I Will Follow You Into the Dark

CHAPTER 10

Sure enough, Mark didn't see Derek again until they arrived at the airport for their flight back to Ecuador. Mark had arrived first. He'd caught a glimpse of Derek and his girlfriend in a corner, all but removing clothing as they kissed deeply and ran their hands all over each other's bodies. Figuring they'd be a while, Mark went on through security and walked down to the gate. He had enjoyed a quiet week at home, catching up with this family as much as they ever did—Mark wasn't really close to his family. His parents had a bad marriage, and his sister was pretty screwed up because of it. So he spent much of his time out with friends or out at bars. He'd found a few pretty women to help him occupy his evenings. Nobody he had any interest in seeing again, but he released some pent up energy.

He surprised himself by not dreading the return to the village. Sure, he'd showered two or three times a day in long, luxurious showers, and he'd eaten more than his fair share of pizza and burgers, but he was actually looking forward to the rest of the their time in Ecuador. He missed those boys like crazy. He'd packed little gifts for each one of them, and he was about to pop just imagining their reactions to their goodies. He was pulled back to reality when Derek slumped down in the seat beside him.

"Hey," Mark said, seeing how miserable Derek was.

Derek put his head in his hands for a few minutes, and Mark swore he saw him wipe a few tears when he sat back up. "Hey," Derek said quietly.

"You OK?" Mark asked, knowing Derek was far from OK.
"I miss her already," he said sadly.

"Six more months and you'll never have to leave her again," Mark said, trying to be encouraging.

"I'm going to ask her to marry me," Derek said. "The minute we get back. I.....I bought the ring this week."

"Wow!" Mark said, trying to sound more excited than flipped out. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. She fits. She's the one. I.......I need her," Derek said, his voice a little shaky.

"Hey, man. She's got it bad for you, too. No worries," Mark said encouragingly.

"I hope so," Derek sad quietly.

"It's a slam dunk," Mark said grinning. "So.......did you keep a count?" he asked nudging Derek with his elbow.

"Maybe," Derek said grinning back at him.

"Eleven," Mark said confidently.

"Eleven? B.S.!" Derek said back. "You're sick and you're lying........you're way too competitive."

"Found some really willing victims.........," Mark said chuckling.

"How 'bout you, Casanova?"

"It's different. She's my girlfriend. I'm gonna marry her. I can't talk about things like that."

"So you're practically married already, huh? What? Once or twice all week?"

Derek tried to ignore him.

"That's really sad, man. It's gonna be a long marriage......."

"Long and happy," Derek said unable to stop himself from disabusing Mark of his misconceptions without giving him the details he was craving.

"Thirteen," Mark said defiantly, looking at Derek with a competitive glare. "I'm guessing you managed that much action."

"Shut up," Derek said, blushing a bit.

"I was right, wasn't I? I'm always right," Mark said victoriously.

"Maybe.......maybe not," Derek said with a huge grin on his face.

"Holy smoke! You've been busy," Mark said in response.

"You have no idea........," Derek said.

They were still laughing when they boarded the plane.




Yes, I know you want to know more about the girlfriend. Yes, I know you're frustrated..........There's a reason we're not going there.........Blame best friend Mark! Nahh......blame me..........we'll talk about her eventually.........We've gotta talk more about South America............And people not introduced there yet