The weeks following Thanksgiving were a flurry of activity for them both. Gene was hunkered down at school as they began a general review prior to exams. The courts were swamped yet again and Ben's firm took on another armload of cases, more gang activity, more shoplifting ... more nonsense.

He assigned away whatever he could and hired a well needed para-legal to follow the cases. But the most gratifying piece of paper that passed across his desk was the notice of dismissal for Gene's case.

They bought Gene a suit to take south as Ben knew full well that his parents would take them out to dinner on several occasions. And then there was the matter of the bathing suit. It seems that California style board shorts were the 'in thing' and it took several trips to various places before they even found them. They were baggy and saggy, and unfortunately they hid some of Gene's finest attributes, but he loved them.

Final exam week rolled around and Gene was beginning to look a little ragged around the edges from staying up late at the books. Three days of hell as Ben remembered them, but then came the payoff. Gene was bursting with pride when he slid that yellow report card under Ben's nose and waited in silence. Two A's, two B's and a lone C.

Ben gave the boy a hug. "This calls for a celebration, you're amazing."

"No wine ... please," Gene replied. They both laughed and then the boy gave him a little smile. "I did it for you, Ben ... when are we ... ?"

The thought left unsaid as usual. Ben knew that the boy wanted to take that final step. The thought had been implied on several occasions and yet ... he asked Gene to take a seat at the kitchen table.

"I can't sweetie ... "Ben replied. "It's not that you aren't ready or that you don't deserve to have what you want ... Its me, I just can't."

"You would if the law said we could ... if I was eighteen, right? My birthday is in four days."

"Yes, that's no longer an issue. But Gene, it's more than that too."

Ben swore to himself that he'd never discuss this with the boy, but he had to. It wasn't fair for him to have this hidden agenda between them.

"I'm worried Gene," he began. "I am concerned that the things Dean finds so easy to accept have influenced you in all this. I know that you love me; it's just that I don't want it to be for all the wrong reasons."

The boy looked puzzled, he wasn't explaining it the right way.

"Dean is gay, he accepts that and I'm not sure you can right now. I wonder if you see us having intercourse as just a small price to pay for being in my life ... and that would be the wrong reason for me to involve you in something like that."

"You think I want to do it just to pay you back?" Gene said.

"Yes, that's part of it. You've been through so much, sweetie. I can't feel that I'm taking advantage of you. The things we do now are over the line but ... but I feel like I have to give you something ... you demand it."

"You feel guilty ... but why? I want to do these things with you."

"I know ... it's just that, well, if we're in a relationship then you need to accept the fact that you're gay too."

"Is that all? Then I'm gay ... does that make it better?"

"It's more than a word, Gene. Even straight boys will have gay sex if all it means is enjoying the pleasure of the moment. Damn, how do I explain this? Being gay just for me is different than you feeling and understanding that you are gay deep inside."

"Being gay is about knowing that you want to be a part of a loving relationship with only men, that you can't get the same feelings with a woman. It's not just about sex; it's about living in the company of men. A part of me isn't sure you really know what you're getting into when you say that you're gay."

Gene stared at him and Ben could see the boy was thinking hard, trying to define his feelings. There could only be one right answer and he knew it.

"I guess I understand," Gene said. "I never really thought about this before. I suppose that watching Dean and Brad together made me want something like that too. It's just that I never been with a girl so how do I know? I wanted to try it but something always stopped me, something just didn't seem right about it."

"Didn't you think that having a girlfriend would be wonderful? Wasn't having something with a girl a part of your fantasy. Uh, part of your thinking when you masturbated?" Ben asked.

"Yeah ... sometimes, I tried to think of having sex with a girl, even when Dean and I were doing things."

"And when you were on top of Dean, when you were having anal intercourse, were you pretending it was a girl underneath you?"

"No, it was Dean, it was real ... and I loved it."

"Didn't you feel that it was just doing something sexual with him as practice for having the same experience with a girl?"

"I thought about having sex with a girl, yeah. All the guys at school kept talking about how great it was ... but I kept thinking about Dean." Gene smiled a bit. "It was kinda like having sex with me, ya know? Our bodies were almost the same ... but I wouldn't let him fuck me back."

"But you wanted him to, you wanted to know what it felt like?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, I dreamed about him doing it ... I jerked off thinking about it, but it scared me too. Does that make me gay?"

"Maybe, it helps me understand what you feel about sex with guys," Ben said. "And you never got the same dreams about having sex with girls? You never masturbated to thoughts about girls or looked at naked girlie magazines?"

"Dean and I looked at some magazine pictures a couple of times, but he didn't like them showing all those boobs and stuff. I looked too but then he was naked and right there, thats what I looked at."

Ben smiled. "And what do you think when you look at me, sweetie?"

Gene grinned. "You're one sexy dude ... you have an awesome body."

That was enough. Ben knew that the incestuous brother to brother relationship might drive a shrink up the wall with concern, but he didn't feel that way. If both boys were gay, and considering the situation they had been forced to endure, there had been nothing amiss in what they had done together.

It had been a time of self discovery, a sharing with the only partner that could possibly understand what they felt. Dean had been bolder; in time he had come out and accepted his gay feelings. Gene was less sure of himself, unable to make that decision when his surroundings had been so oppressive.

But nothing the boy had said could defer Ben's conclusion, Gene was gay too. He had never had the chance to openly feel and discuss those feelings ... until now. It was enough that he was in a relationship, secure in the warmth of loving another man and focused on their future together.

Ben's thoughts were interrupted by Gene's look.

"Umm, you're thinking again," the boy said.

"Yeah, I know. I've heard enough to think that you're really gay ... just based on the facts. Having sex with me is legal in a few days; still I see one other problem. The age of consent might be eighteen here but then there is the matter of our age difference, I'm almost twice your age."

"Well that doesn't mean anything," Gene said. "I'm old enough to choose who I want to love, age doesn't matter."

Ok, he had tried his best; there would be no diverting the boy from his intended course. Four days remained and it would be legal. Oh Lord, and they would be in Florida with his parents on Gene's birthday.

Ben finished up his work week and they packed for the drive south. Gene tried not to show the nervousness he felt about meeting Ben's parents, it was there just beneath the surface. But the plans had been made; there was no backing out now.

The drive south was fun. Placing Gene in charge of their musical entertainment, Ben focused on keeping the Vette close to the speed limit. It was Christmas and the state police were out having their usual holiday fund drive for the state coffers. Speeders seemed to line the highway while dozens of tickets were handed out.

The trip always took him the same amount of time, barring major road construction. Sometime into their third tank of gas and twelve hours after they left home, Ben pulled into his parent's driveway.

Gene had been in awe of the changing landscape as they traveled southwards, but he was thunderstruck at the posh country club estates where Ben's parents had come to roost.

"My Dad's a golfer," was Ben's only explanation.

The pink stucco walls of the house topped in red clay tiles seemed like any of the other hundred or so residences that surrounded the artificial lake, but this one was just off the third green of the golf course. Of course no one was out today, it was not unusual but rain seemed to have settled in over Florida's east coast.

Ben dragged Gene through the front gate and up the walkway, running to avoid getting too wet. He could see the grill already up and running on the side porch and hoped his dad was planning some nice juicy steaks for dinner.

His mother must have seen them coming because the front door was open and she stood inside with a towel for the each of them.

"Take your shoes off please," she commanded. "Maria just did the floors this morning."

Once their shoes were off she gave Ben a hug and then turned her smiling face to Gene.

"You must be Gene ... I'm so glad to meet you." And with that she hugged the boy as well.

Gene grinned, a bit of his nervousness slipping away in the warmth of that greeting. Ben smiled knowing his mother always managed to put people at their ease. She took Gene's light jacket and hung it in the hall closet, while Ben took care of his own.

She led them both into the kitchen, managing to hold on to Gene's arm the whole time. The boy followed her lead, and took a seat at the table.

"Your father is out on the porch firing up the grill ... you boys made good time, dinner will be ready soon," she said. Then her eyes went back to Gene and she sat down beside him. "So what do you think of Florida? A bit wet today I am afraid."

Ben knew he should go find his father since mom had the boy firmly in hand. She would have her way and there was nothing he could do to deter her inquisitive mind. He could see his father on the porch through the patio windows and so he went that way.

"Ben ... good to see you, how was the drive?" His father yelled from across the porch. "Got the grill going and some fine steaks in the fridge, hope you brought your appetite."

Ben walked over and gave his father a hug. There had been a time when his father seemed too austere for such a sign of affection, but those walls had finally come down.

"It was an easy drive, even the weather didn't slow us down," Ben said.

Eye to eye now, his father opened the dialogue. "And how is the boy doing?"

"Very well I believe. I managed to get his case dismissed by having the complaint withdrawn. His grades are up and even his teachers have noticed the difference. You aren't going to interrogate him are you?" Ben asked.

His father looked up through the window and chuckled. "No, I imagine your mother is doing a fine job of that right now. Tom called me, I'm sure you knew he would after you sprang this on him."

"Yes, I'm sure he did. He seemed to like Gene right off the bat."

"Tom's an old softie, that's why I always had to do the ass kicking in the firm. Yes, he likes the boy, says he will go far with your guidance ... I imagine he will too. How did this come about Ben ... what possessed you to take on this responsibility?"

"You see a need and you meet it ... you always told me that, Dad. Gene had extraordinary needs when we first met. I knew the state would botch the whole thing; they usually do in such cases. In fact I discovered that they already had when Gene was younger, I couldn't allow that to happen again."

"The white knight syndrome ... I understand," Ben's father said. "Sometimes even a single caring person can make a difference to these kids."

"Exactly, and I would be a poor leader in my business if I didn't know that I could do something and change Gene's life forever. Look at him, the doctor says he's at least at thirty pounds underweight. His mother was starving him to feed her addictions, its criminal."

"And what of her position now?"

"I'm his guardian and she's still collecting his welfare checks, it's only a matter of time before the state catches on. I imagine Tom might say something in someone's ear before too long, I know how you guys work behind the scenes. I never want to see her again ... and neither does Gene."

"Gene has no family ties?"

"He has a twin brother and they are really tight. They both endured that woman before the brother managed his own way out two years ago. But Gene is beginning to blossom and that's gratitude enough for me."

His father gave him a knowing look. "I pretty much figured this out for myself you know. I'm sorry we never gave you any brothers or sisters, but Mary's medical condition wouldn't allow it. I suppose we might have adopted but then I was too busy to see that you might have some needs I wasn't meeting. I'm sorry, Ben. I suppose you've found your own way in all of this ... but I'm proud of you for doing it."

And with that his father gave Ben another hug, one of real affection.

"Thanks Dad ... coming from you that means a lot."

"I still think you would have made a fine lawyer, but now I understand that your calling is higher than that. I'm sure the house is big enough but you be careful, don't try to take them all in."

"I won't," Ben laughed, "Just this one, he's special."

"Then we better go rescue the boy before she puts him to work," Ben's father said.

Too late, Gene was already wearing an apron and slicing salad vegetables. He gave Ben a grin when they walked through the kitchen door.

"Dad, this is Gene ... Gene, my father." Ben said.

"Good to finally meet you, son ... welcome to the family."

It was those words that made Gene lose his smile. Tears formed in his eyes and Ben could see the boy was on the verge of crying. Ignoring his parents, Ben put his arms around Gene and whispered in his ear.

"You don't have to cry, it's good to be loved."

Gene sniffed and the moment passed. Ben released the boy and saw his mother watching him, a knowing smile on her face. After a moment, Gene straightened himself out and looked at Ben's father.

"Thank you," he said, and that was it. His place in this world reassured, Gene once again became the happy boy Ben knew and loved.

"Gene tells me his birthday is tomorrow," Ben's mother said. "Thanks for the warning."

"Um, I dont want you to worry about it," Gene said.

"I'm sorry, Mom ... I forgot," Ben said. "There's been just so much going on ... "

"Nonsense," his mother replied. "We'll just have to bake a cake tomorrow. I imagine Gene won't mind if he has to wait a few days to open presents, will you dear?"

"No ma'am," Gene grinned.

"You're learning fast," Ben laughed. "Mom always wins."

The cake was special and his parents made Gene feel genuinely happy on his birthday. Becoming an adult was an important change of life experience and yet Ben knew he would always see Gene as the boy in his life. The moment had arrived and yet Gene didn't question when it would happen for them. Ben could only smile, knowing what lay ahead.

It was astounding to watch his father and Gene get along. They watched football games side by side and made sandwiches together in the evening. These were things Ben had done with his father while growing up, comforting things ... the things that made a family whole.

His mother stood by watching Ben and Gene together, thinking and giving her approval of their relationship. She had given them a guest room to share, twin beds and their own bathroom. This allowed them to share crowded nights together, messing up the second bed only for looks. But under this roof neither of them felt comfortable indulging in any sexual activity, much less the big one.

Christmas arrived and there were presents under the tree for Gene. A few from Santa, others from his parents, and a couple from Ben. It was like having a small child in the house that morning, a welcome addition long missed. And when every package had been opened, and every scrap of paper picked up, Gene sat amidst his treasures with a grin that wouldn't go away. That was when Ben decided it was time.

"Gene ... I have one more present for you," he said.

"Oh Ben, this is all too much ... what is it?" Gene asked.

Ben handed the boy an envelope and watched as he opened it. His parents had long since forgotten their morning routine and gathered to see what was in the envelope. Gene pulled out two slips of paper.

"What are these?" he asked.

"Airplane tickets ... I'm taking you to Aruba."

Gene looked at him, the puzzled look once again.

"Aruba....what's that?"

It was Ben's mother who supplied the answer.

"The finest beaches in the world, that's what, you lucky boy. Frank and I went there last year, it's a blast."

"Well I figured it might not stop raining here anytime soon, so five days on a beach in the Caribbean might be just the thing. At least you'll have a tan when you go back to school."

Gene leapt in his arms, nearly knocking Ben to the floor. He was almost afraid the boy was going to give him one of those long passionate kisses he'd been dying for all morning; instead he got a passionate hug.

"Wow ... this is awesome ... I've never been on a plane before." And then he stopped, looking up at Ben's parents. "But ... but we came here to see Mom and Dad."

It had happened quite naturally on his birthday. Gene had asked Ben's mother what she wanted to be called now that he was family. She had been most pleased when he asked but decided that grandmother was a bit much, so they had settled on Mom and Dad instead. Gene was like another son to her and Ben decided that was just fine.

"We want you to have a good vacation, Gene," Ben's mother said. "We're going to come visit you up north real soon. So you go to Aruba and have some fun, maybe next year we can all go together, OK?"

"Really? That would be awesome," Gene said. Looking at the tickets he asked, "When do we go?"

"Tomorrow, that way we'll be back to have New Year's with Mom and Dad."

"Sweet, that would be the best one ever," Gene laughed.

Ben couldn't say how he felt right then, but his love for the boy had reached a new plateau. This thing they had, this sense of family was all he had ever wanted to share with someone. But he couldn't kid himself, someday Gene would be grown ... independent, and maybe then he would go out on his own.

That meant living for the moment and not being selfish. He had to prepare Gene for the big bad world out there. Fostering dependence just to keep him close was out of the question. But if he stayed ... if he stayed ... then he would give the boy the moon if he asked for it.


On to Chapter Thirteen

Back to Chapter Eleven, an Interlude

Chapter Index

Chris James Home Page


"Gene" Copyright © 27 September 2008 Chris James. All rights reserved.
    This work may not be duplicated in any form (physical, electronic, audio, or otherwise) without the author's written permission. All applicable copyright laws apply. All individuals depicted are fictional with any resemblance to real persons being purely coincidental.

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