Woody
The next morning, I made breakfast as Harley got ready for work. I kissed him as I walked him to the car and said, “have a good day.”
He smiled, “I will, you study hard, and I’ll see you around 6.”
I watched the car drive away, then went back inside to finish the dishes and my morning chores. I studied my GED study guide for a couple of hours, then worked on the questionnaire for a while. By the end of the day, I had the questionnaire completed and was feeling very good about my GED exam. I still had another day to study before my test on Thursday. Once again, I had dinner ready when Harley arrived home. We shared every detail about our days, I could see why Harley said he couldn’t wait to tell me about his day and to hear about mine. I totally felt the same way.
We made it to Thursday, I was up early and was going over my study guide one more time. Harley came into the kitchen and gave me a kiss. He said, “you were up early.”
I said, “yeah, just doing some last-minute studying, I have to be downtown at 10.”
He kissed the top of my head, “you are going to nail it, I’m sure of it.”
I sighed, “thank you, I wish I was as confident.”
He said, “you’ve studied very hard, you got this.”
I made our breakfast and saw Harley off to work. I loaded the dishwasher and went back to my study guide. I sighed as I closed the study guide for the last time. I got ready and made my way downtown to Harlow Center. Carlos greeted me at the door and led me to a room, there were 5 other people already seated at the tables in the room.
Carlos smiled, “are you ready for this?”
I said, “as ready as I ever will be.”
Carlos said, “ok everyone, just relax, I’m sure you will all do just fine. I will hand out the exams in a few minutes. Just answer each question to the best of your ability. I’ll be right here if you have any questions.”
A little over an hour later, I answered my last question and handed the exam back to Carlos.
He asked, “how did you do?”
I shrugged, “I think pretty good.”
He smiled, “I’m sure you did fine.”
I said, “I have that questionnaire complete too, can I give it to you now?”
He nodded, “of course. I’ll look it over and when I call with the results of your GED exam, we can set up a time to meet to go over it.”
I left the center relieved the exam was over, but anxious about what would come next. When Harley got home that night, he of course asked how the test went. He assured me that I passed and told me how proud of me he was. I will never get tired of hearing that, I just hope I didn’t let him down. To help keep my mind off waiting for the test results, Harley planned a weekend for us to get out of the house. There was a music festival in the park, followed by a dinner at a nice restaurant. I got to wear some of my new clothes for the first time. We also spent a few hours talking about what kind of jobs I thought I would like. We spent some time online, looking at some of the programs that the area colleges had to offer.
Carlos finally called me on the following Tuesday. I took a deep breath as I answered my phone, “Hey Carlos.”
He said, “hi Woody, how are you holding up?”
I said, “that depends, do you have the results of my test?”
He chuckled, “yes, I do.” After an excruciating pause, he said, “congratulations, you passed with the highest score of the entire group.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, “thank you.”
He said, “don’t thank me, you did all the work.”
I said, “yeah, but you helped me get there, I appreciate that.”
Carlos said, “that’s my job, I’m happy to help. By the way, I have had a chance to go over your questionnaire too. Would you have some time tomorrow to come to the center and talk about it?”
I said, “yes, I can be there anytime.” We quickly agreed upon a time, and I ended the call and did a happy little dance. I thought to myself, why was I so excited? Now I had to figure out what comes next. I paced around the house for the rest of day, waiting for Harley to get home. I found myself waiting outside as Harley’s car pulled into the driveway. I don’t think the driver had even stopped the car before I opened Harley’s door.
Harley asked, “did you hear from Carlos?”
I wrapped him in a hug, “yep, I passed, the best score in the class.”
He smiled, “I told you.” He gave me a big kiss.
We went inside and as I made our dinner, I told Harley about going to see Carlos the next day to talk about my aptitude questionnaire. After dinner, Harley showed me how proud he was of me, in a way only he could. I really did love him.
The next day after I saw Harley off to work, I headed downtown for my meeting with Carlos.
We sat down in Carlos’s office, and he asked, “so, have you thought about any possible career choices?”
I said, “not really, I thought the questionnaire would tell me what I am suited for.”
He nodded, “it will help guide us, but you have to decide what you actually want to do.”
I asked, “well, what am I suited for?”
Carlos said, “according to the way you answered the questions, you are a compassionate, caring person, that likes to help people. According to how well you did on your GED exam, your above average in intellect.”
I said, “ok, so what does that mean, I should be a nurse or a teacher or something like that?”
He said, “Well yes, you are suited for those jobs, but do you want to be a nurse or a teacher?”
I shrugged, “not really.”
Carlos said, “then we should look at something else.”
I asked, “like what?”
He smiled, “I don’t want to influence you one way or the other, but I have gotten to know you over the last week or so. I have seen you interact with the others that were taking their GED, you helped them, and you didn’t even realize it. It was just your natural reaction to help them. I really think you would make a great counselor.”
I asked, “you mean like you?”
He nodded, “yes. Look, you have been through a lot. We get a lot of kids in here going through some of the same things you have been through. I think they would really be able to relate to someone who has already been through those same things. Especially kids in the LGBTQ+ community, even more so, young black men that are struggling with their sexuality.”
I thought for a few minutes, I said, “I have never thought about something like that. Do you really think I would be good at that?”
Carlos smiled, “I’m sure you would great.”
I asked, “what kind of training would I need?”
He said, “you would need to get a bachelor's degree, there are several colleges here in town with good programs.”
My mind raced, how was I going to pay for college? I’m sure Harley would help me, but I still didn’t feel right about him paying for everything. Before I could ask any more questions, there was a knock on the door. A very attractive man walked in.
He said, “I’m sorry Carlos, I didn’t know you were busy. I was just downtown, and I wanted to check in with you before our next board meeting. Is there anything you need from me?”
Carlos stood and said, “no Mr. Harlow, I have everything I need.”
The man said, “how many times do I have to tell you Carlos, it’s Bennie.”
Carlos said, “sorry Bennie. Oh, I would like you to meet Cyrus Woodson, he prefers Woody, he is the one I was telling you about.”
Bennie held out his hand, “it’s nice to meet you Woody, Carlos has shared a bit of your story with me. Congrats on getting your GED, have you decided on what college you want to attend?”
I stammered, “um… no not yet, I guess I want to talk to my boyfriend first. I need to figure how to pay for it and…”
Bennie interrupted, “Carlos tells me that you would make a good counselor, we desperately need counselors here at the center.” He turned to Carlos, “make sure he has one of our scholarship applications so he can fill it out in time for us to review at our next meeting.”
Carlos said, “I was just getting to that Bennie, have you thought about the other thing I talked to you about?”
Bennie smiled at me and nodded at Carlos, “yes, I have. If you need help, you have my permission to bring him in on a part-time basis while he gets his degree.”
Carlos smiled at me, “what do say Woody?”
I was still in shock, I asked, “are you offering me a job?”
Carlos said, “yes, I want you to help me meet with the kids I was telling you about. We can set your schedule around your classes, then once you graduate, you’ll have a fulltime job waiting for you.”
I looked at Carlos and then at Bennie, still not finding any words. I’m sure I looked like an idiot.
Bennie chuckled as he held his hand out again, as I shook his hand, he said, “welcome aboard Woody.”
Harley
For the second time this week, Woody was pulling me out of the car before the driver had even stopped. I said, “whoa, I’m glad you’re happy to see me, but let me get out of the car first.”
Woody said, “sorry, but I had a really great day, and I can’t wait to tell you about it.”
I laughed, “ok, ok, let me get my bag and we can go inside.” I said thanks to Matt, my driver, and Woody was pulling me into the house. He took my bag and wrapped me in another hug, giving me a kiss.
I said, “alright, you have my undivided attention, what’s going on?”
We sat on the couch and Woody said, “well, you know I had a meeting with Carlos today, right?”
I nodded, “of course.”
He said, “we went over my questionnaire, you know, to see what kind of job I’m suited for.”
I said, “yes, and what did you learn.”
He said, "Carlos thinks I should be a counselor, like him.”
I smiled, “is that something you think you would like?”
Woody was talking a mile a minute, he said, “yes, Carlos let me sit on a meeting he had with a young guy that was kicked out his house because he is gay, just like me. Carlos has already helped him find a place to live and is now helping him get his GED too. I told the guy my story and just like Carlos said, we could relate to each other. I think this is what I was meant for Harley.”
I could hear the excitement in Woody’s voice, it was hard not to share his excitement. I said, “you would be perfect as a counselor, you are so kindhearted and compassionate, it’s a natural fit.”
Woody said, “that what the questionnaire showed too, that’s why Carlos suggested it.”
I asked, “so what do we do next, I assume you will need a degree.”
He said, “yes, Carlos gave me a catalog from the college that he graduated from.”
I grinned, “do we have time to get you enrolled for the next semester.”
Woody said, “Carlos thinks so. I told him I just have to find a way to pay for it, and he…”
I stopped him, “Woody, I have told you not to worry about that, I can help you, I want to help…”
He interrupted me, “no, you don’t have to. When I mentioned needing to find a way to pay for school, Bennie Harlow walked into the office, he is the head of the foundation that runs the Harlow Center. He told Carlos to give me an application for a scholarship, Carlos said that I have a very good chance to get the scholarship.”
I asked, “you mean the head of the foundation met you and offered you a scholarship?”
Woody said, “I still have to apply, and the entire board has to approve it, but Bennie was impressed with my story. God Harley, for the first time in my life, I have a plan and a goal.”
I felt a tear run down my cheek, I said, “I can’t tell you how proud and happy I am for you.”
Woody sighed, “you don’t have to say that, I haven’t done anything special.”
I said, “are you kidding me? In the last few months, you took a chance to apply for a job you had no business getting, although the reason you were hired is another issue. You were beaten nearly to death, not once, but twice. In the last two weeks, you not only got your GED, but you also now have a plan for college and a career. This after you were kicked out on your own at the age of 16. Don’t tell me that it isn’t special. I am very proud of you.”
Woody said, “I also got a parttime job.”
I asked, “what?”
He said, “yeah, I was getting to that. Carlos offered me a job while I attend classes. Just like today, I will help him talk to clients, he wants me to help him with LGBTQ+ kids.”
I gave him another hug, if I didn’t already love Woody, I sure do now.
Woody said, “I’m sorry, I haven’t got dinner started yet, I’ll go do that now.”
I grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the couch, I said, “why don’t call and have something delivered, I want to hear more about your new job.”
He talked about how great Carlos is and how nice Bennie Harlow was until our food arrived.
Woody said, “I’ve been talking nonstop since you got home, tell me about your day.”
I smiled as I filled him in on everything, I didn’t have anything as exciting as Woody did today, but I was back in a good routine at work, and I was glad to be a productive member of society again. After we finished dinner and cleaned up, we grabbed a beer and returned to the living room.
I said, “I think I have heard of Bennie Harlow before, why don’t we google him and see if there more about him.”
Woody started to type on the laptop and clicked on the Harlow Center’s website. He started to read, they were nonprofit, providing counseling for teen pregnancy, troubled youth, careers and families and just about anything in between. They had extensive services for LGBTQ+ youth.
Woody said, “let’s check out the “about us” tab.”
Again, he read, The Center was opened about a year ago and is primarily funded by the Harlow Foundation. The Foundation was established two years ago by Bennett T. Harlow II, after the Harlow family sold their aviation parts manufacturing business. Harlow Industries had a long history of charitable activities before the business was sold, starting with a youth center back in the 70’s. The sale enabled them to establish the foundation for the sole purpose of giving back to the community. Harlow Industries was founded by Bennett T. Harlow in the 1950’s, upon his death, his only daughter, Virginia, took over running the company. Two years ago, she decided to retire, and Bennett II did not want to run the company, so it was sold. Bennett II then used a portion of the sale to form the foundation which now includes the Counseling Center.
Woody said, “wow, it looks like Bennie is loaded.”
I chuckled, “yeah, it would seem so.”
Woody said, “oh, here’s a bio page for Bennie.
It again listed some of the same things as we had already read. Then it went into some more personal things about Bennie. It said Bennie spends a significant amount of time running the Foundation, giving generously to the local children’s hospital, still supporting the youth center funded by his grandparents, and now the Counseling Center. He credits his grandmother for instilling the importance of giving back to the community. He also runs a cyber security company with his husband, Adam Edwards.
I said, “wait, Bennie Harlow and Adam Edwards?”
Woody said, “yeah, what’s the matter?”
I said, “I knew that name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it.” I pulled out my phone and said, “call Dave.”
Dave answered, I said, “hey Dave what was the name of that guy about four years ago, the guy that had an import company, he had some money hacked from his business account and then some customs guy was blackmailing him to use some of his containers to smuggle drugs?”
I listened to Dave search his memory and I said, “yes, that’s it, John Cabot, Cabot imports, thanks. Oh, nothing important, I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.”
I told Woody to search for Cabot Imports, drug smuggling case. I heard him typing and then said, “here’s an article.”
Woody read, mumbling to himself, then said, “holy shit, Bennie got shot when he and Adam were investigating the customs agent that was smuggling drugs.”
I nodded, “yeah, I’m starting to remember it now, it was right after I was hired at the office, I didn’t work the case. I remember the others talking about it, someone hacked into Cabot’s bank account and took some money, which led to the drug smuggling being found. Wow, that was Bennie?”
Woody said, “yeah, that’s what it says.”
Woody scrolled further down the page and said, “oh wow, here is a picture of Bennie and Adam at some charity event.”
I said, “yeah, I’m sure they go to a lot of those types of things.”
Woody said, “I’m sure you’re right, Adam is just as handsome as Bennie is.”
I asked, “they are both good looking, huh?”
He said, “yep, and Adam is black.”
I said, “and Bennie is not?”
Woody chuckled, “nope, he’s as white as you are.”
I laughed, “did you think that we were the first interracial gay couple in the world?”
Woody said, “no, I suppose not. I guess my new boss has lived a pretty interesting life.”
Woody clicked on Carlos’s bio page and said, “let’s see what kind of life Carlos has had.”
He again mumbled as he read some general information on Carlos. He then said, “dang, Carlos has his own interesting story.”
I asked, “what is that?”
Woody said, "he grew up in a neighborhood like mine and was involved in a gang. He secretly found a way to go to college and got his degree and quietly left that neighborhood and the gang. He is married and has two young kids. He got his degree in family counseling but was having trouble finding a job in his field. He was working at a shipping company that had purchased some security software that Bennie was installing. That was when Carlos told Bennie that he just took the job because no one would hire him for a counseling job, because of his past. Bennie was setting up the counseling center, Carlos was his first employee. It looks like Bennie likes to find misfits like me and Carlos and give us a chance.”
I smiled, “too bad there aren’t more people like Bennie.”
We read a few more bios about the other employees, they all had similar stories. I guess Woody was right, Bennie did like to help those that hadn’t had a chance before.
Woody read me some of the other employee’s stories as I sat there with a grin on my face. He asked, “what is that silly grin for?”
I said, “have I told you how happy I am for you?”
He sighed, “yes, you have.”
I said, “good, I just wanted to make sure. Now would you like to come to the bedroom with me so I can make you just as happy.”
Woody said, “oh, I think I would like that.”
We were soon naked and, in our bed, making out. Woody’s hard love stick was rubbing my stomach as our tongues danced. Woody was gently tugging at me nipples as our lips remained locked together. He broke our kiss and started to lick his way down my chest, then down my stomach. I giggled as he pushed his tongue into my belly button. Woody has been doing that ever since he discovered that I was ticklish when we were up in the cabin. He always stops and laughs at my reaction. He began to stroke my cock as he moved down and gave my nuts a loving lick. He ran his tongue along the underside of my rock-hard pole. He licked the drop of precum that he had coaxed out of my cock. I let out a sigh as his entire mouth covered my manhood. My hands went to the back of his head so I could control the speed, God it was incredible. Woody let my cock fall from his mouth with a thud and once again went to work on my nuts. I felt his finger begin to probe my ass, I gladly spread my legs to allow him all the access he wanted. His tongue leave my nuts and moved down until he was lapping at my rosebud. I pulled my legs up so he could really go to town, his tongue was soon fucking me like a mini dick. I moaned as Woody left my hole lubed with his spit and slobber. I felt the cool rush of air across my hole as Woody came up for another kiss. The head of his engorged member was poised at my opening. I reached down to guide him inside, he was soon balls deep and hitting my sweet spot. We continued to kiss as he started to piston in and out, sending my nerves dancing through my entire body. Woody had my cock trapped between our abs, the friction was pushing me to my boiling point, I was getting close. Woody’s breathing quickened, I sensed he was in the same condition. He pushed in one final time and we both sent our seed flying, Woody’s coating my insides, and mine covering our stomachs.
We held each other as we caught our breath, our lips still locked together.
Woody broke the kiss, he said, “God, I love you.”
To be Continued…
Note: Some of you may recognize Bennie Harlow from a story I posted two years ago. For those of you that might want to hear his story, you can find it on my story page, "Bennie and the Ace of Hearts. I also did a sequel "Bennie and Adam Plan a Wedding". Thanks for reading.
