A.C. Katt's Blog, page 9

Second Excerpt - A Matter of Trust

Prologue – A Matter of Trust
In slow degrees, the tow-headed boy woke up on the hard floor. A faint moan, an eyelid twitch, a soft flutter of pale lashes, and then a blue eye opened face-to-antenna with a cockroach. The Sears Tough skin jeans he opened as his birthday gift two days ago felt wet around the crotch and smelled of both urine and feces. His new plaid shirt with the pearl cowboy buttons was torn and bloody. He swallowed hard, past the dry lump the size of a baseball stuck in the back of his throat. He opened his left eye, the one nearest to the bug. It looked as if his bone stuck out of his shirt, a handhold under his elbow; the right arm bent at an unnatural angle just below the tear.
It took a few additional seconds for the pain to hit, long enough for him to realize he did not know how he got here or why. Then, it struck, shock abated.
He hurt, bad. Even so, he knew enough not to cry out. He heard Mama pounding on the door of the bathroom and Aunt Mary in the distance, along with the whine of sirens. Then the pain took him away, and he rode it back to safety.
***
Sixteen years later, Brian Murphy awoke in his narrow bed, shivering despite the intense heat and humidity of a pre-dawn August morning in Trenton. Then he heard them, sirens in the streets. Tears streamed down his face, but his scream was silent.  He had had the nightmare. It was coming with greater frequency, sometimes with small snippets, sharp shards of memory. Despite attempts to consciously retain the images, he was unable to hold on to the details of his dream long enough to bring it into his conscious state. 
He looked at the small wind-up clock on the battered dresser. It was near enough to dawn for him to get up. He dressed quickly in a pair of beige Dockers and a blue shirt. Clipping his only tie, to the shirt, he opened the door. He carried a small kit bag to work and used it to shave in the lobby men’s room, thus avoiding the house’s bathroom and its attendant filth. Shaving in the bathroom at the house was just too dangerous; and it took too long in the morning to clean the porcelain sink thoroughly. Something as small as a shaving nick was an open invitation to the various and sundry fungal, viral and bacterial agents that grew in every corner of the room untreated by anything other this his own scrub brush, bleach and disinfectant.
He showered with rubber shoes and took forty-five minutes to disinfect the area before he took off so much as a sock. Even though minimal laundry service was included with the room, Brian carted his own laundry to the Laundromat every Saturday morning to make sure nothing crawled in and made a new home in his sheets or shorts. For his defiance of Miz James, the landlady, he was forced to pay an extra ten dollars a week. She explained to Brian, “After all, I’s expecting to get the forty from you tenants and if you too cheap to pay an ole lady, you just gonna pay for not taking the service.”



Brian was sure her tactics were illegal, but with the other seamy businesses-taking place right outside his door, this was nothing in comparison. Lacking the funds to move, Brian grit his teeth, smiled at the old witch and said something inane like, “My mother looks forward to doing my washing for me.” 
Miz James spit out, “Liar,” under her breath, but neither she nor he said anything aloud and thus, peace prevailed for another week.

Brian crept silently down the creaky stairs of the boarding house attempting to avoid Miz James’ undue attention while picking his way through empty syringes, broken beer and whiskey bottles and breathing through his nose to avoid the smell of vomit, stale cigarettes and urine. He kept a white-knuckled grip on his penlight and one eye on the stairs it lit. The other hand held onto the rickety railing. Brian did not want to fall and become accidently pierced by a dirty needle, a broken bottle or worse yet, stain his Dockers with human waste...he only had two pairs. He could not afford a conversation with his landlady this morning, not when he had a bit of extra time.
He was due at work in two hours at Drummond Real Estate, where he was employed as an Information Technology Specialist.
He decided to take the extra time his nightmare had occasioned by walking to work instead of taking the bus. It was only a few miles, however. by not taking the bus, he saved the bit of money he had for a cup of coffee and a day-old donut at the diner. This morning, he would not go hungry. Maybe it would be a good day.  

An Excerpt from Shattered Glass

Shattered Glass is a Rock and Roll romance which take place in New Jersey and New Mexico.  The book is a gritty and realistic portrayal of the world of young rockers and touring bands, sex, drugs and rock and roll.  The book isn't for the faint hearted as the story of Milo and Liam is one of both tragedy and redemption.  The book is not only about the lovers but also about the triumph of friendship over all else.  Here is an excerpt:

Can love survive and be rekindled when a heart is broken like Shattered Glass?
Liam caressed Milo’s cheek and hair. “What if this is all I ever wanted? What if all I want is you?”
Milo wanted Liam so much, but he felt an obligation to make sure his baby knew exactly what he asked. “You know as of this morning you no longer have any obligation to me, the band, or even the record company. You could go to college, even to Julliard. You have a genius for music. You don’t have to tie yourself to me.”
Liam stared into his eyes. “I know what I want. You are my Pied Piper.” Liam reached up and traced Milo’s lips and ran his fingers through his hair. “I love you, Milo. Only you, for always. Screw the party—I only want you.”
Milo lost control. No one could say he hadn’t done his duty by Lily’s son. He had loved his baby for too long to refuse him now. Milo took Liam’s hand and turned it up to meet his lips. He kissed his palm and worked his mouth up to the sensitive pulse point in his wrist. There, where the vein traveled straight up to his baby’s heart, he sucked up a mark. Liam reacted, unlacing Milo’s costume in frantic pursuit of his naked skin.Milo raised his hand to let Liam know they’d reached the hotel. The driver took them around to the back entrance. From there they took the elevator up to the suite.
As the doors closed, Milo pushed Liam against the mirrored walls. “I’ve had a hard-on for six years waiting for you, love,” he said as he ground their groins together. “Feel me.”
Liam placed wet kisses behind Milo’s ear and nipped at his earlobe. “I want you. I need you.”
Milo crushed Liam against him. “I need you too, baby.”

An Excerpt from A Matter of Trust

A Matter of Trust by AC KattDonald watched in his mind’s eye as his massive hands massaged the boy’s body with sweet scented almond oil, making love to his nipples and bare chest. His boy did not necessarily have a virgin ass, but it would be tight around his throbbing shaft. As Donald’s mind sunk into the whirlpool of his fantasy, his alternate persona, Master Bear of Indiscreet took hold.
Bear’s mouth would torment the balls bound with a cock ring and suck vigorously on his sub’s cock building pressure, so it leaked copious amounts of pre-cum, despite the tight fit of the leather harness surrounding the balls and base. Maybe, if the boy begged, he would add a weight or two to hang from the bindings. His boy had two nipples pierced. They had gone together to get it done.
Donald pictured a platinum chain connecting the piercings and smiled for the first time this morning. His cock rose rapidly as the familiar fantasy played. Throwing his head back, he pulled a long, hard stroke, dropping further into his daydream. He closed his eyes and pictured the scene. He grabbed at the bulbous head of his cock and stroked it to the script.
Bear honed his own skills in preparation for his boy by teaching Doms again. A picture-perfect Dominant in tight black silk and leathers highlighting what Antonio had called his kong-sized cock, Master Bear, the toughest Top in the state, hid a tender heart. He ratcheted up the heat as he pulled harder, while squeezing and rolling his balls in his other hand.His fantasy played on in his mind standing in front of the sink. He and the boy attended a function at Indiscreet. He stood, speaking to Reed. Jim Boy, Reed’s sub, stood behind Reed in a Standing Attention mode.
His boy knelt, legs parted revealing his long, thin, perfectly formed cock, encased in a cock ring that Donald had secured a few hours before. His head remained bowed, but his eyes were alert beneath his long lashes to watch so he could anticipate Donald’s smallest desire. The boy kept his hands locked behind his neck, with his ass poised on the back of his heels, his spine straight and showing no strain after holding his position for over two hours.
Donald tapped his trousers with the index finger of his left hand, once. The boy rose with effortless grace from Kneeling Attention to his knees and, keeping his eyes lowered to the floor, crawled to a position which placed his face at the center of Donald’s belt. He opened his Master’s belt and undid the closure to his tailored pants.
The fantasy in his head was echoed by his now erect member. Abundant streaks of clear pre-cum leaked from Donald’s thick cock head. He took his manicured thumb and pressed it into the slit, rubbing the liquid around the head. His shaft felt as hard and heavy as polished concrete over steel, Donald let the fantasy to play out to its inevitable conclusion.
Donald closed his eyes and imagined the boy as he reached into Donald’s dark silk boxers with hesitancy, waiting for his Papa’s permission. Although his boy loved to suck his Master, he knew sucking his Master’s cock came as a privilege given or withheld at Master’s discretion. He caressed the sub’s wavy, platinum hair, pressing down on his head in encouragement. Those long slender fingers cupped and kneaded Donald’s balls as the boy’s hot tongue engulfed his cock and worked its way down to his sacs with cat-like licks.
His boy learned in detail what his Master craved. He followed the licks by flicking his tongue up, down, and across the prominent veins on the underside of his shaft. He would then adjust his mouth around and under the head of his Master’s huge cock, until Donald shivered with need. Donald pulled his boy’s head closer. This amazing boy gave him total control over every aspect of their lives. All he asked for in return was his Papa Bear’s attention and care for his health and happiness.
Bear thought he received immeasurably more. He tapped his boy’s neck and the perfect oval of a mouth with wet pink lips swallowed the whole nine inches of Bears fat cock until it hit the back of his throat. He relaxed his throat muscles and suppressed his gag reflex, and then he began to massage his Master’s cock with the muscles in his throat. To do this, he had to trust in his Master to pull back and let him breathe. The fantasy felt so real to him he could feel the boy sucking his cock.
Bear took pride in the fact the boy placed his hands in a locked position behind his back. He knew the Master he loved would never harm him. Therefore, the boy would neither gag nor attempt to pull back, giving Donald the power and trust to do as he would. Donald would go deep, fucking his boy’s mouth with hard, swift strokes. He would come in streams and his boy would swallow it all and keep Donald in his mouth, licking around the head and shaft until Donald became soft, drained dry and depleted. When Donald ran a rifling touch through his hair, his boy straightened Donald’s clothes and resumed position, navy eyes shining up at his Master in adoration, love, and absolute trust.
Donald worked at his cock, and several strong pulls later, released. He came in long streaks all over the sink and countertop, leaving him shaken and holding onto the rim.
He knew his faults. Neither his face nor physique would win any competitions. He tried to even the playing field by the understated elegance of his surroundings and conservative panache of his wardrobe. Even if Bear would be more comfortable in jeans and leathers, he dressed like the Prince of Wales to convince himself of his own worth and prove to those who knew him back then, that now Donald Drummond was a man with whom to be reckoned. He finished cleaning the sink and vanity with a disposable wipe and whispered his request aloud.
“Give me a boy of my own. I need to be special to someone: A Papa Bear…” He had wasted enough time today on this foolishness, he really had to get…
A loud thump interrupted his thoughts, followed by the sound of a slight click. Seconds passed, then a muffled voice hissed, “Oh Shit...Fuck.” 

Free Reads - and A Rundown of My books

There are two free reads up on my blog, Like Thunder - The Sidthe Queen's Curse and A Permanent Arrangement.

The first is a short paranormal about a gay man cursed for not kissing the Sidthe Queen.  The second story chronicles the story of Colin and Bill, two gay men in New York City from 1952 onward.

Please take a look at them and if you like them consider purchasing my books. Shattered Glass is a rock and roll love story which looks at the seedier side of rock and roll in the context of two gay rock stars torn apart by their own lack of trust and they interference of sinister outside forces who once torn apart are forced to unite for one last song.

My second book chronicles the development of a BDSM lite novel about a real estate mogul and a boy in his mail room.  This book centers on the trust necessary not only in a BDSM relationship but in life and love.

New Short Story - A Permanent Arrangement

Comments on 1952 - Sean
Gramps said that the city smelt and felt different in 1952.  Sausage & Peppers, Mixed Pineapple & Papaya, Cigarette Smoke and Exhaust Fumes blended together with wet newspapers and garbage creating a unique order that said New York.  The end of the war brought about the beginning of the era of white flight. In the fifties, families fled Manhattan to the Jersey Shore unlike their pre-war counterparts who headed into Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island. It was a long commute, but the consensus was it was better "for the children." Gramps lived in Chelsea on Sixteenth between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.  It was a four story double-sided walkup.  He and Grandma had a front facing apartment on the second floor and Great Grandma Molly lived with Dad's sister Kate on the next floor up.Gramps was one of the Left behind, who didn't make it out to suburbia in the first wave, pre war.   Most of the families that stayed were the headed up by Union Men, AFL-CIO, teamsters, dockworkers, truckers, along with some firemen, policeman and sanitation workers.  They lived alongside the garment workers, department store clerks, and occasional artists, writers, musicians in Chelsea, along with the others who couldn't afford the pricier Greenwich Village and didn't want to live in the "so-called" East Village, which Gramps said, was a made up name for one of the nastier parts of the Lower East Side.  For their wives, life was the kids, the church, Tommy the Butcher, the A&P and the Laundromat.  Occasionally, they headed down to the Chinese on Seventh between Fifteenth and Sixteenth and got take out.  Most of them stayed home with the kids and dreamed of a house at the Jersey Shore or somewhere on Staten Island.  Life for the mostly Irish/German male population of Chelsea in '52 revolved around their jobs, their families, and depending on the particular male, his church or his bar.  For Gramps, it was Burns Tavern.  The local Taverns were a man's one escape from the female population of Chelsea.  No respectable woman would enter one; therefore, a man could relax, enjoy a cigarette or cigar and talk sports without someone nagging him to clean the windows or the carpet.***Colin, December 1952He worked four to twelve both tonight and tomorrow, and the following day was Christmas Eve...  That meant Christmas would be on Sunday and he still hadn't gotten Babs her Mucky Ducky.  He and Edna had argued again.  Momma came down to take Babs and his sister, Kate, came with her.  Kate, of course, took Edna's side.  Momma wouldn't interfere; but he'd be damned if he could understand why it would be such a sin for Kate to take one day off to go to his company's Christmas party with Babs.  They would be giving out gifts to the kids and door prizes to the adults and he and Edna hadn't danced together since the War was over.  Momma said she's watch the "little lambkin;" but Kate had a fit.  She told him in no uncertain terms that she lived in that apartment with Momma and had to put up with the brat five days a week and wasn't going to do it for six.  Edna didn't care if Babs missed the party and she absolutely refused to let Colin take her alone.  He had his usual reaction.  He stomped out of the house like a stupid child and headed out for Burns.  Colin wasn't a mean or a sloppy drunk, just a gregarious one.  He was a natural born storyteller, a raconteur.  This night, however, he had nothing to say.  He parked down on the last stool against the bar and asked for a Ballantine on tap with a Canadian Whiskey Chaser.  Putting a twenty on the bar, Colin instructed Dick, the bartender, to keep them coming. He sat on the stool at the end of the bar and got lost in the dark forest of his memories.  He was only seventeen when he figured out that Edna was interested in him.  Encouraged by his sister Kate to ask Edna out, he was stunned when she accepted his invitation.  Colin never could figure out why Edna wanted date, much less to marry him.  Kate had done everything she could to keep her family away from Edna and all of a sudden; she started to push them together just eight weeks before he was going to ship out to boot camp.  He had just turned eighteen. Colin was flattered that Edna, a woman of twenty-eight would be interested in a just turned eighteen year old.  However, Colin worked at grown men's jobs since his fourteenth birthday and always pulled his own weight.  He was proud of the fact she wanted him.  After all, she was educated, a Registered Nurse and he didn't finish grammar school.  They married the day before he shipped out and had a one-night honeymoon.Colin came home from the war in 1945 a lot wiser man than when he left.  They married in October and Edna wrote him in February that they had lost the baby she "conceived" on their one night honeymoon.  Soon after that, he spent two days holed up in an Italian Wine Cellar under German bombardment with nothing but Edna's letter and vino.  He crawled out of that cellar with three things; claustrophobia that would plague him the rest of his life, an alcohol problem, and the surety that Edna St. Clare, with his sister Kate's help, married him to provide a name for her bastard child.  Since both Colin and Edna were Catholic and there would be no divorce, he would only demand one thing out of his sham of a marriage, a child, his child.  It took quite a while for Edna to conceive until Colin went to the library and figured out how she avoided pregnancy.  The next month he carefully watched his wife's personal habits and kept track on a pocket calendar.  It took an additional six months; but by January of 1951, Babs was born.
Bill Teague came into Burns shaking the snow off his topcoat.  He found Colin at the end of the bar.  "Hey, Col, didn't you want one of these for Babs?  You didn't come in so I grabbed the last one.""Jesus Christ thanks Bill, I was so busy drowning my sorrows, I forgot to pick it up.  Edna bought the kid all these fancy clothes and dollies she couldn't touch, but all Babs asked for was Mucky Ducky." Colin said. Colin was not usually a maudlin drunk.  However, tonight he was a very lonely man.  Edna allowed him no close friends and the friends he had made before the war didn't realize he was somehow different than he was then.  He liked Bill Teague.   The man was an artist who worked part time in retail to get money for his supplies.  They met during the Spring Art Exhibit held in and around Washington Square Park.Colin took Babs for a walk faithfully every Saturday and Sunday so that Edna would have the time to "clean house and rest" before starting the workweek.  Colin didn't find Babs to be much trouble.  She was a happy baby and went anywhere he brought her so long as he carried her when she got tired.  Babs feel asleep on Colin's shoulder as they walked through the new exhibit.  Colin had even paid to have an artist do a profile of Babs in copper.  He would hide it from Edna because she'd call it clutter and throw it out. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find a tall lanky man holding a ball of wool that looked suspiciously like it came from his favorite sweater, the one he had on.  "What did you do, bud."  Colin scowled at Teague."I didn't do anything, Mister, I'm afraid it's your wee one that's making your sweater back into yarn.""She's asleep,"  Colin replied.  "Has been for the last hour.""And for the last thirty minutes that I've been following you, she's been twitching her little thumb and rubbing it under her nose with yarn.  I'm Bill Teague, an artist of sorts.  I'd like to sketch the little one doing that to your sweater.""I'm Colin Kelly.  If I let you sketch me, the guys on the platform won't ever let me forget it, but I like the idea of you sketching Babs.  She's cute as a button.  But I could never tell her mother.  She'd say I was making her vain."  Colin faced reddened, as if he knew he said too much."Maybe I could just show your back and her head to the side.  But I don't know why any mother wouldn't be proud to show her off, she's adorable."  Colin chuckled. "Yeah, she is that.  Tell you what, we walk the Village every Saturday and spend Sundays in the park.  I drink at Burns.  Now you know where to find me.  I'll think on it."***Bill knew that his Colin was in bad shape from the moment he walked into the bar.  From the looks of it, Colin didn't make it in to work and sat at Burns for eight hours steadily downing shots and beers.  Bill eyed Dick and asked if Colin had eaten.  He couldn't let him go home like this because Edna would have his guts for garters and not let him out with Babs for a few weeks.  That would kill his Colin.  Bill Teague was hopelessly in love with Colin Kelly and had been since he had seen the blond haired, blue-eyed man with wide shoulders at the Art Show.  Those shoulders wide enough to rest a baby's body and arms strong enough to carry her for hours were enough to send his errant cock into instant attention.  Bill went and did the unforgivable in his community; he fell for a straight man.  Although sometimes, like tonight, he wasn't exactly sure how "straight" Colin really was.  In the past months, Bill spent many days walking along with Colin and Babs.  The better he got to know "his man and his baby" the more he loved them both. Colin aced fatherhood.  He loved his Babs feverishly.  But he knew enough that she needed room to explore.  In the almost two years since Babs had arrived, the two of them had toured most of lower Manhattan.  Growing up in the city, Colin new everyone.  Babs had sat on Lucky Luciano's lap and danced to the quarters he put in the jukebox in a pastry shop in little Italy.  She ate Chinese in Chinatown and Colin found she loved Won Ton Soup.   A few weeks away from two, she spoke clearly, albeit in a squeaky voice.  She remembered the names of the people she liked…In other words, Babs Kelly was a lot like her Daddy and she loved him as fiercely as he loved her.  Bill came to Babs' first birthday party. It was a memorable event. Babs took her first fumbling steps across the room because her beloved Daddy had another little girl on his lap.  As Bill read the situation, Babs already figured out that her mother was at best indifferent to her welfare and at her worse an active detractor. So Babs held on to Colin tightly, knowing he was all she had.Dick got the kitchen to reheat the lamb stew they had on the menu for supper and Bill made Colin eat every spoonful.  Colin asked Bill if he could keep Mucky Ducky until tomorrow and said he'd pick him up just after the party at work.  Bill sighed but let Colin have his way.  Bill and Dick poured Colin into a taxi and sent him home.Dick was old school Irish and blunt as a hammer.  "Teague, you're not blatant about it, so I don't mind you coming in to drink with Colin, but does he know you're a faggot son?""No, Dick.  I'm just his friend and God knows, he needs one.""Yeah, between Edna and that bitch of a sister, Colin doesn't have much of a life.  Don't make it worse for him Teague, or we'll all make it worse for you.""Understood."When Colin didn't show up the next day for Mucky Ducky, Bill knew something was wrong; Colin wouldn't forget about the duck for Babs no matter how hung over he was.  Bill grabbed a cab (he never did acquire the talent of whistling for one) and he and Mucky Ducky rode over to Colin's apartment.He pushed the buzzer and got no answer.  Then, he saw a little head just over the window to the courtyard, her eyes lit up and the buzzer rang back.  Bill took the stairs two at a time and Babs was waiting with the apartment door open.  He little face was dirty with dust and tear tracks.  She took Bill's hand and pulled him over to the couch.  There was Colin; covered by debris from a collapsed plaster ceiling that was soaked with water.  Bill remembered Kate lived upstairs.  He pulled the plaster chunks off Colin and ascertained that he was still breathing.  He then took Babs into the bathroom and gave her a bath.  They made coffee in the kitchen and eventually Colin woke to the smell.  Colin and Bill said nothing to each other, but both of them knew that Kate and Edna had planned this together.  If Babs had snuck up on the couch to curl up against her Daddy, the plaster chunks that barely left a lump on Colin's hard head might have killed her.  Bill knew at that moment, what Dick had tried to tell him the night before.  His heart was breaking in two.  He wouldn't be sharing time with Colin and Babs any longer.*** 1959
Bill hesitated at the top of the steps.  He hadn't been in the bar in a few years.  Burns Tavern had expanded. They now had a dining room that served Irish comfort food to the neighborhood.  There were more women in the establishment now.  They came with their husbands for a night out.  The actual bar served as a refuge for Dick's long-term clientele.  Thick smoke hung in the air over the "bar" part of the establishment.  It was obvious that Dick wanted to rid himself of the "old" crowd and plug in to the new family dining out concept.  Dick flicked his thumb to the end of the bar.  There was a man slumped over the rail.  Uncontrollable sobs racked his body.  He looked disheveled, even dirty; although there seemed to be enough money on the bar to pay his tab.  Dick motioned Bill over to the "hostess" stand.  "Get him out of here before I have to throw him out.  I'm sorry.  You are the only one I could call.""It's okay, Dick, I know how much upset that poor sorry bastard must have cost you to reduce you to the low of calling in a queer to help out."  Bill sneered."Get his ass out of here before I call a cop to do it.  It would kill him to have Babs know that and you know Edna would tell her, first thing.""You are just as much a hypocritical bastard as Edna is a hypocritical bitch, Dick; but I'll take care of Colin for old times sake.""Colin…come on baby, it's Bill.  I'm taking you home.""Missed you Bill.  Can't go home, don't have one.  The smaller man shrugged his shoulders.  Even Dick doesn't want me anymore.  Why'd you leave me, Billy?  You just stopped being my friend.  You left, and my Babs were all I had….Jesus, Billy, Momma died and she sent Babs away to Catholic Boarding School.  Babs hates it." Colin began to sob quietly."Come on Colin, let's get out of here.  We'll go to my place and get you clean and sober.  Then we'll talk and see what we can do."  Bill carefully supported Colin until he stood on his own and supported his arm allowing him to leave with dignity on his own two feet.Bill Teague was a "name" in New York City's Art Community.  He worked in all mediums, oils, pastels, stone and clay.  He played with casting bronze.  He didn't need money.  His parents had passed leaving him a huge trust fund and collectors and museums alike sought after his work.  He wasn't satisfied with the current intensity of his work and knew he never would be until he could be with the man he loved or fall in love with someone else.  He hadn't seen Colin since Christmas Eve in 1952 when he almost gave it all away.  Colin would have been horrified, so rather than have Colin look at him the way Dick did; he opted out of Colin's life.  And now, again close to Christmas, he found himself propelled back into it.Bill owned a double townhouse on the square with a huge loft on the fourth floor for his art projects.  The stoop was high as the original kitchen and servants' area were in the lower levels. Admittedly, the house was worth much more than he paid for it.  The Powers that Be considered that the city was going downhill and spoke about White Flight, leaving architectural gems to be picked up by the "queers" at bargain basement prices.He got Colin down the stairs to the back entrance by the kitchen.  He quickly put together the ingredients for an urn of coffee.  He made it the way he knew Colin liked it strong and thick.  He removed Colin's Navy snorkel. Street salt and mud fell off in chunks on the kitchen floor. Underneath was a quilted vest with snaps, followed by a rough plaid shirt, a thermal shirt and a plain T-shirt.  Colin made no protest as Bill pulled off each layer.  "Drink more of the coffee, Colin."  Bill said, urging the mug into his hand."I don't remember ever being here, Bill.  Why was I never here?  What did I do to you to make you hate me, never could figure it out.  And yet, now, when I'm completely on my ass, you came.  Why Bill?""Strip off your lower half, Colin.  I'll run you a tub.  You get clean and into a robe and I'll fix us something to eat.  Then, you can tell me what happened to you tonight and I'll tell you what happened to me six years ago.  Deal?"  Bill asked."Deal."  Colin answered.  "I missed you, Bill, more than you know; I missed you.""Towels in the bathroom, Col.  We'll talk."  Bill was glad Colin went into the bathroom quickly.  He almost lost it.  There had been men, many men in the last six years and endless stream of men; but none of them were Col.  He stood over the washer as he spot cleaned and Wisked Col's clothes.  They were almost rags.  How long had he been on the streets?  Why hadn't Dick called him sooner?  He came out of the laundry room and back into the kitchen.  It was still set up in the old style white tiled walls trimmed with black with the black and white tiled floor.  He thought of Babs when he bought this place.  Hopscotch.  Colin came out of the bath wearing Bill's robe.  It hung about 7 inches too long on his much smaller frame.  Colin looked shamefaced but feisty.  Colon fought to catch his breath, his breathing labored.  Once Bill got him settled, he was calling the Doctor.  He was sure Colon had pneumonia."Dick called you?"  Colin asked."Yeah."  Bill answered."Why, you've ignored me for six years?"  "Because he knew I'd come," Bill answered quietly.Colin shook his head in disbelief, "Why would you come?  How did he know that?""He just did," Bill said.  "Why don't you tell me what happened to you.  I promise I'll fill in the blanks when you finish."Colin began to sputter in protest.  Bill held up his hand.  "You have to go first, because when you hear what I have to stay; you may leave and I'll never know about you, about Babs…" "Do you have some cream for this sludge?"  Colin asked."That's how you like it."  "Doesn't mean I don't want to dress it up. But, unlike the coffee, I can't dress this one up.  I missed our friendship, hell; it was the only one I had not dictated by Edna.  Momma died last year."  Col's voice cracked a bit.  He started to cough, racking, hard coughs.  It sounded like his lungs were rattling."I'm so sorry, Col.""It was quick, a stroke.  You know she minded Babs during the day while Edna slept.  Edna got a twelve to eight shift that paid more at the hospital.  Momma was taking Babs to pre-school, and then kindergarten Edna would pick her up after school.  I would take her upstairs to Momma's apartment just before I left for my twelve to eight and it would all begin again the next morning.  I was worried about Momma."  "Kate was also playing the hypochondriac.  She was in bed all of the time and had Momma waiting on her hand and foot.  Babs always watched Momma comb her hair.  Momma's hair reached below her waist, at 73 there still was a lot of it.  All that Babs remembered was that Kate called, Momma told her to go and see what Kate wanted.  When Babs came back, Momma was on the floor.  Kate didn't believe her and the poor poppet just started to scream and scream until I came home at 8:00.  Everything seemed to fall apart after that."  Col chest began to spasm again."How long you had that cough, Col?"  Bill asked."Since I left the house, I haven't been able to get warm.  I was home sick when it all started."  Col said.  "Let me lay out the rest of it Bill, while I still have the strength to sit upright. Edna didn't want to change shifts, so I did.  I got one of the Hennessey girls down the street to watch Babs from 3:00 when she came home from school until 4:30 when I arrived.  Edna had her enrolled in sleep away camp during the summer for six weeks and followed that up with another day camp.  My sister, who was unable (so she said) to support herself came to live with us despite my protests.  Edna gave her Babs' room and Babs had to move to the couch."  "I strenuously objected to Babs being displaced by my sister but Edna ignored me.  By September, Edna again, over my objections, had Babs enrolled in a Catholic Boarding School up in Westchester County.  It takes an hour to get there by train.""She hates it, Bill.  They all have parents that contribute to their building fund. They know Edna is a poser; a wannabe.  When Babs did make some fancy friends, Edna wouldn't let them come see her at the apartment because Edna was ashamed.  When she went back to school, they all knew that Edna's mother was ashamed of where they lived.  The nuns started treating her like dirt. Babs called that night.  She was crying so hard she could barely speak.  She begged me to come home.  I promised her, Bill, I promised to see what I could do.  I gave Edna an ultimatum.  I said she had to bring Babs home or I would report her for sneaking all the drugs out of the hospital for my sister.  She just laughed at me and threw me out."All of the accounts, everything is in her name.  I only have what I earn and she is petitioning the court for separation and support.  I didn't even have enough in my pocket for a furnished room.  She'd been laying the groundwork for years.  With Momma gone their were no more obstacles; I guess I managed to move up her timetable.""I got paid today.  I thought about getting that room and a hot meal, being clean and seeing the doc, then I thought, for what.  I didn't have Babs; I had lost you long ago."  The tears began pouring down his cheeks.  "I never told you six years ago, Bill.  I should have, but I never did.  I've had feelings for you.  Feelings that aren't right. Ever since that day we spent putting together Babs' duck after the ceiling caved in, I realized I was never really attracted to women.  If I had been, I would have cheated on Edna years ago.  But you, you I would lie, cheat and steal for Bill; and not give a damn.  I'll never get Babs' back.  Edna's got that locked up tight.  She hired some fancy assed lawyer.  They won't let me on the grounds of the school to see her.  Edna has them convinced that I'm a drunken menace.  Six years ago, I had something to offer you Bill.  Now I'm a drunk in truth.""Oh Baby," the bigger man pulled Colin off his chair and into his lap, "All I ever needed or wanted was you and Babs. We are a pair of gay men and even if we weren't gay, the mother usually gets custody of the children.  But, Baby, I have enough money to throw around to get you visitation.  Especially if you're willing to go and dry out.  It will be tough, but I know you can.  I love you, Colin Kelly, I always have."Bill stood, lifting them both out of the chair and walked up the stairs.  Another flight and they stood on a landing with three doors.  Bill said they were connecting suites with a powder room in the middle.  Bill stood for a moment to think, and then in a shaky voice said to Colin, "Where do you want to stay.  This suite connects to mine, but there are others upstairs.""I don't want to stay upstairs; I don't want to stay next to you, Bill I want to lie in your arms.  I want you to make love to me.  I want to be touched by someone who wants me, not someone else from years passed.  I want you so bad.  Please let me stay with you."  Then, turning his head into Bill's chest, Colin did something totally unexpected, he grabbed Bill's cock and said, "Let's go to bed, I want to taste this."   July 1969
Once Colin went through detox, Bill talked him into returning to school.  Colin didn't want to take money from Bill, but Bill told him it was a loan.  Colin didn't know that Bill made sure everything he owned would eventually pass to Colin and Babs.  It only took Colin two years to graduate from NYU with a Bachelor's Degree in English.  Bill wanted Colin to continue on for his Masters Degree, but Colin had other ideas.  He picked up an old typewriter from the Salvation Army Store on Fourteenth Street and in less than two months; churned out a military potboiler.  Now both Colin and Bill made a splash around the gay artsy crowd.   The Stonewall Riots politicized the neighborhood.  Colin joined the groups working quietly behind the scenes to improve the conditions of gay and lesbian life.  Until January of this year, he hadn't had an "unsupervised" visit with Babs.  He knew the road he chose was rough, but his gut burned to make it better for those who followed.  Since January, Babs made regular trips into Manhattan with her friends to "shop."  They never saw the inside of Macy's and always came straight to "Uncle Billy's."  Babs' friends loved Colin.  She hung with a theater crowd and the fact that Billy was an artist and Colin a novelist gave his Babs some cache.  She never spoke about her life with Edna and Kate.  They had moved to New Jersey back in 1960 to thwart the court imposed visitation, but Billy's lawyer didn't let them get away with it. However, Babs had never been able to talk to him frankly about her life.  He worried, but when Bill held him in his arms every night, he could make Colin forget the whole ugly world out there.  He remembered the first time they made love.  He had a virgin ass, hell, he had a virgin everything.  He only knew he wanted to touch Bill and run his mouth and tongue over his skin.  He wanted Bill to fill him, and although he was afraid of the pain, he wanted Bill to possess him completely.Bill laid Colin out on the bed, removing his robe and then let his own drop to the floor.  He lay down beside Colin and began to worship his lips with his tongue.  It hadn't taken Colin very long to pick up on the technique and soon he was kissing Bill with just as much enthusiasm.  Bill ran his long arms up and down Colin's smaller body; stopping at his tight little ass.  Bill pulled Colin in closer and reached under his pillow for the lube.  He poured some oil into his hands and proceeded to slick up his cock and then Colin's.  Bill ground his pelvis against Colin's.  Both cocks were shafts of steel with Bill's being longer and thicker.  Colin's cock was average in size, but what nature had not give in length and girth she compensated for with a very active mouth and golden hands.  Colin was shocked his hands could make Bill shiver with need.Babs was due that weekend and was bringing a boyfriend.  Colin was concerned that they would disgust her Michael, but Bill told him that any man Babs loved would understand and the kind of man Babs needed would accept their relationship with little hesitation.   Because they had guests coming for the weekend, Colin planned to seduce Bill tonight.  Bill had been in his studio all afternoon.  When he came down the stairs, Colin presented him with a tray of Oysters Rockefeller and caviar, egg and toast.  He had prepared Caesar Salad, and Duck in Plum Sauce stuffed with foie de Grasse.   He had actually attempted a trifle and although it looked a little messy, he was sure it would taste fine.  Colin always looked to please Bill.  Bill was his "Top."  Although their relationship was much looser than the term implied.  Colin looked around with satisfaction.  This setup would buy him a blowjob, and a hard fuck up the ass if he weren't mistaken, he rubbed his hands in anticipation.   ***                It was after eleven and Bill had crawled out of bed to get a drink of water.  Colin had just about worn him out and he loved it.  Never, in the last ten years, did he believe he made a mistake in loving Colin Kelly.  They had had hard times and good times but they always managed to pull through together.  Even that old bastard of a homophobe Dick came to their home and grudgingly approved of their relationship.  Bill was a bit more cynical than Colin who believed that Dick had seen the light.  Bill knew the population of the area was turning liberal and young and that Burns Tavern couldn't afford to antagonize the next generation of customers. Burns had a changed atmosphere.  The "old guard" would buy drinks and meals for the struggling artists, artisans and theater people.  They in turn would make sure the old guard got tickets to everything they appeared in, even after them "made it."  When the phone rang, Bill pounced to get it.  Colin stayed up all last night finishing his latest military novel.  He had moved on to the politics of the present war and he was bothered by what he saw, it was too similar to the last few abortions.  After finishing the novel, he stayed up all day planning Bill's surprise.  Bill wanted him to get more sleep before Babs arrived with "the boyfriend” because he was beginning to become worried about Colin's health.  He picked up the phone and a chill ran down his spine, no good news ever came by phone after midnight.  He and Colin sat side by side in the waiting room of Saint Vincent's on Eleventh Street.  Bill had an impression of intuitional green walls with a lot of old wood paneling.  There were crosses everywhere and stained glassed windows.  The Doctor had already come out and pronounced Michael, Babs' boyfriend, dead.  Babs was in critical condition.  Michael's parents made their way over to Colin.  Colin didn't let go of Bill's hand.  The mother, a soft-spoken blonde with cow brown eyes took hold of Colin's other hand.  "I'm Marna, Michael Sr. and I loved her just as much as Junior did.  Please listen to me, Mr. Kelly.  There is something that needs to be done.  Bill sat up straighter and pinched Colin so he would pay attention to the quiet spoken women.  Babs' mother was a mean selfish bitch.  Our Michael was six years older than she was and tried to watch out for her since they met.  He told us he fell in love with her when he first laid eyes on her.  When we met your daughter, we knew why.  Her mother threw her out of the house tonight, literally laid hands on her in violence."  "She's was and I hope still is, pregnant.  They were coming to see you and planning to get married in Maryland.  They wanted you to accompany them and us to meet them there.  If something happens to Babs, Edna's going to try to get custody so she and Kate will have another live-in maid.  Don't let it happen, Mr. Kelly."      "We are going to sign Michael's rights over to you.  Michael Senior has an extremely bad heart and because of that, we can't get custody.  We know about your lifestyle; but we are not judgmental.  We know Edna.  But Babs loved you.  Michael would have wanted it that way.  Please don't let Edna get my Michael's child."Colin looked at Bill in a state of disbelief.  "Bill…""I love her too, Baby.  We'll do whatever needs to be done…"  with that Bill Teague kissed Colin Kelly right in front of God and Everyone; as if they had the right, the same right and privilege to love as the rest of humanity.Babs was pale when they were finally let in to see her.  She only asked for one thing.  Please Daddy, Billy, make them keep me alive until Michael's baby is born.  Bring me lawyer's papers, I want to make sure that Edna never gets her filthy hands on my baby.  Babs fell back on the pillow her breathing shallow as if she exerted a major effort. Bill called his lawyer the next day and papers were drawn and signed by the Domechis, in their son Michael's stead, and by a very weak Babs.  The last signatures were Colin's and Bill's.  Colin murmured to Bill, "Are you sure about this.  You've done so much for us already.""Don't you get it yet, Colin Kelly?  I love you.  She's as much my daughter as yours and I will do anything to put her mind at ease.  Including calling one of your friends from the old neighborhood to take care of Edna, if necessary."***  May 30, 2004"Gramps, you better get your ass in gear, if you want to make it to the wedding on time."  Shouted Sean."Who are you calling Gramps old man.  Between you and your twin sister you have six of your own with two more on the way."  Grumbled Colin.  "I have no idea why you and Aileen decided to make such a big deal of this.""Never mind, old man, it is a big deal and you know it."  Sean chocked up.  "Come on now, put on the tux.""Where is your sister?"  Asked Colin."She's with Billy."  Sean answered."What about Kevin and the Bride to Be?"  Colin asked."Don't worry about that Gramps, Aileen and my Girls are taking care of that." Sean answered."Gramps, did I ever tell you how much Aileen and I loved you and Billy.  How much we appreciated you taking us in and raising us.  From what I've heard from Dad's mom, Aileen and I were blessed to have you."Aileen walked into the beautiful seaside suite.  The kids insisted that the wedding take place in Provincetown, why, Colin had no clue.  "He's right, Gramps.  We were very, very lucky and we love you and Pop Pop more than we can say.""You look just like your mother, Aileen.  And you, the man your father would have grown into.""I know Mom loved both you and Pop Pop.  Grandma Marna always told us how she loved you, Billy and our Dad.  It's time, Gramps."Aileen gave Gramps a kiss and left the room.  "I'm to escort you downstairs, Gramps.""Where's Aileen going and where is Billy?""Aileen is going to check up on Billy and help the girls with Kevin.  Come on now, we'll be late."***Kevin maneuvered Colin to one side of the small wedding chapel.  He stopped briefly to straighten Colin's tie; gave Colin a little push and Colin found himself standing next to his Billy before a Justice of the Peace.  He turned, and all of his extended friends and family filled the chapel.  His friends from his GLBT group, stood side by side with Joe, Tony and Dick from Burns Tavern.  The editors, publishers and his agent were side by side with his former trucker friends.  All of Billy's Art Crowd were mingled among them.  Billy took his Colin's chin between his fingers and said, "Maybe I should have asked before I set all this up, but, Colin…" Here 87 year old Billy tried to get down on his knees…""Get up you old fool and spare your knees.  I've loved you for over 50 years; would I be saying no to you now?  I love you Billy Teague.""I assume you've got the rings, Sean.""Yes, Gramps.""Then let's make this a permanent arrangement."
Summer 2008”Aileen, do you think we did the right thing with the headstone?" Sean asked."Yeah, we did the right thing.  Both Gramps and Pop Pop swore they had never lived until they met each other.  This was the way they would have wanted it.  And they are resting right next to Mom and Dad.""I suppose you're right. Mom missed so much by being tied to Edna.  At least she found Dad."  Sean answered."God, I miss them already.  Do you think our kids and grandkids will miss us as much when we go?"  Aileen asked."Actually, I do.  We had two pretty great examples."

William TeagueandColin Kelly1952 to 2008A Permanent Arrangement