The Long Road chapter 1

Jay looked up from his computer as he heard the side door close. “Hey, baby. How was your day?”

Kyle dropped into a chair, looking down at the floor, not saying a word, which was highly unusual for the outgoing, happy-go-lucky Kyle. Jay knelt at Kyle’s feet. “What’s wrong, baby?” Kyle looked at Jay, noticeably upset as he handed him a letter.

Mr. Matthews,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the school board has decided to terminate your after-school science club due to lack of funds effective immediately.

Please inventory all materials, supplies, books and equipment and have it to me by the end of the week.

A roster of students in the science club needs to be provided to the office no later than Tuesday afternoon so that letters can be sent to the parents of each child participating in the program. Your students are to be informed immediately.

Joe Benson,

Principal

“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry, baby. I’ve kind of been expecting this since they ran out of money to finish the football stadium, but at the same time hoping I was wrong and that this wouldn’t happen.” Jay put his arms around Kyle, placing one hand on the back of his head and holding him tightly, gently rocking him back and forth. “What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know. The club was all that some of these kids had. They really looked forward to it, and it helped a lot of them improve their grades.”

“What about going to the principal and discussing it?”

“It wouldn’t do any good. His motto is jocks rule, all others drool. He’s just been looking for an excuse to shut down any and all non-athletic extra-curricular activities. Now it looks like he’s found one.”

“What about pleading your case to the school board?”

“It’s worth a shot. Also, I can write letters to each kid’s parents. I’m going to fight this.”

“That’s the spirit. Would you like some help with the letters? I’d love to tell the school board off, that bunch of self-serving, self-important hypocrites!”

“Cool. How about you write the letter to the school board while I write the letter to the parents? If I do the school board letter, I’ll probably get fired.”

The next couple of hours passed in relative silence as the two men concentrated on their individual tasks, stopping only for a small bite to eat.

“Why don’t you get changed? I have a surprise for you.” Jay said slyly after they each read and approved the other’s letters.

“Really, and what would that be?” Kyle asked his curiosity piqued.

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it? Now go change into some shorts."

Kyle opened his mouth to protest, but was immediately admonished. "Go!" Jay commanded as he grabbed him by the shoulders, spun him around and gave him a shove towards their bedroom.

Kyle went and changed into shorts and a form-fitting tank top, emerging from the bedroom a few minutes later. Jay’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of the blond Adonis emerging from their bedroom. After all these years, Kyle still had the power to take his breath away. “Okay, so now will you tell me what the surprise is?”

“Nope, I have to show you.”

“Okay, Jayson, what are you up to?”

“Oh, about six-two" Jay replied, giggling.

Jay's reply triggered the smart-ass in Kyle. "Gee...I didn't know they stacked shit that high."

"Keep it up, smart-ass and you won't get your surprise."

"If I don't get my surprise, you won't get any tonight."

Upon hearing this threat, Jay quickly capitulated, even though he knew that, given Kyle's sexual appetite, it was an empty threat. He was actually anticipating one of their all-night sessions, once Kyle dug into the oysters-on-the-half-shell, which usually drove the perpetually horny Kyle into insatiability. He held out his hand to Kyle, who took it, their fingers intertwining. “Close your eyes and come with me.” Jay led him out the back door and down the path to their private beach. “Stand there for a minute and keep your eyes closed.” He lit several tiki torches that surrounded a large blanket spread out on the beach. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

Kyle’s mouth dropped open as he opened his eyes and saw the surprise that Jay had prepared. “Oh, wow!” was all he could say.

Jay took Kyle into his arms. “Kyle, five years ago today was our first date. The past five years have been the best and happiest years of my life.” He said, tears in his eyes. “I can’t imagine what my life would have been without you. I love you so much it hurts.”

Kyle pulled away just far enough so that he could look Jay in the eyes. “I-I don’t know what to say. I’m overwhelmed.” He looked at him for a few more moments then pulled him into a rib-crushing embrace. “You don’t know how much I need this right now.” All the bitter disappointment and anger he felt over the cancellation of his science club came out in the form of violent trembling. Jay held him tightly, whispering words of love and support in his ear until the trembling stopped. An exhausted Kyle was gently lowered to the ground. A man of very deep feelings and strong emotions, Kyle felt ashamed to have ruined what was supposed to have been a very special evening. “I’m so sorry, honey. You obviously went through a great deal of trouble to prepare all of this and I spoiled it.”

Jay took Kyle’s face in both hands and kissed him tenderly. “You haven’t spoiled anything. Kyle, you are a wonderful, compassionate, caring, loving person. That’s just one of many things I love about you. Another thing I love about you is that you come to me when you’re hurting. That makes me feel loved, wanted and needed, and I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

“I love you so much Jay that there are a lot of times that all I can think about is being in your arms. I don’t know what I ever did to make you fall in love with me. Hold me, please.”

“Like you need to ask” Jay said. He took Kyle into his arms as they lay back on the blanket. He held him until they fell asleep safe and secure in each other’s arms.

Kyle awoke about an hour later. Looking at Jay’s sleeping form his heart skipped a couple of beats. Whatever did I do to deserve him? He asked himself, peeking into the cooler. He went through so much trouble to prepare all this. I have to do something to show him how much I love him and appreciate all of this. I know…He gently disentangled himself and quietly slipped away until he was far enough from Jay that he could sprint back to the house, where he went into the garage and took a brightly-wrapped package from its hiding place. I was saving this for his birthday, but I can get him something else.

He returned to the beach just as Jay was stirring. “Where’d you run off to?”

“I just had to get something from the house.”

“What was that?”

“This.” He handed the package to Jay “Happy anniversary of our first date.”

“Wow” he responded, taking the package from him. “I didn’t think you remembered.”

I didn’t, but I’m not going to hurt your feelings by telling you I had forgotten. Oh, what I wanted to do to you the day we first met. Or more accurately, what I wanted you to do to me.

Jay opened the package and his mouth dropped open. He gave Kyle a look of total disbelief. Inside the package was a really expensive gold watch that Jay had wanted for a very long time, but couldn’t justify spending the money for it. “I don’t know what to say. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“I take it that you like it.”

“Like it? That’s the understatement of the millennium! How can I ever thank you?”

”Oh, I think you know how.” Kyle said mischievously, lying back and opening his arms. Jay fell into them immediately and kissed him soundly. Making love on the beach under the stars, Kyle forgot all about the events of that day.

  

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