The shrill ringing sound pierced his brain like a thousand church bells. He forced his eyelids open and for a few milliseconds he could not recall where he was. Somewhere off in outer space a phone was ringing and making one hell of a racket. Then, silence followed by a sleepy male voice.
"Hello, who is this?" the sleepy voice asked. "Yes, this is Rich, what can I do for you?"
The fog began to clear as Joseph remembered where he was now. He looked around the room and saw Richard on the phone; the expression on his face conveying that he was not too pleased with the way the conversation was going.
"Yes I know I promised. OK damn it, what time do you want me there?" he asked, his voice clearly upset. "I can make it. I'm going to bring a friend with me though if that's ok with you." Then, after listening to what the caller had to say, he scowled and replied, "No he doesn't wait on tables. I'll see you about 1 o'clock." After closing the cell phone and realizing that Joseph was now awake he leaned over and kiss him on the lips lightly and murmured, "Good morning babe. How are you this morning? Have I told you how much I love you yet today?"
"Hell no, but I just opened my eyes" the soldier quipped, "The day has just started and every bone in my body hurts. Don't even ask about my ass." "Why shouldn't I ask you about that beautiful bubble ass of yours? It does belong to me now. Let me kiss it and make it all better." he said as he playfully placed his lips on Joseph's butt, kissed it, and gave it a few additional sloppy licks for good measure. "There that should cure it."
"Mmmmmm, it does feel better," he said rubbing his rear end. "Who was that on the phone?"
"That phone call was from the cafe," he said in an apologetic tone, "They have booked a special party for this afternoon and need some extra waiters." Taking Joseph's hands in his and lifting them to his lips, he apologized, "Why did I have to leave them my cell number? I'm so sorry but I have to go into work. Would you care to come in with me? It will only be for a few short hours and I hate the thought of leaving you alone here and even less having you wander around this big, bad city without me to protect your handsome face."
Hugging Richard to him, kissing him then moving his lips to his ear, he whispered, "I'm a big boy now Daddy." he teased, "You don't have to worry about me. You know I can take care of myself, even in this city. But yeah, I also hate the idea of us being apart. I dread the thought of us separating, but you do remember that I only have a three day pass and that I have to be back tomorrow morning."
"Yeah I remember and that brings to mind a problem we have to talk about." Taking a deep breath he continued "Joseph, my lov, I don't want this to end here. I don't want it to last for just a few days," he confessed. "I know we only just met but, I want us to have more time together to talk and explore. Time to really become good friends. It may sound silly and trite but friendship between people in love is the basis of a long lasting relationship. I want to get to know you as a good friend as well as a lover. I hope you feel the same way. I just hope you share these feelings."
"Rich I'm all mixed up right now, I don't know what I'm feeling much less what I want." The soldier stammered, "I'm confused and this 'thing' has thrown me for a loop. But one thing I cannot deny, I do have deep feelings for you and last night was something I will remember and carry in my mind and heart forever. Until this three day pass, I never had any thoughts about having sex with another man. Now it's all that I can think about. If this were to get back to the army, they would make it very rough for me."
"I thought that things were changing and the army now takes a more humanistic view of homosexuality. After all this is the 21st century!" Richard protested. "The military must have at least entered into it. After all you are no longer fighting with bows and arrows. The rest of society is beginning to even recognize same sex marriages.... Surely it's not as bad as it used to be. They just don't discharge you for being gay in this day and age anymore. Or do they?"
"No, they don't, but they can make my life a living hell." the soldier said softly. "And make me want to leave the army."
"So you can leave the army, can't you? I'm sure you can find other employment."
"Look, let's get one thing straight. I'm an 'Army Man', a soldier, a professional hired killer, a warrior!" Joseph proudly said, "I know it's not chic or fashionable to put it that way in today's world, but that's what I am and I'm rather good at it, too. This country and you hired me to protect your asses and that's what I do. I asked for it, volunteered. I get paid for it, not nearly enough, but I do get paid. Further more, I intend to use the army to continue my education so let's not hear any more talk of my leaving the service. This army is not the same army that your grandfather or even your father served in. They might have been draftees and as such were forced to serve and therefore retained the right to bitch and complain. I don't!"