“I’m going out of town for a few days. I sort of do a lot of traveling between here and San Diego. But as soon as I’m back in town, we can go out again? I really want to see you again.”
He wanted to go out again? “Sure. I mean it’s a family thing, right? Gotta stay with your dad so long and then your mom? I get that. I know some kids who are on a rotation.” Though they all went to the same school, and their parents lived just blocks apart.
“Something like that.” The car stopped, and when Adam looked up, he realized they were in front of his house. “Text me,” Ru said. “Call me. I might not always answer, but I will call back when I have a chance.” He leaned forward and kissed Adam so soundly he felt like his toes were on fire. “Promise?”
Adam nodded dumbly and got out of the car. “Thanks, Ru.”
His smile was the last thing Adam saw as the car drove away. He tiptoed into the house light as air and dancing on the moonlight. Who knew a trip to the library could put such wonderful things into motion?
His mom and dad only asked him briefly about the night before letting him escape to his room. Once he closed the door to his space, he leaned against it, looking at where it was he had lived for so long. Everything felt so different, like his senses had finally been awakened. The walls were mostly bare. The only posters were things his mother had insisted on, with quotes about success and happiness.
For the most part the room was clean. Adam had a “dirty clothes” pile, a “clean, unfolded clothes” pile, and a “semi-dirty, he wore it for an hour” pile. His desk was empty of most everything since he hadn’t bothered to pull his laptop out of his bag. The only thing that felt real, important, at that very moment was the slip of paper pinned to the otherwise empty cork-board above the desk. It was the paper with Ru’s name and number.
Adam sent Ru a quick text thanking him for the evening and telling him how much he would miss him. He had only spent a few hours with Ru, and yet everything had changed. Ru made Adam feel important, like maybe there really was a reason for him to be here. Even if it was just to be crazy about him.
His phone buzzed with a new text:Can I call u? Anytime.Adam wrote back.
A second later it rang.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” Ru said, sounding tired but happy.
“You get home okay?”
“Yeah. Got an early flight, but I didn’t want the night to end yet.”
“Me neither.” Adam could listen to him talk forever, but nothing was as great as having their hands wound together, or their lips for that matter. He hoped Ru would return soon as he wanted to learn everything there was about him. “When do you think you’ll be back?”
“Maybe Sunday. Not sure.”
Adam sighed and stripped out of his clothes, threw them into the dirty pile, leaving just his boxers, and got into bed with the phone. Surely it wasn’t normal to want someone this much when they had just met?
“You just took off your clothes.” Ru sounded like he was smiling huge.
“Are you Superman or something, seeing through walls?”
“No. I heard the clothes rustling. Wish I was there. I bet you’ve never gotten to hold someone until you’ve both fallen asleep.”
Adam hadn’t, and it sounded wonderful. “Someday.”
“Yeah.” He was quiet for a minute. “What sort of music do you like, Adam?”
“Hmm. I guess I’m kind of eclectic. I like a little of everything. Except rap and country, I think. Madonna’s okay, Britney too, but I’m more just whatever’s playing. I like rock a lot, more so than pop. You big into music?”
“Yeah, it’s kind of a passion. Grew up with a guitar in my hands.”
“Oh no, are you one of those good old country boys?” Adam teased him.
“No way. I’m from Diego, remember? I’m more of a rock guy. Lots of guitars and bass. You ever play anything?”
“Not a drop of musical talent in my body. I was in choir for about five minutes in junior high until the teacher discovered I couldn’t find a tune with a GPS. Said something about me sounding like a dying water buffalo.”
Ru’s laughter was strong and free-sounding, infectious. Adam found himself laughing along with him about his horrible singing skills. They talked a while longer until Adam had a hard time keeping his eyes open. Ru’s words merged into a soothing melody that dropped Adam off into a deep sleep without saying good-bye.
