Plaquemines Parish

By: Pee Jay
(© 2009 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 2

I went home and collapsed on my bed. I was exhausted from the events of the day. After a few minutes, I got up, undressed and then climbed back into bed. It was still warm so I lay on top of the sheets thinking.

If I were to go fishing with Dave and his parents in the morning, would I be able to pull it off? I mean, how could I possibly fit in with them? Kris had come painfully close with his depiction of my situation and me. I probably am a faggot. After all, that's what they call guys who like other guys, and Dave is a guy. Shit, why me? Christ, I kissed him! How could I be anything but? And what about the poor white-trash thing? If I were any poorer, I'd be homeless. Heaven forbid that Mom ever found out; I'm a sad excuse for a son. It was way more than I wanted to think about, so I rolled over and went to sleep.

I awoke the next morning as the sun was peaking over the trees and not feeling much better than I did the night before. As I lay there looking out the window, I decided not to go fishing with them. I couldn't allow myself to be seduced by the idea that I somehow could fit into his world. No, I would stay home in my shack where I belong until it was time for work. That's it, what was I thinking?

I could hear Mom stirring in her bedroom across the hall. She came out of her room on the way to the bathroom and stopped in the doorway.

"Are you up, Val?"

"Yeah, I'm awake."

"Do you want breakfast?" she asked.

"I'll make it while you shower if you want."

"Okay" she said then made her way to the bathroom.

I fixed breakfast and took the easy way out. We had coffee, toast, and jam with juice and a peach. I held my peach in one hand as I drank coffee and ate toast. I thought how the hair on Dave's arm felt soft like peach-fuzz and laughed out loud.

"What are you laughing at, Val?"

Think hard; improvise, Marine.

"Nothing much Mom, just a joke from work last night".

Mom smiled and didn't push it, thank God; lest I have to start stacking lies on top of lies which could be dangerous because I couldn't think that quickly.

Mom left for work after breakfast and I cleaned up the kitchen. When I finished, I went outside to sit on the wooden swing on the front porch; it was suspended from the roof with chains. I scooted my butt forward and raised my feet on top of the railing. A car was approaching from town with billows of dust clouding the air behind it as it sped along. In front of our shack, the horn blew and I waved back; it was Charlie on his way to work. That was different; Charlie usually didn't get to work until lunchtime.

I was bored so I packed up my things and headed for the pier at the marina. I may as well go for an early swim since there wasn’t anything to do and I had no friends. Dave was out with his parents, so that was a disappointment.

As I left the house heading for the road, I noticed a black kid walking toward the water. I slowed my pace a little so I could join him as he passed in front of our shack.

"Hi" I said making a waving motion with my hand.

He looked at me as if I was diseased. "What do you want?"

"Nothing, we're going the same way so I thought we could keep each other company. Where are you going?"

"The marina."

"Oh, good; that's where I'm headed."

"Good for you."

Geez, this kid was operating on a limited vocabulary or just plain anti-social. I didn't care; I needed to meet someone my own age so I pressed on.

"What brings you to the marina today? I've never seen you down there."

"I'm going to apply for a job at the restaurant."

"Oh cool, that's where I work. I think they need a dishwasher. That used to be my job until I was made a busboy or server, whatever you want to call it."

"Good for you."

He seemed to be sulking or pouting or something. He definitely wasn't in a good mood. Maybe his mother was making him get a job and he didn't want to work. It was none of my business so I didn't ask.

"What's your name?"

"What's your problem?" he asked in an aggravated tone.

"Geez, okay, forget it," I said. "Pardon me for asking," then I raised a hand.

I moved to the other side of the road, the hell with him. Who needs that shit? If he wanted to walk around in a funk, then let him; I sure as hell didn't need that. I had enough crap to think about. It isn't easy being me.

I gave him plenty of room in case he started frothing at the mouth or some frigging thing.

When we reached the marina, I slowed down so he could pass in front of me. We had to cross paths so I could make it to the end of the pier where I usually spent my time.

I found my spot and sat down. I looked at the slip where Dave's family moored their boat. It was empty. I pulled my shirt off and stared at the vacant space. I wondered what he was doing. Was he having fun? He was probably enjoying himself at sea in the sunshine. I could see him pulling in a big catch, maybe a swordfish.

He was one of those beautiful people you see on postcards in town. I'd seen the pictures like that trying to entice the tourists; not that Plaquemines was touristy, mind you; the scenery sucked. And ambiance? They may as well strike that from the local dialect.

I let a long exhale go then stood up. I slipped my shorts off and kicked them to the side. I had my bathing suit on underneath so I dove into the water and swam over to the ladder. I climbed out and made my way back. I assumed my usual position and closed my eyes. A while later I heard a voice.

"Hey kid, you want to make a few bucks?"

I sat up to see who was talking to me; if, in fact, it was me being addressed. I had to give my eyes a minute to adjust so I stood up and blinked a few times.

"What do you need done?"

He was rather young and good-looking, too. It was hard to tell how old he was, I guessed thirtyish and he was doing well for his age. His body was in good shape, too, from what his bathing suit revealed.

"Our boat needs cleaning," he said as he pointed to one toward the end of a spur jutting into the water.

"Yeah, sure, how much does it pay?"

"Depends on what kind of job you do."

I thought about it for a minute. He was a little vague about what he was paying. On the other hand, what was I going to do? Sit or lay around for the next few hours?

"Okay," I said. "You want me to start now?"

"Yeah, follow me."

So I did. I followed him to the end where his boat was tied up and hopped aboard behind him. I tossed my backpack on a seat cushion and he went below to retrieve some cleaning supplies. He handed me a bucket and soap. He uncoiled a hose from the pier and showed me what he wanted done.

His friend came up from the cabin and they introduced themselves. The guy that hired me was Mike. He had darker hair than Steve and a more muscular build. Steve had lighter hair and what I would consider an average physique. They were both nice to look at but I quickly abandoned the thought, not wanting to become aroused

I followed his instructions. I began to wet the boat down in sections, soap it and scrub it with a sponge, and then rinse it off with the hose. It wasn't all that hard to do; it was just that the stupid thing was so big.

It was going to take a while to finish the whole boat but I was determined to do a good job, even if they took advantage of me when it came time to square up. At least my conscience would be clear.

I worked for what seemed like a couple hours when Steve asked me if I was hungry. I told him I was so he said to take a break and come have lunch with them. I was more than eager; I was starving, if the truth were known.

I took a seat at the table on deck while Steve went below to the galley. I could see them down there and noticed Mike touching and putting his arm around Steve from time to time. Steve seemed to like it and smiled a lot at Mike. I was beginning to wonder what was going on between them. Yes, I had my suspicions and it made me nervous.

It was hot on deck and I was sweaty from working so I hollered that I was going to jump in the water and be right back. I noticed a ladder at the rear of the boat while I was cleaning so I climbed up and dove in.

I scaled the ladder and was back on deck in a matter of minutes feeling much better. I hung my head over the side of the boat and shook the water out of my hair. Mike came up behind me and placed a towel around my shoulders.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Come sit down; what do you want to drink?"

"Iced tea if you have it."

He hollered my drink order to Steve and sat down at the table. I sat down, too.

The table was barely large enough for three. Steve came up on deck and placed a plate in front of me and I thanked him. I tore into my sandwich like I had just come out of winter hibernation; I was hungry. A few more minutes and my plate was clean. I eased back in my chair and a small belch escaped me.

"Oops, excuse me."

They both laughed.

"So do you live here or are you on vacation?" Steve asked.

"No, I live here. Just down the road a ways" and I pointed to the road next to the marina.

"I saw you here yesterday when we arrived. Do you come here often?"

"Pretty much every day, I work in the restaurant over there. Where are you guys from?"

Mike responded, "We live in New Orleans."

"Oh."

I wondered if they lived together but I was too embarrassed to ask. Christ, there were more darn gays around here than in the whole state of Wisconsin and I was pretty sure these guys were gay.

Steve asked me if I wanted another sandwich and I told him I did. The first one was just a teaser; I needed nourishment. I took the second sandwich from the plate and went back to work. I wanted to make sure I finished before I had to go to my regular job.

I was almost done when I noticed Dave's family's boat navigating the waters of the marina. ‘Great’ I thought, ‘now I have to lie to him about the reason I wasn't there this morning.’

He was waving at me as his father piloted the boat. I didn't want it to seem like I was ignoring him so I waved back with a big ol’ smile on my face; it was good to see him. I wished I could contain my smile but I couldn't help myself; I was happy to see him, very happy to see him.

I was nearly done cleaning when he came running down the spur that led to Mike and Steve's boat. He jumped on board, then slipped in the soapy water and fell. I started laughing. I couldn't help it, the way it happened was too funny. He slid on his feet with both arms in the air before he lost his momentum and landed on the deck square on his arse. It looked like some kind of Hollywood stunt or something. I looked at Mike, who was on deck, too, and he was laughing his ass off.

Apparently, Dave wasn't fazed. He leapt to his feet and scurried over to me with a big smile on his face. He kissed his hand then placed it on my chest leaving it there for a few seconds. I couldn't hold back a warm genuine smile as I stared into those big brown eyes with the long dark lashes; it was a sincere gesture and I liked it. I wanted to give him a big ol’ bear hug and squeeze him to death, but I didn't think the timing was right.

I could tell Mike and Steve were watching, and I made it a point not to look at them. I was hoping if I ignored them, then they wouldn't have seen it. I knew it was dumb but it was my way of pretending that it didn't happen, as much as I liked it. Good Lord, I have to touch him again, soon, or I'll go nuts.

"Hi, what ya doing?"

"I’m just finishing, they hired me to clean their boat," I said as I nodded at Mike and Steve.

Dave glanced at them then turned back. "Do you know them?"

"No, I just met them. They're from New Orleans."

"Come on; I'll help you finish up here."

Dave helped with the last little bit then he rinsed the boat while I gathered the cleaning supplies. I put them in the closet below deck where Steve wanted them then asked if there was anything further I should do. I knew there wasn't; it was my way of asking them to pay up.

Mike came up on deck, snapped a bill with his fingers and handed it to me. It was a crisp new fifty. Wow! I was rich! I was a smiling fool and couldn't stop. Man, I felt stupid but I couldn't stop grinning. I was hoping for maybe twenty bucks and they paid me more than twice that. Yeow!

"Wow, thanks a lot you guys."

"You're more than welcome. Thanks for doing a good job" Mike said.

I looked at Steve and he was smiling, too; he made my grin grow some more and I looked like a bigger idiot. I didn't care. I had fifty dollars! So there.

Dave said, "Come on, let's go."

We hopped out of the boat and I hollered, "Thanks again, you guys," and we started to run toward the main pier.

"VAL, YOUR PACK!" Mike yelled.

I stopped and went back for my pack and thanked them again. They were nice guys. ‘Nice gay guys,’ I thought silently.

"I think those guys are gay," Dave said with a smile.

I looked at him and grinned, "They're not the only ones."

We both laughed and somehow everything was okay. We both knew.

"I missed you today. I waited by the restaurant until nine then Dad finally got mad and said he was going to leave without me. I told him, ‘Okay,’ but he made me go, anyway."

Dave was grinning as he nudged me with his shoulder.

I was feeling bad that I made them wait so long. I knew Dave wanted me to go; it was my own insecurity that held me back. Still, my reasoning was sound; I was sure of that. But, Good God, it was sure nice to see him and really great to see his reaction when he saw me. Maybe he really does like me. I'm crazy about him and I hardly know him. We haven't spent any time together to speak of, and I'm crazy about him! How bananas is that?

"I missed you, too," I admitted softly.

And I did. When I wasn't thinking about what I was doing, I was thinking about him. Oh, screw it. I'm queer and it feels good; it feels real good, so bite me or turn me in, whatever.

Dave raised the back of his hand and stroked my arm.

I looked at him and smiled. Then I looked down at the pier and said, "I like you."

There, I said it! I wanted to put my arms around him so bad and squeeze him, and feel him, and hold, and touch him. All those things that you do to the person that excites and delights you. The person who tantalizes and tingles your body with his touch, the person who bubbles and effervesces at the sight of you, who connects and commingles you with and to him—THAT person. Wow, what an awesome thought! I don't know how much longer I can hold out until I wrap him in my arms.

"I like you, too … a lot."

Oh my God! I feel so gay and so good! I want to tell everyone about this guy I met. I want to shout it out, “I'M GAY,” because I am. I'm queer and liberated from myself; not out, just self-proclaimed and queer. I can't tell you how good that feels to admit it and be with the person who inspires those feelings. It isn't all that easy but it feels good—actually great—it's who I am. And yes, I'm queer for Dave! I like the sound of that.

After a few silent moments, Dave said, "What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about you. Well really, it was about you and me."

He pointed in the direction we should walk so I turned with him.

"And what were you thinking about us?" he asked coyly.

I was quiet for a minute. I wasn't sure I wanted to be totally honest so soon. Well, I do want to be honest; I guess I mean frank. I didn't want to be the first to admit my feelings. If I kept them concealed then it would be much easier to act as if it were no big deal, should something happen, whatever that might be.

"Val?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm not sure."

We were a good distance down the road toward our shack when it dawned on me. I had to do something soon to alter our course or he's going to see my shack. There's no way that's going to happen. I took his hand in mine and pulled him with me toward the side of the road then into the woods.

"Come with me for a minute."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

I led him a few paces in and stopped by a large tree. I leaned against it with my back and pulled him into me. He wrapped his arms around my neck and I spread my legs pulling him close with my arms around his waist. We closed our eyes and had the most wonderful kissing experience.

I could tell you about all the things that were going through my mind but the feeling was the best part. How sensual and strong his body felt, pressed against me; the softness of his caress that ignited bonfires wherever his hand lingered. His low audible groans as we kissed and ground into one another, and me wishing I were in his skin with him, to feel the same sensation and experience it as he did. I never felt anything like that in my life; it was glorious.

We stopped kissing after a few minutes and he stared me in the eye. I swear he could see and read every thought that was going through my mind, and I loved it. And the feeling of being completely exposed to him mentally, spiritually and, I hoped very soon, physically.

"We have to go. I'm going to be late for work."

"Just another minute” he said then started in again.

It was impossible for me to resist because I didn't want to. I wanted to be naked with him, I was sure of that. I didn't know exactly what I would do, but I was certain I wanted to see and experience his erect penis. What I would do with it, I didn't have a clue; but I was darn sure I wanted to see him that way. Jesus Christ, now I'm using medical terms for body parts; what's come over me?

I was having enough of not being in control of myself. As good as it was, it was a little scary, too. When you can't control yourself, it's like riding in the back seat of a car; someone else is leading you; some other force is steering, and you have no say about it. It's a bit un-nerving and exhilarating at once.

I broke our kiss and pulled him in for a warm embrace. As I held him, I said, "Will you be up when I get off work tonight?"

"I'll be outside waiting for you." He smiled and stroked my hair and I squeezed his buns pulling him in close.

"I'll be counting the minutes." I hoped he liked the sound of that.

"Mmmm," he murmured, as we held on firm and tight.

I moved my hands all over him then said, "We have to go. I'm going to be late for work."

When we separated, he put his arm around me as we made our way to the road. Oh, dear God, I loved it in a big way. He made me feel so good. I could only hope that I did that for him. I put my arm around his waist and walked by his side. It was a little strange, or maybe I should say new, because it didn't feel strange at all; it was nice.

He stepped on a branch and the tip of it rustled some leaves a few feet away. I screamed and jumped into the air, then ran for the road screaming, "SON-OF-A-BITCH; DAMN SNAKES!"

I stopped and turned on the road to see him laughing like hell. "What's so damned funny?"

"You. What did you think that was?"

"It was a snake for Christ sake."

He could only laugh harder at me as I felt my face warm up. I was so embarrassed, I wanted to slink away into the woods and hide. For the second time in a few days, I screeched like a girl. And I could have sworn it was a snake. Jesus Christ, it's bad enough that I'm gay; why can't I stop screeching like a girl?

Dave walked me back to the marina and made a subtle kissing motion with his mouth on the deck outside. I wanted to hold him and all those other things, but I gave him a wink instead and said, "See ya after work, I hope."

"I'll see ya at work and after. We'll be in for dinner later. See you then."

He stroked my back, allowing his hand to linger above my butt for a few seconds. I liked it a lot and looked around to see if anyone saw it. There was no one in the windows at the restaurant and the deck and pier was empty. He turned and left.

As I entered the restaurant, I was high. I was high on Dave and loving the idea of it. Man, oh, man, where was I going with all this? I turned to look out the window and watch him walk away; he looked good any way you looked at him. I smiled at the sight and thought of him then went to the bathroom. As I changed into my uniform, I decided it didn't matter so much; I was gonna for it. I liked him and wanted to be with him; that's all there was to it. If there were a price, I was more than willing to pay it.

To be continued...

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Chris and Wayne for their help editing and proof reading, thanks guys.

Posted: 10/09/09