Author's Note: While condoms are not used in this story, the author in no way advocates having sex without a condom. Do be tested for sexual diseases regularly and make sure your partner does the same. It is always the best practice to play it safe by using a condom. Unprotected sex could risk your health and even your life. Be safe!!!
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I came down to watch some TV when I heard sobbing coming from dad's study. Alarmed, I went in and put my arm around him.
"What could possibly be the matter, dad? I know it's been hard for both of us since mom died."
(Mom died six months ago from cancer and it's been really hard for both of us. I still hurt and missed her a lot, but dad's been pretty much a basket case. I've tried to help out at home as much as I could when I was home from college, but I'd never seen him like this before. Fortunately, school is over for now and I have until fall before I have to go back.)
Dad wiped his eyes and looked up. "It's not that, Mark -- well maybe part of it. But really, it's all these bills! Plus the mortgage and living expenses and all that. We don't have nearly enough money to cover it all. And the medical bills - $5,000 -- even after the insurance, is more than we can afford. And I'm not even counting your college tuition which is due in about a month for next year. We might lose the house! I may even have to declare bankruptcy! We're ruined!!!"
"Well stop crying at least, dad. I'll do anything I can to help. I'll certainly get a job and that should help some. It's late and you're tired. Why don't you go to bed and get some sleep? Things probably won't look so bad in the morning. We'll figure something out."
"I don't know what I would do without you, Mark. I appreciate your wanting to help out. I'll take your advice and get to bed. Maybe things will look better tomorrow and perhaps we can figure out what we can do."
* * * * *
Unfortunately, things didn't look better in the morning or even the next day. I tried finding a job, but flipping hamburgers at minimum wage might put some groceries on the table, but it certainly wouldn't solve our money problems.
* * * * *
About a week later, dad called me down into the living room.
"Uh, Mark," he started and stopped.
"Yeah, Dad. What's up?"
"Well, I might have found a way to solve our money problems -- and it mostly involves you -- but I don't think you'll like it. In fact, I'm very positive you won't like it."
I gave him one of my standard puzzled looks. "Look dad, I'll do anything -- and I mean anything -- to help with this money mess, so tell me about it."
"Before I do, I need to ask you a question -- a very personal question. OK?"
"OK," I answered hesitantly, not knowing where this was going. "Sure, go ahead."
"Well, considering the amount of time you've been spending with Linda, I'm guessing you're not a virgin. Right?"
"Good guess, dad, but I don't see what that has to do with anything."
"What I really to need to know, son, is have you ever done anything with a guy?"
"Sexually?" I asked. "Well, not really. A couple of friends and I, when we were about 12 had a few jerk-off sessions, but that's about it."
"So you've never had anal sex?"
"No way, Dad!!! I wouldn't even consider it!"
"Now don't get excited, Mark - I'll explain in a minute why I asked that."
"The first thing I have to tell you, which I didn't want to have to do, is that I'm bisexual."
I was surprised, but not really shocked. I had sort of suspected he might be into guys from the way dad checked out some of my friends when they came over. And also I'd often see him staring at them when they weren't looking.
"I messed around with guys some while I was in college. But then I met your mother -- and that ended that. You have to believe me."
I nodded, "Sure, dad."
"You know how hard it's been for me since your mother died. I needed some physical comfort from someone -- and I didn't want to get it from a woman. So every couple of weeks I'd take off and go to a retreat I know. It's for men -- and there's lots of sex there, which was a great release for me. I haven't been back since you got home from college though."
"So what does that have to do with our money problems?"
"I just got an email from the retreat -- it's called Camp Wilde -- after the famous British gay writer. It seems they're having a contest which could pay a lot of money. I think there's a good chance you could win it."
"Me? At a gay camp???"
"Yes, you. They're having what they're calling their 'Cherry Breeding Festival'. It seems they do this every year -- and from what I hear, you could win as much as $2,000 and maybe a lot more."
"So what would I have to do, Dad?"
"Well there are some basic conditions. But basically you have to be a boy between the ages of 18 and 21, you have to be healthy with no STDs -- and you have to swear you've never had any objects, other than fingers, in your rectum."
I met those requirements easily but I couldn't see where this was going.
"The festival starts off with an auction, you and all the other contestants would be auctioned off for breeding. You can make a lot of money just from this auction."
"OK ...." (Not sure what he was talking about, but still listening.)
"Have you ever heard the phrase, 'popping her or his cherry'?" I shook my head. "It's what they say when the girl or guy gets fucked for the first time. It seems to make more sense with a girl because at least her hymen gets broken, but it's sometimes applied to 'virgin' boys too."
"And how about 'breeding'?"
Dad actually blushed. "Breeding happens whenever a guy fucks someone and shoots their cum into the other person -- without a condom. Again, with a girl it makes more sense because he could make her pregnant. Of course it really doesn't make any sense with a boy."
"Is there anything else I should know, Dad?"
"Well, you should also know that the 'breeding' takes place in front of an audience -- those in the camp who have paid a lot extra to watch."