Home Away From Home - 5. Chapter 5

For the next two weeks, a routine was set, I ran at 7, at the pool at 9 and at Rita’s for her massage at 10. Lunch with Rita at 1 and dinner at 7. I enjoyed the routine, it gave me a chance to catch up with Chet, still perform my duties and then everything came to a halt.

Mr. Novella called me to his office and told me my services were no longer needed. I was free to go home. He handed me an envelope with my wages. I was in shock. This came out of nowhere. I went to Chet and told him what happened. Chet said he was sorry but there was a rumor that other guests were complaining that you were unavailable and was spending too much time with one guest.

When Rita came down to the pool she noted I was not in my uniform. “Carlo, what happened?”

“I was fired. Chet said some of the women complained that I was spending all my time with you. Rita, I haven’t enough money for school.” There were tears in my eyes.

“Come with me.” She led me to the manager’s office. “Jim, I want the suite next to mine reserved for Carlo. All of his expenses are to go on my bill. Carlo, take the key and go to the suite next to mine. I’ll be along shortly.”

I took the key and went to the suite. It was a duplicate of the suite Rita had. I still didn’t have enough money but at least I had someplace to stay. “Jim, did some of our guest really complain about Carlo?”

“Yes, it seems that some of them wanted a piece of him and you had him sown up. I knew that you would take care of him, so I went ahead and fired him.”

“Those bitches. Well, add a little extra to their bill and tell them under the laws of California you had to pay a severance pay and so you have to charge extra for their stay. Just don’t make it a lot. And don’t apply it to those who checked in this week. Tony and Anthony will be arriving on Saturday, I think they’ll take care of Carlo’s time. I’m going to take him shopping this afternoon. Can you have the car available at 2?”

On the way back to the room Rita was laughing to herself. Rita owned the resort. Her father deeded it to her upon his death. He was in the real estate business and owned quite a bit of property. Rita has a brother who also inherited quite a bit of property from their dad. Tony had his own consulting firm and was well known in the construction business. He along with Rita’s brother owned a construction company that was very prosperous, money wasn’t a problem.

Normally Rita came to the resort in off season. She made an exception this time based on Jim’s comments about a new hire and that her son was about to enter college. She took it upon herself to find him a suitable partner, he didn’t know this nor did Carlo. Once Rita had Carlo’s name, she had a firm do an in-depth investigation. She knew more about Carlo then Carlo knew about himself. But, she had to check him out and use the pretense of the resort to do that

Back at Carlo’s suite, “Carlo, I spoke to Mr. Novello and under California law he must pay you a severance pay, he’ll do that. I’m truly sorry about what happened. But I want to take you shopping to cheer you up a little and give you some good news. So let’s go to lunch.”

Carlo wasn’t in the best of moods, he was still worried about his tuition. Rita saw this and decided to give hm some good news. “I never told you what my husband did for a living. He owns a consulting firm that provides a service to companies who are involved in the construction of industrial plants. He is also a partner with my brother in a construction company. They are looking for new blood and have started offering scholarships with the understanding the recipients must work for them for five years. I told him about you and he’s willing to talk to you when he gets here on Saturday. What are your thoughts?”

I couldn’t believe what Rita was telling me. I certainly would agree to five years if all of my costs are met. I wonder if he’ll like me. Now all of the negative thoughts started, maybe I’m not smart enough, maybe there won’t be a place for me in his organization.

“Carlo, stop over thinking, everything will be ok. I have spent a good bit of my time with you over these few weeks I have been here. I’m telling you, have faith in yourself. You’re just the type of person Tony’s company needs. Now finish up so we can go shopping.”

“Shopping! I can’t go shopping I don’t have enough money.”

“You know how this place works. The women have a young man to cater to them and they pay for the attention. I’m sure Chet has told you all about that. Now I haven’t done that except for a few meals, so instead of paying you for your attention, I’m taking you shopping. So get your ass in gear and let’s go. I love shopping and aren’t gay men suppose to like shopping as well?”

Carlo knew he had no choice but to go along. How did she know he might be gay, he hadn’t made that decision himself. He knew he was not excited by girls and he did stare at Chet when he was naked. Maybe he was gay. He wondered about that as they drove. He never dated in high school, always said it was because he had to earn a scholarship. Now he wondered if it was because he preferred the company of boys to girls.

So they shopped, pants, shirts, shoes the works. “We need to make one last stop to purchase a swim suit and then to get your hair cut.”

Stopping at a store that majored in swim attire as well as swim equipment, Rita picked out several swim suits for Carlo to try on. To say they were brief was an overstatement. There were several speedo’s that Carlo tried on and when he showed Rita she felt her heart begin to beat. If all worked out she would envy Anthony. The hair stylist did a fantastic job on Carlo. In Rita’s opinion there was no way Anthony would reject this young man. Then Rita had another thought, suppose Carlo would reject Anthony. She refused to let herself acknowledge that thought.

Saturday, the day that Tony and Anthony would arrive, was here. “Carlo, would it be ok if Anthony bunked in with you. The resort is full and I think you took the last room.”

Carlo really couldn’t say no. “Sure Rita, no problem, it might be fun.”

Sitting there having lunch a very handsome man came to their table, grabbed Rita and gave her a big kiss. Carlo’s eyes seemed to grow larger and then he realized that must be Tony since Rita certainly didn’t complain. When she sat down, Carlo noted her cheeks were flushed.

“You must be the Carlo I heard so much about.”

Carlo stammering a little,“Yes sir, I’m Carlo.”

“Well, I’m glad to meet you. If you two don’t mind, I’m a little tired and could use a shower and a massage.”

“Tony, Carlo will give you a great massage and a chance to talk. Where’s Anthony?”

“He’s at the pool. Probably checking out the boys. Ok Carlo, how about that massage?”

Rita just nodded to Carlo and gave him a wink. It seemed like Tony ran to the room. While he was taking a shower, Carlo proceeded to set up the massage table. He had a towel ready for Tony and was surprised when Tony came out of the bathroom dried but as naked as the day he was born. Carlo found the man very attractive as did Carlito. As soon as Tony laid on the table, Carlo covered his waist with a towel and began to massage his shoulders. In no time Tony was asleep. Carlo continued to work the man’s body including legs and feet. Just as he was finishing, thinking about what to do next, Rita came in followed by a young man. Carlo’s heart really started to beat as he recognized this young man must be Anthony. Rita just smiled at the two boys. She knew she was right.