Other Avenues - 18. Chapter 18 Family Business

SAMMY

I had to keep pinching myself to make sure the relationship that was developing with Joe was not just a big fantasy dream. We moved from casually knowing each other, to great sex, to a business and personal friendship, and to a caring early partnership. We privately expressed our love for each other before the Labor Day weekend arrived.

Dad was genuinely excited when I suggested a re-match of the father-son golf outing at the club between the Jenrette and McDonald men the Friday before Labor Day. He coordinated a morning tee time with Joe Jenrette, Senior. I assumed that the two dads also discussed their sons’ relationship.

On the golf course, a friendly but competitive spirit prevailed. And casual banter reminded each of the long history between the two families. With a large group of members lunching on the shaded veranda overlooking the first tee, there was paternal pride when Joe and I nailed straight 300 plus yards on our initial drives. Enthusiastic, polite applause from the crowd acknowledged our expertise. Both Joe and I had been junior champions at the club when we were 17, four years apart.

During the 18 holes, nothing was said directly about our coupling. However, Mr. Jenrette suggested a cookout at his home with the two families before the weather started changing. We agreed that Columbus Day weekend was free for all. On the greens, it was almost like a tag team match. As fathers-in-law do, Mr. Jenrette spent time with me, while Dad did the same with Joe.

Finishing the ‘match’, we had a snack and beer at the 19^th Hole Grill in the clubhouse. Mr. Jenrette, seven dollars richer because of a slim win, went home, while Dad, Joe and I proceeded to our Lake Geneva house near Black Point. In the car, the conversation became more personal.

“Son, Joe, this was a great afternoon. I hope that we all can get together like this often. I guess our two families will be closer to each other?” Dad asked, in a non-threatening fashion, as he threaded through the late lake-bound afternoon traffic. I was sitting with Dad in the front seat while Joe sprawled out in the back.

“You mean like being in-laws or sumpin?” I asked.

“Sammy, you never hem and haw, do you? I like that. I just was curious where you guys are going with this friendship?” Dad replied.

I turned my head and raised my eyebrow as I looked at Joe, and said, “We can’t provide grandkids, Pop, but everything else is the same.” Joe grinned as I turned back to Dad. “We are definitely a couple.”

“I guess it’s a little old fashioned to ask for your approval to take Sammy’s hand in a partnership?” Joe asked softly.

“If I’m not mistaken, Joe, you’ve already taken more than Sammy’s hand?” Dad offered with a good-natured chuckle.

“The answer is yes, our partnership has been consummated,” I offered. “As a matter of fact, we…”

“Okay, I don’t want to know the details. For the record, your Mom and I accept it and support you two completely. I’ve got to be honest. This is something I couldn’t have said a year ago. With the help of Bill last year, and Jerry more recently, I’ve come to realize that sexual orientation and love comes in all shapes and sizes. I accept that you’re gay, and we are both pleased that you have found a terrific guy.”

“Thanks, Mr. McDonald. My Dad feels the same way. Sammy and I are in for the long haul.”

“Sammy, do you…”

“Love him. Yeah, I’m crazy for this guy. I’m very lucky.”

“I feel the same way, Sir,” Joe said, as he leaned forward from the back seat and patted my shoulder. Dad smiled with contentment and understanding.

“Then, Joe, at the very least, please call me George. When the right moment comes later, Dad will do just fine.”

JOE

After golf earlier, and now with the conversation in the car, I felt relieved that Sammy and I would be accepted as partners with his family. I smiled, considering that if we were a straight couple, an engagement announcement would have initiated a large spread in the Chicago Tribune’s social pages with the usual smiling faces of two prominent offspring.

“If I could ask, guys, what are your living arrangements going to be?”

“Unless you have a problem with it, Dad, I’m going to stay at home until I finish college next year. Probably Joe and I will get a place together before I start graduate school,” Sammy said in a matter-of-fact manner.

“No problem. Your mother and I both enjoy your company. You mentioned something about the University of Chicago. Is that still part of the plan?”

“Yes, Dad. I’m going to apply next week. I’d appreciate a letter from you,” Sammy replied earnestly.

“Absolutely. I couldn’t be happier. Although you certainly have the grades, I’ll also make a few phone calls. How do you feel about these plans, Joe?” George asked, looking at me in the rear view mirror.

“Well, Mr.…ah…George, I’m completely supportive. We may want to buy something together that’s large enough so we both have our own office area. I’ll sell where I live next year. I know my Dad will help out in the purchase.”

“Count me in as well, Joe. I’ll match whatever your dad comes up with.”

“Pop, that’s super. We wanna go 50-50 on everything.” George reached over and ruffled Sammy’s blond locks.

The rest of the two-hour trip was filled with casual conversation and shoptalk. Dad announced that Bill had been offered the position of chief operating officer to direct the day-to-day operations of the company. I was privately pleased that the organizational chart was being implemented. Sammy and I had worked hard on that document.

This was my first time at the McDonald Lake Geneva house. While the Evanston home was stately, the lake site was a casual, informal, sprawling one-story stone and wood-frame, turn-of-the-last century building. A long, back porch ran the length of house that overlooked the lake. Three bedrooms were clustered at one end of the building with a ‘great room’ and a massive stone fireplace in the center. A large kitchen with dining area was located at the opposite end. The vintage home had been planned for entertaining. A three-car garage was attached only by a covered breezeway. I was very pleased to find out we were assigned to the guest cottage not far from the main house.

Dinner was served around 8:00 p.m. In addition to Sammy’s folks, his sister Susan had invited a new boyfriend, Philip Brill. They had been assigned separate bedrooms. I had known Philip in high school and really didn’t like him. Although never bothering me, he and his football teammate jocks were always tormenting some geek who didn’t fit into their macho world. And I had witnessed some pretty rough treatment of a somewhat effeminate guy they called a ‘queer,’ ‘fairy,’ and worse. I remembered vividly one of the jocks constantly bumping into this target in the school hallway and knocking the books and papers out of his hands. The same victim, I had heard, was roughly handled in the boy’s restroom on occasion. He quietly transferred junior year. Thinking back, I was ashamed that I had not intervened in the young guy’s humiliation.

At the table, he was artificially civil on the surface with looks to me, only I noticed, that would freeze the lake. ‘Jeez,’ I thought, ‘almost 10 years later, and it doesn’t look like he’s changed.’ Susan was openly happy for Sammy and me and joined in welcoming me to the family. Philip stared with a fixed smile while gritting his teeth. He could hardly finish the delicious pot roast that Mrs. McDonald had prepared.

After dinner, the women were straightening up the kitchen, and George and Sammy were in some private discussion. I took the opportunity to stroll outside and checkout the lake shoreline. Standing by the dock, next to the silhouette of their sleek, 48’ Princess motor yacht, I heard footsteps coming up. I turned thinking it was Sammy. Instead, the large figure of Philip emerged.

“Hey, Jenrette, what’s happening?”

“Just getting a little fresh air. You?”

“Nada. Um…so you changed in college and like to take it up the ass now? You lettin’ the McDonald kid pack your fudge every night?” he said with a menacing leer.

“Brill, you just don’t change, do you? If you, in your illiterate way, are asking me if I’m gay, the answer is yes. What Sammy and I do is no business of yours. You’re still the same narrow-minded bigot you were in high school.”

“Fuckin’ A. I don’t like faggots,” he answered loudly. “Especially you cocksuckers who are members of a fancy country club.” He had grown up on the fringes of the Evanston in an older lower middle-class neighborhood.

“Brilliant. How the hell did you ever graduate from college, let alone get out of high school?” I said, glaring at him.

“I’m doing just fine, you queer shit. My stockbroker commissions at McIvey Trust provide a good living. Enough to maybe marry Jenny McDonald some day. You going to marry her fairy brother?” he asked, shouting and laughing.

“He might just marry me, Brill. You gotta problem with that?” came a remark from the dark. I recognized Sammy’s voice.

“Horray, the other fairy has arrived,” Philip said, with veiled menace, before turning to the direction of Sammy.

“Philip, you’ll never get a chance. Our friendship is over. In fact, you’re going home immediately,’ Susan added, sternly, as brother and sister walked into view.

“Jenny, I…ah…was…a…just joking with Joe. Didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Brill, I think that Ms. McDonald invited you to leave,” I added, grabbing Sammy’s hand. “And, in rebuttal, no, I didn’t think you were joking. My only regret is that I didn’t stop you when you and your animal jock buddies were getting your jollies gay-bashing some poor kid who didn’t do anything to you other than to be different.”

Looking at Jenny, with a pleading expression, Philip asked, “You aren’t serious about me leaving, are you Susan?”

“Yes, very serious. And I want to thank you, Philip. Hearing you say those horrible, ugly things allowed me to see beyond your handsome façade. You’ve got five minutes to pack and leave,” she replied. “I’ll make up some excuse to the folks.”

“And Brill, I advise you to check in with my Uncle Carey, Tuesday morning.”

“Uncle Carey? Who the fuck is that, Jenrette?” he replied in a snarling tone.

“Carey McIvey, president of the company you work for. He’s my Mom’s brother. You better update your resume when you return home. Uncle Carey has no use for hateful bigotry in his company.” I stared him down, as Philip turned red and silently walked to the house.

“Joe, I apologize for Philip’s behavior. I had no idea about his feelings,” said Susan. “A friend fixed us up recently. We’ve had a few fun dates. That’s all.”

“Sis, you’re right about thanking him for exposing the hatred. But this shouldn’t spoil the weekend. You, Joe and I are going to enjoy the next few days with the folks,” Sammy concluded.

“Guys, I’m going to hold you to that. I better get inside to make sure Philip leaves,” Susan replied, before walking away.

Sammy nuzzled up and put his arm around my waist. We looked at the peaceful reflection of the moon on the lake and the twinkling lights of the homes along the opposite shoreline.

“Babe, I never get used to the ignorance of some so-called educated people,” I said. “That asshole hasn’t changed since he was a bully in school.”

“You serious about calling your Uncle?”

“Damn straight. Uncle Carey will make his own decision. But we’ve had several conversations about my being gay and the challenges with some people and unfriendly situations. He has no tolerance. There was another uncle that I never knew. My Mom and Carey’s older brother. Gay bashers assaulted him one night on Belmont Avenue almost 30 years ago. Clubs and bats. He never stood a chance.”

“Wow, how horrible. I’m sorry, Joe.”

“Thanks, babe. That’s why I couldn’t let Brill get away with anything.”

“Joe, I’m so proud of how you handled yourself. You know I’ve fallen even more deeply in love with you?”

“Yeah, I know. I feel the same about you.”

“How much?” Sammy asked. His soft smile looked angelic with the shadows of the moon.

“Let’s go back to the cottage. We can show each other,” I replied, before drawing him up for a passionate kiss.

After saying goodnight to the McDonalds, Sammy and I retired to the cottage. After stripping, we took turns brushing teeth, peeing, and washing.

I never tired of seeing him in his nude glory, with a compact, wrestlers’ muscular definition. My lean physique, by contrast, had been defined by years of swimming. We fit together well, personally and physically.

After turning off the lights except for one night-light, we moved toward each other in the bed. “You look awfully tasty, Sammy,” I said in a low, husky voice.

“Prime A for excellence, lover,” Sammy replied.

“I’m going to find out how excellent that taste is now,” I said, while bringing my lips around the burning, red flesh flange jutting up to his belly button. My fingers reached for his hardened nipples as I slowly brought his hard cock further into my mouth and slowly coated it with saliva.

“Ahhh, Joe…you’re going to get me well-done. Fuuuck,” Sammy moaned.

Gently tweaking his tits, I pulled off and moved up to his mouth. My hand grabbed his moistened hard-on and jacked it as I went in for an aggressive kiss. Moving the fingers and thumb on to his nut sac and perineum, I whispered, “I’m glad you invited me.” My finger slowly started circling his rosebud as he spread and raised his legs.

“I’m glad you’re back down there. I want you inside me,” he replied, with a lustful look. He grabbed at my leaking, erect dick and repeated my hand moves. We extended the foreplay to almost every area of each other’s bodies. During the next half hour, we had explored the other’s orifices and body parts extensively.

Reaching over to the nightstand, I grabbed the lube and a pre-placed, unwrapped condom. We both agreed to a monogamous relationship. But until the tests came back with the expected negative results, we would use protection.

After rolling on the latex shield, I generously prepped and gently stretched this blond Adonis’ chute with my lubed fingers. He smiled and nodded as I coated my cock before bringing it to his puckered, wrinkly exterior.

“It feels good, babe, I replied as he moved his legs up further. Without much effort, my dickhead pushed past his relaxed ring and eased in further. A momentary expression of wincing was replaced with a smile on Sammy’s face as I finished the entry.

SAMMY

I felt very comfortable with Joe as he brought the entire length of himself into me. Comfortable as a sex partner and comfortable as a lover. As he started long-dicking motions, I groaned and brought my legs up to his shoulders. I responded with counter-movements while gripping my hardness to jerk off. We continued this for several minutes, occasionally slowing down to regroup.

“Oh fuck…shit…ahhh,” Joe uttered as he sped up the strokes. ‘Fuck,’ I thought, “he knows exactly where to find my pleasure button.’

Taking the hand away from my hard-on, I grabbed my legs and brought them back to my chest to deepen the entry. Sweat was dripping on my body. His dreamy facial expression of pleasure was erotic. “Ieee, God…oh crap…ohhh…” He was now in the zenith of the act. As he pounded away, I felt tension sweeping though my body. “Oh, fuck…I’m…cumming,” I exclaimed loudly.

“Do it, babe. I’m with you,” he yelled. I clamped my hole on his piston as a sexual bolt of energy jolted me. The massive orgasm caused my cock to erupt as I felt Joe going through the same experience.

“Ahhh!” I yelled, while griping his shoulders. Cum covered my chin, chest and stomach. Joe slowly stopped and gently brought himself to cover my now-limp body with his, while licking my face. We shared a moist, cum-laced kiss. “Love you so much,” I said, softly stoking his hair.

“Ditto. You’re the most important person in my universe,” he whispered, while slowly easing out of me. “Excuse me a moment.” He rolled over to his side of the bed and removed the spent rubber while getting up. I watched his cute butt and lithe body as he went to the bathroom. I heard water running. Returning with a warm, moist towel, he leaned over and tenderly wiped me clean.

“I needed that. You bring out the best in me,” I said. We both chuckled.

“Fuck that creep, Brill. We’re going to have a great weekend getting to know each other better, as well as your family.” Joe tossed the towel back into the bathroom, and we moved into a nocturnal cuddle.

“Joe, I want us to be a team for a long time. Promise me that if anything ever bugs you, we talk it out.” His chest pressed against my back as his warm dick rested in my ass crack.

“This is going to be a challenging fall. The partnership with Jerry will be very time-consuming. But I want to spend every available moment with you, Sammy. We’re good for each other. I love you, babe,” he said with a small yawn before kissing the back of my neck. Shortly thereafter, I felt him breathing deeply. I drifted off, feeling the warmth of his body and protective arm wrapped around me.