Grover had been hinting in his letters that his home life, his love life, had taken a new direction. I try to not be too inquisitive on such matters. I suppose all mothers want to know all about how their sons are doing, but I knew that he would appreciate my not being meddlesome. Grover has always been a shy, sensitive boy.
When he was a young boy, I knew he was different. He loved donning my straw summer hat and a silk scarf and parading about the house. I encouraged him in these sorts of things. In his teens, he took up ballroom dancing, and the girls at the dance studio liked him and looked forward to being his partner. He was quite good at it. He was naturally elegant in his movements, and his slim, willowy body lent itself to the pastime.
Two years ago, he moved to San Francisco, a big and sophisticated place compared to our quiet town. He had his mind set, did a lot of research, and left for there with a small apartment lined up and the savings he'd scrupulously put aside.
Although he was not secretive with me, I never quite gathered what his private life was like. Years before he left, I knew he was gay. Surely, I'd imagined it to be true since he was a little boy. One day, he simply told me. I didn't probe for particulars, but did convey my complete support for him in any direction he took.
In recent letters, I'd learned that he had a steady. He told me some things about the boy - man, really, as he is twenty six, six years his senior. His name is Burke and he works for a consortium of restaurant operators. He is part of their administration. His job has something to do with cost control.
Grover was too shy to send me a picture of him, but he did tell me that he was a handsome man with thick, curly black hair and a neatly trimmed beard, stood six feet three inches tall, and was naturally lean and wiry.
I never pushed the matter, but I was keen on seeing my son in his new adult life and meeting his friend.
Then, one day, talking on the phone, Grover invited me to visit. I was delighted and accepted at once. I would come for a week in the Spring. There was an extra room, and it seemed I would be very comfortable and welcome. Burke sent greetings and encouragement. I was excited to be closer to my son again, and to see what his everyday life was like.
After that phone call, we spoke several times and, in those conversations, I began to learn the nature of my son's relationship with Burke.
Grover cautioned me not to jump to any conclusions or to overreact, and I kept an open mind.
Well, it seems that Burke is a "top" man and Grover is his "bottom". I knew nothing about the vernacular of the gay community, but I was able to get the picture. My son took on a passive role in the relationship. I was unsure of just how that played out, but I thought that I might find out on my visit. This left me not a little nervous. I wasn't sure at all that I liked the idea of this Burke being the boss of the household. I didn't want my son taken advantage of. I was determined to go, have my visit, and see for myself. And I would let Grover know just how I felt, how I saw things there.
Burke has a car, and he and Grover met me at the airport. I was immediately struck by Burke's confident and gracious manner. He had a vey winning smile.
That night, we went to Carmichael's, one of the restaurants Burke was involved with. We ate rather grandly, I thought. Some of the food was new to me. Steak tartar, foie gras, a chocolate souffle for dessert. There was fine wine, and good brandy to finish. At the end of it, compounded by the day of travel, I was ready for bed. That night, Grover came to my room. He told me that he wanted to prep me a bit for how life was conducted in their home. He was vague, for the most part, but said that every relationship takes on its own peculiar shape, and that I was to do my best to open up to that. Of course, I agreed, though I had a small fear of the unknown taking up residence somewhere deep in me. We said goodnight, and I slept a profound sleep.
The next day Burke had taken off from work, and Grover, who worked at the community college library, had arranged to be off for the time I was there. When I woke, light was filtering into the room through the curtains. I stretched under the down comforter. I heard voices coming from down the hallway. The boys are up already, I thought. I put on a pair of casual slacks and a sweater, as the morning was cool.
Grover was at the table drinking coffee. I hard Burke's voice in the adjacent room.
"Call him back and tell him we won't pay that." he was saying. "We can get the same quality from Lumen Food at twenty cents less per pound." There was a pause, and we could not help listening.
""That's it. Bottom line. Josh will understand. Alright. see you tomorrow."
Burke entered the kitchen and I nearly choked on my food. He was wearing a royal blue pullover top, and absolutely nothing but a pair of socks from the waist down.
Grover saw my reaction and jumped in immediately.
"Mom, don't be upset. Please." He reached out and took my hand.
"This is how it is here." he went on as I tried to drink some coffee as casually as I could. But my hand shook a bit, and they saw.
I couldn't bring myself to look at Burke who was at the counter putting slices of bread in the toaster. I remembered my talk with Grover the night before, and I steeled myself to accept whatever presented itself. This was my son's life, and if he was happy, I wanted to be happy for him.
"Did you sleep well, Grace?" Burke said offhandedly. I turned toward him. He was now buttering the toast. I could hardly believe that I was beholding a man's ass only one day after I'd met him.
"Yes, Burke, very well, thank you." I said. We fell silent and I felt obliged to keep the conversation going. I wanted to convey to Grover that I was quite alright with the situation, shocked though I was.
"The bed is very comfortable." I managed to say. "And it looks like we'll have a lovely day ahead of us." I said, and looked out of the window beside me.
At that point, Burke turned and, licking preserves from his fingers, came to the table. Of course, I had to notice his genitals on full display as he did this.
I should tell you that since my late husband, Ernest, died many years ago, I've not seen much in the way of the male organ. Even before marriage, I'd had very little intimacy. Well, Burke's penis was a far sight from any that I'd seen. As he approached, I watched it swing languorously. It was very impressive, though I dared not look directly at it.
Before sitting, Burke placed his dish on the table. He raised his pullover in order to scratch his belly, and he gave a great yawn. He was close to the table now, and I ventured a glance. As I looked, something stirred in me, some vague excitement.
Crowning his penis was a substantial bush of black pubic hair, and, before turning again to my breakfast, I could not help but see, and marvel at, his scrotum and the way that the balls moved against his thighs as he moved. Grover jumped into the breach as I stared down at my food.
"We live freely here, Mom. You know that I'm Burke's bottom and that I do what he tells me." he said, growing animated as he continued.
"It just works out so well for us both." he said, giving Burke a small smile.
There was a pause, and I managed to drink some coffee and to smile at Burke in a manner of acceptance. Sure. You are both happy. what could be wrong with that.
I gave a little laugh. "I must say, I wasn't entirely prepared for the... for the nudity." I said.
By now, Burke was seated.
"I just like the freedom of doing as I please in my home." he said. "And Grove, well, he doesn't mind. Do you?"
"Not even a little bit, Burke!" Grover enthused. " "I'm... well, I mean... gee, Mom, I love serving Burke. I call him Mr Burke, so that's another thing to get used to, I suppose. But you can see, can't you, Mom, how much he cares for me, watches over me. And he gives me all that I could possibly want when we're in the bedroom." my son said, and I could detect tears in his eyes and his voice.
"Today, Grace, you will see some of how Grover and I click." Burke said, picking crumbs off his plate with a finger.
"You'll see, I believe, that we are each getting what we want in a partner." he went on, winking at Grover.
"Yes, I see." I said, feeling more at ease now that Burke's private parts were now under the table, though I could not help visualizing them, and understanding why Grover was so enamored of Burke. He was quite a manly specimen!