Page 15 of Teach Me

Mr. Mystery:I enjoyed it, too.

Mr. Mystery:I would be open to continuing on occasion if you are.

So he did like the idea of keeping our anonymity and occasional encounters. Part of me was elated, but a teeny tiny part of me was also bummed he didn’t want to meet in person. Still, I wasn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth. I was way too into what we were doing to get petty or picky.

I started to type “definitely,” then erased it. No need to be overeager.

Cam:I am if you are. This number isn’t registered to anyone, so I assume it’s a burner. Is that because you like the anonymity?

Mr. Mystery:I do at this point. I find it… thrilling.

Cam:I apologize if this seems rude, but are you married or in a relationship?

Mr. Mystery:No, I’m not. And that was a pertinent question because I should have thought to ask the same. Are you?

Relief ballooned in my chest.

Cam:I’m not either, so we’re all good there.

Mr. Mystery:To be honest, I never expected to have an experience like ours, much less more than once. It’s caught me a bit off guard, but it’s new to me in a good way, and I’m a person who doesn’t have a lot of free time right now, so this is my attempt to lean into the thrill.

I settled back on my pillows, shoulders loosening further. Even from the small amount we’d chatted, I didn’t get any bad vibes from this guy, and I kinda liked that he’d stumbled intothe situation, same as me. Unless he was lying. Even if he was, I would be none the wiser, I supposed. I decided it didn’t matter, either way.

Cam:Same. I don’t have a lot of free time, either.

Cam:If you turn out to be a psycho killer, that’s really going to suck, though.

Mr. Mystery:Likewise. I happen to enjoy being alive.

Cam:Alright then, neither of us are immediately confessing to being psycho killers, which isn’t exactly reassuring, since a psycho killer wouldn’t likely confess to being a psycho killer.

Mr. Mystery:I solemnly swear I’m not a psycho killer. Just a guy enjoying a unique experience.

Mr. Mystery:Speaking of safety…

A second later, a screenshot came through of an STD panel showing the all clear, the recent date visible but his name blacked out.

Mr. Mystery:I understand this is still a risky prospect for us both, so if you’d rather continue as we have, using condoms, I have no problem with that. I’m also on PrEP.

I clicked over to my email and dug through until I found my last STD panel. After snapping a screenshot, I blocked out my own name and sent it.

Cam:Mine. And I trust you for some insane reason.

Mr. Mystery:This result is almost a year old.

Cam:I’ve not been with anyone but you since that test. I can get new ones done, though, no big deal.

Gah, way to point out my deadbed.

He replied after a long pause.

Mr. Mystery:As you said, I trust you for some insane reason. This is all a little bit unusual, isn’t it?

Cam:Definitely. So how do you see this working?

Mr. Mystery:I thought if either of us were feeling the urge we could simply reach out to the other and see if our schedules align for another anonymous meeting. If so, then wonderful. If not, perhaps another time. Don’t you think it’s best to keep it simple?

Mr. Mystery:That being said, as much as I’d like to meet again this coming weekend, I’ll be busy.