Page 34 of Something Like Summer
“That’s it?”
“Well, I felt her up. Shehad a pretty nice body.”
“I’m surprised she didn’tgo down on you then and there,” Ben commented, hoping that Timwouldn’t say that she did.
“I bet she would have,yeah. But whatever.”
“You don’t sound veryenthusiastic about the idea.”
“I don’t know, man.” Timturned his back to the water and leaned against the rail. “She washot and all, but-- After everything that went down in Kansasbecause my ex-girlfriend said I raped her, I don’t want somethinglike that to happen again. The whole school turned against me. It’sjust not worth it. I promised myself to only sleep with people whomean something to me.”
This statement blew awayBen’s foul mood. Hemeantsomething to Tim. Or maybe he wasn’t worriedabout a gay guy running around school saying he’d been raped. Sucha claim wouldn’t be taken very seriously. Regardless, Ben chose totake this as a compliment.
Tim had a CD he wanted tolisten to on the way home, giving Ben time to think while it blaredfrom the speakers. What happened on the beach tonight had reallyopened his eyes. Girls found Tim just as irresistible as he did,which came as no surprise. Right now Tim was with Krista, who had anumber of hang-ups, but it was only a matter of time before a girlcame along who wasn’t put off by the European standard. One whowould be more than happy to fulfill Tim’s sexual desires once shehad gained his trust. When that happened, Ben would be thrown outwith the weekly garbage.
If Tim was gay, or evenbisexual, Ben had only a limited time to make him realize it beforea different girl moved in on his territory. Maybe it was justwishful thinking on his part, but Tim was so affectionate, sogiving when they had sex. It was totally different than the otherguys. But what if he was wrong? What if Tim really was straight,and pushing the issue only ended up destroying what they had rightnow?
They pulled into Tim’sdriveway just before midnight. He didn’t seem concerned about thehour. Obviously his parents kept him on a long leash aswell.
“You really don’t mindwalking home?” Tim asked him. “I’m sure I can manage driving thereand back.”
“No. I’ll befine.”
“All right.” They stoodthere awkwardly for a moment. Isn’t this where the goodnight kisswas supposed to take place?
“Enséñame a volar, mimariposa hermosa,” Tim said suddenly.“It’s from a poem I-- Well, it’s from a poem.”
“What’s itmean?”
“‘Teach me how to fly, mybeautiful butterfly.’” He reached out and ruffled Ben’s hair, hisversion of a parting kiss. “See you around.”
Ben watched Tim enter thehouse before making his way down the street, no longer uncertain.He would help Tim realize who he really was. He would teach him howto fly.
__________
Chapter 10
Little changed over thenext six weeks, despite Ben’s determination. At times he hardly sawTim at all. There was an unspoken agreement that they wouldn’tinteract at school, although they would occasionally see each otherin the hall, making only small gestures in acknowledgement. OftenBen would initiate these “chance” meetings during the times whenTim was more aloof than usual.
Then there were days whenTim was as hungry and affectionate as the first time they slepttogether. He stayed the night sometimes at Ben’s house, his parentsgenerously not making a fuss over him having a guy over. Karenargued, to no avail, that it would be like a boy staying with her.Luckily his sister had no clue who Tim was or of his status withthe popular kids. To a senior, anyone younger was ascrub.
The sleepovers were usuallyspent doing the normal sort of things: movies, video games, andtakeout pizza. Once the house was quiet it inevitably becameintimate between them. Sex was now more exploratory, their priorurgency relaxed into desire. Tim was even comfortable enough toreturn Ben’s oral favors, although the topic of sexuality was stillcompletely taboo. Ben didn’t mind too much. How could he complainwhen he was waking up next to the hottest guy in school?
There was, however, oneproblem that he couldn’t ignore: Krista Norman. Tim was stilldating her. Ben no longer inquired about sex between them, but itwas clear from a few negative comments that it wasn’t going well.Ben couldn’t figure out why Tim stayed with her and it became apoint of contempt. Even mentioning her name was enough to spark anargument.
The issue came to a head inlate October, just a few days before Ben’s birthday. He hadn’t seenTim the weekend before because he and Krista had been out on adouble date with Bryce and his girlfriend. Ben intentionallydecided not to call him afterwards, and for the next three dayshadn’t heard from him. While doing some early birthday shopping atthe mall with his mom, Ben spotted them both. Krista, as usual, hadTim’s arm in a death grip, as if he would come to his senses at anymoment and try to escape.
Ben tried to steer his mominto a shop before they neared, but she had her own mind aboutwhere they were going and soon saw the couple. She started to sayhello to Tim when Ben hissed for her to keep quiet. She did, mostlyout of puzzlement. Tim gave a little nod as they passed by, hisgirlfriend oblivious as she gawked at a nearby jewelry store. Assoon as Krista dragged Tim away to see it, Ben’s mother badgeredhim with a series of questions.
“I thought you two weretogether?” she insisted.
“No, he’s straight,” Benanswered through gritted teeth.
“Oh, come on!” sheprotested. “I’m not deaf, you know. I’ve heard what you two get upto at night.”
Ben shrugged and turnedaway. “I’m working on it,” he replied.
The next evening Ben wastaking out the trash when the thumping of jogging feet attractedhis attention.
