. We were celebrating Jackson finishing his community service. Supper was delicious as always. I swear Mama Carter was the best cook there was. I loved how she accepted me into her home and into her son’s life without even a second thought. I only wished that my parents would do the same, but I knew they would never understand. Being gay was bad enough, and the color of Jackson’s skin would be the icing on top.

After dinner, we had sat down and had a talk with Mama Carter about what the Bible says about homosexuality. I knew everything she told me, but it was still nice to hear her defend us. It shouldn’t have surprised me that she was so passionate about it. She loved her son unconditionally. And God don’t make mistakes.

The drone of a street bike engine had me turning around. Jackson pulled up to the curb and grinned at me. “Need a ride, cutie?” he asked.

“Hi, Jacks.” He was wearing a black leather jacket with red accents that complimented his bike. “You look good.”

“Thanks, baby boy.”

I grabbed the spare helmet and pulled it on, then climbed on the bike. I wrapped my arms around him and leaned forward and we took off.

I was surprised when we pulled into the steakhouse parking lot. I knew that we were going to dinner, but we usually just grab cheap fast food somewhere. Previously we talked about grabbing a five dollar pizza and heading back to his place.

“Jacks? Can we afford this?”

“I been saving. Today’s our five month anniversary, you know. Nothing but the best for my boy.”

I grinned brightly. “I wondered if you knew. This place is kind of expensive for us. I can pay for half.”

“Don’t worry about it. I said I was taking you to dinner. I’m gonna pay. Besides, I have a coupon.”

“Oh. Okay then.”

Jackson hesitated for a second and then glanced at me sideways. “The coupon doesn’t embarrass you, does it?”

I shook my head. “Not at all. I’m glad you have it. I don’t feel as guilty.”

Jackson grinned and I followed him inside. He informed the hostess that he had called ahead and we were seated fairly quickly.

Dinner was fantastic, but not just the food. We talked and laughed the entire time. He told me stories about growing up with his brothers. We spent the entire meal with our legs touching under the table. Jackson trapped my legs between his and held them there. It was almost as good as holding hands.

After we finished up dinner, we got back on the bike and cruised around for a bit. Jackson pulled into the parking lot of the park behind our church and turned off the bike.

“I thought we might walk around for a bit before I took you home?”

“That sounds nice.”

We walked side by side along the cemetery. Occasionally one of us would point out an interesting tombstone. It was quiet and very romantic. As we turned towards the park, we headed for the rose garden.

Mrs. Fletcher, the park’s caretaker and resident busy body, exited the garden shed. The old woman gave Jackson and me a curious stare as she walked by with her mouth hanging open.

She must have made Jackson uncomfortable because he held back, making it look like we weren’t walking together.

“Hello, Mrs. Fletcher,” I said with a smile, trying to be polite.

“Walt.”

Once she passed, Jackson stepped back up to my side. I whispered quietly to him, “She goes to our church. Our secret might not be a secret much longer.”

We entered the rose garden and Jackson took my hand. “Are you okay with that?”

“Yeah. I’m not ashamed of you. I’m scared of my father, though.” A shudder ran through me. “Really scared.”

“Maybe you should move out.”

“I don’t make enough money to live on my own.”

“You could move in with me.”

I stopped walking and looked at Jackson with surprise. “What?”

“I said you could move in with me. And you could get a different job. Something you’d like better.”

I was speechless. I just blinked at him.

“It was just a thought,” he said as he dropped my hand and continued his walk.

I hurried to his side and grabbed his hand. “I like that thought.”

Jackson stopped and took both of my hands in his. “I just want you to be happy, baby boy.”

“You make me happy, Jacks.”

Jackson leaned down and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his back and kissed him back, not caring in the least that we were in a public park, but in the rose garden we had a little privacy. I could feel Jackson’s hardening flesh pressing into my stomach and I let out a soft moan.

Jackson broke the kiss and rested his forehead on my head. I looked around and grabbed his hand, feeling impulsive. “Come on,” I whispered.

We came outside the other side of the rose garden and I led him down around behind it. We walked through some trees until we found a small flat area.

I turned around and threw myself at him. We kissed hard, with deep passion. I took off my hoodie and tossed it on the ground. I reached between our bodies and unbuckled Jackson’s belt. I quickly unbuckled my own belt and I laid down on the ground on top of my hoodie, pulling Jackson down with me. Jackson shrugged off his leather jacket.

“Make love to me, Jacks.”

Jackson spit onto his fingers and pushed his index finger into my ass. I relaxed my muscled ring for his invading digit, allowing him full entry. I relaxed back onto the ground as he kissed along my bare neck and finger banged me. He pulled out and spit again and replaced it with two fingers. His other hand tugged at my hard cock.

“Now, Jacks,” I whispered breathlessly. “I’m ready.”

“We don’t have rubbers or lube, baby. Just let me use my hands.”

“Oh, god, Jacks. I need you so bad it hurts. Please.”

“Wait, I might have something in my pocket.”

Jackson fished around the inside breast pocket of his leather jacket. He pulled out a single use packet of lube. He looked down at me and I nodded.

“You sure you wanna do this? Take me raw?”

“Yeah. We’re both clean and in a monogamous relationship.”

“Ain’t no one but you, baby boy.”

Jackson cracked open the lube and poured some onto his fingers. He rubbed it along my hole and pressed his slick fingers into me.

“Turn over,” he demanded huskily.

I turned over onto my belly and pushed my pants further down to my knees. I angled my butt upwards. Jackson bent down and gently nipped my cheek with his teeth. He pushed his jeans and boxers down past his butt. He coated his shaft with the lube and aimed. The large head speared into me and I moaned. I gripped my hoodie and thrust my ass back at Jackson.

“Oh god, yes, Jacks… You’re so big…”

“Take it, baby,” he whispered in my ear. “Aw, shit. You’re so fucking hot… so motherfucking tight. Oh god damn, it’s so warm and soft inside you.”

“Fuck me, Jacks,” I begged. “Please.”

Jackson shuddered. “Baby…”

“Fuck me, Jacks.”

Jackson laid his weight on top of me and began thrusting his hips. I reached behind me and grabbed at Jackson’s waist. “Harder, Jacks.”

He grabbed my wrist with his left hand and pinned it to the ground. He growled into my ear, “Yeah, I’m-a give it to ya good. Give you what you want, what you need.”

He pushed his right hand under my body and grabbed the base of my dick. He bit down on my shoulder as he pounded his hips into me relentlessly. We were both so turned on that neither of us was going to last long.

Jackson increased his speed and intensity. His body slapped against mine, echoing through the trees along with our quiet grunts and groans.

“Baby, please,” Jackson pleaded into my ear. “Can I come? Can I come inside you?”

“Yes, Jacks. Don’t pull out. Come inside me,” I whispered.

His slick hand squeezed and stroked my shaft. “Come with me.”

“Jacks, I’m coming, oh god, I’m coming.”

I let out a sob and my whole body shuddered and convulsed as I spurt my seed into the ground below me. Jackson pulled up onto his hands. He pinned me to the ground and jackhammered into me.

“Yes, give it to me,” I whispered.

“Gonna nut,” he grunted.

A final thrust and he let out a stifled roar as his cock throbbed and pulsed. I could feel the hot, thick cream filling and overflowing out of me.

“I love you, baby boy,” Jackson groaned as he collapsed on top of me.

He laid on top of me and wrapped his arms around me. I pushed my hands under my chest and gripped his forearms and held tight. “I love you.”

When his cock finally softened and slipped out, he pushed back onto his knees. I rolled over onto my back and I could feel the sticky mess between my legs. I pulled my pants and briefs off and we used my underwear to clean ourselves up as best we could. I was going to toss the underwear aside, but Jackson took them from me and stuffed them into his jacket pocket. He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I giggled. I leaned up and gave him a quick kiss.

Once we got our clothes situated, we walked back to the bike.

“So… You’ll think about it?” Jackson asked. “About moving in?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna look for another job first. I wouldn’t feel right unless I was contributing to our home.”

“I like the way that sounds. ‘Our home’. You know, there’s some shops on the street where I work. You should check them out. Then we can ride to work together.”

“I will.”

Jackson leaned down and gave me a quick kiss.

* * *

When I got home, I cleaned up in the bathroom, washing away Jackson’s semen that had leaked down the inside of my leg. I tugged at the collar of my polo shirt and buttoned an extra button. Even though they were far down on the base of my neck and my collarbone, I didn’t want to risk my parents seeing the marks Jackson had left.

I sat down at my desk and opened up my laptop computer and brought up the newspaper’s classified ads, looking to see if there were any jobs I might be qualified for. I didn’t see anything. If Mother had client meetings the next day, I might be able to sneak down to where Jackson worked and check the shops there.

When the doorbell rang, I looked back at the clock in surprise. It was after 10:00. We wouldn’t normally get visitors so late.

“Junior!”

“Coming, Dad.”

I made my way downstairs and skidded to a stop when I saw the two policemen at the front door. A taller, younger one and a shorter, fat one. The shorter fat cop looked familiar. I think he went to our church.

“Are you Walt Rockdale, Junior?” the tall cop asked me.

“Yes.”

I looked between the two cops and my parents. I started to shake. The only thing I could think of was that something bad happened to Jackson.

“We need you to come down to the hospital with us,” the fat cop said.

“The hospital? Why?” My voice shook and I steadied myself against the foyer table.

The cops glanced at my parents, then back at me.

“Where were you this evening?” the tall cop asked.

My eyes filled with tears and I shook my head. They were here about Jackson.

The tall cop looked at me sympathetically. “Come on. We’ll get this taken care of,” he said gently as he took my arm. “He can’t hurt you now.”

I jerked away from the cop. “Wait. What? What are you talking about?”

“We got the raping bastard in custody,” the fat cop said.

I gasped and shook my head. “No.”

Mother’s knees went weak and Dad propped her up.

“Raping bastard?” Dad asked. He looked at me in horror. “You were raped? By a man?”

“Come on,” the tall cop said gently. “Come with us. It’ll be okay. No one’s going to hurt you.”

“Don’t touch me!” I shouted as I backed away. “That didn’t happen.”

“We got a witness,” the fat cop said. “She called it in.”

I shook my head again, looking between the cops and my parents. “Oh my god, oh my god.”

The tall cop looked back at my parents. “Give us a minute.”

He put his hand on my back and led me out of the room into the dining room.

“Can you tell us what happened?” he asked.

“He didn’t rape me,” I whispered. I gulped nervously. “It’s our anniversary. We got carried away.”

“He’s your… What? Boyfriend?” the tall cop asked. “You’d sign a statement?”

“Yes. I’d sign anything. Please. You can’t arrest him. Please don’t lock him up. I love him.”

The fat cop scoffed and shook his head.

The tall cop pulled out his radio. “This is Murdoch. Release Jackson Carter. The witness was mistaken as to what she saw…”

I let out a sigh of relief as the cop continued his conversation on the radio.

“Jackson Carter!” Dad shouted from the doorway. “You let Jackson Carter rape you?”

“Sir, please.” The tall cop held up his hand to calm Dad down, then turned back to me. “Sorry to have bothered you.”

Dad stood there slack-jawed. “I don’t understand. You’re releasing my son’s… rapist?”

Mother let out a squeak and clutched at her blouse as she sobbed into a tissue.

“It wasn’t rape,” the fat cop said. “Jackson Carter is your son’s homosexual lover.”

He almost had a smile on his face as he told my Dad the “good news.”

Mother stumbled and slumped against the wall in a faint and the tall cop rushed over and helped her to her feet and set her down in a chair. I would have laughed if the situation were different. She can be so overly dramatic sometimes.

Dad walked to the front door. “Thank you, officers,” he said tightly.

I watched the officers leave, wishing now that I had gone with them. Dad shut the door and turned to face me. His entire face was beet red, well on its way to turning white.

Dad’s chest started to heave and I stepped back. With a growl, he grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked. I grabbed at his hand and wrist, trying to free his grip as he dragged me upstairs to my bedroom.

“You let that ghetto trash lay on you like a filthy faggot whore? How dare you humiliate me like this! No son of mine is going to be a goddamned faggot, if I have to beat it out of you…”

He unbuckled his belt and tugged it off with one hand while the other pushed me onto my bed. He grabbed my ankle and yanked me back to the edge. I heard the whistle of the belt flying through the air and felt a searing pain across my buttocks.

I cried out in pain. Something inside me snapped. Anger coursed through me and I turned over onto my back and kicked Dad hard in the chest, causing him to stumble backwards.

I jumped up onto my feet and raised my fists. “Don’t touch me, you bastard! I won’t let you bully me any longer.”

“You little ingrate!”

“I’m gay, Dad. And yes, Jackson Carter is my boyfriend. I am in love with him and he is in love with me.”

“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female, it is an abomination!”

“Don’t quote the Bible to me to try to justify your hate. A wise woman told me that God does not make mistakes.”

“Don’t you dare use God to try to justify your perversion.”

“I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.”

“Over my dead body will I let you humiliate me.”

“You’re a hypocrite. You humiliate yourself every time you open your mouth.”

Dad slapped me across the face. I stumbled backward. He grabbed my phone and my laptop from my desk. As he walked through my bedroom door, he pulled the key out from the lock and slammed the door shut behind him.

I ran to the door and tried to open it, but he had already locked it.

Dad was in the hallway muttering and spewing a racist tirade. I covered my ears with my hands when I heard the N-word. My stomach churned and I felt like I was going to throw up.

I paced the room, trying to figure out how I was going to get out of here and get to Jackson.

My heart broke when I thought of how he must have felt when he was being taken away and arrested.

I had to get out of here. I tried the door again, but it was locked tight. I thought maybe I could push the key out. I bent down and looked through the key hole, but he had taken the key.

I went to the window and looked down. I was on the second floor and there was nothing beneath the window. If I jumped I would probably hurt myself really bad.

I sighed and laid down on the bed. Burying my head in my pillow, all I could do was wait.

Chapter 7

I awoke the next morning when the door opened. I backed up against headboard. Mother walked in with a tray and set it on my desk.

“Mother—”

She walked out without a word or even a glance at me. I heard the clink of the bolt turning in the lock.

I looked at the peanut butter sandwich and glass of water. I wasn’t hungry. The thought of eating made my stomach turn.

Dad opened the door. “Get up.”

I got out of bed and he grabbed my arm and dragged me to the bathroom. “Hurry up.”

Dad made me leave the door open while I used the bathroom and cleaned up. I didn’t speak and I tried not to look him in the eye, because I could tell that he was on the edge of completely losing it.

When I finished, he pointed to the stairs. “Go,” he said.

He escorted me down the stairs into the living room, all the while I was thinking of how to get away. I was taken aback when I saw a large, scary muscular man and a tall, lithe man standing in the living room.

The lithe man smiled at me. It was a fake condescending smile with no real warmth to it. “Hi, Walt. I’m Vern and this is Darvin. We’re here to help you.”

He spoke to me as if I was a child. I looked at the pair of them with a skeptical eye. “Help me?”

“We run a camp for confused men such as yourself.”

“I’m not confused. I’m gay.”

“Darvin here was confused once, just like you are. He’s going to help us help you get better.”

I looked up at Darvin and the corner of his mouth turned up in a smile as he looked me up and down. I stepped back, wanting to get away from the man, but Dad put his hand on my back and pushed me forward.

“Just take him,” Dad said impatiently. “I’ll pay for the advanced treatments. Do what you have to.”

I shook my head. “No!”

Vern held up a hand to calm Dad, then turned to me. “Walt, we want to help you. If you could sign this, we can get started.”

Vern pulled out a manila folder that held a stack of papers.

I shook my head. “I’m not signing that!”

“I’ll sign it,” Dad said, reaching for the paper.

Vern shook his head. “He’s over eighteen. He has to sign it.”

Dad looked at Darvin and motioned his head towards me. Darvin grabbed me, nearly jerking my arm out of the socket. He pushed me down in the chair and gave me a pen. “Sign.”

“No.”

Darvin twisted my arm behind my back and squeezed the back of my neck with his other hand. “Sign it!”

He applied increasing pressure until it felt like my arm was going to snap. “Okay!” I sobbed.

I took the pen and managed to sign my name on the form despite the fact that my hand was shaking uncontrollably.

Vern and Dad shook hands.

Darvin yanked me up and dragged me out of house. Vern hurried around us and opened the door to the mini-van parked in front of the church.

I heard a sport bike and I turned to see the red motorcycle screech to a stop at the curb.

Jackson held his hand out to me.

He came for me!

I jerked my arm away from Darvin and brought my knee up as hard as I could to his groin. He let out a roar as he grabbed his nuts and stumbled backwards. I grabbed the manila folder from Vern and ran as fast as I could to Jackson. I jumped on the back of his bike and held on tight as he took off like a rocket.

When he got a few miles away from the house, he turned into a parking lot. He pulled me off the bike and crushed me into a tight hug.

I clung to him. “They were going to take me to a religious brainwashing camp. But you came for me, Jacks.”

Jackson cradled my face in his hands. “Always. Always for you, baby boy.”

“How did you know I needed you?”

“After last night, when I didn’t hear from you... I just knew.”

“I love you.”

Holding my face, Jackson kissed me deeply, pouring all of his emotions into the connection between our bodies. I returned the kiss, desperately wanting him to know how much he meant to me.

“Let’s go home, baby boy.”

Home. That place I was leaving, that wasn’t home. My home was wherever Jackson was. I would build a new life and a new family with my man.

“That sounds good. Take me home, Jacks.”

We climbed onto the bike and Jackson raced off into the sunset, towards home.