It was the last summer they would spend together before Mark left for college. Both father and son made their annual hiking trip up north to the mountain cabin, something they had enjoyed doing for many years.
But this time, Mark knew that he had to get it out of his chest. So while they was absorbing and enjoying the trip, he was also a little bit apprehensive.
They were sitting down after a long hike. The view overlooking the lake was spectacular from up there. Mark was sitting to the left of his dad when he finally got the courage to say what was on his mind.
“Hey dad, I need to tell you something, and I hope you’re not going to be disappointed in me.” he began.
His dad looked at him with a puzzled look on his face. Mark took another deep breath and continued.
“Dad, I’m gay.” he confessed.
What happened next was completely unexpected. Mark had ran through many different possible scenario of how his dad would react to this news. But smiling and laughing slightly was not one of it.
“Oh Mark!” his dad said. “I know. In fact, both your mother and I knew that you are gay.”
Mark’s eyes were wide open in complete surprise. “You did?” he exclaimed. “But how? I mean, was I that obvious?”
Mark’s dad shook his head. “No, no. You were not. But once we realized that you really never showed that much interest in dating girls, and when I accidentally saw pictures of naked men on your computer screen before it went to sleep, your mom and I knew.” Mark’s dad explained.
Mark was totally floored. He was shocked that his parents knew about him, but one part of him was glad that this wasn’t the earth-shattering event that he had imagined.
“Look, Mark,” his dad continued. “Nothing has changed. You are still our son, and we love you no matter what. If you are gay, so be it. We just want you to be happy and not have to hide who you are with your mother and me.”
Mark wanted to cry, but he managed to control himself and just gave his dad a smile. “Thanks, dad. I love you too.” he said.
They sat in silence, and then, Mark decided to go for it and reveal his other bombshell.
“There’s one more thing, dad.” Mark said. This time, he knew that what he will say will change everything. Again, he took another big breath.
“Dad, I have the hots for you. I don’t know why, but you were the one in my first wet dream. I feel damn guilty about it. I want you to know that I’m sorry.” Mark said. This time, he couldn’t hold back his emotion and he started to cry.
His dad grabbed hold of his son and held him tight. But once again, Mark received the reaction that he wasn’t expecting.
“It’s all right, son. I know. I’ve known this for a while.” Mark’s dad replied.
This stopped Mark completely and he pulled away from his dad. “You knew?! But how? How did you find out?” Mark asked.
“I saw you spying on me while I took my shower one morning. Since then, I continued letting you watch. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should let you, but I also didn’t want you to be weirded out by it. So I continued to pretend as if I didn’t know. So while I wasn’t quite sure what was going on, I had an inkling that wanted to see me naked.” his dad replied.
Mark sat there flabbergasted. In one instant, he realized that all of his secrets were really no secret after all. It took several seconds before he could find words to say.
“Does mom also know about this?” he meekly asked.
His dad shook his head. “No. She doesn’t. I didn’t tell her. Besides, I was sorta an accomplice in all of this by letting you spy on me.” he replied.
Mark did breathed a sigh of relief. He turned and look at his dad. His dad had gotten to be even more handsome as he got older. His salt-and-pepper hair just added to the distinguished look, and Mark knew that he was attracted to his dad even more.
“Go on, Mark. Tell me what’s on your mind.” his dad interrupted his thoughts as he looked directly in Mark’s eyes.
It took Mark a long time before he gained more courage to say it. “For the longest time, I had wanted to kiss you, and run my hands on your sexy, hairy chest, dad. It is what I think about at night. I know it’ll never happen, but just now, looking at you, it is what is on my mind.” Mark said. There was a hint of despair in his voice.
This time, it was Mark’s dad that remained silent as they looked at each other. Mark wondered if he had crossed the line, and that he had revealed too much of his sick obsession.
Suddenly, and without warning, his dad grabbed the bottom of the t-shirt he was wearing and pulled it up over his head. In no time at all, Mark’s dad was sitting next to him shirtless. His sexy torso, and that muscular, hairy chest that Mark had dreamed off all these years was displayed in full right in front of him. mark’s eyes roamed all over the object of his desire.
Finally, Mark looked back into his Dad’s yes, almost questioning what his dad was up to. But all Mark could see was the smile on his dad’s face, and in his eyes, there was almost an invitation to explore. Mark was still unsure, but he knew that he had crossed that line a while ago.
Tentatively, he lifted his left hand. He could feel it shaking slightly, but he continued the forward motion, as if his hand had a mind of its own. Slowly, his fingers moved through the empty space and reaching out for his dad’s gorgeous hairy chest. Only inches apart, Mark could already feel the heat radiating from his dad warm, sexy body. It will soon make contact with the object of his desire.
Ah yes... I remember it well... that moment of silence and uncertainty following that one final question... “are you sure?”... the unexpected look of guilt mingled with hope on his face... his eyes inviting me to be the one to make that first touch that would change both our lives...