Page 50 of Him

I’d forgotten about this. Jamie’s whole family has a big meal together on Sunday every single week, and apparently it’s a family sacrilege to miss one. So while their youngest was away at camp, he got these calls every week. Probably when he was away at college, too.

“You need a haircut,” a female voice pipes up.

“Yeah,” he concedes, running a hand through his golden hair. I’m jealous of that hand. “What’s new in Cali?”

I listen while his family all tries to talk at once. “Guess who’s knocked up again?” a male voice asks.

“Language!”

Apparently Jamie’s sister is pregnant again. And one of his brothers got a promotion. Another brother broke up with his long-time girlfriend.

“I’m sorry about that,” Jamie says.

“We’re not!” a sister cries.

“Fuck off!”

“Language!”

Suffice it to say that Jamie’s call from home is nothing like mine.

“So, son,” an older voice booms. Jamie’s dad always manages to sound commanding without coming off like an asshole. My father could take a few pointers. “What have you been up to this week?”

I snort so hard that Jamie’s eyes flick over to me before quickly moving back to the screen. “The usual,” he says, giving me a kick under the table. “Lots of ice time. Went hiking.”

Sucked off my gay friend Wes.

He keeps his eyes firmly on the screen so I can’t really tell whether he’s sweating this part of the conversation or not.

“Sounds good,” his father rumbles. “Your mother is busy in the kitchen, but she said to tell you to make sure you come home before you head for Detroit.”

“I’ll try,” he promises. “It depends on whether Pat can replace me for that week.”

“Your mother also reminds you to try to get enough fiber and eat organic.”

There’s a boom of laughter from the phone at that.

Jamie grins. “I’ll get right on it.”

“Be good, Jamie!” “Love you!” “Wear your cup!” More snickers. More endearments.

And then Jamie ends the call, tucking his phone into his shirt pocket, shaking his head. “Sorry about that.”

“No big. Still want to swim?”Please say no.

“Yeah. Let’s do it.”

The town beach is at the southern end of Mirror Lake, really close to the dormitory. Everything in Lake Placid is close to everything else. This town was a summer resort for rich people well before it was a winter sports destination. So we pass all manner of attractive old buildings on the short walk to the little beach.

Jamie kicks off his flip-flops and strips off his shirt. He walks into the water, where his shorts start to cling to his body even before he’s submerged himself.

I follow him, of course. He could lead me anywhere right now, and I wouldn’t argue.

The cool water feels great, though. When I’m up to my thighs I dive under, chasing Jamie out past the sandy area. There’s a floating raft a hundred yards out, and we swim to it.

Jamie is smiling at me when I break the surface. With onepalm I splash him a good one, then dive under again to escape retribution. Passing him, I make for the far side of the raft.

When I come up to take a breath, a big hand pushes me under again. So of course I’m coughing when I bob up a second later. “Fucker,” I sputter, even though we spent the better part of our summers trying to drown each other every afternoon after practice.