University Town - 2

“You're naked!” said Ru, eyes open wide staring at my genitals.

I had opened the door for him but he was hanging back in the hallway.

“I won't bite, promise. Now come in before we make a scene” I insisted.

“Eh....”

Whatever words Ru might have been looking for, evidently he could not find them. I stepped back from the door myself, deeper into my condo, giving him more space to enter.

“We don't have all day” I urged.

Ru stepped inside my condo, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

“Please close the door behind you. I hope this didn't come as too big a shock for you. I thought I had been up front about my lifestyle.”

“I guess so... But it's weird. Doesn't it feel weird to you, standing there... totally naked?”

“Not at all. For me wearing clothes is weird. When you're used to living naked, you no longer notice. I only notice it when I have to dress up. Now that's weird –uncomfortable.”

“But, weren't you a professor? Don't you have to, like, dress up all the time, for work?”

“Not in the last few school terms – been teaching everything on line.”

“No camera?”

“Heavens no! My laptop camera is taped over. All the students ever see online are algorithms, block diagrams, logic tables... that sort of thing.”

“I brought first month's rent, like you asked.”

“Great!” I answered, holding out my hand.

Ru dug in his pocket, made as if to hand over the money, but hesitated. I stepped forward and took the money from him. Ru took a step back.

“What if it doesn't work out?” he asked.

I had to force myself not roll my eyes at that petulant question. Life is full of situations that threaten not to work out. Adults work through those challenges and make them work out. Lecturing him about that would do no good. What was Ru's problem?

“You know the condo's location, the amenities and the rent. You also know I'm a gay old nudist. I'm trying to be completely transparent. What more do you need to know?”

“I dunno. Just wondering what I do if it doesn't work out; I mean you and me.”

Again his eyes wandered down to my bare genitals. There's nothing unusual about them. As I got older my balls got bigger and my dick smaller, that's all.

“It will work out fine. If not you're free to leave any time you want. I'm not tying you to a lease.”

“Leave where? By September every room will be booked. At least every reasonable room. I wouldn't have any other place to go, not that I can afford.”

“You've got a point. If you did need to find another place, then the sooner the better. Probably we should try to find out right now if we can get along.”

“Huh? You don't expect me to, like, take my clothes off, do you?”

His gaze was still fixated on my balls. What was so threatening about them?

“Heavens no! You do whatever makes you comfortable, and I do what makes me comfortable. Have you ever gone on a wilderness canoe trip?”

“A what?!”

“A wilderness canoe trip. Or maybe summer camp, anything to get out of the city, back to nature. That's what summer vacation is for. All American kids do it, or want to.”

“But I grew up in China.”

“I kinda figured. Your English is really good though.”

“I major in modern languages, is why I'm in America.”

“Well you haven't lived the full American experience until you've camped out in the American wilderness. I've got a one week trip planned starting next Wednesday, in the state park up north. I'd be happy to take you with me. I we haven't killed each other after one week in the middle of nowhere together, then we know we're compatible.”

“Killed?! Are you taking a gun?” he squeaked.

“No, no, don't take me so literally. I wouldn't harm a fly. Never even owned a gun. Look, if you're scared to be alone with me, then invite your friends too. It's a beautiful park. They'll love it.”

“I don't have any friends.”

“What? A nice guy like you? I don't believe it.”

“OK, I have friends, but they're back in China, and back in California.”

“California?”

“Berkeley. I was there on a full scholarship, except my grades weren't good enough to extend the scholarship, so I had to come here.”

“Ouch! Berkeley is an expensive place. I'm impressed you managed to get admitted here in time before the Fall term.”

“I already knew I would not make it way back, so I had applied to three different universities. This one's the cheapest.”

“Cheapest? I would prefer we were called the 'Best'. Well I suppose 'Cheapest' will have to do. Is that why you're staying with me? I'm the cheapest?”

“Well duh!”

“Spoken like a true American. Sure you're Chinese?”

“Wǒ dāngrán shì zhōngguó rén.”

“What?”

“I gotta leave, see you later.”

Ru turned his back and made for the door.

“Wait! What about our wilderness trip together? You got time next week?”

“Time yes, money no. Forget it. I can't afford it.”

“No, no, you don't have to pay anything: I'm paying you!”

“Huh?”

Ru turned back to face me again, obviously intrigued.

“I'm getting too old to be carrying backpacks and canoes over the rocks and through the bogs. I need to pay a porter to do it for me. The job is still open. Wad'ya say?”

“Don't think I can. I'm not very strong.”

“You would do fine. Packs are not that heavy, only the terrain is rough. Just need to be sure on your feet. I'll pay you first month's rent.”

I held his money back out to him. The way his eyes opened up, I knew I had him.

“You pay me now?”

“Yeah, take it. Just be here Wednesday morning, before nine.”

Ru took back his money.

“What do I bring?”

“Nothing. I got all the gear you need. Remember, anything you bring, you have to carry on your back.”

“What about my clothes?” he asked, staring down my balls again.

“Uh, you don't need more than two sets of clothes: the set on your back and just one spare set packed away. Bring whatever you're comfortable in; loose fitting stuff. Wear something cool for during the day and pack something warmer for at night. A sun hat or baseball cap and sunglasses are also a good idea, and sturdy shoes.”

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