Page 6

6

CONNOR

A little over a week had passed, and my thoughts of a certain trucker hadn’t diminished. He’d even invaded my dreams the other night, and I woke up rutting the mattress and making a mess of the sheets. I hadn’t had a wet dream since I was a young teenager.

My classes started a few days ago after I settled into my single, private dorm room. I felt privileged to have a private room, not only to study without distraction but also so that should I have company over, there wouldn’t be any roommate drama.

Classes this quarter were credit-heavy but not to the point of having an overloaded schedule. It would give me the opportunity to seek out part-time work to supplement my meager bank account. Receiving the grant I’d applied for was a godsend, and I knew having extra money would help on all fronts. Now, I just needed to look at the job postings board on campus to see what was available.

The day after I arrived at school, I called home to let my mom know I’d made it safely and was settled in. She and my brother Kyle hadn’t known I’d planned on hiking from Pendleton, and I wanted to let them know about my pre-academic adventure.

Mom and Kyle had been very supportive when I came out at sixteen. Kyle had just graduated from high school, being almost two years older, and I knew he’d be my protector if I was ever bullied in school. He’d made that very clear. Of course, Mom’s reaction was simply a huge embrace, and she said she loved me no matter what. I never had much concern as to how she would react to my sexual orientation. She only wanted Kyle and me to be happy.

As I sat outside in the afternoon sun, I pulled out my phone and dialed Mom. She picked up on the second ring. “Hey, honey, I expected you to call and check in sooner,” she said in a friendly yet firm tone.

“Yeah, I know,” I said sheepishly. “I’m sorry if I made you worry, but finally getting here and settled took a couple of days. Forgive me?”

“Of course I forgive you, and I didn’t really worry. You’re a big boy who’s off to conquer the world of business and finance. I’m just your mother sitting here by the phone…waiting,” she said in a teasingly, guilt-ridden manner, and I’m sure with a wink as well.

“Oh, so that’s how you’re going to play it?” I said with a bark of laughter.

“You know it,” she chuckled. I shook my head and smiled at her comeback.

“Okay, again, I’m sorry for not reaching out when I got here. Is Kyle there with you?” I asked, hoping we could get this conversation over within a single phone call.

“He’s out in the garage working on that motorcycle of his. Hold on a second, and I’ll get him. He’s been asking if I’d heard from you yet,” she said, as I heard her muffled footsteps cross the floor that attested to her attempt at calling Kyle to the phone.

I heard her tell my brother I was on the phone. A few seconds lapsed when I heard her cell phone speaker get switched on so we could have a three-way conversation.

“Connor, how’s the campus on that side of the state? Have you found any hot co-eds to romp with yet?” my brother asked boldly and loudly over the phone.

I rolled my eyes at his ribbing but kept the jovial mood by lying. “As I speak, I see two guys on the quad lawn without shirts on. Looks promising. Hmmm, once I end this call, I think I’ll head over to check ’em out.”

Suddenly, Mom piped up, “Oh Lord, you two need to stop!”

Kyle and I laughed at her exasperation, so I quickly added, “Mom, you have two sons with very active hormones. Kyle likes to live vicariously through my sexual exploits, even though he’s the lady's man.”

With that, my brother laughed. “Well, at least my bro is gettin’ some. I just don’t wanna hear what type of action it is!”

My brother had always had a girlfriend, but he broke up with the last one about six months ago. He’d been focused on his new job as head mechanic at a motorcycle dealership in Portland. Because of that he hadn’t taken the time to dive into the dating pool lately. The breakup wasn’t a friendly one, and it seemed to sour him on relationships for the time being.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, school is taking priority for me right now, so no boyfriends are on the horizon for me.” I retorted, hoping to redirect the conversation.

“How was the bus trip to La Grande?” my mother asked, interrupting quickly and changing the subject, for which I was thankful. But now I had not to make a big deal out of the hitchhiking confession, so I kept my voice casual.

“Well, I actually only took the bus as far as Pendleton and then decided to hike the rest of the way,” I answered, wincing, not wanting her or my brother to interrogate me on my decision. “I wanted to make an adventure of it, thinking I could easily make it here in time for my first day of classes.”

“That’s like, what, seventy miles?” Kyle asked in disbelief.

Here we go.

“It was harder than I thought,” I said, “and I really didn’t think the timing through.” After pausing, I added, “And it’s actually only sixty miles.”

“Okay, and?” he asked, wanting more.

“I was fortunate enough to reach a highway rest area after about twenty miles and get a ride from a truck driver heading to La Grande. It was perfect timing,” I said, with a light, matter-of-fact lilt to my voice.

“You hitchhiked?” my mother asked sternly, and I closed my eyes.

“I was exhausted, and I knew I wasn’t going to make it here on time, Mom. I was desperate.” I felt chastised as I answered her. My brother remained silent.

“In this day and age, taking a risk like that is asking for trouble. Which proves your point that you didn’t think things through.” The disappointment in her voice hit me square in the chest.

“I know, I know, but everything worked out fine, and he dropped me off across the street from my dorm. He was a solid guy, and I enjoyed chatting with him.” I tried to emphasize the positive outcome. “He wasn’t a redneck hick, which is what I’m sure you’re thinking. Plus, he was incredibly intelligent and very good-looking. You know, just my type,” I said with a light laugh, hoping that would placate her. I didn’t think it was pertinent to reveal how old he was. “And didn’t you just say I was a big boy, and you weren’t that worried about me?” I shot back, thinking that might also bring her down from the mama bear mode.

“You called him a big boy?” I heard my brother ask. That seemed to do the trick. I laughed, and they soon joined in.

“You’re both big boys,” my mother clarified. “But you’re also my babies, and I will always get concerned and a bit protective at times. It’s what mothers do.”

“Okay, but it all ended up good here. I just wanted to reach out and let you guys know I’m settled, and my classes have started.” The lecture was over, but I wanted to steer us away from the previous tension.

“Have you made any new friends yet?” Mom asked.

I suddenly realized I hadn’t talked about my rooming situation, so I boasted, “Actually, I have. You know, I applied for a private dorm room and was accepted, so there’s this guy across the hall named Spencer, who’s also gay and a swimmer. He’s a grad student too. He used to compete on his college swim team like I did,” I said excitedly. “So, yes. A new friend and a possible workout buddy to boot.”

My brother chimed in, “Besides being a new friend, could something more develop between you?” I could almost feel him arching his eyebrows, his tone inquisitive and teasing. Why he was so interested in my love life, I couldn’t figure out.

“Kyle, please, I’ve only known him a few days, and truth be told, I don’t see him like that,” I responded with a slight huff. “You not getting any action doesn’t give you permission to snoop around my love life,” I said firmly but without malice. I knew he’d keep going down that rabbit hole if I didn’t nip it in the bud.

“Okay, fine,” he accepted reluctantly.

“If you boys are done chiding each other, I need to get dinner prepped before time gets away from me,” Mom said. “I’m happy you called, dear. Be sure to let me know how things are going in a few days, okay?”

“Yes, of course, Mom,” I replied, then addressed my brother, “Okay, Kyle, go back to being the head honcho grease monkey in the garage, but be sure and wash up for dinner, or Mom will make you eat out there.” I chuckled.

“Oh, funny,” Kyle barked back. “She’s making a new lasagna recipe tonight, and you know what a great cook she is. Jealous yet?”

My stomach rumbled after he said lasagna. “Well, I am envious. The cafeteria here is calling my name, and the food is fair but far from home-cooked,” I wistfully replied. “I’ll call back in a few days. Love you both,” I said as they chimed in with their goodbyes before I disconnected the call.

I looked at my watch, my stomach rumbling again, and noticed dinner time was fast approaching, and I hadn’t eaten lunch. I decided to head to the campus cafeteria, thinking I needed to make a quick stop at the library first. There were a couple of references I needed to review for my statistics class assignment, and I needed to get it done tonight.

As I walked, my thoughts rewound to the conversation with Mom and Kyle. Thoughts of Mason had me smiling and wondering what he was doing for dinner. Dessert came to mind when I thought about what a sexy man he was.

Yeah, him for dessert, I would devour.