"You know, Chris," he said.

"Know what?"

"We'll have to face the music eventually. This can't go on in the closet forever."

"Yeah, but we go to "GOP Academy" (socioeconomic joke, sorry). They'll burn crosses in our yards."

"Is that going to scare you off?"

"I suppose I can't let it, James."

"Right. So what are we going to do?"

"Take it slow."

The next Monday, in that ever-so-fortuitous 5th period study hall, I was reading about the New Jersey Supreme Court, and thinking, "You go girl." Kind of nice to have somebody on our side. Of course, nobody in my BSA troop knew I was gay. In fact, James was the only person who had any idea.

After I met James and finally came to terms with how I felt, things became a lot easier. I wasn't as distracted, and my grades actually improved. This was definitely having an effect on me. One of my other friends, for whom I had no sexual feelings, was on to me. I figured that out one day before school. I was standing in the courtyard, and Tom approached me.

"Chris, hey, man, what's up?"

I was sitting there alone with my head in a book, which for me was unusual in the presence of other people. Don't get me wrong, I loved to read, but I'd rather talk.

"Just distracted, I guess."

"No, Chris, something's got you."

Yeah, James!

"No, really, I'm ok. Don't worry about me."

"No, you're not. Come on."

"Alright, Tom, but only if you swear one thing."

"Sure, what?"

"This conversation never happened."

"Fine."

I sucked it up and spilled the beans. I won't give you the exact dialogue because my god-fearing hands have a little trouble typing the list of expletives he uttered. Needless to say, ultra-hetero Tom was rather shocked.

"You? Damn, it's not possible."

"Sure is. I can see that you're surprised."

"I am. I didn't think a gay guy could be so... so..."

"Non-queer?"

"Right."

"Well, get of the prejudice highway. We're not all queens, and we're not all sluts. I've only got one lover."

"Who???"

"No."

"But Christopher..."

"No."

"Fine. See ya around. This conversation..."

"...Never happened. Bye, Tom."

"Later."

With that, I went off to Latin I and James, both awaiting me in first period. James and I had trouble sitting through that Monday. After school, we went to his house and fucked each other's brains out. Just as James was driving me over the edge, his bedroom door opened and there was...

Naw, I couldn't leave ya hangin' like that. It was Tom.

"Whoa, guys, I just, umm... Eeww."

James shot him a look.

"Never seen a guy climax, Tom?"

"Well, certainly not in my best friend's ass, no."

"Learn something new every day," I laughed off the embarrasement.

"Gross. Anyway, I was wondering of you guys wanted to go with me to the movies."

"Sure, let me.." I began, but James interrupted me.

"Let us take a shower. Be with ya' in 15 minutes." He winked at me.

"Does that thing of yours ever shrink?" I asked.

"No, It doesn't." he said. Tom left for the living room.

"I believe that."

We tackled the hygiene, and James, Tom, and I went to the movies with about five other guys. After "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" we went our separate ways, but not before a good-night kiss, right in front of everybody and God. We walked away, leaving their chins on the pavement and their eyeballs three feet outside the socket.

Damn, if we could see the future. It is often not a pretty picture...

Text from "The Stranger" (C) 1977, 1998 Billy Joel / Sony Music Entertainment

Dammit, send me an email. How the hell else am I supposed to give the people what they want? Huh?
terenas1@juno.com

And please, if you don't like it, TELL ME THAT, TOO!

Honesty is the best policy.

                            A. T.