by
Mark 'Ponyboy' Peters
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I was still on cloud nine when I made it home a few hours later, and to be perfectly honest, I couldn't even remember driving from Raffa's home to mine. It was as if I was on autopilot, as I was still coming down off our post-sex high.
Despite everything that had been going on recently, somehow I had connected with this most amazing person, who was not only as hot as hell and great in bed, but was also one of the most caring and thoughtful human beings I had ever met. To say that I was feeling as if I had won the lottery would be an understatement. My greatest fear now was that my luck wouldn't hold, and that Raffa would sooner or later wake up and see me as the immature and inexperienced kid that I usually saw myself as, or that some other devastating event would shatter our world.
Shit! There I go again, letting those dark mists and wispy shadows push their way back into my reality. Fuck! Why is this happening?
Earlier in the evening I had sent a text to my mother to let her know I wouldn't be home straight away, so she needn't worry about dinner for me. I therefore wasn't overly surprised when I found a note on the kitchen table when I got there, saying that everyone had decided to go to the movies.
I hadn't actually eaten anything yet, but that was nobody's fault but my own, so I set about making myself a sandwich. I really couldn't complain about nobody being home or there being no leftovers in the refrigerator, but still, it would have been nice if there had at least been someone here to ask how my night was so that I could tell them that it was great and how wonderful a guy Raffa was; a guy I was so lucky to find, even if I couldn't exactly share what we had done.
After making a sandwich and a cup of tea I sat down at the kitchen table to eat. Pulling my phone from my pocket I brought up the photo I had recently taken of Raffa, then set the phone on the table, leaning it against a vase of flowers so I could continue to gaze at his handsome face. I couldn't ever remember feeling like this about anyone else in my life before. I know that I had asked myself this question previously, and had no idea if I'd ever received an answer for it, but was this love? Was this what it felt like? I was beginning to think that it could be, and if it was, then where do we go from here?
As I sat there with these thoughts bouncing around in my head I heard a car pull into our driveway, with the carport outside the kitchen window soon being lit up by the headlights of my mother's car. I got up and picked up my plate and mug and crossed to the sink to rinse them, just as Olly came bounding through the door.
'Where were you?' he demanded to know as he came over and threw his arms around my waist and hugged me. 'I bet you were with Raffa? Right? Did you do sex stuff?'
'Oliver James Porter!' my mother exclaimed as she came through the door behind him, followed closely by my father, who thankfully hadn't heard what Olly had said, or at least he didn't show any signs of having heard it.
'You think I'd tell you anything, punk?' I shot back at him.
'Punk? What's that supposed to be?'
'I'll explain later,' I replied.
'About that and a few other things by the sounds of it,' my mother added quietly as she placed her purse on the kitchen table. I noticed dad watching her do that, before his attention switched to my phone and the photo of Raffa that was displayed.
I was too far away to be able to reach it in time before dad picked it up and took a closer look. Then turning it my way he looked at me with raised eyebrows. I nodded to him and he offered a tired smile, before handing the phone to me.
It suddenly struck me that after all these years of holding inside me these fears about being outed, about what the reaction of my family might be to the news I might be gay, and any other concerns about being found out, it wasn't going to be the big deal I'd thought it might be. There had been no truly explosive reaction, no great arguments, no getting kicked out of home; nothing of the reaction I had expected from them. In fact, the only negative reactions I had received were from some of the rednecks I worked with.
Maybe the world truly was changing.
'So, did you have a good night?' mum asked.
'Yeah, I did, thanks. I went around to Raffa's after work.'
A chuckle from Olly earned him a swift rebuke.
'And how was work?'
For the first time in a couple of hours I found myself thinking about the visit from the police and what Mike had done. But just how much should I tell them?
'Well, it was interesting,' I said. 'We had a visit from the police this afternoon. Apparently there was a tip-off and they've arrested two guys over the . . .'
It seemed like I hadn't even finished speaking when mum had her arms around me, hugging me close, before kissing me.
'Oh, Grayson, that's fantastic news,' she gushed. 'Have you found out why they did it?'
'No, not yet. They didn't have any more details but the police officer said they would keep us informed.'
We sat around talking and drinking coffee for the next hour or so. Olly had stayed with us for a little while, before saying goodnight to us all. After he had left us mum suggested I would need to be careful with what I told him about my relationship with Raffa.
'He's already asking questions,' I said to her. 'But yeah, I know he's only ten and will be curious, so while I'll be honest with him I'm not going to say too much to him or give any detail.'
I looked at my father as I said this and could see him nodding, though he didn't say anything. These past few days I had noticed a change in him, which wasn't entirely unexpected given the circumstances. He had always been quick to respond to anything, or to tell us off if he didn't agree with something, which I guess was him taking his role as the breadwinner and head of the family seriously, but after all the recent revelations he seemed to have taken a step back and it was mum who had taken control. It was going to be interesting to see where this would take us as a family.
'And what about when we ask you something about how things are with you, or what you've been up to?' mum added. 'Of course, it's not really any of our business what you do, and if you don't want to talk about something then that would be your prerogative, but we would hope that you will continue to be open and honest with us, and be careful. And if anything concerns you then you need to know you can always come to us.'
'I know, mum. And thank you for saying that,' I replied, before getting up and going to her and hugging her. 'You've been amazing and I love you for that.'
I then hugged my father, who surprised me by hugging me back, before then saying, 'I think you need a shower.'
I laughed, then I said goodnight and headed for my room as I tried to hold back a few tears that I could feel were building. I don't think that I had ever felt as close to my parents as I did right now.
* * * * *
I did take my father's advice and had a quick shower before going to bed, walking back into my bedroom with just a towel around me, which I dropped to the floor before climbing into bed. I then sent Raffa a quick text.
< Night babe and thank you xxx >
A reply came back almost immediately, which brought a smile to my face.
< Good night sweetie xxx >
I lay my head on my pillow while holding the phone in front of me, continuing to look at the message, before eventually drifting off.
Once again my night was one that was filled with turbulence, which was not really a surprise considering the turbulent days that had preceded it. Mike, Animal, Raffa, my parents, the police, Uncle Bryan, and even Chase from the sexual health clinic, had all put in appearances. But there were others also. Shadowy figures, faceless and in the background, yet menacing all the same.
There were no specific events that happened in my dreams, no grand declarations of love, no spectacular crimes, just an overwhelming feeling of mystery and dread; a feeling that something was going to happen.
But what?
At one point in the early hours I woke to find a body once again snuggled against my side, this time with the owner’s head on my shoulder and an arm draped across my chest. Turning my head I kissed my brother on his forehead and then drifted off to sleep once more.
The alarm on my phone went off a little before seven and I reached out to turn it off, trying not to disturb Olly, but failing miserably.
'What time is it?' he mumbled. I looked at his face and almost laughed as a string of drool drooped from the corner of his mouth down onto my chest. It wasn't so long ago that this would have grossed me out, but given the things that my body had come into contact with in recent weeks a bit of drool from a ten year old boy was the least of my worries.
'Time you were in the shower, Dribbles,' I replied.
'What?' he mumbled, before wiping his mouth using the sheet that covered us. As he moved I felt something brush against my hip and knew exactly what it was. It looked like what my brother was needing was actually a cold shower.
Partly throwing back the covers I said, 'C'mon, Dribbles, it's time we both got up,' then I climbed out of bed and stood up with my back to him, before pulling on some shorts and a t-shirt. When I glanced back at Olly I noticed him studying me.
'You getting out of bed?'
'I . . . ummm . . .' he stammered, as he glanced down his body and made sure he was all covered over.
I dropped to my knees and leaned across my bed so that my face was close to his.
'It's okay, mate,' I whispered. 'That happens to all of us . . . though I don't think it happened to me when I was ten. Does it happen very often? It must mean you're going to be a sexy super stud when you get a bit older! You'll have them all following you around checking you out.'
'You . . . you think so? It just happens sometimes.'
'Good looking guy like you? Yeah, of course! You're gonna be quite a catch!'
'Does it happen to you too?'
'Every damn day, mate,' I replied, before standing up and allowing him to see the bulge in my shorts.
He looked at me with his eyes almost bugging out of his head, before beginning to chew on his bottom lip.
'So, w-what happens when they do catch me?'
'Ahhh . . . that's the fun part, mate,' I replied, while reaching out and roughing up his hair. 'But you'll just have to wait until then to find out . . . and if you can't figure it out yourself, or if your friends can't help, maybe then you can ask your big brother.'
A big grin broke out across his face.
'You promise I can do that?'
'Absolutely! Now get your arse out of bed so we can get some breakfast and have a shower. You've got school and I've got work to go to.'
* * * * *
When I arrived at work I quickly found that Mike had once again not shown up. This was beginning to become a habit and I was starting to worry that it might be something to do with Animal and the recent events we had been tangled up in. If he had also been targeted then there was a fair chance he might also be feeling like he was a victim, no matter what kind of brave front he had been able to put on.
I quickly sent him a text message to ask where he was and what was happening. Whether or not Mike would reply could be another thing.
As Raffa hadn't yet arrived I headed straight for the loading dock, where I found the bell already ringing. There were certain deliveries that were made early every day and when I raised the roller door I found two impatient drivers waiting.
'Sorry guys. No sign of Mike yet,' I said to them. They had their boxes already sitting on the edge of the loading dock so after listening to their grumbles I quickly checked off and signed off on the deliveries and sent them on their way.
Just as I loaded everything onto a trolley Mrs Mack arrived.
'Good morning, Grayson. No doubt you've been made aware that Mike isn't here today?' she asked.
'Yes. Is he okay?'
'He has some personal issues, he says, so is taking some of the leave owed to him. As you're really the only person we have who is familiar with what happens out here do you think you will be okay looking after the loading bay and stockroom for a little while? It'll mean we may have to postpone your being moved onto the shop floor, but it won't affect your traineeship in any way. This will still count towards it.'
'Ummm . . . yes, I guess.'
'That will be great,' she said, while placing a hand on my arm. 'I'll get you some extra help just as soon as we can, but while Mike is on leave you'll be in charge . . . and your pay rate will be adjusted accordingly, okay?'
'Okay . . . thanks.'
I could see how relieved she was that I had agreed, but to be perfectly honest I was a little disappointed that I would be stuck out here for a while longer. Still, if there was some extra money involved I certainly wasn't going to complain.
After Mrs Mack left it was Raffa's turn, giving me a fist bump and a wicked grin on greeting me.
'How were things when you made it home?' he asked.
'Very quiet. Everyone was out at the movies, but they all got home shortly afterwards. Olly was asking questions. I talked to the folks and told them about the arrests. They were all good.'
'That's good to hear.'
'Woke up with Olly in bed with me again this morning. He has . . . questions . . .'
'I bet!'
'And now I get to work and Mike has called in sick. Mrs Mack said he's taking some leave, so I'm the bunny who gets stuck with working out here for the duration.'
'What? What about you coming onto the shop floor?'
'On hold again . . . but they're going to give me the pay rise to cover this, and it's going to be considered a part of the traineeship, so I guess it's a win all-round.'
'Hmmm . . . Acting Stockroom Manager already! You're moving up in the world fast.'
'Hardly,' I replied, just as I felt my phone buzz in my pocket with a message coming through. I quickly checked it and found it was from mum.
< Forget to mention. Dinner at Meaghan's tonight. Invite Raffa if you like. Everyone wants to meet him. xxx >
I turned the phone around and showed him.
'Sounds great. I'd love to,' he said.
To be continued . . .
Authors Note:
Hi there. It has been a while since I have posted anything new on Nifty. I guess life gets in the way sometimes.
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