It was a warm humid day in late September when I was doing something as mundane as mowing the lawn when it happened.
I became aware of someone on the drive way as I was finishing off the last few bits. At first my only reaction was 'Let's get this over first'. I had to turn a few times with the machine and I tried to acknowledge his presence but he seemed to be attending to something on his bicycle. I can't say I really noticed all that much more then and if he had just gone away I probably would never have remembered about it for more than five minutes. How different it was!
"Hi that's a good job done then!" He was well spoken and quite extraordinarily handsome. It's hard to remember what it was then but he had a sort of poise about him which gave him an almost aristocratic air.
"Oh well, thanks! Compliments are always gratefully received!" As I said this I had in mind partly that he seemed to be admiring me. I should say that I had taken my shirt off partly to keep cool and also to catch some of the last of the summer sun.
"I'm sorry to bother actually but ..."
"Don't worry it's a most welcome interruption!" I said smiling. "How can I help you?".
"I'm a first year student at the university and I'm trying to find accommodation. Do you know of anyone around here who might have a room to spare?"
"Yea I was reading about this in the local paper, apparently students are sleeping in corridors and lecture theatres. Let me think now .."
"No please don't worry it's just that I thought you might know of someone".
"Sorry what was your name, mine's Carl by the way?"
"Oh I'm Rickie, well short for Richard I suppose but that's what my friends call me."
I was on the verge of offering him a room in my house right then and I was wondering if there was any reason why I shouldn't. I had this feeling that I just could not send this nice young guy away without helping him.
"Rickie there's really got to be something seriously wrong with the system when a guy like you can't find a room!" I couldn't help looking into his big blue eyes. He had short fair hair which just covered his ears and his smooth well filled cheeks were so suggestive of something they just made me quite excited.
"Oh I'd better get on and see what I can find" he said firmly and, with a resignation of purpose, turned to bid me goodbye.
"Hang on a minute! Would you consider taking a room in my house? There is a spare room. Would you be allowed to do that or is there some approval system?"
"To hell with any approval system; if they won't help me why should I care? No of course I'd consider taking it but are you sure you really want to take me?"
"Why shouldn't I? I don't think there's anything wrong with you Rickie is there? It certainly doesn't look like it! I was more concerned that you might not want to commit yourself so quickly perhaps you'd prefer to look around."
"I just can't believe it! This is better than anything I could have expected!"
"Hang on! you haven't seen the room yet. Hey I'd better fetch my shirt and look a bit more respectable for the occasion" I said jokingly.
"No don't do that for me you look terr.. I mean you're fine!" He flushed red at his mistake and I grabbed my shirt but simply put it down on a chair inside. There was just a hint of conspiracy about the smile he gave me. I showed him his room but he only looked around very briefly. "Are you really sure you mean this?" he repeated.
I had never before seen such a fabulously attractive guy; in fact I didn't really consider myself gay and here was this complete stranger who was blowing me over with his most infectious smile!
"I have never been so sure of anything in my life!" I said and briefly without thinking I found myself hugging him. "Now let's get down to practicalities. Let's have a mug of something together coffee, tea, what would you like?" I went on unperturbed as he seemed to be steadying himself. We went outside again to put his bike in the garage and he removed a small shoulder bag he had strapped to the rear.
"Is that all you've got?"
"Yea well another student, who's got a hostel room, let me sleep on the floor but it's not really allowed and I could have got him in trouble. All my other stuff is at my parent's place. It's not a lot!" he added hastily.
"I don't mind , in fact perhaps I can drive you over and help you ferry it."
"Oh no!" he replied very quickly. "I mean sorry! Thanks! but it's not much really I can just put it in a bag and take it on the train. I've got a student card you see" he added as if to give further credence but I had guessed he thought my appearance would cause him some embarrassment.
"That's OK Rickie, look um ... what are you studying at Uni. then?" I could see he felt a bit uneasy about refusing my offer.
"I'm doing catering and hotel management." then after a pause, "Don't say it I know what you're thinking 'You can do the cooking' well yes I certainly would like to help out if you like. I love cooking you see"
"It just keeps getting better!" I replied. "So back to practical matters; I think a trip to the supermarket is required and with such a qualification I'm going have to ask you to accompany me!"