The Farmer and Dale Chapter 12

The Farmer and Dale

Chapter 12

The next morning, after showers and breakfast, Gerald, Steven and James packed and left for Illinois. Steven called the company he employed to look after the house to tell them that they were leaving. They would see that the refrigerator was emptied and that everything else was put to rights for their next visit. James again employed the use of the company jet so they were not constrained by the need for commercial transport.

There was a car waiting for them at the airport and they arrived at Dale and Rick's, all smiles and totally relaxed. The younger men came out of the house in a rush to welcome them. They were amazed at the change in Gerald. The pale, solemn man who had left so reluctantly had been replaced by a tanned, laughing man who glowed with health and well being.

Gerald greeted his sons, for he considered Dale his son as well as Rick, with hearty hugs. James and Steven were also treated to hugs from Rick and Dale. Gerald's bags were unloaded from the trunk and they all headed into the house. Dale quickly brewed up a pot of coffee and brought out an apple pie.

"You must have just baked this one," Gerald quipped. "Rick never wastes time polishing off your pies."

"You're right about that," Dale answered. "He usually manages to finish one off in two days." He gave Rick an impish grin.

"Hey, I have help, you know," Rick defended himself. "As I recall, you eat your fair share."

The three older men looked on, amused by this bit of teasing.

"That's right I guess," Dale admitted. "As I remember, we had the last one in bed. You were wearing it and I was eating it."

"Dale!" Rick's cheeks flushed crimson.

Gerald and James began laughing. Steven had just taken a sip of his coffee and narrowly avoided spitting a mouth-full at Dale's outrageous remark. As it was, he did a bit of sputtering and coughing.

James rubbed his back. "You ok, babe?"

Steven nodded then cleared his throat. "Apple pie? We should have tried that in Florida."

James and Gerald stared at him open mouthed and actually blushed. Dale and Rick exchanged grins.

"Um, Dad?" Rick began. "Is there something you want to tell us?"

"No, and don't even go there, Son," Gerald warned. He turned a jaundiced eye to Steven. "You should know better, now these two are going to be hounding me for details."

"No we won't," Dale told him quietly. All eyes turned to Dale. "We don't need to know how or why, we're just happy you're back."

Rick nodded his agreement and the moment was saved.

Gerald rose and took his boys into his arms for a three way hug. "I've surely missed you. It's all right now, boys. Everything's all right."

The kitchen was filled with a deep, comfortable silence. Love gathered them into its sphere, holding them safe and warm.

Gerald released Dale and Rick. "I miss her, but she's in my heart and I know a part of her will always be with me, with us.” A growing smile curved his lips. “So now, who’s up for a barbeque?”

There was a round of laughter and more than one excited “oh yeah”. It was decided that James and Steven would spend the night. Gerald too was going to stay over. Rick and Dale made a mad dash to the grocery for steaks and raided the deli for pasta salad, macaroni and cheese and baked beans. They also bought some fresh bags of salad greens and a case of beer.

By the time they got home with their purchases, Gerald had the barbeque ready. James and Steven had been recruited to put fresh sheets on the beds in the room that would be theirs and the one that would be Gerald's, and had come back downstairs to keep Gerald company until Dale and Rick got back.

Rick and Gerald volunteered for chef's duty and barbequed the steaks, while Dale, Steven and James prepared the rest of the food which mainly consisted of heating what needed to be hot and putting the salad together. The table was set and everything ready when Rick and Gerald brought the steaks in. They served themselves buffet style from the kitchen counter and bringing their plates to the table, they dug in.

The meal was accompanied by easy conversation and murmurs of approval over the steak and other dishes. Although the side dishes all came from the grocery deli, they did a good job and the food tasted wonderful. The apple pie that had been ignored earlier when things had taken an emotional turn, made a reappearance, accompanied by vanilla bean ice cream. Eventually everyone rose groaning from the table with complaints of having eaten too much.

They all pitched in to cleanup, then adjourned to the front porch to enjoy the approaching dusk. James, Gerald and Steven had all changed into jeans or khakis and tee or polo shirts before the cooking began, so they were all comfortable and relaxed as they settled into chairs on the front porch. Rick and Dale opted to sit on the edge of the porch with their bare feet buried in the cool, damp grass.

The five of them sat mostly in companionable silence as the light grew dimmer with the setting sun. Darkness brought the chirping of crickets and other night creatures. Tree frogs sang and in the distance they could here an occasional moo and once the braying of donkey. There was general laughter at the sound and Rick explained that their neighbor kept a donkey along with his horses. He had a small pony cart and was occasionally seen on the road with the donkey between the traces in lieu of a pony.

A quarter-moon rode high in the sky and myriad stars made their appearance. A light, fresh breeze, laden with the smell of green growing things, stirred the leaves on the trees causing them to sway with a hypnotic rhythm. It also brought a low, mysterious whisper issuing from the surrounding corn fields.

"By George, it's peaceful out here," James observed quietly. "No wonder you love it."

"Now that we've got you hooked on all this country charm," Gerald joked. "You and Steven are welcome to drop in for a visit anytime."

"We'll take you up on that," Steven promised.

They fell silent, listening to the soothing sounds of the night while watching the lights of an occasional plane as it moved slowly across the darkened sky.

Steven yawned. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready to turn in. We had an early start and while it's been fun, it's been a long day too."

James and Gerald agreed with him. Dale and Rick decided to stay up for a while. After wishing everyone a good night and exchanging rounds of hugs, they curled up on the sofa in the living room to watch a movie. Upstairs, Steven and James faced a smiling Gerald.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us?" Steven questioned him, "You know we'd welcome you."

Gerald's smile grew broader. "I know and yes, I'm sure," Gerald asserted. "I love you both, and I'm so grateful for they way you helped me last night, but I'm ok now. You two need to be alone and I'm not ready to go any further with anyone yet."

"We understand," James told him. "If you need us, the door's open."

The three of them exchanged hugs and parted company. James was actually secretly relieved that Gerald had opted to leave them alone. Although last night had been wonderful and exciting with the addition of Gerald to their bed, James found himself wanting his lover. He wanted Steven's
full attention and the closeness that happened when they were wrapped up in each other, totally and completely. He also anticipated the tight clasp of Steven's sheath as he moved within his warm, welcoming depths. James soon got his way and was making sweet, slow love to his partner.

Dale and Rick came upstairs and celebrated their father's return to life with a vigorous round of love making. Rick was determined to punish Dale for embarrassing him earlier in the kitchen. His method of punishment was to bring his lover to the point of orgasm again and again, stopping at the brink until Dale was frantic and begging for release.

Rick finally gave in, only because his cock could no longer take the sweet massage of Dale's warm, velvet-soft chute. Together they came, Dale almost crying with relief. Rick was worried for a moment that he'd gone too far until a drowsy and sated Dale made him promise to do it again tomorrow.

The household settled down to sleep and even Gerald, in his solitary bed, was content. He was secure in the knowledge that Irene was with him and that he was surrounded by the love of his friends and family. Sleep came easily and his dreams were peaceful and serene.

The next morning saw Steven and James take their leave. They promised to come visit again soon and offered the use of the house in Florida to Dale, Rick and Gerald for whenever they felt the need of it. They also extracted the promise that the three of them would come and visit in New York. After several rounds of hugs and kisses they were on their way.

Rick, Dale and Gerald went back inside. Gerald sat at the table, looking thoughtfully into his second cup of coffee.

"I think I'll go to the cemetery today," he told them. "I've only been the one time. I think I'll go and spend some time there this afternoon."

"Do you want us to come with you, Dad?" Rick asked. He was clearly concerned.

"Now don't fuss, Rick. I'm okay. I'm not back-sliding. I just thought it might be nice to indulge in a little peaceful contemplation. You know I'm not a church going man, but God and I have our conversations. I think it's time we renewed our acquaintance and this will be a good place to do it," he revealed with simple sincerity. "I would appreciate a lift up to the house. Normally I'd walk but I've got to haul my luggage home."

They all made the trip to the Hunter farm, bringing in his luggage and taking it upstairs for him. Gerald smiled indulgently and allowed them to mother-hen him for a bit, then shooed them out. He went upstairs and unpacked, laughing when he realized that most of the clothes would have to be hauled back downstairs to be washed. After putting his other personal items away he prepared to head downstairs with an armload of clothing. He paused by the dresser and smiled wistfully at the sight of Irene's hair brush. His gaze was drawn to the framed photo of the two of them. They looked so happy and carefree as they smiled into the camera.

"The most beautiful woman in Illinois," he said softly. "I miss you so much Rene, but I promise I won't let you down again. I'll be here for our babies and for their babies too. Stay with me Rene, you're my strength."

He gazed at the silent picture then sighed and made his way downstairs to start the laundry.

Several hours later he arrived at the cemetery. He walked through the peaceful grounds, following the meandering paths that wound among the graves. The sun was shining and a warm breeze caressed his face. He was filled with an inner peace and knew that he needed this, needed to spend this quiet time alone.

As he approached the site of Irene's grave, he paused in surprise at the sight of the stranger who stood there, his head bowed. He was medium-tall, about six feet, with dark hair liberally touched with gray. His build was average in appearance, yet conveyed a certain strength. Gerald couldn't see his face. He wore a simple dark blue, long-sleeved, button down shirt, tucked into faded jeans. On his feet were white athletic shoes.

Gerald watched for a moment until the stranger became aware of his presence. The man turned to face him. He seemed somehow familiar. Gerald moved forward as he prepared to walk away.

"Wait," he called. The stranger halted. "Did you know my wife?" he asked.

The man nodded. "Yes, I knew her, a very long time ago." His voice held infinite sadness.

Gerald felt an overwhelming need to know more. "I'm Gerald Hunter." he held out his hand.

The man took it and gave it a firm shake. "Jack Becker," he replied.

"Becker?" Gerald questioned then his eyes went wide. "Jack Becker? Oh my God, Irene spoke of you so many times. She wanted so much to know where you were."

Gerald couldn't believe that here, now, was the brother that Irene had mourned. Jack had left home at sixteen after their puritanical father had discovered he was gay. Irene had been three years his junior and did not understand what was going on, only that her beloved older brother had left. When she had questioned her parents, she was told in no uncertain terms that she was never to mention his name again.

It wasn't until years later that she learned the reason for his banishment. She had been outraged that her parents would throw their son, her only brother, away so cruelly. The Becker's were not particularly loving parents and this knowledge put an even bigger strain on the lukewarm relationship that existed between them and their daughter.

"She spoke of me?" Jack questioned.

"Yes, she kept hoping you might contact her."

"Then she didn't know why I left," he stated, a slight tinge of bitterness in his voice.

"She knew," Gerald told him quietly. "She didn't care. Look, would you like to go somewhere and get a cup of coffee?"

"You want to have coffee with a gay man?" Jack asked, skeptically.

"Yes," Gerald said decisively. "You're gay? So what? I'm bi. I have one son and two daughters who are straight. My son has a wife, my girls have husbands and they all have kids. My other son is married to a man. We're all something. What difference does it make?"

Jack gave Gerald smile that caused his heart to flutter. "I wish everyone felt the same as you do."

"To me it just makes sense. Why make such a fuss about something that shouldn't matter? Now," he asked. "How about that coffee? Or better yet, it's getting late and I'm hungry. How about dinner?"

Jack nodded. "Dinner sounds good."

* * *

Two years later, Rick was sitting at the kitchen table scanning the New York Times. Dale stood behind him, gazing over his shoulder. Steven and James had sent the paper, the bestseller list highlighted with the top two slots circled.

"How about that?" Dale shook his head in wonder. "You do notice who's on top, don't you?"

Yeah, yeah, and I'll show you who's on top later," he promised. "Dad and Jack are gonna pop their buttons, they'll be so proud," Rick continued, his patented grin in place. "Did you ever think we'd be seeing this?"

"Us, holding the top spots on the New York Times Bestseller List? Not in my wildest dreams," Dale admitted. He bent down and kissed the top of Rick's head. "Steven and James are still arriving tomorrow aren't they?"

Rick nuzzled the hand Dale had rested on his shoulder. "Oh yeah. Dad and Jack have already got their room ready up at the house. Steven said to tell you he expects that killer macaroni and cheese at the barbeque tomorrow."

Dale chuckled. "You know, so much has happened in the last couple of years, some of it sad, like your mom's accident, but most of it's been wonderful. We got your dad to meet Steven again and now he and James are Gerald's closest friends. And the way Jack showed up when he did was nothing short of a miracle, especially since he and your dad fell in love," Dale sighed. "I mean really, how romantic is that?"

Rick laid the paper down and rose from the table. "What about us?" he questioned, as he took Dale into his arms. "Our meeting was pretty miraculous too. And as for romance," he gave Dale a long, slow, sultry-hot kiss. "You want romance? Come with me."

He took Dale by the hand and led him out of the kitchen, grabbing a blanket on his way out the back door.

"Where are we going?" Dale asked with a smile, sure that he already knew the answer.

Rick turned back and with a grin said, "I'm going to make love with my baby out under the trees. Is that romantic enough for you?"

Dale forged ahead and pulled Rick with him. "Oh yeah. Hurry up, would you?"

Rick laughed joyously. "Lead on lover, lead on."

Once again, sheltered by the oaks and maples of their own personal forest, Dale and Rick pledged their love to one another with their bodies, their words and most importantly, their hearts.

The End