PEG BOY

by Berube, R. G.

  Ramón suggested that they go to a club he knew. At the end of a trash-strewn alley they came to a door. There were no signs or any other means of identification and the door was heavily reinforced.

  “I come here whenever I am in town. You may find people here who could be helpful to you. They are like us!”

  Ramón knocked. They were scrutinized by an eye that appeared in a small opening in the door.

  “Ah, Ramón..., come in my friend! It is good to see you again.”

  They were led past a heavy curtain that sheltered the interior from prying eyes. The club was decorated in plush tones of red velvet with gilded candelabras. Light was reflected by the many mirrors adorning the walls. Small tables were scattered about and many were occupied. In a small alcove a musician sat with a guitar playing softly as men danced with men.

  Santiago was spellbound by the place. Some men appeared feminine, with lace at their sleeves and throat, their clothing much too dainty and fine for male attire. They were led to a table. Santiago’s eyes adjusted to the light. They were soon joined by a beautiful young girl who immediately warmed to Ramón.

  “So, my sweet, you’ve come back to me I hope? No, don’t tell me you’ve only come to buy supplies. Let me believe it was for me that you have returned! When will you take me away from all this?”

  Ramón laughed as he reached to slap her rump. “Carmine, I will take you away from all this and bring you with me when you develop the muscles necessary to chop wood and do the other things a frontier woman would be expected to do!”

  The girl screamed, putting both hands to her face in terror. “How could I ever do that? Do you take me for a common woman?”

  Ramón pinched her again and this time she slapped his hand playfully, then took it and placed it solidly at her crotch.

  “This is the only log you will ever get me to come close to, my dear.”

  Carmine turned oh her heels and sauntered off leaving Ramón laughing and nodding his head in disbelief.

  “He really is a good person beneath all the paint!”

  Santiago stared at Ramón in disbelief.

  “He...? You mean she is not a woman?”

  Ramón took Santiago’s hand. “This may be the start of an education for you. Try not to be too critical and allow things to happen. Be open! You will find that the world is made up of many strange and unusual people and each has his place, just as you do. Some are detested, but they still belong to the world.”

  “What is this place?”

  Santiago leaned closer, asking the question in a whisper, having seen none like it. Carmine returned with drinks and set them down in front of Santiago with great ceremony.

  “Well...,” she said in an exasperated tone. “Must I introduce myself to your beautiful boyfriend or will you be a gentleman, Ramón?”

  Ramón stood and bowed at the waist, taking Carmine’s hand. “May I introduce Santiago Cali. Santiago, this is Carmine. She has only one name because in San Francisco there is only one Carmine.”

  He passed her hand to Santiago, who was surprised to feel a rough palm. Carmine curtsied and flashed her eyes at him, blowing him a kiss. Santiago was at a loss for words and so he took her hand and shook it, not knowing what else to do.

  “I can see this one has been in the hills too long. He will need coaching, Ramón!”

  Carmine returned to the bar.

  “Did I do something wrong?” Santiago asked.

  “No, Santiago. You did nothing wrong. What appears strange to you is merely an affectation Carmine finds useful to distract his dislike for himself. Pay no attention.”

  Santiago had never seen men dancing together so intimately. Surely he had seen men dancing with men, but this was different! These men touched and made love while they danced. He saw them kiss and was shocked and intrigued all at once. How would it feel to move to the melody in another man’s arms?

  Ramón saw Santiago interest in the dancing couples.

  “Come, dance with me!”

  Santiago knew he wanted to. But what would others say? What would they think?

  “I will need to be careful so that I do not step on your toes, Ramón. I am not a dancer. But if you are willing to teach me, I will learn.”

  Ramón led Santiago onto the small dance floor and as soon as the boy was in his arms he felt Santiago tense, obviously uncomfortable having others watching them even when knowing that most were looking at him because they found him attractive. The admiration could not override his discomfort. He caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror and saw a boy with dark eyes and flowing hair, clad in tightly-fitting pants that showed off a superbly rounded ass, clearly the most beautiful person in the club!

  Santiago allowed himself to be moved and it became less difficult. When he heard the closing chords to the tune he was relieved to be led back to the comfort and obscurity of the shadows.

  Ramón saw that Santiago had had enough of the place, having become disturbed by many of the patrons who were too outrageous for the boy’s still-sensitive years. Santiago looked in disbelief at the many men who he had come to understand, were in fact, men beneath their extravagant clothing.

  “Do they not understand that in spite of what they do and how they act, they still have the cock of a man between their legs?”

  Even though it was late, the streets still bustled. Once again they passed by corners and doorways where boys plied their trade. At each station they were cajoled and enticed to the possibilities of play and sex. Only when they passed the boy with the dark eyes that they had seen before and when Ramón and Santiago looked at him with what was more than passing interest, did each become aware of the other’s attraction. The boy came out of the shadows and fell into step behind them. They took several turns and the boy remained behind. Ramón stopped near Montgomery and Washington streets.

  “Santiago, this boy is willing to sell himself to us. I know you are as attracted to him as I am. He is beautiful. We could have him together if you are willing?”

  Santiago was surprised at the suggestion but it was something that he had wished for, and was embarrassed that Ramón had read his mind. What would be the harm? What better way of becoming familiar with the boys of the streets?

  “You mean all together?”

  “If you do not mind, I would love to see the two of you together.”

  “You want to watch us make love?”

  “If you are willing..., yes?”

  The boy approached them and stopped only a few feet away. Ramón waved for him to join them. In the light of the lamp they saw his large eyes lined by long lashes, and an almost child-like mouth. He was one of the most appealing creatures Ramón had ever seen, and he had seen many of the streets.

  The boy approached cautiously.

  “You want me with you? I am very good and there is nothing I can not do!

  Ramón had heard this same boast many times, only to bring them to his room to find that there was little they would do or did well.

  “And what do you do that you do it so willingly?”

  The hustler leaned seductively against the lamppost and looked at Santiago, then at Ramón and tried to assess their intentions.

  “It depends on what you want and with who I do it. But there is nothing that I will not do.”

  Ramón thought it a bold claim. “Nothing?”

  “Nothing,” the boy said with finality. “My name is Vincent. I have done business with many men from the hill. They come back!”

  The hill to which he referred was one where the wealthiest men in town lived in stately mansions.

  “I am buying you for him.”

  Ramón pointed to Santiago. Vincent looked at his counterpart from head to toe.

  “Not bad! Are you willing?”

  Vincent repeated the question in Spanish.

  “I saw you earlier,” Santiago answered. “You are beautiful! My friend wants to watch us. Do you mind?”

  “Hell..., I don’t care what he does as long as
I get my money. My price will be what I would charge for two people.”

  “Then we have a deal.” Ramón clasped Vincent’s hand. “It is cold and I can think of a warmer place to be. We have a room on Portsmouth Square. Come.”

  Vincent held back. “You both look like honest people, but I must have the money now. It is my business policy.”

  “How much, then?”

  Ramón removed his money belt and took out a handful of bills.

  “One person, ten dollars. For two, twice that much!”

  Ramón paid. As the three walked along, Vincent began asking Santiago questions, wanting to know his place of origin and how long he would be in San Francisco, also asking if he and Ramón were lovers, father and son, or just friends.

  Santiago looked surprised at the question.

  “That is what I thought you were when you first walked past and made eyes at me. I thought you looked enough alike to be father and son. I liked the thought of being picked up by a father and his son. It has happened to me only once before when I was ten”

  “How old are you now?” Santiago asked.

  “Fifteen, but they say I am much older where it counts.”

  Ramón laughed. “We will see!”

  They climbed to the third floor as quietly as possible. A door opened as they passed and the owner peeked through the crack to see a man and two boys climbing the creaking stairs.

  “The shit I must ignore to make a living!” He said.

  It took a while for Santiago to become comfortable being with Vincent and having Ramón sitting in the corner, in darkness, observing. Upon entering the room Vincent had immediately shed his clothes and was in bed before the door was locked and the lamp turned down. Santiago turned to find Vincent lying on the bed naked, his penis already hard and it was absent of foreskin. Although he had heard this condition existed, he had not seen it and was shocked and fascinated. He could feel his own sex getting hard as he looked at Vincent’s body, slight, graceful and smooth. When Santiago dropped his pants, Vincent saw the formidable cock and his eyes grew large.

  “I know I said I would do anything, but I may need to change my mind. My God, that is the biggest cock I have ever seen. Bring it over here so I can get a better look!”

  Santiago walked across the room and the weight of his cock made it bounce as he moved. He lay beside Vincent not knowing what to do and his question was answered when Vincent leaned close and took him in his mouth. Santiago pulled Vincent’s legs nearer, his circumcised penis only inches away. Santiago looked at it more closely. It already had a drop of clear liquid at its opening and Santiago licked it before taking it fully in his mouth. They pleased each other. Ramón watched their every move as his won cock swelled and became uncomfortable.

  In the pale light of the lantern the two brown bodies began to move in a wonderfully rhythmic way, and the excitement they achieved made their bodies sweat so that they glistened, with muscles and sinews becoming exquisite patterns that moved and changed beneath the moist surfaces. Their hands responded to the demands signaled by half-completed words and thrusting limbs. They were joined in a ballet of movement as Santiago followed each action initiated by Vincent so that Vincent was able to communicate his desires by performing them on his partner. Without words, again and again, they exchanged roles.

  The two boys faced each other, their bellies touching and cocks rubbing, with lips only inches apart. Santiago wanted more than anything to take Vincent’s tongue into his mouth but when he moved to do it, Vincent pulled away.

  “No..., no kissing,” he whispered. “I do not kiss. That, I keep for love.”

  In his mind Ramón became engaged with each boy as if he had been in bed with them. His imagination allowed him to feel the bodies and he could smell the aromas and taste the juices. He became Santiago’s tongue as it went into Vincent’s ears and trailed across the shoulders, down to Vincent’s nipples, lingering there as teeth bit swollen flesh. He was the tongue that moved across the belly to the navel, tasting the flavor of the bush of hair around the swollen cock; touching the boy at the base of his penis and lifting the testicles to lick beneath them. His was the mouth that received the warm scrotum and sucked it gently so that the testicles were taken in making the boy squirm with delight and groan in ecstasy as the tongue pressed between the legs to the cleft that hid a favored rosebud. He saw the legs raised to allow easier access and he lovingly touched the opening and teased it so that it twitched and pulsated as it ached to be invaded. The tongue caressed the interior of the anus, sending little currents of exquisite pleasure that made the boy moan even more. Ramón was able to touch them more intimately than if he had been with them physically!

  No words were spoken and the role each played was understood. Vincent thought it a challenge to accommodate Santiago. They took no notice of Ramón. It was as though they were alone. The man’s unobtrusive manner made them completely comfortable and they forgot he was there.

  Vincent placed pride on his performance. His great care in satisfying was his trademark. Many clients returned after having tried others, stating none had matched his attention to satisfaction. It was not always easy to please, as so many had peculiar or unusual tastes. Yet he had done his work well and had been well rewarded. At ten, he had begun to sell himself when his father had abandoned him for the warmer climate of the south. Vincent soon realized his talent and began earning a living doing what he did best. Sometimes he refused the money if he liked someone well. Vincent had been attracted to Santiago when he had first seen him with another man, several weeks before. He had not forgotten the face.

  Even while Santiago made love to Vincent, he paid attention to the way the boy conducted himself and to what he did. He would learn the things that were expected. He saw how attentive Vincent was and the amount of time the boy gave to the preparation of the one act that was the obvious goal. Nothing was rushed. Vincent possessed a wonderful sensitivity to Santiago’s every urge.

  They had led each other to the brink of orgasm several times and each time, Vincent had done something to put off the climax. This brought Santiago to an incredible height of passion. Finally Vincent went on his back and lifted his legs to allow Santiago entry and watched Santiago’s hips move in time with the hand that stroked his own penis. He manipulated his anus expertly and saw Santiago’s passion begin as an almost indistinguishable rhythm that increased in intensity as each matched the other’s pace. Breathing became more audible, rising to louder and louder exclamations of desire. Santiago stiffened as his head flew back and the muscles of his stomach went into spasms as he shot his semen into Vincent.

  Vincent’s cock was swollen as his pain turned into incredible ecstasy that found release when his own semen splattered Santiago’s chest. Vincent wrapped his arms around Santiago as he pressed himself even deeper onto the cock and Santiago met the movement with a forceful thrust. He bit at the nape of Vincent’s neck and tears came to his eyes as a second surge of spasms shook him as he came a second time. Vincent looked deeply into Santiago’s eyes and smiled as he manipulated the muscles in his anus to squeeze every drop of semen out of Santiago.

  The experience had been so pleasurable that Vincent considered returning the money. He liked Santiago and hoped they would have more meetings. He had ejaculated without masturbating simply from the excitement of watching Santiago’s almost-insane gyrations. The throbbing in his ass and the wetness between his legs, the slickness of the semen on his chest was wonderful and he spread the liquid over his skin, tasting some from his fingers. He looked at Santiago and was overwhelmed by the beauty he saw! There was a twinge of warning deep in his mind and he tensed.

  Santiago came close to Vincent’s ear and spoke softly, asking with candor, “Do you think I could do what you do?”

  “Are you asking if I think you would do well at selling yourself? Santiago, you would never be without work and I would be your first customer!”

  Santiago blew into his ear. “We can meet again?”


  “If you like, yes. I would like to. Will you be staying here, then?”

  Ramón had remained still and had watched in utter fascination and absolute arousal, hypnotized by the lovemaking. It had been a dream come true and could not have been more perfect. Now the boys were whispering and seemed to like each other. He felt that he was intruding and thought of getting dressed to go out for a while until the boys were through. But Santiago called to him to join them.

  “Come, Ramón. It is warmer here and we will make a sandwich of you.”

  They played together like little boys and the play was light and the fondling, delicious. When it came time for Vincent to leave, Santiago followed him to the door and asked when they might meet again, to talk. Vincent said they could meet on the west side of Portsmouth Square at noon the following day.

  Santiago had grown fond of Ramón and feared his leaving, as he would now be on his own and alone. Although he knew he could always return to the Priest at the Mission, it was not what he wanted. They bade farewell at the ferry on the following morning and as it pulled away they waved to each other not knowing their next meeting would be unexpected and not one as pleasant as had been the first.

  With satchel in hand and a large canvass bag over his shoulder, Santiago walked up Clay Street. Along Commercial Street the traffic was already bustling and the morning light was somber. He was filled with loneliness. Street-peddlers were everywhere, carrying racks and pushing carts laden with all manner of doodads and gewgaws. The women stayed close together to ward off bandits as they gossiped and shopped. Many of the buildings were made of iron and the rust gave off a pungent odor as he passed. These provided shelter but were cold in winter and sweltering in summer.

  Many of the pedestrians turned and followed him with their eyes as he passed, noticing his sadness. His look of longing and loneliness touched some who saw him and made them want to reach out and hold him to comfort him and offer him succor. But they saw an even deeper and more disturbing look in Santiago’s eyes that gave them caution. Those eyes, sensual and full of promise, also suggested foreboding and mistrust. To others, they gave promise of hidden delights. Thoughts of the bedroom were never far away in the minds of the young ladies who saw the strange boy. Everywhere, he drew attention and brought out the instinct to capture, cage, and tame.