Mike

  Mike had finished his drawing of Rocco last night. He wanted to give Rocco the drawing as a “break a leg” present.

  It was getting close to 5:30. He had to get cleaned up and ready to see Rocco tonight. He excused himself from the table and ran to his room. He wanted to wear something “edgy”. The problem was that he did not have anything edgy—especially to the standards of a teenage rock band. Everything he had was the epitome of preppy—tons of tennis sweaters, polo shirts, and chinos. The best he could come up with was a pair of jeans and a solid t-shirt. He dug out an old pair of Converse all-stars—white—even the scuffs on the shoes were boring. He had a casual long sleeve button up shirt which he tied the sleeves together around his waist. This was as alternative as Mike was able to get. To top off the ensemble, he found his old baseball cap from middle school which he put on backwards.

  Mike dug under his bed to find an empty cardboard tube. The roll contained a poster of Spiderman he had ordered months ago. He shook out the poster and laid it on his desk. Before he could roll up the drawing of Rocco and insert it into the tube, there was a knock on his door. He turned around and saw that Joe was standing there.

  “Are you ready to go?” Joe asked as he stepped into Mike’s room.

  “Just about,” Mike replied.

  “You look like you are going to see a rock band practice,” Joe said lightly. They had not spoken much since their interaction in the car the other day.

  “Thanks,” Mike replied and looked down.

  “Do you mind sitting down? We need to talk.” Joe said and closed the bedroom door.

  Mike was not interested in another altercation, but he reluctantly obliged. He sat on his bed next to the cardboard tube and his drawing. Joe went over to Mike’s desk, grabbed the chair, and placed it close to where Mike was sitting. He sat down and looked over at Mike. Mike kept his head down.

  “Mike, we haven’t said much since our conversation in the car. I need to tell you what’s been on my mind.” Joe started. Mike continued to look down at the floor. “I can’t let you think that my acceptance of gay people is conditional.”

  Mike looked up at Joe. Joe gave him a smile and continued, “Of course, if you are gay, it would be fine. I would love you just the same.”

  Mike smiled but, noticing Joe’s face, he sensed a “but” coming on.

  Joe continued, “But, I can’t say I would like it. You were right. It’s easy to accept someone who is gay if that person is just some acquaintance. I would struggle, though, if that person were my own brother.”

  Mike was starting to get irritated. Joe went on, “It would be hard for me to accept, but I will try my damnedest to be alright.”

  Mike’s ire started to wane. This was an honest answer, and Mike accepted it. Mike did not understand why Joe would struggle but, at least, he admitted to it. Joe also admitted that he would work on his struggle.

  Finally, Mike felt he should speak. “Joe, that’s all I need to know.”

  Joe sighed a breath of relief. He paused uncomfortably for what seemed like forever. He stammered a bit and then finally asked, “Mike, are you gay?”

  Mike had not prepared for this question. It had stunned him. He looked down at the floor again and waited a moment before answering, “Does it matter?”

  Joe tensed up, “Come on, Mike.”

  Mike waited another moment and answered, “No, I’m not gay--” He was telling Joe the truth, but there was more, “but I don’t think I’m straight either.”

  Joe looked at him confused. He was expecting a yes or a no. He was not prepared for a neither/nor situation. “If you aren’t one or the other, then what are you?”

  Mike looked around his room trying to find an answer. There was not one. He looked Joe square on and said, “That’s just it. I don’t know.”

  Joe sat for a minute pondering this response. It still was not making sense to him. “Do you like both guys and girls?”

  Mike thought about this, “Maybe, but I don’t know if I even fit the bisexual label.”

  Joe raised his eyebrows. He didn’t even know his little brother knew the term “bisexual”.

  Mike continued, “I mostly like girls. I could see finding the right girl and getting married. But I like guys—just not all the time.”

  Joe’s mind was in overdrive, but things were starting to make sense. “Like you are curious about what it’s like to be with guys?”

  Mike nodded, “Yeah, I guess you could say that—curious. Like, I’m totally open to it if the right guy came along.”

  Joe nodded, “I think I understand.”

  Mike was surprised, “You do?”

  Joe replied, “Mike, most guys are curious about what’s it like to be with a guy.”

  Mike was caught off guard at Joe’s statement. Was his brother, the star jock, curious about being with a guy? Mike had to catch himself from gasping, “Really?”

  Joe locked his eyes with Mike, “Really.”

  Mike’s tension completely vanished. “Have you ever done anything with a guy?”

  Joe looked away and replied, “Once. But we didn’t do much.”

  Mike’s jaw dropped. This entire time he was so concerned about what his brother would think about his crush on Rocco only to discover his own brother had already crossed that frontier.

  “Who was it?” Mike asked.

  “I’d rather keep that between me and him,” Joe flatly stated.

  “I see,” Mike replied. He respected Joe’s need for confidentiality.

  “I think that’s why I would struggle if you were gay just knowing all the confused feelings I went through. I don’t want you to go through all of that,” Joe confided.

  Now it all made sense to Mike. That is why Joe would have a hard time. Mike smiled and looked at Joe, “Thank you for telling me all of that.”

  “Likewise,” Joe replied. He shook his head and changed the subject “So, are you ready or what?”

  “Yeah, just let me get my drawing put away and I’ll ready,” Mike said and started to roll the drawing up.

  “Wait, can I see your drawing?” Joe asked practically pleading. Mike was embarrassed to show off his artwork but handed the rolled-up drawing to Joe. Joe unrolled the drawing and gasped.

  “Holy shit, Mike! This is amazing!” Joe exclaimed. It was a dead-on accurate portrait of Rocco playing guitar on a skateboard. There was no denying who the subject of the drawing was. It almost looked like a photograph. “This looks exactly like Rocco.”

  Mike blushed. He was never good at accepting praise for his art. He murmured a slight “thanks” and looked down.

  “This is seriously good. I had no idea how skilled you have gotten,” Joe said. “You’re just going to give this away?”

  “Of course,” Mike replied. It had never occurred to him to keep the drawing. “I did it for Rocco.”

  Something clicked in Joe’s head when Mike said this. Mike was into Rocco as in more than a friend. He had a crush on Rocco. Joe was not sure how he felt about this. However, he did not want to ruin this moment of praise by asking Mike about this. This moment was about Mike’s art. Anything more could wait. Joe carefully rolled the drawing up and handed it back to Mike. He watched his brother lovingly insert the drawing into the tube and place the cap the end.

  “Now I’m ready.”

  Joe stopped and took in the moment. His little brother was standing in front of him doing his best to impress Rocco by looking alternative with his dress shirt tied around his waist and his baseball cap on backwards. He was holding the drawing he had been working so hard on in a cardboard tube in one hand. He had his other hand in his pocket and slouching like a punk. His little brother had it bad for Rocco.

  “Let’s roll,” Joe said.

  Rocco

  Rocco was a little early for practice. When he pulled into Pete’s house, his was the only car in the driveway. Pete had the garage door pulled up. He was adjusting some of the dials on the electronics.

  Rocco got out of his car and walked up to where Pete was. Pete was in deep concentration because when he looked up to see Rocco, he yelled in surprise.

  “Shit, man, you scared me,” Pete said.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you,” Rocco said as he took survey of the equipment.

  “How’s it going?” Pete asked as he went back to the dials.

  “Not bad,” Rocco walked over to his guitar and cleaned off some of the garage dust that had been collecting since last night.

  “You think you are going to be ready?” Pete quit messing with the dials and sat down by his microphone.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Rocco said and sat down by Pete. “Hey, Pete…”

  Pete looked up in preparation of a question, “Yes?”

  “I hope it’s okay if I asked someone to come watch…maybe give us some feedback,” Rocco looked down at the concrete floor.

  “Yeah, no problem. We are going to have to get used to an audience soon enough,” Pete smiled.

  “Are you nervous?” Rocco asked.

  “Yeah,” Pete answered. “But it’s just stage nervous. Once we start, I’ll be good.”

  “Yeah, same here,” Rocco replied. Speaking in public scared the hell of Rocco, but once he got behind the guitar, he didn’t give an audience a second thought.

  “Who did you invite?” Pete asked.

  “This guy in class, Mike Barber,” Rocco responded.

  “Barber…Barber…how do I know that name?” Pete looked off trying to remember where he heard that name.

  “Joe Barber’s brother,” Rocco said.

  “Joe Barber, the football guy?” Pete asked in a confused manner.

  “Yeah, that Joe Barber,” Rocco replied.

  “I didn’t know there was more than one Barber,” Pete laughed.

  “As far as I know, there’s just the two,” Rocco said.

  “That’s an interesting choice for an audience. The brother of a football player,” Pete said.

  “Well, he’s not at all like his brother,” Rocco started. “He’s not a jock.” Rocco anticipated that Pete was fishing for this information.

  “That’s good to hear,” Pete said rubbing his eye and running his hand over his hair.

  “Yeah, he’s a cool guy,” Rocco said as he tapped his fingers on his leg. Pete looked over at Rocco. He looked Rocco over with his icy blue eyes and smirked.

  “Is this Mike Barber, maybe…” Pete drew out the last word in hopes that Rocco would finish the sentence. Rocco looked up at Pete. Rocco raised his eyebrows as if to say, “maybe what?” Pete continued, “Is he a love interest?”

  Rocco made a face of shock and scrunched up his nose, “No!”

  Pete turned his face towards the garage door but cut his eyes over to Rocco, “Are you sure?”

  Rocco blushed and looked away.

  Pete saw that Rocco was nervous and became serious. “You know it’s fine if he is.”

  Rocco looked back at Pete. Pete’s eyes cut a hole in his soul. “Well, maybe.”

  “How far has this gone?” Pete asked eager to find out more.

  “It hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s straight, I think,” Rocco laughed nervously.

  “Oh, I see,” Pete said with a somber face. “Has he said that?”

  “No,” Rocco replied.

  “Well, if he hasn’t said it, then you don’t know for sure,” Pete said smiling again.

  “I guess you are right, but I kinda doubt it,” Rocco replied slightly crestfallen.

  A car pulled up behind Rocco’s car. Three people got out of the vehicle. It was Raz, Austin, and a female—Wendy. Pete and Rocco got up to greet the visitors.

  Pete turned to Rocco, “Cheer up. You don’t know the end of this story yet.” Rocco smiled at him. Raz and Austin were starting to approach when Pete whispered, “Do these guys know about Mike?”

  “I already told Austin but not Raz,” Rocco whispered. Pete gave him an ok sign.

  “Welcome fellow bandmates,” Pete began, “and esteemed plus one I presume.” Pete looked at Wendy.

  Wendy had a petite frame. She was wearing large glasses. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

  “Guys, I’d like you to meet Wendy. She’s going to be our audience tonight,” Austin introduced her.

  “Well, welcome Wendy. We may have a big audience tonight,” Pete said and looked over at Rocco. Austin gave Pete a quizzical look.

  “A big audience?” Austin asked.

  “It seems our Rocco has asked a…” Pete paused, “friend as well.”

  Austin raised an eyebrow and looked over at Rocco. Rocco nodded to Austin. This was not how Rocco wanted to introduce Austin to Mike, but here they were.

  “It’s true, I invited someone as well,” Rocco said.

  “I didn’t know we all were allowed a plus one,” Raz said and went over to his bass.

  “It just sorta happened,” Rocco said.

  “When will your friend be here, Rocco?” Pete asked. The moment Pete asked this question, car lights entered the driveway. The car parked but remained running as the passenger got out and then closed the door. The car backed out and drove off. The group heard footsteps approaching. Rocco started to get nervous wondering if this person was Mike. The person stopped in the shadows.

  “Hark! Who goes there?” Pete loudly asked in a medieval like accent. The person in the shadows entered the light. Rocco smiled when he saw it was Mike standing there. He had a cardboard tube in his hands.

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  “Hey, I’m Mike. Rocco invited me,” he said nervously. Austin looked over at Rocco. Rocco caught his eye and nodded as if to tell him “That’s the Mike I told you about.” Austin smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

  “Come forward, young one,” Pete continued in his voice.

  Mike looked around the garage. Once his eyes met Rocco’s, Mike instantly smiled and felt at ease.

  “And you bear gifts!” Pete said.

  “Oh, this,” Mike looked at the tube. “It’s for Rocco.” Rocco’s heart melted at this.

  “Gifts from fans will be collected after the show,” Pete said. “There are some chairs over there in the corner. Pull up a seat because the show is about to begin.” Pete made a motion for the band to take their places. Rocco watched as Mike put the cardboard tube down on the floor and got a fold-up chair. Wendy followed Mike to get a chair. Both walked back, unfolded their chairs, and sat side by side. Rocco was mesmerized by Mike that he had not noticed that Pete was waiting for him to take his place.

  “Rocco. Any day now,” Pete spoke. Rocco snapped out of his daze and made his way to the stage area.

  Rocco and Raz plugged in their instruments as Austin situated himself behind the drums. Pete turned his mic on.

  “We’re Fred and we are here to rock,” Pete announced. “2…3…4”

  As Pete said 4, Rocco centered himself before starting the first riff. As Rocco continued the riff, Austin began the beat, followed by Raz on the bass. Pete started singing when the song got to a certain point. The show had started.

  Mike sat in a daze. He could not believe what he was hearing. Even though Mike did not know any Pearl Jam songs, he could tell that they were playing everything perfectly. He had never seen a live rock band. Not only was the entire experience overwhelming to him but seeing Rocco in his element made Mike’s stomach flutter.

  “OOOO, IIIII, ooooo, I’m still alive….” Pete sang as Rocco strummed in perfect timing.

  Words could not express how much Mike was enjoying this. He was so captivated by Rocco’s performance that he forgot all about Wendy sitting next to him. It did not really matter. He was here for Rocco. The song ended and both Mike and Wendy screamed in applause.

  The band continued through the next song. Mike found himself bobbing his head to a song he had never heard. He really liked whatever song this was, but he liked the band’s guitar player the most. His smile went ear to ear along with his starstruck eyes. Rocco was beginning to sweat. His tattered Ramones t-shirt was flowing as he struck the strings over and over in unison with the song. As the second song was reaching its end, Rocco looked up and saw Mike smiling and enjoying himself. The third song started, and Rocco entered the song exactly when he should have—no problems this time. When the third song ended, Mike and Wendy started to clap and shout for more. As the set continued, their applause grew more and more fevered. The guys knew their set was a success just from their reactions.

  Before Mike could catch his breath, Pete said began “We’re Fred. Good night!” Mike and Wendy went crazy cheering. It was obvious they enjoyed the show. There was no need to ask them for feedback.

  “Well, what did the audience think?” Pete asked.

  “Wow!!!!” Wendy shouted

  “That was amazing!!” Mike repeated her enthusiasm.

  “Gentlemen,” Pete said to the band members, “I think our fears should be laid to rest.”

  Wendy ran up behind the drums and put her arms around Austin. “I can’t believe how good you sounded!” She gave Austin a kiss on the cheek. Austin had a big goofy smile on his face.

  Rocco put his guitar on its stand with the intention of going over to Mike to get his opinion. Mike was already on the stage behind him. Rocco turned around and was a little startled to see him right there.

  “Rocco, you were so awesome!” Mike was still smiling as wide as his mouth would allow.

  “So, you liked it?” Rocco gave him a half smile. Rocco was drenched in sweat. His hair was no longer perfectly gelled down.

  “Like??? I loved it!” Mike was giddy. “You are going to blow everyone away tomorrow.”

  “Now, now,” Pete interrupted, “we are a team.”

  “Oh, you all sounded good, of course!” Mike retorted.

  “But I understand your focused admiration,” Pete replied. Rocco gave Pete a wide-eyed look. Pete just smiled and held up his hand as if to indicate he would lay off his innuendos. Mike was too frenzied from the performance to catch on.

  “Is there anything we should change?” Rocco asked Mike.

  “Not one thing,” Mike replied. His starstruck state of mind was beginning to settle down. “Seriously, not one thing.”

  “Then I think we can call it a night!” Pete said.

  “Wait, already???” Mike questioned.

  “Yeah, it’s almost been two hours,” Rocco replied.

  “Really? Two hours?” Mike had lost all sense of time watching Rocco play.

  “Yeah, really,” Rocco said. “I need to clean up, I’m drenched in sweat. Do you need a ride home?”

  “Ummm,” Mike hesitated. He was still shocked at how quickly time had passed. “Yeah, I do need a ride home.” Mike realized he was also starving. “Would you mind if we got something to eat?”

  Rocco did not object at the thought of spending more time with Mike. “I’m famished. If you can tolerate my sweaty ass, then let’s get something to eat.”

  The band members unplugged their instruments, and everyone started to walk towards their cars. Mike started to walk alongside Rocco when he remembered his drawing.

  “Hang on, I got you a present. I left it inside.” Mike ran back to the garage to grab his cardboard tube. He caught back up with Rocco who was halfway to his car. Pete waved them all good night before closing the garage door.

  Rocco unlocked the passenger side of his car for Mike and then went around to the driver side to unlock his door.

  “Here, this is for you.” Mike said as he handed the cardboard tube to Rocco. Rocco was surprised that Mike had a gift for him. He reached up and turned on the interior light. He looked over at Mike who was giving him a look of anticipation. Rocco pulled off one side of the tube and saw that there was what looked like a rolled-up poster inside. He tapped the other end so that the paper inside slid down to the edge of the opened end. Rocco reached in and pulled out a large piece of paper roughly half the size of a standard poster. Rocco gave Mike a questioning look and unrolled the paper. He was absolutely stunned at what he saw. It was a lifelike drawing of himself on a skateboard playing a guitar.

  “Did you draw this?” Rocco asked almost not able to form the words.

  “Yes,” Mike blushed.

  The depth of the skill involved to draw something that looked so close to a photograph was mind-blowing. Rocco could not believe that the guy sitting next to him in the car was capable of such artistry.

  “This is fucking phenomenal, Mike,” Rocco whispered.

  “So, you like it?” Mike asked.

  “I fucking loving this. I could kiss you for doing this,” Rocco blurted out without realizing what he had said.

  Mike laughed nervously at what Rocco said. Rocco stared at the attention to detail in the shading as well as the highlights. The drawing was almost so real that it seemed like it was in motion. Rocco would not be surprised if the man in the drawing started to talk. He was mesmerized by what he was looking at but more mesmerized by the guy who drew this.

  A car horn beeped. Rocco jumped out of his trance. He saw that Austin had left the driveway leaving the way clear for him to back out. Rocco looked over at Mike and smiled. He then laughed, rolled up the drawing, and slid it back in the tube. He gingerly put the tube in the back seat.

  “Thank you so much, Mike. I’m going to get a frame for it and hang it up,” Rocco said. He and Mike looked at each other for a moment. Rocco then leaned over to Mike to give him a hug. Before he could, he stopped himself—realizing that he was a soaking mess. “I was going to give you a hug, but I’m wet and disgusting.”

  Mike laughed, “No problem. You can hug me when you are clean and dry.”

  Rocco started the car and pulled out of the driveway.

  They pulled up to the local drive-in restaurant—not the big chain but the one owned by one of those powerful gay couples in town—Skip’s Drive In. They had all the standard burgers, fries, and malts fare. This was not where the kids in high school went as they chose the chain place. This is where their parents went. Rocco pulled into one of the spots and killed the engine.

  “Any idea what you want?” Rocco said as he turned to look at Mike.

  Mike’s heart pounded. He knew what he wanted, and he was starting to think that Rocco picked up on his idea. Mike couldn’t think of what to say.

  “Um, er..” Mike stammered. “I don’t know.”

  “I’m going to get the number 3 with an extra-large tot,” Rocco said decidedly.

  “S-Sure,” Mike stuttered. “I’ll have the same.”

  Mike sat quietly staring in the distance as Rocco placed the order. When he was done, he turned back to Mike.

  “I seriously love that drawing,” Rocco said after a moment of silence.

  Mike looked over at Rocco. “I enjoyed drawing it.” He gave a little nervous smile.

  “Have you taken any classes?” Rocco asked.

  “What?” Mike was not expecting any questions about his skills.

  “Art classes. Have you taken any art classes?” Rocco asked.

  “Um…kind of. Over the past few summers, I’ve worked at the art store. The owner gives me lessons in exchange for me helping out,” Mike said.

  “Oh, you work at Sydney’s?” Rocco asked.

  “Just summers, not during school.” Mike answered.

  “That’s cool,” Rocco pulled a pack of Camels out of his pocket. “Care if I smoke?”

  “It’s your car,” Mike replied. Mike was indifferent about smoking but watching Rocco take a drag of his cigarette was incredibly sexy. Mike watched him for a second and then asked, “Can I have one?”

  “You smoke?” Rocco smiled.

  “Oh, yeah, all the time,” Mike replied. He realized that he just sounded like a sixth grader trying to impress an older teen.

  Rocco pulled out a cigarette and handed it to Mike along with his lighter. Mike put the butt into his mouth and lit the cigarette. He took a long drag. The taste of acrid burning entered his lung causing him to hack. Rocco looked over in surprise before bursting out in laughter. Mike had a scowl on his face as the cigarette dangled from his mouth.

  “All the time, huh?” Rocco snickered.

  “All the time,” Mike said and took another drag. This time the hacking was a small cough. He desperately wanted Rocco to be impressed with him. If this is what it took, so be it.

  “You know,” Rocco said, “you should do that as a career.”

  “What, smoke?” Mike did not understand what Rocco meant.

  Rocco laughed and took a drag. “No! Art. You should totally be an artist.”

  Mike took one more drag, then put out the cigarette. “I’m thinking about it. I don’t think my parents would be too happy with that.”

  “It’s your life,” Rocco retorted.

  “Yeah, but I doubt they would like spending money for college to have me end up a starving artist,” Mike’s mouth tasted like he had licked an ashtray.

  “What would they want you to do?” Rocco asked.

  “Probably something in Finance. Some sort of steady work, you know,” Mike replied. “What about you? What are you doing after high school?” Mike did not really want to know about high school without Rocco there.

  “I’m going to UCLA in the fall. I’m not sure what I’m going to study though. I thought psychology, but after this class we have, I’m not so sure,” Rocco flatly stated.

  UCLA. California. That was a long way from Miners Creek. Now, Mike really did not want to think about it. Why would he want to bother with someone who was going to move away to other side of the country?

  “Wow, that’s a long way from Miners Creek,” Mike said sadly.

  “That’s the point. I want to be somewhere big and far away,” Rocco said staring in front of him.

  “You hate Miners Creek that much?” Mike asked looking at Rocco.

  “I don’t hate it here. It’s just not where I want to end up. I want to get out and see the world a little,” Rocco continued to stare out into the distance.

  “Yeah, I get it,” Mike also stared out into the distance.

  “I want to go somewhere where I can be who I’m supposed to be. Somewhere where no one will give a shit about who I am,” Rocco looked over at Mike staring out. Mike looked back over at Rocco. For a moment, they were silently staring at each other.

  “You’ve really had a rough time here, haven’t you?” Mike said in a serious tone.

  Rocco looked down and took a pull from his cigarette. “Yeah, I’ve been called lots of bad names in the past here. I don’t want any more of it.” He put his cigarette out and slouched down in his seat.

  “That really sucks,” Mike did not know how to respond to his pain.

  In the distance, the two could hear the jingling of a change maker. It was a car hop with their order. The car hop approached.

  “Two number 3’s both with extra tots,” She hooked a tray to the car window. “That will be $10”

  Mike reached around in his wallet. Rocco stopped him.

  “It’s on me,” Rocco said and paid the car hop.

  “Thanks!” Mike said and sat back in his seat. Rocco reached up to the tray and handed Mike his food.

  “Want to hear some music while we eat?” Rocco asked before popping a tater tot in his mouth.

  “Sure!” Mike replied.

  “Any requests?” Rocco asked.

  “It’s your car,” Mike smiled and took a bite of his burger.

  “Alright!” Rocco put in a mixed tape he created of some 80s New Wave music. They ate in silence—too nervous to talk to each other. Once they finished, Rocco collected the trash, put it on the tray, and placed the tray on a little platform under the speakers.

  “What time do you have to be home?” Rocco asked Mike.

  “I can be out until about 12 since it’s Friday,” Mike replied.

  “Okay. So, it’s 9:30 right now. You want to go to the skate park?” Rocco asked.

  “The skate park? I’ve never been there,” Mike said excited at the opportunity to do something new.

  “Yeah, we can check it out for a little bit before I have to take you home,” Rocco eyed Mike and smirked.

  “Ok!” Mike said barely holding his excitement back.

  Rocco started the engine and the two made their way to the skate park across town. Miners Creek Skate Park was at the location of the old city pool. Once the town decided to close the pool, they had the misfortune of being stuck with a lot and an empty hole. The city could no longer afford the operation of a pool especially since no one hardly used it in the past ten years. A couple of skateboarding enthusiasts seized the opportunity to place a low bid on the old pool and converted it into a large bowl for skaters. They constructed a few other smaller bowls as well as some half and quarter pipes. It was more than a decent park for a small town. Even thought it had been in operation for three years, it had gained a loyal following only this past year. Rocco started going when he first learned to skate the summer between his sophomore and junior year. At first, he just watched the other skaters. He started to befriend a couple of guys from school who taught him the basics. It was here where he met Pete and Raz—Raz being one of the guys who taught him how to a few tricks. The irony of it all was that Raz no longer skated. Pete never skated—he was just there for the vibe. Of the three, only Rocco skated at the skatepark. Over the past summer, Rocco practiced in the empty housing development and started to enter the big bowl at the park.

  When they pulled into the park, there was a light gathering of mostly junior high and elementary school kids on the pipes and the smaller bowls. There were just a couple of kids in the big bowl. The skate park was usually not a spot for high schoolers unless there was a show which was an infrequent occurrence. The high schoolers that attended shows at the skate park were like Pete, Raz, and Rocco—the misfits, the alternative kids. The popular kids had other popular kid activities to do on a Friday and Saturday night.

  Mike and Rocco got out of the car. Rocco went over to open his trunk and pulled out his board. He walked back over to Mike who was watching the kids in the park. Mike looked back at Rocco.

  “You brought your skateboard?” Mike asked a little surprised.

  “I always have it with me,” Rocco said and smiled. “Come on.”

  Rocco jolted towards the gate. Mike followed him.

  “Hey Rocco, what’s up?” the guy at the gate greeted the two.

  “What’s up O’Malley,” Rocco said. O’Malley owned the park.

  “It’s a slow night so come on in,” O’Malley waived the two through.

  Mike was completely out of his element here. He had no idea what to do. Rocco went over to the big bowl which was now empty. Mike followed.

  “Watch this.” Rocco said and flipped his board on the ground. As it was rolling, he mounted the board and leaned into the bowl. From Mike’s viewpoint, he disappeared momentarily only to reappear on the other side of the bowl. Rocco reached the rim of the bowl on the side, pivoted the board around, and came back down. He reemerged on the side where Mike was standing right at the rim still on his board. Rocco bent his legs and flipped the board up from the rim and onto the flat ground in front of Mike. “Ta da!”

  “Wow! That was pretty cool,” Mike exclaimed. Rocco just smiled and held out both arms like he had just completed a dance.

  “Want to try?” Rocco asked as he stomped on the back of his board to flip the other end into his hand.

  Mike was taken aback. “I don’t know how.”

  “I’ll teach you. Don’t worry,” Rocco said as he looked Mike in the eye.

  “Um, I don’t know,” Mike said reluctantly.

  “Come on!” Rocco pleaded.

  “Fine,” Mike gave in but, having Rocco there begging, it didn’t take much persuasion.

  “Okay, let’s go over here where it’s flat. I’ll hold on to you while you try standing on the board,” Rocco said. Mike was beginning to like this idea.

  Rocco placed the board flat and motioned for Mike to come over.

  “You want to stand on it like this,” Rocco hopped up on the board with both feet pointing in the same direction. He hopped off for Mike to repeat what he had just done. “You’re just going to stand on it, you’re not going anywhere.”

  “Okay,” Mike went over next to the board and looked at it.

  “Take my hands and hop on,” Rocco reached out and held both of Mike’s hands. Mike’s freckled hands felt warm and soft. His fingers were not bony but well cushioned which indicated to Rocco that Mike had a little padding on him. Mike was not chunky, but neither was he gangly. Rocco could feel the heat from Mike’s body. He could also swear he heard Mike’s heart pounding in his chest—likely out of fear of being on the unstable board.

  Mike could feel that the wobble of the board was making it hard for him to keep his balance. What Mike could feel the most was the heat coming from Rocco’s body. They were less than three inches from each other. Rocco was holding on tightly to Mike’s hands as he struggled to maintain a steady position on the board.

  “You’re doing fine. Don’t step off,” Rocco said in a soothing tone. Mike did not care much for being on the skateboard. What he cared about was how close he was to Rocco. He was getting hit constantly with Rocco’s intoxicating scent of sweat and dark, earthy musk—a bit like after hiking into the deep forest—not shower fresh but not yet repulsive. Mike smelled of Irish Spring and a hint of musky sandalwood. Mike looked at Rocco who was focused on keeping him on the board.

  The board tilted sharply toward Rocco causing Mike to fall toward him unexpectedly. He instinctively grabbed Rocco who reciprocated the hug to catch Mike. Rocco felt Mike’s face in his neck and the wetness of his soft lips on his skin. A shiver went through Rocco’s body. Rocco’s shirt was still slightly damp from sweat. The fall caused Mike to get a taste of Rocco’s salty skin. Even though Rocco had been sweating from band practice, Mike found this more pleasing than he would have imaged. The skateboard went rolling off into the grass. Mike stood back steadying himself.

  “Are you okay?” Rocco asked concerned about Mike’s safety. Mike burst out laughing.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” He could still taste Rocco’s sweat. “But I’m not really into this.”

  Rocco burst out laughing as well. “Fair enough.”

  Rocco ran over to get his board. When he turned around, he saw that Mike was watching him. It felt as if he were studying Rocco intently which Rocco did not mind at all. He also got the sense that Mike wanted to go.

  “You think you are done with this place?” Rocco asked as he ran back over.

  “Yeah,” Mike said. Rocco looked a little disappointed. Mike saw this and added, “For now. I’d like to come back some time and just watch.”

  Rocco’s expression perked up. This gave him hope that there would be more times together with Mike at the place Rocco enjoyed spending his time. Of course, he would see Mike tomorrow at the party and for their study session next week. The more time Rocco got to spend with Mike, the better.

  “I guess I should get home. You gotta rest up for your show tomorrow,” Mike said.

  “You’ve got a good point. Plus, I stink!” Rocco joked.

  “Yeah, I wasn’t going to say it, but you do,” Mike laughed but secretly he enjoyed it.

  “Alright, let’s go,” Rocco said and the two walked back to the car laughing. “Oh, do you still want to study for the test Wednesday?”

  “Yeah, I hadn’t even thought about that,” Mike said. “Tuesday night cram session at my house?”

  “That’s the only way to do it,” Rocco said as he unlocked his door.

  As the car pulled out, the tape they were listening to switched sides. Mike directed them to his house which was 20 minutes away from the park. They pulled into a stately home on the outskirts of town. The driveway was long and ended in a circle. Rocco figured the Barbers were well-to-do but not this well off.

  Rocco was uncomfortable to be here with his sweaty t-shirt and dirty jeans. He really hoped his parents would not want to come out and meet him. His working-class roots would not mix well with this upper crust white-collar family.

  The front of the house was dark except for a couple of exterior lights close to the front door. Rocco pulled the car to the front and turned the engine off. Mike and Rocco both got out of the car. Rocco wanted to be a gentleman and make sure his “date” made into the house safely. As secluded and guarded as this house was, it was very unlikely a burglar would be lurking in the shadows.

  “Thanks for coming and thanks for hanging out,” Rocco said with a smile on his face. His heart was beating out of his chest. He wanted so desperately to lean forward and gently kiss Mike on his soft full lips.

  “Yeah, I had a great time even on the skateboard,” Mike said.

  They looked at each other for a second. Mike reached over and gave Rocco a hug taking in his scent one more time. Rocco inhaled Mike’s aroma deeply. The hug lasted a second longer than it normally should have. The two mutually let go of the embrace. Rocco had not anticipated a hug and instantly felt embarrassed for being so grungy. He hoped his sweat did not ruin Mike’s crisp t-shirt.

  “See you tomorrow!” Rocco said and got back in the car. He rolled his window down, “And here Tuesday night.”

  Mike watched as the car pulled around the circle and out of the driveway. He stood a moment relishing all the senses that had been activated that evening. He could still smell, taste, and feel Rocco.

  Rocco’s nose was still full of Mike’s scent. He almost did it—he was so close to kissing him but was glad that he chickened out. He did not want to scare Mike off and risk never hanging out him again.