The Indian in the Toolshed

Cranking open the window to my bedroom did little to alleviate the heat of that warm day. I finished the last question of my assignment. I was confident that I’d be able to answer the questions of a pop-quiz were there to be one. I decided to read ahead, and had about half a chapter down when I heard my father’s truck pull into the driveway. I tried to steel myself for his arrival.

My father’s voice echoed as he closed the door behind him. “Those damn Indians. It’s bad enough that I have to work with them. Now they’re moving in next to us.” He was on one of his bigoted rants again. He ranted against every race and ethnic group and more. He even ranted against poor white trash, and we were card-carrying members of that group. Ever since the day he came home calling his supervisor a fudge-packing commie snowflake, I imagined letting him come home and finding me dick deep in his supervisor’s ass. It was just a fantasy; his supervisor was not very attractive.

It was as if my father purposely gave me a reason to hate him more each day, and my passive nature and active imagination kept coming up with ways to give him a heart attack.

I looked out my bedroom window at the house next door. I really couldn’t see anything. Our double-wide trailer sat in the middle of an acre of land surrounded by trees that blocked out most of the view of anything outside our property. I could easily see all the trash that my father brought home and left in our yard. His plans to repair the mowers and other tools in order to sell them later never came to fruition. They simply served to make us look like the champions of the white trash coalition. I hated it, but I knew better than to say anything for risk of being punched. Another year in this hell-hole, and I would have my Associate’s and be out of here.

My father continued to rant. I snuck out of the house and made my way to the toolshed at the back of the property. The tiny building had been there when we moved here, and I had taken it to be my clubhouse. Back when I was in Middle School, I fixed it up; I’d even put an old mattress on a platform so I could spend the night back there if I’d wanted to. My plans were to have a place for friends to gather without my parents walking in and out. I imagined parties and possibly camp outs, but I never did fit in, so friends were few. Once their parents saw the trash heap I called home, no one was ever allowed to visit a second time. I kicked the ground as I walked through the brush to get to my sanctuary.

Inside, I kneeled on the blanket covered mattress and peeked out the window toward the neighbor’s house. The view was better from here because one of the old trees had died. It’s leafless form allowed a thin view of the back of their house. Of course, I saw nothing. I sat down on the make-shift bed and stuffed a pillow behind my back. Enough light passed through the window to allow me to study for an hour. Peace and tranquility surrounded me as I studied Advanced Wound Care. My father could yell his head off about his perceived injustices, and I couldn’t hear a sound back here.

When the light was too dim, I went back into the house. I made myself a sandwich and headed to my room. I could hear my father’s snores emanating from the living room. My mother was always so quiet that I didn’t know which room she was in. I did some more studying before heading off to sleep.

I left the house early the next morning. I liked to get to class early; it reduced my stress. I had a feeling we would have a quiz that morning, and we did. I was glad I had studied the day before. My lab partner Oscar came in a few minutes before class. He sat next to me and leaned over.

“You aren’t going to believe what happened to me yesterday,” Oscar announced.

The look on my face gave him an answer.

“OK. So you’ll believe it,” he laughed. “I’m still going to tell you.”

“I didn’t doubt it,” I replied. “But we’re about to have a quiz; it’ll have to wait.”

“We had a quiz last class,” Oscar reminded me.

“And we’re having one this time, too, Mr. Van,” said Professor Brown as he walked into the classroom. We had a quiz and a lecture, and two hours later, class was over.

Oscar insisted on telling me his story, and I’m not sure why, but I just wanted to go home. But I listened.

“I grabbed some chips and a Pepsi after lecture yesterday and headed to the library. I was just finishing that paper for my sociology class when this guy in my tennis class sat down next to me. He told me that he’d been working up the courage to ask me out. Can you believe it?”

“Well, you are slightly above average looking,” I said with a smile.

“Asshole.”

“Did you tell this guy that you’re gay?”

“No. Never. I’m not gay.”

I rolled my eyes. If there was any guy in any of my classes who acted in the stereotypical gay way, it was Oscar.

“Fuck you, Johnny.”

“So, he just assumed you were gay? He didn’t ask first?”

“OK, I may have flirted with him during tennis class,” Oscar relented.

“The truth, finally.”

“So anyway, we went back to his room and made out. He is the best kisser, and,” he paused. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but I’ve always been a receiver with the guys I’ve dated. I’ve never been interested in being a top or in switching back and forth. But this guy, he wanted me to do him, and I did, and wow, it was fucking awesome. Then he did me.”

I nodded. I felt a little jealous, but I was also happy for him. “What’s this guy’s name?”

“Oh. It’s Jack. Jack Burke.”

“You’re really happy, aren’t you, Oscar?” I found myself smiling for him.

“Yeah, I am. I had to tell you. You know, you’re like my best friend.”

I stood up. He stood up. I hugged him. “I’m happy for you, Oscar. I really am.”

“You know, Johnny. When we first became lab partners, I thought I was going to fall in love with you. I was just waiting for you to admit that you’re gay. But I guess you’re going to meet someone else; maybe you’re next.” Oscar hugged me. “See you next week.” He walked out of the room, and I just stood there for several minutes.

On the way back home, I kept thinking about what he’d said. He thought I was gay. I hadn’t said anything to him, but he suspected. Who else suspected? It was almost one, and I was hungry. As I approached the driveway, I saw the neighbor washing his car. I could tell that he had a slim to athletic build, and I decided then that I would walk over to meet him. After parking the car I walked over. His musculature was well-defined but not overdone, and when he turned toward me and smiled, his braces sparkled in the sunlight. His skin was a creamy caramel tone, and his preppy style haircut was perfect for his face. Huge brown eyes that were welcoming greeted me.

“Hi.” I waved as I got closer.

“Hi.” He nodded back. He gave the car one last spray and walked toward me.

I put my hand out to shake his. “I’m John Cooke,” I smiled. “I wanted to introduce myself before you decided that you live next door to a family of assholes.” I raised my eyebrow and wiggled them to soften the reality of what I had just said.

We shook hands, and he smiled back, “I’m Arjun Vankayalapati, and it’s too late. I saw an older man leaving your driveway about thirty minutes ago. He shot me the finger when I waved at him.”

My smile dropped. “I’m sorry. I’m not like my dad.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. Here I stood in front of an incredibly handsome guy who looked to be about my age. Incredibly handsome with just enough chest hair peeking out of this shirt to make me want to run my fingers across his pecs. Maybe he was someone who might have been a friend, and I really wanted a friend. But, my dad had already ruined things.

“Hey, are you ok?” Arjun’s question seemed sincere. His fingers brushed against my arm, and his smile was gone.

“No,” I said with a tinge of anger in my voice. “I’m sorry about my dad. I just thought if I came over here before you found out about my family, there was a chance we could be friends. I saw how handsome you are, I hoped you were single, and I could ask you out on a date.” I was angry and not thinking about what I was saying to a complete stranger. “My father’s a jerk, and my mother’s a doormat. They’ve ruined every chance I’ve ever had to have friends.”

I saw Arjun take a deep breath. “I can see that.” He was looking right at me. “Based on your father’s behavior this morning, I’m sure that my parents will not want me to associate with your family. But it’s obvious to me that you are not your father. You’re the first friendly face I’ve seen since moving here, John.” He paused. “I need to put the hose away and empty this bucket.”

“I can empty it in the ditch for you.” I grabbed the bucket and headed for the road. My heart was heavy. His parents weren’t going to approve of our being friends. And I had told him that I was gay and that he was hot. There was another reason for him to avoid me. I walked back with the bucket. He had coiled the hose in the corner of the garage; I handed him the bucket. “I appreciate what you said. Thanks for not throwing me over the fence. I think I’ll head back now.”

“Wait.” He put his hand up to my upper arm. “My father hasn’t forbidden me yet. I’ll walk back with you.”

As we walked, I found out that he was home for the summer and would be heading back to the university in the fall. He was interested in chemical engineering; although, his father had tried to steer him toward being a physician.

I steered us away from the house and to my secluded shed in the back. Who knows what my mother would have done had I brought Arjun into her house. We sat on the mattress, and I told him about the shed. He agreed that it was a great place to escape the realities of my life.

Arjun let on that he had never dated. His parents had a girl back in India that they wanted him to marry. He had never met her.

I let him know that my parents knew nothing about my being gay, and I usually never told people until I had known them for a long time. What I didn’t tell him was that I hadn’t known anyone long enough to tell. He nodded an understanding, and I felt confident that he wouldn’t say anything.

At one point he put his hand on my knee and squeezed it. “I’d better get going,” he told me. I followed him out and showed him the short-cut that led to his backyard. As he walked away, he said, “See ya.” I watched the guy with the great haircut and cute ass disappear from view.

That evening, I finished an assignment and took a hot shower. I wanted to stay in the shower longer, but, almost as if he had a timer, my father was banging on the door as I was finishing drying my hair. “How fucking long does it take to wash off a body that you never get dirty with any hard work?”

I wrapped the towel around me and opened the door. My father stood there, completely naked and displaying an erection. He pushed me to the side. “Get out of my way. Your mother won’t let me fuck her ‘til I take a shower.”

I ran to my room. I grabbed my flashlight, shorts, t-shirt, blanket, and pillow and headed to the toolshed. I didn’t want to hear my parents and their “love-making.” How would I ever make it to December? How had I made it this far?

I made myself comfortable on the mattress. I could feel the tears burning my eyes. My mind wandered, and I pictured Arjun washing his car. His sexy body and handsome face filled my mind. I reached down and touched my cock; it had begun to swell. A rapping at the door to the shed scared the shit out of me.

“John, are you in there?” I recognized Arjun’s voice. Was I dreaming?

“The door’s open.”

I heard the door creak open, and Arjun came in with a flashlight in hand.

“What the hell are you doing?” I asked him. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“I’ve been thinking about you all afternoon, and I was staring out into the backyard when I saw the light move to the toolshed. I figured it was you, so I came out here to talk to you.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

“Hey, it’s ok. I would have screamed like a little girl. Can I sit here next to you?”

“Sure. I’ll even share my blanket if you want.”

“You’re so nice. I think that’s one of the reasons I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. And, up until now, I’ve been rather ambivalent about girls. My parents keep hounding me about this girl I’m supposed to marry, and I thought that’s why I haven’t been interested in them, but today, I kept noticing your lips while you talked, and, to be honest, I wanted you to grab me and kiss me.”

I sat up. I could sense the stress in his voice. “It’s OK. I understand what you’re feeling.”

“Please, don’t tell anyone,” he asked.

“I wouldn’t.” I put my hand on Arjun’s shoulder. “You’re not alone.”

“I knew you’d say that. I knew I could trust you. I knew I could tell you.”

Arjun was sitting on the edge of the mattress with his feet dangling over the edge. I moved into position next to him and held his hand in mine. I considered what to say next to him. “I haven’t told my parents because they would kick me out. I don’t know if I’ll tell them when I go. You don’t have to rush anything in deciding what you want or whom you want to tell.”

“When my father sees two men together on TV, he says that he doesn’t care what they do, he just doesn’t know why he has to see it. If I tell them that I like guys instead of girls, my parents may just be disappointed, but they could kick me out of the family.”

I felt him grasp my hand a little more tightly. We sat next to one another for several minutes without saying anything. Arjun turned his head toward mine. “I… want…” He continued to move closer so that our lips touched. We kissed gently. I separated his lips with my tongue. I’d forgotten about his braces and was surprised by their presence. He met my tongue with his and then pulled back. “I need to get back to the house, but that felt so nice, and so...” He turned his head.

“Right?”

“Yeah,” he whispered.

“You can stay if you want. We can just lie here. We don’t have to talk, or we can talk, or whatever you want to do.”

“I don’t want to get caught. Get us both in trouble.”

“The windows’s open,” I said. “We could hear them if they come out looking for you.”

“Maybe just a minute.”

I pulled him a little closer to me. “You give me a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach, Arjun. No one’s ever done that to me.”

“You make me feel kinda funny, too, and you’re making me think things that I’ve tried not to think.”

“I understand. I used to try not to think about those things too. But, they're part of who I am, and I’ve accepted it.”

“I’m going to go, John. If I stay, I might start thinking with my penis.” He turned and kissed me hard; then he stood up. “I want to see you tomorrow.”

I get out of class tomorrow at about one o’clock. I’ll come straight home if you’ll be here.”

“I will,” he said and kissed me again. “Tomorrow.”

He left quickly and quietly, and I was sitting alone in the dark. But I didn’t feel alone. I had a friend, maybe one with benefits, or even someone to love. Maybe we would help each other discover more about ourselves. Perhaps we would form an everlasting bond. I couldn’t wait to find out.

I had a difficult time concentrating in class the next day. Images of Arjun washing his car traded places with the emotionally raw image of his sitting next to me and touching his lips to mine. The boner in my pants kept coming and going; I worried that by the time I got to be with Arjun, my dick would be worn out and asleep, and if he was ready to play, I wanted to be ready to play.

Driving home was tough as well. I kept pushing the speed limit. I did my best to keep it under control and finally pulled into the driveway. I ran into the house to pee and change my underwear. Just as I had suspected, they were stained with precum that had oozed out as I fought off the boners that accompanied my Arjun-filled thoughts. Why was I thinking about him so much? Was it just lust? He was incredibly handsome, but in the past when I met someone I found attractive, someone I might think about while I jerked-off, thoughts of him did not overwhelm my brain the way Arjun was doing.

Heading over to the house next door, I wondered whether I should go through the front when I heard my name called. Arjun was standing toward the back not too far from my shed. I hurried to the back. Arjun was wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and some quite skimpy swimming briefs. “Wow,” I said. “You’re sexier in person than you are in my memories.” I was smiling.

“You’re saying things that I… I have to confess that I’ve had fantasies of a guy saying things like that to me.”

“Before you tell me anything else that you’ve been thinking, I need to tell you that I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met yesterday. It’s like my brain is on Arjun-overload.” I stepped closer to him. “Arjun, I’ve met guys before that I wanted to fuck and even guys I wanted to be fucked by. But I’ve never met anyone I wanted to run down a beach with while we held hands. I can see us doing that. I have seen us in my head doing exactly that.”

Arjun opened the shed and went inside. I followed him in and closed the door. The window was still open from the night before. I faced the man from next door. I pulled his shirt off over his head and ran my fingers across his dark hairy chest. A sensation I’d never known ran through me, not unlike an electric shock that penetrates each fiber of one’s being. I pressed my lips against his, and within moments, I ran my tongue against the steel of his braces.

He remained motionless except to return my kisses. I dropped to my knees and pulled the remainder of his clothing to the floor. His erection sprang forth, and I began to massage it with my lips. Small whimpering moans from deep in Arjun’s throat filled the room. I felt encouraged and tightened my lips around his shaft. His hands held my head as he ran his fingers through my hair. I pulled his cock into my mouth until my nose was buried in his pubic hair. My hands grasped his ass cheeks and held him tightly to me. My tongue vibrated unlong the belly of his dick until I sensed his abs contract. I slowly moved my lips up the shaft toward the head when I felt his penis jerk and he ejaculated into my mouth.

There was a saltiness to him but none of the bitterness my own ejaculated had when I had tasted it. I swallowed what he had given me and stood up. Arjun stepped out of his shorts and kicked off his shoes. He kissed me and moved to the mattress. I made myself naked and crawled next to him. I stared into his eyes and wondered whether I was looking at my future.