(Weeeell - He looks like him).
It was nothing special, just another Saturday morning. Billy woke early; the sun was streaming through their bedroom windows. They’d forgotten to close the drapes again.
Actually, the drapes were often left open all night long. Justin liked to watch the lights of the passing traffic in the street below. Billy would rather have closed them, to shut out the world, but, whatever made Justin happy made him happy too.
He stretched and lay on his back, looking up at the ceiling above. It was like a big blank canvas up there, waiting to be filled with a masterpiece. Every day with Justin was a masterpiece. Even after all this time, Billy found it hard to believe that it was him, waking up here each day, in Justin’s bed.
Justin could have anyone he wanted. He could have someone new every day, but he didn’t – he just wanted Billy. How cool was that?
Justin really had been damaged by the life he’d led. He didn’t even begin to see how special he was, but Billy knew. Justin was one in a million, one in a gadzillion. He was unique, he was the best there was and, somehow, he was Billy’s. His one and only love and his love for life.
“I love you, Justin Reynolds. More and more everyday, I love you. And, coffeetime!”
Billy loved his morning coffee. It was a bad habit, he knew, but he only had one or two cups in the morning – two strong cups. Justin rarely drank coffee. Sometimes he did, but not often. He didn’t need it anyway, he just woke up and hit the ground running.
He didn’t get that from his grandparents. Bob liked to sleep late in the mornings. Kathleen was always up early, but she was a serious coffee-drinker in the mornings. Even Justin and Jonathan knew to stay clear of her until she’d had her shot of caffeine.
Billy had a quick shower, he wasn’t going to but decided that he’d better. He felt a bit crusty with the residues of last night’s lovemaking. Not that anyone else would notice, but he did.
Through the shower and still damp, he wrapped up in his big terylene dressing gown and descended to the kitchen in search of the coffeepot.
“Morning, Sunshine,” Connors greeted him cheerily.
“Good morning, Connors.” Billy frowned back at her. He poured a cup of strong, black, coffee and sat at the table exchanging frowns across the table with Kathleen Reynolds. She finished her drink and put her mug down, loudly.
“Billy Mathieson, we need to talk.”
“Ma’am?” He looked at her, a bit warily.
“Yes. Exactly! ‘Ma’am’”, she snorted. “How long do you intend living in my hotel, Billy Mathieson?”
“I. . umm, er,” he stammered, but she hadn’t finished yet.
“Living in my hotel, eating my food and sleeping in my grandson’s bed. How long?”
“Umm. . er,” (‘Whoah!’) Billy was suddenly aware that this was not just Justin’s doting grandmother facing him – this was the Dragon-Lady of the Adelphi Hotel – equal, at least, to his own fearsome grandmother, if not scarier. However –
“Do you want me to move out, Mrs. Reynolds?”
“No, I don’t want you to move out. Don’t be ridiculous, Boy! I don’t EVER want you to move out. Apart from anything else, Justin would go with you and that would break my heart. I just want to know, how long do you intend living here?”
“Well, ah, for as long as Justin wants me to, I suppose.”
“Hmmm. Not a good question. Let’s try it this way – How long do you intend living with my grandson?”
“Same answer, Ma’am. For as long as Justin wants me to.”
“Forget what Justin wants, for a minute. What do you want? How long?”
“Well, forever, of course. For the rest of our lives anyway.”
“Okay. That’s good. And do you intend to go on calling me ‘Ma’am’ or ‘Mrs. Reynolds’ for the rest of your life? Because, I’m telling you now, I don’t like it.”
“Ma’am, I couldn’t call you ‘Kathleen’. I just couldn’t.”
“I didn’t think you would, Billy. You’re far too polite for that.”
“What then?” Billy was totally puzzled now.
“For crying out loud!” Connors sat down at the table with them. “You two are a right pair of early morning grouches. Billy, you’ve got more in common with the Boss-Lady here than either Justin or Jonathan have. She wants you to call her ‘Grandmother’, Billy.”
“Is that what this is about?”
“Of course it is. You are Justin’s partner. His significant-other, or whatever you want to call it. Jonathan happily calls you his brother. I want you to be my other grandson. Please.”
Billy beamed, his first real smile of the day. “Yeah, I’d like that too. Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Thank you, Lovey. Thank you, Connors. Now you can get back to work. I don’t pay you to sit around chatting all day.”
“You’re welcome, I’m sure.” Connors stood up. “Maybe I should do what Lisa did and go work at the burger place next-door.”
“You can’t do that, Connors,” Billy grinned. “We wouldn’t hire you.”
“Oh? And why not, may I ask?”
“Our Landlady wouldn’t like it. Grandmother needs you here, Connors. The Adelphi wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“Yeah. I love you too, Sweetheart.”
Back up in their room, Billy straightened up the bed and then lay on top of it, hands behind his head, waiting. It wasn’t long before Justin came in. He stood leaning forward, hands on his knees and breathing deeply. He looked up and grinned at Billy.
“Whoah!”
He came across, stretched out on the bed and kissed him softly.
“Good morning, Sunny Still love me?”
Billy reached a hand behind his head, pulled him down and kissed him again.
“Don’t ask silly questions. Of course I love you; how could I not?”
“Mmmm. Good, because I love you very much. Not everyone loves me. I just passed Mr. Stephens and a bunch of his cronies, coming back from shooting bunnies. If looks could kill, they wouldn’t need guns.”
“Don’t worry about those stupid little people, Sweetcheeks. They’re just trash anyway.”
“Ooo! Listen to the Carver Kid! No-one’s trash, Billy, not really. They’re all just people. Someone loves them.”
“Someone does, but not me and not you either. You keep away from those people, Justin. They’re never going to change.”
“No, I guess not. Don’t you change, Sunny. I need you.”
“I think you do – almost as much as I need you. What are we doing today?”
“Making love?”
“No we are not. Well, maybe later. Let’s go out and get some fresh air.”
“Okay. I’ve got a plan. After breakfast, we’ll throw the surf-skis in the river.”
“That’ll be fun. We’ll throw them in and wave goodbye to them.”
“No, Sunny. You dork! We’ll throw them in and sit on them. I’ve been out around Carver’s Beach and I was looking at Marvin’s Creek where it goes under the road bridge, on the way back. We could paddle across the river and up the creek. We’ll go exploring.”
“Go exploring? You really are a big kid, you know that don’t you?”
“Of course I am. I’ve got years of not being a kid to catch up on. Come on, Billy, don’t be old.”
He flung himself across Billy and started tickling his ribs.
“Can we go? Can we? Can we? Can we?”
Billy wriggled and squirmed as he gasped and laughed. “All right. All right! We’ll go! Not fair, Sweetcheeks. You know how ticklish I am. Go and get your shower. We’ll eat and then we’ll go exploring up the mighty Marvin’s Creek.”
“Cool. I knew you would. You never know, we might find a lost tribe of Carvers up there. If we do, I’m going to catch myself a cute red-haired one and bring him home and keep him.”
“Yeah, right! You couldn’t handle two.”
“Be fun trying though.”
Justin got up off the bed, facing away from him. He wriggled his butt as he bent to remove his running shoes.
“Are you coming in the shower with me?”
“Get out of it! No, I’m not. Maybe later. Go clean yourself, you dirty boy.”
Justin stripped and disappeared into the shower, singing. “O solo mio. I’m all alone-o.’
Billy straightened his dressing gown and lay back grinning. He was about to get up and get dressed when there was a knock at the door. He called out, “Come in” and his mother’s head appeared.
“Hey, Son. You decent?”
“Mum! Hey. Yes, of course we’re decent. Come in. Justin’s in the shower.”
She went straight over and opened a window. “That’s better. It smells like a Turkish brothel in here sometimes.”
“Mum!” Billy blushed. “Gee, thanks Mum. Now you’re letting all the petrol fumes from the street in here. How do you know what a Turkish brothel smells like anyway?”
“I don’t, but I can imagine. You looking after Superboy are you, Billy?”
“Always. And, yes, we’re happy, Mum. Can you shut the window now? It’s cold in here now.”
“Can but I won’t. It’s not that cold, it’s a lovely day out there. There’s no petrol fumes, well, hardly any. It’s Saturday morning and the street is quiet.”
“So, to what do we owe the honour of this visit?”
“Honour of this visit? Can’t I just come and visit with my number one Son?”
“Sure you can. But on a Saturday morning?”
“You’re not a late sleeper and Superboy’s certainly not. Anyway, I’m just passing through; I’ve got a flight to catch. I’ll be back tomorrow. Can you boys come out for tea? I might have some news for you.”
“Yeah, we can. What news?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow. But it’s good news, if it happens. Now, I’ve got your school report, I think we need to have a talk about this.”
“What’s wrong? We haven’t been slacking; Justin wouldn’t let me.”
“No, he wouldn’t would he?” She grinned widely. “And it shows. There’s nothing wrong, it’s a good report – it’s your best ever. Well done. Justin is the best thing that has ever happened for you.”
“He is!” Billy matched her smile. “He’s bloody near perfect! Thanks Mum.”
“Thank you, Billy. Very well done. I used to worry about you, you know, but not any more. Give Justin a kiss for me.”
“Mum!!” Billy blushed, even redder.
“Oi!” Justin came, naked out of the shower. “Oops!” He went back in and got a towel.
“Sorry about that. Who’s upsetting my Boy?”
“Hello Justin. No-one’s upsetting the boy. I’ve just brought his school report, and it’s a good one too. Thank you.’
“Thank me? I didn’t write it you know. It’ would be all ‘A’s if I did, perfect scores.’
“Yes, it probably would. He’s doing well because his life is good – settled and happy and that’s thanks to you. Don’t deny it, it’s true. You always walk around naked in my son’s bedroom do you?”
Now it was Justin’s turn to blush, but he grinned cheekily as well. “Only sometimes. I think that he likes to peek at me. He’s a bit rude, you know.”
“Whoah! Enough of that. Well, I’ve got to go; I’ve got a plane to catch. See you later, Boys. Keep up the good work, you’re doing well.”
Mrs. M. left. Justin looked down at Billy. “She’s right, you know. We are doing well.”
Billy came up and hugged him. “We are. Thanks Justin. I love you.”
“I love you too. Come on, Sunny, get some clothes on. I’m hungry now.”
Downstairs, they met Jonathan coming out of the kitchen with a covered tray.
“Good morning, my Jonathan. Give your brother a hug.” Justin greeted him.
“Umm, okay – sure.” Jonathan put the tray on the floor, stepped over it and hugged Billy.
“Good morning, Sunshine.”
“Good morning, you twit.” Billy laughed. “Thanks Jonathan, but I think that he meant to hug him.”
Actually, the drapes were often left open all night long. Justin liked to watch the lights of the passing traffic in the street below. Billy would rather have closed them, to shut out the world, but, whatever made Justin happy made him happy too.
He stretched and lay on his back, looking up at the ceiling above. It was like a big blank canvas up there, waiting to be filled with a masterpiece. Every day with Justin was a masterpiece. Even after all this time, Billy found it hard to believe that it was him, waking up here each day, in Justin’s bed.
Justin could have anyone he wanted. He could have someone new every day, but he didn’t – he just wanted Billy. How cool was that?
Justin really had been damaged by the life he’d led. He didn’t even begin to see how special he was, but Billy knew. Justin was one in a million, one in a gadzillion. He was unique, he was the best there was and, somehow, he was Billy’s. His one and only love and his love for life.
“I love you, Justin Reynolds. More and more everyday, I love you. And, coffeetime!”
Billy loved his morning coffee. It was a bad habit, he knew, but he only had one or two cups in the morning – two strong cups. Justin rarely drank coffee. Sometimes he did, but not often. He didn’t need it anyway, he just woke up and hit the ground running.
He didn’t get that from his grandparents. Bob liked to sleep late in the mornings. Kathleen was always up early, but she was a serious coffee-drinker in the mornings. Even Justin and Jonathan knew to stay clear of her until she’d had her shot of caffeine.
Billy had a quick shower, he wasn’t going to but decided that he’d better. He felt a bit crusty with the residues of last night’s lovemaking. Not that anyone else would notice, but he did.
Through the shower and still damp, he wrapped up in his big terylene dressing gown and descended to the kitchen in search of the coffeepot.
“Morning, Sunshine,” Connors greeted him cheerily.
“Good morning, Connors.” Billy frowned back at her. He poured a cup of strong, black, coffee and sat at the table exchanging frowns across the table with Kathleen Reynolds. She finished her drink and put her mug down, loudly.
“Billy Mathieson, we need to talk.”
“Ma’am?” He looked at her, a bit warily.
“Yes. Exactly! ‘Ma’am’”, she snorted. “How long do you intend living in my hotel, Billy Mathieson?”
“I. . umm, er,” he stammered, but she hadn’t finished yet.
“Living in my hotel, eating my food and sleeping in my grandson’s bed. How long?”
“Umm. . er,” (‘Whoah!’) Billy was suddenly aware that this was not just Justin’s doting grandmother facing him – this was the Dragon-Lady of the Adelphi Hotel – equal, at least, to his own fearsome grandmother, if not scarier. However –
“Do you want me to move out, Mrs. Reynolds?”
“No, I don’t want you to move out. Don’t be ridiculous, Boy! I don’t EVER want you to move out. Apart from anything else, Justin would go with you and that would break my heart. I just want to know, how long do you intend living here?”
“Well, ah, for as long as Justin wants me to, I suppose.”
“Hmmm. Not a good question. Let’s try it this way – How long do you intend living with my grandson?”
“Same answer, Ma’am. For as long as Justin wants me to.”
“Forget what Justin wants, for a minute. What do you want? How long?”
“Well, forever, of course. For the rest of our lives anyway.”
“Okay. That’s good. And do you intend to go on calling me ‘Ma’am’ or ‘Mrs. Reynolds’ for the rest of your life? Because, I’m telling you now, I don’t like it.”
“Ma’am, I couldn’t call you ‘Kathleen’. I just couldn’t.”
“I didn’t think you would, Billy. You’re far too polite for that.”
“What then?” Billy was totally puzzled now.
“For crying out loud!” Connors sat down at the table with them. “You two are a right pair of early morning grouches. Billy, you’ve got more in common with the Boss-Lady here than either Justin or Jonathan have. She wants you to call her ‘Grandmother’, Billy.”
“Is that what this is about?”
“Of course it is. You are Justin’s partner. His significant-other, or whatever you want to call it. Jonathan happily calls you his brother. I want you to be my other grandson. Please.”
Billy beamed, his first real smile of the day. “Yeah, I’d like that too. Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Thank you, Lovey. Thank you, Connors. Now you can get back to work. I don’t pay you to sit around chatting all day.”
“You’re welcome, I’m sure.” Connors stood up. “Maybe I should do what Lisa did and go work at the burger place next-door.”
“You can’t do that, Connors,” Billy grinned. “We wouldn’t hire you.”
“Oh? And why not, may I ask?”
“Our Landlady wouldn’t like it. Grandmother needs you here, Connors. The Adelphi wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“Yeah. I love you too, Sweetheart.”
Back up in their room, Billy straightened up the bed and then lay on top of it, hands behind his head, waiting. It wasn’t long before Justin came in. He stood leaning forward, hands on his knees and breathing deeply. He looked up and grinned at Billy.
“Whoah!”
He came across, stretched out on the bed and kissed him softly.
“Good morning, Sunny Still love me?”
Billy reached a hand behind his head, pulled him down and kissed him again.
“Don’t ask silly questions. Of course I love you; how could I not?”
“Mmmm. Good, because I love you very much. Not everyone loves me. I just passed Mr. Stephens and a bunch of his cronies, coming back from shooting bunnies. If looks could kill, they wouldn’t need guns.”
“Don’t worry about those stupid little people, Sweetcheeks. They’re just trash anyway.”
“Ooo! Listen to the Carver Kid! No-one’s trash, Billy, not really. They’re all just people. Someone loves them.”
“Someone does, but not me and not you either. You keep away from those people, Justin. They’re never going to change.”
“No, I guess not. Don’t you change, Sunny. I need you.”
“I think you do – almost as much as I need you. What are we doing today?”
“Making love?”
“No we are not. Well, maybe later. Let’s go out and get some fresh air.”
“Okay. I’ve got a plan. After breakfast, we’ll throw the surf-skis in the river.”
“That’ll be fun. We’ll throw them in and wave goodbye to them.”
“No, Sunny. You dork! We’ll throw them in and sit on them. I’ve been out around Carver’s Beach and I was looking at Marvin’s Creek where it goes under the road bridge, on the way back. We could paddle across the river and up the creek. We’ll go exploring.”
“Go exploring? You really are a big kid, you know that don’t you?”
“Of course I am. I’ve got years of not being a kid to catch up on. Come on, Billy, don’t be old.”
He flung himself across Billy and started tickling his ribs.
“Can we go? Can we? Can we? Can we?”
Billy wriggled and squirmed as he gasped and laughed. “All right. All right! We’ll go! Not fair, Sweetcheeks. You know how ticklish I am. Go and get your shower. We’ll eat and then we’ll go exploring up the mighty Marvin’s Creek.”
“Cool. I knew you would. You never know, we might find a lost tribe of Carvers up there. If we do, I’m going to catch myself a cute red-haired one and bring him home and keep him.”
“Yeah, right! You couldn’t handle two.”
“Be fun trying though.”
Justin got up off the bed, facing away from him. He wriggled his butt as he bent to remove his running shoes.
“Are you coming in the shower with me?”
“Get out of it! No, I’m not. Maybe later. Go clean yourself, you dirty boy.”
Justin stripped and disappeared into the shower, singing. “O solo mio. I’m all alone-o.’
Billy straightened his dressing gown and lay back grinning. He was about to get up and get dressed when there was a knock at the door. He called out, “Come in” and his mother’s head appeared.
“Hey, Son. You decent?”
“Mum! Hey. Yes, of course we’re decent. Come in. Justin’s in the shower.”
She went straight over and opened a window. “That’s better. It smells like a Turkish brothel in here sometimes.”
“Mum!” Billy blushed. “Gee, thanks Mum. Now you’re letting all the petrol fumes from the street in here. How do you know what a Turkish brothel smells like anyway?”
“I don’t, but I can imagine. You looking after Superboy are you, Billy?”
“Always. And, yes, we’re happy, Mum. Can you shut the window now? It’s cold in here now.”
“Can but I won’t. It’s not that cold, it’s a lovely day out there. There’s no petrol fumes, well, hardly any. It’s Saturday morning and the street is quiet.”
“So, to what do we owe the honour of this visit?”
“Honour of this visit? Can’t I just come and visit with my number one Son?”
“Sure you can. But on a Saturday morning?”
“You’re not a late sleeper and Superboy’s certainly not. Anyway, I’m just passing through; I’ve got a flight to catch. I’ll be back tomorrow. Can you boys come out for tea? I might have some news for you.”
“Yeah, we can. What news?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow. But it’s good news, if it happens. Now, I’ve got your school report, I think we need to have a talk about this.”
“What’s wrong? We haven’t been slacking; Justin wouldn’t let me.”
“No, he wouldn’t would he?” She grinned widely. “And it shows. There’s nothing wrong, it’s a good report – it’s your best ever. Well done. Justin is the best thing that has ever happened for you.”
“He is!” Billy matched her smile. “He’s bloody near perfect! Thanks Mum.”
“Thank you, Billy. Very well done. I used to worry about you, you know, but not any more. Give Justin a kiss for me.”
“Mum!!” Billy blushed, even redder.
“Oi!” Justin came, naked out of the shower. “Oops!” He went back in and got a towel.
“Sorry about that. Who’s upsetting my Boy?”
“Hello Justin. No-one’s upsetting the boy. I’ve just brought his school report, and it’s a good one too. Thank you.’
“Thank me? I didn’t write it you know. It’ would be all ‘A’s if I did, perfect scores.’
“Yes, it probably would. He’s doing well because his life is good – settled and happy and that’s thanks to you. Don’t deny it, it’s true. You always walk around naked in my son’s bedroom do you?”
Now it was Justin’s turn to blush, but he grinned cheekily as well. “Only sometimes. I think that he likes to peek at me. He’s a bit rude, you know.”
“Whoah! Enough of that. Well, I’ve got to go; I’ve got a plane to catch. See you later, Boys. Keep up the good work, you’re doing well.”
Mrs. M. left. Justin looked down at Billy. “She’s right, you know. We are doing well.”
Billy came up and hugged him. “We are. Thanks Justin. I love you.”
“I love you too. Come on, Sunny, get some clothes on. I’m hungry now.”
Downstairs, they met Jonathan coming out of the kitchen with a covered tray.
“Good morning, my Jonathan. Give your brother a hug.” Justin greeted him.
“Umm, okay – sure.” Jonathan put the tray on the floor, stepped over it and hugged Billy.
“Good morning, Sunshine.”
“Good morning, you twit.” Billy laughed. “Thanks Jonathan, but I think that he meant to hug him.”
“He probably did, but I love all my brothers.”
“And so you should!” Justin took his hug. “What’s the breakfast tray for? Have you got someone up in your room?”
“Maybe.” Jonathan recovered his tray. “None of your business anyway. I don’t ask who you’ve got in your room. Later, Guys.”
“Later, Jonathan. And, you don’t have to ask – you already know.”
“Shut up, Justin.” Billy poked him.
They went in for breakfast.
7 comments:
This getting monotonous, another great chapter,(nearly as good as Lloyd's Ha, Ha.), and also intriguing. What has Billy's mum got up her sleeve, this and much more will be answered in the next episode of 'Entangled Tales'
Nearly as good as Lloyds, eh Tom? Only nearly? ;-)
But, wey-hey! Justin and Billy are back!!! :-)
Does one really 'get' a shower in NZ? Over here, we 'have' them. I thought it was only in America that you 'got' them.
Alastair
I´m glad you didn´t chose Daniel Radcliffe as Billy´s look-a-like.
And it´s good to see you learned from Lloyd (hi hi).
Nice one, now they gonna find their boy, hah??
Hugs!!
Joah!!
Couldn't agree more, Joah! Rupert Grint is turning into a seriously good looking guy!
Alastair
Great ch.
Jerry
Can't wait tp hear wht Mrs. M has going on. Just another little piece of intrigue by a great author. Great story, David. (But they are right, Lloyd is a close second, Ha-ha)
Mark
Thanks Tom, Alastair, Joah, Jerry & Mark.
Yes, We 'get' showers in NZ - our language is influenced by both sides of the Atlantic. Interesting though - we don't get baths, we just have baths.
And, yeah - Rupert Grint - Whoar! He really does look like Billy.
cheers
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