Turbulence - 6. Chapter 6

The routine was broken Tuesday night when Daniel received a phone call from Arlo, who shared the news of finally being paired with a senior. But even Arlo brimming with enthusiasm could not bring Daniel out of his funk. He disappeared into his bedroom to conduct the conversation in private and returned some time later to lie back down on the couch.

Heather Murrell contemplated what to do with her son before putting him on the road to camp for two weeks. He broke into her thoughts to announce that Arlo would be stopping by the next morning. The silence drew out for half an hour until Heather asked if he had heard from Mandy. Taking that as an intrusion into his love life, Daniel chose not to reply. She returned to her book and Daniel rolled off the couch and went back to his room. She heard the murmur of conversation and the abrupt increase in volume that allowed fragments to reach her.

"I don't want to talk about it!"

Heather tried to stay focused on her book.

"Why me?"

She turned back a page when she realized the content of the story had not registered.

"Guys just don't talk about it."

Heather gave up completely on her reading for the moment.

"You're going to owe me big time Mandy." The anger left his voice and some humor returned. "Yeah, something like that." The conversation ended with a sharp "God no!"

She returned to her book just before he came back to sit on the couch. Then she gave him some time before asking "How is Mandy?"

"Fine" was all she could get out of him. Moments later he got up and announced he was taking a shower.

Heather smiled as he stamped out of the room.

Daniel let the jets of hot water release the tension built up from the two previous phone calls. Mandy's promised kiss helped a lot too, but in some ways it pained him to realize how much that girl had him totally whipped. It's not fair--she isn't even my girl friend. Her offer to come over and help him prepare Arlo for the next Freshie Party left him in a state of panic. Daniel shifted his thoughts and put his masturbation on auto-pilot while he considered how he would deal with Arlo in the morning. He kept thinking about it as he watched TV late into the night.

Arlo and Daniel
Wednesday morning, June 16th

Arlo showed up early in the morning and woke Daniel from his slumber. Daniel stared at him through bleary eyes while Arlo poured out his excitement and anxiety. Daniel headed towards the kitchen for some juice while Arlo probed his friend for advice.

"Some people say the party was brutal and some say it was the best party they ever went to. . . so which is it?"

"I suppose it depends on who you were. . . I know I didn't have any fun." Daniel was not happy with the direction this conversation had taken.

"Chris said his senior never told him anything. He just kept hitting him all the time. . . Did you know he's mad at you?"

This was news to Daniel, but it really didn't surprise him.

Arlo continued. "I'm going to see my senior tonight and he said he would take me to the next party. . . Are you going?"

"Probably. Do you know what to expect?"

"No. That's why Mandy said I should talk to you. So I don't get the shit beaten out of me."

"Arlo. . . the truth is. . . you could do everything right and still get the shit beaten out of you."

"Mandy thinks your senior got you ready or something. Can't you help me do the same?" Arlo was pleading with his eyes.

Daniel took a pull from the orange juice bottle and looked his friend squarely in the eyes.

"I don't want to do that shit with you. . . some of it's real gay."

Daniel's latest slave boy fantasy resurfaced with all the pungency of a rancid fart. It seemed to have attached itself to him and he could not shake the boy's musky smell and salty lips from his memory. It was all there in his mind pulsing with the heavy beat of the party music: a boy's hard erection against his belly, the taste of Chris's spewed cum across his lips, and the orgasm drawn out of him by the anonymous senior girl. It had all melded together now.

"Like what? I know, why don't you just pretend you're one of the seniors at the party."

Daniel didn't like being pressured into this--he was growing agitated by Arlo's odd interest in replaying his humiliating night.

"Which one? The one who grabbed my hair or the one who wanted me to suck Chris's cock?" Daniel opened the refrigerator and put the juice away.

"Yeah, I heard about that. Mandy said it was happening to a lot of freshies. She said she even had to kiss a girl's breast at the party. Man I'd pay good money to see that!"

Man! Daniel thought, I would too! He pulled an image of Amber embracing Mandy out of the vault and then quickly stowed it away for future reference. Good shower material. He had witnessed so many things at his first high school party, there was no shortage of sexual fantasies at his finger tips. Sometimes he pretended he was a freshie and sometimes he was a senior like Troy. But wasn't there a difference between whacking off in the shower over some trippy dream. . . and actually doing it?

"It's all free and all you have to do is whatever crap they tell you to do. Do you have any idea what your senior is like?"

"Well we didn't talk much. He sounded okay I guess. He said we would have fun together this year." Arlo sounded very hopeful. "So. . . does it really get gay? You think they might ask me to. . . like do sex stuff with other guys?"

"Oh the gayest. Well, there is other stuff too. I mean I kissed a lot of girls. . . That was good." Daniel decided to push a little harder to convince Arlo to back off. "You really want me to act like a senior and show you?"

"Yes!" Arlo bit his lip and the scattering of pimples along his chin became redder.

Looks like good ole Mandy will have to make good on that kiss after all. "You have to do everything I tell you. . . or you get punished."

Arlo considered this for a moment. "How does your senior punish you?"

Daniel paused, trying to decide if he really wanted to take things that far. "He spanks me on the ass."

"No shit? Well I guess that's better than a black eye. Chris is in rough shape. . . have you seen him?" When Daniel did not respond, Arlo finally said "Okay, let's do it."

Daniel thought about what Denver would have done. "Okay these are the ground rules. You don't say or do anything I don't tell you to do. It's kind of truth or dare. If you don't want to do it, you get punished. If you want me to stop, say time out."

"Time out. . . okay, I got it."

"Take all your clothes off." Daniel looked in the fridge for something to eat, while trying to suppress the unexpected thrill he felt.

"What?" Arlo already seemed confused.

Daniel took Arlo's hesitation as a good sign, and after squashing an odd whisper of disappointment, he turned around. "See! You don't want to take it seriously. Let's play a videogame instead."

Arlo shook his head. "No, wait! If I can't do it now I'll get murdered at the party."

While Daniel made some toast, Arlo undressed; he stood there naked and shrugged at his best friend. They had both taken a giant step away from huddling over a computer sniggering at Flash cartoons of red-neck farts. Arlo walked over and snatched a piece of toast; Daniel glared at him.

"Did I tell you to do that?"

Arlo shook his head. Daniel reached behind him and slapped his bare ass once. Arlo jumped forward and dropped the toast.

"Do you remember what happened at the picture-taking? You have to say 'thank you master' too."

"Ah, thank you master. Now what?"

Daniel slapped him again.

"Time out! What was that for?"

"You talked. See how hard it is to do the right thing? And you ruined my toast so you might as well finish it."

Daniel vividly recalled the party and the frustrations of trying to figure out what he was supposed to do. He continued with the lesson, turning his buddy into a little robot for awhile, asking him to do things around the house or get him things while he remained seated in the living room. They giggled together to ease the tension. Arlo picked up on the slave routine rather quickly.

"Yeah, well what happens now?"

Daniel noticed Arlo's cock had grown bigger. He was running out of ideas so he procrastinated a bit, stealing a few more glances. He pointed to the front door.

"I want you to go out into the hallway right now."

"No Daniel! Don't make me do that!"

Daniel threw his hands up in the air; he found his mind wandering into a dark fantasy world. He felt they might be making a big mistake, but he couldn't suppress the power Arlo had handed him. He felt himself becoming aroused.

"You wanna quit?"

Arlo shook his head vigorously.

"Are you sure?"

Arlo smiled and nodded his head like a little schoolboy.

"Then lie down freshie."

Once Arlo made it onto the floor, Daniel whirled around him and sat down hard on his butt. His naked friend felt warm beneath him. Daniel placed a hand on Arlo's smooth back. A tightening in Daniel's stomach betrayed the excitement he felt. His heart pounded loudly in his ears. Daniel felt his cock harden as Arlo's muscles flexed beneath his calves. The moment became surreal. . . Daniel reverted to a childhood prank. He gripped his friend on the sides and dug in.

"Ahhh, that tickles!" Arlo responded involuntarily like a bucking bronco, discarding his friend like a rag doll.

Daniel picked himself up and returned to the couch, reaching down to give himself a much needed adjustment.

"Come here freshie!" he commanded.

Arlo came over to him and stood beside him. Daniel grasped his friend's elbow and pulled him down across his lap. Daniel found his mind wandering to Denver as he held Arlo down and spanked him seven or eight times. Arlo's butt turned a crimson red. Daniel left him bent over his lap while he thought about what to do next. He felt Arlo's partially erect penis against his own naked leg where his shorts had lifted. His own cock was raging.

Things are definitely getting way too gay here. Daniel remembered something and gave Arlo another slap. "What did you forget to say?"

"Oh! Sorry I forgot, thank you master," Arlo responded.

Daniel paused to think. He looked down at the smooth back bent across his lap; his eyes drifted across Arlo's ass cheeks. Arlo was breathing audibly, but seemed to be simply waiting for Daniel to continue. Daniel had to admit Denver never actually did anything like this to him. Even at the Freshie Party nobody had gotten completely naked. Daniel suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"Go to my bedroom and sit on the bed."

Arlo did as he was told. After a minute Daniel followed him in. Arlo sat waiting, his legs slightly apart to leave his balls resting on the comforter. Daniel started pacing up and down in front of Arlo. He was conscious of Arlo's eyes following him. He stopped and turned on him.

"I don't want to do this anymore Arlo. . . It's getting too weird now."

"Please. . . more. You did it, didn't you?"

Daniel resumed pacing anxiously up and down his room while Arlo slouched back on his elbows and waited.

"Have you seen your senior naked?" Arlo asked.

"Sure, well. . ." Daniel stopped himself and turned his attention back to his best friend. "What?"

"That guy. . . your senior. . . have you seen him naked?" Arlo lifted a leg up onto the bed and and his heavy cock fell across his thigh as he waited for a response. "So are you gonna tell me?"

Daniel blushed. "Jesus Arlo!"

"Come on. . . give over. . . be honest with me."

"Well, I guess I did once."

"Shit Danny, what did you two do?"

"Nothing really. I guess he just wanted me to feel less embarrassed about taking my clothes off. . . and being naked with him."

Funny thing how Daniel had not thought about it before. But as soon as Arlo asked the question, the answer became clear to him.

"So maybe you should be naked too." Arlo bit his lip.

"Huh?"

"Fair turn around Dan, you should take your clothes off too, like you did with your senior."

Well, thought Daniel, it was not like he and Arlo had never been naked together before. It had never been that big a deal to either of them. Daniel shrugged and pulled his t-shirt off. He tried to keep his perspective--they were just friends trying to handle being in grade nine.

Arlo gestured for Daniel to come closer. "Let me be your freshie." He pulled Daniel's pants down freeing his penis and then bent forward to take it between his fingers. "Did he make you touch it? God, It must've been huge. I remember how tall he was when he picked you up at school."

Daniel watched as Arlo explored the shape and feel of his cock. It had grown hard as soon as his friend had pressed the side of his finger into the soft hollow at the base of his shaft. His scrotum tingled as it shrank tight. A single tear glistened at the mouth of his cock. Arlo's thumb caught it and spread it around causing Daniel to flinch.

"Is he circumcised like you or is he like me?" Arlo let go of Daniel suddenly and peered down at his own erect cock. "Look. . . see, when I get a boner the foreskin pulls back and I look just like you."

Arlo glanced up at Daniel's face as his hand returned to his friend's cock. He began to pull the tight skin up and down slowly, kneading the tender shaft like he was milking a cow. Daniel shook his head slightly as if to tell Arlo to stop, but then he froze. Arlo had kissed his cock, then worked Daniel's crown into his mouth. This was not what Daniel had planned at all. They had been friends for almost three years and this was the first time either of them had ever touched the other. Arlo put his hands on Daniel's hips and began sucking in earnest. Daniel responded to his wet mouth and raking teeth. He felt a growing urge to cum. This was really wrong. Daniel pushed Arlo back onto the bed, unwilling to let his best friend finish the blow-job. Arlo rested on the bed and looked back at him. Daniel lay down beside him while he tried to understand what was going on.

"I never touched Denver. We didn't do that kind of stuff. Except for Chris I never touched anyone down there. . . just kissed mostly."

Arlo leaned across and suddenly kissed Daniel. When their lips joined Arlo rolled until he was on top. Daniel gave himself up to the curiosity of his newest kiss. Arlo put a lot of passion into it but Daniel concluded the boy in the underwear at the party had been more exciting. Daniel could feel his slick cock slide across Arlo's belly and the shared heat as their crotches were momentarily pressed together. When he pushed Arlo off, the boy lay beside him silently. Daniel discovered something new and disturbing about these experiences: he liked kissing some boys more than others. He glanced down at Arlo's ridged member and then back at his face. Things were never going to be the same between them.

"More" Arlo whispered. "You touch me this time."

Daniel gripped onto his friend's ridged member. He brushed a finger trail down to the swollen globes bulging between Arlo's smooth thighs. Arlo gasped as his friend stroked his shaft. Suddenly, the feeling became too strong for Arlo and he ejaculated a single stream of cum across his soft stomach and chest.

"Now did I tell you you could do that?"

Arlo shook his head.

Daniel touched the translucent fluid with fascination, wondering if it would be a third new flavor. . . or if it tasted like Chris's or even his own. Arlo never moved as Daniel found a tissue and mopped up the spill.

"Thank you master."

"I don't think you are supposed to shoot your load unless I say so. Do you understand?"

Arlo agreed that he did. "Are you gonna spank me again?"

Daniel surveyed his friend with interest. Arlo was half a year older than him and Daniel envied his dark body hair. The hair on his calves was noticeable now and there was a rich halo covering his balls. Daniel thought Arlo's uncircumcised cock seemed bigger and more mature than his. The hair along Arlo's chin showed the beginnings of a beard. He realized Arlo was watching him and turned away.

Daniel got up and walked to the door, conscious of his erection and the urge to cum. His heart was pounding. He turned back and told Arlo to get up and follow him back to the living room. Daniel grabbed two cokes and the remote and sat down on the couch again. He gestured to Arlo and the boy sat down next to him. For half an hour they remained in that position with Daniel occasionally glancing down at Arlo's erection as it came and went. He didn't move when Arlo tentatively reached over to take his cock into a damp hand. Daniel's cock responded to the pressure of Arlo's message. Arlo tried to suck his friend's cock a second time. Daniel closed his eyes and thought about the grimy cement floor, rancid and sticky from spilt beer. He thought about the heavy aroma of Chris's body and Denver's muscular frame. He pulled his cock away from Arlo's busy mouth unwilling to be a part of this. His glistening cock ached and quivered a few centimeters from his friend's nose. Arlo reached out to grasp it and guide the swollen head back into his mouth. It was too much. Daniel convulsed and his shaft almost burned as he sent a quick succession of shots into Arlo's mouth.

Arlo slipped silently down on the floor. Daniel puzzled through his feelings. This had not been as intense as sex with Amber. It had not even been as satisfying as the lazy summer morning jack-off the day after being asked to touch the boys at the party. Why, he wondered. This had been a good release, but nothing more.

Daniel looked down at Arlo sadly and commented, "We're only fourteen. . . I'm making you do this shit and it hasn't even been a week since school got out. How the fuck'r we supposed to survive till next June, Arlo?"

Arlo shook his head mutely.

"You okay?"

Arlo seemed upset. "I need to go to the can."

"Sure."

While Arlo went to the bathroom Daniel cleaned up a bit. He went into the bathroom and found Arlo sitting on the toilet seat looking dejectedly at the shower. Daniel felt like something needed to be done so he suggested "my turn." He led Arlo back to the bed and stretched him out. Daniel very slowly coaxed his friend into a final erection. He thought about Chris's cum on his lips and the fact that he had never actually put his mouth on Chris's cock. Arlo was his friend and Daniel had never imagined him in this way before. How does he really feel about this? He looked at Arlo's anxious face and realized that the boy's body no longer turned him on. Arlo was just Arlo--his best friend. He knew he needed to restore the balance between them. They needed to be equal again.

Liquid dripped down the tip of Arlo's organ as Daniel brought his mouth in close. He smelled the same male perfume he had noticed on Chris. When he paused close enough to warm Arlo's exposed glans with his breath he wondered if, like Chris, Arlo would ejaculate before he was able to wrap his lips around the expanse of his head. The cock felt large between his teeth. Arlo had raked his skin painfully and Daniel tried to avoid that. He realized he could only take in half of Arlo's cock comfortably. When Arlo tried to force more of himself in, Daniel had to wrap a fist around his friend's quivering member and hold it back. He pulled off for a moment to reconsider how to accomplish the task at hand. When he went back down onto the thick organ he tried different things to enhance the experience, like playing with the tad-pole mouth and nibbling the tight foreskin. He thought about Denver and Mark briefly as his tongue pleasured his friend.

Arlo's balls had drawn up tightly against the base of his shaft and his veiny cock was rock-hard. Daniel eased off a little to bring Arlo down and give his tongue a rest, then he went back to work on his shaft while his fingers messaged Arlo's scrotum. He was not really thinking of Arlo. His mind had drifted to the cock poking through the boy's underwear and the passionate kiss they had shared.

"Oh God Daniel I'm going to cum. Let me cum."

Daniel took the shaft in as deeply as he could then sucked as he pulled back out to the head. Arlo groaned and ejaculated onto his tongue. Daniel pulled off immediately, swallowing the thin spoonful. He massaged and squeezed the last drops from Arlo's shaft while Arlo shuddered occasionally beneath him. Finished, Daniel lay next to his friend and muttered, "A thrill's a thrill. . . even in paradise"

"Like the song."

Daniel propped himself up to look at his friend.

"What?"

"Long John Baldry. It's one of my Dad's favorites. . . I kinda like it."

Daniel looked at him in surprise. "Let's go download it."

Arlo let Daniel search for it and then stood behind him with a hand on his shoulder as they listened to it. Daniel thought it was a strange song. It made him uncomfortable. It made him wonder about Arlo's father.

After they had listened to the song Arlo asked Daniel "are we gay?"

"No, we're pathetic freshies. I don't know anymore. Let's make a deal that we don't ask that question until next year. It's either a thrill or we're just trying not to get beat up."

"Did anyone get... you know... cornholed?"

"Jesus Christ Arlo, no." Daniel stood up and Arlo followed him over to the couch. "Well, actually Denver said it might happen. I think he got it up the end when he was a freshie." Daniel regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. Mentioning a confidence like that seemed a violation of his new friendship with Denver. It came to him that one did not talk about such personal things with other people. He might tell Arlo he had slept with a girl, but Arlo did not need to know Amber's name; just like this morning had to be something private between the two friends.

"I bet that feels bad. You know? Getting stretched out like that?"

Arlo rolled his cock lightly as he sat there considering it. Daniel pulled his legs up onto the couch and turned slightly away from Arlo.

"Yeh, I bet it's uncomfortable. I think it must burn a lot and if the cock was big it might poke through something inside."

"It doesn't burn if you use vegitable oil." Daniel missed the implication of Arlo's reply as he thought about Mark and Denver together.

"Who would want to feel that anyway? Something sticking up inside of you."

"Girls like it."

"Yes, but they are made to stretch like that." The thought of Amber excited Daniel. She had been so soft and warm. It sent a shiver up Daniel's spine. "And some cocks are pretty big."

"I don't know Danny, some of my shits are pretty big too."

That set both boys to giggling and the aura of sexual tension eased. They teased each other and compared log stories. That led to farting and they broke down into hysterical laughter. Arlo won the contest for plugging the toilet the most and his shits became mythical in proportion. This is better, Daniel reflected as they sat together. He liked to laugh and joke with Arlo. The sex was a little too serious. Daniel was feeling overwhelmed by the series of events--his loss of virginity, the tension with Denver, the horrible time with Chris, and now Arlo.

It's all supposed to be fun, isn't it?

They hung out for a bit playing videogames. Daniel tried to move them back to the easy friendship they had shared for so many years. It seemed at times as they played that Arlo wanted to return to their exploration but Daniel discouraged it. Arlo finally decided to leave--he had a new perspective on the evening ahead and he wanted time to think about it.

At the door he turned suddenly to say "Don't take this the wrong way Daniel, but you give great blow-jobs. Kinda like when you're at school, it's always gotta be an A+ with you. . ."

"Well, thanks for the good report card."

Arlo looked him in the eyes. "We'll just keep this between us. . . okay?"

"My lips are sealed."

The Brass Lantern
Wednesday evening

Karl and Denver worked together without much conversation. Over the years they had divided up the duties. Lunch was Karl's busy time and he needed help. The rest of the day he handled things by himself. Evenings were slow until a theatre crowd showed up at 11:00 pm. At 6:30 Denver was building an order by himself while Karl pecked away at his computer in the back room settling accounts.

"Denver. . . come here when you're done with that."

Denver finished the chef salads with a few artistic touches and sent them to the table. He cleaned up before joining Karl. He sat and waited for Karl to share what was on his mind.

"I think maybe we should let Eddie go. I was wrong about him."

Karl had been talking to Denver like this since he was fifteen. Denver knew the man wasn't asking for advice, he just wanted someone to bounce ideas off. Occasionally Denver would offer an opinion. . . like in this instance.

"No, he's going to be fine. What's eating you about him?" Denver thought Eddie's accent and music added something worthwhile to the ambiance of the Brass Lantern.

"He looks like he's a refugee from the streets and he still smells like a dumpster."

Denver shrugged. Eddie was a refugee from the streets and he smelled bad because he hadn't made enough money to replace his clothes.

"So help him get into the YMCA where he can wash up more often. I thought you liked having someone older than you hanging around." Eddie had snow white dread-locks and looked older than he probably was. "Don't you like the in-house entertainment? He's starting to draw a crowd."

Eddie sang obscure songs with a Reggae flavor when the mood struck him. And just like the computers and wi-fi they had installed, the homeless man had begun to draw a small following. Denver thought it would be too bad when the Rastaman eventually keeled over from old age or lung cancer.

"Ya, I keep him and you and he smoke the ganja out back."

This was true, but not the reason Denver wanted to keep Eddie, so he didn't comment.

"Maybe I should let him sleep here as night watchman and he can use the money to clean up." Denver knew a decision had been made and went back to the kitchen. There were no orders so he went out to the front to give Eddie a break. He told Eddie that Karl wanted to see him.

Denver surveyed the room. The Brass Lantern was never busy at supper. Families went in for fast food and the menu was finer elsewhere. Even so it seemed that half the tables were full. Denver kept himself busy; he was closing the till when Daniel came in the door. The boy's smile was infectious and Denver remembered why he had been drawn to him. Daniel had changed into a brightly colored shirt and jeans before walking the six blocks from his apartment. He stood by the register watching Denver work the room. Denver cleared a table and Daniel followed him back into the kitchen. Daniel started washing the dishes. Denver didn't comment except to come over with an apron. He put it on the boy while he washed.

"Don't go out front with that on."

Daniel noticed the seedy old black man coming out of the work room. The old man paused to look at the well dressed kid in the huge apron. Karl's voice drifted out of the room behind him.

"That's Daniel, Eddie."

Eddie responded in a dreamy voice "eh mon. Mi a go a door."

Daniel continued with his dishes, glancing over his shoulder at the homeless man as he exited out the rear door. Karl passed through the kitchen a few moments later and the three quickly fell into their routine.

Denver realized Daniel needed to hang out with him for a particular reason, so when the moment presented itself he asked the boy if he needed to talk. But Daniel shook his head so Denver didn't worry about it. When Daniel finished with the dishes he removed his apron and bussed tables. Things slowed down after 8:00 pm, so he curled up on the couch with his shoes off and played a game on his hand-held. When a large party arrived and eyed the sofas in the corner, Karl grunted his approval as Daniel discretely slipped his gameboy into his baggy pants and headed back into the kitchen. Half an hour later, Eddie returned through the back door with a variety of bags and a battered guitar case. Daniel helped him carry the odd piles out of a shopping cart and into the work room. They stuffed them into a corner and Eddie felt the urge to perform.

Daniel busied himself with the dishes until Karl asked him for some assistance in the storeroom. Karl gestured around the dusty pantry, which was devoid of any windows.

"We got to clean this out for Eddie." he said.

Daniel surveyed the space full of junk and waited for the man to issue an order.

"I give you something; you put it where I say."

Except for the interruption of a phone call from his mom, the two worked steadily for a half hour. Karl would hand him an item and say, "shelf", "garbage", or "office". Most of it was garbage and Daniel hauled it out back.

Daniel's mother appeared unexpectedly fifteen minutes later, drawn down to the restaurant by her son's cryptic comment "I think we're making a room for Eddie - I gotta go." She surveyed the progress then decided to help. Daniel wasn't too happy about having her intrude on his new world. But he reflected philosophically that it would mean she wouldn't expect him to come home right away. When they finished clearing out the space Karl sat down heavily on a box and told him to take a break while he thought for a minute. Daniel decided to help Denver in the kitchen. He heard Karl and his mother discussing beds as he walked away.

Daniel's mom made a few phone calls from the work room and lined up an old futon. While they waited for it they washed down the room.

Heather was having a good time. There was something about the old restaurant and its anti-Santa Claus owner that conveyed a sense of peace. She decided to stay until her friend arrived in the back alley with the futon and some sheets. Her friend stayed long enough to see everything put to rights, then after giving Heather a hug she left. Karl told her it was enough and offered her some tea. The restaurant was full when she carried her tea out. It had been sleepy and quiet when she arrived. The black waiter was gliding around the room. She watched Daniel in his new role of bus boy slipping in and out of the room. Less than a week and I see a whole new side to him, she reflected. She knew that this was his world and she needed to keep her distance. She watched Denver go over to Daniel and quietly give him some instructions. Daniel smiled and nodded. She saw the trust and affection in her son's eyes. She watched Denver for a moment playing the role of father-brother-mentor or whatever he was to Daniel. She thought him young. He's only about a decade younger than me. It seemed a pity. Perhaps that was a thought she should put away. She had felt older than she was when she was his age too. Daniel was all consuming when she was in grade twelve and she had no time for handsome young men like him. Daniel had been her Grad date for heavens sake. It seemed things would be okay between them. The black waiter with the dread-locks took an old guitar to the side of the room and Heather realized a number of people were moving their chairs in anticipation of something. Eddie surprised her with the depth of his music. His voice must have faded from its former strength and the years on the streets, but his fingers were still strong and the unfamiliar melodies became woven into the charms of the simple restaurant. Eventually the old man had the attention of the house and he managed to hold it for about 45 minutes. He quit without any warning and dreamily put the instrument aside. Heather decided this was the right time to leave. Late as it was, Daniel was still wrapped up in his work, so she got Denver to promise he would take her son home.

Daniel didn't notice her slip away.

Denver watched Daniel's mom leave quietly out the front door with a glance back at her son pouring coffee at a table. Daniel got his looks from her. She seemed very young to Denver. After work, Denver walked Daniel through the quiet streets back to his apartment. They sat for a minute near the front door to talk and Denver couldn't resist asking Daniel a few questions about his mom. "How old is your mom?"

"I don't know. . . but she says I can still trust her `cause she's not over thirty." That's when Daniel realized he didn't know much about his mother at all. She had always seemed old to him. "I think I was ten when she finished university."

Denver did not speak. She's even younger than I thought.

Daniel changed the subject on him. "I'm leaving for camp on Sunday." Daniel didn't know how to tell Denver he would miss him. It seemed a little gay to ask him to write to him while he was away.

Denver made things easy. "Come on back to the restaurant anytime you want. Give me your address and I'll send you a post card."

Daniel felt good about that. After his morning with Arlo, Daniel had felt a need to be near his senior. Part of him wanted to share his confusion with the older boy. Denver might understand--but that stopped him too. Denver might tell Daniel he was already gay and Daniel could not handle that. He tried to reassure himself, It was just me and Arlo being freshies. . . well maybe that and a little curiosity too. Daniel knew he was attracted to Mandy and he was pretty sure he did not feel anything for Arlo. Just friends. Then Daniel groaned, Oh God, it's all getting so gay! Daniel was torn between his dread of the next party and his growing need to be around Denver and understand these new and forbidden feelings.

"What about next Saturday?" he asked.

"Saturday will happen. Amber and Amanda promised to help me get you ready. It's gonna be a Rocky Horror Picture Show."

"Rocky Horror Picture Show?"

"Yeah."

I'll have to look that up on the computer, thought Daniel. He got up and closed in on Denver; a hug hung in the air between them. Daniel turned and walked toward the door. Denver followed the boy's steps with his eyes.

Daniel turned back suddenly and said "'A thrill's a thrill. . . Long John Baldry. . . I get it now Denver." He smiled brightly at his senior, then turned back to the apartment door with a quicker step.

Denver watched the boy disappear into the building, then whispered ". . .even in paradise."

High School Freshie Initiation
Riverside Journal, June 16th

. . . David M. Campbell, Jr., 14, was tarred and made to stand on a truck bed in his shorts as the truck whizzed away. He was one of four boys involved. According to Gail Farber, a neighbor who witnessed the initiation from her front porch, David's hair was cut, he was pelted with stones and forced to eat rotten eggs. One of the other boys, 14-year-old Todd Depino, was paddled so hard and often that he was hospitalized with skin lesions. But he refused to turn in the hazers. . . Another youth suffered a similar hazing brutality. . .

No Regrets
Thursday June 17th

Daniel started packing on Thursday. He had contacted some of his mates from the camp to cross-reference their supply lists. Daniel had been drawn into an equipment competition the past two years; he spent weeks calculating the merits of each item he would bring. The serious outdoorsman operated on a few important principles: first and foremost, minimalism ruled; then small and lightweight; then high tech disguised as low tech; then strict functionality. Generally speaking, the smallest load gained the highest points. The number of items didn't matter as long as they could be retrieved quickly. Daniel planned to show up with a very small, highly organized bag. The only new expensive item he had bought was his sleeping bag; it was thin and he had been promised that he wouldn't sacrifice too much warmth for the smaller size and weight. He thought it would give him an edge over his friends in the competition.

Daniel carefully set each item out on his bed. Redundancy was sometimes important--he included his grandfather's fifteen centimeter German blade along with a small Swiss Army knife as back-up. Two outfits--a fleece and his anorak--were all he needed. His only concession to comfort was the old pillow he planned on taking. Two weeks without a pillow would suck. After some consideration, he decided to take his MP3 player to help pass the time during the long trip. The cellphone on the other hand worried him a little--there was no place for a phone in the woods. He decided he wanted it for the trip and then he could hide it when he got there.

Daniel enjoyed making compact kits. He examined his tiny first aid kit. Each individual had to be able to deal with his own cuts and splinters. Next, he updated the old Daytimer binder he had turned into his correspondence kit; it's worn leather zip-case had the perfect look for a wilderness expedition. Daniel fussed with his notebook, adding pre-stamped envelopes, mechanical pencils, and a little address book he could attach to the binder.

He looked down at the array of belongings carefully placed upon his bed and considered the neat rows. If an item failed to pass the test, the burns from his cabin-mates would last the entire two weeks. He knew from experience that electronic games and large puffy sleeping bags could be cannon fodder. He was completely immersed in the Zen of packing when Arlo phoned. The intrusion annoyed him but Arlo was so upset that Daniel promised to come over later in the afternoon. Daniel wanted to keep his evening free so he could stop by the Brass Lantern. Arlo was not the happiest person most of the time anyway, so Daniel decided to put him out of his mind while he repacked the bag.

----------------------

Arlo met him at the door and hurried them into his room. Daniel realized Arlo was more than stressed.

"Daniel; you have to help me. . . I'm scared. . . I'm bleeding."

Daniel glanced up and down at his friend but didn't get it.

"Where?"

Arlo couldn't bring himself to say; instead he gestured to his crotch and Daniel's stomach sank because he thought he understood.

"Let's go to the bathroom and see."

They slipped into the bathroom while Arlo's mom was busy. Arlo pulled his sweats down and leaned over the counter and Daniel saw the blood stained paper towel Arlo had stuffed between his cheeks.

"Holy Mother of God Arlo! Does it hurt?"

His friend sobbed once. "It burns and I'm scared to crap."

"You gotta tell your mom."

"No way! You have to tell me how bad it is."

Daniel swore under his breath and gingerly removed the paper. He flushed it down the toilet and gently spread Arlo's cheeks apart so that he could see the damage. It didn't look too bad, but he wasn't sure. He gently washed Arlo's anus with a warm wash cloth and looked at it again.

"I don't think it's that bad. There's a little tear I think. Let's put something on it to keep it clean." Daniel glanced at Arlo's face reflected in the vanity mirror. His friend's eyes were squeezed shut and his mouth was a tight line. It was a good thing too because Daniel's face was burning. Daniel dabbed some cream on Arlo and pushed his finger into Arlo a little and his friend whimpered briefly.

"Have you taken a shit yet?" Daniel absently thought of his finger momentarily gripped by Arlo's anus. He had to admit things couldn't get any worse than this.

"Yes. And it really hurt."

"Was there lots of blood?"

"I guess not."

Daniel was convinced they should tell Arlo's parents. No matter how embarrassing it might be for Arlo. This was serious stuff and Daniel was no butt-doctor. He had told Denver he would not stand by while his friends got hurt, yet here he was apparently agreeing to keep silent. He looked around the bathroom and found some Tampax and suggested Arlo use it in case he started bleeding again. Things got a little worse when Arlo hugged him tightly before pulling up his pants. Daniel was at a loss as Arlo pressed into him and then awkwardly patted his friend on the shoulder. It was a relief when Arlo's groin pulled away from his. They returned to Arlo's room and Daniel sat at Arlo's desk chair while his friend lay down on the bed.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Arlo told him the story about how he had been been picked up by his senior, then stopping to pick up a friend. Arlo sat in the backseat trying to be cool, remembering how Daniel had told him how much fun it was to be with Denver and his friends the first time. Quinton picked up his girl friend and then drove the group out of town. They started drinking.

"I thought things were going to be okay and I was getting drunk. It was great you know? This guy had it all--he had a car and beer and a girlfriend. . . I kinda thought I was in like you are."

But when they arrived at the river things got rougher. Quinton basically ignored him and the other boy started making out with him.

"It was a bit like the kissing you told me about at the party. You know, I was just going along with it."

The friend--whose name was Donald--pulled off Arlo's shirt.

"He told me I was good looking," Arlo blushed at Daniel. "You know. . . everyone always says how hot you are Danny. . . I think that was the first time anyone said I was good looking."

Arlo had not been surprised when Donald unbuckled his pants and told the freshie to suck his cock.

"It was what we expected, right?" he begged for reassurance from Daniel.

"Yes," was all Daniel could reply--he knew what was coming.

But before they even got started, Donald changed his mind and encouraged the freshie to get out of the car. They stood behind the car and Donald reassured Arlo with a kiss, then proceded to bend him over the trunk. Before Arlo knew what was happening, Donald entered him with a quick series of thrusts that left him grimacing in pain.

"I mean. . . I did not think it would hurt like that. . . you know Daniel? I thought it would be. . . I don't know. . . like taking a shit or something. That usually doesn't hurt."

The whole ordeal was over quickly and the older boy pulled out. Arlo was dazed. The older boy asked him if he enjoyed it. Arlo mumbled something but he could not remember what it was. After that, Arlo vomited across the back of the car. Donald laughed at that but Quinton became angry and Arlo just stood there shaking while Quinton yelled his disgust. The boys made Arlo use his t-shirt and river water to clean the car off. The boys and Quinton's girl friend drank beer while he cleaned. After that, they left him alone in the back seat for awhile. When they finished their beer they decided to drive back into town. On the way back, they kept telling him to suck it up, that he had performed like a little faggot freshie should. All the way back they made him thank them and beg for more.

"They can't do that can they?" Arlo looked at Daniel with tears in his eyes.

Daniel felt embarrassed.

"I never saw that kind of thing at the Freshie Party. Maybe you need to tell your dad. . . you know, go to the police and complain. But I don't know Arlo if you should do that either. . . Denver said they'll beat you up really bad if you tell anyone."

The word rape flashed into Daniel's mind. But rape was a girl thing to Daniel. Fourteen-year-old boys were too tough to be used that way. Daniel preferred to see it as bullying: big boys picking on small boys; meanspirited games. He placed his hand on Arlo's back and gave him a pat.

"I'm sorry." There wasn't much more Daniel could do. Sitting by the river listening to Denver talk about this kind of thing was bad enough, but Arlo bringing the cold reality home to him was something else.

"Can I tell you something?"

Oh my God, thought Daniel, what more could he possibly wanna tell?

Arlo missed his reaction as he buried his face in the pillow. "I shot a load. . . I mean, while Donald was inside of me."

Arlo risked a glance at Daniel. Daniel rested his forehead on the back of the chair, and then looked back at his best friend. They both were close to tears.

"It doesn't mean anything Arlo. It just happened. . . like with Chris."

"What happened with Chris anyway?"

Daniel regretted his slip.

"It doesn't matter Arlo, let's not talk about that. It doesn't mean you're gay. . . you're okay."

Arlo gave his friend a measured look and then broke eye contact. "Mandy's been trying to call me and I don't want to talk to her." Arlo looked back over at his friend. "Would you call her and tell her I'm all right?"

Daniel knew he didn't want her to know what happened. "Sure, I guess I could do that."

Daniel stayed a little longer and helped Arlo cover with his mom. She was home most of the day and Daniel wondered what it felt like having a parent around. He wondered what having a dad come home in the evenings would be like too. Arlo didn't feel up to doing much, but he did move into the family room and watch Daniel entertain them with a video game. Daniel politely turned down a supper invitation and went home.

Once he made his getaway from Arlo's house, he felt depressed about the whole sequence of events. On the bus ride home, Daniel noticed how jumpy he felt--for the first time in his life, he didn't feel safe.

Strong Currents
Wednesday, June 23rd

Summertime was made for sleeping in. Daniel drifted in and out of sleep until the pressure to pee drove him out of bed. Summer nights were for midnight television and online chats with friends. Sometimes he stayed up until 4:00 or 5:00 am. Summer mornings were for daydreaming in a soft bed. He liked to recall his evening with Amber--it was a solid experience and he felt a satisfaction that nobody could ever take that away from him. He sometimes replayed the images of girls at the Freshie Party. When viewed at a distance, the leather, spandex and chains became more exciting than they had been during the discomfort of the real moment. While the reality had been vomit, sweat, bad breath and awkward self-consciousness, the replay was much more impressive. Lying between the cool sheets, Daniel could dictate his own rewrite.

He dreamed of music pounding out an angry rhythm that made speech impossible. His senior dressed him in a loin cloth like the boy he met at the party--but Daniel's revision came without underwear. His cock would poke out of it as he prowled the seething mass of boys and girls while being tugged occasionally by the leash his senior made him wear. He would be asked periodically to rut with the girls; he liked the memory of the drunken senior sucking his cock at the table, so he usually included her in his fantasy. Occasionally he divided her into two girls--one for kissing and one for blow-jobs. At times his fantasies would drift to the boys. Daniel began thinking of anal sex. He visited some of the web sites to study the pictures. He noticed their faces revealed something. . . he was not sure what it meant exactly. He borrowed his mother's dildo and tried it again. This time he imagined he was Mark with Denver, although he was not sure if they had ever engaged in sex like that. Whatever they did together, it would certainly not be like Arlo's experience. Daniel could not imagine Denver hurting Mark or vice versa. The dildo still hurt and the soap he had used to make it slippery burned for a long time afterward.

Bad choice. . . maybe vegetable oil next time?

He had no control over the dreams at night. When he lay awake in the mornings he reassured himself with fantasies involving girls. He tried to imagine Mandy naked--that did not work well. She always wore a one-piece when they swam together, leaving much of the details to his own imagination. When he looked down at her in his fantasies, she always seemed to blend with his memories of Amanda. The daydreams always seemed to begin with her coming over in the morning, and in the privacy of his room they would silently begin foreplay that would lead into quiet love-making. Daniel liked the idea of quiet touching. The irony was she actually did come over and visit frequently. With Greg out of the picture, Daniel had a clear run at her. . . but he never took the initiative. In his mind, everything had to be done right or he would risk screwing it all up. Did she take him seriously or did she like him because he didn't make a play for her like everyone else did? He thought she was the hottest girl he had ever known. But try as he might, he couldn't think of a line that would be good enough to try on her. The handsome guys in the movies just seemed to do it all without words. There would be this dumb scene the chicks loved to watch. Action swirling all around them and this guy with tears in his eyes would stare at the girl silently, and then she would have trouble breathing and they would kiss. The problem with Daniel was he didn't know how to give that look. When he looked at Mandy he was the one who had trouble breathing and all he could do was give her a stupid smile.

She must think I'm retarded.

-------------------------------

Arlo had freaked Daniel out. He avoided his friend and stayed around the apartment until finally the heat of the afternoon pulled him away. It was a day to be out and Daniel headed in the direction of the pool. Camp was getting closer and he was feeling tired of the city crowds, so when he saw how frantic the pool looked he turned his back on the mass of screaming children and headed down toward the river.

After a lazy morning it felt good to follow the familiar path. The river was still swollen with the echo of winter snows and the heavy rains upstream. He paused along the path and sat on a bench to watch the silent flow. Occasionally a ripple would disturb the surface hinting at the strength of the current. It was not really safe to swim in the river--definitely not recommended. Daniel contemplated the sheet of water and immersed himself in deep thoughts about his canoeing adventures.

"What's up pretty boy?"

"Jesus Simon! What do you want?"

Daniel turned his gaze to the scrawny blond balancing on a battered mountain bike. Simon stood on the pedals shifting his weight as he held the bike up. He finally gave up the effort and sat with his foot on the bench.

"Where's your senior?" Daniel sassed.

"Where's yours?"

Simon usually reserved his smart ass comments for other classmates and left Daniel alone. Daniel pretty much returned the favore, so this sarcastic exchange was somewhat out of the ordinary. Daniel watched unimpressed as Simon pulled a pack of smokes out and lit one. He took a drag for dramatic effect and looked at the water before continuing the verbal sparring.

"She's resting up from the beating I gave her pussy last night."

"In your dreams."

"Is that where your senior is Daniel? Is his pecker sore from banging your ass all night? Hey, I'll bet Preparation H would bring down the swelling."

Daniel thought of Arlo and decided he didn't want to hear anymore, so he stood up and headed further down the path.

"Screw off you little prick."

His voice broke a little as he said it. Daniel cursed himself for sounding like a cry baby. He was still angry at Simon for telling Mandy about Chris. Simon started to follow on his bike, pausing to balance every time he overtook the angry boy. Daniel turned on him, suddenly grabbing his handle bar before snapping out his anger and frustration.

"You know Simon, I don't have an older brother to set me up for the year. The rest of us have to take the bullshit. You don't understand what we're going through. . . so just fuck off."

Daniel started walking again and did his best to put some distance between them. Simon was inclined to show no mercy when he had something on someone. . . and he had something big on Daniel now. Daniel could look forward to his crap all next year. How was this an even tradeoff for all the times he had given his support to Simon? The truth was, Daniel had provided a fair share of courtesy to the guy in class--he tried his best to be easygoing with the difficult boy.

Daniel bent to pick up a plastic bottle and launched a three pointer into the nearest trash bin. Simon Moore, aka the adoring fans in the stands, roared his approval. Daniel raised his arms above his head in victory. Anytime Simon trash-talked, Daniel found it best to just laugh it off while attempting to give a good come-back. Simon was not too proud to laugh at himself either. They would quip back and forth during class until Daniel noticed Arlo or Greg's disapproving looks. Arlo and Greg thought Daniel was nuts to chat with Simon online.

And then there were guys like Chris, who were just plain poor sports who felt an entitlement to push the smaller kids around. Once in gym class, Simon made a crack when Greg stole a basketball away from Chris. Chris had been trying so hard and Simon was obviously not interested in the game, prancing around the court, ignoring the fact that nobody was willing to toss him the ball. Chris walked up to the smaller boy and knocked him down. When Simon bounced up with a smile Chris punched him. Everyone stood surprised at the sudden violence and when Simon looked like he was going to go at it with Chris, Daniel stepped into it and held the angry boy at bay.

"It's not worth it Simon, he just can't take a joke." Daniel had searched for a distraction. "I'll feed you the ball next time you're under the basket if you promise to get serious and take a shot."

Later, when he tossed the ball to Simon, the wiry boy flipped it into the basket and kept giving him high fives as he continued to jog annoyingly in and out of the busy play.

Maybe I should've let Chris clean the little asshole's clock.

The path wandered along the bank through a hectare of undeveloped forest. The noise of traffic subsided and the humidity increased in the cool shadows. Side paths braided their way in and out of the paved path offering enticing opportunities to explore the river bank in seclusion. After his encounter with Simon, Daniel wanted some privacy, so he ducked down a familiar path and headed down to the river. The undergrowth closed in as he pushed his way through. It reminded him again of camping. When he finally paused at the river's edge, he dropped to the turf and stretched his feet out.

This was not wilderness. Across the river he could see the great houses with their terraced views of the river. Beyond them were the expensive condominiums of Denver's neighborhood. Daniel's revelry was spoiled by the bottles and cans left by previous visitors. He pulled his legs underneath him and picked cigarette butts out of the tall grass and tossed them into the churning water. Life was much better at camp. People kept the campsites clean, there was more respect for the outdoors. Nevertheless, Daniel and Arlo liked this spot. When the river was lower they even sat on the sandbar and suntanned; of course then they had to share it with the rest of humanity.

Daniel became alert when he heard someone moving down the path; this was not a good place to be caught alone. Arlo had daydreamed of bringing girls down to the water to neck--this didn't seem like such a good idea now. Daniel relaxed when he saw it was only Simon leading his bike. Daniel didn't want to listen to anything else that guy had to say, but at least he was relieved it wasn't seniors on the prowl. Daniel tried to ignore Simon and turned back towards the water. Simon didn't take the hint and let his bike drop to the grass before parking himself next to Daniel.

"Communing with nature, boytoy?"

"Just give it a rest already. . . I can't handle that right now."

Daniel couldn't understand why Simon had to harass him. He went back to picking up the butts, hoping Simon would just sit still and be quiet.

"So Dan. . ." Simon's voice had lost its edge and he sounded bewildered. "Why did you do it?"

Daniel knew exactly what he was talking about; his anger suddenly evaporated and he tossed the last butt before answering.

"I don't know why."

"Man, I was so sure you were straight." It was a statement, not a crack. "I mean, you never get a boner in the change room and the girls are on you like flies on honey."

Daniel listened in misery. "I am straight," he finally snapped, then tried to explain the cold hard reality to Simon. "When you are a rookie, shit happens. . . sometime you have to do shit like that."

"Glad I've never been on a team."

"Well, it's not just that." Daniel didn't want Simon to think he got off on sucking dick or did it regularly. "You saw what happened; it just seemed like the best thing to do at the time. . . I don't know. . ."

"I didn't see what happened."

Simon didn't want to let on that he had been busy hitting on his senior, and that everyone was right--she considered him nothing more than a pest. Something like that could bruise a young man's ego.

"Well then, how the fuck do you even know what was going on?" Some of Daniel's anger resurfaced. "That bastard was beating the hell out of Chris and everyone just stood and laughed at it. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal. . . that it would settle everyone down." Daniel still struggled with himself about it. Actually, It had been nothing to worry about until suddenly he found himself sucking Arlo's cock in his bedroom. He had no explanation for that. Comparing the taste of cum. . . oh god, what was I thinking. After the Arlo incident, Daniel could hardly face his own reflection in the morning.

"I could never do that." Simon said it like Daniel had eaten shit or touched a little kid's dick in the pool.

"I don't have to explain any more of this to you, you little prick. Lots of guys were being forced to do stuff." He stood up and stared down at the smaller kid. "You'll never understand. . . why don't you just get lost."

Simon slowly got to his feet and looked back at Daniel. He could see the anger in the bigger boy's eyes and noticed the flush across his face. Simon was tired of the Daniels of the world pushing their looks and muscles into his face. The guy had everything and took it for granted: first pick on the teams, friends, girls, money, smarts. Simon almost blurted his thoughts out, but then he stopped. Deep down he knew Daniel was a fairly decent guy. He might take everything he had for granted, but he never pushed it in your face. He could take a joke and most of the time he cared about people's feelings. Simon thought about Daniel in the lunch room holding out his CD player. At least Daniel treated him like a real person.

There were voices on the trail and the loud noise of snapping branches. The boys locked eyes and Simon could see Daniel's alarm. They sounded like young men or teenagers--certainly not young teenagers like themselves. Simon glanced at the other freshie and took in Daniel's sudden look of vulnerability. Daniel was a pretty boy caught in a trap and this was no place to be trapped alongside him.

Simon grabbed Daniel by the t-shirt and whispered to him fiercely, "Do me a favor and hide in the bushes. If they see us together who knows what shit they will make us do."

"You hide."

"I have to watch my bike."

Simon shoved Daniel backward into the bushes. The three boys who stepped into the clearing were seniors Daniel recognized from the party. He didn't feel good about hiding behind Simon, but at the same time he had to admit he was glad he didn't have to face them.

"It's not him."

"I was sure he went this way." The heavy-set boy held a broad paddle which he swung back and forth threateningly.

"Hey dip shit, where did your friend go?" The teens approached Simon; they didn't seem very interested in him.

"Do I look like I'm here with anybody?"

"You look like you're going to miss out on grade seven kid."

"Fuck you, I'm at Riverview next year."

"Yeah, he was at the party. . . I remember him."

"Then he should know better than to piss us off."

"I think this is Vance's brother."

"Your point?"

"So that means we take it easy on this little fuck."

Simon thought about Daniel's crack about his brother. He resented the special treatment, particularly when Daniel was watching.

"Vance isn't my baby sitter. I can take care of myself." The three boys circled Simon. He backed up a little instinctively putting space between himself and the wooden paddle. It was always like this for him--a favorite target of the bigger boys.

"Well then you can take your licking like a good freshie."

The senior pushed Simon up against a tree. Simon gripped the tree and through the heavy leaves he caught Daniel's eyes. The first slap caught him unprepared and he jumped. Daniel shifted suddenly and Simon shook his head to keep him still. Simon felt his eyes water so he shifted his gaze. Another boy took a turn. The third declined the paddle.

"Fuck it man, let's head back to the pool and check out the bitches. Maybe Denver's pretty boy is up there jacking off."

Simon casually reached into his pocket and pulled his cigarettes out. One of the seniors slapped them out of his hand and stepped on them.

"Smoking is bad for your health."

"Yeah, you need to run more."

Daniel watched as one of the youths tossed Simon's bike into the river. They pushed Simon to the ground and then headed back up the path. Simon watched them go and then bent down to retrieve his cigarettes. He lit one while he walked down to the river bank and gazed into the water where his bike began to submerge. Daniel listened for the diminishing sound of the seniors and then quietly came up beside the other boy. Daniel did not know what to say.

"Shit, how am I gonna get my bike." Simon sounded upset. His hand trembled a moment as he tried to light his cigarette.

Daniel studied the water for a minute. He started to take his shirt off and after a final lingering glance up the trail, slipped his shorts down. Simon's eyes slid up and down his body.

"We are not having sex gayboy, that's what I was trying to avoid."

"Fuck you Simon. Come on, let's go get your bike."

"It's in the frigging river sport." Simon gestured to the ominous water sliding by.

Daniel stood in his bathing suit for a moment looking back at him.

"There's a sand bar there, it's not that deep."

To prove his point he started wading into the water. Simon watched him as the water piled up against his legs and foamed around him dangerously. Daniel moved until he was about waist deep and fished with his feet before he located the bike. He ducked once and came up with the frame. Simon kicked his shoes off and waded into the water dangling the cigarette out of his mouth. When Daniel struggled closer with the bike he helped the bigger boy drag it back onto the bank. He looked it over while Daniel sat on the grass. Satisfied, he sat next to Daniel to finish his smoke.

Neither boy spoke. Daniel sat quietly, content to dry off in the wind and sun while mindlessly watching the river flow. He felt like his summer was being robbed a little bit at a time; there was no margin for error, he had to watch his back every moment now. The three boys might've wanted nothing much at all, or they could've been like Arlo's senior, Quinton--they might have been looking for someone to hurt.

Simon sat perplexed. He wasn't sure why he had taken the heat for Daniel. He didn't understand why someone like Daniel would even consider doing something gay. He thought about what he had said to Daniel when the boy pulled his shorts off. He hadn't meant to give him the burn. It was like Daniel made him nervous. He spent most of his time being angry at guys like Daniel, yet he had found himself turning down the path to seek him out. Daniel held some kind of fascination for him. Simon took a final puff on the cigarette and ground it into the grass beside him. Daniel picked up the butt and threw it into the river. Simon got up, slightly put out by the little gesture.

"I don't get you Murrell," he started in again. "Which did you like better, blowing Chris or getting blown by that chick at the party?"

Daniel looked up at him. There was really only one answer he could give. "The chick man, what else?"

Simon stared at him for a moment; he pulled his bike up and headed toward the path. "See you around gayboy."

Daniel felt his face burn and turned back to the river without uttering a word.