Robbie Roberts dragged his suitcase into the room, turned to lock his hotel room door and immediately fell onto the bed.

"Holy shit!" he exclaimed aloud. "Did my dad just tell me that he was gay? Or bisexual?

What the hell is that? Bisexual?"

The conversation of the last hour had to be processed. Not only had his father told him that he was "bi' but he told him in front of Cee Jay as the two of them held hands. "So all along his buddy is really his lover," he thought. "And Cee Jay is Barbie's teacher! And Dad said that mom was at home telling her the same thing he and Cee Jay had just told me. What the fuck am I to make of this? He loves Mom, always did, but now he also loves the guy he loved even before I was born. ... What the hell! ... And Mom knows all about it. And accepts it, for Christ's sake!. I can just picture Barbie screaming as mom tells her that her senior year English teacher is Dad's lover.

I thought something was up on Christmas when Dad suddenly said that he would go skiing with Cee Jay and me. I had asked Cee Jay to teach me how to ski and he agreed to take me to the Pocono Mountains during the holidays. Then Dad suddenly invites himself and decides that the three of us would stay in this hotel for three nights.

When we checked into the hotel, the three of us went to the same room, the one I thought Dad and I would share. Turns out this room only had one queen-size bed, so I thought it was Cee Jay's room. Then Dad dropped the bomb by giving me a key to my own room and telling me that this was his and Cee Jay's room. I guess he saw my immediate surprise, so he told me to sit down in the chair. He and Cee Jay sat on the edge of the bed. As Dad began to talk, I saw Cee Jay grab his hand and hold it as if he were giving him moral support..

Dad said, "I've been wanting to tell you and Barbie about Cee Jay and me for some time, and thought this get-away would be the best way to tell you. Cee Jay, your mom and I have discussed it and we all agree that you and your sister should know. You see, Robbie, Cee Jay and I knew one another in New York before you were born, but lost touch until this October when we met at the Mountain Ridge High Parents' Night. I loved Cee Jay when we knew one another in New York, but he was busy working on his doctorate and hardly gave me a second thought. When we met in October things were very different and we both are very much in love."

"And what about Mom?" I had asked.

"Your mother and I are still also very much in love. We always will be. We will not get a divorce, if that's what you're thinking. You see, Robbie, I am bisexual. That means that I like to have sex with men as well as women. Cee Jay, here- on the other hand- is homosexual or gay. He only has the capacity to love men, but we never had sex back then. Your Mom knew about my bi-sexuality before we were married; I had even discussed Cee Jay with her before you were born. The truth, Robbie, is that I had sex with quite a few men before you were born; but since then, I have been 100% faithful to your mother. But now with Cee Jay reentering my life, I have renewed long suppressed feelings and needs."

"I bet this is all probably mind blowing to you," Cee Jay said entering the conversation for the first time. "Please understand that I will never come between your Dad and mother. I think it is fair to say that we love your old man here equally and that he loves us equally too. Your dad is one of those rare human beings who has great capacity for love and the ability to express that love regardless of traditional sex rolls. I really admire him for that ability and his honesty and courage to talk to you about this so openly."

"Your mother, Cee Jay, and I agree that you kids are mature enough to know the truth and that we should not have to hide our feelings for one another in front of you," Jamie said to his son. "Barbie may already be suspecting something between me and Cee Jay, so the three of us want to clear up any doubts about why Cee Jay and I are spending so much time together."

"I must admit that it is awkward for me to see your sister in my classroom after I have been with your father," Cee Jay said. "She is a very intelligent and insightful person. In less than two years you too will probably be in my class. I need to be honest and respectful of you both."

"Wow! I need time to take all of this in," Robbie had said getting up from the chair. "Thanks for confusing the hell out me." Jamie and Cee Jay both noted the sarcasm in Robbie's voice.

"Well, here's a first for you, Robbie: the key to your own hotel room. Think about what we told you, and we'll call you in about an hour to go for dinner."

Back in his own room, Robbie really was confused. He didn't know whether he should cry, kiss his dad, hug his father's lover, or what? He knew that Cee Jay- or Charles John Seton, Ph.D. - had the reputation of being a good but hard- ass teacher at Mountain Ridge High. Barbie had told him she thought Cee Jay was the best teacher she had; and for her to say that, meant he really must have been super good. Robbie also liked to be around him when he came over to their house just to shoot hoops or talk. Whenever Cee Jay saw him in the halls at school, he always gave him a special 'Hi' or tap on the shoulder. Yeah, he was a good guy. But dad's bi-sexual lover? That would take some getting used to. He didn't even want to think of it. Two guys kissing, holding hands, jerking off together, or even fucking or sucking. ... Ugh! ... Disgusting! Just for a moment he thought of his father and Cee Jay together in that queen-sized bed and wondered who did what to whom. He never thought of either man as anything but masculine. At school the guys who were called gay or faggot were all effeminate. His father certainly was not effeminate. Neither was Dr. Seton. So, how in hell could he be gay and his father "bi"?

About four years ago when his dad explained to Robbie about female parts and menstruating and how babies were conceived and born, he never said anything about being gay or "bi" then. He just talked about love and "doing what comes natural." He also lectured his son on being "safe" with girls and not over-doing masturbation. He was glad that his father spoke to him so openly about sex then; but he never mentioned anything about two guys doing it together. Those ugly details he was getting from his friends and other basketball players.

He was anxious to call his sister to see if she and his mom had their 'little talk' about dad and Cee Jay yet and get her view.

The hotel room phone rang before Robbie could call Barbie.

"Hello, Robbie. This is dad. Are you about ready for dinner?"

"Yeah. I'm about as ready as I'll ever be today."

"Okay, We'll stop at your room on the second floor on our way down from the third. Hey, I just realized you must be directly under us. Your room number is 240. Ours is 340."

"Oh, great. Now I have to put up with a creaking bed above me all night." Robbie said in his most sarcastic tone.

"Don't be such a smart ass," Jamie admonished and then quickly added: "See you in five, buddy."

Five minutes was not enough time to call home. He and his older sister would need more than five minutes to discuss the adults in their lives.

Robbie hated the thought of seeing Cee Jay and his dad; but since they skipped lunch, he was hungry, and he realized that sooner or later he would have to face the two "love birds," AKA sex deviants; so he was glad when they knocked a few minutes later. Robbie was startled to see the two men were well groomed, shaved, washed, and dressed in smart looking slacks and jackets and wearing almost matching ties. He had not changed clothes and was still in his jeans and plaid flannel shirt and white sneakers.

"Had I known we were modeling for GQ tonight," he said sarcastically.

"I would have worn my tuxedo. This is a ski resort hotel, isn't it?" "You might want to put on your denim jacket, Robbie. It's pretty cold out and we have to walk a short distance to get to the dining room," Cee Jay advised.

Robbie opened his suitcase and took out a jacket that he had packed. "mmm," Cee jay remarked eying Robbie from foot to head, "You know, in that jacket you almost look as sexy as your father."

"Yeah, sure. But remember, he's your boyfriend; not me. So don't try anything."

Robbie chuckled along with the two men as they left 240 and headed to the elevator.

The Manor's main dining room was rustic in an elegant way. The flooring was dark brown wood. One full side wall was red brick, opposite a full wall of glass sliding doors that in spring and summer would open to a spacious patio overlooking the current ski slopes. Dim lighting came from lanterns hanging from rafters. The ceiling was slanting upward, giving the room a barn-like feeling. On each of the wooden tables was a small votive candle and four checkered place mats. A young mater de escorted the threesome to a table with a fine view of the slopes where a few stragglers were enjoying the last rays of light on the snow.

Robbie felt tense. The two adults felt awkward. All of them wished the feeling and the silence would end. They were glad that a waiter quickly came to their rescue. "My name is Daniel, and I'll be your waiter this evening. May I get you gentlemen a drink while you look at the menu?"

Cee Jay did the ordering. "Robbie, what will you have?"

"A vile of poison, please," was Robbie's sarcastic response. Daniel and the two men gave a shocked look, a slight gasp, and then a smile.

Chuckling, Cee Jay said, "You'll have to excuse the boy. He's had one of those days."

Robbie did not miss the emphasis Cee Jay gave to the word boy. He knew exactly what Cee Jay intended by using it. "What 'the boy' meant to say was that he will have a coke. These two 'boys' will undoubtedly have the poison of their own choosing, which is to say, 'extra-dry martinis on the rocks, one with a lemon twist and one with olives.'" Cee Jay and Jamie looked at one another, then smiled and nodded to the waiter who grinned politely and quickly walked away.

"Someone knows us very well," Jamie said to Cee Jay.

"Indeed! But methinks the lady- er- the lad- doth protest too much, my lord."

"Sire, I do protest! I have indeed had one of those days. The news of the day is most disturbing."

"Very good, Robbie! Thou hast, indeed, heard the worst. But we mark with pleasure that thy humor is untainted. Thou art a true prince in that."

Jamie had no idea what the banter between his son and lover was about, but he was happy when Robbie, paused, smiled, and said to him.

"Dad, I guess you are right. I have been a smart ass. I'm sorry, but I still haven't gotten over the story you guys gave me this afternoon."

"I know, son. It may take a long time for all of us to fully understand it; but Cee Jay and I will help you to realize the truth about us and that it is best that you know it." Jamie paused. "And have heard it from us first," he added.

Daniel came back with their drinks. "One coke for the young man," he said placing it in front of Robbie. "And two vials of poison for the gentlemen. Now who gets the lemon?"

"If by 'lemon,' you mean 'the boy,' I do," Jamie said. "Because he is my loving son."

Daniel chuckled. "Oh, I'm really going to enjoy serving you guys. How long will you be staying at the Manor?"

"Three very long nights," Robbie offered.

"I guess you are here then for the special, two-day 'Learn to Ski' package."

"That's right," Jamie said. "My son has a lot to learn about skiing..... and other things."

"I understand." Daniel winked. "Now, are you ready to order?" The order was given and Daniel went into the kitchen. Cee Jay made a quick toast. "Here's to us and a great learn-to-ski experience." The other two said, "Here, here!" and the men began zipping their beverages.

During the meal, Cee Jay told Robbie that he had signed them both up for the beginner class in order to assist Robbie with getting adjusted to the skis and slopes and giving him moral support. Meanwhile, Jamie would immediately hit the intermediate slope and they would join him after the two-hour class was over for a hot cider on the patio before all of them took the pulley rope up the intermediate slope.

After Cee Jay signed the ticket for the meal and the men left the restaurant, they decided to walk around the resort gift shop, lobby, and game rooms where they played a game of pool. It was obvious that Robbie was the hustler who badly beat his father and Cee Jay and won three dollars from each of them. With his $6.00 in hand, Robbie then insisted the men go with him into the gift shop to get a cup he saw earlier with a picture of the resort painted on it.

While passing the indoor, heated swimming pool and hot tub, they decided that they would change into their swim suits and enjoy the pool before calling it a night.

An hour later Robbie was changed and ready to try out the pool. This time he was happy when the men knocked on his door. Opening it, he was startled to see both men in bathing suits. True Robbie had seen his father in a bathing suit before, but never really gave it a thought. But it was Cee Jay that caught him a bit off guard. The usually casually- dressed but fashionable English teacher stood at his door in a red Speedo bathing suit.

Robbie had never thought that he would be so muscular with a chest with just the right amount of hair to accentuate his well- defined abs. Just for a moment Robbie spied Cee Jay's also well-defined crotch. It was then that he realized that his father, who usually wore baggy surfers like his own, was now also wearing a black Speedo suit. As he grabbed for his room key on the dresser, the thought entered his mind that both men really had good-looking, well-toned bodies. Even he could see and admire this fact. Is this what attracted gay – er- 'bi' men to each other? he thought.

They checked in with the pool receptionist, got their towels, and staked out three chaise lounges at the deep end. The pool was crowded with noisy little kids, splashing with plastic life preservers on their arms and parents gathering in groups to walk, talk, and cheer on their little charges. Robbie watched Cee Jay jump right in and begin to swim laps like an Olympian. His father followed but his stroke and breathing were way off; his abilities in the pool were about the same as his own. Robbie just sat at the edge watching the kids splashing. He wondered if any of those proud-looking daddies were also "bi." He remembered going to pools and lakes with his own proud dad and always liked the idea of splashing around with him. He loved those times. He loved his dad. But now his dad also loved Cee Jay. Robbie wondered if he could also ever love Cee Jay. He knew he could never ever, ever, ever love both of them in a physical way; but he did really love his father, and if his father loved Ce Jay the way he loved his Mom, maybe he could someday love Cee Jay too. But definitely not today! he thought. After a while both Jamie and Cee Jay swam over to him. They said that the pool was too crowded for any real swimming so they were going into the spa. Robbie declined their offer to join them opting instead to stay at the pool

When the men got out of the pool, Robbie jumped in, got himself wet over his head, swam a few laps but was frequently bumping into people, tried walking and jumping, and floating before just stopping at the shallow end before sitting on the edge. He was totally lost in thought when, seemingly, out of nowhere he heard someone call him.

"Hey, Roberts," the voice said. Robbie turned to his left and saw a young man approximately his own age who was also sitting on the edge about six feet away. Robbie did not recognize him, but returned the "Hi" anyway.

The stranger slide into the shallow water and walked over to Robbie.

He jumped up to sit next to Robbie. "You are Robbie Roberts from Mountain Ridge High School, aren't you?"

"Yes," Robbie said with hesitation. "Do you go there too?"

"You betcha," the stranger said. I thought I recognized you. My name's Donavon Rice. Most kids just call me Don, however." He extended a hand and Robbie shook it. The boy's grip was firm and Robbie immediately sensed a genuine friendliness and bond. "I'm in a class with your sister Barbie. We have English together. Is she here with you?"

"No I'm here with my dad ..." Robbie found it difficult to add to the sentence.

Donavon ended it for him. "And Dr. Seton. Yes, I saw the three of you in the dining room earlier. I'm here with my mother, step-father and little sister."