Laura and I had planned this trip for the past five years. Shortly before we got married, I was retrenched, and we had to cancel the plans for our honeymoon. We had a beautiful wedding though, and the past years together have been bliss. We got things going again, financially, and soon we were doing well. Neither of us wanted children, instead we supported three young children with their school fees and some money for clothes and 'nice things' as Benji -- one of the boys -- called it. This brought us much joy, being able to help. Yes, Laura had a beautiful heart and she was a loving spirit.
The first leg of our honeymoon was a two-week travel through Germany, Switzerland and Austria. We took the slow train from Frankfurt and stopped in the towns of Kassel, Marburg and Hanover on our way to Hamburg. After some days in Hamburg, we took the speed train to Munich. I loved Munich. We traveled to the Alps and spent a day in Salzburg, Austria, and had two days in Zurich, then traveled back to Frankfurt where we embarked on our journey to Chicago. Yes, both Laura and I dreamed of visiting the windy city. For me it was Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I loved that movie and imagined myself venturing through the city where Ferris got up to mischief. Laura was an architect and she was fascinated by the buildings, the river ways and the architecture of Chicago.
We arrived at O'hare International mid-morning. There was a heavy army and police presence. There were random searches of passengers and luggage and sniffer dogs everywhere. I must admit, it was a little intimidating. We got through this mangle and made our way to the Westin which was our base for the next 12 days.
Chicago was all it promised to be. We enjoyed the water cruise, the museums, Blue Jazz, Merle Reskin Theater. We took a train to Milwaukee and spent two days there. On our way back we stopped over in Lake Forest where we were hosted by Pete (a good mutual friend) and his family.
When we got back to Chicago, the city was a hive of activity. It was the Labor Day weekend and downtown Chicago was packed.
We made our way to Millennium Park around 11 that morning. There were thousands of people enjoying the music and jazz and entertainment. It was festive, but this would all change in a flash.
We were sitting at a table by the Bean. She looked so beautiful, my Laura. We met at university. I was studying in the library one evening, when this girl came and sat at the table across from me. She slyly took a muffin out of her bag and gracefully started eating it, even though it was prohibited. She attracted me. It may sound silly, but I fell in love with the way that she used her finger, gathering each little crumb around her mouth and then licking them off her fingers. She was doing the same now with the burrito that she was munching on.
The clowns appeared almost out of thin air, making funny faces and giggling gestures. Everyone around started smiling and pointing at them. There must have been about 10 or so of them. It looked like a flash mob. Laughs erupted all over. When one pointed a gun in our direction, I guess I thought it was still part of the act until Laura's blood hit the side of my face and I saw her head dropping with a thud on the table. In the background I heard screams and anguish and gunfire. I saw bodies dropping around me as the clowns proceeded to shoot at everyone in sight -- women, children, babies, the elderly.
'Run' my mind told me. But I could not leave my Laura behind. Then I saw another clown swinging his gun in our direction once more. I ran and dived into a nearby hedge.
There were others hiding in the hedge, crying sobbing, praying to God for help and protection. I was laying on top of someone. Silent tears were running down my shocked face. My face was right up against this man's face. The tips of our noses were almost touching.
"We are going to be okay. We are going to be okay," he said with fearful trembling in his baritone voice.
Some more shots were fired dangerously close to us. He pulled my head down and his other arm went around my waist as he held me and protected me.
Amidst the tragedy, I felt safer than I had ever been. I knew that we were going to survive; this stranger and me.
Almost as soon as the mayhem started, the shots ended. There was an ominous lull for what seemed like a lifetime. The stranger's arms were still holding me tightly. The side of my face against his, as I was suddenly aware of his smell and the way my body was laying perfectly on top of his, all the way down to where our pelvises met. I was suddenly aware of my legs spread and cupping his legs on either side. I was suddenly aware that my cock was pressing against his, erect and intimately. I was suddenly aware that the same realization had dawned on him in the same moment. Unintentionally, my crotch pushed against his tenderly, and his huge hand landed on my ass to reassure me that it was okay.
"Are you dudes okay!" I heard someone asking nearby.
The moment was interrupted.
"Yes! Yes!" he affirmed, and he released his hand from my ass regrettably.
I looked into his eyes. He had the most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen. My cock rubbed against his involuntarily once more. His mouth opened like he was going to say something, but no words escaped. We both got up without saying a word.
"Anton! Anton! Anton! Thank God you are okay!" a woman's voice cried when she saw him.
By the table where we were seated, I saw Laura's lifeless body with her head still slumped on the table.
47 people lost their lives that day. My Laura was one of them. It was later reported that Chicago authorities were informed of a possible attack, weeks prior. All ten terrorists were caught. But I was never again the same.
***
Four years later, I was in Rio with some of my mates. I was in a long period of mourning and had been for extensive counselling. My buddy, Jake, believed that the only thing that would cure me, would be to go to Rio for the Mardi Gras. I have known Jake since we were children. And, I knew for a fact that this had always been one of his dreams for boys' time away. So, I agreed.
Jake, Frank, Simon and I, landed in Sao Paulo in high spirits. In Rio we enjoyed Copacabana and Ipanema Beach, and the beautiful women.
"Tell me again, G," Jake beamed. "Tell me: Jake you were right! This is the best boys' time-out ever!" he jived gulping his beer.
"Yes, Jake, you were right," I agreed, winking at Franky and Simon.
The three of them were exhaustive. We partied every night until the early hours of the morning and slept in late to charge our batteries for the next night out. In the midday, we were on the beaches, meeting up with chicks and fooling around. It was crazy, but it was what I had needed. I felt rejuvenated. I even ventured to snog some local chicas.
The Mardi Gras itself, was an awesome experience. It was truly spectacular. We met some people on day two of the carnival. They were a great bunch of people. They invited us to join them and some friends at their place for a night of fun, drinks and party! We all accepted and arrived at their place in Leblon, late afternoon the day after the Mardi Gras. Their place was incredibly beautiful with breathtaking views. There were local celebs and some high profile and interesting people at the party. Drugs were not frowned upon, and literally everyone there participated and shared, including Jake, Simon, Frank and I.
I was on a buzz and horny as hell!
The buds and I caucused midway through the party. We agreed that this was a jackpot occasion, and that we would all find our ways back to our hotel if the evening thus dictated, i.e. if any of us got lucky, which was very likely. And, so it did, for we were all engrossed in heavy petting before pumpkin hour. Franky was the first one to score and left the party with a six-foot bombshell. Jake and Simon gave me a thumbs up when they departed with two sexy chicas on their arms. Alexandra -- my chica -- and I, were still enjoying the music and dance as the space started to clear out. She told me some time later, that she was ready to leave and invited me to her place. I accepted. I went to the bathroom quickly before we left.
I knocked at the closed bathroom door, but there was no answer. So, I opened the unlocked door and walked inside.
"Hey, sorry man," I said when I saw the dude pissing.
"No probs," he replied without looking at me. "I am almost done here. You might as well wait, before some else jumps the queue."
"Thanks," I said and closed the door behind me, "because I have a real big piss on board."
"Here," he said and shifted to make space for me.
Nothing weird about that. We guys often accommodate each other like this. In reflex, I locked the door behind me and tiptoed to the pot and pulled out my cock and the piss jetted from my sprout.
