Story - The Lottery (3)

The Lottery

Part 3

Paul wheeled the truck into the open parking spot in front of the Big Tree Market. He stared out at the serene scene before him and felt strangely happy. He just sat there watching the few people around walking past. One or two glanced his way and one passer by even waved to him. Strange really how people here seemed a little less aloof than in the city. Hell he had been shopping at the local Safeway in San Francisco for almost 10 years and no one ever called him by his name. Here it had taken less than a week before the clerks were calling him Mr Taylor, another few weeks and it was Paul.

It felt strange at times the way most people seemed to be more relaxed, more sedate really than in the city. There wasn’t the rush or the rudeness either. Didn’t really matter where you went that you didn’t find some small group standing around just talking. Whether it was in the bank or out in the parking lot of the grocery store, people seemed more inclined to stand around and talk. He rarely saw that in the city but he had seen it in Europe. There was an eye opener for him and he still couldn’t believe all the wonders that he had seen.

San Francisco had its old buildings but in Europe he saw buildings that were centuries old, not decades. He saw statues for people that were dead almost 800 or more years and yet despite all the oldness there was something else too. He saw a wariness in many faces and yet also a greater willingness to accept new things. His original plan had to been to travel for 3 months but it had been extended to six months. He still felt uncomfortable with his status in Arnold too.

He had thought no one would know but it had been the talk of the town it seemed once word had gotten out that the gay winner of the lottery was moving to their town. Some people looked at him with that look he was used to but others were just plain curious. Hell you would think he was the only gay in the town and maybe he was, though he rather doubted that. Sure there were maybe only 4000 odd people in the actual town but he couldn’t be the only gay man around. He was certain that the box boy at the market was and there was little doubt in his mind that the young mechanic at Matt’s Garage was ‘family’. Still no one really made a big fuss about it.

Hell the local newspaper, the Sierra Sentinel, hardly even mentioned it in the article they did on him. It still felt kind of weird reading newspaper articles about him. There even had been a blurb in the Advocate just after he had come forward to claim his winnings. Funny how so many had seemed interested in him and while the major publications dealt with his lifestyle the local paper barely touched on it. Instead it dealt more with how his moving here meant that the old ‘Ebbett Homestead’ would finally be restored to its past glory. They seemed more interested in how he was going to update the estate than whether or not he’d have huge gay parties which one paper had dealt exclusively on.

There was no doubt that winning a huge sum of money had brought with it it’s own set of problems. He never knew how popular he was in the San Francisco gay community until after the announcement. Of course by then he had left for his European adventure but Tommy kept him appraised of all that was happening, not to mention his mail.

What surprised him maybe the most was some of the reaction by those who he had been fairly close with. While they all professed their happiness for his good fortune, there was also no mistaking their envy. He expected that but some of them had been downright rude about it. Mark Thayer was a perfect example. Christ for two cents he should have told him to take a hike instead of agreeing to throw this party. Trouble was that he didn’t like making waves so he had given in. Tommy had been pretty pissed about his agreement to throw the party but as he told him, least this way he could keep the peace and avoid a nasty cat fight.

Still the idea of his new home being invaded by 15 or so of Mark’s friends was a bit intimidating. He knew the type of crowd that Mark hung with and for the most part he just didn’t care for them. They seemed consumed by sex, drugs, and booze which was evident by the delivery from the liquor distributor yesterday. Christ he told Mark to keep it to reasonable levels but like everything else about Mark, reasonable was one word that wasn’t in his vocabulary.

The only upside to it all he thought was that once he had this party out of the way he could finally relax and just go about his business. He had no idea yet what he was going to do, but he knew that for him sitting back and enjoying a good book or movie was more in keeping with his tastes. Leaving Stanford had been a bit sad and he wondered really how he would fill his days but so far, knock on wood, he had found himself being well occupied.

What he wouldn’t miss was the politics of the school or the mindless dull blank stares that peered up at him from the lecture room. No more having to tell students that yes the Constitution was old but that it was as relevant today as it had been over 200 years ago. He knew he wouldn’t miss the constant searching for that one spark that would tell him he had gotten through to them. No, leaving had been sad but only because there once had been a time when it had meant something. It was sadness really for a time apparently long since past.

The house he had bought was big but it needed work. It hadn’t been lived in for many years and it had taken a crew almost three weeks to just clean it but then he didn’t really care. He had been in Europe and when Tommy had sent him the picture of the main rooms showing that the floor was actually hardwood he had felt excited. It had always been part of his dream to have a large house with hardwood floor and now surprisingly that was now a reality. Out had gone the old ratty carpet and instead of new carpet as originally planned, he had arranged with a local contractor to restore the old flooring.

Paul smiled at that too, and once more thanked his lucky stars for the common sense of his friend Tommy. It had been his idea that in any restorations of the place that he try to use local talent as much as possible. As Tommy had told him “you might save a few bucks bringing in big city types, but the PR value from using local will help you more than giving the town a million bucks” and so he had agreed. Obviously it had worked. While some still may look at him strangely, most seemed quite happy that he was now a part of their little community.

He had already been approached to participate in the local upcoming 4^th of July celebrations and had even received a welcome basket from the local women’s group. Strange how they all just seemed so more real than those he had met during his decades of living in San Francisco. Even the local garage had acted more like a garage from his youth than what he had been used in the city.

It had been a big step for him, to move from the hustle of San Francisco to Arnold but he felt that it was maybe what he needed. He had seen Europe and given his finances he would certainly travel more but all the travelling had made him realize that basically he just wasn’t a city boy. He liked to just sit back and listen to some classical music playing in the background while reading a good book. It didn’t really matter if the book was some high brow recanting of philosophy or a good science fiction novel. He just loved to read and that was the one major change he had done to his new home.

Paul had turned two of the rooms into one large library. A brand new sound system along with his computer was installed in this room where he had the walls lined with his books. There were quite a few empty shelves but he planned on filling them over time. His big screen television was hooked up to satellite with all the bells and whistles which took up one major portion of a wall, but he barely used it other than to watch his growing DVD collection. Television programs just weren’t entertaining enough for him except perhaps for Everwood, Smallville, One Tree Hill and some of the Science Fiction shows. He would watch Queer As Folk or Queer Eye for the Straight Guy if he wasn’t absorbed in a book, but for the most part, it was his books and music that held the greatest pleasure for him.

The huge fireplace was the centre piece of his library. He had two high backed leather chairs that he had actually found in Angels Camp, not far from Arnold and he had two lamps and end tables on either side. It would be ideal for a couple who enjoyed the same things but in setting it out he had felt that pang of loneliness. He had told himself that it was still possible but he knew inside that he was more or less resigned to being single for his remaining days. The extra chair wasn’t a reminder either but perhaps more of a sob to his romantic hopes.

Even his dreams were easier since he had moved into the old stone house. He still dreamed of ‘him’ but they seemed to be more relaxed, less intense than they had been. The wasteful expenditure of a few thousand dollars on trying to find him had cured him of that perhaps or maybe it was simply the acceptance that he had missed his one chance. Of course the scenery of Europe had helped as had the constant occupation of planning his twilight years had added their own pressures that had on some nights drove ‘him’ totally out of his thoughts. Still though, there were nights when it was all he could think about.

Shaking himself out of his reverie Paul finally made his way into the market. He knew that Mark would be arriving shortly with more supplies and bills of course, but he wanted to try and get as much staples as he could from the local market. A small smile crossed his lips as he headed into the store, knowing that if he was back in SF he would have called, but it was so much more enjoyable to come into town. He had driven in the day before to place the order and now was here to pick it up, even though they had offered to deliver it. Funny but already he was spending more time driving around and meeting people than all those years in SF. It was kind of a nice feeling to actually talk to real people instead of some faceless name on the end of a stupid phone.

He took his time walking through the store, adding a few items for himself and when he was finally ready to settle, he noticed the box boy waiting to help him to the car. God how many times had he gone to Safeway in San Francisco to pick up large orders and virtually have to bribe someone to help him with his order? Here it was almost second nature and besides, the kid was kind of cute though way too young for his tastes.

Smiling at the boy as he paid the bill he thought back to his recent travels and he had to admit, Tommy had been right in suggesting some of the spots for him. Spain had been enjoyable and there had been that one special Spaniard that still gave him a nice warm feeling. The man had to have been in his mid twenties though he said he was 30 but Paul didn’t quite believe it. Still it really didn’t matter and he did have some good memories of him not to mention a few others.

Funny how while he spent six months in Europe and had three trysts while there, that as much as he enjoyed the physical contact, he still could find himself thinking about ‘him’ or about Jason. He had done a lot of that actually, thinking about Jason and how he would have liked this or that or how he would have hated that or this. In some ways it had almost felt as if Jason had been there with him during the trip. He had even found himself turning to comment about something, half expecting Jason to be standing there.

That had scared him a little but then he realized that travelling to Europe had been more of Jason’s dream than his. His dream had been to go anywhere as long as it was with Jason. Whether it was Magic Mountain or the Louvre, he didn’t care as long as it was with Jason. Well he’d never have that dream come true and yet during his entire trip, he felt like it was happening. It was almost as if Jason was there and once he returned back to the United States he felt more at ease, more relaxed.

In some ways it was like he had quietly put to rest some unfinished business. Maybe that was it or maybe it was simply that he no longer had to deal with the world worrying about things like if his 401K would be enough for retirement, or if he would have the proper health insurance in case he got ill. Having money eased those burdens but the trip had done something else for him. It had made him think more about being alone, about being who he was.

Sure Mark Thayer and even others had been astounded at his choice of moving from San Francisco, the Gay Mecca, to some hick town up in the Sierra’s, but Tommy hadn’t. Tommy had somehow known that it was a good place for him, had even told him how it was good to have a nice quiet retreat for when the world intruded. In part Tommy might have been right, because he did plan to travel more, and it would be nice to be able to come back to the solitude of his new home. But he was wrong too because basically it was simply that Paul had made peace with himself. He had come to accept at last that he was a loner and that as much as he would have loved to have someone close, someone like Jason to share this with it wasn’t meant to be.

Driving the Tahoe into his driveway his mind continued to dwell on what could have been. He knew that he had missed his chance with ‘him’ whoever the hell he had been but he no longer beat himself over the head with it. It had happened and maybe if he could ever be lucky enough again he wouldn’t let the opportunity pass him by. Still his heart seemed to not quite accept it but he couldn’t let himself be ruled by his heart. Life just wasn’t that way and he had to accept that he had more than used up his share of luck. Hell he had Jason and while it hadn’t lasted for long, at least it was something to reflect on. Then of course winning the lottery had to have cemented his claim to any luck remaining. No, he was better off accepting what was instead of dreaming or so he thought as he drove up to the front of his house where a rather beaten up old datsun was parked.

A sudden surge of anger rose up inside as he instinctively knew that it would have to be one of Mark’s friends showing up way too early. His eyes saw the tall figure by the front door as he pulled his truck up behind the battered car. He really didn’t appreciate Mark’s friends and right now he just wished he had never agreed to throwing this stupid party as he turned to look at the man at his front door.

In a mere flash of light his heart suddenly began to thunder and he could hear the rush of air in his ears as the blood drained from his upper body. His eyes were watery as he stared at the tall young man. His dirty blond hair hung down to just above his shoulders. His face looked clean shaved and he wore a small jacket with a pair of faded blue jeans. As he stepped out from the overhang, Paul realized that it was ‘him’ and he stood there, his jaw hanging open as the young man stepped forward.

Uh, sorry are you Paul? I didn’t mean to startle you…

The voice was rich and full and yet it wasn’t deep. It had a strange soft quality to it that made Paul feel a bit warm under the collar actually. It was ‘him’ and he felt the shock of being this close to him. The way his eyes seemed to have just a hint of something behind them, yet for the most part they appeared closed off, as if afraid or embarrassed even.

Um, uh, yes, yes I am Paul and…

I know its kind of early, the highway was pretty clear most of the way up…

Paul knew it was too good to be true. His dream man was a friend of Mark’s. Damn it, why couldn’t he be just a lost traveller or something, at least it would have left his dreams intact. Now the thought that he was just one more mindless hard body yuppie made him frown a little. Still he had to know for certain, had to find out if the guy he had obsessed about for almost a year was just one more of those mindless queers that Mark attracted.

Early? Oh you are one of Mark’s friends?

Jock’s head snapped upwards at the way Paul’s voice suddenly grew hard. It was almost as if for some reason the guy was disappointed in him. He had never met him even though there was something familiar about him. It felt kind of weird actually, which was why he didn’t want to show up here. He didn’t think it was right of Mark to have nagged and prodded for this, but then he was just as afraid that Mark would dump him. God he was a mess and this Paul guy seemed to have sensed it. He felt like he had just failed some test that he didn’t even know he had taken.

Well yeah, I guess, uh, he wanted me to bring up some stuff for the party and…

Oh? Well I see, uh, you are? I mean…

Sorry, Guess I should, uh, I am Jock, Jock Reichman.

He couldn’t help staring. The way the man looked down almost as if he was ashamed of his name or as if he had done something wrong. Strange how suddenly the idea of him being a friend to Mark just didn’t seem to really matter. The crestfallen expression was wrenching his heart as he tried to collect himself. All this time and here he was, as if fate had suddenly decided to just drop him on his doorstep.

Nice to uh, nice to meet you Jock.

The way Paul shook his hand was kind of strange just as how he kept stealing side glances at him. He couldn’t shake it from his mind that somehow he knew this Paul guy but he couldn’t place from where. It wasn’t like he moved in the same circles as this guy. Shit if he had all that money he sure wouldn’t want to hang out with some high school teacher. Yet he did sort of associate with Mark so maybe it was with Mark that he had seen him, but then no, he would have known that.

It all felt rather tense to him and he knew he had made a bad impression somehow. For the life of him he didn’t’ know how. While that kind of nagged at him what was worse was that somehow it mattered to him that Paul not have a bad impression of him. For whatever reason, he felt he needed to not let this guy think he was just one of Mark’s flings, even though in all honesty that was exactly what he was.

Uh, look if I came a bad time…

No, that’s okay, sorry, I uh, I wasn’t expecting any of Mark’s guests to show up quite this early.

He didn’t call you?

Who? Mark?

Yeah

No, was he supposed to?

Yes, I mean, well, he had me pick up some food for the party, wanted me to drop it off and… well…

A wave of relief came over him as Jock told him that he was merely making a delivery and not trying to get the party started early. It felt like he was different than Mark’s usual flings too which intrigued him a bit more. Maybe he was jumping to conclusions about him, still though to think that he was willing to drive up from the city on Mark’s behalf was kind of putting him off.

Oh I see, well fine, that’s not a problem, uh, just let me open the door and you can bring it in, so uh, why didn’t he bring it up?

Okay thanks, uh, I have it on ice… He had a meeting or something.

Typical Mark I guess, okay well bring it on in then, I have some stuff in the truck, just be a second.

Can I help?

It was how he said it actually that made him stop and stare at the tall blonde haired man. His face looked so pained and desperate. It was almost as if the guy was trying too hard to get Paul to like him and yet, well it was also as if he was afraid that Paul wouldn’t like him, like it actually mattered. It troubled him that his pleasure or displeasure could cause this stranger grief. Really, he didn’t know him and yet it was almost as if he did. God, why did these things have to happen to him he wondered as he saw the way Jock lowered his head, shuffling his feet a bit. It was like watching him almost a year ago and in his heart he knew that this was him. There was no doubt left to him as he saw that pained look cross Jock’s face.

Well, if you want, I mean… it’s not necessary.

It felt like a reprieve from a fate worse than death. Strange how it mattered so much to him that Paul not look at him like just one more of Mark’s casual affairs. For whatever reason, his heart was beating a mile a second and he could feel the hardness in his groin too. Weird how that happened too, because Paul really wasn’t what you would call a hottie, but there was something about him.

Jock couldn’t explain it but while Paul may be balding and had a small little paunch, he seemed pretty fit for a guy who was nearing his 61^st birthday. If he had to, he’d guess that Paul was the same height as he was, 6foot or damn close to it. He might be a bit heavier but all in all to his eye Paul didn’t look his age. If pressed he might say he was mid fifties but no way would he guess 60. Yet it really wasn’t his physical presence that had him nervous, and he couldn’t explain why, but it mattered to him that Paul like him.

I don’t mind, besides I should get a towel or something to wipe off the stuff I brought first, its been on ice and well…

Ice? How much is there?

Jock noticed the irritation in Paul’s voice but he knew it was directed at Mark and not him. That realization made him smile a little and when he did, he saw how Paul seemed to notice. It was almost as if they were sharing a secret, but didn’t know it.

Fair amount actually…

Christ, is he expecting an army? Don’t answer that, knowing Mark Thayer as long as he isn’t footing the bill he’ll make sure that its double what is required, oh well, sorry, sound like a nattering old geezer, but if you’ll grab that box I’ll take these bags then I’ll give you hand bringing in Mark’s party food.

He tried to focus as he led Jock into his house. He wished he could be following but then that would have been too obvious. There was a sort of innocence about Jock that held him and yet also made him nervous. In some ways it was refreshing to meet a young man who seemed to at least have some semblance of manners.

Paul knew a lot of Mark’s flings and for the most part they were merely attempting to further their own ambitions if not just get off. Jock didn’t seem like that but then again, first impressions were deceiving. After all he had been enchanted by Mark himself though that had quickly faded. He was under no illusion about what drove his friend Mark and yet somehow he just never could bring himself to ending their so called friendship. Maybe he was just too afraid of losing even one friend of his limited circle?

It was something he had thought a lot about during his trip. Now he was really wondering if it was all worth it? People like Mark Thayer were everywhere, but then he did have other friends. Tommy was a prime example. He would do anything for Tommy and vice versa. Hell Tommy had been down right angry when he had found out that Paul had set aside some of his winnings for him. It had been a tense few calls over trans Atlantic cables before Tommy had calmed down and accepted the gift of the money.

As his mind continued to wonder about people it began to work around the one single question that kept coming to him. Was Jock a Mark Thayer type or was he a Tommy? Was he perhaps even a Jason? He felt confused by it all because until he had seen Jock on the beach, no other man had ever effected him in the same way that Jason had. Part of him felt like it was a betrayal and yet part of him ached for that type of relationship again. He just didn’t know how to go about it anymore, after all it had been a long time since he had even thought about such a thing. Maybe he was just too old, after all this man couldn’t be more than late twenties at best.

The money certainly had given a lot more freedom than he had been used to but with it had also come a heighten sense of being cautious. His heart was telling him to reach out, to seize the moment that fate had thrown at him. Yet his mind cautioned him, telling him this could very well be a set up. After all 40 million dollars was a nice junk of cash to get your hands on. He had been down that road before too. Still there was something so innocent, so almost naïve about Jock that he couldn’t accept that he might be trying a con. Of course his association with Mark was a contradiction to that idea.

If only he had been a lost traveller instead of Mark’s errand boy of the week. After all Mark changed flings almost as often as some people changed their socks. He just wasn’t the type for commitment and yet he had to admit, Jock was certainly the type who might be able to alter that. Christ, how could he think like that when he didn’t even know the guy?

Putting his added supplies away he noticed how Jock barely looked at him. At first he thought it was because of his age or looks and yet the more he stole glances at Jock, the more convinced he was that the guy simply felt scared or nervous even. It was almost as if it seemed to matter to Jock what he, Paul, thought of him. It was a new experience for him too as he felt the sweat on the palms of his hands. There was something so mysterious about him that he couldn’t resist hoping.

Despite all the warning from deep within his mind he knew that this time he couldn’t do nothing. He had to know more about Jock and especially about how he was connected with Mark. Damn why did it have to be Mark of all people he thought as they finished unloading the last of Mark’s perishables into the overstuffed refrigerator. It just wasn’t fair he thought as he closed the double door and turned to see Jock just standing there.

He looked like he wanted to run and hide actually but just as Paul felt like he would like to hide, he knew he couldn’t. Not this time, no way was he going to hide in his shell.

So, how’d Mark rope you into bringing up the stuff early?

Paul’s voice startled him. He had been quiet while they had brought in the groceries and put them away. There was something almost comfortable in how they worked around each other, putting stuff away. Jock would take them out and hand them to Paul who would put them in their proper place. It felt, well it felt domestic really, something that he had been craving for. Even when he had been married to Norma Jean he never felt this at ease, well until his mind would remind him of where he was and who he was.

The more he helped the more it felt right to him. His heart was pounding so loudly each time his hand would brush up against Paul’s that he was certain Paul would hear it. Then he would have to explain why it was pounding so loudly and for the life of him, he just wasn’t sure why. The smell of Paul’s cologne was driving him crazy as well not to mention the sound of his voice. It had a rich timbre to it that wasn’t deep or low, but it just seemed so, well perfect.

He had so many different feelings and emotions running thru him that he didn’t know what to make of it all. He could feel the ache deep in his groin, an ache that he had never experienced before. Jock didn’t have to look down to know that his groin was doing its best to embarrass him either. Yet it was kind of strange, how Paul didn’t look. Whenever he went anywhere with mark, everyone always seemed to look there, to check it out so to speak. It was kind of embarrassing and had more than once made him blush, but if Paul had looked he didn’t let on.

While he respected that he also felt a bit disappointed. Maybe he wasn’t Paul’s type or something but it somehow seemed to matter to him that Paul like him. It wasn’t that he wanted to jump into bed with him either, though the idea didn’t scare him as it did when he considered other men. There was something different about Paul, something that made him wish he could just stay here and watch him.

Guess he knew I’d do it, I don’t know, I uh, I wasn’t planning on staying though…

Why not?

Not really my thing, not one for crowds of people I don’t know… guess this way he figured I’d stay, I suppose.

Oh, so you are his latest project then?

Project was a polite term for it he thought as he tried to raise his eyes to see what Paul was really thinking about him? Trick was a more apt word and yet he knew that Paul wasn’t trying to put him down, but he felt ashamed that Paul could tell just what he was.

Project?

Paul regretted the word the instant he had said it. He could see how the eyes suddenly grew darker and a bit glassy as tears seemed to be so close to the surface. He felt like he had hurt Jock and somehow that mattered a great deal to him. Christ he must be nuts to be feeling like this over one of Mark Thayer’s flings. Yet, somehow deep inside he knew that Jock wasn’t that type, no matter what he had done with Mark.

Sorry, I have known Mark for years, I shouldn’t speak like that.

No, it’s okay, he is sort of one tracked.

Sort of? You haven’t known him long I take it.

Not really, couple of months I guess, bit longer maybe.

Well he’s not really a bad person, but he is single minded in some things.

Yeah, I’ve noticed… uh, he’s never been serious about… I mean has he ever…

Had a boyfriend? No, that’s not Mark’s style, he likes to love ‘em and leave ‘em.

Yeah, kind of obvious about that isn’t he?

It wasn’t so much how he had answered Paul, but more on how he looked. There was disappointment but also a sense of, well, as if he had known it but needed it confirmed. Now he had that but Paul could see the hurt inside. He wished he had the courage to just take Jock and gather him up into his arms. To hold him and tell him it was okay but he just didn’t quite have that much nerve, least not yet.

Kind of, so you just playing delivery boy?

Huh?

I mean, well you really not planning to stay for his big shindig, judging by all this food and the booze that was delivered it should be some party.

No, I think I’ll head back.

Not into parties?

Not really, they seem so…

Pointless?

Yeah… it’s sort of like, well like its just an excuse to get laid without.. sorry, I shouldn’t talk…

No, it’s okay, it’s basically how I feel too.

So why are you… sorry, I keep sticking my foot in my mouth, have a habit of that it seems.

They had barely moved away from the kitchen and as he listened to Jock’s halting speech and constant apologizes, he realized that Jock really didn’t want to go. At least not now, and he felt slightly giddy as he thought that maybe, just maybe there was a glimmer of hope for him. Jock was certainly not the typical yuppie type that Mark went for, so what was it that Mark was after? Why was he hanging out with someone who obviously wasn’t into the heavy drinking and sex thing?

As much as he wanted to find that answer he could see that Jock was feeling skittish. Worse he knew that he was feeling like he had somehow screwed up. Paul hated to see him looking so forlorn and all he could think about was on trying to not let Jock leave, at least not in a sad mood.

Look, uh, Jock? I am throwing the party simply to keep the peace. Mark was bent out of shape and hell, it’s a cheap and easy way for me to keep things sort of cool between us, I figure, well, we’ve known each other for years, so…

Yeah? So you aren’t into the party scene?

Jock’s obvious joy at hearing that he wasn’t into those kind of parties threw him a little. For a second he wished he had the nerve to just reach out and touch the man’s face, to caress his cheeks and tell him how he felt. God it was like being in high school or something. He didn’t know a thing about this guy and yet his heart was acting like he was the one, was his soul mate even. It was crazy, scary and wonderful all at once.

Nope, in fact I’ll be quietly reading a good book while Mark has his fun, I just don’t enjoy Mark’s idea of a party.

Really? You read a lot?

Seeing the way Jock’s face lit up was almost too much for Paul. He felt light headed as the joy he saw almost made his body quiver. He felt the weakness in his legs too as he recognized that look, knowing it from his own deep feelings of pleasure that came from reading.

Yes, it’s, well it’s my way of escaping I guess… why do you read?

Yes, I find that it, well it kind of calms me down or soothes me when life gets kind, of well, crappy.

Boy I know that feeling, so, uh, what do you like to read? Any particular author or?

Well, I sort of jump around a bit, bit of Science Fiction and fantasy stuff. Reading Lord of the Rings again because of the movie, some of Ann Rice’s vampire stuff, and well, I don’t know, about anything really that suits the mood.

Really? I am a science fiction fan myself, and I really do enjoy a good vampire book. Have you read that one about the gay vampire that is set in the future? Where he tries to save the world from the evil new order?

Gay vampire? I didn’t know that… no, I haven’t, sounds interesting.. I uh…

What? That there were gay vampire books?

Yeah, I mean… I have looked for uh, for books that are, that have…

Gay themes?

Yeah. Sorry, I guess I sound like an idiot.

At last the light bulb went on inside his head. Jock was a rookie, a first timer perhaps which answered a lot of nagging questions for Paul. Jock had just come out, or close to it and that would also explain why Mark was keeping him around. Mark was a pig when it came to sex and there was nothing like a virgin ass to get Mark going. It also helped explain some of Jock’s hesitancy and shuffling of feet. He was nervous because being around gay men was still new to him.

You just came out, huh?

Somehow he didn’t feel quite so bad at being asked that. It was almost a relief even for him and he felt the stiffness in his body relax a little. There was a comfort level in being here with Paul. He still couldn’t shake the feeling that he had seen him somewhere but he knew it wasn’t at any of Mark’s parties.

Yes, is it that obvious?

Not really, but then I have been around the block a few times, guess as you get older you can pick up on these things, uh, so, what happened? If you don’t mind me being nosey that is?

No, it’s okay, I guess, well it’s a long story, you’d only be bored.

No, I don’t think so. Uh look you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it if you wanted.

Really?

The words were saying one thing but Paul could feel that Jock was desperate to unburden himself. Well the worse that would happen he thought is that maybe he could become a friend to Jock. It would more than likely drive him crazy but still there was something about the young man that made him feel it would be worth the trouble. It wasn’t just his innocence but was more his apparent torment. Paul had been down that road himself, a long time ago and he could understand how guilty one could feel for being different.

Yes.

His heart continued to pound loudly as he stood there, wishing he could just sit down before he fell down. Jock felt like Paul really did mean it, but he couldn’t understand why. He had tried to talk to Mark and even to some of the others, but they never really cared. Sure they pretended to, but they only had one thing on their mind, how to get into his pants. With Paul he could see that he really did want to know.

Why? I mean…

I guess cause, well… okay this is going to sound crazy, but you have haunted my dreams for almost a whole year.

Huh? What do you… I never… I mean…

There was no mistaking the fear on Jock’s face and he rushed to try and explain himself. He didn’t know why he had just blurted it out but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t want to let him go, and he suddenly felt like he was in the middle of a raging sea. He had to show Jock that he wasn’t some pervert, that he wasn’t just another fag like Mark Thayer and his crowd. Paul could feel the tiny beads of sweat on his forehead as he tried to explain, as he struggled to make sense of the swirling emotions that were suddenly consuming him.

Last summer, early July, where you up at the River, few miles up from SF?

Yes, I was… during my… shit, now I know why you… there was..

What?

Nothing… uh, nothing just that, well, I used to go for walks along the beach, there was this one guy… he was always reading a book but… I mean you look sort of like him, I can’t…

It couldn’t be happening he thought. For a mere instant he felt as if this was just how it was meant to be, but then his mind asserted itself. After all he had 40 million dollars now, and yet even as the mind pressed, his heart kept beating stronger, kept pushing for him to listen, to hear what Jock was saying. As much as his thoughts wanted to disbelieve Jock, the way Jock’s eyes flared and looked told him it was true, told him that he hadn’t imagined that look that kept haunting his dreams.

It was. I used to see you coming along every morning, you looked so… so distant? No, no that isn’t the word, maybe lost? I don’t know, it just that you piqued my interest I guess.

Yeah? Strange, I used to wonder about you, everyone else there was either rubbing something on someone or drooling over someone, it was so strange to be there, to see all that and yet… I don’t know, you looked out of place there, sort of how I was feeling, sorry, guess I should…

Sorry? What for, you were right, I did feel out of place there, but maybe not for the same reasons.

Weird this, I mean, I used to wonder about you.

Really?

Yeah, it was kind of a rough time, and well, I don’t know, it made me feel a bit easier when I would see you sitting there with your book. It kind of was like, well, reassuring in a way. I mean I like books, and well, I don’t know, felt like maybe there was hope for me if there were still people who’d go to a beach to read instead of to hook up.

Well I am a dinosaur I suppose…

How’s that?

A dying breed, one where sex isn’t all that important, least according to the Mark’s of the world.

I don’t know, I think there are some who still want more than that, I mean, if not why would so many be making such a stink about wanting to be married?

Interesting point of view Jock, makes an old timer like me feel hopeful.

Old timer? You don’t look that old, I mean, uh, shit that sounded like a come on didn’t it?

Haha, no, not really. Look, uh, you had lunch yet?

Lunch? No, was going to grab something on the way back to the city.

Well, how about joining me for lunch?

Uh, that’s nice of you, just uh, I really wasn’t going to get much, maybe find a McDonald’s or something. I don’t want to, uh.. I mean…

There it was again, that sort of hesitancy that had Paul puzzled. He wasn’t sure if it was real or if Jock was just putting on an act. Yet looking at him he really wasn’t sure if Jock was worried about their age difference or not. After all most of Mark’s friends were late twenties early thirties and in the upward mobile set. Somehow though he wasn’t sure it was his age that was making Jock feel hesitant.

I know, look, I know I am not exactly in your age class, but its only lunch and…

NO.. no it isn’t that, Shit, sorry uh, well… I can’t afford to spend much, least not till Mark pays me back…

The food?

Yes

Why didn’t you say so?

I don’t know, it doesn’t seem right, I mean… I didn’t want you to… Mark was supposed to phone you, and well, when you said he hadn’t, I mean, I just thought it would be easier to uh, to just get it from him.

If it was an act it was a damn good one he thought as he stared at Jock for just a second. He could tell it was making the man uncomfortable and he just couldn’t do that. He couldn’t’ explain why but it mattered to him how Jock felt. Damn Mark Thayer, he really could be a real shit at times. To take advantage of someone like Jock for the obvious reasons was just too much. Paul could feel the anger growing as he tried to figure out a way to ease Jock’s feelings without hurting them either.

Yes, well I can tell you it won’t be. You have the receipts?

Yes, really, I can get it from Mark, I mean it should come from him anyways, I don’t want to…

Nonsense, give me the receipts and I’ll write you a cheque and we don’t have to go out, after all there is a fridge full of food, we can eat here if you prefer?

Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to impose…

No imposition, besides I’d enjoy the company.

Well, okay, but only if you let me help.

He didn’t know why but he gave a light tap on Jock’s shoulder as he told him it would be fine. It was almost as if he was a teenager again too the way he felt so happy even though the receipts looked rather hefty. Not that the money bothered him so much as the notion that Mark had made this guy pay for it when it was clear that he wasn’t in good economic shape. His anger for Mark was becoming rather heated and he decided that eventually he and Mark would have a parting of the ways.

Normally that notion would upset him but somehow he didn’t seem to care anymore. It was as if meeting Jock had given him a new source of courage and self confidence. He whistled a little as he left Jock in the kitchen to pull out some meat and veggies for lunch. What had looked like a rather tedious weekend was suddenly showing promise. If he was really fortunate, maybe Jock would stay for the party.