Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2015 08:45:29 +0100
From: Is This Desire <01.is.this.desire@gmail.com>
Subject: DOWN BY THE RIVER 2

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without permission.


DOWN BY THE RIVER 2
-------------------


They stood on the edge of the cliff and looked down at the brown river,
wild from spring rains.  "Must be a flood upstream. That river looks mean,"
said Mark.

"Maybe we'll see a house come floating down."

Mark gave a chuckle. Jim sat on a big rock, plucked a piece of grass and
chewed on the stem. Mark squatted beside him. They enjoyed the roar of the
river, bright fresh leaves rustling in the wind all around them.

"So how was Alice?"

Mark growled. "A damn cocktease, like all the rest. Leads you on so you
think, now we're talking and then, just as you get all hot: Oh, no, not
that yet! Christ, it makes a guy so horny he could do it with a damn hole
in the wall! So why didn't you come to the dance last night? Lots of girls
asked about you."

"I don't know. Hate dancing."

"You're too damn shy."

Mark rolled up a pant leg and removed an ant crawling up his calf. Jim
noticed once again how hairy Mark's leg was.

They threw stones over the edge of the cliff. The sound of rock hitting the
water felt satisfying. Finally Mark shouted, "Come on!"

They crawled over the edge and worked their way downward, holding on to
bushes, finding toeholds in the rock.

The already hot sun shone in a pale sky. Numerous birds flashed between
trees. Snakes, lizards, rabbits and all kinds of other small creatures
scuttled for cover as the young men made their noisy descent. It took them
a while to reach the river's muddy bank.

Shortly after 2 p.m. they came to the cabin. They opened the
door. Newspapers and empty tin cans were scattered all over the rough wood
floor. On the stone hearth there were new ashes: bums as well as lovers
stayed here.

Mark set down the paper bag he'd been carrying while Jim put the blankets
on the cleanest part of the floor.

"Hasn't changed much," Mark looked up at the roof. The sky shone through
holes. "Let's hope it don't rain."