Sub encounter: Plumber

After Chris departed, I reflected on the job Jane and I had done in raising he and his brother.

Mindful they were identical twins, we’d taken lengths to give them their own space. They’d had their own rooms since two, we never dressed them the same, and always encouraged them to have their own interests.

Despite all that, they remained like peas in a pod. They had this whole twin vibe thing which went on. They instinctively knew what each other was thinking, often finishing each other’s sentences. Eventually, we figured it was hard wired into their DNA.

It was strange, that now they were older, they seemed to be even closer. They were always out with each other.

James, our third son, was a full year younger, with an altogether different character again. He was more rough and tumble. More weekend football, and machine shop. He’d been working on cars since he was fifteen. Chris and Sam were lucky if they could find the fuel cap.

*

As I decided to really find the remote battery, James appeared.

“I heard Chris got head today.” He began, surprising me.

“Did he tell you that?” I asked.

“No, I heard him explaining it to Sam.”

“Wasn’t any big deal,” I deferred. “Steve’s a young guy who’s just finding himself.”

“You training a sub?” he asked, bluntly.

“Just giving the guy a few tips, Chris barged in. Turned out to be a good learning opportunity.”

“Well, opportunity or not, let me know if there’s any more head going round.” He flagged, impressing me with his focus.

“You get all the sex you need, have done since you were sixteen.” I countered.

He looked confused.

“You can never have too much head.” He smiled, using a phrase we often joked about between ourselves.

“Ok, I’ll keep it in mind.” I said,smiling.

“What are you looking for?” he asked.

“I put some batteries aside.”

“For the remote?” I nodded.

“In that tub there.” He pointed.

*

Over the next few weeks, family life resumed its normal pace.

Chris and Sam attended Valley Nights campus, and worked in their respective fast-food chains, to supplement their spending power.

James continued his quest, to complete his last year at high school as painlessly as possible. After hours, he was invariably at Benton Motor works. Jane and I had finally agreed he could begin his apprenticeship, as soon as he graduated. The negotiations felt like they went on for years. Eventually we found middle ground, although I would have preferred for him to have more formal education. I finally accepted; he wasn’t wired that way.

Frank, the manager at Benton’s, had agreed he could work part time in the lead up to his last day of school.

More and more the kid was returning home covered in grease, and smiling ear to ear. He was maturing before my very eyes. Sometimes I thought he was growing more quickly than his sheltered brothers.

*

Over the next few weeks, I was peppered with questions from Sam and Chris. Chief among them was, ‘when was Steve coming back?’

“He’ll comeback when he’s ready, if he does come back at all.” I repeated, almost as a mantra.

It didn’t matter how I responded, the questions around the topic expanded.

In line with our parental policy of no taboo subjects, the boys even asked at the table.

Jane rarely participated, but did provide an insight one dinner time.

“How come you’re not asking questions, like this pair?” she quizzed James.

That’s good, I thought.

“Most of the stuff they want to know, I already have answers for.” The boy replied, matter of fact-ly.

“Is that so?” She pressed, clearly not expecting the response. “And, how is that the case?”

“We use a sub at work,” he answered, “he’s been there two weeks, with one more to go.”

“Who?” I jumped in, “I thought you were the youngest on staff.”

I was thinking he may have been a target.

“I am, what’s that got to do with it?” he questioned, validly.

“Sabastian is twenty, he’s on the same exam break as these guys.” He nodded towards his brothers.

“He goes to Valley?” Asked Sam.

“Nah, Upstate Central. Doing some marketing degree.”

“How does he fit in though?” I repeated.

“He’s the son of Frank’s cousin.” He answered.

“What do you mean ‘use at work’, young man?” Jane questioned, zeroing in on the subject.

“Not like that mom!” he pleaded.

“Not like what?” she pressured.

“Like he wants to suck our dicks, he’s really into it.” He paused, “no body bullies him into anything.”

“That’s what you were thinking wasn’t it?” he pressed back. He was growing up.

“Maybe,” Jane retreated, “I was just checking.”

“I said he was Frank’s family. Like Frank’s going to let anything happen.”

“Ok, ok, I take the point.” She surrendered.

“Anyway, its usually us saying no to him.” James revealed.

“You say no to head?” I questioned, suspiciously.

“Not always, but if I’m halfway through learning something, like how to find a radiator leak. I want to finish that first.” He insisted. I believed him.

“To get back to your first question.” He circled back to Jane. “I’m getting to understand a lot about how subs think. Talking to him at break, and seeing him at work.” He winked to me. I smiled.

He wasn’t long for childhood, this one. I found myself a little sad.

*

A week after our unexpectedly in-depth dinner chat. Steve messaged me.

“Can I come over on Saturday afternoon.?” He asked.

“Sure, see you at noon.” I sent back.

That night I passed news of the impending visit to the twins, and James.

James begged off, explaining he was working back.

Sam and Chris were all grins.

When Saturday arrived, it was warmer than I expected for autumn.

I again had the garage door up, this time I was attempting to sort through the camping gear. I still didn’t understand how we managed to jumble it up so badly.

When Steve pulled up and stepped out, it was good to see his shorts were tighter, and shorter. They weren’t obscene, but they were great eye candy.

“You look like you’ve been getting some sun.” I suggested, taking in his darker arms, legs and face.

He nodded.

“Yes sir, the boss has been giving me most of the roof jobs for some reason.”

“How do you feel about that?” I asked, innocently.

“I don’t really like it sir. It’s hot, and I have to lug the tools up and down ladders all day.”

“Really? Let’s see the impact.”

He glanced towards the open panel door. I didn’t move.

He began to strip. I was impressed he did as instructed. I hit the wall button.

Just as the door was bottoming out, Sam and Chris came in from the house. It was clear they were keen.

Steve paused for a second, surprised first by the entrance, then by the fact there were two Chriss’s.

“Be invisible,” I admonished, as they bounded in.

“But Dad, we...” I cut Sam off with a stare. He shut up.

Steve continued. When he was done, he automatically assumed Display, which was pleasing.

I took in the subtle and not so subtle changes.

His arms and legs had definitely added tone, he had complained about the roof work, but it was having a noticeable impact.

His tan lines were now very, visible against his clothed areas.

I stepped forward and gently lifted his padlocked nuts.

“How is this working?” I quizzed.

“Um, sometimes when I get down off a hot roof, it feels like my balls are sagging to my knees.”

“Good, we’ll just keep adding weight as your nuts get used of it.”

I watched on as he swallowed.

“So why are you here?” I asked.

He shuffled his booted feet, just slightly.

“Um, I’ve been doing as you said. The lock and my shorts keep reminding me I’m a dumb fuck.”

“Good,” I praised.

“Problem is, as a dumb fuck, I don’t know what next.” He took a breath, “Can you tell me?”

*

“Dad,” Chris interrupted, to my annoyance

“I thought I told you to be invis….” I started, then stopped mid-sentence.

My sons were stripping off their gear as quickly as they could.

What the fuck?

As they stood from being bent at the waist, I saw they were now naked, wearing only new work boots and socks. I was still confused.

They made their way towards us, coming to rest beside Steve, adopting their version of display.

Steve was equally confused.

“Dad, can you teach us to be subs too?” Chris asked. I knew at the deepest level; they were deadly serious.

I decided to take a moment.

For Chris, Sam and Steve, it lasted ten seconds or less. For me I seemed on accelerated time. My brain was processing at a million miles an hour.

“Boys,” I started, ignoring Steve for the minute. “Going down this path, transcends being family, being off-spring.”

“Do you understand what I’m saying? I asked, meaning it.

To their credit, they reflected.

“Dad, we understand. We’ve talked about it for a month. Researched it on-line, talked about it more.” Answered Chris.

“This feels the most right thing ever.” Finished Sam. “We know we’ll exist below men, just like Steve here.”

I smiled inwardly, as Steve actually flinched.

“But it feels right.” He paused, “it feels right for the first time.”

I looked on as I watched my sons own who they were at a deep level.

If that’s what they were, then who was I to stand in their way?

I doubted I’d have all the answers they’d be seeking, but at the very least, I’d have their best interests at heart.