Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2020 11:48:30 +0000
From: John Francis Grice <jfgrice55@hotmail.com>
Subject: Chapter 10   Aaron's Year of '77

The first month or two of living together has brought with it a series of
challenges wherein compromise, patience, humor and understanding for both
Adam and I have been tested at times to the limit. Adam has been used to
being on his own for more than five years and I know there have been
times when I've frustrated him with my own habits and quirks.  He's
tried so hard not to distract me with my schoolwork. And I have to admit,
I'm happy when he comes over to the school to say hi to my classmates
and check on what I'm doing. And my classmates love him!

"Jeez' baby... what's Gordon gotcha' working on now?"

"Hi Adam...  I'm just testing out some line weights on these mechanical
pens you got me for Christmas. They're really a beautiful set of
drafting tools. He wants us to do an axonometric drawing in ink of our
student workspaces from last term.  I think it's looking not too bad.
What do you think?"

"Well baby, I think it looks like it could jump right off the page. I'm
thinking the thicker lines on the outside edges make it look like you can
reach down and put your hands around it and pick it up."

"That's the idea. They give it dimension. And that's what Gordon
taught us in his last drafting class."

"Sooo... what else have they got you working on right now?"

"Well... Alan gave us kind of a fun assignment, actually. I have to team
up with Eleanor Morrell to come up with something that Alan says is more
like Industrial Design... a team project to stretch our creative limits
and make us think outside the box.  We are to design a package or
protective cage to hold an egg that has to withstand a drop from a second
floor window without breaking the egg.  Isn't that insane?"

"What the fuck does that have to do with Interior Design Aaron?"

"Nothing really Sasq'. It's just something to make us learn how to
work together... to think analytically and come up with a workable
solution to a problem. If the egg survives the fall, we pass. If it
doesn't, we fail. I think the whole idea is kind of neat!"

"OK, I get it," Adam laughs and then asks, "So whatcha' got in mind
for that one?"

"Not sure just yet... Eleanor said she had some ideas. But I haven't
talked with her yet about them."

"Are you gonna' be done here soon Aaron? I thought I'd walk with you
back home for dinner soon.  I made some chili up for us and picked up
some French bread at the IGA. Thought we could have some of that and then
head out onto the Canal again to skate down to Dow's Lake to see the ice
sculptures.  The fresh air will be good for you. Whadya' say?"

"Give me five minutes to pack up and we can head out then... "

"Gimme' your hand and let me spin you around Adam!"

"Just don't dump me into a crack in the ice."

"Ohhh! You mean like the last time you did that to me?" I laugh, and
then start to skate away.

"Ottawa is beautiful this time of year when it isn't a hundred degrees
below zero, isn't it Aaron?"

"Sure is Adam. These ice sculptures are incredible. The only time I ever
saw anything even close to this before was in Kingston at Queen's
University. But the ones there were nothing compared to these. The
colored lights on these ones and the work and skill carving the ice is
just amazing. And we can just skate right up to them and around them.
That one there with the `Star Wars' theme... there's one thing missing
though on that big Wookiee sculpture. They should have used you for a
model."

"An eight inch icicle hanging' down from its crotch would freak people
out Aaron.  Besides, that's reserved just for you baby. Speaking of
which, my nuts are startin' to shrivel up with the wind blowing across
Dow's Lake here. Whadya' say we head on home and you can blow some hot
air on them to see if we can unfreeze them before the spring thaw? Sound
like a plan to you there?"

Once back home and while cleaning up the dishes together, Adam says to
me, "I meant to tell you earlier Aaron, I got a call this morning from
the Ministry of National Health and Welfare from that contact Mrs.
Fullerton knows. They want me to come in next week for an interview for a
job they have coming up at the end of March. Apparently that's the start
of what they call the government fiscal new year when they get their
operating budgets. The job they're thinking of for me deals with
supervising clerical staff and procurement of prescription drugs for
senior citizens. And they want me to learn French to become bilingual if
I qualify for the job.  I'm kinda' nervous about that baby."

"Gee, you could do me in both official languages. Your French kissing
already gets me off."

"Very funny Aaron... but, do ya' think I could actually learn a second
language? I haven't been in school in years and I hafta' admit the idea
scares me a little."

"Adam, you're already losing some of that Brock Vegas woulda' coulda'
shoulda' accent and I'll bet you didn't even notice it.  You adapt
well and aren't afraid of change. I mean really, just think about this
past month. You're smart. You're determined. And you're just too sexy
for words. You'll do just fine. I have no doubt of that at all. Just
don't get too sophisticated for me because I love you just the way you
are now."

"I love you too. Now come closer to finish warming up my furry pube bush
`cause it needs your hot lips and tongue down there... like, right now."

After the initial phase of adjustment and getting used to the concept of
sharing space and living together, I must admit it really didn't take
that long to learn and accept each other's unique habits and foibles.
He has his eccentricities, like having to fold towels a certain way and
being right-handed, putting dishes away exactly the opposite to how I
would. Little things like that can make living in a small apartment very
challenging. The fact that we are together and approach life with a sense
of humor and patience most of the time make habits like that seem very
minor in the overall scheme of things.  I think some of my favorite times
with Adam now are when I head down to the LE to meet him after my
classes, only to find him sitting there in Pick's Place reading the
Ottawa Citizen while waiting patiently for me. Early in the evenings, he
gets the chance to say hi to John and André, and sometimes his friend
Ronnie pops in to catch up with him, before Ronnie's shift starts over
at Sac's.

It's the morning of Adam's interview with the Ministry of National
Health and Welfare. "You look so good Adam.  Do you remember telling me
once to relax and just be myself and everything would turn out OK?"

"Yeah, Aaron... I do. And thanks. Hafta' admit, I'm nervous. But I'll
do my best and we'll see what happens."

The day of Adam's interview with a Mrs. Andrea Gauthier starts with me
heading off to class for 9:00am and him heading down Elgin Street to meet
her at her office on the Sparks Street Mall.

His interview is for 10:30am.

"Do come in Mr. Blanchard. So nice to meet you. I've heard so many good
things about you already from Mrs. Fullerton. Did you know that I used to
work for her husband years ago, before I married and was still living
back in Brockville?"

"No ma'am. Mrs. Fullerton never told me that, Mrs. Gauthier."

"He gave me my first job out of high school and I'll always be grateful
to both he and Mrs. Fullerton for the start they gave me back then. Now...
I want you to relax and my co-worker and I have just a few questions for
you which, hopefully shouldn't be too difficult to answer.  There is one
question in particular however that will comprise most of the grading we
are obligated to do for this position, given that it is a supervisory
management role with staff reporting to you and you in turn, reporting to
senior management. But we'll get down to the questions in a few minutes.
Tell me, how are you enjoying Ottawa now that you have moved up here
permanently?"

"Well ma'am, to tell ya' the truth, I haven't had much chance yet to
get out to really see the city. I've been up here often before when I
was back in Brockville. But outside of skating on the Canal and gettin'
myself settled into an apartment on Argyle Avenue, it's been busy for
me. I'm looking forward to getting to really know the city though. It's
beautiful and I'm excited to be given the opportunity to grow and
experience all it has to offer."

"Very good. May I call you Adam?"

"Yes, please do."

"OK Adam. We have four questions for you and have already gone over your
resume and the letter of recommendation Mrs. Fullerton wrote on your
behalf. Just relax and take your time to answer these questions to the
best of your ability. The first question is really more of a formality
and needed for the official record. Are you willing to undergo Federal
Government training at the government's expense in order to become
officially bilingual in order to meet the requirements of the position we
would be offering to you?"

"Yes ma'am I am."

Mrs. Gauthier's co-worker poses the next question. "This is an
important question Mr. Blanchard. It involves a scenario wherein you are
about the enter a boardroom to discuss important finance issues with
another government department. Your hand is on the door knob leading into
a boardroom where you are to meet with them and where they are sitting
waiting for you, along with one of your staff who reports to you. This
employee was responsible to provide you with critical information for
this meeting and as you are about to step into the room, they confess to
you that they haven't done the required work, and as such you are now in
the position of having to explain this to those waiting inside the room.
What do you do?"

Adam shifts a bit in his seat and starts to think about how he is going
to answer this question.

"That's a really great question. I think this comes down to
responsibility and accountability.  First off, I'd be completely honest
with the people I'm to meet. I'd apologise and tell them that
unfortunately, I don't have all the information necessary to conduct the
meeting. I'd then suggest a follow-up time and place to meet again as
soon as possible at their office, with the assurance I'd have all
required facts and information for them at that time.  I'd take full
responsibility myself as a supervisor for not bein' prepared and ask for
their patience and understanding and hopefully then adjourn the
meeting."

Is there more you would like to add to that...?"

Adam hesitates for a moment and then adds, "Uhm, yeah,...err,  yes there
is. If I were a supervisor in this position, I'd hafta' ask myself how
I let this happen. Did I not meet enough with this employee beforehand to
understand and know the progress they were making with their work?  I'd
sit down with this employee and ask them if I coulda' helped `em more.
Did they feel my request was too difficult? Did they need my help or more
time to do what I asked them to do? Were they afraid to come to me to ask
for help or tell me they didn't understand what I was asking them to do?
Like, in other words, what could I have done to prevent this from
happening? I'd want to hear anything they have to say to me so I could
help them in their job... and with mine too for that matter, to avoid
anything like this from happening again."

Anything more...?"

"Yeah, I'd make sure I have everything down in writing on the chance my
boss might get a call about this and let `em know right away what
happened. I wouldn't want them to be blindsided if someone from the
other government department complained about the waste of time and
effort."

"That's fine Mr. Blanchard. Would you like to add any more to that ,or
are you satisfied with that answer?"

"Well... uhm, maybe just one more thing.  After I'd done all the above,
maybe I'd go and meet informally with anther supervisor over coffee to
ask how they woulda' dealt with a situation like this and were there any
suggestions they could make to me that would help me make sure somethin'
like this didn't happen again."

"Thank you Mr. Blanchard."

There are two more questions dealing with the Mission Statement for the
Ministry and knowledge specific to the Section that Adam would be
expected to work in. Luckily for him, he was able to find some research
material and managed to ace each one of the last two rated questions.

Then the focus shifts back to Mrs. Gauthier, who is openly smiling at
Adam as she asks, "Adam, are you willing to undergo a security screening
process at Federal Government expense in order to meet the requirements
of this position?"

"Yes ma'am."

And then the final question, which really wasn't much of a question at
all, "The position will be available on a permanent full-time basis
starting after March 31st which is the new Federal Government fiscal
year. Would you be ready to start as of that date should you be the
successful candidate for the position?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Excellent! Well, that concludes the interview Mr. Blanchard. We have a
number of applicants still to interview. However, we will get back to you
within the next month as to our decision. Thank you so much for your
time. Do you have any questions for us regarding the position?"

"Maybe a couple... uhm, yes. Like, how many people would I be responsible
for as a supervisor with this job?"

"At the moment, there are three employees reporting to this supervisory
position. Although the number may increase to five or six, if our budget
is approved in the new fiscal year."

"Uh, how big a budget would I be responsible for? And would I be
workin' with the public or only with inside government staff?"

"A supervisor in this role would only be responsible for the staffing
budget for their employees and any extra people like special consultants
on an as-need basis. And yes... there may be times when this supervisor
may have to meet with the public, along with senior management. Although
that would depend upon the circumstances. So, do you have any more
questions Adam?"

"No ma'am. Thank you for this opportunity. It's been a real pleasure
to meet you both."

"We won't take long to get back to you Adam," says Mrs. Gauthier, as
she gets up to walk with Adam to the elevator.

Once Adam has left the office, Mrs. Gauthier and her co-worker sit down
to discuss and review the interview questions. Then Hilary says, "Well,
I have to admit, that was the best answer we've received by far to-date
regarding that scenario challenge. He seemed to think of it from all
aspects and checked off every box on what we were looking for with his
answer. And he was good with the other questions too."

"Oh come on Hilary! He's perfect for the job. You know it and so do I.
And wouldn't it be nice to have that `Ottawa Rough Riders tight end',
that smiling face, those gorgeous hazel eyes and that tall body hovering
around us in the office every day?"

"Don't think I didn't notice Andrea. But that stays just between you
and me and these four walls, OK?"

Both woman chuckle to each other as they leave the boardroom to head off
for mid-morning coffee together.

Later that afternoon, I cut one of my classes short to meet Adam at the
LE for a beer and then out for a quick dinner at the Ponderosa behind the
hotel.

"Hey Aaron, you're here kinda' early. Did you skip a class for me
babe?"

"Uh, yeah... I did, sorta'. I kept thinking about you all day and my
class this afternoon was with Camilla and it was only for a crit' so I
left early. She didn't mind."

"OK, but dontcha' be making a habit of that. My interview went just
fine. They asked me one question I really had to think about. The rest of
them were not even questions... more like, would I take language training,
and would I be ready to start work at the end of March, and stuff like
that. That one question really made me think though. And I kinda' owe
you a thanks for helping me with it too. Do you remember when you had to
do that assignment for `Lynda Birdbrain' and you did the assignment for
Architecture based on following the hands of a clock?"

"Uhm, yeah... I do Adam."

"Well that sorta' helped me answer the question. I remembered that damn
clock when they asked me what I would do. And I  worked it out step by
step and think I covered a full circle of what I would do and who I would
speak to. I started with one and ended up at twelve... with me in the
middle of the clock and I think I did pretty well with my answer.
They're gonna' let me know in a few weeks' time. Until then, I guess
we wait."

I'm smirking and with sudden inspiration, I come out with, "Well, I
hope your arms and hands didn't get stuck when they reached six
thirty!" Then I lean into him and quietly whisper, "I wished you good
luck this morning Sasq' man.  Can't hurt to say it again."

"Thanks honey. I appreciate that. Now let's finish our beer and then we
can head out have something to eat and go on home after that. Are you OK
with that babe?"

"Home... you really feel at home with me Adam?"

"Sure do Aaron," Adam replies with a grin, as he reaches under the
table to squeeze my thigh.

"Hi Dad. I'm glad you called. How are Mom and Blackjack doing?"

"Hello Aaron. We're all fine here. We know you've been busy and
didn't want to interfere with your studies. But, it's been several
weeks. I wanted to touch base with you to find out how you and Adam are
managing and how you are making out with your assignments. Are you
keeping up-to-date with everything... and how is Adam making out with the
job search?"

"Well, Dad actually, he had his interview with the Ministry of National
Health and Welfare just today as a matter of fact. He told me he thinks
he did pretty well too. He'll know in a few weeks and I'll let you know
once he hears back from them."

"And you're not getting behind with any of your classwork, I hope."

"No Dad. Adam is making sure I stay up-to-date. It's all good."

"Good. Glad to hear that son. I did have another reason to call you,
other than to say hello and ask about Adam though. I promised you I would
let you know about that Aleyn Kinzinger you were in school with last
year. His Father and Mother finally brought him into Elmgrove last week
for rehab.  I made it my business to meet with them personally when they
came to the Hospital to have him admitted. His Mother is very worried
about him. Apparently, he somehow managed to involve her in some illegal
drug-related smuggling business overseas and she was beside herself when
she discovered what he was doing.  He is one spoiled, thoughtless and
self-centred young man Aaron.  His Father is extremely angry with him for
damaging his reputation within Foreign Affairs and for using his Mother
and their diplomatic channels to have drugs brought into the country.
It's one big mess for them all to sort out and I understand that the
RCMP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are doing a full internal
investigative review of it all now. I'm so relieved you didn't get
yourself mixed up in any of that son."

"I never really felt comfortable around him Dad. There was just
something not quite right about the way he behaved and tried to make
other people feel like they were beneath him.  I guess now that I think
about it, he was trying to cover up his own insecurities and fears. Uhm,
you do know he's gay, don't you Dad?"

"Yes Aaron, I do.  As well, his Mother mentioned to me that they are
trying to sub-let his apartment up there. Aleyn told her I was your
Father and she told me to say thank you for being a friend to him in
school and letting me know they were putting him into Elmgrove.  She is
shaken up badly over this whole unfortunate episode. And I fear she may
need some counselling herself in order to get through this with her son.
She asked me if you and Adam would consider taking over Aleyn's
apartment."

"Wow Dad! I don't know what to say to you about that. I have to stay
here until at least the end of the semester to finish the lease on this
place. And I'd have to talk to Adam about it too."

"I explained to her about the lease on your apartment there and she said
that she would cover the cost of the outstanding rent on it until your
lease expires, if you would take over and pay the rent on the place they
rented for Aleyn."

"How much is the rent Dad?"

"She said it was $385.00 a month and that they wouldn't be wanting back
any of the light fixtures and carpets and such they put in there to fix
the place up for him. Also, if you wanted any of the artwork or dishes or
anything like that, you could have them. They only want to keep the
antique furniture and will probably auction all of it off up there."

"I'd really have to talk to Adam about this. When does she need to hear
back about it?"

"No later than the beginning of March Aaron."

"OK Dad. Oh, and by the way... Adam and I are coming down to celebrate
your birthday in a couple of weeks. Can we take you and Mom out to
celebrate your birthday?"

"Oh, I think King Yee at the Peacock Inn can save us a table for four.
You did say `you' were paying. I did hear that correctly... did I
Aaron?"

"Yes Dad... "

"Hi Mom."

"Adam! I was just going to give you a call. How did your interview go
today darling?"

"I think it went pretty good Mom."

"Adam, I don't correct your grammar very often. But it's well and not
good... "

"Uhm, yeah Mom... sorry. There were two women who interviewed me and one
of them used to work for Mr. and Mrs. Fullerton in Brockville before she
got married and moved to Ottawa. I didn't get her last name before she
got married though.  She seemed really nice and the other one... well, she
was OK too.  They really didn't grill me too badly with questions. There
was one I had to really think about though. They seemed pretty satisfied
with the resume you helped me with and that letter from Mrs. Fullerton.
I should hear back from them in a couple of weeks or so. They asked me if
I'd be able to start right after the end of March. So I think that's a
good sign. How're things with you and Bast down there?"

"We're heading down to Quebec City next week for `Winter Carnivale'.
Bast hasn't been down to see his cousins in a couple of years. And he
wants me to meet them and experience the city with him. I'm actually
excited he suggested we do this. It's going to be fun!"

"That's great Mom."

"So, I take it you and Aaron haven't killed each other yet in that
little apartment. Really now... how are things Adam? Is everything going
well with the two of you there?"

"Yeah, it's all good Mom. It was kinda' touchy for the first week or
so `til I was able to get all my clothes and stuff put away and get used
to sharin' a place with someone else.  But we managed and I think it's
all gonna' work out just fine."

"I think it will too Adam. I'm very proud of you, you know. It took a
lot of courage to do what you've done. Remember that I'm always here
for you if you need anything or even just to talk. I miss you not coming
over to the house now. But I love you and want what's best for you."

"I know that Mom. And I love you too."

"Ronnie! Heya' man. Glad you called. What's up?"

"Hey Adam. I forgot to mention to you last time we were at the LE about
Valentine's Day comin' up next week.  I was thinkin' maybe we could
take our two boys out for dinner together down on The Market. They've
got a place there called `Daphne and Victor's' that Jason here has
been bugging me to take him to and we were thinking it would be a perfect
time to meet everyone. We could pick you two up and drive down there for
dinner that night. Whadya' think?"

"Shit Ronnie! Jeezus man... I forgot all about Valentine's Day! Sure as
hell glad you called. I've been so busy getting settled myself and then
with the job interview and tryin' to keep things calm around here with
Aaron and his school schedule and all. You know, that sounds like a
really great idea. I'd like to get a look at this Jason Spence guy
you're seein' and I know Aaron really likes you and wants to get to
know ya' better too."

"OK Adam... great. I'll call them today and make reservations. I'll
swing around and pick you guys up with Jason and we can head out from
your place then. I know it's on Argyle. What number on Argyle and can I
park in front there?"

"Yep. You sure can. Parking is no problem here and its unit #2 on the
first floor at 37 Argyle.  If you see Aaron beforehand though Ronnie,
don't say anything to him. It'll be a surprise for him that way. OK?"

"You're sure about the surprise part there Adam?"

"Yeah Ronnie. He's been too focused on some of his assignments at
College this past week. I think I might wanna' shake things up just a
bit for him. It's all good."

"Uhm, OK. If you say so Adam.  We'll pick you guys up at 7:00pm . And
I'll make reservations for 7:30pm then."

"Actually Ronnie, I have to be downtown and close to the LE that
afternoon to get my driver's license changed with the new address up
here now. I need to get a new health insurance card too. I'll meet you
guys in front of the LE, and we can head on over to pick up Aaron after
that. OK with you?"

"Sure thing Adam. We'll pull in and pick you up at the main entrance
just off Elgin there."

I'm sitting with Eleanor in Alan's class and she leans over and starts
to whisper to me, "Now that we've got that axonometric drafting
assignment done finally for Gordon and before we have to start coming up
with ideas and a concept for that retail store design assignment from
Camilla for our mid-term grade, we'd better start with this chicken and
egg thing we have to do for Alan's class Aaron. I know you've been
preoccupied with Adam moving up, so I went ahead and did some research
and think I might have an idea here."

"God! Thanks Eleanor. I was thinking of something maybe using elastic
panty hose and cotton batting inside a really big box that could be
dropped out the window.  But I just don't know. Seems to me there must
be better ways to think about this. What have you got?"

"Well Aaron... Alan told us there were absolutely no limitations to what
we could do here. Only that we have to make sure the egg doesn't break
or we fail the assignment. And since neither you nor I are going to jump
out of a second floor window holding the egg and wearing a parachute, I
think I might have something that could work."

"Go on Eleanor. I'm listening... "

"The yolk and the shell are the most fragile parts of an egg.  Are you
with me on that one Aaron?"

"Uhm, yeah. Go on... "

"Well, what if we were to inject something into the yolk of the egg to
make it's consistency more like jelly and then coat the outside of the
shell with something like an industrial enamel paint to make it super
rigid and hard?  Everyone is concentrating on doing something to protect
the egg without thinking about somehow actually physically changing the
egg itself."

"Hmm, you're right. Alan said there were no restrictions or limitations
here. But do you really think he'd let us do this to the egg? We could
still do up some kind of enclosure to hold the egg and either use a
little parachute or wings and a tail rudder so it could glide and sail
like a paper airplane down to the ground... "

"He said himself to come up with something out of the box and to be as
creative as possible. If we market the idea and present it well, he
really can't say we didn't comply with the requirements of the
assignment. I say we do this! What do you say?"

"Well, it sure beats me having to go into a lingerie store to buy panty
hose, I'll say that much for it."

Just then Alan stops his lecture on building construction materials and
stares back at the two of us. "Just what are you two giggling about back
there?"

"Oh nothing Alan... nothing at all... "

After Alan's class, it's my crit' time with Camilla for Interior
Design Two and I'm next on the list to discuss my store design project
with her.

"`Vel' Aaron... `vhat have you decided to do for a design for a retail
store in Fifth Avenue Court?  `Vhat' are you going to amuse and amaze
me `vith today?"

"Well, Camilla... I had this idea about maybe an exclusive small boutique
that sells high-end, designer bathroom accessories and towels.  I've
already started to develop a programming study for it and I have a name
for it too."

"`Vel... `vhat is this `vonderful name you `vant to use?"

"I was thinking about when people take long bubble baths and use loofas,
natural sea sponges, expensive Egyptian and Turkish cotton bath towels
and designer soaps and such... and thought maybe the idea of `bubbles'.
Actually, I want to name the place `Bubbles Bath Boutique'."

Camilla stares at me for several seconds and then starts to break out
into hysterical laughter.

"Bubbles is a name for a stripper `vith balloons in a Burlesque theatre
Aaron! Or a clown `vith a big red bowtie, silly glasses and a curly red
`vig in a circus!"

The second she mentions the clown bit, I look up at her synthetic blonde
wig and then down at her trademark red velvet `Camilla lips' bow tie
and have to bite my tongue. Tense moments follow until I pull out the
signage logo I've already developed for the store and hand it over to
her.

"Here Camilla, I know it can be hard to get past stereotypes and
preconceived ideas and notions. But take a look at this. I've come up
with a unique slim typeface font for all the letters in the word
`bubbles' based on a round circular bubble shape. You'll notice the
blue water drops that are on the letter `S' at the end. Maybe instead
of adding the words bath boutique, I should just call it `bubbles'...
 Also Camilla... I was thinking of maybe including things like exclusive
designer towel bars and soap dishes and maybe even having the store offer
a design service for anyone who was looking to have their bathroom
renovated professionally.  The store wouldn't just sell stuff. It could
offer professional design consultation services too."

"`Vel maybe... better... yes... `hmm... izzzn't it'."

"This is taking a big risk `vith who you `vant to come to shop in the
store. The name could `vork though. It has suggestive and intriguing
double entendres that `vould amuse sophisticated customers. Either that
or they `vould be scandalized and afraid to come in to shop.  `Vords
have connotations and different meanings Aaron. Remember that. I `vant
to see how you develop this and how you `vil present it. And I don't
`vant to see strippers climbing out of a clown car `vith balloons
popping out of its sunroof in the front `vindow of your store `vhen you
do. Promise me that Aaron!"

As she is walking away I can hear her muttering to herself, "Hmm...
clowns... strippers... bubbles... balloons... `izzzn't it'...!" And then
she starts to laugh hysterically again.

"Happy Valentine's Day Aaron."

Adam yawns and stretches out beside me in bed. Then he rolls over onto
his side to pull me into a playful head lock while rubbing my messed up
hair and thrusting his probing, teasing tongue deep into my mouth.  "I
gotta' surprise for you later and not the big, hairy one that's pokin'
atcha' right now under the sheets."

"Mmm, Happy Valentine's Day Adam. I'd be perfectly happy with that
one. Uhm... I have a surprise for you later too."

"I'll be out when you get home from classes this afternoon baby. I
hafta' renew my health insurance card and driver's license downtown
with the new address here. I'll be back here around 7:00pm or so though.
And then we can do something romantic for a late Valentine's Day dinner
after that. Are ya' OK with that cookie boy?"

"That works out perfectly for me. I'll be finishing up that egg
assignment with Eleanor today and we have to present it this afternoon.
I'm curious to see who passes and who fails this one.  Everyone's been
really secretive about what they're doing so there's some suspense and
drama and mystery happening at the school for once.  Even Colin is being
quiet and not trying to check out everyone else's work, which is really
shocking for him."

"OK baby."

It's the end of the day and the final make or break test literally, for
Alan's assigned project.  The entire class is in the fire escape stairs
on the second floor where the only window that opens wide enough to
enable us to throw our egg projects out the window is located.  Alan is
there with a clipboard and checking each assignment off as each pair of
students throw their project out the window.

"OK. Eleanor and Aaron... you're next."

"Here goes," Eleanor says, as she tosses the delta-winged glider with
the chemically-altered egg out the window...

It was beautiful the way the air picked it up and how it started to glide
gently down to the ground. That is, until one of the wings snapped off in
mid-flight and it started to nose-dive into a death spiral and eventually
crash onto the paved parking lot, where the rest of it broke into several
pieces.

Alan shouts down to the spotter standing below, "Did the egg break or
not?"

"The egg survived... "

Just then Colin comes bounding up the stairs with a live chicken that's
wearing a collar and on a leash. "Here you go Alan. Nature's perfect
protection for an egg.  Meet `Leona Leg Horn'. We got her from a farmer
down on the Market!"

The poor hen is traumatized at the sight of all of us staring and
laughing at he, and promptly craps all over the stair landing.  Alan is
killing himself laughing and then Colin asks, "So... do I throw her out
the window to see if the egg inside her survives the fall?"

Everyone is laughing at this point until Melora Payne shouts out, "No!
Chickens can't fly! You'll kill her if you throw her out the window!"

Alan is bent over laughing at this point and he says, "OK Inga and
Colin, I'll give you credit for imagination. Let's consider this one a
pass. Now, what are you going to do with the chicken?"

"Inga then says, "It's OK Alan. I have to drive by a chicken farm on
my way home to Manotick. I'll just dump her into the pen where he keeps
all his other hens.  It'll be days before he figures out he has one more
than he thought he did. That poor farmer will never figure out how he
suddenly wound up with an extra full-grown chicken. It'll likely be a
question he carries to his grave."

As an anecdote here, the next day Inga came back and told everyone
including Alan, that the hen she left with the farmer was the only black
chicken there. Apparently, all the farmer's other hens were white.

When I told Adam this the next day, I thought he was never going to stop
laughing...

Adam is waiting in front of the LE as Ronnie and Jason swing in to pick
him up. "Thanks for pickin' me up Ronnie. It's just down a few blocks
on Elgin Street and then you turn left onto Argyle." Then Adam leans
forward to grab Jason's hand from the back seat. "Nice to finally meet
ya' Jason. Aaron's gonna' be surprised we're all going out to dinner.
I didn't say anything to him `cause I wanted it to be a surprise."

"C'mon in for a minute to meet Aaron and see the little place we've
got here for now guys."

"OK Adam. I'll just park in front and you can lead the way in," says
Ronnie.

Heya cookie boy! I'm home baby. Happy Valentine's Day honey! And look
at the surprise I brought ya'!"

"Adam! Sasq'! Happy Valen... tiii... ohhh! Shit!"

I suddenly find myself standing in front of Adam, Ronnie and an
open-mouthed, gaping Jason. I'm stark naked except for an obscenely
short white apron with big, goofy-looking red hearts plastered all over
it while presenting a full-frontal `nothing left to the imagination
view' for whom I was hoping would be Adam... alone! To top that off, I'm
holding the `Kiss the Cook... ie' sign that Adam brought up with him up
from his apartment back in Brockville.

Jason doesn't miss a beat, and with a deadpan expression, perfect
delivery and devastating timing says, "Oy vey... I wonder what Passover
and Rosh Hashanah are like around here..."

"Aww c'mon! Jeezus Aaron... if only you coulda' just seen the look on
your face when we came through the door, you woulda' laughed too! Just
thank the fuckin' lord you were holdin' onto that sign in front of you.
Ronnie and Jason thought it was fuckin' hilarious. Forget about it baby.
" Adam keeps looking at me with a stupid, lop-sided dumb grin on his
face while trying to stifle yet another laugh.

"You just wait Adam! Next time you bend over in front of me, your hairy
ass is going to get captured on Kodak film and make it into the next-day
edition of `The Ottawa Citizen' under  `Death Notices'... "

"Now honey,  they didn't get to see as much of ya' as I did. And we
all went out and had a nice dinner afterwards. What can I do to make it
up to ya' Aaron?"

"I'll have to give that one some thought. I will admit though I was
sure your eyes were going to pop out of their sockets and you blocked
their view and covered me up with your ski jacket as fast as you could. I
suppose I should be grateful for that gallant gesture at least."

"Aww... c `mere Aaron. I promise I won't bring any more surprise guests
over... until the next time!"

Adam starts to laugh all over again.

"You bastard!"

"Happy Birthday Dad!"

"Thanks very much Aaron." He sits back, sighs and then says, "I am not
afraid to admit I have really been feeling my age lately. I guess this is
as good a time as any to let you know that I have put in my letter of
resignation for formal retirement in late spring."

"I don't think of you as old at all. You're my Dad. I don't think
you'll ever be old to me."

"Nevertheless son, time marches on and catches up with all of us sooner
or later.  Your Mother and I are thinking of putting the house up on the
market and considering one of those seniors' retirement apartments
they're building beside St. Francis Xavier on Church Street where the
old Notre Dame Convent is standing.  We'll have our choice of which
apartment if we get our names on the list right away. The building is
supposed to be done in early 1980. You know, I think I'd like to be able
to look over at the stained glass windows of the church from a balcony
and I could go to morning Mass every day."

Hmm, what does Mom think about this?"

"She's tired and bored herself Aaron and wants to travel a bit.  We
were thinking about going out to Calgary to visit Ariana and Warren and
the grandkids this year, and then maybe on to Banff and Lake Louise to
see the Rockies. The house here is getting to be a lot for her to manage.
And it's just too big now for the two of us... time for someone else to
love it and take care of it and raise a family here now."

"I understand Dad. But what about Blackjack? "

"Well son... we have plenty of time now to plan and nothing is certainly
going to happen overnight.  We're all going through important life
events and changes right now.  Best to think them through and not act too
quickly."

"Yeah... I guess so."

We're all together at The Peacock Inn for Dad's birthday. Mom is
helping herself to a third glass of pinot noir, and after topping up
Dad's and Adam's glasses, she hoists hers up and says, "Cheers
Richard!  Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks Viv honey... but slow down with that wine until King Yee serves
us some food. I'm not carrying you back home after dessert."

"Ohhh! Richard... I was thinking we could go out dancing at the Flying
Dutchman after this! Adam... you promised to show me how to do `The
Hustle'. You didn't forget now did you?"

"Uhm, no ma'am, I didn't."  Just then Adam leans over to me and
whispers, "But I sure as hell was hopin' she would!"

At last I have my opportunity!

 "Mom! That's a great idea! I haven't been out there in ages! That big
stone fireplace in the lounge there would be perfect on a cold, snowy
night like tonight.  Let's do that. It'll be fun!"  Then I smile and
whisper into Adams' ear, "And that's for `not' telling me about
Ronnie and Jason on Valentine's Day!"

"My baby moves at midnight
Goes right on till the dawn, yeah
My woman takes me higher
My woman keeps me warm

What you doin' on your back, aah
What you doin' on your back, aah?
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yea ..."

The Bee Gees are blaring out from the speakers on the dance floor. And
Adam looks mortified while Mom tries to follow his rhythm and dance
moves.

"All he needs is a white polyester suit to match your Mother and they
could go on American Bandstand together" says Dad, as he laughs and sits
back watching the two of them trying to dance together.

"Mom really makes you laugh at times, doesn't she Dad?"

"That's one of the secrets to a happy marriage Aaron. You just have to
laugh at life sometimes son.  We're all going to wind up dead and buried
someday. Might as well enjoy the ride until we get there. Remember
that."

"Uh, Dad, just so you know, I talked to Adam about Mrs. Kinzinger and
the apartment sub-let.  You haven't seen that place so you wouldn't
know anything about it. It's pretty grand and formal. I don't think
it's really Adam's or my style. We'd feel uncomfortable, like we'd
have to live up to its elegance all the time and well... it just isn't
what Adam and I were thinking of when we eventually move. Besides, it's
only a one bedroom. And we were thinking of two for when you and Mom, and
Mrs. Blanchard and Bast come up to visit and maybe stay on weekends. Adam
is hoping to get another car after he starts work too. And outside
parking in the back of that building is not something he wants to have to
deal with in the winter months. Indoor-heated garage parking, two
bedrooms and maybe something more modern in a high-rise building close to
the College is more along the lines of what we were thinking of."

"Funny you should think of that just now son. I meant to tell you, they
took Aleyn out of Elmgrove a couple of weeks ago. I haven't seen or
heard from them. And I have a sneaking suspicion they're not bring him
back either. Last time I spoke with Mr. Kinzinger, he said he thought
Aleyn was all better... that he and his wife were leaving for Europe for
an extended period and that Aleyn would be just fine on his own in
Maitland with their maid and the grounds keeper.  I don't think he wants
to have to deal with him, to be completely honest.  That whole episode
isn't over yet son. And I don't see a happy ending to it either."

"Not much laughter there is there Dad?"

"No Aaron... I'm afraid not."

It's the beginning of March, and a couple of weeks before spring break.
Ronnie's boyfriend Jason and I are having lunch together in the student
cafeteria at Carleton University. "Thanks Jason for showing me the
library here at Carleton and offering to pick up books from the
Architecture Program for me.  I have an assignment for Lynda
Naagy-Birdsong coming up soon and I can't find the research material I
need at Algonquin on `Victor Horta' and `Belgian Art Nouveau'.  How
are you doing with your courses?"

"God! That name... `bird seed'!'

"Knock it off Jason! Adam calls her `bird brain'. Jeez'... I've
almost called her that a few times myself."

Jason chuckles and then says, "Well Aaron, I figured it was time we got
to know each other... uhm, with your clothes on this time, that is since
we're both dating guys who went to school together back in Brockville.
We're almost the same age and it's great to be able to talk with
someone else who's gay and not in one of my classes, if you know what I
mean."

"Yeah... I do Jason. So, how are you doing with your courses here? And
uh, don't remind me about Valentine's Day again... "

Jason laughs and then responds with, "Well, second year in Urban
Planning is turning out to be a formidable challenge. I'll be glad to
have a break in a couple of weeks. "

"Me too Jason. I don't know if I'm going to have to work on
assignments over the March Break. I hope not though, because I want to
spend some time with Adam.  He's been so good with me and with trying to
get himself set up at home. And he just got official word from National
Health and Welfare he got the job they were interviewing him for. He's
nervous though, because they want him to start French language training
in early July. And I know that's really been on his mind since he got
the call from them."

"Well hell Aaron... I'm fluent in French, and so is Ronnie! Tell him if
he ever needs someone to help him, I'd be happy to do whatever I can."

"Thanks Jason. I know he'd appreciate that. So, what do you and Ronnie
have planned for Winter Break?"

"His Dad isn't doing so well right now Aaron. They're thinking about
selling the farm outside of Merrickville and maybe moving into Brockville
where he can be close to his doctor and get some decent health care. That
place has been in his family for four or five generations though and his
older brother still lives right beside it with his family. Ronnie wants
to go down with me to spend a few days with his Mom and Dad.  They're
nice people. I really like them very much."

"We're both pretty lucky with the guys we wound up with, aren't we
Jason?"

"I'd say they were lucky to wind up with us Aaron."

Just then a bell starts to ring in the cafeteria and Jason has to rush
off to make it to his next class.

"Gotta' go. I'll give you a call and we'll get together later on in
the week. OK Aaron?"

"Later Jason. Bye."

"Good afternoon. Is this Mrs. Thomas Blane Richard Blanchard?"

"I haven't been a Mrs. Thomas anything for many years. Who is this
calling?

"Oh, I'm sorry Mrs. Blanchard. I should have introduced myself first.
I'm Miss Angelina McCarthy from the Law Firm, Crawley, Crawley,
Carruthers and Feltmate in Edmonton, Alberta.  I understand you and Mr.
Blanchard were once married and have an adult son Adam. Am I correct in
assuming this?"

"What's this all about?" asks Delphine, while starting to get
irritated and impatient with the woman on the other end of the phone.

"I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this Mrs. Blanchard. But
Adam's father, Mr. Blanchard has had terminal Cancer for the past year
and well... sadly, he passed away the day before yesterday."

"Oh my God! I had no idea. Tom deserted Adam and me years ago and I
haven't had any contact with him since our divorce years ago. We didn't
know he was sick! In fact we didn't even know for sure where he was...
although we suspected it was in Edmonton or at least somewhere out in
Alberta there."

"Well, I'm calling you to obtain a phone number in order to contact
your son, Mrs. Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard made up a will and filed it with
us years ago assigning Adam as executor and sole beneficiary to his
estate."

"Oh really! Well I'll tell you right now... neither Adam nor I are going
to be held responsible for any of that sorry bastard's debts! He almost
destroyed me when he walked out on us and I damned near lost the house
back then. I want nothing to do with him and his miserable pathetic
excuse for a life. And I won't have my son involved in any of his messes
either!"

"You misunderstand Mrs. Blanchard. He left a life insurance policy in
Adam's name and there is some money and possessions like his furniture
and a car that he left for his son."

Delphine is shaking with emotion at this point and is completely shocked
about what this woman is saying to her on the telephone.

"I don't understand! He wanted nothing to do with us when he abandoned
us. Why would he do this now? Why? Why?"

"I can't answer that Mrs. Blanchard."

"I'm having trouble taking this all in at the moment."

"Quite understandable under the circumstances Mrs. Blanchard. This must
be a big shock for you."

"That's putting it mildly Miss... what was your name again?"

"McCarthy... Angelina McCarthy."

"Well... I want to be the one to break this to Adam, Miss McCarthy. Give
me your phone number and I'll have Adam give you a call once I've had a
chance to talk to him about all of this."

"Don't wait too long please Mrs. Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard made his
funeral arrangements over a year ago and he will be cremated within the
next couple of days.  He didn't specify what he wanted done with his
remains and outside of the man he has been living with... that is... at
least I think they are living together, there is no one out here to take
his ashes or make any binding legal decisions or handle the details of
his estate. Please have him contact us as soon as possible."

Delphine hangs up and then just stares at the phone for the longest
time.  How in the hell am I going to break this to Adam? After all these
years and now I have to relive all of this. His Father... bisexual! I
suspected it all along and should have said something to Adam long before
now. His father... bisexual and living with another man. This is just too
much! Adam will be devastated. A bisexual Father and him gay. Oh God! I
thought I'd never have to have this conversation with Adam! Oh God! What
now?

"Heya' Mom. So how was Quebec City? Did you and Bast get to see his
family and didya' have a good time down there?"

"Never mind that for now Adam. I got a phone call today from Edmonton
and there are a few things I have to tell you."

Adam looks over at me at my drafting board and says, "It's my Mom
calling baby.  Something's up. She sounds kinda' upset."

"Edmonton Mom? Who do you know in Edmonton?"

"Just listen to me Adam. This isn't something I can talk to you about
over the phone. I'm driving up there tomorrow first thing and we can
talk face to face.  When are Aaron's classes? And will you be there
alone in the morning? This is important darling."

"Uhm, yes Mom. Aaron will be over at the school tomorrow and we can talk
then. Can't you even give me a clue about what you want to talk about?"

"Not now Adam!  I'll be up there right after 9:00am. Just be there!"

Adam hangs up the phone and frowns while I ask, "So what was all that
about Adam?"

"Dunno' honey. She's coming up here tomorrow to talk to me.  She said
something about getting a call from Edmonton. She sounded pretty serious
on the phone and wouldn't tell me any more than that."

"You think she's OK?"

"Guess I'll find out tomorrow... "

"Good God Adam! This place is tiny. No sofa and just a bed and nowhere
to sit?"

"Oh Mom... It's OK for now. Now go and sit at Aaron's drafting board
and I'll getcha' a coffee and you can tell me what this is all about."

"Are these some of the things Aaron does at school here?"

"Uhm, yeah Mom. That model is a student workspace he made last semester.
And those pen and ink renderings are gonna' be part of a store design
he's workin' on right now. I helped him with that Architecture booklet
there on the desk... "

She reaches over and starts to leaf through the Brockville Historical
Architecture presentation Adam and I did for Lynda Naagy-Birdsong. She
stares at our work in silence and then turns to face Adam and says
quietly, "I had no idea he was so talented."

"I told ya' Mom, He's something and someone really special... to me.
Now, what brought you all the way up here from Brockville? What's goin'
on?"

"I'm not sure where to start darling... "

"I'm listening Mom. Just take your time."

"Well, yesterday I got a call from a Lawyer's Firm in Edmonton about
your Dad."

"What?"

"Yes. Exactly... my reaction too. Uh, Adam... he died two days ago!"

Adam's mouth is wide open and he is just staring at Delphine, not
knowing what to say.

"I might as well start at the beginning and tell you what I know.
First off, and I don't want you to get angry at me for not telling you
about this before now.  I always suspected, but I never knew for sure.
There were reasons he left you and me years ago that I hoped I would
never have to really face. And now it's all coming back to force me to
relive the time I was married to him, and what others told me after he
deserted us. He just wasn't around for us Adam."

"I know Mom. I don't really remember him being in the house when I was
really little, except for the times you and he argued."

"I know that Adam.  How do I tell you this? Uhm, he wasn't there much
after I got pregnant and had you. And well, he kept saying to me he felt
trapped in a relationship he just wasn't cut out to be in. I never knew
for sure. But I always suspected there were others he was with. After
all, he lost complete interest in me and was never around. That's why
you don't have memories of him when you were just a little boy. "

"Go on Mom."

"Well darling... this woman called me yesterday from Edmonton. She is
with a Law Firm out there and called to get your phone number, because
she needed to contact you about your Father.  I'm probably going to
blurt this out here and it may be very confusing for you. But I'm upset
and her call gave me a real shock.  I'll tell you everything I know and
then you can decide if you want to contact them or not."

"OK Mom. Keep talking."

"Seems like your Father had a will and named you as executor to his
estate."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"It means that you are responsible to settle his affairs and are the
sole beneficiary of anything he has left after everything is settled and
paid off."

"I haven't got any money to pay off his debts Mom. He screwed you over
but good back then. I remember and he's not gonna' do the same to me
now that he's dead."

"I know Adam... and I told that to the woman on the phone. She said he
didn't many outstanding debts and that he left you a life insurance
policy and that whatever money was there, in addition to that would more
than cover whatever he owed. Also, that he had a car and some furniture
and personal effects that all belong to you now."

Adam stares at his Mom and is waiting for her to continue.

"What's the catch here Mom? What aren't you telling me?"

"Well darling... I never knew for sure until years later. But to be
honest with you, sex between your Father and me was non-existent those
last three or four years before he disappeared on us. God! How do I tell
you this?"

"I'm a grown man Mom. You can talk to me. Go on."

"Well Adam... your Father was bisexual."

 "What?"

"Bisexual. I didn't know that when we got married. And thinking back
now, I think he married me to hide it from everyone in Brockville,
including probably himself too."

"Oh Mom!"

"I didn't want you to ever have to know that.  After all, that was a
secret and it was something private and intimate really between him and
me in our marriage. When he left  you were still just a young teenager. I
knew you were gay even back then and didn't want you to think you were
the way you were because of him. Oh! This is all just so complicated!"

"Mom! It's OK."

"You were so angry with him for deserting us back then and were having
your own identity problems with yourself and at school. And I was just
trying the best I could to keep the house and not lose it and keep us
going.... "

Silence from Adam.

Then, "I don't know what to say Mom. I just don't."

"Apparently, he's been supposedly living with another man for the last
few years in Edmonton.  That much I got out of the woman who called. I
have no other information other than that to give you regarding his...
uhm, living arrangements out there.  God knows what kind of situation
you'll be dealing with should you decide to call the Lawyers back."

"Have ya' got that phone number on ya' Mom?"

Delphine is crying at this point and wiping tears away as she hands the
scrap of paper with the phone number scribbled down on it to Adam.

"He's to be cremated in the next day or so. You won't make it out
there before then if you decide to go.  He made his funeral arrangements
when he was diagnosed with Cancer last year. I'll get you a plane ticket
to fly out if you do decide to go. God... what a sad end to a sad story.
I'm so sorry Adam!"

"I don't blame you for not telling me about him Mom. I just wish I
coulda' got to know him a bit though. I think he and I could have helped
each other... what a waste. Fuck!"

"He would have been proud of the man you've turned out to be Adam. And
I know, whatever the problems there were between him and me... well, he
did love you. I guess what he left to you should prove that after all
this time."

"Money and stuff Mom. Money and stuff. What's it all about anyway?"

"Is your Mom still up here Sasq'? I tried calling you when I had some
free time over lunch break and there was no answer. Did you go out with
her for lunch?"

"Uhm, no baby. She needed to get back to Brockville. And I just had to
get outta' here myself for a bit. I laced on my skates and was out on
the Canal. The season's almost done now. Think this might be the last of
it `til next year. The ice was fuckin' lousy. When are ya' comin'
home Aaron?"

"I was going to head over to Wallack's to pick up some stuff for my
presentation boards for my store project. You sound really strange Adam.
Is everything OK? What did your Mom want to talk to you about?"

"C'mon home Aaron. I need you like, right now baby.  Fuck Wallack's.
Come home. The walls in this place are closing in on me without you
here.  Pack your shit up there and get your butt back here with me. I
need you here. Like right now!"

"I'm on the way... "

"Toss that jacket on the floor and then get your tight, fuckin' little
ass over here! I'm gonna' have every piece of clothing offa' you in
thirty seconds and my cock's gonna' be in ya' even faster than that. I
need to feel you like, right now honey! I need to feel something real...
anything..."

His hands are all over me, wildly tugging and yanking at my sweater and
shirt and then jerking the zipper on my jeans, as he grinds himself into
me.  I can feel his heart beating and with one violent motion, he pulls
me into his hairy chest, yanks down my pants and aggressively forces me
up against the wall.

"Lube my dick up babe! The KY just fell off the top of the dresser
there.  I hafta' be inside you. This day's been unreal.  The only thing
keepin' me from losing my mind is the thought of you Aaron! Your ass is
mine! Now... rub my dick with that shit.  I'm gonna' ram your ass `til
I bust a load and you're gonna' need to be extra wet and juicy down
there to take what I'm gonna' shove into ya!"

I can feel his passion and urgent need radiating like heat lighting from
him and reach down to grab onto his throbbing cock.  The crotch of his
pants is moist and pungent and feels like 110 degrees.  I'm biting and
sucking his dick right through them, and I can hear his soft moans every
time I rub his strong inner thighs with my hands that seem have taken on
a life of their own, as they work themselves all over his hairy pleasure
trail and scrotum. The tight seam of his pants that rides up his ass
crack tells me he's free-balling. And all I can think of is his hairy
butt cheeks and furry pube bush... and my mind is obsessed with having his
scent all over me. I pull his zipper down and start to work his pre-cum
leaking, hairy cock with my tongue. Wave after wave of his heady,
intoxicating and overpowering male essence fills my nostrils up with his
fresh sweat and spicy `Adam Blanchard' aura.  Then he groans and grabs
onto my neck and shoulders, and forcefully thrusts his cock deep inside
my mouth.

"I just gotta' know you're all mine and what we have is real. Nothing
between us... nothing to hide... just you and me Aaron. Lick my cock head
and suck up that juicy man spunk baby `cause it's all for you and no
one else!"

His pants are lying in a wrinkled heap on the floor beside him.

There's no time to make it to the bed, so he squats down with me still
on my knees and pushes me onto the hard floor on my back. I can feel
every inch of him on top of me as his hands move over every part of me...
eventually clawing and grabbing onto my butt and hoisting it up off the
floor.  His lips and tongue work my nipples into hard, sensitive points
of hot, burning pleasure. And, all I can think about is having his big
cock thrusting inside me.

"Baby, you're gonna' wrap your legs around my shoulders `cause I
wanna' see your face when I'm inside ya'. I hafta' see your eyes when
I'm doin' ya' honey. Something real... something honest.... something
special... just you and me."

The KY that fell off the top of the dresser when he threw me into the
wall lies right beside him on the floor. He grabs it and twists the cap
of it off with his mouth and spits it out, only to see it roll under the
dresser.

"Fuck it! I'll get it later."

The lube is warm on his fingers as he plays with my butt.  With three of
his fingers inside me attacking my sphincter muscles he keeps working me
and then urgently exclaims, "No time for foreplay baby. I just gotta'
be in you like, right now!"

Then he rams his massive, throbbing, hard cock deep into me with one
continuous, thrusting motion.  It feels like it's going deeper and
deeper into me and never going to stop.

"You'd better start moving that big thing back and forth because
you're rubbing my prostate, and I'm going to cum really fast if your
cock keeps banging it that way Adam..."

"Aww fuck... I can't hold back any longer honey!  Fuck! Fuck! Fuckin'
Jeezus fuck!"

I can feel his big shaft erupting and shooting his thick, copious cum
load deep inside me. I can feel every muscle contraction of his pulsating
cock, as he groans and cries out my name.

"Fuck Adam! I'm cumming too!"

My back is arched up off the floor. I'm shaking and vibrating with
jerky, involuntary movements against Adam as he keeps thrusting his big
cock into me. He's panting... his chest continues to heave against me,
while his strong heart beats an irregular pounding rhythm of need and
passion into my brain.

Collapsed and breathless on the floor together, fully spent and satiated,
with arms and legs entwined and carelessly ripped and tossed clothing all
around us, Adam sighs and says to me. "Aaron... honey... cookie... I love
you."

"I love you too Aaron."

"I needed you and you dropped everything and came right away when I
asked ya' to. I'll always be here for you too Aaron. Always baby... I'd
never leave you... "

Just then I look into his eyes and can see that he is on the verge of
crying. Tears are starting to well up and he is blinking to hold them
back. He pulls me in tight and close to him and buries his head into my
shoulder and exhales deeply so I can feel his hot breath on my neck. Then
I feel a single tear drop down onto my shoulder.

"What went on earlier today with your Mom Adam? You were a crazy man
with me just now. It was perfect... but I know you Sasq'. Something
happened here today.  Is your Mom OK? Are you OK? Talk to me... I'd never
leave you either. Never Adam. What's going on?"

"Oh honey! I don't know how or where to begin." Suddenly he starts to
cry, and his sobs touch something deep inside of me.

"Adam... you once said to me you'd always be there for me and you've
never let me down. Let me be here for you now. I love you. Just start
talking. Doesn't matter how long it takes to get it out.  I'm here now
and listening. Take your time."

"My Dad died Aaron."

"What? I thought you didn't know where he was."

"Mom and I didn't know for sure. That's why she came up here today...
to tell me that."

"I'm not going to interrupt. Just keep talking."

"Baby... she told me he was bisexual. And that's why he left her and me
years ago."

It's taking everything I have not to ask him questions. But I know he's
hurting and has to get this out in his own way, and in his own time. All
I can do is put my arms around him and hold him as he continues to tell
me what happened here earlier today.

"He died of Cancer and was sick for a long time. He was living with some
guy out in Edmonton. And some Lawyer called Mom yesterday asking her for
my phone number `cause they needed to get in touch with me."

"Go on.... "

"Well Aaron, seems he died and made me executor of his estate. They want
me to fly out there to settle his affairs. He's getting cremated and
I'm not gonna' be able to make it out there beforehand. He made all his
funeral arrangements a while back and didn't want a service... "

The tears keep flowing and his shoulders are shaking. And all I can do is
to keep holding him.

"Mom says he left a life insurance policy and some money and stuff for
me in his will. I don't give a fuck about any of that shit! So many
years wasted. He shoulda' been there for me. I coulda' been there for
him. Fuck Aaron! What a lost opportunity for us to get to know each
other."

"Hoist yourself up onto the bed there Adam. I'm going to make us some
coffee. It's cold in here. Take that quilt your Mom made for you and
wrap it around yourself. I'll put the water on and be right back."

"The hot cup feels good in my hands Aaron. Thanks baby."

"No problem... now slide your hot, sexy man butt over and let me sit here
too... and keep telling me what else happened today and how you're
feeling."

Well, at least the mention of his butt got a little smile out of him.
Mission accomplished...

"Well honey, Mom said it was up to me whether I wanted to go out there
and that I didn't have to if I didn't want to.  This man he's been
living' with... I'm freakin' out with havin' to go meet and deal with
him. And then there's havin' to go through all his stuff... some man who
is my Dad that I don't even hardly know... fuck!  I just don't know if I
wanna' do that Aaron. Mom left me a piece of paper with the name and
phone number of some woman from the Law Firm that has his will. They want
me to fly out there and take a week or two to settle his affairs.  I'm
kinda' fucked up over this Aaron. Do I go or do I just say fuck it all
and forget about him?"

"How is your Mom handling this Adam? She must have been totally shocked
when they called her."

"She was pretty upset and told them she wouldn't pay for any
outstanding debts, and neither would I. Then they told her about the
insurance and money and stuff, and said she didn't need to worry about
that.  She was really upset and had a hard time telling me about Dad and
their marriage and why he walked out on her.  She never knew for sure
about him and other men. At least that's what she said to me. It was
hard for her to talk to me about her life with him. She told me she'd
pay for a plane ticket though if I wanted to go. And, I have some money
your Mom and Dad gave to me for my birthday saved up too."

"Well Adam... you've got a few weeks before you have to start your new
job with Health and Welfare."

"A bit more than that baby. They want me to start there April the 10th...
the week after Easter Monday. That gives me about six weeks or so to get
everything cleared up there and back home here before I have to start.

"That's good then Adam. If you go, you can start the new job with a
clear head. And if you decide to go, don't worry about me here. I'm not
going to tell you what to do. You need to figure it out for yourself.
I'll support you in whatever you decide. I love you. And as you say to
me all the