Max and Josh - 16. Out of the past

Disclaimer: This story includes sexual and romantic situations between consenting individuals. Any allusion to illicit or illegal activity, sexual or otherwise, is used only for enhancement of the story line and not promotion thereof. Remember AIDS, HIV and other STDs are a very real threat, please always practice safe sex.

I can prove copyright on this story so please don't copy or remove this story for personal use without my permission.
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Max and Josh 16: Out of the past.

Max spent most of Saturday catching up with his Grandpa while anticipating dinner that night. His mom had managed to get Josh’s parents to agree to have dinner with them. They were worried somewhat when they found out about Max's history with his grandfather but she managed to convince them that the situation had been resolved.

Max was looking forward to dinner but he was also nervous. He didn't doubt his grandpa's sincerity or his determination to make amends but he couldn't help but worry about how he would react when he met Josh.

After all, it was one thing to accept him as being gay; it was another thing entirely to be meeting the guy your grandson was in love with.

"Tell me about Josh, what's he like, how long have you two been together?" His grandpa asked as he and Max had lunch.

"He's a good guy gramps. You'll like him." Max said as he made himself another sloppy Joe.

Usually he didn't eat fried stuff but the meat was ground turkey and he drained it thoroughly.

"I figured I'd like him, but I want to know what he's like. I figure if I know a little something about him before tonight the situation won't seem so...threatening. You may not realize it but people tend to find me imposing when they first meet me." Maxwell leaned against the kitchen counter as he spoke; the padded barstool he sat on was a little uncomfortable.

"People find you imposing Grandpa because for an older gut you look like you could break most younger guys in half. Not to mention you've got this authority around you. It's like...you stand taller than the other people around you. I mean, usually you ARE taller than most people you’re around but that’s not what I'm getting at." Max wasn’t completely able to put what he was getting at into words.

Maxwell Sr. couldn't help but feel a sense pride in his grandson's words, fragmented as they were. He wasn't nearly as fit as he was when he was in the Army but he did like to take care of himself; he ate right, ran three miles every day and had a very light weight training routine.

"You really think all that?" He asked Max.

"Of course I do. Its one reason that I looked up to you as a kid, why I still do. You've got this confidence, this self assuredness around you. I sort of saw that as a kid, but didn't really understand it. I just knew I wanted to be like that. I mean, you know what you know because you've lived it, you've experienced it. Do you know how that makes people feel?" Max asked with a small smile.

"No, can you explain it?" Maxwell asked, he enjoyed putting Max on the spot like this, it was funny.

"Most people don't have that kind of confidence these days Gramps. They see that in you and it makes them feel small compared to you. It's not any one thing that you do and you don't do it intentionally but that's just what happens. At least that's how I used to feel. Other people might disagree." Max said as he took a bite out of his sandwich.

"I used to make you feel that way?" Maxwell asked; looking a little sad. He always thought he had been kind to Max as a kid; he never wanted to make him feel bad about himself.

"Yeah you did, and don't look so sad Papaw, you were always amazing to me as a kid. It's just... I saw how you were with other people. I mean, it didn't matter where we were or what we were doing whenever you would talk to someone, whether they liked you or not, they listened.

That authority and that knowledge and experience would always shine out and people would listen. It was imposing, my Grandpa who was always so nice and sweet to me had this magic power to make others listen to him. Just like last night when I tried to go back upstairs, that authority came out in your voice and I couldn't move, I had to stay.” Max said, feeling able to talk about last night.

Maxwell sat quietly for a little while, not entirely sure how to respond to the things Max had said.

Part of him felt a deep pride in himself and a new respect for his grandson, but another part of him felt a little self conscious.

He desperately wanted dinner to go well that night; he wanted to make a good impression on Josh and his parents. He was sure that Debbie had probably told them what had happened between him and Max. He didn't want to come off as threatening or imposing.

Max's hand on his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts though.

"Don't worry about tonight Papaw, once they get past that prickly exterior they're gonna love you." Max said as he squeezed the older man's shoulder.

"I'm glad you think so son, I want to make a good impression." Maxwell said and Max had to swallow past a lump in his throat before he could respond; he loved it when his Grandpa called him Son...he hadn't heard it in a long time.

"I know so Papaw, don't worry. I'll ease you into things," Max said with a smile, "Let's go see what’s on TV. I think Encore has a western channel." Max said and pulled the older man off the bar stool and into the living room.

Encore did indeed have a western channel and they spent the next few hours watching a Clint Eastwood marathon, including Two Mules for Sister Sarah, a favorite of them both.

While they watched some of their favorite movies they caught up on lost time. Talking about what the other had been doing since they spoke last. They dutifully avoided what had happened in Chicago after Max's attack though but Maxwell was eager to learn how Max's life had been since their move and his meeting of Josh.

"You never did answer my question, about what he's like." Maxwell said and Max had to smile.

In reality he didn't know exactly how to start or what to say, he had never envisioned having this conversation with his Grandpa.

"He's...he's smart, athletic. He's part of the swim and track teams." Max spent a few minutes singing Josh's praises but he intentionally left out their fragmented beginning, and Josh's issues.

"He seems perfect, too perfect. What aren't you telling me Max?" His grandpa asked, Max had been too generous.

"He's got some confidence issues...he worries a lot that he's not good enough or that he doesn't measure up, and he's got some self worth issues. I admit that it's caused a few arguments since we got together but I don't think it will anymore, and if it does I'm prepared for it now; I wasn't before." Max said, feeling defensive.

"I understand that. I know what he's going through; I struggled with some of those same issues before I went into the Army. Your great-grandfather wasn't an easy man to get along with." Maxwell said and Max felt relieved.

"He's made a lot of progress though; I've been trying to help as much as I can. He still worries though." Max said and his Grandpa nodded.

"I'm sure he'll be fine, especially if he's got you helping him." Maxwell rested his hand on Max's shoulder as he spoke.

"Max, I need you to run to the store and pick up a few things for supper." Debbie called as she came up from the basement, she had been bustling around all day cleaning and doing laundry; she was more nervous about dinner that night than any of them.

"Yes ma'am, what do you need?" Max asked as he hopped up and met her in the kitchen.

"It's all on the list." She pulled a slip of paper from her pocket and handed it to him.

Max kissed her on the cheek as he put the paper into his pocket then leaned over the back of the couch and kissed grandpa on the head.

"I'll be back soon." Max said as he left.

"Good, now that he's gone we need to talk." Debbie said as she turned to her Dad, who was sitting on the couch looking expectant; he'd been waiting for this.

                                                             *      *      *               

Josh was a basket case, he was sitting on his bed contemplating with dread the dinner he was about to go to. Dread might have been a strong word but it's the one that kept coming to mind.

He was excited because he was getting to see Max. They had only been able to see each other in school and an hour afterward all week. He knew he was being over dramatic about not being able to see him; there are people out there after all that spend months at a time away from their loved ones. It still killed him not to be able to see Max or spend the night with him,

Even the prospect of seeing Max wasn't enough to quell his nerves. It was meeting Max's Grandfather that was getting to him. Max had told him about the falling out they had had when he came out, which had caused Josh to get all sorts of messed up images and misconceptions about the older man in his mind.

His parents had told him that things had been settled between them but didn't go into detail; itwasn't their place to ask questions after all. All they had said was that he wanted to invite them for dinner so he could meet them, especially Josh.

"Why in the hell did they tell me that?”Josh thought to himself as he rested his head in his hands.

His parents knew how he was, he didn't like being the center of things; he even hated having big birthday parties. He didn't know why, just that he had been that way since he was a kid.

He walked over to the mirror hanging by the closet door and took stock of his appearance. He knew he looked good but ran his hands over his hair, still too short to worry about combing, down his shirt to smooth out the non-existent wrinkles, and stood back to make sure his jeans didn't fit too tight or too loosely.

"You're obsessing again son." Josh turned around to see his dad framed at the door of his room.

"Yeah I know, I can't help it though...Why did you two tell me that he wanted to meet me especially...couldn't you have just left it at 'he asked to meet us'?" Josh asked with a small smile, he couldn't obsess with his dad around.

"We could have I suppose, but I don't see how it matters." His dad said as he stepped into the room.

"It doesn't in the big picture but it does up here," Josh tapped the side of his head in emphasis, “I just...I feel like I've been tossed into a spot light." He sat down on his bed and his dad came over and sat next to him.

"Because you HAVE been tossed into the spot light Josh. He didn't come here to meet your mother and me, he came here to fix things with his grandson and meet you. I understand what you're going through. You've never had to go through the 'meeting the parents'." His dad wrapped an arm around his shoulders as he spoke.

His dad was right, he hadn't had the pleasure. He had met Max's mom when they had been friends, no pressure. Meeting Max's grandpa though...he felt compelled to make a good impression, he wanted the older man to like him, to approve.

"Any tips?" Josh asked, looking for the first time to his dad for some serious guidance.

"Well meeting a Grandfather is a lot worse than meeting the dad, especially in this case. From what I understood last night Max and his Grandfather were really close before they fell out. Just remember to be calm, don't fidget and try not to constantly worry that you're doing or saying something wrong.

Be respectful but not stiff and don't act like you're afraid of him. Just be yourself and you'll get along fine. I'm sure that I don't have to tell you this but watch how you are with Max with the lovey dovey stuff, your mother and I and his mother are OK with the norm but we don't know how he'll react." His dad said but oddly enough Josh wasn't feeling better.

"Be calm, don't fidget but be myself. Dad, you do know that is myself in high stress situations right?" Josh asked feeling an odd calm steal over him as he made fun of himself.

"Yeah...good point son." His dad looked suddenly a little nervous himself.

Josh had to laugh at the look on his dad's face, he was still nervous and scared but he was starting to feel that he could handle it with his folks and Max there. Max had helped him a lot and he always felt braver around him.

"Well are you two ready to go?" Emma asked as she entered the room and both him and his father turned to look at her.

Despite being told that dinner would be casual all three of the Mathew's had dressed up somewhat. Josh wore a green long sleeve button down shirt and a pair of beige cargo jeans. His dad was dressed in a plain black sweater and a pair of slacks.

They both however paled in comparison to Mrs. Mathews. She wore a simple outfit, a nice pair of brown slacks a white blouse with brown trim around the cuffs, hem and neck line, over which she wore a powder blue cardigan and a pair of silver hoop earrings.

It wasn't really the clothes that made her beautiful, it was the way she wore them. Unlike either her son or husband she seemed to exude a confidence no matter what she wore, the clothes would look good on almost anyone but on her they looked amazing, accentuating her natural beauty. Her shoulder length black hair was sleek and straight, she worse very little make-up on her oval face, except a slight coat of lipstick.

"You look amazing darling." Joshua said as he stood up and wrapped his arms around his wife.

"Yeah mom, very nice." Josh stood up as well, feeling better for his clothing choice. His mom would easily outshine him, as always.

"You two look very nice as well." She said caressing the cheek of each of them.

"I look decent, you two look great. Damn genetics." Joshua grumbled as he left the room, leaving Josh with his mother.

"Have I told you how much I like your hair this short?" She asked as she ran her hand over the top of Josh's head. The gesture was something she had done since he was a kid; it never failed to make him feel better.

"Mom...have you talked to Grandma today...about what happened last night?" Josh asked quietly.

"No honey, I haven't. She said she would call once she settled down your grandfather. She still doesn't know how he found out. Don't worry about it though darling, things will turn out fine, I'm sure of it." She said and took him by the arm and led him from the room.

He was nervous enough without worrying about how his grandpa found out about him and Max, or how angry he had been. There would time to deal with that little bit of crisis later.

                                                             *      *      *

Maxwell Sr. stood nervously against the kitchen counter, sipping compulsively at his iced tea, his daughters’ words still fresh in his mind.

"I hope you know what your doing Dad. It took a lot to get the Mathews to agree to come over tonight, especially after I explained the situation." She had launched into her speech soon as she was sure Max's truck had left the driveway.

"You didn't have to tell them everything Deborah." He had replied, his shame deepening.

It was bad enough that the whole of his own family knew what he had done but now another family knew too; the exact family he was about to sit down to dinner with. The family to which his grandson's partner belonged too.

He knew it was too much to expect that his daughter would be dishonest with the boys family, after all they did have the right to know the kind of man that they were sitting down to dinner with. He had hoped though that she might not give them the full story as he knew she had.

Maxwell came back to himself when he raised his glass and drank in nothing but air. He sat down the empty glass and raised his hands to his collar. The white button down he wore was feeling tight around his throat.

Maxwell had no intentions of bringing dress clothing on this trip, not knowing how he would be received, but Caroline had insisted on it. She would have come with him to see Max but her sister was sick so she opted to stay with her instead of visiting her daughter and grandson.

He normally only wore such things to church or a family gathering, preferring to bum around in his flannels or a t-shirt.

"Mom told you to dress casually Grandpa." Max’s voice pulled him out of his musing as he came into the kitchen.

"I know but it’s an old habit," Maxwell replied as he looked Max up and down, noticing his tan slacks, short sleeved collared shirt and the black sweater vest he wore over it, "You don’t seem to have been listening either." He said, making his grandson blushed.

"Well I was in some jeans and an old sweater but then I heard mom muttering to herself about how she couldn't find her blue skirt and I got all paranoid." Max replied as he pulled his medication out of the cabinet.

"Anyway, I know Josh. He's gonna be so stressed out that he'll be overdressed too so we won't feel to out of place." He popped his pill as he spoke.

Maxwell couldn't help but smile at the happiness on his grandson's face when he mentioned Josh. He reminded him of the way he smiled when he talked about Caroline.

"You though gramps I think can tone down some." Max smiled as he came up to his Grandpa and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt then undid the buttons on the cuffs and rolled them up a few times.

"Much better." Max smiled as he stood back to admire his handy work.

"You know, your grandmother will throttle you if she can't get the wrinkles out." Maxwell said and they both laughed heartily.

As they came down from their laughing fit and moved into the living room Max's mom came out of her room. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun, her turquoise top a perfect match for the floral patterned high waist skirt she wore.

Before either of the men had a chance to say how nice she looked a knocking at the door brought their attention elsewhere.

Max was the first one to the door, pushing back his nerves he opened the door to see Josh and his parents standing on the porch.

"Come in, I'm glad that you were able to make it tonight." Max stood aside and welcomed the Mathews in.

"We were glad for the invitation." Mrs. Mathews replied as Max offered to take her coat.

"Debbie you look beautiful." Mr. Mathews said as he kissed her on the cheek,

"Such a charmer Joshua, I can see why Emma keeps your around now." Debbie blushed slightly and walked over to the couch where her Father stood.

"This is my father; Maxwell Calvin Sr. He was the one who first brought up this little get together." She said and Max had to smile as his grandpa stood up looking nervous.

"It's nice to meet you. As your daughter already said I'm Joshua, this is my wife Emma and our son Josh." Mr. Mathews said and reached behind him and pulled Josh from Max's side.

"It's good to meet you Sir, Max has told me a lot about you." Josh smiled and held out his hand for Maxwell to shake. Max was grateful for the lie, Max had told him next to nothing about him.

For a moment Maxwell just stood there, staring at Josh and Max was afraid he had been overcome by the situation and was reconsidering his visit, but with a start he reached up and took Josh's hand in both of his.

"Forgive my lapse my boy; you just look remarkably like someone I used to know. It is wonderful to meet you as well, Max has told me quite a bit about you in return." He said and Max breathed a sigh of relief.

"No worries Sir, I'm prone to lapses in concentration and memory from time to time so I know what you mean." Josh joked and Max had to stifle a laugh at the smile that came over his Grandpa's face.

Debbie, also sensing a slight break in the tension that had fallen over the room directed everyone to sit down while she served something to drink, aided by Emma who insisted on helping.

Maxwell took the lone arm chair while Max carefully pulled Josh to the love seat which left his mom and Josh's parents to share the couch.

Max could feel Josh's nerves and noticed his reluctance to get too close to him, he realized the problem when he saw Josh's eyes flicking back and forth between him and his grandpa, he was worried about how the older man was going to react to seeing them together.

Max caught his Grandpa's eye and very deliberately laid his arm across Josh's shoulders. Maxwell saw the intent behind the gesture and only smiled and gave his grandson a slight nod.

"See, he's not breathing fire, just relax." Max whispered as he massaged Josh's shoulder.

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"He seems like a delightful man Deborah; I still find it hard to believe that he did the things you say." Emma said as she pulled several glasses out of the cabinet.

"He really is, but trust me, it happened; I was there. I am just glad he has come to set things right. Max was devastated when it happened; he did and still does idolize his grandfather." Debbie said as she pulled the pitcher of iced tea from the fridge.

"I can understand that." Emma said quietly.

"How are Josh's grandparents doing? I understand you have dinner with them every Friday. I would love to be able to see my folks more often." Debbie said and caught the look on Emma's face.

"Has something happened with them Emma?" She asked quietly, it wasn't really her place to pry, after all, they hadn't had much interaction since she and Max had moved there, the hospital kept her quite busy.

"It's a long story Debbie, I'd rather not get into it with everyone here, but I would like to pick your brain on it later." Emma said she placed the glasses on the serving tray Debbie had sat out.

"Of course, I'm off tomorrow, we should do lunch." Deborah said and Emma agreed with a smile.

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Josh desperately wanted to wrap his arm around Max's waist and cuddle up next to him but he couldn't. Even with Max's arm around his shoulder and his whispered admonishment his dad's advice and his self consciousness at meeting Max's grandpa was holding him back from relaxing.

"I hope you all don't mind iced tea. Max and I don't use sugar so I've stopped buying." Max's mom said as she and his mom came back from the kitchen.

"Not at all Deborah." His dad replied as he took his glass and Josh accepted his with a word of thanks.

He wasn't a big fan of sugar free anything but it was something he would have to get used to, not that he minded, anything to be with Max.

"Did you put a garden this year Grandpa? Mamaw said she wasn't going to let you after that little slip you had last spring." Max said with a smile and Josh was glad for Max breaking the silence.

"She told you about that," The older man asked with an exasperated shake of the head," You step in a gofer hole once and you're branded for life." he said and everyone laughed.

"I did manage to convince her to put out another one though. Just some tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and green beans. Three or four rows each, nothing too big." He said with a smile.

"You must own a decent plot of land; I can imagine you use a lot of space." His dad replied.

"It's nothing spectacular, only a few hundred acres. We've got a small pond on part of it." Maxwell said in a matter of fact way. Josh didn't know what acre's transferred into in miles but he couldn't imagine that it was small.

The topic of farming kept the conversation going for a while when the timer on the oven started going off.

"Oh that will be the chicken." Max's mom said as she got.

"Why don't you let Josh and I take care of serving mom." Max said as he stood up and pulled Josh with him.

"Well, if you two don't mind." She said with an inquiring look.

"Not at all Ms. Calvin." Josh said as he stood up next to Max, he'd like a few minutes alone.

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Max waited until his mom, Grandpa and Josh's parents moved over to the small dinning room, out of site of the kitchen before he pulled Josh to him, wrapping one arm around Josh's waist and using the other to pull Josh's head down level with his.

"I've missed you." He whispered before he pressed his lips hard against Josh.

Josh fought weakly for a second, fearing one of their parents would come in, but it was short lived. He gave in quickly, parting his lips to let Max's insistent tongue delve inside. He sucked gently on the little invader as he pressed Max back against the kitchen counter.

"Max your mother wanted me to remind...." Maxwell's voice caused both boys to jump in shock.

Max stood against the kitchen counter, so much blood was rushing to his face he felt his hands go numb. Josh stood helplessly by him, looking pale enough to faint.

"Grandpa...I didn't hear you..." Max stumbled, watching, but not seeing the wide smile that broke across his grandpa's face.

"No worries, your mother wanted me to remind you not to forget the salad." He said before he left the kitchen, his smile still in place.

"Please tell me that didn't just happen..." Josh said quietly and Max had to laugh...although weakly.

                                                             *      *      *

Maxwell sat quietly throughout most of dinner; his daughter's chicken mozzarella was delicious as were all the trimmings. Conversation around the table was light, flitting from one subject to the next. He would chime in occasionally but most of his time was devoted to the sight he had come upon in the kitchen.

Catching his grandson and his boyfriend making out like the horny teenagers they were had been far, FAR too priceless. He could feel the heat radiating from their faces from across the kitchen.

He was enjoying watching the boys squirm throughout the meal, whenever his daughter would ask him why he was smiling or chuckling quietly he would always look directly at one of the boys and simply smile and say, 'Nothing dear, just laughing at a memory'.

He knew that the boys were worried that he would tattle on them. Debbie had told him about the arrangement that had been made with Josh's parents about the boys seeing each other after Max's slip.

Once dinner was done the boys volunteered to clear away the table and do the dishes while they talked in the living room.

"Joshua, if I can be so informal as to call you that, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?" Maxwell asked once he, Debbie and the Mathews' were seated in the living room again.

"Of course Mr. Calvin, I don't mind, either one." Joshua replied, looking slightly sheepish, Maxwell wondered if he was being threatening again.

"Please call me Maxwell, or Calvin if that’s too formal. I was wondering if your father served in the military." Maxwell said, noting Joshua's odd look.

"Yes he did, he served in World War two." Joshua replied and Maxwell could tell that he was wondering what he was looking for.

"Was he wounded, a through and through gunshot to his left thigh, three or four inches above the knee?" Maxwell asked but the shocked look on Joshua's face as all he needed.

"How...how did you know that?" Joshua asked and Maxwell smiled.

"I knew it, the second I saw your son I thought of him. I served with Aaron Mathews the last two years I was in the service. I don't know if you know it or not but Josh is damn near the spitting image of the man I knew, only a little taller and with black hair." Maxwell said and the house went silent, even Max and Josh who had been slashing each other with the soapy dishwater stopped to listen.

"Wait, Calvin....I didn't make the connection. Are you 'Iron hide' Calvin?" Joshua asked and Maxwell broke out laughing.

"Good lord, he is still on about that...yes I am 'Iron hide' Calvin. I haven't heard that nick name in decades.” Maxwell said with a reminiscent shake of the head.

"I should thank you. Dad said you were the one who bandaged him up when he was shot." Joshua said, still a little in awe of the discovery.

"Your father saved me once before too so we're more than even. Does he happen to live around here; I wouldn't mind seeing the old warhorse again before I head back home." Maxwell said and Joshua and Emma suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"Erm...Yes he and my mother live here in town. However I don't know how up he would be to visitors, especially if he were to figure out you were Max's Grandfather." Joshua said, looking suddenly worried at the slightly outraged look that came over Maxwell's face.

"Its not like you think Sir, well it might be. I'm not sure," Josh said as he and Max came into the living room, 'You see Sir, my Grandfather found out about Max and I somehow...and he didn't take it very well." Josh said and Maxwell was transported back to the previous night by the hurt and the pain on Josh's face.

Maxwell wanted to say something, anything to comfort the boy but he couldn't think of what to say that would be appropriate, after all he didn't know the family that well and he didn't want to risk upsetting his anymore.

Luckily he was saved the need of addressing him by his Grandson's intervention. He smiled a bit as Max wrapped his arms around his taller companion and pulled him close to him, wrapping his arms around his torso and hugging him closely.

Maxwell watched as Josh's shoulders began to shake and as his parents got up to comfort him Maxwell waved them off. In their place he walked over to Max and Josh and rested his hand on Josh's back.

"Max, why don't you two go upstairs for a bit while we talk?" He said as he looked over as his daughter and the Mathews', all of whom nodded in agreement.

"Thanks Grandpa." Max whispered as he led Josh upstairs, Josh keeping his face from the adults because he couldn't control the tears streaming from the corner of his eyes.

Maxwell waiting until he heard the distant close of Max's bedroom door before he turned to his daughter and Josh's parents.

"I am so very sorry for bringing up the subject, I had no idea." He said quietly, looking quite upset.

"No, don't be sorry Calvin. How could you have known? I really should have told Debbie when she called last night; I had a feeling that this might come up but I didn't say anything." Emma said looking sad.

"I really wish you had Emma, I wouldn't have pushed so hard for you all to come over tonight. I mean I can't imagine what Josh is going through...well actually I guess I can." Debbie said with a sheepish look at her father.

"Yes...that's one reason we decided to come," Joshua said as he took his wife's hand in both of
his," You see, we don't quite know how to help Josh through this. We've talked to him of course, told him that it wasn't his fault and that Dad just needs time to think and sort things out. But to be honest with you I'm not so sure. We were hoping he'd confide in Max and hoped that he might be able to help...seeing as Max has been there before....No offense Calvin." Joshua finished, looking sideways at Maxwell, who had sat down in the arm chair.

"No, no of course not, none taken Joshua." Maxwell replied. In reality he hadn't really been paying attention to his story. His thoughts were focused on the behavior of his old army friend and the strange twist of circumstance's he had found himself in.

Maxwell sat quietly while he let his daughter and the Mathews talk around him, he couldn't go back home and leave this situation unresolved...somehow he had to do something.

                                                             *      *      *

Max lay back on his bed; Josh curled up next to him with his head on his chest.

"Why didn't you tell what happened? Gods, I was such a jerk; in the kitchen yammering on and on about me and Grandpa, going on about how we went hiking and camping...Why didn't you stop me?" Max asked and Josh looked up at him with a smile.

"Because it was nice, I liked hearing about a good part of your childhood, you never talk about it. I didn't believe you when you said you guys didn't have a close relationship you know, you wouldn't have been so upset if you had." Josh said and Max let himself get carried away in the subject change.

"Yeah...it was the best. Grandpa treated me like a son; I remember this one time....HEY! That’s not the point." Max said, finally catching what Josh had done.

Josh pulled away and sat up on the edge of the bed, running a hand over his face and the back of his neck

"I know its not...I'm sorry I tricked you....I just...I just don't want to think about it right now. I want to focus on being here, with you. Just please, don't make me..." Josh said and Max saw his shoulders shaking again.

Max sat up and wrapped his arms around him again and pulled him back down to the bed.

Max knew it wasn't good for Josh to bottle things up, he had seen what it did to him, but just for now he wouldn't push. He'd just hold him and let him cry out his frustrations and pain. There would be time later to help Josh face the situation and its implications.

                                                             *      *      *

"Debbie, I know the three of us agreed it would best to have the boys spend some time apart, and we certainly don't want to intrude on any bonding for him and his grandfather, but do you think it would be OK if he could stay the night tonight with Max? Joshua and I were talking before we left and we think that them spending some time together would help with Josh's mood." Emma asked as she and Debbie made some coffee for the four of them.

"Oh no, I don't mind at all. I'm sure Max will be delighted to spend some time with him. I don't think dad would mind either." She said as the two of them came back to the living room.

"I wouldn't mind what darling?" Maxwell asked as he took his cup.

"Having Josh stay the night tonight. After all, you said your friend wouldn't be back this way until Tuesday." Debbie said as she sat down.

"No, not at all. I'd actually like the chance to get to know him better before I go home, but I would like to ask a small favor." he said as he turned to Joshua.

"I'll accommodate if I can." Joshua said, looking wary.

"I make it a policy not to get involved in private matters if I can help it but I would like the permission to visit Aaron. I know it's not my place to interfere but I don't feel I can leave in good conscience without speaking to him." Maxwell said and Joshua looked to Emma.

"Can you give us some time to think about it? You said you'd be leaving Tuesday...give us tomorrow to think it over and we'll let you know Monday." Emma said and Joshua nodded in agreement.

"Of course, take all the time you need. Its just...I don't want him or Josh to go through the kind of pain and distress Max and I have these last few years." Maxwell said and Joshua and Emma nodded in sympathy.

                                                             *      *      *

Josh was lying warm and comfortable in the circle of Max's arms when a knock came to the door, rousing both boys from their light doze.

"Come in." Max called as he and Josh sat up.

"I don't want to disturb, I just wanted to bring this up to my boy and say goodnight." Josh's dad said as he slipped into the room carrying Josh's apparently stuffed back pack.

"I don't get it." Josh said, confused in his light grogginess.

"You're staying here tonight and tomorrow if you'd like. Your mother and I and Debbie talked about it, your punishment is over." Joshua replied as he tossed the bag to his son.

"Does this have anything to do with Grandpa flipping out...I don't want you guys to relent just because I'm upset." Josh said harshly, a feeling of shame creeping up his spine.

"Josh...Don’t." Max whispered as he laid a hand on his back and Josh regretted his outburst...he was more on edge than he thought.

Josh ducked his head meekly for a few moments then looked up carefully at his dad, glad to see there was no anger on his face. He stood up and walked over to his dad, who wasted not time in pulling him into a heavy hug.

"I'm sorry dad...I'm just...I'm running on empty." Josh whispered and let himself be pushed out to arms length, his dad's hands still on his shoulders.

"I know son, that’s why we're letting up because as much as your mother and I love you and want to help you, this is where you need to be right now, and Max is who you need to be with. This thing with your grandfather...Max and his grandpa know what it's like and what it does to you." Joshua said and Josh could practically feel the heat from Max's blush across the room.

"Mr. Calvin is OK with it then...? I don't want to take away from his visit with Max." Josh said as he looked back at his partner, still sitting on the bed.

"Maxwell is more than happy to have you here; he said he looks forward to getting to know you better." Joshua said and smiled at his son's sheepish.

"Papaw Calvin isn't as threatening as he comes off, not when you get to know him." Max piped up, sensing Josh's discomfort.

"I don't want you to worry about anything Josh, I just want you to relax and recharge. Things will get better. I promise." Joshua said and Josh nodded in agreement.

"I promise I'll try dad." Josh said as he hugged his father again.

"Good, now I need to get going, your mother sends her love....and this." Mr. Mathews said with an embarrassed smile as he pulled his son down slightly and kissed his forehead.

Max had a hard time suppressing his desire to laugh and ultimately failed because of the look of mingled shock and embarrassment on both Josh's and his dads faces.

"Thanks dad, give mom this for me." Josh said and grabbed his dad's head and laying a loud wet raspberry on his forehead.

Joshua pushed his son away and playfully punched him in the stomach a few times before he pushed him back onto Max's bed.

"Will do son, goodnight. Goodnight Max." Joshua said before he left.

The twinge of envy Max felt as he watched Josh play with his dad was something he had to quickly extinguish; he had long since accepted the fact that there would be no reconciliation between him and his father.

Instead Max stood up and stripped out of his clothes and walked over to his closet in just a pair of tight white boxer briefs that left nothing to imagination.

"What are you doing?" Josh asked weakly as he fought the desire to rip off the teasing undergarment and take Max.

"Changing out of these stuffy clothes, you should do the same." Max said as he pulled on a green sleeveless shirt and a pair of jean shorts.

Josh opened his pack and pulled out the clothes that his folks packed for him. He decided on the black tank top and the pair of cloth jogging short.

He stood up and stripped out of his clothes, very aware that Max was watching him hungrily.

Josh resisted the urge to put on a little show for Max, maybe later they could play.

Once they were both dressed in more comfortable clothing the pair went down stairs to find that there weren't the only ones to have dressed down. Debbie sat in a short sleeved and shorts Winnie the Pooh pajamas and Max's Grandpa had traded in his button up and slacks for a short sleeved flannel shirt and pair of sweat pants.

Josh sat down on the love seat as Max went to get them something to drink, he felt a little out of place sitting so casually with Max's family. With her schedule Josh hadn't been around Mrs. Calvin very much and despite all the positive stuff he had done he was still a little leery of his Grandfather, especially considering the man was in remarkably good shape for a man his age, he looked like he could hold his own with Max if the two were to ever come to blows.

Josh's nerves relaxed somewhat though when Max sat down next to him, passing him another glass of iced tea. He smiled as Max wrapped an arm around his waist and rested his head on his shoulder. Josh wrapped an arm around Max and rested his head again Max's.

It was nice sitting there with Max and his family, his mom and grandpa were watching some movie on TV and him and Max just sitting there together. He closed his eyes and let himself sink in the warmth of Max's embrace.

                                                             *      *      *

Max looked down at Josh's sleeping face; it was almost a shame to have to wake him up.

"Josh, wake up." Max called as he shook Josh gently.

"Hmm...I'm not asleep." Josh said as he shook himself awake.

"Yeah you were, and I've got the pictures to prove it." Max said as he tossed a Polaroid down onto Josh's lap.

Josh picked up the picture and looked at it; sure enough there he was kicked back on the love seat dead to the world.

"I can't believe you took this." Josh said as he stood up.

"It was Grandpa's idea not mine. He thought it was hilarious." Max said as he took Josh's hand and pulled him up the stairs.

"Where are him, and your mom?" Josh asked as they made it to Max's room.

"They went to bed about an hour ago." Max said as he made sure the door was closed.

Max turned back to Josh to see him smiling at him, he knew what that smile meant. Max stepped into Josh's outstretched arms and immediately felt Josh's hands slip under the back of his shirt.

Max buried his face against Josh's chest, inhaling the scent of his body mixed with his cologne as Josh's hand continued on their trek up and down his sides and back.

Josh stepped back and pulled off his shirt as Max started to kiss and nibble at his chest through the fabric.

Max didn't wait for Josh's reaching hands to grasp the hem of his shirt; he quickly pulled off his sleeveless, knocking his glasses askew in the process, and quickly dove on Josh. His lips connecting this time with Josh's bare flesh.

"Someone's eager." Josh said quietly as Max trailed kisses down his chest.

"You have no idea." Max whispered back before playfully biting Josh's nipple.

Josh's yelp of surprise was quickly replaced by groans of delight as Max slipped his hands down the back of his shorts, his strong hands gripping his ass hard.

Max was surprised however when Josh shoved him away quickly. Before Max had time to do more than just stare in stunned surprise Josh stripped out of his shorts and underwear and jumped onto Max's bed and dove under his covers.

All Max could was smile as he heard Josh laughing under the blanket, if Josh wanted to play than Max would play. Max shed what little clothing he had on and crawled under the blanket after Josh.

Max used his hands to guide him up Josh's long, lean body in the small dark space. He purposefully tickled and teased any part of Josh he could, making him wiggle and writhe against him. Soon Max found what he was looking for, Josh's hard cock laying against his abdomen.

Max let his finger tips dance along the rigid flesh as he continued to crawl upwards until he found Josh's neck; he lay his head down on Josh's shoulder and kissed his neck and the hollow of his throat.

"I've missed you so much this week, touching you, holding you, feeling you're skin against mine." Max whispered, his hand leaving Josh's rigid cock and glide up and down his torso.

"I've missed you too. I was hoping that I could talk my folks into letting me stay this weekend. I guess grandpa flipping out did some good after all." Josh said quietly in their warm, dark confine.

"Don't think about that, not tonight. We can worry about that tomorrow." Max whispered as he pulled the cover from around their head so that he could find his lips.

Josh shifted under Max and wrapped his legs around his waist and returned Max's kiss passionately.

No more words needed to be said. The love, lust, and desire that showed in each others eyes said all the words that needed to be said as Max pulled his mouth from Josh's and looked into his eyes.

Josh's hand groped under the pillow for the bottle he was sure was there, finding it he slipped his hands between their warm bodies and popped the top and let the cool, clear gel pour onto Max's hard cock.

Max rose up on to his knees and let the blanket fall from around his shoulders as Josh lifted his legs higher on Max's frame, scooting himself closer to Max in the process. Max's breath caught in his chest at the smile and look of deep pleasure that spread across Josh's face as pushed into his lover for the first time in three weeks.

Max was in ecstasy, he didn't realize just how much he missed Josh till he'd seen him in the doorway and had thought of little else the entire night except this, making love to the amazing man.

He didn't want their night to end too quickly so Max slowed his strokes and tried to distract himself from the sensations coursing through his body.

He had very little luck; Josh's hands were on his sides pulling him down against him. Max couldn't resist, he buried his face in Josh's neck, drinking in his scent as Josh ran his fingers through his hair and down his back.

"More." Josh whispered in his ear and Max knew what he wanted. He braced himself on his forearms and buried himself harder...deeper...faster.

Josh groaned in pleasure and Max echoed him, there was no distracting against the heat of Josh's body, his hand roaming up and down his skin, the taste of his lips against his.

Max pressed himself down against Josh, rubbing the underside of Josh's cock.

"Max..." Josh moaned and Max felt him erupt against his stomach, the contraction of Josh's body was all he needed, he bit his bottom lip as he explode, filling Josh.

He didn't have a second to relax through; Josh pulled him close, bringing their lips together. Max wrapped his arms around Josh and rolled over; bring Josh on top of him.

"I'm sorry I didn't last longer...you're just too damn much." Josh said as he nuzzled down against Max's big chest.

"You're the one who’s too damn much...I was doing just fine 'til you started begging for more." Max said and was rewarded with a small jab to his side from Josh.

"I wasn't begging...I was...suggesting." Josh said, the heat from his face burning against Max's chest.

Max kissed the top of Josh's head letting his hands travel up and down his sweaty back.

"I wouldn't have last long anyway, I've been thinking about you all night, imagining what I wanted to do to you." Max said and Josh looked up at him, surprised.

"What, you were the one freaking out about my Grandpa, not me." Max said with a laugh.

"Damn....you don't think he heard us to you?" Josh asked, suddenly looking nervous. Max actually considered the possibility for a second, even though he was old he knew his Grandpa still had impeccable hearing...and the guest room was right down the hall.

"God I hope not..." Was all that Max could muster.

"Let's get a shower." Josh said and Max agreed.

They didn't bother getting dressed once they were cleaned up. They lay down and Max laid his head on Josh's shoulder.

"I love you." Max whispered and Josh kissed his forehead and whispered his agreement.

                                                             *      *      *

Maxwell sat at the small kitchen table sipping at his coffee. It was early, he was the only one up and he was glad for it. His mind was still going over what he had heard the night before. Max's boyfriend asking if he had heard them.

It didn't take much imagination to figure out what he meant.

Maxwell hadn't meant to hear the conversation. The guest room had been a bit cold and he knew there were extra blankets in the closet down the hall, which was very close to his grandson's room.

He was old but he still had ears like a fox and the muffled voices from the nearby bedroom had drawn his attention. He knew he shouldn't have eavesdropped but it was a habit, one he had learned from his wife who had always been something of a gossip.

He was glad he had come down the hall when he did instead of any earlier, his mind shied away from what he might have heard. Maxwell may have been old but he was far from naive, he had a relative idea of what gay men did behind closed doors.

It was times like this that he was glad for his lack of imagination, the images that floated unbidden through his mind were hazy and half formed and he was quite able to block them out.

Maxwell had accepted his grandson's lifestyle and was more than fond of Josh but as happy as he was for the two of them he didn't need the details of their intimate life.

He continued to sit there and sip at his coffee as he stared out of the window, watching the dawn rise. He was looking forward to spending some time with the boys that day, though for the life of him he wasn't sure what they were going to do.

"I see you're still an early riser Papaw." His grandson's voice brought Maxwell out of his reverie.

He turned to see Max coming through the kitchen doorway, dressed only in a pair of flannel pajama pants

The Calvin men came from hearty stock, you'd be hard pressed to find skinny or frail men among them and as he took in Max's thick arms and chiseled chest and stomach he was glad that he had inherited the Calvin men's good looks. He hadn't seen Max's brother in many years so he had no idea what he looked like and from the pictures he had seen of his other grandson Mark he could tell that Mark favored his fathers family but his short stature and slim build looked very nice on him.

"Old habits are hard to break." Maxwell said as he watched Max pull out eggs, a green pepper, a bunch of green onions and spinach, a tomato and low-fat shredded cheese from the icebox.

Max only smiled as he set his supplies down on the counter and added to them a large knife, cutting board, a wide casserole dish, and a large mixing bowl.

Maxwell watched in fascination as Max set to work, expertly dicing and chopping the vegetables.

"What are you making?" He asked as he got up to refill his coffee cup.

"A frittata, an egg dish. It's Grandma's recipe." Max said happily as he poured the diced vegetables into the mixing bowl.

"Ahh, I wondered why the preparations looked so familiar." Maxwell said, he remembered now the summer Max turned thirteen that he had stayed with them. Caroline had spent three weeks teaching Max the finer points of cooking and maintaining a kitchen.

"Every young man should know how to cook healthy meals for themselves, especially if he lacks a good wife to help him out." She had said and he remembered that Max had looked slightly uncomfortable when she said that part. At the time he had figured it was just a young man being embarrassed but looking back it was obvious, Max never intended on having a wife.

Max for his part though had attacked her lessons with a classic childlike enthusiasm. He listened intently as she showed him how to properly handle a knife when chopping or dicing anything, how to peel an onion without crying your eyes out, how to thicken a watery sauce or soup. If Max loved anything more than hiking or running around behind him it was helping his grandmother cook every night.

"You remember your Grandmothers lessons than?" Maxwell asked as Max cracked eight eggs and mixed them in with the vegetables with some skim milk.

“It would be impossible to forget Mamaws's kitchen lessons; she was adamant and very thorough, just like you when we'd go camping, teaching me what kind of plants and berries were safe to eat, how to build a fire properly and find the directions at night by using the stars. I even remember your little fire starting trick with cotton balls and Vaseline. You and Mamaw taught me a lot those summers Papaw." Max said as he poured the mixture into the casserole dish and slid it into the oven.

It meant the world to know that the skills he and Caroline had tried to teach Max had indeed stuck with him all these years.

"I'm glad that you learned from us, trust me we learned just as much from you as you did us." Maxwell said and he patted his grandson's bare shoulder.

"Do you always cook without a shirt?" He asked, sensing a golden opportunity to tease his grandson.

Max blushed and suddenly looked very self conscious.

"No...I'm usually fully dressed...does it bother you?" Max asked, looking down at his smooth torso.

"Not at all, I walked around shirtless a lot in my youth, just ask your grandmother. Beside, I'm sure Josh likes the view just as much as your Grandmother liked her view of me." Maxwell said as he playfully squeezed Max' round bicep and the younger man blushed a furious scarlet.

"Yeah...he does...and I bet Mamaw still likes it when you show off your guns." Max said with a smile as he slipped his hand up his Grandpa's short sleeve and squeezed the still firm muscle.

At his words it was Maxwell's turn to be embarrassed...Caroline was indeed still impressed with his physique and the red creeping up around his ears ruined any smart rebuff he might have used against his Grandson.

"I knew it, you sly old devil." Max said as he wrapped one arm around his grandpa's shoulders.

"Don't you have a lover upstairs you need to get back to?" Maxwell said, thoroughly embarrassed at Max's perception.

"Yes Sir I do, in fact I need to go try and wake him up, he's not a morning person." Max said giving his grandpa another one arm squeeze before he left the kitchen to wake Josh.

                                                             *      *      *

"Josh...Josh wake up breakfast will be done soon." The words floated into Josh's sleepy, hazy mind but he didn't pay attention to them, he rolled over and pulled the blanket tightly around him.

Josh felt hands on his shoulder, shaking him gently but he pulled away and pulled the cover around his head.

"Sleepy, go away." he grumbled as he tried to fight the awareness coming to him.

He felt the bed give and soft, big, warm hands snaked under his little cocoon and stroked up and down his naked body, making him tingle where they touched him.

"Come on baby boy, get up...or else I'll have to explain on my own what those groans and whimpers he heard last night were." Max whispered and Josh shot straight up, looking panicked.

"What...he heard us...are you sure." Josh whispered frantically, until he heard Max laughing.

"That isn't funny...." Josh whispered as he pulled his knees up to his chest, his memory going back to Friday night and the things his grandpa had said to him.

Josh put his head down on his arms and let the tears he had been holding back off and on since Friday fall.

"I'm sorry Josh...I was just playing...I didn't mean to upset you." Max's voice was quiet and his arm's soft and comforting as they wrapped around his waist.

Josh wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, unwilling to open up the pain he had bottled in his chest.

"It wasn't...It wasn't Max, it just...it took me back to Friday night. I was afraid when you said he heard us that he might have acted like my Grandpa did." Josh said and Max's arms tightened around him.

"What happened Josh...?" Max asked and Josh shook his head.

"Cliff notes version be OK?" Josh asked, he didn't want to recount the entire night...he just wanted to skip to the freak out part.

"Of course it is." Max said and Josh rested his head back against Max's chest.

"Grandpa was quiet all night, that wasn't like him. Usually when he's around me and Dad he never shuts up but not Friday. Dad tried all night to get him to talk but nothing worked. Finally toward the end of the night dad looked at him and asked him what was wrong...and he went berserk.

He said that I was what was wrong, that I was a disgrace to our family name because I was a… because I was gay and that our family name would die out because of me...because it was my responsibility to carry it on because all three of my Aunt's have had girls...He said that I was no longer welcome around him.

He stormed out of the room and refused to talk to any of us, not even Grandma. She said she didn't know how he'd found out, he wouldn't tell her and that she was sorry because she didn't know that he was going to act like that or she wouldn't have let us come to dinner. She sent us home and told us to give her some time to work on him." Josh finished his story, his voice barely more than a whisper by the time he was done.

Max's arms were still tight around him and he could feel the heat radiating from Max, he knew Max was angry; Max's body heat seemed to triple when he was angry or upset. Josh moved up on to his knees and turned to look at Max, the cover falling off to reveal his bare body pressed against Max's partially clothed body.

"You're mad." Josh said in a sheepish whisper.

"You're damn right I'm mad baby boy. NO one has the right to talk to you like that, not even family. Grandfather or not he's lucky I wasn't there that night, he wouldn't have had the option of silence, and no door in that house would have stopped me." Max said and Josh could feel the curbed anger in his voice.

Josh didn't know whether to feel happy at Max's words or afraid at their implication. He knew Max had a mean streak, especially where he was concerned and he was always worried that he might loose his grip on something stupid.

Josh was pulled out of his thoughts by Max's lips against his forehead.

"I'm sorry for that...I didn't mean it...OK I did mean it but I wouldn't have done it, not with you there. I wouldn't have put you through that...you know that right? No matter how angry I get I'd never take it out on you, never let it hurt you to make your afraid." Max whispers and Josh's heard the fear in his voice.

"I know Max. I don't know what it was that made you so afraid of hurting people because of your strength and getting angry but I know you'd never intentionally hurt someone for no reason." Josh replied and pressed his lips against Max.

They knelt there on the bed, just gently kissing and caressing each other. It's likely that their petting would have gone much further if Max's grandpa hadn't yelled up the stairs for them.

"Max, you might want to get down here, your Frittata is done and I can't find any oven mitts or potholders." The older man's voice broke them apart and max smiled.

"Get dressed and come down for breakfast, and bring me a shirt when you come, will ya?" Max said before kissing Josh gently and rushing out of the room.

                                                              *      *      *

Maxwell was sitting in the living room when Josh came down the stairs. He watched him out of the corner of his eye as he walked over to Max, who was in the kitchen dishing up his slightly over done frittata. Maxwell couldn't help but smile at the sheepish look Josh got when Max kissed his cheek when he handed over the red t-shirt he had brought down with him.

Something else was there though, something other than the look of hesitant affection. There was dullness in the boys’ eyes and there was a draw on his face, something that pulled it back into a look of upset and distance when ever Max would look away.

Maxwell decided to wait, to pretend he hadn't been watching, something was still bothering him and Maxwell assumed it was the boys grandfather, his old friend. But he would wait until he could be sure before he tried to comfort him.

"You want some ketchup Gramps?" Max called from the kitchen and Maxwell smiled, Max still remembered.

"Of course, bring the bottle." Maxwell called back and watched the two boys leave the kitchen.

Maxwell accepted the plate from Josh and the ketchup bottle from Max and turned his attention to his food, letting the mystery of Josh's mood drop for now.

Despite his focus on his food though Maxwell couldn't help but watch the boy out of the corner of his eye. Max's attention was on wolfing down his eggs so he didn't notice the way Josh picked at his food and the listless look on his face.

Maxwell waited and when Josh excused himself to go to the bathroom before he turned to Max.

"Josh is still feeling the effects of Friday night I see." Maxwell said quietly and Max looked up at him.

"Yeah he is. He broke down and told me about it this morning." Max said and related the story to his Grandpa in a whisper.

Though Max's voice never rose above a whisper Maxwell could see the anger he felt, his tight clenched hands, the angry flush in his face, the set of his eyes.

"I know you're upset but you need to watch how you let that anger out Max, both his parents and your mother could take it the wrong way." Maxwell said and his grandson nodded.

That was another trait of the Calvin men, they had terrible tempers. Maxwell's own father had been very abusive to him and his mother when he would get into a rage.

"I've asked for permission to talk to his grandfather on the subject, I'm hoping to hear from his parents today. The best thing you can do for him, Max, is just be there to comfort him." Maxwell said and Max nodded again and before Maxwell could say anything else he heard the click of the downstairs bathroom door.

                                                             *      *      *

The rest of the day passed fairly peacefully. The four of them, as soon as Max's mom came out of her room, spent most of the day watching TV. Around noon Debbie left for her lunch with Emma and Josh found himself deep in conversation with Max's grandpa.

Josh had been worried of what the older man had in mind when his parents told him that he'd wanted to get to know him better and he was glad the Maxwell Sr. hadn't suggested the three of them going anywhere; he was feeling better after his little micro break down in the bathroom that morning but he still didn't feel being out and about.

He was content to sit on the love seat with Max and answer his grandpa's questions.

"I think he likes me." Josh said as he rested back against Max's chest as Maxwell left the room to take a call.

"Of course he does, what's not to love?" Max replied as he tightened his arms around Josh's waist.

"I don't know; the fact that I'm not a girl?" Josh said a slight smile.

"Actually that doesn't make much difference to me; I don't think there is a woman out there that could make my Grandson smile like you do. I'm happy about that." Maxwell's voice made both boys jump.

Josh couldn't help but smile, he was embarrassed sure but...Maxwell said he was happy that he was in Max's life. He lay back against Max's chest, happy that just for now life was good.

                                                             *      *      *

Maxwell drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as he sat at a red light. Ever since he had gotten permission from the Mathew's he had been questioning the wisdom of his decision to speak to Aaron about his reaction to Max and Josh's relationship.

True he had soothed his doubts by telling himself that it was too much of a coincidence that he had blown up exactly the same day he had come to see Max, that Max had fallen in love with the grandson of the man he had once called his best friend.

Before Maxwell had time to do much more than marvel at the strange circumstances he had found himself in he had steered the pick up to a small two story white house, the front and back yards were both secured by a fence, a chain link for the front and a high, wooden privacy fence in the back.

Maxwell let out a deep sigh...it was too late to drive away, he had seen an older woman looking out of the living room window when he pulled up and now she was standing in the doorway, shielded by the glass of the screen door.

"Can I help you?" The lady asked sharply as Maxwell walked up to the door without preamble.

"You must be the lady of the house. I was wondering in an Aaron Mathews was residing here?" Maxwell replied kindly.

"Yes, Aaron, my husband, does live here. Can I ask what business you have with him?" She asked; her voice still less than friendly.

Maxwell smiled inwardly, he liked this woman, she was full of fire and steel, just like his darling Caroline.

"I'm just an old friend passing through, hoping to see another old friend. I'm Maxwell, Maxwell Calvin." Maxwell replied and the woman's eyes brightened a bit.

"I see…well I suppose you can come in," She said and unlocked the screen door and pushed it open for him, "Aaron is up in the attic doing god knows what. If you'll wait here I'll fetch him." She said once she'd let him into the airy, well lit foyer.

Maxwell waited patiently as she disappeared upstairs. He had recognized Shannon as soon as he came within decent range. He had seen her many, many times in his youth. Not her exactly but a black and white photo of her that Aaron had never been shy about showing off, he was always proud of the beauty that had chosen to love him. He would sing the praises of her coal black hair and her brown eyes.

He had wanted to compliment her but felt it best not arouse any more animosity in her by saying he had seen her before, and than explaining the circumstances by which they had come about.

"Iron hide Calvin, it's been far too long my friend." The familiar voice called Maxwell's attention to the stairs.

Maxwell turned around and even through the gray hair, wrinkles and a little extra weight he could still see his old friend shinning out of those big brown eyes and easy smile. Maxwell stepped up to the short man and swept him into a bone crushing hug, which was returned to him with equal force.

"Iron hide, what in the devil brings you to my neck of the woods?" Aaron asked and Maxwell kicked the story he had rehearsed into effect.

"I'm just passing through, visiting family. A little birdie told me you lived around here and I had to stop in. If it's a bad time I'll gladly go through, but I leave tomorrow." Maxwell said, it was a cheap trick, using time to make sure he was well received (at least at first) but he had no other choice.

"No, nonsense come in. You've met my wife Shannon. Shannon honey this is old Iron Hide, if not for him you wouldn't be married to me today." He said and if Maxwell hadn't known better he would not have had the slightest idea of the horrible affair that had taken place here only a few days ago.

"Well then I guess that warrants a drink than. What can I get you Mr. Calvin?" Shannon asked and Maxwell saw something in her eyes, he wonderer if she had made him.

"Whatever you have a plentiful supply of dear lady. No alcohol though, I'm driving a borrowed car." He said and she smiled.

"That's not your truck out front, shame, it’s a real beaut'." Aaron replied as he pulled Maxwell into a small sitting room.

"It is but no it belongs to my Grandson." Maxwell said and Aaron froze for a second and his jovial smile fell, but only for a second but the usage of 'grandson' had got the reaction he'd hoped for.

 

"So…you've got family up here. I'm guessing it's one of your kids, son or daughter?" Aaron asked and gave Maxwell the perfect opening.

"Aaron, have some manners, at least let the man have a drink before you start the inquisition." Shannon said as she appeared in the doorway, holding two glasses of lemonade.

"Thank your dear, I'm sorry." Aaron said with a smile to his wife.

"Thank you Shannon." Maxwell said as he took the glass.

After taking a few sips Maxwell plowed on, ideally he had hoped to talk only with Aaron but he saw no way of getting around having Shannon there.

"No sons for me, two beautiful girls are what god decided to give me. My youngest lives in these parts, along with her youngest boy, who I admit is something like the son I never had. What about you, I'm guessing the four in that picture up there are yours." Maxwell said, pointing to a picture on the wall behind Aaron, Joshua clearly visible behind three girls that looked remarkably like Shannon.

Aaron turned to look at the picture and his face fell some as he pulled the picture off the wall and sat down in one of the armchairs that littered the room, motioning for Maxwell to do the same.

"Yes these are mine. Marion is my oldest; she has two girls of her own, twins. Erica and Melanie have a girl a piece. Joshua is my youngest. It seems like girls always out number the boys in my family." Aaron said and passed the picture to Maxwell to have a better look at; the fact that Aaron hadn't mentioned any children for Josh wasn't lost on him.

"You'd know, didn't you once tell me you have five sisters of your own?' Maxwell asked and Aaron smiled and nodded in agreement.

"I wonder though Aaron, why you didn't tell me about Joshua's son. He has a boy doesn't he, he's around seventeen now, he's named after his father, but he looks a lot like you." Maxwell said and put the picture on the table between them.

Maxwell's words got the response he had been hoping for. Aaron looked shocked and more than a little uncomfortable.

"How on earth did you know?" Shannon asked, unlike the two men she hadn't seated herself, she still stood near the door to the sitting room.

"Aaron and I share more than scars and war stories Shannon my dear. We've found ourselves in a similar situation. You see I have a grandson too; he's seventeen and lives here with his mother. His name is Max Calvin, he's named after me, and he's very fond of your Grandson Josh." Maxwell said and looks of comprehension dawned on both of them.

"Shannon, dear, please give us a few moments." Aaron said quietly and Shannon nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.

"I've wonder over the years since the boy moved here...what were the chances he was related to my old friend, a man I hadn't seen in decades. I've seen him a few times; he looks a bit like you, especially when we were in the service together." Aaron said and he got this far away look in his eyes.

"It's a family trait my friend, the Calvin men are seldom small people." Maxwell said with a smile.

"Do queers run in your family too or is it just your perverted grandson?" Aaron said with a snort of disgust and Maxwell had to repress his rage.

"In the interest of keeping that smile I'm sure your wife is fond of I'll forget you just said that and it would be in your best interest not to insult my grandson again Aaron." Maxwell said and for the first time since leaving the service he WANTED someone to be afraid of him. Maxwell was glad to see Aaron's face go as white as his hair and he seemed to regret his words.

"What do you want here Maxwell, It's obvious you're not just passing through." Aaron asked and Maxwell conceded.

"I came here to see my Grandson Aaron so my passing through is the truth. The rest is... a fabrication. I had dinner with your Grandson and his parents Saturday night you see, I wanted to meet the boy who had my Max so enthralled. Over the course of the evening it was let slip that you had found out about the boys and had had a very negative reaction." Maxwell said and Aaron looked upset.

"They told you want happened?" Aaron asked quietly.

"Well I didn't get the details, only that you somehow found out about our grandsons being in love and that you didn't take it very well." Maxwell was lying of course, Max had told him word for word what Aaron had said but he was not to know that.

"Come on Maxwell, you can't honestly tell me you think of what they're doing as loving." Aaron said and that look of disgust was back on his face.

"I'm not referring to the physical activity Aaron, I'm talking about the feelings; the emotion. I've watched those two boys together and yes I damn well believe they love each other, as much as I love my wife, as much as you love yours." Maxwell replied, his mind shying away from the crude meaning of Aaron's question.

"You haven't answered my question Maxwell, why are you here?" Aaron asked again, this time being much more direct.

"I'm here to try and keep you from making the same mistake I made with my Grandson. I may not know exactly what happened but I know that you're destroying that boy. In the two days I've known him he's had two emotional break downs. Aaron...the boy thinks you hate him." Maxwell said and for the first time Aaron looked upset.

"He's told you that?" Aaron asked quietly.

"No, but he doesn't need to Aaron, I know the signs. I've lived them for the last three years." Maxwell said and Aaron looked expectant, he knew he wouldn't get away without telling Aaron his story.

It didn't take him long to retell his tale and by the end of it Aaron was looking dumb founded.

"What made you come back Maxwell?" Aaron asked quietly.

"My boy being in the hospital is what gave me the courage to come back, but I had been ready to mend fences for a long time before that... I never stopped loving Max, he was the son I never had and I still think of him that way. I came back to tell him how sorry I was and ask if we could fix things." Maxwell said and Aaron nodded before getting up from his chair and going over to a small desk in the corner of the room.

Maxwell watched as he pulled a black binder from inside a drawer.

"You can trace this branch of the Mathew's name back; father to son, one hundred years Iron Hide, and a further fifty through distant female relatives who married into the lineage. Over a hundred years...and that will come to an end with Josh...because of him this branch of my family name is over with." Aaron said as he held the binder possessively in his lap.

"Good god Aaron, you told me how fanatical your father was...you always said how foolish it was to look back to the past....you swore that you'd never put your own kids through the hell that he put you through. When did you pick up where he left off?" Maxwell asked, understanding hitting him hard.

When they were in the service together Aaron had told him about his father's fanatical quest to continue his family name, his family blood line, that that's why Aaron had five sisters, he needed to have a boy.

"The importance of heritage was explained to me when I came back from the war. I never expected to live this long, to see my grandchildren. My father didn't, his father didn't. I never pushed Joshua to have a son, I was elated when he did and to have the privilege to watch him grow up." Aaron said and Maxwell could hear the feeble defense in his voice.

"When did that privilege turn back into a fanatical need to breed?" Maxwell asked and Aaron flushed an angry red.

"I became...worried...when I realized Josh would be my only male grandchild. All of my daughter's have had girls and none of them plan on having any more grandchildren. Still I never pushed Josh, never once." Aaron said and this time not even he looked convinced by his own words.

"No, you never pushed him Aaron, you just made him feel like a failure, a traitor to his family for being the way god made him. Please Aaron tell me you realize how foolish this is, tell me that you plan on making this right." Maxwell pleaded, unable to accept that Aaron was truly going to let this happen.

Aaron though didn't answer, he got back up and replaced the binder back in the desk and picked up a framed picture that was face down on the desk.

"I don't know if I can do that Maxwell." Aaron replied as he stared at the picture.

Maxwell stood up and walked over to his old friend, placing his hand on his shoulder Maxwell looked down at the picture. He immediately noticed Josh, he may be the youngest in the picture but he stood a head taller than the four girls that stood around him, two of whom were mirror images of each other.

"When my time here is over Aaron and I stand in front of God and he asks me what my greatest regret from my life was I'll tell him it was three years I spent letting the only son I've ever known think I hated him.

I'm begging you Aaron; don't let that be your answer too. You still love that boy Aaron, if you didn't, if you felt even the slightest bit of rightness in the things you did or said to him than you wouldn't have let me stay when you realized who I was, you would have thrown me out on my ass." Maxwell said quietly as he gripped Aaron's shoulder tightly.

"He's coming home with Max today," Maxwell said as he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and put it on the table. "Call him Aaron; tell him you don't hate him and that you’re sorry for what you did." Maxwell said as he squeezed his old friends shoulder then turned to leave.

"There's two numbers here Maxwell." Aaron said and Maxwell turned to look back at his friend.

"The top one is Max's the bottom is mine. I'm heading home tomorrow, that's for if you ever need or want to talk." Maxwell said with as smile.

As Maxwell made it to the door a thought came to him. Suddenly worried he turned back to Aaron, who was still staring down at the picture in his hand.

"Aaron, don't give me a reason to come back here because I gave you my Grandson's number, you know what I mean Aaron, it wouldn't be pretty." Maxwell said and Aaron looked afraid for a single second before he nodded his agreement,

                                                              *      *      *                

Max stood with his mom, Josh, and his grandpa outside of the house, saying their good-byes while his friend looked on.

"I'm gonna miss you a lot Mr. Calvin, it's been real nice meeting you." Josh said as he gave the older man a hug, which made Max smile.

"I'm going to miss you too Josh," Maxwell said as he reached out and pulled Max into their hug as well, "I'm going to miss you both so very much. Which is why both of you are going to come and stay with Caroline this summer." He said as he let the two of them go; Max knew the elated look Josh had was mirrored on his face as well.

"That's not nearly soon enough Papaw...do you think that you and Grandma could come up for Thanksgiving or Christmas...or both?" Max asked hopefully and all four of them laughed.

"I think that might just be possible. Maybe we could even set up a celebration with your family as well Josh." Maxwell said and Max smiled once again at the happiness on his face.

Max was happy that Josh and his Grandfather had gotten along so well. He hoped that in time Josh could come to think of him as his grandpa too...especially since they had yet to hear from Josh's grandfather. Max and his mother had been aware that he had given him their number to reach Josh but they had decided not to tell Josh about...in case the older man never called.

"Come on Maxwell, we need to get on the road my friend." Maxwell's friend called from the old station wagon in the driveway. Max had the vague idea he had met the man before, the curly black hair streaked with gray, the rugged features and the tone of his voice pricked at his memory.

"I'll see you boys soon. I left the phone number and the email addresses of both Caroline and I inside...and don't look at me like that." Maxwell said in mock agitation, as all three of them looked highly amused at the word e-mail.

"It was wonderful o see you again dad, you'd better keep in touch." Debbie said as she pushed her way through the boys and gave the old man a hug.

"I will my darling, I promise. I love you all." Maxwell said as he pulled away from his daughter and turned to leave.

Max couldn't help but feel a little sad as he watched his grandpa leave, three days with the man after three years of silence wasn't enough but for now it would be enough, he'd see him soon at the holidays and then he and Josh would be visiting him for the summer. In the meantime he could call or email him.

"Don't you have to work on PCH tonight?" Josh asked as Max continued to watch the spot down the road where the station wagon had turned out of sight.

"Yep, it’s my first night back. I'll drop you off on the way to the school." Max said and went inside to tell his mom he was leaving.

Soon Max was sitting at the same little cubicle he had been at only a few times before, waiting for the phone in front of him to ring. Again he was nearing the end of shift, he had only taken two callers that night, neither of which had anything more serious to discuss than trivial problems with their girlfriends.

Max was shocked out of his musings by his phone ringing. Max picked it up and chanted out the now too familiar line.

"You've reached the PCH, my name is Xander, can I help you?" Max said and immediately knew something was wrong.

The sound of ragged breathing was coming through the receiver and he heard the clink of glass against glass.

"Xxxander, why in the hell do I keep getting you?" Even through the drunken slur Max could make out Danny's voice.

"Just lucky I guess. I've been wondering about you Danny, it sounds like you've been drinking." Max said, trying to put his voice somewhere between concerned and jovial.

"Like you actually care, no one cares. Not about me, I don't even know why I fucking called this looser ass number...I just saw it sitting on the table...and then I heard you." Dan's words were still slurred but his tone had changed, before he had been hostile now he seemed tired, contemplative.

Max capitalized on this opportunity and tried to get Danny talking.

"Danny why don't you tell me what made you break open the booze bottle tonight?" Max asked trying to sound like a friend.

"Does it matter? The booze takes away the pain, makes the pictures and memory fuzzy." Danny said his voice a whisper.

"What pictures and memories Danny?" Max asked confused, drunk Danny was a lot harder to understand than sober Danny.

"I did it again Xander, I had been doing real good...I hadn't hurt anyone or anything...then it happened. He was stronger than me...he threw me back against the wall of the gym and held me there...he told me he'd kill me I hurt Josh again...if I hurt anyone. He said, he said...said that I should kill myself and get it over with....I should, I can't control it." Danny's words dug into Max like a dull knife, it couldn't be, god it couldn't be Tom.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it Danny, he was probably just angry. No one wants you to kill yourself." Max said, trying to keep his composure.

"It hurt, hearing him say it, seeing his anger. Why do I have to be fucked up like this...why do I have to...have to...have to have to be like him...it's over...want it to be over..." At that Danny hung up and Max felt like he'd been plunged into ice water.

Max didn't take the time to think it through, didn't consider he could already be too late or that he should call the police or something. He got up from his cubicle and ran blindly from the office, ignoring Mrs. Reeves shouted question.

He threw open one of the double doors at the end of the hall and ran for his truck; a vague and distant memory of having to ride the bus to school once told him where to go.

                                                             *      *      *                

Tom Moure stood shakily in the middle of his room, an empty bottle of Jim Beam in his left hand, and a loaded gun in his right. Once again he turned in a circle, looking around the room without really seeing any of it. The scattered sheets of sketch paper on the floor shifted and ripped under his feet.

Tom fell to his knees and reached blindly for the sketches, the penciled images the only thing real to his drunken mind. The images excited him but killed him at the same time.

Killed, dying, death. He looked down at the revolver in his right hand and remembered retrieving it from the desk drawer in his fathers study, and then he remembered why. He threw the liquor bottle haphazardly against the wall, the sound of shattering glass not even registering to him.

Tom held the gun up to his temple and closed his eyes. He never heard the footsteps pounding up the stairs or the creak of the door. The shadow that fell over him didn't register, the only thing he felt was a crushing weight where his skull met his spine before he fell forward into darkness.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Well I hope yall liked this chapter. As always I need to give a big thanks to Rush for her work in editing. I’d love to get your thoughts so feel free to drop me a PM, an email at allenarcane88@yahoo.com, leave me a review to check out my discussion forum. I read and respond to everything.