Together Box Set

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“It’s a good thing we came in my car,” David said, helping the inebriated Marine across the parking lot to his three-year-old Camry.

“I’m sorry,” Bud slurred.

“It’s okay. I suppose it goes with the territory, Marines and liquor I mean.”

“You ain’t a real man if you can’t hold your drink.”

David didn’t agree, but knew Bud wasn’t up to holding a deep and meaningful discussion over it.

“Okay, can you buckle up yourself, or do you need me to help you?” David asked once he’d gotten his friend sat in the passenger’s seat.

“‘Course I can, I’m not a f*****g baby.”

David winced, he’d been afraid Bud would turn into an angry drunk. Closing the door, he walked round the hood to the driver’s side and got in, not looking at Bud.

Feeling a hand land on his knee, he heard Bud say, “I’m sorry, Dave, that I—”

“Save it!” David wasn’t in the mood to placate his passenger.

“Sorry.” Bud removed his hand.

David started the car and drove home in silence, all the while wondering where he and Bud were going with regard to their relationship. Did they have a relationship?

Pulling into the garage by his house, David cut the engine, but made no move to get out of the car. Feeling his hand being taken, David turned to see Bud lifting it to his lips and kissing it before pressing it to his left chest. The simple gesture almost reduced David to tears.

“I’m sorry, Dave. I shouldn’t have drunk as much as I did.”

“Why did you?” David asked softly.

“Um, it’s sorta complicated.”

“I’m a good listener.”

“Thanks. I’ll think about it, okay?”

“Okay. We can’t sit here all night. Let’s go in and I’ll make you a pot of coffee.”

David helped Bud out of the car, got him indoors and sitting on one of the wooden chairs in the kitchen. He then busied himself by doing battle with his coffee maker.

“Need a hand?” Bud asked.

“Stupid thing, I can never get it to fit together properly.”

“Here, let me.”

David watched as Bud seemed to know which part of the machine went where. It took only a matter of a few seconds before the thing was happily gurgling away.

“Thanks. As you’ve no doubt discovered I’m not very good with things mechanical.”

“We each have our own strengths,” Bud said, resting an arm on David’s shoulder.

“Yeah.”

Most of the bad feelings which David had been harboring toward Bud had dissipated by the time they were sitting side by side on the sofa, Bud’s right arm casually—and to David, comfortably—slung over David’s shoulder. David still wanted to know why Bud had tried to drink the bar dry, but somehow sensed his friend wouldn’t be willing to open up. Snuggling closer, David didn’t want to spoil the warm fuzzy feelings by bringing up what had happened earlier.

“I’m ready to hit the hay,” Bud announced, yawning.

“Yeah, me too. You go ahead while I lock up.”

Bud kissed David on the cheek before getting to his feet.

As David performed the familiar ritual of checking all his doors and windows, switching out the lights as he went, he thought on how by turns his and Bud’s friendship was passionate and loving, then distant and cold. This wasn’t what he was used to in a relationship. Again he wondered if they actually had a relationship. He hoped so, but a small part of him still held onto the idea that he couldn’t abandon himself totally, just in case things weren’t destined to work out.

Out, the word resonated in his head. As a teacher he had to be very careful about his private life. Many potential suitors had been put off by his need to remain pretty much in the closet. But staying hidden was something Bud absolutely had to do if he were to remain in the military. That, David thought, was in many ways a plus. Neither of them could afford to be out.

Paying a quick visit to the bathroom, where he undressed to his underwear, David padded into the bedroom. Bud was holding up a corner of the comforter.

The two spent time talking. Bud apologized again. They kissed and made out while making up. David went to sleep content, safely cocooned in Bud’s arms.