Heart Strings
by
BmblBee
Part Nine
The next week sailed by smoothly. Neither man said much about the upcoming weekend but each had their own thoughts about it.
The chores were done and plans were made to prepare for the upcoming planting season, all the time dreaming and sharing ideas for the expansion of their small house.
Thursday came in the blink of an eye and supper was on the table mixing and blending with the conversation.
"Tomorrows Friday." Xander shoved another mouthful of potatoes in and garbled around them.
"Thought we might go to town. I figured we would go ahead and order the lumber, pay for it and I know a couple guys with trucks I can go see about hauling it for us."
Spike was delighted. He knew a trip to town could be stretched out for hours and possibly include lunch. Not wanting to sound childish he seemed to give it some deep thought.
"I suppose we could do. Most of the week's work is caught up around here and a day out might be acceptable." Xander roared with laughter at his nonchalant attitude, knowing from the twinkle in Spike's eyes he was thrilled.
"Well don't get any more excited or you might fall asleep in your plate." Like a light switch Spike's face beamed with joy.
"Can we eat out? Can we stop by and hear the guys practice?"
Xander studied Spike closely. He had come to a difficult decision that suddenly seemed much easier to make.
"I'll tell you what. How about we spend the day in town and eat at the VFW for supper. Ain't had spaghetti in a coons age."
Spike jumped from his seat and rushed around to the other side of the table. Throwing his arms around Xander's neck he sat on his lap and kissed him soundly.
Pulling back, Xander brushed the hair off Spike's forehead and looked at him with love and concern.
"Spike I don't ever want you to feel like a prisoner here. I never did care much for going in town cause there just
wasn't nothin' there for me, but if you want we can go in once a week or so as long as all the work is done around here."
Spike nuzzled Xander's neck. "I love it here. It is safe and warm and ....home. However, a once a week date might be just what we need to spice up our dying love life."
"WHAT?" Xander feigned outrage. "I'll show you dying!" And with some decisions made, Xander dropped to his knees
taking Spike's britches with him, and proceeded to bring the dead back to life.
Spike leaned back against the table and watched Xander create the glorious resurrection with his skilled mouth.
The potatoes went cold and the squirrel was forgotten. Xander, however, was about to receive all the days protein
he would need.
And just as expected, it didn't take long. Just the sight of Xander's full pink lips wrapped tightly around his hard ready shaft caused Spike's whole body to tingle.
His cock slid in and out so smoothly it seemed to have been made with Xander's mouth in mind.
Spike held back and watched as long as he could but it was never long enough. Feeling the tightening in his balls and the shaking in his legs, Spike knew it was all over but the swallowing. Gripping Xander's hair he jerked forward and emptied himself down his lover's throat.
Friday morning dawned bright and early. Spike was already up and out by the time Xander stirred. Carrying in an arm
load of wood Spike dropped it on the floor loudly then waited for the reaction.
Xander did not disappoint. He woke, jerked awake by the noise.
"On, sorry, did I wake you? Well it is late. Not at all like you to lay about in this manner. But you're up now, so chop, chop. Up and at 'em."
Xander sat up in bed and stared at the mad man in front of him. "What the fuck, Spike? It can't be much more than four am. Why are you........Oh, it's Friday isn't it?"
Xander grinned broadly. Spike shuffled his feet and began fussing with stacking the wood by the hearth. "I don't know what you mean."
When he heard Xander chuckle he turned to face him with his hands on his hips. "Yes, it's Friday. Now get your lazy ass out of bed and get the chickens fed and the last of the work done on the tractor. We are leaving just after lunch, which by the way is left overs that didn't get eaten last night, and I expect you to be ready."
With his mind occupied by personal plans he was not ready to share with Spike, Xander got up and headed out to the
outhouse with no further fuss. Spike mentally patted himself on the back. 'Well, I need to take charge more often.'
The rest of the morning clicked off like clockwork. The plugs Xander had been fighting with on the tractor popped
off with surprising ease.
The chickens were fed, and Xander set up some floating jugs for the creek. With the ice gone it was the perfect time to lay out some lines for catfish.
He also rooted through the shed till he found his gigs. Xander snickered to himself at the thought of Spike going on his first trip frog gigging.
As soon as they had finished an early lunch, Spike himself hustled to the barn to retrieve the beloved Lincoln. He revved the motor and honked the horn. "Let's move it Lazy Bones."
Shaking his head, Xander grabbed his jacket and ran out the door. He was not entirely sure Spike would not leave him behind.
Part Ten
By general agreement Xander always drove. The cliffs were steep, shear drop off in some places. The dirt lanes were treacherous and something Spike had absolutely no experience with.
Besides, the car was Xander's baby. Possibly the only thing he loved as much as Spike, but Spike didn't mind sharing the man's affections. He knew there was room in Xander's heart for both of them.
With his eyes on the road and his mind on serious matters, Xander drove silently towards town. Spike, too, had his thoughts focused some miles away and kept his conversation to a minimum.
Anxious to hear the music again, Spike knew if they got there early enough the boys would let him practice with them before their evening gig.
Without wanting to hurt Xander's feelings he ran several conversations through his brain. Each of which would end with, "Why don't you drop me off while you go to the lumber yard."
He just wasn't sure how they started.
"Spike!"
Xander had been watching him for several minutes and had a fairly good idea where his lover's thoughts had
wandered to.
Spike jumped at hearing his name. "What? Sorry, I guess I was daydreaming."
Xander smiled. "I said why don't I drop you off at the tavern. You can visit with the guys while they practice. I don't think you're too interested in two by fours or floor braces are you?"
Spike pretended to huff.
"Well actually I am very interested in four by twos and flat brackets, however if you are anxious to be shed of me I will most gladly leave you to run the errands alone."
Both knew the other too well and laughed their agreement.
It was middle of the afternoon and the town was bustling. Xander pulled up to the curb in front of the tavern and let
Spike out. "I may be a while so relax and I'll see you back here later."
Spike nodded gave a wave of his hand as he walked away.
Opening the tavern door, Xander heard more than one voice call out cheerfully "Hey! Spike!" The door swung closed and the voices cut off. The smile dropped from Xander's face and he drove away.
The afternoon was better than before. Jake had eagerly loaned his fiddle and just on the off chance that Spike came back, Manny had brought several sheets of music.
Pages that Manny and his brother never used and couldn't read, but Spike seemed to interpret and follow expertly.
Hour after hour sailed by. An ever changing audience of appreciative older men kept the musicians in bottles of beer
and Coke to quench their thirst during the short breaks they took.
Watching the clock on the wall, Jake was the first to notice the time. Stretching his arms high over his head he started to collect together his belongings.
"Damn near time to go fellas. You said you and your buddy are coming over to eat and listen?"
Reluctantly Spike handed over the fiddle and the sheet music. "Yes, he had some things to do, but as soon
as he gets back we will be over."
Brushy, who up to this point had never said a word nodded.
"Sure wish ya'll was a playin' with us."
Spike was touched. That was just about one of the most amazing compliments he had ever had.
The three men left and Spike remained behind to finish his bottle of pop and wait for Xander to collect him. Within minutes Xander rushed in, out of breath and red faced. "Shit, did they leave?"
Spike, worried that something had happened, put a hand on Xander's arm. "Yes, just. What on earth is wrong?"
Xander pulled his hand from behind his back to reveal what he had been hiding.
Thrusting the violin case at Spike he cut off the questions before they could start.
"Hurry up. It's only a block over and we can duck out the back door, cut across the parking lot and be there in three minutes. If I'm gonna listen to music tonight I want to listen to the best."
Spike tried several times to inquire who had loaned the instrument, but Xander seemed reluctant to say.
"Come on, we can talk about all the particulars later. Times a wastin' fiddle boy."
Hurrying over they arrived at the same time the other three did and were welcomed enthusiastically.
Xander stood back and watched as Spike left with the other members of the band.
The evening promised to be a memorable one.
Part Eleven
The VFW hall was already a bustling throng of activity. The room was set up with long white paper covered tables
and folding wooden chairs.
Old men, veterans of the first big war, were hustling around in white aprons settling families at the tables and carrying
large platters of spaghetti and bread to hungry customers.
Women were chatting happily with each other, thrilled at the luxury of being served and not having to cook and clean.
Men clumped in groups smoking, talking and sharing their expert opinions on any issue brought up for discussion. Children yelled, played and ran around despite the mother's less than earnest efforts to control them.
The musicians had their own table in the back room off the kitchen and were served free. Xander who had insisted on paying for his own, joined them eating quietly while the other four men spoke animatedly about what songs they would play.
They agreed that for tonight they would stick with only those songs that they had sheet music for. Spike was confident he could keep up as long as he could follow on paper.
They made arrangements to meet early each Friday to give them plenty of practice time before their evening
performances.
Spike had subtly glanced at Xander and was relieved to catch the slight nod of his head.
Xander sat back quietly listening to the excited exchange round the table enjoying the excitement even though it really did not include him.
He did his best to squash the feeling of jealousy. He was not ready to share Spike with these men. At the same time he felt ashamed. He didn't own Spike.
Spike had proven himself a million times to be a strong self sufficient man and Xander would not have it any other way.
Finally stuffed, full to overflowing on spaghetti and bread, Xander pushed himself away from the table and stood up.
"Well you guys need some time to get ready, so I think I'll go on out front. They'll be clearing away the tables and making room for people to sit and dance so I want to make sure I'm up front."
Before Xander made it to the kitchen door, Spike caught up with him putting his hand on Xander's arm. "I'm really nervous, Xan. I know this isn't the big time, but I really want to do well."
Xander held back for only a minute then thought 'fuck it.' He remembered what Joe had said and kissed Spike on
the cheek. "You're going to be great. I'm really proud of you."
Spike touched his cheek and beamed brightly, "I love you Xander." and he turned and rushed back to his fellow musicians.
Xander walked out into the main room of the hall to wait.
"Xander, over here." Joe waved his hand as he and a cluster of codgers sat together grumbling happily about the state of the world and the price of eggs.
Xander joined them.
"So your young man is playing tonight, huh? He pretty good with his hands?"
Xander laughed determined to no longer let Joe embarrass him. "He strokes the bow like an expert, Joe. I'm looking forward to helping him practice."
Joe hollered and laughed at Xander's bravado. Settling in, the four men came out and took their marks. Manny stepped up and introduced each in turn.
Xander thought his heart would explode with love when Spike was introduced as William Beemish and the crowd
applauded.
The room got quiet and the music burst forth filling the rafters and the listeners with sounds and feelings of the beat.
First one couple then ten jumped to their feet and began the stomping clog dancing that is regional to the mountains.
The temperature in the room rose sharply as the music sped up. Dancers moved till they dropped, exhausted, into their chairs. The floor vibrated with the combined thunder of everyone tapping their feet and clapping their hands.
Time flew by till at last someone in the back flipped the lights up to signal the last song. The room groaned in resigned protest. Spike was almost relieved.
He felt as worn out as if he were back on the docks. His arms ached from being held in position, and his fingers were
starting to cramp.
Xander laughed at the look on Spike's face knowing he would be giving one of his famous back rubs later on. Or not. Frowning, Xander realized it would depend on how things went in the next fifteen minutes.
As the evening ended, Xander went to the back to collect Spike who was carefully folding the music and packing
the fiddle.
Pushing open the back door the cool air was a shock against Spike's sweaty body and he shivered. Pulling his jacket tighter around himself, Spike stopped as he looked around for the car.
In it's place was an older pickup truck loaded with lumber. "Hey, you got the wood. Whose truck?"
Xander mumbled his answer and jumped in the drivers seat. Spike had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that he
understood what Xander had just said. "What?"
Shutting off the engine, Xander turned in his seat and looked Spike in the face. "I said it's ours. I sold the Lincoln to Mr.Anderson, the banker. He gave me enough for the truck and all the supplies we need for the cabin, plus a little extra."
Spike knew, but looking down at the object in his hands he had to ask anyway. "Enough for a violin? Oh God Xander how could you do that?" His blue eyes looked up searchingly.
"Jesus, Spike how could I not? The car was important for a certain time in my life, but that time has passed. Everything is different now. I did what I needed to do to help us build our life and our home. And you know what? I don't regret it for a minute. Seeing you up there, happy and making everyone in the room happy. How could a car compare to that? Besides I did it for me too. I expect you to entertain me with your playing every evening. So you see it's a gift with strings."
Spike groaned at the pun. "Take me home Xander. I think you owe me a back rub after that one."
Both men laughed as Xander threw the truck into gear and headed for the road out of town.
The End
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