Troubled Waters Read online

  Ness didn’t answer.

  The man shifted and put his hand in his pocket. “Shy are you? This your first time?”

  Ness pointed toward the harbor. “I’ve got to catch the early ferry.”

  “Then we shouldn’t waste any time, right?” This time Ness understood, but he didn’t know how to respond. “You live around here?”

  Ness nodded and swallowed.

  “Feel like some company?” he asked, reaching out and pulling at the pocket of Ness’ shirt, trying to bring him closer.

  Ness pulled back, but still, he couldn’t turn away. He stared at the handsome man, his heart racing. “I… I ah… no. Thanks. I live with my family.”

  The man relaxed and took a step back. “Huh. Too bad, you’re quite a looker. We could have had some fun.”

  The man turned away and started walking back toward the corner. As he rounded the corner to walk back toward the club he turned again and flashed Ness a devastating smile and disappeared.

  Ness just stood there, his heart still pounding. He took several deep breaths. What had just happened? He’d had men come on to him before, but they were usually older men, sloppy, or uncouth. Men that he would never give a second thought to. But this… this was different. This man caught him off guard. This man touched him. Got deep inside him and twisted him all around. It had truly unsettled him.

  He stood riveted in place, almost hoping the man would come back, but he didn’t. Ness finally turned and walked home. He had to make that early ferry.

  ***

  Mai, Tyler, and Darren pruned and raked in Mai’s backyard. The sprouting bulbs were already knocking on the door of spring, and it was time to rake away the remnants of winter. They tried to spend each Sunday together as a family.

  Darren raked leaves from the flowerbeds as Tyler raked through the lawn, creating a pile for Mai to basket up and carry to the compost pile behind the garage. When they finished the work, they went inside and Mai made coffee for herself and Darren and poured apple juice for Tyler.

  Mai was of slender build, but not too short. She wore her black hair in a braid today, as they had been working outside. She, too, was a teacher, working with kindergarten and first graders. Her kids thought she was very pretty.

  Mai and Darren sat at the breakfast table drinking their coffee as Tyler went to his room do his weekend homework. “I’m leaving for Greece soon, is there anything you need before I leave?” Darren asked. “I’ll be gone for at least two months.”

  “For some reason, you keep thinking I can’t manage on my own,” Mai said with a faint smile. “I don’t think there’s much I can’t do by myself, and if I do need anything I know who to call.”

  “Ned.”

  “Yes, Ned. He’s a sweet man, cares for me, and is every bit as capable as you to take care of the heavy lifting.” She laughed.

  Darren smiled and nodded. “Just trying to be responsible, is all.”

  “I know,” Mai said, reaching over and patting Darren’s hand. “You’re a good dad—but a lousy husband.”

  He laughed. “I got that memo when I signed the divorce papers.”

  ”No boyfriend yet?”

  Darren sighed. “The curse of the unloved. I know I need to get out more. Go to a big city and meet some men—but it’s a lot of work and commitment, and I just don’t seem to have the time or the will. I always thought love would find me, and the thought of having to go out and look for it just appalls me.”

  With exaggerated despair, he leaned over and beat his head against the table.

  Tyler appeared at the kitchen door. He was clutching a folder.

  “Hey, you two. While I’ve got you captive can I show you these?”

  “What’s up, Tyler?” Darren asked.

  “This is my research on accelerated education schools. I told you I’d see what I could find.” He addressed this to Darren.

  “Oh yes, I’ve been working on that too, but what did you find?”

  He placed the open folder in front of Mai and Darren. “There are several but this is by far my favorite of the ones on the east coast.”

  “Linwood Advanced Education Academy in Darien, Connecticut?”

  “What do they specialize in?” Mai asked.

  “Math and Science—my fields. And they have tie-ins with several Ivy League Universities, as well as MIT,” Tyler added.

  “But my baby, so far away,” Mai wailed.

  “Oh Mom, I’d be home for summer and holidays.”

  “They take your age?” Darren asked.

  Tyler nodded. “And they have fencing…”

  “Ah…”

  “We’d have to go see it first,” Mai said, thoughtfully.

  “Of course, I would want that too. When can we go?” Tyler asked eagerly.

  Mai looked at Darren.

  “I’m off to Greece next week and chock up with classes until then. Would probably have to be after I get back.”

  “But that’ll be too late for the next school year. Can’t we go before?” Tyler pleaded.

  “Ned and I could take him after school’s out,” Mai suggested. “But then you might want to go too.”

  “I trust your judgment. If you think it’s right, then I’m for it. I know it would mean a lot to Tyler, and we do want him to have the best education possible. Remember, he could be some pothead drop-out wanting a hopped-up Chevy instead of a first-rate education.”

  “What? You mean I can’t have both?” Tyler laughed.

  “Well, not yet, anyway,” Darren insisted.

  ***

  Thornton sat at the head of his conference table. The New York City skyline sparkled behind his back. His board members were spread out on either side.

  “Take a look at the Water Unlimited proposal. I assume you’ve had the opportunity to study it…” Thornton directed.

  Most of the board nodded yes.

  “Right, now their work is focused on Africa, but they hope to expand to other regions,” he added. “Do any of you see what I see as an unexpected opportunity for us?”

  “But it’s some non-profit nonsense,” one of the board members observed.

  “True, but as you know, we are not.”

  “Then I don’t see what the opportunity is,” he said impatiently.

  “Oh come, now… Really? Here we have a do-goody non-profit doing all our work for us. They are going to go into areas we’ve not entered, and they’re going to find the sources of water for their little projects. Then we can come along and buy up the water rights and sell the water for a nice profit to the highest bidder.”

  “But why would the natives sell their rights if they already have the water developed by Water Unlimited?” another board member asked.

  Thornton smiled broadly and stood up, snapping his riding crop on the table. “Why, what else? Greed and stupidity. Dangle some ready money before them and they’ll snatch at it like alligators at red meat. They won’t think through the implications.”

  “Isn’t that a bit naïve, in this day and age? It’s not like fifty years ago. Everyone is connected now, social media, the Internet, apps. And don’t you think the Water Unlimited people will lock up the rights? It’s not like they are unaware of what’s going on in the world these days,” said another member.

  “Ah, now this is where it gets really interesting. As our contribution to the non-profit, we are going to offer to do all the legal work for them for free. That will be a huge savings for them. And remember, what they really want is to concentrate on getting the water to the folks. Then, under our advisement, they will get the local authorities to sign an agreement locking up the water rights, but with a nifty little clause that allows us to purchase the water rights for ourselves by making a small payment to the locals—and thus transferring the rights to us.”

  “But why won’t Water Unlimited find that out and refuse to use the agreement, or amend it?”

  “Because Water Unlimited is run by my sister-in-law and nephew. They won’t question m
y advice. And besides, they are not legal people. They will be far too dazzled by all the legalese to involve themselves in the agreement’s details.”

  “I’m sorry,” another member said, “but it sounds not only illegal but also immoral. And to do that to your own family? Really, Thornton…”

  Thornton scowled at her. “Are you sure you’re on the right board, Mildred? We are a for-profit organization. If you want to exercise your conscience then I suggest you go elsewhere. And as someone suggested earlier, it’s a different world out there. We must take advantage of every angle we can, all the other companies are doing the same. If we want to compete, we must not compromise.” Thornton slapped the table with his crop once again.

  “Ladies, gentlemen, you are either with me or against me on this. I want a vote right now. All in favor?”

  Most of the hands went up. A few did not.

  “The ayes have it. I will instruct our attorneys to begin work on this immediately.”

  Thornton stood at the head of the table, grinning and slapping his hand with the crop.

  ***

  The ferry arrived late, but what else was new? Everyone knew that would be the case. Still, Ness was determined not to be late for rehearsal. Fortunately, Philippe had arranged for a car and driver to whisk Ness to the studio as soon as he arrived.

  The brisk fresh air from the ferry ride had rid Ness of the lingering hangover from last night. And, in a way, that was too bad. His head was now too clear. He couldn’t shake the memory of what happened as he left the club. That man…

  If only there was someone he could talk to about this. Philippe was definitely not the one. His father… no. Kori was the only possibility, but he’d not had time. He certainly loved his darling sister, and she of all people would be sympathetic to his plight, but he was still too frightened and didn’t even know what to tell her. He’d not acted on anything and, so far, it was only vague and disjointed feelings. Maybe it didn’t mean what he thought it did. Maybe it was only the effect of being drunk or an emotionally weak moment where he’d confused his longings for true love with a fleeting sexual excitement. But he still couldn’t get around that fact that the sexual attraction had been to a man.

  No, this would not do. He needed to focus on the concert. He had to dismiss this nonsense from his mind. He was strong. He could do this.

  And then the car arrived at the studio.

  “I’ve been working on a new song I’d like to use,” Ness told Philippe as soon as he arrived.

  “That’s great, but we don’t have time to work it up right now. We’ve got to use the playlist we agreed upon. The concert’s this Saturday.”

  “I know that, but it’s really good. I think you’ll like it. Would be dynamite to open with it in the second half.”

  “Okay, show me,” Philippe said.

  “Right now?”

  “When else?”

  Ness went to the studio piano and sat. He ran scales to warm up his hands, and then played and sang the song.

  “What do ya think?”

  Philippe paced then said, “It’s good. But we still don’t have time to do it now. But keep up the good writing—we need to build up your catalogue.”

  “Have they finished the edit on the American concert?” Ness asked.

  “They promised it for Thursday, but we’ll see. And I’m still waiting to hear back from Tornado Music about the contracts.”

  “Oh, man…”

  “I know…”

  “Well, what’s first?” Ness asked, wanting to get down to business.

  “We’ll run the first three numbers then we have. Thanassis is coming to rehearse his duet with you.”

  “How’s his album doing?” Ness asked.

  “Pretty good. Big in France at the moment. He’s hot in the fag clubs.”

  That stopped Ness for a moment.

  “Is he?” Ness asked.

  “Is he what?”

  “You know…”

  “What, a fag?” Ness nodded. “How the hell should I know? And who the fuck cares? Come on, let’s get started; the musicians are eating up our budget.”

  Ness threw himself headlong into the rehearsal. They were moving along nicely and were even ahead of schedule when Thanassis arrived with his manager and a few ancillary individuals.

  “Hey man,” Thanassis called out as he approached Ness. “Heard about your bad gig for the Americans. Wish I’d been a part of that.”

  They bumped hands then fell into an embrace.

  “So… we doin’ this?” Thanassis asked. “I got me a hot date later. Hook me up.”

  Ness stood back as the techies wired Thanassis up with his earpiece. Ness felt that discomfort again. As he looked at the other musician he could see that he was extremely sexy. He was lean, but solid, and wore tight and revealing pants. His package was clearly defined on his left side. And Ness could even make out that the man was uncircumcised.

  Thanassis had a long face with a narrow nose. He wore his dark hair long and it fell over his face as he tuned his guitar. Could he be gay? Ness wondered. Maybe he would be someone he could talk to about his confusing feelings. But he didn’t think he could work up the nerve to do that. If he revealed himself to the wrong person in the business, if Thanassis spread the news that Ness might be a fag, it could ruin his career in macho Greece.

  As soon as Thanassis was ready, they began the rehearsal. It went very well, and as they leaned into the same mic for their close harmony duet, Ness felt Thanassis lean up against him. Ness began to feel his cock swelling. Definitely not a good sign or a good time for that to happen. This would have to stop, he decided.

  He renewed his focus and they finished the song successfully several times with only minor adjustments to their presentation.

  “Great job, dude,” Thanassis said, slapping Ness on the shoulder when they were finished. As the sound folks were unhooking Thanassis’ earpiece Ness noticed that Thanassis was staring at him in what felt like was a sexual way. Ness nervously looked away, but when he looked back Thanassis smiled and nodded.

  “See ya later, dude,” the singer said to Ness, turning and leaving with his arm over the shoulder of one of his companions.

  There seemed to be nothing but confusion for Ness today. His only recourse was to concentrate even harder on the rest of the rehearsal.

  Chapter Four

  Darren was restless. He’d had a grueling department faculty meeting earlier in the week, and even though he was looking forward to his pending trip to Greece, it didn’t relieve his feelings of isolation and loneliness. And, he had to admit it, it didn’t help that he was horny. He couldn’t stand the thought of spending yet another evening at home, alone. On his phone, he looked up show times for the Cineplex at the local mall.

  After parking, he glanced at the clock saw he was early for the movie he wanted to see, so he started wandering through various shops. He browsed a few men’s stores. He detoured into a bookstore, spending more money than he intended, and considered getting a bite to eat.

  As he passed by a chain store that sold processed meats and cheeses, he was approached by a young man. He had been standing in front of the store with a platter of cheese cubes topped with toothpicks. He flashed a wide smile. Darren felt a flutter in his stomach and the beginning of an erection.

  “Are you devoted to cheese?” the man asked as he offered the platter to Darren.

  Darren had to laugh. “Well, I don’t know about devoted. There are a lot of things I’m devoted to, but I wouldn’t say cheese is one of them.”

  “Well, you are welcome to try a sample, even though you might not be a devotee.” The man smiled that broad smile again and winked. If this had been California, Darren would certainly have pegged him as one of those long, lean surfers with his sun-bleached hair and his deep blue eyes.

  What a stunning man, Darren had to admit. And could he be coming on to him? Darren took a piece of cheese. It was dreadful—processed and tasteless. He turned away and spit i
t into a tissue he had in his pocket.

  “Pretty dreadful, huh?”

  “Oh my God, you’re actually allowed to sell this stuff?”

  The boy laughed. “It has a shelf-life of like a millennium—without refrigeration. Sorry you didn’t like it.” He winked at Darren again. “But maybe there’s some other way I could serve a tall drink of water like you? Might we try one of your other devotions?”

  Darren had to admit he was into the kid. “What exactly did you have in mind?” he asked.

  The boy checked his watch. “I’m on my break in ten. Maybe you could stick around and we could make some cheese of our own.”

  Horrible analogy, Darren thought, but he got the meaning. He hesitated to answer for a moment as he thought about how this might work.

  “There’s a storeroom off that corridor.” He pointed to a hallway next to the store. “No one ever goes there this time of night. There’s just one other employee manning the cash register. We’d be totally alone.”

  This was definitely not Darren’s style. He’d left wild escapades behind as an undergraduate. And now, here he was, a professor considering a quickie in a storeroom with this hunk.

  “I’d really make it worth your while. What are you into?” the boy asked, with that great grin again.

  The hunk was definitely winning.

  “Wait. And just how old are you, anyway? There are restrictions.”

  The boy wobbled his head slightly. “Well if you must know, I’m twenty-two.”

  Darren smiled. “And which door was it, then?”

  The boy leaned in and whispered, “It says ‘Wisconsin Loading’. I’ll leave it unlocked.”

  “Okay,” Darren finally relented.

  “But I’ve only got a fifteen minute break, so be prompt. Ten minutes from now. Okay?”

  “See ya.” Darren turned to go, and then stopped. “Oh, I’m George,” he lied.

  “Tony,” the boy replied.

  ***

  At the appointed time, Darren let himself into the storeroom. It was dimly lit and he had a hard time seeing where he should go. He called out, “Tony?”

  “Over here.”

  Darren followed the voice and came to an area where Tony had constructed a crude bed out of packing materials.