Arms of a Man Ch. 05

Zach was quiet as we went to our cars to go to Wendy's. He stopped me before I got into mine and his face was something to behold. "What the holy hell was that?!" I guffawed and then had a huge belly laugh.

"I know! Tai-cu is like that all the time from what Jason and the girls say."

"And who are Papa J-bear and Daddy D?"

I knew I would have to forget that name before I got to Damien's. "My bosses."

"I would have killed him or myself by now." I gave him a kiss and we went to lunch.

When I did get to my next job I clocked in and looked over the work for the day. I wasn't scheduled to turn a wrench here as it was a light day, but I was on hand in case something came up. Damien came into the small office I had just off the bay and I grinned. "Hi Daddy D," I said with my absolutely best Tai impression I could muster. I laughed at his face which was one part murder, one part shock, and eight parts laughing inside.

"I see you met Tai."

"More like Tai came in like a force of gay nature, loved on me, and then flounced out."

"You know my pain. Never call me that again." I saluted and he shook his head. I could tell he loved Tai and wouldn't trade him for a girl for his son, but like me, he could only deal with so much.

"So, what's up boss?"

"Got a rig that needs looking at. Making a rattling noise as it idles and shifting the gears is a bit stiff. You're the only one open."

"Fine with me. I'll give her a look and have it done by the end of the day." At least I wouldn't be bored.

I waited for the truck to be towed in and then got to work. I was nearly done with my one truck when I saw most of the crew were done with their three and just watching me work. I shrugged and just kept it up like it didn't bother me that they were just standing around. It didn't. They had done their assigned duties and I was doing mine. Had one been shirking I would have got on his case. In another ten minutes I was finished and was cleaning up the tools when Frank just clapped. "That's why he's crew boss," he said. I had done in only a few minutes more what took two of them to do in that same time.

"You're good, kid," said Ollie, the oldest guy there who could have been boss had he wanted the job. He was in his late fifties and didn't look to be slowing down or even thinking about retirement. He'd been working as a mechanic for forty-five years.

"Thank you, sir. I do my best." He gave me a big toothy grin. I'd heard him cuss at one of the other guys for calling him sir, but he took it from me because he had a grandson only a year young than me. He'd had his son early in life and his son had followed suit. He couldn't yell at me since even on my second day I could tell he was looking at me in the same light as his own grandkids.

If anyone had grumbling to do it wasn't in my hearing. With all our duties done, we got to knock out for the day an hour ahead of schedule and Damien still paid us for the full time. When I got home I checked my email to find Alex had written me back. The subject of the message was "o.O" and wondered how much time the boy spen ton the net to learn these emoticons. I was nervous to open it, wondering if he would tell me I was just thinking with the lower head.

Leo,

G'damn, bro! Leave for a few weeks and you already getting turned out by them Cali boys. LOL! And I got to admit he's a cutie. I wouldn't want him in the same bar with me cause he'd score all the chicks with that "good boy" shit grin he got.

Typical me shit aside, Leo, you're not thinking with your dick. I can see it in your eyes and your boy has got the same look in his. I never have that look in mine in pics with chicks I said I liked. What you got is special and you best not throw that away by second guessing your intentions. I known you a bit, bro, and this one moment is the happiest I had ever seen you. I hope you stay happy with your boy.

Back to me shit...I could have gotten a piece of ass? A blow job?! WTF!? Why didn't you let me know! I wouldn't have gone out to bang all those chicks if I could'a gotten some from you...and them wedding cakes. You let your boy hit that yet? You hit his? Something tell me he isn't the whore I am. Get back to me.

Alex

I grinned because I could totally hear his voice, even when he was being heartfelt. It was nice to hear that I wasn't just with him for the sex. Then I read the PS.

PS: I'll be State-side in a few weeks and I wanna see you and meet your boy. I got three days in

San Diego before I go home to Florida to see my Mom. Hope you can get down here for some

fun...if you know what I mean.

I just shook my head. He was too much and bad thing is I remembered the dream I had and was getting hard as a rock. Never a good thing. I sent back a quick email telling him to let me know closer to the day so I could hopefully plan some days off of work.

Zach took another late shift, but he said that was what he needed and I wasn't as worried now. I was glad he wasn't out drinking his sorrows away or something worse, but I missed him not being there. I missed him a lot and I wished I could go...I grinned and decided to be a pain in the butt. I was showered, dressed nicely, and carrying my basket up to the door when I saw Patty Mae and Laura, Zach's mom, were talking softly to the side. Without fail Patty Mae saw me and motioned me over. With a sigh, because Laura was just a bit shocked to see me, I came over. "Patty Mae. Mrs. Thompson. I was bringing Zach something to eat so he didn't have to eat Costco pizza again for dinner."

The two shared a glance and a nod. "Leo, Patty Mae was telling me off for being such a lousy mother in the nicest way she could. Would you like to add your words to hers?"

Oh the words I could add. "No, ma'am. From what I can see is you're doing your best to juggle religious beliefs and the love you feel for your son. Hard for any person when they are in direct opposition. No, please hear me out. Don't butt in, Patty Mae." She glared but smiled shrewdly. "He's a bit of a mess, but your words to him helped. You told him that you loved him and that he was still your baby. He understands that it will take time to get use to the fact that he's in a relationship with a man. Neither of us hold out any hope for Mr. Thompson, but the rest of his family supports him. Henry, Patty Mae, Helen, the girls...all of them. The family I have told, my bosses even, feel this will be a good thing for us both. Even a friend of mine from the service. I won't tell you your own feelings, but I believe you will too. Perhaps not today or tomorrow, but I see that you are willing to love him even when your religious beliefs say we're an abomination. That's my two cents."

Patty Mae almost looked at me like I was being too kind. "Well. I see why Zach is...in love with you. You've got an open mind and a bigger heart than I ever gave you credit for. Please remember what I said and I will think on what both of you have said. Now, I must get home and cook dinner." She pushed her cart out into the lot and was gone between the rows.

"Chew her ass out good?" I asked and Patty Mae laughed.

"It was quiet, but I believe there were many times she started praying to forget the terms I used to describe her and especially that husband of hers." I laughed and shook my head. "Do you honestly think she will ever come around and accept it?"

"Accept it, yes. Like it, no."

"So, what did she say?"

"That if I ever hurt him she will be burning in hell for the things she will do to me." I said it straight faced and Patty Mae was about to laugh when she saw I was serious.

"Then there is hope yet for Zachary to at least have his mother's love. Give him my best, he's holed up in his office." She gave me a hug and then went dashing off with her own cart. The guy at the door thumbed me through with a smirk.

"Another hot date with the boss?" he joked.

"Yup."

"Good. He was so happy until a few days ago. Cheer him up for us."

I nodded and went in. So his workers saw the improvement. Good, I can use guilt to get him to come around that much faster. The door was partially closed so I stuck my head in and saw him with his head on his desk and drooling on his mouse pad. It was so darned cute I had to just look at him for a few moments after I softly shut the door, the "On Break" sign hanging on the outside. Just seeing how worn he was made me want to tell him to come home now or I would drag him home to a real bed. When I opened the food his nose twitched and his eyes fluttered open. "Oh god. How long have you been here?" he asked sheepishly.

"Long enough to debate dragging you home to bed. I brought dinner." A fresh tomato bisque and garlic bread.

"You're too good to me." He wiped the drool from his chin and pad and shook his head. I could see his eyes were red and not from sleep deprivation. "I don't deserve you."

I just looked at him like he was being stupid and his eyes dropped. Something had set him off. Something or someone had made him cry. "So, what did you father have to say?"

It was a blind stab in the dark. "That I was tainted and no good. That I was going to hell unless I repented. He would disown me in a month if I didn't do just that." His eyes started to cloud up but he pushed back the tears. How many times had he done that to have it be so easy? I knew I would be getting that fuckwad back for the shit he said and I knew just how to do it. I knew my agents of soul rending revenge. "I'm not giving you up so I guess I'm going to hell."

"Good. We wouldn't know too many people in his version of Heaven anyway." Zach snickered. "So, I am under strict orders from your staff to put you back in a better mood and I will resort to shameless tactics to get the job done." He groaned and put his head back down. "I have dinner," I said and made sure he had a nice portion of it dished up. "Music," which this time I had something smooth and sultry. "And if I have to I will lock the door and see how long you can last as I strip off my clothes." His head came back up and he just stared, looking turned on and spooked.

"The door doesn't lock."

"Then you better get happy really fast," I said as I started to move to the music. His face went all the way to shock as I began to undo my tie.

"Are you trying to get me fired?" he asked, his voice already going husky with desire. He subconsciously licked his lips.

"Fired, no. Fired up, yes." My hands undid each button and I had gotten down to my navel when he came from behind the desk and stopped me.

"I'm better. Really, I am."

"Are you sure?" I asked sweetly, "because I'm not wearing any underwear." I put my hands at my belt and he squeaked before putting them on his hips. He was grinning and as he pulled me close for a dance if only to keep my hands busy.

"You fight dirty. What am I going to do, babe?" I had to stifle the grin. He called me babe! It was so cute. "He's seriously pissed off."

"Don't worry about him. He won't be making any more nasty calls to you." He looked at me like that was only a dream. "I've already got the evil revenge plan in my head and when it goes into action, he will either prove once and for all how much of a douche he really is or he'll recant just enough to leave you alone."

"I'm almost too scared to ask."

"On a lighter note. Alex has shore leave and will be in San Diego. He wants to meet you, see me, probably try for a threesome. Maybe an orgy if he can line up the women." He gaped and then laughed.

"Seriously? Or are you just dreaming again?"

"Serious. I'm debating whether or not to go down and see him since he will probably try to get in either one of us."

"Well, my insides belong to you only."

Sad to say that was probably one of the most romantic things I'd heard in a long time. "And all of me belongs to you," I said softly and kissed him.

Feeling the man you love melt into your arms is just about the best feelings. "How did I get so lucky?"

"I was thinking along the same lines. Now, I'll keep my clothes on and we can eat. When you get home, I will have already set my evil plan in motion." He groaned but by the end of dinner he was in a much better mood.

On my way home I stopped by Helen's house. Time to start being a shit head. After a few brief phone calls, I had all the fodder I needed.