Jeremy dropped his towel and book on an empty lounge chair and yanked his t-shirt over his head. He kicked his flops under the chair and jumped in the water. Cool, refreshing. He swam to the deep end and back, avoiding the children, before pulling himself up on the edge of the pool. He sat there, dripping from the water for a few minutes. He shook his head like a dog to get the water out of his shaggy hair. Despite still feeling a little hung over from the night before and being there because his aunt died, it still seemed a great way to spend the day.
He stretched out on the lounge chair and thumbed to his place in his book. The novel was about the main character’s spiritual journey and was full of funny quips that had him laughing. Although the book had deep subject matter, the author managed to keep it light. There was knowledge to be gained, but also entertainment to be had.
“Hey, whatcha readin’?” Jeremy looked up from his book at a nice looking guy wearing short, boxer-style trunks that showed off his cut thighs.
“Just a novel.” Jeremy shrugged it off. “It’s about this guy that has to find his spiritual center and discovers the world around him in unique and humorous ways.”
“You sound like a commercial.” The guy smiled, and it lit up the day, despite the sun. “I’m Nick. My girl’s grandma lives here.” He thumbed toward the main building. “Mind if we join you?”
“Not at all.” Slightly disappointed that the guy had a girlfriend, he still wasn’t opposed to meeting new people. “My aunt lives, well lived here, anyway. She passed recently. Jeremy Ringer.” He reached his hand out to Nick.
After a firm shake, his new friend proceeded to drag a few more lounge chairs closer to Jeremy. “Star made a beer run. She’ll be here in a few. I’m jumping in. It’s hotter than a well digger’s balls.”
Jeremy quirked an eyebrow and watched Nick’s hot ass walk across the tiles and jump in the pool. He wanted to follow him in. “Doing nothing is still an action.” He went back to reading.
A chapter and a half later, Nick was back, dripping wet and sighing as he dropped down next to Jeremy. Then his girlfriend showed up.
Star was loud and abrasive but cute in an overly-perky way. “Hey y’all, plenty of beer upstairs whenever...” Her long brownish hair was pulled back in a ponytail and hung out from underneath her visor. She wore a bikini top and jean cut-off shorts, which she shimmied over her legs before sliding gracefully into the pool.
“We can’t have alcoholic drinks in the pool area,” Nick informed him. “But you’re welcome to come up later and shoot the shit.”
“That’s cool,” Jeremy answered, unsure if he wanted to hang out with this couple, but he didn’t have anything else to do. Scottie had to go back to work, and his aunt’s family had their own lives to lead. Having a few drinks with new friends couldn’t hurt anything.
After chit chatting at the pool awhile, they headed up to Star’s grandmother’s place. “Nana’s up to Atlanta for the next month or so. She asked me to hang here and watch the place but seems like it’s all full of either old people or families with kids. You’re about the only dude our age hanging around here.” Star handed him a beer along with her speech.
Jeremy popped the top. “I guess so. I’m staying at my aunt’s place until we figure out what to do with it.”
“You’re not going to live here?” Nick asked.
Jeremy shook his head. “Nah. I live on the other coast. Clearwater. The gulf is...more my style. I guess.”
“You’ll have to go to the beach with us before you leave. That might change your mind. Do you surf?” He put his arm around Star. “Great waves out here on the Atlantic.” He raised his beer.
“Yeah.” A trip to the beach would be perfect. “I didn’t bring my board or anything, though.”
Star smiled, but it wasn’t nearly as great a smile as Nick’s. Her ponytail bounced around as she talked. “I’ll lend you one. We live closer to the beach. We’ll stop and pick it up on the way. When you want to go? Tomorrow?”
“Sure. I guess. I don’t have a lot of plans.”
He’d been looking forward to hitting the beach, but Star and Nick ended up cancelling their plans at the last minute. Jeremy didn’t care either way. He spent the day at the pool and in the afternoon, had a few beers at Star’s place again. The following day they all hung out at the pool. Jeremy wasn’t getting much done in his Aunt’s house, but he was getting to know his new friends better.
They had been together as a couple since high school. The typical sweetheart story. They moved in together after graduation. Nick was a store manager at the local gas station, and she waited tables. Neither had gone to college and weren’t inclined to. They were actually a few years younger than Jeremy, but not enough to make a difference. They listened to the same kinds of music and watched the same kinds of movies. They ordered pizza and played video games on the console Nick had brought over.
They took Jeremy to a local bar they liked to hang out at. The name of the place was Rocking Bird, and the sign in the front had a big black crow on it. Jeremy was skeptical, but they all went in. He leaned up against the bar, noticing the pyramid of liquor bottles stacked up behind it. Two bartenders flitted around, handing out drinks, taking money, laughing with the patrons. They wore white t-shirts with the bar’s crow and name on them in black.
Nick ordered them shots and beer. When the shots were slid in front of them, Nick lifted his glass. “Hey! To new friends!”
“Yeah-yeah. New friends!” Star echoed, and they all slammed back the shot.
“Thanks, y’all.” Jeremy sipped his beer to chase the potent green colored liquor they were calling Lock Ness Monster shots.
Music from the jukebox played quietly in the background. It was still a bit early.
Star leaned in closer to him and spoke loudly, over the music. “So, I want you to meet someone.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” She beckoned to someone across the room. He had reddish-brown hair, styled into a purposeful mess with part of his bangs swooping across his forehead. He was a little taller than Jeremy but thinner. “This is Dan O’Malley. We just call him Dano.”
“Hi. Jeremy Ringer.” Jeremy stuck his hand out, and Dano took it, holding it and drumming his cool fingers over the inside of Jeremy’s wrist. He had a cocky little grin on his face.
“Nice to meet you, Jeremy Ringer. Want to play some pool?” He released Jeremy’s hand, then held up his own, showing the chalk-stained on it in bright blue.
“Sure. But I kind of suck.”
“At pool?” Dano smirked suggestively, and Jeremy got the feeling that it was a setup. “I’m kidding. A little.”
“Okay?”
“Seriously, come on.” Dano put his arm around Jeremy’s shoulders and led him to the back room. Three pool tables were lined up across the floor in typical fashion. Dano picked one, slotted quarters in the holes, and pushed the lever in, which released all the balls with a loud racket. “You break. I’ll rack. First game.”
Jeremy nodded. His stomach fluttered a little nervously. He hadn’t been on a date in years, if he could even call what he used to do dating. Hanging out with friends, acquaintances, was even rare for him. He worked at a bar. That was enough social interaction for him. During the day, he preferred to be alone or at the beach. Here, he was completely out of his element.
Dano winked at him as he carefully lifted the plastic triangle from around the balls. “My balls are all lined up for you.”
Jeremy chuckled as he found a stick. His break sucked. The balls barely broke up. “Told you I’m not very good.”
“That’s all right.” Dano tapped the white cue ball and sent it flying into the other balls, several fell into the pockets. “I’m solid.”
“Are you?” Jeremy asked.
The smile that crept across Dano’s face made Jeremy think of a wolf or a fox, sly with intention, a cunning predator. His dark hazel-green eyes flashed under the fluorescent light. Jeremy admired the flex of muscle in his
arms as he stretched out to take his next shot. He missed. “You’re up.”
“Not yet,” Jeremy muttered and approached the table.
“Oh, I can help with that.”
“Uh...what?”
Dano laughed. “I meant the shot. Here...” He manhandled Jeremy into place and leaned against his back. Jeremy could feel the heat of Dano’s body against his. “Like this,” he whispered in Jeremy’s ear, making him shiver. Dano’s hands were on Jeremy’s arms, touching him, guiding him. They made the shot together.
Jeremy turned, and he was in Dano’s arms, looking into those sparkling eyes.
“I like you, Jeremy Ringer.” Dano closed the distance and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
Jeremy smiled. He wanted more than a peck.
Dano pulled away. “Okay. Try that one.”
The rest of the game went the same. Subtle and not so subtle innuendos. Dano helping Jeremy out, touching him, rubbing his body against Jeremy’s. By the time Dano sunk the eight ball, winning the game, Jeremy was worked up good with his cock pressing hard against his jeans.
“Another game?”
Jeremy shook his head. “I think I need a drink.”
The rest of the night blurred, but eventually, Dano walked him to his apartment door and kissed him for real with a brush of velvety tongue and hands pressing along his sides. “I want to come in, but...we just met.”
“Yeah.”
“Plus. You don’t live here, right. You’re going back to Clearwater soon?”
Jeremy nodded.
“That’s too bad. Maybe we can go out again before you leave?”
Another nod.
Dano leaned in and kissed him again. A quick peck, followed by another slow rub of tongues. Then he left with a wave, walking back toward the hall to the elevator. Jeremy unlocked the door and went in alone with a sigh. He’d need a hot shower and a good wank. But he’d had a good time and hoped he’d see Dano again.
Jeremy’s phone range. “Hello?” he answered without looking at the number. He pulled his boxers on and yanked a soft t-shirt over his head and was ready to crawl into bed.
“Yo! What’s up, cousin?”
“Hey, Scottie-dog! Going to bed.”
“Ah, okay. I won’t keep you. Wanted to tell you to meet us at the Waffle House over by Bernie’s in the morning. Then I’ll help you go through the stuff there at the condo. Cool?”
“Oh...no. Can you come pick me up instead?”
“What? Why?”
“I let my neighbors borrow my car, and they won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon.”
“What? Who’d you lend your car to? You don’t even know anyone there.” He sounded distraught, maybe worried.
“I met a few people. They have relatives that live here, actually. It’s okay. They’ve been cool. I guess they’ve distracted me from going through stuff, though. I don’t have much done.”
“Okay. I’ll pick you up. Be ready to go at seven.”
“Fuck that’s early!”
“Too bad. If I have to pick you up first, you’re getting up early.”
“Fine,” Jeremy agreed and crawled into bed.
Five – Jeremy
Journal Entry: The days seem to be getting longer, but productivity is low. I guess there is only so much Scottie and I can do. There are memories here that we don’t know what to do with. Although it will be hard for her, Aunt Bernie needs to go through these mementos and pictures and stuff...so much of Aunt Christy’s life is represented by all of these things, and I can’t help wonder if it’s good or bad. Life shouldn’t be about things, yet if she hadn’t collected this stuff, there would be less to remember her by. I don’t need anything in the condo. I don’t need the condo. I only need my sweet memories of my loving aunt. Love and family to warm my path.
Boxes lined the living room wall, but they still hadn’t managed to get through everything. Some things were going to goodwill or being thrown out, but a lot of it, they didn’t know what to do with. Bernie promised to come help, but that was still a few days away.
Jeremy rubbed his face tiredly. He desperately needed a break. And coffee. He pulled on a clean t-shirt and slipped his feet in his favorite beat up, canvas shoes and headed out the door. A short walk would do him good, so he headed toward the little coffee shop the next block over. The heat of the sun made him sweat even more, and he promised himself a tall ice coffee.
The door jingled when he opened it, and friendly faces met him at the counter. Shoving his cheap sunglasses to the top of his head, he ordered his ice coffee and a brownie and sat at a table. He took a huge bite and washed it down with coffee. Heaven.
The chair in front of him scraped the floor and brought his attention up to a dark, wrinkled face. The guy had salt and pepper hair, cut in a shaggy style, but still above his collar. He wore a Grateful Dead t-shirt and jean cut-off shorts. “Can I sit here?” His voice sounded like he had rocks in his throat.
“Sure.”
The older guy smiled, and something about it warmed Jeremy’s heart. He immediately felt comfortable. “You from around here?”
Jeremy leaned back in his chair. “Yes and no. My family is here, but I live on the other coast.” He pointed as if the guy could see Clearwater from there.
“I see. So, visiting. That’s nice. You should keep in touch with family. They share your blood and memories.”
“Huh...I was thinking something like that myself, earlier.”
The guy sipped his coffee. “Seems like something else is bothering you, though.”
“How can you tell? You don’t even know me.” Jeremy considered himself a pretty laid-back guy and didn’t think he wore his emotions for anyone to read. Maybe he’d been wrong.
“I don’t know. Something about the way you’re picking at that brownie and scowling, even though it’s good.”
“Scowling?” Jeremy slid his hands to the table away from his treat.
“Hey. I don’t know you. And you’ll probably never see me again. So, it’s not like I’m gonna blab your personal business all over town, but you look like you could use a friendly ear.” His words were soft-spoken, even with his gravelly voice, and calming.
“Well...I did something stupid, and I’m trying not to think about it. I don’t want to deal with it. I’m not sure I even have to, but...”
“We all do stupid things from time to time.”
“I let some people borrow my car. They were supposed to be back by now, but they’re not. They don’t answer their phone, either.” Jeremy stopped pretending and scowled for real. “I don’t want to be upset or angry. Obviously, they need the car more than I do.”
“But you can’t help feeling like they took advantage of you. That’s never a good feeling.”
“I guess, something like that.” He ducked his head, avoiding the guy’s stare.
“I see. Well, you don’t have to be mad. You can decide for yourself how to feel about it. Or not feel anything at all. That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it, either. Know what I mean?”
“I suppose.”
“Hmm...” The guy set his arm on the table. The silver bracelet he wore clinked heavily against the cheap, wood laminate, getting Jeremy’s attention. “Actions. Decisions. They should be made. Life isn't totally about taking what life throws at you. Examine your intentions and desires and make decisions that will keep you on your path.”
Jeremy’s jaw fell open. “You sound like a Taoist.”
The guy shrugged. “I’ve seen a lot of life. I’ve had my own path, and it’s crossed many others.”
The guy looked Native American with his dark, leathery skin, high cheekbones and eyes so dark they looked black. Maybe there wasn’t a lot of difference between some of the Native American and Taoist beliefs. Maybe it didn’t matter either way.
He picked at the brownie. “Sometimes, I think it’s more important to stay calm and do nothing. Let things take care of themselves...Karma. All that.”
“Oh sure. Karma. She’ll take care of things, but don’t expect her to do your work.”
“What’s that mean?”
“You can choose your attitude, how you feel. You can choose your actions or inactions. Sure. You don’t have to get angry. But that doesn’t mean you have to let folks walk all over you. It doesn’t mean you do nothing. Doesn’t mean you don’t ask for help when you need it.”
“You’re saying I should at least call the police. Make a report?”
The old guy shrugged and focused his attention on his coffee. He was right, and it seemed stupid not to help himself. Star and Nick had taken advantage of him. Worse, Dano.
Jeremy had thought the guy liked him, but now he felt used. He was glad he hadn’t asked him over, glad they didn’t do anything more than kiss. He shouldn’t have simply handed his heart over to strangers, but that’s what he’d done.
He got up to get a refill of coffee. Scottie said he’d be over after he got off work, so he’d have to head back soon. When he returned to his table, the old guy was gone. He hadn’t even heard the bell on the front door jingle, but the man was nowhere in sight. He waited for another ten minutes, in case the guy had gone into the bathroom, but when he didn’t reappear, Jeremy left.
His walk home held less anxiety than his trip to the cafe. He resigned himself to the fact that he needed to call the police and deal with his issues. He didn’t want to face the fact that Nick and his friends had screwed him over. Most likely Dano had stolen from him, too. The thirty bucks he’d stuffed in his back pocket that night were gone when he got up in the morning. He hadn’t bought enough drinks to have spent it. He suspected Dano had swiped it while they made out. Jeremy’s attitude about shit like that was normally that whoever stole it must have needed it more than Jeremy, but not this time. This time he been taken advantage of. His cash was gone. His car was gone. The cute guy and fun friends, also gone. He hadn’t even realized how bad he’d wanted that friendship until it was gone.
Time for Love Page 3