Page 4 of Otter Heart
The big lake always smelled cleaner than smaller lakes. Friends had described the water to me before, but I could tell from the scent that it was crystal clear. Heat rose off the sand, flickering around my shins and prickling my skin. In the distance, I could hear the waves crashing against the shore. It wasn’t terribly windy, and the crash wasn’t quite a roar. The water would be safe to go into as long as I didn’t go past my knees. As much as I loved the lake, I was a bit terrified of being bowled over by a wave. With the multiple sandbars and big waves, the lake could very easily be my downfall if I got turned around in rough water. Because of that, I offered it a healthy amount of respect.
“Let’s go to the water, Bessie,” I said, giving her a small push.
The beach sounded lively, but not packed as Bessie led me through the people lazing on the beach. Several of them turned and let out an audibleawwwas we passed by. More than one clicked their tongue in disapproval in my direction. Hardwood Beach was a no dog beach. But they couldn’t legally stop me from having a service animal. However, that never stopped someKarenfrom trying to give me an earful about it. The way they acted, you’d think Bessie purposefully shit in their lunchboxes on a daily basis.
We made it to the water without issue and I felt Bessie lean down and lap at the cool water. I knelt down beside her, letting the low waves wash over my feet without care. The shoes were built to get wet. Plus, if I was being honest, the squelching sound they made as I walked back to the condo made me laugh.
I lifted my head, eyes facing the lake and the horizon in the distance. If I tried hard enough, I could conjure up a mentalimage of what it might look like. But I’d never been to the lake as a kid and after my accident, it was too late to take one last mental picture.
A sigh escaped my lips. Life had been pretty lonely since then. The moment I got back from the hospital, I was taken away from all the other kids and put into a special needs classroom. The area we were in didn’t have much money, so I was pretty much stuffed in a corner to do my work while the two teachers desperately tried to keep up with other children that had more needs than I did.
I didn’t get the chance to grow up with the friends I’d made or date or explore who I was. Instead, I was eventually stuck at home being taught math by my parents, who had no idea what they were doing. Social interactions dwindled to nearly zero, and it wasn’t until college I even figured out I was gay.
At first I thought guys might be into a blind boyfriend. It was different, and they didn’t have to worry about how they looked at the time because, well,I couldn’t see them. I thought it would be a perk. But the men I did talk to only wanted to be friends with me. Apparently, the blind thing was a bit more of a factor than I’d anticipated.
When college was over, I got Bessie, moved into the condo, and gave up on trying to date. The right guy would come along eventually, right? Until then, I just had to live my life to the fullest and hope fate would intervene.
A splash sounded nearby, and my head snapped up toward the noise. It only took me a second to realize it was someone running through the water and jumping into the lake. Bessie turned in their direction too, watching the scene unfold. I caught a hint of a leathery cologne and citrus. However, all that was gone a moment later when the biggest splash faded, and I heard whoever it was resurface. I heard their sigh of relief as they started to swim. Whoever it was, they were happy to be there.
Standing upright, I nudged Bessie along and we starteddown the beach. It was hot out, so we only walked for ten minutes in one direction before turning around again. I followed the winding edge of the beach, always keeping one foot on dry land while the other caught the very edge of the waves. The sound of people never died away as we walked and several of them moved out of our way as we went, recognizing Bessie’s harness as she led me around.
By the time we got back to where we started, sweat was gathering at the small of my back and I was ready to get out of the sun.
“Come on, Bessie,” I said, patting her side. “Let’s go home.”
I’d only taken three steps when my shoulder collided forcefully with something hard.
“Hey!” a man’s voice said not two feet from my ear. It was definitely in the tenor range, but with a distinct edge of exhaustion to it. “Watch where you’re going, dickhead!”
I glanced his direction, but I could hear him already stomping away through the sand.
“Oh yeah,” I called back sarcastically. “Tell the blind guy to watch where he’s going! Great advice!”
I scoffed, pushing Bessie forward. Sometimes I missed having a social life and then there were moments, like right now, where I was happy I didn’t have to be around people. The amount of assholes in the world was astounding. I’m just glad I didn’t have to look at them, too. Anyone who was that much of an ass probably looked like one, too. And not the good kind either.
But that got me thinking.
I missedass. It had been far too long since I’d gotten laid. Good thing I had some toys at home that were ready whenever I needed them.
Picking up the pace, I headed for home.
Chapter Three: Adam
Iheard the crunching gravel in the driveway before I saw the car. A quick glance out the window showed me that it was Rowan. Not that it would be anyone else unless my mother decided to drive down there for no reason. In which case, I would be very put out. She knew I wasn’t fond of surprise visits. Not that it stopped her.
Going to the front door, I pulled it open and stepped out into the small entryway.
“Hey, Booboo,” I called, waving a hand. “You’re early!”
“I’m right on time!”
“That’s early in gay time,” I smirked, giving him a wink. “I figured you’d be on that by now.”
“Sorry,” he smiled, striding over to me. “Still bi.”
“I’m sure it’s just a phase,” I laughed, pulling him into a hug. “You’ll get over it.”
“You’re such a dick.”
