Adam said, “Thanks for stopping, buddy, our love to Tim.” Angelo drove off with a short toot of his siren. The guys ran on. “He’s a good guy. We should do more stuff with him and Tim.”
Marc smiled. “That rhymes. I feel better. Thank you.”
When they got home, Autumn called. “I wanted to wish you guys a merry Christmas and thank you for getting me off my ass to get to know Jeannette. You’re good pals.”
They prepared a small dinner.
Marc said, “There’s a lot of shit going on in the world, in the Navy, but I’m grateful for you, Angelo and Tim, and Jeannette. Friends make the world go ‘round.”
After eating, they moved to the three-foot Christmas tree with a few ornaments to remind themselves of others who suffer and go without. They each donated three hundred dollars to the local children’s shelter to buy gifts and clothes for the kids. Marc handed a wrapped box to Adam, who opened it.
“Dude, games for my Xbox, great.”
Marc took the box that Adam offered. He opened it and shrieked. “Briefs. A dozen briefs, sexy and colorful. Adam, some of these are, I’m guessing, quite expensive.”
“Yeah. You’re worth it, and I get to decide which ones you wear to bed.”
Marc choked up. He held Adam’s hands and went nose to nose. “Adam, I—” His throat grew so tight, he almost couldn’t breathe.
“I love you, too, Marc.”
At night, they showered, washed each other, and took turns drying the other. Adam picked the purple, mid-rise briefs for Marc to wear. They crawled into bed. Adam stayed naked, and soon Marc ended up the same way. They teased and kissed, sucked, bit, licked, and fisted their cocks, each coming on his abs and chest. They pressed together, rubbed their seed into the other, and went to sleep in an embrace.
* * * *
Three weeks passed. As the days slowly lengthened, Marc emerged from his seasonal depression and felt better. Autumn spent more time at Jeannette’s place. While the guys loved her as a friend, her presence limited their joy of parading around their apartment naked or just in briefs, a fetish they shared.
As Marc prepared to leave for work, his cell phone chimed. He answered, “Hello.”
“Lt. Marc Struthers?”
“Yes, speaking.”
Marc’s vision blurred. He didn’t get the name of the caller. When he ended the call, he estimated how long it would take him to get the admiral’s office. Adam and Autumn were gone. He felt alone and wondered if he could be more stressed than if he were on a battlefield. With leaden feet, he made his way to the office, and soon he stood at attention before the admiral’s desk in a pristine office filled with Navy memoirs on the desk, walls, and tables. He had to remember to breath. The admiral spoke on the phone and looked at Marc.
Admiral Shapiro ended his phone call. Marc gave a sharp salute. The admiral had to be close to sixty but presented very well in his sharp uniform. He was a shorter man, maybe five-seven or so, but clearly fit. Marc witnessed him running and biking on the base many times.
The admiral released a warm, fatherly smile, something Marc never saw on his paternal parent. “May I call you Marc? Despite you being in my office, this is an informal meeting.”
That confused Marc. “Yes, Admiral.”
The admiral motioned to a chair, and they sat. “Marc, I’ve been on your side of a superior officer’s desk a hundred times in my career. I’m going to cut to the chase, but I need to be assured you’ll hear me out completely before you utter a syllable.”
“Yes, Admiral.”
He poured a glass of water, stood, and reached across the desk to pass it to Marc.
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Marc, there’s been an allegation that you are gay.”
A surge of adrenaline rushed through Marc. His gut felt like it took a hit from a baseball bat, and his jaw quivered. The admiral poured more water. Marc guzzled it. He wished for a shot of whiskey.
“Son, I’ve read your file. You’re a damn good sailor and a skilled, successful, and dedicated nurse. It’s clear you are an asset to this Navy.” He took a deep breath. Marc made himself breathe. “You need to know I love and support our country, Constitution, and the U.S. Navy. I believe Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is illegal and will soon be executed. In my career as an officer, I’ve only recommended that one sailor be discharged for being homosexual, and that was because I was ordered to do so by superiors. I made it clear to my staff that I will be told immediately of any gay issues.”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” Marc realized he needed to stay silent.
“Even if you tell me now you are gay, I will assume you have turned into a malinger who is trying to skirt his duty by being discharged. We need men like you in the Navy. I’ll need to see a few years of poor conduct before I recommend your discharge.”
Their gazes met. Marc bit his tongue. A small smile crept to the admiral’s face.
The admiral continued, “Clearly, there was some joke that went awry, or a misunderstanding, or maybe an angry co-worker who made this claim.” He nodded. “You don’t have to speak if you don’t wish to today, but anything you can offer to help me clear things up and dismiss this issue would be appreciated.”
“Sir, I don’t know how to respond. I’m not gay. I’m close friends with my roommate Adam. He’s a dental hygienist in the medical center. We are best friends, but I’m not gay. We have a female roommate, a Navy dentist. Adam and I get teased about being gay, but others do, too. It’s part of Navy humor, I suppose.” Marc supposed the ultra-conservative sailor Carmon reported him. He looked directly into the admiral’s eyes. “Sir, I am not gay. Just because, and I’ll be blunt, I’m not a pussy hound or don’t brag about female sexual conquests doesn’t mean I’m gay. I’m just a gentleman. Can you give me any dates or comments or information?”
The admiral read from a paper he held. “On or about one A.M., 25 December, 2011, you admitted to Dr. Wilson that you were gay, you had been drinking on duty, and begged her to not tell anyone.”
Marc burned with hate inside. That bitch. He told the admiral of how Dr. Wilson came on to him, first with a shoulder massage, and then kissing and groping. “She said she was the hottest woman on base, and since I didn’t get an erection for her kissing and touching me, it meant I was gay.” Marc shook his head. “Of course, I didn’t get an erection. We were on duty. She had been drinking and admitted it. She’s married and, by the way, just not my type. Sex on duty was the furthest thing on my mind. She threated to report me as gay, but I figured she was angry because she wasn’t successful in seducing me or getting me to go home with her. That’s the truth, Sir. I’ll take a lie detector test. I’ll bet she won’t.”
The admiral refilled Marc’s empty glass.
“Admiral, I love my country and the Navy. Being a nurse doesn’t make me gay. None of what happened makes me gay.” He drank water to keep himself from saying anything else.
The silent moments seemed like hours.
“Marc, I’ll need to have a chat with Dr. Wilson, but I suspect this issue will evaporate, and nothing will be put in your personnel file.” He smiled. “The worst thing I heard about you is that some are concerned you’re addicted to chocolate milk.” He stood, smiled wide, and extended his hand. “I can only suggest you seek out the low- or no-fat variety, or else you’ll pack on the pounds.”
They shook. Marc saluted.
The admiral returned it. “Dismissed.”
Marc went to work, and others noticed his subdued nature. He excused it and said he slept poorly and was sore from over-exercising. When he got home just past six A.M., Adam was awake and at the kitchen table with the container of chocolate milk out and a glass filled. They hugged.
Adam whispered. “I got your text that you met with the admiral. I understand your not saying more in the message. We never know what communications are being monitored.”
Marc filled him in, and he drank four glasses of milk.
Adam paced. “That fucki
ng bitch doctor.”
“I didn’t lie to the admiral. I’m not gay.”
Adam moved to Marc and held him tight. “I’ve heard you say that dozens of times. I suppose this is one time that denial is a good thing.”
Marc rested his head on Adam’s shoulder. “I’m not gay, am I?”
“Yes, lover. My diagnosis is you are gay, but don’t worry.” He giggled. “It’s not fatal, and it’s not a sin.”
Chapter 6
Two weeks passed at a crawl for the guys. Adam worried because Marc worried everyday about the accusation of being gay. Adam knew he was right about Marc being in denial. He watched helplessly as Marc’s moods floated and sank. Marc worked overtime and covered for other nurses to help the time pass. When Marc got home from another long workday, Adam stuffed Marc in the car and drove him to a beach, a secluded one that catered to gays. It required a walk through private property owned by a gay couple. A three-quarter moon made walking safe against obstacles. The guys stripped, and Adam used surgical tape to secure the car key to Marc’s ass.
“That’ll keep it safe.” Adam kissed it and chuckled.
Marc smirked, and they kissed and walked, hand in hand, in the uncommonly warm breeze for the season.
Adam said, “We have to talk about it.”
“I know. I’ve been thinking a lot.”
“As good as it looks that the admiral will make the problem go away, we have to be prepared for the worst. I have plenty of money in savings that I was going to use for a down payment on a house, but we’ll get you a fancy lawyer to beat the gay charges.”
Marc responded. “I expected you to say that. I won’t fight it. I’m at peace, I think. If they kick me out, I’ll accept it and move on. As long as you’ll still have me, I’ll move to wherever your next assignment is.”
They broke into a jog with neither having said a word. It was nice to be in sync with someone.
It shocked Adam. “Why? You love the Navy.”
“And I don’t want to force my way to stay where I’m not wanted.”
Adam patted Marc’s naked ass. “You’re wanted and needed, but I accept you don’t want to fight. If they kick you out, I want you to name me as your lover so they can jettison me, too. We’ll travel the world for a while, starting with a cruise to Alaska.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yup. I love you. I want to be with you. You aren’t some fuck buddy I’m living with for the convenience of satisfying me during this tour of duty. I absolutely love you. You don’t have to say it back. Don’t try. I know you love me. Actions speak louder than words.”
Marc ran into the water, and Adam followed. Soon, they were wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing and groping.
Marc said, “I was so afraid you’d think I was a weirdo for liking to be naked and having an underwear fetish.”
“You’re the first one I’ve dated who shares those loves. I feel free when I’m this way.” Adam brought the subject back to Marc. “If you’re at peace with the potential of discharge for the gay issue, why have your moods been so variable?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. Tell me. Is it needing to admit you’re gay?”
Marc held Adam’s hand as they walked in the surf. Adam grabbed Marc’s ass to be sure the car key was still taped there.
Marc groaned. “I don’t think I’m really gay.”
“Is there a difference between gay and really gay?”
“I’ve done it with women. In high school, I got a girl pregnant. My dad was proud because his boy knocked a girl up. I think he had mixed feelings when we found out she had an early miscarriage, but it didn’t stop him from beating me for not using birth control.”
“Your dad’s an asshole.”
Marc squeezed Adam’s hand tighter. “I know. So, you see, I’m not gay.”
Adam shook his head. “When was the last time you had sex with a woman?”
“I don’t know, several years.”
“When you jacked off since you were a teenager, did you fantasize about men or women?”
Marc’s voice rose. “Guys, I guess.”
“You have a boyfriend who you have hot, fantastic, and phenomenal sex with. We do it bareback. Marc, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.”
“Ergo, I’m gay?”
“I thought we cleared that up a few weeks ago. Look, Marc, we came from the factory this way. You can’t fight it or change it.”
“It’s not convenient to be gay.”
“Well, go lock yourself in the freezer, and someone will let you out in twenty years when it will be.” Adam tried to lighten the moment. Trying to sound like Martin Luther King, he cried, “I have a dream! A dream that someday the issue of someone being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or anything else will carry the same weight as where he or she was born and the color of hair.” He went on. “I have a dream! That one day, LGBT people will be able to marry and enter into legal affairs and become involved in health care decisions. I have a dream! That the words ‘With liberty and justice for all’ will mean just that.”
Marc grabbed Adam tight. “Thanks. You make me feel so good.” They kissed. As they returned to their car, Marc said, “I’ve done it with girls. Maybe I’m bisexual.”
Adam didn’t want to argue the point. He was surprised Marc let him venture so deep into a conversation he usually avoided. Adam retrieved the car key from Marc’s ass and kissed the spot where it had been. They both only donned briefs and drove the long, slow way home in silence, with hands together, until Marc spoke.
“Adam, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What, are you pregnant?”
“No, it’s something quite serious.”
Adam’s gut lurched. He took a deep breath.
“Adam, I’m gay.”
“What?” He jammed on his brakes in time to avoid running the red light he saw too late.
“I’m gay. A gay duck. I look like I’m gay, I quack like I’m gay, ergo I’m gay.” He smirked and broke into a singsong tone. “I’m gay, I’m gay, I’m gaaaaaaaaay!”
Adam’s cock grew, the stress drained, and his chest felt full of love. He leaned over and kissed Marc. “How do you feel?” A horn honked from behind. Adam drove away at the green light.
“Free. Like when I’m nude. I’m going to call my parents.”
Adam squeezed Marc’s thigh. “There’s a few hours’ time difference. Do it tomorrow so you won’t be going to sleep with whatever nasty things they say.”
Marc kissed Adam’s cheek. “That’s why I love being with you. You’re wise. Do you want a blowjob as you drive? We’ve never done that.”
“I’m afraid I’ll crash when I come.”
They fondled the other’s erection covered only by briefs.
Marc’s phone rang, and he dug it out from his jeans. “It’s almost 2300 hours.” He smirked. “That’s eleven P.M. for you folks in the dental field.”
Adam squeezed Marc’s cock extra hard.
Marc answered. “Hello. Yes, Admiral. No, Sir, I’m awake, it’s not too late. Is something wrong? Oh, I see. I appreciate that. Uh-huh.” Marc patted Adam’s leg and gave a thumbs up. “Yes, Sir. That’s great news. I appreciate your calling tonight so I could sleep well. Yes, Admiral, I was worried. Yes, Sir, I trusted you, but, well, you know a good Navy man prepares for all potential events.” Marc laughed. “Yes, Sir, I remembered you said that in your welcome speech when you took over the medical center. Thank you, Admiral. Good night, Sir.”
Marc double-checked to be sure his phone was off. They shared that habit. “The admiral said Dr. Wilson was on leave, so he had to wait until she returned to talk to her. He said he couldn’t give me details, but she withdrew her allegation and admitted it was a miscommunication. He’s arranged to transfer her to another medical base so she’s away from me.” Marc laughed. “He’s transferring a senior lieutenant to protect an ensign? That’s amazing.”
Adam threw his fist in the air. “Yes! There is justice. How about a celebration?”
“I’m up for it.”
Adam drove to the 1950s era replication restaurant, which was one of their favorite places. They took their time dressing behind their open doors. They strutted inside and grabbed two seats at the counter. The place was medium busy.
It took a while for the server to get to them, but a sexy, young guy in 1950s attire rushed up with menus. “Hi, guys.” His gaze moved between them, and his smile morphed from professional to happy. It was nice to be young enough to catch the eye of others.
Adam smiled back. “No menus. Two big pieces of that German chocolate cake there.” He pointed to the display case. “I’ll have white milk, and my lover will have chocolate milk.”
The server’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he clicked his tongue. “Coming right up.” He chuckled. “I heard that in some old movie.”
Marc and Adam checked out the guy’s tight ass as he rushed off. A few minutes later, the server returned with their order.
Marc smiled. “Aw, you rushed that for us. I’m sure you have other orders to get out first.”
He leaned close and whispered, allowing Adam a scent of the guy’s flowery cologne. “For all the crap we have to go through, sometimes it’s just the right thing for cute gay guys to have preferential treatment.”
The guys smiled, ate slowly, and chatted about Autumn and Jeannette, and their obvious happiness.
Marc said, “It’s just a matter of time before Jeannette asks Autumn to move in with her. I say thirty days or less. Do you want to bet on it?”
“Nope. I agree. I love seeing Autumn happy. I was beginning to worry about her.”
Marc smirked. “She was so horny. I was afraid she’d rape me.”
“Now that you’re gay, that can’t happen, huh?”
Marc grinned. “Am I supposed to get a card or something in the mail saying I’m officially gay?”
Adam pecked his cheek but looked around in case a homophobe lurked. “Oh, yeah, you will. Just like they say a bell sounds every time an angel gets wings. The same thing happens every time a gay accepts him- or herself.”
Military Emancipation Page 5