Author's Note:
Ok. So this is my first try at writing a story. Hopefully some of you out there will read this and hopefully like it some bit. This story is not one of those "Oh my, did I spill this drink on my lap? Please help me pat it off. ooh baby ooh baby" stories. It's just about a college guy trying to find the right person. So if that disinterests you, you should stop reading. Otherwise, read on. The story may be a little slow, but it will eventually pick up around the following parts to come. If you have any comments, e-mail me at Streyn@hotmail.com
This story is completely fictional. So any similarities you may see are purely coincidental. In other words, don't bite my ass off if it just so happens that you're life just happens to be exactly like the one in this story.
Also, if you are under age or it is illegal for you to be reading this, then go away now. Don't want you reading something you shouldn't now. Also, if these kinds of stories are not to your liking, you should leave as well
------- CHAPTER 4
Why does the idea of spending a week with my family worry me so much? Let me give you some background. My whole family, they're all fervent Catholics. I have been brought up with the idea that sinners go to hell and that homosexuality is a sin. See my problem? I'm sure a lot of people go through the same problem. I believe in god. I just don't think that God is going to strike down every homosexual on this earth. But I guess that's not the opinion of my family. Both my parents are really nice, hard working people. I love them with all my heart. I guess I would say I am closer to my mom instead of my dad. Maybe it had to do with the fact that my dad was overseas for almost three years. Three years that cost us on getting to know each other better. My dad and I always seem a little distanced. Every time I try and talk to him, I just can't find much to say to him. My mom is the most wonderful person in the world. She is the sweetest, most caring woman I know. I would kill anyone who her hurt her. But, would I be hurting her if I told her I was gay? As for the rest of my family, I have to older sisters. The older, 26 years old, is Allison. She is the most sarcastic person I know. She also knows how to twist your words and use them against you. My other sister, 24, is Sofia. She is the most physical girl I know. I used to do karate and things like that in grade school and into high school, and there was my sister, right next to me. To this day, I'm sure she could beat any of my guy friends up. Of course, they would gang up on me time to time, my sisters. As much as they cared for me, I'm sure they loved having a little brother to pick on. And I had to take it. My parents raised me never to hit a girl. So of course they took this to their advantage. Also, the time that my dad was overseas working, my sisters and my mom were really the ones raising me. They trained me to be sensitive. I'm the guy who actually puts the seat down after using the toilet. I can actually sit through chick flicks and LIKE THEM. I don't know. It's not like I'm a girl. Trust me. I love all the typical guy things. It just, well, my raising made me like other things as well.
So I'm walking down the walkway when I hear the loudest scream.
"DDDAAAVVVVEEE!!!!"
"Allison! Sofia!" I shouted as I ran over to them. I hadn't seen them for almost four months. I hadn't really ever been separated from them for too long. Sofia went to a University of Maryland so I almost saw her every month or so. And Allison went to Johns Hopkins. I guess I was really adamant about getting away from home that I made sure to choose one far away from D.C. "How are you two doing?"
"We're going crazy. Mom and dad are inviting the extended family as usual. And now getting ready for the party is crazy as ever. So how is our little brudda?" I hated it when they called me that. I guess it was their sign of affection for me.
"I'm good. I'm having a blast in Boston."
"You know. You should call and write some more. We barely hear from you. Mom was thinking that you might be dead already."
"He he he. Yah, I'll make sure to do that. Anyways, I'm starving. I didn't really get anything breakfast or lunch. You guys have the car?"
"Yah. Let's get going. I'm sure mom will want to make use of you right away."
So we drove off. My house isn't that far from D.C. Just a drive on the beltway and then into our neighborhood. Now, my house, it isn't amazingly huge, like a mansion, but I guess my family is pretty well off. Yah, I know, you'll probably think that I'm a spoiled brat. And I am...just kidding. My parents didn't give me things like a new car or 100 dollar allowances. I had to earn it with good grades and hard work. Ah, I love my neighborhood. It's my home. It's been my home for so long. The uphill road with trees on either side, the others houses similar to mine. I guess I loved my house because it was right at the end of the street. My sister parked the car and I immediately ran into the house.
"Mom! I'm home!"
"Dave? Oh Dave. I'm glad you had a safe flight. How are you dear? You look like you gained a little weight. I'm just kidding. You still look the same. Aren't you just the handsomest little guy." Yes, I'll admit it. I am a mama's boy. How can I help it? I am the only son. "Well, you get settled in. Don't worry, I haven't changed your room into an entertainment room or anything. It's still the same way you left it. Once you got your things down, I want you to come down and help out. We have a party in a few days."
My mom. No tact. She just doesn't wait. But I still loved her. I was so glad to be home. I ran up to my room. She was right, it was still the way I left it. My bed in the corner of the room, right by the window looking out onto a small creek behind our house, my posters of my favorite music bands and movies scattered along the wall, my book case, my closet, my bathroom. It was great to be back in my room. I guess after the high tension in the room with Xavier, I really enjoyed living in a peaceful environment. But before I could get settled in, I heard my mom shouting from the kitchen.
"Ok! I'm coming!" So I ran back down the stairs. "Oh! Hi Dad. How are you doing?"
"I'm good. It's nice to have you back home Dave. We missed ya."
"Thanks." It was great to see my dad again. He still had the same `kind of dazed' look he always had.
"Your mother was just telling me how she missed you so much, especially because you haven't been in touch...eh?"
"Yes yes. Sofia and Allison were already scolding me about that. I'm sorry. I guess I was just so busy with school and friends. I just forgot."
"It's ok son. I was just kidding."
So for the next few days, I just lazed around the house for a bit. I did help with my family with preparations for dinner. I love having my whole family for Thanksgiving, well, I guess. It's a good thing they don't all come. I have something like 9 aunts and uncles on my dad side, 4 uncles and an aunt on my mom side, somewhere around 36 first cousins, and who knows how many second cousins. Good thing we were only going to have about 20 other people for dinner. A lot of my family lived on the west coast or in Canada. During the week, I was also able to catch up with my sisters. Allison said she was doing well on her way to becoming a doctor. She always loved biology. Sofia was in UMD doing computers, kind of the tech person in our family. One night, Sofia and I stayed up just drinking tea and talking. I guess I was always closer to Sofia, she was a little closer to me in age. Plus, sometimes I thought Allison was always self-absorbed. Sofia was always a genuine person. She never lied or cheated me. She was a good caring sister. We were just talking about college stuff when she asked me."
"So, I'm your sister. And as your sister, I have a right to know how your love life is going. Met any new girls up in Boston?"
"Sofia!"
"What? You can tell me Dave. You know I wouldn't tell anyone."
I knew she wouldn't too. But anything that comes out of my mouth is bound to circulate through the family in a matter of days, even if Sofia did keep it a secret. "Well, I think I did meet someone."
"And do you like this someone?????"
"Well, yes I do. I'm pretty sure I do at least. Nothing much has happened between us anyway. I just got to know this person." Good answer. I told he the truth without telling her that this person is a gay therefore still keeping my gayness secret.
She gave me this weird look. I hated when she gave me that smirk, with her right eyebrow raised and he eyes glaring at me. "Can I ask you something?"
"Um, ok..."
"Are you gay?"
"What? Huh? No, of course I'm not."
"Shut up Dave. Yes you are. I know it. I've always known."
"What are you talking about? How did you know?"
"So you are gay. Thanks for telling me."
"Sofia, that was a really mean trick. You better not tell anyone."
"Tell anyone?? I'm surprised you didn't already tell me! I am your sister after all. You know you can tell me anything."
"I guess. It's just, you know, the circumstances."
"Ah, well, I guess I could see where you are coming from. Besides, I really did know for a while now. I was just playing you. You should know how much I love to see you squirm."
"Ha ha, very funny. How?"
"Well, let's put it this way. One day I was searching the internet. I was looking through the history when I found all these gay sites. You were some porn freak back in high school. I guess eventually you learned how to delete the websites from the history log, but I already knew."
"Well, if you knew, how come you didn't say anything? I mean, you know how our family feels about being gay and everything."
"I'm not a tattle tale Dave. Besides, when our family hears that you are gay, I want it coming from your own mouth. Not mine. It's just not right."
"I guess."
"Also, I noticed that you didn't go out with girls that much. Your last girlfriend, Dana. Gees. Let's just say I hope you have better judgment choosing guys than you choose girlfriends. Needless to say, I kind of figured it out eventually. I just put two and two together. So, who is this guy...?"
"His name is Will."
"Will, huh. I like him already."
"How can you like him when you haven't met him yet?"
"Shut up. I was just being a supportive sister. So tell me more about him."
"Well, he's at the same college as me. He plays baseball. From what I gathered he is an alright student."
"That's not what I meant Dave."
"Oh. Well, let's see. He's about 5'10. Dark, sort of, brown hair, messy, just the way I like it. The most beautiful hazelnut colored eyes, perfect lips, and a killer smile. He's just so great."
"Sooooo, have you guys done anything yet?"
"Sofia!"
"What? I'm just wondering. Well, have you?"
"Well, we did kiss. But that was only once. Right before I came here." Then I told her what happened between us.
"Awwwwww, that is so sweet."
"C'mon Sofia, shut up already."
"I'm not kidding. That's really cute about you two. I knew mom and dad raised you right."
"Well, I'm not sure if mom and dad will see things the same way as you. You won't tell them, will you?"
"Of course not. But I am warning you, I do agree that mom and dad will take this a little bit hard. So you might want to wait a bit."
"So how about you? I've been telling you all about Will? But do you have a special guy in your life? Last time I checked, wasn't his name Todd or something?"
"Ugh, don't remind me. That was a horrible relationship. No, I met this guy in UMD. He's in the masters program as me. He's really nice and really cute. His name is Jeff. We've been going out for about a month."
"That's nice."
"In fact, we're going on a date on Friday. Wanna tag along?"
"Um, hello? I don't have a date."
"Well, he's already bringing his sibling. I am supposed to bring someone else, he told me. You know, so the person has someone to talk to? It's not a really formal date. It's more of a hang out and see each other date."
"What if his sibling is a girl? Wait, what am I thinking, what if his sibling is a guy? And straight???"
"Don't worry. It's a really informal get together. If it's a girl, well, I'm sure you've had a little bit of experience there. And if it's a guy, well, let's just hope he's gay. And let's just hope his sibling is older than 16."
"Very funny. Why don't you ask Jeff?"
"I wish I could but I called him today and he told me he's driving up to New York to pick up someone and won't be back until Thanksgiving. By then, it'll be too late. So I didn't want to bother him. So, you wanna come or not? I could just ask one of my girl friends."
"Yah. Sure. I guess I have nothing better to do. Wait, I need to get in touch with someone first." After that, we just said good night to each other and went to sleep. I was so happy. At least I could feel a little less anxious now. One of my family members knew. But I wonder if the rest of them picked up on the same signals as Sofia. Hopefully not. Anyways, it was nice to have some sort of back up.
The day before Thanksgiving, my family went grocery shopping. And so I called Will. I guess his mom picked up. "Um, Hi, is Will there?"
"Yah, sure, hold on please. May I know who's calling?"
"It's Dave. I'm a friend from up in Boston."
"Ok dear. I'll go get him."
After a few seconds, he finally picked up. "Hello? Hello?"
"Hey Will. It's Dave. You sound a little out of breath. Where'd you come from?"
"Oh, I was just working out on the treadmill."
"Really now? I can just imagine, sweat running down your face, your neck, onto your muscles and your chest."
"Dave, cut it out. You're making me blush. My mom must be wondering why."
"Hehe, I'm sorry. I just miss you, that's all. I want to kiss you again."
"I know. I do too. I can't stop thinking about you."
"So when can we see each other? Friday? Saturday?"
"Um, well, Friday is no good. I have to go out to some place stupid. I am going against my will. So I guess Saturday will have to do. So where do you want to meet up?"
I guess I will end up going to Sofia on that date. Oh well. "Um, how about we go around D.C.? It's not too far is it?"
"I don't mind driving down. As long as I can see you."
"Saturday it is. A date, eh? My first date with a guy."
"Dave, I gotta go. I think my mom is getting suspicious. I haven't stopped smiling since you called. And right now I'm redder than an apple."
"That's cute. I can't wait to see you."
"Me too. Bye Dave."
"Bye Will." I hung up. I just couldn't stop thinking about him now. I started to think back to when we were up in Boston. That was the most passionate kiss I had ever had before. And now I could finally spend some time with him. I couldn't wait. But before I could have my fun, I would have to live through Friday. Ugh, the things I do for my sister. I guess I do owe her one anyways.
Thanksgiving dinner was great. Constant talking and laughter everywhere. All my aunt telling me how handsome I look. But then critiquing how I look at the same time. It went pretty well. It was good to have my family around. Dinner eventually ended. With my stomach filled, I just went to my room and fell asleep. I know, not so great health wise. Eat then sleep. Oh well. I woke up around 1 p.m. the next day. Sofia had left a note on my night table:
Dave,
I'm out shopping with mom, dad, and Allison. You looked so tired and I know much you hate going shopping anyways, so we let you sleep. Make sure to be ready by 6 p.m. We're meeting him in a coffee place about 30 minutes from here. You know, um, "Don's Coffee Club." Thanks again for coming with me. I really need you there just in case anything happens. I'll pick you up at 6, ok? We'll just leave from here. Thanks!
Sofia
Urg. Whatever. I had to be the supportive brother, tag along, and be her safety bag in case something happened. So all I had to do is survive one night talking with someone I don't know. Sounds like a bad date. Oh, bad memories. I actually did have one blind date before. A girl, Shannon. It was also a double date. My friend John and his girlfriend thought it would be interesting to set us up. Well, needless to say, I didn't go out with Shannon after that night. She was the embodiment of the ditsy cheerleading stereotype. One of the worst nights in my life as she kept trying to make out with me and I had no interest in her. I really hoped that tonight would go better than that time.
It was getting around 6 p.m. Hey, maybe Sofia forgot. Nope. I could hear her car rolling into the driveway. I ran outside to the car.
"Ok, I'm here." I said as I got into the car.
"Good. You didn't back out. Just kidding. Really, thank you so much for coming."
"Yah no problem."
The drive was short. As we neared Don's, I asked her a few more questions. "So do you like this guy?"
"I think I do. I'm not sure. This is my first real relationship I guess."
"You know what, I don't even remember you telling me his whole name."
"Oh, it's Jeff Ruthers. I'm sure you'll like him. He's a nice guy."
"Well, as long as he is good to you. Nobody hurts my sister."
"Aw, that's sweet Dave. Thanks."
We finally got there. Ruthers? Where have I heard that name before? Ruthers. Thought I heard that name before. Oh well. We got out of the car and started walking in. "Hey, Sofia, before we actually me, I want to see who he is first."
"Um. I guess. Ok. Lemme see." She started looking around the room. "Oh there he is. The one sitting down in that booth. Oh, he's waving at us. C'mon Dave. Let's go."
Jeff was pretty good looking himself. Well, of course my sister had good taste. But his accompaniment didn't seem to be there. "Where's his sister?"
"I don't know. Maybe she's in the bathroom. C'mon, I want you to meet him already. Hey baby! Jeff, this is my little brother. And this must be your..."
Huh? Why did she have a weird look on her face? "Hi Dave. It's nice to meet you. Oh, I completely forgot, how stupid of me. Sofia, Dave, meet my brother, Will.
-------------------------------- Ok. I guess things are starting to get interesting. E-mail me! I'm really interested in hear comments, questions, and ideas. If I don't e-mail you back immediately, it's because I'm kid of wrapped up in school work right now. Don't want to be flunking out, right? ok, e-mail me at Streyn@hotmail.com Thanks