The Connecticut River Boys - 3. Friends and Family

David sat a table in the Church Hall with Craig’s parents, his sister, her husband and their son, and his nephew (by marriage), Andrew. The other son, CC (Craig Charles), was across the room talking to James, the organist. When Andrew’s cell phone rang, all looked at him with concern. His wife was due to have their second child in two weeks. After a brief conversation, Andrew turned to his parents, “That was Beth’s sister. The little one might be coming early. I must get home as fast as possible.” Andrew jumped out of his chair and ran over to his brother. “CC, I must leave immediately. Beth is on her way to the hospital for a possible early delivery. Dad will make arrangements for you to get back to Amherst.” Andrew then made a hasty departure.

CC turned to James. ”That was my brother. His second kid is due, apparently sooner than expected. He was to be my ride back to school.” CC then suggested to James that he should meet his uncle and parents. David and Craig’s family had met guests as they entered the Church Hall. However, James, the organist, had not come down until later. The two approached the table. “Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, I want to introduce today’s organist, the very talented James Parker. Uncle David, I assume you have met him.”

David smiled as he checked out the handsome young man: black, tall – at least six feet (195 cm), thin, dark brown welcoming eyes and large hands with long delicate fingers. Fingers that would do magic with the organ. David chuckled to himself as he considered,’ magic with which organ, the musical organ or the man organ’? He then replied, “I know James’ parents, but I have never formally met this talented young man. I am extremely grateful that you were able to play at the service. Thank you. Your performance was impressive.”

CC continued. “With his brilliant talent on the organ, you would think he was a professional musician. His regular job is that as the webmaster at a large travel agency.” CC and James offered to get coffee, sandwiches and desserts for David, the parents and grandparents. They returned with a tray of refreshments. After sitting with his family for fifteen minutes, CC told them James was going to give him a tour of the church. David was tempted to say, “I hope he lets you play his organ.” Instead, he just smiled. Then David thought of Craig and the reaction he would have to his nephew going exploring with a handsome young man. He would have fully supported any type of friendship the two might develop.

As David looked around the room filled with friends of Craig, he was both filled with joy that his love had touched the lives of so many, while he felt sad for not only his loss, but the loss of their friend, Craig, by so many people. As he scanned the room, he made eye contact with Scott. The handsome redhead was sitting with a group that had attended the party, including handyman, Pavel. Scott and Pavel appeared to be in deep conversation. Scott and David had created a story to be told about Craig’s need for an ambulance. David wanted his friends to know that Scott had taken care of Craig until the EMTs arrived and had been very supportive since. However, he did not believe it was anyone’s business, even his close gay friends that Craig had passed out during a vigorous fuck. He told friends and family that Scott had remained after the 40^th anniversary party to help cleanup. While they were straightening up, Craig felt lite headed and sat down. When Scott offered him a glass of water, he did not respond and the ambulance was called. Prior to the arrival of the ambulance, Scott, who had had medical training while serving in the Marines, performed appropriate emergency treatment. No one questioned the explanation or even hinted that there might be more to the story. Those who had attended the party assumed Scott felt that he was obligated to stay and help clean the kitchen since he had made a mess there while playing the role of a construction worker. Actually, Scott had only removed a few items from each cupboard. While the dishes, cereal boxes, canned goods and paper supplies he had pulled out appeared to make a mess, it only took a couple of minutes to straighten the so called damage he had caused. Craig’s secret, desire for rough fucks, followed him to the grave known only by David, Scott and Pavel. .

While they had been introduced to him briefly in the receiving line, David wanted Craig’s family to have more time with the man who had been there for Craig and then helped David with the arrangements for the funeral and memorial service. He motioned to Scott to visit their table. When he arrived David explained in detail how this good friend of Craig had helped and took charge until the EMTs arrived when Craig passed out at home, then at the hospital and also, with the arrangements. David did not tell the family that Scott was an amply hung male stripper.

Meanwhile, James was giving CC the grand tour. Following a brief history of the building and walk through the sanctuary, James took CC to the music room where the choir practiced. He closed the door. As the two stood about a yard (approximately 1 meter) apart facing each other, James stared into CC’s eyes and said, “You are not only a handsome man, but a very interesting guy to talk to.” While neither was sure of the orientation of the other, both enjoyed being with and talking to the other. CC had known he was gay for years. When he came out to his parents, they had been very understanding and supportive. He never had a reason to rebel. He knew his Uncle Craig, his namesake, was gay. He knew he and David had been together for years and slept in the same bed. On the computer, he had found various gay websites. He had looked at gay porn, read gay stories and viewed sites with information for gay teens as well as men of all ages. Now at the age of 20, what he had never done, was to have a physical relationship with a man. He had never had a gay friend.

CC did not know how to respond to the comment by James. Forcing himself to say something he blurted out, “You’re handsome and interesting too.”

James continued to stare deep into CC’s eyes (and his soul). CC wanted to look away but couldn’t. He felt weak all over as he stared back. James asked, “May I touch your face?”

CC suddenly felt dizzy. “Except when playing football, I have never been touched by a man.”

The two stood, each transfixed on the other. Finally James said, “You did not say ‘no’. I assume no ‘no’ means a yes.” James slowly lifted his hand and moved it toward CC’s cheek. The naive young man stood motionless although he had plenty of time to say something or back away. As the long delicate black fingers caressed his cheek, CC stood frozen. He had read stories and seen pictures and videos of guys touching in every way possible. He often used those fuck, suck and jerk-off videos as inspiration when he beat off. But, the feeling he got from beating off to porn was nothing like what he felt now.

James was in a quandary. He had messed around with guys since he was fourteen. This was the first time he was with a man for whom he had emotional feelings, not just a quick suck or whatever was on the menu of the day. He had friends with benefits. When he was horny, a short text message often resulted in a scene of playing, sucking, fucking, 69ing or being with a couple of friends having an intimate orgy. If there were no friends available, he could find action at one of the two sex stores just off highway I-91 north of downtown Hartford. If he was not too choosy, he could have action almost immediately. All he needed to do was go to a booth and leave the door open or stand in the area with a couch and sex video playing on a large screen. Most of the patrons were middle-aged or older. To them, a hot twenty-five year old black guy was a real treat. Those visits never provided emotional relief, just joyous dick pleasure. In his eleven years of active gay sex, James had never had an experience like he was having with CC. This certainly would not be a quick suck or fuck. James wanted to please this young man more than he wanted to please his own dick. This was a new experience for him. He also realized that if he moved too fast, he might scare off this guy who appeared to be inexperienced. There was the possibility that CC was as sexually active as he was and was just playing the naive boy game. While that was a possibility, James was almost positive that CC was as innocent as he was acting.

James moved his other hand to the other cheek. He caressed both cheeks as each pair of eyes looked deep into the other. CC remained still and emotionless. James reached down and took CC’s left hand with his right. He raised CC’s hand to his own cheek. At first CC’s hand just lethargically laid against the cheek, just a numb piece of white hand against the black cheek. Gradually CC moved his fingers. As he softly massaged the cheek, James reached for CC’s other hand and placed it against his opposite cheek. The two were now exploring each other’s face. James smiled, CC smiled back. James leaned in. When their noses touched, CC did not back away. James continued his advance and tenderly placed his lips against CC’s. James moved his arms and wrapped them around CC. Slowly, with their lips still touching, CC embraced James. As James pulled him in tight, CC tightened his arms. While James wanted to open his lips and force his tongue between CC’s, he restrained himself. He did not want to scare away his new friend. With the closed mouths hard pressed together, their bodies melted together. As James carefully calculated each move, he decided they had done enough. He did not want to appear as an oversexed brute, which he realized he probably was. As tempted as he was, he did not grind his hard dick against CC. He reluctantly backed off. “As much as I am enjoying this, I have to go home. Today is my grandmother’s 75^th birthday and I am already late for the party. I hope to see you again. Let’s exchange cell phone numbers.” Following the exchange of numbers, James led CC back to the reception.

When CC sat at the table next to his grandparents, he prayed that his feelings of passion were not evident. He told his family that James had given him an interesting tour of the historic church. Hoping to prove that his time with James had been educational, he recited the short church history James had related during the first five minutes of their encounter.

That evening, CC and David were alone at the house. CC’s parents and grandparents were at the Hartford Hilton. They all had been together the previous evening and were having Sunday brunch at a restaurant near the hotel prior to their departure for home the next day. At the conclusion of the reception, David told his in-laws that he was exhausted and just wanted to rest.

David was intrigued by CC’s friendship with James, “James is certainly a handsome and talented young man. Did you enjoy the private tour of the church?”

CC immediately looked at the floor as his face turned bright red, he mumbled, “Yes, it was interesting.”

After a long silence, CC in a very soft voice began, “Uncle David, you know that I am gay. You are the only person I feel comfortable talking to about gay life. I have never had a gay friend. I am very confused. I am twenty years old. I hear all the stuff that guys in the dorm are doing with their girlfriends. Me, I have never done anything with a girl. That does not bother me. But, why can I not do things with guys like my dorm mates do with girls? Today was the first day I ever touched another man.

David immediately assumed his nephew (husband’s biological nephew, his by marriage) and James had wild sex in the short time they were gone. He pictured the handsome and talented organist, naked with a hard dick, on his knees sucking his nephew. Then CC continued, “James took me to the music room and closed the door. He told me that I was handsome. Then he caressed my face. He took my hand and held it to his face. I was stunned. It felt wonderful, but I did not know how to respond. He leaned in and kissed me. Then he wrapped his arms around me. Never have I had such a euphoric feeling. Unfortunately, it ended when he told me he was late for his grandmother’s 75^th birthday party. I want to see him again. He asked for my cell number and gave me his. What should I do?”

After a long pause David spoke, “CC, you are twenty years old. When I was your age, I was as inexperienced as you. At that age, I had never had a friendship with another man. I had never touched or been touched by another man. I was more naive than you for one reason, the internet. I assume you have viewed gay porn.” CC admitted that he had. “I’m glad. Had you told me you never did, I would assume you were a liar or sexually repressed. Back in the 1960’s, porn was tame, very tame. Videos, of course, did not exist. The only magazines were muscle magazines with pictures of strong men posing either in a position so the dick did not show or wearing a G-string.” At that expression CC looked bewildered. “A G-string is like a jock strap, only briefer with strings instead of straps and just a small piece of cloth hiding the dick. Finding information about homosexual life was difficult. I remember trying to find material at my local library. The references in sociology and psychology books were vague and more clinical than real life. I assume you have researched gay life on the internet. I know there are web pages that provide crap and others that give valid information about gays and their lifestyles. As far as books, what was available back then was difficult to find. You could not go to the library and just search for gay or homosexual literature. Bookstores did not have a section for ‘Gay’ books. I did find a few books when I was around eighteen. I still have copies of Another Country, City of Night and Midnight Cowboy - the novel, later made into a movie. You may borrow them. You might find them boring as what is available today is much more interesting and informative. So even if you did not actually do anything with another man in the past, you at least have various sources available: erotic, informative and entertaining. There is a website with hundreds of gay stories. Are you familiar with gayauthors.org? If not, I suggest you check it out.”

CC replied, “You are correct about the internet. All the guys in the dorm look at porn. Of course, I do not share my favorite websites like some guys do. I have done all kinds of gay research. I am familiar with the website with stories. I really enjoyed The Boys Trilogy. The first book, Boys of the 1950s, was about two very different guys who met in their senior year in high school. The series covers their life and love from the age of eighteen to their seventies. But reading and research is not the same as doing. All that porn, research and reading did not prepare me for the feelings I had today when James touched my cheek followed by a tight hug. Now that I have been touched by and myself touched another man, all I can think about is the feelings I had with him. What should I do? How did you feel when you met Uncle Craig? All I know is that you were a college student and he was the tow truck driver who pulled your car out of a snow drift.”

“To answer your two questions: The first, what should you do about James? In my opinion, if you do not follow up you will regret it. Possibly it was just an emotional moment and once you get to know each other better, you will realize you have nothing in common or interest in each other. At the other extreme, maybe he is the love of your life. I suggest you go to church tomorrow. The regular organist had hand surgery last week and will not play for at least a month. I assume James will be the organist. Just the fact that you are alone in church will give him a clear message that you enjoyed your encounter. Maybe he will give you another tour of the music room. Maybe he will seem distant and say ‘nice seeing you, but I have to go home and mow the lawn’. No matter what, you will have some clarity about your relationship.”

For your other question, if you want the long version of, “how I met you uncle and how our relationship developed, we need a few beers and that bag of Cheetos on the kitchen counter.

[To my reader friends – David told his nephew the details of the development of his friendship and then love of Craig. In a later chapter I will share the story with you.]

CC chose a seat that would give him a clear view of the organ. When James finished playing the prelude, he briefly scanned the congregation. When his eyes met CC, he smiled. He then raised his hand and caressed his face. CC raised his hand to his cheek and caressed his face. James’s smile widened as he lifted his hands over the keyboard and soon the opening hymn filled the sanctuary, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, sung to the tune of the Hymn of Joy from the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

As the congregation stood and began singing, CC felt his heart beating with JOY!

……………………………………………………

CC mentioned that he had read Boys of the 1950s. That was my first attempt at writing gay fiction. The first and third books of the Boys’ Trilogy follow the lives, loves, friends and adventures of Tom and Peter from their meeting in high school to their golden years, over fifty years later. The second book, Russia My Home tells the story of Moscow born Vladek. His first love is Hans Eberhardt, his German high school teacher. Fluent in German, he works for Soviet intelligence during World War II and becomes an aide (and lover) to a powerful Soviet General. His next lover is an American officer. He eventually defects to the USA where he becomes respected in his profession while having many friends and numerous affairs. In the third book, Life Goes On, the lives of Tom, Peter and Vladek become intertwined. All are available here on gayauthors. Happy Reading, Tallguyct