Chapter 12

It was Saturday, the weather was dark and gloomy, perfect for spending the day inside tasting wines and admiring cars. Mark and Brian had invited Jackson and Aaron to join them at a special event in Liverpool. It was themed around the pleasures of life. Mark wanted to attend the special wine tasting on the program and Brian suggested asking Aaron to come along with him to the luxury car show that was set up in a different part of town. Working at the luxury car dealership, Brian was able to get tickets at a good price and he thought Aaron would enjoy it.

They agreed to meet at Mark and Brian's place shortly after breakfast. As they arrived, Aaron and Jackson were greeted warmly by their friends. Once inside, Aaron signaled to Mark to follow him into the kitchen. They had a little chat and he handed him an envelope.

"What are you two plotting over there?" Jackson asked from the living room where he was seated with Brian.

"Nothing you should be concerned about, my friend," Mark had replied with a smile on his face. "Your boyfriend and I are just conducting some business." He left it at that knowing full well Jackson's curiosity would be piqued. Aaron was happy with his plan.

"Alright, boys," Brian said, "time to go. We've got some driving to do. Mark, you can drive up and I'll drive back. I'm assuming you and Jackson will be pretty tipsy by the time you'll be done tasting all those wines!"

"Hey, it's a wine tasting, not a drunken fest," Jackson retorted.

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, my sweet," Aaron had replied, a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. He looked Jackson in the eyes and then gave him a nice kiss. "Let's go."

Once in Liverpool, Jackson and Mark were dropped off at the convention centre where the wine tasting was taking place. Aaron and Brian continued on to the other end of town, to the stadium where the car show was set up. Aaron was definitely looking forward to this event.

Jackson and Mark entered the hall, got their wine list and immediately started to study it. They needed to figure out a plan of attack. Sure, you can taste all the wines you want, but after a while, your tongue and your taste buds are not working as well as when you started, let alone your legs!

They thought it would be interesting to keep it to two or three countries and to about three to five wines per country. That way, they could choose the more expensive ones or the more intriguing ones. It's always nice to discover something new, then you can get a few bottles to take home. They wanted to remain fairly sober throughout, given that you normally don't swallow the wine being tasted. But there are wines that are so good, you just can't spit them back, so you just swallow and enjoy them to the last drop that was poured in your tasting glass.

Jackson went for some Spanish wines, particularly two Ribera del Douero and two albariño, so some red and some white that he enjoyed a lot. He checked out some South African wines, of course, even spotted something from a vineyard called Jacksons. What a coincidence, he thought. Mark had also noticed that wine, had tasted it. Both loved it, the price being an indicator of its quality. At about 25 pounds a bottle, it was one to be savoured, not to be quaffed. And it would store well for a few years. Mark was attracted by the Italian wines, especially the whites. He enjoyed some Gavi, some vernacchia di San Gimignano and a grape variety called insolia. They all gave beautiful wines that were good for enjoying on the patio or indoors in the winter. Something to remind them of the beautiful days of summer! He intended to buy a few bottles to bring back.

Once they were done with the tasting, they headed to the store that was attached to the tasting area in order to buy a few bottles to bring back home. Jackson chose four bottles he thought were worth purchasing. As for Mark, he chose several bottles and got a carton to put it all together. He kept space for three bottles. He had been tasked by Aaron to get three really nice bottles he knew Jackson would like. He intended to give them to him as a gift. So, taking advantage of Jackson being in another aisle checking the products, he grabbed one of those nice Ribera del Douero and two of the Jacksons Limited Release pinotage he liked so much. He knew these three bottles would make Jackson quite happy whenever he would get them.

In the meantime, across town, Aaron and Brian were admiring the latest models in sports and luxury cars – Mercedes, Aston Martin, Bentley, even Ferrari and Toyota. Some of the models were designed only for car shows, but some were new models that would make these guys dream of owning one. Aaron was quite taken by the new Toyota hybrid model that was on show. It was a sports car that would change his opinion about hybrid and performance. The two of them were talking engine characteristics and performance, admiring the lines on those beautiful vehicles, discussing the virtues of some of the optional equipment you can get on these cars, and trying to avoid looking at the women who were draping themselves on the cars. Mark was finding that so cheesy. How clichéd and passé is that? Why not have some scantily clad males do the same? Now that might appeal more to them!

There was even an area where you could sit in a simulator and imagine you were driving one of those expensive machines. For a much more considerable amount of money, you could actually test drive the real things on a close circuit next to the stadium. They discussed it but thought that 150 pounds for a thirty-minute ride was a bit expensive, even if it was an Aston Martin!

They spent a good three hours there and they enjoyed the show very much. Since Brian worked in a luxury car dealership, he was able to make some contacts that might prove useful later on. Who knows, he might want a change at some point.

Aaron was observing Brian; he might also be tempted one day to change his situation. For now, he was part owner of the garage with Cain, so he figured he'd give that some time and make a good go of it. Start small and do it well, then move on to something bigger if that's what he wants.

It was almost 2:30 when they decided to head back and go meet the wine boys. Jackson and Mark were waiting for them outside of the convention centre. The weather had cleared up and it was nice, they were sitting outside when the car boys arrived.

"So, still the same old car? Haven't given in on buying a new one, have you?" Jackson said. Aaron put his arm around his shoulder, looked at his boyfriend and said, "I prefer to keep my money and spend it on you." He was trying to look serious, but couldn't hold it for very long and burst out laughing! Mark and Brian just shook their heads and laughed.

"Come on, love birds, we have to head home," Brian said as he got back behind the wheel. On the way back, the four of them talked about their time in Liverpool, and Aaron shared the news about being nominated for the Bar West award. Mark and Brian were absolutely thrilled for him. They both agreed what he did was extremely brave and that he deserved the award.

Jackson reinforced the fact that what he did was not get into a fight, but rather help someone who was in trouble. He was very proud of Aaron for his presence of mind. He basically had save Ray's life and he wanted Aaron to realise that.

Upon reaching Hotten, Brian drove up to their place since Jackson's van was there.

"Listen guys, it's almost five thirty, why don't you stay here for supper with us, I'll get something together, nothing fancy," Mark said.

"I don't know," Aaron said, "we don't want to impose."

"You're not imposing, we're inviting you. That's settled then, come on in!" Brian said, happy the boys would be staying for supper. Jackson looked at Aaron and smiled. They shook their heads, thinking about their friends and how that decision had been made for them. They always enjoyed Mark and Brian's company. They were fun and often did things like this, a bit impromptu.

The four of them actually decided to call for take away. It would be simpler and quicker, and less of a mess. They settled around the table with their food and the conversation flowed easily between the four friends.

Jackson mentioned how he enjoyed the wine tasting. "Mum would have loved it, although I am not sure it would have been a good idea to have her there in the middle of hundreds of bottles of wine! Might have become embarrassing at some point."

"Oh, she would have had a good time," Mark said. "She sounds like a real fun person, your mother."

"She is, but she's still my mum, so there are times when she is aggravating, but I do love her. She goes on her travels for a few months and then shows up on my doorstep and crashes for a few weeks."

"Yeah, but she's not taking our place for a hotel," Aaron piped up. "She cooks and cleans and entertains us. She's good company. And she knows when to make herself scarce," he said with a chuckle.

"I wish I had that kind of relationship with my mother," Mark said.

"What's wrong with your relationship?" Brian asked, intrigued by the comment. After living with Mark for several years now, he thought he knew all the important stuff about his boyfriend, but he guessed there was some stuff yet to discover.

"My mother is an odd bird. Over time, I discovered that it's all about her. She has to look good in front of her friends."

"That would be the case for a lot of mothers, don't you think?" Aaron pointed out.

"Maybe you're right." He stopped to think about what he was about to share with his friends. This was something he hadn't even mentioned to Brian. It happened many years ago and he had kept it to himself. He was so hurt at the time, he didn't think he wanted to burden his then new boyfriend with something like that. He would have told him eventually, but it seemed there hadn't been an appropriate time. He felt now might be a good time to share this experience, it might actually help get rid of that bad memory. He hoped Brian wouldn't mind the fact he had kept this from him for so long.

"Let me tell you a story, then you tell me what you think."

They listened as he told them how his mother had found out that he was gay. In the early months, when he and Brian were dating, they had gone out for supper and when they left the restaurant, Mark had run into a lady friend of his mother. They chatted briefly. Brian had stayed behind, keeping a safe distance so as not to put Mark in a situation where he would have to introduce him to this woman. Not that he was ashamed of Brian, not at all, but both of them were still rather shy and wanted to keep things simple.

A few months later, when Mark visited his mother, she mentioned the encounter and said that her friend had seen him and his friend holding hands and walking down main street Hotten.

"I was shocked," Mark said. "I didn't know what to say. I certainly wasn't prepared for that kind of conversation. I was particularly upset because that was untrue. Not that I would have a problem holding Brian's hand, but we are both pretty shy and we don't go for PDAs, as you know. Well, we certainly didn't at the time. So, she had been told a lie and had believed that woman without even asking any question."

He went on to tell them that he basically had to come out to her. Not the ideal circumstances, but when are they? In a lot of cases, coming out happens when one is forced, in one way or another. In any case, she was not happy. She gave him the tears, the guilt and all. That's when she pointed out how badly it was going to reflect on her. Her friends were going to talk now. She wasn't thinking about him at all, she was just concerned about herself.

"To top it off, as if more could be said to hurt me at that point, she told me that when she dies, there would be no need to mourn her. She would finally be out of her misery. The shame of me was just too much for her image."

Brian was speechless. He took Mark's hand and held it tightly to show his support.

"I thought I had it tough," Aaron said. He remembered his struggle, how hard it had been to accept that he was gay, how he didn't want to be like that. But, at least, his mother hadn't pulled a stunt like that one on him. She actually didn't care that he was gay. She had been more concerned about his happiness. She had told him in her usual delicate way, 'So what? You're gay, it's not the end of the world, you're not the first one to be gay. We'll deal with this." And they had, in some weird way.

"But here you are with this story. I am so sorry, Mark. And this was from your own mother. You must have felt awful."

"I did, I felt terrible for a few weeks, I was very confused about my feelings for her, but at some point, I realised there was nothing I could do to change that. It was not something I wanted to work at changing because it's not how it works. If her image and the lies of that witch friend of hers were more important than her own son, then I wanted nothing to do with her. I was going to be civil and polite to her, but I wasn't going to change my life."

"It wouldn't have been right, anyway," Jackson pointed out. "And you were honest with her, that's the important thing. If she can't take honesty, that's her problem, not yours."

"You're right. Besides, I had met Brian, I was very fond of him, well, I still am," he pointed out with a small smile, "and I wasn't going to let her put a damper on the beginning of our life together. I liked him too much for that. But what saddened me the most is that I realised then that she didn't really love me. It was like a slap in the face."

On hearing that, Brian's heart went out to his boyfriend. He was hurting for him. He got up and went behind Mark. Putting his hands on his shoulders, he bent forward so his head rested close to Mark's and he gave him a tender kiss on the cheek. "I am so sorry, Mark, I don't know what to say." He just couldn't imagine how a mother could be so cold, so selfish. Aren't parents supposed to take their kids the way they are? Aren't they supposed to love them, to help them through life, or at least help them make sense of it, prepare for it? Her behaviour was a disgrace to motherhood, he thought.

"There's nothing to say, really. I'm just happy I have you, you give meaning to my life, you make it rewarding, and that's what's important. Even though she's my mother, she doesn't count as much anymore. There is nothing I can or want to do to change her opinion. It's not what this is about. My life with you and my affection for her as her son are all that I can offer. If she doesn't want to be part of that, then it's fine. It's not worth being sad over."

Brian looked at him and then to Aaron and Jackson. "Well, there is at least one thing your mother did right, and that's to have you. I am a very lucky man. I found you and you became the most beautiful part of my life."

Mark turned three shades of red! He didn't mind compliments but, in front of their friends, it was different. However, he took the compliment, but promptly changed the subject… "Erm… coffee, tea anyone?"

Aaron and Jackson just chuckled but they gave Brian a knowing look. They understood his feelings, knew how expressing those feelings was an effort for him. Not that he didn't want to, he just found it difficult to put them into words. Even though they were all close friends, this was kind of personal. It showed Aaron and Jackson that their friends valued their friendship and trusted them with their most personal admissions.

Aaron and Brian were pretty similar in that respect, they both had a hard time expressing their inner feelings, but they had made much progress over the past years, their respective boyfriends being the catalysts they each needed.

TBC