Chapter 13, UNLUCKY FOR SOME
Mario shuffled through the quiet house in
his lounging clothes to the kitchen for a light snack. It was only 10:30 p.m.
and he planned on doing some reading before bed. All the guys were out working
and he didn’t figure on seeing them until the following day. ‘Business is
good,’ he thought while he looked in the refrigerator, ‘especially with the
gals.’ The female escorts accounted for more than 80% of the revenues but he
felt more at home – in several ways – with the men. ‘It’s like living in a
queer frat house around here,’ Mario thought with a chuckle as he pulled out a
container of chicken salad from the fridge, ‘and I’m the house mom.’
The sound of a vehicle leaving the parking
area caused Mario to smile and shake his head. ‘My young friend must have
gotten his tubes cleaned out tonight.’ He scooped some salad onto a plate and
reached up to the cabinet for a box of crackers. ‘This and some cheese should
do it.’ The back door opened and he turned around to see Cray walking in. The
teen was barefoot with only a towel wrapped around his middle.
“Hi, Mario. Thought I’d have a glass of milk
before I turn in,” Cray said with a big smile.
“I guess that was your friend who just
left?”
“Yeah…Michael. We’ve become good friends.”
Cray walked over to the fridge, opened the door and grabbed the milk container.
“From that shit-eating grin on your face,
can I assume that you two figured out a few things about each other?” Mario
reached for two glasses and added, “I’ll have some milk, too.” He decided to
pull Cray’s chain just a little. However, he also knew that the evening was
probably important to the young guy and he needed to be supportive.
“I, ah…yep, we really did.” Cray raised his
eyebrows as he poured the milk. “Michael and I didn’t do ‘it’ if ya know what I
mean. Just kinda checked each other out. Maybe we shouldn’t have been out
there…we were just so sweaty from the class.” He turned to Mario with a
slightly worried expression.
“Worse things have happened at the pool,
believe me. As long as you’re staying here, you’re more than welcome to bring a
friend over. I do think, however, when it’s time to do ‘it’, you might want to
use your room.” Mario winked and took a sip of the milk. “Buddy, I’m glad that
you found someone at school who…”
The door banging open and a groan
interrupted him. ‘What the hell…?’ he wondered as Brad, one of the newer guys,
staggered in with a black eye, facial cuts and caked blood on his shirt. Mario
knew that Brad had been booked for late afternoon.
“Oh, my God…I’m a fuckin’ wreck,” Brad said
as he leaned against the counter. “It was so wrong.”
“Cray, wet a towel with some warm water.”
Mario grabbed Brad to support him and slowly walked him over to a chair. “Sit
down and let’s see what the damage is.” Unbuttoning Brad’s shirt, Mario noticed
the pants were torn and he was wearing no shoes. “Lean forward a little so I
can check you out.”
“The fucker beat the shit out of me before
he raped me,” Brad grunted as he carefully sat on the chair. He moved around to
balance himself on his glute muscle. “I’m a little sore.”
“This was your date?” Mario had never seen
such damage to one of his guys. The clients were always screened when a credit
check was run to avoid problems. Cray handed over the wet towel and Mario
lightly wiped away some of the dried blood from Brad’s face.
“Oh, ouch,” Brad yipped with a grimace,
“That’s tender. No, I finished the job and decided to stop by the Ranch House
for a drink before coming home. I was minding my own business when a big dude
sat next to me. He was friendly enough…although rather gruff…and the bartender
seemed to know him. Called him Ben. The guy came on to me but I told him I
wasn’t interested. I excused myself to go to the ‘john’. The next thing I know
is that someone whacks me from behind and I black out.”
“Cray, find the ice pack in the freezer and
bring it to me.” Mario continued to gently wipe away the blood and survey the
damage. In addition to some deep cuts that needed stitches, he was pretty sure
Brad’s nose had been broken. “How are you on your backside? You mentioned rape
and that you’re sore.” He knew Brad was an experienced bottom and could take a
sizeable cock…to a point. Mario was pissed and would seek out the asshole who
had done this. ‘But, first,’ he decided, ‘I gotta take care of Brad.’
“There’s blood down there. I think he
probably tore something when he rammed me.” Brad looked at Mario and started to
cry. “The fucker was an animal. I came to and he had cuffed my hands. He
dragged me out by the back door of the bar to his truck and then took me back
to his house. All I remember about the place was a dark room with a lot of S
& M shit – really creepy. He used me as a human punching bag before he
pulled off my pants.”
“Okay, that’s enough for now.” Mario didn’t
want Cray to hear any more details. “You need medical attention and I’m going
to send you over to the private clinic. Cray, go over to Mr. Ed’s apartment and
tell him that Brad’s had an accident and needs to be driven for emergency
medical attention. Tell Mr. Ed that I’ll call our doctor and explain
everything.”
“Right away.” Cray gave Mario the ice pack
and trotted out of the kitchen.
“Do you have your wallet or has this Ben
asshole got it?” Mario gently pressed the ice pack against Brad’s eye and held
it. “How the hell did you get away?”
“The wallet’s in the right cargo pocket on
the pants leg.” Brad reached down, pulled the flap loose and retrieved the
wallet. “I think the guy thought I was passed out once he did me. I heard him
walk away and head to the bathroom. I grabbed my pants and made a dash for it
once I heard him pissing. My feet are pretty fucked up because I didn’t have
time to find my shoes.”
“You’ll heal. But we gotta get you fixed up
so you’re pretty again,” Mario said with a low chuckle. He wanted to ease the
tension in the room. “How the hell did you get here?”
“Hid across the street and watched this
guy’s house. When he didn’t go after me, I got over to the nearest busy street
and flashed a hundred dollar bill until a cab stopped. I knew that I’d have to
show some money for anyone to pick me up. Damn…that was my tip money, too.”
“Don’t worry about that. Let me make a call
while you hold the ice pack.” Mario went to the kitchen phone, looked and dialed.
“Hi, this is Mario. Tell Doc that I’m sending over one of my associates. He
needs stitches, a nose re-set, and checked for other injuries…especially in the
anus. He’ll be there in ten minutes.” He heard a ‘We’ll take care of him’ reply
and hung up.
“Oh, dear,” Mr. Ed said as he entered the
kitchen with Cray following behind. He surveyed the situation and added, “It
seems I’d better put some towels on the seat of the SUV. I suggest that’s the
best vehicle to use. Maybe Brad would be more comfortable traveling with
flip-flops or socks. Those feet look pretty raw.”
“Flops would work. Maybe Cray could get my
black ones. They’re in my closet.”
“Be right back.”
“Grab a fresh pair of boxers, a tee and
shorts. Mr. Ed can take them along when they go to the clinic.” Mario returned
Cray’s fleeting nod and turned to Brad. “What you’re wearing is completely
trashed. After you’re cleaned and fixed up, you can change into fresh stuff.”
He didn’t want to add that Brad might be staying at the clinic for observation.
“Buddy, I’m going to take your driver’s license and talk to the bartender. I
want to positively I.D. the fucker who did this to you and make sure he
understands what he did was wrong.” The Ranch House was a gay bar that Mighty
Joe Strollo operated for the ‘company’. Mario knew that there would be no
problem getting the bartender to cooperate.
“I…I don’t think I’ll be much value to you
for a while,” Brad said in a low voice.
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll get you fixed
up just fine.” Mario picked up the phone again and hit a speed dial number.
“Johnny, hi. Need your help. Grab one of your guys –maybe Boone – and meet me
at the Ranch House.” Boone was an ex-football player who made most men squirm
when they saw his linebacker frame.
~~~ “Any problem there?”
“No. But some cocksucker worked over one of
my guys pretty bad. Need to investigate this A.S.A.P.” Mario knew that Johnny
understood that time was of the essence.
~~~ “See you in 20 minutes.”
“Here’s some clothes and the flops,” Cray
said as he returned. “I grabbed stuff I thought I’d seen you wear before. If I
took your roomie’s clothes, let me know.”
“Good eye…they’re mine,” Brad replied with a
quivering smile.
“Cray, get some large towels and take them
with these clothes out to the SUV. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take Brad to
the clinic now.” Mr. Ed walked over and helped Brad stand.
“Can I go with Brad and Mr. Ed?” Cray asked
before he took off.
“It’s actually better if you stay here. This
is pretty well wrapped up for the night and you’ve got school tomorrow. Thanks
for your help.” Mario didn’t want Cray to know more about his business than
necessary. He was relieved that Cray hadn’t heard his phone conversation with
Johnny moments earlier. He walked up to Brad and said, “I’ve got everything
under control. Let Doc patch you up.”
“I’ll call you on your mobile telephone if
there’s any problem,” Mr. Ed said as he slowly walked Brad to the door. Cray
had grabbed a couple of pool towels and held the door open for the two men.
Mario watched everyone depart before he went
back to his bedroom to change. He took off his lounging clothes and stepped
into a pair of black jeans. After completing his all black ensemble that
included a muscle-tee, leather vest and shoes, he went out to the garage. ‘Might
as well make it an all black evening,’ he thought as he opened the door of the
black Mercedes S550 sedan and got in. ‘There’s going to be a lot of black and
blue with red mixed in before we’re finished.’
The drive to the Ranch House was brief and
at 11:30 p.m. he was parking the car in the shadows of the strip mall complex
where the bar was located. Even though it was Tuesday, several cars were parked
near the entrance. Although Mario didn’t go to the bars very often, he always
felt good vibes at the Ranch House. It was an added plus that he received a
percentage of the monthly profits. As he walked through the door, he felt
several pairs of eyes being focused in his direction – for only a moment.
‘Guess I’m not Mr. Right material tonight,’ he thought as he sauntered to the
end of the bar. He nodded to the nearest bartender and watched him approach.
‘Not bad,’ he judged. ‘I could use him in a pinch.’
“Hey, gorgeous,” the bartender said with a
bright, slightly effeminate voice.
“Hi. How about an orange juice,” Mario
replied. He visually inventoried the blond behind the bar and liked the
low-cutoff jeans, construction boots and a tight wife beater that covered only
his well-sculpted chest. ‘Nice six-pack, but the lisp’s gotta go.’ He pulled
out a twenty-dollar bill, set it on the bar and watched the bartender pour the
drink.
“Here ya go.” The bartender winked and
added, “Outta this?”
“Yeah. One question, first. Do you know a
customer by the name of Ben? Big guy whose a little on the rough side. He was
in here earlier tonight with this guy.” Mario pulled out Brad’s driver’s
license from his pocket and gave it to the bartender. “Ben was with him.”
“I didn’t see him…but I’m the closer
tonight. If he was in earlier maybe the other bartender – Paul – knows him. Paul’s
also the manager. Um, you a cop, or something?”
“No. Friend of the man who owns the bar, as
a matter of fact. Ask Paul to step over here…and keep the change.” Mario
smiled, knowing the tip would be mentioned. He watched as the first bartender
walked over to an older man and spoke briefly in his ear. The older man looked
over, nodded, and approached Mario.
“Understand you’re looking for Ben. Who’s
asking?” Paul said in a tone that was neither belligerent nor friendly.
“Mario’s my name. I’m an associate of Mr. Strollo.” He watched
Paul’s expression change from indifference to solicitous in a nano-second.
Mario decided not to add that he passively supervised the business operations
of the bar. Others were always sent if there was a problem.
“Oh, that’s different. I don’t talk about
customers to other people…ever. He’s a regular who stops in after work almost
every night. Good handyman who can do most anything. In fact, I’ve used Ben on
some odd jobs at my house.”
“Look at the picture on this license. Was
Ben with this guy tonight?” Mario pushed over the driver’s license to the bar
ledge. Paul picked it up and studied it.
“Hmmm, yeah. This guy came in by himself and
Ben joined him. I don’t think there was any chemistry but Ben was persistent.
The young guy went back to the ‘john’. I was busy with some other customers and
didn’t see Ben after that – just his money on the bar to pay for the drinks.
Guess they hooked up and left by the rear entrance. That’s where Ben always
parks.”
“What do you know about him?” Mario felt
lucky that this Ben character had done work for the bar manager. ‘Maybe there’s
a contact number,’ he thought. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Johnny
and Boone entering the bar. Mario nodded to them.
“I know he’s into rough sex. This is only an
after-work bar for him. He seldom finds the type of ‘sub’ guys he likes here.
He hangs out with a leather guy by the name of Jack. He’s another mean dude.”
Paul saw the two new men approach the bar and swallowed hard before turning on a
smile. “Gentlemen, what can I serve you?”
“Hi, guys.” Mario stood and kissed Johnny on
the cheek. Then, he made a fist and bumped knuckles with Boone. “I’m having a
juice.” He admired his team. Johnny’s 18” neck, pumped up pecs and monster
bi-ceps sent out a silent message that said, ‘Beware’. Boone, on the other
hand, was just huge. The African-American had a rough, handsome quality that a
sports fan would find attractive…in a macho sense.
“Two more juices,” Johnny said.
“The bartender was telling me a little about
Ben,” Mario said when Paul went over to the refrigerator. “I’ll make it fast.
Ben’s the asshole who beat up one of my boys. He’s not a client…just some bad
dude. Turns out that Ben’s a regular here and we might be able to get a contact
number from the bartender. I want to take care of this tonight.” Mario nodded
when Paul returned with the drinks. “Paul, do you have a business card for Ben?
We need to see him tonight. You understand me?”
“Yes…my lips are sealed. I’ve been here five
years and Mr. Strollo takes good care of me. Give me a minute. I’ve got his
card in a box by the cash register.” Paul walked back to the center of the bar.
“Ben grabbed my guy, against his will, and
took him to his place. He beat the shit out of the guy and raped the poor
fucker. Ben’s got to be taught a lesson.”
“Here it is. Ben Crandall. It’s got his cell
number and a home number. Will this help?”
“Absolutely.” Mario gave the card to Boone
and said, “Cross-check the home number with our service. I want an address.”
Boone took the card, nodded and left the
bar. In the meantime, Mario gave Johnny a complete rundown of events and a
proposed plan of action. By the time he was finished, Boone returned and gave
Mario an index card with an address written on it. Mario read it and returned
it to Boone.
“Boys, I’ll follow you.” Mario pulled out a
couple more twenties and put them on the bar. He retrieved Brad’s driver’s
license and waved to Paul as they left. “Thanks” he said with his lips.
The drive to the Sahara/McLeod Drive
neighborhood took only five minutes and the two-car caravan parked on the
quiet, deserted street a little after midnight. The three men approached the
older, one-story house and paused as Mario walked ahead. He noted that a truck
with the name “Crandall Construction” on the door was in the driveway and a
light was on in one of the windows. ‘Probably the asshole’s bedroom,’ he
decided as he waved the other men forward.
The three men walked up to the door. Boone
and Johnny moved to an area where they wouldn’t be spotted and Mario rang the
bell. He waited for a minute and then knocked on the door. All three men were
wearing tight-fitting leather gloves.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” a voice said from
behind the door. “Who’s there?”
“Jack said that I’d find what I like with
you,” Mario replied. He smiled with a pleading expression, knowing that Ben was
looking at him through the peephole.
“You must be good if Jack sent you over.”
“Oh, I’m very good.” Mario heard the
deadbolt lock disengage and the door opened. Facing him was a large, naked
brute of a man, wearing two nipple rings and a P.A. Mario judged the man to be
around 35 and in decent shape. He smiled as Ben stepped back.
“We’ll find out, boy,” Ben growled. “Come
in.” His hungry, sex-starved eyes probably didn’t see Mario’s foot move quickly
until the toe of the shoe landed a solid blow in Ben’s crotch. “Urghh,” was all
he could say while he doubled over and fell on the carpet.
“Brad says hello.” Mario stood aside so that
Boone and Johnny could enter. Once they were inside, he closed the door and
said, “Let’s go back to the bedroom. Johnny, use some duct tape to close his
yapper. Don’t want to wake the neighbors.”
While Ben moaned deeply, Boone and Johnny
dragged him down the hallway toward the room that was lighted. Just as they
were about to enter, Mario motioned them to stop.
“Guys, just a minute. I wonder what’s behind
this closed door. I’ve got a gut feeling that our man is very serious about his
fantasies and Brad mentioned some sort of dungeon.” Mario stepped ahead and
opened a door that was directly across from the rather non-descript bedroom. He
flipped on the light and smiled to himself. “Looks like Ben is into the leather
scene…even if this place is a little cheesy. Drag him in here.”
“Cheesy but practical. No windows, padded
walls and floors…I’m sure that the soundproofing is ideal for his games,”
Johnny replied.
“And ours.” Mario watched as the two men
roughly threw Ben into the center of the room. He could only imagine what
action the St. Andrew’s cross, bench, leather sling and various toys had seen.
“I think the cross is ideal for our purposes. Strap the fucker up so he can
see.”
“With pleasure. Stand up,” Johnny yelled as
he grabbed one of his arms.
“Arggh, uggh,” was all Ben could utter
through the tape covering his mouth as he got up. He still cupped his bruised
and painful balls.
Johnny fastened Ben’s wrists and ankles to
the cross while Boone held the man. By the time Ben was secure, an expression
of absolute fear had plastered itself on his face.
“Do you remember Brad?” Mario asked. “You
know, the innocent victim you beat up and raped a few hours ago?” He brought
back his arm and slammed his fist into Ben’s stomach.
Ben’s muted screams were ratcheted up a few
notches when Mario aimed his fist at Ben’s damaged nuts and followed it up by a
punch squarely between his eyes. Mario jumped back to avoid the combination of
snot and blood that spewed out of Ben’s nose.
“Would you remove the tape? I think the
construction of this room serves us well to muffle any sound.” Mario looked and
nodded at Boone. “Don’t get messed up. This guy’s probably a real gusher.”
“Right, boss.” Boone reached in and quickly
ripped off the tape. Ben coughed out red, mucous fluid and looked at his captors
with fear.
Mario glared at Ben and asked, “You do recall the guy you fucked
over earlier this evening? The kid you tore apart? Focus you bastard and answer
me…now.”
“Yes...yes, I remember. I thought he’d enjoy
a little…”
“Fun? You miserable cocksucker, bondage and
rough sex are supposed to be consensual…period.”
“Misjudged…yeah, that…that’s what happened.
He looked like he could take it,” Ben mumbled.
“Bullshit. You got your jollies off beating
the crap out of a defenseless guy. Defenseless,” Mario screamed. He glared at
Ben while taking a moment to regain control of his anger. “I know a lot of your
handyman business is paid for in cash. Where do you keep it? The kid you messed
up is going to need some money to take care of the medical bills.”
“I’ve got a metal box in the closet of my
bedroom,” Ben said with a sigh while his lips trembled.
“Check it out, would you?” Mario asked
Johnny. He continued to stare at Ben with contempt. “You damaged a friend of
mine and I intend for you to remember your error. I’m not going to physically
do what you did cuz I’m pretty particular where I put my dick. Maybe a butt
plug would be a good reminder of how you treated my friend.” He turned to Boone
and said, “The large one. Don’t be gentle.”
Boone walked over to a shelf and took a
large, cone shape that was nearly a foot long and broadened in diameter so that
the base was as big as a fist. He walked around to the rear of the cross and
looked at Mario.
“Oh, please…please…don’t use that. I, oh…”
Ben begged.
“I’m sure my friend Brad said the same thing
when you rammed your cock up his ass.” Mario nodded to Boone and looked into
Ben’s eyes. “But we’re a compassionate group. Unlike the consideration you
showed my friend, we’ll grease the plug up, first.” Mario found a tub of Boy
Butter and opened it. He held it while Boone scooped a handful and coated the
anal missile. “Take it like a man…if you can.”
The unintelligible explosion of the man’s
agony filled the room as Boone pounded the large, plastic device into Ben’s puckered
butt hole. A series of expletives ricocheted around the soundproof surface of
the walls and were followed by violent sobbing.
Johnny returned and whispered to Mario, “The
fucker had almost six grand stashed away. It’s in my pocket.”
“Good. Brad will need it while he’s
mending.” Mario smiled with satisfaction that his revenge was almost complete.
For the farewell event, he got Johnny’s attention. Mario pointed to his lips,
clenched his fist and pantomimed a slugging motion. Johnny nodded, took out a
roll of quarters, gripped them and pounded his gloved fist into Ben’s mouth.
Teeth and blood spewed out as more screams bellowed from the disheveled mouth.
“Shut up and listen to me. If you ever
mention this to anyone…we’ll come after you and really do damage. Here’s some
more very serious advice: don’t even think about trying to find the young guy
who you screwed over. If one of your friends finds you, tell them that it was a
trick gone bad. You understand?” Mario glared at Ben and knew that their job
was finished. “We’ll leave the front door unlocked.”
Ben stared back through his puffy eye slits
and nodded that he understood. He tried to talk but only gurgles and blood came
out of his mouth.
Mario nodded to the men and picked up the
duct tape that had originally sealed Ben’s lips. ‘Fucker,’ he thought as they
turned off the lights and left the house.
*****
Cray was in his room and couldn’t sleep. It
was cool enough to open the windows and turn off the air conditioning.
Therefore, he could hear the occasional noises on the outside. When he heard
the garage door open, he knew it was either Mr. Ed or Mario. He put on a pair
of shorts, slipped on his flops and left his room. As he rounded the corner of
the garage/apartment structure, he saw Mr. Ed.
“Hi. How’s Brad?”
“He’s a lucky young man. Nose has been set,
the stitches will heal without any scars and the bruises will disappear in
time. Without getting into the details, he’ll be sitting rather carefully for a
while…but with no serious damage.” Mr. Ed sighed, shook his head and added,
“Although our friend will be out of commission for a while, it could have been
a lot worse.”
“That is fortunate.” Cray decided not to
explore that piece of information. After the experience of a couple of fingers
when he played around with Spike’s brother, he could only imagine the pain that
Brad had experienced ‘down there’. He looked at Mr. Ed and said, “I worry about
those guys.”
“Without going into details, you should be
aware that what happened to Brad was not because of his…profession. He went to
a bar and got involved – in a nonconsensual situation – with a brute of an
animal. This could have happened in Des Moines…Iowa.” Mr. Ed raised his
eyebrows and added, “Or Leeds, in Yorkshire, for that matter. That’s where I grew
up.”
“So why is he still there?” Cray was
concerned that Brad had not come home with Mr. Ed. ‘Is there something more
that I don’t know?’ he wondered.
“Precautionary, actually. With the broken
nose being set, the doctor didn’t want to chance a problem of Brad maneuvering
around in the night and damaging the medical work.” Mr. Ed stopped at his
doorstep and added, “The clinic is really like a nice hotel with nurses. I
would imagine that I’ll be sent to bring Brad home tomorrow. Cray, I’m going to
bed now and I suggest you do, too.”
“Yes, Sir. If I don’t see you before I
leave, please say ‘hi’ to Brad.” Cray watched Mr. Ed walk into his apartment
and wave goodnight before he closed the door.
Cray returned to his room and lay down on
the bed without removing his shorts. He stared at the dark ceiling as he
thought about the guys and their illegal activities. A brush with the law
wasn’t the only thing that concerned him; rather that these guys, and Spike
especially, were risking their well-being for the mega-bucks they earned.
‘Well, I don’t know about mega,’ he thought, ‘but it’s certainly better than
$8.00 per hour. Somehow, I need to convince Spike that he’s playing with fire.’
He had heard a few vehicles come into the
parking area and knew that most of the guys had come home to roost. Except for
Spike – he was aware that his friend was ‘working’ all night. Again, the
grinding, metal noise of the garage door gliding up the guide rails alerted him
to a more important arrival: Mario. He slipped on his flip-flops and headed
back to the driveway. His mentor was just getting out of the sedan.
“I couldn’t sleep and wanted to see ya when
I heard you come home.” Cray watched his friend walk forward. Even in the late
night darkness, there was a magnetic, alluring quality about Mario.
“Hey, bud. Since you’re up, let’s finish
that milk and snack we never got to eat.” Mario reached up and ruffled Cray’s
short hair. They walked together into the kitchen.
“I guess we should start with fresh milk.”
Cray had rinsed out the glasses and cleaned up earlier. He opened the fridge
and retrieved the carton.
“And maybe just a cookie.” Mario found two
clean glasses and set them on the table. He looked at Cray and said, “I’m
tired. Bring the cookie jar over with you.”
“I spoke with Mr. Ed when he came in. He
said Brad is doing fine but will stay at the clinic overnight.” Cray noticed
Mario’s knuckles on his right hand were a little red and puffy but decided not
to say anything.
“Yes. I called Doc on my cell and got the
rundown while I was driving. Brad should be able to come home tomorrow
sometime.” Mario smiled and fished out cookies from the jar while Cray poured
the milk.
“I’m very relieved. Mr. Ed also said that it
was a freak situation that could have occurred to anyone. Why the hell do some
people act that way?” Cray took a bite of his cookie and looked at Mario.
“There’s a few sick assholes that screw it
up for everyone else. Pure and simple. Mr. Ed was correct in his assessment.
It’s like walking across the street and getting hit by an auto. Cray, believe
me when I tell you that nothing like this has ever happened to any of the guys
while being with a client. We’re very careful.”
“You probably think I’m being a big old
pest. It’s just that I’ve become attached to you and Spike, especially. I want
to know you’ll be around for a long time.” Cray reached over, took Mario’s hand
– the one that didn’t look red – and gently squeezed it. “I guess you don’t
mind if I tell you I love you guys.”
“I look forward to attending your high
school and college graduation. I’m sure that Spike feels the same way. Trust me
when I tell you that risks happen everywhere and what occurred to Brad was a
case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Mario looked at Cray and
added, “It won’t be happening again.”
“Okay. I can’t promise that I won’t worry
but I’ll keep it to myself. I suppose Brad will be forced to rest for a while?”
Cray decided that Mario’s comment about it not ‘happening again’ was something
best left alone.
“Doc said that he should be good as new in a
month. I’m probably going to suggest that he recoup here for a couple of weeks
and then go someplace fun. We’ve got a place in Hawaii that he could use.”
“I’ll help him when I get home from school
and on weekends if he needs me.” Cray decided to make Brad his fall project.
‘Well,’ he thought, ‘along with getting to know Michael better.’
“That probably isn’t necessary but I would
appreciate it if you would check up on him when you’re around. But don’t keep
this new friend of yours hanging out in the wind. From our conversation
earlier, it sounds like this guy might be a keeper.” Mario smiled and took
another bite of his cookie.
“Good point.” Cray wondered if his mentor
was some sort of mind reader. ‘Christ,’ he thought, ‘are horns growing on my
forehead?’ He yawned and decided that they both were ready to call it quits for
the night. ‘I’m really not ready to re-hash the Michael story,’ he decided.
‘Plus, there’s too much shit going down with Brad. Am I worrying too much about
Spike?’
“Sleepy time? I think I’m also ready to call
it a night.” Mario stood up and stretched before adding, “Don’t worry about
things. This was a fluke…nothing more. Brad’s going to be fine and I’ll make
sure that Spike runs the straight and narrow.”
“I guess I worry too much. There’s been so
much going down with me these past few months.” Cray came closer to Mario and
looked into his eyes. ‘This guy is my hero,’ he thought. ‘If I ever need
someone to look after me in a tight pinch, Mario’s it.’ He opened his arms and
walked into a hug. ‘Man, this guy feels good. Good in a different way from
Michael.’ He felt safe in the arms of his hero.
“Buddy, I love you like a kid brother. I can
only wish for your happiness and I look to the day very soon when you’ll
officially have those two dads. Drew and Bob love you, too. They’re terrific
men and I couldn’t think of anybody better to help you get through these next
couple of years. In the meantime, whatever you can do to help is appreciated.”
Mario squeezed hard and held Cray against his chest for a few moments.
“I love you, too. Big brother or uncle…you
don’t know how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me.” Cray continued to
hold tight and feel the moment.
“Time to scoot to bed. You’ve got school and
I have a shit load of work to do.” Mario released the hug and kissed Cray on
the cheek. “Get some sleep. It’ll be morning before ya know it.”
“I’m ready to get a few z’s.” Cray looked at
the tired eyes before him and decided that Mario was also exhausted. “See ya
tomorrow,” he said while he watched Mario leave the kitchen. ‘Gotta see Spike
tomorrow morning before I go to school,’ Cray decided as he walked to his room.
‘Just to make sure he’s okay.’
_____________________
TO BE CONTINUED