The Bus Stop

by Rafael Henry

Chapter 10

Friday night, home after the life class adventure.

I gave Clive my email address on Tuesday. Later I wondered if I should have done. Anyway he has it now, and my mobile number too. This evening he texted me.

hi arlo how did it go today good or not good?

I wrote back.

pretty good thanks. next week he wants us in our nothings. kerry is fine with it im not sure what do you think about that bloke henry?

A bity weird but he's harmless

why weird

he looks at you funny he's probably you know what

what

one of those

those what!!??

That was it. Clive didn't actually come out with it but it's not difficult to work it out. Anyway I've come round to Kerry's point of view. We might as well do it.

Next Tuesday Kerry sits his Kent test, all in the morning, the whole lot, and two hours of solid concentration. We are due to model for Phil's portrait class later that afternoon. I'm not sure what shape Kerry will be by then. Knackered I would think. Anyway he's staying again tomorrow night, me sleeping on the floor, most of the time. But some of the time I won't be. He and I will be sharing that narrow bed of mine for a while at least, a bit risky as mum has a habit of looking in on us about an hour after we've 'retired' to bed. We have a solution to the side-by-side in a very narrow bed problem. Simple. We thought of it the other day on the bus, a good time and place to get ideas as it turns out. He weighs way less than I do so what say he goes on top of me? In The Book it explains the advantages of that method of achieving a 'coming together', which gives in our case the boy on top more control over what he wants, or is prepared to do. It looked so interesting a prospect that we both got aroused just reading about it, and of course looking at the picture. It means, best case scenario, that both of us see exactly what's going on and both of us can get there, and be seen to get there, there being the wonderful natural and very happy ending we both want most of the time. Wish us luck folks!

I told Kerry if we were ever to succeed, he would have to undergo a bit of training, or rather that part of his body will have to get used to something it is not currently used to. Clive will be there on Tuesday and he says he has a present for me. I can pay him for it out of what Phil gives me.

You are coming on Tuesday aren't you

Yes and Kerry too he likes being looked at

Great i will be there too present for you something you will need you mentioned last week good stuff it works great

Personal experience?

Don't ask cheeky bugger sorry did I say bugger didn't mean that

Sod then?

Ha ha have fun

In the end Kerry wasn't going to stay over on Saturday. He stayed at home to look after his granny Miriam. He called round on Saturday afternoon to tell me why; and mum.

'She hasn't eaten anything all day Mrs Templeton. She just sits there in her chair with her eyes shut.'

'She's still breathing isn't she?' I said tactlessly which Kerry took seriously.

'I think so. I can't stay tonight, sorry. I can't leave her, not like that.'

Mum looked very concerned as Kerry quickly left us through the back door of the kitchen. She'll be thinking, what should she do now. Ten minutes later she had her coat on and was going to Miriam's house.

She came back two hours later, after the ambulance had left for Hastings Hospital. Folkstone is nearer but wasn't the right place for her condition, whatever that is. The paramedics thought she may have had a stroke. So what will become of Kerry now?

With mum, and me too, that question is a no brainer. He stays with us. My tummy did one of those flips again when the significance of that statement by mum had sunk in, enough for me to know that his body will be close to mine for the foreseeable, but, it's due to something else no one wanted, least of all Miriam.

Naturally we spent a very quiet evening together watching TV. It's Sunday tomorrow, a day of rest and for Kerry, a day of worry. His safety and security is in imminent danger. Mum phoned the hospital ostensibly as a relative so she could get information. Miriam was stable but critically ill in the ICU. Shit.

Sunday came. Mum had given the hospital our number as an interim family contact. They had to have something just in case the worst happens. In the morning after a fretful night for Kerry and me too, we got up at eight for breakfast in good time so we would be ready to walk up to St. Leonards for the nine thirty eucharist service. The rest of the day was spent quietly with a sense of foreboding. Tomorrow morning Kerry sits his entrance exam. It couldn't be a worse time for him. It never rains but it pours.

I had given him a few days rest from practice papers. It's a good idea have a break from it so you're fresh to it on the day and not stale. The girls at the bus stop were their usual annoying selves but largely ignored us which was useful under the circumstances. I was ready to shout at them this morning if they so much as looked at us. I wanted Kerry to get to his school without any kind of interference or hassle on the way please. We sat at the back as we always do but without any touching or even any conversation bar essentials. I got him ready for this horrible thing as well as I could do, at least I hope so. I've done my level best to prepare him and it's in the lap of the gods now, and I've martialled my forces too, in the hopes of a little kindly divine intervention, my head lowered onto my hands, resting on one of those fat English Hymnals. Let's hope that works. Come on You up There, we need all the help we can get right now. I worked hard that Sunday in church, believe me.

Mum hadn't said anything to us let alone Kerry. Unbeknownst to me, the hospital had phoned at five minutes past six this morning. Miriam has died.

She said nothing until Kerry and I returned to what was his home too now. He had sat his Kent Test in the morning, the dreaded thing that is effectively the old 11+ exam for Grammar entrance for the same school that I go to. Kerry was physically as well as mentally drained poor boy. Over tea none of us said anything although I was desperate to know how he thought he'd done. The whole thing, three consecutive shortish papers is all what we call here multiple choice, plus a short written piece, not marked, just to make sure even a bright boy or girl can actually write reasonably coherently and legibly and string a sentence together. In this day and age, possibly due to covid in part, some can't do that. You'd be surprised.

Of course mum had to tell both of us the very sad and for Kerry, frightening news about Miriam. So………

'I need to talk to Kerry a moment Arlo.'

Oh no, please, not that. Please, not that .

She took him into the front room so they could be alone. Kerry should be the first to know, and she would know exactly how to do this. I can't imagine how difficult that must be, to tell someone that a person you rely on for a roof over your head, for food and warmth, not that he got much of that, and above all, for love, is gone from their life forever. I stood staring out of the kitchen window, tears rolling down my face. I instinctively knew something had gone badly wrong, strongly suspecting bad news from the hospital, my heart beating ever faster while I waited, knowing that any moment now I would also be told.

Fifteen minutes went by on the clock on the wall above the door through which the two figures had gone. And then the door opened and I saw Kerry's sweet face, distorted from its beauty into a ball of distress, sobbing relentlessly and being literally held up by mum.

'Take him upstairs Arlo. I'm sorry to tell you that Miriam has died. You must look after him now. Lie down with him please, and stay with him. He's not to be left alone for one second . Do you understand Arlo? He knows he's safe here for as long as he needs us.'

I helped Kerry up the stairs, along the hallway and into my bedroom. I got on the narrow single bed first, my back against the chilly wall with Kerry pressed into me, face to face, my arm tight around his back. The sense of oneness was beginning to overwhelm me to such an extent that I lost control too, and why not. We are faced with a human tragedy and all the responsibility that brings us as caring human beings. We have to step up.

Ten minutes later we are calm and feeling the warmth between us as I stroke his hair and face. No words are needed. This is love without words. Just actions. Just gestures that mean everything. Kerry knows as well as I do. How long he will be with us I don't know, but for now and the foreseeable future, he's ours, and more specifically, mine . And then quite out of the blue yonder he says……..

'Do you want to know how I got on today Arlo? With my exam?'

'Of course I do!'

'I think I did ok. I finished all the papers too, right to the last question.'

'So did you think it was hard?'

'The number questions were tricky. I had to watch out for traps but it all looked a bit familiar somehow.'

I wonder why!

'I think I got most of it right. The verbal reasoning papers, two of them, were pretty easy if you thought about them properly like you said I'd need to. Not to rush into the first answer but to think twice about them. It worked Arlo, at least that bit did. I had some time to go back and review most of it. I could only find one thing wrong, a really stupid mistake.'

His pretty eyes are reddened by a deep sadness and the sharpness of his tears, just as mine probably are, if I could see them. There's a deep joy and solace about crying together, a completeness I can only equate with, oddly enough, profound sexual feelings. I know it's perverse of me to think of it that way but that's how it feels. It must be about the future as well as the very recent past surely? I want to feel my boy properly but I can't, not in these circumstances. But he surprises me.

'Can we kiss please. I need to know you still want to?'

We did, and after that brief meeting of mouths and lips, another question as we both wipe our saliva away with the backs of our hands, the boy way.

'Do you think your mum will let me stay here for a while?'

'Of course she will! We all want you here Kerry.'

'Even Fiona?'

'Yes. Even my sister wants you with us.'

He smiles for the first time. I feel like consuming him.

Mum told us that we have to be practical about this situation . Today, Tuesday, she will take the morning off and go around to Miriam's house and tidy up generally and make sure everything is secure and shipshape. She will also sort out any clothing of Kerry's and bring it to ours, and tidy up Miriam's room if needed. An act of respect. She will go through the fridge, kitchen cupboards and anywhere else that needs attention of some sort, like making sure the electricity and water are turned off. Those sort of things. That leaves a decision for Kerry and I to make about the portrait class at Phil's studio.

'I don't know how you will feel about it now Kerry?'

'Oh I want to do it. I do.'

So we will go ahead as planned which is what I wanted him to say. Let's keep busy and keep Kerry's mind away from his untimely bereavement.

Once you get used to sitting still for the best part of an hour, it's almost possible to enjoy it, especially when you get given money for your trouble. Eight pounds each, in cash today. Thank you Phil! Our fortunes are mounting.

Mum thinks we go to afternoon clubs at school. Well we do, don't we? It's just not the sort of club she thinks it is, or where it is.

Henry, one of the portrait drawers, came and spoke to us at the break.

'Thank you so much boys for being our models. We do so much enjoy having you here. I think I've managed the best work I've ever done in these last two sessions.'

I looked at Henry.

'Oh, and you too dear boy.' He says looking at Kerry.

That's alright then. He obviously prefers Kerry and I don't blame him. He's far better looking than I am. Anyway we got our small brown envelopes. I'm beginning to think about what we can do with our loot.

At home mum was lovely. I'm so lucky to have a mother like her. What has Kerry got? Not much. But he has us, and always will have. I love him. I know that now. I also know that it may well not be as his lover which I want to be if he'll let me, but more as a friend.

Clive was there this afternoon and had what he promised for me. The stuff the book said all gay lovers need. Is that what we aspire to? Gay love?

Kerry saw me examine the box.

'What's that Arlo?'

I showed him the container. I had taken it out of the small box. Knect.

'Is that the stuff?'

'Yes. It's essential according to the book.'

'Why?'

'It makes everything go smoothly Kerry. Otherwise it wouldn't work.'

'Can we try it.'

'Yes, why not. It's why we've got it. When we go to bed maybe?'

We sat and watched the television for an hour, on our own whilst mum and dad ate their evening meal, which was always around seven or just after.

We watched each other undress and put on dressing gowns. Mum had found one for Kerry in one of the charity shops in Hythe, a bit like Joseph's coat of many colours, all furry and warm. I'm sure most boys are interested, if not totally fascinated, by their own penis, and often other ones too. Kerry has just shown me his as he parts his gown. I'm sitting on the edge of the bed watching my boy as he models for me striking different poses, his gown parted. He approaches, now just half a metre away.

'Please?'

I'm checking my phone for any more messages, possibly from Clive.

'Can you take one of me please?'

We had talked about taking snaps of each other when we were walking along the promenade the other day.

'What about one with you throwing pebbles into the water Kerry?'

I made a short video of him. He liked the concept like most boys, including me, who like the idea of recording what we they up to when they're feeling a bit sexy and like the idea of seeing themselves later on a screen. But this excercise is benign enough, just a boy playing an innocent game. I feel like that most of the time. I suppose it's a boy's natural urge to show off. His exhibitionist side coming out maybe? There's some of that in all of us kids.

Kerry bends over, legs still straight, searching for another suitably flat shaped stone to skim. I zoom in. Oh that's very nice.

I would never have thought of going further than recording an innocent past time until Kerry read out a paragraph from the Good Book, a thing that has a wealth of new idea for us to try, later, up in the bedroom. He reads aloud……

Recording on video one of your acts of love can be very exciting to watch later, not only from a technical point of view but to provide an extra dimension to your play. Or just something nice to look back on at a later date.

'What do you think of that idea Arlo?'

'Any ideas are good ideas in my book Kerry? Or even in this book.' I said with a smile.

'Anything?' He replies. 'Like now?'

'What? With you prancing around in your dressing gown?'

'Yes. Can we try something, just to see?'

I switched my phone to record, with Kerry about to perform for me. This is something new, and dare I say it, I'm right with him on this kind of activity.

Kerry sits next to me to watch his performance on the playback. It makes us both smile as he slowly reveals himself, first teasing and then very reluctantly revealing the swollen goods to the world, nought to sixty in no time at all. In a flash, literally, we both realise what we have just done. We've opened up a box of delights.

'Did you just delete that?' Asks Kerry as he leaves for his last pee and two minutes of tooth brushing.

'Umm.'

'Why?'

'I don't know.'

'I wanted to watch that again you meany.'

'Oh sorry. We can do another one easily enough.'

'But not the same thing.'

'What then?'

'You and me.'

'How?'

With Kerry doing his stuff in the bathroom, I had a think about the how aspect of filming ourselves playing tiddlywinks. It can't be that difficult can it?

When Kerry returns from the bathroom he flicks his gown off his shoulders and places it carefully over the wicker chair in the corner and walks over to me, naked, his fingers twiddling his diminutive little uncut winkie with the skinny overhanging puckered prepuce. It won't be like that for long.

'Henry likes you doesn't he. He said so at the last class.'

'You could do me just for him then?'

'In what way could I?' I said with a smile.

'I don't know. Think of something.'

'Getting out of your school clothes. He's only seen you in them and just your face. You could make a nice show for him. And by the way, I'm joking.'

'I could do a show for you though?'

'You could indeed.'

'Well think of something will you? I want to.'

'How about this idea? Get undressed and then pose like a model would, a bit like last Friday. How about that. Or you just do it on the bed right here. I'll get a real close up of you. And I'm joking again Kerry.'

'Well I'm not. I want you to do it. Us playing. Or you playing with me?'

He's not joking. Kerry does want us to make videos of ourselves. And then what do we do with them? Actually I know what you do with them. You delete them straight after you've done whatever it is you want to do. That's what you do. After you've watched it of course!

We had a very serious lecture on the subject of posting rude things on Youtube or Tiktoc, or texting rude images, compromising oneself to a friend, or worse, some online chat acquaintance who is pretending to be another boy but in fact is some pervert. Sexy images of you could end up all over the internet for ever. Imagine that. Literally, for ever? Heaven forbid that ever happens.

Kerry performed very nicely, getting out of his complete school uniform, including that beautiful school blazer for starters. He looks stunning in that thing. Curiously and quite imaginatively he started with his socks, then trousers, leaving him in his white knickers with his blazer, shirt and tie still on. That was a nice touch I thought. Imagine going into a classroom of twenty young boys to find them all naked below their fully dressed upper bodies, playing with themselves happily.

'Come on then. Do you think my school uniform would be best?'

'Hmm, a tricky one. I love you in those shorts I gave you.'

'Ok, the uniform first then.'

'We need the camera to be perfectly still otherwise it goes all over the place if I hold it.'

'What about up there then?'

He points to the bedside table.

'Ok, but I'll get it set up and see where it's pointing. Where do you want to perform this act of revelation?'

'Here, right in the middle of the floor.'

I got it all set up with all Kerry's figure in the shot and pretty much filling it. All he has to do is to stay more or less in that one place. This should be interesting.

Kerry performed very nicely, getting out of his complete school uniform, including that beautiful pale blue school blazer for starters. He looks stunning in that thing. Curiously and quite imaginatively he started with his socks, then trousers, leaving him in his white knickers with his blazer, shirt and tie still on. That was a nice touch I thought. Imagine going into a classroom of twenty young boys to find them all naked below their fully dressed upper bodies, playing with themselves happily.

A half hour later.

'That was a bloody good performance Kerry. You have talent young man.'

'Thanks. I liked doing it. It made me feel pretty sexy.'

'I can see that. How do you feel now after all that. It was more than five-minutes worth.'

'Sexy. That's how I feel now. Can we do another one?'

'What do you want to do this time?'

A pause while Kerry looks at me with than screwed up smile. He wants to do something naughty. He whispers in my ear…….

'Are you sure?'

'Yes. I don't think it will take me very long.'

The bed is so narrow, everything is a problem, except this. One body on top of another works, apart from Kerry's whole weight on my tummy. He's four inches shorter than I am and pretty lean but he still weighs heavy on me, but in these circumstances I have no objection to his weight on me. None at all. He's on his back and balanced on top of my chest and tummy, his legs each side of mine with his head just to the side of my face so we fit pretty well. I told him to keep his knickers on, albeit one hand inside them, but apart from that, he's lovely, lithe and naked.

I'm holding the phone in front of my face as still as I can and set the camera to video.

'You can start now.' I said, tapping the camera into motion.

He was quiet to begin with but that didn't last long. He was about a minute into it when the sounds began. He's a three-fingers and a thumb man due to being quite small. I'm a whole fist merchant which tells you a bit more about me. I've got just the one hand free and I know what I want to do with it.

'Shush up Kerry!' I whispered. 'Someone's going to hear this if we're not careful.'

That worked to some extent, but what was left was quieter, and perfectly exquisite and described his gradual progress to the finishing line perfectly, even down to the warning just before the end. Those magic words I say in my head……I'm coming. And when that moment did come a few seconds later, with several audible exhalations of warm breath, it was not quite what I expected. I expected nothing.

I watched his chest rise and fall as he eeked out the last fading sensation whilst drawing in more deep breaths. Meanwhile my position has altered, in a nice way. I had pulled his little pants out of his way once his fiddling became more serious and he wanted to get on with things. I had decided mine were an unnecessary barrier to what I thought I might discover if he slipped down my body any further. Whether my new position hastened the event, I will need to ask him when the dust has settled, but it has sown the seed as I pushed up into his buttocks. I thought back to the Good Book and remembered that particular paragraph that dealt with this position. I reckon this is the one for us, should we ever get there. He did get there but didn't. Kerry is the lucky one, this time.

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The Bus Stop

by Rafael Henry

Chapter 10