by Andrew Grey
“Yeah, right,” Eric scoffed as he slouched in his chair, his lack of backbone becoming a physical as well as emotional characteristic.
“That’s enough, you two,” Jeana interrupted. “Neither of you have the brains to think for yourself, so you let Mom do all your thinking for you. You’re both pathetic.” She shook her head. “Jonathon and Dad have been together for seventeen years. We were just babies when Mom and Dad divorced, and you keep carrying on as though it were yesterday. And why? Because Mom’s a mental case.”
Thankfully, Greg returned, and the meal ended without further incident. After saying good-bye to their father and ignoring Jonathon, the boys hurried off. Jeana stayed behind for a few minutes while Greg paid the check, giving them each a hug before saying her own good-byes and wishing Jonathon a happy birthday.
“Well, that wasn’t bad, was it?” Greg asked as he placed his napkin on the table before standing up.
Jonathon pushed back his chair. “Only if you don’t consider that, while you were gone, my profession changed from school teacher to miner, or more specifically, gold digger.” Jonathon stood up, throwing his napkin on the chair. He looked to Greg, his face white, body literally shaking.
“The little shits. I’ll kill all three of them.” Greg glared at the door his children had passed through a few minutes earlier.
Jonathon touched Greg’s arm. “It wasn’t Jeana, and don’t let it upset you.”
“You’re way too forgiving.” Greg’s body relaxed, and the glare died out of his eyes. “I suppose I should learn that, as much as I’d like to, I can’t undo years of Doreen’s poison.”
“I wish you could.” Jonathan walked toward the door with Greg following after him. “Let’s put it behind us.” Already he could envision the view from the lake house, the loons and ducks calling from the water. “They aren’t going to change, and I won’t let them spoil the occasion.” Stepping outside, he handed the card to the valet, and his car was brought around.
It took a while to get through the tunnels and out of the city, but soon the dense population gave way to suburbs, and then woods and fields. “I love the car,” he told Greg. “It drives like a dream.” His answer was a soft snore, and Jonathon smiled as he continued driving. Around Albany and then further north into the Adirondacks, Greg remained asleep as they continued north, past lakes and through forested roads where the trees grew together overhead.
“Where are we?” Greg stirred, stretching within the confines of the car.
“Almost there,” Jonathon answered as he made the final turn onto Route 8. “We’re only about twenty minutes away.”
“I slept that long? You should have woken me.”
“It’s okay. You know I love this drive, and you needed your rest.” Jonathon reached across the seat, stroking Greg’s leg, and felt his lover’s hand take his. They rode in silence—words weren’t needed—and Jonathon could feel the muscles in Greg’s body relax the closer they got to the lake and the farther they got from civilization. Greg’s cell phone chirped softly, and he turned it off; there was no cell phone service at the lake. Making the last turn, Jonathon drove into the small village and parked the car. Getting out, he stood by the door, breathing deeply, letting the scent of the woods and lake fill his senses. “Let’s go into the store.”
“You just want doughnuts for tomorrow,” Greg teased, but he followed right behind.
Pulling open the screen door, they walked into the general store and were instantly transported back in time. The shelves were wooden, probably built in the forties, canned goods standing on them in small pyramids, wooden floors scuffed with the feet of generations of Raquette Lakers. The entire place was steeped in the smell of freshly made doughnuts with cinnamon sugar, as well as cookies and bread. They’d definitely left the city behind, and damn if it didn’t feel good.
“Hey, Jonathon, hey, Greg, how long are you staying?” the girl behind the counter asked as she walked to the doughnut case.
“Just through the weekend, Lila,” Jonathan answered with a smile. “How’s the weather been up here?”
“A little cool. You’ll need a sweatshirt or jacket after dark, but otherwise it’s been darned nice. You want your usual half dozen?” She inclined her head toward the case.
“You bet, and a few of those cookies your mother makes would be great too.” He looked over at Greg, who was picking up sweatshirts. “You need one?”
“Yeah, Boo, I do.” He brought one over and placed it on the counter.
“Is there anything else?”
“Not right now, but we’ll see you for more goodies.” Jonathan paid, and after saying good-bye, they headed out.
At the docks, Jonathan removed the cover from their small boat. When they’d first bought the cabin, they had just had a fishing boat with a motor. After the first time they’d gotten caught in the rain, Greg had bought a larger boat with a Bimini top. After transferring their gear from the car to the boat, Greg parked the car while Jonathon started the boat motor, and soon they were skimming over the surface of the water, Greg at the wheel, Jonathan sitting next to him.
Greg took his time, like he usually did, keeping the speed down and letting the peacefulness of the lake, trees, and sky work their magic. A few homes could be seen, but most of them sat back far enough that most of the lake looked like the trees came right to the water, like they were in the middle of nowhere.
Almost at the far north end of the lake, Greg slowed the motor and eased the boat against the dock. Jumping out, Jonathan secured the craft, and Greg cut the engine. The sound echoed for a split second and then faded away. There was nothing to replace it except the slosh of the water on the shore and the birds calling from the trees.
The sun was already starting to set by the time they’d hauled everything up from the dock to the four-room log cabin. Outside and in, the place was rustic domesticity at its best. Carrying the suitcases inside, Jonathan placed them in their bedroom, the larger of the two. He loved this room, with its log walls, pine plank ceiling, pine windowsills, and rough beams.
“Would you like me to unpack in here while you check out your kitchen?”
“Okay,” Jonathan answered, “but I’ll meet you on the porch in twenty minutes.”
“Deal.”
Jonathan checked out what had been provided and smiled when he saw fresh steaks, chicken, and a foil packet marked “use first” in rough script. “Looks like lake trout for supper.” God bless their caretaker, Winston, a lifelong laker and their neighbor one cove up.
Grabbing two beers from the fridge, Jonathon carried them to the porch, setting them on a table before standing at the birch-branch railing, looking out over the water. It wasn’t long before a pair of arms snaked around his waist and a head rested on his shoulder. “When you asked to buy this place ten years ago, I didn’t understand why.” Greg’s breath tickled his ear.
“Do you know now?” Jonathon leaned into the touch as a loon called to its mate from the lake below.
“The peace and quiet gets into the soul. I didn’t know how much I needed it.”
“That’s why I bought it, but not why this place is so important now.” Jonathan turned in Greg’s embrace. “This place is important now because when we’re here, you’re mine and mine alone.” Jonathan couldn’t help hugging Greg tightly. “There are no phones, no office, no kids, no courts, no lawyers,” he whispered in his lover’s ear, “and before you say it, you don’t count. You’re not a lawyer when you’re here. You’re just my lover. That’s why this place is so important. I would have sold everything I owned to have a place like this with you.” Jonathon felt a hand on his hair, petting softly. His emotions were very close to the surface, and he didn’t look up.
“I love you too, Boo.” He heard a slight break in Greg’s voice.
After they had stood together for a while, holding each other, Jonathon finally stepped back. “I need to make some dinner. Why don’t you relax a while and we’ll eat out here? It’s a
perfect night.” He leaned toward Greg, and they shared a kiss before he moved inside.
Jonathon made a simple dinner of pan-seared trout in butter with a light salad. Carrying the plates onto the porch, he found the small table set between their chairs, two candles in the middle. They ate quietly, their eyes traveling from each other to the now-moonlit expanse of water to the canopy of stars that seemed so close they could reach out and touch them. “There’s ice cream for dessert, if you want it,” Jonathon commented as he carried the plates inside, returning with two more open beers.
“No thanks,” Greg answered softly, and then Jonathan found himself pulled across his lover’s legs. “There’s only one thing I need for dessert, and it certainly isn’t ice cream.” Greg swigged his beer, holding him tightly, and Jonathon leaned against Greg’s warmth as the chill of the night crept around them on its way into the cabin.
When the beers were finished and the candles sputtering, Jonathon blew them out, standing at the railing once again. This time, Greg didn’t hug him like he had earlier. Instead, Jonathon felt a tug at the hem of his shirt just before it was lifted and tugged over his head. “Come inside, Boo.”
The cool air raised goose bumps on his arms, and Greg held him close as they moved indoors and into the bedroom. Greg pulled back the hand-sewn quilt Jonathon had purchased years before. Hands felt for his belt, opening it before parting his pants and slipping them down his legs. Climbing onto the bed, Jonathon watched as Greg stripped in the moonshine reflecting off the lake and through the open windows. First that barrel chest, strong and full; then the hips and waist, wider than they used to be but still trim; legs, thick and strong. The bed dipped and Greg curled next to him, pulling the blanket up over them both, the lake breeze providing fresh air and coziness.
Greg shifted adeptly and Jonathon found himself on his back, his lover on top of him, eyes shining. “Happy birthday.” Greg kissed him, hard and with a deep, abiding passion that Jonathon felt swell in his heart.
“Best birthday I can remember,” Jonathon sighed as Greg dipped his head, circling a nipple with his tongue. “And I remember each and every one.” He groaned, back arching, mashing his chest to Greg’s lips.
Greg held him tight as they kissed like their lives depended upon it, the intensity surprising Jonathon as he let himself get swept up in Greg’s wave of passion. They made love regularly, always had, but as the years went by, it had definitely become more sedate, more familiar and expected. Not tonight. “Love my Boo,” Greg gasped against his lips as Jonathon cupped his beefy butt, kneading the cheeks, fingers sliding to tease and caress.
Legs parted his, and Jonathon pushed the covers down, locking his ankles around Greg’s waist. “Want the best birthday present possible.”
“You sure? Don’t want you to be sore tomorrow when we’re on the lake all day.” There was nothing but concern in Greg’s voice.
“Yes,” Jonathon hissed as a finger breached him, “that’s it!” There was no way he was going to turn down a second time today with Greg. As his lover had aged, lovemaking once a day was all they could expect, but with him raring to go, Jonathon was more than ready and willing. “Make me yours again. Show me!”
He felt Greg shift and knew he was reaching to the nightstand. Jonathon closed his eyes, watching Greg in his mind, seeing him as he always did—young and virile. The bed shifted again and Jonathon parted his eyelids, seeing the same young Greg looking back at him. No matter what, those deep, rich eyes never changed, always looking on him just like they had when they first met.
Blunt and full, Greg pressed into him. “I’ll be slow, Boo.”
“Don’t want slow, want you.” Jonathon pressed forward, taking Greg’s thickness in a rush that drove the breath from his lungs, filling him with love. “That’s it,” Jonathon cooed softly, muscles squeezing, that familiar burn fading quickly. Greg slid out, pressing back inside, slowly at first, but picking up speed. “Just want you,” Jonathon murmured as he stroked his hands over his lover’s warm skin.
“Want you too,” Greg cried softly as he thrust deep, joining them together body and soul.
Jonathon stroked himself in time to Greg’s thrusts, watching every movement of his lover’s body in the reflected moonlight, hair mussed, mouth open, eyes shining. He knew every inch of that body as though it were his own—from the appendix scar on his side, to the way his butt indented on the sides, to the little mark on his chin that no one but he ever noticed—and every inch of it was stunningly beautiful. “So close,” Jonathon cried, knowing from his breathing that Greg was right there as well. Stroking a few more times, Jonathon felt the fullness inside him thicken as they went over the precipice together, adding their cries to the sounds of the lake.
Jonathon felt Greg’s hands on his cheeks, caressing softly as they remained joined together. Greg kissed him gently, softly, communicating the love they both felt for each other even as Jonathon gasped and shivered when Greg slipped from his body. Getting up, Jonathon got a cloth from the small bathroom, cleaning them both up before rejoining Greg in the bed. The cool night left the room chilly, and Greg’s warmth felt heavenly. Curling next to him, Jonathon could already hear Greg’s even breathing as he, too, succumbed to the natural calm of this place.
When he awoke to the sound of water birds and small animals skittering through dry leaves, Jonathon felt like he could tackle the world. Stepping onto the cool, wood floors, he did a familiar dance as he rushed to the bathroom. By the time he returned, Greg was stirring. “The lake awaits,” Jonathon whispered in Greg’s ear, and his lover came instantly awake. A quick dressing and an even faster breakfast later, they saw the sun peeking over the trees, ringing the water as they walked to the boat, Greg carrying the fishing equipment, Jonathon carrying the food. Stowing the gear, Greg turned the key, and the motor roared to life. They were off, traveling to Greg’s “secret” fishing spot. Camps and cabins passed as they trolled inlets and coves—camps that had once belonged to notables with last names like Huntington and Carnegie, cabins that ranged from rustic to palatial, but none of it mattered to Jonathon, because all he could see was his Greg.
They spent their days fishing, catching nothing, but that didn’t matter—nothing did other than their time together. At night, they made love, sleeping curled together, and let the world slip away, if only for a while.
Their last afternoon, Jonathon took the boat over to Winston’s to thank him for his help and make arrangements for the next six months. Summer was fading fast, and he wasn’t sure they’d make it up again, although he hoped they’d get a chance in the fall. As he was motoring back, the sky darkened and the wind came up, blowing in his face hard and fast. As he pulled up to the dock, the first drops hit the windscreen. Snapping on the cover, Jonathon hurried to the cabin, getting soaked to the skin as the sky opened up.
“Go take a shower,” Greg suggested with a smile on his face. “I’ll make some cocoa and we can sit and listen.”
Showered and warm in sweatpants and a thick sweatshirt, Jonathon stepped through the house to the porch, where he found Greg asleep in a chair, a book on his lap, glasses askew, cocoa in mugs on the table, completely forgotten. Finding a blanket, he draped it over him, kissing the wrinkled forehead just below the graying hair before walking back inside, curling on the sofa with a book.
Dinner they made together, eating on the porch as the rain soaked the earth and water dripped from the eaves in a soothing serenade of nature’s music. “Tonight’s our last night,” Greg said softly as he sipped the last of his wine. “Tomorrow we go back.”
Jonathon noticed that Greg didn’t say “home.” “I love it here, and I love how you are when you’re here.”
Greg nodded his head, resting it against the back of the chair. “I always feel recharged.”
Jonathon set down his glass. “Are you willing to spend some of that stored-up energy?” He winked playfully as he knelt on the rug, resting his head in Greg’s lap.
“I’m willing
to let you spend some of your energy.” Greg tilted his head, and Jonathon met his eyes. “Let’s go inside.” Greg took his hand and Jonathon followed, letting his lover lead them to the bedroom. “Make love to me, Boo,” Greg said softly.
Jonathon nodded slowly before stripping them of their clothes. Their lovemaking was slow and tender, accompanied by soft gasps, sweet nips, and silent cries, with the gentle rain and the drip from the roof keeping time.
In the morning, clouds seemed to reach almost to the water as Jonathon finished his coffee on the porch, listening to Greg as he moved around the cabin, packing the last of his things. Taking the last sip, he sighed softly before walking inside. While he was standing at the sink, washing the mug, a warm body pressed to his back.
“I know you hate to leave; I do too. We’ll come back for the Columbus Day holiday weekend.”
Somehow, deep down, he believed Greg but knew it wouldn’t happen, for whatever reason. The conflicting feelings made him shiver.
“You getting cold?” Greg asked, holding him closer.
“No, I’m fine, just a little sad,” Jonathon replied, turning around, stealing a kiss, which turned into two. “We’d better get going or we’ll get home too late.”
Greg released him, and Jonathon hauled their bags and trash to the boat while Greg closed up everything before following down to the dock and climbing into the boat. The clouds and gray water echoed Jonathon’s feelings as they moved across the water. No taking their time and enjoying the ride this time—Jonathon opened the engine full-throttle, skimming over the lake, slowing only when they entered the channel, slipping into their spot at the dock. After tying up, Jonathon unloaded their things while Greg brought around the car. Waving to friends, they loaded and said brief good-byes before starting the trip home.
Jonathon drove, and he noticed Greg fidgeting in his seat before dozing much of the trip. “You okay?” Jonathon asked softly and got a squeeze on the leg and a smile as a response.
