Tears for Toby - 5. Chapter 5

Part 5
Reunion
I couldn’t believe it Toby was standing at the front of the coach yelling my name. All eyes in the coach were focused on him and why wouldn’t they be. At nearly fifteen years of age Toby hadn’t lost any of his appeal. He was still on the short side about 5ft 4in but his looks were as striking as ever. With his platinum blonde hair now reaching the top of his shoulders and as slim as ever, in my eyes he was the best looking kid in the world. When I stood to move towards him all eyes turned on me as if asking the question, how could lanky Joe Burton know such an incredibly good looking boy?
Before I had moved a step Toby yelled, “Grab your gear Joey, dad will drop you home later. He then turned to Coach Findlay offering him a mobile phone said something that I couldn’t hear, and Mr Findlay took the phone from Toby. I spent a couple of minutes grabbing my kit and walked down the coach towards Toby, and as I neared him I was just in time to hear the Coach saying, “Goodbye Mrs Burton,” and handing the phone back to Toby.
Coach Findlay turned to me saying, “Your mother says it’s alright for you to go with your friend, his parents will drop you home.”
“Thank you sir,” I said, “See you on Monday.”
Toby had already alighted from the coach and I was in the process of following him off when Coach Findlay said, “Burton”
I turned to look at him and he smiled, “Good game, you played really well.”
“Thanks sir,” and turned to leave the coach when there was a roar of “See you Joey.” From the team and I raised my hand and waved and stepped off the coach.

The moment I was on the pavement I dropped my kit, and there was a pair of arms wrapped around me and squeezing me tight.
“Oh God Joey, it’s so good to see you again,” Toby was saying as he hugged me, “you don’t know how much I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too Toby,” and pulling away a little from his hug and looking into his eyes which were little watery and seemed on the point overflowing, “I’ve been aching to see you and was hoping that something like this would happen, but how did you know I was on the team I didn’t see you at the match?”
Toby smiled, “Keith Buckle saw you and mentioned your name to me. I had to run around like a lunatic to get here in time to stop the coach to get you off.
“How did you get my phone number to talk to my mother?”
Toby smiled, “Mum sorted it out she phoned your school secretary and explained about you and me and she gave us your address and phone number, and she then got in touch with you mother and hear we are.”
I was about to respond when I saw Toby’s mother bearing down on us, I picked up my gear, smiled and walked to meet her and before I knew it and could say a word I was engulfed by her arms wrapping around me. She squeezed me to her bosom then kissing me on the cheek said,
“Joey, how good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you too Mrs Greening and thanks for sorting things out.”
“Don’t thank me if I hadn’t I’d have had someone moping around the house for the next two years,” then addressing Toby said,
“Grab Joey’s kit and let’s get to the car I’m sure he must be a little tired after the match.
Toby grabbed my kit from my arms then with me in tow followed his mother to where she had the car parked.
Reaching it Toby dumped my kit in the boot then jumped in the back seat with me, “Buckle up you two,” Toby’s mum exclaimed and took off for their home.
Before we had even gone a hundred yards Toby was sliding his hand over towards me and grabbing mine then leaning over kissed me on the cheek. I’m not sure if his mother saw the kiss but if she did she didn’t say a word. I looked over at Toby and smiled, and gave his hand a squeeze in approval of his actions.
I knew the way to Toby’s house and was surprised when his mother swung off the road that led to his house and started heading into the shopping area. She pulled into Tesco’s car park saying, “She had to get a few groceries,” and with us tagging along we were soon galloping down aisles picking up items and tossing them into the trolley. Within fifteen minutes we’d picked everything up that we needed, paid for them, loaded them into the car and were headed back to the Greening home.
Five minutes later we arrived at Toby’s house and we all trooped into the kitchen carrying the groceries and my football kit except for the boots which were left in the car. While his mother tossed my football kit into the washing machine, Toby went straight to the fridge and with a smile on his face poured out two glasses of cranberry juice handing me one.
We looked at each other then raised our glasses said, “Cheers,” and downed the drinks in one gulp.
Toby took the glasses dumped them in the sink then grabbing my hand pulled me out of the kitchen calling to his mother over his shoulder, “We’re going up to my room mum, we’ll be down when dad gets home from work,” and we were out of the kitchen and climbing the stairs to his room. Toby’s mother said something in response but it was lost as Toby clambered up the stairs yelling, “Come on Joey.”

His room was the same as I remembered; the only difference were the walls they were now painted a pale blue, the last time I saw them they were cream. I looked around the room and saw various posters of boy film stars and then on his bedside table was quite a large framed photo of Toby and myself in our last term at Oak Grove Junior school. I remembered the photo as I had one as well but mine was of the whole class.
“How did you get this done Toby?” I asked picking up the photo, “and can you get a copy done for me?”
He took the photo out of my hand saying, “I took the original photo to a photographic studio and got the man there to make a print of just you and me excluding the rest of the class, I’ll get him to make a copy for you,” and placed it back on the bedside table.
Turning me around so that the back of my legs were resting against the bed he pushed sending me sprawling onto my back on the bed. He dropped down on top of me and just lay looking into my eyes. I had never in all my life felt so nervous and at the same time so excited as I did with Toby lying on top of me. His face hovered inches from mine with his blonde hair falling over his face and brushing against mine. For once I didn’t hold back and lifted my arms and wrapped them around Toby, and as I did for some unknown reason the tears poured out of the corner of my eyes.
Toby smiled and lowered his face and kissed me on the lips then moved his head to rest it on my shoulder. I felt his lips against my ear as he whispered, “Oh God Joey you don’t know how I’ve longed for this to happen.”

I have never had feelings like this course through my body before. It was like every nerve-end was alive and sending waves of pleasure to every part of my body. Giving in to my feelings I squeezed Toby into me then rolled him over so that I was now lying on top of him. I know that I am considered a timid person actually more than just timid. But with my feelings running riot inside of me, and the memory of the earlier kiss I seemed to overcome my shyness. I placed my hands behind Toby’s head, then running my hands through his hair grabbed fistfuls of those platinum locks. I lowered my face and found Toby’s lips with mine, but not content with that, and feeling brave I eased my tongue between his lips. Toby reciprocated opening his mouth to let our tongues unite and caress each other. As we revelled in the kiss it was then that I knew that Toby and I were one, and meant for each other.
After the kiss we just lay on the bed our arms and legs entwined content in the contact of our bodies. It was all we needed at the moment to savour each others company after two years of being apart.

We heard Toby’s mother call that his father was home from work we got up straightened our clothing and went downstairs.
We walked into the sitting room to be greeted by Toby’s dad, he came over to me and gave me a big hug saying, “Joey so good to see you again, and I’ve never seen Toby look happier,” then looking over to Toby asked? “Is Joey going back tonight or is he staying over?”
“He’s staying over dad,” Toby said, “but he has to phone home to let his parents know.”
Turning to me Mr Greening said, “You’d better talk to your parents Joey and let them know your plans then we can sit down to a meal.
I took my mobile phone out and phoned the house landline number and before it had given two rings it was answered.
I heard Paul answer on the other end and said, “Paul can you ask mum to come to the phone.”
“I’m at Toby’s house, now go get mum.”
“We won 5-0 now will you get mum otherwise you’ll get it from me when I get home.”
I heard Paul yelling for my mother and seconds later heard her answer the phone. I asked her if it was okay I’d spend the night at Toby’s and return tomorrow. Mum was agreeable but said not to return before noon as they were going out to do the grocery shopping. Also they had to buy Paul some new school clothes as he was beginning to grow out of his school uniform. Then they had to take my baby sister to get her shots. I told her I’d be back around 1.00pm and I’d see them all tomorrow, I made my goodbyes and hung up.