Bottoms Up

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Somewhere on I-95

CHRIS HAD REALLY enjoyed the two weeks he’d spent with Mickey and had been a bit reluctant to leave when the time came.

“We’ll get together again soon,” Mickey said.

“Yeah, I’ll come up here or you’ll come to Florida, or—”

“Or what?”

“Maybe we could meet somewhere in between.”

“Where in between?”

“Geez, I don’t know, Mick… maybe in the mountains of North Carolina. Someplace like that.”

“Sounds good. I’ll hold you to it.”

They were standing in the foyer of Mickey’s condo, so they were able to share a good-bye kiss without unduly upsetting the neighbors. Chris finally broke off the kiss.

“As much as I’m enjoying this, it’s time for Mabel and me to hit the road.”

“Yeah. Have a safe trip—call me when you get there.”

Chris had purchased a cell phone during his visit, and it was already programmed with a Jacksonville number.

“I will,” he said, “and you’ve got my number.”

“I’ve had your number for years, buddy. Oh, you mean telephone number. Not to worry, it’s right there in my speed dial list.”

“Little bit of humor there?”

“Yeah, mighty little. Are you planning to drive straight through?”

“No. I’m going to take my time, and I’ll probably stop somewhere in the Carolinas for the night. I want to arrive in Jacksonville tomorrow with enough daylight left to check the area out just a bit.” With that, Chris headed for Mabel, who was waiting for him in the driveway.

It took him quite a while to drive over the secondary roads from Norfolk to I-95, but once he was on the interstate he let Mabel out a bit, finally setting what Ford had, at the time Mabel was built, called the fingertip speed control at a steady seventy. He made a brief pit stop at the welcome station in North Carolina, and when he was about to get in the acceleration lane leading back to the interstate, he saw a young man standing at the edge of the pavement. The guy was hitchhiking and had a duffel bag not unlike Chris’ at his feet.

Chris pulled off the pavement, rolled the passenger window down, and waited.

When the guy walked up to the window, Chris said, “Heading south, sailor?”

“How’d you know I was a sailor?” the guy said.

“Because I’ve got a duffel bag just like that in my trunk.”

“I’m headed for Mayport Naval Station.”

“Then this is your lucky day, because I’m headed for NAS Jacksonville. Hop in.”

The guy threw his duffel in back and climbed into the passenger seat. Chris extended his hand. “My name’s Chris—Chris Bottoms.”

The guy took Chris’ hand. “Irving Spenser. Most people call me Irv.”

“Good to meet you, Irv. Let’s hit the road. By the way, you’re riding in Mabel.”

“Mabel?”

“That’s my car’s name. Didn’t you ever hear of anyone naming their car?”

“Now that you mention it, no,” Irv said.

The two men talked the miles away until Chris finally realized that he was hungry. “I think it’s time to stop for dinner, don’t you?”

“Sure, and I know a great place just down the road.”

“You do?”

“Yes, Sir. My aunt and uncle used to live in this area. Do you like barbecue?”

“Sure.”

“Then watch for the Selma exit. We get off of I-95, jog over to US 301, and it’s about a mile down that road.”

“What is?”

“Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q restaurant.”

“Works for me.”

Following Irv’s directions, Chris located the restaurant, and he had to admit that the food was some of the best barbecue he’d ever eaten. They talked over dinner, and Chris began to sense possibilities in his young companion.

When they were once again on I-95 headed south, Chris said, “That was a great meal. Thanks for telling me about that restaurant.”

“No problem.”

They drove on, and by the time they neared Florence, South Carolina, Chris had begun to yawn.

“Sorry about that,” he said. “I’ve been visiting a former college roommate in Norfolk for a few days, and we stayed up until the wee hours last night. I think I’m going to find us a motel. That okay with you?”

“Sure, as long as it’s not too expensive.”

“No problem there,” Chris said. “I’m traveling on a shoestring.” Now, why in the world did I feel the need to lie to this kid? Chris thought.

As they approached Florence, Chris began to watch the billboards. Eventually he saw one for a budget chain that offered a low price.

“How’s that, Irv?”

“How’s what?”

“That motel billboard up on the hill ahead of us. Price looks pretty good.”

“I agree.”

Chris watched for the appropriate exit, left the interstate, and made his way to the motel. He and Irv went in to register, and Chris asked the clerk if the price shown on the billboard was correct.

“It sure is,” the clerk said. “Times are tough, traffic is down, and we’ve got rooms to fill.”

“We need a nonsmoking room with two beds and we’ll pay with cash.”

“No problem, Sir. I just need to see some ID.”

Chris handed the clerk his military ID and Irv produced his. The clerk looked at the IDs and said, “Why didn’t you say you were military? I can knock ten percent off the rate for military.”

“Thanks,” Chris said. “Every little bit helps.”

“Don’t you know it!” the clerk said.

“How long will it take us to get to Jacksonville tomorrow?” Chris said.

“Five hours, if you’re lucky.”

“If we’re lucky?”

“You know how it is on the interstate, especially I-95. Traffic can slow down to a crawl at a moment’s notice, and often for no particular reason. I’ve heard that I-75 between Atlanta and Florida is just as bad.”

“Yeah, well, we don’t have to report in right away.”

“Report where? If you don’t mind my asking.”

“I’m headed for NAS Jax and my buddy will be checking in at Mayport.”

“I was stationed at NAS Jax a long time ago… great place.”

“That’s good to know.”

The clerk gave them each a key and said, “Do you need a wake-up call?”

“Are you kidding?” Chris said. “My eyes will open at five, no matter what.”

“Yeah,” the clerk said, “after I got out, it took me years to overcome that habit.”

They returned to the car and Chris drove it to a parking spot in front of their room, after which it took only a minute to carry their two duffels into the room.

“Are you hungry, Irv?” Chris said.

“I’m still kind of full from all that barbecue. Maybe after a while.”

“That sounds good,” Chris said. “Meanwhile, I need a quick shower.”

“Yeah, I could use one of those myself.”

Chris settled in an easy chair. “Go ahead, then. I don’t mind sitting here for a bit in this comfortable chair.”

“Are you sure?”

“I never say anything I don’t mean,” Chris said.

“Okay, then.”

Chris settled back in the chair and through half-closed eyes watched Irv open his duffel, retrieve clean clothes, and place them carefully on the bed. Then he stripped and headed into the bathroom without closing the door behind him.

I wonder if that was an invitation? Chris thought.

Chris waited until he heard the shower running, then removed his own clothing and headed for the bathroom. When he raised the lid of the john, it banged against the tank.

Irv stuck his head around the shower curtain. “Is that you, Chris?”

“Yeah. Nature calls. I’ll be out of here in a minute.”

“No problem. In fact, there’s room in here, if you want to join me.”

Shit! Chris thought. Who’s seducing whom here? He finished what he was doing, flushed the john, and stepped into the shower with Irv.

They washed each other’s backs, then moved on to other things, until Chris said, “I’ve got some condoms, but they’re regular size. Will they fit that big thing?”

“I think so.”

“Why don’t we go into the bedroom and find out?”

Much later, they decided it was time to grab a late-night snack, so they cleaned up and went in search of a place to eat. When they returned from the restaurant it was late, so they stripped, crawled in bed, and did their best to wear each other out.