| DAY 5 - PART 2 |
| Hazel and Jeff rested on the sofas in the lobby of the hotel. They were chit- chatting; catching up on details of each other�s pasts and presents; simply just getting to know each other. Time passed quickly. Shortly, it was 5:15. �I hope he gets here on time. What time did you say the limo was coming?� �5:30,� Hazel responded. She twirled her hair. She was always a bit nervous around cute guys. Jeff could tell too, but he tried to hide the knowledge; making sure to keep himself as distant as possible but still remain friends. The phone rang at the main desk. The secretary on duty had taken a quick bathroom break, so Hazel got up and ran over to the desk. �Hello. Fairmont Hotel.� Jeff tried to overhear the conversation but couldn�t make it out. It consisted of mostly one word responses. And then Hazel turned and cupped her hand over the mouth piece. �Jeff, it�s for you,� she half-whispered. A sense of worry filled Jeff�s head; only one thing this could be about. Bud was going to be late and then he�d have to make a choice between Bud or Hazel. Jeff crossed the hall and took the phone from Hazel. She lingered for a second but then decided to give him privacy and went back to sit down. �Hey, mate,� he said, already assuming it was Bud. �Hey, Jeff....,� the voice said back to him; the voice was full of sadness, with a longing to meet eye to eye. It was Bud. �How�s it going, mate? I�ve missed ya.� �I�ve missed you too. And, oh.... it�s been one of those days.� �What happened? Tell me all about it,� Jeff replied, trying to be comforting and lending an open ear. �That guy at the airport, whom you had to come down to the station for; he held his family hostage today.� �Oh, my...... is everything good?� �Yeah. I managed to sneak into the house and stop the guy before anyone got hurt.� Jeff chuckled to himself. �What�s funny?� Bud asked, wondering. �Big, strong, handsome Officer White saves the day,� Jeff responded, comically playing on this tragedy. It may have been a serious situation, yet nothing horrible came from it, so it was all right in this case to do so. �Oh,� Bud smiled and blushed to himself. �So you came out of it okay then, mate?� Jeff asked in concern for Bud�s well- being. �Mostly. Got a black eye though.� �Awww....wish I was there to kiss it and make it better.� �I wish so too, but unfortunately I�m neck high in the wrap-up of all this. I�m gonna have to cancel our dinner this evening.� Jeff knew it was coming eventually; it was inevitable. But before he could respond, Bud went on. �But I hope to see you tonight, Jeff. I was really looking forward to our next get- together. I had something special planned.� Jeff�s heart warmed up a bit. He may have to wait an evening to see him, but he was certainly worth the wait. �Definitely, mate. Tonight. I�m going to the theater tonight with Hazel. She was going to give you a ticket, but....� �The theater. That sounds great,� Bud cut in, �I�m sorry I gotta miss that. But, Hazel, huh?� Jeff turned his back more towards the sofa across the way, �Yeah. One of the hostesses here at the hotel. She won 3 free tickets. And invited me and then I mentioned our plans and she offered to take you too.� Jeff whispered, �I think she likes me.� Bud laughed, �Well, who wouldn�t?� Jeff blushed at his comment. �So what are you seeing?� Bud asked. �Les Miserables.� �Oh, I love that play. You seen it before?� �Nope.� �Well you�re in for a treat then.� �I sure wish you were coming though. I really want to see your face,� Jeff responded; his heart longing for Bud. �Tonight. I�ll pick you up around ten.� �Okay. Sounds good. Cya then, sexy,� Jeff said. �Later, handsome.� Jeff hung up the phone and walked back over to the sofas and stood before Hazel. �Well, he can�t make it. Wrapped up in a big case.� �Oh no,� Hazel replied, truly sympathetically. �Ah, no worries. We can still have fun, �eh?� Hazel smiled. �But what are you gonna do about that other ticket?� Hazel thought for a moment. �Oh! What about your dad?� Jeff grinned. �Oh yeah. There�s a thought. He�d absolutely love it.� �Well, let�s go ask him. We don�t have much time.� ~~~~~ The limo pulled up in front of the theater building. A crowd of people surrounded the place, yet it was parted down the middle, separated by a red carpet. The chauffeur opened the door so they could step out. The entire vibe was that of royalty, even though it was just a radio contest, but it still felt nice to the guests. As soon as their feet hit the red carpet, an announcer with a mic approached. And to the side, a cameraman. �This is WKKF Radio. I�m Ted McKenzy. And we are here live at the beautiful Merlose Playhouse in downtown L.A. for tonight�s rendition of Les Miserables. And with me is the lucky winner of the WKKF: Night on Broadway contest. How are you Miss Stanton?� And he held the mic in front of Hazel so she could speak. �Oh, I�m so excited to be here. And please, call me Hazel.� �Well, it�s a pleasure to meet you, Hazel. Would you like to introduce us to your guests that you brought with you tonight?� The cameraman shifted position to get a better shot of the three. �Well, this is my friend Jeff. And his father, Harry.� They didn�t know how to act in front of the camera, so Harry said, �Hi,� and Jeff just waved. �Well, congratulations and enjoy the show,� the announcer said. A couple men in tuxes escorted Hazel, Jeff, and Harry down the carpet and into the building. They were taken to the front row of the grand auditorium. An elaborate, crystal chandelier hung from the dome ceiling, casting a soft illumination down onto the crowd. A luscious purple curtain closed off the stage area. Directly in the middle of the front row were three seats with reserve tags on the back cushions: �Reserved for WKKF winners.� Hazel looked at Jeff, �First class treatment. I like.� Jeff smiled back, �Yeah. It�s rather nice.� Harry was awe-struck. He loved the arts too, and the architecture of the playhouse was fascinating. He didn�t talk much; to busy just taking it in. They took their seats; Jeff sat in the middle with Hazel to his left and his dad to his right. It was a few minutes before the show started. Hazel and Jeff talked among themselves and then the light of the chandelier dimmed and spot lights lit up the stage, glowing against the curtain. And slowly, the curtains opened, marking the beginning of Les Miserables. ~~~~~ The performance emancipated a standing ovation. The crystals of the chandelier came to life once again, baptizing soft light onto the people below. As the auditorium cleared out, they found themselves getting herded through the entrance doorway. Immediately, the gathering dispersed, leaking every which direction, flowing in no particular pattern. Yet, the red carpet up ahead stay relatively clear. Their limo was parked and waiting at the far end, on the curb, ready for its guests. The chauffeur leaned against the hood of the vehicle on the passenger side. As they drew nearer in vision, he noticed the three of them and opened the door. �Wasn�t that fun?� Hazel commented to Jeff. �Yeah. I had a good time,� Jeff replied in all honesty. Concentrating on the play kept his mind busy, temporarily forgetting thoughts of Bud. But as soon as he stepped out into the warm, night air, all he wanted to do was get in the limo and return to the hotel and wait. ~~~~~ The drive back to the hotel was almost unbearably long for young Jeffrey. His head leaned against the tinted window the entire ride; every bump on the road was passed onto his head, yet he barely seemed to notice. A state of trance fell over his presence; drifting away into a distant serenity. When the vehicle arrived at the destination, Harry had to shake his son�s shoulder to get his attention. �We�re back, Jeff,� Harry said, somewhat loudly as he shook Jeff back to existence. Jeff moaned, �Oh.....� Before the chauffeur could even step out and around the vehicle, Hazel already had the door open. She wasn�t used to having people wait on her like that, especially now that she was in her �home area.� The chauffeur acted startled; it was always his job to open the door for his guests. They spilled out of the car one at a time, lining the sidewalk. �Have a good night,� the man said; wrapping up his time with them. �Thanks,� Hazel replied, �You have a good night too.� Jeff and Harry just said, �Bye,� to the gentleman. And the chauffeur got back into his limo and drove away. Harry took a step towards the hotel door. �Well, I�m tuckered. If you kids wanna stay up late, go right ahead.� It was just about 9:00 and Jeff really didn�t want to get involved in anything. He had just a bit more than an hour before his date. �Actually, I�m gonna come in too. Got plans at 10 so I really don�t wanna get into anything else.� �Well, thanks for the ticket, Hazel. I really enjoyed it,� Harry thanked her. �Oh, no problem, Mr. Mitchell,� she replied. �Call me Harry,� and then he nodded his head, �G�night.� �Good night, Harry.� Harry disappeared into the building, leaving Jeff and Hazel alone. �I�m really glad you came with me tonight, Jeff,� Hazel spoke to Jeff with utmost sincerity. �No worries, mate.� Hazel grew timid again; grasping onto the straps of her purse and coyly wiggling her one foot on the ground, while looking down at the sidewalk. �I know this is gonna sound stupid and I know you�re leaving in a couple days, but I really like you, Jeff.� �Oh boy� Jeff thought to himself, �I like you too.....as friends.� �Oh...� she sighed, feeling embarrassed that she even asked and also a little self- conscious. Jeff felt bad for answering that way, not that he had a choice. �Look, it�s nothing personal, mate. You�re a very pretty lady with a sweet and charming personality, but....� Jeff paused. Hazel blushed at his comments. Jeff always hated this part; putting himself up on the table like this. �No other way to put it but to say it..............I�m gay.� �Oh....� Hazel replied, not disgusted, but understanding. A bit of silence struck the atmosphere. Neither knew what to say; feeling uneasy about the situation they got into. But Hazel finally broke the rigid ice that had formed. �I�m sorry, Jeff.� �No worries. I�m not.� �I got no problem with that. I like you for you, Jeff.� Jeff blushed; put his hands in his pockets and looked down and kicked the pavement with his foot one time, lightly. And then he looked back up at Hazel. �Thanks.� Then he took his hands out of his pockets and placed them over top hers. �Any guy would be lucky to have you, given that.....� and he chuckled, �Y�know.� Hazel turned red, �Thank you, Jeffrey. I�m still happy that you came.� �Me too.� �Well, I guess I�ll see you later then.� �Yeah. Definitely.� �Good night.� �G�night.� Hazel took a couple steps away and turned to wave and went back on her way, around the side of the building to the parking lot. And Jeff just smiled and walked inside. ~~~~~ A knock on the door sent Jeffrey roaring from his comfortable position on the sofa. Harry was sitting next to him, reading a book. Jeff rushed across the room and opened the door. �Hey, Jeff.� �Bud. So good to see you,� Jeff replied, followed by a quick hug, patting Bud�s back a couple times. Harry looked up from the couch, tipping his glasses to look at the man. He really hadn�t paid much attention at the airport and he couldn�t quite remember what he looked like. He got up off the couch and walked over behind his son. Jeff was too engrossed in his conversation to pay heed any attention to anything else. So Harry faked a cough. Jeff looked over his shoulder. �Oh. Bud, I�d like you to meet my dad, Harry. Dad, this is Bud White.� They shook hands and greeted one another. Harry insisted he come in. Jeff tried to muzzle out, but Harry won and Bud came in. �Have a seat, young man,� Harry further insisted. �Dad.....,� Jeff grunted. And his father ignored him. For the next half hour, Harry probed into the life of Officer White. He always did this with every boyfriend Jeff brought home. And he had Jeff order room service; a couple of drinks. When harry told him to order more, Bud suggested not; he had to remain a designated driver. Finally, after most that could be said was, Bud excused himself and said good night to Harry. And Jeffrey followed him out the door. �The old bugger always does that. I�m sorry.� �Oh, don�t worry, Jeff. Your father�s a good man.� �Yeah, I know he means well, but sometimes he drives me screaming up the wall.� ~~~~~ Jeff followed Bud into his house. He could see light flickering around the corner, past the foyer. As he moved through the doorway, he peered around and gazed into the den area. There were candles all around the room; some resting on the bookcases, other on the statue podiums, but the glass table between the sofas was littered with them, many ornate in appearance. All were lit and about 1/4 melted away. It was obvious Bud had put some thought into this evening. Jeff kicked his shoes off, in respect for tidiness, and he wandered into the den and admired the romantic brilliance. But he was so anxious and nervous, that he just paced back and forth, which was totally opposite his normal behavior; normally he�d be in control and assured, but something about Bud reverted him back to �first date� status even. Bud could tell, and he himself was even more nervous. Bud took a seat on the soft, white sofa. �Come here,� he said to Jeff, wanting him to sit by him, so that this evening could really start. Jeff sat down and turned towards Bud. He really noticed his black eye now. He saw it before but never commented on it; he was too busy fending his father away. He placed his hand on Bud�s cheek and caressed his fingers underneath his eye. �Poor fella� you okay?� �Yeah, doesn�t even hurt anymore.� �That�s good.� For the first time in his life, Bud really felt like diving into an intimate situation, despite his lack of experience and his fear of not doing it �right.� His throat grew dry right as he was about to say what he wanted to say. �Jeff.........� �Yeah, mate?� �........... I want to make love to you.� ~~~~~ (((Erotic Scene 2 orginally edited from this verison, but a note must be added to make the rest of the story on this version flow correctly. During Erotic Scene 2, Bud opens up to Jeff and insists that only he call him by his real first name, Wendell. So for future sections, you'll start seeing Wendell pop up, but only around Jeff. When Officer White is around the station or other characters, both in narrative and dialogue, he'll be referred to as Bud.))) ~~~~~ He opened his eyes, and it was pitch-black; no light at all illuminating anything. He could tell it was very early hours in the morning, probably 3:00 AM or so. The bed was so soft; he couldn�t think of anything more comfortable in his life. But what made it more relaxing, was the fact that he was cuddled up against someone he deeply loved. With his arm outstretched over his torso and his nose buried into his side; so, so content. He smiled to himself and nuzzled his nose deeper into his skin and hugged him slightly tighter. And closing his eyes, he drifted back off to sleep. |