Monday, July 18, 2011

Story Orgy Monday - I Will Wait

Woweee! It’s hot in Texas. Happy Monday, Story Orgy enthusiasts! I have a special story to present today. The picture that SO’s image specialist Jade Basier provided inspired me to write a more heartfelt story this week. Normally my stories are a bit on the steamy side, but just look at those boys *looks at the picture*. Those boys spoke to me and my heart poured out the following words.

I strongly recommend a tissue or a hankie with this story. I sobbed the entire time I was writing it. So, now that you’ve had your warning, I’m not responsible for any dehydration problems caused by your tear shed. You can blame that on the heat *ahem*.

Enjoy and don’t forget to check out my fellow orgiast’s blogs once you finish here. You can find the links at the end of “I Will Wait.” Also, leave a comment to let me know what you thought of my story. Thanks for your visit! You're welcome anytime. 



I Will Wait

Foster Schone spent his vacation at home with Brant Halliday. Wanting to take advantage of any time left with his first and only love, Foster planned a week of special activities. He felt bad about not having the money to take Brant traveling around the world, but the medical bills from cancer treatment had piled up and there was no reprieve in sight. So, a staycation was a perfect opportunity to share his time and love with his ailing partner.

Foster took great pride in his ability to plan. Scheduling an agenda based on Brant’s interests, time, and money, Foster created a 7-day table. Each day focused on a special local interest.


Day 1: A Day at the Zoo
Day 2: City Aquarium
Day 3: Visit Brother’s Pond
Day 4: Go to Local Museum
Day 5: Fine Dining
Day 6: Farmers Market
Day 7: Leisurely Poolside Cookout


Day 1: A Day at the Zoo

It was the first day of seven and the weather was perfect. The sun was shining with only a few white fluffy clouds to offer intermittent pardon from the balmy heat. All the animals at the zoo were playful and full of life. Even the timid deer welcomed the passers-by.

“What a wonderful way to spend the day. Admiring life’s precious creatures and walking hand-in-hand with my man.” Foster held Brant’s hand with his left and wound the other behind them to tuck into Brant’s back pocket, smiling when Brant did the same.

“Look mommy. Those guys are-”

“Hush, Mindy. Look at the deer.”

Foster wiggled his fingers against Brant's hip, enjoying the full-throated chuckle from his man.

“Are we part of the exhibit?”

“We are now.” Foster smiled and guided Brant to an ice cream stand. “C’mon, let’s grab us a cone.”

Leaning into Foster’s shoulder, Brant squeezed tight. “You order and I’ll grab us a picnic table.”

Foster watched Brant as he dragged his feet over to the first table he came to and sat. Brant reached into his shirt pocket.

That’s where he keeps his pain medication. He’s hurting.

“Good afternoon, Sir. What can I get ya?”

I should get him some water too.

“Sir?”

The zoo worker’s voice snapped Foster back to the moment. “Yes. Umm, sorry. I would like two single-dip cones, one Butter Pecan and the other Almond Pistachio. And could I get a water with that?”

“Coming right up.”

Foster placed a five dollar bill on the counter and dropped two ones in a jar. He grabbed the cardboard container holding the cones and two waters. “Thanks for the extra water.”

Just as Foster turned to go, the fear in the ice cream server’s voice sent chills along his spine. “Sir! Sir! Are you okay?”

Foster looked to see what had the guy in a panic.

“Brant!” Foster dropped his purchase and torpedoed his way to the table. “No, Brant. You can’t do this. Please.” Foster’s vision blurred from the tears filling his eyes, streams traveled down his face as his greatest fear ate at his very being. Kneeling down over his ailing lover, Foster cradled Brant’s head to cushion it from the pavement. Oh my God. Yes. He’s still breathing.

Foster screamed at the top of his lungs. “Call 911!”

 Dropping his voice to a whimper, Foster rocked slowly back and forth, Brant’s head now rested in his lap as Foster pleaded with the gods. “Please don’t take him. He’s all I have.”

****

“Foster, you can go in and see him now.” The doctor held the door open to Brant’s hospital room. “Be calm, don’t get him roused. His blood pressure has to be stabilized before he can go home. That’s why he’s here in the first place.”

Foster blinked and nodded, stopping inside the doorway. “Can I stay the night with him?”



“I don’t see any reason why not. In fact, his conditions would probably be more favorable if you did. Remember, be calm and supportive.” The doctor gave a sympathetic pat on the back and nudged Foster into the room. “It’s okay, smile.”

Foster walked cautiously into the room, his knees weak from emotional drain. Heavily woven curtains blocked the sunshine, a single streak of light filtered through seam where two curtains met. There was just enough light combined with the glow of the monitor next to Brant’s bed.

His eyes are closed. He must be asleep.

Foster sat on the edge of the bed and took Brant’s hand in his, careful of the tube that disappeared under the tape. “Oh, Brant.”

Choking back the tears, Foster smiled. He had always heard that a smile can be detected in one’s voice.  "I love you so much." He slipped onto the bed next to Brant, kissed his forehead. Foster closed his eyes against the heartache tearing him apart.



Squish. Squish. Squish. Pshhhhh.

The nurse whispered “Hello. You look comfortable.”

It was at that moment Foster realized he had fallen asleep. Curled up next to Brant, he’d managed to sleep away two hours of his worrisome thoughts.

“Shhhh.” The nurse hung the blood pressure cuff on the wall, softly speaking. “You’re fine. Go ahead and rest. Your friend is doing well.”

Foster laid his head back down on the pillow next to Brant’s and mouthed a sleep thank you as his sight dulled behind closing eyelids.

****

“Good morning, my love.” The voice was angelic to Foster’s ears. “Thank you for staying by my side. You always have slept like a baby.” Feeling a brush against his cheek, Foster opened his eyes to the smile he had fallen in love with over a decade before.

Foster smiled back into those soulful eyes. His heart began to race and his mind cluttered with too many thoughts to speak.

Brant put a finger to Foster’s lips. After all, no one knew him better than his one true love. “Don’t say a word. Just hold me.”

Foster did just that. He didn’t say a word as he slipped his arm under the pillow and curled it up to snuggle closer. He knew his emotions would take them places neither of them needed to be. Foster recalled all the times that Brant had told him of the pain he saw in his eyes when he looked at Brant. Especially during his treatments.

A nurse came into the room with some paperwork, breaking a quiet moment. “You’re all set to go, Mr. Halliday. Just remember what we talked about.”

Foster sat up and looked around. He had been so excited Brant was awake that he didn’t notice that the IV was gone and monitors were turned off.

“What did I miss?” Foster’s cheeks burned as his embarrassment was accented by breaks in his words.

“Not much, just some finalizations and processing rigmarole.” Brant squeezed Foster’s hand and flashed his sweet warm smile.

The nurse turned to Foster. “Are you ready to take our lovely Mr. Halliday home…” The nurse glanced down at the release papers that Foster had already signed. “Mr. Schone?”

A bit startled by the rapidly moving morning, Foster stood. “Wow. I never even took off my shoes.”

The nurse and Brant giggled.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” The nurse walked over and opened the curtains letting sunshine flood the room.  

“Well, yes. Absolutely.” Foster turned to Brant. “Let’s get you home, babe.”

Brant was already sliding off the bed, the nurse stalked to his side. “Now, Mr. Halliday, I told you-” 

“Wait. Why do I feel that I have missed some pertinent information here?” Foster met the nurse at Brant’s side.

“Mr. Schone, you help him get dressed and I’ll be back with a wheel chair. It’s policy that all patients be wheeled out of the hospital.”

Foster noticed Brant avoided eye contact. Something’s not right.   

****

Foster pulled into the driveway after a quiet ride home. “We’re home, babe. How are you feeling?”
“As good as to be expected. I just want a nice bath.” Brant’s voice sounded weak but sure.

Foster reached over and put his hand on Brant’s thigh, gently squeezing. “We can make that happen. Mind if I join you?”

Brant’s hand covered Foster’s. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Foster helped Brant into the house, down the hall, and into the bedroom. “This has been a rocky start to our vacation.”

“As long as we’re together and you’re happy, that’s all I care about.” Brant molded his hand snug to Foster’s jaw line and kissed his cheek. “I love you with all my heart.”

Foster fought back the fear welling up inside. He knew there was important information discussed while he was asleep at the hospital.

“I love you too, handsome. You just get comfy and I’ll draw the bath.” Foster embraced the hand that cupped his face, closed his eyes, and pressed his lips to Brant’s.

Every step Foster took was another tug at his heartstrings. God, give me the strength I need to do this. An impending doom loomed in the back of his mind. I have got to stay strong for Brant. I’ve got to.

Running the bath water, Foster poured some bath beads as he choked back the tears that clogged his senses. He put on his best smile and turned to get Brant, and there he stood. Brant was stark naked and as beautiful as ever.

“I’m ready for my sponge bath.” Brant’s eyes twinkled from the lights around the bathroom mirror.

Foster wrapped his arms around the waist of his childhood friend, his lifelong lover. Careful not to cause more pain to Brant’s aching bones, he squeezed ever so slightly and whispered. “You are so precious to me. I’m sorry I pushed you so hard yesterday.”

“Foster. Don’t blame yourself. We both know what my treatments can do. And what the course of this bone cancer can do.” Brant slipped Foster’s shirt up and over his head and unfastened the top button of Foster’s jeans. “Now, get out of those clothes and join me in the tub.”

Brant eased into the bubble bath. The look on his face was one that Foster lived for. The pain Brant tried to hide every day died away and miraculously transformed into an expression of comforting serenity.

Foster kicked his pants off to the side and eased into the tub with Brant, framing him with one leg to either side. The warmth of the water was soothing to his bones. He could only imagine what it might feel like to Brant’s aching body.

After a few moments of soaking, Brant broke the stillness with sudden thrashing and a cry of agony.

Oh God. Foster’s main weakness was maintaining his composure, and he knew it. Brant knew it.

“Help me up, babe.” Brant’s pain-filled voice seeped into every one of Foster’s nerves.

“Yes. Yes, hang tight.” Foster eased from behind Brant, trailing water from the tub to the towel rack. He grabbed Brant’s favorite white towel and looped his arm under Brant’s to aid him to his feet. Wrapping the towel around his partner’s waist, Foster steadied him in a full-body lean.

“C’mon. You’re strong. You can do this.” Foster’s heart was breaking.

“I can’t. Not this time.” Tears rolled down Brant’s face.

“Okay. No problem. It’s just temporary. I got you.” Foster reached down and swept Brant from his feet and carried him to the bed. Foster gently laid him down; his lips pressed together in a thin tight line.

“Hang in there, darlin’. I’ll be right back.” Foster ran to the bathroom, slipped on his white cotton shorts, and grabbed a medicine bottle. Filling a glass Brant kept by the sink, he swallowed hard to rid his throat of the lump that suffocated him.

No no no.

Foster trotted back to bedside and helped Brant take his painkillers, the only relief that they’d been able to find to ease the pain.

Brant pointed with a teary-eyed smile. “Babe. Could you get that piece of paper for me?”

Foster followed the path of the shaky finger that pointed to a folded note on the top of Brant’s dresser.

Foster retrieved the piece of paper and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Read it.” Brant’s voice had turned solemn. Tears trailed down, drenching the pillow under his head.

No. I can’t do this. Foster’s thoughts caught in a gloomy loop circling around in his head. I have to do this. For Brant. Foster unfolded the note and read:

 “I Will Wait”

My love for you has grown
So very deep inside,
And for eleven years I’ve known
That this I cannot hide.

You’re why my eyes still twinkle,
Why my pain subsides.
With you love, I could never be single
And of this you must be apprised.

This ailment my friend,
It’s not an end.
You’re the delight in my heart,
Why I can ride on the wind.

The center of my bone is
Where the cancer spreads;
It causes much pain
Others do dread.

My love for you will wait
On the other side now,
And for as long as it takes,
You must smile somehow.

I tell you this
So you’ll always know.
To embrace me please,
And share your soul.

The years went fast,
I’m sure you agree.
But our love will last,
You shall see.

Foster looked away, trying to control his sorrow. He understood exactly what that poem meant. Brant was nearing the end and the treatment wasn’t working.

“Say something. No…don’t. Just hold me.” Brant’s pain was evident in his voice.

Foster slid in behind Brant and cradled him in silence. Until Brant broke that silence.

“I will wait.”

~The End~


*Wipes tears* I know…I know. The story of these boys broke my heart too. So, what are your thoughts? Your feedback is very important to me. Thanks for dropping by.

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3 comments:

  1. Just lovely JR. Simply beautiful. *sniff*

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely beautiful story. The tears started to fall and my heart ached so much from the sorrow. I felt like my best buddy had died. Keep up the stories. May you always be writing well into the future.

    ReplyDelete