Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:46:29 -0400
From: Pee Jay <peejay@mi.rr.com>
Subject: Plaquemines Parish 2

"Plaquemines Parish" Part 2
Pronounced: pla:k?minz
By: Pee Jay
peejay@mi.rr.com

I went home and collapsed on my bed. I was exhausted from the events of the
day. After a few minutes, I undressed and climbed back into bed. It was
still warm so I lie on top of the sheets thinking.

If I went fishing with Dave and his parents in the morning, would I be able
to pull it off? I mean, how could I possibly fit in with them? Kris had
come painfully close with his depiction of my situation and me. I probably
am a faggot. After all, that's what they call guys who like other guys and
Dave is a guy. Shit, why me? Christ, I kissed him! How could I be anything
but? And what about the poor white trash thing? If I was any poorer, I'd be
homeless. Heaven forbid that Mom ever found out, I'm a sad excuse for a
son. It was way more than I wanted to think about so I rolled over and went
to sleep.

I awoke the next morning as the sun was peaking over the trees and not
feeling much better than I did the night before. As I lie there looking out
the window, I decided not to go fishing with them. I couldn't allow myself
to be seduced by the idea that I somehow could fit into his world. No, I
would stay home in my shack where I belong until it was time for
work. That's it, what was I thinking?

I could hear Mom stirring in her bedroom across the hall. She came out of
her room on the way to the bathroom and stopped in the doorway.

"Are you up Val?"

"Yeah, I'm awake."

"Do you want breakfast?"

"I'll make it while you shower if you want."

"Okay" she said and made her way to the bathroom.

I fixed breakfast and took the easy way out. We had coffee, toast and jam
with juice and a peach. I held my peach in one hand as I drank coffee and
ate toast. I thought how the hair on Dave's arm felt soft like peach-fuzz
and laughed out loud.

"What are you laughing at Val?"

Think hard, improvise Marine.

"Nothing much Mom, just a joke from work last night".

Mom smiled and didn't push it, thank God; lest I have to start stacking
lies on top of lies and that could be dangerous because I couldn't think
that quick.

Mom left for work after breakfast and I cleaned up the kitchen. When I
finished, I went outside to sit on the wooden swing on the front porch, it
was suspended from the roof with chains. I scooted my butt forward and
raised my feet on top of the railing. A car was approaching from town and
billows of dust clouded the air behind it as it neared. In front of our
shack, the horn blew and I waved back; it was Charlie on his way to
work. That was different; Charlie usually didn't get to work until
lunchtime.

I was bored so I packed up my things and headed for the pier at the
marina. I may as well go for an early swim since there was nothing to do
and I had no friends. Dave was out with his parents, so that was a
disappointment. As I left the house heading for the road, I noticed a black
kid coming down the road heading for the water. I slowed my pace a little
so I could join him on the road as he passed in front of our shack.

"Hi" I said and made a waving motion with my hand.

He looked at me as if I was diseased, "What do you want?"

"Nothing, we're going the same way so I thought we could keep each other
company. Where are you going?"

"The marina."

"Oh good that's where I'm headed."

"Good for you."


Geez, this kid was operating on a limited vocabulary or just plain
anti-social. I didn't care, I needed to meet someone my own age so I
pressed on.

"What brings you to the marina today? I've never seen you down there."

"I'm going to apply for a job at the restaurant."

"Oh cool, that's where I work. I think they need a dishwasher. That used to
be my job until I was made a busboy or server...whatever you want to call
it."

"Good for you."

He seemed to be sulking or pouting or something. He definitely wasn't in a
good mood. Maybe his mother was making him get a job and he didn't want to
work. It was none of my business so I didn't ask.

"What's your name?"

"What's your problem?" he asked in an aggravated tone.

"Geez, okay forget it", I said. "Pardon me for asking" and I raised a hand.

I moved to the other side of the road. The hell with him. Who needs that
shit? If he wanted to walk around in a funk then let him; I sure as hell
didn't need that, I had enough crap to think about. It isn't easy being me.

I gave him plenty of room in case he started frothing at the mouth or some
frigging thing.

When we reached the marina, I slowed down so he could pass in front of
me. We had to cross paths so I could make it to the end of the pier where I
usually spent my time.

I found my spot and sat down. I looked at the slip where Dave's family
moored their boat. It was empty. I pulled my shirt off and stared at the
vacant space. I wondered what he was doing right now. Was he having fun? He
was probably enjoying himself at sea in the sunshine. I could see him
pulling in a big catch, maybe a swordfish.

He was one of those beautiful people you see on postcards in town. I'd seen
the pictures like that trying to entice the tourists; not that Plaquemines
was touristy mind you, the scenery sucked. And ambiance? They may as well
strike that from the local dialect.

I let a long exhale go then stood up. I slipped my shorts off and kicked
them to the side. I had my bathing suit on underneath so I dove into the
water and swam over to the ladder. I climbed out and made my way back. I
assumed my usual position and closed my eyes. A while later I heard a
voice.

"Hey kid, you want to make a few bucks?"

I sat up to see who was talking to me; if in fact it was me they were
addressing. I had to give my eyes a minute to adjust so I stood up and
blinked a few times.

"What do you need done?"

He was rather young and good-looking too. It was hard to tell how old he
was, I guessed thirtyish, he was doing well for his age. And the body was
in good working condition too from what his bathing suit revealed.

"Our boat needs cleaning" and he pointed to one toward the end of a spur
jutting into the water.

"Yeah sure, how much does it pay?"

"Depends on what kind of job you do."

I thought about it for a minute. He was a little vague about what he was
paying. On the other hand, what was I going to do? Sit or lay around for
the next few hours?

"Okay" I said. "You want me to start now?"

"Yeah, follow me."

So I did. I followed him to the end where his boat was tied up and hopped
aboard behind him. I tossed my pack on a seat cushion and he went below to
retrieve some cleaning supplies. He handed me a bucket and soap. He
uncoiled a hose from the pier and showed me what he wanted done.

His friend came up from the cabin and they introduced themselves. The guy
that hired me was Mike. He had darker hair than Steve and a more muscular
build. Steve had lighter hair and what I would consider an average
physique. They were both nice to look at and I quickly abandoned the
thought not wanting to become aroused

I followed his instruction, I began to wet the boat down in sections, soap
it and scrub it with a sponge then rinse it off with the hose. It wasn't
all that hard to do; it was just that the stupid thing was so big.

It was going to take a while to finish the whole boat but I was determined
to do a good job, even if they took advantage of me when it came time to
square up. At least my conscience would be clear.

I worked for what seemed like a couple hours when Steve asked me if I was
hungry. I told him I was and he said to take a break and come have lunch
with them. I was more than eager; I was starving if the truth were known.

I took a seat at the table on deck while Steve went below to the galley. I
could see down there and noticed Mike touching and putting his arm around
Steve from time to time. Steve seemed to like it and smiled a lot at
Mike. I was beginning to wonder what was going on between them. Yes, I had
my suspicions and it made me nervous.

It was hot on deck and I was sweaty from working so I hollered that I was
going to jump in the water really quick and be right back. I noticed a
ladder at the rear of the boat while I was cleaning so I climbed up and
dove in.

I scaled the ladder and was back on deck in a matter of minutes feeling
much better. I hung my head over the side of the boat and shook the water
out of my hair. Mike came up behind me and placed a towel around my
shoulders.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Come sit down, what do you want to drink?"

"Iced tea if you have it."

He hollered my drink order to Steve and sat down at the table. I sat down
too. The table was just large enough for three. Steve came up on deck and
placed a plate in front of me and I thanked him. I tore into my sandwich
like I had just come out of winter hibernation, I was hungry. A few more
minutes and my plate was clean. I eased back in my chair and a small belch
escaped me.

"Oops, excuse me."

They both laughed.

"So do you live here or are you on vacation?" Steve asked.

"No, I live here. Just down the road" and I pointed to the road next to the
marina.

"I saw you here yesterday when we arrived. Do you come here every day?"

"Pretty much. I work in the restaurant over there. Where are you guys
from?"

Mike responded, "We live in New Orleans".

"Oh"

I wondered if they lived together but I was too embarrassed to ask. Christ,
there were more darn gays around here than in the whole state of Wisconsin
and I was pretty sure these guys were gay.

Steve asked me if I wanted another sandwich and I told him I did. The first
one was just a teaser I needed nourishment. I took the second sandwich from
the plate and went back to work. I wanted to make sure I finished before I
had to go to my regular job.

I was almost done when I noticed Dave's family's boat navigating the waters
of the marina. Great I thought, now I have to lie to him about the reason I
wasn't there this morning. He was waving at me and I didn't want it to seem
like I was ignoring him so I waved back with a big ole smile on my face, it
was good to see him. I wished I could contain my smile but I couldn't help
myself, I was happy to see him, very happy to see him.

I was almost done cleaning when he came running down the spur that led to
Mike and Steve's boat. He jumped on board then slipped in the soapy water
and fell. I started laughing. I couldn't help it, the way it happened was
too funny. He slid on his feet with both arms in the air before he lost his
momentum and landed on the deck square on his arse. It looked like some
kind of Hollywood stunt or something. I looked at Mike, who was on deck
too, and he was laughing his ass off.

Apparently, Dave wasn't fazed. He leapt to his feet and scurried over to me
with a big smile on his face. He kissed his hand, placed it on my chest and
left it there for a few seconds. I couldn't hold back a warm genuine smile
as I stared into those big brown eyes with the long dark lashes, it was a
sincere gesture and I liked it. I wanted to give him a big ole bear hug and
squeeze him to death but I didn't think the timing was right.

I could tell Mike and Steve were watching and I made it a point not to look
at them. I was hoping if I ignored them then they wouldn't have seen it. I
knew it was dumb but it was my way of pretending that it didn't happen, as
much as I liked it. Good Lord, I have to touch him again soon or I'll go
nuts.

"Hi, what ya doing?"

"Just finishing, they hired me to clean their boat" as I nodded at Mike and
Steve.

Dave glanced at them and turned back, "Do you know them?"

"No, I just met them. They're from New Orleans."

"Come on, I'll help you finish up here."

Dave helped with the last little bit then he rinsed it off while I gathered
the cleaning supplies. I put them in the closet below deck where Steve
wanted them and asked if there was anything further I should do. I knew
there wasn't but it was my way of asking them to pay up.

Mike came up on deck, snapped a bill with his fingers and handed it to
me. It was a crisp new fifty. Wow! I was rich! I was a smiling fool and
couldn't stop. Man, I felt stupid but I couldn't stop grinning. I was
hoping for maybe twenty bucks and they paid me more than twice that. Yeow!

"Wow, thanks a lot you guys."

"You're more than welcome. Thanks for doing a good job" Mike said.

I looked at Steve and he was smiling too, he made my grin grow some more
and I looked like a bigger idiot. I didn't care. I had fifty dollars! So
there.

Dave said, "Come on, let's go".

We hopped out of the boat and I hollered, "Thanks again you guys", and we
started to run toward the main pier.

"VAL, YOUR PACK" Mike yelled.

I stopped and went back for my pack and thanked them again. They were nice
guys. Nice gay guys I thought silently.

"I think those guys are gay", Dave said with a smile.

I looked at him and grinned, "They're not the only ones".

We both laughed and somehow everything was okay. We both knew.

"I missed you today. I waited by the restaurant until nine and Dad finally
got mad and said he was going to leave without me. I told him okay but he
made me go anyway."

Dave was grinning as he nudged me with his shoulder.

I was feeling bad that I made them wait so long. I knew Dave wanted me to
go and it was my own insecurity that held me back. Still, my reasoning was
sound; I was sure of that. But Good God, it was sure nice to see him and
really great to see his reaction when he saw me. Maybe he really does like
me. I'm crazy about him and I hardly know him. We haven't spent any time
together to speak of and I'm crazy about him! How bananas is that?

"I missed you too," I admitted softly.

And I did. When I wasn't thinking about what I was doing, I was thinking
about him. Oh screw it. I'm queer and it feels good, it feels real good, so
bite me or turn me in, whatever.

Dave raised the back of his hand and stroked my arm.

I looked at him and smiled. Then I looked down at the pier and said,

"I like you".

There I said it! I wanted to put my arms around him so bad and squeeze him,
and feel him, and hold and touch him and all those things that you do to
the person that excites and delights you. The person that tantalizes and
tingles your body with their touch, bubbles and effervesces at the sight of
you, connects and commingles you with and to them, THAT person. Wow, what
an awesome thought! I don't know how much longer I can hold out until I
wrap him in my arms.

"I like you too, a lot."

Oh My God, I feel so gay and so good! I want to tell everyone about this
guy I met. I want to shout it out, 'I'M GAY', because I am. I'm queer and
liberated from myself; not out, just self-proclaimed and queer. I can't
tell you how good that feels to admit it and be with the person that
inspires those feelings. It isn't all that easy but it feels good, actually
great, it's who I am. And yes, I'm queer for Dave! I like the sound of
that.

After a few silent moments Dave said, "What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about you. Well really it was about you and me."

He pointed in the direction we should walk and I turned with him.

"And what do you think?"

I was quiet for a minute. I wasn't sure I wanted to be totally honest so
soon. Well I do want to be honest I guess I mean frank. I didn't want to be
the first to admit my feelings. If I kept them concealed then it would be
much easier to act as if it was no big deal should something happen,
whatever that might be.

"Val?"

"Oh sorry. I'm not sure."

We were a good distance down the road toward our shack when it dawned on
me. I had to do something soon to alter our course or he's going to see my
shack. There's no way that's going to happen. I took his hand in mine and
pulled him with me toward the side of the road then into the woods.

"Come with me for a minute."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

I led him a few paces in and stopped by a large tree. I leaned against it
with my back and pulled him into me. He wrapped his arms around my neck and
I spread my legs pulling him close with my arms around his waist. We closed
our eyes and had the most wonderful kissing experience.

I could tell you about all the things that were going through my mind but
the feeling was the best part. How sensual and strong his body felt pressed
against me. The softness of his caress that ignited bon fires wherever his
hand lingered. His low audible groans as we kissed and ground into each
other and me wishing I was in his skin with him, to feel the same sensation
and experience it as he did. I never felt anything like that in my life, it
was glorious.

We stopped kissing after a few minutes and he stared me in the eye. I swear
he could see and read every thought that was going through my mind and I
loved it and the feeling of being completely exposed to him mentally,
spiritually and, I hoped very soon, physically.

"We have to go. I'm going to be late for work."

"Just another minute" and he started in again.

It was impossible for me to resist because I didn't want to. I wanted to be
naked with him, I was sure of that. I didn't know exactly what I would do
but I was certain I wanted to see and experience his erect penis. What I
would do with it, I didn't have a clue; but I was darn sure I wanted to see
him that way. Jesus Christ, now I'm using medical terms for body parts,
what's come over me?

I was having enough of not being in control of myself. As good as it was it
was a little scary too. When you can't control yourself it's like riding in
the back seat; something or someone else is leading you, some other force
is steering and you have no say about it. It's a bit un-nerving and
exhilarating at once.

I broke our kiss and pulled him in for a warm embrace. As I held him, I
said,

"Will you be up when I get off work tonight?"

"I'll be outside waiting for you."

He smiled and stroked my hair and I squeezed his buns and pulled him in
close,

"I'll be counting the minutes".

I hoped he liked the sound of that.

"Mmmm" he murmured, as we held on firm and tight.

I moved my hands all over him then said, "We have to go. I'm going to be
late for work".

When we separated, he put his arm around me as we headed for the road. Oh
dear God, I loved it in a big way. He made me feel so good. I could only
hope that I did that for him. I put my arm around his waist and walked by
his side. It was a little strange or maybe I should say new because it
didn't feel strange at all, it was nice.

He stepped on a branch and the tip of it rustled some leaves a few feet
away. I screamed and jumped into the air then ran for the road,
"SON-OF-A-BITCH DAMN SNAKES!"

I stopped and turned on the road to see him laughing like hell.

"What's so funny?"

"You, what did you think that was?"

"It was a snake for Christ sake."

He could only laugh harder at me as I felt my face warm up. I was so
embarrassed I wanted to slink away into the woods and hide. For the second
time in a few days, I screeched like a girl. And I could have sworn it was
a snake. Jesus Christ, it's bad enough that I'm gay; why can't I stop
screaming like a girl?

Dave walked me back to the marina and made a subtle kissing motion with his
mouth on the deck outside. I wanted to hold him and all those other things
but I gave him a wink instead and said,

"See ya after work, I hope."

"I'll see ya at work and after. We'll be in for dinner later. See you
then."

He stroked my back, allowing his hand to linger above my butt for a few
seconds. I liked it a lot and looked around to see if anyone saw it. There
was no one in the windows at the restaurant and the deck and pier was
empty. He turned and left.

As I entered the restaurant, I was high. I was high on Dave and loving the
idea of it. Man oh man, where was I going with all this? I turned to look
out the window and watch him walk away; he looked good anyway you looked at
him. I smiled at the sight and thought of him then went to the bathroom. As
I changed into my uniform, I decided it didn't matter so much; I was going
to go for it. I like him and want to be with him, that's all there is to
it. If there was a price, I was more than willing to pay it.


To Be Continued