The Watch - 2. Chapter 2

It was a little longer then a few days before Robert received the report. He kept calling the Williams, who were a husband-wife investigation team. Each were very nice when he called but told him that they were still investigating but that he would be happy when he learned the news.

It was in the second week and three days before Josh was to start working for the firm that Robert took a call from Mrs. Williams saying she was just outside the building and was ready to give her report. Robert's heart picked up the pace on the news. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know the truth. If Josh was "his" Josh what was he going to do, Josh was married. If he was not his "Josh" then Robert would feel devastated. He was deep in these conflicting thoughts when Mrs. Williams voice spoke up.

"Is it ok for me to see you Mr. Townsend?"

Robert took a deep breath and finally said, "Yes sure come up." Robert then called the secretary to hold all his calls and then started to clear his desk of papers. He wanted a clean space to read the report." He was so nervous that he almost got up to meet the woman at the door but when he heard a knock. In came his secretary Camilla who was escorting a heavy set black woman wearing what looked like her Sunday best, a bright purple dress with white trim topped with a large brim black hat with a white bow wrapped around it.

"Helllooo Mr. Townsend, its good to meet you face to face." Mrs. Williams smiled with a wide grin"

"Hello Mrs. Townsend." Robert returned with a nervous smile as he tried to stand up.

"Don't stand on my account. With the info I have for you, you will want to be seated I expect... and please call me Mary."

"Yes Mary...thank you." Robert said as he slowly sat back down."

Mary sat down in the chair before his desk and began fiddling with papers. "Its so exciting to give these reports. You never know how the person is going to take it. Its better then television."

"Oh no." Robert thought. She's going to be one of those sadistic people that will leave him hanging for a while.

That is exactly what she did. She went on and on about the small details about Josh's life that Robert wasn't interested like what kind of car he drove, how much he paid in mortgage payments, the name and age of his wife and son. She even went into a family history of Josh's wife, Terry, down to the birthplaces of the grandparents."

"All right already. You have been very detailed about everything except Josh. You even gave me the age of their pets. What I want to know is WHO josh is and where did he come from."

Jessica replied with a sly smile. "Well sir all you had to do was ask."

"Ugh, just tell me what you know about Josh."

"Well for starts, he names was not always Josh." Jessica replied

Robert's heart sank on that news.

"His name was Fredrick Harper. So named by his adopted parents."

"Adopted parents?" Robert's hope picked up

"Yes, he was adopted at age ten by the Harper family. It was weird actually. Most parents don't change the first name of a child they adopted for a kid of his age."

"What was his real name?" Robert not excited.

"Well it was Josh of course." She smiled.

"YES!" Robert shouted, jumping from his chair.

"I knew you would be glad to here that. You two met at the same summer camp didn't you."

"Yes we did! You really did a number on this." Robert complimented

"That's why it took longer then we expected. When we research a person we also want to know why the person wants the info. In your case he's an old friend from the days when you were an orphan."

"I still am an orphan." Robert thought but only nodded his head yes.

"Well he is that poor boy. You knew that his parents and older brother died in a car wreck."

"Yes I did. I met him the first day he was at camp. I was his counselor."

"Well he was adopted about two years later to a family that had just lost their own ten year old son and I bet you can guess the boy's name."

"Fredrick"

"You're right." Mary grinned.

"It must have been hard on him, being expected to replace a lost son."

"It was. As soon as he turned 18 he had his name changed back to Josh and from what I have learned he has never gone back to see his family again. Luckily the life insurance policy his parents had left him with enough money to pay for college but not much was left after that. He met his wife Terry when he was an undergraduate and they married when he was in law school. He is very popular with the people who know him but he really doesn't have a close friend."

"Are you suggesting that I could be that friend?"

"It's a possibility."

"What am I going to do?"

"Robert, can I call you that, I know about your sexual exploits so if you think this might be a chance to have a fantasy fuck then I think you are looking at the wrong person. If you are looking to reconnect to an old friend then I think you have a good chance on gaining a real good friend."

"So no seducing." Robert said flatly.

"That's right. Only try to be his friend. You are the only person who knows him before he was adopted. I think that gives you a special link to the young man."

"Thanks. How much do I owe you?"

"Don't worry about it. Glenn and Kyle are taking care of this one. That and I give a 10% discount when I deliver good news. I hate giving bad news."

After Mary and Robert had said their goodbyes Robert was swamped by the giant grins on his friend's faces as they came rushing into the room.

"So you got good news?" Glenn smiled

"How did you know?" Robert said confused.

"We got a 10% discount which means you got good news."

"Oh that's right. Thanks for setting me up with her." Robert thanked them.

"No problem...so are you going to tell us or are we going to have to strangle the info out of you like we have to do with Mary?"

"He's the one." Robert said with a wide grin.

"Can't get more straight forward then that." Kyle laughed.

"So what are you going to do?" Glenn asked.

"I don't know." Robert answered honestly. "I'm not ever sure I'm going to tell Josh who I really am."

"Why not?" Kyle asked.

"Because he's afraid of the disappointment if things don't work out." Glenn guessed correctly.

"Yes, your right I am afraid of that. I made a promise to come for him and I didn't."

"Robert there was nothing you could of done anyway. He won't hate you for that." Kyle said supportively

"Its just that Mary hinted that Josh didn't have a happy childhood after he was adopted. I feel at fault for that"

"Robert...when are you going to stop being hard on yourself." Glenn said concerned.

"When is he going to stop always being HARD?" Kyle tried to joke but was elbowed by Glenn.

"I loved that boy, Glenn. I really did. I still have a few of the letters he wrote to me. A lot of them got damaged or lost when I was in the navy but I still have a few. He was my family."

"Until Lance came into your life."

"Right. Then I thought I was really part of one but then he left me. I don't want to go through that again."

"Robert you will never be happy unless you risk your heart again."

"I know. I just don't know if I want to tell him before or after I try to befriend him."

"You have a point. Honesty is always best but for you to dump this information on him might put any kind of relationship at risk. Just promise my one thing."

"What?" Robert asked.

"I want you to promise you wont get your expectations up."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes you do. You are one of the few people I know who will try to force a square peg into a round hole. Don't let you're expectations on how Josh should be make you try to force Josh to be the person you want him to be."

"Yeah, yeah." Robert blew it off.

"No I'm serious Robert one reason we are friends is that we don't put up with you're shit. Don't heap a load on Josh or you might push him away."

"I'll try to avoid that Glenn, thanks. Thanks for being my friend."

"That's what friends are for. They're supposed to be able to tell you when you are fucking up."

Today was to be Josh's first day at work and since Robert's many duties also included human resources, Robert would be able to spend the whole day with Josh. He had also used his influence to have Josh's office right across from his.

When he greeted Josh at the front doors he had to stop himself from pulling Josh into a hug. Instead he settled for a firm handshake and a pat on the back as he led Josh to his new office. The room had not yet been decorated and only had a desk, chair and computer. The files Josh had from his old office were to arrive in the afternoon, as was a decorator.

"Well here's your office."

"Thanks...Robert."

"Nervous?"

"Just a little."

"Don't' be, we're just one happy family here." Robert smiled but noticed Josh cringe on the word family. "So do you play any sports?" Robert said to quickly change the topic.

"Yes, I play a mean game of hand ball and I run. I use to play soccer in high school but I don't do that any more."

"I should take you to the gym I go to. They have private workout rooms."

"Sounds expensive."

"Don't worry, I'm a member and allowed a guest whenever I want one."

"Sound's great!" Josh said finally smiling.

It was at that moment that Robert was certain that Josh was who he thought he was. That one smile was so much like the way Robert remembered, lips only a few millimeters apart showing a flash of white teeth. The corner of his lips formed dimples and another on his chin. It was a small but sincere smile, one that Robert had always trusted. Boy... he wanted to kiss those lips.

"I'm glad I finally got you to smile." Robert laughed.

"Sorry if I look down, I'm just nervous." Josh apologized.

"No problem. Why don't you come over to my office and we can go over the rules and procedures."

Robert walked him to his room, right across from Josh's and had him sit on the couch as he took up a chair and pulled it next to him. He didn't trust himself to share the same seat with the object of his affection. He did though allow himself to move in close so that their faces were only about a foot apart as he talked. An outside observer would have noticed Robert moving his head forward at times as if he wanted to sneak in a kiss but surprisingly he would always pull away. Another thing that would be surprising for the people who knew Josh was that he didn't move away when Robert's head moved forward. A few times he even moved his own head a hair's thickness toward Robert. There was wanting in both men's eyes but each man was so concentrated on avoiding their feelings that they could not see that they both wanted the same thing.

After the info session was over, Robert had arranged for Josh to have lunch with Kyle, Glenn, and himself. They went to a Chinese restaurant where they ordered family style. They had beef with scallops, crispy whole fish, garlic eggplant with pork, chicken lo mien, and an order of fried dumplings. During the whole time Kyle and Glenn were amazed on how the other two acted. Robert would actually joke around while Josh lowered his nervous stance and would kid around also. The couple thought it very weird when the two of them started feeding each other with their chopsticks like they were in love themselves. They had never seen Robert this carefree. They only hoped it would last.

After lunch, Robert finally left Josh so Josh could sort through his files and talk to the decorator only to be followed to his office by his two friends."

"My god you two are already acting like a married couple!" Kyle laughed

"Great isn't he!" Robert beamed.

"He really seems to like you." Glenn agreed.

"I hope he does cause I really like him."

"Just remembered he's married."

"Trust me." Robert smiled in mock offense.

"Yes just like with Mike. He was perfectly happy married but then you have to turn him over to the dark side." Kyle laughed.

"Well I don't know how happy he was before I got to him. He didn't seem happy until I poked him a bit."

"Tell me about it. He's now the biggest bottom in Kansas City thanks to you." Kyle returned

"Just doing my part for the gay cause." Robert grinned.

"Speaking of gay, does Josh know you are gay?" Glenn asked.

"I don't know I would guess that he might because I hang around you two so much."

"I wouldn't bet on it but I don't think that matters as he seems ok about the two of us," said Kyle.

"He'll find out soon enough. Your exploits are common cooler talk here."

"Hey I have a reputation to up hold."

"Just be sure it doesn't get you into trouble."

The next few days were some of the happiest Robert could remember. Josh was such a sweet and carefree guy once you got past his nervous exterior. He would laugh at your jokes even if they were flops. He always looked on the bright side of things and would always be encouraging. There was very little time that Josh or Robert was not in each other's offices working or just goofing off.

It also started rumors that Kyle and Glenn went to great efforts to hide from Josh. They would steer Josh away from the gossip hounds or would hang around Josh, giving the other associated ominous stares if they looked like they were going to make a comment about the rumors and it was real bad. This ranged from Josh being Robert's bitch to that Josh slept his way to the new job. Glenn would pressure Robert to tell Josh that he was gay and in love with him but Robert was too afraid to risk what he had. It was not until Thanksgiving that things started to fall apart.

Robert would traditionally go to Glenn and Kyle's house for Thanksgiving but this time he was invited by Josh to spend the weekend at his place. They had a guest bedroom that he could stay at from Thursday to Sunday. Robert debated if he should bring his boxers or just some jock straps so he could show off in front of Josh if they met heading to the bathroom. But he played it safe and decided to just wear boxers. He wasn't going to wear a nightshirt. He wasn't going to become a prude just for a long weekend.

It turned out that it wouldn't of mattered anyway, each of the bedrooms had their own bathroom connected to them so there would be no wandering at night, at least not to the bathroom. He left his car in the parking lot and drove with Josh to his home. Driving in the four door Saturn was a step down for Robert who liked his Lexus SUV but he knew that if the rumors were true, Josh would soon be able to afford a new car to rival his.

Josh had been working long hours; it was one of the reasons Josh had not taken Robert up in his offer to go to the gym with him. Robert had talk to one of the janitors and found out that it wasn't uncommon for Josh to still be in the office after ten and to come in before five. No one could keep up those hours without feeling the strain. Glenn was concerned on how this was affecting the marriage due to his handling of several work alcoholic divorces.

But when Robert arrived at the house, all seemed well. Josh led Robert up to the front door and opened it to the smells of pre-Thanksgiving cooking. The smell of sauces and the baking of pies rushed out at them as Josh opened the door.

"You can leave your suitcase in the hall for now, I want you to meet Terry."

Robert dropped his bag at the bottom of the stairs and followed Josh to the kitchen. Inside there were already three pies cooling on the counter, pumpkin, apple, and pecan. Several pots were bubbling and two cutting board were covered with freshly cut vegetables. A woman whom Robert took as Josh's wife was watching television as she snap some green beans.

"Hi hon," Josh said as he walked behind his wife and gave her a hug

"I wish he would call me hon and give me a hug." Robert gloomily thought to himself as he watched the happy scene.

"Is your friend here?" Terry laughed as she tried to slip between her husband and the kitchen counter to turn around.

As soon as the two made eye contact, Robert was almost certain he saw a frown grow on Terry's face but it was quickly replaced by a wide smile.

"How are you doing Mr. Townsend?" She greeted with a sweet syrupy voice."

"Just fine Mrs. Harper."

"Oh please call me Terry, you're almost family with how much time you spend with Josh."

The comment was made cheerfully and sincerely but a lump formed in Robert's throat. He had an ominous feeling that Terry could see right through his chummy act with Josh and knew that Robert wanted to not so much replace her as be her in Josh's heart. But she still smiled at him and gave him a friendly hug, careful so that her hands wouldn't touch his jacket.

"Have you shown him his room yet?"

"No not yet. I wanted to say hello to you first."

"Thanks dear. Now go play host and give him the grand tour."

"Where's Nate?" Josh asked Terry about his son.

"Oh he's at Sara's house playing with Greg. He'll be back before supper."

"All right."

"Now stay out of my kitchen, I'll call the two of you when dinner is ready."

Robert had to control his laughter at the way Terry controlled her husband but what he didn't understand was why she seemed to go out of her way so that Josh and he could be alone. If that single frown meant anything it was that she felt him a threat not a friend. Josh for his part seemed oblivious to it as he almost bounced back to the stairs dragging Robert by the hand. Oh how Robert wanted to kiss that hand.

Josh took Robert's bag with his free hand and led him up the stairs. They passed a few doors down a long hallway until they reached the end and Josh opened the door. As soon as it was opened Josh tossed the bag on top of the bed and joined it. The picture of Josh spread out on a bed, in a bed that Robert was going to sleep in was enough to send his dick shooting up. He quickly moved himself to the foot of the bed where a raised wooden board hide his harden dick from Josh's view.

"Look like a real nice room." Robert nervously commented as he tried to sneak his way to the bathroom on the other side of the room without looking suspicious.

"What's wrong?" Josh asked with concern on his face.

"Oh nothing, I just need to use the bathroom."

"Want me to leave?"

"Oh no!" Robert said a little to eagerly. The last thing he wanted was for Josh to leave the bed. "It'll just be a sec."

"All right, just don't get lost in there." Josh joked as he spread himself out on the bed as if he were making snow angles.

"Oh god I don't want to leave right now." Robert thought as he rushed into the bathroom and locked the door.

"You don't need to lock it, Nathan's not here and he knows better then to open a closed bathroom door." Josh called out to Robert who was trying to work his pants off over the bulge located there.

"No problem." Robert shouted back as he sat on the toilet and began pumping his cock imagining that it was Josh holding it.

It must of taken Robert longer then he thought to shoot off his wad because when he finally opened the bathroom door he found Josh asleep. It could have been that Josh was dead tired from work. He looked so peaceful with his eyes closed. There was even a soft smile on his face. Robert sat down on the side of the bed so he could just be closer to the man he was falling in love with. It must have been the movement of the bed cause when Robert sat down Josh turned onto his side toward Robert and curled up.

Robert took that as a sign. Josh, at his most vulnerable and peaceful state moved toward him as if by instinct. Robert took his shaking had and moved a loose strand of hair that had fallen over Josh's face. His fingertips brushed against Josh's forehead. The skin was cool to the touch but perfectly smooth. Wanting just to touch more Robert pressed the palm of his hand against Josh's cheek, his chin fitting right into it. Robert let his outer most fingers brushing against Josh's pug nose. He moved the finger slowly against the side of that nose in the way he wanted to nuzzle his face against Josh.

He almost jerked his hand away when he saw Josh's eyes slowly open but with all the courage he posed he held his hand there and Josh didn't move. Instead his eyes began to water and a single tear ran down his face. Robert removed his hand and drew up the drop with the tip of a finger. He then ran the wet finger down his own cheek.

The two of them continued to stare at each other in silence for several minutes but eventually Robert felt an arm wrap around his waist. He let himself be lowered on to the bed where Josh proceeded to press his damp face against Robert's chest.

"Why didn't you come for me?" Josh croaked.

With that comment Robert knew that Josh knew who he was. "I would of Josh had I known where you were. I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault." Josh returned.

"But we have found each other. That's all that matters." Robert said before kissing the top of Josh's head and ran his finger along his back.

They remained like that for over an hour and it was only the voice of a small boy who interrupted it.

"Hi dad." A smaller younger version of Josh said as he climbed up on the bed.

Josh must have been shocked by his son's voice as he practically pushed Robert out of the bed before turning over to see his son.

"Uhm... Hi Nate. Did you have fun with Greg." Josh quickly recovered.

Nathan ignored his father's question and climbed over his father to see Robert on his ass, still in shock from the rough treatment.

"Are you all right mister?" Nathan asked concerned.

"No problem kiddo." Robert smiled

"I... Sorry about that Robert." Josh stuttered.

"No problem." Robert repeated.

Robert hopped back in the bed but Josh kept some space between them. Instead Nate sat himself between them and started asking a million questions of Robert.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Robert."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm staying over for Thanksgiving."

"Are you my dad's friend?"

"Yes."

"Why were you hugging my dad?"

"Well do you dad hug you?"

"Yes."

"Do you like it when your dad hugs you?"

"Yep."

"Well we were doing the same thing."

"Ok."

"Ah this simplicity of youth." Robert thought as he gave Nathan as wide smile.

"I think your funny mister." Nathan laughed when he saw the goofy grin on Robert's face. "Dad can I have a hug too."

"You can have a million hugs Nate." Josh returned as he lifted his son on top of him and gave him a bear hug.

Robert looked on as father and son hugged each other. He wanted so much to hug them both but knew that now wasn't time to press things with Josh. Eventually Terry called the three of them for dinner. Nathan took a piggyback ride on his father's back with Robert in tow.

Dinner was a new experience for Robert. Dinner with Kyle and Glenn was having dinner with friends. This was dinner with family. There was less of a need to impress. This led to more relaxed conversation then Robert could ever remember having. One thing that did surprise him was that Josh did not sit next to his wife. Instead Nathan sat between them, surrounded by the attention his parents gave him. Eventually Nathan yawned, sending a queue to Josh to pick his son up give him a bath and take him to bed.

Robert was now left alone with Terry. The two rivals stared at each other in silence for several minutes until Terry sighed and spoke.

"Can you join me outside?" She asked in a weary voice.

"Sure." Robert agreed and followed her to the back yard.

It was a cold night but the ground was still free from snow. The two of them could see their breath from the light coming from the house. Terry kept her back facing Robert for a few seconds before turning around and confronting him.

"I don't want a long speech from you just a yes or no answer. Are you in love with my husband?"

"Yes."

"Shit..." Was her first response to Robert's frank answer... it was later followed by tears.

"You asked for a blunt answer."

"Sorry it's not your fault." Terry returned when she got control of herself again.

"I don't know if it's anyone's fault." Robert returned.

"You're right again. Will you tell me why you love him."

"Well I guess it goes back to when we were both orphans but now that I've met him again it's because he makes me happy."

"I'm glad to here that. I wished I could make him happy."

Robert was about to answer that but Terry spoke up again. Don't get me wrong; Josh is a very loving man. He's a good husband and a great father. I... I just can't get rid of the sorrow that he always carries within him. I try to talk to him about it but he just won't. I...I just can't stand watching as a good man suffer as he does."

"What's wrong with him. I know he seems nervous at times and tends to stare at his watch a lot."

"So you noticed that." Terry sighed

"Yes he acts like he's always making sure he won't be late."

"That's not the reason."

"What is it then?"

"I'm not going to tell you and I don't recommend asking Josh about it. When he's ready to tell you he will."

"All right, but can't you tell me what's wrong with Josh."

"Ever since I've know Josh, he has put up a front of looking happy for others. This does not mean he's not a caring person, he is. I think he cares too much at times. He worries so much about others that he often forgets himself. I...I just want him to be happy. When he would come home from work he would have a genuine smile on his face. Not the half grin that I found so hard to bear before he met you. I felt that the only thing that made my husband happy was Nathan. He would come home from work at four, stay till he put Nathan to bed and then go back to the office. I... I never suspected my husband could be gay until I saw you walk into my kitchen."

"You say I look gay?" Robert was surprised. He prided himself in his straight acting ability.

"No, its not how you look or act. It is how you look at Josh that told me you were in love with him."

"Oh."

"You are in love with Josh. I can accept that. I just want you to promise me that you will make him happy."

"That's all I want. But what about you, you deserve to be happy as well?"

"True and I still love Josh. I just feel that he cares for me but doesn't love me. He would never ask for a divorce but I might."

"What about Nathan." Robert asked concerned. He didn't want to be the one held responsible for breaking up his parents.

Tears began to run down Terry's face as she struggled to answer. "I love my son and I want him but if it is the only gift that I can give Josh that would make him happy I will."

"Why?"

"Because Josh saved me. We both grew up on neighboring farms in Kansas. We both came from families that were abusive to us. Josh's family tried to force him to be someone he wasn't and both of my parents were drunks who hated each other but feared how their families would look on a divorce more. I was the only person who would call Josh by his real name. That's how we became friends. When we both graduated from high school Josh was set to go off to college and forget his old life while I was given the choice of marrying another farmer's son or be kicked out on the streets. I was willing to accept being kicked out but then Josh gave me another choice. He had the money from his parents' life insurance to more then pay for college. On the night he was leaving town forever he came to me and asked me to join him. He was my savior. We got a two-bedroom apartment. He went to KU while I went to the community college in nearby Topeka. We would always be together and most people thought we were married so one day that's what we decided to make it official. We got married. Josh went to law school while I went on and became a registered nurse. After two years we had Nathan. During that whole time Josh cared for Nathan and me. I thought it was love and it was in a way. I am his friend and he loves me as a friend but not as a soul mate."

"I see. Can I ask you one thing?" Robert said when Terry finished.

"Yes." Terry replied.

"Don't divorce him without asking me first. I think you could be right. Both of you cling to each other because your friendship has been the most loving experience in your lives. Because both of you didn't know that anything else was possible, you accepted it."

"Yes, your right." Terry agreed.

"I know that you see this Terry but I don't know if Josh does. Please give me the time to show Josh what it means to be loved if not he might take the divorce as a sign that there is no love out there for him." Robert asked.

"You're right again. Just you be sure that he finds out what he deserves. I couldn't go through another..." She started but was unable to finish.

"I'll try my best." Robert returned, not knowing what Terry had wanted to say.

"That's all I can ask for. I just hope my husband IS gay. For your sake that is." She tried to laugh.

"Well I've had my share of straight ass. He wouldn't be the first man I've seduced into bed."

"Don't seduce him. Just love him." She said dead serious.

"I will."