High Balls

by Tara Lain

  “Andy, what’s wrong?”

  “I gotta leave here.”

  “The picnic?”

  “Yeah. It’s-it’s awful.”

  “Did you call your dad?”

  “I tried to text him but he didn’t answer. He’s working.”

  “Where are you? Do you know?” Damn. Damn.

  “Top of the World Park.”

  “Are your grandparents there?”

  “Y-yes.”

  “Do they know you’re calling me?”

  “No. But I gotta leave, Snake. I gotta.” He started to cry.

  “It’s okay. Don’t cry. I’m coming.” How in hell could he do this? “I’m going to bring a car, okay? Tell your grandparents that your dad’s friend is coming to get you.” He glanced at his clock on the desk. Only a little after noon. “Tell them your dad needs you home and he sent me to get you, okay? It’ll only take me about fifteen minutes to get there.”

  “Hurry, please.”

  “I will. Don’t worry. Look calm so they don’t get upset. Can you do that?”

  “Yes. I’ll try.”

  “Okay, Andy. I’m coming right now.”

  “Th-thank you.”

  He hated to hang up. The kid sounded frantic and actually scared. He texted Theodore. Andy called. Couldn’t reach you. Very upset. I’m going to get him. Will try to avoid shitstorm. He’s saying you need him at home. Think fast.

  He ran to the back garage where he kept his little-used car, maneuvered out of the narrow space, backed to the road, and stomped the accelerator. What the fuck kind of grandparents did this kid have?

  He made it to the park in ten minutes. As he pulled up, he saw tons of people with their hands in the air walking around—staggering might be a better description—and bumping into each other. What the fuck? He opened the car door, and the sound of voices raised surrounded him.

  “Praise the Lord.”

  “Thank you, Jesus.”

  And a whole bunch of weird words he didn’t get at all.

  He looked at the crowd. All of a sudden, Andy burst out of a cluster of people and ran toward him. An older man separated himself from the group and followed behind with a terrifying scowl. Thank God I wore long sleeves.

  Andy hit him like a missile, wrapping his arms around Snake’s hips. He reached down and picked the kid up, getting an equally tight hold on his neck. Andy whispered, “Go. Can we just go?”

  “No. It’s okay.” He tightened his hold on Andy and plastered a pleasant smile on his face as the man approached.

  “You, there. Who are you and why are you here?”

  “I’m a friend of Andy and his dad. Te—uh, Theodore asked me to come get Andy because he’s stuck at work and Andy needs to be home.”

  “For the sleepover,” Andy blurted out.

  “It’s hardly time for a sleepover. Andy can stay at the picnic for a few more hours, and I’ll bring him home. Besides, I don’t know you and can hardly be expected to release my grandson into your care.”

  Snake held the mild expression with difficulty. “Sir, I appreciate that, but obviously Andy knows me well. My name is Streams. I’m kind of an honorary uncle to Andy. He has this commitment, and it starts soon, so I will be taking him home to get ready for his friend’s arrival.” Snake stared pointedly at the still moaning, writhing crowd. “Besides, it appears that all the kids’ activities must be over, so he’ll have more fun with his friends.” He turned on his heel and walked to the car. If that dude has a gun, I may be dead.

  Andy buckled himself into the seat and never once looked out the window toward his grandfather. Snake pulled away from the curb, and it wasn’t until two blocks later that Andy finally seemed to take a deep breath. “Thank you.”

  “How about some pizza?”

  “Oh yes, please. They wouldn’t give us any food until after the praying.”

  “So that’s what they call that? Praying?”

  “Yeah. They yell and scream and do tongue stuff.”

  “Tongue? You mean like speak in tongues?”

  “Yeah. Sounds like crazy people, Uncle Snake. And they tell us kids we have to let the spirit in and stop being bad and terrible and doing stuff that will send us to hell.”

  “Shit. Excuse me. Forget I said that, okay?”

  Andy didn’t even laugh. “And the nasty kids flail around and pretend they’re all holy and stuff and punch me and hit me with their fists like they couldn’t help it. It’s crap, Uncle Snake. Crap.”

  “Yes. It is.”

  His cell rang and he tapped the screen in the car. “Teddy?”

  “Jesus, Snake, where’s Andy?”

  “I’m here, Dad.”

  “I’m so sorry. I was in a meeting and had to put the phone on mute, and I didn’t hear the vibration. Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

  Snake said, “He’s fine. We’re going to stop for pizza. Want to join us?”

  “Yes. Absolutely. I have to contact some students first, but I’ll be there. Tell me where?”

  Snake gave him the address of his favorite pizza place in downtown Laguna, and a half hour later, when Teddy ran in the front door, Snake waved from the back. Andy hadn’t stopped eating since they got there.

  Andy looked up, the combination of chewing and smiling making a colorful display. “Hi, Dad.”

  Teddy wrapped his arms around Andy and hugged him despite getting some cheese grease on his shirt. He sat in the empty chair.

  Snake nodded toward the large pizza in the middle of the table. “Have some.”

  “Oh, okay.” He kept glancing at Andy, but the kid never stopped eating.

  Snake tried to keep his voice even. “Apparently nobody fed Andy at the so-called picnic because they had to pray first. They were doing that when I arrived.”

  Teddy frowned. “But didn’t the picnic start at, like, ten thirty or something?”

  Andy nodded, even shoving some salad in his mouth, which clearly amazed Teddy.

  “So they prayed for two hours?”

  “Yep.” Andy nodded at the same time.

  Snake raised an eyebrow. “They were just getting started from what I saw. The speaking in tongues had just begun.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “Nope.”

  “And apparently some of the kids use this display as a chance to abuse other children.”

  Andy shook his head. “No, just me since they call my dad a fag.” He took another big bite.

  Snake gasped and covered it with a cough.

  Teddy looked stricken. “I’m speaking to Hanson tonight.”

  “Hanson’s the grandfather?”

  “Yes. I should have done it before now. Andy told me they were bullying him. I just—” He took a breath. “I thought a picnic would be safe. Be fun.”

  “The grandfather was pretty unpleased about me showing up. I tried not to be offensive.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.” He didn’t quite meet Snake’s eyes. “I think I should talk to him in person.”

  “I expect he’s still at the prayer picnic.”

  “Yes. I’ll call him first.”

  People on the way to funerals looked more excited.

  OH SHIT. Oh shit. Oh shit. Theodore watched the Andersons’ car pull up their driveway and then into the garage. This was a day he’d hoped would never come.

  He climbed out of the Toyota and walked around toward the house. Hanson stood in the opening to the garage. Theodore ignored him and proceeded to the front door, where he rang the bell. Not having this discussion on the driveway like every other fucking conversation.

  Grace Anderson opened the door and frowned. “Hello.”

  He pushed past her as he said, “I’d like to speak with you and Hanson.” He walked directly into their living room and sat on the edge of the couch.

  Hanson and Grace both came in, moving tentatively.

  Theodore stood. “I’m sorry to barge in, but I have to speak with you both.”

  Hans
on nodded. “All right.” He sat in his favorite chair, and Grace parked herself off to the side in a chair with a footstool. A romance novel lay on the stool.

  Theodore sat. “I have always been agreeable about Andy spending time with you. I feel it’s important that he love and value his grandparents. I haven’t even raised objection to his going to church with you despite the fact that it isn’t our church. But when I hear that a so-called picnic is actually some kind of revival meeting, and that my son is being bullied by children taking part in this event I never agreed to—” He gritted his teeth to keep from screaming. “—I’m calling a halt. If you want to see Andy, then he can come to the beach or some other enjoyable activity, but no more church and no more of your friends or your friends’ children. He was upset and deeply troubled.”

  “That’s nonsense,” Hanson blustered. “Those are good Christian children, and they love Andy.”

  “No, they don’t. They berate him, they insult me, and they hit and torment him. He’s also deeply offended by the opinions your friends expressed in his hearing. You may find it acceptable for a seven-year-old to hear people discussing that homosexuals are perverted and going to hell, but I don’t.” He stood. “I’m very sorry. I literally couldn’t force Andy to come back here. If you want to spend time with him, I suggest you find a new means of communication.”

  Grace’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of father are you to allow your son to be in the company of some long-haired, tattooed creature who is probably as perverted as you? I won’t have my daughter’s child exposed to this kind of debauchery. I’m sure I can find a court to agree with me.”

  Hanson held out a hand. “Now, now, dear.” He looked at Theodore. “We know you’re his father and want the best for him, but you’re seriously misguided as to what is appropriate in raising a child. Had Esther lived, she would have agreed with us.”

  Some little thread in Theodore’s self-control frayed. “That’s ridiculous. Esther and I agreed completely about how to raise Andy.”

  “But Esther didn’t know about your lifestyle choices now did she?” Hanson sneered.

  Theodore swallowed to keep in the words, but they pushed past his compressed lips. “Of course she did.”

  Grace’s mouth fell open, and he stared at her, then his gaze fell to the book in front of her. What? He cocked his head, remembered where he was, turned and marched out the door.

  All the way home, he gripped the wheel. I had to do it. I had to. But Grace Anderson’s voice shivered up his spine. I’m sure I could get a court to agree with me.

  He walked into his apartment to find Andy sound asleep on the couch with his head cradled in Snake’s lap. Snake put a finger to his lips and whispered, “The whole thing wiped him out.” He gently slid out from under Andy’s head, stood, and pulled a throw over him. Andy curled into a ball and kept sleeping.

  Snake walked over to Theodore and slid an arm around his neck. “How’d it go?”

  “Awful, but it had to be done.”

  He led him over to the table, held a chair for him, then went to the kitchen and came back with two beers. “Tell me.” He sat in the other chair.

  Theodore hunched his shoulders. “I’m terrified, Snake. I’m so afraid they’re going to try to take him away from me.”

  Snake frowned. “They could try, man, but they wouldn’t succeed.”

  “They thought Esther didn’t know I was gay.”

  “Wishful thinking on their part.”

  “I unapprised them of that idea—which was probably really, really stupid.” He took a sip, then wrinkled his nose against the fizz. “Grace even talked about finding a court to agree with their opinion.” He looked into Snake’s eyes. “That opinion being that I’m an unholy pervert.”

  “You’re his father. They’ve got no claim.”

  Theodore’s gaze sneaked over to Andy on the couch, breathing deeply and whimpering occasionally. “Oh man, Snake.”

  “I know, baby. You’ve got to do anything to protect that kid. He’s the best.”

  “He seriously likes you.”

  “Vice versa.”

  “Could I impose on you to stay with him again on Tuesday night? I have to do another thing for the department. I don’t want to leave him with the high school girl I usually call. I think he’s too scared and upset. He feels safe with you.” Well, shit, how selfish could he be? “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. You have to work sometimes, despite the demands of the Walters family.” He tried to smile and took a sip of beer that tasted bitter all of a sudden.

  “Hey, I’m happy to do it. I feel safe with him too.” He grinned and Theodore’s whole stomach flipped. How does one guy get so sexy and so kind? Snake glanced toward Andy. “I’ll stay with him, but you guys have to go to the movies with me tomorrow.”

  “Snake?”

  Both Snake and Theodore turned toward the small voice coming from the couch. Snake bounded up and crossed to sit next to Andy. “Hey, buddy, want to switch your sleeping accommodations for your nice soft bed?”

  Andy nodded, his eyes closing, but he held his arms out to Snake, who picked him up and carried him toward the bedroom.

  Theodore’s brain exploded. Andy is as comfortable with Snake as he is with me. What the hell have I done? After all these years of being so careful. But if I didn’t have Snake right now, I’m not sure I could survive. He followed them into the bedroom.

  Snake calmly and efficiently undressed the nearly asleep Andy and pulled on his pajamas like he did it every day. He laid him down and pulled the covers over him—then he gave him a kiss on the cheek, and Theodore wanted to cry. “Sleep well, buddy.”

  “S-Snake?”

  “Yeah.” He put a big hand on Andy’s shoulder.

  “Don’t leave, okay? Stay here with Dad. Then I can see you in the morning.”

  Snake looked like someone just gave him a million dollars. “Go to sleep now, okay? You’re safe and sound.” Andy’s breathing already sounded deep and peaceful.

  Snake glanced up at Theodore with a soft, misty smile, then stood and walked out of the room. Theodore gave Andy a kiss, turned off the light, and gently closed the door.

  In the living room, Snake stood near the front door but not exactly at it. “He’s had quite a day.”

  Theodore nodded. “We all have. I can’t thank you enough for rescuing him. That whole scene must have been really weird.”

  “You have no idea. We’re talking full-on crazy.”

  “Poor kid.” He stared at the floor. “He’s not going to want to see his grandparents anymore, and I’m not sure how I’m going to handle that. I tried to tell them that they had to find better ways to interact with Andy and that taking him to their church or making him socialize with their friends and their friends’ obnoxious kids weren’t included in their options. But I don’t know how I’ll control that.” He shook himself like a wet dog.

  “I’m happy to talk more about it whenever you want.”

  Well, damn, if that wasn’t the most perfect thing the guy could have said. Not forcing his opinions or assuming he had a say. “Thanks. Thanks so much.”

  “He’ll get to have some fun tomorrow. What movie shall we see?”

  Theodore looked up into that ridiculously handsome face. A relationship with Snake qualified as unwise based on every rule he’d created for himself the past few years since Esther died. I’m so sick of being wise. “Tomorrow?” He felt the slow grin warm his face. “Shouldn’t we talk about—tonight?”

  Chapter Twelve

  OH FUCK. Oh fuck. Oh fuck! Snake hammered his cock into Teddy’s beautiful ass doggy-style and screamed in his head because they couldn’t scream out loud. Three consecutive hours they’d had sex—very quietly. They’d started face-to-face so Snake could see if he was hurting Teddy, but the guy was so freaking into it, Snake gave up holding back and now just thrust liked a very happy machine. Not many guys could take all of Snake’s length and girth without cringing. Teddy, despite his slim frame, s
eemed born for him. Hell, he seems born for a lot more than that—but I don’t think he gets it. Yet. I hope yet and not never. Think about that later.

  Snake leaned forward and whispered “Oh fuck” in Teddy’s ear. “Oh fuck, oh fuck.”

  Teddy swung his head up and down like a horse. “Yes, yes—oh—” Snake slapped a hand over Teddy’s wide-open mouth and muffled his shout. “Mmmft, mffft.”

  Snake hissed, “You’re so freaking sexy, I feel like I could come every hour of the day just thinking about your pretty eyes and your sexy mouth and your amazing ass and your turn-on of a brain.” He hammered in time to his words, then froze as his head flew into pieces and his cock lit up like the western power grid. “Oh baby.” He followed him down until they lay in a pile of sticky ecstasy on the still vibrating bed.

  Oh man, I want to do this every night. Every freaking night for freaking ever. He listened to his heart thud. I wouldn’t be here now if Andy hadn’t called me. I might never have seen Teddy again. This is only a reprieve.

  He rolled off Teddy’s back, gathered the condom, slid his feet to the floor, and padded into the bathroom for warm washcloths. After tossing the condom, he returned to the bed and wiped drying sweat from Teddy’s lean body, back and front, then did a little drag over the splotches on the sheet and went back to the bathroom. A quick pee later, he crawled in beside Teddy, pulled up the covers, and spooned him so he didn’t lay on the wet spots. Did Andy’s invitation to stay include an expectation that Snake would sleep with Teddy? I guess we’ll find out. I guess we’re finding out a lot of things. He closed his eyes on a half-contented smile.

  WHAT? WHAT’S happening? What’s wrong? Theodore sat up in one move with the total vigilance he’d perfected ever since Esther got sick. He looked around. Bright sun peeked around the edges of the blinds; the sound of music and laughter came from the living room beyond his closed door, plus—oh yeah, the smell of coffee and—bacon?

  The bed he lay in looked like a disaster zone, sheets pulled from the bottom, covers in disarray, one pillow lying in a squashed heap on the floor, and the spots on the bottom sheet clearly visible where the comforter had been thrown back. The previous night returned in a blinding flash of—lust! His cock soared into woody goody mode, and he could have jerked off right there——except for the cold water of wondering how much of this scene of mass destruction Andy had seen this morning.