Young and Hungry - For Life - 18. Caleb

With lockdown totally lifted and all Flinders street businesses back in full operating mode, Andy thought it was time to resume Wednesday night drinks at Dean’s Bar. He spoke to all those on site and messaged the rest of their friends, including Thomas and asked him to pass on the invitation to his friends at Crystalline.

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“As the new landlord, do you think I’ll get free drinks?” Jonathan asked Thomas when he passed on the invitation.

“That’s not my call, but I’m sure they’d shout you the first as a celebration, thank you and welcome. If not, then it’s on me. How’s that for a guarantee?”

“You’re on” concluded Jonathan.

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“So who are all these friends of yours that you want me to meet?” asked Dante

“You’ve met my oldest and dearest friend Andy, and his partner Dean, they run the bar where we’ll meet. Then there’s Craig and Justin, they run the restaurant called Poppy’s in the same complex. When I used to work for Virginia, Jonathan’s ex-wife, they used to cater, and provide other services for the parties I planned for her”

“What do you mean by ‘other services’?”

“Remember I told you about that at Virginia’s dinner”

“Will he be serving at this drinks night?”

“No, he doesn’t do that much anymore since they bought Poppy’s”

“That’s a pity, there must be plenty of call for that”

“Oh there is, the boys have franchised that side of their business and now there are, Catering With Benefits, operations all around Sydney”

“They must be worth a bit”

“Lock down aside, I think they do quite well. I like to think I had something to do with that. I was one of their first clients and I know they got lots of referrals from the Price’s parties”

“So who else will I meet?”

“There’s Edward, he’s such a dear most of the time but can be bitchy if the mood takes him. He used to be a drag queen and is now mentoring his partner’s cousin, who is very good. He even sings in his own voice, no lip synching. His partner is Romel, he’s in nursing so not sure if he’ll be there, depending on shifts”

“Any more?”

“Yes, but I’ll leave a few surprises for you”

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Jonathan had a similar conversation with Lachlan, who said “Tell me about these waxing guys who rent from you”

“I don’t know much really. Why are you so interested?”

“Maybe it would be a fun thing to do. My diamonds would look a lot better against smooth skin”

“Yes, I like the sound of that, you could do that”

“Would you join me?” asked Lachlan.

“I’ll give it some thought and see how much you scream when you have your pubes pulled out”

“You think I’ll scream?”

“I hear it’s quite painful”

“OK, game on. If I don’t scream when I have mine done, then you’re next on the table; Deal?”

“Mmm...I don’t know”

“Scared?”

“Yes...that is, no. New experiences, that’s what I’m into. Let’s do it”

***

After speaking to Pamela on the phone, Craig said to Justin “Pamela has found a young boy she thinks will be suitable for a short stay with us”

“How young?”

“Sixteen”

“I suppose that’s OK, at least he’ll be toilet trained”

“Strange thing to say, are you not keen on the idea?”

“Depends, do you know anything about him?”

“Well, as I said he’s sixteen, been at the refuge for three weeks, and they’re looking for a foster home for him”

“Is he an orphan?”

“No, he was thrown out of home when his parents found out he was telling people at school he is gay. He was being bullied because of that and the school called his parents to a meeting. That was when they found out he is gay.”

Justin stood up and said firmly “Stop! I’ve heard enough. I don’t think he would be suitable for us”

“Why, he sounds perfect. He’s of a good age and a friendly, supporting, gay household may be just what he needs after his experiences”

“That’s the problem...”

“What’s the problem...oh, I think I see. Too close to home?”

“Exactly”

“But that’s why we are the perfect home, we... that is you, understand how he feels, being rejected by his parents”

“I know, but I still don’t feel comfortable about it”

“OK, I get that, but look at is this way. You had loving aunts to go to and a mother that still loves you. This kid has nothing like that, no loving family and only a group home with kids in the same situation. Pamela and her colleagues try as best they can, but in the end it’s a refuge, not a home”

Justin looked down but said nothing.

“Come here you big sook and I’ll give you a big hug”

Justin did as asked and Craig continued “Do you remember getting a hug like that when your mother took you to Julia and Hannah?”

“I suppose so, why?”

“Because I’ll bet, Caleb doesn’t get that when he goes back to the refuge after school each day”

“OK, I see what you mean. Maybe I should think more about the kid and less about myself”

“That’s the spirit”

“Tell Pamela we’ll give it a try. Nice name, by the way, unusual but I like it”

“Good man, see you’re already warming to him”

“But only the once”

“Of course” concluded Craig, but was not convincing. “In the meantime we have to prepare for Caleb’s arrival next week”

“What do we need to prepare, the guest room is always ready?”

“Well we need to work out how we entertain him, any special foods and conversation topics. Maybe you could ask Alex and James for suggestions”

“That’s a good idea”

“See you are looking forward to the experience, aren’t you?”

“Let’s not go that far, but I will talk to the boys before then”

***

Justin went over for dinner with his family. Upon arrival he was thanked by both boys for taking them to the circus. “My pleasure, I haven’t been to a circus in years, glad you enjoyed it”

“I especially want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet Wanda, we had our first date last Sunday”

“And did it go well?” asked Justin

“Yes, we enjoy each other’s company and I think there will be a second date”

“Yeah...” interrupted James “...I don’t think he even got to first base”

“Shut up, what would you know about dating?”

“OK, you two, play nice now” scolded Justin.

***

Caleb was delivered to the house by Pamela and introduced to Justin and Craig.

“Welcome to our home” said Craig

“Thank you, but I’ll only be here for two days, they tell me”

“That’s right, a sort of short holiday” replied Justin “But we’ll have fun”

“Is that what I’m here for? I thought it was just so the refuge can save a bit of money”

“Please don’t be cynical” said Pamela, “The boys want to give you a break from the refuge in a warm and supportive environment”

“I suppose so, I’ll give ‘em a try”

“That’s what I said” replied Justin “See we have something in common already”

“You mean being a cynic?”

“If that’s what you want to call it”

“You might not be so bad after all”

“Well now that’s settled” said Pamela “I’ll leave you all and be on my way. Have a good time Caleb and behave like a guest”

“Thanks, I’ll soon whip ‘em into shape, don’t worry”

Pamela departed and Craig suggested they adjourn to the kitchen to chat while he prepared lunch.

“I’ll open a bottle” suggested Justin

“Maybe just orange juice” Craig added with a wink

“Oh, got it, of course”

“Don’t change your habits for me. I’m happy to join you in whatever you usually drink”

“That’s what we’re trying to avoid Caleb. You are underage and we can’t be giving you alcohol on the first meeting”

“I won’t tell”

“Maybe not, but we’ll do it by the book for now”

“Looks like this is not going to be so much fun after all”

“We will have fun” replied Justin “My cousins have been very helpful, they’re around your age. They’ve loaned me their games console, some other games and a few books they have read and enjoyed”

“And have they been thrown out of their home also?”

“Of course not, but they know what sixteen year olds like to do”

“So they like to fuck?”

“Please don’t speak like that here, Caleb. Justin is just trying to help make your visit pleasurable”

“Fucking’s pleasurable”

“OK, enough of that talk. Tell us what you like to do?”

“I just did”

“No wonder you were thrown out!” shouted Justin.

“That’s not going to help Justin”

“Sorry, how about I set you up with the games console and you can work off some of that energy battling your way through the aliens or whatever?”

“I suppose it’s better than being yelled at by you two”

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When Justin returned to the kitchen, Craig said “We’re supposed to be settling him down from the trauma he’s experienced. It won’t help if you remind him of it”

“I know, but maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all”

“It’s only the first hour, give him some time to settle. It’s all new to him also, but remember you’re the adult in the room, so take charge and set the standard we intend to keep”

“I thought this was only a one-off?”

“We’ll see how it goes” answered Craig

“Not too well so far”

“From those yells of YES and GOTCHA it sounds like the games may be a hit”

“That’s a relief”

“Just the same, we can’t just park him in front of the screen for two days. We have to engage him in conversation to begin the healing process”

“Yeah well, as much as I might like talking about fucking, we have to broaden his range of conversation topics”

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When dinner was almost ready, Craig said “Why don’t you call Caleb now and ask him to help set the table for dinner. Just get him involved in simple family tasks, is probably the way to start”

Justin went to Caleb and asked him to pause his game before dinner.

“Great, I’m starved. Is the food any good here?”

“We do run a successful restaurant? Justin replied.

“Then why aren’t we eating there?”

“Because that’s our work, this is our private home life. We like to make a distinction between the two. But we will take you there for a meal some other time”

“So there’s going to be another time, is there?”

“Maybe, if it all goes well between us”

“I’ll let you know” replied Caleb.

“Generous of you; now I want you to help me set the table for dinner”

“I’m not slave labour you know”

“Yes, I do know that. Preparing the table is a normal family thing to do, it’s not an onerous job”

“Point taken, I just want to be sure I’m not being used here”

“When we ask you to scrub the floors and clean the toilets, then you’ll know you’re being used”

“Good, I’m glad we’ve got that straight”

As they both walked into the kitchen, Justin said “The cutlery is in the top drawer below the toaster. I’ll get the place mats and the glasses”

“And what are you cooking, chef?” Caleb asked Craig

“Vegetable lasagne, I hope you like that”

“What no meat, I thought you guys ran a restaurant”

“We’ll have meat tomorrow; in fact we’ve planned a barbecue, so maybe you can show us your cooking skills”

Justin overheard this and added “I hope you won’t think you’re being used as a slave if we ask you to handle the barbecue”

“Oh, you’re a sharp one. Point to you”

“Good, now is the cutlery drawer stuck or something?”

“OK, no need to be so bossy, I’m getting around to it”

“Good to hear”

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Dinner conversation was mainly about Caleb’s school and Craig and Justin’s work, until Caleb said “I found a brochure on the hall table for a company named Catering With Benefits, there’s some interesting photos in it. Can I have it?”

“Sure, we have plenty, it’s our original company we operated before we bought the restaurant and franchised CWB to other operators” explained Craig

“Ah that explains it. I thought I saw a pic of you Justin, wearing almost nothing while serving drinks”

“I don’t do that much anymore, only on special occasions. I have a team of guys I trained to do that work now”

“Mmm, I’d like to see you do that. Have you still got the body?”

“Pretty much, I still workout, but not as much as in those days. Other work uses up most of my time now”

“That’s a bummer, but maybe I could see me your muscles tomorrow. If you want to lie in the sun while I slave over a hot barbecue, that would be a nice reward”

“We’ll see what the weather’s like tomorrow”

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Caleb helped clear the table, without prompting and served dessert.

As they stated on dessert, Caleb said “Now I must warn you guys I’m not very experienced in bed, but that’s why I agreed to come here, so I can learn from you”

Craig swallowed a full mouthful of crumble then spat out “What!”

Justin was completely speechless and just stared at Caleb in disbelief. Finally Craig said “Now listen carefully, young man. You will not be engaging in any sexual activity in this house, at all. Is that clear?”

“A bit uptight about sex, are you? I’m legal you know”

“That’s not the point. To engage in sexual activity with you would not only be improper but a total breach of trust between us and the refuge. Furthermore it could be considered illegal because we are in a position of power, as you are in our care”

“Oh this is going to be no fun at all”

“Finish your dessert and then I think you better have an early night and think about what you have proposed”

“An early night, but all alone”

“And if there is any more talk about this subject, I will include it in my report to Pamela”

“You’re going to dob on me?”

“Not dob, but Pamela does require us to report how the visit went. Hopefully we will only be reporting things like, participated in activities, willing to help, polite and respectful. I don’t want to be put in a position where I have to report misbehaviour. You understand me?”

“Yes boss”

Justin then suggested “If that’s all agreed then maybe you could stay up a bit longer. Do you want to challenge me to a video game?”

“Super, but do you need Mr Spoilsport’s permission?”

“No I don’t and remember what he said about being respectful”

“OK, sorry Craig, maybe you guys aren’t so bad after all”

Craig then raised his glass of orange juice and proposed a toast “Here’s to a happy two days”

“And maybe more?” asked Caleb

“Depends”

“I know, on my behaviour”