Free Radio Boys by Sean Michael Page A

and this is my father, Lew Stearn.”
    His hand was taken in a loose, easy grip. “Hey Paul, Lew, nice to meet you both.”
    Thor kept his hand for a moment, stroking it with his fingers. “You’ve got a great voice.”
    “Thanks. I’ve got one hell of a band backing me up and fabulous tunes, so it makes it easy.” His hand was tingling, Thor’s fingers leaving a warm impression that felt so... God, he needed to find a live body and get laid. The man had only shaken his fucking hand.
    “I’ve got to say you don’t look anything like your publicity photos.” His hand was finally let go. “I’m from Albrechtville -- listen to your radio show every night if I’m home.” Thor laughed a little, the sound rich, from the man’s belly. “I recognized the voice but I wasn’t sure until you introduced yourself.”
    His mouth opened and Paul could feel his cheeks heat. He’d been at the radio station for six years, deejaying KBOW’s Love Songs, Requests and Lonely-hearts show, and no one had ever recognized his voice. Not even once.
    It was Dad who spoke up. “Yeah, I think it’s dumb as hell that they won’t use my boy’s picture -- like anyone would care that a blind guy was a deejay. Idiots. And Paul, you owe me twenty bucks. I told you eventually somebody would recognize you.”
    “You can’t tell me I’m the first one to recognize you by your voice! It’s... very distinctive.”
    Paul chuckled, pleased down to his bones. “People don’t tend to listen. The blind thing freaks them out and unless I’m doing...” He dropped his voice a half-octave, letting a little half-growl ride him. “’Good evening, lovely ones. This is Paul Michael Stearn with the Rainbow Room’s Loving and Leaving Show’, then they don’t make the connection.”
    Thor gave a little shiver and cleared his throat. “Their loss then.”
    “Thanks. Oh, and thanks for listening to the show, too. I’m a big fan of loyal listeners.” He reached for his tea, arm rubbing against Thor’s. Mm... muscles. Not like Schwarzenegger muscles, but lean, strong ones. “You a student at Albrecht?”
    Thor laughed, the sound cheerful. “I’m not the student type. Swim team coach. I teach diving on the side -- that’s my real love, but the coaching pays the bills and then they let me use the pool for my classes.”
    “Cool.” Paul chuckled as Dad gasped and the questions started flying. He listened with half an ear, focusing on the scent of Thor’s body and the sound of Thor’s voice.
    Dad was going on about snorkeling in Florida, retiring with his wife, living out his life on the beach -- when were classes? How much was the equipment? Etc., etc. Paul grinned and tilted his head as the band started warming up. There was something basically unnatural about the concept of being underwater. Thor was very enthusiastic though, talking about his dream to dive at the Barrier Reef in Australia.
    Every now and then Thor’s arm brushed Paul’s as he waved them around. Then he laughed again. “Okay, I’ll shut up now so we can hear the band. I swear Lew -- you get me started and I get... focused.”
    “I can understand that, Thor. It sounds fascinating. I’ll have to talk to Tammy, see if she’s interested. I wouldn’t want to do it alone.”
    “Never dive alone, Lew. Always go with a buddy. Hell, the same’s true for swimming. Always play it safe and never do it alone.”
    Paul shivered and finished his tea. Yep. Unnatural.
    Kathy’s powerful voice started, a capella. Low and rich, the song caught his attention, his focus. At some point in the set, his mug was refilled, Dad and Thor carrying on a soft conversation, the sounds of their voices comforting, easy.
    As Kathy’s set came to an end, Thor stroked gentle fingers along his arm. “I take it you’re not a water man, Paul?”
    “Me?” He grinned and shook his head. “No. Not at all. I bathe and wash dishes and water my plants -- that would be the extent of my relationship