My Hometown Miracle

Jerry is either completely oblivious of the effect he has on others or he's a calculating, conniving devil. He strolled into the kitchen with the robe open, his hairy chest, bulging basket and hairy legs there for all to see. Even his feet were beautiful!

He looked at me, his hair mussed and that crooked grin, melting away any will to resist him that I thought I possessed.

"Thank you Robbie, I appreciate your taking care of me last night."

He stepped to me and hugged me to him. I felt faint. Then as he broke away he kissed me on the neck just below my ear.

"You're a great guy Rob, I hope we can become great friends."

We drank the coffee and ate peanut butter toast with Orange Marmalade. We sat at the bar, his beautiful body showing and I fought to keep from staring at him. We talked a bit and soon he had to dress and head out to his shop for the breakfast crowd.

Later I stumbled to the shower and took my time, trying to think of things I needed to do today. Around eleven the phone rang and I immediately thought of Joshua's call last night. I was surprised to see it was Jerry calling.

"Hello"

"Hey Robbie, just wanted to thank you again for last night, and offer you a free lunch at the shop if you're interested."

"Sure thing, what time is good for you Jer?"

"Anytime after one o'clock is fine. I can join you then, see you later Guy."

Holy Crap! IF I'M INTERESTED!! If I get anymore interested in him I won't be able to function. I went to my closet to pick out something that would show off my assets best. I settled on fresh pressed Jeans, a red Cashmere crewneck pullover with a Camel colored Suede Blazer and Cordovan weejuns.

Jerry was behind the counter and I saw him do a double take when I walked in. At first I thought that he didn't recognize me but then that sexy crooked grin of his spread across his handsome face, He waved, motioning me to the bar. He placed a covered plate and glass in front of me and I carried it to the table he directed us to, in the back of the room, near the kitchen away from the others eating lunch, no one was near us.

He told me he was using me as a guinea pig to try out a dish for his dinner trade when he started it up in a few weeks. He reached over and lifted the cover off my plate and the most wonderful aroma rose into the air.

'For you, my friend, Chicken Marsala. He uncovered the same on his plate and beaming a bright smile he said.

"Bon Appetit bon ami."

"Oh my, what a treat, the presentation and the aroma all say it's a smashing success Jerry. I can hardly wait to taste it."

The dish was perfect, I asked who his Chef was and he blushed again.

"You! Really? This is so wonderful. Is there any other place in town with food like this.?

"No, not to my knowledge, and I think I can get it on the table priced below the chain store restaurants down on Interstate Drive."

"How are you going to advertise Jerry"

"I haven't worked all that out yet but the paper for sure. You have any good ideas Mr. Finance guy?"

I smiled at him. "Actually I do, I saw this done in Indianapolis. Throw a New Years bash with a couple of good wines for a buck a glass and have all the new menu items for your dinner service set out as a free buffet. Put up signs and maybe a radio spot on the local PBS and be sure that the Faculty at the College gets wind of it. They will spread the word if you impress them. Dress the male staff in Tuxedos and 'little black dresses with a strand of pearls' for the ladies and people will talk about it all year."

"Jeez, Rob...that sounds perfect. You want a job!"

"Tell you what Jerry, give me the numbers on what your food and drink will costs are and I can work out a budget. Maybe on second thought it should be an Invitation Only affair. You can control your costs much better that way. Invite your regulars, all the people the restaurant does business with, the Faculty at the College, your Bankers, neighboring businesses that are not your competition, the Mayor and Councils.

You will need extra staff too, we can get that from the students at the college I bet. I'll help if you want, sort of a Maitre 'd to welcome and guide the guests. I know you will be busy in the kitchen most of the night. Oops, we need to add the Sheriff and Chief of Police to the guest list"

Jerry was giving me the strangest look, his mouth open like he was going to speak but he kept silent.

"Uh...It was just an idea, didn't mean to get so carried away there. Jerry?"

"R...Rob...I...uh...Rob you're just one big surprise after another. How do you know all this? Your plan sounds perfect. The Invitation thing will make the ones who don't get invited want to come to see what we're all about later. AND YES! I think we can pull this off. With me cooking I will need someone to greet everyone. You're perfect for that. You look fantastic today, I can only imagine how great you'll look in a Tuxedo."

After we ate Jerry took me back to his office to get the numbers on food costs. As I looked around I saw a diploma on the wall from the Culinary institute of America.

"JERRY! the CIA, really?"

"Yes, I told you I lived in New York for five years. The CIA is why I was there."

"Jer, that diploma needs to hang by the front desk so your customers will see it when they come in. It needs to be on your Business Card, the Menus and in any advertising your do."

"That all makes perfect sense Rob, I love the cooking but I'm not much of a businessman. I know I need someone but finding one I can trust is the hard part. Can I trust you Robbie?"

I laughed. "I'll be glad to help you out Jerry. Gratis. You won't have me on your payroll. I'll be glad to teach you the little tricks that I know to help get a business going or change directions."

He had that look again. I couldn't figure it out.

"What is it Jer, you're kinda freaking me out the way you're staring at me."

"Oh...uh...sorry, it just that I realized that I really can trust you, Robbie. I said it earlier but sort of as a joke. I've known you a long time. I know you're a good man, I saw that first hand last night. I will be glad for any help you want to give me, but I really won't feel right not paying you.

There are some things we should get out in the open, talk about if we're going to be working together. Want to come over to my place tonight and we can plan out this party idea, We have known each other for a long time but really we're almost strangers, we need some bonding time too."

"Sure, but I don't know where you live."

"Meet me here and we'll drive there."

I left his shop floating on air. I was excited about the New Years Eve Party. Driving home I thought of little gift boxes filled with Petite Pastries for the guests to take home. Just a bite or two to make them want to come and sample more later.

Mom called about three pm and I told her about going over to Jerry's for dinner tonight. She told me that Joshua had called her, begging her to get me to talk to him. I told her I would take care of it.

As soon as we were off the phone I looked up his call and dialed him. When he answered I lit into him about calling my mother and ended telling him to never, ever call me or her again. Nothing he had to say interested me in the least.

Joshua was sobbing when we hung up, he kept crying that he was sorry. I was sorry too. I had loved him but he killed it. It was gone, over. I had moved on.

I started making a list of items and ideas for the party at Jerry's shop. I began visiting Jerry's competition. I didn't come across anyone that knew me and I learned that there was only one other shop on the West Side that even came close to his place. I noticed the sign announcing that they would be closed on New Years Eve and smiled. Jerry's will be the only show in town with any luck.

I talked with the Police and Sheriff Departments and told them of the plans and that there would only be wine, tea, coffee and mineral water served as drinks. I told both departments that they would be invited. I Phoned the College and inquired about inviting Staff and Faculty and I was eagerly received.

Jerry called at 4:30 saying to come on over, he was closing up. He was waiting just inside the door and came out with a huge smile that I felt in my crotch. I knew I had to learn to ignore the attraction I have to him. Nothing good could come of it. I had to control my emotions and libido. Who was I kidding? I needed to have sex. That's the only cure for my problem.

We had a Taco Salad for dinner that was out of this world, this man is a fabulous cook. We sat and talked for hours, I told him about the 'take away gift box idea' which he had done before in New York. He new exactly what to put in them.

At midnight I rose to go home, neither of us had been drinking very much, both wary after last night. But Jerry offered to have me sleep over. I thought about it and decided not to, explaining that Mom had me taking her to Church every Sunday since I came home.

"Rob, do you remember us singing in the youth choir at Church. I had forgotten about that. Remember we were up in the Balcony and we could see the first few rows turning to look at us."

"Gee, I do, but I hadn't thought of that in twenty years."

"Robbie, I mean it about the room, please stay if you want to, I like your company. I hope it doesn't bother you. It's just that I really don't know many single people here. I always feel like a third wheel or the sucker of the day as they set up 'blind date' encounters. A single lady to offset the single man at the table. I've quit accepting those invitations and have stayed pretty much to myself. Either way you're welcome here anytime Robbie."

Touched, I put an arm across his shoulder and halfway hugged him to me.

"I like you too, Jerry. I really do."

He stood at the door until I drove off. I sort of felt bad leaving him, but I wasn't ready yet to test my will power by seeing him in his CK's briefs again. I would get control and I would be his friend. He would never know how much I wanted to make love to him.

As Mom and I were leaving church Sunday we ran into Jerry, he made a proper fuss over her and enough eye contact with me that I felt warm and fuzzy inside. Jerry was all Mom could talk about on the way home. As we pulled into her garage she put her hand on my arm.

"Robert, you and Jerry would make a fine couple. He's a good man Son. You could do a lot worse than him."

I sat there, mouth agape not believing what I was hearing.

"Oh Robert, just stop it! I'm your Mother, I've known you were different since you were twelve years old. I know you prefer the company of a man. I also know that it doesn't matter who you love, but it is how you love that counts. It's not so new to this town either. We've had men together as a couples here for years."

"MOM!

"Hush, you don't have to say a word. But you know that whatever your do is fine with me. I Just want you to be happy Son. That's all I ever want."

"Mom, I don't know if Jerry is like me or not. Please don't say anything to him, I'll be working with him a good bit into the new Year.

"Oh pooh! you know I won't say anything to him. But Robert, Jerry is like you. I saw the way he looks at you. Now let's go check on my pot roast."

We had our dinner. Here in the South the older generation calls the mid-day meal Dinner and the evening meal is Supper. I did the clean up after her fantastic pot roast and she packed up most all of the leftovers into containers for me to take to my house.

Back in my own kitchen putting away the containers of food, I was still amazed at the things that my Mom had said to me in the garage. She's always known I am gay? She thinks that Jerry and I should be a couple and she's certain he is gay too! Absolutely mind boggling!

I was flipping through the TV channels, stopping for a few minutes of the Falcons/Giants game. When I lived in Indianapolis the Colts were my second team, I grew up watching the Atlanta team with my Pop, for years they were the closest pro team to us and they always were the underdogs until the past three or four years. Pops would have loved to see them winning regularly like they do now. Watching the games isn't as much fun now without him yelling at the TV. Gee, it seems impossible that it's been 12 years already since he passed away. I kept checking in with todays game and they whipped the defending Super Bowl Chapion Giants 34-0! WOW!

At three o'clock my cell vibrating in my pants woke me as I dozed in my chair. It was Jerry calling to say hey. I asked if he had dinner plans and offered to give him Mom's pot roast and veggies. He readily accepted and was at my door in less than half an hour.

I opened the door and he stood there wearing that crooked grin that rendered me incompetent in his presence. I took a deep breath and let it out as a long sigh as I ushered him in. One of these days, I'm going to snap and jump his bones, I just know it. He wore a white dress shirt and jeans that hugged his perfect little butt so well. I noticed the bulge in front and had trouble tearing my eyes away from it. Jeez, I gotta get a grip.

"Hey Jer, how was your day."

"We did a big lunch today, business has picked up this Holiday season much more so that last year. Maybe it's you Rob, you may be my good luck charm. This New Years Party idea of yours just keeps getting better. I moved my CIA diploma to behind the front desk and it has generated quite a buzz among our regulars. I've mentioned the party idea to a few of them and they are very excited about it. I think we need to get the Invitations done and mailed very soon before people commit to another party."

"Good thinking Jer. I'm excited too. This town has never seen a party anything like what your shop is going to put on. When I visited with the police department I asked for a one night variance on the occupancy limit and I got the word today that the Fire Dept. has granted our request. They need to be on the invitations list too."

We sat and talked, drank sweet tea all afternoon then switched to wine around dusk. By the time we ate the pot roast we were both feeling no pain and just a bit tipsy. We went back to the sofa and soon both of us were dozing off. I woke and got up, put a pillow under Jerrys head and lifted his legs and feet onto the sofa and put a throw over him. I went to my room, toed off my shoes and lay on the bed, still dressed and on top of the covers.

I woke at two a.m and went in to the family room to check on Jerry. He wasn't there so I went to the guest room, I eased the door open and there he lay, snuggled up in the covers, his clothes on the chair and on the floor beside the bed lay his CK briefs. I know I gasped aloud seeing them on the floor, he stirred and opened his eyes, and sat upright startled.

"What's wrong...what is it?" He asked.

"Sorry Jerry, it's nothing. I just woke up and went looking for you, first on the sofa and then in here. I didn't mean to wake you."

He stretched and yawned. "What time is it."

"Just a bit after two a.m., go back to sleep."

"Uh...okay...but I...uh...I need to pee Rob and I'm kinda naked in this bed. Not only that but I've got a little wood problem too, it you know what I mean."

I laughed and leaned against the door frame.

"Hmmm, if I remember correctly when I saw you in just your briefs the first time you stayed over, It's much more likely that you have a large wood problem Jer."

He blushed again then that crooked grin spread again..

"Well, regardless of who is right, you're about to see it first hand if you don't get out of the way. I gotta go!"

He was kicking off the covers as I retreated down the hall. I heard him laughing.

"Chicken! you're not afraid of my woodie are ya"

I said quietly, under my breath not even thinking he could hear me.

"More than you could ever imagine Jer!"

Yikes, I shouldn't have said that. He'll want me to explain that comment for sure. Jerry dashed into the bath and I hoped he would forget it. But when he came out he had a towel wrapped around his waist and I could clearly see his cock draped along his right thigh. It was not a small wood problem he woke with, I'm certain.

"Whew that was close, I'm glad your looking in woke me, if I had pissed the bed I'd have to finish out the night in your bed with you."

I know I had that 'Deer in the headlights look' I swallowed hard and started to say something but just let it die in my throat.

"Speak up Robbie, I can't hear you."

"Never mind Jerry. Please, let's drop this now Jerry. We shouldn't be talking about your woodie at all. Please, let's drop it okay."

"It's just us Rob, we're friends, we should be able to talk about anything. Even morning wood! I was just jokin' around, you're not pissed at me are ya? Jeez I didn't know it would be a sore subject with you. I'm sorry."

"Jerry it's past 2 a.m and you have to work tomorrow. You're standing here with only a towel covering you. Go back to bed."

"Okay I'm going. Jeez."

I apologised to Jerry first thing this morning as we had coffee before heading out. He nodded and said it was okay, we're good. But I could tell he was still puzzled or pissed. Either way I just had to drop it. I wasn't ready to explain myself to him. I know that I have to find a way to put aside my attraction and carnal lust for him so that we are able to work together. Number one on the list is that we need to stop drinking together, number two is we sleep in our own beds. No more stay overs. I want him so badly it physically hurts sometimes. Not Good.

I told him that I would be working from home, getting the invitations done and he had already emailed the shops customer email mailing list. I added the others to that list and I dropped by the coffee shop and got his approval on the invitation and took it and the email list to the Office Supply store for printing.

When everything was done we had 116 invitations to mail. My Mom and I got them into the envelopes and and I headed off to the post office. I talked with the a local dry cleaner that rented Costumes and Formal Wear and gave a list of our employees that would come for fittings. Next I sent an email to the Dean of Students asking them to publicise our need for ten servers (experience preferred) from the Hospitality Management Program at the college. Amazingly we received 100 RSVP's saying that they would attend the party, That means food and drink for 200 people! We added 10 percent to to be sure we covered any extras.

State wine and Liquor Laws require that we charge for all the alcohol consumed. We cannot just give Wine or Liquor away. One way around this is to charge a 'Cover Charge' per guest for the evening with a 'split' of Champagne included. My cost initial guesstimate for the party was $2,068.00. With a $5.00 cover per guest that would leave the Shop with about $1,068 expense for the evening.

When I shared these numbers with Jerry he was very pleased, A 30 second radio ad running 3 times a day for one month was twice our cost. He enthusiastically agreed and we with the Party nine days away we ordered the food and drink.

Without my knowing it My Mom called and invited Jerry to come and enjoy Christmas with us. Secretly I was glad he was here, but I put on my best show of friendly aloofness as we laughed, exchanged gifts and ate a wonderful traditional Christmas meal. Jerry produced a Red Velvet Cake for dessert, My Mom's most favorite cake ever. He was great with my Mom but I could tell that he still wasn't over the incident last week when we were drinking.

With only six days to go we hired the last of our temporary serving staff and got them fitted for their Tuxedos and black dresses. Jerry made trial runs on all of his new menu dishes and planned out the buffet tables and dressed them with the empty bowls, platters and left spaces for floral arrangements. The day before the party the florist arrived at closing time to set up the floral arrangements, Jerry and I stayed late three nights that week. On New Years Eve I woke to the phone ringing and picked it up, half asleep.