Sweet Life

Within the month, Romy and I took off five days in a row. The first day, I fretted about the tarmac crew. Romy told me I couldn’t call them, “With their experience, they’ll figure it out.”

We lounged by the pool, until Maria came out and told us she was going to shop, asked if we wanted anything.

"Not today." Romy told her and waited till she and her husband left.

Romy led me by the hand to the pool and stripped me, leaning to kiss my neck as his hand went to my rear. Bright sunlight heated our skin, he pulled me against him, "Love you, boss-man."

Had to grin, I was the one that handled the men on their sites; getting dirty didn't bother me. Romy liked to keep his wingtips clean and shiny. That sophisticated man was in my arms.

He pushed my butt on the steps in the shallow end and knelt in front of me. Sneaked his hand between my leg and took my dick in his mouth. Leaning back on my elbows I felt the touch of his finger teasing me.

Knowing what was coming, pressure built inside me rapidly. Felt good to feel my balls swirling in the water and his lips pushing my foreskin back to lick my slit.

My head tilted back to see the sky, wide, flawlessly blue above me. Closed my eyes and felt my skin cool in shadow.

Shadow? Fredrick stood above me, undressing quickly.

Lifting me up by my shoulders, he slipped his torso behind mine, his hips underneath me while Romy, still kneeling, watched. Without a word, Fredrick hooked his arms under my legs and lifted my ass to Romy.

Wide, open, the sun on my skin, and the splash of the water cooling us, Romy leaned into me, holding himself in place against my ass. He pushed, slipped and pushed again, harder. Quick burn, then I felt him moving slowly inside me.

Romy leaned to kiss Fredrick over my shoulder. Breathing hard, I was so excited, rod full and hard, twitching and leaking. Then, I felt Fredrick's hard rod at my back twitching.

Our balls bumped together in the gentle currents when Romy began his rhythm. Feeling Fredrick kiss my hair and watching my lover's chest as he began breathing hard, moaning; almost ready.

Fredrick moved me around so that Romy's thrusts would rub my back against his shaft. Can't tell you how good it felt to see the sky, feel the water moving gently around me and being pressed between two men I loved.

Romy's cock was hitting the place I needed to feel him, soon, I heard the little trembling sounds he made before he shot his load deep into me. He was still for a few moments, his torso shuddering as his balls emptied into me. Fredrick dropped my right leg, pushed Romy back leaving swirls of semen in the water. Deftly, he slipped his rod inside me, and leaned me forward slightly. "Rub it off, boy I can't wait much longer."

Grabbed my rod and worked it.

Frantic, he held me hard against his hips, plunged deep and growled as he filled me. Looking up, I saw Romy lean and kiss me and I came. Felt like I'd never cum before, feeling Fredrick's hot load and thick rod twitching his last rushes.

Overwhelmed; head spun like I was drunk, I wasn't touching earth. My body soared on the incredible high that ripped through my torso.

Leaning quietly against the steps in the shallow end, we caught our breaths. Fredrick kissed me, then Romy. Fredrick stood, grabbed his clothes and left.

After a few moments, he returned with towels. "Maria's in the drive now. Cover up." We napped in the sun while she cooked dinner.

***

Over dinner that night, Fredrick told Russel that Romy and I needed more privacy.

"So shut the gate to the pool house." Russel snapped as he read the business journal.

"They need a place to be alone – all alone. On their own." Fredrick countered. "Don't you remember when we..."

"I'll think about it." Not wanting to be bothered.

"Ten minutes to think about it. We could lose good managers, Rus." Fredrick stated and lifted an eyebrow.

"Okay, we'll work it out."

***

Before sundown, we went back in the pool. Fredrick and I did our underwater laps while Romy and Russel talked business.

In bed that night, Romy said Russel was buying a small, oddly-shaped plot of land that sat between the highway and road to the mansion. He'd always wanted the land, but never had a use for it. Only four or five acres of scrub. Russel would build a small house on it for us. He didn't want us too far away.

Had to think about it. We needed Russel and Fredrick's advice and we needed our privacy as well.

Dismissed those thoughts to imagine our San Francisco trip.

I was still in a penny-pinching mode so Romy bought us airline tickets to San Francisco. He wanted to roam the Tenderloin, take the sky car to see the Golden Gate and take in a show. Not a movie, but a live show. Sounded good. I wanted to visit Sutro Baths. Russel told me of another bathhouse….

***

Didn't leave our hotel room that first day. Made love slowly again and again. Took a while to get my mind off work and into play; it’d been a long time.

Coursed the "soft underbelly" of the city that night.

Musta looked like a real greenhorn, I was awed by the open solicitations.

Passed through the women and came to a small bar that featured "fancy boys."

Romy laughed and stuffed a few bills in the cleavage of the performers. What a show. Men that were as beautiful as starlets and so seductive. Hard to adjust my mind to these beautiful men dressed in sequins and frills.

Visited the sites, the baths and several bars, seedy places, dark and filled with interesting characters. Sure, we were approached with offers, racy comments and blunt invitations. We were leery after having been warned that Russel wouldn't send bail; he said some of the characters might be undercover cops.

Dined at the Cliff House then enjoyed the privacy of our room more than being out on the streets. Tender lover, gentle and slow till he couldn’t hold back, Romy had developed great technique. Changed into rutting beast on my responses to his moves. Those touches sent me into high gear; frantic, focused on the fiery passion interlocking us.

The smell of him, the taste of his sweat and knowing his seed would be part of me till I died sent me into a place where I could only be his eager vessel. “All of you.”

Before we left, I bought candies from a chocolatier, and a book by Gibran for Fredrick. Found a steering wheel cover for Russel, and news for him I'd overheard at a restaurant.

***

Arrived home feeling great, rested and ready to get back to work where I found a big mess.

I'd lead by example, following the principles I learned at the CCC camp. Russel was old school, he upset my crews and supervisors trying to get them to do things his way—he led by nagging.

These were experienced men, they had their own rhythm and produced good, smooth tarmac; took care of the potholes before they got too deep, and kept a tight schedule. Lost two hours of work with their complaints and affronts to their skills. They were glad I was back.

Brought a case of cold sodas during lunch to ease Russel out of their minds.

Romy stood to the side, smiling as I calmed them by listening then handed out their work orders and shook their hands, thanking them.

***

When we returned, Russel and Fredrick left for Hawaii, leaving us to work into the nights with the bookkeeper and ordering supplies, while a small four-bedroom house was being constructed on the scrubby lot nearby.

I called Mom, she and Dad would come for a week later on, and bring my brothers. Caroline was married and had a child on the way. Mom kept thanking me for the money I sent from camp. "Mom, we all made it."

They were doing better than before, the economy didn’t allow them much progress. They felt more secure, more hopeful. We'd all benefited from the CCC. Shame the government hadn't started it sooner.

***

In loud tropical print shirts, Russel and Fredrick returned. We met on the patio and strategized the greenhouse project. Fredrick looked tanned and happy, Russel was excited about all the plants; different palms and all kinds of trees. He wasn’t on vacation, he was scouting suppliers.

“First shipment will arrive in two weeks." That surprised me.

Quickly Romy and I figured out how to promote one of the crew on the airport project. Shuffled workers and positions until we had everything covered. The airport was expanding quickly, planes were larger. More commercial flights and plenty of smaller privately owned planes.

Got things settled and told Russel what I overheard in San Francisco: "I want to buy stock in GM. There's a man named Hertz on their board now. Has a plan to rent cars by the day. I want the concession for car rentals in the airport."

He nodded his head, thinking, "Who's gonna run it?"

"We'll hire a couple of clerks, set up a desk in the lobby of the airport, rent space for the cars on the parking lot. I'll manage. It’ll pay for itself with a hefty profit."

"Hmm." He cocked his head and thought for a few moments. Fredrick smiled. "I'll check it out with the county tomorrow. There's other costs involved." I could hear his mind working. "Might be good to get another concession at the train depot."

***

Our small house was built in the Spanish tradition, open courtyard in the center. Working with the landscapers, I used native plants. Jimsonweed, plenty of prickly pear around the edges of the property, agave and rosemary. Planted a row of olive trees along the boundaries. Left a few patches of scrub for the wildlife.

Land was almost flat, allowing me a clear view of the perpetually cloudless skies.

***

Couldn't have lived, worked or loved harder than we did that next year. My parents came, we partied at Russel's pool, Fredrick took them to the sights.

My brothers went into the CCC and Caroline brought her children and husband. Except for Mom, my family took a while to warm up to Romy.

Dad took me aside, saying he was hoping I’d marry. Told him his odds were slim. That seemed to quell his questions. Proud of me, he said but he wasn't smiling when he said that. His vanity kept him from saying anything more since part of his success sprung from my CCC checks.

Mom started fretting thinking I would be get caught and go to jail. "Mom, I remember what you said about alcohol and people looking for a place to exercise their evil. I'm careful."

***

Romy's mom finally arrived, exhausted after catching planes around the globe. Brought only a small suitcase and a box of papers. Petite woman with sparkling eyes and quick smile; she moved into the guest room across our open courtyard.

Serafina had worked the front desk at a famous old hotel in on the coast of Italy—experienced and poised. Didn’t blink an eye when Romy and I sat together or kissed; she had a worldly sophistication my parents didn't have.

Russel and Fredrick were delighted with her as well. Spent so many nights by the pool together, we cut a narrow road between our two homes.

***

Romy and I still worked ten to twelve hours a day. The economy slowly, very slowly began gaining speed, along with the union movement. Unemployment was still a problem, poverty and hopelessness plagued the entire nation. The CCC and the WPA helped getting men off the streets and on a payroll. Those programs weren’t enough.

America wouldn't realize how devastating this economic depression was till years later.

***

Recalling the explanation of living half-lives Fredrick explained to me, I didn't feel like Romy and I lived half-lives. Coming from a farm, I didn't need to be a shining example of success to everyone around me. My own opinion of my success, and Romy’s were what I wanted.

Family? We had plenty of calls from Pennsylvania, and Serafina, Toddy and his family.

It was during those next few years though, Romy and I became closer together and closer to our mentors’ customs. I understood more about our fag family. Between the four of us we became confidants, intimates and Fredrick was right. I could feel the different kinds of love I was offered from each of them and knew how to love them in ways that reflected my appreciation.

Their customs changed through that time; wasn’t sure what caused it. Our mentors no longer needed to shore their respect and confidence with us in the sack. They held their affections for celebrations, milestones in our personal lives.

***

Our sixth year together, Russel and Fredrick held a holiday party that shook the rafters. I called my parents and sent them gifts; they were having their own party on the east coast.

Serafina, Romy and I opened Russel's mansion and greeted county commissioners, their wives and over a hundred business associates and acquaintances of Russel and Fredrick.

Music, wine, women in long dresses, and diamonds, pearls, furs. Men in formal wear, musky colognes and their hair slicked back, shining. Everywhere I looked around the mansion that night, beautiful people glimmered through the house.

Took turns dancing with a few women, light bulbs flashed, the woman who wrote the society column was in my arms, grinning, "Don't see a ring on your finger."

Had to dodge: "Who has time for romance when LA's growing every day? I'm cutting hay while the sun shines. Have you seen the Dolcevita Greenhouse? Incredible plants and we're expanding again. Tropicals, that's the trend..."

She knew why I didn't wear a ring, probably knew every sod in town of import. I smiled coyly and tilted my head, "Don't see a ring on your finger either. Cuttin' hay, like me?" She moved on to more interesting conversation.

***

Recall that party well for one reason. We'd opened the greenhouse and searched for more men who could deal with the delicate plants, as well as meet the ships that brought them. Lot of men came to apply for the positions.

Jonathan didn’t show up. I was ready to take him to the loading dock and serve him knuckle sandwiches; didn’t have the pleasure.

Stood with a group of women talking by the pool, one was speaking about a yardman she hired last year:

"He has your name but I'm sure there's a lot of McCanns. Irish always have so many children. Well, he showed up drunk and ruined, positively destroyed my bougainvillea, then wrecked the hydrangea, stomped on the ice plant. Had to fire him when I caught him peeing in the pool, and tried to walk off with our tools.”

Sounded like Jonathan. Smiled and nodded letting her prattle on, but she made me wonder if Jonathan had left town for good after that incident.

I’d check the jail the next day.

***

The crowd of business associates and politicians dwindled as they moved on to other holiday parties. Serafina went back home to call Romy's siblings.

Around midnight another group came. These were Russel and Fredrick's pals – distinguished older men with their dates; young men with wide smiles, playful. Stunning men, I recognized a few from the private bar. Dressed in formally, they made the rounds of parties and events before they arrived to greet Fredrick and Russel.

Much less pretentious crowd. I watched them embrace, kiss openly and flirt. Intriguing, I watched with focused attention. I knew what sexual innuendo was about, and enjoyed the banter among these friends, yet, to see this happen openly, warmed me At ease, yet the thought of being exposed and jailed for loving Romy frightened me. I might not be able to safe him from punishments in the jail.

The champagne flowed and I listened. A few of these men were married – must have had arrangement with their wives or were separated.

The younger faces would be our business contacts in the coming years.

***

The next day I called the county jail. Jonathan wasn't there. He was at the city jail.

At the front desk of the detention center, I asked how long he'd be there. Don't think I was going to bail him out, I couldn't. He was serving a year for a fracas behind a bar. Stabbed a man, after a fight. The man survived and was charged with similar crimes.

They said and showed me his mug shot. He'd graduated into the next level of desperation as time and alcohol took his suave features leaving him with a rigid scowl.

Still scamming and dodging real work—what a wag.

Went home and phoned Mom, told her about Jonathan.

She sighed, "I'll call his family."

***

October 29th, the year I turned twenty-eight, Russel and Fredrick reserved the private room in the restaurant and had a cake brought in. Wine, candles and ice cream, the works.

Didn't need gifts, we had all we wanted and more, except for time.

Russel and Fredrick were vacationing more often. Romy and I held our own with the management, growing stronger through every trip they took. It was a good way to work us into taking over, and I saw our mentors readying to retire, satisfied they’d chosen the right men to take over.

By the piano that night, Russel gave me my gift, keys to a new MG. Couldn't believe it, he remembered me speaking of the race in Phoenix when I was on the road.

In Russel’s arms, we swayed to the piano music and told me to be very careful, it was a small car and could turn over easily. I kissed his neck, enjoyed being held against his broad chest. As soon as I could get away, I grabbed Romy and took him to the parking lot.

Deep blue, shiny convertible with a red bow tied to the steering wheel. Gorgeous and mine!

It was the finest vehicle I'd ever seen, an MG roadster. Most handsome car on the road in my opinion.

***

We jumped in. The coastal road was beautiful, then up through the hills east of town. The wind in our faces, swirling our hair around, the night air chilled us. Then drove straight to Fredrick and Russel's house late that night.

In the dark downstairs, we undressed quickly, sneaked up the stairs and in the big, round bed beside them. I grabbed Russel, grinning, "Thanks, that was the best birthday ever."

"Came to thank me?"

I nodded and began undressing.

Fredrick was leading Romy to his room, arms around each other's waist.

I waited, anxious, ready. Russel liked it rough and I was ready to give it. Felt "full of piss and vinegar," as he liked to say.

I knew what he wanted. No whips, no belts. He wanted to give it all up – give all control to me he wanted to surrender to complete submission. Quite the opposite of his public persona.

In his bedroom was a small oriental chest filled with the sexual equipment. Selecting ropes, a cock ring and a bandanna, a few more things….

"Kiss me." He whispered, this is how he started – he'd bite me when he kissed. That was to ire me.

Pulled away, spat and handed him his cock ring.

"Get it on." In the dark, He was half erect and struggled to get his equipment into the small rings. Slapped his butt several times to make him hurry. His shaft filled quickly and his big sac was bunched tight; skin taut.

"Stand up straight." When he did, knelt in front of him and bit the taught skin of his scrotum. Took a pinch of the tender skin between my teeth and shook my head.

Yelp; heavy breaths.

With the rough heels of my hands, I scoured his nipples till they were hot and sensitive. He gasped—nipples burned.

Stood and pointed to the bed. “Face down” Tossed a pillow in the center of the bed. “You know the routine.” Heard his breathing speed as I secured his ankles, then his wrists. Spread eagle, butt exposed.

Waiting in the darkness, I let him squirm as he imagined what I would do next. Time and silence increase anticipation—builds it to anxiety, heightens what’s coming.

***

Let him hear me rummage in the bath for a while, then came back to the bedroom, closed all the doors and windows and slapped him hard on his butt, reached between his legs and yanked a handful of pubes. "You're gonna get it tonight. Can you take it, or do I have to gag you?"

His body was tense, coated with a light sheen of sweat, "Without..."

Now it was seldom I got this kind of control. Fredrick abhorred any kind of pain, and yet Russel, who meted out all kinds of hassle at work, reveled in the Sepulveda technique behind closed doors.  

After assuming complete control, I began thinking, imagining all the different kinds of fun that fell within Russel's arena of sexual play. I'd been waiting for a chance to try this, knowing he would give me the silent treatment for several days and probably come back for more later.

Another slap on his butt and a yank on his ball sac.

Pulled out an old, ivory dildo, with erotic carvings around the handle and a small hole for a satin tassel. Six inches long and about an inch and a quarter diameter. Must have been made for a woman, and tonight it was serving a special function. Laying it on the cleft of his ass, I drug it across his hole several times. He lifted his ass wanting penetration.

Not yet.

Those trees that smelled so odd in San Diego were eucalyptus. An Asian doctor combined eucalyptus sap with spices and herbs into a balm. Tiger balm. I grabbed the tiny glass jar, opened it and stuck it near Russel's nose, "Nipples need a little medicine?" He moaned as I coated my fingers and sat on the small of his back, reaching under him to rub the stinging medication on his sore, swollen nipples.

"Since you’re going to be butt-sore soon...." I rubbed the inflamed skin on his butt with the ointment. This was the prelude to his pinnacle of pain and my pleasure.

Just the prelude.

Deprivation was the theme for the evening – his rigid cock inside the cock ring pressed beneath his body was becoming uncomfortable. I waited in silence, then began gathering what I needed, letting him hear me; wondering what was going to happen.

Between his legs, I dripped my man juices up and down his cleft. He must have liked that, thinking I'd enter him, but I was just making my next step easier. Took that ivory dildo, coated the head with the fragrant ointment and told him to lift his butt. He groaned.

With the head of the dildo at his ass, he pushed and I twisted it inside him fully, one fast stroke and waited. Gasping quickly, then a long, low moan. His body shook as the burning sting began inside him. I laid myself on his back, hunching against the dildo, ramming it harder into him.

"Like that?" I chuckled. Didn’t check, but I think he was crying. Great self control, he hadn't said a word.

I was hard and dripping by this time, ready to unload, moving to his face, I began kissing his neck, his cheek. He bit his lips while his nose ran and tears dampened the sheet beneath his face.

When his lips were sufficiently swollen. "Suck me." Hard to get into position with him tied face down; I untied one hand, twisted his torso and tied his wrists together with the bandanna. Managed to get my rod into his mouth with his head laying on his right cheek.

"Suck!" Hot, swollen lips took me and his breathing was difficult. I held his head against my groin straddling his upper, left arm and humped as hard and deep as I could into his throat, but held back.

Chuckling softly when he was struggled to breathe, I pulled out. "Not good enough." I stood and slapped his butt hard. He jerked, trembled.

Untying his left ankle and wrist, "Turn over." Nipples and pecs still warm from his "treatment," I examined his cock—almost time to get it off.

Greased his pole while he watched and I squatted over him, "Can you feel me?"

"No."

"Good." I pushed and grunted, got him in quick, I was about to explode. Yeah, maybe I got off to this as much as he did. Neither of us would admit it.  Then I felt a slight warming on my knob; felt good, inviting.

Palms on his chest, I worked him in and out my hole, finding where I needed to be rubbed and aimed my cock at his face and blasted.

Didn't stop till I was completely emptied, balls ached. Went to his face and with my tongue, I shoved all my cum between his swollen lips. He kept moaning and accepted a tender kiss and my thanks.

After I untied him, I opened the French doors to the pool, went back to bed and went to sleep. Russel didn't come to bed after quite a while in the bath.

Almost dawn he came back to bed.

***

The next morning, I was grinning like a mule eating briers as we met for a quick swim with Fredrick before we went home.

Russel wouldn't look at me until I went to kiss him over.

"My lips are swollen, my eyes are red and I'm still burning this morning. See if I get you another roadster if that's how you treat me." My big pussy said.

"Look like a satisfied man to me." I whispered back to him. He looked away, but didn't say anything more. He was still deciding how much he enjoyed himself.

Leaning to kiss his neck, I nipped his earlobe, "Let me know when you want some more."

“My birthday’s July seventh. Just wait to see how I’ll thank you.”

***

My birthday party continued. One more celebration tonight, Serafina was cooking lasagna and making an Italian fruitcake.

At home, our cozy home smelled great. Serafina was up early to get the big dinner started. Toddy and his family would join Russel and Fredrick at our table. The phone rang before I left to get ice cream. It was Mom and Dad, Caroline and my brothers all calling to wish me a happy birthday.

We talked for a long time, catching up. Before we hung up, my father told everyone to go on to bed, he wanted to speak with me alone.

"Got a problem, a family problem." He started, then explained that my uncle was ill; heart problems, had a stroke. Dad’s brother was home with his family – no longer able to work. "They need Jonathan to come back, can you get him here?"

"Dad, please. He's nothing but trouble, and wouldn't do anything but cause problems. Mom told you he was in jail, right?"

"Maybe I didn't make myself clear, his father is not doing well. We don't know how long..."

"Okay, call the jail and ask if he can get a reduced sentence for a family emergency and I'll get him to the bus station."

***

Tried to forget about the family problem as Toddy brought Ona and the children, Fredrick and Russel came.

Loud party. Piñata over the end of the carport, lots of yelling and swatting at the brightly-colored ball of treats. Great food, cake and ice cream, drawings from the children and Ona bought me a tie with small golden threads on a deep brown silk, "To match your eyes."

***

Too soon, all the festivities were over. We cleaned up and I wondered what gift Romy had for me.

As evening settled, he took a flashlight, and grabbed my hand, walked me up the side of the canyon. We sat on the boulders, still hot from the sun. Full moon rose, big and yellow.

"What could I possibly buy you? We've got everything and years ahead of us for gifts." He reached into his pocket, and brought out the two mounds of gold we'd found in the burned-out car years ago in San Diego. "

“These brought us luck, you started working at the gas station. Remember?"

Seemed like centuries ago, "Yeah, I remember you said we smelled poor. We did." I picked up one of the mounds. "You're giving these to me?"

"I don't want to lose what we had during those times. I'm making them into rings to remember where we came from. LA is a place that twists peoples' heads around. If we're going to keep what we have, we've got to keep our feet on the ground. We could take take a hard fall if we don’t keep what we have together."

Looking over the hills to the moon, the wide, dark sky with stars just beginning to shine. "Am I getting too big for my boots? My head getting twisted around?" I'd seen the stars that burned out too quickly around town.

"Just making sure we don't fall into the trap. Fredrick talked to me last night... We need to stay away from trouble, like always, but different kinds of trouble now. The more money we have, the craftier we have to be to keep it. We can always be blackmailed or put into a situation where we can't get out and the stakes are bigger now." He kissed me. "I sent a five-hundred-dollar check to San Francisco to a man there. He's organizing a group to repeal the sodomy laws."

My eyes must have been as big as the moon at that moment. "You did what?"

"Sent five-hundred dollars to San Francisco in both our names. We can afford it. If we can get the law repealed, that's one less trouble we'll have."

Repeal the sodomy laws? I'd never been involved with politics, and wasn't sure but Romy knew how it would happen.

"Going to have this metal made into signet rings, with Russel and Fredrick's initials on them and our initials on the inside."

"Tonight is ours." He took my hand and led me down the trail with the flashlight. Before we went inside, "Just happen to have bottle of Cabernet and a can of sardines..." Then, he opened my palm and put a nickel, a dime and a penny along with three folded dollar bills. "You were holding out." He winked.

I'd forgotten about the cash my father had given me way back in Guymon.

***

Sunday morning as the sun rose, the phone rang. It was Dad.

"It's set. Jonathan's out tomorrow morning. There's a bus at seven-thirty in the morning, a deputy will meet you at the station and see he gets on the right bus and leaves."

"How do we know he'll stay on the bus?"

"Get him a non-refundable ticket. Can't sell it and we'll pray he gets here next week. Give him some cash for food. Wait. Pack him a few sandwiches."

Why did I just know that Jonathan wouldn't take food? He'd hoodwink someone into buying him dinner. "Okay. I'll call you when I get back from the station."

Apples, peanut butter, ham sandwiches; simple lunch. I packed it in a canvas bag, jumped in my roadster before the sun was up and met Jonathan with his the cop at the bus station. They watched me buy the ticket and I gave it to Jonathan.

When I offered him a bag of food he dropped it and spit at me. "I ain't nobody's fuckin' squaw."

I picked it up; I’d eat lunch with my workers. Left Jonathan and his uniformed escort outside the bus station waiting for the East Coast Express. Couldn't get him in my rear view mirror fast enough.

Called Dad and told him Jonathan didn't look like the same guy that left Philly years ago, "Scowl, a few scars and a nasty attitude. You won't recognize him."

***

Straight to work, checking on the crew at the airport, and said good morning to two clerks working the Hertz desk. A plane had just landed from Seattle, they were busy. Went out to the tarmac and checked the supplies, consulted with my supervisors. All was well, the tar pot was already smoking and the trucks were filled with gravel.

On to the train depot to check the rental desk there. Those two shooed me away and I was glad they felt comfortable enough with my leadership to tell me to let them work instead of deferring to my authority. Maybe they needed to be on commission... Nah.

***

Met with Russel and Romy at the greenhouse. Toddy was with them, heavy in discussions about a warehouse. Russel bought a plot of land in the San Gabriel Valley years ago in a short sale.

A warehouse would hold all the supplies for the tarmac, the fertilizer and plant equipment, as well as all the cleaning and maintenance supplies for the rentals. They planned a huge warehouse with a loading dock and several bays. We were purchasing several large trucks for plant transport and delivery.

I asked if we needed that much space.

“You’re leasing the front half to the county.” Russel smiled.

***

My life was going well, Romy and I were happy with Serafina in our home. Though small, and not decorated with the sophistication of Russel's house, it felt warm and secure at the end of the days.

Serafina was very much a part of our lives. She filled dinners with stories about Romy and his siblings. Romy’s brother and sister had hard feelings about homosexuals; they kept it to themselves.

***

Sunday night, Dad called, "Where's Jonathan?"

"The cop put him on the bus. He's not in Philly?"

"The driver said he got off somewhere around Lexington. Thought he might have come back to LA. Does he have friends you know of?"

"Maybe he met someone in jail; but probably not. I'll call around and let you know if I find something. By the way, when are you and Mom coming out?"

"Maybe next June. You know your brother joined the service, got into the Air Force. Gonna have a fly-boy in the family. He’s hoping to be stationed at Lompoc."

***

Jonathan was on the lam. Immediately I called the Lexington police and told them. They took my information but didn't seem upset, they had bigger fish to fry.

Called the city jail, they said they'd put a bulletin out for him. I doubted anything would happen there either, so I spoke with Fredrick. Had a funny feeling about Jonathan coming back to LA. There was money here, and though he was a nickel-and-dimer, he could scrape by easily here.

Fredrick simply nodded his head when I explained what happened. "Do you think we need to hire a private dick?" He asked.

"Not yet. He could be in New York or Seattle."

We left it there and went on with our busy lives. Simple life became complex as we expanded the businesses across LA and into the surrounding areas. Still under Russel and Fredrick's guidance though it was at arm’s length now.

***

Russel and Fredrick were in San Francisco days at a time with old friends and business associates. Now, it took them a full week to recoup their energy when they returned. Their voices softened, their hair faded and thinned. Humor, creativity and sharp intuition stayed intact.

Romy and I wore our rings. Russel was proud we’d used their initials, quite touched. He bought rings for him and Fredrick with our initials etched on the outside.

Instead of children, our new hires had to be treated like kids until they learned the ropes. We paid well. They stayed, we watched them grow. Seldom had to fire one of our employees; we had over seventy in all kinds of positions.

I knew there would be a time when we would have to ease a young man, or several into our places the way Fredrick and Russel had done for us. That was too far ahead to worry about.

Coming in Chapter 7:

Sweet life indeed. A bullet of bitterness rips through the family. Where did that come from?

No need for a private dick, Sherlock Holmes’ security force arrives.