Elements and Elephants

Chapter 2-2

Jack was looking forward to a cool shower followed by a decent meal. It was a typical day’s work but the heat of the summer afternoon made simple tasks more tedious. As much as he loved his job he was growing weary of his father’s constant criticism. After a huge stretch and yawn he locked his truck and walked towards the entrance while contemplating supper. He took his work boots off in the lobby, not taking the risk of tracking grime from his jobs into the place. He’d just inserted his key into the lock when the door opened and a tall cold glass of lemonade was passed to him.

Jack blinked in surprise at Willem’s sheepish smile. “You’ve got a lovely neighbour. She let me into the lobby.” He actually blushed. “When the building manager asked what I was doing there I told him I was your new boyfriend but had forgotten the key you gave me. I had a few bags of groceries so he let me into your unit.” He grinned. “Drink up, dinner’s almost ready.”

Jack walked inside almost in a daze. He finished the refreshing drink and placed the glass on the counter. The smell of something cooking was making his taste buds tingle in anticipation. He was brought from distraction when Willem spoke.

“Go grab a shower. I’ve got things under control here. I noticed the monstrosity on your balcony so we’re having a braai this evening.”

Jack was about to go when he turned back, puzzled. “What exactly is a braai? Animal, vegetable, or perhaps some form of seafood?” He frowned. “I’m not and I repeat not, eating bugs. If your recipe calls for bugs, I’m going to Harvey’s for a burger.”

Willem snorted. “Braai is Afrikaans for barbecue. I bought some steaks and sides while waiting for you to come back. They’re just about done depending on how you prefer yours.”

Jack nodded and went to get himself clean. He returned wearing casual clothes and helped Willem set the patio table. “Good call—eating out here is always nice. Besides, I can chuck you over the rail if any of the sides are bugs.” He chuckled as Will dished up the steaks. “My brother’s having a braai Saturday to celebrate my birthday. You don’t have to be back to work until Sunday so how about joining us? Peg, my brother’s wife, is an awesome cook. You’ll get to meet them and their kids, Bryan and Lucy.”

Willem nodded and said, “Let me make a quick call to the lodge. They don’t mind us swapping shifts as long as everything is covered and nobody goes to overtime pay. That way I won’t have to leave early Sunday morning to get back. It’s a three-hour drive when there’s light traffic.” Willem quickly made two calls before coming back to the patio with a wide smile and a pie. “I bought dessert but Ma makes the best pie I’ve ever tasted. I’ll Skype her to get the recipe and treat you. She’ll like you even though you are gay. They don’t really like that part of me.”

After both men were stuffed Jack shooed Willem inside while he began to clean up. “You did the hard work, I’ll handle the rest. There’s beer in the fridge, wine in the cooler, and I have a bottle of whiskey on the rack with the glasses. Help yourself to anything.”

“Thanks for letting me stay. Staff rates at the hotels aren’t bad but the company here is much more entertaining. I’ll pass on the drinks but if you don’t mind I’d kill for coffee.”

“No need to resort to violence. I’ll toss a pod in the Keurig and your cravings will be calmed in no time.” He quickly prepared two mugs.

Once coffee was ready and pie served they both went back to the balcony to enjoy the slightly cool breeze. Jack took a bite of his lemon meringue pie and moaned. “This isn’t from one of the local grocery stores. Where’d you get it?”

Willem nodded. “One of the kitchen staff at the lodge works at a place downtown on his off days. He’s Canadian so he can work anywhere. I tried the cafe a few times and never had a bad experience.” He promised to take Jack there next time they went out. “Ma’s pastry is still much better than this.”

“It sounds like your mom is quite a lady. Then again she’d have to be to have raised a child such as you.” He grinned knowing the comment could be taken as a compliment or slur. “What was it like to be a field guide? I’ll bet you’ve seen a lot, living where you did.”

Will swallowed the last of his pie and washed it down with coffee. “Every day was a whole new experience. I loved being in the bush watching animals in the raw brutal world doing what nature intended for them to survive. I think I enjoyed the tracking more than anything. Showing guests the spoor which could eventually lead us to sight our quarry.”

Jack snorted. “I thought only fungi had spores as their way of reproduction. I like the way you make that sound, almost like you roll your r when you say ‘spore’. And you sound the o as a long vowel. The e is just an afterthought like a flick of your tongue at the end.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Mock foreign accents much? The word we’re presently dealing with is spelled with a double o, which makes the sound in words like school. My first language is Afrikaans. If you’re there when I Skype with my parents I’ll have to translate. Ma can speak English but she’s shy to try it around strangers”

Jack nodded, “I can probably understand how she’d feel. We had to do oral conversations for French class in high school during parent visitation. Mom always came along but I felt embarrassed trying to chat with classmates the way we did during French class. Then we all knew if we screwed up but didn’t care.” He sipped his coffee while watching the wistful expression on Will’s face. “So why aren’t you leading the curious around the bush following elephant spoare?” He tried to imitate Will’s pronunciation but failed badly.

Willem laughed out loud. “You’re funny. Before you bastardize my native language I’ll have to teach you the alphabet and the sounds of each letter. I’ve got to warn you, it’s almost as difficult to learn as English.” He sighed. “I loved it and truly miss the bush. The pay isn’t great but it was the arrogance of many of the guests that was the final straw for me. Some treated us like crap, and the animals even worse. They bitched about the insects.” He glanced over at Jack and grinned. “Not only the ones we made them eat, but the kind that lives naturally out there.”

“Ha, I knew it. You were trying to sneak bugs into my braai. Hey, we can fool the kids. We’ll make them believe we’re going to feed them insects. That’ll be a riot.”

Will chuckled. “We’ll figure something.” He took a few seconds to observe Jack fidgeting with his mug. “What’s welding like? I’m no expert but I’ve seen a bit of your work and it’s very impressive. I think many people see it as someone sticking pieces of steel together but you seem to have a passion for it. Tell me if you think I’m full of s**t but what you do is more than a job—I sense it’s something you’re driven to do to get your father’s approval. Or maybe his acceptance? I don’t mean to cross a line here but there’s more to you than a simple blue-collar worker. You’re an artisan.”

Jack pulled his lips into a tight line and nodded. “I think you’re full of s**t. But to answer your question, whether or not he likes me, Dad is family. I can get a welding job anywhere but I’m trying to stay part of the family. He’s always been distant with me. Maybe he sensed from my early years that I’d be gay. Or maybe he only had enough affection for one child. Whatever the reason I’m not trying to prove anything to him. I just have to work harder to minimize his criticism. Now, if you don’t mind, say it once more.”

Will looked puzzled for a moment and then laughed. “Spoor. Come close and watch my lips.” He waited until Jack was face to face with him. “Spoor.” He pushed his lips out in an exaggerated pucker. “Now you say it with your lips like mine.”

Jack rolled his eyes but slowly said the word. He forced his lips into the same pucker as he spoke. Will repeated the word pulling Jack’s head slightly forward with both hands until their lips met. They relaxed into a normal kiss with lips slightly parted and tongues exploring. Jack brought his hands up and brushed over Will’s chest. They pulled apart and searched the other’s eyes. Jack nodded and they went back to intense kissing.

Will stood and held out his hand. He pulled Jack up from his chair and led him to Jack’s bedroom. He grinned, “I like your room better than the guest room so I guess I’ll be sleeping here again. Since it’s your room you’re going to have to join me.”

Jack’s voice was husky. “You get ready. I’ll lock up and meet you there.” He quickly closed the balcony doors and windows, put out the lights, and paused for only a moment before entering his bedroom. His heart pounded at the sight of Willem naked but for his briefs. Jack wondered if the fabric would be strong enough to contain the obvious excitement. He almost came when Will turned his head to look into Jack’s eyes. He saw longing and lust and probably a whole mix of other sensual things for which Jack had no words. His own erection throbbed uncomfortably as he slowly walked towards the bed. Trying not to give into total lust, he put his hands on his hips and tried to glare.

“You’re on my side of the bed, bucko.” He narrowed his eyes. “Haul your scrawny ass to your own side.” He heard a moan or was it a groan when Will slowly licked his lips as he pulled his briefs down and off. He twirled them on one finger before flinging them onto Jack’s face. Jack realized the groan was his when he heard it once again when Willem grabbed his hard c**k and eased the sleeve back from the shiny dripping head.

“Did you say something?” Will asked with an innocent expression on his face. He slowly stroked himself while Jack stood, mesmerized. “You want to do this on my side of the bed? You expect me, your guest, to sleep in the wet spot? That’s rude, Jack, just plain rude.” He closed his eyes and moaned as he increased his tempo.

Jack quickly stripped and launched himself onto the bed. Once the rocking stopped he sprawled over Will and grinned. “Fine, you’ll sleep in the wet spot wherever it may happen.” He leaned down for a kiss which morphed into a major make-out session. Gasping for breath he tried to focus and asked, “What’s your preference?”

Will grinned. “s*x with you would work fine. I’m a happy bottom but will top if you insist. Do you have the goods?”

Jack sent a quick prayer to heaven that he wouldn’t have to take that huge thing and then realized what Will had asked. “s**t, s**t, s**t, I haven’t had the goods for a long time. How can I not have condoms or lube?” He glared at Willem. “You’re a field guide. You’re supposed to be prepared for everything. So, where are the goods?”

Will rolled his eyes. “I’m sure I’ve got everything out in my car. If you can wait until I get dressed, slip out to the parking lot, find everything, and then come back in, we should be good. Or,” he nipped Jack’s earlobe and licked along his neck to his Adam’s apple. “We can go bare. I know I’m safe and you’re too innocent not to trust.” He stroked Jack gently and squeezed. Jack moaned and gave into his lust.