2. Nick and Joseph - 11. Chapter 11

Copyright 2014 - 2016, Nick Brady, all rights reserved.

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After our birthday weekend we settled into sort of a routine. I was riding a bike to school and back. Mom and Dad saw the friendship between Joseph and me as a good thing, so it was OK for me to stop by his house on the way home from school. We would enjoy a snack and talk for a little, then he would practice his music while I did homework.

After the night when we finally made love together what few barriers that stood between us were largely removed. Joseph seemed to be more relaxed and our relationship as boyfriends, gay lovers, whatever, was mutually accepted. While it was not uncommon for us to visit his bedroom for an exchange of spit and a blow job, we never went much beyond this until the next time I spent the night.

By the end of October I was beginning to make a little progress with the choir. With a combination of actually singing (softly) on the easy parts and pantomiming on the tricky parts I managed to participate without offending anyone. There was talk of finding me a choir robe. The last weekend of October the choir was invited to a party at Mrs Tailor's house with a Halloween theme. We had time to talk after school on Thursday.

“Are you going to the party?” I asked Joseph.

“Oh I might. I went last year and it was fun.”

“But they are all older people except you, and maybe James and Susan. Will they be there?”

“I think they were last year.”

“Are we supposed to wear costumes?” I asked.

“It was suggested but not required,” Joseph assured me. “But it might be fun. What do you think?”

“I don't know. I don't want to look stupid.”

Joseph looked thoughtful. “It doesn't need to be complicated, but it should be clever. Let's think about this. You have orange hair but dressing you as an orange would be complicated.”

“I don't want to do something like that,” I grumbled. “That would definitely look stupid.”

“We don't want stupid, we want clever. Not orange, maybe something red. Let's see, red hair, redhead. Redheads are called gingers sometimes. We could make you a ginger bread man.”

“I don't want a big clunky costume. That would be too much trouble plus it would look stupid.”

Joseph broke out into a wide smile. “No, it needn't be complicated. It just needs to get the idea across. I think I have it.”

“What?”

Joseph's smile became mysterious. “It might be fun to let it surprise you. It will be very simple. Will you trust me?”

“I don't know, is this going to be embarrassing?” I was hesitant.

“No, I promise you, and it will be fun.”

It was not like Joseph to be mysterious but his smile reassured me.

“OK, I guess so,” I agreed reluctantly. “But what about you? What will you wear?”

“I know what I will do. It will fit with you and be equally simple. Wait and see. You will have to trust me Nicky, but I promise it will be fun and not embarrassing.”

“I suppose we have to learn to trust each other. I don't know where Mrs. Tailor lives, how will we get there?”

“The party is this Friday night. Mother will take us both if you are here. Can you come over after school and stay with me?” Joseph asked expectantly.

“I hope so. We need some time together,” I smiled.

We were sitting on the sofa in his bedroom holding hands. While not long ago I would not have imagined holding hands with another boy, now it seemed perfectly natural. So did the idea of a kiss and when we looked at each other we must have both decided it was a good idea and we drew together for a long soft smooch. There were times when we felt passionate and petted hot and heavy. But sometimes, like now, we just wanted to be affectionate and enjoy holding each other close and kissing gently.

We leaned back in the sofa and cuddled, kissing and running our hands over each others chests and shoulders. As this progressed a little, our hands strayed further south and we both discovered erections and gave those some affectionate attention. With legs spread, testicles also came into play and things began to warm up.

Joseph pulled back a little, breaking off the kiss. “I feel a little hungry.” he said with a semi-serious expression.

“You do? What sounds good to you?”

“I'm not sure,” Joseph mused while rubbing my erection, “What do you have?”

“Well let's see, maybe some sausage?”

“Hmm, that might be nice,” and he began to unzip my trousers.

I scooted forward, raising my hips and pushing my pants toward my knees, taking my briefs with them. “Here, let me get that out for you,” I said helpfully.

Joseph turned so he was laying on his side with his head on my lap, retracted my foreskin and sniffed the head of my dick.

“Umm, nice and fresh, it looks very tasty,” he said appreciatively, and licked the little drop of pre-cum which had formed at the tip.

“It should be fresh, why don't you taste it?” I suggested.

“Yes, I think I'll do that,” and he put his lips over the end and slowly suctioned it into his mouth, making me inhale sharply.

“Shit, that feels good!” I squeaked.

“Umm yes, very tasty,” he mumbled with my prick in his mouth.

Joseph began to suck me with some energy, pulling off and sucking down, rolling his tongue around and into my foreskin. All the while lifting and gently squeezing my balls in their loose bag. His other hand was occupied with tweaking my orange pubic hair, twisting it into little spikes.

My response was to hold his head in both hands, running my fingers through his hair, humping my hips into his face and gasping, “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!”

I was in heaven and Joseph seemed to be lost in the moment as he made love to my dick with his mouth. I thought that he had come a long way in the last several months. His reserve had vanished, at least with me, and he felt free to do what came naturally.

“Joseph, Joseph, I'm getting ready to cum,” I warned.

“Mm-humm,” he hummed as he sucked even harder and took me completely into his throat.

I arched my back, held my breath, straightened my legs out stiff and pointed my toes. “Oh fuck, here it comes,” I groaned, and began to empty my balls a spurt at a time. Joseph stayed on me and didn't loose a drop, swallowing my cum as fast as it hit his throat.

I held myself rigid as he sucked me dry, rubbing the base of my cock behind my balls as it pulsed. Finally I was able to exhale and relax, almost sliding off the edge of the sofa.

“Damn, that was intense,” I panted. “You do good work for a beginner.”

Joseph sat back against the arm of the sofa and chuckled. “I have had the benefit of excellent instruction.”

“I need to return the favor,” I said, “What time is it?”

Joseph looked at his wrist watch. “It is a little after 5:00,” he replied. “Really, you need to be going, and I need to go over some music.”

“What about you?”

He laughed. “I had fun getting you off. I will catch you next time. You will be back again, won't you?”

“Oh yeah. I'll be back,” I grinned. “I'll see you at choir practice but that is not a good place to get even with you.”

“No, I think not, but we can get instructions for the party tomorrow night.”

He walked me downstairs to the garage where I retrieved my bicycle. I held out my hands as an invitation for a hug but Joseph stood with his arms folded across his chest, glanced around at the houses in the neighborhood and smiled, shaking his head slightly.

“I will see you later tonight,” he said, then in a quieter tone, “I love you Nicky.”

I whispered, “I love you too,” Then jumped on the 10-speed and started for home.

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Parking my bike in the shed I slipped into the apartment. Everything was right in this world. Kevin was stretched out on the sofa reading a paperback, Mom was in the kitchen clanging around and I could smell a chicken roasting. Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

I dropped my rucksack on the floor, flopped down in the easy chair and said, “Hey, Kevin.”

Kevin looked up, “Hey Nick. What's up with you?”

“Well, Joseph and I are supposed to go to a Halloween party at Mrs. Tailor's house tomorrow night. If that's OK with Mom and Dad.”

“Who's Mrs. Tailor?” Kevin asked.

“Oh, sorry. She is the choir director at Trinity.”

“Oh sure. Are you guys wearing costumes and all that?”

“I think so. Joseph said we was going to come up with something. So what's new with you?”

Kevin hesitated for a moment, “Oh, not much.”

The way he said it made me curious. “So what's up?”

Kevin turned the corner of his book, laid it down on the floor and quietly got up and walked into our bedroom. I followed him in, he closed the door and sat down on his bed. I sat on mine and looked at him.

“Damn Kevin. What's up?” I couldn't help but feel nervous.

“Hey, its not about you,” he said. “But I think your friend Tony may be in trouble.”

I felt a little jolt of electricity in the back of my neck. “How's that?”

“Well, I don't really know anything, this is just rumor, OK?”

“I understand, what do you hear?”

“The rumor is that the police have him,” Kevin said quietly.

“What for?” I asked impatiently. “Come on!”

My brother took a deep breath then told me, “They say he was at the Riverpark after school and propositioned an undercover cop.”

“Propositioned a cop? What do you mean?” I felt kind of panicky.

“Look, this is just what is going around at school, OK? But he is supposed to have offered the guy a blow job for money.”

“No shit? Oh man, that's bad!” I felt the blood run out of my face.

Kevin looked at me like he was scared. “You don't have anything to worry about --- do you?”

My mind whirled. Kevin had seen me at Riverpark with Tony that one time, and I knew what we were doing even if Kevin didn't. Kevin had warned me before that the rumor was that Tony was queer and did stuff with men at the park. Now he hears that Tony has been arrested for soliciting and had to wonder if somehow I was doing the same thing. I was scared, I was angry, and I was grateful that Kevin's first thought was for me. For a minute I was speechless.

“No Kevin,” I said slowly, “I don't think I have anything to worry about. Nothing like that.”

My instinct was to deny any knowledge of what Tony might be doing but decided that I needed a friend I could be honest with, and I would never have a friend more trustworthy than my younger brother.

“This is hard to talk about,” I said. Kevin looked concerned and nodded. “I guess I kind of knew what Tony was doing. That's why I quit hanging out with him.”

I was so scared I was shaking and I could feel tears start to run down my cheeks. “This is so hard. Do I need to tell you ---,” my voice quit on me and I choked.

“No,” Kevin said shaking his head from side to side. “No, you don't need to tell me anything Nick,” He looked at me with love in his eyes. “You think you have this terrible secret you have to keep from me, but you don't. I mean it's not a secret, I know Nick. I have known for a long time. But it's OK, I don't care. I mean I do care, but it doesn't matter to me. That's your business.”

I struggled to find my voice, “I didn't ask to be this way, I mean I didn't choose to be this way, I'm sorry Kevin.”

He shook his head again. “Don't be sorry, you don't have anything to apologize for. You didn't choose to have red hair either. That is just who you are.”

I put my face in my hands and began to sob, maybe from embarrassment, maybe from gratitude, maybe just because so much emotion had been released. Then for the first time I could ever remember, Kevin stood up, walked over to me and hugged me.

“It's OK Nicky. It's OK. This is all just between you and me, and it's OK. I love you Nick.”

He held my face against his chest and I could tell that I was getting his shirt wet but I couldn't stop crying. He whispered to me, “I don't know why you are the way you are and I'm not. It could be me that has red hair and likes guys, but that's not me.”

He pulled back a smiled a little, “Actually, the red hair would be cool. I always wished I had red hair instead of mousy brown.”

Now I was laughing and crying at the same time. “I don't know what to say Kevin. I must have the greatest brother in the whole world. I don't deserve you. Thank you, thank you.”

Now I could see that he had tears in his eyes too. “Maybe we are both lucky Nick.”

I sat up and started wiping at his shirt. “I got you all wet.”

“Aw that's OK, I'm washable,” he grinned and stepped back. “Let's wash up and go see how that chicken is doing. It's starting to smell pretty good.”

He pulled off his wet shirt and put on a clean one and went in the bathroom. I could hear him take a pee and wash his hands. As he walked by to go into the living room he didn't say anything but gently punched me on the shoulder. I went in the bathroom, pissed and washed my face. Looking in the mirror I felt a lot better, like I had got rid of a demon. Then I smelled the roast chicken and felt very hungry.

I was kind of quiet at dinner and was amazed at how normal everything seemed. The same 'how was your day' chatter, the compliment to Mom for her nice dinner. I asked about going to the choir party with Joseph and if I could stay over since we would be back late and was surprised that Dad said OK and Mom told me to be on my best behavior. It was so easy. I knew I was very lucky, or fortunate as Joseph would say. In my heart I said 'thank you God'.

I wanted to talk to Jack and went up to his apartment after dinner but he wasn't there. I had a stub pencil and a scrap of note paper in my pocket and wrote a little note that said 'I need to talk to you, Nick' and folded it up and stuck it in the door jam. I was starting to feel a little easier.

At 6:45 I jumped on my bike and pedaled to Trinity for Choir rehearsal. I was beginning to get the hang of a few things and we talked about the party. When I rode back home it was pretty dark and kind of chilly. It was late October instead of mid August.

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Friday afternoon when I came out of school Joseph was waiting for me at the flagpole.

“Hey!” I said in the customary greeting.

“Hey!” Joseph replied with a grin.

“Are we ready for the Halloween party?” I asked.

“All set, costumes are ready,” he replied with a mysterious smile.

“I'm not sure I trust you. I bet you are gonna goof me.”

Joseph laughed out loud, “No Nicky. I would never do that. It will be fun I promise.”

Just then Alice pulled up in the big Lincoln and Joseph gave me a wave and trotted over to the car. “See you at the house then,” he shouted over his shoulder.

I jumped on my bike and cranked off as fast as I could. It was always a challenge to beat them to his house. I had done it a few times if they were delayed in traffic. Today being Friday I thought I had a chance. The 10-speed improved my chances. Besides, I rode a lot and my legs were strong. I flashed up Delaware, caught a green light at 36th street and banked hard left about a foot from the left front fender of an old lady in a Buick who had just stopped for her red light. She looked a little startled but no damage done.

The red light at Peoria caught me and I had to either stop or jump up on the sidewalk and ride north to 32nd street. I chose the sidewalk and when I got to 32nd looked both ways and scooted across and over a block to Joseph's house. There was no sign of the Lincoln so I quickly parked my bike and threw myself down on the back steps, lounging back as if I had been there for some time. In about a minute the car pulled up and the electric garage door began to rise.

When Joseph emerged from the garage I frowned and looked down at my bare wrist as if a watch were there and said, “It's about time you got here, what kept you?”

Joseph smiled and shook his head. “What will we do with you Nicky?” he said as I erupted in giggles.

We trooped through the kitchen and up the stairs to Joseph's room. I tossed my rucksack on his bed and flopped down beside it as Joseph sat back on the sofa.

“So what time is this party tonight?” I asked.

“It is to begin at 7:00, but we should be stylishly late so we can make an entrance.”

“So where are these mysterious costumes? I wanted to know.

“Oh they are right here,” and he lifted a brown paper grocery bag from beside the sofa.

“Let me see.”

“No, that will spoil the surprise,” he chuckled.

“But I'm curious?”

“Yes, that's the idea,” Joseph laughed. “I want you to be.”

I started to complain then realized how different this laughing teasing boy was from the shy diffident Joseph I first met just a few months ago. We sat and talked for awhile, wondering who would be at the party and what other costumes would be there.

“Were many people wearing costumes last year?” I wondered.

“Quite a few, most of them really. Of course it is an older crowd for the most part and it was the usual thing, an assortment of pirates, witches and the like,” he remembered.

After a bit he looked at his wristwatch. “I expect that Alice will be serving dinner soon and I should speak with mother to be sure she has remembered about the party.”

He stood and I followed him downstairs. Alice was in the kitchen and Mrs. Anderson was sitting in the living room reading a newspaper in front of some large french windows. Other than the kitchen and the music room I had not seen much of the rest of the house which was spacious and elegantly furnished.

“Hello Mother,” Joseph said politely.

“Joseph, and Nick of course. You have become a member of our household. It's nice to see you,” she said pleasantly. “How was your day at school?”

“As exciting as ever,” Joseph replied with a smile. “And how was your day?”

“Oh you know, busy with mostly nothing,” She looked at me. “And will you be having dinner with us Nick?”

Joseph answered for me, “Yes Mother, and we will be going to the Halloween party for the choir. Will you be able to take us or should I speak to Alice?”

Mrs Anderson appeared to have forgotten, “Yes dear, that might be best. I need to go out after dinner. Your father is at the hospital this evening so you boys will be on your own tonight if that is alright.”

“Oh yes Mother, that will be fine. Nick will look after me,” Joseph said with a straight face as I resisted the urge to break out in an evil grin.

She went back to reading her paper, effectively dismissing us. I followed Joseph into the music room where he sat at the piano and picked up some music.

“We have about 30 minutes before dinner and I should make some noise on the piano so Mother will know I am not slacking,” Joseph said under his breath. He choose something, spread it out on the piano and began to play something very gentle and pretty. “This is Debussy,” He said by way of explanation.

I sat and listened, amazed that my friend could pull such music from the long black piano. As I watched I could see Joseph slip into his own world, focused on the sounds that came out from under his hands, rocking subtly in time with the music. I disappeared, his mother disappeared, there was nothing but the music lifting him away from everything else. This was his solace, his escape from the rest of the world. It was clear to me that at this moment in time he was happy and that nothing else was more important to him.

I believed that I was important to him, but nothing would ever replace his music. Joseph had become more important to me than I could ever imagine, but I would play a supporting role in his life. I thought about my brother Kevin and how he supported me, and how important that was to me. Maybe that was how I could be most important to Joseph, by supporting him and his music, and by loving him. As I listened to him play, that felt right to me.

Joseph's mother came in and listened for a few minutes and seemed to enjoy what she heard. When Joseph paused for a moment she interrupted, “I believe dinner is ready if you boys are hungry.”

Joseph stopped, put his hands in his lap and seemed to rejoin our world. “Yes, of course Mother,” and he stood and said to me, “Let's eat Nicky,” and we went into the dining room.

This was another room I had not seen before. Along one wall were more full length glass windows covered with sheer white curtains and plush gray carpet on the floor. Down the center was a long oval dining table covered with a white tablecloth. At one end places were set for three people, round silver platters where the dishes should go, a silver knife, 2 forks, a spoon, a white cloth napkin folded over the plate, and crystal glasses at each place. Joseph stood behind the center place and motioned for me to come next to him. His mother went to the chair on his other side and we stood until she took her place. Joseph pulled the chair out and scooted it back under her as she sat. Then he gave me that little bow that I remembered from when we first met, and he and I sat too.

I wasn't exactly sure what to do so I watched Joseph carefully. He took the napkin and folded it across his lap then sat up straight and folded his hands in his lap, so I did the same. In a few moments Alice came in with white china salad bowls, placed them in the center of the silver platters then offered a cruet of salad dressing. Mrs Anderson nodded and Alice poured some dressing on her salad. She offered the same to Joseph and he nodded and she dressed his salad then I nodded like Joseph and she put dressing on my salad. Then Joseph and his mother picked up the little fork on the outside of the plate. I glanced over and did the same, then we ate our salad.

When we were finished Alice came in and removed the salad plates then brought in a white china plate loaded with dinner and set that on the silver platter in front of us. On the plate was a piece of meat with a brown sauce and sliced mushrooms on it, some sliced potatoes with a cheesy stuff, and green beans with sliced almonds mixed in. It smelled really good.

We sat and waited until Joseph's mother took a bite then Joseph leaned over and whispered in my ear, “It's a pork cutlet, it's good.”

It was good for sure and I ate it all, carefully cutting the meat and trying to use the right hand for the knife and fork. I think I did OK. Nobody said much which was fine with me because I wouldn't have known what to say. We finished up and Alice took the plates away then brought out a dish of ice cream. I figured I knew how to do this so when Mrs Anderson picked up her spoon I dug into mine. I made it through the dinner without spilling anything. I smiled at Joseph and he nodded his approval.

When we were all finished Joseph and his mother exchanged some pleasantries and I said, “Thank you very much. That was delicious.”

She replied, “Oh, you are quite welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it,” then to us both she said, “Now I have to leave. Please don't wait up for me as I may be late. Goodnight to you both,” Then she stood and we stood, and she walked out of the room.

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We went to the kitchen where Alice was cleaning up from dinner.

“You need a ride to a party?” she asked Joseph.

“Yes if you don't mind. I have the address and it isn't far.”

“Of course I will,” She smiled. “Call me when you are ready to come home. What time do you want to leave?”

“Officially the party begins at 7:00 but we might arrive a little after that.”

“Of course,” she smiled knowingly. “You boys go and visit and I will come get you when it's time.”

We went into the music room and sat on the little sofa. “Would you trade families?” Joseph asked.

I thought for a minute, “I think I see what you mean. Is this a typical dinner?”

“Well, sometimes my father is here but it goes pretty much like this every night,” he smiled, “Fortunately my mother doesn't cook.”

I decided not to pick up on that. “I don't know if this is the right thing to say or not, but I see what you mean about my being lucky. I wouldn't trade with you for anything. It's like you're in a straight jacket.”

“Yes it is a bit. It was nice to have Jack here. He saw my situation and has proven a good friend. The nicest thing he ever did for me was to introduce you and me. He brought you to my recital you remember.”

“I think Jack knew we both needed a friend, and I guess he knew we were both gay. So that makes three of us.”

Joseph looked surprised. “Why do you say that? Jack isn't gay.”

“Uh, well he said he was. I believed him.”

“Oh! I had no idea. I would never have guessed. But then I would never have guessed that you were either for that matter. That is interesting. He was very kind to me but always a perfect gentleman.”

“Jack is the big brother I always wished I had,” I said.

Joseph smiled. “Funny you say that. I would have said the same thing.”

“Maybe he is our big brother, both of us,” I reflected. “He is for sure a really good friend.”

About that time Alice came in jingling the car keys. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Joseph said, then, “Oh, just a minute,” and ran up the stairs two at a time and came back down with a paper bag. “I almost forgot our costumes!”

We went out in the garage and Alice pushed the button to raise the garage door. Joseph opened the rear door and motioned for me to get in. He handed Alice a piece of paper with the address written on it, then got in beside me. Without a word Alice backed out and drove away, the door closing behind us.

Joseph reached over and held my hand but did not look at me. “It will only take a moment to put on our costumes,” He said. It wasn't far to the house and Alice pulled up in front. He got out and held the door for me, thanking Alice who drove away leaving us at the sidewalk.

Joseph reached into the bag and pulled out a white placard hanging from a loop of string on which was printed “NUDIST ON STRIKE”. He put it around his neck and reached into the bag again. This time he pulled out another placard with a loaf of crusty bread hanging from it. He hung it around my neck and I looked down to see “GINGER BREAD MAN”.

“That's it? I laughed.

That's it. Do you like it?”

“You were right. It's simple, it's clever, it's not embarrassing, and it's fun. You are a genius.”

Joseph bowed deeply and said, “Thank you. Are you ready to go in?”

We knocked on the front door and Mrs. Tailor let us in. “Oh here are the boys! I'm so glad you could make it.”

We walked in through a little entry way into a nice big living room. This wasn't the mansion that Joseph's house was but it was very nice. Looking around we saw that most of the choir members were already there wearing an assortment of what Joseph had described as 'the usual things', pirates, witches, a Frankenstein, and a fat lady who I thought was supposed to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She was carrying a fuzzy stuffed dog in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

There was noise and chatter and everyone seemed to be having a good time. In the dining room was a table covered with dips, chips, and an assortment of goodies. Next to it was a smaller table set up as a bar with bottles of booze, jugs of red and white wine, and an assortment of soft drinks. We sidled up to inspect the treats and took a couple of Coca-Colas.

People were curious to know what was written on our placards, particularly mine from which was suspended a loaf of bread. They would come up, lean forward to read the sign then laugh loudly.

“Nudist on Strike? But you are wearing clothes --- oh I see now, that's funny!”

“Ginger Bread Man? Ah, you certainly are a Ginger with that red hair, and there's your bread --- Oh, that's very clever.”

“It was Joseph's idea,” I demurred.

“Thank you,” Joseph said modestly, then as an aside to me, “See, I told you.”

I had to admit I had fun. The snacks were tasty and we and our costumes were well received. The people were friendly, very friendly I thought. They weren't this jolly at choir practice, and I mentioned that to Joseph.

“It's the result of a well stocked bar,” He explained.

'I don't remember this happening at the Methodist church.”

“They are Episcopalians,” he smiled, as if this was sufficient explanation.

“Oh,” I said, taking that in. “And another thing. We are always together and Mrs. Tailor called us 'The Boys', like we were a couple. Do they like, know about us?”

Joseph gave me an amused look. “They don't care. They are Episcopalians.”

I was a little confused but decided to save it for later. We had a nice time. They didn't play any silly games but just sipped their drinks and chattered away with each other. The other two high school students were there but James and Susan were Seniors and into each other so didn't really talk to anybody much, least of all us.

It was an OK party, kind of boring but non-threatening. At 8:30 we'd had all the excitement we could stand and began to make our excuses, thanking Mrs. Tailor and saying goodbye to whoever was around. Joseph borrowed the telephone and called Alice to come fetch us and we stepped outside.

“Well that wasn't bad. Actually it was kind of fun. Your costumes were cool.” I admitted.

“Yes, I thought it went well. I'm glad you enjoyed it,” Joseph agreed, quietly taking my hand. In a few minutes the car pulled up and we climbed into the back seat.

“Thank you Alice. I hate to intrude on your evening,” Joseph apologized politely.

“Not at all, I'm always happy to help,” she replied. “How did the costumes work out?”

“They were fun thank you. I think everyone enjoyed them.”

I whispered to Joseph, “Alice knew about your costumes?”

“Of course, she got the loaf of bread for me,” he answered quietly. “Alice knows everything.”

He caught my surprised expression and explained. “Alice is my friend, more than that really, and although she doesn't always say a lot, I don't think she misses anything, at least where it concerns me. Certainly she knows I have never had a friend like you before and I imagine she has an idea of what we are about,” he looked straight at me and said quietly, “I think what matters most to Alice is that I'm happy, and she can see that you make me happy. She likes you a lot.”

I chewed on that while we drove back to his house. The garage door opened and the Lincoln slipped inside. We thanked Alice again and went in and up the stairs to his bedroom and closed the door. Safe at last.

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“Wow, what a day. I guess it was my turn to look into your world today,” I reflected.

Joseph nodded and looked thoughtful. He went to the outside of the bed next to the big windows and without a word began to undress. He unbuttoned his shirt and took off his shoes and socks, then removed his slacks.

“I want to get in bed,” he said. “Do you mind?”

“No, of course not. I'm always ready to get in bed with you,” I chuckled.

Joseph looked serious. “Would you please hold me Nicky?”

I nodded and got undressed, climbing in next to Joseph and laid my head on his shoulder with my arm around his waist. “How's that, better?” I whispered.

He put both arms around me and kissed me on the side of my head. “Yes, much better,” he sighed. “It doesn't get any better than this, lying in a quiet place with you in my arms. This is perfect.”

“Do I really make you happy?”

“Oh yes Nicky, you really do,” He was looking up at the ceiling. “I have a good life when I think about it. I have everything I could want in a material sense. Music is my great passion and my parents are supporting that,” he looked down at me, “and you provide what is missing. I think you are beautiful and charming and fun. I love you and you tell me you love me, and so far as I can tell, you do.”

“I do love you. I'm just barely 14 and maybe I'm too young to know what love is but I know how I feel about you. I know I want to make you happy. If I give you what you are missing then I am OK with that. I know I think you are the coolest person I have even known and being with you makes me happy. That's close enough for me.”

Joseph tightened his arms around me and sighed. “I can't change what happened yesterday and I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but I know that right now, at this moment, I am sublimely happy and this is exactly what we should be doing. This is right. What else do I need to know?”

”Nothing that I can think of. You are a lot smarter than I am and if that's what you have worked out then it works for me,” I squirmed up closer to him. “What I think is that I'd like for you to kiss me.”

Joseph smiled at me and leaned down to my face and kissed me gently on the lips. We kissed and petted each other and began to enjoy our bodies. We lost the underwear so we could feel warm skin over the length of us. There was a sweetness about the way we came together, as if we trusted each other to do whatever needed to be done and trusted that whatever happened was right. Maybe that was what true lovers did. I didn't think about it but it felt very right. We were both very erect but there was no sense of urgency. It was not late and we had all night.

After some time Joseph stopped and looked at me. “It is my turn you know.”

“Your turn for what? I asked.

“It's my turn to make love to you. But maybe you would rather not do that. It's OK with me if you don't want to. I mean maybe I am supposed to be the submissive one.”

It dawned on me what he was saying. “No, I mean yes, I mean I want you to make love to me. I want that.”

“Are you sure? You might not like being on the receiving end, if you know what I mean.”

I laughed, “Oh I know what you mean. You don't have to be so polite about it. What I would like is for you to fuck the crap out of me.”

Now it was Joseph who laughed out loud. “I suppose I am being obscure aren't I? Yes, that is what I am proposing. Are you up for that?”

“You betcha Little Beaver. I would like nothing better, Let's quit talking about it and get it on.”

“Oh, this is exciting. I don't know how many times I have fantasized about this. But I will have to admit that I'm not perfectly sure how to go about it, I mean from the other end,” he made a face, “Oh that was an awful pun wasn't it?”

I grinned at him and shook my head, “Get the lube.”

He reached in his nightstand and handed it to me in a flash.

I handed it back. “This time you're driving. Remember when we did this before? Grease up what needs to be slippery.”

He seemed to have some experience with greasing up his dick, but when I laid on my back and raised up my knees he looked down and hesitated. I turned over and got on my hands and knees with my butt in the air.

“I think this will work better for you,” I suggested.

Joseph looked at my upraised asshole. “Oh my God this is so erotic,” He gasped. “Are you sure this will be good for you?”

I gave him a knowing look. “I'm sure. Lube my ass like I did yours.”

He scooped some Vaseline on his index finger and positioned it over my anus. “Is it OK if I stick my finger, uh, if....”

“Stick your finger up my ass!” I said impatiently.

“Yes of course,” and he gingerly inserted his finger in my bottom. I could feel his hand shaking and could feel an excess of jelly coating the area around my hole.

“OK now, scoot up close and stroke yourself a little to get good and hard then try to push it in.”

Joseph said in an unsteady voice, “If it were any harder it would snap in two,” I could feel him at my back door.

It felt good. I arched my back like a cat and pushed back a little. “Stick it in slowly, OK?”

I felt it enter and heard Joseph gasp. Then the head popped in and he paused, then pushed deeper. At this point his instincts kicked in and he sunk himself up to his pubes. I could feel his soft pubic hair against my ass cheeks.

“Oh my God, that is so wonderful,” he sighed, and began to slowly pump himself in and out. He was a quick learner. “Are you OK Nicky, am I hurting you?”

“No, it feels good, it feels great!”

He was filling me completely but he was slow and gentle. I felt like there was an electrical current coming from him and I was seeing flashes of light in front of my eyes. I raised my ass as high as I could and leaned back into him. He took my hips in his hands and pulled me tight against him. Then he held me with one hand and with the other stroked my back and shoulders with a gentle touch.

This was the most intense and exciting experience of my young life. For a beginner Joseph was doing a hell of a job. I thought maybe it was because he really loved me and was trying to communicate that to me in this very physical way. Maybe he was touching me in the same way that he brought the beautiful music out of his lovely Steinway piano. It felt like he was making music with me, in me.

Soon, too soon, I felt him stiffen and shake as he began to orgasm. I felt my own cum start to rise in unison with his. I hoped he would not withdraw at the last minute out of concern for me but he plowed deep then embedded himself in me as far as possible and I could feel him pulse inside me. That was all I needed to bring me over the edge and I flooded the bed sheet with my sperm.

Joseph collapsed on top of me and I fell with him to sprawl on the bed with him on my back and his cock still in my ass. His arms were wrapped around my shoulders and under my chest and he lay with his face on my neck panting on me with his hot breath and gasping with inarticulate sounds of ecstasy. My stomach felt sticky and I could feel Joseph's sperm slowly leaking out of my ass.

Joseph finally recovered a little and wheezed out, “Oh, oh, oh my God. Are you OK Nicky? Did I hurt you? I'm not sure I can move,” I could feel his wet breath on the back of my neck.

I was almost as breathless but was content to lie there with his weight on me. “No Joseph, you didn't hurt me. That was incredible. Are you sure you haven't done this before?”

He chuffed out a shallow laugh. “No dear Nicky. Only with you. I would do this only with the one I love. Thank you, thank you.”

“Oh, I must be hurting you,” and he raised himself from my back with his arms and fell to the side.

“No, I'm OK,” I tried to roll over on my back and found my belly glued to the sheets by my semen. “Lord have mercy,” I moaned

He took my hand while we caught out breath. “Wow, we made music,” I said.

Joseph looked over at me. “Did you feel that too?”

“Man, you played me like a piano.”

Joseph laughed, “Well that's a first. Nicest piano I ever played.”

“My pleasure,” I chuckled. “Hey man, these sheets are a mess. Do you want to change them?”

“Yes, but let's shower first,” He answered.

We slid out of bed and stripped off the sheets, stuffing them in the clothes hamper in the bathroom. Joseph turned on the water and adjusted the temperature for us. We got in, closed the curtain and let the warm water flood over us. We stood face to face and steadied ourselves by putting our hands on each others shoulders. We were both a little weak in the knees.

Joseph took the nice shampoo and squirted some on my hair and lathered me up, rubbing my scalp with his strong fingers.

“It feels so good when you wash my hair.”

“I love to wash your beautiful orange hair.

He took a clean washcloth, soaped it up and washed me front and back. Then I returned the favor, first shampooing his hair then washing his body. We rinsed ourselves off then stepped out of the shower and dripped on the floor. He took one of the big white bath towels from a shelf and dried me off with it, then handed the same towel to me and raised his arms expectantly while I dried him.

He stepped over to a little cabinet and pulled out a pair of sheets and some pillowcases then walked into the bedroom. I spread out the towel on the wet floor and followed him to the bed. We stood on each side of the bed and put on the clean white sheets. I remembered learning how to do this to help my mother and felt properly domestic. We tossed on the comforter, put on fresh pillowcases and were through.

We went back in the bathroom and joined each other for a nice pee, fencing with the yellow streams of urine. Then to the sink where we brushed our teeth and took turns spitting. By this time Joseph had seen to it that I had my own toothbrush camped in the holder. We looked at each other in the mirror and nodded at the completion of our tasks then marched back to the bed, still naked as newborns.

“Do I have to sleep on the sofa?” I asked with mock seriousness.

“No, not this time, you have been a very good boy,” Joseph replied with a wry smile.

We flipped the comforter and top sheet down about half way and climbed into bed from opposite sides, scooting together to hold hands between us and exhaled.

“Music,” I whispered.

“Beautiful music,” Joseph replied.

We slept very well.

.......................to be continued.

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