Rough Road to Happiness

Rough Road to Happiness By Drew Hunt Prologue “Please, lift me up,” the child asked, looking pleadingly at the two adults as he held the brass angel tightly in his small hands. The men smiled at one another; this was the first Christmas of which their boy was really aware. Lifting the precious boy aloft, both men held him as he reached out and reverently placed the ornament in its rightful place at the top of their Christmas tree. Once the child had been lowered to the carpet, all three gazed at the decorated tree, with its twinkling white lights, gold and silver tinsel streamers and wide variety of ornaments. The adults reached for and took the other’s hand, silently celebrating their success at negotiating the many problems that had prevented them from enjoying the happiness they now celebrated. Chapter 1 The heavy storm clouds closed in. Flashes of lightning ignited the sky, giving brief glimpses of the northern Californian landscape. Through the pouring rain the brightly lit Vacancies sign beckoned. Pulling into the motel’s parking lot, David switched off the engine and prepared himself to face the short but wet dash to the motel’s entrance. He still had a long way to go. He was tired and felt an urge just to put his head down, rest and block out the world for a while. Waiting in line to check in, he couldn’t help but be captivated by the rear view of the studly African-American who stood in front of him decked out in his olive green fatigues. David realized he’d described the man as studly, even though he hadn’t yet been treated to a view of his face. He knew it was his uniform fetish coming to the fore. As he waited in line, the teacher kept taking long admiring and hungry looks at the well formed broad shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist. His gaze locked on the man’s glorious muscular ass. David was held captive by the view of the fearless defender of life and the American dream. He’d always been one for poetic flights of fancy. It was often his only escape from his otherwise hum-drum, boring existence. “You’re in luck, sir,” The female check-in clerk said. “This is our last free room.” The movement in the Marine’s uniform as he reached for the offered key caused ripples in the damp green material. Never had David been so jealous of a piece of fabric. The woman’s words finally penetrated his brain. “Damn,” David said under his breath. He’d have to try and find another motel. The Marine turned to face the teacher, who averted his gaze from the green clad goodies, but not before the defender of liberty had seen what David had been staring at. From the raised eyebrow of the Marine, David knew he’d been caught. “I’m willing to share if you’re interested?” The question, with its clear double meaning, caused the bulge in David’s pants to increase. “Uh, sure, thanks,” David managed to stammer out. Being a gentleman, the Marine picked up David’s small overnight case and carried it out of the reception room, David eagerly following behind. And what a behind, he thought.