Mawgrim's Prompts - 3. Prompt 884 - The Unfiltered Truth

Almost as soon as I’d tipped the contents of the phial into the aquifer, I began to regret it. My father’s warnings echoed in my head. ‘If everyone told the truth all the time, Mark, it would be terribly dangerous. We all tell tiny lies every day, just to smooth things over. Imagine if your mother asked me, “Does my bum look big in this dress?” and I said it did. She’d be upset and I’d feel bad. And that’s just a minor example. There could be fights; even murders…’

I was sure he’d been exaggerating. Was telling the truth really that bad? Besides, I wanted to find out if Pete really felt the same way as I did about him. We’d both been skirting around it for too long now, unable to admit our attraction. Coming out in a small town, where everyone knew everyone’s business wouldn’t be easy. But I just had to know.

On my way back, I saw him. He was washing his dad’s car out on the drive. Sunshine made rainbows in the water. I wondered if the chemical had already reached the taps; how long it would take to filter through and how long after that before it began to work?

Pete looked as delectable as ever. It was a warm day and he wore just a pair of swim shorts. His tanned, muscular body had been the subject of my fantasies for a long time. Now I had a few more images to add to the collection. He was oblivious, as ever.

‘Hi,’ he said. ‘Been anywhere exciting?’

‘Not really. Are you doing anything later?’

‘I’ve got a few chores to finish. Maybe you could come over and we can listen to some music, play some games?’

You have no idea what kind of games I’d like to play with you, I thought, but didn’t say anything. ‘Sounds good.’

‘See you later.’

Back inside the house, I went to my room. I had a project to finish and it was best to get it out of the way. Once I’d done, I felt hungry. Mum and Dad were out for the day, but Mum had left some food in the fridge for me. Good, home-cooked, healthy stuff. I didn’t really fancy it. What I craved was a double quarter pounder with cheese and some fries. The local McDonald’s wasn’t far, so I took my bike.

As soon as I got through the door I knew something was up. Most of the customers in the queue were watching as something kicked off at the counter. A rather large woman was shouting angrily at the girl serving her. ‘You can’t call me fat!’ she fumed.

The girl shrugged. ‘I only pointed out that if you eat that many burgers every day you’re going to get even larger than you are already and that maybe you should go for one of our healthy choices instead. It’s common sense.’

Her co-worker, a lanky youth with protruding ears turned to her. ‘Go for it, Trudy,’ he said admiringly. ‘You know, I’ve always liked you. Will you have sex with me in the store cupboard?’

Trudy grimaced. ‘You’re a good friend, Mike, but I wouldn’t have sex with you if you were the last man on earth.’

The crowd sniggered. The woman snatched up her order and wagged her finger. ‘I’ll tell your manager how rude you were, young lady.’

‘Good. Then I might get the sack and not have to do this horrible job any more.’

Could it be starting already? I quickly paid for my own order and got out of there, resolving to only drink from cans or bottles for the next couple of days, or however long it took for the chemical to be flushed from the system. If I drank any of that water, then dad would find out the truth of what I’d done. I wouldn’t be able to lie my way out of it as I usually did. But then, wouldn’t he realise it must have been me, anyway? Who else would know of his invention? I started to get a headache from the complexity of it all. As I cycled back I couldn’t help but notice the number of heated arguments that were going on in the streets. At the used car sales lot, one of the salesman was scrapping with an obviously irate customer. Dad’s prediction was coming true!

I jumped off my bike on our drive. Mr Rogers, our next door neighbour, was leaning over his white picket fence, shaking a fist at Mr Philips, who lived in the next house to him. ‘Yes, all right, I did steal your hedge trimmer,’ he bellowed. ‘But you stole three inches of my garden when you put up this fence, so now we’re even.’

Mr Philips smirked. ‘More than even, mate. I’ve been screwing your wife every time you go away on a business trip.’

Mr Rogers looked even more furious as he kicked the offending fence and attempted to punch his neighbour. ‘You bastard!’ He then considered the situation for a few moments. ‘Mind you, I only go on those trips so I can sleep with my secretary. So I reckon that evens things up again.’

‘I reckon it does.’ Mr Philips shrugged. The argument rapidly de-escalated as the two neighbours obviously came to the same conclusion that neither were perfect.

‘Fancy going down the pub for a beer later?’ Mr Rogers asked.

‘No thanks. I’ve found a brilliant porn site online. Think I’ll just have a wank to that instead until next time you’re away.’

Mr Rogers laughed, then the two went back inside their houses.

‘Hey, Mark!’

I turned to see Pete beckoning me over. He’d put a shirt on, but he still looked sexy as hell. ‘Yeah?’

‘How long have we known each other now?’

‘About a year.’

‘You’re always looking at me.’

‘Well, er…’ I couldn’t admit how I felt about him.

‘It’s all right. I like it. I look at you, too. I jerk off thinking about your body. Wanna come round and have hot sex?’

Maybe this truth thing wasn’t so bad after all?