Ted & Gary Part 1
Sunday July 4th @ 11:00 PM
Walking quietly in the cool night, Gary and Ted had decided to head
back home after the fireworks. They wend their way through the throngs
of people heading each to their own places. Originally they told Jim and
CJ, that they might come back to their place, but it had been a long day
and Gary did have to be at the hospital by 10:00 AM. Also, if they went
back there, they would have to be with others. Right now, they only had
thoughts for each other.
Ted was still in awe of Gary - he just couldn't figure out what
life without him would be like. The way he walked and talked, the way he
laughed, shook his soul. They had met as freshmen, four years ago this
coming September. Both were so far in the closet, that they wouldn't
even admit to themselves there was a closet. They lived on the same
floor in the dorm. Both being driven as students, pre-law and pre-med,
they started to notice that they would be at the same places and at the
same times. Ted would see Gary, having breakfast in the commons, when
he'd get there at 6:15. Gary would notice Ted walking back to the dorm
from the library at the same time as he did. One night, they were coming
through the library doors at the same time, when Ted asked Gary if he
wanted to stop for a bite to eat before heading back. Gary says he's the
one who came up with the idea.
When they got to the diner, they both ordered a burger and fries
along with iced tea for Gary and diet pepsi for Ted. Gary picked a booth
far enough from the counter so they could be talk to each other without
having to deal with others interrupting them. Neither of them said much
though, just sort of stared at each other a lot. When they did talk it
was generally about school. But Ted kept glancing at Gary's eyes, they
were striking. His eyes were almost aquamarine in color, but the color
was so light, they seemed translucent. Like you could see right into
him. After eating, they walked back to the dorm together, slow and
leisurely. Both shy and lacking in self confidence, it was fun just to
swap complaints about classes and profs. Getting off the elevator, Gary
said, "This was cool, we'll have to do it again sometime." To which Ted
replied, "It's a date. See you."
Both got ready for a sleep that was long in coming. While they
thought, they had made a new friend, for some reason they were both a
little un-easy about it. Every now and then, Ted would visualize Gary's
haunting eyes, while Gary would hear Ted's laugh, echoing in his mind.
It was not entirely a pleasant night, as their thoughts kept being
invaded by lingering childhood images of flames and thoughts of sin.
About 5 in the morning, Ted's roommate was shaking Ted out of a
sound sleep. "Ted, you asshole, wake up already." "Wha .. wha's
wrong?"
Ted asked. His roommate responded, "Sounds like you were having a
nightmare, kept mumbling 'I'm not, I'm not'. You fucker! you woke me
up. Now go back to sleep and shut up in that order."
Ted was now wide awake. And couldn't sleep if he wanted to. But he
made his mind up that he would just avoid Gary from now on. It's not as
if they were real friends or anything. He figured he'd get an early
start and be done with breakfast before Gary even got there. So he
grabbed his stuff and throwing a towel over his shoulder he heads for
the showers. Major mistake - as he was walking in, there was Gary
walking out. After quickly checking at each other out, they both started
staring at each other's heads. Didn't want to be caught staring where
they shouldn't.
Ted starts, "Ah Gary, up early aren't you?"
Not having anticipated Ted, he said, "Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd
get an early start instead. What about you?"
"About the same here. Well, I got to get my shower, see you later."
But before he can get away, Gary says, "Tell you what. How about I
meet you in the cafeteria, okay?"
Ted , can't believe he hears himself saying, "All right 20 minutes
or so." Then he turns and enters the shower room. While Gary eyes burn
into his memory the sight of how Ted looked walking away from him. Ted
in the meanwhile stood in the shower and kept turning the cold water
higher and higher, trying to freeze out the image of Gary coming out of
his shower, dripping wet, hair all askew, those eyes flashing as he saw
Ted.
Ted still remembered everything about those first couple of days. He
stopped walking and looked around to make sure no one was near, "Gary, I
love you." he quietly affirmed, as he gave him a quick hug. "I think I
always have." They start back to their home together. Gary wanted Ted to
see a couple of fireworks of his own making that night.
To Be continued...
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back to "stray e-mail, part one"