first line Prompt #313 – First Line

[Renee Stevens]

“Did you say the crocuses were blooming?”

[joann414]

Fighting and Flowers

 

"Did you say the crocuses were blooming?"

 

Bob stopped reading his kindle at his boyfriend's question.  Looking down at Al's head that lay in his lap, he realized his boyfriend was dead to the world.  Feeling a little strange, he lay his kindle aside, waiting for his boyfriend to continue.

 

"Beautiful, but not as beautiful a you."  Al's speech was so clear that you wouldn't have believed he was asleep unless you'd been Bob, looking down at him, ready to explode.

 

"What the hell?"  Pushing Al roughly to the floor, Bob stood up.  "You're talking about flowers in your sleep."

 

Al jolted awake when he hit the floor hearing his boyfriend's words.  Trying to get coherent enough to defend his actions, he rubbed his eyes for a few seconds before responding.  "Damn, Bob.  I was dreaming.  You didn't have to throw me on the floor.  What's got you so riled up anyway?"

 

Bob looked down at Al, who was sitting with his back against the couch by now, refusing to meet his eyes, as he emitted a fake yawn. "You hate flowers.  I've wanted a rose garden for months, and you said it would take up too much of my time.  Now, you are talking about flowers in your sleep.  Not only that, you were carrying on a conversation with someone, telling them that the blooming crocuses were beautiful, but not as beautiful as them."

 

"You don't know who or what I was talking to.  That's crazy.  I was in a deep sleep.  It doesn't mean a thing, so quit acting all bent out of shape.  You know I'd never cheat on you again." Al finally looked at looked at Bob, hoping he'd convinced his boyfriend that he was telling the truth.

 

"Whatever, I'm not going to worry myself into a panic over this.  I lived two years in misery when you were sleeping with Larson behind my back. Let's just forget it.  I'm going to bed."  Bob picked up his kindle and went to their bedroom, closing the door behind him.

 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Al took his phone from his pocket and clicked out a text message.  When it was answered, he smiled widely before pocketing his phone and turning the lights out before following Bob to their bedroom.

 

***

 

Bob heard the sound of the shower when he woke up the next morning.  After turning off the alarm, he grabbed his robe off the chair next to the bed pulling it on as he walked into the bathroom, splashing cold water over his face and then relieving himself before purposely flushing the commode, causing his boyfriend to howl.  The he went out to the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee.  Sitting down at the kitchen table with his coffee, he thought about the events of the night before.  He was sure Al was cheating on him again, but he was going to catch him this time instead of waiting for the 'I found someone else' speech.  Hearing the shower stop, he got up and popped himself an English muffin in the toaster, not wanting to have to have conversation with his boyfriend this morning.  Watching the toaster as if it would hurry it along, he grabbed the muffin as soon as it popped up and slathered it with butter, stuffing a large portion of it into his mouth, washing it down with his coffee.  He finished his simple breakfast in less than five minutes, putting his cup into the sink to wash later.  There certainly wasn't any danger of Al washing a dish.  He then got him a small bottle of orange juice from the refrigerator before heading toward the bedroom, passing Al in the hall.  "You're up early this morning.  I thought you didn't have any meetings until after lunch."

 

Al reached for the bottle of orange juice in Bob's hand, frowning when his boyfriend wouldn't let him have it.  "I've got some last minute shopping before I leave for Denver tomorrow night.  I thought I'd purchase a couple of new sweaters since the weather is so cold there.  I've got a few, but I'm going to be gone for ten days."

 

Bob didn't even respond to his answer.  He went to their bedroom to get dressed.  His catering business had landed a gig of over 500 people for tonight.  They had four different buffet tables to get ready and that was just a drop in the bucket.  The client wanted champagne fountains, chocolate fountains, and live flowers floating in the two pools outside of the venue.  Pulling on a pair of jeans and sliding his arms into a heavy red checked flannel shirt, he contemplated on his footwear.  Normally, he could rely on his staff to take care of everything, but he decided he better be prepared to help with some of the outside décor.  He got a pair of heavy socks from his drawer, put them on and then pushed his feet down into his ropers.  Retrieving a heavy navy parka from his closet, he headed to the front door.  He stopped to pick up his keys and wallet off the table in the foyer.  Not bothering to even say by to his boyfriend, he left to start his day.

 

"You look like someone pissed in your Wheaties this morning.  What gives?"

 

Mark, Bob's assistant zeroed in on his mood before he could even got his coat off.  "Same o, same o.  I should've never let him come back.  It's only been a little over a year and he's at it again."

 

Laying down the clipboard he'd been holding, Mark walked over to his friend, pulling him into a hug.  "He's a fool.  You treated him like gold even after he cheated on you.  How could he hurt you again?  The guy is the luckiest fellow in the world to be loved by you."

 

Bob pulled gently back so that he could look into his friend's face.  "Wow.  If you're trying to make me feel better, mission accomplished.  Now, let's go see if everyone knows their duties for the next twelve or fourteen hours.  This is going to be quite a show from what I've heard.  I'm just thrilled we landed the food.  Besides the buffets, we've got to make sure the appetizers and desserts are plentiful." 

 

Mark just nodded and walked over to get the clipboard he'd laid down when Bob came in.  "Lisa and Merle have the tablecloths and cutlery under control.  Of course, we're using the best china as you ordered.  Glasses are already packed and ready to go.  Centerpieces are supposed to be ready by one, along with the floral floaters for the pool.  The dessert chefs have been going since before daylight this morning, so I'm sure they'll be fine.  I've given orders that buffets are to be warm at all times.  Breads and condiments are taken care of.  I used the same bread bakery we hired for the Governors Christmas party last year.  They were a hit.  That'll take a lot off of our chefs, not having to do the bread."

 

"Good.  I agree about the bread.  That's a lot of work and time, and it takes two of our chefs working non-stop.  I guess we'll meet here around noon and head over to the venue.  Anything else?"  Bob looked at Mark.

 

"Nah, I'm going to make sure the vans are ready to go.  They took the buffet set ups over earlier to get that out of the way.  I'll come to your office in an hour and we'll head to the venue.  Um...Bob?"

 

Bob turned back to Mark. "Hmmm."

 

"Forget it.  Maybe we'll talk later."

 

Bob watched Mark walked away, noticing a slump to the other man's posture.  He drew his brows together, wondering what Mark was going to ask.  Shrugging, he hurried to his office to try and get a little work done during the next hour.

 

***

 

Mark looked at his watch and it was after 2 o'clock.  The florist was late.  He looked out the big picture windows in the back of the building to see Bob talking to one of the employees beside the pool, gesturing wildly.  Mark knew Bob must've realized the flowers were late also.

 

Hurrying out the door, Mark walked toward Bob.  "I don't know what's happened with the florist.  Jenny assured me that Gov. Ford's wife said they were very dependable."

 

"Whadda you mean?  What does the Governor's wife have to do with our flowers not being here?"  Bob was angry as well as frustrated.

 

"Well, Kudos couldn't do our flowers.  He was booked solid today.  Jenny even offered him a bonus, but he said he'd committed to the Christmas Cotillion months ago, and it's tomorrow night."  Mark trailed off, watching Al's face turn an angry red.

 

"Get me the name and address of the florist.  Now!"  Bob pointed his finger at Mark.

 

Ten minutes later, Mark sat beside Bob in his truck on his way downtown to Felix's Flowers and Arrangements.  Even the name didn't sound dependable. Bob was even angrier when Mark had told him the name of the florist and Bob wasn't even familiar with them.  When they got to the address, they saw two big white van's out front with a huge rainbow painted on the side and Felix's Arrangements and Flowers painted in purple at the end of the rainbow.  Bob jerked the truck into a parking place, and walked to the double doors of the van that were standing open. 

 

"Well, there's our damn flowers.  Wonder where the idiot is that is supposed to be bringing all of this and setting it up?"  Seeing another driver leaning against the side of the other van, he asked him if he was headed to the venue.  The driver nodded and said.  "Felix told me to wait on him.  That's been over an hour ago.  His boyfriend showed up."

 

Mark followed Bob to the back room of the flower shop, where he assumed the flowers were kept, hoping the other man wouldn't let his temper get the best of him..  He ran into Bob when the other man suddenly stopped in his tracks.  The scene in front of them was enough to set Al and Mark off.  Standing next to a rack of long stemmed silk roses was Al, and a man that had to be Felix who was on his knees in front of him, Al's cock down his throat.

 

  Oblivious to his audience, Al cooed.  "That's it Feely baby.  Suck it.  Damn those flowers.  You gotta take care of my stem first."  Al steadily pumped in and out of Felix's mouth, in no hurry to finish.

 

Mark watched Bob reach and pull several fresh uncut roses out of a container.  Not caring about the thorns, he started thrashing Al, aiming for his cock as Felix fell back when he felt Al jerk his cock jerked from his mouth.  When the stems broke, Bob reached for more, steadily pelting the now flaccid cock every time Al would move his hands up to cover his head when Bob would hit him on the head.  Seeing red drops appearing on the tender skin, Mark grabbed Bob's arm, suppressing a grin.  "We better get the flowers back to the venue.  I think you've finally gotten your revenge."

 

Felix stood uncertainly, looking at Mark and Bob.

 

"Well, don't just stand there.  You've got flowers to deliver.  I took care of Al's little stem.  Now, go!"

 

Felix all but ran to the other van, motioning his driver to follow him.

 

"I'm a friggin idiot.  I knew he was cheating again and let him do it.  But, no more.  Thinking I'd never find anyone at my age, I took him back.  But, I'll be alone before I'm made a fool of again.  Forty five may seem old to some, but it's not.  I can still have a life...I can."

 

Mark looked over at Bob, who'd put his head down on the steering wheel. Placing his hand on other man's shoulder, he squeezed gently.  "You should've seen the look on Al's face the first lick you delivered with those thorny roses.  It was hilarious."

 

Al raised his head, throwing it back and laughing through the tears that had gathered in his eyes.  "I was so angry, but the whole time I was whipping his cock, I knew it wasn't because I loved him.  It was just punishment for all the times he'd lied to me."  Putting the truck in gear, Bob pulled the truck into the traffic, going back to the venue.  Clicking on his phone he called Al.  Al answered on the first ring.  "I want you and all your belongings out of my house when I get home later.  Be sure to get that ugly vase of flowers that appeared in your bedroom several months ago.  Now I know why they never wilted.  Felix was giving you fresh ones everyday.  Well, I'm giving you something fresh, a new start...without me.  Bye Al."  Clicking his phone off, Bob glanced at Mark.  "I feel better already."

 

"Time always helps.  You'll get over him and some lucky man will snap you up when you least expect it."  Mark hushed.

 

Bob turned on his signal to turn into the venue.  Turning off the truck, he said.  "I think I've been over him.  I've just got to find myself."

 

***

Three Months Later

 

"Get your ass in gear.  We've only got two days.  They can't do without the both of us any longer."  Bob waited patiently for Mark to load his four wheeler onto the trailer beside his.  "Have you got everything?"

 

Mark looked like a movie star in his tight faded jeans, baby blue tee shirt and black boots.  His tanned skin made his green eyes shine under the mop of black hair that had gotten long enough to touch his shoulders.  He felt Bob run his hands through the back of it and turned to look at the other man.  "I hope you never get tired of doing that."

 

"You don't have to worry.  I plan on keeping you.  You stay at my house almost every night anyway.  You could just move in."  Bob stared straight into Mark's eyes.

 

"Are you sure?  I'd love to, but I don't want to rush things after what happened with Al.  I know you have trust issues, and I can't blame you.  But, you have to know.  When you said yes when I asked you out, I quit looking.  I became the luckiest man in the world."

 

Fighting tears, Bob said, "I wanted to ask you to move in a couple of weeks after we started seeing each other.  We just seemed to fit."

 

"We do fit.  Anyway, you can trust me.  I don't want to get cock whipped with thorny roses."  Mark dodged Bob's hand when he went to smack him.

Edited April 4, 2014 by joann414

[Mann Ramblings]

Way to go, Joann. You're on a roll!

[Slytherin]

 

 

Joann414:  That dang bear and her running crazy emoticon.  It kills my concentration

Interesting story - I was hoping that Al didn't cheat on Bob. Bob got his revenge    and a new boyfriend.. Sweet

[Valkyrie]

Great story, Joann   I'm so glad that Bob found someone who appreciates him.

[Valkyrie]

Here's mine

 

https://www.gayauthors.org/story/valkyrie71/2014promptresponses/11

[Slytherin]

I know I sound like a broken record or something Great Writing, Valkyrie   

 

[Caz Pedroso]

Here's my attempt https://www.gayauthors.org/story/cazpedroso/promptsfor2014/1

[Slytherin]

Great prompt,  Cazpedroso

[comicfan]

Well here is my take on this.

 

https://www.gayauthors.org/story/comicfan/apromptaweek/10

[Mann Ramblings]

Nice heartwarming work, Wayne. You balanced off Sam's apprehension with his father by giving us Nick's healthy relationship with his. It's nice to see a father who doesn't hate his son for being gay. It's an easy trope to fall into, because so many know how real it can be. 

[comicfan]

True Mann, but then when have I ever followed the expected path? I like to try and surprise people. I don't always succeed but I try.