Run for It All

by Carolyn LeVine Topol

  For this first exhibition meet, David was entered in the 10,000-meter race. If the meet were a two-day event he would be entered in both the 5,000 and the 10,000, but in a single day it would be too much to handle, especially for a novice.

  Kevin, on the other hand, was entered in the 3,000 and the 10,000. For Kevin, any race less than a half marathon was a piece of cake. Today, another member of their team would represent them in the 5,000. There were five guys on the team who excelled at the longer distances.

  There was one other reason David was anxious about the day. It looked like his father was actually going to keep his promise. His dad was going to attend the meet and had set aside the entire day for David. Although he was still concerned about the possibility his dad would be called into the TV studio, the likelihood became less and less as time passed.

  “David, let’s go. We have to meet the team in twenty minutes. Are you ready?” David heard Steve calling him from the direction of the kitchen. “Remember, you can’t run on a completely empty stomach. You don’t need to OD on carbs, but you do need some carbs and protein to get your energy level to the right place.”

  Steve was amazing. He was always focused and supportive, trying to maintain a good relationship with Rob, while bringing David into their little family as seamlessly as possible. Looking back, David knew he hadn’t made it easy on either of them. His mothers continued to remind him, every time they spoke via Skype, that he had to take a few steps in his father’s direction to meet him halfway. Maybe it was time to take a few steps. He sure hadn’t been very willing when he had first joined them.

  “I’m coming. Just finishing putting on my sneakers.”

  When David arrived in the kitchen, Rob presented him with a box that looked like takeout from a restaurant.

  “What’s this?” He looked at his dad.

  “It’s scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, and a banana.” Without skipping a beat, Rob continued, “Oh, there are also plastic utensils and a napkin. Your water bottle is in your gym backpack.”

  David scanned the kitchen, noting Steve’s absence. “I don’t understand.” He thought Steve would be there with a power bar in hand ready to race David out the door.

  “I asked Steve what a good breakfast for you would look like, and it just happens to be something I’m capable of cooking and assembling. You can eat on the ride to the meet.”

  “Where’s Steve? Did he leave without us?”

  “No, he’s pulling the car out of the garage and will meet us in front of the building.” David was a bit confused but nodded. “I wanted the chance to tell you how proud I am of you and how happy I am to see you in your first meet. I know you’ve worked hard in school and on the team. It may be too little too late to say this, but I’m so proud to be the father of such a gifted and talented young man. Maybe I didn’t have much to do with your upbringing until now, but I’m going to do my damnedest to earn your respect, and maybe even your love, at some point.”

  He wasn’t sure why, but before taking one bite of his breakfast, David felt energized. “It must not have been easy being a long-distance parent. I just want you to know, I’m really glad you’re my Dad.”

  “I love you, David.”

  Unsure of what to say, David surprised himself by hugging his father. “Dad.” For the first time, it was more than a word; it was an emotion. He stepped back, took the breakfast box, and slung his backpack over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

  His dad stood tall and nodded. “Okay, let’s go… together.”

  After Steve’s pep talk in the corner of the college’s large locker room designated for their team’s running gear, Kevin took David aside for a moment before they walked out to join the rest at the track. Looking back and forth across the expanse of the empty room, Kevin drew David close. “I just wanted to tell you to go for it. You’re an amazing runner, and I’m proud to have you on our team.”

  Wow, two of the most important people in David’s life used the word proud to describe their feelings for him, in the same day. It was almost too good to be true.

  Before David could respond, Kevin pulled him even closer and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “If it’s possible, I’m even happier to be able to call you my boyfriend.”

  David thought he heard the sound of a locker closing and turned to see if he could spot someone. Kevin must have heard it too, as his head turned in the same direction.

  “Must have been someone’s stuff falling. I don’t see anyone.”

  “Probably better to keep some things to ourselves. Not everyone is as lucky as we are to have Steve as our coach and teammates who don’t give a damn about who we are or who we go out with in our personal lives.”

  Kevin nodded his agreement. “Let’s get out of here and earn some medals for West Hartford High.”

  “You said it, Captain!” David laughed as he saluted Kevin.

  “Tonight we can celebrate our victories in our own way.” David shivered at the thought of being alone with Kevin. They hadn’t had much private time since the party, but tonight David hoped they would take their relationship a little further. Kevin wasn’t pushing him, but David was getting tired of spending so many nights wanting another’s touch when he finally had someone in his life. So far the couple’s moments had been limited, especially with all their school and track responsibilities.

  David smiled thinking about the moments during the past couple of weeks he and Kevin were able to spend together. At least three days a week, after track practice, the two would quickly shower and take Kevin’s car to the local library in the town’s center. They made sure to get most of their homework completed before they allowed themselves any time to indulge in each other’s company.

  The car Kevin’s parents made available to him on an ongoing basis became their make-out mobile. They laughed at the cheesy reference. Silly as it sounded, it definitely fit its title. David and Kevin never left the library before it became dark. Kevin parked strategically, as far away from the library entrance as possible without leaving the parking lot. Before heading home, the two made the most of their brief time alone.

  The first time Kevin kissed him had been amazing, but each time they pressed their lips together in the car was better than the last. David loved the feel of Kevin’s tongue entering his mouth and relished the taste when he gave him entry. The night David allowed Kevin to slowly work his hand under David’s shirt was incredible. The feeling of Kevin’s hand pinching and then gently brushing his fingers over David’s nipples almost made him come in his pants. The feeling was more than David had ever imagined, and he wanted more. The final night they were able to grab a few minutes alone, David remembered feeling his desire for Kevin building far more than ever. Every touch seemed like a blissful electric shock. Without thinking, David pressed his hand against Kevin’s jeans and felt the outline of Kevin’s hard member. Not stopping to worry about the consequences, David began to rub his hand up and down. Kevin moaned into their deepening kisses until he stilled. “Ahh!”

  Without missing a beat, Kevin stroked the outside of David’s jeans twice. That was all it took. David pressed his lips to Kevin’s as he felt himself go over the edge. It was the first time he had ever come from someone else’s touch. He felt heady, and although he knew it could be even better, in that moment, David couldn’t imagine how anything could feel more blissful. The memory of their night just two days earlier made David smile from ear to ear.

  “Hey, newbie, let’s go.” Kevin grinned. “Do I have to guess what you’re thinking about?”

  David shook his head, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks, and followed Kevin out of the door and into the cool sunshine of the midautumn day.

  The sprints were just beginning when David and Kevin found their team’s assigned staging location. Steve looked at both of them and smiled. It was evident he knew they had stayed behind when the rest of the team left the locker room, and it probably wasn’t for one last discussion about running strategies. “You two
ready to race?”

  “Ready as ever, Coach!” Kevin bounced on the balls of his feet, looking like he could fly around the track.

  “What about you, David?” Steve turned his attention to David and then up at the bleachers.

  Glancing in the same direction as Steve, David spotted his dad. They waved to each other. Seeing his father in the stands and having his boyfriend close by, David found himself bouncing on the balls of his feet as well. “I’m more than ready. Can’t wait for the 10,000.”

  “Well, you’ll have to wait. That’s the final race of the day. Let’s watch the team do their darnedest.”

  Kevin and David found space among their teammates and cheered on all the guys. Race after race, the morning progressed as expected. West Hartford High placed in the top three in seven out of ten of the shorter runs.

  Barely breaking a sweat, Kevin easily finished first in the 3,000. David watched as his dad cheered them on more enthusiastically than he ever expected. Having him in the stands was better than David could have imagined.

  The runners in the 5,000 placed fourth, fifth, and tenth. Kevin patted the guys on the back when they arrived back at the team’s designated area, but David could tell he was pissed off. There would be a lot more long-distance training hours ahead if those guys were to keep their spots on the team.

  Before he had too much more time to dwell on everyone else, David heard the call for all runners for the 10,000-meter individual race. Relays were scheduled for the afternoon. The 10,000-meter race was the final individual event. This was his moment of truth. David knew he had prepared as best he could for the race but was still concerned, not knowing whether he would crack under pressure, especially with his father watching.

  Kevin and David found their starting locations. Prerace times submitted and witnessed by their coaches determined starting positions. Kevin was in front and David was in the second tier of competitors. This was expected and Steve and Kevin had given David the strategies necessary to break into the front pacers when the time was right.

  With the race about to begin, David ventured one more look in his father’s direction. They made eye contact and his dad gave him a thumbs-up. Dad was there for him, all the way.

  The moment the gun went off, David felt his feet take him. He was on autopilot and prepared to do everything needed to make a good showing. Kevin liked to run out front and was already there. David’s goal was to trail him before the first 3,000 meters was complete. By a third of the distance completed, David finally made his way into Kevin’s shadow, allowing him to set the pace the two would run.

  It was a tough group of competitors. These were the best distance runners in the state between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. Although it was an exhibition meet, David could feel the pressure to stay close behind Kevin, no matter how fast the pace became. He had grown so accustomed to their running routine, he had no intention of breaking stride or losing ground.

  By 5,000 meters it became a seven-person race. Most of the starting pack of thirty runners had fallen as much as one to two laps behind the leaders. The pace was grueling but David had been warned to expect this and had worked hard to push his speed and distance practices to the max during the previous three weeks.

  As the leaders completed 9,000 meters, there were five clear medal contenders remaining. Kevin was still setting the pace with David close behind. Alongside David were two runners who, by their matching running tanks, were clearly from the same school. It was a private school, Jonathan Trumbull Academy, a few miles southwest of Hartford. It was common knowledge the school cultivated top athletes, many of whom progressed to the national level, hoping for positions on the Olympic team.

  David could feel the burn in his legs, testing the endurance of his hamstrings. He knew he would be sore the next day, possibly even that very afternoon, but nothing would make him slow down. The fifth runner in their lead pack was practically breathing down his neck. If he glanced toward the ground, he could see the guy’s shadow almost completely overlapping his own.

  It wasn’t long before the official waved the flag indicating the final lap for the lead runners. David could hear the screams in the bleachers. He detected some words from Steve as they passed him but couldn’t make them out. As if he had the ability to focus on only two voices at that moment, one for each ear, almost simultaneously he heard his father yell, “Run son, you can do it!” In his other ear, David clearly heard Kevin’s cue, practiced repeatedly for weeks. “Now.”

  With the utterance of that one three-letter word, the two made their final move. Having practiced their kick one afternoon after another, Kevin and David broke away. David could see his competitor’s shadow falling slightly behind, yet still in the picture while the other two guys from Trumbull Academy became history as Kevin, David, and their shadowy pursuer crossed the finish line in that order.

  The crowd went wild and Kevin grabbed David, patting him on the back as they clung to each other in joy and pure exhaustion.

  Looking at the posted times, David discovered he had run a personal best. He knew the race was pushing his limits and was thrilled he was able to meet the challenge. David was thrilled for Kevin, thrilled for Steve and Dad, but thrilled for himself most of all.

  The afternoon and night would be filled with celebrations and David couldn’t wait! The morning had certainly been one filled with victories of all types.

  Steve patted Kevin and David on the back. “Your medals ceremony will begin in about twenty minutes. You two have time for a quick shower. I’ll see you soon.”

  Kevin waited until they were in the locker room and embraced David, this time lifting him off the ground. “Hey, hey, put me down.”

  “Never!” Kevin did finally lower him to the floor and pressed their lips together in a kiss far more gratifying than the peck they shared earlier. “You were amazing!”

  “We were amazing!” David joined enthusiastically in their private revelry.

  “Amazing, amazing, amazing. Is that what you fags call your little dance across the finish line? I saw you homos earlier and wondered how much we’d have to take of your gay crap.” David silently stared in the direction of voices and several footsteps quickly approached, crossing the locker room’s concrete floor. Before Kevin or David knew what was happening four guys from the prep school’s team approached.

  One grabbed David and shoved him against a locker. He then held David back as another grabbed Kevin from behind while his partner punched him in the stomach.

  “No, stop!” David yelled. He tried, without success, to break away to help Kevin. David looked on as the attacker followed up with another punch to Kevin’s gut. The guy holding David jammed him against the locker and then held his arms even tighter. A jolt of pain, accompanied by a much bigger feeling of helplessness, shot through David’s entire body.

  Unable to help, David felt tears gathering in his eyes when Kevin groaned in pain. David soon heard running across the concrete floor. He was terrified more guys were joining the attack until he heard Steve’s voice mingled with that of another adult. “What the hell are you doing?” David looked up when the bullies suddenly released him. Standing next to Steve was the coach of Trumbull Academy’s team.

  When they released Kevin, he slumped to the floor. David was terrified. Kevin looked like he was severely injured. David held his breath until Kevin stood up, glared at his attacker, pounded his fist against a locker, and walked tall into the shower area without uttering a word. David remained frozen as the coaches reprimanded the four bullies.

  “All of you will be suspended from the team and should I ever detect another note of inappropriate behavior from any of you again, an addendum will be attached to your permanent records for every prospective college to see when you apply. See how far that gets you.”

  “But Coach—” One of the jackasses tried to plead, but the coach raised his hand to halt him.

  “Don’t even try to explain. We heard, and saw, the entire incident. It will
also be on the videos, recorded for security purposes, in the locker room.” The coach gestured for the boys to look up at the camera and then walk out ahead of him. “It’s time to deliver you ungrateful goons to your parents. I’m sure they’ll love to hear what I have to say.”

  Wisely, none of them responded.

  When the door to the locker room closed, Steve stood next to David. Kevin, freshly showered and clearly in better spirits, joined them. “I feel much better now. Those assholes couldn’t keep me down. David, don’t you want to shower before you get your silver medal?”

  Shaking his head, David pulled a sweatshirt from his bag and pulled it on over his head.

  “When should I pick you up later?” Kevin spoke softly.

  David looked at Kevin. Kevin had been a success at track and everything had been going well for him until David entered the picture. David, who had felt displaced being sent to another state for a year, had clearly been needy enough for Kevin to make a public display of affection and set himself up as a target on David’s behalf. David shook his head.

  “David? What’s up?” Kevin squeezed David’s shoulder, and David immediately shied away from the touch.

  “Not today, not ever. I can’t do this to you again.” David started to walk briskly out of the room with Steve and Kevin following close behind.

  “What are you talking about, David?” David could hear the tone of panic in Kevin’s words.

  “Please, just leave me alone. I can’t fuck up your life, your goals.” David ran out, leaving Steve to deal with Kevin.

  Chapter 15

  “KEVIN WAS pretty shaken up, but not by those creeps, by you.” Steve sat with David in their living room. David’s father was in the kitchen making them all a cup of tea.