Jacob's Tears
Copyright c.e. Jordan, 2000
...as usual it will be nice to know what you readers think.... --thanks.
JACOB'S TEARS 1
Green leaves brushed across Brandon's face. He ducked and slapped away the thin branches overhanging the narrow dirt path. A small black bird created a big commotion as it flew by screeching. It seemed to Brandon that this year the familiar tree limbs were hanging much lower to the ground than when he'd last come this way, the summer before. 'Maybe it just seems that way 'cause I'm taller now than I was last year', The thirteen-year-old thought, and smiled to himself.
Brandon loved his annual visits to the deep South. Of course he also liked the excitement and restless energy of living in New York, but his trips to see his grandparents in the Kentucky mountains were like entering a parallel world far different from his usual reality. A vagrant breeze rustled through the green canopy above pushing leaves aside allowing sunlight to sprinkle down in a shower of bright gold spots; it was just enough to illuminate the shadowy undergrowth and light brown skin of the boy playing by himself in the woods.
Pretending to be a brave African hunter, Brandon slipped quietly through his dangerous jungle' brandishing a stick for a spear. He was headed for 'Jacob's Tears', his favorite swimming hole on his family's extensive property. But the thick foliage confused him a bit and he paused for a moment to make sure of where he was. He caught a glimpse of silvery water glittering beyond the trees only a short distance away and Brandon grinned. He dumped his spear' and stripped off his t shirt as he walked along.
Brandon could almost feel the cool water lapping at his body and lowered his shorts past his hips in anticipation. He rounded a clump of bushes--and immediately froze. Spread out before him just as he remembered it, was the faintly rippling blue green waters of his beloved swimming hole--it was beautiful, but not more beautiful than the creature already occupying "Jacob's Tears".
Half-submerged In the shallow area near the shore was a boy of his own age, perhaps a bit younger. The kid lay back in the water relaxed as if he was in his own bed. He was staring up at the passing clouds with eyes the same deep blue color as the skies. His pale knees were pulled up so they stuck out of the shallow water as did his chest. His head, a damp mass of red-gold curls, rested on a smooth rock that was like a pillow made especially for him. The pink and gold boy hummed a tuneless melody into the warm summer air. Then, totally unaware of Brandon's enchanted stare, the golden boy's hands began to move upon his own body; small fingertips touched his neck, then one hand floated down to pinch a nipple while the other stroked his slick belly on the way down to the watery mystery between his legs.
Finally recovering his senses, Brandon yelled louder than he meant to, "What the fuck are you doing boy?"
"Aaagh!!" The startled kid cried out in alarm. He tried to get to his feet, but the water sucked him back down. Again he tried to rise, but with arms and legs waving wildly in the air, he crashed back into the water making a big splash.
Brandon doubled over, almost peeing himself with laughter, until he noticed the boy wasn't moving. In falling the kid hit his head on the same stone he'd used for a pillow and was stunned. Brandon tossed his t-shirt to the ground, dropped his shorts the rest of the way, and ran into the water. His willowy body was now as naked as the blonde boy.
(To be continued)