Life Goes On - 22. Sad Return to Home

July - August 1973

As Henry, Roland and Alex drove home after seeing Betty / Mama off at the airport Alex lamented, “We will all miss Seth and none more than you, Henry. You lost a lover, I lost a friend who I think of as a son as well as a business associate. The business associate can be replaced, the son cannot. You know I have relied on Seth more and more each year. We now run the business as a team. I hoped someday he would take over. The delight in running the business is gone without Seth. Roland and I have discussed the next chapter in our lives. I plan to sell the business and retire. We are both in our 60s and financially secure. Roland plans to retire when I do. The big house with the beautifully landscaped grounds was fun twenty-five years ago but not having the landscaping business to maintain it the home will turn a pleasure into a burden. We will probably move into a smaller low maintenance place. Living at our present home has been maintenance easy since my firm took care of the landscaping, yard maintenance, snow plowing and small repairs. While I could hire someone or a firm to do all that, there would be the constant worry about the place, especially if we traveled as we plan to do. There is a new homeownership concept that has long been used in Europe. With this new concept, called ‘condominium’, you own the interior of your home with all outside maintenance, such landscaping, yard, and repairs to the outside of the building including driveways etc. being the responsibility of the owners association that hires a management company to overlook repairs and maintenance. While most condominiums look like apartment buildings there is one in the planning stages that consists of connected homes called town houses surrounded by beautiful landscaping.”

Henry commented. “You both deserve all the happiness possible. If moving to a smaller home with less worries will give you freedom to do what you want I say ‘go for it’. I have worked for you every summer since Seth and I moved north thirteen years ago. It has been wonderful, working with Seth, working with you, being a laborer outside using my body after nine months in the classroom. After a school year of teaching English to junior high kids the summers were a real refreshment of sun and fun and sweat. I will be at work tomorrow. Don’t tell me to take it easy after all the emotion of Seth’s death. I need to keep active and not just mope around the house.”

“If you want to work, I can certainly use you.”

As they approached home Roland suggested Henry stay for supper. After supper they watched TV together. Henry had stayed at their home the past week while Seth’s mother was there. This night and for the next two weeks he continued to sleep there. No sex was involved except for Henry’s hand giving nightly tributes to Seth. During the day he worked at the landscaping firm and evenings after supper watched TV with Alex and Roland or as all good English teachers do caught up on his reading. Dinners with friends and an occasional movie kept all minds occupied as each silently mourned the loss of Seth.

Aiden and Henry planned their trip to Georgia. The three (Henry, Aiden and Seth in his urn) would drive to Georgia in Aiden’s car. With most of Interstate highways I-71 through Ohio and I-75 in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia completed their trip to Aiden’s home town, Cou Rouge, in Northwest Georgia would hopefully take less than twelve hours. With an ice chest packed with sandwiches, fruit and pop (what soda or soft drink is called in Ohio) they departed at 5:00 in the morning. With both sharing driving and stopping only for gas and pissing they were at Aiden’s parents before 5:00 (17:00) in the afternoon. Aiden had written to his parents explaining that he and his friend, a Negro, would stay just one night and then drive on to Muddy Creek for the Memorial Service. After the service Aiden would return to Cou Rouge for a week and his friend would visit his family in Daisyville. He was apprehensive concerning his parent’s acceptance of Henry. As far as he knew his parents had no Negro friends and a Negro had never been in their home as a guest. He suggested an army cot be set up in his bedroom for Henry. Actually Aiden would insist that Henry have the comfortable bed once they were behind closed doors.

The night before they departed Vlad and Aiden had a tender session together. As they cuddled naked together Vlad told Aiden, “You and Henry will be traveling together and sometimes sleeping in the same room. As I am sure you have noticed he is handsome and very lovable appearing. We have seen him in action at our dessert parties with Alex. I sincerely hope that if you are both in the mood you have some quality time together. To be honest, if I were naked and alone with Henry I know what I would want to do. Have no regrets. I love you. I trust you. And, I want you to enjoy life.” With that Vlad pulled his lover in for a kiss and their bodies and minds responded. Their second session of the evening was long and tender as each fantasized about Henry and his magnificent uncut dick.

When they arrived Aiden’s parents were polite. His mother had a big pot of stew on the stove and a pecan pie fresh from the oven, Aiden’s favorite, ready for dessert. The conversation around the supper table was stilted. They discussed bland topics such as the weather, road conditions between Cleveland and Georgia, and The Waltons, a popular TV show about a family living in the mountains of Virginia during the 1930s and 40s.

Henry notice a copy of the best seller, All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot on an end table in the living room. Henry had assigned the book as required reading in his advanced class English class. He asked Mrs. Hudson if she had read it. She replied that she had just finished it and would be discussing it at her monthly book club meeting in two weeks which she would be hosting. She and Henry began a discussion of the book. She told him that as the month’s host she would lead the discussion and prepare a list of questions and discussion points. She admitted to Henry that while she enjoyed reading she was terrified of leading discussion groups. He laughed, “You sound like one of my students.” Since Henry had analyzed the book at length with his students, he suggested they prepare discussion points and questions together. For the next hour, interrupted only by her offering Henry more pie, she took notes as Henry provided insight that she had missed in her reading of the book. Meanwhile Aiden and his father sat in the living room watching an episode of M*A*S*H. Aiden was thrilled that his mother was charmed by Henry. Knowing that his parents had never had a social relationship with any Negros he had been apprehensive about their acceptance of Henry. When Henry and his mother finally emerged from the kitchen she announced, “You certainly have an interesting friend. I wish he could be here for our meeting. I am sure the ladies of the Cou Rouge Literary Society would be delighted to hear his comments about the book. He sure is one smart guy.”

Aiden then yawned and suggested they ‘hit the hay’ as he was exhausted after their long drive having left Cleveland at 5:00 that morning.

They went up to Aiden’s childhood bedroom that contained a single bed and the borrowed army style cot for the guest. Henry showered first. When Aiden returned from his shower with a towel wrapped around his waist Henry was lying on the cot reading an old Boy’s Life magazine from Aiden’s Boy Scout time.

Aiden was memorized by the sight of Henry wearing baby blue silk pajamas. “I never pictured you as a guy who would wear silk pajamas.”

Henry replied, “Actually, this is the first time I have worn pajamas, except when I visited my family, since I met Seth. When Alex helped me pack for this trip he noted I did not have any and insisted I borrow a pair of his to wear while visiting friends and family here in Georgia. This is the first time I have worn them. The feel of the silk against my skin is very sensual.”

Aiden continued, “If they feel as sexy as they look your body must be ecstatic.”

Henry smiled, “Not as ecstatic as yours” as he pointed to the growing tent at the front of Aiden’s towel.

By accident or on purpose Aiden’s towel fell to the floor.

As he leered at the young man’s arousal Henry continued, “We shouldn’t do anything. You have Vlad and it just would not be right.”

Aiden walked over to Henry and kneeled on the floor. “Vlad and I had a talk about such possible happenings. In fact he initiated the discussion. He told me, and these are his exact words, ‘You and Henry will be traveling together and sometimes sleeping in the same room. As I am sure you have noticed he is handsome and very lovable appearing. We have seen him in action at our dessert parties with Alex. I sincerely hope that if you are both in the mood you have some quality time together. To be honest, if I were naked and alone with Henry I know what I would want to do. Have no regrets. I love you. I trust you. And, I want you to enjoy life’.” Aiden placed his hand on Henry’s chest and gently massaged giving special attention to one nipple and then the other. He unbuttoned the pajama top and leaned in gently sucking each hard nipple. Henry did not resist. As Aiden continued to touch the upper body Henry’s dick responded. “I would not want to be responsible for you messing up Alex’s pajamas.” Henry did not resist as Aiden pulled the pants off. Naked Aiden then stood. He took his desk chair and shoved it under the door handle so no one would accidently walk in. He then turned on the radio to a station playing music to cover loving sounds. Then taking Henry’s hand, “I’m afraid that if I got on that narrow rickety cot with you we would soon crash to the floor.” Henry let himself be led to the regular bed.

Aiden directed his friend onto his back. He then kneeled over Henry, facing him. Leaning forward Aiden took Henry’s arms and held them straight back. He then leaned in and kissed each finger on Henry’s right hand. Then moving down he kissed the lower arm, inside of the elbow, upper arm and then nibbled on the exposed arm pit. Leaning forward he did the same to the left hand, arm and pit. He then tongued each nipple. Moving down he kissed various spots dwelling on the tummy button. He then brushed his cheeks against the crotch hair. Continuing down he kissed and licked each ball while ignoring the hard dick. He continued down both legs finally sucking each toe.

When he looked up at Henry’s contented face he was suddenly grabbed by the stronger man who pulled his face to his. Henry’s strong hands forced their heads together as each tongue probed the other’s. Henry then pushed Aiden away while moving his mouth toward Aiden’s rock hard dripping cut dick. Upon swallowing it Aiden pushed the aggressor away. Whispering he said, “Please, not yet.”

Henry backed off and Aiden moved in swallowing the large black uncut dick to its base. Aiden was experienced in pleasuring big dicks as Vlad’s which he tasted almost daily, sometimes more often was almost equal to Henry’s. By now Henry had reached the point of no return and gave Aiden what he relished. Henry then leaned in and returned the favor.

Aiden pulled the sheet up over their bodies and the two exhausted men slept side by side.

The need to piss woke Aiden at about 7:00 after almost nine hours of sleep. As he put on underwear he willed his morning woodie down. Removing the chair blocking the door he went to the bathroom and had a long healthy pissed. Returning to his room he met his father in the hall who was dressed and ready to leave for work. After a brief good morning Aiden returned to the bedroom and crawled onto the cot. While his parents appeared to have accepted their first Negro guest he was positive they would not welcome a man, black or white, who shared a bed with their son. Soon after Henry stirred. Getting out of bed naked his morning woodie was impressive. It remained at full mast after he put the pajamas back on. Aiden said, “Good morning. I suggest you carry a towel to cover your glorious bulge.” Henry laughed, picked up a towel and departed for his piss.

While his dick begged for another encounter with Henry, Aiden resisted and dressed. As Henry returned to the room Aiden said, “See you downstairs for breakfast.”

His mother looked up, “Good morning sunshine. I have prepared the kind of breakfast you probably do not get up north.” As she said this she put a tray of ready to bake biscuits in the oven. “Enjoy your coffee and orange juice while I cook the eggs and warm up the ham. Do you think Henry will be down soon? I do not want to serve him cold eggs.” As she said this Henry walked into the kitchen. “Good morning Henry, I hope you had a good sleep. I’m sorry all we had for you was that hard cot.” She said this as she pour him a cup of coffee. “Would you like some cheese grits while the rest of the breakfast cooks? The biscuits will be coming out of the oven in a couple of minutes. How do you like your eggs? I know Aiden wants them over with the yellow cooked hard. I can to that, sunny side up or scrambled. You two are lucky. My sister, Aiden’s Aunt Susie, gave me some freshly canned peach preserves.”

Henry replied, “I’ll have my eggs the same as Aiden, over hard. Concerning my sleep, I had a very restful and enjoyable night.” As he said this he looked at Aiden, smiled and winked. Mother missed the smile and wink as she was busy at the stove. “Since Aiden insisted I not use the cot, I had a comfortable bed (he did not add that Aiden shared the comfortable bed).”

As she finished warming the ham and frying the eggs the oven timer went off indicating the biscuits were done. She sat with them having coffee and a biscuit while the boys devoured the ham, eggs, grits, biscuits and homemade peach preserves.

“Henry, I reviewed the notes we took on the book club selection. Thanks to your suggestions we will probably have the most interesting book discussion ever. I must admit that sometimes our gossip about the happenings in Cou Rouge take more of our time than the book review. Thank you so much. If it isn’t requesting too much I have a favor to ask.” With his mouth full Henry nodded and smiled. “This is the time of the year when we select books to read for the next twelve months. Would it be possible for you to recommend some interesting books?”

Taking a sip of coffee to clear his throat Henry replied, “It would be my pleasure. First I would like a list of the books your group has read in the past year so I get an understanding of your interests.” She got up, went to the living room book shelf and took out the 1972-1973 list. As Henry reviewed the list, “Let me think about it. I will send my thoughts by mail by the end of the week. Actually, I have a better plan. In addition to my list I will contact Aiden’s and my friend, Roland Johns, a manager at Cleveland’s largest bookstore chain. I am sure he will gladly send you suggestions.”

Within an hour Aiden’s mother waved goodbye as they pulled out of the driveway. With a cooler containing pop and sandwiches as well as a shoe box full of molasses cookies, Aiden’s favorite, and Seth in his urn in the back seat the two friends started their four hour drive on west Georgia back roads to Seth’s final resting place, Muddy Creek. “I’m jealous.” Aiden said with a chuckle. “My mother has never given me a sendoff like she gave you: a big breakfast and special cookies. Never when I said goodbye had she treated me so well. Must be my handsome friend that impressed her. Not sure if it was your fetching black body, charming personality or intellect.”

”I think she was surprised that she could have a conversation with me about books. As you drive I’m going to think about books and write her a letter.” When Mrs. Hudson had requested book selections Henry had asked her for stationery so he could write as they drove. He proceeded to write a letter first thanking her for the hospitality and then making a few book recommendations. He also wrote a letter to Roland Johns telling him about their adventures since leaving Cleveland (omitting the bedroom romp) and asking him to send her book recommendations.

They arrived at Seth’s home in Muddy Creek early afternoon. Mrs. Cudley, Mama, enthusiastically greeted them giving both hugs with Henry’s embrace being longer and tighter. Henry had the feeling she did this on purpose as neighbors in small towns often noted unusual activities like a car with out of state license plates arriving. She was sending a message not only to Henry but also the town gossips that this man was special. She took them to Seth’s former bedroom that was now a combination guest room and sewing room. It had two single beds. “After you unpack come downstairs. We can sit on the front porch and have sweet tea. We have an appointment with Pastor Jackson at Gospel Voice Holiness Church this evening so we will have an early supper. Do you need a short rest after your long drive? Aiden looked at Henry who smiled back.

“Maybe just a short cat nap.” Aiden replied.

As Mama shut the door both intently stared at the other. Both set of eyes seemed to be saying, ‘Let’s do it.’ Finally Aiden asked, “Which bed do you want?”

Henry replied, “The one you are in.”

Aiden removed his shirt. Henry did the same. Aiden took one step forward. Henry did the same. The men were now close eyes to eyes. Aiden raised his hand. Henry pulled it to his chest. Aiden massaged the chest. Henry reached up and pulled Aiden face against his. With Aiden’s hand on Henry’s chest and Henry’s hand holding Aiden’s head against his they deep kissed. Each felt the manhood of the other straining in the confinement of pants. Aiden kneeled and lowered Henry’s pants and underwear. A gentle squeezing of the dick head forced a stream of precum out. He swallowed the shaft to its base. Henry pulled him up and kissed his own juices on the lips of Aiden. Henry then kneeled and released the other dick. Aiden pushed him away whispering, “If you touch it, I will blast on your face.” Henry led Aiden to the bed as each stepped out of their shoes and pants. As they took the 69 position each savored the other. Both immediately shot their loads down willing throats. Henry reversed his position and they held each other. After a brief snuggle Henry suggested they go downstairs for sweet tea.

Concerning meals, Aiden’s and Seth’s mothers had the same goal, give these boys transplanted to the north food that would remind them of their good homes in Georgia. While they ate the bountiful meal Seth’s father, Jim, was quiet but polite. They were not sure if he was naturally quiet, shy or just could not get a word in edgewise as Mama chattered constantly, mostly about her wonderful hosts in Ohio. After dinner Seth’s sister, Rachel, arrived. Married and mother of two teenage boys she lived nearby. Mama had asked her to accompany them as they discussed Seth’s Memorial Service with Pastor Jackson.

Pastor Jackson appeared surprised as he was introduced to Seth’s best friend, a Negro. He shook Aiden’s hand with a smile on his face. When Henry put his hand out the Pastor hesitated and then with a blank expression extended his and gave one weak shake. After discussing the hymns and Bible readings Mama casually stated that as Seth’s best friend, Henry would sit with the family. With a forced smile Pastor Jackson said, “I am sure the ‘boy’ would be much more comfortable sitting in the back row.”

With a smile on her face Mama said, “Well this is a Christian Church, do you think that is what Jesus would want?”

The fake smiling Pastor with authority in his voice replied, “In my heart I believe Jesus would want everyone to be comfortable in God’s house and I am sure the back row is where the ‘boy’ would be most at ease.

Mama replied, “Well, we do want everyone to feel comfortable in their place. I would not want to displease Jesus.”

Henry was dumbfounded. He could not believe Seth’s mother. The racist Pastor he understood but Seth’s mother? He came very close to walking out of the church. Aiden took his hand.

Then Mama spoke, “I just have one small request.”

“Of course.” The Pastor replied.

“Since Mr. Henry Bailey is Seth’s best friend, I want them to be close during the service. We will place the urn on this small table here in the back of the church. Also, as his Mother, I will sit back here with Seth and Mr. Bailey.”

Rachel spoke up, “I want to be near my brother and I am sure my boys feel the same way about their uncle so we will sit in the back here with Seth, Mama and Mr. Bailey.”

A period of silence was followed by Pastor Jackson saying in a very pained mumbling voice, “Why don’t you all sit anywhere you want, front or back.”

As they departed the church Mama walked with Henry who had his arm around her. Pastor Jackson barely said goodbye and hurried on.

The small church was packed with family and friends. The placement of the only Negro at the service next to Seth’s mother in the front row resulted in a number of stares and whispered questions. There were also whispered comments by many of the ladies about the subtle but elegant outfit (dress, shoes and hat) worn by Mrs. Cudley. Those in the know were aware that such elegance was only available in big cities like Atlanta. Following the service refreshments were served in the church hall in the basement. Seth’s parents, lover and sister with her family stood in line to greet guests and receive condolences. The order of the receiving line was: Seth’s father, mother, Henry, Rachel, husband and sons. Mama enjoyed introducing Henry to the citizens of Muddy Creek as ‘Seth’s Best Friend’.

When Mama started to introduce a handsome man about Henry’s age he interrupted her, “Wade Goodwin, what a pleasure it is to meet you.”

Wade was stunned that this out of town stranger knew him. As the owner of Goodwin’s Chevrolet and Oldsmobile Dealership he met many people from all walks of life but knew he would remember someone as stunning as this man. “Have we met?”

Henry smiled as he replied making sure no one was listening, “No, but I have heard a lot about you. I have a message and a gift from Seth. Let’s talk later.”

When ladies commented on her outfit Mrs. Cudley proudly replied, “It was a gift from Seth’s employer and friend in Cleveland”. Then she would rave about all of Seth’s good friends and how special she was treated. She told them Seth’s friends had paid for her air fare and insisted she call home long distance everyday. The owner of the Muddy Creek Jewelry Emporium commented on her lovely, stylish pearl necklace. She replied that it was a gift from Seth’s employer and friend. She stated that he considered Seth like a son who he had hoped would take over the business someday. The pearls had belonged to his mother and being unmarried he wanted them to go to someone special. She changed the story a little since she did not want to go into why the employer’s friend, Roland, of many years had given them to her.

When most had left the reception Wade approached Henry. “Your comments intrigued me. Let’s go for a walk.”

Henry agreed and told Aiden and Mama he and Wade were taking a stroll. As they began their walk Henry spoke. “Seth and I have been friends, good friends, for over ten years. We met in Daisyville when he took a private art class from a Professor at Daisyville College for whom I did yard work. The professor’s twenty year old nephew was visiting from Ohio and had posed nude for the class. The nephew invited Seth to the house to finish the painting and suggested I met this cute red head. I met Seth with the nephew in the basement den of the Professor’s house. The nephew suggested we both pose nude for Seth. Although we posed for the painting it was never finished as our urges that evening started a lasting friendship. We have been together since. The professor had encouraged my attendance at Albany (Georgia) State College and helped me financially. Upon graduation Seth and I moved to Cleveland where I teach junior high English and Seth was a manager at a large landscaping firm. Seth told me all about your friendship from fishing in Muddy Creek and having your twelve year old body learning sessions to your intense relationship. By his senior year in high school he was totally infatuated with you and knew you felt the same way. But as you know, all his life Seth wanted to move on to a big city. Someday he hoped to live in Atlanta or maybe Washington or in his wildest dreams New York City. He knew that you were rooted in Muddy Creek and that someday you would take over the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile dealership from your father. Seth’s third passion after you and cities was anything mechanical. Working in the service department of your father’s business was, after you, his greatest pleasure in high school. Seth’s own words were, ‘I loved him so much but knew I would never be happy staying in Muddy Creek while dreaming of city life. I knew he could not be happy leaving Muddy Creek so I made a clean break.’ Seth told me that when the job in Daisyville was available he made a clean break from you. He did not know how to tell you that it would be impossible for you to be happy together with one of you wanting city life and the other Muddy Creek. Seth told me he cried himself to sleep for six months after leaving you and Muddy Creek. All his time in Daisyville he planned his next move. He never saw you again because he wanted you to move on. When he visited home he asked about you and was pleased that you were attending college and years later found a ‘friend’. You are probably wondering how I knew you. Seth is a passionate artist. He did a portrait of you, actually two. The first is your upper body. You are wearing a blue shirt and grey v neck sweater. The second is of all of you, nude Wade. God you are one handsome dude. Most people look better with clothes on than naked, you definitely look better naked. I was hoping to meet you to explain what happened to Seth and your relationship. He definitely left you out of love. I also have the portraits. As much as I would like to keep the one with all of you I will return it. Actually Seth has done a number of portraits of nude men. As far as I know you are the only one he did from memory without the subject posing.

“Yes, I was devastated when Seth left. He started working for my father when he was sixteen and by the time he left two years later he was one of the most capable and skillful mechanics in the service department. My father was impressed that this young man, still a teenager was so talented. He told me that in a few years he believed Seth would run the service department. Seth disappeared in the fall of 1946. Those were turbulent times. Both the Japanese and Germans had surrendered a year earlier ending World War II. While in high school we both assumed we would be drafted into the army when we turned eighteen. That fall I went off to Emory University in Atlanta and Seth disappeared. Through a chance encounter in a men’s room I met a fellow student who introduced me to the joy of casual sex and the location of a park when men could meet men. Loosing Seth, my first love, was devastating. I replaced the love Seth and I had for each other with numerous, sometimes daily, encounters with strangers. Each coupling of a few minutes of pleasure was followed by a period of guilt. Sometimes the shame I felt was overwhelming. I would actually go to the chapel to pray for release for this need for sex. More than once following my private prayer session I went to the park to find sex. The summer after my freshman year was frustrating. I was home for three months with no opportunity for sex. Even an oversexed nineteen year old was wise enough to not mess around in a small town where everyone knew your business. By chance I met one of my classmates in the park soon after school started the next fall. Both of us needed a lot of sex and luckily both of us were somewhat self loathing about visiting the park. He had a private room in the dorm that made the park unnecessary. The following semester and final two years we roomed together. I never felt the same way about Lenny as I had Seth but he filled a void. After graduation he moved back to Florida. We arranged to see each other a couple of times but there was no spark, just sex. Back home I dedicated myself to working for my father and avoiding the girls my mother and her friends were constantly trying to set me up with.”

“After a dry spell of about five years I met Mitch, an administrator at the hospital in Americus, about twenty minutes from here. My father had surgery and there were some complications with the medical insurance. I met Mitch to discuss the insurance problem and we immediately bonded. He solved our insurance issues and I offered to take him to dinner as a thank you. He readily accepted. The dinner lasted two hours. When he mentioned some problems with his car I suggested he bring it to our service department. A week later he brought it in. Some parts were needed and he would have to leave the car overnight. I did not offer him a loaner car which was the standard procedure. Instead, I invited him to stay with me in my guest room overnight. He readily accepted although he did not sleep in the guest room. That was eighteen years ago. I still have the same apartment in a building owned by my family and Mitch soon moved into an apartment in the same building. We use his apartment for storage as well as his official address and mine for our life together.”

“One never forgets their first love. Seth will always be in my heart. But, eventually I accepted his moving as the right course so he could to follow his dreams.”

“Please come over for dinner this evening. I am sure Mitch would enjoy meeting you and seeing the portrait of young me.”

Henry replied that he would check with Mrs. Cudley to make sure she did not have plans for him that evening. He also told Wade that he was traveling with his friend Aiden and after he gave Wade a brief description of Aiden’s background Wade invited him.

Returning home Henry met an exhausted Mama. She told him there were left overs for supper and that she planned to go to bed right after the evening news on TV. Henry told her that he and Aiden had been invited to Wade’s for dinner and that he would only accept the invitation if she had no special plans for the evening. Mama replied, “Wade and Seth were such good friends from when they were little boys through high school. Then Wade went off to college and Seth moved to Daisyville. I am sure Wade will have interesting stories to tell about Seth. Enjoy your evening.”

Dinner with Wade and Mitch turned out to be pizza and beer. It was a perfect evening of light conversation. All shared their coming to terms with themselves and some of their life adventures. Wade laughed at the portraits of himself twenty years younger while Mitch joked he would do a careful inspection of body changes. Henry and Aiden found both of their hosts to be sexually attractive and would not have resisted an offer of play time. They were both relieved that the temptation was not offered. Wade and Mitch told about their living together in a small town. They tried to keep a low profile and never went out together except for an occasional dinner at local restaurants. However, about once a month they drove the two hour trip to Atlanta for a long weekend out together. They also enjoyed visits to Savannah and the Florida panhandle less than four hours by car. Most years they attended Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Wade insisted that Aiden bring his car in the following morning for a tune up and inspection as it was something he could do for his friend Seth.

The next morning following service at Goodwin Chevrolet / Oldsmobile Aiden departed for his return to his parent’s home in Cou Rouge. Wade insisted, as a gift in the memory of Seth that the car be given a complete tuned up as well as new tires. The goodbye to Mama was tearful as they both knew they might never see each other again.

While Henry’s family had offered to drive to Muddy Creek to pick him up, Mama insisted on taking Henry to his parents’ home inDaisyville. Her oldest grandson, Seth’s nephew, had recently received his driver’s license at age sixteen and was happy to drive his grandparent’s car. Henry’s parents graciously greeted Mrs. Cudley and her grandson. Following lunch Mama and her grandson returned to Muddy Creek. As with the goodbye to Aiden it was tearful as they both knew they might never see each other again.

Aiden and Henry each enjoyed a week long visit in their home towns. Actually by the third day each was looking forward to a return to Cleveland. Two days before Aiden’s departure his mother received a letter from Roland in Cleveland. The following day a package arrived.

‘Dear Mrs. Hastings: I am pleased to make recommendations for your book club. Six books are listed below and following each is a brief description and comments as to why I thought you would enjoy reading it. I am also sending a package containing each book. After you and your friends are finished with the books please donate them to the Cou Rouge Library in the name of my good friend, JB Huntington, from Cou Rouge. I only knew JB a few years having met him through a mutual friend, Will Lang, formerly a professor of art at Daisyville College and now living in Ohio. Sincerely, Roland Johns.’

Mrs. Hudson was intrigued by this person’s friendship of someone from Cou Rouge. She told her son that years ago there had been a scandal in the Huntington family. A rich brother, who she now realizes is this JB had died and had been very specific in his will that no family member should receive any of his inheritance. He had made a generous contribution to the Cou Rouge Library. Most of his estate went to, according to beauty shop gossip, a young gigolo who had enticed the old man with ‘as the ladies said’ sex to get his riches.

Aiden chuckled at the beauty shop gossip. “I heard the true story from those who knew JB. For thirty-five years JB, who retired as a distinguished Professor of Economics at University of Georgia and this Professor Will Lang were ‘friends’. After retirement they had moved to Ohio. Because JB was different his family had shunned him. He was not notified when either of his parents had died. They totally ignored him when he visited here in Cou Rouge and he finally stopped communicating with his brothers and sister. Originally he wrote a will giving most of his estate to his ‘friend’. However, a few years before he died Professor Lang told JB that since he planned to have his grandnephew be the beneficiary of his will and since he did not need any inheritance he asked JB to make Peter Smith his primary beneficiary. This Peter was responsible for Seth and Henry meeting one summer when Peter visited his uncle in Daisyville. Peter was with JB and Will during the last days of JB’s life as he gradually succumbed to cancer. He is now a professor at Ohio State University, hardly a gigolo. JB had included the Cou Rouge Library in his will so there would be a reminder to his family who had treated him with scorn that he had wealth that they did not receive. He had joked that it was unlikely that any of his ‘white trash’, kin as he called them would probably ever enter the library.

Aiden’s mother commented, “Well, I will straighten out the ladies at the beauty shop. Being such a small town we all know everyone’s goings on. The Huntingtons do not have a good reputation and no one will be surprised that their own brother called them ‘white trash.’

Aiden said goodbye to his parents and drove to Daisyville and stayed overnight with Henry’s family. The next day they departed for home by way of Washington DC where they would visit the home of Reginald, Reg, Bagley. While Reg was currently visiting New York City with Uncle Will from Ohio, his two proteges: Rob Johnson and Jacob Yoder would host them.

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Chapter Epilog - Seth’s Memorial Service was the last service Mrs. Cudley attended at Gospel Voice Holiness Church while Pastor Jackson led the congregation. This was a difficult decision since much of the social life in this small Georgia town centered on the church. She did participate in church socials. When asked why she did not attend services she would just state, ‘Pastor Jackson and I do not agree on the meaning of God’s love.’

Aiden’s mother, Mrs. Hudson, and Henry remained pen-pals for years. Whenever Henry read a book that he thought might be of interest to her or the book club he would write her a letter about the book and send a copy when he finished reading it. The ladies of the Cou Rouge Literary Society looked forward to his suggestions and comments. They exchanged Christmas cards and occasionally she would send him a box of her molasses cookies.