High Society

Epilogue--Two Months Later


Though traveling to Martha’s Vineyard, Edgartown to be more accurate, had been tiresome, the ferry ride to the island had perked Casey’s senses. He’d been alone with his thoughts, going over plots and plans for that afternoon’s ‘event’. Now in a cab driving him to South Beach, Casey took a moment to enjoy his surroundings.

The Atlantic was just as picturesque as it was in Provincetown, offering a little more color with the fields of cranberry in the cove they drove past. One thing was for sure; the more affluent citizens, those unbothered by the norm of poverty and strife nowadays, certainly enjoyed the area. He’d seen many large houses which sprawled along acres of lands, country clubs on nearly every corner and fancy boutiques and restaurants which lined the avenues on which he traveled. Casey doubted there’d ever be a day when he’d enjoy this, but it didn’t matter. He even felt sorry for those who lived here, as he felt they’d never know how rich HE was, what they were missing out on.

He was about to ask his driver, ‘How much longer, Sir?’ when he saw the beach just ahead. They turned onto the dirt road that led the way there, the car bumping and jostling a little. Casey saw a small boardwalk containing shops and restaurants then the long stretch of beach; he smiled. They were soon parked in front of a fish and chips diner, where a few families were gathering to eat. “Thank you very much, Sir,” Casey said as he pulled the fare from his pocket. “Is there a telephone here that I can call for a ride back?”

“’Should be; Manny’ll let you use the phone he’s got,” the driver said, pointing to the diner. His eyes brightened at the hefty tip included in the money Casey handed him. “Call whenever you need a ride back.”

“Will do. Have a pleasant day,” Casey said. He got out of the cab, stretched and slung his bag over his shoulder. The cab drove back where they’d come from and Casey looked around. If his ‘sources’ were correct… ‘Left,’ he thought, walking away from the boardwalk and down the wooden walkway which led to the main beach. His feet soon met hot sand, slowing his steps a little.

After a tiresome walk, he finally came upon what looked to be his destination; a section of the beach had been occupied by a large crowd, all seated in rows of folding chairs. For one moment, Casey felt apprehension; he’d led a wonderful life the last few months with his lover and friend. More friends were set to arrive today, but this was something he had to do. Alone. Zeke had kicked up a fuss, saying that he’d handcuff himself to Casey instead of letting him venture off by himself, but no. Casey had made him see that this was HIS task, one he didn’t actually have to step into--but he had to. Just had to. Casey finally stepped forth to get closer. His focus was the small group of men at the front of the group, standing under a trellis. ‘How romantic,’ Casey sarcastically thought. His nose twitched when he finally found the face he’d been looking for.

He stopped dead at the sound of the violinists starting up the ‘Bridal March’ theme. A lump formed in his throat when he saw that bride, dressed in a flowing, brilliant white dress, coming down the carpet-covered aisle. A tall, stout man held her arm proudly and let her go at the end, where she joined her soon-to-be-husband.

Numb but full of intent, Casey leaned on the fence parting the flat beach from dunes and watched on; it wouldn’t be hard, he figured, to get the blushing-husband alone at some point.


~*~


The wedding dinner was held a small way’s away from the wedding’s site itself, back at the boardwalk where a fancy restaurant, ‘The Vineyard’ resided. Dressed nicely and with money in his pockets, Casey hadn’t had any trouble in sitting at the bar to order an appetizer and a few drinks, all while waiting for the party to arrive. They would be outside on the deck, enjoying the gorgeous sunny weather and various expensive dishes. Just as Casey was served his oysters, he saw the wedding party walk past the large windows and go into the front hall; easily-seen without being seen. Family and friends followed, all of them being gathered to their proper places. Waitstaff and caterers ran wild, probably overwhelmed by this function. There had to be at least one hundred people here, all of them wealthy-looking, most of them elderly.

Casey relaxed with his small meal, content and secure enough to wait. Not too long after finishing, the party had been seated and were being tended to by the staff in a rush. Moments after that, Casey heard the best man’s speech, rolling his eyes. Even if he couldn’t hear what was being said, the idea that this was a ‘celebration’ for one of the nastiest men that ever existed boiled Casey’s blood. If only they knew…

The next drink was sipped slowly, his favorite of vanilla soda. The dinner’s main course was being served, hungry people tucking in with great gusto. Casey peeled himself away from the bar and turned to the bartender with a smile. “Excuse me; can you direct me to the men’s smoking parlor?” he asked.

“Ah--out that door to the left, then the first room on the right. It’s opened for all the patrons,” he said.

Casey nodded and thanked him then ambled off, popping a cigarette into his lips, lighting it then humming lightly to himself. He passed by the doors of the banquet hall, smiled and reached the parlor. Two men were sat inside, enjoying pipes and talking. They ignored the new arrival as he reached a seat at the far end of the room, a comfortable, plush chair that nestled him in nicely.

He wasn’t sitting long before two men from the wedding arrived, both of them with pink, wide cheeks and laughing. Casey listened to the conversation which followed their lighting pipes together.

“Your daughter looked wonderful up there, Hiram. You should be proud,” the taller man said to the man.

“Yes she did. Ah, what a wonderful day…” Hiram--Alyssa’s father, presumably, said. “It feels good, having a ‘son’, as well. If only Alyssa’s mother were around to have seen it.”

“How is it working with him as the branch president?”

“Quite well! One of the best, if I may say so, myself. United’s gotten a good man taking care of it when I retire next year,” Hiram said.

“Ah, and speak of the devil!”

Hiram’s friend’s calling out made Casey sit up straighter and look at the entrance. Sure enough, the ‘Man of the Hour’ was walking in, looking red in the face. Hiram waved him over then clapped a hand on his shoulder. “There’s my ‘son’!” he said.

Casey made a soft sigh and twirled his straw around in his glass, trying not to gag at the many praises being sent the bridegroom’s way. It was odd, seeing Dennis in this element, so unlike the many times they’d met. But it was most assuredly Dennis, the man who loved boys more than anything else in the world. Dennis smiled, brought out his cigarettes then padded his coat pockets.

“Ah, do you have a light? I left mine back at the table I think.”

“Oh… well dagnabit, I used my last match…”

Seeing his chance, Casey stood and walked over, lighter extended. “Here you are, Sir,” he said.

How wonderful was it, Dennis’ expression? The color in his face went away in a shot, eyes widening at the sight of the boy standing a mere two feet away. Alyssa’s father beamed. “Why thank you, young man! Taking pity on a newly-married man,” he cheerfully said.

“Quite all right,” Casey said with a winning smile. He stared Dennis’ way, who hadn’t taken the flame Casey had flicked into life for him. “Sir? Here.”

With great reluctance, Dennis leaned forward, eyes still set on the boy. The top of his cigarette sprung to smoky-life and he bent back, swallowing over and over again. Casey gave him a sweet smile and secret wink as he went back to his seat to watch the fun.

“Bob here was just asking how you’re doing on the job--and what else could I say but ‘fantastic’?” Hiram said.

“Um, yes. Y-Yes, it’s a wonderful… opportunity,” Dennis haltingly replied.

“Young man, are you all right? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” Bob said.

Casey almost chortled as Dennis shrugged and made a nervous laugh. “Sorry. Just-married jitters, I suppose,” he replied. Hiram laughed.

“Ah, nothing to apologize for. At least you didn’t run off, leaving my girl at the alter. THEN you’d have something to apologize for!” he said.

A few moments later, with Dennis still stealing long looks Casey’s way, Casey stood up with a groan, stamped his finished cigarette out into an ashtray, finished his drink then left the glass on a provided table. “Sorry to bother you fine gentlemen,” he said to them, catching their attention. “This is my first time here--do you know where the men’s room is?”

“Yes--leave here, take a left and go to the last door on the right. You’ll see a sign reading ‘gentlemen’ upon it,” Hiram said.

“Thank you very much,” Casey replied. He walked past the small group and headed down the hall where he’d been instructed to go. He worried that a towel-attendant would be in the large, echoic bathroom, but was pleased when he found no one there, not even a patron. He moved to the wall by the sinks, lit another cigarette and--

As expected, the door flew wide open, smacking into the tiled wall on the other side. It almost made Casey jump, but his smile came on in an instant, seeing who’d made their ‘grand entrance’. “Why Dennis, hello--” he went to say, but was stopped abruptly with the man grabbing his collar and shoving him to the wall.

“You! What are YOU doing here??” Dennis demanded to know with an angry, fiery expression.

“There’s nothing wrong with coming by to wish you and your Alyssa well, is there? Anyway, I’ve always loved weddings; couldn’t resist,” Casey coyly replied.

It was as if Dennis had developed a severe case of epilepsy in how his hand shook against Casey’s chest, his entire face twitching. “I don’t remember sending invitations to dirty whores.”

“Oh my, that’s not very nice to say. After all, I’m not a whore--not anymore.”

“You’re always a whore, Casey. Always. And don’t you forget it.”

“Mmm. Well, if I am… then you’re a boy-whore-lover until the end of your days, aren’t you?”

Dennis sniffed and put on a nervous but evil grin. “Oh, you think that, do you? As I already told you… giving in to those disgusting desires was damned-near crippling. The day I left that hell-hole was the start of a new, wonderful life.”

“Yes, you certainly DID make an exit, didn’t you?” Casey asked. When all Dennis could do was stare, Casey wrenched himself away from his grip, smoothed out the shirt’s wrinkles and smiled. “Those roses you sent me? Very romantic of you.”

“Roses?”

“Don’t play coy, dear Dennis. I know it was you.”

Dennis made a lone chuckle. “Oh--THOSE roses. Yes. Did you like the note?”

“Oh, yes, yes I did. ‘Good luck tonight’, very telling.”

“Wasn’t it?” Dennis said. “I’m surprised you figured it out--I’d have figured you thought it was that pathetic sap Cal who sent them. But I guess not every brain cell’s been fucked out of you.”

“As surprised as you are to see me, alive and well?” Casey asked. Dennis chuckled derisively.

“Surprised? No, more… disappointed. I’ve been keeping my finger on the pulse when it comes to news of the city. I’d been hoping to hear of a poor little boy, found dead in an alleyway, raped to his death,” he said in a low, dangerous voice. “No idea how you made it out alive, sweetheart. Did you find a ‘benefactor’ that buys your services in exchange for a roof over your head?”

“How you assume. No, Dennis, I’m afraid that me and a few others were more resourceful than you could imagine,” Casey said. “In fact, all of us made it out unscathed. But you’re right--it SHOULD be a disappointment for you.”

“Yea? How do you figure that?”

Before Casey could answer, the door swung open to let two party guests in, both of them full of wine, by the looks of their clothes and hair gone askew. They say Dennis and grinned wide. “THERE you are, Mr. Connelly! Leavin’ the wife all alone, for shame!” the dark-haired one said.

“Hah… no, just…” Dennis said, but he only shrugged.

While the two chuckled their way over to the urinals, Casey decided to fill the void with idle conversation. “As far as I know, Stephen is doing well.”

“Oh? That’s good,” Dennis blandly replied.

“Mmm. He’s started work again for his former employers, in fact. Doing VERY well.”

Dennis’ brow creased in confusion. The two others went to the sinks, talking loudly. Casey chose to stay quiet, taking long drags from his cigarette and blowing them to the side. After the blond told Dennis to ‘hurry back!’ they were left alone again; Dennis’ steely gaze returned. “What do you mean, ‘employers’?”

“Oh, didn’t you know? Stephen owned the building… but not the block.” Casey watched revelation form in Dennis’ face, going from angry to blank in moments. “There aren’t many ‘organizations’ that can own entire city blocks, are there? Sure, there are Wall Street Fat-Cats, but we’re not talking about them, are we?”

Dennis swallowed and stayed silent for a handful of seconds before finally uttering, “What is it you want?”

Raising his eyebrows, Casey clucked his tongue. “What do I ‘want’?”

“Money? Fuck, a job? I suppose I can give you that--”

“Dennis, Dennis… you’re a foolish man. See… I’m just as disappointed that you’re standing here in one piece as you are with MY being intact. I’d take great pleasure in reading about you in the papers. A meaningless boy prostitute making front page? Unlikely. But a bank-boss found floating in the harbor--now THAT’S news,” Casey said. “But instead of ruining your life with a dozen roses, I’ve chosen to warn you instead. Isn’t that nice of me?”

Dennis began shaking in sharp jolts. “I’ll kill you. I will fucking kill--”

“Wrong again. People know where I am right now. If I don’t come back, you can expect a P.I. at your door. After all, my new hometown has taken me and my friends in with open arms; I’d be missed, terribly so. So you wouldn’t be murdering a nameless piece of trash, darling.”

“What…” Dennis began panting, music to Casey’s ears. He ran his hands through his hair and kept on swallowing until he found the strength to keep talking. “Please, Casey. Please. I know… I did you wrong, I know I was terribly cruel--”

“Understatement.” Casey coldly interjected. Dennis moaned, actually moaned, in despair.

“But you can’t--DO this to me. I have a new life, one I’ve needed for so… please, Casey. I’m begging you…”

For a split-second, Casey felt an ounce of pity for this pathetic human being. As nasty as he was, cruel as he was, Casey hadn’t honestly walked in here wanting to see him being drowned in one of the toilets by mobsters, or worse. But that pity shifted back to calculated and cool calm, untying any emotional knots left for this person. “We all know it was you, you know. But I’m the one in charge of what comes of it. When I walk out of here, it’s either forgiven and forgotten, or I snap my fingers and you find yourself with a new pair of cement shoes to enjoy,” he explained. Christ, he enjoyed the man’s helpless, painful-looking trembling. “It’s my call.”

The man reached into his pockets, fumbling around. He bit his lip and looked back at Casey. “My checkbook, it’s not--on me, I can make out any amount…”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Dennis,” Casey said in a spit. “I don’t want your goddamned money. I don’t NEED it, not when I have a good job and sell artwork at ten-plus a pop.”

“Then what do you want me to fucking do?” the man asked through gritted teeth.

“I want you to tell me the truth, as in…” Casey’s well-practiced seductive smile came over his lips. “…This marriage is a sham, isn’t it? Just your way of ‘climbing the ladder’ to fortune and success. Am I right?”

Dennis took a few shallow breaths before nodding. “Yes.”

“If you had your way--would you go trawling about Boston, or heading back to New York for a special getaway, all to find a young boy to please you?”

“Yes.”

“Mmm. Good, you’re telling the truth, just as I’d known ever since your lying back at Stephen’s… and the café,” Casey said. He leaned forward to get close enough for the man to smell his vanilla-spiced breath. “If we could lock the door… if you could get away with fucking me straight through the wall, right here and now… would you?”

The man couldn’t seem to reply, so Casey looked down for answers. Sure enough, a bulge had grown between the man’s legs, straining against the dark fabric of his slacks. Casey put his head to the side and gave him his best wide-blue-eyes. “I’d take that erection you’re carrying as a ‘yes’, but it’d be better if you actually said it--”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes… I would strip you down, push you against the wall and fuck the living hell out of you,” Dennis said.

Casey made a slow nod. “Because that’s what you like, Dennis. It doesn’t get you a corner office, but… your only thought when it comes to poor Alyssa, sweet as she is, will always be, ‘good Christ, I wish she had a dick’. Am I correct?”

“Y-Yes,” Dennis admitted, yet again.

Casey smiled sweetly and leaned in even closer to put his lips next to Dennis’ ear. “Good… now, isn’t it nice, being honest Mr. Connelly?” he asked. He immediately darted back when he felt Dennis’ hand dare to grab his side. Casey snarled and narrowed his eyes. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re not allowed to touch me in the slightest of fucking ways, Dennis. I only let one man do that nowadays.”

“And who’s that?” Dennis asked with his own snarl curling his lip.

“Ezekiel. The OTHER worthless whore,” Casey said. He raised his eyebrows and let his face relax back into a grin. “You’re always going to want one of those ‘whores’… always wanting me tangled in your sheets. Remember that, for the rest of your miserable life.”

Casey hoisted his bag back up onto his shoulder and turned to the door, intent on leaving with the hopes that he’d never see this man again. His hand was on the knob when Dennis cleared his throat.

“Don’t. Tell.”

Sighing, Casey looked over his shoulder at Dennis. “We’ll see. You owe me for my silence--not with money or anything else that’s equally as worthless. I don’t even know what it is, dear Dennis. You’re simply… indebted, perhaps by my own kindness. Goodbye.”

With that, Casey exited the bathroom and walked briskly down the hallway. The moment he was out in the open air, he took a deep breath; one he considered as his first ever since leaving New York.


~*~


“Don’t--Danny, for fuck’s sake!”

“What? I’m hungry!”

“We have forks and spoons! You don’t have to stick your whole goddamned hand in my casserole…”

Casey’s heart fluttered with happiness as he entered the house. He made his steps quiet as he went through the living room and to the kitchen doorway, where Zeke, Noah, Henry, Danny and Xavier were gathered. He smiled upon the scene, seeing that not much had changed. Danny’s utensil-ignorance was shown with his messy, tuna-salad covered fingers, while Zeke was slapping him away from the kitchen counter. Henry rolled his eyes in the corner as he and Noah ‘chatted’, Xavier seated at the small kitchen table with a glass of something tan in his hand, belly bouncing lightly with quiet chuckles.

“He’s been so good at home, too! The second he’s with ‘old pals’ and he makes a mess…” Xavier said with a few tsk‘s dotting the words.

“You’ll never take ALL the rudeness out, no matter how hard you--” Danny was saying but stopped in his turning and seeing Casey in the doorway. A smile exploded onto his face. “Casey!”

Unprepared for the slam of a hug Danny threw at him, Casey was forced back a few steps, laughing. “Danny--excitable as always, eh?” he said. He, too, hugged the young man close. “I suppose your visit warrants it, though.”

Danny drew back, holding Casey’s arms tight and grinning. “How’d it go? PLEASE tell me he was ready to trade his bride for a coffin in absolute, mortifying fear!”

As Casey chuckled, Zeke reached his side. “You’re okay?” he asked in a serious voice, putting his hand on his shoulder.

“Fuck’s sake, Zeke--he’s fine,” Danny answered for Casey. “Still lookin’ like the hot piece of boy-meat he is.”

Zeke rolled his eyes, pushed Danny away by the face and leaned in closer. “You saw him?”

“Yea. It’s fine… he knows exactly what he did and what he owes me for keeping my mouth shut,” Casey said. “It’s over. Done and done.”

“If you say so…”

“That was the idea.”

Zeke sighed then smiled softly. “Well, glad you’re home,” he said then leaned in for a light kiss.

“Oh ew, makin’ me sick,” Danny said.

After breaking off the kiss with a few giggles, Casey greeted the others with enthusiasm. Henry, the normally blank-faced boy he was, allowed a beaming grin as he hugged Casey; Xavier, of course, sneaked a slap to Casey’s behind in their hug, which made Danny pinch his arm and say, “Watch it, you pervert.” Greetings and hugs passed, Zeke lifted the pan of food he’d been working on.

“Nothin’ that great--I’m not the best cook. Tuna casserole, a la Danny,” he said, pointing to the empty spot where Danny had stuck greedy fingers into.

“I make everything better,” Danny said.

Zeke sighed, shook his head then nodded to Casey. “Grab the salad… and keep your distance from that idiot,” he said.

Chuckling more, Casey joined Noah, who was grabbing plates, glasses and silverware. Before he filled his hands, he signed, ‘Xavier brought a VERY fine wine with him.’

“Hah. What’ll we serve it in, these?” Casey asked, picking up one of the many mismatched, cloudy glasses sitting on the counter. Noah chuckled.

“Wa-ai nod?”

Casey beamed. ‘Why not’ was right. Wine tasted wonderful, no matter what it was poured into. Their meal would be delicious as well, spent on the couch, chairs and floor-space. There wasn’t a lot of room for their guests to eat, but in walking into the living room where everyone was settling in and grabbing plates from Noah, they didn’t seem to care.


~*~


Danny had sworn that he’d be diving headfirst into the ocean water, but immediately changed his mind upon getting one foot into it, which sent him squealing like a piglet and running back to a highly-amused Xavier. Casey resorted to a beach chair, a used one that was set out for anyone in their neighborhood to use. He watched Danny returning to the water, followed closely by Henry. As they dared to dip their feet back into the late-Spring water, Casey turned to Zeke.

“I have this weird, funny feeling… that everything’s going to be okay,” he said. “I dunno what it is.”

Zeke smirked and leaned back on the sand on his elbows. “What makes you say that?”

“Like I said, dunno.” Casey turned back to the ocean, just in time to see Henry make an attempt at shoving Danny from behind. Lucky for the crazy boy he caught himself before he went face-first into the water, and was now whirling around to chase Henry. “’Might have something to do with being here, with you, Noah, our closest friends… dunno.”

“Yea, it might,” Zeke said. “’Might.”

Unable to help himself, Casey let a hand fall on Zeke’s knee and stay there. Innocuous enough to any passersby, just enough to be close. Perhaps someday they’d be able to sneak outside in the night, all to make love by the water and get sand into various, previously-unknown crevices. The thought of it made Casey grin from ear-to-ear. “Hey, guess what?”

“Hmm?” Zeke said around his newly-lit cigarette.

“I love you.”

Zeke’s smile narrowed his eyes. “Yea. I know.”

“Hmm…” Casey hummed, leaned back and closed his eyes. That’s when he felt a hand sneak up to his and take it, fingers lacing with their tips brushing the top of Casey’s palm.

“Love you,” Zeke said.

Someone cried in surprise just then, followed by a loud splashing noise. Noah was laughing loudly, not bothering to hide his amusement. Casey didn’t open his eyes to witness the calamity of two ridiculous boys, not just yet; he savored the warmth of the sun heating his skin, Zeke’s skin. Real, honest-to-goodness life had found him, at last.