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[18+] “Victor Tremblay in: Saving Wendell Olsen” by Pascal Farful (part 2 of 2, read by Carrizo)
[18+] Victor has found Wendell alive, but he must confess his truth to Julia. Though Ms. Burton's own secrets are beginning to come to the fore...
Today’s story is the second and final part of “Victor Tremblay in: Saving Wendell Olsen” by Pascal Farful, who has been featured in two anthologies by the Furry Historical Fiction Society, and you can find more of his stories on his SoFurry page.
Read by Carrizo, your Coyote in the Court.
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Transcript
Today's story concerns adult subject matter for mature listeners.
Speaker:If that's not your cup of tea,
Speaker:or there are youngsters listening,
Speaker:please skip this one
Speaker:and come back for another story another time.
Speaker:You’re listening to Pride Month on The Voice of Dog.
Speaker:This is Rob MacWolf, your fellow traveler,
Speaker:and Today’s story is the second
Speaker:and final part of
Speaker:“Victor Tremblay in:
Speaker:Saving Wendell Olsen”
Speaker:by Pascal Farful,
Speaker:who has been featured in two anthologies by the Furry Historical Fiction Society,
Speaker:and you can find more of his stories
Speaker:on his SoFurry page.
Speaker:Coming out can be a messy process, at the best of times,
Speaker:and too few of us are fortunate enough
Speaker:to have the luxury
Speaker:of the best of times.
Speaker:Relationships ended when an incompatible orientation is finally revealed,
Speaker:families begrudging the plans, the dreams,
Speaker:they suddenly find impossible,
Speaker:promises that must be broken.
Speaker:But ultimately we must remember that
Speaker:those promises could never have been kept,
Speaker:for they were in a sense
Speaker:made not by a real person
Speaker:but by a mask of an imagined other version of that person.
Speaker:And the fault lies not with them,
Speaker:but with those who imagined
Speaker:the mask. Last time,
Speaker:Victor Tremblay was hired to investigate the onset misery of Wendell Olsen,
Speaker:the husband-to
Speaker:-be of Julia Burton. Victor and his husband Charles located Wendell,
Speaker:finding him drunk.
Speaker:Through the course of this, Victor found that Wendell was hiding a page from a magazine
Speaker:in his pocket. Charles convinced him that he should confess his sexuality to Julia.
Speaker:Victor had left to get Julia,
Speaker:only to find her trapped
Speaker:by her rich and vile father Ulysses.
Speaker:Julia was able to inexplicably create a distraction,
Speaker:affording herself
Speaker:and Victor an escape.
Speaker:Read by Carrizo, your Coyote in the Court.
Speaker:Please enjoy“Victor Tremblay in:
Speaker:Saving Wendell Olsen”
Speaker:by Pascal Farful,
Speaker:Part 2 of 2 “You’re hiding something.”
Speaker:I said to Julia, stopping at the door to the room.
Speaker:“So are you,” she replied effortlessly.
Speaker:“What am I hiding?”
Speaker:She stared at me, not aggressively, but expectantly.
Speaker:I sighed. “I don’t know.
Speaker:But something,” I said, opening the door and gesturing Julia inside.
Speaker:I followed her in and closed it behind us.
Speaker:The room and its four occupants were silent.
Speaker:Charles sat on the chair next to the desk. I stood in front of the door.
Speaker:Julia stood beside the bed. Wendell
Speaker:sat upon it, staring up at her.
Speaker:“Julia! I…” His lips trembled.
Speaker:Almost begging her to interrupt him. To accuse him. To destroy him.
Speaker:Julia made no attempt to.
Speaker:When Wendell closed his mouth, she took a breath and nodded.
Speaker:“Wendell. I’m glad to see you’re safe.”
Speaker:She stepped forth and sat down beside her husband-to-be.
Speaker:“What would you like to talk about?”
Speaker:She knew. I couldn’t believe that she didn’t.
Speaker:I’m almost certain that she knew all along.
Speaker:She just seemed to understand that she couldn’t say the words for him.
Speaker:Neither could Charles.
Speaker:Neither could I. To save his life I would.
Speaker:But that would mean stealing the last grain of power from his hands.
Speaker:And I couldn’t bear to do that.
Speaker:“Julia,” Wendell started again.
Speaker:“Do you remember when we went down to the river
Speaker:at Camp Hampton? We sailed those boats,
Speaker:do you remember?” “Of course I do,”
Speaker:she said. “We sailed around under the stars. Why,
Speaker:you even tried to catch a few fish until they told you that there were none in the water.”
Speaker:“Yes, yes I did.” He smiled.
Speaker:The smile began to waiver the moment it appeared.
Speaker:“You remember that we met Derek?
Speaker:He was the one who lent us the boat. He told us
Speaker:how he’d sail that little boat across the lake,
Speaker:then park up on the far side and paint the landscape?
Speaker:He showed us the paintings of him and his…friend?”
Speaker:“Yes I remember,”
Speaker:Julia said. “You got on very well with him, didn’t you?”
Speaker:Wendell started to tremble and shudder.
Speaker:“He was such a lovely man. Wasn’t he?”
Speaker:With that, he shattered.
Speaker:Julia guided Wendell’s head against her shoulder,
Speaker:where he wept for a while.
Speaker:“It’s true, I’m gay, Julia...”
Speaker:He whimpered at last.
Speaker:Where the room should convulse from the weight of the words, no movement came forth.
Speaker:For a while, nothing happened.
Speaker:The only sound was Wendell’s sobbing.
Speaker:Julia kept holding him.
Speaker:Charles and I stood back.
Speaker:We let them have the moment,
Speaker:for as long as they needed it.
Speaker:“What now?” Wendell asked.
Speaker:“I have that under control,”
Speaker:Julia assured him.
Speaker:“First, we have to get through this evening in one piece.
Speaker:We’re going to have to make a public appearance before the night is through.
Speaker:Are you up to that?”
Speaker:She asked him. He nodded.
Speaker:“I’ll do what I can.
Speaker:They’ve been sobering me up a fair bit,”
Speaker:he said. She looked back to myself and Charles.
Speaker:“If you two are willing to continue helping, I can pay well.”
Speaker:“Of course,” Charles agreed.
Speaker:I was about to probe further about how all of these dots were supposed to join together, but Wendell’s safety was going to be more pressing.
Speaker:“Wendell isn’t going to be safe with your family and in this place,”
Speaker:I explained. “The sooner we can get him somewhere healthy,
Speaker:the better.” “I know,” Julia said firmly. “That’s all part of the plan.
Speaker:Just keep up appearances.”
Speaker:“This plan,” I began. “Tell me wh-”
Speaker:“Keeping up appearances,” Wendell repeated, now at his feet.
Speaker:“I’ve been doing it all my life.”
Speaker:“Not for much longer.”
Speaker:Charles assured him.
Speaker:“We know a place that’ll do you well.
Speaker:Once tonight’s done, you won’t have to wear a mask again.”
Speaker:Julia took a moment to compose herself.
Speaker:Arms behind her back.
Speaker:Eyes closed for a second
Speaker:in contemplation,
Speaker:then a deep breath.
Speaker:“Wendell, without ill-will,
Speaker:and for the best interests of both of us;
Speaker:this relationship is over,”
Speaker:She said at last.
Speaker:Wendell nodded. “Thank you.”
Speaker:“What does this ‘public appearance’ entail?”
Speaker:I requested. “An address,”
Speaker:Julia said. “Followed by a song from the band.”
Speaker:Suddenly there was a banging at the door.
Speaker:“Julia!” “Coming!” Julia slid immaculately back into the facade and stepped out of the door. Wendell pulled his suit straight and followed her out.
Speaker:Arguing began outside as I looked to Charles.
Speaker:My fox lent close and whispered.
Speaker:“Is Julia…” “I’ll tell you later.”
Speaker:The Burtons stopped arguing when Charles and I appeared.
Speaker:“The toast is in five minutes.” Ulysses informed us.
Speaker:“We will not have another scene, do we understand?” He said,
Speaker:firmly to Wendell.
Speaker:“Yes, Mr Burton,” Wendell said.
Speaker:“Good. And once that’s done, we’ll talk privately about your right to marry my daughter.” He said,
Speaker:before turning and looking past me.
Speaker:Past Julia even. Landing on
Speaker:Charles. -- “I’d like to thank you once again for coming along tonight.”
Speaker:Wendell spoke at great length,
Speaker:but said very little.
Speaker:What was said revolved largely around this central theme, accompanied mostly by microphone feedback more so than applause or attention.
Speaker:But he was a competent speaker certainly; if there was one thing he'd likely had practice at, it was putting on a happy, empty mask.
Speaker:Wendell and Julia stood on the stage at the far end of the main hall.
Speaker:I hung back a bit, both to give them space, but also to get a better view of the room.
Speaker:The steps up to the balcony were behind me,
Speaker:and Charles was stood at the top of the steps.
Speaker:Wendell finished his address, to light, slightly forced applause,
Speaker:then started to leave the stage.
Speaker:“That marriage is never going to work,”
Speaker:I heard Ulysses say to Charles from up on the balcony.
Speaker:“Love has a way,” my fox replied.
Speaker:“My daughter deserves better,
Speaker:much better,” the old fox continued.
Speaker:“Tell me, you’ve met my daughter now,
Speaker:you’ve been in this manor all day…”
Speaker:My gut lurched. I couldn’t believe he was going to try that.
Speaker:Wendell had stopped a few feet away, but it seemed like he couldn’t hear.
Speaker:A few more feet away, the stoat with the drinks tray had noticed that Wendell was alone.
Speaker:“Are you suggesting what I think you are?” Charles snarled.
Speaker:“I’m just suggesting
Speaker:that a better life for her is possible.
Speaker:And perhaps… a better life for you too?
Speaker:She would look much better with another red fox on her arm.”
Speaker:“I’m not for sale!” my fox growled.
Speaker:“Oh? Then to whom are you bound?” Ulysses asked.
Speaker:“Is it your ‘friend’, Mr Tremblay?”
Speaker:I turn and remind Charles “You don’t have to answer that.”
Speaker:“Does he always speak for you?
Speaker:Does he not treat you with even a scrap of privacy?” The old fox said, moving and blocking the steps between Charles and myself.
Speaker:“Care for another drink, Wendell?” the stoat asked.
Speaker:My gaze returned to the marble fox.
Speaker:“No,” Wendell grunted.
Speaker:“I’m not a drunk.” “Oh come on… just one sip,” the stoat said,
Speaker:picking up a glass and pushing it into Wendell’s paw.
Speaker:“You’ve already made a fool of yourself once tonight. What’s one more time?”
Speaker:And from behind me, I heard Ulysses say “Being a faggot can be cured, Charles.
Speaker:And I know just how to do it.”
Speaker:I turned just in time to see Charles’ foot bury itself in Ulysses’ ribcage,
Speaker:sending him spine-first into the balcony.
Speaker:Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Wendell tackling the stoat to the ground.
Speaker:In the far corner of the room, someone else threw a third punch. And thus,
Speaker:the lust for violence engulfed us all.
Speaker:I expected the three of us to get attacked as outsiders, but the rich seemed keen to fight among each other. It seemed
Speaker:like everyone wanted an excuse, and they’d finally found a good one.
Speaker:Wendell had swung the stoat out to arms length, then whipped him across the floor into a table covered in more drinks.
Speaker:It collapsed when the stoat slammed into it,
Speaker:pinning the man down and raining glass and spirits down upon his prone body.
Speaker:From behind me, Ulysses had got to his feet, swung at Charles,
Speaker:but my fox had been faster to connect fist with skull and send the old fox reeling.
Speaker:“Charles!” I shouted, running forth and stopping him from doing any more. “Leave it! He’ll
Speaker:have us shot!” “Son of a bitch had it fucking coming!” My fox snarled.
Speaker:“He does, but rich motherfuckers like him hold grudges,” I protested.
Speaker:“We’ve got to go, now!”
Speaker:Reluctantly, Charles agreed.
Speaker:We ran forth and intercepted Wendell.
Speaker:“Come on, we’ve got to move!” I shouted. “Where?” Wendell growled. “This is my home!
Speaker:You really believe there’s a better place out there for me?” He screamed.
Speaker:“We know just the place, come on!” I insisted.
Speaker:“What about my family?” he protested,
Speaker:ducking a bottle flying over his head.
Speaker:“You’ve seen what they’ve done to you!” Charles shouted. “Blood’s thicker than water, let’s fucking move!”
Speaker:“Where’s Julia?” Wendell asked as we scramble towards the double doors at the exit.
Speaker:What an excellent question.
Speaker:In all the chaos and confusion, the wise fox had vanished into thin air. -
Speaker:When we reached the door, the bouncer had picked up a chair and was beating back various members of the mob with it,
Speaker:and didn’t seem to mind the three of us making our escape.
Speaker:“Guess we found an even faster way to be ejected from the building than asking about all the stolen shit.”
Speaker:I quipped to Charles.
Speaker:“Are we going to leave Julia behind?”
Speaker:Wendell continued.
Speaker:“She’s undoubtedly the most capable person within the square mile.” I said.
Speaker:“If she didn’t ask for help,
Speaker:I’m damn sure she doesn’t need it.”
Speaker:He agreed and Charles led us towards the car.
Speaker:We rounded the corner of the building and approached the parking lot.
Speaker:As we did, I heard footsteps behind me.
Speaker:“Go, get to the car,
Speaker:I’ll be a few minutes,” I whispered.
Speaker:Charles nodded and led Wendell onwards.
Speaker:I snuck between cars, over to the wall surrounding the grounds of the manor.
Speaker:“Did you get them?”
Speaker:A male voice. European. Slightly French sounding, but not quite.
Speaker:It came from beyond the wall. “The
Speaker:Agora Diamond and the Kaber Mask?” Julia said.
Speaker:“Of course.” I heard something being exchanged.
Speaker:“Where are you taking them to?”
Speaker:Julia asked. “Samantha will be taking them to the FBI and claiming their bounty,
Speaker:which shall be yours to enjoy,”
Speaker:the European man said.
Speaker:“I trust you’ve enjoyed her assistance on this?”
Speaker:“Yes.” Julia said. “Though I dare say I
Speaker:wish to enjoy her under more intimate circumstances as soon as possible.”
Speaker:“Excellent,” the man continued.
Speaker:“Is Wendell safe?” “He’s with Tremblay and his partner.”
Speaker:“Charles,” the man said confidently.
Speaker:I flinched. It wasn’t…
Speaker:odd for people to know about us.
Speaker:But this wasn’t the best time to discover it.
Speaker:“That’s right. I can retrieve him from them if we doubt their ability to keep him safe?” “No, no. I trust Mr Tremblay. There’s
Speaker:not a safer pair of hands out there,”
Speaker:he said. “Very well,” Julia said.
Speaker:“And of my father?
Speaker:He will likely go after all of us.”
Speaker:“The FBI have been made aware that he stole them.
Speaker:The photographs you provided will do enough to see that he will not be a concern of any of ours for a long,
Speaker:long time.” “You helped me with this just for Wendell? You really
Speaker:don’t care about the money?” Julia said.
Speaker:“It was your plan, your information and your execution.
Speaker:I just laid the red carpet,” he insisted.
Speaker:“The safety of yourself and Wendell was the important part.
Speaker:Besides, I stand to gain a lot from the toppling of Ulysses’ real estate empire.”
Speaker:Realizing that they were about to move, I crept back across towards the car.
Speaker:As I did, I got a look at the man.
Speaker:A silhouette resembling a rodent.
Speaker:When I realized he was looking at me, I hurried.
Speaker:He had to have seen me,
Speaker:but he didn’t react in any way.
Speaker:Either he had no ill will, or his ill will was better served by me knowing he was there.
Speaker:I returned to the car and the moment my ass hit the seat,
Speaker:Charles began to drive out of the parking lot.
Speaker:I flung the door shut and strapped in.
Speaker:“What did you hear?” Charles asked.
Speaker:“I’ll tell you later,” I said. “But Julia’s safe.” --
Speaker:“We’re taking you to a commune run by a very close friend of ours out in Issaquah,”
Speaker:Charles explained to Wendell. “It’s a very queer place.
Speaker:They’ll take good care of you.”
Speaker:“What… kinda things should I expect there?”
Speaker:“Well, in return for food, shelter and warmth,
Speaker:they are going to expect you to work and help out.
Speaker:Maybe farming, maybe building stuff, mending things, repairing clothes, cooking food…
Speaker:wherever your skills lie.
Speaker:However, expect to have very affectionate men flirting with you all day and all night.”
Speaker:Wendell’s eyes went wide.
Speaker:He blushed a little and smiled.
Speaker:“I… like to help out…”
Speaker:“One more thing you should know,” I said.
Speaker:“The dress code is…
Speaker:‘optional’.” Taking Wendell to Larry had drawbacks.
Speaker:There would be drink at his commune,
Speaker:and someone would have to keep Wendell away from it.
Speaker:That being said, Larry is a good, safe pair of hands.
Speaker:There was ample sleeping accommodation there and letting Wendell live with a few dozen openly, vibrantly queer people
Speaker:would help him heal to no end.
Speaker:At the time, I couldn’t think of anywhere safer.
Speaker:We didn’t have room or food budget to support him at home,
Speaker:and everywhere else was a nightclub,
Speaker:which would have been even worse on the alcohol front.
Speaker:The only thing that worried me was if Wendell would find the commune’s overt queerness overwhelming
Speaker:if he was still finding his footing with it.
Speaker:The commune was in the middle of nowhere, way out in the sticks.
Speaker:It was surrounded by a small wood and sheet-steel wall covered in murals.
Speaker:Murals which espoused such things as
Speaker:“Seize the Means!”, “Adults only! Sin inside!”
Speaker:and “The Chains should be Consensual!”.
Speaker:Above the wall, you could see the tops of hand-crafted buildings made of wood and aluminum.
Speaker:The smell of barbecue, the sounds of cheerful hollering and music emanated from the place.
Speaker:I began to have second thoughts.
Speaker:But what choice did we have?
Speaker:We could have returned him to Julia, but I didn’t know who she was working with.
Speaker:Not at the time anyway.
Speaker:“Is this… it?” Wendell asked.
Speaker:“It sure is.” Charles said, almost wistfully.
Speaker:He climbed out of the car and we followed suit.
Speaker:Stood at the gate was a scrappy rat,
Speaker:dressed in a cut-off denim jacket,
Speaker:knee-high leatherette boots and a black studded thong.
Speaker:“Scratch!” Charles called, jogging forward and embracing and kissing the rat.
Speaker:“Howdy Charlie!” he replied.
Speaker:Charles released him and he looked over the three of us together. “Aw shucks,
Speaker:the three of you just got married and I missed it?”
Speaker:he said, in a soft, melodic and
Speaker:honeyed drawl. I glanced at Wendell to see if he was taking this well. But it seemed the fox’s only struggle was keeping his gaze at Scratch’s eyeline.
Speaker:The rat approached me, we exchanged an embrace and a kiss,
Speaker:as was the custom around here.
Speaker:Not an unappealing custom by any stretch.
Speaker:“This is Wendell.
Speaker:Wendell, Scratch,” I said.
Speaker:“Why hello Wendell.” Scratch sauntered towards him.
Speaker:“Damn good thing I practiced my court’sey”
Speaker:“Hello,” the marble fox replied, very formally, outstretching a paw,
Speaker:but not looking too closely to see if the rat took it.
Speaker:“Well don’t be shy now,” the rodent grinned.
Speaker:“My body ain’t no museum.”
Speaker:I heard Wendell mumble something,
Speaker:but I didn’t catch it.
Speaker:Scratch gestured the four of us inside.
Speaker:Charles took one of my hands and one of Scratch’s, with Wendell being offered one of the two free hands if he so wished,
Speaker:and taking Scratch’s.
Speaker:Walking hand-in-hand with another man without even the slightest hesitation was another comfort of this place.
Speaker:“It’s like a festival in here.” Wendell said.
Speaker:“Sure is.” Charles said wistfully.
Speaker:“How is this place so
Speaker:blissfully queer?”
Speaker:The marble fox asked. “Ain’t
Speaker:nobody out here to see us. Nor judge us, nor stop us.”
Speaker:Scratch replied. “Is Larry around?”
Speaker:I asked Scratch. “He sure is, last I heard he might even be wearing some pants,” he chuckled.
Speaker:Wendell’s footfall stopped.
Speaker:I was about to query it when the stout border collie in leather chaps and waistcoat appeared before us.
Speaker:“Larry,” I smiled. “Victor! Charles… and…”
Speaker:Larry began. Wendell and Larry’s gaze met.
Speaker:The marble fox blushed, tried to look away and failed.
Speaker:Suddenly, I remembered who was on that page of the magazine.
Speaker:“I don’t think we’ve met before,” Larry said, holding out a large paw.
Speaker:“My name’s Larry, Larry Lauderdale.”
Speaker:“Oh I… no, no we haven’t.
Speaker:Wendell. Wendell Olson,”
Speaker:the marble fox replied, taking the paw and shaking it,
Speaker:though doing so only seemed to make him blush more.
Speaker:I watched Larry’s gaze widen as he noticed something, then saw him almost instantly cover for it.
Speaker:“Well... pleased to meet you Wendell.”
Speaker:Larry said with that warm, fuzziness he often had. “Would
Speaker:you like to sit down?”
Speaker:“That would be lovely.”
Speaker:The fox smiled nervously. “I must confess I am
Speaker:rather familiar with your work.
Speaker:I just had no idea you were so…
Speaker:local.” Realization hit Larry for just a second, but then his composure returned and he nodded and smiled again.
Speaker:“Scratch,” Larry said. “Would you be able to take our guests through to the dining quarters? It’s nearly dinner time.”
Speaker:“Sure thing darlin’”
Speaker:The rat said, taking Wendell’s paw.
Speaker:Wendell and Charles followed him, but I stood still.
Speaker:“Uncomfortable?” Larry asked.
Speaker:I sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”
Speaker:The border collie put his arm on my shoulder. “I don’t blame you,
Speaker:Wendell’s been through a lot.”
Speaker:I closed my eyes. “Wendell
Speaker:doesn’t know you from a cereal packet, Larry,”
Speaker:I pulled the magazine out of my jacket.
Speaker:“He had this in his room.
Speaker:There’s a page torn out of it and folded up in his pocket.”
Speaker:I looked up at him at last.
Speaker:“It’s a picture of you.”
Speaker:Larry took the magazine and flicked through it.
Speaker:“I’m flattered.” I looked away again.
Speaker:“I should have asked you first before dropping a secret admirer who’s at rock bottom right in your lap.”
Speaker:“I appreciate your concern.” Larry said.
Speaker:“But I also appreciate that you didn’t exactly have the time to shop around for perfect outcomes.”
Speaker:“Certainly not outcomes that aren’t keen to sell him more liquor.”
Speaker:“He does more than drink.”
Speaker:Larry sighed. “I saw his wrists, Victor.”
Speaker:I gulped. “I didn’t…
Speaker:think to look for that.
Speaker:I guess I really haven’t been paying enough attention.”
Speaker:He pressed his snout to my ear.
Speaker:“You were a little busy saving his life, Victor.”
Speaker:Larry said. “You brought him to a safe, queer place.
Speaker:If he disrespects this commune, what it represents or the people who call it home,
Speaker:I won’t take it lying down.
Speaker:But so far, he’s been nothing but kind, respectful and polite.”
Speaker:I nodded. “I hope he becomes a wonderful part of your community.”
Speaker:“I’m sure he will.”
Speaker:Larry said, before pressing his lips gently to mine.
Speaker:Larry isn’t a man whose love I can resist.
Speaker:So I didn’t. We kissed
Speaker:and we held each other for a while.
Speaker:He eased from my lips, then licked my
Speaker:nose. “Now please,
Speaker:join us for dinner.”
Speaker:I nodded. Larry smiled again.
Speaker:“I love you.” He said, offering his paw.
Speaker:“I love you too.” I replied, taking it. – “...
Speaker:“...so then he figures out the smaller the pipe, the faster the water goes ‘cause there’s more pressure in it.”
Speaker:We walked into the large dining hall to find Scratch showing Wendell some sketches of pipes and plumbing,
Speaker:with Charles keeping watchful eye from a modest distance.
Speaker:“Gotta go set up the grill.”
Speaker:Larry said, before departing off to what seemed like an enlarged coal barbecue.
Speaker:I took a seat next to Charles.
Speaker:“You okay?” He asked, embracing, then kissing me.
Speaker:“I’m okay.” I replied, rubbing noses with me.
Speaker:“Lot going on,
Speaker:but I’ll get by. You?” “About the same.” He said.
Speaker:“How’s Wendell?” Charles grinned.
Speaker:“See for yourself.”
Speaker:“And you did the plumbing for this entire place?” Wendell asked.
Speaker:“Well, when you word it like that, it don’t half sound like a lot.”
Speaker:The rat blushed. “But I was just doing what I could to help my family.”
Speaker:“It’s still very impressive.” Wendell said with a smile, placing a paw upon the rat’s hand.
Speaker:“Oh shucks, you charmer you.”
Speaker:Scratch leaned forward and kissed Wendell on the muzzle.
Speaker:The fox blushed scarlet, then eased forward and pressed his lips to the rat’s.
Speaker:“Now he’s getting comfortable..” Charles whispered with a chuckle.
Speaker:“I think he’s going to make it.”
Speaker:The fifty pound weight in my gut dissipates and my eyes feel wet.
Speaker:“I think he is.” “What did you see in the parking lot at the manor?” my fox asked me at last.
Speaker:“Julia.” I said. “I heard her talking to someone over the wall.
Speaker:She was retrieving a few stolen artifacts from the manor.
Speaker:Had two accomplices.
Speaker:Planned to exchange them for a bounty. That was
Speaker:how she was going to fund her and Wendell’s escape.
Speaker:Then the FBI would arrest Ulysses for the theft.
Speaker:Us taking Wendell seemed to be an acceptable outcome,
Speaker:even if not the one she intended.”
Speaker:“You work out why Julia hired you in particular?”
Speaker:“Of course,” I said,
Speaker:“I’m the only openly queer private eye in Washington state. Who else was he going to trust?”
Speaker:I sigh and wipe my eyes.
Speaker:“Do you think Ulysses is going to find out where we live and come after us?”
Speaker:“Could probably find our house.
Speaker:But a communist commune three towns over? I doubt it.”
Speaker:Charles assured me.
Speaker:“He didn’t want Wendell to marry Julia, and he ain’t.”
Speaker:“He wanted you to though.”
Speaker:I reminded him. “Well
Speaker:yes but I very politely declined.”
Speaker:“Very politely declined your foot into his ribcage.”
Speaker:“It’s the most polite thing a person can do!” he grinned,
Speaker:flicking out his tongue to lick my nose.
Speaker:“Do you know anything more polite a man can do?”
Speaker:“You know what? Yeah,”
Speaker:I said, putting my hand on his crotch.
Speaker:“I think I do.” Charles encouraged me to unbuckle his trousers, but as I did, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a shadow stood on the edge of the commune.
Speaker:A shadow that looked a lot like a slender rat.
Speaker:The moment I saw it, the shadow turned and walked away.
Speaker:“You okay?” Charles asked.
Speaker:“Oh yeah.” I said. “I’m just
Speaker:fine.” - 8th of June, 1975, three years later.
Speaker:“Victor!” My run was interrupted by Larry’s voice.
Speaker:I paused, breathless, before I raised a palm to the horizon. For a moment,
Speaker:I wondered if it was just a mirage. Running, like dance, is an entrancing mistress.
Speaker:But through the haze, it was definitely him.
Speaker:My heart fluttered some.
Speaker:A run is very pleasurable when it ends in a man’s arms.
Speaker:Once I had reached him, the only disappointment was that I was too breathless to do more than embrace him.
Speaker:“Little way away from the running track, eh gorgeous?” Larry smirked.
Speaker:“Tough assignment.” I panted.
Speaker:“Really fucking with my head.
Speaker:Exercise fixes most of those problems.”
Speaker:“So that’s where these came from.”
Speaker:Larry said, poking my upper arm.
Speaker:“And these,” He added, at my thighs,
Speaker:“Oh and these...” and then lifted my vest to look at my chest. “They’re a
Speaker:damn sight smaller than yours.” I protested.
Speaker:“Yeah but when I first met you, you were a couple twigs bundled together.” Larry chuckled.
Speaker:“I bet it’s these tiny shorts of yours.” He said, patting my ass.
Speaker:“Only the skimpiest will do.”
Speaker:I said. “I have to be careful, you know, the people back in Seattle are starting to think I’m straight.”
Speaker:“We can’t have that now, can we?” Larry grinned.
Speaker:“Come on, let’s get you something to eat.”
Speaker:“I’m not hungry,” I said.
Speaker:“Bullshit! You’ve been running around for hours.” The border collie grinned.
Speaker:“At least fill up that water bottle.”
Speaker:“It’s half full!” “Half empty. Plus,
Speaker:there’s a ton of guys who wanna see your ass in these shorts.”
Speaker:I smile. “You make a good point.
Speaker:Alright, just remind everybody that I’m not a museum piece, ok?”
Speaker:Larry laughed and squeezed my ass. “Oh we know.” -
Speaker:I followed Larry into the commune.
Speaker:“Well well,” The voice is familiar. But the figure has changed greatly. Stood before me,
Speaker:in sturdy leatherette boots and a pair of denim shorts cut off
Speaker:about as short as shorts could be,
Speaker:is a tall marble fox, with glossy black eyes fixing me with a proud stare.
Speaker:“Dinner has arrived early, hasn’t it?” Wendell said.
Speaker:His eyes darted faster than mine. My heart fluttered a little.
Speaker:That anxious, terrified fox is gone. Long,
Speaker:long gone. I didn’t speak in time and he filled the space.
Speaker:“You will have to tell me
Speaker:who makes your shorts.”
Speaker:He said, strutting around me.
Speaker:“I… could say the same to you.” I stammered.
Speaker:“I was beginning to think you couldn’t.” He teased.
Speaker:It’s hard to describe how little expression the Wendell of old had and how profoundly, verbosely expressive
Speaker:this Wendell was.
Speaker:He moved with grace, talked fast, snappy, and in control. There’s
Speaker:not even the faintest whiff of alcohol within 30 meters of him.
Speaker:The scars on wrists and thighs were almost gone.
Speaker:I didn’t look for them,
Speaker:but Wendell refused to let their memory inhibit his new-found strength.
Speaker:He was handsome and pretty
Speaker:in equally large measures.
Speaker:I keep being unable to reply and he just grinned more and more. “Oh come on,
Speaker:do you do this every time a hot guy flirts with you?”
Speaker:“Yes.” I said without hesitation.
Speaker:Wendell cackled. “True enough. Me too.”
Speaker:He takes my hand in his paw.
Speaker:“Come, let's get you some water.”
Speaker:He led me over to one of the counters with stools around it.
Speaker:The counter top had a large jug of water and a collection of cups.
Speaker:He sat on one of the stools and I sat next to him.
Speaker:“You’re beautiful.”
Speaker:I said at last. Wendell smiled.
Speaker:“Thank you, same to you”.
Speaker:He said, this time in a softer tone.
Speaker:“This whole place has been so welcoming and transformative.
Speaker:I feel like I’m me at last.”.
Speaker:I nodded and poured two glasses of water from the jug,
Speaker:handing one to him and taking the other.
Speaker:“I’m glad to hear it.”
Speaker:“It’s thanks to you and Charles and Julia and Larry that it all happened.” He said.
Speaker:A flicker of something flashed over his face.
Speaker:“Have you heard from Julia recently?
Speaker:Is she well?” “Last I heard she’s seeing a woman named Samantha and is getting up to all the good things that entails.”
Speaker:“I’m glad.” He said.
Speaker:“It seems that everybody got what they wanted in the end.”
Speaker:His relaxed gaze moved back to my figure, scanning it in a way that sent a
Speaker:pleasing shiver up my spine.
Speaker:“And so, I must thank you again
Speaker:Mr Tremblay.” He said.
Speaker:He turned his figure to face me and I almost didn’t notice him spread his legs.
Speaker:“Please,” I smiled. “Call me Victor.”
Speaker:“Why of course Victor.”
Speaker:Wendell gazed deeply into my eyes.
Speaker:He placed his paws on my thighs. I made no effort to move them. I felt my loins stir.
Speaker:A hesitancy grew inside me to accompany it.
Speaker:“But it’s not the only name I hear my husband call you.” He said.
Speaker:I bit my lip. “Is that so?
Speaker:What other names does your man use for me?”.
Speaker:His paws started to wander up my thighs.
Speaker:“Sometimes he says you’re cute.”
Speaker:He said. “I’m not cute.” I objected breathlessly.
Speaker:Arousal began to overtake hesitancy.
Speaker:My own paws started to explore him.
Speaker:Long hours of work on the commune had given Wendell a slender, toned physique
Speaker:that my hands found great joy in caressing.
Speaker:His paws moved their way onto my shorts.
Speaker:Teasing my crotch through omission.
Speaker:My hands moved down to his hips.
Speaker:The denim of those skimpy shorts he wore
Speaker:had been heavily worn in,
Speaker:once stiff and uncomfortable, now soft and rugged.
Speaker:Befitting a man like him.
Speaker:“Sometimes he calls you slut.”
Speaker:Wendell grinned. He slid one paw up under my vest.
Speaker:“That’s a much better name.”
Speaker:At this point, we were all-but in each other’s laps. Nose to nose. Unmistakably stiff.
Speaker:“But do you know the name
Speaker:he calls you most?” Wendell gasped, his hot breath on my neck.
Speaker:“What could be better than Slut?”
Speaker:“Lover.” He grinned.
Speaker:His paws, having finished with my chest, found my shoulders.
Speaker:“If I wanted to love you and Charles too,
Speaker:just as I love Larry,
Speaker:and you three love each other, would you let me?”
Speaker:“I’d have to ask Charles.”
Speaker:I said truthfully. “But, if he agrees-” “When I agree.”
Speaker:“When he ag-” I sharply looked over,
Speaker:seeing Charles stood watching, shirtless in his jeans.
Speaker:A set of jeans that Larry had a paw stuffed down the front of.
Speaker:“Aw man, the two don’t have stagefright, do you?”
Speaker:Larry asked. “Oh no,” Wendell began sarcastically.
Speaker:“The male gaze, whatever shall we do?”
Speaker:“We’ll have to give it something worth looking at”
Speaker:I said, before finally pressing my lips to Wendell’s and
Speaker:starting to kiss him.
Speaker:It was a slow, sloppy kind of kiss. The kind you do when you want someone to watch. I learned it from a go-go dancer.
Speaker:I heard Larry pull down Charle’s zipper.
Speaker:I knew where this was headed.
Speaker:It was exciting, still something that occasionally took some getting used to.
Speaker:But it was what we all wanted.
Speaker:And from here, “we all” included Wendell.
Speaker:The embrace of debauchery would welcome the family’s expansion to four.
Speaker:Four men, contently unaware that
Speaker:the shadowy figure of a rat
Speaker:stood over us all…
Speaker:This was the second and final part of
Speaker:“Victor Tremblay in: Saving Wendell Olsen”
Speaker:by Pascal Farful,
Speaker:read for you by Carrizo, your Coyote in the Court.
Speaker:As always, you can find more stories on the web at thevoice.dog,
Speaker:or find the show wherever you get
Speaker:your podcasts. Happy Pride,
Speaker:and Thank you for listening to The Voice of Dog.
