After being out of town on the dairy project, it's a little weird to be back in town. Also, the work is so much different. Aaron and his brother don't have any big projects going at the moment, but there are dozens of other jobs on their list. Aaron kept Kieth on after the dairy project wrapped up, but the other apprentice decided to move on. The few other electricians have all been working here awhile and are glad that Aaron is back since he has a knack for keeping things running smooth on all the jobs. That I'm his regular apprentice on the jobs he takes as his own doesn't surprise me, but I've noticed a few odd looks from some of the others. Once we've got the truck loaded with things he thinks we might need, we head out for our first stop. As we make our way through traffic, I'm still wondering about us being outed. "Do you think the other guys know I'm your cocksucker?"
"I can't imagine why they should β why do you ask?"
"Oh, I just thought maybe I noticed a few strange looks. You think they really buy the idea that you pick me up on the way to work because I don't have a car?"
"You think it looks fishy?"
"I can't say for certain β it may just be me not wanting to accidentally out you as my man."
"I'll keep my eyes more open. Maybe we should just get you some transportation? I've been thinking Clair needs a car to get around in and maybe you do too. Seems like you and me are almost always together, but she would probably like a bit more freedom without us along."
"That would be nice for her. I can go halves on the cost β our birthday is coming up and it would be a nice gift. I keep talking to her about checking out the colleges around here β but in reality, how could she explore much without a car?"
"Let's do it. β I even have a friend from the club who owns a dealership. I know he'll give us an honest deal. It'll be from both of us. Then maybe she could drop you off at work sometimes and the guys won't talk about us so much?"
"I hadn't thought of that, but it would probably be better for you. No reason to feed gossip."
"I couldn't care less if they know we're lovers. What is a bit conflicting is that you work for me and my brother β that might look a lot worse than it is to some of the guys. A car for Clair sounds like a win-win. Well, here we are. This guy owns four of these stores around town, there seems to be some electrical problem in one of them at least once a month. A lot of it is poor initial installation and equipment decisions β go cheap, get cheap. But he loves us when we show up and get it all smoothed out. Me β I prefer the new work ... the more complex the better."
The work on this job isn't complex and we're done in less than two hours. Next on our list is a pre-bid meeting and walk-through on a remodel project at Western Washington University and as usual, Aaron drives and I take in more new places that I haven't seen yet. I know that, technically, he probably doesn't need me on this trip β I know I get special treatment. But if that's what he wants then I'm more than happy to be with him. "If we have time, could we pick up some info here? I'd like to get it for Clair. She thinks she can't go back and finish a degree, but I'm not letting her off that easy."
"That's a great idea. And what about your unfinished degree?"
"I know. It's just that I enjoy working with you so much. I'm not even sure I'd like working in an office all day. Plus, this is a good career too. I mean, look at you β you're an engineer but you can do better out here working with both your mind and your hands."
"Well, you got me on that one, I guess. Just remember, it's an option if you change your mind."
The pre-bid meeting is a several hour event. First the overview from the owner's project manager and then the lead architect explains some of the details and answers questions. The main event is when we can all go snoop around, plans in hand, and get a better feel for the actual existing conditions we could be dealing with. We spend a couple of hours onsite taking photos and notes. It probably isn't all that important that I be here, but I'm learning a lot and contributing as much as possible. It's the first time I've been deep into the bowels of a large building. In all of my electrical engineering classes, there's not much I learned that would help me design something like this. "You know, I think this is better experience than what I got in my engineering classes."
"I can't totally disagree with you there. But those classes do train your brain to think and to have an understanding of the theory β the big picture, if you will. But, I've worked with some really dumb electrical engineers too. If they have no concept of the nuts and bolts of putting this all together, it can be a problem."
All of the several contractors and subcontractors have scattered out β it's kind of obvious these guys don't want to chit-chat and share ideas on how to do this job. Aaron and I are in a utility tunnel deep under the building all alone. After taking numerous photos he puts his phone away, "I think that about does it for this trip. We'll probably have to come back after I dig into the plans more. But, I think this is a good place to call it a day."
On the drive back to the shop I decide to bring up something I've been thinking about. "Since we have our privacy here Shannon, you know the one thing I miss with Clair being around β our nude time out by the pool and around the house."
"Yeah, I've thought of that and I really miss it too. But I'm willing to sacrifice our freedom for a while so she has time to get things worked out in her life."
"Oh, I'm with you on that β don't get me wrong. But here's just a thought, don't freak out. Do you think she'd be open to us all being nude β like at the hot springs we went to? I've even thought about taking her to the same place we went."
"She's no prude β I'm sure of that. And we've seen each other naked plenty of times β I think you'd like what you see. I like the idea β it might make her feel like she's more at home, maybe. You know, not a stranger imposing on friends. What if we just do it like normal and invite her to join us if she wants? I don't think she'd freak out β and who knows, she might even join us. But at least we've shown that we're going to be naked at times. You want to fuck her, don't you?"
"I admit, it's hard to ignore her. It's weird, she's a female version of you β together you two are everything I could ever want. But, I promise I won't say or do anything that might offend her and make her feel uncomfortable with us. Just thinking out loud 'cause I know I can with you."
"I've thought about her with you β I just didn't think I should bring it up. But now that you have, I think it could even be good for her if you have sex together. I know it's been a long time since she had anyone decent β I know she 'Jills' herself off, she's said as much sort of implying her life has been pretty dead-end for a while now. One thing I know growing up with a sister, she gets as horny and needy as I do. Since she doesn't have any social life up here, I think it's worth thinking about β and probably even doing if she ends up wanting to. Do you think it'd be better if I wasn't there?"
"No, I think she would think it was creepy β like I'd be that old guy who's cheating on you."
"I didn't think of that, but you're right. So I guess we should do it together."
"We might as well hop in the tub this evening and see what happens. She's your sister, so I'll leave things up to you if she does happen to come out to say hello or something."
"Sounds solid to me."