The Fullness of Togetherness

At 17, Ralph is more interested in having fun than succeeding in class. His most recent “joke” was hiding a grass-snake in the teacher’s drawer, and triggering scary cries and the part of the teacher and most of the girls. Sent once again to the principal’s office for some disciplinary measure, Ralph is met with a different determination. The principal wants him to become more responsible for his acts. Instead of giving him detention, she enrolls him in a volunteer program at the local hospital, and calls his parents to explain this decision. Shirley, a girl in Ralph’s class, is already enrolled and agrees to coach him. She bakes cookies and distributes them to some patients.

The boy’s mother welcomes this new experience, but still maintains an 8 pm curfew. Ralph’s job is to clean a dozen rooms each Saturday. He drags his feet and barely exchanges with the sick men and women, until the last room occupied by a boy who his also 16 years-old. Elton, a day patient, immediately welcomes him by saying: “Don’t get attached to be, I will die soon.” The handsome teenager has severe heart problems. He was educated by tutors, has not the slightest idea of a schoolyard or even classmates. Ralph senses that Elton is a smart guy, one that he would like to know better.

After his third volunteer session, Ralph makes a suggestion to Elton: “You should draw a list of all the things you would like to do before you… before it’s too late. Maybe I can help you achieve these goals.” Elton comes up with a few ideas: attend a party, get high on some substance, have sex, fall in love. Ralph immediately tackles the first goal. It’s pretty easy since Shirley adores troughing a party. And it will be easy to find a friend ready to share some marijuana. Shirley and Elton are both handsome and sexy. Who knows? They may have fun in the bedroom…

Elton enjoys the party, not so munch the pot, and he only chit-chats with Shirley. When Brad, a close friend, drives Ralph and Elton back home, Ralph’s mother is on the front porch ready to give hell to her son who did not respect the curfew and did not answer his cellular phone. The scolding is so vociferous that Elton comes out of the car to explain that he is the cause for Ralph’s behaviour. He adds that the evening was the best treatment he ever received for his heart problems. Ralph’s mother calms down and recognizes that her son wanted to do well. “But for the next six months, he will only be able to leave home for school or volunteer work.”

Ralph hears that Elton has tasted and savored Shirley’s cookies. When Elton’s mother invites him over for dinner, he gets the recipe and bakes a batch with an extra portion of chocolate chips. The seafood meal thus ends with a succulent dessert. The two boys then exchange in Elton’s room and Ralph tickles his friend who whispers: “I like it when my heart beats faster for you!”

Ralph wonders if Elton is gay. He has to admit that he also feels “especially comfortable” in the presence of this new friend. He almost says “boyfriend”. They get closer. They hug roughly at first, then almost tenderly. They feel the warmth of each other’s body. Elton has an urge to kiss Ralph but is not sure if this will trigger a reciprocal reaction or if it will backfire. He chooses to remain on guard… for the time being.

As soon as Ralph is back home, he texts Elton: “Hey! Thank you so much him for the great evening.” Then he adds: “spent together” before pressing Send. They reply is immediate: “We have to do this again soon.” Elton adds “and go further in our bounding” before pressing Send.

Ralph gets a hard-on when he reads this. “Holy shit! I’m fucking gay!” He remembers the few times he talked about the girls at his school with Brad. It was the latter who put emphasis on the size of their breasts and their butts. When Ralph received an interested look from one of them, he recalls that he didn’t show enough interest for it to go any further. He needs no more confirmation to jerk off thinking of Elton’s adorable face and warm embrace.

The next day, Ralph’s mother gets a call from Elton’s mother: “My son’s heart started to beat too quickly after Ralph left. The ambulance came and he was given the necessary treatment. He has to rest but can still receive a visit from Ralph in a couple of days.” The news upsets the new lover – that’s how he defines himself from now on –, and the preparation of a speedy recovery card is immediately organized with the help of Shirley. When Ralph writes a special message, he has to be careful and not let others know that he is dating Elton. Brad invites most of the female guests at Shirley’s party to sign the card since they all had a favorable impression of the handsome newcomer. 

Exactly two days later, Ralph rushes to Elton’s place. The card is still being signed by a few girls who take their time to phrase some special wish… and wink. Brad agrees to deliver it later. Ralph is so pleased to see Elton sitting in bed, smiling and opening his arms. They kiss a little awkwardly at first, then harmonize their lips like a key in a padlock. Without thinking further, Ralph removes Elton’s t-shirt and runs his fingertips along the vertical scar between the pecs. “Heart operation, whispers Elton, shivering at the touch of his skin. You don’t have to look”, he adds, fearing that the thick, red scar will repel his partner. “You’re magnificent, Elton. This scar too.” As if to prove it, Ralph leans down to kiss the scar, following it with his lips up and down, and raising his eyes periodically to see Elton’s expression. The latter closes his eyelids and shudders. He is so beautiful!

When Ralph reaches the navel, he stands up and steps back a little. He nervously grips Elton’s pants. His hands tremble as he pops the button and pulls down the zipper. He’s so worried about being clumsy and ruining their first sexual encounter. They both have no gay experience, but everything unfolds as if the scenario had been written a long time ago. The words Top and Bottom are not part of their vocabulary, but Elton offers his ass and Ralph honors it with passion. The rule seems to be “as long as I’m in your arms, I’m OK”. For Elton, its means “as long as you are inside me”; for Ralph, it means “as long as I’m inside you”. The fullness of togetherness. Is it possible to experience something more intimate?