Life Goes On - 59. A Heavenly Reward for Going to Church

Summer / Fall 1991

Carson’s parents were at the gate at Cleveland Hopkins Airport waiting for them. With a change of planes in Los Angeles it had been twenty hours since the boys had left Sydney. Carson was surprised that his father seemed interested in hearing about their adventures. There were no lectures or side comments about wasting his life on trivial pursuits. He thought that maybe the change in his father’s attitude resulted from his now having total control over his Trust Fund and not being dependent on his father financially. Following a home coming dinner prepared by his mother she commented that the boys looked exhausted and should go to bed. The bed in the guest room had been made up for Kyle. This would be the first night in over two weeks the two had not slept together. The boys had arrived home on a Wednesday and would start their summer warehouse jobs on Monday. Grandpa had insisted that Kyle take his car to visit his parents over the weekend. He had told his wife that Kyle should drive his Porsche 968. Kyle had driven frequently in Australia and Grandpa assumed that if the young man could master driving on the left side in Australia he would safely drive his car. Carson’s father was taken back that his father-in-law had entrusted his luxury car to someone so young.

Kyle departed Thursday and returned Sunday afternoon. While he was gone Carson visited Vlad and Aiden. When Dale (grandpa) had told his friend Alex a month earlier that his grandson and boyfriend would be working in Cleveland during the summer and were looking for a cheap place to live Alex contacted Vlad for suggestions. Vlad told Alex he would like to meet the boys. A week prior to their departure for Australia Carson was invited to the home of Vlad and Aiden. The two older men were charmed by the young man and told him he and his friend were welcome to stay at their place for the summer. Since they would be on a USA road trip for about a month it would be nice to have someone there to look after the place, take in the mail and water the plants. Actually this was not really true as Owen and Lee (Chapters 18 – 20) had lived in the building for almost twenty years and continued to be close friends.

Kyle returned to Carson’s home Sunday noon and the two drove to their new home with Vlad and Aiden. This was the first meeting of Kyle and the others. The boys were welcomed with open arms. After settling into their room they sat in the living room with their hosts. Owen and Lee who lived downstairs were invited to dinner. The boys in their twenties, Vlad now seventy-one and the other three in their forties enjoyed sharing life’s adventures. The boys happily told about some of their adventures in Australia: including fun in the sun at Lady Bay Beach, meeting the drag queens in Alice Springs, the scuba diving, meditating naked on the beach with grandpa and a gentleman from Japan, visiting Jack and Noah and the ambiance of the Lavender Reef Inn. They did not share their meeting of Grandpa by accident at the baths, their first fuck each had at the beach and the relationship between Grandpa and Tad. The boys respected Grandpa’s privacy and would let him share details, if any, of his encounters. That evening and during the remainder of the summer they questioned and discussed Vlad’s travels through life from humble birth in Moscow to becoming a respected professor and researcher. Vlad was especially interested in Kyle’s studies who had one year remaining at Ohio State as an English major. While he was not sure where that major would take him Kyle believed this group of men would help him sort through the options.

On Monday morning they started their summer jobs in the warehouse of Excelsior Metal Hose. Their jobs included unloading trucks, unpacking and sorting material, driving fork lifts, and helping in the shipping department. Occasionally one of them would accompany a truck driver on deliveries. The work was dirty and required heavy lifting. The first day they returned home tired and filthy. Vlad took one look at the grimy boys and suggested they use the shower in his and Aiden’s master bedroom. This multi person shower with various shower heads aimed at all parts of the body could have been an erotic delight if the boys had not been exhausted. While they helped each other scrub away the dirt neither got hard even when each washed the others’ dick and ass. Putting on shorts and T shirts they joined Vlad and Aiden at the kitchen table where cold beer and spaghetti waited. Their host insisted on providing dinner. As tired as they were after dinner they cleared the table, loaded the dishwasher and washed the pots and pans. Within an hour they were snuggled together in bed. They kissed, held hands and did not for the first time since their first night together get each other off. Soon they were fast asleep and annoyingly hearing the alarm clock going off at 5:30. By the end of their first week their bodies had accepted the rigors of their work. The after work showers became an opportunity for both cleansing and play. Friday Carson used his new strength to force himself on his love against the shower wall. Feeling both pain and pleasure Kyle relived the feelings they had shared in Australia. As they walked into the kitchen Vlad commented while smiling, “You two certainly are glowing this evening. Long hot showers seem to relax you.”

Kyle replied, “Nothing about that long invigorating shower was relaxing - I am very happy to report.” All knowingly laughed.

The following day, Saturday, the two drove to the airport to meet Grandpa. As they drove home Grandpa gave an edited version of his final week in Australia. Not that he was ashamed of his playtime with Tad, he assumed the details of Grandpa getting fucked is something a grandson does not want to hear. The boys profusely gave thanks for their summer job opportunity. They proudly told of the rigors of the job and that both felt their bodies responding in a good way to the manly exercise.

The following Wednesday Grandpa took the boys and their hosts out for pizza. He was correct in his assumption that pizza and beer would be the perfect setting for discussion and banter. He wanted to get to know Vlad and Aiden better. While he could have filled the evening with his interesting tales from his birth in Moscow, loves in high school and army, defection to USA, loves in USA and move to Cleveland, Vlad purposely directed the conversation to the lives of Grandpa and the boys. Dale felt very comfortable discussing his feelings and after a couple of beers loosened up concerning his feelings for Tad. He explained that he never had felt close emotionally toward another man until he met the Japanese guy at the pool at the Lavender Reef Inn. While he had strong feelings for the far away man he realized they could never totally share lives. Prior to Tad all his experiences had been casual meetings that fulfilled the desires of his dick but not his heart. He wondered if he could ever find someone in Ohio that could open his passions

A week later the five again shared pizza, beer and lives. Vlad told Dale (Grandpa) that he and Aiden had discussed his situation. They had suggestions about finding ‘Mr. Right’. They explained that it would probably happen when Dale least assumed it would. He should concentrate on making himself available. They discussed the pros and cons of meeting the right guy at a bar or bath. There were more cons than pros. Vlad then told how he had meet some of his loves. His first love was his teacher at a special school of German language in Moscow. As a teenager he fell in love with Franz the first time he saw him in class. He does not know why, that was just the way it was. Apparently the feeling was mutual. When the teacher discovered his student traveled over an hour each way in the Moscow winter on unheated trams he invited him to stay in his room at the school and sleep on a pad on the floor. One exceptionally cold Moscow night Franz invited him to the warmth of his bed. He never slept on the floor again. His first assignment after graduation from the German language school was to a group assigned to review and explain German documents to a top rank Soviet officials meeting near Moscow. There he caught the eye of General Valery Karasyovl, a rising star in the Soviet military. Vlad explained that he was attracted to this officer. He caught himself staring at him. The general looked up and saw this young man intently studying him. “We eye fucked.” Vlad then explained how gay men sometimes show their interest by looking deeply into the eyes of a person of interest. If interested the other will return the stare and probably smile. The General returned the stare. “I was assigned as translator and aide to the handsome, fifty year old, muscular general. While war is hell sleeping with such a man is heaven. After the war, being fluent in both German and English, I was sent to Berlin to participate in the negotiations with the Americans. One day while sitting across from an American major we eye fucked. Then I felt his foot against mine. I did not move away. Soon his foot was rubbing up my leg and massaging my crotch. We became clandestine lovers as it was forbidden for the Soviets to have friendships of any kind with the Allies (Americans, Brits and French). Later having been disillusioned by the treatment of the Soviets toward the defeated Germans I spied for the Americans and when almost caught defected. In Washington I worked for the State Department and attended church not for religious reasons but because I was told it was what Americans did back then. I met Reg, an older man, at Church and soon moved into his Georgetown house and bed. I met Aiden through mutual friends. I have/had five loves: Franz the teacher, Valery the general, Alan the American major, Reg in Washington DC and Aiden. I met all in very different situations.”

Aden then gave a brief explanation of his encounter while a student at University of Georgia. “While taking a shortcut through a park on my way to class I said ‘hi’ to a man sitting on a bench. There was something about him and I decided to sit and talk. I was a senior finance major and he an investment advisor. Our knees touched and he invited me to his home for dinner. There I met his lover and others. So, as you see from Vlad’s and my adventures, you never know when or where it will happen.”

Vlad then told how their friends Owen and Lee met at a gay bar nearly twenty years earlier. Then he laughed as he continued, “It is interesting that both Dale and Owen found an Asian man. Lee was born in Taiwan and came to the USA when he was three years old. They have had an apartment in our building since soon after meeting. Lee now manages the import firm his father and uncle started.

The boys departed for home as they knew the dreaded alarm would go off at 5:30 to signal another day of labor. Then to Dale’s surprise Aiden asked him if he had ever visited a gay bar in Cleveland. Dale replied ‘No’ and the three departed for Dale’s next adventure. Aiden then stated that the bar they would visit was the same one where Owen and Lee met. Being a week night and early at 9pm the dim place was not crowded. As they shared beers Dale studied the faces of the patrons. He had no interest in getting involved with someone significantly younger than himself. That requirement eliminated more than half the group. Of the remaining ten or so there was only one that he thought might be of interest. He told Vlad and Aiden that the only man in the place that showed promise to him was the guy in the back corner leaning against the wall. Vlad gave him some instructions. “Try to get his interest by casually looking at him and then do a serious ‘eye fuck’. It is best if you get him to approach you. That way if you are not interested it will be easier for you to move on. Don’t reveal any personal identifying information about yourself such as your last name or where you live. Stand over there and drink your beer alone. If he glances your way smile at him. If after you meet him you feel you do not want to continue your conversation but don’t know how to escape, take off your glasses. That will be a signal for us to rescue you.”

Dale did as instructed. Vlad and Aiden watched the encounter unfold. Dale stood against the wall, caught the eye of the guy and then eye fucked. They guy approached Dale. Their conversation seemed to be one way with the guy talking and Dale nodding his head. Eventually Dale removed his glasses. Aiden walked over to them. “Excuse me” as he put his hand on Dale’s shoulder, “Ralph is starting to have one of his spells. We better get him home.” Dale nodded goodbye to his new acquaintance and walked over to Vlad.

As they drove home Vlad asked, “Just what kind of spell was I having.”

“A need to suck a dick at home in the comfort of your bed,” Aiden replied.

Dale then gave a recap of his one way conversation with Blakley Something the IVth. “He certainly is a lover of himself. While I barely got a word in he told me: his family can trace its roots to the 1600s England, he grew up in a mansion on Euclid Avenue, graduated from Harvard, drives a Cadillac Escalade, and has a winter home in Palm Beach with a pool cared for a 22 year old pool boy with a ten inch cock. When he mentioned his Cadillac I told him ‘that’s impressive compared to the Ford pick-up I drive’. I didn’t want to brag that my Porsche 968 would outperform his car so I made up the truck. I don’t think he heard what I said about driving a pick-up truck as I am sure he would have ended the conversation if he realized I was just an ordinary guy. His breath was rotten and I had to step back to avoid it. I soon became aware that when he talked his face did not move. It was like a store mannequin with lips that moved. I assume he has had numerous face lifts that have totally tightened his skin. Thanks for the introduction to the bar scene. While it is good to know how to navigate such places, I don’t know if I will return. Maybe I could meet someone there. I realize I could also possibly find Mr. Right in church, at the country club, at a business meeting or while having a cup of coffee at a donut store not just the baths or bars.”

A week later Vlad and Aiden departed on a road trip that would include visits to their friends in Washington DC, a gay inn at Rehoboth Beach, their friends and Aiden’s family in Georgia, and the music scene in Branson, Missouri. For a month the boys would have the place to themselves. Actually they would miss Vlad and Aiden. They were totally able to be themselves with no worry that their coupling noises, if heard, would be disapproved or annoying. The Wednesday pizza nights with Grandpa continued. The conversation was light. He told them he had received a letter from Tad who had returned to Japan. As they agreed their letters were bland. He had shared the letter with his wife. Their conversation centered on Carson’s future with the Peace Corps and Kyle’s final year at Ohio State. When asked what he planned to do with an English Major Kyle replied that he hoped to go to graduate school first and then find a career. While it was not mentioned, Grandpa realized Kyle would not have the finances to continue his education without substantial student debt. He now considered Kyle like a grandson and might consider helping him if he was still part of the family after Carson went into the Peace Corps.

The boys had a tearful goodbye in September when Carson departed for his volunteer work and Kyle returned to Ohio State. Carson had learned that after his training he would be assigned to an engineering project related to water supply in Guatemala. Meanwhile Dale continued his search for Mr. Right. While he realized it would just happen someday he needed to place himself in the right spot at the right time. He visited Club Cleveland Baths about once a week and returned to the bar a couple of times. While he had some very enjoyable interludes at the baths, they were just that, quick passions with no long term emotional feelings. The few times he visited the bar his experience was either totally without conversation or just idle banter with men of no interest.

One evening he received a phone call from the Senior Warden (chair of the Church governing committee) of the Episcopal Church he and his wife attended. While his wife never missed a Sunday, sang in the choir and was active in the Episcopal Church Women and the Altar Guild Dale seldom attended. He was surprised that Jack Brown, a man he knew but had rarely talked to, asked him to assist the church treasurer in preparing the annual budget for 1992. Dale had never had a conversation with the treasurer, Rich Hayes, even at the informal coffee hour after the few services he had attended. He knew that Rich was a respected, but quiet man being the CFO (Chief Finance Officer) of a corporation headquartered in Cleveland. Actually he was the type of guy that would blend into the woodwork at social functions. Dale could not think of a valid reason to say ‘No’.

A week later Dale sat in the Church Library with Rich and the third member of their budget committee, Millicent Branch. Dale soon realized this would be an easy task. Rich had prepared a budget for the committee to review. It contained no surprises and since the Church was financially sound there were no problems allocating funds. Within an hour the job was completed. Then Rich stated that he needed advice concerning the investments in the Endowment and Memorial Funds. Millicent stated that investments were not her forte and departed. Rich then handed Dale a spreadsheet with a list of the investments. The two men both had considerable expertise on investments and had an interesting and meaningful conversation. They had been sitting opposite each other with a coffee table between. Rich was sitting on a sofa and Dale in a chair. Since they would be reviewing documents together Dale moved and sat next to Rich. There was something about this man that intrigued Dale.

When they concluded their investments discussion Dale suddenly felt himself saying: “Rich, we have attended this Church for years. This is the first time I have had a conversation with you. Tell me about yourself.” He said this while starring into the eyes of the man.

Rich seemed uncomfortable talking about himself. “There isn’t much to say. I am fifty-three years old and CFO of Mega Corp. I was married but have been divorced over twenty years. I have a twenty-six year old son who is married and has two children, a boy and a girl. He lives in Lakewood and with his civil engineering degree works for a consulting firm. I live alone in a condo in University Heights.”

Dale realized Rich was shy and not at all outgoing. “Do you have any hobbies? What do you do on the weekends?”

“I enjoy hiking and long walks. Every summer I take a month off and hike. It took me a few years but I completed the 2,190 mile (3,525 km) Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine doing a section each year. Twice I have hiked in the Alps in Switzerland. Most weekends I do a day or overnight hike somewhere here in Ohio. I really enjoy the serenity of the outdoors.”

Dale was totally taken aback. Never did he expect that his quiet man was so adventuresome. He realized it must take a brave soul to go off into the wilds alone.

Dale then told Rich his background and recent adventure to Australia. When he mentioned that he had taken his grandson and grandson’s boyfriend Rich did not show any special emotion.

During their conversation Dale ‘eye fucked’ his new friend. Rich would return the stare and then look down. Finally to the surprise of both it was after 10:00pm. As they walked to their cars Dale thought, ‘I will definitely go to Church next Sunday.’

Since Dale’s wife sang in the choir they arrived a half hour prior the start of the service so she would have time to robe and meet with the choir in the music room for a quick warm up. Dale hung out in the narthex (entry hall) talking to acquaintances. When Rich arrived Dale was pleased as his new friend smiled as they shook hands. Dale asked Rich if he could sit with him as his wife was in the choir. He was happy when the reply was “Sure”.

As they sat next to each other during the hour long service Dale kept reminding himself, ‘you are a jerk to think anything will happen’. Yes, as a robust hiker he has a fit body. As a long time divorced man he must not be too much into women. He wasn’t hiking with a mate since when Dale had asked him if he hiked alone Rich had replied that he enjoyed being alone in the solitude of the woods.

After the service Rich asked Dale if he would be willing to come to his home some evening to review the draft of the budget. He had put it on an Excel spreadsheet in his home computer and wanted to review it prior to presenting it to the Vestry for approval. Dale with pleasure agreed to a Wednesday evening meeting. Since his weekly pizza nights with the boys had ended he felt a void on Wednesday evenings. Then Dale suggested, “We could go out to dinner together and then review the budget.”

Rich responded, “That’s a great idea, but why not come to my place for dinner. I enjoy cooking but only do it for myself. It would be nice to have another person share the table.”

Dale replied, “It’s a date. I’ll bring the wine. Let me know the main course so I can match the wine with the meal.” Then Dale thought to himself, ‘that was dumb to use the word date’.

“I plan to make Beef Bourguignon in my slow cooker so a hearty red would be appropriate.”

“See you Wednesday.”

As they drove home from church his wife stated, “You seem to be in a good mood. I was afraid having to sit through a long church would put you in a foul mood.”

“I found the sermon very inspiring.” His wife wondered why a sermon based on ‘lust and greed’ would inspire her husband not knowing he had not heard a word of it as he lusted for the man sitting next to him.

Wednesday morning Dale told his wife he was going out to dinner with Rich Hayes so she would not need to prepare a meal prior to her choir practice. He did not feel comfortable telling her the meal would be at his home. Dale’s home was in a 1920s building in University Heights converted to condos. His spacious apartment on the third floor was elegantly furnished. Obviously he had good taste. When he opened the door Dale presented his friend with a bottle of Burgundy and a bouquet of flowers. Rich thanked him for both and took a vase out of a cabinet that was the perfect size for the bouquet of fall colors. Rich offered him a drink and Dale requested Scotch on the Rocks. They sat in the living room having easy conversation as they nibbled on cheese and crackers. Dinner followed where the table was set with English bone china, sterling silver and Waterford crystal. The Beef Bourguignon was as delicious as the conversation. Dale was totally at ease while also very frustrated. He could not identify Rich’s sexual preference. He never mentioned women in his life. Was he straight, gay or just a man who had no strong sexual desires. During the course of the evening Dale asked Rich what his future hiking plans were. He replied that he planned a four mile easy hike Saturday, The Deer Lick Cave Trail in Brecksville. Then to Dale’s joy he asked if he would like to go with him. Dale immediately replied ‘Yes’ with the qualification that he had not done much serious hiking but was willing to try. They discussed hiking shoes. While Dale did not own a pair that would hold up on long distance hikes Rich was sure his walking shoes would be adequate for this hike, especially since they would only carry light day packs.

When Dale arrived home his wife was in bed reading. He told her about their dinner at the restaurant and long discussion in the bar. He told her about his plans to hike Saturday. He then got ready for bed and told his wife he was going to review some papers in his office. His bed clothes consisted of a night shirt that went down to just below his knees. He enjoyed the freedom of being able to hang loose not constricted by pants or shorts. It was the next best thing to sleeping naked. Entering his office he pulled the night shirt up as he sat in the comfortable leather chair. This evening he did not need one of the gay porn magazines hidden in the back of a drawer to inspire himself. While fantasizing about a naked Rich he slowly stroked to a very happy ending.

Saturday morning when Rich knocked Loraine answered the door. Happy that her husband had found a friend who encouraged healthy activity she invited him in for a cup of coffee. Dale was ready wearing layers of clothing and walking shoes that Rich confirmed would be adequate for a day hike. Rich had brought an extra day pack and provided lunch, hiking treats and water. They were soon on the road. Dale found the usually quiet Rich to be an enjoyable traveling companion. He was out of his shell and to the surprise of Dale did most of the talking. He was surprised that the forty minute drive seemed so short. Being the first week of November there were no other hikers parked at the trail head. With Rich leading they silently hiked about a half hour. They took a break sitting on a log as Rich took out some trail treats and the bottle of water. Dale was surprised that they would share the same bottle. He hoped to eventually share more than just a bottle of water.

Dale then announced, “The morning coffee has gone through me. I need a break.” He stood and walked off the trail and with his back to Rich he pissed. He saw out of the corner of his eye that his friend had walked in the opposite direction to do the same. He finished, turned and admired the stream of yellow he saw between Rich’s slightly spread legs. He thought to himself, ‘If that had been Tad we would have pissed together. Maybe someday with Rich?’

With frequent breaks including lunch they finished the hike in a couple of hours. Dale was happy with himself as he did not feel he had held his friend back. As they drove home Rich suggested they stop at a sporting goods store that specialized in outdoor activities. At the store he helped Dale pick out a pair of sturdy hiking boots. He suggested that he wear the new boots a couple of hours every day until they were broken in.

The next day Loraine was surprised that her husband was going to church. This would be a record, two Sundays in a row. Dale again sat with Rich. There was only one hymnal in the holder at their seat which required they share. Dale was felt goose bumps when they hands accidentally touched.

When Dale suggested he treat Rich to a dinner on choir practice night his friend insisted he come to his home again. “I really enjoy cooking. Cooking for just one person is no fun. This week I’ll do spaghetti and meat balls.”

“I certainly enjoy meat – balls.” Dale commented in a slightly erotic voice. “I’ll bring wine appropriate for spaghetti.”

Wednesday, while his wife was at choir practice, over dinner the two discussed possible long hikes. Since it was now mid-November overnight hikes were not something either wanted to pursue. Rich told of places in New England, the Appalachians and Colorado where he planned to hike someday.

Dale had rehearsed how he would approach the topic he really wanted to discuss. Finally at a lull in their discussion Dale began, “Rich, we have gotten to know each other over the last couple of weeks. I have something to ask you and if you don’t want to discuss it just say so. You are a very healthy vibrant guy. I don’t know about you but I am horny a lot. To tell you the truth my hand sees almost as much action as it did when I was a teenager. Do you have these thoughts and how do you take care of yourself?”

Rich replied, “If I didn’t know you better I would tell you to ‘fuck off’ and mind your business. Hell, we’ve been talking about hiking together, spending nights together so I guess our private business can be shared. Being a single guy and not wanting to get involved with a woman my hand does keep me happy. But I have a dark secret that I assume you will keep just between us. I enjoy, really enjoy looking at porn. I have a few VHS tapes that I have purchased. For variety I rent tapes at a video store that has a very comprehensive back room.”

Dale was ecstatic. “Obviously, I cannot have such stuff in my house. I do have some magazines hidden in my office for inspiration. I have seen some porn videos and really, I mean really enjoyed it. Do you have something we could watch now?”

“Sure do.” Was Rich’s reply.