"Yes, Bobby, I am sure." The statement came from me in a hushed whisper that I had not intended to let slip so soon. His proximity to me assured he heard my confession although he continued watching me look over his house warming gifts.
In a time when we were both going through those troubling years of puberty, he was my sexual idol. Thoughts of sex with him consumed me; however, our families were well known in the community. I was not able to act on my desires then. Sadly, after high school we went separate ways and lost contact.
Years later, our paths crossed at a professional convention we attended. Our initial greeting was that of old friends reconnecting. We talked about life since school, our college years, and where we lived. We exchanged telephone numbers, addresses, and email accounts. We saw one another a couple more times at the convention although we did not have time to see each other more privately. His work group and mine had specific goals for the convention and he worked for a competitor.
We obeyed our promise to keep in touch. Through many telephone calls, email messages, and written letters, we poured out our histories after high school to each other. What we discovered was the sexual curiosity we both held for the other since our pubescent years of sexual discovery remained intact.
As luck would have it, we both planned trips to our old home town with overlapping dates. We planned to enjoy a few days together. Fate was not on my side as my vacation date approached. My boss, in name only, decided he needed me to cover operations while he conducted an "exploratory mission" in Nevada for a couple weeks.
"You will have to find someone else, ass hole! I fuckin' quit!" I cleared my space, turned in my badges and keys, walked through the front door, and inhaled a breath of free air. I was more surprised by my action than anyone else in the office. It came out later that his "exploratory mission" was to the Bunny Ranch outside Las Vegas on his company credit card. "No, sorry, I won't come back to fill the vacancy he left."
**********
"Yeah, I quit my job. My boss decided he needed to make a trip and leave me hanging. I am moving back home, going to buy a small house and changing my life style. I want to work at something I enjoy and not worry about pleasing some corporate ass hole. I'll be there just as we planned."
Our conversation ended on a happy note. My friend promised to help me get settled and was happy I took such a big risk.
Let me introduce myself and tell you a little about me. My name is Wilbur and I hate hearing the name; I go by Wil. I am single, in my late 40's, and getting more rotund than I like. I am just over six feet tall and weigh just shy of 200 pounds.
Since college and my master's degree, I have worked in the insurance industry. I never sold insurance; I was a watch dog making sure applications for insurance coverage met state insurance rules and laws.
I've had a couple relationships over the years but never married. Each relationship lacked something I couldn't put a finger on. Maybe my change in life style will cause a new relationship.
My friend goes by Bobby and always has. At about my height, Bobby is more fit than I though beginning to show a little excess baggage, too. Bobby works in the insurance industry that I just left. Bobby spent years selling insurance before starting a climb the corporate ladder. Today, Bobby is a regional director overseeing multibillions of in force property insurance in the Northeast Corridor.
Before I forget, Bobby is not a female nickname. Bobby is Robert and he, like I, had relationships in the past but never married either. As I approach my move and spending a few days with Bobby, I wonder if we will complete the cycle of life to become sexually connected.
**********
I bought a small house near my old neighborhood. It is a two-story two bedroom one and a half bath with a semifinished basement. It is older construction from the 1930s and has charm that modern construction lacks. My move in date came just as my planned vacation date came. With keys in hand, a car full of personal things, and a moving van parked on the street; I entered my new home.
Bobby was due home on his vacation in six days. I wanted to have everything comfortable when he did arrive, yet also knew there would still be boxes to unpack. Fortunately, I hired a paint crew days ago to paint the interior so walls, ceiling, and floors were clean and fresh.
A couple old friends came by and helped me move in. Beer and pizza still go a long way in this town and we got the heavy moving done in just a few hours. When calm after the storm settled, we talked into the night over more pizza and beer.
I filled the next couple days grocery shopping, getting window treatments up, and unpacking remaining boxes. "How the fuck does a single guy collect all this stuff," I complained to myself. I made a couple boxes of donations to shelters, set aside some things for a yard sale, and the biggest boxes were full of junk to toss.
I didn't have to deliver my donations as the local shelters pick up. One pick up was underway when some crazy idiot started banging at my door demanding I open up. The shelter workers showed their nervousness and my surprise didn't help.
When I realized the voice was Bobby's, I shouted back, "Fuck you! I'm busy, turn the nob if you want to come in!" I did drop what I was doing, went to the door where Bobby waited with his arms full of house warming gifts. Even before he could put his load down, I grabbed him in a warm embrace. "You're a couple days early!"
"I had to get here before you got too settled. You need my artistic flare to make this place work." Bobby took in the scene before him, "I'm surprised, you have this place looking good. I like your color palette. Are you developing your own flare now?"
The crew picking up donations left shortly after Bobby arrived and alone in the house, I embraced Bobby again. "Surprised that ole Wil has some flare, huh? Well, my style mentor helped me years ago and now he is back for more mentoring."
"Well, Wil! Are you going to give me the grand tour? I like how you laid out the living room and dining room." Bobby smiled broadly as we walked into the kitchen seeing it fully functional and ready to cook a special dinner.
"First, Bobby, let me introduce you to the refrigerator. Inside you'll find wine and beer, a tray of cheese and cold cuts, and ingredients for a fine dinner that you will eat with me tonight." I handed Bobby a beer making sure our hands touched as he took it from me. I know he sensed it as our fingers lingered longer than necessary. I took one for myself.
"Wil, I'm glad you moved back here and even more glad that we are no longer business competitors. What are you going to do for income?" There was concern in his voice and I felt charged up hearing it.
"I have many investments and built a very large nest egg. I am using interest as income now and won't touch the principle for at least 25 years. The house is paid, mortgage free. I'm in good financial shape. I'll do some freelancing just to stay active in the market."
"I guess I was worried for you, Wil, but not any longer. Lets have the rest of the tour."
I took a moment to look Bobby hard and directly in the eye, "Bobby, worry for me, I appreciate it and appreciate you for it. Follow me."
