The Dump Dude, Chapter 2 -- The Die Hard Christmas Eve
So, I've decided to change this around a bit, I'm going to try my hand at a gay romance. I like the characters Dave and Rick and the setting in rural southern Arizona. So, I'll work on developing their relationship, and not focus on the explicit sexual part. I'd love to hear your thoughts.. And please consider supporting Nifty so that we may continue to enjoy these stories: https://donate.nifty.org/
It was Christmas Eve, as usual I was spending it home by myself; I'm happy with that. I'd fixed myself a glass of wine, and prepared my selections of pot -- a nice Sativa to perk me up, then a nice mellow hybrid to get me in the spirit of things. I had spent some time going through my collection of holiday films and selected Home Alone, it's always good for some laughs. Suddenly there was a loud banging at the door. Who the fuck can that be on Christmas Eve, I wondered? I went to the door and looked through the peephole, it was Rick. I opened the door to let him in.
"Hey buddy, what's up?". He was carrying a small duffle bag. "I had a huge ass fight with the old lady, Ellen. She gets so stressed during the holidays, everything has to be just perfect, and just exactly the way she wants things. We were settled in to watch a movie, and I told her I wanted to watch that Bruce Willis flick, Die Hard. She said that's not a Christmas movie, that we'll watch Home Alone, and that's it, no discussion. So, I told her I'm not watching fucking Home Alone for the 30th fucking time. She screamed at me to not use that language in front of the kids. I told her I'll use whatever fucking language I want. The kids started crying and she told me to get out. So, I packed some things and told her I'll be staying at a friend's place for a while. She demanded to know who you were, I guess I've never mentioned you to her. I almost told her we were fuck buddies, but decided not in front of the kids. So, I just told her you were a good friend who live on you own with plenty of room, and that you live near work at the power plant, so don't look for me anytime soon. She said that would suit her just fine".
Rick looked at me questioningly. "So, is it Ok if I stay here for a couple of days?" "Absolutely!" I assured him. "Do you want to put your things in the spare bedroom?". Rick looked at me skeptically. "I was hoping to sleep with you. We've never done that, spent the night together, sleeping together. I was hoping to sleep with you". "Sounds good to me" I agreed. "I was just thinking if someone stopped by". "Are you expecting any company?". "No". "Well then . . .?" "Did you tell your wife, Ellen, exactly where I live?" "Fuck no! She's just the kinda bitch that might try to snoop around. She just knows you're near the power plant, but she'd have no idea where to find you -- or me. If she wants to get ahold of me she has my number". "Did you tell her my last name?". "No. Wait, I don't even know your last name, I've just ever known you as Dave, the Dump Dude". "It's Parsons, David Parsons. You can find people on the internet if you know their first and last name, and a bit more info. Property Deeds and property taxes are public records". "Ellen doesn't do internet, she can barely handle a smart phone. And I didn't know your last name, so she sure as hell doesn't know it". "Fine, put your things in my room".
We settled in the family room in front of my TV. "So, I was just getting ready to watch a movie. And you won't believe it, but I was going to watch Die Hard". Rick kissed me on the cheek. "You're right, I don't believe you, you're a lousy liar. There's just something I see in your eyes when you lie. But do you have it, and sure you don't mind watching it?". "Yes, I have it on Blu-ray, and would love to watch it, I haven't seen it in a while. Yippee Ki Yay, motherfucker!" Rick kissed me again. "I really, really like you, thanks for taking me in". I smiled. "Can't have you sleeping in your car, it's much more fun when you sleep with me in my bed. And I've fixed myself a glass of Chardonnay, would you like one?" "Do you have anything stronger?" "Sure". I walked into the kitchen to the liquor cupboard. "Let's see, I have Vodka, you can have tonic or 7-up with it. I don't drink it, but I have some whiskey here somewhere. I have Tequila . . .". "Tequila" Rick quickly agreed. "I think I have some margarita mix here somewhere". No, just fix me a glass of it straight".
I selected a tumbler and brought the bottle of Tequila to the coffee table and set them down. Rick poured himself a shot and downed it one gulp. "Phew, good stuff! Jose Cuervo, my old friend. I feel better already". I turned on the movie and then fixed us a bowl. We fired up the bowl, Rick took another shot of tequila, and we settled in to watch the movie. "Oh yeah, I'd forgotten that this was set on Christmas Eve, this is a good Christmas movie". Rick snuggled in next to me. "You're awfully affectionate tonight". "We've never done this before, never been able to" Rick said softly. "It's always been me stopping by after work. We get high, we have quick hot sex, and then I take off to get home on time so Ellen doesn't get mad at me. We've never cuddled like this before, and I like it, it feels . . . just so natural". "Yeah, it is nice . . . Oh, this the scene where they start shooting and take everyone hostage. Well, everyone except John McClain". The shots rang out loudly, echoing around the speaker system.
"Dave, when gay people fall in love, do you think it's the same as when straight people fall in love" Rick asked when the scene was over. "Well, of course!" I retorted. "Love is love! Love doesn't have gender boundaries, or any other boundary. When the spark is there it's there, whether it's the same gender or the opposite gender. There are gay people who have been in love with each other all their lives, just the same as straight people. Why would you ask that?". "Well, it just feels so good to be cuddled up next to you, it just feels so natural" Rick replied. "It got me to thinking . . . if I could love a man the same way I loved Ellen when we first got together. And I was thinking yeah, I can love a man. Especially if that man is you in particular".
I straightened up and pushed Rick away slightly. "Let's not go there" I said sternly. "Why not?" Rick questioned, hurt evident in his voice. "Because you'd be rushing into things on the rebound. You just had a huge ass fight with Ellen. You're upset and vulnerable, and you can make bad decisions when you're upset and vulnerable. Let's not rush into anything". Rick considered things. "Don't you like me?". I sighed. "You know I do". "And don't you feel . . . something a little special about me?" Rick persisted. "That's not the point!" I insisted. "Oh. And what is exactly the point?" "The point is . . . " I began in an exasperated tone, ". . . Oh! This is a good part when the explosions start". The explosions made the subwoofer rumble, and reverberated in the speakers overhead.
"Have you ever been in love" Rick asked when the movie had changed to a quiet scene. I turned to glare at him, my annoyance obvious. "No!" I spat out. Rick looked into my eyes. "You're lying. Your eyes kinda cloud up a bit when you lie, like you're trying to hide your thoughts behind them. So c'mon, cough it up -- who was he? Or was it a she?". "It was a he, of course" I spat out quickly. Rick looked at me inquisitively. "And? Go on". I hesitated, but decided to tell him. "I was in high school and I knew I was gay. I had this mad crush on this guy Gary. He was on the wrestling team. I always wondered how you can roll around with another guy in your arms and not get at least a little hot and bothered. So, I thought he might have the same thoughts that I did. So one day after school Gary came over to my house to work together on a paper. My mom was out shopping, so I decided I was going to make my move. I put my arms around him and tried to kiss him. He pushed me away, hard, he knocked me onto the floor. He started screaming at me, calling me a disgusting pervert, a faggot. He told me he never wanted to talk to or see me again, and kicked me on the way out. So, I decided maybe love just wasn't my thing. I grew up in Vegas, and started using Grinder and other apps to hook up with guys, guys that I knew wanted it. And I figured out pretty quick that when you're young and not too shabby on the eyes you can make some pretty good money hustling older guys". "Geez!" Rick gasped in surprise, "you were a hustler?" "Yeah" I assured him. "I hustled for several years, making damn good money renting my ass out. And no emotional attachments required. I'm not much of a gambler, slots and the gaming tables are for suckers. Locals in Vegas have a saying: `The House always wins. Meaning the casino always comes out ahead. But the sportsbook is where you get at least an even chance. I've always loved football, and made even more money betting on college football and the NFL. That's how I got the money to buy this place. I grew tired of the hustle and bustle of Vegas. I remembered southern Arizona from a trip I took with my parents to Texas, and remembered how much I liked it. So, I moved down here and bought this place". I turned back to the TV. "Oh! This is the big finale where they blow the place up. Let's watch the movie!"
Die Hard ended in it's blaze of glory. I switched to You Tube and some music videos I enjoyed, but turned down the volume. "So, you never saw that guy -- Gary -- again? Rick asked. "Well, we saw each other in school, but he'd never look me in the eye. I always wondered if he figured out wrestling with guys in his arms wasn't such a bad thing and he ended up being queer. But, fuck him!". "And when he rejected you" Rick began carefully, "and called you names and kicked you, were you upset and felt vulnerable?" "Well, fuck yeah! Of course!" "Well," Rick continued, "just a little while ago you told me that when you're upset and vulnerable you can make bad decisions". "Yeah"" I sighed in exasperation, "and what's your point?" "Geez, you can be a stubborn son of a bitch!" Rick said, looking me square in the eyes. "The point is that when you were upset and vulnerable over his rejection maybe you made a bad decision about love? Maybe, just maybe, it's time you give love another chance in your life?" I stared at Rick for a moment, stunned, and then quickly turned away. I didn't want him to see the tears that had welled up in my eyes. I didn't want him to see me vulnerable. Not yet anyway.
We spent the night together, our first night together. Christmas Eve. And we didn't have sex, we made tender, passionate love instead.