All the usual disclaimers apply to this story. I am not going to say this is all fiction, but I have tried to be as vague as possible to protect those who might not like to be known. The following story Involves sex between two teen males. If that bothers you, then please don't read. Please be at least 18 or within your Legal right to be able to read it in your area. Thanks 8-)
I also would like to thank 2 very important people. First, Billy Joe Walker Jr. You were always an inspiration to me. Your writing moved me more than you will ever know. Secondly, Dave I love you. Thanks for being my best friend
Come Sail Away
Chapter 6
"Don't cry. I wanted you to come." He paused for a second, and looked down at the grave once again. I placed my arm over his shoulder and just stood next to him. "If we stand here and cry, he's going to think we are a couple of Pussies" He tried his hardest to put a smile on his face.
It was ironic in a way. I was the one who was there to support him, and yet I was now leaning on him......
I was standing in front of the store now and had tearstains on my cheeks. I reached up for the door handle and out walked my skater buddy from earlier. He didn't see me, and walked right into me. Looking up I could see an attitude in his eyes. He glanced at me for a second, and recognized me from earlier
"Hey dude, sorry. Didn't see you." He looked at me and I could see the attitude fade a little. "Damn, dude, you O.K?"
I looked up and tried to pretend I didn't know what he was talking about. "Yeah sure, I just came to get something to eat." He looked me in the eyes and I seen something that looked so familiar. I had seen those eyes before. There was toughness, and tenderness at the same time.
"Well it is a little windy out here today. I know that it can real cut into you and make your eyes water." He turned to walk away. I had to stop him.
"Hey." He stopped and turned around. "I didn't even catch what your name was earlier." He kind of smiled, and flipped his hair back.
"That's because I didn't give it."
It was like having a flashback; the smart-assed grin that was on his face was like staring back in time. The way his eyes kind of twinkled, and the swagger to his walk. God it was uncanny how much he reminded me of Brian. He reached in his pocket for a smoke and lit one up.
"Oh I see we bought smokes." I smiled my best smart-assed grin. "And we even have a lighter now. Well sorry I didn't mean to run you over. I was just heading in to get something to eat." I paused for a second, and was reaching for the door handle. I stopped. "You gonna be around down by the lake later on?"
"Yeah, I mean maybe. I don't know, why?"
"Well if you are, then maybe I will see you again." I smiled and he shook his head, turned and walked away. I walked in and went to the Deli case. Oh Boy I thought. There seems to be a real plethora of choices here. Egg Salad, or would it be Bologna. Wow the choices were overwhelming. I chose the ground up chicken embryos, over the taste of Beef lips and assholes. I searched for a bag of chips and grabbed several pops. I once again made my way back to the picnic tables. I still couldn't get over how much that kid looked like Brian.
I think it was his eyes, the way they showed toughness and tenderness at the same time. No matter how much Brian tried to look tough, I always knew there was tenderness there....
As we drove back from the Cemetery, I felt for the first time Brian was letting me into his world. That Private area you reserve for few people in your life. Most of us try and keep this wall up around us, a kind of facade. Well pulled back in his driveway and spent the night at his house. I never told his folks where we went, and they didn't ask. I drove home the next morning reflecting on a lot of things. Life. Death. And what it must feel like to lose someone that you loved that much.
We spent most of the next few days kind of hanging out and playing street hockey in his driveway. The weekend came, and Brian had to go out of town to visit his Grandparents somewhere south. This would be the first weekend since I met Brian, which I would be alone all weekend long. For the last four weeks, we were always together on the weekends. It was that first night that it hit me. I missed him, and I missed him a lot. I got up Saturday morning and my Mom commented as to why the long face? Nothing I told her. She asked why I wasn't over at Brian's. I told her that he was out of town. She kind of smiled and she knew why I was bummed out. Moms always seem to know things. When she would talk about Brian, she would always say things like.
"He's such a good looking boy. He such a handsome young man. Oh Brian is going to make someone happy someday."
I never had the heart to tell her. I was hoping that it would be me that he would make happy. I sat around all day on Saturday trying to think of something to give Brian for his Birthday. I wanted it to be something real special. I couldn't go to big. I wasn't a rich man. I just wanted it to be special. I decided that I would make some calls. I had an idea.
I was hanging out in my room listening to music when mom knocked on the door and handed me the cordless. I didn't even hear the phone ring.
"Hello"
"Hey dude, what's up?" It was Brian, God did I miss hearing that voice.
"Hey buddy, when did you get back?"
"Im still at my Grandparents. I was bored so I snuck into the other room and decided to call."
"Man I'm bored too. Im glad you called, so when will you be getting home?"
"Don't know, should be early tomorrow night. I will call you, but I probably wont be able to do anything. I guess I will see you at school on Monday."
We talked awhile longer and he said he had to go. Something about running up a phone bill at his Grandparents. He snickered when he said that, and then we hung up.
We talked a little on Sunday night but it was late when he got home. He caught me just before bedtime. I thought that was a nice way to go to bed. I got to hear his voice before I went to sleep. I got up early the nest day and for the first time drove to school. Parking was at a premium, and parking passes were hard to get. I stopped and picked Brian up and we talked all the way to school. I mentioned his Birthday to him again, and he seemed to just pass it off. That afternoon I dropped Brian off at his house and we both agreed that this was way better than riding the bus. We went inside, and Brian took off upstairs. I searched for his Mom and told her of my Birthday plans. She looked kind of concerned, and said she would have to ask his Father.
"Don't worry Scott, if anyone can convince him, I can."
"Thanks, I just wanted to do something kinda different that's all."
"Well I will see what I can do. I will let you know as soon as I talk to his Dad."
I thanked her and made my way upstairs. Brian was in his room sitting on his bed. He was searching through his book bag. He looked up when I walked in.
"Where were you?"
"Oh I was downstairs talking to your Mom."
"What are you up to dude."
"Who Me?" I got this real big shit-eating grin on my face.
"Uh huh, yeah right."
"O.K., ok so your mom was showing me your baby pictures. Sorry, I just wanted something I could put next to my bed stand at night."
"Oh wise guy eh, well little man, you'll get yours soon enough." He then let go that grin. I just had to smile. Anyone would of smiled if they could see that damn grin of his.
I told Brian I had to go and take care of some things at home and we said our goodbyes. Always saying goodbye to me was tough. I never really wanted to leave. In truth I had to go and pick up Brian's present, at least the first one I got him. I wouldn't know about the second one till his Mom called me back. I did my running around for the day, got what I wanted and smiled all the way home. I know he will love this. I patted my pocket and just smiled. The next two days went along as normal. I picked him up in the morning. Seen him a couple of times at school. Dropped him off and stayed for a while, and then went home. Ate dinner, and did my homework. Afterwards I would talk to him on the phone before bedtime, and then fell asleep.
Brian's mom called me Wednesday night and told me that everything was a go. I almost screamed with happiness. I wanted this so bad, and now it was going to happen. I talked to my mom again and she made a couple of phone calls for me. She came up to my room, handed me a piece of paper with all the info I needed, and told me to be careful. I smiled and kissed her on the cheek. I talked to Brian that night before bed, I wanted so badly to tell him about this weekend. I said goodnight and told him that I would see him in the morning. Friday morning came along and it was Brian's Birthday. I went and picked him up for school. He jumped in the truck. Smiled as usual, and we took off towards school.
"Morning Buddy. What's up?"
"Not a lot." I had seen him looking at me from the corner of my eye. He was looking for some kind of reaction I think. I was playing off the fact it was his Birthday. I wanted him to think I had forgot all about it. We drove and talked as normal. He seemed kind of disappointed that I didn't mention anything. I knew he wanted me to at least acknowledge the fact, but I didn't.
"So, we still going to the hockey game tonight?" I looked over to see what he was thinking.
"Huh, im sorry I didn't hear what you said."
"I said, are we still going to the hockey game tonight?"
"Oh, yeah as far as I know. I don't think Mom has any plans or anything. We can ask after school"
We got out of the truck and headed into school. I know he was just dying. I just acted like it was just any other day. It was killing me. I wanted so badly to reach over and hug him and just squeeze him tight. I could wait. This time, I was going to get him. I was going to pull off the sneak play of the century on him. The day went along and ever time he seen me it was like he was waiting for me to say something. The longer the day went on, it seemed like he was almost getting pissed. DAMN. should I say something, he really looked like he was mad that I had forgot. Several times I almost broke down. I looked up at the clock and seen school was almost over. Nah, I came this far, I can wait. Inside I was dying. I hated this. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. The final bell rang and I walked outside to see Brian leaning against my truck. He was waiting, and he had a long sad face on.
"What's the matter buddy, we are now on break from school and you seem like you are going to miss this place?"
"No, it's not that."
"Well what is it then? We don't have to be back to this place for 5 days"
"Nothing, I guess im just a little off today. That's all."
We pulled into his driveway, and I didn't get out of his truck. I just left the truck running. And sat there.
"What, aren't you gonna come in?"
"Oh I don't know, do you want me to?"
" What's going on Scott, why are you acting so strange today?"
"I didn't think I was acting strange, what do you mean?"
I was trying really hard now not to break down and spill my guts. I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't do it. I could see that I was hurting his feelings as we sat here. I was just getting ready to tell him when his mom came to the door and called out to us. THANK GOD.. Everything was set.
"Well are you coming in?"
"Well yeah, lets go."
We walked in the door and the placed seemed really quiet. I had hoped that I stalled long enough to let his Mom get everything ready. We walked into the kitchen and there on the table was a cake with candles on it. His Dad, Mom, and Brothers were all sitting in the family room waiting. As we turned the corner, everyone yelled.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN"
He turned and looked at me. I could see he was embarrassed, and yet seemed glad that no one forgot.
"Did you know about this?"
"Who me?" I gave him that smirk and just laughed. I put my arm around his shoulder and squeezed him. " I told you before that I was planning a Birthday Party for a friend. You didn't think I would forget did you?"
"Dude, when you never said anything, and no one mentioned it this morning I thought".. He just shook his head. He knew he had been had.
Brian's mom had set up a buffet style-eating thing. We stood around and ate and then came a few presents. After he had opened all the family presents, I handed him mine. He opened it and then looked at me. He reached into the envelope and pulled out a small stack of tickets. They were tickets to all the home games left for this year. I called the Business office and talked to the Public Relations secretary. She arranged it that I could get the seat next to me for the rest of the year.
"Dude, man you shouldn't have. This is great. We can go to every game the rest of the year." He smiled and did his . I was so happy to be able to make him smile. I still had one card up my sleeve. When Brian ducked into the bathroom, I talked to his mom real quick. Everything was set. She would take care of everything while we were at the game.
"Hey Buddy, I have to head home and get ready for the game. I will be back in a few. O.K.?"
"Yeah, hurry up. Im really excited about going."
We walked out through the garage and he was saying goodbye. Before I could turn to leave he grabbed me again, and hugged me once more. This time, there was no Macho about it. It was the best hug I have ever got. I just glowed as I walked to my truck. I was walking ten feet off the ground.
I drove home as fast as I could. After I finalized all the plans I let out a sigh of nervousness. Everything was set. I picked up Brian and we set off to watch the hockey game. Just one of the many we would see together this season. He was having a blast. I was so happy that I could make his Birthday a good one. During intermission, the rink announcer mentioned that the team would be on the road tomorrow night in Green Bay Wisconsin.
"Man, we have got to go see a road game sometime. That would just be the greatest. Remember, we talked about it that the night we stayed at the cabin?"
"Yeah I remember, do you really want to go and see a road game sometime?"
"Absolutely. It would be great. On the road, away from the parents, like at the cabin, only farther away. His face was aglow. I could tell he was really excited about doing that. PERFECT..
"Well then, as your genie. I grant your wish."
I reached down under my chair and into my coat pocket. I handed him his last present.
"What's this?"
"Well open it up"
He opened the envelope and reached inside. He pulled out 2 tickets to the game tomorrow night in Green Bay. I handed him a Birthday card from my folks. He opened it and with a note telling him Happy Birthday, was a fifty-dollar bill. Wrote on the inside of the card was a conformation number to the hotel we were staying at.
His eyes shot up to me in disbelief. He kept staring at the tickets, looking at the card.
"Does my Mom know about this?"
"Yep" I grinned. "God, I can believe you did this. You are something else, you know that?"
The horn sounded and the crowd went nuts, we had just scored another goal. Neither of us moved. We didn't realize till later that we even scored. We just sat there and stared at each other. I could see a small tear starting to form at the corner of his eye.
"What's wrong Brian, did I do something wrong?" He wiped it away real fast so no one could see. We did sit rink side. There was a wall behind us that we leaned back against. So I know no one saw. He smiled real big and got real quiet.
"No, nothing is wrong. I just never knew it would be this fun to have a Genie for a friend. He looked down at the tickets again and squeezed them tight. "MY best friend"
We watched the rest of the game, and talked about tomorrow. He was so excited and kept asking me tons of questions. I kept telling him to relax. I have been working on this for over a week now and had everything taken care of.
"What do you mean relax, we have so much to do before tomorrow."
I made a buzzer sound with my voice like he had just guessed the answer wrong on a game show. I smiled and shook my head. Doing my best Bruce Willis imitation from the movie Die Hard.
"Sorry Hans, Would you like to try Double Jeopardy where the scores can really change."
He shoved against me with his shoulder pushing me into the rail I was sitting next to. He laughed. That was one of our favorite movies; we have watched it several times together.
"Don't tell me, Im packed already too?" I kind of shrugged my shoulder and giggled.
"Weellllll." Smiling, I cocked my head and gave him a grin
His jaw dropped down, and he just stared at me in disbelief.
"I keep trying to tell you, but you just aint listening BOY."
"You aint never had a friend like me"
I looked at him with all the love in my heart. It was pouring out of ever pore in my body. I had never in my short life ever felt so much love for one single person before. It was wonderful and scary all at the same time. A thought of rejection went storming through my mind. I kind of tightened up a little. The smile faded for a second. I mean, I loved him so much, what if he could never love me the same?
"What, something wrong? Did you forget something in your perfect plan?"
Looking up at him, I put a smile on my face. Shrugged my shoulders, and kind of lifted my arms. Letting him I didn't know.
"I don't know buddy, guess we'll throw caution to the wind and find out. Come on, it will be fun. You, me, couple hundred miles from home. What's the worst thing that can happen? Get stranded and not be able to come home."
Brian looked at me, put a real sarcastic look on his face, "Wouldn't that be a shame?" And then he giggled. The laugh that warmed my heart, and made my chest go tight.
The game ended and we walked to the truck. We then drove to my house. Brian came in and thanked my folks. Of course we got the -be careful speech-. I grabbed all my stuff, including a surprise, and left to stay the night at Brian's house. We were going to be leaving early tomorrow. The game was against the Milwaukee Admiral's. It was an exhibition game being played in Green Bay. The directions I got told me to find the hotel across from Packer Stadium. That shouldn't be too hard I thought. I mean how can you miss that place. I looked at the directions one more time and figured that it was going to take about 6-7 hours to drive there.
"Any problems dude?"
"Nah not really, we have to drive through Chicago that all. Kinda nervous about that."
"Well its like you said, lets throw caution to the wind." He kind of smiled and jumped on the bed next to me. It was obvious that he was on a high. "Im so wired, I don't think im going to be able to sleep tonight."
"Well then pity me, cause I have to drive tomorrow."
He threw a movie in, and we kicked back together on his bed and watched T.V. for a while. I kept stealing glances at him now and again. I felt so lucky to have met him. He has changed my life forever. I don't remember what we were watching, but I know that we had seen it before. I laid my head down on the pillow and just looked at him. The images flickering off the screen played shadows off his face. It was magical to see him in this light. I just smiled and closed my eyes. I remember stirring a while later. Brian was putting a blanket over me. I opened my eyes and looked up. He was smiling. I closed them again. I remember feeling that this was just so right.so perfect......
I finished the last of my sandwich, God soggy bread. Is there anything worse than eating a sandwich, when the bread is on the verge of being wet. I grabbed all the trash and walked over to the trashcan. I looked around and didn't see my Skater friend. I stretched and took in a huge breath. I felt drained. I grabbed the back of my neck and rubbed. I was so tense. I glanced down at my watch again, I seen that it was almost Noon. "Shit," I looked around and seen that several people looking at me. I guess I said that out load. I smiled for the first time all day. I had to run back to my Brothers. I remembered they were going to drive up toward Milwaukee. He is big into Salt-water fish. There is some store up there he wanted to go to. I, well I just wanted to go to the Warner Brothers store. I started my trek back to his house.
I can remember the last time I drove this far north. I went to a hockey game that changed my life forever. I didn't know it at the time. Sometimes you can't see the forest through all the tress. The song came back to my mind again.
WE LIVED HAPPILY FOREVER
SO THE STORY GOES
BUT SOMEHOW ME MISSED OUT
ON THE POT OF GOLD
BUT WE'LL TRY BEST THAT
WE CAN TO CARRY ON
I walked and kept thinking. I opened my mouth and sang softly to myself. "We'll try, best that we can, to caarrryyyy on......."
Thanks for reading. The E-Mail has been overwhelming. I love you all. Please keep writing. I sit here online writing and my E-Mail keeps going off. I need a break from thinking and typing. "Right Trey"