Galen's Destiny

Chapter 1-2

Galen did join the track team in high school, both as a sprinter and a middle-distance runner. He also managed to maintain a 3.5 GPA, much to his mother’s delight. She was even happier when he was accepted at UCD, where he intended to major in computer science. Of course he wasn’t at all upset about it either, since it meant he could stay in Denver and live at home—at least for his first year at college.

He promised himself that when he saved enough money, he’d find a place of his own. Which would be possible, he figured, as he’d spent the summer, after graduating high school, working for an electronics company, and would continue there on a part-time basis during at least his freshman year in college.

Lydia agreed to his plan when he told her about it, the day before his eighteenth birthday. “You know you’re more than welcome to live at home until you get your degree.”

“I know, Mom, and I appreciate it. But I need to stand on my own two feet as soon as possible. I’m turning eighteen tomorrow. By this time next year—”

“You’ll be all grown up,” she said with a rueful laugh. “My boy is becoming a man. Okay, revise that. My boy is already a man.” She sighed. “When did that happen?”

Galen grinned. “Technically it won’t, until tomorrow.”

“Smart ass.”

“Always,” he agreed.

“What are you doing to celebrate?”

“Going to the park with some of the guys for a barbecue. And before you say anything, there won’t be any alcohol. We’re not stupid.”

“I would hope not,” she replied with some asperity. “I was going to take you out for a late dinner, after my shift at the hospital ends. I guess you won’t be hungry though.”

Galen snorted. “This is me you’re talking about. I’ll be starving half an hour after the barbecue is over.”

“Too true,” she said, laughing. “Speaking of which, I should get moving. I’ll see you when I get home.”

“Don’t work too hard.”

“Me? Never. The same for you.”

“Me? Never,” he replied, mimicking her. “Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, too,” she told him before gathering up what she needed and leaving.

Ten minutes later, Galen was on his way to work as well. As he drove from their home in the Baker District—which was close to the hospital where his mother worked—to his job on South Colorado Boulevard, he felt a thrill of excitement—tempered by the strangest feeling that his life was soon going to change forever. He put the last down to the fact he was starting college in less than a week.

“Everyone’s life changes when that happens,” he murmured. Still, for some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to it. Something having to do with the idea he’d had since he had reached puberty that he was ‘different’. He always laughed it off as the imaginings of a boy who wanted to be more than he was. “Not that there’s anything wrong with me,” he chided himself, more often than not. “I have a great life, over all. A mother who loves me. A good home in a city where people are, to the large degree, accepting of the fact I’m gay. Brains, thank goodness. And when I hit thirteen and developed muscles…Not bulk, but enough strength to defend myself if necessary. And speed? Damn.” That had startled him when it happened—and his mother as well.

“Talk about a growth spurt,” she had said at one point. “Well, not a spurt, since you’re growing taller at a normal rate, but the strength and speed? You sure don’t get that from my side of the family. It must come from…”

“My unknown father,” Galen agreed. “Maybe he was an athlete?”

“We’ll never know,” she’d replied, hugging him.

Whatever the reason, Galen had never been able to dismiss the idea there was more going on with him than he knew. Now he laughed. “I’m really a nascent superhero. Suddenly it will burst forth and I’ll start saving the world from the aliens trying to invade and take over.”

* * * *

“Happy Birthday!” Charlie, one of Galen’s closest friends, shouted when Galen came across the field to the picnic area where the barbecue was being held.

Galen’s other friends joined in the shout and soon he was being embraced, or swatted on the ass or the back, depending on the young man or woman involved.

He thanked everyone, laughing when Faith hugged him enthusiastically, whispering, not at all softly, “If you were straight, Galen…” earning more laughs from his friends.

“If I was, you’d be in trouble,” he replied, winking at her boyfriend before the guy could get pissed off.

“You know,” she responded, “you need to find someone of your own.”

“Someday. Right now I’m too busy to even think about anything except work and the fact that school starts in a week.”

“As my mother says, too often to count—” Charlie rolled his eyes, “—out of the frying pan, into the fire.”

“Feels like it,” Galen agreed with a grin while following the aromas of cooking food to the two grills by the picnic tables.

From there, the party continued with everyone joining in the festivities. It didn’t start winding down until just before dark. At that point, after checking the time, Galen jumped up on one of the benches, declaring, “I am now, as of this moment, officially eighteen!”

Cheers went up. Then Charlie, who had been cued in earlier by Galen about what he was going to do, dashed to his car. He returned carrying a huge cake, putting it down on the table. It didn’t take long for Galen and his friends to demolish it, until only a few crumbs were left.

Soon afterward, the party began to break up. Galen received more hugs and pats on the back as his friends wished him happy birthday again. Then, only Charlie, Galen, and another boy were left. Despite being told he didn’t have to, Galen helped clean the picnic area. When they were finished, he headed home to change before meeting his mother for dinner.