The Village

Seth’s Perspective

Well, it had been a crazy couple of months and now it was time for Eli and Riley’s wedding. Frankly, with everything that had happened in the past six months with the accident, the adoption, and just the day-to-day shit life threw at us, we were all ready for a break and a family celebration. And THIS one was extra special for me and Zach because it was the second time our families would be united by marriage.

I had completely healed from my accident, well as close to completely as it was going to get. After months of PT, my knee still gave me trouble occasionally, but no more shortness of breath, etc., and the scars were surprisingly minimal. The kids had all but forgotten any of it ever happened, but Zach was still very protective of me. Meanwhile, the lawyers were working on finalizing our adoption of Freddy and Izzy. Karen got cold feet at one point in the process and thought about pulling out, but it didn’t last long, she knew deep down it was her best option and the best thing for the kids (and that it was an inevitability that she would lose them). I know it was hard on her, and Zach and I did our best to include her in the kids’ lives but there weren’t a lot of opportunities for us to do that. She was locked up in the detention center for god only knows how long so any kind of excursion was out of the question. Plus, she wasn’t allowed to keep much; a couple of photos and drawings she could tape to the walls but that was about it. For Mother’s Day we brought her an 8x10 portrait of the kids that we had done by a professional, The kids delivered it in-person dressed up in the clothes they wore in the portrait. It was a big day for them, they couldn’t wait to show off their new outfits to their mother (especially Izzy). It was interesting to watch the kids adapt to the situation. I don’t think Zach and I had replaced their mother as their parents in their minds it was more like they added us to the list of adults that loved them. God knows we did our best to avoid the title of “daddy” or any version of until it was final. We figured if the adoption fell through it would be easier for them to lose a Zach and a Seth than to lose two daddies. It was an interesting time for all of us, and like I said we were ready for a break.

We were on our way to Wisconsin, and by “we” I mean pretty much half the county. We were traveling with Max, Brody, Gina, Dylan, BA, Daddy, all the kids, and Eli (Riley had left earlier to help Kelly with last minute details). Nine adults and five kids on a several hour flight from Wilmington, NC to Madison, WI… what could possibly go wrong? I must admit, Gina was the freaking queen of family travel; she had Maggie, Theodore, Freddy, and Izzy, all obeying her attentively and perfectly as she calmly gave orders with DJ in her arms. All her years as a schoolteacher and the last two years as a mother had helped her hone her skills as a child-wrangler. We had a quick layover in Charlotte, just enough time to get to our connecting gate and get the kids a quick snack… you would swear that the bag of stale, airport popcorn was a frigging gourmet meal the way they devoured it with smiles. The four ‘wee toddlers’ sat on a row of airport gate seats eating the awful popcorn, entertaining themselves, each other, and a bunch of weary travelers. Theodore and Freddy were playing a video game on my iPad with exuberance, and the two girls were chatting away in a language that only the two of them understood. The entire gate was watching them and smiling in appreciation of the free entertainment, they were so much fun to watch together.

Eli was pacing in the gate area, on the phone talking Riley off the ledge as the gate agent announced the preboarding for our flight. “I’ll be there in a few hours” Eli said. “Just go run your errands and avoid you mother until I get there” he said, “Riley, Riley, just listen to me…” he pleaded. Zach and I were eavesdropping and laughing quietly, it was kinda fun to watch Kelly drive OTHER PEOPLE Crazy for a change.

Finally, Zach picked up his phone, called his dad, and asked him to step in. His dad just laughed and said he’d handle it. He knew how to “divert” Kelly’s attention. We all lined up and started boarding the plane, Eli hung up just in time to join us. He was appreciative when Zach told him what he had done. The rest of our flight was surprisingly peaceful as the nine adults pitched in to keep the kids happy and quiet. When The Captain announced that we could get up and move around, Izzy and Maggie walked the aisle introducing themselves to the other passengers, offering them goldfish crackers, and charming the hell out of all of them. Our second flight with the kids was as uneventful as the first… damn they could adapt to anything. We landed in Wisconsin where Izzy and Maggie stood by the gate door and said goodbye to all the passengers as if they were all personal friends. We had to wait for everyone to deplane before the two tiny princesses allowed us to get our luggage and got to the rental car counter where three SUV’s with car seats loaded were waiting for us. We all piled into the three vehicles, and headed to the hotel to check in before the rehearsal dinner later that evening.

We texted Nathan, Kelly, and Riley to let them know we were at the hotel. Kelly had taken Riley to the seamstress for a couple of last minute dress alterations and said they’d come to the hotel to see us when they were done. Nathan was finishing up at the office and decided to come meet us for a drink. There was a coffee bar and a regular bar down in the lobby, we all met down there after we checked in, Us, Max and Brody, Gina and Dylan, Scotty and Brad, Brian and Olivia, my sisters, Eli (who was staying at the hotel while Kelly forced Riley to stay at the house), some other friends and family…. So many people!

Nathan walked into the lobby and the kids went nuts! Izzy yelled, “Gwampa Nafan” with excitement.

“I have no idea how long your mother will be. How about a cocktail while we wait?” Nathan suggested as he lifted Izzy in his arms and got a bear-sized hug from the little girl. After a day of traveling with five kids, a cocktail sounded like a good plan so Nathan grabbed some drinks from the bar and we hung out in the lobby mingling and catching up with everyone. Things were rocking at the hotel! The AZ gang was trickling in and Freddy and Izzy reunited with their soon-to-be cousins in the lobby as they were checking in. The second Westin-Hall wedding of our generation had taken over the hotel in the tiny Central-Wisconsin town. The hotel lobby was loud, fun, and exploding with family and friends. We were only there about twenty minutes when Kelly and Riley showed up. Kelly hugged Eli first (I guess the groom got top billing), The Riley pushed her mother away and clung to her fiancé like a life raft. It was clear she’d had enough of Kelly. Kelly then hugged her son, then me, and finally gave her soon-to-be grandchildren her full attention. “I hope you aren’t all drinking before the rehearsal, you only have a couple of hours” she yelled to the crowd. Nathan put his arm around her and whispered something in her ear then she yelled, “Oh what the hell” she said, “I’m so happy you’re all here. I’ll have a gin and tonic!” Then she started to mingle and greet everyone. She carried Izzy in her arms, poor Izzy was trapped, it was clear she’d rather be running around with the other kids… oh well, that’s the price of being loved, I guess. Kelly came back over and asked me and Zach, “Are the kids bags and the car seats in the rental?”

“Yup” Zach answered.

“Are you ready for your first sleepover at Grandma’s house?” She asked Izzy as she bounced the elated child on her hip.

“YAY!” is all Izzy said. Freddy and Izzy were so excited to spend the night with “Gwama and Gwampa” after the rehearsal dinner so that Zach and I could join all the guys to celebrate Eli’s last night of Bachelorhood. Kelly put Izzy down and she took off like a shot to play with the other kids).

“Are you sure you want to do this mom?” Zach asked. “You got a lot going on. You can still back out.”

“Yup” She said. “I’ve missed them so much” Kelly didn’t care if the paperwork was official or not, those were her grandchildren. So, that was that. Nathan and Zach agreed to exchange vehicles at the rehearsal dinner so the Hall’s would have the car seats and we’d have a ride to their house in the morning. We continued to hang out with everyone for about an hour before we had to head up to the room to get ourselves and the kids ready.

I took the first shower, then got the kids ready while Zach was in the shower. We took the elevator down to the lobby, when the door opened there was my dad and Best. “There they are!” He said in a jovial voice, it took a second or two to click, but the kids recognized him and cried out ‘Grandpa West” Then he introduced the kids to his “friend” Best.

“Are you guys coming to the rehearsal dinner tonight?” Zach asked.

“Yes, and the rehearsal” he answered. “Eli asked me to walk him down the aisle with Brad.” That was a surprising answer, Eli had never mentioned it to me.

I was shocked at first, then maybe a little jealous… my dad wasn’t even at our wedding. I shook that thought and said, “That’s nice. We’ll see you at the church.” Then we loaded the kids into the rental and went to the church. While Dad and Best checked in to the hotel.

On the way over the kids talked about their big sleepover with Grandma Kelly and Grandpa Nathan. Izzy was over the moon excited, but Freddy was a little apprehensive, “are you guys gonna come with us?” He asked.

“No” Zach said. “Grandma and grandpa want to spend some time with just you guys. Grandma missed you so much!” He explained while locking eyes with the toddler in the rearview mirror.

“She missed us?” Freddy asked, followed by “Because she loves us?”

“Yup” Zach said with a smile. “Because she loves you.” That seemed to do it for Freddy, that’s all he needed to know.

“Good, because we love her too” Freddy said with a smile. I couldn’t help but laugh at that exchange.

When we pulled up to the church, the wedding party was already there. Riley’s best friend Zoey from High school was the maid of honor, Gina, and my two sisters were standing up. I was the best man, and Zach, Brian, and Scotty were standing up for Eli, with Brad and Dad walking him down the aisle. The rehearsal went perfectly with Kelly in control-freak mode. After the rehearsal she took Zach and I aside and said, “I spoke to Father Andrew and asked him to bless your union after the ceremony… our parish is doing that now.” Her announcement caught us off guard. I honestly didn’t know how I felt about that. Zach saw it in my face and asked Kelly to give us a moment.

“I take it you don’t like the idea” he said once Kelly walked away.

You know me, I had struggled my whole life trying to find the right place for god and religion in my life, you would think I would be happy. I thought before I spoke, “Well, three years ago Kelly fought for us to get married in this church and lost the battle. Now, suddenly they are thrilled to bless our “same-sex union.” I don’t really care if we have their blessing or not, in fact it seems almost insulting at this point. What? Riley and Eli’s marriage is superior to ours? They get to be married in the church and we’re supposed to be excited about a blessing after three years of wedded bliss?!” Zach looked at me, he understood my point of view.

“I get it, but I grew up in the Catholic church” he said quietly, “I dunno, I think it would be kind of nice to be recognized.” I understood his point of view as well. Acceptance is a powerful thing, but to me this felt more like a hollow gesture than acceptance. It was clear Zach wanted to do this, so after some discussion I agreed… for Zach and Kelly. Honestly, it didn’t mean much to me. We called Kelly back over and told her we would do it; she was elated. Although it meant nothing to me, it was obviously important to her… and she was important to me, therefore… you get the pattern.

After the rehearsal was over, we went to dinner at the same steakhouse where we had ours. A lot of the same people were there, it felt kind of like a reunion of our wedding. The only ones who were glaringly missing were Kev, Randy, and family. They came in a couple of days early and were staying with Randy’s mother in the next town and skipped the rehearsal dinner to hang with her. So, we wouldn’t see them until the wedding, however, they were staying at the hotel the night of the wedding so we’d get to spend some time with them. Meanwhile, Kelly had set up a kids table for Freddy, Izzy, Theodore, Maggie, Maddox, Brooklyn, and my sisters’ kids. She had treat bags for each of them with candy, toys, crayons, etc. plus activities to keep them busy… it worked. They were being good and having a great time so the adults could too, it was a great event that ended about 9:00, Kelly and Nathan loaded our kids into the rented SUV and took them home for sleepover night at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Kelly was so excited, but the night would be pretty boring, Izzy passed out as soon as Nathan buckled her into the car seat. My in-laws were just happy to have kids in the house again.

Back at the hotel, the party bus was waiting. We all boarded; my brothers, our friends, Zach’s cousins, Nathan, Dad, Best, some Hall family friends… a LOT of the same crew that was at our bachelor party at the Casino three years before.

“Where we goin’? Eli asked.

“The strip club off the I” Zach said. “It’s a seedy hole in the wall, but it’s the only strip joint anywhere near here.”

“Women strippers? Men? Or both?” Eli asked.

“Women” Zach said with a grin.

Eli just laughed, “It’s about time we have a straight night, god knows I’ve been to my share of gay bars with all you queens.” Yup, he had been… our bachelor party was pretty gay, Brody and Max’s was EXTREMELY gay, not to mention random nights out, etc. Eli, Brian, Dylan, and any other straight guy in our world were usually outnumbered but were such good sports, they never hesitated to hit gay bars with us. That night was our turn to enter unfamiliar territory. The bus was full of noise, laughter, and booze as we cruised down the country roads and freeways for about twenty minutes until we pulled up to a free standing warehouse-looking building in the middle of nowhere. We all jumped out of the bus and went inside. The place was a dump! A typical, rural Wisconsin, small town, dive bar that smelled like cigarette and cigar smoke, perfume masked body odor, and desperation. The music was loud and the bass was thumping. There was a main stage near the back with a pole and lighting that synced up with the music. There were also several black platforms set up throughout the bar where the girls could dance after they left centerstage. Each platform had a single spotlight… about half of them were occupied by “local talent.” None of the dancers were particularly beautiful, or built, or even sexy… they were just… just kind of there, ya’ know. They all seemed bored as they methodically danced to the music. It wasn’t like the gay strip clubs I had been to where they guys were hot as hell, built like brick shithouses, and working the crowd into a frenzy. This was more depressing than fun.

We were on our way to the bar when I heard someone yell from across the bar, “Zach Attack!!! What in the living fuck are you doing at a strip bar, I heard you were a homo!” Our entire group looked the guy’s way ready to intervein if there was trouble. The guy moved quickly towards Zach and pulled him into a bro hug. There were half a dozen guys with him.

“Shipwreck you piece of human crap. How the fuck are you?!” Zach shot back as the bro’s hugged. “Seth, Shipwreck was the striker from my high school soccer team” then he went on to introduce the rest of the guys… all former high school soccer teammates. “This is my husband Seth” he said to the group. The group feigned smiles not sure how to react to that introduction.

“I knew you were a homo” Shipwreck Joked, the guy seemed like a bit of a.. well, let’s say douche. Then the guys bro’d out and Zach ended up sitting with his old buddies at the side of the stage. The rest of us bellied up to the bar, got our drinks, then took them back to the group of tables they had reserved for us right in front of the main stage. My dad, West, and Nathan sat at a table with some of Nathan’s straight friends and business associates (my Dad and West seemed to blend in well). There were a couple of tables of younger straight guys, mostly Zach’s cousins, family friends, and Riley’s friends from high school. Then there was the gay contingent; Our village of friends from North Carolina and our village of friends from Arizona, we were all just sitting there soaking in the thick, dense atmosphere. We had only been there about fifteen minutes when Kev and Randy showed up. Randy’s mother lived only about ten miles from the bar, so they decided to leave the kids with her to surprise Eli. The gay crowd was having a great time just shooting the shit, catching up, and pretty much ignoring the topless girls dancing and mingling around us. When the girls finished a dance or two, they would either jump onto a platform and keep dancing or mingle with the crowd soliciting lap dances and tips. It was funny to watch as the girls started to realize that our gay contingent, although indifferent to the stripping taking place on centerstage, was fun, talkative, and full of big tippers. Eventually they all migrated our way.

I was showing Kev, Randy, Scotty, and Brad the latest pics of our kids when one of the strippers, Candy Crush, looked over my shoulder and saw a picture of the kids with The Easter Bunny and squealed with excitement, then she ran in her stilettos to the break room to grab her phone and came back to share pics of her kids with us. Meanwhile, Mauricio had disappeared backstage to help Diamond Tierra give her hair and makeup a little more “bitch and sass.” Off to the side, Max and Brody were teaching destiny Stardust a couple of dance moves fresh from the floor of the hottest (and only) dance club in Wilmington. While we were all making BFF’s with the strippers, the booming voice of the announcer came over the speaker and said, “Will our bachelor boy Eli please step onto the Centerstage and take your place on the throne of honor!” The little club echoed with the cheers and applause of our entire group (which was most of the audience) as my cocky older brother hammed it up while he made his way to center stage. He lifted his arms begging for more applause, the room got louder and louder. He walked around the stage with his arms in the air riling up the crowd before taking his rightful place on the throne of honor. As soon as he sat down, the room went dark and the deep bass of “Don’t Cha’” by the Pussycat Dolls almost burst my eardrums. The announcer bellowed, “Gentleman, please welcome to the center stage our guest of honor all the way from North Carolina, here enjoying his last evening of bachelorhood, ELI!!!” The crowd got louder and crazier, then he announced, “Joined by our very own, Sapphire Blaaaaazzzzze!” The crowd went freaking wild as the multi-colored lights flashed and pulsated in sync with the heavy bass of the Pussycat Dolls. A fog covered the stage making Eli briefly disappear. A gust of wind from a fan off stage blew the mist away and out of the fog she emerged… the wild-haired, smokey-eyed vixen, Sapphire Blaze. Dressed all in leather and wielding a riding crop, her thigh-high, stiletto-heeled boots carried her flawlessly across the stage as she circled my helpless brother while we all looked on in awe. At the perfect beat in the music, she put the crop to his chest, then strutted around him using it as an anchor. On another perfect beat, she straddled his lap, facing him. Her movements were sensual and mesmerizing as she danced on and around him, treating him as though her were a stripper pole. The finale’ found her laying lengthwise on Eli’s lap, bare-chested, legs in the air, and her head hanging off the other side with her wild hair almost touching the dirty floor… her clothes had magically disappeared into the fog. And. The. Crowd. Went. Wild. She kissed Eli before leaving him alone on the stage. Finally, Eli stumbled off the stage to the cheers of the crowd with a goofy grin on his face.

Through the entire show, Zach was off to the side butching it up with his high school soccer buddies. His jock persona had taken over… ugh. I preferred the protective, loving, husband and father Zach over the frat-boy jock Zach, but ‘hell… let him have his fun’ I thought. At midnight our gang got back on the bus to head to the hotel, we had a big day ahead. Zach came over to me as I was about to get on the bus. “Hey, is it cool if I hang back with the guys?” Zach asked, “Shipwreck said he’d drop me off at the hotel” His face was pathetic, like when Freddy begged for ice cream before dinner.

“Yeah, it’s cool” I said with a smile.

Shipwreck was standing near us eavesdropping and yelled back to the guys “Zach Attack has permission from the Mrs. to hang with us” and the guys cheered. Ugh… jocks. We kissed goodnight as Shipwreck let out an audible “ew” and I got on the bus and went back to the hotel without Zach.

The hotel room was clean, quiet, and damn nice, and the big, jetted tub was calling my name. I grabbed a cocktail from the minibar, drew a hot bath, turned on the jets, and put a wet washcloth over my eyes. It had been a very long time since I had been completely alone.  A moment of escape before the big day… goddammit it felt awesome!

I was in the tub for just a short while when Zach stumbled his way in; he was pretty drunk. “Hey drunk boy, how was your night with the jock boys?” I asked with a smirk.

“Gooooood” he answered with a drunken smile. “Shipwreck kissed me” His proud smirk took over his face.

“What?!” I exclaimed with a little laugh.

“Yup. The straight boy kissed me” He said with all smiles. “I still got it.” I realized at that moment that Shipwreck was absolutely no threat to me, and Zach’s ego got a well-deserved boost.

“What the fuck happened?” I asked. Zach came over and knelt by the side of the tub. His hand reached in and found my flaccid member under the water, he massaged it as he told his story.

“Well, I was hanging out with the guys… it was fun seein’ ‘em all again” he said. His hand gripped me tighter while he stroked me, bringing me to hardness and splashing the water in the jetted tub. “Anyway, the guys were just generally bitching about their lives and reliving the high school glory days. It was fun catching up and reminiscing, but we didn’t last very long at the club after you left. After we all said goodnight, I got into shipwrecks Camaro and he started to bring me back here.”

I interrupted him asking, “Why do they call him shipwreck anyway?” 

Zach laughed, “When we were sixteen, we were hanging out at his parents cabin on the lake, he took the boat out with Tara Wolski bragging to all the guys that he was gonna bang her on the sandbar. He docked the boat on the sandbar and made his move. She got pissed and told him to take her back to the cabin. He started the motor before pushing the boat off the sandbar and fucked up the propeller and they were stuck out in thew middle of the lake. She swam back to the cabin and left him there… shipwrecked. Thus, the name” he laughed again.

I laughed and shook my head, “what a douche.”

Zach nodded, agreed, and continued. “Anyway, we were talking and reminiscing the whole way back to the hotel, then he pulled under the awning by the front door to drop me off. I thanked him for the ride and gave he a bro hug… then he kissed me” Zach paused.

“What the fuck?” I asked with an amused, yet confused scoff.

“I KNOW!” Zach exclaimed with a laugh. “THAT’S WHAT I SAID! I pushed him off and said, ‘what the fuck shipwreck?’ Then he gave me a confused look and asked, ‘what? You’re gay. I’m horny from the strippers. I was gonna do you a favor and let you suck me off.’”

“Oh my god!” I said, “that redneck douchebag thought he was doing you a favor by letting YOU suck HIM off??!” I laughed out loud.

“I laughed at the douchebag and said, ‘have you seen my husband?! Why the fuck would I slum it with you? Goodnight douchebag, it was swell seein’ ya’ then I got out of the car. I was pissed at first, but on the elevator on my way up here, I thought about it and started to laugh… the big tough guy who used to pick on everyone wimpy kid in the school wanted a blow job.” Zach was drunkenly amused by it… so that’s how I decided to react. I laughed.

“You deserve to GET a blowjob from a hot guy” I said, “so drop ‘em Zach Attack.”

With a dopey grin on his chiseled face, he stood, dropped his shorts, and out flopped his sweaty slab of manhood. I grabbed it with my wet hand, leaned in and took a whiff. His man scent was strong and musky, mixed with cigarette smoke and a hint of body wash. The nastiness of it all brought out my lust and I devoured him. Zach put a hand on my turned head to hold it steady and pushed inward. I wanted him and he wanted me, but the angle was uncomfortable as hell and just wasn’t working. I pulled off his dick and said, “you need to get in here with me.” I swear his clothes just vanished into thin air just like Sapphire Blaze’s had earlier! One second, he was fully dressed with his shorts at his ankles, the next he was buck naked and stepping into the warm tub. He was facing me as he nested his right foot between the side of the tub and my wet body and rested his left knee on the edge of the big tub. His glory was just inches from my face. I leaned forward taking him in my mouth… deep this time. His spongy head hit the back of my throat gagging me and making me sputter. His hands found their way to my head and his fingers got tangled in my wet locks. Zach was charged! He started to face fuck me hard, his hips ramming his shower rod in and out of my warm mouth like a snake unclogging a drain. He got lost in his own lust and was face fucking me rigorously, so hard in fact that the back of my head was hitting the tile wall. It took all my strength to push him back. With tears in my eyes, I choked out the words “Slow the fuck down, I don’t need another fucking concussion.”

Zach sobered up for a quick second, “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

I nodded and said, “yeah, just don’t knock me out.”

Zach pulled the towel off the bar above me, tucked it behind my head, “Sorry. Better?” I nodded again as I grabbed his pulsating head and led it to my mouth. Once Zach knew I was comfortable, he started face-fucking me again, this time with a little more caution. I grabbed his ass using it’s cute dimples as handles to pull him deeper. I was lost in the pure lust of it all as he pummeled my throat, his sweaty balls slapping my chin and his smoke-scented pubes tickling my nose. He grabbed two handfuls of my hair and cranked up his thrusts a few notches. “Fuck” he groaned with his head thrown back, “fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck… Oh yeah, fuck” he muttered as his fuck stick pulsated and grew to its full girth in my mouth until… “FUUUUUUUCK” he shot his load down my throat and right into my flat stomach. I didn’t even get to taste his seed until he pulled out. “Holy fuck” he said panting as he lifted his knee off the edge of the tub and put is left foot in the water. He was not standing above me, straddling my wet body as I licked my lips desperate to taste his cum. My Calgon moment had turned into a lust-fueled water ride.

He reached for one of the tiny bottles sitting on the ledge of the tub behind me and squeezed a little shower gel into his hand then reached for his own hole, and lubed it up. Then, without warning he lowered his ass into the water and onto my cock, I was rock hard and ready for anything. Fuck, it was amazing! The water was starting to cool down and the heat of his cavern wrapped around me like a warm towel just out of the dryer. Up and down, he bounced splashing water as he did. The jets continued to whir and pulsate as Zach fucked himself on me. I looked up at his beautiful face, he was gone! There was a look of euphoria as he braced himself on the edge of the tub with his hands and continued his glorious water ride. After a minute or two, I grabbed his hips and started pushing up into him, faster and faster I pushed until it was my turn. “I’m cumming” I panted causing my husband to bounce harder and faster and splash the water like a three hundred pound man doing a cannonball into a swimming pool. With a pleasure filled grunt I shot my load into him. He continued to bounce and ride until I went soft, then he just sat on me in the coldish water and leaned in for a kiss.

Eventually we got out of the tub, took a shower, and lay down together in the luxurious bed. The room was quiet. No kids. No dog. Just us lying face-to-face. “It was good to see the old gang tonight” Zach whispered.

“I’m glad you had fun” he said as I brushed the two strands of blond hair away from his eyes.

“It was eye-opening” he whispered. “I can honestly say that of all my old high school friends, I’m the happiest” then he pecked me on the cheek. “You saved me from a miserable life in this dead-end town… I don’t think it’s possible to love you more.”

With my heart warmed, I fell asleep with the man I loved.

 

To be continued…