Going Home

Ty

I woke up the next morning after my big fight with my roommates, feeling depressed and suddenly thought to myself, shit I am homeless. I quickly checked all the online sites that might have places to rent listed on them. I started making phone calls, after about the fifth, “sorry its’s already rented” I heard, “yes, it is still available, would you like to come look at it?” I asked Blake if he would take me to get my car, and I was soon introducing myself to John and Grace Harris. They were a retired couple that had lived in the house for the last thirty years. When their kids began to bug them about downsizing and selling the house, they chose to convert the upstairs and basement into two separate apartments. Mike and Stacy Adams, a young married couple lived upstairs, and I would be in the basement if I decided to rent from them. They led me down the stairs, there was a small kitchen on the right side, open to a living room on the left. One door across the room that lead to a bedroom with a small bathroom off to one side. It was furnished with secondhand furniture, small but it was very clean. We went back upstairs so they could show me the parking area that was behind the house. Mrs. Harris said, “that is your spot, you go in and out of this back door to get to your apartment.” The back door of the house led into an area that had a washer and dryer and three doors, I saw a sign with Adams on the right door, and Harris on the door to the front. She told me that I was free to use the washer and dryer anytime, we use the honor system so please don’t leave clothes in either machine so others could use them. Mr. Harris then told me what the rent would be, about the same as my share had been with Will, Tara and Adam. I told them that I would take it as we shook hands, I explained my current situation and asked if it be ok if I moved in today. They agreed, as I left to get the rest of my clothes, Mr. Harris said that he would have the lease filled out by the time that I returned.

I had taken the day off from work, I knew that Tara and Adam would be gone to work, it was Will’s day to work at the store too. He usually left at 10:30 to be there at 11, it was about 10:20 so I took my time driving, as I pulled up to corner down the block, I saw Will pull out of the driveway, turn the opposite direction and head to his job. I still had my key, so I let myself in and as soon as I made sure Adam and Tara were gone, I quickly started to gather my clothes. Once I had them loaded in my car, I made a sweep of the rest of the apartment to be sure I wasn’t leaving anything behind I threw my key on the table and left. I drove to my new place, signed the lease with Mr. Harris and I saw my name on the door that led to my apartment. I put my clothes away, then I headed to get some groceries and since I didn’t take the time to sort my dishes and kitchen things from my old place, I would need to stop by Walmart too. It was late in the afternoon by the time I had finished, I put my things away, made myself something to eat and sat to watch some tv. It was very quiet as I thought, this may take some getting used to.

After a few weeks I was getting used to living alone, I got myself a few decorations to make it seem more like home and was enjoying the peace and quiet. I even had Blake and Ashley over for supper to thank them for letting me stay with them. Blake had invited me out with him and Ashley several times, but I always felt like a third wheel, I decided it was time to go out on my own. I found nice bar that was nearby and started to stop by after work once a week. After a few visits I began to make friends with some of the other regulars and even joined a weekly pool league. I went on a few dates, but never got serious with anyone but I was enjoying my new life. I still wasn’t completely happy with job, so I started to send out some resumes. My phone wasn’t ringing off the hook, but I did get a couple interviews, but hadn't heard back from any of them.

I had just walked in my door after another rough day at work, my phone started to ring. I threw my bag on the chair and dug into my pocket to find my phone, looking at the screen, oh thank God.

“Hey mom, I am glad it’s you.”

“Hi honey, why what is the matter?”

“Nothing new, just a rough day at work.”

I had told her all about the mess with Will back when it happened, leaving out the details of course, so I told her what was going on at work and how I was sending out resumes and not getting much response. She of course comforted me and said everything would work out eventually. I still wasn’t holding out much hope but sometimes just talking to your mom makes you feel a little better.

“Thanks for listening mom, so enough of my sob story, what have you been up to?”

“Well, I had a doctor appointment last week to have some tests done.”

“Mom is there something wrong?” Hearing the tone of her voice, my gut fell.

“He called today with the results, Ty I have breast cancer.”

“Shit mom, why did you let me go on and on about my silly little problems, God what do we need to do? What did the doctor say?”

“Ty, slow down, he said we have caught it early so if I start treatments right away there will a good chance, I will be fine.”

“Mom, I going to come home this weekend so we can get everything worked out.”

“No Ty, you don’t need to do that, Ally is coming home so you should just stay there. We can call you and talk then.”

“No way mom, I will be home Friday night, all three of need to work this out together.”

“Ok, well to be honest I would feel a lot better if both of you were here with me, but just for the weekend.”

“We will talk about that this weekend, I love you mom.”

“I love you too sweetie, see you Friday.”

I immediately called Ally, we agreed we both would go home to form a game plan.

Ally was in her second year of college, she had left after her last class and was already home by the time I arrived. After a round of hugs and tears we all sat down to get all the details from mom.

Mom said, “the doctor has already set the first treatment for a week from Monday, Aunt Karen is going to take me and bring me back home.”

I said, “Mom you are going to need some help for a couple days after the treatment, you should have someone here to take care of you. Aunt Karen won’t be able to do that.”

“Ty, I will be fine.”

Ally, said, “Mom Ty is right, look My classes are pretty light that week I will come home to help out.”

I stopped Ally, “no you don’t little sis. I have some vacation time coming, I will stay with you mom.”

“No, now both of you just stop it, I can manage.”

“No mom we are going to help you, until we know how the treatments are going to affect you. Ally you are going to stay in school, I don’t really like my job right now anyway, a little break would do me good.”

Ally and I finally convinced mom to let us help her. I headed back to my place on Sunday night. The next day I told my boss what was going on, he wasn’t too sympathetic but agreed to give me a weeks’ vacation. I filled Mrs. Harris in on the situation just so she knew that I might not be around much in the coming weeks.

Aunt Karen and I took mom for her treatment, after a full day of sitting and waiting, we headed home to put mom to bed so she could rest. The treatment was really hard on mom, and it took several days for her to get out of bed. Ally came home again that weekend and I told her how things went, we decided that one of us would have to move back home to help mom. Ally said she would go back to get her things right away and go back to school when mom was done with her treatments.

“No Ally, you are going to stay in school, look my boss has turned into a real prick and I could care less if I ever go back to my job. I will call him on Monday and tell him I will not be coming back.”

“Ty are you sure?”

“Absolutely, summer break is just a couple months away, you can come home then.”

Ally went back to school on Sunday night and first thing Monday morning I called my boss.

“Let me guess your mommy is still sick and you won’t be in again today.”

I just thought, what a dick, “yes you asshole, my mom is still sick, and not only will I not be in today, but I will not be in ever again. My family is more important to me than a fucking job that I hate. Have a good day Dave.” As I ended the call, shit that felt good.

I called Mrs. Harris, “I am sorry Mrs. Harris, but I have decided to move back to help mom.”

“Oh Ty, that is fine, your lease was just a month to month, we will have no problem renting the apartment.”

“Thank you for understanding, I will come back this weekend and clean out my things. I will give you the next months rent since I haven’t given you proper notice.”

“Mr. Harris won’t hear of it. We can discuss it when you came back, and don’t worry if you don’t make it this weekend.”

Mom walked in, “are you sure about this Ty?”

“Yes, I am, I am committed now, I am pretty sure I don’t a have a job anymore.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you two kids.”

“You raised us to be just like you.”

After a quick trip to pick up my things and say my goodbyes to the Harrises and Blake and Ashley, I was back home getting settled back into my old room.

Mom’s treatments were going as well as could be expected and we were soon done with the first round. There would be a 4 week break before the second round would start so mom was doing well. I decided to stop by and see my old boss at the greenhouse, Mr. Phillips. As I walked in, I noticed how much he had aged in the five and a half years that I had been gone.

He looked toward me, and his face lit up, “Ty, I heard you were back in town, I was hoping you would stop in to say hi.”

“Yes sir, I would have been here sooner, but I have been busy with mom.”

“How is she doing?”

“So far so good, the doctor says the treatments seem to be working. She has another set of treatments, then some more tests to see if she needs a third. Hey, it is that that time of year again, you look pretty busy around here.”

“I am, Ty I don’t know how much longer I can run this place alone. This might be my last year.”

“I tell you what Mr. Phillips, since I am back and mom is between treatments, I could help you out again if you want.”

“Ty, I would love the help, but please I am Frank, you are not a kid anymore.”

“Sure thing Frank, let me call mom and let her know I am here so she can call if she needs anything and I can get to work right now.”

“Thanks, and you take off anytime you need to help your mom.”

I got back into the swing of things back at the greenhouse and for the first time in my post college years I was enjoying going to work. We got through the spring gardening season and things slowed down a bit. Ally had finished classes for the summer, so I had little more time to work. I began to tackle some of the maintenance items around the greenhouse that Frank had let slip over the last couple years.

I made one of many daily trips to Clark’s Hardware for supplies and after visiting with Beth a while I was leaving the store as Janet, the realtor, walked in with a very good-looking guy. I gave him quick hi as I walked by, he gave me a hi back with the most beautiful smile I has seen in a long time, and I saw a set of dimples that almost made me melt. I turned to check him out and thought I saw him checking me out. Maybe things were starting to look up.

Mom had started her next round of treatments, so I was spending less time at the greenhouse and my trips to the hardware store became less frequent. Planting season was over, and I was getting less hours with Frank, so I took a part-time job at the bowling alley tending bar two or three nights a week. Mostly on nights that there was league bowling. About the third week I was there, Beth’s husband, Matt was ordering a beer, after the usual small talk he told me that one of the other guys on his team had broken his arm and he had found a sub to take his place.

Matt said, “his name is AJ, he is Beth’s new boss, just bought the store form the Clark Brothers. The door opened as he walked in the door. AJ over here let me get you a beer, AJ this Ty, Ty this is AJ.”

He stuck out his hand, “Nice to meet you, Ty.” As he flashed those dimples again.

“Nice to meet you too, welcome to North Buff.”

“Thanks, I will have a Bud Light.”

“Here you go, enjoy.”

Matt said, “put that on my tab Ty. Come on AJ let me introduce to the rest of the team.”

“Sure thing Matt, have a good game guys.”

I spent the rest of my night watching AJ bowl, memorizing every muscle of his ass and back as he threw his ball down the lane. As the night went on, he started coming over to bar more and more to make small talk between his turns bowling. I asked how his business was going and asked if a bartender was my only job. I gave a quick overview of how I ended up back in town.

The games were beginning to wind down and most of the guys were changing shoes and heading out the door. Matt and AJ’s team were the last to finish their game and Matt changed his shoes.

“AJ, we are headed across the street to the bar if you want to join us for one more beer.”

“I am going to finish this one and head home, got an early morning, I will see you next week.”

“Sounds good thanks again for filling in for Rob.”

“No problem, I had fun.”

AJ sat down to change his shoes as the last of bowlers left.

He looked toward me, “nice bunch of guys, everybody has been really friendly to me since I moved here.”

“Yes, North Bluff has always been a friendly town, I had forgotten how much everybody looks after each other.”

“Oh, have you been away?”

“Yes, I went away for college six years ago and came back to help my mom six months ago.”

AJ put his empty beer can on the bar, “You know another beer does sound pretty good, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, I think I will join you.”

“Please do, it’s on me.” As he laid his money on the bar. We talked as I finished cleaning up the bar and straightened the chairs around the tables in the bowling area. Once I finished wiping down the tables I grabbed us each another beer and sat next to AJ at the bar. I was trying to think of a reason for us to get together when I finally had a thought.

“Hey AJ, do you like to fish?”

“Shit, I don’t know the last time I went fishing, I guess it would have been with Zach, my best friend form high school.”

“If you want to go sometime, let me know. There is a nice pond outside of town that I used to go to with my grandpa and Uncle Jack.”

“That sounds like fun, the store had been keeping me so busy, I haven’t had much time to relax. Hell, this is the first night I have been out since I moved here.”

“If you are free, we could go on Sunday.”

“You got a deal.”

We made plans to meet at 10:00 Sunday morning, AJ would pick me up at my house, he would bring the beer and snacks, I would bring the fishing rods and bait. He pulled up in his truck right on time, I climbed in and gave him directions. We set out our lawn chairs and began to get our fishing rods ready to cast into the water. Uncle Jack had started cutting the grass around the fishing area when I was in high school, he even had a picnic table and a grill set up and he had kept it up in the years that I was gone. We cast our lines out, opened a beer and picked up our conversation from the night at the bowling alley.

I told him about my dad and how grandpa and Uncle Jack took me under their wing as I grew up. Went on about how great my mom and Ally were and that I went to college to get out of this small town. Then a bad breakup and my mom getting sick brought me back. I left out the details of the breakup, at least for now.

He gave a similar run down of his life, starting with the feeling he was unwanted as a child, but when he got to college how much his roommate’s family included him. He said that even though my dad had passed away, he thought I at least had a better family then he did. He told me that a bad breakup had also led to him moving here. The sun had beating down on us all morning and at some point, AJ had taken off his shirt, I followed suit a short time later.

We weren’t having much luck with fishing, but I didn’t care, the conversation was great, and the beer was tasting pretty good. AJ had kicked off his shoes, I was wearing flip-flops, so I had set them aside some time ago, He stood and started to stretch.

“I am getting a little stiff sitting for so long.”

I just watched as he raised his arm above his head, all the muscles moving as he flexed and twisted. God he was gorgeous, a well-defined back that was turning a little red from the sun. He turned toward me with his hands on the top of his head. His chest was covered with dark hair that went all the way down disappearing into the top of the shorts he was wearing, then beginning again at his muscular legs. I tried not stare but I couldn't help myself, I turned my eyes away just as I felt his eyes on me.

I tried to justify my stare, “Boy you are starting to get a sunburn.”

He looked at his arms and shoulders, “I guess I am. I usually don’t burn too bad, I will be tan by tomorrow.”

“I wish I skin would do that, my skin is fairer, I tan a little but mostly go from white to red.” As I moved my arm and leg to show my red skin.

“You should have put on some sunscreen.”

“I guess so, don’t worry I will survive.”

“So do you ever go swimming in this pond?”

“I used to when I was a kid, damn I should have thought of that, and we could have brought our swimsuits.”

“Yeah, it is getting hot, I bet the water would feel pretty good.”

“It sure would.”

AJ, still with his hands on his head began to twist at the waist, “Well we could just go skinny-dipping, nobody can see us out here, can they?”

“No, I guess not, we will..”

Before I could finish, AJ’s shorts were around his ankles and he stepped out of them as he hollered back, “Last one in is a rotten egg.”

Holy shit, is this happening? His ass was covered with the same hair as his legs, God it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen. I jumped out of chair dropped my shorts and ran to water as fast as I could so that I could hide my suddenly swollen cock. AJ had dove into the water and poked his head just I made it into the pond.

AJ said, “wow this is so refreshing.”

“Yeah, it does feel good on my sunburn.”

We swam around and started to splash each other, I was trying best to keep my hardon under water all the while I was trying to find angle to see AJ’s dick. He had started to run so quickly after he shucked his shorts, I didn’t get a good look.

After about a half an hour we decided to get out of the water, my cock had gone down and was only at about half mast as we started to head for the shore. AJ’s dick emerged from the water first, I was relived to see that he was in the same state as I was. I finally got my first good look, it was as perfect as the rest of his body.

He saw me looking, “sorry, being naked outside always has this effect on me.”

I stepped out of the water, “no big deal, I have the same problem.”

We walked back to where our chairs were, I said, “Shit I should have some towels.” As water ran down AJ's olive skin.

AJ said, “Hey I have an old blanket in my truck from when I moved, we can lay on it as we dry off in the sun before we get dressed.”

I watched that perfect ass bend and twist as he reached in his truck behind the seat and pull out the blanket, his muscles once again flexed as he spread the banket on the ground. I was trying my best to think about anything else so that my dick wouldn’t swell anymore. AJ flopped down the blanket laying on his back and put his hands behind his head. God I just wanted to jump on top of him and touch every inch of his sun kissed body. I lay beside him and snuck more looks at that cock, it was the perfect size for sucking, I was guessing it would be full six inches when it was hard and just big enough around to fit nicely in my mouth. I felt my own cock stiffen again so I turn my gaze skyward.

AJ broke the silence, “so does your uncle own this land?”

“Yes, he farms that ground right over there too. A lot of the other farmers around here say he should take out those trees and plant crops right up to the edge of the pond. He says he likes the pond too much.”

“Well, he’s right this is a nice peaceful place, this is why I wanted out of the city, to be some place like this.”

We laid there for awhile and dried under the sun.

AJ said, “well we didn’t catch any fish, but it has been a great day.”

We got dressed, loaded our gear into the truck and AJ dropped me off at my house, thanked me again and I promised to let him know the next time I was going fishing.

I talked to mom and Ally for a bit and told them I was going to shower and head off to bed. As soon as I was undressed, my dick jumped to attention as I replayed the day in my head. I stood under shower trying to figure out if AJ had sent any signals that I missed, he made sure that he mentioned his girlfriend, I used terms like partner not really giving away a gender when I was talking about Will. I thought I saw him check me out a couple times, but I couldn’t be sure, it was probably just wishful thinking. Maybe I should have told him I was gay. Fuck I guess I blew it.

I finished my shower and want to bed, I jacked myself off with visions of AJ’s body in my head. After I shot my load, I drifted off to sleep pretending AJ was laying there beside me.