Flip does some contract work to fill the time
This is an original fictional story. All characters portrayed in sexual activity are over 18. © Brunosden 2024. All rights reserved.
Flip....
(Saturday) I had worked all day at the theatre arranging and rearranging lights. One of the directors told me that I easily did the work of three men—because I knew what I was doing and because I understood directions. He also complimented my leadership and mentoring skills.
After a quick shower, I had prepared for and done a performance—another special night for our child wonder stars. I'm home, exhausted and ready to turn in. I expected that Michael was still out "entertaining" so I sent a "Good night, love." I had two performances tomorrow. So I knew that I would have time only for a quick gym visit in the morning. But, I really needed a workout. And I was becoming more and more concerned about the lack of communication with Michael. It's funny—when we're together, it's okay if we don't talk a lot, but when we're apart I need to hear his voice and see him on Facetime.
I slept in Sunday—until 9 and headed for the gym after reading Michael's brief text. His announcement and brief "review" of his afternoon in bed with Marylyn didn't surprise me. And, it didn't upset me. I think I knew him well enough that she was not a threat to us. Just another rung on his ladder to success.
For a Sunday, the gym was crowded, but they were mostly "Sunday warriors"—those who workout once or twice a week and were mostly cruising. So I was constantly resetting weights. And I was constantly aware that other guests were watching my every move. I was becoming a celebrity even though I tried to maintain anonymity in day to daylife. I did notice that one of the techs that I'd spent the previous day with was there. He wasn't in designer gym wear. In fact, he looked rather ordinary in sweat shorts and old sneakers. I noted that he was wearing a 'Bama tee that announced his support of the Crimson Tide and probable Deep South origins. He greeted me when I arrived and thanked me for the leadership and good will that I had demonstrated the previous day. Then he asked If I had a partner, and whether we could spot each other. I readily agreed. I loved the slow drawl. And he appeared to be in shape. Maybe he'd encourage me to reach for more.
Ninety minutes later, both exhausted, we headed for the showers. Trey was a nice guy, with a decent build, about my age. He had flaming red hair, deep green eyes and a double-dimpled smile that made me think of home. I had enjoyed the workout more than usual, even though we were mostly silent, anticipating needs as we progressed through the free weights, spotting each other. And, as we parted outside the gym, Trey remarked that he was looking forward to working with me again on Monday. I guess I had agreed to Monday—or at least the BTE thought I had. So, while it was on my mind, I called my agent and postponed our meeting to discuss a rock tour or a follow-on musical.
Brent, Kirk and I met for quick salads—at their place. It was early summer in the City and two to three hour brunches were in swingat the restaurants. I had a 12:30 report for make up before the afternoon curtain. Kirk was rejoining Oklahoma! next Saturday night so he and Brent had an "empty" afternoon to look forward to. I had decided to call Michael between the two shows when I had a few hours to myself. This Sunday was the last matinee for BonTemps and Tammy—since they were leaving the company after Friday night's show. And, of course, we expected near riot conditions. The producers had even hired extra security and alerted NYPD.
Over lunch, I mentioned that I was doing some tech free-lance work as a favor. I casually talked about the possibility for a rock tour—perhaps after making a few music videos. And that Michael had said that he was probably coming back to New York on Thursday. We didn't know when filming would start, but he was pretty confident that he had the part.
Both listened carefully, but didn't comment. Nor did they ask anything about the terms of his departure or our calls since he arrived in LA. I was obviously concerned, but didn't want to unload my fears on these two friends. But, as I was leaving for the theatre, Brent walked me to the door. "We are here for you, Flip. Don't cut us out. Funny things happen to people in La-La Land." We bro-hugged and I left, deciding once again to walk to the theatre.
As I neared the theatre, the crowds were immense. I did my best to look incognito and was successful until the last few feet when someone, watching the stage door made the recognition. Then I spent the next ten minutes signing books and photos—until I protested that I was late. They actually applauded as I entered the theatre.
The show went long—with three encores and numerous interruptions during the performance, and I only had a couple of hours to prepare for the evening show. I called Michael from my dressing room. He answered from the pool—wearing those Speedos again. We had a short chat, but he seemed distracted. The circumstances were not right for video sex. But, it was good to see him relaxed and enjoying the LA lifestyle. I asked about the schedule, but he said that things were up in the air. He explained that Ross had taken ill, and that he needed his sign-off before he left to ensure he had the part. He'd call me as soon as he had definitive plans. Somehow, I knew he wasn't telling me everything. It was like the beginning when he didn't mention the drugs until after we were moving along in our relationship. I assumed it was because he was no longer so certain that he had the part. But who knows?
******
I got up early Monday, put on "work clothes" and headed for the Barrymore where we were doing the lighting. I wasn't late, but the team was waiting when I arrived. I charted out the day's work and assigned pieces to each of the crew. We would work in teams; Trey was going to be my partner.
Unlike Saturday, the work went well and the guys seemed to have picked up a year's experience in one day. (Later Trey told me it was because of my teaching expertise.) We broke for a quick lunch, and finished by 7. I offered beers to the team and we headed for an Irish pub that was just down the street.
Being Monday and in the dark theatre district, the pub was empty. So we commandeered a booth. After a few, Murray and Chris, who lived in Jersey, left for home. Trey and I continued talking for a few minutes. I was mesmerized by his deep Alabama drawl—which reminded me of my own that I had carefully overcome. Then, I invited him to dinner. He accepted quickly. I had learned he was living with a sister on the West Side, off Broadway, while he tried to establish himself. That explained his use of the gym which was near his place and my coop. So I suggested we grab take-out and head to the coop.
We walked and talked. I learned he was from a large family out of Mobile. Trey is an old Southern way of nicknaming a III—and he was indeed Andrew Jackson Maguire III. His father had been Andy and until he was a teenager he had been Jack—until classmates began to tease him as "Jack-off." Then he had adopted the Trey his mother had preferred. He had played high school football, and, in the family tradition, had gone off to Tuscaloosa. He made varsity and did well—but not well enough to earn a draft to the NFL. That was not something he wanted anyway. He had majored in Elec Eng, an unusual one for a first string linebacker. But, "Daddy" owned a large electrical equipment manufacturing company, and that is where he was ultimately going to end up. The BTE stint was to gain some "practical experience."
The whole story didn't sound really right. But, I let him talk on. As we waited for the order to be filled at the Vietnamese restaurant, I gave him the abbreviated version of my life—including casual disclosure that I was gay. With that disclosure, the breath seemed to leave his body. I felt I had gone too far, too soon. He was a jock and a Southerner. He wouldn't want to be seen with me—let alone go alone to my apartment. He was probably a homophobe.
He went silent. I could actually see the gears turning behind his deep green eyes. I grabbed the order and led the way to my place. He was completely silent in those last few blocks. When we entered, he had still not said a word. But, I could tell he was exploding inside.
I motioned him to our threadbare sofa-bed, the only furniture in the living room, and came back with two Chinese beers. He took a big swig. Then his story gushed out, seemingly without punctuation—as though he was afraid that if he stopped, he'd explode. It was very un-Southern. Very raw and very fast.
Given my background, I could have written it: he's gay, the oldest son of an old Southern homophobic family, still living on a plantation just outside the city limits of Mobile, although the plantation was now the center of a large golf and tennis club—and no cotton is grown. He's known since a young teenager, but steadfastly denied it, punishing himself with sports, exercise and failed relationships with females. He was in New York to escape his father—who did not know or suspect. He was sure he'd be disowned if anyone guessed. But, he wasn't sure how long he could live the lie. He knew what was expected of his future, but he wasn't willing to commit, and was stalling in New York.
Then he calmed down a bit, and I gave him the sanitized version of my bio (leaving out any reference to Peacock). As I finished, he broke up again and started to sob. "Why can't the world accept us for what God made us?" The question none of us can answer—at least not yet. During our conversation, he had moved closer and his head was now in my lap as I rubbed his shoulders and murmured words of consolation. "You'll make it, Trey. I have. So anyone can. I'm happy and content. Sure there are bumps, but this City has been good to me." He looked up into my face with wide tear-filled eyes. They were really incongruous in this big strapping football jock. But they made his eyes shine like emeralds in water.
"I'm not so sure. I'm so alone. So sad. I've got nothing but pain. Nothing to live for. I've been looking for months."
"Maybe you're trying too hard. Let him find you. Fuck, you'd be a prize for any guy looking."
We sat together for a long time. It was late and dark. We talked about home and family, the good parts. We were both nostalgic for the ways of the South. But, I assured him it was better to be accepted somewhere--even if it was a little faster and a little colder. Finally, he began to relax into me as my arms continued to soothe first his pecs, then his gut, and finally inside his waistband. He was rock hard. Then he reached up around me and he drew his lips to mine. We kissed, a deep soul-exchanging kiss. He relaxed back—which gave me the opportunity to suggest we eat—and have another beer. This was getting way too intimate. He needed comfort, but I was thinking that I wasn't the one who should be providing it.