Daniel, Lost...Then Found

By reading this story you agree that you are at or above legal age in your location.

Certain sexual activities depicted in this story are safe only in fictional Literature.

BE SAFE! PLEASE USE A CONDOM!.

This is the story is a work of total fiction. Any resemblance to real people, dead or alive, is purely coincidental.

All feedback is appreciated.




I took the mail from the box and opened my front door. I stood at the kitchen island and sorted the days mail into keepers and junk when I came across an envelope with a reply deadline date in the bottom left corner. I didn't recognize the return name or address.

Opening the envelope, I was surprised, it was an invitation to attend my Twenty Year High School Reunion. How could it be possible that was twenty years ago?. I had no intention of attending and I tossed it into the junk mail and was about to put the stack in the trash when I thought about Danny. I put the reunion notice aside on the counter, tossed the rest in the trash and went to change out of my work clothes. Freed from my suit and tie, getting barefoot and into gym shorts and a tee shirt made me sigh with relief. I headed to the kitchen and made my evening cocktail of CC and water. I picked up the reunion notice and went to sit on the deck in the late afternoon sun. It was an beautiful, balmy May afternoon in middle Tennessee.

I'm Thomas James Clarke, TJ to just about everyone but my Mother who always calls me Thomas unless she's giving me one of her frequent lectures then it's Thomas James Clarke as she preaches on the evils of still being a single man and 38 years old. I'm divorced, live alone and I work for a small local College here in Nashville. I have not worked anywhere else, I was hired right out of college and have been the Assistant to the President for 15 years this September. My gift of gab and a knack for finding donors and getting them to open their checkbooks has kept me in the good graces of my boss. I am a good worker and often I'm asked to fill in for my boss at various functions when he has schedule conflicts.

I read the reunion notice again and reflected on life since High School. Graduation had been in June and I started my college classes in mid September at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. At age 22 I married my college girlfriend the week after we graduated. By the time I was 25 we had two children; that was the beginning of the end I would decide later. With two kids in diapers our sex life was over. I always thought we could get back to the way we were before kids but it just didn't happen. Janey, my wife, and I gradually drifted apart and after eight years we divorced. We've remained best friends and I bought a house close enough to her and the kids that I could "be there" for the kids and for her when she needed me to pick them up or keep them overnight.

When I was 32 I finally admitted to my self that I was gay, not bi-sexual as I had tried to convince myself since the divorce. Janey was the only woman I had ever had sexual relations with, all others had been with men. To be fair, 'all others' totaled up to five men in the past six years.

Growing up my best friend was always Danny Drennan. We lived in Louisville, Kentucky and we first met in kindergarten. We remained best buddies through Grammar and High Schools, we were seldom apart for more than twelve hours. Sometime near puberty I knew that I loved Danny. It wasn't just a crush, I knew that what I felt for him was what I was supposed to feel for a girl. I never let Danny know of my feelings fearing that he would never speak to me again. I knew that would be the worst that could happen for me, I needed to be with him even as just friends.

We had to separate when it came time to enter college. Danny went to Lexington and the University of Kentucky. We made promises to keep in touch but early into my first year at UVA my family moved to Ohio and Danny and I didn't get to see each other gain. We did manage to keep in touch by letter and the occasional phone call. After college we kept in touch for a while but after our second child we lost touch. Since the divorce I had tried telephone and computer searches trying to locate Dan without any luck. The thought that he might be at the reunion convinced me to fill our the reunion form and mail it off with my check.

If we could reconnect it would be so great to have my friend back in my life. I was never as close with anyone as I was with Danny. Not even Janey. I wrote the reunion date in my Day Planner and on the calendar in the kitchen. I have a drawer full of electronic gadgets that were gifts to keep track of things like this but I just don't get it. I still write real letters in longhand, my Mom had insisted that personal letters, notes and cards should never be typed; also I have an old fashioned land line telephone at home. My concessions to the electronic age were a basic cell phone with pre-paid minutes and no contract and my desktop computer.

I phoned Janey and told her the dates that I would be away and where I was going. She was constantly trying to get me out of the house and meeting new people. A couple of years back I had to insist that she stop trying to set me up with dates. She always had a friend or acquaintance that knew a gay man and she automatically thought any two gay men would just click automatically. I asked her once it she 'clicked' with every man she went out on a date with.

"don't be silly TJ, of course not. There has to be a chemistry to really like someone." She said.

"Then why do you think it would be different with two gay men Janey, chemistry is the key with us too."

She just stared at me like I was from another planet, not comprehending at all what I meant.

Janey was thrilled that I was going to the reunion.

"TJ, maybe you'll meet up with Danny there. You've always talked about how you miss him being your friend. Yes, you have to go. Danny back in your life is exactly what you need now TJ."

There are times that Janey surprises the dickens out of me. This was one of those times. She knows me so well. She advised me to go shopping for a new outfit.

"For heaven's sake TJ, don't wear one of your boring business suits. Go get something nice that you wouldn't wear to work. I know you're going to be the best looking guy there so look the part TJ."

Looking at my wardrobe confirmed Janey's opinion about what I should wear so I went to the my favorite Men's shop in Green Hills to shop for clothes I wouldn't wear to work. I did want to look my best just in case Dan was there. With the help of a male assistant, who I thought was too obvious in his attention to me, I selected tan slacks that fit me very nicely, the assistant kept talking about how well they "displayed my assets". I chose a matching tan silk crew neck pullover, a navy Armani Sport Jacket with a Cordovan belt and Cordovan Italian slippers. I was very pleased with the outfit.

In High School I was very thin and tall. I ran on the track team and won a few Cross Country events. I still hold a couple of Kentucky State High School Track records. Once I was away at college, I had matured and built up my body in the weight room. Since the divorce I joined a Health club in Green Hills a couple of miles from my home in Hillsboro Village and I still got to the gym regularly. I was certain that no one would know me by sight at the reunion.

I took the day off the Friday before the reunion and drove to Louisville and checked into my hotel around four P.M. The reunion would be held in the ballroom of this hotel and I wouldn't have to be concerned about drinking and driving.

Tonight was free, no events planned so I read the complimentary newspaper in my room, went down to the restaurant for dinner then back to my room to watch a movie. Saturday morning I drove to my old neighborhood and stopped to look at the house where I grew up. danny's house was two doors down from ours. So many memories flooded my mind as I sat in the car looking at those houses. I sat there at least ten minutes, maybe more before starting the car and driving to our High School. I stopped by Kaelin's for a Cheeseburger then spent the afternoon at Churchill Downs watching the horse races. I left at five p.m. $50 poorer than when I had arrived.

Back at my hotel I had a turn at the dinner buffet table and then went to my room to get myself ready to go down to the ballroom for the festivities. The thought crossed my mind that if no one I knew showed up I could drop into the hotel bar and check out the action there.

After a shave and shower I took my time getting dressed being sure that each item of my clothing was just right. I put on my jacket and turned to check myself in the mirror. I had to smile, Janey was right. This outfit was perfect for this night. I looked darned good for a thirty eight year old father of two teenagers. I had a spring in my step as I made my way toward the ballroom.

I signed in and found my name tag and was looking at the yearbook on the table by the guest register. I went to Danny's picture first and seeing his smile made me laugh as memories of us as kids flooded my mind. I flipped back a few pages and when I came to my picture I groaned aloud, feeling sorry for that poor thin waif staring blankly at me. I heard a female laugh next to me...

"You wouldn't believe how many of us make that sound when we look at our pictures back then. Glad you could make it. Let me see if I can pick you out" she said.

When I turned to face her I could see that she didn't have a clue who I could possibly be. She gave me a long appraising look and smiled seductively as she scanned the yearbook then back to me a few times. I had recognized her almost immediately, she was Jennifer Jansen, one of our cheerleaders, a four year class beauty and she was probably the nicest girl in the whole school. Everyone liked Jenny.

"Jenny, wow, you're more beautiful now than you were at 18. I'm..."

She cut me off..."don't tell me, I want to see if I can pick you out."

Looking at the yearbook, then back to my face she had a puzzled look.

"you're not on this page." she said. I laughed.

"I wish, but I'm there alright. Look at the last names starting with C."

"mmm, no...I don't see you here." I pointed to the picture of the poor thin waif with the blank stare.

"Thomas J. Clarke, that's me, TJ."

"NO! It can't be, you're so hand..."

She stopped mid sentence before she said I was 'so handsome' now.

"Well, I must say that you certainly have matured well TJ, yes , quite well indeed, what a change. I remember you, the track teams star runner, you won a lot of races in track and a couple of State Championships. You were very smart too, yes, the President of the Beta Club Junior and Senior years. I was in Beta Club too, but only one year, not four like you. I seem to remember that you went out of state to college, Virginia I think. So where are you now? wife, kids?"

"Gee you have a great memory Jen, yes I graduated from UVA and now I'm in Nashville, two great kids, a Son 17, a Daughter 15, the wife and I divorced eight years ago."

"been there and done that honey, enough said." she chuckled.

She stepped back and gave me the once over again, head to toe and back down to my belt level then back to my eyes, she smiled and she was different. She had shifted into her 'man hunter' mode.

"Hon, I need to check on some things, none of the classmates that said they would help out are here yet. We'll have talk more later, okay. Don't you leave without talking with me I want to be sure we get reacquainted tonight. Don't you forget me, you hear.

The change in her was obvious as she switched effortlessly from hostess to seductress and flirted shamelessly with me. She left giving me a look that promised a more intimate talk than I was willing to undertake.

I made my way to the bar and ordered a drink. I was sipping my drink and had turned on the bar stool to face toward the entrance and watched the door as classmates began arriving. Surprisingly I knew many of the guys at first sight and a few of the ladies too.

As I raised my glass I saw a tall good looking man enter that I didn't recognize. I didn't remember any classmate that good looking. I was studying him trying to place him as he talked with others at the registration table and found his name tag. When I saw him laughing with another classmate a chill shot through me. It's him! It's Danny! That smile and the crinkly eyes when he laughed gave him away.

I turned back to the bar and set my drink down, my hands were trembling and my heart was racing. It's Danny! He's here! Forcing my self to calm down, I took a big gulp of my drink, and searched him out in the mirror behind the bar. Certain it was him, I looked myself over and made sure my name tag was turned face down. I wanted to see if he would know me.

I slowly walked toward him, as I approached, he caught my eye and we nodded but I could tell he was trying to figure out who I could be. When I reached him I stuck out my hand and said...

"Hello...aren't you Danny Drennan?"

"Yes, that's me, but I'm sorry I can't seem to place you..."

I smiled and started to tell him when he yelled... "OHMIGOD!...TJ!... IS THAT YOU?

Grinning ear to ear I nodded as he grabbed me into a bear hug. I felt so many emotions as he hugged me to him. I had dreamed of this meeting so many times. Since my 'coming out' Danny was my main source of sexual release and I conjured up jack off fantasies of us together constantly. I still loved him, much more now as a grow man than I did as a kid before. I just wanted to be near him, any way that he would accept. I missed the way he made me feel. With Danny I always had a feeling of well being, good times, and things being as they should be. Things were right when we were together. I dreamed of us being lovers but I would gladly, happily settle for being his good friend again.

"TJ, I can't believe this...it's really you!. You may not believe this, but you are why I'm here tonight, I was hoping that you would be here. I've missed 'us' TJ. For years after we went off to college, when anything big happened in my life I wanted to tell TJ. It is so great to find you again. Okay, right now, let's promise that we will never ever loose touch with each other again."

"I promise Danny. I don't want to lose you again either. I've missed my friend"

He stepped back and gave me the once over almost like Jenny Jansen had done.

"Damn TJ! Who knew that skinny kid I knew would turn out looking like this. I never dreamed that you would be such a stud! Look at you. Wow."

"Right back at you Danny. I hope you brought a big stick because you're going to be beating these ladies off you all night. I didn't know who you were until I saw you laugh. Your eyes and that smile gave you away."

"I know, when you were walking this way and we nodded I couldn't figure out who that handsome man could be, as we were shaking hands you smiled and then I knew. Your smile and your eyes."

"Let's get a drink...are you here with your wife?" he asked

I held up my left hand, bare of any jewelry.

"We divorced, eight years ago. We're still close friends and live near each other for the kids sake, a Son, Callum 17 and a daughter, Suzannah 15, and you?"

He laughed. "almost identical to you, divorced five years, son, Connor 17, and daughter Malin, 15. This is great TJ, just us, no women to keep us from talking about old times, it's just us tonight. I can't believe it. TJ and Danny, together again after all these years."

We sat at the bar or a nearby table most of the night catching up with each other's lives. I noticed that every so often a line of ladies would discretely pass by us, giving us the once over and 'come hither' looks. We were polite, but we laughed when they left. After a couple of hours the sexy looks, became glares of resentment. Danny and I just kept talking and drinking.

There was a short informal program, a couple of classmates spoke about the 'good old days' to much laughter. It dawned on me that those who talked most about the good old days were the jocks and girls that were the beautiful and popular kids back then. Now, in most cases, their teen good looks had been replaced by receding hair or no hair, too many extra pounds and lots of booze. There were exceptions, like Jenny Jansen, but generally the 'in crowd" from our High School days had taken a beating over the past 20 years, looks wise. Dan and I had been late bloomers and were now hitting our peak in career and in our physical appearance.

Dan commented several times on how different I look and he kept feeling my biceps, he seemed truly amazed at how I had transformed from being bean pole thin to this ripped body I had now. My Senior year I was 5'11" tall and weighed 117 pounds with my pockets full. Today I'm still 5'11 but I weigh 155 pounds and have nice muscles, a mildly defined six pack on my stomach but I'm not crazy ripped like body builders get. I was pleased with myself that I had kept myself decent looking. With Dan, it was hard to tell under his suit but he was still 6'4" and about 165 or so, his stomach was flat and his waist small and trim. I looked when I could at the fly of his suit pants but it stayed maddeningly flat, giving no clue to his package. It was just as well, having my friend back was enough for me.

We heard a last call from the bar and noticed that most of the crowd was gone. We walked to the hotel bar and saw that several of the tables were occupied by our classmates. One table seated those ladies that kept walking by us at the reunion. Dan and I continued talking and drinking. After fifteen years there was a lot to catch up on but I believe both of us could have sat there and not said a word, just enjoying being with the other again.

I told Dan about my job at the college and how I liked the work. I found out he was an executive with General Motors and was assigned to the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, Ky., only 60 miles from Nashville. I kidded him...

"I'll bet you drive a red Corvette convertible, right."

"Not red, it's silver with saddle tan interior."

"What do you drive TJ?"

"Just an old Ford. Remember, I'm divorced and work for a small college."

We spent a long time talking about our kids and exes, I gathered up my courage and told Dan that I am gay and had finally admitted it five years ago. I also told him that I was in love with him back when we were in school, and had been for as long as I could remember.

" TJ. I'm really surprised, I never had a clue that you felt that way about me, I'm flattered now. You do know that it doesn't't matter at all as far as our friendship goes. Now since we've reunited, I can't imagine anything that could stop us from being best friends the rest of our days. Geez, TJ the way you look, I bet the guys line up for a date with you."

I laughed. "Dan in the six years I've been actively gay I've had five dates. I average less than one a year."

"Wow TJ, I was sure you would have a partner, you must like playing the field then, huh?"

"No, it's not that Danny, there would sure be more than 5 guys if I played the field. No, I don't have a partner either. There was only one guy who I've ever wanted as my partner, but that just wasn't't to be."

"What happened TJ?" "Dan, I'd rather not talk about it, okay. Maybe I'll tell you someday."

When Dan got up to go to the restroom he stumbled and reeled, I led him to the restroom and after he relieved himself I took him by the arm and we left to go to our rooms. I asked his room number and he was just across the hall from my room. I first opened Dan's door and then mine, I thought he had gone into his room but when I opened my door Danny walked in and fell on my bed.

"Danny, your room is across the hall."