O====================================================o
"Eddie"
An erotic fantasy by drow elf.
(c) 11-18-90. Revisions: 12-13-91, 5-24-2003
Another tale to be placed in the eternal archive of
gay erotica, nifty.org
Dedicated to Roy of Texas, who sent me an encouraging
fan mail at just the right time. o====================================================o
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- In chat with Nifty, he happened to mention that he liked Eddie, one of my few romances written at an early age. He had only a portion of the story. So I lightly burnished this old copy of the complete story and sent it to him.
I am past the age of romances now, and happier, because romantic love has many facets, few of them pleasant.
But these fictions where Romance succeeds are sweet like a summer's breeze.
(I do make a distinction between Romantic love and realistic, everyday love.)
Like every writer I crave feedback, criticism, and acclaim.
From the lair of the drow May the 24th, 2003.
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Eddie - Complete
Written by Drow Elf -- r a d i x m a l l o r u m
Io credo, che saranno radi
Che tua ragione intendan bene
Tanto lor sei faticoso ed alto.
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Chapter 1: Meeting in the Park.
~The pale young man sits before me, his brown hair tossed carelessly over his brow. He is compactly muscular and I have already witnessed his agility; this is not a man to be trifled with. He is 18 but far wiser in the ways of the world than many older men I have known.
My name is Derrick Hart. I am a traveller. I have been many places and I have seen many things. I brought this boy back from the Dead. He will tell you about that and many other things as well. His name is Karl and he is my student now. I am capturing his story inside an enchanted crystal for posterity. He has agreed to reveal the circumstances which preceded his untimely demise in order to give me insight into his character.
The young man has nodded his head, a signal which means he will begin his story.~
We met purely by chance on a Monday morning.
I remember him, you know. His friendly smile, his delicate elvish eyes. I loved the way he laughed, so full of vitality--once you got him laughing, you couldn't make him stop, he would just keep on, and then I would start laughing too--
Derrick, it pains me to talk about this.
...I was 17 years into the world, but much younger...much younger. Even though it has been only a year since Eddie died, I feel old now.
I am 6 feet tall and have brown hair and blue eyes. On this day I was wearing a black shirt, jeans, and red underwear. I would have gone without underwear had it not been slightly chilly around this time in October. I always wear as little clothing as possible. I like the feel of the wind and the sun on my skin.
I sat cross-legged under a tree in the park. I was waiting for 9:00 to roll around, because my parents would leave for work then. I was cutting school that day. Ha-ha. When I went home I would play video games, drink beer and eat pizza. Just the sort of thing to warm a truant officer's heart. My parent's excuse would be forged by my brother, who wanted to be a writer one day. His masterpiece would either draw a word of sympathy from my teacher, or silence and a finger pointed towards the principal's office.
The steady rays of sunlight upon my body relaxed me. I had eaten a large breakfast that morning, and felt tired. In the midst of my meditations, I dozed. I found myself dreaming of something strange that I can't remember now.
A breeze blew rapidly against my face, and I awoke. I listened to a bird whistling in a tree nearby. Slowly my gaze turned towards the Hut.
The Hut was a two-story wooden structure which overlooked the park's baseball field. Every park in West Ashley had one; they were built for spectators. Fans could crowd in there during games and watch. There was a roof overhead which gave some protection against the sun.
Blood raced to my head as I stood up. I walked towards the Hut. As I approached, I detected a flurry of feet in the second story of the Hut. Then I heard a nervous cough. Whoever was up there had seen me before I had seen them, putting me at a tactical disadvantage.
"Hullo?" I ventured. No response. I walked into the Hut, directly under the second floor, and peered through the cracks in the floor. There was one guy up there and he seemed small, judging by the size of his shoes. Warily I climbed up the ladder.
I saw him as I came up into the second floor. My eyes travelled up. Nike tennis shoes, blue jeans, slender legs, tight waist, blue shirt, and oh...that face, so cute! I thought that I just might sit there and stare for hours. He was about two years younger than I, with shiny black hair drooping down near brown puppy-dog eyes, a petite nose, sensual lips, which were moving now to speak. I snapped out of my trance to remember English.
"Hi." said the God.
I looked back dumbly. Finally I said, "Oh, hi!" and I climbed up from the ladder and wiped my hands on my pants, preparing to shake hands. I said,
"My name is Karl. What's yours?"
"Eddie."
"Well, Eddie, I'm glad to meet you."
I walked over to him and shook hands. His hand was cold. He seemed nervous for some reason, and wouldn't look into my eyes for more than a brief moment. "He should be nervous!" I thought. "If he only knew how I felt!"
After I explained that I was cutting school, he told me that he had been suspended from school after being caught smoking a cigarette. A dreadful crime, we both agreed--and we laughed.
We plunged into a rapid stream of small talk, and he told me that he went to the same school; in fact he had seen me in passing before--often. We exchanged opinions on teachers and subjects and I found him growing more at ease, and smiling often when he looked at me. I felt my sixth sense tapping me on the shoulder, saying, "This guy likes you!"
Finally my watch read 9:00 and I knew I could go back home. No fool, I invited Eddie over, and he enthusiastically accepted. His eyes beamed with a strong emotion.
And so it was, we became lovers. We did many things together and helped one another in countless ways. Over a year passed until we reached that terrible cusp in time to which you, Derrick, were a witness, when I lost Eddie forever.
Chapter 2: At School and at Home.
It was late evening. I sat in my room, contemplating the day's events. Cute Eddie, that boy with black hair, 14 years old, and with those shy brown eyes. How could it be, I wondered, that we moved so quickly into each others' arms. It sounded like one of those silly stories you read...
I daydreamed lazily about Eddie, lying naked in my arms; moaning beneath me as we copulated; smiling at me in the park; laughing as he sat perched upon my shoulders. I thought about how grand the days to come would be. Everything I did, everywhere I went would be with Eddie.
I picked up the phone and dialed the number Eddie had given me before he left. It rang once.
"Hello?" a teenage girl answered. "Hi, is Eddie there?" "Yeah. What do you want?"
I was a little confounded by that. I said, "Donations for the Policeman's Fraternity Club?" "Yeah, right. Never mind, I'll go get him." "Hold on, who are you?" "I'm Cindy, Eddie's sister. I'm older and smarter than he is." "That so? Can you solve a quadratic equation for me?" "What?" She paused, chewed some gum a moment, continued, "I'm not a computer, buster! Besides, I go to the same high school you do, I bet--and you know we don't learn anything like that in school!" "This I concede. Decadence permeates our educational system." "Smarty pants. Give me a dictionary and I'll throw some fifty dollar words right back at you! Let me get Eddie for you. EDD-IEE! Phone!"
I liked her spirit! Rarely do I come across a female with spirit and intellect. I suppose that is why I've usually preferred guys to girls. I've had only one female friend who I felt had an astonishing mind and a vivacious spirit--and I fell in love with her. That was when I was 13 years old. Alas, the love was unrequited. She fell for a squint-eyed brute named Kirk who ditched her in two weeks because she wouldn't put out. Tsk, tsk.
Eddie took the phone and I luxuriated in his light, happy voice, so like warm sunshine. I said, "How is the boy of my dreams doing tonight?" "Shh! Lord knows who's on the other phone!"
I laughed. Then I said, "Sorry. I was careless. But you know something?" "What?" "J'adore tu." "En j'adore tu, aussi. Do you know that I've been thinking about you all day?" "No. Really? That makes me feel very special and privileged...and horny too!"
We both laughed. He said, "Oh, man, you keep forgetting that someone could be listening on the other phone! But I forgot too." "Oh, fuck 'em. Who cares. Let the whole world know." "Karl! Geez. We must talk!" "Yeah, we must--let's talk tomorrow. I want to see you tomorrow." "Me too. Oh, I wish you were here with me now. I would kiss you!"
I made smacking noises over the phone. He giggled. He said, "Okay, how about this. You ride the bus home with me tomorrow. You come to my house and stay the night. I rape you. You don't tell anyone, but seek counseling. Twenty years later you tell your wife about it late one night. She gets turned on by the story. Surprisingly, you become aroused as well. The two of you have the best sex you've ever had." "Eddie, you're impossible." "That's why I'm Me. Do I have a date?" "You've got a date, you little tease." "Alright! We'll meet at school two times; once in the morning-- I'll be in front of the office--and the last time in the parking lot after school. Adios, loverboy!"
In my best Olde English voice I said, "Goodbye, my immoral vagabond!"
We met in front of the school, as we had agreed. I walked up and saw Eddie sitting on a bench reading a novel. On the ground beside him lay his school books. He wore blue jeans and a black shirt, the favored attire for a guy who's deeply into heavy metal, but I knew Eddie wasn't the type. He looked fine in those clothes; the black shirt matched his black hair. But he looked fine in anything, or better in nothing.
As I approached his eyes darted up from the book, and he grinned, looking me up and down. I felt his eyes probing my body, feeling, grasping. I relished the attention.
"Hi!" he said.
"Hi. You look great."
"So do you!"
Our eyes met, spoke a thousand words, parted. He sighed. I lifted a hand to his book.
"So...what are you reading? ~Interview with the Vampire~ by Anne Rice. Hmm, that sounds like an interesting interview."
"It's very romantic and well-written."
"Hmm, I might like to hold that after you're finished with it."
He grinned with an air of mischief.
"You'd like to hold it, huh?"
"Hmm?"
I smiled distractedly.
Eddie continued, "You'd like to hold IT after I've finished with IT, wouldn't you?"
"You know I would."
I wanted to grasp his leg right then, but mindful of where we were, I just nudged my elbow at his ribs. He laid an arm on my shoulder and tilted towards me, laughing.
"Okay...okay..." he said finally, trying to catch his breath. "We'll partake of more...indoor sports...tonight."
After he had calmed down, we talked about the classes we had that day and how we knew they would take forever since we were both so eager. He told me the number of his bus and where it was parked.
When the school bell rang, we both stood up. He reached for his books on the ground, bending over directly in front of me so that his derriere was inches away from my front. I swear he did this intentionally. I studied his succulent curves discretely, trying not to be obvious to any passerby. He rose with the books in his hands and looked in my eyes, and I smiled and turned away. He came up to my ear and whispered, "Wait 'til tonight!" and then walked away into the crowd before I could reply.
At lunch Eddie was nowhere to be found. I ate in the cafeteria with my buddies Mark and Chris. Mark was livid with anger over a number of detentions he had scored in Mrs. Gregg's algebra class, and explained that Mrs. Gregg had canine ancestors. We all snickered and nodded our heads in agreement.
After Mark finished and we had all had our say on the matter, Chris changed the subject.
"Say, I'm planning on renting out a movie tonight. Why don't you guys come on over and watch it with me? My parents are going out to eat tonight, so we could have a few beers or something."
Mark said, "Alright! That sounds cool! But what movie? And where are you getting the beer?"
"My uncle said he'd get me some, as long as I give him the money for it. And I'm getting ~Lord of the Flies~, the latest version. I liked the book, so I wanna see the movie." Chris said.
I said, "I don't think I'll be able to make it. I'd like to, but I'm going over to a friend's house today, a guy I met yesterday, and I'll probably sleep over at his house and go to school with him in the morning."
Of course, nothing was implied by what I said. Chris and Mark led straight lifestyles to my knowledge and were pretty naive about gay relationships. I did occasionally speculate about Chris' proclivities, but not often enough to tempt me to ask him. Chris and Mark were both attractive but I considered them only as friends, not as sexual beings. I was content with things the way they were.
They looked at me, and Chris asked, "Who's this guy? Do we know him?"
"Nah, I doubt it. He's a freshman by the name of Eddie...um, I don't know his last name."
Mark said, "I don't know him."
Chris said, "Nope. Never heard of an 'Eddie'."
I said, "Well, he's pretty cool. I met him in the park yesterday when I cut school. We got to talking and I found out that he went to the same school I did. He was suspended for smoking cigarettes."
Mark looked at Chris and said, "Remember that time you got suspended for smoking a cigarette in the library?"
Chris smiled. "Yeah..."
We chatted for a while longer until the bell rang and we had to return to our cells...I mean, our classes.
The day finally expired and I found Eddie's bus at the designated area. I climbed aboard and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't too crowded; in fact, there was room enough for each kid to have his own seat and not be forced to share. That meant...yes, that meant that Eddie and I could sit together.
Eddie had picked the very last seat at the end of the bus, and no one was on the other side, so we would have a little privacy. He was smiling as I walked down the aisle, looking coyly up at me, his soft black hair drooping over those irresistible brown eyes, with his head resting on his hands. I sat down and he moved over, and I moved all the way over to him until we were touching each other, side by side. We felt each others warmth. He placed his right hand snugly between our legs, by his pocket.
He said, "So how was school?"
"Fine, but waiting was hell."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
We didn't say much during the ride. We just kept sitting closely against each other. Eddie caught an erection at one point in the ride and he kept it until we reached his stop. I stole several glances at it, and Eddie smiled as if embarrassed, but it only got bigger. He adjusted his pants a few times to make his arousal more comfortable. I wanted to help him, but knew that we would have to wait until the night, when we could explore each other freely in the privacy of Eddie's bedroom. Then I would take the stiff member lying beneath those blue jeans into my mouth.
The bus dropped us off a block away from Eddie's house. His house was in a neighborhood not far from mine. He lived about half a mile away from me. His neighborhood was similar to mine, being suburban middle-class with an even racial mix.
As the bus lumbered off to the next stop, I turned to Eddie and said, "Where were you during lunch? I missed you."
He said, "I don't eat lunch."
"What? Never?"
"Never. I save my money instead."
I was concerned at this. My lover wasn't feeding himself!
"'...save the money'? I can't believe you don't eat! I couldn't make it through the day if I didn't eat lunch! That's not healthy, Eddie."
"Well, it doesn't bother me."
"Hmm! It bothers me. I want you to eat with me at lunch from now on. If I catch you skipping lunch again, I'm gonna take you over my knee and spank you!"
He smiled hopefully. "Promise?"
"Oh, you're insufferable!"
I slapped his rear.
We smiled at each other, and I believe Eddie caught a look in my eye, because he took off running and I soon followed after him. We tore down the street, running and laughing, a most taxing activity on the body, but also a very fun thing to do. We were like children again, and part of me worried what the ever-present eyes of the public would think, but a wiser voice inside me said, "Ah, fuck 'em!" and I had to agree--I didn't care what others thought, I was young, free, and in love, and bliss was mine.
I overtook him just as he reached his house, and I clapped a hand on his shoulder and ran with him until we got to his front door. Then we stood there, panting, looking at each other and feeling happy. He fumbled for his keys and finally got them out of his pocket, and opened the door.
We spent the next two hours sitting down by the TV, playing Nintendo. We both agreed that it would be best to wait until tonight. We got a big high from simply being with each other.
Eddie's sister popped in about thirty minutes after we had arrived. She said "Hi!" and walked over to us and asked me what my name was, and whether I went to the same school as Eddie and her, and whether I knew Melissa or Doris, two of her friends (I didn't). Her name was Cindy and she was a sophomore, a year older than Eddie. I thought she was cute, but not as cute as Eddie. She left soon after--to talk on the phone, we discovered, as we heard bits and pieces of an intense adolescent-female discussion. After her departure Eddie leaned over to me to ask a question.
"Do you think she's better looking than I am, Karl?"
I shook my head. "She's alright. She's kinda cute. But you're just flat-out gorgeous, and that's all there is to it."
"I wouldn't mind, you know. If you liked her too. If you made love to her."
"Eddie!"
"Well, I'm not a jealous person. That's all. I love you a lot. But I could share you with her if you wanted, if it made you happy."
"That's a good thought, Eddie. But it's neither here or now. If things progress to that point, I'll let you know, since I wouldn't have any reason to hide it from you. But I would always love you and care about you, whether I slept with her or not."
Eddie reached for my hand and grasped it firmly. I covered his hand with my other hand. We had a special understanding between us.
Eddie seemed lost in thought for a moment. He turned his eyes to me.
"Karl?"
"Yes."
"What is it about me, I mean, that makes you like me?"
I smiled and put my finger on his lips. He smiled and nibbled on the tip of my finger. I brushed his hair lightly across his brow. I said,
"I like all of you. Everything."
"Well, I mean--"
"Your eyes, Eddie. Your laugh. The way you walk. The way you shake your hair to one side when it gets in your eyes."
Eddie felt as if I had paid him a rich compliment. I had said only what I felt. He put his arm around me and laid his head on my shoulder.
"Karl?"
"Yes, my immoral vagabond."
"Oh, quit with that! Karl, you know what I like about you?"
"Hmm, I think I have a vague idea. Does it have something to do with my vast personal wealth?"
"Well, besides that. It's your soft, deep voice. It exudes confidence and self-assurance, which I guess is something I wish I had more of."
"Eddie--"
"I'm not finished. You're cute, do you know that? You're a stud. Your body is firm and strong. I like the feel of your muscles, the way they ripple across your body. You seem so powerful, yet you are so gentle with me. I wonder sometimes how I was lucky enough to get a lover like you."
That was it. I couldn't sit still any longer; I had to kiss him. Our lips met, hot, heavy and moist. His eyes were closed when I pulled away. His black hair was drooping slightly over his eyes, making a perfect picture. I could fill photo albums with that boy; he was fantastic.
After Eddie's parents came home, we made the usual parental introductions--cordial, brief, and a trifle uncomfortable. We ate supper rather quickly, excused ourselves, and made haste to Eddie's bedroom. As Eddie closed the door behind us and locked it, I realized that I had a strong hard on. Eddie noticed it too, and smirked. He walked over to me and clutched my cock through my pants.
"Sit over here, Karl," he said, motioning to a cushioned chair. I surmised his intent, and complied. He sat down facing my knees, and unzipped my pants.
"Oh..." I gasped.
He whispered, "You're gonna enjoy this."
He pulled my cock from my underwear and stroked it. My cock was long and hard. Eddie caressed it patiently and smiled as it expanded another two inches in his grasp. I moaned and sank deeply into the chair. My eyes were shut. After a moment I felt a warm wetness on my cock and a sliding sensation, and I opened my eyes to see Eddie sucking my cock. He lifted his head up from my cock and caught his breath, saying, "Like that?" I nodded. He went back down on my cock and sucked me. I felt his tongue tickle the head of my cock, and that made me go. I came quickly inside his mouth, and he swallowed.
I hugged him. It was an awkward hug, since I was in a chair and he was sitting on the floor, and we collapsed in each others arms on the floor. He laughed. I began stripping him, taking off his shirt, then his pants and underwear, shoes and socks. He undressed me at the same time, and soon we were naked. I moved down to his legs and grabbed his butt, rubbing the soft flesh between my fingers. I left one hand on his butt and took his cock with the other. I opened my mouth and sucked him. I felt his butt tighten, and I squeezed the muscle back there, the gluteous maximus. It was fun feeling his cock grow rigid inside my mouth. I enjoyed the idea of bringing him pleasure. I tickled his cock head with my tongue, as he had done, and he squirmed and soon came inside me, I took it all, and swallowed.
I looked up at him and was pleased to see him in a blissful, dreamy state, lying on the floor without a care in the world. I wondered if that was the expression I had after he had sucked me (probably). I lifted him up in my arms as I had before in the park, and he wrapped his hands around my neck. I carried him to his bed, laid him down, and got in next to him. He took me in his arms and we laid there for a long time just holding each other. Each of us were wrapped around the other, warm and snug. We were as one; I was unaware of where my body ended and his began. We were a two headed man with four arms and legs and two worked out cocks.
After some time his hand travelled down to my cock and began stroking me. I didn't take long to get hard. Without a word he turned around and bent over, resting his weight on his elbows. I got up on my knees and stroked my cock, and clasped a hand on his rear. Eddie had a curvaceous ass, and seeing it bare, naked, was enough to bring me to sudden climax. But I held back.
I draped my body over his, lying down on his back and placing my hands down by his to support my weight. My head was next to his, allowing us to kiss. He chewed on my ear a bit. I felt a rush of excitement. I pulled away briefly and positioned my cock by his entry and let it glide inside him. His hole was moist, hot, and very tight. I dared push in only an inch, and then I draped myself over him again, remaining in coitus. His lips were agape and he was panting. His eyes were closed. I pushed in slightly deeper. Finding that he was alright, I continued entering him until my cock was in to the hilt. Then I withdrew a short way and pushed back in.
He opened his eyes to look at me, and I saw a wild, daring expression I had not seen before. I moved my lips to his and we kissed furiously. I pumped, his ass took my cock, and we kissed, and there seemed no end to it. Finally my cock swelled and I knew my time was approaching. I stopped my motions as I came within him, and I shuddered. He knew what had happened. He gripped his cock, jerked it a few moments, and came, gasping in a low voice as the juice sprayed onto the bed.
We laid down next to each other again, caressed each other softly, and soon drifted off to sleep. We slumbered for 8 hours until we heard footsteps in the hallway and realized it was time to get ready for school. We didn't take showers because there was little time. I put the same clothes back on, as none of Eddie's clothes would fit me. I asked Eddie if I could dress him, and he smiled and laid out his clothes on the bed.
I took his underwear and held it a foot above the floor. He slipped his feet through one at a time, and I pulled it up over his ass, around his waist. I caressed his cock through the briefs. It became aroused, of course. I put the rest of his clothes on in similar fashion, taking the time to feel his body.
After I had tied his shoes, we went to the table for breakfast. His parents had already left for work and his sister for the bus stop. We had to hurry to catch the bus. We ate a bowl of cereal apiece and left, but kissed once more before we opened the front door.
That day at lunch, Eddie mentioned that the bully in his PhysEd class had bothered him again today. He showed me a cut on his elbow and explained that the guy had tripped him up on the hardwood floor of the gym while the coach was gone for a moment to answer the phone. Some other guys in the class had laughed, as certain people will do when another person is humiliated in some way.
I quietly asked Eddie where this boy could be found. He turned, looked around the cafeteria, and finally spotted him and pointed him out to me. I said, "We'll wait for him to go outside." and Eddie nodded. We discussed other matters, not wanting to let the matter dominate our thoughts. I kept an alert eye for the boy, waiting for him to stand up and get ready to leave. When the boy got up, I touched Eddie's hand and we watched him together. He did not notice us. We got up and followed him out of the cafeteria. When he had walked a good distance away and was well into the schoolyard I caught up and said, "Hey there!"
He turned and looked me over, and replied, "Hey."
"This is my friend Eddie," I said, laying an arm on Eddie's back, and then taking it swiftly away. "He says that you're giving him some problems in gym class."
The guy sneered, "So? How's it any of your business?"
I simply smiled and said nothing.
He looked at me and my eyes were as cold as a gravestone on a winter night. He was a good three inches shorter than I, and of lesser build, and since he was a bully his self-concept was obviously very poor. He wouldn't stand a chance against me, and he knew it. But his ego surged through his mouth in the form of words, to defend itself.
"Look, I don't want to fight you! Shit, man, I didn't do nothing to him! What did he tell you? Eddie, why'd you lie to this man?"
I was disgusted with the guy. I realized before he uttered the next, that he was hopeless.
"Eddie's just a fucking lying faggot, anyway! Don't pay any attention to what he says!"
At this point I quickly drew up my right knee and pushed my foot into his face, which was still babbling some profane litany. His face was knocked back and blood spilled into the air as he fell to the ground. His hands flew to his face, where he cradled his new badge of defeat. He screamed.
I looked down at him and commented, "That is today's lesson."
I caught Eddie's expression. He was gaping at me in astonishment.
The guy clutched his ruined nose and fled from the schoolyard, probably heading for home. Eddie and I watched. The guy never looked back as he ran.
The next day during gym class, Eddie reported that the guy avoided him religiously and averted his eyes whenever Eddie looked his way. Eddie also mentioned that the guy had a big bandage on his nose and that other guys in the class made fun of him, calling him Woody Woodpecker or some such thing. I said, "Well, turnabout is fair play." Eddie smiled evilly and agreed.
Chapter 3: The Affair Continues.
Two months passed. Eddie and I decided to keep our cool in public, especially in school, since many of our peers had bizarre notions about homosexuality. At the end of the Twentieth century when this story begins, the various outdated sexual taboos still held sway with many people. People are prone to cling to what they think are their 'convictions'--most of which are the implants of parental and societal influences, with few, if any, having been thought out in any logical order by themselves.
In our bedrooms or even in the forest, Eddie and I would release our pent-up passions. In public we touched each other to the extent that friends are allowed, though at night we might take chances and hold hands or something.
Eddie had asked me over the phone to come over Saturday and watch a great Bette Midler movie, "Beaches". After that he wanted to go swimming at the community pool. That sounded good to me. I was a poor swimmer, but I enjoyed doing different things whether I was good at them or not. First thing I had to do, though, was let my parents know my plans. I found my Mom by her usual station in front of the television.
"Mom, I'll be going over to Eddie's on Saturday, and I'll probably spend the night."
Mother was sitting on the sofa. She looked away from the television and said, "Eddie's, huh?"
I caught a tone in her voice which indicated she would have more to say on the matter. She didn't know that we were lovers, but merely felt that I should associate with friends my age or older. Once I had wondered why I loved a boy three years younger than I, but then I remembered Eddie's brown eyes gazing into mine in the park, and quit wondering.
"Why do you spend all your time with Eddie? Why don't you see any of your other friends? Mark called yesterday and asked where you were."
"He did? Well, I'll call him back."
I really did mean to call him back. I felt a bit guilty for not keeping in touch with my friends.
"Why don't you? He's a very nice boy, well-mannered and polite. Really, Karl, I don't see why you don't spend more time with your other friends."
I thought of Eddie lying naked in my arms on the very sofa Mom was sitting on, and smirked. (That's why,) I thought to myself, but I could never mention that, or even let her suspect that.
"And what are you smiling about?"
I almost gasped, and wondered if she could read my thoughts before I recovered and maintained a calm expression.
She continued, "Mark is a fine boy, and if he's a little slow, well, he makes up for it in other ways."
I breathed a sigh of relief. I agreed with her and made an excuse to go to my room. Something about homework that I needed to catch up on. She raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
After school the next day, I gave Mark a call. He answered and we gave our usual introductions--"What's up?", "Oh, nuthin. How are you doing?", "Fine. Yourself?" "Fine."
Mark invited me over to his house for tomorrow, after school. I accepted, and the next day we spent the afternoon watching MTV and drinking Gatorade. After an hour I suggested we go for a walk, and Mark agreed.
"You know," Mark said as we walked, "the Prom is next weekend. Are you going?"
My brow wrinkled. "Hmm. I dunno. Are you?"
"Yeah. I asked that girl in 3rd period, and she said she'd go with me."
"You like her, huh?"
"Yeah. I think she likes me too."
"Well, I might ask someone out. I do have someone in mind."
"Who's that?"
"Well, you know my friend Eddie?"
"Yeah?"
Out of mischief, I considered staying silent, implying that Eddie would be my date, but decided that this was not the time for Revelations.
Even though, really it all seemed silly, the need for pretenses and covering up, when it was no big deal. But such was the way of our culture circa 1990, though it had improved significantly since a few decades ago.
I would have liked to tell others about my relationship with Eddie, and be open. But our parents would have gotten wind of it, and I had a dim prediction as to what their reactions would be. We might have been disowned practically if not officially, or either of us might have been subjected to a homophobic counselor's interrogations, or Lord knows what.
It is a great tragedy that same-sex affairs are so often shrouded in secrecy! This is a tremendous wrong that cries out for revision in the future evolution of our culture!
Anyway--I continued,
"His sister's name is Cindy. She's kinda cute. I'll probably ask her tonight."
"That sounds cool."
I studied Mark by the light of a street lamp. He was husky and attractive in that way, and I thought that he would be very appealing to girls and some guys, though he wasn't my type. I figured he might well score after the Prom, and told him so. He laughed and affirmed that he had that in mind, too.
Later that night I called Eddie's house. It was 9:23 PM and I was glad that Mark and I hadn't walked too far.
Eddie answered, as he usually did these days, because I called often. I told him what my plans were: I would ask Cindy out to the Prom (Eddie said he was positive she would go with me) and the three of us would go to the Prom. Eddie and I would act like casual friends throughout the night. Afterwards, if Cindy wanted to do anything, I'd probably go along with it (I felt that if Cindy was half what her brother was, she would be a lot of fun); if not, I would drop her off and Eddie and I would go out.
"Cindy, Karl wants to talk to you. Pick up the phone!" I heard Eddie say.
I heard her reply, "About what?" but she picked up the phone and said, "Hi Karl, I'm here."
"Hi Cindy. I guess you've heard about the Prom that's coming up this weekend. Do you have a date?"
She paused and giggled, and then said, "Um, no, why?"
I said, "Just wondering. I was curious and wanted to find out." I paused very briefly, and then chuckled and added, "No, of course I'm asking you because I'd like to take you out, if you'll go with me."
She said, "Sure!"
I liked her. I remembered all of the times I had chatted with her over at Eddie's house and decided that she was a vivacious, enthusiastic kind of girl, the sort for which I was vulnerable.
I said, "When would you like me to come over?"
"Um, how about, let's see, does 6:00 sound okay?"
"That's fine. I'm sure we'll have a great time."
"Yeah! Thanks, Karl. I'll see ya at seven on Friday!"
"Okay."
She handed the phone to Eddie. Eddie said to me, "What'd I tell you?"
I heard Cindy nudge him in the background and say "Shut-UP! God!" and Eddie giggled.
I thought about how lucky I was to know those two and I felt love for both of them, favoring Eddie the most. Their parents must be fine stock to have sired such amazing offspring.
"Mom, can I have the car this Friday? I'm taking a girl out to the Prom."
Mother perked up noticeably.
"A girl? To the Prom?" She pressed the "mute" button on the television's remote control.
"Well!" she said. "Who's the lucky lady?"
"Cindy. Eddie's older sister."
"Oh, Eddie's sister. No wonder!" she laughed. "Well, I'm very happy for you. Yes, you may use the car if you're back by 10 o'clock."
"Aw, Ma. Ten o'clock? That's too early!"
"Well, the dance is over by 9:30, isn't it Karl?"
She caught my eyes. She smiled and said, "Alright. Be back by midnight, then. Have fun, but be careful. You know what I mean."
I hugged her and whispered, "Thanks."
She said, "Well I was young once, not too long ago. I remember how it was."
Friday arrived and so did I at Eddie's house, right on time. Eddie must have been watching for my car, because he came out as I opened my door. We grinned at each other. He was dressed sharply. He was stunning in his dark blue turtleneck shirt and long blue corduroy pants; like a royal prince. I placed a hand on his shoulder and told him so.
The Prom was a casual affair, not suit-and-tie, which surprised many of us. If our principal had been in charge of it, the affair would have been heavily chaperoned and rules would have infested the occasion like fleas on a dog. But a member of the PTA had organized the event and the school officials had given approval, perhaps a bit hastily as they discovered later, when Led Zeppelin tunes rocked the auditorium.
Eddie stood by my car, resting his rear on the hood. I stood next to him as we waited for Cindy. He said, "You know, she hasn't said anything, but I think she likes you."
"I think she's neat, too." I said, watching his eyes carefully to make sure I wasn't hurting him. I wondered whether he was truly above jealousy or if he went along only for my sake. I would have called it all off if I felt that this would make him unhappy. But his expression was unchanged.
"Eddie, I want to see you dance, too."
"Oh, I will."
Cindy appeared at the door, waving to me. She came out and turned around, locking the door. I admired her back, her slender waist and shapely hips. She was wearing a short red dress. As she approached I said, "So here's the Lady in Red!" Eddie and Cindy giggled.
Eddie took the back seat and Cindy sat in front next to me. We sputtered in our conversation, nervously chattering about little things, and I adjusted the radio station several times. But finally we calmed down and acted as we usually did around each other: wild and crazy.
Many eyes were upon us as we walked into the auditorium. I swear that one boy was staring mighty hard at Eddie. Several gawked openly at Cindy. Two girls stared at me, and one girl watched Eddie discretely, letting her eyes flutter somewhere else whenever he looked in her direction. I surmised that those two would dance together tonight; I was right. Eddie asked her half an hour later, and she feigned disinterest but accepted.
Cindy and I danced fast and furious. She was fun-loving and easy-going and I really liked her. We joked and kidded throughout the evening, and when it grew late she came up close to me and whispered in my ear, "Let's drop Eddie off and then park somewhere."
And so we did, but Eddie took along his new girlfriend and asked us to drop him off at the park by his house. Cindy giggled and I said, "Okay big guy, just don't do anything I wouldn't do!" He retorted, "That ain't much!" and all of us laughed, though Eddie and I laughed the most. I watched through the rearview mirror as Eddie and his girl kissed in the backseat.
After we dropped them off, Eddie and his new conquest walked to a bench in the park, and Cindy and I drove off a block away to a parking lot by a fast food restaurant. We petted each other heavily and climaxed, and then moved to the backseat and had intercourse. She was fantastic. We didn't experience strong love; it was mostly physical attraction, but man! It was good!
We both felt safe since I had used a rubber and she had used some spermicidal cream which also acted as an excellent lubricant-- though she had hardly needed any, given her level of arousal. We didn't give the night much thought after it was over. It was a fling between friends. Neither of us had indicated that we had wanted anymore. And I'm not sure, but I believe she knew that Eddie and I were involved with each other.
The next day, as if to prove to each other that last night didn't affect our relationship, Eddie and I made love in my bedroom and spent the night together, talking about our experiences and sipping wine that I had saved for a special occasion. We aroused each other by describing our separate encounters, and found that our experiences had actually strengthened our friendship, because now we knew that we could trust one another. We knew that no matter what we did or who we were with, our hearts would always be fond of each other. We discussed our plans for the future and decided that we would have to find wives or mistresses, and have children, but we would be together always. Eddie made me promise that last.
"Karl, even unto death." he said with deep, thoughtful eyes.
"Eddie, unto death and beyond, I will be with you. I love you."
"And I love you. I will follow you to the ends of the Earth and I will be with you after we die."
"A long time from now, I reckon."
"Yup."
We looked at each other for a moment and then a silly grin crept up on our faces and we fell into each others' arms and wrestled. We moved all over the bed like wild boys, grabbing arms and legs and each other's waist. His black hair fell messily over his brown eyes, his face was flushed pink from the physical exertion, and a grin was very prominent beneath his petite nose. He was a little devil, full of energy and strength, but finally I pinned his waist down to the bed and laid my chest over his legs. His eyes lit up knowingly and he ceased struggling more than symbolically. I scanned his face for approval; he gave it. My fingers worked with his zipper, unbuttoned his pants, and then I placed my hands on his underwear, grasping his stiffening sex through the white cotton.
I produced his cock from the white garment, lowered my head into his lap, and began sucking him. He pursed his lips and exhaled quickly as I moved my head up and down on his cock. He tilted his head back in ecstasy. The pleasure was intense for him. I sucked him patiently, eagerly, savoring his warm, tight skin, his natural boyish scent, his soft cockhead. He moved his hips slightly, the excitement building within him. I wondered how long he would be. I wanted to bring him as much joy as I could; let him lie there an hour or more. His chest heaved as his breathing quickened. He reached a hand to my head and caressed my hair. A second later he exploded inside my mouth, spurting juice inside me which I lapped up. We were as one in all ways--his body was mine, mine was his-- and our fluids were common to each other.
We kissed afterward. We decided to go downstairs and watch TV with the rest of my family for a while, so he tugged his pants back up. I watched longingly as his beautiful cock disappeared back under his soft underwear. We inspected each other to make sure our appearances were appropriate (no stains anywhere), combed our hair, and headed downstairs to the den where we could hear "The Simpsons" on TV.
Later that night Eddie browsed through my tape collection. His face lit up when he saw Elton John and Led Zeppelin; he simply had to hear "Crocodile Rock" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". He seized me by my hand and we danced together, jumping to the upbeat "Crocodile Rock" and then cuddling closely to the sad "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", resting our heads on each others' shoulders. I loved the feel of his hands on my back as we swayed together to the music.
Eddie chose a Led Zep tape next, and we hip-hopped for the next few songs. Led Zep communicates a certain energy to the listener; I have danced in solitaire to most Led Zep songs, and I know the rhythm translates easily into physical motion. It is beyond me why Led Zep is not played on the dance floors at clubs; it's antiquity is the reason, but it isn't much of a reason, I feel.
I thought it was fantastic that Eddie and I shared similar tastes in music, among many other things. I wanted to tell him that later. My lips couldn't form the words to such an irrelevant comment while we were dancing so gaily. The only thing relevant was us. At that niche in time we were immortal; we both knew we would remember the moment for years to come. Dancing in my bedroom with not a care in the world--that was what life was about. We were sure of it.
After the tragic "Kashmir" finished, we collapsed into each others' arms and embraced, rocking back and forth. After a moment, Eddie pulled away and said, "I want you to hear a song, a special song that means a lot to me. It's about you--I mean, about us. What you mean to me." He smiled shyly. "It's a slow song," he continued. He fastforwarded the tape and got it to the desired tune.
Robert Plant, the lead singer for Led Zep, was a bold singer with a voice full of passion. Eddie closed his eyes and rested his head on my shoulder as Robert Plant sang...
"It is the springtime of my loving, the second season I'm to know... You are the sunlight in my growing-- So little warmth I've felt before... It isn't hard to feel me glowing, I watched the fire that grew so low..."
The violin and guitar (I assume; I make no claim to being a musician) played for a long while after this, making a calm, thoughtful melody.
"It is the summer of my smiles... Flee from me, keepers of the gloom... Speak to me only with your eyes... It is to you I give this tune... Ain't so hard to recognize; These things are clear to all from time to time..."
The mood changed after this and the change seemed like a sudden waterfall discovered while hiking next to a stream. I couldn't distinguish all of the words and caught only pieces here and there.
Eddie explained why the song had so much meaning for him. His life had seemed rather bleak before he had met me. The lust he felt for guys made him feel lonely, because in America, guys are conditioned to avoid homosexual contact, and no boy he knew had ever admitted to liking guys. He'd see guys his age walking hand in hand with their girlfriend, and he'd envy their love. He had wanted a close relationship like they had--but with a guy. He had been so overjoyed after the day we met in the park that he had stayed up all night thinking about me, wondering if I would call him the next day. I said, "Oh, Eddie." and put my arm around his shoulder. He touched my hand and squeezed it.
I suggested that we go to Burger King and get something to eat. He found that idea redeeming. Like many young teenagers, his body continually craved food; he could never eat enough.
I always relished watching him eat. It was sexy and arousing in a certain way. At Burger King I fed him french fries, which he nibbled directly from my fingers like a puppy dog. That was terrific fun. I wanted very much to kiss him, he was so cute.
After devouring a huge meal, we started walking back home. It was nighttime.
How many times have I relived that night, every minute, every second of it, and thought of all the openings I could have taken to prevent what happened. I can never forget, nay, as long as these bones still hold flesh on them.
Chapter 4: A Brief Interruption.
It was a beautiful, starry night, and we were walking home, holding each other's hand and talking softly. We had a simple bliss that came from being together. The world could have dissolved into nothingness and we would have walked on the air. If the world had gravity, we didn't feel it; we were floating.
We had been walking for close to an hour when I heard a shouted epitaph. Six or seven youths who disapproved of our affection- -they were skinheads--stood before us with baseball bats and other armaments which made them quite confident that the two of us would be bleeding very soon. I studied each of them, probing for weaknesses; there were many, and their strength of numbers instilled them with foolish bravado. This one slouched lazily, putting most of his weight on one foot. Another seemed fearful and distracted. Another wore tight jeans which would restrict his movement.
I exchanged looks with Eddie. Fear showed in his eyes. I immediately hated the hoods. I felt my body tensing, becoming steel, ready to pounce at the wolves like a starved panther and rip them to shreds.
"Eddie!" I whispered frantically. "Keep out of the way and let me take care of this!"
"No, Karl! You can't possibly--"
We weren't given anymore time to talk, for they were upon us.
Much later--either 5 minutes or a lifetime--my face was bruised and swollen, and I was vaguely aware that a heavy darkness was descending upon my mind. I felt a warm fluid streaming down my chest. I wasn't frightened, but I thought,
"Oh God, they got Eddie!"
My heart beat once and paused; I thought if he was dead it need labor no more. I cradled his head in my hands, and his eyes opened, spilling tears down his cheeks. Eddie sobbed and I only gazed stonily at our single spectator, one of the youths who lay cold upon the street several feet away, still wearing a wolf's grin. He had been the one that struck my lover down; I had made a corpse of him.
A strong breeze clipped through the air. The dark street seemed to ripple in waves like the ocean. I thought that the wind must possess a will of its own, to be blowing so hard against us. I stared in wonder at what could not be seen, but my sight was rapidly losing effectiveness. The world was turning dark, and then black, and then edging towards an utter void, which was blindness. A giant unseen hand clutched my body, meaning to whisk me away to wherever the hand's owner existed. I thought drowsily -"How huge must this creature be. What does it want with us?"
I was reminded of myself as a child, holding a grasshopper in my hand and feeling like an awesome giant since I had the power of life or death over another creature. This time I knew the other side to that coin. I called out, "Where, might I ask, do you plan to take us?" Silence was my answer. (To wherever this Being wishes, of course. Control has passed from the human to the Other.)
I heard a passerby raise alarm upon seeing our two bodies lying prone on the street, but in my delirium his voice seemed to echo and then fade...
"AR ARE YEWWW OH KAYY MISSS TERR?"
I wanted to scream madly, "Yes, can't you tell we're fine just by looking at us?"
My mind felt a vague anguish. I thought, "The stranger must get help, he must, or we will die..."
"GOOOOD LLORRDD SONNN YEWWW RUNNN EN TEWW UH MAAAAK TRUUUUK?"
I could feel life draining in great gobs from my mortal shell. My last thought was for the curious old man staring down at me, exhaling breath filled with the scent of rum. He was my last human contact. That made him special.
I whispered brokenly, "Stranger, I wish you luck in this life."
HOOELD ONNN SONNN AHHHLL GIIIT YAHLLL SUUUUM HEL HEL HELPP-"
After that I heard no more.
The giant hand picked me up and lifted me thousands of feet into the sky. People below me became pins, cars became matchboxes, buildings became rectangles. My stomach quivered from the absence of gravity. I looked below me and saw a familiar form darting up from the distant Earth, desperately soaring at light speed to catch up. I knew that he would come with me. I smiled and extended my hand, which he grasped, and we traveled upward together, into the cosmos, whispering and laughing once more.
Chapter 5: A Cruel Revival
At the edge of Eternity, we cuddled.
"Did they hurt you, Eddie?" I asked.
"They killed me Karl. I know that. Strange I am still talking to you."
"Do you believe in God?"
"No, I do not."
"Neither do I. I don't know where we are, or where we are going, but I'm going with you," I said warmly. I touched his lips.
He said, "Follow me, Karl. Wherever I go. I am afraid."
He beckoned me with an outstretched hand.
"Wherever you go, I will follow." I said, reaching for his hand.
All the nerves in my body tingled. My neck hurt. The message in my mind was Still Alive!
I said, "Eddie…my body is still alive… I can't go with you."
There was a look of fear in Eddie's face. He grabbed my hand.
"Come with me, Karl!"
I heard sadness in his voice.
"I cannot."
I could barely make out a shape in front of me, a middle-aged man looking down with concern in his eyes. I was lying on the street. I was bleeding. It was cold.
The man spoke. "Don't die, son. Keep breathing!"
"I wish to die, for he is gone."
I pointed to Eddie's body sprawled on the street by me. I could taste my blood.
"Please, Karl!" Eddie pleaded desperately. "I need you!"
"I love you Eddie." I said with deep emotion, but we both knew that I was fading away. Tears flowed down his face.
The man put two fingers to my neck, checking my pulse.
"You're gonna make it, son." he said.
I shivered as I looked into Eddie's tragic brown eyes. There I saw the love he had for me, the love that would wait for me until I finished my time on Earth.
"I will see you again, my love," I told him.
Eddie smiled bravely.
"Yes, I know."
Knowing he would not speak to me again for my lifetime, he paused, summoning his thoughts, then spoke in a deep, mature voice that I had never heard him use before, "Be happy while you live, but do not fear death. I will be waiting for you, Karl."
He took my hand to his lips and kissed it.
...fini...