Company Camping Trip

I’ve always considered myself a fortunate guy.  My early childhood was filled with tutors, trips to exotic locations, and lots of love--all due to my grandmother.  She was very well off, and she gave me the upbringing she thought would make me a well-rounded, productive member of society when I reached adulthood.  I was about eight when my tutors told her that I seemed exceptionally gifted.  Tests indicated my IQ was almost two hundred.  By the time I was sixteen, I had a master’s in aerospace engineering.

The day after my seventeenth birthday, I started a job at Cimarron Aerospace. Our department was working on more efficient ways of putting payloads into orbit. I was really excited about working in an area that was a real interest to me. My grandmother was excited that I wanted to work.

She had been worried that I’d end up like my father. He was only interested in partying and had died when I was a small child. He’d never married my mother, and they were both killed when he was driving way too fast. Both had been drinking. It was a fate that I was not going to meet.

My supervisor had told my coworkers that he thought I was in my mid-twenties and looked young for my age. I felt a lot of hostility from some of the older men in my department, but most of the other coworkers seemed ambivalent toward me. I ignored that and focused on my job. I went to work each morning expecting to have a good day, and I did. I left work each day knowing that I was working to make the world a better place.

The annual company camping trip was one of the things about which the HR department had informed me. The first weekend of November was the date for the trip. People interested in attending would arrive at Tatanka State Park. There was a large area for RVs, most with utilities, as well as an area for tents for those who preferred that. I had never been camping, and I was excited by the prospect.

I’m a “do your research” kind of guy, so I was looking at travel trailers versus fifth-wheel campers. I realized I needed a vehicle that could tow the camper. I decided to get a three quarter ton pickup truck. I believed that would give me the best versatility. Keeping my car made the most sense because most of my driving was in town. From my research, most experts said that the fifth-wheel trailer was easier to drive.

Picking a trailer was a complicated task. Features I liked were on larger RVs. I only needed something that slept two. (I was hoping someday I’d have someone to share it with). Some of them had slide-outs that make the inside more like a home than a camper. I’m not usually indecisive, but I took two months to choose.

Fall was the perfect time for me to practice driving my outfit. There was an RV storage facility just outside of town. On Fridays, I drove out there, parked my car, prepared the camper, and drove to a different nearby location. I familiarized myself with the camper. Fortunately, I bought a truck with a trailer backup feature. After six short weekend trips, I felt ready for the trip to Tatanka.

-- -- --

Back in August, our supervisor reminded our department that we had Friday and Monday off for the first weekend in November. So, on that Thursday after work, I got the RV ready to go and headed to the park early Friday morning. This was going to be my first multi-night campout. Since I was still an inexperienced camper, I had packed enough clothes for two-weeks and enough food for a month. One of my co-workers had talked about going fishing, so the food might last longer--I might be living off the land. The drive to the park took almost four hours. I had decided ahead of time to get a spot with hookups so I wouldn’t have to drive there and back with my tanks full. I knew that a full tank of gray water and one of black water would make the RV a lot heavier, and the gas mileage already sucked; although, I was told that fifteen miles to the gallon was good mileage when pulling something that big.

Setting up at my campsite went quickly. I was glad that I had practiced. Two other RVs and one tent were already in the area, but I didn’t see anyone else around. After connecting the water, sewage, and electricity. I got my camera and headed toward the lake. The wind was a little gustier than I would have liked so I was glad I had my jacket on.

The rocks on the shore of the lake did not impede my walk. I snapped some pictures here and there, and after walking for a while, I came upon a rather interesting looking outcrop. The texture of the rock and the shells in it told me it was limestone. I decided that the flat area was perfect for a rest and a snack.

I had just pulled myself onto the flat surface when I heard several people coming down the hill behind me. I turned as I pulled my trail mix from my pocket and saw an extremely good-looking man about my age with two younger girls. The way they were laughing and touching one another, I figured them for siblings. The man looked up at me; he caught me looking at him, but he didn’t look away. I kept staring and pushed my snack back in my pocket. The smallest girl grabbed his hand and pulled him away from me and toward the north. I watched them disappear into the trees as I considered following them.

I thought better of it, and I stretched back to sun myself. Looking out at the lake and watching the rippling waves turn white from time to time. I glanced to the left from time to time in case the cute guy made his way back this way. I had just looked back out over the water when I heard, “Hey, there.”

I turned around and saw him climbing up. “How are you doing?” I put my hand out; he took it and I helped him up. “My name’s Joseph.”

“I’m Ryan. I can’t stay long, my dad will be looking for me.”

“He’s probably expecting you to be with your sisters.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t want them near the water without one of us watching them, but I like your smile. The way you were looking at me, I thought maybe you’d want to meet up with me later.”

“You’re right,” I said. “Can you meet me in around an hour?”

Ryan nodded. “I’ll do my best to be here in an hour.” He slid down and ran back the way he had originally come.

I considered lying back on the rock and possibly napping, but I felt a little chill and thought I should switch to a heavier jacket. I headed back to my camper. A few more trailers were set up, but I only noticed one tent, and it was a small red one outside a double axle Jayco. I went inside my rig and found my notebook. My blue jacket was in duffle number three in the second cargo hold. Maybe a sweater would be easier. It was in the little closet by the rear exit. I found it easily, put it on, and draped my jacket over my arm. I went up front and grabbed a paperback from next to my bed and stuffed it in my backpack before heading back to the limestone rock next to the lake.

Even though my book was quite interesting, I found myself daydreaming and nodding off. I was shaken awake. “So the anticipation of seeing me again was so exciting that you fell asleep?” Ryan chuckled.

I was groggy, but that handsome face woke me right up. I sat up and stuffed my book into my backpack. I pulled out a water bottle. “Thirsty.”

“Only for your lips,” replied Ryan.

“That’s pretty bad. No wonder you’re single,” I told him.

“Who said I’m single?”

“Then you’re cheating on him?” I asked.

“With you? We haven’t done anything.”

I leaned over and kissed him. “We have now.”

Ryan smiled. He had that hair color that’s not really blond and not really brown. The color was a perfect complement to his skin which was a creamy, blemish-free beige. His hair was short on the sides, longer on the top with a perfect set of bangs. His beautiful green eyes had dark lashes that matched his natural eyebrows. His nose was the perfect size for his face. His lips were a little on the full size, and to complete the portrait, two small dimples and a little cleft in his chin.

Sitting down next to me, Ryan said, “Shouldn’t we wait until after the first date?”

I looked down into my hands. We should get to know one another better, I knew that. I looked back at him. “Are you sure you want to wait?” Please say no and kiss me back. Ryan was the first guy I’d met whom I felt compelled to kiss. Maybe he’d be interested in going with me to the marshmallow roast tonight.

His lips pressed against mine. I kissed back. Ryan’s hand went to my hip. Electricity shot through me. Then he pushed me back. “Will that hold you over? We shouldn’t do that here. We’ll be seen, and I don’t want my dad to see me. He doesn’t like me much as it is.”

“I’m sure it just seems that way, don’t you think?” I moved my hand to touch his fingertips to mine. Ryan smiled.

“So, Joseph, are you camping around here?”

“My company has a campout here each year. This is my first time.”

“Really? The Cimarron Campout?”

I nodded.

“Me, too. Well, it’s not my first time, but we come every year. My dad, my mom, my two sisters, and me. This year my mom invited her cousin and her cousin’s daughter. The camper only sleeps six, but my dad said not to worry. But knowing him, he’ll throw a blanket under the camper and call it a luxury hotel. Although I did see a crappy red tent next to the camper. Maybe he’ll stick me in there.”

I chuckled at his joke and immediately thought about the extra room I had in my camper, and I wondered what would be the best way to let him know he was welcome. Nothing came to me, and Ryan asked me about my family.

“I came up by myself.”

“Your dad let you come alone?”

“Oh, it’s not like that. I work for Cimarron.”

Ryan seemed surprised. “You must be older than you look. How old are you?”

“I’m not supposed to say.” I was embarrassed to say that.

“Come on, Joseph. That sounds far fetched.” He leaned in toward me. “Who told you that you couldn’t tell.”

“HR, but I’ll tell you if you won’t tell anyone.”

“We’re keeping secrets from the world; that’s romantic.” He moved his head closer to mine. “Whisper it to me.”

His eyes were so beautiful; he was so close that I could see the details in his irises. I lifted my chin. “I’m seventeen.”

“So am I,” was his reply, and he moved his head so that we were just inches from one another. I stared into his eyes. He stared back. My underwear got tight. “Sorry,” he said, I shouldn’t stare, but you have the most interesting irises.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He leaned closer, and his lips touched mine.

I thought I would pass out. Blood ran rapidly from my brain to my boner, and I felt dizzy.

“Sorry about that,” Ryan said, “I said we shouldn’t, and then I did.”

“I’m not sorry,” I replied.

Ryan smiled. “I’m not either honestly. I wanted to do that when I first saw you sitting up here, and a guy at summer camp last year said that we should always let someone know when we are interested.”

I moved my hand and intertwined our fingertips. “I’m interested,” I whispered.

Ryan rubbed his fingers against my hand then pulled them back. “We shouldn’t do that here.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not that I’m ashamed or anything, but my parents don’t know. And, as I said, I seem to piss off my dad with everything I do. This would make his head explode. I’m not comfortable about being out here where everyone can see us; someone who knows me might say something.”

Nodding my head, I said, “It's OK.”

“Thanks.”

I stood up and slid down the rock. Once I was on the ground, I reached up to help Ryan down. As he slid down, I fought the urge to grab him and hold him tightly to me.

At that very moment, a man called Ryan’s name. We both turned, and into view walked Mr. Sayers from work, and with him were two girls. Mr. Sayers was the one man in my department who seemed to despise me from the first day on the job.

“Hey, Dad.”

Sayers was Ryan’s father! My heart began to beat faster, and this time it wasn’t because Ryan was so sexy.

“Armstrong, what are you doing with my son?” Mr. Sayers demanded. “You girls go back to the campsite.”

“I was helping him down from the rock,” I said.

“You fucking liar,” growled Mr. Sayers.

Ryan’s mouth fell slightly open, and he turned red. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t want you to hang around Armstrong.”

“You mean Joseph? I just met him, Dad. He’s a nice guy. He offered me some water and he helped me down.

“You’re an idiot, Ryan. He wants in your pants. Get your ass back to the campsite.”

Ryan walked about six feet away. His father faced me, and Ryan turned back around. Looking at me without his father’s seeing him, he shrugged his shoulders. Then he touched his index finger to his lips, kissed it, and pointed it at me.

I made no acknowledgment. I didn’t want his father to see that he had turned around.

Sayers waited a few moments, and in a quiet, angry voice said, “I saw you two up on that rock. I saw you kiss him. I know what you were planning. He pushed a finger into my chest. You were planning to fuck my son.”

I felt my face go white.

“I knew it, you bastard. You see, I know my son is gay; he just doesn’t know that I know. Plus, I figured you for a faggot. And when I saw you two up there, I knew you were planning to seduce my kid, and I could tell by the way he was looking at you, that he would have let you. Do you know what it’s called when an adult fucks a kid? It’s statutory rape. That’s right, even if the kid says he wants it. That’s prison.”

That pissed me off. I stepped toward him. Just like his son, he was several inches shorter than I. I pushed him back. “And do you know what it’s called when a minor engages in sex with a minor? Sometimes it’s called fucking, and sometimes it’s called love. Something tells me that with Ryan, it’d be love because I know he’d love it as much as I would.”

He tried to grab my hand, but I shoved him hard.

“I’m seventeen,” I told him. “You’re the only adult here, and you’re not acting like it.”

“What do you mean? I was told you were almost thirty. You can’t be seventeen. How could a kid of seventeen steal a job that was mine?”

So, that’s why he had treated me like shit since that first day. He hated me before he even got to know me. What am I thinking? He never got to know me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I saw a job posting; I applied for it; I got hired.” With that, I started to walk off. I turned back around. “I bet the only thing we agree on right now is that Ryan is a great guy.” I realized that Ryan and I had just met, but anger fueled my tongue. “The only negative I can see with Ryan is having you as a father-in-law.”

I went back to my RV. On my way back, I tried to think of what I would say to Ryan when I saw him next. I knew I would not tell him that his father knew about his being gay. I still hadn’t decided what to say when I reached the clearing.

Ryan ran up to me. “What happened?”

“Your dad hates me because he thinks I stole a job he wanted. I didn’t.”

Looking down at the ground, Ryan muttered a few sounds. He wasn’t sure how to respond.

Something told me to go for it all. “Ryan, I can tell you’re a special guy, a really special guy. I want to get to know you; our lips barely met, and you sent electricity going through me. I’ve never experienced anything like it, and I liked it. I want more of it and more of you. I had the feeling that you wanted that too. Are we going to find out if there’s something real starting between us?” I reached out my hand; he took it. I felt that same wonderful tingling sensation when his lips brushed against mine. “This feeling is real.”

He lifted his eyes to mine. “I know.” He grasped my hand. “I need to figure out what to do next.” A cold wind seemed to come out of nowhere. “Wait for me in your camper. I’ll talk to my dad and let you know where things stand.” He kissed me again. I didn’t want him to stop. “Which one is yours?”

I pointed toward mine. “The Coleman.”

I’ll get away as soon as I can.” If I can’t get away, my sister told me that I’m sleeping in the tent tonight. It’s red and next to the trailer. With that, he walked to the edge of the clearing.

I went inside and found a spot where I could keep an eye on his camper and tent. About six o’clock, someone came around to tell us that the marshmallow roast was canceled, it was too windy. I made a sandwich and ate while I watched. As darkness fell, I kept playing in my head what could be happening over there. I finally saw the door open. Ryan came out; his father stood at the door. The outside light of the trailer came on, and I saw Ryan go to the tent. His father remained at the door until he went inside.

I couldn’t stand it any longer. I slipped out and went around. I crawled up to the tent. “Ryan?” I whispered. The tent cover unzipped, and I went in. Ryan pulled me in and zipped the opening closed. He lay next to me, our foreheads touched. He leaned in and kissed me.

“I’m sorry about my dad. I don’t understand what’s wrong with him.”

“He’s not here; let’s not think about him.”

Ryan pressed his lips against mine; my tongue touched his. Fuck, but I could almost feel the blood rush from my head to my dick. I rolled slightly and ground my crotch against his thigh. He reached down and fumbled with the waistband of my pants before slipping his hand inside. His raw fingers grasped my cock, and I moaned.

“Ryan, Daddy wants to know if you need an extra blanket.” His sister was right outside the tent. Had she heard us?

“No. I’m good,” Ryan hollered out as calm as could be. “I’ve got the good sleeping bag.”

“OK. Night.”

We heard the door of the trailer click shut, and Ryan’s hand went back to work. He kissed me again. “Joseph, I’ve been thinking.”

I was having a difficult time concentrating. His fingers were bringing me close.

“I want you to be my first. I know that…”

I began to moan in rhythm to his strokes. He covered my mouth with his. I began to hump into his hand. He moved his tongue between my lips, and with a grunt, I came. I remember four ejaculations, hard ejaculations.

“That was awesome, Ryan.” I was still breathing hard. “Tell me what you were about to say. I gave him a gentle kiss. I could tell my underwear was filled with cum.

“I want you to fuck me. I didn’t want it to be just any guy; I don’t understand why, but you’re the guy.”

I snuggled up to him.

“You made a mess in your pants, Joseph.”

“That was your fault,” I told him.

“Sorry, but not sorry.”

“I need to shower,” I whispered. “Want to see how large my shower is?”

“I do, but I want to tell my father first. I don’t want him to find me missing. I need to man up and tell him how I feel.”

“Do you want to do it now?” I asked.

He thought for a few seconds.

“It’s OK,” I said. “When you’re ready, and if you want me there, I will be. You tell me. I’m heading back.”

Ryan opened the tent. It felt much colder. I kissed him again and went back to my rig. I noticed how chilly it was. I turned on a small electric space heater in the bathroom and took a shower. I got into bed with no clothes, and I imagined for the first time in my life that I might have someone who would sleep next to me. Was my loneliness at an end?