After Greg left Monday afternoon for his trip to North Dakota Walter and I discussed what we were going to do about housing in San Jose. He seemed interested in finding a senior living facility where he could have the cats and me as his roommate. With my help he looked at websites in San Jose highlighting some options. He wasn’t averse to moving to the right facility permanently if and when he decided to sell his house in San Mateo. Walter had never been married but he did mention that he had a niece and several nephews in the San Jose area.
He said, “Mark, even if you stay in the area after you graduate I am a realist and know I can’t keep my house forever.”He was correct. I timidly agreed with him. I liked that he respected my opinion and treated me like a grandson.
About a week later I received a text message from the men’s assistant gymnastics coach who invited me to come for an interview. Walter and I decided to look at several senior living facilities that met his requirements after my interview. I hadn’t worked out since I stopped doing construction. I knew I wasn’t ready for a demonstration on the rings. When I met the coach I promised him that I’d start immediately working out.
Walter and I were only able to look at two senior facilities that afternoon because each tour we took was lengthy. He liked the senior rental apartments called Merrill Gardens at Willow Glen. It was privately owned, was clean and well maintained. The place would work for us because it had two bedrooms, small pets were allowed and, plenty of scheduled daily activities which gave Walter something to do while I was at school or working out. While the monthly fees, which included one meal a day, seemed high Walter didn’t seem concerned. What I liked most about the place was the well-equipped gym. The lady, who gave us the tour, suggested smiling, that the men and women who worked out would love looking at an athletic guy like me as inspiration.
I was concerned that the facility might object to me being, a paid caregiver, but the woman we spoke to said that there was no problem as long Walter and I lived together. We didn’t tell her that we would go back to San Mateo often to Walter’s home. The only problem I had was the lack of privacy to be naked outside of the apartment. I had to wait to do that at Walter’s.
Because I was late registering the classes the courses I was able to get into were at odd hours or by Zoom. I had practice every day from four until six. I then rushed to the senior living facility to have dinner with Walter and his new friends, Avery and Jack. The four of us became regular table mates. Avery and Jack were the only other male couple in the facility. Occasionally, we were joined by a lesbian couple, Annette and Helen, who played bridge with Walter and the others several afternoons a week.
Our first home gymnastics meet was in early October. Walter insisted that he go to every in town meet. Early Friday afternoon he went with me to campus because I had an advanced calculus class in the afternoon. That class really made me miss Kevin because he was a great tutor and I needed one. Walter didn’t seem to mind waiting for several hours in the library before the meet started.
Our team was good but not anyplace close to the quality of the University of Florida program. That was fine with me because I had grown almost too tall for the rings and the parallel bars. I placed several times during the fall in my events but only got a top score on the rings once. My overall standing on the team was in the middle. No matter where I placed Walter was complimentary of my performance.
Most Sunday and Mondays Walter and I were in San Mateo and occasionally we arrived Saturday. The cats would come with us and seemed to be much happier at the bungalow than at the senior living facility. Walter and I loved being in San Mateo because we were able to use the hot tub. Several times Avery and Jack came with us to stay overnight. That was their first experience being naked in a hot tub. I did the cooking, laundry and lawn moving as the three of them sat outside enjoying home life.
Walter knew that I was planning to go to Florida for the Thanksgiving week. Mom and Dad stressed importance of my attendance when they gave their approval for my transfer to San Jose State. In subsequent conversations I learned that my sister was bringing her serious boyfriend to meet the family. Everything went as planned and I liked the guy. Beth and the fellow were already living together in the Miami area.
After Thanksgiving I returned to California early Sunday because we had a workout scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The team was getting ready for the conference finals. Walter picked me up at the airport but we couldn’t spend any time together since I was rushing to practice. When we finally got to San Mateo on Sunday night I noticed that Walter seemed unusually tired. He had spent Thanksgiving with his niece in Fruitland. He said he was happy to be away from the noise of six kids. The kids belonged to his niece and her brothers.
Walter joined me in the hot tub but had more difficulty than normal getting up the stairs. He slept much of Monday as I studied for finals which were the week after the conference meet. I was concerned and decided to call his doctor on Monday but didn’t say anything to him.
By the time we drove to San Jose on Tuesday he seemed to be feeling better. When he was at the senior facility I knew others were watching him and he wasn’t totally my responsibility. That week when I wasn’t practicing I was studying. The only class I was struggling with was calculus but hoped I would do well enough to pass the final exam.
In the conference final the team got second place overall but not necessarily based on my routines. I knew that if I could keep my in-state tuition this season was my last competing. I loved the sport but knew I wasn’t good enough to continue. Walter disagreed and encouraged me to continue. I didn’t tell him but I had made a firm decision.
During the fall I had received several text messages from Kevin. He said his classes were going well but they were challenging. While I planned to go to Florida for Christmas I decided to wait as late as possible because we were going to my grandparent’s condo in Naples. I suspected that Beth would be there with her boyfriend which meant I would be sleeping on a futon in the TV room. I texted Kevin to see if he was coming to San Francisco and he responded that he was arriving on December 22 which was two days before I was scheduled to fly to Florida. I invited him to join Walter and me in San Mateo. He said he would. Walter also told me that Greg would be arriving on the 22nd for the holidays.
I planned meals for the four of us assuming Kevin would stay overnight. I didn’t want to spend all my time in the kitchen while he was visiting. Kevin arrived in a red BMW Z4 Sports Roadster. It was magnificent and he wanted me to take a ride with him which I was happy to do. He drove out to the Interstate and demonstrated the agility and speed of the vehicle. During the ride I found out that he and masseur, Todd, from the Russian River had broken up after less than a month. He said the guy kept asking for money. Kevin suspected he was gambling. Kevin said he loved being with the guy but hated him for being so needy.
After our drive we returned to Walter’s house and joined Greg in the hot tub. Greg was interested in Kevin but I knew Kevin preferred men older than Greg. Kevin was pleased that I had continued gymnastics which he said he hadn’t because he was too busy with classes. Greg invited Kevin to sleep with him but Kevin said he was used to sleeping with me. I hadn’t asked him but I was pleased with his answer.
I was pleased that Walter would not be alone at Christmas. I was concerned that Greg was unusually negative about most things including his required move to the company headquarters in St. Louis after his project in North Dakota was completed. By leaving the next day I didn’t have to listen to Greg’s bitching. Kevin and I slept together but didn’t do anything except snuggle and give each other manly hugs and a few kisses. I really liked Kevin as a friend and hoped we could see more of each other.
At seven in the morning, while Greg was still asleep, Walter watched us load the BMW and head off to the airport. Being only a thirty minute drive meant I had plenty of time to catch my nine-twenty flight. The ticket price was over one thousand dollars because it was so close to Christmas but my grandparents insisted I come. They made the ticket my Christmas gift. I assured Walter I would return before the New Year. I could tell he wasn’t looking forward to listening to Greg complain for a week.
I was met at the Miami airport by Beth and Van, her boyfriend. He drove us across to Naples. We arrived on Christmas Eve for a late dinner that my grandmother and my mother had prepared. As I suspected I was relegated to the lumpy futon in the TV room. We had a good time walking on the beach and playing endless hours of different card games. Beth and Van left the day after Christmas to return to Miami because of Van’s job. He was a maintenance supervisor for American Airlines and could only get two days off during the busy holiday season.
While I had spoken with Mom and Dad somewhat regularly during the fall I finally had time to describe my living arrangement. My grandparents both said they wished they had found a cute guy like me to be their caregiver. Dad was less enthusiastic and I was beginning to think he suspected that I was gay. He didn’t say anything and I didn’t admit that I was. He asked several times if I had decided on a major. I told him I hadn’t but was considering a medical career like being a physical therapist. He seemed to feel that was a good choice for an athlete like me. I did admit to Mom and Dad that I was giving up gymnastics. I told them I wasn’t good enough and it took so much time away from my studies. They were disappointed but understood.
Mom, Dad and I drove off from my grandparent’s condo on December 29 with plenty of time for me to catch my afternoon flight. Since my parents were driving to Orlando I arrived at the Miami airport more than two hours before my flight. They had a four hour drive back to Orlando. Walter knew my plane details and I had hoped Greg would pick me up. When I arrived I called Walter who suggested I take a taxi. He said nothing about Greg. I called an Uber but had to wait about an hour for a pickup. When I got to Walter’s I found that Greg wasn’t there. Walter seemed happy I was back.
When I asked where Greg was Walter said, “Mark, I told him I had enough of his complaining and asked him to stop it. He got really loud, packed his few things and left. I don’t know where he went.” I could tell Walter needed a hug. We hugged for a good minute. I suspected Walter wanted me in bed with him so I suggested that. Walter seemed reluctant, which when it came to sex, was very unusual. I suggested the hot tub which he seemed to be more interested in.
While we were in the hot tub I told him that he had a doctor’s appointment on January 4. He seemed surprised but I shared with him my concern about his tiredness. He admitted he didn’t have much energy but didn’t see why he had to go to the doctor. I didn’t push and knew he would do what I asked him to do. After the hot tub and shower I did get in bed with Walter and hold him close until he fell asleep. I was happy to be back in a real bed with a person I really liked being with.
Walter told me we were going to San Jose for the New Year’s Eve party which started at six o’clock. Avery and Jack had our regular table reserved when we arrived. Over dinner I suggested that the four of us fly to Palm Springs for a long weekend before I start classes. Avery said, “Can we stay in one of those clothing optional resorts? I liked when we were at Walter’s being naked outside.”
I smiled, “Tomorrow I’ll check to see if there are direct flights from San Jose to Palm Springs. I’ll check out some resorts and report back when we have dinner tomorrow night.” The New Year’s Eve party ended at eight and the four of us went to Avery and Jack’s apartment to watch New Year’s Eve TV. I was the only one awake by nine when the ball dropped in Times Square. After watching the festivities for about a half an hour I shook Walter awake, bid Avery and Jack ‘Goodnight’ and went to our apartment.
The next morning I fixed coffee for Walter and me as we watched the ABC Good Morning America show recounting the events of 2022. As I sat watching I reflected on what had been an eventful year. I excused myself to get on my computer to find out what our options might be for flying to Palm Springs. I wanted as little hassle as possible for the three guys.
At dinner Avery and Jack were more interested in what I had found out than Walter was. I reported that we could fly non-stop from San Jose to Palm Springs on January 6 and return on January 10 for one hundred seventy-nine dollars. I also reported that I had checked on several desert resorts of the type Avery wanted and suggested we stay at the Desert Paradise. The cost for four days would be about eight hundred dollars. Jack seemed surprised by the cost but neither Avery nor Walter reacted negatively.
After some discussion I agreed that I would drive the four of us to the San Jose airport in Walter’s car and leave it in self-park for the four days. Since the airport was fairly small I could drop them at the door before parking the car. Everything worked as planned. I did reserve a wheelchair for Walter which embarrassed him but he took the ride without complaining. Even though a rental car was expensive I knew it was the only way we could do anything away from the resort. We agreed to split the cost.
Even though I had done everything possible to make the trip easy for the three of them they were tired by the time we checked in. I suggested that I would order food to be delivered. There was no argument. The temperature in the evening was too cool to eat outside. Our room had a table and two chairs. We got two folding chairs from the front desk clerk and had a short, quiet meal before the three of them went to bed. I wasn’t tired and told Walter I was going to the hot tub. I was the only one in the tub for a while as I watched the stars on the crystal clear night. I was joined by a fellow in his forties who was really hairy. He was pleasant and wanted to know if I was alone. I could feel he was looking for companionship but I wasn’t interested.
On our first day we lounged around the pool naked after the air warmed up. Avery was strutting around without clothes enjoying the freedom he had never been allowed himself to have when he was married. His manhood hung well down toward his knees. I knew he was showing off. I smiled thinking how fortunate I was to have been allowed to be naked from a young age. Walter seemed to get stronger each day. I wondered if the drugs prescribed by his doctor were necessary. On Sunday afternoon Avery and Jack came to our room for cocktails. That meant in Walter and Jack’s case sparkling water but Avery joined me for several glasses of wine. He got grabby which I didn’t mind nor did Walter. Jack got out his cell phone and began to take naked pictures of us in suggestive, naughty poses. We were getting louder and sexier and the cell camera kept clicking. Jack promised to have a slide show back in San Jose and suggested inviting our friends to see the craziness. Walter said, “Only if Mark agrees since he is the only one worth looking at.” Three heads were shaking in agreement.
On Tuesday night, our last night, we had dinner at a restaurant call James Manenski for a quiet, pleasant traditional meal. The men didn’t order drinks nor did I because I was still four months from my twenty-first birthday. Avery couldn’t stop talking about why he waited so long to come to Palm Springs. He and Jack had been together for more than twelve years living in the Sacramento area and had never considered coming to Palm Springs.
Walter was quiet at dinner. When we were in our room he thanked me for arranging the trip. He said the trip with me and the guys really raised his spirits. He decided to wait before taking the medication that the doctor had prescribed. He did sheepishly ask me if we could have sex. I was fine with his request. As usual he was on his knees with his ass facing me when I climbed onto the bed. I had intentionally left the shutters partially open and could feel eyes on us as I serviced Walter. I hoped those eyes were Avery’s or Jack’s.
Uneventfully, we returned to San Jose and I immediately began classes. Our cats needed little attention while we were gone but we asked Annette, one of Walter’s bridge partners, to check on them. We went to San Mateo for the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. I didn’t have classes on that Monday. Walter asked me to buy food so he could stay in the house for the week before I returned the following Saturday. I didn’t know why but was curious that he wanted to stay at the house without me.
His reason became clear when I arrived for dinner the following Saturday night. He said, “Mark, I stayed home this week because I had some business to take care of. You know how happy I am that you are taking care of me. I needed to have some legal things done to make it possible for you to do more than you are currently able to do for me if you are willing.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know I don’t have any children or have brothers and sisters who are still alive. I was the youngest child by ten years.” I nodded my head. “Well, when you turn twenty-one in a couple of months you will have both my power of attorney for my health and my finances. What that means that you will be able to make decisions about me if I am not able to do so. You won’t have to go to court to get things done if I’m not able to make my own decisions.
“Also, I have decided to sell the house because the market is so hot now. That means I will live at the Willows all the time. I don’t know if you want to do that so we will look for a condo for you so you can have your own space.”
“Walter, you know I’m a poor college student and have no way to pay for utilities and fees in a condo.”
“I know. I will take care of those if you allow me and the cats to come over from time to time. I made one other decision which I know you will like. Tomorrow we pick up a 2020 Toyota Camry because I am trading in the Cadillac. The Camry will be yours not mine.” Sunday we can pick the car up after noon.”
I will miss the house and particularly the hot tub but it was Walter’s decision. I knew he was doing it to make things easier for me. I sat quietly waiting because I could still tell he had something on mind. “That’s all for now.” I cleaned up the kitchen and found Walter asleep in his favorite easy chair. I wondered what Walter had to tell me or ask me.