Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2019 05:24:56 -0500 From: Richard Keith Gipson Subject: Chapter 5 of Farthest Pasture: Falling Hey, Everyone Nifty needs your donations to provide these wonderful stories in our own words http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html Farthest Pasture Chapter 5 Falling The rest of the fall and winter went by without much happening. Auggie and Ray did their best to still bits of alone time. Their bond grew stronger. Auggie continued to worry that Ray wasn't going to go with him when he went away. He knew no plans were being made and they hardly ever spoke about their future in any real terms. Auggie wanted assurance that when he took off, Ray was going to be at his side. "Are you thinking about graduation?" Ray asks. "No, just thinking about getting through finals and summer. Graduation will be a breeze." "I'm glad you think so. I've got to study real hard to eke out some good grades." "You'll manage. I have faith in you, and I can help." What Auggie wanted to say was something along the lines of "Please come with me I know you're going to do fine grade wise. I need you with me." But he didn't and couldn't. "Thanks," Rays says sitting with Auggie. Lunch has gotten to be pretty much a normal thing for them. So, they get to spend a little more time with each other every day. Besides every one of their friends seems to be dealing with their own shit. The last bell rings and students get to escape the halls until tomorrow. It's warm and sunny; the days are getting longer. Kids have a little spring fever. Ray makes his way to the car, waiting a minute for Auggie. He sees him exiting through the gym talking with Scott, a younger guy that has the same passion for computers as Auggie. He knows he doesn't need to worry. Ray watches them shake hands and go in opposite directions. Auggie turns his attention towards Ray; he appears to smile as he makes his way over to him. "Why do you and Scott always shake hands?" Ray needs to know. "I don't know it's just something he's always done, so I follow along. Are you jealous?" "No, just curious. Am I going to see you this afternoon?" "No, this will be it for today. I've got work for home and school, sorry," Auggie explains. "That's cool. Have a good night. Why don't you let me pick you up for school in the morning? Make up some lie. We can head out early and stop for breakfast or something. What about it?" "Sounds like a plan. I'm in. What time? "6:30 sound good?" "Yeah, I'll see you then," Auggie says, knowing that Ray will be late or on his own time. He'll have to wait. "Bye, bud have a good night." "You too," Ray says as he drives away. Ray has ended up honoring his deal with Lisa and is taking her to prom in just two short weeks. It's not a big deal. Auggie understands and is taking this girl named Shannon as well. Everyone is going as friends. Ray hopes that Lisa is true to her word. She says she understands this is just a friendly date and nothing more. They are all going together. Ray gets a feeling sometimes that people know about him and Auggie. He doesn't understand why he thinks this. Auggie says it's just paranoia. He's probably right. What could people know? They could see that he and Auggie do sex stuff. What's worse they could find out that they say cute things to one another and say I love you. It's not a good thing to get freaked out about this stuff. Ray doesn't want to think about it. What if they went off together, would his parents find out? Would others? It takes a long time for things to change around these parts. They'll be old men by the time their lives would be accepted in this town. The next morning surprisingly, Ray is at Auggie's at 6:30. Auggie didn't have to tell his parents a story, unlike Ray, who said Auggie's truck was down. Auggie gets in and puts his hand on Ray's knee. "How's it going this morning," Auggie says smelling mint and Ray's soap. Some smells remind you of that special person once you've become intimate with them. The aromas are personal to the ones you love. "You don't have anything to say about me being on time?" Ray says through a smile. He worked hard to get here. He wants some recognition even if it's good ribbing. "Well, as you mention it I can't believe it happened. Thank you." They roll out of the driveway and head in the direction of town. Ray goes a piece of a way up the road. "I thought we could stop for a few minutes. What do you think?" Ray asks, already knowing the answer. "Where are we going?" "I thought over here by the Blue Hole entrance." The Blue Hole is a swimming spot. You park in a field along a creek and follow it about two miles along to get to the place. You can't see the parking area from the road, so it offers some privacy. They'll use it to abuse themselves and spend time before school starts. Ray gets out of his side and walks to the passenger's. He opens the door and pulls Auggie out into a tight embrace followed by deep kissing. "Nice, what's all this about?" Auggie wonders aloud. He runs his hands along Ray's ass. He loves the way his jeans hug his cheeks. "I'm horny and want to fuck you," Ray being direct and nuzzling Auggie's ear. "Okay, big boy," Auggie says, turning and unbuttoning his jeans. Ray has his hands under Auggie's shirt teasing his nipples. Auggie feels himself opening up to Ray. "You ready?" Ray asks, already with his hard dick out looking for Auggie's entrance. He takes his time finding the right spot. Ray is quick getting all the way in. He wants to feel the tightness and the warmth of Auggie. He kisses Auggie's neck and nibbles along his spine. Auggie pushes back on Ray's dick, enjoying the full feeling and of being in his control. Ray speeds up, pulling almost all the way out before he shoves with all his might back in. "You okay?" Ray asks as he repeatedly plows into Auggie. He loves this connection they have. He loves everything about sex with Auggie. "Yes," Auggie replies through a clenched jaw. It is a great feeling, and even though he knows he's not going to cum this way, he still is enjoying it. "You going to come for me?" "Yes, here it is." Ray comes. Auggie feels his load going deep. Ray finishes but stays in place for a few. "Did you come?" he asks Auggie. "No, but that's ok," Auggie says as Ray pulls out and moves Auggie aside. Ray sits in the passenger seat and pulls Auggie's dick to him. He swallows it. "Mmmm, that feels good, please don't stop." Ray doesn't, and soon he's rewarded with Auggies load. "We both needed to come. Now, are you ready to go to school?" Ray asks while licking his lips. He'll have the smell of Auggie under his nose for most of the day. Will anyone else notice it? "I'd love to stay here all day with you, but...," Auggie says. He wipes his ass with a rag he brought from home and shoves it back in his backpack. He buttons his jeans and decides he better piss like Ray is now doing. Ray is the first back in the car. "Hurry up slowpoke," Ray teases Auggie. "I'm coming, give me a sec," Auggie responds, zipping his pants and getting in the car. "Let's go by and grab something to eat, my treat." "Sure, I'm starving." "I've worked up an appetite too." They take off towards town and make it to school. It's the earliest Ray's been on campus his entire four years. The week of prom comes, and the entire senior and junior classes are busy getting prepared. Ray is working in the gym, hanging some lights while Auggie sits up tables and chairs. He's getting ready to head home. He also has to go by the flower shop and pick the corsages for him and Ray to give their dates. Auggie doesn't care about Lisa. She's done nothing to him. Ray made a choice to involve her for some reason. Auggie has never had a girlfriend and knows he never will. "I'm heading out. I think I'll go pick up the flowers tomorrow. You know no one is going to be at school in the morning?" Auggie says. "I know, but I've promised to do some extra credit, so I have to be here. It's okay I'll pick up the corsages. I'll talk to you tomorrow." "Bye," Auggie says as he walks towards Lisa and Shannon. "Hey, Ray's going to pick me up and then we will be by to pick you all up. What time?" "Let's make it 5:45. We don't need to get here too early," Lisa says. "Let's tell Ray 5:30 so we can get to you guys by 5:45." "That will work," Shannon says. "I'm heading out, don't work too hard," Auggie departs with a wave. He drives home deep in thought on what if Ray and he could be on a date together. He guesses going on a double date will be as close as they'll ever get in this town. Once home, he changes clothes and heads out to do his chores. "Hey, son, how was your day," Dad asks. "Good, what about your's?" "Good as well. Are you ready for tomorrow night?" "I guess there's not much to do." "Your mom and I were thinking this is your first date. Is she someone special?" Dad wanting to know. "No," Auggie not sure how to answer that question or to know how much his dad is prying. "Is that okay...that she's not special and I don't date much?" Auggie wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer to these. Parents aren't as dumb as we hope. "Of course, It's okay if you're not sure about dating or choosing the right person." "It's that I don't want to be involved with anyone because I'm going to be leaving. I don't know what I want," Auggie saying more then he wanted. He wonders if his dad can follow his subtext. "It's fine, don't feel like you have to do anything for anyone. I know you have always planned to leave, and you are so focused on your grades to help with that. Someone will come along at some point, and you'll be swept off your feet," Auggie's dad imparts wisdom and a little subtext of his own. "Just do me a favor and don't forget about us here and that includes Ray." Melvin knew what it was like to be forgotten. "I won't," Auggie says surprised by several of the things his father has said or not said. Does he know something about him and Ray? They worked without talking much after this. They finished up and went into dinner. That night Ray lies on his bed watching the shadows on his ceiling. One of his favorite pastimes. They calm him. He thinks about a way out from under the farm and family. It sometimes hurts to think about not being able to see Auggie every day, to not be in his life. What if Auggie finds someone else? What if he falls in love and never thinks of Ray? It's getting late, and Ray is tired of imagining. The shadows aren't doing their trick tonight. He needs to get some rest; tomorrow is a big day. The sun fills the bedroom with light. The dust floating in the air appears to sparkle as Ray stirs his lanky frame awake. He can't believe he signed up for extra credit. He puts his feet on the floor and does his best to conceal his erections so he can make it to the bathroom without getting caught, what a relief to pee. He puts his clothes on deciding not to shower. Down the steps, he travels, grabbing a quick snack as he exits the house and makes his way to school. How different his life would be if they lived in town and had no farm. What kind of work would his father have? Would it be easier for him to leave if he wasn't a farm boy? Ray gets home around 3:00 he's tired but feels like he has accomplished something. He's going to take a short nap before he begins to get ready for prom. He enters his room to find his suite hanging on the back of his door with $100 stuck in the chest pocket. He doesn't know how he's going to spend $100 on Lisa. It's not like there's someplace nice to go out to eat in town. Ray strips down to his underwear and collapses on his bed. Sleep comes quick, and so do the dreams. In one of them, he's dancing with Auggie at the prom under a big mirrored ball. No one pays them any attention. Auggie is dressed and waiting in his room a little to stiff. It's not normal for him to be dressed up. He hardly wears anything but jeans. For the first time ever he thinks on if there are others like him and Ray going to the prom or even in their school. He can't imagine that there are. He doesn't know if people see him as odd or if his oddness has something to do with him being smart and not gay. Why does he worry so much about what people think? His main concern is for his parents and what they will think of him. What Auggie didn't know was that his parents had discussed him being different and had come to terms with that much to the surprise of his mom. She expected Melvin to care a lot more than he does. That was because she doesn't know Melvin's secret. He's a lot like his son, or it should be said he's more like Ray. He and his best friend were as close as those two and in many of the same ways. Melvin knows the boys play around. He figured it out long ago. He also knows that Ray will be like him, left alone to grieve for a lost friend and lover. Melvin has done his duty and never strayed from his marriage vows. He's killed that side of himself. He never dreamed he'd have a son that would be the same way. He has wanted to tell him many times but can't. It's too much history to explain, and he also can't disrupt everyone's life, but he wants to make sure Auggie gets a chance to be free and who he wants to be. Auggie looks at the clock and decides he better go downstairs so his family can see him. He'd really rather stay at home in comfortable clothes watching TV or hanging out with Ray. His shoes are tight; he notices as he walks downstairs. Auggie's parents are in the kitchen talking. For some reason, he's nervous about the attention he is about to receive. "Don't you look handsome," his mom says coming over and messing with his clothes. "You look, nice son, Shannon is lucky," Dad says. "Thanks, I've got to wait for Ray now. We're going to pick up the girls." He's not sure what else to say, but his parents ask a few questions, and everyone joins into some small talk. "I've got to get some pictures of you and Ray before you guys leave," his mom says, digging in a draw for the family camera. "No, ma don't over do it. It's just a high school dance." "Now, son, you know how your mother is. Humor her, and it will be nice to remember you guys." Auggie relented but knew he was going to be embarrassed once Ray got here. Which to his surprise was right on time. "Hello," Ray said through the screen door. "Come on in, Ray," Mom said, opening the door for him. "Don't you also look handsome all dressed up, Ray," Dad said. "Thank you, sir," Ray says. "Now I want you two to go outside and stand by the big maple so I can take your picture," Mom directs them. The boys head outside without argument. They find the tree and pose without saying anything. Both are nervous. "That's good." "Mom, we got to go hurry up please," Auggie whines. His mother finishes the pictures, and the boys say their goodbyes as they get in Ray's family car. "What's wrong?" Ray asks before getting out of the driveway. "Nothing, what's wrong with you?" "Well, you're not talking. You haven't said anything." "I don't know I feel weird doing this with you. It's like we're on a clandestine date or something." "We can pretend to be on a date if that's what you want. Does this mean one or both of us are getting lucky tonight?" Ray joking to relieve the uneasy feeling in the car. "It's not funny. It's just weird. You look nice. If we went on a date, I'd want you to look like this here." "Thank you, so do you. You know I'm doing this because I said I would and that it means nothing. There will be no kiss at the end of the night with Lisa. I'm not going to feel her up behind the bleachers." "I know it makes me sad that I can't go with who I want. That I can only be close to you without touching," Auggie explains. He is sad. He's thought about it a lot which has only caused him to become frustrated by the expectations family and school have. "It won't last long then we can spend some time together. I thought we were spending the night at your house." "Oh yeah, we are I've got everything set up. Pizza and cokes and I'm glad my room is on the second floor. It's going to be good to sleep in the same bed." "We have to swing by my place after the prom to exchange cars nothing more. My parents are going to a farm show tomorrow," Ray says. "They'll probably be asleep when we get there." The boys pick up Lisa and Shannon and make their way to the high school where the prom is being held. The girls are dressed perfectly; even Auggie has to admit this. They gather around friends and before they know it the dance is over. The four of them decide to go with others to the Dairy Queen and hang out for a few. It isn't until 11:30 that the girls get home. "See over before you realized," Ray says, touching Auggie's shoulder. "I agree, and it wasn't a bad time. I wished you, and I could have danced." "Maybe we still can tonight." Ray has thought about this since going into the dance. How was he going to give Auggie a little bit of his wish? He has decided when they get to Auggie's he's going to ask him to dance. "What do you mean?" "I know it won't be in public but would you dance with me at your house?" "Can we do it in our fancy duds?" "Of course." They travel most of the remainder of the ride without much talk. Auggie's thinking about dancing and Ray is thinking about other things he could do for Auggie, to give him a little of the life he dreams. Once at Auggie's they say goodnight to his parents and retire to the upstairs attic room. Auggie is glad the room is secluded with its own bathroom and offers some sound buffer. "Put some music on, your choice. I've got to go pee," Auggie says. "I know just the right song," Ray says, finding the perfect song among Auggie's CDs. It's one of his favorites and Ray can think of many other's, but he can't forget Wild Horses. He presses play as Auggie walks back into the room. "Would you care to dance?" Auggie doesn't say anything he just offers his hand to Ray who brings him close. He kisses his neck and lets him take control of it all. They spin across the floor. Auggie thinks about how good Ray is at dancing. He's in heaven. They step back from one another a bit and begin to kiss. These are deep, wet, and emotional kisses. The kind that often leads to heavy petting followed by sex. "Thank you," Auggie whispers in Ray's ear. "Thank you," Ray responds already his erection straining to be set free from his trousers. They fall to the bed, but soon they decide to pull the mattress from the frame and sleep and do whatever else on the floor. As the Stones continue to play, they tear each other's clothes off. Ray gets up and checks that the door is locked. When he returns, Auggie is on his back naked with his hard penis pointing to the ceiling. "What am I going to do with you?"