Troubled Waters

by Jerry Cole

  “Yes. It’s going to be a narrow path.”

  ***

  “Papa?” Ness said as he entered is father’s bedroom.

  His father was propped up against a bank of pillows in his bed. The room was dim, as the curtains were drawn closed.

  “Nestor,” his father welcomed.

  Ness went to sit on the side of his father’s bed.

  “Pneumonia, huh? How’d you get that? Swimming with the mermaids?”

  Papa shook his head. “Just age. The old body’s winding down.”

  “Nah, you got dozens of years yet.”

  His father was silent, and then asked, “How did the concert go?”

  “Sensational. My manager is working on a number of new leads. We’re going to see the recording of the American concert later in the week.”

  His father sighed and seemed to lose energy. “That’s good, son.”

  Ness stared at his father for a while. “Papa, I’ve brought a friend I want you to meet.”

  “You got a girl?”

  “No, it’s a man.”

  “Is he connected with your music?”

  Ness spoke hesitantly, “No. It’s a romantic connection.”

  Papa just stared at him.

  “I’m gay, Dad.”

  “Homosexual?”

  “Yes. It’s taken me a while but I’ve discovered that I need to be with a man to be happy.”

  “But… I don’t understand. What about Gia? You two seemed like a good match.”

  “She was a good friend. We grew up together and were close, but Papa, she’s married to Constantine, the baker. Don’t you remember? We were all at the wedding.”

  “Oh… yes… I remember that now.” He studied his son. “And how do you know this about yourself?”

  Ness chuckled. “Well, it’s hard to say. It’s something you feel. It’s not something you just decide. It’s not like choosing a shirt in a store. Let me ask you, how did you know you were straight?”

  Papa thought about that. “It never occurred to me to even think about that. I just was. I always was and it’s what everyone was.”

  “Yes, me too in my way. But it wasn’t as easy for me. I had to struggle with it. I was gay. And some part of me knew that, but it took a while to discover that and come to terms with it because it was not the norm.”

  “Have you told Kori?”

  “Yes, Papa. And I’ll tell everyone.”

  “Okay. And this friend you brought, is he your… what do you say, boyfriend?”

  “Yes, I hope he will be, but we’ve only just met.”

  “And you bring him home so soon? Is that not rushing things?”

  “He’s an American and he’s about to depart on a sailing vacation. We wanted to spend more time together before he left, but I wanted to come see you so I asked him along.”

  “I see.” He became silent.

  “Papa, what does the doctor say?”

  “About you?”

  Ness laughed. “No Papa, about you.”

  His father waved in the air. “Oh, doctors… you know. Nonsense.”

  “It’s not nonsense. You’ve got to be sensible. This is a serious illness. One of the reasons I came to visit was because I know you. I know you and your boat. You don’t want to listen to the doctor. You want to be out there on the boat, don’t you?”

  His father nodded.

  “How is the plan going for the tourist project? Is Tanis helping you?”

  “It’s okay. It’s slow. Always too slow.”

  “Where is she? I thought she was in here with you?”

  “She went to the pharmacy for me. I ran out of some medicine or something. She should be back soon.”

  “Okay, Papa. Will you be able to join us for supper? I know Kori’s making lamb the way you like it.”

  “Ah… That sounds nice.”

  “Can I get you anything?”

  Papa shook his head.

  “‘Til later then, Papa.”

  “Okay, son.”

  Ness left the room. He looked around the house and found Rhea reading in the living room. She looked up at him and smiled, and he smiled back. He would have to tell his other two sisters later when he visited their families.

  ***

  Ness found Darren still in the kitchen, peeling potatoes, as Kori basted the lamb.

  He stood in the doorway watching them for a moment. What a domestic scene. It warmed his heart.

  “Mind if I steal him away?” Ness asked Kori. “I want to show him the town.”

  “Go ahead you two. But be back for dinner. And don’t be late.”

  “I’ll make sure he’s on time. When’s dinner?” Darren asked.

  “Six-thirty… sharp.”

  “Need anything from town? Ness asked.

  Kori thought for a moment. “If Constantine still has a whole wheat loaf, bring that.”

  “Will do.”

  Ness took Darren’s arm and led him out of the kitchen. Standing outside in the courtyard he asked, “You warm enough? You need a jacket. It can get breezy in the late afternoon.”

  “Will we be long?

  Ness checked his watch. “Not too. It’s a small town. Just want you to see it. And I’ll see about Kori’s bread. Then we’ll wander back.”

  “I’m fine, then. Let’s go.”

  They proceeded to walk toward town. Ness kept glancing at Darren and he had to resist the urge to take his hand. He couldn’t believe how far he had come since that night he’d left the club and been followed and approached by the handsome man. And as they passed the spot where they’d met, Ness had to smile. Was it really only a couple of days ago?

  “I’d better check on the bread,” Ness said, directing Darren across the main plaza to the bakery. They went inside.

  “Good afternoon, Ness,” Constantine greeted in Greek. “I hear your Athens concert was a great success.”

  “It was. And, hopefully, I’ll be off to America soon.”

  “Local boy makes good. It makes us proud.”

  Ness turned to Darren but said to Constantine in English, “This is my friend and guest, Darren, visiting from America.”

  “Welcome, friend,” he said, and then asked Ness, “Does Kori need her regular bread?”

  “She does. I assume you know what she likes.”

  “I put one aside just for her.”

  Ness turned to Darren. “Small town. Everybody knows everything.”

  “I think that’s pretty much the same anywhere one goes.”

  Ness reached into his pocket to get change to pay.

  “Not necessary,” the baker said, “It goes on her account.”

  Darren was studying the case with pastries. He turned to Ness, “Shall I get something nice for dessert?”

  “If you like.”

  “I’ll have that creamy looking cake,” Darren requested.

  “Ah, galaktoboureko, you will like. A very special treat.” He took the cake out of the case and put in in a box and tied it with string for easy carrying. “Good day to you both,” the baker said, as he handed to box to Darren. Darren took out some notes and offered the baker to take the right amount.

  As they left the bakery Ness pointed out the basic elements of the small town. There was the church, the café, two restaurants, the post office, and a government building that housed the local government. Various other shops dotted the plaza.

  “Well, that’s about it. Then there’s the harbor, the bar that’s also a club, and another restaurant. Want to see that?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Then we’ll head back.”

  They started to walk when Ness pointed. “There are my other two sisters.” He called out. “Zoe, Dorkas!”

  The sisters turned. Ness and Darren went over. He gave them each a hug.

  “This is my new friend, Darren, from America,” he said in Greek.

  Darren, assuming he was being introduced, nodded. “Hello. Lovely to meet you.”

  Ness whis
pered. “They don’t speak English.”

  The sisters seemed to regard him with some suspicion. But Ness linked arms with each of them and led them forward, speaking to them in Greek. Darren walked behind. The girls kept giving him furtive glances as Ness told them all the latest news—which he presumed included him. Maybe not about being gay, but he assumed that would follow later. The two sisters went back with them to the house.

  When they got back Ness said to Darren. “Give me a few minutes—I want to tell them about us before they leave. Why don’t you go see if Kori needs help in the kitchen?” He handed Darren the bread.

  “Gladly.”

  Darren walked in to where wonderful smells were wafting through the kitchen.

  “Bread and dessert,” he announced.

  “Splendid,” Kori said. “Maybe you could set the table. We eat in the kitchen here.”

  “Happy to help.”

  Kori had already placed the plates and cutlery on the table, so all he had to do was arrange the place settings. He checked his watch; it was almost six-thirty. And just then, the rest of the family appeared right on time. Ness accompanied and helped his father to his place at the head of the table. Darren could see that Kori had them well trained.

  Darren stood back and watched as the family interacted, greeting each other and sharing the day’s stories. He watched with great satisfaction. This was a happy home. He would be content to be a part of it.

  Chapter Eight

  Loretta, never one to drive when she could ride, had arranged for a car for the trip to Connecticut to evaluate the Linwood Academy. She, Mai, and Tyler enjoyed a comfortable ride chatting. She’d also arranged for all three of them to stay at the historic, but still fashionable, Darien Magree Hotel.

  Mai and Tyler shared a room, and Loretta had reserved the Presidential Suite for herself. Not that she had illusions of grandeur, but she was used to a certain level of comfort and style. There was a full kitchen and the refrigerator was stocked with an ample supply of champagne, as per her instructions.

  The first thing Tyler did after they checked in was to request a tour of the hotel’s mechanical room, directed by the hotel’s maintenance supervisor. He was duly accommodated. Loretta and Mai had afternoon tea in the grand dining room as Tyler prowled around in the bowels of the hotel.

  “Is this standard behavior for our darling Tyler? Is he always so driven by lust for technology?”

  Mai sighed. “He’s insatiable. Hardly a day goes by when he hasn’t begged for the latest techie toy or demanded a tour around some hydro-electric or nuclear facility. It’s exhausting.” She leaned back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap.

  Loretta eagerly leaned forward. “Maybe there’s some way I could help? Money is certainly no object. Or I would be happy to shepherd him to any number of facilities that interest him.”

  “I appreciate that. And it is all very well to encourage his curiosity, but there is also a question of discipline. I, well, we, actually—Darren and I—believe he needs to learn patience and some restraint. We don’t think it’s healthy to just give in to his every whim.”

  “Yes, there is some wisdom in that,” Loretta said, judiciously. “Speak of the devil,” she added, as Tyler ran across the dining room to their table.

  “Was it nice?” Mai asked as Tyler jumped into a chair at the table.

  He shrugged. “Primitive, but interesting from a historical perspective.”

  Loretta rolled her eyes at Mai, who smiled.

  “Would you like something to eat or drink?” Loretta asked.

  Tyler considered. “Vanilla milkshake?”

  Mai shook her head. “Not so soon before dinner. How about some juice and an English muffin?”

  Tyler nodded. Loretta signaled for the waiter and ordered. Mai shook out the napkin at Tyler’s place and placed it in his lap.

  “What are we going to do this evening?” asked Tyler.

  Mai looked at Loretta, then back to him. “We’re going to find a nice restaurant for dinner and have a quiet evening. And an early bedtime for you, young man. It’s going to be a busy and exhausting day tomorrow.”

  Tyler wiggled in his chair. “I saw a brochure in my room that listed a classic car museum. Can we go to that?

  “I’m sure it’ll be closed after dinner,” Mai insisted.

  “But we could go now.”

  She leaned over and swiped the hair out of Tyler’s eyes. “No. Nap time. You get far too fired up, and you need to calm down. Even if you don’t sleep, it’s good to have some time to unwind.”

  Tyler sat in his chair, pouting. “You hate me.”

  Loretta replied, “Tyler, you know that isn’t true. Your mother dotes on you and genuinely cares about you and your education. But she also should command your obedience and respect.” She paused and stared at him. “Now apologize to your mother.”

  He looked over to Mai. “Sorry, Mom.”

  “And you better mean it,” Loretta added.

  “I do.”

  ***

  Ness and Darren had stayed up till after eleven o’clock drinking wine with the sisters at the dinner table. The galaktoboureko, the delicious cake from the shop, had been a great success and been totally consumed in the meantime. It was a merry group, and all the sisters had warmed to Darren and plied him with questions about America. Ness had been busy translating for the sister who didn’t speak English.

  Finally, Darren could see that Ness was fading. This had been an exceptionally intense couple of days for both of them, and he thought it was time for bed.

  He leaned over and nudged Ness. “You look exhausted. Bed maybe?”

  Ness sighed. “Sounds good. Why don’t you use the bathroom first? If the ladies get in there first we won’t get to bed before three.”

  Darren leaned in and whispered. “Now that everybody knows we’re gay, is it still going to be okay for us to share a bed?”

  Ness smiled and whispered back, “That will give them fuel for gossip for at least a week.”

  Darren stood up. “Ladies, I’m still on American East Coast time. I’m beat. Time for bed. You have a lovely rest of the evening.” He bowed and left the kitchen.

  ***

  Darren was already on the left side of the bed and nearly asleep when Ness came in and began undressing.

  “Are you still awake?” he whispered.

  Darren stirred and looked over. “Just. Come, get in.” He threw back the covers on the right side of the bed.

  Ness left on his briefs and climbed into bed next to Darren. He turned his back to Darren and invited him to spoon him from behind. Darren snuggled up close and put his arm across Ness’ chest, kissing the back of his neck. He had always found that tender part extremely sexy.

  “Shall I turn out the light?” Ness asked.

  “If you like.”

  Ness reached over and turned out the lamp on the side table. Then he pulled up the covers around them both. Darren nuzzled Ness’ shoulder with his nose. Ness reached back and could feel that Darren was naked, so he slipped off his briefs and threw them on the floor. He reached back again and felt Darren’s erection jutting firmly against his butt.

  “Are you sure it’s okay to do this?” Darren asked.

  Ness turned to face him and said, “If we’re more or less quiet.”

  Darren chuckled. “What’s ‘more or less quiet’? Does that mean no screaming when we cum or does it mean no noise at all?”

  “I guess we’ll just have to find out. Now, let me see just how quiet we can be.” And with that Ness scooted down and took Darren’s cock in his mouth. Sweet, sweet, sweet, he thought. Then he began to move his mouth slowly over the surface of Darren’s dick. Darren took his pillow and put it over his face to muffle his moans.

  Ness reached over and put his hand on Darren’s ass and guided him closer, driving him deeper into his mouth—every inch fully inside. Darren began to squirm, but Ness was careful not to let Darren cum just yet. Instead, he used Darren
like a musical instrument—playing the scales with his mouth and making such sweet music.

  When Darren couldn’t take it anymore he broke free from Ness and got out of bed, his erection waving like the mast of a ship. He went over to Ness’ side of the bed and made Ness sit up on the side. He got on his knees and spread Ness’ legs and moved in close. Now it was his turn, and he began by giving Ness a handjob.

  “This is a handjob,” he whispered.

  Ness could barely speak. “Okay, I get it.”

  Darren continued working his dick. Even though the mouth was nice and warm and wet, the hand allowed more precise control, and he skillfully worked his foreskin over the head. “Got any lube?” Darren asked, but then added. “Of course you don’t. What was I thinking?”

  “Wait a minute.” Ness disengaged and went to the dresser. He picked up a jar and came back.

  “My sister’s face cream. Would that work?”

  “You bet.”

  Darren opened the jar and applied a liberal amount of cream to Ness’ cock.

  Ness arched his back and groaned. “Oh, yes. That does make a difference.”

  “Yes, I thought it might.”

  Darren began to twist his hand, lathered in cream, around the shaft. Ness was about to peak.

  “Wait. Wait.” He breathed out as quietly as he could. “This is fantastic, but I am so close. What about you?”

  “Let me take care of that,” Darren said, as he reached down and creamed up his own cock. Then he began working the two of them together.

  Ness began breathing heavily again. It was all he could do to keep from crying out. Darren kept working him, slowly up and down, crowning over the tip of his dick with his creamy hand, while at the same time working himself.

  Ness reached over and pulled Darren to him and began kissing him. It was a little difficult for Darren to work both Ness’ cock and his own, and kiss at the same time, but he rose to the challenge. Finally, Darren could tell that Ness was ready, and he worked himself to the point where he was ready too. Ness backed away from kissing and leaned back, resting on his hands and threw his head back just as Darren worked them both to the brink and skillfully sent them over the edge.