The birds began building their nests in the eves of the back porch, a sure sign that spring was here to stay. Ben smiled at the chattering creatures as he stood with his coffee mug and breathed in the cool morning air. His dad would have tried to chase the birds away, but he never felt like molesting them. Nature would take its course, just as it had with the boy.

Gene was growing taller and broader. His reed thin body filling out from the nourishment and exercise they shared. But the body belied the adolescent that still lived on in Gene's mind. Emotional maturity was still a distant goal, something Ben worked on every day.

In just a few weeks school would be out and the boy would have time on his hands before the camp season opened. Ben was glad Gene would have a summer of work and social activity ahead; he needed to develop those skills as well.

Their driving sessions had been an ordeal, but Gene had finally accomplished the skills to Ben's satisfaction and passed the driving test. By regulation he was under a mandatory six month probationary period and that meant he couldn't run around with a car full of kids, not that he had that many friends to tote around.

They had been together for eight months now, and yet every day seemed like the first time he had laid eyes upon the boy. Each day gave him another reason to feel wonder at the relationship, and Ben felt like the honeymoon would never end.

Some mornings they jogged, other days they worked out with the weights. Gene enjoyed the excercise and it never failed to excite his passions. A hot sweaty workout always seem to incite the riot in his pants.

It made for an exciting shower after each workout, although sometimes they didn't make it that far. Love found them on the kitchen floor, the laundry room and even the staircase. Gene was insatiable, and Ben felt helpless to resist.

Coming from such a bad environment, Gene appreciated every nuance of his new life. Every thing he now owned received such exacting care. His clothes were always folded and put away, his school books looked immaculate and the car, well the little Honda was his greatest possession at the moment.

Gene had grinned when he applied the school parking permit to the rear window, he was ready to show off his new baby. And Ben had laughed as the boy backed carefully out into the street, waving his goodbye and driving off to school that morning. Yes, the boy was growing up, it made him sigh.

Tom had thrown his spring barbeque for the camp staff, allowing Ben and Gene to help him set up for the event he hosted every year. The counselors came from miles around to enjoy Tom's hospitality and meet the people they would be working with for most of their summer.

Ben took over the grill, constantly turning a massive amount of chicken and ribs for the gathering. There would be twenty-two staffers at the camp this summer and over fifty kids in each one week session from all over the state. Camp Stillwater was a privately owned, tax free enterprise laid out on four hundred wooded acres near the central part of the state. Hundreds of young men and women applied for the jobs, Tom only chose the best.

Ben recalled his days there, and the work they'd endured developing the place in those early years. Now the facilities were modernized, the cabins bright and roomy, the showers fed by a decent plumbing system. Not so those first few years, Ben still remembered how they often ended up taking cold showers and patching leaks in the roof, but that had been the charm ... the campers were still the main focus.

Gene sat and listened as Tom went over the objectives, the guidelines and the state regulations. It was all in the manual, but Tom liked to put his own twist on things. His little lecture gave him the opportunity to watch the new guys and judge their reactions; it also gave Ben a chance to evaluate them as well.

Gene's question about anyone else on the staff being gay had made Ben wonder as well, now he had the chance to look them over. The experienced staffers had spread themselves out as the crew sat down for the meeting. They were there to take a look at the new guys and spot any weaknesses in their fellow staffers.

Ben had remembered doing the same thing, it was a tradition. Just as every staffer wore the orange shirts proudly at camp, they stood out here for the way they carried themselves. Each had been chosen for their leadership ability, Tom was an able commander.

Each counselor would receive a letter of commendation for services rendered. Many of those went straight to the college of their choice as part of the application process. Tom knew how well that spoke to the character in each person he hired; he made sure each of their schools received a phone call to follow up.

It must have been an impressive message. Ben remembered the Dean of his university calling this young freshman into his office after talking to Tom. The man had gushed with warmth, congratulating Ben personally on his character and welcoming him to the school. Tom made all that happen.

And amidst the staff Ben saw a few who might fit the criteria in answer to Gene's question. He was sure Gene would have no idea what to look for without asking each of them personally. The sixteen to twenty-two year old young men and women gathered here today were as diverse as the kids they served, Gene would learn so much about life from these bright people.

The meeting broke up and the eating began. Tom had a large back yard; the fields surrounding his home handled half a dozen horses. Gentle beasts, some of them retired from camp service. Here to enjoy the rest of their natural lives on the sweet grasses in Tom's pastures.

Stillwater had horses, a petting zoo with goats, piglets and lambs, while ducks swam about the lake, everything a child might find attractive. These were special children, their physical and mental handicaps constrained normal development, but their minds were inquisitive, trusting and the camp experience did wonders for their self esteem.

It would do the same for Gene. He would discover how affectionate the kids were, how needy, and with the slightest bit of attention they blossomed ... the boy would love that. For if anything, Gene was the most loving person Ben had ever met. He had so much to give and his desire to please seemed to drive his spirit. Yes, Stillwater was just the place for Gene.

But there was another surprise in store for the boy, and he received it in the last week of school. The exams had gone well with Gene garnishing more A's than B's this time around. He seemed surprised when he got out of his last period of the day and found Ben standing in the hallway.

"Hey ... what brings you here?" Gene asked.

"Hanover called me, said we had a meeting with your principal this afternoon," Ben replied. Of course he knew why but had decided to let the principal have the honor of telling the boy.

Gene looked concerned. "Have I done something?"

"No, nothing wrong ... but you have done something," Ben smiled.

"OK, you're messing with me," Gene laughed. "What is it?"

"Let's go find out," Ben said.

Mr. De Witt, the principal, was standing in the outer office talking with Simon Hanover when they walked through the door. Both men gave the boy big smiles as he approached. DeWitt stuck out his hand and shook Ben's, and then he turned to Gene.

"Congratulations, young man ... you've been promoted."

It was obvious from his puzzled look that the boy had no idea what that meant so Hanover stepped up.

"Gene, that means you'll be a senior next year ... congratulations."

The look on Gene's face was one of awe, but Ben saw his jaw tighten and knew what was coming. Quickly he threw his arms around the boy and gave him a hug, whispering for the boy not to cry. Gene sniffed back the tears and grinned.

And it was Hanover that gave Gene the biggest compliment of the day. "My boy, you certainly earned it. Every time I saw your grades go up I knew you had been held back unfairly, we should have given you a better chance, and now we can."

"Thank ... thank you," Gene stammered.

Ben and Hanover had discussed this the previous week. The boy would be given a chance at the end of summer to take the junior level English and Math exams. Neither of them felt he couldn't accomplish the work over the summer, and then he would be cleared to begin his senior studies.

It would put him back on track with kids his age, put him back in line with his brother and make Gene feel like he had really accomplished something. He was in shock for hours, even after sharing the news with Dean over the phone. And as Ben was rinsing out their dinner dishes he felt a pair of arms surround his waist.

"You did it ... I owe it all to you," Gene said.

Ben sighed. "I did very little, sweetie. You were the one who spent all those hours in study and wrote all those wonderful papers, your grades earned you a place in the senior class."

He felt Gene's kisses on his neck and a nibble to his earlobe. "I did it for you, Ben," Gene whispered in his ear. "Because you said the only way I could pay you back was to graduate. I did it to make you happy."

Ben turned around and kissed the boy, feeling the emotions rising in his mind and trying to stave off any tears he felt like shedding. He knew Gene had worked hard to please him, it was never a secret. But to have him say that in his moment of triumph ... it seemed like the most wonderful expression of love he'd ever heard.

For Gene it was a validation, and he arose every morning for the last week of school with a huge smile. The Southeast graduating class had their moment of glory, and then were gone from the campus. The rising seniors were feted at a final assembly the day before school let out.

Ben attended because he knew what was about to happen, and he wanted to be there for Gene. All schools had traditions and this was one of Southeast's finest. The new senior class was to be recognized for their achievement in front of the whole school. Many students would already have heard of Gene's new status, now they would all be shown what lot of hard work could accomplish.

The new seniors were paraded down the aisle of the gymnasium and Ben joined in the applause as Gene walked in. One hundred and forty-two kids made an entrance; Ben saw only one as they took their seats at the front.

There were the usual announcements and then DeWitt began to read off the academic honor roll, a long list that would include Eugene Carr. The applause as each student stepped forward to receive a certificate grew louder as many of the popular kids were also good students.

Ben rubbed his hand nervously as they began to come closer to the end of the list. The boy had to be wondering why they had skipped right over him, but DeWitt was saving him for last. And when Gene's name was finally called out the applause was average, so many kids barely knew him. But as Gene received his certificate DeWitt held up his hands for silence and the gym full of kids obeyed.

"Some of you may not know him, but Gene Carr is the most academically progressive student in our school today," DeWitt began. "But we pause here in honoring all of you to give Mr. Hanover a chance to say something."

Simon stepped up to the microphone and gave Gene a smile.

"Some of you may remember that Gene and I have had our differences this past year." A smattering of laughter from the kids, now they remembered Gene, his incident with Hanover had been one of the big events last fall.

"But I stepped up here today to tell you how proud of him I am. Not only did he apologize to me for that ... um, moment of bad behavior, but he became one of my best students. His achievement in the last six months has been exceptional and has earned him a place in next year's senior class.

"If any of you ever need proof that hard work can change a person and give them greater standing in our academic world ... here it is. I congratulate Gene for his outstanding achievement. You are all asked to perform at your best here and for many of you that means never seeing your name on the honor roll. But that's fine too, just as long as you are doing your very best.

"The road to success is taken one step at a time, and sometimes you even have to crawl. But each of you knows what success feels like because we have role models like Gene here. I hope each of you have a happy and enjoyable summer."

Hanover turned to shake Gene's hand and slowly the applause began to swell, and as Gene resumed his seat Ben could see the boy was blushing from all the attention. But many of the new seniors stood to shake his hand or pat him on the back. He was a made man and Ben was so very proud of him.

Gene was totally stunned at all the other students who wanted to congratulate him after the assembly was over. Ben stood to one side and watched him attempt to thank every one of them until the last person walked away. Gene looked up and Ben saw that grin before the boy threw his arms up for a hug.

They held one another until Dean came over and wanted to hug his brother too. Brad was not far behind and the two men stood watching their boys in animated conversation.

"Wow, I've never seen anything like it," Brad said, patting Ben on the shoulder. "You must work magic."

"It's easy when the boy is so self inspired, he just needed the right environment," Ben said.

"Oh, somehow I think it's a little more complicated than that, you were his inspiration, at least that's what he's been telling Dean."

"Well, maybe I helped a little," Ben said. "I was surprised at Hanover's little speech, their relationship has certainly changed."

"Did you know he's retiring? Seems he and the hubby are setting up house in the Caribbean next fall. He'll be missed, I felt like I had an ally in the teacher's lounge."

Ben smiled. "He hinted that might happen last time we spoke, I didn't know he'd made the final decision. He didn't say anything to the kids."

"Not his style. Says now he can write that great novel he's been planning for years. I wish him all the luck, someday it will be my turn," Brad said. He looked over at the boys and sighed. "We never know if they'll be there when the time comes. I try not to think about it, Dean means the world to me, but I never know if that will last forever."

Ben understood the feeling. The attachment Gene had to him wasn't about to end any time soon, but the future was something he couldn't dwell on. The boy's life was more secure now, but he didn't see any signs of curiosity towards other men.

Finally the boys were ready to go home and Gene gave Ben his honor roll certificate to hold. It was a proud achievement but the boy seemed more taken with the parking sticker each new senior had been given.

Ben remembered receiving his all those years before. It was a status symbol, Gene's ticket to the senior parking lot. The blue school's coat of arms surrounded with the gold ring, a symbol denoting senior status. The boy couldn't wait to apply it to his windshield. And tomorrow he would park in the senior lot on the final day of school, a long standing tradition.

Of course the last day was also a traditional day for the new seniors to skip school if they chose. Ben had, their work was done, and their lockers already cleared out ... why go? But Ben knew Gene would be there, and now he had a good reason to go.

He had followed the boy home, smiling every time Gene used his turn signals or came to a full stop for a yellow light. They had been home maybe five minutes when he shared the news.

"Gene, did you know Hanover is retiring ... he won't be back next fall."

"No ... He never said anything. Aww, that sucks, I'll miss him," Gene said.

"So say goodbye when you drop by school tomorrow. I know you and Dean will end up skipping and spending time with your friends at the mall," Ben said.

"Skip ... me?" Gene said with such innocence.

Ben laughed. "Yes ... you. Go on, we all did it. Just don't be out there drinking beer and driving mister. That would piss me off."

"No way, I wanna keep my license, besides beer tastes like crap."

"I trust you, Gene. I really mean that. I was so proud of you today."

Gene laughed. "I was so embarrassed, all those kids looking at me. But it felt kinda good too; at least now everyone knows who I am."

"Yes they do. You're the most handsome boy in that school, and one of the smartest I ever met. Is it any wonder that I love you so much?"

That statement made Gene take his hand and drag him upstairs to return the compliment. There was never a time when Ben felt he could say no to Gene's advances. It just meant they would take time out of whatever plans they had to be lovers.

They'd had five months to perfect making love, and Gene excelled in that discipline as well. It just proved that once committed, Gene could be the best at anything he chose. And this afternoon he chose to be on the bottom.

It was the nuances Ben decided that made Gene such a good partner in bed. The boy had been wide open to anything when they first began and he studied each step of the process. He knew the best positions, the moment when he should relax and allow Ben to invade his body and the power he had to give Ben the greatest thrills.

There was no doubt that the boy was gay because he had achieved that most important of understandings; he needed to please Ben. Focusing on the pleasure he could give his partner meant he knew what he was doing during the act of making love. For no longer was it the boy seeking to find an orgasm for his own benefit, it was the commitment of a young man to make their joining a thing of awe, the ultimate commitment to pleasure them both.

Ben stared down into those beautiful eyes and felt himself being swept away by the emotions and feelings of their love. Gene's eyes were a reflection of that feeling, revealing his total immersion in their act of passion. And as their gentle caresses became more insistent, their kisses more demanding, it was all focused on that singular moment of release.

They had become adept at understanding one another, of knowing when the feelings were reaching a climax. And Gene would arch his back, pushing his body closer, allowing Ben to achieve the greatest depth in his thrusts. And the orgasm would always sweep them both away, shattering any illusions that this had been just another fuck, when in fact it was something that defined their love.

Those were thoughts which caused Ben to pause as he worked at his desk, the mindless drivel of his clients quickly forgotten as he leaned back in his chair and remembered the best of those moments with Gene. It was good he had those memories; the boy had been gone to work at the camp almost four days now.

They had decided Gene would work two full sessions before coming home for the weekend. He needed time to become accustomed to camp life, to become a part of the social life with the other counselors. Ben would hear all about it the following week when Gene came home.

And Ben understood the basic psychology of allowing the boy to venture off on his own. It would validate his home life and the trust Ben gave him to be independent. For nothing is so dear as something missed, Ben felt that now.

He stood at the door to his old bedroom ... Gene's room now. The room was so orderly, as if the occupant had made sure to leave it that way. The clothes hung neatly in the closet, the pennant for his high school tacked on the wall above the desk. And the books he was going to study before school started again, all were neat and tidy.

Ben sat on the bed and looked around the room. These walls had seen him grow up and had heard the gasps of his adolescent desire. He gazed at the books on the shelf and saw that one of them had been turned around backwards. Ben stood up and reached for the book, pulling it from the shelf ... and the paper fluttered out, hitting the carpet.

"Ben," the note said. "I will miss you when I am gone and nothing could ever take the place you have in my heart. Love was just an absent feeling in my life before you came along. And I feel silly now because all I could ask was, why are you being so nice to me? But now I know, something made you want to love me and that is the best thing that could have ever happened. No matter how many days I am away from you, nothing will ever bring me greater joy than coming home to you. All my love. Gene."

Ben's tears fell on the page as he sobbed. God, the boy knew he would find this. The words meant everything. He had been adrift for these four days and now he had joy. Gene had left to find himself and had left this to anchor his feelings about coming home.

And he slept with a smile on his face that night. Because somewhere, a hundred miles away, Gene slept with Ben's love in his heart.


On to the Epilogue

Back to Chapter Thirteen

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"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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