The minute they saw each other, they knew that there was something special. The chemistry was working full-time between them, but mostly it was in the eyes. There was nothing sensuous, really, about the way they looked at each other. It was more like a soul thing, something neither young man could explain or disregard, although there was a 5-year age difference between them.
Bobby, 18, was being introduced to the three guys who were asked to be best men to his future bother-in-law, Donald, who was planning to get married to his sister, Sheila. Don and Sheila had been together for more than two years and Bobby considered his sister's boyfriend more like a brother. Today, Donald brought over his three best men for them to get to know Sheila's family before the wedding. At 18, Bobby was preparing to go away to college, and now that his sister was getting married, their parents would be on their own. Bobby was excited about going off away from home. College seemed to be such an interesting place that he couldn't wait for September to come.
"And this is Bobby, Sheila's brother," Donald was saying.
"Hello, Robert," the first of Donald's friends said as he shook hands. "I'm James."
"Nice to meet you," Bobby answered, but his heart was beating faster as he waited for the third guy still just inside the door to greet him.
"And I am Steve," shaking hands.
With his eyes still hooked onto Bobby's eyes, the third guy came forward and extended his hand, saying, "Hi. I'm Mike."
Bobby was in instant love with Mike. It just happened. It wasn't strange for Bobby to be attracted to guys. He was gay. He had also had a few experiences with guys from school, but there was nothing serious. There was nothing as intense as this moment of shaking hands with Mike and meeting Mike's gaze. Mike was a handsome young man, some 23 years old, with a light beard and a short crew-cut. Slim and tall, he had a nice smile, pronounced chin, masculine lips, but most of all, it was his eyes that really communicated. Bobby just couldn't look away.
The afternoon went by slowly for Bobby. Don and his friends were joking all the time about how Don was going to lose his freedom and stuff like that. Sheila would join in with the laughter. Everyone was having a great time, except Bobby. He was in love with Mike, which made him miserable since he was almost sure that Mike had no idea about this, regardless of the look that was exchanged when they had met. In his heart, he knew that he had no chance at all with Don's best man. Mike walked, talked and behaved like a 100% straight young man. He exuded masculinity. Not that Bobby was effeminate or was attracted by effeminate men; actually, only his mom knew that Bobby was gay. He had confided in her last Christmas and she was very understanding and supportive.
"So, Bob, I hear that you are going off to college next fall."
Bobby's heart jumped up to his throat. His mouth instantly dried and his knees felt weak as he stood by his sister's armchair. It was Mike who was addressing him. Oh, my God! Mike has just shown an interest in me, raced through Bobby's mind. Then he realized that everyone was looking at him, waiting for his response to Mike. He had to shake himself to get back to reality.
"Ah, um, yes," he cleared his dry throat and tried to swallow. This sounded so lame, Bobby thought miserably.
"Which college are you going to join?" Mike was showing real interest. Bobby had to show some kind of human adult intelligence to this god who was addressing him.
"Ah, um, it's... ah... Dorbing Community College." Oh, yes, Bobby, that was so adult, so intelligent! Bobby got even more miserable and nervous. His palms were already sweating, and he could feel drops of sweat forming in his arm pits.
"Really?" Mike smiled with raised eyebrows. "That's where I went to school. I just graduated in June. It's a great place. You are going to love it there. What are you planning to major in?"
Oh, man. Bobby was thinking that by now everyone in the room had noticed his nervousness and was probably wondering why he was acting so weird. Mike's eyes were locked onto his face, and he was simply and desperately in love with Mike.
"I'm not sure, yet," he finally managed to answer. "Something in languages or literature, I think."
"My brother is a real book worm," Sheila said, and they laughed at this.
"There's nothing wrong with reading," Mike protested, coming to Bobby's defense. "I will have you know that I majored in English literature, and I think Bobby is one of the few who can still handle this kind of major."
Donald poked Mike in the ribs saying, "Go, bro. You defend Bobby's choice just because you are a nerd."
"Mike's not a nerd!" Bobby heard himself say in a trembling shriek kind of voice.
"Hey, honey," his sister said appeasing, trying to calm him down, seeing how much her fiancΓ©'s comment had upset him. "You can major in anything you like. Don't mind Donald. He's a dick." She punched her fiancΓ© on the shoulder.
Bobby felt tears forming behind his eyes, ready to burst out. It was all the tension. He had to excuse himself, fast. As he left the family den, he heard Mike say, "Now look what you've done, you oaf."
He could also hear his sister faintly as he walked down the corridor to the downstairs bathroom. "Bobby is so sensitive. So what are you guys planning to do for Don on the wedding evening? Nothing crazy."
Then there was a babble of voices as Bobby shut the bathroom door behind him, sat on the toilet seat and burst into tears.
He almost did not hear the knock with his head between his hands, sobbing.
"Bobby? It's me, Mike. Are you ok? Can I come in?"
Holy Shit! Bobby grabbed at the toilet paper roll and wiped at his eyes.