What We've Been Waiting For

Chapter 1 “What you doing, Tommy?” three year old Timmy asked excitedly. Turning around, Tommy looked at his friend sheepishly, keeping his right hand behind his back. “Hey, Timmy. I’ve got something for you.” “What?” “Close your eyes,” Tommy said, taking a deep breath. Hearing a shuffle at his side, Timmy peeked through his lids and saw Tommy take out a box. “Open,” came his friend’s voice. Opening his eyes, he saw Tommy was holding a box of brown chocolates. “For me?” “Yeah, Timmy.” “Where’s you gotten that from?” “I stole it from my mom’s drawer, just for you.” Eying the chocolates hungrily, Timmy looked at his friend before deciding to take it. “Won’t you get in trouble?” “It’ll be worth it for you, Timmy.” Suddenly shy, Timmy slowly opened the box and took one out. Then he held the box for Tommy to take one. Not meeting his eyes Timmy asked, “You love me, Tommy?” “Yeah, my Timmy.” “We gonna get married someday?” “You betcha.” Timmy leaned forward and puckered his mouth as Tommy pecked his lips. * * * * “And in conclusion, I would like to reiterate the social and cultural significance of the library as we know it. The institution has been improved and bettered, but not replaced, by the World Wide Web. And hopefully our children will come to know as well.” Tim basked in the applause of the audience for a moment, then made his way off the stage. He saw the look of surprise that clouded his boyfriend’s face every time he watched him as captain of the debate team. He was shy in general, but blossomed on stage when presented with rational facts that he could debate with his peers. The handsome smile on his boyfriend’s face was beckoning to him. His shorter and thin athletic frame was a contrast to his boyfriend’s much taller and muscled frame and, although he felt self-conscious over his shorter length, Tom seemed to love the difference. Walking up to him, Tom enveloped Tim’s slender form in a brotherly hug, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. “You were amazing, babe,” Tom said. “You’re biased,” Tim jaded softly. “Mr. Bailey,” said Mr. Franks as he approached, “a mighty fine speech, sir. I dare say the best you have delivered to date.” Beaming, Tim was just about to reply when Tom cut in. “You know, sir, I was just telling Mr. Bailey that myself, but he refuses to accept any praise for his excellent presentation.” Rolling his eyes, Mr. Franks acknowledged Tom. “Mr. Watkins. As I recall, you have an overdue paper promised to be submitted over a week ago.” “And how is Mrs. Francs doing, sir?” Tom grinned “You do realize that mouth of yours will get you out of a lot of sticky situations in your life?” “That’s what I am counting on, sir.” Rolling his eyes at the boys, Mr. Franks excused himself. “Must you always torture our teachers?” Tim asked in mock reprimand. Adrenaline still coursing his veins, the prospect of heading back to his big, empty bedroom was too depressing. “Wanna grab a coffee?” Feeling his boyfriend tense against him Tim looked up at Tom and knew the answer to come. “Can’t tonight, babe. Sorry, but I’m already late. Was supposed to meet the guys at Seasons half hour ago.” Seeing the depleted expression on Tim’s face, he added, “We won’t be too late. Why don’t you come over tonight?” “Rain check. I’m actually in the mood for a quiet night.” Squeezing Tom’s muscled back, Tim disentangled himself from Tom’s strong arm around his shoulders and headed for the parking. It was quite ridiculous for him to have to say goodbye to his boyfriend with an arm squeeze, but Tim had made peace with it ages ago. “Timmy,” Tom called after him. Sighing, Tim looked back at Tom and a small smile crept over his face at the boyish smile on his boyfriend’s handsome mug. “I’ll call you, yeah?” “Sure. Later,” Tim said, turning around before he submitted to the overwhelming urge to hug his boyfriend intimately. * * * * “One drink, dude. That’s all I’m asking! And it’ll be my treat, for missing my best friend’s final show-down of his high school debate team career.” “I’m tired Charlie,” Tim complained. “We can do something on the weekend. I promise.” “It won’t be the same as tonight, and besides…” he heard a horn. “…I’m already in front of your house. Don’t keep a girl waiting.” He hung up and made his way down the stairs with an exasperated sigh. * * * * “Man, you know I would’ve been there had I had the chance, right?” Charlie asked too convincingly. Eying his friend suspiciously, Tim made a rude noise with his throat. “I’m sure. Which dream date was it tonight? Mark? Danny? Morgan?” Charlie was taller than Tim, but had the same lithe musculature as him. His red hair set his green eyes and freckles off in a misleadingly innocent manner. Not seeing the usual care free expression on his friend’s face, Tim leaned forward in his seat and listened to his friend speak. “Had dinner with my Pa tonight.” “Oh.” “Says he ain’t gonna help with college next year. Says I’m eighteen now and his responsibilities are finished, financial wise and all else.” “That’s awful, Charlie.” “You know, he said something before I stood up and left the nauseatingly overpriced restaurant.” Tim waited for him to continue. “Said since I’m that way inclined, I can go find myself a man to support me and to defile myself with.” “Pete’s sake. And what did your mom say?” “Same as she always does before breaking down and cuddling me. That I should see now why she divorced him.” So submerged in his friend’s sad story, Tim only noticed as they turned into Seasons’ lot where they were. “I’m not really in the mood for Seasons tonight. Let’s head over to The Wagon.” “Ain’t that too bad, seeing as we’re already here.” Sighing in frustration and building panic, Tim pleaded with his friend. “Tom and the guys are in there, and I don’t think it will be a good idea if we head in.” “Why do you think I chose Seasons tonight?” Meeting his friend’s eye, Tim asked, “You knew they’d be here?” “James might have mentioned the team was coming here with their girlfriends as I was blowing him in his car before school.” “Then why’d you bring us here?” Tim snapped. “Look, Tom needs to come out of that designer wardrobe he’s hiding in. Then we can all start concentrating on what really matters. Me,” Charlie concluded with a smile that always made Tim laugh, but not tonight. “Well, I am not going in there,” Tim said resolutely. “Suit yourself, man. Hope you don’t freeze to death in this cold car while I’m burning my tongue on a hot mocha chino. And I think I might have two, so I could be a while.” Feeling the cold creep into his bones already as Charlie switched off the engine, Tim loosened his seat-belt and said, “You are evil, Charlie Withers.” “That’s how my men prefer me, dahling.” Laughing as they entered Seasons, the smile died on Tim’s face at seeing the look on his boyfriend’s face. * * * * “Looks like we’ve got competition girls,” Carla Abram immediately remarked as Tim and Charlie made their way past. The entire table burst erupted in laughter, but Tim just and kept on walking, ignoring Tom’s attempt at making eye contact. “Ladies.” Amanda nodded her head as Tim and Charlie made their way past to an empty table. “Bitches,” Charlie returned in an equally mock-congenial voice. Pulling his friend along as three mean-looking guys started to get up, Tim quietly berated his friend as they settled at a table. “Must you always cause argument wherever you go?” Preparing himself for a smart quip he’d come to expect from his friend, Tim was surprised to hear his response. “It’s bloody BS! I’ve blown more than half the guys at that table, yet I’m the faggot that gets beaten every day for my trouble.” Softening toward his friend, Tim said, “Look, I hear you, but getting us both beaten up and banned from Seasons won’t help any of us, will it?” “It’s still stinks.” Thinking it wise to change the subject, Tim started talking about the upcoming year end parties. Brightening up instantly, Charlie got animated as he filled his friend in on all the gossip. Tim smiled at his friend as he went on, but was actually thinking about the very annoyed expression on his boyfriend’s face at that moment. * * * * “You didn’t call last night,” Tim said as he reached Tom’s locker. “Will you keep it down? The whole school doesn’t need to know our business.” Tom said, looking around. “Besides, you looked like you had more than enough company, so I left it.” “Don’t tell me you’re going to call if you’re not.” “Don’t tell me you’re too tired for a visit if you if you aren’t.” Seething, Tim took deep breaths to calm him. “I thought I told you not to hang with Withers anymore.” Tim tried to maintain his composure. He knew at times like these he could easily overreact. He saw his boyfriend’s shoulders slump forward as he too realized how deep in it he’d actually stepped and that Tim was truly upset. “Charlie is my friend, Tom. He at least isn’t ashamed of me, and thought it nice to take me out on the most important night of my debate team career. I won’t write him off just because he’s obviously gay.” “Don’t you see? He brings unwanted attention to you.” Cutting him off, Tim said, “If you’re talking about those closeted homophobes and their bitches you call friends, then I’d much rather have one Charlie in my life than a hundred of James!” Tim said then spun on his heels. * * * * “So, I’m thinking of blowing this town and starting my life. Are you in or what?” Charlie considered his friend unenthusiastically as he sat down next to Tim in their homeroom. “Oh, I know that look,” Charlie said with mock concern. “What did the husband do this…” he was cut off as Tim grabbed him in a tight hug. “What’s up, Tim?” Charlie asked seriously. “You know I love you, don’t you?” Looking around their rapidly-filling homeroom, Charlie’s usually playful features became serious and his eyes focused on Tim’s. “I do, Timmy. You okay?” Tim shrugged as their homeroom teacher entered and called the class to order.