GAY STORY: Stepson

Call me Henry.

Married to Ethel, a woman six years older than me. There was no question that I love Ethel so much in spite of our age gap. Since I married her, she has been my inspiration, my source of strength, and the very reason why I strive so hard in life.

I was twenty-nine when I married Ethel. In spite of her age, she looked younger. She was very conscious of her body, of how she looked, and of what she ate. It was the reason why I was so attracted to her. She was not just beautiful; she was gorgeous.

The other thing with Ethel was that she was a single mom. At the age of 16, she fell in love with a guy she thought was free. It was too late when she realized she was fooled. She was already pregnant. So with the help of her parents, she reared up her kid alone.

Her boyfriend never showed up nor took interest of the child. She later learned that the guy and his whole family had immigrated to another country for good, leaving her and her kid behind.

This kid was Paulo.

He was 18 when I met him. He was tall at 5 feet and 10 inches, fair complexioned, clean-shaven, sported an earring in his right ear, and in an excellent body built. He looked just like one of those guys in a sexy all-male group model. Actually, he was already a friend before I met his mom. Paulo used to do workout sessions in the same gym where I worked as an instructor. It's where our friendship started. Later on, we became close to each other like real brothers. I was his Kuya. Aside from our workouts together, we would go barhopping, malling, even watch movies on our free times. He confessed that he longed so much for the love of a father; someone he would look up to for support, for understanding, for comfort, even just for companionship. There was a time when the two of us were drunk, he broke out sobbing, pouring out to me all his ill-feelings about his father. I could only look at him in all sympathy.

One day, Paolo invited me to his house. It was the first time I met Ethel. When Paolo introduced me to her, it was like I was hit by a thunderbolt. I was awestruck to see her. I knew that there was a connection. Paolo noticed it and he didn't seem intimidated. In fact after that incident, he would always tease me of his mom. So, I courted her. When Paolo and I would be together there was never a time without us talking about the woman we both loved.

"So, when are you gonna marry mom, Kuya?" Paulo asked.

"As soon as the coast is clear" I answered.

"What do you mean 'coast is clear'? You better hurry up coz I can't wait to call you 'Dad'!"

"Hahahaha! I'm already your Kuya and now you're dying to call me Dad? You must first work hard to earn the title of 'my son', huh! It's not that easy." I teased him.

"Don't you like it? You will have a wife and then, an instant son? It's more than winning a jackpot in the lottery. And this, if mom marries you, I will adopt you!"

"What?!!! Adopt me?!!! Hahahahaha! Are you serious? So the father is now the one being adopted by a... 'son'? Hahahaha!"

"...And why not? I will ask mom to change my family name to yours so everything will all be legal and I will already have a real father. Why not? I've known you already, I am very comfortable with you, and I think you will be an excellent Dad!"

"Hey! Hey! Hey! 'Comfortable' with me as your 'Kuya' and gym instructor, ok? But as a 'Dad'... what are you " a toddler? You are as tall as me, your arms are as huge as mine, and I am not even that old to be your father. And now you want me to be your 'Dad'?" I shouted mimicking. Then I paused "Hmm, ok, I'll think about it..."

The truth is I was just as excited to be Paolo's dad as to be his mom's husband. When I saw Paolo cried one time pouring out on me his longing for a dad, my heart broke. How I wished I could have filled that void in him. But when I met his Mom, I thought I had hit two birds in one stone " to marry the girl of my dream, and to be the "Dad" of my best friend.

So, Ethel and I got married and we became one happy family...

Everything was just perfect with my newfound family; with Ethel as my wife and Paolo, my adopted son and who, since my marriage with his mom, already called me "Dad". It was like I could not ask for anything more in my life; everything was just perfect. In the beginning, I felt awkward becoming an instant dad to my best friend, but later, I managed to finally adjust to it.

There was a time when Ethel was sent by her company out for a business trip for a week. One night when only I and Paolo were left home, I found him in the living room seemingly in deep thought. In front of him the TV was turned on and on the table was a bottle of whisky. I thought he might have needed a company so I sat beside him, poured some whisky into a glass and gulped it.

"Hmmm, it seems that my best friend and son has a problem, huh?" I said arching my right arm over his shoulder. "Would you mind sharing it with 'dad'?" I mimicked, emphasizing the word "dad".

Paolo just looked at me, smiled and then took another glass of whisky and gulped it.

"Hey, is it about your girlfriend, Maila?" I insisted in a serious tone.

"No dad, I just want to drink..." was his short answer. Then he took another glass of wine, gulped it, and then another one.

"Hey, hey, hey, you are already drunk! Come on I'll help you to your room. I'm also drunk now so we better call it a day" I said as I laid his arm over my shoulder aiding him to stand.

As we reached his room, Paolo hurriedly removed his shirt and lay on the bed. I already turned to leave when he reached for my hand, "Dad, please don't leave me... please stay with me here"

"I have to go to my room, Paolo, it's where I sleep." I reasoned

"Mom is not around, Dad, so keep me company here, please...?" Paolo pleaded.

(To be continued)