by C. E. Knipes
When I entered, it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dark interior. Max was sitting at the bar. Lionel Spenser, John Spenser’s eldest son, was behind the bar. There were no patrons in the bar. I sat on the stool next to Max. It was obvious he’d already had a few.
He turned to me and tried to force a smile.
“Thanks for meeting, Evan. I’m going to get right to the point. I’ve been thinking a lot about us for the past several weeks. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you. We’ve been friends for most of our lives. I know we were hoping this would be a second chance for us. But I don’t think it’s meant to be. I’m back with Todd. We made up when I got back home after that disastrous weekend visiting you. I am still so sorry for what happened that day. Will you and Sebastian ever be able to forgive me?”
“It’s already been forgiven. It was a stressful set of circumstances.”
“Great, thanks. Todd and I hadn’t decided yet to be exclusive. Now, things have become more serious. I’d like to make a go of it with him. That’s why I was so eager to talk to you. I knew I had to break it off to let you move on with Sebastian. Lionel was opening the bar at noon so I figured it was a good place to meet. I’m sorry things had to turn out this way, Evan. Truth be told, I’ve been expecting to hear from you, telling me you were dumping me for Sebastian.”
“Well, that’s why I’m here. Things have worked out for me and Sebastian and we are back together. He’s staying through Christmas.”
“That’s great news. I’m happy for you. How about a quick beer before you go?”
“I’m good, thanks. And I’m happy for you and Todd. You two have a nice Christmas. I’m home till the end of January. I’m sure we’ll see each other out.”
“Most likely. Take care.”
He stood up and we hugged. He kissed me on the cheek, and I turned and walked out of the bar without looking back. I stood for a moment and took several deep breaths. That had not gone as expected. It had gone much, much better.
When I got back to the golf course, I filled Sebastian in. He hugged me fiercely before lifting me off the ground and twirling me around. I also told Jessica. She was glad it had gone so smoothly.
We decided to call an end to sledding for the day. The snow had not abated, and everyone was wet and tired. We headed back to the house. When we got there, my mom had pies and more hot chocolate waiting for us. After several slices each, Rory and Ian joined my father, who was watching the game in the living room. Sebastian was ready for a nap, but first I wanted to wrap my Christmas presents. I was one of those early shoppers, picking up gifts as early as August. I had even managed to do a little secret shopping for Sebastian in Milton and Buffalo. Thankfully, I had not thrown those gifts away when we broke up.
“Mom, where’s the wrapping paper?”
“It’s in my bedroom. And don’t look at anything.”
“Got it.”
The wrapping paper was in its own caddy, complete with gift boxes, ribbon, bows, tape, and scissors. It was so big it took both of us to carry it to my room. For my father and Brandon, I had purchased a bottle of their favorite whiskey; for my mother it was a bottle of her favorite perfume. For Bridget, I had selected a half dozen Nancy Drew books. She was an avid reader, and Nancy Drew was currently her favorite. Katie was into Lego Friends, and I had purchased two kits for her.
Sebastian was no help wrapping. Before I had even started, he had stripped naked and was lying on my bed, watching me intently. I locked my bedroom door and quickly wrapped all the gifts. When I was done, I undressed and joined Sebastian. As always, the sight of him naked got me hard. I rolled onto my stomach and rose onto my hands and knees.
I felt his weight on the bed and then his hands were gripping my hips. I felt the coolness of the lube against my skin and then the head of his cock. He entered me in one smooth movement, and I gasped when he was fully inside. He began the long, slow strokes I loved. Within minutes, we had a good rhythm going. I had to stuff the blanket in my mouth to muffle my cries. Crazy, but necessary, as the walls in this house were paper thin. When Sebastian increased his thrusts, I knew he was close to coming. Sure enough, minutes later, he gave a muffled cry and released deep inside me. I finished myself off with my hand.
I rolled onto my back, and Sebastian flopped down beside me.
“I’ve been thinking, Evan. When the snow stops, how’d you like to go to Lockport to meet my parents? We could spend New Year’s Eve there. There’s an annual party at this bar called Monahan’s. Everyone goes to it.”
“I would love to meet your parents. Let’s do it.”
“Great. Let me call my mom.”
I closed my eyes only for a moment and then Sebastian was gently shaking me awake.
“Hey there, sleepyhead. My parents are going to celebrate Christmas on New Year’s day. They’re excited we will be there. They’re going on a two-day snowmobiling trip, but will be back New Year’s Eve day. Even if the roads are cleared, let’s stay here till then. I like it here very much. For the most part, your family has heartily embraced me.”
“I like the sound of that, Mr. Tantalos.”
He curled his arm around me and I was soon fast asleep.
My mother woke us at seven with a knock on the door.
“Boys, dinner is ready.”
As with Thanksgiving Eve dinner, Christmas Eve dinner was spaghetti with sausage and meatballs, green salad, and homemade garlic bread. After dinner, we all moved to the living room. My dad played the piano and we sang Christmas carols and the adults drank eggnog sodden with whiskey. Katie and Bridget were allowed to open one present each.
Soon enough, it was time to get ready for Midnight Mass at St. Mary’s church. We would need to walk, as the side streets were still impassable for the most part. With such a large group, we would need to arrive early to secure enough pews. We were the second family to arrive, and claimed both right-hand sections of the second pew. The choir was singing “Silent Night.” The church was festive with poinsettias, holly, and large candles glowing warmly. The air was alive with a mixture of fragrances. A tranquility pervaded the church. People spoke in whispers, and everyone entered quietly and deferentially. As midnight approached, the place quickly became standing room only. A sense of expectation was heavy in the air. Father Angelo stepped onto the altar and welcomed us all on this most special of nights.
I, of course, being the wayward Irish Catholic I was, found it difficult to keep my eyes open. I turned once and received the icy stare of my mother. That was enough to keep me alert for the remainder of the prayers, hymns, and communion. The service let out on a beautiful, crisp, star-filled night. It was one thirty a.m. by the time we got back home. It had been a long day for everyone. After getting ready for bed, I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
When I woke the next morning, Sebastian was kneeling between my outstretched legs, busily sucking my cock. He paused when he saw I was awake.
“Merry Christmas, Evan. It’s our first Christmas together.”
“Merry Christmas. I will always treasure this day. I love you very much, Sebastian Tantalos. Now get back to work, my horny little elf.”
“I love you too.”
He did as he was told and, moments later, I was in the throes of a powerful orgasm. When I was spent, he crawled up beside me and kissed me on the cheek.
“It’s almost seven. If we take showers we’ll be late for breakfast.”
“Don’t worry about it, Sebastian. No one showers on Christmas morning. We eat breakfast and open presents in our pajamas, and stay in them most of the day. No one gets dressed or showers till right before dinner.”
“I like the way your family operates. Let’s go eat. I’m starved.”
I rummaged in a dresser drawer and found pajamas for both of us. As soon as we reached the stairs, we could hear the hubbub from the kitchen. After another enormous family breakfast, we gathered in the living room to open presents. There were so many under and around the tree th
ey extended about four feet into the living room. A fire was burning brightly in the fieldstone fireplace my father had built. I got texts from Jessica, Samantha, and Max, wishing me a Merry Christmas. Katie and Bridget opened their gifts first, oohing and aahing over each one.
When they were finally done, they had the task of handing out gifts, one at a time, to the rest of the family. We were required to open them in front of everyone. I got three sweaters, the newest Stephen King novel, two pairs of jeans, and a new iPod from my parents; and gift certificates to a local music store from Bridget and Katie. Based on mutual agreement, I had stopped exchanging gifts with my brothers last year, mainly due to the expense. I was surprised when Katie handed me another gift. When I read the tag, my heart soared. It was from Sebastian.
“Can I open this in front of everyone or should I wait till later?”
“It’s safe to open now.”
I undid the wrapping and took the lid off a small box. Inside was a beautiful silver-plated watch.
“Thank you, Sebastian. It’s beautiful.”
During the remainder of the gift exchange, I received three more gifts from Sebastian: a cashmere scarf, a pair of black leather gloves, and a framed picture of us in our tuxes at the Fall Formal.
I had been no slacker in the gift department, though. Good minds thought alike, as I’d also gotten Sebastian a cashmere scarf. Plus, a bottle of Patron and two flannel shirts. When all the presents had been unwrapped, and all the wrapping paper had been cleared up, it was almost noon. My father announced he was taking a nap in his chair. Bridget and Katie were headed outside to build a snowman. My mother came in from the kitchen. She’d been checking on the ham and the turkey we were having for dinner. Keeping with tradition, we all gathered to watch A Christmas Story. When it was over, Sebastian and I got dressed and went for a walk while we smoked a joint. By the time we got back, it was time to get ready for dinner.
We showered and were hard-pressed to skip a quickie. I didn’t want to be late for dinner and cause tongues to wag further about us. Christmas dinner at the McGarrity house surpassed Thanksgiving only in the sheer amount of food. Along with all the Thanksgiving items my mom had added a baked ham, a platter of kielbasa and sauerkraut, a bowl of squash, and a large homemade pasta salad. We all bowed our heads as my father said grace, and then the feast ensued. Wine, beer, and whiskey flowed steadily.
When dinner was done, I texted Jessica to let her and Samantha know dessert was up. Sebastian had said we should also invite Max and Todd, so I did. Max responded they would be happy to stop by. Jessica and Samantha arrived fifteen minutes later with two bottles of wine each. They were placed in the queue on the kitchen table with the rest of the alcohol.
Max and Todd showed up about an hour later. There was no tension or discomfort with Sebastian or my family. It was a good thing my mom had made extra pies, cakes, and cookies this year, because we made short work of what we had. Max and Todd only stayed for an hour or so, as Max had to stop in at Todd’s family as well. I saw them to the door and wished them a final merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Samantha and Jessica were there for the long haul. We broke into two groups and played spades till past midnight. Sebastian and I walked them home amidst the gently falling snow. Before Jessica went inside, I told her of our New Year’s plans. It would be the first time we had not been together in more than five years. She took it better than I had expected.
“I understand, Evan. This will be your first New Year’s together. It will be extra special to celebrate it some place other than Spenser’s. Which is where Sam and I will most likely be. I sure wish Calvin was here. Have a great New Year’s.”
She hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek before going inside.
We were walking past the old house again when Sebastian grabbed my hand and once more pulled me onto the sidewalk.
“Have you ever made love in the snow?”
“No, are you crazy? We’ll freeze to death.”
“We’ll be fine. Our overcoats and our body heat will keep us warm. It’ll be a quickie. Give me your coat.”
I took off my coat and he laid it down in the snow. He knelt down and unbuttoned my flannel shirt. He undid my jeans and tugged them and my briefs to my ankles.
“Lay down on your coat.”
As I did, he took his shirt completely off and pushed his own pants and briefs to his ankles. He knelt on the end of my coat and tore open a packet of lube. He coated his cock then rubbed it between his fingers to warm it before greasing my opening. I bent my knees and lifted my legs. Sebastian found the spot and was sinking deep inside me. He stretched out on top of me and pulled his overcoat over himself. We were like a giant cocoon.
It was amazing how the heat was trapped by our bodies. Within minutes of Sebastian’s thrusting, I was covered in sweat. His lunges were deep and rabbit-like. I grabbed my cock and stroked it in time with his thrusts. When he came deep inside me, I was right behind him, spraying his belly.
“Wow, Sebastian, that was amazing.”
“I thought you’d like it.”
We quickly dressed and donned our overcoats once more. When we got home, we braved a shower together. We tried to be as quiet as church mice. Once in bed, I fell asleep in his arms.
Rory and his family, Colin and Margaret, Ian and Sherry, and Aunt Katherine and Uncle Robert all left on Sunday morning. A quiet settled over the house that I was certain we all secretly embraced. The next few days flew by. It appeared as if it would never stop snowing. As soon as the plows had a few streets cleared, more snow fell. It was simply the nature of the beast in this part of New York. Sebastian and I watched movies, took long walks, went sledding numerous times, and made love several times a day. It had become a running joke with my parents about the “naps” Sebastian and I took. I couldn’t have been happier, or more in love.
My parents were completely enamored of Sebastian. My mother fawned over him, and my father chose him each time as his spades partner. Shaun McGarrity did not let just anybody be his partner in spades. As Brandon only lived a few blocks away, he was a regular fixture for dinner. He had also become quite fond of Sebastian. The two had developed a special camaraderie. He had asked a few times if there’d been any more incidents with Brent. Fortunately, there hadn’t been. No phone calls or texts to Sebastian or me. No unexpected appearances.
On New Year’s Eve day, it finally stopped snowing. After breakfast, we said our good-byes and stashed our bags in the Jeep. There were mountains of snow as far as the eye could see. Several cars along the street were mere snow-covered lumps. When we reached the interstate, we began seeing abandoned vehicles along the road. However, all lanes were clear and traffic was moving at a brisk pace. A new danger presented itself in lost tire chains that were littering the highway. If we hit one, it could easily crack a headlight or the windshield.
Sebastian drove like a champ, and the miles fell away behind us. It was a little over an hour to Lockport. We stopped for lunch at a little diner and were on our way once more. After another hour on the road, snow began to fall.
“Are we almost there?”
“We’re almost to the Reedsport exit. From there it’s another ten minutes to Lockport and then another ten to my parents’ house.”
We paid the toll and exited in Reedsport. I saw a sign for Lockport. Lockport proved to be even smaller than Lancaster. We drove down the main street which was pretty much a bank, a school, and a pizza place.
“Welcome to Lockport, Evan. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it.”
We were almost past the pizza place when I saw something that brought me upright in my seat.
“Holy shit!”
“What’s the matter?”
“I just saw Brent and Drake come out of the pizza place. I wasn’t even thinking about this being Brent’s hometown as well. We haven’t heard anything from him for so long I was hoping that would last forever. Of course, I know it couldn’t be that easy.”
“With
Brent it never is.”
‘Well, that just means I need to move up my plan to entrap Brent.”
“Your plan to entrap Brent. What are you talking about?”
“It’s something I cooked up with Brandon to prove Brent drugged both of us. We were going to do this at Milton, but it now sounds like a good way to start the New Year. I’ll tell you about it once we get to your house. Right now, I need to call Brandon.”
Brandon picked up on the second ring. I explained the situation to him as quickly as I could. He would leave immediately. He knew an officer on the Lockport police force and would contact him on the way.
“Thanks, Brandon. We’ll see you soon.”
“Brandon is on his way to Lockport. He has no jurisdiction here, but an old high school friend of his, a Sergeant Michael Russo, is a Lockport police officer. He’s contacting him for assistance.”
Once we left the town, there was nothing but rolling hills on both sides of the road. After several miles, we slowed down and turned right onto a gravel road. It was lined on both sides by four-panel white fencing. A few curious horses peered at us as we drove by.
We pulled up in front of a two-story brick house.
“We’re here.”
“Christ, Sebastian. It looks like the Pittman Mansion. I knew you came from money, but not this much money.”
“It’s not as opulent as it looks, Evan. It’s simply a large house because we’re a large family. There were eight of us growing up here. With both my parents being architects, they designed it themselves, to their own preferences.”
We got the bags out of the back, and Sebastian unlocked the front door.
Sebastian’s bedroom was on the second floor. It was enormous. It was simply and cleanly furnished. No rock and roll posters on the walls, no celebrities or racecars. Just tasteful art, most of it horses.
“Are these your horses?”
“Yes. That dark bay was mine when I was a teenager. We each had our own horse and would often ride together as a family.
“Let’s get unpacked and I’ll give you a quick tour. After that, I’ll make us a drink. My parents should be on their way home.”
