That first meeting between Tod and Jason went as I'd hoped. Tod witnessed how to control and reprimand Jason, as needed, and the two bonded, in a fashion, in that Jason clearly yearned to be Tod's boy, and Tod was learning (and liking!) how to use and control Jason.
That evening, after the introductions and Jason's profession of servitude to Tod, we two went off to the clubhouse for dinner. The cuisine there is every bit as fine as at Gaspar's. Tod was well accustomed to restaurant dining and ordered astutely for us both, including the wine.
"The Chateau Margaux '86." he told the waiter. "May as well open a second bottle while you're at it." he said, handing back the wine list.
I looked admiringly at my son.
"So, remind me. What are we having, again?"
"I hope it's not too much food. Let's see... escargots, oysters rockefeller, arugula and beet salad with walnut vinaigrette, and chateaubriand for two with bernaise sauce. I know it's old school, but..."
"Hey, no complaints! I'm starving, and it sounds like this will do the trick. Plus, these are some of my favorites."
The waiter brought the wine, and Tod had him simply pour it. A bad bottle had rarely been served at either club.
"So." Tod said, swirling the deep red wine in its glass, "That was really something. Seeing Jason, I mean." then laughing, "As if I needed to say that."
"Well, tell me your thoughts, Tod. It seems like you saw some possibilities there, eh?"
"Yeah, Dad. For sure. Hey, can I come out here on my own sometime?" he asked.
Naturally, he wanted alone time with Jason to mold him to his own needs.
"Absolutely. I think we're all agreed, Jason too, that he will serve us both. So, when you're here on your own, he's your boy and you're in charge. Outside of really hurting him, Tod, you have a free hand. He needs to feel the strap from time to time and you should consider that an option. In fact, do it sooner than later."
I was pretty much relaying time-tested advice from many of the members. An early strapping helped set the tone with a boy. After the first session, just suggesting or reaching for the strap was enough to pull a slave back in line.
"Just use my own belt?" Tod queried.
"Yes. the one you wear day to day. That's best. That way, after you give him a good shellacking, he'll be able to see it as a reminder."
Tod waited until the waiter withdrew after refilling our glasses.
"Makes sense." he said. "So, next time, maybe?" he said, sounding uncertain.
"Sometime within the first three visits should be okay." I said.
"You know, Tod, as you said, and I fully agree, your time being sexually serviced by Jason should be private. Still, if you're comfortable with it, we could kind of... well, compare notes. What do you think?" I asked, hoping he'd be on board with that.
"Let me think about it, okay, Dad? Maybe after my first visit, I'll have a clearer idea about that." he said, and I appreciated his caution.
"Fine." I said. "Have your first session with him, and see how that goes. There's no hurry. Just enjoy yourself, okay?"
"Thanks, Dad." Tod said, giving me a grateful look.
It wasn't until the week after that Tod went alone to Manclub. He informed me of his plans the night before, and we went over a few things. He seemed quite eager to dive into this particular unknown territory, and I felt proud that my son didn't shrink back from new things, or from what I saw as his rightful inheritance. He left the next day early with a small overnight bag, and I didn't see him again until the following night.
I saw headlights in the drive, and, looking from the living room window, saw that it was Tod's car. Naturally, I hoped that he had had a great experience at the club, but I would wait for him to broach the topic. Candace was out with friends, and Helen was in her room watching a movie. I heard the front door open and close and heard a bag drop. In a moment, Tod entered.
"Hey, Dad. Doing okay?" he said.
"Yeah, fine. Just catching up on some reading. Have you had dinner?"
"I had a quick bite at the club. It was enough." he said.
"Had a good time, I hope?" I ventured.
"I did, Dad." Tod said, smiling; shyly, it seemed.
"Great. If you want to talk about it, I'm game. But if not, that's okay, too." I said, meaning it.
"I could." Tod said. "But, gee, Dad, I'm not sure where to begin." he said, plopping down into an armchair.