Part 27, CHANGING OF THE GUARD
DAVE
The rest of September moved rapidly to a close
after we returned to Memphis. My orders came the last week. Rather than going
to Bremerton, Washington, and the Coral Sea, I would be flying to Newport News,
Virginia, and join the skeleton crew for a shakedown cruise on a new aircraft
carrier due to be commissioned and then sailed to the San Diego North Island
homeport. 15 October was my detachment date, reporting to the U.S.S. John
Stennis three days later. Sunday, 30 September, was the last day of the pool
operation. Monday, Jim would join me to secure the facility for winter. Funny,
while we had become quite friendly, I hadn’t seen much of Jim for the past
couple of months.
Thursday afternoon Mike was in for his late swim.
In the locker room, I did my closing paperwork while Mike changed. “You up for
a quiet dinner tomorrow night at the apartment?” he asked.
“That’s fine, babe, as long as you do the cooking.” Looking at Mike, I chuckled and added, “I’m glad my man knows food.”
After pulling up his black boxer briefs and
adjusting the crotch, he walked behind me and placed his large hands on my
shoulders. “Buddy, I’ll handle the food if you’ll handle me.” With that he
ground his cotton-covered package into my back while moving his hands down to
my pecs and nipples.
“Look who’s handling who,” I muttered with a smile.
“I think it’s ‘whom’, but that’s splitting hairs,”
Mike said with a laugh. “This is just a sample of what I’ve got planned for you
tomorrow.” He leaned over for a kiss on the cheek before returning to the
locker to finish dressing. Except for an occasional touchy-feely moment like
the one that just occurred, we both towed the line on not starting any physical
mischief in the locker room. “I’ll be coming in early tomorrow to give you the
whole enchilada.”
“How come you’re getting off early on Friday?” I
stowed my clipboard away and started dressing.
“Taking some personal time off. Tomorrow is a big
surprise for you.” He smugly looked my way.
“Yeah? Well, that big surprise I get every week.
Though, I don’t think I’d call it an enchilada.” We both laughed. “Seriously,
wassup?”
“I’ll be in town tomorrow afternoon to do food
shopping. You’ll find out at dinner.”
“You’re being mysterious. Ok, if you get the food,
I’ll buy the wine.”
“You’re on. I’m grilling steaks. Are you going to
the apartment tonight?”
“Yeah. Beth, Phil and I are going to see a new Meryl Streep movie called “The Bridges of Madison
County” this evening. Clint Eastwood’s in it as well as directing. I’m leaving
as soon as I lock up,” I concluded while tucking in the chambray shirt.
“Clint
Eastwood in a chick flick? Whatever happened to Dirty Harry?” Mike said with an
exaggerated laugh. “Hmm, have fun. I’ll see ya tomorrow then.” We traded kisses
as he exited by the back door.
MIKE
Walking
back to the club building, I was bursting with excitement about my surprise for
Dave. I could hardly believe it. I went into the bar and found Doug. I had
asked him to join me for a drink because I had some big news to share.
Doug
stood as I approached the corner booth. There was a happy hour pitcher of beer
and two frosted glasses on the table. He must have just arrived because my
glass was still cold. “Hey, Doug,” I said as we shook hands. I eased into the
booth and added, “Looks like the beer fairy has been here.”
“Fairy
this,” he uttered as he discretely grabbed my crotch under the table.
I
smiled and said, “Mr. Di Marco, have you no honor? I’m a married man.” We both
laughed, as he used the free hand to pour a beer. Our friendship had settled
into a brotherly relationship. Well, a gay brotherly relationship.
“And
so, Mr. Cole, what is the big news?” We both took a good swig.
“I
got my orders this morning.”
“Since
you’re smiling, I assume that you like them?”
“Yep.
Big time.” Taking another swallow of beer, I continued, “After taking the first
two weeks of January to close down this place, I’m being transferred to the ‘O’
Club at North Island as Club Officer.” I was beaming brightly.
“San
Diego? No fucking way! Mike, that’s great news. How did Dave react?”
“I’m
going to tell him when we have dinner tomorrow night.”
Doug
looked earnestly at me and continued, “He’s going to be one happy camper. And I
am too.” He motioned me to raise my glass, and we clinked the two together.
“With San Diego only a two hour drive away from L.A., we can all get together
often.”
“You’re
still planning on living at home for a while?”
“Exactly.
Mom and Dad’s place is a great location, and there’s plenty of room. Until I
know exactly what kind of money I’m going to make in a position with the
production company, I need to keep the overhead manageable. I have a feeling
that it’ll be peanuts to begin with. But, we’ll have plenty of time to see each
other. I’ve got lots of places you’d like to see.”
“That
will be great. I don’t know the West Coast at all.”
“I’ll
be your official guide when you get out there. And, when Dave’s ship is in
port, we can show him around.” He paused and refilled our glasses. “And now, my
man, I’ve got some news for you.”
“By
the smile, I’d say it’s happy news also?”
“Happy
doesn’t describe it.” He paused and lowered his voice level. “Brent got his
orders today. He’s joining some flag command as a Yeoman at the Naval Air
Station Miramar. Fucking San Diego!”
“That’s
great. Our little nuclear family unit doesn’t have to break up.” We both were
smiling smugly. Suddenly, Doug’s eyes got larger.
“Mike,
I got a great idea. Why don’t the four of us get a two-bedroom apartment? You
and Brent could live there full time.
Dave and I would have a place to flop when we’re in town. Maybe you and
Brent could take care of 2/3’s of the rent, and Dave and I could contribute the
remaining 1/3.”
“That
could work.” Brent and I got along very well. Officer-enlisted status didn’t
mean squat to me off base. “I wonder where we could live?”
“Best
place would be an area called Hillcrest. Very close to the San Diego Zoo. It’s
centrally located, so that each of you wouldn’t have a long commute. And the
place is gay as a goose.”
“Oh,
really?”
“Yeah.
Some hot bars there. But I figure that you and Brent will chaperone each
other.”
“Maybe
he could help ease my tension on occasion?” I said with a smirk.
“No
fucking way, Jose.”
“I’m
kidding, buddy.”
MIKE
After
checking with all the bartenders and evening manager early afternoon Friday, I
went to the BOQ to change into civvies and make the commute into town. I
arrived at the apartment around 1500. Dave must have been out on errands. This
allowed me time to continue on to Kroger’s for steaks, vegetables and salad.
Driving further, I picked up a banana cream pie at Sweet Solomon’s Bakery that
Dave loved. They had a killer graham cracker crust.
Returning
at 1630, I carried my afternoon purchases upstairs and opened the door. Dave
was back. As he approached me in CK briefs and nothing else, I eagerly waited
for his welcoming kiss and caress. “Hi babe, missed you,” he said coming up and
nibbling my lower lip while cupping my ass with his warm hands. I sat down the
groceries and pie box on a nearby table.
“Hon,
you know how to make me feel welcomed,” I replied. Kissing and returning the
nibbles with an abbreviated tongue bath around his face, I never tired of his
presence.
“How
welcomed?”
“How
about this?” With that, I reached in his briefs and gently grabbed his cock
head. As we continued to kiss, I started massaging his member with my thumb.
His dick was growing in my hand in a matter of moments.
“Hmmm.”
He moved his groin into mine and started rotating. My hand was still attached
to his now throbbing hard-on. “Is this the way Lucy and Desi started?”
Pulling
my hand up to behind his neck, I started rubbing his short-cut hair. “What are
you, some kind of trivia queen?”
He
pulled away and grinned. “Queen? The whole barracks watches Nickelodeon at
Night and all these re-runs. Queen my ass.” He assumed a fake-pout mode.
“Your
ass is what I have in mind later.” With that, I launched into a full-frontal
kiss. I breathlessly withdrew and added, “I hardly think of you as a queen.”
“I
know.” He resumed our kisses. Finally, he withdrew and rested his head into my
shoulder. With a final hug, he said, “This is just part one.” Pulling away, he
took the grocery bag while I retrieved the pie box.
In
the kitchen, while I unpacked this afternoon’s purchases, Dave said, “It looks
like Mr. Cole and Mr. Swenson are going to eat pretty well tonight.”
Organizing
the food, I replied, “Gotta make sure my man is well fed.”
“I
found a terrific 1991 Camus Cabernet Sauvignon today in a little liquor store
on sale for twenty bucks. They obviously didn’t know what they had.”
“Wow.
My cost would be around $60.00. Good shopping.” I turned and gave him a light
peck on the lips.
“Your
personalized wine appreciation classes have come in handy, Mike.”
“The
classes will continue next semester,” I replied with a shit-eating grin.
“Whatchu
mean?”
“Give
me a minute. I want to get into something casual. How was the movie last
night?” I walked to the closet area and changed into cargo shorts and a tee
while Dave gave me a short synopsis of the movie.
Returning
to the kitchen, I prepared the salad and heated the water for cooking the
broccoli. “Babe, if you’ll watch the water, I’ll go down below to turn on the
grill and start the steaks.” The apartment complex had a common gas grill for
our use by the pool. Before leaving, I added, “It might be a good idea to open
the wine and let it breathe.”
“Good
idea. And I’m going to put some clothes on.” He was cutting the foil as I
walked out the door.
After
turning on and lighting the grill, I waited for the heat to peak before placing
the two New York strip sirloin steaks on the fire. Closing the lid, I returned
to the apartment to see what else was needed. Dave had set the table and the
Camus was open. I could hardly wait to sample Dave’s fantastic bargain. As I
walked into the kitchen, I was handed a large cocktail glass filled with a
chilled, clear liquid.
“Martini,
Sir?”
“Absolut?”
“Absolut
Citron, of course.” Dave knew I loved a shaken Absolut Citron martini with a
lemon peel.
“Thanks,
babe. You always know how to make me happy.” We lightly clinked the glasses and
sipped slowly. “I’m going to take this down while I tend to the steaks. Would
you put the broccoli in the pot when the water comes to a boil?”
“Yes,
my chef.” Dave said, and winked as I returned to the grill below. It was time
to turn over the steaks.
While
watching the meat cook to perfection, I thought about these last five months.
How lucky was I to continue our wonderful relationship together out West? I had
won the fucking mega-lottery. Pulling the medium-rare steaks off the grill, I
returned with the charred beauties on a platter.
Dave
had sat the salads at our place settings. In the kitchen, I arranged the steaks
and vegetables on two plates and returned to the dining table. As we sat down,
Dave poured a taste of wine in my glass. I gratefully tasted this robust, red
California wine with all the complexities of the earth and fruit. “Dave, this
is marvelous. Thank you.” He poured more for me before filling his glass
half-full.
“Mike,
I’m dying to know what this surprise is all about. That it’s our fifth month
anniversary is hardly a surprise.” We both drank the wine and started slicing
the meat.
“Yeah.
Happy fifth. And many more.” We clinked glasses again. “But, tonight, I want to
talk about our future. You’re leaving in two weeks for your ship. I want to
discuss what’s going to happen with us once you’re gone.” I looked at him in a
solemn manner.
“I
didn’t plan on falling in love,” he replied. “I don’t know what the answer is.”
He stared down at the plate in a contemplative pose.
“Well,
I’ve found a solution,” I said brightly.
“Solution?”
He looked up at me in a curious fashion.
“I
got orders today transferring me to a new club somewhere to a base called North
Island.” I looked into his eyes as it slowly registered that we were going to
be together in San Diego.
He
jumped up from the table and came over to give me a big hug. “Oh, shit, Mike, I
couldn’t have dreamed for this to happen. When did you find out?”
“Yesterday.
I know it’s a little deceptive. But I wanted to wait until we were together
like this to share the news.” I stood and kissed him. “Babe, let’s sit down and
eat while the steaks are still warm.”
Returning
to his seat, he continued, “This is wild. I didn’t have a chance to tell you
that Brent is also being transferred to San Diego. To Miramar.”
“Doug
and I talked about that. How would you feel if Brent and I shared a two-bedroom
apartment in San Diego that you would use as home when you’re in port, and Doug
would have available when he visited Brent?”
“I love the idea.”
I
gave a rundown of the arrangements that Doug had suggested and the Hillcrest
neighborhood.
“Mike,
if you don’t mind, I have a lot of furnishings
we could use from my old home in St. Paul. They have special meaning, but
they’re just gathering dust in storage at Bekins.”
“Babe,
if what is in storage is anything similar to what I saw at Gull Lake, I’m all
for it.” Dave shot me a goofy grin as he took another sip of this classic
cabernet.
DOUG
I
felt very pleased that our tight group would be in Southern California
together. Mike was one happy man. I didn’t want to reveal that Brent had been
busy networking with that crusty, old chief in the admiral’s office to arrange
the transfers for Mike and himself. That knowledge would remain between Brent
and me.
Pulling
into a parking spot by the apartment, I noticed that Jim had already arrived. I
had asked Jim and Trev to meet me Friday at 1900. Getting out of the car, I
greeted Jim with a handshake at the front door with a friendly hug. He
understood that we were friends and colleagues only.
“Doug,
I’m glad that you, Trev and I are getting together tonight. We’ve all been so
busy,” he said with a grin.
“Yes,
busy it has been. We’re about to go into the convention season.” Both Jim and
Trev had adapted well to the work. They both had a realistic attitude about
their roles and respected “T’s” judgment about clients.
“Are
we all booked tomorrow night?”
“Yes.
And I think you’re pulling an all-nighter.” I squeezed his shoulder as I
unlocked the door, motioning him to enter first.
“So
I’m told. But I don’t know where it will be.”
Turning
on the lights, I walked to the kitchen. “How about a beer?” Jim gave me thumbs
up. When I returned with two chilled cans of Bud Light, we sat on the couch.
Pulling the tab, I said, “Actually, you’ll be entertaining here.”
”Really?
This is a first for me. Why am I using your place? We both took long sips.
“Let’s
wait until Trev gets here. He’s picking up Chinese from a place on Poplar
Avenue.” Just then the doorbell chimed. “You grab a beer for Trev, and I’ll get
the door.” I opened the door and feasted my eyes on this prototype of a
Southern gentleman stud. I had chosen two hot men. “Hey Buddy,” I said giving
him a light kiss on the lips after closing the door.
“Doug.”
He wrapped his hand around my waist and lightly kissed back. Pulling away, he
smiled broadly when Jim returned with the beers.
“I’ll
trade you a beer for that take-out bag.” Jim exchanged the food for the cold
beer and leaned in for a longer kiss. Releasing the lip lock, He said softly,
“Good to see you, Trev.”
I
realized that this friendship was progressing further. ‘Hmmm,’ I thought. ‘Have
we got a budding romance here?’ “Jim why don’t you turn the oven on low and put
the food in there to keep warm. Trev, help me set the table. There will be four
of us.”
“Four?
Is your partner joining us?” He was
aware that I had not introduced Brent to Jim as an associate, and I had asked
Trev not to mention to Jim who his trainer was.
Out
of hearing range, I answered, “It’s time for the two guys to meet.” We
proceeded to set the table while Jim took care of the food. Just then, the
doorbell rang again. Raising my voice, I said, “Jim the fourth guest is here.
Grab another beer and join us in the living room.” Brent and I always rang
before entering the apartment…just in case.
Trev
followed me as I opened the door and received my love. After he entered, I
pulled him into a tight embrace and kissed him with just a little tongue. We
didn’t say anything. The smiles were enough.
“Here’s
the extra beer,” said Jim, leaving the kitchen. The food’s all set and…Brent?”
He stopped dead in his tracks. With a bewildered expression, he continued,
“Wha…what are you doing here?”
Brent
walked forward and shook the hand of his bewildered barracks-mate. “For some
good food, companionship and conversation.”
“But,
you…”
“Doug
felt it was time for you meet his partner and your associate.” Brent walked up
to Jim and took the extra beer. “Let me officially welcome you to our group.”
He brought Jim’s head close with the free hand and gave the sailor a big sloppy
kiss. “I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I saw you in the showers a
year ago.”
Jim,
still a little stunned, sheepishly grinned and responded, “I wish you had.”
“Guys,
sit down.” We all gathered on the couch and easy chairs. “I thought it was time
for you two to meet. While I’ve had you under my wing, Brent has been mentoring
Trev. You are both fast learners.” I hoisted my beer and the others did the
same. We all silently toasted each other. “I didn’t want the two of you to meet
until you passed our training. Jim, you’ve done well. I’m proud of you.” Jim
was beaming with pride.
Brent
took over. “As you are aware, Doug is leaving the Navy at the end of the year.
And I’m being transferred about that time. We are basically retiring next
month.” The new associates were glued to our words.
“Jim,
you asked about this apartment before the other guys arrived. I wanted both you
and Trev to hear this at the same time.” The two guys leaned forward. “This
place is actually rented and furnished by the Tan Man. Brent and I use this as
a rest stop and for an occasional evening of entertaining.”
“What
happens to the apartment after you’re gone?” Trev asked.
Out
of my pocket, I retrieved two sets of keys. Handing a set to each of the guys,
I answered, “This will be your place next month. Or, like tomorrow with Jim, a
place for a special client.”
Trev
looked at Jim and asked, “How do we coordinate this?”
“Basically
like I do now. I’ve already cleared this with “T.” Trev, because you live in
Memphis and are a civilian with less chance of being monitored, you’re going to
be the coordinator of the apartment and all appointments that are booked as of
the first of November. “T” will be going through you for all of Jim’s dates.”
They looked at each other and nodded affirmatively. “Other than official
business, you two can work out who and when you stay here. From what I have
observed, I assume that one bedroom is all that will be required?” I smiled at
both guys. They grabbed each other’s free hand and smiled back before
emphasizing affirmatively with a kiss.
“We’ve
established that we are more than friends,” Trev offered. “Maybe with this
place to get together, we’ll find out how much more.”
Jim
gave Trev a light kiss and got up. “I’ll get the food out of the oven and bring
it out to the table. You want to help me?” he said directly to his friend. Trev
left the living room with Jim, hand in hand.
“So
how are the acting lessons going?” I asked when Brent and I were alone.
“The
teacher is super. I’m doing one-part scenes in the Saturday afternoon class in
addition to private tutoring on Wednesdays. Next month, he’s going to focus the
class on three and four character scenes from various plays. He thinks I show
great promise for film.”
“Has
Sam gotten back to you with any acting ideas, like he discussed?” I asked.
“Only
that I need to take two weeks leave in January to shoot a few scenes in a new
movie called “Titanic.” I don’t know anything more than Leonardo DiCaprio is in
it. Sam is really pleased that I will be living in San Diego. He mentioned
something about the La Jolla Playhouse and some scenes later in the year in the
movie that Abe and Fred are backing.”
“I’m
really happy for you. Maybe we’ll be working together. Sam sent me a note
indicating that he would have a definite offer ready next month on the
“Confidential” movie. Apparently the script doctors are tweaking the final
script now.“
From
the dining table Jim announced, “Chow’s ready.”
We
all were pretty comfortable, and the conversation bounced around quickly and
lightly. Jim accepted his barracks-mate’s status and was actually joking about
the mysterious Brent who was never around. When dinner was finished and the
kitchen was clean, Brent and I paired up and went to our bedroom. Jim and Trev
were not far behind to theirs.
MIKE
After
clearing the table and stacking the dishes, Dave and I moved over to the
sitting area. We still had the Camus cabernet sauvignon to finish. Dave lit
some of the candles left over from our romantic meeting last summer. I was
sitting in the desk chair after kicking my flip-flops off. After turning off
all the lights, and selecting some soft FM music, he turned and started swaying
to the melody. Coming closer to me, he started unbuttoning his shirt, moving
his shoulders to the beat of the song.
“Oh,
yeah. You know how to please daddy,” I huskily uttered in approval.
“Daddy
likes?” He had unbuttoned the shirt and was now slowly letting it casually fall
from his arms. The music faded into one of my all-time favorites, Barry White’s
“You're
The First, The Last, My Everything.” Dave’s eyes were glistening as he kicked
off his Topsiders and slowly unbuttoned his Khaki shorts.
As I reached forward to help the zipper action,
Dave slapped my hands and shook his head indicating ‘no’. He lip-synched the
title of the song while lowering the zipper. Turning around, I was treated to
the vision of him sliding down his shorts to reveal this hot tight ass covered
with thin white cotton. Kicking away the shorts he turned around with Barry
pounding out the lyrics in the background.
“Hey, big boy, is that a banana in your pocket, or
are you just happy to see me?” he muttered as he drew nearer with a seductive
leer.
“I’m happy to see you, babe, and this ain’t no
banana.” I had to smile at his use of Mae West’s legendary line. Coming nearer,
he straddled the chair and slowly, in beat with the music, lowered himself and
started to do a sailor’s rendition of a lap dance. At this point, my cargo
shorts were definitely tenting.
“Are you having fun, big guy?” he whispered in my
ear, as his butt started grinding against my hard member. Before I could
answer, he aggressively pulled my tee up. I voluntarily lifted my arms for easy
removal. With that, the music segued into another Barry White song, “Can't Get
Enough Of Your Love, Babe.” The friction was becoming difficult to control.
Just then, Dave commanded, “Join me, lover,” and pulled me off the chair after
he got off my lap.
“Is this how you treat all your tricks, sailor?” I smirked, while starting to move with the rhythms. We danced as if our crotches were glued to each other.