Dan and Tommy’s Summer

Hey y’all! I hope all is good with you. I struggled with this one, between life and trying to figure out where it was going. I want to thank all of you who’ve reached out in comments or emails. I appreciate it lots. Anyway, hope you enjoy this.

Tommy’s phone woke up and made the indistinguishable chirp of a random text message. His heart sank just a little because the phone didn’t ring out with Dan’s personal notification sound. Picking the phone up, he saw that the sender was his friend Fred.

The message read ‘party, my place Friday’ and was quickly followed by an informal invitation message ‘come on’.

Tommy debated in his mind if he wanted to go to Fred’s party. Fred was kind of a loud mouth at times and could be quite annoying. His girlfriend Sabrina was a drama queen and was always talking about people behind their backs.

‘However, summer is almost over’ Tommy thought to himself. And soon everyone would be on their grown up paths, so he settled on bringing it up to Dan the next time they talked. He decided he’d let Dan make the decision. After all, Dan was more concerned about people finding out about them than he was.

Together, they had been on a couple dates; bowling in Romulus and they really enjoyed the Milan Blue Grass festival. However they were always well away from a chance run in with someone they knew. A party, with friends would be much different.

When Tommy brought the party up later that evening, Dan was hesitant at first but after talking it through they decided to go, well to “at least make an appearance and take it from there.” as Dan put it.

“Aight, I’ll see you Friday.” Dan told Tommy as they were nearing the end of their usual good night call. “I guess I’ll pick you up around seven?” he suggested.

“Yeah, sounds good.” Tommy agreed quickly, starting to feel a little excited about the party. “Friday it is!” Tommy finished. It was only two days away, he could wait that long before seeing Dan again.

As Dan got ready to disconnect the call, he told Tommy he loved him and hoped that he would sleep good. Tommy returned the sentiments with a big goofy grin spread across his face and hit the end call button on his phone.

Dan laid in his bed that evening contemplating all of the things that could go wrong Friday night. He played out unfavorable scenarios in his mind. It was well pass midnight before his mind finally turned off and let him fall asleep.

Tommy was the opposite. His mind wandered on hanging out with a few friends one last time before college and jobs separated them all. He hoped Sam and Chris were planning on coming. After Dan, they were his next closest friends.

It was just before seven Friday evening when Tommy heard Dan’s loud car coming down the road. He swore he could hear it from a mile away. Excited and impatient, he shouted out that he was leaving to his mom who was in another room.

Tommy’s mom responded to be safe to his farewell and he yelled back, “Of course, I’m Mr. Safety round here! See ya in the morning.” as he darted out the door meeting Dan as he pulled in the driveway.

To avoid spying eyes, Dan didn’t get out of the Regal and open Tommy’s door. Tommy jogged to the passenger side, opened his own door and climbed in. “Hey Dan.” he said as he bucked his seatbelt and slid his hand on Dan’s leg from across the bench seat.

“Hey baby!” Dan replied with a half smile on his face.

Dan looked nervous as they drove towards Fred’s parents house. He decided that he needed to remind Tommy to be careful about how he acted and the things he said in front of everyone adding that there’s likely going to be alcohol.

Tommy promised to heed the warnings but he didn’t let them or Dan’s cautioning hinder his giddy excitement to go to the party. Tommy blabbed on about wondering who was coming and how much fun it was going to be. Mostly quiet, Dan only responded when he felt the need was there.

When they turned down Fred’s street, they seen cars lined down the side of the road and when they got closer to the house, the front yard had been converted to a parking lot. “Damn, there’s so many people here!” Tommy said sounding surprised.

“I see that!” Dan kind of scoffed. He had been secretly hoping the party would be much smaller.

Dan ended up finding a place a couple houses down from Fred’s to park the ol’ Regal, so it wasn’t a long walk. They got out of the car and started their trek towards the party.

At one point on their short journey, Tommy instinctively reached for Dan’s hand, but was gently swatted away. He looked sheepishly up at Dan and mouthed the worlds I’m sorry. Dan just gave him a nervous smile.

It was a large gathering, much larger than either expected. People were standing in groups in the front lawn. Inside the house there were thirty more people sitting, standing, playing video games and a few girls dancing to booty music in the kitchen. Alcoholic beverages and snacks were spread out on the counters and the music was cranked up pretty loud.

Tommy and Dan weaved through people looking for Fred so they could announce their arrival. They looked in several rooms if the house before walking out the back door only to find the host sitting on the back deck, beer in hand.

“Tommy, Danny you made it!” Fred belted out excitedly. He stood up and closed distance between them and handed out bro hugs to the two new arrivals.

“Wouldn’t miss it!” Dan responded patting Fred’s back before they broke the quick embrace.

Fred told the duo about everyone who was there, what drinks were available and invited them to help themselves to whatever they wanted. “Mi casa, es su casa!” he finished as he turned to see who was calling his name.

The couple went inside to dig through the refrigerator. Dan pulled out three of cans of beer, handing one to Tommy. He opened the first and swallowed it quickly to take the edge he felt off.

“Damn!” Tommy said in surprise. “That was fast.” he said just before taking his first drink.

The first couple of hours went pretty smooth for them. They tried hard not to act like a couple and made a point to not be joined at the hip. They mingled with their individual friends mostly and met in passing a few times. Dan lost track of time while playing video games with a couple of guys from his soccer team and Tommy caught up with Sam.

——Tommy——

Sam and Tommy found a couple vacant sling back chairs under a makeshift tiki hut at the far corner of the wooden deck. Festive little tiki mask lights outlined the roof casting a glow down on the two of them.

“Where’s Tabbi?” Tommy asked. The last time he and Sam had talked, Sam was bragging about their almost one year anniversary coming up.

Sam passed a fake smile and told Tommy “That’s over,” Sam chuckled “so I don’t think she’ll be here tonight.”

“Damn! Sorry bro!” Tommy offered sincere condolences to his friend. “I had no idea.”

“It’s no big deal.” Sam told Tommy. “She’s about to leave for college and she…” he corrected himself, “ah, neither of us wanted to do a long distance relationship. So, we ended it as friends.” Sam finished.

To Tommy, Sam seemed satisfied with their decision. He thought about Dan’s plans for college compared with his uncertainty about his own future.

“So, summer’s almost over Tommy. What are your plans?” Sam asked.

Tommy thought for a second before answering. Initially he was planning on community college but after this summer he could only honesty answer, “Idunno dude. I haven’t really thought a lot about it.” Tommy knew Dan was planning on attending U of M and although it really wasn’t that far, he knew they would see less of each other. “What about you?” He asked Sam.

Sam told Tommy he really didn’t have any plans and that his parents were starting to pressure him to find a career not just a job. “I don’t even know what I want to do with my life. Is that bad?” He asked looking down at the deck boards with a sudden sadness in his expression.

“Nah dude, come on. You just turned eighteen a couple months ago.” Tommy answered Sam trying to lift the mood. “I don’t think we’re supposed to have our lives mapped out already. Not many of us do!” He finished thinking about Dan, with his future already planned.

Sam raised his mostly empty can in the air, “Cheers to that!” he offered before turning his drink up and taking the last swallow.

Tommy mirrored Sam’s motions and also emptied his beer. “Want another?” Tommy asked as he stood and wobbled a little. Sam nodded a yes and dropped his empty can to the deck.

——Dan——

Dan had found himself a spot in the living room in front of an eighty six inch flat screen television playing FIFA soccer with a couple of his teammates. The competition and camaraderie were loud and had attracted a small group of spectators each cheering on their favorite player.

Dan’s cheering section included none other than Lola and a couple other classmates. Lola used to crush on Dan in their earlier high school days. Although she was a pretty girl with long brown hair and brown eyes, Dan never reciprocated her crush. She was one of those girls who seemed to have a new boyfriend every other week.

She had Dan locked in her radar tonight. She stood behind him with her hands on his shoulders and would rub them in gentle massage during the instant replays of the game.

Like everyone else in the room, he had drank more than he should and wasn’t really paying her any attention. His focus was on the video game and the friends he was competing with.

“Yes!” Dan shouted with a goal in the last minute of the game that put him up by one point over Dillon. Dan jumped up and cheered for himself “Eat that buddy!” As the replay showed the white and black ball breeze effortlessly past the goalie.

“I gotta piss.” Dan said boldly to the small audience as he turned and headed down the hall.

“Grab me a beer on yer way back bro?” Dillon called out as he disappeared around the corner.

“Aight!” Dan yelled back just before closing the bathroom door.

After taking of nature’s call, Dan stood at the sink washing hands and looking at himself in the mirror. The night had gone much better than expected and he was having a good time. Dan felt relaxed. He dried his hands and fussed with his hair a little before exiting.

Lola was waiting for him on the other side of the door when he opened it, almost like she had been listening for something through the closed door. Dan jumped a little when he seen her. “Oh shit! Damn Lola!” He gasped. “You scared the shit outta me!”

“Good thing you were already in the bathroom!” She responded with a flirty giggle. She stepped in the doorway forcing Dan to take a couple steps back into the small “L” shaped room.

Lola closed the door behind her and smiled at Dan who was visibly uncomfortable with her presence. “You played the game so well Dan.” She told him as she placed her hand on his chest.

“Uh, thanks.” Dan replied taking another step back and bumping into a cabinet. His eyes darted around the room as if he was plotting his escape.

Lola stepped in closer, trapping him against the linen cabinet door and raised her hand to his cheek. Dan tried to turn his head, but her hand followed his movement.

“You look good tonight Danny boy.” She stated matter of factly as her eyes moved across Dan’s face.

“Lola, stop. This didn’t happen in ninth grade it ain’t happening tonight!” he said firmly, trying not to show his discomfort.

“Awww,” Lola pouted. “Why not Danny boy? I’m single, your sing..” she tried saying before Dan stopped her.

“It doesn’t matter Lola!” He interrupted. “It’s not happening.” Everything in him wanted to push her off of him and get out of that room. He couldn’t bring himself to touch her.

“Are you gay or something?” She snapped. “I mean look at me! Every guy in this house wants a chance with me! What’s the deal with you?” She stepped back in shock at Dan’s rejection. Lola didn’t usually have to face rejection.

“They’ve all probably had a chance at you Lola! Now get the fuck off me and let me outta here!” Dan growled, his mind seething at her questioning him. ‘There’s no way she could know about Tommy and me’ the thoughts raced through his mind.

With her mouth wide open in genuine surprise, Lola side stepped to make room for Dan to slide by her. Seeing his opportunity, he squeezed past her body and opened the bathroom door.

Tommy heard the door open and thought ‘It’s about time! I really gotta go’. He smiled at first when he seen Dan coming out. His smile quickly faded when he realized how upset Dan looked. His face was red and his forehead held scowled wrinkles across it.

“What’s wrong?” Tommy started to ask until he seen Lola standing behind Dan. Tommy’s need to pee left him. He didn’t say a word, he turned and walked down the hall.

“Tommy!” Dan shouted. “Wait!” He looked back and shot Lola a dirty look before chasing after his boyfriend.

“Tommy!” He shouted again as Tommy slammed the front door open and dashed down the front steps.

“Tommy hold on? Please? It’s not what you think!” Dan pleaded with Tommy hoping he would at least slow down so Dan could catch up to him.

Tommy slowed his pace a little allowing Dan to close the distance between them. He put his hand on Tommy’s shoulder to turn him around. Tommy’s face was red, Dan could see the effort he was putting in to holding back a flood of emotions. “Tommy, please?” he begged again. “It’s not what you think! I swear!”

“Oh? And what do I think it was Dan!” Tommy emphasized Dan’s name at the end of his sentence. “Tell me!” Tommy demanded, his voice starting to tremble.

Dan explained everything to Tommy. Tears were slowly leaking out of both of their eyes as Dan explained that Lola had surprised him, trapped him in the bathroom and tried to make a move on him. He tried to recall the conversation word for word for Tommy in hopes that he wouldn’t question Dan’s loyalty to him.

“Fuck that bitch!” Tommy growled, seething with anger. “I can’t believe she had the balls for that!” He huffed still feeling a little bit of betrayal from Dan. “She asked if you were gay?”

“Yeah. It totally blindsided me.” Dan admitted.

“What did you say?” Tommy asked curiously. He knew Dan wouldn’t admit it.

“I didn’t say anything.” Dan answered honesty. “She didn’t give me time too before she went on about how good she looked.” he said remembering the conversation and feeling a little guilty for not at least telling her that he was with someone.

Without a thought, Dan grabbed Tommy and pulled him in to his chest and hugged him like he was holding on to everything he ever wanted. Tommy came in willingly, but he didn’t embrace Dan back right away. He left his arms at his side for a few seconds before holding Dan back. “Tommy, I love you. I’d never intentionally do anything to hurt you!” Dan whispered with small sobs catching in his throat.

“I love you too Dan.” Tommy confessed as he wrapped his arms around Dan’s body and squeezed.

They shared a short quick kiss before letting go only to see Sam standing to the side watching them. His eyes were glistening in the street lights. When the two noticed him, Sam started softly clapping his hands and moved towards them. “Holy shit you guys! No way!” he questioned his own eyes.

Dan looked down at the damp grass below his feet. A lump formed in his throat that seemed to stop his air flow. Tommy looked back and forth between Dan and Sam. He was concerned about what must be running through Dan’s mind. When he looked at Sam he felt fear. He deeply feared Sams judgement and reaction.

“Um” Tommy tried to talk, but his words wouldn’t come out.

“Dude! That’s so cool! You guys have been joined at the hip since grade school!” Sam whispered, looking around to make sure the three of them didn’t have any more observers. “Oh my god! When?” He asked through his toothy smile.

Dan, still silent and looking away shamefully, Tommy was still trying to form intelligible sounds. He stuttered, “Uh, since… since um, right after graduation.” His words came out slow and hesitantly.

“Congratulations you two!” Sam seemed sincere in his words. His expression was priceless at this new information. “Who else knows?” he quizzed the two.

Shyly, Dan answered “No one.” He slowly looked up to see Sam’s beaming smile then looked to see that Tommy had a little smile starting to grow.

“One day, you have to tel me everything.” Sam said, “But first, I seen y’all storm out. Everything ok?” he asked through a Cheshire Cat grin.

“It is now.” Tommy answered before giving Sam a brief summary of Dan and Lola’s encounter.

“She’s such a slut!” Sam said. Dan nodded in agreement. “Come back in. People are wondering what’s going on.”

Dan looked at Sam and then back at Tommy. He heaved a deep breath and touched Tommy’s shoulder. “Ok.” he agreed. “Please don’t say anything to anyone?” Dan requested. His insecurity was obvious.

“Dudes! No way. This is your shit to tell. Or not tell!” Sam told them both while trying to hug each of them. “You’re safe with me!” He finished.

The three of them slowly walked back to Fred’s house with Sam asking what Dan felt like was a million questions. Tommy was happy to answer all of Sam’s silly questions while Dan occasionally nodded or shook his head in agreement to Tommy’s answers.