18 Weeks of Twoey - 26. Week Four Friday September 26, 2014: Delightful Deena

Gary and I couldn't help but be all over Twoey about Lanni during our run. It was all in good fun, except Gary kept grumbling I won the bet because Twoey must have told me. Twoey denied it over and over. But then Twoey asked how did I find out, and so fast. I smiled and said someday he would discover how incredibly well connected I was.

Gary looked right at me and scoffed. “I guess you are unhinged, if you believe that!”

SHIT!!!!! It’s when I realized Tommy's mother said something to his mother. Of course she did! Unhinged ...not a word I ever heard Gary use before. They're both gossiping cows. Also, Pray for David? I’m dreading Sunday already! I know church is gonna be a serious test of my temper. I’d better start centering my emotions on Saturday!!

There’s a XCountry race today, so shirt and tie. I decided to show school spirit. I chose a maroon shirt and a black tie, our colors. Let Burch stew over that! No school spirit? ...Fucking asshole!

Twoey was walking with Danny again on our way to school. He’d better be careful if he’s thinking of visiting Danny’s house again!

Today before math, Kathy showed me her phone. “David, here’s a picture of my dress.”

Thank the Goddess Iris! It wasn’t too purple! “That’s a beautiful dress Kathy. The color is sort of a pastel. I really don’t know the names of colors. Maybe you should text me the picture. I could use it in the store.”

“Why don't we check out a downtown store on Saturday before the movie?”

Brilliant!! If I can find something here in town, it would be one less trip to Syracuse, and if she picked it out, I couldn't make a mistake. Win-Win! I was excited!

“What a fantastic idea! We’ll grab something to eat between shopping and the movie.” Kathy smiled at me. OK, Saturday’s all planned out. After I get home from the show I’ll do my meditating for Sunday church’s ominous session.

At lunch Twoey sat to my left across from Danny, forcing Erik to my right, pushing Matty down to sit next to Sam. Why is Twoey playing musical chairs at lunch? Gary’s glance told me he didn’t know why either. Anyway it was fun having a three-way with Twoey, Danny and me. It usually doesn’t work out that way, but the conversations flowed freely. I guess variety is the spice of life ...hehe.

Burch kept giving me the evil-eye all period in social. He probably knows about the psychiatrist and Pray for David too. In fact, I’m certain he does. I bet the idiot thinks I’m gonna go postal with an AK-47 or something. Maybe I should practice crazy looks in front of the mirror every morning. It would be a good counter to his evil-eye!

Our race was away today. I was excused from last period Gym and we were on the bus. Gary kept looking at me funny. Finally I’d had it!

“What?”

“Is it true?”

“Be more specific, Gary. But I’m warning you, choose your words very carefully.” At this point, I was beyond livid, and I knew he could sense it. Of course he could. We can’t keep secrets from each other.

My friend squirmed a bit, but then broke out into a big smile. “You didn’t think she wouldn’t tell my Ma, did you?”

I couldn’t stay angry at Gary, ever! I smiled and said, “No, never gonna happen, I know. The thing I’m a little riled about is I’m certain she’s told Johnson and now even Burch suddenly knows.”

“Your social teacher?”

“The one and only ...the world’s most perfect asshole, my fucking torturer!”

“Hey buddy, I don’t care if you see a shrink. It’s because of the fight, right?”

“Yeah.”

“No problem. Do what you gotta do. I’ll always have your back. You know, right?”

“Yeah. Sorry I got a little heated there. Anyway, it doesn’t even matter. She won’t let me see the doctor. I knew she wouldn’t. It’s against her religion or something.”

“Um …it’s your religion too.”

“Gary, if you ever say anything remotely like that again, we’re through!” But I smiled. He knew I was kidding.

“David, calm down. Don’t let things you can’t do anything about bother you. Let’s concentrate on what we can do something about, like today’s race.”

I pushed him a little and said, “You ought to hang out your shrink shingle!”

We laughed and I actually did start thinking of the race. I was able to slip into a semi-meditation and focused on how I was gonna pace myself. It sure paid off. We won! I set a new personal record for the distance and the coach was talking about varsity again.

“Keep your fists to yourself for a little while!” But he was joking ...I think.

After we got back I didn't walk home with Gary. I decided to hit Kory's Diner for some food cuz I was gonna skip Tommy's mother's shit altogether and go straight to my room when I got home. I need to shut down any interaction with her as much as I’m able. Every single thing gets broadcast all over town, and usually to my enemies.

When I entered the Diner, I saw Lanni and her friend Deena walking in too. Well, I couldn't resist this. I caught up with them. “Hey Lanni, Deena ...it’s only the two of you or are you meeting somebody else?”

Deena scanned me, but Lanni said, “No David, it’s only us.”

“Well, I’m alone ...would you mind if I join you, for the company?”

Deena frowned but Lanni said, “Sure David.” We got a booth.

We began talking when the waitress arrived to ask for our orders. The girls ordered burgers and fries and Cherry-Cokes. I got the veggie-burger, my usual, a salad instead of fries and water with a slice of lemon. I asked them if they always ordered the same food. Lanni shyly nodded but Deena asked if I always ate that same crap. Gulp, she’s sure a tough girl!

Well I chuckled, letting go her barb and we started talking again. “You know, Twoey’s a friend of mine and I’m really happy he found such a nice girl to take to the dance.” It doesn’t hurt to stroke her ego, in case things go south with her and Twoey.

Anyway it did get Lanni's attention. She smiled, but Deena snarled. “Oh, is he part of your gang now too?”

“Well he is in our neighborhood and hangs out with us and we all get along, but I'm pretty sure when he makes his own friends the gang will probably see less of him.”

Deena was still scowling. “Well isn't it cute. Two of David's gang both dating twins!”

Lanni seemed a little ...upset. “Jesus Deena, we're not dating, he's only taking me to the dance. I never even spoke to him before two days ago!”

Wait! What? If she never spoke to him before Wednesday, she wasn't the mystery girl. I didn't win the bet! And better yet, there’s still hope for me with Lanni. Except once I began analyzing, I realized it was gonna be inevitable. There’s nothing wrong with Twoey. She’s gonna fall for him hard. They’re gonna be a couple.

Two things entered my mind almost simultaneously. First, the bet. I'll hafta tell Gary ...no, really! We're always honest with each other!! Second, there was no mystery girl. If he was into someone, he’d have asked her to the dance! Before I could work it around in my mind, the waitress appeared.

Soon after the food arrived, they were munching away on fat and grease. I carefully removed the veggie-burger from its roll, which I pushed to the side of the plate, and put only a few drops of the dressing on the salad, carefully removing the croutons and placing them over by the roll. I ate about half of everything, which filled me up. Lanni was staring at me sorta bug-eyed as I ate but Deena said, “Crap David, how do you stay alive?” I chuckled.

She said, “Hey wait, don't you go with Kathy Bailey now?” Regrettably, I nodded. She got really steamed as she said, “The asshole Cal Jacobs really screwed with her!”

I said, “You know, I almost smashed that bastard in XCountry practice!” You could see the light bulb go on in Deena's head.

“Jesus, you're the guy who beat up that football player last week! Oh Wow David, I misjudged you. I'm beginning to like you!” I think it made me blush. Lanni smiled. I guess it was a good idea to eat at Kory's instead of suffering at home. Deena even seems to be melting a bit! I walked home with a little spring in my step and went straight to my room.

Have you ever had a sensation that you can’t exactly put your finger on? As soon as I walked in, something didn’t feel right. Standing by the door, I scanned everything. Nothing looked out of place, but somehow it felt slightly off. I walked all the way in and began looking at things more closely. Still nothing I could detect. I heard Tommy coming up the stairs. He must have just come home. He waved at me, walking by my door, but I called him in.

“What’s up brother?”

“Tommy, have you been in my room today?”

“What? You know I don’t never do that!” He was insulted.

I put my arm around his shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes. “I know. I’m not accusing you. Something seems a little different in here. I only wanted to rule out something innocent, like you needed a pair of socks or something. You know I wouldn’t mind.”

“No I didn’t.” He chuckled. “But now I do. So you better keep countin’ yer socks!”

Then he got sober. “Do you think she’s been in here?”

“I don’t know. There’s nothing for her to find anyway. Maybe she cleaned.” We both broke up at that. Tommy’s mother never cleans our rooms or does our laundry.

I was thinking out loud. “Maybe she was trying to find something to give her more reasons pray for me.”

Tommy’s eyes shot open. “You know about that?”

“Yes ...Wait! Tommy, you knew and didn’t tell me?”

He had a guilty look on his face. “I didn’t wanna give you no more shit to get worked up over.”

“Tommy please, never hold anything back from me! These people are evil and are out to get me. I need to know what they’re up to!”

“OK, sorry brother. I was worried and only tryin’ to help ya. I’ll never do it no more. So whatcha gonna do about them prayin’ for ya?”

“I think maybe I’ll crash their little meeting ...to help them pray, you know? First, I better hit the party store and find something with a pentagram on it. They might as well really have something to pray about.” We both snickered. Then Tommy went to his room.

Later I talked to Kathy and we made our plans to meet tomorrow at about 3. We’ll wander downtown to see if I can find a shirt and tie, eat and take in a movie. I’m not sure about Gary and Mel. I’m pretty sure Gary has other plans for them, if you know what I mean.

Twoey

The guys were on me a little about Lanni during the run, but not too bad. On the walk to school, David was shirt and tie for the race. Danny gave me a look. I wandered back to talk with him.

“Hey Twoey, got any plans for tomorrow afternoon?”

“Nope.”

He gave me the sly Danny-smile. “We oughta get two-and-together; go visit the lake around 3.” I had a feeling it wasn't exactly what he meant.

“There’s some big to-do at the Base till after midnight and I’m thinking I’ll be all low-and-alone.” Then I knew exactly what he meant.

I smiled and said sure, let's hang out. Funny how he went from cold to warm in only a few days. His eyes met mine and it wasn’t his usual knowing little glance. Danny was showing a different emotion. I’m not sure what it was, but it slugged me in the pit of my stomach! There was a primitive longing in his look. I was tempted to grab and kiss him right there on our walk to school. We broke the stare and didn’t say another word to each other all the way to school. The feeling in my gut never left. I’m falling in love with Danny, and I think he’s falling for me. I was both elated and petrified at the same time!

At lunch I sat across from Danny. The three of us, David, Danny and I talked about ...I can’t even remember. What I do remember is there weren’t more than a few moments when Danny and I didn’t look into each other’s eyes. The indescribable sensation was there again. It’s happening! I can feel it. This must be love. A first for me.

Amazingly, in PhysEd, Matty suggested another sleepover. Now there is no way I could do anything after Danny-sex. I begged off and said maybe next week. He looked a little sad but when I mentioned next week his hazel eyes lit up and his big smile returned. I guess I'm actually going to need a little black book app if this keeps up. Seriously though, things tomorrow may completely change all my future plans. If Danny and I are truly in love with each other, everything else is totally off the table. Period.

Increasingly, I'm becoming more than a little concerned. Three boys all wanting sex. One of them starting to fall in love with me and I’m falling for him. A smart and cute girl to take to the dance. One who I trust so much I’ll probably come out to her next week. A group of great friends. David to look at every day. Lots of gay boys to find if Danny doesn’t return my love. My life is going along sooo well! I know something bad is going to happen. I have this weird premonition. Too much good stuff. It's all going to come crashing down ...or am I being too paranoid?

Please God, let it be that.