This is a work of pure fiction, but based on the author's feelings, beliefs, and in some cases, experience. Come to think of it -- it might not be very pure either! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times between men, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat. If you are too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this kind if story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here. If not, - - ENJOY!
Cast of characters:
Jack Smith -- uh -- that would be me
Billy -- Jack's closest brother, 3 yrs older.
Will Smith -- My dad
Vivian Smith My mom
Art -- Jack's oldest brother, 9 yrs older.
Ralph Gilmore -- a new friend - deceased
Stacy Whitworth -- a catalyst/friend
George Toliver -- old grade school buddy
George Toliver, Sr, -- (duh!)
Cynthia Toliver -- (Mrs. Duh!)
Jim -- George's cousin
Uncle Jake Smith-- Will's Brother
Aunt Lindy -- Uncle Jake's wife
Seth Gary -- One of Jake and Lindy's other nephews
Etta -- The Jacob Smith's housekeeper.
Jake Smith Jr. Jack's cousin
Colin -- Jake's partner
Carrie Smith -- Another of the Smith cousins
Al -- Carrie's Partner
From Chapter 15:
"Do YOU think I should invite him here for New Years?"
"I'm not gonna answer that for you. But I want YOU to ask yourself, `Do I want him here -- for me -- to be my date - "
"My date?" I asked.
"Isn't that what's on your mind? Isn't that why you came all the way up here to talk to me?"
He smiled and got up. Luke seemed to know we were done -- before I did. He came over. "You both have smiles. I'll take that as a good sign."
"Seth gave me a lot to think about."
"He usually does."
"And he made me feel good about my choices."
"He usually does!" Luke said, and grinned at his partner with a love I envied.
Chapter 16
"Hey, Jimmy!"
"Jack!" He said. I could tell he was awfully glad to hear from me. (As I was to hear his voice!)
"Have you had enough of buses?" I asked.
"Hunh?"
"Do you wanna come up here to Santa Barbara for New Year's Eve?"
"Duh!"
"You're a regular one-word-wonder today!"
"Huh?"
"Jack! Hunh? Duh! Huh?"
"Oh. Dang, I'm glad you called. Wut up?"
"I'm staying here through New Year's Eve. But I wanted -- I mean -- I was hope -- er -- wondering if you wanted to come up too?"
"When?"
"For New Year's Eve."
"That would be awesome. But -- er -- so, you will be there until then?"
"Yeah. I'm getting to know my cousins -- some of which I've never met before. You're gonna like them!"
"Wow! You sound like you're falling for them!"
"I could -- if they weren't already attached. But in reality, they're all a little old for me."
"Haha! Too old for you or -- you're too young for them?"
"You got me! Yeah, I'm sure they see me as a kid! But they are all so -- nice -- and -- they're ALL so -- gay!"
"What?!!"
"Yeah, it seems like it grows in the Smith family like weeds! Haha! Even their daughter -- my cousin, Carrie -- has a girlfriend!"
"Bizarre!"
"Yeah, but I've never felt so comfortable -- and accepted -- anywhere! So -- can you come up on the 31st?"
"Not `til the 31st huh?"
"Oh! I never thought about that. Um, let me call you back. I- um -- well -- it's gonna get really crowded here in a couple days."
"Okay. Hey! Call me back as soon as you can." He said.
"Why?"
"I won't be able to sleep -- that's why!"
"Oh!" I said, maybe a little too clearly - - pleased!
"Um -- so -- just to avoid any misunderstanding -- um -- Am I coming as your -- um -- buddy -- or your date?" His voice was audibly shaking as he asked it.
I'm sure my answer made him sweat -- because I hesitated way too long.
"My date!" I finally said. I heard his exhale. I hoped that he was doing the same little dance that I would have been doing, if the other guys were not there.
As soon as I hung up, Jake said, "We'll always make room, Cuz!" I saw him grinning like the Cheshire cat! He batted his eyes at me. I could tell the next week was going to be fun, as I turned beet red! I keyed in Jim's number again.
"Can you come on the 30th?"
"Yes!"
We worked out the times with the Greyhound company. The Smith family told me that the bus station was not a savory place and several of us should be early, and wait -- so he would not be left alone at the terminal. I told Jim this and he laughed. He said he has seen a lot of bus terminals that probably had to be worse than Santa Barbara.
The next day, the 27th, I met Rob and Denny. Denny was about my height, and like Jim was very thin. I wondered if he was battling HIV too. But I wasn't going to ask. Rob, his partner was nothing less than a god. 6'-7" tall, an angelic face, and a personality to match. When he walked in the door, Seth ran to him and jumped up into his arms like a little boy! What's that about?
Rob was shy at first, but as time wore on, he was having fun with the rest of the guys. I still was a little shy of letting myself get crazy -- like I really wanted to do. Even though all of the others did. Adults are so much more confident! Adults? Geez! I'm an adult! Oh well.
When Seth's brother, Chris and his partner, Craig arrived, on the 28th, I felt bad that they had to sleep out on the couch, while I was given a king-sized bed in a bedroom all to myself. But Chris would have it no other way.
"I know all these guys -- and can handle myself with them." Said Chris. "I know that they have given you all kinds of guff -- as well as the rest of the family. You deserve to sleep in some semblance of privacy. The rooms are sound proof, but if I know my cousin - "
"Uh -- we been good, Christy! The kids are bunking with us -- remember?" Said my cousin, Jake.
"When the kids stay down at Grampa's, this place rocks!" Said Craig. They'll be there New Year's Eve, you know!"
"Rocks?" I said.
"You have no idea!" Said Denny. "It was hard for me to get used to."
"Your Cousins are insane, you know!" said Rob.
"Yeah," Jake cracked, "we drove YOU gay didn't we!?" Everyone but me laughed.
"Thank GOD for that!" said Denny. "Rob saved my life!" The laughter stopped.
"And we're all grateful for that!" said Chris. "What would we do without Denny?"
Along with these four guys came 5 other children, three of which were siblings to Jake and Colin's kids, the other two were cousins. The rest of the kids stayed at the big house with Grandma and Grandpa. I was told that their mothers were also there, but they preferred to stay to themselves. All the others were younger than Ursula and Uri, so maybe that's why they stay with their mothers when they travel. They're all beautiful children. But then, aren't all children beautiful?
"Jack." Came Jim's voice over my cell phone.
"You don't sound good, Jim. What's wrong?"
"I can't come." He said. He sounded completely crestfallen and defeated.
"Ohhh, no!" I said. "Why?"
"They changed my schedule at McDonalds! The ass hole with more seniority decided she wanted it off -- last night! I have to work that evening."
"Oh Jim! I'm so disappointed! I'm so SORRY!"
"Yeah, well, me too. That leaves you without a date!"
"That part doesn't matter, Jimmy! I'm just disappointed you can't come."
"I thought about quitting, but - "
"No, don't do that. You need that job. We'll make up for it -- later."
"I wanted to meet all your cousins and stuff!"
"Yeah, I wanted you to, too, Dude. I just don't know what to say. I really feel bad. I'm gonna really miss you."
"I know. Well," he said cheerfully, obviously trying to bring it up a notch, "See you whenever you get back."
"Okay. See yah, Jimmy!"
I had stepped out of the flat to take the call. I sat down on the chair on the landing and stared at my feet for a moment then went back in the door.
"What's up, Haole?" Said Luke. "You look like you just lost your best friend!" Again, everyone gave Luke a strange look -- for what reason I could not guess.
"I didn't. But Jim can't come." I said, gravely. "And -- what does Haole mean?"
"It's means `white boy'!" Said Seth, with a bit of an edge to his voice.
I looked from Seth to Luke, and back to Seth. "Is there something wrong?" I said.
"It's -- nothing -- really." Said Seth. I looked back to Luke, wondering if I had done something wrong. Luke was looking at Seth.
"I'm sorry. It just came out without thinking."
Luke then said to me, "I'm sorry. Haole is a name that I usually reserve for Seth. I called him that when we first met -- for the same reason I called you it. It really means non-Hawaiian. But I called him it to mean `white boy' -- to tease him. Of course not being Hawaiian, he had no idea. But it stuck. He calls me Luken."
"I'm sorry, Luke." Said Seth. "It was silly of me to make such a deal of it. It just surprised me -- to hear you call someone else by that name."
"For you it's a name. For anyone else, it's just a word. But I should have thought deeper about it. Sorry, Babe - - sorry, HAOLE!" And Luke pecked Seth on the lips.
"What's Luken stand for?" I asked.
"I don't even remember!" Said Luke.
"It's because he is "luken" so good!" said Seth, laughing. Then Seth turned to me and said, "So -- what're you gonna do now - - Haole?" Everyone laughed.
"I dunno. Guess I'll just have to see Jim after the New Year."
That was accepted for the time being. Later, Seth took me aside and said, "How much do you like Jim?"
"A lot. He's become a good friend."
"Good friend? He was gonna be your date wasn't he? For New Years?"
"Well -- yeah!"
"Dude, I don't wanna tell you how to run your life, but - "
"You think I should go back?"
"It's up to you, Jack. I don't want to overly influence you. But I don't think it would hurt anything. And it surely could -- um -- make him feel important -- if that's what you want."
"I guess."
"So -- why are you hesitating?"
"I have had such a great time here! I've never felt so accepted and part of a group. I guess I just -- don't want to leave."
"Jack, you'll se us all again. You'll hopefully see me and Luke often! But you don't want to be the only guy without someone special on New Year's Eve."
"Yeah, - Jim either!" I said.
I made my apologies and thanks to everyone, especially Auntie Lindy and Uncle Jake - - AND Etta and Seth! The drive home was brutal -- traffic-wise as well as I felt a very distinct separation angst from my cousins.
It was 9:30 PM when I got home. "I thought you were staying for New Year's." Said Mom.
"Change of plans. I didn't want to disappoint Jim. He had to work at the last minute, and couldn't come."
"Oh."
I walked straight through the house and through the yard out to the park. I keyed in Jim's number. "Hello?"
I knew it was Rod, Jim's only brother old enough to have his voice changed. "Hi Rod, is Jim there? Or does he work tonight?"
This is what I heard through the phone:
"It's for you, Jimmy. It's your BOY-friend!" in a sing-songy voice.
"Shut up, Rod!" hollered Jim.
"Rodney, what have we told you!?" demanded Jim's mom.
"Hello?"
"Hey." I tried to say as nonchalantly as I could.
"Hey!" He said back to me. "What's happening? What're you doing?"
"Freezing my butt off!" I answered.
"Why -- where are you?"
"I'm in this park, standing at the fence of my best friend's yard."
I heard his phone hit the floor, then, "Yeeeee -- HAWWW!" Then I heard a door slam and in about three seconds his head popped up over the fence. "It really is -- I mean you really are -- what's - " He gathered his thoughts. "Is everything okay?"
I guess he was a little slow reading my grin. "It is now!" I said.
Jim popped over the fence and jumped into my arms, wrapping his legs around me. "I guess you knew I could hold your skinny ass!" I quipped, laughing. He hugged me, with his nose buried in my neck, and then he reared back.
"Why -- why -- why are you here?"
"I couldn't think of any other date that I wanted for New Year's."
"But I have to work!"
"When do you get off?"
"11:00 PM!"
"So -- that's before 2006 starts -- by ½ hour. I'll take you to work, and then pick you up."
"Where will we go?" He said, barely able to talk with his wide grin.
"Does it matter?" I said. "I'll be with my best friend -- that's all that matters."
He suddenly got serious. "I've never had a best friend. And unless I am mistaken, you at least implied that I would be your date that night."
"I guess I did!" I laughed.
"Our FIRST date!" he giggled, still wrapped around me.
"Yup -- unless of course it isn't."
"Huh?"
"I know it's pretty short notice -- and impromptu, but -- THIS could be our first date!" And I kissed his on the mouth. His legs dropped to the ground, and he kissed me back, with more passion than I had seen from him before. We both felt each other's body react to this tender moment. Tender and - - hot! In the cold December evening.
"So, do you have to work tomorrow night?" I said. "That could be our second date."
"I -- actually -- don't, but - " his body went limp and he let me go. "I -- <AHEM!> have a date."
I stepped away. "Oh." I said, embarrassed for us both. "Anyone I know?"
"I can get out of it! He's a new guy at work. We were actually thinking of being together for New Year's, but I definitely can't do that now."
"Um -- no -- don't break your date, Jim. I know how I'd feel if you did that to me."
"No -- it's nothing! We were just gonna hang out. I don't really even know if he's gay."
"Still, he may be awfully disappointed. Do your commitment, dude."
"I'm sorry."
"No -- no problem. It just -- just -- was a -- surprise -- is all."
"Hey! Why don't you come with us tomorrow night?"
"Naw man. Especially if he IS gay -- you owe him at least your undivided attention -- I think." I added, "You could scar him for life. What's his name?"
"Web." Jim answered. "short for Webber. That's his last name. His first name he won't tell anyone."
"Well, go have -- um -- fun -- with Web, Jack, and I'll see you on New Year's."
"You mean our first date is over already?" He pouted.
"I'm suddenly awfully tired. The drive home was grueling."
"Oh." He said, clearly disappointed. Well, I was disappointed, too!
"Unless you want to come to my house for the night - - ?" I offered.
He brightened back up immediately, and said, "I'll go get my pajamas!" He started to jump back over the fence then stopped, turned and hugged and kissed me. Then he hopped over into his yard, and I heard him humming a tune I couldn't place, until he disappeared into the house.
I told Mom not to wake us in the morning, and we went straight to bed -- no shower -- no teeth brushing! He wore his pajamas and I, my sleep pants. When we got under the covers, he spooned me. "Jim?"
"Yeah?"
"I think with both of us in here, it'll be too hot for that shirt." He pulled it over his head and threw it on the floor, then repositioned himself behind me. He kissed my neck and I turned my head enough to kiss his lips.
Then I snuggled deeper in the covers and - - deeper into his embrace. I was asleep within minutes. My dreams were good -- and neither Ralph nor George made an appearance. No, not even Web!
Only Jim.
Notes: This is s good place to stop. No, whiners, not the story -- just the chapter. Comments are always welcome -- solicited even! J Please address them to Steve at stevethomas535@hotmail.com