by D. M. Cupp
“You just need a good teacher to motivate you,” He said with an evil grin.
“Maybe,” I said attempting my own wicked grin.
“So what about you, did you always want to be a teacher?”
“Yeah I did. I didn’t know what I wanted to teach but I know that I wanted to teach children. When I got to college and had to take speech I really was dreading the class, but I liked debating with others and helping my teammates that were shy. I liked seeing them come out of their shells as the course progressed and I wanted to be able and do the same thing. As I took my other communication classes I liked a lot of the different subject areas and when I applied at Nasworthy I told Ken that I really wanted to expand the communication department. Well actually form one since it only consisted of speech class.”
Javier just stared looking at me while I spoke, “What too dorky?” I asked.
“Not at all have I heard how the students talk about you. They really like you and I know I hated speech as a student.”
Javier and I continued with small talk until he looked at his watch and back at me, “You ready for the next part of our date?”
“I’m game for anything. What’s the plan?”
Javier stood up, “You know I’m not going to tell you that.” He said with the sexiest grin.
Ten minutes later Javier parked his car outside the local miniature golf course. I had not played putt-putt in years and my idea of a perfect date was not making a fool of myself, but I knew that however I played he would think I was adorable. I mean how he could not think I was adorable I thought to myself. Javier was pulling out all the stops and refused to allow me to pay for anything.
I know it’s stereotypical for individuals to look at a gay couple and ask the simple-minded questions of who the male is and who the female in the relationship. This was one question that I wish I could punch people in the throat when they asked it, but I knew I could not. However, I knew that culturally it was typical for Hispanic men to take on this role and from personal experience before Charles it was true that they preferred to pay for dates, open doors, and any other male associated role for dating. I was okay with being wined and dined, but I did pay my share and treat my men from time to time. That was my right as a Y-chromosome carrying man.
“I have to admit that I haven’t played this in years,” I admitted as we walked to the first par.
“I’ll help you if you want. I was captain of my college team.” Javier offered with a straight face.
I turned towards him with a questioning stare, “You must have had all the boys lining up for you.” I said giving his shoulder a little tap with my putter handle.
“Oh yeah, I mean you should have seen me after winning the Central Texas Putt-Putt Open. I had boys throwing their numbers at me!”
“I’m not really sure how I should respond to that statement…amazed or a little scared.”
Javier broke out laughing unable to contain his laughter any longer. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go any longer. I’m only kidding. I was not the captain of my college team, and that would have been really weird. I wouldn’t have even admitted that even if I were.”
“Wow, now I’m kind of disappointed.” I said making a sad face. “I thought I had a really life sports professional in my presence and to be honest that nerdy sports type image was really turning me on.”
“Oh I can be that nerdy sports type if that’s what you want.” He said pulling me closer towards him.
We played a few pars until we got to the windmill course, and I had to admit Javier was really good. He insisted in not keeping score and just playing for fun, but mentally I was keeping score and he was kicking my ass. I thought smiling.
He was first to putt and without fail he sunk his ball on the first shot, and my jaw dropped the instant I saw it go in the hole.
“Have you been coming here all week or something? Practicing without me?” I asked laughing.
Javier broke out into his now familiar smile, and every time he did I just melted. “No I’ll show you. Get ready.” I sat the ball down and took my stance. “See you’re too tense.” He said leaning his putter against the tally stand and walking up behind me and placing his hands on my hips. “You have to loosen up.” Making my hips move with his hands. “Spread your feet apart and bend slightly.”
I spread my feet apart and bent slightly forward aligning my putter with the ball. As I bent forward I felt my ass grind into his groin and I could tell that he was semi hard and feeling his slight erection was turning me on and making me forget his mini lesson that he’d just given. I took a small breath as he moved his hands from my hips to cover mine on the putter and moved swung the putter a few times. My hands became an extension of his and I was now completely relaxed in this position.
“Okay, now putt the ball.” He said without moving his hands.
I pulled back on the putter and gave the ball a firm tap and watched as the ball went through the middle of the windmill and to the other side. Javier released me from his hold and we walked to the other side just in time to see my ball go into the hole on the first shot. Like a child I jumped up in the air with excitement. I turned towards him with the biggest smile on my face and he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him.
“See I told you that you could do it.” He said reassuringly.
“I just needed a good coach.” I said not pulling from his hold staring into his eyes losing myself in this moment. I had never been big on public displays of affection but Javier was making me feel comfortable.
“Hey Mr. Miles, great putt,” a voice said.
I was jarred back to reality and pulled from the Javier’s hold and turning towards the voice. It was Sarah Perkins one of my sophomores in my debate class. She was standing next to Derek Anderson who I had in my freshman speech class, but he had not pursued further communication courses beside the required speech.
“Thanks Sarah, the windmill is a hard one.” I said.
“Are you and Mr. Fuentes on a date,” she asked with a little smile and pulling her hands near her chest.
I had never talked about my sexuality with my students but I did not hide it from them. When Charles and I were together I had pictures of the two of us on my desk and San Angelo was a small town and while we were out on weekends I would run into some of them. This was the first time that I had been on a date with anyone since Charles and I had broken up, and the first time that any of my students saw me with anyone besides Charles. I also did not know if Javier wanted to be out at school himself, but knew the hug that we had just shared was more than just friendship.
“Yes we are,” Javier said speaking up before I could answer.
I guess that answered my question that he did not mind being out at work. I knew once word got around school all the girls would be heartbroken. Those poor teenage girls had a crush on the new Spanish teacher that was such a hunk. Well that’s what I heard being said in the halls.
“Y’all are so cute,” she said clapping her hands.
It was funny how teenage girls got when they saw a new couple and even more when it was a gay couple. It definitely was becoming more common nowadays than when I was in high school.
“Aren’t they cute Derek?”
“I guess.” Derek answered with all the emotion of a typical teenage male.
“Glad to see you happy again Mr. Miles. You get him Mr. Fuentes.” She said waving and rejoining Derek and their group of friends.
“Well that was interesting,” I said turning towards Javier.
“Well it was bound to come out that I was dating the sexiest teacher at school.”
I blushed at the compliment but in the back of my mind I began to over analyze his words ‘dating’ that was too soon. What did he mean? I shook the thoughts out of my head and decided to just enjoy the night at hand and follow it where ever it would lead.
****
After completing our game of putt-putt Javier took me down to the river walk near the
visitor’s center. I had always thought that it was romantic at night with the lights lining the Concho River and the soft lights of the visitor’s center.
Javier and I walked along the gravel path talking and kissing. There were few couples on the path so it was as if we had the entire walk to ourselves.
“So we’re going to have some heartbroken teenagers at school come Monday morning.” I said.
“Why’s that?”
“Well you’re the hot new teacher and now you’re not straight.”
“Well I wasn’t straight this past week either.” He said laughing.
“I know, but I wasn’t sure how I should have responded when Sarah asked if we were on a date. I know some people like to keep their private lives out of school.”
“I know what you mean but it’s a small town and if we keep dating people will see us in public.”
“So you want to date me,” I asked with a smile.
Javier took my hand and positioned himself where he was in front of me, “Of course I want to date you. I don’t want to rush you into a new relationship before you’re ready. I’m not really ready myself. It’s like they say that you have to kiss a lot of toads before you find your prince, and I’ve had a lot of first dates with guys thinking that something could be possible but they turned into liars or players. But I don’t think of this as our first official date.”
“Oh you don’t?” I asked raising my eyebrow. I know he probably wouldn’t be able to see my facial expression since it was dark and the lights were a soft glow for the path.
“Don’t make that face.” He said smiling and releasing a small laugh.
I was wrong. Apparently he had eyes like a hawk.
“No I don’t,” he continued, “we met a week ago today and had our first slow dance, our first full day to hang out was the next day where we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So by my calculations that was three dates just on Saturday, and we had lunch together since Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. So that’s another three lunch dates. So this is our seventh date.” He said matter-of-factly and pulled me into a kiss to seal his statement.
“I like your math.” I said going in for a second kiss.
“Can I be completely honest?” Javier asked with a serious tone.
“Of course,” I said looking into his eyes trying to read his expression.
“I think I might be done kissing toads,” he said barely above a whisper.
“I think I might be done too.”
Javier pulled me in for a kiss and we continued to hold both hands intertwining our fingers at our side. I thought it was one our most passionate kisses. Any kiss can have roaming hands but to connect with only ones lips was a new experience.
“I really don’t want this evening to end,” I said when we broke from our kiss.
“I don’t want it to end either. Want to come over and we can watch movies and talk all night?”
“Talk all night and we have to paint your classroom tomorrow. That would be a sight to see. Two sleep deprived individuals painting and getting high on the fumes.” I said laughing.
“My point exactly,” he agreed.
I went to spent time at his apartment, but I never made it home. That was the night that Javier and I made love for the first time…on our seventh date.
Chapter Nine
Javier’s apartment was nicely decorated and the style was contemporary but not so much that you felt uncomfortable to actually sit on the furniture. The apartment had hardwood floors and the walls were painted a cream-tan color which went well with the deep red leather sofa.
“Nice place,” I said as he closed the door behind him.
“What did you imagine the walls festive multi-colors and a crucifix.” He said hanging his keys on the hook by the door.
“No, no, no. I mean it’s not decorated like your typical bachelor pad. I guess I imagined...I’m gonna stop before I put my foot in my mouth.” I said feeling embarrassed.
Javier took a step closer and pulled me closer towards him, “I’m only kidding. I know that’s not what you meant. I just love the cute expression you get when you get embarrassed.” He said giving me a soft kiss on the lips. “Do you want something to drink?”
“I’m okay.”
Javier walked to the kitchen and grabbed bottled water from the refrigerator and returning an extra on sitting it on the coffee table, “Just in case you change your mind.” He said smiling.
“Well thank you. I’m really having a great time tonight.” I told him for what was probably the tenth time that night, but was an improvement on my part I reassured myself.
“Me too, it’s crazy to think that we’ve only known each other for a week, and working at the same school. I wonder if we’d have gotten to know each other if we hadn’t met at Wild Nights.”
“I think we would have met eventually. I think fate has a way of making things happen one way or another.”
Javier just smiled at me, “She does know what she seems to be doing.”
“It’s funny a week ago, Donna and I were having our weekly dinners and I was telling her that I was thinking about not signing my contract and looking for positions in other parts of the state.”
“Really,” Javier asked.
I could not help but note Javier’s concern in his voice. Was that concern? “Yeah, I guess that was one of the reasons we ended up going out. Donna said I needed to get out and if we only had a few months left to hang out all the time then it wasn’t going to be in the four walls of our apartment.”
“And then you met me.” He pointed out placing his hand on my knee.
We were facing each other on the leather sofa so it wasn’t an awkwardly facing forward staring at walls. It was calming how comfortable we were around each other.
“Yes I met you.” I smiled.
“So…not to beat around the bush, but have you decided if you are going to stay or look for other positions?”
I laughed at his forwardness, “Actually that’s what Ken wanted to talk to me about when he asked me to stop by his office and just chat, but I told him I had decided to stay and actually emailed him my contract before leaving today.”
Javier had a huge smile break across his face unable to hide his excitement. “Why are you smiling,” I asked.
“I’m glad that you’re staying. Like you said fate has a way of stepping in and making sure that everything works out.”
“Yes she does.” I said placing my hand on top of his that was still resting on my knee. “So tell me something that we haven’t talked about.”
“Now that’s a good question, but is there a subject that we haven’t talked about?” He asked looking up into space as if the subjects we have not talked about were floating above us. “Well my family is very close-knit, but my coming out almost tore the family apart.” He said pulling his hand from mine.
Coming out stories always seemed to make individuals retreat into a cocoon. It typically brought up feelings of hurt, anger, and rejection in some cases. I know from my own personal experience my family and I had not really addressed the issue. It was the elephant in the room, and I never brought any guy around so they would not be subjected to their hate and rejection. In our five years together Charles and I had visited one time and that was about a year into our relationship. It wasn’t a great experience, and it hurt that they weren’t a part of my life and I did have my family to support me during this heartbreak I had experienced a month ago.
Javier reached over and reclaimed my hands in his, “Well I came out late in life. I wanted to be financially independent and away from my family. I knew that I wanted to go to college, and I didn’t want who I was to prevent that. My sister, Maribel, had my nephew when she was just a senior in high school, and they had completely cut her off. It wasn’t until my nephew was born that they started talking to her again, but she was not allowed under their roof, but that didn’t matter she had ended up marry Trevor’s father.
Anyways so I was a junior in
college and I had come home for the weekend feeling really great about myself. I hadn’t planned to tell them about me, but I was in such a great mood. I had been dating this guy for a few months and it seemed really promising and I wanted them to know who I was. You know?” He asked.
I knew that this question wasn’t really directed at me or expected a response. So I simply nodded in reassurance.
“In high school I had taken girls to school dances, but I never dated. Most of the time the girls were really good friends, and I knew they didn’t expect anything physical or romantic to develop. I wanted to tell them because I wanted them to adjust to the idea because one day I knew that I would want to introduce my boyfriend to my family. I mean not the guy I was dating at the time, but the guy that I thought was the ‘one.’ I wasn’t going to just introduce them to just anyone. I want them to know the one that I want to settle down with because I don’t want them to buy into the stereotype that gays are only interested in sex and one-night stands.
So the entire family was over for dinner, and when I say the entire family I mean everyone: my mom, dad, abuelo, abuelita, my tíos, tías, and all of their kids. So basically about thirty people or so; it was just a small get together.” He said smiling at his little joke.
“So after everyone had left I sat with my mom and dad at the kitchen table and I knew that this was the moment. I knew that if I didn’t tell them at this moment then it probably would never happen. My parents speak English and Spanish fluently, but the rule of the house was that the kids spoke Spanish to them because they wanted to make sure that we didn’t lose our heritage, but if we were never to speak it if someone around us didn’t speak it because that was rude and bad manners.” Javier smiling as he explained the rules of the house. “So like I said we sat at the kitchen table and I took what was probably the biggest breath of my life, ‘mom…dad…I have something I need to tell you…I’m gay.’ Well I think that it would have been easier for them to accept if I had told them I was in the mob or something. ‘M’ijo you can’t be gay you’ve dated girls.’ I looked at them silently and my father just sat there not saying a single word or even acknowledging my mother’s comment. ‘Mom I’ve never dated girls. I took them to school dances, but never once have I brought home a girl and introduced her as my girlfriend. Will you say something?’ I asked them. ‘M’ijo I don’t know what you want your mother and I to say.’ My father had said.