TBD

by Zarek Dragon

It was the twenty-first of July and Lenny was celebrating his forty-first birthday. He had planned a nice quiet dinner with just the boys. Chase and Kash wanted to take him out to celebrate. "What, you no longer like my cooking?"

"We love your cooking, Dad, but it's your birthday. We don't want you to have to do anything."

"It's just another day, I'm only a day older than I was yesterday, two days older than the day before..."

"Uncle Lenny, this is a special day for us. We get to celebrate the man who cared enough to sacrifice his time for us. Please, let us take you out."

"Fine, but it better be someplace nice. I know how much you have."

"And you can spend it all if it'll make you happy."

"I would never do that to you, Chase."

"I know, I'm just saying, you are more important to me than all of it."

Everyone got dressed and piled into the Camaro. Chase drove to The Water Grill in Downtown Los Angeles. As they walked in, they were greeted by a nice-looking gentleman, "Good evening, I will be your host and server tonight. My name is Trevor C Maxwell, and what brings you here today?"

"Today is Uncle Lenny's birthday."

"Congratulations, Uncle Lenny, I'm guessing you're thirty-two."

"I like you, no, I hit forty-one today."

"Mmmm, mature, but still so young looking. I was worried that I guessed too old."

"I'm liking you more and more. Are you married?"

"Dad?!?!"

"You have a son? Does that mean you are married?

"Yes, I have a son, but no, I am not married. I was blessed with Kash joining my life at the beginning of this year."

"Then to answer your question, no, I am not married and yes, I am gay."

"Then would you be interested in going out sometime?"

"You don't waste time, do you? I like that. Let me get your drink order."

"Hmmm, what would you suggest?"

"Only select customers are told this, but our bartender makes a cute Trevoire."

"I already see a cute Trevoire, but what's in it?"

"It's about eight ounces of coffee and eight ounces of Irish Crème. I can ask him to make it extra creamy for you."

"How did he get that name?" Lenny was hoping to hear a hot story about Trevor.

"Well, I claim that he named it after me, but he says he named it after a kid in a story who drank coffee, half coffee and half cream."

"Is it as hot as you?"

Trevor smiled, "It's actually room temperature, but I swear it's good."

"You two, get a room already." Chase really thought they made a cute couple, but he didn't want to see all the flirting.

"Are you paying?" Trevor was quick to respond.

"If it makes my uncle happy, sure."

Trevor winked at Lenny, "So a Trevoire for you, and what would the boys like?"

"We'll take a Coke."

Trevor took a few minutes getting the drinks. When he returned, he handed the boys their Cokes and then handed Lenny's with a napkin. Lenny had just a quick glance at the napkin, "Someone already wrote on this."

"I know, it's my phone number, I get off at ten."

"Well, can I have another napkin? I don't want to use this one."

"How about two, just in case you feel a need to write anything? So, have you looked over the menu?" Trevor thought he should get more professional.

Lenny took a sip of his drink before answering. He had some cream on his upper lip, "That IS good. Thank you for suggesting it. Now to answer you, I'd like the wild eastern sea scallops."

"Would you like a salad or appetizers to start off?"

"No, we better pass on appetizers, what I want isn't on the menu."

"Uncle Lenny!!!"

Trevor grinned as he looked at Chase, "And what would you like?"

"I'd like the North American Hard-Shell Lobster."

"Would you like a half or whole?"

"Make it whole. Whatever I don't eat, we can take home. As good as I expect it to be, I'm sure Uncle Lenny could turn it into something even more magical. He's a great cook."

"Nice to know, and Kash, what would you like?"

"I just want the bacon cheddar cheeseburger with fries."

"I'll put your order in and have it out as soon as possible."

Trevor went to the kitchen and Chase looked at Kash. "I can't believe you ordered a cheeseburger in a fancy seafood place."

"I've never had seafood before. I don't know if I will like it."

"When our food comes, you can taste some of my lobster."

"And one of my scallops."

"No way, the way you two were, he's probably jacking off in them."

"I seriously doubt that, but if he is serious, what do you boys think?"

"Seriously? I think that you two make a cute couple and if you two want to explore that, you have both of our support."

Kash nodded his agreement and noticed what appeared to be a tear leaking out of Uncle Lenny's left eye.

After they finished eating, Trevor walked over, "Would you like a dessert? Lenny's will be on the house for his birthday."

"Dang, you're not on there, so I believe I will have a banana chocolate sundae."

"I'm your midnight snack, if you would like."

"I don't do one-night stands. If you would like to date and see what happens, I'd like that."

"Good, I don't do one-night stands, either. For you, I might have made an exception, but I would definitely like to know you better and see what happens."

"Do you have a car?"

"No, I pretty much walk everywhere."

"Would you like for me to pick you up at ten?"

"I think I would like it a lot."

Lenny scribbled really quick on one of the napkins, "This is my cell phone number and the land line at the mansion. You shouldn't need to call, but if I am running late, you may want to check. If I know I will be late, I will call you."

"I'll give you until ten after to call… wait, did you say mansion?"

"It actually belongs to Chase, but he's being nice enough to let me stay."

"It's the least I could do, you did raise me for the last eight years.

"Even before I knew about the mansion, I thought you were worth waiting for. Just know, I am interested in you."

"Likewise."

"Now that you two have laid the groundwork, can Kash and I split one of those banana chocolate sundaes?"

"Right, I'm sorry, Chase, I guess I'm not being very professional here."

"I won't tell if you don't. I hope you and Uncle Lenny are very happy together."

"Thank you. Not my place, but you and Kash seem a little closer than cousins usually are."

"Uncle Lenny isn't really my uncle, but he and Dad were like brothers before my dad was murdered, so he raised me. He's more than just an uncle, and you know about Kash."

"So, I'm guessing you two are lovers."

"Yeah, we won't do anything sexual until we get married, but I love this guy."

"I didn't need to know that."

Chase went to use the restroom which was near the kitchen door and he saw that Trevor was talking to his manager. "You seem to be spending a lot of time at that one table. I hope they tip you well."

"One of them is having a birthday today, and I think I really like him. Even if they don't tip at all, I'm glad I spent my time there. I'm hoping he likes me as much as I do him."

Chase used the restroom and reported back to Lenny what he overheard. "Nice to hear, but I felt like he was being honest. Still, it is nice to be confirmed."

"Wait until he brings the check." Chase winked.

Trevor did bring the check and Chase grabbed it. "How do I put Uncle Lenny down as the tip?"

"What?" Trevor was confused.

"I overheard you saying that you didn't care if you received a tip because you met him," Chase was grinning.

"Oh, I didn't know you heard. You needn't tip me, I am very happy that I met you guys."

"And I am happy that Uncle Lenny met you. We really like you, Trevor, so don't think this is trying to buy your love, but I am tipping you equivalent to the bill."

Trevor thought he meant that he was tipping twenty percent of the bill, but when he saw that Chase gave him the same amount as the bill, he couldn't believe it. The bill was well over a hundred and fifty dollars. Trevor had to show his manager.

"The old man tipped you that much?"

"No, and I don't think he looks old. Sure, he is twelve years older than me, but I think he looks perfect. It was his nephew that tipped me."

"If you think he looks perfect, then I am happy for you. I think you look perfect. Had I known you were gay and I wasn't married to Bill, I might have asked you out."

"No offense, Roger, but you are too young for me."

"I'm the same age as you."

"And I like slightly older than me."

"Fair enough. I hope you and the uncle are as happy as Bill and I."

Trevor was hopeful as he walked out of the restaurant. He suspected that if Lenny was outside waiting on him, he would be to the left, so he looked in that direction first. He spotted the Camaro with Lenny behind the wheel, smiled and headed for it.

As Trevor approached, Lenny got out of the car, gave him a hug and then opened the door for him. "I can't believe you really came. You don't even know me."

"Isn't that the point of us seeing each other, so we can get to know each other?"

"True, I'm just happy you are here."

"Any place that you would like to go?"

"I'm game for wherever you would like, except where I live. My roommate is a total slob and he is homophobic."

"I take it, you're not out to him. Why are you rooming with him?"

"None of his business, but we've known each other since grade school. I'm surprised that he hasn't suspected yet. And I can't afford to live by myself in LA on a server's wages."

"Not right away, but perhaps we can change your need for a roommate."

"You're not planning to give me money, I hope."

"Heavens, no… I respect you too much for that."

"Good, I really like you, but that would have ruined everything."

"I'm glad, that tells me you have the character that I suspected you do. Would you like to check out the mansion? The boys are probably out, so it'll be just us, but I promise, nothing will happen except what we agree upon."

"I trust you, or I wouldn't be in your car. I'd love to see the mansion."

It didn't take long before Lenny parked the car in the eight-car garage. Trevor quipped about so much space for one vehicle. "Chase doesn't see a need for too many vehicles. He did order an SUV, then he and Kash are riding bikes right now. Those two usually go out together, so two vehicles are enough for us."

"What does he do to be so rich?"

"His dad inherited it right before he was murdered and then Chase inherited it. Daniel, that's Chase's dad, researched a guy's genealogy who had no heirs, and he proved to be a friend for the man, so..."

"Wow, he got lucky, except the losing his dad part. I could almost fit my entire house in any one of these rooms."

"Do you like to bowl?"

"I love bowling."

"We have a bowling alley in the west wing. Would you like to play?"

"I'm not very good, but I have fun playing."

"That's all that matters. We don't have to keep score if you prefer."

"I noticed… the rooms in the east wing seemed to have an Eastern theme, or Oriental."

"Chase planned to spend a year in Japan, but returned after six months. I was glad; he had no way of contacting me, and I was worried about him."

"They don't have internet over there?"

"Not where he was. You will notice, the west wing has more of a Western theme. Daniel was originally from El Paso, and Chase has always had a thing for horses."

Lenny and Trevor played several frames of bowling, but they never kept score so they didn't know how many pins each had taken out. Trevor turned to Lenny, "I know you just ate like a couple of hours ago, but I'm a little hungry. Would you like to go somewhere?"

"A fancy restaurant?"

"I don't have a change of clothes..."

Lenny pressed his lips to Trevor's, then whispered, "You look fine to me."

As they walked into the garage, Trevor noticed two Kawasaki Ninja bikes. "I guess the boys returned while we were bowling."

While Lenny and Trevor were out eating, Chase and Kash were in Kash's room chatting. "What is your honest opinion of Trevor?"

"He comes across as really liking Dad. As Dad said, he seems sincere, and I hope so."

"Me, too. The last eight years, Uncle Lenny has devoted himself to rearing me, and he'll have you for the next six months, when we get married. I think it's time he starts thinking about himself."

Kash looked confused, "Are you saying that once we get married, he won't be living here?"

"No, I mean once we get married, he will no longer be responsible for you. Uncle Lenny has a place here as long as he wants."

"Phew, you had me worried there. If I had to choose you or Dad, I would choose you, but I don't want to choose."

"I don't want you to choose, either. So, we never really talked about some things, like what's your favorite color, what music do you like, and all that. We probably should have a long time ago, but now that we are dating, I really want to know."

"Dad and I talked right away," Kash smiled. "Do you know his favorite color?"

"Purple, my favorite color is purple," Lenny told Trevor.

"I'm guessing that blue is Chase's, then."

"He does love blue. Some think he loves it too much."

"I noticed the car is blue and so is one of the bikes. Is gray Kash's, or did you guys have the bikes before he joined?"

"No, Kash's favorite color is red. I find it humorous that if you mix their favorite colors, you get purple."

"That is kinda cool."

"So, what's your favorite color?"

"I'll give you a hint, I would never tire of staring in your beautiful eyes."

"I'm guessing green."

"You win a prize."

"I'll settle for a kiss."

"That's the prize."

"If you could spend the day with any actor, who would that be and what would you do?"

"Before I met you, I had the hots for Asa Butterfield. I don't know if he's gay, but in my fantasy, he was and we skinny-dipped all day and you know... Now, I want no one other than you."

"That's a very sweet answer, Kash, and I really like Asa, too. Mind you, I prefer being with you, but Asa IS very attractive. Favorite singer?"

"That's easy Troye Sivan."

"I like Troye, too, but I also like Colton Jacobson and Scotty McCreery."

"Colton is cute, but I know Troye is openly gay."

"Yeah, I don't know about Colton but it's not like we will meet either of them."

Both groups continued to get to know each other until Lenny eventually took Trevor home. Trevor may have had too much to drink, or maybe it was his love for Lenny, but his roommate was awake, waiting on him… "Nick, I'd like for you to meet my new boyfriend, Lenny Williams."

"So, you're finally admitting you are gay?"

"You knew?"

"Dude, we have been friends since grade school. Not many people know you as well as me."

"I thought you were homophobic, why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't like gays, you are an exception, but as long as they leave me alone, I will leave them alone. With even you, I prefer not seeing what you guys do. As for not saying anything, I didn't feel it was my place."

"I was worried that you would hate me, but then, Lenny is worth that risk."

"I guess I didn't make it easy on you. I am happy that you met someone. Be honest, in high school, did you have a crush on Mr. Ashton?"

"You mean the gym coach? Yeah, he was hot."

"I always thought, if I ever experimented, he would be the one I would want to experiment with."

While Trevor and Nick were chatting, Lenny scanned the room. Sure, it wasn't immaculate, but it wasn't THAT bad. It just looked lived in. Trevor dragged Lenny to his room so he could kiss him out of Nick's sight. Trevor's room was spotless, not an item out of place. "Nick doesn't come across as a slob to me."

"Maybe it's OCD, but to me, out there is a pigsty."

"Don't ever look in Kash's room. He may be gay but he is all teenage boy. Chase is a little more organized, but still, nothing like this. And I should warn you, we rarely wear clothes at home. About the only time we do is when we have company."

"You don't have to put them on for me. There is nothing wrong with seeing the human body. I prefer to see guys rather than girls, but either way, however you are comfortable, I am fine."

"Tomorrow, or should I say today, is Sunday. Would you like for me to pick you up? Or, we do have spare bedrooms, you can spend tonight."

"That sounds very inviting, but I think Nick and I should talk… now that I know he knows I am gay. What time will you be by?"

"I was thinking noon."

"See you at noon, Lenny. I love you."

"I love you more."

As late as Lenny got in, he still surprised the boys, getting up early and fixing a nice breakfast. As they sat, he asked Chase if he needed the Camaro that day. "If you need it, Kash and I can use the bikes. Are you planning to pick up lover boy?" Chase batted his eyelashes flirtatiously.

Lenny chuckled, "Yeah, I told him around noon. Do you think maybe I am moving too fast? I mean, you boys took six months before you agreed to start dating, but then you really zoomed."

"No one can tell you if you are moving too fast except you and Trevor. As long as you are both happy with the speed you are going, that's all that should matter. I hope that he makes you as happy as you seem."

"It may be too soon, but I think I've fallen in love with him."

"Dad, I always thought you were happy, at least since I've met you, but you seem so much happier and your eyes are twinkling like never before. I believe you do love him, and I think he loves you just as much. I would be happy if I can call Trevor Pop."

"Thanks, Kash and Chase. Hearing approval from the two of you really makes me happy. I don't think we are ready for wedding bells like the two of you, but I hope someday."

"You just met him twelve hours ago, so I hope you're not already thinking of wedding bells, but I do believe you two will get there. Just know that if you both did hit it off so well that you decided to get married last night, we would have supported you." Kash nodded his head in agreement.

"I am so lucky to have you boys and now Trevor in my life."

Lenny pulled up to Trevor's house to see his love sitting on the porch crying. He exited the car quickly, ready to confront Nick, but he stopped to check on Trevor. "What happened?"

"Nick and I were talking and he was as friendly as I had ever seen him. We talked for hours, clear up to about ten minutes ago. Then he looked at me and said, 'I may not agree with your lifestyle, but you are my best friend, you always will be. When you decide to marry this guy, I hope to be your best man.'"

"That scoundrel," Lenny chuckled.

"He may be homophobic, but he definitely cares about me."

"I have to laugh about him saying 'when you decide to marry...' I was just sharing with the boys that it may be too soon to plan wedding bells, but I hope someday"

"Yeah, we may be moving fast, but if you ask me to marry you, I would say yes. Nick said that I am definitely in love with you, he could see it in my eyes and how happy I was just being with you."

"So, you haven't slept any?"

"No, but I don't want you to leave, unless I go with you."

"You can sleep while I drive. I know a beautiful spot up the Pacific Coast Highway and I have a picnic lunch in the trunk. It's just under a two-and-a-half-hour drive."

"That sounds perfect, but then, just being with you sounds perfect."

Trevor got in the car, buckled up and went right to sleep. Lenny drove slow so Trevor could get a longer nap, plus he enjoyed watching out of the corner of his eye as Trevor slept. The young man had a euphoric expression about his face. Instead of the two hours and twenty-two minutes that Google Map stated, it took him nearly three hours. Once they were on Rincon island, Lenny parked the car, set up the picnic and woke Trevor.

Trevor woke up, saw the picnic laid out and smiled. "You really made all that for us? I think you are trying to fatten me up."

"No, you are perfect the way you are, but I wasn't sure how much you would eat, you might have a high metabolism and need to eat a lot to maintain your weight."

"I was just pulling your leg, Lenny. As to my metabolism, I think it's about normal. I'll only eat about a fourth of that."

"Well, we could spend all day here, if you have the time, and finish it for supper."

"I'm off today, so I am yours all day."

"I want you longer than just today."

"I didn't mean that we were done after today, I just meant..."

"I know what you meant, I was just having fun. Still, I want you in my life for the rest of it. I know we just met, but I love you."

"Lenny, I feel the same way. I want to marry you. I know that it's sudden, but I have never felt like this with any guy that I have ever dated. I love you with all my heart, soul and body. I told you about when I was chatting with Nick."

"Then should we start planning a wedding?"

"No, you haven't asked me to marry you yet," Trevor chuckled.

"Trevor C. Maxwell, will you marry me?"

"Hmmmm, that's a tough decision. I mean we just met and...;" Trevor started to laugh. Then he looked Lenny in the eyes and without so much as a smirk, he replied, "Yes, I will marry you, but I want to wait until after the boys' wedding so that we don't tread on their special day."

Lenny had a tear run down his cheek. Trevor wiped it with a finger. "Trevor, hearing you say that tells me how much you care about the boys. That tells me that you ARE the right man for me. I can't tell you how much I love you as words cannot do it justice."

The rest of the day, Lenny and Trevor chatted and ate the food Lenny had brought. They didn't leave for home until it was dark.

 I hope you enjoy this story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

Please contact me at Zarek Dragon. Please let me know that you read it on The Story Lovers' Website or whichever Fort Family Site you did read it on.