Cheddar's © 2016 by David Lee
Warning! There will be some love scenes between males of similar age. There isn't any cross-generational interaction. If reading material of this nature is prohibited where you live, please leave this site.
I intend to post about the same day of the week until the story has reached its conclusion.
My writing is purely fictional, and isn't based on any persons, living or dead. The names of some places are real, but that's about it.
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Parker Grim is in the fall term of his freshman year at the university of Iowa. He's a loner, but has a big heart. His charitable nature is about to lead him to a decision which will be a life-changer. It all begins at his favorite eating establishment.
Chapter 1
As he often did on Friday night when he was beat from studying hard all week, Parker went to Cheddar's for a late dinner. He could have made a meal of leftovers, or pulled out a Marie Callendar's frozen entrée to pop in the oven, but he wanted to be around people. While he treasured his time alone to work on his studies, he sometimes missed having company. Since dorm life and cafeteria food didn't appeal to him, Grandma had provided other accommodations, so, unlike the majority of his peers, he lived alone in a tiny apartment.
His favorite waiter, Adam, smiled as he brought a glass of water with lemon, which Parker always requested. Immediately, Parker felt special. He would definitely leave a good tip.
"What's your pleasure this evening, Sir?"
"I'm in a real rut, but I think I'll have the chicken pot pie instead of being adventurous tonight. I'll have the house salad with it, please."
"With tomato vinaigrette, and no honey-butter on the croissant?"
"Yes, you have an excellent memory!"
"Thank you. I'll put your order in immediately."
Parker watched Adam as he went toward the kitchen. He appeared to be about 16, a little on the thin side, with a build like a swimmer. His hair was dark, nicely trimmed to frame his angular face and set off his brown eyes. He had broad shoulders which tapered to a narrow waist. From the rear, his tight little butt completed the attractive picture. Because of his cuteness, he probably made pretty good tip money from elderly customers who thought he looked like a grandson, and middle aged men who would love to be his sugar-daddy.
From previous conversations, Parker knew the guy was a senior in high school, who planned to attend the university after graduating next spring. Still, he looked young and vulnerable.
Parker had downloaded the app for a local jazz station on his iPhone for entertainment while he waited. He could listen to his favorite music, and still observe others around him without drawing attention to himself. People-watching was his hobby. Often he'd invent a scene for a story about someone based on the person's expression and interaction with others. Perhaps he would try to write a novel someday. There wasn't a lot of money in it, but he really didn't need to worry about finances. Perhaps writing could be his hobby if he got a practice established. Psychology was his main interest.
Parker kept his eye on Adam. The kid was always upbeat, smiling brightly at customers, and being very attentive, but tonight when he had an idle moment, he seemed to retreat into a different world. His shoulders slumped as if they carried the weight of the world, and his face looked almost haggard.
A short story began to form in Parker's head. In it, Adam was the son of a single mother who had a fatal disease. She was too ill to continue working, and he was the brave young breadwinner who kept the wolf from the doorstep.
Parker was tempted to jot down a few ideas, but as he reached in his pocket for his iPhone, Adam appeared with his salad. He did make a few cursory notes while eating, but he'd barely finished the last bite of it before his entrée arrived. Service was quick because the dinner crowd often came in around 6:30 or so, and had long since departed.
It was about half an hour before closing time when Adam presented his bill. Parker paid with a credit card, but left a 25% tip in cash. He felt that the government didn't necessarily need to tax gratuities, so he left it up to servers as to whether or not they counted it as income.
Parker sat a few minutes longer, and Adam came over to see if he needed anything else.
"Nope, I'm fine," he said. "You seem tired tonight, Adam."
"I'm sorry if I wasn't at my best."
"No, you were fine. I just thought you looked beat."
"I've had a lot on my mind," Adam responded with an attempt to smile.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I don't think so, but thanks for asking."
"Would you like to talk for a bit?"
"I can't, or I'll get in trouble. I need to go help set up tables for tomorrow. So, if there's nothing else..."
"There is something else. Would you please order a carryout of the same thing I just had, and could you deliver it to my car out front when you leave? It's the red Beemer."
"Sure, but the salad won't keep well for tomorrow."
"I have a feeling it'll be eaten tonight."
Parker hadn't waited very long before he spied Adam waking his way carrying a sack with his food, a gym bag, and a large garbage bag slung over his shoulder.
"May I offer you a ride home?"
"No, that's okay. I can walk."
"It's dark and chilly out, and I don't want to see you facing that. So, where's home?"
"I don't know, anymore," Adam said, big tears spilling down his cheeks.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Parker insisted, as he popped the trunk lid. "We can talk on the way to my place. You have a home tonight."
"But, what about your roommate?"
"I don't have one."
"But..."
"No buts about it! Let's go before your dinner gets cold."
The garage was barely big enough for Parker's car, so he had to let Adam out of the passenger side before he pulled it in. Soon they were climbing the stairs to Parker's place with him carrying dinner and one of Adam's bags. The food was still warm, so it didn't need reheating.
"So, you bought the second meal for me, huh?"
"Yup."
"How did you know this is my favorite thing on the menu?"
"I have a good memory too. You told me that the first time you were my server. So, unless you were bull-shitting to get a good tip, it had to be something you'd eat."
"Wow!"
"Now, do you care to tell me what's going on?"
"I guess. You've already paid for my supper, so I guess I owe you that much."
"You don't OWE me anything. You look like you could use a friend, and I'll be your listening ear."
"Yeah, well, you might not like what you're about to hear."
"Let me be the judge of that."
"Okay, here goes. My 18th birthday was yesterday, so my parents aren't responsible for me anymore. I couch-surfed at a friend's house last night, but my mother queered that by calling his mother and spreading rumors about me. I'm really toast!"
"Not really; you're welcome to stay with me for as long as you like. Come see my sleeping arrangement. It's not the Trump Towers, but it's clean."
Adam followed Parker into a fairly small bedroom with a large closet across one whole side, but furnished with only a twin bed and a dresser.
"Uh, don't panic; it's a trundle bed. All we have to do is pull out the bottom one and pop it up. It's quite comfortable. The mattress is memory foam like the one I sleep on. We can easily move it across the room so we're not too crowded. It's already made up with sheets; I only have to get some blankets out of the closet. I'm sorry not to be able to offer you your own room, but I don't think I snore!"
"Man, I hate to put you out. I can curl up on the couch."
"Nah, It's too short, and you'll need your rest in order to keep up your school work and your job. Might as well be as comfortable as possible."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it. I thought I might be sleeping in the bus depot. By the time I found out I couldn't spend another night with my friend, it was too late to check into a homeless shelter."
"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. Let me find a towel for you. You're welcome to shower if you like. I'll take mine when you're done."
Satisfied that he'd done his best for Adam, Parker fell asleep practically the minute his head hit the pillow. Adam, on the other hand, remained awake for some time. He mulled over his woes, and the kindness which had been shown to him. He hated that he'd not been entirely forthright with his host. He had intended to tell the whole story, but the prospect of being thrown out in the cold had kept him from doing so. He would have to remedy it in the morning and let the chips fall where they might. At least tonight he'd be warm and safe.
As a result of tossing and turning, Adam slept very soundly once he finally managed to settle down. He awoke with a start, disoriented for a moment until everything came back to him.
He was alone in the bedroom, and would have loved going back for a few more winks, but his need to pee drove him out of bed. He hurried to the bathroom, hoping to smuggle his morning erection into it without being seen. His luck didn't hold, as Parker came down the hall just as he turned to go into the doorway. Parker was impressed by the profile of the tented boxers he displayed.
"I'll scramble eggs for breakfast if you like," Parker offered.
"No thanks, I don't eat before I swim. Oh crap! I'll be late for practice. In my panic to find a place to stay, I forgot all about it."
"When does it start?"
"In half an hour. My bike's still at Darrin's, so I'll probably be late."
"We'll make it," Parker promised. "Dig out your Speedo and wear it under your jeans to save time. Throw what you need into your gym bag, and I'll drive you there. Be sure to let me know when to pick you up. I don't want you walking in the cold with wet hair."
"Are you famished?" Parker asked when he picked Adam up from the high school gym entrance a couple of hours later.
"Yeah, pretty nearly. If you hadn't fed me last night, I wouldn't have made it! By the way, did I remember to thank you? Last night is kind of a blur."
"Yes, you thanked me several times. Should I stop at a McDonalds, or can you hold out until we get home? What I make will probably be healthier."
"I can wait, but I hate to sponge. I'll have to give you grocery money as well as rent."
"You may help with groceries, but not rent. Living there doesn't cost more for two people, and you need to save up for tuition next year."
"You're being awfully nice to me; what's in it for you?"
"The chance to give a break to someone who deserves it."
With his tummy full, after having spent an exhausting hour and a half in the pool, Adam began to feel drowsy. He wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed and sleep until noon. However, he had vowed to clear the air. So, he stood facing Parker and did what he had to do.
"Parker, I didn't tell you everything last night. You deserve to know why my parents threw me out. They had been acting kinda strange lately, bringing up topics like same-sex marriage, and asking how I felt about it. I tried to answer like a politician, and talk without saying much of anything. Finally, they asked me straight out about my orientation. They found a site I'd visited on the `net when checking my history. Like a fool, I was honest with them and came out of the closet."
"So, you're gay."
"Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't tell you upfront. I'll try to find a shelter."
"Why?"
"Well, isn't it obvious? Won't you feel uncomfortable sleeping in a room with a stranger who's a fag?"
"Should I? I believe we're all at different points on the Kinsey scale from heterosexual to homosexual. Besides, I don't like labels, and I detest degrading terms."
"You mean I spent a lot of time awake last night for no reason?"
"Precisely, my dear Watson!"
Parker opened his arms wide, pulling Adam into a tight embrace. He felt tears splashing on his neck. Adam tried to stem the flow, as he stepped back, blushing. Parker drew him into his arms again, where he remained for several minutes until the waterworks stopped. Then he smiled brightly. It wasn't the mask he sometimes wore at the restaurant, but a genuine look of happiness.
"Come on, Bud, you need to get more sleep if you're working tonight."
Parker helped Adam undress to his underwear, and literally tucked him into bed. Adam was tempted to pull him in too, but figured it would be overstepping the boundary. Besides, he didn't know for sure which team Parker was playing for.
After a late lunch, Adam felt better than he had in weeks. Thanks to Parker, he had landed on his feet, and he wasn't going to be cold and hungry for the present, at the very least.
When they'd tidied up the kitchen, Parker suggested they retrieve the rest of Adam's possessions from Darrin's house, including his bike. After setting a time with Darrin, they drove over hurriedly to get their mission accomplished while Darrin's mother was out grocery shopping.
The process didn't take long because there wasn't a lot to move. The other bags with Adam's clothes and spare shoes went into the trunk of the car easily. His bicycle fit onto Parker's bike rack perfectly. Parker thought it would be fun to ride together on the new trails in the area when weather permitted.
Darrin gave his buddy a hug before they left. He also thanked Parker for giving Adam a place to stay.
"I wish I could have had you live here, Adam, but you know how it is."
"You say that, knowing what I am?"
"Sure! What you are is my good friend! I don't hold my parents' views on sex or a lot of other things. The world is changing, and we'll see a new day dawning. In fact, it's already happening. You're lucky to be out of your home. You can be yourself, and they can't make you go to Covenant Baptist!"
"Yeah, I guess that is a perk, but it wouldn't be happening without Parker. He's my life-saver!"
Adam was more upbeat on the job than he'd been in recent weeks, and his smile was more genuine. Parker was pleased to see it, as he tried a new entrée on the menu.
Watching Adam tonight, Parker knew he'd made the right decision to ask him to move in. His shoulders didn't sag, and his mood remained cheerful, even when he had an idle moment to himself.
Parker said he'd leave money for Adam to buy his dinner, but Adam insisted it wasn't necessary since the manager wanted the servers to sample the food offerings on the new menu so they could speak with authority when customers asked about them. So, tonight, he'd be eating the same entree Parker was having, only he'd have it as a takeout meal, and it would be on the house.