Evan Part I (A mishandled Boy)
In the early spring of my High School freshman year I often walked home with a sophomore named Alan. It always helps to have a few older buddies when you’re a freshman. Our school was not really known for hazing, but I assumed it could happen at any time, especially since I was a scrawny kid. Alan, and I had a shop class in the first term, and we discovered one day that we walked a similar route to go home. Alan was a bit if a geek, he read Science Fiction, which is not an immediate qualifier for geek-dom, but he carried a paperback everyday to read at spare time or during lunch break, this strongly suggested geeky nerd.
Alan didn’t walk home with me everyday, some days he chose to walk alone, since we rarely talked much. Anyway I knew he was a loner..... maybe I was too Eventually he did invite me over to his house, but we just sat in patio chairs outside. If I was quiet for very long, he would grab his paperback and start reading. His social skills were a little odd.
On one particular afternoon, he seemed to be in a hurry. When I asked why the fast walking shit. He just said he was going to apply for a job, and wanted to get there as soon as he could get home, change clothes, then go.
When we hurriedly arrived at his house there was this blonde kid out in Alan’s yard playing with Lawn darts and a Frisbee. He was tossing it all wobbly, then chase right after it to go do it again. Alan didn’t acknowledge this kid or even look his direction. Alan made his quickstep pace to the front door, then disappeared inside. He also never offered a See’ya to me. Which was about his typical social aptitude anyway.
About then, the Frisbee landed at my feet. I looked up at the smiling kid. I responded by sailing it to the mystery boy, he grabbed it as it glided gently to his hands.
.
He replied “Hey that was sweet, can you show me how to do that.”
I said “Okay, but what is your name?”
He replied “Oh, I’m Evan and I live here.”
I said “Wow, I never knew Alan had a brother, but it's nice to meet you.”
He made another wobbly toss of the disk, and said he was in Middle school, and made straight A’s.
I walked closer to him to offer some instruction how to aim better, and to use his wrist to throw.
He asked me, “Can I get you a Coke or anything, if you’re thirsty?”
Just about then Alan came storming out the door, He was wearing his same school jeans but a wrinkled blue button down long-sleeve, he had combed his hair and wet it.
Evan said, “Alan, Mom said you shouldn’t wear your Sunday shirt except for Church.”
Alan glared at Evan then his voice built a crescendo to a scream.
“Evan, this is your week to get the garbage can into the garage and besides, I don’t do CHURCH anymore, I’m Six-TEEN I can wear whatever I want…. and YOU’RE …..an.. IDIOT!!”
I think you could have heard that yell over at my house, which is three streets over. I wanted to go hide behind a bush. I was so embarrassed for my new little Frisbee friend.
Evan’s face went blank, he looked at the garbage can, then again at his brother as he marched down the street, softly Evan mumbled, “Last week was my week”.
Evan seemed accustomed to this aggression. I for one could not relate. I had an older brother too. I had long known I was not his favorite person in the world, but he just avoided me, and we were both fine with that. We did not yell at each other in my family.
This event that just occurred in front of me was almost frightening. Partly due to the fact that it was my friend who had been so mean to his brother, and secondly for this cute kid who had not provoked anything deserving of such inflamed anger.
Evan looked at me and said meekly, “So you want a drink now? His cheeks were flushed red, and his brow was drawn to a wrinkle.
Even though I had a dry mouth, I said to Evan, ”I better get going, I have homework.”
Evan said “Okay, umm thanks f or showing me stuff on Frisbees.”
I said “No problem, Hey…anytime.”
As I walked home, I kept thinking about how that nice kid, who had been completely friendly. Why should he be mishandled by his own brother. In fact, I guess I probably anguished over this into the next day. I wished I had looked back at him as I left their house. Was he still tossing that Frisbee, was he sad and sulked into the house to go plop on his bed in shame. I wished I could have saved him from his Brother’s anger and obvious rejection. I really slept poorly that night.
On the next afternoon, I did not even look for Alan as I crossed the Schoolyard heading for home. But I was certainly going to pass by their house to see if Evan might be there. I don’t think I was afraid anything ugly would happen. I just wanted to see that happy kid outside romping in the yard. Replete and joyfully refreshed as if the new day had swept away the bitterness from yesterday. I repeated the quickstep pace alone this time. I was anxious to find Evan jubilant and free. As well, interested to see a friendly face. Indeed, I got my wish, Evan was out in the front yard sure enough, but this time with a football tossing it on the roof of the house and letting it fall randomly to his grasp below.
I shouted to him, “Hey kid, so now you want me to show you how to throw a Football?”
He looked over to me, smiled wide, and said,“Naah, I don’t even like Football, I’m just bored”
I asked half-hearted if Alan was home yet.
He replied “Alan got the job at the Pizza place, he goes there right after school.”
I said, that’s cool, or something mostly uncaring.
Evan asked, “Can you stay a while, I need help with Math homework?”
“Okay sure, I don’t have any of my own.” Which was a lie, but it seemed I could give up some time for this lonely kid. I told him I needed to call home to tell my Mom.
He led me in the house, and to his room. The brothers had separate rooms at one end of the house. Evan went in Alan’s room to grab the cordless phone for me. I could see Alan’s messy room with his Star Trek posters, and some of his clothes strewn on the floor. Evan’s room was tidy, and orderly. He sat at a polished wooden desk that was near a high window. His chest of drawers, and twin bunk beds were stylish and matched with the same wood finish. He had no artwork or posters on the walls. The only thing that showed any personal touch was the sheets and pillow-cases had a Smiling Monkeyshine print pattern. He directed me to sit on the bottom bunk bed, as he handed me his work to review. I was good in math, so checking his work was easy. He actually had it all correct, but I mentioned a couple of ideas to make his teacher give extra credit.
His charming face was curiously alert and attentive to my suggestions. At this time I noticed more details about him. He had these bright blue eyes that were really more like sparkly diamonds. His hair was golden, with slightly darker streaks near the tips. His cheeks were smooth, and a little pronounced near his eyes, he was probably not in puberty yet, since his skin seemed lush and thick with a remainder of light baby fat.. He had dimples around his lips that were rather full uncharacteristic of a boy. His nose was rounded on the tip, but his nostrils flared slightly. He wore slim Khaki pants, and a Boys Polo shirt, so he looked a bit preppy. I guessed that his school had a dress code? All of his clothes fit him well. which was not a compliment ever bestowed upon Alan, whose attire resembled that of a scarecrow.
I heard someone coming in the hallway from the garage. It was a man’s voice, “Evan, I’m home Buddy BEAR!“
“I’m here Dad”, said Evan as he turned back to the desk.
The man peeked his head in, then walked on in as he saw me, “Who is this fine young gentleman Evan?”
Evan introduced me as his new mentor, and friend.
The Dad asked in comical way pausing his syllables. “ Well then, are you staying for Supper, Mis-ter Men-tor Friend?"
Evan immediately said “Yes, Trey, and I need more time with homework Dad.”
The Dad said “Okay Dinner for four coming up at 6:00….. Trey.” As he winked at me.
Evan’s Dad was incredibly nice and friendly as well. He seemed not very masculine and maybe almost the other way, but I had just met him and he was the boy’s Dad, so who was I to judge.
It was a little entertaining how he would stress words as if he were teaching phonics. Speaking slowly and enunciating syllables. Then returning to normal speech pattern.
In a few minutes I heard a woman’s voice, she did not come in, but I could determine from her shrill and cutting voice that carried through the house, she was a stern and rigid person. When she asked questions, it seemed more like a command that deserved action. When is dinner, is Alan coming home before dark, Evan, are you done with your homework yet? All of this berating litmus test was strung together in 10 seconds or less.
We were called to the table precisely at 6:00 o’clock. It was a stewed chicken dish served over rice it was something that I’d never tasted before, but it was very good, and there was plenty.
In an effort of conversation and to please the parents, I asked when does Alan get home. They were a little blank faced. I knew I had to explain to the parents how I knew Alan from school.
Evan proclaimed that it was just today that I had started mentoring him. I did not reveal the little lie that Evan had created. His Mom commented that it was odd for Evan to need tutoring when he usually had very good grades. I offered quickly that I had a teacher that assigned us to find a younger pupil to gear up for college prep. Parents will buy anything if you tell them it is for College admission. They both smiled at me, and then towards Evan. He was sitting next to me, I felt him slightly nudge my foot, as we both were trying to avoid a snicker. I was an accomplice to an unneeded deception. Perhaps Evan knew there would be more inquisition. After the meal, Evan asked me back to his room for my extra credit work. As he slyly winked at me.
In Evan’s room, he turned on the TV, I was comfortable sitting on Evan’s bed, but starting to question in my mind…. why I was here in this room, with this younger kid. I thought maybe his parents might come in and discover that we weren’t doing any work at all? I told Evan I should get home by 7:00 o’clock. Mostly because I did have homework, but too I felt a slight betrayal, since Evan and I were already so very truthful with each other.
He said all right, but can you come back over on Wednesday night. He will have money to go to the Pizza place. I asked if his parents were coming. He explained that was a church supper night, he usually did not go, and his Dad would always order a Pizza delivered, so what would be the difference if we just went there to eat, and we could see Alan working?
“Okay sounds like a plan then.”
Evan walked me to the front door, as the parents kindly offered a Good Night. Evan followed me out, he suggested that he could walk me home.
I questioned him, ”But, then how are you gonna get home ..…walking alone….. not a good plan little Dude?"
He said, “Well okay, then come over Wednesday by 5:00, you don’t need ANY money.”He stood at the door watching my departure, until I was well passed his neighbor’s house.
As I walked home, I was even more confused than I was in Evan’s room. What was I doing? I had my OWN money to get pizza if I wanted. I saved allowance money for any chance of a date. Which would be almost a miracle, I was not real popular with girls, because of my bad complexion. Gladly, I had plenty of friends at school…… some were girls. I had trouble working up the nerve to ask any girls out. I knew the look of attractive girls, but none made me feel like wasting my time or my money.
Somehow, this kid seemed more deficient socially than me. He did not mention any friends of his own, and maybe……. I could gain one more friend anyways? I decided we would split the check for the Pizza.
From that moment on, I found that I was looking forward to Wednesday. I’m not sure why, maybe it was the exuberance this kid had. Maybe I wanted to be around someone I could help? I found that I was in quickstep, as I walked to Evan’s house that Wednesday. I rang the doorbell, and he was there in milliseconds it seemed. He showed me his wallet, and said he was ready and hungry. Evan was dressed much more casual, he was in a Greyish top with blue stitching, and jeans that fit a bit snug. His hair had been combed and parted on one side. I recognized he had put forth the effort to look nice, but it was similar to a Mom's handiwork on a 10 year old son. I said nothing. He chased me out the door and announced his departure to someone distantly in the house. I guessed his Mom.
As we walked we talked about video games, and stuff that we both liked to do. We determined that was essential to have a game session soon. Tonight we were just going to get away from his stressful household and relax. At the restaurant, we finally got to see Alan at work. It was a little sad, he was not working the cash register, or making Pizzas in the kitchen, He was cleaning tables and running the motor-less vacuum cleaner. Sometimes when he was not out front, I think he was in the back washing pans or something not very fun. I had rehearsed what to say to Alan about me being his brother’s dinner companion. I was going to talk about helping with homework, and the free meal or some lame ass crap. It seemed to take forever until Alan finally saw us. He waved, but he didn't come over to see us immediately.
We carried on a teen-age boy's typical table conversation. Surprisingly Evan was very sharp on some of the latest games, and even some that I had long played for years. It was cool that he knew many of the same cheats. We managed to order, eat, and relax without gawking at Alan. In fact he only came by our table once, and joked to us not to make a big mess. He seemed cool about us being there, and said he was glad we came in. Even if he did not get tips, he could tell the boss he had influence, by bringing in extra business. We smiled and Evan pulled out a crisp 5 dollar bill, and said it was a tip.
Alan stuck it quickly in his shirt pocket, and said, “Thanks,umm I’d better get to work.” and he headed toward a table to bus.
I insisted on paying my half, and Evan said he would return the change to his Dad.Somehow, I knew he would, he was an honest person, plus I could tell he respected his Dad, After we were outside Evan said that his Dad had instructed him to be sure to give that fiver to Alan. I did not say a thing about it. Being that it was family business. I was still secretly upset at Alan for being mean to Evan days ago.
It was fading daylight, but we needed something else to do since it was so early. We talked about walking to the movie theater to play the Arcade games, but it was pretty far, and Evan did not want to spend the money he had committed to return.
I said, we could pass by the new subdivision and look at the new houses being built. Evan agreed, since we had to go by there heading home anyway. I had a drafting class, and sometimes thought about becoming an architect. New houses are almost never locked since there was nothing valuable in them, and the construction people had to come and go all the time. The first house we came to was mostly complete. We found the workers had made a makeshift beer cooler in the kitchen sink. By dumping ice over the beers. They must have been drinking all afternoon? They forgot some of their beers here. We each grabbed 2, and decided we should go to another house to drink them, in case the construction guys remembered their lost stash, and come back. We went 2 or 3 houses down and found one that had all the outside walls completed so nobody would see us.
We sat on the floor of what was going to be the living room. We each drank the first one pretty quick. I said it was strange seeing Alan at work, it seemed not like a great job. Evan said he liked it, and wanted to go again. I changed the subject to ask about his school. He said his teachers were jerks, and stupid. I asked if he had Mr. Pine, he said yes, and he joked and said the whole class is “Board” of Pine. I laughed even though it was a juvenile joke. I countered with a story of a time I was in Pine’s class and one guys was getting wood. Evan flushed red in his cheeks and then looked down snickering. I laughed hard to make it seem like natural guy stuff. We toasted our beers to “Getting wood” After a bit, we stopped talking a while and finished our first beers in a hurry. After numerous burps, we opted for our second beer. Evan said we should do a proper toast, he said, “To Good NEW Friends!” We clanged the cans together, and took a big slug together. Followed by another glug down the hatch.
Evan said,“I am feeling a little tired” He dumped his head onto my shoulder, within 10 seconds time, his head slid down and he laid himself at my lap. He unfolded his body and his legs splayed apart while still on his side,
I looked down at him, at this moment, his comfort seemed paramount. His headfull of golden locks resting on my lap, he was peaceful. We were both quiet, and nothing needed to be said our trust was eminent. I studied his profile, and the frailness of his neck. His hair had draped covering his forehead and slighted one eye, I wanted to see if his eyes were still closed. I brushed his golden locks up with my palm. Then my hand just stayed there on his head as I stroked my fingers through his hair. I don’t know why I did it, but I was undeniably drawn to touch him at that moment. Was it like petting a cute puppy or something, or maybe not even that. I looked down at him again.
This was the magical event that I knew…..I was enraptured by this boy.
The warmth that he created by laying on me was a dangerous thrill I had never known.
There was something uncommonly mysterious, yet soothing and fine about him. He was in many ways an average kid. But here now, as the pale golden sunset glinted across his face I was curiously lost there…. helpless in this moment. Any measure of resistance was stripped from me. I was falling victim to something I could not control. The attraction to another person, someone who liked me, and evidently needed me.
None of it made sense, there was no need for questions. I slowly stroked his hair to the tip of the strands, then began again at the scalp.
This peaceful quiet was broken when he dryly asked,“ Are you Gay?”
I blinked in a shudder of sudden alertness. “Umm, well No!” I quickly replied. I abruptly removed my hand from his head.
(I had never been gay, or done gay stuff. I had even fooled around with girls some, but never really touched their privates.So that was my honest answer.)
He then rested his hand on mine a moment, he presented my palm back to his hair, and said. “That feels great do it some more.” I was completely out of sorts, and uneasy, since he thought I was making a pass at him. I guess it was comforting to know he did not mind at all?
The wonder of this moment was almost shattered by three words. Yet I continued stroking his hair, but now calculated hands displaced the flowing motion of endearment.
After a few minutes, I said we should get him home. We rose, but he had trouble walking, now I was feeling even more guilty for allowing him to drink.
We made it to his home. He handed me his front door key, then I walked him to his room.
Luckily the parents were not home, since he had banged into a living room end table with his stagger. I think Alan was in his room, the door was shut but there was light coming under the door, some music from a radio played softly. Maybe he had not heard us come in?
I didn’t turn on the light to Evan’s room, but I made sure Evan was on his bunk bed and took off his shoes. As I faced towards the door to leave his room. He said, “Wait!”
I heard a zipper sound, he said, “Help me get these off.”
I returned and quickly obliged tugging off his jeans. As the moonlight shown though the window, I could see he had on white briefs. I think they were a Department store brand, with a segmented gold stripe on the waist band. He started tugging at his shirt, so I helped pull that off. His skin was pale and smooth in the moonlight. His ribs formed curved lines under his skin. I then helped him get under the monkeyshine sheets. He dropped his head on the pillow, but popped right back up.
“I gotta Pee”
He thrust aside the bedding and paraded right to the bathroom across the hall. He pulled down the front of his briefs and pissed, without shutting the door. I could see the rear of his briefs actually were constructed with a double-seat, kinda like little kids wore. Maybe he was refusing to give up on them from younger years? They were a little tight, so I easily noticed his rounded rump. It seemed nicely odd for a boy to have a rear-end so well shaped. He shook the drops, and turned towards me and back to bed. I did not mean to, but as he passed I saw the shape of his bulge. It was not so much as mine, but it was a pronounced lump.
He ducked under the top bunk. As I reached in and re-applied the covers over him. One more surprise of the night arrived. I felt his hand at the back of my neck as he pulled me close and kissed me right on the lips. I didn’t resist, he even tilted his head to miss bumping noses, it only lasted a couple of seconds. Then he released me, and said, “Thanks Trey, you are a nice person to me.”
His head dropped back on the pillow, and I assume he was asleep within moments.
My head seemed to be spinning, I needed to flee from this uncontrolled event. In a bewildered reactionary move, I exited his room, noticed the light had gone out from Alan’s door. I crept out the front door as quietly as I could manage.
My heart was pounding as I walked home. My adrenaline charged me straight to my room and piled into bed hurridly.
Although I was very tired, I did not drop off to sleep so easily that night. I thought about that kiss, his soft lips, the taste of his breath a little beery, but mostly of the garlic used to flavor our meal that night. I guess that seems gross, but it accentuated the time we had spent together that night. His mouth and mine shared something in common more than once that night.
I knew from that very day, my life was to change. I had no fears of the future. In fact, I started to imagine what experiences may be next?
End Part I
Eric X
