This is a fictional story about a young adult who joins a Master's Swim team full of older men.
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Chapter XI - The End of Summer
The feeling hit John like a punch to the gut, sending a shock through his whole system. His lungs skipped a breath. He knew their parting was coming—he had known for weeks their time was limited—but it wasn't until they were pulling out of his driveway that the full weight of the moment hit him.
He looked over at Dennis and saw the young man was calm, a faint smile on his face, as if he knew everything was going to be fine. John wished that, in that moment, he felt the same, that he had the same sense of optimism. But he didn't. Deep within, he knew things were about to change. And after the initial shock wore off, what was left was nothing but a twisted feeling in his gut—something he had only felt a few times before.
"All right there?" Dennis asked, seeing the look of worry on John's face.
John shook it off. "Sure thing, kid," he replied, reaching over and placing his hand on Dennis's. He patted it a few times then gripped it firmly. It was meant to reassure Dennis, to tell him once more that everything would be all right. If only it worked both ways.
"You don't seem all right," Dennis said. "You look kind of tense, but also goopy at the same time."
"Goopy?" John questioned. "What the hell does that mean?"
"You know, like if your bones were suddenly gone and you turned into a pile of mushy skin."
John took his eyes off the road and glanced at him. "So, I'm tense but mushy?"
"Yeah."
He couldn't help but laugh. "That makes absolutely no sense!"
"Neither does you saying you're all right when you're clearly not."
John put his eyes back on the road, and both men sat in silence for a few moments. After some time, John stated, "The summers really do go fast." It was all he could think to say. The other words weren't there yet.
"At least you don't have to go back to school," Dennis replied.
"No, but I have to lose you."
The statement hung there, hovering in the air between them, echoing in the solemn voice John had said it in. Neither one had broached the subject of Dennis leaving yet. Sure, they had gone through the motions, and were still doing so at that moment; but, up until that point, their parting ways had been unspoken. It was easier that way . . . at least until it wasn't.
"I wish I had your youthful naivete," John finally said. "I really do. But things change, kid. Summer ends. Before you know it one of the best things that has ever happened to you goes back to the city and gets on with his life."
"Things only change if we let them," Dennis said.
"That's not how life works, Dennis. You'll see that someday. You'll go back to school, maybe meet someone nice, and get on with your life. That's the way it's supposed to be. A young guy like you isn't supposed to end up with an old fart like me. Our time is up."
Dennis had never planned on there being a John in his life. When he thought about his future, it had always been settling down with a nice woman, having kids, and building a family together . . . you know, like a normal guy. No matter his attraction to older men, he just never saw that in the long-term plan. But now that he had spent a summer with John, he didn't know if he wanted that anymore. It was still there, but maybe not the priority. It had only been three months, but those three months were enough to let him know he didn't want a life without John. He couldn't even picture it. "I'll always make time for you," Dennis replied, putting his own hand on John's. "I may be going to school, but I'm not going anywhere."
"Do you really mean that?" John asked, looking at Dennis.
"I know it's not the most practical thing, but yes, I really mean that."
John didn't say anything in return; he simply returned his eyes to the road, a joyous smile creeping its way across his face.
Before they knew it, they were across town and in front of Dennis's house. John pulled into the driveway and shifted the car into park. "Do you need help with your bags?"
"I just have the two suitcases and my backpack. I think I can manage, but you can come in, if you want."
"Might as well," he replied.
John followed Dennis inside the house, and they found Bill and Mary waiting for them in the kitchen.
"Oh," Mary said, gushing when she saw John. "Looks like Dennis brought some muscle."
John flashed her a smile, much to the chagrin of Dennis and his father. "I'm just here to help in any way I can."
Dennis brushed right past his mom, ignoring her blatant flirting. He turned back to John, who was locked into whatever was going on between the old man and his mother. "Hey, Mr. Just-Here-To-Help . . ."
He snapped out of it. "Oh, right." He shot Mary another smile. "We'll just be a minute."
