Chapter 9
“WHAT ARE you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing, Dad? I’m running.” David shook his head and continued focusing on the treadmill’s screen recording all his running statistics as he pressed on.
“But you run every day after school. Why do you have to do it in the wee hours of the morning too?” Dad sighed. “I was hoping we could have breakfast together.”
“You mean you don’t have to take off on an assignment? The people of Connecticut must be sleeping on the job today. No current events worthy of the great Rob Martin?” David kept his pace as he spoke. Despite maintaining his established steady breathing pattern, he was unable to keep the edge of sarcasm out of his voice. His father only seemed to want to spend time with David when it was convenient for him, ignoring David’s schedule or needs. If it hadn’t been for Steve, David would have spent all his Skype time with his mothers sharing the misery of living with a father who was there in name only. David almost felt as if they still had the same sporadic relationship they had when he lived in New York City, over one hundred miles away, even though they now lived just one room apart.
His dad left the room without saying another word.
David chose to ignore the second sigh he heard his father utter as he left. He had more important things to focus on. David had been working with Steve, learning the skills necessary to time his breathing with his pace whether he was running a short or long distance, or a fast or slow run.
Kevin had been a great peer coach too, but David was still hoping he would get the chance to be more than just running buddies with his tall, hot teammate. Jesse thought there was hope, but she and David both agreed everything could go to hell if she tried to interfere. Although David had almost no personal experience with relationships, he had been very aware of the ups and downs his friends had gone through when trying to date the boys or girls they were attracted to.
After showering and dressing, backpack in tow, David arrived in the kitchen just in time to see his dad kissing Steve. “See you tonight. I’ll try to get home to have dinner with the two of you.” Rob smiled at Steve and then turned to face David. “I hope that’ll work for you too.” It was evident from his father’s tone of voice David’s earlier statement had hit a nerve. Rather than speaking boldly, with an air of unending confidence, as Rob usually did, his voice came across sounding quiet and shaky. For a moment David felt remorse for his earlier attitude, but then quickly remembered his father had already succeeded in missing several planned meals and outings with him. It was well into October, nearly two months since his arrival in West Hartford, and yet David was already prepared to give up on any real relationship between him and his father.
“I’ll be home for dinner.” David couldn’t help adding, “I usually am; so is Steve.”
“Look, son, I know I’ve let you down, but unfortunately during the evening rush hour there are frequently news stories that develop. The more I accept responsibility for reporting these unexpected, last-minute assignments, the higher my seniority at the station becomes.”
Steve chimed in. “I told you, your dad is vying for the early evening anchor position when the current anchor retires at the end of next summer. All these extra hours he puts in are points in his favor.”
“I know extra credit is important, but my moms have taught me life is a balancing act. All work and no play… well you know the cliché.” David smiled at his dad. “If you’re home tonight that’ll be great, but if not, no worries. I have Steve. He’s been terrific.” David immediately turned toward Steve. “Are we leaving for school soon? I’m meeting Jesse before the bell.”
“Steve tells me you’re getting pretty friendly with Jesse. Feel free to invite her over whenever you’d like.” David’s father offered a half smile.
“We’ve already covered that. Jesse’s come over a few times to do homework and hang out. You just haven’t been here to meet her. We’ll see about plans for her to join us for dinner pretty soon.” David felt some control, putting his father, clearly unaware of his own son’s activities, in his place. Returning his attention to Steve, David asked once again, “So, are we heading out soon?”
Biting his lip briefly, Steve looked from Rob to David. “Yes. I’ll be ready in about five minutes. Why don’t you grab a power bar and eat it on the way to school?” David knew he shouldn’t put Steve in the middle, but that was exactly where he’d landed. Steve had behaved more like a parent during the two months David had lived with them than Rob ever had in the fifteen years since David’s birth. He had no intention of keeping his feelings bottled up, although he hated making Steve feel awkward.
“Bye guys. I’ll see you tonight.” David’s father turned away, finished putting on his coat, and left.
Between gulps from a small glass of milk David poured for himself, he called, “Bye. See you whenever.” He could hear the bratty words emanating from his mouth and wished he felt some remorse for wanting to use them.
The drive to school was fairly quiet until David and Steve reached the parking lot. “David, I wish you’d cut your father some slack. He’s really trying.”
“Steve, if that’s what Dad calls trying, I’d hate to see him when he’s only making a minimal effort.”
“It may not seem like much, but I know he loves you. He’s just not as used to the needs of kids as I am. Remember, I work with teens every afternoon; he doesn’t have the same advantage.”
Glancing at Steve, David blurted out, “I wish you were my Dad.” His eyes widened because he regretted the words as soon as they passed his lips. Talk about putting Steve in the middle—this was the ultimate.
Steve looked around, out the car windows. There was a lull in the action as most students hadn’t arrived yet. He then faced David, reached over and gave him a hug. “That’s the biggest compliment anyone has ever paid me.” The warm gesture took David aback and, although he didn’t respond verbally, he hugged back, relishing the love he felt from a man he had rapidly grown to respect and admire. “If it’s possible, I love you as much as your dad does, and hearing how much you care means the world to me.”
Without thinking, David replied, “I bet you love me a whole lot more than my dad ever could.”
“Not true, David. Completely untrue! Your father loves you more than you can imagine. He has a hard time showing it, but without us, he wouldn’t have a reason to work to be the best man he could be, including at work.”
“I’d like to see some more effort at home.” David found it easy to let Steve hear the sadness in his voice at his growing disappointment in his father.
“I know. Maybe you and I can team up to teach him how to be a better family man.”
David nodded, although he wasn’t convinced he and Steve would be successful in their endeavors to help redirect his dad.
“Why didn’t you ever have any kids? You’re great with all the kids on the team. I’ve seen you interview kids of all ages for some of your human interest pieces in the newspaper—they respond easily to your questions, and you’re doing a pretty good job on the home front too.”
Steve patted David on the shoulder. “At one time I might have thought seriously about having children, but circumstances change. Sometimes our own desires have to take a back seat to the reality of the lives we’ve chosen.”
“You mean when you decided to live with Dad, full-time parenthood went out the window.” David saw Steve’s brow furrow and knew he had hit the nail on the head. “I hope someday Dad appreciates all you’ve done, as well as all you’ve given up for him.”
“Your father loves me and I love him. There’s never been any question in that department. And look at all this.” Steve pointed toward the school building and then toward the track. “I’ve had dozens of kids, maybe hundreds over the years I’ve been coaching, all important to me in their own ways.” Steve squeezed David’s shoulder. “And now I have one young man who means more to me than any of them and who I wouldn’t trade for th
e world.”
David smiled broadly, afraid he might get too emotional if he uttered another word.
“Hey, look over there.” Steve pointed toward the school’s main entrance. “Isn’t that Jesse and Kevin? I think Jesse is waving our way.”
Glancing quickly at his cell phone, David realized he was a few minutes late for his designated meeting time with Jesse. He was surprised to see Kevin with her as the siblings usually separated the moment they reached the school, each heading toward their own circle of friends. “Damn! I’m late.”
“Okay, enough of this. Get going and I’ll see you on the track this afternoon.”
“Bye, Steve.” David opened the car door and got out. Before he slammed the door shut, he turned back and made eye contact with Steve. “Thank you.” David bit his lip, then smiled. “Just thank you.”
Steve nodded. “My pleasure.”
David left Steve perusing a few folders in his messenger bag and ran up the school’s front steps.
“Morning, slowpoke.” Jesse giggled. “It’s a good thing it’s not too cold out yet, or I’d be pissed off watching you sit in a car while I stood outside.”
Rolling his eyes, David grinned. “Yeah, yeah. If it was too cold, you would have hopped in with us.”
“Or stood you up and headed inside without you.”
Still surprised by Kevin’s presence, David turned toward him. “Hey, good to see you.”
“Good to see you too, Speedy.” Kevin had assigned David the nickname after he overtook him at an orchestrated practice race between the two. Feeling his cheeks heat up, David looked down briefly, embarrassed at the blush he knew would be evident.
“I usually don’t see you outside of practice. Are you meeting someone?”
Jesse nudged her brother but remained silent.
“Okay, okay, I’ve got this.” Kevin looked at David. “We’re having a Halloween party this coming weekend, and Jess and I both want you to come.”
David watched, somewhat amused, as Jesse elbowed her brother harder.
“Fine, lay off or I’ll elbow you back and give you a huge black and blue mark to match the ones I’m probably developing as we speak.”
“Well—” Jesse stood with her hands on her hips. “Stop being a wimp.”
If he weren’t so intent on trying to figure out what was going on, David might have laughed out loud as he watched Jesse bossing around her much bigger brother.
“Listen, Speedy, what I meant to say was I really hope you’ll agree to come to the party.”
David was confused. He and Jesse had become close, and he was surprised and hurt Kevin was the only one extending the invitation until he spoke up further.
“I’ve meant to ask this for a while, but this is the best opportunity. I’d like you to be my date at the party—that is if you’re still not seeing anyone.”
If he wouldn’t have looked like a complete idiot, David would have pinched himself. He couldn’t believe this was finally happening. He paused to take a breath, trying to make sure he sounded calm when he responded. “I’m not seeing anyone.” David stared at Kevin and smiled. “I’d really like to go to the party as your date.”
“Great.” The broad smile on Kevin’s face matched David’s. “I’ll call you after practice, and we can talk about getting together to think up some knockout costumes to wear.”
Getting together, did Kevin just say getting together? Standing up straighter, David thought for a moment and then quickly said, “Cool.”
“Okay, then. I have your number. Jesse gave it to me.” The warning bell rang, alerting students they had ten minutes to get to their homerooms. “See you at practice, Speedy. Maybe you’ll let me win today if we have another race.”
“Not on your life.” David and Kevin both laughed.
“That’s the attitude!” Kevin took off, leaving Jesse standing next to David, her arms crossed.
“Told you so. Didn’t I tell you Kevin liked you?” She grinned from ear to ear.
“You sure did. Feel free to say I told you so as much as you’d like. It’s so worth it.”
“He’s my brother. There are some things I’m not sure I want to know are worth it.”
Jesse ran into the school with David in pursuit, the two laughing as they headed for the stairs leading to their classroom.
Chapter 10
“I’M GLAD it hasn’t felt weird at practice since you asked me out.”
“No reason it should. Jesse sees that jock of hers every day while she’s at cheer practice and he’s throwing footballs. If they can be cool, why can’t we?” Kevin took a sip of his triple-shot nonfat latte.
David nodded. It made sense to him. “I’m surprised you drink so much caffeine.”
“I may be an athlete, but I’m also human, and a student trying to get into college who needs to fit in time to study, so caffeine is a necessity.” Kevin smiled before taking another sip of his drink. “Do you always drink your coffee black?”
“My moms drink it black. I learned to love strong coffee by the time I was thirteen.”
“Is that a New York City thing or just your parents?” Kevin and David laughed.
“Maybe a little of both, but mostly my moms’ influence. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a table dedicated to them at our local Starbucks.” David wrapped his hands around his cup and looked at Kevin. “I still like my coffee strong, but on Steve’s advice I’m trying to go caffeine-free.”
Kevin nodded. “Starbucks must be bummed that your moms are away for so long.”
“I’m sure.” David smiled then took a gulp from his cup. It was so easy sitting and talking with Kevin, much easier than he’d expected.
“You mentioned your dad standing you up again. What’s that about?” Kevin’s smile left, signaling his awareness he was entering more personal and serious territory. “If you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll respect your space.”
“No, no. I’m not embarrassed, although my dad should be.” It was as easy to open up to Kevin as it was with Jesse. David wondered if it meant he’d make better buddies with Kevin than boyfriends. “We were supposed to have a sure-thing dinner together a couple of nights ago and, as usual, he opted to take an available reporting gig instead.”
“He’s been taking over the anchor seat a lot on the evening news. Your dad is kind of a celebrity in my house. My mom thinks he’s hot and does a great job reporting.”
David laughed. “Does your mom know he’s gay?”
“Yeah, I told her.” Kevin took a sip of his drink. “What’s weirder is she claimed it made him even more appealing.”
“I’m not sure I want to know what that means.”
“I know I don’t!” Kevin laughed along with David.
The two sat quietly for a couple of minutes drinking their coffees until Kevin broke the silence. “I asked you out so we could talk about costumes, although I already have an idea.”
David nodded, waiting to hear Kevin’s thoughts.
“Sherlock and Watson in modern times have gotten a lot of play on TV, and two hotties played them in the movies recently.”
Smiling, David nodded again. He had seen the movies and ogled the men on the screen.
“How about if you and I resurrect the older style of Holmes and Watson from the early films? You probably haven’t seen them, but—”
Before Kevin could finish, David jumped in. “Are you kidding? One of my moms is ape shit for the old Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies. She owns several on DVD. That’s a great idea, except—” David lowered his head and his voice trailed off.
“Except what?” Kevin placed his hand over David’s. It sent a chill through David, although he felt far from cold. Kevin’s touch was unexpected and more welcome than he had ever imagined.
After taking a deep breath, David continued. “Dr. Watson is kind of old and fat in those movies. Did you want me to look like that?”
Kevin shook his head vigorously. “No, no! I meant we could wear t
hose old, turn-of-the-last-century suits and hats, and maybe have a walking stick and find a meerschaum pipe. I don’t want you to have the same body type as the guy who played Watson in the movies. Gross!”
David’s smile returned. He noticed Kevin had not removed his hand from its position over his own. David gently turned his hand over and laced their fingers together. “It sounds like a great idea. I’d love to go as Dr. Watson to your Holmes.”
“Let’s drink to it.” With his free hand, Kevin lifted his cup as if toasting. David did the same, touching their cups together and then drinking.
The pair remained quiet for a short time until David noticed Kevin squeezing their hands tighter. Breaking the comfortable silence, David admitted, “I’ve never really dated anyone, guy or girl.”
“But you know for sure, you’re gay?” Kevin leaned in and whispered so no one could possibly hear him other than David.
“No question about it. I just hope I don’t do anything stupid to embarrass you.” David looked at their hands, unwilling to risk eye contact with Kevin.
“Hey, no chance of that.” Using his free hand, Kevin tenderly placed two fingers under David’s chin, lifting his face so they were looking at each other again. “Just try to relax and we’ll take this one day at a time. We see a lot of each other, especially since we have practice almost every day. That’s why I waited to ask you out. You were new and I didn’t want to corner you before you got comfortable with our school.”
“Jesse’s helped a lot. Because of her, I’ve made a few friends. She’s terrific.”
“She’s not too bad, for a sister.” Kevin winked at David.
“Does this mean… uhm? Damn! I don’t know how to say this.” David felt his cheeks heating up.
“Ask away. It’s just us. I’ll answer honestly, and we’ll be the only two who know what was discussed.” Kevin seemed so comfortable with himself. David was envious and hoped he could find the same confidence.
Run for It All Page 5