Jimmy & Richie - 5. Chapter 5

Graduation was on a Friday night, Saturday morning I packed, and we headed north to Grams and Gramps. I was excited. I’d start to work on the coming Monday and begin my relatively independent life. My father had to remind me I’d meet a lot of those fags and to stay away from them. I think that was why he agree to the apartment. He knew the dorms probably were filled with fags. I hated that term. I kept my mouth shut and focused on my new life.

Arriving at Grams and Gramps was always something. I heard them before I saw them, Frick and Frack came running up to the car. I sat watching them, they sat there waiting till I open the door. Rather than opening the door on the side were they sat, I open the door on the other side. That was a mistake. As soon as they saw the other door opening, they ran around the car and jumped on me. I was laying on the ground, looking into four eyes and two slippery tongues as they washed my face. I couldn't help laughing. Those dogs acted like puppies, and they were anything but puppies. Frick sat on my stomach while Frack liked my face. Then as if they were communicating, they changed places. At last, Gramps came to my rescue calling the dogs off of me.

Helping me up, “Those dogs really like you. They always have. Whenever you came to visit, they were your pals.”

Frick and Frack walked beside me, one on each side. I scratched behind their ears as we walked toward the house. My hand got licked, when I stopped, they would put their heads behind my hands. I concluded a long time ago, dogs are not dumb creatures.

“James, why don't you take your bags to your apartment. The door is open, while you’re gone, Gram and Miss Marie will fix dinner.”

It took me three trips to get it all in the apartment. I noticed when I entered with the first suitcase that the smell was different. The place was painted while I was gone. The living room furniture was cleaned and the TV was now a fifty-three inch TV. The bedroom had drapes on the window, the bed was made, and the bathroom utility closet had clean towels, soaps and shampoos. There was toothpaste and several new tooth brushes. When I came down for the next load, Gramps had a big smile, with his help, we were able to bring all of my stuff into the apartment in one trip.

“What do you think?”

“Gramps, I love it. It smells so fresh and the colors are right on. I know I'm going to love living here. You know if I go to work for you, I may never leave.”

“Your grandmother and I wouldn't have a problem with that. If there is anything else you need, let me know.”

“Gramps, do we have internet connection?”

“Yes, there’s a modem behind the TV. We better go, dinner will be ready soon, I have some papers you need to sign for employment at the plant. I have the approved copies of the papers you signed at Easter. Unless you want them, I'll keep them in the safe."

I put my arms around Gramps as we walked to the house for dinner. He would look at me and I was smiling. I was happy and I didn't care who knew.

"James, how do you like the apartment?”

“Gram, it’s perfect. I'm really going to like staying there." She just smiled. I knew she was happy for me.

Mom and dad left, I began to unpack. There was a phone call I had to make. I hooked up my computer and went on Skype. I rang the number on Charles's card. Soon a face appeared, it wasn't Charles or Brand.

"May I speak to Brandon please?”

Then I heard, “Brandon, it's for you.”

As soon as Brandon's face appeared on the screen, he smiled and started to laugh. “Where are you? I know you aren't home, Charles, come here.”

“Well, actually I am home, Brand. I'm now living with Gram and Gramps.”

“Really, tell me all.” And I did, about the apartment, about the job and about the car. "Does Dad know about the car?”

“No, Gramps told me to not tell him. Hi Charles, how are you.”

Charles had sat down besides Brand so I could talk to both of them. In answering their questions I told them about working for Gramps this summer, told them about Mike going to FSU and my new friend Richie. I guess I must have said a lot about Richie as Brand asked me if there was a little more than friendship there. I wasn't sure how to answer him. I liked Richie, he was easy to like.

“I don't know Brand, I never thought of Richie as anything else but as a best friend like Mike.”

“Didn't Mike have a girlfriend?”

“Yes, but I never had time for those type of relationships. My goal was to earn a high grade point average and then I started with AP classes. You always teased me about having my nose in a book.”

“Yea, I did. I think watching you study and getting excited about some book you were reading was what convinced me to be a teacher.”

“Brand, I miss you, I’d like to see you and Charles again. Can you come to Gramps?”

“I don't know, Jimmy. I don't want to be embarrassed again.”

“You won't be embarrassed. Gramps understands that we don't pick who we love, it just happens.”

"I'll let you know if we come over.”

“Please try.”

Signing off was hard to do. Brand and I have been close as brothers. He was always looking out for me. I love him, if he has found happiness with Charles, then I love him more and Charles just the same for making Brand happy.

That night as I laid in my new bed for the first time, I let my thought drift to my conversation with Brand. Did I have more feelings for Richie than just being a friend? I loved to look into his eyes. They were hypnotic and seem to draw me in. He had a nice face and a great personality. He could make me laugh at little things. Then it dawned on me. I miss Richie, where I didn't miss Mike. As these thoughts went through my head, I fell asleep. That night I dreamt about Richie, being with him, talking and laughing, gradually taking his head into my hands, looking into his eyes and then placing a soft kiss on his lips. I woke up, my heart was beating a mile a minute.