Gabe Darby - 2. Chapter 2

Gabe Darby

Coming Home

Chapter 2

The next morning Gabe woke up cold and shivering. He had forgotten how cold his bedroom in the basement got in the winter. He put on a set of sweats to cover his naked body and he found his heavy socks to warm his feet. As he stumbled up the stairs to the kitchen, Gabe could smell fresh coffee and bacon. His Dad had been up since 5:30 am, as usual, and he had fixed breakfast for himself, AJ had also cooked a few extra strips of bacon for Gabe.

“Morning there’s some bacon for you” AJ said as he continued to read the paper and listen to the local news on the radio and TV. This was something Gabe remembered his Dad always doing. AJ would listen to baseball on the radio and watch football on TV and read the paper at the same time.

“How do you do that?” Questioned Gabe as he poured himself a cup of coffee and he tossed two slices of bread into the toaster.

“HMMM “was all AJ answered with.

“You know what I mean Dad, the three info sources at one-time thing!” stated Gabe emphatically! “I can see two, the paper and the radio or the paper and the TV. But it has always boggled my mind as to how you can read, and listen to two things at once and keep it all straight.”

AJ just chuckled, “Sorry, I never knew it bothered you so much.” Totally sidestepping the question. “Well, I need to get into the office and get things done so I can sit with your Mom this afternoon,” AJ said as he stood and folded the morning newspaper, then walked past Gabe slapping the paper into his chest. “So what are your plans for today,” asked his AJ as he put on his overcoat and grabbed his briefcase and sack lunch.

“Well, breakfast, then go see Matt Casperelli about a vehicle for when I move back here, then drop in and see Mom and then maybe see a realtor. Lunch with Brad. Then Brad and I are going house hunting this afternoon” answered Gabe

“OK, sounds like you got a busy day planned. How about you and Brad meeting me for dinner at the German House at say seven or seven thirty” Said AJ as he went out the doorway.

“Sounds Great Dad!!” yelled Gabe as the door to the garage closed behind his Dad. Gabe chuckled to himself; he hasn't changed much, still the polite question that was really an order.

After a breakfast of two eggs, toast and bacon, Gabe dressed in jeans, T-shirt and flannel shirt, with his leather bomber jacket. He walked out of the house and was happy to see no new snow and very little frost on the windows of his rental car. He started it up, then went back inside to look at the classifieds ad and have a third cup of coffee. As he looked through the paper looking for apartments to rent a small ad caught his eye.

For Sale by Owner small two bedroom, one bath bungalow with detached 2 car Garage and additional outbuilding for storage or workshop call for an appointment for a look see and price. 555 812 4467

Gabe folded the paper with the ad up and went to out to the running car. Gabe then drove to the used auto dealer in town Casperelli's Used Auto Sales. He pulled in and parked, Gabe took a quick look at the sales lot, not seeing anything that caught his eye he headed for the office.

Gabe opens the door to the small office; it’s warm and inviting in that it had a manly decor. A set of brown tweed armchairs and an old coffee table with car magazines on it, several padded straight back chairs and a small table with coloring books and crayons on it. The brown wood paneling was the same he remembered from when he was a teen buying his first used car a 67 Ford Comet.

Gabe chuckled as the tall, fair-haired man behind the counter quietly cussed at a copier that had seen better days. The door chime sounded as he walked in and the man at the copier said “be with you in a moment, almost got this paper jam cleared” without looking up.

“Is that the same copier your Dad bought new back in 1972, Matt ?” said Gabe chuckling and shaking his head “Hell that's what almost 20 years ago. Don't you ever give up on things.”

The man straightened and turned around; He was 30ish. Close to six feet four, blond hair, blue eyes, square-jawed, olive skinned with a permanent five o'clock shadow that he had since he was 15. Matteo Casperelli was the son of Giovanni Casperelli and Elsa Karlsson. His Italian /Swedish heritage showed the contradiction that was his Parents.

Matt’s face brightened as he saw Gabe. “Well, I’ll be Damn! You are the absolute last person I thought would walk through that door today” exclaimed Matt stretching out his hand to Gabe. Matt had been one of the guys his brother Raph had ran with in high school, Matt was always around the house, and he got to know all the Darby boys very well.

They shook hands firmly. ‘So how’s Cheryl and the kids Matt?” asked Gabe

“Oh, they are all great, Cheryl has gone back to work now, that Jenny has started school, Ashton is in the seventh grade, and Eric is in the fifth grade.” Replied Matt.

“I’m sorry to hear about your Mom Gabe; I just read it in the paper this morning. How is she?” asked Matt.

“Mom is hurt pretty bad, but she will be OK, her left side ribs were crushed, when she hit that tree but that’s the worst of her injuries, and Dr. Carlton is keeping her sedated to allow the ribs to heal some before she starts to get around”. Stated Gabe.

Matt could see the sadness in Gabe's eyes, so he quickly changes the subject.“So what brings you around here you can’t be shopping for another car for her already?

“No, oh no, I’m looking for a second vehicle for around here, cause I’m moving back to help out.” replied Gabe “Actually, what I’m looking for is something like an extended cab Ranger with Four-wheel drive.”

Matt scratched his head, “I don’t have that in stock now, but give me a few days I might be able to find one.

“OK... great thanks, Matt I knew I could count on you, how about dinner next week say Tuesday? “Gabe turned to the door and started out, then stopped and looked back waiting for Matt's answer. “You can bring Cheryl to... “ he trailed off. Seeing Matt's face brighten as he said it. He never liked leaving Cheryl behind not even in high school or college even after being married for 12 years. So much for the “GUY’S NIGHT” Idea! Gabe thought, as he closed the door and walked back to his rental car.

Gabe drove to the hospital and went up to his Mom’s room, Gabe took his seat at the foot of the bed looking at his Mom, Gabe gave a heavy sigh as he thought.

How am I going to explain to Mom why Darla and I split after all that time? Do I really have to explain? He asked himself. It's not like we were engaged or anything like that. Were we just a couple? Yes, Were we lovers? Yes, Was the Sex hot and wild? Mostly. Was the relationship growing? No. Was Darla happy? I think so, but things had gotten stagnate and routine these last few years. Maybe my indiscretion was the excuse she needed to end things. Was this her way out of a stagnant relationship? Maybe, it was my way of finding a way out of this relationship I was never wholly committed to. Was it even a relationship or was it Me hiding from reality? Yes, that was it, if Gabe really admitted the truth to himself. What would his Father think? What would his brothers say? What would the Family say or do? How could he tell them that he preferred Men to Women?

Oh God, the “Darby Family Tradition” he whispered to himself The “Tradition” as Dad called it. Was a tradition of Public Service and then carrying on the family name. All his brothers were following that tradition. Mike, he was a Sgt. Detective in the Charleston, SC PD. Mike was married and had two kids. Raph had been made a full Commander six months ago and was in command of a U.S. Navy Seawolf class submarine on his first cruise. Raph, he was still single, on the other hand, Zad is a Marine Gunnery SGT. stationed at Twentynine Palms on the west coast and is engaged to be married. Pat the his little brother, he is at Xavier University is thinking about being a priest. Gabe chuckled to himself, that's what Mom wanted, and it would make Dad very proud, but he was not certain if that would happen Pat looked like an Angel with wings but he had Devilish streak, and he could attract the ladies. Oh, the stories Gabe could tell about his younger brother, but he never would, Gabe chuckled to himself again.

That left himself , Gabe the “black sheep” of the family. Gabe had got his Degree in Business Management. Then quickly rose up the Management chain in a small regional retailer to become a District Director. Yes, he made great money close to six figures with bonuses. But he was not following the “family tradition”.

That was something his Great grandfather had started. “A Darby does his civic duty first, then his living and his family.” That was what Great Granddad Angus had done, serving in the Spanish American War and and returning to become a Pharmacist. Gabe's Grandfather served in the Navy in WWI and then worked as a machinist and ran his own Machine Shop. Gabe's Father and Uncles all served in WWII. In the Navy, Marines, and the Coast Guard.

“What have I done? Other than make money and hide in the closet” Gabe asked himself. Then Gabe thought of Brad, he too had followed the Darby tradition even though he wasn't a blood relation to the Darby's.

Just the thought of Brad had Gabe smiling, thinking about hanging out with him this afternoon was getting him all tingly. He hadn't felt this way in a a lot of years, yes, being with Brad and just hanging out with him made Gabriel feel alive, or was it actually his lust for Brad.

Then it struck him, you idiot you forgot to ask if Brad was still seeing Jenny. "Now she was a looker, and the two of them look cute together. Gawd, what a hot night that would be with the both of them... oh the combinations they could form... the pure passion and lust... STOP! " Gabe screamed in his head. "Man, you were just lusting after your brother/best friend and his Girlfriend. Oh, fuck you're all turned on! You got a fucking hard on thinking about fucking with Brad and Jenny!" He continue to scream at himself inside his head.

Lost deep in thought, Gabe stared in the direction of his mother without really seeing anything. Gabe didn’t even react to the nurse coming into the room and her speaking to him. It was the nurse stepping directly into his line of sight that brought him out of his reverie, his eyes started to focus on her smiling face. “HUH?” was all he could manage to say in answer to what he assumed was a question.

The smile broadened on the young face of the nurse as she repeated her statement. “I said it's time for Carolyn's bath and bedding change.”

“Oh?... OH! YES” Gabe rose from the chair and looking down at his watch, “I need to be going anyway. Please! Excuse me; I was very deep in thought.” That is when he noticed his erection tenting his jeans. His face flushed red as he quickly grabbed his jacket and cover himself as nonchalantly as possible. He started for the door, hoping the pretty young nurse had not noticed his state of arousal.

After Gabe had left the room the nurse burst forth with a conspiratorial giggle. Talking softly to Carolyn was she prepared to bathe her. “He's Cute.” “Is that your son? I hope he’s not married... I don't know what he was daydreaming about, but it sure had him aroused... HEE HEE” she giggled again. The nurse thought to herself “It could be a lot of fun getting to know that guy a whole lot better.”

Gabe stood in the elevator his face slowly losing the redness of embarrassment and his hard cock softening behind his jacket. He looked at his watch again and saw he had about an hour before Brad would be by to pick him up. Gabe got into the car and headed toward the Real Estate Office.

Gabe parked his rental car on the street in front of Indian Creek Realty. He got out and looked at the home listings posted in the two large bay windows in the Realty office. After jotting down several places he wanted to look at he stepped inside.

The receptionist seated behind the desk look up and smiled “Hello, How can I help you?” she queried

“Well, I was hoping to talk to someone about viewing some of the houses you have posted in the window.” answered Gabe.

“Please have a seat, and I’ll see who is available.” Stated the receptionist

Gabe sat on the chair, looking at more houses and condos posted on the wall. When out came a small man in his late fifties, balding, with a bit of a potbelly.

“Hello, I’m Jim Talbert, how can I help you,” said the small man extending his hand.

“Yes, I was interested in viewing these homes and condos this afternoon” I know it's short notice, but I’m only here in town till Thursday then I fly out again. You see I’m looking to move back to this area to be close to family. But I can only be in town a few days at a time right now.”

“Well, Mr. ah. I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.”

“Oh, Gabe Darby, I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking”

“Ok Mr. Darby it happens that I'm free after 1:45 today and I would be glad to show you any properties you are interested in.”

“Great here is a list of places that I saw on your window and your wall here. Please include any other places you might know about that match these, or are in a similar price range.” said Gabe “I will meet you here at 2:00 PM then” Gabe said shaking the man’s hand again. Gabe turned to the door and stepped out into the cold weather.

It had begun to snow, and it was the heavy wet type, the kind of snow that makes the roads icy and slick. On his drive home, Gabe came upon a car that had gone off the road into a snow drift. Gabe stopped to see if he could be of assistance. When he got to the car, he found it was occupied by a teenage boy no more than 17.

“Hey, are you ok? Gabe asked

“yes, Mister, thanks for stopping." said the teen age driver. " I hit the brakes a little too hard when a deer darted across the road and I skidded off into this drift, and I’m stuck.” said the teen.

Gabe smiled and said “well let’s see if we can get you out.”

Gabe went to the front of the car and put his hands on the hood and nodded his head for the teen to put the car into reverse and hit the gas. The car started to move a little and then slid to the side once more. Gabe stopped pushing and told the teen to try rocking the auto. After several tries at pushing the car out of the drift, Gabe was starting to work up a sweat. A little while later, another car came along and with the help of the two guys from that car and some sand they had in their trunk, they were able to get the car back on the road. Gabe got back into his car and finished his drive home.

As he got into the house he saw the time on the wall clock; he had about 10 minutes to get a quick shower. Man, he had worked up a sweat getting the teen’s car out of the ditch. He quickly went down to his bedroom in the basement and grabbed some dry clothes to change into. He laid them out on the bed and then headed to the bathroom. As he started to peel off the sweaty shirt and jeans, he heard Brad open the back door and Call out his name.

“I’m down here in the bathroom going to catch a quick shower” he yelled. He left the door to the bathroom ajar as he finished stripping out of his clothes. He reached in and turned the water on, while waiting for water to heat up the door open and Brad stepped into the small bathroom.

“This room always seemed bigger when we were in High School.” Brad chuckled as he opened his pants and stepped up to the toilet. Gabe couldn’t take his eyes off of Brad’s ass as he pissed. "He was going commando mmmm nice Gabe thought to himself."

By this time the water was hot enough and Gabe moved to step into the shower,

“mind if I join you like the old days?” asked Brad smiling and peeling off his t-shirt and wiggling his hips to get his jeans to fall. Gabe couldn’t help but smile at Brad. Scanning over his rock hard body with a little patch of chest hair set between two nicely developed pecs. Gab's eyes scanned down over Brad’s smooth ABS except for the tiny patch of hair that ran from his navel to his groin. The more Gabe scanned down Brad’s body, the more his cock rose from soft to rock-hard. “I’ll take that as a yes,” said Brad looking at Gabe’s eight hard inches of glorious man meat. Brad kicked off his hikers and stepped out of the pile of jeans around his ankles then quickly pulled off his socks. Gabe stepped into the tiled shower and under the hot steaming water. Brad followed quickly pushing Gabe up against the cool, wet tiles and mashing the mouths together. Their tongues wrestled for dominance, and both men were moaning and grinding their loins together. The next thing Gabe knew was, he was leaning against the wall running his hands through Brad’s hair as Brad’s mouth did amazing things to his cock and balls. Gabe moans let Brad know that he was doing things right.

A short while later Gabe returned the same pleasure to Brad,hearing the same moans of pleasure from Brad as Brad had extracted from him. They both stepped from the shower very clean and very sated.

Gabe picked up his watch off the sink, “Oh man we need to get moving if we are going to meet that realtor.”

They quickly dress and one last quick kiss as they went up the stairs and out the door to Brad’s Ford Bronco. Climbing in and buckling up they head into town, stopping at McDonald’s to grab lunch.

While they sat in the truck and ate Gabe asked Brad about Jenny. “Oh, Jenny and I parted ways about a year ago. She wanted a commitment, and I wasn’t ready for that.”

“so you seeing anyone right now? Asked Gabe “No, not really, just a few dates is all,” answered Brad. “So you want to talk about Darla?” Brad fired back.

“Not now... not here… it’s a story that is going to take a while to tell and I don’t cry in public” said Gabe with a slight grin.

“That's tough Man; I’m so sorry. But when you want to talk I'm, here,” said Brad.

Gabe and Brad meet up with Mr. Talbert the Realtor outside the office and then they all got into Brad's Bronco. They looked at three houses and two condos, but none really hit Gabe as the one of the condos seemed too cramped, and the house was overwhelming. Either too many rooms or way too much yard, the one house was almost perfect except for the kitchen. “Claustrophobic” was the word Gabe use to describe it. While Gabe talked to Mr. Talbert, Gabe had Brad call the ad in the newspaper. They dropped the Realtor back at the office and then went to see the house in the paper.

The owner of the house was standing in the garage when they got there he looked like he was putting boxes in his van. He turned and saw them as they exited the car. “You must be the gentleman that called this afternoon.”

“Yes, I am, I’m Gabe, and this is my brother Brad,” responded Gabe.

“Nice to meet you I’m Stan Kelty.” Then Stan showed them around the garage and the small pole barn.

“So how much land goes with the house? Asked Gabe.

" About 4 acres altogether. Most of its undeveloped behind the shed here, but the house and garage sit on just over an acre as you can see there is plenty of room to add on if so choose.” Stan answered. “Let’s look at the house shall we.” he continued.

As they walked toward the house, Brad asked the owner why he was selling?

“Well, you see, this was our summer retirement home, and we would spend the winters in Texas near our two sons and their kids. But my Sally passed away last year and the summer up here alone just wasn’t the same, So I am selling and moving to Texas permanently, to be near my grand kids.” Said Stan. He leads Gabe and Brad into the house through the back door into a small laundry/mud room. That lead into a large eat in kitchen.

“When was the house built,” asked Gabe.

“It was built in the late 1940’s, but Sally and I remodeled it about three years ago,” said Stan.

“I can see. New counters and cabinets, both very nice.” Commented Brad.

“Hey, check out the fireplace,” said Gabe as he was walking into the large living room.

“Back here is the two Bedrooms and the Bathroom,” said Stan stepping through the living room to the small hallway.

Brad looked at Gabe and could see the smile forming on his face. “How much are you asking? Said Gabe while looking Brad in the eyes.

“$52,000 for the house and lot the other acreage behind the shed is another $24,000” answered Stan. “Is this a house for you and your brother?” he asked in return.

“Oh no, it’s for Gabe, He’s moving back here from the city I’m is just helping him find a place.” said Brad

“Mr. Kelty, I think we have a deal.” said Gabe.

Then he reached into his pocket and took out five 100 dollar bills and then wrote a check for another 500 dollars more. “Is that a good enough deposit till I can get the rest of the money for you Mr. Kelty?” said Gabe.

“I think it will do, you do have my number to call me when you’re ready and we’ll meet at my lawyer's office in town and settle everything nice and legal like.”

The three men shook hands and then Gabe and Brad left driving back to town to meet with their Dad, AJ, for dinner.