Letting Go

By Michael Joseph

In the third and final book about David and Gun, we follow the couple and the two young men they brought into their lives in “Five At Table”, Tom and Chang. “Letting Go” weaves together a series of stories in which David and Gun help the two young men discover the paths that will take them out into the world. Along the way David must confront some of his own fears as well as a ghost from the past.

As “Letting Go” opens, David and Gun are enjoying life with the little family they’ve created. They’re on a trip to see the wonders of Angkor with Tom, the young man they’re mentoring, in celebration of his university graduation. But even as they’re enjoying the sights, thoughts of the future aren’t far from David and Gun’s minds as they try to help Tom to find the right career for him. Tom’s dilemma isn’t the only one facing them. The once “lost boy” Chang needs to think about his future as well, although right now he’s more preoccupied with his boyfriend, the young army man Den.

Chang and Den’s exploration of more extreme BDSM, as well as a chance meeting with a man from Gun’s past, has David increasingly curious about experiencing pain, a place Gun won’t go. Will this be the issue that finally drives a wedge between the two? And how will David deal with the opportunities that open up for both the young men he has loved and nurtured?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Joseph
• Release date: Oct 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301058723

Michael Joseph

Bangkok-based travel writer who occasionally makes a foray into fiction.

Book preview

Letting Go

By Michael Joseph

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Michael Joseph

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Kindly note: This book is for adult audiences only. It contains graphic descriptions of sex between men, which may be considered offensive by some readers.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author's imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical article and reviews.

Chapter One

David pulled his bicycle over to the side of the road just short of the stone bridge and looked over his shoulder to see how far back Tom and Gun were. They were still well behind, cycling slowly while gawking at the ruins of two small temples off the side of the road. David wondered if they had even noticed the massive gate with its crown of giant heads looming in front of them.

That question was answered moments later when Tom turned his head to look in front of him, and nearly crashed into Gun at the shock of seeing the huge portal. David couldn't help laughing. Come on you two, and watch where you're going. Let's walk the bikes across the bridge, unless you want to take an elephant. Just then, one of the huge beasts lumbered past carrying a couple of tourists across the causeway and into the ancient city.

No thanks, Tom said, shaking his head. I want to see it from down here.

David smiled. He knew Tom would want to take his time to see the bridge and the impressive gateway. Fine, he said. Do you want me to hold your bike so you have both hands free?

I'll take it, Gun said, reaching for the handlebars.

Thanks! Tom was already trying to get his camera out of his backpack. He hurried off to one side of the bridge. The ancient city of Angkor Thom, the capital of the Khmer empire for hundreds of years, was surrounded by a wide moat which was only crossed by heavy stone bridges at five points. All of the bridges, like the one they were on now, were lined with stone balustrades consisting of a long serpent being held by gods and demons from Hindu lore. It was meant to recall a scene from the Hindu creation myth, where the serpent was coiled around a large urn of milk while gods and demons played out a celestial tug-of-war, churning the milk into the stuff of life. It was a theme repeated everywhere at Angkor.

David and Gun strolled slowly across the bridge, taking their time since they knew Tom would want to examine every detail of the bridge and the gate.

I can watch your bike too, if you want to take some pictures, Gun offered.

That's okay, David replied. I've got plenty of pictures of this place, and I've also perfected the skill of one-handed photography if I do see anything interesting.

You're the complete professional, aren't you? Gun said with a grin.

Well, I try my best, sir. Sorry about the bicycles. I guess I should have checked with you first. David hadn't realized when he made the plans that Gun hadn't been on a real bicycle in many years. His poor Dom was looking very wobbly when the hotel dropped them off at the ticket booth and they set off on the bikes.

No problem, Gun assured him. It is, as they say, like riding a bicycle. I think I've got the hang of it again.

Well, it's only for today, anyway. We'll have a car and driver tomorrow to take us to a few of the remote sites.

Seems like you've planned this all out perfectly.

Thanks, but it's really just a sketch of a plan. The way Tom gets into this stuff, I don't know how much we'll actually see. I hope you don't get bored.

Gun smiled and shook his head. How could I be bored, in the middle of this? He gestured all around with his head. And as if the scenery weren't enough, I'm with my very special sub, who just also happens to be the best tour guide I could have for this place.

Don't forget your very promising protégé.

I haven't. Where is he, anyway? Gun looked around along the bridge.

David pointed to the gateway. He's already through the gate, and must have found the path up to the top of the wall. He's right there, next to the heads on top of the gate.

He's really in heaven. This was a great idea of yours, David.

It's what he wanted, and he deserves it, with nearly a 4.0 average. And we haven't even got to the good stuff yet. They continued on through the gate and waited for Tom. When he came down off the wall, they got back on the bikes and road the short distance to the Bayon Temple, in the middle of the old city. The massive Buddhist temple, with its towers topped by giant enigmatic stone heads, was one of the most impressive sights at Angkor. David found a place on the north side of the temple where they could leave the bicycles. He led them back around to the east side, where they could approach the temple along its grand stone causeway, guarded by stone lions and more serpents. He showed them the big carved reliefs that lined the outer gallery, and then took them up to the second level where they could get a good look at the giant heads.

David left Tom to explore and found a nice shady spot where he could sit and wait. Gun followed Tom for a little, but soon joined David in the shade.

He really does have the bug, Gun said.

Yes, he does, David agreed. I'm not sure even I spent so much time looking at the place the first time I was here.

I hope your friends have some ideas on what he can do.

I'm meeting them the day after we get back. I'm sure something will turn up. Anyway, he's got a place in graduate school already, hasn't he?

Definitely, but he still needs to choose a major to focus on. I think he could handle marketing or finance easily enough, but we need to figure out which one will serve him best. Gun furrowed his brow.

Don't worry. David leaned against Gun a little before going on, I've got a feeling things will work themselves out.

"Well, if you're optimistic, then I definitely won't worry."

They were sharing a little laugh over that when Tom came up, fanning himself with his hat.

Ready to move on? David asked.

Tom grinned and nodded.

Gun groaned as he stood up. Ouch, I'm saddle sore already.

David had to laugh a little. Well, you'll be glad to know we'll be walking for a bit more. Everything is close together here in the middle of the old city, so it's easier to leave the bikes where we parked them and walk around.

They left the big temple by the north gate and walked across the road. David led the other two down a small access road that brought them to a small field filled with big blocks of stone. Beyond the blocks rose a huge stepped pyramid that might have looked right at home in the Yucatan. Small construction cranes dotted a couple of corners of the structure.

This is the Baphuon, David announced. It looks like they might be finished with the reconstruction in a few more years or so.

They're rebuilding it? Tom asked.

Yes, that's how they restored temples in the old days. They took them completely apart and then put them back together again. Nowadays it seems they don't do that anymore. They just try to stabilize the ruins and keep them from falling down any more than they already have.

How long have they been working on this temple? Gun asked.

Well, they started in 1960.

Both Gun and Tom looked at David with eyebrows raised.

David laughed a little before answering the obvious question about why it took so long, "See, they started in 1960, carefully taking the temple apart stone by stone, marking each block, documenting where it fit and laying them out in the field here, as you can see. They were just finishing up the dismantling when the