Going back to the King House Part 2

Friday July 23rd @ 5:10 PM - On the Road from Cheyenne.

     TK turns toward Steve, "So how did you meet Mark?"

     Steve's eyes remain glued to the road, "You know I've never talked to
anyone about Mark. In fact, I didn't even know any other gay people except for
Mark and Tommy. ... I guess I really met Mark almost two years ago, of course
I knew who he was for a lot longer. In high school we were a year apart, but
we still managed to have a couple classes together.

     "Well, it all started that night at the revival meeting, my mom had
dragged me along, wanted to save my ass from the devil. ... I suppose you
could say she was already too late for that.  ... Then that fucker, Chuck
Westin, figured he'd be saved by renoucing faggots and being at one with the
lord. Well, I got my ass out of there but quick. I didn't know what the fuck
to do. ... On my way home, Mark comes running after me, and asks me if I'm
alright. Says to me, that if I need any kind of help, to look him up. ...
Well, I ended sleeping on his couch that night, after my parents got home from
the revival I became disposable.

     "Mark was kind and gentle. But for all the world I thought he was
straight, and I have the feeling he was hoping he was too. He helped me find
the apartment across from your house. It was only after I moved out that I
noticed that he would just be staring at me, when we got together. It seemed
like he was calling every day, Now and again he would invite me over for
dinner, and ... Promise you wont say anything to Mark, okay?" TK  just watched
the road, "Say anything about what?" "Just promise me you won't tell Mark."
"Okay, whatever it is." Well, Mark couldn't cook his way out of a wet paper
bag. He's a fucking terrible cook, and the problem is he tries so very hard."

      "One day, we were just sitting watching TV when I fell asleep sitting
next to him. I must of moved in my sleep, cuz when I woke up again, my head
was on his shoulder, and I could feel Mark stroking my hair ever so gently. It
felt so good that I pretended to sleep for little while longer. ... Noticing
his eyes were closed, I then slowly leaned over and kissed him. At first he
kissed me back, then he opened his eyes in horror, and jumped up, knocking me
to the floor."

      "He stammered that he was half asleep and didn't know what he was doing.
... But he knew he wasn't fooling me and he wasn't fooling himself. It was the
kiss, man. I meant it and so did he." Steve shakes his head as he goes on, "He
then tried to say that he was just curious, that he really didn't mean
anything by it. While we were talking he kept walking backwards, until he hit
the wall. When he had his back to the wall and nowhere to go I told him, 'You
know Mark, I'm a little curious myself' I then tried giving him a kiss that
would knock him all the way to St. Louie."

       "At first he tried to fight it, but ... well anyway he ended trying to
knock me all the way to San Francisco." A smile brightens Steve's face, "We
moved from friends, to boyfriends, and then to lovers. For a quiet guy, Mark
can be a real fucking animal. Then on my birthday he asked me if I'd consider
living with him. ... I suppose you've figured out that I'm in love with the
asshole. ... It's funny how all of sudden, you just want to hear him talk,
... or get lost in his dimples."
    
     Tk's place looms ahead, as Steve pulls in the driveway. "I know Mark
tends to be on the quiet side, but if you need a friend you couldn't do
better."