A ROCKY ROAD
CHAPTER NINE
On Wednesday of the following week, TJ received a phone call from Richie, a senior and his best friend on the swim team. They chatted for nearly twenty minutes about their summer activities and other teen- centered concerns before Richie said, "It'll be an awesome year, TJ. I think we'll have a great season. We did all right last year but I think we'll make it to the State finals this year."
TJ faced a dilemma. Should he tell Richie that he wouldn't be competing? Surely, Richie would ask why. Then he would either have to lie or tell the truth about why he would not be on the team. Since Richie had been his best friend for three years and because he no longer feared that his parents would learn his secret, he decided to come out to his friend and hope that it wouldn't destroy their friendship.
"I'll be cheering for you but I won't be on the team this year."
"What?" Richie exclaimed. "You can't quit on us!"
"I'm not quitting. The coach kicked me off the team."
"What?" Richie yelled. "You're our best swimmer! You're a shoo-in for captain. What the fuck was he thinking?"
"He's thinking that I will corrupt the team. He found out that I'm gay and said he wouldn't have a queer fag in the locker room, the shower, or the pool."
There was a period of silence on the phone that seemed to TJ like it was much longer than it actually was.
"You're shitting me, aren't you?" Richie laughed. "No way are you gay!"
"It's the truth, Richie. I'm gay. And the coach is a bigot. Those two things just don't go together."
Another pause before Richie asked, "You're serious? Are you really gay?"
"Really."
"But you aren't ..." Richie cut off his sentence.
"I'm not what? Effeminate? Artsy? Touchy-feely? Those are the stereotypes, Richie, but don't be fooled by them. Lots of guys are gay, even some who you think are macho pussy-chasers."
"Christ, TJ! I've known you for three years. We've palled around together. As well as I know you, I never suspected."
"Neither did my parents. I came out to them last weekend. Mom was cool but Dad threw a fit and has hardly spoken to me since. So how do you feel about having a gay friend, Richie? Or are we no longer friends now?"
"Of course we're friends, asshole. I still think you're smart, a great athlete, and a helluva lot of fun to be with. I'm not going to stand by and let the coach screw you over ... oops ... I didn't mean it that way. I'm not going to let the coach kick you off the team."
"His mind is made up, Richie. There's nothing you or I can do about it."
"I can fucking-well try, God damn it. All I need is for you to answer one question. Is it all right with you if I go to bat for you?"
"It won't do any good! I tried to change his mind but he wouldn't even listen to me. My Mom said she had friends on the Board of Education but I asked her not to. I didn't want a big, political fight over me."
"Trust me, TJ. I'm not going to let my best friend -- and the best swimmer on the team -- get screwed. Oops, there I go again. What I meant was that coach can't get away with that kind of bull shit."
"I appreciate your offer, Richie, but I'll be all right. Not swimming with you guys will be a disappointment but I'll just have to live with it."
"The hell you do! Friends are friends, right? Which reminds me. I'm having a little party Friday night with the team, which is why I called. I'd very much like you to be there. Technically, you're still on the team until school starts next week. I know the guys would want you to be there."
Friday and Saturday nights were special to TJ because those were the nights he could spend with Neil. "Thanks for the invitation but I ... well ... I have plans for Friday night."
"Change `em, God damn it! It won't be the same without you."
"Richie, I'm going to level with you. Not only am I gay but I have a boyfriend. From Friday night to Sunday afternoon is the only time we have together."
"OH!" Richie exclaimed. "I see. Does together' mean ... like ... together'?"
"Draw your own conclusions," TJ answered. It was hard to tell his friend that he was gay but he was not ready to reveal any information about what he and Neil did together.
"Anybody I know?" Richie asked.
"I don't think so although you may have seen him watching a couple of swim practices."
"I think I have. Does he drive a blue Civic? The guy that drove you to the practices and home again?"
"Yes."
"Fine. Bring him along."
"But you said it was just for the team."
"I'm sure the other guys won't mind. And if it means having you there, then we want you both. Say yes because if you don't, I'll hound you until you agree to be there."
"I'll like to check with Neil. I'll let you know later tonight. Okay?"
"Okay. But persuade him. We really want you there, TJ."
TJ hung up and immediately called Neil. After summarizing the conversation with Richie, Neil said, "It's a shame there are not more people like that. Just the opposite of your coach."
"Yes," TJ replied. "Remember what Ramon said? Expect the unexpected. I was afraid Richie would hang up and then ignore me in school but it didn't seem to bother him in the least. He even invited me to a team party on Friday night. I explained that was about the only time I had together with my boyfriend. Now get this! He seemed pleased that I had a boyfriend! He even demanded that I bring you to the party. I don't know how you feel about it. Should I not go to the party, go alone, or would you go with me?"
"I'll answer your question, TJ, but first, I would like to know what your preference is."
"Here's one of those `be honest with your partner' moments, isn't it? Well, what I want most is to be with you. A close second is to go to the party. Therefore, my preference is for us both to go to the party."
"I figured you'd say that. Now it's my turn to be honest. I'm hesitant about going to the party because it's for your swim team. I would be an outsider. At the same time, I know how much your team mates mean to you. A party seems like a great way to be with them for the last time. All things considered, I think we should go to the party together. Maybe that's one of the things we'll have to get used to: going places and doing things with other people."
"Thanks, Neil. For agreeing to go and for giving me another reason to love you."
The original plans for the weekend were that TJ would drive to campus. He and Neil would then spend time on and around campus and, of course, a lot of time making love in his dorm room. Those plans changed little by attending the team party. TJ picked up Neil on Friday night in time for them to stop for a pizza dinner before the party.
On the drive to Richie's house, TJ gave Neil a summary of who he would meet at the party -- names, physical descriptions, and a few facts about their school activities. It did a lot to make Neil feel comfortable among strangers. In fact, it took less than twenty minutes for Neil to feel totally at ease.
They had also agreed that Neil would be introduced as a `friend' and they would be particularly careful not to give any sign of their true relationship.
They arrived at Richie's house at seven and were ushered downstairs to the very large family room. All but two of the team members were already there and the stragglers arrived shortly after. TJ introduced Neil to the group as `a friend' and, over the next several minutes, introduced each of the team members to Neil. Most of them, in meeting Neil, had something nice to say about TJ, which both pleased and embarrassed TJ.
To the accompaniment of typical teen music from the CD player, the party goers broke into small groups for talking, joking, and laughing. A sudden feeling came over TJ when he realized this would be the last time he would be among a group of boys for whom he held more affection than he had previously realized.
TJ and Neil stayed together until Neil became engrossed in conversation with a team member whose father was a music professor. TJ took the opportunity to seek out Richie.
It was just before eight when he was able to speak to Richie alone. "I wanted to thank you again for inviting me and Neil. It's great to be with all the guys. I'm going to miss that. But I can't believe you got the whole team here. Didn't anybody have other plans for tonight?"
"A few had plans," Richie replied. "But they changed their plans to be here. And you're wrong about everybody being here. The final guest is due to arrive at eight."
"But nobody is missing," TJ countered. "The whole team is here."
"It's a surprise guest." Richie dramatically looked at his watch and continued, "He's due any minute. If you don't mind, I'll go upstairs to let him in."
With that, Richie walked away, ignoring TJ's puzzled question, "Who is it?"
TJ found Neil fixing himself another diet Dr. Pepper and whispered, "Something strange is going on, Neil. Richie says he's invited a special guest but he won't tell me who it is."
Neil looked puzzled but was completely confused when the door bell chimed, somebody turned off the music, and two team members dragged TJ away. They led him to the sofa and told him to sit in the middle. The rest of the team sat on either side of TJ, sat on the floor in front of the sofa or stood behind it. TJ was surrounded by his former team mates and was thoroughly confused. Neil was escorted over to stand with those behind the sofa.
"What the hell is going on?" TJ demanded but his team mates just smiled at him and said nothing. He tried to stand up and leave the obviously conspiring group but he was gently and firmly restrained. TJ grew suddenly anxious and convinced himself that his team mates were about to spring some malicious practical joke, probably because Richie told them that he and Neil were queer.
Neil was also nervous and a little afraid that whatever the group had planned would embarrass or hurt TJ. He couldn't predict what might happen so he was at a loss to know how to protect his lover.
Just then, they saw Richie come down the stairs.
Followed by the coach!
"Oh my God," TJ blurted out almost unconsciously as panic began to overtake him.
"Thank you for coming," Richie said before Coach Harris noticed that TJ was in the group. The flabbergasted coach was so surprised to see the team surrounding TJ that he hardly heard Richie's next words. "We asked you to come here tonight, coach because we have something important to tell you."
"It better be important," the coach said while glaring at TJ.
"It is," Richie replied. "But before I get into the details, I should tell you that TJ and his friend Neil didn't know a thing about why I asked you here. They are as surprised to see you as you are to see them. Now, to the main point of asking you come here tonight. It's our understanding that you have kicked TJ off the team. Is that right?"
"Yes," the coach answered defiantly.
"And would you give the team your reason?"
The coach looked menacingly at Richie and said, "I don't have to!"
"No," Richie said calmly. "You don't have to because we already know. You found out that TJ is gay. Correct me if I'm wrong but you told him that you wouldn't have a queer in the locker, in the showers, or in the pool. Is that the essence of what you said?"
The coach was visibly shaken by the confrontation but managed to say, "Whatever I said to TJ was a private conversation. What's more, I'm responsible not only for your performance in meets but for your morals while under my charge. Is that clear enough for you?"
"Eminently clear, coach. Now let's talk about performance. Would you agree that TJ is the best swimmer on the team, that he consistently surpasses expectations, and that he is dedicated to the team?"
"He's a good swimmer," the coach grudgingly acknowledged
"He's more than good, coach. I speak for the entire team when I say he's the best swimmer among us."
"That's right!" three team members said in unison.
"Now," Richie continued, "Let's talk about the morality issue. Can you tell us one instance where TJ has said or done anything inappropriate during practice or a meet? Did you have any reason to suspect TJ was a bad influence on the morals of the team?"
The coach didn't know what to say because there had never been the slightest suspicion that TJ was gay. In desperation, he said, "He's homosexual!"
"We know that, coach. Or at least we do now. But none of us suspected it until just two days ago. My question stands: Has there been any evidence at all over the past three years that TJ was corrupting our morals?"
"No," the coach said softly.
"Then let me summarize, if I may. TJ is your best team member, perhaps the one that makes the difference between winning and losing a meet. Neither you nor any of us have had the slightest reason to suspect that he's gay -- no inappropriate behavior in the locker room or shower, no suggestive remarks to any of us about homosexuality, nothing at all!"
The defeated coach recognized that he could offer nothing in his defense. He had to concede that Richie's arguments were valid. Still, he clung to his belief that homosexuality was abnormal and sinful. Before he could state his case, however, Richie continued, "Now we come to the second and final reason we asked you here tonight, coach. I've spent the last two days talking to every team member. A few were reluctant but eventually we reached a unanimous decision. If TJ doesn't swim, neither do we!" Turning then to the team, he said, "Is that right guys?"
A thunderous chorus of Yes!' and Right' echoed in the room.
TJ had been listening in disbelief at what had been going on. When Richie announced that the entire team would quit, he couldn't believe it. But he had to; the ultimatum was unambiguous. The astonishing turn of events put him close to tears and it took his best effort to hold them back. Only by extraordinary force of will power, he managed to say, "Don't do this, guys. You don't have to give up swimming because of me."
His protest was greeted with Shut up, TJ!' We've all agreed,' `Right is right!' and other words of support.
Neil was equally dumbstruck by the support of the team. It was, he thought, yet another confirmation of TJ's superior character and his athletic ability.
"Now," Richie concluded, "You have a decision to make coach. Do you want a team of experienced swimmers with TJ as captain of the team or do you want the resignation of everybody here?"
The coach recognized that he had only one choice. "All right, TJ can swim." Cheers erupted from the team. When it was quiet again, the coach got in one final jab. Glaring at TJ, he said, "I'll be watching you, young man. One word ... one slip up ... even a hint of inappropriate behavior or language and you're toast!"
The coach then turned around abruptly and walked out of the room and up the stairs, ignoring Richie's "Thanks, coach" that was echoed by several team members.
"Let's celebrate!" one of the team yelled and, one by one, they inundated TJ with words of encouragement before refilling their glasses and resuming the festivities.
As soon as he could, TJ got Richie aside and said, "I told you on the phone not to do anything!"
"Wrong, dude! You never told me not to. What you said is that it wouldn't do any good. But I had to try. I had to do whatever I could to help a friend."
"So the whole team knows I'm gay!" TJ said.
"Yes. And I think it's clear from tonight how much difference it makes. We all admire and like you, TJ." Then Richie retreated from what, for him, was an unaccustomed expression of affection and joked, "Even though you're a fag."
They both laughed and rejoined the party.
A few minutes later, TJ called out, "Guys, I've got something to say to all of you." The chatter stopped. Everyone turned to look at TJ.
From a corner of the room, a voice shouted, "No speech! Spare us! This is a party!" Raucous laughter filled the room.
"Hey!" TJ shot back. "When you kept me prisoner on the sofa, somebody told me to shut up. And I did. Now, I won't shut up. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate what you've done -- especially you, Richie. Each of you took a huge risk. You stood up to bigotry and won a victory for tolerance. I've never been more proud of being on the team. If there's anything I can do to repay my debt to you, let me know."
"My car needs washing," someone called out. "Will you do my math homework for me?" another voice said. "How about babysitting my little brat sister?" Each comment was met by a round of laughter.
"Hold on, guys," TJ exclaimed. "I see you're in no mood to be serious. Let the party resume!"
On the drive back to campus, Neil said, "What the team did tonight was magnificent! You've got some genuine friends on the team, especially Richie. And you know what? It proves how much they all admire you. It's more proof that I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have you as a boy friend."
"Wrong, Neil! Second-luckiest!"
"I'll compromise. We'll call it a tie."
After a few minutes of silence, TJ said, "I can't believe it. When they surrounded me on the sofa, I was sure that they were going to play a joke at my expense ... or the secret guest would be a minister to give me a sermon on the evils of homosexuality. Then, when I saw the coach, my heart sank. But the way they stood up to him was, like you said, magnificent. All my fears vanished. I couldn't be more proud of them, especially Richie."
"A very wise friend of ours, TJ, told us to expect the unexpected. Tonight was certainly unexpected.
"I wonder what's in store for us now. Will my father soften his attitude? Will your brother? Will the coach find some devious way to punish me? What will be the next crisis we face, Neil?"
"I wish I knew," Neil replied. "Only one thing we can count on: our love and support for each other."
To be continued.