Chapter 68
“How’d you know?”
“He looks loved.”
She leaned over to Harley. “He knows everything.”
They walked along the winding path, which was now the worse for wear, having been chewed by the fire engine. “Where are we going?” Jennalee asked.
“The pool,” said Harley. “Remember that was the plan?”
The pool was relatively calm, while back at Building Eight, firemen continued to mop up. Harley and Jennalee kicked off their shoes and socks, rolled up their jeans, and dangled their feet in the water. They still had their bottles of Coke, what with more talking than drinking.
“Where is everyone?” Jennalee asked.
“Letting down,” Harley said. “They gear up for it all, get way too wound up, so by Sunday night, they’re wiped out.”
“I wonder where Vaughn is,” pondered Jennalee. “Anita or Lorene?”
“No idea. He could be the one still riding high, so to speak.”
Jennalee looked around, thinking she might see some last bit of Sutherland fucking in a corner, but nothing appeared.
“Hey guys,” came a call behind them. They turned to find Troy and Carl approaching, both in Speedos, carrying towels. “Last of the party?” asked Troy.
“Winding down,” replied Harley.
Carl dropped his towel and dove into the water, where he swam a couple laps as Troy sat beside Harley. They all watched as Carl turn and roll, then dive under and breech like a whale. “Good swimmer,” Jennalee noted.
“Born to it,” said Troy. “He grew up in Southern California, Palos Verdes to be exact, pool at home, swim club, high school water polo.”
“And you?” Jennalee asked.
“Land lubber. Oh, I can swim, but I’d rather not. Carl’s my only enticement.”
“He seems to be doing just that,” Harley noted, and Jennalee looked to the swimmer who now floated on his back, erect penis free of the Speedo.
“I’m wanted,” said Troy, who slipped into the water.
“They’re so open,” Jennalee declared.
“Just us, so why not?”
She watched as Troy and Carl began to frolic like porpoises. Both Speedos were now off and bodies were entwined as they rolled about. She watched closely, trying to see if they were fucking, but couldn’t tell.
She turned to check on Harley because if this was interesting to her, it had to be working on him. “Do they get you hot?” she asked.
“Uh, yeah.”
“I can take care of that, you know. I mean, shut your eyes and a mouth is a mouth. I’m great at blowjobs.” She glanced down at the bulge in his jeans. “It’s not betraying anything,” she continued. “I mean, there aren’t any gay rules, are there?”
“No rules. A person is free to do as he wishes.” He turned to face her. “But here’s how it is, Lee. Just because I get hard doesn’t mean I have to get off, okay? My dick doesn’t run me.”
“I know,” Jennalee said when she didn’t. Why not get off all you could? Other boys always wanted to.
Harley apparently could tell she was unconvinced so he kept on. “You have to stop trying to have sex with me.” He took her hand. “It’s not going to happen because I don’t want you that way. Like I said before, not sexually in any form.”
Her pout reflex now kicked in. She lowered her head, set her jaw, and went silent.
“I like the tantrum better,” said Harley.
She gave it a good minute, trying to maintain the pout, but Harley began to chuckle, which made the effort seem silly. “I just wantyou,” she said in her defense.
“You don’t get everything you want in life.”
“You’re parenting again.”
“You drive me to it.”
Troy and Carl had quieted. Whatever they did in their frolicking had been done and they now huddled near the diving board. Jennalee envied them their intimacy. “See that,” she said. “That’s the best part. After, being so close.”
“Do you get that from the boys you’re with?”
“Well, no, but I would with you because you’re caring and they’re just boys.”
“Troy and Carl are in their thirties. They know each other like a married couple. That’s what comes with maturity. I’m on that road, but far behind them and you, you’re circling the parking lot. On a kiddie trike.”
She couldn’t help but laugh and she gave him a playful punch on the arm. “I want to be loved.”
“You are. Your folks, me, we love you. That should count for something.”
“I guess.” 20
While Sutherlands retreated to their rooms, the Laidlaws, who appeared to be well-practiced campers, claimed a spot on the lawn between Buildings Six and Seven. Shrubs Wesley kept trimmed into smooth rounds served as headboards for Earl and Lizann’s sleeping bags. Bedding for Harley and Garth was laid out some distance opposite, with Harley’s violin between them. An ice chest sat between the two sleeping areas, on it water bottles and a bag of Fritos.