Tony – The person who changed my life: Part 14 (finale)

It was tempting to languish in bed all day now that there was no obligation to go anywhere but we were both starving for food and it had been a long time since we had last eaten.

I got up and had a quick shower then put on a pair of pants. Tony did the same but didn't bother dressing. It felt so natural to see him busying himself about the flat completely nude. Every time I saw him I thought how lucky I was to have a boyfriend who not only loved me but was beautiful in every way.

I had plenty of ingredients to make a large mixed grill and it was ready in half an hour. This time we sat with trays on our knees to eat it.

'When we've finished this I want to go over with you my plans for getting back into the mainstream,' Tony said.

My mind went back to the previous weekend when, sitting in his bedroom, Tony had said he was going to draw up a plan and he was a man of his word and had done just that. A short while later we were sitting together on the settee and were looking at a folder that he had brought with him.

He had drawn up a list of objectives and goals covering the next two years. Against each he had identified the actions that he needed to take and the order in which to complete them. I was really impressed by the professionalism that the plan demonstrated but was a little worried that he might be trying to achieve too much in too short a time.

'I was thinking that I should be able to do what I want quicker than this,' Tony said when I pointed out my concerns. 'But it does depend on my being able to combine working with going to college and getting some experience with the local paper.'

Tony was planning to work shifts at the foundry where he was at present so that he was able to go on a daytime course at one of the higher education colleges. He hoped to achieve passes at GCE level in all the basic subjects. Assuming he was successful in that he would approach one of the local papers as a freelance reporter so that he could get direct experience of being a journalist.

'It's going to take up nearly all of my time,' he said. 'We may not be able to indulge in the pleasure pastimes we have been getting used to.'

I didn't need to think about this. Just having Tony living with me was sufficient pleasure and, if his striving to better himself meant that we did not go to the pub, the sauna or even cottaging, I was prepared to make that sacrifice. I had said I was prepared to support him and I meant to stand by that. The only thing however he would not give up was going to the gym. Since I was also enjoying and benefiting from that activity, I was in full agreement.

'I'm going to sort out the shift working at the foundry tomorrow and then when I know what time I have available I will enrol in classes at the local college. By June next year I should have some qualifications,' Tony said excitedly. It was good to see him so animated and I was happy for him.

The following day we both left for work at the same time which gave me a warm glow since it seemed to confirm our living together. I hoped for the day to go quickly as I was impatient to find out how Tony's first objective had proceeded

When he got back to the flat later that day he told me that it was all arranged. He would be working a shift from two in the afternoon until ten at night. This gave him the all of the morning to attend college. It was going to mean that for the most part of the day I would not see him but at least we would be able to cuddle up in bed together.

'I am going to have to go to the gym sometime in the morning,' he said. I understood and was sorry that I would not be able to go with him but he did say that he would change the his Friday session to Saturday so that at least once a week we accompanied each other.

'I'll start working those shifts from Thursday this week,' he added. 'So I will used my first free morning to go to the college and sort out a place.'

He had every confidence that everything he wanted to do would happen and I had no doubt he was right. Very soon I was coming home to an empty flat while Tony finished his shift. But knowing that at half ten he would come through the door hungry for both food and me gave me the incentive to ensure that a hearty meal was ready for him and a welcome bed. It did mean that I never got to bed before midnight and that after we had made love it was nearly one before I could shut my eyes. But I never got tired in the daytime because of it and the routine we made for ourselves kept us stimulated. A lot of the time when I was on my own I went to the gym and the extra exercise started to show in my improved physique. I would never be as muscular as Tony but I began to look much fitter and trimmer.

Needless to say his plans came to fruition but it was mainly because of his positive attitude as well as hard work and natural ability that saw him succeed. I don't think I have ever seen anyone who immersed themselves in work like he did and still remained happy. The weekends became very important to us and he allowed himself to leave his studies for pleasure pursuits on Saturday nights. Then we usually alternated between the sauna and the pub. The latter enabled us from time to time to meet guys we wanted to be friends with as well as indulge in shagging and soon we had quite a social life although it was restrained in terms of time available. We also kept in touch with Chris and as well as having a taxi service that was cheap and reliable we also spent many happy nights together.

I also sorted out a lot of things that I had been intending to do but had somehow put off. The most important being telling my parents that I was gay and living with a fantastic man. This was not the easiest thing to do as I expect nearly all gay men will know but it had to be done and I thought it best to do it face to face. I took a couple of days off work as I did not want to waste a precious weekend on this errand. Initially my parents were glad to see me but their mood changed when I told firstly that my engagement was off and then about my sexuality.

I think it was more disappointment they felt but also they had been looking forward to one day being grandparents and it was now apparent that this would not happen through me. I told them about Tony and said that I wanted them to meet him but nothing was arranged and I went back home to my flat feeling a bit deflated.

Another thing I had done was to have a telephone installed. This was a great help to both Tony and me as he could easily keep in touch with his Mum and sister and I was able to speak to my parents. I rang them soon after I had given them the news and the frostiness that had developed after that seemed to be thawing. My Mum especially started asking questions about Tony wanting to know more about him. There was no indication that they wanted to meet him though. Even when Christmas came they did not make the suggestion that we should both go and spend time with them and so we spent it at Tony's Mum's flat instead.

June soon arrived and Tony sat his exams. A few weeks later he learnt that he had passed all of them with distinction. He now had six GCEs to his name. Unbeknown to me he had already started studying journalism and had put together a folio of articles he had written, I do not know how he had found to time to do this but it was typical of the way he applied himself to tasks. Now that he had his exam results he wrote to all the editors of the local press enclosing a copy of his folio.

Within a week he was invited to interview at the Birmingham Post. They were impressed by his ability and asked that he, as a freelance correspondent, submit articles which they would consider publishing. He jumped at the chance and now, since he did not have college commitments in the morning he used that time to research the subjects he would be writing on and interview people. Over the next six months he submitted weekly articles all of which were published. His easy style of writing prompted members of the public to write in to the paper and comment on the views and opinions that he expressed. He even received private fan mail.

He made such good progress and impressed his editor so much that in January they offered him a permanent position on the paper as well as the opportunity to attend a journalism course which they would pay for. This was more than even his plans had allowed and he jumped at the chance. He left the foundry immediately and our lives became a little more normal again as he managed his time to allow us to be together more.

He still worked furiously hard and was given more and more assignments. Nothing seemed to phase him though and he always provided good copy to the deadlines he was given. The journalism course helped him to hone his skills still further and he started to attract the attention of the national press. With the permission of the Birmingham Post he wrote a monthly article for the Daily Mail and his witty style and erudite comments brought him immediate praise from the public. It also brought in a significant amount of money as well.

With his new found wealth Tony bought a car and for the first time we could travel where we wanted.

'Let's go and see your parents,' he said one day. 'It's little more that an two hours away up the motorway.'

'Ok,' I said without really thinking. 'I'll give them a call to say we are coming up.'

'No, don't do that' he said. 'Let's surprise them.'

I had kept in touch by phone but had never been to see them again since the time I had told them I was gay.

What the hell I thought. If they turn out to be rude to Tony I will just suggest to him that we turn round and head straight back home. Just on the off chance that they ask us to stay we packed a suitcase and put it in the boot of the car and headed off. It was a Saturday morning in early summer and the motorway was fuller than usual with cars going on weekend jaunts. This was the first time we had used the car for this purpose as well.

It took over two hours to reach my parent's house. My father was playing golf but my Mum was in. I still had a front door key and let myself in to find Mum in the kitchen.

'Hi Mum,' I said. I saw a look of astonishment in her face at my unannounced arrival but I didn't react to it. 'This is Tony.'

'I'm so very glad to meet you,' Tony said with a broad smile before she had a chance to utter a word.

I don't know if it was just his natural charm or the skills he had learnt as a journalist but he broke down all the barriers my Mum might have built up against him in one fell swoop.

The shock she had had in seeing me arrive unannounced with my boyfriend and the warmth of the greeting expressed by Tony completely disarmed her and she hugged me tightly and looked over my shoulder at Tony.

'Welcome,' she said directly at Tony and I could hear tears in her voice. 'I'm equally pleased to meet you too.'

She let me go, Why didn't you tell me you were coming to see us?' she asked.

'We only decided on it this morning and then we thought we would surprise you,' I told her. 'Let me put the kettle on and then we can sit down and have a chat. Is dad playing golf?'

'Yes, he won't be back for a couple of hours yet,' she replied leading Tony into the living room while I stayed in the kitchen and made the tea.