Finding Tim
A Fourth Alternate Reality
by Charlie
With editorial assistance from Dix and John
Couples
Unmarried adults get a bad rap. There's at least a decent term for an unmarried man, bachelor. And people don't try to tell him not to use the term Mr. Unmarried women don't fare so well. Spinster is not exactly a term of endearment, and what woman wants the term Miss to give away her status? Gays and lesbians who aren't completely open about their relationships suffer from the same issues. And we won't even go into what terms gay couples use for each other. Tim and I used partner, but a good number of pairs are uncomfortable with that because it is often used by people with a fairly informal relationship. But Tim and I were never comfortable using the term husband; significant other seemed absurd, so we went with partner, sometimes life partner, but we weren't very fond of that.
Not only does the terminology for single people present problems, just the fact of them presents problems. If you're a man living alone, it seems the whole world's trying to find a "nice girl" for you. And poor "nice girls" who live alone are often thrust at men willy-nilly. Well, this is the story of two single adults and how they came to lose that status.
I must digress just a bit. Not long after Tim and I got back from our cruise to France, Tim got a call from Fred Ziller from KSD-TV in St. Louis. He was, in fact, following up on the interview that he had with Tim in St. Louis. "Listen, Tim. I have gotten calls from viewers that are eager to know where you ended up after you left St. Louis." Tim gave him the rough outlines of the story, and Fred responded, "My goodness, that's fantastic. Let me run that through our producers here and talk about how we can use that story."
Well, to make this short so that we can get back to the romance story that I want to tell, I will simply say that Fred came to Grand Forks, and using a crew from the local NBC affiliate, shot footage of Tim and me, as well as Tina and Franklin. We had decided that a vacation with old high school and college sweethearts made a good story, and we didn't talk about sex on the cruise-just enjoying each other's company. Fred's team went on to interview airline employees, cruise employees, the IT drivers, and a few others. They got good cooperation from Norwegian Cruise lines, who were delighted to have their ship featured. When they were all done they had a one hour special that first appeared on KSD-TV in St. Louis and later on national NBC television. Tim had insisted that it was no go unless the show included Erik, Jim and Bob Arneson. The boys were thrilled to see themselves on national television. Tim, I, and the Gang loved the show!
Back to romance.
Jimmy, the gold medal archer, was lonely, and not afraid to admit it, if he was asked. He was gay and would've been delighted to find a partner: a life partner or a short term lover. He had found neither in Grand Forks. He was also eager to find some gay companionship, and when Carl mentioned that his lead architect went camping with a pair of gay men, Jimmy was eager to meet them. He was invited by Carl to stop by his office and meet Carl's lead architect who liked to go camping, and very soon Jimmy stopped in. He showed Carl's card to the receptionist and was sent up to the fifth floor. Carl and Dirk were talking together in Dirk's work studio. Carl introduced them and told Dirk, "Jimmy's a camper, and I think he might like to join you on one of your trips." Saying that, Carl went back to his own office.
Dirk and Jimmy found that they had a lot in common, especially a love of the outdoors. It wasn't long before Jimmy was invited to dinner, with the assurance that Dirk's wife, Mattie, would invite Alan and Simon, their camping partners. It was an interesting dinner, and Jimmy very wisely decided that he should mention his sexuality early in the conversation. That opened the door for Alan and Simon to tell the story of how they all met. (You can reread it in Episode 113-Dirk.) After a delightful dinner and a pleasant evening of conversation, Alan and Simon invited Jimmy to come home with them. Alan said, "We've all been pretty up front with each other, and from the stories tonight you know that we aren't exclusive with our sex. If you're comfortable, we'd be glad to have you join us. And, yes, we're aware of AIDS and take appropriate precautions."
Jimmy was floored; he had never expected an invitation like that. He hesitated a little, and Simon said, "We don't want to pressure you at all, but please know that you're very welcome."
Mattie said, "Jimmy, go for it. I know from experience that these two are really nice guys. Don't pass up the opportunity."
Jimmy didn't. He did go home with Alan and Simon, following them to their apartment. Driving along, following Alan and Simon, Jimmy got to thinking about ages. He was 25 and was pretty sure that Alan and Simon were in their forties, perhaps twice as old as he. What was he getting into? What were they getting into? He concluded, "Hell, I'm an adult; so are they. If they're interested in me, I'm interested in them. I've never really had a good sexual experience with anybody, maybe tonight's the charm."
When he followed Alan and Simon into their apartment, his excitement was becoming physical and obvious. Alan looked at him and said, "Looks like somebody's eager. Well, so am I."
Simon said, "I think a little conversation is in order. To begin with, are we robbing the cradle?"
Jimmy replied, "I should be offended by that remark, but I'll have to admit that I was thinking about our age difference as I followed you over here."
"And what did you conclude?"
"I'm a big boy. I'm comfortable with you guys, regardless of your ages."
"We're about twice your age, I would guess. How old are you?"
"Twenty-five."
"Well, we're both 44, so we aren't double your age. I'll have to admit, Jimmy, that your youth is appealing, and sexy. Does that bother you?"
"No. You guys're pretty sexy; you both have kept fit."
"We're out canoeing and camping almost every weekend when there isn't snow on the ground, and we've done some snow camping as well. It does keep you in good shape."
That was Alan; Simon said, "Enough about age. Jimmy, there's one subject that simply cannot be ignored: AIDS."
"As far as I know, I'm clean. My sexual experience has been very limited."
"That isn't good enough. Just how limited?"
"A couple of flings in high school, but no anal sex. A guy I thought would be my lover in college. I was his first, and he decided he wasn't gay. It was pretty bad. I've been camping with a kid recently. I thought he was gay, but when I suggested sex he was offended. That was since I came home from Korea. I don't see how I could've gotten infected."
"Did you have anal sex with the kid in college?"
"Yes."
"Then we can't assume you're clean. We either avoid fucking, or we use condoms. And it's fair for you to ask the same kind of questions of us."
"So, answer those questions."
"We've been limited to each other and Mattie and Dirk. And they don't go beyond the two of us. Early this year we were tested for the HIV virus and we were both negative. Nothing since then could've changed that."
Jimmy said, "You know, my experience with anal sex hasn't been good. It wouldn't bother me if we explored other options together. That pretty much eliminates the problem. As I understand it, transmission through saliva is virtually unheard of."
"It's not impossible, but as I understand it there is no instance of oral transmission in the reliable medical literature. There are documented cases of married couples, one HIV positive and the other not, doing things like sharing toothbrushes and kissing and not passing along the infection."
Alan said, "OK, Simon. We've had enough talk about AIDS. Jimmy clearly isn't infected and isn't going to infect us."
Jimmy said, "If I'm going to be sexually active, I need to get tested."
Simon said, "Good idea; it makes everybody feel better."
Alan said, "Why don't we all head for bed?"
Simon said, "Good idea."
Jimmy said, "You lead, I'll follow."
Alan said, "I hope that continues after we make our way to the bed."
"It will."
Jimmy did follow: to the bedroom, undressed, under the sheet, roaming hands, roaming lips, roaming semen. Sleep. The next morning Jimmy awoke to find his dick in Simon's mouth, being gently massaged by his tongue. "Oh, that feels good."
"Mmpfh. I mmmph so, too."
Alan said, "Don't talk with your mouth full."
"Whnnneee naaah?"
"It spoils the sex."
Jimmy said, rather emphatically, "No, it doesn't."
"Mmpfh. "Mmpfh." Jimmy lost it. Simon gagged. Alan laughed at them both.
Alan said, "Jimmy, stand up there. I want to look at you." Jimmy stood up beside the bed, obviously posing, but his dick was limp after having just come.
Alan continued, "God, you're beautiful. No doubt about it, youth is sexy."
Simon said, "Jimmy, it's been great. Come back any time. But, you need to remember, we are never going to be your long term partners. You can't let fun with us deter you from finding a mate."
"Oh, God. It won't deter me; it'll inspire me. Last night was wonderful. It makes me really long for the same thing every night. I'll find a partner. But in the meantime, I hope you mean it that I'm welcome here from time to time. And, I'd love to join you guys on your camping trips. I work outdoors, but the guys that work with me have families and aren't into camping off the job."
"Jimmy, one thing. When we do go camping, forget about bringing your own tent or sleeping bag. We have a great tent, and a double bag that'll hold the three of us. It's the only way to go."
"If Dirk and Mattie are along, will that offend them?"
"Oh, my God, no. Except that they may borrow you some night."
"Carl's brother, Tim, says there's gay and straight in everybody. Mattie would be a new experience."
The story worked its way back to Carl through Dirk. Carl was, of course, my source of information. But, more importantly, Jimmy's desire for a partner was discreetly shared in the Gang and it made it's way to Kyle. Kyle immediately thought of Will. There was a fifteen year age difference between Will and Jimmy, but the Gang was so used to ignoring age that it never occurred to Kyle that this might be an issue. Kyle believed in the direct approach. The next day he dropped by Will's office and said, "There was a young man in the group that went to the Olympics in Seoul. An archer; won a couple of medals. He's gay. Would you like to meet him?"
"Is the pope Catholic?"
"Come for dinner tomorrow night."
It was a simple as that. Kyle called Jimmy that evening (he was impossible to reach during the day on days when he was in the field, which was most of them), and Jimmy accepted eagerly.
The dinner the next evening was interesting. Will arrived first and was having a glass of wine with Ronnie and Sharon in the living room when Jimmy arrived. Kevin, now age twelve, was with them, having grape juice to drink. Kyle and Kay, Kevin's little sister, were in the kitchen getting dinner ready. Jimmy was introduced to everyone, and when he shook hands with Kevin, Kevin said, "Watch out, my folks are matchmaking this evening."
Jimmy laughed; Will almost spilled his wine; Ronnie grinned; and Sharon said, "Kevin!"
Kevin replied, "Well, it's true. You aren't going to pretend there's some other reason for the dinner, are you?"
Will got himself under control and said, "Kevin, you're right. Both Jimmy and I knew that that was what your folks intended; that's why we came."
Jimmy said, "You don't keep many secrets in this house, do you?"
Kevin said, "My dads and I have a deal. What they tell me, never goes beyond the walls of the house. What I find out for myself I can tell anybody. It's a great incentive for them to tell me first."
Ronnie said, "Kevin offered us that deal a couple of years ago. It was his way of telling us two things: we could trust him, and he wanted to know what was going on. We haven't excluded him from any family conversation since. He's a very grown up young man."
Will said, "You call both Ronnie and Kyle, 'Dad'?"
Kevin replied, "Only at home. Outside only Ronnie is Dad."
Jimmy said, "I must be missing something."
Ronnie said, "Will's heard our story; we'll fill you in at dinner."
Will said, "It's quite a story."
Kyle and Kay joined the group in the living room, but soon invited everybody to the dinner table. Much to Will and Jimmy's surprise, Sharon, Ronnie, and Kyle shared their complete story. At times both Kevin and Kay joined in the telling; clearly it was fully shared within the family, even though Kay was only nine years old.
During dessert Kevin asked Jimmy, "Do you like Will?"
"Yes, Kevin I do. Why don't you ask Will?"
"Oh, I'm going to. Will, do you like Jimmy?"
"Yes, Kevin, I do. Did your parents put you up to asking those questions?"
Ronnie said, "Oh, no. He's quite capable of dreaming that up all by himself."
"From the mouths of babes..." said someone.
Kevin said, "From the mouths of young men, you mean." Everyone laughed. Kevin continued, "So, Will, are you going to take him home tonight?"
Sharon said, "Kevin, I think that's enough."
Will said, "Oh, no. Kevin's pushing Jimmy and me much faster than we'd move on our own, and I think we're both glad of it. Thank you, Kevin. But I don't think we need any more pushing."
Kevin, not to be intimidated, said, "But you haven't answered my question."
Will said, "Well, Kevin, I will if he'll come with me."
Sharon said, "Kevin, you do not need to ask the next question. Perhaps it's time for bed."
Kevin burst out laughing and said, "That's exactly my idea." With that, he and Kay trotted out of the room and up the stairs.
The adults were laughing so hard they hardly were aware that the children had left.
When he calmed down Jimmy turned to Will and said, "I think there was an invitation somewhere in all of that, and I accept."
They stayed a very short time after dinner, said their thanks to Ronnie, Sharon and Kyle for dinner and for the introduction, and headed to their cars. Jimmy following Will to his little house on the western edge of town. Will parked in the attached garage and let Jimmy in the front door. "Welcome to my home."
"Thanks, Will."
"Would you like a beer, coke, coffee, whatever?"
"A beer would be great, thanks. Are you having one?"
"I'll join you." They went to the kitchen together and Will got two Buds out of the ice box-Will's term.
"You call your refrigerator an ice box? I don't think either of us was alive when they still used ice boxes."
"Well, at least you know what an ice box is. Most people your age haven't a clue. See that red and white card on the wall."
"The one with the Coca-Cola trade mark on it?"
"Do you know what it is?"
"Haven't a clue, except that it must be connected with an ice box in some way."
"See how the card has four numbers, each in one of four triangles made by drawing a X across the card. As you turn the card a different number comes to the top and reads right side up. As the card is facing now, the 50 is up."
"I see, sure."
"Well, that would tell the ice man that you wanted fifty pounds of ice. You hung the card in the window and turned it to show how many pounds of ice you wanted. That way the ice man didn't have to make two trips to your door."
"Where did you get that card? It can't be left over from your parents' era."
"Right. I bought it at a paper collectors show. There are a lot of those cards around. I honestly don't know whether it's an original or a reprint. Originally, the local Coke bottler gave them away so that there would be Coca-Cola signs in a lot of windows. Free advertising."
"So how do you know so much about ice boxes and ice men?"
"My mom was older when she had me, so she goes back to that era. She always called the thing in the kitchen that kept things cool an ice box, because that's what it was when she learned to talk. I use both terms: I know it's a refrigerator, but my mother's influence often dominates, but only when I'm not thinking about it."
"This beer is good."
"My father grew up in St. Louis, home of Anheuser-Busch. The only time he drank anything but Bud was when he wanted something special. Then he'd buy Michelob. If you suggested anything else, he'd let you know it was roughly equivalent to dishwater. I couldn't help but acquire his prejudices. I'm glad you seem to like Bud. If you're going to be here very much I'm afraid its all you'll get."
"It makes me happy. I buy whatever's cheap."
"We seem to be avoiding talking about the reason you're here."
"Look, Will. I'll be perfectly honest. I'm quite inexperienced. I've had a few flings, most not very satisfactory. I really don't know what to expect tonight."
"I'm in about the same boat. I hung around a couple of gay bars in Fargo and Moorhead. A couple of times I linked up with guys in Moorhead. We had sex. They were both tops and weren't into anything else. Just sticking my ass up and being fucked didn't turn me on and neither affair went anywhere. Nothing since then. What about you?"
"A kid in college; it went nowhere. There's a gay couple here, Alan and Simon. I met them through Carl's head architect, Dirk. They invited me into their bed, and it was good fun-the only really satisfactory sex I've ever had. But they're in a happy partnership. Anything with them is just fun sex; they aren't available for love or romance, nor to a long-term partnership."
"That's what you dream of, a long-term partnership?"
"I would think that was the goal of most gay men."
"You'd think so. But I've met a lot in the bars that seem to be happy with one night stands."
"Are the operative words there, 'Seem to be'?"
"Could be, but they seemed to resist talking beyond the one night. And that definitely includes the two guys that I actually went home with."
"We both seem to be on the same wavelength."
"I hope so. So what happens tonight?"
"What do you hope will happen?"
"Can I be honest?"
"My God, haven't we both been?"
"That isn't what I meant. Maybe the word I wanted was blunt. Are you going to think I'm pushing if I lay out my fantasies?"
"No, never. Lay them on me."
"I know the mantra, talk first, but I think we've talked enough. Let's take our clothes off, go in on my bed and just let our balls take us where they want."
"Oh, God, my balls are already tingling at the idea."
They both started to undress, slowly at first, but quickly speeding up. Soon they were both completely naked, unabashedly staring at each other. Will said, "My God, you're beautiful."
"I think I'd choose the word sexy to describe you."
"I'm a lot older than you, Jimmy. Does that bother you?"
"Oh, shit, don't tell me I'm going to get that age crap thrown at me. I don't want to hear it. I'm of legal age, and mature enough to know what I'm doing. And I like doing what I'm doing right now."
"Exactly what is that?"
"Ogling a sexy guy and dreaming what I might do with him."
"Don't tell me, just do what you want with me."
Jimmy took Will's hand and started to pull him. Will resisted, saying, "Uh, Jimmy, that's the door to the garage. I think you want to go this way." Jim stayed in command, but changed direction, pulling Will down the hall and into what seemed to be the master bedroom with a double bed in it. He threw back the covers and gently shoved Will down onto his back on the bed. Jimmy got on his knees between Will's legs, and let his hands fall onto Will's groin. Jimmy massaged all of Will's parts, tickling and rubbing the entire area. Then he lay down on Will and kissed him, slowly working down his body to nipples, belly button, dick, and balls.
Then Will became the aggressor, pushing Jimmy down and going directly for Jimmy's dick with his mouth. Before long Jimmy said, "I'm going to come, are you ready?"
Will sorted grunted an affirmation, just as Jimmy started pumping a huge load into Will's mouth. Will quickly gagged and spit out everything on Jimmy's belly. He said, "Oh, God, I'm sorry. I've never sucked anybody before. I just wasn't prepared for the result. I shouldn't have done that."
"Nonsense. I'm fine. It felt great. We're exploring." Jimmy started rubbing his hands on his belly, getting cum all over them. Then he started rubbing it all over Will's body. He gently pushed Will on his back again and lay beside him so that his hand could masturbate Will. It didn't take long for Will to come, and then Jimmy smeared cum from both of them all over both of them. Then he hugged Will tight. He told Will, "If we're going to enjoy the sex, we don't want any barriers. Cum is part of sex; I've always dreamed of handling it this way. Most guys just want to leave it in my ass. This is more fun."
Will said, "It was fun, but totally unexpected. I hope that you can keep delivering the unexpected for a long time."
"Shall we sleep like this or head to the shower?"
"I'm sticking to you. I think it'll be interesting to sleep this way."
They did. About 4 a.m. the found themselves awake and decided to shower. Will had a tub-shower combination. Only one of them could get sprayed at a time, but the other could easily scrub, suck, or otherwise manipulate the other's genitals while he showered. Neither got through the shower without another orgasm. They headed back to bed and woke for the second time at about seven. Will said, "I'm still horny. My God, I've never felt like this in my life. But let's not do anything new this morning. Let's save surprises and new adventures for other days. Let's just jack each other off."
"Fine with me." And that's exactly what they did, but Jimmy made sure that the end product was spread around liberally. Then it was off to the shower again.
As they ate a quick breakfast, Jimmy said, "Will, will you come spend the night at my apartment tonight?"
"Oh, God, Jimmy, I'd love to."
Jimmy said, "Before we go too far, I think we both should be tested for AIDS. We've both had very little experience, but it's enough that there is some risk. We ought to get that behind us."
Will agreed.
For the next four days they alternated homes. Then the weekend arrived. They awoke on Saturday morning in Jimmy's bed. Will asked, "It's the weekend. I have to go to the office for a couple of hours, but then what shall we do today?"
"Let's take a hike this afternoon."
"I like that idea. You know the land around here. Can you suggest a place where we can go hiking in the nude?"
"You know, this is North Dakota. It's not winter, but it's not summer, either. I expect it to be in the low forties this afternoon, and there's always a wind in North Dakota."
"Then we'll stop frequently and hug each other to warm up."
"You're serious, aren't you?"
"We'll carry warm clothes and supper in day packs. We'll be fine."
Jimmy knew a trail in the Ardoch National Wildlife Refuge, about a half hour away. It wound along the Forest River to Ardoch Lake. Nobody would be there that time of year. He told Will, " We can't walk naked along the lake; there will be at least one boat out even at this time of year. But we sure can get naked along the river. It's agricultural land, but there are woods near the river. But it's gonna be cold!"
"It'll be fun," said Will.
"It'll be cold."
Well, it was both fun and cold, although Jimmy would've used the adjectives in the other order. They only lasted naked about twenty minutes, but that was sexy. Then they got dressed and continued on their hike, stopping about 3:30 to do what gay men alone in the woods are likely to do. They didn't get naked in order to suck each other, they just opened their flies. It worked. Neither was yet at the swallowing stage, so they both spit the cum out on the ground. Jimmy commented, "Some gay guys would cry over the waste."
"Maybe we will sometime, but I'm not there yet."
"Neither am I. I think it's good that we're both moving along at about the same rate. I'm having a ball."
"I am too, Jimmy."
Since they'd only brought one car, the hike was a round trip, out and back. On the way back Jimmy asked, "OK, Will, it's time we began to think about where we go from here."
"I guess the question really is, what do we have in common other than the fact that we're gay and horny? I don't think that sex alone can sustain a relationship."
"Are you asking if a particle physicist and a game manager can find common ground?"
"I guess I am."
"Well, I'm not going to become a physicist, and you aren't going to become a zoologist. We both seem to like the outdoors. We have some mutual friends. Most important, we seem to enjoy each other's company, and we both dislike being alone. That's a good start."
Will offered, "I have an idea. Next weekend, can you take Friday off?"
"Sure, I've got backed up vacation."
"Let's get on a plane to Chicago. The big city. Have you spent any time there?"
"Just at O'Hare Airport. Most people seem to hate it, but I thought it was interesting. The big dining hub in the middle was neat. Of course, they robbed me blind. But I just shut my eyes to the prices and enjoyed myself."
"I ate in the cafeteria there once as a kid, but not since. I thought we might explore the city together. See whether we enjoy the same things, are interested in the same things, like similar places to eat. I can't think of a better way to test compatibility-and do it quickly."
I should note that before they departed for Chicago-you knew they would-they both got back negative results on their AIDS tests.
Then they had a glorious weekend in Chicago. It started and ended at the Sears Tower. Both of them enjoyed the view so much that they agreed that they wanted to go back. They stayed in a deluxe suite at the Conrad Hilton, which cost more than they wanted to spend, but they decided to live right on the trip-just for once. They had dinners at fine restaurants, took in the comedy show at Second City, walked along the lake front, did the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum, but skipped the aquarium. They found themselves agreeing almost all the time about what to see and do. They were too tired at night for sex, but were sufficiently rested both mornings to need to keep their libidos in check. They boarded the plane for Fargo at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. They picked up Will's car at the airport and were home by midnight Sunday. In the car going home Jimmy said, "I love you Will. I want to live with you."
Will had replied, "I'm falling in love as well. But I'm worried. I'm fifteen years older than you. I'm going to be old, feeble and eventually dead fifteen years before you. Is that fair to you?"
"Here we go again. Everybody wants to protect me because I'm a kid. Hell, I could get killed in a car crash tomorrow and leave you alone. That's life. I'm God-damned if I'm going to screw myself out of incredible joy and happiness now just because I might have a few bad years later. I might and I might not. I'll solve that problem when it comes, if it comes. Right now, I can't think of anything that would make be happier than to be able to introduce you as my partner. I wouldn't be the first in the Game and Fish Department. And certainly it won't be an issue at the university, considering the relationship between the President and the Chancellor. So we can be a couple, out, and happy."
"You could be happy with a very busy, science-absorbed partner, regardless of age?"
"I know you're busy, and certainly will be for the next six years while they build this damn super whatever it is. I haven't lacked for things to do over the years, I just don't like being alone the rest of the time. Having you around, even if you're absorbed in reading physics journals, would be heavenly bliss."
"Jimmy, we've only known each other three weeks."
"Chicago crammed six months worth of experience into a weekend, Will. That was an inspired idea."
"Are we thinking about a, 'Till death do us part,' kind of a commitment, or an, 'It's great while it lasts,' kind of commitment?"
"As far as I'm concerned the second isn't a commitment. If you and I partner, I'm in it forever. Forget this, 'Till death do us part,' business. If there's an afterlife, I expect to share it with you. If there isn't, at least we'll be buried next to each other."
"You're really serious, aren't you?"
"Aren't you?"
"I think I am. Let's go home to our separate homes tonight. Come to my house for dinner tomorrow around seven. Between now and then think pretty hard. We'll talk tomorrow."
Jimmy accepted that, but found that he didn't need to think hard at all. He knew what he wanted. His thinking was more like a prayer that Will would want him as bad as he wanted Will. And, that Will wouldn't let the age issue come between them. He was at Will's door at exactly seven the next night. They fell into each other's arms, kissing each other right there at the door. If the neighbors had been outside, they would've seen it all. As it was, it was a cold night and they had no witnesses. Of course, they wouldn't have minded witnesses after the decision they took that evening.
I won't recite the long conversation; I couldn't because I didn't hear it, and Kyle, my source for all of this, didn't hear it either. The next day Kyle was informed that the two of them were in love, were going to get married but admitted that they'd have to choose a different word, were going to build a new house so that neither of them would have to move into the other's home, and they were going to do all of the above as soon as they possibly could. Kyle responded to Will, "That's wonderful, Will. But there is one thing you left out. Sharon, Ronnie and I have been talking about inviting you to join the Gang. I think that we should invite both you and Jimmy. Both of you are well known to the Gang, and you'll fit in beautifully."
Will responded, "That's wonderful, Kyle. But you know what the most wonderful thing about your response is?"
"What's that?"
"You didn't mention how quick we made up our minds, and you didn't talk about the fact that I was older than Jimmy."
"Tim swears he fell in love with Charlie in two minutes. You two guys took three weeks. Of course, it took Ronnie, Sharon, and me about four years. I don't think length of romance is any predictor of the success of the romance. Age, smage. Look at Fred and Marty. Fred's been on both sides of the age divide; he used to be married to Charlie's mother, and then he robbed the cradle to partner with Marty. He was happy both ways."
"I had no idea that Fred had been Charlie's stepfather."
"It's been a while. I think most of us tend to forget it. We also think of Fred as a gay man, and forget that he had two happy marriages before he found Marty."
"The Gang gets more and more wonderful they more I hear about it."
Kyle assembled the Gang at The Hideout that Saturday. He was sufficiently sure of the outcome of the conversation that he invited Will and Jimmy to come by around eleven. There wasn't any debate; all of the group were enthusiastic about two new members. But Tom did raise one issue. "Just how big can this group grow? I read an article once, in some pop psychology magazine, that suggested that a person is really limited to about fifty close friends. That's about the limit of your friendship circle, and that includes coworkers that you relate to regularly and on a personal level. When the circle gets in the neighborhood of fifty, then some people naturally get dropped when new ones come in. What does that say about the Gang numbering over sixty?"
Jerry, who was the psychologist in the group, spoke up. "Tom's right, though I've heard numbers as low as 25 and 40 cited, as well as bigger numbers. There's substantial agreement that there are limits to the number of relationships you can simultaneously sustain. But I think that the point in the Gang is that we're all going to be closer to some members than to others. The commitment we make to each other when we join, or invite someone to join, isn't to closeness. The commitment is to trust and support. I may not be personally that close to Ron, Sharon or Kyle, but I know who they are; I enjoy their company; I trust them implicitly; and would do anything for them were I needed. And I wouldn't hesitate to call on them for just about anything. But we don't play together that much. There are age and vocational differences that stand in the way of our being playmates. But at gatherings like this, I'm as comfortable with them as I am with any other members of the Gang. They probably wouldn't be part of my close 50, but we'd still relate through the Gang. Just like at work, you deal with a lot of people, but only a few would be part of your close 50. Does that sum things up pretty well?"
Ronnie said, "It does for me." There was general assent: heads nodded and vocal affirmations filled the room. Ronnie continued, "Now I think we ought to plan some kind of a royal welcome for these two when they come at eleven."
Someone said, "Is your dirty mind at work, Ronnie?"
"It is, indeed. But let me share with you what Will told me yesterday. He was aware that sex is often a part of the relationship between Gang members. He and Jimmy talked about this. It seems that Jimmy has a couple of gay camping friends that he likes to sleep between in the tent. He and Will have talked and decided that their partnership doesn't preclude sex with others. Basically they've decided to follow much the same rules that the Gang does. So they're comfortable with that aspect of the Gang."
"And you're suggesting that we test that a little?"
Kyle said, "What Ronnie is getting to is that we think we ought to give them a chance to explore their straight sides. Are the girls ready?"
Amy said, "Sure we are."
Jimmy and Will did arrive at eleven and were greeted with, "Welcome to the Gang."
Amy came forward and said, "We're going to vary the procedure a little this time, in case you were warned about what comes next."
Will said, "We weren't, should we have been?"
Kyle said, "No. And I'm not sure what Amy has in mind."
Amy came forward to Will and Judy walked in front of Jimmy. Both women kicked off their shoes, and then Amy said, "OK, we want to explore just how much straight there is in you two gay guys. Start by undressing the woman standing in front of you."
Both Jimmy and Will were a little hesitant at that. Will proved to be the more comfortable, and got Amy's blouse and bra off with little trouble. Amy said, "Suck 'em."
Will wasn't ready for that and clearly hesitated. Amy said, "You're going to have to do better than that. We have a lot more planned."
Jimmy actually got to sucking Judy's tits before Will got to Amy's, but both succeeded, and seemed to be enjoying it.
Judy pushed Jimmy's head away and said, "Now the rest of the clothes." It was about all that either one of the men could do to push down the jeans and panties of the two women. And I think both knew that it wasn't going to stop there.
Amy and Judy stepped out of their jeans and panties once they were down to their ankles. Then Amy said, "Now use your hands and fingers to explore all that stuff down there. You never got that good a look in your high school sex ed class."
It was funny to watch these two grown men fumble around a woman's cunt for the first time. They both backed away from sticking a finger inside, but both women insisted, and in fact took hold of their hands and pushed their fingers in. "Now wiggle it," said Judy.
Amy said, "Now, I want to have an orgasm. So does Judy. You don't need to worry, my tubes are tied and Judy's on the pill. You can either fuck us or use your tongues. We both like both. Now get your own clothes off, and you don't get them back until we have both had orgasms."
They were both a little slow starting to undress, but the crowd which was gathered around helped them. Amy grabbed Will's dick and said, "OK, Will, which is going inside me, your tongue or your dick?"
"I guess my dick."
"Good choice. Now what about you, Jimmy."
"I'm going to try my tongue."
"Let's go upstairs to the beds." We all went upstairs, following either Amy as she led Will to the master bedroom or Judy as she led Jimmy to the larger guest room. Both were good sports and carried out their assigned mission with only a little help from their friends. When it was over Amy said, "Wait right there on the bed." She called over to the other room with the same instruction. She went down to the kitchen and found a red permanent magic marker. She came back upstairs. Someone started to tell Will to roll over on his stomach and put his butt in the air, but Amy said, "Stay on your back." She took hold of his ball sac and stretched it out and calmly wrote a 6 on Will's right nut and a 2 on his left one. Jimmy got a 6 and a 3.
Sid came forward and asked, "Jimmy, have you fucked Will yet?"
"No. Not yet."
"Well, when you've crossed that bridge, let me know. I want to be around to sketch you on your second time-you're entitled to privacy on the first time around."
"Sketch us? Whatever for?" asked Will.
"I'm afraid that's a secret until the painting is complete. Then all will be revealed."
Tim asked, "When are you going to have a commitment ceremony?"
Will answered, "We hadn't thought about it. Or about where."
Jimmy said, "Will, your super collider isn't finished, or we could have it there. But I'm not going to wait for six years. My Olympic medals came from my archery. Let's get hitched at the archery range of the North Dakota Bowman's League. I know one of the lady archers got married there a couple of years ago."
I said, "It's a lovely location. I'm pretty sure that Mike Federer would be open to the idea.
Well, he was, as was most of the Bowman's League. There was a little grumbling from a couple of the older members, but they were outvoted, and told very clearly by Mike that they should keep their minority opinions to themselves at the time of the ceremony.
One of the advantages of a commitment ceremony over a wedding is that you don't have to worry about a license or about who is going to actually pronounce you married and sign the license. They decided that they would each invite someone meaningful to them, and that they two persons would share in the ceremony. Jimmy asked his boss at the Game and Fish Department, whom he was sure would be supportive and willing. Will asked Tim.
Will's parents knew Will was gay and were introduced to Jimmy by mail and telephone. However, they lived in a retirement home in California and weren't up to the trip. Jimmy's parents were there. They admitted that the whole thing was a little tough on them, but they were determined to support their son, no matter what. You couldn't ask more than that, and everything went smoothly.
Carl had spoken to the Gang before the ceremony. He suggested that the commitment gift from the Gang should be a house design. Carl and Associates would be glad to work with the two of them to design the house of their dreams. We all protested that the full burden of a gift shouldn't fall on Carl. Carl replied, "Look, we're all in this together. I'll ask for help as needed. I want to do this for them. But the gift will come from the Gang, not from me."
Right after the commitment Carl sat down with the two of them for the first of about a dozen sessions about what their dream house would be like. The core of the house was going to be a wonderful study where both of them could work together. Will had said, "Look, I have a lot of work to do, reading, writing, all sorts of things. I want Jimmy with me. He doesn't watch TV, so whatever he's doing won't bother me."
Jimmy agreed. "I read a lot. But my dream is to make a birch bark canoe. It'll take a long time. Could we design a study in such a way that I could have a workshop in one corner and actually work on a canoe or some other such project?"
Carl had replied, I don't see why not. Let me think about it. That was the most important of all their conversations. The final house was unique. It featured four oversized rooms: a master bedroom with comfortable chairs and a huge bed with an adjoining bathroom and shower that put Tim's to shame; a living room with kitchen in one corner-what today we would call a great room; a guest room, just big enough for a queen bed, chair and dresser; and a study. The core of the study was a cluster of a big sofa (big enough for sex-Jimmy's idea) and two reading chairs. It was a long room, and from the sofa if you looked straight ahead toward the side of the room you saw a picture window that would look out over a farming countryside. The other side had bookshelves on the whole wall except for two doors. Between the doors the shelves were double, you could walk behind a second case that stood in front of the wall shelves. Will's end was a more traditional study with a desk, worktable, computer stand, file cabinets and storage cabinets. The other end of the room featured a desk in one corner and in the other corner a workbench with all kinds of tools. In front of it was a project table big enough to hold a canoe. The power tools were in a separate room behind, where the dust and noise could be contained. Behind that was a sealed paint room, again big enough for a canoe. A full basement provided a vast amount of storage.
It suited Jimmy and Will perfectly. However, it was a sufficiently unusual house that no bank wanted to provide a mortgage, without which Jimmy and Will couldn't build it. Fred handled that without even blinking. Carl supervised the construction himself: on time and under budget. No change orders. And that doesn't mean that Carl wouldn't accept change orders; it means that Jimmy and Will had been forced to think through the issues before construction started. They were in love...
Author's Note: Pause right here at that word love. Honestly, I didn't alter the text to make lovethe 1,123,786th word in the story. But that's what it is. Is there some significance to that number? Well, yes, there is. When you read the word love you completed the equivalent of two War and Peace novels (English translation). I can't believe I've written that much! Of course, in the days before computers, figuring that out would have been nearly impossible. However, it only took me a few minutes. I thought I'd share it with you, my long persevering readers.
...with the design and didn't want changes. They're still in love with it today. They're quite up front with the Gang: they have sex almost every night on the sofa in the study before they go to bed and in the morning either in bed or in the shower. What a life!
They had their first fuck the night they moved in-about a year after their commitment ceremony. Sid was present the next night for the encore. A week later the Gang gathered in Gangland for the unveiling: of the portrait for everybody, and of Gangland itself for Jimmy and Will. They hadn't been told about it until their portrait was ready to hang. It showed Jimmy's very long dick just ready to shove into Will's ass as he leaned over their sofa in their study. The workbench and the beginnings of a canoe showed. We all knew that the canoe project was quite a ways down the pike and that this was a figment of Sid's imagination. But so what? We love it, as did Will and Jimmy. Jimmy had looked at the portrait and exclaimed, "It's not that long!"
We all said, "Oh, yes, it is." We made him take off his pants, told Will to get him hard and measured him. 9 and 7/8 inches. We measured his head and then compared the two measurements in the picture. Sid had the scale exactly right. Oh, yes. While we were at it we stripped Phil, got him hard, and measured him as well. He had twice the circumference as Jimmy, but was 3/16 of an inch shorter! I'm not usually concerned about measurements of dicks, but these were interesting. And arousing.
When I started to write this there were two couples that I was going to tell you about, but I've already written more than my allotted pages. So couple number two, involving a partner for Bernie, will have to wait. In the meantime, go to sleep dreaming of the nights of Jimmy and Will as they explored more and more ways to express their love. It took them six months to get to 69, and, as you know, a full year before Jimmy fucked Will. It took quite a while before they reversed positions. Another year later rimming had only been talked about. Swallowing cum was only hypothetical. If you had asked them, they would simply have told you that they hoped it would be years before they had exhausted new ways of having a gay orgasm.
They're willing partners with some of the rest of us in the Gang, but they're so completely content with each other, that they don't push sex with others very often. They each have an exception. For Jimmy it's Simon and Alan, and that's generally limited to when they go camping. Will only joins them about half the time, but insists that Jimmy include sex in the camping experience regardless of whether Will can join them. Every now and then Will locks the door behind Sharon, Ronnie and/or Kyle when they come into his office. When they hear the lock click they pull the shade. Will didn't get the softest office rug with the thickest possible pad for nothing! Jimmy finds the image of some of the top particle physicists in the world flopping around naked on the floor to be just too much! He rarely joins in, leaving that to be Will's domain. His only condition is that Will not neglect him that evening. Fat chance!
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