Chapter 1: It All Began this Way-4
1025 Words
The phone rang. It was a computer-generated message telling me school had been closed due to inclement weather and we all should have a happy winter break (it was politically incorrect these days to wish anyone a “Merry Christmas” at school). I have to admit, I missed the old-fashioned method where one teacher would call the next to let everyone know they could go back to sleep. For years the gym teacher for my middle school had called me. He was a wise guy who always had some special way of getting the message across, and besides, he was quite a hunk and had a voice to match. On days he called, he often triggered a very satisfying fantasy response.
I rolled over and stretched out on the bed. I thought about sleeping late but decided I should just go about my usual routine. I looked out the window. The world outside was all crystal and diamonds. It was unreal. It was breathtaking. It was also frightening to think Andy would have been out there somewhere in this if I hadn’t decided to take the interstate home. I smiled. I’d used the word home again. It wasn’t just the house now.
I tiptoed down the hall. Both dogs were on the bed now. I smiled and shook my head. Andy’s mouth was slightly open, a thin trail of spittle running down his cheek. Lying on his back, he was tenting the heavy covers slightly.
Wow, I couldn’t help thinking, if he can make that comforter stand up, he must have…Uh oh, there I go again.
“Come on,” I gestured to Annie and Jake. They ignored me, content to stay and guard their buddy. “Come now,” I mouthed and gave a hand signal.
Reluctantly they jumped down. Andy turned on his side away from me, denying me the joy of imagining what lay beneath the covers.
The dogs and I went downstairs and out on the deck. I was shirtless but was wearing slippers and a pair of boxers. Immediately I broke out in goose bumps and headed back inside while the dogs slipped and slid all over the ice rink we now had for a backyard. When they’d had enough and came in, I fed them, then took my morning vitamins and medications before heading for the basement to do my normal workout.
I was about halfway through my exercises when the dogs arrived downstairs, announcing the arrival of our guest. When Andy rounded the corner, his eyes widened perceptibly as he saw me sitting there, legs spread and taking some deep breaths, having just finished my final set of bench presses. His eyes swept my frame from top to bottom. I was sure he hesitated when he reached my groin. I was gratified by his response to my semi-nakedness. Hope bloomed in my chest.
Then he said, “Wow, this is some home gym.”
Well, it could have been in response to my bod, couldn’t it? I hoped. “Yes, I guess it is. I set it up for my son, Pete, when he was into football. I coached his junior league team. I wanted to make sure he was using the right technique when he decided to bulk up for high school.”
“It sure looks like you’ve gotten some good use out of it yourself.”
Once more I believed all things were possible. “Thanks, I try. It gets a little tougher as you get older.” Now, why did I say that and draw attention to the difference in our ages?
“You can’t be all that old and look as good as you do.”
Am I hearing this right? I thought. Oh, happy day.
“You said you had kids?”
“Uh huh, four—two girls, two boys. Meg, Kathy and Peter are married. Meg and Kathy live here in Michigan. Peter and his wife Angie live in Chicago. Between them all, I have six grandkids.”
“Not possible,” he said.
Things were really looking up now. “And Mike is the oldest. He lives in Boston with his partner, John.”
Uh oh—TMI, too much information. Andy’s face went blank. He stared at his feet.
“Well, um, I think I’ll go upstairs and let you get done down here. Um, I’ll see you later.” With that Andy turned abruptly and left.
Oh s**t. Things had been going well, or so I’d thought. Had I misread his interest? The dogs followed him out the door. Annie turned to give me that won’t you ever learn? look before disappearing.
I hadn’t even thought to censor that last bit of news about Mike and John. The whole family had accepted that Mike was gay and John had been welcomed just as the spouses of the straight kids had, so I never thought it would come as a shock. I was so used to being open about it that it was out the door without thought to how Andy might take it. I couldn’t help wondering why he had reacted that way. Was he homophobic? I decided to let it go and finish my workout. I was letting my imagination go too far.
In the downstairs bathroom, I showered, shaved and made myself presentable. Then I went looking for Andy. He was standing in the living room, staring out the big bay window. The sun was beginning to come up, the first rays hitting the ice-encrusted trees and shrubs. The effect was magical. I came up behind him and we stood looking out the window together. I had always loved sharing special moments like this with someone I cared about. It felt good to do it again. Andy turned to me. Once again his eyes shone with tears, mirroring the glistening panorama beyond the windowpanes.
I smiled what I hoped was a sympathetic, encouraging smile. He took a deep breath and said, “Can I make us breakfast?”
What the hell is this? No sudden declaration of love, no falling into each other’s arms fulfilling our mutual desires? Just, “Can I make us breakfast?”
“Uh, yeah, sure,” I mumbled, trying to regain my balance and get my thoughts back in reality. “I think I have eggs and stuff.”
“That’s great.” He walked past me into the kitchen.
For the next hour I helped Andy find what he needed while he made the best breakfast I’d had in years.
“That was wonderful,” I said. “You sure can cook. You’re hired, if you want the job.”
Oh no, did I do it again?
Evidently not, because he smiled and said, “Thanks, I really enjoy cooking.”
- Writer
